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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.22.26 Board Correspondence - FW_ Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyFrom: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; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.; Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth Cc:Loeser, Kamie; Cannon, Jamie Subject:Board Correspondence - FW: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company Date:Tuesday, May 26, 2026 7:40:20 AM Please see Board Correspondence - Lewis Lee Administrative Technician - Confidential Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200 • Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3326 www.buttecounty.ca.gov | lelee@buttecounty.ca.gov -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 1:06 PM Subject: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-619-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company .ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying.. On 5/22/2026, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Docket(s): P-619-000 Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Filing Type: Environmental and Recreational Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report re the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project under P-619. To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_num=20260522- 5220__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!HFws13v3KUiVtEfNL_XHjLG4HIIn0SzzH7h_RHNEMAiWObqzlxa6jgFKy_gYZrSbQbxQAENy--eNfd_Ftr7nK8UDV_51JISYUw0Q$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: -eNfd_Ftr7nK8UDV_51JGT0Dd8X$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!HFws13v3KUiVtEfNL_XHjLG4HIIn0SzzH7h_RHNEMAiWObqzlxa6jgFKy_gYZrSbQbxQAENy-- eNfd_Ftr7nK8UDV_51JDqYOGT6$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. Power Generation 300 Lakeside Drive Oakland, CA 94612 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 28209 Oakland, CA 94604 May 22, 2026 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: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 619-CA Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report, 2025 Dear Secretary Reese: This letter presents the 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 619. FERC issued a new license for the Bucks Creek Project on June 16, 2022. License Article 401(a) requires the licensees implement plans required by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) conditions and U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s (“Forest Service”) section 4(e) conditions with the Commission. WQC Condition 16 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 42 require the Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Management Plan (Plan). The Plan requires the licensees conduct monitoring and file a final report with FERC by May 31. PG&E provided a Draft 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report to the Forest Service, SWRCB, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by email on February 12, 2026. Over 30 days was allowed for review and comment. Comments were received from the CDFW, with PG&E’s responses provided as Attachment C in Enclosure 1. The final 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report is provided as (Enclosure 1). Documentation of agency consultation is included as (Enclosure 2). For questions, please contact Trevor Moore, senior license coordinator for PG&E, at (530) 205-7345. Sincerely, Trevor Moore Senior Hydroelectric License Coordinator Enclosures: 1. 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report, prepared by PG&E 2. Consultation Documentation Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Enclosure 1 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 1 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara SIERRA NEVADA YELLOW-LEGGED FROG MANAGEMENT PLAN Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2025 1 LICENSE REQUIREMENTS To protect the federally endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) and its critical habitat, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the City of Santa Clara (the Licensees) developed the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project FERC (No. 619) Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog Management Plan (Plan; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019) in coordination with resource agencies and have completed formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the potential for the Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project (Project) to impact this species. As agreed with the resource agencies and required by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Forest Service) 4(e) Condition No. 32, the Licensees have sealed off Milk Ranch Conduit No. 8 resulting in unimpaired flows to Bear Ravine downstream of the diversion. The Licensees are now implementing the Plan that includes measures to protect the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and its habitat during Project operations and maintenance (O&M) activities in areas above elevation 4,500 feet and to monitor for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog in waters specified in the Plan. 2 MONITORING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Plan is to define protection measures for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs and their suitable habitat that will be implemented by the Licensees during Project O&M activities at Project facilities, recreation sites (e.g., campgrounds, day use areas), and construction activity sites above elevation 4,500 feet. The Plan objectives include descriptions of: 1. Management measures and actions intended to avoid or minimize potential effects of Project O&M activities and planned construction activities on Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs. 2. Required monitoring activities for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs during the License term. 3 MONITORING SITES AND FREQUENCY Two of the 10 Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites, BR-1 (Bear Ravine downstream of Three Lakes Road) and BR-2 (Bear Ravine upstream of Three Lakes Road), were surveyed in 2025 (Table 1, Figure 1). To the extent possible, monitoring sites extents were the same as in previous monitoring years (i.e., 2023 and 2024) and relicensing studies (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016, 2018). As detailed in the Plan, these two sites are scheduled to be surveyed in License Years 1–3, regardless of the water year type, and surveys at the other eight monitoring sites will target a Wet and a Dry year in the first 10 License Years. The water year type in 2023 (License Year 1) was Wet, and surveys were conducted at all 10 Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites. The water year type in 2024 (License Year 2) was Normal and in 2025 was Wet (License Year 3); therefore, surveys were only conducted at monitoring sites BR-1 and BR-2 in Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 2 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 2024 and 2025. The monitoring frequency and schedule for each site over the term of the license are detailed in the Plan (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019). Table 1. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring site locations, 2025. General Area Site ID Location Description Location Coordinates (decimal degrees) Upstream Downstream Three Lakes Road BR-11 Bear Ravine downstream of Three Lakes Road 39.91583, -121.226671 39.915273, -121.231287 BR-21 Bear Ravine upstream of Three Lakes Road 39.91829, -121.221360 39.915782, -121.226596 1 Site is within Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog critical habitat. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 1. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring site locations. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 4 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 4 METHODS 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys During the 2025 monitoring year, three focused diurnal visual encounter surveys (VES) were conducted: one breeding-season survey (after snowmelt and after frogs emerged for breeding), one mid-season survey, and one late-season survey. Exact dates were determined based on environmental conditions for the year (e.g., snowpack, snowmelt, temperature, and accessibility). Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag 1 scans and chin photos were taken for each captured Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog. Data on sex and snout-to-urostyle length (SUL) was also collected for each captured individual. Appropriate resource agencies were notified approximately 2 weeks in advance of the survey dates. VES were performed in all safely accessible and permissible areas within each site following protocols outlined in the Protocol for Amphibian and Reptile Visual Encounter Surveys at Monitoring Sites (CDFW 2017). Any incidental observations of aquatic invasive species (AIS), especially bullfrog and crayfish, were recorded during all surveys. Survey datasheets included a checklist of the AIS species outlined in the Plan (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019). 4.2 Environmental DNA Sampling Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (eDNA) sampling was conducted at one location near the downstream end of each monitoring site surveyed in 2025 (listed in Table 1), during the late- season survey. Samples were analyzed for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA (using the published assay from Bedwell 2018), the nuisance algae Didymo (Didymosphenia geminate; using the published assay from Cary et al. 2014), and the following AIS (parenthetical citations are the published assay used for analysis): • Myxobolus cerebralis (myxosporean parasite that causes whirling disease; Barry et al. 2021) • Ceratonova shasta (myxosporean parasite; Hallett and Bartholomew 2006) • Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (myxosporean parasite that causes proliferative kidney disease [or PKD]; Hutchins et al. 2017) • Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (parasitic ciliated protozoan that causes white spot; Hu et al. 2022) • Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd or chytrid fungus that causes chytridiomycosis; Boyle et al. 2004) • Iridoviridae sp. (ranavirus or frog virus 3; Leung et al. 2017) 1 For the past several years, Forest Service and CDFW personnel have been marking adult Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frogs in the Bear Ravine drainage with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Therefore, each captured Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog was scanned for a PIT tag and chin photos were also taken as a non-invasive identification method (Marlow et al. 2016). Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 5 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara At each site, biologists collected four eDNA samples (i.e., filters) from near the water’s surface and filtered at least 4 liters of water combined (Bedwell and Goldberg 2020). Biologists used 0.45-micrometer Millipore SterivexTM filters and a peristaltic pump to collect all eDNA samples in situ (Bergman et al. 2016, Blankenship and Schumer 2022). To prevent contamination, eDNA samples were collected prior to the VES, and surveyors wore single-use latex gloves. Negative controls were sampled daily by filtering 0.5 liter of distilled water prior to sample collection. Laboratory personnel followed best practices for eDNA extraction and created and analyzed an extraction negative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) negative with every extraction batch and qPCR plate (Miya et al. 2016). Samples were analyzed in triplicate and with an internal positive control to ensure samples were not inhibited (i.e., a negative result signified DNA was not detected, not an indication of a failed qPCR reaction). 4.3 Data Processing Maps were prepared showing the locations of target species encountered during the VES. Presence information and total counts of individuals are summarized in Section 5, Results. 5 RESULTS 5.1 Current Monitoring Year 5.1.1 Visual Encounter Surveys Biologists conducted VES on June 4, July 17, and August 20, 2025. Throughout monitoring, survey conditions were ideal—sunny, clear skies and little to no wind. Air temperatures ranged from 20.0 to 24.6 degrees Celsius (°C), and water temperatures ranged from 11.2 to 17.2°C. Representative photos of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring sites in 2025 are provided in Attachment A. Survey dates, air and water temperatures, and weather conditions during monitoring in 2025 are included in Attachment B. Eleven adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed at site BR-2 in 2025, ten of which were captured, and seven identified as individual frogs using chin photos or PIT-tag readings (Table 2; Figures 2–3). Two frogs, Frog Identification (ID) Number (No.) 1 and No. 3 (PIT-tag No. 982091062997646), were recaptured during all three surveys in 2025 (Table 2), the remaining individuals were only observed once. Photos of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs observed in 2025 are included in Attachment A. No other life stages of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed in 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 6 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 2. Location, morphometric data, and habitat conditions for Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations, 2025. Frog ID Number; Date Location Life Stage, 1 Measurement (snout– urostyle BR-2 1; None 6/4 -121.22596 39.91560 Adult, Female 72 Plunge pool, downstream of cascade, water temperature was 14°C 7/17 -121.22459 39.91600 76 Cobble in cascade, water temperature was 15°C 8/20 -121.22437 39.916025 73 Step pool, ND for water temperature 2; None 6/4 -121.22444 39.91606 Adult, Female 80 Tiny plunge pool on river right, downstream of small cascade, water temperature was 14°C 3; 982091062997646 6/4 -121.22365 39.91675 Adult, Female 75 Woody debris in middle of cascade, water temperature was 15°C 7/17 -121.22312 39.91716 77 Riffle, basking under log, water temperature was 17°C 8/20 -121.22248 39.91741 82 Cascade, ND for water temperature 4; None 6/4 -121.22203 39.91767 Adult, Unk2 ND Cascade, water temperature was 14°C 5; None 6/4 -121.22174 39.91790 Adult, Female 74 Riffle upstream of low flow pool, water temperature was 15°C 7; 982091062788423 8/20 -121.22196 39.91775 Adult, Male 69 Cascade, ND for water temperature Incidental 63; 982091062997879 6/4 -121.22124 39.91911 Adult, Female 66 Low gradient cascade, water temperature was 15°C Notes: °C – degrees Celsius; mm – millimeter; ND – no data; PIT – Passive Integrated Transponder; Unk - unknown 1 If adult sized, sex determinations were made in the field based on secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., nuptial pads). 2 Individual was not captured. 3 Individual was observed upstream of the monitoring site. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 7 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 2. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations at site BR-2, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 8 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 3. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs observed at site BR-2 on June 4 (top) and July 17 (bottom), 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 9 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.1.2 Environmental DNA Surveys During the August 20, 2025, survey, biologists collected eDNA samples at the downstream end of monitoring sites BR-1 and BR-2. As was done in 2024, four filters were collected per site (totaling 4 liters of filtered water), rather than 2 liters as done in 2023. The laboratory requested this change to have sufficient sample size for processing eight assays. The laboratory used two filters to analyze four assays and the remaining two filters to analyze the remaining four assays. No DNA of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, Didymo, or any of the six AIS were detected in the samples collected in 2025 (Table 3). During laboratory analysis, none of the samples showed signs of inhibition, and all the negative control samples (including extraction negative and qPCR negative) tested negative. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 10 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 3. Environmental DNA sites, number of samples collected, and total volume filtered for detection of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog and Aquatic Invasive Species, 2025. eDNA Samples Collected Total Volume Filtered eDNA detected Ra n a s i e r r a e ( - ) Di d y m o s p h e n i a ge m i n a t e di s e a s e ) Ce r a t o n o v a sh a s t a Te t r a c a p s u l o i d e s br y o s a l m o n a e ( ) Ic h t h y o p h t h i r i u s mu l t i f i l i i s (w h i t e s p o t ) Ba t r a c h o c h y t r i u m de n d r o b a t i d i s Ir i d o v i r d a e sp . BR-1 4 4 No No No No No No No No BR-2 4 4 No No No No No No No No Notes: eDNA – environmental deoxyribonucleic acid n – number Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 11 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.2 Comparison with Past Monitoring Years Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations at site BR-2 in 2025 were similar to observations made during relicensing studies (i.e., 2017) and in past monitoring years (i.e., 2023, 2024) and are summarized in Table 4. However, the species was also previously observed at site BR-1 in 2017 during relicensing studies (two individuals, PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018) and in 2024 (one individual, PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2025), but no observations were made at site BR-1 in 2023 or 2025. The distribution of frog observations in Bear Ravine (sites BR-1 and BR-2) during monitoring years (i.e., 2023, 2024, 2025) is displayed in Figure 4. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 12 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table 4. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations (VES) or detections (eDNA) at monitoring sites. License and Calendar Year Relicensing 1 2 3 BR-1 VES ●1 ○ ● ○ eDNA ●1 ○ ○ ○ BR-2 VES ●1 ● ● ● eDNA ●1 ● ● ○ SFGHC-1 VES ○1,2 ○ -- -- eDNA ○1,2 ○ -- -- GC-3 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- GC-4 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- HC-1 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- BC-2 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- RBMC-1 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- MFMC-1 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- MC-1 VES ○3 ○ -- -- eDNA -- ○ -- -- Notes: ● – observation or detection; ○ – no observation or detection; -- – no survey conducted; eDNA – environmental deoxyribonucleic acid; VES – visual encounter survey 1 Relicensing studies at this site included three visual surveys and two separate eDNA sampling events in 2017 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018). 2 VESs on South Fork Grouse Hollow Creek in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021 in preparation for repairing Milk Ranch Creek Diversion No. 3; this monitoring included three separate visual surveys (each year) and eDNA sampling in 2017 and 2021 with no observations or detections (PG&E 2018, unpublished data [2021]). A preconstruction survey and eDNA sampling were also conducted in 2024 with no observations or detections. 3 Relicensing studies at this site included three VESs in 2015 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2016). Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 13 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 4. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog observations at sites BR-1 and BR-2 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 14 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Two of the frogs captured in 2025, Frog ID No. 1 and No. 6, were observed during monitoring surveys in previous years. By matching chin markings, biologists were able to identify that Frog ID No. 1 was originally captured at site BR-1 in 2024 during the June 5 monitoring survey (Figure 4; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2025). In 2024, this individual had a SUL of 60 millimeters (mm), while in 2025, the frog measured between 72 and 76 mm (Table 2). Figure 5. Chin photos of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Frog ID No. 1) in June 2024 (top left), June 2025 (top right), July 2025 (bottom left), and August 2025 (bottom right). Forest Service-inserted PIT-tags were also used to track individuals over multiple years or monitoring surveys. Frog ID No. 6 (PIT-tag No. 982091062997879) was originally captured and tagged (by the Forest Service) at site BR-2 in 2023 during PG&E’s June 28 monitoring survey (Figure 6; PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2024). This individual was recaptured by the Forest Service in 2023 (July 23 and September 19) and in 2024 (June 24). At the last recapture, the frog measured 55 mm (K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms, July 23, 2025). Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 15 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure 6. Chin photos of a Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Frog ID No. 6) observed in June 2023 (left) and June 2025 (right) at site BR-2 (Bear Ravine). Frog ID No. 3 (PIT-tag No. 982091062997646) was observed during all monitoring surveys in 2025. This frog was originally tagged in Bear Ravine by the Forest Service on June 24, 2024, and had a SUL of 68 mm (K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms, July 23, 2025); this frog measured between 75 and 82 mm during monitoring surveys in 2025 (Figure 7 and Table 2). Figure 7. Chin photos of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Frog ID No. 3) in June (left), July (middle), and August (right) at site BR-2, 2025. Frog ID No. 7 (PIT-tag No. 982091062788423) was observed on August 20, 2025, and was originally tagged in Bear Ravine by the Forest Service in June 2024 (K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms, November 21, 2025). Based on Forest Service’s records, this was the first recapture of the individual. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 16 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara 5.3 Incidental Observations of Non-Target Species Non-target herpetofauna observed during monitoring in 2025 are listed in Table 5, and select photographs are included in Figure 6. No American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), fish, or crayfish were observed during surveys in 2025. Table 5. Non-target species observed during monitoring, 2025. Site ID Location Description Species Life Stage(s) BR-1 Bear Ravine downstream of Three Lakes Road Sierran treefrog (Pseudacris sierra) Adult BR-2 Bear Ravine upstream of Three Lakes Road Frog1 (unknown species) Adult Garter snake (Thamnophis sp.) Adult 1 A confident identification of the species was not able to be made, the frog was observed at a distance and jumped into the diversion pool and was unable to be found. Figure 8. Sierran treefrog observed at site BR-1 (Bear Ravine) on July 17, 2025. 6 DISCUSSION A small population of adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs have been consistently detected in Bear Ravine. Biologists observed one to two individuals per survey effort during the 2017 relicensing studies (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2018), two individuals per survey effort in 2023 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 17 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2024), seven individuals per survey effort in 2024 (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2025), and seven individuals per survey effort in 2025. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are likely using Bear Ravine as dispersal and/or foraging habitat. The survey sites are in a steep section of stream with limited areas suitable for breeding (i.e., deep pools that provide refuge for tadpoles over the winter). In all surveys conducted from 2013 to 2025, only adults (i.e., post-metamorphic frogs greater than 40 mm SUL) were observed, and no evidence of breeding (i.e., tadpoles or egg masses) was found. Breeding may occur in the lower-gradient headwaters of Bear Ravine. Forest Service personnel have detected Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog metamorphs at Cape Lake (three individuals observed in early fall 2022; K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms). Therefore, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs may at least occasionally breed at Cape Lake. In 2025, eDNA sampling did not detect Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog DNA at either site BR-2 or site BR-1 (upstream and downstream of the Three Lakes Road, respectively). However, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs were observed upstream of the collection site during the VES conducted following eDNA collection at site BR-2. The Plan states that the effectiveness of eDNA sampling compared with VESs will be evaluated after 10 years following license issuance, and that the Licensees may then revise sampling methodologies in collaboration with the resource agencies. As directed in the Plan, all monitoring sites (except the two Bear Ravine sites [BR-1 and BR-2]) will be surveyed once more prior to the end of License Year 10, targeting a Dry water year (PG&E and City of Santa Clara 2019). Monitoring in Bear Ravine (sites BR-1 and BR-2) will be conducted twice within a 6-year period (License Years 6–12), targeting one Dry and one Wet water year. Biologists will continue to collect eDNA samples at monitoring sites concurrently with scheduled surveys. 7 VARIANCES FROM MONITORING PLAN There were no variances from the Plan in 2025. 8 RECOMMENDATIONS OR PLAN REVISIONS No recommendations or Plan revisions are proposed at this time. 9 REFERENCES Barry, D.E., M. Veillard, C.T. James, L. Brummelhuis, E.A. Pila, A. Turnbull, A. Oddy-van Oploo, X. Han, and P.C. Hanington. 2021. qPCR-based environmental monitoring of Myxobolus cerebralis and phylogenetic analysis of its tubificid hosts in Alberta, Canada. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 145: 119–137. Bedwell, M.E. 2018. Using genetic tools to investigate distribution and connectivity of two Sierra Nevada amphibians, Rana sierrae and Rana boylii. Thesis. Washington State University, Pullman, WA. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page 18 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Bedwell, M.E. and C.S. Goldberg. 2020. Spatial and temporal patterns of environmental DNA detection to inform sampling protocols in lentic and lotic systems. Ecology and Evolution 10(3): 1602–1612. Bergman, P.S., G. Schumer, S. Blankenship, and E. Campbell. 2016. Detection of Adult Green Sturgeon Using Environmental DNA Analysis. PLOS ONE. April 20;114:e0153500. Blankenship, S. and G. Schumer. 2022. Field collection procedure for aquatic environmental DNA sample collection and analysis. Cramer Fish Sciences - Genidaqs, West Sacramento, CA. Boyle, D.G., D.B. Boyle, V. Olsen, J.A.T. Morgan, and A.D. Hyatt. 2004. Rapid quantitative detection of chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibian samples using real-time Taqman PCR assay. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 60(2): 141–148. Cary, S.C., K.J. Coyne, A. Rueckert, S.A. Wood, S. Kelly, C.E.C. Gemmill, C. Vieglais, and B.J. Hicks. 2014. Development and validation of a quantitative PCR assay for the early detection and monitoring of the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata. Harmful Algae 36: 63–70. CDFW (California Department of Fish and Wildlife). 2017. Protocol for amphibian and reptile visual encounter surveys at monitoring sites. Version 3. Updated summer 2017, ICC. Hallett, S.L. and J.L. Bartholomew. 2006. Application of a real-time PCR assay to detect and quantify the myxozoan parasite Ceratomyxa shasta in river water samples. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 71: 109–118. Hu, G., K. Huang, W. Zhou, R. Wang, W. Zhao, H. Zou, W. Li, S. Wu, M. Li, and G. Wang. 2022. Comparison of droplet digital PCR and real-time quantitative PCR for quantitative detection of the parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in the water environment. Journal of Fish Diseases 46: 357–367. Hutchins, P.R., A.J. Sepulveda, R.M. Martin, and L.R. Hopper. 2017. A probe-based quantitative PCR assay for detecting Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in fish tissue and environmental DNA water samples. Conservation Genetics Resource 10: 317–319. Leung, W.T.M., L. Thomas-Walters, T.W.J. Garner, F. Balloux, C. Durrant, and S.J. Price. 2017. A quantitative-PCR based method to estimate ranavirus viral load following normalisation by reference to an ultraconserved vertebrate target. Journal of Virological Methods 249: 147–155. Marlow, K.R., K.D. Wiseman, C.A. Wheeler, J.E. Drennan, R.E. Jackman. 2016. Identification of individual foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) using chin pattern photographs: a non-invasive and effective method for small population studies. Herpetological Review. 47(2): 193-198. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page 19 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Miya, M., T. Minamoto, H. Yamanaka, S.I. Oka, K. Sato, S. Yamamoto, T. Sado, and H. Doi. 2016. Use of a filter cartridge for filtration of water samples and extraction of environmental DNA. Journal of Visualized Experiments 117, p.e54741. PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric Company). 2018. Biological assessment in support of Section 7 Consultation with USFWS. Rebuild Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion No. 3 Pipeline Project, FERC Project No. 619 PG&E (unpublished data). 2021. Results of Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog VES and eDNA sampling for Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion #3 Repair Project. Prepared by Garcia and Associates. July 28, 2021. PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric) and City of Santa Clara. 2016. Final License Application. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619. December. PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2018. Technical Memorandum (TM-42) Sierra Nevada yellow- legged frog surveys along Milk Ranch Conduit tributaries. FERC Project No. 619. May. PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2019. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog management plan. Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619. September. PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2024. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring report 2023. FERC Project No. 619. March. PG&E and City of Santa Clara. 2025. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring report 2024. FERC Project No. 619. March. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT A REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF MONITORING SITES AND OBSERVED SIERRA NEVADA YELLOW-LEGGED FROGS Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-1. Site BR-1 (Bear Ravine downstream of Three Lakes Road), at various locations and during various survey conditions in 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-4 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-2. Site BR-2 (Bear Ravine upstream of Three Lakes Road), at various locations and during various survey conditions in 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-5 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-3. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (72 mm; Frog ID No. 1) and habitat at site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-6 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-4. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (80 mm; Frog ID No. 2) and habitat at site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-7 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-5. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (75 mm; Frog ID No. 3) and habitat at site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-8 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-6. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (uncaptured; Frog ID No. 4) and habitat at site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-9 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-7. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (74 mm; Frog ID No. 5) and habitat at site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-10 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-8. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (66 mm; Frog ID No. 6) incidental observation upstream of site BR-2, June 4, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-11 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-9. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (76 mm; Frog ID No. 1) and habitat at site BR-2, July 17, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-12 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-10. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (77 mm; Frog ID No. 3) and habitat at site BR-2, July 17, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-13 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-11. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (73 mm; Frog ID No. 1) and habitat at site BR-2, August 20, 2025 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 Page A-14 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-12. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (82 mm; Frog ID No. 3) and habitat at site BR-2, August 20, 2025 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page A-15 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Figure A-13. Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (69 mm; Frog ID No. 7) and habitat at site BR-2, August 20, 2025. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT B SURVEY DATES, AIR AND WATER TEMPERATURES, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page B-3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table B-1. Survey dates, start and end time, and environmental conditions during Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog monitoring, 2025. Site ID Site Location Survey Date (2025) Time (24-hour) Start Temperature (°C) End Temperature (°C) Weather Condition (cloud cover, wind) Start End Air Water Air Water BR-1 Bear Ravine downstream of Three Lakes Road 6/04 10:20 11:52 20.4 11.2 20.3 12.4 Clear, light wind 7/17 10:13 11:42 23.1 13.1 22.8 13.7 Clear, light wind 8/20 10:38 12:03 ND ND ND ND Clear, no wind BR-2 Bear Ravine upstream of Three Lakes Road 6/04 12:24 16:01 21.6 12.9 20.0 15.0 Clear, light wind 7/17 12:17 15:11 20.4 14.1 24.6 17.2 Clear, light wind 8/20 12:29 15:37 ND ND ND ND Clear, no wind Notes: °C – degrees Celsius ND – no data available Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara ATTACHMENT C COMMENT RESPONSE MATRIX Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric May 2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara This Page Intentionally Left Blank Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page C-3 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Table C-1. Record of agency comments and responses on the Bucks Creek Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog Monitoring Report 2025. Section Page Commentor (Agency) Comment Response 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys 4 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Your staff are not PIT-tagging any frogs, correct? Assuming that's the case: to clarify, please change this to "For the past several years, U.S. Forest Service and CDFW personnel have been marking adult Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs in the Bear Ravine drainage with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Therefore, each captured Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog was scanned for a PIT tag and chin photos were also taken as a non-invasive identification method (Marlow et al. 2016)." Adopted suggested language as a footnote to the referenced sentence. 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys 4 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Add "Data on sex and snout-to-urostyle length (SUL) was collected from all Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs captured." I'm assuming you don't collect weights. However, if you do (but just don't report those data in Table 2), please add that to this sentence, too. Adopted. 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys 4 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Comment with full Marlow et al. 2016 citation added to References. Adopted. 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys 4 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) This is fine (it's just our basic VES protocol), but we do have a newer version of this protocol that includes recording time-to-detection information for some species and life stages. (We now use Survey123, and I have a separate, more in-depth protocol for using those data forms.) I'm including those versions (circa 2022, Version 4) in my reply to Mike Maher, just so you folks have them on hand, if you'd like them for reference. Incorporating TTD info is very fast and easy, and the information can be incorporated into occupancy models. Newer version of the protocol will be implemented and referenced in future monitoring years. Incorporation of time till detection (TTD) will be updated in our field data collection methods. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Page C-4 March 2025 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Section Page Commentor (Agency) Comment Response 4.1 Visual Encounter Surveys 4 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) The Department now has a bullfrog observation reporting form. This is a recent release, and was cooked up by colleagues Ryan Peek, Ryan Bourque, and Ken Morefield (GIS lead for CDFW Region 1). You can use the link below to open Survery123 via a web browser. If you all spot any bullfrogs during these surveys, please enter those records into the reporting form. (It's very quick and easy.) If you have any trouble with the form, please reach out to me (isaac.chellman@wildlife.ca.gov). https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/a9ffc04db86e41a19e550f8be00a2 3ab Acknowledged. 5.2 Comparison with Past Monitoring Years 11 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) "...at site BR-1..." Adopted. 5.2 Comparison with Past Monitoring Years 14 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Just abbreviate "SUL" Adopted. 5.2 Comparison with Past Monitoring Years 15 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Just abbreviate "SUL" Adopted. 6 Discussion 17 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Add a period after "...Bear Ravine," then please add "U.S. Forest Service personnel have detected Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog metamorphs at Cape Lake (three individuals observed in early fall 2022; K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms). Therefore, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs may at least occasionally breed at Cape Lake." Adopted with updates for consistency. Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 May 2026 Page C-5 Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 ©2026, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the City of Santa Clara Section Page Commentor (Agency) Comment Response 6 Discussion 17 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Add a period after "...Bear Ravine," then please add "U.S. Forest Service personnel have detected Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog metamorphs at Cape Lake (three individuals observed in early fall 2022; K. Weintraub, Forest Service, pers comms). Therefore, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs may at least occasionally breed at Cape Lake." Adopted with updates for consistency. 7 References 17 Isaac Chellman (CDFW) Please add "Marlow, K.R., K.D. Wiseman, C.A. Wheeler, J.E. Drennan, and R.E. Jackman. 2016. Identification of individual Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs (Rana boylii) using chin pattern photographs: a non-invasive and effective method for small population studies. Herpetological Review 47:193-198. Adopted. Notes: CDFW – California Department of Fish and Wildlife SUL – Snout-to-urostyle length TTD – time to detection Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Enclosure 2 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 From:Visinoni, Jamie To:"Michael.maher@wildlife.ca.gov"; "aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov"; "Muro, Bryan@Waterboards"; "Heard, Colleen - FS, CA" Cc:"Kurt Sable"; "Alvarez, Dawn - FS, CA"; "Brenzovich, Erika -FS"; "Fisch, Nathan@Waterboards"; Young, Megan; Wise Jr., Larry; Herman, Andie; Moore, Trevor Subject:Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 619 – 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow‑legged Frog Monitoring Report Date:Thursday, February 12, 2026 12:00:00 PM Attachments:00_SNYLF_2025_Bucks_Agency Draft_Total-r.pdf image001.png Hello Resource Agencies, This email presents the Draft 2025 Sierra Nevada Yellow‑legged Frog Monitoring Report for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) and the City of Santa Clara’s Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 619. FERC issued a new license for the Bucks Creek Project on June 16, 2022. License Article 401(a) requires implementation of resource protection plans required by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 401 Water Quality Certification conditions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service section 4(e) conditions. WQC Condition 16 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 42 require implementation of the Sierra Nevada Yellow‑legged Frog (SNYLF) Management Plan. In accordance with the approved SNYLF Management Plan, PG&E began implementing the Plan in License Year 1 (2023). The attached Draft 2025 Monitoring Report documents the results of SNYLF monitoring conducted during the 2025 monitoring year. Please provide any comments on the draft report by March 16, 2026 (30+ days from today), so that we are prepared to discuss any feedback during the annual consultation meetings. Thank you, Jamie Visinoni Hydro License Project Manager | Power Generation m: (530) 215-6676 | e: jnvs@pge.com From: Visinoni, Jamie Sent: Friday, January 16, 2026 10:12 AM To: 'Michael.maher@wildlife.ca.gov' <Michael.maher@wildlife.ca.gov>; 'aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov' <aondrea_bartoo@fws.gov>; Muro, Bryan@Waterboards <bryan.muro@waterboards.ca.gov>; Heard, Colleen - FS, CA <colleen.heard@usda.gov> Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Cc: Moore, Trevor <TQMI@pge.com>; Kurt Sable <kurt.sable@usda.gov>; Alvarez, Dawn - FS, CA <dawn.alvarez@usda.gov>; Brenzovich, Erika -FS <erika.brenzovich@usda.gov>; Fisch, Nathan@Waterboards <nathan.fisch@waterboards.ca.gov>; Young, Megan <MRY2@pge.com>; Stephens, Dan <DPSK@pge.com>; Wise Jr., Larry <LMWO@pge.com>; Lent, Michelle <M4LQ@pge.com>; Stevens, Kevin <K3SN@pge.com> Subject: Bucks Creek Annual Hydrology Summary Report for Water Year 2025 Hello Forest Service, SWRCB, CDFW, and USFWS partners, Happy New Year! I am pleased to present the Draft 2025 Streamflow and Reservoir Gaging Report (Annual Hydrology Summary Report for Water Year 2025) for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Bucks Creek Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 619. FERC issued a new license for the Bucks Creek Project on June 16, 2022. License Article 401(c) requires the licensees to file compliance reports mandated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) conditions, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service’s section 4(e) conditions with the Commission. The Draft Streamflow and Reservoir Gaging Report (Annual Hydrology Summary Report) compiles and summarizes data required to meet the following SWRCB 401 WQC and Forest Service section 4(e) conditions: - WQC Condition 1 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 31: Annual Report on Minimum Instream Flow Compliance - WQC Condition 3 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 37: Annual Report on Drawdown of Three Lakes - WQC Condition 4 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 34: Annual Report on Channel Maintenance Flows - WQC Condition 13 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 39: Annual Report on Streamflow and Reservoir Level - WQC Condition 6 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 35: 5 Year Spill Management Report - WQC Condition 9 and Forest Service section 4(e) Condition No. 33: Milk Ranch Conduit Closure Report I have attached a comment response matrix for your convenience. Please provide any input on the draft report by March 2, 2026 (45 days), so that we can be fully prepared to discuss any comments during the annual Ecological Consultation Group meeting on March 25, 2026, and the Forest Service Consultation meeting on April 8, 2026. Thank you, Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Jamie Visinoni Hydro License Project Manager | Power Generation m: (530) 215-6676 | e: jnvs@pge.com Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026 Document Content(s) PGE20260522_619_Bucks_SNYLF_Report.pdf....................................1 Document Accession #: 20260522-5220 Filed Date: 05/22/2026