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Speakers urge SFPUC to oppose congressional amendment that would curb fisheries role in Tuolumne River relicensing
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Summary
Conservation and fishing groups told the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on May 22 that an appropriations amendment associated with Rep. Valadao would bar the National Marine Fisheries Service from participating in relicensing for the Don Pedro and La Grange projects and asked the commission to agendize and draft a resolution opposing it.
Several conservation and fishing-industry speakers used the SFPUC public-comment period on May 22 to ask the commission to weigh in against a congressional appropriations amendment associated with Rep. Valadao that they said would remove the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from participation in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing of the Don Pedro and La Grange hydroelectric projects on the Tuolumne River.
Chris Shoots of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance told commissioners he and colleagues learned the amendment had been attached to a Department of Commerce appropriations bill and asked staff to place the matter on a near-term agenda so the commission could consider a resolution opposing it. Peter Drechmeyer of the Tuolumne River Trust said the measure was part of a broader rollback of federal environmental protections and cited SFPUC polling showing the environment is the top reason San Franciscans support diversifying water supplies. Cindy Charles of the Golden West Woman Fly Fishers and Barry Nelson of the Golden Gate Salmon Association emphasized risks to salmon runs and Bay Area fishing jobs if NMFS is excluded from the FERC relicensing process.
None of the public commenters reported any formal action by the commission at the meeting; they requested staff schedule the issue and draft a resolution of opposition because the appropriations bill could reach the House floor in early June. Commissioners acknowledged the requests and took the public comments under advisement; there was no vote on a resolution during the May 22 meeting.
The matter raised involves federal agencies and a legislative rider; speakers asked the SFPUC to coordinate with the Board of Supervisors and to use the city’s existing FERC filings in any advocacy. The commission’s agenda for June 12 will include items previously deferred from this meeting; commission staff will determine whether to agendize a formal position on the appropriations amendment as requested by the speakers.
