Skip to content
PermitBird
All nationwide permits

Recreation

Verified

NWP 36: Boat Ramps

Activities required for the construction, repair, or replacement of boat ramps, provided the activity meets all of the following criteria: (a) The discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States does not exceed 50 cubic yards of concrete, rock, crushed stone or gravel into forms, or in the form of pre-cast concrete planks or slabs, unless the district engineer waives the 50 cubic yard limit by making a written determination concluding that the discharge of dredged or fill material will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects; (b) The boat ramp does not exceed 20 feet in width, unless the district engineer waives this criterion by making a written determination concluding that the discharge of dredged or fill material will result in no more than minimal adverse environmental effects; (c) The base material is crushed stone, gravel or other suitable material; (d) The excavation is limited to the area necessary for site preparation and all excavated material is removed to an area that has no waters of the United States; and, (e) No material is placed in special aquatic sites, including wetlands.

Acreage limit

The 2026 rule states no acreage limit for NWP 36. Eligibility turns on the activity description in the rule text and the general conditions that apply, not on a numeric cap.

Discharge limited to 50 cubic yards of concrete, rock, crushed stone or gravel.

Pre-construction notification: Conditional

PCN required if: (1) the discharge exceeds 50 cubic yards; or (2) the boat ramp exceeds 20 feet in width.

If a PCN is required, general condition 32 gives the district engineer 30 calendar days to determine whether it is complete, then up to 45 calendar days from receipt of the complete PCN to respond before the permittee may proceed. Those are two separate clocks, not one.

Source

Federal Register citation
91 FR 768
Effective date
March 15, 2026
Cited text
91 FR 768 - Reissuance and Modification of Nationwide Permits (final rule, 8 Jan 2026) Read the rule

What this page does not tell you

  • District regional conditions. Any of the 38 USACE districts can narrow NWP 36, add a notification requirement beyond general condition 32, or revoke the permit entirely inside its boundaries. PermitBird holds no compiled regional conditions yet. Check the district.
  • State Clean Water Act Section 401 certification. Each of the 54 states and territories must certify, condition, waive or deny use of this permit before it authorises a discharge there. PermitBird holds no compiled certification yet. Check the state.