The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 is the oldest federal environmental law. The Act makes it a misdemeanor to discharge refuse matter of any kind into the navigable waters of the United States without a permit; this specific provision is known as the Refuse Act. The Rivers and Harbors Act also makes it a misdemeanor to excavate, fill, or alter the course, condition, or capacity of any port, harbor, channel, or other areas within the reach of the Act without a permit. Although many activities covered by the Rivers and Harbors Act are regulated under the Clean Water Act, the 1899 Act retains independent vitality. The Rivers and Harbors Act is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A misdemeanors (or misdemeanour), in many common law legal systems, is a lesser criminal act. ... The United States Refuse Act of 1899 is a long-ignored federal statute. ... A misdemeanors (or misdemeanour), in many common law legal systems, is a lesser criminal act. ... Seaport, a painting by Claude Lorrain, 1638 The Port of Wellington at night. ... A harbor (AmE), harbour (CwE) or haven is a place where ships may shelter from the weather or are stored. ... In physical geography, a channel is the physical confine of a river or slough, consisting of a bed and banks. ... Two ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Permit, named in honor of the permit, a food fish, often called round pompano, found in waters from North Carolina to Brazil. ... The Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.A. § 1251 et seq. ... United States Army Corps of Engineers logo The United States Army Corps of Engineers, or USACE, is made up of some 34,600 civilian and 650 military men and women. ...