Regulatory Influence of the Corps of Engineers Permit Branch in Texas

The enforcement of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act has been delegated to the Permit Branch of the Corps of Engineers. The scope of the jurisdiction of the Permit Branch is discussed as well as the procedures of enforcement of Federal Regulations. The methods and problems of resolving an unauthorized fill activity in waters of the United States is discussed. The influence of public interest in issuing a permit in an environmentally sensitive area is discussed through a case history. The influence of public interest in issuing permits and the broad reaching jurisdiction of the Corps Permit Branch will experience changes through the forthcoming legislative sessions.