Most Recent Measure Description: ACS Code: WT-3 PERS Code:   Measure Key Words: 404 permits with greater environmental protection Measure Language: Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in FY 11 documents requirements for greater environmental protection than originally proposed. Goal, Objective and Subobjective: 2.2.3: Increase Wetlands Measure Type: Indicator ACS Shareholder: All Regions Comments: Tracking capabilities began in January '10. Tracking totals will appear in FY11. Reported on by Regions and HQ. *“Requirements for greater environmental protection” are counted under this measure when EPA can document that its recommendations for improvement provided in one or more of the following issue areas were incorporated into the final permit decision: 1. Demonstration of adequate impact avoidance, including: a) Determination of water dependency; b) Characterization of basic project purpose; c) Determination of range of practicable alternatives; d) Evaluation of direct, secondary and cumulative impacts for practicable alternatives; e) Identification of Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative; f) Compliance with WQS, MPRSA, ESA and/or toxic effluent standards; g) Evaluation of potential for significant degradation. 2. Demonstration of adequate impact minimization 3. Determination of adequate compensation Note: The documented permit decision can be in the form of an issued, withdrawn, or denied permit. The universe is the number of individual permits where EPA has the opportunity to comment (approximately 5,000/year). Regional priorities dictate the specific permits for which EPA submits comments. This number is typically less than 5,000.

Type of Measure * Yes/No FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 NPG Yes Ind Ind Ind Ind Budget (target) No Ind Ind Ind Ind Strategic Plan No       Ind KPI No       Ind ARRA No       Ind StateGrant No Ind Ind Ind Ind

* Note: The figures for all budget measures are targets. The figures for all the other types of measures are commitments established during the development of the National Water Program Guidance.

Office Information: Office Lead: OWOW Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds: pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398

Most Recent Measure Definition (From FY2010 or FY2010, if available): Terms and Phrases: ORM 2.0:OMBIL (Operation and maintenance business information link) Regulatory Module. Database used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer to track permitting activities under the CWA Section 404 regulatory program. DARTER:Data and Aquatic Resource Tracking for Effective Regulation. EPA interface for accessing records and commenting on proposed permits in the ORM 2.0 database. Methodology for Computation of Results: Data for reporting under this measure is tracked in EPA’s DARTER database. * For purposes of this measure, “requirements for greater environmental protection” are counted under this measure when EPA can document that its recommendations for improvement provided in one or more of the following issue areas were incorporated into the final permit decision: 1. Demonstration of adequate impact avoidance, including: Determination of water dependency; Characterization of basic project purpose; Determination of range of practicable alternatives; Evaluation of direct, secondary and cumulative impacts for practicable alternatives; Identification of LEDPA (Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative); Compliance with WQS (Water Quality Standards), MPRSA (Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act), ESA (Endangered Species Act) and/or toxic effluent standards; Evaluation of potential for significant degradation; 2. Demonstration of adequate impact minimization; 3. Determination of adequate compensation. Units: Final permit decisions with documented environmental improvements, as defined above. Universe: 100% of all final CWA (Clean Water Act) section 404 standard permits in current fiscal where EPA coordinated with the permitting authority year. Baseline: n/a

Most Recent Regional Measure Results Trend Data (From FY2010 End of Year Report, if available): Measure Results Trend Data WT-3.xls

Most Recent National Results Trend Data Chart (From FY2010 End of Year Report, if available): Measure Results Trend Data Chart

ACS Measure History: Fiscal Year ACS Code Measure Description 2012 WT-3 Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in FY 08 documents requirements for greater environmental protection than originally proposed. 2011 WT-3 Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in FY 08 documents requirements for greater environmental protection than originally proposed. 2010 WT-3 Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in FY 08 documents requirements for greater environmental protection than originally proposed. 2009 WT-3 Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in the current fiscal year documents requirements for greater environmental protection* than originally proposed. 2008 WT-3 Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in FY 08 documents requirements for greater environmental protection than originally proposed.

Decision History: Click for measure decision details

Data Sources and Data Quality and Limitations:

External Links: Congressional Justification 2010 EOY Report

Return to Measure Index Go to EPA Homepage