State 404 Program Update

On Thursday, February 15th, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision vacating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Florida’s application to assume Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting responsibilities in certain waters in Florida. In light of this decision, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently the only entity in the State of Florida with authority to issue permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The USACE recognizes that either the District Court or an Appellate Court may issue a full or partial stay of the February 15th order at some point. In the interim, applicants may submit applications to the USACE for activities involving the discharge of dredged or fill material into formerly state-assumed waters. The USACE will begin processing any applications it receives, however applicants and stakeholders should recognize the uncertainty surrounding the current litigation.   

Regulatory Division

Regulatory rotating imagesThe Jacksonville Regulatory Vision

The Jacksonville District Regulatory Division aims to implement a dynamic Regulatory Program through responsive, informed, and timely decisions while providing a high level of public service.

The Jacksonville Regulatory Mission

The Jacksonville District Regulatory Division is a team of interdisciplinary professionals committed to protecting and regulating the use of our Nation’s aquatic resources and navigable waters through timely, balanced, and transparent permit decisions and program execution across our area of delegated authority and responsibility. We accomplish this duty in a manner that instills trust while supporting our overall commitment to public service today and into the future. 

About Regulatory

Jacksonville District administers the largest regulatory permitting program in the Corps, which provides protection for waters of the United States, including federally delineated wetlands and navigable waters.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program began in 1890 with the responsibility of protecting and maintaining the nation’s navigable waterways. As a result of changing public needs and evolving policy via new laws and court decisions, protection has been extended to all waters of the United States, including many wetlands.

Jacksonville District Regulatory Division has jurisdiction over the geographic area of Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Division is geographically aligned in three Permitting Branches, which are further divided into eleven Sections, and Mitigation Bank Team and Enforcement Section.

Regulatory News

Regulatory Announcement
31 January 2024 – USACE launches new Regulatory Request System
HQ USACE Regulatory

 January 31, 2024

USACE announces the launch of its new Regulatory Request System (RRS). RRS is designed to make the review of permit requests a transparent and efficient process for the public. RRS, currently in a beta version, provides general information on the Regulatory Program and allows the public to submit pre-application meeting requests and jurisdictional determination requests.

Additional capability is scheduled in Spring 2024. This added capability will allow users the ability to electronically submit individual and general permit applications and other necessary information, saving time and reducing the need for paper-based submissions.

RRS will streamline the permit application process and underscores USACE commitment to modernizing our application process, meeting user expectations, and providing a transparent, straightforward process for the timely review of permit requests.

Stay tuned for further updates on the full release of the RRS.Please click on the following link to access RRS: 

For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact the rrs@usace.army.mil.

 

September 05, 2023 - Emergency Permitting Procedures in Effect for Hurricane Idalia

Effective September 05, 2023, the Jacksonville District is approved to implement emergency permitting procedures to address the effects of Hurricane Idalia in the State of Florida. A Public Notice announcing this approval provides more information (click here to access the Public Notice page). This emergency permitting approval is limited to the State of Florida within the Jacksonville District and remains in effect for 180 days. Applications requesting emergency permit authorization must be related to Hurricane Idalia. You can find helpful information about emergency permitting at the top right of this page. Jacksonville District Regulatory Division is fully committed to helping those affected recover quickly from the effects of this storm.

Emergency Permitting Information

Emergency Permit Request Form

Please email the appropriate office (Office Locations Link) for further assistance with emergency permitting requests.

August 29, 2023 – To Conform with Recent Supreme Court Decision, EPA and Army Amend "Waters of the United States" Rule 

On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. More information about the final rule is available here. The conforming rule will become effective upon publication in the Federal Register. 

The agencies will host a public webinar on September 12, 2023, to provide updates on the definition of WOTUS. For registration information, please visit EPA’s webpage. The agencies also plan to host listening sessions this fall with co-regulators and stakeholders, focusing on identifying issues that may arise outside this limited rule to conform the definition of WOTUS with the Sackett v. EPA decision. 

To learn more, visit EPA’s WOTUS website

July 03, 2023 - WOTUS Rulemaking in Light of Sackett Supreme Court Decision 

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army (agencies) are in receipt of the U.S. Supreme Court's May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. In light of this decision, the agencies are interpreting the phrase “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett. The agencies are developing a rule to amend the final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule, published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies intend to issue a final rule by September 1, 2023. 

For the most up-to-date information on WOTUS rulemaking, visit https://www.usace.army.mil/missions/civil-works/regulatory-program-and-permits/juris_info/.  

April 21, 2023 – Definition of “Waters of the United States:” Rule Status and Litigation Update

On December 30, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army (“the agencies”) announced the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule. On January 18, 2023, the rule was published in the Federal Register, and the rule took effect on March 20, 2023. However, in light of preliminary injunctions, the agencies are interpreting “waters of the United States” consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime in 26 States, including Florida, until further notice. 

Check here for the most up-to-date information on the status of “waters of the United States” and litigation: https://www.usace.army.mil/missions/civil-works/regulatory-program-and-permits/juris_info/.

April 12, 2023 – Notice of Availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods for the Northeast and Southeast

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Baltimore, Buffalo, Charleston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Worth, Galveston, Huntington, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Mobile, Nashville, New England, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Savannah, St. Louis, Tulsa, Vicksburg, and Wilmington Districts, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 jointly announce the availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAM) for the Northeast and Southeast.

The methods are rapid assessment tools to help distinguish between ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streamflow at the reach scale for the Northeast and Southeast SDAM Regions. The beta SDAMs may help provide technical guidance for identifying waters that may be subject to regulatory jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act; however, these methods do not alter or change the definition of “Waters of the U.S.”  These beta SDAMs were developed for use in all or part of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and the District of Columbia by the Corps and EPA. Due to differences in climate and a relatively small amount of data points, the Caribbean sites were not used to develop this iteration of the SDAM, nor is the Caribbean covered by the methods.

The agencies are making these beta SDAMs available for a one year preliminary implementation and comment period to inform the development of final SDAMs for the Northeast and Southeast.  

To learn more: https://www.epa.gov/streamflow-duration-assessment/beta-streamflow-duration-assessment-methods-northeast-and-southeast

For the full public notice:

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll15/id/2073

March 20, 2023 - Final Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States" Becomes Effective

On March 20, 2023, the final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule (the “2023 Rule”) became effective. The 2023 Rule is operative in all U.S. jurisdictions except the states of Idaho and Texas.

The U.S. Department of the Army and U.S. EPA (“the agencies”) final rule establishes a clear and reasonable definition of “waters of the United States” and reduces the uncertainty from constantly changing regulatory definitions that has harmed communities and our nation’s waters.

The agencies developed the 2023 Rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole, relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies’ technical expertise after more than 45 years of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 “waters of the United States” framework. The 2023 Rule also considers the best available science and extensive public comment to establish a definition of “waters of the United States” that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth.

Until further notice, federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction in Idaho and Texas will continue to be determined under the pre-2015 regime (the 1986 WOTUS regulation and associated 2003/2008 (SWANCC/Rapanos) guidance documents).

If a state, tribe, or an entity has specific questions about a pending jurisdictional determination or permit, please contact your local Regulatory office (see https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Office-Locations/) or EPA.

More information about the final rule is available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus/revising-definition-waters-united-states and https://www.usace.army.mil/missions/civil-works/regulatory-program-and-permits/juris_info/.

December 1, 2022 - Release of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and EPA (the Agencies) jointly announce the availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams (National OHWM Manual) and its accompanying data sheet. The Interim Draft National OHWM Manual provides draft technical guidance for identifying and delineating the OHWM using a scientifically supported, rapid framework. The Agencies are requesting comments and feedback from the public and practitioners on the Interim Draft of the National OHWM Manual via the public notice linked below. Following the public comment period and additional field testing, comments and feedback received from the public and practitioners will be utilized to further refine the Interim Draft of the National OHWM Manual for clarity, consistency, and technical accuracy. The one-year testing and comment period ends on December 1, 2023. A final version of the National OHWM Manual is anticipated to be published during 2024. 

Access the USACE Headquarters announcement, links to the public notice, manual and data sheet here: https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements/Article/3233308/1-december-2022-release-of-the-interim-draft-of-the-national-ordinary-high-wate/ 

January 18, 2023 – Final Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States

On December 30, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced the final "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" rule. On January 18, 2023, the rule was published in the Federal Register. The rule will become effective on March 20, 2023. The agencies developed this rule with consideration of the relevant provisions of the Clean Water Act and the statute as a whole, relevant Supreme Court case law, and the agencies’ technical expertise after more than 45 years of implementing the longstanding pre-2015 “waters of the United States” framework. This rule also considers the best available science and extensive public comment to establish a definition of “waters of the United States” that supports public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. More information about the final rule is available at: https://www.epa.gov/wotus/revising-definition-waters-united-states

January 23, 2023 – Federal Agencies Solicit Comments on Draft Changes to 2022 National Wetland Plant List

On January 20, 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, announced the availability of the draft changes to the 2022 National Wetland Plant List (NWPL). The Federal Register Notice (FRN) for the 2022 NWPL update is: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/20/2023-01026/national-wetland-plant-list. The public may submit comments via this link. The public comment period ends on March 21, 2023. As noted in the FRN, USACE is also seeking comments regarding the NWPL update process and a proposed change to update the NWPL every three years, rather than the present every two years. All submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the National Panel for their consideration.

USACE administers the NWPL for the United States and its territories. The NWPL provides plant species indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. Additions or deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species. The latest review process began in 2022 and included review by Regional Panels and the National Panel. The NWPL homepage is: https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil.

 

Hurricane Ian – Emergency Permitting Procedures in Effect

Emergency Permit Request Form

Please email the appropriate office (Office Locations Link ) for further assistance with emergency permitting requests.

Effective September 29, 2022, the Jacksonville District is approved to implement emergency permitting procedures to address the effects of Hurricane Ian in the State of Florida.  A Public Notice (Click Here) announcing this approval provides more information. This emergency permitting approval is limited to the State of Florida only within the Jacksonville District and remains in effect for 180 days.  Applications requesting emergency permit authorization must be related to Hurricane Ian.  Our webpage contains a separate link (Click Here) with helpful information about emergency permitting. Our Division is fully committed to helping those affected recover quickly from the effects of this storm.  

 Hurricane Fiona – Emergency Permitting Procedures in Effect

Emergency Permit Request Form

Please email  our Antilles field office (email link ) for further assistance with emergency permitting requests.

Effective September 20, 2022, the Jacksonville District is approved to implement emergency permitting procedures to address the effects of Hurricane Fiona in the Antilles.  A Public Notice (click here) announcing this approval provides more information. This emergency permitting approval is limited to the Jacksonville District only and remains in effect for 180 days.  Applications requesting emergency permit authorization must be related to Hurricane Fiona.  Our webpage contains a separate link with helpful information about emergency permitting. Our Division is fully committed to helping those affected recover quickly from the effects of this storm.  

July 20, 2022 – Payment of Department of the Army Permit Fees via pay.gov

Applicants are now able to pay Department of the Army permit fees online at pay.gov instead of writing and mailing a check. This convenient option allows for multiple payment methods (bank account, Amazon account, PayPal, debit or credit card). The direct link for making Department of the Army permit fee payments on pay.gov is https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/996412796. Click here for a pay.gov payment walk-through which explains the process

January 5, 2022 – Navigable Waters Protection Rule Vacatur

The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“the agencies”) are in receipt of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona’s August 30, 2021, order vacating and remanding the Navigable Waters Protection Rule in the case of Pascua Yaqui Tribe v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In light of this order, the agencies have halted implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (“NWPR”) nationwide and are interpreting “waters of the United States” consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime until further notice. The agencies are working expeditiously to move forward with the rulemakings announced on June 9, 2021, in order to better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth. The agencies remain committed to crafting a durable definition of “waters of the United States” that is informed by diverse perspectives and based on an inclusive foundation.

On November 18, 2021, the agencies announced the signing of a proposed rule to revise the definition of “waters of the United States.” This proposal marks a key milestone in the regulatory process announced in June 2021. The agencies propose to put back into place the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” updated to reflect consideration of Supreme Court decisions. This familiar approach would support a stable implementation of “waters of the United States” while the agencies continue to consult with states, tribes, local governments, and a broad array of stakeholders in both the current implementation and future regulatory actions.

A durable definition of “waters of the United States” is essential to ensuring clean and safe water in all communities—supporting human health, animal habitat, agriculture, watersheds, flood management, local economies, and industry. This rulemaking process follows a review conducted by the agencies as directed by the January 20, 2021 Executive Order 13990 on “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.”

Further details about the agencies’ plans, including information regarding the upcoming public meetings and proposed rule docket, can be found here.

An approved jurisdictional determination (“AJD”) is a document provided by the Corps stating the presence or absence of “waters of the United States” on a parcel or a written statement and map identifying the limits of “waters of the United States” on a parcel. See 33 C.F.R. § 331.2. Under existing Corps’ policy, AJDs are generally valid for five years unless new information warrants revision prior to the expiration date. See U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Guidance Letter No. 05–02, § 1(a), p. 1 (June 2005) (Regulatory Guidance Letter (RGL) 05–02). 

As a general matter, the agencies’ actions are governed by the definition of “waters of the United States” that is in effect at the time the Corps completes an AJD, not by the date of the request for an AJD. AJDs completed prior to the court’s decision and not associated with a permit action (also known as “stand-alone” AJDs under RGL 16-01) will not be reopened until their expiration date, unless one of the criteria for revision is met under RGL 05-02. A NWPR AJD could also be reopened if the recipient of such an AJD requests a new AJD be provided pursuant to the pre-2015 regulatory regime. In that case, the Corps will honor such request recognizing that if the recipient of a NWPR AJD intends to discharge into waters identified as non-jurisdictional under the NWPR but which may be jurisdictional under the pre-2015 regulatory regime, such recipient may want to discuss their options with the Corps. AJD requests pending on, or received after, the Arizona court’s vacatur decision will be completed consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime.

As the agencies’ actions are governed by the regulatory definition at the time of the action, permit decisions made prior to the court’s decision that relied on a NWPR AJD will not be reconsidered in response to the NWPR vacatur. Permit decisions may be modified, suspended, or revoked per 33 C.F.R. § 325.7 where the regulatory criteria are met. The Corps will not rely on an AJD issued under the NWPR (a “NWPR AJD”) in making a new permit decision. The Corps will make new permit decisions pursuant to the currently applicable regulatory regime (i.e., the pre-2015 regulatory regime). Therefore, for any currently pending permit action that relies on a NWPR AJD, or for any future permit application received that intends to rely on a NWPR AJD for purposes of permit processing, the Corps will discuss with the applicant, as detailed in RGL 16-01, whether the applicant would like to receive a new AJD completed under the pre-2015 regulatory regime to continue their permit processing or whether the applicant would like to proceed in reliance on a preliminary JD or no JD whatsoever.

November 2,  2021 - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, is announcing the availability of the final 2020 National Wetland Plant List (NWPL). The Federal Register Notice for the 2020 NWPL update can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/11/02/2021-23891/national-wetland-plant-list

The NWPL provides plant species wetland indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. The list is effective as of 2 November 2021 and will be used in any wetland delineations performed after this date. Completed wetland delineation/determination forms should reference the version of the NWPL used to complete the form.  The final NWPL is available at https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/ (preferred browsers are Chrome and Firefox).

October 1, 2021- South County Transition (Palm Beach Gardens AOR to the Cocoa AOR )

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Jacksonville District, Regulatory Division has updated the geographic area of responsibility for the Palm Beach Gardens and Cocoa Regulatory field offices. The new boundaries will allow the Corps to more effectively balance workload.  Currently, the Palm Beach Gardens field office processes projects located in Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties.  Effective October 1, 2021, the Cocoa field office will process all in-coming (new) applications in Okeechobee, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties.  The Palm Beach Gardens field office will continue to review projects within Palm Beach and Broward Counties, and shall also continue to process any pending applications within Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Martin Counties submitted prior to October 1, 2021.

As of October 1, 2021, all applications shall be submitted to the following locations:

For Counties:  Palm Beach and Broward

Email:             Application-sp@usace.army.mil

Hard Copy:    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Palm Beach Gardens Permit Office

4400 PGA Boulevard, STE 500

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

Phone:    (561) 472-3504

Fax:          (561) 626-6971

For Counties:  Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Martin, Brevard, Indian River, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Volusia

Email:             Corpsjaxreg-nc@usace.army.mil

Hard Copy:    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Cocoa Permit Office

400 High Point Drive, STE 600

Cocoa, Florida 32926

Phone:   (321) 504-3771

Fax:        (321) 504-3803

Map Link- Click Here

 

July 30, 2021 – EPA and Army Announce Next Steps for Crafting Enduring Definition of Waters of the United States

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) have announced plans for upcoming community engagements to inform their efforts to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). EPA and Army have stated a commitment to developing a reasonable, effective, and durable definition of WOTUS that protects public health, the environment, and downstream communities while supporting economic opportunity, agriculture, and other industries.

EPA and Army are announcing a series of engagement opportunities, including an opportunity for stakeholders and the public to provide written recommendations and a series of public meetings in August to hear perspectives on the rulemaking. In addition, the agencies are initiating Federalism and Tribal consultations for the foundational rule. The agencies also intend to host a series of dialogues with state and Tribal co-regulators this fall to discuss both rulemakings.

The full announcement can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-and-army-announce-next-steps-crafting-enduring-definition-waters-united-states.

For more information on submitting written recommendations or to register for the public meetings, see www.epa.gov/wotus.

Here is the link to the Headquarters webpage to view the full announcement: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/

 

June 9,  2021 - EPA, Army Announce Intent to Revise Definition of Waters of the United States:

 

 

The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army have announced their intent to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” to better protect our nation’s vital water resources that support public health, environmental protection, agricultural activity, and economic growth.

 

After reviewing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule as directed by President Biden, the EPA and Department of the Army have determined that this rule is leading to significant, permanent environmental degradation,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We are committed to establishing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ based on Supreme Court precedent and drawing from the lessons learned from the current and previous regulations, as well as input from a wide array of stakeholders, so we can better protect our nation’s waters, foster economic growth, and support thriving communities.

Together, the Department of the Army and EPA will develop a rule that is informed by our technical expertise, is straightforward to implement by our agencies and our state and Tribal co-regulators, and is shaped by the lived experience of local communities” said Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jaime A. Pinkham.

The agencies’ new regulatory effort will be guided by the following considerations:

 - Protecting water resources and our communities consistent with the Clean Water Act.
 - The latest science and the effects of climate change on our waters.
 - Emphasizing a rule with a practical implementation approach for state and Tribal partners.
 - Reflecting the experience of and input received from landowners, the agricultural community that fuels and feeds the world, states, Tribes, local governments, community organizations, environmental groups, and disadvantaged communities with environmental justice concerns.

The agencies are committed to meaningful stakeholder engagement to ensure that a revised definition of waters of the United States considers essential clean water protections, as well as how the use of water supports key economic sectors. Further details of the agencies’ plans, including opportunity for public participation, will be conveyed in a forthcoming action. To learn more about the definition of waters of the United States, visit https://www.epa.gov/wotus.

December 22, 2020 – The State of Florida assumes a portion of the Section 404 of the Clean Water Act program.

On December 22, 2020, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) assumed regulatory responsibility for a portion of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (State 404 Program).  The Corps continues to maintain Section 404 authority over certain waters, referred to as ‘retained’ waters.  Retained waters include those waters that (1) are specifically listed in the  Retained Waters List  (2) waters subject to the ebb and flow of tide, and (3) wetlands adjacent thereto landward to a 300-foot administrative boundary.  In the case of a project that involves a discharge of dredged or fill material both waterward and landward of the 300-foot guideline, the Corps will retain jurisdiction to the landward boundary of the project for the purposes of that project only. Click here to access FDEP's webpage for a map to help determine if your project resides in Retained Waters.

https://www.epa.gov/cwa404g