§ 1251. Congressional declaration of goals and policy

§ 1251. Congressional declaration of goals and policy

(a) Restoration and maintenance of chemical, physical and biological integrity of Nation’s waters; national goals for achievement of objective The objective of this chapter is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. In order to achieve this objective it is hereby declared that, consistent with the provisions of this chapter—

(1) it is the national goal that the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters be eliminated by 1985;

(2) it is the national goal that wherever attainable, an interim goal of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water be achieved by July 1, 1983;

(3) it is the national policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited;

(4) it is the national policy that Federal financial assistance be provided to construct publicly owned waste treatment works;

(5) it is the national policy that areawide waste treatment management planning processes be developed and implemented to assure adequate control of sources of pollutants in each State;

(6) it is the national policy that a major research and demonstration effort be made to develop technology necessary to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, and the oceans; and

(7) it is the national policy that programs for the control of nonpoint sources of pollution be developed and implemented in an expeditious manner so as to enable the goals of this chapter to be met through the control of both point and nonpoint sources of pollution.

(b) Congressional recognition, preservation, and protection of primary responsibilities and rights of States It is the policy of the Congress to recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of States to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution, to plan the development and use (including restoration, preservation, and enhancement) of land and water resources, and to consult with the Administrator in the exercise of his authority under this chapter. It is the policy of Congress that the States manage the construction grant program under this chapter and implement the permit programs under sections 1342 and 1344 of this title. It is further the policy of the Congress to support and aid research relating to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution and to provide Federal technical services and financial aid to State and interstate agencies and municipalities in connection with the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution.

(c) Congressional policy toward Presidential activities with foreign countries It is further the policy of Congress that the President, acting through the Secretary of State and such national and international organizations as he determines appropriate, shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that to the fullest extent possible all foreign countries shall take meaningful action for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution in their waters and in international waters and for the achievement of goals regarding the elimination of discharge of pollutants and the improvement of water quality to at least the same extent as the United States does under its laws.

(d) Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency to administer chapter Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter in this chapter called “Administrator”) shall administer this chapter.

(e) Public participation in development, revision, and enforcement of any regulation, etc. Public participation in the development, revision, and enforcement of any regulation, standard, effluent limitation, plan, or program established by the Administrator or any State under this chapter shall be provided for, encouraged, and assisted by the Administrator and the States. The Administrator, in cooperation with the States, shall develop and publish regulations specifying minimum guidelines for public participation in such processes.

(f) Procedures utilized for implementing chapter It is the national policy that to the maximum extent possible the procedures utilized for implementing this chapter shall encourage the drastic minimization of paperwork and interagency decision procedures, and the best use of available manpower and funds, so as to prevent needless duplication and unnecessary delays at all levels of government.

(g) Authority of States over water It is the policy of Congress that the authority of each State to allocate quantities of water within its jurisdiction shall not be superseded, abrogated or otherwise impaired by this chapter. It is the further policy of Congress that nothing in this chapter shall be construed to supersede or abrogate rights to quantities of water which have been established by any State. Federal agencies shall co-operate with State and local agencies to develop comprehensive solutions to prevent, reduce and eliminate pollution in concert with programs for managing water resources.

(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title I, § 101, as added Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816; amended Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 5(a), 26(b), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1567, 1575; Pub. L. 100–4, title III, § 316(b), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 60.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 100–4 added par. (7).

1977—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–217, § 26(b), inserted provisions expressing Congressional policy that the States manage the construction grant program under this chapter and implement the permit program under sections 1342 and 1344 of this title.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–217, § 5(a), added subsec. (g).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title of 2024 Amendment

Pub. L. 118–152, § 1, Dec. 17, 2024, 138 Stat. 1686, provided that: “This Act [amending section 1330 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024’.”

Short Title of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–58, div. E, § 50001, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1135, provided that: “This division [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021’.”

Pub. L. 116–337, § 1, Jan. 13, 2021, 134 Stat. 5120, provided that: “This Act [amending section 1330 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Protect and Restore America’s Estuaries Act’.”

Pub. L. 116–294, § 1, Jan. 5, 2021, 134 Stat. 4899, provided that: “This Act [amending section 1268 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019’ or the ‘GLRI Act of 2019’.”

Short Title of 2019 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–436, § 1, Jan. 14, 2019, 132 Stat. 5558, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 1377a of this title and section 4370j of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, amending sections 1319, 1342, and 1362 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 4370j of Title 42, and renumbering provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Water Infrastructure Improvement Act’.”

Short Title of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–282, title IX, § 901, Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4322, provided that: “This title [enacting sections 4729 and 4730 of Title 16, Conservation, amending sections 1319, 1322, 1365, and 1369 of this title, sections 4712 and 4725 of Title 16, section 42 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 11301 of Title 46, Shipping, repealing section 4711 of Title 16, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1322 of this title and section 4711 of Title 16, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 1342 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018’.”

Short Title of 2017 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–91, div. C, title XXXV, § 3508(a), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1915, provided that: “This section [amending sections 1321, 2701, and 2715 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2017’.”

Short Title of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–365, § 1, Oct. 8, 2008, 122 Stat. 4021, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 1268 and 1271a of this title] may be cited as the ‘Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008’.”

Pub. L. 110–288, § 1, July 29, 2008, 122 Stat. 2650, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 1322, 1342, and 1362 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Clean Boating Act of 2008’.”

Short Title of 2002 Amendment

Pub. L. 107–303, § 1(a), Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2355, provided that: “This Act [enacting section 1271a of this title, amending sections 1254, 1266, 1268, 1270, 1285, 1290, 1324, 1329, 1330, and 1375 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, section 1254 of this title, and section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 50 of Title 20, Education] may be cited as the ‘Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Act of 2002’.”

Pub. L. 107–303, title I, § 101, Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2355, provided that: “This title [enacting section 1271a of this title and amending section 1268 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002’.”

Pub. L. 107–303, title II, § 201, Nov. 27, 2002, 116 Stat. 2358, provided that: “This title [amending section 1270 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake Champlain Basin Program Act of 2002’.”

Short Title of 2000 Amendments

Pub. L. 106–457, title II, § 201, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1967, provided that: “This title [amending section 1267 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1267 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act of 2000’.”

Pub. L. 106–457, title IV, § 401, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1973, provided that: “This title [amending section 1269 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Long Island Sound Restoration Act’.”

Pub. L. 106–457, title V, § 501, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1973, provided that: “This title [enacting section 1273 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Act of 2000’.”

Pub. L. 106–457, title VI, § 601, Nov. 7, 2000, 114 Stat. 1975, provided that: “This title [enacting section 1300 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Alternative Water Sources Act of 2000’.”

Pub. L. 106–284, § 1, Oct. 10, 2000, 114 Stat. 870, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1346 and 1375a of this title and amending sections 1254, 1313, 1314, 1362, and 1377 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000’.”

Short Title of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–431, § 1, Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4396, provided that: “This Act [amending section 1311 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Ocean Pollution Reduction Act’.”

Short Title of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–596, § 1, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3000, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1269 and 1270 of this title, amending sections 1268, 1324, and 1416 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 1270 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990’.”

Pub. L. 101–596, title II, § 201, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3004, provided that: “This part [probably means title, enacting section 1269 of this title and amending section 1416 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Long Island Sound Improvement Act of 1990’.”

Pub. L. 101–596, title III, § 301, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3006, provided that: “This title [enacting section 1270 of this title, amending section 1324 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under section 1270 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Lake Champlain Special Designation Act of 1990’.”

Short Title of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–653, title X, § 1001, Nov. 14, 1988, 102 Stat. 3835, provided that: “This title [amending section 1330 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 1330 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Massachusetts Bay Protection Act of 1988’.”

Short Title of 1987 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–4, § 1(a), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 7, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1254a, 1267, 1268, 1281b, 1329, 1330, 1377, 1381 to 1387, and 1414a of this title, amending this section and sections 1254, 1256, 1262, 1281, 1282 to 1285, 1287, 1288, 1291, 1311 to 1313, 1314, 1317 to 1322, 1324, 1342, 1344, 1345, 1361, 1362, 1365, 1369, 1375, and 1376 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section, sections 1284, 1311, 1317, 1319, 1330, 1342, 1345, 1362, 1375, and 1414a of this title, and section 1962d–20 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare] may be cited as the ‘Water Quality Act of 1987’.”

Short Title of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–117, § 1, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1623, provided that: “This Act [enacting sections 1298, 1299, and 1313a of this title, amending sections 1281 to 1285, 1287, 1291, 1292, 1296, 1311, and 1314 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 1311 and 1375 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Municipal Wastewater Treatment Construction Grant Amendments of 1981’.”

Short Title of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–217, § 1, Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1566, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 1281a, 1294 to 1296, and 1297 of this title, amending this section and sections 1252, 1254 to 1256, 1259, 1262, 1263, 1281, 1282 to 1288, 1291, 1292, 1311, 1314, 1315, 1317 to 1319, 1321 to 1324, 1328, 1341, 1342, 1344, 1345, 1362, 1364, 1375, and 1376 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 1284, 1286, 1314, 1321, 1342, 1344, and 1376 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under this section] may be cited as the ‘Clean Water Act of 1977’.”

Short Title