Overview. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Proposed activities are regulated through a permit review process.
What is covered under the Clean Water Act?
The Clean Water Act is a U.S. federal law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas. Passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 and 1987, the Clean Water Act was originally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
How does the Clean Water Act protect wetlands?
Section 404 of the CWA specifically addresses wetland protection, prohibiting the release of any dredged or fill material into United States waters — including wetlands. Any proposed development activities near or on wetlands must go through a regulation and permit process.
Who is exempt from CWA?
The Clean Water Act exempts from the Section 404 program discharges associated with normal farming, ranching, and forestry activities such as plowing, cultivating, minor drainage, and harvesting for the production of food, fiber, and forest products, or upland soil and water conservation practices (Section 404(f)(1)(A …
Can you fill in wetlands in NC?
Filling or dredging wetland features requires a 404 permit, obtained from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a subsequent state-level version from the Division of Water Resources with a 401 permit. The new WOTUS ruling shifts the burden of oversight responsibility to states — an unwelcome task for North Carolina.
What are three main goals of the Clean Water Act?
The CWA aims to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation’s water in order to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters”, as described in CWA section 101(a).
Is the Clean Water Act still in effect today?
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act gives states and tribes the power to block federal projects that harm lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands within their borders. The administration repealed the Clean Water Rule and is now attempting to undo the landmark 1972 Clean Water Act.
What was the goal of the Clean Water Act?
GOALS OF THE FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT (Clean Water Act) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.
What were the provisions of the Clean Water Act?
The Clean Water Act is a U.S. federal law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nation’s surface waters, including lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal areas. Passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 and 1987, the Clean Water Act was originally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
What do you need to know about Section 404 permitting?
Overview. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States,including wetlands.
When is a 404 permit needed?
Section 404 requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States, unless the activity is exempt from Section 404 regulation (e.g., certain farming and forestry activities).
