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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cluff Bank Stabilization Project | 1B25073WNSO | Sonoma | 38.46925 °N, 123.01440 °W | The purpose of this Project is to stabilize 105 linear feet of stream bank along the Russian River near Monte Rio. The Project involves rock slope protection (RSP) above the active waterway. RSP will be interspersed with willow plantings. An excavator will be used to place rocks and the temporary access road will be restored to pre-project condition. Silt fencing 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 September 1 and October 15, 2025. The Project will permanently impact 0.09 acres of stream channel and temporarily impact 0.02 acres of riparian area. | July 18 - August 8, 2025 | Emma Tracy Emma.Tracy@Waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2834 |
| Annie and Mary Trail Connectivity Project | 1B25019WNHU | Humboldt | Northern endpoint: 40.90717°N -124.05164°W Southern endpoint: 40.87952°N -124.08456°W |
The primary purpose of the Project is to construct approximately 3.5 miles of Class I multi-use trail with highway overpass and trailhead improvements. The Project would provide non-motorized transportation and recreational access from the existing northern terminus of the Humboldt Bay Trail at the Arcata Skate Park/Larson Park to the Valley West neighborhood, the Aldergrove business park, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD) Park 1 along the Mad River. The Project involves (1) construction of a 3.5 mile asphalt trail; (2) construction of four new clear-span bridge crossings; and (3) replacement of one culvert The Project will result in permanent impacts to approximately 0.39 acres of waters of the state, including wetlands and stream channels. The Project will remove up to 1.28 acres of Red alder vegetation within the footprint of riparian areas to construct (e.g., widen) the trail. Project will temporarily impact approximately 0.0004 acres of streambed for culvert replacement. | July 16 - August 5, 2025 | Maggie Teicher Margarete.Teicher@waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2501 |
| California Department of Transportation CDOT Highway 1 PM 19.25 & 21.84 Drainage System Restoration Project (04-1Q340) |
1B25029WNSO | Sonoma | PM 21.85 38.431902°N, 123.108120°W |
The project will remove and replace the existing deteriorated drainage system at SON 1 PM 21.84 and replace the existing concreted rock slope protection (RSP) on the downstream side of the culvert. A temporary creek diversion system will be used to protect water quality during construction. The project will result in temporary impacts to 0.0013 acre of wetland for construction access, 240.6 LF (0.0326 acre) and 0.0152 acre riparian. There will be no permanent impacts or mitigation required. Construction will occur over five months, from June to October 2026. | July 14, 2025 through August 3, 2025 | Susan Stewart Susan.Stewart@waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2657 |
| City of Fortuna - Mill Creek Habitat Connectivity Project | TBD | Humboldt | 40.5712, -124.1308; 40.5712, -124.1308; 40.5702, -124.1228; 40.5712, -124.1308; 40.5691, -124.1213 | This Project will improve the geomorphic function and instream habitat connectivity of Mill Creek, tributary to Strongs Creek and the lower Eel River, by upgrading and replacing five culverted stream crossings that present fish passage barriers. | July 3 through July 23, 2025 | Jake Shannon Jacob.Shannon@waterboards.ca.gov |
