SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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1 SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pursuant to the work plan adopted by the Yuba Salmon Forum (YSF) for assessment of infrastructure to support anadromous fish passage to the Yuba watershed, the intended purpose of this work is to provide an engineering assessment of the facilities, appurtenances, costs, permitting, and changes to the infrastructure and operations of existing facilities required for the implementation and operations and maintenance (O&M) of an Anadromous Fish Passage Program to locations in the upper Yuba watershed, including the North, Middle, and South Yuba rivers. The process included a close working coordination with the YSF Technical Working Group (TWG), and was intended to support the TWG s examination and deliberation on information and sound science to identify a path to a preferred alternative for reintroduction of anadromous salmonids into the upper Yuba. The goal of this report is to provide a consistent level of information on the range of potential new or altered physical facilities identified through the implementation of the work plan. This report describes seven representative passage and/or restoration s that were used as the basis of cost estimate development by the YSF TWG. MWH s approach was to develop the facilities design to a point which would capture their footprint and primary features and allow development of an opinion of probable construction cost. This information is intended to be used in coordination with other information being developed by the YSF including information on habitat availability, alternatives comparison and regulatory challenges. This report enhances and expands on information presented in the 2010 Yuba Fish Passage Conceptual Engineering Project Options Report, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS February 2010). The YSF is a voluntary collaborative process between various agencies, entities and interest groups in the Yuba watershed that have an interest in fisheries, water supply and power generation in the watershed. The YSF appointed members of their organizations to sit on the Technical Workgroup (TWG) to provide feedback and guide the various analytical aspects of the collaborative. There have been bi-monthly meetings of the TWG to guide the technical work supporting the process including the development of a range of fish passage options throughout the watershed. These various options were then grouped into a set of 7 s, each action representing a complete set of elements that would provide for both upstream and downstream passage of the target fish species which were defined to be Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon (spring-run Chinook salmon) and California Central Valley steelhead trout (steelhead), both federally listed species. Spring-run is also a state threatened species. Additionally, the YSF wanted to enhance passage for the federally threatened green sturgeon in the Lower Yuba, which has also been incorporated into each action. A subset of TWG members helped to guide the development of the potential locations and type of facilities that would comprise the elements of each of the 7 s, using available information on flows, temperatures and current dam and hydropower operations. These 7 s were then presented in concept form to the full TWG and the YSF Plenary Group before being further developed into descriptions, conceptual engineering drawings and opinions of probable construction cost and presented to the TWG for discussion and comment. As a subset of this phase of analysis, development of an estimate of several of the significant power operational impacts of individual s has also been developed and is incorporated into this report (Note: as of the date of publication of this report, assessment of generation impacts has been completed Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-1 March 2013

2 and is provided in Appendix C; an assessment of water supply impacts and costs has not yet been completed). These s have been identified as being representative of the range of s possible for the enhancement of anadromous fish populations within the Yuba watershed. The final form of an may be different than what is described herein, or may utilize different combinations of elements. However, the cost of any element of any of the s for which cost estimates have been prepared are intended to represent a reasonable proxy for the cost for the final form of that element. In future studies, alternative locations, facilities designs or operations can be evaluated which will inform refinement of the cost estimates. Additionally, future studies would likely include evaluation of alternative methods of fish passage, such as utilizing fishways for both upstream passage of adults and downstream passage of juveniles and adults at locations where this report has assumed a different method for downstream juvenile and adult passage. In addition to the collection and analysis of physical characteristics of each element, other issues that will need to be considered in future studies relate to minimizing environmental effects, mitigating for lost opportunities and environmental effects, compliance with permitting terms, and effects on other fish species of importance in the watershed. Addressing these issues could add considerable cost to the s. Each is described as a complete fish passage and/or habitat enhancement program, including upstream and downstream migration and is comprised of from 8 to 23 Elements (which may be either facilities or operational changes). The purpose of this report is to: a) describe s and Elements; b) list specific assumptions and criteria associated with each and Element; c) present a cost estimate by Element; d) identify additional engineering studies and data collection necessary to further refine or develop cost estimates for s and Elements; and e) provide an overview of key benefits and challenges of each (in comparison to alternative s). Habitat and behavior information for the watershed will be described elsewhere; biological considerations, such as run timing or critical temperature thresholds, are included here only as they have the potential to affect infrastructure location, design or operations. The seven representative s are: 1 - A collection and transport program to the North Yuba 2 - A collection and transport program to the Middle Yuba 3 - A collection and transport program to the South Yuba 4 - removal and restoration of the area under Reservoir 5 - A modification (notching) of, including the construction of a fish ladder and downstream passage facilities 6 - Construction of an upstream fish ladder and downstream passage facilities past the existing 7 - Improvement of the habitat of the lower Yuba The YSF or YSF TWG may ultimately look at combinations of s, or mix-and-match of various Elements within and between s. The structure of information presented in this report should be amenable to assessing different combinations of s and/or Elements; however that assessment is beyond the scope of this report. Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-2 March 2013

3 1.1 GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS This section describes some of the general assumptions used in this report; these assumptions are applicable across all of the s. Populations of all of the anadromous species of concern (including State and/or Federally protected species spring run Chinook salmon, steelhead and green sturgeon, plus non- ESA protected fall-run Chinook salmon) currently exist in the Lower Yuba (the Lower Yuba is defined as the Yuba downstream of ). It would be preferable to provide passage or habitat improvements for populations of anadromous salmonids demonstrating phenotypic or volitional preference for returning to the Yuba, rather than transplanting broodstock from other watersheds. The existing flow regime of the Lower Yuba provides suitable conditions for all riverine life stages of anadromous salmonids and sturgeon for currently available habitat. Existing water temperatures in the Lower Yuba, particularly above Highway 20, are suitable for anadromous fish under current operations. Any significant warming or other temperature changes should be avoided. Any significant reduction in the quality of existing anadromous fisheries habitat below is to be avoided, as it would potentially represent a degradation of existing populations. Given the high flood risk that currently exists in most of the Sacramento basin and the extensive efforts (and tremendous costs) currently being expended to improve flood protection, any significant reduction in flood management capability of the Lower Yuba, Feather, or Sacramento rivers should be considered unacceptable. This would include avoiding release of large quantities of sediment from behind. The timing of adult and juvenile migration of salmonids would not be expected to substantially change from previously observed migration timing on the Yuba, which has generally been observed to be as listed below. Run Timing the following run periodicities will be utilized for development of the s. These timing estimates represent the peak of presence and movement in the river, based on data from existing stocks in the Lower Yuba. Timing for upstream passage is measured in the Lower Yuba; timing for other life stages is measured in the reach where that life stage occurs. o Upstream passage: Spring run adults from mid-april August Fall run adults from September November Steelhead adults from August March o Holding Spring run adults from May August Steelhead adults from August February o Spawning Spring run from September November Fall run from October December Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-3 March 2013

4 Steelhead from January April o Downstream passage: Spring run juveniles from Jan 1 Apr 15 Fall run juveniles from Jan 1 Apr 15 Steelhead juveniles from mid-april August Run Presence in addition to the peak run timing identified above, various runs may have more extended presence in the river. Table 1-1 represents the broad boundaries of potential presence of the various runs in the river. Table 1-1. Lifestage-Specific Periodicities for Spring-Run and Fall-Run Chinook Salmon and Steelhead in the Lower Yuba Lifestage Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Adult Immig. & Holding Spawning Embryo Incubation Juv. Rearing & Outmig. Yearling+ Smolt Emig. Adult Immig. & Holding Spawning Embryo Incubation Juv. Rearing & Outmig. Yearling+ Smolt Emig. Adult Immig. & Holding Spawning Embryo Incubation Juv. Rearing & Outmig. Yearling+ Smolt Emig. Spring-Run Chinook Salmon Fall-Run Chinook Salmon Steelhead Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-4 March 2013

5 Table 1-2. Lifestage-Specific Upper Optimal Water Temperature Index (UOWTI) Values and Upper Tolerance Water Temperature Index (UTWTI) Values Identified As Defining The Range Of Acceptable Water Temperatures For Evaluation Of The Reintroduction Of Steelhead In The Upper Yuba Basin. Upper Optimum Upper Tolerance Lifestage WTI 1 WTI 1 Adult Migration 64 F 68 F Adult Holding 61 F 65 F Spawning 54 F 57 F Embryo Incubation 54 F 57 F Juv. Rearing & Downstream Mvmt. 65 F 68 F Smolt Emigration 52 F 55 F Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov 1 The WTI values represent average daily water temperatures that are not exceeded more than 7 consecutive days/year. Dec Table 1-3. Lifestage-Specific Upper Optimal Water Temperature Index (UOWTI) Values and Upper Tolerance Water Temperature Index (UTWTI) Values Identified As Defining The Upper Acceptable Water Temperatures For Evaluation Of The Reintroduction Of Spring-Run Chinook Salmon In The Upper Yuba Basin. Upper Optimum Upper Tolerance Lifestage WTI 1 WTI 1 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Adult Migration 64 F 68 F Adult Holding 61 F 65 F Spawning 56 F 58 F Embryo Incubation 56 F 58 F Juv. Rearing & Downstream Mvmt. 61 F 65 F Smolt Emigration 63 F 68 F 1 The WTI values represent average daily water temperatures that are not exceeded more than 7 consecutive days/year. 1.2 ACTIONS AND ELEMENTS Each represents a complete package of Elements that provides for anadromous fish access to a length of habitat that is either currently unavailable to anadromous fish (s 1-6) or is currently available habitat that could be enhanced for greater anadromous fish production ( 7). A complete list of s and Elements is included in Table 1-4; the characteristics of the habitat areas that would be made available by these s are described and evaluated in other technical memoranda or reports prepared by the YSF TWG. The package of Elements are combined into the seven s to provide a consistent and complete approach for evaluating the cost of providing anadromous fish improved habitat, or access to additional areas of habitat within the watershed. For instance, 4 is based upon the theoretical removal of which only provides anadromous fish access up to the next physical or hydrologic barriers. Therefore 4 also includes Elements to provide additional access to the Yuba between and New Bullards Bar and to the Middle Yuba past Our House, and to mitigate potential effects of this on downstream aquatic resources. 4 includes other Elements to improve physical conditions upstream of such as tailrace barriers and temperature enhancements. 4 also includes elements to remove, treat and dispose of the contaminated sediments currently in Reservoir, considered a necessary Element to meet the general assumptions of the Yuba Salmon Forum. Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-5 March 2013

6 Several Elements are used in multiple s. For instance, a new ladder at Daguerre Point with an adult collection facility and enhanced road access is included in s 1,2 and 3. However other s (4,5,6 and 7) all include fish passage improvements at Daguerre Point, but do not include the adult collection facility as fish are volitionally moving up the Yuba for those s and would not need to be collected at Daguerre Point. Several other Elements are listed, but have not been evaluated at this stage of development. For example, the detailed methods and costs of restoration of lost water supply value due to the potentially required reoperation of hydropower projects in the watershed has not been scoped or evaluated at this stage of the Forum, but are listed in Table 4 for completeness. Finally, s and Elements can be mixed-and-matched to develop different cost combinations, however potential recombinations are not included in this report and are left to the users of this report. Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-6 March 2013

7 Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-7 March 2013 Element 1 North Yuba Table 1-4. s and Elements (in parentheses) 2 Middle Yuba Adult Collection and Transport X (1) X (1) X (1) Adult Release Location Facilities Floating Surface Collector X (5) Debris Management at FSC X (6) Reservoir Access for Juvenile Transport X (4) X (4) X (4) X (7) Recreational Access at FSC X (9) Resident fish management inreservoir In- resident and anadromous fish management Juvenile on-river collection facility Improve downstream passage at Daguerre Point X (10) X (11) X (8) (6) X (5) X (5) 3 South Yuba 4 Remove 5 Notch and Construct Ladder 6 Ladder at X (12) X (9) X (7) X (3) Removal of X (1) Modify X (1) Fish Ladder at X (8) X (1) Removal of sediment behind Decommissioning Narrows 1 Powerhouse X (2) X (2) X (3) X (3) 7 Lower Yuba Improvements

8 Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-8 March 2013 Element Decommissioning or modification of Narrows 2 Powerhouse Table 1-4. s and Elements (in parentheses) (contd.) 1 North Yuba 2 Middle Yuba 3 South Yuba 4 Remove X (4) X (4) Replacement powerhouse X (5) Restoration of habitat within Reservoir Fish Screen and Juvenile Return Narrows 1 Powerhouse X (7) X (11) 5 Notch and Construct Ladder Improve NBB low level outlet X (9) X (13) X (9) Fish Screen and Juvenile Return Narrows 2 Powerhouse Juvenile Release Facilities on Lower Yuba 6 Ladder at X (2) X (10) X (3) X (8) X (10) X (8) X (7) X (4) Fish Ladder at Our House X (5) X (8) X (6) Screened outlets at Our House Fish Screen and Juvenile Return on Lohman Ridge Tunnel Diversion at Our House Fish Screen on Lohman Ridge Tunnel X (7) X (6) X (6) X (10) X (7) Improve habitat below NBB X (8) X (12) X (8) Reoperation of NID s Yuba-Bear project Restore lost water supply to NID and PCWA X (11) X (9) X (10) X (14) X (10) X (12) X (10) X (13) X (17) X (13) 7 Lower Yuba Improvements

9 Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-9 March 2013 Element Reoperation of PG&E Drum- Spaulding Project Reoperation of YCWA s YRDP Project Restoration of power generation value to NID and PG&E Restoration of power generation value to YCWA Improved Adult passage at Daguerre Point Mitigate loss of recreation in Reservoir Construct tailrace barrier at New Colgate Powerhouse Table 1-4. s and Elements (in parentheses) (contd.) 1 North Yuba 2 Middle Yuba X (13) 3 South Yuba 4 Remove 5 Notch and Construct Ladder X (9) X (11) X (15) X (11) X (12) X (16) X (12) X (11) X (14) X (18) X (14) X (15) X (19) X (15) 6 Ladder at X (1) X (1) X (1) X (18) X (22) X (16) X (3) X (16) X (20) X (17) X (21) X (5) Monitoring and Reporting X (14) X (16) X (14) X (19) X (23) X (17) X (8) Address ESA Issues X (13) X (14) X (12) Address Hot/Dry Years X (15) X (13) Spawning Habitat Construction X (4) Rearing Habitat Construction X (5) Genetic Segregation X (6) Fish Screen Improvements on Lower Yuba 7 Lower Yuba Improvements X (7)

10 1.3 ASSUMED SCHEDULE OF IMPLEMENTATION An important consideration of the Yuba Salmon Forum is the potential implementation schedule for each. In order to evaluate the potential costs of each along with other evaluation criteria, the Forum has used time to implementation as an important variable in the alternatives comparison and overall Forum deliberations. The Technical Workgroup (TWG) of the Forum has developed a consistent approach to evaluating time to implementation. See Appendix B for the timeline developed by the TWG. This timeline has been used to determine the mid-point of construction which has been used throughout the overall cost estimating process. 1.4 LEVEL OF ENGINEERING ESTIMATE This report is based on an Opinion of Probable Construction Cost (OPCC) Class 5 cost estimate. These Class 5 estimates are defined by the Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) International. Class 5 estimates are typically prepared when engineering is 0 percent to 10 percent complete (concept level). Since these estimates are generally prepared based on very limited information, they have wide accuracy ranges. Expected accuracy ranges are from -20 percent to -50 percent on the low side and +30 percent to +100 percent on the high side, depending on the technological complexity of the project, appropriate reference information, and the inclusion of an appropriate contingency determination. Ranges could exceed those shown in unusual circumstances. See Section 9 for a further discussion of the general development of the cost estimates. Table 1-5 below summarizes the construction cost as well as the 30 and 50 year Net Present Value for each. Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-10 March 2013

11 Table 1-5. Summary of 30 and 50 Year Project Life Costs Cost Summary (Costs in $1M) Cost Item 1 NY Trans 2 MY Trans 3 SY Trans 4 Remove 5 Notch 6 Ladder 7 Lower Yuba OPCC estimates provide an estimate of the range of cost of the, in 2012, for use in assessing the absolute magnitude of the construction portion of the Cost Range, 2012 $, -35% $53 $48 $45 $1,356 $953 $155 $25 OPCC, 2012 $ $99 $89 $83 $2,503 $1,759 $287 $39 Cost Range, 2012 $, +65% $136 $123 $114 $3,441 $2,419 $395 $64 NPV estimates provide an estimate of the relative magnitude of cost of the, in 2012 $, for use in comparing between s OPCC, 2012 $ $99 $89 $83 $2,503 $1,759 $287 $39 Time to Midpoint of Construction (Yr.) /17 13/17 9 6/7 O&M (Annual), 2012 $ $3.0 $1.4 $1.3 $1.6 $2.2 $2.6 $1.6 Replacement Costs, 2012 $ (included at 10 Yr. intervals) Annual Generation Impacts, 2012 $ $9.7 $6.7 $6.3 $8.1 $16.7 $19.5 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $16.9 $13.5 $8.9 $0.0 Soft Costs 2012 $ $34.5 $31.2 $29.1 $875.9 $615.6 $100.5 $13.5 Total 30 Yr. NPV 2012 $, Nominal Estimate Total 50 Yr. NPV 2012 $, Nominal Estimate $189 $151 $141 $3,359 $2,282 $594 $80 $242 $179 $167 $3,620 $2,518 $774 $102 Yuba Salmon Forum Technical Work Group Page 1-11 March 2013

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