Land Use & Environmental

Wetlands

Water-influenced areas that may be federally protected, limiting dredged or fill discharges under Clean Water Act Section 404.

Wetlands have water conditions that support characteristic soils and vegetation. When federal jurisdiction applies, a discharge of dredged or fill material may require a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit.

The Army Corps issues most Section 404 permits, while EPA develops environmental criteria and exercises oversight. Jurisdiction, the proposed activity, and exemptions are fact-specific.

On the exam

Section 404 plus dredged or fill material is the key exam pairing.

Exam trap

Not every wet area is automatically federally regulated, and zoning approval does not replace a required Section 404 permit.

Tested in

Disclosures & Environmental (8% of the exam)

From definition to recall

See this term inside a real exam question.

Pass Texas gives you Texas-specific practice, diagnostics across the 14 exam areas, Trap Library, Math Coach, offline access, and one $59.99 purchase. No subscription. No copied exam questions.

Try 5 free questions

This definition is Texas real estate exam-prep education, not legal, tax, or professional advice. Verify current rules against the official source before relying on them for a real transaction. Back to the full glossary.