Before any decisions can be made regarding the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States, all probable impacts and feasible alternative sites must be considered. This will include evaluation of such factors as the necessity for discharges; sensitivity of the area to environmental impacts, both long and short term; possible alternative sites or a scheduling of operations; and effectiveness of available site-specific Best Management Practices to prevent, or minimize the impacts. Discharges of dredged or fill materials must comply with guidelines prepared by the Administrator of EPA pursuant to Section 404 (b) (1) of Public Law 95-217. This 'Best Management Practices Guidance' document has been prepared to provide State and areawide water quality management agencies, other State and Federal agencies, and the concerned public with information on readily-available processes, procedures, methods, and techniques that can be used to minimize or prevent environmental impacts that could result from the discharge of dredged or fill materials. It has been written in a manner that the reader does not have to be an expert in the discipline to be able to understand what the problems are and some of the solutions that are presently available.

"EPA 440/3-79-028." "September 1979"--Cover. Includes bibliographical references (pages 6-1-6-4).