WASHINGTON (WRDW/WAGT) – The Savannah Riverkeeper joined four other environmental groups in suing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over a program that streamlines federal approvals for oil and natural gas pipelines. In a 51–page complaint filed Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Healthy Gulf, Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah Riverkeeper target the Corps’ 2026 reissuance of “Nationwide Permit 12.” They allege it is illegal under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Procedure Act. The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of the environmental groups. Environmental lawsuit against Army Corps of Engineers by steven.byerly The center said the program lets companies constructing oil and gas pipelines to “sidestep federal laws that protect waterways, rare species, and other aquatic resources.” The permit authorizes oil and gas pipeline construction through waterways before projects are even proposed, according to the center. The groups say that approach may work for small, low‑impact activities like buoys or boat ramps, but not for interstate pipelines that can run hundreds of miles and cross thousands of rivers, streams and wetlands. Developers use explosives or heavy machinery to dig and backfill trenches in waterways, crushing and killing fish, amphibians and other species in their path, according to the center. These activities also…
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