US Army Corps of Engineers
Little Rock District

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Email:  CESWL-Regulatory@usace.army.mil
Phone Number:  501-324-5295


Submit Applications to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: CESWL-RD
P.O. Box 867
Little Rock, AR  72203

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Regulatory Program Overview

White Oak Bayou

The Regulatory Program is committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources and navigation capacity, while allowing reasonable development through fair and balanced decisions.  The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities that occur in the nation's waters, including wetlands. Corps permits are also necessary for any work, including construction and dredging, in the nation’s navigable waters.

The Corps balances the reasonably foreseeable benefits and detriments of proposed projects, and makes permit decisions that recognize the essential values of the nation's aquatic ecosystems to the general public, as well as the property rights of private citizens who want to use their land. During the permit process, the Corps considers the views of other federal, state and local agencies, interest groups, and the general public.

The results of this careful public interest review are fair and equitable decisions that allow reasonable use of private property, infrastructure development, and growth of the economy, while offsetting the authorized impacts to the waters of the U.S. Unavoidable adverse impacts to the aquatic environment are offset by mitigation requirements, which may include restoring, enhancing, creating, and preserving aquatic functions and values. The Corps strives to make its permit decisions in a timely manner.

Waters of the United States Definition

14 February - 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.

7 January 2019 - EPA and Army Postpone Public Hearing on Proposed New "Waters of the United States" Definition
Due to the lapse in appropriations for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EPA and the Department of the Army (Army) have postponed the planned January 23 public hearing on the proposed new "Waters of the United States" definition until after appropriations have passed to fund the EPA. Publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register is also postponed. Information on the status of the public hearing will be posted on the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/epa-and-army-postpone-public-hearing-proposed-new-waters-united-states-definition.

11 December 2018 - EPA and Army Propose New "Waters of the United States" Definition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army have proposed a new definition of "waters of the United States" that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act.  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 agencies will take comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA and the Army will also hold an informational webcast on January 10, 2019, and will host a listening session on the proposed rule in Kansas City, KS, on January 23, 2019.  More information including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice, the supporting analyses and fact sheets are available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/step-two-revise and https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule.

Regulatory Pledge

Public service is a public trust.  As Corps Regulators, we 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.

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

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

ACCOUNTABILITY - 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.

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

Customer Service Survey

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District Regulatory Division is committed to improving service to our customers. Customer service is very important to the Regulatory Division staff in the Little Rock District and the Customer Service Survey Form will allow you to provide us with your input. This survey will be an on-going effort of the Division to assist us in continually improving the level of service to all of our customers. Your input is appreciated - favorable or otherwise. Periodic tabulation of the results of this survey will appear at this same site. At the end of the survey, you will be able to submit the completed form electronically if your browser is Internet Explorer or print out the form and mail it to the address below. Please click the following link to access the form:

National Customer Service Survey 

We hope your experience with the staff in the Division was a positive one. Your issues and concerns are important to me so please take a moment to fill out the survey form. 

For further information or to provide additional comments, please email us at: 

CESWL-Regulatory@usace.army.mil

Or, you can visit or call our offices, located at:

700 W. Capitol (Federal Building)
Room 6323
Little Rock, AR 72201-3221
Office # (501) 324-5295 Fax # (501) 324-6013