Jacksonville -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District will initiate alternative permitting procedures throughout affected areas in the State of Florida in response to conditions resulting from Hurricane Sally. These alternate procedures will be utilized for a period of 6 months from September 24, 2020, and through March 24, 2021.
The Corps of Engineers defines an “emergency” as a situation which would result in an unacceptable hazard to life, a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship if corrective action requiring a permit is not undertaken within a time period less than the normal time needed to process the permit application under standard procedures.
Most permitting will likely be accomplished through the nationwide permit (NWP) program. Additionally, bank stabilization activities may be authorized under NWP #13. These activities would be accomplished under the authorities of Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act .
Actions not qualifying for authorization under the terms and conditions of the NWP program, will be evaluated with the following procedures; (a) reviewed to determine if a true emergency situation exists associated with the request, (b) if situation is deemed an emergency, descriptions of the proposed action will be transmitted to representatives from each of the commenting agencies, including the State/Commonwealth agencies responsible for Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Consistency if required; (c) the District will make a permit decision after considering/addressing any comments submitted by the agencies. It is anticipated that this process can be finalized within 24-48 hours for most actions. A list of permitting field offices may be found on our public website at: https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Office-Locations/
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 of the Nation’s aquatic resources and navigation.
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Release no. 20-078