[Federal Register: September 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 171)] [Notices] [Page 48386-48389] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03se99-68] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Proposal To Issue and Modify Nationwide Permits AGENCY: Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of time extension for receipt of comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In Part III of the July 21, 1999, issue of the Federal Register (64 FR 39252), the Corps of Engineers published its proposal to issue 5 new Nationwide Permits (NWPs) and modify 6 existing NWPs to replace NWP 26 when it expires. The Corps is also proposing to modify 9 NWP general conditions and add three new general conditions. A key element of the Corps process for developing NWPs that authorize activities with minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment is regional conditioning developed by district and division engineers. Corps districts have published public notices to solicit comments on proposed regional conditions for the draft NWPs published in the July 21, 1999, Federal Register. The public is invited to provide comments on these proposals. [[Page 48387]] DATES: The closing date for receipt of comments concerning the draft NWPs is hereby extended from September 7, 1999, to October 7, 1999. ADDRESSES: HQUSACE, ATTN: CECW-OR, 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Olson or Mr. Sam Collinson at (202) 761-0199 or access the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Home Page at: http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwo/reg/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps has determined that a 30-day extension to the comment period would be appropriate to allow both the development and environmental communities additional time to review the proposed draft NWPs, including proposed general conditions and regional conditions. This time extension will affect the effective date for the new and modified NWPs by no more than 15 days. The new and modified NWPs will become effective no later than January 5, 2000. Corps districts will have the option to extend their comment periods for their regional conditions and will decide if such an extension is necessary. To ensure that there is an NWP available to authorize activities in headwaters and isolated waters that have minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment, the Corps has modified the expiration date for NWP 26 to January 5, 2000, or the effective date of the replacement NWPs, whichever comes first. The revised schedule is illustrated in Figure 1. BILLING CODE 3710-92-P [[Page 48388]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN03SE99.000 BILLING CODE 3710-92-C [[Page 48389]] The implementation of the new NWPs is a high priority for the Administration, including the Army. We believe that the current proposal reflects the changes that are necessary to ensure that the Nation's aquatic resources are properly protected in accordance with the goals of the Clean Water Act. Dated: August 31, 1999. Charles M. Hess, Chief, Operations Division, Directorate of Civil Works. [FR Doc. 99-23081 Filed 9-1-99; 9:42 am] BILLING CODE 3710-92-P