Effective September 1, 2020, all notifications for Standard Agreements must be submitted through the EPIMS Permitting Portal.
A Standard Agreement applies to any project that does not qualify for other Agreement types (i.e., gravel, rock, or sand extraction, timber harvesting, general agreement, or routine maintenance). Standard Agreement includes activities associated with Cannabis cultivation and water diversions.
Standard Agreements may be regular term (5 years or less) or long term (longer than 5 years).
The General Agreement for Cannabis Cultivation applies only to the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or repair of stream crossings (a bridge, culvert, or rock ford) and water diversions on non-finfish rivers, streams, and lakes for the purpose of cannabis cultivation.
The General Agreement for Cannabis Cultivation is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Upon receipt of the notification, certifications, and applicable fee(s), CDFW shall authorize the Covered Activity or Activities described in the Notification.
The General Agreement expires 5 years after the effective date.
Before you apply, CDFW recommends you:
Learn more about the General Agreement.
A Gravel, Sand, or Rock Extraction Agreement applies to commercial or non-commercial mining or extraction of gravel, sand, rock, or other aggregate material.
Gravel, Sand, or Rock Extraction Agreements may be regular term (5 years or less) or long term (longer than 5 years).
A Routine Maintenance Agreement covers only multiple routine maintenance projects that the entity will complete at different time periods during the term of the Agreement. The Agreement describes a procedure the entity shall follow to complete any maintenance projects the Agreement covers.
Routine Maintenance Agreements may be regular term (5 years or less) or long term (longer than 5 years).
A Timber Harvesting Agreement covers one or more projects that are included in a timber harvesting plan approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Timber Harvesting Agreements are valid for 5 years.
A Master Agreement covers multiple projects where specific detailed plans have not been prepared at the time of the original notification. The agreement describes a procedure the entity must follow for construction, maintenance, or other covered projects.
Master Agreements may only be long term (longer than 5 years).
Master Agreements cover projects that are not exclusively:
- projects to extract gravel, sand, or rock
- projects that are included in a timber harvesting plan approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
- routine maintenance projects
An example of a project that would qualify for a Master Agreement is a large-scale development proposal comprised of multiple projects (for example, multiple residences, golf courses, and associated infrastructure) for which detailed design plans have not been prepared at the time the entity notifies CDFW. The Master Agreement will specify a process CDFW and the entity will follow before each project begins and may identify measures the entity will be required to incorporate as part of each project to protect fish and wildlife resources. The process specified in the Master Agreement may require the entity to notify CDFW before beginning any project the Master Agreement covers and to submit the applicable fee. After CDFW receives each notification, it will confirm that the Master Agreement covers the project and propose measures to protect fish and wildlife resources in addition to any included in the master agreement, if necessary.
By contrast, if a large-scale development proposal comprised of multiple projects has prepared specific, detailed design plans by the time the entity notifies CDFW, and the entity is ready to begin those projects, the entity may obtain a Standard Agreement only.
A Master Agreement for Timber Operations covers timber operations on timberland that are not exclusively:
- projects to extract gravel, sand, or rock
- projects that are included in a timber harvesting plan approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
- routine maintenance projects
A Master Agreement for Timber Operations describes a procedure the entity shall follow for projects the Agreement covers.
Master Agreements for Timber Operations may only be long term (longer than 5 years).
Fish and Game Code section 1610 exempts certain types of emergency work from the notification requirements in section 1602. Although notification is not required before beginning the emergency work, CDFW must be notified in writing within 14 days after the work begins.
This requirement is met by completing the Notify for Emergency Work opportunity in the EPIMS Permitting Portal.