Wetlands, waterways and flooding
Freshwater and coastal wetlands, stream and river encroachment, flood hazard areas, flood maps and the coast. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
Latest briefings
- MediumNew York
New York City requires a state wetland ruling before approving building plans on flagged lots
Since August 17, new building, enlargement, earthwork and foundation filings on lots flagged for wetlands or coastal erosion need a state jurisdictional determination, and any required state permit, before city approval.
LocalWetlands & flooding - MediumNew York
New York issues five-year stream work permit; no work may start before state countersignature
DEC's new Stream Activities General Permit covers bank stabilization, culvert and bridge repair and utility line repairs from May 21, 2026 to May 20, 2031. It requires DEC countersignature for every authorization and sets a 500-foot limit on vegetation-based bank stabilization inside the New York City watershed.
FinalWetlands & flooding - MediumNew YorkFree to read
New York court voids state wetland rules; agency narrows which unmapped wetlands need permits
With the 2025 regulations annulled and an appeal pending, New York's environmental agency is asserting jurisdiction only over previously mapped wetlands and those of 12.4 acres or more.
In courtWetlands & flooding - MediumNew York
Federal: 2026 wetlands nationwide permits take effect; New York requires individual water certification for ten permits
The Army Corps' 2026 nationwide permits took effect March 15, 2026 and apply in all four states. New York's December 18, 2025 certification grants conditional blanket certification to most but requires individual certification for ten, including NWP 12. Eligible work under the 2021 permits has until March 14, 2027.
FinalWetlands & flooding
Rules 13
- Federal · 91 FR 768 (January 8, 2026); 33 CFR Part 330Army Corps nationwide permits (2026 set)
- Federal · 16 U.S.C. 1456(c); 15 CFR Part 930Coastal consistency review of federal permits
- Federal · 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.; 44 CFR 59.1, 60.3; 44 CFR Part 67Federal flood map and floodplain building rules (NFIP)
- Federal · 33 U.S.C. 1344; 33 CFR Parts 320–332; 40 CFR Part 230Federal permits to fill wetlands and waters (Section 404)
- Federal · 33 U.S.C. 1362(7); 33 CFR 328.3; 40 CFR 120.2Which waters and wetlands are federally regulated (WOTUS)
- Federal · 33 U.S.C. 403; 33 CFR Part 322Work in navigable waters: piers, bulkheads and dredging (Section 10)
- New York · ECL 70-0117(9); 6 NYCRR Part 490Climate risk review and sea-level rise
- New York · Executive Law Article 42; 19 NYCRR Part 600Coastal consistency review
- New York · ECL Article 34; 6 NYCRR Part 505Coastal erosion hazard area permit
- New York · 6 NYCRR Part 890 (proposed; ENV-37-26-00006-P)Newtown Creek reclassification (proposed)
- New York · ECL Article 24; 6 NYCRR Parts 662-665State freshwater wetlands permit
- New York · ECL Article 15, Title 5; 6 NYCRR Part 608Stream, waterbody and dock permits
- New York · ECL Article 25; 6 NYCRR Part 661Tidal wetlands permit