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‘One Start’ permitting to start soon
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Posted on Mar 03 2006
The Division of Environmental Quality announced yesterday the start of the first efficiency improvement associated with the administration’s “One Start” permitting process.
This improved permitting process will enable individuals and corporations to submit an “all purpose” application for earthmoving permits to only one agency, in this case, DEQ. Earthmoving permits account for over 95 percent of all permits issued by DEQ. On average, DEQ processes over 400 earthmoving permits a year, ranging from simple residential land clearing to major constructions.
To do this, DEQ will be requiring an original application and 3 sets of copies of all required documents effective March 13, 2006. DEQ will disseminate the additional copies to the other regulatory agencies for simultaneous reviews. Previously, applicants were required to route applications to CRM, DFW and HPO for approval before DEQ issued an earthmoving permit, a process which could take several weeks to complete.
DEQ director Frank M. Rabauliman said the new system will increase productivity and efficiency.
“With the required four copies, affected regulatory agencies will have the opportunity to review the application concurrently rather than one agency at a time. Our purpose is to ease the routing burden and responsibility of the applicant. We will also be able to better track the status of permits,” said Rabauliman.
The regulatory agency is confident that the one start process will result in major improvements in efficiency. “DEQ will now be able to complete the permitting process in twenty-one days or less,” said Brian Bearden, DEQ Environmental Engineer.
There will be no change in permitting fees.
For more information call the DEQ at 664-8500. (PR)
