Effects of Section 404 Permits on Wetlands in North Dakota.
Abstract
I reviewed 87 wetland alterations from discharges of dredged or fill material in the prairie pothole region of North Dakota. The discharges were authorized by nationwide permits (NWP) 13, 14, and 26 by individual permits issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act during 1987-1991. For each discharge, I assessed the magnitude and purpose, the affected wetland type, the compliance of the permit holder with the permit conditions, and the corps' acceptance of recommendations by resource agencies for special conditions for individual permits. Nearly 117,748 m3 of material were placed into wetlands by 42 discharges, 13 ha of wetlands were altered by 13 discharges, and 1,192 m of shoreline were modified by 15 discharges. Most discharges were made into palustrine and riverine wetlands. Compliance by permit holders with special conditions was 85%. The corps accepted 74% of the recommended special conditions by resource agencies for individual permits. Ninety percent of the special conditions of individual permits were implemented by applicants. The effect on any one wetland from a discharge authorized by NWP 13 or NWP 14 seems to have been minimal; however, cumulative effects were not determined. The types and sizes of discharges authorized by NWP 26 were variable and did not seem to meet certain regulatory requirements, for example, that they be similar in nature and have minimal individual and cumulative effects. Compliance by permit holders with permit conditions was greater than 75%. However, because some special conditions for individual permits pertained to implementation, compliance could not always be determined. More follow-up is needed of permitted discharges during and after implementation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA322608
Entities
People
- Natalie R. Sexton