HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.10.21 BOS Correspondence - FW_ 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;Cook, Robin;Kimmelshue, Tod;Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas,
Amalia;Sweeney,
Kathleen;Teeter, Doug
Subject:BOS Correspondence - FW: Supplemental/Additional Information submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
Date:Wednesday, February 10, 2021 1:55:18 PM
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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-----Original Message-----
From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 1:15 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 2/10/2021, 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: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Supplemental/Additional Information
Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits supplemental information re the Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection Project - Follow-Up Items for the Bucks Creek-Grizzly Hydroelectric
Project under P-619.
To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20210210-
5115__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!X302ef_epkDFQCnVoDSsd4OIYyQCfzI_wLzFEezTKPNLIV3Ewso7g5iIcc2bpO5Z5xTUSzXNM3o$
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245 Market Street
Power Generation
San Francisco, CA 94105
Mailing Address:
Mail Code N11D
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177
February 10, 2021
Via Electronic Submittal (E-File)
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C., 20426
RE: Bucks Creek-Grizzly Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619
Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection Project Follow-Up Items
Dear Secretary Bose:
1
On November 23, 2020, pursuant to 18 C.F.R. Part 4, Subpart L of the Federal Energy
October 9, 2020 Information Request Relating to Grizzly Tap Conductor Removal, Pacific
Gas and Electric Company on behalf of itself and joint licensee,
the City of Santa Clara, California, applied to the Commission for a Non-Capacity
Amendment of License to reduce the length of a primary line by 900 feet at the Bucks
Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619
On February 2, 2021, PG&E reached out to FERC staff via telephone to discuss the status
-up voicemail received by PG&E on February 4, 2021, FERC
staff requested that the following items be filed:
1. Documentation of tribal consultation.
2. Status and/or documentation of U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
3. Status and/or documentation of consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
This letter provides updates for each of the items requested.
Tribal Consultation
On October 21, 2020, PG&E provided a Sacred Lands File and Native American Contacts
List Request form to the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). Due to the
urgency of the project, on October 23, 2020, Section 106 consultation invitation letters
1
Accession Number 20201124-5055
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
February 10, 2021
Page 2
were sent via certified mail to tribes listed on an older NAHC contact list, as well as follow-
up emails (Attachment A), prior to receiving a response from the NAHC to allow adequate
time for tribal response. Those tribes included the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of the
Enterprise Rancheria, Greenville Rancheria of Maidu Indians, and Mooretown Rancheria
of Maidu Indians. On November 13, 2020, Mooretown Rancheria provided a letter stating
they were unaware of any known cultural resources in the Area of Potential Effects
, but requested to be contacted if any cultural items or human remains were
discovered (Attachment B). When the NAHC response was received on November 9,
2020, it indicated that there are no sacred lands within the vicinity of the direct APE and
identified one additional contact, Susanville Indian Rancheria. On December 9, 2020, a
letter and email were sent to Susanville Indian Rancheria, along with follow up emails to
the remaining tribes who had not yet responded (Attachment C). On December 9, 2020,
the Mechoopda Indian Tribe responded indicating the project was outside their ancestral
territory (Attachment D).
Record of tribal consultation and a review package were provided to the California State
11, 2020. By letter dated January 20,
2
2021, SHPO filed with FERC the following comments:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.4(a)(1), I find the APE to be adequate;
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 800.4(b)(1), I find the efforts to identify historic properties to be
reasonable and in good faith;
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 800, I do not object to a finding of no adverse effects to historic
properties;
In the event of a post-review discovery or project redesign, PG&E on behalf of the
FERC might have additional responsibilities pursuant to 36 CFR 800.
USFS Consultation
affect both PG&E and USFS lands within the Plumas National Forest. PG&E notified the
USFS of preliminary work associated with the Grizzly Reconnection Project on October 6,
2020 (Attachment E) and supplemented this material with a project description that
encompassed all phases of the Grizzly Reconnection Project on October 23, 2020
(Attachment F). By letter dated January 15, 2021 (Attachment G), USFS staff provided
concurrence for Phase 2 of the proposed work described in the Application with the
following conditions:
Botanical Resources:
Project work sites are within invasive plant populations documented during FERC
relicensing surveys. Continue eradication and control efforts per Vegetation
Management Plan. Infestations behind locked gates or fences that are inaccessible
2
Accession Number 20210121-5263
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
February 10, 2021
Page 3
to weed crews shall be controlled by O&M crews. Incorporate standard weed
mitigations to prevent spreading existing infestations and prevent introducing new
infestations.
Heritage Resources:
Site 05115400434/CA-PLU-2826-H/ CA-PLU-2964-H, Bucks Tramway & Incline
Railroad (also recorded as FS Site 05115400790), is located within the Area of
Potential Effect and is determined not NRHP eligible (SHPO concurrence dated
04/19/2006). However, avoidance of this site is preferred.
on January 26, 2021, PG&E
provided via email a copy of SHPO concurrence of No Adverse Effects (Attachment H).
PG&E anticipated USFS would review Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the proposed work
together since both were submitted to the USFS in October 2020. In response to the
ested review of the Phase 3 proposed
work within the substation yard (Attachment I). Based on conversations with USFS staff,
PG&E expects a response by the end of February. As discussed below, because of this
October 2020 requests, PG&E requests
approval of Phase 2 of the proposed work so that this work can begin
as soon as possible.
USFWS/CDFW Consultation
As described in the Application, a biological assessment was conducted that resulted in no
resources other than USFS lands and potential historic properties that would be affected
by the proposed Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection Project, and, therefore, PG&E did not
propose to consult with any other agencies. Given the minimal modifications proposed in
the Application and limited associated ground-disturbing activity, PG&E requested waiver
of any other applicable requirements of 18 C.F.R. § 4.38(a)(7), to the extent necessary to
facilitate the expeditious processing of the Application. To date, no tribe or agency has
filed comments on the Application.
Conclusion
The Grizzly Powerhouse has been offline since the Camp Fire of November 2018. This
has been a significant financial burden to the City of Santa Clara and, thus, it is also a high
priority for PG&E to complete all construction associated with the Grizzly Powerhouse
reconnection to the grid as early in 2021 as possible. Due to this urgency and the tight
construction timeline to complete these actions, PG&E proposed in its Application to
conduct Phase 2 activities in January 2021 and to complete Phase 3 activities during
February and March 2021. Given the aggressive nature of this schedule, PG&E
respectfully requests that FERC approve Phase 2 of the proposed work as soon as
possible and conditionally approve Phase 3 of the proposed work, pending receipt of
USFS comments and concurrence of that work.
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
February 10, 2021
Page 4
If you have any questions regarding this Application, please contact PG&E's senior license
coordinator, Jamie Visinoni, at Jamie.Visinoni@pge.com.
Sincerely,
Teri Smyly
Manager, FERC Compliance
Attachments
A TTACHMENT A
O CTOBER 23,2020
PG&E TO NAHCC ONTACT L IST
From:Bell, Arran <AUBQ@pge.com>
Sent:Friday, October 23, 2020 3:22 PM
Subject:Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection, Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619
Attachments:APE_24k.pdf; APE_NoResource.pdf
GoodAfternoon,
Since the Camp Fire in December 2018, the Grizzly Powerhouse has been out of service. As a result, PG&E proposes to
reconnect the Grizzly Powerhouse to the grid by interconnecting the Grizzly Tap line to the Bucks Creek-Cresta 230kV line
located in the Bucks Creek substation yard. In order to do so, the Grizzly Tap will need to terminate in the Bucks Creek
substation yard, where new equipment will facilitate interconnection to the grid. This will allow the existing Grizzly Tap line
to be re-routed to the Bucks Creek-Cresta 230kV line. Most of the construction and demolition activities will occur in the
Bucks Creek Powerhouse transmission yard, although guy wires will be added to three existing poles in the right-of-way for
the Grizzly Tap and the existing access bridge will be reinforced.
Three cultural resources have been identified within the area of potential effects (APE). These include the historic era
Highway 70/Feather River Highway District (FS 05-11-56-00324./P-32-000970), the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Historic
District and P-32-002664, an isolated telephone pole and insulators.
During the identification phase, PG&E works to obtain information regarding the presence of cultural resources within or
adjacent to the project area and to learn of any concerns you or other tribal members may have regarding this project so
that those concerns can be addressed.
Please send any response to Arran Bell, PG&E Cultural Resource Specialist, at (916) 215-0452 or send an email to
aubq@pge.com. Please reference the project name in any correspondence.
A letter and preliminary project information has also been mailed to the addresses provided by the Native American
Heritage Commission (NAHC). Please consider these as formal notification of the proposed project. Please respond
within 15 days, due to the urgency of this work. In addition, please provide a designated lead contact person if you have
not provided that information to us already. During COVID-19 I am working from home, so correspondence via email is
most effective as I rarely check mail delivered to my office.
Thank you,
ArranBell
CulturalResourceSpe
cialist
PacificGas&ElectricCompany
2730GatewayOaksDrive,Suite220
Sacramento,CA95833
Cell:9162150452
*Changesincludedinthisdocumentarecontemplatedasprecautionarymeasuresintendedtoreducefuturewildfire
risk.
1
A TTACHMENT B
N OVEMBER 13,2020
M OORETOWN R ANCHERIATO PG&E
A TTACHMENT C
D ECEMBER 9,2020
PG&E TO NAHCC ONTACT L IST
From:Bell, Arran <AUBQ@pge.com>
Sent:Wednesday, December 9, 2020 3:49 PM
To:dbovee@sir-nsn.gov
Subject:FW: Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection, Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619
Attachments:
APE_24k.pdf; APE_NoResource.pdf
GoodAfternoon,
Since the Camp Fire in December 2018, the Grizzly Powerhouse has been out of service. As a result, PG&E proposes to
reconnect the Grizzly Powerhouse to the grid by interconnecting the Grizzly Tap line to the Bucks Creek-Cresta 230kV line
located in the Bucks Creek substation yard. In order to do so, the Grizzly Tap will need to terminate in the Bucks Creek
substation yard, where new equipment will facilitate interconnection to the grid. Most of the construction and demolition
activities will occur in the Bucks Creek Powerhouse transmission yard, although guy wires will be added to three existing
poles in the right-of-way for the Grizzly Tap and the existing access bridge will be reinforced.
Three cultural resources have been identified within the area of potential effects (APE). These include the historic era
Highway 70/Feather River Highway District (FS 05-11-56-00324./P-32-000970), the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Historic
District and P-32-002664, an isolated telephone pole and insulators.
During the identification phase, PG&E works to obtain information regarding the presence of cultural resources within or
adjacent to the project area and to learn of any concerns you or other tribal members may have regarding this project so
that those concerns can be addressed.
Please send any response to Arran Bell, PG&E Cultural Resource Specialist, at (916) 215-0452 or send an email to
aubq@pge.com. Please reference the project name in any correspondence.
Please consider this as formal notification of the proposed project. Please respond within 15 days, due to the urgency of
this work. In addition, please provide a designated lead contact person if you have not provided that information to us
already. During COVID-19 I am working from home, so correspondence via email is most effective as I rarely check mail
delivered to my office.
Thank you,
ArranBell
CulturalResourceSpecialist
PacificGas&ElectricCompany
2730GatewayOaksDrive,Suite220
Sacramento,CA95833
Cell:9162150452
*Changesincludedinthisdocumentarecontemplatedasprecautionarymeasuresintendedtoreducefuturewildfire
risk.
1
A TTACHMENT D
D ECEMBER 9,2020
M ECHOOPDA T RIBETO PG&E
From:Bell, Arran <AUBQ@pge.com>
Sent:Wednesday, December 9, 2020 2:34 PM
To:K McHenry
Subject:RE: Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection, Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619
HiKyle,
Thankyouforyourresponse!
ArranBell
CulturalResourceSpecialist
PacificGas&ElectricCompany
2730GatewayOaksDrive,Suite220
Sacramento,CA95833
Cell:9162150452
*Changesincludedinthisdocumentarecontemplatedasprecautionarymeasuresintendedtoreducefuturewildfire
risk.
From:KMcHenry<kmchenry@mechoopdansn.gov>
Sent:Wednesday,December9,20202:31PM
To:Bell,Arran<AUBQ@pge.com>
Subject:Re:GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnection,BucksCreekHydroelectricProject,FERCProjectNo.619
*****CAUTION:ThisemailwassentfromanEXTERNALsource.Thinkbeforeclickinglinksoropening
attachments.*****
Sorry for the delay this project is outside our traditional territory Mechoopda does not require any further
consultation on this project thank you
Kyle McHenry, Tribal Council
Tribal Historic Preservation officer
Mechoopda Tribe
125 Mission Ranch Blvd, Chico, CA 95926
530-899-8922 ext 203
From:Bell,Arran<AUBQ@pge.com>
Sent:Wednesday,December9,20202:27:04PM
Subject:RE:GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnection,BucksCreekHydroelectricProject,FERCProjectNo.619
GoodAfternoon,
IamfollowinguponmyearlieremailfromOctober.Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyadditionalinformationtoshare
orconcernsregardingtheproject.
Thankyou,
1
ArranBell
CulturalResourceSpecialist
PacificGas&ElectricCompany
2730GatewayOaksDrive,Suite220
Sacramento,CA95833
Cell:9162150452
*Changesincludedinthisdocumentarecontemplatedasprecautionarymeasuresintendedtoreducefuturewildfire
risk.
From:Bell,Arran
Sent:Friday,October23,20203:22PM
Subject:GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnection,BucksCreekHydroelectricProject,FERCProjectNo.619
GoodAfternoon,
Since the Camp Fire in December 2018, the Grizzly Powerhouse has been out of service. As a result, PG&E proposes to
reconnect the Grizzly Powerhouse to the grid by interconnecting the Grizzly Tap line to the Bucks Creek-Cresta 230kV line
located in the Bucks Creek substation yard. In order to do so, the Grizzly Tap will need to terminate in the Bucks Creek
substation yard, where new equipment will facilitate interconnection to the grid. This will allow the existing Grizzly Tap line
to be re-routed to the Bucks Creek-Cresta 230kV line. Most of the construction and demolition activities will occur in the
Bucks Creek Powerhouse transmission yard, although guy wires will be added to three existing poles in the right-of-way for
the Grizzly Tap and the existing access bridge will be reinforced.
Three cultural resources have been identified within the area of potential effects (APE). These include the historic era
Highway 70/Feather River Highway District (FS 05-11-56-00324./P-32-000970), the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Historic
District and P-32-002664, an isolated telephone pole and insulators.
During the identification phase, PG&E works to obtain information regarding the presence of cultural resources within or
adjacent to the project area and to learn of any concerns you or other tribal members may have regarding this project so
that those concerns can be addressed.
Please send any response to Arran Bell, PG&E Cultural Resource Specialist, at (916) 215-0452 or send an email to
aubq@pge.com. Please reference the project name in any correspondence.
A letter and preliminary project information has also been mailed to the addresses provided by the Native American
Heritage Commission (NAHC). Please consider these as formal notification of the proposed project. Please respond
within 15 days, due to the urgency of this work. In addition, please provide a designated lead contact person if you have
not provided that information to us already. During COVID-19 I am working from home, so correspondence via email is
most effective as I rarely check mail delivered to my office.
Thank you,
ArranBell
CulturalResourceSpecialist
PacificGas&ElectricCompany
2730GatewayOaksDrive,Suite220
Sacramento,CA95833
Cell:9162150452
*Changesincludedinthisdocumentarecontemplatedasprecautionarymeasuresintendedtoreducefuturewildfire
risk.
2
A TTACHMENT E
O CTOBER 6,2020
PG&E TO USFS
From:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Sent:Tuesday,October06,20202:57PM
To:leslie.edlund@usda.gov
Cc:amy.lind@usda.gov;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
ProjectNotificationΑGrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionΑBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
PacificGas&ElectricCompany(PG&E)ispreparingtoconductworkattheGrizzlyPowerhousewithintheBucksCreek
Project(FERCNo.619)andthePlumasNationalForest.
ThisworkisrequiredtoconnecttheGrizzlyTappowerlinetothepowerhousesubstation.Thepowerlinewaspreviously
connectedtotheCaribouPalermo115kVpowerline,whichwasdeenergizedin2018followingtheCampFire.The
reconnectionworkisurgentlyneededtoreestablishpowertotheCityofSantaClara.
Asdescribedintheattachednotification,theworkwilllargelybewithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareas
adjacenttothepowerhouse.Theworkwillnotimpactanyknownbiologicalorculturalresources.
USFSRequiredProjectSubmittals:
a.GISlayerindatumNAD83Zone10NUTMsfortheareaofpotentialeffects:GISfilesattached.
b.Projectoverviewmap:FERCnotificationwithdescriptionattached.
c.StagingareasandaccessroadstobeusedwillbeidentifiedonbothmapsandGISlayers:theproject
willutilizedexistingaccesstothepowerhouse.
d.Narrativedescriptionoftheproject:theprojectwillultimatelyinvolvereconfigurationofsubstation
facilitiesandrealignmentofasinglespanoftheGrizzlyTappowerline.Theinitialstepistoremovea
singlelatticesteeltowerintheexistingsubstation,removeaspanofconductor,andinstallanchor
screwstosupporttemporaryguywires.PleaseseedescriptionintheattachedFERCnotification.
e.Anyresourcesurveysandreportscompletedfortheproject(vegetation,cultural,wildlifeetc.):the
projectislocatedwithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareaadjacenttothepowerhouse.Please
seeattachedFERCnotificationfortheresultsofbiologicalandculturalresourcereviews.Inshort,the
proposedworkisnotanticipatedtoimpactsensitiveresources.Asaprecautionarymeasure,PG&Ewill
implementstandardbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)inaccordancewiththePlumasNationalForest
MasterProgrammaticEasement(BMPsattached).
f.Proposedprojecttimelineforconstructionorprojectwork:Constructionisanticipatedtobeginin
November,pendingapprovalsfromFERCandUSFS.
g.Isall,orpart,oftheprojectwithinaFERCProjectBoundary?Yes,BucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619.
PG&EiscoordinatingwithFERCforappropriatenotificationsandupdatestolicenseamendments.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthisworkorneedanyadditionalinformation.
Thanksinadvanceforyoutimelyreview.
Doug
DougEdwards
SeniorLandPlanner
PacificGasandElectric
(916)2030304
1
A TTACHMENT F
O CTOBER 23,2020
PG&E TO USFS
Matthew Harper
From:Matthew Harper
Sent:Wednesday, October 28, 2020 9:11 AM
To:Matthew Harper
Subject:RE: Notification - 74026080 - Grizzly Powerhouse Reconnection - Bucks Creek Project, FERC No. 619
From:Edwards,Doug
Sent:Friday,October23,20206:45AM
To:'Edlund,LeslieFS'<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
HiLeslie,
Followinguponthisnotification.AttachedistheProjectDescriptionweareusingforSHPOnoadverseeffects
concurrenceconsultationasrequiredundertheFERClicense.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions.
Doug
From:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Sent:Thursday,October08,20201:46PM
To:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
*****CAUTION:ThisemailwassentfromanEXTERNALsource.Thinkbeforeclickinglinksoropening
attachments.*****
ThanksDoug,
Iwillgetthisstarted.
Leslie Edlund
Public Service Staff Officer
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough
Ranger District
p: 530-283-7620
f: 520-283-1821
leslie.edlund@usda.gov
39696 Hwy 70
Quincy, CA 95971
www.fs.fed.us
Caring for the land and serving people
1
From:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Sent:Tuesday,October6,20202:57PM
To:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
ProjectNotificationΑGrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionΑBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
PacificGas&ElectricCompany(PG&E)ispreparingtoconductworkattheGrizzlyPowerhousewithintheBucksCreek
Project(FERCNo.619)andthePlumasNationalForest.
ThisworkisrequiredtoconnecttheGrizzlyTappowerlinetothepowerhousesubstation.Thepowerlinewaspreviously
connectedtotheCaribouPalermo115kVpowerline,whichwasdeenergizedin2018followingtheCampFire.The
reconnectionworkisurgentlyneededtoreestablishpowertotheCityofSantaClara.
Asdescribedintheattachednotification,theworkwilllargelybewithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareas
adjacenttothepowerhouse.Theworkwillnotimpactanyknownbiologicalorculturalresources.
USFSRequiredProjectSubmittals:
a.GISlayerindatumNAD83Zone10NUTMsfortheareaofpotentialeffects:GISfilesattached.
b. Projectoverviewmap:FERCnotificationwithdescriptionattached.
c. StagingareasandaccessroadstobeusedwillbeidentifiedonbothmapsandGISlayers:theproject
willutilizedexistingaccesstothepowerhouse.
d. Narrativedescriptionoftheproject:theprojectwillultimatelyinvolvereconfigurationofsubstation
facilitiesandrealignmentofasinglespanoftheGrizzlyTappowerline.Theinitialstepistoremovea
singlelatticesteeltowerintheexistingsubstation,removeaspanofconductor,andinstallanchor
screwstosupporttemporaryguywires.PleaseseedescriptionintheattachedFERCnotification.
e. Anyresourcesurveysandreportscompletedfortheproject(vegetation,cultural,wildlifeetc.):the
projectislocatedwithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareaadjacenttothepowerhouse.Please
seeattachedFERCnotificationfortheresultsofbiologicalandculturalresourcereviews.Inshort,the
proposedworkisnotanticipatedtoimpactsensitiveresources.Asaprecautionarymeasure,PG&Ewill
implementstandardbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)inaccordancewiththePlumasNationalForest
MasterProgrammaticEasement(BMPsattached).
f. Proposedprojecttimelineforconstructionorprojectwork:Constructionisanticipatedtobeginin
November,pendingapprovalsfromFERCandUSFS.
g. Isall,orpart,oftheprojectwithinaFERCProjectBoundary?Yes,BucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619.
PG&EiscoordinatingwithFERCforappropriatenotificationsandupdatestolicenseamendments.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthisworkorneedanyadditionalinformation.
Thanksinadvanceforyoutimelyreview.
Doug
DougEdwards
SeniorLandPlanner
PacificGasandElectric
(916)2030304
2
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A TTACHMENT G
J ANUARY 15,2021
USFS TO PG&E
United StatesForestPlumas159 Lawrence Street
Department of Service National Quincy, CA 95971-6025
Agriculture Forest (530) 283-2050 Voice
(530) 534-7984 Text (TDD)
File Code: 2770
Date: January 15, 2021
Doug Edwards
Senior Land Planner
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
2730 Gateway Oaks Drive
Sacramento, California 95818
Re: PG&E Grizzly Tap Reconnection project, FERC No. 619
Dear Mr. Edwards,
I have reviewed Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E’s) request to temporarily remove an
approximately 300-foot span of the Grizzly Tap powerline, remove an existing lattice tower in
the Bucks Creek substation yard, and install temporary poles and guy wires to prepare for an
upcoming project to re-establish transmission of power to the Caribou Palermo line, and
ultimately to the City of Santa Clara.
Background:
Shortly after the Camp Fire, in December 2018, PG&E de-energized the 56-mile-long, Caribou-
Palermo transmission line in the Feather River canyon. The Grizzly Powerhouse connects to the
Caribou-Palermo line via the 4.2-mile-long 115 kV Grizzly Tap line. Since de-energizing the
Caribou-Palermo line, PG&E identified a potential public safety risk associated with the de-
energized line, determining that energized lines in the same vicinity as the Caribou-Palermo line
may still have the potential to induce voltage and current on to the Caribou-Palermo line through
induction. Given this risk, PG&E took immediate mitigation steps by isolating and grounding
sections of the Caribou-Palermo line itself. PG&E now plans to re-energize that line by
removing a section of the Grizzly Tap line and reconnecting the Grizzly Powerhouse to the grid
by interconnecting the Grizzly Tap to the existing, non-Project Bucks Creek-Cresta 230-kVline
located in the Bucks Creek substation yard. This is a three-phase project, and this letter responds
to Phase 2 of this project.
Phase One was the removal of the Grizzly Tap line between the Caribou-Palermo line and the
Bucks Creek substation yard. Phase Two, addressed here, proposes removal of an additional 300
feet of the line, that lies within and to the southeast of the Bucks Creek substation yard. Phase
Three (not addressed here) will be the reconnection of the remaining Grizzly Tap line to the
Caribou-Palermo line.
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
Current Project request:
The proposed project area is on National Forest System lands within the Mt. Hough Ranger
District, Plumas National Forest, under FERC jurisdiction within the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric
Project (FERC No. 619). TheGrizzly Tap line proposed for removal is located in T24N, R6E,
Section 29, MDBM.
PG&E has conducted due diligence environmental reviews and does not expect the proposed
activity to result in significant impacts to sensitive resources in the area. A project proposal
including biological and cultural resource assessment summaries and proposed avoidance and
minimization measures wasprovided to the Forest Service on October6, 2020.
Based on a review by resource specialists, I concur with PG&E’s request for the proposed
removal of 300 feet of the Grizzly Tap line and installation of three temporary poles andguy
wires in preparation for Phase 3 of this project. The Forest Service expects thata separate project
request will be forthcoming for thereconnection portion of this project. As a condition of my
concurrence, PG&E shall address the following to protect Forest Service resources.
Botanical Resources:
Project work sites are within invasive plant populations documented during FERC relicensing
surveys. Continue eradication and control efforts per Vegetation Management Plan. Infestations
behind locked gates or fences that are inaccessible to weed crews shall be controlled by O&M
crews. Incorporate standard weed mitigations to prevent spreading existing infestations and
prevent introducing new infestations.
Heritage Resources:
Site 05115400434/CA-PLU-2826-H/ CA-PLU-2964-H, Bucks Tramway & Incline Railroad
(also recorded as FS Site 05115400790), is located within the Area of Potential Effect and is
determined not NRHP eligible (SHPO concurrence dated 04/19/2006). However, avoidance of
this site is preferred.
Work may commence on this project once the SHPO concurrence is received for the No Adverse
Effect determination for the Bucks Creek Powerhouse and a copy has been sent to the Mt. Hough
Ranger District archaeologist.
Please contact Public Service Staff Officer, Leslie Edlund at 530-283-7620 or at
leslie.edlund@usda.gov if you have any questions regarding this letter or this project approval.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER CARLTON
Forest Supervisor
cc: Micki Smith, Emily Moghaddas, Amy Lind
A TTACHMENT H
J ANUARY 26,2021
PG&E TO USFS
From:Edwards,Doug
Sent:Tuesday,January26,20219:47AM
To:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
Goodmorning,
AttachedistheSHPOconcurrenceofNOADVERSEEFFECTS.
Doug
From:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Sent:Tuesday,January19,20212:02PM
To:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
*****CAUTION:ThisemailwassentfromanEXTERNALsource.Thinkbeforeclickinglinksoropening
attachments.*****
HiDoug,
Pleaseseeattachedconcurrenceletter.Letmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions.
Leslie Edlund
Public Service Staff Officer
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough
Ranger District
p: 530-283-7620
f: 520-283-1821
leslie.edlund@usda.gov
1
39696 Hwy 70
Quincy, CA 95971
www.fs.fed.us
Caring for the land and serving people
From:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Sent:Thursday,January7,20211:13PM
To:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>;Heard,ColleenFS
<colleen.heard@usda.gov>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
HappyNewYearLeslie!
Haveyourfolksbeenabletoreviewthisproject?
Letmeknowifadditionalinformationisrequired.
Thanksinadvancefortheupdate.
Doug
From:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Sent:Friday,October23,20208:49AM
To:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>;Heard,ColleenFS
<colleen.heard@usda.gov>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
*****CAUTION:ThisemailwassentfromanEXTERNALsource.Thinkbeforeclickinglinksoropening
attachments.*****
HiDoug,
Ihavenotheardbackfromanyofourspecialistsyet,butIjustsentthemareminder.
Leslie Edlund
Public Service Staff Officer
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough
Ranger District
p: 530-283-7620
f: 520-283-1821
leslie.edlund@usda.gov
39696 Hwy 70
Quincy, CA 95971
www.fs.fed.us
Caring for the land and serving people
2
From:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Sent:Friday,October23,20206:45AM
To:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
HiLeslie,
Followinguponthisnotification.AttachedistheProjectDescriptionweareusingforSHPOnoadverseeffects
concurrenceconsultationasrequiredundertheFERClicense.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestions.
Doug
From:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Sent:Thursday,October08,20201:46PM
To:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:RE:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
*****CAUTION:ThisemailwassentfromanEXTERNALsource.Thinkbeforeclickinglinksoropening
attachments.*****
ThanksDoug,
Iwillgetthisstarted.
Leslie Edlund
Public Service Staff Officer
Forest Service
Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough
Ranger District
p: 530-283-7620
f: 520-283-1821
leslie.edlund@usda.gov
39696 Hwy 70
Quincy, CA 95971
www.fs.fed.us
Caring for the land and serving people
From:Edwards,Doug<DXEl@pge.com>
Sent:Tuesday,October6,20202:57PM
To:Edlund,LeslieFS<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:Lind,AmyFS<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
ProjectNotificationΑGrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionΑBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
3
PacificGas&ElectricCompany(PG&E)ispreparingtoconductworkattheGrizzlyPowerhousewithintheBucksCreek
Project(FERCNo.619)andthePlumasNationalForest.
ThisworkisrequiredtoconnecttheGrizzlyTappowerlinetothepowerhousesubstation.Thepowerlinewaspreviously
connectedtothe
CaribouPalermo115kVpowerline,whichwasdeenergizedin2018followingtheCampFire.The
reconnectionworkisurgentlyneededtoreestablishpowertotheCityofSantaClara.
Asdescribedintheattachednotification,theworkwilllargelybewithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareas
adjacenttothepowerhouse.Theworkwillnotimpactanyknownbiologicalorculturalresources.
USFSRequiredProjectSubmittals:
a.GISlayerindatumNAD83Zone10NUTMsfortheareaofpotentialeffects:GISfilesattached.
b.Projectoverviewmap:FERCnotificationwithdescriptionattached.
c. StagingareasandaccessroadstobeusedwillbeidentifiedonbothmapsandGISlayers:theproject
willutilizedexistingaccesstothepowerhouse.
d. Narrativedescriptionoftheproject:theprojectwillultimatelyinvolvereconfigurationofsubstation
facilitiesandrealignmentofasinglespanoftheGrizzlyTappowerline.Theinitialstepistoremovea
singlelatticesteeltowerintheexistingsubstation,removeaspanofconductor,andinstallanchor
screwstosupporttemporaryguywires.PleaseseedescriptionintheattachedFERCnotification.
e. Anyresourcesurveysandreportscompletedfortheproject(vegetation,cultural,wildlifeetc.):the
projectislocatedwithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareaadjacenttothepowerhouse.Please
seeattachedFERCnotificationfortheresultsofbiologicalandculturalresourcereviews.Inshort,the
proposedworkisnotanticipatedtoimpactsensitiveresources.Asaprecautionarymeasure,PG&Ewill
implementstandardbestmanagementpractices(BMPs)inaccordancewiththePlumasNationalForest
MasterProgrammaticEasement(BMPsattached).
f. Proposedprojecttimelineforconstructionorprojectwork:Constructionisanticipatedtobeginin
November,pendingapprovalsfromFERCandUSFS.
g. Isall,orpart,oftheprojectwithinaFERCProjectBoundary?Yes,BucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619.
PG&EiscoordinatingwithFERCforappropriatenotificationsandupdatestolicenseamendments.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthisworkorneedanyadditionalinformation.
Thanksinadvanceforyoutimelyreview.
Doug
DougEdwards
SeniorLandPlanner
PacificGasandElectric
(916)2030304
ThiselectronicmessagecontainsinformationgeneratedbytheUSDAsolelyfortheintendedrecipients.Any
unauthorizedinterceptionofthismessageortheuseordisclosureoftheinformationitcontainsmayviolatethelawand
subjecttheviolatortocivilorcriminalpenalties.Ifyoubelieveyouhavereceivedthismessageinerror,pleasenotifythe
senderanddeletetheemailimmediately.
4
A TTACHMENT I
J ANUARY,2021
PG&E TO USFS
From:Edwards,Doug
Sent:Tuesday,January26,202110:37AM
To:'leslie.edlund@usda.gov'<leslie.edlund@usda.gov>
Cc:'amy.lind@usda.gov'<amy.lind@usda.gov>;Visinoni,Jamie<JNVS@pge.com>
Subject:Notification74026080GrizzlyPowerhouseReconnectionBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
ProjectNotificationΑGrizzlyPowerhouseReconnection(PhaseIII)ΑBucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619
PacificGas&ElectricCompany(PG&E)ispreparingtoconductworkattheGrizzlyPowerhousewithintheBucksCreek
Project(FERCNo.619)andthePlumasNationalForest.
ThisworkisrequiredtoreconnecttheGrizzlyTappowerlinetothepowerhousesubstation.Thepowerlinewas
disconnectedfromthedeenergizedCaribouPalermo115KVpowerlineduringPhaseIandPhaseIIoftheproject.The
reconnectionworkisurgentlyneededtoreestablishpowertotheCityofSantaClara.
AsdescribedintheattachedFERCnotification,theworkwillbewithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareas
adjacenttothepowerhouse.Theworkwillnotimpactanyknownbiologicalorculturalresources.
USFSRequiredProjectSubmittals:
a.GISlayerindatumNAD83Zone10NUTMsfortheareaofpotentialeffects:GISfilesattached.
b.Projectoverviewmap:FERCnotificationwithdescriptionattached.
c.StagingareasandaccessroadstobeusedwillbeidentifiedonbothmapsandGISlayers:theproject
willutilizedexistingaccesstothepowerhouse.
d.Narrativedescriptionoftheproject:PhaseIIIofthisprojectinvolvesreconfigurationoftheBucksCreek
substationyardtoaccommodatethereconnectionofthetransmissionlinedisconnectedinPhaseII,
whichhasalreadybeenapprovedbyPNF.PleaseseedescriptionintheattachedFERCnotification.
e.Anyresourcesurveysandreportscompletedfortheproject(vegetation,cultural,wildlifeetc.):the
projectislocatedwithinthepreviouslydisturbedsubstationareaadjacenttothepowerhouse.Please
seeattachedFERCnotificationfortheresultsofbiologicalandculturalresourcereviews.SHPO
concurrenceofNOADVERSEEFFECTS(attached).Inshort,theproposedworkisnotanticipatedto
impactsensitiveresources.Asaprecautionarymeasure,PG&Ewillimplementstandardbest
managementpractices(BMPs)inaccordancewiththePlumasNationalForestMasterProgrammatic
Easement(BMPsattached).
f.Proposedprojecttimelineforconstructionorprojectwork:Constructionisanticipatedtobeginassoon
asFERCandUSFSapprovalsarereceived.
g.Isall,orpart,oftheprojectwithinaFERCProjectBoundary?Yes,BucksCreekProject,FERCNo.619.
PG&EiscoordinatingwithFERCforappropriatenotificationsandupdatestolicenseamendments.
Pleaseletmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingthisworkorneedanyadditionalinformation.
Thanksinadvanceforyoutimelyreview.
Doug
DougEdwards
SeniorLandPlanner
PacificGasandElectric
(916)2030304
1