Environmentalists are warning that the Army Corps of Engineers' use of a streamlined Clean Water Act (CWA) permit for utility lines to also cover construction of segments of oil and gas pipelines might hurt the environment, because use of the permit for such pipelines lacks any environmental review or chance for public input. The concerns are outlined in Aug. 1 comments filed by a coalition of 27 environmental groups on the Corps' June 1 proposal to reissue a slew of nationwide permits (NWPs) that streamline water permitting requirements for a host of activities. Regulated entities generally seek coverage under the permits, which require them to comply with the permit terms but also shields them from CWA enforcement actions alleging unlawful discharges.
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