Nationwide permits are issued on a regional and nationwide basis and strive to streamline the approval process for certain types of undertakings that have minimal impacts to aquatic resources. In many cases the formal evaluation of a permit application is not required because nationwide permits have already been issued to the public at large by the Corps of Engineers and Congress. Examples include fish and wildlife harvesting devices; structures for the exploration, production, and transportation of oil, gas, and minerals; and activities required for the construction, expansion, modification, or improvement of linear transportation projects.