The Navy’s responsibilities pursuant to the Sikes Act, Clean Water Act (CWA) and EO 11990- Protection of Wetlands, requires Federal agencies to avoid undertaking or providing assistance for new construction located in wetlands unless there is no practicable alternative, and all practicable measures
to minimize harm to wetlands have been implemented.
The Navy is required to comply with the national goal of no net loss of wetlands, and to avoid loss of size, function, and value of said wetlands.
In some instances, wetland disturbance is only allowed if losses are compensated through mitigation.
Compensatory mitigation involves actions taken to offset unavoidable adverse impacts to wetlands authorized by CWA §401/404 permits.