New Slab Creek Powerhouse and Boating Flow Release Valve Project Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration • September 2015 New Slab Creek Powerhouse and Boating Flow Release Valve Project Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration • September 2015 Lead Agency: SMUD–Environmental Management 6201 S Street, MS B203 Sacramento, CA 95817-1899 or P.O. Box 15830 MS B203 Sacramento, CA 95852-1830 Attn: Jose Bodipo-Memba (916) 732-6493 or
[email protected] Prepared by: AECOM 2020 L Street, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95811 Contact: Petra Unger
[email protected] New Slab Creek Powerhouse and Boating Flow Release Valve Project September 2015 Introduction This draft initial study (IS) and mitigated negative declaration (MND) have been prepared to evaluate Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD’s) New Slab Creek Powerhouse and Boating Flows Release Valve (proposed project) for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). SMUD is the lead agency responsible for complying with CEQA. In addition to this Initial Study, the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project were addressed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). On April 29, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published a NEPA EA evaluating the environmental effects of the proposed project. The following CEQA evaluation incorporates FERC’s environmental analysis and provides additional information specific to the CEQA checklist questions. This Initial Study also incorporates information provided by FERC/U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in the 2008 Upper American River Project (UARP) 2008 EIS and SMUD’s 2008 CEQA Supplemental Analysis for the UARP. Project Description SMUD proposes to construct and operate the proposed project as part of the existing Upper American River Project (UARP) hydroelectric facilities in El Dorado County, California.