Does your project fit in with the following scenario?: "I don't plan on impacting any wetlands, streams, ponds, or other water bodies, but in order to get a construction permit, or disaster recovery grant, I need a letter from your office."

That letter from our office is called a No Permit Required Letter, which was formerly referred to as a Letter of No Objection. The county or municipality simply wants to make sure that you aren't violating the Clean Water Act before they issue you a local permit for your project.

A NPR Letter may be requested in three situations:

1. If no impacts to aquatic resources will occur as a result of a proposed action;
2. If impacts will occur to aquatic resources and an Approved Jurisdictional Determination has been issued indicating that the water in question is not regulated under the Clean Water Act or under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899;
3. The activity you are proposing meets one of the exemptions spelled out in 33 CFR part 323.4.

The following information is typically necessary in order to process a NPR request:

1. A completed No Permit Required Request Form (formerly known as Letter of No Objection Request Form);
   1. As we address our letters to people, please always include the name of the person who is the applicant
2. A cover letter describing your proposed activity and why you believe it does not need a permit;
3. A property location map;
4. A copy of your plat of survey with the proposed location of any existing and new infrastructure, buildings, driveways, etc;
5. A grading plan and wetland delineation (may be waived at the discretion of the project manager)

Submit your request to ChicagoRequests@usace.army.mil

Note that the Chicago District has transitioned to digital applications and encourages all submittals via email.   If you are unable to apply electronically, a paper copy can be sent to the address below with a copy of the entire application package on a CD/DVD.  Please note that we are unable to accept flash drives.

US Army Corps of Engineers – Regulatory Branch
231 South LaSalle Street, Suite 1500
Chicago, Illinois 60604

Please be aware that any unpermitted discharge into an area within the jurisdiction of this office may result in civil or criminal enforcement under the Clean Water Act or under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, 33 U.S.C. Sec. 1319.