Amended section 402 created a permit system, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), under which discharge permits could be granted by EPA or by states with EPA approved programs.

• 修正后的第402条规定了一个许可制度，叫做《全国污染物排放消除体制》，根据这个法案，排污许可须经环境保护局批准，或经环境保护局批准项目的所在州批准。