Public Comment Period for Draft Water Quality Certification of Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project

The California State Water Resources Control Board has initiated a public comment period for the draft water quality certification of the Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project, a federal energy project seeking relicensing under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The project, owned and operated by the Nevada Irrigation District (NID), aims to expand its power generation capacity and upgrade recreation facilities. The State Water Board is accepting public comments on the draft certification until July 11, 2025, which will inform the final decision on the project's water quality certification.

Key Takeaways:

• The Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project, located in the Yuba River and Bear River watersheds, has been relicensed for continued operation for 50 years, with proposed upgrades to its power generation capacity and recreation facilities.
• The project includes 13 main dams, 11 reservoirs or impoundments, four major water conduits, four powerhouses, one transmission line, and 13 recreation facilities.
• NID has requested water quality certification from the State Water Board to ensure compliance with state water quality standards and regulations.
• The draft certification outlines proposed conditions to protect water quality and beneficial uses, including expandion of the existing Rollins Development and installation of new recreation facilities.
• The public comment period will inform the final decision on the project's water quality certification and will be accepted until July 11, 2025.
• Interested parties can submit comments electronically or by mail to the State Water Board.
• The State Water Board's certification process for the project is available on its webpage, including additional information on the certification process and project milestones.

Statistics:

• The Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project has a proposed power generation capacity increase from 79.32 to 90.72 megawatts.
• The project will include the development of 44 new recreation facilities, including day-use areas, camp sites, and recreation facilities.
• The public comment period will run from the date of this notice until July 11, 2025.
• Comments must be received by 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Sources:

• State Water Resources Control Board. (n.d.). Public Comment Period for Draft Water Quality Certification of Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project. Retrieved from
• California State Water Resources Control Board. (n.d.). Email Subscription webpage. Retrieved from