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RRS Transition for New Requests

Effective May 1, 2026, the Sacramento District expects all new requests for pre-application meetings, permits, jurisdictional determinations, and no permit required letters to be submitted through the Regulatory Request System (RRS).  Submitting a new request through means other than RRS may result in processing delays. Customers may continue to send general inquiries and post-permit follow-up materials, such as monitoring reports and compliance certifications, to the Sacramento District’s general mailbox, which will be checked by staff at least once a week. This transition supports USACE’s ongoing efforts to modernize Regulatory Program processes, leverage technology, streamline processes, and improve transparency.  As part of the transition to accepting new requests through RRS, the Sacramento District is updating its website to remove Regulatory Program information already available in the RRS.

The Regulatory Program

The Department of the Army's Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the federal government. Initially, it served a simple purpose: to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation's waters. Changing public needs, evolving policy, court decisions, and new statutory mandates have changed the program including its breadth, complexity, and authority.  Under the Regulatory Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is charged with administering and enforcing Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (RHA) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Under Section 10 of the RHA, a permit is required for work or structures in, over or under navigable waters of the United States. Under Section 40 of the CWA, a permit is required for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. Many waterbodies and some wetlands are waters of the United States and are subject to the Corps' regulatory authority. The Regulatory Program is committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources and navigation capacity, while allowing reasonable development through fair and balanced permit decisions. The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities that occur in the Nation's waters. More information about the Regulatory Program, including jurisdiction, permits, and exemptions, can be found at the Regulatory Request System. 

Latest News

  • March 16, 2026 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it is seeking input from all interested parties on ways to increase the efficiency of the nationwide permit program. A public notice soliciting input on potential future changes to the nationwide permits was published in the March 16, 2026, Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-05051. USACE will accept written comments through May 15, 2026. Comments should be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov at docket number COE-2026-0001, or by mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.

  • February 20, 2026 - The Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announces it transition to accepting all new requests for Regulatory Program products through the USACE’s Regulatory Request System, effective May 1, 2026. https://rrs.usace.army.mil

  • January 12, 2026 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army published joint guidance clarifying and applying the interpretation of the terms “basic purpose” and “overall project purpose” under the Clean Water Action Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines.  The joint guidance aligns agency interpretation of the terms for the purpose of government efficiency. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-01/basic-vs-overall-project-purpose-guidance_january-2026.pdf

Make Your Request Through RRS

The Corps’ Regulatory Request System (RRS), a user-friendly and secure, military-owned online portal, is your one-stop shop for submitting requests for pre-application meetings, jurisdictional determinations, and permits.  With RRS, you can also get immediate confirmation of whether a proposed activity does not require a permit, report potential violations, and get information about the Regulatory Program.  RRS replaces paper-based submissions, offering a streamlined process for customers to submit, manage, and monitor the status of their requests.

Our Commitment

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.