[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"permit-17":3},{"id":4,"acreageLimit":5,"changesFrom2021":6,"code":7,"commonProjects":8,"effectiveDate":15,"environmentalReview":16,"extension":17,"faq":18,"keyConditions":34,"linearFootLimit":41,"meta":42,"name":46,"pcnTrigger":72,"publicComments":52,"purpose":51,"relatedPermits":73,"seo":74,"shortName":47,"sourceDocumentUrl":70,"statutoryAuthority":48,"stem":75,"whoNeedsThis":53,"__hash__":76},"permits/permits/nwp-17.json",0.5,"The 2026 reissuance of NWP 17 did not include any substantive changes to its terms or conditions compared to the 2021 version. The Corps reevaluated the permit's individual and cumulative effects and determined that the existing qualitative and quantitative limits, such as the 1/2-acre impact limit and mandatory pre-construction notification, remain sufficient to ensure that authorized activities result in no more than minimal adverse environmental impacts.\n\nWhile the permit text remains unchanged, the supporting decision document was updated with current environmental baseline data. This includes information from the most recent national-scale assessments, such as the 2022 National Lakes Assessment and the 2021 National Wetland Condition Assessment, to ensure the cumulative impact analysis reflects the current ecological status of the Nation's waters.","17",[9,10,11,12,13,14],"Small hydropower installations at existing authorized dams","Construction of intake and outfall structures for PURPA-exempt projects","Discharge of fill for turbine foundations at licensed hydropower sites","Placement of small weirs or flumes for licensed energy production","Installation of cofferdams for hydropower facility maintenance","Construction of temporary access fills for hydropower site work","2026-03-15","The Corps determined that the reissuance of NWP 17 has 'no effect' on federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. This is achieved through General Condition 18, which ensures that no activity 'may affect' listed resources unless a project-specific ESA Section 7 consultation is completed. Similarly, Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) requirements are satisfied via case-by-case or programmatic consultations conducted by district engineers during the mandatory notification review process.\n\nCompliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is managed through General Condition 20. Hydropower projects involve a mandatory PCN, giving the district engineer the opportunity to review every proposal for potential effects on historic properties. If such potential exists, the activity is not authorized until the Section 106 process is finished.","json",[19,22,25,28,31],{"q":20,"a":21},"Do I need to submit a PCN for hydropower projects under NWP 17?","Yes, a pre-construction notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities authorized by NWP 17 prior to commencing work.",{"q":23,"a":24},"What is the maximum acreage limit for impacts under NWP 17?","Hydropower projects authorized by this permit cannot cause the loss of more than 1/2-acre of waters of the United States.",{"q":26,"a":27},"Can I use NWP 17 for a new dam to generate power?","NWP 17 is generally limited to licensed projects or small projects at existing reservoirs; new large-scale dams would likely require an individual permit.",{"q":29,"a":30},"Must my hydropower project be licensed by FERC?","The project must either be licensed by FERC as required by the Federal Power Act or be exempt from licensing under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978.",{"q":32,"a":33},"Does NWP 17 authorize permanent road access to the facility?","NWP 17 authorizes the hydropower project and associated facilities; however, all permanent losses must stay under the 1/2-acre threshold and be identified in the PCN.",[35,36,37,38,39,40],"Total loss of waters of the United States cannot exceed 1/2-acre","Must be a small hydropower project exempt from FERC licensing or licensed by FERC","Pre-construction notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities","Temporary fills must be removed in their entirety and sites restored","Must maintain normal downstream flows and minimize flooding","Does not authorize activities that result in more than minimal navigation impacts",null,{"path":43,"body":44,"title":71},"/permits/nwp-17",{"id":45,"code":7,"name":46,"shortName":47,"statutoryAuthority":48,"acreageLimit":5,"linearFootLimit":41,"pcnTrigger":49,"effectiveDate":15,"purpose":51,"changesFrom2021":6,"environmentalReview":16,"publicComments":52,"whoNeedsThis":53,"commonProjects":54,"keyConditions":55,"faq":56,"relatedPermits":62,"seo":67,"sourceDocumentUrl":70},"nwp-17","Hydropower Projects","NWP 17","10/404",{"type":50},"mandatory","Nationwide Permit 17 authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and structures or work in navigable waters associated with hydropower projects. The permit is limited to projects that are either small hydropower projects at existing reservoirs that have been exempt from licensing by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or hydropower projects licensed by FERC as required by the Federal Power Act of 1920.\n\nThe scope of this permit includes both the physical structures in navigable waters and the discharge of fill material required for construction. However, a significant limitation is that the activity, including any associated facilities, must not cause the loss of greater than 1/2-acre of waters of the United States.","Public feedback for NWP 17 included support for maintained administrative efficiency and some concerns regarding the impacts of hydropower infrastructure on aquatic life movement. Commenters emphasized the need for proper fish passage at weirs and dams. The Corps responded that General Condition 2 (Aquatic Life Movements) already prohibits activities that substantially disrupt the movement of indigenous aquatic species and that mandatory notifications allow for site-specific mitigation requirements.\n\nNo specific comments were received requesting changes to the impact limits or the existing coordination with FERC. The Corps concluded that the current permit structure effectively manages the categories of hydropower activities while ensuring that any project causing more than minimal adverse environmental effects is shifted to the standard individual permit process.","Energy developers and utility providers typically use this permit for small-scale hydropower installations at existing reservoirs or licensed facilities. It is essential for compliance managers overseeing projects that fall under FERC licensing or PURPA exemptions and require Department of the Army authorization for waterbody impacts.",[9,10,11,12,13,14],[35,36,37,38,39,40],[57,58,59,60,61],{"q":20,"a":21},{"q":23,"a":24},{"q":26,"a":27},{"q":29,"a":30},{"q":32,"a":33},[63,64,65,66],"NWP-3","NWP-7","NWP-14","NWP-33",{"title":68,"description":69},"NWP 17: Hydropower Projects - 2026 Permit Guide","Nationwide Permit 17 (NWP 17) for hydropower facilities. FERC coordination, 1/2-acre limits, mandatory PCN, and Section 10/404 authority on Course Clear.","https://cdn.courseclear.io/usace/decision_documents/NWP-17-2026-Final-Decision-Document.pdf","Nwp 17",{"type":50},[63,64,65,66],{"title":68,"description":69},"permits/nwp-17","CUUkDtYwS4SpWrStvBr-7rM484lkWPkbLtEKfhHWuBQ"]