General Instructions:
The following tables were compiled to help applicants quantify impacts and aquatic resource conversion on
stream and wetland restoration projects and stormwater retrofit projects. Restoration impacts, while typically
beneficial in nature, often have complex impacts. USACE has an obligation to track and quantify impacts to
WOUS (including beneficial ones) and the following tables, if completed accurately, will help expedite their
review and permit decisions. The tables have been populated with numbers of an example project to illustrate
how to enter the necessary data. Example impact figures are available on the Baltimore District Regulatory
website titled "Contrary Creek Examples."
Instructions if you are seeking authorization under Nationwide Permit 27:
NWP 27 was created to streamline permit review for stream and wetland restoration projects which provide
functional lift, have minimal adverse impacts, and do not result in conversion among aquatic resource types.
Populate the existing vs proposed resources table and the impacts table. Note: NWP 27 does not authorize
conversion. If your project results in conversion as shown in the “Conversion by Resource Type” Table, then your
project does not qualify as NWP 27. Exception: When vegetation is improved in a wetland, it may be counted as
“enhancement” instead of “conversion” and will be assessed on a case by case basis (ex. Emergent wetland
converted to Forested wetland when appropriate).
Instructions if you are seeking authorization under the Bay TMDL RGP:
The Bay TMDL RGP applies only to projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed serving the purposes outlined in
an acceptable Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) under the Chesapeake Bay TMDL initiative. These projects
are granted limited conversion, but can only be performed in degraded waters (verify in "Degradation Criteria
For Streams Tab"), cannot impede aquatic life movement, and cannot occur in tidal waters.
For retrofits projects: Fill out all tabs except for the “Degradation Criteria for Streams” tab.
For stream restoration/enhancement projects: Fill out all tabs.
Instructions if you are seeking authorization under IP or alternate permitting mechanism.
Populate the “Existing vs Proposed Waters” Tab and the “Impacts” Tab.
WOUS and Conversion Test Sheets For Stream Restoration
and SWM Retrofit Projects
