California Vernal Pools
a collection of information and resources

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Regulatory Links

Numerous state and federal laws and regulations pertain to impacts to the natural environment and the organisms that inhabit it. Vernal pools are an ecosystem in peril, are considered wetlands, and may contain endangered species. The following are links to environmental protection laws and the agencies responsible for administration of those regulations. 

Regulations Protecting Species

• Federal Endangered Species Act
   
• California Endangered Species Act
   
• California Environmental Quality Act
   
• Native Plant Protection Act  

Regulations Protecting Wetland Habitats

• Clean Water Act -- summary & full code -- 40 CFR Part 230 Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines (Text and PDF by Chapter)
   
• DFG Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreements
   
• California Wetland Conservation Policy (see California Wetlands Information System for additional information)
   
• Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act

Agencies with Jurisdiction

• US Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program -- the Corps has authority to issue permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
   
• US Fish and Wildlife Service -- the USFWS has jurisdiction over the Federal Endangered Species Act (see also the Endangered Species Program)
   
• State Water Resources Control Board -- the SWRCB has authority over Section 401 Certification of the Clean Water Act
   
• California Department of Fish and Game -- The DFG has jurisdiction over state listed endangered species, regional conservation planning, and streambed alteration permits.
   
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see also Wetlands and Vernal Pools)

Other Useful Government Pages

• California Environmental Resources Evaluation System -- CERES
   
• Section 404 of the Clean Water Act: An Overview -- an EPA page
   
• Section 401 Certification and Wetlands: An Overview -- an EPA page

VernalPools.Org - dedicated to saving California's vernal pool landscapes