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File #: 25-896    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Informational Report Status: Time Certain Matter
File created: 7/17/2025 In control: Public Works
On agenda: 7/22/2025 Final action:
Title: 10:00 AM - Approval of 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
Attachments: 1. Staff Report, 2. Attachment 1 - Maps, 3. Attachment 2 - NERF WDA with appendices 7-16-2025

To: Board of Supervisors

From: Public Works

Agenda Section: Time Certain Matter

Vote Requirement: Majority

SUBJECT:
title
10:00 AM - Approval of 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

end

RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a staff report regarding the proposed Water Diversion Agreement for the New Eel-Russian Facility;
2. Receive comments from representatives of California Trout, Trout Unlimited, and Friends of the Eel River;
3. Receive comments from the public;
4. Approve, and authorize the chair of the Board to sign, the attached Water Diversion Agreement (along with revised versions, if needed, containing non-substantive changes after consultation with the Board's Eel-Russian ad hoc committee and approval from County Counsel);
5. Authorize the Public Works Deputy-Director for Environmental Services to approve Humboldt County's public statements regarding the Water Diversion Agreement and joint statements or letters by the parties of the Agreement; and
6. Direct staff to continue working with the signatory parties of the Water Diversion Agreement, PG&E, and other stakeholders to advance the Two Basin Solution and decommissioning of PG&E's Potter Valley Project.

Body
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. By July 29, 2025, PG&E will file its license surrender application and decommissioning ...

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