Re-licensing

FERC uses EAs and EISs to assess the full impact a project may have on the areas surrounding it. FERC also must determine if a proposed project will contribute to the improvement or development of waterways and provide opportunities for beneficial public use.

The Pit is the largest river in northeastern California. The northern fork starts at Goose Lake and the southern in the Warner Mountains converging near Alturas, California. The Team's environmental assessment investigation of the Pit 1 Project included an analysis of the economic, financial and engineering aspects; detailed reviews of enhancement measures; estimates of potential power benefits; assessments of the environmental impacts of each development option; and the costs of alternative mitigation enhancement measures. In addition, the Team prepared a Programmatic Agreement (PA) to protect cultural resources. Berger detailed the projects archaeological and historical resources and prepared a report on its findings for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the California State Historic Preservation Office. Finally, the Team assessed the project's consistency with federal, regional and state comprehensive plans. Berger is also performing a number of EA and EIS studies for FERC including re-licensing efforts for projects on the Otter Creek near Vergennes, Vermont, and on the Middle Snake River in Idaho.