The Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2023 modifies federal rules governing water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act, which states must issue when they approve major federal permits for projects affecting waterways. The bill streamlines the certification process by establishing a 90-day deadline for states to request additional information from applicants, requiring states to notify the EPA upon receiving certification requests, and limiting certification decisions to specific federal pollution control standards rather than broader water quality requirements. The legislation affects states, interstate agencies, and applicants seeking federal permits for activities that discharge into navigable waters, such as infrastructure and energy projects. The bill was introduced by Senator John Barrasso and co-sponsored by four other Republican senators but does not establish new federal funding or appropriations.
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