Pacific Gas and Electric Company Requests Extension of Time for Fishery Mitigation Plan

Strategic Insights -

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requesting an extension of time to prepare a fishery mitigation plan for the DeSabla-Centerville Hydroelectric Project. The request is in response to the November 19, 2024, letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regarding the 2023 Butte Canal and Hendrick Canal Incidents. The company is required to develop a mitigation plan for the adverse effects on the Butte Creek population of Central Valley Spring Run Chinook Salmon.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is required to develop a fishery mitigation plan to address the adverse effects on the Butte Creek population of Central Valley Spring Run Chinook Salmon.
  • The plan must be prepared in consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
  • The company has conducted several studies and analysis, including water temperature modeling and habitat enhancement mitigation measures.
  • The National Marine Fisheries Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommended that the company provide funding for a captive broodstock program as the most appropriate mitigation plan.
  • The Pacific Gas and Electric Company is requesting an extension of time to September 18, 2025, to continue to coordinate with the agencies to determine if an agreement on funding can be reached.

Statistics:

  • 54-59% of adult spring-run Chinook were lost due to the 2023 Butte Canal and Hendrick Canal Incidents.
  • 51-55 adults were estimated to have been lost.
  • The Pacific Gas and Electric Company conducted water temperature modeling using two different models: (1) Evaluation of Hypothetical Mitigation on DeSabla Forebay and Butte Creek, and (2) DeSabla Forebay Water Temperature Model.
  • The company also evaluated habitat enhancement mitigation measures using a report prepared by Cramer Fish Sciences, May 2025.

Sources:

  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, June 18, 2025, letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, November 19, 2024, letter regarding the 2023 Butte Canal and Hendrick Canal Incidents.
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife, March 4, 2025, letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • Cramer Fish Sciences, May 2025, Framework for Evaluating Mitigation Alternatives for Central Valley Spring-run Chinook Salmon in Butte Creek.
  • Kleinschmidt, May 2025, DeSabla Forebay Temperature Modeling.