US FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
FERC Staff Issues Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Anderson Dam Hydroelectric Project Exemption

Commission staff prepared a Draft 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 and March 7 and 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 quantity and quality, (2) air quality and noise, (3) protection of threatened and endangered species, and (4) cultural resources.  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 Draft EIS, Commission staff recommends the proposed action with the Staff Alternative, which includes the applicant's proposed measures, 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.

The deadline to comment on the Draft EIS is November 3, 2025.