News Release Archive

Final Environmental Document Completed to Restore 42 Miles of Salmon and Steelhead Habitat in Battle Creek

Media Contact: Lynnette Wirth, (916) 978-5100, lwirth@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: January 22, 2009

Don Glaser, Mid-Pacific Regional Director with the Bureau of Reclamation signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project (Restoration Project), completing the Federal environmental documentation process.  Reclamation can begin implementing the project as early as summer of 2009, once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issues a determination on the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) license amendment application. 

This Restoration Project will be among the largest cold water anadromous fish restoration efforts in North America, restoring approximately 42 miles of habitat in Battle Creek, a tributary to the Sacramento River (see map), and an additional 6 miles of habitat in tributaries to Battle Creek. "Moving forward on a restoration project of this magnitude demonstrates a significant commitment, by all individuals and agencies involved, to restore salmon and steelhead habitat as one part of recovering fish runs on the Sacramento River system" said Glaser. 

Battle Creek is predominately spring-fed and a reliable source of cold water for salmon.  The Restoration Project will help restore winter- and spring-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead, all of which are imperiled.  At the same time, it will minimize the loss of renewable energy produced by the Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project (Hydroelectric Project), owned and operated by PG&E, and licensed by the FERC. 

State and Federal funding is available to implement the first phase of the Restoration Project.  This phase includes installing fish screens and ladders at the North Battle Creek Feeder and Eagle Canyon Diversion Dams, removing Wildcat Diversion Dam and appurtenant conveyance systems of the North Fork, installing Eagle Canyon Canal pipeline, and modifying Asbury Dam on Baldwin Creek.  Since the Restoration Project will be accomplished through the modification of PG&E's Hydroelectric Project facilities and operations, including instream flow releases, PG&E submitted a license amendment application to FERC in July 2008. 

The ROD documents Reclamation's decision to proceed with the proposed action, the Five Dam Removal Alternative, as identified in the Final EIS/EIR.  Reclamation is the lead Federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the FERC is a cooperating Federal agency, and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is the lead State agency for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance.  Reclamation entered into the"Memorandum of Understanding by and Among the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the Proposed Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project." 

The ROD complies with NEPA requirements for Federal agencies to fully consider the environmental effects of their projects.  Required consultations pursuant to the Endangered Species Act addressing the proposed action were completed.  Separate from the ROD, the State Water Board certified the EIS/EIR and issued a Notice of Determination and CEQA Findings.

The ROD is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=99; scroll to Record of Decision. For additional information or to receive a copy of the ROD, please contact Ms. Mary Marshall, Reclamation, at 916-978-5248, TDD 916-978-5608, or e-mail mmarshall@mp.usbr.gov.  The Final EIS/EIR is also available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=99

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