General permits are issued for clearly described categories of 

 structures or work after reviewing all applicable policies of the different 

 authorities. Piers and docks, and other types of structures and works 

 described in the special policies for Structures or Work in or Affecting 

 Navigable Waters of the United States are the typical subjects of a general 

 permit. The general and Section 404 discharge permit policies also apply in 

 the Corps permit review and EPA and FWS "coordination" process [122]. 



Individual permits are issued to authorize specific structures or work 

 under any of the four sets of authorities after notice, opportunity for a 

 hearing and EPA and FWS "coordination" or consultation [123]. 



Letters of Permission are issued for minor structures or work not 

 subject to the special policies of the Discharges of Dredged or Fill 

 Material (Section 404) section of the regulations. These will generally be 

 minor structures--docks, etc. 



There is no public notice for a letter of permission, but the EPA and 

 FWS coordination procedures are followed before issuing the letter [124]. 



The Corps' permit decisions are highly decentralized. Its eleven 

 Division Engineers and 36 District Engineers have substantial autonomy in 

 the permit process. Applications are processed by the District Engineer, 

 and if they are noncontroversial and meet the Corps standards, the District 

 Engineer may issue a permit. The majority of applications fall into this 

 category (Table 11). 



Timing of the application procedures depends in part on whether an 

 EIS or public hearing is required and in part on other public and state 

 and Federal agency comment. In general, public notice is issued within 15 

 days of receipt of a complete application containing all required informa- 

 tion. Public comments are normally received for 30 days after the 

 publication of the notice, and in exceptional cases, for up to 75 days. An 

 environmental assessment is also required for all permit applications to 

 assist in determining whether an EIS will be required. The environmental 

 assessment is prepared at the district level by the Engineering Section 

 within approximately 90 days of permit application. 



Five different situations may result. The permit is denied or issued 

 in draft form within 30 days of the last occurring event among the follow- 

 ing [126]: 



1. Closing of the public notice comment period with no objections 

 received . 



2. Receipt of notice of withdrawal of objections. 



3. Completion of "coordination" following applicant's rebuttal of 

 objections. 



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