HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.29.20 Email from Amy Schuman Board Correspondence - FW_ Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by Individual No Affiliation,et al.
From:Schuman, Amy
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;McCracken, Shari;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;
Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by Individual No Affiliation,et al.
Date:Monday, September 28, 2020 8:26:36 AM
Good morning,
Please see the email below from FERC.
Amy Schuman
Associate Clerk of the Board
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965
O: 530.552.3300 |D: 530.552.3308 | F: 530.538.7120
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From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov>
Sent: Monday, September 28, 2020 6:05 AM
Subject: Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by Individual No Affiliation,et al.
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 9/28/2020, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:
Filer: Individual No Affiliation
South Feather Water & Power Agency (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-2088-000
Lead Applicant: South Feather Water and Power Agency
Filing Type: Project Safety Compliance Report
Description: Weekly Status Report on Project Assets during North Complex Fire Incident of South Feather Water and Power Agency under P-2088.
To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20200928-
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September 25, 2020
Frank L. Blackett, P.E., Regional Engineer Filed electronically
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105
RE: South Feather Power Project (FERC No. 2088)
Weekly Status Report on Project Assets during North Complex Fire Incident
Dear Mr. Blackett,
A brief summary of this week’s events follows:
Saturday, 9/19/20 – Staff inspected Kelly and Forbestown Powerhouses, and Miners Ranch Reservoir.
Communication was lost at two stations around 0330, but all other sites are actively reporting via
SCADA and GOES. PG&E has been notified that they will have to monitor those two stations via GOES
until staff can safely make access and change out battery packs. Staff attempted to make entry to
Woodleaf Powerhouse, but were advised by fire personnel that because the fire had jumped the river
they should not proceed. Fire personnel also reported that there did not appear to be any fire in the
direct vicinity of the powerhouse or Forbestown Dam as this time. The southeast fire perimeter
(following the Project drainage) continues to burn in steep terrain and heavily fuel laden. The fire made
runs well north of Forbestown, but was contained within fire lines. PG&E is working on infrastructure
repair where it is safe to do so. All sites are actively reporting via SCADA and GOES. Little Grass Valley
Dam/Reservoir remains under evacuation order and is not accessible.
Sunday, 9/20/20 – Little Grass Valley Dam/Reservoir remains under evacuation order and is not
accessible. General winds are expected to remain around 10 mph, however overnight down canyon
winds continue to be a challenge. Excessive smoke has hampered aerial attack. The southeast
perimeter of the fire continues to burn in heavy fuels and steep terrain in the area of the South Fork of
the Feather River, and continue to be challenged in the area of the Feather River close to Forbestown
Reservoir.
Mon, 9/21/20 – Staff inspected Woodleaf Powerhouse with no issues to the powerhouse structure.
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However, backfiring operations have been conducted all along the roadway down to Forbestown
Diversion and there are still hot spots fire crews are attending to. Staff also were able to make access
to Little Grass Valley Reservoir and South Fork Diversion dams, and top off fuel for generators
maintaining communications equipment. Fire damage has caused sufficient damage to power poles
holding the 115 kv line near the Woodleaf Powerhouse, and PG&E crews will replace this infrastructure
as soon as they receive clearance to access the location. Although fire activity was evident at Little
Grass Valley Dam on the ridges to the north of the spillway and west of the dam, there was no fire
damage on the dam face, the generator or building. At South Fork Diversion Dam, fire activity was
evident along Mooreville Ridge Road and all around the diversion, however all infrastructure seemed
to be intact. There are large amounts of debris floating in the diversion. All sites are actively reporting
via SCADA and GOES. The fire continues to burn west toward the Ponderosa Reservoir and southwest
down to the South Fork of the Feather River and south towards Forbestown Reservoir Road. The
western and southern perimeters of the fire lines are holding.
Tues, 9/22/20 – Staff inspected Kelly Powerhouse and Miners Ranch Reservoir with no issues to report.
Staff additionally made stops at Forbestown Headquarters and Station 5 along the Miners Ranch Canal.
There were heavy aerial resources on the fire today, particularly to the northeast of Forbestown
Headquarters. All operational staff (but the foreman) have been instructed to stay off the Project
tomorrow due to fire activity. All sites are actively reporting via SCADA and GOES. Shifting winds
continue to cause erratic fire behavior in the area of the South Fork Feather River Drainage. 138 CA
National Guard soldiers were deployed on the fire yesterday, and will work with existing fire crews to
continue constructing perimeter control lines to keep the fire from moving into the communities of
Forbestown, Woodleaf, Clipper Mills and Strawberry Valley.
Wed, 9/23/20 – Based on overnight fire conditions, Ponderosa Reservoir to Woodleaf Powerhouse are
inaccessible to staff. Inspections of the Sly, Forbestown, and Kelly Powerhouses along with Miners
Ranch Reservoir were conducted. It was discovered that the generator at Forbestown Powerhouse had
been shut off by fire personnel, but it was restarted by staff. Fire crossed the penstock above
Forbestown Powerhouse. Staff inspected dresser couplings for damage, but no leaks were found. Fire
activity continues around the Ponderosa Reservoir. At days end, all sites are actively reporting via
SCADA and GOES. A fire weather watch will be issued for Saturday through early next week for
predicted higher than normal temperatures and strong northerly winds. Fire crews are working to
accomplish full containment ahead of this weather event. Current containment is at 63%.
Thurs, 9/24/20 – Staff inspected Kelly Powerhouse, Miners Ranch Reservoir and Lost Creek Dam with
no issues to report. Debris was cleaned from the grizzly at Station 5 on Miners Ranch Canal. Monthly
piezometer readings were taken at Miners Ranch Dam. All sites are actively reporting via SCADA and
GOES. Fire crews continue to reinforce the primary, alternate and contingency fire lines throughout
the fire area as well as conducting mop up activities in anticipation of the Red Flag conditions predicted
for the weekend.
Fri, 9/25/20 – Staff inspected Kelly and Sly Powerhouses, Miners Ranch Reservoir and Sly Creek
Reservoir with no issues to report. All sites are actively reporting via SCADA and GOES. PG&E has
provided notification that a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event will likely begin Saturday, and
continue through Monday. They have not confirmed whether or not this will de-energize the 60kv line
into the Kelly Powerhouse, but all other assets will likely go offline. The entirety of the Feather River
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Ranger District Portion of the Plumas National Forest remained closed to the public. There was minimal
fire activity last night. Fire crews continue to reinforce the primary, alternate and contingency fire lines
throughout the fire area as well as conducting mop up activities in anticipation of the Red Flag
conditions predicted for the weekend.
We continue to have uninterrupted domestic water supply, and full operation of Miners Ranch
Treatment Plant. Although staff have made access to most of the project, they are only doing high level
visual scans at these locations. Once full containment of the fire has been reached, and there is no
further threat to assets or personnel, an in-depth inspection at each one of the hydropower project
assets will be conducted. Your office will be provided with the 2019 Dam Safety Inspections that were
covered pre-fire, along with the post-fire reports.
If you have any questions related to this filing, please feel free to contact me at (530) 534-1221, or via
email at kmckillop@southfeather.com.
Sincerely,
South Feather Water and Power Agency
Kristen McKillop
Regulatory Compliance
CC: Rath Moseley, General Manager
Dan Leon, Power Division Manager
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