News Release
| Release Number: | 03-195 |
| Dated: | 11/24/2003 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sponsoring a free Department of the Army Permit workshop Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Juniper Room of the U.S. Forest Service building at 431 Patterson Bridge Road in John Day, Ore.
The workshop will cover topics such as: Corps jurisdiction; permitting/reporting requirements; exempt activities; types of permits; Endangered Species Act requirements to include biological assessments and opinions; and an open question and answer period.
"The Corps of Engineers is charged by Congress to protect our nation's valuable aquatic resources, known as waters of the United States," said Lawrence Evans, Regulatory Branch chief, Portland District, Corps of Engineers. "Impacting waters may require a permit through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The intent of the workshop is to increase the public's awareness about the Corps' permitting process and discuss new, efficient processes Portland District has developed to expedite permit application reviews."
Anyone interested in attending the free workshop is encouraged to participate. To find out more about the workshop, please contact Corrie Veenstra at (503) 808-4378.
The Department of the Army regulatory program is one of the oldest in the federal government. Initially it served a simple, straightforward purpose: to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation's waters. In 1972, the Clean Water Act was signed into law and the Department of the Army was directed to administer Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which pertained to the regulation of certain activities undertaken in waters of the United States.
In 1975, the Corps of Engineers' jurisdiction was increased by court order to include wetlands as part of its definition of waters of the U.S.
The permit evaluation process includes a public notice with a public comment period. Application for complex projects also may require a public hearing before the Corps makes a permit decision. In its evaluation of applications, the Corps is required by law to consider all factors involving the public interest. These may include environmental concerns, economics, historical values, fish and wildlife, aesthetics, flood damage prevention, land use classifications, navigation, recreation, water supply, water quality, energy needs, food production and the general welfare of the public.
To find out more about the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program in Oregon, please visit https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/op/g/.