TOLEDO BEND PROJECT FERC NO DRAFT LICENSE APPLICATION INITIAL STATEMENT

Transcription

1 TOLEDO BEND PROJECT FERC NO DRAFT LICENSE APPLICATION INITIAL STATEMENT May 2011 Copyright Sabine River Authority of Texas and Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana. All Rights Reserved.

2 Table of Contents INITIAL STATEMENT... 1 VERIFICATION, LOUISIANA... 8 VERIFICATION, TEXAS... 9 Page i Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

3 INITIAL STATEMENT BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Application for License for Major Water Power Project-Existing Dam (18 C.F.R. 4.50, 4.51, and 5.18). (1) Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana (SRA-LA) and Sabine River Authority of Texas (SRA-TX; collectively, the Authorities), applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) for a license for the Toledo Bend Project (Project), FERC No. 2305, as described in the attached Exhibits. The Project s current license, for which the Authorities are co-licensees, expires on December 30, (2) The location of the Project is: State(s): County(s) or Parish(es): Louisiana and Texas Panola, Sabine, Shelby, and Newton, Texas De Soto, Sabine, and Vernon, Louisiana Nearby towns: Hornbeck, Florien, Zwolle, Converse, Many, Leesville, and Logansport, Louisiana; Hemphill, Pineland, Center, Joaquin, Teneha, Timpson, Newotn, Carthage, and San Augustine, Texas Stream or other body of water: Sabine River (3) The exact name and address of the applicant(s) are: Sabine River Authority of Texas Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana P.O. Box Texas Highway Orange, TX Many, LA The exact name and business address of each person authorized to act as agent for the applicant in this application, are: (1) Mr. James W. Pratt (2) Mr. Jerry L. Clark Executive Director General Manager Sabine River Authority, Sabine River Authority of Texas State of Louisiana P.O. Box Texas Highway Orange, TX Many, LA Phone: Phone: (3) Mr. Melvin T. Swoboda (4) Charles R. Sensiba Licensing Manager Van Ness Feldman, P.C. Toledo Bend Project Joint Operation 1050 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW P.O. Box 579 Washington, D.C Orange, TX Phone: Phone: Page 1 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

4 (4) The Authorities are both official agencies organized and existing under the laws of their respective states. In 1949, the Sabine River Authority of Texas was established by the Texas State Legislature. The Louisiana State Legislature created the Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana the following year. As such, the Authorities are municipalities within the meaning of Section 3(7) of the Federal Power Act (FPA) and are claiming the status of an existing licensee under Section 15 of the FPA. (5)(i) The statutory or regulatory requirements of the state(s) in which the project would be located that affect the Project, as proposed, with respect to bed and banks, and to the appropriation, diversion, and use of water for power purposes, and with respect to the right to engage in the business of developing, transmitting, and distributing power, and any other business necessary to accomplish the purposes of the license under the FPA, are: State Texas Louisiana Agency Commission on Environmental Quality Commission on Environmental Quality Department of Environmental Quality Statute or Regulation TAC30-307, TAC30-279, TAC30-21 TAC TAC TWC 2(B)11 LAC33-3 Permit or Approval Water Quality Certification (Section 401 of the Clean Water Act) Water Rights (Permits to Public Waters) Water Quality Certification (Section 401 of the Clean Water Act) Status Request will be submitted following the filing of the Final License Application with FERC. Existing water rights are sufficient to operate the Project as proposed in this application. Request will be submitted following the filing of the Final License Application with FERC. Civil Code CC657 Water Rights Existing water rights are sufficient to operate the Project as proposed in this application. In addition to the state laws referenced above, the Project also is subject to the Sabine River Compact, an interstate compact between Texas and Louisiana, approved by Congress, regarding the allocation of the waters of the Sabine River Basin between the two states. The Compact demonstrates a clear intent to equitably apportion the waters of the Sabine River between Louisiana and Texas. (5)(ii)The steps which the applicant has taken or plans to take to comply with each of the laws cited above. Sabine River Compact The operation of the Toledo Bend Project for water supply purposes provides a dependable yield of 1,868,000 gallons per day, equally shared by SRA-TX and SRA-LA pursuant to and in compliance with the Sabine River Compact. Similarly, the yield of the Toledo Bend Page 2 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

5 Reservoir (2,086,600 ac-ft/yr) is equally divided between Texas and Louisiana (Freese and Nichols ), as envisioned by the Compact. Water Quality Pursuant to 18 C.F.R 5.23, the Authorities are subject to water quality certification from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) pursuant to Section 401(a)(1) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). The Authorities will apply for the water quality certifications 60 days after FERC issues the notice of acceptance and ready for environmental analysis. Water Rights The Authorities possess all of the necessary water rights to operate the Project as proposed in this application as discussed below. State Water Rights (Texas) On September 23, 1961, Permit No was issued to the SRA-TX that grants the right to create Toledo Bend Reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 4,477,000 ac-ft (TCEQ ). The permit also states that SRA-TX can divert a total of 750,000 ac-ft of water per year for the following uses: 100,000 ac-ft for municipal uses; 600,000 ac-ft for industrial uses; and 50,000 ac-ft for irrigation uses. By the 1961 permit, SRA-TX also was permitted to make non-consumptive use of water for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation not to exceed 16,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and to use the bed and banks of the Sabine River to convey water. As part of the permit, the SRA-TX was required to construct a 100-square-foot sluiceway in the dam to insure water for delivery of downstream senior water rights. On October 30, 1974, the SRA-TX was authorized under Permit No. 1994A to transfer 80,000 ac-ft of water per year to the Neches River basin (TCEQ ). On April 29, 1986, Permit No. 1994B was issued stating that SRA-TX was authorized to construct an additional hydroelectric generating unit which was never implemented (TCEQ 1986a 4 ). This permit also authorized SRA-TX to change the release rate from 16,000 to 21,000 cfs for combined generating units. 1 Freese and Nichols, Inc Comprehensive Sabine Watershed Management Plan. Prepared for the Sabine River Authority of Texas in conjunction with the Texas Water Development Board. Contract # Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Permit #1994. Water Rights Permitting Section. 3 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Permit #1994A. Water Rights Permitting Section. 4 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 1986a. Permit #1994B. Water Rights Permitting Section. Page 3 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

6 On December 16, 1986, Certificate of Adjudication No was issued to SRA-TX, which consolidated the previously issued water rights permits and set forth the following conditions (TCEQ 1986b 5 ): SRA-TX can impound 4,477,000 ac-ft of water; SRA-TX can divert water for the following uses: 100,000 ac-ft for municipal uses; 600,000 ac-ft for industrial uses; and 50,000 ac-ft for irrigation uses. A total of 80,000 ac-ft of the water uses described above can be diverted to the Neches Basin for municipal/industrial use; SRA-TX can divert water for hydroelectric generation not to exceed 21,000 cfs; SRA-TX can use impounded waters for recreation purposes; SRA-TX can use bed and banks for downstream delivery of water; and The impoundment of water in the reservoir for hydroelectric purposes is subordinate to the impoundment of water for municipal, industrial, and irrigation purposes. State Water Rights (Louisiana) Louisiana s system of water law is set forth in the Louisiana civil code and is similar to a riparian system. Free flowing waters (i.e., surface waters) are considered state owned except where riparian claims have been made. With regard to the Sabine River basin, the Louisiana State Legislature, in creating the SRA-LA, authorized SRA-LA, among other things, to conserve, store, control, preserve, utilize, and distribute the waters of the rivers and streams of the Sabine watershed. To maintain downstream flow and improve lake access surrounding the Toledo Bend Reservoir, the Louisiana State Legislature amended existing statutes to restrict the use of hydroelectric power to water levels in the reservoir above 168 feet, subject to certain exceptions. (6) Name and address of the owner of existing Project Facilities: Sabine River Authority of Texas Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana P.O. Box Texas Highway Orange TX, Many, LA The dam associated with the Project is not federally owned or operated. 5 Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 1986b. Certificate of Adjudication No Water Rights Permitting Section. Page 4 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

7 Additional Information Required by 18 C.F.R. 5.18(a) (1) Identify every person, citizen, association of citizens, domestic corporation, municipality, or state that has or intends to obtain and will maintain any proprietary right necessary to construct, operate, or maintain the project: The Authorities presently hold and will continue to hold the proprietary rights necessary to operate and maintain the Project. (2) Identify (providing names and mailing addresses): (i) Every county and/or parish in which any part of the project, and any Federal facilities that would be used by the project would be located: Panola County 110 S. Sycamore, Room 216A Carthage, Texas De Soto Parish P.O. Box 898 Mansfield, Louisiana Sabine County P.O. Box 176 Hemphill, Texas Sabine Parish 400 S. Capital Street Many, Louisiana Shelby County 200 San Augustine, Box 6 Center, Texas Vernon Parish P.O. Box 1548 Leesville, Louisiana Newton County 110 Court Street P.O. Drawer J Newton, Texas (ii) (A) Every city, town, or similar local subdivision: In which any part of the project, and any Federal facilities that would be used by the project, would be located: The project facilities are not located within the boundary of any city or town but are located on lands within the counties referenced above in item (2) (i). (B) That has a population of 5,000 or more people and is located within 15 miles of the project dam: There are no towns of 5,000 or more people located within 15 miles of the project dam. (iii) (A) Every irrigation district, drainage district, or similar special purpose political subdivision: In which any part of the project, and any Federal facilities that would be used by the project, would be located: Panola County Groundwater District P.O. Box 826 Carthage, Texas Page 5 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

8 (B) That owns, operates, maintains, or uses any project facilities or any federal facilities that would be used by the project: There are no irrigation districts, drainage districts, or similar special purpose political subdivisions that own, operate, maintain, or use any project facilities or any federal facilities that would be used by the Project. (iv) Every other political subdivision in the general area of the project that there is reason to believe would likely be interested in, or affected by, the application: City of Hemphill 211 Starr Street Hemphill, Texas City of Center 617 Tenaha Street Center, Texas City of Tenaha P.O Box 70 Tenaha, Texas City of Newton 101 West North Street Newton, Texas City of San Augustine 301 South Harrison Street San Augustine, Texas City of Many 965 San Antonio Avenue Many, Louisiana City of Pineland 101 Dogwood Street Pineland, Texas City of Joaquin P.O Box 237 Joaquin, Texas City of Timpson P.O Box 369 Timpson, Texas City of Carthage 812 West Panola Street Carthage, Texas City of Converse 209 W. Port Author Converse, Louisiana City of Leesville 101 West Lee Street Leesville, Louisiana (v) All Indian tribes that may be affected by the project: There are no Indian reservation lands within the Project Boundary or immediate Project vicinity. The ancestral lands of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana encompass the Toledo Bend Project area. The Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Caddo Indian Tribe of Louisiana, and the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana are listed on the Federal Register (FR 68: ) as Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services From the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Choctaw- Apache Tribe of Ebarb is recognized by the State of Louisiana. The following Indian tribes have been contacted by the Authorities informing them of the relicensing: Page 6 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

9 Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas Ms. Jo Ann Battise, Chairperson 571 State Park Rd. 56 Livingston, TX Caddo Indian Tribe of Oklahoma Ms. LaRue Martin Parker, Chairperson P.O. Box 487 Binger, OK Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Mr. Kevin Sickey, Chairman P. O. Box CC Bell Road Elton, LA Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb Tribal Office P.O. Box Lonnie Rd. Zwolle, LA Page 7 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

10 VERIFICATION, LOUISIANA This application is executed in the STATE OF: COUNTY OF: Louisiana Sabine Parish By: James W. Pratt James W. Pratt, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the contents of this application are true to the best of his knowledge or belief. The undersigned applicant has signed this application this day of September, Sabine River Authority, State of Louisiana By: James W. Pratt Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public of the State of Texas, this day of September, Notary Public My Commission expires: Page 8 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305

11 VERIFICATION, TEXAS This application is executed in the STATE OF: COUNTY OF: Texas Orange By: Jerry L. Clark Jerry L. Clark, being duly sworn, deposes and says that the contents of this application are true to the best of his knowledge or belief. The undersigned applicant has signed this application this day of September, Sabine River Authority of Texas By: Jerry L. Clark Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public of the State of Texas, this day of September, Notary Public My Commission expires: TBend_InitialStmnt doc Page 9 Toledo Bend Project No. 2305