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

  • ERF participates in 4th Congress on Roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    December 8, 2014
    On 18th and 19th September, the Association of Consulting Engineers Bosnia and Herzegovina (UKI BH), a member of the ERF, organised its 4th Congress on Roads, together with the Regional Cooperation Council. The UKI BH brings together stakeholders involved in consulting activities aimed at supporting the companies’ interests and improving the efficiency of the activities developed according to the international rules and regulations. The Regional Cooperation Council promotes the reciprocal cooperation, as
    Read More
  • TRA 2014 showcases the best of cutting-edge transport research and thinking
    July 1, 2014
    Despite tight finances due to the current global economic climate, the recent Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2014 show in Paris showed how innovative transport research, largely using cutting-edge ITS, is creating safer and smarter highways of the future. Guy Woodford reports How far can you drive around a car race track with no other vehicles on it on half a glass of fuel while attempting to maintain a speed of 60kph? After taking up the challenge offered by the Eco Driving Simulator using SiVIC (Simulatio
    Read More
  • Acrow Bridge seals deal for 144 modular bridges in Zambia
    August 11, 2015
    Acrow Bridge, an international bridge engineering and supply company, announced that it will start by the end of the year on a 144-bridge infrastructure project in Zambia. The work will be carried out exclusively by Zambian engineers, technicians and contractors who will be trained in the field by Acrow technicians on the assembly and installation of the bridges. Acrow said it is working with the Road Development Agency of the Republic of Zambia.
    Read More
  • US proposes distraction guidelines for automakers
    March 14, 2012
    US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood yesterday announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices.
    Read More

Highlighted Content