Section 404 of the clean water act / Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

The Clean Water Act has the potential to be the expression of the new mood that this nation is demonstrating toward its water resources.Public perception of the importance of clean water and the protection of all the biota that depend on wet habitats has changed dramatically since the original passage of the Clean Water Act. Just as the public no longer considers it appropriate to use our rivers and lakes as dumps,public perception of the importance of wetlands has increased. The wisdom of Congress in the original passage of the Clean Water Act is now bearing fruit as the public expresses its appreciation for the overall improvement of the nation's waters. The work of many conservation organization, Congress, and numerous administrations has elevated the importance the public now places on wetlands. Public policy toward wetlands also has undergone a dramatic modification over the last several years. Major advances have been made with the passage of several historic acts related to w