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Printable. Agency contacts.ParticipateBinder Tab E — Local Gov

Reference packet · Printable · Tab E

Agency Contact Packet

A handbook-style directory of the offices that show up most often. Take it to the kitchen table or to a hearing.

≈3 min · Quick referencePrint-worthy

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What this is for

A printed reference desk: which agency handles which problem, what they don't, and where to find your local office.

Who it's for

Anyone unsure who to call. Neighbours, HOA boards, faith groups, and first-time meeting attendees.

When to use it

Print once and keep behind Tab E. Bring it to a hearing so you're never guessing who to address.

What's inside

A preview of what prints. The printed output is the deliverable; this is just so you know what you'd get.

Federal

  • EPA — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • USACE — U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • USFWS — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • NOAA — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

State

  • State Environmental Agency
  • State Wildlife Agency
  • SHPO — State Historic Preservation Office
  • DOT — State Department of Transportation

County

  • County Commission

Municipal

  • Planning Department
  • Zoning Board (Board of Adjustment)
  • Code Enforcement
  • Public Works

Each printed entry shows what the office handles, what it doesn't, and where to find your local office.

For the live, searchable version with current links, see the Agency Library.

Most common uses

If any of these match what you're working on, this is the right printable.

  • A new project nearby and you don't know which office to call
  • A complaint about air, water, or noise
  • A wildlife or habitat concern
  • A records request to the right agency
  • A hearing where you need to name the correct authority
  • Helping a neighbour figure out where to start

Before They Build

Agency Contact Packet

A Neighborhood Action Guide

Reference packet · Civic Handbook · Vol. I

Plate VII — Planning Office · maps, mylar, and the watershed
Plate VIIPlanning Office · maps, mylar, and the watershed
Project
Reference packet
Status
Federal · state · county · municipal
Location
Bring to the meeting

Vol. I · Edition One · Generated June 19, 2026 · Private to this device · Not legal advice.

© 2026 Before They Build™. All rights reserved. Educational re-use permitted; see beforetheybuild.com/permissions.

Agency Packet · Federal

Federal agencies

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Sets and enforces federal rules for air, water, hazardous waste, and pollution. State agencies usually carry out day-to-day permitting.

Handles: Air permits and emissions standards; Clean Water Act discharges (with state co-enforcement); Hazardous waste and Superfund sites; Lead, asbestos, and indoor air guidance.

Does not handle: Property disputes between neighbours; Easements or zoning decisions; Noise complaints (except aircraft, which is FAA).

Site: www.epa.govLocal: www.epa.gov/aboutepa/regional-and-geographic-officesComplaint: www.epa.gov/report-violationRecords: www.epa.gov/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)

Permits work in wetlands, streams, and other waters of the United States. The agency that decides whether a wetland can be filled.

Handles: Section 404 wetland fill permits; Section 10 work in navigable waters; Levees and flood-control structures.

Does not handle: Stormwater quality (usually state); Drinking water quality; Pure private property disputes.

Site: www.usace.army.milLocal: www.usace.army.mil/LocationsComplaint: www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-PermitsRecords: www.usace.army.mil/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Protects federally listed endangered species and migratory birds. Reviews projects that may affect listed species or critical habitat.

Handles: Endangered Species Act consultations; Migratory Bird Treaty Act permits; Bald and Golden Eagle Act permits; Habitat conservation plans.

Does not handle: Game species (most are state-managed); Nuisance wildlife removal; Pet or livestock issues.

Site: www.fws.govLocal: www.fws.gov/about/regionComplaint: www.fws.gov/le/report-wildlife-crime.htmlRecords: www.fws.gov/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Federal agency for ocean, coastal, marine fisheries, and weather. NOAA Fisheries reviews projects affecting marine species and habitat.

Handles: Marine endangered species (whales, sea turtles, salmon); Essential Fish Habitat consultations; Coastal Zone Management coordination; Weather and flood forecasting.

Does not handle: Inland zoning; Freshwater wetland fills (Army Corps); Air pollution (EPA).

Site: www.noaa.govLocal: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/contact-directory/regional-officesComplaint: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/reportRecords: www.noaa.gov/information-technology/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

USDA Wildlife Services (USDA-WS)

Program within the USDA that manages conflicts between people and wildlife — bird strikes at airports, predator control, invasive species.

Handles: Wildlife damage to agriculture; Airport wildlife hazard management; Invasive species control.

Does not handle: Endangered species (USFWS); Hunting and fishing regulations (state); Pet rescue.

Site: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamageLocal: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/sa_program_overview/sa_state_officesRecords: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Licenses wireless facilities — cell towers, antennas, microwave links. Local zoning can regulate placement but cannot ban service.

Handles: Wireless tower registration and licensing; Antenna structure approvals; RF emission compliance.

Does not handle: Local zoning of towers (city/county); Health-effects determinations (covered by FCC limits); Building permits for tower construction.

Site: www.fcc.govComplaint: consumercomplaints.fcc.govRecords: www.fcc.gov/proceedings-actions/records-information/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

Permits interstate natural gas pipelines, hydroelectric projects, and high-voltage transmission lines.

Handles: Interstate natural gas pipeline certificates; Hydroelectric licenses; Wholesale electric transmission.

Does not handle: Local distribution lines (state PSC); Oil pipelines (PHMSA / state); Local easement negotiations.

Site: www.ferc.govComplaint: www.ferc.gov/enforcement-legal/enforcement/complaintsRecords: www.ferc.gov/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)

Federal safety regulator for pipelines (gas, oil, hazardous liquids) and hazardous-materials transport.

Handles: Pipeline safety standards; Pipeline incident investigations; Hazardous materials transportation rules.

Does not handle: Pipeline routing (FERC for interstate gas); Easement negotiations.

Site: www.phmsa.dot.govComplaint: www.phmsa.dot.gov/contact-usRecords: www.phmsa.dot.gov/foia

Last reviewed June 2026

Agency Packet · State

State agencies

State Environmental Agency

Every state has an environmental agency (DEQ, DEP, EGLE, etc.) that runs the day-to-day air, water, and waste permitting under federal rules.

Handles: State-issued air and water permits; Stormwater permits; Solid and hazardous waste; Spill response and brownfields.

Does not handle: Local zoning; Federal wetland fills (Army Corps); Private property disputes.

Local: www.epa.gov/aboutepa/health-and-environmental-agencies-us-states-and-territories

Last reviewed June 2026

State Wildlife Agency

State fish and game departments. Manage hunting, fishing, and most non-endangered wildlife. Often handle nuisance wildlife and habitat issues.

Handles: Game and non-game wildlife; State-listed species; Habitat permits on state land.

Does not handle: Federally listed species (USFWS); Marine fisheries (NOAA).

Local: www.fishwildlife.org/landing/state-fish-wildlife-agencies

Last reviewed June 2026

State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

Reviews federally funded or permitted projects under Section 106 for effects on historic properties.

Handles: Section 106 reviews; National Register nominations; Historic tax credit certifications.

Does not handle: Local landmark designations (usually city); Private demolition without federal involvement.

Local: ncshpo.org/directory

Last reviewed June 2026

State Department of Transportation (DOT)

Designs, builds, and maintains the state highway system. Reviews access permits and traffic studies for projects that affect state roads.

Handles: State highway access permits; Traffic studies on state routes; Right-of-way and bridge work.

Does not handle: City and county roads; Private driveways off local streets.

Last reviewed June 2026

State Utility (Public Service) Commission (PUC / PSC)

Regulates investor-owned electric, gas, and telecom utilities. Reviews rates, service quality, and certain siting decisions.

Handles: Electric and gas rate cases; Some transmission line siting; Service quality complaints.

Does not handle: Municipal utilities (governed locally); Cooperative utility internal decisions.

Local: www.naruc.org/about-naruc/regulatory-commissions

Last reviewed June 2026

Agency Packet · County

County agencies

County Commission

Elected body that adopts the county budget, ordinances, and (in unincorporated areas) land-use decisions.

Handles: County ordinances; Rezonings in unincorporated areas; Capital budget decisions.

Does not handle: Decisions within incorporated cities; State or federal permits.

Last reviewed June 2026

Agency Packet · Municipal

Municipal agencies

Planning Department

The office that writes and applies the zoning code. First stop for almost every land-use question.

Handles: Zoning verification; Site plan review; Rezoning and variance applications; Comprehensive plan amendments.

Does not handle: Building inspections (Building Dept.); Property disputes between owners; Federal environmental permits.

Last reviewed June 2026

Zoning Board (Board of Adjustment)

Quasi-judicial body that hears variance requests, special-use permits, and zoning appeals.

Handles: Variances; Special-use permits; Appeals of zoning officer decisions.

Does not handle: Rezonings (usually planning commission + council); Building code questions.

Last reviewed June 2026

Code Enforcement

Investigates violations of zoning, property maintenance, and nuisance codes after the fact.

Handles: Zoning violations; Property maintenance complaints; Unpermitted construction; Noise (in many jurisdictions).

Does not handle: Initial permit approval; Civil property disputes; Emergencies (call 911 / non-emergency line).

Last reviewed June 2026

Public Works

City or county department for streets, stormwater, water, sewer, and capital construction.

Handles: Stormwater and drainage; Street and sidewalk maintenance; Water and sewer connections; Right-of-way permits.

Does not handle: Private drainage between properties; State or federal highways (DOT).

Last reviewed June 2026

City Council

Elected legislative body for a city or town. Adopts ordinances, the budget, and (often) final land-use decisions.

Handles: City ordinances; Final rezoning votes; Capital budget.

Does not handle: Quasi-judicial variance hearings (Zoning Board); Day-to-day enforcement.

Last reviewed June 2026

Before They Build

Civic Handbook · Vol. I · Edition One

Agency Contact Packet · generated June 19, 2026

beforetheybuild.com/reports/community-guide

Printed June 19, 2026 · Reference ID ------

Private to this device. General information only — not legal advice. Confirm details with your local authority.

© 2026 Before They Build™. Educational use permitted. Not legal advice. Reprint or commercial use: beforetheybuild.com/permissions

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