This bill establishes clearer rules for challenging water permits in court under the Clean Water Act. It sets a 60-day deadline for filing lawsuits challenging permits issued by the federal government or states for dredging and filling activities in wetlands and waterways. The legislation also limits what courts can do when they find a permit was issued incorrectly, requiring them to send the case back to the permitting agency rather than simply canceling the permit, unless the permitted activities would cause immediate danger to human health or the environment. When a case is sent back, courts must set a deadline of no more than 180 days for the agency to fix any problems. The bill affects individuals, environmental groups, and companies that may challenge permits, as well as the federal Army Corps of Engineers and state agencies that issue these permits.
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