Which group primarily administers Section 404 regulations?

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is primarily responsible for administering Section 404 regulations under the Clean Water Act. This section pertains to the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. The USACE evaluates permit applications for such activities and determines whether to grant permits based on considerations of environmental impacts among other factors.

This regulatory role is set within the framework of ensuring that aquatic ecosystems are protected while balancing the needs for development and infrastructure. The USACE also collaborates with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which sets the overall policy for water quality in relation to Section 404, but it is the USACE that takes the lead in the permit process. Other agencies mentioned, such as NOAA or state departments of natural resources, have roles in environmental protection and management, but they do not administer Section 404 regulations directly. Thus, the role of the USACE ensures that federal oversight is provided for projects affecting U.S. waters, keeping in line with national policies for water resource management.