FERC License, Merced River Hydroelectric Project and Merced Falls Hydroelectric Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025041094
Lead Agency
Merced Irrigation District
Document Title
FERC License, Merced River Hydroelectric Project and Merced Falls Hydroelectric Project
Document Type
NOP - Notice of Preparation of a Draft EIR
Received
Present Land Use
Various, Irrigation District, Recreation. Document also discusses flow regimes that could impact downstream land uses including agricultural, commercial, and residential.
Document Description
Merced ID is proposing to relicense the Merced River and Merced Falls Projects under the auspices of the FERC relicensing process. Merced ID has applied to FERC for licenses with 50-year terms for both projects. For both projects, alterations to existing project boundaries are proposed. In addition, Merced ID proposes improvements to its existing recreational facilities and construction of a new recreational facility, which are analyzed in a separate CEQA document (Merced Recreation PEIR; SCH# 2024051222 (https://ceqanet.opr.ca.gov/2024051222). Aside from recreation area upgrades, no changes to existing hydroelectric facilities or operations and maintenance of both projects are proposed.
Contact Information
Name
Bryan Kelly
Agency Name
Merced Irrigation District
Job Title
Deputy General Manager, Water
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Name
Tom Lagerquist
Agency Name
HDR Engineering
Job Title
Project Principal
Contact Types
Consulting Firm
Phone
Location
Cities
Atwater, Livingston, Merced
Counties
Mariposa, Merced
Regions
Countywide
Zip
95340
Total Acres
11,653
State Highways
132
Waterways
Lake McClure, Lake McSwain, lower Merced River
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 10 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California San Joaquin River Conservancy (SJRC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Delta Protection Commission, Delta Stewardship Council, Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 11, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 28, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
State Reviewing Agency Comments
California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
Development Types
Power:Hydroelectric (FERC Relicense)(Megawatts 101.25)
Local Actions
FERC license renewal
Project Issues
Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Hydrology/Water Quality, Wetland/Riparian
Public Review Period Start
Public Review Period End
Attachments
Draft Environmental Document [Draft IS, NOI_NOA_Public notices, OPR Summary Form, Appx,]
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
State Comment Letters [Comments from State Reviewing Agency(ies)]
Disclaimer: The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) accepts no responsibility for the content or accessibility of these documents. To obtain an attachment in a different format, please contact the lead agency at the contact information listed above. For more information, please visit LCI’s Accessibility Site.