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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Corps’ Jurisdiction

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Corps’ Permitting Program

for Projects with Wetland Impacts

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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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Projects With No Wetlands Impacts

Use General Permit (GP) 40

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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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Questions?

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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: jason.a.gipson@usace.army.milWeb Page: http://www.spk.usace.army.mil/regulatory