Some planning processes stretch out for years and appear at times to produce mostly meaningless plans that result in little on-the-ground actions. In contrast, nearly a decade ago, the outcome of the FERC relicensing process for the Middle and South Forks of the Stanislaus River actually produced highly important results. Much more water must be left in the Middle Fork Stanislaus River as minimum flows. New requirements are leading to a wide range of upgraded recreational facilities. And up at Kennedy Meadows, the final FERC conditions required a study and a subsequent restoration plan to stabilize crumbling riverbanks that were severely eroded and that lacked their natural riparian vegetation.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) accepted responsibility for doing the analysis and field studies needed to set the stage for corrective actions. Now, this month, actual restoration work is finally beginning at Kennedy Meadows. The project involves bioengineering, streambank grading, wood and rock placement, and the planting of native vegetation.
Over a period of 6-8 weeks, contractor crews will begin restoring streambanks along portions of a 3,000’ section of the Stanislaus River that runs through Kennedy Meadows. The original estimated cost to implement the project has skyrocketed from $200,000 up to the current estimate of $1,000,000. Instead of attempting to avoid responsibility, PG&E has graciously agreed to go far beyond what was required and to aim to complete the project in phases — some this year and some in a future year.
CSERC gives high praise to PG&E for already spending more than was legally mandated and for looking for additional funds to complete the overall needed work.