US Army Corps of Engineers
Buffalo District

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IMPORTANT NEWS!

February 14, 2019 - EPA and Army publish proposed revised "waters of the United States" definition: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army announced today the publishing in the Federal Register of the proposed new definition of "waters of the United States" that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act.  The notice is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/14/2019-00791/revised-definition-of-waters-of-the-united-states. The agencies' proposal is the second step in a two-step process to review and revise the definition of "waters of the United States" consistent with the February 2017 Presidential Executive Order entitled "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." The publishing of the proposal and outreach efforts were delayed due to the lapse in appropriations for EPA. Today's notice begins a 60-day public comment period that will close on April 15, 2019. EPA and the Army will hold an informational webcast on February 14, 2019, and will host a listening session on the proposed rule in Kansas City, KS, on February 27-28, 2019. Information, including supporting analyses and fact sheets, are available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/step-two-revise and https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule. Read the Public Notice by CLICKING HERE.

August 16, 2018 - Rule Status and Litigation Update regarding the Definition of "Waters of the United States"  - all Jurisdictional Determinations in NY and OH are subject to the 2015 Clean Water Rule.  More Information - Click here.

August 15, 2018 - Emergency Regional Permit (RP) 99-000-1 activated for the following counties: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schulyer, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Wayne and Yates Counties. Click HERE for this permit located under 'Types of Permits, Regional General Permit 99-000-1'.

Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 16-01 regarding "Jurisdictional Determinations"- Click HERE.

Regulatory Around the District

Taking It To the Field
Regulators perform onsite inspections before, during and after permitting actions.
Collecting Data for Unauthorized Activities
A Buffalo District Project Manager collects data to determine if fill material is located within a wetland area in response to a complaint.
Taking Soil Samples
Regulators evaluate soil to determine if they have wetland soil characteristics.
Waterfront Compliance Inspection
A compliance inspection is performed for a permitted bank stabilization project.
Inspecting Wetland Mitigation
A Buffalo District Regulatory Project Manager assesses a created wetland, which was required mitigation associated with a permit.
Clearing Fill Materials
Corps of Engineers Regulatory observe the removal of grain silo debris from the Buffalo River.
Compliance Inspection
Regulators inspect ongoing and completed project to ensure compliance with issued permits.

Regulatory Home

 

The Department of the Army Regulatory Program is one of the oldest programs in the federal government. Initially, the Regulatory Division (RD) served a fairly simple, straightforward purpose: to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation’s waters, under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was signed into law, and the Department of the Army was directed to administer Section 404 of the Act, which regulates the discharge of dredged and/or fill material in waters of the United States. In 1977, the Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction was increased to include wetlands as part of the Waters of the US.  
Report a Violation         Regulatory Informational Booklet 

            Customer Survey   

Please submit new permit applications to the Buffalo District Office and use the Buffalo District office contact information for general questions and inquiries.  If you leave a message regarding general questions and inquiries, a Regulatory staff member will return your call as soon as possible; generally within 24 hours or the next business day.