Meetings for the Upper South Fork American Hydropower Project

TO:                 California Whitewater Community

From:              American Whitewater

SUBJECT:     Upper South Fork American Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2101

American Whitewater urges paddlers to attend the scoping meetings for the relicensing of Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) hydroelectric projects on the upper South Fork American River.  SMUD staff will record public comments regarding the scope of the environmental analysis to be conducted.  Attendance by the paddling community is critical to insure that instream flow issues for recreation are included in the relicense process.  See the list of key issues below.  You can also submit written comments on the scoping document.  Written comments are due October 13, 2003.  Contact us if you need assistance filing written comments.

The Upper South Fork American hydroelectric project contains a complex network of dams, diversions, tunnels and powerhouses that alter the timing and volume of flows in the following river reaches:

SF American below Slab Creek

SF Silver Creek below Icehouse

Silver Creek below Camino Reservoir

Silver Creek below Junction Reservoir (i.e. above Camino Reservoir)

SF Rubicon

Upper Rubicon

Gerle Creek

American Whitewater, largely through the efforts of local volunteer Chris Shackleton, has been tracking this relicense proceeding.  Your attendance at the scoping meetings can help lend a voice and support to Chris’s hard efforts. 

Public Scoping Meeting:

Date:                Tuesday, September 9, 2003

Time:                6:00 pm– 8:00 pm

Location:          SMUD Customer Services Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA

Public Scoping Meeting:

Date:                Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Time:                9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location:          SMUD Customer Services Center, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA

Public Scoping Meeting:

Date:                Thursday, September 11, 2003

Time:                6:00 pm– 8:00 pm

Location:          Building C, County Government Center, 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville, CA

Site Visit:

Date:                Friday, September 12, 2003

Time:                8:00 am

Location:          SMUD’s Fresh Pond Office

Confirm your attendance with Carol Szuch, 916-732-6733 or cszuch@smud.org.

Key Whitewater Issues:

·        Provide Real-time Flow Information For all river reaches via the Internet and toll free flow phone

·        Identify river reaches warranting recreation flow studies to assess whitewater opportunities impacted by project dams. 

·        Establish instream flows sufficient to protect aquatic biodiversity and habitats

·        Provide Suitable River Access where needed

·        Analyze the cumulative impact of the 644 megawatt project on river recreation opportunities. 

It’s important for members of the whitewater community to be present at the public meeting.  Written comments will be accepted by SMUD through Saturday, October 13, 2003.  Comments should be mailed to:  David F. Hanson, Project Manager, Hydro Relicensing, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, 6301 S Street, Mail Stop A352, Sacramento, CA 95816-1899 or comments may be emailed to: David F. Hanson, dhanson@smud.org.   

American Whitewater will be filing comments with SMUD by October 13^th.  We encourage local paddlers and paddling groups to coordinate with American Whitewater and Chris Shackleton.  Please contact Chris cbshack@comcast.net or John Gangemi jgangemi@digisys.net as soon as possible if you are able to attend a scoping meeting or the site visit.

John T. Gangemi

Conservation Director, American Whitewater