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OUR SHARED WATER

Next Steps

Changes are coming to how water supplies will be managed once the Potter Valley Project facilities are removed. Key decisions will be made in the coming year that will shape the future, including what new infrastructure is built and how it is managed and funded. A “New Eel-Russian Facility” has been proposed that would allow for continued water flows into the Russian River.

We need a plan for the future.

IWPC is continuing discussions with PG&E, and working with major stakeholders including Sonoma Water, Humboldt County, Round Valley Indian Tribes, Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. IWPC will continue to advocate for a solution that protects the long-term water supplies for both the Russian River and Eel River basins.

New infrastructure will need to be designed, funded, and built.

To protect fish, families, and farms, a New Eel-Russian Facility is needed to replace the PG&E facilities that will be taken down. That infrastructure must allow for continued diversions of water for beneficial use in the Russian River. The Eel-Russian Project Authority (ERPA) is a joint powers authority with the County of Sonoma, Sonoma Water, Mendocino IWPC, and Round Valley Indian Tribes. ERPA will have the power to negotiate with PG&E on the decommissioning plan, and will also have the legal capacity to own, construct and operate the new water diversion facility near the Cape Horn Dam.

Community engagement matters.

In January 2025, PG&E will issue a Draft Plan on decommissioning the Potter Valley Project facilities, and community engagement and feedback on the plan will be important. Then PG&E will issue a Final Plan in July 2025. Join our email list to be notified when these plans are released and open for public comment and input. Additionally, the New Eel-Russian Facility will need to be designed, permitted, funded, and built – this process will require ongoing community engagement.

POTTER VALLEY PROJECT

Anticipated Timeline

Fall 2024

Discussions will continue between ERPA and PG&E; ERPA will analyze options for a New Eel-Russian Facility to provide continued diversions after Potter Valley Project is removed

January 2025

PG&E will issue their Draft Plan for decommissioning the Potter Valley Project Facilities

Winter/Spring 2025

Public review and comment period for the PG&E Draft Plan

July 2025

PG&E will issue their Final Plan for decommissioning

Summer 2025

Public comment period on PG&E’s Final Plan

Before FERC can approve PG&E’s plan it must consider public input and analyze the impacts of the plan under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

ERPA will work to define plans for designing, funding, and constructing a New Eel-Russian Facility to continue water diversions. The new Facility will be subject to review and permitting by multiple regulatory agencies.