On March 16, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a request for recommendations from the regulated community on ways to improve the nationwide permit program (NWP).
NWPs authorize activities that will result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. NWPs require less time and expense to obtain than individual permits because they apply to general types of activities as opposed to specific projects. The Corps will consider input obtained from this request in future rulemaking related to NWPs.
Advocacy explained that small businesses use NWPs as an alternative to expensive, time-consuming individual permits for projects with minimal environmental impacts. To improve the NWP program, Advocacy suggests that the Corps reevaluate current acreage limits and mitigation thresholds. Advocacy further urged the Corps to minimize disruption for projects that obtain NWP’s but have not been completed before the permit is renewed.
Advocacy looks forward to continuing this conversation with the Corps and providing small business perspectives on ways to continue and improve the NWP program.
COMMENT LETTER
(PDF, 239 KB)
CONTACT: Nick Goldstein
EMAIL: nick.goldstein@sba.gov
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