The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have issued the first State Programmatic General Permit (NYSPGP-1), which authorizes activities to facilitate the recovery and restoration of damaged properties, projects, aquatic resources, and infrastructure following major storm events.
The NYSPGP-1 ensures critical environmental safeguards and encourages best management practices while agencies work to bring infrastructure back online and restore quality of life for communities quickly and without unnecessary delays. This permit will also help eligible project sponsors and the public obtain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements following specific storm events that are declared federal disasters.
“In times of crisis, governmental agencies must respond quickly and competently to protect lives and property,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “That’s why DEC is proud of the collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help communities and enhance state and federal storm response. This permit is an important tool to help eliminate duplication of effort between federal and state agencies by making the permitting process more efficient for municipalities during extreme storm recovery efforts or emergency declarations.”
“Recent history has emphasized that our agencies need to be quicker and more adaptable during emergency operations. This permit allows us to get people the help they need in a timely and efficient manner,” Lt. Col. Colby Krug, USACE Buffalo District Commander said. “No one agency can do anything alone. Response requires a whole-of-government approach and this expedited permitting is just another example of the federal and state governments working together to provide for the people of New York.”
When activated in response to a widespread storm event, the NYSPGP-1 permit provides one application for the purpose of complying with both agencies' regulations collectively governing discharge of pollutants into fresh waters, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. This new permit expands each agency’s existing storm response capabilities to ensure environmental approvals necessary for response to widespread storm events are expedited.
The NYSPGP-1 will be available for use throughout New York State, except for Long Island, New York City, and portions of Rockland and Westchester counties.
The issued permit (PDF) is available for download.
For more information about the NYSPGP-1 permit, including application and notification requirements, please visit the DEC’s website. To assist with permits needed for flooding impacts and for a determination on whether proposed work requires a DEC permit or approval, please contact the appropriate DEC region permit administrator.
