
[Federal Register: June 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 108)]
[Notices]               
[Page 27137]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08jn09-41]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Project No. 1354-081]

 
Pacific Gas & Electric Company; Notice of Availability of 
Environmental Assessment

June 1, 2009.
    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) 
regulations (18 CFR Part 380), Commission staff has reviewed plans, 
filed May 13, 2008, and supplemented April 17, 2009, to perform seismic 
remediation work at Crane Valley Dam, part of the Crane Valley 
Hydroelectric Project. The project occupies approximately 738 acres of 
federal lands within Sierra National Forest, approximately 40 miles 
northeast of the city of Fresno in Modesto County, California. Crane 
Valley Dam is located on North Fork Willow Creek, in the San Joaquin 
River Basin. An environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared as part 
of staff's review.
    The project licensee, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), at 
the request of the California Department of Water Resources, Division 
of Safety of Dams (DSOD), revised the seismic stability analyses for 
Crane Valley Dam, finding that modifications to the dam are necessary 
to correct a possible vulnerability during a seismic event that could 
lead to an uncontrolled release, endangering downstream residents. 
Accordingly, the Commission has required remediation under Part 12 of 
its regulations.
    PG&E proposes to increase the seismic stability of Crane Valley Dam 
by: (1) Adding approximately 200,000 cubic yards of rock fill to areas 
on the upstream and downstream faces of the dam; and (2) raising the 
elevation of the dam by approximately 10 feet, to increase freeboard, 
using approximately 10,000 cubic yards of earth fill. Consultation 
among the Commission, DSOD, and the licensee has also determined that 
Bass Lake's normal recreational elevation should be reduced 10 feet in 
2009 and 2010 to reduce pressure on the dam until the remediation work 
is complete. The proposed work would be performed within the project 
boundary and on U.S. Forest Service lands.
    In the EA, Commission staff analyzes the probable environmental 
effects of the proposed work and has concluded that approval of the 
work, with appropriate environmental measures, would not constitute a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment.
    A copy of the EA is available for review at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, or it may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at 
http://www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Enter the docket 
number (P-1354) in the docket number field to access the document. For 
assistance, call (202) 502-8222, or (202) 502-8659 (for TTY).
    Any comments should be filed by July 1, 2009, and should be 
addressed to Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. Please reference the Crane Valley 
Project No. 1354 on all comments. For further information on this 
notice, please contact B. Peter Yarrington at (202) 502-6129.
    Comments may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of 
paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the 
Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov under the e-Filing link. The 
Commission strongly encourages electronic filing.

Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-13235 Filed 6-5-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
