Lake and Streambed Alteration Program

Notify Electronically

Use the Environmental Permit Information Management System (EPIMS) for online submittal of all LSA notifications. EPIMS is a single-user account and password- protected system developed for environmental review and permitting projects. EPIMS allows for a paperless permit process by facilitating uploads of supplemental documentation (i.e., plans, diagrams, maps, photos, studies), calculation of permit fees, electronic signatures, email alerts, and applicant tracking of permit progress.

CDFW accepts electronic signatures on applications, notifications, agreements, permits, authorizations, and other documents. Acceptable forms of electronic signatures 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 be available upon request.

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)(opens in new tab)
• California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Incidental Take Permit (ITP) applications
• Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) ITPs
• 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 you 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.

An LSA Agreement is required when:

• CDFW determines that the activity will substantially alter a river, stream or lake, AND
• That the activity may substantially adversely affect existing fish or wildlife resources.

CDFW will determine whether the notification is complete within 30 calendar days of receiving it, if:

You are requesting an Agreement with a term of five years or less.

The 30-day timeline does not apply to:

• Self-certification applications
• Notifications requesting a long-term Agreement (term greater than five years)
• The General Agreement for Activities Related to Cannabis Cultivation

If CDFW determines that the notification is incomplete:

• You will receive an email.
• CDFW will describe in the email or in an attached letter the information you must provide to make the notification complete.
• CDFW will not process your notification until the required information is received.

CDFW will determine whether the notification is complete within 30 calendar days of receiving your notification when you are requesting an Agreement with a term of five years or less. The 30-day timeline does not apply to notifications requesting a long-term Agreement (term of greater than five years) or to the General Agreement for Activities Related to Cannabis Cultivation (General Agreement). If CDFW determines that the notification is incomplete, CDFW will contact you and specify the information you must provide to make it complete. CDFW will not process your notification until it receives the requested information.

CDFW will determine if the project described in the notification will substantially alter a river, stream, or lake. CDFW requires an LSA Agreement when it determines that the activity, as described in an LSA notification, will substantially alter a river, stream, or lake, and may substantially adversely affect existing fish or wildlife resources. CDFW may contact you to conduct an onsite inspection before drafting a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement. CDFW may suggest ways to modify your project that would eliminate or reduce harmful impacts to fish and wildlife resources. Before issuing an LSA Agreement, CDFW must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). If CDFW does not provide a draft agreement within 60 days from determining the notification is complete, you may proceed with the project as described in the notification without an LSA Agreement (Fish & G. Code, § 1602, subd. (a)(4)(D).). If CDFW determines that the project will not substantially alter a river, stream, or lake, CDFW will provide written verification and refund the notification fee.

• CDFW will assess whether the project will substantially impact a river, stream, or lake and if it may substantially adversely affect fish or wildlife resources.
• If so, an LSA Agreement is required.
• CDFW may contact you to conduct an onsite inspection before or while drafting your Agreement.
• CDFW may suggest project modifications to reduce or eliminate impacts to fish and wildlife.

Note: CDFW must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when issuing an LSA Agreement.

If you do not receive a Draft Agreement within 60 Days

If CDFW does not provide a draft agreement within 60 days from determining the notification is complete, you may proceed with the project as described in the notification without an LSA Agreement (Fish & G. Code, § 1602, subd. (a)(4)(D)).

If CDFW determines there is no substantial impact:

• CDFW will provide a written verification.
• The notification fee will be refunded.

• Common Causes for Delayed Issuance of a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement (PDF)(opens in new tab) Informational handout to assist the public avoid the common reasons why a final LSA Agreement is delayed.
• Wildfire Reduction Tree or Vegetation Removal Flyer (PDF)(opens in new tab) Informational flyer to assist property owners in obtaining the necessary permits to remove trees or vegetation to reduce the risk of wildfire.
• Salvage Logging or Vegetation Management Flyer (PDF)(opens in new tab) Outreach flyer to assist landowners when conducting salvage logging or vegetation management operations in or near a waterbody.

• California Natural Diversity Database A program that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California.
• California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual This manual describes the CDFW approach to restoration of fishery resources and standardizes the descriptive terminology and technical methods.
• BIOS Viewer BIOS is a system designed to enable the management, visualization, and analysis of biogeographic data collected by CDFW and its Partner Organizations.
• Using Google Earth to Map your Property (PDF) Helpful resource and tips to assist in the development of quality PDF maps in Google Earth.