US Army Corps of Engineers Lunch and Learn

Regulatory Request System Series

NCAEP is pleased to announce the first round of our lunch and learn partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District.  The meeting, "Regulatory Request System (RRS) for Streamline Permitting* in the Wilmington District," will be held on July 25 in Wilmington and on August 29 in Charlotte. The date for Raleigh is forthcoming.

Registration for the Wilmington event by COB on 24 July is required.  To avoid registration costs for this important series, please bring your lunch and a drink. The event center will be set up with round tables to enjoy your lunch during the presentation.

Meeting Abstract:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invites the public and environmental professionals to use the Regulatory Request System (RRS)—a modern, web-based platform launched in January 2024 to simplify and expedite the permitting process*. RRS offers a more transparent, consistent, efficient, and user-friendly experience for submitting permit requests* and interacting with Regulatory offices.

In the summer of 2025, the South Atlantic Regulatory Division will fully transition to using the RRS as the exclusive method for electronically submitting requests. This shift aims to increase the volume of submissions through the RRS and to facilitate the swift implementation of a Presidential Executive Order that mandates the move to an electronic-based application process. For more details, see the Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/updating-permitting-technology-for-the-21st-century/

• Eliminates paper forms – Submit applications*, pre-construction notifications*, and jurisdictional determination requests entirely online.
• Built-in data validation – Ensures all required fields are completed, helping reduce delays from incomplete submissions.
• Real-time communication tools – Receive automatic email updates and track your request through an interactive dashboard.
• Draft and share capability – Begin a request, save it as a draft, and easily share it with team members or clients before final submission.
• Centralized access to resources – Find guidance documents and educational information on the Regulatory Program in one place.
• Reduced internal data entry – Allows project managers to focus on permit evaluation rather than administrative and data entry tasks.
• Live Help Desk support – Access timely assistance from knowledgeable staff for troubleshooting and system navigation.

*The USACE and DWR are working to develop a JPA procedure available through the RRS system. Currently, the Wilmington District and the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) have a Joint Permit Application (JPA) procedure for Nationwide or Regional Permit Applications or Pre-Construction Notifications (PCNs) within the Wilmington District.  At this time, JPA processes are not available via the RRS. 

David (Dave) Shaeffer (Geographer/Technology Program Manager/Team Lead, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division) will demonstrate how to use the system and answer questions.

Dave Shaeffer has nearly 19 years of experience with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the fields of geospatial analysis, technology development and management, and federal waterway regulation. He holds a Master's degree in Physical Geography from East Carolina University, where he specialized in using GIS and machine learning with remote sensing datasets, including LiDAR, to improve wetland mapping. Dave spent nearly 15 years as a field biologist implementing Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act across North Carolina, Alaska, and Washington state.

DATE:    25 July 2025
              Pre-presentation Social: 11:00 AM
              Presentation: 11:30 - 12:30 PM

              Post-presentation Social: 12:30-1:30 PM

LOCATION:  Halyburton Park Events Center
                      4099 S. 17th Street
                      Wilmington, NC 28412