April 7, 2010 Public Meeting – Meeting Summary
Posted on April 30th, 2010PG&E held a public meeting at The Pines Resort to update the community on the status of the Seismic Retrofit Project for the Crane Valley Dam. Representatives from the USDA – Forest Service (USFS) were also in attendance to present information regarding four proposed actions under consideration by the USFS Bass Lake Ranger District. Approximately 90 people attended the public meeting. The following summarizes the events of the meeting and the questions asked by the public.
Introduction
PG&E welcomed the public, opened the meeting and reviewed the project goal:
“Protect public safety, ongoing reliable operations, and recreation uses by completing the necessary seismic improvements.”
PG&E worked with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) over the past few years to assess the seismic vulnerability of the Crane Valley Dam. Both agencies determined the dam required a retrofit project to strengthen the dam to meet state and federal dam safety standards. The dam seismic retrofit design will involve constructing large rock buttresses on both the upstream and downstream sides of the dam along sections susceptible to significant slumping in an earthquake
What Has Happened To Date
Work performed since April 2009 include beginning the environmental review processes – both National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), identification of potential quarry sites, finalizing project design, working with permitting agencies and preliminary testing for preparation of construction activities.
The project design has changed due to finding the need to increase the amount of rock required to construct the large rock buttresses on both sides of the dam from approximately100,000 cubic yards to 256,000 cubic yards of rock. In addition, the decision was made for the proposed rock quarry site to secure the rock needed for the project. USFS land near the old Wishon Quarry site was selected for the proposed Quarry location
Project Timeline
Based on the estimated completion of the environmental review and securing of needed permits, the following is the current estimated timeline for the project:
Start Date – September 2010
Completion Date – February 2012
Demobilization of Construction – April 2012
Status of the Project Environmental Review and Permitting
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The NEPA environmental review is complete. The project’s lead regulatory agency for NEPA is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) which issued a final Environmental Assessment (EA) on February 19, 2010. This document is available at www.cranevalleydam.com.
The USFS is using the FERC Environmental Assessment to evaluate establishing a new quarry near the old Wishon Quarry to provide rock needed for the Crane Valley Seismic Retrofit Project. The quarry project would allow quarry operations to generate up to 300,000 cubic yards of rock and necessitate timber removal, road improvements and water diversion during the retrofit construction.
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
A Draft Environmental Report (DEIR) is underway which will describe the proposed project, evaluate alternatives to the project, analyze the potential impacts on the environment and identify mitigation measures for any significant environmental impacts. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is the Lead Agency for the CEQA document and coordinates the drafting and review of the DEIR document.
Throughout 2009, DWR and PG&E worked to identify all the chapter components for the DEIR to ensure all the elements of potential environmental impact were included in the DEIR. In an effort to expedite the timeline, DWR has been reviewing and providing feedback on the various EIR chapters as the analysis has been submitted versus waiting for the entire report.
The DEIR is anticipated to be released in late May or early June for public and agency review. The DEIR Public Review and Comment Period is 45 days. DWR will post the DEIR on the State of California’s Clearinghouse Website and PG&E will post the document on www.cranevalleydam.com. Once the 45 day DEIR Public Review and Comment Period ends, DWR will coordinate responses to public comment and compile a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and then file a Notice of Determination. After the notice of determination there is a 30 day statutory waiting period.
PG&E encouraged the public to go to its website-www.cranevalleydam.com—and sign up to receive newsletter updates on the project in order to be notified of project updates, release date of the DEIR and other public review documents and/or public meetings.
Required Permits
Once the environmental review is complete, the project will require permits from the following agencies: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Game. PG&E and DWR have continued to work with these agencies to ensure the environmental review contains the necessary information needed to issue required permits to start the project.
Proposed Wishon Quarry Project and Special Use Authorization – USFS
The project requires up to 300,000 cubic yards of rock material to build the rock buttresses and needed road improvements.
The USFS will make a determination on four proposed actions required to allow the new Wishon Quarry to proceed:
1. Sale of mineral materials (rock) from the Wishon Quarry to PG&E
The new quarry will be constructed near the old Wishon Quarry and up to 300,000 cubic yards of rock will be obtained from the quarry for dam and road construction. Quarry development would occur on approximately 8 acres of land. The area would be cleared of vegetation and topsoil for blasting to create the quarry. The removed topsoil will be stockpiled on 11 acres of National Forest lands adjacent to the quarry.
Quarry blasting is proposed to occur 1-2 days per week for 30 minutes to 60 minutes. The quarry blasting will not occur throughout the entire project timeline. It will occur in the first few months then at this time is proposed to stop for a few months prior to starting up again.
After dam construction is complete, the quarry site would be restored consistent with a reclamation plan approved by the USFS and Madera County. Reclamation would return the site to its original condition and would involve measures such as site, clean-up, grading, contouring re-vegetation, erosion control and mulching
2. Sale of USFS timber to PG&E
Timber will need to be removed for the areas of the new quarry site, haul route, toe of the dam, east of the dam, staging area, parking, and stockpile areas. Approximately 2,300 trees (over 10” in diameter) would be removed. PG&E anticipates removing the trees in the fall of 2010 before other dam retrofit activity begins. Re-vegetation of cut areas as outlined in the reclamation plan would occur once dam construction is completed
3. Road Use Authorization
PG&E will use existing USFS roads for the project and construction access and haul roads to connect the quarry site and dam construction areas where rock buttressing is proposed. The use authorization includes new road construction, USFS and PG&E developed roads, improvement of existing Sierra National Forest (SNF) and PG&E roads and use of Madera County roads.
4. Special Use Authorization in the vicinity of the Crane Valley Dam
The USFS needs to approve water diversions from Bass Lake, use of an area for employee parking during construction and use of storage areas and other activities. The project will need to divert approximately 50 acre-feet of water from Bass Lake during construction. During peak activities, up to approximately 3 acre feet of water per month may be needed.
The four proposed actions require permits and agreements to establish restoration and revalidation requirements and mitigations to reduce impacts of the project. The proposed quarry and Reclamation Plan address the quarry construction and reclamation in detail including:
- quarry establishment
- quarry operations
- hours of operations
- public safety
- environmental protection
- closure of quarry
- restoration of land
USFS Public Comment
The USFS is receiving public comment on the proposed USFS actions related to the Seismic Retrofit of the Crane Valley Dam until May 6, 2010.
Send written comments to:
Sierra National Forest
Attn: Cindy Whelan
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
Include your name, address and if possible a phone number. Please include the title of any documents in which comment is be submitted and specific facts or comments along with supporting reasons that the person believes the USFS should consider in reaching a decision.
All documents can be viewed at
Bass Lake Ranger District Office or www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/projects
PG&E Seismic Retrofit Design and Construction Details
PG&E detailed the dam construction scope and how the dam will be constructed. Detailed drawings of the dam construction will be uploaded to www.cranevalleydam.com by mid May 2010. The construction will require traffic control on Route 222 in the vicinity of the quarry and dam. Pedestrian and hiker restrictions will be in place during the construction with security and fencing to keep the public safe and out of the construction envelope. The dam and dam parking area will be closed during construction.
The presentation concluded and PG&E opened the meeting to questions from the public.
PG&E 4-7-2010 Public Meeting
Question and Answers
Question #1
How will the permit approval process impact the project timeline?
PG&E has continued to meet regularly with the permitting agencies to ensure all requirements for permits are in place once the environmental review is completed. PG&E and the permitting agencies are committed to permitting and completing this project as quickly as possible.
Based on the anticipated completion of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process and securing permits, we anticipate starting the project in September 2010 and completing the project in February 2012.
Question #2
Road to 222 will have traffic control to assist in crossing trucks from the quarry to the dam construction site. Will the Wishon Campground at Miller’s Landing be impacted or closed for recreation?
The Wishon Campground will remain open during construction
Question #3
How many employees will the seismic retrofit project employ?
The project will be completed in several phases and the number of employees will vary during different phases. At the project’s highest peak there will be 35 to 40 employees employed.
Question #4
What could delay the project once the project begins? What is the potential for delay?
There are different requirements under the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Act that may conflict with planned timelines. PG&E will work to complete the construction within the 19 month timeline but there may be factors such as these and weather that could delay the schedule.
Question #5
What are the impacts to the launch ramp and parking areas at the dam?
The boat launch will be available. Parking at the boat launch will be available. The dam area will be closed for construction activities and parking will not be available at this location.
Question #6
Why is the lake level restriction still in place when construction has not started?
The lake level restriction was not put in place to facilitate construction. The lake level restriction was put in place to reduce the risk of downstream flooding due to a seismic event. The Division of Safety Dams (DSOD) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) who regulate the dam determined the lake level reduction necessary to protect public safety and reduce the flood risk in the event of an earthquake. To read more about the lake level restriction go to Bass Lake Level Reduction on this website.
Question #7
How is air quality being evaluated for the project?
Air quality is being addressed through the environmental review process under NEPA and CEQA as well as the San Joaquin Air Quality District and other permits.
Question #8
Will the Bass Lake water level be increased back to normal after construction is complete or will increasing the lake level have to wait for the re-vegetation to be completed?
PG&E anticipates the water level will return to normal once construction is completed pending approval by DSOD and FERC.
Question #9
Is anyone opposing the project asking for PG&E to buy their houses?
PG&E is not aware of anyone of anyone opposing the Crane Valley Dam Seismic Retrofit Project
Question #10
The USFS is considering a design for the quarry access road and haul route that is located near cabin owners who lease land as tenants on USFS property. Is this road design final and who will make the final decision?
The USFS is still evaluating numerous road designs to access the quarry and a final design has not been chosen. The USFS is accepting public input on the project. Dave Martin, Bass Lake Forest Ranger will make the final decision.
Question #11
What is included in e-mail notifications?
PG&E has established a website at www.cranevalleydam.com to provide updated information on the project schedule, construction and public meetings. If you sign up on the website to receive email notifications, when milestones occur on the project, you will receive an email newsletter about the project.
Question #12
The County has plans to close the fire station near the project during the winter months. How will this impact the project and worker safety and first responder concerns?
PG&E will meet with the County to learn more about their plans.
