Before vineyards are developed, a number of local, state, and federal environmental obligations must be met to ensure compliance with environmental laws and standards. PMW proactively engages in these permitting processes by appointing leading scientists and engineers to work collaboratively with regulators.

Following is a brief summary of the various laws, regulations, and policies with which PMW complies. To obtain specific information about the status of any of PMW's permits, please click on the links provided.

Section 404 Individual Permit

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires authorization from the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers, for the discharge of dredged or fill material into all navigable waters and their tributaries, including wetlands. The Section 404 permitting process provides an informative and public forum in which to evaluate, avoid, and/or mitigate any impacts on such waterways.

Timber Harvest Plan and Timber Conversion Plan

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection requires a Timber Harvest Plan and Timber Conversion Plan for any timber harvesting for conversion from timber growths to vineyard operations. The timber harvest plan and the timber conversion plan are designed to comply with the Forest Plan Act (FPA) and the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Rules. The timber harvest plan is submitted for the harvesting of timber whereas the conversion plan is submitted for the conversion of timberland from forest practice stocking requirements to a non-timber growing use, as in this case, to agriculture.

Waste Discharge Requirements and Certification of Water Quality

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires projects authorized under Section 404 of the CWA to meet the state's water quality standards. The Regional Water Quality Control Board reviews the applications and as part of their review and approval of the project will issue waste discharge requirements to minimize potential impacts on water quality.

1603 Stream and Lakebed Alteration Agreements

Administered by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), a notification and environmental analysis are required when any activity may substantially change the bed or bank of any river, stream or lake or associated riparian vegetation. Within the stream and lakebed alteration agreements, special consideration is given to the California endangered species and native indigenous habitat for existing species.

Sonoma County Grading Permit

PMW will coordinate with the Sonoma County Grading Permit Department where appropriate on the Seaview Vineyard project in order to construct new roadways, rehabilitate existing roadways for the maintenance and harvesting of the vineyard, and to construct a pond for irrigation.. In addition, an encroachment permit may be required for access from the county road (Seaview Road) to the vineyard road.

Sonoma County Vineyard Erosion Sediment Control Ordinance

Sonoma County requires an erosion control plan when new vineyards are developed and constructed. These erosion plans are drawn to avoid the possibility of landslides and to protect the watersheds from silt and pollution, protecting both the human environment and the local wildlife.

California Environmental Quality Act

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is regarded as the foundation of environmental law and policy in California. CEQA encourages the protection of all aspects of the environment by requiring state and local agencies to prepare multidisciplinary environmental impact analyses and to make decisions based on those studies' findings regarding the environmental effects of the proposed project.

In PMW's Timber Conversion Plan, an initial study was carried out to address the process and substantive issues in conformity with CEQA.