Public Notice: Section 401 Clean Water Act (CWA) Water Quality Certification for Discharges related to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District Regional General Permit 16
Summary
Request for comments on Section 401 Clean Water Act (CWA) Water Quality Certification for discharges related to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District Regional General Permit 16 for aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement activities.
Background
EPA Region 9 is evaluating a water quality certification for discharges associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District Regional General Permit (RGP) 16. The RGP authorizes work or structures within navigable waters of the U.S. and/or the permanent or temporary discharge of fill material into waters of the U.S. for construction and maintenance activities associated with aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement activities. Typical activities authorized under this RGP include, but are not limited to, fish passage and screening improvements; bioengineered bank stabilization; engineering/designing with nature; nature-based solutions; water conservation; aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement of tidal and non-tidal streams, wetlands, and other waters; and removal of pilings, small dams, tide gates, flood gates, and other in-water structures.
As the water quality certifying authority for the Tribes within California and Nevada covered by the RGP that do not have Section 401 Certification Authority as well as Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction in these states, EPA will analyze the discharge from the proposed activities to determine if the activity will comply with sections of the Clean Water Act. Then EPA will decide whether to (1) certify as proposed; (2) certify with conditions; (3) deny or (4) waive certification of the proposed activities.
Location
This RGP covers aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement activities in waters of the United States, subject to the authorities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Program within the Sacramento District boundaries of California, Nevada, and Utah. Certification by Region 9 EPA only includes California and Nevada.
For Further Information Contact
Russell Huddleston, Wetlands and Oceans Section (WTR-2-2), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105; (415) 972-3507; [email protected]
Supplemental Information
- USACE Regional General Permit No. 16 (pdf)
- Water Quality Certifications on Tribal Lands in EPA's Pacific Southwest (Region 9)