Washington, D.C. >> Congressman Doug LaMalfa doesn’t want a new license issued for Oroville Dam until some safety questions are answered and some commitments are made to local government.

LaMalfa, R-Richvale, sent a letter to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission acting Chairwoman Cheryl LaFleur requesting the delay.

He asks that FERC wait until the final forensic report on what caused the spillway to breakup in February is released, and FERC has time to analyze it and place detailed instructions on dam operations and maintenance, safety and structural improvements into the license.

“It is not my intent to impede progress with this request, but it is my duty to ensure the safety of the citizens in my district, LaMalfa’s letter reads. “I am certain you will agree that it would not be prudent to issue a new license until the causes of the incident are known and action is taken to ensure that such situations never occur again.”

He also wants the license to require “adequate annual compensation” for the services Butte County and Oroville governments provide for the dam. He also has asked for a review of the adequacy of recreational facilities, with requirements for needed upgrades and additions.

“I have always been a strong supporter of Oroville Dam’s relicensing effort,” LaMalfa said in a press release. “After waiting for many years to finalize the relicensing agreement, waiting a couple more months for the independent forensic report promised for September is a reasonable request.”

A second letter

Another letter seeking a delay is also circulating for cities and counties to sign on. It was on the Tuesday agendas of the Sutter County Board of Supervisors, and the city and town councils of Biggs, Paradise and Wheatland.

It starts with largely the same argument, that FERC ought to wait until the forensic report is complete and there is time to study it, before considering a new license.

It also wants the new license to include guarantees that downstream damage from the spillway emergency be addressed.

History

The state Department of Water Resources has operated the dam since it was built, but its original license expired in 2007. Since then, DWR has operated the project with temporary permits from FERC, which is responsible for licensing hydroelectric projects.

DWR is seeking a new 50-year licence, with the last hurdle thought to be a biological opinion by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That 400-page report was completed in December, and the license approval was expected this summer.

FERC down to one

FERC has been hamstrung from taking action by the lack of a quorum, as there had been only two members on the five-member board since February.

That’s when President Donald Trump appointed LaFleur as acting director, and Norman Bay, who’d been holding that post, quit.

On May 8 Trump announced he planned to appoint Neil Chatterjee and Rob Powelson to fill two of the three vacancies. They have not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

But then on June 30, commissioner Colette Honorable stepped down, leaving LaFleur the only sitting member on the board.

Reach City Editor Steve Schoonover at 896-7750.