Next month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) will no longer accept the Joint Application for a state and federal permit.
The Corps previously processed permits through a Joint Application process in which an applicant filed one application with the state (through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, a water management district, or a delegated local program), and the Corps would access and process that application.
Effective Oct. 1, 2017, an applicant who files a state application will also have to file separately with the Corps, using the form APPLICATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY PERMIT ENG FORM 4345 and providing certain attachments.
In some cases, the form may not be not necessary, for example, if the project qualifies for a Nationwide Permits (NWP) or Regional General Permits (RGP).
Applicants will want to be aware of this change to prevent delays in the Corps permitting process.
The Corps is also working with FDEP to amend its operating agreement with the state.
If you are interested in learning more about changes to the Corps program or the Corps permitting and state environmental resource permitting programs, please contact Gunster environmental law practice leader Luna Phillips at lphillips@gunster.com or 954-712-1478.
