SALAMANDER Act

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish **expedited general permitting procedures** for post-natural disaster recovery activities, aiming to reduce regulatory delays while protecting endangered species. It addresses the challenge of balancing rapid rebuilding efforts with the need for environmental safeguards, particularly concerning the Endangered Species Act's consultation requirements. The legislation authorizes the Secretary of the Army to issue or modify these general permits for 18 months following a Presidential disaster declaration. These permits must be developed through **programmatic consultation** with the Secretaries of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture, ensuring that authorized activities, when adhering to **best management practices**, avoid or minimize adverse effects on listed species and critical habitats. A significant provision is that activities conducted under these general permits will **not be subject to individual consultations** under the Endangered Species Act, thereby streamlining the recovery process. The bill also requires coordination with State fish and wildlife agencies and the establishment of national guidance for consistent implementation.