General Information

Government Type

State Agency

Entity

Department of Environmental Quality

Public Body

Division of Water Quality

Notice Information

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Notice Title

DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY UTAH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PUBLIC NOTICE TO ISSUE A SECTION 401 WATER QUATLITY CERTIFICATION

Notice Type(s)

Notice

Event Start Date & Time

December 30, 2025 04:10 PM

Event End Date & Time

January 28, 2026 05:00 PM

Description/Agenda

PURPOSE OF PUBLIC NOTICE The purpose of this public notice is to declare the State of Utah's intention to issue a Section 401Water Quality Certification with Conditions under the authority of the Federal Clean Water Act (33U.S.C. § 1341), and consistent with the Utah Water Quality Act, Title 19, Chapter 5, Utah Code and Utah Administrative Code R317-15. PERMIT INFORMATION PERMITTEE NAME: PacifiCorp MAILING ADDRESS: 825 NE Multnomah, Suite 1500 PROJECT LOCATION: Cottonwood Heights, Salt Lake County, Utah, approximately 40.623453 and -111.753627 CERTIFICATION NO.: DWQ-2025-05002 WATERCOURSES: Big Cottonwood Creek-2 AU UT16020204-020_00 (includes Big Cottonwood Creek and tributaries from Big Cottonwood WTP to headwaters) BACKGROUND PacifiCorp (project proponent) is seeking to reclassify its 1.2-megawatt Stairs Hydroelectric Project (proposed project) from a minor FERC project license (FERC License No. 597) to a conduit exemption under the Federal Power Act, a process started in February 2024. The project, located on Big Cottonwood Creek in Salt Lake County, Utah, was first licensed in 1957. The change is administrative; operations will not be altered, and there is no proposed construction for the facility. PacifiCorp asserts there will be no fill, stream alteration, or water-quality impacts, though the administrative shift requires reissuing the 401 Water Quality Certification. The facility operates as a run-of-river project, diverting flows from Big Cottonwood Creek via the Storm Mountain Dam into a penstock that leads to the powerhouse. After generating power, the water is released into a tailrace canal, which feeds directly into PacifiCorp's Granite Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 14293) and then into Salt Lake City's Big Cottonwood Canyon Water Treatment Plant (BCCWTP), the city's largest drinking water supplier. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comments are invited at any time prior to the deadline of the close of business on January 28, 2026. Written public comments can be submitted to: Linsey Shafer, General Permitting Section, Utah Division of Water Quality, PO Box 144870, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870 or by email at: wqcomments@utah.gov. After considering public comments the Utah Division of Water Quality may execute the Certification issuance, revise it or abandon it. The Certification is available for public review under https://deq.utah.gov/public-notices-archive/water-quality-public-notices A copy may be obtained by contacting Utah Division of Water Quality at (801) 536-4300.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Emily Canton at 801-536-4342.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

NA

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

195 N 1950 W
Floor 3
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
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Contact Name

Emily Canton

Contact Email

ercanton@utah.gov

Contact Phone

(801)536-4342

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

December 30, 2025 04:05 PM

Notice Last Edited On

December 30, 2025 04:05 PM

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