Water Quality Certification Program

Announcements

• On September 24, 2020, the State Water Board’s Executive Director issued a NOI and an Initial Study Negative Declaration for the Lake Fordyce Dam Seepage Mitigation Project which is part of the Upper Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2310).
• On September 24, 2020, the State Water Board issued for public review and comment a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Lassen Lodge Hydroelectric Project
• On August 25, 2020, the State Water Board issued a final water quality certification and Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the Pine Creek Mine Hydroelectric Project
• On August 14, 2020, the State Water Board’s Executive Director issued a 401 water quality certification for the Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2266).
• On August 6, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a 401 water quality certification amendment for the Spring Gap-Stanislaus Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2130)
• On July 31, 2020, the State Water Board issued a final water quality certification for the Merced River Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 2179) and the Merced Falls Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 2467)
• On July 17, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a 401 water quality certification for the Yuba River Development Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2246)
• On July 15, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a 401 water quality certification for the Upper North Fork Feather River Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2105)
• On June 17, 2020, the State Water Board issued a draft water quality certification and associated draft water quality certification FAQs for the Merced River Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 2179) and the Merced Falls Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 2467)

Useful Information

• Water Quality Certification Program Overview
• Application Form (under development)
  This document is not yet available. Please use the Water Quality Application Form, or any of the Regional Water Quality Control Board application forms. Transmit the completed form with a cover letter requesting certification from the Division of Water Rights to:
  • Eileen Sobeck, Executive Director
    State Water Resource Control Board
    P.O. Box 2000
    Sacramento, CA 95812-2000
• Memorandum of Understanding - Executed November 19, 2013
  Pre-Application Coordination Activities between State Water Board and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Drought Information
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Letter to California Hydropower Licensees – February 6, 2014
    On February 6, 2014, FERC issued a letter offering assistance to California hydropower licensees during the 2014 drought. Additional information related to the State Water Board's drought activities can be found on the State Water Board's Drought Webpage.
  • State Water Resources Control Board Letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Regarding Drought Assistance for California Hydropower Projects - March 11, 2014
  • Response Letter from FERC regarding 2014 California Drought Issues – March 25, 2014
  • Letter from California Energy Commission to Electricity Generation Owners - March 27, 2014