404 Washes

404 Wash-webabout 404 and wash areas

On July 26, 1997, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identified washes within the Anthem community that are subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Corps of Engineers uses the technical terms "waters of the United States" and "404 washes" to describe all water bodies that are regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Anthem 404 Permit limits the use of certain areas within the community.

These areas are defined as Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) and must be maintained forever in their current natural desert state. Pulte Home Corporation restored portions of the NAOS that were damaged by fire prior Anthem's development, and designated them as "Active Mitigation" areas.

Any unauthorized landscaping or maintenance in the washes is illegal. To determine if removal of vegetation falls within the NAOS policies, contact the ACC Parks and Facilities Maintenance department at 623-879-3035

Dead plants, like saguaros that have fallen, cannot be removed unless the situation poses a health or safety concern to human life or prevents the flow of water.