H.R. 6693

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6693 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6693

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish expedited 
permitting procedures for post-natural disaster recovery activities, 
incorporating interagency coordination and best management practices to 
ensure timely rebuilding while protecting endangered species, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 12, 2025

Mr. Moore of North Carolina (for himself and Mr. Edwards) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish expedited 
permitting procedures for post-natural disaster recovery activities, 
incorporating interagency coordination and best management practices to 
ensure timely rebuilding while protecting endangered species, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Streamlining Authorizations for 
Listed At-risk Marine and Aquatic Natural Disaster Emergency Resources 
Act'' or the ``SALAMANDER Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Natural disasters cause significant damage to 
communities and infrastructure, requiring rapid and efficient 
recovery efforts.
(2) Timely repair and restoration of damaged property and 
assets after a natural disaster are essential for public 
safety, economic stability, and the swift return of private 
property to rightful owners.
(3) The Corps of Engineers nationwide permit program serves 
as an efficient mechanism for managing activities that involve 
discharges into and rehabilitation of waters of the United 
States, as defined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(4) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 requires Federal 
agencies to consult with the Directors of the United States 
Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, as applicable, to avoid actions that could jeopardize 
listed species or critical habitats of such species.
(5) While environmental protection is critical, current 
consultation processes can sometimes contribute to delays in 
post-disaster recovery.
(6) A comprehensive, coordinated, and expedited approach 
for post-disaster permitting that leverages the biological 
expertise of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and 
the National Marine Fisheries Service, and incorporates 
approved best management practices, will reduce regulatory 
delays while maintaining robust environmental safeguards.

SEC. 3. GENERAL PERMITS FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL DISPOSAL IN POST-
DISASTER RECOVERY.

Section 404(e) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1344(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) General permits for post-disaster recovery 
activities.--
``(A) In general.--For any geographic area with 
respect to which the President has declared under the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) that a major 
disaster or emergency exists, the Secretary may issue 
or modify a general permit under this subsection for 
any category of activities--
``(i) the Secretary develops pursuant to a 
programmatic consultation with the Secretary of 
the Interior, Secretary of Commerce, and 
Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and
``(ii) which activities--
``(I) are directly related to 
recovering from the major disaster or 
emergency; and
``(II) the Secretary of the 
Interior, Secretary of Commerce, and 
Secretary of Agriculture, as 
applicable, have determined through 
such programmatic consultation will 
avoid or minimize adverse effects on 
any species listed as a threatened 
species or an endangered species under 
section 4 of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533) and the 
critical habitat (as such term is 
defined in section 3 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532)) 
of such a species when adhering to best 
management practices described in 
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Best management practices.--A general permit 
issued or modified under this paragraph shall require 
the use of best management practices that have been--
``(i) agreed upon by the Secretary and, as 
applicable, the Secretary of the Interior, 
Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of 
Agriculture; and
``(ii) designed to avoid or minimize 
adverse effects on species listed as threatened 
species or endangered species under section 4 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1533) and the critical habitat (as such 
term is defined in section 3 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1532)) of such 
species.
``(C) Period.--A general permit, or modification to 
a general permit, issued under this paragraph shall be 
for the period of 18 months beginning on the date of 
the declaration of the major disaster or emergency by 
the President.
``(D) Effect on individual consultation.--An 
activity authorized by a general permit issued or 
modified under this paragraph and carried out in 
accordance with the requirements of such general permit 
is not subject to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)).
``(E) Coordination with states.--The Secretary 
shall coordinate with relevant State fish and wildlife 
agencies in carrying out this paragraph, including by 
engaging with such agencies not later than 30 days 
after the date of a declaration of a major disaster or 
emergency by the President.
``(F) National guidance.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of 
Agriculture, shall establish guidance to ensure 
consistent implementation of this paragraph across each 
district of the Corps of Engineers.''.
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