Hurd Leads Key Legislation to Reduce Clean Water Act Permitting Red Tape

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03) introduced H.R.3901, the Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act. This legislation requires the Secretary of the Army to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to allocate the necessary resources to eliminate the backlog of jurisdictional determinations and pending applications for Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 dredge and fill permits. 

“Delays in permit approvals are stalling key infrastructure projects in Colorado and across the nation,” said Rep. Hurd. “This bill pushes the Army Corps to clear this backlog so communities can get moving on critical projects without unnecessary delays.”

“Our Nation’s farmers, ranchers, small business owners, energy providers, and builders rely on predictable, timely Clean Water Act permitting decisions. Congressman Hurd’s bill will reduce the backlog of Clean Water Act permits needed for many infrastructure projects that are currently stuck in regulatory limbo,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06). “I want to thank Congressman Hurd for introducing this bill and for his leadership in helping to cut the red tape that prevents America from building.”

USACE has reported a backlog of more than 3,500 pending jurisdictional determinations. These determinations are necessary to determine whether a project requires a CWA Section 404 permit. This backlog holds back important infrastructure projects from moving forward, while adding additional costs and delays.

Read the full bill text here.

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