What laws are in place specifically to protect wetlands?

In the United States, the primary law protecting wetlands is the Clean Water Act (CWA), which regulates the discharge of pollutants into waters and establishes a permit program for activities affecting wetlands. Section 404 of the CWA specifically governs the permitting process for the discharge of dredged or fill material into wetlands. Additionally, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions on wetlands. State laws may also provide additional protections, often complementing federal regulations.