We just built our pond last fall in VA with a permit from the CoE. We were told we need to keep the stream disturbance to 300 linear feet and less than a 10th an acre of wetlands disturbed. The CoE was good to work with other than they were very busy. We asked for 400 ft in our application along with 200 ft of stream bank widening above the pond to create wetlands in the back 100ft and stream of the pond. They came back and approved this without charging for the mitigation credits over 300 ft. It came across to me that they do have some leeway in the permit as long as you are creating habitat and not getting into a pond size that falls under the dam safety regulations. I'd be happy to share my experience if anyone wants more information. Just PM me. The land disturbance permit was our bigger sticking point which is ridiculous since we are creating an impoundment and the nature of the dam controls runoff. The project is one big catch basin!

David Clapper