The Department of the Army Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the federal government. Initially it served a fairly simple, straightforward purpose: to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation's waters. Time, changing public needs, evolving policy, case law, and new statutory mandates have changed the complexion of the program, adding to its breadth, complexity, and authority.
The Regulatory Program is committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources, while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions. The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities that occur in the Nation's waters, including wetlands.
The Northwestern Division performs the administrative appeal process primarily for permitting decisions and jurisdictional determinations within the Kansas City District, Omaha District, Portland District, Seattle District and Walla Walla District. Northwestern Division also assists on appeals nationally when requested by other Division Commanders.
Each District in the Northwestern Division has a designated area of responsibility for the Regulatory Permitting Process.