The Corps of Engineers is reissuing all the existing Nationwide Permits (NWPs), General Conditions, and definitions with some modifications, and one new General Condition. The Corps has made a number of changes to the proposed NWPs and General Conditions that are designed to further clarify the permits and strengthen environmental protection. These changes are discussed in the preamble.
All NWPs except NWPs 7, 12, 14, 27, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 expire on February 11, 2002. Existing NWPs 7, 12, 14, 27, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44 expire on March 18, 2002. In order to reduce the confusion regarding the expiration of the NWPs and the administrative burden of reissuing NWPs at different times, the COE is issuing all NWPs on the same date so that they expire on the same date. Thus, all issued, reissued and modified NWPs, and General Conditions contained within this notice will become effective on March 18, 2002 and expire on March 19, 2007. Activities authorized by the current NWPs issued on December 13, 1996, (except NWPs 7, 12, 14, 27, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44), that have commenced or are under contract to commence by February 11, 2002, will have until February 11, 2003 to complete the activity. Activities authorized by NWPs 7, 12, 14, 27, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44, that were issued on March 9, 2000, that are commenced or under contract to commence by March 18, 2002, will have until March 18, 2003 to complete the activity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Olson, at (703) 428-7570, Mr. Rich White, at (202) 761-4599, or Mr. Kirk Stark, at (202) 761-4664 or access the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Home Page at: http//:www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwo/reg/. The complete Federal Register notice is available on RCP’s website here.