DWR to Host Oroville Facilities Relicensing Signing Event

Business Wire, March 17, 2006

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) will host an Oroville Facilities Relicensing Settlement Agreement signing ceremony from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. The event will be held at the Kelly Ridge Conference Center, 5131 Royal Oaks Drive, Oroville.

The ceremony will be the culmination of a six-year relicensing collaborative process and settlement negotiation. DWR has worked collaboratively with local citizens, governmental organizations, state and federal resource agencies, environmental and recreation interests, and non-governmental organizations to develop protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures to be provided to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The recommended measures are part of the new license for the Oroville Facilities.

The Settlement Agreement includes a robust set of recreation measures, a community controlled supplemental benefits fund, a wide variety of environmental measures including actions to protect special status species such as the spring run chinook salmon, steelhead, bald eagle, and others, a plan to address cultural resources, and additional land use and engineering and operations measures.

The event will include remarks from DWR Director Lester A. Snow and Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, along with comments from a number of stakeholders including Ruth Coleman, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, and Oroville Mayor Gordon Andoe. After presentation of a Project Supplemental Benefits Fund check to the City of Oroville and the signing of the Settlement Agreement, lunch will be served to media representatives and invited guests.

DWR's existing 50-year federal license to operate the Oroville Facilities (Oroville Dam, Hyatt Powerplant, Thermalito Diversion Powerplant, Thermalito Pumping-Generating Plant, and ancillary facilities) will expire in January 2007.

Obtaining a new 50-year license with balanced terms and conditions allows these multi-purpose State Water Project facilities to continue providing reliable power, water supply, recreation, flood control, and environmental enhancement benefits to millions of Californians.

Approval of a new license is under the purview of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. FERC regulates the country's hydroelectric projects, as well as natural gas industry, wholesale gas and electricity rates, and nonfederal oil pipelines. Before issuing a new license, FERC must consider how to balance competing uses and address the direct and indirect impacts of operating the Oroville Facilities.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.