Lassen Lodge Hydroelectric Project Public Scoping Meetings

Lassen Lodge
Hydroelectric Project
Public Scoping Meetings
November 5, 2014
(Sacramento and Red Bluff)
State Water Resources Control Board
Division of Water Rights
Presented by: Michelle Lobo
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State Water Board
Presentation Outline
• Background
– State Water Board’s Mission
– State Water Board’s Role Regarding the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
– Water Quality Certification
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CEQA Process
Public Input
Types of CEQA Documents
Environmental Resources
Next Steps and What to Expect
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State Water Board’s Mission
To preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of
California’s water resources, and ensure their
proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit
of present and future generations.
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov
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State Water Board: Background
• Authority over water rights and water quality
to provide protection of California’s waters
• Protect and enforce many water uses
including the needs of industry, agriculture,
municipal districts, and the environment
• Balance between the various beneficial uses
of water
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Why is the State Water Board
involved?
• Rugraw, LLC submitted an application for
water quality certification on May 20, 2014
• State Water Board regulates hydroelectric
projects via issuance of water quality
certifications (Section 401 of Clean Water Act)
– Protect water quality
– Balance beneficial uses
– Consider existing water rights
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CEQA
• State Water Board is making a discretionary
decision with water quality certification
• As Rugraw, LLC is not a public agency, State
Water Board is lead agency for CEQA
– Decides type of CEQA document
– Decides level of detail
– Represents State Water Board’s independent
judgment
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Water Quality Certification
• State Water Board will use CEQA document to
develop an assessment of the project
• CEQA document will be used to support the
action taken for the water quality certification,
if issued, including any conditions in the
certification
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Water Quality Certification
• If a water quality certification is issued,
conditions in it become a mandatory part of
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) license
• Nothing in water quality certification can
preempt Federal law, it is additive to any
conditions FERC places on the project
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Development of CEQA Document
• State Water Board is seeking comments:
– Type of CEQA document that should be
prepared
– Impacts that should be analyzed
– Project alternatives
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CEQA Objectives*
• Disclose to decision makers and the public the
significant environmental effects of proposed
activities
• Identify ways to avoid or reduce
environmental damage
• Prevent environmental damage by requiring
implementation of feasible alternatives or
mitigation measures
*From the CEQA Deskbook, 3rd Ed., Bass, Bogdan, Rivasplata
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CEQA Objectives
• Disclose to the public reasons for agency
approval of projects with significant
environmental effects
• Foster interagency coordination in the review
of projects
• Enhance public participation in the planning
process
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Order of CEQA Events
Collect Comments (Verbal and Written)
Determine the Type of CEQA Document
Issue Draft CEQA Document for Public Comment
Issue Final CEQA Document
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Public Input
• The CEQA document will have a public review
and comment period
• The State Water Board plans on releasing a
draft water quality certification at the same
time as the draft CEQA document
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Types of CEQA Documents
• Exemptions
• Negative Declaration
• Mitigated Negative Declaration
• Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
– This meeting will serve as the CEQA scoping
meeting if State Water Board determines an EIR is
needed
– Describe significant effects that may occur
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Environmental Resources

Aesthetics

Land Use/Planning

Agriculture and Forest
Resources

Mineral Resources

Air Quality

Noise

Biological Resources

Population/Housing

Cultural Resources

Public Services

Geology/Soils

Recreation

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Transportation and Traffic

Hazards and Hazardous
Materials

Utilities/Service Systems

Hydrology/Water Quality

Mandatory Findings of
Significance
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Next Steps
• Accepting written comments until 2:00 pm (Pacific Standard
Time) on Friday, December 5, 2014.
• Send comments to: Ms. Michelle Lobo
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (916) 327-3117
• Fax: (916) 341-5400
• State Water Resources Control Board
Division of Water Rights
Water Quality Certification Program
Attn: Michelle Lobo
P.O. Box 2000
Sacramento, CA 95812-2000
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Next Steps
• Presentation will be posted to the Lassen
Lodge Hydroelectric Project webpage
• State Water Board staff will work with a
consultant to develop a draft CEQA document
based on existing information and comments
collected.
• There will be a public comment period for the
draft CEQA document.
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Additional Information
• Available on State Water Board’s
webpage at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights
/water_issues/programs/water_quality_cert
/lassen_lodge_ferc12496/
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Future Updates
• To receive future updates, sign up online to
receive emails at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_
subscriptions/swrcb_subscribe.shtml
 Select “State Water Resources Control Board”
 Enter email address and full name
 Under categories, select “Water Rights”
 Select Box for “Water Rights Water Quality Certification”
 Click “Subscribe” button at the top
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Questions
• Questions or comments?
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