To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Permit Sonoma
Staff Name and Phone Number: Reg Cullen, (707) 565-2502
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth District
Title:
Title
Roiling Permit and Extensions to Geysers Power Company, LLC; ROI24-0001.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution issuing a roiling permit and necessary permit extensions to Geysers Power Company, LLC under their water extraction facility replacement program for work in Big Sulphur Creek, and determining that the project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15301 and 15302. (4/5ths Vote Required) (Fourth District)
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County requires that the Board of Supervisors issue a roiling permit pursuant to Chapter 23 prior to work or operations in a river, stream, or channel which will decrease the clarity of these waterways. The recommended resolution will issue a roiling permit to Geysers Power Company, LLC under their Water Extraction Facility Replacement Program for work in Big Sulphur Creek for the period July 15 through October 15, 2024.
Discussion:
County Code Chapter 23 requires that an application for a permit be filed with the Board of Supervisors prior to the performance of certain prescribed work or operations in a river, stream, or channel which will decrease the clarity of these waterways.
The project proposes replacement of a surface water intake facility on Big Sulphur Creek in the Geysers Geothermal Stream Field, which is part of Calpine’s geothermal operation at the Geysers.
Staff recommends that the Board issue Geysers Power Company, LLC the permit. No significant residual impacts affecting water clarity of the rivers or streams of the County of Sonoma will result. The project is limited to removal and replacement of an existing water diversion system which meets current regulatory design standards for on-channel diversion. The new diversion system is intended to reduce impacts to multiple aquatic species, the environment, and improve the safety and operations of the diversion. The work is proposed to commence no earlier than July 15 and be completed by October 15, 2024.
Zoning permit (ZPE21-0077) was issued to the Applicant which approved work in the riparian corridor. The Project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15302. The temporary access road will be downstream of the bridge. Permit Sonoma has already issued a grading permit (GRD22-0089) which will address bank stabilization due to a previous slide downstream of the bridge, as well as regrading of the temporary access road. And finally, building permit (BLD23-5274) for the project is under review.
The applicant anticipates that two 30-day extensions may be required, and staff recommends that the Board pre-approve these two extensions. The roiling permit and two 30-day extensions require a 4/5ths approval vote by the Board pursuant to the requirements of the 1988 ballot measure that enacted the roiling ordinance (County Code, Chapter 23, Article II).
Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
Not Applicable
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Not Applicable
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Not Applicable
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Board Resolution
Attachment 2: Application
Attachment 3: Location Maps
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Not Applicable