Clean Water Act Chronology

 

1899	Rivers and Harbors Act	First federal legislation protecting the nation's waters to promote commerce.
1948	Water Pollution Control Act	The federal government offers state and local governments technical assistance and funds to promote efforts to protect water quality.
1965	Water Quality Act	Charged states with setting water quality standards for interstate navigable waters
1972	The Clean Water Act	In a quantum leap for environmental protection, created federal program designed to achieve the goal of protecting and restoring the physical, chemical and biological integrity of our nation's waters. In addition to strengthening the nation's water quality standards system, this landmark legislation: makes illegal the discharge of pollution without permit; encouraged the use of the best achievable pollution control technology; and provided billions of dollars for construction of sewage treatment plants.
1972	Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act	Prevents unacceptable dumping in oceans.
1977	Clean Water Act Amendments	Strengthened controls on toxic pollutants and allowed states to assume responsibility for federal programs.
1987	Water Quality Act	Established a renewed focus on achieving the Act's water quality goals: Supported new state and local efforts to deal with polluted runoff; created revolving loan funds to provide ongoing support for the construction of treatment plants; catalyzed action to address pollution from urban runoff; and created programs to protect estuaries of national importance.
1990	Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments	Focused efforts on reducing polluted runoff in 29 coastal states.