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US Army Corps of Engineers
Great Lakes and Ohio River Division Website

The South Atlantic Division's Savannah District Regulatory Office is committed to protecting Georgia’s aquatic resources and navigable waters across its 159 counties through a dynamic, transparent, and timely permitting program. Our interdisciplinary team delivers balanced decisions, fosters public trust, and upholds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mission to safeguard waters of the United States, including wetlands, while providing exceptional public service.

Permitting
  • Savannah District Regional General Permits: Regional General Permits are issued by the District Engineer for a general category of activities when the activities are similar in nature and cause minimal environmental impact (both individually and cumulatively), and the regional general permit reduces duplication of regulatory control by State and Federal agencies. Below is a list of the available Regional General Permits within the Savannah District.
  • Savannah District Nationwide Permit Regional Conditions: The Savannah District has issued regional conditions that apply to activities authorized by Nationwide Permits in Georgia. View Conditions
  • Letters of Permission: Letters of Permission (LOPs) are an abbreviated process used to authorize minor projects with no significant environmental impacts, and should encounter no substantive opposition. Examples of projects authorized under an LOP are a small community dock or a large private single family dock. LOPs typically take 120 days to process from the time a complete application is received by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Georgia WRDA 214

Information about Section 214 Agreements can be found on the Regulatory HQ Section 214/Transportation Information Webpage. A list of Final Permit Actions made by the Savannah District Regulatory Branch under the WRDA/transportation agreement is available to the public on the USACE Headquarters ORM2 public portal. Please be sure to use Chrome, select "WRDA" tab, then "SAD-SAS-Savannah District" from the filter menu.

Endangered Species and Critical Habitat

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects federally listed species and their critical habitats, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plays a key role in ensuring compliance through its permit programs. Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act directs all federal agencies to use their existing authorities to conserve threatened and endangered species and, in consultation with the Service, to ensure that their actions do not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat.

In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), USACE reviews applications using the best available data to assess potential impacts on endangered species and designated habitats, while also relying on applicants to self-report possible effects.

Effects Determination Guidance for Endangered & Threatened Species (EDGES)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Savannah District and the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Georgia Ecological Services office (FWS-GA) jointly developed Effect Determination Guidance for Endangered and Threatened Species (EDGES) to streamline and improve coordination on projects that may affect species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). To date there are 15 USACE/FWS-GA EDGES that cover 41 listed species. Please be aware that this document and the species-specific EDGES are living documents and may be altered at any time.

Online Resources

IPaC Planning Tool – Provides project site screening for species and habitat proximity.

Additional Regulatory Requirements
  • Coastal Zone Management (CZM): Prior to the Savannah District Corps of Engineers making a final permit decision on an application within the 11 Coastal Counties, the project must be certified by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division, to be consistent with applicable provisions of the State of Georgia Coastal Management Program (15 CFR 930). More information and permitting procedures can be found at https://coastalgadnr.org/MarshShore.
  • Water Quality Certification (401 WQC): Prior to the Savannah District Corps of Engineers making a final permit decision on an application, the project may require certification by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, to be consistent with applicable provisions of the state’s water quality requirements (40 CFR 121). Detailed information regarding Water Quality Certification can be found at https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch/water-quality-certification.
Courtesy Consultant Lists

Submit Electronically

Submit applications, request jurisdictional determinations, request pre-application meetings, track status, learn about the Regulatory Program, and more!

Resources

Public Notices