401 Water Quality Certifications for hydropower licenses

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.

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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.

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