HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.26.21 Board Correspondence - FERC Emails
From:Paulsen, Shaina
To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Cook, Robin;Hironimus, Patrizia;
Kimmelshue, Tod;Lucero, Debra;Paulsen, Shaina;Pickett, Andy;Reaster, Kayla;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;
Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug
Subject:Board Correspondence - FERC Emails
Date:Monday, July 26, 2021 9:23:41 AM
Attachments:FERC 07.14.21 through 07.22.21.pdf
Please see attached Board Correspondence from FERC received between the dates 7/14-7/22/21.
Shaina Paulsen
Administrative Assistant, Senior
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200
Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.3304 | F: 530.538.7120
From:"FERC eSubscription"
Subject:Dam Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-1061-019,et al. by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.
Date:Thursday, July 15, 2021 11:25:52 AM
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 7/15/2021, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:
Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-1061-019
P-1121-000
P-1333-000
P-1354-000
P-137-000
P-175-000
P-1962-001
P-1988-000
P-2105-000
P-2106-000
P-2107-000
P-2130-000
P-2310-000
P-233-000
P-2661-000
P-2687-000
P-2735-000
P-606-000
P-619-000
P-77-001
P-803-000
P-96-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Dam Safety Compliance Report
Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits Owner's Dam Safety Program Audit Updates under P-77, et. al.
To view the document for this Filing, click here
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20210715-
5072__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!VFvsmE_ew44C2xogi7aZm3BUx1cv6jp_X_fY1EBmX0wS9RQGaUwbQ9R1qYlGBhEbHDpmANSYOcQ$
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or for phone support, call 866-208-3676.
245 Market Street
tƚǞĻƩ DĻƓĻƩğƷźƚƓ
San Francisco, CA 94105
Mailing Address:
Mail Code N11D
P.O. Box 770000
July 15, 2021
San Francisco, CA 94177
Via Electronic Submittal (E-File)
Mr. Frank L. Blackett, P.E., Regional Engineer
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections
San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
RE: Owners Dam Safety Program Audit
FERC Project Nos. 77, 96, 137, 175, 233, 606, 619, 803, 1061, 1121, 1333, 1354,
1962, 1988, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2130, 2310, 2661, 2687, and 2735
Dear Frank L. Blackett:
This letter presents an update on (PG&E) schedule for
conducting an external audit of ODam Safety Program (ODSP). As described in
letters to your office, dated August 10, 2020 and January 7, 2021, PG&E proposed a panel of
four independent experts to perform the audit, which was scheduled to occur during the first
two weeks of August 2021. FERC approved panelists and schedule on
April 28, 2021.
Restrictions on international travel related to the COVID-19 pandemic prevent Mr. Stephen
Rigbey, audit panelists and a Canadian resident, from fully
participating if the audit proceeds in August, as scheduled. To
participation in planned in-person interviews and field visits, PG&E has elected to postpone the
audit until November 2021.
PG&E plan to conduct the audit in virtual and in-person phases during two consecutive
weeks remains unchanged. The first phase, comprising video conference presentations and
interviews with PG&E leadership and key dam safety staff, has been rescheduled for the week
of November 8, 2021. The second phase, involving field visits and interviews with local dam
safety engineers, operations and maintenance crews, and other PG&E staff who support the
ODSP, has been rescheduled for the week of November 15, 2021.
Dam Safety Program. Should you have
any questions concerning this matter, please contact me at (415) 264-1795.
Sincerely,
David L. Ritzman, P.E., G.E.
Chief Dam Safety Engineer
From:"FERC eSubscription"
Subject:Delegated Order issued in FERC P-619-000
Date:Thursday, July 22, 2021 11:45:15 AM
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 7/22/2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued this document:
Docket(s): P-619-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Delegated Order
Description: Letter order to Pacific Gas and Electric Company accepting the plan and schedule to address the Independent Consultant's recommendations for Eleventh Part 12D Inspection
for Lower Bucks Lake, part of the Bucks Creek Project under 619.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here
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or for phone support, call 866-208-3676.
Comments and Suggestions can be sent to this email address: mailto:FERCOnlineSupport@Ferc.gov
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Energy Projects
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
(415) 369-3300 Office (415) 369-3322 Facsimile
July 22, 2021
In reply refer to:
Project No. 619-CA
Mr. Jan Nimick, Vice President
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)
Mail Code N11E
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177-0001
Re: Lower Bucks Lake Eleventh Part 12D Plan and Schedule
Dear Mr. Nimick:
This is in response to a letter dated April 1, 2020, from Mr. David Ritzman that
submitted the plan and schedule
recommendations for Eleventh Part 12D Inspection for Lower Bucks Lake, part of the
Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619. The plan and schedule to
address the recommendations
12D inspection by the dates outlined in the Enclosure 1 of the ter is
acceptable except for the following:
1. Recommendation 1 the analysis of
alternatives (AoA) to address potential spillway deficiencies by June 30, 2021
is overdue.
2. Recommendation 3 - a plan and schedule for updating
Section 5 of the Supporting Technical Information Document (STID) within 90
days after receiving approval from FERC for the erodibility and scour
assessment of the downstream foundation and abutment is not acceptable. The
STID should be updated once the assessment is completed.
3. Recommendations 4 and 5 -
updating Section 8 of the Supporting Technical Information Document (STID)
within 90 days after receiving approval from FERC for the updated stability
analysis is not acceptable. The STID should be updated once the updated
stability analyses are completed.
2
4.
Section 5 and Section 8 of the Supporting Technical Information Document
(STID) within 90 days after receiving approval from FERC for the kinematic
study is not acceptable. The STID should be updated once the kinematic study
is completed.
5. Recommendation 8 -
Section 6 of the Supporting Technical Information Document (STID) within 90
days after receiving approval from FERC for the 2020 inflow design flood
(IDF) study is not acceptable. Update the STID to include the results of the
2020 IDF study.
Within 45 days from the date of this letter, please provide a response to our
comments or a plan and schedule for address our comments. File your submittals using
the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview. For all
Dam Safety and Public Safety Documents, select Hydro: Regional Office and San
Francisco Regional Office from the eFiling menu. The cover page of the filing must
indicate that the material was eFiled. For assistance with eFiling, contact FERC Online
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659
(TTY).
We appreciate your continued cooperation in this aspect of the
safety program. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Thao Bui at (415) 369-
3312 or Mr. Edgar Salire at (415) 369-3369.
Sincerely,
Frank L. Blackett, P.E.
Regional Engineer
cc:
Ms. Sharon Tapia, Chief
CA Dept. of Water Resources
Division of Safety of Dams
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
From:"FERC eSubscription"
Subject:Delegated Order issued in FERC P-619-000
Date:Wednesday, July 14, 2021 5:25:11 AM
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 7/13/2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued this document:
Docket(s): P-619-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Delegated Order
Description: Letter order to Pacific Gas and Electric Company accepting the responses and a plan and schedule to address FREC's comments on the 2017 focused
spillway assessment report for Lower Bucks Lake Dam, part of the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Proj., P-619.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20210713-
3068__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!T41jLiIpar30qKGRcpMUgbvsVHpafA205ijelKM64GR2SuK6fnIW1-0chM_y-qGeULrXgU7mR_c$
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or for phone support, call 866-208-3676.
Comments and Suggestions can be sent to this email address: mailto:FERCOnlineSupport@Ferc.gov
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Energy Projects
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
(415) 369-3300 Office (415) 369-3322 Facsimile
July 13, 2021
In reply refer to:
Project No. 619-CA
Mr. Jan Nimick, Vice President
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Mail Code N11E
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177-0001
Re: Lower Bucks Lake Dam - 2017 Focused Spillway Assessment Report
Dear Mr. Nimick:
This is in response to a letter dated April 15, 2021 from Mr. David Ritzman that
submitted responses and a plan and schedule to address our comments regarding the 2017
Focused Spillway Assessment Report for Lower Bucks Lake Dam, which is part of the
Bucks Creek Hydroelctric Project, FERC No. 619. We have reviewed the responses and
have no comments. The plan and schedule to submit the status summary table addressing
the recommendations from the 2017 Focused Spillway Assessment Report by July 31,
2021 is acceptable.
File your submittal using the Commission's eFiling system at
https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview. For all Dam Safety and Public Safety
Documents, select Hydro: Regional Office and San Francisco Regional Office from the
eFiling menu. The cover page of the filing must indicate that the material was eFiled.
For assistance with eFiling, contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY).
2
We appreciate your continued effortsdam
safetyprogram.If you have any questions, please contact Mr.Edgar Salireat
(415)369-3369.
Sincerely,
Frank L. Blackett, P.E.
Regional Engineer
cc:
Ms. Sharon Tapia, Chief
Division of Safety of Dams
California Department of Water Resources
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
From:"FERC eSubscription"
Subject:FERC Correspondence With Government Agencies issued in FERC P-619-000
Date:Monday, July 19, 2021 11:55:25 AM
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 7/19/2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued this document:
Docket(s): P-619-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: FERC Correspondence With Government Agencies
Description: Letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discussing the request for concurrence with endangered species determinations under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for
the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project under P-619.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here
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3038__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!UnYbhShRlh57R5r64q3aeR1k_iJVAyszmvuBHbSh8GLvd84O2Tf7yHBQdcKHinxraW97OgEK6wU$
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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20426
OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
Project No. 619—California
Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
City of Santa Clara, California
July 19, 2021
VIA USPS First Class Mail
Ms. Kim Turner
Deputy Field Supervisor
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
2800 Cottage Way, Room w-2605
Sacramento, CA 95825
Subject: Request for concurrence with endangered species determinations under
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act
Dear Ms. Turner:
The purpose of this letter is to request your concurrence with our endangered
species determination under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act regarding the
replacement of the Haskins Boat Ramp, part of the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project
No. 619. The project is located on the North Fork Feather River and Bucks and Grizzly
creeks in Plumas County, California. The project occupies federal land within the
Plumas National Forest administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
The Haskins Boat Ramp (boat ramp) is located in Haskins Bay, at the southern
end of Bucks Lake and is designated as a project recreation facility. Access to the boat
ramp is gained through the Haskins Valley Family Campground, which is also designated
as a project recreation facility. Both the campground and boat ramp were constructed in
1967. The existing boat ramp is a single lane, approximately 12-foot wide, concrete
ramp that extends from the campground parking lot into Haskins Bay. In 2013, Pacific
Gas and Electric Company (licensee) concluded that the ramp needed repair, and in 2014
an assessment was completed as part of a draft license application, where it was
recommended to repair the boat ramp. In addition to the boat launch, the existing parking
lot has also deteriorated among other things. In 2019, it was determined that the extent of
the damage to the ramp would require full replacement since repair was no longer a
viable or economical option.
Project No. 619-000
-2 -
On April 13, 2021, the licensee submitted a proposal for replacing the exiting boat
1
ramp. The licensee proposes to demolish the existing boat ramp, construct an Armorflex
concrete mat replacement boat ramp, and construct new pavement on an access road, a
turnaround, and a parking area. The proposed work would occur, in part, within the
dewatered lakebed of Bucks Lake and is scheduled to begin in mid-to-late September of
2021. Staging would occur in previously developed areas within the work area, Haskins
Campground, and at a developed staging area on the licensee’s property adjacent to the
Oro-Quincy highway, which is a short distance from the work area.
As you are aware, Commission staff designated the licensee as its non-federal
representative for informal consultation concerning this matter in a March 22, 2021 letter.
As part of the consultation, the licensee developed a biological assessment (BA) to
consider the effects to federally-listed species potentially affected by the proposed action.
The biological assessment considers potential effects to the California red-legged frog,
the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, Delta Smelt, and the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged
frog critical habitat and are described in an applicant-prepared BA.
Analysis in the BA found that the replacement project would have no effect on
California red-legged frog because suitable habitat does not exist for the species, which is
located at the very top of the species elevational range, nor were any individuals of this
species observed during focused surveys for amphibians and aquatic reptiles during
surveys that were performed for the relicensing of the project. The BA also found that
the replacement project would have no effect on Delta Smelt since they are endemic to
the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta and do not occur in the Feather River watershed,
where the project is located. The BA states that most of the action area for the boat ramp
replacement lies within or immediately adjacent to designated critical habitat for the
Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. However, none have been documented in the action
area during recent surveys. The primary risk to the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog
would be to individuals that might migrate into the work area by traveling along the lake
shore from Haskins Creek, if they still exist in that area. Activities from the replacement
project that could pose a risk to the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog include drawing
down Bucks Lake, erosion control and water quality measures, and post-project
completion site restoration, and the BA indicates that it is unlikely that these activities
would affect the frog. However, the BA includes measures designed to protect Sierra
Nevada yellow-legged frog and its habitatwithin the project boundary to avoid or
minimize adverse effects on the species during replacement of the boat ramp.
1
The licensee’s proposal can be accessed at:
https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?document_id=14947834&accessionnumber=202
10413-5301
Project No. 619-000
-3 -
We conclude that the proposed action with the included avoidance and
minimization measures “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” the Sierra
Nevada yellow-legged frog and its critical habitat. Therefore, we do not believe that
formal consultation is required under the Endangered Species Act. Please tell us in
writing within 30 days from the date of receipt of this letter if you do or do not agree with
our assessment.
Please inform us in writing, within 30 days of the date of this letter, if you concur
with our determinations. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please
file your response using the Commission’s eFiling system at
http://www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/efiling.asp . For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659
(TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20426. The first
page of any filing related to this letter must include the project number P-619.
Should you need to informally discuss any concerns before making your
determination, please contact Shawn Halerz at (202) 502-6360 or
Shawn.Halerz@ferc.gov. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Fletcher
Land Resources Branch
Division of Hydropower Administration
and Compliance
cc: VIA FERC Service
Ms. Jan Nimick, V.P. - Power Generation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
245 Market Street
Mail Code: N11E
San Francisco, CA 94105
From:"FERC eSubscription"
Subject:General Correspondence issued in FERC P-619-000
Date:Wednesday, July 14, 2021 5:45:10 AM
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 7/13/2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued this document:
Docket(s): P-619-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: General Correspondence
Description: Letter responding to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's 06/08/2021 letter submitting the responses to follow-up action items from the 2019 annual dam safety inspection for
Bucks
Lake Dam et al, parts of the Bucks Creek Proj., P-619.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here
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3076__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!UQUA0b5P2DlFJ10x3jOByljaAH2Gb1wSHRzbAgSCicFZylEg0zBofPz5ZynGeFSpkdGjFirS61w$
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or for phone support, call 866-208-3676.
Comments and Suggestions can be sent to this email address: mailto:FERCOnlineSupport@Ferc.gov
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Office of Energy Projects
Division of Dam Safety and Inspections San Francisco Regional Office
100 First Street, Suite 2300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3084
(415) 369-3300 Office (415) 369-3322Facsimile
July 13, 2021
In reply refer to:
Project No. 619-CA
Mr. Jan Nimick, Vice President
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Mail Code N11E
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, CA 94177-0001
Re:2019 Dam Safety Inspection Follow-Up
Dear Mr.Nimick:
This is in response toaletter datedJune 8, 2021from Mr.David Ritzmanthat
submitted theresponses to follow-up action items from the 2019 annual dam safety
inspectionfor Bucks Lake, Lower Bucks Lake, and Grizzly Forebay Dams, which are
part of the Bucks Creek Project, FERC No. 619. We have reviewed thesubmittal, and
we have nocomments.
program. If you have any questions, please contact Mr.Edgar Salireat (415) 369 3369.
Sincerely,
Frank L. Blackett, P.E.
Regional Engineer
cc:
Ms. Sharon Tapia, Chief
Division of Safety of Dams
California Department of Water Resources
P.O. Box 942836
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001