USACE: New General Permit for Pork in PA Waterways

The fifth version of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit (PASPGP-5) for authorization of work in wetlands/waterways within portions of Pennsylvania became effective July 1, 2016.  

This general permit operates in conjunction with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (PADEP) state regulatory program to protect the aquatic environment, while allowing for reasonable development.

Proposed projects either require Corps review to issue a permit, or a permit can be issued on the Corps’ behalf through PADEP.

Some of the changes from PASPGP-4 to the PASPGP-5 include:

• The portion of the Delaware River that is ineligible for permit issuance has been extended beyond the limits identified in the last version of the permit;
• Exceptions to the 250 linear feet threshold includes up to 500 linear feet for activities involving bank stabilization and/or stream rehabilitation, protection and enhancement. There is no linear threshold for activities verified under PADEP’s General Permit-1 for Fish and Habitat Enhancement Structures or projects approved by the Environmental Review Committee;
• Additional criteria for Corps review includes single and complete utility line crossings of water and/or wetlands that exceed 500 linear feet (except overhead lines); and utility lines placed within a jurisdictional area in which the line runs parallel to or along a stream.

PASPGP-5 will expire June 30, 2021.