Fort Worth District > Missions

/ /

Contact Information

Regulatory Division
(CESWF-RD)
Fort Worth District (Map)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
819 Taylor Street, Room 3A37
P.O. Box 17300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102-0300

For Permitting Questions contact the Regulator of the Day at (817) 886-1731.

To submit permit applications or report alleged violations by e-mail, go to E-Submittal Instructions for additional information.

For Questions regarding Hunting Permits at Corps of Engineers Reservoirs, call 817-886-1571 or the Reservoir Office directly.

Report a Violation

Regulatory Division

The Department of the Army Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the federal government. Initially, the Regulatory Program's purpose was fairly simple and straightforward: to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation’s waters under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act.

In 1972, the Clean Water Act was signed into law, and the Army was directed to administer Section 404 of the Act, which regulates the discharge of dredged material, fill material or both into waters of the United States. In 1977, the Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction was increased to include wetlands as part of the waters of the United States.

Every year, Texans begin work on numerous construction projects that could potentially impact the state’s rivers, streams, wetlands and other aquatic resources. Many of these projects have tremendous value for individuals, communities and the economy.

Through the Regulatory Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ensures that environmental impacts on aquatic resources from these projects are avoided, minimized and mitigated. Our mission in the Fort Worth District is to serve the public interest in the state, providing responsive, quality service by balancing protection and reasonable use of aquatic resources through professional administration of the Regulatory Program.

The Fort Worth District is dedicated to protecting Texas waters while allowing reasonable and necessary development to move forward. The Corps asks for your help in spreading the word to others about the permit requirements outlined here and solicits your views on better ways of attaining the goals of this program.

Your understanding and support is vital to the success of the program. We must work together to protect Texas water resources, ensuring their use and enjoyment for future generations, while enabling responsible development.

Special Notices

19 March 2023 - 2023 Rule Status Update

On March 19, 2023, a district court judge for the Southern District of Texas issued an order preliminarily enjoining in Idaho and Texas the rule issued by EPA and the Department of the Army defining “waters of the United States.” In light of the preliminary injunction, the agencies are interpreting “waters of the United States” consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime in Idaho and Texas until further notice.

18 January 2023 - Definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS)

On 18 January, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (the agencies) published the final rule in the federal register establishing a revised definition of WOTUS. The date for this definition to become effective is 20 March 2023.

30 December 2022 - EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS and Restoring Fundamental Water Protections

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) to reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory definitions, protect people’s health, and support economic opportunity. The final rule restores water protections that were in place prior to 2015 under the Clean Water Act for traditional navigable waters, the territorial seas, interstate waters, as well as upstream water resources that significantly affect those waters. Click here to read the full press release and access the rule and related materials.

1 December 2022 - Notice of Availability of the Interim Draft National of the National Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) 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.

During the period while the OHWM Manual is an interim draft, OHWM identification and/or delineation for official USACE Regulatory purposes should continue in accordance with the applicable OHWM definition in the Federal regulations, Regulatory Guidance Letter 05-05, and any applicable USACE district policies. However, USACE Regulatory staff are encouraged to test the Interim Draft of the National OHWM Manual and provide comments and feedback by emailing usace.ohwm@usace.army.mil.

The Fort Worth District encourages the use of the data sheet to support and document OHWM delineations of streams and rivers in its area of responsibility.

28 September 2022 - Notice of Availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Method (SDAM) for the Great Plains

On 28 September, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a joint public notice regarding the availability of the beta SDAM for the Great Plains. The purpose of this rapid assessment tool is to help distinguish between ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streamflow at the reach scale for the Northern and Southern Great Plains SDAM Regions. Practitioners are encouraged to comment on their experience using the beta SDAM during the year long beta timeframe. Comments can be sent to the USACE email or physical address located in the public notice.

Joint Public Notice for the Beta SDAM for the Great Plains

20 July 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.

25 February 2022 - Reissuance and Modification of Nationwide Permits and Regional Conditions

On 25 February, 2022, 40 reissued Nationwide Permits and one new Nationwide Permit went into effect. Nationwide Permits in this final rule expire on 14 March, 2026.

Final Rule - Federal Register Notice - 27 December 2021

Nationwide Permit Fact Sheet

Texas Nationwide Permits Summary Chart

HQ Link

2021 Combined Regional Conditions for the State of Texas

Special Notices Continued

Regulatory Program Introduction

Regulated Activities Defined

USACE Jurisdictional Determinations and Permit Decisions

This is a Public Viewer for USACE projects across the country. It shows final and pending IP's, emergency permits, approved jurisdictional determinations, etc.

Regulatory Program Frequently Asked Questions

Delineations and Jurisdictional Determinations (JDs)

Jurisdictional Information

Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAMS)

Helpful tools for classifying streamflow duration include the regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAMS) being developed cooperatively between EPA and USACE. A majority of the Fort Worth District would eventually be covered by the Great Plains and the Southeast SDAMS. The Great Plains is nearing completion as 290 sites were sampled and 110 validation reaches were visited and rapid field assessments were conducted. The Great Plains and Southeast SDAM's are nearing completion of their beta versions. In the meantime, based upon an extensive number of site assessments by our SWF staff, it has been determined the New Mexico Hydrology Protocol for Determination of Uses Supported by Ephemeral, Intermittent and Perennial Waters (see New Mexico SDAM) contains indicators which are reliable and repeatable for use in lieu of a specific method that has been developed for distinguishing among, ephemeral, intermittent and perennial stream and river in the Fort Worth District's area of responsibility.
Regional Supplements Map
- Atlantic and Gulf Coast Supplement
  - A&GC Data Form v2.0 (four strata)
  - A&GC Data Form v2.0 (five strata)
- Great Plains Supplement
  - GP Data Form v2.0
RGL-16-01-Jurisdictional Determinations

Approved JDs

Jurisdictional Determination Form Instructional Guidebook

Permitting

Mitigation

Emergency Permit Procedures

Appeals

Electronic Permitting Process

Compliance and Enforcement-Reporting Unauthorized Activities

Section 408-Temporary or Permanent Alterations to Civil Works Projects

Technical and Biological Information

Projects of Interest

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Section 214

Permit Applicant Training Presentations

Regulatory Automated Tools System (RATS)
Regulatory's Automated
Tools System (RATS)

The animal depicted on this page is a regulatory swamp rat, Oryzomys regulatorius. It is the ultimate wetland specialist, at home in the playa lakes of west Texas as well as the big thicket in east Texas. Much like the Regulatory staff, it is a hardy and resourceful species that adapts to the situation.

Contact Information

Special Notices

Information and Links