SALAMANDER Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6693
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-03T09:05:42Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SALAMANDER Act (H.R. 6693) aims to speed up the permitting process for recovery activities after natural disasters, such as repairing infrastructure damaged by floods or hurricanes. It amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act) to allow quicker approvals for work involving discharges into U.S. waters, while ensuring protections for endangered species through coordinated federal efforts and approved environmental practices. The goal is to balance rapid rebuilding for public safety and economic recovery with safeguards for wildlife and habitats.
Key Provisions
- Expedited General Permits: In areas declared a major disaster or emergency by the President under the Stafford Act, the Secretary of the Army (overseeing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) can issue or modify general permits for recovery activities. These permits cover categories of work like dredging or filling wetlands, developed through a "programmatic consultation" (a broad, upfront review) with the Secretaries of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), Commerce (National Marine Fisheries Service), and Agriculture.
- Focus on Recovery and Protections: Permitted activities must directly relate to disaster recovery and follow "best management practices" (BMPs)—pre-approved methods agreed upon by the agencies to minimize harm to threatened or endangered species and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- Duration and Exemptions: Permits are valid for 18 months from the disaster declaration date. Activities complying with these permits are exempt from individual ESA consultations (case-by-case reviews that can delay projects).
- Coordination Requirements: The Army Corps must engage state fish and wildlife agencies within 30 days of a disaster declaration. National guidance will be created to ensure uniform application across Corps districts.
- Findings Section: The bill outlines congressional recognition of disaster recovery needs, the role of existing Corps permits, ESA requirements, and the value of streamlined processes with environmental expertise.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Addition to Clean Water Act Section 404(e): Introduces a new subsection (3) specifically for post-disaster general permits, building on the existing nationwide permit program for discharges into U.S. waters but tailoring it to emergencies.
- Shift from Individual to Programmatic Consultations: Replaces potentially lengthy, project-by-project ESA reviews with broader upfront consultations, reducing delays while maintaining species protections through BMPs.
- Time-Limited Exemptions: Creates a temporary (18-month) exemption from ESA Section 7(a)(2) consultations for compliant activities, which does not exist in current law and addresses post-disaster urgency not previously accommodated in this way.
- Interagency and State Involvement: Mandates formal agreements on BMPs and state coordination, enhancing collaboration but not altering core permitting authority.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Streamlines workload for the Army Corps, Fish and Wildlife Service, and others by front-loading consultations, potentially reducing backlogs but requiring initial coordination efforts. Could lead to more consistent national implementation via guidance.
- On Citizens and Communities: Enables faster repairs to homes, roads, and utilities in disaster zones, improving public safety, economic recovery, and return of property to owners—especially beneficial in rural or coastal areas prone to events like hurricanes or floods.
- On Environment: Maintains ESA protections by requiring BMPs, potentially minimizing long-term harm to species and habitats, though it prioritizes speed over exhaustive reviews.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. waters and species; it does not address cross-border disasters or foreign entities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Disaster-Affected Communities and Property Owners: Benefit from quicker permitting for rebuilding, reducing displacement and economic losses.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (lead on permits), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (ESA expertise and consultations), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (rural/land management input).
- State Agencies: Fish and wildlife departments, which must be consulted early, gaining influence on local implementation.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Involved indirectly through ESA safeguards; may monitor for adequate species protection.
- Industry and Recovery Sectors: Construction firms, utilities, and local governments, who face fewer regulatory hurdles for emergency work.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Strengthens integration between the Clean Water Act and ESA by embedding programmatic consultations and BMPs, potentially setting a precedent for emergency exemptions without undermining core environmental laws. Could face challenges if seen as weakening species protections, but the bill emphasizes compliance.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with federal disaster response authority under the Stafford Act and commerce clause powers over navigable waters; no apparent conflicts with due process or property rights, as it facilitates rather than restricts recovery.
- Political Implications: Promotes a bipartisan balance between environmental stewardship and practical disaster aid, as evidenced by introduction by representatives from disaster-prone regions (North Carolina). May encourage similar streamlined approaches in future legislation for climate-related events, influencing debates on regulatory efficiency versus conservation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 2025-12-12: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Streamlining Authorizations for Listed At-risk Marine and Aquatic Natural Disaster Emergency Resources Act — issued 2025-12-12 — PDF (6 pages)