The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District) (“Corps”) issued a March 6th Public Notice stating that it is proposing to reissue Department of the Army General Permit 32 (“GP32”).
The regulatory jurisdiction of the Vicksburg District includes portions of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters in the United States. Activities in waters of the United States regulated under the program include fill for development, water resource projects (such as dams and levees), infrastructure development (such as highways and airports), and mining projects. Proposed activities are regulated through a permit review process.
An individual permit is required for potentially significant impacts. Individual permits are reviewed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers which evaluates applications under a public interest review. For most discharges that will have only minimal adverse effects, a General Permit may be utilized.
General Permits are issued on a nationwide, regional, or state basis for particular categories of activities. The General Permit process eliminates individual review and allows certain activities to proceed with little or no delay if the general or specific conditions for the General Permit are met.
GP32 is an example of such a permit.
The Corps describes GP32 as:
…associated with construction of minor drainage and water level control structures.
Widely used drainage and water control structures are stated to include, but are not limited to:
- Cantilever overfill pipes.
- Drop inlet structures.
- Water level control structures.
- Grade and erosions control structures.
A copy of the Public Notice addressing the proposed reissuance of GP32 can be downloaded here.
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