# 40 CFR § 120.1: Purpose and scope

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-120.1

## Section

- **Citation:** 40 CFR § 120.1
- **Heading:** Purpose and scope
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 40—Protection of Environment > CHAPTER I—ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY > SUBCHAPTER D—WATER PROGRAMS > PART 120—DEFINITION OF WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES

## Text

This part contains the definition of “waters of the United States” for purposes of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. and its implementing regulations. EPA regulations implementing the Clean Water Act use the term “navigable waters,” which is defined at section 502(7) of the Clean Water Act as “the waters of the United States, including the territorial seas,” or the term “waters of the United States.” In light of the statutory definition, the definition in this section establishes the scope of the terms “waters of the United States” and “navigable waters” in EPA's regulations.
[88 FR 3143, Jan. 18, 2023]

## Nearby sections

- [40 CFR § 104.1 § 104.1 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.1.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.4 § 104.4 Statement of basis and purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.4.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.7 § 104.7 Powers of Presiding Officer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.7.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.9 § 104.9 Admission of evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.9.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.13 § 104.13 Interlocutory and post-hearing review of rulings of the Presiding Officer; motions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.13.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.14 § 104.14 Tentative and final decision by the Administrator.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.14.md)
- [40 CFR § 104.16 § 104.16 Filing and time.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-104.16.md)
- [40 CFR § 108.1 § 108.1 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-108.1.md)
- [40 CFR § 108.2 § 108.2 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-108.2.md)
- [40 CFR § 108.5 § 108.5 Procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-108.5.md)
- [40 CFR § 108.6 § 108.6 Recommendations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-108.6.md)
- [40 CFR § 109.2 § 109.2 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-109.2.md)
- [40 CFR § 109.4 § 109.4 Relationship to Federal response actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-109.4.md)
- [40 CFR § 109.6 § 109.6 Coordination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-109.6.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-40-120.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.