Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

General permits provide a streamlined means for the Division of Water (DOW) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to approve common activities resulting in minimal impacts to surface waters. The USACE has authorized Nationwide Permits (NWPs) for specific activities within surface waters. Each NWP has a corresponding Water Quality Certification determination from the DOW and is either certified as written, certified with conditons, or denied by the DOW. The USACE and DOW renew the NWPs and their corresponding certifications every five years.

Applicants should contact their area U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Office for information regarding NWPs and CWA §404 permitting requirements. A listing of USACE regional offices can be found under Related Agencies.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits

Effective March 15, 2021, sixteen (16) NWPs were reissued by the USACE. DOW issued General Water Quality Certifications for these NWPs December 18, 2020.

Effective February 25, 2022, forty-one (41) NWPs were reissued by the USACE. DOW issued General Water Quality Certifications for these NWPs December 18, 2020.

The 2020 General Water Quality Certifications replace the 2017 General Water Quality Certifications. If a project is authorized by any of the 2021 or 2022 NWPs, the activity must comply with the conditions for the 2020 General Water Quality Certifications.

Summary Chart_2020 WQCs for All 57 Nationwide Permits.pdf

Certification Determinations:

Certified as written: A certification from the Division of Water is not required if the proposed activity is authorized under the NWP issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Certified with conditions: The NWP has a General Water Quality Certification with conditions authorized by the Division of Water. The proposed activity must meet the conditions to qualify for General Certification. The proposed activity will require an Individual Water Quality Certification if the activity does not qualify for General Certification.

Denied: The proposed activity requires an Individual Water Quality Certification. An application must be submitted to the Division of Water. Additional application information can be found on the Applying for Certification page.

Certified General Permits and Letters of Permission:

Final Kentucky Regional Conditions for 2021 NWPs

Letter of Permission for Sand and Gravel Dredging on the Ohio River

Kentucky Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General Permit 401 Certification

Water Quality Certification for RGP 20-02.pdf

Water Quality Certification RGP 20-01.pdf

401WQC Floating Cabins Gen Cert_Final_14June2022.pdf

401WQC Gen Cert_PGP23-10_FInal_19July2023.pdf

Quick Links

Apply for Certification Certification Forms and Guidelines Water Quality Certification for Coal Mining Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Special Use Waters Kentucky Permits and Certifications Related Agencies Water Quality Certification Main Page Contact Us at 401WQC@ky.govor by calling (502) 564-3410

General Water Quality Certifications of Nationwide Permits

2020 General Water Quality Certification of 2021 & 2022 Nationwide Permits

Permit NO.	Permit Title	Status	Conditions/ Documents
01	Aids to Navigation	certified as written
02	Structures in Artificial Canals	certified as written
03	Maintenance	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
04	Fish and Wildlife Harvesting, Enhancement, and Attraction Devices, and Activities	certified as written
05	Scientific Measurement Devices	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
06	Survey Activities	certified as written
07	Outfall Structures and Associated Intake Structures	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59 _2020
08	Oil and Gas Structures on the Outer Continental Shelf	certified as written
09	Structures in Fleeting and Anchorage Areas	certified as written
10	Mooring Bouys	certified as written
11	Temporary Recreational Structures	certified as written
12	Oil or Natural Gas Pipeline Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 12, 57, 58_2020.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Guidelines and Table.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Table.xlsx
13	Bank Stabilization	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 13_2020
14	Linear Transportation Projects	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP14_2020
15	U.S. Coast Guard Approved Bridges	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 15, 18, 19_2020
16	Return Water from Upland Contained Disposal Areas	denied
17	Hydropower Projects	denied
18	Minor Discharges	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 15, 18, 19_2020
19	Minor Dredging	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 15, 18, 19_2020
20	Response Operations for Oil or Hazardous Substances	certified as written
21	Surface Coal Mining Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 21_2020
22	Removal of Vessels	certified as written
23	Approved Categorical Exclusions	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
24	Indian Tribe or State Administered 404 Programs	certified as written
25	Structural Discharges	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
27	Aquatic Habitat Restoration, Establishment, and Enhancement Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 27_2020
28	Modifications to Existing Marinas	certified as written
29	Residential Developments	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 29, 39, 42 and 51_2020.pdf
30	Moist Soil Management for Wildlife	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
31	Maintenance of Existing Flood Control Facilities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
32	Completed Enforcement Actions	denied
33	Temporary Construction, Access and Dewatering	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 33_2020
34	Cranberry Production Activities	certified as written
35	Maintenance Dredging of Existing Basins	certified as written
36	Boat Ramps	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 36_2020
37	Emergency Watershed Protection and Rehabilitation	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 37_2020
38	Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste	denied
39	Commercial and Institutional Developments	certified with conditions	General Certifications Conditions NWP 29, 39, 42 and 51_2020.pdf
40	Agricultural Activities	certified as written
41	Reshaping Existing Drainage Ditches	certified as written
42	Recreational Facilities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 29, 39, 42 and 51_2020.pdf
43	Stormwater Management Facilities	denied
44	Mining Activities	denied
45	Repair of Uplands Damaged by Discrete Events	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
46	Discharges in Ditches	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020
48	Commercial Shellfish Mariculture Activities	certified as written
49	Coal Remining Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 49_2020
50	Underground Coal Mining Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 50_2020.pdf
51	Land-Based Renewable Energy Generation Facilities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 29, 39, 42 and 51_2020.pdf
52	Water-Based Renewable Energy Generation Pilot Projects	denied
53	Removal of Low-Head Dams	denied
54	Living Shorelines	certified as written
55	Seaweed Mariculture Activities	certified as written
56	Finfish Mariculture Activities	certified as written
57	Electrical Utility Line and Telecommunications Activities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 12, 57, 58_2020.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Guidelines and Table.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Table.xlsx
58	Utility Line Activities for Water and Other Substances	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 12, 57, 58_2020.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Guidelines and Table.pdf Utility Line Construction WQC Table.xlsx
59	Water Reclamation and Reuse Facilities	certified with conditions	General Certification Conditions NWP 3, 5, 7, 23, 25, 30, 31, 45, 46, 59_2020.pdf

General Water Quality Certification

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits

Certification Determinations:

Certified General Permits and Letters of Permission:

Quick Links

​​General Water Quality Certifications of Nationwide Permits

2020 General Water Quality Certification of 2021 & 2022 Nationwide Permits​

Related Documents​

General Water Quality Certifications of Nationwide Permits

2020 General Water Quality Certification of 2021 & 2022 Nationwide Permits

Related Documents