Washington Waves: Waterway News From D.C.
June 20, 2025
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requesting comments on its notice for proposed rulemaking on reissuing its nationwide permits (NWPs) with modifications to reduce burdens on the regulated public and issuing one new NWP to improve the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms through their ecosystems.
In addition, the Corps is proposing to modify NWP 48 for commercial shellfish mariculture activities and NWP 56 for finfish mariculture activities to address litigation matters.
NWPs are issued by the Corps to authorize categories of activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects.
The Corps provided a prepublication copy to renew and revise 56 of the 57 existing NWPs.
That document is available online at www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/National-Notices-and-Program-Initiatives/.
According to the Corps, 16 of the current NWPs went into effect March 15, 2021, and 41 went into effect February 25, 2022.
All of the current NWPs are set to expire March 14, 2026, the agency stated. The Corps said it also will propose not to reissue one NWP authorizing activities associated with finfish mariculture.
Comments, which should be identified by Docket No.COE-2025-0002 and/or RIN 0710-AB56, will be accepted until July 18. Submit comments online at www.regulations.gov, by email at 2026nationwidepermits@usace.army.mil with the docket number in the subject line or by mail at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.
For additional information, contact Katherine McCafferty at 513-310-4196 or access the Corps’ regulatory home page at www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/.
Acting Maritime Administrator
Sang Yi, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a veteran congressional staffer, has been named acting administrator of the Maritime Administration (MarAd). The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the appointment and said Yi will play a critical role in advancing the Trump administration’s domestic shipbuilding goals and restoring the nation’s maritime dominance.
“Acting Administrator Yi will lead MarAd’s efforts to maintain and modernize the vital infrastructure that supports both commercial shipping and military sealift operations,” DOT said. “He will also guide the department’s initiatives to strengthen the maritime workforce, foster innovation and expand cross-industry collaboration to build a more robust and prepared maritime transportation system.”
Yi said he was honored to serve the country and “be a driving force behind a renewed era of U.S. Maritime strength on the global stage.”
“The Merchant Marine plays a vital role in supporting our national security and economic growth, and our industry partnerships will help us secure a resilient and strong maritime future,” Yi said.
Yi received his commission as an officer in the Navy Reserve and a Third Mate Unlimited license. He holds an Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Juris Doctor degree from the George Washington University Law School.
On May 6, President Donald Trump nominated maritime executive Stephen Carmel to serve as MarAd’s next administrator.
EPA Listening Sessions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its “robust” listening sessions are complete. The EPA and the Department of the Army now will move toward their proposal to revise the 2023 definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS).
Following public comment on the proposal, EPA said, the intention is to issue a final rule by the end of this year.
Priorities listed by the agency include a “clear interpretation and implementation of the law, reducing red tape, cutting overall permitting costs and lowering the cost of doing business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s waters from pollution.”
“These listening sessions gave us real-world perspectives as we work toward a proposed rule that follows the Supreme Court decision in Sackett, ends the regulatory uncertainty and ping-pong that has persisted for years, supports our nation’s farmers who feed and fuel the world and advances the agency’s ‘Powering the Great American Comeback’ initiative,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said.
USTR Seeking Comments
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is requesting written comments regarding potential modification of trade action in connection with the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
Modifications would be for Annex III providing for a targeted coverage provision pertaining to vessels in the maritime security program and changing the basis of the fee to net tons and for Annex IV eliminating paragraph (j) retroactive to April 17 under which USTR may direct the suspension of LNG export licenses until the terms of paragraph (f) of the annex are met.
USTR also is seeking comments on changing the data reporting requirements in paragraph (k) and applying Annex IV restrictions to vessel owners or operators.
Comments must be submitted by July 7 using Docket No. USTR-2025-0013 at https://comments.ustr.gov/s/.
For additional information, contact Megan Grimball and Philip Butler at 202-395-5725.
USCG Advisory Committee
The U.S. Coast Guard is requesting applications to fill 18 vacancies on the National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee, which advises the Homeland Security secretary on matters relating to national commercial fishing safety. Applications, which the Coast Guard should receive by August 18, should be submitted via email with subject line “NCFSAC Vacancy Application’’ to CGCVC3@uscg.mil. For additional information, contact Jonathan Wendland at 202-372-1245 or CGCVC3@uscg.mil.
Task Force Meeting
The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is scheduled to meet July 8–9 via teleconference and broadcast online. Open to the public with registration required, the meetings on both days will begin at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. The deadline for registration and accessibility accommodation requests is July 1. For additional information for remote participation, contact Susan Pasko at 571-623-0608 or Susan_Pasko@fws.gov.
