HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to FERC Regarding Lake Levels Menchaca, Clarissa
From: McCracken, Shari
Sent: Friday,June 9, 2017 12:41 PM
To: Bennett, Robin; BOS District 2; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Gullickson, Caroll; Kirk,
Maureen; Lambert, Steve; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug;Wahl, Larry
Cc: Hahn, Paul; Snyder, Ashley; Menchaca, Clarissa
Subject: Letter to FERC regarding Lake Levels
Attachments: Admin.BOS Ltr to FERC re-lake levels.pdf
For your information -Attached is the letter to FERC regarding Lake levels,that you will consider under Item 4.02.A on
the June 13x"Agenda.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Shari
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Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Butte ounty
COL111ty Center ['givc,Suite 200
Oroville,CA
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+•'' `e�p$4�° BOARD OF SUPERVISORS BILLCONNELLY
Firsf District
Administration Center LARRY WAHL
25 COUNTY CENTER DRIVE,SUITE 200-OROVILLE,CALIFORNIA 95965 Second District
Telephone:(530)538-7631
f ff ...... MAUREEN KIRK
Third District
June 13,2017
STEVE LAMBERT
Fourth District
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose,Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) DOUG TEETER
888 First Street, Northeast Fifth District
Washington, DC 20426
RE: FERC Project No.2100—Lake Oroville Levels during the 2017 and 2018 Summer Recreation Seasons
Dear Ms. Bose:
On behalf of the Butte County Board of Supervisors, I request that FERC include consideration of the economic impacts
of low water levels in Lake Oroville on recreation and tourism spending during the summer recreation season within the
County, as it determines appropriate water levels in Lake Oroville. The Board agrees that the number one priority is
public safety,when it comes to managing the water level in Lake Oroville.With public safety in the forefront,the Board
requests that in working to achieve the safest possible level for the next rainy season FERC does not require water levels
to be lowered sooner than necessary for public safety.
Due to the incident at the Lake Oroville primary spillway in February 2017, and the on-going construction to fix the
spillway,the Spillway Boat Launch is unavailable for at least the next two(2)summer recreation seasons (Memorial Day
weekend—Labor Day weekend). With current water levels at approximately 816.5 feet (June 7,2017),this reduces the
number of available launch lanes by 12,along with the related parking.
Provided below is a table that shows approximately how many launch lanes were available at certain Lake Oroville water
levels in 2016 and how many were or will be available in 2017 and 2018. The numbers do not include the car top launch
ramps at Dark, Nelson Bar,Canyon Stringtown,Vinton Gulch, and Foreman Creek.
Launch Spillway Boat Bidwell Canyon Marina Loafer Creek Lime Saddle Marina TOTAL
Area/ Launch (#of available lanes) (#of available lanes) (#of available lanes) Available Lanes
Approximate (#of available lanes)
Lake Level
2016 2017-2018 2016 2017-2018 2016 2017-2018 2016 2017-2018 2016 2017-18
900-850 ft. 12 0 7 7 8 8 5 5 32 20
850-800 ft. 8-12 0 5 5 8 8 4 4 25-29 17
802-781 ft. 8 0 4 4 2 2 3 3 17 9
781-735 ft. 8 0 3 3 0-2 0-2 2-3 2-3 13-16 5-8
745-680 ft. 2 0 3 3 0 0 0-2 0-2 5-7 3-5
695-685 ft. 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 4 3
Source: Department of Parks and Recreation(DPR)website
• At approximately 850 feet-25 launch lanes available in 2016; 17 launch lanes available in 2017-2018.
• Below 850 feet-all car top launches except Foreman Creek became unusable.
• At the current Lake level of 816.5 feet,the boarding float at Loafer Creek is unusable.
• At approximately 800 feet- 17 launch lanes available in 2016;will be reduced to 9 lanes in 2017-2018.
• At approximately 780 feet-13-16 lanes available in 2016;will be reduced to 5-8 lanes in 2017-2018.
• At approximately 730 feet-launch lanes are reduced and a water shuttle is required at Bidwell Marina to get
people to their houseboats.
As illustrated above,a water level below 800 feet during the summer recreation season will seriously impact the ability
for recreation enthusiasts to launch their boats. In addition to the impact on available launch lanes, parking is negatively
impacted with the loss of the Spillway Launch Parking Lot. Shuttle service was supposed to be provided by the
Department of Water Resources to alleviate negative impacts of parking, but none have been provided to-date. One
bad experience-being turned away due to lack of parking or unable to launch due to low water levels-may cause
people to choose not to visit Lake Oroville and Butte County, now and in future years,thereby further reducing the
tourism dollars that local businesses and agencies depend on. The cities and the town within Butte County,and the
businesses in those areas,are the primary beneficiaries of sales tax,transient occupancy tax,and recreation spending
associated with visitors to the Lake,since the County has very little retail and lodging available in the unincorporated
areas.
On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, as well as the residents, businesses, recreationists,and agencies impacted by
reduced water levels in lake Oroville, I respectfully request that FERC remain mindful of the local economic impacts of
reduced water levels as it works with the Department of Water Resources to determine timing of reducing water levels
to meet public safety needs.
Sincerely,
Bill Connelly,Chair
Butte County Board of Supervisors
cc: Board of Supervisors
The Honorable Jim Nielsen, Member of California State Senate
The Honorable James Gallagher, Member of California State Assembly
The Honorable Doug LaMalfa, Member of Congress
Bill Croyle,Acting Director,California Department of Water Resources
Aaron Wright,Superintendent 11, Lake Oroville/Valley Sectors,California State Parks
The Ferguson Group
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