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2026 Nationwide Permits and Opportunity to Comment on Potential Future Changes
Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
PRESENTER:
- Katie McCafferty, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
ABSTRACT:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reissued its nationwide permits (NWPs) effective March 15, 2026. The NWPs authorize activities subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 as long as the proposed activity meets the terms and conditions of the NWP. In the 2026 NWPs, 56 NWPs were reissued, one new NWP was issued, and one NWP was not reissued. These NWPs authorize activities associated with various categories of projects ranging from aids to navigation, mooring buoys, maintenance activities, utility line crossings, residential developments, agricultural activities, aquatic ecosystem restoration activities, and improving passage for aquatic organisms. This webinar provides an overview of the 2026 NWPs, with a focus on the changes to the NWPs, as well as an overview of the notice requesting comment on potential future changes to the NWPs. The comment period on the notice ends on May 15, 2026.
BIO
Katherine (Katie) McCafferty is a Regulatory Program Manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Headquarters, where she currently leads initiatives related to the nationwide and general permit programs. With over 20 years experience in the USACE Regulatory Program, she has been a Regulatory Project Manager in Louisville and Alaska Districts, and an Administrative Appeals Officer for the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division. Her experience includes the evaluation of applications for Department of the Army authorizations for work in waters and wetlands, reviews of jurisdictional determinations, and mentoring and training USACE Regulatory staff. Most recently, she led the national effort to finalize the reissuance of the 2026 Nationwide Permits.