3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES - ca … · 3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ... PDEA 3...

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Upper American River Project

FERC Project No. 2101

UARP License Application PDEA 3 – Alternatives 06/17/2005 Copyright © 2005 Sacramento Municipal Utility District Page 3-1

3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES

For the purpose of this PDEA, the following alternatives were considered:

• SMUD’s Proposed Action • UARP-only Alternative • No Action Alternative

The facilities and features, typical operation, and environmental measures associated with each of these alternatives are described below. For the purposes of this PDEA, SMUD, in cooperation with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), developed a water balance model to generally describe how SMUD’s Proposed Action and each of the above alternatives would operate. The Water Balance Model was created with Devine Tarbell & Associates’ Computerized Hydro Electric Operations Planning Software (CHEOPS). A detailed description of the Water Balance Model, including model structure, input data, assumptions, and computational methods, is provided in the Water Balance Model Technical Report (SMUD 2005a), appended to the PDEA. Model output reflecting UARP operational information for the Proposed Action is presented in Exhibit B of this License Application. Additional model-generated information pertinent to environmental issues model (e.g., storage reservoir water elevations) is presented in this PDEA.

All elevations in this PDEA are referenced to National Geologic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), unless otherwise specified.

3.1 SMUD’s Proposed Action

SMUD’s Proposed Action includes changes to both the facilities (Section 3.1.1) that make up the UARP and the operation of those facilities (Section 3.1.2). On the facilities side, SMUD’s Proposed Action does not modify the present configuration of the existing seven UARP developments; it does, however, include the addition of a new development – the 400 MW pumped-storage facility referred to as the Iowa Hill Development. Also, about 29 miles of transmission line currently in the existing license will not be included in the new license because the transmission line is not within FERC’s jurisdiction (see Exhibit A of the License Application). On the operations side, SMUD’s Proposed Action involves adding a series of environmental measures to its current operations. Primary among these is a revised water release schedule for project dams that varies by five different water year types compared to the current four water year types. The new release schedule would result in higher flows in all five water year types in most reaches, which would result in enhanced aquatic resources throughout much of the project area. The environmental measures also include a proposal to modify reservoir level management in the three storage reservoirs to ensure that at least one boat launch is available throughout the summer recreation season. SMUD also proposes a Recreation Plan that will enhance recreation by, at a minimum, reconstructing UARP-related recreation facilities over the life of the license, and providing annual supplemental funding for facility administration, operation, maintenance and component replacement, and administration of recreation within the

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Upper American River Project FERC Project No. 2101

PDEA 3 – Alternatives UARP License Application 06/17/2005 Page 3-2 Copyright © 2005 Sacramento Municipal Utility District

FERC Project Boundary. A variety of additional environmental measures are designed to protect important botanical, wildlife, and cultural resources within the project area. With respect to the construction and operation of the Iowa Hill Development, SMUD has included in the Proposed Action a series of environmental measures designed to protect water quality, aquatic resources, aesthetics (visual and noise), and socioeconomic conditions in the vicinity of Iowa Hill. With the implementation of these measures, the addition of the Iowa Hill Development to the UARP will not have a significant effect on environmental resources. A map of the UARP and surrounding area is provided in Figure 3.1-1.

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April 15, 2005

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´Figure 3.1-1 Upper American River Project - Project Area

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3.1.1 Facilities

From a facilities perspective, the existing UARP, in its current configuration with the modifications discussed above, constitutes the Proposed Action. The UARP is located in the Silver Creek, Rubicon River, and South Fork American River basins, on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, in El Dorado and Sacramento counties. The facilities of the Proposed Action are comprised of eight developments, seven of which are existing developments (Loon Lake, Robbs Peak, Jones Fork, Union Valley, Jaybird, Camino, and Slab Creek/White Rock) constructed by SMUD between 1959 and 1985 under the original FERC license, as amended. One new development (Iowa Hill) is proposed by SMUD to be constructed by approximately 2015. Each of the seven existing developments is described below. The proposed Iowa Hill Development is described in Section 3.1.1.2.

3.1.1.1 Existing Facilities and Features

• Loon Lake Development – (1) Rubicon Dam - A 36-foot-high, 644-foot-long concrete gravity main diversion dam located on the Rubicon River, and a concrete gravity auxiliary dam that is 29 feet high by 553 feet long. These structures create the Rubicon Reservoir; (2) Rockbound Tunnel - A 0.2-mile-long, 13-foot-diameter unlined horseshoe tunnel that diverts water from Rubicon Reservoir to Buck Island Reservoir via Rockbound Lake (a non-project facility) located on Highland Creek; (3) Buck Island Dam - A concrete gravity diversion dam located on the South Fork Rubicon River that is 23 feet high by 293 feet long, and a 15-foot-high by 244-foot-long concrete gravity auxiliary dam. These structures create Buck Island Reservoir; (4) Buck-Loon Tunnel - A 1.6-mile-long, 13-foot-diameter unlined modified horseshoe tunnel that diverts water from Buck Island Reservoir to Loon Lake Reservoir; (5) Loon Lake Dam - A rockfill dam on Gerle Creek that is 0.4-mile-long by 108 feet high, with a 250-foot-long side channel spillway on the right bank, and a 910-foot-long by 95-foot-high rockfill auxiliary dam, and an earthfill dike. These structures create Loon Lake Reservoir; (6) Loon Lake Penstock - A 0.3-mile-long, 14-foot-diameter concrete-lined horseshoe tunnel; 10-foot-diameter concrete lined vertical shaft; and 8.5-foot-diameter steel-lined tunnel that extends from Loon Lake Reservoir to Loon Lake Powerhouse; (7) Loon Lake Powerhouse - An underground powerhouse, located over 1,100 feet below the surface of Loon Lake Reservoir, consisting of one turbine with a rated capacity of 70,479 kW at best gate opening and one generator rated at 85,215 kW, with powerhouse maximum capability of 82,000 kW; (8) Loon Lake Tailrace Tunnel - A 3.8-mile-long, 18-foot-diameter unlined horseshoe tunnel that extends from Loon Lake Powerhouse to Gerle Creek Reservoir; and (9) Transmission Lines - Two 69 kV overhead transmission lines: one extending to the Robbs Peak switchyard via the 7.9-mile-long Loon Lake-Robbs Peak Transmission Line, and the other extending to Union Valley switchyard via the 12.4-mile-long Loon Lake-Union Valley Transmission Line.

• Robbs Peak Development – (1) Gerle Creek Dam - A 58-foot-high, 444-foot-long concrete gravity overflow structure located on Gerle Creek, upstream of its confluence with South Fork Rubicon River, incorporating the intake of Gerle Canal in its left



abutment, creating Gerle Creek Reservoir; (2) Gerle Canal - An aboveground canal, 22 feet wide and 19 feet deep, extending 1.9 miles from Gerle Creek Reservoir to Robbs Peak Reservoir. It is partially lined with gunite; (3) Robbs Peak Dam - A 44-foot-high, 320-foot-long concrete gravity overflow structure, with 12 steel bulkhead gates, all 6.2 feet high, on the spillway crest, located on the South Fork Rubicon River upstream of its confluence with Gerle Creek, that forms Robbs Peak Reservoir; (4) Robbs Peak Tunnel - A 3.2-mile-long, 13-foot-diameter unlined horseshoe and 10-foot diameter lined diversion tunnel from Robbs Peak Reservoir to Robbs Peak Penstock; (5) Robbs Peak Penstock - A 9.75- to 8.5-foot-diameter, 0.4-mile-long steel penstock from Robbs Peak Tunnel to Robbs Peak Powerhouse; (6) Robbs Peak Powerhouse - Located on the northeast shore of Union Valley Reservoir, equipped with one turbine that has a rated capacity at best gate opening of 28,125 kW, and one generator rated at 29,700 kW, with maximum capability of 29,000 kW; and (7) Robbs Peak-Union Valley Transmission Line - A 6.8-mile long, 69 kV overhead line that connects the Robbs Peak switchyard to the Union Valley switchyard.

• Jones Fork Development – (1) Ice House Dam – A rockfill dam located on the South Fork Silver Creek, 0.3 mile long and 150 feet high, incorporating a concrete ogee spillway with radial gates, and two auxiliary earthfill dikes. These structures create the Ice House Reservoir; (2) Jones Fork Tunnel – A 0.3-mile-long, 8-foot-diameter horseshoe concrete- and steel-lined tunnel from Ice House Reservoir to the Jones Fork Penstock; (3) Jones Fork Penstock – A 1.6-mile-long, 6-foot-diameter steel and concrete penstock from Jones Fork Tunnel to the Jones Fork Powerhouse; (4) Jones Fork Powerhouse – Contains a single Francis-type turbine with a rated capacity at best gate opening of 10,400 kW, and one generator rated at 11,495 kW, located on the southeast shore of Union Valley Reservoir; with maximum capability of 11,500 kW; and (5) Jones Fork-Union Valley Transmission Line – A 69 kV, 4.0-mile-long overhead transmission line from the Jones Fork switchyard to the Union Valley switchyard.

• Union Valley Development – (1) Union Valley Dam – An earthfill dam located on Silver Creek, 0.3 miles long and 453 feet high, incorporating a concrete ogee spillway with radial gates, creating Union Valley Reservoir; (2) Union Valley Tunnel – A 268-foot-long, 11-foot-diameter concrete-lined tunnel with an approximately 10-foot-diameter steel penstock in part of the tunnel and connecting Union Valley Reservoir and Union Valley Powerhouse; (3) Union Valley Penstock – A 0.3-mile-long, 10-foot-diameter steel penstock that conveys water from the outlet of the Union Valley Tunnel to the Union Valley Powerhouse; (4) Union Valley Powerhouse – The powerhouse is equipped with one turbine with a rated capacity at best gate opening of 40,074 kW, and one generator rated at 44,400 kW, located at the base of Union Valley Dam; with maximum capability of 46,700 kW; and (5) Transmission Lines - Two 230 kV overhead transmission lines, one to the Camino switchyard via the 11.8-mile-long Union Valley-Camino Transmission Line, and the other to the Jaybird switchyard via the 5.9-mile-long Union Valley-Jaybird Transmission Line.




• Jaybird Development – (1) Junction Dam – A double curvature, concrete overflow arch dam located on Silver Creek that is 525 feet long and 168 feet high, creating Junction Reservoir; (2) Jaybird Tunnel – An 11-to 14-foot-diameter modified horseshoe tunnel 4.4-mile-long, connecting Junction Reservoir and the Jaybird Penstock; (3) Jaybird Penstock – A 6- to 10-foot-diameter steel penstock with a surge tank that is 0.5-miles long, connecting Jaybird Tunnel and Jaybird Powerhouse; (4) Jaybird Powerhouse – The powerhouse is equipped with two Pelton turbines, one with a rated capacity of 61,607 kW and the other 61,574 kW at best gate opening, and two generators, each rated at 84,450 kW; with total powerhouse maximum capability of 144,000 kW; and (5) Jaybird-White Rock Transmission Line – A 15.9-mile-long, 230 kV overhead transmission line connecting the Jaybird and White Rock switchyards.

• Camino Development – (1) Camino Dam - A concrete double curvature arch dam located on Silver Creek that is 470 feet long and 133 feet high, and has three integral bulkhead gates. These structures create Camino Reservoir; (2) Camino Tunnel - A 5-mile long power tunnel with a diameter ranging from 13 feet to 14 feet, including a surge tank that connects Camino Reservoir with the Camino Penstock; (3) Brush Creek Dam - A double curvature arch dam located on Brush Creek, 213 feet high and 780 feet long, creating Brush Creek Reservoir; (4) Brush Creek Tunnel - An approximately 14-foot-diameter modified horseshoe tunnel extending 0.8 mile from Brush Creek Reservoir to the lower end of Camino Tunnel; (5) Camino Penstock - A 5-foot to 12-foot-diameter, 0.3-mile-long aboveground steel penstock connecting Camino Tunnel and Camino Powerhouse; (6) Camino Powerhouse - The powerhouse is located on the South Fork American River and is equipped with two turbines: one with a rated capacity of 73,760 kW and the other with a rated capacity at best gate opening of 70,769 kW with total powerhouse maximum capability of 150,000 kW. The powerhouse is also equipped with two generators rated at 90,820 kW each. Both generators are installed with secondary oil containment; and (7) Transmission Lines - Two 230 kV overhead transmission lines originate at the Camino switchyard, one (Camino Lake) is 31.7-miles-long and connects to SMUD’s Lake Substation and the other (Camino-White Rock) is 10.0-miles-long and connects to the White Rock switchyard.

• Slab Creek/White Rock Development– (1) Slab Creek Dam – A 250-foot-high and 817-foot-long double curvature variable radius concrete arch dam stretching across the South Fork American River, with a central uncontrolled overflow spillway. This structure creates Slab Creek Reservoir; (2) Slab Creek Penstock – A 40-foot-long, 24-inch-diameter steel penstock that passes through the dam and connects Slab Creek Reservoir with Slab Creek Powerhouse; (3) Slab Creek Powerhouse – The powerhouse is located at the base of Slab Creek Dam and utilizes minimum stream flow releases, with one turbine with a rated capacity at best gate opening of 450 kW and one generator rated at 485 kW. The powerhouse has a maximum capability of 400 kW; (4) White Rock Tunnel - an approximately 20- to 24-foot-diameter modified horseshoe tunnel, 4.9-miles long and has a surge shaft that connects Slab Creek Reservoir with White Rock Penstock; (5) White Rock Penstock – A 9- to 15-foot-diameter, 0.3-mile-long aboveground steel penstock that connects White Rock Tunnel to White Rock Powerhouse; (6) White Rock Powerhouse –



The powerhouse is equipped with two turbines, one rated at 112,976 kW and the other at 120,000 kW at best gate opening, and two generators, rated at 109,250 kW and 133,000 kW; with total powerhouse maximum capability of 224,000 kW; and (7) Transmission Lines – There are two 230 kV overhead transmission lines; and one 12 kV distribution line to PG&E. The two transmission lines, both 21.8 miles in length, connect the White Rock switchyard to SMUD’s Folsom Junction1. The 600-foot-long 12 kV Slab Creek tap line connects the Slab Creek Powerhouse to the juncture with PG&E’s 12-kV distribution line.

3.1.1.2 Addition of Iowa Hill Pumped-Storage Development

As described above, SMUD’s Proposed Action includes the addition of the Iowa Hill Development. The development will be composed of the following features: (1) Iowa Hill Berm – A new off-stream, rock-filled earthen berm of varying height depending on natural terrain and 5,900 feet in circumference with a geotextile liner on the reservoir floor and inside surface of the berm. The berm will form Iowa Hill Reservoir; (2) Iowa Hill Tunnel – A new underground water conduit extending from Iowa Hill Reservoir and connecting to Slab Creek Reservoir, comprised of: a 1,120-foot-long, 19.02-foot-diameter, concrete-lined vertical shaft; a 1,110-foot-long, 19.02-foot-diameter concrete-lined high pressure tunnel; a 250-foot-long, 15.74-foot-diameter, steel-lined high pressure tunnel; a 150-foot-long, 12.45-foot-diameter, steel manifold; three 180-foot-long, 7.87-foot-diameter, steel penstocks; three 450-foot-long, 12.46-foot-diameter draft tube extensions; a 150-foot-long, 17.22-foot-diameter steel manifold; and a 1,230-foot-long, 20-93-foot-diameter, concrete-lined low pressure tunnel; (3) Iowa Hill Powerhouse – A new underground powerhouse along the Iowa Hill Tunnel that will include three variable speed turbines, three generators each with a nominal rating of 133 MW, and each rated at 170 MW as a motor. The powerhouse will have a maximum capability of 400 MW; (4) Iowa Hill Switchyard - a new switchyard that will connect to a new transmission line; and (5) Transmission Line – A new approximately 2-mile-long 230 kV transmission line that will connect the Iowa Hill Switchyard to the existing Camino-White Rock Transmission Line.

Once the new license is issued by FERC and accepted by SMUD, engineering, procurement, and construction of the Iowa Hill Development will take seven years. Construction will occur over a five-year time period, between 2009 and 2014. The underground Iowa Hill Powerhouse and tunnel will be excavated using conventional drill and shoot procedures. The excavated material will be used to form the Iowa Hill berm or as road base, so no permanent spoils piles or borrow areas will be needed. The construction lay down area for the Iowa Hill berm area will be located within the Iowa Hill Reservoir area to minimize disturbance to the area. No new road construction is planned, though some roads will be improved. The Slab Creek Reservoir Intake/Outlet structure will be constructed during the underground construction activities spanning the third, fourth, and fifth years. Construction of the Iowa Hill Transmission Line and re-conductoring of the existing UARP line to accommodate the tie-in will occur at the beginning of the construction to provide direct power to the construction site in lieu of fossil fuel power

1 As described in Exhibit A, SMUD is removing about 29 miles of transmission line currently in the existing license not needed for continued operation of the UARP (non-FERC jurisdictional).




(e.g., portable diesel generators). A detailed description of construction activities is provided in Exhibit C of the License Application.

3.1.2 Proposed Project Operation

Under the Proposed Action, SMUD will operate the UARP in a manner similar to historic operations. As described in Exhibits B, D, and H of the License Application, the existing UARP facilities represent a substantial source of power generation and capacity to the customer-owners of SMUD. The current operational regime of the project provides not only an annual average of 1,835,000 MWh, it also enables SMUD to balance second-to-second changes in demand and supply of electricity, an ability critical to a control area operator like SMUD. It also is operated to provide a number of valuable ancillary services related to system reliability, voltage control, and reserves. Many of these values will be enhanced with the added operation of the 400 MW Iowa Hill Development. In general, the Proposed Action will result in the following mode of operation:

• Two Uppermost Reservoirs Divert Spring Runoff – SMUD will continue to operate the two uppermost reservoirs, Rubicon and Buck Island, primarily to divert water to Loon Lake, where it is stored for future use. The majority of water diversion through these two uppermost reservoirs occurs during spring runoff.

• Three Storage Reservoirs Capture Spring Runoff – SMUD will continue to operate Loon

Lake, Ice House and Union Valley reservoirs as the primary storage reservoirs in the system. Consequently, these upper-watershed reservoirs will normally reach their peak storage by the end of the spring runoff, and are expected to exhibit a classic annual fill and generation use cycle with gradual changes in elevation.

• Five Smaller Reservoirs Re-Regulate Flows – SMUD will continue to operate the five

UARP lower elevation reservoirs (Gerle Creek, Robbs Peak, Junction, Camino, and Slab Creek), which have limited storage capacity, primarily as re-regulating afterbays/forebays for daily or weekly peaking operation by the power plants to which each provides water. Consequently, these reservoirs would not exhibit the normal annual cycle described for the three storage reservoirs above, as surface elevations will fluctuate daily throughout the year.

• Brush Creek Reservoir Operated for Spinning Reserves and Peaking – SMUD will

continue to operate the Brush Creek Reservoir for reliability purposes, primarily in a spinning reserve capacity. It will also be used to generate maximum peak power during emergencies or other limited situations.

• Five Powerhouses Used for Peaking and One Powerhouse for Run-of-River – Normally,

SMUD will continue to operate five of the powerhouses (Loon Lake, Jones Fork, Jaybird, Camino, and White Rock) in a true peaking mode, and one (Robbs Peak) in a combination peaking and run-of-river mode because of lack of storage in the Gerle Creek and Robbs Peak reservoirs.



• Water Released for Generation in High Demand Periods and Held in Storage in Low

Demand Periods – Typically, on a hot summer day when demand for electricity is high, SMUD will continue to release water from storage to generate electricity, particularly during peak hours of the day such as the late afternoon and early evening. Alternatively, when demand for power is low or when western power supply has been abundant, SMUD will continue to hold water in the storage reservoirs and the project will continue to generate at reduced capacity for shorter periods of time.

• Iowa Hill Development Operated as Pumped-storage Facility – The planned operation of

the proposed Iowa Hill Development will meet the same general needs described above relative to high and low demand periods. During low demand periods (off-peak), such as nighttime hours, SMUD will use the Iowa Hill Development to pump water from Slab Creek Reservoir to the Iowa Hill Reservoir. One potential source of pumping electricity will be non-dispatchable wind power. During periods of high demand (on-peak), SMUD will release the water from the upper reservoir to generate electricity to meet peak demands.

3.1.3 Proposed Environmental Measures

The Proposed Action includes a number of environmental measures, each of which is summarized below. An evaluation of each measure is provided in Section 5 (Environmental Effects) of this PDEA. In addition, a detailed description of each measure is provided in Appendix H.

Water Resources

1. Water Year Types – Determine the following water year types based on CDWR’s forecast of annual unimpaired inflow into Folsom Reservoir (Bulletin 120): Critical Dry - less than 900,000 acre-feet; Dry - from 900,000 to less than 1,700,000; Below Normal - from 1,700,000 to less than 2,600,000; Above Normal - from 2,600,000 to less than 3,500,000; and Wet - greater than or equal to 3,500,000. For the purpose of measures related to water year type, the types will be effective as follows:

• CDWR February 1 Forecast would be used to set the water year type from February 10 through March 9

• CDWR March 1 Forecast would be used to set the water year type from March 10 through April 9

• CDWR April 1 Forecast would be used to set the water year type from April 10 through May 9

• CDWR May 1 Forecast would be used to set the water year type from May 10 through October 9

• CDWR October 1 Estimate would be used to set the water year type from October 10 through February 9




Maintain a five-year record of water year type determinations including CDWR’s published forecasts for the same period and provide the record to the Commission annually. Once every five years coincident when CDWR publishes a new 50-year-long average for annual unimpaired inflow into Folsom Reservoir, if the new median value is more than five percent different than 2.6 million acre-ft (the current mean annual runoff on which the water year type determination is based), advise the Commission of the difference and any recommended modifications to the current water year type criteria. Implement those modifications approved by the Commission.

2. Woody Debris Management Plan – Implement the Woody Debris Management Plan contained in Appendix B of this PDEA. The purpose of the plan is to annually return woody debris to the river downstream of all project reservoirs except Brush Creek, Gerle Creek, and Iowa Hill reservoirs to enhance habitat for a variety of fish and aquatic invertebrates.

3. Loon Lake Dam Reach Geomorphic Study Plan – No later than one year after SMUD’s acceptance of the new license, develop and file with the Commission for approval a study plan to investigate the value and need for pulse flows in the upper portion of the Loon Lake Dam Reach. The purpose of the study is to further evaluate fine sediment buildup and stream geomorphic processes in the Upper Response Section and ascertain the extent to which the geomorphic condition can be influenced by UARP operations.

4. Ice House Dam Reach Water Temperature Monitoring – No later than one year after SMUD’s acceptance of the new license, install and maintain a continuous water temperature monitor at the downstream end of Ice House Dam Reach. Increase minimum releases from Ice House Dam to 30 cfs after mean daily water temperatures at the monitor are greater than 20°C for two consecutive days. Maintain 30 cfs release for three consecutive days, then reduce releases to the normal minimum release (22 cfs). Maintain an annual record of mean daily water temperatures recorded by the monitor and provide the record to the Commission annually.

5. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. (A draft conceptual Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan is provided in Appendix A of this PDEA.) The purpose of the plan is to describe the measures SMUD will implement to protect water quality and control erosion during construction of the Iowa Hill Development.

6. UARP and Chili Bar Project Coordinated Operations – No later than 60 days after SMUD’s acceptance of the new license, prepare in consultation with the licensee of the Chili Bar Project and file with the Commission for approval a Coordinated Operations Plan for coordinated operations between the UARP and the Chili Bar Project to help reduce the magnitude and frequency of spills at Chili Bar Dam during regulated flow periods. The plan will define all necessary operational procedures, data transfer, and communications protocols between SMUD and Chili Bar Project licensee to enable the



licensees to comply with operational and flow-related requirements in their respective licenses. In addition, the plan will require SMUD to provide hourly operational guidance recommendations to the Chili Bar Project licensee for each day of the year for the pre-schedule day and for real time scheduling. Implement those portions of the plan approved by the Commission within 90 days of the date both licenses are final and non-appealable.

7. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The purpose of the plan is to describe the measures SMUD will implement to protect water quality and manage hazardous substances during construction of the Iowa Hill Development.

Aquatic Resources

8. Minimum Release Schedule – Maintain the minimum release specified in Table 3.1.3-1. The purpose of the specified minimum releases in Table 3.1.3-1 is to protect and enhance trout habitat in the reaches downstream of all dams listed, except for Slab Creek Dam where the purpose is to protect and enhance both trout and hardhead habitat.

The specified minimum release schedule may consist of any combination of regulated flow releases from project dams, project powerhouses, spills, accretion, or other sources. The specified minimum releases are the minimum mean flow over a continuous 24-hour period. Instantaneous flow may deviate below the specified minimum releases by up to 10 percent or 5 cfs, whichever is less. However, SMUD will make a good faith effort to meet at least the specified minimum releases at all times. For compliance purposes, the point of measurement will be at the same locations described in the existing FERC license (USGS flow gage located downstream of each dam, except for Gerle Creek and Robbs Peak dams, where the compliance monitoring location is the existing USGS flow gage downstream of the confluence of Gerle Creek and South Fork Rubicon River). The minimum release may be temporarily modified if required by equipment malfunction, law enforcement/rescue activity, or operating emergencies reasonably beyond the control of SMUD. If the minimum release is so modified, SMUD will provide notice to the Commission as soon as possible, but no later than ten days after each such incident, with an explanation why the incident occurred.

Table 3.1.3-1. Proposed minimum release (cfs) schedule, by water year type. Month Critical Dry Dry Below Normal Above Normal Wet

RUBICON DAM Oct 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Nov 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Dec 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Jan 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Feb 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Mar 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Apr 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa





May 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Jun 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Jul 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa

Aug 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa Sept 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa 6 or NFa

BUCK ISLAND DAM Oct 1 1 1 1 1 Nov 1 1 1 1 1 Dec 1 1 1 1 1 Jan 1 1 1 1 1 Feb 1 1 1 1 1 Mar 1 1 1 1 1 Apr 1 1 1 1 1 May 1 1 1 1 1 Jun 1 1 1 1 1 Jul 1 1 1 1 1

Aug 1 1 1 1 1 Sept 1 1 1 1 1

LOON LAKE DAM Oct 15 15 15 15 15 Nov 15 15 15 15 15 Dec 15 15 15 12 12 Jan 12 12 12 12 12 Feb 12 12 12 12 12 Mar 8 8 8 12 12 Apr 8 8 8 8 8 May 8 8 8 8 8 Jun 8 8 8 8 8 Jul 8 8 8 12 12

Aug 8 8 8 12 12 Sept 8 8 8 12 12

GERLE CREEK/ROBBS PEAK DAMS Oct 7 7 12 12 12 Nov 7 7 12 12 12 Dec 7 7 7 7 7 Jan 7 7 7 7 7 Feb 7 7 7 7 7 Mar 7 7 7 7 7 Apr 7 7 7 7 7 May 11 11 14 23 23 Jun 11 11 14 23 23 Jul 7 7 12 12 12

Aug 7 7 12 12 12 Sept 7 7 12 12 12

ICE HOUSE DAM Oct 22 22 22 22 22 Nov 15 15 15 15 15 Dec 10 10 10 10 10




Jan 10 10 10 10 10 Feb 10 10 10 10 10 Mar 10 10 12 12 12 Apr 10 10 12 12 12 May 10 10 12 12 12 Jun 22 22 22 22 22 Jul 22 22 22 22 22

Aug 22 22 22 22 22 Sept 22 22 22 22 22

JUNCTION DAM Oct 18 18 18 18 18 Nov 18 18 18 18 18 Dec 10 10 10 10 10 Jan 10 10 10 10 10 Feb 10 10 10 15 15 Mar 10 10 10 15 15 Apr 18 18 18 26 26 May 18 18 18 26 26 Jun 18 18 18 26 26 Jul 18 18 18 26 26

Aug 18 18 18 26 26 Sept 18 18 18 26 26

CAMINO DAM Oct 18 18 18 18 18 Nov 18 18 18 18 18 Dec 10 10 10 10 10 Jan 10 10 10 10 10 Feb 10 10 10 15 15 Mar 10 10 10 15 15 Apr 18 18 18 26 26 May 18 18 18 26 26 Jun 18 18 18 26 26 Jul 18 18 18 26 26

Aug 18 18 18 26 26 Sept 18 18 18 26 26

BRUSH CREEK DAM Oct 6 6 6 6 6 Nov 2 2 2 2 2 Dec 2 2 2 2 2 Jan 2 2 2 2 2 Feb 2 2 2 3 3 Mar 2 2 2 3 3 Apr 2 2 2 3 3 May 2 2 2 3 3 Jun 4 4 6 7 7 Jul 4 4 6 7 7

Aug 4 4 6 7 7 Sept 4 4 6 7 7





SLAB CREEK DAM Oct 64 64 64 84 84 Nov 64 64 64 84 84 Dec 64 64 64 84 84 Jan 64 64 64 84 84 Feb 64 64 64 84 84 Mar 64 64 64 84 84 Apr 64 64 64 84 84 May 64 64 64 84 84 Jun 30 30 50 50 50 Jul 30 30 50 50 50

Aug 30 30 50 50 50 Sept 30 30 50 50 50

a Or natural inflow to the reservoir, whichever is less, but no less than 1 cfs. Botanical and Wildlife Resources

9. Annual Employee Environmental Awareness Program – Provide annual employee environmental awareness training to familiarize UARP operation and maintenance staff with any current restrictions (e.g., Limited Operating Periods) and sensitive geographic areas to avoid (locations of special-status plants, cultural sites, etc.) within the FERC Project Boundary, and procedures to be taken if it becomes necessary to enter or disturb any of these sensitive areas. Each year, prior to conducting the training, SMUD will consult with the ENF to review any scheduled non-routine maintenance work to occur that year and identify ENF objectives and protocols to be followed to minimize or avoid adverse environmental effects.

10. Annual Review of Special-Status Species – Annually review with the ENF the current list of species that are: 1) formally proposed for listing or listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, California Endangered Species Act, or California Native Plant Protection Act; 2) listed by the ENF as a Forest Sensitive Species; or 3) listed by the ENF as a Watch List species. If a species not currently on one of these lists is added to one of the lists and SMUD and the ENF agree the species has a reasonable potential to occur within the FERC Project Boundary and be adversely affected by routine project operation and maintenance, prepare a study plan to assess the affects of the project on the species. Address in the study plan those items at 18 CFR 5.11(d) and include a schedule for conducting the study. File the study plan with the Commission and implement the plan upon Commission approval.

11. Vegetation Management Plan – No later than one year after SMUD’s acceptance of the

new license, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Vegetation Management Plan for lands within the FERC Project Boundary managed by the ENF. The purpose of the plan is to describe the measures SMUD will implement to protect vegetation during routine project operation and maintenance activities, including



maintenance of transmission line corridors. Implement those portions of the plan approved by the Commission.

12. Invasive Weeds Management Plan – No later than one year after SMUD’s acceptance of the new license, develop and file with the Commission for approval an Invasive Weeds Management Plan to minimize the spread of invasive weeds on lands within the FERC Project Boundary managed by the ENF. For the purpose of this measure, an invasive weed includes those plants listed by the Secretary of Agriculture as noxious or invasive weeds under the Federal Plant Protection Act and those listed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture with an “A” or “B” pest rating.

13. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Invasive Weeds Management Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval, an Invasive Weeds Management Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The purpose of the plan is to describe the measures SMUD will implement to minimize the spread of invasive weeds during construction of the Iowa Hill Development.

14. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Revegetation Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Revegetation Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. (A draft conceptual Revegetation Plan is provided in Appendix C of this PDEA.) The purpose of the plan is to describe the approach SMUD will follow to revegetate the disturbed areas adjacent to project features. SMUD will consider erosion control, visual screening, and wildlife habitat in developing the plan.

15. Iowa Hill Development Wildlife Protection Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Wildlife Protection Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The purpose of the plan is to describe the measures SMUD will implement to minimize adverse effects on wildlife species during construction of the Iowa Hill Development.

Cultural Resources

16. Historic Properties Management Plan – No later than one year after SMUD’s acceptance of the new license, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Historic Properties Management Plan. The plan will address routine maintenance operations that may require monitoring and site-specific treatment plans for high-sensitivity sites with active effects.

Recreational Resources

17. Recreation Plan – Implement the Recreation Plan contained in Appendix E of this PDEA. The Recreation Plan is an adaptive approach to providing needed recreation facilities and accommodating changing conditions and user patterns. The Recreation Plan includes:




• Sequential, four-year planning and implementation construction cycles throughout the term of new license to meet the needs for facility reconstruction, new facility construction, and engineering solutions (i.e., measures to address the effects of dispersed recreation on natural resources) within the FERC Project Boundary. Funding for construction is based on a 50/50 SMUD-ENF cost-share approach. SMUD will fund construction up to $500,000, adjusted annually for inflation, in years three and four of each four-year cycle, for a total of $1,000,000 every four years throughout the term of the license. SMUD will also reimburse the ENF for engineering, design, and environmental permitting, up to five percent of the total construction costs, at the end of each four-year cycle.

• Supplemental funding of up to $211,000 per year, adjusted annually for inflation, to the ENF for the administration, operation, maintenance, and component replacement of UARP-related recreational facilities, and for administration of recreation use on ENF-managed lands within the FERC Project Boundary.

18. Reservoir Water Surface Elevation – From June 1 through September 30, maintain water

surface elevations at Rubicon and Buck Island reservoirs as high as possible consistent with power generation needs. From June 1 through Labor Day weekend: 1) maintain water surface elevations at Ice House, Loon Lake, and Union Valley reservoirs as high as possible, consistent with power generation needs; and 2) ensure that reservoir levels at Ice House, Loon Lake, and Union Valley reservoirs are greater than or equal to an elevation that provides at least one usable boat launch per reservoir, except under extraordinary circumstances. The purpose of these measures is to enhance recreation and aesthetic resources.

19. Ice House Dam Reach Whitewater Recreation Flow – In Wet and Above Normal water years, provide a whitewater recreation opportunity in the South Fork Silver Creek on three consecutive weekends in September following Labor Day weekend. On each weekend a release of 400 cfs (+ 5 percent) will be maintained for 30 hours beginning on Saturday morning and extending into Sunday afternoon, with ramping rates. During the release weekends, SMUD will: 1) provide a portable restroom near Ice House Dam and near the take-out at Junction Reservoir, and 2) post high-flow warning and information signs at common public access points along the reach. SMUD will inform the public of the releases by posting the recreational release schedule on its Website and sending a notification letter to the ENF, SWRCB, CDFG, SPI, and Ice House Resort at least 60 days before the first weekend release.

Visual Resources

20. Iowa Hill Development Visual Resources Protection Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Visual Resources Protection Plan for the Iowa Hill Development. The plan will include measures that will be implemented to reduce the visual effects of the upper reservoir berm, the switchyard and transmission line, and the powerhouse tunnel access portal site,



consistent with power generation needs. The plan will be developed in consultation with interested parties.

21. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Noise Attenuation Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Noise Attenuation Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The Noise Attenuation Plan will include measures necessary to reduce construction-related noise levels at and near the construction site. In addition, the plan will include community response methods to allow the public to inform SMUD of any unusually annoying noise events and establish protocols for responding to such events. The plan will be developed in consultation with interested parties.

Land Use and Socioeconomics

22. Forest Service Roads Maintenance Plan – Implement the Forest Service Roads Maintenance Plan contained in Appendix F of this PDEA. The Forest Service Roads Maintenance Plan describes those ENF roads used for project operation and maintenance and identifies, by road segment, the maintenance activities to be performed by SMUD on an annual basis. The plan also includes a snow removal plan whereby SMUD removes snow to enhance recreational access in the Crystal Basin Recreation Area.

23. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Fire Risk and Protection Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Fire Risk and Protection Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The purpose of the plan will be to describe the measures SMUD will implement to reduce the fire risk associated with construction activities. The plan will identify measures to be followed when operating mechanical equipment on the construction site and while driving to and from the work sites. The plan will be developed in consultation with interested parties.

24. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Transportation Management Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval a Transportation Management Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. (A draft Transportation Management Plan is provided in Appendix G). The Transportation Management Plan will identify specific measures to avoid, reduce, or mitigate the effects of construction-related traffic. The plan will include a local roads monitoring program defining the measures to be taken to ensure that any road damage caused by project-related construction traffic is promptly repaired. The plan will be developed in consultation with interested parties.

Air Resources

25. Iowa Hill Development Construction – Dust and Exhaust Emissions Abatement Plan – No later than 90 days before initiating ground-disturbing activities, develop and file with the Commission for approval, a Dust and Exhaust Emissions Abatement Plan for construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The purpose of the plan is to describe the




measures SMUD will implement to control construction-related dust and exhaust emissions during construction of the Iowa Hill Development. The plan will be developed in consultation with interested parties.

3.2 UARP-Only Alternative

Under the UARP-only Alternative, all components of the Proposed Action will be in place except those dealing with the addition of the 400 MW Iowa Hill Development. SMUD will operate the existing UARP facilities in a manner identical to the Proposed Action, with few exceptions. All project reservoirs, except Slab Creek Reservoir, will be operated in the same manner described in Exhibit B of the License Application. However, the increased frequency of water level fluctuation at Slab Creek Reservoir described under the Proposed Action will not occur under the UARP-only Alternative. Slab Creek Reservoir water level fluctuations, under this alternative, will be the same as baseline. The release schedule for the ten project dams will be the same as the Proposed Action. Thus, the quantity of water stored in project reservoirs (with seasonal and daily changes) and the volume of water passing through project reaches will be the same as the Proposed Action. All environmental measures contained in the Proposed Action will occur under the UARP-only Alternative except for those pertaining to the Iowa Hill Development. The potential impacts associated with construction and operation of the Iowa Hill Development would not occur. Without the 400 MW of capacity from the Iowa Hill Development, SMUD will have to meet future peak generation needs with less efficient simple-cycle peaking plants rather than power purchased from the energy market, which would likely be produced by a more efficient mix of fossil fuel generation sources.

3.3 No Action

The No Action Alternative is defined as the alternative under which the UARP, as currently configured, will continue to operate under all of the terms and conditions of the existing license, without modification. That is, the UARP operation will not be subject to any new or different protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures or to any measures that might be agreed upon through negotiations with stakeholders. Continued operation of the UARP in this fashion will not alter the existing environment as it is described under the resource-specific Affected Environment subsections of Section 5 (Environmental Consequences). Accordingly, implementation of the No Action Alternative will have no environmental effects, and as such, is considered baseline for the purposes of this document.

3.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Study

The following alternatives were considered but eliminated from further analysis:

• Retire the Project • Issue a Non-Power License • Federal Agency Takeover of the Project • Withdrawal of Water for Consumptive Purposes • Joint Benefits Investigation Team Alternatives



Each of these alternatives and the consideration of factors through which each alternative was eliminated from further analysis are described below.

3.4.1 Retire the Project

Project retirement could be accomplished with or without removal of the UARP dams. No party has suggested that removal of all or some of the UARP dams would be appropriate in this case; therefore, there is no basis for recommending it. Thus, dam removal is not a reasonably foreseeable alternative to relicensing the project with appropriate environmental measures.

The second project retirement alternative would involve retaining all or some of the dams and disabling or removing equipment used to generate power. Project works would remain in place and could be used for historic, environmental, and recreational water management, or other purposes. This would require identification of a government agency with authority to assume regulatory control and supervision of the remaining facilities. No governmental agency has stepped forward, and no party has advocated this alternative. Therefore, there is no basis for recommending it. Because the power supplied by the project is needed, a source of replacement power would have to be identified. In these circumstances, removal of the electric generating equipment is not a reasonably foreseeable alternative.

3.4.2 Issue a Non-Power License

A non-power license is a temporary license FERC issues when it determines that a governmental agency will assume regulatory authority and supervision over the lands and facilities covered by the non-power license. At this point, no agency has suggested a willingness or ability to do so. No party has sought a non-power license and there is no basis for concluding that the UARP should no longer be used to produce power. As stated above, if the power facilities were removed, a source of replacement power would have to be identified. Thus, a non-power license is not a realistic alternative to relicensing in this circumstance.

3.4.3 Federal Agency Takeover of the Project

Federal takeover of the project is not a reasonably foreseeable alternative. Federal takeover and operation of the project would require Congressional approval. While that fact alone would not preclude further consideration of this alternative, there is no evidence to indicate that federal takeover should be recommended to Congress. No participant in the relicensing process or other party has suggested federal takeover would be appropriate, and no federal agency has expressed an interest in operating the project. Thus, federal takeover of the project is not a reasonably foreseeable alternative.

3.4.4 Withdrawal of Water for Consumptive Purposes

At present, there are no withdrawals of water for consumptive purposes from UARP facilities. A Facilities Use Agreement between SMUD and El Dorado Irrigation District (EID), successor in interest to El Dorado County, has been in place since 1957. Under the agreement, as amended in 1961, EID has the right to utilize SMUD’s White Rock Penstock or Slab Creek Reservoir to




divert up to 40,000 ac-ft of water annually for consumptive purposes, provided, among other things, EID holds a valid water right and compensates SMUD for foregone power generation. To date, no El Dorado County entity has sought to exercise its rights under this agreement. In October 2003, EID, through its representative in the relicensing process, requested SMUD to study a diversion from SMUD’s proposed Iowa Hill Development of up to 10,000 ac-ft per year of pre-1914 water EID diverts elsewhere. EID asserted it had a present right to divert the water and could change the point of diversion without the necessity of a formal proceeding before the SWRCB. SMUD agreed to include the diversion within its Iowa Hill Development studies. In late 2004, EID withdrew its study request; as a result, SMUD eliminated this element from the Iowa Hill Development studies. Therefore, there are no reasonably foreseeable withdrawals of water for consumptive purposes from UARP facilities included within the relicensing studies.

3.4.5 Joint Benefits Investigation Team Alternatives

In accordance with the guidelines and provisions of a Master Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) developed between, SMUD, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, EDCWA, and EID, a Joint Benefits Investigation Team (JBIT) was formed as part of a parallel process to the relicensing process. The goal of the JBIT was to investigate potential projects that would provide both generation benefits to SMUD and consumptive water supply benefits to the El Dorado County entities. The alternative projects could involve the modification of existing UARP facilities or addition of new facilities linked to the UARP. As defined in the MMOU, by mutual consent of all parties, projects determined by the JBIT to provide sufficient benefits could be submitted to the relicensing process and treated as alternatives in the PDEA. The Iowa Hill Development was specifically excluded from the JBIT process since SMUD planned to study the development in the relicensing process regardless of consumptive water supply benefits. The JBIT identified and evaluated over 20 alternative projects (Table 3.4.5-1). After considerable evaluation, the JBIT concluded in July 2004 that none of the alternative projects provided sufficient generation and water supply benefits to warrant additional study in the UARP relicensing process. By mutual consent, the JBIT process was terminated. Therefore, none of the projects evaluated by the JBIT are reasonably foreseeable alternatives.

Table 3.4.5-1 El Dorado County Water Agency, El Dorado Irrigation District and Sacramento Municipal Utility DistrictJoint Benefit Investigation Team Phase 1 Preliminary Alternatives

-- DRAFT --

AdditionalPreliminary Information Capital Storage Water SupplyAlternatives No. Site Option Source Water Sources Cost Capacity Benefits Power Effects Design Issues Constructability Operational Environmental Retain/ Drop Reason Dropped

($M) (acre-feet) (acre-feet) (1-10) Issues Issues (1-10)Middle Fork American River Watershed

MF-1 Enlarge Reservoir GDPUD Pilot Creek natural runoff (raise Stumpy, Upper Stumpy, Canyon Creek) na varies varies low Dam Raise Road relocation minimal (5) Campgrounds Retain

MF-2 Enlarge Reservoir SMUD Gerle Creek natural runoff 1 ft inc=$0.4*

1,400 per foot 0 low Conveyance to El Dorado required such as White

Rock up to 3 ft 3 minimal 5 Retain only if needed for MF-3 or MF-4

MF-3 Conveyance Facility Sierra Hydrotech 1988 Rubicon River natural runoff $12.20 0 4,000 net reduction ---- 3 minimal 7 Retain

MF-4 Conveyance Facility WCC 1981 study South Fork Rubicon Natural runoff $5.0* 0 930 af spill mean medium ---- 3 minimal 7 Retain

Silver Creek Watershed

SC-1 Enlarge Reservoir SMUD South Fork Silver Creek natural runoff $0.35 per ft* 600 per ft 0 low (from spill)

Conveyance to El Dorado required such as White Rock or Ice House tunnel to South Fork American (over 3 ft cost will inc.)

3 minimal 5 Retain (1st step Model Run) no new water

SC-2 New Pump-Back Plant Harza 1990 (1-6) South Fork Silver Creek natural runoff, no new water. $500* 0 0 250 MW Pumping cost, transmission lines 10 high 10 Drop No new water, construct ability issues, high cost

SC-3 New Reservoir EBASCO 1992 South Fork Silver Creek natural runoff and potentially diversion from South Fork American River $210* 30,000 0 low Ice House Resort, Ice House Road 8 minimal 10 Retain only if needed for

SF-14

SC-4 Enlarge Reservoir SMUD Import from Rubicon River, Ice House Reservoir and natural runoff $2.2 per ft* 2,000 per ft 0 low

Conveyance to El Dorado required such as White Rock, gates, campgrounds & other powerhouses (up to 3ft)

3 minimal 7 Retain (1st step Model Run) no new water

South Fork American River Watershed

SF-1 New Reservoir Borcalli & Associates 1993 Alder Creek natural runoff $65 Up to

31,000 11,250 medium ---- 5 minimal (7) New on stream storage Retain

SF-2 New Powerhouse SMUD Brush Creek natural runoff $6.5* 0 0 low (~.2 MW) Transmission lines 5 minimal 5 Drop No new water, low power benefits

SF-3 Enlarge Reservoir JBIT Caples Creek natural runoff na na Minimum Yield low ---- 6 minimal (7) Recreation sites affected Drop Low benefit, recreation

impactsSF-4 New Reservoir Fred McKain Silver Fork American River natural runoff na na na low ---- 5 minimal 9 Drop

SF-5 Enlarge Reservoir JBIT Echo Creek natural runoff na na Low yield low ---- 6 minimal (10) Recreation sites affected Drop Environmental impacts,

interbasin transfer

SF-6 Pump-Back Operation MWH South Fork American River natural runoff $248.6 to $403.9*

2,100 to 6,400 0 250 - 400 MW Conveyance system, other storage, etc. needed 8 high 7 Retain (Study in progress in

relicensing) no JBIT Studies

SF-7 Enlarge Reservoir JBIT Pyramid Creek natural runoff na na na low ---- 10 minimal (10) Located in Wilderness area Drop Environmental impacts non-

mitigatableSF-8 New Reservoir Fred McKain Silver Fork American River natural runoff na na na low ---- na minimal na DropSF-9 New Reservoir Fred McKain Plum Creek natural runoff na na na low Geologically poor dam location 10 minimal na Drop Design issues

SF-10 Conveyance Facility EBASCO 1992 Silver Fork American River natural runoff $100* --- na na Requires South Fork American River Diversion to Ice House (lower Ice House) 7 medium 7 Drop Environmental impacts, high

costs ? benefits

SF-11 Enlarge Reservoir JBIT Silver Fork American River natural runoff na na na low High leakage rate at increased height of dam (8) Relocation of homes minimal (7) Recreation sites

affected Drop Design, constructibility and environmental issues

SF-12 Enlarge Reservoir EID Sly Park Creek natural runoff and import form South Fork American na na na none Hazel Creek Tunnel Water From South Fork

American(5) Road relocation

over dam minimal (7) Recreation sites affected Retain

SF-13 Pumping Plant to GDPUD Sierra Hydrotech 1997 Middle Fork American River natural runoff (PL 101-514 water) $16 --- up to 7,500 none Required detention reservoirs 6 (9) Pumping cost 5 Drop High operation cost

SF-14 Conveyance Facility EBASCO 1992 South Fork American River natural runoff $98* --- na na Conveyance to El Dorado, tunnel to Ice House, need to inc. storage in existing UARP. 7 medium 8 Retain only if SC-3

SF-15 New Reservoir EID Weber Creek and Cosumnes River natural runoff na 22,000 9,800 low Could divert from Cosumnes River 6 minimal (7) New on stream storage Retain

SF-16 Conveyance system EID Upper American River and/or El Dorado Projects $25 --- --- none Requires reoperation, pumping and Bray water treatment facilities 7 (9) Pumping cost 5 Retain (included in EX-2) Not a project, just for

informaiton.Cosumnes River Watershed

CR -1 New Reservoir Fred McKain North Fork Cosumnes River natural runoff na na na low na na minimal (10) New on stream storage Retain

Existing UARP (reoperation)

EX-1Provide additional water when permit Term 91 is

imposedJBIT Existing UARP facilities 0 0 up to 8,500 None, or net

reduction ---- --- minimal 2 Retain (Study in progress in relicensing) no JBIT Studies

EX-2 A White Rock Penstock 40,000

Deliver up to 40,000 acre-feet annually JBIT Existing UARP facilities 0 0 40,000 28,000 - 30,000

mwh/yearConveyance to El Dorado required such as White Rock Conveyance --- minimal 5 Retain

EX-2 B White Rock Penstock 10,000

Deliver up to 10,000 acre-feet annually JBIT South Fork American River (additional point of diversion for

existing El Dorado water rights). 0 0 0 low (7,000-8,000 mwh/year)

Conveyance to El Dorado required such as White Rock Conveyance --- minimal 5 Retain

EX-3 Deliver up to 40,000 acre-feet annually JBIT Existing UARP facilities, may be taken at Whiterock or elsewhere 0 0 40,000 na Conveyance to El Dorado required --- minimal

(3) depending on conveyance

requirementsRetain

EX-4 Deliver up to 40,000 acre-feet annually JBIT Additional storage through flashboard reoperation on Loon, Union

Valley and Ice House (up to 3 feet). 0 40,000 40,000 na Conveyance to El Dorado required 3 minimal(3) depending on

conveyance requirements

Retain

* Environmental cost not includedna = not available

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4 -

Sly

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EX-2

Term 91 Offset

Increase Maximum Reservoir Storage

White Rock Conveyance

Reserve Storage

Texas Hill

South Fork American River diversion to Ice House

Folsom North Pumping Project

Sly Park

Silver Lake

Silver Fork diversion to South Fork

Plum CreekLower Silver Lake

Lake Aloha

Iowa Hill

Echo Lake

China Flat

Caples Lake

Brush Creek Powerhouse

Alder

Union Valley

Alte

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iddl

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South Fork Rubicon River diversion to Pilot Creek

Loon Lake

Storage facilities

Capps Crossing

Lower Ice House

Jones Fork Pump Back

Ice House

South Fork Rubicon River diversion to Loon Lake

Mead & Hunt, Inc. 4/16/03




3.5 Alternatives to Iowa Hill Development

3.5.1 Alternative Technologies Analysis

To reliably meet the continued growing energy demands of SMUD’s customer-owners, SMUD’s long-term planners have identified three key areas of need:

• Local voltage support to manage power SMUD’s control area • Summer peaking capacity • Regulation and management of non-dispatchable renewable resources such as wind

power Within the ten-year planning horizon, each of these three key areas will require SMUD to take action to maintain continued reliable energy within its service territory. Three basic technologies have the ability to provide some or all of these required services. The first is combustion turbine technology, which consists primarily of fossil fuel natural gas-fired power plants. This technology can provide local voltage support, summer peaking capacity, and can provide non-dispatchable energy management services. It is however limited by air quality constraints. Because the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is a non-attainment area for ozone and PM10, the ability of SMUD to construct and operate a 400 MW combustion turbine power plant within the planning horizon is highly uncertain. The second technology is the construction of a 230-kV new transmission interconnection that would allow SMUD to import more energy into our service area. This technology would only allow SMUD to wheel more power into our control area; the power would have to come from an existing combustion turbine plant or from a new plant built by an independent entity, such as an Independent Power Producer (IPP). This technology can provide summer peaking capacity, and support for non-dispatachable energy management services, assuming capacity is available and accessible for the new transmission interconnection. Reliable voltage support would only be provided if the generator was located adjacent to SMUD’s control area and connected directly to SMUD. In addition, it takes on average 10 to 15 years to establish and build a new transmission interconnection, which is beyond the estimated required date for these services. In addition to the construction challenges this option presents, considerable public opposition, uncertainty of available capacity, and environmental issues make this technology very difficult to implement. The third technological option is pumped-storage. A pumped-storage facility would provide all of the required three services and can be licensed and constructed within SMUD’s planning horizon. In addition, this technology can be easily incorporated into the existing UARP, and therefore, presents opportunities for significant economic savings as well. It also substantially avoids effects to the public and environment (air quality) associated with siting a combustion turbine power plant, as well as the effects associated with the establishment of a 50-mile or longer new transmission line corridor.



3.5.2 Alternative Sites

After concluding that pumped-storage technology was the best technology to meet the three identified needs for SMUD, a number of sites for this technology were considered. SMUD examined a total of 12 watersheds in Northern and Central California representing a total of 158 different sites and configurations. Figure 3.5.2-1 shows the Northern California area and the 12 watersheds where potential sites were considered in the initial survey.




Yuba River / North & Middle Fork American Watersheds – 26 sites

San Luis/Los Banos Watershed – 11 Sites

Stanislaus Watershed

10 Sites

Los Vaqueros

1 Site

Eastern Sierra/Carson Watershed – 9 Sites

Eastern Sierra/ Walker Watershed – 20 Sites

San Joaquin Watershed 2 Sites

Upper Kern Watershed 1 Site

UARP 59 Sites

Tuolumne Watershed6 Sites

Calvaveras/Mokelumne Watershed

10 Sites

Consumnes Watershed 3 Sites

Figure 3.5.2-1. Location of reconnaisance pumped-storage sites in Northern California.




Four screening factors were applied to the 158 sites in the initial analysis:

1. The project must meet a minimum capacity requirement of 12 hours of storage and 400 MW of capacity, and SMUD must be able to control the water in both the upper and lower reservoirs to allow for required flexibility. This criteria represents the amount of capacity necessary to satisfy six to seven years of anticipated growth in the service area, considering import capability, local generation, and load growth.

2. The project must be within ten miles of SMUD’s 230 kV transmission lines in order to supply the required energy, voltage support, and ancillary services to the control area.

3. The project must not require a new dam or impoundment on any unimpaired stream or reach. Due to strict environmental siting requirements, any project with a new dam or impoundment on a stream was considered very high risk.

4. Tunnel Length to height ratio. This ratio represents the relationship of the overall tunnel length used as an estimate for plant efficiency and construction cost. Shorter tunnels provide less resistant and therefore higher overall efficiency and also lower construction costs.

Of the initial 158 sites and configurations, four configurations at three sites were considered feasible after the four screening criteria were applied and evaluated (Table 3.5.2-1).



Table 3.5.2-1. Results of initial pumped-storage site evaluation. Pumped-Storage

Configuration/Site Site No.

Approximate Distance (in miles)

from Existing SMUD 230 kV

Transmission Line

Minimal Environmental

Effects & No New Impoundments on

Unimpaired Waterway (Y/N)

Capable of Operating at 400-MW for

12-hours without Refill

(Y/N)

New Transmission Less than 20 Miles to Existing UARP

230-kV Line (Y/N)

Cost and Performance Represented by the Ratio of Tunnel Length Divided by Height (smaller numbers represent lower cost and

higher efficiency) (l/h) Granite/Existing Ice House 46 7.41 Y Y Y 6.33 Iowa Hill/Existing Slab 93 1.24 Y Y Y 2.75 Peavine/Existing Ice House 107 6.44 Y Y Y 16.5 South/Existing Union Valley 132 2.28 Y Y Y 6.6




The final four sites/configurations were then evaluated with respect to several operational, engineering, and site-specific environmental considerations. The evaluation of the final four sites/configurations follows:

• Ice House Site: Granite and Peavine Configurations — These two configurations require construction of off-stream impoundments at various locations above the current Ice House Reservoir. These configurations were not selected due to operational, engineering, and environmental concerns. Operational concerns included the inability of these configurations to provide 100 percent year round capacity due to reliance on the existing Ice House Reservoir – a storage reservoir subject to significant draw-down during the winter months, resulting in reduced or no availability of the pumped-storage project. Each of these four configurations would also incur very high engineering and construction costs associated with a long underground tunnel and comparatively long transmission lines in order to tie into SMUD’s existing 230 kV line. Environmental concerns centered on alteration of the water surface elevation in Ice House Reservoir, a popular summer recreation site.

• Union Valley Site: South Configuration — This configuration requires construction of

the upper reservoir atop Big Hill, due south of the existing Union Valley storage reservoir. The configuration was rejected in part due to the presence of a major Forest Service heliport used by a variety of agencies for emergency services and wildfire management. Several agencies, including SMUD, also maintain critical communications and meteorological facilities atop Big Hill. The south configuration would require relocation of these facilities, and cause a significant and unacceptable deterioration in Crystal Basin communications, weather data collection capabilities, and emergency response. Operational concerns include the inability of this configuration to provide 100 percent year round capacity due to reliance on the existing Union Valley Reservoir – a storage reservoir subject to significant draw-down during the winter months resulting in reduced or no availability of the pumped-storage project. This configuration would also incur high engineering and construction costs associated with the upper reservoir and a long underground tunnel. Environmental concerns at this configuration centered on disturbance of recreation and bald eagle nesting at Union Valley Reservoir.

• PROPOSED LOCATION: Iowa Hill Site — This site was selected because it would

require the least amount of underground construction, the shortest transmission tie line, provided all three required services, and has the lowest length to height relationship representing the most efficient plant design and lowest construction cost. Unlike Ice House and Union Valley configurations, Slab Creek Reservoir is not drawn down in the winter months; therefore, this site provides year round capability to provide the needed capacity. The site was also selected because it has the least number of environmental concerns compared to other alternative locations. For example, the Slab Creek Reservoir has low recreation use compared to Ice House and Union Valley reservoirs, and Iowa Hill has no recreation use or communications facilities.



3.5.2.1 Alternative Facility Designs, Processes, and Operations

The Iowa Hill site was further analyzed with respect to the potential impact on environmental resources and residents. These include different types of intake-outlet structures, different types of pumped-storage powerhouse configurations, and five different transmission line routes. An intake-outlet structure must be built in Slab Creek Reservoir. Two locations for this structure were considered: near the surface of the reservoir and deeply submerged in the reservoir. The near-surface option was eliminated due to fish entrainment concerns and visual impact. The deeply submerged structure, while more expensive, minimizes fish entrainment, especially juvenile fish that are most vulnerable. It also cannot be seen or heard. Therefore, the deeply submerged option is proposed. Two powerhouse configurations were considered. These were a shaft style powerhouse and an underground powerhouse. The shaft style configuration would involve placing the powerhouse atop a vertical shaft that would be exposed on the ground surface at the edge of Slab Creek Reservoir. This option would also include an aboveground penstock running down the side of Iowa Hill. It would have been less expensive to construct than a completely underground powerhouse, but would have increased visual and noise impacts to the surrounding area. Therefore, the underground powerhouse is proposed. Five transmission line configurations were also considered. Several options would have crossed over Slab Creek Reservoir or traversed up the steep slope from the reservoir to the top of Iowa Hill. Four options were eliminated primarily because of impacts to visual resources and use of private property. The proposed option does not cross over Slab Creek Reservoir and has the least visual impact.

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