CONSIDERATION OF REISSUANCE OF A REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT (RGP) for the placement of dredged and fill material in waters of the United States associated with the authorization of recreational facilities
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Comments are invited on the reissuance of the RGP described below. Please see the Public Involvement section for details on submitting comments.
Point of Contact. If additional information is desired, please contact the regulator, Christopher G. Davies, telephone number: (501) 340-1373, or Lisa Boyle, telephone number: (501) 340-1385, mailing address: Little Rock District Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, PO Box 867, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-0867, email address: Christopher.G.Davies@usace.army.mil or Lisa.A.Boyle@usace.army.mil.
Background. On April 17, 2013, the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers issued a RGP for recreational facilities in navigable waters of the United States within the States of Arkansas and Missouri. As lead Corps District in the state, Little Rock District is responsible for coordinating advertisement and review of comments on this statewide regional general permit. Little Rock, Vicksburg, and Memphis Districts are represented in the State. The authority for permit issuance is found in Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S. Code 403) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S. Code 1344). Corps districts are authorized to develop RGPs in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 325.2(e)(2) and 325.5(c)(1).
The area of the proposed work is divided among three Corps of Engineers Districts in Arkansas and two of the Corps of Engineers Districts in Missouri. The Little Rock District, as lead District for statewide general permits in Arkansas, developed this general permit in consultation with the Memphis and Vicksburg Districts. Each district would be responsible for administering the general permit in its respective geographical area of jurisdiction. The jurisdictional areas of the three Corps Districts in Arkansas and two of the Corps Districts in Missouri are shown on the map enclosed with the general permit. Individual submittals for work under this general permit would be reviewed by the Corps District in which the work is to be performed.
Proposed Reissuance. This RGP has proven to be successful in authorizing a minor, noncontroversial category of work that has had no significant individual nor cumulative adverse environmental impacts, and we propose to reissue the RGP for an additional five (5) years. Forty-eight projects have been approved under this RGP since April 17, 2013.
The RGP and procedures for verifying authorization are enclosed. It is as presently administered .
Notification/Verification Requirement. Anyone wanting to do work under the proposed RGP would have to notify the Little Rock District and receive verification that the proposed work met the limits of the RGP. The notification/verification details are outlined in the Procedures for Verifying Authorization attached to the RGP.
Water Quality Certification. By copy of this public notice, water quality certification is being requested from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and in accordance with Section 401(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act. Upon completion of the comment period, a determination relative to water quality certification will be made.
Public Involvement. Any interested party is invited to submit to the above-listed POCs written comments, objections or suggestions related to this proposed reissuance on or before March 12, 2018. Comments, both favorable and unfavorable, will be accepted and made a part of this record and will receive full consideration in determining whether it would be in the public interest to reissue the RGP time extension.
Any person may request, in writing, prior to the expiration date of this public notice, that a public hearing be held to consider the proposed RGP. Such requests shall state, with particularity, the reasons for holding a public hearing. The District Engineer will determine if the issues raised are substantial and whether a hearing is needed for making a decision.
Additional Information. Additional information about the proposed reissuance of the RGP time extension may be obtained by writing Christopher G. Davies or Lisa Boyle, at the address or email listed above, or by calling (501) 324-5295.
NOTE: The mailing list for this Public Notice is arranged by state and county(s) where the project is located, and includes any addressees who have asked to receive copies of all public notices. Please discard notices that are not of interest to you. If you have no need for any of these notices, please advise us so that your name can be removed from the mailing list.
Enclosures