Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2687 Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Condition 13 - Request for Temporary
Summary
SCH Number
2019070506
Public Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2687 Section 401 Water Quality Certification, Condition 13 - Request for Temporary
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/28/2019
Document Description
PG&E owns and operates the Pit 1 Hydroelectric
Project (Hydroelectric Project) as a peaking operation that generates 65.5 megawatts of energy from the Pit 1 Powerhouse on the Pit River. On March 19, 2003, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a renewed operating license for the Hydroelectric Project. The FERC license incorporates the water quality certification (certification), issued by the State Water Resources Control Board on December 4, 2001, as part of the terms and conditions of the new FERG license. Per Condition 13 of the certification, PG&E is required to release summer flushing flows from the Pit 1 Forebay Dam to control nuisance aquatic vegetation and mosquito production in Fall River Pond. In this instance, the "Project" constitutes the temporary suspension of summer flushing flows required per Condition 13 of the Hydroelectric Project certification. The temporary suspension of summer flushing flows requested by PG&E and supported by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, is needed to protect the Shasta crayfish, which is listed as endangered under both the California and Federal Endangered Species Acts.
Contact Information
Name
Philip Choy
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board Division of Water Rights
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Agency Name
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Location
Cities
Fall River Mills
Counties
Shasta
Other Information
The Pit 1 Hydroelectric Project is located on the Pit and Fall Rivers near the
communities of Fall River Mills and McArthur in the northeastern portion of Shasta County, California. Summer flushing flows are released from the Pit 1 Forebay Dam located on the Pit River immediately upstream of the Fall River Pond. The Pit 1 forebay is a 222-acre impoundment immediately above the 0.7-mile long Fall River Pond.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 7, §15307
Reasons for Exemption
The temporary suspension of summer flushing flows for one additional year will not
have a significant adverse effect and is categorically exempt from the requirements to prepare environmental documents under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources). The continued suspension of summer flushing flows is being implemented to protect the endangered Shasta crayfish (Pacifastacus fortis).
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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