In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the use of funds accepted under subsection (a) will not impact impartial decision making with respect to permits, either substantively or procedurally. This authority was extended under Section 2002 of Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (PL 110-114) until December 31, 2009. On December 18, 2010, the President signed into law the extension of WRDA 214 until December 31, 2016.
The Secretary of the Army has delegated this responsibility to the Chief of Engineers and his authorized representatives, including the Commander of the Savannah District, USACE.
Non-federal public entities are comprised of state and local governmental agencies and Indian tribal governments. They include, but are not limited to, local transportation agencies, port authorities, flood and storm water management agencies, and governmental economic development agencies.
USACE Regulatory Program is funded as a congressionally appropriated line item in the annual Federal budget. Additional funds received by the Savannah District from a non-Federal public entity are used to augment the Savannah District Regulatory budget, in accordance with the provisions of WRDA 2000 and EWDA 2004. Funds are used primarily to hire additional staff to expedite the evaluation of permit applications designated by the non-Federal public entity.
- To ensure funds received from a from a non-Federal public entity will not impact impartial decision-making, the following procedures have been established:
- All final permit decisions for cases where these funds are used must be reviewed at least by one level above the decision maker, unless the decision maker is the District Commander.
- All final permit decisions for cases where these funds are used will be made available on the Savannah District web page.
- USACE will not eliminate any procedures or decisions that would otherwise be required for that type of project and permit application under consideration.
- USACE will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Funds will only be expended to provide priority review of the participating non-federal entity’s permit application.