Anyone proposing to conduct activities that result in physical disturbances to wetlands or streams may need a Water Quality Certification (WQC) to ensure Kentucky Water Quality Standards will not be violated. This site contains information about obtaining a WQC and other program requirements.

About Section 401

• Who we are
• What we do
• Relevant legal information
• Environmental Protection Agency fact sheet

Applying for Certification

• Combined Application for Permit to Construct Across or Along a Stream and/or Water Quality Certification MS Word Format, PDF Format
• Instructions for completing an application MS Word Format, PDF Format

General Permits

• About General Permits
• Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits  
• Certification of 2007 Nationwide Permits  
• Louisville District Regional Permit #32, Commercial Sand and Gravel Dredging on the Ohio River
• Revised General Certification for Regional Permit #32

Effective Feb. 1, 2007, as per the Secretary's Order, the Department for Natural Resources will be reviewing applications for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification (401 WQC) associated with activities related to surface coal mining operations. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, surface coal mining operations, improvements to local roads for the purposes of hauling coal, restoration of abandoned mine lands, and off-site stream or wetland restoration activities intended solely to off-set impacts resulting from surface coal mine activities. Please see the Department for Natural Resources Web site for further information on this new process. Any such applications for 401 WQC received by the Division of Water after Feb. 1, 2007, shall be immediately forwarded to the Division of Mine Permits.

Working in Streams

• Suggested Riparian Vegetation MS Word Format, PDF Format  
  
• Guidelines for Gravel Excavation for Consumptive Use MS Word Format, PDF Format  
  
• Guidelines for the Removal of Stream Flow Obstructions  MS Word Format, PDF Format
  
• Kentucky's Special Use Waters
  
• For the Eastern Kentucky Stream Assessment Protocol, go to the USACE Louisville District Web page, then select "Mitigation" and "Eastern Kentucky Stream Assessment Protocol."
• Draft Stream Relocation/Mitigation Guidelines

Working in Wetlands

• Kentucky Division of Water Mitigation Requirements

Other WQC Section Pages

Other Contacts

This page contains links and information about government and consulting contacts that may be of interest to applicants for 401 Water Quality Certifications.
 
Contact Us

This page contains a listing of Water Quality Certification Section staff members.
 
General Information

Projects which involve the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States, including wetlands, are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Clean Water Act Section 404 and require Section 401 certification.  Examples of activities which may require a Section 404 permit include road crossings, culverts, bank stabilization and utility line crossings.

Public notices issued by the Kentucky Division of Water.