USCOE has New Thresholds

ROCHESTER, NY

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) has recently updated nationwide wetlands guidelines. Nationwide permits are being rearranged and renumbered. Two new nationwide permits will replace the now familiar NWP 26. USCOE is considering optional thresholds specific to the permit being sought. For residential, commercial d institutional activities, this option recommends establishment of a single acreage limit, such as three acres, for a single and complete project. For masterplanned activities, this option suggests a "sliding scale indexing acreage of disturbance to the parcel size, up to 10 acres for parcels greater than 500 acres. The loss of greater than 1/3 acres of wetland continues as the minimum area of disturbance. Beyond this threshold, a permit is necessary. The USCOE determines disturbance in these areas: filled areas; waters adversely affected by flooding; waters adversely affected by excavation; and waters adversely affected by drainage as a result of project activity. Mitigation is a part of the permitting process. It is considered part of the offset for losses and disturbances permitted in wetland areas. For more information, Landscape Architects may contact local USCOE offices.