What is the role of the federal government in regulating water?

The federal government plays a key role in regulating water in Virginia. This includes oversight of water quantity and quality, providing funding for watershed protection projects, and 60% of all wetlands protection in the state. The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law that regulates the quality of surface water throughout the United States, including water in Virginia. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing the Clean Water Act in the state. The EPA sets limits on the types and amounts of pollutants that can be released into water in Virginia. It also sets water quality standards to help ensure the safety of drinking water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also an important part of federal water regulation in Virginia. The Corps regulates the dredging and filling of wetlands and navigable waters, including streams and rivers. This helps to ensure that the impacts of hydraulic activities are minimized and the streams and rivers remain healthy habitats for aquatic life. The federal government also plays an important role in protecting streams, rivers, and wetlands in the state through the Watershed Protection Program. This program provides financial and technical assistance to local governments and organizations for projects like floodplain restoration, stream bank stabilization, and creation of buffer strips. Finally, the federal government provides financial assistance to the state for the preservation of wetlands and other water bodies. This funding is used to help protect these habitats and the species that depend on them for survival.

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