The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to weaken rules meant to protect thousands of streams and wetlands, making it easier for developers to move ahead with building projects. The corps, for example, has proposed scrapping a rule requiring developers to obtain case-by-case permits for projects that disturb more than 300 feet of streams. It also wants to put the kibosh on a rule requiring developers to replace or protect as many wetland acres as they are destroying. No word yet on whether President Bush has weighed in on the issue.
