Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project

Alamitos Bay Water Quality Enhancement Project

The proposed project would maintain existing water circulation patterns in Alamitos Bay by replacing the existing once-through-cooling (OTC) pumps at AES Alamitos for power generating operations with a new “fish-friendly” pump system that is separate from power generating operations. OTC operations at AES Alamitos are anticipated to cease in December 2026, in accordance with current regulations from the State Water Resources Control Board. The proposed project would install new pumps to convey water from Alamitos Bay to the San Gabriel River Estuary, maintaining current circulation patterns and preventing water quality impacts to Alamitos Bay (including Marine Stadium and Colorado Lagoon). The proposed project includes installation of screens within the existing intake channel that will comply with regulatory criteria for fish impingement, fish entrainment, and trash removal. The new “fish-friendly” pumps will be installed within the intake channel of the existing AES Alamitos Unit 6. The new infrastructure would be installed within the intake channel as well as on land, and require an anticipated construction duration of approximately 2 to 2.5 years. Construction activities are anticipated to require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission (CCC), a Section 404 permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and a Section 401 Certification from the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB). In addition, to operate the pumps, it is anticipated an NPDES discharge permit will be required from the LARWQCB.

Long Beach

Los Angeles

Southern California

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Coastal Commission (CCC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marin Region 7 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Los Angeles Region 4 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Transportation, District 7 (DOT)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Coast Region 5 (CDFW), California Department of Transportation, District 7 (DOT)

Other (Intake System Replacement)

Site Plan, Coastal Permit

Biological Resources, Coastal Zone, Hydrology/Water Quality