us army corps of engineers building strong ® utah watershed coordinating council conservation...
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US Army Corps of Engineers
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Utah Watershed Coordinating CouncilConservation Planning Workshop
Navigating the Corps’ Permitting Process
Jason GipsonChief, Utah/Nevada Regulatory Branch
US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
July 20, 2011
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Permitting Authority
Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) 1899
Section 404 Clean Water Act
(CWA)1972
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Section 10 RHA
Permits for all work affecting navigable capacity of territorial seas, navigable rivers and lakes.
Purpose: to maintain safe/passable navigable waterways
Does not have to involve discharge of material into waterway
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Section 10 Navigable Waters
Subject to tidal action and/or; Historically or currently used for
transportation of Interstate or Foreign Commerce
Most major waterways in the US• Lower Colorado River• Lower Green River• Flaming Gorge Reservoir• Bear Lake• Lake Powell
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Typical Work Requiring Section 10 Permits
Work in, over or under the waterway►Permanent or temporary work►Dredging & Excavation►Bank Protection/Levee Work► Intake/Outfall Structures
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Clean Water Act (CWA)
Section 404 Clean Water Act ►Requires that a permit be obtained from the
Corps prior to discharging dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States, including wetlands”
CWA goal:To protect the physical, chemical and
biological functions of our Nation’s waters
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Typical Activities Requiring Section 404 Permits
Deposition of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States and/or adjacent wetlands
Site development fills for residential, commercial, or recreational developments
Aquatic habitat restoration activities
Bank stabilization
Spring developments
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Waters of the United States
Waters of the United States consist of:►All navigable
waters and their tributaries
►All Interstate waters and their tributaries
►Adjacent wetlands to those waters
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Step 1: Map Waterways/Wetlands
Describe project area Discuss hydrology, vegetation and soils Provide locations maps Contact info of applicant/agent Wetland/OHMM Data sheets Waters delineation map
►Needs to meet minimum standards
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Step 2: Submit Report/Map to Corps
Corps verifies accuracy of map and jurisdiction via letter►Delineation report may be submitted alone or
with application materials.
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Step 3: Submit Application
Nationwide Permit – Preconstruction Notification (PCN)►PCN checklist►Project plans overlaid on delineation map►Historic Properties/Endangered Species
information►Mitigation plan for permanent impacts
45-day Corps completeness review period 45-60 days to issue verification
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PCN Exception (NWP 27)
for NRCS, FWS, FSA and Cooperating State Agencies on non-federal lands:►Requires submission of Wetland
Enhancement Agreement; or►Project description, including plans; or►NRCS Technical Service Provider docs for
voluntary wetland restoration action 30-day Corps review of submitted material
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Regional Conditions
Supersede PCN Exemption Examples:
►Work in springs, histosols and/or fens►Below elevation 4217’ (GSL) and 4500’ (Utah
Lake)►For NWP 27: >1,500 feet of stream, >50 cu ft
structural fill or grade control structure >1 vertical-foot drop
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GP 40
Joint permit process with State of Utah Authorizes minimal impacts to streams
only (no wetlands impacts authorized)►Max 300 feet, or 500 feet with bio-engineering
Streamlined permitting process ~30 days
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Individual Permits (IP) Processing time – 120 days Authorizes activities with more than minimal
impacts (no acreage limitations) Public process Alternatives Evaluation Undergo Public Interest Evaluation Compliance with Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines Section 401 Certification (404 permits only)
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Exemptions
Maintenance/Replacement of existing structures►Culverts, spring boxes, weirs
Fencing thru wetlands
Please contact Corps project manager for verification of exemption
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Speeding Up The Process
Request a preliminary jurisdictional determination
Coordinate early with Corps project managers►Site visits►ESA/Historic Properties
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Thank YouContact Information:Jason GipsonU.S. Army Corps of EngineersUtah Regulatory Office533 West 2600 South, Ste. 150Bountiful, Utah 84010(801) 295-8380 x 14Email: [email protected] Page: http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/regulatory