To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
10:30 AM - Approval of Memorandum of Understanding to Advance a Water Diversion Agreement associated with PG&E's Decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project on the Eel River and a New Eel-Russian Diversion Facility
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a staff report regarding the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Advance a Water Diversion Agreement for a new Eel-Russian Facility; and
2. Receive a presentation from Scott McBain with Applied River Sciences; and
3. Receive comments from representatives of California Trout, Trout Unlimited, and Friends of the Eel River; and
4. Receive comments from the public; and
5. Approve, and authorize the Public Works Deputy-Director for Environmental Services to sign the attached MOU (Attachment 2); and
6. Authorize the Public Works Deputy-Director for Environmental Services to approve written public statements regarding the MOU on behalf of Humboldt County after consultation with the Board's Eel-Russian River ad hoc committee and approval from County Counsel; and
7. Direct staff to bring the Water Diversion Agreement when it is completed back to the Board for consideration.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 5001 - Enhance climate adaptation landscapes and communities
DISCUSSION:
Overview
Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) is preparing to decommission the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project on the upper Eel River which includes removing Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam to restore a free-flowing Eel River and re-establish fish passage to upstream habitat. On Jan. 31, 2025, PG&E released a draft plan for public review. PG&E's draft plan included a proposal to use a portion of P...
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