SALAMANDER Act

Faster disaster-area dredge and fill permits

If enacted, the Army Corps would be able to issue or modify Clean Water Act general permits for dredge and fill work in areas with a Presidential major disaster or emergency declaration. Permit categories would be developed through a programmatic consultation with the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture under the Endangered Species Act. Covered activities would have to be directly related to disaster recovery and meet agreed best management practices designed to avoid or minimize harm to listed species and critical habitat. Each general permit or modification would last 18 months starting on the declaration date. Work done under those permits and following their terms would not need individual ESA section 7 consultations. The Corps would have to engage state fish and wildlife agencies within 30 days and issue national guidance so districts implement the same rules.