FERC Project No. 2079 - PCWA Middle Fork American River Project ...

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
February 2011 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Document Organization ................................................................................. 1-2
1.2 Species Listed Under the ESA, Candidates for Listing, and Critical Habitat .. 1-3
1.2.1 Amphibians ......................................................................................... 1-3
1.2.2 Mammals ............................................................................................ 1-3
1.3 Forest Service Sensitive Species .................................................................. 1-3
1.3.1 Plants ................................................................................................. 1-3
1.3.2 Fish ..................................................................................................... 1-4
1.3.3 Amphibians ......................................................................................... 1-4
1.3.4 Reptiles .............................................................................................. 1-4
1.3.5 Birds ................................................................................................... 1-4
1.3.6 Mammals ............................................................................................ 1-4
2.0 Consultation History and Summary ..................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Integrated Licensing Process Consultation ................................................... 2-1
2.2 Additional Consultation .................................................................................. 2-2
3.0 Current Regulatory Management ........................................................................ 3-1
3.1 Endangered Species Act ............................................................................... 3-1
3.2 Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-Term Operations
of the Central Valley Project and California State Water Project
(OCAP BiOP) ................................................................................................ 3-1
3.3 Public Draft Recovery Plan for Central Valley Winter-run and Spring-run
Chinook Salmon and Steelhead .................................................................... 3-2
3.4 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act .......................................................... 3-3
3.5 National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines ............................................... 3-4
3.6 Migratory Bird Treaty Act ............................................................................... 3-5
3.7 National Forest Management Act .................................................................. 3-5
3.8 Tahoe and Eldorado National Forest Land and Resource Management
Plans ............................................................................................................. 3-5
3.9 Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, Sierra
Nevada Forest Plan Amendment .................................................................. 3-6
3.10 Regional Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan ........................................ 3-6
4.0 No-Action Alternative and Proposed Action ......................................................... 4-1
4.1 No-Action Alternative ..................................................................................... 4-1
4.1.1 Existing Project Components .............................................................. 4-1
4.1.1.1 Large Dams and Reservoirs .............................................. 4-2
4.1.1.2 Medium Dams and Reservoirs ........................................... 4-3