California State Water Resources Control Board Submits Document for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Review

The California State Water Resources Control Board has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in response to a request for water quality certification for the Re-Operation of Pyramid Dam for the California Aqueduct Pump Storage Project. The project, known as the South State Water Project Hydropower, aims to amend Condition No. 1 of the certification for the project, which is subject to environmental review. The board is responsible for ensuring compliance with water quality standards and regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.

Key Takeaways:

• The California State Water Resources Control Board submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in response to a request for water quality certification for the Re-Operation of Pyramid Dam for the California Aqueduct Pump Storage Project.
• The project, known as the South State Water Project Hydropower, aims to amend Condition No. 1 of the certification for the project, which is subject to environmental review.
• The board relies on the environmental document prepared by the lead agency, the California Department of Water Resources, but makes its own determination as to whether and with what conditions to issue a certification.
• The board must ensure compliance with water quality standards and regulations, including the Clean Water Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.
• The State Water Board's certification must ensure compliance with water quality standards and other appropriate requirements of state law, including but not limited to those included in the Los Angeles Region Basin Plan.
• The board will consider the information provided in the lead agency's final CEQA document in making its certification determination.
• The project is subject to annual fees as specified in California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 3833.1.

Statistics:

• The project is subject to annual fees as specified in California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 3833.1.

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• The certification application filing requirements specified in California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 3856, and in the federal regulation applicable to state certification requests (40 C.F.R. § 121.5) must be met.

Sources:

• State Water Resources Control Board July 30, 2025
• Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification
• California Environmental Quality Act
• Los Angeles Region Basin Plan (Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board 2022)
• California Code of Regulations, title 23, section 3856
• Federal regulation applicable to state certification requests (40 C.F.R. § 121.5)