(a) A project proponent may submit a written request to approve a habitat restoration or enhancement project to the director pursuant to this section if the project has not received certification pursuant to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Order for Clean Water Act Section 401 General Water Quality Certification for Small Habitat Restoration Projects, or its current equivalent at the time the project proponent submits the written request. If the project has received certification pursuant to that order, or its current equivalent, the project proponent may submit a request for approval of the project pursuant to Section 1653.

(b) A written request to approve a habitat restoration or enhancement project pursuant to this section shall contain all of the following:

(1) The name, address, title, organization, telephone number, and email address of the natural person or persons who will be the main point of contact for the project proponent.

(2) A full description of the habitat restoration or enhancement project that includes the designs and techniques to be used for the project, restoration or enhancement methods, an estimate of temporary restoration- or enhancement-related disturbance, project schedule, anticipated activities, and how the project is expected to result in a net benefit to any affected habitat and species, consistent with paragraph (4) of subdivision (c).

(3) An assessment of the project area that provides a description of the existing flora and fauna and the potential presence of sensitive species or habitat. The assessment shall include preproject photographs of the project area that include a descriptive title, date taken, the photographic monitoring point, and photographic orientation.

(4) A geographic description of the project site including maps, land ownership information, and other relevant location information.

(5) A description of the environmental protection measures incorporated into the project design, so that no potentially significant adverse effects on the environment, as defined in Section 15382 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, are likely to occur with application of the specified environmental protection measures. Environmental protection measures may include, but are not limited to, appropriate seasonal work limitations, measures to avoid and minimize impacts to water quality and potentially present species protected by state and federal law, and the use of qualified professionals for standard preconstruction surveys where protected species are potentially present.

(6) Substantial evidence to support a conclusion that the project meets the requirements set forth in this section. Substantial evidence shall include references to relevant design criteria and environmental protection measures found in the documents specified in paragraph (4) of subdivision (c).

(7) A certifying statement that the project will comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code), which may include, but not be limited to, the requirements of Section 15333 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, within 60 days after receiving a written request to approve a habitat restoration or enhancement project, the director shall approve a habitat restoration or enhancement project if the director determines that the written request includes all of the required information set forth in subdivision (b), and the project meets all of the following requirements:

(1) The project purpose is voluntary habitat restoration and the project is not required as mitigation.

(2) The project is not part of a regulatory permit for a nonhabitat restoration or enhancement construction activity, a regulatory settlement, a regulatory enforcement action, or a court order.

(3) The project meets the eligibility requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board’s Order for Clean Water Act Section 401 General Water Quality Certification for Small Habitat Restoration Projects, or its current equivalent at the time the project proponent submits the written request, but has not received certification pursuant to that order or its equivalent.

(4) The project is consistent with, or identified in, sources that describe best available restoration and enhancement methodologies, including one or more of the following:

(A) Federal- and state-listed species recovery plans or published protection measures, or previously approved department agreements and permits issued for voluntary habitat restoration or enhancement projects.

(B) Department and National Marine Fisheries Service fish screening criteria or fish passage guidelines.

(C) The department’s California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual.

(D) Guidance documents and practice manuals that describe best available habitat restoration or enhancement methodologies that are utilized or approved by the department.

(5) The project will not result in cumulative adverse environmental impacts that are significant when viewed in connection with the effects of past, current, or probable future projects.

(d) If the director determines that the written request does not contain all of the information required by subdivision (b), or fails to meet the requirements set forth in subdivision (c), or both, the director shall deny the written request and inform the project proponent of the reason or reasons for the denial.

(e) The project proponent shall submit a notice of completion to the department no later than 30 days after the project approved pursuant to this section is completed. The notice of completion shall demonstrate that the project has been carried out in accordance with the project’s description. The notice of completion shall include a map of the project location, including the final boundaries of the restoration area or areas and postproject photographs. Each photograph shall include a descriptive title, date taken, photographic monitoring point, and photographic orientation.

(f) The project proponent shall submit a monitoring report describing whether the restoration project is meeting each of the restoration goals stated in the project application. Each report shall include photographs with a descriptive title, date taken, photographic monitoring point, and photographic orientation. The monitoring reports for Section 401 Water Quality Certification or waste discharge requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board or a regional water quality control board, or for department or federal voluntary habitat restoration programs, including, but not limited to, the Fisheries Restoration Grant Program, may be submitted in lieu of this requirement.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 165. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016. Repealed as of January 1, 2022, pursuant to Section 1657.)