The 401 Water Quality Certification Program reviews and evaluates the water quality impacts of projects which require a federal permit or license to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge (including dredge and fill material) in waters of the United States under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Oregon’s removal-fill law protects wetlands and waters by requiring a permit for most projects that add, remove, or move more than 50 cubic yards of material. Some protected areas require permits for activities that add or remove any amount of material.

Use the “ (401) Dredge-Fill Certification Application" submittal template in Your DEQ Online. DEQ will accept the Joint Permit Application or the USACE Pre-Construction Notification form. Complete 401 water quality applications must include: the JPA or PCN form, including local land use approval, and the Request for Certification Form.

Two major regulatory programs protect wetlands and waterways in Oregon: (1) the federal section 404 dredge and fill program, and (2) Oregon’s state removal-fill permit program. Section 404 Under the Clean Water Act, any person seeking to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters must obtain a section 404 permit from the U.S ...

Except as otherwise specifically permitted under ORS 196.600 (Definitions for ORS 196.600 to 196.655) to 196.921 (Applicability), a person may not remove any material from the beds or banks of any waters of this state or fill any waters of this state without a permit issued under authority of the Director of the Department of State Lands, or in ...

Dredge and Fill The department will coordinate with the Corps in the processing of certification applications for activities requiring permits from the Corps pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, as follows:

Dredging, the erection of structures, and the placement of fill, and work incidental thereto, in the tidal, coastal, or navigable waters of the state waterward of the high tide line are regulated by the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL).

The Oregon Removal-Fill Law is a state regulation that operates within the broader framework of Oregon's environmental protection laws. It complements federal regulations such as Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates dredge and fill activities in waters of the United States.

This document addresses how public users apply for and manage 401 Dredge and Fill Certification submittals through Your DEQ Online, an environmental data management system that combines current DEQ processes across air, land and water divisions in one convenient and easily accessible portal.

The Oregon Removal-Fill Permit protects these resources from unregulated dredging, filling, and removal activities that could degrade water quality, harm aquatic habitats, and impact fish and wildlife populations.