Act to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for an integrated planning process, to promote green infrastructure, and for other purposes

Subject

Water

Keyword

Integrated management Waterworks Rainwater Waste disposal Local government Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution Water quality standards Pollution control Governance Sewerage Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes Research Subsidy/incentive Institution Education Access-to-information Freshwater resources management Protection of environment Public health Enforcement/compliance

Geographical area

Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic

Abstract

This act amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Among others, the act provides for ‘integrated plan’ which means a plan developed in accordance with the Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the act establishes within the Office of the Administrator an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman, to be headed by a Municipal Ombudsman. The duties of the Municipal Ombudsman shall include the provision of (1) technical assistance to municipalities seeking to comply with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and (2) information to the Administrator to help the Administrator ensure that agency policies are implemented by all offices of the Environmental Protection Agency, including regional offices. In addition, the act now defines ‘green infrastructure’ which means the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or to surface waters. It further provides that the Administrator shall promote the use of green infrastructure in, and coordinate the integration of green infrastructure into, permitting and enforcement under this Act, planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Administrator shall also promote green infrastructure information-sharing, including through an internet website, to share information with, and provide technical assistance to, State, tribal, and local governments, tribal communities, the private sector, and the public, regarding green infrastructure approaches for (1) reducing water pollution; (2) protecting water resources; (3) complying with regulatory requirements; and (4) achieving other environmental, public health, and community goals.

Full text

English

Website

www.congress.gov

References - Legislation

Amends

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act).

Legislation | United States of America | 1972

Keyword: Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution, Marine pollution, Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Institution, Water quality standards, Sewerage, Effluent waste water/discharge, Groundwater, Wetlands, Enforcement/compliance, Environmental planning, Monitoring, Surface water, Basic legislation, Pollution control, Aquaculture

Source: FAO, FAOLEX