Army Corps Tweaks National Wetland Plant List—10 Species Shift!
Published Date: 1/28/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is updating the National Wetland Plant List, which helps decide if plants grow in wetlands or dry areas. This update affects anyone working on wetland projects, like restoration or environmental reviews, by changing the status of 10 plant species across 5 regions. You’ve got until March 31, 2025, to share your thoughts—no cost to comment, just a chance to shape the future of wetlands!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
NWPL Update Affects Wetland Determinations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing updates to the National Wetland Plant List that change indicator status ratings for 10 plant species across five regions. These ratings are used when doing wetland delineations under section 404 of the Clean Water Act, section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, and the Food Security Act, so the changes can affect how wetlands are identified during permits, restoration, or environmental reviews.
Two Continental Species Status Changes
The draft 2024 NWPL proposes changing Alnus incana from FACU to FACW in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP) and Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP), and changing Amaranthus tuberculatus from OBL to FACW in the Midwest (MW) and Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE). These specific status shifts alter how often those species count as wetland plants in those regions and may affect wetland determinations there.
Alaska Subregion Indicator Rating Changes
The Alaska Regional Panel and research report propose subregional indicator rating changes for eight species in Alaska (Andromeda polifolia, Arctous rubra, Carex canescens, Rhododendron tomentosum, Rubus arcticus, Salix arctica, Salix pulchra, and Viola palustris), with multiple subregion-specific reassignments (for example, Andromeda polifolia moves to FACW in IAL and UKK subregions). The proposal notes no change to the overall Alaska regional ratings but does change several MLRA/subregion ratings that are used in Alaska wetland determinations.
Public Comment Period Through March 31, 2025
The Corps is accepting public comments on the draft changes to the 2024 National Wetland Plant List through March 31, 2025. There is no cost to submit comments, and the agency asks for data, literature, herbarium records, field observations, or other documentation to support any input.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18317, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The purpose of this supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking is for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army ("the agencies") to supplement and seek additional comment on certain aspects of an earlier proposal, published on November 20, 2025, to revise the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Clean Water Act in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. As stated in the agencies' November 20, 2025 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the agencies intend for this rulemaking to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." After consideration of the public comments received on the NPRM, the agencies are issuing this notice to supplement the NPRM with additional regulatory options on certain aspects of the proposed rule.
2025-20402, Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”
The EPA and Army Corps are updating the rules that decide which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act, following a 2023 Supreme Court decision. This change helps everyone know exactly which waters are covered, making it easier to protect lakes, rivers, and wetlands while respecting state and tribal rights. People and businesses affected should share their thoughts by January 5, 2026, as this update could impact water projects and environmental protections.
2026-16359, Danger Zone: Pacific Ocean at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Island of Oahu, Hawaii
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is amending its regulations for an existing danger zone at the U.S. Marine Corps Ulupau Crater Weapons Training Range in the vicinity of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The Marine Corps requested a change to the current hours that weapons firing may be conducted. This amendment is necessary in order to ensure public safety.
2026-16357, Restricted Area: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to update the restricted area rules at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach in California. This change follows a big project that moved a public boating channel and added a new ammo pier, aiming to keep people safe and protect Navy operations. If you have thoughts, send your comments by September 10, 2026—no costs or fees involved!
2026-11786, Danger Zone; Waters of Carr Creek and Whitehall Bay in the Vicinity of the Naval Support Activity Annapolis
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is setting up three new danger zones in Carr Creek and Whitehall Bay near the Naval Support Activity Annapolis to keep everyone safe during Naval Academy firing range training. These zones will protect Sailors, Midshipmen, law enforcement, and boaters by restricting access when the range is active. The new rules kick in 30 days after being published, with no extra costs for the public.
2026-11283, Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline, Lake Oahe Crossing, North Dakota
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially decided to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, but with extra safety rules. This affects local communities, the environment, and the pipeline company, ensuring the project moves forward carefully. The decision is now public, so everyone knows the plan and what comes next.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-01797, Vanillin From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination With Final Antidumping Duty Determination; Correction
The U.S. Department of Commerce fixed a name mistake in their vanillin trade investigation from China. They corrected the company name from Jiaxing Guihua Chemical Import and Export Co., Ltd. to Jiaxing Guihua Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. This update keeps the investigation on track without changing any deadlines or money matters.
Next: 2025-01799, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got a bunch of filings from energy companies, mostly about extending special rules and updating rates. This affects solar projects, power companies, and storage centers, with some changes kicking in as soon as January 23, 2025. If you’re involved, keep an eye out—comments are due by February 11 or 12, and these updates could impact how energy gets priced and managed.