NOTICE OF AVAILABILTY OF A DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE KERCKHOFF HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT RELICENSING On April 10, 2026, the State Water Resources Control Board released a draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project Relicensing. The Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project (FERC) No. 96 (Project) is owned and operated by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The Project is located in Fresno and Madera Counties on the San Joaquin River with an installed capacity of 162.72 megawatts (MW). In addition to continued operations, PG&E proposes: 1) decommissioning of the Kerckhoff 1 Powerhouse (Out of Service since 2017); (2) construction of a new day use area; (3) updates to the FERC boundaries for the Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project; and (4) implementation of new environmental management plans and measures. Overview of Draft EIR The Draft EIR evaluates the Proposed Project as well as three alternatives: Alternative 1: Proposed Project with Alternative Spill Recession and Flow Ramping; Alternative 2: Proposed Project with United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Revised 4(e) Conditions; and the No Project alternative. The Draft EIR identifies potentially significant impacts for the following resources, for which there are mitigation measures that will be implemented to prevent or avoid significant environmental impacts: Biological Resources – Aquatics Hydrology/Water Quality Hazards and Hazardous Materials Geology and Soils The Draft EIR identifies significant and unavoidable impacts for the following resources: Air Quality Biological Resources – Terrestrial Hydrology/Water Quality The Draft EIR is available on the State Water Board's Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project webpage at: https://waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs//water_quality_cert/kerckhoff_hydroelectric_ferc96.html The Draft EIR is also available for viewing at the following locations: Auberry Branch Library 33049 Auberry Road Auberry, CA 93602 559-855-8523 Open Tuesday - Saturday West Fresno Branch Library 188 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd Fresno, CA 93706 559-600-9277 Open Monday - Friday Madera Main Library 121 N G Street Madera, CA 93637 559-675-7871 Open Monday - Saturday Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board 1685 E Street Fresno, CA 93706 559-445-5116 Open Monday – Friday Oral Comments: On April 30, 2026, State Water Board staff will host an online public meeting to receive oral comments on the Draft EIR as follows: April 30, 2026 Starting at 4:00 p.m. Zoom Link: https://waterboards.zoom.us/meeting/register/C2IBdm42TnuE1DLe6_XKUA The meeting will conclude after all interested persons have provided their comments. You must register to attend the virtual meeting. Once you register, you will receive an email with a meeting invite. Written comments on the Draft EIR are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 26, 2026. Comments should be emailed to: wr401program@waterboards.ca.gov or mailed to: Chase McCormick, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights, Water Quality Certification Program, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812. Further information, including the draft EIR, is available at the Kerckhoff Hydroelectric Project webpage at:https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/water_quality_cert/kerckhoff_hydroelectric_ferc96.html IPL0329596 Apr 10 2026