The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) posted for public comment a revised Nationwide Permit and two new Nationwide Permits that concern marine aquaculture.
Nationwide Permits (NWPs) authorize certain activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The Corps proposes reissuing an existing NWP 48, Commercial Shellfish Mariculture Activities, with modified associated general conditions and definitions.
Five new NWPs are also proposed to issue. Two of those proposed new NWPs would authorize certain categories of mariculture activities (i.e., NMP 54 A seaweed and NWP 54 B finfish mariculture) that are not authorized by NWP 48.
The modifications are proposed to simplify and clarify the NWPs, reduce burdens on the regulated public and continue to comply with the statutory requirement that these NWPs authorize only activities with no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The Corps is requesting comment on all aspects of these proposed nationwide permits.
Submit comments on or before November 16, 2020. Read or download the Federal Register Notice here.
Comments must be submitted identified by docket number COE– 2020–0002 and/or RIN 0710–AA84, by any of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. At this website, documents pertinent to NWP 48 and NWP 54 A and B are posted separately for reading or download.
- Email, nationwidepermits2020@usace.army.mil. Include the docket number, COE–2020–0002 in the subject line of the message.
- Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW–CO–R, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20314–1000.
