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