COVER SHEET 

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION 

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

FOR THE OROVILLE FACILITIES PROJECT 

Docket No. P-2100-052 

Cover Letter (and other information before the Table of Contents) 

FEIS 
FERC/FEIS–0202F 

Final 

Environmental Impact Statement

Oroville Facilities 

California 

(FERC Project No. 2100) 

888 First Street N.E., Washington, DC 20426 

Office of 

Energy 

Projects 

May 18, 2007 

FERC/FEIS–0202F 

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

FOR HYDROPOWER LICENSE 

Oroville Facilities—FERC Project No. 2100-052 

California 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

Office of Energy Projects 

Division of Hydropower Licensing 

888 First Street, NE 

Washington, DC 20426 

May 2007 
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FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION 

WASHINGTON, DC 20426 

OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS 

TO THE PARTY ADDRESSED: 

Attached is the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Oroville Facilities, located on 

the Feather River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Butte County, California. 

This final EIS documents the view of governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, 

affected Indian tribes, the public, the license applicant, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

(Commission) staff. It contains evaluations on the applicant’s proposal and the alternatives for licensing 

the Oroville Facilities (FERC No. 2100-052). 

Before the Commission makes a licensing decision, it will take into account all concerns relevant 

to the public interest. The final EIS will be part of the record from which the Commission will make its 

decision. The final EIS was sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and made available to the 

public on or before May 18, 2007. 

Copies of the final EIS are available for review in the Commission’s Public Reference Branch, 

Room 2A, located at 888 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20426. The final EIS also may be viewed 

on the Internet at www.ferc.gov under the eLibrary link. 

Attachment: Final Environmental Impact Statement 
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COVER SHEET 

a. Title: Relicensing the Oroville Facilities located on the Feather River in the foothills 

of the Sierra Nevada in Butte County, California, Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission (Commission or FERC) Project No. 2100. 

b. Subject: Final Environmental Impact Statement 

c. Lead Agency: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

d. Abstract: The Oroville Facilities were developed as part of the California State Water 

Project, a water storage and delivery system of reservoirs, aqueducts, power 

plants, and pumping plants. The existing license for the Oroville Facilities 

(issued by the FERC, on February 11, 1957) will expire on January 31, 2007. 

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), through the Alternative 

Licensing Procedures, is seeking a new federal license to continue generating 

hydroelectric power while continuing to meet existing commitments and comply 

with regulations pertaining to water supply, flood control, the environment, and 

recreational opportunities. 

e. Contact: James Fargo 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

Office of Energy Projects 

888 First Street, N.E. 

Washington, DC 20426 

202-502-6095

f. Transmittal: This final environmental impact statement prepared by the Commission’s staff 

on the hydroelectric license application filed by DWR for Oroville Facilities 

(FERC Project No. 2100) is being made available to the public on or about May 

18, 2007, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 

19691

 and the Commission’s regulations implementing NEPA (18 CFR Part 

380). 

 

1

 National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, amended (Pub. L. 91-190. 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, January 

1, 1970, as amended by Pub. L. 94-52, July 3, 1975, Pub. L. 94-83, August 9, 1975, and Pub. L. 97-

258, §4(b), September 13, 1982). 
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FOREWORD 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission), pursuant to the Federal Power Act 

(FPA)2

 and the U.S. Department of Energy Organization Act3 is authorized to issue licenses for up to 

50 years for the construction and operation of non-federal hydroelectric development subject to its 

jurisdiction, on the necessary conditions: 

That the project...shall be such as in the judgment of the Commission will be best 

adapted to a comprehensive plan for improving or developing a waterway or waterways 

for the use or benefit of interstate or foreign commerce, for the improvement and 

utilization of water-power development, for the adequate protection, mitigation, and 

enhancement of fish and wildlife (including related spawning grounds and habitat), and 

for other beneficial public uses, including irrigation, flood control, water supply, and 

recreational and other purposes referred to in Section 4(e)...4

The Commission may require such other conditions not inconsistent with the FPA as may be 

found necessary to provide for the various public interests to be served by the project.5

 Compliance with 

such conditions during the licensing period is required. The Commission’s Rules of Practice and 

Procedure allow any person objecting to a licensee’s compliance or noncompliance with such conditions 

to file a complaint noting the basis for such objection for the Commission’s consideration.6

 

2

 16 U.S.C. §791(a)-825r, as amended by the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986, Public Law 

99-495 (1986) and the Energy Policy Act of 1992, Public Law 102-486 (1992). 

3

 Public Law 95-91, 91 Stat. 556 (1977). 

4

 16 U.S.C. §803(a). 

5

 16 U.S.C. §803(g). 

6

 18 C.F.R. §385.206 (1987). 
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