This page is specifically designed to assist individual homeowners who are seeking a 401 Water Quality Certification to dredge, excavate, construct docks, stabilize shoreline, etc. in non-coastal county inland fresh water lakes (such as High Rock Lake, Lake Tillery, Lake Norman, Lake Wiley, Mountain Island Lake, etc.)

If you have come to this page you are probably seeking to conduct some kind of activity that will impact lake bottom in front of your home. This information only applies to those of you who do not live in the 20 "coastal counties" that are affected by Division of Coastal Management (CAMA) rules. If you have been advised that you require a 401 Water Quality Certification, there are several facts that you should know to help you "get through" the process as quickly as possible. An application for a 401 Certification must be filled out and 7 copies and supporting documentation must be sent to John Dorney in this Office at the address at the bottom of the page. You can download an application and find instructions on how to fill it out from this web site. If you are unable to download this information or application, please call (919) 733-1786 to request an application with instructions. Please remember that the application must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee made out to the NC Division of Water Quality. For your situation, some of the most important supporting information that must be provided is a site map so that someone unfamiliar with your area could locate your project. A copy of a county map or a USGS topographic map indicating the project location will often suffice as long as enough of the map is shown to make the project easy to locate. Also, you should include a site plan showing the location of the shoreline and the impacts. Additionally, you should indicate the location of any vegetated areas that will be impacted. In most cases these drawings do not have to be professionally prepared. However, if you intend to conduct hydraulic dredging, professionally prepared drawings will likely be required for the spoil structures. Also, if you have any questions on how to fill the application please call (919) 733-1786 and you will be connected with available staff to provide guidance.

Please Keep in mind that not all impacts require that you notify this Office as long as all of the conditions of the Certification are followed. This may include the construction of docks or boathouses if there is no dredging or filling involved (other than the pilings). However, there may be buffer rules such as the Neuse or Tar-Pamlico Buffer Rules, for instance, that may require notification to this Office if vegetation is impacted. If you are not sure of your situation, please feel free to call us at (919) 733 1786.

Here are some helpful contacts that you will need:
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER - (919) 733-7342
U.S. Fish and Wildlife North Carolina Offices

Back to the Wetlands Unit Main Page Download the Pre-Construction Notification (PCN) Application form
An Application Fee Must Accopany the Application!!! (Click here to determine the proper fee).
401 Certification Program... The Basics

The Wetlands/401 Water Quality Certification Unit of the Division of Water Quality - North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. For more information please call (919) 733-1786 or write NC DENR/Division of Water Quality, Wetlands Unit, 1650 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1650. For information or comments on this Web Site please email Rick Savage - "rick.savage@ncmail.net"