What is the purpose of the Clean Water Act's Phase II regulations?

The purpose of the Clean Water Act's Phase II regulations is specifically aimed at controlling stormwater runoff from small construction sites and other urban areas. This phase was established to address the impact that stormwater can have on water quality, particularly from non-point sources, which can lead to increased pollution in streams, rivers, and lakes.

These regulations require municipalities and certain construction activities to implement measures that help reduce the amount of contaminated stormwater that is discharged into water bodies. By doing so, the Phase II regulations contribute to the overall goals of protecting water quality and managing the effects of urban development on the environment—key responsibilities under the Clean Water Act.

The other options address different aspects of environmental regulation that are not the primary focus of the Phase II regulations. For instance, regulating clean drinking water supplies pertains to the Safe Drinking Water Act, while waste disposal standards are governed by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Monitoring air pollution relates more to the Clean Air Act, which does not specifically target stormwater runoff. Thus, the emphasis of Phase II is accurately captured by the focus on stormwater runoff primarily from construction and urban areas.