Redirection of PG&E Water Delivery from Miocene Canal to the West Branch of the Feather River Project
Summary
SCH Number
2019048506
Public Agency
California Water Service
(CWS)
Document Title
Redirection of PG&E Water Delivery from Miocene Canal to the West Branch of the Feather River Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/25/2019
Document Description
In 2017, the County of Butte entered into an Agreement with the Department of Water Resources (SWAPO #17021) to utilize Lake Oroville, a State Water Project facility, to deliver water from Pacific Oas & Electric (PG&E) to the California Water Service Company (CalWater) Oroville District. On November 14,, 2017. the
Butte County Board of Supervisors adopted a Negative Declaration for the project (Resolution No. 17-193). The Negative Declaration and the Agreement specifies that the delivery to Lake Oroville would occur at PG&E's Lime Saddle Powerhouse from the Miocene Canal. The Camp Fire Incident, November 8, 2018, destroyed the Miocene Canal which prevents water from being delivered to the Lime Saddle Powerhouse from the Miocene Canal. The proposed project consists of the Cal Water Oroville District redirecting approximately 3,000 acre-feet of its 33,000 acre-feet contract PG&E water from the Miocene Canal to Lake Oroville, into the Thermalito Power Canal, and to Cal Water's Filtration Plant (Water Treatment Plant WTP).
The redirected contract PO&B water will be moved from the Middle Miocene Canal just below the head dam on the West Branch of the Feather River to Lake Oroville. CalWater Oroville Branch provides water service to approximately 75 percent of the City of Oroville residents and irrigation customers along the Miocene Canal, the water redirect will benefit the residents of Oroville that rely on Cat Water for domestic
water needs.
Contact Information
Name
Paul Gosselin
Agency Name
California Water Service
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Various locations
Counties
Butte
Other Location Info
The project is located along the Miocene Canal approximately 0.6 miles east southeast of the Magalia Reservoir, The Miocene canal is located adjacent to the West Branch of the Feather River
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
S: 15301(b)
Reasons for Exemption
The Camp Fire destroyed the conveyance infrastructure for the delivery of PG&E water to the Lime Saddle Powerhouse. There is a critical need to utilize an alternative to deliver PG&E water, otherwise, the water supply for the majority of the City of Oroville would be jeopardized. The project addresses the immediate crisis utilizing existing existing facilities for use by a utility to provide water to endpoint users.
Note: See NOE for details
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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