California Fish and Game Commission to Discuss PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Seismic Study
Who: The California Fish and Game Commission
When: Sept. 24, at 10 a.m.
Where: Resources Auditorium 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento. The meeting may also be viewed live via the Internet at www.fgc.ca.gov.
What: Meeting to gather information and discuss the status of PG&E’s proposed Central Coast seismic imaging project, PG&E’s application for a Scientific Collecting Permit, the California Department of Fish and Game’s draft parameters for that permit, the Commission’s regulatory authorities, roles of other state and federal agencies, plans to minimize study impacts and lessons learned for future projects.
Background: Assembly Bill 1632 (Blakeslee) 2006 required the California Energy Commission (CEC) to compile and assess potential vulnerabilities to a major disruption of the State’s two nuclear facilities due to aging or from a major seismic event. In 2008, a previously undiscovered fault zone was found in the vicinity of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant and the CEC issued a report concluding that three-dimensional geophysical seismic reflection mapping and other advanced techniques should be used to explore fault zones near Diablo Canyon. In 2009, the CEC and the California Public Utilities Commission directed PG&E to complete the three-dimensional geophysical studies recommended by the CEC.
The State Lands Commission (SLC), lead agency on the proposed project, certified the EIR for the project on Aug. 14 and on Aug. 20 SLC adopted the Mitigation Monitoring Program, Findings, and Statement of Overriding Considerations. Additionally, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) will consider PG&E’s application for a coastal development permit at their Oct. 10-12 meeting in Oceanside.
The Fish and Game Commission has regulatory authority to protect natural resources and oversee Marine Protected Areas, including those near Diablo Canyon. However, the Fish and Game Commission does not have authority to manage whales, dolphins or sea otters. Marine mammals are protected under federal authorities.
