In an effort to accelerate the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS), researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) collaborated with a multi-agency team to develop a best practices guide. The Federal Permitting and Environmental Reviews for Nature-Based Solutions: A Best Practices Guide, recently released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Infrastructure Federal Collaborative (GIFC), is set to transform the federal permitting process for NBS projects.
Accelerating Permitting for NBS
The guide provides comprehensive best practices for streamlining federal permitting and environmental reviews of NBS projects. It details key federal statutes, permitting requirements, and innovative mechanisms like categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to reduce delays. With a focus on fostering collaboration, the guide emphasizes improved interagency communication through regional permitting networks and leveraging existing funding authorities to boost permitting capacity.
Recommendations include:
- Developing interagency process mapping and transparent timelines.
- Sharing best practices and case studies across federal agencies.
- Highlighting the benefits of early engagement and collaboration.
Case studies in the guide showcase successful NBS projects, illustrating how early planning and interagency coordination can lead to more efficient permitting processes. Appendices provide an in-depth look at permits, reviews, and resources for both federal agencies and NBS practitioners.
A Multi-Agency Collaboration
The guide was developed under the leadership of ERDC Environmental Laboratory’s (EL) Kyle Gordon, co-chair of the GIFC’s NBS Permitting Implementation Committee. Other contributors from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) include Bri McGuffie (USACE Headquarters) and Megan Spindler (USACE Baltimore District and Acting Program Manager for the USACE Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program). This interagency committee, comprising over 34 members from 12 federal agencies, works to implement recommendations from the roadmap to accelerate NBS adoption.
Sharing Knowledge Across the Nation
In December, EWN practitioners from multiple USACE districts participated in a webinar to discuss the guide’s best practices and recommendations. Plans are underway to share these insights nationally through the USACE Regulatory Program webinar series, further amplifying the impact of this publication. For a deeper dive into the guide and the work of the GIFC, tune into the next episode of the EWN Podcast, featuring Robyn DeYoung, EPA Green Infrastructure Program Manager (15 January 2025): https://ewn.erdc.dren.mil/podcasts/
