HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.03.25 Board Correspondence - FW_ Government Agency Submittal submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by USDA Forest Service - Region 5,et al.From:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney,
Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie
Cc:Nuzum, Danielle
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Government Agency Submittal submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by USDA Forest Service - Region 5,et al.
Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 11:36:44 AM
Please see Board Correspondence -
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Subject: Government Agency Submittal submitted in FERC P-2088-000 by USDA Forest Service - Region 5,et al.
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On 6/3/2025, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.:
Filer: USDA Forest Service - Region 5
No Organization Found (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-2088-000
Lead Applicant: South Feather Water & Power Agency
Filing Type: Government Agency Submittal
Description: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region submits Revised Final Condition No. 27 pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act for the
South Feather Power Project under P-2088.
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Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
United States
Department of
Agriculture Service 1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
(707) 562-8737
File Code: 2770
Date: May 30, 2025
Ms. Debbie-Anne Reese
Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington D.C. 20426
Via Electronic Filing
Subject: REVISED FINAL SECTION 4(e) CONDITION 27. South Feather Power Project,
FERC No. 2088
Dear Ms. Reese:
The South Feather Power Project (“Project”), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(“Commission” or “FERC”) Project No. 2088, licensed to South Feather Water and Power
Agency (Licensee or SFWPA), occupies National Forest System (NFS) lands managed by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (“Forest Service”), Plumas National
Forest. The purpose of this letter and enclosures is to submit a Revision of Final Condition No.
27 pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) that we have deemed necessary for
the protection and utilization of the Plumas National Forest.
Background
The Forest Service filed preliminary Section 4(e) Terms and Conditions on April 14, 2008, and
revisions to several of those Terms and Conditions on May 13, 2008, after discussions with the
South Feather Water and Power Agency (Licensee). The Forest Service filed final Section 4(e)
Terms and Conditions on March 6, 2009; the 2009 filing also included the Forest Service’s
response to the Licensee’s alternative conditions.
In October 2022, the Forest Service submitted revised terms and conditions to FERC. The
purpose of that submittal was to address new information on special-status species and Project
operations revealed prior to or during discussions of the State Water Resources Control Board’s
issuance of a water quality certification under the Clean Water Act. The Forest Service also
submitted management and monitoring plans and updated standard Administrative Conditions as
part of the October 2022 filing.
Current Filing
FERC convened an Environmental Site Review and Technical Conference on March 21 and
22, 2024, to discuss questions and comments by stakeholders following review of FERC’s
NEPA. These comments and questions primarily focused on whether implementing conditions
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
Ms. Debbie-Anne Reese 2
to protect special-status species, particularly the federally-listed Foothill Yellow Legged Frog
(FLYF) was feasible with current project infrastructure. The Environmental Site Review and
Technical Conference was attended by FERC, WSP (as a FERC contractor), U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW),
and SFWPA. SFWPA communicated during the Technical Conference the interim ramping rates
included in the October 2022 revised 4(e) conditions were not feasible to implement due to
limitations of Project infrastructure, and alternative options for interim ramping rates that can be
implemented operationally while being adequately protective against adverse effects on FYLF
should be developed.
SFWPA filed a letter with FERC (Accession No. 20240529-5022) on May 22, 2024, which
included follow-up comments and action items in response to the Technical Conference and
included plans for retaining a subject matter expert and equipment testing to determine feasible
ramping rates.
SFWPA and their consultants completed a Technical Report which was filed with FERC in
March of 2025 after exhaustive review by the Forest Service, USFWS, and CDFW. Changes to
Final FPA 4(e) Condition No. 27 are submitted here reflecting the finding of the Technical
Report.
The Revised Final FPA Section 4(e) Condition No. 27 is submitted to the Commission for
consideration in FERC staff’s planned development of a Final supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement for this Project. We expect this revised Condition be included in the new
Project license when it is issued. All other conditions and plans submitted October of 2022
are still valid and are expected to be included. Our current filing includes the following
documents:
Enclosure 1 contains a clean version (no “tracked changes”) of the Revised Final Section 4(e)
Condition No. 27 to be included in the license and found to be necessary for the protection and
utilization of the Plumas National Forest.
Enclosure 2 contains a “track changes” version of the Revised Final Section 4(e) Condition No.
27. This enclosure shows edits made on the October 2022, Final Section 4(e) Condition No. 27
to produce the current Revised version (Enclosure 1).
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
Ms. Debbie-Anne Reese 3
Please contact Kurt Sable, Pacific Southwest Region Hydroelectric Coordinator at
(530) 616-1823, kurt.sable@usda.gov or Dawn Alvarez, Pacific Southwest Region
Hydroelectric Program Manager at (707) 980-0914, dawn.alvarez@usda.gov if you have
questions concerning this submittal.
Sincerely,
X
JASON KUIKEN
Acting Regional Forester
Enclosures
cc: Rachel Birkey, Jim Bacon, Dawn Alvarez, Loren Everest, Erika Brenzovich
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
JASON
KUIKEN
Digitally signed by
JASON KUIKEN
Date: 2025.06.02
16:59:12 -07'00'
1
Condition 27: Streamflow
Part 1. Minimum Streamflows.
For the preservat ion and improvement of aquatic resources in the Project area, Licensee shall
maintain specified minimum streamflows in project reaches in accordance with the Tables 1-1
through 1-5 below. Minimum streamflows shall commence within 60 days of License
issuance, unless facility modifications are required.
Minimum streamflows shall be measured in two ways: as the 24-hour average of the flow
(mean daily flow) and as an instantaneous flow. The instantaneous flow is the flow value
used to construct the average daily flow value and shall be measured in t ime increments of at
least 15-minutes. The 24-hour average flow is the average of the incremental readings from
midnight of one day to midnight of the next day. Licensee shall record instantaneous 15-
minute streamflow as required by US Geological Survey (USGS)standards at all gages. The
minimum instantaneous 15-minute streamflow shall be at least 80 percent of the prescribed
mean daily flow for those minimum streamflows less than or equal to 10 cubic feet per second
(cfs)and at least 90% of the prescribed mean daily flow for those minimum streamflows
required to be greater than 10 cfs as set forth in Tables 1-1 through 1-5.
Should the mean daily flow as measured be less than the required mean daily flow set forth in
Tables 1-1 through 1-5 but more than the instantaneous flow, Licensee shall begin releasing
the equivalent under-released vo lume of water within 7 days of discovery of the under-
release. Credit for such additional releases will not exceed 20% of the instantaneous flow
amount, when used to attain the equivalent of the under-released volume.
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
2
Table 1-1: Minimum Streamflows Little Grass Valley Reach
Measured at USGS gage No.11395030 (SF 3)
Release from Little Grass Valley Dam (cfs)
Month
Water Year Type
Wet Above
Normal
Below
Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
Table 1-2: Minimum Streamflows South Fork Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11395200 (SF 5)
Release from South Fork Diversion Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
3
Table 1-3: Minimum Streamflows Forbestown Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11396200 (SF17)
Release from Forbestown Diversion Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
Table 1-4: Minimum Streamflows Lost Creek Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11396000 (SF13)
Release from Lost Creek Reservoir Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 8 8 8 8
November 8 8 8 8
December 8 8 8 8
January 8 8 8 8
February 20 20 16 12
March 60 45 40 30
April 30 30 25 20
May 30 20 20 15
June 20 16 12 12
July 10 8 8 8
August 8 8 8 8
September 8 8 8 8
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
4
Table 1-5: Minimum Streamflows Slate Creek Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11413300 (SF 10)
Release from Slate Creek Diversion Dam (cfs)
Either the natural inflow or the specified release, whichever
is less
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above
Normal
Below
Normal
Dry
October 10 10 10 10
November 10 10 10 10
December 10 10 10 10
January 10 10 10 10
February 10 10 10 10
March 49** 49** 49** 49**
April 32 32 32 32
May 32 32 32 32
June 10 10 10 10
July 10 10 10 10
August 10 10 10 10
September 10 10 10 10
**49 cfs or outlet capacit y, which ever is less,but no less than 40 cfs.
Where facilit y modificat ion is required to implement the efficient release of Minimum
Streamflows, the Licensee shall submit applications for permits within one year after license
issuance and complete such modificat ions as soon as reasonably pract icable but no later than
two years after receipt of all required permits and approvals. Prior to complet ion of such
required facility modifications, the Licensee shall make a good fait h effort to provide the
specified Minimum Streamflows within the capabilit ies of the exist ing facilit ies.
The Licensee shall schedule the timing of maintenance or other planned outages to avoid
negat ive ecological effects from the resultant spills. The Licensee shall provide written
notification to the Forest Service 90 days prior to any planned or scheduled maintenance
outages that would affect streamflows in the South Feather Power Project bypass reaches.
Notificat ion shall include a description of Project and coordinated measures the Licensee
plans to take to minimize the magnitude and duration of spills into the Project reach. The
Licensee shall not proceed with the planned maint enance outage without the formal written
approval of the Forest Service. The Forest Service will respond in a timely manner.
The Minimum Streamflow requirements are subject to temporary modificat ion if required by
equipment malfunct ion, as directed by law enforcement authorit ies, or in emergencies. An
emergency is defined as an event that is reasonably out of the control of the Licensee and
requires Licensee to take immediate action, either unilaterally or under instruction by law
enforcement or other regulatory agency staff, to prevent imminent loss of human life or
substant ial property damage. An emergency may include, but is not limited to, natural events
such as landslides, storms or wildfires, malfunction or failure of Project works, and recreation
accidents.
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
5
If the Licensee temporarily modifies the requirements of these conditions, then the Licensee
shall make all reasonable efforts to promptly resume performance of such requirements and
shall notify the Forest Service and other interested or affected governmental agencies within
48 hours of the modificat ion.
Part 2. Water Year Type.
The minimum streamflow schedules have been separated into four water year types: Wet,
Above Normal (AN), Below Normal (BN), and Dry. The Licensee shall determine the water
year type based on the water year forecast of unimpaired runoff in the Feather River at
Oroville provided by the California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 120 report of
water conditions in California each month from February through May. The water year types
are defined as follows:
Wet = greater than or equal to 7.1 million acre-feet (MAF)
AN = greater than or equal to 4.0 MAF but less than 7.1 MAF
BN = greater than 2.4 MAF or equal to but less than 4.0 MAF
Dry = less than or equal to 2.4 MAF
Each February through May the Licensee shall determine the water year type based on the
DWR Bullet in 120 water year forecast and shall operate for that month based on that forecast.
The May forecast shall be used to establish the final water year type for the remaining months
of the water year.The water year type for the months of October through January shall be
based on the Department of Water Resources’ Full Natural Flow record for the Feather River
at Oroville,for the preceding water year. The Licensee shall provide Notice to the FS, FERC,
and other interested governmental agencies of the final water year type determinat ion within
30 days of making the determination.
The water year types from February through April shall apply from the 15th day of the month
in which DWR issues Bullet in 120 to the 14th day of the next month. From May 15 to
October 14, the water year type shall be based on DWR’s Bullet in 120 issued in May. Fro m
October 15 through February 14, the water year type shall be based on DWR’s Full Natural
Flow record issued in October.
Part 3. Multiple Dry Water Years
By March 15 of the second or subsequent Dry water year Licensee shall notify the Forest
Service, and other interested governmental agencies of Licensee’s drought concerns. By May
1 of these same years Licensee shall consult with representatives from the Forest Service, and
other interested governmental agencies to discuss operational plans to manage the drought
conditions. If the parties specified above agree on a revised operational plan, Licensee may
begin implement ing the revised operational plan as soon as it files documentation of the
agreement with the FERC. If unanimous agreement is not reached, Licensee shall submit the
revised proposed plan that incorporates as many Agency issues as possible to the FERC, as
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
6
well as both assent ing and dissent ing comments, should they exist, request expedited
approval, and implement the proposed plan unt il directed otherwise by the FERC.
Part 4. Streamflow Measurement.
For the purpose of determining the river stage and Minimum Streamflow below Little Grass
Valley Dam, South Fork Diversio n Dam, Forbestown Diversion Dam, Lost Creek, and Slate
Creek Diversion Dam, Licensee shall operate and maintain the exist ing gages, consistent with
all requirements of FERC and under the supervision of the USGS. Any modification of the
gage facilit ies at any of these gages that may be necessary to measure the new Minimum
Streamflow releases shall be completed within three years after issuance of the new Project
License.
The Licensee shall measure and document all instream flow releases in publicly available and
readily accessible formats. Flow data collected by Licensee from the stream gages will be
reviewed by the Licensee’s hydrographers as part of its qualit y assurance/qualit y control
(QA/QC)protocol. Upon complet ion of the QA/QC process, the data will be catalogued and
made available to USGS in annual hydrology summary reports. Licensee understands that the
USGS will then complete their QA/QC review of the data and subsequently publish the data
and post it within their electronic database that can be accessed via the Internet. The flow
values (generally 15-minute recordings) used to construct the 24-hour average flows will be
available to the resource agencies from the Licensee upon request.
Part 5. Ramping Rates and Minimization of Flow Fluctuations
Interim Ramping Rates
Wit hin 60 days of license issuance, the Licensee shall implement interim ramping rates in the
South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, and Slate Creek as described in Tables 5-1 through 5-5.
Unless otherwise specified, ramp-down rates apply to all controlled flow decreases, including
minimum streamflow changes, discretionary releases, and instances when the Licensee has
control after a spill. The final step when ramping down may be up to 10 percent greater than
the specified ramp-down rate.Flow shall never be less than the required minimum
streamflows (see Condit ion No. 27, Part 1).
From May 1 through July 15, during the foothill yellow-legged frog breeding season, Project
operations shall be conducted as follows:
To the extent feasible, the Licensee shall not close the South Fork Diversion Tunnel and
Forbestown Power Tunnel or schedule discretionary outages of Project facilities and
equipment; and
All foreseeable mandatory maintenance (e.g., grizzly screen cleaning) shall be performed
as early in the year as possible, and completed as quickly as possible.
If the Licensee determines it is not possible to operate the Project as outlined above, or that
foreseeable mandatory maintenance must be performed during the foothill yellow-legged frog
breeding season, the Licensee shall notify the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and the State
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
7
Water Board within 96 hours of such a determination and provide documentation supporting
the Licensee’s determination.
Interim ramping rates for specific Project reaches are provided in the subsections below.
Table 5-1. Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below Little Grass Valley
Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
Recreation streamflows3
≤5004 –≥126 cfs 50 cfs per hour
≤125 –≥50 cfs 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Controlled flow decreases
≤500† –≥126 cfs 50 cfs per hour
≤125 –≥50 cfs 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Note: cfs = cubic feet per second
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11395030.
2 +/-10 percent
3 All recreation streamflows are released at Little Grass Valley Dam. The ramp-down rates apply to recreation
streamflows throughout the South Fork Feather River. Recreation streamflows shall be implemented to be consistent
with any schedules developed under 4(e) Condition No. 38 (Water Resources Management for Recreation Plan).
4 Controlled releases cannot be made from Little Grass Valley Dam when flows are greater than 500 cfs.
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
8
Table 5-2.Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below South Fork
Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
May 1 through July 15
(FYLF breeding season)
≤600 –≥73 cfs
Open South Fork Diversion Tunnel 50% (of total diameter)
over 4 days until South Fork Diversion Tunnel is fully open
(over total of 8 days)4
≤73 –≥50 cfs3 20 cfs over 4 days
≤49 cfs3 10 –15 cfs over 4 days
July 16 through September
30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤600 –≥733 cfs
Open South Fork Diversion Tunnel 50% (of total diameter)
over 1 hour until South Fork Diversion Tunnel is fully open
(over total of 2 hours)4
≤73 –≥50 cfs3 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs3 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11395200.
2 +/-10%
3 Or the capacity of the low-level outlet, whichever is less.
4 The Licensee shall incrementally open the South Fork Diversion Tunnel over the specified time frame, unless existing facilities
prohibit incremental opening. If existing facilities prohibit incremental opening, the South Fork Diversion Tunnel shall be
opened 50% for the specified time frame and then fully opened at the conclusion of the specified time frame.
Table 5-3. Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below Forbestown
Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2,3
May 1 through July 15, (FYLF
breeding season)
≤600 –≥50 cfs
0.25-to 14-MW reduction targeting 10% stage
reduction over 4 days4 (e.g., stage 7.45,6.7, 6.03, and
5.43 feet, which equates to 600, 350, 163, and 55 cfs,
respectively).
5
July 16 through September 30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤600 –≥50 cfs reduction per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; MW = megawatt
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11396200.
2 +/-10%
3 Flows following forced outages will be returned as quickly as possible.
4 To the best of the ability of down-ramping via megawatt changes at the powerhouses; the Licensee would down-ramp via
generation to target stage changes. Natural flow fluctuations may still occur.
5 Or the capacity of the low-level outlet, whichever is less.
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
9
Table 5-4. Interim Ramp-down Rates for Lost Creek below Lost Creek Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
May 1 through July 15
(FYLF breeding season)
≤5003 –≥50 cfs
4-to 27-MW reduction targeting 10% stage reduction
over 4 days4 (e.g., stage 7.47, 6.73, 6.06, and 5.66
feet, which equates to 500, 242, 99, and 50 cfs,
respectively)
July 16 through September 30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤5003 –≥50 cfs 4-to 27-MW reduction targeting 10% stage reduction
per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; MW = megawatt
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11396000.
2 +/-10%
3 Controlled releases cannot be made from Lost Creek Dam when flows are greater than 554 cfs.
4 To the best of the ability of down-ramping via megawatt changes at the powerhouses; the Licensee would down-ramp via
generation to target stage changes. Natural flow fluctuations may still occur.
Table 5-5. Interim Ramp-down Rates for Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp Rate2, 3
May 1 through September 30
(FYLF breeding and rearing
Season)
>33 –300 cfs
>300 –600 cfs
Adjust Slate Tunnel by 50 cfs/day (up and down)
Adjust Slate Tunnel by 100 cfs/day (up and down)
Year-round 33.5 cfs or LLO fully
open, whichever is less NA
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; LLO = low level outlet; NA = not applicable
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11413300.
2 +/-10%
3 The Licensee will increase/decrease diversion to the tunnel to decrease/increase downstream flows by these rates. Natural flow
fluctuations may still occur. When ceasing diversions from Slate Creek, the Licensee shall close the Slate Creek Diversion
Tunnel as gradually as the Licensee’s water right (Application no. A013956, License no. L010940) allows.
Upon request, the Licensee shall provide streamflow gage data to the Forest Service, CDFW,
USFWS, and the State Water Board.
Minimization of Flow Fluctuations -From May 1 through September 30, or as specified in
the Tables 5.1-5.5 and with the exception of emergencies or when otherwise required by law,
the licensee shall make a good faith effort to not make releases that result in short-term, high-
flow fluctuations in the following stream reaches: South Fork Feather River below South Fork
Diversion, South Fork Feather River below Forbestown Diversion, Lost Creek below Lost
Creek Dam, and Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam. High-flow fluctuations are
defined as a 100 percent or greater increase in a 12-hour period. In non-spill years, the
licensee shall make a good faith effort to avoid making releases that result in short-term, high
flow fluctuations as defined above from May 1 through September 30. If such flows occur,
the Licensee will restore the flow to the previous level as quickly as possible to minimize the
time that egg masses or tadpoles experience the pulse.
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
10
Long-Term Ramping Rates Plan
Wit hin one year of license issuance, the Licensee shall develop a Long-Term Ramping Rates
Plan (LTRR Plan). The object ive of the LTRR Plan shall be to identify a plan to develop
long-term ramping rates for the protection of aquatic wildlife and safe whitewater boating
recreation. The Licensee shall develop the LTRR Plan in consultation with the Forest
Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board and the LTRR Plan shall be approved by the
Forest Service. The Licensee shall include with the LTRR Plan: documentation of
consultation wit h Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board; comments and
recommendat ions made in connection wit h the LTRR Plan; and a description of how the
LTRR Plan incorporates or addresses the comments and recommendations of Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall file with FERC,the Forest
Service-approved LTRR Plan, and any approved amendments thereto and implement the
LTRR Plan.
At a minimum, the LTRR Plan shall include:
An assessment of which flows, including minimum streamflows (Condition No. 27, Part
1), recreation streamflows (Condition No. 38), and Project operations should have long-
term ramping rates. The assessment shall include evaluation of the following Project
affected stream reaches:
o South Fork Feather River below Little Grass Valley Dam;
o South Fork Feather River below South Fork Diversion Dam;
o South Fork Feather River below Forbestown Diversion Dam;
o Lost Creek below Lost Creek Dam, and any geomorphic flows included in Condition
No. 37; and
o Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam.
Methods for determining long-term ramping rates (e.g., studies, tests, monitoring, etc.);
Criteria for evaluat ing the effect iveness of Interim Ramping Rates (defined above)and
any test ramping rates, including:
o approaches for assessing the effectiveness of interim and any proposed long-term
ramping rates at protecting aquatic biota, especially foothill yellow-legged frogs;
o data collect ion protocols for stage, water velocit y, and other aquatic habitat
conditions;
Specificat ions on how the Licensee will avoid high flow fluctuations from mid-April
through September for both spill and non-spill years (see above Interim Ramping Rates -
Minimization of Flow Fluctuations).
Locations where streamflow and/or stream stage will be measured (including USGS gage
numbers if applicable);
Format and schedule for reporting study and/or monitoring results to Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board;
Timeframe for implementing the LTRR Plan and submitting a Long-term Ramping Rates
Report (LTRR Report) to the Forest Service;
Ident ification of circumstances under which the Licensee may manage flows to provide
whitewater recreation opportunit ies below the South Fork Diversion Dam and
Forbestown Diversio n Dam;
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
11
The Licensee shall begin implementation of the LTRR Plan within six months o f Forest
Service approval of the LTRR Plan and any other required approvals. Any revisions to the
LTRR Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed with FERC prior to
implementation.
Wit hin one year of complet ing implementation of the LTRR Plan, the Licensee shall submit
the LTRR Report to the Forest Service for review and approval. The LTRR Report shall be
developed in consultat ion with,the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board.
At a minimum, the LTRR Report shall include:
Data results and analysis of data and informat ion gathered pursuant to implementation of
the LTRR Plan, including stage-discharge information and graphics;
Proposed long-term ramping rates and associated compliance points;
Copies of comments and recommendat ions made in connect ion with the LTRR Report
development, and a description of how the report incorporates or addresses the comments
and recommendat ions;
Descript ion of facilit y operations and modificat ions necessary to implement proposed
long-term ramping rates; and
Schedule for completing facility modifications necessary to provide the proposed long-
term ramping rates, if applicable.
Where facilit y modificat ions are not required for implementation, the Licensee shall
implement the approved long-term ramping rates within 30 days of Forest Service approval
and any other required approvals. Where facility modifications are required for
implementation of the approved long-term ramping rates, the Licensee shall implement the
long-term ramping rates within 30 days of completing facilit y modificat ions.
Part 6. Entrainment Management Plan
Entrainment Monitoring
Wit hin two years of license issuance, the Licensee shall submit an Entrainment Management
Plan (Entrainment Plan) to the Forest Service for review and approval. The objective of the
Entrainment Plan shall be to assess the impacts of Project facilities (specifically South Fork
Diversion Tunnel and Slate Creek Diversion Tunnel) and operations on entrainment of aquatic
species. The Entrainment Plan shall be developed in consultation with the Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall include with the Entrainment
Plan: documentation of consultation with the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State
Water Board; comments and recommendat ions made in connection wit h the Entrainment
Plan; and a description of how the Entrainment Plan incorporates or addresses the comments
and recommendat ions of Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The
Licensee shall file wit h FERC, the Forest Service-approved Entrainment Plan, and any
approved amendments thereto, and implement the Entrainment Plan.
At a minimum, the Entrainment Plan shall include:
Ident ification of aquat ic species to be monitored;
Proposed locat ions, timeframe, frequency, and protocols for monitoring;
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Overall schedule for completion of entrainment monitoring and reporting, including
submittal of the Entrainment Report (see Entrainment Report section below) to the Forest
Service for review and approval; and
Criteria for evaluat ing the severit y of entrainment impacts.
Any revisions to the Entrainment Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed with
FERC prior to implementation.
Entrainment Report -Within six months o f completing monitoring, the Licensee shall
provide a draft Entrainment Report to Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water
Board for a 30-day comment period. The Entrainment Report shall present an analysis of the
entrainment monitoring data and recommended measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment,
if necessary. Within nine months of complet ing monitoring, the Licensee shall submit a final
Entrainment Report to the Forest Service for review and approval. The Licensee shall also
provide the final Entrainment Report to the CDFW, USFWS, and the State Water Board.
At a minimum, the Entrainment Report shall include:
Raw data and a summary of entrainment monitoring results;
Evaluat ion of the entrainment monitoring data that includes:
o Criteria used to evaluate severity of entrainment associated with Project operations;
o An analysis of entrainment associated with continued Project operations;and
o A determinat ion of whether severit y of entrainment impacts warrants implementation
of protection measures;
Proposed measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment impacts, if necessary; and
Comments and recommendat ions of, Forest Service, CDFW,USFWS, and State Water
Board staff on the draft Entrainment Report, and a description of how the final
Entrainment Report incorporates or addresses the comments and recommendations of,
Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board staff.
Entrainment Adapt ive Management
As part of approving the final Entrainment Report the Forest Service may require the Licensee
to develop an Entrainment Adaptive Management Plan (EAM Plan) to address entrainment
impacts associated with the Project. The objective of the EAM Plan shall be to ident ify
measures that will reduce or eliminate Project-related entrainment. Within six months of
Forest Service direction to prepare an EAM Plan, the Licensee shall submit an EAM Plan to
the Forest Service for review and approval. The EAM Plan shall be developed in consultation
with Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall include
with the EAM Plan: documentation of consultation with Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS,
and State Water Board; comments and recommendations made in connection with the EAM
Plan; and a descript ion of how the EAM Plan incorporates or addresses the comments and
recommendat ions o f Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee
shall file wit h FERC the Forest Service-approved EAM Plan, and any approved amendments
thereto and implement the EAM Plan.
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At a minimum, the EAM Plan shall include:
Proposed measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment impacts, which may, with CDFW
permitting and approval, include a wild fish supplementation program
A timeline for implementing the proposed measures, including:
o A descript ion of and schedule for completing facility modificat ions necessary to
implement the proposed measures, if necessary; and
o Ongo ing operations and maintenance related to the proposed measures that the Licensee
will implement over the term of the FERC license and any extensions, if applicable;
An entrainment monitoring plan following implementation of the proposed measures, if
appropriate;
Potential impacts to water qualit y and beneficial uses associated with the proposed
measures, and how the Licensee will reduce or eliminate those impacts; and
Format, schedule, and reporting to document and summarize implementation of the EAM
Plan.
Any revisions to the EAM Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed wit h FERC
prior to implementation.
If fish exclusion devices at the above-listed Project diversions are included by the
Commission in the Project license, the requirement for this Entrainment Management Plan
shall be null and void.
Part 7. Valve Maintenance
Unless otherwise required by DWR’s Division o f Safet y of Dams (DSOD) or FERC’s Division
of Dam Safety and Inspect ion (D2SI), the Licensee shall perform all valve maintenance
activit ies between July 16 and April 15, outside of the foothill yellow legged frog breeding
season. The Licensee shall consult with the Forest Service, USFWS, CDFW, and State Water
Board regarding the ant icipated date(s) of valve maintenance activities as part of annual
consultation meetings (Condit ion No. 3). If the Licensee determines that performing valve
maintenance activities outside the foothill yellow-legged frog breeding season is not feasible,
the Licensee shall notify the Forest Service of the determination and provide supporting
documentation (i.e., documentation from DSOD or D2SI).
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Condition 27: Streamflow
Part 1. Minimum Streamflows.
For the preservat ion and improvement of aquatic resources in the Project area, Licensee shall
maintain specified minimum streamflows in project reaches in accordance with the Tables 1-1
through 1-5 below. Minimum streamflows shall commence within 60 days of License
issuance, unless facility modifications are required.
Minimum streamflows shall be measured in two ways: as the 24-hour average of the flow
(mean daily flow) and as an instantaneous flow. The instantaneous flow is the flow value
used to construct the average daily flow value and shall be measured in t ime increments of at
least 15-minutes. The 24-hour average flow is the average of the incremental readings from
midnight of one day to midnight of the next day. Licensee shall record instantaneous 15-
minute streamflow as required by US Geological Survey (USGS)standards at all gages. The
minimum instantaneous 15-minute streamflow shall be at least 80 percent of the prescribed
mean daily flow for those minimum streamflows less than or equal to 10 cubic feet per second
(cfs)and at least 90% of the prescribed mean daily flow for those minimum streamflows
required to be greater than 10 cfs as set forth in Tables 1-1 through 1-5.
Should the mean daily flow as measured be less than the required mean daily flow set forth in
Tables 1-1 through 1-5 but more than the instantaneous flow, Licensee shall begin releasing
the equivalent under-released vo lume of water within 7 days of discovery of the under-
release. Credit for such additional releases will not exceed 20% of the instantaneous flow
amount, when used to attain the equivalent of the under-released volume.
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Table 1-1: Minimum Streamflows Little Grass Valley Reach
Measured at USGS gage No.11395030 (SF 3)
Release from Little Grass Valley Dam (cfs)
Month
Water Year Type
Wet Above
Normal
Below
Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
Table 1-2: Minimum Streamflows South Fork Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11395200 (SF 5)
Release from South Fork Diversion Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
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Table 1-3: Minimum Streamflows Forbestown Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11396200 (SF17)
Release from Forbestown Diversion Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 19 15 10 10
November 19 15 10 10
December 19 15 10 10
January 19 15 10 10
February 19 15 10 10
March 19 19 19 19
April 1-7 46 46 28 26
April 8-14 73 46 36 26
April 15-21 99 46 36 26
April 22-30 126 46 36 26
May 1-15 126 99 36 26
May 16-31 126 46 28 26
June 53 46 28 19
July 19 19 15 10
August 19 19 10 10
September 19 19 10 10
Table 1-4: Minimum Streamflows Lost Creek Diversion Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11396000 (SF13)
Release from Lost Creek Reservoir Dam (cfs)
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above Normal Below Normal Dry
October 8 8 8 8
November 8 8 8 8
December 8 8 8 8
January 8 8 8 8
February 20 20 16 12
March 60 45 40 30
April 30 30 25 20
May 30 20 20 15
June 20 16 12 12
July 10 8 8 8
August 8 8 8 8
September 8 8 8 8
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Table 1-5: Minimum Streamflows Slate Creek Reach
Measured at USGS gage No. 11413300 (SF 10)
Release from Slate Creek Diversion Dam (cfs)
Either the natural inflow or the specified release, whichever
is less
Month Water Year Type
Wet Above
Normal
Below
Normal
Dry
October 10 10 10 10
November 10 10 10 10
December 10 10 10 10
January 10 10 10 10
February 10 10 10 10
March 49** 49** 49** 49**
April 32 32 32 32
May 32 32 32 32
June 10 10 10 10
July 10 10 10 10
August 10 10 10 10
September 10 10 10 10
**49 cfs or outlet capacit y, which ever is less, but no less than 40 cfs.
Where facilit y modificat ion is required to implement the efficient release of Minimum
Streamflows, the Licensee shall submit applications for permits within one year after license
issuance and complete such modificat ions as soon as reasonably pract icable but no later than
two years after receipt of all required permits and approvals. Prior to complet ion of such
required facility modifications, the Licensee shall make a good fait h effort to provide the
specified Minimum Streamflows within the capabilit ies of the exist ing facilit ies.
The Licensee shall schedule the timing of maintenance or other planned outages to avoid
negat ive ecological effects from the resultant spills. The Licensee shall provide written
notification to the Forest Service 90 days prior to any planned or scheduled maintenance
outages that would affect streamflows in the South Feather Power Project bypass reaches.
Notificat ion shall include a description of Project and coordinated measures the Licensee
plans to take to minimize the magnitude and duration of spills into the Project reach. The
Licensee shall not proceed with the planned maintenance outage without the formal written
approval of the Forest Service. The Forest Service will respond in a timely manner.
The Minimum Streamflow requirements are subject to temporary modificat ion if required by
equipment malfunct ion, as directed by law enforcement authorit ies, or in emergencies. An
emergency is defined as an event that is reasonably out of the control of the Licensee and
requires Licensee to take immediate action, either unilaterally or under instruction by law
enforcement or other regulatory agency staff, to prevent imminent loss of human life or
substant ial property damage. An emergency may include, but is not limited to, natural events
such as landslides, storms or wildfires, malfunction or failure of Project works, and recreation
accidents.
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If the Licensee temporarily modifies the requirements of these conditions, then the Licensee
shall make all reasonable efforts to promptly resume performance of such requirements and
shall notify the Forest Service and other interested or affected governmental agencies within
48 hours of the modificat ion.
Part 2. Water Year Type.
The minimum streamflow schedules have been separated into four water year types: Wet,
Above Normal (AN), Below Normal (BN), and Dry. The Licensee shall determine the water
year type based on the water year forecast of unimpaired runoff in the Feather River at
Oroville provided by the California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 120 report of
water conditions in California each month from February through May. The water year types
are defined as follows:
Wet = greater than or equal to 7.1 million acre-feet (MAF)
AN = greater than or equal to 4.0 MAF but less than 7.1 MAF
BN = greater than 2.4 MAF or equal to but less than 4.0 MAF
Dry = less than or equal to 2.4 MAF
Each February through May the Licensee shall determine the water year type based on the
DWR Bullet in 120 water year forecast and shall operate for that month based on that forecast.
The May forecast shall be used to establish the final water year type for the remaining months
of the water year.The water year type for the months of October through January shall be
based on the Department of Water Resources’ Full Natural Flow record for the Feather River
at Oroville,for the preceding water year. The Licensee shall provide Notice to the FS, FERC,
and other interested governmental agencies of the final water year type determinat ion within
30 days of making the determination.
The water year types from February through April shall apply from the 15th day of the month
in which DWR issues Bullet in 120 to the 14th day of the next month. From May 15 to
October 14, the water year type shall be based on DWR’s Bullet in 120 issued in May. Fro m
October 15 through February 14, the water year type shall be based on DWR’s Full Natural
Flow record issued in October.
Part 3. Multiple Dry Water Years
By March 15 of the second or subsequent Dry water year Licensee shall notify the Forest
Service, and other interested governmental agencies of Licensee’s drought concerns. By May
1 of these same years Licensee shall consult with representatives from the Forest Service, and
other interested governmental agencies to discuss operational plans to manage the drought
conditions. If the parties specified above agree on a revised operational plan, Licensee may
begin implement ing the revised operational plan as soon as it files documentation of the
agreement with the FERC. If unanimous agreement is not reached, Licensee shall submit the
revised proposed plan that incorporates as many Agency issues as possible to the FERC, as
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well as both assent ing and dissent ing comments, should they exist, request expedited
approval, and implement the proposed plan unt il directed otherwise by the FERC.
Part 4. Streamflow Measurement.
For the purpose of determining the river stage and Minimum Streamflow below Little Grass
Valley Dam, South Fork Diversio n Dam, Forbestown Diversion Dam, Lost Creek, and Slate
Creek Diversion Dam, Licensee shall operate and maintain the exist ing gages, consistent with
all requirements of FERC and under the supervision of the USGS. Any modification of the
gage facilit ies at any of these gages that may be necessary to measure the new Minimum
Streamflow releases shall be completed within three years after issuance of the new Project
License.
The Licensee shall measure and document all instream flow releases in publicly available and
readily accessible formats. Flow data collected by Licensee from the stream gages will be
reviewed by the Licensee’s hydrographers as part of its qualit y assurance/qualit y control
(QA/QC)protocol. Upon complet ion of the QA/QC process, the data will be catalogued and
made available to USGS in annual hydrology summary reports. Licensee understands that the
USGS will then complete their QA/QC review of the data and subsequently publish the data
and post it within their electronic database that can be accessed via the Internet. The flow
values (generally 15-minute recordings) used to construct the 24-hour average flows will be
available to the resource agencies from the Licensee upon request.
Part 5. Ramping Rates and Minimization of Flow Fluctuations
Interim Ramping Rates
Wit hin 60 days of license issuance, the Licensee shall implement interim ramping rates in the
South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, and Slate Creek as described in Tables 5-1 through 5-5.
Unless otherwise specified, ramp-down rates apply to all controlled flow decreases, including
minimum streamflow changes, discretionary releases, and instances when the Licensee has
control after a spill. The final step when ramping down may be up to 10 percent greater than
the specified ramp-down rate.Flow shall never be less than the required minimum
streamflows (see Condit ion No. 27, Part 1).
From May 1 through July 15, during the foothill yellow-legged frog breeding season, Project
operations shall be conducted as follows:
To the extent feasible, the Licensee shall not close the South Fork Diversion Tunnel and
Forbestown Power Tunnel or schedule discretionary outages of Project facilities and
equipment; and
All foreseeable mandatory maintenance (e.g., grizzly screen cleaning) shall be performed
as early in the year as possible, and completed as quickly as possible.
If the Licensee determines it is not possible to operate the Project as outlined above, or that
foreseeable mandatory maintenance must be performed during the foothill yellow-legged frog
breeding season, the Licensee shall notify the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and the State
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Water Board within 96 hours of such a determination and provide documentation supporting
the Licensee’s determination.
Interim ramping rates for specific Project reaches are provided in the subsections below.
Table 5-1. Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below Little Grass Valley
Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
Recreation streamflows3
≤5004 –≥126 cfs 50 cfs per hour
≤125 –≥50 cfs 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Controlled flow decreases
≤500† –≥126 cfs 50 cfs per hour
≤125 –≥50 cfs 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Note: cfs = cubic feet per second
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11395030.
2 +/-10 percent
3 All recreation streamflows are released at Little Grass Valley Dam. The ramp-down rates apply to recreation
streamflows throughout the South Fork Feather River. Recreation streamflows shall be implemented to be consistent
with any schedules developed under 4(e) Condition No. 38 (Water Resources Management for Recreation Plan).
4 Controlled releases cannot be made from Little Grass Valley Dam when flows are greater than 500 cfs.
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Table 5-2.Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below South Fork
Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
May 1 through July 15
(FYLF breeding season)
≤600 –≥73 cfs
Open South Fork Diversion Tunnel 50% (of total diameter)
over 4 days until South Fork Diversion Tunnel is fully open
(over total of 8 days)4
≤73 –≥50 cfs3 20 cfs over 4 days
≤49 cfs3 10 –15 cfs over 4 days
July 16 through September
30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤600 –≥733 cfs
Open South Fork Diversion Tunnel 50% (of total diameter)
over 1 hour until South Fork Diversion Tunnel is fully open
(over total of 2 hours)4
≤73 –≥50 cfs3 20 cfs per hour
≤49 cfs3 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11395200.
2 +/-10%
3 Or the capacity of the low-level outlet, whichever is less.
4 The Licensee shall incrementally open the South Fork Diversion Tunnel over the specified time frame, unless existing facilities
prohibit incremental opening. If existing facilities prohibit incremental opening, the South Fork Diversion Tunnel shall be
opened 50% for the specified time frame and then fully opened at the conclusion of the specified time frame.
Table 5-3. Interim Ramp-down Rates for South Fork Feather River below Forbestown
Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2,3
May 1 through July 15, (FYLF
breeding season)
≤600 –≥50 cfs
0.25-to 14-MW reduction targeting 10% stage
reduction over 4 days4 (e.g., stage 7.45, 6.7, 6.03, and
5.43 feet, which equates to 600, 350, 163, and 55 cfs,
respectively).
≤495 cfs 10 –15 cfs over 4 days
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July 16 through September 30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤600 –≥50 cfs 0.25-to 14-MW reduction targeting 10% stage
reduction per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; MW = megawatt
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11396200.
2 +/-10%
3 Flows following forced outages will be returned as quickly as possible.
4 To the best of the ability of down-ramping via megawatt changes at the powerhouses; the Licensee would down-ramp via
generation to target stage changes. Natural flow fluctuations may still occur.
5 Or the capacity of the low-level outlet, whichever is less.
Table 5-4. Interim Ramp-down Rates for Lost Creek below Lost Creek Dam
When Flow1 Ramp-down Rate2
May 1 through July 15
(FYLF breeding season)
≤5003 –≥50 cfs
4-to 27-MW reduction targeting 10% stage reduction
over 4 days4 (e.g., stage 7.47, 6.73, 6.06, and 5.66
feet, which equates to 500, 242, 99, and 50 cfs,
respectively)
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs over 4 days
July 16 through September 30
(FYLF rearing season)
≤5003 –≥50 cfs 4-to 27-MW reduction targeting 10% stage reduction
per hour
≤49 cfs 10 –15 cfs per hour
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; MW = megawatt
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11396000.
2 +/-10%
3 Controlled releases cannot be made from Lost Creek Dam when flows are greater than 554 cfs.
4 To the best of the ability of down-ramping via megawatt changes at the powerhouses; the Licensee would down-ramp via
generation to target stage changes. Natural flow fluctuations may still occur.
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Table 5-5. Interim Ramp-down Rates for Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam
When Flow1 Ramp Rate2, 3
May 1 through September 30
(FYLF breeding and rearing
Season)
>33 –300 cfs
>300 –600 cfs
Adjust Slate Tunnel by 50 cfs/day (up and down)
Adjust Slate Tunnel by 100 cfs/day (up and down)
Year-round 33.5 cfs or LLO fully
open, whichever is less NA
Notes: cfs = cubic feet per second; FYLF = foothill yellow-legged frog; LLO = low level outlet; NA = not applicable
1 As measured at U.S. Geological Survey gage 11413300.
2 +/-10%
3 The Licensee will increase/decrease diversion to the tunnel to decrease/increase downstream flows by these rates. Natural flow
fluctuations may still occur. When ceasing diversions from Slate Creek, the Licensee shall close the Slate Creek Diversion
Tunnel as gradually as the Licensee’s water right (Application no. A013956, License no. L010940) allows.
Upon request, the Licensee shall provide streamflow gage data to the Forest Service, CDFW,
USFWS, and the State Water Board.
Minimization of Flow Fluctuations -From May 1 through September 30, or as specified in
the Tables 5.1-5.5 and with the exception of emergencies or when otherwise required by law,
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the licensee shall make a good faith effort to not make releases that result in short-term, high-
flow fluctuations in the following stream reaches: South Fork Feather River below South Fork
Diversion,South Fork Feather River below Forbestown Diversion, Lost Creek below Lost
Creek Dam, and Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam. High-flow fluctuations are
defined as a 100 percent or greater increase in a 12-hour period. In non-spill years, the
licensee shall make a good faith effort to avoid making releases that result in short-term, high
flow fluctuations as defined above from May 1 through September 30. If such flows occur,
the Licensee will restore the flow to the previous level as quickly as possible to minimize the
time that egg masses or tadpoles experience the pulse.
Long-Term Ramping Rates Plan
Wit hin one year of license issuance, the Licensee shall develop a Long-Term Ramping Rates
Plan (LTRR Plan). The object ive of the LTRR Plan shall be to identify a plan to develop
long-term ramping rates for the protection of aquatic wildlife and safe whitewater boating
recreation. The Licensee shall develop the LTRR Plan in consultation with the Forest
Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board and the LTRR Plan shall be approved by the
Forest Service. The Licensee shall include with the LTRR Plan: documentation of
consultation wit h Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board; comments and
recommendat ions made in connection with the LTRR Plan; and a description of how the
LTRR Plan incorporates or addresses the comments and recommendations of Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall file with FERC,the Forest
Service-approved LTRR Plan, and any approved amendments thereto and implement the
LTRR Plan.
At a minimum, the LTRR Plan shall include:
An assessment of which flows, including minimum streamflows (Condition No. 27, Part
1), recreation streamflows (Condition No. 38), and Project operations should have long-
term ramping rates. The assessment shall include evaluation of the following Project
affected stream reaches:
o South Fork Feather River below Little Grass Valley Dam;
o South Fork Feather River below South Fork Diversion Dam;
o South Fork Feather River below Forbestown Diversion Dam;
o Lost Creek below Lost Creek Dam, and any geomorphic flows included in Condition
No. 37; and
o Slate Creek below Slate Creek Diversion Dam.
Methods for determining long-term ramping rates (e.g., studies, tests, monitoring, etc.);
Criteria for evaluat ing the effect iveness of Interim Ramping Rates (defined above)and
any test ramping rates, including:
o approaches for assessing the effectiveness of interim and any proposed long-term
ramping rates at protecting aquat ic biota, especially foothill yellow-legged frogs;
o data collect ion protocols for stage, water velocit y, and other aquatic habitat
conditions;
Specificat ions on how the Licensee will avoid high flow fluctuations from mid-April
through September for both spill and non-spill years (see above Interim Ramping Rates -
Minimization of Flow Fluctuations).
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Locations where streamflow and/or stream stage will be measured (including USGS gage
numbers if applicable);
Format and schedule for reporting study and/or monitoring results to Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board;
Timeframe for implementing the LTRR Plan and submitting a Long-term Ramping Rates
Report (LTRR Report) to the Forest Service;
Ident ification of circumstances under which the Licensee may manage flows to provide
whitewater recreation opportunities below the South Fork Diversion Dam and
Forbestown Diversio n Dam;
The Licensee shall begin implementation of the LTRR Plan within six months o f Forest
Service approval of the LTRR Plan and any other required approvals. Any revisions to the
LTRR Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed with FERC prior to
implementation.
Wit hin one year of complet ing implementation of the LTRR Plan, the Licensee shall submit
the LTRR Report to the Forest Service for review and approval. The LTRR Report shall be
developed in consultat ion with,the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board.
At a minimum, the LTRR Report shall include:
Data results and analysis of data and informat ion gathered pursuant to implementation of
the LTRR Plan, including stage-discharge information and graphics;
Proposed long-term ramping rates and associated compliance points;
Copies of comments and recommendat ions made in connect ion with the LTRR Report
development, and a description of how the report incorporates or addresses the comments
and recommendat ions;
Descript ion of facilit y operations and modificat ions necessary to implement proposed
long-term ramping rates; and
Schedule for completing facility modifications necessary to provide the proposed long-
term ramping rates, if applicable.
Where facilit y modificat ions are not required for implementation,the Licensee shall
implement the approved long-term ramping rates within 30 days of Forest Service approval
and any other required approvals. Where facility modifications are required for
implementation of the approved long-term ramping rates, the Licensee shall implement the
long-term ramping rates within 30 days of completing facilit y modificat ions.
Part 6. Entrainment Management Plan
Entrainment Monitoring
Wit hin two years of license issuance, the Licensee shall submit an Entrainment Management
Plan (Entrainment Plan) to the Forest Service for review and approval. The objective of the
Entrainment Plan shall be to assess the impacts of Project facilities (specifically South Fork
Diversion Tunnel and Slate Creek Diversion Tunnel) and operations on entrainment of aquat ic
species. The Entrainment Plan shall be developed in consultation with the Forest Service,
CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall include with the Entrainment
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Plan: documentation of consultation with the Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State
Water Board; comments and recommendat ions made in connection wit h the Entrainment
Plan; and a description of how the Entrainment Plan incorporates or addresses the comments
and recommendat ions of Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The
Licensee shall file wit h FERC, the Forest Service-approved Entrainment Plan, and any
approved amendments thereto, and implement the Entrainment Plan.
At a minimum, the Entrainment Plan shall include:
Ident ification of aquat ic species to be monitored;
Proposed locat ions, timeframe, frequency, and protocols for monitoring;
Overall schedule for completion of entrainment monitoring and reporting, including
submittal of the Entrainment Report (see Entrainment Report section below) to the Forest
Service for review and approval; and
Criteria for evaluat ing the severit y of entrainment impacts.
Any revisions to the Entrainment Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed with
FERC prior to implementation.
Entrainment Report -Within six months o f completing monitoring, the Licensee shall
provide a draft Entrainment Report to Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water
Board for a 30-day comment period. The Entrainment Report shall present an analysis of the
entrainment monitoring data and recommended measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment,
if necessary. Within nine months of complet ing monitoring, the Licensee shall submit a final
Entrainment Report to the Forest Service for review and approval. The Licensee shall also
provide the final Entrainment Report to the CDFW, USFWS, and the State Water Board.
At a minimum, the Entrainment Report shall include:
Raw data and a summary of entrainment monitoring results;
Evaluat ion of the entrainment monitoring data that includes:
o Criteria used to evaluate severity of entrainment associated with Project operations;
o An analysis of entrainment associated with continued Project operations; and
o A determinat ion of whether severit y of entrainment impacts warrants implementation
of protection measures;
Proposed measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment impacts, if necessary; and
Comments and recommendat ions of, Forest Service, CDFW,USFWS, and State Water
Board staff on the draft Entrainment Report, and a description of how the final
Entrainment Report incorporates or addresses the comments and recommendations of,
Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board staff.
Entrainment Adapt ive Management
As part of approving the final Entrainment Report the Forest Service may require the Licensee
to develop an Entrainment Adaptive Management Plan (EAM Plan) to address entrainment
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impacts associated with the Project. The objective of the EAM Plan shall be to ident ify
measures that will reduce or eliminate Project-related entrainment. Within six months of
Forest Service direction to prepare an EAM Plan, the Licensee shall submit an EAM Plan to
the Forest Service for review and approval. The EAM Plan shall be developed in consultation
with Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee shall include
with the EAM Plan: documentation of consultation with Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS,
and State Water Board; comments and recommendations made in connection wit h the EAM
Plan; and a descript ion of how the EAM Plan incorporates or addresses the comments and
recommendat ions o f Forest Service, CDFW, USFWS, and State Water Board. The Licensee
shall file wit h FERC the Forest Service-approved EAM Plan, and any approved amendments
thereto and implement the EAM Plan.
At a minimum, the EAM Plan shall include:
Proposed measures to reduce or eliminate entrainment impacts, which may, with CDFW
permitting and approval, include a wild fish supplementation program
A timeline for implementing the proposed measures, including:
o A descript ion of and schedule for completing facility modificat ions necessary to
implement the proposed measures, if necessary; and
o Ongo ing operations and maintenance related to the proposed measures that the Licensee
will implement over the term of the FERC license and any extensions, if applicable;
An entrainment monitoring plan following implementation of the proposed measures, if
appropriate;
Potential impacts to water qualit y and beneficial uses associated with the proposed
measures, and how the Licensee will reduce or eliminate those impacts; and
Format, schedule, and reporting to document and summarize implementation of the EAM
Plan.
Any revisions to the EAM Plan must be approved by the Forest Service and filed wit h FERC
prior to implementation.
If fish exclusion devices at the above-listed Project diversions are included by the
Commission in the Project license, the requirement for this Entrainment Management Plan
shall be null and void.
Part 7. Valve Maintenance
Unless otherwise required by DWR’s Division o f Safet y of Dams (DSOD) or FERC’s Division
of Dam Safety and Inspect ion (D2SI), the Licensee shall perform all valve maintenance
activit ies between July 16 and April 15, outside of the foothill yellow legged frog breeding
season. The Licensee shall consult with the Forest Service, USFWS, CDFW, and State Water
Board regarding the ant icipated date(s) of valve maintenance activities as part of annual
consultation meetings (Condit ion No. 3). If the Licensee determines that performing valve
maintenance activities outside the foothill yellow-legged frog breeding season is not feasible,
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the Licensee shall notify the Forest Service of the determination and provide supporting
documentation (i.e., documentation from DSOD or D2SI).
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Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025
Document Content(s)
698983-SouthForkPowerProject4eRevision (002).pdf .........................1
Encl_1 FS SFWPA rev final 4(e) cond 27 clean 2025.docx....................4
Encl_2 FS SFWPA rev final 4(e) cond 27track changel2025.docx.............18
Document Accession #: 20250603-5118 Filed Date: 06/03/2025