- Goal:
- The EPA CWA Section 401 rule requires that a request for a Section 401 contain a description of any methods and means proposed to monitor the discharge and the equipment or measures planned to treat, control, or manage the discharge to show the application will maintain state water quality standards per Chapter 173-201A WAC.
- Typical Language (Note: farmers have used this for some certification requests, and it has been deemed appropriate in some prior instances, but an alternative plan may be required for any given project).
- The project will comply with all terms and limitations from the programmatic consultation for shellfish farming activities in Washington State inland marine waters between the Seattle District Corps of Engineers and the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including all applicable limits on discharges and survey and/or monitoring requirements. See Programmatic Biological Assessment, Shellfish Activities in Washington State Inland Marine Waters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program, October 2015; Programmatic Biological Opinion, National Marine Fisheries Service, September 2016. Programmatic Biological Opinion for Shellfish Activities in Washington State Marine Waters, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, August 2016. See also attached programmatic consultation verification enclosure. Appropriate soil erosion and sediment controls will be used and maintained in effective operating condition, and permittee will conduct visual monitoring to confirm that project-related discharges do not cause turbidity plumes that extend beyond 150 feet and take corrective action to cure any such exceedances.
- Typical process:
- Submit information within a Section 401 application package (e.g., cover letter)