Summary

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers' (Corps) and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule on compensatory mitigation for losses of aquatic resources. GAO found that (1) the final rule establishes performance standards and criteria for compensatory mitigation to improve the quantity and success of compensatory mitigation projects, and also to improve the planning, implementation, and management of projects by emphasizing a watershed approach; and (2) with the exception of the required 60-day review provision, the Corps and EPA complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.