Timeline and Contacts

KC LLC Consultation to support a New License Application for P-606 Kilarc-Cow Creek Project

2007

March 8 - The challenge of preserving Kilarc Reservoir and other features of the FERC-licensed hydroelectric Project 606 Kilarc-Cow Creek Project in spite of PG&E’s decision to surrender its license was introduced to Richard Ely of Davis Hydro, LLC and Kelly Sackheim of Sackheim Consulting, both founding principals of KC LLC, by R. J. Roth, a.k.a. Whitmore Bob, and Diane Dressel, President of the Friends of Cow Creek Preserve (FoCCP), at the conclusion of the Board Meeting of the Cow Creek Watershed Management Group (CCWMG) in Palo Cedro.

March 8 – ongoing. Ely & Sackheim have participated in numerous telephone conversations with resource agency representatives and local concerned parties. Click here to view the Web page describing Key Agency and Local Contacts

March 16-17 – Ely & Sackheim independently visited publicly accessible portions of the hydro project and surrounding area, to review the present project condition, after reviewing license documents available from the e-library on the FERC’s website.

March 22 – Ely & Sackheim met in San Francisco with Bill Zemke in his office at PG&E regarding other projects, and subsequently with FERC Project Engineer Jonathan Yip and Deputy Regional Engineer John Scott, to obtain copies of project drawings to further evaluate potential options and feasibility that could include future hydro generation.

March 27 – Ely & Sackheim attended the Public Meeting held by PG&E at Whitmore School to explain and initiate the License Surrender process.

March 28 – Ely & Sackheim met with Russ Mull, Director, Shasta County Department of Resource Management, to discuss County vision for coordinating acquisition of PG&E lands divested through the Stewardship Council to resource protection organizations and potential role in water resource management and coordination following PG&E’s surrender of the Kilarc-Cow Creek hydroelectric project license.

April 5 – Ely & Sackheim submitted a letter to the FERC Office of General Counsel in Washington, DC requesting identification of a path to pursue a new license application.

April 12 – Ely & Sackheim returned to Palo Cedro to attend the monthly CCWMG Board Meeting. Prior to the meeting, Board President Susan Goodwin led Ely & Sackheim on a site visit of diversion ditches on South Cow Creek.

Following the meeting, discussion of the Project included participation of Mike Berry, CDFG Habitat Conservation Program in Redding, and Brenda Olson, USFWS Fishery Biologist with the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program in Red Bluff.  We discussed the project at length and a frank exchange of ideas occurred.  Mr. Berry indicated that if we were able to find a path to do this project with the FERC, and we came to the CDFG with some positive ideas that were beneficial to the fish, they would be considered.

April 27 – KC LLC submits its Notice of Intent to file a license application to the FERC.

May 2 – the California Department of Fish and Game’s April 24 letter to the FERC (5 MB) was posted on the FERC e-library indicating concern that consideration of a new license application could delay PG&E’s license surrender process.

May 2 – Ely & Sackheim returned to Whitmore to attend the monthly FoCCP meeting and the “Save Kilarc” forum arranged by Glenn Dye to immediately follow.  Both KC LLC principals complete exploration of Kilarc diversion canal.

May 14-15 – Meetings with Roseburg Resources.  Lengthy supportive general discussions focusing on fisheries and sustainability of resources of all types.  Access granted to lands. 

May 15 – Both KC LLC principals explore German Ditch and South Cow Creek Diversions, Canal, Forebay, Powerhouse, and Tailrace. 

May 15-16 – Ely & Sackheim attend both of the PG&E public and agency license surrender process meetings. Key discussion by Mike Berry concerning his opinion that Steelhead travel past Whitmore falls to the diversion reach above Kilarc.  Informal discussions with PG&E staff and Steve Edmondson of NMFS after the meeting with an exchange of views.

May 17 - Exploration of North and South Canyon water diversions to Kilarc.   PG&E diversions are out of service and not being maintained.

May 22 - Attended NMFS Central California Salmon Recovery Planning Workshop (Focused on Steelhead in afternoon.) in Sacramento.  Identification of cross species stressors at all life stages.  Temperature stands out.

May 31 - NOI hold request denied by FERC Washington.

June 1 – Dick Ely met with FERC staff in Washington to discuss best methodology for solving the procedural dilemma of how to study continued operation of site for benefit of fish and hydropower.

June 13 - 14  Dick Ely participated in site tour with PG&E and agency personnel discussing way forward.

July 11 – 12 After PG&E canceled technical meetings for these dates, Ely & Sackheim concluded individual appointments and attended regularly scheduled meetings with local stakeholders including discussion with Russ Mull, Director, Shasta County Department of Resource Management, to provide mutual updates since March 28 visit to his office, meeting at W.M. Beaty and Associates (forest management), additional consultation with water rights holders and tour of Abbott Ditch irrigation areas, conversation with Larry Forero, County Farm Advisor and UC Cooperative Extension at the recommendation of Russ Mull, attendance at a Friends of Cow Creek Preserve (FoCCP) meeting where Mike Berry and Matt Myers (new staff focused on FERC-licensed hydro projects) of CDFG provided valuable information, and attendance at Cow Creek Watershed Management Group (CCWMG) board meeting where Matt Myers also provided further clarification of CDFG’s role and perspective with regard to PG&E’s license surrender process and potential recommissioning by a subsequent licensee.

 

Key Agency and Local Contacts