Florida Contractor Practice Exam

Which entity has jurisdiction over dredging or excavation of navigable waters and wetlands?

1. U.S. Dept. of the Interior

2. Florida Dept. of State

3. Florida Dept. of Transportation

4. U.S Army Corps of Engineers

The correct answer is: U.S Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers holds the authority over dredging or excavation activities in navigable waters and wetlands. This jurisdiction is established under federal laws, primarily the Clean Water Act, which require that any work in these environments undergo scrutiny to ensure that water quality and aquatic habitats are protected. The Corps has the responsibility to issue permits for activities that may impact these critical ecological areas, ensuring that projects comply with environmental regulations. The other entities listed primarily focus on different aspects of state and federal governance. For example, the U.S. Department of the Interior oversees matters related to land management and conservation, not specifically regulating dredging or excavation. Similarly, the Florida Department of State is involved in the preservation of state resources and historical sites rather than waterway regulation, and the Florida Department of Transportation deals mainly with transportation infrastructure, not direct oversight of dredging activities. Therefore, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the appropriate authority in this context.