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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-285 by the Soil Survey of Grant County as having high potential for aquifer recharge, as determined by the administrative official (Grant County 2015). These areas have not been mapped within Grant County. Kittitas County does not currently have critical aquifer recharge areas identified within the county. However, aquifer susceptibility ratings have been assigned to areas throughout the county and the ratings include: high susceptibility – structural fill basin aquifer, more extensive alluvial deposits, higher shallow well density; medium susceptibility – few shallow wells, bedrock aquifer, greater than 15 inches per year precipitation; and low susceptibility – low well density, bedrock aquifer, greater than 15 inches per year precipitation (Kittitas County 2015). Lower elevations along the Yakima River associated with the communities of Cle Elum and Ellensburg are identified as aquifers with high susceptibility. Additionally, an area along the Columbia River is identified as high susceptibility (Kittitas County 2013). Yakima County identifies critical aquifer recharge areas as those with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used for potable water or areas where a drinking aquifer is vulnerable to contamination that would affect the potability of water. Yakima County relies on other regulatory agencies (e.g., WDOE) and hasn’t established review processes for potential impacts to these areas (Yakima County 2015). 3.14.3 Current Management Considerations At the federal level, the USACE regulates wetlands and other waters of the U.S. including rivers and streams under the CWA. Some aspects of this authority have been delegated to the state and local governments. Washington State agencies regulate wetlands under the Hydraulic Code, State Water Pollution Control Act, SMA, and the Forest Practices Act. Local governments such as the county or city, regulate wetlands under the Growth Management Act and the SMA. Applicable regulations and regulatory framework are presented below. 3.14.3.1 Federal Jurisdiction Clean Water Act The CWA regulates discharges into waters of the U.S. Several sections of the CWA apply to the Project as described below. Section 401 Section 401 of the CWA requires that states certify compliance of federal permits and licenses with state water quality requirements. A federal permit to conduct an activity that results in discharges into waters of the U.S. is issued only after the affected state certifies that existing water quality standards would not be violated if the permit were issued. The WDOE would review each permit for compliance with state water quality standards. Section 402 Section 402 authorizes stormwater discharges under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The WDOE, Water Quality Program, is delegated by the USEPA as the state water pollution control agency responsible for implementing all federal and state water pollution control laws and regulations. In Washington, the USEPA has a general permit authorizing facilities to discharge stormwater from construction activities disturbing land of one acre or more into waters of the U.S., in accordance with various site conditions. Section 404 Authorization from the USACE under Section 404 is required when there is a discharge of dredge material or fill material into waters of the U.S., including wetlands. A Section 404 permit may be required depending on the final location of the transmission line route. Under Section 404(e) the USACE can issue