Bill · S. 4755· Senate(119-S-4755)
DEEP Act
- Introduced
- 6/11/2026
- Last activity
- 6/11/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Mike Lee
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "DEEP Act," requires the Secretary of the Army to propose a new nationwide permit for dredging projects. These projects involve maintaining, expanding, or deepening a port up to 60 feet within navigable waters. The Act establishes specific timelines for the Secretary and state agencies to process permits and environmental reviews. It also provides guidelines for mitigation and water quality certifications. Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding the transportation of certain materials.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill reduces regulatory uncertainty and accelerates the approval timeline for dredging projects.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+3
The bill streamlines the permitting process for dredging projects, which can reduce costs and time for entities engaged in port maintenance or expansion.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+2
By streamlining port dredging permits, the bill facilitates the maintenance and expansion of maritime infrastructure.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4
The bill limits environmental documentation requirements and restricts the ability of the EPA to prohibit certain disposal site determinations.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-2
The bill implements faster, automated approval processes that may reduce public oversight and the depth of environmental documentation.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Efficiency in Dredging Projects: The Secretary must propose the new nationwide permit within 60 days of the Act's enactment (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Streamlined Environmental Reviews: The Act limits the number of environmental documents produced to no more than one environmental impact statement, one record of decision, and, if necessary, one environmental assessment (Section 3(c)(1)(A)(ii)).
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Predictable Permitting Timelines: For a complete application, the Secretary must approve or deny the proposed activity within 30 days (Section 4(a)(4)(A)).
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Simplified State Certifications: If a certifying authority fails to respond within 14 days regarding whether an application is complete, the certification is considered complete (Section 3(d)(1)(B)).
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Reduced Regulatory Burdens for Permittees: The Secretary is prohibited from considering alternatives or conditions that are not technically or economically feasible for permittees (Section 3(c)(1)(B)(i)).
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Mitigation Flexibility: The Secretary has the flexibility to determine necessary mitigation, provided it is technically and economically feasible (Section 4(a)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Time Limits for Environmental Agency Work: The Act requires the Secretary to complete National Environmental Policy Act requirements within 2 years of proposing the nationwide permit (Section 3(c)(1)(A)(i)).
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Limited Environmental Documentation: The bill restricts the production of environmental documents to no more than one of each required type (Section 3(c)(1)(A)(ii)).
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Reduced Oversight for Disposal Sites: The EPA may consult on disposal sites but is prohibited from prohibiting a disposal site determination made by the Secretary or exercising enforcement authority against a permittee in compliance with the NWP (Section 3(e)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Urban Residents+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+2Improves Environmental Protections-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency-2
- 6/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.