[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"permit-6":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":41,"publicComments":50,"purpose":49,"relatedPermits":69,"seo":70,"shortName":47,"sourceDocumentUrl":67,"statutoryAuthority":48,"stem":71,"whoNeedsThis":51,"__hash__":72},"permits/permits/nwp-06.json",0.1,"The 2026 reissuance of NWP 6 contains no substantive changes to its terms and conditions compared to the 2021 version. The Corps reevaluated the permit's quantitative and qualitative limits and determined they remain effective in ensuring that authorized survey activities result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects.\n\nWhile the permit text itself was not modified, the Corps updated the supporting environmental documentation. This update incorporates the most recent national-scale ecological data, such as the 2022 National Lakes Assessment and the 2021 National Wetland Condition Assessment, to ensure the environmental baseline used for the permit's re-evaluation is current.","6",[9,10,11,12,13,14],"Core sampling for soil and substrate mapping","Seismic exploratory operations for energy resource identification","Exploratory trenching to expose bedrock for sampling","Installation of temporary pads for survey equipment","Wetland delineation transects and sample plots","Plugging of seismic shot holes and bore holes","2026-03-15","The Corps determined that reissuing NWP 6 results in 'no effect' on federally-listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitat. This finding is based on General Condition 18, which requires project-specific ESA Section 7 consultation if an activity 'might affect' these resources; no activity is authorized until that process is complete.\n\nSimilarly, compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act is managed through General Condition 20. Non-federal permittees must submit a Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) if an activity has the potential to affect historic properties. This case-by-case review ensures that survey activities, even those that do not typically require a PCN under the permit's specific terms, are properly evaluated for cultural resource impacts.","json",[19,22,25,28,31],{"q":20,"a":21},"Do I need a PCN for survey activities under NWP 6?","No, the national terms of NWP 6 do not require a Pre-Construction Notification. However, a PCN is still required if the project triggers General Condition 18 for endangered species or General Condition 20 for historic properties.",{"q":23,"a":24},"What is the acreage limit for temporary pads under NWP 6?","The discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction of temporary pads is limited to a maximum of 1/10-acre in waters of the United States.",{"q":26,"a":27},"Can I use NWP 6 to drill an exploratory oil well?","No, this NWP explicitly does not authorize drilling or the discharge of excavated material from test wells for oil and gas exploration. It only authorizes the plugging of such wells.",{"q":29,"a":30},"Does this permit allow for the recovery of historic artifacts?","No, discharges of dredged or fill material and structures associated with the physical recovery of historic resources are not authorized by NWP 6; it only covers the surveys themselves.",{"q":32,"a":33},"How must I backfill an exploratory trench in a wetland?","In wetlands, you must normally backfill the top 6 to 12 inches of the exploratory trench with topsoil previously removed from that same trench.",[35,36,37,38,39,40],"Discharge for temporary pads cannot exceed 1/10-acre ","Exploratory trenches must be restored to pre-construction elevations ","Trenches cannot be constructed or backfilled in a way that drains waters of the U.S. ","Top 6 to 12 inches of a trench in wetlands must be backfilled with native topsoil ","Does not authorize drilling or discharge from oil and gas test wells ","Permanent structures and road fills are not authorized ",null,{"path":43,"body":44,"title":68},"/permits/nwp-06",{"id":45,"code":7,"name":46,"shortName":47,"statutoryAuthority":48,"acreageLimit":5,"linearFootLimit":41,"pcnTrigger":41,"effectiveDate":15,"purpose":49,"changesFrom2021":6,"environmentalReview":16,"publicComments":50,"whoNeedsThis":51,"commonProjects":52,"keyConditions":53,"faq":54,"relatedPermits":60,"seo":64,"sourceDocumentUrl":67},"nwp-6","Survey Activities","NWP 6","10/404","Nationwide Permit 6 authorizes various survey activities in waters of the United States. These activities include core sampling, seismic exploratory operations, and the plugging of seismic shot holes or other exploratory-type bore holes. It also covers exploratory trenching, which is defined as mechanical land clearing of the upper soil profile to expose bedrock or substrate for mapping or sampling.\n\nThe permit allows for the construction of temporary pads, provided the discharge of dredged or fill material does not exceed 1/10-acre. However, it explicitly does not authorize drilling or discharges from test wells for oil and gas exploration, nor does it cover fills for roads or permanent structures. Any areas disturbed by exploratory trenching must be restored to their pre-construction elevations and cannot be used to drain waters of the United States.","Public feedback included suggestions to raise the 1/10-acre limit for temporary pads to 1/2-acre, but the Corps declined, believing the existing threshold is appropriate to maintain minimal environmental impacts. Another commenter recommended mandatory PCNs for exploratory trenching due to potential historic property impacts, which the Corps addressed by pointing to the existing safeguards in General Condition 20.\n\nAdditional responses clarified that while the NWP authorizes plugging oil and gas test wells, it does not authorize the initial drilling of such wells or the construction of permanent roads. The Corps also noted that discharges of drilling mud and cuttings are typically regulated under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act rather than this permit.","Environmental consultants, geologists, archaeologists, and utility companies typically use this permit to conduct preliminary site investigations. It is essential for professionals performing soil surveys, wetland delineations, and historic resource surveys that require core sampling or exploratory trenching in jurisdictional waters.",[9,10,11,12,13,14],[35,36,37,38,39,40],[55,56,57,58,59],{"q":20,"a":21},{"q":23,"a":24},{"q":26,"a":27},{"q":29,"a":30},{"q":32,"a":33},[61,62,63],"NWP-3","NWP-33","NWP-45",{"title":65,"description":66},"NWP 6: Survey Activities - 2026 Permit Guide","Nationwide Permit 6 (NWP 6) for survey activities in wetlands. 1/10-acre limits, temporary fill pads, and 2026 PCN rules under Section 10/404 on Course Clear.","https://cdn.courseclear.io/usace/decision_documents/NWP-06-2026-Final-Decision-Document.pdf","Nwp 06",[61,62,63],{"title":65,"description":66},"permits/nwp-06","8M2_Eg3PDF1MyNE-xotS26fC0Sm5RG2UKcTcGVY6vXA"]