Army Corps Revising Historic Preservation Act Procedures

What happened: On Feb. 9, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) made public a proposed regulation that updates the agency’s regulatory procedures for reviewing and issuing Clean Water Act permits that require compliance with the Historic Preservation Act.

Why it matters: Transportation construction projects are often active in or near U.S. waters and wetlands. To mitigate environmental impacts, the Army Corps conducts reviews and issues permits, including impacts on properties protected under the Historic Preservation Act.

The Corps has its own procedures for this process, but the proposal would instead rely on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s implementation of regulations. It’s unclear what effect this new process will have on permitting reviews.

What’s next: Public comments on the proposal are due by April 9. ARTBA’s Prianka Sharma the contact.