Nationwide Permits
Nationwide permits (NWPs) are general permits issued by the Corps of Engineers on a nationwide basis to authorize minor activities with little delay or paperwork. These NWPs are issued for a category of activities when those activities are similar in nature and cause only minimal individual and cumulative environmental impacts or the general permit would result in avoiding unnecessary duplication of regulatory control exercised by another regulatory agency provided it has been determined that the environmental consequences of the action are individually and cumulatively minimal. State Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, or waiver thereof, is required prior to issuance or reissuance of the nationwide permits which may result in a discharge into waters of the United States. A determination that the NWPs are consistent with the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Program is also required prior to issuance or reissuance of the nationwide permits.
A September 26, 2006 Federal Register Notice announced the proposed reissuance of 43 existing NWPs and General Conditions and the issuance of six new NWPs. In a March 12, 2007 Federal Register Notice, the Corps published the final reissuance of the NWPs. This began the State 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency determination processes. State 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Program Consistency Certification was issued on May 11, 2007.
DHEC’s Proposed 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
DHEC’s Final 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
DHEC’s General NWP Conditions
DHEC's Specific NWP Conditions
2002 Information on Nationwide Permits
This site will be updated as additional information is available. Last update: 06/25/07
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