What was the primary goal of the Refuse Act of 1899?

The Refuse Act of 1899 was primarily aimed at prohibiting the discharge of refuse into navigable waters of the United States. This legislation was significant because it sought to protect the integrity of the nation's waterways, which were crucial for commerce, navigation, and public health. By making the act of throwing refuse into these waters illegal, the law highlighted the importance of maintaining clean and navigable waterways free from pollution, which could otherwise hinder transportation and industrial activities as well as pose health risks to the public.

In the context of the other options, while promoting recreational activities, ensuring clean drinking water, and regulating fishing activities are all important environmental and public health concerns, they are not the primary focus of the Refuse Act. The law specifically targets pollution related to refuse and waste, thus emphasizing the protection of navigable waters from degradation rather than directly dealing with recreational use or other specific water quality issues.