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Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning FERC Project No. 606 Technical Meeting

Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning FERC Project No. 606 Technical Meeting. May 16, 2007, 1-4 pm Red Lion Redding, CA. Agenda. Introductions/Review Agenda Overview of Project and Decommissioning Agreement Relicensing Studies BREAK Regulatory Permits Next Steps.

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Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning FERC Project No. 606 Technical Meeting

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  1. Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project Decommissioning FERC Project No. 606Technical Meeting May 16, 2007, 1-4 pm Red Lion Redding, CA

  2. Agenda • Introductions/Review Agenda • Overview of Project and Decommissioning Agreement • Relicensing Studies • BREAK • Regulatory Permits • Next Steps

  3. Meeting Process

  4. PG&E is Committed to Decommissioning the Project • Including: • Complying with the Project Agreement on Decommissioning • Returning diverted flow to the streams and transferring PG&E water rights to a resource agency or other entity to protect, preserve and/or enhance aquatic resources • Timely preparation of a Decommissioning Plan and Surrender Application • Timely implementation of the Decommissioning Plan following FERC approval of the Surrender Application

  5. Overview of Project and Decommissioning Agreement • Overview of Project • Project Agreement • Proposed Schedule for Decommissioning Process • Surrender Application Content and Process

  6. Overview of Project Primary Project Features • Cow Creek Development 1.8 MW • Located on South Cow Creek • Several Small Diversions • 2 Miles of Canal, Forebay, and Powerhouse • Kilarc Development 3.2 MW • Located on Old Cow Creek • Several Small Diversions • 3.5 Miles of Canal, Forebay, and Powerhouse

  7. Overview of Project Kilarc-Cow Creek Hydroelectric Project • Began Operating in 1904 and 1907 • Operated by PG&E • Licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) • Current FERC License Issued Feb. 1, 1980 • License Expired March 27, 2007 (operating on an annual license) • Project Relicensing Started 2001

  8. Overview of Project • Project Relicensing Began in 2001 • An Application for New License was required to be filed by March 27, 2005 • Economic Issues • Small 5 MW Project in two developments, old facilities with high maintenance for power generated • Anticipated significant increase in instream flow requirements and construction of fish passage facilities • Decommissioning within the “Project Agreement” framework was more economic than continuing to operate the project • Less costly replacement power available • Environmental Laws and Compliance Issues • Threatened Species (Steelhead) • Species of Concern (Fall- and Late Fall-Run Chinook Salmon, Yellow legged frogs)

  9. Overview of Project • In Early 2004 PG&E Decided To: • Interrupt relicensing the Project • Develop a Project Agreement to implement decommissioning, if no other entity relicensed the Project • Decision Based On: • Project economics • Anticipated new license conditions • Environmental benefits of decommissioning

  10. Project Agreement • Signed March 2005 • Agreement with State and Federal resource agencies and other stakeholders • U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service • California Department of Fish and Game • National Park Service • California State Water Resources Control Board • NOAA Fisheries • Friends of the River • Trout Unlimited • PG&E

  11. Project Agreement • PG&E agreed not to seek a new license • Identified “Subjects and Desired Conditions” that would be addressed if the Project was decommissioned • Upon decommissioning, transfer of PG&E water rights to other entity or agency to protect, preserve, and/or enhance aquatic resources • FERC has final approval authority over decommissioning

  12. Project Agreement What Happened After the Agreement Was Signed • PG&E filed Agreement and informed FERC of the decision not to relicense the Project (3/30/05) • FERC “Public Notice” that the license was available (4/7/05) • Several entities evaluated acquiring the license and Project, but ultimately did not file license application • PG&E filed the required Surrender Schedule with FERC on 3/23/07 • Next, FERC is expected to order PG&E to develop a decommissioning plan and file a Surrender Application within 2 years

  13. Proposed Schedule for Decommissioning Process • Filed Surrender Schedule with FERC– March 23, 2007 • Hold stakeholder meetings to identify issues and develop decommissioning plan– April 2007 through Oct 2007 • Conduct resource analysis in 2007 and 2008 • PG&E prepares Surrender Application- Jan 2008 – March 2009 • Surrender Application including Decommissioning Plan proposed to be filed with FERC by March 2009 • Upon approval of Decommissioning Plan by FERC, PG&E to implement plan

  14. Surrender Application Content and Process • FERC Regulatory Requirements • FERC Regulations Addressing Decommissioning 18 CFR part 6, and 18 CFR s. 16.25 • Surrender application • Must be filed in the same form and manner as the application for license • Must provide for disposition of any Project facility • Must comply with approved schedule • Must comply with the requirements of consultation

  15. Resource Study Areas • Hydrology • Developed and verified estimated hydrology • Estimate average monthly flow at each diversion • Water Quality and Water Temperature • All water samples were within Basin Plan objectives except 4 coliform samples (2 background) • Old Cow Creek Water Temperature below 20°C • Water entering Project on South Cow routinely above 20°C during summer/fall

  16. Resource Study Areas (cont.) • Sediment and Channel Stability • Channel banks stable • Sediment moves through system • Spawning gravel not reduced below diversions • Aquatic Habitat • Passage Barriers • 14 barriers on Old Cow Creek • 9 barriers on South Cow Creek

  17. Resource Study Areas (cont.) • Fish Population • Old Cow - Rainbow Trout, Sculpin, Brown Trout, Sacramento Pikeminnow • South Cow- Steelhead, Chinook salmon (Wagoner Canyon) • Resident fish in canals and both forebays • Wildlife Resources • No CRLF or VELB • FYLF (South Cow) • Northwestern Pond Turtle (Hooten Gulch) • Osprey, Golden Eagle (Kilarc Forebay)

  18. Resource Study Areas (cont.) • Historic, Archaeological, Cultural, Recreational, Land Management & Aesthetics • Kilarc and Cow Powerhouse eligible • No cultural properties identified • Recreation • Limited opportunities • Kilarc Forebay - picnicing and fishing • 84% from Shasta County

  19. BREAK

  20. Regulatory Permits Anticipated Permits • FERC Surrender Application • Army Corps of Engineer 404 • CDFG 1603 (Stream Bed Alteration) • Stormwater runoff permit (depending on size of deconstruction area) • County grading permits (depending on construction of temporary roads)

  21. Next Steps

  22. Project Area

  23. Project Schematic

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