Public urges SFPUC to oppose Valadao rider that would limit NMFS in FERC relicensing

Multiple public commenters urged the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on June 12 to oppose a proposed congressional appropriations rider backed by Rep. Valadao that would prevent the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) from participating in FERC relicensing for Don Pedro and La Grange.

Speakers representing Trout Unlimited, the Golden Gate Salmon Association, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and Tuolumne River Trust said the rider would short-circuit environmental review, undermine cooperative mitigation and set a precedent that could erode fisheries protections statewide. They asked the commission to publicly oppose the rider and to work with the city and the region to communicate its concerns to senators and congressional staff.

SFPUC staff briefed commissioners on the status of the appropriations process, explained that House and Senate versions of bills differ and said the timeline for senator briefings is imminent. Staff advised coordination with the mayor's office and the city's intergovernmental process for any formal city position; commissioners asked staff to consult the offices of Senators Feinstein and Harris and to return with recommended next steps.

During new business a commissioner requested that the Valadao rider be agendized for the next meeting for formal consideration; staff agreed to place it on a future agenda but cautioned that available information may be limited. Commissioners and staff discussed constraints on taking an immediate position before conferring with mayoral and senatorial offices.

Next steps: staff will reach out to senators' offices, brief the commission on developments, and present an agenda item to consider an SFPUC or city position in a forthcoming meeting.