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Lake and Streambed Alteration Program

Emergency Actions for Streams and Rivers

Advance notification is not required for emergency work in streams, lakes, and rivers when carried out pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1610. Typical emergency projects are immediate actions taken during or immediately after an emergency for the in-kind repair of a structure or facility, or to remove debris from a water course. Examples of emergency work that can take place without notifying CDFW in advance include immediate work necessary to protect life or property; emergency repairs to public facilities necessary to maintain service; and emergency projects to maintain, repair, or restore existing highways. 

Additionally, on September 21, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide State of Emergency in advance of a likely historic El Niño event developing for the winter of 2026-2027. Among other things, this proclamation directs state departments including CDFW to identify and invoke existing emergency authorities.  Fish and Game Code section 1610 continues to be the appropriate tool for emergency work in streams and rivers necessary to prepare for the upcoming El Niño event predicted for 2026-2027. The proclamation, SOE 9-21-26, can be found at the website Governor of California. 

When entities pursue emergency work pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1610 they must notify CDFW (using our EPIMS Permitting Portal) within 14 days of beginning the emergency work. There is no fee for emergency notifications under Fish and Game Code section 1610. 

Regardless of whether you have a Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement or are in the process of obtaining one, advance notification is not required for emergency work. However, if it does not delay the implementation of emergency work, pursuing consultation before beginning or during the completion of emergency work can enable CDFW staff to identify ways you may choose to minimize impacts on resources and minimize the need for any remedial actions, while ensuring your emergency needs are met. CDFW is available to answer any questions related to emergency work. A map of the CDFW regional offices, with links to contact information, is available at the CDFW Regions page. 

CDFW appreciates your cooperation in conserving California's fish, wildlife, and plant resources while completing any necessary emergency work. 

Overview

Fish and Game Code section 1602 requires any person, state or local governmental agency, or public utility to notify the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (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.

A Lake and Streambed Alteration (LSA) Agreement is required when a project activity may substantially adversely affect fish and wildlife resources.

Agreement Types

Standard Agreement
General Agreement
Self-Certification
Emergency Work
Gravel, Sand, or Rock Extraction Agreement
Routine Maintenance Agreement
Master Agreement
Timber Harvesting Agreement

Notify

Notify Electronically

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.

When is an LSA Agreement Required?

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.

Notification Review Timeline

CDFW will determine whether the notification is complete within 30 calendar days of receiving it.

The 30-day timeline does not apply to:

  • Self-certification applications
  • 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.

After Notifying

CDFW will determine whether the notification is complete within 30 calendar days of receiving your notification. The 30-day timeline does not apply to notifications requesting 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.

After Notification Complete

  • 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* if it is determined notifcation was not required. 
*Please refer to Section 699.5, subdivision (p) for refunds.

Resources

Extensions and Amendments

If you were issued a paper Agreement that was not proceesed through EPIMS the following forms may still be downloaded, completed, and submitted through the EPIMS Document Repository with the appropriate fee to the CDFW Regional Office that serves the county where the project is located.

If you need an Extension or Amendment and used EPIMS to notify please review Step-by-step instructions for submitting an amendment and/or extension request through EPIMS.

Informational Resources

Technical Resources

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Contact the LSA Program

Habitat Conservation Planning Branch
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
HCPB@wildlife.ca.gov