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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneka Desalination Buoy Pilot Project - WQC | 1B25178WNME | Mendocino | 39.443611 ° N, 123.823056 ° W | The purpose of the Project is to test the operational efficacy of a wave-powered desalination buoy over a 12-month period of time. This pilot project involves temporarily placing a buoy located offshore of the City of Fort Bragg's wastewater treatment plant in Mill Bay. Temporary impacts to the subtidal environment include 0.046 acres and 3,220 linear feet due to temporary placement of anchors, 3-inch pipeline and associated ballast. No permanent impacts will occur. Project implementation is proposed to begin between January 5 and April 5, 2026. Mitigation for temporary impacts, in addition to removing project materials, the applicant will fund a local kelp restoration project. | January 6, 2026 through January 26, 2026 | Emma Tracy, Emma.Tracy@Waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2834 |
| California Department of Transportation CDOT Highway 101 PM R9.5-10.8 LaFranchi Safety Project (01-0L110) |
1B25166WNME | MENDOCINO | 38.987830°N, 122.992660°W to 38.971247°N, 123.116622°W |
The Project will widen the northbound (NB) and southbound (SB) shoulders to 8-foot-wide, including an alignment change for the left turn/merge-lane at La Franchi Road intersection at PM 9.88. Two soldier pile walls will be constructed in the NB direction temporarily impacting approximately 0.0436-acre of wetland. An estimated 21-oak trees will be removed resulting in approximately 0.1656-acre of permanent riparian impacts. Temporary riparian impacts of approximately 0.0020-acre of will occur for construction access. Onsite restoration includes approximately 0.0436-acre of wetlands and 0.002-acre of riparian area. Riparian vegetation will be planted within 0.88-acre offsite at the Jacobs Parcel within the Willits Bypass area to mitigate for permanent riparian impacts. Installation of eight (8) vegetated biofiltration stips for stormwater treatment is proposed to offset increased impervious surfaces. Construction is estimated to occur over three seasons and approximately 290 working days from May of 2026 to fall of 2028. | December 31, 2025 through January 20, 2026 | Susan Stewart Susan.Stewart@waterboards.ca.gov 707-576-2657 |
