CALIFORNIA SPORTFISHING PROTECTION ALLIANCE

CONSERVATION ALERT

North Fork Feather River Update

In June 1997, the state and federal agencies, and other parties, met and formed a "Intervenor Collaborate Team" regarding the relicensing of PG&E's Rock Creek-Cresta Hydroelectric Project No. 1962. The project is located on the North Fork Feather River in Plumas and Butte counties. The agencies and other parties plan to showcase the "North Fork Feather River". This project adversely impacted one of California's blue ribbon wild trout rivers. During the pre-preject period, fishermen travel on the "Rainbow Special" (special train) to fish and enjoy the river.

The " Intervenor Collaborate Team" is madeup of the following agencies and parties: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Plumas County, California Sportfsihing Protection Alliance, American Whitewater Affilation, Cal Trout, Lake Oroville Fish Enhancement Committee, and the newly formed California Hydro Reform Coalition. The U.S. Forest (Plumas National Forest) cannot be a part of the collaborate team because of potential violations of federal statutes. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company, licensee and owner of the project, is not part of the collaborate team yet.

The central issue at this time is that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) prepared a draft EA for the relicensing of the project which was grossly deficient.

On July 11, 1997, the "Intervenor Collaborate Team" will meet in Oroville, California. The "Intervenor Collaborate Team" plan to sign a joint letter advising FERC that a new NEPA document should be prepared by FERC.

In a related matter, recently, a meeting was held between the Plumas National Forest, PG&E, and FERC. The recent flood in January 1997 destroyed the Shady Rest Area. The Shady Rest Area, a small area, is located on Highway 70 and provides relief for people traveling the canyon highway. The Shady Rest Area was the only mitigation the public received for the licensing of the project. PG&E got the water and the public got the Shady Rest Area (two-holer). Downstream below the Shady Rest Area is PG&E's Poe Dam. The mandatory daily minimum riverflow requirement for Poe Dam is 25 cfs. The pre-project average riverflows were about 2,900 cfs. The pre-project lowest daily flow recorded was about 450 cfs.

At that meeting the FERC advised the Forest Service that the license for the project does not require PG&E to maintain the Shady Rest Area. PG&E plans to demolish the Shady Rest Area.

For further information contact Bob Baiocchi at either 916-836-1115 or at e-mail address: cspa@psln.com