CONSIDERATION OF REISSUANCE OF A REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT
for the placement of dredged and fill material in waters of the United States associated with the construction of steps, walkways, or footbridges within the Little Rock District in the States of Arkansas and Missouri.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Comments are invited on the renewal of the regional general permit described below. Please see the Public Involvement section for details on submitting comments.
Point of Contact. If additional information is desired, please contact the project manager, Rodney Kelley, telephone number: (501) 324-5295, mailing address: Little Rock District Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division, PO Box 867, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-0867, email address: Rodney.Kelley@usace.army.mil
Background. On January 21, 2010, the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers issued a regional general permit for the construction of steps, walkways, or footbridges on all waters of the United States within the Little Rock District in the States of Arkansas and Missouri. 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 regional general permits in accordance with Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations Parts 325.2(e)(2) and 325.5(c)(1).
Proposed Reissuance. This regional general permit 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 to propose reissue the regional general permit for an additional five (5) years. Eleven projects have been approved under this regional general permit since January 21, 2010.
Copies of the regional general permit and procedures for verifying authorization are enclosed. The documents attached are as presently administered with minor revisions to update the documents.
Notification/Verification Requirement. Anyone proposing to do work under this regional general permit must notify the Little Rock District and receive verification that the proposed work meets the limits of the regional general permit. The notification/verification details are outlined in the Procedures for Verifying Authorization attached to the regional general permit.
Water Quality Certification. By copy of this public notice, water quality certification is being requested from the Arkansas Department 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 December 22, 2014. 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 regional general permit.
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 regional general permit. 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.
NOTE: The mailing list for this Public Notice is arranged by state and county(s) where the project is located, and also 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