What does Section 404 regulate?

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act specifically pertains to the regulation of the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters, including wetlands. This includes permitting processes that are necessary for activities that involve altering the physical structure and chemistry of these waters, such as the construction of roads, bridges, and other developments that may require the placement of fill material.

The aim of these regulations is to protect the integrity of the nation's waters by ensuring that fill activities do not cause unnecessary harm to water quality or aquatic ecosystems. By requiring permits, the law promotes assessment of environmental impacts and mitigation strategies.

The other topics listed, such as industrial water discharges, urban stormwater runoff, and agricultural nutrient management, fall under different sections of the Clean Water Act or other environmental regulations and do not specifically deal with the dredging and filling of waters. These areas have their own regulatory frameworks aimed at addressing their unique challenges and impacts on water quality.