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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSunrise Lake Water Supply and Hydro Project Initial Consultation Package 1998966l A.lenuef pafoJd J!JPataoJpAH pue Atddns JaJeM a'lel as!Juns TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Subject: Sunrise Lake Water Supply and Hydroelectric Project Application for an Exemption From Licensing Transmittal of Initial Consultation Package Request for Comments The City of Wrangell, Alaska, (City) is beginning the process of submitting an Application for Exemption of A Small Hydroelectric Power Project of less than 5 Megawatts pursuant to Subpart K of 18 CPR Chapter 1, Section 4.101 through 4.107. The City proposes to determine the feasibility of combining a small hydroelectric power station with the development of a municipal water supply for the City using the water resources available from Sunrise Lake on Woronkofski Island. Enclosed for your review and comment is an Initial Consultation Package (ICP) describing the proposed project. The City has chosen to solicit the comments of agencies, Tribes and other interested parties at this stage of planning to be as responsive as possible to potential concerns that may arise upon review of the proposed project. Public scoping meetings will be held in Wrangell at the City Hall on Tuesday, February 17, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00p.m. All interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed project at that time. All oral testimony will be recorded and written testimony will be accepted. A further opportunity to comment on a draft exemption application will be provided to all parties whether or not a recipient of the ICP chooses to comment at this time. This ICP begins the formal three-stage consultation process as described in 18 CPR Chapter 1, Section 16.8. In addition to testimony received at the scoping meeting, the City of Wrangell requests written comments from all interested parties on the proposed project as described in the ICP. Written comments are requested by March 31, 1998, and to be sent to: Stephen M. Hart, P.E. Project Manager R. W Beck, Inc. 1001 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2500 Seattle, WA 98154-1004 At the scoping meetings, the City will seek consensus on whether the City should apply to PERC for permission to proceed with the consultation process under PERC's new Alternative Licensing Procedures, set forth at 18 CFR § 4.34(i). Under these alternative procedures, prefiling consultation and environmental review may be combined into a single process that affords greater communication between the City, PERC, State and Federal resource agencies, and the interested public. f 1ft I Comments received in response to the ICP will be addressed in the Draft Exemption Application. Thank you for your interest in this important project. Very truly yours, ) . / --111 ;J.;;J-/~N~t-IV ·r / Scott W. Seabury . City Manager cc: All Parties on Service List SUNRISE LAKE INITIAl CONSULTATION PACKAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I-PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................... 1 BACKGROUND .. ········ ......................................................................................... 1 PROJECT LOCATION ............................................................................................ 2 PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT .................................................................................. 2 PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION ........................................................ 4 SECTION II -SITE CONDITIONS ....................................................................... 4 ENVIRONMENTAL SETIING ................................................................................... 4 General ........................................................................................................ 4 Geology ....................................................................................................... 5 Hydrology .................................................................................................... 6 Fish and Wildlife .......................................................................................... 7 Wildlife ........................................................................................................ 8 Threatened and Endangered Species ........................................................... 9 Aesthetics ..................................................................................................... 9 Cultural Sites .............................................................................................. 1 0 Recreation ................................................................................................. 11 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT .......................... 11 General ...................................................................................................... 11 Geology ..................................................................................................... 11 Hydrology .................................................................................................. 12 Fish and Wildlife ........................................................................................ 12 Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species ................................................... 12 Aesthetics ................................................................................................... 13 Cultural Sites .............................................................................................. 13 Recreation ................................................................................................. 13 PROPOSED STUDIES .......................................................................................... 13 Eagle Nesting Survey .................................................................................. 13 SECTION Ill-PROJECT MAPS AND DRAWINGS ........................................... 14 EXHIBIT 1 -PROJECT LOCATION MAP ................................................................. 14 EXHIBIT 2 -PENSTOCK/WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE ALIGNMENT .................................. 14 REFERENCES ........•......•...•.....•........................................•..•.......•..........•...•....... 17 APPENDIX A SERVICE LIST .......................................................................... 18 APPENDIX B PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHS ........................................................ 21 X0110222.204 1/15/98 SUNRISE LAKE INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE SECTION I -PROJECT DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND In May 1977, R. W Beck was commissioned by the Thomas Bay Power Authority to investigate the hydroelectric potential of several sites to meet projected power requirements for the Petersburg-Wrangell area. That investigation culminated in an Appraisal Report, The Virginia Lake Project, released in August 1977. That report recommended developing the Virginia Lake Project, but not to consider further, at that time, development of the Anita-Kunk, Thoms Lake or Sunrise Lake hydroelectric projects. The principal reason Sunrise Lake was not considered feasible at that time was the high cost of transmitting power to the communities of Wrangell and Petersburg, which accounted for 60 percent of the direct construction costs. Completion of the Lake Tyee Project in May 1984, which included a 138-k V transmission line connecting Woronkofski Island with Wrangell Island, now makes the present cost of transmission negligible. In addition to the hydroelectric element of the Project, the City of Wrangell {City) is interested in the feasibility of Sunrise Lake as a municipal water supply. The City's water supply is constrained by Wrangell's isolation and by the geological and topographical features of Wrangell Island. Currently, Wrangell collects the runoff from a small, unnamed creek into two impoundments with a total capacity of 62 million gallons {190 acre-feet). The water is disinfected with chlorine before distribution. This water supply does not presently meet the EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule {SWTR) standards for drinking water, and the City has plans to construct a treatment plant {ozonation and slow sand filtration) and a new 400,000-gallon storage tank. Although Wrangell's current water supply is adequate to serve the City's existing residential population, any significant growth, including potential industriaVcommercial development, would require a greater supply, as well as increased treatment plant capacity. There are no feasible sources at any accessible location on Wrangell Island. The inability to expand the City's water supply is considered to be a major hindrance to economic development. The City wants to address both its future water supply and electric power needs by taking advantage of the combined hydroelectric and water supply potential that Sunrise Lake on Woronkofski Island appears to offer. X0110222.204 1/15/98 SUNRISE lAKE PROJECT LOCATION Sunrise Lake occupies a basin near the center of Woronkofski Island, an 11,095-acre island lying about four miles southwest of the City of Wrangell, and about two miles from Wrangell Island at its closest point. Woronkofski Island is separated from Wrangell Island by Zimovia Strait. The area proposed for Project development falls within Sections 8, 9, 10 and 17 of Township 63 South and Range 83 East (see Exhibit 1). PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT The Project would provide a new supply of water to the City of Wrangell from Sunrise Lake. Because of the large fall from the lake (El 1,980) to tidewater, the Project will also develop hydroelectric power at the site to help reduce the cost of the water supply. A number of structures, collectively referred to as the headworks, will be constructed near the outlet to Sunrise Lake to permit drafting the lake by up to 30 feet: 10 feet by gravity and 20 feet by siphon. The primary features of the Project are as follows: • Submerged intake in Sunrise Lake • Siphon at Sunrise Lake to draw water into the penstock when the lake levels falls below El. 1,970 • A small, 10-foot high, dam at the Sunrise Lake outlet • Penstock to convey water from Sunrise Lake to the powerhouse • Powerhouse containing a 2.2-MW Pelton-turbine generating unit and a 300-kw unit • Transmission line to transmit generation to the existing 138-kV Tyee Lake transmission line • Port facility and access road from the beach to the powerhouse site and, possibly, to the dam site (contractor's choice) • Chlorinating facilities • Water supply pipeline, including a 2.4-mile marine pipeline, to convey water from the chlorinating facilities on Woronkofski Island to Wrangell Island As investigations progress into preliminary design, additional features could be added, including a booster pump to convey water to a higher elevation on Wrangell Island, an additional storage tank on Wrangell Island, and additional water treatment (i.e., filtration). A small 10-foot high concrete-face rockfill dam would be constructed at Sunrise Lake to raise the pool level to El. 1,980. A siphon intake would permit drawing the lake down to a minimum pool El. 1,950, which would provide 1,560 acre-feet of storage for regulation. Of this total, 200 acre-feet would be dedicated for water supply with the remainder used for hydroelectric generation. XOll 0222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 2 INITIAl CONSUlTATION PACKAGE The 20-inch steel penstock pipe would connect to the 24-inch HOPE siphon at the vacuum pump house. The pipe would be buried for about 400 feet to daylight above ground and continue for about 1,700 feet along the 1,800 foot elevation contour before making its descent down the steeply inclined hillside for about 5,500 feet to the powerhouse. Because the gradient varies between steep and relatively flat slopes, the penstock would be a combination of above ground and buried pipe. Because of difficult access, the penstock would be constructed using a cableway. The penstock would be anchored in blocks of reinforced concrete and rest on steel saddles at an average spacing of about 50 feet. The powerhouse would be located at about El. 200 feet to provide sufficient hydraulic head for conveying water to Wrangell Island. The structure would have a 35x50 foot cast-in-place concrete foundation with an insulated prefabricated metal building. A tailrace channel would be excavated to convey the plant discharge to a stream that passes along one side of the power plant. A small valve house and disinfecting facility would be located nearby to control flow to Wrangell as well as provide disinfection to the water supply. The valve system would automatically shut off flow if a break in the marine pipeline should occur. The water supply pipeline from the powerhouse would be comprised of two segments: a buried HOPE line on Woronkofski Island that generally follows the existing Lake Tyee transmission line corridor; and a marine pipeline that would cross for Woronkofski Island to Wrangell Island. On land the water supply pipe would likely be a buried 10-or 12-inch HDPE pipeline. A 6-feet deep trench in muskeg materials would require bedding. Where the pipeline crosses creeks, it would be insulated and supported on either side by concrete saddles. Stream crossings generally would be from 5 to about 25 feet long. Six crossings are anticipated. The marine crossing could be initiated at the same beach head that the Tyee cable leaves the island or possibly further north where other partially sandy beaches are located. The pipeline would cross at the shortest and shallowest point between the two islands (see Exhibit 2). Then, after crossing to Wrangell Island, there are a number of sandy beach locations along the west side of the island where the marine pipeline can be brought ashore. The final alignment will be determined later when the location for the future treatment facility has been selected. The marine pipeline would be HOPE and have concrete collars every 10 to 15 feet, anchoring it to the sea floor. Initially, site access would be provided by a jetty and access road to permit the contractor to transport equipment, materials and personnel around the project area; during the life of the project they would provide access for inspection and maintenance of project facilities. The jetty for boat access would be located on the east side of Woronkofski Island, below the powerhouse site. The jetty would be about 100 feet long with a 30-foot face for barge docking. This configuration would enable a barge to be tied to the jetty while unloading, to remain between X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 3 SUNRISE lAKE tides if necessary, and to rest on the bottom at low tide. The access road from the jetty to the powerhouse would have an average construction grade of 10 percent and be about 0.5 miles long. The electrical interconnection between the Sunrise Lake power house and the Lake Tyee Project would require a step-up substation adjacent to the power house and a short (about 500 feet) tap line to the existing 69-kV/138-kV Lake Tyee Transmission Line. PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION Construction is envisioned to extend over a single, but possibly two, season period. It is planned to have the Project in commercial operation concurrently with the Lake Tyee Intertie Project on about January 2000. If the Intertie Project is delayed, then a two-season construction schedule may be preferable. Under a two season construction scenario the first season would be devoted to constructing the port facility and access road, excavating the powerhouse foundation, and clearing along the penstock right-of-way. Construction of the primary structures would be completed during the second season, including the dam and intake siphon, penstock, and powerhouse. The construction of the water pipeline and marine crossing would be under a separate contract and would occur concurrently with work on the powerhouse and penstock. Installation of the mechanical and electrical equipment at the powerhouse would follow completion of the civil works. All necessary start-up and commissioning tests would be performed during the fall of the second season. The powerplant will be operated remotely from Wrangell, including the interconnection to the Tyee transmission line. Safety features will be designed and installed to shut down either the electrical system or the water supply system in the event of an electrical or mechanical failure or pipeline rupture. Personnel will visit the facilities at frequent intervals to perform inspections and routine maintenance. SECTION II -SITE CONDITIONS ENVIRONMENTAL SETIING GENERAL Woronkofski Island (see Photo 1 in Appendix B), under study as the site for a proposed hydroelectric power development and water supply for the City of Wrangell, is an uninhabited island within the Tongass National Forest. This 11,095 acre island lies about four miles southwest of the City of Wrangell, and about two miles from Wrangell Island at its closest point. The Lake Tyee Hydroelectric Project transmission line runs from Wrangell island under Zimovia X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 4 INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE Strait and crosses the northern portion of Woronkofski Island (Photos 2 & 3) to reenter the water in Stikine Strait near Wedge Point (Photos 4 & 5) and the outlet stream from Sunrise Lake. Sunrise Lake (elevation 1,970 feet) (see Photo 6) is a natural lake of about 50 surface acres with a maximum depth of about 100 feet. The lake lies in a basin near the center of the island surrounded by hills from about 2400 to 3200 feet in elevation. The lake has a watershed of about 1.17 square miles that includes two smaller lakes, Grouse Lake at elevation 2,034 and Deer Lake at about elevation 2150. Sunrise Lake is drained by Sunrise Creek (see Photo 7) which flows for a distance of about 1.7 miles to Stikine Strait. Total drainage area of the creek is 2.8 square miles. From its outlet at Sunrise Lake, the creek flows through a steep channel over bedrock, boulders, and falls. About midway down the valley the gradient lessens and the valley walls widen. Here beavers have dammed the stream to create a pond several acres in extent. From this point downstream, Sunrise Creek flows through a shallow bedrock canyon showing evidence of active erosion along the stream banks with the addition of large woody debris. A series of low falls and rapids downstream of the beaver dam further reduces habitat for about ~ mile. A 25-foot waterfall (Photo 8) located about ~ mile above tidewater prevents all further upstream movement of fish. From the waterfall down to tidewater the substrate is comprised of bedrock and boulders. Conditions are unsuitable for spawning throughout this lower reach and the inter-tidal zone, the entire reach being one long rapid (Photos 9 & 10). A major tributary enters Sunrise Creek on the left bank about 100 yards downstream from the waterfall (Photo 11). GEOLOGY Southeast Alaska is underlain by Quaternary surficial deposits and by sedimentary, volcanic, intrusive and metamorphosed rocks ranging in age from Quaternary to Precambrian. The area is within an active tectonic belt that borders the North Pacific Basin. The bedrock outcrop pattern is the result of late Mesozoic and Tertiary deformation and intrusive events. Large scale right-lateral strike-slip faulting is common. Most of this tectonic activity is the result of the north American continental plate colliding with the Pacific plate. The physical manifestation in the bedrock structure is the general northwest southeast trend of the major mountain ranges and waterways of Southeast Alaska. Sunrise Lake is located in the central highlands of Woronkofski Island and lies in a north facing glacial cirque at approximately 2000-foot elevation. Two other smaller lakes (Grouse and Deer) share this small 1.2 square mile bowL The ground around the outlet and lake shoreline is covered with alpine vegetation consisting of muskeg peat, moss, heather, alpine blueberry, scrub cedar and scrub spruce and hemlock trees. Extensive bedrock outcrops of massive coarse-grained grandiorite are prevalent in the area. These outcrops evidence only thin surface XOll 0222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 5 SUNRISE lAKE weathering. Foundation conditions for a possible dam at the lake outlet are favorable. It would be necessary to remove all vegetation, a fairly thin surface soil layer and some large angular boulders to reach bedrock. All of the penstock routes would need to descend a 1,000-ft to 1,500-ft. escarpment. The slope is very steep, with the first 1,000 feet of drop having an average slope angle of 35 degrees. While the nature of the soils and bedrock are not definitely known for the entire route, USGS mapping indicates that the penstock would be in a zone of Cretaceous sedimentation bedrock. Foundation conditions at the proposed powerhouse site are not known, but the general geomorphology and previous studies in similar locations indicate that glacial till would likely be encountered. This material, if low in moisture, can provide reasonable foundation bearing. If wet and handled with heavy equipment, however, it tends to become soupy and flow. The most favorable route for the water supply pipeline on Woronkofski Island is on the natural bench that is 50 to 150 feet above sea level. The Lake Tyee transmission powerline is located on this bench. The soils along the bench are 1 to 11 feet of organic over deposits of glacial till. Preliminary observations indicate that for the majority of the water supply pipeline route, a buried pipeline would be in glacial till covered by 1 to 2 feet of forest organics. HYDROLOGY Sunrise Lake (elevation 1970 feet) (Photo 6) is a natural lake of about 50 surface acres with a maximum depth of about 100 feet. The lake lies in a basin near the center of the island and is surrounded by hills from about 2,400 to 3,200 feet in elevation. The lake has a watershed of about 1.17 square miles that includes two smaller lakes, Grouse Lake at elevation 2,034 and Deer Lake at about elevation 2,150. Sunrise lake is drained by Sunrise Creek (Photo 7) which flows for a distance of about 1.7 miles to Stikine Strait. The total drainage area of the creek is 2.8 square miles. The U.S. Geological Survey maintained a gauging station (station 15086960) at the outlet from Sunrise Lake for a period of three years from October 1977 through September 1980. Flows during this three-year period averaged 11.6 cfs, ranging from a low yearly average of 9.7 ds during water year 1978 to a high yearly average of 13.6 cfs during water year 1980. Flows typically peak during the May and June snowmelt season, or during October rainfalls. Minimum flows typically occur during the coldest periods of the winter. Three years of flow data is considered insufficient to establish either the long- term average flow, or the variability of flow critical to determining average energy generation and firm (minimum) energy generation when performing power studies. A multiple correlation computer model (HEC-4 Monthly Streamflow Synthesis) developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering Center, was used to extend the three years of flow to a long-term period. Flow data from Sunrise Lake can be extended by correlation X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 6 INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE with other flow data from the region, but the data sets must overlap with the Sunrise Lake data. A 43-year period of record from 1952 through 1994 was chosen for the model because this period had data available from the greatest number of stations and is a record of adequate length for performing power studies. Using these data, the long-term average flow was estimated to be 12.9 cfs, ranging from a maximum average annual flow of 21.8 cfs, to a minimum average annual flow of 9.5 cfs. The water from Sunrise Lake was sampled on October 23, 1997, and tested by Avocet Environmental Testing for standard inorganic chemicals and for both total coliform and fecal coliform. The tests show that the water is of good quality, typical of a high lake in an undisturbed watershed. For all the tests except coliform, the water meets EPA standards for drinking water. FISH AND WILDLIFE Fish are not known to be present in the Sunrise Lake system except for some resident cutthroat trout reported to occur in Sunrise Creek. From its outlet at Sunrise Lake, the creek flows through a steep channel over bedrock, boulders, and falls. About midway down the valley the gradient lessens and the valley walls widen. Here beavers have dammed the stream to create a pond several acres in extent From this point downstream, Sunrise Creek flows through a shallow bedrock canyon showing evidence of active erosion along the stream banks with the addition of large woody debris. A series of low falls and rapids downstream of the beaver dam further reduces habitat for about 1/4 mile. A 25-foot waterfall located about 1/4 mile above tidewater prevents all further upstream movement of fish (photo 8). From the waterfall down to tidewater the substrate is comprised of bedrock and boulders. Conditions are unsuitable for spawning throughout this lower reach and the inter-tidal zone, the entire reach being one long rapid (photos 9 and 10). A major tributary enters Sunrise Creek on the left bank about 100 yards downstream from the waterfall (photo 11). The vegetation on Woronkofski Island is typical of the coastal spruce-hemlock forests of Southeast Alaska. These forests are composed primarily of western hemlock, Tsuga heterophyllia, Sitka spruce, Picea sitchensis, mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensiana, Alaska-cedar, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis, red alder, Alnus rubra, and black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa. Red alder is common along streams and beach fringes, and on soils recently disturbed by logging and landslides. Blueberries and huckleberries, Vaccinium sp.; highbush cranberry, Viburnum edula; salal, Gaultheria shallon; and devilsdub, Oplopanax horridus, are the most important shrubs. Because of the high rainfall and resulting high humidity, mosses grow in great profusion on the ground, on fallen logs, and on the lower branches and trunks of trees. In the open alpine areas around Sunrise Lake cassiopes, Cassiope sp., provide an almost continuous ground cover. At these higher elevations the prevailing southerly winds have pruned most of the taller trees growing on open, exposed slopes. An area along the northwestern shore of the island was clear-cut some X0110222.204 1/15198 R. W Beck 7 SUNRISE lAKE years ago and a good stand of primarily western hemlock has come in following logging. An old logging road up the Sunrise Creek valley is demarked by a vigorous growth of red alder along its route. The Lake Tyee transmission line right-of-way (ROW) has been cleared of all trees for a width of about 100 feet. Shrubs, herbs and mosses provide a dense ground cover along the cleared portion of the ROW WILDLIFE Sunrise Creek was surveyed in 1981 by Forest Service fishery biologists who determined that salmon did not use the outlet stream for spawning. A Tlingit Elder, Dick Stokes, who has live in the Wrangell area for over 70 years also reported that salmon had never been known to spawn in Sunrise Creek. This observation was further substantiated by Todd Harding and Jim Lesley, charter boat operators from Wrangell. The two biologists did, however:. observe small cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki, up to about seven inches both downstream and upstream of the major falls. No attempt was made to confirm these observations during the initial field study for the present project. Woronkofski Island supports a population of Sitka blacktail deer, Odocoileus hemionus, and some sign was present although we saw no deer during the two days we spent on the island. Local hunters often hunt deer on Woronkofski Island according to Dick Stokes. One wolf, Canis lupus, track was observed. Wolves are known to frequent the island, preying primarily on the deer living there. Black bear, Ursus americanus, scat was common, the bear(s) having fed heavily on the ripe blueberries which were abundant on the island. Three bald eagles, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, were observed along the shoreline between Wedge Point and the point at which the Lake Tyee transmission line leaves Woronkofski Island for Wrangell Island. These three birds were separated about equidistant from each other along the shoreline on both days. No eagle nests were observed between Wedge Point and the cable crossing. Other than an occasional raven, Corvus corax, birds were not noticeable at the site. One dipper, Cinclus mexicanus, was observed along the lower reach of Sunrise Creek and eight common mergansers, Mergus merganser, were seen feeding along the beach near the cable crossing at low tide. The intertidal zone is, for the most part, rather steep and comprised of bedrock and boulders along the upper zone with broken rock, sand and gravel in the lower zone. A large, low gradient, sandy beach is present just north of the cable crossing and is a favorite recreation spot for residents of Wrangell. The beach provides habitat for a variety of shellfish, including the basket cockle, Clinocardium nuttalli. A thorough inventory of intertidal fauna was not compiled during this study. The shoreline on the Wrangell Island side of Zimovia Strait has been partially developed with boat harbors, boat launches, rip-rap, piers, and other man-made structures. Where the natural shoreline remains intact, the X0110222.204 VlS/98 R. W Beck 8 INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE upper inter-tidal zone is largely composed of exposed bedrock and large boulders. A fairly short beach composed primarily of sand and gravel comprises the lower inter-tidal zone. Tides were not extreme during our visit and we were unable to determine the composition of the lower inter-tidal zone to any great degree, however, no unusual conditions were observed during our brief examination. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES Information on threatened and endangered species and species of special concern was requested from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The most recent information received from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, letter dated 11/12/97 from Mike Jacobson, FWS Eagle Management Specialist to Dr. David Hoopes, R. W Beck) is based on a 1985 survey made prior to construction of the Tyee Lake transmission line. At that time four eagle nests were located between the Sunrise Creek estuary and the point at which the Tyee Lake cable crosses from Woronkofski Island to Wrangell Island. The FWS has suggested that a new nest survey be conducted in conjunction with the proposed Sunrise Lake Project. The best time to conduct a nest survey to determine active occupancy is during the first half of May after nesting eagles have had the opportunity to complete nest construction and have begun to lay and incubate their clutch. Regulations prohibit ground disturbance within 330 feet of any eagle nest and no repeated helicopter flights within 1/4 mile of an active nest between March 1 and August 31. The National Marine Fisheries Service has provided a list of endangered species that may occur in the waters of Zimovia Strait and may periodically occur in the specific location of the marine pipeline. This list includes the humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae), Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and the Snake River fall chinook salmon (0. tshawytscha). Threatened species include the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and Snake River spring/summer chinook salmon. The closest Steller sea lion haulout is on the northwest shore of Etolin Island, about 10 miles by water from the proposed site for the marine pipeline crossing. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game also provided a list of species considered endangered by the State and those species of special concern to the State. The humpback whale is listed by the State as endangered. The Steller sea lion is included as a species of special concern as are both the American and arctic peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus anatum and E p. tundrius). AESTHETICS Woronkofski Island lies entirely within the Tongass National Forest. The most recent Land & Resource Management Plan (1997), hereinafter referred to as the Forest Plan, designates the island as having a Visual Quality Objective (VQO) of partial retention (Scenic Viewshed). In the case of Woronkofski Island, however, X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. WBeck 9 SUNRISE lAKE the FEIS notes (p. 3-192) that existing timber harvest on the western side of the island has reached or exceeded the level allowed by the adopted VQO' s, in all alternatives. Although the Scenic Viewshed Land Use Designation (LUD) allows timber harvest to continue while providing for scenic quality and other values, the Forest Service has noted that further analysis may indicate that even-aged harvest will need to be reduced or deferred in this area for the next 10 to 20 years. Public comments on the Forest Plan suggested assigning Sunrise Lake to the Transportation and Utility System (TUS) LUD. The Forest Service noted in its response that the TUS LUD has been applied to all potential utility interties identified by the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA). No provision has been made, however, for specifically designating the proposed water supply pipeline as a TUS LUD. This designation will be requested as part of the Forest Service's Special Use Permit application process for project construction and operation. While the final penstock alignment has not yet been selected, it is believed at this time that the visual impact of the penstock and power plant can be mitigated by careful planning and minimizing the removal of timber from the penstock alignment. Present plans are for the waterline leaving the power plant to follow the existing Lake Tyee transmission alignment, thereby reducing the need for additional right-of-way dearing. CULTURAL SITES The State Historic Preservation Officer reports that no historic or archaeological surveys have been conducted on Woronkofski Island. Discussions with Dick Stokes, a Tlingit Elder living in Wrangell and chairman of the local Alaska Native Brotherhood chapter, indicated that there were no known sites of cultural importance on that portion of Woronkofski Island that would be involved in the proposed Project. Mr. Stokes did report the presence of a grave site on East Point, more than two miles from the nearest feature of the proposed project. According to Mr. Stokes, legends of the Stikine Tlingit people do not make reference to early use of the island except for normal hunting and gathering activities. No petroglyphs or other signs of early occupation were observed during a survey of the beach between Woronkofski Point and the cable crossing, the area in which the proposed water pipeline would cross the beach on its way to Wrangell Island. Likewise, no sites are known to exist on the Wrangell Island side in the area through which the pipeline would emerge and tie into the City's present distribution system. The Forest Service notes in Appendix C of the revised Forest Plan for the Tongass National Forest {p. C-52) that in 1900 several gold mine claims were filed adjacent to the Elephants Nose, a rocky feature on the north end of the island. The currently proposed penstock alignment will fall almost a mile to the east of this feature, thus eliminating the possibility of compromising any historical value these claims may have. XOI10222.204 1/15/98 R. W. Beck 10 INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE RECREATION Woronkofski Island is an important subsistence deer hunting area for Wrangell residents. Deer habitat has suffered in recent years as a result of logging activities and commentators on the Forest Plan have state that all timber sales on the island should be deferred indefinitely (FIES, Appendix L, p. L-247). The Forest Plan places the island in the Scenic Viewshed LUD which will allow timber harvest to continue while, according to the plan, providing for scenic quality and other values (ibid.). The saltwater bodies surrounding the island receive moderately heavy use by both commercial and sport fishing vessels and the shoreline receives moderate recreational use, especially on the sandy beach along the northeast shore. In its Land & Resource Management Plan for the Tongass National Forest, the Forest Service noted that some recreational use occurs on the road system, generally from residents of Wrangell who sometimes transport small motorcycles and all- terrain vehicles to the island by boat. Except for the re-vegetated logging road up the Sunrise Creek valley, no evidence of a road system was noted in the vicinity of the proposed Project. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT GENERAL Results of the preliminary feasibility study conducted during October 1997 indicate that the proposed Project can be constructed and operated without any major adverse environmental impact provided all normally employed practices to reduce adverse effects are implemented during Project construction and operation. Initial consultations with the Forest Service and other resource agencies have not resulted in the identification of any major concerns on the part of agency personnel. GEOLOGY No adverse impacts to the geology in the immediate vicinity of the Project are anticipated. The proposed dam site appears competent but drilling will be conducted to verify conditions. The penstock alignment will be located to avoid areas with unstable soil conditions and clearing will be kept to the absolute minimum required, both to preserve soil stability and to reduce adverse aesthetic impacts. Development of Sunrise Lake as a water source and hydroelectric project will involve increasing the storage capacity of the lake by constructing a low (5-10 feet) dam across the lake outlet and fluctuating the lake level up to 30 feet by filling the reservoir during periods of high runoff and drawing it down during XOll 0222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 11 SUNRISE lAKE drier periods coupled with higher demand. While this mode of operation creates a potential for shoreline erosion, the probability that erosion would actually occur appears low due to the rocky nature of the shoreline itself. HYDROLOGY Flow from Sunrise Lake into the outlet stream would be markedly reduced during Project operation. During months with heavy precipitation, drainage from the watershed downstream of the lake (about 60 percent of the total Sunrise Creek watershed) should provide sufficient flow for the resident cutthroat trout population. Even during periods of low flow, instream flow is augmented by several tributaries from the downstream watershed. Flow measurements made during the October 1997 field trip indicated that instream flows on lower Sunrise Creek were over three times greater than at the lake outlet, suggesting that sufficient flow will be present in the stream for those fish inhabiting the lower reach in the vicinity of the falls. FISH AND WILDLIFE Construction of the penstock, powerhouse and pipeline will temporarily disturb terrestrial wildlife in the vicinity of the Project. The pipeline carrying water will cross six streams between the powerhouse and the point at which the pipeline enters Zimovia Strait. The crossings are being designed to avoid disturbance to the bed and banks of these stream channels. Stream crossings will be kept to a minimum and no anadromous fish streams will be disturbed by pipeline construction. Constructing the remainder of the water pipeline along the Lake Tyee transmission line right-of-way will result in a minimal loss of vegetation but will be a major disturbance during the construction phase of the project. Neither the penstock nor the pipeline will be of sufficient size to impede the movement of terrestrial wildlife. Impacts to fish and bottom fauna will be temporary and minimal at any one point during the pipe laying process. The concrete collars used to hold the pipeline in place and the pipeline itself may provide suitable substrate for the attachment of some macroinvertebrates while the structure itself may provide some cover for small fish in the shallower portions of the crossing. Excavation of the inter-tidal zone to lay the water pipeline will temporarily disturb invertebrate habitat but restoration through natural colonization should be rapid and complete in a short period of time, from one to two years at most. RARE, THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES The need to avoid potentially disturbing nesting eagles is recognized and will be addressed by adhering to Fish and Wildlife Service protocol should active nests be located in the vicinity of the Project. Impacts to threatened or endangered marine species will be confined to possible disturbance during the laying of the pipeline. X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. W. Beck 12 INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE AESTHETICS Project features at Sunrise Lake will only be visible from the air or to those on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the outlet. The removal of trees along the penstock alignment and at the powerhouse site may create a visual impact until new growth becomes established. The penstock and powerhouse will be designed to blend into the surrounding area to the extent possible by finishing all metal surfaces with a non-reflective material or covering and taking other appropriate measures in keeping with the Forest Service's designation as a Scenic Viewshed. CULTURAL SITES There are no known cultural or historic sites within the vicinity of the Project. Should artifacts be discovered during the course of excavation for project features, work in the area of the discovery will be halted and a qualified cultural specialist contacted to evaluate the condition and extent of the site. The State Historic Preservation Officer will be notified of any such discovery. RECREATION Hunting in the vicinity of the Project will be discouraged and probably discontinued voluntarily due to the temporary displacement of game animals. Recreational opportunities on the beach in the vicinity of the pipeline crossing will be disrupted during construction but should return to normal soon thereafter. PROPOSED STUDIES EAGLE NESTING SURVEY An eagle nesting survey will be conducted during May of 1998 to determine the presence and location of any nest sites along the shoreline of Woronkofski Island. The survey will verify the presence or absence of the four nests identified during the 1985 survey and will record any new nests constructed and occupied since that time. The survey will be conducted by boat and ground truthed by walking the beach. All nest trees will be marked, recorded on a USGS quad map and results of the survey will be reported to the Fish and Wildlife Service's Eagle Management Specialist in Juneau immediately upon completion of the survey. The survey will be performed by a wildlife biologist familiar with eagles and experienced in conducting nesting surveys in Southeast Alaska. No other environmental studies are proposed at this time. X0110222.204 1/15/98 R. W Beck 13 SECTION Ill-PROJECT MAPS AND DRAWINGS EXHIBIT 1 -PROJECT LOCATION MAP See following page. EXHIBIT 2-PENSTOCK/WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE ALIGNMENT See following page. SUNRISE lAKE I VIRGINIA LAKE Zarembo Island Wrangell Etolin Island ' \ ALASKA \ CANADA I \ \ PROJECT AREA KEY MAP LEGEND 0 PROPOSED POW£RHOUSE --Il--l\-PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE ~ EXISTING TRANSMISSION LINE 5 I LAKES CAL TERNA TIVE WATER SUPPLY SOURCESt 0 I Scale 5 miles I EXHIBIT 1 · CITY OF WRANGELL, ALASKA SUNRISE LAKE PROJECT LOCATION MAP I I I I I I I I .~- LEGEND · • • • • • • • • •• • EXISTING 138KV TRANSMISSION LINE ·----PROPOSED WATER SUPPLY LINE UNDER WATER ·-. ... IIIIIIIIIIUIIII I _W~TER SUPPLY LINE ON LAND PENSTOCK ' II . POWERHOUSE -------300 --------------~~~~--------------------~----- EXHIBIT 2 CITY OF WRANGELL, ALASKA PENSTOCK/WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE ALIGNMENT ll\\lllfl\ INITIAL CONSULTATION PACKAGE REFERENCES U.S. Forest Service. 1991. Tongass Land Management Plan Revision: Supplement to the draft Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Revised Forest Plan. Alaska Region R10-MB-146. Juneau, AK R. W Beck, Inc. 1997. Sunrise Lake Water Supply and Hydroelectric Project: Feasibility Study Report (Draft). Seattle, WA. National Archives and Records Administration. 1995. Code of Federal Regulations: 18, Parts 1 to 149. Washington, D.C. X0110222.204 1/15198 R. W Beck 17 ,_. APPENDIX A SERVICE liST Ms. Lois D. Cashell Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 Mr. Harry T. Hall Regional Director Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 101 SW Main Street, Suite 905 Portland, OR 97204 Duane Peterson Ecological Services U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3000 Vintage Blvd., Suite 201 Juneau, AK 99801-7100 907/586-7240 Ms. Linda Shaw National Marine Fisheries Service 709 W 9th Street Juneau, AK 99801 907/586-7235 Stephen J. Brady District Ranger Wrangell Ranger District Tongass National Forest P.O. Box 51 Wrangell, AK 99929 907/874-7561 Don Thomas U.S. Geological Survey P.O. Box 21568 Juneau, AK 99802 907/586-7216 XOll 0222.204 1/15/98 SUNRISE lAKE R. W Beck 18 Ms. Lorraine Marshall Division of Governmental Coordination PO. Box 110030 Juneau, AK 99811-0030 907/465-3562 Ms. Ruth Lewis Alaska Department of Fish and Game Habitat Division 2030 Sea Level Drive, Suite 205 Ketchikan, AK 99901 907/225-5195 FAX 907/225-2676 Christopher Estes Statewide Instream Flow Coordinator Sport Fish Division Alaska Department of Fish and Game 333 Raspberry Road Anchorage, AK 99518-1599 907/267-2142 Ms. Judith E. Bittner State Historic Preservation Officer Office of History and Archaeology 3601 C Street, Suite 1278 Anchorage, AK 98503-8921 907/269-8721 FAX 907/269-8908 RaymondAlt Project General Manager Tyee Lake Hydroelectric Project PO. Box 1318 Wrangell, AK 99929 907/87 4-3834 FAX 907/87 4-2581 Pete Rittmueller Cascades Environmental Services, Inc. 1111 North Forest Street Bellingham, WA 98225-5119 360/671-1150 FAX 360/671-1152 XOll 0222.204 1/15/98 INITIAl CONSULTATION PACKAGE R. W. Beck 19 Scott Seabury City Manager City of Wrangell P.O. Box 531 Wrangell, AK 99929 907/874-2381 Tim Gillen Superintendent Wrangell Municipal Light & Power P.O. Box 531 Wrangell, AK 99929 907/874-3602 FAX 907/874-3614 Richard Stokes Alaska Native Brotherhood P.O. Box 732 Wrangell, AK 99929 907/87 4-2612 Todd Glass, Esq. Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe 200 Market Building, Suite 1750 200 S.W Market Street Portland, OR 97201-5718 503/227-7 400 Stan Siecuzkowski AIDEA-Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority 480 Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503-6690 907/269-3000 X0110222.204 1/15198 SUNRISE lAKE R. W Beck 20 INITIAl CONSULTATION PACKAGE APPENDIX 8 PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHS X011 0222.204 1/15198 R. W. Beck 21 - ,... - - -] ns Cii --:52 ~ ~ e 0 ~ ,.... - .... - - - - - - - - - -2. 115kV Tyee Transmission line entering Woronkofski Island at North end. - - 3. Typical marshy terraine along Transmission R.O.W. on Woronkofski Island . - - - - - - ....... ,.... - - - 4. .... ...... Sandy beach area, where existing 115kV Tyee Transmission cable leaves Woronkofski Island for Wrangell Island . 5. View of marine cable crossing alignment from Woronkofski Island to Wrangell Island. - - - - - - - - - ,.... - - - - 7. View of Sunrise Lake outlet to creek. The notch-outlet should allow for construction of approximate 10 foot high dam at modest cost. 8. 25 foot falls on Sunrise Creek, which is believed to be unpassable by anadromous fish. It is located about 100 yards upstream of tri~utary. ,... ,... 9. Sunrise Creek discharging into bay at its mouth. Estimated flow is about 50cfs. - - 10. View of Sunrise Creek near its mouth. I I 1 1 1 11. Major Tributary into Sunrise Creek located about 0.2 mi from tidewater.