eLearning Tool for FEMA Grant Applicants
Section D: Waters of the U.S. and Wetlands
D-1 - Determining if your project will affect "waters of the U.S."
D-2 - Agency Coordination, Permitting, and Evaluation of Alternatives
D-3 - How to Address Adverse Effects
D-4 - How to Provide Relevant and Helpful Support Documentation
D-2 Agency Coordination, Permitting, and Evaluation of Alternatives
If you answered “yes” to Section D, Question 1 of the PDM Environmental and Historic Preservation Questions, coordination with the appropriate regulatory agency coordination is extremely important. You should identify permitting requirements with the USACE, with an appropriate state regulatory agency such as the department of environmental protection, and with the local agency with permitting authority, such as a stormwater management district, if one exists. You should contact each of the agencies requesting that they identify permitting requirements for your project.
In your communication with the USACE or state regulatory agency, you should:
- Indicate you are applying for federal aid, and you are requesting information about permitting requirements for your project [example USACE letter ]
- Include the name of the nearest city and the names of the county and state where the project will occur
- Include a detailed description of the proposed project
- Include a 1:24,000 USGS topographic map and NWI inventory maps marked with the project location
- Include engineering drawings and specifications
- Include photos of the project area
These agencies typically take at least 30 days to respond, so it is important to initiate contact early. If you have not received an agency response as you are finalizing your application, it is a good idea to follow up with them to find out when you can expect it. Indicate the status of this correspondence in your project application, and scan and attach any letters you receive in response to your contact. Once you receive a response from a regulatory agency, read it carefully to determine if any permits will be required, or if the agency needs additional information. Responses from regulatory agencies can contain valuable information pertinent to your project, such as: conditions for permitting, environmental mitigation measures that may be required or even suggestions for changes to the scope of work.
Last Modified: Friday, 30-Jun-2006 15:42:38 EDT