Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’; Conforming was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2023. View the Corps announcement 8 September 2023 - EPA and the Army Issue Final Rule to Amend 2023 Rule and related announcements about Waters of the United States (WOTUS) on the the USACE Headquarters Regulatory Announcements page.
The Corps can initiate processing of permit applications under emergency authorization procedures. We will review emergency authorization requests on a case-by-case basis. Read the Public Notice titled "Emergency Permitting Procedures" on our Projects, news and updates webpage to learn what defines an emergency and how to begin the process.

Regulatory Mission Overview

Regulatory image of scenic lake

The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Regulatory offices is to protect the Nation’s aquatic resources and navigation capacity, while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced decisions. 

The Portland District Regulatory Branch has jurisdiction over the state of Oregon, southwest Washington ports and restoration projects in the Columbia River estuary funded by the Bonneville Power Administration. 

The Corps administers Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), regulating activities that may impact wetlands and waters of the United States.

The Corps’ permit application process gives applicants the opportunity to demonstrate that they have avoided and minimized impacts to waters of the United States as much as possible. As an applicant, you can make the permitting process easier by first taking time to consider how your project will impact the environment.

Our commitment to public service

Public service is a public trust. We, as Corps regulators, must earn this trust, and to keep this trust, we must conduct ourselves in a manner that reflects the following principles:

Professional - We will conduct ourselves in a professional manner in dealings with all our customers, including applicants, violators, agencies, interest groups and the general public.

Fair and reasonable - We will be open-minded, impartial, and consistent in our interactions with all our customers to ensure all actions and decisions are free from bias and are not arbitrary or capricious. Customers will be treated equally and with tolerance.

Knowledgeable - We will remain knowledgeable of applicable laws, regulations, and scientific and technical advances which affect our program.

Honest - We will be truthful, straightforward, and candid in all dealings with our customers.

Timely - We will strive to provide our customers with timely regulatory responses regardless of whether those responses are favorable or adverse.

Accountable - We will be decisive in all actions and accept responsibility for any of our decisions and resulting consequences. All decisions will be factual and properly documented.

Respectful - We will treat our customers with dignity, courtesy, compassion, and sensitivity.