Every hydropower project in the United States is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Each project with a capacity greater than 5 Megawatts is licensed by FERC for a period of 30 to 50 years. Prior to the expiration of its license, every project operator must conduct a process called relicensing.
California began to build hydropower projects in the late 1800s. Over time it became clear that hydroelectric projects depressed California’s native fish populations.
Today, salmon and steelhead are cut off from upper watersheds. Salmon and steelhead also perish in high temperatures caused by low flows downstream of hydropower dams. Many trout fisheries are also degraded and those that survive do so more by luck than by plan.
Many of the licenses that hydroelectric projects operate with do not require operators to address the impacts the projects have on downstream habitat and fisheries. CSPA leverages hydropower relicensing to restore and protect fisheries that have been degraded by hydroelectric projects across the state.
What CSPA Advocates for During FERC Relicensing
- More water returned to rivers and streams after being used to operate generators.
- High flows at times of year when they would naturally occur in the absence of dams, reservoirs, and diversions.
- Streamflows of sufficient duration, timing, and magnitude so that fish can thrive.
- Habitat reconnection on rivers and streams where hydropower dams inhibit fish from migrating, spawning, and returning to sea.
- Streamflow information to help anglers and other members of the public utilize the beneficial uses of rivers and streams.
CSPA’s Victories
Since the new license for the Rock Creek – Cresta project was issued in 2001, thirteen miles of the North Fork of the Feather River have been brought back to life and trout have returned. Prior to relicensing the North Fork of the Feather River was dewatered most of the year. Low flows and high summer water temperatures did not support a good trout fishery.
Since the new license for the El Dorado project was issued in 2006, there is at least one good stream to fish in the project area all summer long. Before relicensing Caples Creek and the Silver Fork American River were dry or would intermittently flow depending on power and water supply needs downstream.
The new license for the Poe Project increased the flow in the affected section of the North Fork Feather River by up to a factor of four.
The revised license for the Lower Mokelumne Project increased the flows in the Lower Mokelumne River by a factor of six.
Through this campaign CSPA has helped the public access online real-time information about streamflows in stream reaches affected by the project and lake levels in project reservoirs.
CSPAs Current Hydropower Relicensing Portfolio
Today, CSPA is active in thirteen distinct processes relating to hydroelectric projects. Some are undergoing relicensing. Others have completed the relicensing process, but have not had new licenses issued. Others have been relicensed, but CSPA remains engaged in license implementation.
CSPA remains engaged after projects have been relicensed to assure that license conditions meant to protect rivers and fish are carried out. CSPA also keeps watch to identify and address issues that arise in the course of a 30 to 50 year license period.
CSPA is also engaged in national hydropower policy, and for strategic reasons often takes specific actions relating to hydro projects even when these projects are not otherwise part of our regular ongoing work plan.
CSPA is a member of the national Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC). HRC is composed of groups with common overall goals. This coalition works to represent angling, conservation and whitewater interests. The coalition combines resources to assure mutually desired outcomes. Visit the HRC website at www.hydroreform.org.
Project 803, Butte Creek and West Branch Feather River
The DeSabla – Centerville Project on Butte Creek and West Branch Feather directly affects about 70% of the remaining spring-run salmon in the Central Valley. It also has steelhead.
CSPA wants the project operated to optimize habitat for both the spring-run and the steelhead. This will likely require the decommissioning of Centerville Powerhouse, which generates very little power, is old, is serviced by an unreliable canal, and has been closed down or operating on a limited basis for many years.
A tentative agreement has been reached to require a fish ladder and screen at one of the main project diversions.
Finally, CSPA and allied organizations want a say in the decision making process after the new license is issued.
Status: Relicensing completed. Water quality certification by State Water Board in 2015. The project is awaiting a Biological Opinion from National Marine Fisheries Service.
Projects 2266 and 2310, Middle and South Yuba rivers and tributaries, Bear River and tributaries, West Placer creeks.
The Yuba-Bear and Drum-Spaulding Projects are integrated and are being relicensed in one proceeding. These projects almost completely dewater the Middle and South Yuba Rivers from June into the fall.
CSPA wants enough water in these rivers to support robust trout fisheries, and to provide habitat for spring-run salmon and steelhead should they be reintroduced into either river. Salmon and steelhead are already present in Auburn Ravine. 80% of annual water input in Auburn Ravine passes through the Drum-Spaulding Project.
CSPA wants a minimum flow for Auburn Ravine, and continued progress on fish passage in this watershed. CSPA also wants a consultation role for participating nonprofits once the new licenses are issued.
Status: Relicensing completed 2015. Water quality certifications in litigation. Additional review for Biological Opinions. There are two associated water rights processes.
Project 2179, Merced River
The Merced River and the Tuolumne River are home to depressed anadromous fisheries. The relevant licensees Merced Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District and Turlock Irrigation District have all opposed increased flows.
CSPA wants more fish downstream of the major rim dams that create the storage reservoirs for these projects. CSPA also wants salmon and steelhead reintroduced upstream of these projects.
Relicensing of these projects must also require flows consistent with the State Water Board’s proceeding on flow for the San Joaquin watershed. Flows in the San Joaquin’s tributaries, such as the Merced and the Tuolumne, must also meet Delta flow needs.
Status: Relicensing completed in 2015. Water quality certification is in litigation. Biological Opinion has not been started.
Project 2105, North Fork Feather River
Status: Partial settlement signed in 2005. Water quality certification declared waived by FERC. Awaiting new license.
Project 2100, main stem Feather River
Status: Awaiting new license from FERC, apparently delayed by spillway failure in 2017.
Project 2997, Bear River
Status: Relicensing complete. Awaiting draft Environmental Assessment
Project 14796, proposed for Mokelumne River watershed
Status: Original licensing in early stages
Project 2299, and La Grange, Project 14581, mainstem Tuolumne River
Status: Relicensing and original licensing completed 2020. Water quality certification is in litigation. Biological Opinion has not started.
Project 1388 and 1389, Lee Vining Creek and Rush Creek
Status: Relicensing in early stages.
Project 1962, North Fork Feather River
Status: Ongoing license implementation and oversight
Project 2017, North Fork Feather River
Status: Ongoing license implementation and oversight. There is a dispute with PG&E about a hiking trail along the river.
Project 184, South Fork American River, Silver Fork American River, Caples Creek (Ongoing license implementation and oversight; associated water rights process)
Projects 2101 and 2155, South Fork American River and tributaries (Ongoing license implementation and oversight)
P-77, main Eel River (License surrender process in early stages; associated water rights processes; major dam removal opportunity)
Project 1121, Battle Creek (License surrender process to begin soon; major dam removal opportunity)
Get Involved in Relicensing
Relicensing is open to the public. Anyone can attend meetings and propose alternatives.
If you would like to get involved in the relicensing process, HRC’s Citizen Guide for Effective Participation in Hydropower Licensing is a great place to start.
Rivers Affected by Hydropower Projects
American, Middle Fork
American, South Fork
Big Creek
Butte Creek
Eel
Feather, mainstem
Feather, North Fork
Feather, South Fork
Feather, West Branch
Hat Creek
Kaweah
Kern
Kings
Klamath
Lee Vining Creek
McCloud
Merced
Middle Yuba
Mokelumne
Mono Creek
Piru Creek
Pit
Rush Creek
Russian
San Luis Rey
Stanislaus, mainstem
Stanislaus, Middle Fork
Stanislaus, North Fork
Stanislaus, South Fork
Tule
Tuolumne
Yuba, mainstem
Yuba, North Fork
Yuba, South Fork
San Joaquin
Other Hydropower Campaigns
Recent News
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