NEW WEIR AND STREAMFLOW GAGE PROJECT BELOW ROBBS PEAK FOREBAY
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
EN2/SEA supported Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) with environmental compliance documentation to construct a new concrete weir across the South Fork Rubicon River (SFRR), downstream of an existing impoundment (Robb’s Forebay), installing streamflow gaging equipment, and building a short access road. The Project was one component of the Upper American River Project (UARP) and fulfilled a specific condition of the new license issued to SMUD by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the UARP (FERC Project No. 2101). Under the new license, SMUD is required to accurately monitor and measure stream flow releases into the SFRR to provide more favorable habitat in the downstream reaches for native aquatic species.
EN2/SEA conducted site evaluations and prepared a Biological Resources Report, Wetland Delineation, and Dewatering/Diversion Plan. A cultural resources report was also completed for the Project. These reports concluded that no special status species or biological resources would be negatively impacted by Project activities and that any cultural resources in the area would be avoided by design changes that SMUD incorporated. The Project met the criteria of a CEQA Categorical Exemption since it supported resource evaluations and experimental management to improve aquatic habitat in the SFRR without serious disturbance to environmental resources in the Project area. EN2/SEA also prepared permit application packages for a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Nationwide Permit from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, and a Fish and Game Code Section 1602 Lake or Streambed Alteration Agreement from California Department of Fish and Wildlife.