Application Forms & Help Documents IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEW PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO THE REVISED FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION RULE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Section 121.4(a) “At least 30 days prior to submitting a certification request, the project proponent shall request a pre-filing meeting with the certifying agency”. In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Section 121.5(b)(7), and (c)(5) all certification requests shall include documentation that a pre-filing meeting request was submitted to the certifying authority at least 30 days prior to submitting the certification request. Please refer to the Final Rule for more information. The Division has developed an Online Submission Form: Pre-Filing Meeting Request for applicants to submit the required pre-filing meeting request. The form will provide confirmation receipt of submittal to the applicant. Effective Immediately, all 401 applications received without documentation that a pre-filing meeting request was submitted at least 30 days prior will be returned as incomplete. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 In response to COVID-19 guidance, staff have adopted alternate schedules and telework locations. We will continue to accept and process applications, however, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS at this time. It is important to stress the need for applicants to submit accurate and reliable information in order to ensure that requests are processed in the quickest timeframe possible. To further ensure the most expedited response, please limit correspondence to EMAIL as phone access may be limited and DEQ offices are closed to the public. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated during this challenging time. DWR Online Submission Forms From this landing page, you'll be able to access all the DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting electronic submittal forms listed below as well as DWR Non-discharge and NPDES Wastewater and DEMLR Stormwater forms. Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) Form and Help Document Pre-Filing Meeting Request Form (to submit the required pre-filing meeting request)Electronic PCN Form Submittal (for 401 WQC, Isolated Wetlands/Water Permit, Buffer Authorization) Electronic PCN Submittal Help DocumentGeneral Application Form / Supplemental Info Upload (for submittal of Individual Permit applications, modifications, uploading printed/ hard copy PCN submittals, additional information responses, supplemental or other non-PCN related application or project information, re-issuance/renewal requests, and stream/ buffer appeal requests) PCN Form (download/print via USACE website) PCN Form (download/print fillable form v.4- 4/14/21 update) PCN Help Document (.pdf via USACE website)PCN Form Submittal Checklist (Word doc) Please see the 401 & Isolated Wetlands / Waters Program page for additional information regarding certification/ permit fees & procedures. Online Mitigation Project Information Submittal Electronic Mitigation Project Information Upload Form (Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the form) Shoreline Stabilization Form and Help Document Note: Changes to the Clean Water Act became effective 9/11/20 that require applicants to request a pre-filing meeting at least 30 days prior to submitting an application for a written approval for a 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC). Applicants must also provide documentation that this pre-filing meeting request was submitted at least 30 days prior to submitting the WQC application. The online request form (link provided below) allows applicants to submit the required pre-filing meeting request and provides a confirmation receipt of the submittal for the applicant to include with the WQC application to serve as the required documentation. Pre-Filing Meeting Request Form (to submit the required pre-filing meeting request)Electronic Shoreline Stabilization Form Submittal (Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the form.)Application Form for Lake Area Residence Work (i.e.. "Shoreline Stabilization" - download/print fillable form) Shoreline Stabilization Help Document (formerly posted as "A Lake Dweller's Guide to the 401 Water Quality Certification Process") Notification of Work in Trout Watersheds This notification form is required as indicated in the general certifications (GC #4134 and GC #4135) corresponding to Nationwide Permits 13 and 14. Notification of Work in Trout Watershed Form (Word doc) Stream Determinations Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff determine the presence and location of waters of the State, including streams. To schedule a stream determination, please contact one of our Regional Offices. For stream determinations in counties served by the Raleigh Regional Office, please complete and submit a "Stream Origin / Buffer Applicability Determination" form. Click on the appropriate link below to download the form or enter your information electronically. Raleigh Regional Office form (Word doc)Electronic Stream Determination Form Submittal (all Regions- statewide) To schedule an Express stream determination (in the Washington and Wilmington regions only), please click here to find information regarding Express Review and download an Express form. Stream determinations are made using the standardized Methodology for Identification of Intermittent and Perennial Streams and Their Origins developed by the Division. The current version is 4.11 effective September 1, 2010, available through the links below. Training in the stream methodology is required to effectively and accurately apply it. Current course information is available at the Stream ID Courses webpage. For a list of certified individuals click here. North Carolina Stream ID Manual Version 4.11North Carolina Stream ID Form Version 4.11North Carolina Stream ID Manual Version 4.11 Description of UpdatesTrimble Data Dictionary NC DWQ Stream ID Version 4.11 (click and SAVE file) Buffer Authorization & Variance Applications Please use the following for projects seeking approval for activities within protected riparian buffers that do not impact surface waters (streams, wetlands or open waters). For those projects that do have impacts to surface waters (streams, wetlands or open waters), please use the PCN form or submit your information via the Electronic PCN Form. Electronic Buffer Authorization Application FormElectronic Buffer Authorization Application Help Document Buffer Authorization Application Form (Word doc)Buffer Authorization Application Help Document (.pdf) If your project is within the jurisdiction of a local delegated or designated authority, please contact that local authority for minor and major variance procedures. For a list of local designated or delegated authorities, click here. To request a minor variance for projects under DWR jurisdiction, you must submit a complete variance application package to the Central Office (1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617). Minor variances are reviewed and processed by the Division. Click here for staff contacts. To request that your proposed major variance (for projects under DWR jurisdiction) be presented at the next Water Quality Committee (WQC) meeting, you must submit a complete variance application package to the Central Office (1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617) at least 90 days prior to the WQC meeting date. To view the WQC meeting dates, click here. Please note that we cannot guarantee the proposed major variance will be presented at the next WQC meeting. Use the following forms for requesting a variance. Electronic Major/Minor Variance Application Form Electronic Major/Minor Variance Application Help Document Major/Minor Variance Application Form (for all Basins/Watersheds) (Word doc)Major/Minor Variance Help Document (for all Basins/Watersheds) (.pdf) You may choose to schedule a submittal meeting to submit your major variance request via the Standard Review Process directly to DWR's Buffer Coordinator. A submittal meeting also provides you an opportunity to: • Discuss the general scope of your project; • Give a history of your site; • Talk about design considerations; • Present new ideas, designs and technology; • Identify rules and regulations that may create opportunities or lead to constraints; • Ask preliminary questions of the reviewer; • Provide feedback; and • Understand the variance process. Furthermore, a submittal meeting gives you the opportunity to develop a better rapport with DWR staff, thus improving overall communication, which typically results in shorter review times. Please note that acceptance of your variance request at the submittal meeting does not guarantee that you will be granted a variance. If you are interested in scheduling a submittal meeting, please contact Rick Trone, DWR's 401/Buffer Coordinator, at 919-707-3631 or rick.trone@ncdenr.gov at least two weeks prior to your desired submittal date. Additional Forms and Documents Certificate of CompletionSample Deed NotificationSample Agent Authorization Form More Information - Existing ProjectPre-Application Information
Application Forms & Help Documents IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING NEW PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO THE REVISED FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT SECTION 401 CERTIFICATION RULE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Section 121.4(a) “At least 30 days prior to submitting a certification request, the project proponent shall request a pre-filing meeting with the certifying agency”. In accordance with 40 C.F.R. Section 121.5(b)(7), and (c)(5) all certification requests shall include documentation that a pre-filing meeting request was submitted to the certifying authority at least 30 days prior to submitting the certification request. Please refer to the Final Rule for more information. The Division has developed an Online Submission Form: Pre-Filing Meeting Request for applicants to submit the required pre-filing meeting request. The form will provide confirmation receipt of submittal to the applicant. Effective Immediately, all 401 applications received without documentation that a pre-filing meeting request was submitted at least 30 days prior will be returned as incomplete. IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 In response to COVID-19 guidance, staff have adopted alternate schedules and telework locations. We will continue to accept and process applications, however, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS at this time. It is important to stress the need for applicants to submit accurate and reliable information in order to ensure that requests are processed in the quickest timeframe possible. To further ensure the most expedited response, please limit correspondence to EMAIL as phone access may be limited and DEQ offices are closed to the public. Your patience and cooperation are greatly appreciated during this challenging time. DWR Online Submission Forms From this landing page, you'll be able to access all the DWR 401 & Buffer Permitting electronic submittal forms listed below as well as DWR Non-discharge and NPDES Wastewater and DEMLR Stormwater forms. Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) Form and Help Document Pre-Filing Meeting Request Form (to submit the required pre-filing meeting request)Electronic PCN Form Submittal (for 401 WQC, Isolated Wetlands/Water Permit, Buffer Authorization) Electronic PCN Submittal Help DocumentGeneral Application Form / Supplemental Info Upload (for submittal of Individual Permit applications, modifications, uploading printed/ hard copy PCN submittals, additional information responses, supplemental or other non-PCN related application or project information, re-issuance/renewal requests, and stream/ buffer appeal requests) PCN Form (download/print via USACE website) PCN Form (download/print fillable form v.4- 4/14/21 update) PCN Help Document (.pdf via USACE website)PCN Form Submittal Checklist (Word doc) Please see the 401 & Isolated Wetlands / Waters Program page for additional information regarding certification/ permit fees & procedures. Online Mitigation Project Information Submittal Electronic Mitigation Project Information Upload Form (Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the form) Shoreline Stabilization Form and Help Document Note: Changes to the Clean Water Act became effective 9/11/20 that require applicants to request a pre-filing meeting at least 30 days prior to submitting an application for a written approval for a 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC). Applicants must also provide documentation that this pre-filing meeting request was submitted at least 30 days prior to submitting the WQC application. The online request form (link provided below) allows applicants to submit the required pre-filing meeting request and provides a confirmation receipt of the submittal for the applicant to include with the WQC application to serve as the required documentation. Pre-Filing Meeting Request Form (to submit the required pre-filing meeting request)Electronic Shoreline Stabilization Form Submittal (Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the form.)Application Form for Lake Area Residence Work (i.e.. "Shoreline Stabilization" - download/print fillable form) Shoreline Stabilization Help Document (formerly posted as "A Lake Dweller's Guide to the 401 Water Quality Certification Process") Notification of Work in Trout Watersheds This notification form is required as indicated in the general certifications (GC #4134 and GC #4135) corresponding to Nationwide Permits 13 and 14. Notification of Work in Trout Watershed Form (Word doc) Stream Determinations Division of Water Resources (DWR) staff determine the presence and location of waters of the State, including streams. To schedule a stream determination, please contact one of our Regional Offices. For stream determinations in counties served by the Raleigh Regional Office, please complete and submit a "Stream Origin / Buffer Applicability Determination" form. Click on the appropriate link below to download the form or enter your information electronically. Raleigh Regional Office form (Word doc)Electronic Stream Determination Form Submittal (all Regions- statewide) To schedule an Express stream determination (in the Washington and Wilmington regions only), please click here to find information regarding Express Review and download an Express form. Stream determinations are made using the standardized Methodology for Identification of Intermittent and Perennial Streams and Their Origins developed by the Division. The current version is 4.11 effective September 1, 2010, available through the links below. Training in the stream methodology is required to effectively and accurately apply it. Current course information is available at the Stream ID Courses webpage. For a list of certified individuals click here. North Carolina Stream ID Manual Version 4.11North Carolina Stream ID Form Version 4.11North Carolina Stream ID Manual Version 4.11 Description of UpdatesTrimble Data Dictionary NC DWQ Stream ID Version 4.11 (click and SAVE file) Buffer Authorization & Variance Applications Please use the following for projects seeking approval for activities within protected riparian buffers that do not impact surface waters (streams, wetlands or open waters). For those projects that do have impacts to surface waters (streams, wetlands or open waters), please use the PCN form or submit your information via the Electronic PCN Form. Electronic Buffer Authorization Application FormElectronic Buffer Authorization Application Help Document Buffer Authorization Application Form (Word doc)Buffer Authorization Application Help Document (.pdf) If your project is within the jurisdiction of a local delegated or designated authority, please contact that local authority for minor and major variance procedures. For a list of local designated or delegated authorities, click here. To request a minor variance for projects under DWR jurisdiction, you must submit a complete variance application package to the Central Office (1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617). Minor variances are reviewed and processed by the Division. Click here for staff contacts. To request that your proposed major variance (for projects under DWR jurisdiction) be presented at the next Water Quality Committee (WQC) meeting, you must submit a complete variance application package to the Central Office (1617 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617) at least 90 days prior to the WQC meeting date. To view the WQC meeting dates, click here. Please note that we cannot guarantee the proposed major variance will be presented at the next WQC meeting. Use the following forms for requesting a variance. Electronic Major/Minor Variance Application Form Electronic Major/Minor Variance Application Help Document Major/Minor Variance Application Form (for all Basins/Watersheds) (Word doc)Major/Minor Variance Help Document (for all Basins/Watersheds) (.pdf) You may choose to schedule a submittal meeting to submit your major variance request via the Standard Review Process directly to DWR's Buffer Coordinator. A submittal meeting also provides you an opportunity to: • Discuss the general scope of your project; • Give a history of your site; • Talk about design considerations; • Present new ideas, designs and technology; • Identify rules and regulations that may create opportunities or lead to constraints; • Ask preliminary questions of the reviewer; • Provide feedback; and • Understand the variance process. Furthermore, a submittal meeting gives you the opportunity to develop a better rapport with DWR staff, thus improving overall communication, which typically results in shorter review times. Please note that acceptance of your variance request at the submittal meeting does not guarantee that you will be granted a variance. If you are interested in scheduling a submittal meeting, please contact Rick Trone, DWR's 401/Buffer Coordinator, at 919-707-3631 or rick.trone@ncdenr.gov at least two weeks prior to your desired submittal date. Additional Forms and Documents Certificate of CompletionSample Deed NotificationSample Agent Authorization Form More Information - Existing ProjectPre-Application Information
