JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District extended expedited emergency permitting procedures in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to support the continued recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria. These alternative procedures remain in effect until June 21, 2018.
"We have received many requests for emergency permit activities in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Much has been accomplished, but much work remains. The extended emergency permitting procedures makes it possible for us to better serve the people and communities that are still in need of assistance,” said Sindulfo Castillo, chief of the Antilles Regulatory office. “Our team works tirelessly to ensure emergency permits are processed expeditiously in accordance with South Atlantic Division-approved alternative procedures and Corps regulations. We continue to do our part to help the residents of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands return to a life of normalcy as quickly as possible.”
The Corps has responded to 111 actions resulting from Hurricane Maria, including heavy rain damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Actions were taken to address shoreline damage, deposition of sand and other materials in waters and wetlands, damage or loss of structures in navigable waters and other related effects. Of these 111 actions, many required emergency permits for bank stabilization, dredge, roadway repair, dock repair and debris removal.
Emergency requests may include roadway/transportation repair, shoreline stabilization to address erosion, dredging shoaled areas, repair/rehabilitation of in-water structures, debris removal, derelict vessel removal, and oil/hazardous material cleanup.
The Corps defines an emergency as a situation which would result in unacceptable hazard to life, significant property loss, significant hardship if corrective action requiring a permit is not undertaken within a time period less than the normal time needed to process the application under standard procedures.
Alternative/emergency permitting procedures are used to authorize actions or work that are considered to be emergencies, which may include, but are not limited to, the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, and work in navigable waters of the United States, to include dredging to restore navigation and relieve flooding, stabilization of eroded shorelines, repair and replacement of authorized structures including docks and bulkheads, installing temporary utility lines and access roads, replacing existing roads and bridges, installing water intake structures and removal and disposal of debris in waters.
Read the Public Notice for the Time Extension for Alternative Permit Application Processing Procedures for Activities in Response to Hurricane Maria: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll11/id/2088
Please complete the Emergency Permit Application to request an emergency permit and email it to SAJ-RD@usace.army.mil. For additional information please contact Sindulfo Castillo, 787-289-7040 or Sindulfo.Castillo@usace.army.mil
The Corps of Engineers is neither a proponent nor opponent of any proposed project. The Corps’ mission is to provide the regulated public with fair and reasonable decisions while providing protection to the Nation’s aquatic resources and navigation.