Agenda packet — Portola City Council, June 10, 2026 (part 11 of 14)

Plumas County PECSD Annex H-35
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Location and Extent
Landslides can occur in areas with steep slopes and weak soils. It can also occur in areas where erosion has previously occurred. Both winter storms (precipitation-induced) and earthquake triggered landslides tend to occur in or near places that have experienced previous landslides. However, landslides may also occur in other locations over time. Landslides and debris flows may also occur in fire burn scar areas.

Figure H-3 shows the CGS areas at susceptible to deep-seated landslides. The legend on Figure H-3 shows the susceptibility scale (from 0-X with 0 being the least and X being the most susceptible) that the CGS uses to show the susceptibility of landslides. It is a primarily a combination of slope class and rock strength.

Geographic extents of these classes are shown on Table H-8. According to the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, the susceptibility classes were further categorized into Very High (susceptibility class X) and High (susceptibility classes VII, VIII, & IX) for exposure analysis. The rest of the classes were not categorized. CGS mapping indicates that the western portions of the District and surrounding area are at high to very high susceptibility areas for landslides. This can be seen in the darker orange and red colors.

The speed of onset of landslide is often short, especially in past landslide areas as well as in post-wildfire burn scar areas, but it can also take years for a slope to fail. Landslide duration is usually short, though digging out and repairing landslide areas can take some time.

Figure H-3 PECSD – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-36
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table H-8 PECSD – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Geographical Extents by Class Jurisdiction/
Susceptibility
to DeepSeated
Landslide
Class
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
0 207 59.7% 103 61.7% 104 57.7%
III 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
V 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
VI 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
VII 118 33.9% 52 31.0% 66 36.6%
VIII 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
IX 11 3.2% 4 2.6% 7 3.7%
X 11 3.2% 8 4.7% 3 1.9%
Grand Total 348 100.0% 168 100.0% 180 100.0%
Source: CGS
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declarations
There have been no disaster declarations associated with just landslides in Plumas County; however, as shown in Table H-9, there have been 9 state and 10 federal disaster declarations for flood (including heavy rains and storms) which included landslides as a component.

Table H-9 Plumas County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations Summary 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (events that
included landslide)
9 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (twice)
10 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (three)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA. Retrieved March 2025.

NCDC Events
The NCDC contains 21 records for landslides or debris flows in Plumas County since 1993.

PECSD Past Occurrences
In 2017, there was damage to the District from erosion. Fortunately, a full landslide did not occur from the erosion. The District’s main water transmission line, an eight inch PVC pipe that conveys water from the source wells to the storage tanks, was left exposed by erosion that removed cover from where the line crossed the creek. Options for protecting the water line included ➢ Boring under the creek and reburying the water line.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-37
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Boring under the creek, encapsulating the water line and reburying the line under the creek ➢ Rerouting the water line so it does not go under the creek.

A very preliminary cost estimate was done for the first option of $50,000.

Climate Change and Landslide and Debris Flows
According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), climate change may result in precipitation extremes (i.e., wetter wet periods and drier dry periods). More information on precipitation increases can be found in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. While total average annual rainfall may decrease only slightly, rainfall is predicted to occur in fewer, more intense precipitation events. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought and wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour is likely to cause more mudslides, landslides, and debris flows.

Vulnerability from Landslide
Portions of the District are at some measure of vulnerability to landslide. This is true when atmospheric rivers or heavy rain and storm events occur. Post wildfire areas are also more prone to landslide events.

An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to landslide begins with an understanding of local exposure to landslide. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The District has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

During landslide, transportation routes may be cut off. Currently, evacuation routes are not clearly identified or communicated to residents, which could result in confusion and delays during an emergency.

Additionally, the District lacks a coordinated notification system to quickly alert residents of evacuation orders and emergency updates. This gap creates a significant risk to public safety during hazard events.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All populations (both District staff and District residents) located within areas of landslide susceptibility, especially in the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are at some vulnerability to landslide. Most vulnerable are those people working or residing in these landslide potential areas as well as those that might reside or work within the landslide run out areas. People residing in the District service areas as well as District staff may also be cut off from transportation routes if roads and streets providing a means of ingress and egress are impacted. Certain vulnerable populations may be at greater risk due to the

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-38
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
often sudden onset of a landslide event and include: the unsheltered, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Landslides can affect the built environment of the District and those structures and critical facilities located within the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are especially vulnerable, as are the structures located within the landslide run out areas.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Landslides can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the landslide area, or the landslide run out area. Landslides can destroy large tracts of forest and open space areas, destroy wildlife habitat, and remove productive soils and vegetation from slopes. It can also fill in waterways, impact water quality, and potentially affect flooding potential. Natural resources that fall in the High or Very High susceptibility areas shown on Figure H-3 would be most vulnerable, as well as those in the run-out areas. As shown on the map, this would include a relatively small area of the developed area District, since most of this occurs in the less developed areas of the District.

Impacts from Landslide
Any type of landslide may result in damages or complete destruction of buildings in their path, as well as deaths and injuries. Landslides can cause road blockages by depositing debris on road surfaces or road damage if the road surface itself slides downhill. Utility lines and pipes are also prone to breakage in slide areas. Large landslides can collapse into water bodies, causing seiches. Landslides can relocate river channels. Landslides and debris flows can also impact water quality and the storage capacity of surface water reservoirs used to store potable water.

Landslides, debris flows, and mud flows impacts vary by location and severity of any given event and will likely only affect certain areas of the District susceptible to landslide. Based on the risk assessment, there is potential for significant landslides to occur in the District. Most, but not all, of the historic landslides in and around the District have been minor, localized events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; and ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-39
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the District include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future landslide, mudslide, and debris flow conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to landslide. ➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be remaining flat or slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. The District is currently in the design process for a new water treatment facility. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will assist in limiting future impacts. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change.

Future Development
As previously described, the District has limited plans for future development. They are currently in the design process for a new wastewater treatment plant. There are no known plans for new development within their service area. Additional growth and development within moderate or higher deep-seated landslide susceptibility classes in the District would place additional values at risk to landslide. County building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future landslide or erosion conditions. New District facilities should also take landslide into account when siting new facilities.

Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
According to the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC), extreme cold often accompanies a winter storm or is left in its wake. Snow can occur during these events.

Excess snow can cause avalanches to occur. Prolonged exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-40
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
and can be life-threatening. Infants and older populations are some of the most susceptible. Pipes may freeze and burst in homes or buildings that are poorly insulated or without heat. Freezing temperatures can cause impacts to utilities and critical facilities and infrastructure as well as cause significant damage to the agricultural industry.

Location and Extent
Extreme cold and freeze events occur on a regional basis. Due to the elevation of the District, the winter months can see temperatures dip as low as 17ºF as the average high with sub-zero temperatures possible in the evenings. There is no scale for extreme cold and freeze other than temperatures below 32°F. Extreme cold and freeze have a slow onset and can be generally be predicted in advance for the County. Freeze events can last for hours (in a cold overnight), or for days to weeks at a time. Extreme cold can occur in any location of the City. All portions of the District and County are at risk to extreme cold and freeze.

Snowfall can affect almost all areas of the County and the District. Average annual snowfall can be up to 54” with an average of 13” throughout the District. Depending on the elevation of any given area, severe snowstorms are some of the most common extreme weather events that occur in the City and Plumas County. There is no scale (i.e. Richter, Enhanced Fujita) to measure the effects of snowfall other than snow depths. Heavy snow has a slow to moderate onset and can generally be predicted in advance for the County.

Snow events can last for hours or for days, and snow can stay on the ground for weeks to months at a time.

Avalanche affects only certain areas of the County and the District. PECSD is at a moderate to high risk for avalanches during winter due to heavy snowfall, steep terrain, and cold climate conducive to unstable snowpack. The combination of steep slopes, abundant snow, weather, snowpack, and an impetus to cause movement to create an avalanching episode. Speed of onset of avalanche is short, as is the duration of each event. Most avalanches occur during and shortly after storms between January and March. A scale of avalanche danger has been created for North America. This scale can be seen in Section 4.3.2 of the Base Plan.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
The County has had no past federal and one past state disaster declarations for extreme cold and freeze.

There were no disasters from snow or from avalanche. Table H-10 shows the dates of the disaster declarations. There have been USDA disaster declarations (2016, twice in 2022, 2023) from freeze since 2012.

Table H-10 Plumas County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations for Freeze 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Freeze 1 2007 0 –
Source: Cal OES, FEMA

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-41
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
NCDC Events
The NCDC data shows 549 extreme cold, freeze, and snow incidents for Plumas County since 1993, some of which likely affected the District.

PECSD Events
The District noted no known past events that have caused lasting impacts.

Climate Change and Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), freezing spells and snow are likely to become less frequent in California as climate temperatures increase; if emissions increase, freezing events could occur only once per decade in large portion of the State by the second half of the 21st century. According to a California Natural Resources Report in 2014, it was determined that while fewer freezing spells would decrease cold related health effects, too few freezes could lead to increased incidence of disease as vectors and pathogens do not die off.

Vulnerability to Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) Extreme cold and freeze events happen in the District each year. Snow occurs regularly and can contribute to avalanches occurring in sloped areas. Cold, freeze, snow, and avalanche can impact both structures and populations in the Planning Area and in extreme conditions, may affect the ability of the District to operate.

The whole of the District and County Planning Area has some measure of vulnerability to extreme cold, freeze, and snow, including avalanches.

An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to District. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Vulnerable populations in the District, specifically the older populations, are a high concern to PECSD. If a power outage were to occur from extreme cold or freeze, loss of heat sources could be deadly. , Heavy snow can also cause problems for emergency services, decreasing response time and causing apparatus to be immobile if roads have not yet been plowed. Access to District facilities during periods of heavy snow is also important to ensure that District services are fully operational during extreme weather events.

PECSD’s key vulnerabilities include single-point dependencies (single access routes to facilities), power and communications exposure (PSPS/outages, SCADA/cellular interruptions), winter road/access constraints, and small-staff call-out depth. Extreme cold and freeze events can immobilize service lines, sampling lines, valves, hydrants, and tank appurtenances. Heavy snow and ice routinely bury hydrants and

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-42
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
valves, block access to wells, tanks, and leach-field boxes, and disrupt power/telecom; priority actions include a dedicated facility snow route with on-call plowing, road/gate, hydrant staking, clearing access to hydrants, and pre-winter preparation of facilities.

The District is also concerned with rain on snow events that occur during periods of extreme weather, which can cause greater flooding and additional impacts in the District.

People and Populations
All District staff and populations the District serve are at some vulnerability to extreme cold, freeze, and snow, as well as avalanches. Some employees may face a risk while working outdoors. All populations served by the District are vulnerable to extreme cold and freeze, but this hazard generally affects people spending large amounts of time outside (including District staff). Prolonged exposure to cold can cause frostbite or hypothermia and can be life-threatening. Vulnerable populations to cold and freeze include the unhoused; individuals who exercise or train outdoors; outdoor workers; individuals that lack the resources to afford heat; and the young, old, or medically fragile individuals that are more susceptible to cold related impacts. In addition to vulnerable populations, pets and livestock are at risk to freeze and cold. Snow has an effect on buildings, but its effect on people and populations are minimal. Avalanche can affect populations, though the District has few developed areas at risk to avalanche.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Structures and critical facilities and infrastructure in the District have some measure of risk from extreme cold and freeze. Buildings can be affected directly by freeze, pipes that feed buildings can be damaged during periods of extreme cold and cause water damage and other related impacts to a structure. Structures can also be damaged by downed trees during freeze and winter storm events. Snowfall can occur and can be heavy enough to damage structures. Transportation networks, communications, and utilities infrastructure are the most vulnerable physical assets in the District. Infrastructure such as roads, highways, and bridges can become slippery or blocked by large snow events, causing accidents and road closures.

Buildings in the upper elevations of the District can be affected directly by avalanche events. Most of these events occur away from structures in the District.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Depending on how low the temperatures go and the duration of an extreme cold and freeze event, natural resources in the District may be affected. During periods of freeze, trees in the District may be damaged.

This is especially true if a freeze occurs during a winter storm with winds and precipitation. Other natural resources like wildlife may be at risk during a period of freeze. While it is rare for historic buildings to be affected directly by freeze, damages to pipes that feed historic buildings can be damaged during periods of extreme cold and cause additional impacts to the structures.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-43
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Impacts from Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow Extreme cold and freeze can affect critical facilities and infrastructure, down trees, break pipes, and can be a life safety issue. Transportation networks, communications, and utilities infrastructure are often the most vulnerable physical assets in the District. Infrastructure such as roads and utilities are at risk to freezing temperatures and snow, causing failures and hazardous road conditions. When extreme cold is coupled with high winds, snows, and freezing storms, power lines may be downed, resulting in power outages and an interruption of utilities and critical services. During periods of extremely low or prolonged cold temperatures, other impacts to the District can include interruption in business and school activities.

The elderly, the young, and those experiencing medical issues are often more vulnerable to temperature extremes, but anyone can be affected. Exposure to cold temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite.

Those exercising or recreating outdoors, outdoor workers, and the unhoused may be at a higher risk.

One of the most significant impacts from snow avalanches are the closure of transportation corridors, which can isolate populations and interrupt commodity flows. Avalanches tend to occur during extended periods of snow when new snow is deposited on the existing snow pack causing stress on the layers beneath and triggering a collapse resulting in an avalanche. Avalanches can also be triggered by severe weather such as high winds and unusually warm weather and even earthquake events. There may be occasions where avalanches contribute to the presence of other hazards, such as flash floods resulting from mountainside erosion. Avalanches might cause erosion on sloped terrain, thereby increasing the likelihood of future landslides. In addition, debris deposited in a river or stream because of avalanches might alter its flow and contribute to flooding later.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Likelihood of Future Occurrence discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-44
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. The District is currently in the design process for a new water treatment facility. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will assist in limiting future impacts. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change.

Pipes at risk of freezing should be mitigated by either burying or insulating them from freeze as new facilities are improved or added. Current State of California and Plumas County codes provide such provisions for new construction. New wells and appurtenances will be built inside insulated buildings, reducing the risk of loss of potable water due to frozen pipes.

Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
According to FEMA, extreme heat is defined as temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region and lasts for several weeks. Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed, and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.” Most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, those who are sick or overweight, and those that work or recreate outdoors are more likely to experience heat exhaustion or succumb to extreme heat.

In addition to the risks faced by the populations of the District, there are risks to the built environment from extreme heat. While extreme heat on its own does not usually affect structures, extreme heat during times of drought can cause wildfire risk to heighten. Extreme heat can lead to interruptions in power, power outages, and when combined with high winds, to Public Safety Power Shutdown (PSPS) events, creating significant issues in the District. Extreme heat can also affect air quality conditions making certain populations more vulnerable to heat related issues.

Location and Extent
Extreme heat events occur on a regional basis. In a higher elevation climate, the District typically has mild summers, however, can still experience periods of significant heat. The temperature average is around 80ºF

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-45
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
but can get as high as 90ºF and even more rare, 95ºF. Extreme heat can occur in any location of the District.

Extreme heat occurs throughout the District primarily during the summer months.

The NWS has in place a system to initiate alert procedures (advisories or warnings) when extreme heat is expected to have a significant impact on public safety. The expected severity of the heat determines whether advisories or warnings are issued. The NWS HeatRisk forecast provides a quick view of heat risk potential over the upcoming seven days. The heat risk is portrayed in a numeric (0-4) and color (green/yellow/orange/red/magenta) scale which is similar in approach to the Air Quality Index (AQI) or the UV Index. This can be seen in Section 4.3.3 of the Base Plan.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no federal or state disaster declarations from extreme heat.

NCDC Events
The NCDC data shows 7 extreme heat incidents for Plumas County since 1993, some of which likely affected the District.

PECSD Events
The District could not recall any past events of note.

Climate Change and Extreme Heat
The 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), citing a California Energy Commission study, states that “over the past 15 years, heat waves have claimed more lives in California than all other declared disaster events combined.” This study shows that California is getting warmer, leading to an increased frequency, magnitude, and duration of heat waves. These factors may lead to increased mortality from excessive heat.

As temperatures increase, California and Plumas County will face increased risk of death from dehydration, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heart attack, stroke and respiratory distress caused by extreme heat. According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS) report and the 2023 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan, by 2100, hotter temperatures are expected throughout the state, with projected increases of 3-5.5°F (under a lower emissions scenario) to 8-10.5°F (under a higher emissions scenario). These changes could lead to an increase in deaths related to extreme heat in Plumas County.

Vulnerability to Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
Extreme heat is becoming more frequent, intense, longer lasting and geographically widespread. Extreme heat occurs on an annual basis in the County and the District. In recent years, compounded by climate change conditions, summer months continue to get a bit hotter. The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to extreme heat. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to extreme heat begins with

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-46
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an understanding of local exposure to extreme heat. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Older populations that reside in the District are at a higher vulnerability to extreme heat, but all individuals can experience heat related illnesses, which is of high concern for the District. In addition, the District is concerned that heat may stress drought damaged trees, adding to tree mortality and increasing the risk of wildfires.

Extreme heat drives higher peak demand for water (especially irrigation needs) just as groundwater performance can dip, stressing wells and storage. Water quality is harder to maintain: higher demand results in increased level of naturally occurring elements, such as arsenic, iron and manganese, which at high levels can be toxic. Equipment—VFDs, motors and control panels—run hotter, increasing over-temperature trips without added ventilation or shading. Regional heat waves also elevate grid outage/PSPS risk, while generators run harder and consume more fuel. Finally, worker safety is impacted: heat illness risk shortens safe field windows and slows responses, especially when smoke and heat occur together.

People and Populations
All District staff and the populations served by the District are at some vulnerability to extreme heat. Those District employees that work outdoors or inside facilities without proper cooling systems are likely to be most affected by extreme heat conditions.

Extreme heat can also affect air quality conditions making certain populations more vulnerable to heat related issues. All populations served by the District are vulnerable to extreme heat, but it generally affects people spending large amounts of time outside or without means of cooling indoor structures. During extended periods of high temperatures, extreme heat may overload the demands for electricity to run air conditioners and can present health concerns to individuals. When interruptions in power occur during extreme heat, the risk of heat related illnesses and deaths increase. Extreme heat is a significant concern to vulnerable populations. The unhoused; individuals who exercise or train outdoors; outdoor workers (like District staff); individuals that lack the resources to afford heat; and the young, old, or medically fragile individuals are more susceptible to heat related impacts. In addition to vulnerable populations, pets and livestock are at risk to extreme heat conditions.

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Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Extreme heat normally does not generally impact structures and critical facilities and Infrastructure, but individuals working in structures may be affected during periods of extended heat, especially in structures that might not be equipped with air conditioning or other means of cooling. The District noted that extreme heat has caused interruptions to power in the past. Also depending on the structure, sensitive contents such as IT and other electronic equipment can be impacted, especially if a power outage occurs.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural resource assets, including those located in District, may be vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. These include turfed areas; landscapes, trees, wildlife and habitat areas, and wetlands and marsh lands. Recently, trees were lost in areas of the District that were weakened by drought and extreme heat.

Extreme heat may also cause drought-like conditions, contributing to other issues. For example, several weeks of extreme heat increases evapotranspiration and reduces moisture content in vegetation, leading to higher wildfire vulnerability in the region for that time period, even if the rest of the season is relatively moist. Historic and cultural resources are not expected to be affected by extreme heat.

Impacts from Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
The District experiences temperatures in excess of 90°F during the summer and fall months. The temperature moves to 95°F in rather extreme situations. During these times, drought conditions may worsen, and the District may see an increase in dry fuels contributing to the wildfire hazard. Extreme heat can damage agricultural assets in the District service territory. Also, power outage and PSPS events may occur during these times as well. Health issues are a primary concern with this hazard, especially to vulnerable populations, although economic impacts can also be an issue.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

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➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be remaining flat or slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. The District is currently in the design process for a new water treatment facility. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will assist in limiting future impacts. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change.

Future Development
As previously described, the District has limited plans for future development. They are currently in the design process for a new wastewater treatment plant. There are no known plans for new development within their service area. Future development in the District will take extreme heat into account. Building codes and development standards should be followed to limit impacts to new development. In the event of gridtied power outages, a reliable backup power source must be included in development plans. Additionally, the District should consider implementing energy efficiency and conservation efforts to reduce stress on electrical systems during heat waves.

Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Storms in the District occur annually and are generally characterized by heavy rain often accompanied by strong winds and sometimes lightning and hail. Approximately 10 percent of the thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States are classified as severe. A thunderstorm is classified as severe when it contains one or more of the following phenomena: hail that is three-quarters of an inch or greater, winds in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. Heavy precipitation in the District falls mainly in the fall, winter, and spring months. It can come normally, or as part of an atmospheric river event. Those events were discussed in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. Wind often accompanies these storms; hail and lightning are rare in the District. Rain coming during times of snow are of particular concern to the District, as even smaller rains can melt snow, causing flooding issues.

Location and Extent
Heavy rains in Plumas County vary by season and location. Plumas County is located in the Northern portion of the Sierra Nevada region and has significant topographic variation, which causes it to experience a more severe and geographically variable winter climate (discussed in more detail in Section 4.3.2 of the Base Plan). In Plumas County the leeward side of the mountains represents the eastern portion of the

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
County (where the District sits) where precipitation typically averages around two inches in the wettest months of the year.

Rains and storms can occur in any location of the District. All portions of the District are at risk to heavy rains and storms. Most of the severe rains occur during the fall, winter, and spring months in the District as discussed below (with problem flooding areas associated with heavy rains and storms shown in Table H-7 in the Flood: Localized Stormwater section). There is no scale by which heavy rains and severe storms are measured. Magnitude of storms is measured often in rainfall and damages. The speed of onset of heavy rains can be short, but accurate weather prediction mechanisms often let the public know of upcoming events. Hail and lightning are rarer in the District and Plumas County. Duration of severe storms in the District can range from minutes to hours to days.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
According to historical hazard data, severe weather, including heavy rains and storms, is an annual occurrence in the District. This contributes to many of the federal disaster declarations related to flooding.

Disaster declarations from flooding, including heavy rains and storms, are shown on Table H-11. In addition, there have been two USDA disaster declarations from heavy rain and storms (once in 2016 and once in 2017) since 2012.

Table H-11 Plumas County – State and Federal Disaster Declarations from Flood (Heavy Rain and Storms) 1950-2025
Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (including heavy
rains and storms)
22 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1964,
1963, 1964, 1969, 1970 1980,
1986, 1993, 1992*, 1995
(twice*), 1996, 1997, 2006, 2017
(twice*), 2023 (twice*)
19 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1963,
1964, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1992
(twice), 1995 (twice), 1997,
2006*, 2017 (twice*), 2023
(twice*)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC data recorded 132 hail, heavy rain, and storm incidents for Plumas County since 1950.

PECSD Events
A severe weather event in 2017 with heavy rains, snow, and high winds causing flooding, erosion, and fallen trees. Private property damage occurred and the total of insured losses is unknown. On January 8, high surface and ground water levels resulted in extraordinary infiltration into the District’s two sewage collection systems. The System at WWTP #6 overflowed inside the sewer plant flooding three pumps and resulted in a brief spill outside the plant. WWTP#7 also flooded internally but did not damage any equipment. The two District system operators were required to work overtime to contain the problems at both facilities.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-50
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
On February 9, 2017, the Middle Fork of the Feather River inundated condominiums by the flooding River.

The manholes on Ponderosa Drive were flooded. The Wastewater treatment plant that is located in the area and serves the area was monitored through the evening hours and shutdown. The Volunteer fire department was asked to help notify and evacuate residents.

Over the period of repetitive storms during January and February 2017, the driveway leading to Wastewater Treatment Plant #7 at 245 Sequoia Circle, sustained heavy damage due to erosion. The driveway had never sustained this level of damage in the past. Based on two bids, the estimated repair cost was $4,500.

The District noted that heavy rains and storms are an annual occurrence often resulting in flooding. Events causing flood issues are listed in the Past Occurrences section of the Flood: Localized Stormwater Flooding discussions above, including District problems areas from localized flooding as shown in Table H-7 .

Climate Change and Heavy Rains and Storms
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from heavy rains and storms. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), while average annual rainfall may increase or decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century.

It is unlikely that hail will become more common in Plumas County and the PECSD. The amount of lightning is not projected to change.

Cal-Adapt noted that, on average, the projections show little change in total annual precipitation in California. Furthermore, among several models, precipitation projections do not show a consistent trend during the next century. Cal-Adapt modeled scenarios are shown in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan.

Vulnerability to Heavy Rain and Storms
Heavy rain and severe storms are the most frequent type of severe weather occurrences in the District.

These events can cause both significant and localized flooding. Flooding can be worse during times when the ground is already saturated. Wind often accompanies these storms and has caused damage in the past.

Hail and lightning are rare in the District, but also can cause damage, with lightning occasionally igniting wildfires.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to heavy rain and storms. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to heavy rains and storms begins with an understanding of local exposure to heavy rain and storms. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-51
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Heavy rains on top of snow have caused flooding in the District in the past (as in 2017) and is a major concern for the private structures and critical facilities. The District also noted that one of the primary issues associated with heavy rains and storms is the resulting flooding caused by large precipitation events.

A list of localized flooding problem areas are shown on Table H-7 above. The District is also concerned with rain on snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the District.

People and Populations
All District staff and the populations served by the District are at some vulnerability to heavy rains and storms. Those District employees that work outdoors could be affected to a limited extent by this hazard.

All populations served by the District have some measure of risk to heavy rains and storms. Those populations that work or recreate outside and unhoused individuals are more vulnerable to impacts from heavy storm events. Heavy rains and storms occur every year and do not generally cause significant adverse impacts to individuals; it is the secondary hazard, flooding, and the potential for landslides, debris flows, and erosion which pose the biggest impact to people.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
District facilities and structures have some risk to heavy rains and storms. Heavy rain and storms can affect critical facilities and infrastructure during large events. Structures built to modern building codes are built to withstand heavy rains and storms (including thunderstorm winds and lightning); older structures may be more vulnerable. During a heavy storm, localized flooding may cause water intrusion into buildings from the outside. Trees can be downed causing impacts to structures. Older homes and buildings may be at increased risk to heavy rains and storms. Power outages during severe storm events can occur, impacting the use of structures until the power is back online. Local roads, streets, and bridges can be impacted resulting in closures restricting traffic flow in the District. In certain areas, large storms can cause erosion and localized landslides which can impact District facilities.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Large rain and storm events and associated flooding can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources. Silt and sediment can damage natural areas. Trees can be uprooted and downed by high winds. Extended periods of rainfall can erode natural banks along waterways and degrade soil stability for terrestrial species.

While some natural systems can be adversely impacted during these large storms, heavy rain events can also provide benefits. Groundwater and wetland areas can be recharged and water supplies replenished.

Historic and cultural resources may also be affected. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to structures affected by large storm events, but other cultural resources such as those associated with Native Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged, and lost during extreme rain and storm and events.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-52
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Impacts from Heavy Rain and Storms
Impacts from heavy rains and storms include damage to property, critical facilities and infrastructure, and the natural landscape. This includes: erosion; downed trees; damaged utility structures and infrastructure; power outages; road damage and blockages; and even lightning strikes to critical infrastructure and people.

Lightning can also cause wildfires and urban fires to occur. Landsliding and erosion occur when the soil on slopes becomes oversaturated and fails. Climate change may cause these impacts to worsen.

Actual damage associated with the primary effects of severe storms and heavy rains has been somewhat limited. It is the secondary hazards caused by these severe weather events, such as floods, landslides, and erosion that would likely have the greatest impact.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the District may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the District include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be remaining flat or slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. The District is currently in the design process for a new water treatment facility. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will assist in limiting future impacts. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-53
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
their service area. New District facilities follow state and local building codes which should reduce the risk to future development in the District from heavy rains and storms. New critical facilities should be built to withstand hail damage, lightning, and thunderstorm winds. Changes in land use may also amplify the impacts of heavy rains and storms, as additional impervious surfaces can cause additional runoff and localized flooding throughout the District.

Wildfire (with smoke and air quality)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–High
Hazard Profile
Wildland fire and the risk of a conflagration is an ongoing concern for the PECSD. Throughout California, communities are increasingly concerned about wildfire safety as increased development in the foothills and mountainous areas and subsequent fire control practices have affected the natural cycle of fire regimes.

Wildland fires affect grass, forest, and brushlands, as well as structures. Where there is human access to wildland areas, the risk of fire increases due to a greater chance for human carelessness and historical fire management practices. Historically, the fire season extends from early spring through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months; however, in recent years, the risk of wildfire has become a year around concern.

Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and fuel, accumulation of vegetation, and high winds. These weather conditions can result in red flag (e.g., fire weather) days, and can result in PSPS events in the District. While wildfire risk has predominantly been associated with more remote forested areas and wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, significant wildfires also occur in more populated developed areas. There is also the concern of wildfires occurring in these more remote, forested areas, that under certain weather conditions, can extend into areas not generally considered at a high risk to wildfire. Smoke and air quality also become an issue, both from fires occurring inside and outside of the Plumas County Planning Area and the District.

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality
Smoke from wildfires is made up of gas and particulate matter, which can be easily observed in the air. Air quality standards have been established to protect human health with the pollutant referred to as PM2.5 which consists of particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These smaller sizes of particles are responsible for adverse health effects because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.

Wildfire smoke can have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in both Plumas County, nearby northern California communities, and elsewhere have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. This was the case during the 2021 Caldor Fire, as well as others that affected the Plumas County Planning Area.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-54
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Location and Extent
Wildfire can affect all areas of the District. CAL FIRE through recent mapping efforts has created updated wildfire maps showing risk variance across the District and the Plumas County Planning Area. Following the methodology described in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan, wildfire maps for the PECSD were created.

Figure H-4 shows the CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Federal Responsibility Areas (FRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District. Figure H-5 shows the CAL FIRE Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the District. As shown on the maps, FHSZs within the District range from Non-Wildland, to High, to Very High. No LRA FHSZ mapping occurs in the District; as such, no tabular analysis of the LRA is provided in the sections below.

Figure H-4 PECSD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-55
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure H-5 PECSD – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Wildfires tend to be measured in structure damages, injuries, and loss of life as well as on acres burned.

Fires can have a quick speed of onset, especially during periods of drought or during hot dry summer months. Fires can burn for a short period of time or may have durations lasting for a week or more.

Geographical FHSZ extents in the SRA/FRA are shown in Table H-12.

Table H-12 PECSD – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents Fire Hazard
Severity
Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 52 15.0% 23 13.6% 30 16.4%
High 295 85.0% 145 86.4% 150 83.6%
Moderate 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
NonWildland/NonUrban0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-56
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Fire Hazard
Severity
Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Outside of
Federal / State
Responsibility
Area
0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Grand Total 348 100.0% 168 100.0% 180 100.0%
Source: CAL FIRE
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There has been eight state and six federal disaster declarations due to fire, as shown in Table H-13.

Table H-13 Plumas County – State and Federal Wildfire Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Fire 8 1960 (unnamed), 1987(Clarks
Fire), 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (three –
Dixie Fire, Monument Fire,
Lava Fire/Beckwourth
Complex)
6 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2008 (BTU
Lightning Complex), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (twice –
Dixie Fire, Lava
Fire/Beckwourth Complex)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC has tracked 15 wildfire events in the County dating back to 1993. Many more fires have occurred but were not reported to the NCDC database.

PECSD Events
In 2021, the Dixie Fire caused poor air quality in the District due to heavy smoke. Other fires have caused air quality issues as well. The District noted no fires that have directly affected them or District facilities.

Climate Change and Wildfire
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from wildfire. More information on future impacts to the District can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-57
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
the Base Plan. Based on this model, Cal-Adapt predicts that wildfire risk in Plumas County will increase moderately at the end of the century. However, wildfire models can vary depending on the parameters used. Cal-Adapt does not take landscape and fuel sources into account in their model. In all likelihood, in the Plumas County Planning Area, precipitation patterns, high levels of heat, topography, and fuel load will determine the frequency and intensity of future wildfire.

Vulnerability to Wildfire
Risk and vulnerability to the District from wildfire is of significant concern. Wildfires that occur in the District occur from a variety of both natural and manmade causes. The District can be affected both by fires that start on or near District lands as well as those that start elsewhere and move into the District. In addition to burning large areas of land, air quality can be affected in the District by smoke from fires occurring inside the District as well as those from many miles away.

The whole of the District is at some measure of vulnerability to wildfire. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to wildfire begins with an understanding of local exposure to wildfire. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the District’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

Plumas Eureka is surrounded by Plumas National Forest. In the event of a wildfire, egress from the District could be challenging depending on the location and nature of the fire. The main ingress and egress route for the District is E. Poplar Valley that intersects Johnsville Road. The west end of Poplar Valley Road within the District leads into forested areas. With an older population in the District, evacuation efforts could be challenging. The District is also concerned about their facilities being burned by wildfires.

The District noted that evacuation routes are not currently clearly identified or communicated to residents, which could result in confusion and delays during an emergency. Additionally, the District lacks a coordinated notification system to quickly alert residents of evacuation orders and emergency updates. This gap creates a significant risk to public safety during hazard events.

Also of concern to the District is the potential loss of water availability for fire suppression and/or consumption. Wastewater treatment can also be rendered inoperable when wildfire eliminates the availability of electricity. Without backup electricity generation, water and wastewater cannot be conveyed.

Water quality will also suffer if water treatment functionality is compromised. The economic impact alone to the District including the loss of function of buildings and infrastructure and the cost of reacting to these fires is a major concern.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations served; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-58
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
People and Populations
All populations (both District staff and Service Area populations) are at some vulnerability to wildfire.

Certain vulnerable populations are at greater risk to the effects of wildfire as well as smoke and air quality issues that wildfires bring. Vulnerable populations include the unhoused, infants and children under age five and their caregivers, older populations, individuals with disabilities, individuals’ dependent on medical equipment, individuals who exercise, recreate, or work (like District staff) outdoors, and individuals with impaired mobility.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
All structures in the District have some risk to wildfire. Wildfire presents a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. The District is most concerned with the assets listed in Table H-14.

Table H-14 PECSD – Assets at Risk to Wildfire
Name of Asset Facility Type Replacement Value
Fire Station/CSD Offices Emergency response, administrative $704,680 Wastewater Treatment Plant #6 Wastewater treatment $480,737 Wastewater Treatment Plant #7 Wastewater Treatment $ 1,857,242 Well 1b Potable Water Supply $88,276
Well 2 Potable Water Supply $88,276
Water Storage Tanks Potable Water Supply/Storage $1,800,000 Source: PECSD
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the District, the impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources, and total destruction of natural resources. Debris and runoff from burned areas can affect reservoirs and rivers in the District. Historic and cultural resources can be damaged or destroyed and are often more vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures, critical facilities and infrastructure, and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities. Out of control wildfires can have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires can cause short-term and long-term disruption to the District. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the District by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-59
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the District; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the District, as well as from within.

Although the physical damages and casualties arising from wildland-urban interface or conflagration fires may be severe, it is important to recognize that they also cause significant economic impacts by resulting in a loss of function of buildings and infrastructure. Economic impacts of loss of transportation and utility services may include traffic delays/detours from road and bridge closures and loss of electric power, potable water, and wastewater services. Schools and businesses can be forced to close for extended periods of time.

Recently, the threat of wildfire, combined with the potential for high winds, heat, and low humidity, has caused PG&E, Plumas Sierra REC, or Liberty Utilities to initiate a PSPS which can also significantly impact a community through loss of services, business closures, and other impacts associated with loss of power for an extended period. In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides, and erosion during the rainy season.

The impacts of a fire are felt long after the fire is extinguished. In addition to the loss of property in fires, the loss in vegetation and changes in surface soils alters the environment. When supporting vegetation is burned, hillsides become destabilized and prone to erosion. The burnt surface soils are harder and absorb less water. When winter rains come, this leads to increased runoff, erosion, and landslides in hilly areas.

Impacts to the District include potential loss of water availability for fire suppression and/or consumption.

Wastewater treatment can also be rendered inoperable when wildfire eliminates the availability of electricity. Plumas Eureka CSD has standby power at critical facilities. In 2021, the District was awarded a grant through CalOES PSPS program to upgrade the facilities standby power equipment. Without backup electricity generation, water and wastewater could not be conveyed. Water quality will also suffer if water treatment functionality is compromised. The economic impact alone to the District including the loss of function of buildings and infrastructure and the cost of reacting to these fires is a major concern.

Wildfire smoke can also have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in nearby northern California communities since the previous LHMP have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. District residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the County and from those much further away.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-60
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the PECSD include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the District to wildfire.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District show the population to be remaining flat or slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics will change in the near future. The District may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The District noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. With no notable changes in populations numbers and makeup, the vulnerability of the District to climate change is unlikely to change.
➢ Changes in land use and development within District boundaries are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect climate change impacts to the District. The District noted that it has no control over land use and development within its jurisdictional boundaries. The District is currently in the design process for a new water treatment facility. Adherence to protective building codes for new development will assist in limiting future impacts. With limited future growth and development occurring, the vulnerability of the District to this hazard is unlikely to change.

Future Development
As previously described, the District has limited plans for future development. They are currently in the design process for a new wastewater treatment plant. There are no known plans for new development within their service area. Additional growth and development within moderate or higher fire hazard severity zones in the District would place additional assets at risk to wildfire. The District will take wildfire into account when siting new facilities. Fire hydrants, defensible space, well production, water storage, and distribution should all be considered. New facilities will be built to the most current County and California building codes and standards for wildfire to reduce future impacts to new facilities and development.

H.5 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.

H.5.1. Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table H-15 lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in the PECSD.

Note: The District does not have the authority to regulate land use and development within its jurisdiction.

Authority for promulgating and enforcing zoning, land use, and development requirements falls to counties

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-61
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
and incorporated communities. As such development within the District’s jurisdictional boundaries will conform to the zoning and land use development ordinances and building codes of the county or incorporated community in which the District is located.

Table H-15 PECSD’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan Y Does not address hazards, used to identify infrastructure improvements.

Climate Change Adaptation Plan N
Community Wildfire Protection Plan N
General Plan/Comprehensive
Plan/Master Plan
N
Continuity of Operations Plan N
Economic Development Plan N
Land Use Plan N
Local Emergency Operations Plan N
Stormwater Management Plan N
Transportation Plan N
Other
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
N
Building code N Follows County building codes where District is located.

Flood insurance rate maps N
Floodplain ordinance N Follows County floodplain ordinance where District is located.

Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
N
Subdivision ordinance N
Zoning ordinance N
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The creation of a continuity of operations plan will help PECSD by providing guidance of how to continue operations of the District’s critical infrastructure, including administrative functions during disaster event. This plan should identify the potential hazards and a plan of operation should the hazard impact the community.

Source: PECSD

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-62
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
H.5.2. Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table H-16 identifies the District department(s) responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the PECSD.

Table H-16 PECSD’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official N/A
Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
N/A
Community Planner N/A
Emergency Manager N/A
Floodplain Administrator N/A
GIS Coordinator N/A
Planning Commission N/A
Other
Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing Y Grants have been used to obtain standby power for facilities and purchase of fire equipment
Hazard data and information N/A
GIS analysis N/A
Mutual aid agreements Y Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with neighboring Departments. District is also registered with CalWarn mutual aid for water systems.

Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? An area of improvement that the District is currently working on is GIS of the community to provide accurate mapping and tracking of assets. PECSD has many critical facilities that are vital public health and safety. Another area for improvements is hazard data and information to identify and track hazard events in the District. Participating in the LHMP is a positive step to help the District in this area.

Source: PECSD
H.5.3. Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table H-17 identifies financial tools or resources that the District could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-63
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table H-17 PECSD’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding Y Resource has been used to fund various infrastructure improvement projects.

Community Development Block Grant N
Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) N
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services Y Funding of operations & maintenance activities. These funds are allocated to water
and sewer enterprise activities.

Impact fees for new development N
State funding programs Y State Revolving Fund (SRF) used as loan for the planning of a water treatment facility.

Stormwater utility fee N
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Pursue funding sources through grants or other resources to address and mitigate hazards to the community.

Source: PECSD
H.5.4. Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table H-18 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Table H-18 PECSD’s Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters Y Semi-annual distribution to all customers.

Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
Y Firewise meets multiple times per year. Updates
to Firewise activities are included in newsletter.

Local news N
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
N
Social media
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Continue to educate the community of the hazards and risks through the newsletter, website, and community events.

Source: PECSD

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Plumas County PECSD Annex H-64
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
H.5.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
The District has many other completed or ongoing mitigation projects/efforts that include the following:
➢ There has been an increase in dead trees due to the invasive bark beetle. Dozens of dead or dying trees are removed yearly from both District and private property. The biggest impact is the costs associated with tree removal, in 2024 the District spent $8,200 for the removal of two very large Ponderosa Pine trees requiring the use of a crane.
➢ The District does have evacuation plan pamphlets that are distributed to new homeowners/customers.

These pamphlets are also distributed to Fire Department related function such as Pancake Breakfast on Memorial Weekend and Labor Day BBQ. PECSD also worked with Feather River Resource Conservation in 2022 to reduce fuels on District owned properties. ➢ Plumas Eureka CSD has standby power at critical facilities. In 2021, the District was awarded a grant through CalOES PSPS program to upgrade the facilities standby power equipment.

H.6 Mitigation Strategy
H.6.1. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The PECSD adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.

H.6.2. NFIP Mitigation Strategy
The District does not participate in the NFIP, as it is not an eligible participant. Some of the District’s projects work to reduce impacts from flooding thus furthering the objectives of the NFIP.

H.6.3. Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the PECSD identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, and timeline are also included. The following hazards were considered a priority to the District for purposes of mitigation action planning based on criteria detailed in Chapter 5:
➢ Climate Change
➢ Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree mortality)
➢ Earthquake
➢ Floods: Localized Stormwater
➢ Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) ➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
➢ Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning) ➢ Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Non-priority hazards to the District for mitigation planning include:

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January 2026
➢ Agricultural Hazards (Severe Weather/Pests/Invasive Species) ➢ Dam Failure
➢ Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/levee failure)
➢ Hazardous Materials Transport
➢ Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornado
➢ Volcano
It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 in the Base Plan benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the countywide public outreach action, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards and jurisdictions regardless of hazard priority. Collectively, this LHMP’s multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this plan. It should further be noted, that each jurisdiction has focused on identifying those mitigation actions and projects to address their priority hazards, which are both realistic and reasonable for them to implement for this 5-year planning process, and would like to preserve their right to modify hazard priorities should future projects be identified where the implementing jurisdiction has the future capacity to implement.

Mitigation Actions
Action 1. Establishment of Evacuation Routes and Resident Notification System Hazards Addressed: Earthquake, Localized Flood, Landslide, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Winter Storms, and Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Plumas Eureka CSD is located in a high-risk wildfire area and is also subject to hazards such as winter storms, flooding, and seismic activity. Currently, evacuation routes are not clearly identified or communicated to residents, which could result in confusion and delays during an emergency. Additionally, the District lacks a coordinated notification system to quickly alert residents of evacuation orders and emergency updates. This gap creates a significant risk to public safety during hazard events.

Project Description: The District will develop and implement a comprehensive evacuation planning and notification program. Project components include:
➢ Identification and mapping of primary and secondary evacuation routes for the community ➢ Installation of signage and wayfinding indicators along evacuation routes ➢ Development of an emergency notification system using multiple platforms (reverse 911, text/email alerts, sirens, and community bulletin boards)
➢ Coordination with Plumas County Office of Emergency Services, local fire agencies, and law enforcement to ensure consistent procedures
➢ Conducting community outreach, education workshops, and evacuation drills to familiarize residents with routes and protocols

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Integration of evacuation planning into the District’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
Other Alternatives: Rely on county-wide evacuation procedures without PECSD-specific planning. Use door-to-door notification only, which is time-intensive and may not reach all residents in a timely manner.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), Plumas County Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan, Coordination with CAL FIRE and local fire department response plans
Responsible Office/Partners: Plumas Eureka Community Services District (PECSD) General Manager, Plumas County Office of Emergency Services, Plumas Eureka Fire Department, Plumas County Sheriff’s Office, Local community groups and homeowner associations Benefits (Losses Avoided): Improved life safety by reducing confusion and delays during evacuation.

Faster and more reliable communication with residents during emergencies. Reduced burden on first responders through proactive planning and community preparedness. Increased resilience and confidence among community members
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program, PECSD Capital Reserves/District Operating Budget, and partnerships with homeowner associations, USDA Rural Development emergency preparedness grants
Timeline: 2026-2031, Route mapping and planning: 6–12 months. Notification system development and implementation: 1–2 years. Community education and ongoing drills: Continuous/Annual Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 2. Flood Risk Reduction for Wastewater Treatment Plant 6 (WWTP6) Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Localized Flooding, Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Wastewater Treatment Plant 6 (WWTP6) is in an area subject to seasonal flooding during periods of heavy rainfall and snowmelt. It is also at risk to hillside erosion that may cause landslides. Flooding has the potential to overwhelm treatment facilities, damage mechanical/electrical components, contaminate effluent discharge, and create public health hazards. This may be exacerbated by future climate change. The facility’s location and lack of protective flood control infrastructure increase operational risks.

Project Description: This project will assess and implement measures to reduce flooding risks at WWTP6.

The project will include:

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January 2026
➢ Completion of a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) flood study to evaluate flood risk, flow patterns, and site-specific vulnerabilities.
➢ Topographic survey and mapping of flood-prone areas around WWTP6. ➢ Evaluation of climate change projections for increased rainfall intensity and snowmelt impacts. ➢ Feasibility study of flood protection measures such as berms, floodwalls, or site grading. ➢ Development of an emergency response and flood monitoring plan for WWTP6 operations. ➢ Implementation of selected protective actions (e.g., constructing berms, improving site drainage, elevating equipment, installing floodproof electrical controls).

Other Alternatives: Relocate WWTP6 to a less flood-prone area – Cost prohibitive. Rely on sandbagging and temporary emergency measures – Not reliable or sustainable for long-term resilience. Do nothing – Continues exposure to flood risk and potential regulatory violations.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: PECSD Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), Wastewater Operations & Maintenance Plan
Responsible Office/Partners: Plumas Eureka Community Services District (PECSD) General Manager, Consulting Engineers (DOWL, Bastian Engineering, ProWest, etc.), Plumas County Office of Emergency Services, California State Water Resources Control Board Benefits (Losses Avoided): Protection of critical wastewater infrastructure from flood damage. Prevention of untreated wastewater release into waterways. Reduction of regulatory and environmental liability.

Improved community safety and resilience. Reduced costs of emergency response and system repairs.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan/Grant Programs, FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), USDA Rural Development (RD), Local PECSD Capital Reserves
Timeline: 2026-2031, Flood study and vulnerability assessment: 12 months. Design of protective measures: 12 months. Construction/implementation: 18–24 months. Total estimated project duration: 3– 4 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 3. Recycled Water Use
Hazards Addressed: Drought, Water Supply Shortages, Severe Weather: Extreme Heat, Climate Change Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The District’s water supply is vulnerable to recurring droughts and long-term climate variability, which threaten water reliability for both residential and community needs.

Current water demand for non-potable uses such as irrigation places unnecessary strain on potable supplies.

Without diversifying supply and reducing reliance on potable water for irrigation and landscaping, the District faces increased risk of water shortages during extended dry periods.

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January 2026
Project Description: The District will implement a recycled water use program by developing infrastructure to capture, treat, and distribute treated wastewater effluent for non-potable applications such as irrigation of public parks, golf courses, and landscaping around public facilities. Project components include:
➢ Feasibility study and engineering design for recycled water distribution system ➢ Construction of storage, treatment, and pumping facilities for recycled water ➢ Installation of purple pipe distribution lines to identified non-potable use areas ➢ Development of public education and outreach on recycled water benefits ➢ Integration of monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance with state regulations Other Alternatives: Continue reliance on potable water for irrigation, increasing vulnerability during drought.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), State and Regional Water Board permits and approvals
Responsible Office/Partners: Plumas Eureka Community Services District (PECSD) General Manager, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Engineering consultants and contractors Benefits (Losses Avoided): Reduced demand on potable water supplies during drought conditions. Cost savings over the long term by reducing potable water treatment and pumping for irrigation. Enhanced drought resilience and climate change adaptation. Increased community awareness and acceptance of sustainable water practices
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): State Revolving Fund (SRF) for water recycling projects, FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Potential federal infrastructure grants, Local District capital improvement funds
Timeline: 2026-2031, Planning and design: 1–2 years. Construction: 2–4 years. Full implementation and monitoring: 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 4. Water Storage Tank Retrofit or Replacement
Hazards Addressed: Earthquake and Wildfire (loss of water service and fire flow) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): PECSD operates welded/bolted steel ground storage tanks that predate modern seismic standards. This vulnerability was identified in a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) by Stantec Engineering in 2016. A significant earthquake could cause tank shell buckling, roof/shell failures, piping breaks, or foundation distress—resulting in major water loss, service outages,

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January 2026
contamination risk, and inability to provide required fire flows to the community. Seismic retrofits or replacement are needed to maintain life-safety functions and continuity of operations.

Project Description: Retain a licensed hydrogeologist and structural engineer to complete a phased program.

The project will replace PECSD’s existing water storage tanks with new, code-compliant steel reservoirs designed to current seismic standards (e.g., AWWA D100 and ASCE 7) to ensure post-earthquake service and fire flow. Work includes geotechnical evaluation and upgrades foundation, tank procurement and construction with adequate freeboard and internal baffles (as needed), seismically robust anchorage and shell/roof details, and modernization of appurtenances (vents, overflows, hatches, level instruments, ladders, cathodic protection). Piping will be reconfigured with flexible couplings/seismic joints, thrust restraint, and seismically actuated isolation where appropriate. The project provides temporary bypassing to maintain service during construction, followed by demolition of the old tanks, site restoration, integration with SCADA, commissioning, and as-built documentation. This retrofit/replacement will reduce the risk of catastrophic tank failure, minimize outage and water-quality impacts, and improve system resilience and fire protection.

Other Alternatives: No action (accept service interruption and damage risk). Intertie with neighboring systems to provide emergency supply only.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: PECSD Capital Improvement Plan; PECSD Emergency Response Plan; Plumas County LHMP Responsible Office/Partners: PECSD General Manager (lead); PECSD Operations Staff; Consulting Hydrogeologist; Structural Engineer; Geotechnical Engineer Benefits (Losses Avoided): Maintains potable supply and fire flow post-earthquake; reduces risk of catastrophic tank failure, water loss, environmental release, boil water notices, extended outages, costly emergency repairs, and regulatory violations; improves community resilience and life safety.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (BRIC, HMGP), California SRF (planning/construction), USDA RD Water & Waste Disposal, CDBG, local District capital reserves.

Timeline: Planning/assessment/design: 9–12 months; Permitting/bid: 3–6 months; Construction: 6–12 months. Total: ~18–30 months from notice-to-proceed.

Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Annex I South Feather Water and Power Agency
I.1 Introduction
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the South Feather Water and Power (SFWPA or Agency), a new participating jurisdiction to the 2026 Plumas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the Base Plan document. As such, all sections of the Base Plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the Agency.

This Annex provides information specific to the SFWPA, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this jurisdiction.

I.2 Planning Process
As described above, the SFWPA followed the planning process detailed in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan. In addition to providing representation on the Plumas County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC), the Agency formulated their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process requirements. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table I-1. Additional details on Plan participation and Agency representatives are included in Appendix A.

Table I-1 SFWPA – Planning Team
Name Position/Title How Participated
Kristen McKillop Regulatory
Compliance Manager
Attended every coordination meeting hosted by PC OES. Provided Agency details, hazard identification, hazard input, developed mitigation project, and provided document review and comments.

Hunter Doyle Power Division
Manager
Worked to develop mitigation strategies and provided document review and comments.

Rath Mosely General Manager Final review of documents.

Source: SFWPA
I.3 Agency Profile
The community profile for the SFWPA is detailed in the following sections. Figure I-1 displays an Agency map and the location of SFWPA within Plumas County.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-2
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-1 SFWPA
I.3.1. Overview and Background
South Feather Water and Power Agency – originally named Oroville Wyandotte Irrigation District (“OWID”) – has roots extending back to the California gold rush. The ditch system utilized by the Agency today to distribute its irrigation water is a modification and expansion of the ditch network constructed by early miners who diverted water from tributaries of the Feather River to their mining claims.

OWID was organized on November 17, 1919, and included 16,800 acres of land. The District was formed by assuming the old water rights from the South Feather Land and Water Company and the Palermo Land and Water Company. The residential growth rate within the District was greatly accelerated by the housing demands associated with the construction of the Oroville Dam in the early 1960’s. By 1962, OWID served approximately 4,800 acres of agricultural land, with 8,000 AF of irrigation water delivered by the District.

In addition to irrigation service, the district furnished water to approximately 2,500 residences.

The mission of SFWPA is to deliver a dependable supply of safe, quality drinking water to its current and future customers, and a dependable supply of water for irrigation and agricultural users, in an economical, efficient and publicly responsible manner for the benefit of the entire district. Hydroelectric generation facilities shall be utilized to optimize revenue from power generation, consistent with providing adequate

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
and dependable water supplies to customers. SFWPA is also committed to providing its employees a safe work environment and encouraging personal growth and attainment of goals. The Agency service area is located 70 miles north of Sacramento on the east side of California's Sacramento Valley in the Sierra foothills of southeast Butte County. The 33,718-acre (52.68) service area, including the west side of Butte County and the areas south of Lake Oroville and east of downtown Oroville.

As a result of the concern for an adequate water supply and for a revenue source to fund the District’s expanding infrastructure, the District’s board of directors proposed the construction of the South Feather Power Project (originally named South Fork Project, FERC License No. 2088). The Agency’s hydropower project is located in Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties on the South Fork of the Feather River and Slate Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Yuba River, and mostly within the Plumas National Forest.

The project lies within the Middle Fork Feather hydrologic unit (1802023), and water is supplied to the project from two watersheds; the South Fork Feather River watershed and the North Fork Yuba River watershed. The United States Forest Service has managed up to 1,146,000 acres of scenic mountain lands designated as the Plumas National Forest in the northern Sierra Nevada since the Forest was established in 1905. The SFPP lies within the boundaries of the Plumas National Forest, includes a small piece situated on federal lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and the balance is on SFWPA owned lands, or private property. Project facilities are located on the South Fork Feather River; on Lost Creek, a tributary to the South Fork Feather River; and on Slate Creek, a tributary to the North Yuba River. The highest elevation facility, Little Grass Valley Dam is located at about 5,050 feet above sea level, while the lowest elevation facility, Kelly Ridge Powerhouse, is located at about 225 feet above sea level.

The power project facilities include eight dams, seven tunnels, four powerhouses, and an open conduit that includes elevated flume and siphon sections. There are a series of reservoirs owned and operated by SFWPA; Little Grass Valley, Sly Creek, Lost Creek, Ponderosa and Miners Ranch which have a combined storage of 164,577 acre-feet. Irrigation and treated water is supplied to customers of South Feather Water and Power Agency in Butte County and North Yuba Water District in Yuba County. Water not consumed by the customers of these two organizations is released via the Kelly Ridge Powerhouse into the Thermalito Diversion Pool, owned and operated by the California Department of Water Resources as part of the California State Water Project.

SFWPA is an independent special district formed under the Irrigation Code of the State of California. It is governed by a five-member elected board of directors. The Agency provides treated water service to the communities of Oroville, Palermo and Bangor in southeast Butte County. In addition to water delivery, power generation, and agricultural irrigation, SFWPA provides a multitude of recreational opportunities for the local communities and visitors and provides habitat for many fish and wildlife species.

It should be noted that a “big picture” map of the District is provided below in Figure I-3.

I.4 Risk Assessment
As defined by FEMA, risk is a combination of hazard, vulnerability, and exposure. “It is the impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and structures in a community and refers to the likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse condition that causes injury or damage.”

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-4
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
The SFWPA risk assessment identifies and profiles relevant hazards and assesses the exposure of lives, property, infrastructure, and the environment to these hazards. The process allows for a better understanding of the Agency’s potential risk and vulnerability to hazards and provides a framework for developing and prioritizing mitigation actions to reduce risk from future hazard events.

Building on the Agency Profile above, a risk assessment was performed for the Agency. This includes the following sections:
➢ I.4.1 Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends ➢ I.4.2 Hazard Identification
➢ I.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards I.4.1. Assets Inventory and Growth and Development Trends This section provides an inventory of the SFWPA’s total assets potentially at risk to hazards and an overview of growth and development trends. This section is broken into two parts:
➢ Asset Inventory – The assets inventory identifies the SFWPA’s total assets, including the people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; community lifelines; natural, historic, and cultural resources; and economic assets and community activities of value. This data is not hazard specific, but is representative of total assets within the Agency, potentially at risk to identified hazards as discussed in Section I.4.3 Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards. ➢ Growth and Development Trends – A discussion of growth and development trends in the Agency, both current and future, is presented.

Assets Inventory
The Agency’s asset inventory is detailed in the following sections:
➢ People and Populations
➢ Structures
➢ Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
➢ Community Lifelines
➢ Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
➢ Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
A discussion of each of these assets follows and serves as the template for the asset discussion for each hazard in Section I.4.3.

People and Populations
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the community. People and populations served by the Agency include both Agency staff as well as those populations located within Agency boundaries. This section includes an inventory of past and current populations of the Agency and also discusses vulnerable populations and underserved communities as a

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
subsection of people and populations located within the Agency and potentially at risk to hazards.

Information from the Agency and other sources as detailed below form the basis of this discussion.

Historic Population Trends and Current Population
The most important asset within any community are the people and populations that reside in the Agency.

The Agency’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) is almost twice the size of its boundary. The SOI includes 11,853 parcels, which is slightly more parcels than the 11,127 parcels within the boundary. SFWPA currently serves just over 6,900 households with treated domestic water and 500 irrigation customers with raw water.

This equates to roughly 16,900 total customers served. In addition, the Agency employs 55 staff.

According to the DWR DAC mapping tool, Census blocks where the median income is less than 80 percent of the state median income, almost the entire service area qualifies as a disadvantaged community.

Structures and Critical Facilities
This section considers the SFWPA’s assets at risk, with a focus on key Agency assets such as critical facilities and infrastructure, and other Agency assets and their values. With respect to Agency assets, the majority of these assets are considered critical facilities as defined for this Plan. Critical facilities are defined for this Plan as:

Any facility, including without limitation, a structure, infrastructure, property, equipment or service, that if adversely affected during a hazard event may result in severe consequences to public health and safety or interrupt essential services and operations for the community at any time before, during and after the hazard event.

A critical facility is classified by the following categories: (1) Essential Services Facilities: (2) At-Risk Populations Facilities, and (3) Hazardous Materials Facilities.

Table I-2 lists critical facilities and other Agency assets identified by the Agency Planning Team as important to protect in the event of a disaster. SFWPA’s physical assets, valued at over $128 million, consist of structures and infrastructure to support the Agency’s operations.

Table I-2 SFWPA Critical Facilities and Infrastructure, and Other Agency Assets Name of Asset Facility Type Replacement Value Which Hazards Pose Risk
Little Grass Valley Dam (and
related infrastructure like gates,
spillways, and buildings)
Dam $50,093,499.30 Climate Change, Dam
Failure, Earthquake,
Landslide, Heavy Rains
and Storms, Wildfire
South Fork Diversion Dam
(and related infrastructure like
gates, spillways, and buildings)
Dam $37,458,903.87 Climate Change, Dam
Failure, Earthquake,
Landslide, Heavy Rains
and Storms, Wildfire
Slate Creek Diversion Dam
(and related infrastructure like
gates, spillways, and buildings)
Dam $40,956,799.34 Climate Change, Dam
Failure, Earthquake,
Landslide, Heavy Rains
and Storms, Wildfire

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-6
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Name of Asset Facility Type Replacement Value Which Hazards Pose Risk
Total $128,509,203
Source: SFWPA
Community Lifelines
Assessing the vulnerability of the SFWPA to natural hazards and disasters also involves reviewing and inventorying the community lifelines in place that could be affected. It is important to include these items in hazard discussions as the continuous operation of critical government and business functions is essential to human health and safety, property protection, and economic security. The importance of community lifelines is discussed below:
➢ Lifelines are the most fundamental services in the community that, when stabilized, enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ FEMA has developed a method for objectives-based response that prioritizes the rapid stabilization of Community Lifelines after a disaster.
➢ The integrated network of assets, services, and capabilities that provide lifeline services are used dayto-day to support the recurring needs of the community and enable all other aspects of society to function.
➢ When disrupted, decisive intervention (e.g., rapid re-establishment or employment of contingency response solutions) is required to stabilize the incident.

Community lifelines, as defined by FEMA, include the following:
➢ Safety and Security – Law Enforcement/Security, Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Government Service, Community Safety
➢ Food, Hydration, Shelter – Food, Water, Shelter, Agriculture ➢ Health and Medical – Medical Care, Public Health, Patient Movement, Medical Supply Chain, Fatality Management
➢ Energy – Power Grid, Fuel
➢ Communications – Infrastructure, Responder Communications, Alerts Warnings and Messages, Finance, 911 and Dispatch
➢ Transportation – Highway/Roadway/Motor Vehicle, Mass Transit, Railway, Aviation, Maritime ➢ Hazardous Material – Facilities, HAZMAT, Pollutants, Contaminants ➢ Water Systems – Potable Water Infrastructure, Wastewater Management It should be noted that these community lifelines are all in place and functional as part of regular government operations in the Plumas County Planning Area serving as a partnership between the city, local special districts and agencies, and Plumas County. Due to its more rural nature, there is an interplay in community lifelines between all jurisdictions in the County. Most all of the Agency’s community lifelines overlap with the Planning Area’s. It should also be noted that these lifelines collectively include many of the critical facilities and infrastructure assets inventoried for this LHMP, including those assets owned by the Agency. As such, specific information on these community lifelines in the Agency and how they may be affected by a hazard event or disaster are discussed in the Base Plan.

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January 2026
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Assessing the vulnerability of the SFWPA to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the natural, historic, and cultural assets of the area. This step is important for the following reasons:
➢ Environmental and natural resources add to a community’s identity and quality of life. They also help the local economy through agriculture, tourism, and recreation. They support ecosystem services, such as clean air and water.
➢ Conserving the environment may help people mitigate risk. It can also protect sensitive habitats, develop parks and trails, and build the economy.
➢ The community may decide that these types of resources warrant a greater degree of protection due to their unique and irreplaceable nature and contribution to the overall economy. ➢ If these resources are impacted by a disaster, knowing so ahead of time allows for more prudent care in the immediate aftermath, when the potential for additional impacts are higher. ➢ The rules for reconstruction, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or replacement are often different for these types of designated resources.
➢ Natural resources can have beneficial functions that reduce the impacts of natural hazards, such as wetlands and riparian habitat, which help absorb and attenuate floodwaters.

Natural Resources
SFWPA has a variety of natural resources of value to the Agency. These natural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan.

SFWPA's reservoirs provide opportunities for mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, camping, swimming, picnicking, and hiking within the scenic Plumas National Forest. Two developed recreation areas are located within the South Feather Power Project's boundaries: the Sly Creek Reservoir Recreation Area, operated and maintained by SFWPA, and the little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area, operated and maintained by the US Forest Service. There are 16 developed recreational facilities associated with the Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area.

Historic and Cultural Resources
SFWPA has a variety of historic and cultural resources of value to the Agency. Many of these historic and cultural resources parallel that of Plumas County as a whole. Information can be found in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan. The Agency noted specific historical and cultural resources. The South Feather Power Project is largely located in the traditional territory of the Native American communities known collectively as the Koncow. The Koncow are one of three main groups representing the Maidu language family.

Historical and archeological sites to note are included in Figure I-2.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-8
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-2 Historical and Archeological Sites of Note
Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value
Assessing the vulnerability of the SFWPA to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying the economic assets and community activities of value in the Agency.

Economic Assets
After a disaster, economic resiliency is one of the major drivers of a speedy recovery. Each community has specific economic drivers. Economic assets for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the Agency.

As discussed in the Future Development section below, the South Fork Power Project heavily subsidizes the Agency’s water rates, and therefore anything that happens at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Community Activities of Value
Inventorying economic assets in the Agency and their vulnerability to natural hazards and disasters also involves inventorying activities that have value to the community. This includes activities that are important to a community, like long-standing traditions such as a festival or fair or other activities that bring

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
money into the communities such as sports tournaments and other recreational activities. Community Activities of Value for the County were discussed in Section 4.2.1 of the Base Plan and are assumed to be the same or similar for the Agency.

Growth and Development Trends
As part of the planning process, the Agency looked at changes in growth and development, both current and future, and examined these changes in the context of hazard-prone areas, and how the changes in growth and development affect loss estimates and vulnerability over time. This inventory section details future development/redevelopment projects that are likely to occur over the next five years covered by this 2026 LHMP. For special districts, this generally includes the following:
➢ Construction/development projects related to adding new Agency facilities, infrastructure, land acquisition, etc.
➢ Plans for expansion or build out of the Agency’s service area, including new service hookups, and other Agency functions related to where the Agency will be expanding services.

Population Trends and Projections
Much like the rest of the County, the Agency is expecting to see populations slowly declining over time.

Future Development Areas
It is important to review future development plans for the Agency. Future development should be sited in areas that are away from known hazard risks. If this is not possible, mitigation should be done to ensure that future development is protected against future hazards. The first section below details the Agency’s relicensing of its South Feather Power Project and associated development and redevelopment projects, Following the SFWPA map, a brief discussion on future development within the Agency boundaries is included.

South Feather Power FERC Relicensing Project
On March 26, 2007, the South Feather Water and Power Agency (SFWPA or Licensee) filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) an application to relicense its 117.3- megawatt (MW) South Feather Power Project, FERC Project Number 2088. Since the initial license expired, SFWPA has operated the Project under annual licenses from FERC and is expected to continue to do so until a new license is issued. The Agency has no certain timeline on when the new license may be issued.

The SFWPA Project 2088 and the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Forest Service) have developed a Recreation Facilities Plan (RFP) to comply with the Forest Service’s Federal Power Act (FPA) final Section (§) 4(e) terms and conditions for the Agency as a component of the new license. The overall purpose of the RFP is to provide appropriate protection, mitigation, and enhancement recreation measures for the Project by incorporating the information from SFWPA’s relicensing recreation studies and the Forest Service’s Final § 4(e) terms and conditions related to recreation. The RFP addresses both existing Facilities, including improvements and new Facilities, to be constructed as part of the new license. This

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-10
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
RFP includes the requirements for major rehabilitation of existing, and development of proposed facilities at Little Grass Valley Reservoir in Plumas County. Projects will address road improvements, parking, campsite spurs, boat ramps, trail systems, public signage, toilet buildings and wastewater systems, water systems, campground and picnic sites spelled out in Chapter 3 of the RFP. It is expected that Planning, Design and Construction will begin within the first five years following license issuance.

This can be seen on Figure I-3. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the top of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities. Revenue associated with power generation by the South Feather Power Project is used to subsidize water rates for SFWPA’s domestic water customers and to fund expanding infrastructure that ensure and adequate water supply. The revenue shortage that would result from the loss of a single powerhouse would have immediate consequences for SFWPA’s ability to provide domestic water to its customers.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-11
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-3 SFWPA – Power Project Overview Map
Source: SFWPA

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-12
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Based on today’s environmental and political climates, the Agency doesn’t believe the SFWPA Project 2088 would expand by adding new dams or power houses. In terms of domestic and irrigation water service, the Agency does not anticipate any major operational changes, unless a predictability curve suggested the Agency take additional precautions. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

I.4.2. Hazard Identification
The SFWPA identified the hazards that affect the Agency and summarized their location, extent, likelihood of future occurrence, potential magnitude, and significance (or priority of a hazard) specific to the Agency.

Note: Those hazards identified as a high or medium significance in Table I-3 are considered priority hazards for mitigation planning. Those hazards that occur infrequently or have little or no impact in the Agency were determined to be of low significance and not considered a priority hazard to the Agency.

Significance was determined based on the hazard profile, focusing on key criteria such as frequency, extent, and resulting damage, including deaths/injuries and property, natural and cultural resources, and economic damage. The ability of a jurisdiction to reduce losses through implementation of existing and new mitigation measures was also considered as to the significance and priority of a hazard. This assessment was used to prioritize those hazards of greatest significance, enabling the Agency to focus resources where they are most needed.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-13
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Table I-3 SFWPA—Hazard Identification Assessment
Hazard
Geographic
Extent
Likelihood of
Future
Occurrences
Magnitude/
Severity Significance
Climate
Change
Influence
Ag Hazard: Severe Weather/
Pests/Weeds Extensive Highly Likely Critical Low
Low
Climate Change Extensive Likely Limited Medium Medium
Dam Failure Extensive Unlikely Critical Medium --
Drought & Water Shortage (w/tree
mortality) Extensive Likely Limited Low
Medium
Earthquake Extensive Unlikely/Occasional Catastrophic Medium Medium Flood: 1%/0.2% annual chance
(w/levee failure) Significant Occasional/Unlikely Critical Low Low
Flood: Localized Stormwater Significant Highly Likely Negligible Low Medium Haz Mat Transportation Significant Occasional Critical Low Medium Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris
Flow Significant Likely Negligible Medium
Medium
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold,
Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) Extensive Highly Likely Negligible Low Medium
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Significant Likely Negligible Low Medium Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and
Storms Extensive Highly Likely Limited Medium
Medium
Severe Weather: High Winds and
Tornadoes Extensive Highly Likely Limited Low
Medium
Volcano Extensive Unlikely Limited Low Medium
Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Extensive Highly Likely Catastrophic Medium Medium Geographic Extent
Limited: Less than 10% of planning
area
Significant: 10-50% of planning area
Extensive: 50-100% of planning area
Likelihood of Future Occurrences
Highly Likely: Near 100% chance of
occurrence in next year, or happens
every year.

Likely: Between 10 and 100% chance
of occurrence in next year, or has a
recurrence interval of 10 years or less.

Occasional: Between 1 and 10%
chance of occurrence in the next year,
or has a recurrence interval of 11 to 100
years.

Unlikely: Less than 1% chance of
occurrence in next 100 years, or has a
recurrence interval of greater than every
100 years.

Magnitude/Severity
Catastrophic: More than 50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than 30 days; and/or multiple deaths Critical: 25-50 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for at least two weeks; and/or injuries and/or illnesses result in permanent disability
Limited: 10-25 percent of property severely damaged; shutdown of facilities for more than a week; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable do not result in permanent disability
Negligible: Less than 10 percent of property severely damaged, shutdown of facilities and services for less than 24 hours; and/or injuries/illnesses treatable with first aid
Significance
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact
Climate Change Influence
Low: Minimal potential impact
Medium: Moderate potential impact
High: Widespread potential impact

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-14
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
I.4.3. Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability to Specific Hazards This section includes the hazard profiles and vulnerability assessment for hazards ranked of medium or high significance specific to the SFWPA (as identified in the Significance column of Table I-3). This section focuses on where and how the Agency is affected by their priority hazards. Chapter 4 of the Base Plan provides more detailed information about these hazards and their impacts on the Plumas County Planning Area. Methodologies for evaluating vulnerabilities and calculating loss estimates are the same as those described in Section 4.2 of the Base Plan.

Hazard Profiles and Vulnerability Assessment
Each hazard is profiled in the following format:
➢ Hazard Profile – A hazard profile is included for each hazard. This includes information on:
✓ Hazard Overview – A general discussion of the hazard and related issues is detailed here. ✓ Location and Extent – Location is the geographic area within the Agency that is affected by the hazard. Extent is the expected range of intensity for each hazard. These are discussed in specific detail for mapped hazards, and in more general detail for those hazards that do not have discrete mapped hazard areas.
✓ Past Occurrences – Past occurrences are discussed for each hazard. A discussion of disaster declarations is included in each hazard section. NCDC events are also discussed. Other past occurrences data specific to the Agency follow the disaster declarations and NCDC events for each hazard.
✓ Climate Change – This section contains the effects of climate change (as applicable). The possible influence of climate change on the hazard is discussed.

After the hazard profile, a vulnerability assessment is presented. As part of the vulnerability assessment, an estimate of the vulnerability of the Agency to each identified hazard, in addition to the estimate of risk of future occurrence, is provided in each of the hazard-specific sections. Vulnerability is measured in general, qualitative terms and is a summary of the potential impact based on past occurrences, spatial extent, and damage and casualty potential. It is categorized into the following classifications:
➢ Extremely Low—The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is very minimal to nonexistent.
➢ Low—Minimal potential impact. The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is minimal.
➢ Medium—Moderate potential impact. This ranking carries a moderate threat level to the general population and/or built environment. Here the potential damage is more isolated and less costly than a more widespread disaster.
➢ High—Widespread potential impact. This ranking carries a high threat to the general population and/or built environment. The potential for damage is widespread. Hazards in this category may have occurred in the past.
➢ Extremely High—Very widespread with catastrophic impact.

After this classification, a general discussion of hazard vulnerabilities occurs. This is done in the following format:

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-15
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Vulnerability Overview – A general discussion of the hazard vulnerability and related issues is detailed here.
➢ Local Concerns – This includes Agency provided information on how the Agency is uniquely affected by or vulnerable to each hazard.
➢ Assets at Risk – A discussion of the assets at risk follows, presented in the same order as in Section I.4.1 above, with a few exceptions. This includes sections on: People and Populations; Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure; and Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources. These are discussed in specific terms for mapped hazards, and in more general terms for those hazards that are unmapped. Sections on Community Lifelines and Economic Assets and Community Activities of Value are not included in the Sections below, as they are common to all jurisdictions and are fully covered in Section I.4.1 above and Chapter 4 of the Base Plan.
➢ Impacts – A discussion on hazard impacts follows. Impacts describe how each hazard can affect the Agency, its assets, and the ability to provide continued and reliable services. The type and severity of impacts reflect both the potential magnitude of the hazard and the vulnerability of the asset. ➢ Future Conditions/Future Development – A discussion of how future conditions and future development will affect or influence each hazard over time is also included. This considers both new Agency assets and improvements as well as any changes in service area.

Power Interruption/Power Failure: A Common Vulnerability of all Hazards An impact of almost all hazards evaluated as part of this LHMP Update relates to power shortage and/or power failures. The US power grid crisscrosses the country, bringing electricity to homes, offices, factories, warehouses, farms, traffic lights and even campgrounds. According to statistics gathered by the U.S.

Department of Energy, major blackouts are on the upswing. Incredibly, over the past two decades, blackouts impacting at least 50,000 customers have increased 124 percent. The electric power industry does not have a universal agreement for classifying disruptions. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that different types of outages are possible so that plans may be made to handle them effectively. In addition to blackouts, brownouts can occur. A brownout is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. Intentional brownouts are used for load reduction in an emergency.

Electric power disruptions can be generally grouped into two categories: intentional and unintentional.

More information on types of power disruptions can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
An intentional disruption type of power shortage/failure event has been recently implemented in California as a result of wildfires starting as a result of downed power lines or electrical equipment. This was the case for the Camp Fire in 2018. As a result, California’s three largest energy companies (including PG&E), at the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), are preparing all Californians for the threat of wildfires and power outages during times of extreme (fire) weather. To help protect customers and communities during extreme fire weather events, electric power may be shut off for public safety in an effort to proactively prevent wildfire. This is called a PSPS. More information on PSPS criteria can be found in Section 4.3 of the Base Plan.

In addition to PSPSs, to help prevent wildfires, electric utilities have begun to evolve safety efforts. This includes installing safety settings on powerlines in and around high fire-risk areas. These are known as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), and they help prevent falling tree branches, animals and other

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-16
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
hazards from causing a wildfire. By stopping ignitions, it helps prevent wildfires from starting and spreading. According to PG&E, if ignitions occur, the size of fires can be much smaller due to EPSS. In 2022, there was a 99% decrease in acres impacted by ignitions (as measured by fire size from electric distribution equipment (compared to the 2018-2020 average). This decrease occurred despite dry conditions.

Local Concerns
The Agency noted that there have been PSPS events that have impacted them, however, all power division/hydropower project assets requiring power have backup generators. The last PSPS event that could be recalled was October 2020. Transmission and distribution was temporarily affected, but the powerhouses have the ability to self-supply during these outages.

Climate Change
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Climate change adaptation is a key priority of the State of California. The 2023 State of California MultiHazard Mitigation Plan noted that climate change is already affecting California. Sea levels have risen by as much as seven inches along the California coast over the last century, increasing erosion and pressure on the State’s infrastructure, water supplies, and natural resources. The State has also seen increased average temperatures, more extreme hot days, fewer cold nights, a lengthening of the growing season, shifts in the water cycle with less winter precipitation falling as snow, and earlier runoff of both snowmelt and rainwater in the year. In addition to changes in average temperatures, sea level, and precipitation patterns, the intensity of extreme weather events is also changing.

California’s Adaptation Planning Guide: Understanding Regional Characteristics (from 2017) has divided California into 11 different regions based on political boundaries, projected climate impacts, existing environmental setting, socioeconomic factors and regional designations. The Agency falls in the North Sierra Region. A map and climate projections for this region are shown in Section 4.3.7 of the Base Plan and include an increase in temperatures, moderate changes in rainfall, and increased risk to wildfire.

Location and Extent
Climate change is a global phenomenon. It is expected to affect the whole of the SFWPA, the Plumas County Planning Area, surrounding counties, and State of California. There is no scale to measure the extent of climate change. Climate change exacerbates other hazards, such as drought, extreme heat, flooding, wildfire, and others. The speed of onset of climate change is very slow. The duration of climate change is not yet known but is feared to be tens to hundreds of years.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-17
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
Climate change has never been directly linked to any declared disasters.

NCDC Events
NCDC does not track climate change events.

SFWPA Events
While the SFWPA Planning Team noted no past occurrences of climate change , the Agency works in support of local Climate Action Plans to protect resources and prepare for changing precipitation patterns, reduced water supply and increased hazards such as flooding, heat waves and wildfire. While the Agency has not adopted any internal procedures to this risk, they continue to monitor the weather trends and the potential issues associated with this risk for all agency purposes.

Vulnerability to Climate Change
The whole of the Agency is at some measure of vulnerability to climate change. The Agency Planning Team has concerns that the vulnerability of the Agency to climate change will continue to increase in the future. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to climate change begins with an understanding of local exposure to climate change. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the Agency’s assets at risk, and impacts to this hazard.

Local Concerns
The Agency has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

The Agency is concerned that reduced snowpack or rains could cause stored water volumes in the Agency reservoirs (impounded by both Low and High Hazard dams in Plumas) to be reduced, which would lead to reduced income from power generation along with reduced ability to provide clean energy to the grid. In addition, the Agency is concerned that climate change could exacerbate wildfire in and around the Agency’s dams. Not only could this damage structures, but the burn scar could cause landslides above Agency dams.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
Climate change affects people and populations within a community, especially those climate change issues related to increases in temperature over time.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-18
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
While all populations (Agency staff and those served by the Agency) can be affected by temperature extremes, populations particularly vulnerable include the very old and very young, medically fragile people, people without means of shelter (and air conditioning or heat) or transportation, people who are socially isolated and other vulnerable or underserved populations (as shown in the discussion in Section I.4.1).

Acclimatization to extreme temperatures and other weather extremes may help reduce impacts from these extreme events, such as from heat waves, in the healthy general population but may not be sufficient to protect those with underlying medical conditions. In addition, those populations utilizing the numerous recreational facilities within the Agency boundaries are also at greater risk to issues associated with climate change such as extreme heat.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Climate change, on its own, does not generally impact structures. However, structures in areas of increased wildfire, drought, extreme heat, or flood areas exacerbated by the effects of climate change would be at increased risk, as described throughout this LHMP. Due to the slow onset of climate change, many structures in the Agency are expected to undergo improvements and adapt over time to a new climate normal.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
The rivers, streams, agricultural areas, and open space areas of the Agency support rich biodiversity, including many special-status species and habitat areas. These are all at risk from the effects of climate change. In addition, if heat continues to contribute to changes in wildfire patterns, all areas (on land) of the Agency are at increased risk from fire – including natural, historic, and cultural resources. Furthermore, as climate change exacerbates the extreme heat and drought hazard, areas of wetlands in the Agency may be reduced or dry up temporarily, which could damage habitat areas for waterfowl and other species that depend on these areas.

Impacts from Climate Change
The California APG: Understanding Regional Characteristics identified the following impacts specific to the North Sierra Region in which the Agency is part of:
➢ Increased temperatures
➢ Reduced precipitation
➢ Public health – heat and air pollution
➢ Reduced agricultural productivity (e.g., wine grapes) ➢ Reduced tourism
In addition to these sources, the 2023 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that according to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, the state will experience the following climate impacts:
➢ Annual average daily high temperatures are expected to rise by 2.7°F by 2040, 5.8°F by 2070, and

8.8°F by 2100 compared to observed and modeled historical conditions. These changes are statewide averages.
➢ Heat waves are projected to become longer, more intense, and more frequent.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-19
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
➢ Warming temperatures are expected to increase soil moisture loss and lead to drier conditions. Summer dryness may become prolonged, with soil drying beginning earlier in the spring and lasting longer into the fall and winter.
➢ Droughts are likely to become more frequent and persistent through 2100. ➢ The strength of the most intense precipitation and storm events affecting California is expected to increase.
➢ Snowpack levels are projected to decline significantly by 2100 due to reduced snowfall and faster snowmelt.
➢ Marine layer clouds are projected to decrease.
➢ Extreme wildfires (i.e., fires larger than 24,710 acres) would occur 50 percent more frequently. The maximum area burned statewide may increase 178 percent by the end of the century.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the Agency may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Agency include the following:
➢ As climate change continues to accelerate over time, climate related impacts to the Agency will continue to increase.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-20
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Future Development
As previously described, the Agency has plans for future development within its boundaries. This includes both existing facilities, including improvements and new facilities, to be constructed as part of the SFP Relicensing Project 2088. Development projects range from major rehabilitation of existing facilities and development of proposed facilities at Little Grass Valley Reservoir in Plumas County, many of which support recreational opportunities in the area. New Agency facilities will take hazards, including climate change, into account when siting new facilities. Local and state building codes will also be followed to limit future hazard related impacts to new development.

The Agency’s SFP Project 2088 is not thought to be directly affected by climate change, but if climate change exacerbates the hazards in the discussions below, Project 2088 could be indirectly affected.

Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, any damage inducing hazard that happened at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Other future development permitted by the County within the Agency’s boundaries will likely be limited due to the remote nature of the area where the Agency is located. Private parcels are few and far between, with most of the area covered by the Agency being identified as federal or agricultural lands.

Climate change may also influence future development in the Agency over time. The Agency could see population fluctuations as a result of climate impacts relative to those experienced in other regions, and these fluctuations are expected to impact demand for housing and other development. While there are currently no formal studies of specific migration patterns expected to impact the Agency, climate-induced migration was recognized within the UNFCCC Conference of Parties Paris Agreement of 2015 and is expected to be the focus of future studies.

Dam Failure
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Unlikely
Vulnerability–Extremely High
Hazard Profile
Dams are manmade structures built for a variety of uses including flood protection, power generation, agriculture, water supply, and recreation. When dams are constructed for flood protection, they are usually engineered to withstand a flood with a computed risk of occurrence. For example, a dam may be designed to contain a flood at a location on a stream that has a certain probability of occurring in any given year. If prolonged periods of rainfall and flooding occur that exceed the design requirements, that structure may be overtopped or fail. Overtopping is the primary cause of earthen dam failure in the United States.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-21
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Dam failure is a natural disaster from two perspectives. First, the inundation from released waters resulting from dam failure is related to naturally occurring floodwaters. Second, a total dam failure would most probably happen as a consequence of the natural disaster triggering the event, such as an earthquake.

Location and Extent
An inventory map of dams located within Plumas County was shown in Section 4.3.8 in the Base Plan.

Dams with an inundation area within the SFWPA are shown on Figure I-5. This includes the Little Grass Valley Dam (a high hazard dam). In addition to this dam, the Agency is concerned with the South Fork Diversion Dam and the Slate Creek Diversion Dam (both low hazard dams). All three of these dams are owned by the Agency. The Little Grass Valley Dam is shown below as part of the dam inundation analysis for extremely high and high hazard dams completed for this LHMP Update. The South Fork Diversion and the Slate Creek Diversion Dam, as low hazard dams, were not part of the dam analysis and thus are not shown on the maps below. The location of these two dams can be seen on Figure I-3 above.

There is no scale with which to measure dam failure. However, FEMA and CA DWR Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) assign hazard potential classifications to dams within the State that provides information on the potential impact should a dam fail (FERC uses these dam classifications as well). The following two factors are considered when assigning hazard ratings: existing land use and land use controls (zoning) downstream of the dam. FEMA categorizes the downstream hazard potential into three categories in increasing severity: Low, Significant, and High. DSOD adds a fourth category of Extremely High. Dams are classified in these four categories that identify the potential hazard to life and property. These were discussed in more detail in Section 4.3.8 of the Base Plan.

While a dam may fill slowly with runoff from winter storms, a dam break has a very quick speed of onset.

The duration of dam failure is generally not long – only as long as it takes to empty the reservoir of water the dam held back. For dam overtopping, the speed of onset is somewhat slower than that of a dam break, and the duration is longer (as evidenced in the 2017 Oroville Dam spillway event, which was not a dam failure but a spillway failure). The Agency would be affected for as long as the flood waters from the dam failure took to drain downstream.

Geographic flood extent from the DSOD dam inundation areas for the high hazard, Little Grass Valley dam is shown on Figure I-4 and Figure I-5, as well as in Table I-4. As shown, the Agency does not have any areas affected by extremely high hazard dams. As such, no tabular analysis for extents are shown.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-22
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-4 SFWPA – Extremely High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-23
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-5 SFWPA – High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas
Table I-4 SFWPA – High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas Geographical Extents Jurisdiction /
Dam
Inundation
Area
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Little Grass Valley
Agricultural 7 0.3% 0 0% 7 0.3%
Commercial 0 0% 0 0% 0 0.0%
Federal Lands 1,305 57% 0 0% 1,305 58%
Government 0 0% 0 0% 0 0.0%
Miscellaneous 34 2% 0 0% 34 2%
Residential 0 0% 0 0% 0 0.0%
Little Grass
Valley Total
1,346 59% 0 0% 1,346 59%
Source: Cal OES, DSOD, Plumas County GIS

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-24
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no state or federal disaster declarations for dam failure in Plumas County.

NCDC Events
The NCDC does not contain any dam failure events for Plumas County.

SFWPA Events
There have been no past dam failures in the Agency.

Climate Change and Dam Failure
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts associated with dam failure. More information on future impacts to the Agency can be found below and in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

The 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that modeling described in California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment projects less frequent but more extreme daily precipitation. Year-to-year precipitation will become more volatile, and the number of dry years will increase by mid-century. As the climate continues to warm, atmospheric rivers will carry more moisture, and extreme precipitation may increase. Climate model projections show a tendency for the northern part of the State to become wetter.

Increases in both precipitation and heat causing snow melt in areas upstream of dams could increase the potential for dam failure and uncontrolled releases from Agency assets located in Plumas County.

Vulnerability to Dam Failure
The vulnerability of the Agency to dam failure flooding would vary depending on which dam fails and the nature and extent of the dam failure and associated flooding. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to dam failure begins with an understanding of local exposure to dam failure. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the Agency’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

The Agency maintains operational compliance with Dam Safety, Public Safety and Security guidelines set forth by FERC and DSOD in order to reduce vulnerability to dam failure events. In addition to those requirements, the Power Division team is well-versed in monitoring, documenting, and maintaining their dam and spillway structures to recognize any vulnerabilities.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-25
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Impacts to the SFWPA from dam failure include damage to property and critical facilities. Costs to repair dams that fail would also fall to the SFWPA for any Agency owned dams.

Golden Trout Campground, owned and operated by the USFS is the biggest downstream risk. The bridge connecting the two sides of the campground is higher than the peak inundation flow; however, should massive amounts debris come down the river along with the inundation, the facility may be rendered unusable. It was noted that this has happened in the past due to high flows, was repaired by a private timber company, and is slated for replacement by USFS.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations ; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All people and populations (including both Agency staff and those within Agency boundaries) located in dam inundation areas are vulnerable to dam failure. Certain vulnerable populations may be at increased risk to dam failure, especially during a large event with minimal advance notice. These vulnerable populations may include: the unsheltered, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area. In addition, those populations utilizing the numerous recreational facilities within the Agency boundaries and dam inundation areas are also at greater risk.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Most structures and critical facilities and infrastructure in the Agency have some measure of vulnerability to dam failure. Dam failure flooding can affect the built environment of the Agency. Structures in dam inundation areas are at risk and depending on flood depths, can range from slight damage to totally inundated. All Agency assets (listed in Table I-2) would be at risk to dam failure flooding.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
A major dam failure event and associated flooding could have a devastating impact on the Agency. Large flood events can affect all natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the dam inundation areas. There are a number of ways floodwaters associated with a dam failure event can impact natural resources and the environment: Wildlife habitats can be destroyed by floodwaters. Contaminated floodwater can pollute rivers and habitats. Silt and sediment can destroy natural areas. Riverbanks and natural levées can be eliminated as rivers reach bankfull capacity. Rivers can be widened, and deposition can increase downstream. Trees can be uprooted by high-velocity water flow. Plants that survive the initial flood may die due to being inundated with water. Historic and cultural resources may also be affected. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to these structures within the inundated areas, but other cultural resources such as those associated with Native Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged, and lost during extreme dam failure flood events.

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Impacts from Dam Failure
Impacts to the Agency from dam failure flooding could be extensive and widespread and include loss of life and injury, flooding and damage to property and structures, damage to critical facilities and infrastructure, loss of natural resources, and all other flood related impacts. Economic losses to the Agency and Plumas County Planning Area can also be significant.

Other impacts associated with dam failure include landslides, bank erosion, and destruction of habitat. Dam failures can cause downstream flooding and can transport large volumes of sediment and debris and contaminants from the floodwaters. Other environmental impacts can include contamination from septic system failures and releases of contaminants from hazardous materials facilities, contamination of potable water supplies; changes in configurations of streams; loss of wildlife habitats; and degradation of wetlands.

A large dam failure event could have significant and catastrophic impacts.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the Agency may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Climate Change and Dam Failure discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Agency include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future rain and storm conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the Agency to dam failure.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

Improved and new recreational assets constructed by the Agency within their boundaries has the

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potential to increase the impacts and vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard. Changes in land use and development in the Agency are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect dam failure impacts to the Agency. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Future Development
As previously described, the Agency has plans for future development within its boundaries This includes both existing facilities, including improvements and new facilities, to be constructed as part of the SFP Relicensing Project 2088. Development projects range from major rehabilitation of existing facilities and development of proposed facilities at Little Grass Valley Reservoir in Plumas County, many of which support recreational opportunities in the area. New Agency facilities will take hazards into account when siting new facilities. Local and state building codes will also be followed to limit future hazard related impacts to new development.

Dam owners always face the potential of future dam failure events, which is why regulatory oversight exists, and dam safety requirements are in place. While a dam failure of the Agency’s dams is unlikely, the Agency may experience future dam issues on their three dams. The Little Grass Valley dam, as a high hazard dam, is of greatest concern. New Agency development and improvements identified as part of the South Feather Power Relicensing Project predominantly includes those related to enhancing recreational opportunities.

Other future development permitted by the County within the Agency’s inundation areas will likely be limited due to the remote nature of the South Fork Power Project. Private parcels are few and far between, with most of the area covered by the Agency being identified as federal or agricultural lands. Local and state building codes will also be followed to limit future hazard related impacts to new development.

The Agency’s SFWPA Project 2088 would be directly affected by dam failure from all Agency owned dams. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Earthquake
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Occasional (minor)/ Unlikely (major) Vulnerability–Extremely High
Hazard Profile
An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth’s outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up, and the rocks slip suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that is felt during an earthquake. Earthquakes can cause structural damage, injury, and loss of life, as well as damage to infrastructure networks, such as water, power, gas,

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communication, and transportation. Earthquakes may also cause collateral emergencies including dam and levee failures, seiches, hazmat incidents, fires, avalanches, and landslides. The degree of damage depends on many interrelated factors. Among these are: the magnitude, focal depth, distance from the causative fault, source mechanism, duration of shaking, high rock accelerations, type of surface deposits or bedrock, degree of consolidation of surface deposits, presence of high groundwater, topography, and the design, type, and quality of building construction.

The Agency is highly concerned about earthquakes and earthquake liquefaction. Because of this, The Agency actively monitors seismic activity in and around Project-2088 and its three owned dams.

Location and Extent
Since earthquakes are regional events, the whole of the Agency is at risk to earthquake. The SFWPA, Plumas County, and surrounding areas have some level of risk from seismic and geologic hazards. Faults in and around the Agency are shown in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan. These include the Almanor Fault, Butt Creek Fault Zone, the Mohawk Valley Fault, the Dogwood Peak Fault, and others that traverse the County. The Indian Valley Fault is also considered an active fault located within the County. A significant seismic event on any of these major faults could cause damage to assets owned by SFWPA.

The amount of energy released during an earthquake is usually expressed as a magnitude and is measured directly from the earthquake as recorded on seismographs. An earthquake’s magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimals (e.g., 6.8). Seismologists have developed several magnitude scales, as discussed in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan. The Agency maintains Standard Operating Procedures for Post-Earthquake inspections of assets based on the magnitude and proximity to structures.

Another measure of earthquake severity is intensity. Intensity is an expression of the amount of shaking at any given location on the ground surface. Seismic shaking is typically the greatest cause of losses to structures during earthquakes. The Agency is located in an area where earthquakes of some magnitude occur.. Seismic shaking maps for the area in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan show Plumas County and the Agency fall within a low to moderate shake risk.

The Little Grass Valley Dam, owned by SFWPA, is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, on the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Plumas County, California. Basement rocks are mainly metavolcanic rocks of the early Jurassic-age Slate Creek Complex and are overlain by abundant Tertiary-age volcanic deposits, including the Miocene Lovejoy Basalt and Miocene-Pliocene age andesitic volcaniclastic deposits (STID, 2024). The dam is located about 800 feet west of the Dogwood Peak fault, a Mesozoic-age fault/suture zone, and east of the Camel Peak fault, another Mesozoic-age fault/suture zone, five miles downstream of the dam.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There has been no state or federal disaster declarations in Plumas County from earthquake.

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NCDC Events
The NCDC does not track earthquake events.

SFWPA Events
As shown in the Base Plan, no disaster declarations have occurred in the County due to earthquake. The Agency Planning Team searched their records, including official board meeting minutes from the Agency.

These did not indicate that there was any damage to agency infrastructure as a result of the Oroville earthquake. The HMPC noted no other past occurrences of earthquakes or liquefaction that affected the Agency. in any meaningful way.

Climate Change and Earthquake
Climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Vulnerability to Earthquake
The combination of plate tectonics and associated California coastal mountain range building geology generates earthquakes as a result of the periodic release of tectonic stresses Earthquake vulnerability is primarily based on population and the built environment. More urban areas in high seismic hazard zones are the most vulnerable, while uninhabited areas are less vulnerable. The primary impacts of concern are life safety and property damage. Although several faults are in and near the Plumas County Planning Area, seismic hazard mapping indicates that the Agency has low to moderate seismic hazard potential. There is the potential for the Agency and Plumas County Planning Area to be subject to some level of moderate seismic shaking. Some degree of structural damage due to stronger seismic shaking could be expected.

Earthquake shaking can also cause liquefaction to occur. Areas with loose soil and high water tables are at risk from liquefaction. There are limited areas in and near the Agency prone to liquefaction.

More information on the vulnerability of the Plumas County Planning Area, including all participating jurisdictions, to earthquake shaking events can be seen in the Hazus scenarios developed for this LHMP (Great Valley Fault 6.53, Hat Creek/McArthur/Mayfield 7.29, Honey Lake 7.03, Warm Springs Valley

6.92). More information on the Hazus scenarios and how the Plumas County Planning Area is affected is included in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan.

The whole of the Agency is at some measure of vulnerability to earthquake. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to earthquakes begins with an understanding of local exposure to earthquakes.

This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the Agency’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

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Local Concerns
The Agency has specific concerns and unique vulnerabilities regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

The Agency is aware of the local fault lines and recognizes the potential risks associated with a seismic event. The distant span and varying topography for the Agency’s assets are a concern for both the Power and Water Division respectfully. The green line in the middle of Figure I-6 is the Little Grass Valley fault, which is the start of the Agency’s power project and water conveyance in Plumas County. Also note the green, black, and red fault lines towards the bottom left corner of the map that displays the Foothills Fault system that runs through a portion of the Agency’s water distribution systems (both domestic and irrigation). Any of these faults could cause issues with the water distribution system or the Agency owned dams.

Figure I-6 Faults in or near Agency Boundaries
https://usgs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5a6038b3a1684561a9b0aadf88412fcf Should a damaging earthquake occur, this could further impact the ability of the District to provide water and wastewater services in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake event until repairs can be made. A damaging earthquake may also damage infrastructure required for fire fighting for fires that may occur as a result of an earthquake event.

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Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from this hazard include people and populations; structures and critical facilities; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections.

People and Populations
All people and populations (both Agency staff and those residing or recreating within the Agency’s boundaries.) are at risk from earthquake shaking and associated hazards. The greatest risk to people and populations from earthquake is death and injury. More information on people and populations at risk to earthquake shaking events can be seen in the Hazus scenarios developed for this LHMP. More information on the Hazus scenarios and how the County and Agency may be affected is included in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
All structures and critical facilities and infrastructure in the Agency are vulnerable to earthquakes, depending on the severity and location of the event. The Hazus scenarios conducted for the entire Plumas County Planning Area show how structures may be affected. All Agency assets from Table I-2 would be at risk to earthquake. The greatest threat to structures and critical facilities are to the distribution lines and the dams the Agency owns. Should a damaging earthquake occur, this could further impact the ability of the District to provide water and wastewater services in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake event until repairs can be made. A damaging earthquake may also damage infrastructure required for fire fighting for fires that may occur as a result of an earthquake event.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
The 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that environmental problems from earthquakes can be numerous. It is possible for earthquakes to reroute streams, which can change the water quality, possibly damaging habitat and feeding areas. Streams fed by groundwater and/or springs may dry up because of changes in underlying geology. Another threat to the environment from earthquakes is the potential release of hazardous materials. Historical and cultural resources are at risk, often due to their age and construction types. The Hazus scenarios in Section 4.3.10 of the Base Plan and included below are relatively silent on the vulnerability to natural, historic, and cultural resources, but impacts to these resources could be long lasting. The bigger risk to these resources is from dam failure that may occur after an earthquake.

Impacts from Earthquake
Earthquakes can strike without warning and cause dramatic changes to the landscape of an area that can have devastating impacts on the built environment. The greatest impact is to life safety of the SFWPA staff, residents, and visitors. Other impacts to the Agency could include damages to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams; damages and loss of services to utilities and critical infrastructure, including those related to gas, power, water, wastewater and communication systems; damages to structures and other development; and possible loss of life and injuries.

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Earthquakes can also cause failure of dams, levees, and reservoirs. Facilities and land downslope from dams or water reservoirs might be subject to flooding, if the dams, reservoirs, or other flood control structures fail as a result of an earthquake. The Agency has locations with significant flood risk that include facilities downslope from dams or reservoirs that could be affected by a significant earthquake event.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Structural and property damage;
➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the Agency may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the Likelihood of Future Occurrence discussion above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed below.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the SFWPA include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is not anticipated to affect this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

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affect earthquake impacts to the Agency. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Although new growth and development would fall in the area affected by earthquake, local and state building codes will be followed to limit future hazard related impacts to new development. The Agency is subject to the California Building Code, which mandates construction techniques that minimize seismic hazards for critical facilities and infrastructure, including dams.

Also as previously noted by the Agency, based on today’s environmental and political climates, the Agency doesn’t believe the SFWPA Project 2088 would expand in the ways of additional dams or power houses.

In terms of domestic and irrigation water service, the Agency does not anticipate any major operational changes, unless a predictability curve suggested the Agency take additional precautions. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Like its earthquake‐generating faults, California’s mountainous terrain is a consequence of dynamic geologic processes in operation as the North American Plate grinds past the Pacific Plate. According to the CGS, a landslide is a general term for a variety of mass-movement processes that generate a down-slope movement of mud, soil, rock, and/or vegetation. Landslides are classified into many different types based on form and type of movement. They range from slow‐moving rotational slumps and earth flows, which can slowly distress structures but are less threatening to personal safety, to fast‐moving rock avalanches

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and debris flows that are a serious threat to structures and have been responsible for most fatalities during landslide events. For the purposes of this LHMP Update, the term landslide includes mudslides, debris flows, and rockfalls that tend to occur suddenly; as well as hillside erosion, which is a similar process that tends to occur on smaller scales and more gradually but can exacerbate landslide events.

Landslides, debris flows and mudslides are closely related to flooding, as both processes are related to precipitation, runoff, and the saturation of ground by water. In addition, landslides, mud flows, and debris flows can occur on small, steep stream channels and are often mistaken for floods. However, landslide events may be much more destructive than floods because of their higher densities, high debris loads, and high velocities.

Natural conditions that contribute to landslide, mudslides, debris flows, hillside and streambank erosion, include the following:
➢ Degree of slope
➢ Water (heavy rain, river flows, or wave action)
➢ Unconsolidated soil or soft rock and sediments
➢ Lack of vegetation (no stabilizing root structure)
➢ Previous wildfires and other forest disturbances (discussed in the Wildfire section below) ➢ Road building, excavation, and grading
➢ Earthquake
The 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that more than one third of California is mountainous terrain that generally trends parallel to the coast, forming a barrier that captures moisture from offshore storms originating in the Gulf of Alaska and Mexico. Steep topography, weak rocks, heavy winter rains, and occasional earthquakes all lead to slope failures more frequently than would otherwise occur under gravity alone. This is true in the sloped areas inside the Agency’s boundaries.

Location and Extent
Landslides can occur in areas with steep slopes and weak soils. It can also occur in areas where erosion has previously occurred. Both winter storms (precipitation-induced) and earthquake triggered landslides tend to occur in or near places that have experienced previous landslides. However, landslides may also occur in other locations over time. Landslides and debris flows may also occur in fire burn scar areas.

Figure I-7 shows the CGS areas at susceptible to deep-seated landslides. The legend on Figure I-7 shows the susceptibility scale (from 0-X with 0 being the least and X being the most susceptible) that the CGS uses to show the susceptibility of landslides. It is a primarily a combination of slope class and rock strength.

Geographic extents of these classes are shown on Table I-5. According to the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, the susceptibility classes were further categorized into Very High (susceptibility class X) and High (susceptibility classes VII, VIII, & IX) for exposure analysis. The rest of the classes were not categorized.

CGS mapping indicates that the eastern portions of the Agency and surrounding area are at high to very high susceptibility areas for landslides. This can be seen in the darker orange and red colors. The speed of onset of landslide is often short, especially in past landslide areas as well as in post-wildfire burn scar areas,

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but it can also take years for a slope to fail. Landslide duration is usually short, though digging out and repairing landslide areas can take some time.

Figure I-7 SFWPA – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides Table I-5 SFWPA – Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Geographical Extents by Class Jurisdiction /
Susceptibility
to Deep-Seated
Landslide
Class
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
0 39 2% 0 0% 39 2%
V 2 0.1% 2 32% 0.3 0.01%
VI 1 0.04% 0 0% 1 0.04%
VIII 233 10% 0 7% 232 10%
IX 1,995 88% 4 61% 1,991 88%
Grand Total 2,270 100% 6 100% 2,263 100%
Source: CGS

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Past Occurrences
Disaster Declarations
There have been no disaster declarations associated with just landslides in Plumas County; however, as shown in Table I-6, there have been 9 state and 10 federal disaster declarations for flood (including heavy rains and storms) which included landslides as a component.

Table I-6 Plumas County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations Summary 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (events that
included landslide)
9 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (twice)
10 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (three)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA. Retrieved March 2025.

NCDC Events
The NCDC contains 21 records for landslides or debris flows in Plumas County since 1993. These were not known to affect the Agency.

SFWPA Past Occurrences
In May of 2024 , there was a significant rockfall event that originated in North Complex burn scar above the USFS Road 21N11Y, which entirely blocked sole ingress/egress to South Fork Diversion Dam.

Emergency repairs by a specialty contractor included services to drill and split the rock, heavy equipment to haul and dispose of rock, and repair of the damaged section of roadway which restored access.

Figure I-8 Rockslide Debris Slides Blocking Roadway to Dam

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Figure I-9 Rockslide Debris Slides Blocking Roadway to Dam – Alternate view Figure I-10 Debris Slides Post North Complex Fire Above Little Grass Valley Dam

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Figure I-11 Debris Slides Post North Complex Fire Above Little Grass Valley Dam – Alternate view
Source: SFWPA
The Agency noted that there are no documented landslide past occurrences with direct impacts to Agency assets.

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be found in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. While total average annual rainfall may decrease only slightly, rainfall is predicted to occur in fewer, more intense precipitation events. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought and wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour is likely to cause more mudslides, landslides, and debris flows.

Vulnerability from Landslide
Portions of the Agency are at some measure of vulnerability to landslide. This is true when atmospheric rivers or heavy rain and storm events occur. Post wildfire areas are also more prone to landslide events.

Following the North Complex Fire, the Agency is concerned with landslides that occur in the burn scar areas above Agency dams as well as within any landslide potential area These can cause rockfall that damage dams, critical appurtenant structures, and spillways (see small example in Figure I-10). Agency buildings may be damaged as well. Landslides can also cause excess sedimentation in the dams, reducing capacities.

People and Populations
All populations (both Agency staff and populations within Agency boundaries) located within areas of landslide susceptibility, especially in the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are at some vulnerability to landslide. Also of concern are the populations that are located or recreate in post fire burn scars, most notably the North Complex Fire burn area. Most vulnerable are those people working or residing in these landslide potential areas as well as those that might reside or work within the landslide run out areas. People residing in Agency boundaries as well as Agency staff may also be cut off from transportation routes if roads and streets providing a means of ingress and egress are impacted. Certain vulnerable populations may be at greater risk due to the often sudden onset of a landslide event and include: the unsheltered, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area. In addition, those populations utilizing the numerous recreational facilities within the Agency boundaries are also at greater risk.

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Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Landslides can affect the built environment of the Agency and those structures and critical facilities located within the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are especially vulnerable, as are the structures located within the landslide run out areas. This includes all Agency assets listed in Table I-2.

Also of concern are those assets located within post fire burn scar areas such as the North Complex Fire burn area.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Landslides can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the landslide area, or the landslide run out area. Landslides can destroy large tracts of forest and open space areas, destroy wildlife habitat, and remove productive soils and vegetation from slopes. It can also fill in waterways, impact water quality, and potentially affect flooding potential. Natural resources that fall in the High or Very High susceptibility areas shown on Figure I-7 would be most vulnerable, as well as those in the run-out areas. In addition, these resources located in post fire burn scar areas are also at risk, if they were not previously damaged during the initial fire event. As shown on the map, this would include a relatively small area of the developed area of the Agency, since most of this occurs in the less developed areas of the Agency.

Landslides, debris flows, and mud flows impacts vary by location and severity of any given event and will likely only affect certain areas of the Agency susceptible to landslide. Based on the risk assessment, there is potential for significant landslides to occur in the Agency. However, most (but not all) of the historic landslides in the Agency have been minor, localized events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the Agency may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

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Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Agency include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future landslide, mudslide, and debris flow conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the Agency to landslide. ➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

Improved and new recreational assets constructed by the Agency within their boundaries has the potential to increase the impacts and vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard. Changes in land use and development in the Agency are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect landslide impacts to the Agency. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

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Additional growth and development within moderate or higher deep-seated landslide susceptibility classes in the Agency would place additional values at risk to landslide. New Agency facilities will take landslide into account when siting new facilities. The Agency’s SFWPA Project 2088 may affected by landslide in the burn scar areas as well as in high to very high landslide susceptibility areas. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the headwaters of the system (and potentially inducing failure of more than one dam and impacting two powerhouses along the South Fork of the Feather River) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Wind, Hail, and Lightning) Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Medium
Hazard Profile
Storms in the District occur annually and are generally characterized by heavy rain often accompanied by strong winds and sometimes lightning and hail. Approximately 10 percent of the thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States are classified as severe. A thunderstorm is classified as severe when it contains one or more of the following phenomena: hail that is three-quarters of an inch or greater, winds in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado. Heavy precipitation in the District falls mainly in the fall, winter, and spring months. It can come normally, or as part of an atmospheric river event. Those events were discussed in Section 4.3.4 of the Base Plan. Wind often accompanies these storms; hail and lightning are rare in the District. Rain coming during times of snow are of particular concern to the District, as even smaller rains can melt snow, causing flooding issues.

Rains and storms can occur in any location of the Agency. All portions of the Agency are at risk to heavy rains and storms. Most of the severe rains occur during the fall, winter, and spring months in the Agency as discussed below. There is no scale by which heavy rains and severe storms are measured. Magnitude of storms is measured often in rainfall and damages. The speed of onset of heavy rains can be short, but accurate weather prediction mechanisms often let the public know of upcoming events. Hail and lightning are rarer in the Agency and Plumas County. Duration of severe storms in the Agency can range from minutes to hours to days.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-43
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
According to historical hazard data, severe weather, including heavy rains and storms, is an annual occurrence in the Agency. This contributes to many of the federal disaster declarations related to flooding.

Disaster declarations from flooding, including heavy rains and storms, are shown on Table I-7. In addition, there have been two USDA disaster declarations from heavy rain and storms (once in 2016 and once in 2017) since 2012.

Table I-7 Plumas County – State and Federal Disaster Declarations from Flood (Heavy Rain and Storms) 1950-2025
Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (including heavy
rains and storms)
22 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1964,
1963, 1964, 1969, 1970 1980,
1986, 1993, 1992*, 1995
(twice*), 1996, 1997, 2006, 2017
(twice*), 2023 (twice*)
19 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1963,
1964, 1969, 1970, 1986, 1992
(twice), 1995 (twice), 1997,
2006*, 2017 (twice*), 2023
(twice*)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC data recorded 132 hail, heavy rain, and storm incidents for Plumas County since 1950.

SFWPA Events
The Agency noted that heavy rains and storms are an annual occurrence often resulting in flooding throughout the Agency.

Climate Change and Heavy Rains and Storms
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from heavy rains and storms. More information on future impacts to the Agency can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

It is unlikely that hail will become more common in Plumas County and the SFWPA. The amount of lightning is not projected to change.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-44
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Vulnerability to Heavy Rain and Storms
Heavy rain and severe storms are the most frequent type of severe weather occurrences in the Agency.

These events can cause both significant and localized flooding. Flooding can be worse during times where the ground is already saturated. Wind often accompanies these storms and has caused damage in the past.

Hail and lightning are rare in the Agency, but also can cause damage, with lightning occasionally igniting wildfires.

The whole of the Agency is at some measure of vulnerability to heavy rain and storms. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to heavy rains and storms begins with an understanding of local exposure to heavy rain and storms. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the Agency’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

The Agency noted that one of the primary issues associated with heavy rains and storms is the resulting flooding caused by large precipitation events. The Agency is also concerned with rain on snow events, which can cause greater flooding in the Agency. In addition, the Agency is concerned that heavy rains and storms in the burn scar areas could cause erosion, landslide, or debris flow.

Rain on snow events require ongoing monitoring for the duration, and assets are inspected after high flow events. Heavy rain and runoff can absolutely cause a dam safety event at LGVR especially during the spring months when the spillway gates are down. Improved access would help mitigate issues for the Agency and its assets.

Power outages can also occur during large storm events impacting facility operations. Should a power outage occur, it is important that the District has backup systems in place to prevent or limit the loss of services to the community.

Impacts from these storm events of great concern following the North Complex Fire, as multiple Project assets are subject to burn scar debris flow. Impacts are primarily from debris flow that could potentially create dam safety issues if not monitored and mitigated. These impacts can include large logs on concrete arch dam ogee sections can alter flow concentrations below, and cause impacts on the below scour pad, or debris can fall and cause damage to valving present on the downstream side of the dam.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-45
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
People and Populations
All Agency staff and the populations served by the Agency are at some vulnerability to heavy rains and storms. Those Agency employees that work outdoors could be affected to a limited extent by this hazard.

All populations served by the Agency have some measure of risk to heavy rains and storms. Those populations that work or recreate outside and unhoused individuals are more vulnerable to impacts from heavy storm events. Heavy rains and storms occur every year and do not generally cause significant adverse impacts to individuals; it is the secondary hazard, flooding, which poses the biggest impact to people.

Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Agency facilities and structures have some risk to heavy rains and storms. Heavy rain and storms can affect critical facilities and infrastructure during large events. Structures built to modern building codes are built to withstand heavy rains and storms (including thunderstorm winds and lightning); older structures may be more vulnerable. During a heavy storm, localized flooding may cause water intrusion into buildings and critical infrastructure from the outside. Trees can be downed causing impacts to structures. Older homes and buildings may be at increased risk to heavy rains and storms. Power outages during severe storm events can occur, impacting the use of structures until the power is back online. Local roads, streets, and bridges can be impacted resulting in closures restricting traffic flow in the Agency. In certain areas, large storms can cause erosion and localized landslides which can impact affected facilities.

All Agency assets in Table I-2 would be at risk to heavy rains and storms, if flooding from them caused a dam event to occur.

Impacts from Heavy Rain and Storms
Impacts from heavy rains and storms include damage to property, critical facilities and infrastructure, and the natural landscape. This includes: erosion; downed trees; damaged utility structures and infrastructure; power outages; road damage and blockages; and even lightning strikes to critical infrastructure and people.

Lightning can also cause wildfires and urban fires to occur. Landsliding and erosion occur when the soil on slopes becomes oversaturated and fails. Climate change may cause these impacts to worsen.

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January 2026
Actual damage associated with the primary effects of severe storms and heavy rains has been somewhat limited. It is the secondary hazards caused by these severe weather events, such as floods and erosion that would likely have the greatest impact.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the Agency include the following:
➢ As discussed in the hazard profile section, climate change is anticipated to exacerbate this hazard over time.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

Improved and new recreational assets constructed by the Agency within their boundaries has the potential to increase the impacts and vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard. Changes in land use and development in the Agency are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect heavy rain and storm impacts to the Agency. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Relicensing Project 2088. Development projects range from major rehabilitation of existing facilities and development of proposed facilities at Little Grass Valley Reservoir in Plumas County, many of which support recreational opportunities in the area. New Agency facilities will take hazards into account when siting new facilities.

New Agency facilities follow state and local building codes, also requiring approval from FERC, DSOD, and USFS, which should reduce the risk to future development in the Agency from heavy rains and storms.

New critical facilities should be built to withstand hail damage, lightning, and thunderstorm winds. The Agency’s SFWPA Project 2088 may be affected by precipitation induced debris flows in the burn scar areas. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the top of the system (and potentially inducing failure through the system) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

Wildfire (with smoke and air quality)
Likelihood of Future Occurrence–Highly Likely
Vulnerability–Extremely High
Hazard Profile
Wildland fire and the risk of a conflagration is an ongoing concern for the SFWPA. Throughout California, communities are increasingly concerned about wildfire safety as increased development in the foothills and mountainous areas and subsequent fire control practices have affected the natural cycle of fire regimes.

Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and fuel, accumulation of vegetation, and high winds. These weather conditions can result in red flag (e.g., fire weather) days, and can result in PSPS events in the Agency. While wildfire risk has predominantly been associated with more remote forested areas and wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, significant wildfires also occur in more populated developed areas. There is also the concern of wildfires occurring in these more remote, forested areas, that under certain weather conditions, can extend into areas not generally considered at a high risk to wildfire. Smoke and air quality also become an issue, both from fires occurring inside and outside of the Plumas County Planning Area and the Agency.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-48
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January 2026
which consists of particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These smaller sizes of particles are responsible for adverse health effects because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.

Location and Extent
Wildfire can affect all areas of the Agency. CAL FIRE through recent mapping efforts has created updated wildfire maps showing risk variance across the Agency and the Plumas County Planning Area. Following the methodology described in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan, wildfire maps for the SFWPA were created.

Figure I-12 shows the CAL FIRE State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Federal Responsibility Areas (FRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the Agency. Figure I-13 shows the CAL FIRE Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and their associated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in the Agency. The Agency falls only in the SRA/FRA FHSZ layer, as such no LRA tabular analysis was performed. As shown on the maps, FHSZs within the Agency is all Very High.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-49
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January 2026
Figure I-12 SFWPA – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones

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Figure I-13 SFWPA – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Wildfires tend to be measured in structure damages, injuries, and loss of life as well as on acres burned.

Geographical FHSZ extents in the SRA/FRA are shown in Table I-8, while extents in the LRA are not shown in table format since the Agency is not in the LRA.

Table I-8 SFWPA – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Geographical Extents Jurisdiction/
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Very High 2,270 100% 6 100% 2,263 100%
Grand Total 2,270 100% 6 100% 2,263 100%
Source: CAL FIRE

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-51
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January 2026
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There has been eight state and six federal disaster declarations due to fire, as shown in Table I-9.

Table I-9 Plumas County – State and Federal Wildfire Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Fire 8 1960 (unnamed), 1987(Clarks
Fire), 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (three –
Dixie Fire, Monument Fire,
Lava Fire/Beckwourth
Complex)
6 1999 (Bucks Fire), 2008 (BTU
Lightning Complex), 2020
(twice – Bear Fire, North
Complex Fire), 2021 (twice –
Dixie Fire, Lava
Fire/Beckwourth Complex)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC has tracked 15 wildfire events in the County dating back to 1993. Many more fires have occurred, but were not reported to the NCDC database.

SFWPA Events
The 2020 North Complex Fire threatened the entire upper sections of the Agency’s Power Project, including the Power Division Headquarters located in Forbestown. The fire burned adjacent to SFWPA facilities from Little Grass Valley Dam & Reservoir to South Fork Diversion Dam and impoundment in Plumas County. South Fork Diversion Dam had safety and debris buoys burned (required replacement). The most hazardous trees burned in the fire had to be removed in order to avoid impacts to the tunnel control building.

The Agency is still dealing with tree mortality on the road into the dam (see Figure I-15). Significant debris flow began immediately following the fire, and continues today. An example of this can be seen on Figure I-16.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-52
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Figure I-14 Burns on Piping from North Complex Fire
Source: SFWPA
Figure I-15 Tree Mortality around SFWPA – USFS Road to South Fork Diversion Dam

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-53
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Source: SFWPA
Figure I-16 Transported North Complex Fire Debris on Dam After Storm Event Source: SFWPA
Climate Change and Wildfire
It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts from wildfire. More information on future impacts to the Agency can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Warmer temperatures can exacerbate drought conditions. Drought often kills plants and trees, which serve as fuel for wildfires. Warmer temperatures could increase the number of wildfires and pest outbreaks, such as the western pine beetle. Cal-Adapt’s wildfire tool predicts the potential increase in the amount of burned areas for the year 2090-2099, as compared to recent (2010) conditions. This is shown in Section 4.3.16 of the Base Plan. Based on this model, Cal-Adapt predicts that wildfire risk in Plumas County will increase moderately at the end of the century. However, wildfire models can vary depending on the parameters used. Cal-Adapt does not take landscape and fuel sources into account in their model. In all likelihood, in the Plumas County Planning Area, precipitation patterns, high levels of heat, topography, and fuel load will determine the frequency and intensity of future wildfire.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-54
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Vulnerability to Wildfire
Risk and vulnerability to the Agency from wildfire is of significant concern. Wildfires that occur in the Agency occur from a variety of both natural and manmade causes. The Agency can be affected both by fires that start on or near Agency lands as well as those that start elsewhere and move into the Agency. In addition to burning large areas of land, air quality can be affected in the Agency by smoke from fires occurring inside the Agency as well as those from many miles away.

The whole of the Agency is at some measure of vulnerability to wildfire. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to wildfire begins with an understanding of local exposure to wildfire. This is included in the Local Concerns section below followed by a discussion of the Agency’s Assets at Risk to this hazard.

The Agency noted that, with the exception of Kelly Powerhouse, the entire Power Division is located in the very high hazard portion of the map provided above. In addition to power generation assets, the hillsides surrounding the Miners Ranch Canal are also extremely vulnerable to wildfire risks, which then cause soil erosion issues during the winter months.

Also of concern to the Agency is the potential loss of water availability for fire suppression and/or consumption. Wastewater treatment can also be rendered inoperable when wildfire eliminates the availability of electricity. Without backup electricity generation, water and wastewater cannot be conveyed.

Water quality will also suffer if water treatment functionality is compromised. The economic impact alone to the Agency, including the loss of function of buildings and infrastructure and the cost of reacting to these fires is a major concern.

People and Populations
All populations (both Agency staff and Service Area populations) are at some vulnerability to wildfire.

Certain vulnerable populations are at greater risk to the effects of wildfire as well as smoke and air quality issues that wildfires bring. Vulnerable populations include the unhoused , infants and children under age five and their caregivers, older populations, individuals with disabilities, individuals’ dependent on medical equipment, individuals who exercise, recreate, or work (like Agency staff) outdoors, and individuals with impaired mobility.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-55
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January 2026
Structures and Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
All structures in the Agency have some risk to wildfire. Wildfire presents a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. This includes all Agency assets in Table I-2.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the Agency, the impacts to natural, historic and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources, and total destruction of natural resources. Debris and runoff from burned areas can affect reservoirs and rivers in the Agency. Historic and cultural resources can be damaged or destroyed and are often more vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures, critical facilities and infrastructure, and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities. Out of control wildfires can have catastrophic impacts. Wildfires can cause short-term and long-term disruption to the Agency. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the Agency by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the Agency; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the Agency, as well as from within.

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January 2026
residents. Agency residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the County and from those much further away.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the Agency may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile above), changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. These are discussed in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions
Future conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development. Findings on this for the SFWPA include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the Agency to wildfire.
➢ Population projections within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Agency show general populations to be slightly declining. It is unknown how population patterns and demographics in this area of the County will change in the near future. The Agency may add staff, but this number would be relatively small. The Agency noted that it has no control over population changes within its jurisdictional boundaries. However, the Agency will be improving and adding new facilities within their boundaries as part of the SFWPA’s relicensing of the Power project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with recreational opportunities. It is anticipated that this new development will bring additional recreational populations to the area. Additional populations recreating in the Agency boundaries may lead to a slight increase in the vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard.
➢ The SFWPA is currently in the process of relicensing its Power Project that will add additional infrastructure improvements including many associated with additional recreational opportunities.

Improved and new recreational assets constructed by the Agency within their boundaries has the potential to increase the impacts and vulnerability of the SFWPA to this hazard. Changes in land use and development in the Agency are expected to be limited in the near future and thus are not likely to affect wildfire impacts to the Agency. In addition, adherence to protective building codes for new development will also assist in limiting future impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the Agency to this hazard. With adherence to development standards, future losses to new development should be minimal.

Future Development
Additional growth and development within the very high fire hazard severity zones in the Agency would place additional assets at risk to wildfire. The Agency will take wildfire into account when siting new facilities. Fire hydrants, defensible space, well production, water storage, and distribution should all be

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considered when assessing future development. New facilities will be built to the most current California Building standards for wildfire.

The Agency’s SFWPA Project 2088 is in areas affected by wildfire. Additionally, the Power Project heavily subsidizes water rates, and therefore anything that happened at the top of the system (and potentially inducing failure through the system) would have a catastrophic economic impact to the Agency by modifying/losing maximum power generation capabilities.

I.5 Capability Assessment
Capabilities are the programs and policies currently in use to reduce hazard impacts or that could be used to implement hazard mitigation activities. This capabilities assessment is divided into five sections:
regulatory mitigation capabilities, administrative and technical mitigation capabilities, fiscal mitigation capabilities, mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships, and other mitigation efforts.

I.5.1. Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Table I-10 lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in the SFWPA.

Note: The Agency does not have the authority to regulate land use and development within its jurisdiction.

Authority for promulgating and enforcing zoning, land use, and development requirements falls to counties and incorporated communities. As such development within the Agency’s jurisdictional boundaries will conform to the zoning and land use development ordinances and building codes of the county or incorporated community in which the Agency is located.

Table I-10 SFWPA’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan Y Available funds are distributed for operational upgrades that vary from IT to Safety Equipment
Climate Change Adaptation Plan N
Community Wildfire Protection Plan N
Comprehensive/Master Plan Y General Operational Guidelines that support both Power and Water Divisions
Continuity of Operations Plan Y Miners Ranch Treatment Plant and the Water Division for domestic water distribution
Economic Development Plan N
Land Use Plan N
Local Emergency Operations Plan Y Emergency Action Plans are written for both Water and Power Divisions
Stormwater Management Plan N

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-58
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
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Transportation Plan N
Other (describe)
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
N Plumas County
Building code N Plumas County
Flood insurance rate maps N Plumas County
Floodplain ordinance N Plumas County
Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
N Plumas County
Subdivision ordinance N Plumas County
Zoning ordinance N Plumas County
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? SFWPA and Plumas County staff continue to collaborate on emergency response procedures in and around Agency assets. Plumas County Office of Emergency Services is a bookholder of the SFPP Emergency Action Plan. We will continue working together to streamline respective management and response capabilities.

Source: SFWPA
Language in the Plumas County Municipal Code Regarding SFWPA CHAPTER 2. - OROVILLE-WYANDOTTE IRRIGATION DISTRICT WATERS AND LANDS Sec. 10-2.01. - Project area.

The water surface of any lake owned by the Oroville-Wyandotte Irrigation District and lying within the County and any portion of land owned by the Oroville-Wyandotte Irrigation District and inundated by such reservoir surface lying within the County shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. This chapter shall further apply to any land owned by the Oroville-Wyandotte Irrigation District located within the boundaries of the Federal Power Commission License for the South Fork Project, Federal Power Commission License No. 2088, and located in the County. All of such area is referred to in this chapter as the "project area". (§ 1, Ord. 78-268, eff. June 6, 1978) I.5.2. Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Table I-11 identifies the Agency department(s) responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the SFWPA.

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Table I-11 SFWPA’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official N Plumas County
Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
Y Power Division Manager, Chief Dam Safety Engineer, Chief Dam Safety Coordinator
Community Planner N Plumas County
Emergency Manager Y Power Division Manager, Chief Dam Safety Engineer, Emergency Action Plan Coordinator
Floodplain Administrator N Plumas County
GIS Coordinator N Plumas County
Planning Commission N Plumas County
Other
Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing N
Hazard data and information N
GIS analysis Y Limited inhouse capabilities
Mutual aid agreements Y Plumas County
Other N
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Staff train on emergency response and recovery throughout the year. The power division also works collaboratively with local EMS partners to conduct rescue trainings at hydropower facilities. Every year the Agency hosts all Emergency Action Plan bookkholders to review contents and discuss updates, and every five years hosts a functional exercise. SFWPA staff will continue working with Plumas County staff, along with USDA, Forest Service Land Agents to review any grant opportunities, and will continue working together to streamline respective management and response capabilities. SFWPA will continue to work with Plumas Co OES to review evacuation zones impacted by theoretical inundation flows from Agency owned facilities in order to provide the PCSO with the best information for evacuation decisions.

Source: SFWPA
I.5.3. Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table I-12 identifies financial tools or resources that the Agency could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

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Table I-12 SFWPA’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding Y Infrastructure Upgrades for both Water and Power Divisions
Community Development Block Grant N
Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) Y Reviewing all available options for grant funding to increase water service capabilities
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services Y Operational expenses to provide domestic and irrigation water to customers
Impact fees for new development Y System Capacity Fees
State funding programs Y Reviewing all available options for grant funding to increase water service capabilities
Stormwater utility fee N
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Continue to monitor various grants opportunities available to improve dam infrastructure.

Source: SFWPA
I.5.4. Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table I-13 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Table I-13 SFWPA’s Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters N
Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
N
Local news N
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
N
Social media N
Other Yes The Agency website includes Dam Safety
content with public safety materials specific to
the SFPP for viewing and printing. The Agency
maintains a Public Safety Plan specific to the
SFPP assets.

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Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The Agency will continue to provide Dam Safety content to the public on the website, at monthly Board of Directors meetings, and through enhanced safety signage throughout the Project.

Source: SFWPA
I.5.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
The Agency has many other completed or ongoing mitigation projects/efforts that include the following:
➢ Emergency Action Plans, Hazardous Waste Plans, Environmental Studies, and Security plans are maintained and updated as needed by the Agency.

I.6 Mitigation Strategy
I.6.1. Mitigation Goals and Objectives
The SFWPA adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.

I.6.2. NFIP Mitigation Strategy
The Agency does not participate in the NFIP, as it is not an eligible participant. Many of the Agency’s projects work to reduce impacts from flooding thus furthering the objectives of the NFIP.

I.6.3. Mitigation Actions
The Planning Team for the SFWPA identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information and information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, potential funding, , and timeline are also included. The following hazards were considered a priority to the Agency for purposes of mitigation action planning based on criteria detailed in Chapter 5:
➢ Climate Change
➢ Dam Failure
➢ Earthquake
➢ Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow
➢ Severe Weather: Heavy Rain and Storms (Wind, Hail, Lightning) ➢ Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality)
Non-priority hazards to the Agency for mitigation planning include:
➢ Agricultural Hazards (Severe Weather/Pests/Invasive Species) ➢ Drought & Water shortage (w/tree mortality)

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➢ Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/levee failure)
➢ Floods: Localized Stormwater
➢ Hazardous Materials Transport
➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow (w/avalanche) ➢ Severe Weather: Extreme Heat
➢ Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornado
➢ Volcano
It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 in the Base Plan benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the countywide public outreach action, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards and jurisdictions regardless of hazard priority. Collectively, this LHMP’s multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this plan. It should further be noted, that each jurisdiction has focused on identifying those mitigation actions and projects to address their priority hazards, which are both realistic and reasonable for them to implement for this 5-year planning process, and would like to preserve their right to modify hazard priorities should future projects be identified where the implementing jurisdiction has the future capacity to implement.

Mitigation Actions
Action 1. Little Grass Valley Dam Spillway Northern Slope Stabilization and Rockfall Protection Project
Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Dam Failure, Earthquake, Landslide, Mudslide, and Debris Flow, Heavy Rains and Storms, Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The spillway at Little Grass Valley Dam was constructed by excavation of volcanic rock material of intrinsically high specimen strength. The mass strength properties of the rock is fundamentally degraded by preexisting, adversely oriented, persistent, intersecting planar rock defects – joints and sheer surfaces oriented adversely with respect to the exposed cute faces of the spillway and road. The spillway is at risk from landslide, heavy rains and storms, earthquake, and wildfires (exacerbated by climate change), as each can cause:

1. Rockfall into spillway damaging spillway gates trunnion arm, allowing for uncontrolled release of reservoir.

2. Rockfall and debris falls into the spillway and the blocking leads to overtopping of the dam, allowing for uncontrolled release of the reservoir.

These failure modes could potentially be initiated during a significant enough seismic or severe storm event.

This is a larger issue when antecedent rainfall has swelled the pool above the dam. Wildfire burn scars may

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-63
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
cause additional landslide and rockfall in the areas above the dam. This may be exacerbated by future climate change issues.

Project Description: The Little Grass Valley Dam Slope Stabilization and Rockfall Protection Project will require further engineering review of recently completed geological assessments in order to determine the most appropriate mitigation strategies. South Feather Water & Power Agency is currently under contract to conduct further field investigations and develop fully engineered design plans and specifications. The purpose of the mitigation measures will be to reduce the risk of damage to the spillway structure due to rock fall events. Possible mitigation measures could include rock scaling, minor excavations, rock anchors and rock fall netting designed to conform to the existing slope face and reduce the risk of erosion and sediment accumulation within the spillway.

Other Alternatives: Other alternatives such as soil nails and/or shotcrete application are not being considered at this time due to cost.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: The engineering review and project design is being funded out of the Agency’s budget. The Agency will explore all options for funding to construct the mitigation project.

Responsible Office/Partners: South Feather Water & Power Agency Regulatory Compliance Manager in coordination with Board.

Benefits (Losses Avoided): The Little Grass Valley Dam Slope Stabilization and Rockfall Protection Project will prevent rockfall into the spillway that could damage spillway gates trunnion arm, allowing for uncontrolled release of reservoir, and/or prevent rockfall and debris into the spillway and creating damage or blockage leading to overtopping of the dam, allowing for uncontrolled release of the reservoir Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): South Feather Water & Power Agency Operating Budget. Any applicable and available grant opportunities will be explored.

Timeline: October 2025 through January 2030
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Action 2. South Feather Power Project New License Management Plan Updates Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Wildfire, Drought and Water Shortage Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): As a component of a new hydropower license for the South Feather Power Project (SFPP), SFWPA is required to consult with state and federal regulators and stakeholders to produce Management Plans that outline management of resources consistent with license requirements within the SFPP boundary. The current versions of these management plans have not been updated since 2019. Since that time, there have been multiple wildfires and climate driven events that should be considered in order to integrate wildfire preparedness and climate resilience in future plan updates.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-64
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Project Description: SFWPA and the required stakeholders last held working sessions on the current versions of the Management Plans in 2019. Since that time, the Plumas National Forest (which encompasses the South Fork Power Project footprint) has experienced multiple state and federally declared wildfires and climate driven events such as drought (reduced surface/groundwater), heavy storms, and associated tree mortality.

The overall purpose of the Management Plans is to provide appropriate protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures throughout the South Feather Power Project as part of the new license. SFWPA will update and implement these Management Plans in coordination with the conditions in the new license once issued. These Management Plans will include mitigation considerations for wildfire and other hazards of concern.

Other Alternatives: Other alternatives, such as public education efforts on the SFWPA regarding FireWise behavior and dam safety will continue to be deployed via the website and monthly Board of Directors meetings, however, this does not include the required collaborative efforts required to update the FERC license Management Plans.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: South Feather Water & Power Agency in conjunction with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and State Water Resources Control Board (collectively Resource Agencies) has the following Management Plans in either draft or final format that will need to be updated to include impacts from wildfire and climate driven events:
➢ Aquatic Monitoring Plan
➢ Fire Prevention and Response Plan
➢ Integrated Vegetation Management Plan
➢ Recreation Facilities Management Plan
➢ Road Use Management Plan
➢ Water Quality Plan
Responsible Office/Partners: South Feather Water & Power Agency Regulatory Compliance Manager in conjunction with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and State Water Resources Control Board (collectively Resource Agencies) will be responsible for plan updates. SFWPA will submit the Management Plans to FERC according to an established post-license issuance timeline.

Benefits (Losses Avoided): In conjunction with FERC and interested stakeholders, updates to the SFPP Management Plans will incorporate elements to minimize life safety issues, property loss, environmental damages, and economic impacts associated with wildfires or extreme climate driven events within the SFPP boundary.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): South Feather Water & Power Agency Operating Budget. Any applicable and available grant opportunities will be explored, including FEMA HMA grant funding.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-65
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Timeline: October 2025 through January 2030 (FERC license issuance dependent) Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Action 3. South Feather Power Project (SFPP) Regulatory Dam Safety Rehabilitation Project Engineering Analysis and Design
Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Dam Failure, Earthquake, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The three SFWPA dams located in Plumas County are part of an overall system of the SFPP which includes four hydroelectric developments located on three waterways:
the South Fork Feather River, Lost Creek, and Slate Creek. Lost Creek and Slate Creek are tributaries to the South Fork Feather River and the North Yuba River, respectively. The project occupies 1,977.12 acres of federal land administered by Plumas National Forest and 10.57 acres of federal land administered by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The SFPP construction was completed in the early 1960s. In addition to environmental compliance items outlined in the yet to be issued new FERC license, ongoing updates to state and federal regulatory requirements for dam safety will require future infrastructure modifications to both high and low hazard dams associated with the SFPP.

Project Description: Due to regulatory changes, there is work to be done on structures at the Little Grass Valley Dam (high hazard) that was historically considered repair work to be done by internal staff, which now is considered rehabilitation work that must be designed and overseen by outside engineering staff. All design and project work must be approved by FERC. The Agency will be completing some minor repairs to the spillway deck in order to comply with current regulations.

Dam improvements will consider impacts from natural hazards of concern to the Agency, such as Earthquake, Climate Change, Heavy Rains and Storms and others.

When the new FERC license is issued for the SFPP, there will be minimum in-stream flow requirements that the current infrastructure at the South Fork Diversion Dam and Slate Creek Diversion Dam (both low hazard) cannot meet. The Agency will begin engineering analysis required to design these infrastructure modifications to comply with environmental protections. All of this engineering design work must go through the state and federal permitting and/or approval process prior to construction.

Other Alternatives: No Action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: FERC staff routinely inspect the SFPP to ensure there are no potential dam safety problems; no safety concerns related to natural disasters; or issues concerning compliance with the terms and conditions of the SFWPA license. Every 5 years an independent consulting engineer, approved by the FERC must inspect and evaluate projects with dams. These inspection findings set the timeline for further technical investigations and rehab projects. On March 26, 2007, SFWPA filed an application to relicense its 117.3-megawatt SFPP, and the issuance of the new license will also dictate timelines for further technical investigations and rehab projects.

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Plumas County SFWPA Annex I-66
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
January 2026
Responsible Office/Partners: South Feather Water & Power Agency Regulatory Compliance Manager in coordination with Board.

Benefits (Losses Avoided): SFPP infrastructure rehabilitation projects will allow for compliant dam safety operations that are protective of all downstream populations, as well and mitigating Project effects on the environment.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): South Feather Water & Power Agency Operating Budget. Any applicable and available grant opportunities will be explored including FEMA HMGP, HHPD funding.

Timeline: October 2025 through January 2030
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium

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Plumas County Appendix A-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
March 2026
Appendix A Planning Process
A.1 Lists of HMPC Invites/Stakeholders
A.1.1. LHMP Invite List

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Participating Jurisdictions
Lori Pini Plumas County OES Manager [email protected] Travis Goings Plumas County OES Director [email protected] Allen Homme Chester Public Utilities
District
[email protected]
Bonnie Mullaney Chester Public Utilities
District
[email protected]
Cheryl Johnson Chester Public Utilities
District
Office Manager/Clerk
to the BOD
[email protected]
Susan Martinez Chester Public Utilities
District
[email protected]
Bill Powers City of Portola [email protected]
Karen Downs City of Portola Planning (Consultant) [email protected] Ryan Bonk City of Portola Manager [email protected] Susan Scarlet City of Portola Interim City Manager [email protected] Pat Morton City of Portola - Board
Member
[email protected]
Todd Roberts City of Portola Public
Works
Director [email protected]
Brad Underwood Feather River Resource
Conservation District
Conservation Project
Coordinator
[email protected]
Michael Hall Feather River Resource
Conservation District
Manager [email protected]
Kathy Kogge Gold Mountain CSD Board Director [email protected] Skyler Allingham Gold Mountain CSD General Manager [email protected] Jamie Little Indian Valley CSD General Manager [email protected] Bob Orange Indian Valley Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Adam Cox Indian Valley Public
Utilities
Manager (outgoing) [email protected]
Gia Martynn Plumas Corp [email protected]
Jeanie Hinds Plumas Corporation Project Manager [email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-2
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Jim Wilcox Plumas Corporation Executive Director [email protected] Scott Corey Plumas Corporation [email protected] Michael Coelho Plumas County Building
Department
Building Official [email protected]
Jennifer Langston Plumas County Code
Enforcement
Code Enforcement
Officer
[email protected]
Roger Diefendorf Plumas County
Community
Development
Commission
Director [email protected]
Josh Brechtel Plumas County Counsel County Counsel [email protected] Laura Adkins Plumas County
Department of Social
Services
Director [email protected]
Rob Robinette Plumas County
Environmental Health
Director [email protected]
Nick Collins Plumas County Facility
Services
Director [email protected]
Amber Hughes Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Outeach Coordinator [email protected]
Dale Ready Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
[email protected]
Darrell Webster Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Firewood Processing
Project Manager
[email protected]
Gary Parque Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Community Chipping
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
John Reynolds Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
[email protected]
Katie Quinn Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Hazardous Fuels
Reduction Project
Manager
[email protected]
Sally McGowan Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
sally @plumasfiresafe.org
Tommy Brenzovich Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Senior/Disabled
Defensible Space
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Becky Osborn Plumas County GIS GIS Coordinator [email protected] Tracey Ferguson Plumas County Planning Director [email protected] Marco Velazquez Plumas County Planning
Department
Associate Planner [email protected]
Tim Evans Plumas County Planning
Department
Planning - Extra Help [email protected]
Charles Schrammel Plumas County Public
Health
[email protected]
Lori Beatley Plumas County Public
Health
[email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-3
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Nicole Reinert Plumas County Public
Health
Director [email protected]
Tina Venable Plumas County Public
Health
Director of Nursing [email protected]
Rob Thorman Plumas County Public
Works
Director [email protected]
Jeremy Beatley Plumas County Sheriffs
Office
[email protected]
Steve Peay Plumas County Sheriffs
Office
[email protected]
Chad Hermann Plumas County Sheriffs
Office/OES
Undersheriff [email protected]
Chandler Peay Plumas County Sheriffs
Office/OES
Dispatch Manager [email protected]
John Rowden Plumas Eureka
Community Services
District
Project Manager [email protected]
Jamar Tate Plumas Eureka
Community Services
District
Manager [email protected]
Matt West Plumas Fire Safe Council Program Director [email protected] Kai Walters Recovery Risk Staff [email protected] Marty Walters Recovery Risk
Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Principal/Owner
County Coordinator
[email protected]
Kristen McKillop South Feather Water and
Power Agency
Regulatory Compliance
Manager
[email protected]
Stakeholders
Joe Fish Air Quality [email protected]
Carlos Espana Almanor Recreation and
Park District
Trails Coordinator [email protected]
Susan Espana Almanor Recreation and
Park District
Treasurer [email protected]
Wally Bird Almanor Recreation and
Park District
Board Director [email protected]
Chris Durkin Almanor West Mutual
Water Company
Manager [email protected]
Katie Nunn American Valley CSD General Manager [email protected] Bob Nelson ARES - auxiliary
communications
Emergency
Coordinator -
KA6NSN - Amateur
Radio
[email protected]
Duncan Cameron Beckwourth Fire - Sierra
Valley Fire
[email protected]
Jack Rosevear Beckwourth Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-4
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Dan Gustafson BLM [email protected]
Emily Ryan BLM Eagle Lake Office Field Manager [email protected] David Beskeen Bucks Lake Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Kate Beth Kalinosky Burlington Northern
Santa Fe
[email protected]
David Stewart CA Public Utilities
Commission
Division of Rail Safety [email protected]
Naveed Paydar CA Public Utilities
Commission
Local Government
Liaison
[email protected]
Erik Hanson CAL FIRE Fire Captain [email protected] Eric Ewing CAL FIRE [email protected]
Joe Walton CAL FIRE [email protected]
Jonathan Pangburn CAL FIRE [email protected] Jennifer Dwyer Cal DWR [email protected]
Martin Janolo Cal DWR Regional Engineer [email protected] Remy Gill Cal DWR Floodplain
Management
[email protected]
Robert Curry Cal DWR Division of Dam
Safety
[email protected]
Robert Goyeneche Cal OES [email protected] Lacey Carney California Highway
Patrol Quincy
Sergeant [email protected]
Ryan Pedersen California Highway
Patrol Quincy
Commander CHP [email protected]
Shane Black California Highway
Patrol
[email protected]
Clint Burkenpas Caltrans [email protected]
Jessica Santos Caltrans-District 2 [email protected] Joshua Dixon Caltrans-District 2 Superintendent [email protected] Ben Huffer CDFW Env. Scientist [email protected] Kyle Kroll CDFW Wildlife Specialist [email protected] Mario Klip CDFW Env. Scientist [email protected] Robert Hosea CDFW Wildlife Specialist [email protected] Joseph Rudeen CDSS [email protected]
James Shipp Central Plumas
Recreation & Park
District
General Manager [email protected]
Tim McCrink CGS Seismic Hazards
Program
[email protected]
Erik Egide CHP [email protected]
Jonathan Bruno CHP [email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-5
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Jennifer Lacy Clio Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Galen Smith Collins Pine [email protected]
Howard Hughes Collins Pine [email protected]
Ian James Collins Pine Safety Officer [email protected] Katie Reid-Harris Community
Development
[email protected]
Annie Adcock Connecting Point [email protected] Ken Donnell Donnell Microphones [email protected] or
[email protected]
Christopher
Woodward
DOT [email protected]
DeeDee Clark Eastern Plumas
Healthcare
[email protected]
Doug McCoy Eastern Plumas
Healthcare
CEO [email protected]
Stan Peiler Eastern Plumas
Healthcare
[email protected]
Mimi Garner Eastern Plumas
Recreation District
Board Chair [email protected]
Anthony Warndorf Feather River College Director of Facilities [email protected] Kevin Trutna Feather River College President [email protected] Corey Pargee Feather River Land
Trust
Executive Director [email protected]
Nils Lunder Feather River Land
Trust
Stewardship Director [email protected]
Shelton Douthit Feather River Land
Trust
Conservation Director [email protected]
John Amis Fish & Wildlife [email protected]
J. Lundquist GIS [email protected]
Gold Lake Lodge [email protected]
Chuck Bowman Graeagle Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Ed Ward Graeagle Fire Protection
District
Chief [email protected]
Jim Stockdale Graeagle Fire Protection
District
[email protected]
Harvey West Graeagle Land and
Water Company
Board Member, Vice
President
[email protected]
Tyson Rael Greenhorn Creek Fire
District
Chief [email protected]
Rebecca Herrin Greenhorn CSD Board Chair [email protected] Roy Carter Greenhorn CSD [email protected]
Danny Manning Greenville Rancheria [email protected]

Page 1423 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-6
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Kyle Self Greenville Rancheria Chair [email protected] Bob Howell Grizzly Lake CSD [email protected]
Linda VanDahlen Grizzly Lake CSD [email protected]
John Reynolds Grizzly Ranch Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Larry Smith Grizzly Ranch
Community Services
District
[email protected]
Robert Gray Hamilton Branch Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Jan Hammill Hamilton Branch/East
Shore/Seneca
Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Brenna Howell Howell Consulting Plumas County
Consultant to LHMP
[email protected]
Destiny Bloxham Indian Valley Recreation
and Park District
[email protected]
General Email Indian Valley Recreation
and Park District
[email protected]
Steve Burroughs La Porte Fire Protection
District
Chief [email protected]
Jennifer Stephenson LAFCO Executive Director [email protected] Janie Ackley Lassen National Forest Almanor Ranger
District
[email protected]
Nick Bunch Lassen National Forest Almanor Ranger
District
[email protected]
Russell Nickerson Lassen National Forest Almanor Ranger District, District
Ranger
[email protected]
Silas Rojas Lassen OES [email protected]
Mike Flanigan Leavitt Group Co-Owner [email protected] Shawna Mayo Liberty Utilities [email protected] Steve McDowell Long Valley CSD Chairperson [email protected] Megan McCrorey Long Valley Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Harvey Merino Maidu Summit
Consortium
[email protected]
Jack Medici Maidu Summit
Consortium
Restoration Specialist
Michelle Fulton Meadow Valley Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Paul Mrowczynsk Meadow Valley Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Ron Heinbockel Meadow Valley Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Warren Grandall Meadow Valley FD Weather spotter PU-28 [email protected]

Page 1424 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-7
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Lafe Alexander Meadow Valley Fire [email protected]
Meadow Valley Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Gail Slavik Mohawk Vista Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Dawn Johnson National Weather
Service - Reno
Warning Coordination
Meteorologist
[email protected]
Courtney Carpenter National Weather
Service - Sacramento
Warning Coordination
Meteorologist
[email protected]
Trina Cunningham Native American Tribal
consultant
Tribal Forest & Fire
Mark Thomas Norcal EMS [email protected]
Cynthia M. Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
[email protected]
Julie Ruiz Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
Field Office Rep [email protected]
Melissa Klundby Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
Field Office Rep [email protected]
Mikki Brown Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
[email protected]
Suzie Tarnay Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
[email protected]
Sally McGowan Old Highway Rd.

Quincy
Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Jill Harris Pacific Forest Trust Project Manager,
Healthy Watersheds
California
[email protected]
Kate Rahmeyer PCRIC [email protected]
Jodee Read PDH [email protected]
Rich Sonsteng Peninsula Fire
Protection District
Fire Chief [email protected]
Robert Gray Peninsula Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Brenda Narayan PG&E Public Safety Specialist [email protected] David Hawks PG&E Public Safety Specialist [email protected] Dwight Cerasola Plumas Board of
Supervisors
[email protected]
Taletha Washburn Plumas Charter School Executive Director [email protected] Eliza Fletcher Plumas Co. Behavioral
Health
[email protected]

Page 1425 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-8
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Alex Saez Plumas County Animal
Services
Animal Control
Supervisor
[email protected]
Cynthia Froggatt Plumas County
Assessor's Office
Assessor [email protected]
Jeff Engle Plumas County Board of
Supervisors
District 5 [email protected]
Kevin Goss Plumas County Board of
Supervisors
District 2 [email protected]
Mimi Hall Plumas County Board of
Supervisors
District 4 [email protected]
Tom McGowan Plumas County Board of
Supervisors
District 3 [email protected]
John Steffanic Plumas County Fair Director [email protected] Paul Russell Plumas County Museum Director [email protected] Chris Spencer Plumas County Planning
Commission
Commissioner District
1 [email protected]
Harvey West Plumas County Planning
Commission
Commissioner District
5 [email protected]
Jack Montgomery Plumas County Planning
Commission
Commissioner District
3 [email protected]
Moorea Hoffman
Stout
Plumas County Planning
Commission
Commissioner District
2 [email protected]
Plumas County Planning
Commission
Commissioner District
4 [email protected]
Keevin Allred Plumas County
Probation
Director [email protected]
Mimi Garner Plumas County Special
District Association
President [email protected]
Bill Wickman Plumas District Hospital Board Member [email protected] Darren Beatty Plumas District Hospital COO [email protected] Zoe Stancer Plumas District Hospital Safety Officer [email protected] Steve Janovick Plumas Eureka Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Steve Munsen Plumas Eureka Fire
District
Chief [email protected]
Darrell Webster Plumas Fire Safe [email protected] Amber Marshall Plumas National Forest [email protected] Caitlin Ostomel Plumas National Forest [email protected] Clayton Beck Plumas National Forest [email protected] Joel Bronk Plumas National Forest Grizzly Station Captain [email protected] Leslie Edlund Plumas National Forest [email protected] Marty Senter Plumas National Forest [email protected] Patrick Callahan Plumas National Forest [email protected] Thomas Grubbs Plumas National Forest [email protected]

Page 1426 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-9
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Nina Peay Plumas Rural Services [email protected] Jason Harston Plumas Sierra Rural
Electric
[email protected]
Robin Daun Plumas Unified School
District
Maintenance and
Operations Supervisor
[email protected]
Jim Frost Plumas Unified School
District
Interim Superintendent [email protected]
Melissa Leal Plumas Unified School
District
Assistant
Superintendent
[email protected]
Willo Vieira Plumas-Sierra
Department of
Agriculture
Staff [email protected]
Bob Marshall Plumas-Sierra Rural
Electric Cooperative
General Manager [email protected]
Emily Compton Plumas-Sierra Rural
Electric Cooperative
Community Relations
Manager
[email protected]
David Schmid Quincy Fire Protection
District
Captain [email protected]
Frank Carey Quincy Fire Protection
District
Chief [email protected]
Karrie White Quincy Fire Protection
District
[email protected]
Riley DuPont Quincy Fire Protection
District
[email protected]
Greg Kinne Quincy
Firewise/Wildfire
Mitigation Specialist
[email protected]
Celeste Gauna RCAC [email protected]
Jennifer Leighty RCAC [email protected]
Michael Rodriguez Red Cross Northeastern
California Chapter
[email protected]
Sam Blesse REMSA [email protected]
John Parks River Valley Beckwourth Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Celeste Gauna Rural Community
Assistance Corporation
[email protected]
Billy Davies Seneca Firewise [email protected]
Brady Haynes Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]
Chelssa Outland Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]
Jerri Nielsen Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
President Board of
Directors
[email protected]
Linda McCurdy Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]

Page 1427 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-10
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Royce Raker Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]
Shawn McKenzie Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
CAO [email protected]
Sierra Butte's Trail
Stewardship
[email protected]
LeTina Vanetti Sierra County OES [email protected] Danielle Berry Sierra Institute [email protected] David Ornelas Sierra Institute Tribal Workforce
Specialist
[email protected]
Heather Reineking Sierra Institute Hydrology Project
Specialist
[email protected]
Isabella Bledsoe Sierra Institute [email protected] Zach Browning Sierra Institute [email protected] Leana Weissberg Sierra Pacific Industries [email protected] Matt Taborski Sierra Pacific Industries Division Manager [email protected] Steve DeBonis Sierra Pacific Industries Almanor District Manager
[email protected]
Jenny Gant Sierra Valley
Groundwater
Management District
Board Clerk [email protected]
Victoria Fisher Sierra Valley Resource
Conservation District
Coordinator [email protected]
James “Bull” Asher Sierraville Fire and
Rescue
Battalion Chief [email protected]
Andrea Irving Smith Creek Ranch Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Ryan McKillop Sopher Wheeler [email protected] Paul Violett Sopher Wheeler [email protected]
Kristen McKillop South Feather River [email protected] Jason Moghaddas Spatial Informatics
Group
Natural Hazards Team [email protected]
Richard Stockton State Farm Agent [email protected] Rachel Hutchinson Tahoe National Forest Sierraville Ranger District, Acting Deputy
Forest Supervisor
[email protected]
Mike Yost Taylorsville Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Bill Jacks Terra Fuego [email protected]
Kane Russell UC Cooperative
Extension
[email protected]
Tracy Schohr UC Cooperative
Extension
Livestock and Natural
Resources Advisor
[email protected]
Peggy Ygbuhay Union Pacific Railroad Sr. Director, Public Affairs
[email protected]

Page 1428 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-11
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Robert Bavier UP [email protected]
Uma Hinman Upper Feather River
IRWM
Regional Water
Management Group
[email protected]
Matthew Roberts US Army Corps of
Engineers
Sacramento District,
Redding Field Office,
Project Manager
[email protected]
Bryan Alexander US Department of
Agriculture
LE - Patrol Captain [email protected]
Benjamin McNally USDA NRCS [email protected]
John Scott Outland USFS [email protected]
Kevin Schmidt USGS [email protected]
Joe Waterman W. Almanor Fire
Department
[email protected]
Rob Thorman Walker Ranch CSD Plumas County Public
Works
[email protected]
Matt Turner West Almanor Fire
District
Chief [email protected]
Tom Vannoy Whitehawk Mutual
Water Company
Operations Manager [email protected]
Joleen Cline Whitehawk Ranch CSD Administrative
Assistant
[email protected]
Central Plumas Rec
Dept
[email protected]
Chester Chamber [email protected]
Dale Knutsen [email protected]
Greenhorn CSD [email protected]
Hannah Hepner [email protected]
Members of the Public
Kyle Felker Community Member
Tina Hopkins Community Member
Inge Houck Community Member
Terri Simon-Jackson Community Member
Gerd Ebeling Community Member -
Firewise
A.1.2. HMPC Participant List

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Participating Jurisdictions
Lori Pini Plumas County OES Manager [email protected] Travis Goings Plumas County OES Director [email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-12
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Bonnie Mullaney Chester Public Utilities
District
General Manager [email protected]
Susan Martinez Chester PUD [email protected]
Karen Downs City of Portola Consultant [email protected] Ryan Bonk City of Portola Manager [email protected] Susan Scarlet City of Portola Interim City Manager [email protected] Pat Morton City of Portola - Board
Member
[email protected]
Ryan Bonk City of Portola City
Manager's Office
City Manager [email protected]
Brad Underwood Feather River Resource
Conservation District
Conservation Project
Coordinator
[email protected]
Michael Hall Feather River Resource
Conservation District
District Manager [email protected]
Kathy Kogge Gold Mountain Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Kathy Kogge Gold Mountain CSD Board Director [email protected] Skyler Allingham Gold Mountain CSD General Manager [email protected] Adam Cox Indian Valley CSD Manager [email protected] Jamie Little Indian Valley CSD [email protected] Bob Orange Indian Valley Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]
Adam Cox Indian Valley Public
Utilities
Manager (outgoing) [email protected]
Gia Martynn Plumas Corp [email protected]
Jim Wilcox Plumas Corporation Executive Director [email protected] Michael Coelho Plumas County Building
Department
Building Official [email protected]
Jennifer Langston Plumas County Code
Enforcement
Code Enforcement
Officer
[email protected]
Josh Brechtel Plumas County Counsel County Counsel [email protected] Laura Adkins Plumas County
Department of Social
Services
Director [email protected]
Rob Robinette Plumas County
Environmental Health
Director [email protected]
Amber Hughes Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Outeach Coordinator [email protected]
Darrell Webster Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Firewood Processing
Project Manager
[email protected]
John Reynolds Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
[email protected]
Sally McGowan Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
sally @plumasfiresafe.org

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Plumas County Appendix A-13
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Tommy Brenzovich Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
Senior/Disabled
Defensible Space
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Becky Osborn Plumas County GIS GIS Coordinator [email protected] Tracey Ferguson Plumas County Planning Director [email protected] Charles Schrammel Plumas County Public
Health
[email protected]
Lori Beatley Plumas County Public
Health
[email protected]
Tina Venable Plumas County Public
Health
Director of Nursing [email protected]
Rob Thorman Plumas County Public
Works
Director [email protected]
Jeremy Beatley Plumas County Sheriffs
Office
[email protected]
John Rowden Plumas Eureka
Community Services
District
Project Manager [email protected]
Jamar Tate Plumas Eureka CSD Manager [email protected] Matt West Plumas Fire Safe Council Program Director [email protected] Kai Walters Recovery Risk Staff [email protected] Marty Walters Recovery Risk/ Plumas
County Fire Safe
Council
Principal/Owner
County Coordinator
[email protected]
Kristen McKillop South Feather Water and
Power Agency
Regulatory Compliance
Manager
[email protected]
Stakeholders
Erik Hanson CAL FIRE Fire Captain [email protected] Joe Walton CAL FIRE [email protected]
Remy Gill Cal DWR Floodplain
Management
[email protected]
Robert Goyeneche Cal OES [email protected] Shane Black California Highway
Patrol
[email protected]
Jessica Santos Caltrans-District 2 [email protected] Joshua Dixon Caltrans-District 2 Superintendent [email protected] Annie Adcock Connecting Point [email protected] DeeDee Clark Eastern Plumas
Healthcare
[email protected]
Bob Howell Grizzly Lake CSD [email protected]
Larry Smith Grizzly Ranch
Community Services
District
[email protected]
Robert Gray Hamilton Branch Fire
Protection District
Chief [email protected]

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Plumas County Appendix A-14
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Paul Mrowczynsk Meadow Valley Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Melissa Klundby Northern Sierra Air
Quality Management
District
Field Office Rep [email protected]
Brenda Narayan PG&E Public Safety Specialist [email protected] David Hawks PG&E Public Safety Specialist [email protected] Jeanie Hinds Plumas Corporation Project Manager [email protected] Mimi Hall Plumas County Board of
Supervisors
District 4 [email protected]
Dale Ready Plumas County Fire Safe
Council
[email protected]
Chad Hermann Plumas County Sheriffs
Office/OES
Undersheriff [email protected]
Zoe Stancer Plumas District Hospital Safety Officer [email protected] Marty Senter Plumas National Forest [email protected] Nina Peay Plumas Rural Services [email protected] Willo Vieira Plumas-Sierra
Department of
Agriculture
Staff [email protected]
Celeste Gauna RCAC [email protected]
Jennifer Leighty RCAC [email protected]
Billy Davies Seneca Firewise [email protected]
Brady Haynes Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]
Jerri Nielsen Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
President Board of
Directors
[email protected]
Linda McCurdy Seneca Healthcare
District Hospital
[email protected]
Zach Browning Sierra Institute [email protected] Mike Yost Taylorsville Firewise Community
Representative
[email protected]
Bill Jacks Terra Fuego [email protected]
Kane Russell UC Cooperative
Extension
[email protected]
Tracy Schohr UC Cooperative
Extension
Livestock and Natural
Resources Advisor
[email protected]
John Scott Outland USFS [email protected]
Joe Waterman W. Almanor Fire
Department
[email protected]
Public Members
Gerd Ebeling Community Member – –
Inge Christian Houck Community Member – –
Kai Walters Recovery Risk – –

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Plumas County Appendix A-15
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026

CONTACT ORGANIZATION TITLE EMAIL
Kyle Felker Community Member – –
Tim Jones Community Member – –
Tina Hopkins Community Member – –
Kevin Dangher Property Owner – –
Dustin Klein Public – –
Terri Simon-Jackson Public – –
Greg Kinnes Public – –
Charlotte Walters Quincy Resident – –
Greg Margason East Quincy Resident – –
Kyle Felker Community Member – –
A.2 Website for Hazard Mitigation Plan: Project Website

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Plumas County Appendix A-16
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026
A.3 Internal Participating Jurisdiction Kickoff Meeting A.3.1. Internal Meeting Email Invite
From: Pini, Lori <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 4:20 PM
To: Pini, Lori; Goings, Travis; [email protected]; Adam Cox; Ferguson, Tracey; Jeanine Foster; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Cc: [email protected]; John Rowden; Malachi Mansfield Subject: Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Kickoff Meeting When: Friday, December 13, 2024 10:00 AM-11:30 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).

Where: Microsoft Teams Meeting
Good morning,
Attached is the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting.

Thanks,
Lori

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Plumas County Appendix A-17
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026
A.3.2. Internal Meeting Agenda

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Plumas County Appendix A-18
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026
A.3.3. Internal Meeting Attendance Sheet
Dec 13, 2024 | #Plumas MJHMP Internal Planning Partner Kickoff Meeting
Attendees:

Lori Pini, Plumas County OES
Travis Goings, Plumas County OES
Tracey Ferguson, Plumas County Planning Director
Adam Cox - Indian Valley CSD, Chester PUD General Manager Jeanine Foster - Foster Morrison
John Rowden - Plumas Eureka CSD
Jamar Tate Plumas Eureka CSD
Ryon Bonk, City Manager, Portola
Brad Underwood FRRCD
Susan Scarlet, Interim City Manager, Portola
Malachi Mansfield - Deputy Admin City of Portola
Grizzly Lake CSD is also a participant, not available for meeting today <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; Adam Cox <[email protected]>; Ferguson, Tracey <[email protected]>; Jeanine Foster <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]>; John Rowden <[email protected]>; Malachi Mansfield <[email protected]>

Page 1436 ends

Plumas County Appendix A-19
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Udpate
March 2026
A.4 Internal Participating Jurisdiction Risk Assessment Worksheet Meeting
A.4.1. Meeting Invite to Internal Participating Jurisdictions From: Jeanine Foster
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 4:00 PM
To: Jeanine Foster; [email protected]; Goings, Travis; Ferguson, Tracey; Adam Cox ([email protected]); [email protected]; Bob Howell; [email protected]; John Rowden; Skyler Allingham; [email protected]; Tommy Brenzovich; Matthew West; McKillop, Kristen; [email protected]
Cc: Marty Walters; Vieira, Willo; Robinette, Rob; Chris Morrison; Coelho, Michael Subject: Plumas LHMP Update: Risk Assessment Worksheet - Working Meeting When: Monday, March 17, 2025 11:00 AM-12:30 PM (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).

Where: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83319083980?pwd=l1ge8bwvdWY2ND9yaOpHsreWKwALU7.1 All,
As participating jurisdictions, you all are invited to a Risk Assessment working meeting in support of the Plumas County LHMP Update project.

We will be working through the Risk Assessment Worksheet which identifies data required by FEMA to meet the new LHMP guidance for a FEMA approved LHMP.

A Risk Assessment Worksheet was sent out to all of you on March 3 and 4. The Risk Assessment Worksheet is focused on obtaining hazard related data internal to each of your jurisdictions and not otherwise readily available.

The goal of this meeting is to make sure everyone knows what type of data is being requested in the Risk Assessment Worksheet and to provide everyone with an opportunity to ask questions.

Also see attached Risk Assessment Worksheets that were sent out to everyone. There is a County specific worksheet, a City specific worksheet, and a Special District worksheet. Since the County and the City had previous LHMPs, they received Risk Assessment Worksheets that included information specific to their 2020 and 2019 LHMPs.

Feel free to forward this invite to anyone else in your jurisdictional organization that you would like to attend.

Hope you all can make it.

Thanks everyone!
Jeanine Foster
Foster Morrison Consulting
(303) 717-7171

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Portola City CouncilJune 10, 2026

Portola City Council
June 10, 2026