[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"permit-52":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-52.json",0.5,"The 2026 reissuance of NWP 52 maintains the core limitations from the 2021 version, including the 10-unit maximum for pilot projects and the 1/2-acre acreage limit. The Corps reevaluated these thresholds and determined they remain appropriate to ensure that experimental energy projects result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects while supporting renewable energy innovation.\n\nUpdates to the supporting decision document were performed to incorporate the most recent environmental baseline data, such as findings from the 2022 National Lakes Assessment and the 2021 National Wetland Condition Assessment. These updates ensure that the Corps' cumulative impact analysis is based on the most current national-scale ecological data available regarding the status of the nation's aquatic resources.","52",[9,10,11,12,13,14],"Installation of a 5-unit floating solar array in a reservoir","Trial deployment of wave energy converters in coastal waters","Construction of a small-scale offshore wind pilot project with 3 turbines","Installation of hydrokinetic turbines in a river for data collection","Construction of a land-based control facility for a wave energy test site","Removal of an experimental water-based energy generation unit","2026-03-15","The Corps determined that the reissuance of NWP 52 results in a 'no effect' finding for federally-listed endangered or threatened species and designated critical habitat. This is maintained through General Condition 18, which requires project-specific ESA Section 7 consultation for any activity that 'might affect' listed resources; no activity is authorized until that process is complete. This is particularly important for water-based energy projects that may interact with marine life.\n\nCompliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is ensured through General Condition 20. Because every project under NWP 52 requires a Pre-Construction Notification, district engineers are able to review each pilot project layout for potential impacts to historic properties, such as shipwrecks or archaeological sites. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) is also evaluated during the PCN process to ensure that mooring or anchoring systems do not cause more than minimal adverse effects.","json",[19,22,25,28,31],{"q":20,"a":21},"What is considered a 'pilot project' under NWP 52?","A pilot project is an experimental facility consisting of a small number of units (up to 10) used to collect data on technology performance and environmental effects.",{"q":23,"a":24},"Do I need to submit a PCN for a water-based solar trial?","Yes, a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities authorized by NWP 52 before work can begin.",{"q":26,"a":27},"What is the acreage limit for NWP 52 projects?","The maximum impact limit is 1/2-acre of loss of waters of the United States for each single and complete project.",{"q":29,"a":30},"Can I use NWP 52 to build a permanent offshore wind farm?","No, this permit is specifically for small-scale pilot projects. Commercial-scale renewable energy facilities typically require an individual permit.",{"q":32,"a":33},"Are the transmission cables included in the impact limit?","Yes, any discharges of fill or structures for transmission cables and other attendant features are counted toward the 1/2-acre limit.",[35,36,37,38,39,40],"Pilot project is limited to a maximum of 10 generation units","Total loss of waters of the U.S. cannot exceed 1/2-acre","Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) is mandatory for all activities","Must notAuthorize the construction of new artificial islands","Temporary fills must be removed and the site restored to pre-construction elevations","Transmission lines from the facility to the shore are included in the 1/2-acre limit",null,{"path":43,"body":44,"title":71},"/permits/nwp-52",{"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-52","Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects","NWP 52","10/404",{"type":50},"mandatory","Nationwide Permit 52 authorizes structures, work, and discharges of dredged or fill material for the construction, expansion, modification, or removal of water-based renewable energy generation pilot projects. These projects include wind, solar, wave, or hydrokinetic energy technologies. The permit is specifically designed for 'pilot projects,' which are defined as experimental facilities used to collect data on the performance of the technology and its potential environmental effects.\n\nThe scope of the permit includes the energy generation units themselves and their attendant features, such as land-based collection facilities, control facilities, roads, parking lots, and stormwater management systems. For a project to qualify, it must be limited to no more than 10 generation units (e.g., 10 wind turbines or 10 floating solar panels) and must not cause the loss of more than 1/2-acre of waters of the United States.","During the public comment period, some commenters suggested increasing the number of authorized units or the acreage limit to allow for larger 'demonstration' projects. The Corps declined these suggestions, emphasizing that NWP 52 is intended specifically for small-scale pilot projects to gather data, and that larger commercial-scale operations should be evaluated through more rigorous individual permit processes to ensure environmental protection.\n\nOther commenters raised concerns about the impact of transmission cables on the seafloor and the potential for entanglement of marine species. The Corps responded that the mandatory PCN process allows for site-specific reviews and the imposition of special conditions, such as requirements for specific cable burial depths or mooring configurations, to minimize physical and biological impacts in the aquatic environment.","Energy developers, research institutions, and utility companies testing new water-based energy technologies typically use this permit. It is the primary authorization for small-scale trials of floating solar, offshore wind, or wave energy converters that require structures in navigable waters or fill in wetlands.",[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-12","NWP-51","NWP-57",{"title":68,"description":69},"NWP 52: Water-Based Renewable Energy Pilot Projects - 2026 Permit Guide","Nationwide Permit 52 (NWP 52) for tidal, wave, and in-stream hydrokinetic projects. 10-unit limit, 1/2-acre cap, and mandatory PCN requirements on Course Clear.","https://cdn.courseclear.io/usace/decision_documents/NWP-52-2026-Final-Decision-Document.pdf","Nwp 52",{"type":50},[63,64,65,66],{"title":68,"description":69},"permits/nwp-52","1KJdHy5tqXcSs1bGY76hfkFCdNupMikY_5DbrfeiPm8"]