Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act

Extended Permit Duration: General permits would last for ten years instead of five, which could provide longer-term stability for permit holders (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).

Streamlined Infrastructure Projects: The Secretary must maintain general permits for linear infrastructure projects, such as those involving communications, electricity, or the transportation of people, water, and fuel (Section 2(a)(4)).

Simplified Environmental Reviews: For the reissuance of nationwide permits, the law would remove the requirement for consultation with States and Federal agencies under the Endangered Species Act (Section 2(a)(5)(A) and (B)).

Efficient Implementation: The Secretary of the Army is directed to expedite regulatory revisions to promote more efficient and consistent implementation of general permits (Section 2(b)).

Reduced Environmental Consideration: The Secretary would be required to consider only the effects of the discharge of dredged or fill material itself, rather than broader environmental effects (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).

Lowered Environmental Impact Threshold: Discharges of dredged or fill material into less than 3 acres of navigable waters would automatically be considered to have a minimal adverse environmental effect (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).

Reduced Oversight for Infrastructure: Specific linear infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipeline facilities, would be subject to specific nationwide permit maintenance requirements (Section 2(a)(4)(B)).

Reduced Consultation Requirements: The process for reissuing general permits would no longer require consultation with an applicable State or a Federal agency under the Endangered Species Act (Section 2(a)(5)(A) and (B)).