Poe Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2107)

Poe Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2107)

PG&E owns and operates the project, which encompasses approx. 313 acres in the vicinity of the community of Pulga. Project land is owned by various parties including: 157 acres of PG&E owned land; approx. 144 acres of National Forest System land; and approx. 12 acres of privately owned land. The POE Hydroelectric Project primarily consists of Poe Dam, Poe Reservoir, and Poe Powerhouse. North Fork Feather River flows are diverted at Poe Dam into the 19-foot diameter Poe Bypass Tunnel, which is approx. 6.25 miles long. The Poe Bypass Tunnel terminates at an underground steel penstock that is approx. 1,000 feet long and 14-feet in diameter. Water from the penstock discharges into the North Fork Feather River at the Poe Powerhouse. When issuing a certification, the SWRCB must comply with CEQA. The State Water Board is the CEQA lead agency and is required to evaluate PG&E's proposed project and its effects before taking action on PG&E's request for water quality certification. Under the proposed project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) boundary would expand to 340 acres and, in addition to the above referenced facilities, include Big Bend Dam, Big Bend Reservoir, and many existing informal recreational facilities. For purposes of the CEQA analysis, the MND evaluates PG&E's proposed project in accordance with PG&E's application to FERC, conditions proposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service and United States Fish and Wildlife Service pursuant to section 18 of the Federal Power Act, conditions proposed by the US Forest Service pursuant to section 4€ of the Federal Power Act, FERC's Staff Alternative, and water quality certification conditions. The proposed project includes measures for the protection and enhancement of environmental resources, including: increased minimum instream flows in the North Fork Feather River, measure to improve aquatic habitat and protect sensitive species, and measures to maintain and enhance recreational opportunities.

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