Which federal agency is responsible for maintaining aids to navigation in the United States?

The Coast Guard is the federal agency tasked with maintaining aids to navigation in the United States. This responsibility includes the management and oversight of buoys, beacons, lights, and other navigational markers that assist mariners in safely navigating waterways. The Coast Guard's role is essential in ensuring safe maritime operations, as these aids are critical for vessels to determine their position, avoid hazards, and navigate efficiently.

The other agencies mentioned operate in different sectors. For instance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration focuses on oceanic and atmospheric research and monitoring but does not manage navigational aids. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also has a role in maintaining navigable waterways but is primarily involved in flood control, infrastructure, and environmental restoration. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees aviation and air traffic, not maritime navigation. Each of these agencies has distinct functions that do not overlap with the Coast Guard's specific mission in maintaining aids to navigation on water.