U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Alan Armstrong (R-OK) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) have introduced the bipartisan Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act to streamline federal permitting for habitat restoration projects that produce net ecological benefits.

The legislation would establish a new permitting pathway under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for projects that restore, enhance or rehabilitate degraded aquatic habitats. This streamlined process could help farmers and conservation partners move conservation projects forward more efficiently, including restoring wetlands on marginal farmland, reconnecting floodplains, stabilizing eroding streambanks and installing berms and water-control structures.

“Arkansas is The Natural State in part because we take great pride and care in the stewardship of the land, water and other resources. Restoring degraded habitats is an important part of conserving and strengthening them, so it should not be as hard or harder for projects that deliver a net ecological benefit to move forward. This bipartisan legislation streamlines the permitting process while maintaining strong environmental protections, giving farmers, landowners and conservationists greater certainty as they work to improve critical habitats,” said Boozman. 

“I am proud to introduce the Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act alongside Senators Boozman, Blunt Rochester, and Armstrong. Our legislation will make habitat restoration more efficient, cut red tape, and create a predictable path for restoration projects. We know how important this is in Maryland as we continue to work to protect the Chesapeake Bay and support numerous wetlands restoration projects throughout the state that help to drive a booming outdoor economy,” said Alsobrooks. 

"Modernizing our permitting system does not mean degrading the environment. In fact, we achieve far better ecological outcomes when private capital is directed into direct, on-the-ground conservation and habitat restoration rather than being wasted on endless litigation and administrative review loops. By streamlining Clean Water Act reviews for ecological restoration projects, we can unlock private investment for local communities and live up to the core standard I learned early in my career: we should always leave the land better than we found it. I’m proud to join Senators Boozman, Alsobrooks, and Blunt Rochester in advancing this bipartisan effort to cut red tape and make it easier to build projects that genuinely improve our environment,” said Armstrong. 

“As the lowest-lying state, Delawareans know the importance of restoring our shorelines and mitigating flooding from natural hazards. However, current permitting guidelines can make it difficult to jumpstart projects that restore our natural ecosystems. I’m proud to support the bipartisan Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act to streamline projects that will strengthen our natural infrastructure, make our communities more resilient, and help preserve our environment for generations to come,” said Blunt Rochester.

This bill is supported by Ducks Unlimited (DU), the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership(TRCP), National Audubon Society and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).  

“Restoration projects make our public and working lands healthier, and the permitting process should help expedite that work, not slow it down. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act would provide a more predictable path for conservation projects while maintaining a clear focus on measurable gains for habitat and wildlife. Ducks Unlimited appreciates the bipartisan leadership behind this legislation and its recognition that we can strengthen wetland functions and services while making on-the-ground restoration more achievable,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam.

“Healthy habitat is the foundation of healthy fish and wildlife populations and the sporting opportunities they support. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act seeks to provide a more predictable and efficient pathway for restoration projects while maintaining existing environmental safeguards. We appreciate Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus members Senators Boozman and Armstrong, and Senators Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester for working together on ways to help important habitat restoration projects move from planning to implementation,” said CSF Senior Vice President and COO Taylor Schmitz.

“Every month a restoration project waits on a permit is a month hunters and anglers could lose habitat and opportunity. Habitat restoration practitioners can spend years navigating a permitting process built to scrutinize development rather than approve restoration. The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act recognizes that restoration deserves its own path through that process. We thank Senators Boozman, Alsobrooks, Armstrong, and Blunt Rochester for introducing this bill and helping beneficial projects get on the ground faster,” said TRCP Vice President of Government Affairs Zach Bodhane.

“Our coasts, wetlands, and watersheds are critical resources for people, local communities and billions of birds, but they are at increasing risk from changing environmental conditions, making habitat restoration more vital than ever. This bill will strengthen those efforts by expanding important permitting tools so restoration can move forward at the scale and pace needed to make habitats and communities more resilient,” said National Audubon Society Vice President of Government Affairs Felice Stadler.

“As Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, I strongly support the Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act of 2026 because it directly enhances our ability to execute critical conservation work. The Commission conducts numerous habitat restoration projects, and streamlining this permitting process will reduce the administrative hurdles that so often delay environmental progress. Ultimately, this legislation empowers us to manage our woods and waters more efficiently, ensuring healthier ecosystems for the environment and better outdoor experiences for Arkansas’s hunters and anglers,” said AGFC Director Doug Schoenrock.

The Ecological Restoration Project Permitting Act would: 

• Establish a new nationwide Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) Permit under Sec. 404(e) of the CWA for projects that restore, enhance, or rehabilitate degraded habitats and result in a net ecological gain.
• Direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to consult with federal environmental and conservation agencies to reduce duplicative reviews and preserve all existing environmental requirements.
• Create a consistent permitting process with enforceable review timelines. For non-federal projects, USACE must determine application completeness within 30 days and verify the project within 45 days, with automatic permit verification if USACE misses the statutory deadline. Federal projects would submit a shorter summary report on the presumption of eligibility and may begin permitted work 30 days after the summary report’s submission.
• Establish a 10-year permit term for the ERP and authorizes renewals and extensions without overburdensome frameworks. USACE currently issues nationwide permits on a five-year cycle, which can result in lengthy renewals and extensions.
• Maintains strong environmental protections that nothing in the bill waives, limits or modifies requirements of the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Click here to read the text of the bill.