South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-101 - Water Quality Certification
Section 61-101.A - GENERAL

1. This regulation establishes procedures and policies for implementing State water quality certification requirements of Section401 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1341.

2. Any applicant for a Federal license or permit to conduct any activity which during construction or operation may result in any discharge to navigable waters is required by Federal law to first obtain a certification from the Department. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Department prior to submitting an application. Federal law provides that no Federal license or permit is to be granted until such certification is obtained. Federal permits or licenses for which certification is required as determined by the Federal agency include but are not necessarily limited to:

3. The Department may issue, deny, or revoke general certifications for categories of activities or for activities specified in Federal nationwide or general dredge and fill permits pursuant to Federal law or regulations. Such general certifications are subject to the same process as individual certifications.

4. Any certification issued by the Department shall specify where appropriate that any such discharge will comply with applicable provisions of Sections301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 of the Federal Clean Water Act. If there is not an applicable effluent limit or standard under such sections,the Department will so certify. The Department shall also certify that there is reasonable assurance that the activity will be conducted in a manner which will not violate applicable water quality standards regulations. No certification will be issued if such assurance is not provided.

5. Any certification issued by the Department shall also set forth any limitations, conditions, or monitoring requirements necessary to assure maintenance of classified or existing water uses and standards and compliance with other requirements of these regulations or other appropriate requirements of State law.

6. The Department is required by Federal law to issue, deny, or waive certification for Federal licenses or permits within one (1) year of acceptance of a completed application unless processing of the application is suspended. If the Federal permitting or licensing agency suspends processing of the application on request by the applicant or the Department or of its own volition, suspension of processing of application for certification will also occur, unless specified otherwise in writing by the Department. Unless otherwise suspended or specified in this regulation, the Department shall issue a proposed decision on all applications within 180 days of acceptance or an application.

7. For Federal permits that require both a water quality certification and a coastal zone consistency certification, the coastal zone consistency certification determination shall be issued as a component of, and concurrently with, the water quality certification, according to the administrative procedures set forth in this regulation, and in accordance with the management policies of the S.C. Coastal Management Program and applicable laws and regulations. In these instances, the water quality certification will serve also as the coastal zone consistency certification.

8. The Department will not issue a separate 401 water quality certification for an activity which requires a direct permit for alteration of the critical area of the coastal zone pursuant to applicable regulations governing issuance of permits for alteration of the critical area of the coastal zone. The Department will process permit applications pursuant to applicable regulations governing issuance of permits for alteration of the critical area of the coastal zone with coordination and input from appropriate staff regarding water quality impacts. The direct permit will serve as the 401 water quality certification for an associated Federal permit.

9. If an activity also requires a permit for construction in State navigable waters pursuant to applicable laws and regulations, the review for the water quality certification will consider issues of that permit and the Department will not issue a separate permit for construction in State navigable waters. The certification will serve as the permit.