HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.06.25 Board Correspondence - FW_ Internal Transmittal Memo issued in FERC P-2088-068From:Clerk of the Board
To:BOS
Cc:Loeser, Kamie; Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Internal Transmittal Memo issued in FERC P-2088-068
Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 11:39:20 AM
Please see Board Correspondence below.
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Subject: Internal Transmittal Memo issued in FERC P-2088-068
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying..
On 6/6/2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C., issued this document:
Docket(s): P-2088-068
Lead Applicant: South Feather Water & Power Agency
Filing Type: Internal Transmittal Memo
Description: Memo discussing the List of Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Candidate Species, and Proposed etc. generated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ECOS-IPaC website on 06/06/2025 for the South
Feather Power Project under P-2088.
To view the document for this Issuance, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20250606-
3021__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!AVDlLsHrztAIrfCz_lgfyczyguuHQmfrtr7yUmbQ0cXyc2IwiZigOJWTOCAIWlAZ4KdnF8QfclOlmgjMNiTSEClyMi6DoC2rrZlQ$
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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
Emmering, Wildlife Biologist, Division of Hydropower
Candidate Species, and Proposed and Final Critical
Habitats under the Endangered Species Act
On June 6, 2025, Commission staff accessed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
Information for Planning & Consultation (IPaC) website (https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/)
to generate an official list of federally threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate
species, and proposed and final critical habitats that may be affected by the proposed
relicensing of the South Feather Power Project P-2088-068 (project).
The existing hydroelectric project is located on the South Fork Feather River, Lost
Creek, and Slate Creek in Butte, Yuba, and Plumas Counties, California and occupies
federal land in Plumas National Forest and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
A copy of the IPaC Report and official list of species is attached.
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Sacramento Fish And Wildlife Office
Federal Building
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605
Sacramento, CA 95825-1846
Phone: (916) 414-6600 Fax: (916) 414-6713
In Reply Refer To:
Project Code: 2023-0046934
Project Name: South Feather Power Project (2088)
Subject:List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project
location or may be affected by your proposed project
To Whom It May Concern:
The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as
well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your
proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the
requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the
Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of
species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to
contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to
federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical
habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the
Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be
completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be
completed by visiting the IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and
implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested
through the IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.
The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the
ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the
Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to
utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered
species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or
designated critical habitat.
A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having
similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological
evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may
affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended
contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.
If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that
listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the
agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service
recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed
within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7
consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered
Species Consultation Handbook" at:
https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/endangered-species-consultation-
handbook.pdf
Migratory Birds: In addition to responsibilities to protect threatened and endangered species
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), there are additional responsibilities under the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) to
protect native birds from project-related impacts. Any activity, intentional or unintentional,
resulting in take of migratory birds, including eagles, is prohibited unless otherwise permitted by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (50 C.F.R. Sec. 10.12 and 16 U.S.C. Sec. 668(a)). For more
information regarding these Acts, see https://www.fws.gov/program/migratory-bird-permit/what-
we-do.
The MBTA has no provision for allowing take of migratory birds that may be unintentionally
killed or injured by otherwise lawful activities. It is the responsibility of the project proponent to
comply with these Acts by identifying potential impacts to migratory birds and eagles within
applicable NEPA documents (when there is a federal nexus) or a Bird/Eagle Conservation Plan
(when there is no federal nexus). Proponents should implement conservation measures to avoid
or minimize the production of project-related stressors or minimize the exposure of birds and
their resources to the project-related stressors. For more information on avian stressors and
recommended conservation measures, see https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/threats-birds.
In addition to MBTA and BGEPA, Executive Order 13186: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies
to Protect Migratory Birds, obligates all Federal agencies that engage in or authorize activities
that might affect migratory birds, to minimize those effects and encourage conservation measures
that will improve bird populations. Executive Order 13186 provides for the protection of both
migratory birds and migratory bird habitat. For information regarding the implementation of
Executive Order 13186, please visit https://www.fws.gov/partner/council-conservation-
migratory-birds.
We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages
Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project
planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Code in the header of
this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit
to our office.
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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▪
Attachment(s):
Official Species List
OFFICIAL SPECIES LIST
This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the
requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether
any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed
action".
This species list is provided by:
Sacramento Fish And Wildlife Office
Federal Building
2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2605
Sacramento, CA 95825-1846
(916) 414-6600
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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PROJECT SUMMARY
Project Code:2023-0046934
Project Name:South Feather Power Project (2088)
Project Type:Power Gen - Hydropower - FERC
Project Description:The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is processing an
application to relicense the existing 117.3-megawatt South Feather Power
Project FERC No. P-2088 (project) that was filed by South Feather Water
and Power Agency on March 26, 2007. The water supply/power project is
located on the South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, and Slate Creek in
Butte, Yuba, and Plumas Counties, California and occupies about 1,977
acres of federal lands administered by Plumas National Forest and about
11 acres of federal lands administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land
Management. The project consists of four hydroelectric developments.
The Sly Creek Development includes Little Grass Valley Dam, South
Fork Diversion Dam and Tunnel, Slate Creek Diversion Dam and Tunnel,
and the Sly Creek Dam, Penstock, Powerhouse, and Switchyard, and two
recreation facilities. The Woodleaf Development includes Lost Creek
Dam and the Woodleaf Power Tunnel, Penstock, Powerhouse, and
Switchyard. The Forbestown Development includes the Forbestown
Diversion Dam, Power Tunnel, Penstock, Powerhouse, and Switchyard.
The Kelly Ridge Development includes Ponderosa Dam and Diversion
Tunnel, Miners Ranch Conduit, Tunnel, and Dam, and the Kelly Ridge
Power Tunnel, Penstock, Powerhouse, and Switchyard. The project does
not include transmission facilities as power generated at the four
developments is transmitted to the grid via facilities owned and operated
by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The South Feather Power Project
generates an average of 498,972 megawatt-hours of energy annually.
Project Location:
The approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://
www.google.com/maps/@39.6257136,-121.11773457425373,14z
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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Counties:Butte , Plumas , and Yuba counties, California
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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1.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT SPECIES
There is a total of 17 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.
Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include
species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species
list because a project could affect downstream species. Note that 1 of these species should be
considered only under certain conditions.
IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA
Fisheries , as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the
Department of Commerce.
See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially
within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office
if you have questions.
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an
office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of
Commerce.
1
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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▪
MAMMALS
NAME STATUS
Gray Wolf Canis lupus
Population: U.S.A.: All of AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IN, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA,
MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA,
VT, WI, and WV; and portions of AZ, NM, OR, UT, and WA. Mexico.
There is final critical habitat for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4488
Endangered
North American Wolverine Gulo gulo luscus
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
This species only needs to be considered under the following conditions:
Species may be present based on transient occurrence as it moves through or too suitable
habitat. Effects should be considered to species and projects should consult with the
Service, however, depending on the project, consultation may not be necessary.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5123
Threatened
BIRDS
NAME STATUS
California Condor Gymnogyps californianus
Population: Pacific Northwest NEP
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8193
Experimental
Population,
Non-
Essential
California Spotted Owl Strix occidentalis occidentalis
Population: Sierra Nevada
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7266
Proposed
Threatened
REPTILES
NAME STATUS
Giant Garter Snake Thamnophis gigas
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4482
Threatened
Northwestern Pond Turtle Actinemys marmorata
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1111
Proposed
Threatened
AMPHIBIANS
NAME STATUS
California Red-legged Frog Rana draytonii
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2891
Threatened
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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NAME STATUS
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Rana boylii
Population: North Feather Distinct Population Segment (North Feather DPS)
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location overlaps the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5133
Threatened
Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Rana sierrae
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9529
Endangered
Western Spadefoot Spea hammondii
Population: Northern DPS
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5425
Proposed
Threatened
INSECTS
NAME STATUS
Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus
There is proposed critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical
habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/9743
Proposed
Threatened
Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Desmocerus californicus dimorphus
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7850
Threatened
CRUSTACEANS
NAME STATUS
Conservancy Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta conservatio
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8246
Endangered
Vernal Pool Fairy Shrimp Branchinecta lynchi
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/498
Threatened
Vernal Pool Tadpole Shrimp Lepidurus packardi
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2246
Endangered
FLOWERING PLANTS
NAME STATUS
Butte County Meadowfoam Limnanthes floccosa ssp. californica
There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location does not overlap the critical habitat.
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4223
Endangered
Layne's Butterweed Senecio layneae
No critical habitat has been designated for this species.
Threatened
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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NAME STATUS
Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4062
CRITICAL HABITATS
There is 1 critical habitat wholly or partially within your project area under this office's
jurisdiction.
NAME STATUS
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Rana boylii
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5133#crithab
Proposed
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Project code: 2023-0046934 06/06/2025 13:22:29 UTC
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IPAC USER CONTACT INFORMATION
Agency:Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Name:Quinn Emmering
Address:888 First Street, NE
City:Washington
State:DC
Zip:20426
Email quinn.emmering@ferc.gov
Phone:2025026382
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025
Document Content(s)
P-2088-068 Memo - USFWS Official List of ESA species.pdf .................1
Document Accession #: 20250606-3021 Filed Date: 06/06/2025