IONE SMALL HYDRO PROJECT IS/MND
Amador Water Agency
EN2/SEA prepared the CEQA Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration to support Amador Water Agency (AWA) in development of an in-conduit turbine generator and powerhouse at AWA’s Ione Reservoir. A CEQA MND was prepared for the project due to its proximity to known rare plant habitat and occurrences as shown on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), and its potential for impacts to wetlands and sensitive species. EN2 also prepared a CEQA addendum for the project due to minor project changes and completed permitting applications for CDFW and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (including a wetland delineation). The project, consisting of construction and operation of a new approximately 400kW hydroelectric facility, will provide renewable energy qualified, supplemental power to serve the existing water system energy needs.