On February 21, 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published the notice in the Federal Register announcing the reissuance of all existing nationwide permits (NWPs), general conditions, and definitions with some modifications. The Corps also issued two new NWPs, three new general conditions, and three new definitions. The NWPs will be effective on March 19, 2012, and will expire on March 18, 2017.
With the publication of this Federal Register notice, Corps districts were required to finalize their regional conditions for the new and reissued NWPs. Regional conditions will provide additional protection for the aquatic environment, and will help ensure that the NWPs authorize only those activities with minimal adverse effects on the aquatic environment. Regional conditions will help ensure protection of high value waters within Texas.