V-22 



Corps of Engineers 



Perhaps the organization that has the greatest direct physical 

 effect on the estuaries is the Corps of Engineers operating under 

 the Department of Defense. 



Through its civil works program it literally maintains and adminis- 

 ters the navigable waters of the United States. Its programs in 

 the estuarine zone include: 



(1) provision of channels, basins and protective 

 works; 



(2) control of dredging, filling, excavation and 

 construction in navigable waters through issuance of 

 permits; 



(3) development of areas for disposal of dredged 

 material during construction and maintenance of 

 navigation projects; and 



(4) issuance of permits regulating the discharge of 

 industrial and other wastes into navigable waters. 



Other important Corps estuarine-related programs include: 



(1) removal of wrecks, aquatic vegetation, debris, drifts, 

 and other obstructions from navigable waters, 



(2) restoration of beaches; 



(3) construction and maintenance of small boat harbors; 



(4) providing fishing sites on piers and breakwaters; 



(5) fish and wildlife conservation; 



