Most projects requiring 401 Certification fall into two categories:

Projects involving discharges of dredged or fill material to waters of the United States including wetlands and other water bodies. Such discharges may result from navigational dredging, flood control channelization, levee construction, channel clearing, fill of wetlands for development, or other activities. These projects involve the removal or placement of soil, sediment, and other materials in or near water bodies and require Corps permits under CWA Section 404. This information sheet concerns this category of activities.

Projects involving construction of hydroelectric dams, power plants, and other facilities requiring Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licenses and projects which must secure a State water rights permit. The State Board reviews these projects for certification. For more information on certification of projects seeking FERC licenses and water rights permits, contact:

Division of Water Rights

State Water Resources Control Board

P.O. Box 2000

Sacramento, CA 95812-2000

(916) 341-5300 (information)

(916) 341-5308 (certification team leader)

Please download Instructions for Filling Out the CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification Application . This will explain how to fill out the 401 application and list additional materials to send in with the application. Most certification application processes are delayed by not having a complete application and necessary information.

401 Application (in PDF)

401 Application (in Word)

For information on Notification requirements and Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits (NWPs) please refer to the CWA Section 401 NWPs

A base fee of $500 is required for all 401 Certification applications. The 401 Fee Calculator describes if additional fees are needed and how they are calculated.

21 Day Public Notices for Pending 401 Certifications

• Earthquake Retrofit of the Nacimiento-Ferguson Bridge 6/27/08 - 7/17/08
• Christopher High School 6/27/08 - 7/17/08
• Tajiguas Landfill Sedimentation Basin Work Plan 6/27/08 - 7/17/08
• Cabrillo Boulevard Bridge Replacement 6/27/08 - 7/17/08
• Bottemless-Arched Culvert Installation at Crossing 6 on Quiota
  Creek 6/27/08 - 7/17/08
• Clubhouse Estates 6/9/08 - 6/30/08
• San Lorenzo River Federal Flood Control and Restoration Routine Maintenance 6/9/08 - 6/30/08
• San Antonio Creek Stream Restoration 6/10/08 - 6/30/08
• Sycamore Creek Bank Stabilization 6/10/08 - 6/30/08
• Line 1010 Correlation Dig and Repair 6/10/08 - 6/30/08
• Check Structures at Barger Canyon Creek 6/10/08 - 6/30/08

Please call the Central Coast Regional Board Control Board at (805) 549-3147 for questions on the 401 Program.

Visit the State Board 401 Water Certification Program for further information