Isabella Partners; Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (Commission or FERC) regulations, 18 CFR part 380, Commission staff reviewed Isabella Partners' application for a capacity amendment of the Isabella Hydroelectric Project No. 8377 and have prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project.^[1] The licensee proposes to construct and operate a new 5-megawatt (MW) generating unit which would be located in a new 40-foot-by-45-foot concrete structure adjacent to the existing powerhouse, resulting in an increase of the project's total installed capacity from 12.8 MW to 17.8 MW. The Isabella Hydroelectric Project located on the Kern River in Kern County, California at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)' Isabella Dam on lands administered by the Corps.

The EA contains Commission staff's analysis of the potential environmental effects of the proposed new generating unit, alternatives to the proposed action, and concludes that the proposed capacity amendment, with appropriate environmental protective measures, would not constitute a major federal action that would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.

The EA may be viewed on the Commission's website at https://www.ferc.gov using the “elibrary” link. Enter the docket number (P-8377-030) in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support at [email protected] or toll-free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, (202) 502-8659.

You may also register online at http://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp to be notified via email of new filings and issuances related to this or other pending projects. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support.

All comments must be filed by June 20, 2025.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission's eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https://www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​ecomment.asp. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support. In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket numbers P-8377-030.

The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, Tribal members, and others, access publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].

For further information, contact Zeena Aljibury at 202-502-6065 or [email protected].

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