Balch Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 175
2 Documents in Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025110961
Lead Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Document Title
Balch Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No. 175
Document Type
NOD - Notice of Determination
Received
Posted
7/3/2026
Document Description
The Proposed Project covered by this Notice of Determination involves the FERC relicensing of the 131.52-megawatt Balch Hydroelectric Project (Project). PG&E has applied for a new FERC license for the 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.
The Project includes Black Rock Reservoir, Balch Diversion Dam, Balch Afterbay, Balch Afterbay Dam, two powerhouses (Balch No. 1 and Balch No. 2), approximately 28 miles of transmission and distribution lines, and three developed recreation sites around Black Rock Reservoir. It is primarily operated as a peaking facility to meet power demand and for irrigation purposes. Project operation is coordinated with the Haas-Kings River Hydroelectric Project because releases from Lake Wishon largely control inflow to Black Rock Reservoir, which is the water source for the Project.
Contact Information
Name
Jessica Dyke
Agency Name
State Water Resources Control Board
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
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 Determination
Approving Agency
State Water Resources Control Board
Approving Agency Role
Lead Agency
Approved On
County Clerk
Fresno
Final Environmental Document Available at
1001 I Street, 2nd Floor, Room 2-114, Sacramento, CA 95814 and https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/water_quality_cert/balch.html
Determinations
(1) The project will have a significant impact on the environment
No
(2a) An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(2b) A Mitigated or a Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
Yes
(2c) An other document type was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
(3) Mitigated measures were made a condition of the approval of the project
No
(4) A mitigation reporting or monitoring plan was adopted for this project
No
(5) A Statement of Overriding Considerations was adopted for this project
No
(6) Findings were made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA
No
Attachments
Final Document(s) [Approved_Certified draft environmental documents]
Notice of Determination
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