Relicensing of Balch Hydroelectric Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025110961
Lead Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
Relicensing of Balch Hydroelectric Project
Document Type
MND - Mitigated Negative Declaration
Received
Present Land Use
Resource and Conservation (RC); aligns with Zone O, Open Conservation Land Use, in Fresno County General Plan
Document Description
The Proposed Project involves the FERC relicensing the 131.52-megawatt Balch Hydroelectric Project. PG&E has applied for a new FERC license for the Project (Proposed Project), under which it proposes to: (1) continue to operate the Project; (2)replace and rehabilitate existing recreation facilities; (3) designate approximately 14 miles of existing roads and approximately 2.5 miles of existing trails as Project roads and trails; (4) decommission the defunct Black Rock Creek and Weir Creek feeder facilities; (5) modify the FERC Project boundary to more accurately define lands and waters necessary for Project operation and maintenance activities under a new FERC Project license; and (6) implement new protection, mitigation, and enhancement plans and measures.
Contact Information
Name
Jessica Dyke
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Name
Bill Spain
Agency Name
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Job Title
Senior Environmental Planner
Contact Types
Consulting Firm
Phone
Email
Name
Alex Tessier
Agency Name
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Job Title
Relicensing Project Manager
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Balch Camp
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Countywide, Unincorporated
Zip
93602
Total Acres
648.53
Waterways
North Fork Kings River
Notice of Completion
State Review Period Start
State Review Period End
State Reviewing Agencies
California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Energy Commission, California Fish and Game Commission (CDFGC), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California San Joaquin River Conservancy (SJRC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Delta Protection Commission, Delta Stewardship Council, Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 12, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, District 23, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, State Water Resources Control Board, Divison of Financial Assistance, University of California Natural Reserve System (UCNRS)
Development Types
Power:Hydroelectric (Megawatts 131.52)
Local Actions
Clean Water Act 401 water quality certification
Project Issues
Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Sewer Capacity, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire
Public Review Period Start
Public Review Period End
Attachments
Draft Environmental Document [Draft IS, NOI_NOA_Public notices, OPR Summary Form, Appx,]
Notice of Completion [NOC] Transmittal form
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