protect navigable waters for recreation

verb phrase

1. to take legal or practical action to keep waterways that are deep and wide enough for boats safe and available for leisure activities such as boating, fishing, and swimming

   C1

   protect something for a purpose; transitive verb phrase + object; often used in policy, legal, or environmental contextsformal

   • "The town passed a rule to protect navigable waters for recreation."B1
   • "Local groups work to protect navigable waters for recreation so families can boat and fish safely."B2
   • "Environmental advocates argue that stricter laws are needed to protect navigable waters for recreation from pollution and development."C1