401 Water Quality Certification

Most projects requiring 401 Certification fall into two categories:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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 $944 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

• Marchant Drainage Culvert Replacement Project, May 16, 2012 – June 6, 2012
• Briarwood Vineyards Drainage Improvement Projects, May 8, 2012 – May 29, 2012
• Hubbard Gulch Erosion Control Project, May 8, 2012 – May 29, 2012
• Avocado Orchard Erosion Control Project, May 8, 2012 – May 29, 2012
• Santa Cruz Harbor Tsumani-Related Bank Stabilization Work, May 8, 2012 – May 29, 2012
• Wineman Road Culvert Replacement Project, April 16, 2012 – May 4, 2012
• Pajaro River Bench Excavation Project, April 6, 2012 – April 27, 2012
• Bear Gulch Administration Wall Reconstruction, April 6, 2012 – April 27, 2012
• Stream Monitoring for Jalama Creek and its Tributaries, March 19, 2012 - April 9, 2012
• Spreckels Drive at Aptos Creek Sewer Crossing Replacement, March 19, 2012 - April 9, 2012
• Gas Pipeline 44-1088 Maintenance, Span 140, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
• PXP Price Canyon - Ring Road Culvert Repair Project, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
• El Camino Real at Santa Margarita Creek Bridge Scour Project, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
• Motel Inn Sewer Line Temporary Armoring, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
• Calabasas Road Improvements - Bradford Road to Buena Vista Drive, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
• Cloverdale Road/Canyon Road Culvert Replacement Project, March 16, 2012 - April 6, 2012
  

Other Public Notices

Notice of Intent to use FONSI in lieu of Negative Declaration for Santa Barbara Harbor Dredging
Draft Santa Barbara Dredge EA 2010

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