Proposed Issuance of Department of the Army Maine General Permits
The New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposes to issue state-wide Department of Army General Permits for Maine (ME GPs), which will replace the current 23 ME GPs that expire on October 14, 2025. The proposed ME GPs will take effect on October 15, 2025, and will continue to serve the purpose of streamlining the review of regulated activities under Corps jurisdiction pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (see 33 CFR Part 323) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (see 33 CFR Part 322) within waters of the United States in Maine that cause no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects.
Proposed Reissuance and Modification of Department of Army Nationwide Permits
Nationwide permits (NWPs) are general permits issued by the Corps on a nationwide basis to streamline the authorization of categories of activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The Corps is proposing to reissue its existing NWPs and associated general conditions and definitions which are scheduled to expire on March 14, 2026.
The Corps is also proposing some modifications to the existing NWPs, general conditions, and definitions and one new NWP. The New England District Corps is proposing to authorize 50 of those NWPs as well as regional conditions specific to the needs and/or requirements of New England and Maine. Upon authorization of the NWPs, Maine would suspend most of the ME GPs, except for those which are necessarily different from the NWPs.
These actions are subject to review for consistency with the enforceable policies of Maine Coastal Program under 15 CFR 930, subpart C. Public comments will be accepted through July 21, 2025 and may be emailed to the DMR Coastal Program.
More information about the ME GPs and NWPs can be found below:
Proposed Issuance of the Department of the Army - Maine General Permits
Department of the Army General Permits for the State of Maine
US Army Corps of Engineers - 2026 Nationwide Permit Information