LITTLETON, Colo. - The Denver Regulatory Office remains open to address questions and permitting issues related to the recent flooding.
Non-flood related permitting activity cannot take place during the government shutdown.
During an emergency like the flooding, we ask landowners to contact us so we can work with them to determine what type of permit might be required, said Kiel Downing State Regulatory Program Manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District Denver Regulatory Field Office. “There is no ‘blanket permit’ for emergency work. We still have to ensure that in the race to protect, repair and rebuild, we do not compromise the waterways which make Colorado the beautiful state it is,” he added.
A Regional General Permit addressing emergencies from 1996 requires the Corps to review each project but avoids the lengthy public hearing process. Additionally, nationwide permitting authorities can be used for stream protection measures or flood repair work, which may require pre-construction notifications to the Corps.
“The 1996 permit requires a review before a permit can be issued allowing for much of the flood-related repair activities,” said Downing. “Activities such as reconstructing existing roads, bridge embankment repairs, protecting or repairing utility structures, bank protection and stabilization and protecting and restoring intake structures still require a permit review.”
There is not a “blanket permit” for flood-related repairs. Any time work is taking place in a stream or waterway, not just when making flood repairs, landowners should contact the Corps for guidance. Landowners must obtain a Section 404 permit when one is required, for work associated with protecting and repairing flood-damaged areas.
The public can contact the Denver Regulatory Office at (303) 979-4120.
For most of these permits, applicants need to provide information, such as the exact location, map, name of the affected waterway and diagrams (birds-eye and cross-section) of the structure and waterway and estimates of how much fill will be placed in the stream.
“Landowners with even simple projects should contact the Corps before hiring a contractor,” said Downing.
The Department of the Army Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the Federal Government. The program is complex in its breadth, complexity and authority. The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities in the Nation's waters, including wetlands. The USACE Regulatory Program is committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources, while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions.