FERC Staff Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for Dam Retrofit and Surrender of the Anderson Dam Hydroelectric Project Exemption (P-5737-032)

Commission staff prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed retrofit and reconstruction of Anderson Dam to meet the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission) seismic and flood protection standards, and for the proposed surrender of the exemption for the 800-kilowatt Anderson Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 5737, located on Coyote Creek in Santa Clara County, California.

On February 20, 2024, and supplemented on May 20, May 28, July 2 and July 3, 2024, and February 7, March 7 and March 10, 2025, Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) filed an application with the Commission to retrofit the Anderson Dam and to surrender the project exemption. Construction to retrofit the dam is proposed to begin in 2027 and would take approximately seven years to complete. The proposal includes various environmental monitoring plans, site restoration activities, and mitigation measures designed to avoid or minimize the potential adverse effects of the proposed actions on threatened and endangered species and to the surrounding communities. Valley Water would maintain Anderson Reservoir operations and the rebuilt dam following the surrender, and proposes to implement flow releases as determined in consultation with the resource agencies to protect and enhance salmon habitat.

The primary issues associated with the proposed actions are: (1) water quality and water quantity; (2) threatened and endangered species; (3) public safety (air quality and noise); (4) cultural resources; and (5) post-construction operations of the Anderson Reservoir. After taking mitigation into account, the project would have some significant adverse effects but would provide many significant benefits including improved infrastructure and public safety.

In the Final EIS, Commission staff recommends the proposed action with the Staff Alternative, which includes the applicant's proposed measures to retrofit the Anderson Dam and surrender the project exemption, as well as certain mandatory conditions and recommendations made by federal agencies and some staff-recommended modifications to further minimize project-related effects on water quality, aquatic and terrestrial resources, threatened and endangered species, recreation, land use and aesthetics, noise, and cultural resources.