Installing a fish screen requires permits. The number and type of permits required depends entirely on the site itself. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Watershed Councils are a great local resource for assistance with permitting. FCA has streamlined permitting available for projects located on private land. FCA staff are also available for permitting assistance on a fee basis.

Permitting Resources

Federal permitting: Projects on federal land or where endangered or anadromous fish are present require permitting or consultation with one or more of the following agencies.

US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)

For projects on federal land or where endangered species are present, consultation with USFW is necessary.

National Office: http://www.fws.gov/
Oregon Office: http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/

USDA Forest Service (USFS)

For projects located on Forest Service land, consultation and compliance with ESA (Endangered Species Act), NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act), and NHPA (National Historic Preservation Act) through SHPO (State Historic Preservation Office).

National Office: http://www.fs.fed.us/
Oregon & Washington (Pacific Northwest – Region 6) Office:http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/
Southern Idaho (Intermountain Region – Region 4) Office:http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/
Norther Idaho (Northern Region – Region 1) Office: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/
Army Corps of Engineers

For projects that involve working in a waterway, an Army Corps of Engineers permit may be required.
Civil works permitting office: http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/RegulatoryProgramandPermits/ObtainaPermit.aspx

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA/NMFS)

For projects involving anadromous fish, consultation with NMFS is generally required.

National Office: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
Northwest Region Office: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – for projects involving hydro power

Projects related to a hydro-power project must have FERC review and approval prior to construction.

National Office: http://www.ferc.gov/

State Permitting: Most states require approval of a screen design through their fish and wildlife division. In some states, there are other regulatory agencies governing water quality that must be consulted with. Note: FCA can assist clients in understanding permitting requirements in any state.

OREGON

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

ODFW has a specific screening and fish passage division that includes engineers and screen fabrication and maintenance shops around the state. ODFW must approve all screen designs prior to construction.

Home page: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/

Oregon Division of State Lands (DSL)

Division of State Lands requires permits for work in Waters of the State. This includes any work in an irrigation canal that can not be isolated from the flow of the river (typically a head-gate will act as a disconnect from the river or stream). If the project is located behind a head-gate, then a permit may not be necessary.

Home page: http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/index.shtml

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

If your project will impact water quality, then DEQ must be consulted. Generally, if your project is isolated from the flow of the river and will not have long-term impacts on water quality (increased temperatures or turbidity) then a DEQ permit will not be required. If a sediment management system is incorporated into the design, then a discharge permit may be required.

Home page: http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ/

WASHINGTON

Washington Department of Natural Resources

Home page: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

Fish passage technical assistance page: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/habitat/planning/screening/

Washington Department of Ecology

Home page: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/

IDAHO

Idaho Department of Lands (IDL)

Home page: http://www.idl.idaho.gov/

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Fish Screen Program: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/fish/?getPage=247