Jacksonville District Regulatory Division
Vision: The Jacksonville District Regulatory Division aims to implement a dynamic Regulatory Program through responsive, informed, and timely decisions while providing a high level of public service.
Mission: The Jacksonville District Regulatory Division is a team of interdisciplinary professionals committed to protecting and regulating the use of our Nation's aquatic resources and navigable waters through timely, balanced, and transparent permit decisions and program execution across our area of delegated authority and responsibility. We accomplish this duty in a manner that instills trust while supporting our overall commitment to public service today and into the future.
State 404 Program Update
On Thursday, February 15th, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision vacating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's approval of Florida's application to assume Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting responsibilities in certain waters in Florida. In light of this decision, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently the only entity in the State of Florida with authority to issue permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The USACE recognizes that either the District Court or an Appellate Court may issue a full or partial stay of the February 15th order at some point. In the interim, applicants may submit applications to the USACE for activities involving the discharge of dredged or fill material into formerly state-assumed waters. The USACE will begin processing any applications it receives; however, applicants and stakeholders should recognize the uncertainty surrounding the current litigation.
Overview
Jacksonville District Area of Responsibility
Jacksonville District Regulatory Division has jurisdiction over the geographic area of the State of Florida. The Division is geographically aligned in three Permitting Branches, which are further divided into nine Sections, and Mitigation Bank Team and Enforcement Section.
Primary Webpages for Regulatory Program Information
Regulatory Program Information is found on the following webpages.
- This webpage you are currently reading (Jacksonville District Regulatory). This provides information specific to the Jacksonville District.
- Regulatory Request System. This is a nationwide webpage for submitting applications or certain other requests. It includes information relevant to those requests. It also enables you to view and comment on Public Notices issued on certain pending applications.
- Headquarters Regulatory webpage. This provides information relevant nationally (not-District specific).
Who do I contact with questions?
For general questions call 904-232-1177 or email: SAJ-RD@usace.army.mil
For project specific questions: Contact one of our local Regulatory offices using the Regulatory Contact Form (on the form, select the office based on which county the project is located shown by the map at top of this webpage)
Do I need a permit?
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "Do I need a permit?" This section briefly explains the three laws that require a permit for certain activities. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window).
What types of permits are available?
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "What types of permits are available?" This section briefly explains the different types of permits. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window).
Which waters does the USACE Regulate?
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "Which waters does the USACE Regulate?" This section briefly explains the geographic extent where a permit is required. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window).
Public Notices
How to view and comment on Public Notices
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "Public Notices". This section briefly explains the three laws that require a permit for certain activities. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window).
Public Notice Notifications
The Jacksonville District currently has five categories of public notice notification mailing lists. If you wish to receive email notifications when new public notices are added to this page, please send a request to saj-rd-webmaster@usace.army.mil. Each category is described below. Be sure to specify which list(s) you want to be included on.
- Florida - This includes all public notices for projects being reviewed for Standard Permits within the State of Florida.
- Tropical Storms & Other Emergencies - These public notices provide information on procedures for emergency permitting requirements due to specific tropical storm events or other emergency situations.
- Special Issues - These are public notices that involve the Regulatory program but which are generally not limited to one particular geographic area. These would include public notices for the establishment or modification of Restricted Areas/Danger Zones, re-issuance of General Permits or Nationwide Permits, changes to guidance and policies, etc.
- Administrative Penalty - These public notices provide information associated with Administrative Penalties. An Administrative Penalty can be assessed to address violations associated with issued Department of the Army permits.
To receive additional project drawings
Effective immediately: public notices are published with only the vicinity map, plan view and cross-section drawing. If you are interested in receiving additional project drawings associated with any public notice, please send an email to the project manager at the email address listed in the public notice.
Forms
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "Additional Resources". This section includes a sub-section titled Forms and Appendices. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window.)
Regulations
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled "Additional Resources". This section includes a sub-section titled USACE Regulations. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window.)
Proximity Factor
Please click this link to open the Proximity Factor Guidance.
Compensatory Mitigation
Please click this link to open the Regulatory Request System webpage's section titled Mitigation Information. This section provides a link to the Mitigation Rule and to the Regulatory In-Lieu Fee and Bank Information Tracking System (RIBITS). (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window).
Uniform Mitigation Assessment Methodology (UMAM) - FDEP
The Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) was developed by various state of Florida regulatory agencies, with input from local government and the Corps, Jacksonville District. On February 2, 2004, UMAM went into effect at the state level, and those state and local governments responsible for environmental regulation were required to begin utilizing the methodology. Prior to its implementation at the federal level, the Corps conducted a study of the method and recommended UMAM be used for federal wetland regulatory purposes starting August 1, 2005. Implementation of UMAM by the Corps included a few changes from the state rule. Specifically, the Corps continues to use the Corps 3% discount rate, rather than the state's time lag table, based on a 7% rate. Also, the Corps has more restrictions compared to the state in the amount of wetland and upland preservation credit given. The method is used to determine the amount of mitigation needed to offset adverse impacts to wetlands and other surface waters and to award and deduct mitigation bank credits.
HQ Mitigation Information Page
Please click this link to open the HQ Mitigation Information Page.
The Corps of Engineers' enforcement program is based on a policy of the regulation of the waters of the United States by discouraging activities that have not been properly authorized and by requiring corrective measures, where appropriate, to ensure those waters are not misused and to maintain the integrity of the program.
If a violation is suspected, steps are taken to inspect the suspected violation in a timely manner. The scheduling of investigations will reflect the nature and location of the suspected violations, the anticipated impacts, and the most effective use of inspection resources available. These investigations should confirm whether a violation exists, and if so, will identify the extent of the violation and the responsible parties.
The Corps may issue orders requiring corrective action including removal of the unauthorized work and restoration, and/or in certain cases accept an after-the-fact permit application, initiate legal action, or recommend referral to the Environmental Protection Agency for administrative, civil or criminal penalties. The EPA has independent enforcement authority under the Clean Water Act for unauthorized discharges. The Corps works closely with the EPA to coordinate the most effective and efficient resolution of Section 404 Clean Water Act violations.
For appropriate cases, the Corps may recommend criminal or civil actions to obtain penalties for violations. Appropriate cases for criminal or civil action include, but are not limited to, violations which, in the Corps' opinion, are willful, repeated, flagrant, or of substantial impact.
Helpful Advice for Avoiding Enforcement Actions
- Never initiate any activities in the waters of the United States without a Corps-issued Department of Army permit
- Obtaining a state permit does not obviate the need to obtain a permit from the Corps of Engineers
- Read all permit conditions, both general and specific
- Adhere to all permit conditions
- Contact the Corps for any post-permitting changes or accidental fills
- When in doubt, Call the Corps or email the Corps at SAJ-RD-Enforcement@usace.army.mil
Reporting a Potential Unauthorized Activity
The Corps relies heavily on the public to report unauthorized activities. If you suspect an unauthorized activity has occurred or is underway, you may report your observations by completing the Violation Reporting Form by selecting "Report Violations" located on the Regulatory Request System. (After clicking the link, click "I accept" to close the popup window). All reports will be sent to the appropriate office for review.
Enforcement Office Locations & Map
View Enforcement Map (PDF)