`
`FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
`WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426
`September 18, 2020
`
`OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
`
`Project No. 2310-193 – California
`Upper Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project
`Pacific Gas & Electric Company
`
`Project No. 14531-000 – California
`Lower Drum Hydroelectric Project
`Pacific Gas & Electric Company
`
`Project No. 14530-000 – California
`Deer Creek Hydroelectric Project
`Pacific Gas & Electric Company
`
`Project No. 2266-102 – California
`Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project
`Nevada Irrigation District
`
`Project No. 2246-065 – California
`Yuba River Development Hydroelectric
`Project Yuba County Water Agency
`
`
`VIA FERC Electronic Mail
`Steve Edmondson
`Hydropower Branch Supervisor
`National Marine Fisheries Service
`steve.edmondson@noaa.gov
`
`Reference: Request for Formal Consultation and Request for Concurrence with
`Endangered Species Act and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
`Management Act Effects Determinations
`
`Dear Mr. Edmondson:
`
`Commission staff concluded in the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
`for the Upper Drum-Spaulding, Lower Drum, Deer Creek, and Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric
`
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`- 2 -
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`Projects, issued on December 19, 2014,1 that the inter-basin transfer of flows associated
`with the Upper Drum-Spaulding, Lower Drum, Deer Creek, and Yuba-Bear Projects may
`affect, and is likely to adversely affect Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon
`Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU), Central Valley steelhead Distinct Population
`Segment (DPS), and southern DPS of the North American green sturgeon downstream of
`Englebright Dam. Commission staff stated in the final EIS that it would initiate formal
`consultation on the Upper Drum-Spaulding, Lower Drum, Deer Creek, and Yuba-Bear
`Projects after its evaluation of recommended measures, including flow releases,
`associated with relicensing of the Yuba River Development Project. Furthermore,
`Commission staff concluded that issuing a new license for the Lower Drum Project
`would may affect, but is not likely adversely affect Central Valley steelhead DPS or
`critical habitat in Auburn Ravine. On February 9, 2015, you filed comments on the final
`EIS and stated that the final EIS was insufficient for ESA and Magnuson-Stevens Act
`consultation purposes. You requested that we prepare a standalone Biological
`Assessment that evaluates the environmental baseline and effects of project alternatives.
`Your letter also provided detailed guidance on the specific information and analyses
`needed to complete consultation.
`
`Commission staff concluded in the final EIS for the Yuba River Development
`Project, issued January 2, 2019,2 that relicensing the project as Yuba County Water
`Agency proposes and with staff-recommended measures may affect, but is not likely to
`adversely affect North American green sturgeon and designated critical habitat for
`Central Valley steelhead, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and North
`American green sturgeon. Commission staff also concluded that relicensing the project
`may affect, and is likely to adversely affect Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon
`and Central Valley steelhead in the lower Yuba River.
`
`Subsequently, we prepared the enclosed Biological Assessment (Attachment A)
`that analyzes the effects of relicensing the Upper Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project
`(P-2310), Lower Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project (P-14531), Deer Creek
`Hydroelectric Project (P-14530), Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project (P-2266), and Yuba
`River Development Project (FERC Project No. 2246) on the Central Valley spring-run
`Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ESU, the Central Valley Steelhead (O.
`mykiss) DPS, and the North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) southern
`DPS, their proposed or designated critical habitat, and essential fish habitat (EFH).
`
`We conclude that relicensing the above projects may affect, and is likely to
`adversely affect Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead
`in the lower Yuba River. We also conclude that relicensing the above projects may
`
`1 The final EIS for the projects is available on eLibrary at the following accession
`number: 20141219-4003.
`2 The final EIS for the project is available on eLibrary at the following accession
`number: 20190102-3000.
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`- 3 -
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`affect, but is not likely to adversely affect: (1) Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon
`in the Bear River; (2) designated critical habitat for Central Valley spring-run Chinook
`salmon in the lower Yuba River downstream of Englebright Dam, the lower Bear River
`downstream of Camp Far West Dam, and areas downstream of these systems; (3) Central
`Valley steelhead in the Bear River, the Auburn Ravine, and the American River; (4)
`designated critical habitat for Central Valley steelhead in the lower Yuba River
`downstream of Englebright Dam, the lower Bear River downstream of Camp Far West
`Dam, the lower American River downstream of Nimbus Dam, the Auburn Ravine, and
`areas downstream of these systems; and (5) North American green sturgeon in the lower
`Yuba River and designated critical habitat for North American green sturgeon in the
`lower Yuba River downstream of Daguerre Point Dam and areas of the Feather and
`Sacramento Rivers downstream from the Yuba River.
`
`We also conclude that the proposed relicensing would not adversely affect EFH in
`the lower Bear River, Auburn Ravine, the Feather River downstream of the Yuba River,
`the Sacramento River downstream of the Feather River, or in the Delta. Therefore, we do
`not believe that consultation under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
`Management Act is required.
`
`Please tell us in writing within 60 days from the date of receipt of this letter, or no
`later than November 17, 2020, if you do or do not concur with our may affect, but is not
`likely to adversely affect findings. Please give us your biological opinion on our may
`affect, and is likely to adversely affect findings no later than 135 days from receipt of this
`request, as required by 50 CFR § 402.14(e). If we do not hear from you within 30 days,
`we will assume that you have sufficient information to initiate consultation and will
`provide us with your biological opinion by February 1, 2021. Any requests for
`extensions of time should be submitted to the Commission and the applicant in a timely
`manner that allows for sufficient time for a mutual agreement to extend the 90-day formal
`consultation period as per section 402.14(e) of your regulations.
`
`The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file your responses
`using the Commission’s eFiling system at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx.
`For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov,
`(866) 208-3676 (toll free), or (202) 502-8659 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may
`submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:
`Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
`NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be
`addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
`12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should
`include docket numbers P-2310-193, P-14531-000, P-14530-000, P-2266-102, and P-
`2246-065.
`
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`

`

`If you have any questions, please call Jim Hastreiter at (503) 552-2760 or contact
`him by e-mail at james.hastreiter@ferc.gov.
`
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`- 4 -
`
`Sincerely,
`
`Timothy Konnert, Chief
`West Branch
`Division of Hydropower Licensing
`
`Attachment A: Biological Assessment For Central Valley Spring-Run Chinook Salmon,
`Central Valley Steelhead, And North American Green Sturgeon
`
`
`
`

`

`BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR CENTRAL VALLEY SPRING-RUN CHINOOK
`SALMON, CENTRAL VALLEY STEELHEAD, AND NORTH AMERICAN GREEN
`STURGEON
`
`UPPER DRUM-SPAULDING HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`LOWER DRUM HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`DEER CREEK HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`YUBA-BEAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
`YUBA RIVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
`
`
`
`FERC Project Nos. 2310-193, 14531-000, 14530-000, 2266-102, 2246-065
`California
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`September 2020
`
`
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`Office of Energy Projects
`Division of Hydropower Licensing
`888 First Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20426
`
`
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`

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`

`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... i 
`
`LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. v 
`
`LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vii 
`
`ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................... ix 
`
`1.0 
`
`INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 
`PURPOSE OF THE BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT .................................. 1 
` 
`  REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ................................................................. 2 
`Endangered Species Act .................................................................. 2 
` 
`  Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
`Act ................................................................................................... 3 
`
`2.0  CONSULTATION HISTORY AND ONGOING MANAGEMENT ..................... 5 
`  CONSULTATION HISTORY ...................................................................... 5 
`  Upper Drum-Spaulding, Lower Drum, Deer Creek, and
`Yuba-Bear ....................................................................................... 5 
`  Yuba River Development ................................................................ 5 
`  ONGOING MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ............................................... 6 
`Lower Yuba River Accord .............................................................. 6 
` 
`  National Marine Fisheries Service Recovery Planning ................... 8 
`  Other Management Activities ......................................................... 9 
`
` 
`
`3.0  DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ................................................. 13 
`PROJECT LOCATION ............................................................................... 13 
` 
`  Yuba River Basin .......................................................................... 13 
`  American and Bear River Basins .................................................. 19 
`PROJECT DESCRIPTION ......................................................................... 21 
`  Yuba County Water Agency Facilities .......................................... 21 
`Pacific Gas & Electric Facilities ................................................... 33 
` 
`  Nevada Irrigation District Facilities .............................................. 48 
`Interbasin Water Diversions .......................................................... 55 
` 
`PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................ 57 
` 
`  ACTION AREA .......................................................................................... 57 
`
`4.0 
`
`STATUS OF LISTED SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT ............................ 60 
`  CENTRAL VALLEY SPRING-RUN CHINOOK SALMON
`EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANT UNIT ................................................. 60 
`Endangered Species Act Listing Status ......................................... 60 
` 
`  Critical Habitat Designation .......................................................... 60 
`
`i
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`

`

`5.0 
`
`
`
`Life History and Habitat Requirements ......................................... 63 
` 
`  Distribution and Abundance .......................................................... 64 
`  Recovery Plan ................................................................................ 70 
`  CENTRAL VALLEY STEELHEAD DISTINCT POPULATION
`SEGMENT .................................................................................................. 77 
`Endangered Species Act Listing Status ......................................... 77 
` 
`  Critical Habitat Designation .......................................................... 78 
`Life History and Habitat Requirements ......................................... 78 
` 
`  Distribution and Abundance .......................................................... 81 
`  Recovery Plan ................................................................................ 84 
`  NORTH AMERICAN GREEN STURGEON SOUTHERN DISTINCT
`POPULATION SEGMENT ........................................................................ 85 
`Endangered Species Act Listing Status ......................................... 85 
` 
`  Critical Habitat Designation .......................................................... 85 
`Life History and Habitat Requirements ......................................... 87 
` 
`  Distribution and Abundance .......................................................... 87 
`  Recovery Plans .............................................................................. 87 
`
`ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE ......................................................................... 91 
`  ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECT THE ACTION AREA .............................. 91 
`  CENTRAL VALLEY SPRING-RUN CHINOOK SALMON PHYSICAL
`OR BIOLOGICAL FEATURES ................................................................. 92 
`Freshwater Spawning Sites ........................................................... 92 
` 
`Freshwater Rearing Sites ............................................................... 93 
` 
`Freshwater Migration Corridors .................................................... 93 
` 
`Estuarine Areas .............................................................................. 95 
` 
`  Nearshore and Offshore Marine Areas .......................................... 95 
`  CENTRAL VALLEY STEELHEAD PHYSICAL OR BIOLOGICAL
`FEATURES ................................................................................................. 95 
`Freshwater Spawning Sites ........................................................... 95 
` 
`Freshwater Rearing Sites ............................................................... 96 
` 
`Freshwater Migration Corridors .................................................... 96 
` 
`Estuarine Areas .............................................................................. 97 
` 
`  Nearshore and Offshore Marine Areas .......................................... 98 
`  NORTH AMERICAN GREEN STURGEON PHYSICAL OR
`BIOLOGICAL FEATURES ....................................................................... 98 
`Freshwater Riverine Systems ........................................................ 98 
` 
`Estuarine Habitats ........................................................................ 100 
` 
`  Nearshore Coastal Marine Waters ............................................... 102 
`
`6.0 
`
`EFFECTS OF THE ACTION .............................................................................. 103 
`EFFECTS OF FLOW REGULATION ON AQUATIC HABITAT......... 103 
` 
`  Yuba River Basin Upstream of Englebright Dam ....................... 103 
`  Yuba River Downstream of Englebright Dam ............................ 105 
`
`ii
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`

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`
`  Bear River .................................................................................... 112 
`  Auburn Ravine ............................................................................. 113 
`  American River ........................................................................... 114 
`  RAMPING RATES IN PROJECT-AFFECTED RIVER REACHES ...... 118 
`  Downstream of Englebright Dam (Yuba River) ......................... 118 
`  Auburn Ravine ............................................................................. 120 
`EFFECTS OF PROPOSED ACTION ON WATER TEMPERATURE .. 121 
`  Middle and South Yuba Watersheds ........................................... 121 
`  Downstream of Englebright Dam (Yuba River) ......................... 128 
`  Bear River .................................................................................... 130 
`  Auburn Ravine ............................................................................. 131 
`  American River ........................................................................... 134 
`  CONSTRUCTION EFFECTS .................................................................. 134 
`  CHANGES IN RIPARIAN HABITAT AND INSTREAM WOODY
`MATERIAL .............................................................................................. 135 
`  Riparian Habitat ........................................................................... 135 
`Large Woody Material Management .......................................... 135 
` 
`  HARVEST/ANGLING/POACHING/PREDATION ............................... 137 
`EFFECTS BY LIFE STAGE .................................................................... 137 
` 
`  Yuba River ................................................................................... 138 
`  Bear River .................................................................................... 157 
`  Auburn Ravine ............................................................................. 158 
`  American River ........................................................................... 160 
`  CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ....................................................................... 161 
`
`7.0  CONCLUSIONS AND DETERMINATIONS .................................................... 168 
`ESA DETERMINATION OF EFFECTS ................................................. 168 
` 
`  Background .................................................................................. 168 
`  Determination of Effects ............................................................. 168 
`  MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND
`MANAGEMENT ACT ............................................................................. 180 
`  Background .................................................................................. 180 
`Identification of Essential Fish Habitat ....................................... 181 
` 
`Essential Fish Habitat Analysis and Determination .................... 184 
` 
`
`LITERATURE CITED ......................................................................................... 186 
`
`8.0 
`
`
`iii
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`

`

`
`
`APPENDIX A—Tables Associated with Flow-related Measures Included in the Staff
`Alternative with Mandatory Conditions for the Yuba River Development Project (FERC
`Project No. 2246)
`
`APPENDIX B—Tables Associated with Flow-related Measures Included in the Staff
`Alternative with Mandatory Conditions for the Upper Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric
`Project (P-2310), Lower Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project (P-14531), Deer Creek
`Hydroelectric Project (P-14530), and Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project (P-2266)
`
`APPENDIX C—Simulated Water Temperatures under Various Project Operations
`
`iv
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`

`
`
`LIST OF FIGURES
`
`Figure 3-1.  Location of Yuba River Development Project ............................................ 15 
`Figure 3-2.  Yuba River Development Project details .................................................... 16 
`Figure 3-3.  Map of project features of the Upper Drum Spaulding, Deer Creek,
`and Yuba-Bear Projects ............................................................................... 17 
`Figure 3-4.  Map of project features of the Yuba-Bear and Lower Drum
`Spaulding Projects ....................................................................................... 18 
`Figure 3-5.  Monthly average diversions from Yuba River Watershed (by
`SFWPA, NID, and PG&E) compared to diversions to
`storage/augmentations from storage primarily in New Bullards Bar
`Reservoir by YCWA during water year 2001 (representative dry
`year) (Source: PG&E and NID, 2011a). .................................................... 56 
`Figure 3-6.  Monthly average diversions from Yuba River Watershed (by
`SFWPA, NID, and PG&E) compared to diversions to
`storage/augmentations from storage primarily in New Bullards Bar
`Reservoir by YCWA during water year 2003 (representative normal
`year) (Source: PG&E and NID, 2011a). .................................................... 56 
`Figure 3-7.  Monthly average diversions from Yuba River Watershed (by
`SFWPA, NID, and PG&E) compared to diversions to
`storage/augmentations from storage primarily in New Bullards Bar
`Reservoir by YCWA during water year 1995 (representative wet
`year) (Source: PG&E and NID, 2011a). .................................................... 57 
`Figure 3-8.  Map of the Drum Spaulding, Yuba-Bear, and Yuba River
`Development project boundaries and the action area for this
`biological assessment .................................................................................. 59 
`Figure 4-1.  Designated critical habitat for Central Valley spring-run Chinook
`salmon ......................................................................................................... 62 
`Figure 4-2.  The current and historical distribution of Central Valley spring-run
`Chinook salmon ........................................................................................... 65 
`Figure 4-3.  Designated critical habitat for Central Valley steelhead ............................. 79 
`Figure 4-4.  Current and historical distribution of California Central Valley
`steelhead ...................................................................................................... 82 
`Figure 4-5.  Designated critical habitat for North American green sturgeon ................. 86 
`Figure 6-4.  Map of habitat/hydrologic zone boundaries .............................................. 108 
`Figure 6-5.  Hydrographs for various Auburn Ravine flow components (water
`year 2009) .................................................................................................. 116 
`
`v
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`

`
`
`Figure 6-6.  Hydrograph of inflows to Auburn Ravine from Wise Powerhouse
`and South Canal (water year 2009) ........................................................... 117 
`Figure 6-7.  Mean daily water temperatures in the Middle and South Yuba rivers
`above Jackson Meadows Reservoir and Lake Spaulding, August–
`September 2007 ......................................................................................... 123 
`Figure 6-8.  Mean daily water temperatures in the South Yuba River below Lake
`Spaulding, May–October 2008 ................................................................. 124 
`Figure 6-9.  Modeled mean daily water temperatures in the South Yuba River
`between Lake Spaulding and Englebright Reservoir under
`synthesized unimpaired flow conditions below Spaulding Dam,
`July–September 2008 ................................................................................ 125 
`Figure 6-10.  Mean daily water temperatures in the Middle Yuba River below
`Milton Diversion Dam, May–October 2008 ............................................. 126 
`Figure 6-11.  Mean daily water temperatures in the Yuba River at Smartsville for
`water years 2003–2007 .............................................................................. 127 
`Figure 6-12.  Modeled Rollins Reservoir water temperature and mean daily water
`temperatures from June through September in the Bear River from
`Rollins Dam to Lake Combie, 2008 .......................................................... 132 
`Figure 6-13.  Modeled Rollins Reservoir water temperature and mean daily water
`temperatures from June through September in the Bear River from
`Rollins Dam to Lake Combie, 2009 .......................................................... 133 
`Figure 6-14.  Spring-run Chinook salmon spawning habitat duration over the 41-
`year hydrologic period for the proposed action and .................................. 144 
`Figure 6-15.  Steelhead spawning habitat duration over the 41-year hydrologic
`period for the proposed action and ............................................................ 146 
`Figure 6-16.  Simulated green sturgeon spawning WUA (all morphological units)
`exceedance during March through June for water years 1970–2010
`under the proposed action and ................................................................... 147 
`Figure 6-17.  Simulated green sturgeon spawning WUA (pool morphological units
`only) exceedance during March through June for water years 1970–
`2010 under the proposed action and .......................................................... 148 
`Figure 7-1.  Chinook coast salmon EFH in California ................................................. 183 
`
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`vi
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`
`
`LIST OF TABLES
`
`Table 3-2. 
`
`Table 4-1. 
`
`Table 4-4. 
`
`Table 1-1. 
`ESA-listed species in the action area. ........................................................... 2 
`Table 3-1.  Average unimpaired runoff for the Yuba River at Smartsville for
`water years 1922–2011 ................................................................................ 13 
`Typical distribution of flow under normal operation (i.e., excluding
`brief transition periods) among Narrows 2 Powerhouse (generation
`only), Narrows 2 partial bypass, Narrows 2 full bypass, and Narrows
`1 Powerhouse .............................................................................................. 32 
`Life stage-specific periodicities for spring-run Chinook salmon in
`the lower Yuba River .................................................................................. 63 
`Table 4-2.  Combined annual Central Valley spring- and fall-run Chinook
`salmon escapement estimates from the Sacramento and San Joaquin
`River systems .............................................................................................. 66 
`Table 4-3.  Combined annual Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon
`escapement estimates from the Sacramento and San Joaquin River
`systems ........................................................................................................ 68 
`Life stage-specific periodicities for steelhead in the lower Yuba
`River ............................................................................................................ 81 
`Table 4-5.  Recovery actions to recover the sDPS of green sturgeon ........................... 88 
`Table 6-1. 
`Long-term and water year type average Chinook salmon and
`steelhead spawning and rearing WUA (percent of maximum) under
`the proposed action .................................................................................... 110 
`Table 6-2.  Difference in simulated water temperature exceedance probabilities
`for spring-run Chinook salmon, steelhead, and green sturgeon under
`the proposed action relative to current conditions .................................... 140 
`Long-term water year type average spring-run Chinook salmon
`spawning WUA (percent of maximum) under the proposed action
`and ............................................................................................................. 143 
`Long-term water year type average steelhead spawning WUA
`(percent of maximum) under the proposed action and .............................. 145 
`Estimated spring-run Chinook salmon redd and egg pocket potential
`dewatering under the proposed action relative to ..................................... 150 
`Estimated steelhead redd and egg pocket potential dewatering under
`the proposed action relative to .................................................................. 151 
`Long-term and water year type average spring-run Chinook salmon
`fry and juvenile in-channel rearing WUA (percent of maximum)
`under the proposed action and ................................................................... 152 
`
`Table 6-3. 
`
`Table 6-4. 
`
`Table 6-5. 
`
`Table 6-6. 
`
`Table 6-7. 
`
`vii
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`Table 6-8. 
`
`Long-term and water year type average steelhead fry and juvenile in-
`channel rearing WUA (percent of maximum) under the proposed
`action and .................................................................................................. 154 
`Table 6-9.  Maximum flow reductions rates downstream of Englebright Dam
`corresponding to the preceding day average flow that has occurred
`during the period from April 1 to July 15 ................................................. 155 
`
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`viii
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`
`ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
`
`action area
`
`°C
`BA
`BLM
`BMI
`BMP
`BO
`CALFED
`California DFW
`California DWR
`CFR
`cfs
`Commission
`Conference year
`
`Corps
`DPS
`EFH
`EIS
`ESA
`ESU
`FERC
`Forest Service
`FR
`FRFH
`FWS
`
`HEA
`LWM
`Magnuson-Stevens Act
`
`MW
`NFS
`NID
`NMFS
`NMWSE
`PBF
`PCWA
`PG&E
`ppt
`Reclamation
`
`All areas to be affected directly or indirectly by the
`federal action [50 CFR §402.02]
`degrees Celsius
`Biological Assessment
`Bureau of Land Management
`benthic macroinvertebrates
`best management practice(s)
`Biological Opinion
`California Federal Bank
`California Department of Fish and Wildlife
`California Department of Water Resources
`Code of Federal Regulations
`cubic feet per second
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`Defined in the Yuba Accord as a water year for which
`the North Yuba Index is less than 500,000 acre-feet
`U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
`distinct population segment
`essential fish habitat
`environmental impact statement
`Endangered Species Act
`Evolutionary Significant Unit
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
`U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
`Federal Register
`Feather River Fish Hatchery
`U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife
`Service
`Habitat Expansion Agreement
`large woody material
`Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
`Management Act
`megawatts
`National Forest System
`Nevada Irrigation District
`National Marine Fisheries Service
`normal maximum water surface elevation
`physical or biological feature(s)
`Placer County Water Agency
`Pacific Gas and Electric
`parts per thousand
`U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
`
`ix
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`

`

`RM
`RMT
`sDPS
`SFWPA
`SRH2D v2.1
`
`U.S.C.
`USGS
`Water Board
`WTI
`WUA
`YCWA
`YSP
`YSPI
`Yuba Accord
`
`
`
`river mile
`River Management Team
`southern distinct population segment
`South Feather Water and Power Agency
`Sedimentation and River Hydraulics Two-dimensional
`Model, Version 2.1
`United States Code
`U.S. Geological Survey
`State Water Resources Control Board
`Water Temperature Index
`weighted usable area
`Yuba County Water Agency
`Yuba Salmon Partnership
`Yuba Salmon Partnership Initiative
`Lower Yuba River Accord
`
`x
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`

`

`
`
`1.0
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`
`
`PURPOSE OF THE BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
`
`This biological assessment (BA) analyzes the effects of relicensing the Upper
`Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project (P-2310), Lower Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric
`Project (P-14531), Deer Creek Hydroelectric Project (P-14530), Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric
`Project (P-2266), and Yuba River Development Project (FERC Project No. 2246) on
`species that are listed or proposed to be listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
`and their proposed or designated critical habitat. The Federal Energy Regulatory
`Commission (Commission) issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the
`relicensing of the Upper Drum Spaulding Hydroelectric Project, Lower Drum Spaulding
`Hydroelectric Project, Deer Creek Hydroelectric Project, and Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric
`Project on December 19, 2014 (FERC, 2014). The Commission issued the final EIS for
`relicensing the Yuba River Development Project on January 2, 2019 (FERC, 2019). The
`proposed action is relicensing the Drum Spaulding, Yuba-Bear, and Yuba River
`Development Projects.
`
`Any new licenses issued for the projects would include the measures described in
`the Commission’s final EIS documents under the staff alternative with mandatory
`conditions. The staff alternative with mandatory conditions includes certain measures the
`license applicants proposed, modifications to the proposed measures, some additional
`staff-recommended measures, the mandatory conditions federal land management
`agencies provided, and measures anticipated to be included in the water quality
`certificates for the projects.3 Section 3.0, Description of the Proposed Action, provide a
`detailed description of these staff recommended measures and mandatory conditions.
`
`The Upper Drum-Spaulding, Lower Drum Spaulding, Deer Creek, and Yuba-Bear
`Projects are located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains in northern
`California, within Nevada, Placer, and Sierra Counties. The Yuba River Development
`Project is located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada,