Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (404) provides states the option of assuming administration of the federal dredge and fill permit program in certain waters. By obtaining 404 assumption, Florida will be able to provide a streamlined permitting procedure where an applicant will come to the state to obtain both the Environmental Resource Permitting and 404 authorizations. This will advance the objectives of the federal Clean Water Act and the environmental laws of the State of Florida, while also avoiding duplication and overlap of federal and state requirements, providing greater certainty to the regulated community and other stakeholders, conserving governmental resources, and affording the State of Florida greater stewardship responsibilities over natural resources within Florida while also complying with federal law.