The agency said the construction standards were voluntary and subject to change after a public-comment period of 60 days.

The public-comment period ends on July 17.

Critics of the project complained yesterday that the 60-day public-comment period was too short to allow residents enough time to wade through the environmental study.

Michael Markarian, president of the fund, said that in a public-comment period in July, 96 percent of the 2,600 respondents were against the government's plan.

"The public-comment period had passed and we had to do something immediately," Ms. Masters said.

The groups seek to extend the public-comment period on the measure.

The White House officials said a new public-comment period may be needed, further delaying the date when consumers would actually see the changes.

The draft report will be available for a 45-day public-comment period beginning December 14.

The association was one of several groups that asked the corps for a public hearing and an extension of the public-comment period beyond April 15.

Mr. Rampe has rejected any extension of the public-comment period, as some family groups requested.