Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Donaldson, California SHPO, California Department of Parks and Recreation,
Sacramento, CA, to A. Fecko, Resource Planning Administrator, PCWA, June 22, 2010).
In its National Register evaluation report, PCWA also evaluated the eligibility of
the Middle Fork Project system facilities. PCWA concluded that because the system was
constructed in the 1960s, it is not a distinctive example of hydroelectric design or
construction, and is not associated with the engineering work of a significant individual,
the system does not meet the criteria necessary to be eligible for listing on the National
Register as a historic district, nor are its individual components eligible (PCWA, 2010d).
In its June 2010 letter, the California SHPO concurred.
In its 2011 HPMP (PCWA 2011d), PCWA stated that it had evaluated two
additional sites (FS-05-03-53-372 and FS-05-17-54-478) for listing on the National
Register, and recommended that they are ineligible; evaluation of an additional resource
(FS-05-17-54-495) was in progress (PCWA, 2011d). In its HPMP, PCWA also stated
that two other resources (FS-05-03-55-690 and ISO-06) were determined to be within the
boundaries of FS-05-03-55-20, which is eligible for listing.
The remaining 17 resources within the APE remain unevaluated and potentially
eligible for listing on the National Register.
Potential Traditional Cultural Properties
PCWA consulted with participating Native American tribes throughout the relicensing
process to obtain their input and to identify any particular locations of concern. The Colfax-
Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe identified one location within the APE that is of traditional
importance to the tribe (letter to PCWA, Auburn, CA, from L.L. Suehead, Chairwoman,
Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe, Auburn, CA, filed May 13, 2011). This area was
described as sacred, and is currently being used by some tribal members. In September 2010,
PCWA and the Colfax-Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe conducted a site visit to identify the
location of this resource and to discuss any potential project-related effects.
The United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria (Auburn
Rancheria) expressed concern with regard to archaeological site FS-05-03-55-682 (letter
to A. Fecko, Resource Planning Administrator, PCWA, Auburn, CA, from M. Guerrero,
Cultural Resources Specialist, Auburn Rancheria, Auburn, CA, filed May 13, 2011). The
tribe also expressed concern about potential effects on lifeways, cultural sites, and
landscapes that may be of traditional importance (letter to A. Fecko, Resource Planning
Administrator, PCWA, Auburn, CA, from G.S. Baker, Tribal Administrator, Auburn
Rancheria, Auburn, CA, filed July 25, 2011).
The Washoe Tribe expressed concern regarding archaeological resources that
could be exposed during a reservoir drawdown for operation and maintenance purposes,
but it did not identify any other specific locations of traditional use or concern (letter to
B. Bell, PCWA, Auburn, CA, from D. Cruz, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer,
Washoe Tribe, Gardnerville, NV, filed May 13, 2011).
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