DEEP Act

The DEEP Act establishes a new nationwide permit for dredging projects in U.S. ports and navigation channels, aiming to streamline the approval process for maintaining, expanding, or deepening ports up to 60 feet. The bill mandates that the Army Corps of Engineers propose this permit within 60 days of enactment and sets strict deadlines for environmental reviews, requiring the final permit to be issued within two years. It also imposes tight timelines on state agencies to review water quality certifications, deeming them complete if they do not respond within 14 days, and limits the Secretary's ability to deny permits if procedural deadlines are missed. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that compliance with the new permit is sufficient to satisfy other related federal laws regarding river and harbor regulations.