SERP Questions and Answers

SERP Q&A

Will CDFW’s SERP process expedite a project’s permitting requirements?

When a CEQA lead agency determines that a project is statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to SERP and CDFW issues its SERP concurrence, we generally expect a reduction in overall amount of time needed to complete the CEQA environmental review process for a restoration project.  However, the SERP statute specifies that exempt projects remain subject to all other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and use of the exemption cannot weaken or violate any applicable environmental or public health standards. Environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal, state, or local permits will still apply. (See Pub. Resources Code, § 21080.56, subd. (f).)

How does CDFW provide guidance and templates to assist lead agencies through the SERP process?

CDFW provides project-specific guidance to lead agencies and project proponents during pre-concurrence consultation meetings and throughout the SERP process. CDFW has also developed a voluntary template for lead agency concurrence requests, which is provided following consultation meetings. Lead agencies may directly contact the Cutting the Green Tape team for additional assistance.

Will the public have opportunities to comment on a project that is utilizing the SERP process?

While Public Resources Code section 21080.56 does not include a public comment requirement, CDFW encourages and supports lead agency efforts to meet and confer with interested parties, neighbors, public officials, and California Native American tribes prior to submittal of a SERP concurrence request to CDFW.

Where can I get updates/announcements on State Water Resources Control Board’s General Permit (for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements for Restoration Projects Statewide and the Supporting Program Environmental Impact Report)?

Visit the State Water Resource Control Board's 401 Water Quality Certification and Wetlands Program webpage for announcements. 

Please see the adopted Final Statewide Restoration General Order for more information. 

Also see Sustainable Conservation's Accelerating Restoration webpage for more information on the Order.

How will CDFW implement the SERP process and how long will it take for CDFW to determine a SERP response?

Dedicated Cutting the Green Tape (CGT) CDFW staff will implement the process according to CDFW’s SERP flow-chart (PDF). This includes review by regional CGT staff with oversight by CGT program staff. With certain exceptions, CDFW expects most concurrences will take no longer than 60 days and we hope to reduce this timeline as the process is refined.

My project is not planned to be completed until after January 1, 2025. If I obtain a SERP concurrence now, can I implement the project after the statute’s sunset date without revisiting CEQA?

In general, if CDFW issues a SERP concurrence and a Lead Agency approves a qualifying restoration prior to January 1, 2025, and there are no subsequent changes to the project that affect or otherwise change the Lead Agency’s SERP eligibility determination, project implementation may extend beyond January 1, 2025. However, CEQA compliance for all discretionary SERP-based public agency approvals, including implementation funding, permitting, leases, or other approvals, should also be completed prior to January 1, 2025. If SERP sunsets on January 1, 2025, a Lead Agency may utilize a different CEQA platform for project approvals after that date.

Does a project need to have incidental public benefits in order to be eligible for SERP?

No. Although some qualifying restoration projects may have incidental public benefits, others may not. For example, a qualifying restoration project implemented on private land that is not open to the public might not have any incidental public benefits.

Do the “incidental public benefits” need to be directly related to the fish and wildlife protection/conservation/restoration elements of a project?

Can CDFW rely on the SERP statutory exemption as a CEQA lead agency for qualifying restoration projects?

Public Resources Code section 21080.56 allows all CEQA lead agencies, which would include CDFW when it serves in that capacity, to use the SERP exemption, subject to the concurrence of the CDFW Director. CDFW may utilize the SERP exemption for restoration projects that are SERP-eligible and for which CDFW has a discretionary CEQA action, considered on an individual basis. Contact restorationpermitting@wildlife.ca.gov for more information.

Are restoration projects required as mitigation for another non-restoration project SERP-eligible?

In general, when a public agency approves a project under CEQA subject to required mitigation, CEQA requires the agency in its pre-approval environmental review to address and consider the environmental impacts that may result from the required mitigation as part of the whole of the action. SERP eligibility for restoration required as a condition of approval for a non-restoration CEQA project would be an unusual and unique situation. In any such circumstance, the restoration project would have to meet all the qualifying criteria in Public Resources Code section 21080.56 to be eligible for the SERP exemption.

Is it possible to view previous lead agency SERP determinations and CDFW concurrences?

Yes. See the SERP Example Projects web page to view examples of lead agency determinations for qualifying projects. CDFW Director concurrences are also posted on Cutting the Green Tape's SERP Concurrences web page.