A Lake County organization has voiced support for retaining the Scotts Dam as well as the Cape Horn Dam, slated for decommissioning and eventual removal by its owner, Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
The Lake County’s Community Action Project (CAP) supports the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ decision to send letters to State and Federal government agencies, urging a halt to PG&E’s attempt to decommission Scott Dam on Lake Pillsbury. “This issue is too significant to be decided without input from Lake County residents, yet our community has been sidelined from critical discussions,” noted Chuck Lamb one of Lake County CAP’s members.in a letter received by the Record-Bee on March 24.
“This dam’s removal will detrimentally affect our local economy, environment, and public safety. Both Scott Dam and Lake Pillsbury are completely inside Lake County’s boundaries,” Lamb added. However, for a number of years, PG&E, resisted to engage with people who will bear the greatest burden and continue to underplay the negative impact on Lake County, he further contended. “It is unacceptable that such a major action is being pushed forward without ensuring the residents who live, work, and rely on Lake Pillsbury—have a real seat at the table,” Lamb also said.
Lake Pillsbury is not just a body of water; Lamb explained. It is a vital resource for the region. “Economically, the lake supports tourism, recreation, and local businesses, all of which depend on its existence,” he stressed. “Without the lake, we risk devastating financial losses for small businesses and property owners who rely on its steady flow of visitors. The dam also plays a crucial role in wildfire mitigation, as it provides an essential water source for firefighting efforts in an area that has been repeatedly ravaged by wildfires.”
Lamb also pointed out the potential removal of Scott Dam minus a clear plan to protect Lake County’s interests is rash and irresponsible. “That is why the BOS is right to demand that the State and Federal governments intervene,” he added. “PG&E must not be allowed to move forward without a transparent process that includes local stakeholders.”
Lake County deserves the right to be heard and to ensure any decision about Scott Dam prioritizes the well-being of this rural community. “LC CAP urges all residents to stand with the BOS in calling for a fair and inclusive process—one that recognizes the undeniable importance of Lake Pillsbury to our county’s economy and wildfire resilience.” Lamb reiterated.
Lake CAP Community Action Project Founding Members comprise the following: Peter Luchetti, Angela Amaral, Jesse Cude, Holly Harris, Margaux Kambara, Tom Lajcik and Chuck Lamb.
However, Paul Moreno, PG&E spokesman, noted the Scotts and Cape Horn dams, their construction dating back to 1900, were aimed for hydroelectric generation in Ukiah. In 2019, PG&E, the owner and license holder, decided its operation was no longer economical for its customers since it could purchase power cheaper than generate power through the Potter Valley Project. “We reached out at various stakeholders at various forums; Sonoma Water Company and the Potter Valley Project Irrigation District, but no one wanted to take over operations,” Moreno said. “When this happened PG&E created the Orphan Process, which opened up for entities to continue with the licensing process and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission would rule on the appropriateness of a group to take over.”
Then FERC urged PG&E to develop a surrender application and decommissioning plan, but an exact date of the physical decommissioning is uncertain. PG&E is working with a group called the Eel/ Russian River Project Authority. “They want to build a new water diversion facility that would utilize some of PG&E’s infrastructure to divert water from the Eel River to the Russian River during high water flow events during winter rains, Moreno said. “In our plan, we talk about working with the Eel/Russian Project Authority to plan, construct and operate a new facility on their own. But by July 29, 2025 we will submit our final decommission plan.
Meanwhile, FERC will consult with California Fish & Wildlife and other resource agencies about a decommissioning order for PG&E to follow. They will need at least three seasons to complete the project because demolition must be done during the dry season, noted Moreno.
On Jan. 31, PG&E made available its Final Draft Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan. “The Potter Valley Project hydroelectric facility in Mendocino and Lake counties has a long history of generating power and diverting water from the main stem of the Eel River to the Russian River watershed, which has benefited agriculture and communities in southern Mendocino, Sonoma and northern Marin counties,” Moreno wrote this past January.
“While salmon and steelhead are able to use a fish ladder to get around the Cape Horn Dam at Potter Valley, the anadromous fish are unable to get past the Scott Dam,” Moreno pointed out. “The Potter Valley Project has a long history and has importance to agriculture, tribes, communities and the environment. As PG&E moves forward with plans to decommission the dams, it continues to work with several entities for a new water diversion facility, including the Sonoma County Water Agency, Inland Water & Power Commission of Mendocino County, the Round Valley Tribes, Humboldt County, Cal Trout; Trout Unlimited and the California Department of Fish & Wildlife.” Nonetheless, PG&E is not responsible for either the construction or the operation of a new facility, according to Moreno.
Monica Huettl, in an article for the MendoFever-Mendocino County News, reported on a roiling debate among attendees during a meeting on March 24. She recalled a jammed town hall led by Mayor Todd Lands regarding PG&E’s decommissioning plans for the dams, which concentrated on effects should they be demolished and a possible scenario for water supply, environmental concerns, and local communities.
Mayor Lands said, “Cloverdale did not have a seat at the negotiating table, even though they are severely affected,” according to Huettl. “The City Council and Fire Department are “extremely worried” about a safe and reliable water supply for the future. Lands continued, “This is not a partisan issue- This isn’t an attack on those that have been working to find solutions, and we thank them for all of the work they put in over the years,” Huefll reported.
Frost Pauli, Mendocino County Farm Bureau; “The economic impacts is going to affect everyone,” Huettl reported “In the last 20 years, California farmers saw a 1400% increase in the cost of regulatory compliance. Between 2012 and 2022, 15,000 farms in California went out of business. Pauli’s priorities are to keep the diversion and add additional storage. Elected officials should delay removal of any infrastructure until all of the questions have been answered,” Huettl further reported.
Mayor Lands said, “‘Seasonal diversion’ is the key. The flow will only go into Lake Mendocino during high water or flood times,” when Cloverdale does not need the water. If Lake Mendocino will go dry two out of 10 years, Lands said, “With one year of less than average rainfall, that turns into three to five years out of the 10.” He called for “. . . a guarantee in writing for a minimum amount of water that is to be diverted into Lake Mendocino year- round, and then a minimum released into the Upper Russian River from Lake Mendocino,” Huettl further reported.
The Eel Russian Project Authority, a Joint Powers Authority, was created at the end of 2023. Sonoma Water, Sonoma County, Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission, and Round Valley Indian Tribes all hold board seats on ERPA. The purpose is to build a new diversion facility after PG&E removes the dams.
