Lake and Streambed Alteration Program

Overview

Fish and Game Code section 1602 requires any person, state or local governmental agency, or public utility to notify CDFW prior to beginning any activity that may do one or more of the following:

• Divert or obstruct the natural flow of any river, stream, or lake;
• Change the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream, or lake;
• Use material from any river, stream, or lake; or
• Deposit or dispose of material into any river, stream, or lake.

Please note that "any river, stream, or lake" includes those that are dry for periods of time as well as those that flow year round. If you are not certain a particular activity requires notification, CDFW recommends you notify.

CDFW requires a Lake or Streambed Alteration (LSA) Agreement when a project activity may substantially adversely affect fish and wildlife resources.

Notify Online

Online notification through the Environmental Permit Information Management System (EPIMS) is currently available for the following:

• Standard Agreement (Cannabis and non-Cannabis)
  • Notifications for Standard Agreements must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
• General Agreement for Cannabis Cultivation
  • Notifications requesting a General Agreement for Activities Related to Cannabis Cultivation must use the online submittal process.
• Self-Certification for Cannabis Cultivation
  • If you believe your Cannabis Cultivation project will not substantially modify any river, stream, or lake, you must complete the online self-certification.
• Notification for Emergency Work
  • Notifications for emergency work pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1610 must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
• Gravel, Sand, or Rock Extraction Agreement
  • Notifications requesting a Gravel, Sand, or Rock Agreement (non-Cannabis) must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
• Routine Maintenance Agreement (Cannabis and non-Cannabis)
  • Notifications requesting a Routine Maintenance Agreement must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
• Master Agreement
  • Notifications for Master Agreements must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
• Timber Harvesting Agreement
  • Notifications requesting Timber Harvest Agreement must use the EPIMS Permitting Portal.

Visit the EPIMS page for more information on submitting a notification through the EPIMS Permitting Portal or if you need to contact our EPIMS Help Desk.

Please Note - Only Permits submitted through EPIMS may request Amendments or Extension through Permitting Portal. Any paper Agreements may request Amendments or Extension through EPIMS Document Repository.

Notify by PDF

EPIMS Document Repositories allow submission of the following paper forms (i.e., PDF) when complete:

• Amendment and extension requests for pre-EPIMS LSA agreements
  • Request to Amend an LSA Agreement (PDF)
  • Request to Extend an LSA Agreement (PDF)
• California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) applications
• Amendment and extension requests for ITPs
• CESA Consistency Determination (CD) requests
• Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act (HREA) documents
• Statutory Exemption for Restoration Projects (SERP) Concurrence requests

Applicants may also include supplemental documents (i.e., plans, diagrams, maps, photos, studies) and a copy of their Online License Sales and Services receipt if paid online.

Document Repositories available in EPIMS when submitting paper forms:

• Document Repository - LSA Amendments and Extensions and CESA ITPs
• Document Repository - HREA, CESA CDs, SERP and WJTCA ITPs

Send the appropriate fee(s) to the CDFW Regional Office that serves the county where the project is located.

Fees

CDFW is not required to determine whether an LSA notification is complete or otherwise begin processing the notification until the correct CDFW regional office has received the notification and correct notification fee.

• 2025 LSA Fee Schedule (PDF)
• 2025 LSA Fee Regulatory Text (PDF)

Pay by Credit Card

• Online License Sales and Services

Pay by Check/Money Order

• Please complete the Check or Money Order form (PDF), and mail the form along with the payment to your Regional office a couple of days before you submit your notification for a timely submission of both.

NOTE: If paying the LSA fee online, the credit card transaction will include a 5% handling fee that is not refundable.

Cannabis

Cannabis cultivators applying for an Annual License from the Department of Cannabis Control must have an LSA Agreement or written verification that one is not needed.

• Learn about CDFW's Cannabis Program
• Cannabis Cultivation Permitting

Contact

For project and site-specific LSA questions, contact the CDFW Region where the project is located.

For general LSA questions, email the LSA Program Headquarters.