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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.19.20 Email from FERC - Supplemental_Additional Information submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. From:Schuman, Amy To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;McCracken, Shari;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug Subject:FW: Supplemental/Additional Information submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Thursday, March 19, 2020 12:41:56 PM Good afternoon, Please see the email below from FERC. Amy Schuman Administrative Assistant Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3324| F: 530.538.7120 Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 12:35 PM Subject: Supplemental/Additional Information submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. .ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying.. On 3/19/2020, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company No Organization Found (as Agent) Docket(s): P-619-000 Lead Applicant: Alabama Power Company Filing Type: Supplemental/Additional Information Description: Supplemental Information / Request of Pacific Gas and Electric Company under P-619, Bucks Creek Project, FERC No. 619, Re: Additional Information for USFWS Response to Request for Concurrence on Lower Bucks Dam Geomembrane Construction Project To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20200319- 5104__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!RVwh3oVbT03hk9Aeo1iWm0saaT4AOHrJwa71jYTDYuGAXv-eWOQKTBgu0FnQfFMzu6sXlNxPBS8$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eSubscription.aspx__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!RVwh3oVbT03hk9Aeo1iWm0saaT4AOHrJwa71jYTDYuGAXv- eWOQKTBgu0FnQfFMzu6sXE21m5Yg$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!RVwh3oVbT03hk9Aeo1iWm0saaT4AOHrJwa71jYTDYuGAXv- eWOQKTBgu0FnQfFMzu6sXVNovbb4$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. 9ƓĭƌƚƭǒƩĻ Њ P ACIFIC G AS AND E LECTRIC C OMPANY Lower Bucks Lake Fish Restocking Plan 2021-2022 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company P ACIFIC G AS AND E LECTRIC C OMPANY Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 619) Lower Bucks Lake Fish Restocking Plan, 2021-2022 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. ii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ iii 1.0Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1-1 2.0Project Description ............................................................................................... 2-1 3.0Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries ................................................................................ 3-1 4.0Restocking Program ............................................................................................. 4-1 4.1Management Objectives ............................................................................................. 4-1 4.2Stocking Rates, Timing, and Species Composition ................................................... 4-2 4.3Schedule ..................................................................................................................... 4-3 4.4Permits ....................................................................................................................... 4-3 5.0References ............................................................................................................ 5-1 Table of Contents i March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan LIST OF TABLES Table 3-1.Angling Activity in Visitor and Recreation Resident Survey Responses (adapted from PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). ........................................................ 3-1 Table 3-2.Fish Species Captured in Bucks Lake and Lower Buck Lake, Plumas Co., April and October 2015. ....................................................................................................... 3-4 Table 4-1.Restocking rates by species for Lower Bucks Lake (surface area = 136 acres), 2021-2022. ........................................................................................................... 4-3 Table of Contents ii March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1.Lower Bucks Lake Project area and vicinity, Plumas County. ............................ 1-2 Figure 3-1.Fish Species Composition in Bucks and Lower Bucks Lakes during Gill Netting and Boat Electrofishing Surveys, April and October 2015 .................................. 3-2 Table of Contents iii March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan Executive Summary iv March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan 1.0 Introduction Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has prepared this Lower Bucks Lake Fish Restocking Plan (Plan) to describe the stocking activity intended to re-establish a sport fishery in Lower Bucks Lake following completion of the Lower Bucks Lake Dam Geomembrane Liner Project (Project) (PG&E 2019, in progress). PG&E consulted with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on the potential effects to the reservoir fisheries as a result of the work supporting the Project (i.e., lake drawdown). Stocking in Lower Bucks Lake will be conducted by CDFW. PG&E will reimburse CDFW for the cost associated with this restocking. Additionally, PG&E will contract with a third-party vendor to supply 4,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout in Bucks Lake in 2020. Finally, PG&E may contract with a third-party vendor to supply additional rainbow trout in Lower Bucks Lake if CDFW is unable to produce the required numbers and sizes of this species at the times required. Based on an evaluation of the impacts of the Project, it has been determined that the fisheries in Lower Bucks Lake will be severely impacted by the dewatering of the lake, and the elevated temperature, biochemical oxygen demand and decreased dissolved oxygen levels in the minimal residual pool remaining once the reservoir is dewatered. General Setting Lower Bucks Lake Dam (also known as Bucks Diversion Dam or Lower Bucks Lake Diversion Dam) is a part of the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in Plumas County, California (FERC Project No. 619) (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Lower Bucks Lake Dam consists of a concrete arch dam with a structural height of 99 ft and a length of 500 ft. There are two ungated spillways, the service spillway and the emergency spillway. The service spillway over the left abutment thrust block has a 100-foot long ogee crest at elevation 5,022 ft. The service spillway discharges into a steep, converging concrete-lined chute approximately 100-feet long and 30-feet wide at the terminal chute runout. The emergency spillway consists of five 20-foot-wide overpour bays located at the center of the arch with a crest elevation of 5,029 feet. Lower Bucks Lake Dam impounds Lower Bucks Lake, creating a reservoir length of approximately 1.1 mi and a shoreline of approximately 2.7 mi. Total storage in the 136-acre reservoir is approximately 5,843 acre-feet at the normal maximum water surface elevation of approximately 5,022 ft. The usable storage capacity of Lower Bucks Lake is 2,448 acre-feet. Water is conveyed from Lower Bucks Lake to the Grizzly Powerhouse by the Grizzly Powerhouse Tunnel. The diversion/outlet tunnel consists of a low-level 24-inch outlet pipe. Upstream control is provided by a 30-inch manually-operated slide gate, and downstream control is provided by a 14-inch-diameter minimum instream flow release (Howell-Bunger) valve. In addition to FERC, Lower Bucks Lake Dam is under the jurisdiction of the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) and is categorized as a Ðhigh hazardÑ dam (Dam No. 94-000) (PG&E 2019, in progress). 1.0 Introduction 1-1 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan Figure 1-1. Lower Bucks Lake Project area and vicinity, Plumas County. 1.0 Introduction 1-2 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan 2.0 Project Description In a letter dated December 17, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requested that PG&E address several follow-up action items from the 2014 Dam Safety/Operation Inspections for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project. The letter stated that ÐSevere spalling and surface delamination of concrete has occurred on the downstream abutments and downstream face of \[Lower Bucks Lake\] dam. The condition should be carefully evaluated, and a repair plan developed.Ñ Rehabilitation activities recommended to restore dam integrity include three components: 1. Installation of a geomembrane on the upstream face of the dam 2. Spillway rehabilitation 3. Downstream facing rehabilitation and repairs This Project description brief only addresses the first component, installation of a geomembrane on the upstream face of the dam. Spillway rehabilitation and downstream facing rehabilitation and repairs will be future actions. Installation of a geomembrane on the upstream face will mitigate through-seepage, saturation of the downstream face, and limit further freeze-thaw damage. To provide access to the upstream face of the dam, Lower Bucks Lake will be completely dewatered, and sediment will be excavated from the base of the dam and removed or relocated to support the geomembrane placement access. The drawdown and dewatering of Lower Bucks Lake and sediment removal effort will be coordinated with a multi-unit outage scheduled for May to November 2020. As the reservoir is dewatered, a coffer dam designed to retain up to 10 feet of water (depth) will be installed several hundred feet upstream of Lower Bucks Lake Dam to control nuisance water, which will be pumped from this location over the dam, through settling tanks to mitigate any turbidity. While the intent is to maintain as little water above the coffer dam as possible, a small pool collecting nuisance water may remain. However, this pool will be small (<20 acre-feet) and is expected to warm and become anoxic over the summer months. Thus, this pool will not provide adequate refuge for any of the trout species remaining in the reservoir. PG&E does not expect a significant portion of the existing trout fishery to survive this activity to provide a satisfactory sport fishery once the Project is complete and Lower Bucks Lake is refilled and returned to normal operation. Flows in Bucks Creek below the Lower Bucks Lake Dam will be maintained at the currently required flows through an approximately 2-mile long flow bypass routing water from Bucks Lake Dam low-level outlet, around Lower Bucks Lake Dam and through the Bucks Creek stream channel downstream. This bypass, with contribution from the Milk Ranch Conduit will maintain instream flows. As a result, the fishery downstream of Lower Bucks Lake Dam is not expected to be affected by this action. 2.0 Project Description 2-1 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan When the repairs are complete, the temporary cofferdam and flow bypass system will be removed, and the reservoir will be refilled from Bucks Lake. PG&EÓs Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan (Plan) described herein identifies activities by PG&E and CDFW to address the 2020 loss of recreational fisheries in Lower Bucks Lake resulting from the project. The goal of the Plan is to re-establish the recreational fishery of Lower Bucks Lake following completion of the Project and once Lower Bucks Lake is refilled. The exception to 1 reestablishment of the fishery, replaces natural brown trout with triploid brown trout. PG&E will be seeking a CDFW fish stocking permit to plant fish in Bucks Lake in 2020 during the construction phase to augment recreational fisheries in the area to mitigate for the loss of fishing opportunity in Lower Bucks Lake. As part of this Plan, PG&E will reimburse CDFW as mitigation for the 2020 loss of fisheries in Lower Bucks Lake at the rate for re-establishment of a viable recreational fishery in 2021 and 2022. Unless directed by CDFW to stock rainbow trout at the rates identified in this Plan, PG&E will not stock fish in Lower Bucks Lake (Section 4.2). 1 CDFWÓs hatchery program for brown trout consists entirely of triploid fish consistent with SB 1148. Added by Stats. 2012, and effective January 1, 2013, SB 1148, Ch. 565, Sec. 12, 1729(e): The department shall ensure that all trout stocked in waters of the state for recreational purposes are unable to reproduce through triploidy or other means, with the exception of fish planted into brood stock lakes, surplus brood stock planted according to fishery management decisions, fish planted to supplement waters that the department has determined to be genetically isolated from native fish populations, and native trout species produced for recovery and restoration within their native range. 2.0 Project Description 2-2 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan 3.0 Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries Fish stocks in Lower Bucks Lake are supported by natural recruitment. Lower Bucks Lake is no longer stocked by the CDFW (personal communication, Dr. M. Clifford, Hatchery Coordinator, CDFW, Gold River, CA, 2013), and recreational anglers report catching wild rainbow and brown trout in Lower Bucks Lake (Harris 2003). Catchable-size brown trout were stocked in 1994 as part of a FERC-approved fish stocking plan to mitigate for trout losses resulting from the Grizzly Development construction, and CDFW planted an additional 50,000 fingerling brown trout that year (PG&E 1995). Recreational angling was surveyed during relicensing; the vast majority of anglers recreate at Bucks Lake (Table 3-1; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Table 3-1. Angling Activity in Visitor and Recreation Resident Survey Responses (adapted from PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Visitor Survey Resident Survey Responses Responses Did you fish? If so, where? # % # % Number of respondents 391 -- 99 -- No 302 77.2 50 50.5 Yes 89 22.8 49 49.5 from a boat 23 5.9 40 40.4 Bucks Lake from shoreline 43 11.0 32 32.3 from a boat 4 1.0 9 9.1 Lower Bucks Lake from shoreline 7 1.8 16 16.2 from a boat 3 0.8 8 8.1 Grizzly Forebay from shoreline 7 1.8 9 9.1 The gamefish composition of Lower Bucks Lake is made up of naturally reproducing rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and kokanee; other fish include California roach, Lahontan redside, and speckled dace (Harris 2003 and Figure 3-1; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Fish may also enter Lower Bucks Lake from Bucks Lake either through entrainment or spilling, although entrainment surveys conducted during relicensing indicate the potential for entrainment is low. All the fish species found in Lower Bucks Lake are also found in Bucks Lake (see Figure 3-1 and Table 3-2). 3.0 Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries 3-1 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan Brown California trout roach 11% 12% Brown trout Lahontan 43% redside 20% Speckled Lahontan dace Kokanee redside Lake 44% 21% 45% trout 4% Fall Spring n=18 n=49 Lower Bucks Lake Figure 3-1. Fish Species Composition in Bucks and Lower Bucks Lakes during Gill Netting and Boat Electrofishing Surveys, April and October 2015 Bucks Lake has been managed as a coldwater trout fishery by CDFW since its completed development in 1928. Over this period, millions of hatchery fish, including brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee, and lake trout have been released into the reservoir (PG&E and the City of Santa Clara 2013). Other introductions include Lahontan redside and golden shiner, 3.0 Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries 3-2 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan presumably as bait fish, and green sunfish. Table 3-2 identifies the number and species of fish captured in Bucks Lake and Lower Buck Lake in 2015 during relicensing surveys (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Brown trout and rainbow trout were among the first fish planted in the reservoir; however, both brown trout and brook trout were already present in the Bucks Creek drainage, since both species had been planted in the basin as early as 1912 (California Fish and Game Commission 1913, 2 California Department of Fish and Game \[CDFG\] 1939). Kokanee were introduced into Bucks Lake by CDFW as fry in 1954 and 1956 (Seeley and McCammon 1966, CDFG 1980). Additional releases of fingerlings were made the early 1960s (CDFG 1969), which successfully established a large annual run of kokanee in Bucks Creek. Lake trout were first introduced to Bucks Lake in 1984 and 1985 to take advantage of the prolific kokanee populations that tended to reside in the deeper, colder areas of the lake where rainbow and brown trout did not appear to forage regularly (CDFG 1980, 1992). These initial lake trout introductions appeared to be a success, and by 1992, anglers were reporting catches of large lake trout ranging from 9 to 13.5 lbs and averaging 9.8 lbs (CDFG 1992). This non-native species is no longer planted in Bucks Lake (or anywhere else in California) (personal communication, Dr. M. Clifford, Hatchery Coordinator, CDFW, Gold River, CA, 2013); they were last planted in Bucks Lake in 2008 (PG&E and the City of Santa Clara 2013). Currently, Bucks Lake is planted with catchable rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout to augment naturally spawned populations (CDFW 2013a). According to Dr. Mark Clifford (Clifford, pers. comm., 2013), the current annual stocking allotment for Bucks Lake is 5,000 lbs of catchable rainbow trout (approximately 10,000 fish), 6,000 lbs of catchable brown trout (approximately 12,000 fish), and 6,400 lbs of catchable brook trout (approximately 12,800 fish). CDFW plans to plant triploid (sterile) trout in Bucks Lake in the future (personal communication, Dr. M. Clifford, Hatchery Coordinator, CDFW, Gold River, CA, 2013). 2 Prior to 1869, the Bucks Valley basin was historically fishless (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). 3.0 Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries 3-3 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan Table 3-2. Fish Species Captured in Bucks Lake and Lower Buck Lake, Plumas Co., April and October 2015. Native/ Lower Family Scientific Name Common Name Introduced Season Bucks Lake Bucks Lake Spring 6 21 Salmo trutta Brown trout I Fall 20 2 Spring 8 0 a Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow trout N Fall 5 0 Spring 2 10 Oncorhynchus nerka Kokanee I Fall 27 0 Salmonidae Spring 0 0 Salvelinus fontinalis Brook trout I Fall 3 0 Spring 3 2 Salvelinus namaycush Lake trout I Fall 7 0 Spring 22 10 a Richardsonius egregius Lahontan redside N Fall 286 8 Spring 4 6 Lavinia symmetricus California roach N Fall 0 0 Cyprinidae Spring 1 0 Rhinichthys osculus Speckled dace N Fall 8 8 402 67 Total Notes: -- = not surveyed I = introduced species N = native species a Native to California; however Introduced in the Project Area (Moyle 2002) 3.0 Lower Bucks Lake Fisheries 3-4 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan 4.0 Restocking Program The Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan, as implemented by CDFW with assistance from PG&E, is intended to restore fishing opportunities at Lower Bucks Lake through restocking the reservoir with rainbow trout, triploid brown trout, and kokanee salmon over two years. CDFW will stock rainbow trout and triploid brown trout at various size categories including fingerling, sub- 3 catchable, catchable, and super-catchable/trophy. The catchable/super-catchable/trophy-sized rainbow trout will provide a sport fishery in the near-term until the population can recover (i.e., sub-catchable and fingerling trout grow to catchable size and larger). 4.1 Management Objectives The short-term management objective of this Plan is: 1) to augment fishing opportunities in Bucks Lake in 2020 during the construction of the Project, and 2) the re-establishment of a catchable and super-catchable/trophy sport fishery following the completion of the construction activity in beginning in 2021, the year after Lower Bucks Lake is refilled. Bucks Lake will be augmented with 4,000 lbs of catchable rainbow trout in 2020 prior to Memorial Day weekend. The first year following completion of construction activity in 2021, the quantity of catchable/super- catchable/trophy -sized trout will be augmented to Ðjump-startÑ the sport fishing opportunities for anglers in Lower Bucks Lake. Rainbow trout will be restocked at super-catchable/trophy, catchable, sub-catchable and fingerling -sized fish. Brown trout (triploid) will be restocked as catchable, sub-catchable and fingerling -sized fish. The long-term management objective of this program is the re-establishment of a recreational sport fishery in Lower Bucks Lake. This objective will be accomplished by stocking rainbow and triploid brown trout of multiple size categories at adjusted levels the second year after the reservoir is refilled. After two years, fingerling and sub-catchable trout from the first year of planting should meet or exceed catchable size and, along with natural recruitment, support the ongoing sport fishery. Kokanee fingerlings planted in 2021 should reach catchable sizes in 2023 or 2024. 3 CDFW size category definitions of stocked fish: 1. Fingerling: 16.1 fish per pound or smaller (less than 5 inches in length); 2. Sub Catchable: between 16.0 and 6.1 fish per pound (about 7 inches in length); 3. Catchable: between 6.0 and 1.0 fish per pound. Most frequently 2.0 fish per pound (about 12 inches in length); 4. Super Catchable: larger than 1.0 fish per pound, up to 0.34 fish per pound (up to about 19 inches in length); and 5. Trophy: greater than 2.99 pounds per fish; or 0.33 fish per pound or larger (larger than about 19 inches in length). 4.0 Restocking Program 4-1 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan 4.2 Stocking Rates, Timing, and Species Composition In 2020, PG&E will contract with a private hatchery to stock an additional 4,000 pounds of catchable rainbow trout into Bucks Lake to provide additional fishing opportunities here to offset for the lost fishing opportunities at Lower Bucks Lake. This will double the normal allotment of catchable/super-catchable/trophy rainbow trout stocked in Bucks Lake for 2020. CDFWÓs proposed composition for restocking Lower Bucks Lake is focused on rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon (Table 4-1). Following the Lake Davis Fish Management Plan (CDFG \[now CDFW\] 2007) stocking rates are based on a number-of-fish-per-surface-area of the reservoir (Lower Bucks Lake has a surface area of 136 acres at normal maximum pool). Because the reservoir will be refilled in the late fall of 2020, CDFW plans to initially restock Lower Bucks Lake in spring 2021 following completion of the project. PG&E will reimburse CDFW in 2021 and 2022 as mitigation for the 2020 loss of the recreational fisheries in Lower Bucks Lake at the rate for re-establishment of a viable recreational fishery. CDFW will rear and stock all fish into Lower Bucks Lake. For those fish that CDFW may not be able to support due to timing or other unforeseen event, PG&E will, to the extent the fish are available elsewhere, and consistent with the USFWS BO, contract with a CDFW-certified hatchery to provide those fish. PG&E will replace either brown trout or kokanee salmon with rainbow trout at one-to-one ratio or a pound-for-pound basis for the given size category. For example, should it be necessary for PG&E to support stocking all subcatchable trout in 2021, 13,600 subcatchable 4 rainbow trout or 1,236 lbs of subcatchable RT will be stocked for that year (e.g., 6,800 RT + 6,800 BN = 13,600 subcatchable RT). Initial CDFW stocking rates for each species, expressed as fish-per-acre, are 10 for super- 5 catchable/trophy; 30 for catchable; 50 for sub-catchable; and 230 for fingerling. Stocking of super-catchable trophy and catchable size rainbow trout in the first years after refill will support an ongoing fishery in the reservoir until stocks have a chance to recover. For kokanee salmon, only fingerling would be stocked. 4 Using CDFW size category definitions of stocked fish to calculate average weight per fish for a given size category and extrapolating to stocking allotment. 5 The super-catchable/trophy stocking rate applies only to rainbow trout. 4.0 Restocking Program 4-2 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project Lower Bucks Lake Restocking Plan Table 4-1. Restocking rates by species for Lower Bucks Lake (surface area = 136 acres), 2021-2022. 2021 2022 Annual Rainbow Brown Rainbow Brown Restocking Total # Kokanee Trout Trout* Kokanee Trout Trout* Rate trout/acre/ Size Category (#trout/acre) year# # # # # # Trophy 20 2,720 -- 2,720 -- -- 2,720 -- Catchable 30 4,080 -- 2,040 2,040 -- 2,040 2,040 Sub-catchable 50 6,800 -- 3,400 3,400 -- 3,400 3,400 Fingerling 230 31,280 10,427 10,427 10,427 10,427 10,427 10,427 *Triploid 4.3 Schedule Lower Bucks Lake geomembrane installation is planned to occur in 2020. CDFWÓs first stocking would occur in 2021, when the lake is refilled and accessible. The second stocking would occur in 2022. At CDFWÓs discretion, stocking efforts may be spread out to accommodate the availability of fish, not to exceed the total for the respective fish size. 4.4 Permits Fish and Game Code Section 6400 requires a permit from the CDFW for stocking of live aquatic animals in any public water. PG&E will apply for a 2020 Bucks Lake fish stocking permit for implementation of the Lower Bucks Lake Fish Restocking Plan, following approval of this plan by FWS and CDFW. 4.0 Restocking Program 4-3 March 2020 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 5.0 References Davis, J.A., A.R. Melwani, S.N. Bezalel, J.A. Hunt, G. Ichikawa, A. Bonnema, W.A. Heim, D. Crane, S. Swenson, C. Lamerdin, and M. Stephenson. 2009. Contaminants in fish from California lakes and reservoirs: technical report on year one of a two-year screening survey. A report of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). California State Water Resources Control Board, Sacramento, California. Davis, J.A., A.R. Melwani, S.N. Bezalel, J.A. Hunt, G. Ichikawa, A. Bonnema, W.A. Heim, D. Crane, S. Swenson, C. Lamerdin, and M. Stephenson. 2010. Contaminants in fish from California lakes and reservoirs. 2007Î2008: summary report on a two-year screening survey. A report of the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). California State Water Resources Control Board, Sacramento, California. California Fish and Game Commission. 1913. Twenty-second Biennial Report for the years 1910Î 1912. Sacramento, California. California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). 1939. Letter from J.H. Wales to E.I. Lane of Bucks Lake Lodge, dated September 22, 1939. CDFW Bucks Lake files, Rancho Cordova, California. CDFG. 1969. Letter from L.H. Cloyd to Mr. G. Hobbie of Oroville, California, dated July 10, 1969. CDFW Bucks Lake files, Rancho Cordova, California. CDFG. 1980. Bucks Lake, Plumas County. December 19, 1980 Memorandum. CDFW Bucks Lake files, Rancho Cordova, California. CDFG. 1992. Bucks Lake lake trout records. Undated notes. CDFW Bucks Lake files, Rancho Cordova, California. CDFG. 2007. Lake Davis Fisheries Management Plan (http://www.dfg.ca.gov/lakedavis/EIR-EIS/App_G.pdf) accessed July 28, 2008. CDFG. 2008. Email from Stafford Lehr, DFG to Phil Scordelis, FERC, August 4, 2008. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2013a. Fish planting records for Bucks Lake, Plumas County. Statewide Hatchery Database Records for 2001-2012. El Dorado Irrigation District (EID). 2008. Caples Lake Fisheries Management Plan. Version 2. For discussion at August 7, 2008 ERC meeting. August 6, 2008. Harris, A. 2003. Fishing the Bucks Lake area. California Fly Fisher 11(3). DriftwatersÎThe Confluence Outfitters Fly Fishing Blog. Website accessed May 2103: http://www.driftwaters.com/2011/02/fishing-bucks-lake-are.html. Moyle, P.B. 2002. Inland Fishes of California. Revised and Expanded. University of California Press. Berkeley, CA. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E). 1995. Report on 1994 fish stocking and monitoring at Lower Bucks Lake, FERC Project 619 (License Articles 401 and 404a). PG&E. 2016a. PG&E 2016a. Reservoir Fish Species Composition (FA-S1). Updated Technical Memorandum (TM-02). July 20, 2016. PG&E. 2016b. Recreation Questionnaires (RR-S1). Updated Technical memorandum (TM-31). July 20, 2016. PG&E. 2019. Lower Bucks Dam Geomembrane Project. Project Description. FERC Project No. 619, DSOD Dam No. 94.000. in prep. PG&E and the City of Santa Clara. 2013. Relicensing Pre-Application Document (PAD), Volume 1: Public Information, Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Pacific Gas and Electric, San Francisco, CA. November. PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2016. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project no. 619. Final License Application. December 2016. ©2016 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and City of Santa Clara. Seeley, C.M., and G.M. McCammon. 1966. Kokanee. Pages 274-294 in A. Calhoun, editor, Inland Fisheries Management, California Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento, California. 9ƓĭƌƚƭǒƩĻ Ћ Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 UPDATED TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM(TM-13) Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles(RTE-S1) DATE:December9,2016 TO:Bucks Creek Project Relicensing Participants 123 FROM:PG&E,City of Santa Clara,and Stillwater Sciences SUBJECT:Bucks Creek Project–Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles Survey Results 2015and 2016 This updated Technical Memorandum provides additional information since the document was last provided onNovember 19, 2015.This update presents the final version of those results, as well as additional resultsfrom 2016,not previously presented.Any significant new text provided in the Technical Memorandumis shaded. Any changed or new figures have shaded captions and any changed or new tables have shaded table titles. 1INTRODUCTION The purpose of this Technical Memorandum is to document the results of implementing Study 4 Description RTE-S1 Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles.Special-statusamphibian and aquatic reptile surveys were conducted in and near areas potentially affected by theBucks Creek Hydroelectric Project(Project)during 2015and 2016.Target species regardedas potentially occurringin the ProjectAffected Area(PAA)included:California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii),Cascades frog (Rana cascadae), foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), Sierra 5 Nevada yellow-legged frog(Rana sierrae),and western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata). 2STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Special-status amphibian and aquatic reptile surveys were conducted to characterize aquatic habitats and gathercurrent information on the presence, distribution, and relative abundance of special-status amphibian and aquatic reptile species at and around Project reservoirs and 1 Alan Soneda, Bucks Creek Relicensing Project Manager, alan.soneda@pge.com 2 Ken Kohtz, Project Manager for the City of Santa Clara, kkohtz@santaclaraca.gov 3 Holly Burger, Technical Study Lead for Stillwater Sciences,burger@stillwatersci.com 4 For this study, special-status species are defined as (1) species listed, proposed for listing, or candidates for listing under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts, (2) species considered by the U.S. Forest Service as Sensitive, and (3) species considered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as California Species of Special Concern. 5 Formerly known as mountain yellow-legged frog \[R. muscosa\], now a complex of two separate species (Vredenburg et al.2007) December 2016Page 1 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Project-affected stream reaches.Information produced by this study will allow Relicensing Participantsto assessthe potential influences of the Project on amphibians and aquatic reptile species;assess the adequacy of existing protection, mitigation, and enhancement (PM&E) measures;and identify whether additional studies are needed to address specific impacts. 3STUDY AREAAND STUDY SITES The general study area includesthe area within 0.5 miles (mi)of the normal high water line of all Project reservoirs and Project-affected stream reaches, extending up toabout0.5 mi along perennial tributary streams and selected intermittent/ephemeral tributaries with permanent pools, if suitable habitat for special-status aquatic amphibians and reptiles is accessible to the species from habitat around Project reservoirs and along Project-affected stream reaches. Specifically excluded from the study area were areas where access wasunsafe (very steep terrain or high water flows) or private property for which Licenseesdidnot received specific approval from the landowner to enter the property to conductthe study. Specific survey sites were selected in consultation with agencies including U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS),California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) during a meeting in Oroville on March 23, 2015, and during a site visit with USFS on April 21, 2015. A total of 19 sites were selected (16 for amphibians and 3 for western pond turtle). Twelve lotic (stream) survey sites (ranging between approximately 1,200 and 3,800feet\[ft\]in length) included: one site on theNorth Fork Feather River(NFFR)(from Bucks Powerhouse and downstream 0.25 mi),three sites with startingpoints along the confluence with the NFFR(Milk Ranch Creek, Bucks Creek, and Grizzly Creek), threeadditional sites on Grizzly Creek (including one at the confluence with Wildcat Creek, one downstream of Grizzly Forebay,and one upstream of Grizzly Forebay), and fivesites on tributaries leading to Bucks Lake (Haskins Creek, Bucks Creek, Right Hand Branch Mill Creek, Middle Fork Mill Creek, and Mill Creek)(Figure 1). Seven lentic (still water) survey sites included:Thompson Lake, Bald Eagle Lake, Three Lakes, Grassy Lakes, Grizzly Forebay, Lower Bucks Lake,and Haskins Bay withinBucks Lake (Figure 1). Section 5(Summary ofResults)of this Technical Memorandum provides details regarding each site. Appendix A provides representative photos of each site. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog is the only special-status amphibian or reptile species documented within the study area; there is one record for this species in the study area at Bald Eagle Lakefrom2002 (PG&E 2002a).There are several other historical records of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog in the vicinity of the PAAbut outside of the study area, including records in Grizzly Creek(at least 1.5 mi upstream of Grizzly Forebay) from 1961, 1993, and1996(CDFW 2015, USFS unpublished data),records in Big Ravine (atributary to Grizzly Creek)from 1951, 1982and1994(CDFW 2015, USFS unpublished data),records in Haskins Creek (near the confluence with Bucks Lake)from 1991 and 1993 (USFS unpublished data),and records north of 6 Lower Bucks Lake between Bucks Creek and Bear Creekfrom 1993(CDFW 2015, USFS 6 These records are located on a steep slopewith no apparent aquatic habitat, which appears to be unsuitable for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. Page 2December2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gasand Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 unpublished data).Cascades frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and western pond turtle have not been documented in the vicinity of the PAA (PG&E 2002a, CDFW 2015). 4METHODS Information on the status and habitat associations of the five special-status amphibian and reptile species potentially occurring in the study areais presented in Table 1. The Licensees implemented the study for these species in three phases. During Phase I, Licensees assessed the general study area for potentially suitable habitat, as identified for each of the five species, and selected potential survey sites. Potential survey sites were provided to agency staff for review prior to field sampling.Visual Encounter Survey (VES)protocols were implemented during Phase II.If the results of VESsindicated that foothill yellow-legged frogs were found to be breeding and/or rearing in any stream reaches, then additional data collection on aquatic habitat in relation to flows was to be conducted as part of Phase III.Since no foothill yellow-legged frogs were found in any Project-affectedstream reaches, Phase III was not conducted.Incidental observations of other species—including non-native invasive species, to the extent practicable— were also documented. 4.1Phase I: Identification of Suitable Habitat and Selection of Survey Sites Licensees reviewed available data sources to identify areas of potentially suitable habitat for each of thefive special-status species based on the description of species-specific habitat criteria/elements presented in Table 1, with consideration ofsafety and accessibility(i.e., road or trail access, topography) andpotential effects from Project operations.A site was considered to be potentially affected by Project operations if it had Project-affected hydrology and/or if it was within 0.25 mi of Project facilities. Information sources included aerial photographs and Google Earth imagery, helicopter reconnaissance video, National Wetland Inventory maps, United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 topographic quadrangle, hydrologic data, and results of the 7 2002 amphibian and aquatic reptile surveys(PG&E 2002a). Sites that had been surveyed during 2002 amphibian and aquatic reptile surveys (PG&E 2002a) were included and resurveyed, except for those not potentially affected byProject operations. Because many of the lotic sites were in steep canyons with a considerable riparian canopy, it was challenging to ascertain aquatic habitat conditions using aerial imagery and helicopter reconnaissance video. A field reconnaissance visit was therefore conducted at specific proposed survey locations to assess onsite habitat conditions. A representative set of sites determined to be potentially suitable habitat was selected for surveys in consultation with interested and available agency staff. 7 During 2002 amphibian and aquatic reptilesurveysfor the Bucks Creek Project, only one target species (one individual adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog) was observed at Bald Eagle Lake during a third and final visit on September27,2002. December 2016Page 3 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 2016 S1) - December and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians - Special Technical Memorandum: 4 Page and the City of Santa Clara ite ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ucks Creek Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study S B . 1 Figure 13 - TM 13 - TM This Page Intentionally Left Blank 619 No. Project 5 Project, FERC Page and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek ) S1 - and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE Status Amphibians - Project No. 619 Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Technical Memorandum: December 2016 . . Year, g water - . of - S1) - movin December 2016 - 5,000 ft enerally associated G . and Habitat at (Lannoo 2005). ), still or slow Area, Juveniles, and Adults to approximately 1.6 ft ding and development of young lentic habit bree arshes, lakes, ponds, or pools of stream with open wetland habitats and along as mountain lakes, small streams, and variety of montane aquatic habitats such Suitable Habitat for Youngstreams in the summer in areas lacking dults prefer dense, emergent or shoreline Study ound at elevations ranging from sea level courses that remain wet long enough for ponds in meadows M and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE riparian vegetation closely associated with Adeep (> FA . . prefer moving ; tely 2 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 - for tadpoles. Status Amphibians - overwinter. Special 6 persist throughout tadpole months), as tadpoles do not ater bodies must be stable and low areas and margins of pools Suitable Habitat for Larvae development (approximaPage debris act as cover warm, shallow water for tadpole W ubmergent vegetation and organic development and metamorphosis Same lentic habitat as eggs Same habitat as eggs, slow S shal - and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Typha, Salix, like parts of - imited use of slow spp.) for egg mass Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 L . (Lannoo 2005). (Lannoo 2005). refer gradually sloping P Scirpus . moving, pond Suitable Habitat for Eggs shorelines in protected water sun (minimal surface disturbance) streams, marshes, and lagoons and networks with shallow margins Open ponds, lakes, and meadow Ponds and backwater pools with with little to no vegetation in full attachment emergent vegetation ( – a tatus Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles with Potential to Occur in the S - Status /SSC/FSS USFWS/ FT/SSC/ – CDFW/USFS SpecialAssociations by Life Stage - . 1 Name Name 13 Scientific Common - California redlegged frogRana aurora draytoniiCascades frog Rana cascadae TM Table 13 - - 14). TM dults sized Year, A - - . of hroughout - T . eb 2013). treams may be hallow, flowing cover S S ocks or clumps of (USFWS 20 . . R . refer areas that provide P . reams, with shorelines that streams and ephemeral creeks Juveniles, and Adults 4,500 to 12,000 ft important as dispersal corridors substrate (AmphibiaW their range, this species historically with pools lakes, or st sized streams with some cobble Suitable Habitat for Young grass along shoreline for Deep, cold, perennial freshwater ponds, Adults emerge from overwintering sites Perennial from holes, and ledges for cover may also use lake bottoms, rock crevices, shortly after snow melts water, preferentially in small to moderate and streams at elevations typically ranging exposed basking sites and cool shady areas inhabited lakes, ponds, marshes, meadows, adjacent to water’s edge (AmphibiaWeb 2013) gently slope up to shallows of a few inches. - , d . ) ches freeze 619 akes with 3 in detritus for No. . L at least 2 to 3 S1) , substrate - , gravel/sand) as 2014) e.g.completely pools that provide i.e.Project - shore habitats with 2013). - et al. to reach metamorphosis arvae, at least in early stages, Ldo not dry up are require velocity segments of streams, 7 - . Matthews and Pope, 1999 escape cover ( ( Suitable Habitat for Larvaeith shallow water (2 to years and Project, FERC ow velocity near aters that do not w L refer open, gently sloping shorelines riffles or cascades, in main channel show affinity to oviposition site, but wbecause larvae require pools, and plungePage may disperse to shallow, warm, low such as edgewater habitat adjacent to smaller substrate ( the season progresses (AmphibiaWeb P interstices, vegetation, and deep) (Brown cover) - - and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE outs and the City of Santa Clara - , Pacific Gas and Electric Company rian Hydroelectric 16 n small I e, water . ©20 gradient streams, - 2013). Bucks Creek Status Amphibians - (AmphibiaWeb 2013). areas of low velocity with vegetation, or under banks Suitable Habitat for Eggs microhabitats that meet basic gradient cobble/boulder bars, Specialto moderate conditions for substrat sunny areas with little ripa tributary confluences, side and streams, in step pools and other with coarse substrates cobble/boulder substrate in open, Egg masses are deposited in lowEggs are deposited underwater in clusters attached to rocks, gravel, backwater pools, or pool tail vegetation; often adjacent to low usually within shallow, edgewater depth, and velocity (AmphibiaWeb a Status /SSC/FSS USFWS/ – FE/ST/FSS CDFW/USFS Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: legged legged -- Name Name Scientific Common Foothill yellowfrog Rana boyliiSierra Nevada yellowfrogRana sierrae December 2016 . Year, - of esent - S1) - December 2016 eep pools and ften aestivate or D O . . ay also use seasonal 1997). M delines listed per USFS . et al. flow regions, side channels, and Juveniles, and Adults - undercut banks may repr large woody debris, overhanging vegetation, rock outcrops, and mats of Suitable Habitat for Younghe presence of basking sites is important reams or ponds when these are available Permanent ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and and these may be provided by emergent forests and riparian thickets, where they backwater areassubmergent vegetation overwintering refugia T and Aquatic Reptiles (RTEriver low stoverwinter in terrestrial habitats, including burrow in leaf litter (Holland 1994, Ashton 1997). Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 et al. Status Amphibians - Special 8 vegetation or short emergent Suitable Habitat for Larvae Page vegetation (Ashton Shallow water with dense submergent tly and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ggs require a E : . Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 gradient slopes (less - facing (Holland 1994). - : Suitable Habitat for Eggs silt content in the vicinity of south aquatic habitatsdry nest, typically located on an Upland, low unshaded slope that may be par than 15 degrees) with high clay or any species likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future – : ment of Fish and Wildlife a ce Status /SSC/FSS USFWS/ – CDFW/USFS ish and Wildlife Service Memorandum 2670 U.S. FCalifornia DepartUS Forest Servi == Federally Threatened = Federally Endangered == State Threatened= Species of Special Concern== Forest Service Sensitive: Species that are managed according to the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species Management Gui mys Name Name 13 Scientific Common FSS FT FE ST SSC - Status Codes:USFWSCDFW USFS Western pond turtle Actinemarmorata TM a Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 For California red-legged frog, a habitat assessment was conducted using procedures outlined in the USFWSRevised Guidance on Site Assessments and Field Surveys for the California Red- legged Frog(USFWS 2005). This protocol included: (1) an examination of whether the Project lies within the current or historical range of the species, (2) an investigation of known/documented localities of the species within the PAA and within 1 mi of the PAA, by reviewingthe California Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB \[CDFW 2015\])as well as results of PG&E’s 2002 amphibian surveys for the study area, and (3) an assessment of potential habitats within the PAA and within 1 mi of the PAA. 4.2Phase II: Field Surveys The following species-specific field survey methods wereused to detect special-status amphibians and reptiles within the study area.In addition to the special-status species, all other amphibian and reptile species observed during the surveys wererecorded.Habitat conditions wererecorded in the field during VESs, including habitat quality for respective species based on the presence of suitable habitat elements and potential direct and indirect Project-related effects on the five special- status species.Pertinent habitat characteristics recorded include dominant stream habitat types (e.g.,presence of side channel or backwater areas, pools, low gradient riffles, cascades, etc.), flow regime (perennial or ephemeral), aquatic and terrestrial vegetation(percent cover and types of margin vegetation, emergent vegetation, terrestrial vegetation, and riparian canopy), stream gradient, stream width estimates, aquatic substrate(e.g.,silt sand, gravel/pebble, cobble, boulder, bedrock), streamtemperature, and stream channel or pond/lake characteristics. VESs followedthe methods of current species-specific survey protocols. All VESs were conducted in an area-constrained manner, such that the number of individuals found per survey effort could be calculated. Survey methods employed includedtechniques described in Heyer et al.(1994), PG&E (2002b, c), Holland (1991, 1994), Olson et al.(1997), CDFG (2009),and USGS (2006)depending on the species. During each site visit, a survey datasheet wascompleted (see Appendix B; adapted from Holland 1994; Heyer et al.1994; PG&E 2002b, PG&E 2002c;Olson et al.1997; CDFG 2009). To minimize the potential to spread invasive species (e.g., New Zealand Mud Snail, quagga/zebra mussel, chytrid fungus\[Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis\]), appropriate decontamination 8 protocolswerefollowed prior to each aquatic-based field effort or moving between watersheds. 4.2.1California Red-Legged Frog The study included a habitat assessment for California red-legged frog; however, targeted surveys were not conducted since suitable lentic habitat for this species does not occur within the study area.All amphibians incidentally observed at study sites during field surveys for othertarget 8 Decontamination protocols followed Equipment Decontamination Protocol for Field Staff in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parkshttp://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es/Survey-Protocols- Guidelines/Documents/SEKI_DecontaminationProtocol_2014.pdf December 2016Page 9 Bucks CreekHydroelectricProject, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) specieslisted belowwere documented;thus,any California red-legged frogs observedin unsuitable or unexpectedhabitatswould have been recorded. 4.2.2Cascades Frog Three surveys of lentic habitat and suitable stream sections wereconducted during 2015 for Cascades frog egg masses, larvae,and post-metamorphic individuals at each site, following protocols adapted from Olson et al.(1997), Heyer et al.(1994), PG&E (2002c), and CDFG (2009). Two surveys wereconducted during the late spring/early summer (May–July) to target breeding (presence of egg masses or tadpoles),and one late-season survey (August) wasconducted for young-of-year.For lentic surveys, timed VESs occurred along all accessible shoreline habitats. Both shorelinesof the study streams were surveyed,where accessible. A minimum of two surveyors working in tandem slowly walkedthe perimeter of each site or stream reach while counting all observedfrogs and documentinglife-stage.Biologists scannedahead to detectpost- metamorphic individuals (juveniles and adults) out on exposed substrate or partially hiding under cover during all surveys. 4.2.3Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Foursurveys of lotic habitat for foothill yellow-legged frog wereconductedduring 2015at each site, following protocols outlined in Heyer et al.(1994), Lind (1997), and PG&E (2002b).The surveys for egg masses, larvae (tadpoles), young-of-year, juveniles, and adults were conducted as follows: two egg mass surveys during the oviposition period (May–June); one survey during the tadpole development period (July); and one late-season survey (August) for young-of-year. Consistent with the approach for foothill yellow-legged frogused in other similar hydroelectric projectrelicensing studies, Licenseesattemptedto survey sites 1,640 ft(500 m) in length (limited accessibility and safety constraints precludedthe ability to survey this distance in some stream reaches).Lotic VES wereconducted by two to three surveyors. Surveys werecompleted walking upstream so frogs seeking cover in the stream werenot counted twice. Surveyors wadedor walked the shoreline and shallow-water habitats where possible, scanning ahead for approximately 10 m at a time, searching for all life-stages (eggs, larvae, juveniles, adults) on both sides of the stream wherever possible. While egg masses are typically located in shallow (less than 3 ft) water, eggs have been observed in water greater than 6 ftdeep. As such, surveyorssnorkeledin deeper water and adjacent to suitable breeding habitat (e.g., edges of cobble bars, pool tail-outs)during egg mass surveysalong the NFFR sitetoaid in detection of egg masses.Consistent with standard survey protocols, allsurveyors carefully usedtheir hands to feel under bedrock and boulder ledges as well as in deep pockets beneath large cobble in low-velocity areas where they could notsee, as eggs canbe located in highly cryptic and well-concealed locations only detectable by touch.Water temperature (C) and air temperature (C) were collected during VESs. 4.2.4Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Three surveys of lentic habitat and suitable stream sections were conducted during 2015 for Sierra Nevada yellow-leggedfrog egg masses, larvae, and post-metamorphic frogsat each site, following protocols adapted from Olson et al.(1997), Heyer et al.(1994), PG&E (2002c), and CDFG (2009). Two surveys wereconducted during the late spring/early summer (May–July) to targetbreeding (egg masses and tadpoles), and one survey was conducted during the late-season (August) for Page 10December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibiansand Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 young-of-year. For lentic surveys, timed VESs occurred along all accessible shoreline habitats. Both shorelines of the study streamsweresurveyed, where accessible. A minimum of two surveyors working in tandem slowly walked the perimeter of each site or stream reach while counting all observed frogs and documenting life-stages.Surveys of lentic habitat included all inlets and outlets, and surveys of lotic habitat included shorelines ofadjacent lentic habitat (i.e., all tributaries to Bucks Lake included surveying of Bucks Lake shoreline adjacent to the tributary outlet).Surveyors scannedahead to detect post-metamorphic individuals(adults and juveniles) out on exposed substrate of partially hiding under cover.Surveys ofthe larger lakes in the study area (i.e., Grizzly Forebay, Lower Bucks Lake, and Haskins Bay) for western pond turtle (described below) included spending additional time scanningshoreline areas with gentle slopes, shallow water, and/or emergent vegetation that provided potential habitat for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. Water temperature(C)and air temperature (C)were collected during VESs. 4.2.5Western Pond Turtle Two surveys were performed for western pond turtle in 2015; a second set of two surveys was performed in2016. Western pond turtle surveys in lotic habitats were included as part of the foothill yellow-legged frog VESs described above. Surveys of reservoirs for western pond turtle wereconducted using a small motor boat(a Zodiac with an electric motor)coupled with VES techniques, including scanning aquatic habitat with and without binoculars. Timing of surveys coincidedwith the period associated with the greatest pond turtle activity, typically between May and August in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Methods of surveying for this species in lentic 9 and lotic habitats generallyfollowedstandard visual survey protocols outlined by USGS (2006) and described by Holland (1991, 1994).All other native and non-native aquatic species were documented (e.g., beavers, snakes, crayfish, and otters). Aquatic habitat data includedwater temperature, watertransparency(Secchi depth), and dissolved oxygen(measured using a YSI Model 85or YSI model 600xl).Surveyors also noted habitat features including amount of potential basking areas and aquatic refugia, dominant substrate on the banks and in the water, riparian vegetation types, and vegetative cover in the channel and alongthe banks. 5SUMMARYOFRESULTS 5.1SuitableHabitat and Site Selection Review of existing information and consultation with agencies during the site selection process resulted in a total of 19 study sites for VESs: 16 for amphibians and 3 for western pond turtle. Tables2 and 3 list eachstudysitewithassociatedinformation aboutsite length or area, elevation, primary target species, and dates surveyed.Table 2 also lists the geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the start and end points for each lotic site. The total stream length surveyed was approximately 5.25 mi. Survey sites for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog included stream habitat as well as lentic habitat becausethere has been recent anecdotalevidence of this species breeding in streams(personal communication, A. Lind, Hydroelectric Coordinator, USFSand H. Burger, Technical Study Lead,Stillwater Sciences 2015). 9 Survey protocols for western pond turtle did not include dip netting, seining, or trapping. December 2016Page 11 Bucks CreekHydroelectricProject, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara c b c -- ---- 8/208/19 8/208/208/218/21 VES 4 S1) b - -- December 2016 7/217/14 7/217/207/147/148/188/18 VES 3 6/226/226/226/236/256/246/247/137/13 VES 2 Survey Date (2015) atic Reptiles (RTE 6/4 6/5 5/115/115/125/125/155/145/14 VES 1 and Aqu FYLFFYLF FYLFFYLFFYLF FYLF/FYLF/ Target Species SNYLFSNYLFSNYLFSNYLF Primary a Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 ation (ft) 1,6842,0511,6931,5882,5614,2324,3805,1615,161 Elev Status Amphibians - ites (ft) Special Site 3,8001,218 1,4092,2151,7661,2003,5472,8793,801 Length 12 Page End Point 121.328073121.273881121.320985121.366551121.335047121.294699121.166985121.144407 39.863058,39.856782, 39.889996, 39.868131,39.886913, 39.910945, 39.957651, 39.912326, 39.889863, 121.271988 -- ------ and the City of Santa Clara Point Technical Memorandum: ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Latitude and Longitude 39.86945, 121.29641 Start 121.332196121.274976121.326472121.373415121.338089121.279175121.175777121.154139 39.868451,39.856222,39.888326,39.888834, 39.909012,39.963021, 39.914237, 39.881556, --- ----- Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Creek at LakeLake Creek Forebay Grizzly Creek Grizzly Creek Bucks Creek at Bucks Creek at Site Description Grizzly Creek at Haskins Creek at of Grizzly Forebay Bucks Powerhouse Milk Ranch NFFR downstream of confluence with NFFRconfluence with NFFRconfluence with NFFRdownstream of Grizzly confluence with Bucks confluence with Bucks downstream of Wildcat Grizzly Creek upstream tream) Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Survey S 1 1 - - 12341 12 ----- -- Lotic (S BCBC GCGCGC GCHC MRC NFFR Site Code . 2 and 13 Area - General North Fork Feather RiverTributariesnear NFFR confluenceUpper Grizzly CreekTributaries to Bucks Lake TM Table 13 - ccc ------ TM VES 4 8/198/198/19 VES 3 agency consultation as per 7/167/167/16 VES 2 Survey Date (2015) required 6/26/26/2 ; VES = visual encounter survey VES 1 were legged frog - Target Species SNYLFSNYLFSNYLF Primary up surveys legged frog. - - a 619 No. ation (ft) 5,1615,1615,164 S1) - , no follow Elev Project Sierra Nevada yellow (ft) Site 2,0361,6972,140 Length for Sierra Nevada yellow 13 Project, FERC Page End Point 121.167829121.174372121.186095 39.900559,39.919787, 39.907005, --- and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE. 1 during the first two surveys legged frog; SNYLF = - -and the City of Santa Clara were performed , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric point 16 Point NFFR ©20 start Latitude and Longitude site Start 121.174128121.177546121.184683 39.899613,39.903325,39.915212, hill yellow --- foot Bucks Creek along = Status Amphibians - stream survey found FYLF Special down Lake Bucks Lake Site Description with Bucks Lake Middle Fork Mill Creek Right Hand Branch Mill Mill Creek at confluence Creek at confluence with at confluence with Bucks legged frogs were - sites are for the 1 1 - - 1 - . North Fork Feather River; MC stream RBMC MFMC Site Code Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: foothill yellow NFFR = no : Area General Elevations for SinceAs described in the field survey methods, a total of three surveys on April 21, 2015 Tributaries to Bucks Lake Notes abc December 2016 aaa a -- ------ VES 4 8/24/20168/24/20168/24/2016 S1) - December 2016 /2015/2015/2015/2015 VES 3 8/178/178/208/207/13/20167/13/20167/11/2016 Survey Date /2015/2015/2015/2015/2015 /2015/2015 VES 2 6/247/157/157/158/188/178/18 and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE /2015/2015/2015/2015 legged frog. /2015/2015/2015 - VES 1 6/16/36/3 5/147/13 6/247/16 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians - ecies p WPT WPTWPT Special S SNYLFSNYLFSNYLFSNYLF Sierra Nevada yellow rimary Target P 14 ; VES = visual encounter survey Page (ft) 5,4236,0606,1216,1954,3615,0305,162 and the City of Santa Clara Elevation Technical Memorandum: western pond turtle ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company = Area 1.53.8 5.2 50.432.759.6 130.1 (acres) Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Site legged frog; WPT - Description Three Lakes Haskins Bay Grassy Lakes Thompson LakeGrizzly Forebay Bald Eagle Lake Site Lower Bucks Lake Lentic (Still Water) Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Survey Sites Sierra Nevada yellow = . 3 13 - As described in the field survey methods, a total of three surveys were performed for General AreaSmaller Lake Sites (for SNYLF)Larger Lake Sites (for WPT) TM Table Notes: SNYLF a Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 The southwestern edge of Plumas County, where the study area is located, overlaps with the northeastern edge of the California red-legged frog’s current and historical range (USFWS 2002). There are no known/documented occurrences of the species within the Project Vicinity. The closest documented CNDDB occurrence is approximately 12 mi to the southwest of the Project Area (CDFW2015). There is no suitable aquatic habitat for California red-legged frog in the study area. The only lentic habitat that is within the elevation range of the species (less than 5,000 ft) is Grizzly Forebay (at 4,361 ft elevation), which is generally unsuitable for California red-legged frog due to limited emergent vegetation, presence of non-native predatory fish, and use for recreation. Lotic habitats in the study area contain no still or slow-moving breeding habitat suitable for California red-legged frog. 5.2Field Survey Results VESswere conducted during 2015 on May 11–15, June 1–5, June 22–26, July 13–21, and August 17–21, by twoto threesurveyors following the methods described above.No special-status amphibian or aquatic reptile species were observed during the study (or as incidental observations during the Licensees’ other 2015relicensing studies). Non-target herpetofauna species recorded during relicensing studies are noted in Section 5.2.5, Other Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Species. The following sections includedescriptions of the physical and biological characteristics of each site, grouped by target species, and whether fish were present. 5.2.1Cascades Frog No Cascades frogswere foundduring 2015 or 2016.It is very unlikely that Cascades frog occur in the study areabecause itis generally outside of the species’ current distribution. Cascades frogs have been extirpated from an estimated99percent of the Mount Lassen region of California (approximately30 mi north of the Project Area), generally considered to be the southern-most extent of the species’range (Fellers et al.2008). Suitable lentic habitats surveyed for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog would include habitat suitable for Cascades frog; descriptions oflentic study sites are provided in Section 5.2.3, Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog. 5.2.2Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Seven riverine/stream sites were surveyed four times for foothill yellow-legged frogduring 2015. No foothill yellow-legged frogs were found.Table 4 provides water and air temperatures recorded during VESsat each site. While most riverine/stream sites showed reduced flow/water levels as the season progressed, all of the sites were perennial, retaining water throughout the summer. Overall, most study sites were not suitablefor foothill yellow-legged frog breedingdue to high gradients, lack of low-velocity edgewaterand/or backwater areas,and limited sun exposure due to dense riparian cover and steep banks. Two sites, NFFR-1 and GC-4, had moderately suitable foothill yellow-legged frog breedinghabitatdue to a few sections withshallow, low-velocity margin habitatwithcobble and/or boulders; however,SiteGC-4(at 4,380 ft) is near the upper elevation limitfor foothill yellow-legged frog (approximately 4,500 ft in this region of California). Appendix Aprovides representative photos of each site. December 2016Page 15 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Table 4.Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Survey Conditions Temperature Range Site Survey Length Start timeEnd TimeWater Air Temp. Date Site Code(ft)(2015)Visit(hrs)(hrs)Temp. (°C)(°C) 5/111155917101724 NFFR-1 1,409 6/222155017311930.5 5/111130314051222.5 6/2221047115014–14.523–24.5 MRC-1 2,215 7/213925103016.5–2217–20 8/204150716131521–24 5/1211620173510.5–1114–17 6/2221315142412–1530 BC-1 1,766 7/2031330143718–18.527–32 8/2041300140014.5–15.523–24 5/1211021135011–11.59–13 6/2321000121016–16.523–29.5 GC-1 3,800 7/2131130140019.5–20.527–29.5 8/20483010461620–21 6/411215135013.521 6/2521100121316–1725.5–30 GC-2 1,218 7/1431200131715–16.523–24 8/194111012111521 6/51937104011–1216.5–17 6/24294510401216.5–17.5 GC-3 1,200 7/1431653174414–1519–23 8/2141015110512.5–1317–21 5/151102012008–8.58.5–10.5 6/2421230140015–1823.5–27.5 GC-4 3,547 7/1431247142118–2023–25.5 8/2141007112512–1319–21.5 Notes:hrs = hours; °C= degrees Celsius Page 16December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 5.2.2.1North ForkFeather River (NFFR-1) Site NFFR-1 islocatedalongthe NFFR, extending from Bucks Powerhousetoapproximately 0.25midownstream (Figure 1).This section of the NFFR is at an elevation of 1,684 ft. VESs were conducted on May 11 and June 22, 2015. This section of the NFFRhasa low gradient and isrelatively wide, on averageapproximately 100- ftbankfull width. Main habitat typesalong Site NFFR-1included low-and high-gradient riffles, boulder/sedge margins, and a main channel pool.Substrate in this reach was dominated by boulders, sand, and bedrock. While mostof the site was very wide and open with considerable sun exposure, some overhanging riparian vegetation was present, dominated by willow (Salix sp.) and alder(Alnus sp.), which provided some opportunities for shade/cover.Fish were present, includingrainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)and Sacramento pikeminnow(Ptychocheilus grandis), as well as non-native bass(Micropterussp.). Non-native crayfishwerealsodocumented. 5.2.2.2Milk Ranch Creek at confluence with NFFR (MRC-1) Site MRC-1 is located on Milk Ranch Creek, starting at itsconfluence with the NFFR and extending approximately 2,215ft upstream (Figure 1),to a 15-ft waterfall.The site elevation is 2,051 ftat the downstream end.VESs were conducted onMay 11, June 22, July 21, and August20, 2015. Site MRC-1isa relatively narrow (averaging 30-ft bankfull width)boulder-and cobble-dominated creek, with cascade/pools andlow-to high-gradient riffles as prevalent habitat types, as well as several side/split channels. Mean wetted width during late summer was approximately15 ft, substantially lessthan bankfull width.The overall gradient ishigh. Approximately 500 ft upstream of itsconfluence with NFFR, Milk Ranch Creek flows underneath railroad tracks through a tunnel; at the upstream end of the tunnel is a large steel “trash rack” installed to prevent rock and log debrisfrom clogging the tunnel. The moderateriparian canopy (overall 40–50percentcover) included species such as alder, willow, maple(Acersp.), oak(Quercussp.), and coniferalong commonly steep banksproviding moderate shade, though there was ample sun exposure for basking.Trout were present, as well as non-native crayfish. 5.2.2.3Bucks Creekat confluence with NFFR (BC-1) Site BC-1 is located on BucksCreek, starting at itsconfluence with the NFFR and extending approximately 1,766ft upstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 1,693 ftat the downstream end. VESs were conducted onMay 12, June 22, July 20, and August 20, 2015. Site BC-1isdominated by large boulders and cobble,with somebedrock.Habitat types were predominantly cascade/pools and high-gradient riffles over a relatively high gradient, with occasional backwater, bedrock, and sidepools. On average, the stream bankfull width was 30 ft, with wetted widths in late summer averaging an estimated 20 ft.Overhanging vegetation was low to moderate(predominantly alder but including dogwood\[Cornus sp.\], willow, and poison oak \[Toxicodendron diversilobum\]), averaging 20 to 30percentover the reach, and riparian canopy was also moderate, at 40 to 50percent.Riparian vegetation was dominated by conifers but included willow, alder, maple, and oak species;sun exposure was low to moderate.Trout were December 2016Page 17 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) observed spawning at the upstream end of the survey siteduring the May survey. Non-native crayfish were also documented at this site. 5.2.2.4Grizzly Creek at confluence withNFFR(GC-1) Site GC-1 is located on GrizzlyCreek, starting at itsconfluence with the NFFR and extending approximately 3,800ftupstream (Figure 1),ending atan unnamedperennial tributary. The site elevation is1,588 ftat the downstream end.VESs were conducted onMay 12, June 23, July 21, and August 20, 2015. Site GC-1is part ofa relatively wide tributary to the NFFR, averaging around 40-ftbankfullwidth. Bedrock and large boulders dominatedthe sitealong a high gradient,with cascade/pools and high- gradient rifflesas predominant habitat types.There wereseveral long, deeptrench pools with steep bedrock on both banks.The lower third of Site GC-1hadminimal riparian shading and few large trees; theupper two-thirds of the site weredenserwith foothill hardwoods and conifersalong the banks.Margin vegetation was sparse, and there was moderate sun exposure.In spring/summer, the site lackedlow-gradient areas that could provide shallow areas with low- velocity flowsappropriate for foothill yellow-legged frogbreeding. Rainbow trout (fry and adults) were documented. There is a CalTrans structure onGrizzly Creek downstream of Site GC-1near the confluence with the NFFR,whichmay present a dispersal barrierfor foothill yellow-legged frogs. 5.2.2.5Grizzly Creekdownstream of Wildcat Creek (GC-2) Site GC-2is located on Grizzly Creek, and extendsapproximately 1,218 ft downstream of its confluence with Wildcat Creek(Figure 1)(the confluence with Wildcat Creek islocated approximately 3 river miles upstream of the NFFR).Site elevation at the downstream end is 2,561 ft. VESs were conducted onJune 4, June 25, July 14, and August 19, 2015. Dominated by large boulders and bedrock, Site GC-2ischaracterized by cascade/pools and high- gradient rifflesalong a high gradient.This site averaged45-ftbankfullwidth, and includeda side/split channel. Upland habitat wasfoothill hardwood/conifer.The riparian canopy averaged 70percentcover, composed of maple, alder, and pine. Considerable upper riparian forest cover and steep banks providedfor substantialamounts of shadethroughout most of the site.Overall, low-growing vegetation (e.g., forbs and sedges) along the wetted channel marginswas sparse. Site GC-2 lackedlow-gradient areas thatcouldprovide shallow areas with low-velocity flows appropriate for foothill yellow-legged frogbreeding.Fish observedincludedtrout fryand young- of-yearfish. 5.2.2.6Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay (GC-3) Site GC-3,located on Grizzly Creek(with its upstream end approximately 0.25 midownstream of Grizzly Forebay)(Figure 1), is approximately 1,200 ftlong.The site elevation is4,232ftat the downstream end.VESs were conducted onJune 5, June 24, July 14, and August 21, 2015. Page 18December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Mostof Site GC-3islow gradient with periodic steps and high-gradient riffles. Margin vegetation was heavy with Indian rhubarb(Darmera peltata).The dominant substrate wascobble,followed bybedrockand boulders. Average bankfullchannel widthwas approximately 45 ft.There were several long, complex high-andlow-gradient riffles braiding through boulder/bedrock and completely covered with Indian rhubarb. There wereseveral very long, homogeneousshallow pools, with cobble/boulder substratepresent inalow gradient area.This site hadan average of 75 percentriparian canopy, providing extensiveshade.A dark creek bottom and considerable shade made fordifficult visibility of the stream bottomduring VESs.No fish were documented during surveys, but are presumed to be present since fish have been observed in Grizzly Creek downstream of Site GC-3. 5.2.2.7Grizzly Creek upstream of Grizzly Forebay (GC-4) Site GC-4is located on Grizzly Creek, starting atitsconfluence with Grizzly Forebayand extending approximately 3,547 ftupstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 4,380 ft at the downstream end, which is near the upper elevation limit for foothill yellow-legged frog (approximately 4,500 ft in this region of California).VESs were conducted onMay 15, June 24, July 14, and August 21, 2015. Site GC-4is a low-gradient site, witha fairly equal distribution of cobble, boulder, and bedrock substrate. Bankfull channel widthswere variable, ranging between 25 and 55 ft.Habitats included low-gradient riffles, pools/pool tail-outs,and runs.The upper-most end of the site was a long (approximately 500-ft-long) cobble bar (point bar) along a sharp bend in the stream, which provided some moderate-quality breeding habitat for foothill yellow-legged frog.The main channel was very openwith ample sun exposure, though there were many conifers alongthe moderately steep banks, providing some riparian cover and shade.An estimated 25percentof the reachwas covered byoverhanging vegetation,composed predominantly of alders but with a mix of some dogwood and willows. Fish (unidentified) were observed, including many fry and young- of-yearsizedfish. 5.2.3Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Seven riverine sites and four lake sites were surveyed three times for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. No Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were found.Table 5provides water and air temperatures recorded during VESsat each site. While some sites showed reduced water levels as the season progressed, all of the sites were perennial and retained some water throughout the summer. Fish were present or presumed to be present at all sites except Bald Eagle Lake. Afew fish were observed at Grassy Lakes,though there were numerous and extensiveshallow areas with emergent vegetation that provided escape cover for amphibiansfrom predatory fish.Appendix A provides representative photos of each site. December 2016Page 19 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Table 5.Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Survey Conditions Temperature Range Survey Start End Site Date timeTimeWater Temp. Air Temp. Length Site Code(ft)(2015)Visit(hrs)(hrs)(°C)(°C) 5/141164218079.516 7/1321120120812.523 HC-1 2,879 8/18392210058–1217.5–24 5/141102312207–911–12.5 7/1321402154513–24.526 BC-2 3,801 7/183130514278–2323 6/2195511149–1615–16 7/162940104012–2218–20 RBMC-1 2,036 8/1931000110011–11.518–18.5 6/211300135810–1716–17 7/162113012301222–23.5 MFMC-1 1,697 8/193122013071122.5–24 6/21154016511416–19 7/1621350151517–17.524.5–27 MC-1 2,140 8/1931500161015.5–19.526–28.5 5/1419009401414 Thompson 6/242160016202430 – Lake 8/173150015302332 6/11150015351813 Bald Eagle 7/152123013412328 – Lake 8/173124413162326 6/311304152118–2119–23.5 7/1521400154522–24.524.5–27 Three Lakes– 8/2031250145021.5–22.527–28 6/31100011301713–15 7/1521010121013–17.521–25 Grassy Lakes– 8/2031014113017.5–20.522–24 Notes:hrs = hours; °C= degrees Celsius 5.2.3.1Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay (GC-3) At an elevation of 4,232 ft,Site GC-3is within the elevational range for Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frog.Site GC-3 is described above under Section 5.2.2 for foothill yellow-legged frog. 5.2.3.2Grizzly Creek upstream of Grizzly Forebay (GC-4) At an elevation of 4,380 ft,Site GC-4is within the elevational range for Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frog.Site GC-4 is described above under Section 5.2.2for foothill yellow-legged frog. 5.2.3.3Haskins Creek (HC-1) Site HC-1is located on HaskinsCreek, starting at its confluence with Bucks Lakeand extending approximately 2,879 ftupstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 5,161 ft at the downstream end. VESs were conducted onMay 14, July 13, and August 18, 2015. Page 20December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Site HC-1 is within a low-gradient section of Haskins Creek situated in a meadow. The channel splitsseveral times, particularly near the upstream end of the survey area. The lower half of Site HC-1 near Bucks Lake hadminimal riparian shading;sun exposure was high. The upper half of the site haddense stands of willowsalong mostofthe channel, and sun exposure was moderate. There was a relatively equal distribution of silt/mud, sand, gravel, and cobble substrates. Aquatic habitats includedareas of flowing water, standing pools, and dispersed standing water. Approximately halfof the banks within the site were near-vertical and severely eroding. Much of Site HC-1in the upper section wasa network of narrow (less than 5-ft) channels. As of the July survey, lower portions of the creek were flowing sub-surface, leaving intermittent isolated pools. Atthe August survey, the stream had dried back from the confluence with Bucks Lake to the bridge/stream crossing.There were substantial amountsof green algae (an estimated 40percent) in the creek during the VESs. A few areas had emergent grasses and sedges.Rainbow trout were observed spawning in the channel during the May survey. 5.2.3.4Bucks Creekat confluence with Bucks Lake (BC-2) Site BC-2is located on BucksCreek, starting at its confluence with Bucks Lake and extending approximately 3,801 ftupstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 5,161 ft at the downstream end. VESs were conducted onMay 14, July 13, and August 18, 2015. Site BC-2is a low-gradient section of Bucks Creekthat flowsinto Bucks Lake. Aquatic habitats were predominantly low-gradient riffles and pools. There wasafairly equal distribution of silt/mud, sand, gravel, and cobble substrates. Bankfull widths were an estimated average of 25 ft, though wetted widths were considerablyless, particularly the upper sections of the site during late summer,averagingless than5 ft. Riparian canopy was estimated to be 80percentoverall, composed primarily of willows, alders, and conifers, which made the site mostly shaded with limited sun exposure.Within the upper section of Site BC-2 during the summer, low-growing vegetation (e.g., forbs and sedges) along the wetted channel margins was moderate to dense.By the July survey, the water level had dropped by over 50percent; by the August survey, the upper end of the site was mostly dry with some isolated pools. Rainbow trout were documented spawning during the May surveys;several redds andmany frywere observed. Two schools of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)were recorded in July. 5.2.3.5Right Hand Branch Mill Creek (RBMC-1) Site RBMC-1is located on Right Hand Branch Mill Creek, starting at its confluence with Bucks Lake and extending approximately 2,036 ftupstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 5,161 ft at the downstream end.VESs were conducted onJune 2, July 16, and August 19, 2015. Site RBMC-1is a relatively small tributary, 10-to 15-ftbankfullwidth,with high overall gradient. There wasconsiderable (>70percent) overall riparian canopyalong the steep banks, contributing to a high amount ofshade. Aquatic substrate was predominantly boulders and cobble, and habitat wastypically low-gradient riffle with occasional pools.There was very little (<10percent) emergent vegetation, but low-growing vegetation (e.g., alders. forbs, and sedges) along the wetted channel margins was fairly dense (>90percent). Fish were observed, but not identifiedto species. December 2016Page 21 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) 5.2.3.6Middle Fork Mill Creek (MFMC-1) Site MFMC-1 is located on Middle ForkMill Creek, starting at its confluence with Bucks Lake and extending approximately 1,697 ft(Figure 1)upstream.The site elevation is 5,161 ft at the downstream end.VESs were conducted on June 2, July 16, and August 19, 2015. Site MFMC-1is arelatively small tributary, 10-to 15-ft bankfullwidth.This site hadan overall highgradient,withmoderately steep banks andavery dense(>90percent)riparian canopy that resulted in a nearlycompletelyshaded stream. Aquatic substrates wereprimarily gravel, cobble, and boulder;aquatic habitat was composed generally of low-gradient riffle with occasional pools. There was very little (<5percent) emergent vegetation, but low-growing vegetation (e.g., alders, forbs, and sedges) along the wetted channel margins was fairly dense (>90percent).Fish were observed, but not identifiedto species. 5.2.3.7Mill Creek (MC-1) Site MC-1 is located on Mill Creek, starting at its confluence with Bucks Lake and extending approximately 2,140 ftupstream (Figure 1).The site elevation is 5,164 ft at the downstream end. VESs were conducted on June 2, July 16, and August 19, 2015. Site MC-1is a moderatelysized tributary, averaging30-ftbankfullwidth. This site hadan overall high gradient,with asimilar proportion of shade and sun exposurewithin the site. Aquatic substrates wereprimarily boulders and bedrock with cobble, and habitat was predominantly high- gradient riffle with cascade/plunge pools.A large proportion of the site was covered with Indian rhubarbduring the summer months, often along the margin as well as emerging from the channel. Fish were observed, but not identifiedto species.A non-native crayfish was also documented. 5.2.3.8Thompson Lake ThompsonLake,adrinking water reservoir,is located approximately 1,000 ft southwest of Bucks Lake, and is easily accessible by Bucklin Road (Figure 1).At 5,423 ft elevation, it is estimatedto be5.2 acres (ac).VESs were conducted onMay 14, June 24, and August 17, 2015. Over half of Thompson Lake is surrounded by steep granitebedrock, and the shoreline banks were also steep. The lake margin wasdensely vegetated, primarily with willows. Upland vegetative cover was also dense with willows, alders, and conifers. There were few small areas of shallow shoreline that hademergent sedges(estimated at 10percentof the total shoreline), but overall, very few areas withagraduallysloping shoreline. The substrate was primarily sand withwidely distributed boulders. The waterwas discoloredand moderately turbid, resulting in poor visibility into the water. Water levels at Thompson Lake were consistently highduring the surveys, which resulted in flooded margin vegetation.Fish were observed but not identifiedto species, including small fry during the June surveys. 5.2.3.9Bald Eagle Lake Bald Eagle Lake is perched atop a steep northwest-facing slopeof Bald Eagle Mountain, in a granite cirque,located approximately 0.25 mi southeast of ThreeLakes Road (Figure 1). Relatively small, it is approximately1.5acin areaat 6,060 ft elevation.Access to this site by foot Page 22December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 consists of climbingalong an estimated 100 ft of cables (installed for accessing adiversionto Milk Ranch Creek Conduit), then hiking cross-country over and around steep cliffs, boulder-fields, and through shrubby vegetation. VESs were conducted onJune 1, July 15, and August 17, 2015. Bald Eagle Lakeis greater than 5 ftdeepandholds water year-round. Primary aquatic substrates weremud/silt and boulders. The lake margin was fairly vegetated; approximately 50percentof the shoreline consistedof overhanging willows. Less than half of the lake margin provided gradually sloping shoreline, and of that, there was one small pocket (<10percentof the shoreline) that hademergent sedges and grasses. Aquatic habitat includedseveral areas with large woody debris that,along with submerged boulders,provided aquatic cover. Bank gradient was moderate in most sections, with a larger backdrop of fairly steep boulder fields.The banks provided many opportunities for upland cover, mostly shrubby vegetation, boulder fields, and downed wood. Waterwas moderately turbidand slightly discolored.No fish were documented. 5.2.3.10Three Lakes Three Lakesis located at the terminusof Three Lakes Road(Figure 1). This site is composed of a lower, middle, and upper lake, with a total area of50.4ac at an elevation of 6,121 ft.The lower and middle lakesare connected by a large channel, and the upper lake is connected to the middle lake by a small stream. VESs were conducted onJune 3, July 15, and August 20, 2015. Three Lakes is perennial. Based on evaluation of historical Google Earth imagery, it appears that lower and middle Three Lakes had much lower water levels in 2015 than in previousyears, while the upper lake appeared to be at full capacity. Primary aquatic substrates were silt/mud,sand, bedrock,and boulder. In general, the shorelines of the lower and middle lakes had very little margin vegetation; the southern shorelines generally consisted of boulder and bedrock, while the northern shorelines were typically sandy. Much of the lack of margin vegetation is presumably due to the low water levels, since there was upland shrub vegetation in some of these areas with a visible high-water line. One section of the northern shoreline of the lower lake had a relatively large section of shallows with emergent vegetation during the June survey. By the July survey, this area was mostly dry. The upper lake also had a fairly expansiveshallow area composed of emergent sedges. Approximatelyhalfof the upper lake had inundated willows along the margin habitat. The uplands along all three lakes were forested along the north shore. Bank gradients varied, but were generally low to moderatealong the north shore and high along the south shore. The water was discolored. Fish were observed but notidentifiedto species, including many fry during the July survey. 5.2.3.11Grassy Lakes Grassy Lakes is located approximately 600 ftnorth of Three Lakes (Figure 1).This site is composed of two lakes (connected by a small stream) that total approximately 3.8acin areaat an elevation of 6,195 ft.VESs were conducted onJune 3, July 15, and August 20, 2015. Grassy Lakes ischaracterized by large open, relatively shallow (overall less than 2 m deep) habitat with a very high proportion (>90percent)of emergentsedgesthroughout both lakes. The substrate of silt/mud substrate was considerably deep, making traversing many areas by foot difficult or December 2016Page 23 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) unfeasible.Submerged sedges provided abundant opportunities for underwater amphibian cover, and were interspersedwith patches of open water. This site also containedsphagnum bogs. Margin vegetation included willows, alders, grasses, and other forbs. Upland habitats were forested, predominantly with conifers and alders as well as occasional willows.A few small fish were observed butcouldnot be identified to species during the June survey. The numerous and extensive shallow areas with emergent vegetation provided good escape cover for amphibians. 5.2.4Western pond turtle FourVESs were conducted at each of the three western pond turtle study sites. No western pond turtles were found.Weather conditions were good to idealduring all surveys, with warm temperatures, sunny/clear or partly cloudy skies, and no wind to a light breeze. Table 6provides survey times,water and airtemperatures, watertransparency(Secchi depth),and dissolved oxygen measurements.Appendix A provides representative photos of each site. 5.2.4.1Grizzly Forebay Grizzly Forebay, located along Grizzly Creek, is situated approximately half-way between Bucks Lake to the east and NFFR (Cresta Reservoir) to the west (Figure 1). It covers approximately 32.7 ac at 4,361 ft elevation. Grizzly Forebay is s-shaped, approximately 0.75 mi long and 500 ft wide at its widest point. VESs were conducted on June 24, 2015; August 18, 2015; July 13, 2016; and August 24, 2016. Grizzly Forebay is situated amongst moderately steep and densely forested banks. The margin was nearly 100 percent vegetated, mostly by mixed conifers as well as a few scattered sections of alders, willows, and shrubby vegetation. Substrate along the margin was predominantly silt. There was one small, relatively shallow section of Grizzly Forebay with emergent sedges. The inflow area at the east end of the forebay, near Grizzly Powerhouse, was relatively shallow with predominantly cobble substrate. The water level was relatively high during surveys; it appeared that water levels were at an estimated 5 ft below the highest water mark line. There was abundant downed woody debris scattered throughout the shoreline that provided quality basking opportunities, and well as exposed sandy banks, bedrock, and boulders. Water visibility was good. Dissolved oxygenlevels were good. During 2016 measured dissolved oxygen levels were supersaturated (>100 percent), this may be attributed to photosynthesis by phytoplankton and other plants. Trout were observed in the forebay. 5.2.4.2Lower Bucks Lake Lower Bucks Lake receiveswater from Bucks Lake, located to the east of this site (Figure 1). Relatively large, it is approximately 130 ac, located at 5,030 ft elevation. This site is approximately 0.75 mi long and 1,500 ft wide at its widest point. VESs were conducted on July 13, 2015; August 17, 2015; July 13, 2016; and August 24,2016. Page 24December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 13 - ) TM mg/L mg/L 80%96% mg/L –– 93%74% in mg/L and 8.0 mg/L9.9 mg/L6.7 111%102% 105% 105% ––– 102.4% 7892 8.88.1 mg/L 8.7 mg/L8.8 mg/L 10.1 mg/L7.73 7.88.86.6 Dissolved Oxygen Range percent saturation ( 141715181415221712 (Secchi Depth in ft) Water Transparency 619 No. S1) - 31.530 3 –– 2 23292930 31.534.524.522.529.5 (°C) 28 Project 29.5 Air Temp. 1917.520.520.521.7 25 –––– – 1917202322 17.522.5 Temperature Range Project, FERC 12 Water 14.819.514.121.2 Page Temp. (°C) Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 133012231200105516001425 1200152016301511134517501154 (hrs) 16 End Time ©20 onditions Bucks Creek t No. 619 1130145015301300115313451230110010001700104614581330 (hrs) Status Amphibians and - Start Time ft = feet; mg/L = milligrams per liter Special 343434 121212 Visit /2015/2015/2015/2015/2015/2015 Date Survey = degrees Celsius; 8/187/13/20168/24/20168/177/13/20168/24/20168/187/11/20168/24/2016 6/247/137/16 °C Western Pond Turtle Survey C Bucks Creek Project, FERC ProjecTechnical Memorandum: . 6 hrs = hours; SiteGrizzly ForebayLower Bucks LakeHaskins Bay Table Notes:December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Lower Bucks Lake is surrounded by conifer forest along moderately sloped banks. The uplands were nearly 100 percent vegetated with conifers, though there was an approximately 10-to 15-ft band of exposed bank, which was commonly vegetated with willows. There were a few small areas with grasses/forbs along the shoreline, but most of the shoreline was exposed with a few steep, rocky areas. The substrate of the exposed bank was mostly composed of a mixture of sand and gravel. There were numerous (approximately one dozen) downed logs that provided suitable basking opportunities, along with exposed banks. Water visibility was good. Dissolved oxygen levels were good. During 2016 measured dissolved oxygen levels were supersaturated (>100 percent), this may be attributed to photosynthesis by phytoplanktonand other plants. Recreation is common at a sandy beach along the northeast shore of Lower Bucks Lake. 5.2.4.3Haskins Bay Haskins Bay is a long, triangular-shapedinlet at the southern end of Bucks Lake (Figure 1).It covers approximately 59.6 acat 5,162 ft elevation.VESs were conducted onJuly 16, 2015; August 18,2015; July 11, 2016; and August 24, 2016. Haskins Bay was characterized by a relatively barren and exposed shoreline. The southern shores of Haskins Bay had a low slope with predominantly sand and gravel aquatic substrates, while the northernmost shores (which narrowed before opening back up to the main part of Bucks Lake) were fairly steep and composed mainly of boulders. Upland habitats were mostlydense mixed conifers. Recreation(e.g.,swimming andboating)is common at this site, particularly adjacent to Haskins Campgroundand Bucks Lake Camp and RV Park.The water appeared to have a greenish tinge during the July2015surveys, though water visibility was good.Dissolved oxygen levels were good. During 2016 measured dissolved oxygen levels were supersaturated (>100percent), this may beattributed to photosynthesis of phytoplankton and other plants. Reservoir water levels in 2016 were higher than in 2015.There was no downed woodalong the shorelineto provide potential basking sites. 5.2.5Other Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Species Eleven non-special-status amphibian and reptile species were observed throughout the study area during VESsorother resource studies, including: southern long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum sigillatum), Sierra newt (Taricha sierrae), western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), Sierran treefrog (Pseudacris sierra), spinylizard (Sceloperussp.), northern alligator lizard (Elgariacoerulea),rubber boa (Charina bottae), mountain garter snake (Thamnophis elegans elegans),Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii), and westernrattlesnake(Crotalus oreganus). Southernlong-toed salamander,rubber boa,and western rattlesnake were observed incidentally during otherstudies(e.g., bat surveys)or during transit between sites.Table7lists the amphibian or reptile species observed byspecies, life stage, estimated number observed, and location(s) where the species was/were documented.Sierra newts, Sierran treefrog, and garter snakes were the most abundant and widely distributed herpetofauna species observed in the study area. Page 26December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Table 7.Additional Herpetofauna Species Observed, by Life Stage Estimated Number Observed, By Life Stage Species Common NameEgg Young-Location(s) Where Species (Scientific name)MassLarvaeof-YearAdultDocumented Southern long-toed salamander a Unnamed Pond -North, Three ab 1 (Ambystoma macrodactylum10 b Lakes Dam sigillatum) Sierra newt MRC-1, BC-1, GC-1, GC-2, GC-3, 20150 (Taricha sierrae)Bald Eagle Lake Western toad c 30MC-1 (Anaxyrus boreas) dc BC-2,MC-1,Bald Eagle Lake, Sierran treefrog a 2,200602 10Three Lakes, Grassy Lakes, (Pseudacris sierra) a Unnamed Pond -North Spiny lizard 210Grassy Lakes, Bucks Lake (Sceloperussp.) Northern alligator lizard 2Three Lakes (Elgariacoerulea) Rubber boa b 1Lower Bucks Lake (Charina bottae) Mountain garter snake 1BC-2 (Thamnophis elegans elegans) Sierra garter snake 8MRC-1, BC-1, GC-3 (Thamnophis couchii) Unknown garter snakeGC-1, GC-2, GC-4, HC-1, BC-2, 33 (Thamnophissp.)MC-1, Three Lakes, Grassy Lakes Westernrattlesnake e 1Wildcat Creek Trail (Crotalus oreganus ) a Observed during a separate study for theMilk Ranch Conduit Diversion #3 Repair Project b Observed during relicensing bat surveys c Observed on the shoreline of Bucks Lake nearthe confluence with MillCreek d Observed on the shoreline of Bucks Lake near theconfluence with Bucks Creek e Observed on a primitive hiking trail to Site GC-2 December 2016Page 27 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) One southern long-toed salamander adult was observed on the Three Lakes Dam spillway at 7:30 pm on September 17, 2015. There was an unusual red patch on the left jawand the posterior of the left front leg (Figure 2), which may be indicative of disease (e.g.,Ranavirus). Figure 2.Photograph of a Southern Long-Toed Salamander found on Three Lakes Dam Spillway 6STUDY IMPLEMENTATION 6.1Variancesfrom Study Description Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were listed as a federally endangered speciesin 2014,and thus, a federal 10(a)1(A) Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog recovery permit request to USFWS was filed in December 2014,prior to initiatingsurveys. Thisrequest for a federal recovery permit was not issuedby USFWS during the survey year. Therefore,dip-netting in shallow littoral and riparian zones for tadpoles and smallindividuals, as described in the FERC-approved Study Plan, was not conducted. 6.2Outstanding Study Elements Implementation of Study Description RTE-S1 Special Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptilesas approved by FERC is complete and the Technical Memorandum is considered final. There are no outstanding study elements or remaining work. 6.3Incidental Observations for Species of Interest Table 8provides a list of incidental observations of species of interestother than amphibians and reptiles. Page 28December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Table 8.Incidental Sightings Species Date / GPS ObservedPhoto Abun TimeSpecies NameGeneral LocationCoordinatedanceBy(Y/N) Gray fox (tracks) 39.969677, 4/14/15 Three Lakes Road1H. BurgerY (Urocyon 9:45 am-121.227526 cinereoargenteus) Bald eagle Milk Ranch Creek at 4/15/1539.962645, confluence with North 1H. BurgerN (Haliaeetus 1:45 pm-121.274391 Fork Feather River leucocephalus) 4/15/15 Canyonwren Grizzly Creek at 39.868365, 4:00 pmconfluence with North 1H. BurgerN (Catherpes -121.373525 Fork Feather River mexicanus) American dipper 5/13/15 (nest)39.961467, South Fork Grouse C.Loomis, H. 1Y 11:30 Hollow CreekBurger, C. Buck (Cinclus -121.238333 am mexicanus) Song sparrow 5/14/15 (nest)39.883536, Bucks Creek upstream of C. Loomis, C. 1Y 10:00 Bucks LakeBuck (Melospiza -121.149800 am melodia) American dipper 5/15/15 (nest) Grizzly Creek upstream C. Loomis, C. NA1Y 10:30 of Grizzly ForebayBuck (Cinclus am mexicanus) Spotted sandpiper Right Hand Branch Mill 6/2/15(adult and nest)39.899633, C. Loomis, H. Creek at confluence with 1Y Burger, C. Buck 9:00 am(Actitis -121.173260 Bucks Lake macularius) Monarch butterfly 6/2/1539.915796, C. Buck, C. Mill Creek1Y (Danaus Loomis 2:45 pm-121.184760 plexippus) River otter (scat) 6/2/1539.915941, Mill Creek1H. BurgerY (Lontra 2:45 pm-121.184563 canadensis) 6/3/15Sandhill crane C. Buck, H. 39.967683, (vocalizations) Grassy Lakes (upper)>1Burger, C. N 10:00 -121.210694 Loomis am(Grus canadensis) December 2016Page 29 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Species Date / GPS AbunObservedPhoto TimeSpecies NameGeneral LocationCoordinatedanceBy(Y/N) Bald eagle 6/24/15 C. Buck, C. Grizzly ForebayNA1 N (Haliaeetus Loomis NA leucocephalus) 6/24/15Great blue heron C. Buck, C. Grizzly ForebayNA1N Loomis NA(Ardea herodias) American dipper 6/25/15 (nest)39.854773, Grizzly Creek near C. Loomis, C. 1Y 10:30 Wildcat CreekBuck (Cinclus -121.336960 am mexicanus) Spotted sandpiper 7/13/15 H. Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1N (Actitis Champe 2:00 pm macularius) 7/13/15Dark-eyed junco H. Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1 N Champe 2:00 pm(Junco hyemalis) Brewer’s 7/13/15blackbird H.Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1 N Champe 2:00 pm(Euphagus cyanocephalus) Northern flicker 7/13/15 H. Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1N (Colaptes Champe 2:00 pm auratus) Red-tailed hawk 7/13/15 H. Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1N (Buteo Champe 2:00 pm jamaicensis) River otter (scat) 7/13/15 H. Burger, C. Lower Bucks LakeNA1N (Lontra Champe 2:00 pm canadensis) 7/14/15 Canada goose Grizzly Creek H. Burger, C. 1:00 pmdownstream of Grizzly NA1N (Branta Champe Forebay Canadensis) 7/14/15 American dipper Grizzly Creek H. Burger, C. 1:00 pmdownstream of Grizzly NA1N (Cinclus Champe Forebay mexicanus) Northern flicker Grizzly Creek 7/14/15 H. Burger, C. downstream of Grizzly NA1N (Colaptes Champe 1:00 pm Forebay auratus) Page 30December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Species Date / GPS AbunObservedPhoto TimeSpecies NameGeneral LocationCoordinatedanceBy(Y/N) River otter Grizzly Creek 7/14/1539.889022, downstream of Grizzly 1H. BurgerN (Lontra 5:30 pm-121.294456 Forebay canadensis) Peregrine falcon 7/15/15 C. Loomis, C. Three LakesNA2N (Falco Buck 3:00 pm peregrinus) 8/18/15Black bear (track) 39.955551, C. Buck, S. Unnamed Pond -South1Y 12:45 (Ursus Gabrielson -121.237616 pmamericanus) Notes: GPS=Global Positioning System Y=Yes N=No NA=Not Available 7STUDY-SPECIFIC CONSULTATION 7.1Consultation from Study Description Specific survey sites were selected in consultation with agencies including USFS, CDFW, and USFWSduring a meeting in Oroville on March 23, 2015, and during a site visit with USFS on April 21, 2015. Notification of dates for field sampling was provided with at least14days’ notice of the proposed field schedule. First-year study results were presentedtoRelicensing ParticipantsonJanuary 21, 2016. 2016 surveydetails anddates were provided tointerested and available agency personnel prior to conducting the surveys. 7.2Status of Consultation All consultation requirements have beenmet;consultation is complete. December 2016Page 31 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status AmphibiansandAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) 8REFERENCES AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. \[Web application\]. 2013. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/.\[Accessed: September 19\]. Ashton, D., Lind, A. and Schlick, K. 1997.Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata).Natural History. Redwood Science Laboratory, Arcata CA 95521 Brown, C., M.P. Hayes, G.A. Green, and D.C. MacFarlane. 2014. Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog Conservation Assessment for the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, USA. A Collaborative Inter-Agency Project by: USDA Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service CDFG (California Department of Fish and Game).2009.Sierra Nevada Fish and Amphibian Inventory Data Sheet Instructions.California Department of Fish & Game Fish/Amphibian Survey Protocols .Version 2.4, April 10. CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2015. California Natural Diversity Database. RareFind3. Electronic database. Natural Heritage Division, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, California. Fellers, G. M., K. L. Pope, J.E. Stead, M.S Koo, and H.H. Welsh. 2008. Turning population trend monitoring into active conservation: Can we save the Cascades frog (Rana cascadae) in the Lassen Region ofCalifornia? HerpetologicalConservation and Biology3: Heyer, W.R., M.A. Donnelly, R.W. McDiarmid, L.-A.C. Hayek, and M.S. Foster. 1994. Measuring and monitoring biological diversity: Standard methods for amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. Holland, D.C.1991.A synopsis and status of the western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) in 1991. Prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, San Simeon, CA. Revised by D.A. Reese. Holland,D.C.1994. The western pond turtle: habitat and history. Portland, Oregon: U.S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration. Lannoo, M.J. (ed.). 2005. Amphibian declines: The conservation status of United States species. University of California Press, Berkeley, California. Lind, A. 1997.Survey protocol for foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) in streams. U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Arcata, California. Matthews, K. R., and K. L. Pope. 1999. A telemetric studyof the movement patterns and habitat use of Rana muscosa, the mountain yellow-legged frog, in a high-elevation basin in Kings Canyon National Park, California. Journal of Herpetology 33:615-623. Page 32December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 Olson, D.H., W.P. Leonard, and R.B. Bury. 1997. Sampling amphibians in lentic habitats: Methods and approaches for the Pacific Northwest. Northwest Fauna 4. Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology, Olympia, Washington. PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company). 2002a.Resultsof 2002 Surveys for Foothill Yellow- legged Frog (Rana boylii), Cascades Frog (Rana cascadae), Mountain Yellow-legged Frog (Rana muscosa), and Western Pond Turtle (Clemmys marmorata) Conducted for the Bucks Creek Project. Prepared by Garcia and Associates, San Anselmo, California. PG&E. 2002b. A standardized approach for habitat assessment and visual encounter surveys for foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). Unpublished. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. PG&E. 2002c. Survey protocols, standard operating procedures, and data sheets for amphibian surveys and habitat assessments. Unpublished. Pacific Gas and Electric Company. May 2002. USFWS(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). 2002. Recovery plan for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii). USFWS, Portland, Oregon. USFWS. 2005. Revised guidance on site assessments and field surveys for the California red- legged frog. USFWS, Portland, Oregon. USFWS.2014. Federal Register. Rules and Regulations. Volume 79, No. 82, April 29, 2014. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04-29/pdf/2014-09488.pdf. \[Accessed August 11, 2014\]. USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). 2006. Western pond turtle (Emys marmorata) visual survey protocol for the south coast ecoregion.U. S. Geological Survey protocol. San Diego, California. Vredenburg, V. T., R. Bingham, R. A. Knapp, J. A. T. Morgan, C. Moritz, and D. Wake. 2007. Concordant molecular and phenotypic data delineate new taxonomy and conservation priorities for the endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frog. Journal of Zoology. Volume (271) 361–374. December 2016Page 33 Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) This Page Intentionally Left Blank Page 34December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 APPENDIX A REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF AMPHIBIAN AND AQUATIC REPTILE STUDY SITES December 2016PageA-1Appendix A Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) This Page Intentionally Left Blank Appendix APageA-2December 2016 Bucks Creek HydroelectricProject, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 13 - TM Appendix A TILE STUDY SITES 619 No. S1) - Project 3 - A Project, FERC BIAN AND AQUATIC REP Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Downstream of Bucks Powerhouse Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special PHOTOGRAPHS OF AMPHI North Fork Feather River 1: - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: REPRESENTATIVENFFR A.1 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 4 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 1: Milk Ranch Creek at Confluence with North Fork Feather River - MRC 13 - TM A.2 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 5 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 ith North Fork Feather River w Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special at Confluence Bucks Creek 1: - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: BC A.3 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 6 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara North Fork Feather River Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ith w Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 at Confluence Grizzly Creek 1: - GC 13 - TM A.4 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 7 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special Downstream of Wildcat Creek Grizzly Creek 2: - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: GC A.5 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 8 - A Page Forebay and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 3: Grizzly Creek Downstream of Grizzly - GC 13 - TM A.6 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 9 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special 4: Grizzly Creek Upstream of Grizzly Forebay - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: GC A.7 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 10 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ith Bucks Lake w Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 1: Haskins Creek at Confluence - HC 13 - TM A.8 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 11 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 ith Bucks Lake w Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special at Confluence Bucks Creek 2: - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: BC v A.9 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - ith Bucks Lake 12 - w A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 1: Right Hand Branch Mill Creek at Confluence - RBMC 13 - TM A.10 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 13 - A Project, FERC ith Bucks Lake Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE w and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Creek at Confluence Special Middle Fork Mill 1: - Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: MFMC A.11 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 14 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ith Bucks Lake w Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 1: Mill Creek at Confluence - MC 13 - TM A.12 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 15 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 bians and ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphi - Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: Thompson Lake A.13 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 16 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Bald Eagle Lake 13 - TM A.14 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 17 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: Three Lakes A.15 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 18 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Grassy Lakes 13 - TM A.16 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project ptiles (RTE 19 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Re and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: Grizzly Forebay A.17 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 20 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Lower Bucks Lake 13 - TM A.18 Appendix A 13 - TM Appendix A 619 No. S1) - Project 21 - A Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: Haskins Bay A.19 December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 22 - A Page and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 13 - TMAppendix A Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 APPENDIX B EXAMPLE DATASHEETS December 2016Page B-1Appendix B Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) This Page Intentionally Left Blank Appendix BPage B-2December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara B 13 - TM Appendix 619 No. S1) - Project 3 - B Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 ©20 Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - Special Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Appendix BPage B-4December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 December 2016Page B-5Appendix B Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 6 - B Page and the City of Santa Clara Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 13 - TMAppendix B Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 December 2016Page B-7Appendix B Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) Appendix BPage B-8December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 December 2016Page B-9Appendix B Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) This Page Intentionally Left Blank Appendix BPage B-10December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERCProject No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians andAquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1)TM-13 APPENDIX C GRIZZLY CREEK PULSE FLOWEVENTANDIMPLICATIONS ON SPECIAL-STATUS AMPHIBIANS AND AQUATIC REPTILES December 2016Page C-1Appendix C Bucks CreekHydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13 Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) This Page Intentionally Left Blank Appendix CPage C-2December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 TM-13Technical Memorandum: Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE-S1) At the request of the resources agencies, acalibration test flow (“pulse flow”)eventalong Grizzly Creek was initiated on August 9, 2015,in support of Study Description WR-S5Water Temperature Model.As a comment to the ISR, USFSrequested that a discussion of thispulse flow event,and implications for aquatic species surveys,be included in TM-13. The pulse flow in Grizzly Creek is not expected to have affected the survey results for special- status amphibians. A review of streamflow datashows that flows in June2015near amphibian sites GC-1 and GC-2 were similar to flows in August 2015during the pulse event(Figure C-1). Figure C-1 shows the hydrograph for two locations along Grizzly Creek: (1) near the confluence with NFFR, near amphibian site GC-1; and (2) upstream of Wildcat Creek, near amphibian site GC-2.Flow levels during VESat these two sites in June corresponded to flow levels experienced during the August pulse flow(Figure C-1).Aqualitative comparison wasmade of photographs of these amphibian sites taken in June (during higher flows similar to conditions during theAugust pulse event) and August (during “normal” flows after the pulse eventoccurred), where aquatic habitat for foothill yellow-legged frogs does not appear to have changed (Figures C-2 through C- 5).Changes in stage appear to be less than approximately 3 inches, which also correlates to stream gage data at nearby flow monitoring sites(Figure C-1). Additionally, all three amphibian sites downstream of Grizzly Forebay have generally low suitability of habitat for foothill yellow-legged frog breeding, mostly due to lack of available shallow margin habitat. Site GC-3 is also very shaded (reducing opportunities for basking) and had generally cold water temperatures. Furthermore, the probability of target species, particularly larvae, being present in Grizzly Creek during the August survey was low, since no special-status amphibians were found during the three VESconductedduring 2015prior to the pulse flows (in May, June, and July) at three sites located on Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay. Appendix CPage C-2December 2016 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara C 13 - TM Appendix Sites mphibian 619 No. S1) - Project 3 ong Grizzly Creek, proximal to A - C Project, FERC ites al Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE Two S and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 from ©20 2 ata - D Bucks Creek Status Amphibians and - 1 and GC - Special Streamflow GC 1. - Figure C Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: December 2016 , and econd ownstream S1) s - December 2016 D eet per f ooking L ubic pproximately 8 c Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 1 (Grizzly Creek at NFFR), - Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - ite GC 4 - C Page of Amphibian S and the City of Santa Clara nd Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Upstream E ange was approximately 2 inches\] left image shows “normal” flows from before the pulse flow event, compared with conditions similar to the Photographs from the \[August 9, 2015 pulse flows on the right; the difference in flow was athe stage ch 2. - 13 - TM Figure C Appendix C C 13 - TM s, and pstream Appendix U ooking L cubic feet per second 619 No. 1 (Grizzly Creek at NFFR), - S1) - flow event, compared with conditions similar to the Project ite GC 5 - C Project, FERC Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE of Amphibian S and and the City of Santa Clara nd , Pacific Gas and Electric Company E Hydroelectric 16 ©20 pstream U Bucks Creek Status Amphibians - Special ange was approximately 2 inches\] left image shows “normal” flows from before the pulse Photographs from the \[August 9, 2015 pulse flows on the right; the difference in flow was approximately 8 the stage ch 3. Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: - Figure C December 2016 ), 6.5 S1) - December 2016 upstream of Wildcat Creek \] inches Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 2 (Grizzly Creek 3 - Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - ite GC 6 - C Page of Amphibian S nd and the City of Santa Clara m E Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company left image shows “normal” flows from before the pulse flow event, compared with \[ Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Downstrea , and the stage change was approximately ownstream D ooking Photographs from the Lconditions similar to the August 9, 2015 pulse flows on the right; the difference in flow was approximately cubic feet per second 4. - 13 - TM Figure C Appendix C C 13 - TM Appendix \] 619 2 (Grizzly Creek upstream of Wildcat Creek), - No. S1) - Project ite GC S 7 - C mphibian Project, FERC A Page Aquatic Reptiles (RTE nd of E and the City of Santa Clara , Pacific Gas and Electric Company Hydroelectric 16 t 9, 2015 pulse flows on the right; the difference in flow was approximately 6.5 ©20 ownstream Bucks Creek D left image shows “normal” flows from before the pulse flow event, compared with Status Amphibians and , and the stage change was approximately 3 inches \[ - Special pstream U ooking Photographs from the Lconditions similar to the Auguscubic feet per second 5. Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619Technical Memorandum: - Figure C December 2016 S1) - December 2016 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles (RTE - 8 - C Page and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Technical Memorandum: Special ©2016, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 13 - TMAppendix C 9ƓĭƌƚƭǒƩĻ Ќ Vojufe!Tubuft!Efqbsunfou!pg!uif!Joufsjps GJTI!BOE!XJMEMJGF!TFSWJDF Tbdsbnfoup!Gjti!Boe!Xjmemjgf!Pggjdf Gfefsbm!Cvjmejoh 3911!Dpuubhf!Xbz-!Sppn!X.3716 Tbdsbnfoup-!DB!:6936.2957 Qipof;!):27*!525.7711!Gby;!):27*!525.7824 Jo!Sfqmz!Sfgfs!Up;!Gfcsvbsz!25-!312: Dpotvmubujpo!Dpef;!19FTNG11.312:.TMJ.2178 Fwfou!Dpef;!19FTNG11.312:.F.14486!! 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