Hi Everyone,
I have been working in wetland monitoring and research, so I’m new to permitting and compliance. I’m in the market for a desk reference for permitting so I don’t look useless when my boss starts talking in a series of acronyms and numbers (i.e. EIS, NEPA, ESA, Sec 1 -404). I found this book on Amazon: Environmental Permitting Handbook by A. Roger Greenway. Its copyright is 2000 and still doesn’t have a single review. So, I’m thinking that can't be good and that it may be to for the most part out of date. It looks like it’s written for the client, a read this and avoid fines kind of book if you will. Can anyone recommend this book or a better book? I need a book written for environmental professionals that have a solid wetland background but are new to government regulations.
Thanks,

Your corps district should have it's own version of the Guide for Permit Applications:
http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/reg/guide.pdf
Obviously, it is specific to Corps permitting, and contains nothing on EIS for NEPA.

First of all, you have to remember that you are not supposed to know as much about the federal program and the federal regulators. The regulatory program is for the regulator, of the regulator, and by the regulator. The more you know, the less valuable the regulator becomes, and that just won't work!!! Another option is to stick a bunch of letters after your name to make it look like you know something (e.g., P.E., Ph.D., P.P. P.W.S.,M.S., P.G., or C.C.)

As in the previous message, you should be able to contact your local Corps district to gather information about their various permit processes, criteria, definitions, etc.. But also, ask lots of questions at every opportunity.

quote:

Environmental Permitting Handbook

I have this book and it covers a lot of territory. Its good to have for basic permitting information and where to begin looking when you start a permit process, but it is out of date so be sure to contact your local permitting office for updated regulations.

David,
I recommend "LAW OF WETLANDS REGULATION" by William L. Want. This is a comprehensive legal reference that is written for Attorneys. I have found it very useful as a layman who sometimes deals with wetlands.

Litigation is the driving force in wetlands law. A young person in your position could become very successfull by understanding and mastering the complex relationships between litigation, regulations, and the statutes (Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act).

You could begin your quest by studying the recent U.S. Supreme Court Rapanos decision, and all the case law and references therein.

http://west.thomson.com/productdetail/2456/16625428/productdetail.aspx