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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.01.22 Board Correspondence - FW_ DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-050 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.From:Paulsen, Shaina To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Hironimus, Patrizia; Kimmelshue, Tod; Lucero, Debra; Paulsen, Shaina; Pickett, Andy; Reaster, Kayla; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Valencia, Shyanne Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-050 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Thursday, September 1, 2022 2:42:54 PM Please see Board Correspondence below. Shaina Paulsen Associate Clerk of The Board Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3304 | F: 530.538.7120 -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2022 1:37 PM Subject: DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-050 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 8/24/2022, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company PG&E Corporation (as Agent) Docket(s): P-2107-050 Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Filing Type: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits 2022 Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Variances to allow a safe working environment for the field team for Poe Hydroelectric Project under P-2107. To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20220824- 5104__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!Fk-Ds4aIrDnGHafLSKYfcyZva_PZsyJOIbXa5-lWfef-Y6HNJLa00joEYYkeoA- 2cEe5tS7tFXtviOUo34tWbnobmVmFY1yGHR-h$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eSubscription.aspx__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!Fk- Ds4aIrDnGHafLSKYfcyZva_PZsyJOIbXa5-lWfef-Y6HNJLa00joEYYkeoA- 2cEe5tS7tFXtviOUo34tWbnobmVmFY5QFArDU$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!Fk- Ds4aIrDnGHafLSKYfcyZva_PZsyJOIbXa5-lWfef-Y6HNJLa00joEYYkeoA- 2cEe5tS7tFXtviOUo34tWbnobmVmFY57F25RN$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. Power Generation 245 Market Street San Francisco, CA 94105 Mailing Address: Mail Code N11D P.O. Box 770000 San Francisco, CA 94177 August 24, 2022 Via Electronic Submittal (E-File) Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 RE: Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2107-CA 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring Variances Dear Secretary Bose: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) respectfully requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approve a temporary flow, sample site, and sample methodology variance for the 2022 Poe fish and benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) monitoring, required under the Poe Bypass Reach Project Fish and BMI Monitoring Plan (Plan), which was created pursuant to the license for PG&E’s Poe Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2107. These variances are necessary to allow a safe working environment for the field team and are consistent with variances previously approved for the Poe fish and BMI monitoring. This variance proposal received concurrence (Enclosure 1) from the United States Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and California Fish and Wildlife Service (CFWS) (hereinafter referred to as Agencies). Please respond with approval authorization by September 17, 2022 so that the monitoring can be implemented on schedule . License Requirements License article 401(c) states that PG&E must notify the Commission of any planned deviation from minimum flow release requirements: (c) Requirement to Notify Commission of Planned and Unplanned Deviations from License Requirements Three Water Board conditions in Appendix A and three Forest Service conditions in Appendix B would allow the licensee to temporarily modify project operations under certain conditions. The Commission must be notified prior to implementing such modifications, if possible, or in the event of an emergency, as soon as possible, but no later than 10 days after each such incident. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must also Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary August 24, 2022 Page 2 be notified prior to implementing any modifications to minimum flows required by Certification Condition No. 1 and Forest Service Condition No. 23 (Part 1). Table 1: License Conditions Allowing Temporary Modifications to Project Operations WQC Condition No. Forest Service Condition No. License requirement 1 23 (Part 1) Minimum flow releases 2 - Notify California Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service, FWS, and Water Board prior to release of pulse flows. - 23 (Part 1) Minimum Streamflows 3 23 (Part 1) Flow requirement modification due to multiple dry water years 4(e) Condition No. 23 and 401 Condition 1 list the following MIF for dry years: Table 2: Minimum River Flow –Dry Years Date Min. Flow September 300 cfs October 180 cfs The Plan states the following requirements for modifying streamflows: PG&E may reduce streamflows defined in, and in accordance with any other requirements of, SWRCB WQC Condition 1, Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. 23, and FERC License Article 401(c) to implement this [Fish and BMI] monitoring Plan under the following conditions: 1. Monitoring streamflows will be no less than 55 cfs; 2. Reduced streamflow shall not exceed 10 consecutive days; 3. Up and down ramping rates during this period will be limited to n o more than 100 cfs per hour; 4. Reduced streamflow may only be commenced if no whitewater boating flow releases have occurred for seven consecutive days; Each year that monitoring occurs, PG&E shall provide the Agencies with the specific proposed schedule at least 45 days prior to monitoring. Agencies will have 15 days to comment on the schedule, and if any agency proposes an Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary August 24, 2022 Page 3 alternative schedule, PG&E will convene a conference call with the Agencies to develop a revised schedule. The Plan outlines the following survey method: Fish population monitoring will be conducted using methods similar to those currently used in the Rock Creek-Cresta Project (PG&E 2018). Where appropriate, modifications to the methodology are based on efficiencies gained from sampling in the Rock Creek-Cresta Project and limited safe access to the Poe Bypass Reach. Specifically, fish population surveys will employ electrofishing and direct observation methodologies. Table 1 below provides the locations of all fish and BMI monitoring sites included in the Plan. Table 3: Locations of Poe Fish and BMI Monitoring Sites Site ID Site Description Reach Type Monitoring Conducted Approximate Upstream Location (UTM NAD 83) PD-B Below Poe Dam Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 064030 4407661 BB-B Bardee’s Bar Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 0632281 4403580 PB-B Poe Beach Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 0631333 4399175 EB-B East Branch of North Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0664699 4431124 MB-B Millsap Bar on Middle Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0648328 4396628 SC-B Stag Creek on the Middle Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0664463 4406400 Background In 2020 and 2021, PG&E requested and received approval concurrence from the agencies, and approval from FERC, to reduce minimum streamflows under the conditions stated in the Plan to allow a safe working environment for the field team . During the March 31, 2022, Condition No. 3 meeting with the Forest Service, PG&E proposed lowering flows to 55 cfs from the afternoon of September 18, 2022, to the afternoon of September 28, 2022 (Table 4). The flows will be decreased for 10 days in Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary August 24, 2022 Page 4 total but will be returned to baseflow sooner if work is completed earlier. Ramping rates of no more than 100 cfs per hour in both reaches will be implemented to avoid stranding. PG&E proposed this same schedule to the Agencies on July 19, 2022. Agencies concurred with this variance via email (Enclosure 1). This proposal is consistent with the proposal for 2021, which was approved by FERC order on September 1, 2021. Table 4: Proposed Reduced River Flow for 2021 Monitoring Date Flow Sept. 18 – Sept. 28 55 cfs On February 9, 2022, PG&E and the Agencies met to discuss the challenges that PG&E has faced while implementing the Sediment Management Plan, Poe Tributary Access Monitoring Plan, and Plan. Part of that discussion concerned the BMI reference site at Stag Creek, which has been deemed unsafe by PG&E because of recent wildfire activities. The Agencies agreed to use a new reference site at Yellow Creek; however, monitoring at Yellow Creek is contingent upon the Forest Service making that site accessible before the 2022 BMI monitoring commences. Yellow Creek is still not accessible. For this reason, PG&E proposed replacing the Yellow Creek BMI monitoring for 2022 with monitoring at Stag Creek. PG&E formally made this proposal to the Agencies on July 19, 2022, and they concurred with the variance via email (Enclosure 1). On February 9, 2022, PG&E and the Agencies also discussed the risks associated with the backpack electrofishing methodology at the Bardees Bar site. During the 2021 fish sampling event, electrofishing at the Bardees Bar site was ineffective and unsafe due to the depth of the reach. The Agencies agreed to grant a variance that would replace electrofishing with snorkeling. PG&E formally proposed replacing the 2022 backpack electrofishing methodology with snorkeling at the Bardees Bar Site to the Agencies via email on July 19, 2022. Agencies concurred with the variance via email (Enclosure 1). Milsap Bar was closed in a USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest, Fire Emergency Road and Trail Closure Order No. 05-11-03-21-04 on February 19, 2021. Following that closure, PG&E consulted with the Forest Service on safe access to the monitoring site. The Forest Service stated that the campground is safely accessible; however, reaching the location of the monitoring site would require chainsaws and/or side-by-side clearing. Since Milsap Bar is located outside of the FERC boundary on Forest Service lands, PG&E does not have the ability to clear a path to create safe access for monitoring. In a July 19, 2022, email to the Agencies, PG&E proposed to not monitor at Milsap Bar in 2022. The Agencies concurred with this variance via email (enclosure 1). Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary August 24, 2022 Page 5 Temporary Variance Request PG&E is respectfully requesting a variance to: 1. Temporarily lower flows to 55 cfs, from September 18, 2022, through September 28, 2022 2. Replace the BMI monitoring site of Stag Creek with Yellow Creek 3. Replace the backpack electrofishing methodology with snorkeling at the Bardees Bar site. 4. Not monitor Milsap Bar Since sampling begins September 18, 2022, PG&E respectfully requests FERC approval by September 17, 2022. If you have questions or comments regarding this matter, please contact Sky Ramirez-Doble, license coordinator for PG&E, at (530) 250- 7002. Sincerely, Elisabeth Rossi, Supervisor, Hydro License Compliance Enclosures: 1. Agency Concurrence From:McCready, Chadwick To:McCready, Chadwick Subject:Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring- Record of Consultation Date:Tuesday, August 23, 2022 9:24:18 AM Attachments:image001.png image002.png image003.png image004.png image005.png image006.png CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER! This email was sent from an EXTERNAL source. Do you know this person? Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting any links or attachments? If suspicious, do not click links, open attachments, or provide credentials. Don't delete it. Report it by using the "Report Phish" button. Thanks for the reminder and apologies for missing these Sky. State Water Board staff also concur with: Temporarily lowering flows to 55 cfs for fish and BMI monitoring Sampling BMI at Yellow Creek instead of Stag Creek Replacing backpack electrofishing with snorkeling at Bardees Bar Savannah Downey (she/her) State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Certification Program From: Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov> Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2022 8:41 AM To: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER! This email was sent from an EXTERNAL source. Do you know this person? Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting any links or attachments? If suspicious, do not click links, open attachments, or provide credentials. Don't delete it. Report it by using the "Report Phish" button. Hello Sky, The Forest Service approves PG&E’s request for a variance of instream flow requirements, under the Poe Hydrologic Project License (FERC No. 2107), as described in the trailing emails below. For the monitoring work, we understand that flows in the Poe reach of the North Fork Feather River will be temporarily reduced to 55 cfs from September 18, 2022 through September 28, 2022. Forest Service agrees to replacing the BMI monitoring site of Stag Creek with Yellow Creek, and replacing the methodology with snorkeling at Bardees Bar. Due to current safety and access concerns, we agree to the variance at Milsap Bar. Thank you, Emily Moghaddas Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor Forest Service Plumas National Forest, Supervisor's Office p: 530-283-7772 c: 530-927-7439 emily.moghaddas@usda.gov 159 Lawrence St. Quincy, CA 95971 www.fs.fed.us Caring for the land and serving people From: Ramirez-Doble, Sky [mailto:S9RV@pge.com] Sent: Monday, August 22, 2022 7:07 PM To: Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring Thank you Savannah and Michael! @Savannah does the SWRCB approve of the other three variances too? If you’ve already sent a response for those, please forgive me. I couldn’t find an approval email from the SWRCB. For reference, the other three variances are: 1. Temporarily lower flows to 55 cfs, from September 18, 2022 through September 28, 2022 2. Replace the BMI monitoring site of Stag Creek with Yellow Creek 3. Replace the backpack electrofishing methodology with snorkeling at the Bardees Bar site. Please see the first email in this chain for more information. With gratitude, Sky Ramirez-Doble He/Him/His Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation Pacific Gas & Electric Company c: (530) 250-7002 e: s9rv@pge.com From: Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov> Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 9:23 AM To: Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER! This email was sent from an EXTERNAL source. Do you know this person? Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting any links or attachments? If suspicious, do not click links, open attachments, or provide credentials. Don't delete it. Report it by using the "Report Phish" button. Hello Sky – State Water Board staff concur with a temporary variance to riparian and BMI monitoring at Millsap Bar due to safety concerns. Savannah Downey (she/her) State Water Resources Control Board Water Quality Certification Program From: Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov> Sent: Friday, August 19, 2022 8:44 AM To: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring EXTERNAL: Hello Sky, CDFW concurs with the PG&E request for a temporary riparian and BMI monitoring sample site variance at Millsap Bar due to the current lack of safe access for monitoring. Michael Maher Region 2 FERC Coordinator | ( Cell: 916-597-5505 California Department of Fish & Wildlife | North Central Region 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova | michael.maher@wildlife.ca.gov From: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2022 8:59 AM To: Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring Importance: High WARNING: This message is from an external source. Verify the sender and exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments. Hi all, Following up on this as PG&E has received only one response since adding Milsap Bar to the variance request. As this must to go to FERC prior to altering flows, please respond with concurrence or comments as soon as possible. With gratitude, Sky Ramirez-Doble He/Him/His Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation Pacific Gas & Electric Company c: (530) 250-7002 e: s9rv@pge.com From: Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov> Sent: Friday, August 5, 2022 8:12 AM To: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <beth.lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER! This email was sent from an EXTERNAL source. Do you know this person? Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting any links or attachments? If suspicious, do not click links, open attachments, or provide credentials. Don't delete it. Report it by using the "Report Phish" button. USFWS agrees to the temporary site variance for Millsap Bar due to the unsafe access conditions. A. Leigh Bartoo US Fish and Wildlife Service Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8-300 Sacramento, California 95814 916-930-5621 *packages can no longer be mailed to the above address. Please contact me through email if you have an item to mail to me. Pronouns: she/her/hers Please contact me by email while staff are working from home. From: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com> Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2022 4:31 PM To: Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <beth.lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring Hi all, In addition to the three temporary variances listed in the email correspondence below, PG&E respectfully requests a temporary sample site variance for monitoring at Milsap Bar for the 2022 riparian and BMI monitoring, which is required under the Poe Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 2107 license. This variance is needed for the safety of PG&E personnel and contractors. License Requirement The Poe Bypass Reach Project Fish and BMI Monitoring Plan and Poe Riparian Monitoring Plan require surveys at Milsap Bar. Table 1 below provides the approximate upstream location of the Milsap Bar BMI and riparian monitoring site. Site ID Site Description Reach Type Monitoring Conducted approximate Upstream Location (UTM naD 83) MB-B Millsap Bar on Middle Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI and Riparian 10 S 0664463 4406400 Background Milsap Bar was closed in a USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest, Fire Emergency Road and Trail Closure Order No. 05-11-03-21-04 on February 19, 2021. Following that closure, PG&E consulted with the Forest Service on safe access to the monitoring site. The Forest Service stated that the campground is safely accessible; however, reaching the location of the monitoring site would require chainsaws and/or side-by-side clearing (attached). Since Milsap Bar is located outside of the FERC boundary on Forest Service lands, PG&E does not have the ability to clear a path to create safe access for monitoring. variance Request To ensure the safety of the field crew personnel, PG&E respectfully requests a temporary sampling site variance for the 2022 riparian and BMI monitoring. Please respond with comments or approval as soon as possible, but no later than September 4, 2022. If you have any questions regarding this monitoring or variance request, please let me know. Sky Ramirez-Doble He/Him/His Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation Pacific Gas & Electric Company c: (530) 250-7002 e: s9rv@pge.com From: Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2022 11:00 AM To: Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring CAUTION: EXTERNAL SENDER! This email was sent from an EXTERNAL source. Do you know this person? Are you expecting this email? Are you expecting any links or attachments? If suspicious, do not click links, open attachments, or provide credentials. Don't delete it. Report it by using the "Report Phish" button. Hello Sky, As discussed at previous meetings and following requests from PG&E in previous years, CDFW concurs with: 1. The temporary flow variance request to accommodate fish and BMI sampling under the conditions described in the monitoring plan, 2. changing the BMI sampling site from Stag Creek to Yellow Creek, and 3. performing snorkel surveys at the Bardees Bar site in lieu of backpack electrofishing. CDFW would also like to know the process and schedule PG&E proposes for updating the monitoring plan with items two and three of the variance request. Thank you Sky, Michael Maher Region 2 FERC Coordinator | ( Cell: 916-597-5505California Department of Fish & Wildlife | North Central Region 1701 Nimbus Road, Rancho Cordova | michael.maher@wildlife.ca.gov From: Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov> Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2022 7:52 AM To: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Downey, Savannah@Waterboards <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring WARNING: This message is from an external source. Verify the sender and exercise caution when clicking links or opening attachments. The USFWS agrees with the requested variance to reduce flow in the NFFR from Sept 18-28 to 55cfs, perform BMI sampling at Yellow Creek instead of Stag Creek, and to use snorkeling instead of backpack electrofishing at the Bardees Bar site. A. Leigh Bartoo US Fish and Wildlife Service Bay-Delta Fish and Wildlife Office 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 8-300 Sacramento, California 95814 916-930-5621 *packages can no longer be mailed to the above address. Please contact me through email if you have an item to mail to me. Pronouns: she/her/hers Please contact me by email while staff are working from home. From: Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com> Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2022 2:16 PM To: Bartoo, Aondrea <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Savannah Downey <Savannah.Downey@Waterboards.ca.gov>; Lind, Amy -FS <amy.lind@usda.gov>; Moghaddas, Emily - FS <emily.moghaddas@usda.gov>; Maher, Michael@Wildlife <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <beth.lawson@wildlife.ca.gov> Cc: McCready, Chadwick <COMM@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Variance Request Poe 2022 Fish and BMI Monitoring This email has been received from outside of DoI - Use caution before clicking on links, opening attachments, or responding. Dear Resource Agencies, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) respectfully requests a temporary flow, sample site, and sample methodology variance for the 2022 Poe fish and benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) monitoring, required under the Poe Bypass Reach Project Fish and BMI Monitoring Plan (Plan), which was created pursuant to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 2107 license. These variances are necessary to allow a safe working environment for the field team and are consistent with variances previously approved for the Poe fish and BMI monitoring. License Requirements The Plan states the following requirements for modifying streamflows: PG&E may reduce streamflows defined in, and in accordance with any other requirements of, SWRCB WQC Condition 1, Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. 23, and FERC License Article 401(c) to implement this [Fish and BMI] monitoring Plan under the following conditions: 1. Monitoring will occur between September 15 to October 15, with a goal to complete monitoring by the end of September, whenever possible; 1. Monitoring streamflows will be no less than 55 cfs; 2. Reduced streamflow shall not exceed 10 consecutive days; 3. Up and down ramping rates during this period will be limited to no more than 100 cfs per hour; 4. Reduced streamflow may only be commenced if no whitewater boating flow releases have occurred for seven consecutive days; Each year that monitoring occurs, PG&E shall provide the agencies with the specific proposed schedule at least 45 days prior to monitoring. Agencies will have 15 days to comment on the schedule, and if any agency proposes an alternative schedule, PG&E will convene a conference call with all agencies to develop a revised schedule. The Plan outlines the following survey method: Fish population monitoring will be conducted using methods similar to those currently used in the Rock Creek-Cresta Project (PG&E 2018). Where appropriate, modifications to the methodology are based on efficiencies gained from sampling in the Rock Creek-Cresta Project and limited safe access to the Poe Bypass Reach. Specifically, fish population surveys will employ electrofishing and direct observation methodologies. Table 1 below provides the locations of all fish and BMI monitoring sites included in the Plan. Table 1: Locations of Poe Fish and BMI Monitoring Sites Site ID Site Description Reach Type Monitoring Conducted approximate Upstream Location (UTM naD 83) PD-B Below Poe Dam Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 064030 4407661 BB-B Bardee’s Bar Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 0632281 4403580 PB-B Poe Beach Regulated Fish/BMI 10S 0631333 4399175 EB-B East Branch of North Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0664699 4431124 MB-B Millsap Bar on Middle Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0648328 4396628 SC-B Stag Creek on the Middle Fork Feather River Unregulated BMI 10 S 0664463 4406400 Background PG&E has requested and received approval from the agencies, and FERC, to reduce minimum streamflows, under the conditions stated in the Plan, in 2020 and 2021. During the 2022 Condition No. 3 meeting with the Forest Service, PG&E proposed lowering flows to 55 cfs from the afternoon of September 18, 2022, to the afternoon of September 28, 2022. Following that meeting, no comments were received on this proposal. PG&E is proposing the same schedule to all agencies. The flows would be decreased for 10 days in total but will be returned to baseflow sooner, if work is completed earlier. Ramping rates of no more than 100 cfs per hour in both reaches will be implemented to avoid stranding. This proposal is consistent with that of the proposal for 2021, which was unanimously approved by all agencies and FERC. On February 9, 2022, PG&E and the agencies met to discuss the challenges that PG&E has been facing while implementing the Sediment Management Plan, Poe Tributary Access Monitoring Plan, and Plan. Part of that discussion concerned the BMI reference site at Stag Creek, which has been deemed unsafe by PG&E because of recent wildfire activities. All agencies adopted the resolution to use a new reference site at Yellow Creek; however, monitoring at Yellow Creek is contingent upon the Forest Service making that site accessible before the 2022 BMI monitoring commences. A summary of this conversation can be found in the March 2, 2022 email titled Follow Up- FERC No.2107 Poe Biological Plan (attached; highlighted in yellow). On February 9, 2022, PG&E and the agencies also discussed the risks associated with the backpack electrofishing methodology at the Bardees Bar site. During the 2021 fish sampling event, electrofishing at the Bardees Bar site was ineffective and unsafe due to the depth of the reach. All agencies agreed to grant a variance that would replace electrofishing with snorkeling. A summary of this conversation can be found in the March 2, 2022 email titled Follow Up- FERC No.2107 Poe Biological Plan (attached; highlighted in blue). variance Request Pursuant to the meeting on February 9, 2022, and the requirements of the Plan, PG&E is respectfully requesting a variance to: 1. Temporarily lower flows to 55 cfs, from September 18, 2022 through September 28, 2022 2. Replace the BMI monitoring site of Stag Creek with Yellow Creek 3. Replace the backpack electrofishing methodology with snorkeling at the Bardees Bar site. Per the Plan, “agencies will have 15 days to comment on the schedule, and if any agency proposes an alternative schedule, PG&E will convene a conference call with all agencies to develop a revised schedule.” PG&E respectfully requests comment or approval of these variances 15 days from the date of this email, August 3, 2022. If you have any questions regarding this monitoring or variance request, please let me know. With gratitude, Sky Ramirez-Doble He/Him/His Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation Pacific Gas & Electric Company c: (530) 250-7002 e: s9rv@pge.com This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. 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