Water: Wetlands
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Laws, Regulations, Treaties: Laws
Related Links: General Water Laws | Wetlands | Oceans, Coasts, & Estuaries | Watersheds
Key federal statutes governing wetlands in the United States
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Laws
Clean Water Act (CWA)
The Clean Water Act is a 1977 amendment to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, which set the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States.
Section 404 - establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.
Section 403 - Ocean Discharge Criteria
Section 402 - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
Section 401 - State Certification of Water Quality
Section 309 - Federal Enforcement Authority
Section 308 - Inspections, Monitoring, Entry
Section 502 - General Definitions
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
NEPA is the basic national charter for protection of the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals, and provides means for carrying out the policy.
Rivers & Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899
Rivers & Harbors Act of 1899 - establishes a program to regulate activities affecting navigation in United States waters, including wetlands
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
Commonly known as the Farm Bill, the 1996 revisions included modifications to four programs related to the conservation of wetlands on agricultural land.
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
The Endangered Species Act provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21)
Authorizes funding to improve the Nation´s transportation infrastructure, enhance economic growth and protect the environment, including opportunities to improve water quality and restore wetlands.