What is Section 404 of the CWA?

What is Section 404 of the CWA?

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Proposed activities are regulated through a permit review process.

What can you do with wetlands in NC?

Wetlands in North Carolina provide protection from flooding and erosion, places for recreational activities, habitat for plants and animals including human food sources, and cleansing of water before it enters rivers, estuaries, and the ocean.

Who regulates wetlands in NC?

Division of Water Resources
Because they involve water, changes to wetlands in North Carolina are regulated by the 401 and Buffer Permitting Branch of the Division of Water Resources (DWR), the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

When is a 404 permit needed?

Section 404 requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged into waters of the United States, unless the activity is exempt from Section 404 regulation (e.g., certain farming and forestry activities).

What do you need to know about Section 404 permitting?

Overview. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes a program to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States,including wetlands.

Agency Roles and Responsibilities. The roles and responsibilities of the Federal resource agencies differ in scope.

Additional Section 404 Information

Do I need a 404 permit?

You do not generally need a permit under Section 404 if your discharges of dredged or fill material are associated with normal farming, ranching, or silviculture activities such as plowing, cultivating, minor drainage, and harvesting for the production of food, fiber, and forest products or upland soil and water conservation practices.

What is a 404 permit?

“404” refers to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ( USACE ) is the federal agency responsible for issuing 404 Permits; these permits are required for the discharge of fill material into streams, wetlands and open waters. For more information about 404 permitting, click here.