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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.21.25 Board Correspondence_ FW_ DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-125 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,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; Krater, Sharleen; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug Cc:Loeser, Kamie; Nuzum, Danielle Subject:Board Correspondence: FW: DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-125 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Thursday, August 21, 2025 1:44:09 PM Please see Board Correspondence -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2025 11:55 AM Subject: DOCKET CHANGE- Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-125 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 3/14/2025, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company PG&E Corporation (as Agent) Docket(s): P-803-125 Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Filing Type: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits Biological Assessment in Support of Section 7 Consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service re the Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project, part of the DeSabla- Centerville Project under P-803. 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Box 28209 Oakland, CA 94604 March 14, 2025 Via Electronic Submittal (E-File) Debbie-Anne Reese, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance 888 First Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20426 RE: DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 803-CA Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Dear Secretary Reese: This letter presents the Biological Assessment in Support of Section 7 Consultation with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for the Hendricks Head Dam Project which is a part of Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 803 . On December 5, 2024, PG&E communicated to FERC that PG&E was continuing informal consultation with the USFWS. PG&E committed to preparing and filing a Biological Assessment with FERC by April 30, 2025. The Biological Assessment is enclosed with this submittal (Enclosure 1). If you have questions or comments regarding this matter, please contact Sky Ramirez-Doble, license coordinator for PG&E, at (530) 250-7002. Sincerely, Megan Young Hydro License Project Manager Enclosure: 1. Biological Assessment in Support of Section 7 Consultation with USFWS – Hendricks Head Dam Project, dated March 6, 2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 ENCLOSURE 1 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Biological Assessment in Support of Section 7 Consultation with USFWS Hendricks Head Dam Project DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 803 LOCATION: Butte County, California March 6, 2025 Non-Federal Representative: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Contact Person: Andie Herman, Senior Aquatic Biologist Phone Number: (530) 680-9037 Email: Andie.Herman@pge.com Contact Person: Catalina Reyes, Senior Aquatic Biologist Phone Number: (925) 808-8811 Email: Catalina.Reyes@pge.com 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment i ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................1 1.1 Status of Species and Critical Habitat with Potential to Occur ........................................... 1 1.2 Critical Habitat .................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Consultation to Date ............................................................................................................ 4 1.4 Project Proponents............................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ............................................................. 5 1.4.2 Pacific Gas & Electric Company ......................................................................... 5 1.5 Analysis of Permitting ......................................................................................................... 5 2 Project Description ...............................................................................................................6 2.1 Project Background and Purpose ........................................................................................ 6 2.1.1 Existing Project Facilities and Features ............................................................... 6 2.1.2 Existing Project Operations ................................................................................. 6 2.2 Location ............................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Action Area ......................................................................................................................... 7 3 Proposed Action and Conservation Measures .................................................................10 3.1 Proposed Action ................................................................................................................ 10 3.2 Conservation Measures ..................................................................................................... 12 4 Existing Environment .........................................................................................................15 4.1 General Description of the River Basin ............................................................................ 15 4.1.1 Climate ............................................................................................................... 15 4.1.2 Major Land Uses ................................................................................................ 15 4.1.3 Major Water Uses .............................................................................................. 15 5 Species-Specific Analysis and Determination ...................................................................17 5.1 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog ............................................................................................. 17 5.1.1 Existing Environment ........................................................................................ 17 5.1.2 Direct and Indirect Effects of the Proposed Action on FYLF ........................... 21 5.1.3 Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Action on FYLF ....................................... 22 5.1.4 Determination for FYLF .................................................................................... 22 5.2 Northwestern Pond Turtle ................................................................................................. 22 5.2.1 Existing Environment ........................................................................................ 23 5.2.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on NWPT ................................................................ 24 5.2.3 Cumulative Effects on NWPT ........................................................................... 24 5.2.4 Determination for NWPT .................................................................................. 25 5.3 California Spotted Owl...................................................................................................... 25 5.3.1 Existing Environment ........................................................................................ 25 5.3.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on CSO ................................................................... 26 5.3.3 Cumulative Effects on CSO ............................................................................... 26 5.3.4 Determination for CSO ...................................................................................... 27 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment ii ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 6 Literature Cited ..................................................................................................................28 7 List of Contacts/Preparers .................................................................................................30 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment iii ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company FIGURES Figure 1. CNDDB results showing location of FYLF in relation to the Hendricks Diversion Dam. .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2. Location map of areas associated with Action Area. ...................................................... 8 Figure 3. Hendricks Head Dam project areas. Google earth photo from August 2019 represents conditions of when work will be performed in late summer months of 2025. ........................ 9 Figure 4. Landing zone/secondary staging area and flight path to the staging area at the Hendricks Diversion Dam. ..................................................................................................... 10 Figure 5. Locations of FYLF relicensing study reaches on the WBFR in relation to the location of project activities. The results of surveys in 2006 are included E = egg mass; T = tadpole; Y = young-of-year; J= juvenile; A = adult; ND = non-detect. .............................................. 20 TABLES Table 1. Federally listed species from IPAC list. ........................................................................... 2 Table 2. 2006 FYLF relative abundance of post-metamorphic FYLF observed during VES reaches in WBFR (PG&E 2007b). ........................................................................................ 21 Table 3. 2006 Egg masses observed during VES reaches in the WBFR (PG&E 2007b). ............ 21 ATTACHMENTS Attachment A Hendricks Head Dam Improvements – Project Description Attachment B USFWS Species List from IPaC (informal) Attachment C California Natural Diversity Database Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 1 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 1 Introduction The purpose of this Biological Assessment (BA) is to evaluate the effects of the Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project (Project) (PG&E 2024, Attachment A) construction on species listed as threatened, endangered, or proposed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Hendricks Head Dam (HHD) is a project feature of the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] Project No. 803) located on the West Branch Feather River (WBFR). The Proposed Action involves surface repairs to the existing dam structure, as described in Section 2.5 and the Project Description (PD, Attachment A). This work will occur during the late summer and early fall when the area is dry. During this timeframe, the flow of the WBFR is diverted into the HHD. Minimum instream flows are released back to the river at a gate approximately 300 ft downstream of the dam, and the remaining flow is used for hydroelectric power generation and is eventually released into Butte Creek at the DeSabla Powerhouse tailrace. The PD incorporates numerous Conservation Measures (i.e., protection, mitigation, and enhancement (PM&E) measures) to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential adverse effects on special-status species. This BA was prepared in accordance with legal requirements set forth under Section 7 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1536 [c]). 1.1 Status of Species and Critical Habitat with Potential to Occur The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) page was queried, to identify federally listed and proposed species that could potentially occur in the Project Area (Attachment B; USFWS 2025b). The California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) and Spotted Owl (SO; Strix occidentalis occidentalis) database were queried to determine if federally listed or proposed species have been reported within a 1.5-mile radius of the Project area (CDFW 2025a; Attachment C). Foothill yellow-legged frog (FYLF; Rana boylii) was the only federally listed species identified as occurring within this search area (Figure 1). The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) status, critical habitat, occurrence information within 1.5 miles of the Action Area, and effects determination are summarized in Table 1. All of the species identified are administered by the USFWS. Following is a description of rationale used to exclude and include species for consultation. Gray wolf (Canus lupus) populations have been expanding in California since 2011, when a lone wolf moved down from Oregon (CDFW 2025b), with the first pack established in 2015. There are nine confirmed packs in California, including several packs in Lassen and Plumas counties. None of these packs overlap the work area, although it is possible wolves may wander through the area. Wolves would be expected to avoid the work and staging areas. The activities there would not modify their habitat. Based on this information, the Action would have no effect on gray wolf. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 2 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Table 1. Federally listed species from IPAC list. Federal Listing Critical Habitat in Reported in 1 Effects Gray wolf (Canus lupus) Endangered None Designated No No Effect North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) Threatened None Designated No No Effect California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) Experimental Population None Designated No No Effect (Rana draytonii) Threatened None Designated No No Effect Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Proposed Threatened None Designated No No effect California spotted owl Sierra Nevada DPS (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) Proposed Threatened None Designated CDFW Spotted Owl Not Likely to Adversely Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) Proposed Threatened None Designated No Likely to Adversely Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) Threatened Proposed Designated Yes Likely to Adversely Footnote: 1) Based on 1.5-mile review of CNDDB from Project Area. North American wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) is extremely rare in California, having been extirpated in 1922. Two sightings of an individual wolverine occurred in 2008 and 2018 near Truckee. A presumed separate individual, given the lifespan of the species, was sighted multiple times in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in 2023 (CDFW 2023; LA Times 2003) Information in IPaC indicates that wolverine only need to be considered if the “species may be present based on transient occurrence”. Based on the rarity of this species it is extremely unlikely any would pass through this vicinity. Even if one did, it would avoid the work and staging areas. Based on this information, the Action would have no effect on North American wolverine. California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) have recently been reintroduced into northern California. This population is designated as an experimental population, non-essential. Condor Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 3 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company may fly over the Action Area and forage in the vicinity but would avoid the activity. Based on this information, the Action would have no effect on California condor. California red-legged frog was not observed during relicensing surveys (PG&E 2007c) nor are they reported within the Action Area in CNDDB (CDFW 2024). The site and adjacent areas lack the lacustrine or slow velocity lotic habitat required by California red-legged frog for breeding. Based on this information, the Action would have no effect on California red-legged frog. Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) have a wide distribution and undertake long range migrations between the California coast and the intermountain west over the course of their lives. There is the potential for monarch butterfly to disperse through the Action Area. Review of the Monarch Milkweed Mapper (XSIC 2025) does not show any occurrence of monarch butterfly or milkweed near the project area. The Action would not cause substantial disturbance to the butterfly, if present, and would not impact milkweed (the host plant for monarch butterfly reproduction), if present. Nor would it disturb more general forage plants for the butterfly. Based on this information, the Action would have no effect on monarch butterfly. The CDFW spotted owl observations database (CDFW SO Database) was reviewed for the presence of California spotted owl (CSO) observations within 1.5 miles of the Project. There was activity centers identified within 1.5 miles of the Action Area but outside of the 0.25 mi buffer typically provided for their protection. There is suitable habitat within the helicopter flight path and given the limited information available, there is potential for CSO to occur within the Action Area. Northwestern pond turtle (NWPT; Actinemys marmorata) were not reported within the search area in any database. NWPT were not observed during relicensing surveys, which included sites that had suitable aquatic habitat. There is suitable habitat for NWPT adjacent to the project site and given the limited amount of information available, there is potential for NWPT to occur within the Action Area. As noted above, FYLF are reported to occur within search area. The remainder of this document will focus on the potential impacts to FYLF, NWPT, and CSO. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 4 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Figure 1. CNDDB and CDFW CSO database results showing location of Federally listed or proposed species within 1.5 miles from the Hendricks Diversion Dam (location of construction, parking, and staging), the landing zone staging site and the flight path. CSO locations represent reported activity centers. 1.2 Critical Habitat There is no designated critical habitat for any of the species identified above in or near the Action Area (USFWS 2025b, Attachment B). There is proposed critical habitat for FYLF that includes the Action Area (USFWS 2025a). 1.3 Consultation to Date On September 26, 2024, PG&E requested FERC designate PG&E as the non-federal representative for formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On November 9, 2024, FERC requested that PG&E complete the Section 7 consultation and provide consultation results. PG&E received this designation of authority (DOA) from FERC on November 27, 2024 (FERC 2024). PG&E met with USFWS on November 18, 2024, for a technical coordination meeting ahead of receiving the DOA to discuss the project at a high-level. During this meeting the Action, its’ potential impacts, and appropriate path for the consultation was discussed. Suitable habitat and the potential to find FYLF, NWPT, and CSO was discussed. Due to the suitable habitat above and below the HHD in pools that typically develop during the months the work will occur, PG&E Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 5 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company identified that there is the potential that few individual frogs or turtles may need to be relocated outside of the work area. Based on information from the CDFW CSO Database, PG&E identified that they could potentially be present due to available habitat within the flight path and observations of CSO activity centers within 1.5 miles of the Action Area. 1.4 Project Proponents 1.4.1 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission FERC is the federal agency with authority over hydroelectric licensing, interstate electricity sales, and other activities pertinent to generation, transmission, and pricing of energy. FERC’s mission is to provide reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy for consumers. FERC issued the license under which the DeSabla-Centerville Project (FERC No. 803) operates and has regulatory authority over the Hydroelectric project, and the HHD which is part of the project. Activities associated with the Project therefore fall under the purview of FERC and are subject to FERC approval. 1.4.2 Pacific Gas & Electric Company PG&E is the owner and operator of the DeSabla Centerville Project under the FERC license and is responsible for operation and maintenance of the HHD and is responsible for the design and implementation of the Action. 1.5 Analysis of Permitting Project activity and impacts are Maintenance Exempt under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 (f)(1), (B) and therefore do not require U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Regional Water Quality Control Board permits (under CWA Sections 404 and 401 respectively). This is because 1) activities are maintaining a currently serviceable structure, and repairs involve no change in the character, scope, or size of the fill design; 2) no discharge of toxic pollutants listed under CWA Section 307 will take place; and 3) activity will not convert an area of the waters of the U.S. into a use to which it was not previously subject, where the flow or circulation of waters of the U.S. may be impaired or the reach of such waters reduced. PG&E hydroelectric facilities, assets, and activities that are within FERC boundaries and subject to FERC licensing and regulatory requirements, are not subject to state or local law under the Federal Power Act preemption. Project activities will not entail ground disturbance of over 1 acre in area, therefore no National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction Storm Water permit is required from the State Water Resource Control Board (under CWA 402). The project will implement standard PG&E Good Housekeeping A-ESCP for dust, erosion, and sediment control (per Section C. 3.). This work has the potential to affect FYLF, NWPT, and CSO. As such, ESA consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required, and PG&E is requesting take of FYLF and NWPT to allow for the safe relocation of any individuals that may be found on site. Some of the proposed project activities are taking place on lands owned by Sierra Pacific Industries. Existing facilities have easements, but the proposed staging area and landing zone are Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 6 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company outside of the easement area. The use of the proposed staging area and landing zone will require permission from Southern Pacific Industries (SPI). This permission will likely come in the form of a Temporary Construction Easement. 2 Project Description 2.1 Project Background and Purpose The purpose of this Action is to repair the surface of the HHD in accordance with FERC requirements. In a letter from FERC to PG&E dated October 15, 2019, FERC identified in Item 6: A large concrete spall with exposed reinforcement was observed on the concrete step of the dam. Additionally, concrete deterioration with exposed reinforcement was also observed at the downstream edge of the crest. PG&E completed an assessment of Hendricks Head Dam (HHD) in September of 2022. Inspection of the dam revealed the extent of the damage, which included abrasion erosion of concrete of the upper and lower concrete spillway sections that had exposed reinforcing steel. Additionally, areas of exposed reinforcement due to erosion were present on the left abutment rock wall. This work will restore concrete to extend the life of the structure. 2.1.1 Existing Project Facilities and Features The HHD is part of PG&E’s DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project (P-803-CA) located in Butte County. HHD was constructed in 1907 as a log-crib rock-filled structure. Due to excessive deterioration, the spillway portion of the dam was replaced in 1990 with an earth-filled steel bin structure topped with a reinforced concrete slab. The dam is 223.3 ft long, including the rebuilt spillway overpour section, with a crest elevation of 3,256.4 ft, and the original concrete abutment wingwalls. The leftmost side of the wall is a buttressed cantilever retaining wall with a 14 ft wide upstream footing. The rightmost side of the wingwall is approximately 11-ft wide and contains the intake to Hendricks Canal. The impoundment formed by the HHD has a surface area of less than 1 acre. 2.1.2 Existing Project Operations The HHD diverts up to 125 cfs from the WBFR into the Hendricks canal, where it is used for hydroelectric power generation. In the FERC license requirements, during the low flow period of the year, minimum instream flows of 7 to 15 cfs (depending on water year type), are released back to the WBFR approximately 300 ft downstream from the HHD. Water typically spills over the HHD during the wet season, when flows exceed the capacity of the Hendricks Canal. The water diverted for generation passes through the Toadtown and DeSabla powerhouses and is discharged to Butte Creek via the DeSabla powerhouse tailrace. During the summer months, these diversions provide cool water to Butte Creek to support spring-run Chinook salmon that hold below the project area prior to spawning. 2.2 Location The HHD is located on the WBFR approximately 4 miles north of Sterling City in Butte County, California (coordinates 39.938028 N, -121.531814 W) (Figure 2). Staging will occur in a Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 7 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company previously disturbed area 150 feet southeast of the HHD, and at a previously disturbed helicopter landing zone (secondary staging area) approximately 2.56 miles south of the HHD (coordinates 39.900304° N, -121.519812° W). 2.3 Action Area The Action Area is defined in 50 CFR 402.02 as “all areas to be affected directly or indirectly by the federal action and not merely the immediate area involved in the action.” For the purpose of this document, the Action Area includes the: (1) Project footprint on the HHD; (2) Project staging area at the HHD and the footpath to the HHD, (3) helicopter flight path, landing zone and secondary staging area, and (4) a 100-ft buffer around all the aforementioned areas. Project work will occur at the HHD area (Figure 2). Staging and parking will occur at an already disturbed area approximately150 feet southeast of the Hendricks Head Dam just off of the Retson Road (See PD for map; Attachment A). The staging at the HHD is approximately 5,000 square feet and will be used for staging smaller equipment and materials, and for crew parking. From the primary staging area, the workers will access the HHD using an established approximately 150 feet long footpath (Figure 3). Work at the HHD will be limited to about 660 square feet of exposed portions of the diversion structure and all work will occur in the dry. No project activities will occur within the WBFR. The secondary staging area is a previously disturbed area of approximately 10,000 square feet located approximately 2.65 miles south of the HHD (Figure 4) along Reston Road and behind a SPI locked gate. This area will be used to dispatch bulky materials via helicopter to the HHD and staging area and may be used as a secondary staging area for bulky equipment. Helicopters would not land at this location, but loads would be prepared here for longline pick up and transport to the work area. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 8 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Figure 2. Location map of Action Area. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 9 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Figure 3. Aerial imagery of Hendricks Head Dam from project areas. Areial photo August 2019 representative of flow conditions of when work will be performed in late summer months of 2025. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 10 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Figure 4. Aerial imagery of Action Area, including landing zone/secondary staging area, flight path, primary staging area, and the Hendricks Diversion Dam. 3 Proposed Action and Conservation Measures 3.1 Proposed Action The focus of this Action is to repair approximately 660 square feet of deteriorated concrete on the HHD. Repairs will consist of removal of deteriorated concrete and replacement with cementitious repair materials, leaving existing reinforcement intact to the extent practical. Where the existing steel reinforcement shows signs of corrosion or damage, reinforcement will be repaired or replaced. Equipment to be used on site includes (but is not limited to) the following list: Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 11 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company • Telescopic material hander (Gradall Forklift, at the landing zone staging area only) • Diesel/Gas generator • Diesel/Electric air compressor • Water tank trailer and/or Water Truck • Pressure washer • HEPA Vacuums • Electric and/or pneumatic chipping hammers <30 lbs. • Handheld masonry saws • Mortar mixer Work is expected to take approximately four - six weeks to complete and would occur between August 15 1 through November 2025 when the HHD work area is dry. The sequence of work is as follows: 1. Mobilize 2. Preform minor vegetation trimming and access improvements along roads and foot path. Access improvements will be limited to the existing roads and walkway prisms. Minor trimming and limbing in small quantities. 3. Set up small access walkways, ladders, and/or small scaffolding. 4. Saw cut/remove deteriorated material 5. Place repair material 6. Demobilize Mobilization of larger equipment and materials to the site will be done with helicopter support. The secondary staging area would be used for this purpose. Loads would be prepared, then a helicopter would come in to pick up the load and deliver it to HHD. Loads would be transported at elevations over 1,000 feet above ground level to eliminate disturbance in between these two points. Helicopter use is expected to occur on five or six days, with up to 15 trips per day. Each trip would involve approximately 1 minute of hovering on site, while the sling was connected or disconnected from the hook. This is expected to take approximately 15 trips in a single day at the beginning of the project, and 15 trips in a single day at the end of the project, with 30 additional trips in between, split among several days. Helicopter use would not occur on consecutive days. The cumulative time on site would be limited to less than 20-30 minutes per day on either end of the route, spread over about 4 hours. Additional deliveries would be limited to 10 to 15 trips on two or three days. A full description of these activities is provided in the PD (Attachment A). All work will be conducted with hand tools which will be powered by portable generators or compressors. All 1 Date of construction has been modified from that in the Project Description (Attachment A) to begin the Action when CSO juveniles have fledged from the nest. An updated construction schedule will be submitted to FERC. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 12 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company concrete debris and other spoils will be collected on site using plastic sheeting and shop vacuums. This material will be placed in supersacks and removed from site when the sacks are full or the work is complete. Work will not affect flow in the WBFR or affect operation of the HHD. 3.2 Conservation Measures The section lists and describes the Conservation Measures to avoid and/or minimize potential affects to FYLF, NWPT, CSO and their habitats (including proposed critical habitat for FYLF) as well as other wildlife resources while the Action is being performed. General Measures • Environmental awareness training will be provided to all construction personnel at the start of the project and will include a review of sensitive resources (nesting birds, FYLF, NWPT, CSO) and the AMMs to be implemented during the project. • Preconstruction surveys will be conducted for nesting birds, NWPT nests and milkweed. Areas where these resources are found will be flagged and buffer zones will be established to protect these resources, as described further below. • A qualified biologist will be on site for the first day of ground-disturbing activities to monitor the activities. After the initial activities have been completed, the qualified biologist will revisit the Project Area weekly to ensure sensitive areas are being avoided and that the conservation measures are being implemented. • Any federally-listed species inadvertently injured or killed or any such found dead, injured, or entrapped will be immediately reported to the PG&E Biologist, or the qualified biologist, if on site. The PG&E biologist will notify the USFWS and the local CDFW warden or biologist within three (3) working days. The USFWS may provide additional guidance and direction to the qualified biologist at this time. PG&E will follow up with written notification to USFWS and CDFW (if necessary) within five working days. • When accessing worksites, travel and parking of vehicles and equipment will be limited to pavement, existing roads, and previously disturbed areas. • Wildlife found in work areas shall be allowed to move out of the area on their own. PG&E Project Biologist Catalina Reyes (925-808-8811, catalina.reyes@pge.com) will be contacted if the animal does not move or if further guidance is needed. • No wildlife species shall be handled and/or removed from the site by anyone except qualified biologists. • To avoid crushing wildlife, the area beneath all vehicles and equipment will be searched before being moved. • Vehicle speeds on unpaved roads will not exceed 15 miles per hour. • Vehicles and equipment may cross streams and wetlands only on existing roads and crossings. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 13 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company • The project will implement standard PG&E Good Housekeeping Practices for dust, erosion, and sediment control. All garbage, especially food waste, will be removed from site at the end of each work day to avoid attracting animals to the work area. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog and Northwestern Pond Turtle • On the first day of construction, a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction survey for FYLF and NWPT. If FYLF or NWPT are found, the individuals will be relocated to a safe location away from the work area. • After the start of construction activities, construction personnel will immediately report any frog or NWPT in the Project area to the PG&E biologist (or the qualified biologist, if onsite). • Stop work in the area immediately, alert crew members of the area to avoid, and designate someone onsite to watch the animal. • If the frog is suspected of being a FYLF, take multiple photos from a variety of angles and submit them to the PG&E biologist if the qualified biologist is not on- site assist in a positive identification. Construction activities that may impact the frog shall cease until the individual can be identified. Should the individual be positively identified as a FYLF, activities with the potential to impact the frog will not continue until the qualified biologist has successfully relocated the frog outside of the construction area. Only the qualified biologist will be allowed to touch, pick up, or relocate the frog. • If a NWPT is found, all construction activities that may impact the turtle shall cease until the individual moves out of the area on its’ own. If the turtle does not move, activities with the potential to impact the turtle will not continue until the qualified biologist has successfully relocated the turtle outside of the construction area. Only the qualified biologist will be allowed to touch, pick up, or relocate the turtle. • If at any point, FYLF or NWPT are found on a regular basis, the qualified biologist will clear the construction area at the start of each work day, instead of visiting only on a weekly basis as discussed under the general measures. California Spotted Owls • Work will be conducted after August 15 late in the CSO season when nesting is complete, and juveniles have fledged the nest. • Helicopter flight paths to and from the LZ will maintain a 1,000-foot vertical distance above forested areas, when safe to do so, to avoid potentially impacting California spotted owl and other wildlife. Protection of Waterways • No vehicles or equipment will be refueled within 100 ft of wetlands, streams, or other waterways, where practical. Where this is not practical, equipment will be refueled over secondary containment and will be closely attended during refueling. Vehicles operating adjacent to wetlands and waterways will be inspected and maintained daily to prevent leaks. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 14 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company • Mobile equipment will not be parked overnight within 100 ft of aquatic habitat. Stationary equipment (e.g., pumps and generators) used or stored within 100 ft of aquatic habitat will be positioned over secondary containment. • Keep spill kits onsite and clean up and report all hazardous spills immediately. • Protect waterways with silt fence, fiber rolls, erosion control blankets, and other Storm Water Best Management Practices (BMPs) as necessary. No fill, including vegetation trimmings, debris, or runoff will be allowed to enter wetland areas or waterways. • Erosion control materials shall be installed per manufacturing material specifications and must not contain monofilament netting. • Following the completion of the project, all construction materials, spoils, or other debris should be removed from the project site. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 15 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 4 Existing Environment The descriptions provided in Section 4 are derived from PG&E’s License Application (PG&E 2007a - c), unless otherwise noted. 4.1 General Description of the River Basin The HHD is located in Butte County, California in the Sierra Nevada foothills on the WBFR. The WBFR drainage basin is a 109 square mile (70,003 acres) area encompassing nine sub-basins. Its’ headwaters lie in Lassen National Forest at an elevation of about 7,000 feet and it flows into Lake Oroville which has a maximum elevation of 900 feet. The stream gradient of the WBFR is gradual with an overall gradient of 2.6 percent. 4.1.1 Climate The Project region typically experiences warm, dry summers and cool winters with moderate to heavy snowfall at elevations above 5,000 ft and heavy rain in the lower elevations. Below 3,500 feet in elevation, rain is the dominant form of precipitation in the Project Region. Between 3,500 feet and 5,500 feet in elevation, winter precipitation is mostly in the form of snow, but snows often melt between storms below 4,000 feet. Mean annual precipitation for the Lassen National Forest ranges from 24 to 26 inches along the foothills on the east side of the Sacramento Valley near Chico and Red Bluff, to 80 to 90 inches along the crest of the Sierras and Cascades. Precipitation at Stirling City (approximately elevation 3,500 feet) from 1939 to 1966 averaged 75.1 inches. Nearly all of this precipitation falls between September and May, with only one percent falling in June through August. The area typically receives highest flows during the snowmelt period, which extends from March through early July. However, heavy flood events may occur as early as December. Periods of low flow occur during the late summer and early fall. Average air temperatures can range from a low -1º C in winter to a high of 34º C in summer. Daily temperatures for July, August, and September, include average highs of 34º C, 32 º C and 29 º C respectively and average lows of 18ºC, 17ºC, 14ºC, respectively (World Weather Online 2005). 4.1.2 Major Land Uses The Project facilities are on land owned by SPI, as are most of the surrounding lands. The SPI land is zoned for agriculture and is used for forest timber harvest. There are no public lands in the vicinity of HHD, but there are US Forest Service and Bureau of Reclamation lands are located approximately 2.25 miles upstream and 4.4 miles downstream of the diversion. Nearly all the land in the WBFR watershed is forested. The nearest urban area is Stirling City, about 1.87 miles south of HHD. There is no residential development around HHD or along the WBFR. Recreational activities along the WBFR include such activities include swimming, shore-based fishing, rafting, hiking and picnicking, but there are no developed recreational facilities. 4.1.3 Major Water Uses There is very little diversion for consumptive purposes in the upper watershed. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Lake Oroville receives the inflow from the WBFR downstream of the HHD. The DeSabla Centerville project includes two small reservoirs in the Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 16 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company upper watershed (Round Valley and Philbrook reservoirs), which store water in the winter and release it during the summer for diversion at HHD for hydroelectric power generation. This water is ultimately discharged to Butte Creek through the tailrace of the DeSabla Powerhouse. The Action Area is part of the Feather River Hydraulic Unit (identified as West Branch North Fork Feather River by CVRWQCB) of the Sacramento Hydrologic Basin and is located within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB). It is subject to the Water Quality Control Plan for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins (Basin Plan). The Basin Plan identifies surface water bodies that drain into the upper Central Valley of California and identifies beneficial uses for each major river. California water law (Water Code Section 130509(f)) defines the beneficial uses of California’s water bodies. The Basin Plan identifies beneficial uses for the WBFR from Last Chance Creek to Lake Oroville (identified as Little Last Chance Creek in the Basin Plan 2019) as municipal and domestic water supply, recreation (including water contact, canoeing and rafting and other non-contact recreation), freshwater habitat and spawning for warm and cold species, and wildlife habitat (CRWQCB 2019). Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 17 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 5 Species-Specific Analysis and Determination This section includes a discussion of the federally listed species that are known to occur or have potential to occur within the Action Area based on the presence of suitable habitat and/or known locations of species within the vicinity of the Project area. Three species (FYLF, NWPT, and CSO) are included in this analysis because of the moderate to high likelihood of occurrence based upon known occurrences in the Action Area, the presence of suitable habitat, and because there is a reasonable likelihood the Action could affect these species. This section discusses the Existing Environment (relevant life history information, habitat associations, threats, and potential to occur in the area and/or known occurrences), a description of the potential direct and indirect effects of Proposed Action, and a Conclusion and Determination for each species. The evaluation of potential effect includes the analysis of direct and indirect effects on the species and their associated habitats resulting from the Action. Direct effects are those impacts caused during activities of the proposed Project that may affect individual organisms by injuring or killing them or by disrupting essential behaviors such as feeding, reproduction or migration. Physiological impairment and mortality are other types of direct effects. Indirect effects are those impacts that are caused by the proposed Project but occur later in time or as a result of altered site conditions that result in a loss or reduction of preferred habitat or reduced availability of prey. Direct and indirect effects can be characterized as short- or long-term. Short-term effects include temporary removal of essential habitat components, provided that the habitat is restored to pre-project conditions of equal or greater value to the species under consideration. Long-term effects result in conditions that cannot be restored to the pre-project state within a few years. Permanent effects result from conditions that cannot be restored to the pre-project condition. 5.1 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog General information in the following sections for FYLF is based upon that provided in the USFWS Listing (USFWS 2023a), the Special Status Assessment (USFWS 2023c), and CDFW’s Status Review of Foothill Yellow-legged Frog in California (CDFW 2019) unless otherwise indicated. 5.1.1 Existing Environment Status and Critical Habitat. USFWS listed the North Feather Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of FYLF as threatened under the federal ESA on September 28, 2023 (88 FR 59698) (USFWS 2023a). The California Fish and Game Commission listed the Feather River clade of FYLF as threatened under the California ESA on March 10, 2020 (CFGC 2020). Critical habitat was proposed for FYLF on January 14, 2025 (USFWS 2025a) but has not been finalized. The work and staging areas are located within the proposed critical habitat for FYLF. Species Description. The FYLF is a small- to medium-sized stream-dwelling frog with fully webbed feet and rough pebbly skin. Coloring of the FYLF is highly variable but is usually light and dark mottled gray, olive, or brown, with variable amounts of brick red. Habitat Association. FYLF is a stream-obligate species primarily observed in or along the edges of streams. Most FYLF breed along mainstem water channels and overwinter in smaller tributaries. Habitat within the stream includes rocky substrate mostly free of sediments with interstitial spaces to allow for predator avoidance. Stream morphology is a strong predictor of breeding habitat Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 18 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company because it creates the microhabitat conditions required for successful oviposition (i.e., egg-laying), hatching, growth, and metamorphosis. FYLF that overwinter along tributaries often congregate at the same breeding locations along the mainstem each year. During the nonbreeding season, the smaller tributaries, some of which may only flow during the wet winter season, provide refuge while the larger breeding channels may experience overbank flooding and high flows. Habitat elements that provide both refuge from winter peak flows and adequate moisture for FYLF include pools, springs, seeps, submerged root wads, undercut banks, and large boulders or debris at highwater lines. FYLF are generalists with regard to vegetation and macro-climate, occurring in a wide variety of vegetation types including valley-foothill hardwood, valley-foothill hardwood-conifer, valley- foothill riparian, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, mixed chaparral, and wet meadow. While habitat conditions can be vastly different among these stream sizes, and across the species’ geographic range, only a narrow range of abiotic conditions are tolerated by early life stages (i.e., eggs, tadpoles, and metamorphs). The abiotic conditions that directly influence the success of early life stages are those associated with stream velocity, water depth, water temperature, and streambed substrate. FYLF require stream flow regimes to have or mimic natural flow patterns, which includes high winter flows with a slowly diminishing hydrograph with increasing water temperature and decreasing flows into the spring and summer. Life History. There are five primary life stages for the FYLF — egg, tadpole, metamorph (young- of-year), juvenile, and adult. Declining stream flows and warming temperatures cue the initiation of breeding activity and oviposition (i.e., egg-laying) during the transition from wet season to dry season. This timing is extremely variable among years and between watersheds. Range-wide, breeding takes place between late March and early July. Breeding may occur earlier during years with lower runoff, and later during high runoff years. Oviposition may occur over a 14-to-50-day period. Female FYLF lay one egg mass per year, containing approximately 1,000 to 2,500 eggs (range 100 to more than 4,000), depending on time of year and size of female (larger females typically breed earlier and have more eggs). Egg masses are usually attached to the downstream or under-side of cobbles or boulders in shallow, low-velocity areas on the margins of the stream or river. The time to hatching is temperature dependent and may take from 5 to 36 days. After hatching the tadpole stage may last from seven weeks to four months, depending on water temperature and food availability. Newly hatched tadpoles remain near the egg mass for several days, unless disturbed, after which they disperse and use interstitial spaces in the substrate for shelter. Tadpoles feed on algae, diatoms, and detritus that are scraped from submerged rocks and vegetation. Metamorphosis generally occurs in late August or early September. During metamorphosis, tadpoles grow legs, resorb their tails, and undergo physiological changes that allow them to become terrestrial/aquatic predators. At the completion of metamorphosis, the young frog can exit the water and shift to a diet of aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrates. Tadpoles that do not metamorphosize prior to fall/winter flows may experience high mortality due to higher flows, for which they are poorly adapted. Juvenile frogs are those that have completed metamorphosis but have not yet developed sexually reproductive characteristics. Juveniles are typically less than 40 mm snout to urostyle length Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 19 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (SUL). The juvenile lifestage lasts one to three years, depending on growth rate and sex. Juveniles and adults continue to feed on aquatic and terrestrial macroinvertebrates. Females mature at a larger size than males. Males reach maturity in their second or third spring after metamorphosis, while females typically mature in their third or fourth spring after metamorphosis. Annual survival rates for adults are estimated to be less than 50 percent. Maximum life expectancy is estimated to be 11 to 13 years in some systems. Migration / Dispersal Routes and Connectivity. Adult FYLF primarily use waterway corridors to migrate or disperse and make their movements over multiple days. While most FYLF are found in, or very close to, water, juveniles and adults have been observed moving through upland areas along intermittent drainages or in moist habitat outside of riparian corridors. General Distribution and Population Status. The current distribution of the four DPS of the FYLF generally follows the historical distribution of the species, except for range contractions in the southern California Coast Range and southern Sierra Nevada. The North Feather analysis unit has a relatively high proportion of presumed occupied stream segments (relative to the number of potential stream segments), and more than half of all known occurrences are presumed to be occupied. However, there are parts of the North Feather unit that appear to be either declining in occupancy or extirpated in the extreme eastern portion of the range and in the southwest near Lake Oroville. Factors of Decline. The major threats that likely have or are contributing to the decline of the FYLF in the Feather River include altered hydrology, nonnative species (bullfrogs and crayfish), agriculture, mining, urbanization (including roads and recreation), and climate change. The project would not affect or contribute to any of these factors. Potential to Occur in the Action Area. CNDDB results indicate several observations within 1.5 miles of the Action Area, all of which were observed between September 2017 through August 2018. Observations included adults, juveniles, and egg masses and all observations were made in tributaries (Last Chance Creek, Cold Creek and in an unnamed tributary) to the WBFR (Figure 1; Attachment C). Visual encounter surveys for egg masses, tadpoles, and post-metamorphic FYLF were performed in the WBFR part of the FERC Project 803 relicensing (PG&E 2007b; Figure 2 5). No access was granted on private property for these surveys; thus, surveys did not occur within the Action Area. Surveys were performed in nine reaches of the WBFR located on National Forest Land (NFSL) and Bureau of Land Management Land (BLM) upstream and downstream of the project. Habitat in the Action Area is consistent with FYLF habitat requirements and similar to nearby areas where FYLF have been observed. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 20 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Figure 5. Locations of FYLF relicensing study reaches on the WBFR in relation to the location of project activities. The results of surveys in 2006 are included: E = egg mass; T = tadpole; Y = young-of-year; J = juvenile; A = adult; ND = non-detect. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 21 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company All life stages of FYLF were observed on the WBFR at the sites located downstream of the Hendricks Diversion dam. There was no detection of FYLF in the reaches located above the HHD (Figure 5; Table 2 & 3). The highest abundance of post meta-morphic FYLF and egg masses, were in the most downstream location (WBFR 1, upstream of the Miocene Diversion Dam) followed by the second most downstream reach (WBFR 2, at Jordan Hill Road Bridge). Table 2. 2006 FYLF relative abundance of post-metamorphic FYLF observed during VES reaches in WBFR (PG&E 2007b). Relative Abundance: Count (count per mile) Downstream of Philbrook Table 3. 2006 Egg masses observed during VES reaches in the WBFR (PG&E 2007b). Reach Site Code Number of egg masses Upstream of Miocene Diversion WBFR 1 15 At Jordan Hill Road Bridge WBFR 2 34 Downstream of Robley Point WBFR 5 2 Downstream of Big Kimshew Creek WBFR 6 0 Downstream of Inskip WBFR 7 0 Upstream of Bridge on USFS Road 25N17 WBFR 8 0 Downstream of Philbrook Creek Confluence WBFR 9 0 5.1.2 Direct and Indirect Effects of the Proposed Action on FYLF The primary potential direct effect of the project would be the loss of individuals through construction related effects (crushing, entrapment, etc.) and the potential disturbance of FYLF near Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 22 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company the HHD. FYLF would not be expected to occur at either staging area or the footpath due to their distance from water and because the work will be conducted during the dry time of year. HHD would primarily be used as basking habitat by FYLF, if they are present in the area around the diversion. It is anticipated they would leave the dam face when crews arrive in the morning. If a frog did not leave, it would be captured and moved to a safe location by a qualified biologist. If individual juveniles, adults, or tadpoles are using isolated pools of water upstream or downstream of dam, some touching the dam, the activity could result in some disturbance of those individuals. If the level of disturbance seems to put the individuals at risk, a qualified biologist may move them out of harm’s way. With the included conservation measures, this effect would be limited to disturbance of individuals that may be using the pools that contact the upstream or downstream sides of the HDD, and the relocation of any individuals found on site to nearby areas of suitable habitat by qualified biologists. Indirect impacts could occur through release of sediment or toxic substances that might travel into suitable habitat, including the pools described above. Conservation measures, including concrete containment and removal from the site, spill containment and cleanup, and erosion control measures make releases of these substances and their associated impacts highly unlikely to occur. Project activities are temporary and short-term in nature and will not result in any change to existing site conditions or surrounding land use. Habitat in the Action Area will not be altered. The activities will not result in any diversions of flows or other flow modifications that are beyond what are seasonally experienced at this site. 5.1.3 Cumulative Effects of the Proposed Action on FYLF Under the ESA, cumulative effects include the effects of future state, tribal, local, or private actions that are reasonably certain to occur in the Action Area. There are currently no such actions proposed within the Action Area. Thus, the actions associated with this project will have no cumulative effect. 5.1.4 Determination for FYLF Based on the information provided above, the Action, with the inclusion of the Conservation Measures (Section 3.2) May Affect and is Likely to Adversely Affect FYLF. This take is expected to consist of disturbance of frogs that may occur in pools immediately upstream and downstream of HHD and the potential need to relocate frogs out of harm’s way if they do not leave of their own volition. Based on the potential for FYLF to occur at the site, the project proponent requests take to allow the capture and relocation of any FYLF at the project site that do not leave of their volition. If relocation is needed, this relocation will be conducted by a qualified biologist. No lethal take is anticipated. 5.2 Northwestern Pond Turtle General information for NWPT in the following sections is based upon that provided in the USFWS Species Status Report (USFWS 2023d) and USFWS proposed listing (USFWS 2023b). Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 23 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 5.2.1 Existing Environment Status and Critical Habitat. The USFWS proposed to list NWPT as threatened under the ESA on October 3, 2023 (88 FR68370; USFWS 2023b). At that time, the USFWS determined that there was not enough data for the USFWS to determine critical habitat, and critical habitat has not been proposed or designated. The NWPT ranges from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and northern and central California. Species Description. NWPT is a medium sized turtle size (110 to 170 millimeter (4.33 to 7.05 inches) in length). Male and female NWPT are sexually dimorphic. NWPT coloring varies with most appearing olive to dark brown, or blackish, occasionally without pattern but usually with a network of spots, lines, or dashes of brown or black. The plastron (underside of shell) is yellowish and may have blackish or dark brown blotches or be unmarked. Habitat Associations. NWPT inhabit fresh or brackish aquatic habitats (lakes, ponds, rivers, permanent and ephemeral streams, marshes, estuaries and vernal pools) characterized by areas of deep water, low flow velocities, moderate amounts of riparian vegetation, warm water and/or ample basking sites, and underwater cover elements, such as large woody debris and rocks. Along major rivers, NWPT are often concentrated in side channel and backwater areas and may move to off-channel habitats, such as oxbows, during periods of high flows. Additionally, these turtles will utilize man-made waterways including drainage ditches, canals, reservoirs, mill ponds, ornamental ponds, stock ponds, abandoned gravel pits, and sewage treatment plants. Life History. The nesting season (when female turtles deposit eggs in nests) for NWPT is from late April through mid-July at low elevation, and June through August at higher elevations. Females 120 mm or larger may lay eggs, with most gravid females being 140 mm or larger. Animals of this size are often at least seven years old in southern areas and eight to twelve years old in northern areas. NWPT have an average life expectancy of approximately forty years if they survive to adulthood. Most females nest within 50 meters of water; however, some females nest upwards of 400 meters away from water. Incubating eggs are extremely sensitive to increased soil moisture, which can cause high mortality. Young either hatch from nests in late fall or overwinter in the nest and emerge in early spring. Although adults are habitat generalists, hatchlings and juveniles require specialized habitat for survival through their first few years. Hatchlings spend much of their time feeding in shallow, warm water with ample hiding cover in the form of dense submerged or short emergent vegetation. Although an aquatic reptile, NWPT require upland habitats for basking, overwintering, and nesting. Threats. The major threat to this species is habitat loss or degradation. Most of the historical habitat for this species has been permanently lost as a result of human development and agricultural use. Cattle grazing can destroy riparian habitat, trample and kill turtles and nests, and cattle waste can pollute waterways. Western pond turtles, especially gravid females, are easily killed on roadways by direct impact with vehicles. Historically animals were also collected for the pet trade, and although collection and sale of western pond turtles has been banned for many years, animals are still listed for sale in the eastern United States. Water recreation activities, including boating, water skiing and jet skiing also pose a threat to this species by interfering with basking or causing direct injury or mortality. Additional threats include disease and dehydration, particularly for turtles under a year old. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 24 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company In addition to threats that affect entire populations, many populations are failing as a result of extremely high juvenile mortality. While adults may have annual survival rates of 95–97 percent, nests, juveniles, and sub-adults have extremely high mortality rates. Nests can be destroyed when exposed to too much moisture or are crushed by cattle or machines. There are also many predators of hatchling turtles, including two very successful non-native predators: large-mouth bass and bullfrogs and various native mammals. Potential to Occur in the Action Area. CNDDB did not report any observations of NWPT within 1.5 miles of the Hendricks Head Dam, nor were any observed during relicensing surveys, which included sites that had suitable aquatic habitat for NWPT. However, there is suitable habitat for NWPT adjacent to the project site and given the limited amount of information available, there is potential for NWPT to occur within the Action Area. It is anticipated that if NWPT is present at the worksite they could use the dam for basking and adjacent aquatic habitat for foraging, refuge, and other activities. The staging areas and footpath may support suitable nesting habitat, where there are appropriate slopes and sufficient openings in the canopy. 5.2.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on NWPT The primary potential direct effects of the project include the loss of individuals through construction related effects (crushing, entrapment, etc.) along the road, staging areas and foot path, and the potential disturbance of NWPT near the HHD. Turtles living near the HHD may experience some level of disturbance from the Action. There is also the potential to affect nests that occur in the staging areas or along the footpath. Preconstruction surveys would be performed in an attempt to identify any nests, and these would be marked to exclude vehicle or foot traffic, thus avoiding these affects. HHD would primarily be used as basking habitat by turtles if they are present in the area around the diversion. It is anticipated they would leave the dam face when crews arrive in the morning. If a turtle did not leave, they would be captured and moved to a safe location by a qualified biologist. Because the Action will not materially affect the structure or surface of the dam, or affect the flows or habitat in the WBFR, there would be no direct effect on species habitat because of the project. Once work is complete, turtles, if present, could resume using the dam in the same manner as they had previously. With the included conservation measures, effects would be limited to the relocation of any individuals found on site to nearby areas of suitable habitat by qualified biologists. Indirect impacts could occur through the release of sediment or toxic substances that might travel into suitable habitat. There will be pooled water in the WBFR immediately above and below the HHD. Conservation measures, including concrete containment and removal from the site, spill containment and cleanup, and erosion control measures, make releases of these substances and their associated impacts highly unlikely to occur. 5.2.3 Cumulative Effects on NWPT Under the ESA, cumulative effects include the effects of future state, tribal, local, or private actions that are reasonably certain to occur in the Action Area. There are currently no such actions proposed to occur within the Action Area. Thus, the actions associated with this project will have no cumulative effect. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 25 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 5.2.4 Determination for NWPT Based on the information provided above, the Action, with the inclusion of the Conservation Measures (Section 3.2), May Affect and is Likely to Adversely Affect NWPT. This take is expected to consist of disturbance of turtles that may occur in pools immediately upstream and downstream of HHD or at the staging areas and footpath, and the potential need to relocate turtles out of harm’s way if they do not leave of their own volition. Based on the potential for NWPT to disperse through the site, the project proponent requests take to allow the capture and relocation of NWPT from the project site should they occur. If relocation is needed, this relocation will be conducted by a qualified biologist. No lethal take is anticipated. 5.3 California Spotted Owl The information for CSO in the following sections is based upon that provided in the USFWS Proposed Rule (USFWS 2023e), USFWS’ Species status Assessment Report for CSO (USFWS 2022), and the US Forest Service Conservation strategy for the California Spotted Owl in the Sierra Nevada (USFS 2019), unless otherwise noted. 5.3.1 Existing Environment Status and Critical Habitat. The USFWS has proposed to list the CSO as a threatened species under the ESA on February 23, 2023 (88 FR11600, USFWS 2023d). The Action Area falls within the range of the Sierra Nevada DPS. Critical habitat for CSO has not been proposed at this time. Species Description. California spotted owls are medium-sized brown owls measuring 46.6–48.3 cm (18.3–19.0 in) with a mottled appearance, round face, large pale brown facial disks, dark brown eyes, and a yellowish green bill. Females are generally slightly larger than males. CSO may live 16 – 23 years, with low adult mortality rates and low reproductive rates. They have high fidelity to their territories, which range in size from 502 to 2,009 acres. Breeding season is from mid-February through mid-September with peak egg laying in mid-April (Verner et al. 1992). Eggs take approximately 30 days to hatch, and owlets fledge about 35 days later (Peery and Gutierrez 2013). Fledglings will “branch out” leaving the nest before they can fly and will roost near the nest with their parents. During this early developmental stage, juvenile owls rely on multi-layered forest structure to move about above the forest floor. Within several weeks, juveniles are able to fly. Assuming the majority of egg laying occurs in mid-April, eggs would hatch in mid-June and fledging would be complete in mid-July, approximately one month before the project start date. Juveniles disperse from their parents’ territory in the fall. Habitat Association. CSO are distributed across California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada, coastal California, and southern California. The Sierra Nevada DPS primarily occupies the forests on the western side of the Sierra Nevada from Shasta County to the Tehachapi Pass in Kern County. CSO nest in areas of mature, multistoried forest with complex structure, large trees, and large amounts of large woody debris. Areas of higher heterogeneity and edges are important for foraging. Factors of Decline. Wildfire, tree mortality, climate change, fuels reduction and forest management practices, barred owls, rodenticides, and development have been identified as factors posing a significant threat to CSO as a species. The proposed Action would not contribute to any of these factors. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 26 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Potential to Occur in the Action Area. The CDFW CSO database does report any CSO activities centers within 1.5 miles of the project area (Figure 1) and there is suitable habitat for this species in the Action Area. Lands around the project area and staging areas are owned by Sierra Pacific Industries, which conducts regular surveys for CSO. They have not surveyed the flight path, which overlaps with CSO habitat, for approximately 5 years (per communication with Matt Reno; SPI biologist). Given the known locations, limited data and existing habitat, there is potential for species to occur within the flight path of the Action Area. 5.3.2 Direct and Indirect Effects on CSO The proposed work activities could result in temporary disturbance of CSO but would not result in direct take of the species. Work would not alter their habitat, as no trees would be removed, nor would any substantial vegetation clearing take place. Work at the dam will involve hand tools and a small generator and/or compressor. This equipment is not likely to create excessive amounts of noise and thus would not create significant disturbance. The CSO nesting season is from February 15 to September 15. The Action is scheduled to occur later in the nesting season when all of the CSO have left the nest are roosting nearby. Due to the timing the Action may create some temporary noise disturbance but is not expected to have any effect on the reproductive success on the CSO. Helicopter operations have the potential to create greater disturbance at the LZ staging area and at the HHD, as loads are picked up and dropped off. As previously described, this is expected to involve approximately 15 trips in a single day at the beginning of the project, and 15 trips in a single day at the end of the project, with 30 trips in between split over two or three days. Each trip will take approximately one minute for pick up or drop off at each end of the flight route to hook or unhook the sling. The cumulative time on site in a single day is expected to be 20 to 30 minutes. Harrison, Farve, and Horcher (undated), evaluated the dissipation of sound from logging helicopters (larger than those that would be used for this work) to determine the distance that sound drops below the 92-decibel level identified by the USFWS as harmful to spotted owls. They found that sound dissipated to below this level within a hundred meters of the sound source. Helicopter use has not been found to affect reproductive success or stress hormone levels in spotted owls when they were operating more than 330 feet (100 meters) from the nest (Delaney et al. 1999, USFS 2019), nor were owls likely to flush from their nests if helicopters were more than 105 meters from the nest. When flushed, owls returned to the nest within 10 to 15 minutes. The USFS concluded that “helicopter flights, particularly 100 meters (roughly 300 feet) or more from nest sites, have very little potential to impact the CSO.” Based on this research, the use of helicopters for the mobilization to and from the project site is unlikely to adversely affect California spotted owl. Further, the Action is scheduled to occur later in the breeding season when juveniles have fledged and thus, work is not likely to affect the reproductive success of the CSO. This work would not contribute to or compound any of the factors of decline for CSO. 5.3.3 Cumulative Effects on CSO Under the ESA, cumulative effects include the effects of future state, tribal, local, or private actions that are reasonably certain to occur in the Action Area. This area lies within an active timber Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 27 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company management zone owned by SPI. It is anticipated that SPI may log this area at some time in the future. Such harvest would be subject to oversight by the California Department of Forestry and would require separate consultation. The effects of this Action would not be cumulative with this future activity. 5.3.4 Determination for CSO Based on the information provided above, the Action, with the inclusion of the Conservation Measures (Section 3.2) the Action May Affect but is Not Likely to Adversely Affect CSO. The affects to CSO would be limited to short-term disturbance that may occur later in the period of fledging for juveniles. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 28 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 6 Literature Cited California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) 2019. A status review of the Foothill yellow- legged frog (Rana boylii) in California. A report to the Fish and Game Commission. CDFW, Sacramento, CA September 20, 2019. CDFW. 2023. Rare Sighting of Wolverine confirmed in multiple California Counties. Website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/rare-sighting-of-wolverine-confirmed-in- multiple-california-counties. Accessed February 13 2025. CDFW. 2025a. 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. Accessed February 18, 2025. CDFW. 2025b. -Gray wolf (home page). Website: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Mammals/Gray-Wolf#known-wolves. Accessed February 15, 2025. California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) 2020. Notice of findings for Foothill yellow- legged frog (Rana boylii). CFGC March 10, 2020. Central Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region. (CRWQCB). 2019. The water quality control plan (basin plan) for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Central Valley Region. 5th Edition with Approved Amendments. Sacramento CA. February 2019. Delaney, D., L Paater, T. Grubb, M. H. Reiser, and P. Beier 1999. Spotted Owl reactions to helicopter and chain saw noise. Meeting abstract. J. of Acoustical Society of America. Website: https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jasa/article/105/2_Supplement/1202/556720/Spotted- Owl-reactions-to-helicopter-and-chain-saw. Accessed on Jan. 17, 2025 Harrison, R. T., R. Farve R, and A. Horcher (undated). Sound Measurements of Helicopters during logging operations. Prepared for the US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/t- d/programs/im/sound_measure/helo_index.shtml. Accessed Jan 17, 2025. Los Angeles Times (LA Times). 2023. Rare wolverine spotted in California, second confirmed specimen in century. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-06-02/rare- wolverine-sighting-yosemite-california. Accessed February 15, 2025 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) 2007a. DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 803. License Application. Volume IIA. Exhibit E. Introduction through Section 6.2. Water Resources. October 2007. PG&E 2007b. DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 803. License Application. Volume IIB. Exhibit E. Section 6.3 Fish and Aquatic Resources. October 2007. PG&E 2007c. DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 803. License Application. Volume IID. Exhibit E. Section 6.9 Land Use through Section 13.0 Literature Cited. October 2007. PG&E. 2024. Project Description, Hendricks Head Dam Repairs. August 2024. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 29 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Peery, M.Z. and R.J. Gutiérrez. 2013. Life-history trade-offs in Spotted Owls: Implications for assessments of territory quality. The Auk 130:132–140. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2022. Species Status Assessment Report for the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), Version 2.0. November 2022. Sacramento, CA USFWS 2023a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Threatened special status status with Section 4(d) Rule for two distinct population segments and endangered status for two distinct population segments. Federal Register 88:116 Pages 59698-59727. August 29, 2023. USFWS 2023b. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Threatened special status with Section 4(d) Rule for the northwestern pond turtle and the southwestern pond turtle. Federal Register 88:190. Pages 68370 – 68399. USFWS 2023c. Species Status Assessment Report for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii). Version 2.11, April 2023. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, California. USFWS 2023d. Special Status Assessment Report for the Northwestern Pond Turtle (Actinmys marmorata and Southwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys pallida). Version 1.1, April 2023. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura, California. USFWS 2023e. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; California Spotted Owl; Endangered Status for the Coastal-Southern California Distinct Population Segment and Threatened Status with Section 4(d) Rule for the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment. Federal Register 88:36, Pages 11600-11639. USFWS 2025a. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Designation of critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog. January 14, 2025 USFWS 2025b. Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) webpage https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov . Accessed February 3, 2025 US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) 2019. Conservation Strategy for the California Spotted Owl in the Seirra Nevada, Version 1.0. Pacific Southwest Region, R5-TP-043. April 2019. Verner, J., K.S. McKelvey, B.R. Noon, R.J. Gutiérrez, G.I. Gould, Jr., and T.W. Beck (editors). 1992. The California spotted owl: a technical assessment of its current status. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-133. Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. World Weather Online. 2025. 95978 Sterlin City Annual Weather Average. Website: https://www.worldweatheronline.com/v2/weather-averages.aspx?q=95978). Accessed February 13, 2025. Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 2025. Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper. Website: http://www.monarchmilkweedmapper.org/. Accessed January 9, 2025. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment 30 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 7 List of Contacts/Preparers Catalina Reyes, PG&E Senior Aquatic Biologist Larry Wise, PG&E Senior Aquatic Biologist Andie Herman, PG&E. Senior Herpetologist Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment A Hendrick Head Dam Improvement Project Project Description Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 1 of 21 PROJECT DESCRIPTION HENDRICKS HEAD DAM REPAIRS BUTTE COUNTY, CA FERC PROJECT 803-CA NID NO. CA82565 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 2 of 21 TABLE OF CONTENTS A. BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 3 1. FACILITY DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................ 3 2. DIRECTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 4 3. LAND USE ............................................................................................................................ 5 4. PURPOSE AND NEED ............................................................................................................. 6 5. FERC AND DSOD PROCESS ................................................................................................ 6 6. PROJECT SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................. 6 B. PROPOSED ACTION ............................................................................................................ 6 1. SCOPE OF WORK .................................................................................................................. 6 2. ACCESS, STAGING, LAYDOWN AND SPOILS SITES ................................................................ 8 3. TRAFFIC CONTROL ............................................................................................................. 11 4. FIRE HAZARD PREVENTION ............................................................................................... 11 5. DISPOSAL CLEANUP AND DEMOBILIZATION ....................................................................... 12 6. WORK SHIFT ...................................................................................................................... 12 C. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ................................................................................... 13 1. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................... 13 2. CULTURAL RESOURCES ..................................................................................................... 16 3. EROSION CONTROL AND FUGITIVE DUST ABATEMENT ...................................................... 19 4. WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................... 19 5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ................................................................................................... 19 D. PERMITS AND APPROVALS ........................................................................................... 20 1. PERMITS ............................................................................................................................. 20 2. REVIEWS/APPROVALS ........................................................................................................ 21 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Vicinity Map - Skyway to Retson Road .......................................................................... 4 Figure 2: Directions to Site, Retson Road to Hendricks Head Dam ............................................... 5 Figure 3: Project Site ...................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 4: Staging area for helicopter pickup/dropoff ................................................................... 10 Figure 5: Flight Path ..................................................................................................................... 11 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS ATTACHMENT 1: PROJECT DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS ATTACHMENT 2: CONCRETE ASSESSMENT REPORT ATTACHMENT 3: PG&E’S GOOD HOUSEKEEPING A-ESCP Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 3 of 21 A. BACKGROUND 1. FACILITY DESCRIPTION Hendricks Head Dam (dam, HHD), located in Butte County, is part of PG&E’s DeSabla- Centerville Hydroelectric Project (P-803-CA). The principal features of the DeSabla- Centerville Project consist of three reservoirs (DeSabla Forebay, Round Valley and Philbrook), three major diversions (Hendricks Diversion Dam on the West Branch Feather River, and Butte Head Dam and Lower Centerville Diversion Dam on Butte Creek), three powerhouses (Toadtown, DeSabla and Centerville), and more than twenty miles of flumes, canals and tunnels. HHD supplies water to Hendricks Canal and ultimately Toadtown Power House. The reservoir formed by HHD has a surface area of less than 1 acre. HHD was constructed in 1907 as a log-crib rock-filled structure. The dam was faced with planks, and had concrete piers and wing-walls. Due to excessive deterioration, the spillway portion of the dam was replaced in 1990 with an earth-filled steel bin structure topped with a reinforced concrete slab. The dam is now 223.3 ft long, including the rebuilt spillway overpour section and the original concrete abutment wingwalls. The leftmost side of the wall is a buttressed cantilever retaining wall with a 14 ft wide upstream footing. Originally, an approximately 10-ft wide intake gate was present through the left side of the right wingwall structure. In 1940 the gate opening was filled-in with concrete and the new (current) intake gates were constructed further to the right of its original placement. The rightmost side of the wingwall is an 11-ft wide gravity section, through which the intake to Hendricks Canal passes. The dam’s center spillway section is 90-ft long and is comprised of nine 10 ft-wide earth filled steel bins. The crest elevation of the spillway overpour section is at 3,256.4 ft. Foundation excavation performed in 1990 was extended to competent material consisting of cemented conglomerates. The prefabricated Armco bins were placed on 2-ft wide by 2-ft long by 6-inch-thick concrete footing pads. The steel bins were filled with processed streambed material obtained locally at the site. Gunite was applied on the upstream faces of the upstream bin walls after they were backfilled. The top and downstream face of the steel bin structure was covered with an 8-inch thick, reinforced concrete slab. An 8-ft wide mass concrete section spans from the steel bins to the original concrete wingwall on the right side of the dam. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 4 of 21 2. DIRECTIONS HHD is located on the West Branch Feather River about 12 miles downstream of Round Valley Dam and approximately 4 miles north of Stirling City, in Butte County, California. The dam can be accessed by using CA-99 S and taking exit 383 towards Skyway/Park Ave. Use the left two lanes to turn onto Skyway and continue for approximately 29 miles. Take a right turn onto Retson Rd, and travel for 11 miles; access to the dam is via a dirt access road off Retson Rd (Figure 1 & 2). Table 1 below provides the approximate coordinates at the center of the dam and spillway. Table 1: Location Location Coordinates Hendricks Head Dam 39°56'16.90"N, 121°31'54.53"W Figure 1: Vicinity Map - Skyway to Retson Road Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 5 of 21 Figure 2: Directions to Site, Retson Road to Hendricks Head Dam 3. LAND USE Hendricks Head Dam is located within the FERC 803 DeSabla-Centerville Project boundary on land owned by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI). Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 6 of 21 4. PURPOSE AND NEED In a letter from FERC to PG&E dated October 15, 2019, FERC provided findings and a follow-up item identified during the 2019 annual FERC dam safety inspection. The item, referred to as “Item 6” is stated below: A large concrete spall with exposed reinforcement was observed on the concrete step of the dam. Additionally, concrete deterioration with exposed reinforcement was also observed at the downstream edge of the crest. PG&E completed an assessment of Hendricks Head Dam in September of 2022. Inspection of the dam revealed the extent of damage. Abrasion erosion of the upper and lower concrete spillway sections have exposed reinforcing steel and caused loss of the concrete section. The left abutment rock wall showed areas of exposed reinforcement due to erosion as well. Concrete restoration work is necessary to extend the life of the structure. 5. FERC AND DSOD PROCESS Hendricks Head Dam is classified as a “low hazard potential” dam under FERC guidelines. The dam is not under the jurisdiction of the California Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). This project is subject to FERC review and a construction authorization request is required. 6. PROJECT SCHEDULE Construction proposed to occur July through September 2025 when the West Branch Feather River is seasonally low and water is not passing over the dam. Duration of the repairs is expected to take 4-6 weeks. PG&E plans to submit a final construction report on or before March 31, 2026. B. PROPOSED ACTION 1. SCOPE OF WORK The focus of this construction effort is to repair known areas of deteriorated concrete resulting from water flow erosion and construction defects. Repairs will consist of local removal of deteriorated concrete and replacement with cementitious repair materials, while leaving existing reinforcement intact to the extent practical. Where the existing steel reinforcement shows signs of corrosion or damage, reinforcement will be repaired or replaced in accordance with the enclosed design drawings. Sequence of Work 1. Mobilize 2. Preform minor vegetation trimming along roads and foot path. Minor trimming and limbing in small quantities is expected but there should not be a need to remove any vegetation. 3. Set up small access walkways, ladders, and/or small scaffolding. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 7 of 21 4. Saw cut/remove deteriorated material 5. Place repair material 6. Demobilize Site Preparation Minor road work grading/AB may be required depending on access road quality at the time of the project. This will not require any disturbance off the road. Some minor limbing or trimming of vegetation may be required along access roads and walkway paths, but complete removal of plants/trees is not anticipated. Construction will not affect instream flow requirements or require any operational changes since the work will take place during a time when the stream water is below the spillway crest. Water during summer months is normally diverted around the site through the Hendricks Canal through normal operations so that this work may be conducted in the dry. Concrete Repair Work Plan 1. Using a helicopter, fly in all tools, materials, and equipment needed to conduct the following work. a. All tools will be stored in a lockable tool box. b. All material will be wrapped or properly contained while not in use. c. All Equipment (small generators, air compressors, chipping tools, etc. will also be stored in a lockable tool box and properly contained. d. Items too large to fit in a lock box (pressure washer, etc.) will be in proper containment and will be chained/locked to secure over night. 2. Saw cut along perimeter of the repair area as specified in drawings. 3. Demolish and remove unsound/damaged concrete using lightweight pneumatic- chipping hammers equipped with sharp pointed tool bits (15 lbs. breaker preferred, 30 lbs. acceptable). 4. Inspect steel reinforcement (if exposed or encountered during demolition) a. If required, implement localized repairs to steel reinforcement in accordance with the enclosed design specifications. 5. Place all spoils from demo into super sacks approximately 3’x3’x3’ in size. a. Using a helicopter, fly out and dispose of demo materials. 6. Prepare surfaces for cementitious repair materials. a. Roughen surface to meet profile requirements specified in drawings. b. Clean surfaces using pressurized water. 7. Build formwork as required. 8. Place concrete or cementitious patch material. Dust, Slurry and Cementitious Waste Containment No water will be present on the dam during work. Dust, slurry and cementitious waste will be kept out of the stream water with localized containment installed as needed by the crew. Debris will be collected and disposed off-site. Minor amounts of slurry may be created during saw-cutting and coring, but will be collected via shop vacuum. All Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 8 of 21 forms of concrete waste shall be collected and disposed properly. Debris in shop vacuums and other miscellaneous debris can be carried out by hand. Other heavy or larger volumes of debris will be contained in super sacks and flown off site via helicopter for proper disposal. List of Equipment Equipment required for this work may include but is not limited to: • Telescopic material hander (Gradall Forklift) • Diesel/Gas generator • Diesel/Electric air compressor • Water tank trailer and/or Water Truck • Pressure washer • HEPA Vacuums • Electric and/or pneumatic chipping hammers <30 lbs. • Handheld masonry saws • Mortar mixer 2. ACCESS, STAGING, LAYDOWN AND SPOILS SITES Access to the site is via a dirt access road off Retson Rd is shown in Figure 3. The parking/staging area is approximately 5000 square feet shown in the purple polygon. Spillway work area (yellow polygon) is located approximately 150 feet northwest of the parking/staging area. The existing walking path can be rough and rocky and there is a short elevation change to transition from the rocky walkway to the concrete surface. Temporary aluminum catwalks, ladders and/or other small scaffolding is expected to aid in access. These items are not expected to have any disturbance, but may be tied off to anything solid as needed for stability. Repair areas are small, (approximately 660 total square feet). The concrete rubble from demolition will be removed from the dam and hauled off site via helicopter at the end of each shift. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 9 of 21 Figure 3: Project Site Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 10 of 21 Bulky equipment and materials will have to be flown to and from the dam via helicopter. A small staging area (~10,000 square feet) nearby may be used along Retson road behind the SPI locked gate. The proposed staging area is 2.65 miles south of the dam. See figures 4 and 5. Figure 4: Staging area for helicopter pickup/drop-off Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 11 of 21 Figure 5: Flight Path 3. TRAFFIC CONTROL No traffic control required for duration of construction. All work is expected to take place behind several locked gates with no public access. 4. FIRE HAZARD PREVENTION Site preparation and construction may take place during the normal fire season. The provisions below outline the channels of responsibility for fire prevention and suppression activities and establish an attack procedure. Project personnel will make all reasonable efforts to prevent and suppress wildfires. Fire Prevention Requirements • Burning – No burning will take place on this project. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 12 of 21 • Welding, air-arc gouging, oxy-acetylene cutting, and grinding of pipe, steel or rebar is referred to as Hot Work. Hot work will be monitored at all times. Areas where hot work is being performed will be cleaned to mineral soil, and all brush, duff and other organics will be cleared a minimum of 10 feet away. Work pieces will be allowed to cool before being moved and will be cooled before the site is closed each night. Extinguishers will be maintained at all sites where hot work is being performed. • A shovel and a five-gallon supply of water will also be available. A permit is required during the fire precautionary period. • Smoking – Smoking may only be done in vehicles, on roads, or areas cleared to mineral soil for a diameter of at least three feet. • Vehicles and equipment can be ignition sources resulting from hot exhaust sparks, catalytic converters, hot brakes, and vehicle fires. Equipment used on the site will be maintained with spark arrestors as appropriate. Parking and laydown areas will be cleared of grass or other flammable materials. Fire extinguishers will be maintained on all vehicles. Trucks will be fueled at the headquarters and construction equipment will be refueled by a refueling pickup truck at the site. Required Fire Equipment • One shovel, one axe, and one extinguisher U.L. rated 4 BC or more on each pick up, crew truck, and personnel vehicle. • One shovel with each tractor, backhoe, or other heavy equipment. • One shovel and one backpack five-gallon water filled pump with each welder. • One shovel and one chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (fully charged) located at a point not greater than 25 feet from the work site, for each gasoline powered tool, including but not restricted to chain saws, rock drills, etc. Fire extinguishers shall be of the type and size set forth in the California Public Resources Code Sec. 4431 and the California Administrative Code, Title 14, Sec. 1234. • Shovels shall be a type “O”, and overall length of not less than 46 inches. Axes or Pulaski’s (Pulaski’s are recommended) shall have a 2 ½ pound or larger head, and not less than 28 inches in overall length. 5. DISPOSAL CLEANUP AND DEMOBILIZATION Concrete will be placed directly into super sacks, covered to contain dust/small debris and removed from the site via helicopter. Once offsite, all debris will be properly disposed of. All other trash will be bagged and disposed of at time of de-mob. Following completion of construction activities, the job site will be returned, as much as is reasonably practical, to its original condition. All equipment and surplus materials will be removed from the site. 6. WORK SHIFT Anticipated work shift: Monday through Friday, 0700-1700 (7:00 am to 5:00 pm). PGE may choose to increase the work schedule up to 7 days a week if the need arises. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 13 of 21 C. ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES 1. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES To assess potential impacts to biological resources, a desktop analysis was performed by reviewing the California Natural Diversity Database records for 1.5 miles radius (CNDDB accessed on July 24, 2024) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consulting (IPAC accessed July 24, 2024). The desktop analysis was used to determine what special-status aquatic and terrestrial species could be expected to occur in the Project area and affected by Project activities. This section summarizes potential impacts to species identified from the desktop analysis that have the potential to occur in the project area based on habitat and it prescribes avoidance and minimization measures (AMMs) to avoid negative effects to species. The assessment assumes that no modifications to flow in the West Branch Feather River will be needed for this work, and that work will be confined to the existing disturbed parking area and the dry dam. Amphibian Species Foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii; FYLF) is federally listed as threatened (North Feather River Distinct Population Segment) and state listed as threatened (North Feather and Upper Feather River Watershed Clade). During the desktop review FYLF were listed in both the USFWS IPAC and CNDDB results. Critical Habitat has not been designated for FYLF. FYLF are known to occur in the area and have the potential to occur in and around the dam. In order to allow for moving of imperiled FYLF from the work area, should they occur, handling by qualified biologists may be required. Therefore, the project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect FYLF, and will need formal consultation with USFWS under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Conservation measures, in addition to the AMMs below, will be developed during the consultation process to avoid and/or minimize impacts to FYLF. California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii; CRLF) is federally listed as threatened and was listed in the USFWS IPAC but were not listed in the CNDDB results. CRLF is not known to occur in the West Branch Feather River watershed, as relicensing studies performed in 2008 did not observe CRLF and CNDDB occurrences are not recorded within 15 miles of the project. The project will have no effect on CRLF. Reptile Species Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata; NPT) is proposed for federal listing as threatened. NPT were listed in the USFWS IPAC but were not listed in the CNDDB results. The project area falls within the range of NPT and the surrounding habitat is suitable, so there is potential for NPT to occur in the project area. As all work will occur on the dam, and out of the water, and AMMs will be implemented, the project will have no effect on NPT. Because we do not know at this time if NPT will be listed, we will discuss the species with USFWS when consulting on FYLF and may include it in the Section 7 consultation. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 14 of 21 Birds California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis) was listed in the USFWS IPAC and are federally proposed threatened. Although they are known to occur within the watershed, the nearest documented activity center is outside of the 1.5 buffer of the desktop analysis so will likely not be impacted by construction activities. The project will include helicopter use to deliver materials to the jobsite and during demobilization. The helicopter flight path from the landing zone (LZ) to the work area does not intersect any known activity centers and will maintain a 1,000-foot vertical distance above forested areas, as safe to do so, to avoid potentially impacting California spotted owl. Preconstruction surveys at the LZ and work area may be required to avoid potential impacts if suitable habitat is present and work occurs during the spotted owl breeding season. The work activities (mobilization to de-mobilization) may occur during the nesting bird season (February 15th to August 31st). The potential to impact nesting birds during construction is expected to be low since work is isolated to a small footprint; however, the use of helicopter to deliver materials to and from the site may impact nesting birds. AMMs listed below will be implemented. Botanical There are known invasive weed species in the vicinity of the Project area. The implementation of invasive weed avoidance measures listed below will avoid the spread of invasive weeds and also protect any native rare plant species if they exist in the project footprint. Insects The monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus; federal candidate for listing) was identified in the USFWS IPAC report but there are no records in the CNDDB report. There are no reported sightings of the butterfly in the area however implementing the AMMs, will avoid impacts to these species. Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs) General Measures • Environmental awareness training will be provided to all construction personnel at the start of the project and will include a review of sensitive resources (nesting birds, FYLF, NPT, special-status plants, invasive weeds) and the AMMs to be implemented during the project. • When accessing worksites, travel and parking of vehicles and equipment will be limited to pavement, existing roads, and previously disturbed areas (except where overland travel is required). • No wildlife species shall be handled and/or removed from the site by anyone except qualified biologists. • Wildlife found in work areas shall be allowed to move out of the area on their own. PG&E Project Biologist Catalina Reyes (925-808-8811, cerh@pge.com) will be contacted if the animal does not move or if further guidance is needed. • To avoid crushing wildlife, all vehicles and equipment will be searched underneath before being moved. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 15 of 21 • Vehicle speeds on unpaved roads will not exceed 15 miles per hour. • Vehicles and equipment may cross streams and wetlands only on existing roads and crossings. • Crews will cover or install escape ramps if open trenches or holes are left open overnight. Inspect open trenches or holes every morning prior to work for trapped wildlife. If any wildlife is found, notify the PG&E Project biologist immediately. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog and Northwestern Pond Turtle • Prior to starting construction, a qualified biologist will conduct a pre-construction survey for FYLF and NPT. If individuals are found, work will stop, and a PG&E Project biologist will be contacted for guidance. If a FYLF or NPT is found, the animal will not be disturbed or handled. The animal will be allowed to leave the area on its own volition to a safe location.  Stop work in the area immediately and designate someone onsite to watch the animal.  Alert all crew members of the location to avoid.  If possible, without harassing the animal, take a lot of photos at various angles for biologist to positively ID. Take photos of overall habitat also.  Contact Biologist Andie Herman (530) 680-9037 immediately. • Additional measures may be included in the ERTC as a result of the Section 7 consultation. Nesting Birds • If work activities (which includes tree removal, tree limbing or brush removal, and helicopter use) are conducted during the nesting bird season (February 15 to August 31), a qualified biologist will perform a general nesting bird survey within 72 hours (about 3 days) before start of work. If active nests are found, the PG&E project biologist will determine appropriate avoidance buffers and provide a map of nest locations and avoidance buffer areas before work starts. The biologist may determine that biological monitoring is needed, depending on the survey results. Contact the PG&E biologist 2 weeks ahead of construction activities (including vegetation removal) to schedule surveys. • If suitable habitat for California spotted owl is present within 0.25 mile of the LZ or work area, a preconstruction survey for spotted owls will be required during the breeding season (February 15 to August 31). • Helicopter flight paths to and from the LZ will maintain a 1,000-foot vertical distance above forested areas when safe to avoid potentially impacting California spotted owl. Invasive Weeds • The attached 5-minute meeting on invasive weeds will be reviewed. • Off-road equipment not local to the project area will be cleaned to ensure that it is free of soil and plant parts. • Soil disturbance will be minimized to the extent possible. • Established roads will be driven and parked on as much as possible. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 16 of 21 • If removal of invasive weed plant materials from an infested site is necessary, the materials will be properly contained and transported to a landfill. Invasive weed materials shall not be broadcasted. • Clothing, footwear, and gear will be cleaned before they are moved from an infested area to a non-infested area. • Work in invasive-weed infested areas will be avoided or activities will be prioritized so that infested areas are worked in last. 2. CULTURAL RESOURCES The Project is a federal undertaking as defined in 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §800.16(y) with the potential to affect historic properties (36 CFR §800.3(a)) and will require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval. As a result, the investigation must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, to consider the effect of the undertaking on any sites, buildings, structures, or objects that are included in or may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The FERC is the lead federal agency and PG&E, as the FERC’s designee, will consult with the California Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). The APE consists of both the horizontal and vertical maximum potential extent of direct impacts resulting from the project. The horizontal APE encompasses the project footprint and includes those areas of new construction, easements, and construction staging of the project. PG&E has determined that the project does not have the potential to indirectly affect any adjacent buildings or structures, so the horizonal APE is limited to the constructability footprint of the project. There is no ground disturbance associated with this undertaking. The LZ, access routes, and staging will use existing roads and staging areas; no improvements are necessary. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 17 of 21 The Hendricks Dam, Tunnel, and Canal are within the APE and have all been previously determined ineligible for the NRHP; the DeSabla-Centerville system is also not eligible as a historic district (FERC080110A). There are no known archaeological resources in the APE. The APE has complete survey coverage. Six studies have been reported in the APE, as shown in Table 1.Table 1. Previous Studies in the Area of Potential Effects PAR Environmental Services, Inc. 1985 Cultural Resources Inventory and Management Plan for the Proposed Improvements to the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric System, Butte County, California, FERC No. Matel, John 1993 Assessment for the Doleysake Timber Harvesting Plan, Butte County, California Powers, Marty 1999 Confidential Archaeological Addendum for Timber Operations Johnson, Todd 2008 Draft DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project Volume 1— Historic Properties Management Plan Matel, John 2008 Harvesting Plan in Butte County, California PAR Environmental Services, Inc. 2016 Archaeological Inventory of the Butte Creek, Lower Centerville, Upper Centerville, Toadtown, and Hendricks Canals on the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric System, Butte County, California (FERC No. 803) No historic properties have been identified within the project’s APE. Therefore, the undertaking will have no effect on historic properties, per 36 CFR 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1). No additional cultural resources protection measures or consultation is necessary. Avoidance and Minimization Measures The following measures will be implemented in the case of an unanticipated discovery, per 36 CFR 800.13(b): Inadvertent Discoveries If cultural resources are encountered during construction, all work shall stop within the vicinity of the discovery and the PG&E Cultural Resource Specialist should be contacted immediately. PG&E will notify the FERC Archaeologist within 24 hours. PG&E will consult with the FERC to determine the proper course of action. No work may proceed until approved by the FERC. The standard cultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented as follows: Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 18 of 21 Unanticipated Discovery If new cultural resources are discovered during project activities: 1. Stop all work within 100 ft. of the resource; 2. Notify a PG&E Cultural Resource Specialist (CRS) immediately. Be prepared to provide photographs and a precise location of the find; 3. Leave the site or the artifact untouched and do not publicly reveal the location of the resource; 4. The PG&E CRS will coordinate any necessary assessments of the discovery, as appropriate. PG&E may be required to implement on-site protective measures to avoid or lessen impact to significant resources. Examples of cultural resources that may be encountered within PG&E’s service territory: Prehistoric resources may include, but are not limited to, stone tools and manufacturing debris made of obsidian, basalt and other stone materials, milling artifacts or features such as bedrock mortars, portable mortars, and pestles, and locally darkened soils (midden) that may contain dietary remains such as shell and bone, as well as human remains. Historic resources that may be identified include, but are not limited, to small cemeteries or burial plots, structural remains, cabin pads, cans with soldered seams or tops, bottles or fragments of glass, cut (square) nails, ceramics, earthworks, and mining features. Human Remains Encountering human remains (confirmed or suspected) during project activities requires immediate action: 1. Stop all work within 100 ft. and treat the discovery as a potential crime scene; 2. Immediately contact a PG&E CRS, who will then notify the county coroner or federal authorities as appropriate; 3. Be prepared to provide a description of the discovery and the precise location to the PG&E CRS. 4. Secure the location (with temporary fencing, plating, or other means), but do not touch or remove remains or associated artifacts; 5. Do not remove associated spoils or pick through them; and 6. Treat the find as confidential and do not publicly disclose the discovery. On State, Franchise, or Private Property: The County Coroner and underlying landowner will be notified by the PG&E CRS or their designee. If the human remains are of Native American origin, the Coroner must notify the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours of such determination. The most likely descendant designated by the NAHC shall work with the landowner and CRS to develop a plan for disposition of the human remains and any associated artifacts. No additional work shall take place within the immediate vicinity of the find until the regulatory compliance process is complete. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 19 of 21 On Federal Property: The discovery of Native American human remains on federal land requires compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The PG&E CRS will coordinate notification to the appropriate agency contact. Human remains or associated funerary objects will not be excavated or otherwise removed unless a permit is issued under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and after consultation between the appropriate Native American representative(s), the federal agency, and PG&E. The activity that resulted in the inadvertent discovery may not resume until clearance is provided by land management agency. 3. EROSION CONTROL AND FUGITIVE DUST ABATEMENT The proposed work activity will cause minimal soil disturbance (< .9 acres). Erosion and sediment control will be managed in accordance with PG&E Water Quality Group approved, Good Housekeeping, Activity Specific Erosion Sediment Control Plan (A- ESCP). Dust abatement will be implemented by routinely wetting down surfaces with water trucks or totes. 4. WATER QUALITY The project work will occur in dry conditions, therefore, there is minimal threat to water quality and a Water Quality Monitoring Plan is not required. Appropriate BMPs shall be in place to prevent project related materials from entering the West Branch Feather River. Pollutant barrier BMPs and/or vacuum trucks shall be utilized to contain and remove any pollutants that can be mobilized to a downstream waterway via a spill or rain event that introduces flow into the spillway. Diversion BMPs (e.g., coffer dams, sandbag barriers) shall be implemented to the maximum extent possible to divert run-on away from work areas in the event of increased flows in the West Branch Feather River that introduces water into the spillway. All equipment shall be inspected for leaks prior to mobilization into the spillway and spill response materials shall be onsite and all crews trained on their deployment and proper disposal of pollutants. Any refueling of equipment shall be done outside of the spillway. All concrete should be allowed to properly cure before coming in contact with water. Care should be taken to ensure that construction/repair debris, including concrete fines/materials, are swept/removed from the work area prior to re- watering. 5. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS All hazardous material will be managed and stored under the direction of the ENVR 3000P- 01 Procedure. All materials will have legible labels, stored in appropriate containers and stored in secured/contained areas. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) will be available at the job site upon request. Quantities of hazardous materials Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 20 of 21 will be below thresholds (55 gallons/500 pounds/200 cubic feet) quantities for less than 30 days. Trucks and equipment will be refueled from non-bulk, truck-mounted fuel tanks. All refueling operations will be attended by trained personnel and be conducted in accordance with applicable BMPs and PG&E policies. Prior to operation, all equipment will be inspected for fluid leaks and for signs of worn or damaged parts that may result in a release. All hazardous waste products will be placed in the proper containers and transported from the job site to an authorized Hazardous Waste Collection Site under the direction of PG&E’s remote hazardous waste consolidation requirements (ENV-4000P-03). Small engine powered equipment will be provided with secondary containment. Whenever possible, vehicles and equipment with engines supplying motive power will be parked in designated areas located 200-feet or more from water. Drip pans or other containment measures will be placed under vehicles and equipment when not in use while located within 200-feet of water. In accordance with PG&E policy, all hazardous substance releases to the environment are reported internally. A spill kit will be maintained on site to ensure prompt containment in the unlikely event of a release to the environment. All media impacted by a spill will be cleaned up and disposed off-site in accordance with all applicable regulations. D. PERMITS AND APPROVALS 1. PERMITS A PG&E Land Planner has reviewed the proposed activity (project). The following discretionary permits or authorization from resource agencies may be applicable or are not applicable for the following reasons: A. The project may affect, and is likely to adversely affect FYLF, and will need formal consultation with USFWS under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in order to allow for moving of imperiled FYLF from the work area, should they occur. This consultation would result in a Biological Opinion from USFWS and incidental take permit for FYLF. B. Project activity and impacts are Maintenance Exempt under the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 (f)(1), (B) and will therefore not require U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Regional Water Quality Control Board permits (under CWA Sections 404 and 401 respectively). This is because 1) activities are maintaining a currently serviceable structure, and repairs involve no change in the character, scope, or size of the fill design; 2) no discharge of toxic pollutants listed under CWA Section 307 will take place; and 3) activity will not convert an area of the waters of the U.S. into a use to which it was not previously subject, where the flow or circulation of waters of the U.S. may be impaired or the reach of such waters reduced. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Page 21 of 21 C. Project activities will not entail ground disturbance of over 1 acre in area, therefore no National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction Storm Water permit is required from the State Water Board (under CWA 402). The project will implement standard PG&E Good Housekeeping A-ESCP for dust, erosion, and sediment control (per Section C. 3.) D. PG&E hydroelectric facilities, assets, and activities that are within FERC boundaries and subject to FERC licensing and regulatory requirements, are not subject to state or local law (Federal Power Act preemption). Therefore, the project is pre-empted from the following: a. California Fish and Game Code 1602, therefore a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement is not required from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. b. State Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act regulations managed by the Regional Water Board. c. Butte County jurisdiction, therefore, no permit is required from the County. E. Some of the proposed project activities are taking place on lands owned by Sierra Pacific Industries. Existing facilities have easements, but the proposed staging area and landing zone are outside of the easement area. For use of the proposed staging area and landing zone permission and coordination with SPI will be necessary, this permission will likely come in the form of a TCE for the duration of construction. 2. REVIEWS/APPROVALS This will require FERC review and authorization prior to proceeding. The FERC authorization package must include a Project Description, 100% Design Drawings, Calculations and Specifications as necessary, and a QCIP. The FERC authorization package must be submitted a minimum of 60 days prior to the start of construction. Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Attachment 1 ATTACHMENT 1: PROJECT DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Attachment 2 ATTACHMENT 2: ASSESSMENT REPORT Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Attachment 3 ATTACHMENT 3: PG&E’S GOOD HOUSEKEEPING A-ESCP Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment B USFWS Species List from IPaC (unoffical) accessed February 3, 2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025  Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 2025 Hendricks Head Dam Repair Project Biological Assessment ©2024, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Appendix C California Natural Diversity Database accessed February 18, 2025 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 CNDDB 1.5 around Action Areas of Hendrick Head Dam Date Run: 2/18/2025 CAUTION: ABSENCE OF SITE RECORDS DOES NOT MEAN SENSITIVE SPECIES ARE ABSENT AND DOES NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATE BIOLOGICAL REVIEW. CNDDB Metadata may be found here For Photos of Animals search: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/fauna/ For photos of Plants search : http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/flora/ or: http://www.calflora.org/ For photos of Habitat search: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/landscape/ 17 NDDB Elements in selection For Multiple Occurences, a summary table will appear below this report. Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements Butte County morning- area WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER IN THE VICINITY OF RETSON CAMP, NE OF STIRLING CITY. MAPPED BY CNDDB TO ENCOMPASS 2006 TAYLOR & PG&E COORDINATES AND SPI COORDINATES. N-MOST POLY: 80 PLANTS OBSERVED IN JUNE OF 2006, 126 -FACING Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements ESTIMATED IN JULY OF 2006. S-MOST POLY: 100 PLANTS Butte County morning- area JUNCTION OF RETSON RD AND ROBLEY POINT RD, SE STIRLING CITY. MAPPED BY CNDDB ACCORDING TO NO OTHER INFORMATION SUBMITTED WITH THESE COORDINATES. YEAR SEEN UNKNOWN. NEEDS Butte County morning- area ROAD, S OF RETSON CAMP, ABOUT 1 AIR MI SE OF BREEDLOVE RESERVOIR. MAPPED BY CNDDB Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements SPI COORDINATES IN SE1/4 OF SW1/4 SEC 22. UNKNOWN NUMBER OF PLANTS SEEN IN 2006. NEEDS Butte County morning- area STREET, HEADING WEST OUT OF STIRLING CITY, JUST PAST THE FIRST GATE AND ABOUT 0.25 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. 2 POLYGONS MAPPED ACCORDING TO COORDINATES PROVIDED BY SIERRA PACIFIC. 20 PLANTS OBSERVED IN 2006. 1982 SITE RECORD INFORMATION FROM SCHLISING (GIVING T24N R4E, SEC 27), CITED IN FALLSCHEER, IS Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements THIS OCCURRENCE. Butte County morning- meters AIR MILE E OF S END OF LANDING STRIP, E OF STIRLING CITY. "ALONG THE R- LINE ROAD." (COULD NOT LOCATE ON TOPO MAP.) 100+ PLANTS OBSERVED IN Mildred's clarkia,Clarkia specific area EAST OF WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER, FROM 1.3 TO 2 AIR MILES NNE OF STIRLING CITY. 3 POLYGONS: N POLYGON BASED ON A NON- SPECIFIC TAYLOR COLLECTION; EMAILS SAYS SITE IS IN NE 1/4 SE 1/4 SEC 16 IN THE Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements THE SECTION LINE. MIDDLE POLYGON BASED ON SPECIFIC PG&E COORDINATES. S POLY BASED ON SPECIFIC JANEWAY MAP. 100-200 PLANTS SEEN IN S POLYGON AND OCCS #33 & 34 IN 1994. UNKNOWN NUMBER IN N POLYGON IN 1995. FEWER THAN 100 PLANTS IN MIDDLE POLYGON IN 2006. INCLUDES FORMER OCCURRENCE Mildred's clarkia,Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae area RD DESCENDING INTO W BRANCH FEATHER RIVER CANYON 1.4 MI N OF INTERSECTION WITH THE SKYWAY IN STIRLING CITY. MAPPED Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements MAP DETAIL IN A 2007 PG&E REPORT. REPORT STATES THAT PLANTS ARE MORE ABUNDANT ON THE CUT BANK OF ROAD ENTERING POPULATION. COORDINATES ON A 2011 TAYLOR COLLECTION ARE WITHIN THE MAPPED AREA. UNKNOWN NUMBER OF PLANTS OBSERVED IN 2006; NEEDS POPULATION DATA. NOTED AS "ABUNDANT" IN Mildred's clarkia,Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae meters OF STIRLING CITY AT NE EDGE OF JACKASS FLAT. ROAD. NE 1/4 OF SW 1/4 OF SEC 15. 100-200 PLANTS Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements BETWEEN OCCURRENCES 33, 34, AND 36. Mildred's clarkia,Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae meters MILE SSE OF DIVERSION DAM ON THE WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER. MAPPED ACCORDING TO COORDINATES IN A 2007 PG&E REPORT, WITHIN THE NW 1/4 OF THE SE 1/4 OF SECTION 16. 100 PLANTS OBSERVED IN Mildred's clarkia,Clarkia mildrediae ssp. mildrediae area 0.5 AIR MILE SOUTHEAST OF JACKASS FLAT, APPROXIMATELY 1.6 AIR MILES NORTHEAST OF STIRLING CITY. TWO SETS OF GIVEN Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements AND POINT ON MAP PROVIDED BY SCHROEDER: "IN THE REGION UNIT ARE AT LEAST 85 MORE THROUGH INTERPRETS THIS AS THE PLANTS EXTENDING FROM COORDINATES TO EXTRA MAPPED POINT. 3 PLANTS OBSERVED IN ONE POPULATION, WITH AT LEAST 85 MORE IN REGION Mosquin's clarkia,Clarkia mosquinii area ROAD, APPROXIMATELY 0.7 AIR MILE NORTHEAST OF STIRLING CITY. MAPPED IN THE SE 1/4 OF THE SW 1/4 OF SECTION 22, EXTENDING SLIGHTLY INTO THE NE 1/4 OF THE Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements SECTION 27. ~300 PLANTS OBSERVED IN 2013. Yuma myotis,Myotis yumanensis meters NORTH OF STIRLING CITY, 0.8 MILE WNW OF JACKASS FLAT. MAPPED ACCORDING TO UTM COORDINATES PROVIDED BY SOURCE. 9 ADULTS CAPTURED ADJACENT TO DAM foothill yellow- legged frog - area TRIBUTARIES TO WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER, NORTH OF COLD CREEK, 1 TO 2 MILES NE OF STIRLING CITY. MAPPED TO Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements COORDINATES. 1 ADULT AND 10 LARVAE FOUND ON 1 SEP 2017. 31 ADULTS, 5 EGG MASSES foothill yellow- legged frog - meters CREEK, JUST EAST OF CONFLUENCE WITH FISH CREEK, OF STIRLING CITY. MAPPED TO COORDINATES PROVIDED. 1 YOUNG OF PREVIOUS YEAR OBSERVED ON 29 foothill yellow- legged frog - meters MILES NORTH OF ITS CONFLUENCE WITH WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER, ABOUT 2 MILES NE OF STIRLING CITY. MAPPED TO Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Species Special Status Last Observed Presence OccurenceType Accuracy Details Habitat Requirements PROVIDED. 1 ADULT OBSERVED ON 27 foothill yellow- legged frog - meters MILE NE OF ITS CONFLUENCE WITH WEST BRANCH FEATHER RIVER, NE OF STIRLING CITY. 1 ADULT OBSERVED ON 23 western red bat,Lasiurus frantzii meters NORTH OF STIRLING CITY, 0.8 MILE WNW OF JACKASS FLAT. MAPPED ACCORDING TO UTM COORDINATES PROVIDED BY SOURCE. 1 ADULT CAPTURED ADJACENT TO DAM F=FEDERAL; S=STATE; Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 T=THREATENED; E=ENDANGERED; R=RARE; C=CANDIDATE; CNPS=California Natural Plant Society Species of Concern CDFG=California Dept of Fish and Game Species of Concern NDDB Summary Occurences Species Special Status Habitat Requirements 5 5 1 1 4 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Occurences Species Special Status Habitat Requirements 1 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025 Document Content(s) PGE20250314_803_Hendricks_Dam_BA.pdf .....................................1 Document Accession #: 20250314-5242 Filed Date: 03/14/2025