EPA WETLANDS DIVISION 



OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS, AND WATERSHEDS 



HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C. 



EPA implements legislation, largely regulatory, directed to 

 protecting human health and the environment. EPA program address a 

 number of environmental concerns including air quality, hazardous 

 waste, and water quality. Under the Clean Water Act the U.S. 

 Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to implement a 

 variety of programs to "restore and maintain the chemical, physical, 

 and biological integrity of the Nation's waters." 



EPA implements a variety of programs to protect water quality by 

 working with states, industry and a broad variety of interest groups 

 to regulate and reduce the impacts of ocean dumping, end of pipe 

 discharges from industry and sewage treatment plants, over land 

 discharges such as nonpoint sources and stormwater, and dredge and 

 fill activities. Such activities have a profound impact on the 

 Nation's waters and their adjoining floodplains. 



EPA has adopted, the goal of no net loss of wetlands and is 

 committed to protecting, enhancing, and restoring the Nation's 

 wetlands. The Wetlands Division in the Office of Wetlands, Oceans, 

 and Watershed protects wetlands through both traditional regulatory 

 programs and its newer non-regulatory initiatives. 



Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of 

 dredge and fill materials into Waters of the U.S. These include 

 rivers, streams and harbors as well as special aquatic sites such as 

 wetlands. The program is carried out jointly by EPA and the Army 

 Corps of Engineers. 



EPA's nonregulatory activities focus on advancing the President's 

 no net loss goal, by encouraging planning for protection and 

 management of wetlands, promoting private stewardship, providing 

 better information, encouraging wetlands restoration and creation, and 

 financing wetlands protection through activities such as a newly 

 established state wetlands grant program. 



The organization/functions of the Wetlands Division within the Office 

 of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds is as follows: 



Division Director - Responsible for general program management 

 and administrative support. 



Contact: John Meagher, Director COMM: FTS (202) 475-7791 



FAX: (202) 475-8000 



Suzanne Schwartz, Deputy Director COMM: FTS (202) 475-7799 



FAX: (202) 475-6146 



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