Mid-Atlantic Wetland Regulatory & Enforcement Team

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Relevant Sections of the Clean Water Act

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What We Do
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What We Do

EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) share wetlands enforcement authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. However, in the following counties EPA leads enforcement efforts.

Delaware - all of Sussex County
Pennsylvania - all of Pike, Potter, Elk, Clearfield, and Somerset Counties; parts of Berks, Lehigh and Monroe Counties
West Virginia - all of Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson and Morgan Counties

Violations typically fall into 2 broad categories:

failure to comply with the terms or conditions of a permit
discharging dredged or fill material to wetlands without a permit

Enforcement options available include:

administrative orders and penalties
civil judicial enforcement, and
criminal prosecutions

More of what we do:

implements the Clean Water Act Section 404 program in the mid-Atlantic Region
evaluates public and private construction projects for impacts to waters of the United States, including wetlands
works with the Corps and our other partners on continuing to improve mitigation banking's effectiveness at offsetting authorized impacts to wetlands, streams, and other aquatic resources
assists other EPA programs and states in developing wetland programs
develops and implements both regulatory and non-regulatory means for aquatic ecosystem protection, including advanced identification programs under Section 230.80 of EPA's Clean Water Act Section 404 (b)1 Guidelines
develops and implements watershed projects focused on the protection of wetlands
provides training and assistance regarding identification of wetlands, qualities and functions of wetlands, and regulatory programs regarding wetlands to a variety of audiences, including federal, state and local agencies
develops and implements strategies which provide additional research and insight into wetlands values and functions within a landscape
develops and conducts outreach efforts which educate and inform both technical and public audiences on wetlands
reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations on Army Corps of Engineers' proposed navigable permits and projects and Coast Guard navigable permits
reviews and evaluates environmental impacts and advises Corps District Offices on use of sites for disposal of dredge spoil or fill material proposed in Clean Water Act Section 404 permit applications
provides information and assistance to the States concerning the procedures and requirements for the assumption of applicable provisions of the Section 404 program
assists other EPA programs in areas of Wetland Review staff's expertise
manages EPA enforcement relative to the unpermitted discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States
valuates and comments on Section 404 regulations, guidance, proposed legislation, etc.

Related Information

Contact

Want to report a possible violation?

Todd Lutte
Environmental Scientist
Office of Environmental Programs (3EA30)
Environmental Assessment and Innovation Division
US EPA Region 3
1650 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
215-814-2099

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