HomeMy WebLinkAboutCorps of EngineersMr. Leybourne / Mr. Hartmann,
Thank you for requesting comments from our office regarding the proposed subject project
or activities that may have the potential to impact aquatic resources. We appreciate that
you are considering our potential regulatory role in the project.
Unfortunately, we do not have the ability at this time to respond to requests for comments
such as this due to recent losses of staff from federal government efficiency efforts.
If the subject activity should have the potential to result in the discharge of dredged or fill
material into waters of the United States, then the project proponent should work directly
with our office to acquire necessary Corps permits, if applicable, as described in the
following general comment:
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires a permit from us for the discharge of dredged
or fill material into waters of the United States. Waters of the United States may include,
but are not limited to, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, wet meadows, seeps, and
some irrigation ditches. To ascertain the extent of waters on the project site, the applicant
should prepare a delineation of aquatic resources, in accordance with the applicable
standards, including the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and appropriate regional
supplements. These standards can be found on our website at:
https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Program -and-Permits/Jurisdiction/
An aquatic resource delineation should be evaluated prior to designing a project to ensure
the project proponent avoids and minimizes impacts to waters of the United States to the
greatest practicable extent. The range of alternatives considered for this project should
include alternatives that avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands, streams, or other waters
of the United States. Every effort should be made to avoid project features which require
the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. In the event it can
be clearly demonstrated there are no practicable alternatives to discharging dredged or fill
material into waters of the United States, compensatory mitigation may be required.
For more information about our program or to locate a list of consultants that prepare
aquatic resource delineations and permit application documents, please visit our website
at: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits
Respectfully,
S. Brad Crosson
Chief, NW Colorado Branch
Acting Chief, Southern Colorado Branch
SPA Section 408 Coordinator
Albuquerque District, Regulatory Division
Grand Junction Field Office
400 Rood Avenue, Rm 224
Grand Junction, Colorado 81501
Phone: (970) 837-6530
Email: steven.b.crosson@usace.army.mil