Announcement of DWR and LADWP Filing With FERC
Announcement of California Department of Water Resources’
and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s
Filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission of a
Final Application for New License for
South SWP Hydropower, FERC Project No. 2426-227
On January 30, 2020, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a Final Application for a New License Major Project – Existing Dam (FLA) for the South SWP Hydropower, FERC Project No. 2426 (Project). DWR and LADWP jointly hold the initial FERC license for the Project, which expires on January 31, 2022.
The current licensed South SWP Hydropower consists of two developments: Warne Power Development and Castaic Power Development, which are both located along the West Branch of the State Water Project (SWP) in Los Angeles County. DWR operates and manages all existing Project facilities in the Warne Power Development, and upstream of the Angeles Tunnel Surge Chamber in the Castaic Power Development. LADWP operates and manages the Surge Chamber and all existing Project facilities downstream of the Surge Chamber, in the Castaic Power development.
The new South SWP Hydropower license would include the following existing facilities, which are located between the towns of Castaic and Gorman, near Interstate 5, and approximately 17 to 34 miles northwest of the City of Los Angeles: Quail Lake and Embankment; Lower Quail Canal; Peace Valley Pipeline Intake and Embankment; Gorman Bypass Channel; William E. Warne Powerplant and Switchyard; Pyramid Dam; Pyramid Lake; Angeles Tunnel and Surge Chamber; Castaic Penstocks; Castaic Powerplant and Switchyard; Elderberry Dam and Forebay; Castaic Transmission Line; and recreation facilities at Quail Lake and Pyramid Lake.
The South SWP Hydropower FLA describes existing Project facilities, Project operation, estimated costs related to continued operations, general information, and the changes DWR and LADWP propose to the existing Project under the new license. In addition, the FLA describes environmental and recreational resources in the vicinity of the Project; an assessment of potential adverse environmental impacts associated with continued operation and maintenance of the Project as proposed by DWR and LADWP in the FLA; and DWR’s and LADWP’s proposed resource management measures for inclusion in the new license to protect and enhance environmental and recreation resources, and mitigate any Project impacts.
The FLA is available in electronic format on FERC’s eLibrary, and on DWR’s and LADWP’s South SWP Hydropower relicensing website at http://south-swp-hydropower-relicensing.com, and a copy of the FLA is available for inspection during regular business hours at three locations: the Old Town Newhall Library located at 24500 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321; DWR’s office located at 2033 Howe Avenue, Suite 220, Sacramento, CA 95825; and LADWP’s office, located at 111 North Hope Street, Room L43, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Copies of the FLA also may be obtained upon request, after reasonable reimbursement for postage and reproduction, by calling DWR at (916) 557-4555 or LADWP at (213) 367-2332.
Upon acceptance of the FLA for filing, FERC will publish notices soliciting additional public comment.
Questions regarding this notice should be addressed to Gwen Knittweis, DWR’s Chief of Hydropower License Planning and Compliance Office, Executive Division, at (916) 557-4554, or Mr. Simon Zewdu, LADWP’s Director of Regulatory Compliance and Specifications, Power System, at (213) 367-2525.