The Army Corps of Engineers turned back efforts by environmental groups to limit availability of nationwide permits (NWPs) that pipelines use when they want to build facilities that cross streams and tributaries but cause insubstantial environmental damage. The Corps issued its revisions to 50 NWPs in early January, including changes to NWP12, which is used by gas and oil pipeline companies. The activities eligible for NWPs, which allow companies to commence construction faster than if they had to apply for an individual permit, cover discharges of dredged or fill material that cause only minimal adverse environmental effects. NWP 12 covers utility projects that would have up to a half-acre of "loss of waters of the US."
展开▼
