HomeMy WebLinkAboutAngoon Record of Decision May 2009
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest Service
Tongass
National Forest
R10-MB-635
May 2009
Angoon Hydroelectric
Project
Record of Decision
Tongass National Forest
Admiralty Island National Monument
Juneau, Alaska
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD - Key Acronyms and Other Terms
ACMP Alaska Coastal Management Program GIS Geographic Information System
ADFG Alaska Department of Fish and Game HUC Hydrologic Unit Code (United States
Geological Survey)
ADNR Alaska Department of Natural Resources IDT Interdisciplinary Team
AHMU Aquatic Habitat Management Handbook kV Kilovolts
ANCSA Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act
(1972)
LTA Land Type Association
ANILCA Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (1980)
LUD Land Use Designation
BA Biological Assessment LWD Large Woody Debris
BE Biological Evaluation MIS Management Indicator Species
BMP Best Management Practice MMI Mass Movement Index
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations NFMA National Forest Management Act (1976)
cfs Cubic feet per second NFS National Forest System
CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act (1972) NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
EFH Essential Fish Habitat NOI Notice of Intent (to publish an EIS)
EIS Environmental Impact Statement RMA Riparian Management Area
EPA Environmental Protection Agency ROD Record of Decision
ESA Endangered Species Act SHPO State Historic Preservation Office
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement SUA Special Use Authorization
FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission TES Threatened and Endangered Species
Forest
Plan
Tongass Land and Resource Management
Plan
TUS Transportation and Utility Systems
Forest
Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Forest service
USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
FSH Forest Service Handbook USDA United States Department of Agriculture
FSM Forest Service Manual USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
USGS United States Geological Survey
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Cover photo: Thayer Creek
Printed on Recycled Paper
ROD - 1
1. Record of Decision
Angoon Hydroelectric Project
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Admiralty National Monument
Tongass National Forest
Alaska Region
1.1 SUMMARY
The Angoon Hydroelectric Project Record of Decision (ROD) describes the selection of
Alternative 3 for implementation in the Angoon Hydroelectric Project area.
Kootznoowoo, Incorporated, the ANCSA corporation for the city of Angoon, is the
project proponent. Kootznoowoo, Inc. asked the Forest Service to do the NEPA process
necessary to develop a hydroelectric project to lower the cost of power generation and
electric bills in Angoon. Alternative 3, now called the Selected Alternative, was
developed as a means of reducing the amount of vegetative clearing required along the
transmission line corridor, reducing potential effects to fish habitat in Thayer Creek, and
reducing potential effects of road and pipeline/penstock construction on karst terrain and
on steep slopes along Thayer Creek. The Selected Alternative requires buried power line,
roads located in uplands, instream flow of at least 40 cubic feet per second (cfs) in
Thayer Creek, and other terms and conditions to provide protection to resources in the
project area.
The Forest Service Selected Alternative describes the terms and conditions required to be
included in the Special Use Authorization (SUA) to protect resource values within the
project area related to the construction and operation of Kootznoowoo, Incorporated’s
hydroelectric facility on Thayer Creek. Several Federal and State permits are necessary to
implement the authorized activities. Implementation of this action including issuance of
the Forest Service SUA will not occur until the proponent has acquired all necessary
permits and/or permissions in accordance with state and federal law.
1.2 PROJECT LOCATION
The project area is located within Admiralty Island National Monument, Tongass
National Forest, Alaska. The proposed hydroelectric dam will be constructed on Thayer
Creek with power delivered to Angoon. The project area was authorized through the
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 (ANILCA) as T. 49 S., R. 67 E.
and T. 50 S., R 67 E, Copper River Base and Meridian. The city of Angoon is
approximately 50 miles south of Juneau and the project area is just north of Angoon
along the east shoreline of Chatham Strait (Figure R-1).
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Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
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Land ownership in the project area is mixed. The Forest Service manages the majority of
the land within the project area as part of the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. In the southern
portion of the project area, there are private lands, with surface rights owned by
Kootznoowoo, Inc., and subsurface interests owned by Sealaska, Inc. (see Figure R-2).
The City of Angoon boundaries include section 24, T. 50 S., R. 67 E. and section 19, T.
50 S., R. 68 E.
1.3 DECISION
It is my decision to select Alternative 3 as described in the Angoon Hydroelectric Project
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS). I authorize the actions necessary to
implement my decision.
My decision encompasses the following:
The terms and conditions that will be included in or required prior to issuance of a
Special Use Authorization [SUA] to protect water, fisheries, wildlife, recreational,
heritage, and scenic values within the project area;
The maximum term for the SUA;
Road management objectives for constructed roads;
Any necessary project-specific monitoring requirements; and
The SUA will contain terms and conditions related to engineering and structural
specifications, land-use and administrative fees, insurance requirements, performance
bonding requirements, resource protection requirements, and safety requirements in
addition to other special clauses deemed appropriate by the Forest Service. The Forest
Service is responsible for the regulation and monitoring of construction, operation, and
fee collection.
Authorities to prescribe these conditions are found in the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of October 21, 1976, ANILCA, the Endangered Species Act, and other
laws and regulations. The final design and construction of the project must be consistent
with this Record of Decision (ROD).
This decision is based on the environmental analysis presented in the Final EIS for the
Angoon Hydroelectric Project and includes agency, tribal, and public comments received
during the comment period on the DEIS as well as input on the Final EIS. This decision
meets the Purpose and Need for the project; is consistent with the 2008 Tongass Land
and Resource Management Plan and ROD; and is responsive to concerns raised during
scoping, information gathered during the environmental analysis, and public and agency
comments on the DEIS and FEIS.
Description of the Selected Alternative
The Selected Alternative is displayed in Figure R-2. The Selected Alternative provides
modifications, in the form of terms and conditions to be included in a Special Use
Authorization (SUA), to Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s Selected Project Arrangement to reduce
potential effects to resources in the project area and to meet specific requirements found
in the Forest Plan.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 4
The Selected Alternative includes terms and conditions that are either general or specific
in terms of their effect on Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s original proposal.
Specific Terms and Conditions
The Selected Alternative requires that:
All transmission lines be buried. Exceptions due to difficulties related to terrain
may be authorized on a site-specific basis. If burying the powerline is not feasible
in the northeast corner of Section 13 in T. 50 S., R. 67 E., that section of
powerline corridor will receive additional on-site evaluation prior to clearing to
insure it is located below the ridge with minimal southeast exposure to avoid a
wind tunnel effect and reduce wind throw risk.
A minimum instream flow of 40 cfs be maintained at all times in the Thayer
Creek bypass reach to minimize freezing temperatures and loss of stream
continuity in the bypass reach.
All water not needed for power generation be returned to Thayer Creek at the
diversion dam and sent through the bypass reach.
The tailrace discharge will be returned above or immediately below the lowest
anadromous fish barrier on Thayer Creek to minimize the length of anadromous
stream affected by the diversion.
The road from the marine facilities to the powerhouse be routed to minimize
effects to areas identified as high vulnerability karst as well as the streams that
flow to the karst features and that the diversion dam access road be routed away
from steep slopes along Thayer Creek (see Road Cards in Appendix B for road
locations). The final locations of these facilities must be approved by the Forest
Service.
The dam include a low gate feature to pass bedload during specified windows of
high flows in May-June and September-October to minimize effects on channel
stability and fisheries downstream of the dam.
Floating wood accumulating behind the dam be disposed of into the bypass reach
during high flows in May-June and September-October to minimize effects on
channel stability and fisheries downstream of the dam.
Trees that are in the reservoir be left standing to avoid ground disturbance
associated with cutting and removal and to provide habitat complexity.
All activities and treatments (including tree clearing) must be confined to the
project area authorized in ANILCA and described in Section 1.2 (Project
Location).
The access road will be constructed in two unconnected segments. The north
segment is accessible from the marine facilities and the south segment accessible
from Kootznahoo Inlet. This is in order to avoid construction through the 100-
foot deep, 635-foot wide V-notch (at about mile marker 0.8, see Road Cards in
Appendix 1). If Kootznoowoo, Inc. proposes to build a road and bridge across
this V-notch, additional analysis of effects will be required.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
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Back of R-2
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ROD - 7
The term for the SUA will be 30 years. The expected timeline for Kootznoowoo,
Inc. to design and construct the project is 3 years or longer.
Project Components
The Selected Alternative includes the following project components (see Figure R-2) as
described in Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s Selected Project Arrangement submitted to the Forest
Service or as modified to conform to the terms and conditions in the Selected Alternative.
Modified components are highlighted.
Marine Facilities to Power Plant
1. Permanent facilities located 1.8 miles south of the outlet of Thayer
Creek consisting of mooring buoys and a garage for operation and
maintenance vehicles at the mooring facility.
2. Temporary facilities, including a barge landing, staging areas, and a
construction camp during project construction.
3. A 2.2-mile, 12.5 kV transmission line segment, buried along the
access road from the powerhouse to the marine facilities.
Exceptions to line burial due to difficulties related to terrain may
be authorized on a site-specific basis.
4. A 2.2-mile access/maintenance road paralleling the transmission
line from the marine facilities to the power plant and rerouted to
maintain a minimum 100-foot buffer from areas identified as high
vulnerability karst and the streams that flow to these features.
Power Plant to Diversion Dam
5. A 10-foot high diversion dam on Thayer Creek, approximately 1.5
miles upstream from the mouth of Thayer Creek at an elevation of
approximately 250 feet above sea level.
6. A 10- to 20-acre impoundment above the diversion dam.
7. An intake structure with a trashrack, transition section, shutoff valve,
sluiceway, and control facilities at the diversion dam.
8. A 1.2-mile, 42-inch diameter pipeline from the intake structure to the
powerhouse. The pipeline will be secured to the ground by a system of
nylon straps and galvanized steel cable, and to the maximum extent
possible will be routed around trees and other obstacles.
9. A 510-foot long, 36-inch diameter penstock from the downstream end
of the pipeline to the powerhouse.
10. A 240-foot long, six-foot diameter surge tank above the junction of the
pipeline and penstock, potentially with a temporary road built for tank
construction.
11. A power plant structure, about 30 feet by 68 feet and 25 feet high, to
house two generating units with a total generating capacity of 1,000-
kilowatt; the power plant is located about 450 feet downstream of the
waterfall.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 8
12. A 2.1-mile access/maintenance road from the powerhouse to the
diversion dam/intake structure that avoids steep and unstable
slopes.
13. A water release control structure at the diversion dam to maintain
a minimum instream flow of 40 cfs (cubic feet of water per second)
at all times below the diversion dam.
14. A spoils/staging area.
Marine Facilities to City of Angoon
15. A 4.2-mile, 12.5 kV transmission line segment, buried from the
marine facility to Kootznahoo Inlet. Exceptions to line burial due
to difficulties related to terrain may be authorized on a site-specific
basis.
16. A 4.2-mile access/maintenance road paralleling the transmission line
from the marine facilities to Kootznahoo Inlet.
17. A 0.5-mile (2,700 feet) submarine cable segment from the northern
shore of Kootznahoo Inlet to the City of Angoon.
18. Two electrical switch yards near the shoreline where the submarine
cable enters and exits Kootznahoo Inlet.
Total tree clearing width along all transmission lines/access roads is expected to be 46-70
feet, with an average of 50 feet wide.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 9
Table R-1 compares the project activities and components of the Selected Alternative
with the other alternatives considered in detail.
Table R-1. Comparison of Alternatives, including the Selected Alternative, by
Activity
Activity Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Selected
Alternative
(Alt. 3)
Buried Trans. line
Alternative 4
Submerged
Trans. Line
Special Use Authorization No Yes Yes Yes
Above-ground
transmission line 0 6.2 miles minimized minimized
Buried transmission line 0 0 6.2 miles as feasible 2.2 miles as
feasible
Submerged transmission
line 0 0.5 mile 0.5 mile 4.6 miles
Access Road Marine Fac.
to Powerhouse 0 2.2 miles 2.2 miles 2.2 miles
Access Road
Powerhouse to Dam 0 1.4 miles 2.1 miles 2.1 miles
Access Road Marine Fac.
to Kootznahoo Inlet 0 4.0 miles 4.0 miles 0
Temporary Access Rd
Surge Tank 0 0.2 mile 0 0
Road/Trans Line Clearing
Width 0 46-200 feet 46-70 feet (50 feet
avg.)
46-70 feet (50
feet avg.)
Diversion Dam Access
Road Location None
On steep slopes in
Thayer Creek
canyon
Reroute avoids
steep slopes in
Thayer Creek
canyon
Reroute avoids
steep slopes in
Thayer Creek
canyon
Pipeline Location None
Follows the
contour in Thayer
Creek canyon
Follows the contour
in Thayer Creek
canyon
Follows the
contour in Thayer
Creek canyon
Penstock Location None Same for all
alternatives
Same for all
alternatives
Same for all
alternatives
Marine Facility None Same for all
alternatives
Same for all
alternatives
Same for all
alternatives
Switchyards 0 3 3 3
Tailrace Discharge
location None
450 feet
downstream of
fish barrier
Above or
immediately below
the lowest
anadromous fish
barrier
Above or
immediately
below the lowest
anadromous fish
barrier
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 10
1.4 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s development proposal served as the basis for the terms and
conditions displayed in the action alternatives in the Final EIS. The analysis documented
in the Final EIS disclosed the possible adverse and beneficial effects of implementing the
actions proposed under each alternative. The Forest Service uses terms and conditions to
mitigate and prevent negative effects on resources in the planning and implementation of
land management activities. The application of these measures begins during the
planning and design phases of a project. The general terms and conditions summarized
below and in the Road Cards (in Appendix 1 of this ROD) are part of the Selected
Alternative and will apply to the Angoon Hydroelectric Project development.
General
The proponent will supply plans and other information for Forest Service review
and approval. The Forest Service will review and approve all technical aspects of
the project, including design plans, site plans, and specifications as necessary to
assure consistency and compliance with the ROD.
The Forest Service will require special plans of the SUA holder, such as:
Abandonment
Borrow pit restoration
Construction schedule
Clearing and disposal
Cultural resource management
Environmental Compliance and Monitoring
Erosion prevention and control
Fire
Fish and wildlife management
Flood plain and wetland protection
Grading and profile
Hazardous material management
Landscape management
Operation and Maintenance
Public Information
Recreation
Reservoir/conveyance operation and maintenance
Revegetation and/or rehabilitation
Road maintenance
Safety
Sensitive plants/animals protection
Sewage/refuse disposal
Spill Prevention and Control
Spoil disposal
Timber removal
Transportation
Water resources protection
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See Hydroelectric Handbook – Typical Order of Events for Exempted Project (FSH
2709.15 Ch 24.3), Special-Use Authorizations (FSH 2709.15 Chapter 60), and Special
Uses Handbook (FSH 2709.11).
The proponent will provide a qualified and approved environmental compliance
monitor to be on-site during construction with authority to ensure compliance
with conditions of the various agencies’ permits and permissions.
The Forest Service will review construction plans, specifications, and
geotechnical information concerning all facilities on National Forest System lands
as part of the SUA operating plan.
Before issuing the SUA, the Forest Service will require project proponent to
provide a final safety and engineering review of the project design by a qualified
engineering firm with experience in designing and constructing hydroelectric
facilities.
Ground-disturbing activities associated with the Angoon Hydroelectric project are
considered nonpoint pollutant sources under Clean Water Act Sections 208 and
319. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are recognized as the primary control
mechanisms for nonpoint source pollution on National Forest System lands.
Alaska’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Strategy (ADEC 2007) describes
site-specific application of BMPs, with a monitoring and feedback mechanism, as
the approved strategy for controlling nonpoint source pollution. BMPs are
described in the Forest Service’s Soil and Water Conservation Handbook (USDA
Forest Service 2006). BMPs 12.10 and 12.14 address water resource protection in
Special Use Permits and Utility Corridors. This ROD and accompanying road
cards describe the site-specific application of BMPs for this project. The project
proponent will be required to specify BMPs in operating plans subject to further
review and approval by the Forest Service.
At a minimum, the dam must be designed for a 100-year flood, in accordance
with State of Alaska guidelines for low hazard dams (Alaska Department of
Natural Resources 2005).
To minimize ground disturbance and water quality impacts, use of ground-based
equipment for construction, operation, and maintenance activities will require
minimum standard road construction approved by the Forest Service.
No ground-based equipment will be authorized off roads for any activity unless
approved site-specifically by the Forest Service.
Merchantable timber removed for the project will be appraised and sold to the
authorization holder through a settlement contract (36 CFR 223.12 Permission to
cut, damage, or destroy trees without advertisement). The settlement contract will
outline the requirements associated with removal and disposal of national forest
timber in accordance with applicable manual direction and federal regulations.
No timber will be harvested within 100 feet of Thayer Creek unless timber
removal is needed to facilitate construction activities (to meet Tongass Timber
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
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Reform Act buffer requirements); no timber will be sold from within 100 feet of
Thayer Creek.
The facilities, roads, and transmission lines must be designed to meet all
applicable Forest Plan standards and guidelines.
Roads developed to implement this project will be for high-clearance vehicles and
heavy equipment (see Road Cards in Appendix B).
Roads constructed for the project will be closed to all motorized uses unrelated to
project construction and operation; the project proponent will be responsible for
installing effective road closure devices as well as for road maintenance and
erosion control.
If camps are needed in the project area, camps will be located in areas identified
for disturbance such as staging areas, rock pits or building sites.
In addition to the above, the following resource-specific conditions will be applied to
reduce or mitigate adverse effects on specific natural resources in the project area:
Geology and Soils
BMPs include, but are not limited to:
o Road location avoids unstable, sensitive, or fragile areas and restricts
blasting (BMPs 14.2, 14.7).
o Road design and construction maintains natural drainage and controls
excavation and sidecast material (BMPs 14.3, 14.9, 14.12).
o Erosion control measures apply to all disturbed areas and are consistent
with invasive species policy (BMPs 12.17, 14.5, 14.8, 14.10, 14.11,
14.18).
Design-level geotechnical studies must be completed before final layout and
design of the project to avoid building project features on unstable slopes.
Roads shall be held to the minimum feasible number, width and total length
consistent with the intended purpose (see Road Cards in Appendix B).
Water Resources
BMPs include, but are not limited to:
o Road-stream crossings (including penstock crossing) will be designed to
avoid constricting bankfull channel width. Class I, II, and III stream
crossings will pass, at minimum, a 50-year flood event (BMP 14.17).
o Construction of road-stream crossings will minimize disturbance and
sediment production (BMPs 14.10, 14.14, 14.17, 14.19).
o Clearing for roads and/or transmission line corridors will minimize tree-
felling in designated streams (see road cards). If debris entering stream
has debris dam or diversion potential it must be removed within 48 hours
unless approved by the Forest Service (BMP 13.16).
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The dam will be designed to allow flushing of sediment and large wood into the
bypass reach on an as-needed basis.
The project will divert no more than 82 cfs (cubic feet of water per second) of
streamflow from Thayer Creek. The proponent is responsible for obtaining a
water right for diversion from Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
All diverted streamflow will be returned from the powerhouse to the Thayer
Creek.
The powerhouse may not release heated water to Thayer Creek (see monitoring
plan).
The powerhouse must be designed to provide flow downstream of the
powerhouse in the event of an unplanned shutdown of the intake or pipeline.
A plan to collect streamflow data in Thayer Creek must be approved by the Forest
Service prior to final design.
A monitoring plan addressing instream flows, floating debris and sediment at the
dam, and stream temperature, ice accumulation, streambed substrate and large
wood in the anadromous fish reach is required.
Fisheries
Resource-specific BMPs include, but are not limited to:
o BMP 12.17- Revegetation of Disturbed Areas
o BMP 13.16- Stream Channel Protection
o BMP 14.6- Timing restrictions for construction activities
Instream construction shall only occur during low-flow periods (Aug-Sept or Dec-
Mar) and employ sediment and erosion control BMPs to minimize downstream
sedimentation and direct impacts to resident and anadromous fish.
No in-water work in salt water shall occur from March 15-June 15 to protect
spawning herring and migrating juvenile salmon unless approved by ADFG.
The intake structure at the diversion dam must be properly installed and screened
to protect resident fish. Refer to NMFS reference on intake screen criteria (NMFS
1996).
Design of the diversion dam must safely pass fish downstream subject to approval
by ADFG.
Design of the tailrace discharge structure must include outfall protection, such as
a concrete pad or placed riprap, to decrease or eliminate scouring and
sedimentation. Must also be designed so as to not be an attractant flow to
escaping fish or allow access to the tailrace.
Road-stream crossings of Class I and II streams (designated in road cards) will be
designed to accommodate fish passage (BMPs 14.17, 12.5)
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A plan to monitor fish populations in the anadromous habitat is required. Refer to
Forest Service guidelines for population assessment (Bryant 2000)
Floating wood accumulating behind the dam must be disposed of into the bypass
reach during high flows in May-June or September-October
Vegetation
Avoid disturbance of grassy areas on the west side of the small island near the
marine facilities to reduce chance of spread of non-native species present.
Prior to construction, the Forest Service district botanist will mark, on the ground
or on aerial photos, the boundaries of the known rare plant populations in or near
the proposed project footprint.
To avoid rare plants, spoils will not be deposited in the large tall sedge fen
meadow between the power house and dam.
To avoid the introduction of invasive species into the project area, plants native to
the area should be used for any revegetation or restoration work as identified in
the Project Erosion Control Plan.
Construction vehicles and equipment must be washed before being delivered to
the project site.
Erosion control measures will use weed-free materials. Re-vegetation seed
mixtures must be approved by the Forest Service.
Wetlands
BMPs include, but are not limited to:
o Roads location and design minimizes number, width and total length of
roads on wetlands. Avoid high value wetlands (BMP 12.5)
o Road construction will minimize excavation, and overburden and debris
disposal in wetlands (BMPs 14.3, 14.12, 14.19).
No discharge of dredged or fill material shall be permitted in wetlands if there is a
practicable alternative to the proposed discharge which will have less adverse
impact on the aquatic ecosystem in light of overall project purposes (U.S. Army
Corps of Engineer guidelines) .
The project proponent must acquire a Section 404 permit from the Army Corps of
Engineers.
Rock pits and staging areas shall not be located on wetlands.
Minimum road clearing and side ditching must be used when building roads in
wetlands.
Minimize the loss of tall sedge fen wetlands, which are scarce wetland types on
the Tongass National Forest and provide valuable habitat to several terrestrial
animals.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 15
Wildlife
No vegetation removal is permitted within a 330-foot radius of an active bald
eagle nest between March 1 and August 31.
No active or inactive bald eagle nest trees may be cut down.
No blasting is allowed within one half mile and repeated helicopter flights are not
allowed within a quarter mile of active bald eagle nests. Any restrictions placed
upon project activity to minimize disturbance to nesting eagles may be removed if
the nest(s) becomes inactive after May 31. Variances to these conditions must be
approved through consultation with the USFWS.
Design and build transmission lines to provide avian safety following design
standards and recommendations in Avian Power Line Interaction Committee
(2006).
Prevent habituation of bears to human food/garbage and reduce the chances of
human/bear incidents. All camps and work sites are required to use bear-proof
garbage disposal methods and store food in bear-proof containers.
Where practical, road construction and other development activities are not
permitted within 500 feet of the anadromous portion of Thayer Creek to minimize
effects to brown bear use of key foraging areas.
The authorization holder shall develop measures to control hunting, trapping, and
fishing within the project boundary by the construction workforce and describe in
the Fish and Wildlife Management Plan how prohibitions of hunting, trapping and
fishing will be implemented and enforced.
Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species
If any previously undiscovered sensitive plants are encountered before or during
implementation of the project the Forest Service must be notified immediately to
evaluate the potential risk to the population and recommend avoidance or
mitigation measures.
Check trees for goshawk nests prior to cutting. If previously undiscovered active
goshawk nests are found, avoid cutting the nest tree and surrounding trees and
notify the Forest Service. The Forest Service will establish a nest management
zone consisting of 100-acres of productive old growth centered on the nest. No
continuous disturbance likely to result in nest abandonment is permitted within
600 feet of the nest between March 15 and August 15 (USDA 2008a). Report
goshawk sightings to the Forest Service for follow-up.
A minimum 330-foot buffer must be marked around any osprey nest tree found in
or near the project area before or during implementation of the project (USDA
2008a). No activities “likely to disturb nesting activity” may occur within this
buffer until the nesting season ends.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 16
Scenery
The smallest area needed for the marine facility will be cleared of trees and
vegetation. During construction, shoreline rocks will be protected from scarring or
damage.
In the Lakes Viewshed (Figure 3-5, Chapter 3), a minimum of 100-foot wide
buffer of mature trees must be maintained between the project elements and
lakeshores, where feasible.
Where feasible, a windfirm buffer of mature trees must be left along the shoreline
in the Chatham Strait Shoreline Viewshed (Figure 3-5, Chapter 3), to screen the
transmission facilities, access road and construction staging area from the Visual
Priority Travel Routes and Use Areas.
Project elements, including buildings, the pipeline, transmission poles, and
generation facilities must be constructed of visually compatible materials or
painted earth-tone colors to blend with the surroundings.
Cultural Resources
A Forest Service approved archaeologist must be present on-site during project
layout and construction to monitor changes between the approved design and
actual layout.
If an historic property cannot be avoided during layout, or a new site is discovered
during construction, project work will cease until a mitigation plan is developed.
A mitigation plan will be developed in consultation with the State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO), Kootznoowoo, Inc., the Forest Service, the Angoon
Community Association, and the City of Angoon. A Memorandum of Agreement
formalizing the mitigation plan and a timeline for its completion will be executed
prior to proceeding.
The Admiralty National Monument Ranger must be contacted immediately and
work cease if historic properties or cultural materials not previously considered,
are encountered during project implementation.
Should human remains be encountered during project implementation all work in
the locality will cease and the Forest Archaeologist and the Alaska State Troopers
shall be contacted. If Native American remains are encountered on National
Forest System lands the Forest Service will follow Native American Graves
Protection and Repatriation Act regulations set forth in 43 CFR 10. Federally
recognized Tribes and ANCSA Corporations will be notified of inadvertent
discoveries and consulted to determine an action plan on how to proceed.
1.5 MONITORING
Project-specific Monitoring
Routine implementation monitoring is part of the administration of a special use
authorization.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 17
Appendix 2 of this ROD displays monitoring required for this project. Additional detail
on resource monitoring, including water resource monitoring, is found in the resource
reports (see for example Thompson 2009). Monitoring displayed in Appendix 2 of the
ROD, summarizes the monitoring requirements, authority, and responsibility by resource.
The monitoring shown in Appendix 2 is part of this decision.
1.6 REASONS FOR THE DECISION
In making my decision, I carefully considered the need for this project as well as the
concerns raised during scoping, comments on the DEIS, and discussions with the
proponent and other interested parties. I considered ANILCA and 2008 Forest Plan
direction relevant to this project, and the concerns and values of the public. I considered
all viewpoints and incorporated them where feasible and consistent with the Purpose and
Need of the project.
My decision to implement the Selected Alternative conforms to the 2008 Forest Plan and
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. I considered the project’s Purpose
and Need and the issues when reaching my decision, as well as other resource impacts
and concerns:
My decision is responsive to the need to comply with the requirements of
ANILCA Section 506(a) by establishing resource protection measures to be
required for the development of the hydroelectric project proposed by
Kootznoowoo, Inc. at Thayer Creek within Admiralty Island National Monument.
My decision is responsive to Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s desire to reduce the cost of
power generation and lower electric rates for Angoon residents.
My decision to implement the Selected Alternative considered the other concerns that
arose in the EIS.
I considered the effects that the hydroelectric development will have on water,
fishery, wildlife, recreational, heritage, and scenic values. The Selected
Alternative provides adequate protection and reduces negative impacts on area
resources to moderate, minor, or negligible levels consistent with Forest Plan
guidelines. Table R-2 compares the effects of the Selected Alternative with the
other alternatives considered in detail.
I considered the effects that the hydroelectric development will have on specific
resource concerns such as scenic values, fish habitat, karst, and water quality. The
Selected Alternative reduces or avoids many negative effects on these specific
resources by including terms and conditions that limit project effects on these
resources. Buried transmission line will substantially reduce the amount of
vegetative clearing required along the transmission line corridor minimizing the
impacts to scenery and wildlife habitat. Rerouting the roads reduces potential
effects of road and pipeline/penstock construction on karst terrain and on steep
slopes and water quality along Thayer Creek. Terms and conditions in the
Selected Alternative that involve fisheries, such as the requirements for a higher
level of water discharge into the bypass reach of Thayer Creek, low gate feature to
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 18
pass bedload, and disposal of floating wood into the bypass reach will minimize
effects on fisheries downstream of the dam by reducing loss of stream continuity
and reducing effects on channel stability.
I considered the concern that buried power line may increase the cost of the
project. I recognize that there are trade-offs associated with buried power line.
The Selected Alternative requires that the transmission line be buried where
technically feasible to minimize the visual effects of clearing and of an overhead
line. This type of installation is somewhat more expensive than an overhead line
but is a common method and practice in the industry. At this conceptual stage
there is insufficient field information for an accurate assessment of subsurface
conditions along the proposed route. As a result installation costs are more
uncertain and may increase considerably if extensive bedrock excavation is
required. Because a buried line would be relatively protected from weather related
damage, maintenance costs would be lower and reliability of the system would be
higher than with an overhead line. As a result, the unanticipated costs of diesel
generation that would occur during power outages would be less. A buried line
could be repaired using normal practices and equipment.
In making my Angoon Hydroelectric project decision, I considered concerns about
climate change (FEIS, Chapter 3, Section 3.14, Social Economics). In terms of
carbon dioxide emissions, less fuel would be needed after development of this
project to generate electricity under the Selected Alternative than under the No
Action Alternative; therefore, the production of carbon dioxide would be reduced.
The diesel fuel burned by the Inside Passage Electric Cooperative, Inc. for
electricity generation in 2006 produced the equivalent of 1,877 tons of carbon
dioxide. While this is only a small portion of the worldwide carbon dioxide
emissions, implementation of this project would be supportive of the Forest
Service mission to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s
forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations” and the
Forest Service’s emphasis on climate change.
Any needs for a different course of action that might affect what I am deciding now
will be addressed through existing planning procedures to determine whether changes
in the Angoon Hydroelectric Project management are warranted.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 19
Table R-2. Comparison of Alternatives, including the Selected Alternative, by
Resource Effect
Activity Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Selected
Alternative
(Alt. 3)
Buried Trans
Line
Alternative 4
Submerged
Trans Line
Geology
Effects to karst No Effect
0.2 mile of road
cross high
vulnerability
karst lands;
sediment and
debris would
enter karst
system. A
Forest Plan
amendment
would be needed
Due to
avoidance there
are no effects
Due to
avoidance there
are no effects
Soil
Project area exposed
to surface erosion
(acres)
0 45.5 48.2 24.9
Road in areas over
67% slope (feet) 0 1,650 1,500 150
Water1
Minimum Instream
Flow (CFS)
26 (predicted
natural extreme
minimum flow)
20 40 40
Winter Streamflow No effect Moderate effects Moderate effects Moderate
effects
Summer Streamflow No effect Minor effects Minor effects Minor effects
Spring and Fall
Streamflow:
No effect Negligible effects Negligible
effects
Negligible
effects
Sediment supply from
above dam
No effect Minor to moderate Negligible to
minor
Negligible to
minor
Large wood supply No effect Minor Negligible Negligible
Winter minimum water
temperature and
dissolved oxygen
No effect Moderate effects Moderate effects Moderate
effects
1 Impacts increase from no effect to negligible to minor to moderate to major; definitions of the level of
effects are located in Chapter 3 in the Water Resources section.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 20
Activity Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Selected
Alternative
(Alt. 3)
Buried Trans
Line
Alternative 4
Submerged
Trans Line
Summer maximum
water temperature
No effect Minor effects Negligible to
minor effects
Negligible to
minor effects
Erosion and sediment
(from ground-
disturbing activities)
No effect Major effects Minor effects Minor effects
Fisheries
Effects of flows on fish
and fish habitat
No change (no
effect)
For Reaches B &
C: Low flow
periods would
extend earlier into
the fall and later
into the spring;
would support few,
if any, incubating
eggs or resident
fish through the
winter; may freeze
for longer periods
in the winter or
increase to
potentially lethal
temperatures
during the
summer.
This alternative
will mimic more
natural flow
regimes.
Dewatering will
be less likely.
Additional flow
will provide
increased pool
depth, greater
stream
connectivity, and
decrease
harmful icing
conditions
This alternative
will mimic more
natural flow
regimes.
Dewatering will
be less likely.
Additional flow
will provide
increased pool
depth, greater
stream
connectivity,
and decrease
harmful icing
conditions
Effects due to location
of discharge water
from the power plant
No change (no
effect)
Discharge location
would likely cause
a moderate
reduction in
anadromous fish
populations
Flows would
mimic natural
conditions; little
potential effect
to anadromous
fish and habitat
below the barrier
Flows would
mimic natural
conditions; little
potential effect
to anadromous
fish and habitat
below the
barrier
Effects to Thayer
Creek from road
parallel to Thayer
Creek
No change (no
effect)
Road could
degrade riparian
habitat and
increase the
suspended
sediment load.
Greatly reduced
potential for
landslides and
introducing
sediment and
debris into creek
Greatly reduced
potential for
landslides and
introducing
sediment and
debris into
creek
Vegetation
Rare Plants No effect Low to moderate
effects
Low to moderate
effects
Low to
moderate
effects
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 21
Activity Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Selected
Alternative
(Alt. 3)
Buried Trans
Line
Alternative 4
Submerged
Trans Line
Invasive Species No effect
Low potential to
introduce invasive
species in area up
to 40 acres
Low potential to
introduce
invasive species
in area up to 40
acres
Low potential to
introduce
invasive species
in area up to 30
acres
Wetlands
Linear miles of road
built on wetlands 0 2.6 miles 2.6 miles 1.1 miles
Biodiversity and Wildlife
Effect on Connectivity
(acres of productive
old-growth removed
from beach fringe and
riparian management)
0 57 28 23
Effects on
Management Indicator
Species and Migratory
Birds
No Effect
Small loss (less
than 1%) of
potential habitat;
expected to
maintain viable,
well dispersed
populations of
MIS.
Small loss (less
than 1%) of
potential habitat;
expected to
maintain viable,
well dispersed
populations of
MIS.
Small loss (less
than 1%) of
potential
habitat;
expected to
maintain viable,
well dispersed
populations of
MIS.
Relative Effects of
Alternatives on
Management Indicator
Species and Migratory
Birds
No Effect
Greatest effect of
action alts. on MIS
because of larger
acreage of forest
habitat converted
for transmission
line clearing and
easier access
Intermediate
effect of action
alts. on MIS
because access
is similar to Alt.
2, but forest
habitat loss is
lower than Alt. 2
Lowest impact
of action alts. on
MIS because it
affects the least
POG and
foraging habitat,
and provides
the least access
improvement
Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species
BE Effects
Determination for
humpback whale and
Steller sea lion
No effect No effect No effect No effect
BE Effects
Determination for
Kittlitz’s murrelet,
osprey, Peale’s
peregrine falcon, and
trumpeter swan
No impacts No impacts No impacts No impacts
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 22
Activity Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Selected
Alternative
(Alt. 3)
Buried Trans
Line
Alternative 4
Submerged
Trans Line
BE Effects
Determination for
Northern goshawk
No impacts May impact
individuals
May impact
individuals
May impact
individuals
BE Effects
Determination for
Sensitive Plants
No effect No adverse effect
No adverse
effect
No adverse
effect
Scenery
No Effect Most visibility of
the transmission
line. Constructs
access roads and
transmission line
above ground
Some visibility of
the transmission
line. Constructs
access roads,
and buries
majority of
transmission line
along road
corridor
Least visibility of
the transmission
line. Constructs
access roads,
and submerges
majority of
transmission
line under water
Cultural Resources
No Historic
Properties
Affected
Historic Properties
not adversely
affected
Historic
Properties not
adversely
affected
No Historic
Properties
Affected
Subsistence
No Effect Does not pose a
significant
possibility of a
significant
restriction on
subsistence
Does not pose a
significant
possibility of a
significant
restriction on
subsistence
Does not pose a
significant
possibility of a
significant
restriction on
subsistence
Wilderness2
Effects (outside the
project area) to
“undeveloped” and
“outstanding
opportunities for
solitude” Wilderness
characteristics
No Effect
Most negative
effects due to
visibility and
maintenance of
road and
transmission line.
Some negative
effects due to
road; less visible
impact due to
buried line.
Least negative
effects due to
elimination of
the overland
transmission
corridor.
Socio-economics
Estimated cost
comparison for
transmission lines3
None $1,235,000 $1,303,000 $1,415,000
2 The Forest Service recognizes that Congress exempted the project area from requirements of the
Wilderness Act through ANILCA section 506 (a)(3)(D)
3 Alternative costs differ primarily in terms of construction and maintenance costs of the transmission
line. Dollar values are from an estimate done in 2000.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 23
1.7 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) defines scoping as "...an early and open
process for determining the scope of issues to be addressed and for identifying the key
issues related to a Proposed Action" (in Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]
1501.7). The scoping process invited public participation and collected initial comments.
Scoping
Public scoping for the Angoon Hydroelectric Project started with publication of the
Notice of Intent on October 14, 2004 (Federal Register, Volume 69, No. 198, pages
60976-60978). A project scoping notice was sent to interested members of the public at
that time. The mailing list for the notice consisted of 84 tribes and corporations,
individuals, agencies, private businesses, and nongovernmental organizations. An
invitation to attend public meetings was published in the Juneau Empire. Representatives
of the Forest Service and Kootznoowoo, Inc. hosted scoping meetings on October 14,
2004, in Angoon and October 15, 2004 in Juneau. Public comments were solicited at the
meetings, and comments were received in writing throughout the formal scoping period
(through October 29, 2004).
Total attendance at these two 2004 public meetings was 22 individuals. Angoon and
Juneau residents contributed both spoken and written comments. Nine written comments
were received during scoping. Comments are filed in the Angoon Hydroelectric Project
record available for review at the Admiralty National Monument office in Juneau,
Alaska.
Meetings and Consultation with Agencies, Communities, and Others
Consultation with many State and Federal agencies started in 2005 for this project and
continued through 2009. Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer
(SHPO) for determination of eligibility of sites for inclusion on the National Register of
Historic Places and determination of effects has been ongoing since December 2005. The
Forest Service consulted with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on bald eagle
management for this project including transmission line design and bald eagle surveys
starting in January 2005. Further consultation will be initiated if final location and design
indicates that encroachment upon the 330-foot buffer for any eagle nest is unavoidable.
Consultation with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) related to marine mammals
was initiated early in the process, and continued in 2008.
Forest Service representatives held a meeting with representatives of Alaska Department
of Fish and Game (ADFG), USFWS, and NMFS on May 19, 2008, in Juneau. The Forest
Service presented information and an update on the project and the group discussed
information needs related to aquatic effects. On August 5, 2008, Rich Jackson of the
Corps of Engineers and Peter Naoroz of Kootznoowoo, Inc. accompanied Forest Service
personnel in the field on the proposed Angoon Hydroelectric Project. Jackson consulted
with Forest Service personnel and Peter Naoroz about the requirements and expectations
for the permit issued by the Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act. Additional meetings were held with agencies and Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s
representatives in the winter of 2008/2009. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation
with NMFS was initiated in November 2008. Contacts were made with NMFS during
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 24
and after their 45-day review. As of February 2009, NMFS has sent the Forest Service
no comments on the EFH determination and no conservation recommendations.
Availability of Draft EIS for Public Comment
Availability of the Draft EIS was announced through a Notice of Availability in the
Federal Register on May 25, 2007, and through a legal notice in the Juneau Empire. The
Notice of Availability started a 45-day comment period that began May 26. The Forest
Service also mailed copies of the Draft EIS to federal and state agencies, Alaska native
tribes and corporations, and municipal offices, and anyone else who had requested them.
After the Draft EIS was distributed, two open houses were held to provide information to
those interested in the project. One open house was held in Angoon on June 27, 2007; 20
people attended. Twenty-two people attended the second open house in Juneau on June
28, 2007. A meeting was also held in Juneau on August 1, 2007, with four individuals
representing Kootznoowoo, Inc. and interested local groups.
Subsistence hearings were not necessary, and were not held, for this project because none
of the alternatives posed a significant possibility of a significant restriction on
subsistence.
Analysis and Incorporation of Public Comment on the Draft EIS
Fourteen agencies, organizations, and individuals submitted written comments on the
Angoon Hydroelectric Project Draft EIS. The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) used these
comments to further refine and develop the FEIS. The comments and the Forest Service
responses to these comments are displayed in Appendix C of this FEIS.
Publication of the Final EIS
The Notice of Availability of the Final EIS was published in the Federal Register on
March 20, 2009. Copies of the Final EIS were mailed to Federal and State agencies,
federally recognized tribal governments and corporations, municipal offices, and to those
who requested them or responded to the Draft EIS. Meetings were held in Juneau on
April 2, 2009 with six individuals representing Kootznoowoo, Inc. and interested local
groups and in Angoon on April 10, 2009 with nine individuals representing tribal
government, the City of Angoon, and other interested parties.
After the ROD is released, a legal notice will be published in the Ketchikan Daily News,
the newspaper of record, which will initiate a 45-day appeal period on the decision for
this project (36 CFR 215), during which the project cannot be implemented. Copies of
the ROD will be mailed to those who received the Final EIS, those who request them or
those who responded to the Final EIS. The Final EIS and ROD are also available at the
Admiralty National Monument offices at the Juneau and Sitka Ranger District offices in
Juneau and Sitka, AK and the Forest Service office in Angoon.
1.8 CONSULTATION WITH TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
The National Historic Preservation Act (1966 as amended) strengthens the relationship
between the Forest Service and Indian Tribes (defined as federally recognized tribes,
Alaska Native Corporations and Native Hawaiian Organizations) in consultation
regarding site significance and the potential affects on historic and archaeological sites.
Draft EIS
Final EIS
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 25
Executive Order 13175 requires that federal agencies consult with tribes during planning
activities.
In 2003 Kootznoowoo, Inc. asked the Forest Service to begin the NEPA process
necessary to develop a hydropower facility at Thayer Creek. Since then the Admiralty
Island National Monument Ranger and various staff members have met with
representatives and leaders of Kootznoowoo, Inc., the Angoon Community Association
and elected officials of Angoon to clarify their proposal, provide updates and consult with
them regarding specific aspects of the project. This consultation and coordination began
early in the process and continued as both routine consultation meetings and project
specific briefings. Notes and summaries of these meetings can be found in the EIS
planning record.
The tribes and corporations received copies of the FEIS and will receive the ROD.
1.9 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Four alternatives were considered in detail. Each action alternative is consistent with the
2008 Forest Plan. The action alternatives are all based on the Selected Project
Arrangement proposal submitted by Kootznoowoo, Inc. The Forest Service alternatives
all included modifications, in the form of terms and conditions in the Special Use
Authorization (SUA), to Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s Selected Project Arrangement to reduce
potential effects to resources in the project area and to meet specific requirements found
in the Forest Plan. Each action alternative in the Final EIS displayed the individual
components of Kootznoowoo Inc’s proposal that were included in that alternative.
Kootznoowoo Inc’s Selected Project Arrangement included a diversion dam, intake
structure, marine facility, three access roads, two staging areas, transmission lines, a
power plant, a surge tank, 6,100 feet of 42-inch diameter pipeline and 510 feet of 36-inch
diameter pipe. The hydroelectric plant would be a run-of-river facility using only the
water available in the natural flow of the river. Under normal conditions, run-of-river
facilities involve minimal water storage, and power generation fluctuates with the stream
flow. Appendix A of the Final EIS contains the executive summary from the HDR
feasibility report. The planning record includes the entire report.
For a complete description of these alternatives, refer to Chapter 2 of the Final EIS.
Under the No Action alternative, the Forest Service would not have issued a special use
authorization (SUA) for the project, and the project would not be constructed. Diesel
generators would continue to be used to supply energy for the community of Angoon
unless alternative energy sources were developed. Although selection of this alternative
would deny Kootznoowoo, Inc. the statutory rights granted by ANILCA, CEQ
regulations (40 CFR 1502.14d) require that a “no action” alternative be analyzed in every
EIS.
The HDR Alaska, Inc. Selected Project Arrangement was presented to the Forest Service
by Kootznoowoo, Inc. and was accepted as Kootznoowoo Inc.’s proposal. Terms and
conditions listed under Section 1.4, General Terms and Conditions were then added to
Kootznoowoo, Inc.’s Selected Project Arrangement, as authorized by ANILCA, to reduce
potential effects to resources in the project area and to meet specific requirements found
Alternative 1
(No Action)
Alternative 2
(Proposed
Action)
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 26
in the Forest Plan. The Forest Service Proposed Action (Alternative 2) consisted of those
terms and conditions. All of those terms and conditions would have been included in the
SUA based on the components from the Selected Project Arrangement proposal
submitted by Kootznoowoo, Inc.
The list of project components is located in the Final EIS, Section 2.3.3. It displays the
major improvements proposed by Kootznoowoo, Inc. or those assumed necessary to
implement the Proposed Action and includes the following:
Marine Facilities to Power Plant
1. Permanent mooring buoys and a garage, temporary marine facilities,
including a barge landing, staging areas, and a construction camp
during project construction, overhead transmission line from the
powerhouse to the marine facilities, access/maintenance road
paralleling the transmission line from the marine facilities to the power
plant.
Power Plant to Diversion Dam
2. A diversion dam on Thayer Creek approximately 250 feet above sea
level, a 10- to 20-acre impoundment above the diversion dam, an intake
structure, a pipeline, a penstock, a surge tank with a ¼ mile temporary
road built for tank construction, a power plant structure located about
450 feet downstream of the waterfall, access/maintenance road from
the powerhouse to the diversion dam/intake structure, a water release
control structure at the diversion dam to maintain a minimum instream
flow of 20 cfs (cubic feet of water per second) at all times below the
diversion dam and a spoils/staging area.
Marine Facilities to City of Angoon
3. Overhead transmission line segment from the marine facility to
Kootznahoo Inlet, access/maintenance road paralleling the transmission
line, submarine cable segment from the northern shore of Kootznahoo
Inlet to the City of Angoon, and two electrical switch yards.
As proposed, approval of two of the road locations would have required require a non-
significant amendment to the Forest Plan to allow for: 1) road construction over areas
identified as high vulnerability karst and the streams that flow to the features and 2) road
construction in the Thayer Creek canyon.
Alternative 3 was developed as a means of reducing the amount of vegetative clearing
required along the transmission line corridor, reducing potential effects to fish habitat in
Thayer Creek, and reducing potential effects of road and pipeline/penstock construction
on karst terrain and on steep slopes along Thayer Creek. Consideration of a buried
transmission line is also a requirement of the Forest Plan.
Alternative 3 is the Selected Alternative with the modifications shown above.
Alternative 4 was developed to eliminate uplands impacts associated with the
construction of an access road and transmission line from the marine facilities to
Kootznahoo Inlet; it would have done this by submerging the transmission line in
Alternative 3
Alternative 4
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 27
Chatham Strait. Consideration of a submerged transmission line is also a requirement of
the Forest Plan.
This alternative would have been similar to Alternative 3, except that Kootznoowoo, Inc.
would not be authorized to construct an overland transmission line from the marine
facility to Kootznahoo Inlet. The only feasible way for Kootznoowoo, Inc. to comply
with this restriction would have been to utilize a submarine transmission cable laid off-
shore of Admiralty Island to the City of Angoon. This alternative has about 4 miles less
access road (and associated tree clearing) than the other alternatives.
1.10 ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE
Implementing Alternative 1, the No-action Alternative, would have resulted in no
environmental disturbance in the project area. Therefore, Alternative 1 is the
environmentally preferred alternative. However, negative environmental impacts would
or could occur even under Alternative 1. Diesel generation of power would continue to
occur at a higher level than in the action alternatives with resultant higher carbon dioxide
and other emissions and higher fuel spill potential
1.11 REASONS FOR NOT SELECTING OTHER
ALTERNATIVES
I did not select Alternative 1, No-action, because environmental analysis showed that the
desirable outputs of the Purpose and Need could be achieved without unreasonable
effects to the ecological and human environments. These effects are described under the
reasons for this decision and in Chapter 3 of the FEIS. Additionally, choosing Alternative
1 would deny Kootznoowoo, Inc. statutory rights granted by ANILCA.
I did not select Alternative 2 primarily because of negative effects the project would have
on multiple resources without the addition of specific terms and conditions. The
proposed dam access road would not meet Forest Plan standards and guides for soil and
water and transportation because it is located on unstable terrain in vicinity of Thayer
Creek. This road location would have major negative effects on erosion and sediment in
the stream and would be difficult and expensive to build. The proposed marine facility-
Kootznahoo Inlet road does not meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines because it
crosses high vulnerability karst features. The minimum instream flow of 20 cfs would
result in low flow periods that would extend earlier into the fall and later into the spring;
would support few, if any, incubating eggs or resident fish through the winter, and may
freeze for longer periods in the winter or increase to potentially lethal temperatures
during the summer. Additionally, the tailrace return location would result in 450 feet of
anadromous fish habitat being dewatered. Alternative 2 would result in much more
extensive modification to the landscape than the Selected Alternative because of the
much wider clearing widths needed for an above-ground transmission line.
Alternative 3 was selected.
Although Alternative 4 addressed many of the same concerns that Alternative 3
addressed, I did not select Alternative 4 because of the additional technical complexity of
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 28
this alternative. Laying a submarine cable along Chatham Strait would require
specialized/expensive installation and specialized/expensive maintenance. Because this
specialized equipment is not readily available, a failure of a submerged line would likely
result in significant delays for repairs and extended dependence on diesel power
generation. .
1.12 ALTERNATIVES NOT CONSIDERED IN DETAIL
In addition to the alternatives described above, several additional alternatives were
considered during the analysis but eliminated from detailed study (Section 2.4, Angoon
Hydroelectric FEIS, Chapter 2). These alternatives were discussed during the
development of the alternatives and after comments on the DEIS were received. Many of
them were suggested by comments received through public scoping. Some portions of
the recommendations were included as design elements for the action alternatives. Other
alternatives were outside the scope of the EIS. A summary of these alternatives and the
reasons why they were not analyzed in detail is in Chapter 2 of the FEIS and further
information is available in the project record.
1.13 PERMITS, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATIONS
Several Federal and State permits are necessary to implement the authorized activities.
Implementation of this action (including issuance of the Forest Service SUA) will not
occur until the proponent has acquired any necessary permits and/or permissions in
accordance with state and federal law. Prior to the signing of the SUA for the Angoon
Hydroelectric Project, Kootznoowoo, Inc. is responsible for obtaining all necessary
permits and reviews from federal and state agencies. These include, but are not limited
to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Approval of discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United
States (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended)
Approval of construction of structures or work in navigable waters of the
United States (Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Permits under Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402, and 404
State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game
Fish Habitat (Title 16) Permit
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
Authorization for occupancy and use of tidelands and submerged lands
Alaska Coastal Management Program
Water Resource Authorization
Hazard Potential Classification and Jurisdictional Review (to determine if
Alaska Dam Safety Program certification is needed)
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 29
State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation
Solid Waste Disposal Permit (Section 402 of the Clean Water Act)
1.14 FINDINGS REQUIRED BY LAW
Several of the laws and executive orders listed in Chapter 1 of the FEIS require project-
specific findings or other disclosures.
National Forest Management Act (NFMA)
The 2008 Forest Plan complies with all resource integration and management
requirements of 36 CFR 219 (219.14 through 219.27). Application of 2008 Forest Plan
direction for the Angoon project ensures compliance at the project level. All required
interagency review and coordination has been accomplished.
Through review of the analysis in the Final EIS for the Angoon Hydroelectric Project I
find that the Selected Alternative incorporates all applicable management direction from
the 2008 Forest Plan and is fully consistent with its goals, objectives, and Forestwide
standards and guidelines, as they apply to the project area.
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980; Sections 810
and 506
A subsistence evaluation was conducted for the four alternatives, in accordance with
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) Section 810. This
evaluation indicates that the potential foreseeable effects from the Selected alternative do
not indicate a significant possibility of a significant restriction of subsistence uses for any
subsistence resources. See Chapter 3, Subsistence section, in the FEIS for more detail.
ANILCA Section 506 granted Kootznoowoo, Inc. certain rights for development of a
hydroelectric facility at Thayer Creek; mandated the decision space and level of
involvement of the Secretary of Agriculture (Forest Service); and specifically exempted
the hydropower project from the requirements of the Wilderness Act. Kootznoowoo, Inc.
has the statutory right to develop, own, and operate a hydroelectric power facility within
the confines of the legal description. The Forest Service (for the Secretary of Agriculture)
must be responsive to this mandate, and may prescribe certain conditions for the
protection of potentially affected resources on Admiralty Island. This NEPA decision
responds to the mandate in ANILCA and determines the terms and conditions in the SUA
to protect water, fisheries, wildlife, recreational, and scenic values within the project area.
Bald Eagle Protection Act
This project complies with the Bald Eagle Protection Act. Bald eagle habitat will be
managed in accordance with the Interagency Agreement established with the USFWS.
Terms and conditions would be included in the authorization to provide buffer zones and
timing restrictions on construction activities near known nests. If nest protection
stipulations become infeasible, the project proponent will need to request a variance from
the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Selected Alternative is not anticipated to have a
significant direct, indirect, or cumulative affect on any bald eagle habitat.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 30
Cave Resource Protection Act of 1988
No known significant caves in the project area will be directly or indirectly affected by
project activities in the Selected Alternative. The 2008 Forest Plan Karst and Caves
standards and guidelines are applied to areas known or suspected to contain high
vulnerability karst resources. High vulnerability karstlands were buffered from the
activities occurring in the Selected Alternative. The Selected Alternative will not have an
effect on the karst features found within the project area.
Clean Air Act of 1970 (as amended)
Emissions from the implementation of the Selected Alternative will be of short duration
and are not expected to exceed State of Alaska ambient air quality standards (18 AAC
50).
Clean Water Act (1977, as amended)
Congress intended the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended through 2002, to protect and
improve the quality of water resources and maintain their beneficial uses. Section 313 of
the Clean Water Act and Executive Order 12580 of January 23, 1987 address federal
agency compliance with water pollution control mandates. Agencies must be consistent
with requirements that apply to "any governmental entity" or private person. Compliance
is to be in line with "all Federal, State, interstate, and local requirements, administrative
authority, and process and sanctions respecting the control and abatement of water
pollution."
Most of the ground-disturbing activities associated with the construction of the Angoon
Hydroelectric project are considered nonpoint sources. Clean Water Act Sections 208
and 319 address nonpoint source pollution. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are
recognized as the primary control mechanisms for nonpoint source pollution on National
Forest System lands. Alaska’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Strategy (Alaska
Department of Environmental Conservation [ADEC] 2007) describes the site-specific
application of BMPs, with a monitoring and feedback mechanism, as the approved
strategy for controlling nonpoint source pollution. BMPs are described in the Forest
Service’s Soil and Water Conservation Handbook (USDA Forest Service 2006). This
Handbook is incorporated into the Forest Plan. Under the terms and conditions of the
special use authorization, the project proponent will be required to specify additional
BMPs in operating plans subject to further review and approval by the Forest Service.
The design of proposed roads for the Selected Alternative was guided by standards,
guidelines and direction in the 2008 Forest Plan, and applicable Forest Service manuals
and handbooks. The road cards (Appendix 1 of the ROD) contain specific details on
practices prescribed to prevent or reduce nonpoint sediment sources.
The Angoon Hydroelectric project may also be subject to permitting processes guided by
Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 402. Obtaining all necessary Clean Water Act permits
is the responsibility of the project proponent. A discharge of dredge or fill material
requires Section 404 permitting in waters of the United States, including wetlands
(404(f)(1)(A). Roads must be constructed and maintained in accordance with BMPs to
assure that flow and circulation patterns and chemical and biological characteristics of the
waters are not impaired (404)(f)(1)(E). The BMPs that must be followed are specified in
33 CFR 323.4(a). These specific BMPs are incorporated into the Soil and Water
Conservation Handbook under BMP 12.5.
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ROD - 31
The State of Alaska’s antidegradation policy states that (1) existing water uses and the
level of water quality necessary to protect existing uses must be maintained and
protected; and (2) if the quality of a water exceeds levels necessary to support
propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water, that quality
must be maintained and protected (ADEC 2008). We expect the application of BMPs,
together with monitoring requirements described in this decision, to ensure compliance
with this policy.
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 (as amended)
Under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), activities that affect any land or
water use or any natural resource of the coastal zone of Alaska must be consistent with
the Alaska Coastal Management Program (ACMP). The ACMP lists the type of Forest
Service special use authorizations the State and the Forest Service agree are likely to have
coastal effects, and therefore require ACMP consistency review. Authorizations for
hydroelectric projects are on the list. Accordingly, the Angoon Hydroelectric Project
must be reviewed by the State of Alaska for consistency with the ACMP. It is the
responsibility of Kootznoowoo, Inc. to initiate the required review by completing a
Coastal Project Questionnaire (CPQ) and submitting it to the Alaska Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Coastal and Ocean Management (DCOM). Under the
CZMA, the Forest Service is prohibited from issuing a SUA to Kootznoowoo, Inc. for
this project until DCOM determines this activity is consistent with the ACMP.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (as amended)
A Biological Evaluation/Assessment was prepared for the Angoon Hydroelectric project,
as required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as amended (available in
the Project Record). The Selected Alternative is not anticipated to have a direct, indirect,
or cumulative effect on threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat, in or
outside the project area. Consultation was done with USFWS (March 24, 2005); no
terrestrial threatened or endangered species are known to occur in the Angoon
Hydroelectric project area.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996
Section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
states that all Federal agencies must consult with the NMFS for actions or proposed
actions that may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). The Act promotes the
protection of EFH through review, assessment, and mitigation of activities that may
adversely affect these habitats.
The potential effects of the project on EFH have been evaluated (Watershed and Fish
resources, Chapter 3, FEIS). The descriptions and the analysis lead me to a
determination that the Angoon Hydroelectric project may adversely affect EFH; however,
this risk is minimized through the implementation of 2008 Forest Plan standards and
guidelines and BMPs.
Several factors were considered in evaluating the potential effects on EFH:
Habitat loss and alteration of the Class I habitat.
BMPs will be implemented to protect water quality and aquatic habitat for all
freshwater streams. See the unit cards for specific applications of BMPs.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
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Bridges will be placed at all road crossings over fish streams to minimize risks
of sediment production and blockage of fish passage. Sediment disturbance
during construction.
Disturbance to the marine fishery.
Outfall design which could become an attractant flow to adult salmon.
In accordance with the agreement of June 28, 2007 between the Forest Service and the
NMFS for consultation on EFH, the Forest Service sent a copy of the Angoon
Hydroelectric DEIS to NMFS. No comments were received from NMFS on the DEIS.
The EFH determination was sent to NMFS in November 2008, initiating consultation on
the EFH prior to the release of the FEIS. Contacts were made with NMFS during and
after their 45-day review. NMFS sent the Forest Service no comments on the EFH
determination and no conservation recommendations. A summary of the original EFH
Assessment is included in Chapter 3 of the FEIS.
Based on our coordination with NMFS I find that the Angoon Hydroelectric Project may
adversely affect EFH. By implementing 2008 Forest Plan standards and guidelines and
the BMPs, negative effects of the selected actions on EFH will be avoided and
minimized. Additional impacts to EFH are likely to occur only from unforeseen events
such as landslides, debris blockages of culverts, and road failures.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (amended in 1936 and 1972) prohibits the taking
of migratory birds, unless authorized by the Secretary of Interior. The law provides the
primary mechanism to regulate waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits, but its scope is
not just limited to waterfowl. Over 100 species of birds migrate from other states and
countries to Alaska to breed, nest, and fledge their young. Most of these birds fly to
interior or northern Alaska and only pass through the project area on the way to their
breeding grounds. The migratory species that may stay in the area utilize most, if not all,
of the habitats described in the analysis for breeding, nesting, and raising their young.
The effects on these habitats were analyzed for this project.
The decision will not have a significant direct, indirect, or cumulative effect on any
migratory bird species in the project area. The project may affect individuals or small
groups and their nests from the clearing of trees and shrubs or the disturbance caused by
construction activities.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended)
Heritage resource surveys have been conducted in the project area, following inventory
protocols as detailed in the Second Amended Programmatic Agreement among the
USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation,
and the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer. Our reviews and consultation have
resulted in my determination of Historic Properties Not Adversely Affected.
Native communities have been contacted and public comment encouraged. The Forest
Service has satisfied the consultation process with the State Historic Preservation Officer.
The FEIS and this ROD lay out protective measures to protect known historic properties
and any undiscovered historic properties that might be encountered during project
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ROD - 33
implementation in addition to a requirement to have an on-site archaeological monitor
present during construction to ensure that historic properties are protected. See the
discussion under Heritage resources in Chapter 3 of the FEIS.
Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA) of 1990
Where possible, timber will not be harvested (removed) within the 100-foot buffer zones
for all Class I and Class II streams which flow directly into Class I streams as required in
Section 103 of the TTRA. Where possible, these trees would be left on the ground and
not removed. The Selected Alternative complies with TTRA.
Travel Management; Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use; Final
Rule
The Angoon Hydroelectric Project FEIS and this ROD have been prepared to be
consistent with the Forest Service Travel Management Final Rule. I have determined that
the roads included in the Selected Alternative is the minimum road system needed for
safe and efficient travel and for administration, utilization, and protection of NFS lands in
this area (36 CFR 212.5).
1.15 EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Executive Order 11988 (Floodplains)
Executive Order 11988 directs agencies to avoid construction in and modification of
floodplains. Although this act deals largely with avoiding flood damage and hazards, it
also directs agencies to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values of
floodplains while planning for land use. Due to the nature of the Angoon Hydroelectric
Project, facilities (dam, penstock, access roads, powerhouse, tailrace) will be located
within the Thayer Creek floodplain. The project proponent will be required to account
for flood hazards in the design of the project, and minimize the footprint of disturbance
within the floodplain. Plans and designs are subject to review and approval by the Forest
Service. The project design and the application of BMPs combine to minimize adverse
effects on floodplains.
Executive Order 11990 (Wetlands)
Executive Order 11990 requires Federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, the
long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the destruction or modification of
wetlands. Because wetlands are so extensive in the Angoon Hydroelectric project area, it
is not feasible to avoid all wetlands
Road construction requires the filling-in of wetlands and creates permanent loss of
wetland habitat. Effects to wetlands are minimized through the application of BMPs.
Whenever practicable this project avoids impacting wetlands.
Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)
Executive Order 12898 directs Federal agencies to state clearly in the EIS whether a
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental impact on minority
populations, low-income populations, or Indian tribes is likely to result from the proposed
action and any alternatives. Executive Order 12898 also directs Federal agencies to
conduct effective public participation with low-income and minority communities. The
public participation process involved public scoping through notification in local
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 34
newspapers, agency public websites, written letters to individuals, agencies,
governments, and notices in the Federal Register. The impact of this project is expected
to be similar among local populations; minority populations, or low-income populations
should not be disproportionately impacted under any alternative. Nearby Alaska Native
and American Indian populations have been considered within the analysis of the
proposed alternatives. The Angoon Community Association was informed throughout
project planning. Members were encouraged to comment at any point in the process to
ensure their concerns will be addressed. Public meetings were also held in Angoon and
Juneau to assist people in understanding the proposal, alternatives, and how issues were
addressed. These meetings also gave the public opportunities to highlight other issues or
concerns they had. With the avoidance of heritage resource sites and the consideration of
traditional values and uses, Native populations should not be disproportionately impacted
under the Selected Alternative.
Executive Order 12962 (Aquatic Systems and Recreational Fisheries)
Executive Order 12962 directs Federal agencies to evaluate effects on aquatic ecosystems
and recreational fisheries; develop and encourage partnerships; promote restoration;
provide access; and promote awareness of opportunities for recreational fishery
resources. The Selected Alternative minimizes the effects on aquatic systems through
project design, application of standards and guidelines, BMPs, and site-specific
mitigation measures. With the application of 2008 Forest Plan standards and guidelines,
including those for riparian areas, no significant adverse effects to freshwater or marine
resources will occur. Recreational fishing opportunities will remain essentially the same
because the Selected Alternative will not disturb or impact existing opportunities.
Partnerships continue to be used to leverage Federal project funds to address water
quality concerns in areas of the Tongass National Forest; however, none have been
proposed for recreational fisheries in conjunction with this project.
Executive Order 13007 (Indian Sacred Sites)
Executive Order 13007 directs Federal agencies to accommodate access to and
ceremonial use of American Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners and to
avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of such sacred sites. In a government-to-
government relationship, the tribal government is responsible for notifying the agency of
the existence of a sacred site. A sacred site is defined as a site that has sacred
significance due to established religious beliefs or ceremonial uses, and which has
specific, discrete, and delineated location, which has been identified by the tribe. Tribal
governments or their authorized representatives have not identified any specific sacred
site locations in the project area.
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments)
Executive Order 13175 directs Federal agencies to respect tribal self-government,
sovereignty, and tribal rights, and to engage in regular and meaningful government-to-
government consultation with tribes on proposed actions with tribal implications. The
Forest Service met with or contacted local tribes during the planning stages of the project
as previously noted in Meetings and Consultation with Tribal Governments.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 35
1.16 PROJECT RECORD
The project record for this project includes the DEIS and FEIS, 1997 and 2008 Forest
Plans, all material incorporated by reference, and other critical materials produced during
the environmental analysis of this project. The project record is available for review at
the Admiralty National Monument office in Juneau, Alaska.
1.17 IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
Implementation of this decision may occur no sooner than 50 days following publication
of the legal notice of the decision in the Ketchikan Daily News, published in Ketchikan,
Alaska.
This project will be implemented in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act, ANILCA, the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, other laws and
regulations, the Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 251, and Forest Service
Manual and Handbook direction for Special Uses Management, contained in FSM 2700
and FSH 2709.11 and FSH 2709.15. This direction provides a bridge between project
planning and implementation and will ensure execution of the actions, environmental
standards, and mitigations approved by this decision, and will ensure compliance with the
applicable laws. All pertinent BMPs will be applied to the Selected Alternative.
Implementation of all activities authorized by this Record of Decision will be monitored
(as displayed in Appendix 2 of this ROD) to ensure that they are carried out as planned
and described in the FEIS and this ROD.
Appendix 1 to this Record of Decision contain the Selected Alternative’s road cards.
These cards are an integral part of this decision because they document the specific
resource concerns, management objectives, design elements, and mitigation measures to
govern the layout of the construction of roads. These cards will be used during the
implementation process to assure that all aspects of the project are implemented within
applicable standards and guidelines and that resource effects will not be greater than
those described in the FEIS. Similar cards will document any changes to the planned
layout which may occur during implementation.
The implementation record for this project will display:
Each transportation facility and other project components as actually
implemented,
Any proposed changes to the design, location, standards and guidelines, or
other mitigation measures for the project, and
Authorization of the proposed changes.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD
ROD - 36
1.18 PROCESS FOR CHANGE DURING
IMPLEMENTATION
Any future changes to the design and construction of the project will be the responsibility
of Kootznoowoo, Inc. and could require the preparation of a supplemental EIS before the
Forest Service issues a SUA.
Proposed changes to the authorized project actions will be subject to the requirements of
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Forest Management Act of
1976, Section 810 of the ANILCA, the CZMA, and other laws concerning such changes.
In determining whether and what kind of NEPA action is required for proposed changes
during implementation, the Forest Supervisor will consider the criteria set forth in the
CFRs (40 CFR 1502.9(c)), and FSH 1909.15, sec. 18 for determining whether to
supplement an existing environmental impact statement. In particular, the Forest
Supervisor will determine whether the proposed change is a substantial change to the
Selected Alternative as planned and already approved, and whether the change is relevant
to environmental concerns. Connected or interrelated proposed changes regarding
particular areas of specific activities will be considered together in making this
determination. The cumulative impacts of these changes will also be considered.
Minor changes are expected during implementation to better meet on-site resource
management and protection objectives. If changes to the terms and conditions included
in this EIS occur or new information is brought forward, the Tongass change analysis
process will be used to determine whether additional environmental analysis and public
involvement are necessary and to document any modifications to the project in the
project record.
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Appendix 1
Road Cards
Introduction
The following road cards are for all roads in the Angoon Hydroelectric project. These roads
are needed for ongoing use and maintenance of project facilities but are not under National
Forest jurisdiction. These roads are classified as forest roads, not National Forest System
roads.
The road lengths contained within the road cards differ by a small degree from those given in
the maps and the rest of the document. The road card lengths were determined by field
measurements utilizing a hip chain. The field measurements tend to exaggerate to a small
degree the actual lengths due to going through brush and around trees. The road lengths
shown elsewhere in the document are a result of obtaining GPS points at roughly 500 foot
intervals. The GPS points are loaded into GIS and the points are connected with the road
locations shown on the maps. The GIS lengths tend to be slightly shorter than actual lengths
because it straightens out the turns and does not account for slope distances.
36 CFR Part 212.1 defines a Forest road or trail as “A road or trail wholly or partly within or
adjacent to and serving the National Forest System that the Forest Service determines is
necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and
the use and development of its resources.
Road cards have been created as a reference and to describe site-specific resource protection
measures to be included in the Special Use Authorization (SUA). Figures displaying road
locations are included with the road cards. The District Ranger has approved these RMOs;
signed copies of these RMOs are in the Angoon Hydroelectric project record.
Only Class I, II, and III streams are displayed and described in these cards. Most streams
within the project area were mapped using a coarse scale inventory. This inventory used
aerial photo interpretation and limited field verification in the immediate vicinity of the road
and the shoreline. Field surveys of proposed roads as part of this project were used to
generate the narratives. These surveys included walking proposed roads and recording
probable stream class and other observations at road-stream crossings. Streams in these
locations were not fully mapped, but GPS points were taken at each stream crossing point to
establish Milepost points. Road locator notes and GPS points are in the project record. The
narratives in the road cards provide the most accurate information to date regarding the
number and types of stream crossings. The type and size of crossings described in these road
cards may change upon completion of a design and recommendations by the State via a Title
16 permit. Forest Service fisheries biologists did not survey the transmission corridor and
inventory efforts by the project proponent could confirm the status of fish habitat. The Forest
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1-2
Service GIS layer lists streams along the transmission corridor as Class II, but that does not
guarantee the presence of fish.
General road descriptions are shown on the Road Management Objectives portion of the road
cards and are defined as follows:
Functional Class: Local (L), Collector (C), and Arterial (A) classifications
Service Life: Long (L) or Short (S), Constant (C) or Intermittent (I)
Traffic Service Level: Traffic Service Level anticipated for the design (A, B, C, or D)
that takes into consideration the characteristics of the road and operating conditions.
The applicable traffic service level for the project area is D: D-Traffic flow is slow and
may be blocked by management activities; two-way traffic is difficult, backing may be
required; rough and irregular surface; travel with low clearance vehicles is difficult;
single purpose facility.
Operational Maintenance Levels indicate the level of road maintenance, in this case
Maintenance Level 2, during activities. Objective Maintenance Levels (maintenance levels 2)
indicate the long-term maintenance plan for the roads (after the initial construction) and
incorporate Traffic Service Levels, as described in the following definitions. The following
maintenance levels apply to both Operational and Objective Maintenance Levels; applicable
maintenance levels for the project area are:
Maintenance Level 2 - Assigned to roads operated for use by high-clearance vehicles.
Roads are maintained for high-clearance vehicles and monitored for resource
protection. Traffic would be minor, consisting of construction vehicles and
administrative uses. Provide frequent cleanout of ditches and catch basins to assure
controlled drainage. Control roadside brush to maintain sight distance. Grade as
needed to maintain crown and running surface. Provide water bars, rolling dips, out
sloping, etc., to assure controlled runoff until any needed maintenance can be
performed on the primary drainage system.
The road segments are described using mileposts as beginning and ending points. Lengths are
given in miles (mi). Road width is given in feet (ft); in the attached tables, road width is the
total running surface width.
Road locations and information have been determined using field surveys and on the ground
reconnaissance. Field data will continue to be gathered, and road locations/construction
methods may be refined to minimize or mitigate impacts to resources. Changes would be
documented and analyzed in a NEPA change analysis (FSH 1909.15 Tongass Supplement
1909.12-2009-1 Section 18). Change Analysis is defined in the 2008 Forest Plan ROD (p.70)
as: “This process includes a review of new information and circumstances relevant to
environmental concerns to determine if additional analysis is warranted.”
General Mitigation Measures
The source(s) of each general measure is listed after the measure in terms of individual Forest-
wide Standards and Guidelines (see Chapter 4 of the Forest Plan) or BMPs (USDA Forest
Service 2006). Measures with application to a particular road are listed on the individual road
cards as Site-specific Design Criteria.
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Soil/Water Protection during Road Design and Construction
Road location avoids unstable, sensitive, or fragile areas (BMPs 14.2, 14.7). Road design and
construction maintains natural drainage and controls excavation and sidecast material (BMPs
14.3, 14.9, 14.12). Construction of road-stream crossings would minimize disturbance and
sediment production (BMPs 14.10, 14.14, 14.17, 14.19).
Soil/Water Protection during Road Management
Conduct road maintenance and snow removal operations to minimize disruption of road
surfaces, embankments, ditches, and drainage facilities. (BMPs 14.20 and 14.23)
Reducing Erosion and Sedimentation
Erosion control measures apply to all disturbed areas and are consistent with invasive species
policy (BMPs 12.17, 14.5, 14.8, 14.10, 14.11, 14.18)
Accidental Spills
Implement measures and plans to prevent the contamination of soil and water from accidental
spills of petroleum products and hazardous substances. (BMPs 12.8 and 12.9)
Fisheries
Instream construction activities are restricted within and potentially upstream of Class I
habitat during periods when the risk to fish and habitat is the highest. Restrictions upstream of
Class I habitat are dependent on the distance and channel conditions that exist between the
instream construction and the habitat. (BMP 14.6)
Fish passage is required in identified fish streams and all structures in fish streams will need
to be designed to meet State of Alaska fish passage standards; the type and size of crossings
provided may change upon completion of a design and recommendations by the State of
Alaska via Title 16.
Wildlife
No bald eagle nest trees may be cut down and no vegetation removal or project related
activities are permitted within 330 feet of any bald eagle nest. No blasting is allowed within
one half mile and repeated helicopter flights are not allowed within a quarter mile of active
bald eagle nests. All nests are considered active from March 1 to May 31. Surveys will be
required to determine activity between June 1 and August 31; the project proponent will be
responsible for conducting surveys. Variances to these conditions must be approved through
consultation between the USFWS and the project proponent.
There are no known goshawk nests within the project area. Report goshawk sightings or nests
to the Forest Service for follow-up. If previously undiscovered active goshawk nests are found
avoid cutting nest tree and surrounding trees; the FS will establish a 100-acre nest
management zone. No continuous disturbance likely to result in nest abandonment is
permitted within 600 feet of the nest between March 15 and August 15 (USDA 2008a).
There are no known osprey nests within the project area. Report osprey sightings or nests to
the Forest Service for follow-up. If previously undiscovered osprey nests are found, the FS
will establish a minimum 330-foot buffer around the nest tree (USDA 2008a). No project
related activities may occur within this buffer until the nesting season ends.
Establish forested buffers of approximately 500 feet where protective measures are needed
along certain anadromous streams where bears forage (USDA FS 2008a). Minimize the
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1-4
footprint of required project components within the Thayer Creek riparian area to minimize
impacts to bear habitat.
Invasive Species Design Elements
On October 19, 2007, the Tongass National Forest implemented a supplement to the Forest
Service Manual 2080 concerning invasive plant species (Supplement No.: R10 TNF – 2000-
2007-1). The following design elements will be used to address invasive species in the
Angoon Hydroelectric project area.
Road brushing and other road maintenance associated with the project should be
designed to reduce the risk of spreading weed species (see FSM 2080 Supplement No.:
R10 TNF – 2000-2007-1).
Construction vehicles and equipment must be washed before being delivered to the
project site.
To avoid the introduction of invasive species into the project area, plants native to the
area should be used for any revegetation or restoration work.
Erosion control measures will use weed-free materials. Re-vegetation seed mixtures
must be approved by the Forest Service (FSM 2080 Suppl. No.:R10 TNF – 2000-
2007-1, Exhibit 2).
Vehicles and heavy equipment must be cleaned prior to entering the project area.
In addition to design elements, project proponent will monitor roads, marine and staging
facilities and construction areas for new non-native plant introductions for at least three years
following completion of construction, biennially thereafter for the life of the project, and for
one year following road closures. District Botanist will receive a copy of monitoring reports
annually or biennially, as applies.
Project proponent will eradicate or control any newly introduced high priority invasive plant
populations in the project area for the life of the project following FS and NEPA guidelines
for manual (pull/dig) and mechanical (mowing/seed whacking) treatments. Pesticide use in
Wilderness is restricted (USDA FSM 2150.3.3) and must be approved by the Regional
Forester (USDA FSM 2151.04a). District Botanist will receive a copy of treatment reports
annually.
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Road Management Objectives
Project/EIS:
Angoon Hydroelectric EIS
System: Thayer Creek Land Use Designation:
Wilderness
Route No.: N/A Route Name: Pipeline Status: Planned
Begin M.P.: 0.0 Length (miles): 2.1 Begin Termini: Bridge
over Thayer Creek.
End Termini: Bend
in Thayer Creek near
proposed dam site.
General Design Criteria and Elements
Functional Service Traffic Surface: Width:Critical Design Design
Class: Life: Service Level: Vehicle: Vehicle: Speed:
Local LC D Shot Rock 14’ Lowboy Log Truck 10 mph
Intended Purpose/Future Use: This road serves as the connection between the powerhouse
and the diversion dam. The road is the conduit for moving supplies to the dam site and
pipeline corridor. After the construction phase of the dam and pipeline, the road will continue
to be used for maintaining the facilities.
Maintenance Criteria
Begin
Milepost
End
Milepost
Operational
Maintenance Level:
Objective Maintenance Level:
(desired future condition)
0.00 2.1 2 2
Maintenance Narrative: The road will be maintained at a Maintenance Level 2 level for the
duration of the hydroelectric project.
Operation Criteria
Highway Safety Act: No Jurisdiction: Kootznoowoo
Travel Management Strategies:
Encourage: N/A
Accept: Administrative use.
Discourage: N/A
Prohibit: Public motorized use.
Eliminate N/A
Travel Management Narrative: The road will be used for administrative use only.
District Ranger Approval
(signature)________________________________________Date:____________________
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-8
Site-specific Design Criteria
Road Name: Pipeline
Road Location: The road segment begins at the Thayer Creek bridge site and ends near the
dam site. The road was located to avoid the steep slopes directly above Thayer Creek. A
large construction staging area will be required for construction of the dam and pipeline. A
suitable location for the site was noted between MP 0.5 and 0.7. This area was primarily
forested with some forested wetlands, relatively level, and without any significant streams.
On the north side of Thayer Creek, a short spur will be necessary to access the surge tank at
the upstream end of the penstock. This spur has not been located on the ground.
The detailed road location information is provided in the table below.
Milepost
(miles)
Average
Side-slope
(%)
Length
(feet)
Comments
0.0 to 0.1 0-10 631 Easy construction. Some fill is needed between Sta. 5+33 and
6+31.
0.1 to
0.2
40-60 594 Difficult construction. 15 and 20 foot cuts as well as a large
fill across a Class III stream requiring a 36” pipe, some full
bench. Steep grades.
0.2 to 1.7 0-40 7661 Primarily easy construction.
1.7 to 1.8 20-50 765 Moderate construction including a 60” stream crossing. Steep
grades.
1.8 to 2.1 0-20 1185 Easy construction. Plenty of relatively level ground for dam
construction staging if necessary.
Wetlands: The proposed Diversion Access and Surge Tank Construction Access Roads cross
about 38 feet of Tall Sedge Fens. The remaining wetland is both forested wetland and
scrub/shrub muskeg. Minimize the road footprint through the wetlands and provide adequate
hillslope drainage (33 CFR BMPs 1, 3). Road construction through these wetlands is
unavoidable (BMP 14.2). Overlay construction is recommended to minimize disturbance to
the wetland and ensure hydraulic connectivity of the roaded wetland with the surrounding
areas (BMPs 12.5 and 14.17).
Erosion Control: An erosion control plan for construction and maintenance will be
developed according to standard project specifications (BMP 14.5). The plan will address
excavation and endhaul in the vicinity of steep slopes (MP 0 to 0.2, MP 1.8), erosion control
during construction and post-construction at stream crossings MP 0 and MP 1.8., erosion
control during construction and post-construction at rock pits, and revegetation.materials and
schedules.
Rock Pits: Potential rock pits were noted near MP 0.2 and MP 1.3. Roughly 27,000 cubic
yards of shot rock will be needed for the construction of this road. During periods of high
rainfall (as defined in current Regional specifications), blasting operations will be suspended
to minimize potential for vibration-induced mass movement (BMP 14.6). Additional blasting
may be necessary at other locations along the road; the Regional specifications for blasting
apply to these locations as well.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-9
Resource Information:
Soils/Water: This road location avoids unstable areas in accordance with Forest Plan
direction. See next segment (Powerhouse) for Thayer Creek stream crossing information. At
Milepost 1.8: Minimize equipment crossing and streambank disturbance during construction.
Avoid moving natural debris, control construction-related sediment and direct to settling area
(BMP 14.14). Crossing location avoids deeper notches up and downstream.
Fisheries: Construction activity in or around Class I habitat is generally restricted during
periods of high risk to fish. (BMP 14.6). Locations for sidecast material excavated for bridge
and powerhouse construction should be selected to minimize risk of material entering surface
waters (BMP 14.12).
Wildlife: Minimize the footprint of road construction and other development activities within
500 feet of the anadromous portion of Thayer Creek to minimize effects to brown bear use of
key foraging areas. No vegetation management or project related activities within 330’ of any
bald eagle nest tree. No blasting within ½ mile of active bald eagle nests. Surveys will be
required to identify active nests. If these measures are not feasible, a variance will be required
from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Botany: A population of the rare plant, interior sedge (Carex interior), was found in the
northwestern end of the large meadow on the proposed dam access road. That route passes
through forest approximately 135 meters to the west of the meadow and is not expected to
impact this population as long as it remains outside of the meadow. This area is also being
considered for spoils deposition. To avoid rare plants, spoils will not be deposited in, nor a
road built through the large tall sedge fen meadow between the power house and dam.
Karst: No karst resource concerns identified.
Scenery: No concerns.
Heritage: The bridge over Thayer Creek will be located with an archaeologist on site to
provide input on location and avoidance of cultural features. If cultural features cannot be
avoided, effects to site and features will be designed to minimize effects. If sites and/or
cultural features cannot be avoided or effect minimized, effects to site will need to be
mitigated.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-10
Stream Crossings
Road Name: _Pipeline_________
1) Mile: 1.8 AHMU: III Channel Type: HC2 BF Width: 6 BF Depth: 1 Substrate:
Angular
gravel, some
cobble and
bedrock.
Gradient: 5-7% Structure: 60” Pipe Passage Req'd: N Timing Dates: n/a
Narrative: The road will cross the stream at a 20 to 30% skew to avoid a larger notch
upslope and steep slopes down slope.
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Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD - Appendix 1, Road Cards
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Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
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Road Management Objectives
Project/EIS:
Angoon Hydroelectric EIS
System: Thayer Creek Land Use Designation:
Wilderness
Route No.: N/A Route Name: Powerhouse Status: Planned
Begin M.P.: 0.0 Length (miles): 2.4
(based on hip chain)
Begin Termini: Marine
Access Pt. near Little
Island
End Termini: End of
Bridge over Thayer
Creek
General Design Criteria and Elements
Functional Service Traffic Surface: Width:Critical Design Design
Class: Life: Service Level: Vehicle: Vehicle: Speed:
Local LC D Shot Rock 14’ Lowboy Log Truck 10 mph
Intended Purpose/Future Use: This road serves as the connection between the marine
access facility and the powerhouse. The road is the conduit for moving supplies from the
Chatham Strait to the powerhouse and dam site and pipeline corridor. After the hydroelectric
project’s construction phase, the road will continue to be used for maintaining the facilities.
Maintenance Criteria
Begin
Milepost
End
Milepost
Operational
Maintenance Level:
Objective Maintenance Level:
(desired future condition)
0.00 2.4 2 2
Maintenance Narrative: The road will be maintained at a Maintenance Level 2 level for the
duration of the hydroelectric project.
Operation Criteria
Highway Safety Act: No Jurisdiction: Kootznoowoo
Travel Management Strategies:
Encourage: N/A
Accept: Administrative use.
Discourage: N/A
Prohibit: Public motorized use.
Eliminate N/A
Travel Management Narrative: The road will be used for administrative use only.
District Ranger Approval
(signature)________________________________________Date:____________________
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-14
Site-specific Design Criteria
Road Name: Powerhouse
Road Location: The road begins at the Marine Access Facility near Little Island and roughly
parallels the shoreline. The road ends on the North side of the Thayer Creek Bridge. The
road was located away from the beach to minimize visual impacts as seen from Chatham
Strait. Near MP 2.1 the road was forced to within about 100 feet of the beach due to steep
slopes. Even with the relatively close proximity to the beach, the road will still be concealed
by a buffer of old growth forest. The Selected Alternative has a portion of road that was
relocated to avoid karst features.
A large construction staging area will be required for construction of the transmission line and
the power generation facility. A suitable location for the site was noted between MP 1.4 and
1.5. This area was primarily forested with some forested wetlands, relatively level, with one
class IV stream inside the rough staging area boundary.
This road will include a spur to access the powerhouse on the south side of Thayer Creek.
The bridge across Thayer Creek was originally located to cross the creek about 1050 feet
below the class I barrier falls. This location was selected because it provided the shortest span
between stable banks and would not require significant fill for the approaches. This bridge
location was also in the proximity of a heritage site that was unknown to the road locators
until a later time. The road locator estimates that the bridge could be moved away from the
archeological site to a place about 900 feet below the class I barrier falls. The bridge span
will likely increase slightly and an approach fill will be required. This revised location will
increase construction costs but not by a substantial amount.
The detailed road location information is provided in the table below.
Milepost
(miles)
Average
Side-slope
(%)
Length
(feet)
Comments
0.0 to 0.2 0-15 1134 Easy construction. Road climbs at grades up to 15% and
heads southeast before turning toward the north. There is a
180 feet section of 35-50% side slopes.
0.2 to 0.6 0-25 2124 Easy construction. Crossed a small stream in an 18’ deep v-
notch. The stream in this notch is small. Recommendation is
to cut both banks and add an 8' fill in the center of the notch
with a 24" pipe (pipe is oversized at 24").
0.6 to 0.8 20-40 780 Primarily easy construction with 15% grades.
0.8 to 0.8 70-90 159 Full bench construction.
0.8 to 1.7 0-25 4843 Easy construction. One 72” stream crossing.
1.7 to 2.3 20-40 3204 Primarily easy construction.
2.3 to 2.4 0 652 Easy construction. 120 foot bridge over Thayer Creek.
Wetlands: The proposed Powerhouse Access Road crosses about 3,283 feet of wetland. The
road crosses 0 feet of Tall Sedge Fens. The wetland is both forested wetland and scrub/shrub
muskeg. Minimize the road footprint through the wetlands and provide adequate hillslope
drainage (33 CFR BMPs 1, 3). Road construction through these wetlands is unavoidable
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-15
(BMP 14.2). Overlay construction is recommended to minimize disturbance to the wetland
and ensure hydraulic connectivity of the roaded wetland with the surrounding areas (BMPs
12.5 and 14.17).
Erosion Control: An erosion control plan for construction and maintenance will be
developed according to standard project specifications (BMP 14.5). The plan will address
excavation and endhaul in the vicinity of steep slopes (MP 0 to 0.2, MP 0.8), erosion control
during construction and post-construction at stream crossings MP 1.0 and MP 2.4, erosion
control during construction and post-construction at rock pits, and revegetation materials and
schedules.
Rock Pits: Potential rock pits were not noted during the location of this road segment.
However, it is likely that rock pits could be developed near MP 0.1 and MP 1.7. Roughly
31,000 cubic yards of shot rock will be needed to construct this road. During periods of high
rainfall (as defined in current Regional specifications), blasting operations will be suspended
at quarries or road construction near potential unstable sites where ground vibration may
induce mass movement (BMP 14.6). Additional blasting may be necessary at other locations
along the road; the Regional specifications for blasting apply to these locations as well.
Resource Information:
Soils/Water: Road location avoids unstable areas in accordance with Forest Plan direction.
Thayer Creek crossing (Milepost 2.4) is upstream of mean high tide, in the vicinity of
transition between estuary and low gradient, large substrate (LC) channel. Crossing location
is tradeoff between road grade control point on north side of stream, archeological concerns,
and consideration for minimal fill and excavation adjacent to stream. Road footprint and
clearing limits will be approved prior to any timber falling or ground disturbance within 100
feet of Thayer Creek. No timber may be sold from this area in accordance with Tongass
Timber Reform Act. At Mileposts 1.0 and 2.4: Minimize equipment crossing and
streambank disturbance during construction. Avoid moving natural debris, control
construction-related sediment and direct to settling area (BMP 14.14). Structures
accommodate at least 50 year flood flow and expected debris and do not constrict natural
channel width (BMP 14.17).
Fisheries: Fish passage is required at stream crossing mp 1.0. Installation of a 72” culvert
must abide by State of Alaska fish passage standards. It will be difficult to retain bedload
within a culvert in a stream with 4% slope.
Wildlife: Minimize the footprint of road construction and other development activities within
500 feet of the anadromous portion of Thayer Creek to minimize effects to brown bear use of
key foraging areas. No vegetation management or project related activities within 330’ of any
bald eagle nest tree. No blasting within ½ mile of active bald eagle nests. Surveys will be
required to identify active nests. If these measures are not feasible, a variance will be required
from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Botany: No concerns.
Karst: The karst is avoided through a reroute around the karst feature (using a 100-foot
buffer). The road as located in the Selected Alternative has no concerns for karst.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
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Scenery: The smallest area needed for the marine facility would be cleared of trees and
vegetation. During construction, shoreline rocks would be protected from scarring or damage.
Where feasible, a windfirm buffer of mature trees must be left along the shoreline in the
Chatham Strait Shoreline Viewshed (Figure 3-5, Chapter 3), to screen the transmission
facilities, access road and construction staging area from the Visual Priority Travel Routes
and Use Areas.
Heritage: The bridge over Thayer Creek will be located with an archaeologist on site to
provide input on location and avoidance of cultural features. If cultural features cannot be
avoided, effects to site and features will be designed to minimize effects. If sites and/or
cultural features cannot be avoided or effect minimized, effects to site will need to be
mitigated.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-17
Stream Crossings
Road Name: __Powerhouse
1) Mile: 1.0 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 12 BF Depth: Not
noted
Substrate:
Gravel
Gradient: 4% Structure: 48”CMP, oversize
to 72” or log stringer bridge
Passage Req'd: Yes Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status; the structure must allow fish passage.
2) Mile: 2.4 AHMU: I Channel Type:
ES4/LC2 transition
BF Width: 100 BF Depth: 3 Substrate:
cobble
Gradient: 1% Structure: 120 foot bridge Passage Req'd: Yes Timing Dates:
Narrative: Thayer Creek. Revised bridge location is likely to require a bridge slightly longer
than 120 feet.
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Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-19
Road Management Objectives
Project/EIS:
Angoon Hydroelectric EIS
System: Thayer Creek Land Use Designation:
Wilderness and Other
Route No.: N/A Route Name: Line Status: Planned
Begin M.P.: 0.0 Length (miles): 4.5
(based on hip chain and
visual estimate)
Begin Termini: Station
11+34 of the Powerhouse
Road
End Termini: A
beach across the inlet
from Angoon.
General Design Criteria and Elements
Functional Service Traffic Surface: Width:Critical Design Design
Class: Life: Service Level: Vehicle: Vehicle: Speed:
Local LC D Shot Rock 14’ Log Truck Log Truck 10 mph
Intended Purpose/Future Use: The road serves the access needs along the transmission line.
The road will be needed after the construction phase for transmission line maintenance.
Maintenance Criteria
Begin
Milepost
End
Milepost
Operational
Maintenance Level:
Objective Maintenance Level:
(desired future condition)
0.0 4.5 2 2
Maintenance Narrative: The road will be maintained at a Maintenance Level 2 level for the
duration of the hydroelectric project.
Operation Criteria
Highway Safety Act: No Jurisdiction: Kootznoowoo
Travel Management Strategies:
Encourage: N/A
Accept: Administrative use.
Discourage: N/A
Prohibit: Public motorized use.
Eliminate N/A
Travel Management Narrative: The road will be used for administrative use only.
District Ranger Approval
(signature)________________________________________Date:____________________
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-20
Site-specific Design Criteria
Road Name: Line
Road Location: The road begins at Station 11+34 of the Powerhouse road. The road travels
0.8 miles before ending at a 100’ deep and 626 foot wide stream notch. The road starts again
on the other side of the notch and makes its way to a beach across the inlet from the Village of
Angoon. For simplicity, the detailed road location information is provided in the table below.
During the field season a portion of the road was located on lands not approved in ANILCA
for construction activities. The mistake was not discovered until after field season. The road
has since been relocated through photo interpretation and the evaluation of topographic maps.
Efforts to field verify the revised road location early in the 2009 field season is anticipated to
be straightforward. The road segment in question is shown as an estimate in the table below.
The actual length of the estimated road segment is likely to be shorter than what is currently
shown.
Milepost
(miles)
Average
Side-slope
(%)
Length
(feet)
Comments
0.0 to 0.8 0-40 4372 Easy construction with an occasional steep side slope up to
60%.
0.8 to 0.9 N/A 626 100’ deep notch with a 20’ stream in the bottom. If a
crossing were attempted, construction would be difficult
(expensive) and a road realignment would be necessary to
get down into the notch where a bridge could cross the
stream.
0.9 to 1.3 0-40 1948 Easy to moderate construction. Some cuts and fills will be
required.
1.3 to 1.6 20-40 1627 Easy to moderate construction with a 300 foot section of 30-
60% slopes and some steep grades.
1.6 to 2.6 0-30 5254 Easy construction. Skirted the edge of several muskegs. At
Milepost 2.5 road location may enter lake buffer to avoid
steep slopes for about 200’.
2.6 to 3.4
(estimate)
0-40
(estimate)
4277
(estimate)
Used photo interpretation and topographic maps to estimate
easy to moderate construction.
3.4 to 3.8 0-40 2367 Easy construction.
3.8 to 3.9 40-50 135 Moderate construction, steep grades.
3.9 to 4.5 0-10 3155 Easy construction.
Wetlands: The Inlet Road and Transmission Line cross about 6,720 feet of wetland. The
road crosses 0 feet of Tall Sedge Fens. The wetland is both forested wetland and scrub/shrub
muskeg. Minimize the road footprint through the wetlands and provide adequate hillslope
drainage (33 CFR BMPs 1, 3). Road construction through these wetlands is unavoidable
(BMP 14.2). Overlay construction is recommended to minimize disturbance to the wetland
and ensure hydraulic connectivity of the roaded wetland with the surrounding areas (BMPs
12.5 and 14.17.
Erosion Control: An erosion control plan for construction and maintenance will be
developed according to standard project specifications (BMP 14.5). The plan will address
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-21
excavation and endhaul in the vicinity of steep slopes (MP 3.3), erosion control during
construction and post-construction at stream crossings, erosion control during construction
and post-construction at rock pits, and revegetation materials and schedules.
Rock Pits: Potential rock pits were noted at MP 0.3, MP 1.2, MP 3.3, MP 3.9, and between
MP 4.3 and 4.4 it may be possible to develop a shallow rock pit. Roughly 59,000 cubic yards
of shot rock will be needed to construct this road. During periods of high rainfall (as defined
in current Regional specifications), blasting operations will be suspended at quarries or road
construction near potential unstable sites where ground vibration may induce mass movement
(BMP 14.6). Additional blasting may be necessary at other locations along the road; the
Regional specifications for blasting apply to these locations as well.
Resource Information
Soils/Water: Road location avoids unstable areas in accordance with Forest Plan direction.
At stream crossings: Minimize equipment crossing and streambank disturbance during
construction. Avoid moving natural debris, control construction-related sediment and direct
to settling area (BMP 14.14). Locate road at least 100 feet from lake where feasible.
Fisheries: Fish passage will be required in all identified fish streams and must be designed to
meet State of Alaska fish passage standards.
Wilderness: Adjustments to the overhead line and access road clearing corridor may be
necessary because of the close proximity of the wilderness boundary (in Section 18, T. 50 S.,
R.68 E.) and the lakes (in Section 13, T. 50 S., R.67 E.). These adjustments could include
reducing the width of the corridor to stay within the ANILCA sections and reduce impacts to
scenery at the lakes.
Wildlife: No vegetation management or project related activities within 330’ of any bald
eagle nest tree. No blasting within ½ mile of active bald eagle nests. Surveys will be required
to identify active nests. If these measures are not feasible, a variance will be required from
the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Botany: Three populations of the rare moonwort, Botrychium virgianum, are known on the
road section between the marine facilities and Stillwater Anchorage. The first population is in
meadow at the northern tip of the larger, most northern lake about 100 meters west of the
road. The other two populations are located in the meadow surrounding the north and east side
of the more southern small lake. One of these populations is on the east side of the lake
approximately 175 meters from the road. The other population is on the north end of this
smaller lake and is approximately 50 meters south of the proposed road route. This population
is the most vulnerable to disturbance effects due to its proximity to the road, but impacts are
unlikely as long as the current route is followed and the meadow is not disturbed. The other
populations are also unlikely to be impacted by the current proposed road.
Karst: No karst resource concerns identified.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-22
Scenery: In the Lakes Viewshed (Figure 3-5, Chapter 3), a minimum of 100-foot wide buffer
of mature trees must be maintained between the project elements and lakeshores, where
feasible.
Heritage: The southern terminus of the road will be located with an archaeologist on site to
provide input on location and avoidance of cultural features. If cultural features cannot be
avoided, effects to site and features will be designed to minimize effects. If sites and/or
cultural features cannot be avoided or effect minimized, effects to site will need to be
mitigated.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-23
Stream Crossings
Road Name:_Line
1) Mile: 0.4 AHMU: III Channel Type: BF Width:
banks are not
clearly defined
BF Depth:
banks are not
clearly defined
Substrate:
Gravel/
cobble
Gradient: 25-
35%
Structure: 24”CMP Passage Req'd: No Timing Dates: None
Narrative: This class III stream is a stable alluvial fan with no signs of recent high flows. At
the time, all water was running subsurface.
2) Mile: 0.9 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 20’ BF Depth: 3’ Substrate:
Gravel/
cobble
Gradient: 5-10% Structure: N/A Passage Req'd: N/A Timing Dates:
Narrative: 100 foot deep incision. Recommend approaching this incision from Angoon and
from Little Island to avoid crossing this stream.
3) Mile: 1.5 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 4 BF Depth: 1 Substrate:
Small
gravel/
muck
Gradient: 2-3% Structure: 24”Pipe Passage Req'd: Yes,
if fish present
Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status has not been verified. If stream is a class II, the structure must
allow fish passage.
4) Mile: 1.6 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 12’ BF Depth: 2’ Substrate:
Gravel with
some
cobbles
Gradient: 5% Structure: 30’ Log Stringer
Bridge or 60” to 72” pipe.
Passage Req'd: Yes,
if fish present.
Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status has not been verified. If stream is a class II, the structure must
allow fish passage.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 1, Road Cards
1-24
5) Mile:2.1 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 8’ BF Depth: 2’ Substrate:
Small
gravel/
muck
Gradient: 2% Structure: 20 foot log
stringer bridge or 48” pipe
Passage Req'd: Yes,
if fish present
Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status has not been verified. If stream is a class II, the structure must
allow fish passage.
6) Mile: 2.3 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 5’ BF Depth: 1’ Substrate:
Gravel/
cobble
Gradient: 5% Structure: 35’ log stringer
bridge or 60” pipe
Passage Req'd: Yes,
if fish present
Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status has not been verified. If stream is a class II, the structure must
allow fish passage.
7) Mile: 3.2 AHMU: II Channel Type: BF Width: 3’ BF Depth: 1’ Substrate:
Muck/
gravel
Gradient: 3% Structure: 36” Pipe Passage Req'd: Yes,
if fish present
Timing Dates:
Narrative: Class II status has not been verified. If stream is a class II, the structure must
allow fish passage. The information for this stream is an estimate. This stream is located in
the road segment that will be field verified in 2009. The revised road location will cross
upstream from this point.
2-1
Appendix 2
Monitoring
Project-specific Monitoring
Monitoring requirements are established in the approved Plans of Operations required by the
Forest Service SUA and in permits and approvals issued by other State and Federal agencies.
Monitoring is designed to determine if the goals, objectives, standards and guidelines, and
practices of the Forest Plan are implemented in accordance with the 2008 Forest Plan. Routine
implementation monitoring is part of the administration of a special use authorization.
Additional detail on resource monitoring, including water resource monitoring, is found in the
resource reports (see for example Thompson 2009). Monitoring displayed in Table R2-1,
summarizes the monitoring requirements and authority for each resource.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 2, Monitoring 2-2 Table R2-1. Monitoring Resource Item or Activity to Monitor Method of Monitoring Frequency of Monitoring Threshold of Variability Action to be Taken Authority Responsible Party Project Final Design Plans Design and construction plans of all authorized facilities in the project proposal Review and approve plans, drawings, and location of facility and development staking. Once prior to authorizing the start of construction. Non-conformance with approved design specifications or permit requirements Determined by authorized agencies Forest Service ROD, Plans of Operations, Section 404 permit, ADNR title 38 permit Forest Service, USEPA, USACE, and ADNR, Kootznoowoo, Inc. Karst and Cave Resources Locations for roads, transmission cables, and all related facilities Review and approve plans, drawings, and location of facility and development staking. Once prior to authorizing start of construction. Karst surface features will be located and identified in the field. A 100-foot, no disturbance buffer will separate construction activities from karst surface features (USDA Forest Service 2008a) Construction will only be authorized if field review of survey staking and submitted plans and drawings are approved by the Forest Service. Federal Cave Resources Protection Act, Tongass Forest Plan, Forest Service ROD Forest Service Soils and Wetlands Locations for roads, transmission cables, and all related facilities Review and approve plans, drawings, and location of facility and development staking. Once prior to authorizing the start of construction. Non-conformance with approved design specifications or permit requirements Determined by authorized agencies Forest Service ROD, Plans of Operations, Section 404 permit Forest Service, USEPA, USACE, and ADNR, Kootznoowoo Inc.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 2, Monitoring 2-3 Table R2-1. Monitoring Resource Item or Activity to Monitor Method of Monitoring Frequency of Monitoring Threshold of Variability Action to be Taken Authority Responsible Party Fisheries/Water Resources Pre-project Streamflow and Temperature Data Collection Rantz et al (1982) Continuous, begin as soon as practical n/a (pre-project requirement) Refine project design and operating plans Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc. Post-project Instream Flow Monitoring Rantz et al (1982) Continuous As determined by instream flow requirement Reduce diversion to accommodate instream flow requirement Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc. Post-project Stream Temperature Monitoring U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2003. EPA Region 10 Guidance for Pacific Northwest State and Tribal Temperature Water Quality Standards. EPA 910-B-03-002. Continuous 1) verify return flow temperature is within 2o C of receiving waters, and 2) trigger visual monitoring of frozen streambed conditions if Reach B is bypassed (below). Consult and review with USFS and ADFG Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc. Post-project Frozen Streambed Monitoring To be developed by Kootznoowoo, Inc. with review and approval by USFS As triggered by stream temperature monitoring (once annually at minimum) To be determined Consult and review with USFS and ADFG Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc. Post-project Bedload and Floating Debris Monitoring To be developed by Kootznoowoo, Inc. with review and approval by USFS Spring and Fall High Flows To be determined Pass sediment and debris into bypass reach Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc.
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 2, Monitoring 2-4 Table R2-1. Monitoring Resource Item or Activity to Monitor Method of Monitoring Frequency of Monitoring Threshold of Variability Action to be Taken Authority Responsible Party Pre- and Post-project Reach B Streambed and Large Wood Monitoring USFS 2001 Every five years If the gravel component (currently 32% by pebble count) declines. If total wood counts decrease below the 25th percentile of reference conditions (Bryant et al 2004) Forest Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game will consider results and possible actions in response. Project ROD Kootznoowoo, Inc. Vegetation Rare and sensitive plant populations Conduct inspections of facility and development staking. Once prior to authorizing start of construction. Evidence of sensitive/rare plant populations in development areas. Construction will only be authorized if field review of survey staking and submitted plans and drawings are approved by the Forest Service. Forest Service ROD. Forest Service Invasive plant populations Conduct inspections of facilities and developments Annually for first 3 years following construction, and biennially thereafter for the life of the project. Evidence of invasive plant populations in development areas. Control high priority invasive plant infestations. Report inspections and control actions to District Botanist. Forest Service ROD, EO 13112 Kootznoowoo, Inc. Timber Removal: Compliance with timber sale contract provisions and brush disposal plan Conduct onsite inspections Before, during and after harvest activities Compliance with contract clauses and brush disposal plan provisions. Return to compliance 36 CFR part 233 Forest Service
Angoon Hydroelectric Project ROD – Appendix 2, Monitoring 2-5 Table R2-1. Monitoring Resource Item or Activity to Monitor Method of Monitoring Frequency of Monitoring Threshold of Variability Action to be Taken Authority Responsible Party Wildlife Bald eagle nests related to construction activity Visual survey, using water or air craft with ground searches under nest trees if necessary Nests within ½ mile of project activities should be surveyed twice during March1 to May 31. Nests active after this period should be monitored weekly until young have fledged. Zero project related activity within the management zone of active nests unless a variance is obtained from the USFWS Cease construction activities within management zone of active nests Bald Eagle Protection Act Kootznoowoo, Inc. Road Closures On the ground survey Periodic visits, particularly during hunting season Any evidence of unauthorized use Report unauthorized use to the Forest Service Forest Service ROD, Project ROD; Violators will be ticketed by the FS under 36 CFR 261.54(b) Kootznoowoo, Inc. Cultural Resources/Effects to Historic Properties Ground disturbing activities Qualified archaeologist to monitor ground disturbance according the terms of the SUA. During ground disturbance Effect to historic property Work will cease and the Forest Service will be notified. Work will proceed only after the consultation process has been completed and a plan to mitigate the effects has been developed if needed. NHPA NAGPRA Kootznoowoo Inc, in consultation with Forest Service and SHPO