[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6693 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6693
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish expedited
permitting procedures for post-natural disaster recovery activities,
incorporating interagency coordination and best management practices to
ensure timely rebuilding while protecting endangered species, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 12, 2025
Mr. Moore of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Edwards) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish expedited
permitting procedures for post-natural disaster recovery activities,
incorporating interagency coordination and best management practices to
ensure timely rebuilding while protecting endangered species, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Streamlining Authorizations for
Listed At-risk Marine and Aquatic Natural Disaster Emergency Resources
Act'' or the ``SALAMANDER Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Natural disasters cause significant damage to
communities and infrastructure, requiring rapid and efficient
recovery efforts.
(2) Timely repair and restoration of damaged property and
assets after a natural disaster are essential for public
safety, economic stability, and the swift return of private
property to rightful owners.
(3) The Corps of Engineers nationwide permit program serves
as an efficient mechanism for managing activities that involve
discharges into and rehabilitation of waters of the United
States, as defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(4) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires Federal
agencies to consult with the Directors of the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries
Service, as applicable, to avoid actions that could jeopardize
listed species or critical habitats of such species.
(5) While environmental protection is critical, current
consultation processes can sometimes contribute to delays in
post-disaster recovery.
(6) A comprehensive, coordinated, and expedited approach
for post-disaster permitting that leverages the biological
expertise of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and
the National Marine Fisheries Service, and incorporates
approved best management practices, will reduce regulatory
delays while maintaining robust environmental safeguards.
SEC. 3. GENERAL PERMITS FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL DISPOSAL IN POST-
DISASTER RECOVERY.
Section 404(e) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1344(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) General permits for post-disaster recovery
activities.--
``(A) In general.--For any geographic area with
respect to which the President has declared under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) that a major
disaster or emergency exists, the Secretary may issue
or modify a general permit under this subsection for
any category of activities--
``(i) the Secretary develops pursuant to a
programmatic consultation with the Secretary of
the Interior, Secretary of Commerce, and
Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, under
section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and
``(ii) which activities--
``(I) are directly related to
recovering from the major disaster or
emergency; and
``(II) the Secretary of the
Interior, Secretary of Commerce, and
Secretary of Agriculture, as
applicable, have determined through
such programmatic consultation will
avoid or minimize adverse effects on
any species listed as a threatened
species or an endangered species under
section 4 of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) and the
critical habitat (as such term is
defined in section 3 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532))
of such a species when adhering to best
management practices described in
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Best management practices.--A general permit
issued or modified under this paragraph shall require
the use of best management practices that have been--
``(i) agreed upon by the Secretary and, as
applicable, the Secretary of the Interior,
Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of
Agriculture; and
``(ii) designed to avoid or minimize
adverse effects on species listed as threatened
species or endangered species under section 4
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1533) and the critical habitat (as such
term is defined in section 3 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532)) of such
species.
``(C) Period.--A general permit, or modification to
a general permit, issued under this paragraph shall be
for the period of 18 months beginning on the date of
the declaration of the major disaster or emergency by
the President.
``(D) Effect on individual consultation.--An
activity authorized by a general permit issued or
modified under this paragraph and carried out in
accordance with the requirements of such general permit
is not subject to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)).
``(E) Coordination with states.--The Secretary
shall coordinate with relevant State fish and wildlife
agencies in carrying out this paragraph, including by
engaging with such agencies not later than 30 days
after the date of a declaration of a major disaster or
emergency by the President.
``(F) National guidance.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the
Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of
Agriculture, shall establish guidance to ensure
consistent implementation of this paragraph across each
district of the Corps of Engineers.''.
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