Conservation Groups Condemn Army Corps’ Proposed Permit Updates

Several environmental groups filed comments with the US Army Corps of Engineers expressing concern that two of the agency’s permitting proposals would skip the review process for certain types of energy projects in West Virginia.

Appalachian Mountain Advocates submitted comments on behalf of the groups Tuesday regarding two public notices from the agency about general permits and discharge into US waters.

“The permit would attempt to grant blanket permission to energy- and energy resource-related companies to discharge sediment and pollution in waterways,” one of the groups, Appalachian Voices, said in a statement.

The proposal “lumps together activities with vastly ...