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Water quality certification fee methodology under review; staff will hold fall stakeholder meeting
Summary
Staff said they are analyzing proposed methodology revisions for categories A and E in the water quality certification (401) program, considering routine maintenance project fees, and plan another stakeholder meeting in fall (Oct/Nov) with potential effective date of FY26–27 for any changes.
State Water Resources Control Board staff updated stakeholders that the board is continuing to develop a revised fee methodology for water quality certifications (Section 401), including proposed adjustments to categories A and E and consideration of a routine maintenance project fee. Cassandra White summarized the outreach status, saying staff met with stakeholders on May 7, received feedback, and will continue to work with program staff to refine concepts; staff said any fee changes would take effect in fiscal year 2026–27 and a follow‑up stakeholder meeting is expected in October or November.
Why this matters: the 401 water quality certification program reviews discharge and fill projects for compliance with state water quality standards; methodology changes can alter application fees and how projects are categorized.
What staff said and next steps: - Cassandra White: staff “went over the fee setting process, and talked about the proposed methodology revision for categories a and e. And, we received feedback.” - Staff said they are analyzing whether a routine maintenance project fee is needed and will present refined concepts at a fall stakeholder meeting (estimated Oct/Nov). - David Ciccarelli added that the board would not take any certification‑related fee structure changes to the board until the next September (staff said the formal board item timing), and that no other programmatic fee structure changes are under consideration at this time.
Stakeholders asked staff to schedule an expanded fall meeting to cover broader fee items; staff agreed to consider an additional agenda call or broader fall stakeholder session if stakeholders and timing warrant. Staff encouraged interested parties to subscribe to the fee regulations mailing list to receive meeting notices and handouts.
No formal change to the 401 fee schedule occurred at the stakeholder meeting; staff will return to stakeholders with more complete proposals in the fall and present any recommended language for board consideration in the regular fee‑setting cycle.
