- United States Code
- TITLE 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
- CHAPTER 26 - WATER POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
- SUBCHAPTER I - RESEARCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Sec. 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.
[Notes]