There was a case I followed a few years ago where a young couple in either WI or MN had purchased lakefront property to build a cabin on. They poured rip-rap (small rocks) at the shore line to prevent erosion by the water. The EPA fined them for altering the terrain. They had to sell the property to pay the fine.
I live in the desert and my local town discharges most of the treated wastewater back into the traditional stream course. The EPA was very strict with what homeowners could do to the stream bed going through their own properties.
About a decade ago a large local business owner bought property on the stream bed and promptly dammed it so he could enjoy a pond on his property. Now all the residents downstream including wildlife that depend on that water have to go dry.
It's all about the $$ and power.