GOVE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
PROGRAMMATIC GENERAL PERMIT
State of New Hampshire
On August 3, 2012, the New England District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)
issued a new Programmatic General Permit (PGP) for what is considered by the Corps as
minimal impact work in coastal and inland waters and wetlands within the State of New
Hampshire. The complete text of the PGP is on the website of the New England District of the
Corps (www.nee.usace.mil/Regulatory/).
Pre-permit
Wetlands must be delineated using the most recent versions of the Corps of Engineers Wetlands
Delineation Manual (1987) and the Regional Supplement to the Corps Delineation Manual
(January 2012).
In navigable waters, plans must show mean low water (MLW) and mean high water (MHW)
elevations. Show the high tide line (HTL) elevations when fill is involved. In other waters,
show ordinary high water (OHW) elevations.
Plans must show the delineation of all waterways and wetlands on the project site, including
vernal pools.
All activities must have satisfied the consultation requirements of Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
Even for minimum impact projects, applicants must submit in information in “Appendix B”,
which includes the Corps Secondary Impacts Checklist.
VERNAL POOL (VP) HABITAT IS THE SEASONAL POOL DEPRESSION, THE
SEASONAL POOL ENVELOPE (100-FOOT RADIUS FROM THE VP EDGE) AND THE
SEASONAL POOL TERRESTRIAL HABITAT (750-FOOT RADIUS FROM THE VP EDGE).
SITE CLEARING AND GRADING ARE LIMITED TO LESS THAN 25% OF THE VP
SEASONAL POOL TERRESTRIAL HABITAT AND ROADS/DRIVEWAYS EXCLUDED
FROM THE VP ENVELOPE.
Secondary (indirect) impacts include: habitat fragmentation, interruption of travel corridors, near
vernal pools, alter hydrology, sedimentation, water diversions, incidental fallback, and
cumulative impacts. (This is not a complete list, but only samples.)
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8 Continental Dr Bldg 2 Unit H, Exeter, NH 03833-7526
Ph (603) 778 0644 / Fax (603) 778 0654
www.gesinc.biz
info@gesinc.biz
GOVE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
Pre-work
Minimum Impact Projects (less than 3,000 square feet of direct disturbance) may begin work
after receiving their Dredge and Fill Permit. This assumes that all the conditions of the PGP
have been met.
Minor Impact Projects (3,000 to less than 20,000 square feet of direct disturbance) may begin
work after 30 days from receiving their Dredge and Fill Permit. If they get a written notification
from the Corps either requesting additional information or requiring modifications of the
proposal, the work cannot start.
Major Impact Projects (20,000 square feet or more) must receive written authorization from the
Corps. The Corps will notify the applicant within 30 days from receiving the Dredge and Fill
Permit.
For Minor/Major Impact Projects, on the work site will be a copy of the PGP (all 34 pages of it),
a copy of the Corps authorization letter, and all personal with operation control must be fully
aware of its terms and conditions. This is in addition to the standard posting of the DES Dredge
and Fill Permit.
Complied by Jim Gove
Gove Environmental Services, Inc.
For September 2012 NHCIBOR Seacoast Marketing Session
Office Phone (603) 778-0644 extension 15
Cell Phone (603) 493-0014
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8 Continental Dr Bldg 2 Unit H, Exeter, NH 03833-7526
Ph (603) 778 0644 / Fax (603) 778 0654
www.gesinc.biz
info@gesinc.biz