What is the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and how does it relate to agriculture?

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean Water Act (CWA), is a federal law passed by Congress in 1972 that established a national goal to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the country’s waters. The Act regulates the discharge of pollutants from point sources such as factories and agricultural sources to protect the natural environment and public health. In Texas, the CWA applies to any person who discharges a pollutant to surface waters, defined as any non-groundwater body of water (lakes, rivers, oceans, etc.) In agriculture, the CWA applies to pesticide applicators, farmers, and ranchers who discharge pollutants through activities such as runoff from agricultural lands, application of fertilizers and soil amendments, or raising animals and poultry. The CWA requires that any discharges must meet water quality standards established by the state and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It also requires facility operators to obtain a permit before any pollutants can be discharged into surface waters and limits the amount of pollutants that may be discharged. The Act also requires operators to follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the amount of pollutants that enter surface waters, such as vegetative buffers, use of conservation tillage, and soil stabilization. Overall, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act is important to agriculture in Texas because it protects the natural environment and public health by regulating the amount of pollutants that can be discharged into surface waters. It also helps to ensure that agricultural operations are managed in a sustainable way that reduces water pollution.

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What is the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and how does it relate to agriculture?

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