Colgate Powerhouse Penstock Failure Emergency Response
Summary
SCH Number
2026040099
Public Agency
Yuba County Water Agency
Document Title
Colgate Powerhouse Penstock Failure Emergency Response
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
4/2/2026
Document Description
The project consists of Yuba Water's previously completed, ongoing, and future efforts to mitigate and repair environmental and property damage caused by an emergency penstock rupture, and to prevent further damage. These efforts include: restoring safe
access to the powerhouse and penstock; facility inspections and forensic investigations; identifying and containing hazardous materials and waste; hillslope, bank, and facility stabilization; debris and sediment removal from the facilities, land, and river; and repairing, replacing, or restoring damaged facilities to their pre-incident operations.
Contact Information
Name
Jacob Vander Meulen
Agency Name
Yuba County Water Agency (Yuba Water)
Job Title
Environmental Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Location
Cities
Dobbins, Yuba County, CA
Counties
Yuba
Regions
Unincorporated
Cross Streets
Lake Francis Road
Zip
95935
Other Location Info
At and near New Colgate Powerhouse along Yuba River in Yuba County, California (Figure 1)
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Secs. 21080(b)(4), 15269(b)(c), 21080.21, and 15282(k)
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes activities to mitigate and repair environmental and property damage from the emergency penstock failure and prevent further damage. Debris removal and stabilization will prevent further erosion and/or discharges of materials into the Yuba River and further damage to the powerhouse from buildup of wet sediment and debris. Yuba Water will repair existing facilities that provide essential public services, including water deliveries and electricity generation. The work will not change or expand the facilities beyond their pre-failure location and operations. Work on land and in water will restore the area to its pre-failure state, where feasible, or at a minimum will stabilize the current conditions to prevent further damage.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301, 15302, 15304, 15306, 15309
Reasons for Exemption
The project includes activities to mitigate and repair environmental and property damage from the emergency penstock failure and prevent further damage. Debris removal and stabilization will prevent further erosion and/or discharges of materials into the Yuba River and further damage to the powerhouse from buildup of wet sediment and debris. Yuba Water will repair existing facilities that provide essential public services, including water deliveries and electricity generation. The work will not change or expand the facilities beyond their pre-failure location and operations. Work on land and in water will restore the area to its pre-failure state, where feasible, or at a minimum will stabilize the current conditions to prevent further damage.
County Clerk
Yuba
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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