What does a 404 permit authorize?

A 404 permit is essential for regulating activities that involve the placement of fill material into waters, including wetlands. This permitting process aims to ensure that such activities do not negatively impact the aquatic environment or the overall health of the ecosystem. Under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for issuing 404 permits, which require a thorough examination of the proposed project’s potential effects on water quality and aquatic habitat.

The justification for the permit revolves around the necessity to protect navigable waters and adjacent wetlands, recognizing their crucial roles in filtration, flood control, and wildlife habitats. Projects requiring a 404 permit may include construction, land development, or any activity where fill is placed in these sensitive areas, reinforcing environmental stewardship in development practices.

The other choices pertain to different aspects of environmental management that do not fall under the scope of the 404 permit. Discharging hazardous waste, monitoring urban air quality, and stormwater diversion involve separate regulations and permits such as those under RCRA for hazardous waste, NPDES for discharges, and local stormwater management permits, respectively.