&EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency June 2009 Aquatic Re Team Aquatic Resource Facts for Region 3 There are more than 3.7 million acres of wetlands Over 202,000 miles of streams 52% of total stream miles are headwater streams, equaling 106,000 miles Roughly 3 million people receive drinking water through intakes located on small or unmapped streams Example of wetland resources in Region 3 Office of Environmental Programs Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division EPA Region 3, Philadelphia, PA The objective of the Region 3 Aquatic Resources Permitting Team is to uphold the goal of the Clean Water Act to maintain and enhance the biological, chemical and physical attributes of the nation's waters within the Region. This is achieved by protecting, preserving and enhancing the aquatic resources within the five states of the Region and by working with our partners in the Army Corps of Engineers, states, and other federal agencies. Permitting Team Duties Evaluate permit applications to ensure compliance with the §404(b)(1) Guidelines. Determine scope of geographic jurisdiction and applicability of exemptions. Review and comment on individual permit applications. Elevate cases through §404(q) or veto proposed projects through § 404(c). Determine boundaries of federally regulated aquatic resources. Participate in Interagency Review Teams for mitigation banks. http://www.epa.gov/reg3esdl/wetlands/permits.htm ------- |