Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order Compliance Project (FOCP)
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2020070520
Public Agency
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Document Title
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Order Compliance Project (FOCP)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
7/28/2020
Document Description
The Project purpose is to comply with the dam safety order that was issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on February 20, 2020 (FERC Order). The FERC Order requires Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) to immediately carry out interim risk reduction measures at Anderson Dam to protect the public from the risk of earthquake induced dam failure, and to develop and implement avoidance and minimization measures.
Contact Information
Name
Sarah Piramoon
Agency Name
Santa Clara Valley Water District
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Morgan Hill, San Jose
Counties
Santa Clara
Other Location Info
The majority of the Project is located at Anderson Dam, Reservoir and immediate vicinity, and along Coyote Creek. Project site is located on assessor's parcel numbers: See NOE for full details.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
[Pub. Res. Code §21080(b)(4); CEQA Guidelines§ 15269(c)].
Reasons for Exemption
The FOCP qualifies for a Statutory Exemption for specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency under Pub. Res. Code§ 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines §15269(c). CEQA (Pub. Res. Code§ 21060.3) defines an "emergency" as a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. Dam failure leading to catastrophic flooding would be a "sudden unexpected occurrence" were it to occur. FERC's dam safety order clearly reflects a regulatory determination that seismic risks associated with Anderson Dam and the existing outlet constitute an emergency situation that requires immediate action by Valley Water. Immediate action to prevent flood damage is required because, as recognized by FERG and confirmed by Valley Water studies, the magnitude of the risk of catastrophic dam failure to downstream life is extreme. Each of the FOCP components is necessary for an integrated emergency response to the FERC Order, both to mitigate the potential for a catastrophic dam failure, and to avoid and minimize environmental, flood management, groundwater recharge, and water supply impacts of such emergency response actions.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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