Water Quality Certification Public Notices
Water Quality Certification Actions - Applicants for federal permits that involve dredge or fill activities in surface waters (including wetlands) are required to obtain certification from the state verifying that the activity will comply with state water quality standards. Most of these federal permits are referred to as 404 permits (in reference to Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act). Applicants for some other types of federal license or permits (ex. FERC licenses) that authorize activities that may result in discharges to waters of the United States are also required to obtain state certification. This state certification is called 401 Certification (in reference to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act). In California, 401 certification actions are the responsibility of the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards. It is the policy of this Regional Board to provide public notice of pending 401 Certification actions in order to gather comments from concerned agencies and the public. The following list contains notification of pending 401 Certification actions.
| Project Name | WDID | County | Location | Description | Comment period | Contact Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lessing Bank stabilization at 21662 Moscow Road, Monte Rio | 1B26067WNSO | Sonoma | 38.46973 °N, 123.01694 °W | The purpose of this Project is to stabilize 178 linear feet of stream bank along the Russian River near Monte Rio. The Project involves rock slope protection (RSP) and bioengineered rock coir lifts above the active waterway. RSP will be interspersed with willow plantings . An excavator will be used to place rocks and the temporary access road and staging areas will be restored to pre-project condition. Silt fencing and fiber rolls will be used during construction as a minimization measure to prevent sediment discharge during construction. The work is proposed to be constructed over 30 days between August 31 and October 15, 2026. The Project will permanently impact 0.41 acres of stream channel and temporarily impact 0.05 acres of riparian area. | August 3, 2026 - August 24, 2026 | Emma Tracy Emma.Tracy@Waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2834 |
| Joe Hufford Sand and Gravel Extraction Project | 1B26077WNHU | Humboldt | 41.29930°, -124.04920° | The project would permit extraction and stockpiling of aggregate from the Hufford Gravel Bar along Redwood Creek. The proposed extraction plan would be determined annually through multiagency consultation, review, and approval. Joseph Hufford Sand and Gravel Company proposes extraction of up to 25,000 cubic yards per year. Aggregate extraction would be performed consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Letter of Permission and the Biological Assessment/Biological Opinion. This includes minimization measures and monitoring. Access to the extraction area would be from permanent or temporary access roads and temporary bridge crossings. Stockpiles would be removed prior to October 15th. | July 22, 2026 to August 12, 2026 | Amanda Piscitelli, amanda.piscitelli@waterboards.ca.gov (707) 445-6126 |
| Mark West Creek & Wetland Restoration Project | 1B26009WNSO | Sonoma | 38.54866 °N, 122.69939 °W | The purpose of the restoration project is to enhance instream salmonid habitat, modify potential barriers to fish passage, reduce erosion, and improve water quality. The project's restoration activities include: creating a wet meadow complex, installing one bioengineered bank stabilization site, placement of one beaver dam analog, removal of one culvert, modification of two small concrete dams, placement of large woody debris, and using process-based restoration techniques within upper watershed channels. Temporary project impacts are approximately 0.39 acres of wetlands and 0.88 acres of stream channel. Permanent project impacts are approximately 0.007 acres of wetlands and 0.048 acres of stream channel. Project implementation is anticipated to be June through October, beginning fall of 2026. | July 21, 2026 -August 10, 2026 | Emma Tracy Emma.Tracy@Waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2834 |
| Rowland Bar Gravel Extraction Operations Project | 1B14053WNME | Mendocino | 39.71255°, -123.34988° | The project would permit extraction of aggregate from the Rowland Gravel Bar along the Middle Fork Eel River. The proposed extraction plan would be determined annually through multiagency consultation, review, and approval. Wylatti Resource Management, Inc. proposes extraction of up to 50,000 cubic yards per year. Aggregate extraction would be performed consistent with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Letter of Permission and the Biological Assessment/Biological Opinion. This includes minimization measures and monitoring. Access to the extraction area(s) would be from a permanent access road and temporary bridge crossing if needed. Stockpiles would be removed prior to October 15th. | July 17, 2026 to August 7, 2026 | Amanda Piscitelli, |
| Scott River Watershed Restoration Program | TBD | Siskiyou | Watershed Center: 41.5295° N, 122.868° W. Specific project locations will be provided during individual project enrollment. | The Scott River Watershed Council is proposing a watershed-wide restoration program to streamline environmental compliance and accelerate aquatic, riparian, wetland, floodplain, and upland watershed restoration actions throughout the Scott River Watershed. Eligible actions may include stream crossing and fish passage improvements; removal of small dams and legacy structures; bioengineered bank stabilization; floodplain, side-channel, off-channel, stream, riparian, wetland, and upslope watershed restoration; water conservation projects; invasive species removal and native revegetation; forest health treatments; adaptive management; and watershed stewardship activities. Individual projects will be enrolled with site-specific descriptions, drawings, maps, construction details, dimensions, access/staging locations, and impact quantities. | July 17 through August 6, 2026 | Jake Shannon Jacob.Shannon@waterboards.ca.gov |
| Smith River Ranch Restoration Project | 1A26036WNDN | Del Norte | 41.93534 °N / -124.19545 °W | The purpose of the Project is to comply with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board North Coast Region Cleanup and Abatement Order (Order No. R1-2021-0023; and as amended R1-2024-0015 – “NCRWQCB CAO”). The Applicant developed the February 2026 Reservation Ranch Restoration Plan (Restoration Plan), which includes required corrective action activities (per the NCRWQCB CAO) and additional voluntary restoration activities. The Restoration Plan includes: (1) the removal of fill from and the restoration of seven creek/slough crossings; (2) the construction of three fish passage structures; (3) the removal of debris/junk piles, tires, and cow carcasses; and (4) a revegetation plan. The total Project size is approximately 113 acres (25,000 linear feet). |
July 15, 2026 through August 4, 2026 | Maggie Teicher Margarete.Teicher@waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2501 |
