US Army: valuetonation

8/14/2019 US Army: valuetonation

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Keeping Waters Clean & Clear Keeping Waters Clean & Clear

Regulatory Program



Each year thousands of construction projects are

undertaken in the United Statesthat could potentially impact thenation’s rivers, streams, wetlandsand other aquatic resources. Many

of these projects also havetremendous value for individuals,communities and the economy.

Through its regulatory program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ensures that any environmental

impact on aquatic resources from these constructionprojects is avoided, minimized, or mitigated. TheCorps is dedicated to protecting the nation’s aquaticresources while allowing reasonable and necessary development to go forward.

Listening, Evaluating, Acting

The heart of the Corps regulatory program is thepublic interest review process, which is designed toproduce fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions.

Through this review process, the Corpsthoroughly considers the views of the public,government agencies, tribes and projectproponents.

Once all sides have been heard from, theCorps carefully evaluates the positives andnegatives of each project to determine what willbest serve the public interest.

Just a few of the benefits of an effectiveregulatory program are:

• Cleaner water;

• A healthierenvironment;

• More jobs; and

• A strongereconomy.

What Does the Regulatory Program

Mean to You?



The Corps efforts to balance society’s many needsofficially begins with the permit process. However,

one measure of the success of these efforts is thatmany developers are working with the Corps duringthe planning stage of projects to protect the aquaticenvironment and avoid the need for a permit.

In other cases organizations are making adjustmentsto minimize the impact of their projects on aquaticresources so that they can gain a permit more quickly.The end result is that developers avoid delays, taxpay-ers avoid unnecessary costs, and the environment isprotected from adverse impact.

In cases where animpact on aquaticresources is unavoidableorganizations must obtaina permit from the Corps.This process is designed tobe fair and flexible and toprovide timely decisions.

The Corps also is committed to ensur-ing that the public has a full opportu-nity to provide input on projects that will have more than a minimal impacton the environment.

There are three basic types of permits: standard, general and letters of permission. Standard permits are issuedfor projects that are likely to have morethan a minimal impact on aquatic

resources. General permits, whichcover projects that will haveminimal impact, and letters of permission are granted on a quickertimeline.

One of the strengths of thepermit program is that it is backedup by a strong enforcement effort.The Corps is committed toenforcing compliance with the

terms of all of the permits it issues.The enforcement program also ensures that companies which harm aquatic resources fix the damage. TheCorps acts on approximately 6,000 reported violationseach year.



Elinor Osborn, winner in EPA's 2002wetland photography contest

Michael Corey, finalist in EPA's 2002wetland photography contest

Anneke Davis, finalist in EPA's 2002 wetlandphotography contest

V a l u e t o t h e E n v i r o n m e n t

Did You Know...

More than 60,000

acres of wetlands

are restored,

created, enhanced

or preserved by the

Corps every year.

Nearly 90,000important

development andrenovation projects

are permittedevery year with little

or no impact.

On average permitdecisions are made within 32 days.



The Corps regulatory program helps keep thenation’s waters clean and clear and protects the

many living creatures that live in and near them,including endangered species. The program covers a wide variety of aquatic resources including wetlands,rivers, streams, tidal waters, coral reefs, shellfish bedsand the oceans.

One of the primary missions of the program is toprotect the nation’s wetlands, which are areas that arecovered by water or have waterlogged soils for portionsof the growing season. Lying on the border between water and land, wetlands have a rich mix of nutrients,

plants and insects that make them the perfect nursery for a wide variety of fish and wildlife during the vul-nerable early stages of their lives.

Most commercial and gamefish breed and raise their young in wetlands. Approximately 35 per-

cent of all federally-listed rare andendangered animal species eitherlive in or depend upon wetlands. Wetlands also serve as rest stopsfor migratory birds, help preventfloods, control erosion andimprove water quality.

The Corps regulatory pro-gram supports the national goal of “no overall net loss” of wetlands.For permitted activities that result

in unavoidable losses,the Corps requiresreplacement wet-lands to offset thoselosses. The Corpsplaces a significantemphasis onensuring that theecological quality of impacted andreplacement wet-lands are the same.

Over time, this focuson ecological quality may lead to a netgain in wetlands.

For example, in2002, the Corpsissued permits thataffected 25,000 acresof wetlands. By con-trast, more than58,000 acres were

restored, created, enhanced or preserved under theprogram. In many cases, several small, separate, low value wetlands were replaced with more environmen-tally beneficial large wetland complexes.



T

he Corps regulatory program has a huge

impact on the economy by enabling billions of dollars worth of construction and developmentprojects to proceed each year with limited effectsto the environment.

The Corps efficient permit process reducespaperwork and staff time resulting in cost savingsfor applicants and taxpayers. Many projects areauthorized through nationwide or regional generalpermits. More than 70,000 of the projects

authorized by the Corps each year areapproved under general permits.

In many cases, the Corps also works with potential applicants during theplanning and design of projects so thatproblems can be spotted early on andaddressed, saving development costs while still reducing potential environ-mental harm.

The permit program minimizeseffects that would have a negative impacton fishing and hunting and it supports commercialnavigation and recreational boating activities, all of

which are multibillion-dollar industries. Forexample, the regulatory program ensures thecontinued viability of wetland-dependent species, which generate $15 billion in revenue a year forthe fishing and shellfishing industry.

Finally, the regulatory program helps preventor modify activities that could increase the poten-tial for flooding or cause erosion, thereby avoidingpotentially substantial negative economic effects.



T

he Corps regulatory program creates tremen-

dous benefits for individuals, communitiesand society as a whole.By allowing necessary projects to go forward,

the program strengthens the economies of localcommunities and creates jobs for thousands of Americans.

By protecting aquatic and wildlife habitat, theprogram ensures that current and future genera-tions will be able to enjoy these beautiful naturalresources.

By safeguarding recreation areas, the programencourages people to hike, bike, canoe and take partin other physical activi-ties that enhance fitnessand mental and emo-tional well being.

By approving therepair or rebuilding of unsafe structures in waters and the clearingof obstructions, the pro-gram helps ensure safenavigation and theunimpeded flow of water, strengtheningcommercial shipping,

fisheries and other industries, which are linchpinsof many local and state economies.

By quickly issuing permits to speed recovery efforts after floods, earthquakes, hurricanes andother natural and manmade disasters, the programassists people, businesses, and communities torapidly rebuild.

Most important, the program facilitates thedevelopment of the nation’s critical infrastructure, which is such a vital part of all of our lives, whileprotecting our aquatic resources.



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US Army: valuetonation