PG&E Dumps Dams for Fish: No Tunnel Needed in California Restoration
Published Date: 4/9/2025
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is making changes to the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project to help restore fish habitats by removing four dams in California. They decided not to build a planned tunnel, and experts say these changes won’t harm the environment. This update affects local communities, fish, and federal lands, with no big costs or delays expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Four Dams Removed to Restore Fish
Pacific Gas and Electric Company will remove four dams — South Diversion Dam, Soap Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, Lower Ripley Creek Feeder Diversion Dam, and Coleman Diversion Dam — as part of Phase 2 of the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project on Battle Creek (including North Fork and South Fork) in Shasta and Tehama counties, California. The removal is intended to restore fish habitat and the Commission's Environmental Assessment finds the amendment, with protective measures, would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
Planned Tunnel Will Not Be Built
The Phase 2 amendment does not include construction of the originally proposed tailrace connector tunnel from South Powerhouse to Inskip Canal. Commission staff evaluated not constructing the tunnel in the Environmental Assessment and concluded that, with appropriate environmental protective measures, the amendment would not be a major federal action significantly affecting the human environment.
Environmental Assessment Available; Comment Deadline
FERC staff published an Environmental Assessment for the proposed amendment to support Phase 2 of the Battle Creek Restoration Project; you can view it in FERC's eLibrary using docket number P-1121. The public comment deadline for the EA is May 5, 2025, and the Commission provides electronic and paper filing options and Office of Public Participation assistance for landowners, Tribal members, and others.
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