The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced in mid-February, 2011 it is seeking comments on its proposal to renew and revise nationwide permits for work in wetlands and other waters that are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. In addition, USACE is proposing to issue two new nationwide permits that pertain to authorizing renewable energy generation projects.

The nationwide permits authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause only minimal adverse environmental impacts to aquatic resources separately or on a cumulative basis. Many of the nationwide permits being proposed remain unchanged from 2007 according to the release, the last time the nationwide permits were authorized.

The public notice to solicit comments on the proposed set of revised nationwide permits was published in the February 16, 2011, Federal Register at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-02-16/pdf/2011-3371.pdf.

USACE will accept written comments through April 18, 2011. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to NWP2012@usace.army.mil This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or through the Federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov at docket number COE-2010-0035. The current set of nationwide permits expires March 18, 2012. The nationwide permits being proposed today will replace the existing set.  Additional information about the Corps’ regulatory program can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Pages/cecwo_reg.aspx.