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
March 9, 2026 01:00 PM
Event End Date & Time
April 8, 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: The proposed project is located partially at 1218 12th Street, Ogden, UT 84404, within Ogden City and Ogden Canyon, Weber County, Utah. At approximately Latitude: 4l.243698°, and Longitude: -111.94660°.
CERTIFICATION NO.: DWQ-2025-07001
WATERCOURSES: Ogden River-1 AU-UT16020102-005_0000 (Ogden River from confluence with Weber River to Pineview Reservoir)
BACKGROUND
PacifiCorp (the project proponent) is seeking a Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the State of Utah for the Pioneer Hydroelectric Project (the Project), FERC Project No. P-2722, to facilitate its administrative reclassification from a licensed facility to a conduit-exempt status. This 5-megawatt, run-of-river facility, which is located in Ogden Canyon and the city of Ogden, Weber County. While the project has maintained a water quality certificate since 1996, a new 401 Water Quality Certification or waiver is necessary for the reclassification of the Project. PacifiCorp proposes no changes to the project's ownership, physical construction, or daily operations.
Operationally, the project utilizes a 5.5-mile flowline from Pineview Reservoir, known as the Ogden Canyon Conduit, which is shared with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Ogden River Project. The water is diverted through the Pineview Dam and Reservoir facilities which are neither controlled nor maintained by PacifiCorp. The proponent has no authority over water distribution, the timing of releases, or the availability of water for power generation. Following power generation, flows are released into a tailrace canal where they are diverted for agricultural irrigation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments are invited at any time prior to the deadline of the close of business on March 9, 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.