[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"permit-31":3},{"id":4,"acreageLimit":5,"changesFrom2021":6,"code":7,"commonProjects":8,"effectiveDate":15,"environmentalReview":16,"extension":17,"faq":18,"keyConditions":34,"linearFootLimit":5,"meta":41,"name":45,"pcnTrigger":71,"publicComments":51,"purpose":50,"relatedPermits":72,"seo":73,"shortName":46,"sourceDocumentUrl":69,"statutoryAuthority":47,"stem":74,"whoNeedsThis":52,"__hash__":75},"permits/permits/nwp-31.json",null,"The 2026 reissuance of NWP 31 contains no substantive changes to its terms or conditions compared to the 2021 version. The Corps reevaluated the permit's quantitative and qualitative limits and determined that the existing framework remains effective in ensuring that authorized maintenance activities result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects.\n\nWhile the permit text remains identical to the previous version, the supporting decision document was updated with the latest environmental baseline data. This includes current information from national assessments like the 2022 National Lakes Assessment and the 2021 National Wetland Condition Assessment to ensure the environmental review is grounded in the most current available scientific data.","31",[9,10,11,12,13,14],"Removal of accumulated sediment from a debris basin","Clearing of vegetation and debris from authorized flood control channels","Maintenance of retention or detention basins to design capacity","Repair and restoration of existing levee systems to authorized dimensions","Dewatering of construction sites for authorized flood facility repairs","Internal reconfiguration of docking facilities within an authorized marina area","2026-03-15","The Corps determined that the reissuance of NWP 31 results in a 'no effect' finding for federally-listed endangered or threatened species and designated critical habitat. This is based on General Condition 18, which requires project-specific ESA Section 7 consultation if an activity 'might affect' listed resources; no activity is authorized until that process is complete. \n\nCompliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is managed through General Condition 20. Because NWP 31 requires a mandatory Pre-Construction Notification (PCN), district engineers have the opportunity to review every proposal for potential impacts on historic properties before work begins. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) is also evaluated during the PCN review, and district engineers may add regional or activity-specific conditions to ensure no more than minimal adverse effects on sensitive aquatic environments.","json",[19,22,25,28,31],{"q":20,"a":21},"Do I need to submit a PCN for flood control maintenance under NWP 31?","Yes, a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities authorized by NWP 31 before any work can begin.",{"q":23,"a":24},"What is a 'maintenance baseline' for NWP 31?","It is a description of the physical characteristics (dimensions, design capacity, etc.) of a flood control facility as originally authorized, which sets the limit for authorized maintenance work.",{"q":26,"a":27},"Can I use NWP 31 to enlarge an existing detention basin?","No, NWP 31 only authorizes the maintenance and restoration of facilities to their original authorized baseline; expansions require separate authorization.",{"q":29,"a":30},"Does NWP 31 authorize the disposal of dredged material?","Disposal of dredged material into waters of the U.S. is not authorized by NWP 31 itself and requires a separate permit, though the removal activity is covered.",{"q":32,"a":33},"What happens if I don't have a maintenance baseline established?","The district engineer will establish the maintenance baseline during the first PCN review by evaluating the originally authorized design and previous maintenance history.",[35,36,37,38,39,40],"Maintenance must be limited to a previously established maintenance baseline","Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities","The facility must have been previously authorized or constructed by the Corps","Does not authorize the expansion of the flood control facility","Temporary fills must be removed and the site restored to pre-construction elevations","Best management practices must be used to minimize impacts to the aquatic environment",{"path":42,"body":43,"title":70},"/permits/nwp-31",{"id":44,"code":7,"name":45,"shortName":46,"statutoryAuthority":47,"acreageLimit":5,"linearFootLimit":5,"pcnTrigger":48,"effectiveDate":15,"purpose":50,"changesFrom2021":6,"environmentalReview":16,"publicComments":51,"whoNeedsThis":52,"commonProjects":53,"keyConditions":54,"faq":55,"relatedPermits":61,"seo":66,"sourceDocumentUrl":69},"nwp-31","Maintenance of Existing Flood Control Facilities","NWP 31","10/404",{"type":49},"mandatory","Nationwide Permit 31 authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and structures or work in navigable waters associated with the maintenance of existing flood control facilities. This includes the removal of accumulated sediment and debris from facilities such as debris basins, retention or detention basins, levees, and channels. To qualify, the facility must have been previously authorized by the Corps or constructed by the Corps and transferred to a non-Federal sponsor for operation and maintenance.\n\nThe permit is designed to allow for the restoration of a flood control facility to its previously established 'maintenance baseline.' This baseline is defined by the physical characteristics (such as dimensions, configuration, and design capacity) of the facility as originally authorized. Maintenance is limited to the minimum necessary to restore this baseline, and the permit does not authorize the expansion of a facility beyond its original design.\n\nAuthorized work includes the disposal of dredged material into authorized disposal sites, provided those sites are in waters of the United States and the discharge is authorized by a separate permit. It also covers temporary structures and fills needed to conduct the maintenance, such as dewatering construction sites, provided the areas are restored to pre-construction elevations upon completion.","The Corps requested public comments on the proposed reissuance of NWP 31, but no specific comments were received regarding this permit during the formal comment period. As a result, the permit was reissued as written in the June 2025 proposal.\n\nBroad themes from the general NWP reissuance process highlighted support for maintain administrative efficiency for essential infrastructure maintenance. The Corps responded by affirming that the NWP program effectively reduces regulatory burdens while providing environmental protections through the use of maintenance baselines and mandatory notifications that allow for site-specific review.","Public works departments, flood control districts, and non-Federal sponsors of Corps-constructed projects typically use this permit. It is the primary vehicle for compliance managers overseeing the periodic removal of sediment and debris from authorized flood management infrastructure like levees and detention basins.",[9,10,11,12,13,14],[35,36,37,38,39,40],[56,57,58,59,60],{"q":20,"a":21},{"q":23,"a":24},{"q":26,"a":27},{"q":29,"a":30},{"q":32,"a":33},[62,63,64,65],"NWP-3","NWP-13","NWP-33","NWP-41",{"title":67,"description":68},"NWP 31: Maintenance of Flood Control Facilities - 2026 Permit Guide","Nationwide Permit 31 (NWP 31) for maintaining existing flood control structures. Maintenance baseline requirements, mandatory PCN, and Section 10/404 rules on Course Clear.","https://cdn.courseclear.io/usace/decision_documents/NWP-31-2026-Final-Decision-Document.pdf","Nwp 31",{"type":49},[62,63,64,65],{"title":67,"description":68},"permits/nwp-31","EzVY4ZHHOkXtVOCLO7x4oBVx_zbpWaIWMq93rPDLNjc"]