Via American Rivers:

Speak out against the Corps’ Nationwide Permits

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is poised to expand its nationwide permit program, fast-tracking the agency’s approval of harmful projects. These nationwide permits provide a “streamlined” approval process for projects with so-called “minor” environmental impacts — yet these impacts can harm freshwater resources and damage rivers and wetlands.

Under the new proposal, the Corps would have broad discretion when it comes to permitting mining, bank stabilization, fill, development, and other activities. The problem is that these nationwide permits lack basic Clean Water Act safeguards, such as public notice requirements and a thorough evaluation of less damaging alternatives. These permits also would allow unwise floodplain development and wetland destruction, putting people and communities at risk.

By creating a less stringent permitting process, the Corps would be rubberstamping the destruction of small streams and wetlands across the country. Now is your chance to stop the Corps from allowing the destruction of our nation’s valuable streams, wetlands, and floodplains. Tell the Corps that you oppose its nationwide permitting package. The comment deadline is next week, so please act TODAY!

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Tagged: environment environmentalist environmentalism action+alerts american+rivers Army+Corps+of+Engineers