United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water Regulations
and Standards
Criteria and Standards Division
Washington, DC 20460
EPA 440/5-81-001
October 1980
Water
v>EPA
Section 404
Program Strategy
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SECTION 404 PROGRAM STRATEGY
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Criteria and Standards Division
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PREFACE
Our Nation's wetlands are natural resources of
significant importance to the citizens of this country.
Wetlands which only a few years ago were considered
useless are now seen as valuable and irreplaceable.
Wetlands are areas of great natural productivity and
environmental diversity which provide improved water
quality, flow stabilization, aquifer recharge, natural
flood control, and fish and wildlife habitat.
There is a need to make conscious well-informed
decisions about uses of our wetlands. Evaluating
these uses is not easy. Clearly it is wasteful to use a
wetland as a garbage dump. It is harder to assess the
balance of values between a natural wetland and
productive farmland which may replace the wetland.
The discharge of dredged and fill material into the
waters of the United States is a matter of special
importance to the protection of our Nation's wet-
lands. Thousands of construction activities result in
the discharge of fill materials into the Nation's waters
each year. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires
that the fill activity be evaluated through a regulatory
process. The Act provides for the Secretary of the Army
to issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill
material. It also provides for transfer of the 404 Pro-
gram to the States in certain waters of the United
States. The Environmental Protection Agency has an
important role in the conduct of the Program at both
the Federal and State level. This document is the
foundation of EPA policy, goals, objectives, and
strategy for meeting its 404 Program responsibilities
under the Act.
Steven Schatzow
Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Water Regulations and Standards
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CONTENTS
Page
Preface "
Section I — Introduction
A. Purpose and Contents
B. Organization of Strategy Document 1
2
C. Program History
D. Organizational Description
Section II - Goals and Objectives 5
Section III — Strategy Guidance and Policy 8
A. General °
Q
B. Important Trends
C. Policy 10
Section IV — Program Plan 12
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SECTION I - INTRODUCTION
The 404 Program strategy focuses on three funda-
mental program elements.
• Emphasize early participation in planning and
permitting activities to increase EPA's ability to
influence wetland development decisions.
• Integrate activity in program operation, permit
review, and enforcement toward solving the
most critical problems.
• Effect transfer of program responsibility to inter-
ested States.
The policy and program direction set forth in this
document provide guidance required to meet these
fundamental goals.
A. Purpose and Contents
The purpose of this document is to define the role
of the Environmental Protection Agency in meeting its
responsibilities under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. This document will provide guidance through the
delineation of goals, objectives, policies, and
strategies that will achieve these goals. It is designed
to reflect only the EPA strategy in fulfilling its respon-
sibilities under Section 404 and is not intended to
define or diminish the role or responsibilities of other
Federal, State, or local agencies. However it is also
recognized that the Corps of Engineers (COE) has a
special relationship to the EPA Program, and that
diligence will be required by both agencies to maintain
a cooperative working system.
The strategy embraces a variety of organizations
and environmental mandates, both those which derive
from specific statutory and executive authority and
those which derive from EPA's overall "character."
The common theme which unites the elements of this
strategy is a concern for the preservation of aquatic
habitat and the protection of such areas from direct
physical modification or destruction by human activity.
The focal point for the strategy is the Section 404
Program, but the critical, related activities of other
Agency programs together with EPA's response to
NEPA and the Wetlands Protection and Floodplain
Management Executive Orders are components of
the strategy as well.
B. Organization of the
Strategy Document
The organizational format of this document is
described below to assist the reader in understanding
the sequential progression of the material. The docu-
ment has been separated into four major sections,
each dealing with a specific aspect of information
related to our overall strategy.
Section I, Introduction, provides basic background
material on the 404 Program—both legislative and
institutional.
Section II, Goals and Objectives, lays out the broad
goals and specific objectives and subobjectives of the
program. The objectives and subobjectives should be
viewed as generalized targets toward which program
efforts will be directed.
Section III, Guidance and Policy, provides govern-
ing principles or courses of action which guide the
achievement of Program objectives. These statements
are organized under the objectives as defined in
Section II.
Section IV, Program Plan lays out a specific list of
program tasks designed to achieve the objectives and
subobjectives as defined in Section II. Each task
outlined in Section IV is directly related to a specific
objective or subobjective defined in Section II.
,
This stream bank alteration is a prime example of an activity requiring a 404 permit.
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C. Program History
In 1899, Congress recognized the need to protect
the navigable waters of the Nation from uncontrolled
modification by passing the Rivers and Harbors Act.
That statute vested authority in the Secretary of the
Army to require permits for the construction of dams,
dikes, jetties, bridges, etc., in our vital waterways.
The purpose, of course, was to protect commercial
navigation; environmental concerns were still many
years in the future. In 1948, Congress passed the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Nation's first
major legislation aimed at protecting water quality.
However, the Act was weak in that it lacked enforce-
able standards and provided little Federal dollar or
manpower resources to combat the problems.
In 1972, Congress substantially amended the Act,
creating for the first time a water pollution control pro-
gram with real teeth in the form of standards,
deadlines for attainment, enforcement authorities,
and substantial grant-in-aid programs. In Section 404
of the 1972 Act, Congress created a new permit pro-
gram to control the discharge of dredged and fill
materials. Because of the Corps' long experience in
regulating hydrologic modifications, Congress
charged the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers, with responsibility for operating
the basic permit program. In recognition of EPA's
expertise and responsibilities for protecting the envi-
ronment, Congress charged the Administrator with
developing (in conjunction with the Secretary) guide-
lines for the specification of disposal sites. The guide-
lines were to be based upon criteria comparable to the
general marine protection criteria of Section 403 of
the Act (ocean discharge). The remaining provisions
of Section 404 provided for a limited override of the
specification guidelines by the Secretary, where the
economics of anchorage and navigation warrant, and
for the Administrator's authority to prohibit,
withdraw, or restrict specification where the Adminis-
trator finds that a discharge would have an unaccept-
able adverse effect on certain classes of aquatic
resource values.
In 1977, Congress again overhauled the Water Act,
which subsequently became known as the Clean
Water Act (CWA). A number of provisions were added
to Section 404—some of which were wholly new,
others merely codified existing administrative prac-
tices. Among the most significant new provisions were:
• Transfer of the permitting program for certain
waters to qualified States;
• Exemptions from permitting for certain classes of
activities believed to have minimal impacts; for
example, "normal" agriculture, construction of
forest roads, and construction of stock ponds;
• Exemption from permitting for major Federal proj-
ects (for example, dams) where the specification
guidelines are considered in the Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS);
• Establishment of an alternative State-level
regulatory program under Section 208(b)(4)
(B&C) for specified classes of activities; and
• Clarification of COE and EPA enforcement
authorities under §404(n) and (s).
Although less directly related to the 404 Program,
several other legislative or executive statements help
to mold the overall regulatory environment in which
the 404 Program operates. These include:
• The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958
(PL 85-624);
• The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL 93-205);
• The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(PL 91-190);
• The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
(PL 92-583);
• The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanc-
tuaries Act of 1972 (PL 92-532);
• The Executive Order on Protection of Wetlands
(E.G. 11990);
• The Executive Order on Floodplain Management
(E.G. 11988).
D. Organizational Description
EPA administration of the 404 Program involves a
number of EPA offices. Those offices having major
program responsibilities are:
HEADQUARTERS
Office of Water Regulations and Standards
(OWRS)—The Deputy Assistant Administrator serves
as National Program Manager for the 404 Program.
Criteria and Standards Division —Provides
overall program planning and management for
the 404 Program, including development of
regulations, policies, procedures, and guide-
lines, providing states with assistance in program
development, setting program priorities, budget
preparation, and general program support.
Office of Water Enforcement
Enforcement Division —Provides overall plan-
ning and guidance support to regional enforce-
ment units.
Permits Division —Responsible for develop-
ment of consolidated Permit Programs Regula-
tions (which include State 404 Program transfer
regulations); administers NPDES (Section 402)
Program.
Office of General Counsel
Water and Solid Waste Division—Provides
legal counsel to Program on rule-making, policy,
and procedures, and represents the Agency in
litigation relating to Section 404.
Office of Environmental Review—Administers
NEPA Program; reviews major water-related projects;
provides liaison with regulatory programs of other
agencies; provides focal point for EPA compliance
with Executive Orders; and promotes awareness of
natural resource and environmental protection laws
and policies within EPA programs.
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Office of Environmental Processes and Effects
Research-Administers EPA research program
through laboratories in Corvallis, Oregon; Las Vegas,
Nevada; etc., to develop methods to assess and
monitor the environmental impact of dredge and fill on
air, land, and water resources.
REGIONS
Environmental evaluation of dredge and fill activities
and State program transfer activities is carried out by
personnel in the ten EPA Regions. Although organiza-
tional arrangements vary, those functions are most
commonly carried out by a section-level unit, the
senior management official being designated the
"Regional 404 Coordinator." Enforcement activities
are carried out by enforcement officers in the Regional
Enforcement Divisions. Support is provided by
Regional Counsel, Environmental Review, and other
units.
Many other units at EPA contribute in vital ways to
the success of the 404 Program through support in the
areas of monitoring, planning, public awareness, pro-
gram evaluation, and State funding. Still other offices
administer EPA programs which may relate to or impact
the 404 Program in important ways; for example, solid
waste management, toxic substances regulations,
and pesticides regulation.
SECTION II-GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The 404 Program within EPA has two paramount
goals.
• To protect and enhance the Nation's wetlands
and other critical and sensitive "aquatic
resources"; and
• To restore and maintain the chemical, physical,
and biological integrity and to prevent the
degradation of the Nation's waters through the
full and effective implementation of Section 404
of the Clean Water Act.
These goals derive from EPA's authorities under the
Agency's fundamental charter, the National Environ-
mental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, Executive
Orders 11988 and 11990, the EPA Administrator's
policy statement "Protection of Nation's Wetlands"
(published in the Federal Register of May 2, 1973), and
other statutes and policies of the Federal Government.
These two goals are closely interrelated in that the
Dredge and Fill Regulatory Program of Section 404 is
the single most potent legal tool for protecting
wetlands and similar systems from destruction
through filling or the degradation attendant to other
forms of hydrologic modification (for example, chan-
nelization and impoundment). Moreover, wetlands
A wide variety of wildlife depends on wetlands for food, shelter and breeding grounds. These young great blue herons are
no exception.
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comprise the most seriously threatened of all aquatic
habits when the types of pollution for which Section
404 was enacted are considered. Section 404 is
designed to protect all waters, not just wetlands.
Lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries all suffer from the
impacts of dredged spoil disposal and filling.
In order to achieve these goals, six (6) basic objec-
tives have been identified which are outlined below in
roughly the order of priority essential for a national
long-term program. The objectives are to:
Establish the legal, institutional, and man-
agement framework for full implementa-
tion of Section 404
1. Develop and issue regulations, guidelines, policies,
and procedures;
2. Develop field methods for assessing resource
values and impacts;
3. Establish needed data/information systems to
facilitate field operations and program manage-
ment;
4. Assess and, as appropriate, implement hereto-
fore unused regulatory provisions such as dis-
posal site prohibitions/restrictions (40 CFR 230.7
and 40 CFR 231) and toxic effluent standards for
dredged material (Section 307(a)(5), CWA);
and
5. Establish continuous program evaluation and
improvement process, such as conducting pro-
gram evaluations, acquiring needed manpower
and dollar resources and ensuring their proper
training and utilization, and improving program
capabilities in the ZBB process.
Ensure compliance with the guidelines pro-
mulgated under Subsection 404(b)(1) and
assist other programs and agencies in
ensuring compliance with related environ-
mental statutes, directives, and policies
1. Review, evaluate, and comment on general
(Federal or State) and selected individual permits
proposed for issuance under Section 404;
2. Review, evaluate, and comment on Environ-
mental Impact Statements prepared pursuant to
Subsection 404(r), seeking exemption from indi-
vidual permitting;
3. Review, evaluate, and comment on best
management practices prepared pursuant to
Subsection 208(b)(4)(B&C);
4. Exercise the authority of Subsection 404(c)
where appropriate; and
5. Early participation in project-specific or areawide
planning with a potential for impact on aquatic
resources.
Facilitate the transfer of the 404 Program to
qualified States
1. Provide direct assistance to States in their
evaluation of the State transfer option and in the
development of qualified programs;
2. Assess the need for Federal grant funding for
State program development and operation and
take the necessary steps to ensure appropriate
allocations of funding through existing mechan-
isms, i.e., State-EPA Agreements (SEA);
3. Expeditiously and effectively review and recom-
mend action on program submissions; and
4. Carry out effective oversight of State 404 Programs.
Develop and implement an effective pro-
gram for enforcement of Section 404
1. Develop necessary policies, procedures,
methods, and manuals for effective field
enforcement action;
2. Assist the COE with the monitoring and enforce-
ment of permit violations;
3. Assist States with the monitoring and enforce-
ment of permit violations; and
4. Expeditious administration and judicial enforce-
ment action for violations of §301 (a).
Develop and implement an active public
involvement program
1. Stimulate grassroots public involvement in the
program in such areas as education, technical
information gathering, State programs, and
enforcement; and
2. Coordinate with public groups having similar
goals and interests to ensure maximum utiliza-
tion of information and resources.
Pursue an active role in assessing, interpret-
ing, and fostering research and development
supportive of the 404 Program
1. Provide within the EPA a focal point for coor-
dination and information for research relating to
hydrologic modification, habitat protection, sedi-
ment chemistry, dredged material effects, wet-
lands ecology, and other areas of substantial
interest to the Program; and
2. Develop and implement programs for interpret-
ing and disseminating R&D information to
appropriate EPA and outside personnel.
SECTION III - STRATEGY GUIDANCE
AND POLICY
Policy statements for the 404 Program provide
governing principles or courses of action which guide
the achievement of Program objectives. These state-
ments express legislative and regulatory policy as well
as EPA policy. It is intended that policy and position
statements will be added as the need arises and modified
as conditions dictate.
A. General
The basic strategy of the 404 Program is to focus
limited manpower and funds on fundamental program
elements—permit review and enforcement in priority
problem areas and State program transfer to maximize
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the protection of aquatic resources. Many critical envi-
ronmental problems face the Nation, including an
increasing concern about toxics in all the environmen-
tal media. Competition for public funds will become
more intense. The strategy is based on the recognition
that there is little likelihood of an increase in Agency
404 Program resources in the next few years. The
budget for all 404 Program activities in FY-81 is
$1.8 million with 85 full-time personnel. Activities and
tasks identified in the strategy shall be accomplished
within present resource limits.
B. Important Trends
The 404 Program, like any national, governmental
program, operates in a complex, changing environ-
ment shaped by many and often-conflicting social,
political, economic, and technologic forces. Many of
these forces may tend to cancel each other's effects
and many of their effects on the Program are difficult
to evaluate, but on balance the problems will become
more complex and therefore more difficult to resolve.
The 404 Program will have to operate in the 1980's in a
world which will be more resource-constrained, more
volatile, and less tolerant of regulation than was the
case in the 1970's. To be of any value, a program
strategy must be developed in a manner which gives
recognition to these forces and attempts to anticipate
their relative trends. For the 404 Program, the most
critical of these trends for the 1980's appear to be:
• The energy crisis—increasing demand for domestic
production with pressure to relax environmental
standards coupled with increasing ecologic impacts;
• Population—continued growth in both urban
and rural areas with increasing demands for
utilization of land —including aquatic areas—for
residential, commercial, industrial, waste dis-
posal, and recreational purposes as a result of
increasing leisure time;
• Food and fiber production—increasing world
demand with concommitant pressure to convert
"marginal" land to production;
• Natural resources—increasing demand for
mineral extraction in heretofore unutilized areas
such as wetlands;
• Competing environmental goals—increasing dif-
ficulty of "residuals" management since there
appears to be no "right" place to put wastes;
• Increasing public opposition to regulation;
• Increasingly restricted budgets at all levels of
government;
• Increasing concern for, and focus on, toxic
materials, especially carcinogens; and
• Greater citizen involvement in government at
all levels.
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Every year thousands of acres of wetlands are filled to
acquire additional land for a wide variety of uses.
C. Policy
Major challenges face the 404 Program in the
1980's. There will be continuing pressures on the
wetlands. At the same time the Federal resources
devoted to the planning, management, and regulatory
functions in these areas will increase slowly, if at all.
National policy must take these factors into account
to assure that an efficient and effective program func-
tions within these constraints. The following areas
indicate the major focus of EPA policy attention.
Emphasize early participation in planning
and permitting activities to provide for a
more positive and helpful image and to
increase EPA's ability to influence wetland
development decisions
There will be continuing pressures on wetlands
for energy development, mineral extraction, and
food and fiber production. Many wetland areas
are near major centers of population with their
increasing demands for residential, commercial,
and industrial development. Accommodating
these needs while minimizing environmental
impacts will require early knowledge and par-
ticipation in areawide State and regional plan-
ning, especially for major or controversial plan-
ning processes or projects. The availability of
coastal zone management, water quality man-
agement, economic development, and other
planning processes can be utilized to the advan-
tage of environmental protection and enhance-
ment of wetlands. Avoiding confrontation by
promoting an understanding by the general
public, development interests, and public institu-
tions on the value of highly specialized and sen-
sitive aquatic ecosystems such as wetlands,
estuaries, etc., will be stressed. Many of the
tasks involved in establishing a program
management framework, assisting other agen-
cies in ensuring program compliance, and
implementing an active public involvement pro-
gram have been developed to address this policy
direction.
Integrate activity in program operation,
permit review, and enforcement toward
solving the most critical problems
It is generally acknowledged that many dredged
or fill operations in the past have been unpermit-
ted. Provisions for exempting certain minor
activities and development of general permits
have recognized that many types of individual
dredge and fill activities have only minimal
cumulative adverse effects. The effective use of
these mechanisms will enable the Agency to
concentrate its resources on a much smaller
number of activities involving individual permits
in sensitive or unique ecosystems, in other
critical wetland areas, and in controversial
projects.
Exercise of 404(c) authority shall be utilized only
when less extreme measures to ensure protec-
tion of "aquatic resources" have failed or are
inappropriate. Exercise of 404(c) shall not be
used as a means to delay permit processing (that
is, to "stop the clock"), nor shall it be used as a
threat in negotiations with permit-issuing agencies.
Effect transfer of program responsibility to
States
State interest and capability in program manage-
ment varies from very limited to highly involved.
A number of States had wetland protection
regulatory programs prior to the 1972 CWA.
Other States' interest is much more recent. The
404 Program strategy, in line with congressional
intent, will facilitate the transfer of the program
to qualified States.
Special attention is being given to State 404
Programs for a number of reasons. Foremost is
the ability of interested States to provide a more
resources intensive operational program struc-
tured specifically to the wetlands of the indi-
vidual State. In addition the full capabilities of a
number of State agencies will normally be
available to assist in the State enforcement pro-
gram. State programs can ensure that attention
is focused on field level inspection and enforce-
ment rather than a paper review and administra-
tive exercise in locations removed from where
the activities occur. This policy also recognizes
that EPA resources will not increase in the
foreseeable future, and there are severe limits to
the extent to which site-specific assistance and
enforcement can be provided by EPA.
While State program assumption has a high
priority, it is recognized that the policy will have a
limited involvement initially. Not more than 6 to
10 States are expected to have both the interest
and the capability to assume the 404 Program
through FY-83. This is a reasonable expectation
given the experience of similar programs admin-
istered by EPA in which States can assume
administrative authority.
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SECTION IV - PROGRAM PLAN
The following outlines plans for tasks for each
objective. Target dates by quarter and calendar year
are presented where appropriate. Personnel require-
ments necessary to carry out Headquarters tasks are
indicated in person years (PY). Primary responsibility
for each task is indicated by H (Headquarters) or R
(Regions). Regional offices will be involved in the
development of regulations and guidelines and other
Headquarters activities as appropriate.
Objective IV. Establish the legal, institutional and
management framework for full implementation
of Section 404
1. Promulgate Environmental Guidelines under
Section 404 (b) (1) (H-3rd/80) (0.5 PY).
2. Propose testing procedures under Section
404 (b) (1) (H-4th/80) (0.5 PY); develop final
testing procedures (H-2nd/81) (0.8/ PY).
3. Develop methods and procedures for
establishing jurisdictional boundaries (H-4th/80)
(0.3 PY).
4. Develop field methods for assessing environ-
mental system values and impacts for purposes
of permit review and enforcement (H/R-3rd/81)
(0.5 PY).
5. Establish special cases per EPA-COE MOA
(R-4th/80) (0.5 PY).
6. Review and comment on revised COE permit
program regulations (H-80/81) (0.2 PY).
7. Analyze EPA role in permit review and develop
guidance to increase Agency effectiveness
(H-1st/81) (0.6 PY).
8. Conduct evaluation of regional program
management (H-2nd/3rd/81) (1.5 PY).
9. Improve Program workload analysis model and
improve formal accomplishment reporting con-
sistent with this objective (H/R-1st/81) (0.4 PY).
Objective #2: Ensure compliance with the guide-
lines promulgated under Subsection 404 (b) (1)
and assist other programs and agencies in ensur-
ing compliance with related environmental
statutes, directives, and policies
1. Establish a Headquarters log and file control
system for tracking major/controversial actions
("hot permits") which will facilitate rapid and
coordinated Headquarters support to regions,
trend analysis, and report preparation.
(H-3rd/80) (0.3 PY).
2. Establish joint permit processing procedures in
all regions for all districts/States (R-4th/81).
3. Participate with Corps of Engineers and States
in development of general permits and contin-
uously evaluate means of improving the general
permit concept (R).
4. Establish procedures to ensure that 404 and
Environmental Review (ER) staff coordinate fully
on 404 (r) reviews (H-1st/81) (0.1 PY).
Objective #3: Facilitate the transfer of the 404
Program to qualified States
1. Prepare regional guidance on State program
transfer activities, explaining roles of Head-
quarters and regional units and establishing pro-
cedures for providing assistance and reviewing
State program submissions (H/R-4th/80)
(0.8 PY).
2. Survey existing State 404-related programs,
legislative authority, and current actions and
interest to provide a basis for regions' work with
States on program assumption (H/R-4th/80 and
continuing) (2.5 PY).
3. Prepare example of State-EPA Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA) and State Attorney General
Statement (H-4th/80) (0.2 PY).
4. Provide on-site assistance to at least one State
per region on assumption of State 404 Program
(it is recognized that a few regions have more
than one State interested in the program while
some regions will delay any assistance until
FY-81 or later) (R-4th/80).
5. Participate in Section 106 Needs Assessment;
conduct programmatic evaluation of State staff-
ing and funding needs for use by Needs Assess-
ment group; ensure that State 404 funding
needs are adequately addressed through Sec-
tion 106/205(g) mechanisms (R).
6. Ensure that appropriate levels of State 404 fund-
ing are included in State-EPA Agreements
(SEA's) and other transfer vehicles (R-80/
continuing).
7. Review and take action on all State programs
submitted within the statutory 120-day deadline
(H/R).
8. Establish procedures for oversight evaluation of
approved programs, including organizational
roles, timetables, action mechanisms, and
evaluation (H-1st/81) (0.3 PY); carry out over-
sight evaluations as required by State program
regulations.
9. Prepare citizens guide of final State transfer
regulations (H-1st/81).
Objective #4: Develop and implement an effec-
tive program for enforcement of Section 404
1. Develop new mutual enforcement agreement
with COE (initiated March 1980); issue guidance
to regional enforcement officers clarifying EPA-
COE-State relationships in accordance with
Subsections 404 (h), (n), and (s) and priorities
of the 404 enforcement program (H-Office of
Enforcement).
2. Provide technical assistance and legal support to
regions on major enforcement action (H and
OGC) (1.0 PY).
3. Develop guidance for utilization of 404 (c) for
prohibiting or restricting discharges on an
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The aesthetic value of a wetland is enhanced by the presence of wildlife.
areawide basis in the absence of (or in advance
of) permit application (H-2nd/81) (0.3 PY).
4. Conduct assessment of potential 404 (c)
designation areas (R-4th/81).
5. Evaluate effectiveness of Special Case designa-
tion and institute appropriate action to correct
deficiencies. (H-4th/81) (0.2 PY).
Objective #5: Develop and implement an active
public involvement program
1. Complete general slide-tape program on
wetlands and the 404 Program and make
available to regions, Office of Public Awareness
(OPA), and other offices (H-4th/80) (0.1 PY).
2. Complete EPA-FWS wetlands film and
distribute to regions, OPA, and other offices
(H-2nd/81) (0.1 PY).
3. Develop and distribute information handbook
series, based on 404 (b) (1) guidelines and
targeted to specific constituent groups
(H-4th/80) (0.2 PY).
4. Develop and distribute a booklet on wetland
protection and management for farmers and
other landowners (H-4th/81) (0.2 PY).
Objective K: Pursue an active role in assessing,
interpreting, and fostering research and
development supportive of the 404 Program
1. Building upon recent research symposia and
workshops and research project compilations,
provide for transfer of state-of-art technology
to regions (H) (0.3 PY).
2. Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the
Des Plaines River headwaters system in
Wisconsin with the objective of characterizing
a major headwaters ecosystem and evaluating
mechanisms for its protection and manage-
ment, (EPA Region V and Fish & Wildlife Ser-
vice FY-80).
3. Conduct a continuing assessment of dredging
technologies in terms of comparative envi-
ronmental impacts; through various means dis-
seminate information on the relative advantages/
disadvantages of the various technologies with
the aim of inducing a shift to environmentally
cleaner technologies (H) (0.1 PY).
4. Evaluate impacts of various human activities
and identify, where possible, alternatives and
mitigating practices. Initial projects will include:
• Mountaintop removal/valley filling mining
practices in the Appalachian region, EPA
Region III (80);
• Peat mining practices in the Northeast, EPA
Region III (81); and
• Bottomland and hardwood forest conversion,
EPA Region VI (81).
Note:
Research projects carried out by ORD are not
described in this strategy; research plans and
projects are included in the Multi-Year Water
Quality Research Strategy.
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APPENDIX A
For Further
Information. .
Section 404 Program Strategy
Library Services (MD-35)
U.S. EPA
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
(919) 541-2777
A Guide to the Dredge or Fill Permit
Program (C-6, July 1979)
A Guide to the Consolidated Permit
Regulations (C-8, May 1980)
Best Management Practices Guidance,
Discharge of Dredged or Fill Materials
(EPA 440/3-79-028, September 1979)
U.S. EPA Public Information Center
(PM-215)
401 M St., S.W.
Washington DC 20460
Wetlands: A Case for Protection
Wetlands Slide/Tape Presentation
(Available on loan)
Eileen Hopewell, Librarian
IMTOTC Lending Library
U.S. EPA
Cincinnati OH 45268
(513) 684-7503
• Section 404 (b) (1) Guideline Reference
Aquatic Protection Branch (WH-585)
Attn: Bob Sanford
401 M St., S.W.
Washington DC 20460
• Consolidated Permit Regulations
45 Federal Register 33290 (May 19,1980)
Available from EPA Regional Offices
• Index to Consolidated Permit
Regulations
• Guidance to State 404 Program
Regulations
U.S. EPA
State Programs Task Force
Aquatic Protection Branch (WH-585)
401 M St., S.W.
Washington DC 20460
Soon to be Available:
• Informational Handbook Series —six hand-
books aimed at dredgers, engineers, farmers, dev-
elopers, foresters, and the oil and gas industry
(December 1981)
• State Programs Booklet Series —seven
booklets concerning State 404 Programs and the
resources in seven ecological regions of the U.S.
(June 1981)
• Wetlands: America's Forgotten
Resources (February 1981)
• America's Wetlands —16 mm film
(February 1981)
Natural
APPENDIX B
EPA is charged by Congress to protect the Nation's
land, air, and water systems. Under a mandate of
national environmental laws focused on air and water
quality, solid waste management, and the control of
toxic substances, pesticides, noise, and radiation, the
Agency strives to formulate and implement actions
which lead to a compatible balance between human
activities and the ability of natural systems to support
and nurture life.
If you have suggestions, questions, or requests for
further information, they may be directed to your
nearest EPA Regional public information office.
EPA Regional Offices
EPA Region 1
JFK Federal Bldg.
Boston MA 02201
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Vermont
617-223-7223
EPA Region 2
26 Federal Plaza
New York NY 10007
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
212-264-2515
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EPA Region 3
6th and Walnut Streets
Philadelphia PA 19106
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
Virginia, District of Columbia
215-597-4081
EPA Region 4
345 Courtland Street NE
Atlanta GA 30308
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky
404-881-3004
EPA Region 5
230 S. Dearborn
Chicago IL 60604
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin,
Minnesota
312-353-2072
EPA Region 6
1201 Elm Street
Dallas TX 75270
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico
214-767-2630
EPA Region 7
324 East 11th Street
Kansas City MO 64106
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
816-374-6201
EPA Region 9
215 Fremont Street
San Francisco CA 94105
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands
415-556-1840
EPA Region 8
1860 Lincoln Street
Denver CO 80295
Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota,
South Dakota
303-837-3878
EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle WA 98101
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
206-442-1203
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12 Pictures courtesy of Cindy Van Duyne Matt Schweisberg Chris Zarba
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