REISSUANCE OF NWPs: On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final action in the Federal Register (91 FR 768) announcing the reissuance of 56 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and one new NWP, as well as the reissuance of NWP general conditions and definitions with some modifications. These 57 NWPs will go into effect on March 15, 2026, and will expire on March 15, 2031. One NWP was not reissued.
The Corps has also issued final decision documents for the new and reissued NWPs. These final decision documents are available at www.regulations.gov at docket number COE-2025-0002. Furthermore, the national NWP decision documents will be supplemented by Division Engineers to address decisions concerning the addition of regional conditions to the NWPs.
EXPIRATION OF 2021 NWPs: The 56 existing NWPs published in the January 8, 2026, final action replace the 2021 versions of these NWPs. The 2021 versions of these NWPs expire on March 14, 2026.
REGIONAL CONDITIONS: The Rock Island District, on behalf of all Illinois Districts, to include Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, and Memphis Districts, finalized regional conditions for these 57 NWPs in the State of Illinois. Regional conditions will provide additional protection for the aquatic environment, and will help ensure that the NWPs authorized only those activities with no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. Regional conditions will help ensure protection of high value waters within the State of Illinois. Enclosure 1 provides the Regional Conditions for the State of Illinois.
The Rock Island District, on behalf of all Illinois Districts, to include Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, and Memphis Districts, determined which conditions for water quality certifications issued by the state and tribes for the issuance of these NWPs become conditions of these NWPs. The Illinois districts also determined which conditions for Coastal Zone Management Act consistency concurrences issued by the State of Illinois for the issuance of these NWPs become conditions of these NWPs. Enclosure 2 explains the Water Quality Certifications from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IL EPA) and US Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (US EPA). Enclosure 3 explains the Illinois CZMA concurrence by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.