ARTBA addresses wetlands permissions

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is offering the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) advice on reducing unnecessary regulatory red-tape on transportation projects through improving the wetlands permissions process. ARTBA has submitted comments to the Corps in response to a government-wide regulatory review initiated by President Obama in 2011. This advice from ARTBA details specific recommendations to make wetlands permitting more efficient. ARTBA is working on ways to reduce u
April 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) is offering the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) advice on reducing unnecessary regulatory red-tape on transportation projects through improving the wetlands permissions process. ARTBA has submitted comments to the Corps in response to a government-wide regulatory review initiated by President Obama in 2011. This advice from ARTBA details specific recommendations to make wetlands permitting more efficient. ARTBA is working on ways to reduce unnecessary delays in the transportation review and approval process. Currently, it can take anywhere from nine to 19 years for a project to go from planning to completion. ARTBA stressed the need to make the wetlands permitting process less complicated, without sacrificing environmental protections. It has asked the Corps to place strict time limits on permitting decisions, allowing planners to know exactly when a decision would be reached on a project and plan accordingly. ARTBA has suggested that no permits should be required when projects do not have an ecological effect on wetlands, and regulations should not be mandated when there is no practical need. In addition ARTBA also suggests that the US 1293 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should be removed from permission decisions. Protection of sensitive areas is assured though through ARTBA’s plan as both US Congress and the courts have given the Corps the sole responsibility for wetlands permissions. This policy would reduce bureaucracy as there is no need for two agencies to carry out a job that can be handled by one. ARTBA’s recent comments represent the fourth agency-wide regulatory review the association has participated in since early 2011. The association also offered detailed comments to the 2364 US Department of Transportation, EPA, and Small Business Administration

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Upright performance from the RW 500 wheel saw from Simex
    April 26, 2018
    Simex has continued with design refinements of the RW 500 wheel saw with the introduction of the RWA 500. The RWA 500 operates constantly perpendicular to the surface, even when the prime mover, a skidsteer wheeled loader, is at a slant. The RWA 500’s high productivity is a result of hydraulic piston motors in direct drive with the milling disk, which delivers maximum efficiency and a large cutting force. Operators are assured good visibility because the excavation depth corresponds exactly and
    Read More
  • Making the U-turn
    August 2, 2012
    Political hostility to a toll road project in Australia has been turned around by the quality and amenity of the project writes Adrian Greeman Cars, trucks and vans were taking to the new EastLink toll road in Melbourne with enthusiasm this July, pleased to try out its 39km route for time and cost savings. As well as the convenience of the uncongested route, drivers were also able to view an extraordinary multi-shaded perspective of transparent green and orange noise wall panels, burnt earth-coloured retai
    Read More
  • Firms urged to change Qatar infrastructure contract tender approach
    July 16, 2012
    Foreign companies aiming to deliver lucrative infrastructure projects in Qatar will need to reconsider their tender process approach, according to experts assembled at the MEED Qatar Infrastructure Projects conference in London. Participating speakers said international contractors need to be more strategic about their business development practices in the Gulf state and act more transparently during the bid phase to improve tender conversion rates.
    Read More
  • Lower Thames Crossing gets green light
    March 26, 2025
    The 14.5-mile project near London will include a 2.6-mile tunnel under the Thames River and come at a cost of around £8.3 billion.
    Read More

Highlighted Content