401 Water Quality Certifications for hydropower licenses
New 401 Certification
We issued a new Section 401 Water Quality Certification with conditions for Meyers Falls Hydroelectric Project. Hydro Technology Systems’ FERC license must meet Washington State’s water quality standards and other requirements under State law. These conditions are similar to what we require for certifications of non-federal and federal hydroelectric dams across the State to ensure water quality measures are in place to meet standards.
Previously we accepted public online comments on the application and draft 401 Certification for Meyers Falls Hydroelectric Project Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license (No. 2544).
When an applicant requests a license, either to re-license an existing dam or for new construction, we work with the utility to review studies, analyses, and plans.
If we determine that water quality standards are attainable, a 401 Water Quality Certification is issued, with conditions to ensure that the standards will be met. These conditions become part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license.
401 Guidance Manual
The Water Quality Certifications for Existing Hydropower Dams Guidance Manual spells out our expectations of applicants who want us to certify that a hydropower project meets Washington's water quality standards. This manual is useful for utility districts, local governments, tribes, and the public.
Current draft certifications
There are no current draft certifications.
Existing 401 certifications for dams
We have a 401 Water Quality Certification decision for the following projects. If you would like to access a copy of these decisions, please access our list of existing 401 certifications for dams.
- Anderson Creek
- Baker River Hydroelectric Project
- Bear Creek
- Boundary
- Box Canyon
- Burnham Creek
- Calligan Creek
- Cedar Creek Waiver
- Cispus Denial
- Condit Certificate
- Cowlitz Falls 401
- Cowlitz River
- Cushman No. 2 Dam
- Cushman WQC 401
- Elkhorn
- Elwha Dam
- Enloe Dam
- Appendix A: Fish Management Plan
- Appendix B: Water Quality Management Plan
- Appendix C: Construction Sediment Management Plan
- Appendix D: Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
- Appendix E: Erosion and Sediment Control Plan
- Appendix F: Construction QAPP
- Appendix G: Spill Response Plan
- Appendix H: Operation QAPP
- Appendix I: Aquatic Invasive Species
- Appendix J: Revegetation and Wetlands Management Plant
- Hancock Creek
- Jackson, Henry M. Hydroelectric Project Order No. 7918
- Koma Kulshan Project 401 (Sulfur and Rocky)
- Lake Chelan Water Quality Certification No. 637
- Lewis River Hydroelectric Projects:
- McNary Northshore
- Meyers Falls
- Monroe Street
- Morse Creek
- Newhalem Creek Hydroelectric Project
- Nisqually
- Packwood Lake Hydroelectric Project
- Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project
- Rock Island
- Rocky Creek
- Rocky Reach
- Skagit Waiver
- Snoqualmie Falls 401 WQC
- Spokane River 401 Final Certification
- Sullivan Creek
- Tolt, South Fork 401 Cert
- Trinity Hydro 401 Cert
- Twin Falls Hydro License
- Upriver Dam Spokane
- Wells Dam
- White River
- Wynoochee River
- Yelm Centralia Diversion
- Youngs Creek:
Related links
Contact information
Hydropower 401 Certifications
Chad Brown – Water Quality Hydropower Unit Supervisor
(contact for Southwest & Central Region dams)
chad.brown@ecy.wa.gov
360-552-6441
Scott Bohling – Northwest Region
scott.bohling@ecy.wa.gov
425-758-7928
Jordan Bauer – Eastern Region
jordan.bauer@ecy.wa.gov
509-329-3485
Thomas Starkey-Owens – Columbia/Snake Rivers, Federal Dams
thomas.starkey-owens@ecy.wa.gov
564-233-1980