Summary of H.R. 6693 – Streamlining Author-Listed At-risk Marine and Aquatic Natural Disaster Emergency Resources Act (SALA2 MANDER Act)

Note: This bill was introduced in the House on December 12, 2025, by Rep. Moore (NC) and Rep. Edwards, and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Purpose and intent

• To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) to create expedited permitting procedures for post-natural disaster recovery activities.
• To improve interagency coordination and incorporate best management practices (BMPs) in order to speed rebuilding while protecting endangered and threatened species and their critical habitats.
• To leverage existing agencies’ expertise (endangered species consultations) to reduce regulatory delays after disasters, without compromising environmental safeguards.

Key provisions

General permits for post-disaster recovery (Section 404(e) amendment)

• The Secretary of the Army (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) may issue or modify general permits for categories of activities in geographic areas where the President has declared a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act.
• Approval hinges on a programmatic Section 7(a)(2) consultation conducted with:
  • Secretary of the Interior
  • Secretary of Commerce
  • Secretary of Agriculture (as applicable)
  • This consultation must determine that activities will avoid or minimize adverse effects on listed species (Endangered/Threatened) and their critical habitat when using BMPs.
• BMPs:
  • Activities under the general permit must use BMPs agreed upon by the relevant agencies (Secretary-level coordination) designed to avoid or minimize harm to listed species and their critical habitat.
• Permit duration:
  • The general permit (or any modification) would be valid for 18 months starting from the disaster declaration date.
• Effect on individual consultations:
  • Activities authorized under the general permit are not subject to individual Section 7(a)(2) consultations.
• State coordination:
  • The Secretary must coordinate with relevant state fish and wildlife agencies and engage with them within 30 days of the disaster declaration.
• National guidance:
  • The Secretaries (Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and the Army) must establish national guidance to ensure consistent implementation of these general permits across Corps districts.

Findings and context

• Recognizes that timely recovery is vital for public safety, economic stability, and property restoration.
• Acknowledges that environmental reviews can contribute to delays but emphasizes maintaining environmental safeguards.
• Emphasizes leveraging interagency expertise (USFWS and NMFS) and BMPs to streamline processes.

Who is affected

• Federal agencies: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; National Marine Fisheries Service; Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture Secretaries.
• State wildlife/agriculture agencies in relevant states.
• Entities undertaking post-disaster recovery activities (e.g., construction firms, utility and infrastructure projects) subject to Corps permitting, now eligible for general permits with BMPs.
• Endangered and threatened species and their critical habitats (environmental safeguards maintained through consultation and BMPs).

Timeline and procedural notes

• Trigger: President’s declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act.
• General permits issued or modified under the new provision would be valid for 18 months from the disaster declaration.
• Coordination with states to occur within 30 days of the disaster declaration.
• Requires programmatic ESA Section 7(a)(2) consultation for the covered activities.

Potential impact

• Pros: Faster, more predictable permitting for disaster-recovery projects; reduced administrative delays; streamlined interagency coordination; maintained protections via BMPs and species consultations.
• Cons/risks: Potential concerns about reduced scrutiny for individual projects under general permits; reliance on BMPs and programmatic consultations to substitute for detailed, project-specific analysis.

This summary captures the bill’s core aims, mechanisms, affected parties, and key timing elements as introduced.