Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.08.2024 Board Correspondence - FW_ Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al.From:Clerk of the Board To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie Cc:Nevers, Dawn Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Wednesday, May 8, 2024 12:02:05 PM Please see Board Correspondence - -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Wednesday, May 8, 2024 10:15 AM Subject: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report 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 5/8/2024, 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: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits 2023 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report and U.S. Forest Service, et al. Consultation Documentation re the Bucks Creek 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=20240508- 5071__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!DEC-bp2JXIylYRm2i39M0on1Px2hNJkHuJKQ8c- 9XCNQQ1OA8EX4ZoYlDe5oIk0AQkyDKPq9n6W99AW3KMerLb8rtvdeODUN3xGQ$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eSubscription.aspx__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!DEC- bp2JXIylYRm2i39M0on1Px2hNJkHuJKQ8c- 9XCNQQ1OA8EX4ZoYlDe5oIk0AQkyDKPq9n6W99AW3KMerLb8rtvdeONNb8aMo$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!DEC- bp2JXIylYRm2i39M0on1Px2hNJkHuJKQ8c- 9XCNQQ1OA8EX4ZoYlDe5oIk0AQkyDKPq9n6W99AW3KMerLb8rtvdeOFiYKCoa$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. Power Generation 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28209 Oakland, CA 94604 May 8, 2024 Via Electronic Submittal (E-File) Debbie-Anne Reese , Acting Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance 888 First Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20426 RE: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619-CA Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report , 2023 Dear Secretary Reese: This letter presents the 2023 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 619. FERC issued a new license for the Bucks Creek Project on June 16, 2022. License Article 401(a) requires the licensees implement plans required by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) conditions and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s (“Forest Service”) section 4(e) conditions with the Commission . WQC Condition 16 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 42 require the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Management Plan (Plan). The Plan requires the licensees conduct monitoring and file a final report with FERC by May 31 . PG&E provided a Draft Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report to the Forest Service, SWRCB, California Department of Fish and Wildlife , and United States Fish and Wildlife Service by email on February 24 , 2024 . Over 30 days was allowed for review and comment. Forest Service was the only agency to respond stating they had no comments . No other comments were received. The final 202 3 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report is provided in Enclosure 1 . Documentation of agency consultation is included as Enclosure 2. For questions, please contact Jamie Visinoni, senior license coordinator for PG&E, at (530) 215-6676. Sincerely, Matthew Joseph Supervisor, Hydro License Compliance Enclosure: 1. 2023 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report , prepared by PG&E and dated May 2024 2. Consultation Documentation Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 ENCLOSURE 1 Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 1 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara SIERRA NEVADA YELLOW-LEGGED FROG MANAGEMENT PLAN Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 1 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS To protect the federally endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) and its critical habitat, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and City of Santa Clara (the Licensees) developed the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC (No. 619) Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Management Plan (Plan; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019) in coordination with resource agencies and has completed formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the potential impacts of the project on this species. As agreed with the resource agencies and required by U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service) 4(e) Condition No. 32, the Licensees have sealed off Milk Ranch Conduit No. 8 and are providing unimpaired flows to Bear Ravine below the diversion. The Licensees are now implementing the Plan that includes measures to protect the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and its habitat during Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project’s (Project)Operations and Maintenance (O&M) activities in areas above 4,500 feet (ft) in elevation and to monitor for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog in waters specified in the Plan. 2 MONITORING GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND BACKGROUND The goal of the Plan is to define protection measures for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs and their suitable habitat that will be implemented during Project O&M activities at Project facilities and recreation sites (e.g., campgrounds, day use areas, etc.), and construction activities conducted by the Licensees for areas above 4,500 ft. The Plan objectives include descriptions of: 1. Management measures and actions intended to avoid or minimize potential effects of Project O&M activities and planned construction activities on Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs. 2. Required monitoring activities for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs during the License term. 3 MONITORING SITES AND FREQUENCY The locations of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites are detailed in Table 1 and shown in Figure 1. To the extent possible, monitoring sites were the same as during relicensing studies (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016, 2018). The monitoring frequency and schedule for each site over the term of the license is detailed in the Plan (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019). Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 2 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 1. Locations of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites. General Area Site ID Location Description Location Coordinates (decimal degrees) Upstream Downstream Three Lakes Road BR-11 Bear Ravine downstream of diversion 39.91579, -121.227309 39.915273, -121.231287 BR-21 Bear Ravine upstream of diversion 39.91829, -121.22136 39.915779, -121.225963 SFGHC-1 South Fork Grouse Hollow Creek downstream and upstream of diversion 39.958996, -121.234879 39.962776, -121.239515 Grizzly Creek GC-3 Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay Dam 39.889801, -121.294717 39.887994, -121.296287 GC-4 Grizzly Creek upstream of Grizzly Forebay 39.890144, -121.272816 39.88883, -121.279175 Tributaries to Bucks Lake HC-11 Haskins Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake 39.868135, -121.168189 39.86945, -121.175777 BC-21 Bucks Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake 39.886062, -121.146412 39.88156, -121.154139 RBMC-11 Right Hand Branch Mill Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake 39.900537, -121.167939 39.899613, -121.174128 MFMC-11 Middle Fork Mill Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake 39.906854, -121.175114 39.903325, -121.177546 MC-11 Mill Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake 39.919727, -121.185821 39.91521, -121.184683 1 Site is within Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog critical habitat. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 1. Locations of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites, 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 4 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 4 METHODS 4.1 Visual encounter surveys During the 2023 monitoring year, three focused diurnal visual encounter surveys (VES) were conducted: one breeding-season survey (after snowmelt and after frogs have emerged for breeding), one mid-season survey, and one late-season survey. Exact dates were determined based on environmental conditions for the year (e.g., snowpack, snowmelt, temperature, and accessibility), and appropriate resource agencies were notified of the VES survey dates approximately 2 weeks in advance of the survey. VES were performed in all safely accessible and permissible areas within each site following protocols outlined in the Protocol for Amphibian and Reptile Visual Encounter Surveys at Monitoring Sites (CDFW 2017a). Incidental observations of aquatic invasive species (AIS), especially bullfrog and crayfish, were recorded during all surveys. Survey datasheets included a checklist of the AIS species outlined in the Plan (PG&E and the City of Santa Clara 2019). 4.2 Environmental DNA sampling Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (eDNA) sampling was conducted at one location near the downstream end of each monitoring site (listed in Table 1), once during the monitoring year. Samples were analyzed for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA (using the published assay from Bedwell 2018) and the following AIS (parenthetical citations are the published assay used for analysis): • Myxobolus cerebralis (whirling disease; Barry et al. 2021) • Ceratonova shasta (myxosoporean parasite; Hallett et al. 2006) • Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (proliferative kidney disease [or PKD]; Hutchins et al. 2017) • Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (white spot; Hu et al. 2022) • Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd or chytrid; Boyle et al. 2004) • Iridoviridae sp. (ranavirus or frog virus 3; Leung et al. 2017) At each site, biologists collected at least two eDNA samples (i.e., filters) from near the water’s surface and filtered at least 2 liters of water (combined; Bedwell and Goldberg 2020). Biologists used 0.45-micrometer Millipore SterivexTM filters and a peristaltic pump to collect all eDNA samples in situ (Bergman et al. 2016, Blankenship and Schumer 2022). To prevent contamination, eDNA samples were collected prior to upstream VES, and surveyors wore single-use latex gloves. Negative controls were sampled daily by filtering 1 liter of distilled water prior to sample collection. Laboratory personnel followed best practices for eDNA extraction and created and analyzed an extraction negative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) negative with every extraction batch and qPCR plate (Miya et al. 2016). Samples were analyzed with an internal positive control to ensure samples were not inhibited (i.e., a negative result signified DNA was not detected, not an indication of a failed qPCR reaction). Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 5 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 4.3 Data Processing Maps were prepared showing the locations of target species encountered during the VES. Presence information and total counts of individuals are summarized in Results. 5 RESULTS 5.1 Current Monitoring Year 5.1.1 Visual Encounter Surveys Biologists conducted VES on June 26–29, August 7–10, and September 11–14, 2023. Throughout monitoring, survey conditions were ideal—clear to partially cloudy skies and little to no wind. Air temperatures ranged from 11 to 28 degrees Celsius (⁰C), but colder air temperatures were documented in the shaded survey sites (i.e., RHBMC-1 and GC-3), and water temperatures ranged from 6 to 21⁰C. Representative photos of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations and monitoring sites are included in Attachment A. Survey dates, air and water temperatures, and weather conditions for monitoring in 2023 are included in Attachment B. Two adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed at site BR-2 on June 28 (Table 2; Figures 2–5). No other life stages or individual Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed at any other site or during any other survey period. Table 2. Location, morphometric data, and habitat details for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations, 2023. Monitoring Site Location (Decimal Degrees) Life Stage Sex Measurement (snout-urostyle length; mm) Habitat Notes Latitude Longitude BR-2 39.91606 -121.225 Adult N/A N/A In a small mid-channel pool with bedrock and boulder substrate. Water temperature was 9.5⁰C. Did not capture (see Figure 3). 39.91735 -121.223 Adult Female 41 In a small mid-channel pool with bedrock and gravel substrate. Water temperature was 10.6⁰C (see Figures 4 and 5). Notes: ⁰C – degrees Celsius N/A – not available mm – millimeter Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 6 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 2. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations at site BR-2, June 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 7 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3. Habitat of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observation at site BR-2, June 28, 2023. Figure 4. Habitat of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observation at site BR-2, June 28, 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 8 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 5. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observation at site BR-2, June 28, 2023. 5.1.2 Environmental DNA Surveys During the September 11–14, 2023, surveys, biologists collected eDNA samples at all monitoring sites. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA was only detected at BR-2 (Table 3). No AIS DNA was detected in the eDNA samples. During laboratory analysis, none of the samples showed signs of inhibition and all the negative control samples (including extraction negative and qPCR negative) tested negative. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Technical Memorandum: Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 9 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3. Environmental DNA sites, samples collected, and total volume filtered for detection of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and Aquatic Invasive Species, 2023. Site ID eDNA Samples Collected (n) Total Volume Filtered (L) eDNA detected (yes/no) Rana sierrae (SNYLF) Myxobolus cerebralis (whirling disease) Ceratonova shasta (myxosoporean parasite) Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (PKD) Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (white spot) Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) Iridovirdae sp. (ranavirus) BR-1 2 2.50 No No No No No No No BR-2 2 2.50 Yes No No No No No No SFGHC-1 2 2.50 No No No No No No No GC-3 4 2.40 No No No No No No No GC-4 2 2.50 No No No No No No No HC-1 3 2.27 No No No No No No No BC-2 2 2.50 No No No No No No No RBMC-1 2 2.50 No No No No No No No MFMC-1 2 2.50 No No No No No No No MC-1 2 2.50 No No No No No No No Notes: eDNA – environmental deoxyribonucleic acid n – number L – Liter PKD – proliferative kidney disease SNYLF – Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 10 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.2 Comparison with Past Monitoring Years Observations of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs in 2023 were similar to observations during the relicensing studies conducted in 2015 and 2017. Table 4 summarizes all known historical and contemporary Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations or detections at the monitoring sites. Table 4. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observation or detection at monitoring sites. Site ID Prior Relicensing Survey Year Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Observation or Detection (year) Fish Observed in 2023? Crayfish Observed in 2023? Notes Regarding Non-Project Surveys Visual eDNA BR-1 20171 20171 and 20222 20171 No No Forest Service observations in 2017 below Three Lake Road.1 Forest Service observation in 2022 above Three Lakes Road.2 BR-2 20171 20171 and 2023 20171 and 2023 No No Forest Service observations outside monitoring reach between Site BR-2 and Cape Lake in 2013, 2018, and 2022.2 SFGHC-1 20171 None None No No PG&E conducted Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog surveys on South Fork Grouse Hollow Creek in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021 in preparation for repairing Milk Ranch Creek Diversion No. 3. These included three separate VESs in each year combined with eDNA in 2017 and 2021.3,4 GC-3 2015 None None Yes No -- GC-4 2015 1961, 1993, and 19965,6 None Yes No -- HC-1 2015 1991 and 19936 None Yes Yes -- BC-2 2015 None None Yes No -- RBMC-1 2015 None None Yes No -- MFMC-1 2015 None None Yes No -- MC-1 2015 None None Yes No -- Notes: eDNA – environmental deoxyribonucleic acid Source: 1 PG&E and City of Santa Clara (2018), relicensing surveys at this site included two separate eDNA sampling events in 2017; 2 Forest Service (2022); 3 PG&E (2018); 4 PG&E unpublished data (2021); 5 CDFW (2023); 6 Forest Service (unpublished data) Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 11 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.3 Incidental Observations of Non-Target Species Non-target herpetofauna and AIS observed during monitoring in 2023 are listed in Table 5. Table 5. Non-target species observed during monitoring, 2023. Site ID Location Description Species Life Stage(s) SFGH-1 South Fork Grouse Hollow Creek downstream and upstream of diversion Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii) Adult GC-3 Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay Dam Sierra newt (Taricha sierrae) Adult GC-4 Grizzly Creek upstream of Grizzly Forebay Dam Mountain garter snake (Thamnophis elegans elegans) Adult Northwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis) Juvenile and adult BC-2 Bucks Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii) Adult HC-1 Haskins Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake Sierra garter snake (Thamnophis couchii) Sub-adult Crayfish (unknown species) Adult Northwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis) Adult MFMC-1 Middle Fork Mill Creek at confluence with Bucks Lake Northwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis) Adult 6 DISCUSSION A small population of adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs have been consistently detected in Bear Ravine during surveys conducted by PG&E and the Forest Service. PG&E biologists observed one to two individuals per survey effort during the 2017 relicensing studies (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018) and two individuals during these 2023 monitoring surveys (Table 2). Similarly, the Forest Service has consistently observed one to two Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs during surveys conducted at Bear Ravine—although most observations were outside and upstream of the BR-1 and BR-2 survey reaches—in 2013, 2018, and 2022, including five unique individuals observed over four mark-recapture events in 2022 (Forest Service 2022; Table 4). Although small, the population appears resilient because it has persisted following extreme environmental events, including the Dixie Fire in 2021 and the historic snowpack following winter storms in 2023. Inconsistent distribution of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs in Bear Ravine, particularly at Site BR-1 (downstream of the diversion and Three Lakes Road), across surveys years may be due to a few factors. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are likely using Bear Ravine as dispersal or foraging habitat because it is a steep stream with limited areas suitable for breeding. All surveys Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 12 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara conducted from 2013 to 2023 have observed adults (i.e., post-metamorphic frogs greater than 40 millimeters in length) with no evidence of breeding (i.e., tadpoles or egg masses). Breeding activities are probably occurring either in the lower-gradient headwaters of Bear Ravine or in nearby Cape Lake,1 and post-metamorphic individuals are then likely dispersing downstream. Differences in Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog presence and distribution along this part of Bear Ravine may be typical variances in dispersal behavior, or due to new limits on emigration and dispersal opportunities from source populations due to high flows from snow run-off or changes in dispersal barriers (e.g., steep waterfalls or newly unimpaired flows at the water diversion). The variability of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog detections at BR-2 during the three 2023 surveys is likely also due to limited detection probability. Bear Ravine is a high-gradient system with dense riparian brush, potentially lowering the chances of detecting Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs. Limited detection probability is consistent with the varied observations across the 2017 survey year (PG&E and the City of Santa Clara 2018) as well as limited recaptures in Forest Services’ 2022 mark-recapture study (Forest Service 2022). Both sites HC-1 (in Haskins Creek) and GC-3 (in Grizzly Creek) contained highly suitable habitat for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, however non-native fish were observed at both sites and non-native crayfish was observed at HC-1. The presence of fish and crayfish are likely precluding Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog occupancy at these sites. Additional monitoring sites likewise contained fish, but they also had high canopy cover and limited basking sites (BC-2, GC-3, MFMC-1, RBMC-1, and MC-1; Table 4), making them less suitable for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs. While there are no fish in site SFGHC-1, it did not contain any suitable breeding habitat; furthermore, no Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed at SFGHC-1 during three surveys in each year of 2015, 2016, and 2017 and two eDNA sampling events in 2017 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018), and another round of VES and eDNA in 2021 (PG&E 2021). The Plan states that the effectiveness of eDNA sampling compared with VESs will be evaluated after 10 years following license issuance, and that the Licensees may then revise sampling methodologies in collaboration with the resource agencies. Thus far, eDNA has been a relatively successful detection method for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs, though with one known false negative from the eDNA sample during relicensing studies in August 2017, when a Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog was detected visually at BR-1 during surveys but not detected in the corresponding eDNA sample (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018). Conversely, in September 2017, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA was detected in the BR-1 and BR-2 reaches from eDNA samples, while no Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed in the paired VES at BR-2 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018), demonstrating the effectiveness of eDNA sampling. It is unlikely the DNA detected in BR-2 during the September 2017 surveys came from a frog in BR-1, or other sources greater than 100–200 meters upstream, as eDNA has limited transport in small streams in studies conducted for Sierra Nevada and foothill yellow-legged frogs (Bedwell and Goldberg 2020). In 2023, PG&E updated its sampling strategy to collect eDNA samples later 1 In 2022, the Forest Service documented one Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog in Bear Ravine and then later in Cape Lake; the frog presumably traversed approximately 200 meters over a low ridge, as there were no hydrological connections observed between the two features (Forest Service 2022). Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 13 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara in the year (as recommended by Bedwell and Goldberg 2020). In September 2023, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA was detected in Bear Ravine (BR-1) where no individuals were found during the paired VES. The positive eDNA detection in September is unlikely a result of residual DNA from the frogs observed during the June VES because eDNA in comparable stream systems dissipates, degrades, or sediments out within hours to days (Nevers et al. 2020, Pilliod et al. 2014). 7 VARIANCES FROM MONITORING PLAN Mill Creek was not accessible due to high flows during the initial breeding season survey (June). As a result, Mill Creek was only surveyed twice in 2023. 8 RECOMMENDATIONS OR PLAN REVISIONS No recommendations or Plan revisions are proposed at this time. As part of the Plan, Biologists are scheduled to continue surveying for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs at Bear Ravine (BR-1 and BR-2) for the next two consecutive years, and twice again between License Years 6 and 11. The remaining sites will be surveyed once more prior to the end of License Year 10, targeting a Dry Year. Biologists will continue to collect eDNA samples concurrently with visual surveys. 9 REFERENCES Barry, D.E., M. Veillard, C.T. James, L. Brummelhuis, E.A. Pila, A. Turnbull, A. Oddy-van Oploo, X. Han, and P.C. Hanington. 2021. qPCR-based environmental monitoring of Myxobolus cerebralis and phylogenetic analysis of its tubificid hosts in Alberta, Canada. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 145: 119-137. Bedwell, M.E. 2018. Using genetic tools to investigate distribution and connectivity of two Sierra Nevada amphibians, Rana sierrae and Rana boylii. Thesis. Washington State University, Pullman, Washington. Bedwell, M.E. and C.S. Goldberg. 2020. Spatial and temporal patterns of environmental DNA detection to inform sampling protocols in lentic and lotic systems. Ecology and Evolution 10(3): 1602–1612. Bergman, P.S., G. Schumer, S. Blankenship, E. Campbell. 2016. Detection of Adult Green Sturgeon Using Environmental DNA Analysis. PLOS ONE. Apr 20;114:e0153500. Blankenship, S., and G. Schumer. 2022. Field collection procedure for aquatic environmental DNA sample collection and analysis. Cramer Fish Sciences - Genidaqs, West Sacramento, California. Boyle, D.G., D.B. Boyle, V. Olsen, J.A.T. Morgan, and A.D. Hyatt. 2004. Rapid quantitative detection of chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibian samples using real-time Taqman PCR assay. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 60(2): 141–148. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page 14 May 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2017a. Protocol for amphibian and reptile visual encounter surveys at monitoring sites. Version 3. Updated summer 2017, ICC. CDFW. 2023. California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). RareFind 5. Online database. Natural Heritage Division, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, California. https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Data/CNDDB/Maps-and-Data (accessed November 2023). Forest Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service). 2022. Bear Ravine and Cape Lake Monitoring Report Rana sierrae Amphibian Surveys 2022. Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough Ranger District, Quincy, CA. Hallett, S.L. and J.L. Bartholomew. 2006. Application of a real-time PCR assay to detect and quantify the myxozoan parasite Ceratomyxa shasta in river water samples. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 71: 109-118. Hu, G., K. Huang, W. Zhou, R. Wang, W. Zhao, H. Zou, W. Li, S. Wu, M. Li, and G. Wang. 2022. Comparison of droplet digital PCR and real-time quantitative PCR for quantitative detection of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in the water environment. Journal of Fish Diseases 46: 357-367. Hutchins, P.R., A.J. Sepulveda, R.M. Martin, and L.R. Hopper. 2017. A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples. Conservation Genetics Resource 10: 317-319. Leung, W.T.M., L. Thomas-Walters, T.W.J. Garner, F. Balloux, C. Durrant, and S.J. Price. 2017. A quantitative-PCR based method to estimate ranavirus viral load following normalisation by reference to an ultraconserved vertebrate target. Journal of Virological Methods 249: 147-155. Miya, M., T. Minamoto, H. Yamanaka, S.I. Oka, K. Sato, S. Yamamoto, T. Sado, and H. Doi. 2016. Use of a filter cartridge for filtration of water samples and extraction of environmental DNA. Journal of Visualized Experiments 117, p.e54741. Nevers, M. B., K. Przybyla-Kelly, D. Shively, C.C. Morris, J. Dickey, and M.N. Byappanahalli. 2020. Influence of sediment and stream transport on detecting a source of environmental DNA. PLoS One 15(12), e0244086. PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) and the City of Santa Clara. 2016. Final License Application. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619. December. PG&E and the City of Santa Clara. 2018. Technical Memorandum (TM-42) Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Surveys along Milk Ranch Conduit Tributaries. FERC Project No. 619. May. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 May 2024 Page 15 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara PG&E and the City of Santa Clara. 2019. Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Management Plan. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619. September. PG&E 2018. Biological Assessment in support of Section 7 Consultation with USFWS. Rebuild Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion No. 3 Pipeline Project, FERC Project No. 619 PG&E (unpublished data). 2021. Results of Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged frog VES and eDNA sampling for Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion #3 Repair Project. Prepared by Garcia and Associates. July 28, 2021. Pilliod, D.S., C.S. Goldberg, R.S. Arkle, and L.P. Waits. 2014. Factors influencing detection of eDNA from a stream‐dwelling amphibian. Molecular Ecology Resources 14(1): 109– 116. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT A REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF SIERRA NEVADA YELLOW-LEGGED FROG MONITORING SITES Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-2 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page A-1 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-1. Site BR-1 (Bear Ravine upstream of the diversion), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-2 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-2. Site BR-2 (Bear Ravine downstream of the diversion), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page A-3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-3. Site SFGHC-1 (South Fork Grouse Hollow Creek downstream and upstream of diversion), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-4 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-4. Site GC-3 (Grizzly Creek downstream of Grizzly Forebay Dam), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page A-5 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-5. Site GC-4 (Grizzly Creek upstream of Grizzly Forebay), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-6 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-6. Site HC-1 (Haskins Creek near the confluence with Bucks Lake), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page A-7 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-7. Site BC-2 (Bucks Creek near the confluence with Bucks Lake), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-8 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-8. Site RBMC-1 (Right Hand Branch of Mill Creek near the confluence with Bucks Lake), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page A-9 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-9. Site MFMC-1 (Middle Fork of Mill Creek near the confluence with Bucks Lake), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page A-10 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-10. Site MC-1 (Mill Creek near the confluence with Bucks Lake), various locations and surveys in 2023. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT B SURVEY DATES, AIR AND WATER TEMPERATURES, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 March 2024 Page B-1 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table B-1. Survey dates, start and end time, and environmental conditions during Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring, 2023. Site ID Site Name Survey Date (2023) Time (24-hour) Start Temperature (°C) End Temperature (°C) Weather Condition (cloud cover, wind) Start End Air Water Air Water BC-2 Bucks Creek 6/26 16:28 17:44 18.1 18.3 17.7 9.2 Partly cloudy, light wind 8/7 15:50 16:40 23.3 21.0 20.3 11.0 Partly cloudy, light wind 9/11 15:22 16:08 24.0 9.5 18.1 9.7 Sunny clear, windy BR-1 Bear Ravine downstream 6/28 12:40 13:20 20.3 12.4 25.7 12.9 Partly cloudy, light wind 8/9 11:25 12:08 21.9 12.7 20.6 13.0 Clear, no wind 9/13 12:55 13:38 22.8 12.3 24.3 12.5 Clear, no wind BR-2 Bear Ravine upstream 6/28 9:00 11:26 17.8 9.1 11.2 21.1 Clear, no wind 8/9 12:13 13:16 20.6 13.0 22.5 14.7 Clear, light wind 9/13 13:51 15:42 24.3 12.5 24.2 14.1 Clear, light wind GC-3 Grizzly Creek downstream 6/29 9:35 10:20 17.0 9.6 17.9 10.3 Clear, no wind 8/10 09:27 10:19 13.6 10.2 15.6 11.0 Clear, no wind 9/14 10:18 11:08 14.1 11.5 17.3 12.4 Clear, no wind GC-4 Grizzly Creek upstream 6/29 11:30 12:55 26.5 11.8 28.0 12.8 Clear, no wind 8/10 11:50 13:01 19.5 12.1 26.4 12.2 Clear, no wind 9/14 14:00 15:01 21.0 12.5 25.9 13.2 Clear, light wind HC-1 Haskins Creek 6/29 14:00 14:35 25.2 11.5 25.2 N/A Clear, no wind 8/7 17:09 17:56 24.7 14.4 21.3 N/A Partly cloudy, light wind 9/11 17:01 17:39 20.4 12.8 20.4 11.6 Clear, light wind MC-11 Mill Creek 8/8 12:58 13:54 23.5 13.1 23.7 13.8 Clear, no wind 9/12 13:55 14:48 22.5 10.8 23.3 11.5 Clear, light wind Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 Bucks Creek Project, FERC Project No. 619 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2023 Page B-2 March 2024 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Site ID Site Name Survey Date (2023) Time (24-hour) Start Temperature (°C) End Temperature (°C) Weather Condition (cloud cover, wind) Start End Air Water Air Water MFMC-1 Middle Fork Mill Creek 6/27 11:50 12:30 20.4 18.4 22.1 18.4 Clear, no wind 8/8 10:56 11:39 18.1 9.1 18.1 9.3 Clear, no wind 9/12 11:49 12:30 15.1 8.0 14.9 8.2 Clear, no wind RHBMC-1 Right Hand Branch Mill Creek 6/27 10:00 11:00 16.1 16.9 13.3 6.6 Clear, no wind 8/8 09:17 10:09 13.4 9.7 16.1 10.1 Clear, no wind 9/12 09:54 10:49 11.8 7.7 13.9 8.3 Clear, no wind SFGHC-1 South Fork Grouse Hallow Creek 6/28 15:28 16:56 22.4 13.3 22.5 13.6 Partly cloudy, light wind 8/9 08:56 10:01 15.6 13.6 18.0 11.8 Clear, no wind 9/13 09:51 10:54 15.3 11.4 18.5 11.1 Clear, no wind Notes: ⁰C – degrees Celsius N/A – not available 1 Site MC-1 (Mill Creek) was not surveyed during the June monitoring due to high flows. Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 ENCLOSURE 2 Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024 From:Edlund, Leslie - FS, CA To:Visinoni, Jamie; "Aondrea_Bartoo@fws.gov"; Michael Maher; Sable, Kurt - FS, CA; Muro, Bryan@Waterboards Cc:Tarr, Holly; Joseph, Matthew; Nathan.Fisch@waterboards.ca.gov; Alvarez, Dawn - FS, CA; Brenzovich, Erika - FS, CA; Wise Jr., Larry; Cheslak, Edward; Herman, Andie; Salve, Rohit; Fransz, Matthew; Johnson, Shannon; Hoffman, Joseph - FS, CA Subject:RE: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 - 2023 Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Monitoring Report Date:Wednesday, February 28, 2024 8:08:03 AM Attachments:image001.png image002.png image003.png image004.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. Good morning Jamie, Our wildlife biologist has reviewed the report and states: “Very nice report!! No changes needed.” 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: Visinoni, Jamie <JNVS@pge.com> Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2024 7:07 AM To: 'Aondrea_Bartoo@fws.gov' <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Michael Maher <Michael.Maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; Edlund, Leslie - FS, CA <leslie.edlund@usda.gov>; Sable, Kurt - FS, CA <kurt.sable@usda.gov>; Muro, Bryan@Waterboards <bryan.muro@waterboards.ca.gov> Cc: Tarr, Holly <H1TC@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew <MWJA@pge.com>; Nathan.Fisch@waterboards.ca.gov; Alvarez, Dawn - FS, CA <dawn.alvarez@usda.gov>; Brenzovich, Erika - FS, CA <erika.brenzovich@usda.gov>; Wise Jr., Larry <LMWO@pge.com>; Cheslak, Edward <EFC3@pge.com>; Herman, Andie <AEHb@pge.com>; Salve, Rohit <ROSK@pge.com>; Fransz, Document Accession #: 20240508-5071 Filed Date: 05/08/2024