USACE Issues Statewide Connecticut General Permits

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District has issued the statewide Connecticut General Permits for minimal impact projects.

The Connecticut General Permits replace the prior statewide Connecticut General Permit, which expired on July 15, 2016, with a series of multiple General Permits (GPs) covering activity-specific categories.

These GPs became effective on August 19, 2016 and will continue the expedited review process for activities subject to Corps jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, located in waters of the U.S., including navigable waters, within boundaries of the state of Connecticut and lands located within the boundaries of an Indian reservation.

General Permits are used as a way to streamline state and Federal regulatory programs. These GPs are designed to authorize activities covered under the Nationwide Permit (NWP) program and the prior Connecticut GP.

The 2016 Connecticut GPs supersede the previous CT GP which expired on July 15, 2016. Activities authorized by the previous GP but had not commenced or were not under contract to commence by July 15, 2016 will need to apply for a new authorization under the new Connecticut GPs.

Conversely, activities authorized by the previous CT GP that have either commenced or are under contract to commence will have an additional year from the expiration date of July 15, 2016 to complete the work.