HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplication for Preliminary Permit for the Silver Lake Hydro Power Project 1982COR-S .:s·l \v-dt-Lo...-lZ..t_.,
002
BEFORE THE
FED 'ERAL
ENERGY REGULATORY
COMMISSION
AP IPLICA TION
FOR
~PRELIMINARY PIERMIT
FOR -THE
Sl[ ER tAK
HYDR O ,EL :ECTR 'IC
POWER PROJECT
P-6861-000 -
NOVEMBER 18, 1982
zoo
S-"HO:l
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Initial Statement
Exhibit 1 Description of Proposed Project
Exhibit 2 Description of Studies Conducted
and to be Conducted
Exhibit 3 Statement of Costs, Financing
and Power Marketing
Exhibit 4 Project Maps and Features
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4
8
11
12
Initial Statement
BEFORE THE
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PERMIT
(1) The ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission for a preliminary permit for the proposed Silver Lake
Hydroelectric Power project, as described in the attached exhibits. This
application is made in order that the applicant may secure and maintain
priority of application for a license for the project under Part I of the
Federal Power Act while obtaining the data and performing the acts required
to determine the feasibility of the project and to support an application
for a license.
(2) The location of ~he proposed project is:
State or territory:
County:
Nearby town:
Alaska
Not part of any county
Valdez
Stream or other body of water: Silver Lake and Duck River
(3) The exact name, business address and telephone number of the applicant
are:
ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
334 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone (907) 276-0001
The exact name and business address of each person authorized to act as
agent for the applicant in this application are:
Eric P. Yould
Executive Director
ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY
334 West 5th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Phone (907) 276-0001
(4) The ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY is a state public corporation of the STATE
OF ALASKA organized under the following laws:
Chapter 83 of Title 44 of the Alaska Statutes
(5) The proposed term of the requested permit is 36 months.
1
VERIFICATION
STATE OF ALASKA
SS:
Third Judicial D~vision, ss:
Eric P. Yould being first duly sworn deposes and says: That he is the
Executive Director of the Alaska Power Authority, the Applicant for a
preliminary permit, that he has read the foregoing application and
knows the contents thereof; that the same are true to the best of his
knowledge and belief.
Subscribed and sworn to before this 1/p day o£~1982.
~'?':.w~&~
Notary lie
My commission
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Applicant has caused its name to be hereunto signed
by Eric P. Yould, the Executive Director of the Alaska Power Authority and
its Corporate Seal to be hereto affixed by Eric P. Yould, ~tpry
thereunto duly authorized this /4, day. of ~s«<~. 1982.
ALASKA POWER AtmiORITY
By:
Executive
Attachment No. 1
Page 1 of 2
Artide 2. Purpose aDd Powers.
Seedoa ..
10. Pvpa. ol the autbonty
80. Po... ol the auc.hority
Sectioa
90. Power contnacta aad the Alaab Public
Ut.iliti• Commieeioa
Sec. 44..83.070. Purpose of the authority. The purpose of the
authority is to _promote, develop and advance the general prosperity
md. economic welfare of the people of Alaska by providing a means of
constructing, acquiring, financing and operating
(1) power projects; and
(2} facilities that recover and use waste energy. (§ 1 ch 278 SLA
1976; am § 5 ch 156 SLA 1978; am § 1 ch 133 SLA 1982)
E.ll'ect ol ......tmeau. -The 1982 wind power. tidal. pot.bermal,
aaw dmaet. e6ec:Uw June 2:5. 1982. aab-bydroelect:ric., or 10lar eMI'V praductioa
.Utut..t paracrapha (1) aad (2) for •power IDd wut.e en.ru COftMI"raUOII CacWLi-. •
praductioa Cac:iliti• limited to (o.iJ fuel.
Sec. 44.83.080. Powers of the authority. In furtherance ofib cor-
porate purposes, the authority has the following powers in addition to
ita other powers:
(1) to sue and be sued;
(2) to have a aeaJ and alter it at pleasure;
(3) to make and alter bylaws for ib organization and intemal
mua.agement;
(4) to make rules and regulation. goveminc.the uen:i.ee of ita corpO-
rate~rs;
(5) to acquire, whether by coaatruction. purchaM, gi1t or.leaae. and.
to improve, equip, operate. md. m.aintain power projecta; .
(6) to iaaue bond.a to carry out any of ita corporate~ and
powers. including the acquieition or· coaat:ruction of a project to be
owned or leased. aa lesaor or 1--. by the authority, or by another
penon. or the aa:tuiaition of IUlY interest in a· project. or any. right to
capacity of a project, the estabJiabment or increase o£ reeervee to aecure
or to pay the bonds or interest on them. and the payment o£ all other
coeta or expenses of the authority incident to and. necesa•ry: or
convenient to carry out ita corporate purpoees and powers; ·
(7) to sell. leaae aa lesaor· or lessee, exchange., donate, convey or
eDCUIDber in any manner by mortgage or by creation of any other
security_ intel'eat, real or penonal property owned by it., or in which it
haa an intel'eat, when. in the judgment o£ the authority, the action is
iD furtherance of ita corporate purpoees;
(8) to accept gift.a, granta or loans from, and enter ~to contracts or
other b:ansac:tioaa regarding them. with any penon; . . . .
(9) to . deposit or invest its fuDda, subject to agre8ment8 ·with
bondholders; . . · . . . · .
(10) toenterintocontractawith the UnitedStatesorany.peraonand.
subject to the laws of the United. States and sub;;«t to concurrence o£
the legislature9 with a foreign country or ita agencies. for the financing,
conatruc.tion. acquisition. ~peration and main~ce of all ~-~y ~
of a power project, either maide or outside the -~ta.: and for Ui•. ~e or
t:ranamission f1f power from a project or. any right:t.o·the.capacity oC.it
or for the security of any bonds of the authority i:sau.ed or· tO beisiiued
for the project;
§ 44.83.090
Attachment No. 1
Page 2 of 2
§ 44.83.090
<llrto enter·into contracts with any.penon·and-with the United
States, and. subjeCt to the·la"WS:ot'the·United·States,and•aubjectt.O the
coneurrence of the legislature~ ·with' a foreigil c:Ountry or.its agencies for
the purchase~: sale, exchange, transmimon.. 'or· use of power.= from"'&.
project, or any right to the capacity of it; · ... :: .. · ~:~ . •· ·
··: (12) to apply. to the appropri.ate agencies o{. the: state• the· United
States and to a foreign countiy and any other· proper agency Cor the
penni~ liceD.SeSt or approvals-aa may· be necesasary, and to·coDatntct,
maintain and operate power projects in accordance with thelicenaes or
permi~ and to obtain. hold and use the licenses and permita in the
same manner as any other person or operating unit;
(13) to pe'rfonn reconnaissance studies, feasibility studies. and engi-
neering and design with respect to· power projects; ·
(14) to enter into contracts or agreements with respect to the exer-
. cise of any ·of its powe~ and do all things necessary or convenient to
carry out its corporate purposes and exerci:se the powers granted in AS
44.83.010 -44.83.510;
(15) to exerc:iae the power o{ emi&tent. domain in accordance with AS
09.55.250 -09.55.410;
: (16) ·to recommend to the legislature
(A) the iaauance of general obligation bonda o{ the state to finance
the c:oDatntction of a power project if the authority fli"Bt determines that.
the project cannot. be fiaau.ced by revenue bonda of the authority at.
reuonable rates of interest.;
·(B)· the pledge of the credit of the state to guarantee repayment. o{ all
or any portion of revenue bonds isaued to aaaist in construction o{po"fn'Jr
projects;
(C)· au appropriation from· the general fund •
(i) for debt. service on bond.s or other project purposes; or
(ii) to reduce the amount of debt. financing Cor the project;
(0) au appropriation to the power project fund for a power project;
(E) m apprOpriation of ·a part of the income o{ the renewable
resources· in"f'e5tment. fund for a power project; ·
(F1 development. of a project under financing arrangements with
Other entities u.Si.n3" leveraged leases or other financing methods;.
(G) an appropriation Cor a power project acquired or. constructed
under the energy program for A.laaka <AS 44.83.380-44.83.425). (§ 1
ch 278 SLA 1976; am §§ 6 -11 ch 156 SLA 1978; am §§ 16~· 17 di 83
SLA ·1980; am § 5 dl 118 SL.A 1981)
. a..t.r'• ~~----lla paacra,a (16)
(G). a rei_.... to AS .U..83...00 -
.U.83..510 wu c.bal:&pci to AS .U..83.380-
.U.83..U.S to reil«:t nu.mblriac ~-
'-. ... a., tbe ......;_.ot .cacac...,..,...c to
ItS OL05.031 (b).
E1fece ot Ullelldii'M"t&.-The 1981
•mendmaa.t added au~ (G) . al
parac:l'1lpia ( 16).
Exhibit 1 Description of Proposed Project
This application is a step toward a comprehensive hydropower development
plan for the Silver Lake and Duck River Watershed near Valdez, Alaska.
T~.i? development would include all of the lands filed on and reserved as PP
138 -Ior ·George c. Hazelet in 1920.
There are no existing facilities at the proposed project site and all
facility sizes, elevations, locations and capacities described herein are
based on a interim feasibility assessment. The detail studies to be
conducted during the period of the permit will finalize the items and be
defined in an Application for License.
(1) a. Dam and Spillway -The dam would be a 100 to 150 ft high located
at the mouth of Silver Lake. The existing water surface
elevation at the site is approximately 306 ft. The lake
elevation would be raised to maximum elevation of about 450 ft.
The dam would include outlet and intake facilities complete with
gates and trashracks.
A spillway would be located either on the southwest abutment or
on the dam proper. It would be a non-gated overflow with a
maximum crest at approximately elevation 440 ft.
b. Pressure Penstock -The water would be transported by a 6,000
foot long penstock approximately 8 feet in diameter to the
powerhouse. The penstock route from the dam would be northwest
along the south side of the Duck River to the powerhouse site.
The powerhouse site is about 3,000 feet upstream of the river
mouth at low tide and located at the foot of the last downstream
major natural falls at elevation 65 ft.
c. Powerhouse -The powerhouse will be reinforced concrete, with
approximate dimensions of 80 feet in length, 65 feet in width
and 45 feet in height.
d. Tailrace -The proposed tailrace will be an open channel wier
type constructed of concrete. It will be approximately 40 feet
wide and 16 feet long discharging directly into the natural Duck
River channel at approximately elevation 65 ft.
e. Dock and Access Road - A dock would be constructed on Galena Bay
on the south bank near the mouth of The Lagoon. An access road
would extend from the dock to the powerhouse site and then to
the dam area.
(2) The proposed reservoir would utilize an existing perched lake with
water surface elevation 306 ft. The dam at the mouth will raise the
water surface to maximum 450 ft elevation. The surface area would
be 1,792 acres, providing approximately 200,000 acre feet of storage
with the water surface at elevation 450 ft.
4
The normal operating maximum elevation of the reservoir would be
about 440 ft increasing to elevation 450 to pass the probable
maximum flood. These are approximate elevations that will be better
defined during the feasibility study.
(3) Project Primary Transmission Lines - A three phase 138 kilovolt line
would be constructed approximately 82.8 miles in length. This line
would interconnect with the existing distribution systems of Cordova
Electric Cooperative, in Cordova and Copper Valley Electric Assn,
Inc. in Valdez. A 7200 volt single phase line approximately 9 miles
long would be constructed to connect the project with the village of
Tatitlik.
(4) Turbine and Generators -three turbines are presently proposed, each
with a rated capacity of 7,600 h.p. and direct connected to a
synchronous generator with a rated capacity of 5,000 KW. Estimated
average annual energy produced would be 56.4 million kilowatt
hours. The average net hydraulic is estimated to be 368 feet.
(5) See attached sheets.
(6) The purpose of the proposed project is to provide economical
hydroelectric energy to communities and commercial operations of the
region. The use of this renewable resource will offset diesel oil
consumption in the area, as well as providing significant financial
savings for the consumers.
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(5) Silver Lake, the penstock, powerhouse, access road and dock are
located on U.S. lands encompassed by the following legal description:
A parcel of land located generally east of Galena Bay, Valdez Arm,
Chugach National Forest, in the Copper River Meridian, Alaska.
Beginning at the E-E 1/64 corner common to Sees. 2 and 11, T.11 S.,
R. 8 W., directly west of the outlet and in line with the southern
shoreline of the channel into the Lagoon of the Silver Lake and Duck
River system;
thence in a straight line northeasterly to the C-W 1/16 corner
of Sec. 1 , T. 11 S . , R. 8 W. ;
thence in a straight line in a northeasterly direction to the SW
1/16 corner of Sec. 31, T. 10 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line east to the SE 1/16 corner of same
section;
thence in a straight line northeast to the 1/4 corner common to
Sees. 31 and 32, T. 10 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line east to the C-W 1/16 corner of Sec.
32, T. 10 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the
corner common to Sees. 32 and 33, T. 10 S., R. 7 W. and Sees. 4
and 5 , T . 11 S . , R . 7 W . ;
thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the
1/4 corner common to Sees. 3 and 4, T.11 S., R. 7 W.;
-~·· '-··-·-·--···----~·-···-··---"-·--~------·-··---·-··--»·-·--//'-~ thence in a straight line sou~t to the 1/4 corner common to
Sees. 3 and 10, T. 11 S., T. v
thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the C
1/4 corner of Sec. 11, T. 11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the E
1/16 corner common to Sees. 11 and 14, T. 11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line southwest to the SW 1/16 corner of
Sec. 14, T. 11 S. , R. 7 W. ;
thence in a straight line west to the C 1/4 corner of Sec. 15,
T. 11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line in a northwesterly direction to the W
1/16 corner common to Sees. 10 and 15, T. 11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line northwest to the S 1/16 corner common
to Sees. 9 and 10, T. 11 S. , R. 7 W, ;
6
thence in a striaght line in a northwesterly direction to the
corner common to Sees. 4, 5, 8 and 9, T.11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line in a northwesterly direction to the S
1/16 corner common to Sees. 5 and 6, T. 11 S., R. 7 W.;
thence in a straight line northwest to the C-N 1/16 corner of
Sec. 6, T. 11 S. , R. 7 W. ;
thence in a straight line southwest to the C-W 1/16 corner of
Sec. 6, T. 11 S. , R. 7 W. ;
thence in a straight line in a southwesterly direction to the
C-E 1/16 corner of Sees. 12, T. 11 S., R. 8 W.,
thence in a straight line east to the 1/4 corner common to Sees.
11 and 12, T. 11 S., R. 8 W.;
thence in a straight line in a northwesterly direction to the
C-N 1/16 corner of Sec. 11, T. 11 S., R. 8 W.;
thence in a straight line in a northeasterly direction to the
E-E 1/64 corner common to Sees. 2 and 11, T. 11 S., R. 8 W.,
which is the point of beginning.
The areas as described contains approximately 4,100 acres, subject
to adjustment to lines of public land surveys.
T.
R.
c
c-w
C-E
C-N
Abbreviation Key
7
Township
Range
Centerpoint
Centerpoint-West
Centerpoint-East
Centerpoint-North
Exhibit 2 Description of Studies Conducted and to be Conducted
(1) In 1915, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the
Duck River and Silver Lake as "the most favorable opportunity for
water power development in the Prince William Sound Region."
In 1920 George C. Hazelet filed for a withdrawal for lands to be
used for a power project with the Federal Power Commission and an
area of 1,440 acres was reserved.
In 1972 the Silver Lake and Duck River project (PP 138) was
recommended for retention by the United States Department of the
Interior. (Reference: Review Report, Powersite Withdrawal PP 138,
Duck River, Silver Lake, near Valdez, Alaska U.S. Forestry Service,
Unites States Department of the Interior, August 1972)
In 1980-1981 United States Army Corps of Engineers (COE) conducted a
brief power assessment of Silver Lake. (Reference: Electrical
Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin, Interim Feasibility
Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement, United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, March 1981)
A study was completed by R. W. Retherford Associates for the Alaska
Power Authority and the City of Cordova. (Reference: Reconnaissance
Study of Energy Requirements and Alternatives for Cordova, R. W.
Retherford Associates, June 1981). In this study Silver Lake was
identified as one of the alternative small hydro sites. The study
involved:
o Load Forecasts
o Preliminary Economic Evaluation
In 1981-1982 the ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY contracted Stone & Webster
Engineering Corporation to make an "Assessment of Power Supply
Alternatives" (June 1982). This study involved the following:
o Agency Coordination and Public Participation
o Electric Energy Forecasts
o Preliminary Hydroelectric Conceptual Design and Analysis
o Intertie Conceptual Design and Analysis
o Environmental Analysis
o Hydrologic Investigation
o Air Quality and Meterological Tests
o Cost Estimates
o Socio-Economic Investigations.
8
At the present time Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation has a
contract with the ALASKA POWER AUTHORITY to conduct Environmental
and Geological Field Investigations at Silver Lake for use in
evaluating the Feasibility of the Project. These studies are nearly
complete.
The following tasks have been completed or are in progress at the
time of this application:
o Establish two river gaging stations, one at the mouth of
Silver Lake and the second at the mouth of the Duck River
above tide water (readings ongoing).
o Established surface water and ground water temperature and
water quality recording stations. (completed)
o Topographic mapping and survey (completed)
o Water quality studies of the lake, stream and lagoon (ongoing)
o Observed avian and terrestrial species in the project area and
determined the extent of utilization of the area by the
species (ongoing)
o Mapped vegetation and classified wildlife habitat in the
project area (ongoing)
o Conducted a fisheries field program related primarily to
anadromous fish in the lower Duck River and the tidal lagoon
and coordinated these activities with the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game in anticipation of future instream flow
assessment (ongoing)
o Conducted a sampling program for invertebrates (both fresh
water and intertidal) in the lake, river, lagoon and Galena
Bay (ongoing)
o Made an inventory of recreation and subsistence use of the
resources within the project area (ongoing)
o Conducted a reconnaissance level survey of cultural,
historical and archaeological resources within the project
site (ongoing)
o Conducted a geotechnical program that included mapping of the
region geology, site specific geology (structure,
stratigraphy, micro-structure, and surficial geology), detail
geology along the proposed road and penstock routes and at the
powerhouse site, core drilling (four holes with proper permits
and regulations) at the dam site and spillway location,
identification of geologic hazards, and an assessment of
available construction materials (field work completed, office
work is ongoing)
9
o Conducted literature reviews, agency contacts and briefings,
local village and community contacts and briefing (ongoing)
o Construct nice test" facility consisting of three helicopter
transportable towers and lines for collecting ice build-up
data (ongoing)
Continued or future studies, investigations, tests, or surveys
proposed are:
o Continue to collect hydrological data
o Maintain "ice test" facility
o Continue biological observations
o Conduct detail feasibility studies
o Conduct instream work relative to fisheries
o Prepare and submit a FERC license application
o Optimize road, dam, penstock and powerhouse layouts
o Continue Environmental Field collection of resource data
o Initiate Preliminary design of road, dam, powerhouse, penstock
and spillway
No new roads were built and none are proposed for the purpose of
conducting the studies for this site. Access is strictly limited to
foot, helicopter or boat.
(2) Measures have been and will continue to be taken to m~n~m1ze any
disturbance to lands or waters in the vicinity of the proposed
projects. Coordination has been and will continue to be maintained
with all proper agencies and all permits will be obtained and their
requirements observed. All personal and equipment would be
transported by helicoper or boat or foot. All garbage and refuse is
removed from the site. Structures such as ice testing facilities,
tents, removable equipment stands and data pods utilized during the
field studies will be removed during or upon completion of the
investigations.
A proposed schedule showing the intervals at which the studies,
investigations, tests, and surveys are to be completed, is shown on
the following page.
10
I ~
I 1982 1983 1984 ~
; NOV I DEC JAN I FEB I MAR I APR l MAY l JUN I JUL I AUG I SEP I OCT I NOV I DEC JAN l ~
CONTINUATION FEASIBILITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINUE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD PROGRAM TO THE END
(
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(
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FIELD STUDIES
(
I
FEASIBILITY STUDY
l
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J
OF PRELIMINARY PERMIT
REPORT PREPARATION
" I
)
FINAL
REPORT
)
POWER & HYDRAULIC STUDIES
)
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I I I
l J I ~ ECONOMIC EVALUATIONS Jf () I
EXHIBIT 2-SHEET 1 OF 1
PROJECT SCHEDULE
PREPARATION OF FERC
LICENSE APPLICATION
l
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)
Exhibit 3 Cost and Financing
(1) The estimated cost of carrying out or preparing the studies,
investigations, tests, surveys, maps, plans, or specifications that
have been or are proposed to be carried out, for the purposes of
determining the technical, economic and financial feasibility of the
proposed project, taking into consideration its environmental
impacts, and of preparing an application for license, for the
project is $2,400,000. This cost includes $1,200,000 paid for
studies that have been completed.
(2) Financing for the above work has been and will be by State
Legislative funding action.
(3) During the Feasibility Study, the power marketing arrangement for
the sale of power output of the Silver Lake project will be
investigated. Potential power purchasers are Cordova Electric
Cooperative and Copper Valley Electric Assn, Inc. where the power
produced would displace diesel generated power.
Based upon a comparison to present rates and revenues in the area,
and construction costs, the anticipated annual revenues from the
proposed project are estimated to be $8,500,000.
11
Exhibit 4 Project Maps and Features
Project features and boundaries are indicated on the accompanying maps.
Map 1 indicates the present project boundary and the boundaries of the
lands reserved by PP 138 for Mr. George C. Hazelet.
There are no areas within or in the vicinity of the proposed project
boundary which are included in or have been designated for study for
inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System.
There are no areas within the project boundary that have been designated
wildness area, recommended for designation as wilderness areas, or
designated as a wilderness study area.
Project Maps:
Sheet 1 -Project Boundaries and PP 138 Boundaries
2 -Project Features
3 -Project Transmission Line Routes
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l:OOl:U I B
9
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~
,-----~
0 1000 4000 8000
500 2000 6000
SCALE IN FEET
EXHIBIT 4-SHEET 1 OF 3
PROJECT BOUNDARIES
AND PP 138 BOUNDARIES
OlOZillY
~D
0
0 2
~
1
8
I j
16
I
4 12
SCALE IN MILES
EXHIBIT 4-SHEET 3 OF 3
TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTES