Project 2105 License Group (2105LG) Approved Meeting Summary
March 1 and March 4, 2004
Call to order: Patti Kroen, Facilitator at 9:00 a.m.
Attendees: See Attachment 1 for list of attendees. Prior to the March 1, 2004 meeting, Steven Schoenberg representing the FWS requested whether PG&E had a response to FWS’ proposed modification to the settlement agreement, or had any counterproposal, as discussed at the previous meeting of February 20th, 2004. Tom Jereb responded that he wished to take these matters up for discussion as they occurred, line-by-line, in the settlement review.
The following summary from the February 20, 2004, meeting notes summarizes the FWS presentation:
The FWS presentation consisted of two parts; a settlement proposal, and a list of items relating to their 10(j) filing which 2105LG participants could utilize alone or in combination to formulate a counterproposal.
FWS settlement proposal
· Defer the start of whitewater recreational pulse flows for 5 years (instead of 1 year as in the draft settlement), and conduct monitoring during the first 5 years to evaluate to evaluate biological responses the new instream flow schedule in the absence of whitewater effects.
Potential elements of counterproposal
Flow-related Measures
· Increase instream flows during Wet years in Seneca Reach and during Critically Dry years in Belden Reach
· Introduce one pulse flow in March of Dry years
· Consider operational changes to avoid unwanted Spring releases
Non-flow-related measures
· Conduct geomorphic monitoring every 5 years or one time after 20 years
· Conduct vegetation monitoring and test methods to control invasive plant species
· Conduct off-site vegetative enhancement, such as in Humbug Valley
· Conduct geomorphological manipulation of gravel bars
· Placement of large woody debris
· Increase fish monitoring activities
· Increase role of adaptive management
· Expand amphibian monitoring beyond the listed species
· Conduct additional wildlife monitoring
FWS emphasized that the extent of measures in any counterproposal need not match that provided in its 10(j) filing; that consideration would be given to the value of testing methods in a limited fashion, as opposed to the "do-nothing" approach to these topics.
During the ensuing review of the settlement document, FWS (Schoenberg) reiterated the both the modified settlement topics, and potential counterproposal topics, as applicable to the language of the document. In this discussion, no modifications were agreed and no counterproposals were made by other members of the 2105LG.
Boating triggers - FS distributed a proposal to base boating triggers on number of boats instead of boaters (Attachment 7) and discussed the varying capacities for this activity (social, facility, and ecological). PG&E noted that FS' proposal states that it is based on professional judgement only, and distributed the applicable section of PG&E's reply comments (Attachment 8) based on economics. There was subsequent discussion that the triggers may be flexible based on user surveys and resource professional studies. PG&E offered to accept the modified triggers but reduce the second day boating period from 6 to 4 hours. Whitewater interests and FS indicated their potential acceptance.
Emergency language - PG&E discussed the meaning and context of emergency as it appears in the draft settlement based on ISO language (Attachment 9).
Settlement Agreement Section Review and Resolution:
The 2105LG reviewed the 02-06-04 draft document from front to back and worked through participants’ comments during both the March 1 and the March 4, 2004 meetings. No formal notes were taken during these meetings but the results are reflected in the attached documents. At the close of the March 4th meeting, the 2105LG agreed that the draft was ready to forward to FERC with the cover letter reviewed and accepted. The 2105LG agreed to seek approval of the draft from their decision-makers and Bill Dennison offered to secure a location for a signing ceremony in April 2004.
The following are attachments to this summary (Attachments 2-6 provided as separate files):
Attachment 1 List of Attendees
Attachment 2 02-06-04 draft settlement agreement, redline/strikeout
Attachment 3 03-02-04 draft settlement agreement, redline/strikeout
Attachment 4 Revisions to Recreation Section from FS
Attachment 5 03-04-04 draft settlement agreement, redline/strikeout
Attachment 6 03/05/04 draft settlement agreement, clean (sent to FERC)
Attachment 7 FS Boating Trigger Proposal
Attachment 8 PG&E Response to FS Proposal
Attachment 9 Emergency Definition
Next Steps - Focus for Next Meeting:
The 2105LG agreed to seek approval of the draft from their decision-makers and Bill Dennison offered to secure a location for a signing ceremony in April 2004. Upcoming meeting dates and locations:
Date Location
March 19 2105LG Water Temperature To be determined.
April 22 2105LG Signing Ceremony Chester
Attachment 1: List of Attendees
March 1, 2004
Bill Dennison Plumas County Supervisor
Wayne Dyok MWH
John Gangemi (phone) AW
Robert Hughes CDFG
Tom Hunter Plumas County
Tom Jereb PG&E
Patti Kroen Kroen
Janet Loduca PG&E
Bruce McGurk (phone) PG&E
Mike Meinz CDFG
Jerry Mensch (phone) CSPA
John Mintz PG&E
Nancee Murray (phone) CDFG
Sue Norman (phone) USFS
Stuart Running PG&E
Steven Schoenberg FWS
Dave Steindorf Chico Paddleheads
Sharon Stohrer SWRCB
Mike Taylor USFS
Doug Weinrich FWS
Harry Williamson NPS
March 4, 2004
Bill Dennison Plumas County Supervisor
Wayne Dyok MWH
Jane Goodwin USFS
Robert Hughes CDFG
Tom Jereb PG&E
Patti Kroen Kroen
Janet Loduca PG&E
Bruce McGurk PG&E
John Mintz PG&E
Sue Norman (phone) USFS
Lisa Randle PG&E
Steven Schoenberg (phone) FWS
Terri Simon-Jackson USFS
Dave Steindorf Chico Paddleheads
Sharon Stohrer SWRCB
Mike Taylor USFS
Kathy Turner USFS