This feature layer is a component of the EPA Permitting Authority Map application. Please go to https://epa.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a02b86da56ed4f039dd0b9557ea180dc to access the complete web mapping application.

EPA works to ensure compliance with several environmental statutes that are the basis for our nation’s environmental permitting programs. Although EPA directly issues some permits, many jurisdictions – such as states, territories, tribal nations and municipalities – are approved to directly implement federal environmental permit programs on EPA’s behalf. This process can be referred to as delegation, assumption, authorization, approved or primacy, to tribal, state, territory and/or local agencies (entirely or in part), with EPA retaining federal oversight and/or enforcement authority, when necessary.

The EPA Permitting Authority Map assists with identifying which regulatory agency has the authority to review and approve permits corresponding to EPA Permitting Programs and their supporting environmental statutes.

For additional information on EPA Permitting Programs, visit Permitting at EPA.

This feature layer includes permitting authorities for the Clean Water Act:

Clean Water Act (CWA) 33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq. (1972):

CWA-National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits for discharge of pollutants into waters:
•    CWA Section 402/NPDES Permit Program

CWA NPDES Permits types of authority:
•    Qualified state, territorial, or tribal government agencies may apply for the authority to administer the NPDES program, which is comprised of five components:

o    NPDES Base Program for individual municipal and industrial facilities 
o    General Permit Program 
o    Pretreatment Program
o    Federal Facilities Program 
o    Biosolids (Sewage Sludge) Program

•    EPA remains the permitting authority until a state program is authorized by EPA. Unless otherwise indicated on the map, a state listed as authorized for the NPDES program is also authorized for the Pretreatment and Federal Facilities Programs.