Public interest review

Public interest review

Public interest review

This term refers to the evaluation of a proposed activity to determine probable impacts. Expected benefits are balanced against reasonably foreseeable detriments. All relevant factors are weighed. Corps policy is to provide applicants with a timely and carefully weighed decision that reflects the public interest. The public interest review requires the careful weighing of all public interest factors relevant to each particular permit application. Thus, one specific factor (e.g., fish and wildlife values or economics) cannot by itself force a specific decision, but rather the decision represents the net effect of balancing all public interest factors, many of which are frequently in conflict. The public interest review is used to evaluate applications under all authorities administered by the Corps. (US Army Corps of Engineers New York District, Regulatory Program Applicant Information Guide, 2014)