News Release Archive

Battle Creek Restoration Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Document Available

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, JMCCRACKEN@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 02, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have made available for public review and comment the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Revised Environmental Impact Report (SEIS/REIR) for the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project). Reclamation is the lead Federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act, FERC is a cooperating Federal agency, and the State Water Board is the lead State agency for the California Environmental Quality Act.

The proposed CALFED-supported Restoration Project would restore approximately 42 miles of habitat in Battle Creek, a tributary to the Sacramento River, and an additional 6 miles of habitat in its tributaries. At the same time, it would minimize the loss of renewable energy produced by the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project, owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Habitat restoration would enable safe passage for naturally produced salmonids and would facilitate their population growth and recovery. These salmonids include the Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (state and federally listed as threatened), the Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon (state and federally listed as endangered), and the Central Valley steelhead (federally listed as threatened). The Restoration Project would be accomplished through the modification of PG&E's Hydroelectric Project facilities and operations, including instream flow releases.

A Draft EIS/EIR addressing the impacts of project construction and operation was made available for public review and comment beginning July 18, 2003. During the process of responding to comments received on the Draft EIS/EIR, it became evident that significant new information would need to be added to the environmental document. Therefore, Reclamation and the State Water Board are re-circulating portions of the Draft EIS/EIR, as the Draft SEIS/REIR, for public review and comment. Responses to comments on both the Draft EIS/EIR and the Draft SEIS/REIR will be contained in the Final EIS/EIR.

Written comments on the Draft SEIS/REIR must be received by close of business on Friday, April 29, 2005, and should be sent to: Ms. Mary Marshall, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825, and Mr. Jim Canaday, State Water Resources Control Board, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. For additional information, please contact Ms. Marshall at 916-978-5248, TDD 916-978-5608, or mmarshall@mp.usbr.gov. To request a copy of the Draft SEIS/REIR, contact Ms. Rosemary Stefani at 916-978-5309, TDD 916-978-5608, or rstefani@mp.usbr.gov. The Draft SEIS/REIR and Draft EIS/EIR are available at www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=99

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Relevant Link:

Battle Creek Restoration Project Draft Supplemental Environmental Document