Summary

Requires the Secretary of the Army (through the Chief of Engineers) to eliminate any backlog that existed on June 5, 2025, of Clean Water Act section 404 permit applications and requests for jurisdictional determinations. The Army Corps must accelerate procedures and add or reassign Corps staff and resources as needed and complete this work within 60 days after the law takes effect.

Key Points

• Directs the Army (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) to clear backlog of CWA §404 permit applications and jurisdictional determination requests that existed on June 5, 2025.
• Requires the Corps to accelerate procedures and add or reassign staff and resources as needed to eliminate that backlog.
• Mandates completion of the backlog-clearing work within 60 days after the law is enacted.
• Applies only to backlog items that existed on June 5, 2025 — it does not change processing rules for new applications.
• Does not provide new appropriations, change substantive permitting standards, or alter appeal processes.
• Could speed project timelines for developers, landowners, and permit applicants affected by the backlog.
• May cause the Corps to reallocate resources from other work temporarily, with potential impacts on other Corps activities.
• Is an operational directive to a federal agency rather than a policy rewrite of the Clean Water Act.

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