An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Navigable Waters Protection Rule

Training and Implementation Materials

On this page:


To ensure consistent and effective implementation of the NWPR, the agencies developed a series of work products involving training, implementation memos, and resources.

Recorded Trainings

Navigable Waters Protection Rule Webcast - February 13, 2020

EPA and the Department of the Army held a public webcast to explain key elements of the final Navigable Waters Protection Rule. 

Navigable Waters Protection Rule Overview and Discussion of CWA Programs - June 9, 2020

This webinar provides an overview of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and discusses how the final rule may affect various Clean Water Act programs.

“Typical Year” - June 16, 2020

This webinar focuses on the definition and application of the "typical year" concept in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule when determining the jurisdictional status of certain waters. 

Tributaries, Ditches, Flow Regime, and Assessment – June 23, 2020

This webinar focuses on the definitions of “tributary,” “ditch,” and flow regimes in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, as well as key implementation tools, including regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods (SDAMs). Note: while SDAMs are discussed in this webinar, more detailed information on SDAMs is available here.

Adjacent Wetlands, Lakes, Ponds, and Impoundments – June 30, 2020

This webinar discusses the definitions of “adjacent wetlands” and “lakes, ponds and impoundments of jurisdictional waters” in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule as well as related implementation considerations.  

Exclusions and More  July 7, 2020

This webinar discusses the 12 categories of exclusions (features that are not “waters of the United States”) in the Navigable Water Protection Rule and includes a discussion of topics not otherwise addressed in the webinar series.


Implementation Memos

Elevation and Coordination Procedures for Certain Determinations under the Clean Water Act (“TNW Memo”)

The purpose of the TNW Memo is to ensure the consistent implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule by establishing a process for EPA, the Army, and the Corps to elevate to their headquarters for coordination certain determinations under paragraph (a)(1) of the Rule.

Memorandum to the Field on Exemptions from Regulation under Section 404(f)(1)(C) of the CWA for the Construction or Maintenance of Irrigation Ditches and for the Maintenance of Drainage Ditches (“Ditch Exemptions Memo”)

The purpose of the Ditch Exemptions Memo is to provide a clear, consistent approach regarding the application of the exemptions from regulation under section 404(f)(1)(C) of the CWA for the construction or maintenance of irrigation ditches and for the maintenance of drainage ditches (“ditch exemptions”).

Memorandum to the Field Concerning Implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and the Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985  ("Ag Memo")

The purpose of this memo is to minimize duplication of efforts pursuant to the CWA section 404 program and the FSA Wetland Conservation Provisions and to facilitate the agencies’ efforts to ensure that federal wetland programs, including those that identify prior converted cropland, are administered in an efficient and effective manner.

Memorandum to the Field on Coordination to Ensure Consistent Implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (“Coordination Memo”)

The purpose of this memo is to is to facilitate consistent implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and to continue strong coordination between the agencies.