SWL 1988-09046 GU (Initial)

CONSIDERATION OF REISSUANCE OF A REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT (RGP) for work, including the placement of dredged and fill material, in waters of the United States associated with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) work on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Arkansas and on USACE Lakes within the Little Rock District, including that work conducted by recognized stakeholders and sanctioned by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

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, Gerald Dickson, telephone number:  (501) 340-1372, mailing address:  Little Rock District Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, PO Box 867, Little Rock, Arkansas  72203-0867, email address:  Gerald.W.Dickson@usace.army.mil

Background.  On October 26, 2015, the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers issued a RGP for the repair of levees, creation of dredged material disposal areas, fill of scour holes, and the construction, modification, or maintenance of dikes and revetments.  The authority for permit issuance is found in 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).

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 reissue the RGP an additional five (5) years.  Twelve (12) projects have been approved under this RGP since October 26, 2015.

The RGP and procedures for verifying authorization are enclosed.  The documents enclosed are as presently administered with minor revisions to update the documents.

Notification/Verification Requirement.  The Little Rock District Regulatory Division must be notified and provide verification that the proposed work meets the terms and conditions 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 Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality and Missouri Department of Natural Resources 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 POC written comments, objections or suggestions related to this proposed reissuance on or before September 22, 2020.  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.

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 may be obtained by writing Gerald Dickson, at the address or email listed above, or by calling (501) 340-1372.

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