Upper North Fork Feather River Project
FERC Project No. 2105
Rationale Report for the Upper North Fork Feather River Relicensing Settlement Agreement
Draft Outline
September 19, 2005
APPENDIX A. Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement Measures Recommended to be Included in New Project License, Section 4(e) Conditions, and Other Mandatory License Conditions
Section 1. Streamflow Management
1. Minimum Streamflows.
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 14-18, 24
2. Streamflows in Lower Butt Creek.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 17
3. Pulse Flows in North Fork Feather River.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 18
4. Pulse Flows in Lower Butt Creek.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 17
5. Streamflow Measurement.
Suggested Rationale: Based on a review of the stability, location, and measurement ranges of NF-2 (below Canyon Dam, Seneca Reach) and NF-70 (below Belden Dam, Belden Reach), it was determined that the existing gages should continue to be used as the compliance points for measuring minimum streamflow releases and other prescribed river flows.
6. Ramping Rates.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 17-18
7. Belden Block Loading.
Suggested Rationale: The operation of Belden Powerhouse can cause fluctuating flows below Belden Powerhouse and can also cause unexpected spills at Rock Creek Dam. It was determined that a predetermined operation of Belden Powerhouse ( block loading) at certain times would help to minimize the frequency of fluctuation in the downstream river stage and help meet the ramping rates at downstream Licensee’s dams.
8. Lower Butt Creek Streamflow and Habitat Monitoring.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 17
9. Seneca, Butt and Belden Reach Biological Monitoring.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19, 24-25
Section 2. Recreation River Flow Management
1. Recreation River Flow Technical Review Group.
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43-44
2. Recreation Flow Implementation Plan.
Suggested Rationale: An adaptive management program was developed to allow for potential recreation test river flows and subsequent potential continued recreation river flows based on determinations of impacts on sociological or ecological resources.
1. Water Level Management.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
2. Lake Almanor Water Levels.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
3. Butt Valley Reservoir Water Levels.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
4. Belden Forebay Water Levels.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
5. Multiple Dry Water Years.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
6. Temporary Modifications.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
7. Emergencies.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
8. Exercise of Licensee’s Water Rights.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
9. Maximum Water Surface Elevation.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
10. Implementation of Water Surface Elevation Requirements.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
11. Lake Almanor Information.
Suggested rationale: The benefits of providing Lake Almanor water storage information to the public for recreation purposes were identified in discussions with the Parties to the Settlement Agreement and members of the public. Publicly assessable Lake Almanor water storage information will enable the recreation community to better utilize recreation opportunities. A 7 to 10 day delay in posting information is specified to protect confidential power marketing information. However, due to the size of the reservoir and the gradual nature of changes in reservoir elevation, this delay does not significantly diminish the potential usefulness of the information to the recreationists.
12. Annual Meeting With Plumas.
Suggested rational: An annual meeting in the early spring with Plumas County and Licensee representatives will promote better communication regarding the operation of Lake Almanor and related facilities.
Section 4. Water Year Type
Suggested rationale: Based on the Water-Year Type classification system adopted for the Rock Creek – Cresta Project (FERC #1962) and recognizing that minimum streamflows should be larger in wet years than in dry years, four water years were defined and minimum streamflow releases were defined by month for the water-year types. Water years are based on predictions of annual inflow to Lake Oroville, reflecting storm events and accumulated snowpack during the course of each winter.
Section 5. Water Quality Monitoring Program
1. Water Quality Monitoring.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 21-22
2. Water Quality Study and Monitoring Plan
USFS Enclosure 2, page 21-22
3. Reporting and Agency Consultations
Suggested rationale: This condition provides for the development, implementation and reporting requirements of detailed water quality monitoring plans which are outlined in Section 5, Paragraph 2 of the Settlement Agreement. An annual meeting is intended to discuss the water quality data and ensure dialog between water quality and aquatic resources management agencies, other identified agencies and parties and the Licensee.
Section 6. Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
USFS Enclosure 2, page 28, 30
Section 7. Recreation
1. Recreation Facilities Development Program
A. Initial License Issuance Recreation Enhancement Measures
1. Lake Almanor
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
2. Butt Valley Reservoir
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
3. Belden Forebay
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
4. Bypass River Reaches
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
2. Future Recreation Enhancement Measures
A. Lake Almanor
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
B. Butt Valley Reservoir
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
3. Project Boundary Adjustments
Suggested rationale: This condition provides for the adjustment of the Project boundary to incorporate recreation features as they become Project responsibilities as outlined in the Settlement Agreement.
4. Recreation Operations and Maintenance Program
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 41-43
USFS Enclosure 2, page 19
6. Interpretation and Education (I&E) Program
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43
7. Recreation Monitoring Program
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43
10. River Ranger.
Suggested rationale: Increased public river recreation will cause the need for additional Forest Service presence and services. It is appropriate for the Licensee to assist in funding a “River Ranger” to provide various recreation user services during the recreation season.
11. Belden Interagency Recreation River Flow Management Plan.
Suggested rationale: This plan will allow for the efficient coordination of agency and Licensee actions as they may influence river recreation management.
12. Traffic Use Survey.
Suggested rationale: This condition provides for the development, implementation and reporting requirements of road traffic plans for roads on National Forest System lands. The road traffic plan will assist in determining future Project related road traffic.
Section 8. Land Management and Visual Resource Protection
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 34
APPENDIX B: Measures Agreed to Among the Parties But Not to be Included in New Project License or Section 4(e) Conditions
Suggested rationale: The conditions of Appendix B involve agreements and commitments between Parties which Parties agree should not be incorporated into the new Project License or Forest Service 4(e) Condition. Appendix B contains conditions where 1) a non-Licensee Party is agreeing to perform and it is recognized that the FERC has no authority over the non-Licensee Party or 2) it is recognized by the Parties that the condition is not a Project related matter.
Section 1. Plumas County Lake Almanor Water Quality Monitoring and Protection
1. Goals
2. Water Quality Monitoring Plan
Suggested rationale: This water quality monitoring plan in intended to supplement the Licensee’s water quality monitoring program (see Appendix A, Section 5 of Settlement Agreement) with water quality monitoring determined necessary by Plumas County and the Licensee. This condition recognizes the various shared responsibilities for monitoring and protecting water quality of Lake Almanor.
3. Water Quality Monitoring Plan Implementation
Suggested rationale: Plumas County has agreed to be responsible for contracting to implement the water quality monitoring plan. This condition recognizes the various shared responsibilities for monitoring and protecting water quality of Lake Almanor.
4. Annual Meeting
Suggested rationale: An annual meeting is intended to discuss the water quality data and ensure dialog between water quality and aquatic resources management agencies, other identified agencies and parties and the Licensee. It is intended that this annual meeting be conducted concurrently with the annual water quality meeting requirement in Appendix A, Section 5, Paragraph 3E.
5. Funding
Suggested rationale: This condition is for annual matching funds to implement water quality monitoring in Lake Almanor. This condition recognizes the various shared responsibilities for monitoring and protecting water quality of Lake Almanor.
Section 2. Recreation
1. New Operations and Maintenance Terms.
USFS Enclosure 2, page 42
2. Outside Funding for FS’ Belden Reach Area River Access.
USFS Enclosure 2, pages 43
3. Plumas County Ordinance.
Suggested rationale: Implementation of a Plumas County ordinance to prohibit unauthorized travel of motorized wheeled vehicles on the Lake Almanor shoreline has been identified as an appropriate resource protection measure.
4. Plumas County Sheriff Shoreline Patrol.
Suggested rationale: Following the passage of a Plumas County ordinance described in Appendix B, Section 3, Paragraph 3 of the Settlement Agreement, Licensee funding of a specific amount to Plumas County for Plumas County Sheriff patrols and enforcement at Lake Almanor shoreline areas has been identified as an appropriate resource protection measure. Implementation of this measure is dependent upon an action by Plumas County.
5. Lake Almanor Recreation Trail (LART) Southeast Shore Extensions.
Suggested rationale: Licensee has agreed to provide matching funding to Plumas County for Plumas County’s construction of an extension of an existing non-Project trail. The easement for this trail extension has been previously provided to Plumas County by the Licensee.