SW Arkansas Times

Yesterday, President Donald Trump issued an executive action directing executive departments and agencies to enhance the use of technology in the environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects. Congressman Bruce Westerman from Arkansas responded positively to this development.

Westerman remarked on the existing permitting process, "The current federal permitting process hamstrings every corner of American life." He highlighted the impact on various projects, including gravel road repairs and agricultural maintenance, stating that the process is "cumbersome" and holds back the country's competitive edge. He further emphasized the advantage of modernizing the system, "As a longtime advocate and supporter of permitting reform, I applaud the Trump administration for their efforts to update permitting technology for the 21st Century – a step that will properly leverage technology to evaluate environmental permits which cause inordinate delays to delivering on important infrastructure projects."

He acknowledged that although there is significant progress to be made, "yesterday's executive action is an excellent first step to use modern-day technology and interagency communication to expedite a process that currently shackles our nation’s economic growth to antiquated and obsolete systems."

Readers are invited to consult the Executive Action for more information.