The correct answer highlights the importance of protecting water quality in federally controlled and state waters. It is illegal to discharge trash, waste, and oil into these waters because such substances can significantly harm aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Trash can choke marine life and cause physical damage to habitats. Waste, which can include various forms of refuse, can introduce harmful pathogens and pollutants to the water, leading to degradation of water quality. Oil is particularly damaging as it can create a film on the water's surface, blocking sunlight and suffocating marine organisms, while also being toxic to fish and other wildlife.
The other choices contain components that are also harmful but may not encompass the broad array of illegal discharges as comprehensively as the correct answer does. For instance, food waste might not always fall under the same stringent regulations depending on specific circumstances, and fuels are typically regulated under more specific laws regarding oil spills.