What is water quality?
Water quality is the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water we drink, use in agriculture and industry, enjoy recreationally, and appreciate as wildlife habitat. It is most frequently used by reference to a set of standards against which compliance can be assessed. The most common standards used to assess water quality relate to drinking water, safety of human contact and for the health of our fragile ecosystems.
Why should water quality matter to you?
According to the EPA, “Section 404 of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands.” The types of activities that this section regulates include filling in waterways for development, creating dams and levees, construction of highways and airports, and converting wetlands into uplands for farming and forestry. The goal of this section is to protect the natural wetland resources of the United States by requiring that development be of minimal impact, or that compensation for impacts is provided for.
In order to obtain a permit for these types of activities, it is necessary for the developer in charge of the project to demonstrate to the Corps of Engineers that they have attempted to avoid all impacts on wetlands, chosen a plan that minimizes the potential impacts on wetlands, and are providing compensation for all unavoidable impacts through mitigation activities. 7Q10 is extremely well versed in all aspects of section 404 and has prepared many reports that led to successful permitting of development projects.