Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act)

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (P.L. 92-500) stipulated broad national objectives to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, ... DigestofFederalResourceLawsofInteresttotheU.S.FishandWildlifeService FederalWaterPollutionControlAct(CleanWaterAct) FederalWaterPollutionControlAct(CleanWaterAct)(33 U.S.C.1251-1376;Chapter758; P.L.845,June30,1948;62Stat.1155).Asamendedby: Chapter928,P.L.580,July17,1952;66Stat.755;Chapter518,P.L.660,July9,1956;70 Stat.498;P.L.86-70,June25,1959;73Stat.148;P.L.86-624,July12,1960;74Stat.417;P.L. 87-88,July20,1961;75Stat.204;P.L.89-753,November3,1966;80Stat.1246;P.L.91-224, April3,1970;84Stat.91;P.L.92-50,July9,1971;85Stat.124;P.L.92-138,October14,1971; 85Stat.379;P.L.92-240,March1,1972;86Stat.47;P.L.92-500,October18,1972;86Stat. 816;P.L.93-207,December28,1973;87Stat.906;P.L.93-243,January2,1974;87Stat.1069; P.L.93-593,January2,1975;88Stat.1924;P.L.94-238,March23,1976;90Stat.250;P.L. 94-369,July22,1976;90Stat.1011;P.L.94-558,October19,1976;90Stat.2639;P.L.95-217, December27,1977;91Stat.1566;P.L.95-576,November2,1978;92Stat.2467;P.L.96-483, October21,1980;94Stat.2360;P.L.97-357,October19,1982;96Stat.1712;P.L.97-440, January8,1983;96Stat.2289;P.L.100-4,February4,1987;101Stat.7 Theoriginal1948statute(Ch.758;P.L.845),theWaterPollutionControlAct,authorized theSurgeonGeneralofthePublicHealthService,incooperationwithotherFederal,stateand localentities,topreparecomprehensiveprogramsforeliminatingorreducingthepollutionof interstatewatersandtributariesandimprovingthesanitaryconditionofsurfaceandunderground waters.Duringthedevelopmentofsuchplans,dueregardwastobegiventoimprovements necessarytoconservewatersforpublicwatersupplies,propagationoffishandaquaticlife, recreationalpurposes,andagriculturalandindustrialuses.Theoriginalstatutealsoauthorized theFederalWorksAdministratortoassiststates,municipalities,andinterstateagenciesin constructingtreatmentplantstopreventdischargesofinadequatelytreatedsewageandother wastesintointerstatewatersortributaries. Since1948,theoriginalstatutehasbeenamendedextensivelyeithertoauthorizeadditional waterqualityprograms,standardsandprocedurestogovernallowabledischarges,fundingfor constructiongrantsorgeneralprogramfunding.Amendmentsinotheryearsprovidedfor continuedauthoritytoconductprogramactivitiesoradministrativechangestorelatedactivities. Thislattersetofamendmentsincluded: ExtensionofappropriationsauthoritythroughFY1956(Ch.927;P.L.579) Continuedauthoritytodevelopcomprehensiveprogramsforwaterpollutioncontrol,to providegrantstoStatesandinterstateagenciestoassistindevelopingsuchprogramsandto constructtreatmentfacilities,andtoestablishenforcementmeasuresforpollutionofinterstate waters(Ch.518;P.L.660) ExtensionoffinancialassistancetotheStateofAlaska(P.L.86-70) Redefinitionofeligibleentitiestoincludethe50StatesandtheDistrictofColumbia(P.L. 86-624) ExtensionoftheFWPCAforthreemonths(P.L.92-50) ExtensionoftheFWPCAforonemonth(P.L.92-138) ExtensionofcertainprovisionsthroughJune30,1972,andotherprovisionsthroughApril 30,1972(P.L.92-240) ExtensionoftheFWPCAthroughFY1974(P.L.93-207) Establishmentoftheformulatoallocatetreatmentworksconstructiongrants(P.L. 93-243) ExtensionoftheFWPCAthroughFY1975(P.L.93-593) IncreaseintheauthorizationlevelfortheNationalStudyCommission(P.L.94-238) Establishmentofarelatedmunicipalpublicworkscapitaldevelopmentandinvestment program(P.L.94-369) Authorizationforaloanguaranteeprogramforconstructionoftreatmentworks(P.L. 94-558) Additionalprogramauthorizations(P.L.95-576) Extensionofcertainprovisionsthrough1982aswellasauthorityfordemonstration programstoremovePCB'sfromtheHudsonRiverandtoclean-upstate-ownedabandonedmines thatcanbeusedashazardouswastedisposalsites(P.L.96-483) ClarificationofrevenuedistributiontotheCommonwealthofPuertoRico(P.L.97-357) ModificationofeffluentlimitationsrelatingtobiochemicaloxygendemandandpH(P.L. 97-440) Majoramendmentswereenactedin1961,1966,1970,1972,1977,and1987.TheFederal WaterPollutionControlActAmendmentsof1961(P.L.87-88)stipulatedthatFederalagencies considerduringtheplanningforanyreservoir,storagetoregulatestreamflowforthepurposeof waterqualitycontrol(33 U.S.C.1252).AuthoritywasprovidedtotheSecretaryofHealth, Education,andWelfaretoundertakeresearchprogramsrelatedtodeterminingeffectsof pollutantsandtreatmentmethodsandtoassesswaterqualityintheGreatLakes.Measures whichcouldbetakenbytheSecretary,attherequestofaState,towardagainstpollutionof interstateornavigablewaterswerealsospecified(33 U.S.C.1254(f)). The1966amendments(P.L.89-753),entitledtheCleanWaterRestorationActof1966, authorizedtheSecretaryofInterior,incooperationwiththeSecretaryofAgricultureandthe WaterResourcesCouncil,toconductacomprehensivestudyoftheeffectsofpollution,including sedimentation,intheestuariesandestuarinezonesoftheU.S.onfishandwildlife,sportand commercialfishing,recreation,watersupplyandpower,andotherspecifieduses(33 U.S.C.466). Thestudyreport,duetotheCongressthreeyearsfollowingenactment,wastocontain:1)an analysisoftheimportancetoestuariestotheeconomicandsocialwell-beingoftheU.S.andof theeffectsofpollutionupontheuseandenjoymentoftheestuaries;2)adiscussionofthemajor economic,social,andecologicaltrendsoccurringintheestuarinezonesofthenation;3) recommendationsforacomprehensivenationalprogramforthepreservation,study,useand developmentofestuaries,andtherespectiveresponsibilitieswhichshouldbeassumedby Federal,State,andlocalgovernmentsandbypublicandprivateinterests. Proceduresforabatingdomesticpollutionwhichdamagesthehealthorwelfareofcitizensin aforeigncountrywerealsooutlined(33 U.S.C.466).Inaddition,theamendmentsprohibited individuals,exceptaspermittedbyregulationsissuedbytheSecretaryofInterior,from dischargingoilintothenavigablewatersoftheU.S. TheReorganizationPlanNo.3of1970(December2,1970)createdtheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency,abolishedtheFederalWaterQualityAdministrationintheDepartmentof Interior,andtransferredtoEPAallfunctionsformerlyassignedtotheSecretaryofInteriorand theDepartmentofInteriorwhichhadbeenadministeredthroughtheFederalWaterQuality Administration. The1970amendments(P.L.91-224),citedastheWaterQualityImprovementActof1970, furtheramendedtheprohibitionsondischargesofoiltoallowsuchdischargesonlywhen consistentwithregulationstobeissuedbythePresidentandwherepermittedbyArticleIVofthe 1954InternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionoftheSeabyOil(33 U.S.C.1321).Inissuingregulations,thePresidentwasauthorizedtodeterminequantitiesofoilwhich wouldbeharmfultothepublichealthorwelfareoftheU.S.,including,butnotlimitedto,fish, shellfish,andwildlife,aswellaspublicandprivateproperty,shorelinesandbeaches. ThePresidentwasalsoauthorizedtopublishaNationalContingencyPlantoprovidefor efficientandcoordinatedactiontominimizedamagefromoildischarges,includingcontainment, dispersal,andremoval.RelateddutiesweretobeassignedtovariousFederalagencies.The 1970amendmentsalsomandatedthatthePresidentdevelopregulationstodefinesubstances otherthanoilashazardoussubstances. Inaddition,the1970amendmentsrequiredthatperformancestandardsbedevelopedfor marinesanitationdevices(33 U.S.C.1322),authorizeddemonstrationprojectstocontrolacidor otherminewaterpollution(33 U.S.C.1257a)andtocontrolwaterpollutionwithinthe watershedsoftheGreatLakes(33 U.S.C.1258).Theamendmentsdescribedtheresponsibility ofFederalagenciestoensurethatanyFederalfacilitiesareoperatedincompliancewith applicablewaterqualitystandards(33 U.S.C.1323). ApplicantsforFederalpermitsorlicensesforactivitiesinvolvingdischargesintonavigable watersaretoprovideaStatecertificationthattheproposedactivitywillnotviolateapplicable waterqualitystandards(33 U.S.C.1341).LicensesandpermitsmaynotbegrantediftheState orinterstatecertificationhasbeendenied. TheFederalWaterPollutionControlActAmendmentsof1972(P.L.92-500)stipulated broadnationalobjectivestorestoreandmaintainthechemical,physical,andbiologicalintegrity oftheNation'swaters(33 U.S.C.1251).ProvisionsincludedarequirementthattheFederal PowerCommissionnotgrantalicenseforahydroelectricpowerprojecttoregulatestreamflow forthepurposeofwaterqualityunlesscertainconditionsaresatisfied(33 U.S.C.1252). Inaddition,theamendmentssignificantlyexpandedprovisions relatedtopollutantdischarges.Theseincludedrequirementsthatlimitations bedeterminedforpointsourceswhichareconsistentwithStatewaterquality standards,proceduresforStateissuanceofwaterqualitystandards,development ofguidelinestoidentifyandevaluatetheextentofnonpointsourcepollution, waterqualityinventoryrequirements,aswellasdevelopmentoftoxicandpretreatment effluentstandards(33 U.S.C.1311-1313and33U.S.C.1315 -1317). Additionalprovisionsfurtherdefinedliabilityfordischargesofoilandhazardoussubstances andtheFederalroleinclean-upoperations(33 U.S.C.1321)andestablishedaCleanLakes Program. Section402ofthe1972amendmentsestablishedtheNational PollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)toauthorizeEPAissuanceof dischargepermits(33 U.S.C.1342). Section403stipulatedguidelinesforEPAtoissuepermitsfordischargesinto theterritorialsea,thecontiguouszone,andoceanwatersfurtheroffshore(33 U.S.C.1343). ImportantprovisionswerecontainedinSection404oftheamendments.Thissection authorizedtheCorpsofEngineerstoissuepermitsforthedischargeofdredgedorfillmaterial intonavigablewatersatspecifieddisposalsites(33 U.S.C.1344).EPAwasauthorizedto prohibittheuseofasiteasadisposalsitebasedonadeterminationthatdischargeswouldhave anunacceptableadverseeffectonmunicipalwatersupplies,shellfishbedsandfisheryareas, wildlife,orrecreationaluses. The1977amendments,theCleanWaterActof1977(P.L.95-217),againextensively amendedtheAct.Ofparticularsignificancewerethefollowingprovisions: Developmentofa"BestManagementPractices"Programaspartofthestateareawide planningprogram(33 U.S.C.1288) AuthorityfortheFishandWildlifeServicetoprovidetechnicalassistancetostatesin developing"bestmanagementpractices"aspartofitswaterpollutioncontrolprograms(33 U.S.C.1288(i)(1)) Authorizationof$6millionfortheSecretaryofInteriortocompletetheNationalWetlands InventorybyDecember31,1981(33 U.S.C.1288(i)(2)) AuthorityfortheCorpsofEngineerstoissuegeneralpermitsonastate,regional,ornational basisforanycategoryofactivitieswhicharesimilarinnature,willcauseonlyminimal environmentaleffectswhenperformedseparately,andwillhaveonlyminimalcumulative adverseimpactontheenvironment(33 U.S.C.1344(e)) Exemptionofvariousactivitiesfromthedredgeandfillprohibitionincludingnormal farming,silviculture,andranchingactivities(33 U.S.C.1344(f)) ProceduresforStateassumptionoftheregulatoryprogram,includingarequirementthatthe DirectoroftheFishandWildlifeServicebeinvolvedinanadvisoryroleregardingtransferofthe programtotheState(33 U.S.C.1344(g-m)) Requirementfordevelopmentofagreementstominimizeduplicationanddelaysinpermit issuance(33U.S.C. 1344(g)) TheWaterQualityActof1987(P.L.100-4)providedthemostrecentseriesofamendments totheoriginalstatute.Provisionsincluded: AuthoritytocontinuetheChesapeakeBayProgramandtoestablishaChesapeakeBay ProgramOffice(33 U.S.C.1267).Theoriginalauthorizationforthisprogram,theChesapeake BayResearchCoordinationActof1980(P.L.96-460),expiredonSeptember30,1984 EstablishmentofaGreatLakesNationalProgramOfficewithinEPAandaGreatLakes ResearchOfficewithinNOAA(33 U.S.C.1268).RelatedFederalagencies,includingtheFish andWildlifeService,arerequiredtosubmitannualreportstoEPAregardingagencyactivities affectingcompliancewiththe1978GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement RequirementthatEPA,inconjunctionwiththeFishandWildlifeServiceandNOAA, conductresearch,aspartoftheGreatLakesProgram,ontheharmfuleffectsofpollutantsonthe generalhealthandwelfare(33 U.S.C.1254).Suchresearchshouldemphasizetheeffect bioaccumulationofthesepollutantsinaquaticspecieshasuponreducingthevalueofaquatic commercialandsportfisheries Requirementthatstatesdevelopstrategiesfortoxicscleanupinwaterswheretheapplication of"BestAvailableTechnology"(BAT)dischargestandardsisnotsufficienttomeetStatewater qualitystandardsandsupportpublichealth(33 U.S.C.1314) IncreaseinthepenaltiesforviolationsofSection404permits(33 U.S.C.1344) ProvisionsthatadditionalStatereportingrequirementsonwaterqualityoflakesincluding methodstomitigatetheharmfuleffectsofhighacidity(33 U.S.C.1324).AuthorizationforEPA toundertakeawaterqualitydemonstrationprogramforlakeswithanauthorizationof$15 milliontoStates,withfundstobedistributedbasedonrelativeacidityproblems Establishmentsof$400millionprogramforStatestodevelopandimplement,ona watershedbasis,nonpointsourcemanagementandcontrolprogramswithEPAresponsibilityfor grantadministration,programapproval,andperiodicprogramevaluation(33 U.S.C.1329) AuthorizationforaState/Federalcooperativeprogramtonominateestuariesofnational significanceandtodevelopandimplementmanagementplanstorestoreandmaintainthe biologicalandchemicalintegrityofestuarinewaters(33 U.S.C.1330).AuthorizationtoNOAA toconductwaterqualityresearchandtrendsassessmentinestuariesofnationalsignificance RequirementthatEPAstudyandmonitorthewaterqualityeffectsattributabletothe impoundmentofwaterbydams(33 U.S.C.1375) ReturntoListofResourceLaws