Rivers and Harbors Act

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is authorized to regulate the construction of any structure or work within navigable waters under sections 9 and 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA). The RHA authorizes the COE to regulate the construction of such diverse activities as wharves, breakwaters, or jetties; bank protection or stabilization projects; permanent mooring structures, vessels, or marinas; intake or outfall pipes; canals; boat ramps; aids to navigation; or other modifications affecting the course, location condition, or capacity of navigable waters. The COE's jurisdiction under RHA is limited to "navigable waters," or waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide shoreward to the mean high water mark that may be used to transport interstate or foreign commerce.