Environmental Permit Information Management System

The Permitting Portal is currently restricted to LSA notification for General Agreements for Cannabis Cultivation, Standard Agreements, and Self-Certification (Cannabis Cultivation only). Other Agreement types must continue to notify by paper or upload completed application (i.e., PDF) through the Document Repository.

LSA notification currently available in EPIMS through the Permitting Portal:

• Self-Certification – If you believe your cannabis cultivation project will not substantially modify any river, stream, or lake, you may complete the online self-certification. CDFW will review the information you submit and determine whether you need to submit a notification.
• General Agreement – Notifications requesting a General Agreement for Activities Related to Cannabis Cultivation must use EPIMS.
• Standard Agreement – Notifications requesting a Standard Agreement (Cannabis and non-Cannabis) must use the Permitting Portal.
• Notification for Emergency Work – Notification for emergency work pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1610.

Important! EPIMS Permitting Portal Instructions (PDF)

CDFW encourages applicants to submit all fee payments through Online License Sales and Service.

Have questions about EPIMS or need HELP?

The Document Repository allows electronic submittal by uploading completed (i.e., PDF) LSA notifications, CESA ITP and CD applications, and HREA requests. Notifications for projects requesting a Standard Agreement must use the Permitting Portal. 

CDFW accepts electronic signatures on applications, notifications, agreements, permits, authorizations, and other documents. Acceptable forms of electronic signature include:

• Digital signature software that complies with Government Code section 16.5. (e.g., DocuSign for any document).
• Scanned copies of original wet signature documents of (e.g., PDF format). Original documents must available upon request.

Important! EPIMS Document Repository Instructions (PDF)

CDFW encourages applicants to submit all fee payments through Online License Sales and Service

Have questions about EPIMS or need HELP?

Login Issues

• Even after using the “Username/Password Reset” buttons on the login page, EPIMS is still saying my login information is incorrect. What are some helpful tips?
1. Verify there are no extra spaces at the end of the Username or Password.
2. If no password/username reset email is received check SPAM folder.
3. If still unable to access account, contact the EPIMS Helpline for further help.
• How do I find which email was used for creating my EPIMS account?
Call the EPIMS Helpline to update contact information/recover your current username/password for your account.
• Can a consultant update or add themselves to an applicant’s account to access it?
No. For security reasons, consultants need to have the applicant call or email the EPIMS Helpline to get the email updated or change the contact information. The applicant can also add consultants as a contact person at any time and then log in using the applicant’s credentials to edit the applications.

Status Update

• How do I get an update on the status of an application?
If you know the name of the scientist who has been assigned to your project, call them directly. If the project has not been assigned or the scientist is unknown, call or email the EPIMS Helpline.
• My application was submitted a while ago, and CDFW has not sent any additional information. My application is still editable, and there is no status. What does this mean?
The application was never submitted and is still in Editing mode. To officially submit, make sure all application forms have been filled out and have all been “Marked as Complete.” Once this is done, click the “Submit” button and start the review process. An email from EPIMS will be sent once an application has been officially submitted.

Editing or Finding an Application

• I received an email indicating that my application was determined to be incomplete and I need to provide additional information before it can be reviewed. In EPIMS there is no option to edit any of the information. How can I edit the information?
Follow the directions provided in the EPIMS email on how to edit the incomplete application. There may have been a step missed in making the edits. If no steps were missed and the “Edit” button is still unavailable, verify the correct form has been selected within EPIMS. The “Edit” button should only be visible on the top right-hand corner of the form requiring additional information. If asked to add an attachment of any kind, use the “Add” button on the “Documents and Maps” section of the application instead of an “Edit” button. If the “Edit” or “Add” buttons are still not visible, this might be an internal error; please call or email the EPIMS Helpline with the applicant name, application number, and a brief description of the issue and CDFW will review the application.
• The application form won’t allow me to save, mark as complete, and/or isn’t recognizing the answers in a required box. How can I fix this?
If the form won’t allow basic functions like saving, marking as complete, and/or is giving an error message, verify that you are using a compatible internet browser. EPIMS isn’t fully compatible with Internet Explorer or Safari; switch to either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox or try closing and reopening the current browser.
• Does EPIMS allow for application information to be saved without submitting at the time it is entered or does it have to be completed all at once and submitted or the information will be lost?
Applicants can save their work in an EPIMS application at any time by clicking the ‘Save’ button at the top of the form.However, applicants must complete any required questions that appear before saving
• How do I add a document to my application?
There is a separate form on the application specifically for attaching documents. It can be found under “Documents and Maps.” This is where documents/maps/attachments can be added by using the “Add” button at the top of the page. Only one document can be added at a time, but applicants can add as many as needed. There is no file size limit.
• I need to print my application and/or Final LSA Agreement. Where do I find it?

For projects that have not been finalized you can locate it in the My Permit Applications tab. Once in My Permit Applications select the Project Name you wish to print this will open a black and white version of the application in a popup window. From here, you can right click and select Print (or Ctrl + P). Select “Save as PDF” as the print destination this will generate a PDF file for you which you can save and print.




For projects that have been finalized (and any documents associated with it), locate it in the Permit Tracking tab. Once in Permit Tracking, click “Archived Applications” in the top right-hand corner. This is an archived list of projects that have been given final LSA Agreements and other written verifications (e.g., Notification Not Required or No Agreement Needed letters).

Fees

• Where do I find the Document ID after paying notification fees online?
If the LSA fees have been paid through CDFW’s Online License Sales and Service internet page, an email will be sent with a receipt. This receipt contains the Document ID [D-XXXXXXXXXX-X] on the second page. This number will need to be entered into the “Fee Schedule” form before the form can be marked as complete.
• How do I pay the necessary notification fees online?
On the Fee Schedule form in EPIMS, there is an option to pay by a check/money order or debit/credit card. If paying online with a debit/credit card, go to CDFW’s Online License Sales and Service site. CDFW recommends that registering for an Online License Sales account. Find the section under the Menu that’s titled “2020- Environmental Fees.” In this section, choose the fees that coincide with the listed project(s). Please note fees listed on this website include a service fee. Once the fees have been paid, a receipt will be emailed including a Document ID that is needed in EPIMS to continue.

Misc.

• My application was submitted to the wrong region. Can it be transferred and resubmitted to the correct region?
CDFW cannot transfer applications in EPIMS between regions. Applicants must complete a new application and submit it to the correct region. The first application will still be accessible, to assist in data transfer to a new application.
• I believe my project won’t affect any rivers, streams, or lakes but EPIMS isn’t allowing me to complete a Self-Certification. I get a message saying I'm “ineligible" and must apply for a different opportunity. Why am I not allowed to a Self-Certification application?
If any part of the project is located outside, then it is automatically ineligible for Self-Certification. This Application is meant for cultivation projects that are completely indoors (defined by permanent walls, permanent roof, and impermeable floor) only. Applicants need to fill out either the General Agreement Application or the Standard Agreement Application. If CDFW determines that the project, in fact, does not impact a river, stream, or lake, CDFW will issue a refund.