OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CIVIL WORKS PROJECTS INVOLVING THE DISCHARGE OF DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL INTO WATERS OF THE U.S. OR OCEAN WATERS

33 C.F.R. Part 335
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

33 C.F.R. § 335.1 Purpose.

This regulation prescribes the practices and procedures to be followed by the Corps of Engineers to ensure compliance with the specific statutes governing Army Civil Works operations and maintenance projects involving the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. or the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal into ocean waters. These practices and procedures should be employed throughout the decision/management process concerning methodologies and alternatives to be used to ensure prudent operation and maintenance activities.

33 C.F.R. § 335.2 Authority.

Under authority delegated from the Secretary of the Army and in accordance with section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 (CWA) and section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, hereinafter referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act (ODA), the Corps of Engineers regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States and the transportation of dredged material for the purpose of disposal into ocean waters. Section 404 of the CWA requires public notice with opportunity for public hearing for discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. and that discharge sites can be specified through the application of guidelines developed by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in conjunction with the Secretary of the Army. Section 103 of the ODA requires public notice with opportunity for public hearing for the transportation for disposal of dredged material for disposal in ocean waters. Ocean disposal of dredged material must be evaluated using the criteria developed by the Administrator of EPA in consultation with the Secretary of the Army. Section 103(e) of the ODA provides that the Secretary of the Army may, in lieu of permit procedures, issue regulations for Federal projects involving the transportation of dredged material for ocean disposal which require the application of the same criteria, procedures, and requirements which apply to the issuance of permits. Similarly, the Corps does not issue itself a CWA permit to authorize Corps discharges of dredged material or fill material into U.S. waters, but does apply the 404(b)(1) guidelines and other substantive requirements of the CWA and other environmental laws.

33 C.F.R. § 335.3 Applicability.

This regulation (33 CFR parts 335 through 338) is applicable to the Corps of Engineers when undertaking operation and maintenance activities at Army Civil Works projects.

33 C.F.R. § 335.4 Policy.

The Corps of Engineers undertakes operations and maintenance activities where appropriate and environmentally acceptable. All practicable and reasonable alternatives are fully considered on an equal basis. This includes the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. or ocean waters in the least costly manner, at the least costly and most practicable location, and consistent with engineering and environmental requirements.

33 C.F.R. § 335.5 Applicable laws.

(a) The Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (also known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, 1977, and 1987). (b) The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) (commonly referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act (ODA)).

33 C.F.R. § 335.6 Related laws and Executive Orders.

(a) The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 470a et seq.), as amended. (b) The Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 469), as amended. (c) The Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), as amended. (d) The Estuary Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1221). (e) The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), as amended. (f) The National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4341 et seq.), as amended. (g) The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) as amended. (h) Section 307(c) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1456 (c)), as amended. (i) The Water Resources Development Act of 1976 (Pub. L. 94-587). (j) Executive Order 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment, May 13, 1971, (36 FR 8921, May 15, 1971). (k) Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, May 24, 1977, (42 FR 26951, May 25, 1977). (l) Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, May 24, 1977, (42 FR 26961, May 25, 1977). (m) Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, July 14, 1982, (47 FR 3959, July 16, 1982). (n) Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, January 4, 1979.

33 C.F.R. § 335.7 Definitions.

The definitions of 33 CFR parts 323, 324, 327, and 329 are hereby incorporated. The following terms are defined or interpreted from parts 320 through 330 for purposes of 33 CFR parts 335 through 338. Beach nourishment means the discharge of dredged or fill material for the purpose of replenishing an eroded beach or placing sediments in the littoral transport process. Emergency means a situation which would result in an unacceptable hazard to life or navigation, a significant loss of property, or an immediate and unforeseen significant economic hardship if corrective action is not taken within a time period less than the normal time needed under standard procedures. Federal standard means the dredged material disposal alternative or alternatives identified by the Corps which represent the least costly alternatives consistent with sound engineering practices and meeting the environmental standards established by the 404(b)(1) evaluation process or ocean dumping criteria. Navigable waters of the U.S. means those waters of the U.S. that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide shoreward to the mean high water mark, and/or are presently used, have been used in the past, or may be susceptible to use with or without reasonable improvement to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A more complete definition is provided in 33 CFR part 329. For the purpose of this regulation, the term also includes the confines of Federal navigation approach channels extending into ocean waters beyond the territorial sea which are used for interstate or foreign commerce. Practicable means available and capable of being done after taking into consideration cost, existing technology, and logistics in light of overall project purposes. Statement of Findings (SOF) means a comprehensive summary compliance document signed by the district engineer after completion of appropriate environmental documentation and public involvement. Territorial sea means the belt of the seas measured from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters, extending seaward a distance of three miles as described in the convention on the territorial sea and contiguous zone, 15 U.S.T. 1606.

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