DOCSLIB.ORG

4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality 4.9 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY This section describes the regulations pertaining to, and the existing conditions of, surface water, groundwater, water quality, and water supply existing within the planning area, and an evaluation of impacts associated with implementation of the Draft General Plan. 4.9.1 REGULATORY SETTING FEDERAL PLANS, POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND LAWS Clean Water Act The Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA) is the primary federal law that governs and authorizes water quality control activities by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the lead federal agency responsible for water quality management. By establishing water quality standards, issuing permits, monitoring discharges, and managing polluted runoff, the CWA seeks to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of surface waters to support “the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water.” EPA is the federal agency with primary authority for implementing regulations adopted pursuant to CWA, and has delegated the state of California as the authority to implement and oversee most of the programs authorized or adopted for CWA compliance through the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act of 1969 described below. Water Quality Criteria and Standards EPA has published water quality regulations under Volume 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR). Section 303 of the CWA requires states to adopt water quality standards for all surface waters of the United States. As defined by the CWA, water quality standards consist of two elements: (1) designated beneficial uses of the water body in question and (2) criteria that protect the designated uses. Section 304(a) requires EPA to publish advisory water quality criteria that accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge on the kind and extent of all effects on health and welfare that may be expected from the presence of pollutants in water. Where multiple uses exist, water quality standards must protect the most sensitive use. Section 303(d) mandates the creation of a list of waterbodies and associated pollutants that exceed water quality criteria. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States. Federal NPDES permit regulations have been established for broad categories of discharges including point source municipal waste discharges and nonpoint source stormwater runoff. NPDES permits generally identify effluent and receiving water limits on allowable concentrations and/or mass emissions of pollutants contained in the discharge; prohibitions on discharges not specifically allowed under the permit; and provisions that describe required actions by the discharger, including industrial pretreatment, pollution prevention, self-monitoring, and other activities. More specifically, the discharge prohibitions and limitations in an NPDES permit for wastewater treatment plants are designed to ensure the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of receiving water resources, and safeguarding of the designated beneficial uses. Discharge limitations typically define allowable effluent quantities for flow, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended matter, residual chlorine, settleable matter, total coliform, oil and grease, pH, and toxic pollutants. Limitations also typically encompass narrative requirements regarding mineralization and toxicity to aquatic life. In November 1990, the EPA published regulations establishing NPDES permit requirements for municipal and industrial stormwater discharges. Phase I of the permitting program applied to municipal discharges of stormwater Amador County General Plan FEIR AECOM County of Amador 4.9-1 Hydrology and Water Quality in urban areas where the population exceeded 100,000 persons. Phase I also applied to stormwater discharges from a large variety of industrial activities including general construction activity if the project would disturb greater than 5 acres. Amador County is subject to the requirements of Phase II of the NPDES stormwater permit regulations, which became effective in March 2003 and required NPDES permits be issued for construction activity for projects that disturb between 1 and 5 acres. Phase II of the municipal permit system (i.e., known as the NPDES General Permit for Small MS4s) required small municipality areas of less than 100,000 persons to develop stormwater management programs. The Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) in California are responsible for implementing the NPDES permit system (refer to additional details in the section “State Plans, Policies, Regulations, and Laws” below). Section 401 Water Quality Certification or Waiver Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires a project proponent to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) before engaging in any activity that involves any discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S., including wetlands. Fill material, waters of the U.S., and wetlands are defined as follows: ► Fill material is material placed in Waters of the U.S. where the material has the effect of replacing any portion of a water of the United States with dry land, or of changing the bottom elevation of any portion of a water of the United States. ► Waters of the U.S. consist of navigable waters of the U.S.; interstate waters; all other waters where the use, degradation, or destruction of the waters could affect interstate or foreign commerce; tributaries to any of these waters; and wetlands adjacent to these waters. ► Wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Under Any applicant for a Section 4041 permit must obtain a Section 401 Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of the CWA, an applicant for a Section 404 permit (to discharge dredged or fill material into waters of the United States) must first obtain a certificate from the appropriate Sstate agency stating that the fill is consistent with the state’s water quality standards and criteria. In California, the authority to either grant water quality certification or waive the requirements is delegated by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to the nine regional boards. Activities associated with the proposed project that would require a permit under Section 404 of the CWA would also require Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of the CWA. Federal Antidegradation Policy The federal antidegradation policy is designed to protect existing uses and water quality and national water resources. The federal policy directs states to adopt a statewide policy that includes the following primary provisions: (1) existing in-stream uses and the water quality necessary to protect those uses shall be maintained and protected; (2) where existing water quality is better than necessary to support fishing and swimming conditions, that quality shall be maintained and protected unless the state finds that allowing lower water quality is necessary for important local economic or social development; and (3) where high-quality waters constitute an outstanding national resource, such as waters of national and state parks, wildlife refuges, and waters of exceptional recreational or ecological significance, that water quality shall be maintained and protected. Safe Drinking Water Act Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public Law 93-523), EPA regulates contaminants of concern to domestic water supply. Contaminants of concern relevant to domestic water supply are defined as those that pose a public health threat or that alter the aesthetic acceptability of the water. These types of contaminants are regulated by AECOM Amador County General Plan FEIR Hydrology and Water Quality 4.9-2 County of Amador EPA’s primary and secondary maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), which are applicable to treated water supplies delivered to the distribution system. MCLs and the process for setting these standards are reviewed triennially. Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act established an accelerated schedule for setting MCLs for drinking water. EPA has delegated to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) the responsibility for administering California’s drinking-water program. CDPH is accountable to EPA for program implementation and for adopting standards and regulations that are at least as stringent as those developed by EPA. The applicable state primary and secondary MCLs are set forth in Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15, Article 4 of the California Code of Regulations, and described in “Title 22 Standards” below. Section 303(d) Impaired Waters List Under Section 303(d) of the CWA, states are required to develop lists of water bodies that would not attain water quality objectives after implementation of required levels of treatment by point source dischargers (municipalities and industries). Section 303(d) requires that the state develop a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for each of the listed pollutants. The TMDL is the amount of loading that the water body can receive and still be in compliance with water quality objectives. The TMDL is also a plan to reduce loading of a specific pollutant from various
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Campground (2869 Golden Torch Rd, Tel
    MileByMile.com Personal Road Trip Guide California Byway Highway # "Route 4--Ebbetts Pass Road" Miles ITEM SUMMARY 0.0 Arnold, California Community of Arnold, California, located in Calaveras County, California. This is where Ebbetts Pass Byway starts.M eadowmont Golf Course, a 9 hole short layout Golf Course, on Ebbetts Pass Highway Route #4. Altitude: 3950 feet 0.4 Dunbar Road Dunbar Road, Blagen Road, White Pines, California, White Pines Lake, San Antonio Circle Altitude: 4029 feet 1.5 Linda Drive Linda Drive, Blue Lake Springs Drive, Sequoia Woods Country Club, in Arnold, Calaveras County, California Altitude: 4265 feet 1.7 Upper Moran Road Upper Moran Road, Oak Tree Parkway, Beaver Creek, North Fork of Stanislaus River, Huge, Bulk trees located in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, in California. Altitude: 4311 feet 3.2 North Grove North Grove, Oak Trees Parkway, Scenic Calavars Big Trees State Park, Tall, Big Trees offer a grand natural scenic area. Altitude: 4682 feet 3.4 Forest Route 7N08 Forest Route 7N08, Summit Level Road, Railroad Flat Road to Independence, California, leads through the Calavaras Big Trees State Park Altitude: 4777 feet 4.2 Dardanelle Vista Snowshoe Lake, Stanilaus River Altitude: 5033 feet 5.3 Snowshoe Springs, Community of Snowshoe Springs, California. Golden Pines RV Resort California & Campground (2869 Golden Torch Rd, Tel. 209-795-2820). Altitude: 4941 feet 5.8 Dorrington, California A resort town on State Route #4, within the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, along Ebbetts Pass Road Byway, California. Altitude: 4783 feet 6.6 Camp Connell, CA Community of Camp Connell, CA.
    [Show full text]
  • Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
    Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras Integrated Regional Water Management Plan November 2006 Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Prepared by: Water and Environment November 2006 Mokelumne, Amador, and Calaveras IRWMP Table of Contents Executive Summary..................................................................................................................... i ES-1 Background and Authority........................................................................................... i ES-2 Local and Regional Integration .................................................................................. ii ES-3 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................iii ES-4 Project Prioritization ...................................................................................................iii ES-5 Implementation.......................................................................................................... iv Chapter 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................1-1 1.1 IRWMP Background................................................................................................1-1 1.2 IRWMP Standards ..................................................................................................1-2 Chapter 2 M/A/C IRWMP Development .................................................................................2-1 2.1 Resource Management & Coordination
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Special Meeting
    BOARD OF DIRECTORS EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT 375 - 11th Street, Oakland, CA 94607 Office of the Secretary: (510) 287-0440 Notice of Special Meeting FY22 and FY23 Budget Workshop #2 Tuesday, March 23, 2021 9:00 a.m. **Virtual** At the call of President Doug A. Linney, the Board of Directors has scheduled a Budget Workshop for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Due to COVID-19 and in accordance with the most recent Alameda County Health Order, and with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20 which suspends portions of the Brown Act, this meeting will be conducted by webinar or teleconference only. In compliance with said orders, a physical location will not be provided for this meeting. These measures will only apply during the period in which state or local public health officials have imposed or recommended social distancing. The Board will meet in workshop session to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) and Fiscal Year 2023 biennial budget, rates, operating and capital priorities, and staffing; the proposed FY22 System Capacity Charge and FY22 Wastewater Capacity Fee; and will receive follow-up information from the January 26, 2021 Budget Workshop #1. Dated: March 18, 2021 _______________________________ Rischa S. Cole Secretary of the District W:\Board of Directors - Meeting Related Docs\Notices\Notices 2021\032321_FY22_FY23 Budget Workshop 2.docx This page is intentionally left blank. BOARD OF DIRECTORS EAST BAY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT 375 - 11th Street, Oakland, CA 94607 Office of the Secretary: (510) 287-0440 AGENDA Special Meeting FY22 and FY23 Budget Workshop #2 Tuesday, March 23, 2021 9:00 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • The Saltiest Springs in the Sierra Nevada, California
    The Saltiest Springs in the Sierra Nevada, California Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5053 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover. Photograph of more than a dozen salt-evaporation basins at Hams salt spring, which have been carved by Native Americans in granitic bedrock. Saline water flows in light-colored streambed on left. Photograph by J.S. Moore, 2009. The Saltiest Springs in the Sierra Nevada, California By James G. Moore, Michael F. Diggles, William C. Evans, and Karin Klemic Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5053 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior RYAN K. ZINKE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey William H. Werkheiser, Acting Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2017 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://store.usgs.gov. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Moore, J.G., Diggles, M.F., Evans, W.C., and Klemic, K., 2017, The saltiest springs in the Sierra Nevada, California: U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities District Power Line Reliability Project
    Kirkwood Meadows Public Utilities District Power Line Reliability Project Project Description: Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action KMPUD Project Description page 1 of 31 Introduction ____________________________________________ This chapter describes and compares the alternatives considered for the Kirkwood Meadows Power Line Reliability Project. It describes both alternatives considered in detail and those eliminated from detailed study. The end of this chapter presents the alternatives in tabular format so that the alternatives and their environmental impacts can be readily compared. Alternatives Considered in Detail __________________________ Based on the issues identified through public comment on the proposed action, the Forest Service developed four (4) alternative proposals that achieve the purpose and need differently than the proposed action. In addition, the Forest Service is required to analyze a No Action alternative. The proposed action, alternatives, and no action alternative are described in detail below. Alternative 1 – No Action Under the No Action alternative, current management plans would continue to guide management of the project area. No power line or supporting structures would be constructed to accomplish the purpose and need, and the Kirkwood community and ski resort would continue to be powered primarily by diesel generated electricity. Currently low sulfur dyed diesel fuel #2 is trucked into Kirkwood roughly two to three times per week during the winter months and once per week during the summer months. The number of trips depends on the consumption. Snowmaking, for instance, may consume as much as 5,000 gallons in a 24-hour period. There have been fuel spills during transport and transfer of fuel to the storage tanks.
    [Show full text]
  • 11313500 Salt Springs Reservoir Near West Point, CA San Joaquin River Basin
    Water-Data Report 2007 11313500 Salt Springs Reservoir near West Point, CA San Joaquin River Basin LOCATION.--Lat 38°29′55″, long 120°12′52″ referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NW ¼ SE ¼ sec.33, T.8 N., R.16 E., Calaveras County, CA, Hydrologic Unit 18040012, in Eldorado National Forest, near center of Salt Springs Dam on North Fork Mokelumne River, 1.8 mi upstream from Cole Creek, and 18 mi northeast of West Point. DRAINAGE AREA.--169 mi². SURFACE-WATER RECORDS PERIOD OF RECORD.--March 1931 to current year. Prior to October 1964, records published as usable contents. REVISED RECORDS.--WSP 1930: Drainage area, WDR CA-00-3: 1999 (month-end gage heights). GAGE.--Water-stage recorder. Prior to Oct. 1, 1991, nonrecording gage read once daily. Datum of gage is NGVD of 1929 (levels by Pacific Gas and Electric Company). COOPERATION.--Records were collected by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, under general supervision of the U.S. Geological Survey, in connection with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission project no. 137. REMARKS.--Reservoir is formed by concrete-faced rock-fill dam, completed in 1931; storage began in March 1931. Capacity, 141,857 acre-ft, between elevations 3,667.75 ft, outlet drain, and 3,958.0 ft, top of radial gates. Storage of 1,860 acre-ft available for release to river only. Water is released through Salt Springs Powerplant (station 11313510) just downstream from dam and discharged into Tiger Creek Powerplant Conduit (station 11314000). Figures given, including extremes, represent total contents. See schematic diagram of Mokelumne River Basin available from the California Water Science Center.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation Draft
    Chapter 11 Geology and Soils This chapter describes the affected environment for geology and soils, as well as potential environmental consequences and associated mitigation measures, as they pertain to implementing the alternatives. This chapter presents information on the primary study area (area of project features, the Temperance Flat Reservoir Area, and Millerton Lake below RM 274). It also discusses the extended study area (San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the Merced River, the San Joaquin River from the Merced River to the Delta, the Delta, and the CVP and SWP water service areas). Affected Environment This section describes the affected environment related to geology, geologic hazards, erosion and sedimentation, geomorphology, mineral resources, soils, and salts. Where appropriate, geology and soils characteristics are described in a regional context, including geologic provinces, physiographic regions, or other large-scale areas, with some area-specific geologic maps and descriptions of specific soil associations. Geology This section describes the geology of the primary and extended study areas. Primary Study Area A description of the surficial geologic units encountered in the primary study area is presented in Table 11-1. Geologic maps of the primary study area and the area of project features are presented in Figure 11-1 and Figure 11-2, respectively. Draft – August 2014 – 11-1 Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation Environmental Impact Statement Table 11-1. Description of Surficial Geologic Units of the Primary Study Area Geologic Map of Millerton Lake Quadrangle, West-Central Sierra Nevada, California1 Formation Surficial Deposits General Features Abbreviation Plutonic rocks characterized by undeformed blocky hornblende prisms as long as 1 cm and by biotite books as Tonalite of Blue Canyon much as 5 mm across.
    [Show full text]
  • 2016 High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan Amador Fire Safe Council
    2016 High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan Amador Fire Safe Council High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan September 19, 2016 DATE: September 19, 2016 TO: Amador County Board of Supervisors FROM: Amador Fire Safe Council SUBJ: High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan It is with great pleasure that the Amador Fire Safe Council (AFSC) submits the attached High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan (HCCWPP) for approval by the Amador Board of Supervisors. We recommend your approval. This plan is the culmination of many years of work achieved through Title III funding. It incorporates all the public input received during the review process. The plan is the result of cooperation between the USDA Forest Service, USDI Bureau of Land Management, CAL FIRE, Sierra Pacific Industries, PG&E, Amador Fire Protection District, and many volunteers, not the least of which is John Hofmann, Natural Resource Advisor to the Amador County Board of Supervisors. John Hofmann worked tirelessly to complete the HCCWPP as he understood that active forest management is the solution to virtually all forest health challenges. For this reason, the AFSC wishes to dedicate this plan to John Hofmann. We will be bringing the CWPP before the Board for final approval action on September 27, 2016. We hope the Board of Supervisors agrees with our recommendation for approval of the plan and its dedication High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan September 19, 2016 Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Plan Introduction – an introduction to the document and the High country Planning Unit .................... 1 Chapter 2 – High Country Planning Process – summarizes the public process used to develop this Fire Plan ...
    [Show full text]
  • Verifying Reported Historical Natural Barriers to the Upstream Migration Of
    1 2 Verifying Reported Historical Natural Barriers to the Upstream Migration of 3 Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 4 in the Mokelumne River Watershed 5 6 7 February, 2014 8 9 10 11 12 Stephen R. Boyd 13 Fisheries and Wildlife Division, East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1 Winemasters Way, 14 Suite K, Lodi, CA 95240, USA. Correspondent: [email protected] 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1 24 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 25 26 I am indebted to Elton V. Rodman, owner of Roaring Camp, for allowing access through 27 his property to a difficult to access part of the Mokelumne River Basin near the 28 confluence of the North Fork and Middle Fork, for providing valuable information 29 regarding the locations of potential migration barriers and how to reach them, and for 30 providing some insightful first hand historical accounts regarding salmonids spawning in 31 the river in years past. Ricky Lague, Mike Rodman, and Dennis Rodman are deserving 32 of high praise as well for providing cheerful, valuable advice and guide service. Pat 33 McGreevy provided very useful trail maps of the region around Glenco and guided 34 EBMUD staff during the 2011 site visit to the Middle Fork. I am also grateful for help 35 received on this project from EBMUD colleagues Robyn Bilski, Casey Del Real, Charles 36 Hunter, and James Jones, and from two anonymous reviewers for their comments on a 37 draft of this report. Thank you all. 38 39 ABSTRACT 40 41 Substantial uncertainty exists regarding historical use of the Mokelumne River 42 watershed by native anadromous salmonid runs.
    [Show full text]
  • Lower Mokelumne River Salmonid Redd Survey Report: October 2011 Through February 2012
    Lower Mokelumne River Salmonid Redd Survey Report: October 2011 through February 2012 June 2013 Robyn Bilski and Ed Rible East Bay Municipal Utility District, 1 Winemasters Way, Lodi, CA 95240 Key words: lower Mokelumne River, salmonid, fall-run Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus mykiss, redd survey, spawning, superimposition, gravel enhancement ___________________________________________________________________________ Abstract Weekly fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and winter-run steelhead/rainbow trout (O. mykiss) spawning surveys were conducted on the lower Mokelumne River from 19 October 2011 through 28 February 2012. Estimated total escapement during the 2011/2012 season was 18,596 Chinook salmon. The estimated number of in-river spawners was 2,674 Chinook salmon. The first salmon redd was detected on 19 October 2011. During the surveys, a total of 564 salmon redds were identified. Forty-three (7.6%) Chinook salmon redds were superimposed by other Chinook salmon redds and 336 (59.6%) redds were located within gravel enhancement areas. The reach from Camanche Dam to Mackville Road (reach 6) contained 512 (90.2%) salmon redds and the reach from Mackville Road to Elliott Road (reach 5) contained 52 (9.8%) salmon redds. The highest number of Chinook salmon redd detections (161) took place on 22 November 2011. The first O. mykiss redd was found on 22 November 2011. Sixty-eight O. mykiss redds were identified. Nine O. mykiss redds were superimposed on Chinook salmon redds and one O. mykiss redd was superimposed on another O. mykiss redd. Thirty-one (45.6%) O. mykiss redds were located within gravel enhancement areas. Reach 6 contained 51 (75%) redds and reach 5 contained 17 (25%) redds.
    [Show full text]
  • CAWP DEIR Application DRAFT
    Central Amador Water Project (CAWP) Water Right Application Environmental Impact Report DRAFT SCH #2016092008 Lead Agency: Amador Water Agency 12800 Ridge Road Sutter Creek, CA 95685 Contact: Gene Mancebo 209.223.3018 Prepared By: May 2017 Amador Water Agency CAWP Water Right Application Table of Contents Environmental Impact Report DRAFT This page intentionally left blank. Amador Water Agency CAWP Water Right Application Table of Contents Environmental Impact Report DRAFT Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................ ES-1 ES-1 Introduction .............................................................................................. ES-1 ES-2 Project Location ....................................................................................... ES-2 ES-3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................... ES-2 ES-4 CEQA Objectives ..................................................................................... ES-2 ES-5 Summary of Impacts ................................................................................ ES-2 Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Compliance with CEQA ............................................................................... 1-1 1.2.1 State Requirements ...................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Lower Mokelumne River Project Joint Settlement Agreement Ten-Year Review
    LOWER MOKELUMNE RIVER PROJECT JOINT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TEN-YEAR REVIEW PARTNERSHIP STEERING COMMITTEE East Bay Municipal Utility District California Department of Fish and Game U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008 LOWER MOKELUMNE RIVER JOINT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT TEN-YEAR REVIEW 1.0 BACKGROUND The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) November 27, 1998 Order “Approving Settlement Agreement and Amending License for the East Bay Municipal Utility District’s Lower Mokelumne River Project No. 2916” approved the Joint Settlement Agreement (JSA) entered into by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG). The JSA included flow and non-flow measures, and required EBMUD, USFWS, and CDFG to develop a plan Water Quality and Resource Management Program (WQRMP) for FERC approval. The Partnership Steering Committee, composed of one representative each from CDFG, USFWS and EBMUD, developed WQRMP to define reasonable goals, measures, performance criteria and responsive actions associated with the implementation of the JSA. It includes a comprehensive monitoring and applied research program integrated with a well-coordinated program to adaptively manage water and power supply operations, flood control, hatchery operations and ecosystem rehabilitation actions. It was approved by FERC in 2001. JSA Goals • Provide, to the extent feasible, habitat quality and availability in the lower Mokelumne River to maintain fishery, wildlife and riparian resources in good
    [Show full text]