HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.13.2024 Board Correspondence - FW_ Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyFrom:Clerk of the Board
To:Bennett, Robin; Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan;
Kimmelshue, Tod; Kitts, Melissa; Lee, Lewis; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen;
Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth; Loeser, Kamie
Cc:Nevers, Dawn
Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000
by Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Date:Thursday, June 13, 2024 4:41:39 PM
Please see Board Correspondence -
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Subject: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-803-000 by Pacific Gas and
Electric Company
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On 6/13/2024, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),
Washington D.C.:
Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Docket(s): P-803-000
Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Filing Type: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report
Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits request for temporary variance from the minimum
instream flow requirements at gaging stations BW-40 and BW-3 of the Hendricks Head Dam and Philbrook
Reservoir part of DeSabla-Centerville Project under P-803.
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Power Generation
300 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 28209
Oakland, CA 94604
June 12, 2024
Via Electronic Submittal (E-Filing)
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
RE: DeSabla-Centerville Project, No. 803-CA
Gaging Stations BW-40 and BW-3
2024 Minimum Instream Flow Variance
Dear Secretary Reese:
This letter presents Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E’s) request for a
temporary variance from the minimum instream flow requirements at gaging stations
BW- 40 (Hendricks Head Dam) and BW-3 (Philbrook Reservoir), during the 2024
Central Valley spring run Chinook salmon (CVSRCS; Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
holding period. Hendricks Head Dam and Philbrook Reservoir are part of PG&E’s
DeSabla-Centerville Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 803.
This requested variance would provide flexibility to PG&E for the management of the
cold-water storage in Philbrook Reservoir and flow discharges from Hendricks Head
Dam during the holding period of the CVSRCS.
PG&E developed the proposed variance in consultation with the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United
States Forest Service (Forest Service), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
(hereafter referred to as Resource Group).
License Requirement
Project license Article 39 provides the minimum instream flow requirements for the
DeSabla-Centerville Project. For reference, Article 39 is pasted below in italics.
Licensee shall maintain a minimum pool volume of 250 acre-feet in Philbrook
Reservoir, except when releases from the 250 acre-feet minimum pool are
necessary to maintain minimum flows downstream of Philbrook Reservoir.
Further, Licensee shall discharge from the DeSabla-Centerville Project facilities
the following minimum instantaneous flows or inflow at points of diversion,
whichever is less.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 2
Volume of Discharge in cubic feet per second
(cfs) during normal and dry water years1
Point of Discharge Normal Dry2 Time Period3
Philbrook Reservoir 2.0 2.04
Hendricks Head Dam 15 7
These flows may be temporarily modified if required by operating emergencies
beyond the control of the Licensee, and for short periods upon mutual agreement
between the Licensee and the California Department of Fish and Game
Background
The Philbrook Reservoir storage (5,000 acre-feet) is utilized during the summer holding
period of CVSRCS to provide additional flows to Butte Creek. Philbrook Reservoir is
located on the West Branch Feather River (WBFR) watershed. Flow released from
Philbrook Reservoir, along with other flow within the WBFR, are diverted into the
Hendricks Canal at the Hendricks Diversion Dam (figure 1). Depending on water
availability in the watershed, water diverted from the WBFR at the Hendricks Diversion
Dam can increase the total flow available in Butte Creek below DeSabla Powerhouse
up to 40% in July through September.
To reduce potential temperature impacts, PG&E operates the project in such a way as
to reduce residency time within DeSabla Forebay (Forebay). This is achieved by
providing a minimum of 60 cfs to the Forebay via Butte, Hendricks, and Toadtown
Canals.
In August 2023, Butte Canal sustained damage that removed the canal from service,
and it will remain out of service for the 2024 CVSRCS holding period. This will result in
decreased flows through the forebay. During this period, the only source of flow through
the Forebay is water diverted from the WBFR at the Hendricks Head Dam into the
Hendricks Canal. This variance request will help PG&E meet this target flow through the
forebay during the summer months.
1 Discharge is in cubic feet per second (cfs).
2 A dry water year is any 12-month period beginning May 1 in which the natural runoff of the Feather River at
Oroville for the April 1 to July 31 period, as forecast on April 1 by the State of California Department of Water
Resources, and as may be adjusted by the State on May 1, will be 50 percent of less of the average for such period as
computed by the State for the 50-year period used at that time. If during a designated dry year, the February 1 or
later water year prediction indicates that dry year conditions no longer prevail, Licensee will resume normal year
flow releases immediately upon notification by the California Department of Fish and Game.
3 Unless otherwise noted, the time period is year-round.
4 When inflow to Philbrook Reservoir is less than 0.1 cfs, a minimum flow of at least 0.1 cfs shall be discharged.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 3
Figure 1- Locations of Philbrook Reservoir and Hendricks Head Dam
On April 8, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued The
April Bulletin 120 report. According to the report, the water year type for the DeSabla-
Centerville Project will be “Normal,” with an estimate of 101% which is above normal.
The availability of water in 2024 together with this variance should assist in PG&E’s
efforts to maintain 60 cfs of inflow into the Forebay.
Operations and Maintenance Plan
On August 21, 1997, the FERC issued an Order placing temperature restrictions (17º
Celsius at Round Valley and 18º Celsius at Philbrook) on the releases from these dams.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 4
On August 20, 1998, the FERC revised its Order to allow for modification of the criteria
upon mutual agreement of NMFS, CDFW, and USFWS. An Operation and Maintenance
Plan and an annual meeting held ahead of the summer holding period are the
mechanisms by which PG&E consults with the agencies to gain mutual agreement on
releases from these dams. To advance collaboration, PG&E has also included the
SWRCB and USFS in this consultation process.
The population of CVSRCS in Butte Creek is the largest remaining population of this
threatened species in California. Under the annual Operations and Maintenance Plan,
PG&E coordinates an annual meeting pre-holding period and weekly conference calls
with the Resource Agencies during the CVSRCS’s holding period. These conference
calls occur from early June through mid-September (as needed). During these
conference calls, the Resource Group will discuss the results of pre-spawning mortality
surveys (if provided by CDFW or NMFS), meteorological forecasts, water temperatures
recorded by CDFW at Quartz Bowl Pool, flows, and storage in Philbrook Reservoir.
Proposed Variance
The proposed variance includes changing instantaneous minimum instream flow (MIF)
requirements to averaged MIFs (over 48 hours) at compliance points as listed in Table1
below. Once approved, PG&E would like to implement the temporary variance at the
Hendricks Head Dam (BW-40) beginning July 1, 2024, and complete the variance by
September 30, 2024. Once approved, PG&E would like to implement the variance at
Philbrook Reservoir (BW-3) as soon as approval is received and would complete the
variance by September 30, 2024.
Table 1: License required and variance request flows.
Compliance
Point
Requirement (cfs) without variance
Requested Flows for
variance
Hendricks
Head Dam
(BW-40)
Instantaneous Minimum Instream Flow
(MIF) of 15 cfs Normal WY, 7 cfs dry WY
Average MIF over 48 hour
– target between 15 and 7
cfs
Philbrook
Reservoir
(BW-3)
Instantaneous Minimum Instream Flow
(MIF) of 2 cfs Normal WY, 2 cfs dry WY
Average MIF over 48 hour –
target between 1 and 2
cfs
This variance will allow PG&E greater flexibility to operate around the MIFs while
staying compliant during short-lived drops in instream flow readings. The variance at the
Hendricks Head Dam will maximize the delivery of flow released from Philbrook
Reservoir to Butte Creek. All Philbrook release flow will be utilized instead of some
being used to buffer flow to meet instantaneous MIF requirements. With the
implementation of the proposed variance, flow through the Forebay will also be
increased. This increased flow will minimize heating effects within the Forebay, as much
as possible given the absence of Butte Canal flows through the Forebay . Heating is
caused by incident solar radiation and natural high air temperatures, especially during
heat storms of the summer holding period.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 5
At Philbrook Reservoir, this variance will allow greater flexibility to operate around the
MIFs while staying compliant during short-lived drops in release readings. In addition, it
will help PG&E retain as much storage as possible until it is needed for releases to
provide flow through the DeSabla Forebay and maximize flow to Butte Creek during the
hottest part of the summer CVSRCS holding period.
The following conditions will be in effect during the variance time frame:
1. Continue to hold weekly CVRCS meetings with Resource Group
2. Decisions on when and how to implement the variance flows, as well
as any flow changes under this variance would be done in
consultation with PG&E staff and the Resource Group. CDFW,
USFWS, NMFS and PG&E staff will consult with any proposed flow
changes prior to implementing.
3. PG&E will maintain a 48-hour average MIF within the range listed in
Table 1 for each compliance point , as agreed upon with PG&E staff
and the CDFW, USFWS, and NMFS.
4. Monitor and provide weekly flow changes to the Resource Group for
gauging stations BW40 and BW3 during weekly CVRCS Holding
Period meetings.
5. Promptly notify the Resource Group of any event that significantly
inhibits or impairs the release structures from maintaining a 48 -hour
average as listed in Table 1 for each compliance point.
Biological Impacts to CVSRCS
PG&E fisheries biologists have reviewed this variance proposal and believe that the
proposed flow changes would benefit the holding CVSRCS by maximizing the volume of
water that can be delivered to Butte Creek from the WBFR during periods especially
when the Butte Canal is offline.
The material informing this request include the following:
• The holding pattern of adult CVSRCS since the Lower Centerville
Powerhouse was taken off-line (2011), has shifted to more of the population
holding in the upper reaches. It is expected that >95% of adults will hold in
the upstream four miles of habitat due to water temperatures. This
concentration of individuals increases the potential breakout of disease
among a larger portion of the holding population.
• The variance will help provide a larger volume of water through to Butte
Creek. This is important to minimize the effects of high ambient air
temperatures which drive water temperatures. Higher water temperatures
result in a higher potential and severity of a disease outbreak. This is
particularly true with an increase in population density.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 6
• Increasing inflow from Hendricks Canal shortens the travel time through the
Forebay thus, decreasing heating of water by minimizing exposure to solar
radiation. This minimizes the temperature of the water that enters Butte
Creek.
Agency Consultation
On April 3, 2024, PG&E hosted a meeting with the Resource Agency Group to discuss
the water management constraints and options for supporting the population of
CVSRCS during the summer holding period. This variance request supports PG&E’s
and the Resource Groups efforts of ensuring the availability of cold-water storage in
Philbrook Reservoir to support the population and minimizing water temperature
increases in the Forebay.
On April 24, 2024, and subsequently on June 3, 2024, PG&E provided the Resource
Agency Group with a draft of this request. Comments from CDFW and USFWS were
received and are provided in enclosure 2. Resource Agency concurrence is also
provided in enclosure 2.
Conclusion
PG&E respectfully requests the above temporary flow variance to provide flexibility to
transfer the maximum amount of water through the DeSabla Forebay to Butte Creek
from the WBFR during the hottest part of the summer holding period for CVSRCS in
Butte Creek.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact PG&E’s senior license
coordinator, Megan Young, at (530) 335-5602.
Sincerely,
Matthew Joseph
Supervisor, Hydro License Management
Enclosures:
1. Redlined version of the BW-3 and Bw-40 MIF Variance Request
2. Agency Consultation Record
cc: See Attached List
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
June 12, 2024
Page 7
cc: via email w/enclosures
Tracy McReynolds (CDFW) – Tracy.McReynolds@wildlife.ca.gov,
Anna Allison (CDFW) – Anna.Allison@wildlife.ca.gov
Beth Lawson (CDFW) – Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov,
Grant Henley (CDFW) - Grantton.Henley@wildlife.ca.gov
Ellen McBride (NOAA Fisheries) – ellen.mcbride@noaa.gov
Allison Bosworth (NOAA Fisheries) Allison.bosworth@noaa.gov
Steve Edmondson (NOAA Fisheries) – steve.edmondson@noaa.gov,
Tristan Leong (USFS)– tristan.leong@usda.gov,
Brittany Reaves (USFWS) –brittany_reaves@fws.gov
Stephanie Millsap (USFWS) - Stephanie_Millsap@fws.gov
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
ENCLOSURE 1
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Power Generation
300 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 28209
Oakland, CA 94604
Mouthay XX, 2024
Via Electronic Submittal (E-Filing)
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
RE: DeSabla-Centerville Project, No. 803-CA
Gaging Stations BW-40 and BW-3
2024 Minimum Instream Flow Variance
Dear Secretary Reese,
This letter presents Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E’s) request for a
temporary variance from the minimum instream flow requirements at gaging stations
BW- 40 (Hendricks Head Dam) and BW-3 (Philbrook Reservoir), during the 2024
Central Valley Spring spring Run run Chinook Salmon salmon (CVSRCS;
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) holding period. Hendricks Head Dam and Philbrook
Reservoir are part of PG&E’s DeSabla-Centerville Project, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) No. 803. This requested variance would provide flexibility to PG&E
for the management of the cold-water storage in Philbrook Reservoir and flow
discharges from Hendricks Head Dam during the holding period of the CVSRCS.
PG&E developed the proposed variance in consultation with the California Department
of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United
States Forest Service (Forest Service), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
(hereafter referred to as Resource AgenciesGroup).
License Requirement
Project license Article 39 provides the minimum instream flow requirements for the
DeSabla-Centerville Project. For reference, Article 39 is pasted below in italics.
Licensee shall maintain a minimum pool volume of 250 acre -feet in Philbrook
Reservoir, except when releases from the 250 acre-feet minimum pool are
necessary to maintain minimum flows downstream of Philbrook Reservoir.
Further, Licensee shall discharge fro m the DeSabla-Centerville Project facilities
the following minimum instantaneous flows or inflow at points of diversion,
whichever is less.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 2
Volume of Discharge in cubic feet per second
(cfs) during normal and dry water years1
Point of Discharge Normal Dry2 Time Period3
Philbrook Reservoir 2.0 2.04
Hendricks Head Dam 15 7
These flows may be temporarily modified if required by operating emergencies
beyond the control of the Licensee, and for short periods upon mutual agreement
between the Licensee and the California Department of Fish and Game
Background
The Philbrook Reservoir storage (5,000 acre-feet) is utilized during the summer holding
period of CVSRCS to provide additional flow s to Butte Creek. Philbrook Reservoir is
located on the West Branch Feather River (WBFR) watershed. Flow released from
Philbrook Reservoir, along with other flow within the WBFR, are diverted into the
Hendricks Canal at the Hendricks Diversion Dam (figure 1). Depending on water
availability in the watershed, water diverted from the WBFR at the Hendricks Diversion
Dam can increase the total flow available in Butte Creek below DeSabla Powerhouse
up to 40% in July and through September.
In an effort toTo reduce potential temperature impacts, PG&E operates the project in
such a way as to reduce residency time within DeSabla Forebay (Forebay). This is
achieved by providing a minimum of 60 cfs to the forebay Forebay via Butte, Hendricks,
and Toadtown Canals.
In August 2023, Butte Canal sustained damage that removed the canal from service,
and it will remain out of service for the 2024 CVSRCS holding period. This will result in
decreased flows through the forebay. During this period the only source of flow through
the DeSabla Forebay is water diverted from the WBFR at the Hendricks Head Dam into
the Hendricks Canal. This variance request will help PG&E meet this target flow
through the forebay during the summer months.
1 Discharge is in cubic feet per second (cfs).
2 A dry water year is any 12-month period beginning May 1 in which the natural runoff of the Feather River at
Oroville for the April 1 to July 31 period, as forecast on April 1 by the State of California Department of Water
Resources, and as may be adjusted by the State on May 1, will be 50 percent of less of the average for such period as
computed by the State for the 50 -year period used at that time. If during a designated dry year, the February 1 or
later water year prediction indicates that dry year conditions no longer prevail, Licensee will resume normal year
flow releases immediately upon notification by the California Department of Fish and Game.
3 Unless otherwise noted, the time period is year-round.
4 When inflow to Philbrook Reservoir is less than 0.1 cfs, a minimum flow of at least 0.1 cfs shall be discharged.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 3
Figure 1- Locations of Philbrook Reservoir and He ndricks Head Dam
On April 8, 2024, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued The
April Bulletin 120 report. According to the report , the water year type for the DeSabla-
Centerville project Project will be “Normal”,. with an estimate of 101% which is above
normal. The availability of water in 2024 together with this variance should assist in
PG&E’s efforts to maintain 60 cfs of inflow into the Forebay.
Operations and Maintenance Plan
On August 21, 1997, the FERC issued an Order placing temperature restrictions (17º
Celsius at Round Valley and 18º Celsius at Philbrook) on the releases from these dams.
Commented [RC1]: I like this language.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 4
On August 20, 1998, the FERC revised its Order to allow for modification of the criteria
upon mutual agreement of NMFS, CDFW, and USFWS. An Operation and Maintenance
Plan and an annual meeting held ahead of the summer holding period are the
mechanisms by which PG&E consults with the agencies to gain mutual agreement on
releases from these dams. To advance collaboration, PG&E has also included the
SWRCB and USFS in this consultation process.
The population of CVSRCS in Butte Creek is the largest remaining population of this
threatened species in California. Under the annual Operations and Maintenance Plan,
PG&E coordinates an annual meeting pre-holding period and weekly conference calls
with the Resource Agencies during the CVSRCS’s holding period. These conference
calls occur from early June through mid -September (as needed). During these
conference calls, the Resource Group will discuss the results of pre -spawning mortality
surveys (if provided by CDFW or NMFS), meteorological forecasts, water temperatures
recorded by CDFW at Quartz Bowl Pool, flows, and storage in Philbrook Reservoir.
Proposed Variance
The proposed variance includes changing instantaneous minimum instream flow (MIF)
requirements to averaged MIFs (over 48 hours) at compliance points as listed in Table1
below. Once approved, PG&E would like to implement the temporary variance at the
Hendricks Head Dam (BW-40) beginning July 1, 2024, and complete the variance by
September 30, 2024. Once approved, PG&E would like to implement the variance at
Philbrook Reservoir (BW-3) as soon as approval is received and would complete the
variance by September 30, 2024.
Table 1: License required and variance request flows .
Compliance
Point
Requirement (cfs) without variance
Requested Flows for
variance
Hendricks
Head Dam
(BW-40)
Instantaneous Minimum Instream Flow
(MIF) of 15 cfs Normal WY, 7 cfs dry WY
Average MIF over 48 hour
– target between 15 and 7
cfs
Philbrook
Reservoir
(BW-3)
Instantaneous Minimum Instream Flow
(MIF) of 2 cfs Normal WY, 2 cfs dry WY
Average MIF over 48 hour –
target between 1 and 2
cfs
This variance will allow PG&E greater flexibility to operate around the MIFs while
staying compliant during short-lived drops in instream flow readings. The variance at the
Hendricks Head Dam will maximize the delivery of flows released from Philbrook
Reservoir to Butte Creek. All Philbrook released flows will be utilized instead of some
being used to buffer flow to meet instantaneous MIF requirements. With the
implementation of the proposed variance, flow through DeSabla Forebay will also be
increased. This increased flow will minimize heating effects within the Forebay, as much
as possible given the absence of Butte Canal flows through the Forebay. Heating is
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 5
caused by incident solar radiation and natural high air temperatures, especially during
heat storms of the summer holding period.
At the Philbrook Reservoir, this variance will allow greater flexibility to operate around
the MIFs while staying compliant during short-lived drops in release readings. In
addition, it will help PG&E retain as much storage as possible until it is needed for
releases to provide flow through the DeSabla Forebay and maximize flow to Butte
Creek during the hottest part of the summer CVSRCS holding period.
The following conditions will be in effect during the variance time frame:
1. Continue to hold weekly CVRCS meetings with Resource
AgenciesGroup
2. Decisions on when and how to implement the variance flows, as well
as any flow changes under this variance would be done in
consultation with PG&E staff and the Resource AgenciesGroup.
CDFW, USFWS, NMFS and PG&E staff will consult with any
proposed flow changes prior to implementing.
3. PG&E will maintain a 48-hour average MIF within the range listed in
Table 1 for each compliance point , as agreed upon with PG&E staff
and the CDFW, USFWS, and NMFS..
4. Monitor and provide weekly flow changes to the Resource Agencies
Group for gauging stations BW40 and BW3 during weekly CVRCS
Holding Period meetings.
5. Promptly notify the Resource Agencies Group of any event that
significantly inhibits or impairs the release structures from maintaining
a 48-hour average as listed in Table 1 for each compliance point.
Biological Impacts to CVSRCS
PG&E fisheries biologists have reviewed this variance proposal and believe that the
proposed flow changes would benefit the holding CVSRCS by maximizing the volume of
water that can be delivered to Butte Creek from the WBFR during periods especially
whenwhile the Butte Canal is offline.
The material informing this request include the following following information supports
this request:
• The holding pattern of adult CVSRCS since the Lower Centerville
Powerhouse was taken off-line (2011), has shifted to more of the population
holding in the upper reaches. It is expected that >95% of adults will hold in
the upstream four miles of habitat due to water temperatures. This
concentration of individuals increases the potential breakout of disease
among a larger portion of the holding population.
• The variance will help provide a larger volume of water through to Butte
Creek. This is important to minimize the effects of high ambient air
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 6
temperatures which drive water temperatures. Higher water temperatures
result in a higher potential and severity of a disease outbreak. This is
particularly true with an increase in population density.
• Increasing inflow from Hendricks Canal shortens the travel time through the
DeSabla Forebay thus, decreasing heating of water by minimizing exposure
to solar radiation. This minimizes the temperature of the water that enters
Butte Creek.
Agency Consultation
On April 3, 2024, PG&E hosted a meeting with the Resource Agency Group to discuss
the water management constraints and options for supporting the population of
CVSRCS during the summer holding period. This variance request supports PG&E’s
and the Resource Groups efforts of ensuring the availability of cold -water storage in
Philbrook Reservoir to support the population and minimizing water temperature
increases in the DeSabla Forebay.
On April 24, 2024, PG&E provided agencies with a draft of this request . Agency
concurrences are included in Enclosure 1.
Conclusion
PG&E respectfully requests the above temporary flow variance to provide flexibility to
transfer the maximum amount of water through the DeSabla Forebay to Butte Creek
from the WBFR during the hottest part of the summer holding period for CVSRCS in
Butte Creek.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact PG&E’s senior license
coordinator, Megan Young, at (530) 335-5602.
Sincerely,
Matt Joseph
Supervisor,
Enclosure:
1. Agency Concurrence
CC:
Tracy McReynolds (CDFW) – Tracy.McReynolds@wildlife.ca.gov,
Anna Allison (CDFW) – Anna.Allison@wildlife.ca.gov
Beth Lawson (CDFW) – Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov,
Grant Henley (CDFW) - Grantton.Henley@wildlife.ca.gov
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 7
Ellen McBride (NOAA Fisheries) – ellen.mcbride@noaa.gov
Allison Bosworth (NOAA Fisheries) Allison.bosworth@noaa.gov
Steve Edmondson (NOAA Fisheries) – steve.edmondson@noaa.gov,
Tristan Leong (USFS)– tristan.leong@usda.gov,
Brittany Reaves (USFWS) –brittany_reaves@fws.gov
Stephanie Millsap (USFWS) - Stephanie_Millsap@fws.gov
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Month XX, 2024
Page 8
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Public
Enclosure 2
Agency Consultation Record
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Agency Comment PG&E Resposne
CDFW Add State Water Resources Control Board?
Board issued a 401 cert in 2016 in support of the
relicensing effort that certification will not be in
effect until a new license is issued and an order
incorporates it into the license.
CDFW
our comments, CDFW does not believe this variance
alone will provide sufficient cold water supply for water
temperature management in the CVSRCS holding
reaches through the summer and recommends PG&E
implement additional actions as described in our April
30, 2024 letter to FERC.
significant changes to project assets and would
trigger regulatory authorizations and possibly
additional permiting. This is a timely process and
would not occur prior to the 2024 CVSRCS season.
USFWS
"Resource Group," so I recommend keeping it that way.
Noted, edit made
USFWS
included in last years' variance request
USFWS
USFWS
2024 DeSabla- Centerville BW-3 & BW-40 Variance Comment Matrix
#
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
From:Purdy, Colin@Wildlife
To:Lawson, Beth@Wildlife; Young, Megan; McReynolds, Tracy@Wildlife; Henley, Grantton@Wildlife; Allison,
Anna@Wildlife; Ellen McBride:; allison.bosworth; Steve Edmondson - NOAA Federal; Leong, Tristan -FS; Millsap,
Stephanie D; brittany_reaves@fws.gov; Daniella Hanacek - NOAA Federal
Cc:Reyes, Catalina; Cheslak, Edward; Joseph, Matthew; Ramirez-Doble, Sky
Subject:RE: P803- 2024 DeSabla-Centerville Minimum Instream Flow Variance
Date:Tuesday, June 4, 2024 4:25:57 PM
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Hi Megan,
Below is the Department’s (CDFW) response to Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E)
proposed flow variance for the DeSabla-Centerville Project (FERC P#803).
CDFW filed a letter with FERC on April 30, 2024 describing why CDFW staff strongly believe that with
the Butte Canal offline and reduced Philbrook Reservoir storage, the measures proposed within the
Operations and Maintenance Plan as well as the draft flow variance are likely not sufficient to prevent
additional heating in Butte Creek during the summer holding period this year as compared to
historical conditions. CDFW continues to recommend PG&E pursue some form of short-term
DeSabla Forebay temperature management (such as sheet piling walls or a temperature curtain)
during the summer of 2024 to minimize heating of water delivered to spring-run Chinook salmon
holding reaches in Butte Creek. In reply to CDFW comments on the draft variance request PG&E
stated that implementing temperature management actions in DeSabla Forebay “would require
significant changes to project assets and would trigger regulatory authorizations and possibly
additional permitting.” If this action will not be completed this year, CDFW encourages PG&E to start
work on potential DeSabla Forebay temperature management solutions and any necessary
permitting to implement this action as soon as possible.
CDFW staff understand that, at a minimum, the requested flow variance will help the Resource
Group work together to make timely water management decisions. Through this variance, the
Resource Group will be able to work collaboratively to better adjust flows below Hendricks Head
Dam and Philbrook Reservoir over the summer to quickly respond to conditions this summer in the
watershed. Therefore, CDFW agrees with PG&E’s proposed variance to the DeSabla-Centerville
FERC license conditions as written through September 30, 2024.
CDFW looks forward to continuing to work with your staff to best protect aquatic resources in the
project area given the current infrastructure constraints.
Thanks,
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Colin Purdy, M.S.
Environmental Program Manager - Fisheries
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, North Central Region
1701 Nimbus Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 I Office (916) 358-2943 I Cell (916) 704-2154 I Fax
(916) 358-2912
Colin.Purdy@wildlife.ca.gov
From: Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 3:30 PM
To: Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>; McReynolds, Tracy@Wildlife
<Tracy.McReynolds@wildlife.ca.gov>; Henley, Grantton@Wildlife
<Grantton.Henley@Wildlife.ca.gov>; Allison, Anna@Wildlife <Anna.Allison@wildlife.ca.gov>; Ellen
McBride: <ellen.mcbride@noaa.gov>; allison.bosworth <Allison.Bosworth@noaa.gov>; Steve
Edmondson - NOAA Federal <steve.edmondson@noaa.gov>; Leong, Tristan -FS
<tristan.leong@usda.gov>; Millsap, Stephanie D <stephanie_millsap@fws.gov>;
brittany_reaves@fws.gov; Daniella Hanacek - NOAA Federal <daniella.hanacek@noaa.gov>; Purdy,
Colin@Wildlife <Colin.Purdy@wildlife.ca.gov>
Cc: Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com>; Cheslak, Edward <EFC3@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew
<MWJA@pge.com>; Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>
Subject: RE: P803- 2024 DeSabla-Centerville Minimum Instream Flow Variance
I am replying to all and including Colin Purdy, our fisheries Environmental Program Manager so that he
may respond to this request.
From: Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 4:24 PM
To: McReynolds, Tracy@Wildlife <Tracy.McReynolds@wildlife.ca.gov>; Henley, Grantton@Wildlife
<Grantton.Henley@Wildlife.ca.gov>; Allison, Anna@Wildlife <Anna.Allison@wildlife.ca.gov>;
Lawson, Beth@Wildlife <Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov>; Ellen McBride: <ellen.mcbride@noaa.gov>;
allison.bosworth <Allison.Bosworth@noaa.gov>; Steve Edmondson - NOAA Federal
<steve.edmondson@noaa.gov>; Leong, Tristan -FS <tristan.leong@usda.gov>; Millsap, Stephanie D
<stephanie_millsap@fws.gov>; brittany_reaves@fws.gov; Daniella Hanacek - NOAA Federal
<daniella.hanacek@noaa.gov>
Cc: Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com>; Cheslak, Edward <EFC3@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew
<MWJA@pge.com>; Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>
Subject: P803- 2024 DeSabla-Centerville Minimum Instream Flow Variance
WARNING: This message is from an external source. Verify the sender and exercise caution when clicking links or
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
opening attachments.
Good afternoon all,
Attached for your review are the redlined and clean versions of the 2024 DeSabla-Centerville
minimum instream flow variance. In addition I’ve also attached the comment matrix. The redlined
version incorporates the edits and comments received from CDFW and USFWS.
If possible it would be greatly appreciated if concurrence could be sent as soon as possible so I can
get this request filed with FERC.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thanks so much,
Megan Young
Sr. Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
m: (530) 364-6009 | e: megan.young@pge.com
You can read about PG&E’s data privacy practices at PGE.com/privacy.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
From:William Foster - NOAA Federal
To:Young, Megan; steve.edmondson@noaa.gov; Ellen McBride - NOAA Federal
Subject:NMFS Concurrs with DeSabla/P803 flow variance
Date:Wednesday, June 12, 2024 10:30:20 AM
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Young, Megan (pge.com)2 more
The National Marine Fisheries Service supports the variance request as presented in the
“clean” version. We look forward to continuing our work together this upcoming holding
season!
Thanks
William E. Foster, M.S., Fishery Biologist
NOAA Fisheries, West Coast Region
California Central Valley Area Office
FERC Branch, Sacramento, CA
Cell: 916-844-9836
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
From:Reaves, Brittany L
To:Young, Megan; McReynolds, Tracy@Wildlife; Henley, Grantton@Wildlife; Allison, Anna@Wildlife;
Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov; Ellen McBride:; allison.bosworth@noaa.gov; steve.edmondson@noaa.gov; Leong,
Tristan -FS; Millsap, Stephanie D; Daniella Hanacek - NOAA Federal
Cc:Reyes, Catalina; Cheslak, Edward; Joseph, Matthew; Ramirez-Doble, Sky
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL] P803- 2024 DeSabla-Centerville Minimum Instream Flow Variance
Date:Tuesday, June 4, 2024 1:32:53 PM
Attachments:image001.png
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supports the variance request as presented in the “clean” version.
We look forward to continuing our work together this upcoming holding season!
Kind regards,
Brittany Reaves
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
(916) 930-5643
***********************
I am currently working part-time:
Monday – Wednesday
From: Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 4:24 PM
To: McReynolds, Tracy@Wildlife <Tracy.McReynolds@wildlife.ca.gov>; Henley, Grantton@Wildlife
<Grantton.Henley@wildlife.ca.gov>; Allison, Anna@Wildlife <Anna.allison@wildlife.ca.gov>;
Beth.Lawson@wildlife.ca.gov; Ellen McBride: <ellen.mcbride@noaa.gov>;
allison.bosworth@noaa.gov; steve.edmondson@noaa.gov; Leong, Tristan -FS
<tristan.leong@usda.gov>; Millsap, Stephanie D <stephanie_millsap@fws.gov>; Reaves, Brittany L
<brittany_reaves@fws.gov>; Daniella Hanacek - NOAA Federal <daniella.hanacek@noaa.gov>
Cc: Reyes, Catalina <CERh@pge.com>; Cheslak, Edward <EFC3@pge.com>; Joseph, Matthew
<MWJA@pge.com>; Ramirez-Doble, Sky <S9RV@pge.com>; Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] P803- 2024 DeSabla-Centerville Minimum Instream Flow Variance
This email has been received from outside of DOI - Use caution before clicking on links,
opening attachments, or responding.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Good afternoon all,
Attached for your review are the redlined and clean versions of the 2024 DeSabla-Centerville
minimum instream flow variance. In addition I’ve also attached the comment matrix. The redlined
version incorporates the edits and comments received from CDFW and USFWS.
If possible it would be greatly appreciated if concurrence could be sent as soon as possible so I can
get this request filed with FERC.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thanks so much,
Megan Young
Sr. Hydro License Coordinator | Power Generation
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
m: (530) 364-6009 | e: megan.young@pge.com
You can read about PG&E’s data privacy practices at PGE.com/privacy.
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024
Document Content(s)
PGE20240612_803 _MIF_Variance_Clean.pdf...................................1
Document Accession #: 20240613-5010 Filed Date: 06/13/2024