The DEEP Act directs the Secretary of the Army to create a new nationwide permit for dredging projects at U.S. ports and navigation channels within 60 days of enactment. This permit would streamline the environmental review and approval process by consolidating multiple reviews into a single environmental assessment and allowing dredging projects to proceed more quickly, with the Army required to approve or deny permit applications within 30 days. The bill sets strict timelines for state water quality certifications—limiting reviews to 14 days for completeness determinations and one year for final decisions—and includes automatic approval if deadlines are missed. The permit itself would be valid for up to 10 years and would only allow mitigation requirements that are technically and economically feasible for port operators. Additionally, the bill repeals certain maritime cargo preference rules for dredged material, allowing it to be transported on foreign vessels rather than requiring American ships.
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