NWP 57: Electric Utility Line and Telecommunications Activities

Activities required for the construction, maintenance, repair, and removal of electric utility lines, telecommunication lines, and associated facilities in waters of the United States, provided the activity does not result in the loss of greater than 1/2-acre of waters of the United States for each single and complete project.

Acreage limit

Permanent loss of waters of the United States authorised under NWP 57 cannot exceed 0.5 acres per single and complete project.

1/2-acre loss limit applies per single and complete project.

Pre-construction notification: Conditional

PCN required if: (1) a section 10 permit is required; or (2) the discharge will result in the loss of greater than 1/10-acre of waters of the United States.

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 57, 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.