California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year  2017-18 

REGULATE: WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

MEASUREMENTS  - Data Last Updated on: 

WHAT THE MEASURE IS SHOWING

WHY THIS MEASURE IS IMPORTANT

TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Data Source: CIWQS. Period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 .
• Data Definitions: Measure 1: is the number of WQC Program regulatory measures active during any part of the fiscal year. Measure 2: is the number of applications received during the fiscal year. Both measures 1 & 2 are for all permit types: individual 401, WDR, and general order enrollees.
• References:
  • Information of the Water 401 Water Quality Certification and Wetlands Program
  • Public Reports and Data
  • Clean Water Act, Section 401 Certification
    

Glossary

401 Water Quality Certification and Wetlands Program

The WQC Program protects all waters in its regulatory scope but has special responsibility for wetlands, riparian areas, and headwaters because these waterbodies have high resource value, are vulnerable to filling and are not systematically protected by other programs. We are involved with protection of special-status species and regulation of hydromodification impacts. The Program encourages basin-level analysis and protection because some functions of wetlands, riparian areas, and headwater streams - including pollutant removal, flood water retention, and habitat connectivity - are expressed at the basin or landscape level. Most projects are regulated by the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards). The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) directly regulates multi-regional projects and supports and coordinates the Program statewide.

Application

Those seeking a water quality certification file an application with the appropriate regional board, depending on project location.

CIWQS

The California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS) is a web-based relational database for core regulatory data. Using this system, both staff and the public can access data related to places of environmental interest, permits and other orders, inspections and violations and enforcement activities.

Discharge of Dredge Material

Discharge of Dredged Material means addition of dredged material, material that is excavated or dredged from waters of the state, including redeposit of dredged material other than incidental fallback within, to the waters of state.

Discharge of Fill Material

Discharge of Fill Material means the addition of fill material where the material has the effect of replacing any portion of a water of the state with dry land or changing the bottom elevation of any portion of a water of the state.

Executive Order W-59-93, commonly referred to as California's "no let loss" policy for wetlands.

In accordance with Executive Order W-59-93, the Water Quality Certification Program works to ensure that the Water Board's regulation of dredge and fill activities will be conducted in a manner "to ensure no overall net loss and long-term net gain in the quantity, quality, and performance of wetlands acreage and values." The Water Boards are committed to increasing the quantity, quality, and diversity of wetlands that qualify as waters of the state.

Regulatory Timeclocks

According to state and federal regulation the following regulatory time clocks apply:
30 days-Within 30 days of receipt Water Board staff deem an application complete or incomplete.
60 days-Once an application has been approved, Water Board staff have 60 days to certify the project or ask for a time extension from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
180 days-Water Board staff must certify or deny a project within 180 days after the latest of two events: receipt of a complete application, or 180 days from a lead agency CEQA determination.

Water Quality Certification Program Goals

Goal 1: To provide efficient, reliable and consistent service to the public
Goal 2: To protect the functions and beneficial uses of waters from dredge and fill/excavation activities
Goal 3: To ensure dredge and fill/excavation activities do not cause net loss of wetlands