[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 22]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR230.24]

[Page 262-263]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 230--SECTION 404(b)(1) GUIDELINES FOR SPECIFICATION OF DISPOSAL SITES 
FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL--Table of Contents
 
Subpart C--Potential Impacts on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of 
                          the Aquatic Ecosystem
 
Sec. 230.24  Normal water fluctuations.

    (a) Normal water fluctuations in a natural aquatic system consist of 
daily, seasonal, and annual tidal and flood fluctuations in water level. 
Biological and physical components of such a system are either attuned 
to or characterized by these periodic water fluctuations.
    (b) Possible loss of environmental characteristics and values: The 
discharge of dredged or fill material can alter the normal water-level 
fluctuation pattern of an area, resulting in prolonged periods of 
inundation, exaggerated extremes of high and low water, or a static, 
nonfluctuating water level. Such water level modifications may change 
salinity patterns, alter erosion or sedimentation rates, aggravate water 
temperature extremes, and upset the nutrient and dissolved

[[Page 263]]

oxygen balance of the aquatic ecosystem. In addition, these 
modifications can alter or destroy communities and populations of 
aquatic animals and vegetation, induce populations of nuisance 
organisms, modify habitat, reduce food supplies, restrict movement of 
aquatic fauna, destroy spawning areas, and change adjacent, upstream, 
and downstream areas.