Courtright Intake/Discharge Gate, Cylinder, and Piping Improvements Project
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024070236
Public Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
Courtright Intake/Discharge Gate, Cylinder, and Piping Improvements Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
10/1/2024
Document Description
The Helms Pumped Storage Project (FERC No. 2735) is a component of the Haas-Kings River Project (FERC No. 1988), which is located on the North Fork Kings River in Fresno County, California. Courtright Reservoir serves as the forebay for the Helms Pumped Storage Project and Wishon Reservoir serves as the afterbay. The Courtright Intake/Discharge Gate, Cylinder and Piping Improvements Project Area is located approximately 52 miles east of the City of Fresno in Fresno County, California. PG&E owns and operates the Haas-Kings River Project and the Helms Pumped Storage Project. PG&E seeks to implement the Courtright Intake/Discharge Gate, Cylinder and Piping Improvements Project (Courtright Project), which will replace hydraulic lines, cylinders, intake/discharge bulkhead gates, and bypass gates at Courtright Reservoir. PG&E also seeks to replace the existing oil spill containment domes at the Courtright Project site, which are ineffective at capturing hydraulic oil leaks, with a new system that seals to the top of the existing concrete structure and add indication to the intake/discharge gates for monitoring their positions while the gates are in operation. The replacement of intake/discharge-related infrastructure will not increase the generation capacity of the Haas-Kings River Project or the Helms Pumped Storage Project. On July 7, 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) issued a water quality certification (certification) for the work. On August 15, 2024, PG&E requested to amend the certification to update Condition 3 of the certification to allow crane maintenance and refueling within the ordinary highwater mark of Courtright Reservoir. This Notice of Exemption is for the State Water Board’s approval, as lead agency, of the amendment to the certification for the Courtright Project.
Contact Information
Name
Eric Bradbury
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Shaver Lake
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Northern California
Zip
93664
Parcel #
13314002U, 13314001T
Waterways
North Fork Kings River, Helms Creek
Township
10 S
Range
27 E
Section
12
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstr
Reasons for Exemption
The Project construction is categorically exempt from the requirements to prepare environmental documents under California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction). Construction will only consist of replacing existing infrastructure that is beyond its serviceable lifetime or insufficient in preventing hydraulic oil discharges. Work within the Courtright Reservoir footprint will be limited to temporary improvement of existing roads inside the reservoir via grading, potential placement of cleaned crushed base rock, and maintenance and refueling of the crane. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions apply.
County Clerk
Fresno
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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