Each year thousands of construction projects are undertaken in the United States that could potentially impact the nation’s rivers, streams, wetlands and other aquatic resources. Many of these projects also have tremendous value for individuals, communities and the economy. The Corps is dedicated to protecting the nation’s aquatic resources while allowing reasonable and necessary development to go forward.
Through its regulatory program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ensures that any environmental impact on aquatic resources from these construction projects is avoided, minimized, or mitigated. The Corps regulatory program supports the national goal of “no overall net loss” of wetlands. For permitted activities that result in unavoidable losses, the Corps requires replacement wetlands to offset those losses. The Corps places a significant emphasis on ensuring that the ecological quality of impacted and replacement wetlands are the same. The Corps is committed to enforcing compliance with the terms of all of the permits it issues. The enforcement program also ensures that companies which harm aquatic resources fix the damage.
By protecting aquatic and wildlife habitat, the program ensures that current and future generations will be able to enjoy our nation’s beautiful natural resources.
Links:
• San Francisco District Regulatory Program
• Clean Water Act/Rivers and Harbors Act