401 Water Quality Certification Program

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act provides that no Federal permit, including 404 permits, will be issued unless a 401 Water Quality Certification has been issued or waived. 

Section 401 provides states and tribes with the authority to ensure that federal agencies will not issue permits or licenses that violate the water quality standards, or other applicable authorities, of a state or tribe through a process known as water quality certification.  For detailed information about 401 certification see “Clean  Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification: A Water Quality Protection Tool for States and Tribes” and visit the Association of State Wetland Managers 401 Certification Capacity Building Project.