State Water Board opens CEQA scoping for Potter Valley Project; public comments due Nov. 3

The California State Water Resources Control Board on Oct. 25 held one of four public scoping meetings to solicit input on a State-led Environmental Impact Report (EIR) connected to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s surrender and proposed decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project, and to guide a Section 401 water quality certification the board expects PG&E to request.

The board said it will serve as the CEQA lead agency, prepare an EIR to support any conditions in a future 401 certification, and accept written comments until 4 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2025. The agency said a draft EIR will be released for a minimum 45-day public comment period when ready.

Why it matters: The Potter Valley Project includes Scott and Cape Horn dams, Lake Pillsbury and diversion facilities that transfer water from the Eel River to the East Branch Russian River. Public commenters at the scoping meeting urged the board to use the 401 certification process to require restoration-focused conditions, to analyze sediment and downstream water-quality impacts to the estuary and coastal fisheries, and to center tribal cultural resources and participation in planning and mitigation.

Board staff overview and next steps Nathan Fish, senior environmental scientist at the State Water Resources Control Board, opened the meeting and introduced staff. Wilhelmina Chan, environmental scientist in the Division of Water Rights and the project manager for Potter Valley, described the board's role under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act: a water quality certification must ensure projects comply with state water-quality objectives and regional basin plans, and any conditions in a issued certification become mandatory parts of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)…