[20170815]IF10598_第115届大会的水质问题：简要概述.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated August 15, 2017Water Quality Issues in the 115th Congress: A Brief OverviewThe Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1972 declared its objective “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nations waters.” Much progress has been made in 45 years toward this objective. Significant water quality problems persist, however, and there is little consensus among stakeholders about what solutions are appropriateincluding whether legislation is required to address remaining problems or whether existing regulatory authorities should be revised. In the 115th Congress, interest in several ongoing issues has continued: defining the scope of waters regulated under the CWA, addressing the nations wastewater infrastructure needs, and determining what (if any) actions should be taken to address controversies over CWA permitting requirements. Legislative and Oversight Issues Defining “Waters of the United States” Under Section 404 of the CWA, landowners or developers must obtain permits to discharge dredged or filled material into “navigable waters,” defined in the act as “waters of the United States, including the territorial seas” (CW