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

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20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 objectives, standards, and guidelines. In addition, this plan describes how PCWA would consult and coordinate with the Forest Service when implementing future projects that have the potential to affect visual resources on NFS lands, including modification of existing project facilities or the construction of new project facilities. PCWA would conduct visual condition assessments every 5 years during the term of a new license and consult with the Forest Service annually to discuss measure implementation. PCWA would consult with the Forest Service and appropriate land management agencies every 5 years to determine a plan revision is necessary. Alternative 1 (Forest Service condition no. 40) also specifies implementing this plan. Our Analysis The EVC of most of the project facilities are consistent with established visual quality objectives but some linear features such as dams and powerhouses are not consistent because they dominate the landscape. Through implementing the Visual Resource Management Plan, specific project features and facilities would be modified (e.g., painting, replacing fencing) to make them more consistent with established visual quality objectives resulting in improved visual quality. PCWA’s proposed project includes new facilities and incorporates existing facilities within the project boundary that could be visible components of the project. These include 6-foot crest gates on Hell Hole dam, gages, communication lines; photovoltaic poles and powerlines; Hell Hole dam spillway control building and powerline, an access road to Hell Hole spillway gates, and trails for project access. Because locations have not been determined for some of the gages, photovoltaic poles and trails and because PCWA’s proposed development has the potential to affect visual resources on NFS land, establishing a process to evaluate future activities in consultation with the Forest Service, as specified in the plan, would ensure new facilities are designed and constructed to be consistent with agency guidelines. Regular condition assessments would provide necessary information to determine whether additional treatments would be necessary to achieve visual quality objectives. Additionally, regular consultation about the appearance of project facilities could be included in the agenda of an annual consultation meeting when a broad range of resource topics are discussed. Revising the plan every 5 years, as specified in the plan, seems excessively frequent considering: (1) planned development would be thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Forest Service before implementation; and (2) the plan already identifies several specific actions that would be implemented. A 10-year period for plan revision would better reflect the need for revising the plan. 3.4 NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE Under the no-action alternative the project would continue to operate as it has in the past. None of PCWA’s proposed measures or the resource agencies’ recommendations and mandatory conditions would be required. Sediment would continue to accumulate in the small diversion pools and require periodic removal. 270
20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 Sediment removed from Middle Fork interbay would not be used for gravel augmentation downstream of the interbay dam and sediment augmentation downstream of Ralston afterbay dam, which currently occurs on a voluntary basis, could be discontinued. The storage capacity of Hell Hole reservoir would not be increased, which could eventually result in difficulty in meeting increased future water demands. Minimum flows would continue to be either constant on a year-round basis or reflect slight seasonal changes that only marginally mimic the natural hydrograph depending on the stream reach. There would be no pulse flows in the bypassed reaches or scheduled whitewater boating releases in the peaking reach. Existing project related recreation facilities would continue to be operated and maintained as they are currently. The continued operation of the existing Middle Fork Project facilities would continue to be of importance to water supply, recreation, generation of renewable energy, and minimization of atmospheric pollutants. The continued operation of the existing facilities under the no-action alternative would, on average, result in the annual generation of 1,039.1 gigawatt-hours of clean energy. 271
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41 Table 3.3.1-1. Average number of
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43 Site/Release Location Gravel Ini
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45 a Q 1 - TSR, Table G-1 (PCWA, 20
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69 Table 3.3.2-3. Hydrology for sel
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71 Exceedances and Summary Statisti
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91 Figure 3.3.2-6. Fish passage bar
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105 Location American River below M
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135 Species Name Status a Butte Cou
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145 Table 3.3.3-5. Special-status w
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147 Species Name Status Habitat Occ
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195 Figure 3.3.5-1. French Meadows
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321 Location Middle Fork American R
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