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Environmental Documents
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Middle Fork American River
Hydroelectric Project
Project No. 2079-069
Issued: February 22, 2013
Commission staff prepared a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
the relicensing of Placer County Water Agency’s (PCWA) existing 223,753 kilowatt
Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project (Mid Fork American Project). The
project analyzed in the document is located on the Middle Fork of the American and
Rubicon Rivers and Duncan and North and South Fork Long Canyon Creeks in Placer
and El Dorado Counties, California. The project occupies 3,268 acres of federal lands
administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service.
PCWA used the Integrated Licensing Process and filed the license application
for the Mid Fork American Project on February 23, 2011. In its license application,
PCWA proposed: (1) pulse and higher minimum instream flow releases to project
reaches; (2) defined ramping rates; (3) scheduled whitewater boating releases; (4)
measures to protect sensitive species; (5) measures to maintain and enhance project
recreational opportunities; and (6) development and/or implementation of management
and monitoring plans that cover a range of resources, including: (a) geomorphology; (b)
water quality; (c) fisheries; (d) benthic macroinvertebrates; (e) vegetation; (f) wildlife;
(g) recreation; (h) transportation (project roads); (i) fire prevention (j) cultural resources;
and (k) aesthetic resources. On November 30, 2011, PCWA filed Alternative 1, which
represents a complete project alternative. Although PCWA supports Alternative 1,
it stated that it does not replace its licensing proposal. Commission staff evaluated
PCWA’s proposal, Alternative 1, recommendations made by state and federal agencies
and non-governmental organizations, and comments on the draft EIS in the final EIS.
In the final EIS, Commission staff recommended the staff alternative, which
consists of measures included in PCWA’s proposal, as well as some of the mandatory
conditions and recommendations made by state and federal agencies and non-
governmental organizations, most of which are included in Alternative 1, and some
additional measures developed by the staff.
