LAKEPORT >> A Town Hall convened Thursday aimed at protecting a vital water resource that has, and could again, prove critical to fighting wildfires, but also to sustain the economy and enhance recreational opportunities for an isolated, yet popular destination point for longtime residents.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at the Soper Reese Theater, Thursday. Master of Ceremonies was Amanda Martin, Chief Economic Officer of the Chamber. Martin said the presentation was to promote awareness and to educate the community on the critical issue of a potential removal of Scotts Dam from the Potter Valley Project. “This decision not only affects Mendocino’s, Napa’s and Marin’s water supply, but Lake’s county’s economy, wildlife and wildfire readiness,” Martin said.
District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier noted what is planned for the Potter Valley Project is horrifying. “The Potter Valley Project has been taken over by PG&E and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, (U.S. agency that oversees interstate sale of electricity, natural gas and oil, as well as regulates interstate transmission of petroleum by pipeline). FERC is the licensing agency that allows PG&E to run the hydroelectric facility at Scotts Dam. “Currently the hydroelectric facility is not generating any electricity,” said Sabatier. It was only recently PG&E submitted a final draft plan, that will surrender the entire operations of the dam. “We don’t know how PG&E will ensure the plan will be approved but it is now moving forward, and it leaves us in a volatile situation of not understanding of what we’re supposed to do next,” Sabatier said.
BOS Chair, E.J. Crandell said there was talk for quite some time about the potential loss of the fish. “Regardless of how this may resolve, the cool water flow of the dam makes sure the fish survive,” he said. “I sent a letter to FERC and PG&E that they raise the gate, keep the water flowing because otherwise the summer heat could burn the fish.” There is other wildlife, osprey, eagles and other raptors which are important to the ecosystem.
Should the dam be torn down, Lake County Treasurer estimated there could be a loss of $850,000 in tax revenue. Additionally, property values of $40 million could depreciate. Sabatier noted the idea of a nice smooth, flowing river was a preferred; a future dream for some. “But right now, we have what is deemed as one of the best water resources to fight wildfire hazards in Northern California,” he said. “We’ve seen two of the worst wildfires; the Mendocino Complex and the August Complex wildfires. Lake Pillsbury was a critical water source for fighting those fires. Although those fires were two of the major fires confronting the state, what is often overlooked are the many smaller fires that were extinguished successfully because of the accessibility of Lake Pillsbury.”
He added had Lake Pillsbury not been so conveniently located, the closest body of water would be Lake Mendocino and if that was the primary water source, to make progress on putting a fire out, helicopters returning to the fire scene in the Lake Pillsbury area for additional water would face very challenging prospect, if the decommission of Scotts Dam should happen. And part of the reason for decommissioning is they have an issue with the salmon, Sabatier pointed out. “PG&E has been sued because the salmon are an endangered species,” he said. “There is no fish ladder, and they cannot access their spawning grounds. And they are losing $ 5 million/year.”
There was a seismic study PG&E did, after they planned the decommissioning, which lowered the dam’s rank from a good status to fair status. “We are one of 81 dams in California that is fair status and there’s 41 dams in poor status with one unsatisfactory dam,” Sabatier said. “As local leaders, we have to be controlled by decision making by PG&E (and by extension, FERC). “And that is why we’re also preparing for Plan B. So, I need to talk about climate change.”
He went on to state that although state leaders sometimes cite climate change as a contributor to problems, when it comes to crafting legislation, climate change is rarely mentioned. So during climate change they need to find a way to store water to assure there is adequate water for great droughts. “We’ve already seen unprecedented droughts between 2018 and 2022, he said. “And we’re going to see it again. It is only going to get hotter and get longer. So, why are we going to get rid of a known quantity of water?”
Sabatier informed the audience about another consideration yet to be given much of an exposure. “They are going to build another dam or they’re going to expand other dams that already exist,” he said. “It’s because Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin are going to require the same amount of water that Lake Pillsbury currently holds.” He also informed the audience that in order to provide a fish passage at the Sotts Dam so salmon can get to their spawning grounds, it would cost $300 to $320 million as a similar work was completed in San Diego not long ago. And a seismic retrofit would cost $50 to $100 million.
Meanwhile the decommissioning of Scotts Dam is estimated at $500 million and probably more, by the time the work is completed, based on a study by The Eel River Power Authority, What is more, PG&E has already begun to raise utility rates to have enough to cover the cost of expanding Lake Mendicino to provide for water needs left wanting by Lake Pillsbury ‘s destruction Estimates by the Army Corp of Engineers comes to $300 million.
Sabatier cautioned, PG&E’s plans, will destroy a lake that makes life possible in so many communities. “We’re going to exchange that for something that’s going to cost so much more to all of us, than it would have, than if we just fixed what we have,” he said.
Carol Cinquini, and Frank Lynch, board members of the Pillsbury Alliance presented their perspective of why it is critically important to save the Scott Dam and preserve the Lake Pillsbury community. Lynch said for the whole regional water supply is essential for fire protection; it supports wildlife and endangered species as well as being a great recreation area that provides economic benefits. “Studies done show what benefits recreational residents have with the 50-to-75-mile perimeter surrounding it,” Lynch said
Cinquini noted that figure is about $10 million that goes into Mendocino, and Lake County in some manner whether it is buying gas, looking for fast food, or by those need a propeller for a boat. Lynch noted there is a resort with 30 sites for visitors as well as boating campsites. “There are also U.S. Forest Serice leased lots. And there are 250 lots with 180 homes, which are fee titled properties. Meanwhile on the west shore in a PG&E campground, while on the northeast corner there is the Sunset Campground and Pillsbury house lots.”
Cinquini added that loss of Pillsbury Lake would eliminate critical wildfire water not only for the basin but surrounding communities. “In the August Complex Fire there was water enough to use in four counties; Lake, Mendocino, Glenn and Colusa,” she said. “Elimination of Lake Pillsbury would eliminate a significant barrier that stops wildfire, and it also prevents fire from going into Upper Lake.”
The loss of Lake Pillsbury would also diminish groundwater which is needed to sustain wells. And loss of the lake will harm people and wildlife in the Eel and Russian River watershed .and eliminate year-round reliable water supply. “It’s not just $500,000 to take out the dams,” Cinquini pointed out. “The true cost is likely to reach $2 billion and the reason why; $500 million to take out a dam, $630 million or new infrastructure considered in the Potter Valley and Mendocino areas, $50 million for a Phase 1 Eel River restoration project, $100 million to enhance other projects in the Russian River, $50 million for Round Valley Indian Tribes for water diversion. Also, none of the above takes into consideration Lake Pillsbury mitigation or long-term monitoring of debt service.”
Nikcole Whipple is a Round Valley tribal member, water protector and policy advocate. She noted a missed opportunity had a path of riparian rights had been followed. These are the entitlements that allow landowners whose property borders a water course to use and manage the watercourse, while imposing certain responsibilities. “Lake County is a riparian area that has been mismanaged for years,” she said. She made a case, had this been more focused Lake Pillsbury area returning to its natural riparian state a greater good may have been achieved.
Relative humidity is what contributes to fire behavior she maintains. “If we were not dredging all of our watersheds, maybe we’d have more ability to fight against wildfire, but we don’t, because we continue to dredge, divert and drain our watersheds; move water for things that are not viable.” But she asks what would be more viable than to have the longest flowing rivers as a resource.
“We are one of the poorest counties in California but this lake is not saving us,” she said. “We see our cultural resources coming back but we are also seeing ag runoff with selenium, (used in some commercial applications but whose salts are toxic). The selenium makes defects in the fish. “So what do you think its doing to the water we drink? This isn’t our first go-round with PG&E,” she added. What’s dear to me is rematriation of our land. As a tribal person, we believe in our matriarchal society, in conservation and traditional ecological knowledge of land and tribal beneficial uses, native plant health. But ag runoff poses risks, especially for children. “We have fresh water,” she said. “We could be sharing it and protecting it.”
Deb Sally is chair of the Serra Club Lake Group. She had hoped even after PG&E’ s draft submission to FERC surrendering its license to run the dam, there would be a way to continue with the Scott Dam to provide water and prevent flooding. Yet the utility’s unsuccessful attempts to locate an alternative operator, increasingly seems to make decommissioning more likely. The tribal community with its great cultural and spiritual significance could greatly benefit from Pillsbury’s resort habitats. “Change is not always welcome but change is inevitable,” she said. “It’s important people look forward and find the best way forward for as many stakeholders as possible.”
