FINAL REGIONAL GENERAL PERMIT NM-14-01
UNDER SECTION 404 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT (33 USC 1344)
FOR
STREAM STABILIZATION AND WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WITHIN URBAN EPHEMERAL CHANNELS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE DISTRICT’S AREAS OF NEW MEXICO
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED ACTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, hereby re-issues Regional General Permit (RGP) NM-14-01 for stream stabilization and water quality improvement projects within urban ephemeral channels within the State of New Mexico. The purpose of this public notice is to inform interested parties of the re-issuance of the RGP.
AUTHORITY: Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the discharge of dredged or fill material in waters of the United States.
AREA OF COVERAGE: The RGP is applicable to ephemeral channels located in urban environments within the geographical boundaries of the Albuquerque District in the State of New Mexico.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES: This RGP authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States for stream stabilization projects for the purpose of water quality improvements in ephemeral drainages located in urban environments within the State of New Mexico. Examples of work that maybe undertaken under this permit, upon authorization by the District Engineer, include but are not limited to:
- Bank stabilization projects that exceed the thresholds for Nationwide Permit 13 and are determined by the Corps to result in minimal impacts to the aquatic environment. These must have a water quality component through reduction of erosion (which should be stated in the application purpose and need from any proposed project).
- Construction of grade control structures, energy dissipaters, and flow deflection structures.
- Installation of water quality improvement features (e.g., debris containment or removal structures, sediment settling basins).
- Any combination of these types of activities if the proposed undertaking will result in minimal impacts to the aquatic environment.
LENGTH OF AUTHORIZATION: The RGP will expire five years from the date of issuance.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS: Consultations with the New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau and Native American Tribes regarding water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act were conducted between March 28, 2019 and September 5, 2019.