Omaha and Albuquerque Districts File Record No. SPA-2026-00091
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque and Omaha Districts (Corps), are proposing to renew the issuance of Colorado Regional General Permit (RGP) 96 for natural disaster mitigation and flood-related activities in the State of Colorado. The purpose of this public notice is to inform interested parties of the proposed re-issuance of RGP 96 and to solicit comments. The existing RPG 96 was issued on October 1, 2021, and expires on September 30, 2026.
LOCATION: This permit is applicable to all waters of the United States within the State of Colorado, including, but not limited to, rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and wetlands.
PURPOSE: The purpose of RGP 96 is to provide a general permit mechanism for natural disaster mitigation activities and flood repairs that involve the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States in the state of Colorado. Activities covered by RGP 96 must result in no more than minimal individual and cumulative impacts to the aquatic environment. The current version of RGP 96 is attached for review and no substantial changes are being proposed for reissuance.
DESCRIPTION OF AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES: The types of activities covered under this RGP are those that involve discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States for projects associated with natural disaster mitigation and flood-related activities within the State of Colorado. This RGP may apply to localized or widespread events and includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:
- repair and reconstruction of existing roads
- repair and construction of temporary levees
- protection and repair of bridge embankments
- protection and repair of utility structures
- stabilization and protection of stream banks
- protection and restoration of intake structures
- construction of debris catchment facilities
- restoration/cleanup of mud/rockslides
LENGTH OF AUTHORIZATION: The RGP, if re-issued, will be valid for five years from the date of issuance.
EVALUATION: The decision whether to reissue RGP 96 will be based on an evaluation of the probable impacts, including cumulative impacts, of the described activity on the public interest. That decision will reflect the national concern for both protection and utilization of important resources. The benefit which reasonably may be expected to accrue from RGP 96 must be balanced against its reasonably foreseeable detriments. All factors which may be relevant to the described activity will be considered, including the cumulative effects thereof; among those are conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, historic properties, fish and wildlife values, flood hazards, floodplain values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion and accretion, recreation, water supply and conservation, water quality, energy needs, safety, food and fiber production, mineral needs, consideration of property ownership and, in general, the needs and welfare of the people. The RGP’s impact on the public interest will include application of the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR Part 230).
The Corps is soliciting comments from the public, federal, state, and local agencies and officials, Indian tribes, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of this proposed reissuance of RGP 96. Any comments received will be considered by the Corps for this proposal. To make this decision, comments are used to assess impacts on endangered species, historic properties, water quality, general environmental effects, and other public interest factors listed above. Comments are used in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment and/or an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
COMMENTS: The Omaha and Albuquerque Districts will receive written comments on the proposed re-issuance of RPG 96, as outlined above, until April 3, 2026. Comments should be submitted electronically to Conni Davidson at conni.davidson@usace.army.mil. Alternatively, you may submit comments in writing to the Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Attention: Conni Davidson; 9307 S Wadsworth Blvd; Westminster, CO, 80234. The Corps is particularly interested in receiving comments related to the proposal's probable impacts on the affected aquatic environment and the secondary and cumulative effects. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Corps' project manager.
ATTACHMENT: RGP 96 - Natural Disaster Mitigation & Flood-Related Activities in Colorado, October 21, 2021.