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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFERC Application with Appendices Black Bear Lake Hydro 1991Before the FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Application For License FOR MAJOK UNCONSTRUCTED PROJECT BLACK BEAR LAKE PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 10440 / STATE ID NO. AK910315-06J ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington June 1991 HR HDR Engineering, Inc. BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE FORA MAJOR WATER POWER PROJECT 5 MEGAWATTS OR LESS BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON Prepared By: HDR Engineering, Inc. 11225 S.E. Sixth Street Building C, Suite 200 Bellevue, Washington 98004 Copyright © Alaska Power & Telephone Company, 1991. All rights reserved. This document, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, for any purpose, without the prior written consent of Alaska Power & Telephone Company. AAR BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT TABL) INITIAL STATEMENT EXHIBIT A: DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT EXHIBIT E: ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT EXHIBIT F: GENERAL DESIGN DRAWINGS EXHIBIT G: PROJECT MAPS APPENDICES: Appendix E-1: Appendix E-2: Appendix E-3: Appendix E-4: Appendix E-S5: Appendix E-6: Appendix E-7: Appendix E-8: Appendix E-9: Water Temperature Report Water Quality Report Section 401 Water Quality Certification Tailrace Studies Lake Drawdown Analysis Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Fisheries Studies 1980 and 1982 Archeological Investigations Initial Consultation Package, Agency Consultation Letters, Meeting Notes, and Licensing Study Plans INITIAL STATEMENT BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY APPLICATION FOR LICENSE FOR A MAJOR WATER POWER PROJECT, 5 MEGAWATTS OR LESS (This Application Conforms to 18 CFR, Subpart G, Paragraph 4.61 of the Commission's Regulations) Alaska Power & Telephone Company applies to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a new license for the Black Bear Lake water power project (FERC Project No. 10440) as described hereinafter. The location of the Project is: State: State of Alaska First Judicial District: Prince of Wales Island Nearby Town: Cities of Craig and Klawock Stream or Body of Water: Black Bear Lake/Black Bear Creek The exact name, address, and telephone number of the applicant is: Alaska Power & Telephone Company 191 Otto Street P.O. Box 222 Port Townsend, WA 98368 (206) 385-1733 The exact name, address, and telephone number of each person authorized to act as agent for the applicant in this application, if applicable, is: Mr. Robert S. Grimm Vernon Neitzer President Vice President, Engineering Alaska Power & Telephone Co. Alaska Power & Telephone Co. P.O. Box 222 P.O. Box 459 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Skagway, AK 99840 (206) 385-1733 (907) 983-2202 (206) 385-5177 Fax (907) 983-2204 Fax Mr. Neil’ Macdonald National Program Manager, Hydropower HDR Engineering, Inc. Suite 200, Building C 11225 S.E. Sixth Street Bellevue, WA 98004-6441 (206) 453-1523 (206) 453-7107 Fax The applicant is a domestic corporation and is not seeking preference under Section 7 (a) of the Federal Power Act. (i) The statutory or regulatory requirements of the state in which the Project would be located that affect the Project as proposed with respect to bed and banks and the appropriation, diversion, and use of water for power purposes, and with respect to the right to engage in the business of developing, transmitting, and distributing power and in any other business necessary to accomplish the purposes of the license under the Federal Power Act, are shown on Table 1, which lists the permits and approvals required for the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project. It is the intent of the applicant to comply fully with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. (ii) The steps which the applicant has taken or plans to take to comply with each of the laws cited above are shown on Table 1. Brief Project description (i) Proposed installed generating capacity: 4.5 MW (ii) Check appropriate box: O existing dam O —unconstructed dam O existing dam, major modified project (see 4.40b(3)) w there is no existing dam and no dam is proposed Lands of the United States affected by the proposed Project (shown on Exhibit G) are as follows: U.S. Forest Service @ Surface Penstock, Siphon Intake, and Black Bear Lake NE 1/4 of Section 12, T73S, R82E: Approximately 80 acres TABLE 1 REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES AND THE STATE OF ALASKA REGULATION __ Coastal Zone Management Act AGENCY Alaska Division of Governmental To be applied for as required Determination Water Rights Application Alaska Department of Natural Application to be resubmitted following property interest agreement Alaska Department Requested 12/18/90 of Environmental Conservation Alaska Department of Natural Resources U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |} Alaska Dept of Fish U.S. Forest Service Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification (401 Certification required if there is discharge of water) Required for projects within DNR property or tidelands Federal Water Pollution Control Act, required for discharge of dredge or fill materials into waters or wetlands of the US. Required for construction in streams Special Use Permit Application to be submitted Application to be submitted Application to be submitted To be applied for as required SE 1/4 of Section Approximately 60 acres SW 1/4 of Section Approximately 40 acres NE 1/4 of Section Approximately 55 acres NW 1/4 of Section Approximately 20 acres = __ Transmission Line 12, 17; 18, 13, T738, T73S, T73S, T73S, R82E: R83E: R83E: R82E: Section 29, T73S, R81E: Approximately 1.4 acres NW 1/4 of Section 32, T73S, R81E: Approximately .10 acres Other Lands- Sealaska Corporation and Klawock/Heenya Corporation. 0 Surveyed Land aw Unsurveyed land 9. Construction of the Project is planned to start within 24 months, and is planned to be completed within 48 months, from the date of issuance of license. 10. This application is executed in the State of Washington, County of Jefferson, by: Alaska Power & Telephone 191 Otto Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 The following exhibits are filed herewith under the Commission's Regulations pursuant to 18 CFR, Subpart G, Paragraph 4.61 and are hereby made a part of this application: Exhibit A Description of Project Exhibit E Environmental Report Exhibit F General Design Drawings Exhibit G Project Boundary Maps Appendices iv VERIFICATION Robert S. Grimm, being first duly sworn, deposes and says that the contents of this application are true to the best of hig knowledge JY, belief. The undersigned applicant has signed this application this 2" day of a , 1991. SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO before me, a Notary Public in and for the State of Washington this 2? day of “7 LG. , 1991. ZB tary Public, residing at My commission expires LL i 25 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing document upon all parties of record in this proceeding in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.17 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Mr. Robert W. Loescher Executive Vice President Sealaska Corporation One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400 Juneau, AK 99801 Mr. Rick Harris Sealaska Corporation One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 400 Juneau, AK 99801 Ms. Corrine M. Garza Chief Executive Officer Klawock Heenya Corporation P.O. Box 25 Klawock, AK 99925 Mr. Glen Charles President Shaan Seet, Inc. P.O. Box 90 Craig, AK 99921-0090 Mr. Bob Martin General Manager Tlingit-Haida Regional Electric Authority P.O. Box 210149 Auke Bay, AK 99821-0149 USS. Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 E. Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503 Endangered Species Specialist USS. Fish and Wildlife Service 1011 Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99503 Mr. Nevin Holmberg US. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 1287 Juneau, AK 99802 Mr. Chuck Osborne U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 3193 Ketchikan, AK 99901 Commissioner Alaska Department of Fish and Game P.O. Box 3-2000 Juneau, AK 99802 Mr. Rick Reed Department of Fish and Game Habitat Protection Division Southeast Regional Office P.O. Box 20 Douglas, AK 99824-0020 Mr. Jack Gustafson Department of Fish and Game 2030 Sea Level Drive, Suite 205 Ketchikan, AK 99901 Mr. Glenn Freeman Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Division P.O. Box 101 Klawock, AK 99925 Director Office of Hydropower Licensing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 301-RB 825 North Capitol Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426 Mr. Tom DeWitt, Chief DPR West Branch Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 810 N. Capital Street, Room 1062 Washington, D.C. 20426 Mr. Arthur Martin Regional Office Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 1120 SW Sth Avenue, Suite 1340 Portland, OR 97204 Division of Environmental Quality Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation P.O. Box 0 Juneau, AK 99811-1800 Mr. Bill Janes Department of Environmental Conservation : Southeast Regional Office P.O. Box 32420 Juneau, AK 99803 Ms. Lorraine Marshall Division of Governmental Coordination P.O. Box AW Juneau, AK 99801-0165 Director Department of Natural Resources Division of Land and Water Management Southcentral Regional Office 3601 C Street P.O. Box 107005 Anchorage, AK 99510-7005 ACMP Liaison Department of Natural Resources Division of Land and Water Management 400 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, AK 99801 Mr. Andrew Pekovich Acting Regional Manager Department of Natural Resources 400 Willoughby, Suite 400 Juneau, AK 99801-1000 Department of Natural Resources Division of Land and Water Management 400 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 400 Juneau, AK 99801-1796 Mr. Michael Eberhardt Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation 400 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, AK 99801-1796 Environmental Impact Review Officer Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 Ms. Judith Bittner Office of History and Archaeology Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation Pouch 107001 Anchorage, AK 99510-7001 Ms. Georgina Akers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers P.O. Box 898 Anchorage, AK 99506-0898 Mr. Steve Penoyer, Director Alaska Region U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service P.O. Box 1668 Juneau, AK 99802 Ms. Constance Sathre Staff Attorney National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration P.O. Box 21109 Juneau, AK 99802-1109 Mr. Dan Robison U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 701 C Street Anchorage, AK 99513 Mr. Paul Haertel Associate Regional Director Resource Services Alaska Regional Office National Park Service 2525 Gambell Street Anchorage, AK 99503-2892 Mr. Larry Wright Environmental Protection Specialist National Park Service 2525 Gambell Street Anchorage, AK 99503 Michael Lunn, Forest Supervisor U.S. Forest Service Federal Building Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Mr. Gary Laver U.S. Forest Service Federal Building Ketchikan, AK 99901 Ms. Jeannie Grant US. Forest Service Craig Ranger District P.O. Box 500 Craig, AK 99921 Ms. Charity Fletcher City Planner City of Craig P.O. Box 23 Craig, AK 99921 The Honorable Dennis Watson Mayor, City of Craig P.O. Box 23 Craig, AK 99921 The Honorable Mr. Dan Wagner Mayor, City of Thorne Bay P.O. Box 19110 Thorne Bay, AK 99919 The Honorable Aaron T. Isaacs, Jr. Mayor, City of Klawock P.O. Box 113 Klawock, AK 99925 Mr. Al Macasaet City of Klawock P.O. Box 113 Klawock, AK 99925 Mr. Mike McKinnon Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Technical Services P.O. Box 1467 Juneau, AK 99811 Mr. Rich Poor Department of Transportation and Public Facilities P.O. Box Z Juneau, AK 99811 Regional Environmental Officer Mr. Robert E. LeResche Department of the Interior Executive Director 1675 C Street Alaska Energy Authority Anchorage, AK 99501-5198 P.O. Box 190869 Anchorage, AK 99519-0869 Mr. George A. Walters Area Director Bureau of Indian Affairs P.O. Box 3-8000 Juneau, AK 99802 Dated at Seattle, Washington this Z2~ be day of my , 1991. (i S. G: EXHIBIT A EXHIBIT A Tee OF PROJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page 1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION A-1 1.1 Introduction A-1 1.2 Mode of Operation A-1 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF DRAINAGE AREA A4 3.0 PROJECT FEATURES A-7 3.1 Intake A-7 3.2 Penstock A-7 3.3. Siphon A-7 3.4 Flow Continuation A-9 3.5 Supported Penstock A-10 3.6 Buried Penstock A-10 3.7 Powerhouse A-10 3.8 Tailrace A-11 3.9 Switchyard A-11 3.10 Transmission Line A-11 3.11 Access Road ; A-11 3.12 Estimated Project Cost A-11 4.0 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT A-12 Table A-1 Figure A-1 Figure A-2 Figure A-3 LIST OF TABLES Summary of Project Features L FF Project Location Map Flow Duration Curve Mean Monthly Streamflow A-2 A-5 A-6 1.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 11 INTRODUCTION The proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is located on Black Bear Creek near the community of Klawock on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska (Figure A-1 and Exhibit G). The Project will utilize the natural flows into Black Bear Lake. The upper 15 feet of Black Bear Lake provides equalizing storage. The natural water surface elevation of the lake is 1,687 feet above mean sea level (msl). A siphon type intake will extend approximately 150 feet into Black Bear Lake from the shoreline near the lake outlet. The intake will convey water from the lake to a penstock entrance at elevation 1,662. The 30- inch diameter penstock will extend a distance of 4,900 feet to the powerhouse. The first section of the penstock will be buried or bermed over. The second section will be supported on concrete piers which will be founded in the near surface rock and saddles down gradual slopes and two steep rock cliffs. The third section of the penstock will be buried in the talus to the powerhouse. The powerhouse will contain two horizontal shaft Pelton turbines and associated 2.25 MW synchronous generators for a total installed capacity of 4.5 MW. A tailrace channel will transport the turbine discharge 100 feet to a tailrace apron which will distribute the flow to the natural stream. A switchyard will be located adjacent to the powerhouse. A pole mounted 34.5 kV transmission line will begin at the switchyard and follow an existing logging road for a distance of 5 miles to the State Highway and then turn southwest for about 9 miles to the Klawock substation. A new road will be constructed from the powerhouse site a distance of 1,400 feet to a point of connection with the existing logging road which extends to Black Lake. Currently, the power service area is totally reliant on diesel fuel to support their energy needs. The Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is expected to have minimal environmental impacts and would be beneficial to the area given the world oil situation. 12 MODE OF OPERATION The Project would typically be automatically operated, base-load, run-of-river, depending upon load power demands and the level of Black Bear Lake. Storage will be used to supplement flow during periods of low runoff and high energy demands. Highest power demands are during the winter months, December through March. These generally coincide with low flows which continue into April. Reservoir storage is expected at normal levels by mid-October. The normal lake level will likely be maintained throughout November. Lake draw-down will generally begin in December. Typically, the plant will be operated to utilize the 15 feet of storage during the peak winter months. Minimum lake levels will occur in April. Spring runoff will begin to replenish lake /~?800" /Tongass <> National 2. ey > ‘8 By 3a Buried ; es Ree pil : J craca J \ 4 \— 80° SENS aN Surface ; a Oe S +N & | Oe ah Ruse | ) Penstock © | 4S cee - a I Pll ute NZ eS eh : Ly | BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles isiond, Alaska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington PROJECT LOCATION MAP HiRangneeting Figure A-1 storage. The lake storage would be maintained through the summer and finally fall rainfall will fill the lake again by mid-October. In addition to monthly and annual variation in lake level, there will be some small daily fluctuation in plant flows and lake levels to meet peak hour demands. The rate of change will be slow, however. At 45 cfs maximum rated outflow to the turbines and with no inflow to the lake, the maximum draw-down rate will be approximately 0.22 inches per hour. A-3 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF DRAINAGE AREA The Black Bear Lake drainage area, containing 1.82 square miles, is primarily located in the Sections 12 and 13, Range 82 East, and Sections 7 and 18, Range 83 East; Township 73 South on Prince of Wales Island in the Tongass National Forest 8.6 miles east of Klawock, Alaska. The elevation in the basin varies from the natural lake elevation of 1,687 feet to a high of approximately 4,000 feet. The mean drainage basin elevation is approximately 2,410 feet. The drainage basin surrounding the lake is primarily steep, glaciated, exposed rock. Slopes of the rock faces around the lake average 60 percent. About 10 percent of the basin is forested with most of the trees and other vegetation located around the lake perimeter. The upper elevations are rock with some areas covered by brush, grass, and moss. USGS gage number 15081580 is located at the outlet of Black Bear Lake. The period of record for the gage is from 1980 to the current year. The average annual discharge for the period of record at the gage is 28 cfs or approximately 21,000 acre-feet per year. The maximum recorded discharge was 413 cfs on November 5, 1981 and the minimum recorded discharge was 2.1 cfs on September 21, 1986. A flow duration curve and annual hydrograph for the proposed diversion point from Black Bear Lake are shown on Figures A-2 and A-3, respectively. A-4 (S49) MON % EXCEEDANCE BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Island, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington FLOW DURATION CURVE ERR engineering | Figure A-2 ASSL oxy y RSIS] SSK RRKRKICNE RRR KKK HI] SSSR RK KK ROC SRK RRR KID POPP SSBB SS atetecetenenenenstots SERRA SK XEKRESVNI SRK RRR RK) RRR RRR SRR KKK KD KEBAB S > SSSR RRR RR RD SRS RS SRR RK K KKK ONY SSSR RO SEIKI LOS RRA Ae ROSSI HII OOK PY OOOO POSS OOS OC SRR KK RK KKK KN POOL AIEEE SEISE REE > MEAN ANNUAL FLOW 28 CFS FEB MAR APR_ MAY FERESRSRSOOSH SS SRR RR IERS SOO RK RK NS SISOS RO IRONY RRK KR KKM OPI JAN RERKREKS SKS oy ove SRK RRR K RR KN KN] PSPSPS ORSIS vere’ 2252) OCT NOV DEC BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT L31LNO 3yVv1 Yv38 NOVIE Prince of Woles Isiond, Aloske FERC NO. 10440 (S49) MOTs AIHLNOW Nv3aW ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington MEAN MONTHLY STREAMFLOW 3.0 PROJECT FEATURES Project features are summarized in Table A-1 and described below. 3.1 INTAKE The Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project will utilize the natural run-of-river flows from the basin as well as the upper 15 feet of Black Bear Lake as equalizing storage to power two hydroelectric turbines. The natural water surface elevation of the lake is 1,687 feet. A siphon intake will be utilized to remove water from Black Bear Lake down to elevation 1,672 feet. The siphon screen centerline is at elevation 1,662 feet. The siphon intake for the Project will be located approximately 150 feet east of the natural outlet at the northern end of Black Bear Lake. The intake will consist of a 30- inch diameter steel pipe that extends approximately 150 feet into the lake and ends at a manifold with five 48-inch diameter, 61-inch long stainless steel wedge-wire cylindrical screens. The pipe will rest on the bottom and be covered with granular fill and riprap along the shore until it reaches a water depth of approximately 25 feet or 10 feet below the proposed draw-down level. The intake manifold will be supported approximately 5 feet off the lake bottom at a center-line elevation of approximately 1,662 on a skid mounted steel support frame. It is expected that the intake manifold and support frame will be shop fabricated and assembled on-site. The manifold will be floated into place and sunk as part of a polyethylene pipe intake assembly or partially buoyed and dragged into place to be connected to steel pipe by divers. The manifold support frame will be weighted as necessary to anchor it to the lake bottom. 3.2 PENSTOCK The total length of the 30-inch diameter steel penstock will be approximately 4,900 feet. The single penstock will consist of three components. The first section will be a 820-foot long buried section which includes a siphon and flow bypass. The second length will be a 1,930-foot long section on rock supported concrete piers and saddles down gradual slopes and two steep cliffs. The third and final component will be approximately 2,150 feet of buried pipe to the powerhouse. 3.3 SIPHON After the pipe exits the lake, approximately 600 feet of 30-inch diameter steel pipe will be buried in a trench that rises slightly and follows a contour toward the natural outlet and around a ridge gradually turning to a northeasterly direction. A vacuum pump and vacuum valve facility will be located at the high point of the pipeline, at centerline elevation 1,695. The purpose of the vacuum pump will be to prime the siphon and gradually fill the penstock with water. The pump system would be located within an A-7 TABLE A-1 SUMMARY OF PROJECT FEATURES Name of Project Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project, FERC Number 10440 Project Location Submerged screen manifold of five 48-inch diameter stainless steel screen pods at elevation 1,662. The manifold will be connected to a 30-inch diameter steel siphon pipe. Black Bear Lake Surface Area: 215 acres 1,687 23,750 acre-feet Net: 3,000 acre-feet Operation: The net storage capacity will be utilized by siphoning the reservoir down 15 feet to a minimum elevation of 1,672 Siphon 600 foot-long, 30-inch diameter, steel pipe with vacuum pump assembly and structure at the high point elevation 1,695. Penstock 4,900 feet Diameter: 30 inches Material: Lined and coated steel Components: 820 feet buried intake and siphon } 1,930 feet supported on concrete saddles 2,150 feet buried pipe to the powerhouse 24-inch diameter, 180-foot pipe to creek above falls Powerhouse Size: 44-feet by 67-feet ]} Number of Units: 2 ! Type of Turbines: Horizontal Twin-jet Pelton | Turbine Rating: Flow: 22.5 cfs each unit } 45 cfs total Head: Gross: 1,490 feet | Net: 1,440 feet | Power: Each: 3,175 hp Total: 6,350 hp | Generator Rating: Power: Each: 2.25 MW | Total: 4.50 MW Voltage: 4,160 volts i] | i} Auxiliary Unit | 1-60 kW Diesel Generator | | Voltage: 34.5 kV . Transmission Line | | Length: 14 miles Type: Overhead on timber poles Average Annual Initial Load: 12,000 mWh (1994 Utility Demands) Energy Ultimate Load: 23,100 mWh (Energy Production at Capacity) Cost u A-8 insulated prefabricated metal building on a concrete slab foundation. The building and electric pump will be supplied with normal and backup power from the powerhouse. A concrete valve vault will be located below the hydraulic grade line approximately 400 feet downstream of the vacuum pump. The insulated valve vault will be approximately 9-foot square and 8-feet high. The automated valves will be provided with normal and backup power from the powerhouse. The purpose of the valve vault will be to allow the controlled operation of the siphon and for gradual filling of the lower penstock. The valve vault will contain a 30-inch diameter butterfly valve, 8-inch diameter bypass and valve, and a 8-inch air/vacuum relief valve. In case of a detected penstock failure, a signal from the control system would gradually open the vacuum breaker valve at the top of the siphon to let air into the pipe. Allowing air in would "break" the siphon and stop the flow of water in the pipe. Penstock failure will be detected by controller programming that senses differential flow conditions between the siphon and turbine. The controller with DC backup will be connected to the energized vacuum breaker valve. The valve will open and break the siphon if the control cables are severed or if there is a sudden drop in pressure at the powerhouse. Under normal operational turbine shutdowns and for when the lower penstock is drained, flow would be diverted from the siphon through a bifurcation to a 180-foot long, 24-inch diameter siphon bypass pipe. The buried bypass pipe would be gradually sloped to the creek along a contour between the valve vault and Black Bear Creek near the top of the falls. To prevent erosion, the pipe would discharge into a rocky area of Black Bear Creek. 3.4 FLOW CONTINUATION A 24-inch diameter bypass pipe will be located upstream of the valve vault. The purpose of the bypass will be to divert flow from the siphon intake to Black Bear Creek above the falls in the event that the turbines shut down or the penstock is dewatered. This ability will serve to continue flows into Black Bear Creek when the lake level is below the natural spillway crest. If a load rejection or some other relay fault causes the turbines to shut down, the following control sequence would occur: = __ Turbine deflectors would come into the flow stream to divert flow away from the runner. m __ The 24-inch diameter bypass valve would receive a signal to begin gradually opening while the turbine needle valves gradually close to a preset minimum flow point. = A programmed time delay would allow flow from the bypass above the falls to reach the area of the powerhouse tailrace. A-9 m At the end of that time, the turbine needle valves would begin to close completely so that all of the flow is passing through the bypass at the top of the falls. A similar sequence would be manually followed if the penstock below the valve vault needs to be dewatered for maintenance or inspection when the lake levels were too low to spill naturally. An additional step would be the closure of the 30-inch penstock valve so the penstock could be slowly drained. 3.5 SUPPORTED PENSTOCK Below the valve vault, the depth of bury will be gradually decreased until the pipe surfaces. From that point the pipe will be supported on piers for approximately 1,930 feet of its length. The 30-inch diameter steel lined and coated penstock will be supported by piers on approximate 40-foot centers. The pier footings will be founded and anchored to rock with grouted rock anchors. The penstock pipe sections will be welded with flex coupling expansion joints on 80-foot centers. The pipe will be restrained to the piers and anchored by thrust blocks as required to resist thermal, gravitational, hydrostatic, and dynamic forces. 3.6 BURIED PENSTOCK At the base of the lower steep slope area, the 30-inch diameter penstock will go from being pier supported to buried for the remaining 2,150 feet to the powerhouse. One side of the drainage area will be crossed with a concrete encased "sag" pipe anchored to bed rock. The pipe joints will be welded. Thrust will be resisted by the continuous pipe and concrete thrust blocks at two major bends. The buried pipe will end at the powerhouse with a bifurcation into two 20-inch diameter branches. Each branch will enter the powerhouse to be connected to each of the two turbines. 3.7 POWERHOUSE The 44-foot wide by 67-foot long powerhouse will be located adjacent to Black Bear Creek with a finish floor elevation of approximately 184 feet. The powerhouse will contain two 3,175 horsepower twin-jet, horizontal shaft Pelton turbines and associated 2.25 MW synchronous generators. The powerhouse will also contain hydraulic governors, controls, protective relays, switchgear, and backup power system. The powerhouse will have a partitioned office area, lavatory, and storage area. The powerhouse foundation and supporting slab will be reinforced concrete. The powerhouse will be founded on concrete spread footings excavated at least to the depth of the tailrace. The mass concrete foundation will be designed to resist both vertical and horizontal thrust loads. The walls and roof will be a premanufactured metal frame building with insulated wall and roof panels. The building will support a monorail hoist beam for the length of the building over the center of the turbine-generators. A- 10 3.8 TAILRACE A tailrace channel will be located under the turbine case to carry discharge water away from both turbines. A natural rock and concrete lined apron will extend approximately 100 feet from the powerhouse. The tailrace apron will be designed to distribute flow to the natural flow channels of this braided area of Black Bear Creek and still allow natural upstream flow to pass the apron. 3.9 SWITCHYARD A fenced switchyard will be located adjacent to the powerhouse. The switchyard will contain control and protective circuit breakers and a step-up transformer. The transformer will be supported on a concrete foundation and be surrounded by a protective spill containment berm. The 6,000 kVa transformer will step up the voltage from the generator's 4,160 volts to 34.5 kilovolts for transmission to the Klawock substation. 3.10 TRANSMISSION LINE A pole mounted 34.5 kV transmission line will begin at the switchyard and follow existing logging access roads for about 5 miles to State Highway 929 and then turn southwest for about 9 miles to the Klawock substation. At Klawock, the line voltage would be reduced to 12.47 kV. 3.11 ACCESS ROAD Access to the Project will be via approximately 4 miles of improved existing logging roads from State Highway 929. Improvements to existing logging roads will include some regrading, new drainage culvert installation, as well as a temporary timber bridge for the existing construction access road. Approximately 1 mile of new access road will be constructed at the end of the existing logging road to reach the powerhouse site. No permanent roads are planned for the penstock route or to access the intake/siphon area. Existing trails to the upper Black Bear Lake area will be improved to provide better access to the area. It is anticipated that a temporary tram or series of trams will be installed to transport materials to the upper slope and intake areas during construction. Other access to the upper lake will be via float plane. Helicopters may also be used to transport construction personnel and material to the upper lake and slope areas. 3.12 ESTIMATED PROJECT COST The estimated cost of the Project is $10,700,000 including construction, permits, engineering, and administration. A-11 4.0 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT The purpose of the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is to generate renewable power and energy for use on Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska. The development of this renewable energy hydropower project will replace existing diesel powered electric generation facilities on the island. The replacement of these diesel facilities will initially reduce crude oil consumption for power generation by approximately 37,000 barrels of crude oil per year. At full load, the Project would reduce crude oil consumption by approximately 70,000 barrels per year. A-12 EXHIBIT E EXHIBIT E ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TABLE OF Section 1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCALE 2.0 3.0 4.0 1.1. General Locale 1.2 Project Description WATER USE AND WATER QUALITY 2.1 Basin Features and Reaches 2.2 Existing Water Uses and Water Rights 2.3. Hydrology 2.4 Water Quality 2.5 Existing and Proposed Flow Regimes 2.6 Potential Project Impacts and Mitigation FISH, WILDLIFE, AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES 3.1 Aquatic Resources 3.2 Wildlife Resources 3.3. Botanical Resources 3.4 Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES 4.1 Literature Searches and Field Reconnaissance Studies 4.2 Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures E-20 E-20 E-31 E-39 E-44 E-53 E-53 E-54 Section 5.0 SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES 6.0 7.0 8.0 Del 5.2 Se} 5.4 Population, Employment, and Income Trends Project Labor Requirements Project Labor Supply Project Impacts and Mitigation GEOLOGICAL AND SOIL RESOURCES 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Introduction Description of Geological Features Description of Soil Resources Geologic and Soil Hazards Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures RECREATION RESOURCES del, 12 73 7.4 aS 7.6 Existing Regional Recreation Existing Project Vicinity Recreation Angler and Hunting Surveys Management Plans/Future Recreation Recreational Demand Project Impacts and Recreation Potential AESTHETIC RESOURCES 8.1 8.2 US. Forest Service Aesthetic Classifications and Guidelines 8.3 Existing Aesthetics Potential Aesthetic Impacts E-56 E-5S6 E-59 E-5S9 E-61 E-62 E-62 E-62 E-64 E-64 E-65 E-68 E-68 E-72 E-76 E-89 E-90 E-92 E-95 E-95 E-96 E-99 TABLE OF CONTENT: Section 9.0 LAND USE 9.1 Existing Land Uses 9.2 Potential Land Use Effects of the Project 10.0 AGENCY CONSULTATION PROCESS 11.0 LIST OF LITERATURE E-102 E-102 E-103 E-104 E-108 Table Table E2-1 Table E2-2 Table E3-1 Table E3-2 Table E3-3 Table E3-4 Table E3-5 Table E3-6 Table E3-7 Table E3-8 Table E3-9 Table ES-1 Table ES-2 Table ES-3 Table E7-1 Table E7-2 Table E7-3 LI F TABL Water Quality Summary Proposed Flow Releases from the Black Bear Lake Powerhouse Black Bear Lake Rainbow Trout Survey-1982 Peak Recorded Salmon Escapements for the Black Bear Creek System Number of Adult Anadromous Salmonids by Date and Stratum Section in Black Bear Creek between Black Lake and Upwelling Areas Date and Number of Mortalities by Fish Species in the Black Creek Trap Just Downstream from Black Lake between April 25 and June 5, 1990 Birds of Prince of Wales Island Plant Species Present in the Vicinity of Black and Black Bear Lakes, Alaska Vegetation Classification within the Primary Impact Zone Project Impact on Water Temperature in Upwelling Area Land Disturbance by Habitat Type and Construction Activity Historical and Projected Population Estimates Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Census Area Employment and Payroll Data, Fourth Quarter, 1989 Alaska, Southeast Region, and Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Area Labor Force (9/89) Existing Recreation Forest Service Cabins and Shelters Prince of Wales Island Freshwater Sport Fish Harvest Black Bear Sport Harvest Statistics for Game Management Unit 2, 1985-1989 Page E-11 E-15 E-25 E-27 E-29 E-32 E-36 E-41 E-43 E-47 E-50 E-57 E-58 E-60 E-70 E-73 E-74 Table Table E7-4 Table E7-5 Table E7-6 Table E7-7 Table E7-8 Table E8-1 Table E10-0 Geographic Origin of Southeast Alaska Visitors Black Bear Lake Cabin Use, January 1990-October 1990 Craig Ranger District Cabin Use, 1987-1989 Angler Survey - Black Lake and Black Creek Recreational Needs Visual Quality Objectives Agency Consultation Process E-75 E-77 E-78 E-79 E-91 E-97 E-104 Figure Figure E1-1 Figure E2-1 Figure E2-2 Figure E2-3 Figure E2-4 Figure E3-1 Figure E3-2 Figure E3-3 Figure E3-4 Figure E6-1 Figure E6-2 Figure E7-1 Figure E7-2 Figure E7-3 Figure E7-4 Figure E7-5 Figure E7-6 I F FI Location Map Drainage Area Map Mean Monthly Streamflow Upwelling Areas Water Quality Sampling Locations Aquatic Resource Area Fish Use and Habitat - Black Creek Fish Use and Habitat - Black Bear Creek Vegetation Cover Geologic Map Geologic Hazards Existing Recreation Angler Survey Angler Place of Residence Species Fished For Species Caught Water Surface Elevations E-8 E-10 E-21 E-22 E-24 E-40 E-63 E-66 E-69 E-85 E-86 E-87 E-88 - E-94 1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCALE 1.1 GENERAL LOCALE The proposed Black Bear Lake Project will be located on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. The proposed Project is approximately 14 road miles northeast of the town of Klawock. The primary Project features, as shown on Figure E1-1, will be located at the outlet of Black Bear Lake and along Black Bear Creek. Prince of Wales Island is ragged and mountainous and has low to moderate relief with elevations generally of 3,000 feet or less but locally, as in the proposed Project area, of nearly 4,000 feet. The mountains are dissected by deep, steep-sided, glacial valleys, and fjords. The island has an abundance of lakes. Most of the streams are small and short, with steep, irregular profile characteristic of the early stage of stream development. The climate of the Project area is maritime, typified by cool summers, relatively mild winters, long periods of almost continuous cloudy or foggy conditions, and year-round precipitation. Temperature extremes occur in both winter and summer. At Hollis, approximately 9 miles southwest of the proposed Project, the mean annual temperature is 44.2°F. The average temperature at Hollis in January (the coldest month) is 32.4°F and the average temperature in August (the warmest month) is 58.1°F. The proposed Project location is estimated to be approximately 8°F cooler than Hollis because of the higher altitude. The mean annual precipitation at the proposed Project is about 220 inches, induced by the area's high elevation and steep mountain topography. Much of the precipitation at the Black Bear Lake Project area during the colder months occurs as snow. Black Bear Lake is often frozen until early summer. Black Bear Lake is a high, perched, cirque lake that drains 1.82 square miles of steeply sloped forested land. Inflow into the lake consists primarily of intermittent streams that drain deep snowfields located in the alpine areas surrounding the lake. Black Bear Lake occupies a bedrock basin in a U-shaped hanging valley at an elevation of 1,687 feet. The elevations of the surrounding peaks and ridges are generally between 2,700 and 3,996 feet. Black Bear Lake naturally discharges through a notch cut in the bedrock rim at the lower end of the lake and over a series of falls to form Black Bear Creek. The combined drop of the falls is approximately 1,400 feet. 1.2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Black Bear Lake Project will have an installed capacity of 4.5 MW. The Project will utilize the natural flows into the basin as well as the upper 15 feet of Black Bear Lake as equalizing storage to power two hydroelectric turbines. The Project will consist of a siphon intake, penstock, powerhouse and tailrace, switchyard, substation, transmission line, and access road. E-1 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Island, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington LOCATION MAP FIGURE E1-1 The siphon type intake will be located at the lower end of Black Bear Lake. The 30-inch diameter penstock will be approximately 4,900 feet long. It will consist of a 820-foot long buried section which includes the syphon and flow bypass; a 1,930-foot long section on rock supported concrete piers and saddles; and approximately 2,150 feet of buried pipe to the powerhouse. The powerhouse will be located less than 0.5 miles from the base of the falls. It will consist of a prefabricated metal building approximately 44-feet by 67-feet by 20-feet high, located on a reinforced concrete foundation. The tailrace will consist of a natural rock and concrete lined apron. It will extend approximately 100 feet from the powerhouse and distribute flow to the natural braided flow channels of Black Bear Creek. A switchyard will be located adjacent to the powerhouse and will be connected to a substation at Klawock via transmission line. The transmission line would follow the existing Sealaska logging road and State Highway 929 for about 14 miles from the powerhouse to the Klawock substation. Access to the Project will be via approximately 4 miles of existing logging road from the State Highway. Approximately 1 mile of new access road will be constructed at the end of the existing northside Black Lake logging road to connect to the powerhouse site. During construction, the existing southside logging road will be used as additional site access. E -3 2.0 WATER USE AND WATER QUALITY This section begins with a physical summary of the drainage basin and stream features near the Project. Successive subsections will discuss existing water uses and rights, hydrology and flow duration (including relationship to groundwater factors), and water quality. These discussions of existing environmental conditions are then followed by an analysis of proposed flow changes produced by the Project and potential Project impacts and mitigation. 2.1 BASIN FEATURES AND REACHES The Black Bear Lake drainage basin includes four drainage areas. These are Black Bear Lake, the free-flowing segments of Black Bear Creek between Black Bear Lake and Black Lake, Black Lake, and the segments of Black Creek between Black Lake and Big Salt Lake (Figure E2-1). The drainage basin drains approximately 17.5 square miles of land, ranging in elevation from 4,000 feet to sea level. Black Bear Lake is approximately at elevation 1,687 feet ms] and has a surface area of 0.30 square miles. The total drainage area for Black Bear Lake is 1.82 square miles. This drainage area is about 2 miles long with the lake extending about 70 percent of this length. The basin is oriented in a northwesterly direction. Ground slope is very steep and averages 60 percent. Approximately 80 percent of the drainage area divide length exceeds 2,500 feet in elevation with peaks to 3,996. The mean drainage area elevation of 2,410 feet makes Black Bear Lake one of the highest drainage areas on Prince of Wales Island. The Black Bear Lake drainage area is very rocky with only about 10 percent of the drainage forested. Most of the trees and other vegetation are located around the lake perimeter. The upper elevations consist of bare rock and light brush, grasses, and moss. Several avalanche paths and talus slopes from the high rocky peaks extend into Black Bear Lake. Inflow into the lake consists primarily of intermittent streams that drain snowfields located in the alpine areas surrounding the lake. Black Bear Creek leaves Black Bear Lake and drops 1,400 feet by a series of falls and rapids within 0.6 miles. The stream trends in a northwesterly direction to Black Lake, 1.7 miles downstream of Black Bear Lake and about 1,600 feet lower in elevation. The Black Bear Creek drainage area, located above the inlet to Black Lake, is approximately 2.1 miles long and receives flows from Black Bear Lake and numerous tributaries. The majority of the drainage area has been recently logged. The Black Bear Creek drainage area receives drainage from a total of 6.30 square miles of watershed, which includes the 1.82 square mile drainage area associated with Black Bear Lake. Black Lake is about 0.8 miles long and has a total drainage area of 7.39 square miles, including Black Bear Creek and Black Bear Lake drainage areas. Inflow to the lake comes largely from Black Bear Creek and, to a lesser extent, from intermittent streams that drain 1.09 square miles of steeply sloped land along the periphery of Black Lake. Most of the land around Black Lake was clearcut logged in the mid-1980's. E-4 ONG Vm RAINAGE AREAS ~ (A).OUTLET TO BLACK BEAR ,, a4 ( + pee LAKE=1.82 sq.m. apes ~i ‘(B)AINLET TO BLACK LAKE BT NENIRKS PY 9448 Sern OV (). OUTLET TO BLACK LAKE) “\\; NV U\ Ca 100 aN ‘\_. 0). MOUTH OF BLACK CREEK : | ~=10.07 8q.ml.~ i 1. FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington “ Black Creek leaves Black Lake and flows in a northerly direction for 3 miles to Big Salt Lake. 2.2 EXISTING WATER USES AND WATER RIGHTS There are no known existing water rights or withdrawals on Black Bear Creek. The Project Applicant filed a water right application for 64 cfs on September 29, 1987. State water rights are administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The water diversion from Black Bear Lake will not affect any other existing water right nor any downstream waters since all water used will be returned to Black Bear Creek downstream of the falls. Water uses of Black Bear Lake and Black Bear Creek include use by fish and wildlife and human use for occasional recreation, which includes recreational fishing in Black Bear Lake and the lower reaches of Black Bear Creek. No anadromous fish exist in Black Bear Lake and in the reaches of Black Bear Creek within the Project area. 2.3 HYDROLOGY Black Bear Lake has a drainage area of 1.82 square miles, a natural lake surface area of 215 acres and an estimated volume of 22,000 acre-feet. The mean drainage basin elevation is 2,410 feet and the natural lake elevation is 1,687 feet. A USGS streamflow gauge station (No. 15081580) was set up at the outlet of Black Bear Lake in June 1980. A 10-year long daily flow file was prepared using the USGS gage data. Mean monthly and mean annual flow calculated on the basis of this data are found on Figure E2-2. The average annual discharge for the period of record at the gage is 28 cfs or approximately 21,000 acre-feet per year. The maximum recorded discharge was 413 cfs on November 5, 1981 and the minimum recorded discharge was 2.1 cfs on September 21, 1986. Numerous upwellings contribute to the discharge of Black Bear Creek (Figure E2-3). Flow data collected for Spring Fork, which originates primarily from upwellings, ranged from 17 to 25 cfs during the spring; winter and summer low flows were 10 and 5 cfs, respectively (Environaid, 1982). Calculations indicated that inputs from groundwater and runoff associated with the tributary streams accounted for approximately 80 percent of the flow of this portion of Black Bear Creek during August 1981, a period of little precipitation. During a period of high precipitation (September 1981), the contribution of flow from groundwater and tributary streams accounted for between 57 and 65 percent of the discharge of Black Bear Creek as measured at the outlet of Black Lake (FERC, 1983). E-6 ECT 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY | Figure E2-2 FERC NO. Port Townsend, Washington MEAN MONTHLY STREAMFLOW Prince of Woles tslond, Alosko d3s__ ON n AVA Nvf 030 AON LOO ring Bs © 5 o Y > BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PRO Bi®Renginee x» m2 oO % 5 oS se 5 5 < Ye SSSR S05 ROK RK °, ee Oo ~ > "., SSC @. 5 SRS 25 MO14 IWOANNY NVAW 5 o $2 Rz Re Zz 2 BX As 29 oo To qa Y ROA wm CAD > Sw, ‘A ‘ ‘ PROPOSED POWERHOUSE LOCATION af START OF J \ ALLUVIAL FAN FORMER BRIDGE START OF ALLUVIAL FAN @SSBSaeeueeseawsw > BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alosko FERC NO, 10440 GROUNDWATER FLOW PATH ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY -_--—_— Port Townsend, Washington 400 200 0 UPWELLING AREAS a nee Figure E2-3 SCALE: 1° = 400° Black Bear Creek infiltrates into the coarse alluvial deposits of Black Bear Creek valley, at a point about six-tenths of a mile below the outlet of Black Bear Lake, and re-emerges approximately 1,000 feet downstream. Water passed through coarse sediments at a rate of approximately 1,500 feet in 24 hours, as indicated by dye tests performed during August of 1982 (FERC, 1983). A dye testing study was performed in 1989 (Environaid, 1989). In this study, very fast movement of the dye through the aquifer to the springs was measured. This was due to the relatively high streamflow conditions at the time of this study. Two types of dyes had been released into Black Bear Creek approximately 50 feet upstream and approximately 1,000 feet downstream of the former bridge site (see Figure E2-3). The results of the study show that groundwater flow from Black Bear Creek is towards the Lake Fork and Spring Fork emerging areas, with most of the flow going to Lake Fork. Additional stream gaging, field observations and dye testing were conducted in July of 1990 (see Appendix E-4). Stream gaging indicated that uniform infiltration losses occur along the length of Black Bear Creek starting approximately 1,100 feet upstream of the proposed powerhouse site and extending downstream to the point where surface flows finally disappear. Observations indicated that stream flows from both Black Bear Creek and South Fork sustain the flows of Spring Fork. Black Bear Creek is the major contributor to flows in Lake Fork. The dye tracing study was completed to verify routes of groundwater flow originating at the proposed powerhouse site. The results of the dye tracing study indicated that groundwater infiltration at the proposed powerhouse site spreads out in a uniform fashion as it flows to the emerging areas of Lake and Spring Forks (see Figure E2-3). The study also indicated that groundwater originating from the proposed powerhouse area is only a small contributor to flows in the South Fork springs. 2.4 WATER QUALITY Numerous water quality samples have been obtained from the Black Bear Lake system to provide an assessment of pre-project conditions. Sampling locations are shown on Figure E2-4 and summarized in Table E2-1 (see also Appendix E-2). The chemical water quality of the Black Bear Creek system generally reflects the chemical characteristics of the watershed's soils. The water is weakly acidic, with limited buffering capacity (Schmiege et al, 1974), as are most streams that drain the glaciated watersheds of southeastern Alaska. The pH ranges from 6.3 to 7.0. The concentrations of the cations sampled were also found to be low, an indication of the resistance of the bedrock material of the watershed to weathering. Significant characteristics of the water quality of the lake include low dissolved ions and nutrients. Specific conductance, total alkalinity, and total hardness of the lake are extremely low and indicative of high quality water. Phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were found to be low, and consequently, the biological productivity of Black Bear Lake and Black Lake is expected to be low. Black Bear Creek was also found to have high quality water. Total alkalinity, total hardness, and phosphorus are found at extremely low levels. As could be expected given the larger contributing area, specific conductance and nitrogen levels are slightly higher in the springs area than in the lake. E-9 S—_ MOUTH (AT INLET TO BIG SALT LAKE) \ \ BLACK CREEK South Tributary Bridge ®SAMPLE LOCATIONS Inset Map Showing Location of Project Area exe Juneau \ PROJECT AREA Prince of Wales Island LAKE FORK Ny Spring Fork 3, inal BELOW FALLS Upwelling Area SPRING FORK Black Bear Lake BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Island, Aloske FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington WATER QUALITY SAMPLE LOC, _ BRRensineering |Figure E2-4 TABLE E 2-1 (continued) WATER QUALITY SUMMARY BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROPOWER WATER QUALITY SUMMARY FOR BLACK BEAR CREEK WATER QUALITY STATION: MOUTH | BELOW FALLS | BRIDGE | SAMPLING DATE: | AUG ‘82 SEP ‘82 OCT ‘82 | 7/23/90 9/6/90 10/15/90 | 7/23/90 9/6/90 10/15/90 socecncenncenennanssconsanencnnoneroe nncencenennns |--nnnnnenennnnne nnn nn nnn nna | nanennnnnnnnnennenen nnn nens [ennn ene esn nce ne scencceseee SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE umhos/cm 25C I - - - | - 13 es 15000 * 13 pH, LAB ANALYSIS glass electrode 25¢ | 6.5 6.4 6.7 | 7.3 9.6 6.5 | 1. j2* 6.3 pH, FIELD ANALYSIS glass electrode { - - - | - - - | - - e COLOR | - 30 s5| - - - | - - = TURBIDITY nephelometer units { - 1 0.6 [| LT0.5 L705 LTO.S | LT0.5 170.5 LT 0.5 TOTAL ALKALINITY as HCO3, mg/1 | 13 - 3{ - - - | - - TOTAL ALKALINITY as CaC03, mg/1 | 0 . 0 | 2 A] 2 iT 2 2 TOTAL HARONESS as CaC03, mg/1 | 7 - s| MW 5 16 | 5 3 14 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS mg/1 | 23 - 20} - - - [| - - - TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS mg/1 | - - - | - LT 2 3] - tT 2 3 CATION/ANION BALANCE I - - - { - - - | - - - | | | TOTAL KJELDAHL NITROGEN mg/1 I - 0.3 0.4] 0.16 LTOS LTOS] 0.22 LTOS LOS NITRATE ANO NITRITE ASK mg/1 1 - - - | 0.03 0.013 0.02 | 0.03 13 0.018 TOTAL NITROGEN AS N mg/l | - - - | UOS LTO.S LTOS5] LT 0.5 13° UT 0.5 AMMONIA AS N mg/l 1 - - - | - - - | TOTAL PHOSPHATE AS P mg/1 J tTo.0os = - LT 0.05 {| LT 0.01 LT 0.01 LT 0.01 | LT 0.01 LT 0.01 LT 0.01 ORTHO PHOSPHATE AS P mg/1 | - - - | - - - | - - - SULFATE mg/l | 4 - 3 - - - | - - - | | | POTASSIUM mg/1 | 0.2 - oa] - - - [| - - - CALCIUM mg/) | 2.4 - 21a - - | - - - MAGNESIUM mg/) | 0.4 - 03] - - - | - - - FLUORIDE mg/1 1 - - - [| - - - | - - - | | | ARSENIC mg/l | - - - | = LT 0.005 - |. - LT 0.005 - CADMIUM mg/1 | - - - | = tT 0.002 - | = LT 0.002 - CHLORINE mg/l [Sere - urij - - - | - - - CHROMIUM ng/1 | - - - {| - - == += - - COPPER 1/1 | 0.02 - 0.006 [LT 0.002 LT 0.002 - [LT 0.002 0.006 - GOLD 29/1 | LT 0.01 - roof = - - - [| - - : » TRON mg/) | o19 = O19 [ - - - [| - - - LEAD ng/1 [tT 0.05 LT 0.02 | LT 0.01 LT 0.01 - | LT 0.01 LT 0.01 - HANGANESE 1/1 | - - - | - - - | - - - MERCURY ag/1 le = =a 2 - |e - : MOLYBDENUM 9/1 | UT 0.02 - utr o.02 [| - - 2 |) : - NICKEL ng/1 ly = - - | - - - | - - - SELENIUM 9/1 | - - - [| - - - | - : - SILVER 9/1 [tt 0.002 - Uro.o2z| - - - | - - - S001UM ng/1 | 1 - Lit. - - - | - : - ZINC "9/1 | oo 8 - LT .002 | 0.003 LT 0.002 - | 0.002 0.003 - * Value reported by Lab was in error. TABLE E2-1 WATER QUALITY SUMMARY BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROPOWER WATER QUALITY SUMMARY FOR BLACK BEAR CREEK WATER QUALITY STATION: | LAKE FORK | SPRING FORK | LAKE OUTLET SAMPLING DATE: | 7/23/90 9/6/90 10/15/90 | 7/23/90 9/6/90 10/15/90 | 7/23/90 9/6/90 10/15/30 SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE umhos/cm 25C | - 33 23) 19 1S 16 14 pH, LAB ANALYSIS glass electrode 25C | 6.4 5.9 6.1 | 6.4 6.1 6:3) (1) 73-355°))) 9.6° 6.6 pH, FIELO ANALYSIS glass electrode - - ne - =| Jif || - - COLOR - - er a= - (ee - - TURBIDITY nephelometer units 0S TOS LOS] tTO.S LT0O5 LTOS5] L105 tTO5 Los TOTAL ALKALINITY as HCO3, mg/1 | | TOTAL ALKALINITY as CaC03, mg/1 2 tT2 21 3 2 2) oattae UT) 12 TOTAL HARDNESS as CaC03, mg/1 5 7 12 | 4 uM 12 | 4 16 16 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIOS —mg/1 - - - | - - - | - - - TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS mg/1 - 2 6{ - 4 6| - LT 2 3 CATION/ANION BALANCE - - - | - - Si ae - - | | 0.33 LT0.5 LT 0.5 | 0.3 UT0.5 LT 0.5] 0.26 0.9 LT 0.5 0.1 0.062 0.069 | 0.07 0.12 0.039 | 0.03 LT 0.01 0.011 TOTAL KJELOAHL NITROGEN mg/1 NITRATE AND NITRITE AS XN mg/1 | | | | | I I | | | | | TOTAL NITROGEN AS N g/l { 0.5 L705 LrO.S | U7 0.5 LT 0.5 LT0.5] LT 0.5 0.9 LT 0.5 AMMONIA AS N mg/1 | eR | TOTAL PHOSPHATE AS P mg/1 | LT 0.01 0.03 0.86 * | LT 0.01 LT 0.01 0.014 | LT 0.01 0.02 LT 0.01 ORTHO PHOSPHATE AS P mg/l Ne - Sie 3 are i fe SULFATE mg/l ae - oe) |e) le = Sines 3 A | | | POTASSIUM mg/l foe - a) jai) ts - =. || @ _ Ss CALCIUM mg/) (ee - | ia \+ - m | ie) | = 2 . MAGNESIUM mg/l (Pie - ie - eee : - FLUORIDE mg/l te - ae . =| if) = = S | I | ARSENIC mg/1 | - LT 0.005 - | = tT 0.005 = | | |) =| Itt 0.005 - CADMIUM 1/1 | - UT 0.002 - | = LT 0.002 - | = Ut 0.002 - CHLORINE mg/l (i S| Sete . Sete é . CHROMIUM mg/l | - - oi ee= S Sait ee Z : COPPER g/l [LT 0.002 LT 0.002 - [LT 0.002 LT 0.002 - [LT 0.002 LT 0.002 - GOLD mg/l | - - am) | ek) o et) |e Z B IRON m/) {- - || a||* - «+| Ek lm S c LEAD 9/1 [| LT 0.01 LT 0.01 - | tT 0.01 LT 0.01 - | lt 0.01 LT 0.01 - MANGANESE wg/l | - - yet la - - 4 = . a MERCURY mg/l Il - - - | - S - | - S a HOLYBOENUM ag/1 l - - = eee . mae le L 2 NICKEL mg/) | - - me) | Hh) | - wll a is 5 B SELENIUM ng/1 | - . = ere 5 eae y A SILVER m/) ai - - | - ° mw! | | le : 7 SODIUM wg/1 | - - ml iE) | - -|\ a7 \s = a ZINC m9/1 | 0.003 LT 0.002 - | 0.005 LT 0.002 - | 0.01 0.002 - * Value reported by Lab was in error. A significant increase in the concentration of total dissolved solids occurs between the mouth of Black Bear Lake and upper Black Lake. This reflects the contribution of mineralized water from the groundwater system to the flow of the upper reach of Black Bear Creek. In addition to the increase in dissolved solids, the contribution of groundwater to the Black Bear Creek system is evidenced by the presence of mosses, diatom blooms, and iron deposits in the area of the upwellings. The presence of mosses and diatom blooms indicates that there is a discharge from subsurface aquifers, where the water characteristically would be saturated with carbon dioxide and would have a relatively high concentration of silica. (FERC, 1983) Water temperature monitoring was performed from 1980 to 1986 and during the summer and fall of 1990 and winter of 1991. In the summer of 1990, four water temperature monitoring stations were re-established in the study area for the purpose of long-term monitoring. The locations of these monitoring stations include Black Bear Lake, at depths of 20 and 30 feet; near the location of the proposed intake; upstream of the proposed powerhouse location; Lake Fork; and a spring which is a tributary to Spring Fork. Appendix E-1 presents the results of the water temperature monitoring in addition to modeling studies to determine pre- and post-project conditions. A thermocline develops in Black Bear Lake during the late summer and early fall months at a depth of approximately 40 feet. During this time, the water temperature varies from 11°C at the surface to 6°C at a depth of approximately 50 feet. An orthograde oxygen profile with a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 10 parts per million (ppm) develops during this period; this is characteristic of an unproductive or oligotrophic system. Thermal stratification breaks down during the month of September; by October, the lake becomes isothermic. Samples taken during January 1982 indicate that the lake stratifies only weakly during the winter months, with temperatures increasing from 0°C (ice cover) at the surface to 2°C at a depth of 100 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased from 13.5 ppm at the surface to 9.5 ppm at a depth of 100 feet. One of the major factors controlling the temperature of Black Bear Lake and Black Bear Creek is the time when ice cover forms on the lake. If the ice cover forms relatively early (late November or early December) then the insulating ability of the ice limits late fall and early winter heat loss from the lake. When this occurs much of the water stored in the lake will remain near a temperature of 4°C for the duration. However, if ice forms relatively late (end of December or early January) then much of the lake will cool to 1*C or less. The time when the lake thaws also markedly affects the temperature regime of the system. If the ice melts early (end of April or early May) and relatively warm conditions prevail at the start of the ice-free period then the lake will become much warmer than would occur if the ice melted relatively late in spring (end of May or early June). The flow of water over the falls typically alters the temperature of water, sometimes to a very significant amount. The change can be either positive or negative depending on whether the water is warmer or colder than the air. Typically there is a 1 or 2 degrees celsius temperature difference between these locations. E- 13 The groundwater interaction that occurs in the alluvial fan reach has a moderating effect on water temperature in Black Bear Creek. Winter water temperatures are generally increased and summer water temperatures are generally decreased. 2.5 EXISTING AND PROPOSED FLOW REGIMES Existing flows at the outlet of Black Bear Lake are discussed in Section 2.3. As discussed, the average annual discharge for the period of record at the Black Bear Lake outlet gage is 28 cfs. Actual gaged flows based on 10 years of gage data at the lake outlet are shown on Table E2-2. The Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project will utilize the natural flows from the basin as well as the draw-down of the upper 15 feet of Black Bear Lake as equalizing storage to power two hydroelectric turbines. The natural water surface elevation of the lake is 1,687 feet. A siphon intake submerged to a screen centerline depth of approximately 25 feet at elevation 1,662 will be utilized to remove water from Black Bear Lake down to elevation 1,672 feet. In the previous 1981 license application (APA, 1982) average flows were projected since the 10-year gage record was not available. The flow regime included monthly requirements for minimum and maximum flows from the lake (Table E2-2). Based on the 10-year gage information, the current applicant conducted a preliminary study of a modified flow regime, also shown on Table E2-2. The goals of the modified flow regime were to provide flexibility in the flow range which the hydropower operation can operate within while meeting fisheries objectives. Furthermore, due to the siphon operation, the lake should not be drawn down more than 15 feet below the average natural water surface elevation of 1,687 feet. The flow regime also emphasized the fact that the peak energy demand period is in the winter and allowed for withdrawals of the design flow during daily peaking operations in the winter months when the energy demand is high. A significant aspect of the flow constraints is that the maximum flow rates do not affect the actual turbine flows most of the time. This is because the daily flows are often less than the maximum flows. Furthermore, the lake has an uncontrolled outlet and when spill is occurring, there is no way to control total flow. Total flow is defined here as the sum of turbine flow and uncontrolled spill. Hence, the maximum flows are primarily based on the design flow of the plant. In the summer, maximum flows were reduced somewhat to allow for replenishment of storage. Total flow will exceed these maximum flow rates during times of uncontrolled spill. In the modified regime, minimum flows were reduced in order to meet the objective that the lake would not be drawn down more than 15 feet. For instance, minimum flows for the months of April, May, and July to August were reduced since the actual gaged flows for these months were less than 1981 projections. The minimum flows for October and November were also reduced to enhance power production in the winter. October and E- 14 TABLE E2-2 PROPOSED FLOW RELEASES FROM THE BLACK BEAR LAKE POWERHOUSE (cfs) 1981 Proposal — Minimum } Maximum - Flow | Flow © R w Ww > w& October 8 42 Ww _ Ww > _ Nn November PS Nn December N \o —_ oo Ww Oo 5 | Ww oS > Nn oO _ ~ — oO ot N ~ nN Nv OQ. a ee © S a & S March \o 34 _ ~ 15 45 19 w Oo Ww | N N Ww wn | a =< /5 18 5 c ® Es P lefele fe Nn > w Mio - Win N > — an _ wOoln Nn w tN WwW oo w _ August 29 > n Ww - Ww _ Ww oo September N N N oo NY oO 1 Based on 10 years of gage data at the lake outlet. E-15 November minimum flows were set to allow storage of some water for winter power Teleases. A probability analysis of annual minimum lake levels indicates that under the modified flow regime, the objective of maintaining lake levels at or above an elevation of 1,672 will be met 97 percent of all years. During final design and turbine sizing, more detailed investigation may be required (see Appendix E-S). 2.6 POTENTIAL PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION 2.6.1 Construction and Operation During the construction phase, the major potential impact to water quality will be increased concentrations of suspended sediments in Black Bear Lake and Black Bear Creek. The primary sources of these sediments are as follows: Construction of the access road, powerhouse, tailrace, and switchyard. Construction of the intake structure and surface penstock. Excavation, construction, and covering of the buried penstock. Mixing, washing, and wastewater from aggregate preparation. ae oP Another potential construction impact to water will be accidental spillage of toxic substances, such as fuels, oil, or construction materials. Potential operational impacts include altered temperature regimes and possible small changes to dissolved oxygen and dissolved solids in waters discharged to Black Bear Creek and that re-emerge in the upwelling areas. Changes in the temperature regime of Black Bear Creek will occur as a result of two factors: water will be withdrawn from a 25-foot depth compared to the natural surface outflows and the falls will be bypassed. The change will occur over a 20- to 30-year period until the Project capacity is reached. When the Project starts, water will naturally spill approximately 40 percent of the time; however, when the Project reaches capacity, water will spill over the falls approximately 15 percent of the time. Project-induced temperature changes will vary from year-to-year due to the variable nature of the climate. In any given year, change will be determined by the dates when the lake freezes over and thaws, by summer air temperatures and by wind conditions in summer and fall. If the summer is relatively warm and if ice forms early on Black Bear Lake due to cold fall air temperatures, then winter temperatures in the spawning gravels will be on the order of 1.5 to 2.0 degrees celsius warmer than pre-project conditions. On the other hand, if summer temperatures are relatively cool and if ice forms late on Black Bear Lake, then winter water temperatures in the upwelling areas would be near pre-project average conditions. E- 16 It should be ‘noted that the calculations were completed assuming water would be withdrawn from a 25-foot depth even though it is proposed that the lake will be drawn down at times. Drawing down the lake will counteract the effects of the Project on water temperatures in the upwelling areas. For instance, in the winter period, water from the surface to 10-feet in depth is colder than at 25-feet deep. As the lake is drawn down in the winter, the water withdrawn from the lake will become colder. Since the effect of the Project in the winter is to increase water temperatures in the upwelling areas, this effect will decrease as the lake is drawn down. In May, June and the first half of July, when the thermocline is not present, drawing down the lake will result in warmer water being withdrawn from the lake. Thus draw down again acts to reduce the impacts of the Project on water temperature in the upwelling areas. In the summer when a thermocline is present, and in September and October, drawing down the lake has no impact on how the Project affects water temperature in the upwelling areas. Review of the monitoring data for the upwelling area revealed the fact that water temperature varies from spring to spring. At times, there was a 1 degree difference between the temperature measured in Lake Fork and Spring Fork. This difference in water temperature highlights the fact that streams other than Black Bear Creek contribute water to the alluvial fan aquifer. For instance, South Fork undoubtedly contributes water to the springs of Spring Fork. These other sources of groundwater will serve to moderate the affect the Project will have on water temperature in the upwelling areas. Tributaries to Black Bear Creek which support the alluvial fan aquifer will not be affected by the Project. Another affect of the Project will be a reduction in the daily water temperature fluctuations. Temperatures will fluctuate little during the course of a day when the Project reaches capacity. These fluctuations are a result of the air-water interaction in the falls reach and warming of water at the surface of the lake and in the channel by solar radiation. At Project capacity conditions, only warming of water in the channel will contribute to the daily temperature cycle. When the Project is at full capacity, it will lower mean monthly water temperatures by up to 2°C during the summer and raise mean monthly water temperatures by 1°C in the winter. However, the altered temperature regime will result in degree-day accumulations in the springs that are within the range of pre-project conditions (see Appendix E-1). The Project will have little effect on the groundwater reach. The flow path through the aquifer will be approximately 400 to 600 feet shorter, which is a reduction of approximately 25 percent. There will still be ample time for heat transfer to occur as water flows through the aquifer. E-17 The groundwater interaction that occurs in the alluvial fan reach has a moderating effect on water temperature in Black Bear Creek: in winter, water temperatures are increased and in summer they are decreased. The change is typically about 0.5 to 1.0 degrees celsius. Since water withdrawals will be from the upper part of Black Bear Lake, dissolved oxygen content will not be reduced by Project operation. Additional aeration will be provided by the turbulent condition of discharge water. It is possible that changes in the relative contribution of groundwater discharge to the flow of Black Bear Creek that would be associated with operation of the Project would influence the dissolved solids and dissolved oxygen concentration of the stream. Reductions in the discharge from the Black Bear Lake watershed would tend to increase the concentration of dissolved solids and decrease the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the portions of Black Bear Creek nearest the upwellings associated with discharges from the groundwater reservoir. Similarly, increases in the discharge from the Black Bear Lake watershed above natural levels would result in the opposite effect. The changes in these water quality parameters associated with modification of the flow regime are not expected to significantly influence the water quality of Black Bear Creek. One beneficial impact of Project operation will be the provision of increased flows to Black Bear Creek during the summer low flow period. As shown on Table E2-2, average Project flows are expected to be higher than pre-project conditions during the months July through September. These greater summer flows may increase spawning success of salmon in Black Bear Creek. 2.6.2. Proposed Mitigation Measures Potential increases in the sediment load in Black Bear Creek resulting from erosion of the excavated area around the powerhouse and staging areas will be minimized by constructing drainage ditches which direct discharge to a sediment pond prior to discharge into Black Bear Creek. Wastewater from washing of the concrete aggregate will be discharged through a series of settling ponds prior to release to the drainage system. Potential erosion of excavated areas of the buried penstock will be minimized by erosion control measures such as straw bale barriers, silt fences, and sediment ponds and by revegetating areas along the banks as soon as possible after disturbance (see Erosion and Sediment Control Plan - Appendix E-6). A potential source of suspended sediments from construction activities is the excavation of the tailrace channel and infiltration galleries. However, the streambed materials in this reach range from cobble and gravel at the powerhouse site to boulder/bedrock at the upstream end, so that only small amounts of suspended fines would be expected to be released by these construction activities. There may be some minor deposition of fines E- 18 in Black Bear Creek upstream of Black Lake, but these deposits would be washed from streambed substrates by freshets and periods of high flow. Any spills of fuel, oil, or grease will be contained within the construction staging areas. Bulk fuels would be stored behind berms so that no leaks to the lakes or stream occur. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has requested additional water quality monitoring both during and after construction (April 5, 1991). The Applicant proposes to conduct water quality monitoring during and after construction. Water quality monitoring conducted during and after construction will be conducted in the same manner as the pre-project sampling program (grab samples) and at the previously sampled locations for comparison. These locations are shown on Figure E2-4, and include: Black Bear Lake near the outlet, near the proposed powerhouse location, and Lake Fork. The Applicant will coordinate with the ADEC on specific elements of additional water quality monitoring prior to the initiation of construction. E- 19 - 3.0 FISH, WILDLIFE, AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES This section describes existing conditions of the fish, wildlife, and botanical resources in the vicinity of the proposed Project. It also describes the expected impacts of the Project and proposed mitigation measures. The information presented here is drawn from numerous studies undertaken by the current and previous license applicants. The design of studies undertaken by the current applicant have been cooperatively determined in scoping sessions between the applicant's consultant (HDR Engineering, Inc.) and appropriate resource agencies. 3.1 AQUATIC RESOURCES 3.1.1. Resource Area Black Bear Creek is on the west side of Prince of Wales Island, 14 road miles northeast of the town of Klawock, in southeast Alaska (Figure E3-1). The stream system has a total drainage area of 17.5 square miles. Black Bear Creek begins primarily as outflow from Black Bear Lake at an elevation of 1,687 feet above sea level. The stream exits the lake and drops approximately 1,400 feet in a series of falls that bar any upstream fish migration. At low flows, the upper 4,900 feet of Black Bear Creek subsurfaces and reemerges at several upwelling areas, upstream from Black Lake. The portion of Black Bear Creek that reemerges in the mainstream channel is labeled " Lake Fork" (Environaid, 1983a) and the portion that emerges from natural springs in the valley is labeled "Spring Fork" (Figure E3-1). The distance between the falls and Black Lake is approximately 2 miles. Black Bear Creek flows into Black Lake. Black Creek flows from Black Lake downstream approximately 3.5 miles to Big Salt Lake (saltwater). From July 1981 through July 1990, the channel configuration of Black Bear Creek in the upper reaches of the Lake and Spring Forks changed substantially. Although some channels probably appear and disappear at different discharge levels in the upper reaches within any given year, at least one channel in the Lake Fork disappeared and one channel migrated from the Lake Fork to the Spring Fork between 1981 and 1990 (Appendix E-7). 3.1.2. Habitat Types Black Creek Black Creek is that portion connecting Black Lake with its saltwater outflow named Big Salt Lake (sea level bay). Previous studies (Environaid, 1982a, b) have estimated available spawning habitat in Black Creek at 253,446 feet” upstream of the intertidal zone, and 89,986 feet? within the intertidal zone. The creek also contains riffle and pool areas. A mapping inventory of habitat types of this creek was prepared by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in 1976 (Figure E3-2). E - 20 - ” South Tributary ee N Spring Fork *8, Upwelling Area \ Bridge \ Gees Black Bear Lake Inset Map Showing Location of Project Area BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington AQUATIC RESOURCE AREA Fi encineering |Figure E3-1 PROJECT AREA Prince of Wales Island Match Line A Spawning Area Swift Riffles Coarse Gravel Spawning Area Spawning Area Upper Limit of Tide Deep Sluggish Spawning Area Substrate — 1 to 10” Rounded Gravel, Few Fines. Rapid Current, Narrow, Shallow Pools Big Salt Lake Match Line B Small Rapids Coarse Gravel Riffles Riffles, Good Spawning Area Gravel Riffles Tributary Sluggish Excellent Rearing Area Schooling Area Mud Battom Riffles Ww! 4 to 12” Gravel Match Line A BLACK CREEK BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Wolee island, Alcska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington FISH USE AND HABITAT Figure E3-2 Black Lake Most of Black Lake (60 percent) consists of littoral zone (near shore) habitat less than 10 feet deep. Most of the shallow habitat is located on the east and west ends of the lake. A deep trough (> 29.5 feet) occurs in the west-central portion of the lake; the trough contains the deepest point in the lake; 42 feet. The mean depth of Black Lake is approximately 25 feet and the east end of the lake (Black Bear Creek inlet) consists of a shallow littoral shelf. Below Black Lake, the outlet stream flows north for three miles to enter Big Salt Lake, a saltwater embayment. It is through this stream, called Black Creek, that runs of anadromous fish enter the stream system. Black Bear Creek The amount of each habitat type, riffle, run, and pool, differs in Black Bear Creek depending on the mode of measurement. Based on total linear distance (5,807 feet), most of the Black Bear Creek system consists of riffle habitat (54 percent) with lesser amounts of run (37 percent) and pool (9 percent) habitat. Based on total surface areas of the stream (204,944 feet’), run habitat comprises most of the stream (56 percent), whereas riffle (31 percent) and pool (13 percent) habitat comprises smaller amounts. Based on total volume of the stream (347,101 feet’), run habitat comprises most of the stream (66 percent); pool (20 percent); and riffle (14 percent) habitat comprised smaller amounts. Habitat in Black Bear Creek changes from the Black Lake inlet to the five upwelling areas. The stream becomes smaller, faster, narrower, shallower, and more brush covered closer to the upwelling areas. A mapping inventory of habitat types of this creek was prepared by the ADFG in 1976 (Figure E3-3). Black Bear Lake Black Bear Lake is a deep cirque mountain lake which collects run-off from the surrounding mountain walls. The shoreline is primarily composed of steep sided rock. The outlet is via a 1,400-foot falls to the valley floor, and provides the source of Black Bear Creek. Black Bear Lake is 1.4 miles long, varies in width from about 0.1 to 0.4 miles and has a surface area of 215 acres and a volume of approximately 23,750 acre feet. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 227 feet. 3.1.3. Fishery Resources Black Bear Lake Black Bear Lake supports a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout introduced into the lake in 1956 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) (Alaska Power Authority, 1982). No other species of fish are known to inhabit the lake. Sampling of the lake during August 1982, utilizing mark and recapture techniques, produced a population E- 23 ae 2-2 Termination of Observed Selmonid Spawning Main Channel from Black Bear Lake. F351; Gradient Begins to Markedly Increase. Substrate becomes Large Cobbles: 12.7 - 25.4 cm. Moderate Water Temperatures BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Legend Prince of Woles island, Acska ———— FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY ania Beever Com Port Townsend, Washington i ac ah ta FISH USE AND HABITAT aR Upwellings — lo HRRansineering Figure E3-3 BLACK BEAR CREEK Sten (Bedomeate Ste PS = Pink Salmon Spewning Area RS = Sockeye Salmon Spawning Area CS = Chum Saimon Spawning Area SS = Coho Salmon Spawning Area CR = Salmonid Rearing Area (Primarity Coho) estimate of 434 rainbow trout (95 percent confidence limit = 185 to 1,108). Because only a small number of marked fish were recaptured, it is likely that the true population estimate is in the range of 500 to 800 fish (Environaid, 1982a). Over 6 days, 70 rainbow trout were captured in the age groups 1+ through 5+. The methods used, apart from the minnow traps, were selective for the larger fish in the population and thus in the survey a representative number of 1+ fish were probably not captured. In addition, it is likely that due to the late break up of the ice, spawning did not take place till early July and thus the majority of the young of the year had not emerged from the spawning gravels. Rainbow trout are typically spring spawners and in lakes use the inlet and outlet streams. The only possible inlet stream of suitable gradient for spawning is in the southeast corner of the lake to the south of the Forest Service cabin, but the substrate is fairly large. It's possible that the outlet stream may be used by a number of spawners. Spawning fish have been observed to congregate around the margins of the lake in early July, particularly in the west basin. It is likely that the fish were beach spawning in areas where run-off streams entered the lake. Catch statistics from the 1982 survey at Black Bear Lake are presented in Table E3-1. Table E3-1 Black Bear Lake Rainbow Trout Survey, 1982 Black Bear Creek, Black Lake, and Black Creek Black Bear Creek and Black Creek are cataloged as anadromous fish streams by the ADFG, and support spawning runs of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), chum salmon (O. keta), sockeye salmon (O. nerka), and coho salmon (O. kisutch). In addition, Black Creek supports resident or anadromous populations of cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki), rainbow trout (O. mykiss; formerly Salmo gairdneri), steelhead trout (O. mykiss; formerly Salmo gairdneri, the searun component of rainbow trout), and Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma). Other species, occurring primarily in freshwater near the mouth of Black Creek, and in the brackish water of the small estuary in Big Salt Lake, are sculpin (Cottus sp.) and threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). ment an wnin; The principal anadromous species using Black Creek, Black Lake, and Black Bear Creek (Black Bear Creek System) is pink salmon. For the period 1960-1981, pink salmon escapement averaged 14,218 and ranged from 30 fish in 1978 to 62,000 fish in 1963 (Table E3-2). Since 1975, the stream system has shown an odd-even trend, with the heavy runs occurring in the odd year. Chum salmon runs have been recorded up to 10,000, coho up to 6,500, and sockeye up to 700 (Table E3-2). The peak escapement period for pink salmon ranges from mid-August to late September; for chum salmon, from late August to late September; for coho salmon, from late August to early November; and for sockeye salmon, from early July to early September (Alaska Power Authority, 1982). From 1980 through 1982, Environaid conducted intensive aquatic studies on Black Creek, Black Lake, and Black Bear Creek. The objectives of the studies were to define and quantify salmonid use and habitat in Black Creek and Black Lake, with emphasis on Black Bear Creek, above Black Lake. In Black Bear Creek, above Black Lake, the chief spawning areas are in the South Tributary to Black Bear Creek and in Black Bear Creek, upstream of the confluence of the West Fork of the South Tributary. Black Bear Creek and Black Creek also contain excellent coho salmon rearing habitat. In Black Bear Creek, above Black Lake, the principal coho salmon rearing areas are the beaver ponds and the slow moving reach of Black Bear Creek below the confluence of the West Fork of the South Tributary (Figure E3-3). Of those fish utilizing Black Creek and Black Bear Creek for spawning in 1981, (Environaid, 1982) it is estimated that 700 sockeye salmon spawned in Black Bear Creek above Black Lake, and 575 spawned in the South Tributary (Figure E3-3). The peak of the sockeye run was in late August. An estimated 2,400 pink salmon spawned in the South Tributary and 2,000 in Black Bear Creek, above the confluence of the South Tributary. Pink salmon also spawned above the beaver dams on the Lake Fork. Pink salmon utilized spawning areas previously used by sockeye (Environaid 1982). E - 26 TABLE E3-2 PEAK RECORDED SALMON ESCAPEMENTS FOR THE BLACK BEAR CREEK SYSTEM ) ——————— ee Se 1960 1961 1962 1963 1 1965 3,400 1966 5,500 | 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 } 1977 1978 1979 1980 4,503 | 1981 26,600 | Alaska Power Authority, 1982, Application, Exhibit W, Appendix W-A, and Environaid, 1982, modified by staff. 11,600 23,300 62,000 10,000 8 1 wn 0 = wn oO a Ss 8 = nen None seen 3,700 2,630 20,000 14,000 6,100 5 [8 42,300 51 8,400 o ee » S s Blo E-27 Only nine chum salmon were observed above Black Lake (Environaid, 1982). Most spawned at the upwellings in the Spring Fork. Only 11 coho salmon were observed above Black Lake; six were seen in the beaver pond on the Lake Fork of Black Bear Creek. Utilizing fry estimate for 1981, it was estimated that 85 to 100 coho salmon spawned in 1980 and that a similar number probably spawned in 1981 above Black Lake. During the spring of 1982, it was estimated that 20 to 25 steelhead were in Black Creek below Black Lake. No steelhead trout spawned in Black Bear Creek above Black Lake in 1982. Dolly Varden were observed above Black Lake in 1982. Dolly Varden were observed above Black Lake in August and September 1981, principally in the South Tributary of Black Bear Creek. The number of Dolly Varden did not exceed 200, and they were not in spawning coloration. In 1990, Pentec Environmental conducted fishery studies in the Project area (see Appendix E-7). Escapement findings are summarized below and in Table E3-3. Numbers of adult anadromous salmonids of various species that returned to Black Bear Creek in 1990 were similar or lower than in past years. No adult steelhead trout in Black Bear Creek (between Black Lake and the five upwelling areas) were observed on May 31 even though three adults had passed through the fish trap earlier in the month. An absence of adult steelhead trout was also reported (Environaid, 1982) in Black Bear Creek during May 1982, although 12 fish were observed in Black Creek near the bridge below the lake and two fish were observed near the Black Lake outlet. Numbers of adult chum salmon in Black Bear Creek were similar in 1981, 1982, and 1990. Four adult fish were observed near the confluence of the South Fork tributary in Black Bear Creek. Nine fish were observed (Environaid, 1982a) above the lake in 1981; five of the observed fish spawned in the upwelling areas of the Spring Fork with four spawnings occurring in August. A reported 11 adult chum salmon were observed (Environaid, 1982b) just below the confluence of Black Bear Creek with the South Fork on August 21, 1982. Three fish were observed on August 26. None of the observed fish were in the upwelling spawning areas. Numbers of adult sockeye salmon in 1990 were generally lower than in previous survey years. A total of 155 adult fish were observed on August 15 and 247 fish were observed on August 27. An additional 15 fish and 101 fish were observed in the South Fork between Black Bear Creek and the bridge on August 15 and August 27, respectively. Environaid (1982a, 1985) observed between 391 and 810 adult sockeye salmon in upper Black Bear Creek between August 27 and August 30 in their 1981 through 1985 survey years. They also reported an additional 81 to 391 fish in the west and south tributaries. E - 28 NUMBER OF ADULT ANADROMOUS SALMONIDS BY DATE AND STRATUM SECTION IN BLACK BEAR CREEK BETWEEN BLACK LAKE AND THE UPWELLING AREAS May 31, 1990 Steelhead Trout Trout August 15, 1950 Sockeye Salmon (a) - August 27, 1990 Sockeye Salmon (b) — Pink Salmon October 11, 1990 Coho Salmon Additional 15 sockeye salmon counted in "South Fork" tributary between Black Bear Creek and bridge. Additional 101 sockeye salmon counted in “South Fork" tributary between Black Bear Creek and bridge. Includes one dead sockeye salmon. E-29 Numbers of pink salmon observed in upper Black Bear Creek were very low because the system is primarily an “odd-year" spawning stream. Only four adult pink salmon were observed during 1990. A total of 3,907 adult pink salmon were reported in the stream and tributaries on September 16, 1981 (Environaid, 1985); 574 adult fish were present on August 28, 1985. They made no counts in 1982, 1983, and 1984. ADFG counts of adult pink salmon in Black Bear Creek and Black Creek (upstream of saltwater) ranged from none in 1967 to 62,000 in 1963; average count for the 22 years was 14,218 (Environaid, 1982a). The count of adult coho salmon in Black Bear Creek occurred on October 11, 1990. A total of six coho were observed in the stream during a morning survey. A total of 42 adult coho salmon were reported in the system during the third week of October 1981, although most fish were in the South Tributary (Environaid, 1982a). Environaid (1982b) also reported 63 fish in the system on October 26, 1982. A total of 38 of these fish were located in beaver dam ponds. No adult steelhead trout were observed in Black Bear Creek between Black Lake and the five upwelling areas on May 31. Three adult steelhead trout, however, were passed through the fish trap facility on Black Creek just downstream of Black Lake during late May. Salmonid Out-Migrants The timing and numbers of out-migrating salmon fry from the Black Bear Creek system, particularly from the reach above Black Lake, were ascertained during spring 1982. An estimated 440,000 to 460,000 pink salmon fry migrated from spawning habitat above Black Lake and the egg-to-fry survival rate was 10.8 percent (Environaid, 1982). Pink fry migration through Black Lake resulted in mortalities estimated to be about 50 percent, which may have been due to predation by cutthroat, dolly varden, and coho salmon. Peak out-migration through the lake was related to high discharge and to ice leaving the lake during mid-April and early May 1982. At the mouth of Black Creek, at Big Salt Lake, appreciable numbers of pink salmon fry were taken through May. A total of 16,258 sockeye fry were captured entering Black Lake (Environaid, 1982). The estimated egg-to-fry survival rate was 0.7 percent. This low rate could be attributable to late sampling or could result form the superimposition of sockeye redds by overspawning pink salmon in 1981. The peak out-migration of sockeye fry from Black Bear Creek to Black Lake during 1982 occurred from early May to mid-April. The sockeye smolt emigration from Black Lake during the spring of 1982 was estimated to be 16,587. Approximately 85 percent of the smolt were age 1+. The peak out-migration was during late May, when the temperature reached 7°C. Coho salmon fry began to emigrate from the stream above Black Lake during mid-April, with peaks during late April and mid-May. Coho salmon fry were also collected at the outlet to Black Lake and the mouth of Black Creek. It was believed that fry movement may indicate displacement caused by competition for rearing habitat and by the aggressive behavior of dominant individuals (Environaid, 1982). During 1982, approximately 7,606 E - 30 coho smolt emigrated from Black Lake and the stream section above it. The peak of the run occurred from mid- to late May. The smolt were predominantly age 2+. The trapping of coho smolt at the mouth of Black Creek indicates that the peak of the run was over a time period similar to that at Black Lake. Black Lake was also investigated to determine its importance to resident trout and juvenile salmonids (Environaid, 1982). The investigation revealed that the cutthroat trout population of the lake is low, as is the resident rearing population of dolly varden. During September 1981, the populations of age 0+ and 1+ coho juveniles were estimated to be 2,394 (95 percent confidence limits = 1,930 to 3,154) and 2,628 (95 percent confidence limits = 2,196 to 3,271), respectively. The high-use areas of the lake were the shallow littoral zones near the northeastern end and the southern shore near the mouth of the lake. In Pentec's 1990 study (Appendix E-7), in general, most fish of all species migrated downstream in Black Creek below Black Lake and were captured in the trap during the middle part of the 42-day 1990 trapping season (April 25 to June 5). Daily totals for all species ranged from 28 (partial capture on April 25; lowest full day total was 46 on June 2) to 5,369 fish (May 12). Over the entire trapping season, numbers of each species captured were as follows: 454 cutthroat trout, 1,132 steelhead trout, 13,811 Dolly Varden char, 14,647 sockeye salmonid smolts, and 26,854 coho salmon smolts. Small numbers (range of 0 to 30) sculpins and threespine stickleback were captured daily but actual counts of fish were not made. Catch data for 1990 is summarized in Table E3-4. 3.2 WILDLIFE RESOURCES Data on wildlife use of the Black Bear Lake Project area were obtained during field surveys, interviews with agency personnel, and review of the pertinent literature. During the summers of 1981 and 1982 (Environaid, 1982), incidental wildlife observations were noted during fisheries and hydrology work in the Project area. In addition, several wildlife surveys were conducted within the Primary Impact Zone (PIZ) which consisted of periodically walking designated routes and recording tracks, den, bedding sites, feeding sites, scats, remnant hair, and actual sightings. More recently, BEAK and AP&T personnel recorded incidental observation of wildlife and wildlife signs while in the vicinity of the PIZ from April through October 1990. Wildlife sightings and/or wildlife signs (vocalizations, tracks, scats, ground disturbances) were reported on 57 days within this period. Information recorded for each observation included wildlife species, time of observation, sighting type (e.g., seen, heard, tracks, scat, specified other), vegetation type, and any pertinent comments. Date, general weather conditions, and the observer's name were also indicated. Finally, the location of each observation was plotted on a map of the area. E-31 DATE AND NUMBER OF MORTALITIES BY FISH SPECIES IN THE BLACK CREEK TRAP JUST DOWNSTREAM FROM BLACK LAKE BETWEEN APRIL 25 AND JUNE 5, 1990 DATE | CO _ SOCKEYE ‘ April 27, April 28, April 29, April 30, ele fe le S/S /S sls is isis} z 2 > g May 5, May 6, _ > g z |g |g lg [slg |g [ lg |g [5 Ie ' B |S |B 1B IS 1B 1S IE IB Vee Ie S/S S/S 1S 1S |S 18 |S (E18 18 18/8 8 [8 (8/8 May 8, May 11, May 13, May 14, May 16, May 19, May 20, May 21, E - 32 DATE AND NUMBER OF MORTALITIES BY FISH SPECIES IN THE BLACK CREEK TRAP JUST DOWNSTREAM FROM BLACK LAKE BETWEEN APRIL 25 AND ao 5, 1990 E - 33 Wildlife species present in the Project area are similar to those found in other parts of southeast Alaska. Nearly all birds species found on the mainland are also found on Prince of Wales Island. However, some species of mammals, notably the brown bear, mountain goat, and moose, do not inhabit Prince of Wales Island. Detailed information for the major species or species groups is provided below. 3.2.1 Birds Waterfowl and Shorebirds Waterfowl and shorebirds are abundant in the marine environments and the lakes, marshes, and streams of southeast Alaska. Millions of waterfowl and shorebirds migrating to and from their northern Alaska and Canadian breeding grounds use parts of southeast Alaska as staging and stopover areas (USFS, 1990). Eight species of waterfowl and shorebirds are known to inhabit the Project area. Species observed during the 1990 wildlife surveys included the common loon, Canada goose, hooded merganser, and various species of gulls; other species, including the common goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, and spotted sandpiper, have been reported during previous surveys (Environaid, 1982). Some species may nest in the area, however no confirmed nestings were reported during field surveys or in the literature. At least one common loon was reported at Black Lake on several occasions and a pair may have resided on Black Lake during 1990. Hooded mergansers are commonly seen on Black Lake. Migratory species of waterfowl likely use the aquatic environments within the PIZ for stopover points. Raptors Approximately 20 species of falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls inhabit southeast Alaska (USFS, 1990). However, only two species of raptors--the bald eagle and red-tailed hawk, have been observed in the PIZ. Other species or raptors, especially owls, likely inhabit the area but have not been observed because of the time of day or time of year that field work was conducted. Bald eagles were frequently seen in the vicinity of Black Creek, Black Lake and Black Bear Creek, especially during salmon runs. Bald eagles feed primarily on fish, waterfowl, and carrion. No bald eagles were observed at Black Bear Lake, probably because anadromous fish are not present there. No raptor nest sites are known to be present in the Project area. Other Non-game Birds Numerous other non-game bird species were reported during the 1990 wildlife surveys, including kingfishers, woodpeckers, and a variety of songbirds. Kingfishers were generally observed along the shoreline of Black Bear Creek. Woodpeckers were observed throughout the Project area, but primarily in the forested cover types. Many songbirds were observed in the recent clearcut cover type; however, this may be more a factor of the relative ease of observing wildlife in open areas rather than habitat preference. The tree swallow, steller's jay, and common raven were frequently observed in all cover types E - 34 in the PIZ. A list of birds known to occur on Prince of Wales Island, including ones reported in the Project area, is provided in Table E3-S. 3.2.2. Mammals Sitka Black-tailed Deer Sitka black-tailed deer are an important game species and are hunted for both recreational and subsistence purposes. They inhabit higher elevation areas during summer, and use lower elevation old-growth forest habitats during winter. The quality and quantity of winter habitat is the most limiting factor for Sitka black-tailed deer in southeast Alaska (Suring et al. 1988). Heavily stocked, old-growth forests represent critical winter habitat in areas with appreciable snowfall accumulations (mean annual snowfall > 20 inches) (Bloom 1978, Suring et al. 1988). The tree canopy of old-growth forest intercept snowfall thereby allowing for greater forage availability and deer mobility. Deer were considered to be sparse throughout the PIZ based upon observations made primarily during the spring, summer, and fall months (Environaid, 1982). Significant numbers of deer may have been present within the PIZ in the early 1980's during winter, but no surveys of the Black Bear Creek valley were conducted then. At that time, very little logging had taken place in the valley and most of the PIZ supported old-growth forest. It was suggested that high wolf densities may precluded deer use of the area. The 1990 wildlife surveys indicated that deer were widespread throughout the PIZ during the entire survey period (April - October). They were primarily observed in meadows and in the large areas which were clearcut in the mid-1980's, but were also noted in the forested areas. Two factors are likely responsible for the increase in deer observations from the early 1980's to 1990. The first is the relative ease of observing deer in clearcut areas where there is no vegetative cover to conceal them. The second is that increased light penetration associated with clearcut harvesting greatly stimulates the growth of grasses, forbs, and shrubs which are preferred forage species and attract deer to these areas. The clearcutting which took place within the PIZ in the mid-1980's has resulted in increased forage production at the expense of winter cover. Deer are attracted to clearcut areas for the first 10 - 20 years following harvest because of greater forage availability. After that time a dense coniferous tree cover will form and forage production E -35 Table E3-5 Birds of Prince of Wales Island (from Gibson 1976, field observations). American dipper! American robin! | Bald eagle! Barn swallow Belted kingfisher! Black-capped chickadee! | Canada goose! | Chestnut-backed chickadee Common flicker / Common goldeneye } Common loon! Common raven Dark-eyed junco Fox sparrow Golden-crowned kinglet Gull Hermit thrush Hooded merganser Lincoln's sparrow Northwestern crow Orange-crowned warbler Pine siskin Red crossbill Red-breasted merganser | Red-headed woodpecker! Red-tailed hawk Ruby-crowned kinglet Savannah sparrow Song sparrow Spotted sandpiper Steller's jay! | Swainson's thrush | Townsends's warbler Tree swallow! Varied thrush Western flycatcher Wilson's warbler Winter wren! Yellow warbler Yellow-bellied sapsucker 1 1 lBirds reported during wildlife surveys of the Project area in 1990. E - 36 will be minimal. Young clearcuts only provide winter forage during mild winters. These areas can accumulate significant amounts of snow thereby precluding deer usage during severe winters. Matson (personal communication, November 5, 1990) indicated that a series of mild winters since the mid-1980's when the Black Bear Creek valley was logged have resulted in a major increase in the local deer population. However, he indicated that a major die-off is likely to occur during the next severe winter because timber harvesting in the valley has removed much of the winter cover (i.e., low elevation old- growth stands). Black Bear Black Bear are also an important game species in southeast Alaska. They utilize a wide variety of habitat but generally prefer estuarine, riparian, and coastal areas. Early forest successional stages and old-growth forest provide the best cover and forage for black bear (Suring et al. 1988). Black bear sightings, tracks, scats, and diggings were frequently observed within the PIZ during the 1990 wildlife surveys. Bears were most frequently observed in areas where seasonal forage was abundant. This included the shoreline areas of Black Bear Creek during salmon runs, and meadows and clearcuts when berries were present. Bear and bear sign were observed around Black Bear Lake, throughout Black Bear Creek valley, and around Black Lake in all habitat types. Abundant bear sign were also reported within the PIZ (Environaid, 1982). It was determined that five individuals, including two cubs, inhabited the Project area. As with deer, clearcut logging in the Black Bear Creek valley has resulted in a short-term increase in the quality of black bear habitat. Clearcut areas support an abundance of shrubs which produce berries. However, as the forest canopy increases over the next 20 years these shrubs will eventually disappear. Gray Wolf Gray wolves on Prince of Wales Island feed primarily on deer, beaver, and salmon. Moose are an important component of their diet on the mainland and other islands where they are present. Wolf habitat use varies seasonally depending upon the location of their prey. Wolves frequent the shorelines of streams and rivers when salmon are spawning, and range widely in search of deer during spring, summer, and fall. During severe winters, wolves generally hunt in old-growth forest stands where deer are found. Wolf sign was observed on three occasions during the 1990 wildlife surveys in the mature forest and on the edges of clearcuts near Black Lake and in the Black Bear Creek corridor. Wolves were also heard howling on the ridges northeast of Black Lake. Tracks from several adults were reported within the Project area on a few occasions; howling was reported near Big Salt Lake (Environaid, 1982). E - 37 Small and Medium-Sized Mammals A variety of small mammals (bats, small rodents) and medium-sized mammals (large rodents, small carnivores) are known to inhabit southeast Alaska. However, relatively little site-specific information is available regarding the distribution of many of these species within the PIZ and surrounding areas. No observations of small mammals were reported during any field surveys in the PIZ. However, this is likely due to the difficulty of observing small mammals rather than their absence from the area. A variety of medium-sized mammals, including beaver, river otter, mink, ermine, and marten were observed in the PIZ. Beaver Beaver and beaver sign was very common during the 1990 wildlife surveys. Observations were recorded almost every day in all areas within the PIZ including Black Bear Lake and Black Lake, and through the Black Bear Creek corridor. Beaver were occasionally seen, but more frequently were heard (i.e., tails slapping on the water) or left sign (e.g., tracks, scats, scent mounds, new dams, recently cut woody vegetation). An abundance of beaver and beaver sign were also reported in 1982 throughout the PIZ (Environaid, 1982). Other Mammals Other medium-sized mammals observed during the 1990 wildlife surveys were the river otter, ermine, and mink. Most of these animals were seen at least once; however only the tracks and scats of mink were observed. All observations were in the vicinity of Black Lake and the Black Bear Creek valley. Mink and otter sign were observed (all seasons of the year) in 1982 (Environaid, 1982) in addition to sighting a marten in mature coniferous forest along Black Lake. Marten prefer old-growth forests and the lack of marten sightings in 1990 may be attributable to the logging that took place several years ago. 3.2.3 Reptiles and Amphibians Previous studies reported that the western toad and perhaps one or more species of salamanders inhabit Prince of Wales Island. The only amphibian reported during the 1990 wildlife surveys was the western toad in the vicinity of Black Lake and in the Black Bear Creek corridor. During these surveys, numerous young toads and tadpoles were observed in Black Bear Creek and adjacent wetland areas. 3.2.4 Rare and Endangered Species The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated that no federally proposed or listed threatened or endangered species are known to occur in or near the Project area (USF&WS, November 23, 1988). E - 38 3.3. BOTANICAL RESOURCES 3.3.1. General Description The type and distribution of the various vegetation cover types found within the Project area are determined by numerous natural and human-related factors. These factors include regional climate, local weather patterns, soil type, slope, aspect, elevation, and human disturbances such as logging, to name only a few. Because these factors exhibit significant variability within the Project area, numerous vegetation cover types are present in a complex arrangement. The vegetation present in the Project area and surrounding environs is typical of the temperate rain forest which extends from northern California along the Pacific coast to Cook Inlet, Alaska. 3.3.2 Vegetation Mapping A vegetation map of the PIZ was prepared using a large-scale topographic map as a base map. Obvious changes in vegetation cover types were noted on the map and a list of the various plant species present (Figure E3-4 and Table E3-6) was prepared during ground surveys of the PIZ in September 1990. Cover types were differentiated based upon the dominant species present. The total area and percent composition of each cover type was then determined using a digital planimeter. Nearly all of the mature timber present within the Black Lake valley was clearcut in the mid-1980's. Recent clearcut is the dominant cover type present within the PIZ, accounting for 45 percent of the 436 acre total (Table E3-7). Large clearcut tracts extend from the base of the Black Bear Creek falls, downstream past the outlet of Black Lake in the valley bottom, and upslope to the 800 - 1,200 ft elevation (Figure E3-4). Clearcut areas are dominated by deciduous shrubs--primarily salmonberry, blueberry, and thimbleberry in association with ferns and other herbaceous vegetation. Most of the clearcut areas have been replanted with Sitka spruce and western hemlock seedlings which range in height from 6 to 18 inches. The second most prevalent cover type within the PIZ is Mature Coniferous Forest, comprising 25 percent of the total area. Most of the Mature Coniferous Forest within the PIZ is located on the:steeper slopes adjacent to the Black Bear Creek falls, and along the shoreline of Black Bear Lake. Mature Coniferous Forest is also present in the lower valley in small patches along Black Bear Creek and Black Lake. At the lower elevations the Mature Coniferous Forest cover type is dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar. Adjacent to the falls and along Black Bear Lake, this cover type is dominated by Sitka spruce, Alaska-cedar, and mountain hemlock. Deciduous trees, primarily alder, comprise less that 25 percent of the total canopy cover. Common understory species include blueberry, thimbleberry, red huckleberry, devil's club, and ferns and other herbaceous species. E - 39 LEGEND BLACK LAKE MC — MATURE CONIFER CD — MIXED CONIFEROUS / DECIDUOUS OF -— DECIDUOUS FOREST TRANSMISSION LINE DS — DECIDUOUS SHRUB PENSTOCK CC — RECENT CLEARCUT WM — WET MEADOW / MUSKEG OW — OPEN WATER BLACK BEAR LAKE SCALE IN FEET (ow) BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles islond, Alaska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington V =TATION COVER FRR engineering Figure E3-4 Table E3-6 Plant species present in the vicinity of Black and Black Bear Lakes, Alaska (from Meehan oa Viereck and Little 1972, field observations). Common Name oe | Herbaceous Alaska violet Alpine bluegrass Alpine heuchera Arctic wormwood Beach lovage Beach pea Beech fern Bent-leaved angelica Bongard buttercup Bracken fern Broad-petaled gentian Caltha-leaved avens Clasping twisted-stalk Cloudberry Coastal fleabane Cotton grass Cow parsnip Dagger fern Deer cabbage Deerberry Deerfern Delphinium-leaved aconite False hellebore Fireweed Goldthread Heart-leaved twayblade Hemlock parsley Holly grass Hornemann willow-herb Kamchatka fritillary Kruhsez Lace flower Lady fern Long-leaved starwort Lyall nettle Mertens coral-root Narcissus-flowered anemone Nootka lupine Northern geranium Oak fern Prickly saxifrage Purple mountain saxifrage Rush Sedge Shooting star Siberian spring beauty Silverweed E- 41 Table E3-6 Continued | Herbaceous Cont. Simple-stemmed twisted-stalk Single delight Single-flowered clintonia Sitka great burnet Spotted saxifrage Spreading woodfern Starflower Stiff club-moss Stream violet Sundew Villous cinquefoil Western buttercup Western columbine Yellow marsh marigold Yellow monkey flower Yellow skunk cabbage Alaska blueberry Aleuthian heather Alpine azalea Arctic willow Bog blueberry Bog rosemary Bunch berry Crowberry Alaska cedar Mountain hemlock Red alder Sitka alder Sitka spruce Western hemlock Western red cedar E - 42 TABLE E3-7 VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION WITHIN THE PRIMARY IMPACT ZONE (PIZ) BLACK BEAR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT | Mature Coniferous Forest cedar Mixed Sitka spruce, Western hemlock, } Coniferous/Deciduous Western red cedar, Sitka alder, H Red alder } Deciduous Forest Sitka Alder, Red Alder Deciduous Shrub Salmonberry, Devil's Club, Blueberry, Red Alder | Recent Clearcut Salmonberry, Devil's Club, | Blueberry Wet Meadow/Muskeg Sedges, Bog Candle, Sphagnum Moss, Deer Cabbage Yellow Pond-Lily E - 43 The Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous Forest comprises 8 percent of the PIZ and is located in the bottom of the Black Bear Creek valley near Black Lake. Deciduous tree species account for 25 to 75 percent of the total canopy cover. Sitka alder and red alder are the dominant deciduous tree species; Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar are the dominant conifers. Understory species are similar to those found in the Mature Coniferous Forest. Deciduous Forest is located on the valley floor near Black Lake, and accounts for only 2 percent of the PIZ. Sitka alder and red alder are the dominant species, accounting for greater than 75 of the total canopy cover. The Deciduous Shrub cover type is found on steep, avalanche-prone sites both adjacent to, and at the base of, the Black Bear Creek falls. The dominant species within the Deciduous Shrub cover type are salmonberry, devil's club, blueberry, and Sitka and red alder saplings. Wet Meadow/Muskeg is present along Black Bear Creek near the confluence with Black Lake and near Black Bear Lake outlet. These areas are comprised of typical hydrophytic plant species including sedges, rushes, and willows. Muskeg areas are dominated by sphagnum moss and associated species such as deer cabbage, mountain cranberry, and bog blueberry. Western hemlock and western red cedar are present on small hummocks. The remainder of the PIZ is Open Water. Yellow pond-lily is present in the shallow portion of the Open Water cover type at the south end of Black Lake. 3.3.3. Rare and Endangered Species The Alaska Natural Heritage Program has indicated that there are no federally listed or threatened or endangered plant species on Prince of Wales Island (personal communication, May 7, 1991). 3.4 PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 3.4.1. Aquatic Resources - Construction, Operation, and Maintenance Beneficial and/or Adverse Impacts Construction of Project facilities at Black Bear Lake may result in short-term increases in suspended sediments. This action would have little or no effect on the fishery resources of Black Bear Lake. Construction of the powerhouse, powerhouse staging area, and tailrace could introduce some sediment into Black Bear Creek, but would not likely reach adverse levels in the areas utilized as spawning sites. Creek flows during higher flow periods and freshets would probably flush out any fines that might otherwise be deposited in the spawning gravel. Construction activities may result in short-term disturbance to resident fish due to noise and human presence. E-44 The major effect of Project operation on the aquatic resources would be associated with: 1. Water level fluctuations in Black Bear Lake, (Note: these are seasonal draw- downs) 2: Fish entrainment and Impingement, 3. Changes in the thermal regime of Black Bear Creek, and 4 Changes in the hydraulic regime of Black Bear Creek Water Level Fluctuations Water levels would fluctuate primarily on a seasonal and daily basis. Reservoir water levels would increase a few feet in April through June, and then decrease through August. Rainbow trout eggs deposited in shallow water during high water levels would be subject to exposure and desiccation as water levels decreased. Maximum daily water level fluctuations of about 6 inches could further increase mortality of eggs, deposited within the zone of fluctuation. However, as water level fluctuates, the littoral surface area affected remains relatively small. This is because Black Bear Lake is very steeply sided. Suitable spawning area is expected to remain at all drawdown elevations, as long as suitable substrate is available at these lake levels (see Figure E7-6). Seasonal and year-to-year fluctuations in reservoir levels may also affect rainbow trout spawning, depending on the amount of suitable spawning habitat available at spawning time, which is April through June. Previous studies (Environaid, 1982) have shown that rainbow trout tended to favor inlet stream areas for spawning. Water flows of these streams are expected to be unaffected by lake drawdown. Fish Entrainment and Impingement Fish mortality resulting from entrainment is not likely due to screened intakes. The potential for fish impingement is low because the maximum approach velocity at each opening will be approximately 0.5 feet per second and studies have reported the following swimming speeds for average-sized to large adult rainbow trout: Cruising Speed Sustained Speed 4.5 feet per second 13.5 feet per second Cruising speed is defined as that maintainable for long periods (hours) and sustained speed that maintainable for a period of minutes (Bell, 1974). Thermal Regime Effects Changes in the temperature regime of Black Bear Creek will occur as a result of two factors: water will be withdrawn from a 25-foot depth compared to the natural surface outflows and the falls will be bypassed. The change will occur gradually over time until the Project capacity is reached. At the time of Project start-up, significant water will naturally spill from the lake. When the Project reaches capacity, very little water will spill over the falls. E - 45 The Project will have little affect on the groundwater reach. The flow path through the aquifer will be approximately 400 to 600 feet shorter. A reduction of approximately 25 percent. There will still be significant time for heat transfer to occur as water flows through the aquifer. The estimated change in mean monthly water temperature in the upwelling areas is presented in Table E3-8. In the same table is the estimated range of change that could occur from year-to-year and the natural average monthly water temperature and range for the upwelling area. There are two changes that will occur as a result of the Project. Late fall and winter temperatures in the upwelling areas will be warmer by 1°C on average for the months of November through February. In March, the temperatures will be on the order of 0.5 degrees warmer. The warmer winter temperatures will result in faster degree day accumulations in the spawning habitat supported by the spring flows. The second change is that April through August temperatures will be colder than natural conditions. This shift from elevated temperatures to cooler conditions occurs early in spring when air temperatures begin to warm above winter conditions. Monitoring records show that this warming typically occurs in middle and late April. Project caused temperature change will vary from year to year due to the variable nature of the climate. In any given year, the change will be determined by the dates when the lake freezes over and thaws, by summer air temperatures and by wind conditions in summer and fall. If the summer is relatively warm and ice comes early, then winter temperatures in the spawning gravels will be on the order of 1.5 to 2.0 degrees warmer than natural conditions. On the other hand, if summer temperatures are relatively cool and the ice cover comes late, then winter water temperatures in the upwelling areas would be near pre-project average conditions. It should be noted that the calculations were completed assuming water would be withdrawn from a 25-foot depth even though it is proposed that the lake will be drawn down at times. This is a conservative assumption, however, since drawing down the lake will counteract the affects of the Project on water temperatures in the upwelling areas. For instance, in the winter'period, water from the surface to 10-feet depth is colder than at 20-feet deep. As the lake is drawn down in the winter, the water withdrawn from the lake will become colder. Since the affect of the Project in the winter is to increase water temperatures in the upwelling areas, this affect will decreases as the lake is drawn down. In May, June and the first half of July, when the thermocline is not present, drawing down the lake will result in warmer water being withdrawn from the lake. Thus draw down again acts to reduce the impacts of the Project on water temperature in the upwelling areas. In the summer when a thermocline is present, and in September and October, drawing down the lake has no impact on how the Project affects water temperature in the upwelling areas. E - 46 TABLE E3-8 PROJECT IMPACT ON WATER TEMPERATURE IN UPWELLING AREA 2.0 to 4.0 1.6 to 3.2 1.4 to 3.2 1.8 to 4.5 2.7 to 8.2 2.5 to 5.0 2.7 to 4.7 2.6 to 3.6 | 2.3 to 3.3 | 2.5 to 5.5 2.5 to 7.0 | 6.5 to 10.0 11.0 to 13.0 | 9.0to 11.0 | 7.0 to 8.0 4.8 to 6.8 3.2to5.2 | J | 30 Febuary | 27 api | 28 May | 4s J 3.7 3.1 2.3 2.8 3.0 2.7 2.8 2.8 [May | June | 60 | 391083 fly | 9 | 200 113 9.0 t0 13.0 [September | 102 75 5 3.7 7.4 11.6 10.2 September 10.2 8.9 to 11.5 [october | 75 | 4a to81 75 [November | 53 |__38t085 63 [ December | 37 | 181050 4.7 E - 47 Review of the monitoring data for the upwelling area revealed the fact that water temperature varies from spring to spring. At times, there was a 1 degree difference between the temperature measured in Lake Fork and Spring Fork. This difference in water temperature highlights the fact that streams other than Black Bear Creek contribute water to the alluvial fan aquifer. For instance, South Fork undoubtedly contributes water to the springs of Spring Fork. These other sources of groundwater will serve to moderate the affect the Project will have on water temperature in the upwelling areas. Tributaries to Black Bear Creek which support the alluvial fan aquifer will not be affected by the Project. Another affect of the Project will be a reduction in the daily water temperature fluctuations. Temperatures will fluctuate little during the course of a day when the Project reaches capacity. These fluctuations are a result of the air-water interaction in the falls reach and warming of water at the surface of the lake and in the channel by solar radiation. At Project capacity, only warming of water in the channel will contribute to the daily temperature cycle. Hydraulic Regime Effects Table E2-2 shows the proposed flow releases from the Project, as well as natural flows as determined by USGS gage data. As shown in this table, under Project operation conditions, average flows into Black Bear Creek would be lower than natural flows during the months of October through February and May through June. Average Project flows would be greater than natural flows in the months of July, August, and September. It would appear that the reduction in the proposed minimum flow from a range of 23 cfs to 29 cfs in September through November down to a range of 9 cfs to 12 cfs in December through March may dewater some streambed areas and may cause some mortality to incubating eggs or developing alevins. However, portions of the streambed that would be dewatered by the proposed winter minimum flows are typically dewatered under natural winter flow conditions. Salmon spawning is adapted to these natural conditions. As previously noted (Section 2.3), the upwelling area and creek further downstream also receive water from other uncontrolled sources, such as the South Tributary. During periods of natural low flow in summer, as much as 80 percent of flows to the upwelling area are provided by sources unaffected by the Project (Environaid, 1982). Low flow conditions caused by Project operations can be expected to be offset to a significant degree by these additional flows. The proposed flow regime may benefit rearing coho salmon in the main channel of Black Bear Creek below the South Tributary by moderating extremes in natural flows. During summer low flow periods, under natural conditions, there is some loss of near-shore habitat valuable to rearing coho salmon. A reduction in the range of low flows, and consequent higher stream levels as a result of Project operation, would be beneficial. Project conditions are not expected to result in significant impacts to dissolved oxygen content of discharged waters because the water withdrawn for Project use will be no more than 20 feet below the lake surface. This is above the level of thermocline occurrence in the lake. Additionally, tailrace water will be discharged above ground, which results in natural aeration as the water sprays from the tailrace. The design of the tailrace will include infiltration galleries, composed of 5-foot deep pits within the Black Bear Creek E - 48 drainage course. These pits will be filled with natural river bed gravels and will aid groundwater infiltration and thus recharge of the upwelling areas (see Exhibit F-6). Mitigative Measures Proposed The Applicant's proposed measures to protect water quality (see Section 2.6) and to control erosion and sedimentation (see Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Appendix E- 6) will minimize the potential effects on fishery resources during Project construction. The Project design features of the intake structure (see Exhibit A) will minimize impacts to rainbow trout in Black Bear Lake. The Applicant proposes to monitor trout populations in the lake for a period during Project operation. The Applicant will coordinate with the USFS and ADFG to plan additional mitigation steps, such as a stocking program, if determined necessary due to Project-related impacts to trout populations in Black Bear Lake. The ADFG has requested pre-project, as well as post-project monitoring of fish populations in Black Bear Lake (ADFG, 4/3/91). An initial pre-project study of Black Bear Lake rainbow trout was conducted by Environaid (1982)(see Section 3.1.3.). The Applicant proposes to conduct additional pre-project monitoring of this lake at a time when the tramway to the lake is constructed and access to the lake is on a more regular basis. The Applicant will coordinate with the ADFG on these pre-project, as well as post- project monitoring studies. The powerhouse tailrace has been designed to include "infiltration galleries." These are 5-foot deep pits containing river rock. These infiltration galleries will be located in the Black Bear Creek drainage course and receive tailwaters from the powerhouse. Inflow to the galleries will aid in recharging subterranean water which resurfaces at the upwelling area. 3.4.2. Wildlife and Botanical Resources Impacts Vegetation Construction of the Project will result in disturbance to approximately 16.3 acres. As shown in Table E3-9, most of the area has been previously disturbed by logging activity. The Project area has been extensively logged during the mid-1980's. Construction of Project facilities will require only minor additional clearing for construction of Project facilities. The transmission line will be located along existing roads, with the exception of approximately 1 mile of new access road to the powerhouse site. Clearing of some old- growth coniferous forest will be required for the access road. The incremental loss of vegetation and habitat as a result of additional clearing for this Project is expected to be a minor impact. Project operation is similarly not expected to have a significant impact on vegetation in the area. E - 49 Table E3-9 Land Disturbance by Habitat Type and Construction Activity : seca | Staging Area (north of powerhouse) | Staging Area (north of buried penstock) } | New Access Road [Penstock | 0 Mature Conifer | Powerhouse, Tailrace, and Switchyard 3 | Staging Area (at Black Bear Lake) | Mature Conifer _| Wildlife Construction of the Project will cause short-term disturbance to nearby wildlife, due to noise and human presence. Wildlife is expected to avoid the area during construction activities, but return afterward. As previously discussed, the impact of habitat loss is expected to be masked by recent clearcuts in the area. Major species affected by any habitat loss include deer, black bear, wolves, and beavers. Wildlife species such as marten, weasel, squirrels, mice, moles, shrews, and small birds (e.g., hermit thrush, winter wren), which have smaller and more restricted home ranges than bear, deer, and wolf, would be subject to a greater loss of individuals with Project construction. These anticipated losses, however, are expected to have only minor impacts on the overall populations of these species. Project operation is expected to have little adverse impact on wildlife. Probably the most significant impact is greater human presence and possible disturbance or hunting pressure on wildlife. The powerhouse will be designed for automatic operation. However, there will be periodic visits for maintenance. Additionally, improved access will make increased human visitation likely. The maintenance of the beaver population along upper Black Bear Creek is of particular concern. The ponds that have been formed by beaver damming activity provide rearing habitat for coho salmon. Increased public access to this area, and the subsequent beaver trapping that may occur, could reduce or possibly decimate the beaver population. If this happens, the ponds would be lost, and there could be an adverse impact on the coho salmon population. Also, changes in streamflows may adversely impact the water levels in beaver lodges. The Project may, however, have a beneficial impact on beaver populations due to higher than existing summertime flows. E - 50 Mitigation Measures Proposed Vegetation A ground survey of the transmission line corridor would be conducted by the Applicant during final design to verify the preliminary wetlands inventory and to establish the final alignment for minimizing the vegetational, wildlife, and visual impacts. The Applicant has proposed to regrade and replant with appropriate natural vegetation areas disturbed by construction activities. To prevent surface erosion, a fast-growing, sod- forming grass will be planted, along with mulching for immediate protection. Establishing early grass cover by artificially seeding is the only revegetation believed necessary. Moisture, temperature, soils, and elevation of proposed construction are such that invasion of native shrubs and trees will occur rapidly. The establishment of these native species will have the most value for wildlife. Periodically, revegetated areas would be monitored to identify problems that may arise, such as eroded areas and poor plant growth; appropriate measures would be taken to correct such problems. For more information regarding revegetation measures, see Appendix E-6, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. Wildlife A preconstruction reconnaissance inventory of beaver and other species that utilize beaver impoundments upstream of Black Lake will be conducted. This information will assist in the operational monitoring proposed by the Applicant to determine the possible effects of flow changes on beavers in Black Bear Creek. The Applicant proposes to request assistance from USFS and ADFG with such monitoring. Also, the Applicant is proposing that ADFG prohibit beaver trapping in the area. The upper and lower portions of penstock will be buried, thereby eliminating potential barriers to wildlife passage. Surface portions of the penstock will be designed to allow passage of black-tail deer. Since the transmission line will be located within new and existing road rights-of-way for its entire length, no significant clearing of vegetation will occur solely for transmission line construction. It is anticipated that only minor clearing of brush or tree limbs along the roadside alignment will be required for transmission line construction and periodically thereafter, during operation of the Project. Therefore, no significant impact to Project area wildlife habitat is expected from construction or operation of the transmission line. As indicated on Exhibits G-3 and G-4, portions of the State Highway are in the process of being realigned by the State of Alaska. The final alignment of the Project transmission line will correspond to any realignment of the highway. Before final design, and as necessary to complement USFWS data, the Applicant is proposing to conduct additional eagle surveys along the transmission line corridor. The final alignment of the transmission line will comply with USFWS Raptor Protection Guidelines (e.g., distance from eagle nest trees, distance from the mouth of salmon spawning streams). The design and construction of the transmission line would follow E-51 accepted standards (Olendorff, et al., 1981) for minimizing electrocution hazards to raptors. 4.0 HISTORICAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES This study discusses the process of identifying cultural resources in the Project area. Previous research and surveys that were conducted in the Project area are summarized in addition to recent agency consultation. A discussion on potential impacts and mitigation measures are also presented. 4.1 LITERATURE SEARCHES AND FIELD RECONNAISSANCE STUDIES In 1980, a cultural resources assessment of the impact of construction of the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project was begun (Bacon, 1980). The 1980 study was designed to provide data for planning purposes and did not cover all of the proposed Project in detail. In 1982, another detailed archeological survey was performed over those areas which had not been surveyed in 1980 (Bacon, 1982) (Appendix E-8). Literature searches and field studies were conducted of the Project area for the 1980 and 1982 studies. Literature searches, including a search of the records maintained by the State Historic Preservation Office and the Alaskarctic library, were conducted for the Project area. Additionally, people with special knowledge of the history of the Project area were also consulted. The literature searches did not identify any cultural resources within the areas of the currently proposed Project. The field survey conducted in 1980 included the shoreline of Black Bear Lake, the damsite, spillway area, penstock alignment, and portions of the transmission line corridors, as proposed in 1980. The 1982 field survey covered Black Lake Valley from the site of the powerhouse proposed in 1982, along the proposed transmission line/access road route, to the point where the earlier 1980 survey ended. Additional transmission line routes were also surveyed in both the 1980 and 1982 studies that are no longer relevant for the currently proposed Project. No cultural resources were identified around Black Bear Lake or at the locations of the damsite, spillway area, and penstock alignment as proposed back in 1980. The damsite and spillway, previously proposed, has changed to a siphon type intake; however, the location of the currently proposed siphon intake is within the same general area as that surveyed in 1980. Although the currently proposed penstock configuration has changed somewhat from the configuration proposed in 1980, the upper less steep general area was surveyed and no cultural features were noted. The remainder of the penstock alignment was too steep to survey. It was concluded that this unsurveyed hillside was considered uninhabitable due to the steepness of the slope. During the 1980 study, the proposed transmission line was also surveyed from the town of Klawock on State Highway 929 to the middle of Section 25, T 72 S., R 82 E. No cultural resources were identified in areas near both sides of the road. (Bacon, 1980) The remainder of the proposed transmission line route, State Highway 929 from the middle of Section 25 to the area of the powerhouse site, was surveyed in 1982. No cultural resources were identified during this field survey. The location of the powerhouse site has moved slightly from the powerhouse location proposed during the 1982 study. During the 1982 study, however, the visibility in the area was said to have been extremely poor, but the likelihood of undetected sites was stated to be equally E - 53 extremely poor. The 1982 study also stated that the area exhibited all indications of being too unstable to have attracted human occupation. (Bacon, 1982) Letters were sent out in September 1990 to the U.S Forest Service (USFS); Department of Natural Resources, Office of History & Archeology; Klawock/Heenya Corporation; and Sealaska Corporation. The letter requested their review of the previous archeological studies, and search of their records to determine if any cultural or historic sites have been identified in the Project area since the 1980 and 1982 studies. Copies of the previous 1980 and 1982 archeological studies and a map showing the Project components, as currently envisioned, were enclosed with the letters. The letters included a description of the Project, a summary of the previous archeological studies performed in the area and conclusions and recommendations as described above. Letters dated September 26, 1988 and October 5, 1990 from the State Historic Preservation Officer, confirmed that no cultural resources will be affected by the Project. A letter dated November 14, 1990 was also received from the USFS Ketchikan Area Archaeologist confirming that no cultural resources would be affected by the Project. 42 POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES No significant archeological or historical sites were discovered in the 1980 or 1982 studies during both the archeological survey and during the pre-field literature search and interviews held with several people knowledgeable about the area history. Since the currently proposed Project components are in the same location or within the immediate vicinity of the past surveys, it is concluded that no significant cultural material would be adversely affected by proposed construction of the currently envisioned Black Bear Lake hydroelectric facility and associated transmission lines. Since no cultural resources are known to be under threat of adverse impact from the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project, no specific plans to mitigate adverse impacts are proposed. If, after construction has started, the contractor should discover the Project will have an effect on a previously unidentified but eligible property, the contractor will fulfill its responsibilities by suspending work in the area of the impact, and contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The FERC will comply with their responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The FERC's compliance will include arriving at the National Register eligibility of the property encountered and assessing the effect of activities on it. If the property is found eligible, it will be avoided or mitigating measures will be developed in consultation with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Office of History and Archeology. The State of Alaska Office of History and Archeology stated that an artifact recovery plan is not required for projects where no cultural resources have been identified (Dixon, 1990). Sealaska Corporation, however, requested an artifact recovery plan be prepared in case resources are encountered during construction of the Project (Agency Consultation Meeting, November 8, 1990). Following final design of the Project and prior to construction, an artifact recovery plan will be developed. This plan will establish guidelines for on-site assessment of significance, agency and Native Corporation contact criteria, artifact preservation, and impacts/alternatives of continued construction. An appropriate plan of action, chain of notification and temporary site preservation will be E - 54 a pre-established procedure for the construction supervisor. The artifact recovery plan will incorporate historic preservation into the normal flow of the Project. The construction crew will be made aware of the physical conditions where sites are likely to occur and how to recognize a find. E-55 5.0 SOCIOECONOMIC RESOURCES This section describes the socioeconomic conditions in the communities less than 25 miles from the proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project and the socioeconomic impacts of the proposed Project. The population, employment, and income trends are discussed for the area. Labor requirements for the Project and the labor supply in the area are also discussed. Additionally, the Project impacts and mitigation are presented in this section. 5.1 POPULATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND INCOME TRENDS Total population on Prince of Wales Island tends to vary from season to season. In the summer, a large number of persons come into the area for seasonal work in logging camps, fish processing plants and on fishing boats. Other year-round residents of the area may leave to go to other locations in Alaska or outside for employment. Though the number may vary considerably from year to year, total population has often increased during the summer months by as much as 30 percent over the year-round level in recent years. (Alaska Power Authority, 1982) Table E5-1 shows past population estimates and future population projections for the major communities near the proposed Project. In 1970, approximately 90 percent of the Klawock and Hydaburg residents were reported as Alaskan Natives (chiefly Tlingits in Klawock and Haidas in Hydaburg). In Craig, 58 percent were Alaskan Natives (Tlingits and Haidas). Most of the population growth since 1970 has resulted from immigration, so it is likely that the percentage of natives in the population has fallen. The population in Klawock, Craig, and Hydaburg has been steadily increasing since 1970. From the 1940's to 1970, the population in these communities had decreased. For the past 6 years, the population in Thorne Bay has increased from a low of 300 people in 1979 to an estimated 430 in 1985. When Thorne Bay was a logging camp in 1973, the population averaged about 550 people. No census data was available for Hollis, a logging camp until 1962, which now consists of a ferry terminal and USFS camp. Employment and payroll data for Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Census Area in 1989 is shown on Table ES5-2. For the Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Census Area, manufacturing employs the largest number of employees and has the highest average monthly wage. Within the proposed Black Bear Lake Project power market area, fishing, both harvesting and processing, has long been the major income-producing activity in the Craig-Klawock-Hydaburg area. The first cannery started in Klawock in 1878, followed by cold storage facilities in 1911 and 1982 in Craig, and a processing plant in 1927 in Hydaburg. Operation of these facilities has fluctuated over the years, depending on salmon runs and financial resources of the owners (Alaska Power Authority, 1987). Due to close proximity to major saw and pulp mills in Ketchikan and Annette Island, intensive management and harvesting of timber by Louisiana Pacific Corporation has occurred in the eastern part of Prince of Wales Island near Hollis and Thorne Bay. This timber is trans-shipped through the Thorne Bay sort yard. In Klawock, the sawmill currently employs approximately 127 people (Macasaet, 1990). Sealaska Corporation E - 56 Table ES-1 Historical and Projected Population Estimates s oy 5| 8 Alaska Department of Labor, 1990 Alaska Power Authority, 1987 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1983 E - 57 TABLE ES-2 PRINCE OF WALES - OUTER KETCHIKAN CENSUS AREA EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL DATA FOURTH QUARTER, 1989* _ WN _ oR a n a N 8 | Mining | | Construction | | | Manufacturing | | Transportation, } Communication, ! and Utilities 2 14 22 i) > Nn = 205 2,459 N ~ Wholesale Trade | Retail Trade 37 Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate n 167 1,674 _ 8 N Ww Nn N 8 oo - ae . w |< oe lh Z ‘a [A It ee w an | State Government | | Local Government | _ 536 m3). || J J Miscellaneous 2 NS NS October, November and December 28 12 7 17 NS = Not shown to avoid disclosure of data for individual firms Source: Alaska Department of Labor, 1989 E - 58 harvests timber mostly near Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, and on Dall Island. All timber harvested by the Native Corporations are sold as round logs for export. Activities by state and local government have increased rapidly during the past decade. The majority of federal employment on Prince of Wales Island is provided by the U.S. Forest Service. A fairly significant amount of new housing construction has occurred due to public housing projects as well as private housing investments. Additionally, commercial activity in the area has generally increased. Table ES-3 shows the labor force for Alaska, the southeast region of Alaska, and Prince of Wales - Outer Ketchikan Area. The labor force and employment in the Prince of Wales Island - Outer Ketchikan Area make up approximately 1 percent of Alaska as a whole. The unemployment rate in the Prince of Wales Island - Outer Ketchikan Area is higher than the State of Alaska and southeast region unemployment rate. 5.2 PROJECT LABOR REQUIREMENTS The Project is expected to employ an average construction force of 10 to 20 workers for a 11/2 to 2 year period. Construction will occur in the spring, summer and fall. Construction will cease in the winter and start up again the following spring. The peak labor force will be approximately 25 people. Project labor will account for roughly $1,125,000 of Project costs based on an estimated $50,000 (annual) per construction worker. No detailed breakdown of monthly construction schedule or payroll has yet been made, although these details will be worked out preceding Project construction. 5.3. PROJECT LABOR SUPPLY Project labor supply will be drawn from Prince of Wales Island; in general from the communities of Klawock, Craig, Hydaburg, and Thorne Bay to the extent of availability of appropriately skilled workers. Due to the small population on Prince of Wales Island, some workers may be drawn from other areas in southeast Alaska. Commuting patterns will vary, from workers commuting 14 to 25 miles each way from nearby communities. A few workers living on other Islands in southeast Alaska might commute by ferry on a weekly basis, staying at local motels. Few, if any, workers are expected to relocate due to the brief time span of Project construction. E-59 TABLE E5-3 ALASKA, SOUTHEAST REGION, AND PRINCE. OF WALES - OUTER KETCHIKAN AREA LABOR FORCE (9/89) oe ree | Alaska-Statewide 257,781 | 16,155 Southeast Region 37,400 2,161 | Prince of Wales Island-Outer 2,824 225 8.0% | Ketchikan Source: Alaska Department of Labor, 1990 5.4 PROJECT IMPACTS AND MITIGATION The Project impacts on the socioeconomics of the area are expected to be basically positive. The impacts will be: a An increase in local jobs on a temporary basis (1 1/2 to 2 years) a A short-term increase in local tax base a A renewable source of energy . A stable source/supply of energy a Increased use of the State Highway and local Project area Sealaska logging roads for up to 2 years. The first four of these represent benefits to the area, while the last one represents slight temporary increases in use and, therefore, road maintenance. The slight increase in traffic will be from labor commuting from nearby communities. Additionally, during concrete pouring operations at the site, truck traffic will increase on the State Highway and Sealaska logging road. The Project would cause a slight increase in employment and tax revenues. Since the Project will cause no long-term employment changes, there should be no additional population increases which would cause demand for fire or police protection or schools. The proposed hydroelectric Project will provide both a renewable and stable source of energy to the area. Currently, the area is dependent on diesel fuel for energy. This new stable source of energy will decrease the dependence on diesel fuel and enhance community development in the area. Mitigative measures for the socioeconomic impacts are not necessary. The Project will cause no lasting change in population, housing, or required government services. It will generate added revenues and generate temporary employment as well as benefiting the region through power generation. It will cause no displacements of businesses or property owners. Since it will cause no incremental increase in governmental expenditures, no fiscal impact analysis is necessary. E-61 6.0 GEOLOGICAL AND SOIL RESOURCES 6.1 INTRODUCTION This section describes the existing geology and surface soils in and around the Project area. Potential hazard areas, Project-related impacts, and mitigation measures are also discussed. An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan has been prepared for this Project which provides greater detail on proposed erosion and sediment control measures.(see Appendix E-6) 6.2 DESCRIPTION OF GEOLOGICAL FEATURES The Black Bear Hydroelectric Project is located in an area of metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rocks. Generally the rocks are very hard, strong and fresh to very slightly weathered. The rocks are typically massive to thick-bedded. Jointing is moderately to slightly developed and variably spaced. The attached geology map, Figure E6-1 illustrates the geology characteristics of the Project area. Three types of stratigraphy are within the Project area. These include: Talus (Qt) Angular to subangular blocks and boulders that are mostly diorite. Particle size is from 3 inches to 3 feet. Of the Quaternary geologic period. Volcanics and Metavolcanics (SOuv) Undifferentiated andesitic lava flows with high grade regional metamorphic fabrics and minerals: microcrystalline to fine- grained, gray to dark gray with phenocryst. Contains numerous quartz veins and is very hard and strong. Of the Silurian and Ordovician geologic period. Alluvium (Qal) Angular to subrounded sand and small gravel with few fines. Sand is coarse. Of the Quaternary geologic period. The proposed Project features are underlain by the following: Siphon Intake Area: Andesite (SOuv) and Talus (Qt) Surface Penstock Area: Talus (Qt) Buried Penstock Area: Talus (Qt) and Andesite (SOuv) Powerhouse: Alluvium (Qal) The Prince of Wales Island region of southeastern Alaska is seismically active and the Project must be designed for seismic hazard. The closest known earthquake (of unknown magnitude) occurred 74 km northeast of the site (FERC 1983). E - 62 Oe ‘* \ i Dv 4 = % Ve \ Nas <a 4u a nl \ nn | arses BURIED hi us - i and dc ss ms \ ZT Volcanics and Metavolcanics ===" EXISTING Sv PENSTOCK - % s Wal Undifferentiated Andesite 5 /[ a Flows eeu : / ‘ yy a . Alluvium - Sand and Small Gravel é y ee LA a) [sits i | —= : Li PENSTOCK “ cr / : eee iy ‘ip, SIPHON VACUUM = Val PUMP eal BLACK BEAR CREEK ing i) x \ 40r 00 BLACK All BEAR SAT] SIPHON BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles !slond, Aioska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washinaten GEOLOGIC MAP EER engineering | Figure E6-1 — — a gullies and flow channels, particularly those with well defined debris cones, pose a continuing,though moderate hazard from debris flow impact, at least until a substantial forest cover redevelops on the hill slope and cone areas. . Removal of timber has opened the entire cone area and the valley floor immediately adjacent to the cone to direct and frequent impact from these processes. At least one rock avalanche during the winter of 1988 has blocked the southwest slope road. Two major frequently recurring snow avalanche sites exert significant control on the supply of water and bed load materials to the upper portion of Black Bear Creek. In addition, the frequency and extent of the known and projected run out zones of the snow avalanches are a continuing hazard. Geologic hazards are more particularly identified in Figure E6-2. The Project plan for the penstock provides for maintaining alignments which do not conflict with known geologic hazards. The one exception is an inactive avalanche and debris flow area that occurs in the upper 400 feet of the lower buried penstock area of the Project. Large 300-year old tree stumps in this area provide testimony to the inactivity of the avalanche area. The debris flow is a side discharge. The proposed siphon intake and upper buried penstock is in an area of organic muskeg soils (see Figure E6-2). As stated earlier, these soils have a high water table and tendency towards liquification. 6.5 POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Construction of the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is not expected to significantly impact geologic features and will have only minor effects on soils. Some soil movement will occur during construction but these disturbances will be temporary and limited to the Project construction period. The Project will result in the disturbance of approximately 16.3 acres. Sites of construction activity and an abbreviated description of erosion control measures include the following: a Siphon Area and Upper Buried Penstock - The siphon area will be constructed in an organic soil, muskeg area. Erosion control measures in this location include removal of organic soil in areas to be excavated prior to excavation,and replacement of disturbed soil following siphon pipeline backfill. Following the replacement of the organic soils, they will be hand graded, covered with anchored jute netting, and seeded. . Surface Penstock - Disturbed areas will be confined to concrete foundation anchor areas for the surface penstock and the support towers for the skyway to be used for construction access to the site. Topsoil will be removed and stockpiled. Excavated areas are expected to be minor. Following construction the topsoil will be replaced, covered with jute netting, and seeded. E - 65 63 DESCRIPTION OF SOIL RESOURCES Unconsolidated inorganic materials at the proposed Project include thick talus deposits of angular cobbles and boulders at the base of steep slopes; deposits of finer-grained (gravel, sand, and some silt size) colluvium developed on less steep slopes; glacial till, consisting of poorly sorted gravel and silty sand; and alluvium, or stream deposits, consisting of generally well-sorted materials ranging from boulders and coarse gravels at steeper stream gradients to medium to fine sand at flatter stream gradients. The inorganic materials are commonly covered with a variable but relatively thin veneer or organic humus soil, averaging about 2-feet thick. In some places the humus has developed directly on bedrock as a result of the glacial scouring of previous soil material. Organic soils (muskegs), formed entirely of plant materials in various stages of decomposition, are often found on slopes of less than 12 percent. The muskeg soils range in thickness from 6 inches to several feet. The muskegs are poorly drained, with the water table at or near the surface throughout the year. Being water sensitive, the muskeg soils have a tendency toward liquefaction. Muskeg soils are found near the lake outlet. The shoreline of Black Bear Lake primarily consists of colluvium and talus. Relatively thin colluvium is found at the siphon site, with some thick deposits occurring along the left side of the lake outlet. Residual soils generally less than 1 foot thick developed from insitu weathering of bedrock, and consisting of silty clays with gravel size rock fragments, occur in scattered areas near the lake outlet. Talus deposits cover the base of the steep slope at the falls and the bases of the steep slopes above the right and left banks of Black Bear Creek at the proposed powerhouse area. They then extend beneath the alluvium found at the proposed powerhouse site. 6.4 GEOLOGIC AND SOIL HAZARDS The Black Bear Creek valley is undergoing active modification by mass wasting processes including snow avalanches, debris and rock avalanches, debris flows and debris torrents. As a result, hazardous conditions to personnel and structures exist in many areas on and adjacent to hill slopes and along the channel of Black Bear Creek near the head of the valley. This action produces rapid channel shifting, deep accumulations of alluvial materials and periodic dewatering of the main channel by the deep seepage of infiltrating water during periods of low flow (Environaid, 1989). The removal of timber from hillslopes in the Black Bear Creek Valley has substantially increased both the likelihood of reactivation and the area of impact from mass wasting processes. These increases result from destruction of anchoring and reinforcing vegetation and from concentration of surface and subsurface flows into previously inactive flow-paths. During previous field reconnaissance, four sites were observed to be reactivated during the winter of 1988 in clear cut portions of the upper valley. Three debris flows from the southwest ridge closed the main access road down-valley from the South Fork bridge and deposited debris on the cones at the slope toe. All linear E - 64 ali — (ACTIVE) } ff — DEBRIS PATH i> % = NN ee SS oS xv NS MODERATE HAZARD SNOW JZ AVALANCHE tiNacrive! zl PS an <a oe ; I V/ ee 2 . - CLEAR CUT 4 Pe ae \ 5.Sen® MODERATE HAZARD YY \ WAS. SNOW AVALANCHE qv DEBRIS FLOW (INACTIVE) ===" EXISTING \ LOGGING ROAD — TRANSMISSION ut DEBRIS PATH sedis? ROD MODERATE HAZARDI SURFACE cS PENSTOCK ROCK AVALANCHE LTT | — SIPHON VACUUM PUMP HOUSE. —— K HIGH HAZARD SNOW AVALANCHE BLACK BEAR CREEK ee SNOW AVALANCHE ie MODERATE HAZARD he part So 0+00 BEAR FALLS > SSD ste fo LAKE RIN — y MODERATE HAZARD ROCK PEI AVALANCHE (INACTIVE) CORRES 1 ee VA LVE —<—=[—.. CHAMBER SIPHON = BYPASS MODERATE HAZARD ROCK Z AVALANCHE (INACTIVE) SIPHON INTAKE SENSITIVE ORGANIC SOILS BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Aioska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washinaten EOLOGIC AND SOIL HAZARDS FRR engineering “|Figure E6-2' SCALE: 1° = 400' ie Lower Buried Penstock - The buried length of penstock will result in the disturbance of an approximate 30 foot wide disturbed area. Following trench backfill, the disturbed area will be fitted with straw bale barriers or other approved measures at approximately 100 foot intervals. The disturbed areas shall be covered with 6 inches of topsoil, jute netted, and seeded. In the area of the debris path, the pipe will either be bridged to allow flows to pass under the pipe or a sag pipe will be anchored to bedrock and covered with concrete. 7 Powerhouse Area - The powerhouse area including the tailrace, parking area, and electrical equipment area will have approximately 1 acre of disturbed area. Topsoil will be removed and stockpiled before excavation, slopes greater than 5 percent will be jute netted. The area will be protected from surface run-off by a control ditch. Unstable streambank at the tailrace location will be protected with riprap. . Access Road - The Project access road will utilize an existing logging road for approximately one half of its total 3,000 foot length. The new portion of the access road will be equipped with culverts with sediment trap outlets. Drainage from the down hill road slopes will be collected in drainage swales and routed to sediment traps. Following finish grading the road will be graveled. All disturbed areas will be seeded. Slopes greater than 5 percent will be jute netted. = Staging Areas - There will be two Project staging areas that are approximately 5 acres in size. Surface run-off will be directed away from the staging areas through the use of control ditches. All topsoil will be removed prior to grading. The topsoil will be stockpiled for use in restoration of the staging areas upon completion of the Project. Run-off from the staging area shall be routed through detention/sedimentation ponds equipped with oil and grease surface skimmers. . Helicopter Landing Areas - There will be a total of five designated helicopter landing areas. Two of these will be located at the Project staging areas, and three will be located at Black Bear Lake in the vicinity of the siphon intake. These will be cleared of trees only. The existing soil and grass cover will be allowed to remain in place. All vegetated areas disturbed by Project construction will be revegetated following construction activities. Erosion and sediment control measures are discussed in detail in Appendix E-6. E - 67 7.0 RECREATION RESOURCES The recreation study for the proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project discusses the existing recreational resources in the Project area; management plans and future recreation planning; existing and future recreational demand in the Project vicinity; potential impacts on recreation from the proposed Project; and recreation potential to meet the demand. 7.1. EXISTING REGIONAL RECREATION Major recreational activities in the proposed Project vicinity are dispersed types of activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, sight-seeing, and recreation driving. There are relatively few developed recreational facilities on Prince of Wales Island. The developed recreation facilities that exist consist of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) cabins, shelters, campgrounds, dispersed campsites and small picnic areas; and some private campgrounds and lodges in Craig, Klawock, and a few other areas. The primary recreation season in southeast Alaska lasts from June to September. Prince of Wales Island has over 2,000 miles of roads providing good access throughout the Island. The largest volume of traffic on the Island is on the Hollis to Klawock Highway. Access to the Island is by the Alaska Marine Ferry System, Ketchikan Air, Temsco, and Taquan aviation companies. Approximately 80 percent of southeast Alaska visitors travel by boat (cruise ships and the Alaska Marine Ferry System). Most of the tourist traffic is directed to the larger communities of Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Conversations with recreational planners stated that in southeast Alaska cruise ships have grown substantially and to some extent, the use of the Marine Ferry System (Tyler, 1990). Air transportation to remote inland areas is expensive and used mainly by non-residents. Residents of Prince of Wales Island mostly use the Alaska Marine Ferry System which runs daily to Hollis at $14/one-way from Ketchikan, as compared to small airlines which cost over $450.00 per plane to Black Bear Lake from Ketchikan. The Marine Ferry System has a lot of activity into Hollis, especially out of Ketchikan (Fletcher, 1990). According to the Department of Transportation 1989 Marine Highway System Annual Traffic Volume Report (Alaska Marine Highway System, 1990), traffic growth at Hollis from 1988 to 1989 increased in passenger traffic by 5.38 percent (from 19,603 passengers to 20,717 passengers) and decreased in vehicle traffic by .93 percent (from 6,311 vehicles to 6,253 vehicles). According to locals in the area, a lot of recreational vehicles use the marine ferry and drive throughout the Island, parking along the side of the road (Macasaet, 1990). A point of local interest is a military transport aircraft that crashed in Big Salt Lake in 1969. Figure E7-1 shows the existing developed recreational facilities on Prince of Wales Island. Table E7-1 shows the types of facilities provided, activities, and types of access to each site. Access to the USFS cabins and shelters is mainly by plane, and secondly by boat. Access to developed picnic areas and campgrounds is primarily by roads. E - 68 AT? VW, Warren Island /, 4 Wilderness y/} Karta Wilderness S\=- Alaska Manre Ne Route 2 s = G / ; /} Maurelle Islands Ly} 4 Z Wildemess = 6) Y ; x N PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND ° 10 20 30 40 5, Dall Seale: 14 miles to 1 inch island LEGEND eA Picnic, Camping Areas 2 «1 Forest Service Cabins/Shelters x Lodges --— Primary Roads Juneau BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington EXISTING RECREATION i Figure E7-1 TABLE E7-1 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND EXISTING RECREATION FOREST SERVICE CABINS AND SHELTERS Zz ° . 1 2 3 5 7 Staney Creek 8 Honker Lake Control Lake Black Bear Lake Tr/St/Sa Tr/St/Sa Tr/St/Sa Tr/Sa o voix Ba a “ = Tr/St/Sa Tr/Sa Tr/Sa o 2 3 McGilvery Creek Salmon Lake One Duck Tr/Sa Tr/Sa Tr/St/Sa Tr/St/Sa 10 11 12 | as ss 0 2 16 Point Amargura 17 Josephine Lake 19 Grindall Island Kegan Creek OS Aa Z o 2 9 a vlolululoly — 21 D/Bl Legend P= Float Plane F= Fireplace B= Boat Bl = Black Bear T= Trail D= Deer R= _ Road St = Steelhead W = _ Wood Stove Tr = Trout O= Oil Stove Sa = Salmon TABLE E7-1 (CONTINUED) PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND EXISTING RECREATION PICNIC AND CAMPGROUNDS | es a a —_ a a e ory Source: USFS, Tongass National Forest, 1987 E-71 The major recreational activities throughout the Island are hunting for deer and black bear and fishing for trout and salmon, with some steelhead fishing. Both hunting and fishing are popular due to the extensive logging roads making access feasible. There is also extensive fishing in unroaded areas. Black bear hunting is very popular because of the larger size of black bear found on the Island. Black bear hunting occurs mostly along marine shorelines and roads during the spring (April - June) and fall (September - October). Fishing and boating are very popular with most of the villages on the Island being fishing centers and harbor bases. Tables E7-2 and E7-3 show harvest statistics for freshwater sport fish and black bear on Prince of Wales Island. Although conversations with agencies and people familiar with the area have indicated that the road system on Prince of Wales Island is used for viewing, hiking, etc. no quantitative information on this type of activity is available. The origin of visitors to southeast Alaska is mainly from outside of Alaska with most of the visitors coming from the Western U.S. (see Table E7-4). Whereas fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and cabin use on Prince of Wales Island is mostly by southeast Alaska residents (Tyler, 1990). 7.2. EXISTING PROJECT VICINITY RECREATION Existing use of the Black Lake Basin is not extensive due to general inaccessibility; however, recent logging activity in the area and concurrent logging road construction has improved access. Fishing activities occur in Black Creek and in Black Lake. In this valley below Black Bear Creek, anadromous fish species exist including, pink salmon, chum salmon, sockeye salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead. Resident fish species include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, dolly varden, sculpin and threespine stickleback. Anadromous forms of cutthroat, dolly varden and rainbow trout are also believed to be present. Neither Black Creek or Black Bear Creek is considered eligible for Wild and Scenic River designation (Tyler, 1990). The only developed recreational facility in the Project area is a USFS cabin on Black Bear Lake. The 12-by-12 foot cedar log cabin was constructed in 1963 and relocated in 1979. The cabin is 20 yards from the shoreline of Black Bear Lake. The cost to use the cabin is $20 per night. Activities taking place in association with the use of the Black Bear Lake cabin include fishing, hunting, and hiking. Fishing for rainbow trout, the only fish present in Black Bear Lake, is considered poor to good. Black Bear Lake was stocked with rainbow trout in 1956 and has been self sustaining. Hunting activity at the cabin is light; most hunt along the shorelines. Hiking and sightseeing are popular activities at the Black Bear Lake cabin. Access to the Black Bear Lake cabin is by float plane or helicopter. E-72 TABLE E7-2 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND FRESHWATER SPORT FISH HARVEST Chum Dolly L __ Coho Salmon Varden Cutthroat Grayling | iestinates Thorne System (Stream, Lake) 137 327 lemon [oe [ie Pas tee [os [oft oe [ae] e Pos [ros [a | 100 | 200 Sef ee fe fa Other Streams 528 1267 sm | 201 | 15 _| ose | 1924 | 179 | a59 | 509 | 590 | | o [ o J 36 | too [ss | o [om] o foo [no] o | o | [soo | 1s J 2402 | 3363 J 766 | 1096 [ries | isi fi 2130 | aeor To | oo _| Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1985, 1988 TABLE E7-3 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT BLACK BEAR SPORT HARVEST STATISTICS FOR GAME MANAGEMENT UNIT 2%, 1985-1989 *Includes Prince of Wales Island and adjacent islands. Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1989 E- 74 TABLE E7-4 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN OF SOUTHEAST ALASKA* VISITORS Visitor Origin ot % of Visitors — Western U.S. } California *Places most frequently visited in southeast Alaska include: Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Haines Source: USFS, Tongass National Forest, 1990 E-75 Table E7-5 shows the use of the Black Bear Lake cabin from January 1990 to October 1990. Out of the seven groups that reserved the cabin, only one group was from outside of Alaska. The other six groups were from southeast Alaska. Conversations with the USFS indicated that people may use the cabin who have not registered; therefore, the tables may not actually depict the actual usage of the cabin (Kosanke, 1990). Past records of USFS cabin use in the Craig Ranger District are shown on Table E7-6. In general, use of the Black Bear Lake cabin has declined slightly since 1987. The majority of users in 1987, 1988, and 1989 are local. In comparison with the other cabins in the Craig Ranger District, half of the cabins have decreased in use, whereas the other half has increased. Likewise, half of the cabins show the majority of users residing from the Ketchikan area, whereas the other half show the majority of users from outside of the Ketchikan area. 7.3 | ANGLER AND HUNTING SURVEYS An angler survey was conducted for the period of June through September in two areas: 1) Black Creek and Black Lake, and 2) Black Bear Lake. A hunting survey was also conducted at Black Bear Lake cabin from August to October 1990. The purpose of the angler and hunting surveys was to gather information on the current fishing and hunting activities in the areas surveyed. Fishing and hunting survey forms were prepared. Both forms included information such as date, weather, place of residence, number of people in party, target species, time fished or hunted, gear or weapon used, and number and type of species caught and/or observed. Additionally, the forms had maps showing the areas surveyed with instructions to circle the location fished or hunted. Fishing survey forms were placed in the boxes located near the mouth of Black Lake, at the Big Salt Lake Highway Bridge, and in the Black Bear Lake cabin. Hunting survey forms were placed in the Black Bear Lake cabin. Fishing survey forms placed in the boxes near the mouth of Black Lake and at the highway bridge were collected periodically by AP&T personnel. Fishing and hunting survey forms placed in the Black Bear Lake cabin included self-addressed, stamped envelopes. Thirty-one fishing survey forms were collected from the box near the mouth of Black Lake and from the box at the highway bridge. Persons who filled out the survey forms fished in Black Lake and in Black Creek. The results of the survey at Black Lake and Black Creek are summarized on Table E7-7. Figure E7-2 shows the location map that was included on the survey form. Of those who completed the survey forms, more than half were fishing in the upper part of Black Creek, just downstream from the mouth of Black Lake and near the survey box. Figures E7-3, E7-4 and E7-5 graphically depict some of the information obtained from the survey forms. The majority of anglers were from Craig and Klawock. Cutthroat, rainbow, and dolly varden were the species fished for the most. Most of the fish caught were cutthroat trout. Dolly varden was the second most often specie caught and coho salmon was the third. E - 76 ; TABLE E7-5 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT BLACK BEAR LAKE CABIN USE JANUARY 1990-OCTOBER 1990 __ Place of Residence Ketchikan, AK Ketchikan, AK Klawock, AK Ketchikan, AK August Metlakatla, AK Metlakatla, AK Total # of Groups Pee ee Note: Number of nights stayed per group ranged from one to four nights. ‘No. of Groups Source: USFS Ketchikan Area, 1990 E-77 TABLE E7-6 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT CRAIG RANGER DISTRICT CABIN USE 1987-1989 eee (at ser Ps [is fa fe fs ti [os [as] ie | or | 20 | 26] [Eswowahtake | « | 6 | 4 | ea ee eae ts ts | os | a | 1s | sf > fo tis | is | zs | a | LEGEND TRIPS: # of separate trips (flights/boats) to cabin LOC TRIPS: Trips residing from Ketchikan area: Thorne Bay, Craig and Ketchikan Ranger Districts and Misty Fjords National Monument NON LOC TRIPS: Trips residing from areas outside of LOC TRIPS PEOPLE: # of different people that stayed at cabin regardless of how many nights they stayed PAID DAYS: # of nights cabin was paid for regardless of the number of people PERSON DAYS: Total persons per night that stayed at cabin Source: USFS Craig Ranger District, 1987, 1988, 1989 TABLE E7-7 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 ‘ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK ANGLER NO. OF TIME RESIDENCE PEOPLE ACTUAL TIME INCHES ecee! IN) TARGET FISHED OF TOTAL SPECIES NO. NO. TOTAL DATE WEATHER TOWN STATE PARTY FISH HOURS DAY GEAR CATCH CAUGHT KEPT RELEASED LENGTH LOCATION Cutthroat survey Rainbow box Dolly Vardon 5-14-90 Overcast Craig AK 1 Steelhead 1 MORN Bait 0 Upper creek Cutthroat near survey Rainbow box. Dolly Vardon 5-14-90 Overcast Craig AK 1 Cutthroat 1 EVE Bait 0 Near survey Rainbow box Dolly Vardon 5-17-90 Overcast Craig AK 1 Cutthroat 2 =~ MORN Bait 0 Black Rainbow Spin/Spoon Lake Dolly Varden 5-24-90 Rain Craig AK 3 2. AFT 0 5-24-90 Overcast Craig AK 1 Steelhead en5 MORN Flies 1 Cutthroat 1 0 10 Near Cutthroat survey Rainbow box Dolly Varden TABLE E7-7 (Continued) BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK ANGLER NO. OF TIME RESIDENCE PEOPLE ACTUAL TIME INCHES Ssacesssaneseoese IN TARGET FISHED OF TOTAL SPECIES NO. NO. TOTAL DATE WEATHER TOWN STATE PARTY FISH HOURS DAY GEAR CATCH CAUGHT KEPT RELEASED LENGTH LOCATION 5-25-90 Overcast Klawock AK 3 Cutthroat 2.5 MORN Flies 1 Cutthroat 0 1 7 Rainbow Dolly Varden 5-26-90 Overcast Ketchikan AK 1 Steelhead 1.5 MORN Flies 0 Near survey Cutthroat box Rainbow Dolly Varden 5-29-90 Sunny Craig AK 2 Rainbow 0.5 AFT Bait 2 Rainbow 1 0 14 Lower Dolly Vardon 1 0 9 creek 6-3-90 Overcast Craig AK 2 Cutthroat 1 MORN Flies 0 Highway Rainbow bridge 6-5-90 Sunny Hollis AK 3 Cutthroat 1 MORN Artificial 4 Rainbow 3 0 Near survey Rainbow Cutthroat 1 0 box 6-5-90 Sunny Klawock AK 2 Cutthroat 0.5 EVE Flies 1 Unknown 0 1 3 Lower creek TABLE E7~-7 (Continued) BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK ANGLER NO. OF TIME RESIDENCE PEOPLE ACTUAL TIME INCHES Sawaseeeq=ssuerere IN TARGET FISHED OF TOTAL SPECIES NO. NO. TOTAL DATE WEATHER TOWN STATE PARTY FISH HOURS DAY GEAR CATCH CAUGHT KEPT RELEASED LENGTH LOCATION 6-7-90 Overcast Klawock AK 5 Cutthroat is EVE Artificial 10 Cutthroat 3 0 Upper Rainbow Rainbow we 0 creek 6-8-90 Overcast 4 1.5 EVE Bait 0 Upper creek, Spin/Spoon near Black Lake 6-10-90 Sunny 4 Cuttthroat 1 Cutthroat 1 1 11. Upper creek, in Lake 6-11-90 Fog Klawock AK 3 Cutthroat 2.5 EVE Bait 6 Cutthroat 6 0 ? Upper Rainbow creek 6-13-90 Sunny Los Angeles CA 2 Cutthroat 5 EVE Bait 8 Rainbow 2 25 Upper Rainbow Cutthroat 2 23 creek 6-15-90 Fog Craig AK 3 Cutthroat 2 EVE Bait 5 Rainbow 4 1 45 Rainbow Dolly Varden BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 TABLE E7~-7 (Continued) ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK DATE 7-9-90 7-15-90 7-15-90 7-17-90 7-23-90 8-6-90 8-25-90 WEATHER Overcast Rain Overcast Sunny ANGLER RESIDENCE Craig Klawock Arlington Klawock Craig Craig Craig AK AK WA AK AK AK NO. OF PEOPLE 3 3 TARGET FISH Cutthroat Rainbow Dolly Varden Rainbow Dolly Varden Cutthroat Dolly Varden Cutthroat Rainbow Dolly Varden Pink Salmon Pink Salmon Chum Salmon TIME ACTUAL FISHED HOURS 1.5 2.5 1.5 AFT EVE MORN AFT EVE AFT GEAR Bait Spin/Spoon Spin/Spoon Bait Spin/Spoon Spin/Spoon Spin/Spoon Spin/Spoon TOTAL CATCH 23 3 SPECIES CAUGHT Dolly Varden Dolly Varden Cutthroat Dolly Varden Rainbow Pink Salmon Chum Salmon Pink Salmon Dolly Varden Chum Salmon 10 13 INCHES TOTAL RELEASED LENGTH LOCATION 130 12 35 16 Upper creek, near Black Lake Lower creek creek Lower creek BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 TABLE E7-7 (Continued) ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK ANGLER RESIDENCE NO. OF PEOPLE TARGET FISH TIME ACTUAL FISHED HOURS GEAR TOTAL CATCH SPECIES CAUGHT NO. KEPT NO. RELEASED INCHES TOTAL LENGTH LOCATION 6-16-90 6-24-90 7-6-90 7-7-90 7-8-90 Overcast Fog Overcast Thorne Bay AK Klawock AK Klawock AK Craig AK 2 3 Cutthroat Rainbow Cutthroat Cutthroat Rainbow Dolly Varden Cutthroat Cutthroat Cutthroat Rainbow Dolly Varden AFT AFT MORN MORN MORN Bait Bait Bait Flies 2 14 6 3 Cutthroat Dolly Varden Rainbow Cutthroat Cutthroat Cutthroat w ° 24 45 37.5 Black Lake near creek Upper creek Upper creek, near Black Lake Highway bridge Highway bridge Near survey box BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDRO 07042-001-002 11/05/90 © TABLE E7-7 (Continued) ANGLER SURVEY - BLACK LAKE AND BLACK CREEK 9-5-90 Sunny 9-11-90 Rain 9-12-90 Overcast 9-30-90 Rain ANGLER RESIDENCE Winlock Sandpoint WA ID NO. OF PEOPLE TARGET Cutthroat Cutthroat Dolly Varden Coho Salmon Pink Salmon Coho Salmon Coho Salmon Coho Salmon TIME ACTUAL FISHED 0.5 12 1.5 TIME OF AFT AFT AFT Spin/Spoon Flies Bait Spin/Spoon Spin/Spoon TOTAL 3 Many 10 SPECIES Cutthroat Pink Salmon Coho Salmon Coho Salmon Coho Salmon . INCHES NO. TOTAL RELEASED LENGTH LOCATION 3 (29) Near survey box 2 Many 0 Black Lake ie 24 Near survey box KLAWOCK VIA THE BIG SALT HIGHWAY SURVEY BOX GRAVEL (SPAWNING) BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Wales lelond, Aioske FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ANGLER SURVEY Figure E7-2 Coho Salmon Chum Salmon Pink Salmon oS RRR RRR RR KIO K RIK SRS SCR RR IIR RD SER RRS Dolly Varden SPECIES ESRB PSII HII KI KKK KK IKK KK HD SOR RII ORK K NK RIK ID ORR RRR KKK SEKI OI IO SKK RRRKRKRRK KKK KKK KK HK BSR IRR IHD RII KK KK IK KK KK KKK SEKKKREK KKK OK Koo o reo ooo Rainbow =< wi w c o x Oo < a a ~ wi x < a =< o < a a ERS SS RRR KKK KK No? SESS S SSSR IK 5 © S55 rerete SxS 5252 2 % 2 2 ° oO 2 oo x» Y © 6 5 5 o 5 5 5 ° 5 505 5 i RRR RRR KRY KOKO KR KR RK RR RK KOK RSS O 5 25 $25 OVO PSeoe505 625 625 Cutthroat Steelhead BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington SASNOdS3Y JO LIN3DNAd SPECIES F D FOR_ Figure E7-4 BESeSRRSEL COHO SALMON CHUM SALMON LZ NO. RELEASED LL PINK SALMON MI WW ALLL. SPECIES RQ) No. KEPT DOLLY VARDEN x wi w c Oo =< oO < a a w x < a 8 < - a FOO oI III RAINBOW wavaveveveeeveve'eveve"ers"or4"0707067670767676" KEKE KK Negeatgtstctctatetetctatetetetetatatetetatatetecelctataeateecleaateteatatealceeceateuen SSSI HHH HH IH RR ROK KON IKON 050.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0. 0.0.0. 0.9.0.0.0.6.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.9.9.0.09.0.9.0.9.0.0.9. 08.9.0 .0.900 0.0.09 .F. F888) TOTAL NO. CAUGHT CUTTHROAT BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROVECT Prince of Woles island, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMFANY Port Townsend, Washington SPECIES CAUGHT Figure E7-5 HSU JO SY3SWNN Only one survey form was received from the Black Bear Lake cabin. Review of U.S. Forest Service reservation records showed that the people who filled out the survey form were not registered to use the cabin. The survey form, however, stated that they enjoyed the wonderful facilities and caught 22 rainbow trout during their stay. The four person party was an unguided group from Minnesota. Black Bear Lake cabin reservation records showed that seven groups had reserved the cabin from June to September 1990. Since we did not receive any response from people who had reserved the cabin, survey forms were sent directly to the parties in hopes of obtaining information on the fishing and hunting activity that they engaged in when using the cabin. To date, no survey forms have been returned. 7.4 MANAGEMENT PLANS/FUTURE RECREATION The proposed Black Bear Lake Project lies within several land management jurisdictions (see Figure E1-1). Black Bear Lake is within the Tongass National Forest. The proposed penstock, powerhouse, access road, and the majority of the transmission line is within Sealaska Corporation boundaries. The remainder of the transmission line is within Klawock/Heenya Corporation lands and the City of Klawock. The USFS Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) has designated the area surrounding Black Bear Lake as Primitive-2. In general, a Primitive-2 designation is characterized by an unmodified natural environment with cabins. The area west of Black Bear Lake is owned by Sealaska Corporation, therefore, ROS classifications are not applicable. This area has been modified by logging activity. An area to the east of Black Bear Lake has recently been designated as the Karta Wilderness Area. The USFS is working on an implementation schedule of recreation for Prince of Wales Island (Fisher, 1990). The USFS currently is planning a recreational facility consisting of tent pads, a boardwalk system, and a canoe route to the Sarker Lake system, which is north of Klawock. The USFS is also looking at a couple of other possible campgrounds near Hollis and Hydaburg, however, no commitments have been made to date. The majority of the proposed Project components lie within the Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. The proposed transmission line lies within the Southwest Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. The Prince of Wales Island Area Plan has designated the northwest end of Black Bear Lake and areas where the penstock and powerhouse would be located as an area for a proposed land exchange with Sealaska. The southeastern half of Black Bear Lake has been designated as proposed state selection by the Plan. (Alaska Department of Natural Resources, 1988) The land exchange with Sealaska has never received any actual request or approval. The proposed state selection of 337 acres for community development and recreation is not high on the priority list. (Landis, 1990) Sealaska Corporation is currently preparing a land use classification system where land suitability will be determined and land use designations will be made. At the present time, Sealaska Corporation does not have developed recreational areas on Corporation lands. Future recreational planning on Corporation lands will be implemented within the Corporations land use classification system (Harris, 1990). E - 89 Currently no designated recreational areas exist in the City of Klawock, although many local residents use Klawock Lake and Big Salt Lake for recreation. The Klawock/Heenya Corporation is looking at the possibilities of home sites on the southern shore or Big Salt Lake (Macasaet, 1990). 7.5 RECREATIONAL DEMAND Recreational growth in the Tongass National Forest is estimated to have grown 5 to 5 1/2 percent annually. Recreational growth on Prince of Wales Island has been slow but steady (Tyler, 1990). According to the USFS, cabin use on Prince of Wales Island has been steadily increasing. The majority of the cabins, however, including the Black Bear Lake cabin are generally not used to their capacity. The population on Prince of Wales Island has more than doubled, increasing from 2,489 in 1980 to 5,659 in 1990. Both the cities of Klawock and Craig have more than doubled in the last 10 years. The chief industry in the area has been logging. Future population growth will depend on the Tongass Land Management Plan and its effect on the logging industry (Bouecher, 1990). Generally, recreation demand is proportional to population growth. Table E7-8 presents recreational demand projections for southeast Alaska. This data was obtained from "Outdoor Recreation - Alaska" which is an assessment of the recreational needs in Alaska. The table is broken down into southeast Alaska outdoor recreational facility needs by proximity to residence and southeast Alaska current and projected needs. In summary, the majority of recreational needs are within communities and within 1 hour from residence, with the exception of off-road vehicle, and tent and RV camping. Recreational needs for all categories are projected to increase by between 8 and 12 percent over the next 10 years, except for outdoor hockey and basketball, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. From the data generated, it can be assumed that the demand for recreation on Prince of Wales Island will increase in the next 10 years by around 10 percent depending on the type of activity. The demand for hunting, fishing, hiking, and cabin use on Prince of Wales Island, as is provided at Black Bear Lake, will most likely increase by approximately 10 percent in the year 2000. However, the need for these types of activities in the immediate Project vicinity is not expected to increase significantly due to the location and land management proposed by the USFS and Sealaska. E-90 TABLE E7-8 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT RECREATIONAL NEEDS Facility Baseball /Softball M Fields nN w Summer ORV Football /Soccer Winter ORV Outdoor Hockey __ Rinks ale | | | = Fields Tennis Horseback Riding Tent and RV Camping Units Outdoor Basketball Ff 5 } = a So : B > . be a Fj Summer ORV } | Football /Soccer | Winter ORV | Outdoor Hocke' e: Horseback Riding Tent and RV Camping | Outdoor Basketball i Key: A positive number represents a deficiency of facility units. (X) represents a surplus of facility units. Source: Alaska Department of Natural Resources , 1988 E-91 7.6 PROJECT IMPACTS AND RECREATION POTENTIAL Fishing and hunting surveys conducted at the Black Bear Lake Cabin showed very little response. According to the USFS and DNR, Division of Parks, the Black Bear Lake area is not considered a high recreation use area. Records of the Black Bear Lake Cabin have shown a slight decline in use and conversations with USFS personnel have indicated that the cabin is not used to its capacity. Due to the extensive road system providing access to the numerous lakes on Prince of Wales Island, there appears to be an adequate supply of water recreation areas to meet the future demands of the area. The proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is not expected to negatively impact recreational activities in the vicinity of the Project. The use of the Black Bear Lake cabin is not expected to be affected by the Project. Conversation with pilots from Temsco Aviation, Inc. (Temsco Aviation, Inc., 1990) indicated that Black Bear Lake is plenty big and a drawdown of 15 feet should not be a problem for landing a float plane. There are rocks near the lower end of the lake that may surface with a lake drawdown; however, it was not believed that this would be a problem since the float planes generally do not use this area of the lake to land. Fluctuations in the level of Black Bear Lake may cause cabin users to pull the lightweight skiff further up or down the beach. The cabin will remain unchanged. There will, however, be some visual impacts that will result from drawing the lake level down 15 feet below its natural level. A rocky shoreline may result on some of the lake perimeter during lake drawdown. Such shoreline emergence may provide for easier hiking around the lake. Figure E7-6 shows the normal water surface level without the Project and the minimum water surface level with the Project. Impacts to fisheries resources at Black Bear Lake, Black Bear Creek, Black Lake, and Black Creek are expected to be negligible (see Section 3.4). Therefore, no significant impacts to recreational fisheries resources should occur. The road leading into the powerhouse site will have a lock and gate but it will not reduce the access from that which is currently available to the Black Lake and Black Creek areas. There is, however, no guarantee for future public access to the Black Lake and Black Creek areas since the area, and logging roads, are privately owned by Sealaska Corporation. Construction activities will not occur in those areas currently used for recreation. No short-term construction-related impacts are anticipated, except for some increase in traffic. There does not appear to be a need for additional water-related recreational opportunities on Prince of Wales Island. Additionally, since no negative impacts to recreation are expected and due to land ownership considerations, no on-site recreational facilities are proposed as part of the hydroelectric Project. The proposed state selection of lands at the southeast half of Black Bear Lake would transfer approximately 337 acres, including the USFS cabin, to state ownership for recreation use. If this proposed state selection takes place, the State would like to continuing reserving the cabin, but will have a problem maintaining it (Eberhardt, 1990). E-92 In the event that the state selection does take place, Alaska Power & Telephone would be willing to assist the State in the maintenance of the cabin (i.e. removing trash, supplying firewood and providing operational maintenance) on mutually agreeable terms to be negotiated. E - 93 BLACK BEAR LAKE | z Oo - sl5\i oy LU Eo elu 10 v0 c sl =i e|D> r|O ° Ac Le ag > 8.0 AESTHETIC RESOURCES This section describes the visual resources of the area and Project vicinity. The USFS Aesthetic Classification System is discussed and its visual quality objectives for the area. The potential Project impacts and mitigation measures are also presented in this section. 8.1 EXISTING AESTHETICS The scenery of southeast Alaska has often been described as one of its chief assets. This is primarily due to two features: its marine setting and its mountains. The hundreds of islands and broken coastline form many intricate sheltered waterways which provide outstanding natural features for viewing. Because of the regional land and water features, land travel is difficult and these waterways also serve as important travel zones. Two mountain ranges are responsible for the southeastern Alaska landscape character. The eastern range along the boundary with Canada is part of the Coast Range, which is the extension of the Cascade Mountains of Washington. Peak elevations range from 6,000 to 10,000 feet msl. Many peaks rise directly from the sea creating spectacular steep- walled fjords. The second mountain range is the Pacific Border Range of which the Prince of Wales Island is a part. Though smaller than the eastern range, with elevations ranging between 2,500 and 3,500 feet msl, it combines with the countless coves, inlets and points of this island-dominated area to create a highly scenic environment. The proposed Black Bear Lake Project on Prince of Wales Island is located in the southwest region of southeast Alaska. The island, typical of the southeast region, is tugged with steep wooded slopes, numerous water courses and rocky peaks. Prince of Wales Island is also the only island in southeast Alaska with a developed road system which connects the communities of Craig, Klawock, Thorne Bay and Hydaburg. Logging is the dominant land use of the island. It is also the strongest visual impact in the region, with old and new clear-cut areas contrasting with surrounding steep forested slopes. This activity, more than any other, strongly influences the visual character of the island. The area around Black Bear Lake is visually striking, characterized by steep wooded slopes, rocky peaks and outcrops, cascades and waterfalls. The 1,400-foot waterfall/cascade from the lake outlet is particularly scenic, though it is extremely difficult to view from the ground except from immediately downstream of it or from the air. Access to the area is quite difficult due to private ownership and views of the falls from the air are not very good due to heavy vegetation. The extremely rugged terrain of the Klawock Mountains that surrounds the lake is also prominent. All of the slopes around the lake display a high amount of vegetational diversity. A few prominent waterfalls plunging off the steep rock faces and avalanche chutes add to the diversity of the landscape. Black Bear Creek, below Black Bear Lake Falls, has been extensively clear cut during logging by Sealaska Corporation. Most of the proposed Project components including E-95 most of the buried penstock, the powerhouse site, and the majority of the new access road are sited on areas which have been clear cut logged, therefore, any new disturbances will be relatively minor. The Applicant plans to prepare a video of the area in the summer, 1991. This video will be submitted to the FERC for their review. 82 U.S. FOREST SERVICE AESTHETIC CLASSIFICATION AND GUIDELINES 8.2.1. Visual Classification The U.S. Forest Service has developed a system for classifying aesthetic resources known as the Visual Management System (VMS). The system breaks down land areas by visual elements (U.S. Forest Service, 1974). These elements include: 1: Distance zones from major viewpoints fg = foreground, mg = middle ground, bg = background 2. Sensitivity level of uses Level 1 = highest sensitivity, Level 2 = average sensitivity, Level 3 = lowest sensitivity 3 Variety class class A = distinctive, class B = common, class C = minimal 4. Existing visual condition 1 = natural condition, 2 = natural appearing, 3 = slightly altered, 4 = moderately altered, 5 = heavily altered, 6 = drastically altered 5: Quality objectives P = preservation, R = retention, PR = partial retention, M = modification, MM = maximum modification, reh = rehabitation (short term), e = enhancement (short term). Land units are mapped showing a combination of these factors so that land management activities can be evaluated quickly and easily with respect to aesthetic impacts. Of all the factors, the quality objectives relate the most closely to allowed management activities. Table E8-1 shows the main elements of the visual quality objectives. The proposed Project features that are within USFS lands, and have been mapped under the VMS, include the siphon intake and the upper section of the penstock and a portion of the transmission line along the State Highway to Klawock. The other Project features including the remainder of the penstock, the powerhouse, access road, and most of the transmission line are within lands owned by Sealaska Corporation for which no visual management objectives have been established. TABLE E8-1 VISUAL QUALITY OBJECTIVES P = Preservation Allows ecological changes only. The only allowed management activities are very low | visual impact recreational activities. This | R - Retention applies to wilderness and primitive areas. Provides for management activities which are | not visually evident. Areas must be quickly restored. PR = Partial Retention Management activities visually subordinate to | the character of the landscape. Should repeat form, line, and color of the natural landscape to the extent possible. M = Modification Management activities may visually dominate landscape but should borrow from established line, color, and texture. MM = Maximum Modification Management activities and landform alterations may visually dominate, but must have visual characteristics of the surrounding | area when viewed as background. Reduction | of contrast should be accomplished within 5 years. SS ecco ss The area around Black Bear Lake, which would include the siphon intake and a section of the penstock, has been classified as: distance zone = foreground, sensitivity level = 1 highest sensitivity, variety class = A - distinctive, existing visual condition = 1 - natural condition, and quality objective = retention. The proposed transmission line will traverse USFS lands in Sections 29 and 32 of Township 72 South, Range 81 East. This area has a sensitivity level of 1 and a variety class B. The visual quality objective is retention on the slopes immediately alongside of the roadway. 8.2.2 USFS Aesthetic Guidelines Guidelines for preservation of aesthetics in the Project area have been taken from the series on National Forest Landscape Management, Volume 2, Chapter 1 (Visual Management System) and Chapter 2 (Utilities): (U.S. Forest Service 1974, 1975). These guidelines address all aspects of Project design, structures, conveying lines, construction, and operation. The main objectives of the U.S. Forest Service aesthetics guidelines it to: "Plan and design utilities so as to visually harmonize with or subordinate them to the surrounding landscape" (U.S. Forest Service, 1975). In this way, the forest Service seeks to resolve the sometimes conflicting forces of resource development and aesthetic preservation. Guidelines for structures such as the powerhouse include: 2 Use of color and texture so as to blend the object with its surroundings. Bright colors used to flag safety hazards. . Use vegetation manipulation and screening to minimize visual effects. s Plan topographic siting to blend into landscape. With use of proper materials, blending the structures into the hillside and screening with existing or planted native vegetation, optical impact of structures can be made minimal. Guidelines that pertain to placement of the penstock include some of the same features mentioned for structures. While materials may be limited by structural requirements, penstocks can be painted or covered to match forest surroundings. In the past, the Forest Service has recommended burial of penstocks wherever physically and economically feasible. This particularly pertains to areas of road right-of-ways of reasonably gentle slopes. In steep topographic areas, this may conflict with the need to minimize erosion. E - 98 For above ground pipelines, recommendations include: 2 Use of vegetative screening 2 Painting or covering pipe to match surroundings a Use of careful soil manipulation to prevent erosion 2 Use topographic contours to minimize visual impact . Encourage right-of-way sharing Guidelines for transmission lines and poles include: s Planning form and structure of line configuration to blend with landscape . Carefully designed utility crossings (i.e. river crossings) . Use wood poles wherever possible 2 Use tapered clearing in right-of-way 7 Wherever possible, place transmission lines across open areas to avoid tree clearing . Sculpture line siting to the landscape wherever possible In the Black Bear Lake Project, siting options are limited by the fact that lines will use existing road right-of-ways along most of their length. U.S Forest Service general guidelines are applicable to Black Bear Lake construction activities. These include use of vegetative screening, control of soil erosion or open cuts and revegetation following construction. 8.3. POTENTIAL AESTHETIC IMPACTS The Project area currently has limited public access due to private ownership. Public access to the Project area will be further restricted during construction and operation of the Project. This will limit visual impacts of the area. Construction related activities and Project features following construction would be visible from aircraft which are used in the region. Construction related impacts will occur due to excavation of the road, penstock and powerhouse. These impacts will be short term and the visual effects will be negligible due to the remoteness of the area and the previous disturbances that have already occurred from logging activities. E-99 A temporary tram will be installed during construction to transport materials to the upper slope and intake areas during construction. This will consist of 8 foot high towers approximately every 400 feet anchored with concrete foundations. A diesel powered pulley type of arrangement will be used to carry pipe sections and other construction materials up the slope towards the intake. This tram will be constructed during placement of the upper portion of the pipeline and intake and is planned to be partially dismantled immediately following construction of the pipeline. Foundations and supports may be left in place for future Project maintenance. The major visual impacts of this tram will be short term, lasting only during construction of the upper portion of the pipeline and intake, and will be minor because of the limited use of the area. To minimize construction related impacts, construction and subsequent revegetation will be carried out as quickly as possible. Existing vegetation that can be saved in the immediate vicinity of the Project facilities will be protected from damage during construction. Spoil material will be removed promptly following construction and affected areas will be revegetated promptly and properly. The permanent Project structures will be small scale and located in areas which presently have limited access. Entry into the powerhouse site will be restricted by gates and signs. The location of the intake and surface and buried penstock will be in areas that are extremely remote and very difficult to access. None of the Project features including the siphon system and penstock would be seen from the USFS cabin. The powerhouse would only be seen by airplane. The powerhouse, construction staging areas, and new access road will be in areas that have been recently clear cut logged. Therefore, the amount of new disturbance and visual impact is expected to be negligible. To mitigate impacts, structures will be constructed from materials, or painted, to blend with the surrounding rock and forest landscape as much as possible. All affected areas will be revegetated with native species (see ESCP in Appendix E-6). Transplanting of native shrubs and small trees around the Project facilities may be done to further screen and reduce visual contrast with the surroundings. Transmission lines will be visible along the Sealaska logging road and the State Highway from the powerhouse to the Klawock substation. Use of wooden poles and a narrow roadside right-of-way will eliminate major needs for extensive vegetation removal. Construction will also be more aesthetically pleasing and will not present an electrocution hazard to raptors. The transmission lines will be placed on wood poles with all materials natural or painted to blend with surrounding vegetation or land features. During Project operation for some months of the year, the Black Bear Lake waterfall will dry up except during times of high rainfall or snowmelt. The series of falls is over 1,000 vertical feet. The impact will be most noticeable from the air since the falls are screened from most viewing positions on the ground. Additionally, the area is privately owned, so access to the falls is limited. During periods of lake drawdown, it is anticipated the lake will be drawn down a maximum of 15 feet in depth. In most areas of the lake the impacts will not be significant E - 100 because the generally steep slopes will minimize the amount of exposed shore (see Figure E7-6). This visual impact may become more noticeable in the vicinity of the USFS cabin since the slopes flatten out there. A rocky shoreline may result causing some visual impacts in this area during draw down. Overall, the Project has been sited and planned to mitigate against aesthetic impacts to the greatest extent possible. Construction and operation of Project facilities could only be viewed from a very localized, infrequently used areas. The magnitude of the visual impact, therefore, is small. Aesthetic impacts which will occur will be mitigated by following suggested USFS guidelines both on and off of USFS property. These suggested measures include proper choice of materials, proper siting of structures and lines, and proper rehabilitation and reseeding of the areas following construction. E- 101 9.0 LAND USE This section describes the existing land uses and ownership in the vicinity of the proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project. The potential effects of the proposed Project on those uses are also described in this section. 9.1 EXISTING LAND USES Land use in the vicinity of the Project has historically been dominated by timber harvesting. Prince of Wales Island is abundantly endowed with commercially marketable stands of hemlock, spruce, and cedar. Recent timber harvest activities near the Project area include Sealaska Corporations's harvest along Black Bear Creek, Black Lake, Big Salt Lake, and Klawock Lake. Recent logging has improved access to the Black Lake Basin. Fishing occurs in Black Creek and in Black Lake. The only developed recreation facility in the vicinity of the Project is the USFS cabin located at the southeast end of Black Bear Lake. Access to the cabin is achieved only by float plane or float helicopter. Activities associated with the use of the cabin include fishing, hunting, and hiking. Businesses and residential structures are located mainly within the municipal limits of Klawock, Craig, and Hydaburg which are less than 25 air miles from the proposed Project. Land ownership within the proposed Project area is shown on Figure E1-1 and on Exhibit G-1. The siphon intake, a small portion of the proposed penstock and transmission line and Black Bear Lake are within USFS boundaries. The lower portion of the penstock, and the powerhouse, access road, and the majority of the transmission line is within Sealaska Corporation boundaries. The remainder of the transmission line is within Klawock Heenya Corporation lands and the City of Klawock. The USFS Tongass National Forest is currently in the process of revising its Land and Resource Management Plan under the National Forest Management Act. The revised Plan could have a considerable impact on economics, demographics, and recreation in southeast Alaska. For instance, a reduction in the amount of areas allowed for timber harvest could decrease the employment in timber production and ultimately the populations in those areas. Additionally, planned recreational facilities could increase tourism and associated businesses. The current preferred alternative has designated the Black Bear Lake Project area for timber production (USFS, 1990). Sealaska Corporation lands (west of Black Bear Lake) have been extensively logged. Sealaska Corporation is currently preparing a land use classification system where land suitability will be determined and land use designations will be made (Harris, 1990). The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Land and Water, Lands and Resources Section, has prepared Area Plans describing how the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages state uplands, tidelands, and submerged lands. The proposed Project is within the Prince of Wales Island Area Plan with the exception of the proposed transmission line which is within the Southwest Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. The E - 102 Prince of Wales Island Area Plan has designated Black Bear Lake as developed public recreation. This designation includes areas where public recreation facilities have been or may be developed. No areas within the Project boundary or surrounding area have been designated or recommended for designation as a wilderness area, or have been designated as a wilderness study area. Additionally, no National Wild and Scenic Rivers systems or National Trails systems are within the Project area or transmission corridor. 9.2 POTENTIAL LAND USE EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT No land use effects from the proposed Project are anticipated. The proposed Project is consistent with existing land use plans in the area. Logging operations will not be affected during construction or operation of the Project. No commercial forest lands would be affected by Project features since the majority of the area has been logged, and the transmission line would be adjacent to existing road corridors. The existing USFS cabin will be affected by the Project infrequently during periods of lake drawdown. During the period of construction, the State Highway and Sealaska road to the powerhouse site will be travelled by some heavy Project construction vehicles. During placement of the transmission poles and lines, there will be occasional temporary disruption of traffic. At no time will public roads be blocked, however. E - 103 10.0 AGENCY CONSULTATION PROCESS The following table lists in chronological order the Consultation Process that has been conducted to date for the Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project. All of the referenced documents and letters are presented in Appendix E-9 of this License. | 11/12/87 AP&T Comments on Preliminary Permit [ onsyss | |= titat Consuttation Document ICD) | ] | 9/26/88 IT feet AP&T Comments to Cultural Resources | 9/30/88 AP&T Response to ICD | No date_| City of Craig AP&T Response to ICD 9/30/88 AP&T Response to ICD 10/7/88 AP&T Response to ICD 10/11/88 AP&T Comments to ICD 10/11/88 Tlingit and AP&T Response to ICD Haida ApatT | Comments on ICD ADF&G D USFWS | 25/08 Aa 2/28/89 3/1/89 USFS AP&T Comments on Environmental Study | 3/3/89 3/7/89 ADF&G AP&T Comments on Environmental Study AP&T Comments on ICD Joint Agency Meeting Comments on ICD AP&T &T AP&T AP&T AP&T Agencies/Tribes AP&T Response to Environmental Study EC E Comments on ICD Comments on ICD Comments on ICD Comments on ICD Draft Environmental Study Plan Cc T AP&T Comments on Environmental Study E AP&T Comments on Environmental Study | AP&T Comments on Environmental Study E - 104 "| Topic Comments on Environmental Study Plan AP. Sealaska Corporation | Requesting Permission to Visit Site Draft Environmental Study Plan F U Response to Environmental Study | Plan } Comments on Environmental Study Plan lan lan | 3/20/89 ro} S DE a [> 3/3 8/8 7/14/89 —S | } } 8/9/89 | Comments on Environmental Study | } P | 8/10/89 Comments on Environmental Study H P Comments on Environmental Study | Plan | = Comments on Cultural Resources | Plan 1/3/90 DNR 1/8/90 ADF&G Comments on Draft Study Outlines } 1/10/90 HDR/Ott Comments on Draft Study Outlines /16/90 Comments on Draft Study Outlines | 1/17/90 Meeting Concerning Draft Study Outlines ADF&G HDR/Ot To AP&T AP&T AP&T AP&T AP&T AP&T | 2/20/90 | | nrs | _HDR/Ot __| Comments on Draft Study Outline | 2/22/90 | _HDR/on | Agencies/Tribes | Final Study Outlines | | pcc || aDR/Ot__| Comments on Draft Study Outline _| | 319/90 | nes | HDR/O__| Comments on Fisheries Studies | | 7/0 | _aprec | HDR/ow _| Comments on Fisheries Studies | s/9/0_| _wprjoe | __usrs__| Fish Survey Forms USFS Cc &T &T FS Cc FS GC ~ N nN _ oo 8 B18 |g 8 8 8 8 8 5/10/90 ADF&G Comments on Fish Study a USFS Archeological Study DNR Klawock/Heenya Corporation Sealaska Corporation 10/3/90 Fishing/Hunting Survey Forms 10/5/90 | __pNR___| HDR __| Comments on Archeological Study E - 105 2 § 8 10/12/90 10/15/90 10/30/90 | City of Klawock 11/12/90 i == USFWS Draft Fisheries Studies ia) Agencies/Tribes November 8, 1990 Meeting Sas | ur —_| Response to Meeting Announcement Meeting Participants | Draft Meeting Notes Draft Recreation Plan Comments on Archeological Study Comments on November 8, 1990 | Meeting Notes | 12/14/90 | uses | Comments on Draft Recreation Plan 12/21/90 Pentec ADF&G Submittal of Annual Report for Environmental Outmigrant Trap Report aaa ADF&G at on Black Bear Lake 3/11/91 Draft License Application-No Comments (No Response ee | 3/13/91 City of Klawock Draft License Application-Support for Project and Comments (No 3/15/91 Response Necessary) fil ee » 1/14/90 Distribution of Project Information Sheet Ww & 8 > Beet Draft License Application- Consistency with Cultural Resources | Standards (No Response Necessary) Draft License Application-Cabin Maintenance Draft License Application-Cabin Maintenance Draft License Application-Fisheries Monitoring Draft License Application-No Comments (No Response Necessary) Draft License Application- 3/27/91 4/1/91 E - 106 <= > Draft License Application - Long- term Water Quality Monitoring } 64/5/91 Draft License Application-Support of |} Project (No Response Necessary) 4/19/91 Draft License Application-No Comments (No Response Necessary) /26/91 Draft License Application-Summary of Agency Comments (Response Sent to Individual Agencies) 5/2/91 Draft License Application-Water } Rights (No Response Necessary) | /22/91 Response to Letter of 3/27/91 | F Nn } 5/22/91 Response to Letter of 4/1/91 Legend: AP&T: Alaska Power & Telephone DNR: Alaska Department of Natural Resources DGC: Alaska Department of Governmental Coordination APA: Alaska Power Authority BLM: USS. Bureau of Land Management BIA: U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs DEC: Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation ADF&G: Alaska Department of Fish and Game NMFS: National Marine Fisheries Service COE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USFWS: USS. Fish and Wildlife Service NPS: US. National Park Service USFS: US. Forest Service FERC: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission AEA: Alaska Energy Authority E - 107 11.0 LIST OF LITERATURE Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1989. Black Bear Sport Harvest Statistics for Game Management Unit 2. Ketchikan Area. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 1985, 1988. Prince of Wales Island Area Sport Fish Harvest and Effort by Fisheries and Species. Alaska Department of Labor. 1990. Personal communication with personnel from Department of Labor to HDR. December 1990. Alaska Department of Labor. 1990. Alaska Economic Trends. Research and Analysis Section. December 1990. Alaska Department of Labor. 1989. Statistical Quarterly Fourth Quarter 1989 By Census Area. Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1988. Outdoor Recreation: Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. February 1988. Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1988. Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. Division of Land and Water. December 1988 Alaska Department of Natural Resources. 1990. Southwest Prince of Wales Island Area Plan. Division of Land and Water. June 1990. Alaska Marine Highway System. 1990. Alaska Marine Highway System 1989 Traffic Volume Report. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. August 1990. Alaska Power Authority. 1982. Application for License for Black Bear Lake Project, FERC No. 5715. May 1982. Alaska Power Authority. 1987. Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project Feasibility Report Update. February 1987. Bacon, G. 1982. Final Archeological Investigations for the Proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. August 1982. Bacon, G. 1980. Archeological Investigations for the Proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. September 1980. Bell, M.C., 1984. Fisheries Handbook of Engineering Requirements and Biological Criteria. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. North Pacific Division, Portland, Oregon. January 1984. Bird, Y. 1990. USFS, Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan Area. Personal Communication with HDR. October 1990. Bloom, A. M. 1978. Sitka black-tailed deer winter range in the Kadashan Bay area, southeast Alaska. J. Wildl. Manage. 42:108-112. Bouecher, J. 1990. Alaska Department of Labor. Demographer. Personal Communication with HDR. October 1990. Delapp, J. 1991. Alaska Natural Heritage Program. Personal Communication with HDR. May 1991. . Department of Natural Resources. 1986. Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Assessment of Outdoor Recreation Needs. Dixon, G. 1990. Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of History and Archeology. Personal communication with HDR. September 1990. Eberhardt, M. 1990. Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Personal communication with HDR. January 1991. Environaid. 1982a. Biological - ecological investigations on the Black Bear Creek system near Klawock, Alaska. Submitted to Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, and Alaska Power Authority. Environaid. 1982b. A report on late-summer and fall observations in upper Black Bear Creek and Black Bear Lake. Submitted to Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, and Alaska Power Authority. Environaid. 1983a. Fry and smolt out-migration studies on Black Bear Creek, Prince of Wales Island, southeastern Alaska during spring 1983. Submitted to Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, and Alaska Power Authority. Environaid. 1983b. Further investigations on the Black Bear Creek system near Klawock, Alaska. Submitted to Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, and Alaska Power Authority. Environaid. 1985. Environmental status report based upon late summer visit to Black Bear Creek, 1985. Submitted to Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, Illinois, and Alaska Power Authority. Environaid. 1989. Hydrogeologic Examination of Black Bear Creek Between Base of Falls and Head of Spring Fork. June 1989. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 1983. Black Bear Lake Project, No. 5715, Draft Environmental Impact Statement. February 1983. E - 109 Fisher, D. 1990. USFS Tongass National Forest, Recreation Specialist. October 1990. Fletcher, C. 1990. City of Craig, City Planner. Craig, Alaska. Personal Communication with HDR. September 1990. Gibson, D.D. 1976. Bird Species and habitat inventory. Alexander Archipelago, Alaska, Summer, 1975. Univ. Alaska Museum, contr. Rpt. No. 01-283, U.S.F.S., 66pp. Harris, R. 1990. Sealaska Corporation. Personal communication with HDR. October 1990. Harza Engineering Company. 1983. Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project Preliminary Geology Report. June 1983. Kosanke, G. 1990. USFS Tongass National Forest. Craig Ranger District. Personal Communication with HDR. October 1990. Landis, C. 1990. Department of Natural Resources. Division of Land and Water. Personal Communication with HDR. October 1990. Macasaet, A. City of Klawock. Personal Communication with HDR. October 1990. Matson, Norman. 1990. Wildlife biologist, U.S. Forest Service, Craig Ranger District, Tongass National Forest. Personal Communication with R. Carson, Beak Consultants Inc. November 5, 1990. Meehan, W.R. 1974. The forest ecosystem of southeast Alaska. 3. Fish Habitats. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Report PNW-15. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. 41pp. Olendorff, Richard R. et al. 1981. Suggested practices for raptor protection on power lines. Raptor Research Foundation, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. 111 PP- Schmiege, Donald C., Austin E. Helmer, and Daniel M. Bishop. 1974. The Forest Ecosystem of Southeast Alaska. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, Oregon. 26 pp. Suring, L. H. et al. 1988a. Habitat capability model for Sitka black-tailed deer in southeast Alaska: winter habitat. USDA Forest Service. Draft. Suring, L. H. et al. 1988b. Habitat capability model for black bear in southeast Alaska. USDA Forest Service. Draft. Temsco Aviation, Inc. 1990. Pilot. Personal communication with HDR. December 1990. E - 110 Tyler, L. 1990, USFS, Tongass National Forest, Recreation Pfanner, Anchorage, Alaska. Personal Communication with HDR. October 2, 1990. USFS, Craig Ranger District. 1987, 1988, 1989. Cabin Use Records. USFS, Ketchikan Area. 1990. Cabin Reservationist. Personal communication with HDR. December 1990. USFS. 1974. National Forest Landscape Management Volume 2, Chapter 1. Handbook #62. USFS. 1975. National Forest Landscape Management Volume 2, Chapter 2. Utilities. Department of Agriculture Handbook 478. USFS. 1982. ROS Users Guide. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. August 1982. USFS, Tongass National Forest. 1987. Recreation Map. USFS, Tongass National Forest. 1990. USFS Cabin Use Records. Craig Ranger District. USFS, Tongass National Forest, 1990. Tongass Land Management Plan Revision Draft Environmental Impact Statement. June 1990. Viereck, L.A. and E.L. Little. 1972. Alaska Trees and Shrubs. USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 410. U.S. Forest Service, Washington D.C. 265pp. E- 111 EXHIBIT F Exhibit F-1 Exhibit F-2 Exhibit F-3 Exhibit F-4 Exhibit F-5 Exhibit F-6 Exhibit F-7 Exhibit F-8 Exhibit F-9 EXHIBIT F TABLE OF CONTENTS Site Plan Penstock Route Profile Siphon Plan & Profile Siphon Details Penstock Details Powerhouse Site Plan Powerhouse Plan Powerhouse Sections One Line Diagram ROAD ROAD _ ss a= sz TRANSMISSION LINE ~/_- SWITCHYARD BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tslond, Alasko FERC NO, 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington SITE PLAN FRR engineering EXHIBIT F-1 ae , CERTIFICATION: Way TS ORAMING IS PART OF THE APPUCA -——. ELEVATION 2000 1500 1000 500 BLACK BEAR LAKE SIPHON INTAKE i SIPHON VACUUM PUMP HOUSE am VALVE CHAMBER — EXCAVATION FOR x PIPE SUPPORT =~ 0+00 Te oa | a | —s00 10+00 15+00 20+00 25+00 30+00 STATION PROFILE SCALE: 1" = 400° 400 200 Oo 400 ee _ ee 35+00 40+00 POWERHOUSE [ TAILRACE 45+00 50+00 CERTIFICATION: THIS DRAMING IS PART OF THE APPLICATION FOR LICENSE MADE BY POWER AND TELEPHONE COMPANY BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles islond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington PENSTOCK ROUTE PROF; Exhibit F~2 ere” BLACK BEAR LAKE SIPHON VACUUM PUMP HOUSE SIPHON BYPASS PUAN ie SCALE: 1° = 50° CERTIFICATION: THIS DRAMING IS PART OF THE APPUCATION FOR UCENSE MADE BY THE UNDERSIGNED THIS 2 UDAY OF 1991. + TGA ‘AND TELEPHONE COMPANY BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Wales Isiond, Aloske FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY SURFACE PENSTOCK Port Townsend, Washington Sag ~ ini eat PLAN & PROFILE 4B" DIA. x 61" LONG ST. STEEL SCREEN INTAKES (5) IZ’«12' PREMANUFACTUZED INSULATED METAL BUILDING ELELTRICAL PANEL [ VACUUM TAA contrzoL meey L OVERFLOW DRAIN P PRAWN TO VALVE DAYLialT VACLUM PUMPS (2) a 6° VACUUM BEACER VALVE a jo’x\o’ INSULATED LOL. VALVE VAULT = INTAKE MANIFOLD _—— VALVE CHAMGER LL 30" pia. PEN STecie — ScALED Pt =St CERTIFICATION: THES ORAMING (S PART OF THE APPUCATION FOR UCENSE MACE GY SIPHON VACUUM me THS 22a Pty 1991. PUMP House ; < let > ee BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT DIRTIEST 7 7 = FOE PIS DPT fl Po Prince of Mole blend, Aoske ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY FI Port Townsend, Washington . SIPHON DETAILS [ED Rensnewing [EMRIBIN--4 SIPHON NTAKE_ Scue: ("2 5’ Z ge Q Z NATIVE BACKFILL 30" DIA WELDED PIPE ZONE BACKFILL THE oe tT OF BURIED PENSTOCK [Charo FIXED SUPPORT EXFANSION COUPLINGS GRADED GRAVEL LANDFILL LAKE BOTTOM LINED & COATED [ 30" DIA. STEEL. LAKE INTAKE SECTION PENSTOCK REVEGETATION OF DISTURBED AREAS (TYP) GROUTED ROCK HOLD DOWN ANCHORS(TYP) STRAP ON SLIDING ANCHOR BLOCKS S RS NY! CERTIFICATION: THIS ORAMING IS PART OF THE Sea ree way 1991. BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 SADDLE SUPPORT SECTION ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington PENSTOCK DETAILS Exhibit F-5 AA ae eee ee a ee eee ee) SCALE: 1/4”=1'-0" 34.5 KV TRANSMISSION LINE CRUSHED ROCK FAD EL.185.5 SLOPE TO DRAIN yd EL.183.5 oa TRANSFORMER SWITCH TARD DISCONNECT: ROCK KNOB CERTIFICATION: THIS ORAMING IS PART OF THE APPUCATION FOR UCENSE MADE BY 5' DEEP RIVER RUN i ! ne wc Oa OF tor GRAVEL INFILTRATION / : GALLERIES POWER AND TELEPHONE COMPANY BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT SECTION B SAG OROELECT ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington POWERHOUSE SITE PLAN Sel Exhibit F-6 TAILRACE SECTIONS SITE PLAN 4 0 4 Sut. 40 | SCALE: 1/8”=1'-0" SCALE: 1”°=40’ fi 30" PENSTOCK ; [T\ BIFURCATION 18" BRANCH 25-6" 5!0" 4 0 4 8 12 en rr es SCALE: 1/8°=1'—-0” illic \ a wu yal N f J + LUBE 5] 1e" HIGH [ aL (PELTON TURBINE A AU CID ase Sen EXCITER [oR [OT] -PELTON TURBINE 1__t poor LAYDOWN We i 1 wit il 3 UE AREA | Tih | eT | BOS ZN ol a eXCIT | (AN i | mI ame | Ny l | | GENERATOR Ae Nn CERTIFICATION - 0 ™ SLE Cees Lee eee Ce he et ee OL THIS ORAMING IS PART OF THE APPUCATION FOR LICENSE MADE Gy a d GOVERNOR: THE a Day OF “1d 7) 191. x] PANEL HYDRAULIC INVERTER | &ba fs hfer SYSTEM CHARGER a La SWITCH Pn BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT f Prince ear a Aosko 3 panies Hn ee ate Q POWERHOUSE PLAN Exhibit F-7 VENT: 18-0" 1740" 67'-O" 18" DIA. BRANCH 1812" REDUCER ISOLATION * TURBINE ¢ BLDG. BALL VALVE 2-JET PELTON TURBINE iat wayne 4 TAILRACE ih t a w tide SWE =- SECTION B EL. 178.0 10 TON MOTORIZED HOIST € TROLLEY PREFABRICATED RIGID FRAME METAL BUILDING W/ INSULATED PANEL SIDING ¢ METAL ROOFING SW EF EL.164.0 TSS 4 0 4 8 12. 16 20 Se | SCALE: 1/8”=1'-0" CERTIFICATION: Te eeranah tase te THE UNDERSIGNED TS Y OF ¢) he. BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alasko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington POWERHOUSE SECTIONS ineeri Exhibit F-8 75 KVA 30 4.16 KV -120 / 208V ® : 8 BIGGS EPSSSN3 EE E<> CT STATIC EXGTER AND [VOLTAGE REGULATOR, CERTIFICATION: THIS DRAWING IS PART THE UNDE) Se we nT S- ALASKA POWER ANO TELEPHONE COMPANY GENERATOR GROUND FAULT RELAY VOLTAGE BALANCE DFFERENTIAL FREQUENCY OCRRECTIONAL POWER LEGEND fF [5 ima Rr E filet 4p Ste BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Wales Island, Aska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ONE LINE DIAGRAM Exhibit F—9 EXHIBIT G TABLE OF CONTENTS Exhibit G-1 Facility Location Map Exhibit G-2 Site Map Exhibit G-3 Transmission Line Route (Sheet 1) Exhibit G-4 Transmission Line Route (Sheet 2) KL N row Ney re Seed eUU ARI L Existing State Highway TONGASS NATIONAL ss FOREST x bij PROJECT : AREA Prince of Wales Island TONGASS LN : Oo = Existing State Highway dy AXES RAB WK KLLAWOGK/ HEENYA SE te Surface Penstock ZZ QA EES = siphon intake 3 (Za sy ja NT BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington FACILITY LOCATION MAP CERTIFICATION: Be See 6 ee a ee ee NOTE: PORTIONS OF THE STATE HIGHWAY Me Me ue THS 2, ORY OF 1991 ARE CURRENTLY BEING REALIGNED BY THE tel STATE DOT. TRANSMISSION LINES WILL FOLLOW THE ROAD. SCALE IN FEET ~ \ ay % ok \ ® HLA oe ° aw e.% CLEAR CUT, ste \ 9% MX \CLEAR CUT i’ Mae | i ) ete BURIED oH 7=— EXISTING S3,/ PENSTOCK > J LOGGING Ss y ROAD——— ~~ Sl a TRANSMISSION LINE eee lh eens SWITCHYARD ye J : SURFACE : v7 ‘ PENSTOCK —> s 2 CHAMBER SIPHON INTAKE - BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Islond, Ainsko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington SITE PLAN BR rginsering Exhibit G-2 CERTIFICATION: THIS DRAWING IS PART OF THE FOR UCENSE WADE BY THE UNDE 2B Ay OF ya 1991 400 ( <= - SCALE: 1° = 400’ ALASKA POWER ANO TELEPHONE COMPANY COURSE NO. BEARING DISTANCE , C m 100° 4300 sk : 18) 2550 rn i i 4200 4000 5700 800 1150 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 DEERE OHNDHDEONS Ounrwn+-O Eseeeesstets CERTIFICATION: TES ORWNNG IS PART OF THE APPUCATION FOR LICENSE WAOE GY aes BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTE Exhibit G-3 COURSE NO. aon anna sasawas We Tee Ne Nek We pee re ce 7 7 np aes NNMNNNNNN 8ooa ONAAKWON = $ 21° S$ 50° $ 35° S 90° S 39° S 80° S 60° S 29° S 47° S 20° S$ 39° Ss 9 4000 SCALE IN FEET n a B884SouesSB Messtsst2sesE —- a DISTANCE 2350 1100 2100 1200 2050 1650 950 2650 7250 3800 5300 1600 Yige EXIST Ye V/s Bee ING NOTE: PORTIONS OF THE STATE HIGHWAY ARE CURRENTLY BEING REALIGNED BY THE STATE DOT. TRANSMISSION LINES WILL FOLLOW THE ROAD. CERTIFICATION: THIS ORAMING IS PART OF THE THE UNDERSIGNED Tae. ) WY TRANS! SION * { eh CLIN UCENSE MADE BY oO ad wpe jue EXISTINGS “> > Wi TELEPHONE. coMPwer _ STATE BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles lsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTE ; Exhibit G-4 KLAWOCK ~~ i17—~ SUBSTATION BEFORE THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR LICENSE FORA MAJOR WATER POWER PROJECT 5 MEGAWATTS OR LESS BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY PORT TOWNSEND, WASHINGTON Prepared By: HDR Engineering, Inc. 11225 S.E. Sixth Street Building C, Suite 200 Bellevue, Washington 98004 Copyright © Alaska Power & Telephone Company, 1991. All rights reserved. This document, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, for any purpose, without the prior written consent of Alaska Power & Telephone Company. AR APPENDICES LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Figure 1 Project Location 2 Figure 2 Project Plan 3 Figure 3 Project Profile 4 Figure 4 Geology Map 10 Figure 5 Geologic Hazards 15 Figure 6 Vegetation Cover 18 Figure 7 Erosion and Sedimentation Plan 22 Figure 8 Powerhouse Area Erosion Control Measures 25 Figures 9A-9F Roadway Plan and Profile 26-31 Figure A-1 Erosion and Sediment Control Pond Figure A-2 Straw Bale Barrier Figure A-3 Filter Fabric Fence Figure A-4 Erosion Control Fabric Figure A-5S Typical Roadway Culvert 10 INTRODUCTION The proposed Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project is located on Black Bear Creek near the community of Klawock on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. The project location is shown on Figure 1. The project will utilize the flows of Black Bear Creek to power a hydroelectric turbine. The upper 15 feet of Black Bear Lake will provide flow equalizing storage. The natural water surface elevation of the lake is 1,687 feet above mean sea level (msl). A siphon type intake will extend from the shoreline near the lake outlet approximately 150 feet southeast into Black Bear Lake. The intake will convey water from the lake to a penstock entrance at elevation 1,662. The 30-inch diameter penstock will extend a distance of 4,900 feet to the powerhouse. The first section of the penstock will be buried or bermed over. The second section will be supported on concrete piers which would be founded in the near surface rock, and saddles down gradual slopes and two steep rock cliffs. The third section of the penstock will be buried in the talus to the powerhouse. A tailrace channel will transport the turbine discharge 100 feet to a tailrace apron which will distribute the flow to the natural stream. Figure 2 shows the project plan of the project. The project is divided into segments which are referred to throughout this report. The segments are illustrated in the Project Profile, Figure 3. A switchyard will be located adjacent to the powerhouse. A pole mounted 34.5 kV transmission line will begin at the switchyard and follow existing logging and forest access roads for a distance of 5 miles to the State Highway and then turn southwest for about 9 miles to the Klawock substation. A new road will be constructed from the powerhouse site a distance of 1,400 feet to a point of connection with an existing logging road which extends to Black Bear Lake. No permanent roads are planned for the penstock route or to access the intake/siphon area. Existing trails to the upper Black Bear Lake area will be improved to provide better access to the area. It is anticipated that a temporary skyway tram will be installed to transport materials to the upper slope and intake areas during construction. The existing site is largely undeveloped except for logging roads. Logging operations have been extensive in the Black Bear Creek and Black Lake Valley resulting in clear-cutting of 95 percent of the penstock and powerhouse area. There are two rock quarries close to the project site. These are located near the proposed powerhouse site on the existing logging road and a second site is located near Big Salt Lake Road. Two staging areas, approximately 5 acres in size, are anticipated, one north of the proposed powerhouse and the other north of the proposed buried penstock. Five designated helicopter landing areas are also anticipated. Two of these will be located at the staging areas. The other three will be located near the Black Bear Lake outlet. The project will result in the disturbance of approximately 16.3 acres. Roadway improvements represent 4.3 acres of disturbed area. Tongass ; AB ecg National » Z§ Kc Sealaska.\ Forest fm 4 ‘ sl We a pe: iz ote SSE we : os Fangess. National ,” o ee” a » Forest 3 Puig 1 AIT ° OD aetees wntigic: GES. ia “ % nines a Tas mi bs = ¢ wth A hy Pensibck “ ; Surface —/’ 5 Penstock BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles island, Acske FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington LOCATION MAP Figure 1 SIPHON VA UMP HOUSE \ —POWERHOUSE: f~) er. AS BURIED PENSTOCK BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alcsko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington PROJECT PLAN ERR engineering ELEVATION SEGMENT 1 SIPHON BLACK BEAR LAKE SIPHON INTAKE r SEGMENT 2 SEGMENT 3 SURFACE PENSTOCK | "BURIED PENSTOCK SIPHON VACUUM PUMP HOUSE Vaz VALVE CHAMBER 10+00 a 15+00 DEPTH TO BEDROCK- APPROX. 15 FEET (HARZA, 1983) SURFACE ROCK SUPPORT PIPELINE FOOTINGS TO BEDROCK POWERHOUSE DEPTH TO BEDROCK >15 FEET (HARZA, 1983) ! | . 50+00 25+00 30+00 35+00 40+00 45+00 STATION ie TAILRACE PROFILE SCALE: 1" = 400° BLACK BEAR, LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY 400 200 9 Port Townsend, Washington SS _ PROJECT PROFILE FRR rineering Figure 3 Alaska Power & Telephone Co. has authorized HDR Engineering, Inc. to prepare this Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) as an appendix to required licensing documents. This ESCP will be adjusted as the level of design increases. Final measures will be established in consultation with agencies, as design of the project proceeds. 2.0 CLIMATE The climate of the project area is maritime, typified by cool summers, relatively mild winters, long periods of almost continuous cloudy or foggy conditions, and year-round precipitation. The proximity of the Pacific Ocean is the dominating factor in the local climate. Temperature extremes occur in both winter and summer because of occasional air mass invasions from Canada. Moist air, brought by prevailing southeasterly winds passing over the relatively warm waters of the Alaska current as it flows northward along the southeast Alaska coast, cools as it rises over colder, continental air and over the mountainous terrain, and releases its moisture as precipitation, clouds, and fog. No climatological data are available specifically for Black Bear Lake. The nearest long- term climatological station, located in Ketchikan, is at sea level and lies 50 miles east- southeast of the project. Data collected at this station show that the historical mean annual temperature is 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (*F), and the historical mean annual precipitation is 156.06 inches. Table 1 shows the variation of average monthly temperature and precipitation in Ketchikan. At Hollis, located at sea level 9 miles southeast of Black Bear Lake, the mean annual temperature is 44.2°F. The average monthly temperature at Hollis is 32.4°F in January, the coldest month, and 58.1°F in August, the warmest month. The Applicant,estimates that temperatures at the Black Bear Lake drainage basin are approximately 8°F colder than at Hollis because of the decrease in temperature with altitude. Hollis has a mean annual precipitation of about 100 inches. The mean annual precipitation in the Black Bear Lake drainage basin is about 220 inches. The higher amount of precipitation being induced by the area's high elevation and steep mountainous topography. Much of the precipitation at Black Bear Lake during the colder months occurs as snow. The lake is often frozen over until early summer (FERC, 1983). KETCHIKAN AVERAGE PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE (63-YEAR RECORD) PRECIPITATION TEMPERATURE ( | | 14.33 12.49 12.08 11.80 33.7 36.0 38.2 February March > oO B: it = 0 | 49.1 & June a E. <x < | 11.24 13.50 22.47 18.50 16.26 58.6 54.1 46.8 40.2 35.8 August September October November December 3.0 SOILS Unconsolidated inorganic materials exist at the proposed project. These include thick talus deposits of angular cobbles and boulders at the base of steep slopes; deposits of finer-grained (gravel-, sand-, and some silt-size) colluvium developed on less steep slopes; glacial till, consisting of poorly sorted gravel and silty sand; and alluvium, or stream deposits, consisting of generally well-sorted materials, ranging from boulders and coarse gravels at steeper stream gradients to medium to fine sand at flatter stream gradients. The inorganic materials are commonly covered with a variable but relatively thin veneer or organic humus soil, averaging about 2 feet thick. In some places, the humus has developed directly on bedrock as a result of the glacial scouring of previous soil material. Organic soils (muskegs), formed entirely of plant materials in various stages of decomposition, are often found on slopes of less than 12 percent. The muskeg soils range in thickness from 6 inches to several feet. The muskegs are all very poorly drained, with the water table at or near the surface throughout the year. Being water-saturated, they have a tendency toward liquification. Muskeg soils are found at the proposed siphon intake and upper buried penstock area. The shoreline of Black Bear Lake primarily consists of colluvium and talus. Relatively thin colluvium is found at the siphon intake area, with some thick deposits occurring along the left side of the lake outlet. Residual soils, generally less than 1 foot thick, developed from in-situ weathering of bedrock, and consisting of silty clays with gravel-size rock fragments, occur in scattered areas near the lake outlet. Talus deposits cover the base of the steep slope at the falls and the bases of the steep slopes above the right and left banks of Black Bear Creek at the proposed powerhouse site. They then extend beneath the alluvium found at the proposed powerhouse site. 4.0 ENGINEERING GEOLOGY 4.1 General The siphon intake and penstock will be located on metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rocks. These rocks will provide a suitable foundation for the proposed structures. Generally, the rocks are very hard, strong and fresh to very slightly weathered. The rocks are typically massive to thick-bedded. Jointing is moderately to slightly developed and variably spaced. The project geology is shown on Figure 4. 42 iph logi ndition The siphon area and lake outlet were investigated by surface geologic mapping and by seismic refraction surveys (Harza 1983). This area is underlain by interbedded adesites, metamorphosed graywackes, and diorite. The rocks that comprise this area are well exposed in the narrow steep-sided gorge cut by Black Bear Creek downstream of the outlet of Black Bear Lake, and in a few scattered surface exposures on the abutments, predominantly on the right bank. The most prominent rock types encountered are massive, moderately fractured andesite and diorite. 43 nstock A: logi ndition The proposed penstock route was visually inspected. Limited bedrock exposures were observed during surface reconnaissance of the slope down to the proposed powerhouse site. The reconnaissance was made to determine the feasibility of constructing the penstock along the surface of the steep slope and cliffs. Overburden depth along the upper portion of the penstock from the siphon intake to elevation 700 is not expected to be more than 2 to 3 feet. Rock outcrops are scattered and, except on cliff faces, are best exposed in gullies and areas formed by windfalls. The overburden is generally limited to humus with only minimal residual soil/colluvium from weathering of bedrock. Jointing in bedrock is variably oriented and moderately spaced. Often the top of rock is smooth and parallel to the slope due to glacial scour. Stress relief jointing developed parallel to the slopes, and in part due to unloading from the retreat of glacial ice, occurs in local areas and causes slabby breakage from cliff faces. Along the lower portion of the slope from elevation 700 to the powerhouse, rock outcrops are scarce and overburden is expected to be deeper. In the lower slopes, glacial till is expected to occur below the colluvium and humus, and depths to bedrock of more than 15 feet are to be expected locally. A deep accumulation of talus can be expected at the base of the steep rock faces. [il # aoe , . 7 / C ia a ! , EXPLANATION Thus <Gravel and Py to 3 Feet = Volcaniés and Metdvolcanics Undifferentiated ) Andesite Lava Flows- __ Alluvium-Sand.and Small Gravel~ Few Fines” SIPHON VAC PUMP HOUSE JA ZZ BLACK BEAR LAKE ie COC = \ [ : ane | ieee ot] ; ss Ly iY eee POWERHOUSE | Lane 9) / Ge ~~, _, ! / ete I! #TRANSMISSION- SIPHON INTAKE KLVE CHAM f | XL ; = ‘ ‘ L = J \ \ > : mw K . : 7 : < BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tslond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington GEOLOGY MAP FER engineering Figure 4 4.4 I nditi Most of the area of the proposed powerhouse is mantled by relatively thick layers of alluvium and talus. Alluvium consists mainly of angular and subrounded sand and small gravel with few fines. Talus consists of angular to subangular blocks and boulders. The particle size is from 3 inches to 3 feet. 45 Groundwater Groundwater at the proposed siphon intake is about 25-30 feet below the ground surface. Water level measurements indicate a normal condition with the gradient sloping toward the river. The groundwater level at the outlet of Black Bear Lake is somewhat deep, probably caused by the dewatering effect of Black Bear falls gorge and the steep slopes immediately downstream. The groundwater level in the proposed powerhouse location was found to be at a depth of about 25 feet. 4.6 Weathering Weathering of bedrock is not prominent in the project area. The most readily observable weathering phenomenon is red-brown iron staining on the joints and fracture surfaces due to the oxidation of pyrite. This staining is common to a depth of 10 feet to 12 feet and occurs at greater depths along isolated, more closely fractured intervals. This phenomenon is observed in outcrops along the river channel downstream of the proposed siphon intake. Weathered rock surfaces generally are less than 1/8-inch thick. However, minor joint-controlled zones of more deeply weathered and slightly decomposed rock occur sporadically and at depth. Coatings along open joints are most commonly iron minerals. Occasionally calcite and a green chlorotic material is present up to a thickness of 0.4 inch. Many joints are filled with quartz and are little affected by weathering. The occurrence of clay along joints is uncommon except in a few isolated instances. 4.7 Faulting No positive evidence of faulting was observed in the immediate area of the proposed project features; however, there is evidence of shearing on the upper abutment of the siphon intake area. Some previous workers have mapped a fault of regional extent through Black Bear Lake and Black Lake Valley but no absolute evidence of this has been found at the site. This previously mapped fault could be the one observed during previous investigations by Harza in June 1979 on the west side of Black Lake, where andesite and diorite are exposed in faulted contact (Harza, 1983). A small fault of unknown displacement was found on the left bank of Black Bear Lake about 2/3 mile upstream of the proposed siphon intake. In this area, a calcite and quartz- filled zone approximately 1- to 2-feet wide is exposed with widely differing strike (across the lake) and dip observed on opposite sides of the fault. 11 4.8 Construction Materials Specific sampling and laboratory testing for construction materials were not conducted for this study. However, it is anticipated that the talus to be excavated from the area can be grizzlied and possibly crushed for use as concrete aggregate. There is a more likely potential of using the alluvial and talus material from required excavation of the powerhouse and tailrace area, and other sources in the vicinity of the powerhouse or at Klawock. A complete gradation of potential aggregate materials from boulders to medium sand exists in the vicinity of the powerhouse. An alluvial sample taken approximately 500 feet upstream from the head of Black Lake contained well sorted medium to fine sand (Harza, 1983). 49 Seismic Design The region of southeastern Alaska is seismically active and the project must be designed for seismic hazard. The largest earthquake recorded was a magnitude 8.1 event which occurred in 1949 about 80 miles southwest of the site along the Fairweather Fault. The closest earthquake (of unknown magnitude) occurred 74 km northeast of the site. Owing to the sparse population in southeastern Alaska, knowledge of the seismic intensity of this area is not as well developed as in the contiguous United States. 12 5.0 GEOLOGIC AND SOIL HAZARDS 5.1 General Discussion Black Bear Creek flows northwest from heavily glaciated mountainous headwaters located in the central and highest spine of Prince of Wales Island. The headwaters begin in two hanging cirque basins, the higher containing Black Bear Lake at an elevation of 1,680 feet and the South Fork basin at an elevation of about 1,000 feet. Flows from Black Bear Lake, the proposed source for this hydroelectric project, drop through a series of falls and cataracts to an elevation of approximately 300 feet. From the base of the falls the stream flows about 1.5 miles, steeply at first and then more gently, to reach Black Lake at an elevation of approximately 40 feet. The valley is undergoing active modification by mass-wasting processes including snow avalanches, debris and rock avalanches, debris flows and debris torrents. As a result, hazardous conditions to personnel and structures exist in many areas on and adjacent to hill-slopes and along the channel of Black Bear Creek near the head of the valley. The large and continuing supply of coarse rock and organic debris from these processes is also the primary cause of the aggrading condition found in the upper valley section of Black Bear Creek. This action produces rapid channel shifting, deep accumulations of alluvial materials and periodic dewatering of the main channel by the deep seepage of infiltrating water during periods of low flow (Bishop, Swanston and Smith, 1989). The coarse valley fill material also acts as a near-surface aquifer which tends to beneficially affect the volume and quality of flows reaching downstream channels used by fish. Earlier flow measurements made and reported by ENVIRONAID indicate that springflow entering Spring Fork seldom drop below 3 to 5 cfs, even when flows gaged by the USGS at the outlet of Black Bear Lake fall to lower levels. This indicates that flow volume is coming from other sources such as stored water in the alluvial fill and tributary seepage from the massive debris talus cone northeast of the falls of Black Bear Creek. 5.2 Controlling Geologic Conditions Distribution of principal bedrock units in the upper valley is relevant to questions of both geophysical hazards and the hydrology of Black Bear Creek downstream of the falls. Bedrock in the area has been mapped at the broad reconnaissance level only’. During previous field investigations, two dominant rock units were identified and tentatively correlated with published descriptions. Andesite and andesite breccia, probably belonging to the Silurian Descon Formation, underlies most of the valley floor and the southwest ridge. These rocks have a persistent regional strike northwest and dip steeply at variable angles but generally southwest. Undivided diorite and quartz diorite intrusive rocks of probable Cretaceous Age underlie the northeast ridge and a major portion of the South Fork basin. Diorite dikes also occur, 13 cutting andesite and andesite breccia in the cliff immediately southwest of Black Bear Lake at the head of the valley, as indicated by alternating diorite and andesite talus strips at the base of the cliff. The principal contact between the Descon Formation and the Cretaceous intrusives is largely masked by valley fill and hillslope colluvium, but is inferred from rapid change in bedrock outcrop and talus composition on both the northeast and southwest ridges, and by outcrops of andesite breccia on the valley floor immediately east of Black Bear Creek. This contact crosses the upper valley in a northwest direction, from a point immediately southwest of the rock quarry at the valley head, to the northeast ridge adjacent to Black Lake. It appears to exert a significant control on depth of valley fill and on movement and distribution of surface and sub-surface water toward Black Bear Creek. Valley fills appear to be shallower northeast of the contact, except in areas of debris cone deposition, and there is little deep storage or delayed discharge of surface and sub-surface waters to the tributary channels. Southwest of the contact, valley fill is substantially deeper, owing in part to the aggrading alluvial fan of Black Bear Creek. Significant portions of the flow from Black Bear Lake, and seepage from the combined snow and debris avalanche cone at the head of the valley below the falls, seep into the gravels and are retained or stored. This water is available for delayed delivery to springs in the middle portion of the valley section, just above the junction with flows from the South Fork. 5.3 Potential Geologic and Soil Hazard Areas Geologic and soil hazard areas are shown on Figure 5. The locations of specific features shown on the map are referenced with numbers also used in the text. The removal of timber from Black Bear Creek Valley hillslopes has substantially increased both the likelihood of reactivation and the area of impact from mass wasting processes. These increases result from destruction of anchoring and reinforcing vegetation and from concentration of surface and sub-surface flows into previously inactive flow-paths. During field reconnaissance, four sites were observed to be reactivated during the winter of 1988 in clear-cut portions of the upper valley. Three debris flows from the southwest ridge closed the main access road down-valley from the South Fork bridge and deposited debris on the cones at the slope toe. One debris flow from the clear-cut on the northeast ridge (#10) crossed the northeast slope road and deposited its debris on the lower edge of its cone. All linear gullies and flow channels, particularly those with well defined debris cones, pose a continuing, though moderate, hazard from debris flow impact, at least until a substantial forest cover redevelops on the hillslope and cone areas. The cliff at the southeast corner of the valley near its head (#1) is a continuing source of high rock fall and rock avalanche hazard. Boulders and rock blocks ranging from man- sized to house-sized are situated on the talus slope below the cliff and on the valley floor for approximately 100 feet from the slope toe along the entire length of the cliff. These 14 J 7 j / ‘ forms / ai ™~ / / Va iis , =e /) 4 actives ><: ie Lip oth / / a, a, ~ ss ae | MODERATE HazAaD \ ROCK AVALANCHE SIPHON VACUUM RUMP HOUSE x POWERHOUSE oy TOW. LC fat: O =e see ~p—t TRANSMISSION-LINE are Sz? “<7 SMIGH YARD, ZF GS NO (ee ¥ BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 = i ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY ; ‘ P d, Washingt PLAN~~4 ort Townsen lashington ; oe GEOLOGIC AND SOIL HAZARDS SCALE: f = 4007 —~—__| ff _ aes 400-200 0 -~~__/ 400 eS ~ ( —— . eee — So le blocks are most heavily concentrated in the tow area of talus cone construction (#2 &#3) at the toe of the slope below the main access road to the upper valley. Frequent rock fall and rock avalanche activity (recurrence interval <5 years) extending to approximately the apex of the cones (2/3 of the way down the slope) is indicated by linear strips of shrub and bare talus. Below this scattered old-growth spruce and hemlock stumps on the cone suggest at least partial stabilization and restriction of debris transport to only the largest pieces. Removal of timber has opened the entire cone area and the valley floor immediately adjacent to the cone to direct and frequent impact from these processes. At least one rock avalanche during the winter of 1988 has blocked the southwest slope road, placed truck-sized blocks on the main access road, caused partial failure of the road prism, and deposited a block on the valley floor (#4). Two major and frequently recurring snow avalanche sites (#2 and #3) exert significant control on supply of water and bedload materials to the upper portion of Black Bear Creek. In addition, the frequency and extent of the known and projected runout zones of the snow avalanches are a source of continuing high hazard. A rock/snow avalanche slope on the southwest ridge above the falls of Black Bear Creek (#5) supplies an annual increment of snow and debris to the upper creek. For the most part, this material is channeled by the canyon of Black Bear Creek and is lodged in the creek below the falls where it becomes incorporated into the channel system. Occasionally, because of excessive snow accumulation combined with rapid warming and unusual rain-on-snow events, a large enough avalanche will occur so that the canyon is plugged or is jumped by the snow mass and damage to extensive areas of additional hillslope will occur. Such an avalanche occurred approximately 60 to 90 years ago, based on tree ring counts, and is indicated by a patch of even-age spruce on the northeast side of the creek just above the falls (#6) and by a strip of similar even-aged spruce (#6a), where the avalanche overran the rock spur in which the rock quarry is located. The zone including this rock spur should be consistent high hazard. Additional evidence of frequent, less catastrophic snow avalanche activity, from this southwest ridge and penetrating into old-growth timber exists immediately southeast of the bedrock spur (#7). These old-growth trees have been harvested, increasing the potential for damage from extension of the snow avalanche runout zone an unknown distance further downslope. This area of expanded impact immediately southwest of the bedrock spur should be considered a zone of intermediate hazard. A large, well defined snow and rock avalanche path extends from the top of the northeast ridge, over a rock cliff, and into a massive talus cone on the north side of Black Bear Creek northwest of the base of the falls (#8). Snow and rock avalanching from this site poses a high level of hazard to structures and development on the cone and along the channel of Black Bear Creek. It is also the major source of bedload materials feeding alluvial fan development on upper Black Bear Creek and probably contributes substantial quantities of water to the initial flow of Black Bear Creek (Bishop, Swanston and Smith, 1989). An area of organic muskeg soil is located near the Black Bear Lake outlet. As discussed earlier, these soils are generally water-saturated, poorly drained, with a tendency toward liquification. 16 6.0 VEGETATION The vegetation of Prince of Wales Island lies in a segment of the temperate rain forest which extends along the Pacific Coast from northern California to Cook Inlet near Anchorage, Alaska. Major vegetative communities found within the project area are shown in Figure 6 - Vegetation Cover. The vegetation is generally described as follows: Siphon Area - Mature conifer (MC) Wet Meadow/Muskeg (WM) Upper Surface Penstock - Mature Conifer (MC) Lower Buried Penstock - Clear-cut (CC), Deciduous Shrub (DS) Powerhouse Area - Clear-cut (CC) New Access Road - Clear-cut (CC), Deciduous Forest (DF), Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous Forest (CD) Most of the mature timber present within the Black Lake valley was clear-cut in mid- 1982. Recent clear-cut is the dominant cover type present in the project area. Large clear-cut tracts extend from the base of the Black Bear Creek falls, downstream past the outlet of Black Lake in the valley bottom, and upslope to the 800-1,200 ft elevation. Clear-cut areas are dominated by deciduous shrubs--primarily salmonberry, blueberry, and thimbleberry in association with ferns and other herbaceous vegetation. Most of the clear-cut areas have been replanted with Sitka spruce and western hemlock seedlings which range in height from 6 to 18 inches. The second most prevalent cover type within the project area is Mature Coniferous Forest, comprising 25 percent of the total area. Most of the Mature Coniferous Forest within the project area is located on the steeper slopes adjacent to the Black Bear Creek falls, and along the shoreline of Black Bear Lake. Mature Coniferous Forest is also present in the lower valley in small patches along Black Bear Creek and Black Lake. At the lower elevations the Mature Coniferous Forest cover type is dominated by Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar. Adjacent to the falls and along Black Bear Lake, this cover type is dominated by Sitka spruce, Alaska cedar, and mountain hemlock. Deciduous trees, primarily alder, comprise less than 25 percent of the total canopy cover. Common understory species include blueberry, thimbleberry, red huckleberry, devil's club, and ferns and other herbaceous species. Wet Meadow/Muskeg is present near the outlet of Black Bear Lake and along Black Bear Creek near the confluence with Black Lake. These areas are comprised of typical hydrophytic plant species including sedges, rushes, and willows. Muskeg areas are dominated by sphagnum moss and associated species such as deer cabbage, mountain cranberry, and bog blueberry. Western hemlock and western red cedar are present on small hummocks. 17 LEGEND BLACK LAKE ct MC - MATURE CONIFER CD — MIXED CONIFEROUS / DECIDUOUS DF - DECIDUOUS FOREST TRANSMISSION LINE os DECIDUOUS SHRUB PENS TOCK CC - RECENT CLEARCUT WM - WET MEADOW / MUSKEG OW - OPEN WATER BLACK BEAR LAKE LYN SCALE IN FEET (ow) C|[> gittMunanghasestoses a ONSOTY “PUDIS| BBIOM JO BIULId uoybulysom “pussumoy Pod ANYdNOD 3NOHd3131 % Y3MOd YASVIV 193°OY¥d DINLOFITIZONGAH 3XV1 Yv38 HOVE Y3A09 NOILV. The Deciduous Shrub cover type is found on steep, avalanche-prone sites both adjacent to, and at the base of, the Black Bear Creek falls. The dominant species within the Deciduous Shrub cover type are salmonberry, devil's club, blueberry and Sitka and red alder saplings. The Mixed Coniferous/Deciduous Forest is located in the bottom of the Black Bear Creek valley near Black Lake. Deciduous tree species account for 25 to 75 percent of the total canopy cover. Sitka alder and red alder are the dominant deciduous tree species; Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and western red cedar are the dominant conifers. Understory species are similar to those found in the Mature Coniferous Forest. Deciduous Forest is located on the valley floor near Black Lake, and accounts for only 2 percent of the project area. Sitka alder and red alder are the dominant species, accounting for more than 75% of the total canopy cover. The remainder of the project area is Open Water. Yellow pond-lily is present in the shallow portion of the Open Water cover type. 19 7.0 | MITIGATION AND CONTROL MEASURES 7.1 Basic Principles EPA and U.S. Forest Service guidelines and Department of Natural Resources forest practice regulations contain most of the practices for the construction and revegetation addressed in this plan. Construction practices and revegetation of disturbed areas will be managed, where applicable, in accordance with these governmental publications. The contractor will follow guidelines outlined in these governmental publications while designing and constructing all erosion and sediment control measures. Continuous on-site monitoring, by Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T) representatives, will ensure the following principles are implemented during all construction activities. Minimize the area and duration of the construction disturbance. Protect bare soil from rainfall and overland flow and revegetate as soon after final grading as permitted by seasonal conditions. Reduce the velocity of run-off from construction areas with proper control measures and minimize the volume of construction run-off flowing across bare soil areas by planned diversions. Provide temporary or permanent drainage facilities to control the run-off released from the construction area with an emphasis on source isolation. Trap or filter out, sediment before it leaves the construction area with an emphasis on source isolation. Intercept water drainages and divert away from the construction areas whenever possible. Clear only those areas which will be graded and stabilized in the current season. Schedule major land disturbing activities during dry season. Construction equipment will be appropriately sized for the job. 20 7.2 Implementation of Basic Principles The following is a list of Erosion and Sediment control goals (A thru F) the applicant will use to implement the basic principles of erosion and sediment control at the Black Bear Lake Project: Detention pond run-off control from larger areas. Prevention of erosion from localized areas Prevention of erosion on disturbed slopes Prevention of erosion in drainage channels Stabilization of stream channel bank Roadway traffic erosion control AMON p A more detailed explanation of the methods used to implement these control measures can be found in Appendix A of this Plan, along with functional drawings for each component. 7.3 Mitigation for Construction Activities The following sections describe erosion and sediment control measures which are site specific. These are in addition to or in combination with the basic principles described in Section 7.1. These measures and where they will be used are delineated in Figure 7. For discussion purposes, the project is divided into segments. This was illustrated in Figure 3, Project Profile, and stations are shown along the penstock route on Figure 7. 7.3.1 Siphon Area and Upper Buried Penstock Segment 1 Sta. 0+00 to Sta. 8+50 For the siphon intake, minimal excavation will be necessary. The siphon intake will consist of a screened pipeline laid on the bottom of the lake, extending approximately 150 feet into the lake from the lake shore. After the pipeline exits the lake, it will be necessary to excavate some overburden and weathered bedrock. The upper buried penstock will be constructed in an organic soil, muskeg area. The concern in this area is the disturbance of the Muskeg organic soil area that is immediately northwest of Black Bear Lake. There will be an excavation of approximately 8 feet in depth for a distance of approximately 820 feet. Proposed erosion control measures in this location include removal of organic soil material in areas to be excavated, prior to excavation and replacement of disturbed soil following pipeline backfill. The disturbed area will be protected with jute netting. Three helicopter landing areas are anticipated in the vicinity of the siphon intake (see Figure 7). These will be cleared of trees only. The existing soil and grass cover will remain in place. 21 a7 ™= FSSC Be ee ed £ 2 & 3 / SIPHON VAC PUMP HOUSE BLACK BEAR LAKE. r° Y . ————- on : S/F IES) SIPHON INTAKE ~/ (8) CHAMBER 7 /X* [/ ssn aCe PENS OCK- \ PENSTOCK ALIGNMENT \ \ SKYWAY ALIGNMENT \ \ \ : SEDIMENT CONTROL POND \, \ v4 HELICOPTER LANDING PAD SILT FENCE | \ \ STRAW BALE BARRIER JUTE NETTING \ SURFACE PENSTOCK SADDLES DRAINAGE CHANNEL RIPRAP % \ a ae } mm <= = <" POWERHOUSE STAGING AREA ‘ CS “ Ys T ox-sthana AREA = as) [__] Pensto Kx A = “el Re STRAW BALE panier <x BURIED PENSTOCK ~*. Co UTE NETTING 500 \ BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tslond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington PLAN~~ | SCALE: 1° = 400 7.3.2. Surface Penstock Area Segment 2 Sta. 8+50 to Sta. 27+50 The 30-inch diameter steel penstock will be constructed on a rock slope and supported by rock anchored piers and saddles. The pipe generally traverses mild slopes of approximately 35 percent and two steep cliffs. The penstock alignment will avoid rock fall hazards. The site will be accessed primarily by cable supported skyway and helicopter with disturbance limited to the excavation for the supporting piers which will be located at approximately 20 foot on center along the penstock alignment. Disturbed areas will be re-seeded and netted with jute erosion control netting. Runoff from disturbed areas will be routed via drainage ditches to a sediment pond prior to discharge into Black Bear Creek. 7.3.3. Lower Buried Penstock Area Segment 3 Sta. 27+50 to Sta. 48+70 At station 27+50, the penstock becomes buried and proceeds to the powerhouse where it splits into two 20-inch branches. Each branch enters the powerhouse where it is connected to one of the two turbines. This area consists of generally milder slopes in the 15 to 20 percent range. The buried penstock will cross a debris path, which is a side drainage, and an inactive avalanche area. (This area was recently logged and 300-year old tree stumps that cover this area are testimony to the inactivity of this area.) In the area of the debris path (between Stations 31 and 33), the pipe will either be bridged to allow flows to pass under the pipe or a sag pipe will be anchored to bedrock and covered with concrete. The pipeline will be installed using conventional excavating equipment. The excavation will be protected by a drainage channel on the uphill side and a siltation fence on the downhill side. Erosion control measures such as straw bale barriers will be placed at approximately 100 foot on center throughout the length of the buried penstock. Drainage will be routed to a sediment pond prior to discharge into Black Bear Creek. An approximate 5-acre staging area is expected to be located just north of the buried penstock. A helicopter landing area will also be at this location. Drainage channels will be constructed to route runoff to an adjacent sediment pond which discharges to Black Bear Creek. 7.3.4. Powerhouse Area Segment 4 Sta. 48+70 to Sta. 49+70 Construction of the powerhouse will result in the disturbance of approximately 20,000 square feet of land on the right bank of Black Bear Creek. An adequate foundation on pilings may need to be provided to prevent differential settlement of the powerhouse. Excavation of the interlayered sands and gravel and replacement with compacted fill, or preconsolidation by wetting, may be required also. Prior to excavation of the powerhouse and tailrace area, control ditches and a sedimentation pond will be installed. Control 23 ditches will direct drainage flows around the powerhouse site to a sediment control pond which overflows to Black Bear Creek. Following excavation, all cut slopes will be protected with anchored jute netting. A concrete tailrace channel will discharge to Black Bear Creek. Unstable bank areas at the tailrace will be protected with riprap. The powerhouse area erosion control measures are illustrated in Figure 8. A staging area will be located immediately north of the powerhouse site. This area is also anticipated to be used for helicopter landing. There will be drainage channels constructed to route off-site drainage away from the staging area and site drainage to a detention/sedimentation pond. Sedimentation ponds will have sufficient capacity to hold a 2-year frequency, 24-hour duration stormwater run-off event; or approximately 1 acre foot. 7.3.5 Project New Access Road Segment 5 Sta. 49+70 to Sta. 189+70 The new project access road extends from the powerhouse to its connection with an existing logging road at Sta. 189+79. The road will be designed with a drainage channel on its uphill side throughout it's 24,000 foot length. The roadway design includes culverts at all low points and intermediate culverts. The culvert sizes and locations illustrated in Figures 9A-9F are in accordance with design plans prepared for the project in 1982 by Pool Engineering Company. These culverts will be equipped with headwalls and bar racks on the uphill side and riprap outlet protection and sediment traps on the downstream side. Roadway cut and fill slopes will be stabilized as necessary. 7.3.6 Existing Logging Road Improvements Existing logging roads serve the area. The new access road will connect to an existing logging road near Black Lake. Improvements to existing logging roads will include some regrading and new drainage culvert installations as well as a temporary timber bridge for the existing construction access road. These improvements will be protected similarly to those measures described for the new access road. 7.4 i II n i 7.4.1 General Grasses and legumes are considered superior to trees, shrubs, and ground covers for initial soil stabilization because their fibrous root systems bind soil particles and encourage the formation of erosion proof soils. To minimize soil movement, natural vegetation will be maintained wherever possible. However, some sort of cover will be needed on roadside slopes and other areas which are disturbed by construction activities. 24 —— 4 ) Anchored _/eve Met t17g DRAMMAGE DOIVERS/OM ACCESS ROAD \ a om S+.5 KV TRANSMISSION LINE EL.185 CRUSHED ROCK FAD EL.183.5 SLOPE TO DRAIN ~ es || es EL.183.5 o = ) Nemo TRANSFORMER SWITCH TARD DISCONNECT- co: ROCK KNOB 4 5’ DEEP RIVER RUN GRAVEL INFILTRATION GALLERIES SECTION B TAILRACE SECTIONS 4 0 4 8 1Z a ee | SCALE: 1/8”"=1'-0" TEM PORAME YP we SILT FEAICE EROS/oK) Abd DSEOQIVENITS COW 72 FOr4PD ae (24 SS SES BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tslond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington POWERHOUSE EROSION CONTROL Figure 8 6'-9° x 4'-11" CMP ARCH STA 24+18.50 36°CMP STA 6+79 BRIDGE STA 19+68 36°CMP STA_14+24 BRID 6'-1" x 4°-7" CMP ARCH SS = N BIG SALT LAKE HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° — J a _.{ 0 o j STA 24+15.8 | | STA 19.68 | 1E 62.0 E) | IE 59.86(E) | | te etoxw | | tesasaw =. 9 STA 33+19.47 | STA 14+24 | (E 510(NE)) IE 64.96) | 1E 47.0SW) ee eee ay: a .. 1E 60.5(W) SSS ee PROFILE “oO = BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Aloske FERC NO. 10440 1E 30.0 (SW) : ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD PLAN AND PROFILE Figure 9A a STA 76+30 STA _75+63 30°CMP STA _70+39 36°CMP STA 66+79 36°CMP STA 65+33.52 24°CMP STA 62+20.73 30°CMP STA 59+89 36°CMP STA 65+74.58 30°CMP STA 51+06.02 24°CMP * CMP + a nN © 5 a + + © n Ss + < < @ & EXISTING LOGGING ROAD 80 36°CMP STA_38+ STA 34+00 HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° at } “ve enti [ STA 70+39 ! | | | ana ° 157.080 | STA 66+79 | 1E 55.01 W) IE 45.0(E) STA_62.20.7 STA 59.89 STA_55+74.58 1E 43.0(E) 1E 42.8(W) (E,55.9(E) [STA Stroe.02 ! {E 63.0(€) | BENE. SWI i 1E 4 ~~ | sta 42+25.82 | STA 38+ 36.80 (E 48.0(E) 1E 41.5(2) 2.5(W) _ IE 40.0(W) | 76+30 | | STA 75+63 [L{leraizeres) Raw TE 43.0(€) Te 74.516) nee JE 42.821W)_ IE 72.0) STA 65+33.52 1E 49.8 {€) 70+00 te 49.5(m) 60+00 ‘ ig 52.0(W) _ PROFILE STA 46+71 (E 53.0(SE) 50+00 1E 51.0(NW) 40+00 34+00 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Wales tsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD PLAN AND PROFILE Figure 9B c= ww, STA 76+30 — ~ ———————? STA 88+49 36°CMP STA 81+95 30°CMP STA 100+39 30°CMP STA -103}68 36° STA 118+90 HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° a 108+05 = | STA 103+68 (E 116.00€) (E 115.9(€) 1E 106.0(€) __1E 108.00W) LE 110.01) ___ IE 104.2) . STA 100.39 STA 92+39 STA 88+49 |STA 695 STA 79+30 1E 110.3(€) 1E 92.XE) 1E 92.3.NE) / (E 912(E) (E 87.8(E) (E 103.0 WwW) {E 92.01) 1E 92.0(SW) [IE 84.0(W) (E 87.2(W) 90+00 80+00 76+30 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD PLAN AND PROFILE PROFILE FRR anvineering Figure 9C ms at 24°CM STA 141+08 STA 145+91 BRIDGE STA 127+63.49 36°CMP STA 126+ STA _123+95 30°CMP STA 121*74 30°CMP STA 161+01 24°CMP ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION STA 148+36 ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 1 RIPRAP _STA _158+86 30° CULVERT STA 161+ 20 HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° STA 123+95.5 [E 106.08) STA 148+36 IE 84.0) | | | | IE 80.0) | : I ITIL NLU | STA 127+63 {E 109.0(E) STA 12.74) 1E 104.7(E) (E 104.0) 1E 193.0(W) lE 104.0(W) 1E 98.0(W) | ie | STA 158+86 1 {E 97.0(E) (E 92.0(W) STA 1501 (€ 85.0¢6) 1E 84.0(W) STA 145.91 (E 8175(E) (E 81.45(W) 150+00 ! t | STA 142.52| (E 99.7(E) (E 98.5(W) PROFILE STA 126+45 IE 107.0(E) 1E 104.5(W) 130+00 STA 119412 | IE 108.8(E) | IE 105.5(W) 118+90 120+00 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tslond, Alosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD PLAN AND PROFILE i Figure 9D Ca) || | ces | ||| oe "CULVERT STA 204+70 A ® STA 20110 30 + STA 196+50 24°CULVERT \ ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION LASS 1 RIPRAP BEGIN NEW ACCESS ROAD STA 189+40 30°CULVERT I sta 189+70 24° CULVERT ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION TA 185+30 24°CULVERT STA 176+95 \STA 16 ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION (MASS WASTING HAZARD) CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA 180+90 24° CULVERT STA 179+70 30° CULVERT ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 2 RIPRAP CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA 169+50 30° CULVERT STA 167+36 24° CMP ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA _164+40 30° CMP STA 162+82 36° CMP ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION (MASS WASTING HAZARD) CLASS 1 RIPRAP XN HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° et || ss es 80 40 | STA 176+95 1E 110.7() (E 61 Xx) (E 6LO1E) 1E 55.5(W) 204+70 “TIE 60.0W) 200+00 = T STA 2010 | sta 196.50 IE 58.0) TE 49.0(W) | STA 189+40 IE 91.5(W) STA 193+2 TE 54.516) 1E 48.0(W) 190+00 ie {Sta yoro0 | | | 1€ 112.006) STA _185+30 ' 1 110.5(2) 180+00 PROFILE Te 114, 0c) STA 169+50 lnc | IE 92.716) - STA 179+70 | IE 82.0Cw) | STA 167+ 36 | lE 108.5(W) 1€ 87.416) (E 79.0(W) : STA 164+40 1 91.20 , IE 70.0(w) _ STA 162+82 (E 72.00W) 161+ 20 BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles tsiand, Aiosko FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD PLAN AND PROFILE HiRenineeing ‘(| Figure 9E \ STA 210+50 24°CULVERT ROCK SLOPE ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 1 RIPRAP : STA 213+25 24°CULVERT STA 214+05 24°CULVERT ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS2 RIPRAP \ PROTECTION CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA 232+10 24*°CULVERT STA 220+90 24°CULVERT ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA 222+25 24°CULVERT HORIZONTAL: 1° = 400° VERTICAL: 1° = 40° ROCK SLOPE PROTECTION CLASS 2 RIPRAP STA 226+10 30°CULVERT | STA 232+10 stA 222+25| ¢ 1E 195.0 (E) 185.0 | STA 226+10 STA 220+90 [\isanan STA 218+50 | | | : (E 179.0 TRreT | BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT —-—— * min \ Prince of Woles Islond, Alosko | FERC NO. 10440 | STA 214+05 | | ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY | T j | Port Townsend, Washington | 46 118.00 j-__ : HCE a ; 5 5 | STA 213425 aim 1E 1110 | det meer LL DEAL A Stee | | | STA 208+58 1E 86.0 PROFILE 210+00 204+70 To prevent surface erosion, a fast-growing, sod-forming grass will be planted, along with mulching for immediate protection. Establishing early grass cover by artificially seeding is the only revegetation believed necessary. Moisture, temperature, soils, and elevation of proposed construction are such that invasion of native shrubs and trees will occur rapidly. Additional revegetation by special planting of trees and/or shrubs may be necessary in critical areas to maintain permanent erosion protection. In areas where vegetative cover cannot control erosion, such as cut rock faces, steep banks and drainage courses, riprap and/or special structural measures will be implemented. Permanent stabilization and soil protection will occur on all disturbed areas at a time when the final topography is established and seasonal conditions are suitable. Replacement of topsoils will be required where practicable. Seed bed preparation is an important consideration and can determine the success or failure of revegetation efforts. Therefore, soils will not be compacted to allow adequate root penetration. Good tillage and slope preparation, fertilization, and proper seeding will be required of the contractor. Undoubtedly, topsoils are better than subsoils for plant establishment and growth; however, replacing topsoils on fill slopes often result in an inadequate bond between the added soils and the subsoil. The potential for slump erosion can then exceed the original surface erosion potential. Soil on areas to be seeded will be left in a roughened condition favorable to the retention and germination of seed. The use of a grader blade to smooth or dress back slopes will be discouraged, as it makes for poor seed bed preparation. Application of seed will occur at a time of year when subsequent temperatures and precipitation will favor germination. Best results are when germination occurs the same season as application. The exact dates for successful seeding will vary from year to year. Seeding will be scheduled early enough to expect subsequent adequate temperatures and late enough to provide most, adhesive soil to hold the seed in place. In southeast Alaska, the most desirable time to plant is within the period from September 1 to October 1. If the construction site lays over the fall and the following spring without seeding, the opportunity for satisfactory results is drastically reduced. Summer seeding has the disadvantages of providing feed for wildlife and non-adhesion to dry slopes, while late fall seeding may leave an insufficient number of sunny days to stimulate seed germination. 7.4.2 Grass Seed Grass seed of the following composition, proportion and quality shall be applied at the rate of 80 pounds per acre on all areas within the project requiring seeding (Alaska Power Authority, 1985). 32 F Kind and Variety | Percent by Weight | Minimum Percent | Minimum Percent of Seed in Mixture Seed of Germination Rainier or | Colonial Bentgrass (Highland or | Astoria) . 50% 49.2% (min.) 90% Pennlawn) Perennial Rye 29.4% (min) White Clover 10% 9.6% (min.) 90% (pre-inoculated) — Fertilization often is necessary for successful grass establishment. The major elements most frequently deficient in forest soils are nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Percent Weed Seed Inert and Other Crop 0.5% (max.) 1.5% (max.) 7.4.3. Fertilizers The contractor will be required to apply fertilizer to supply the following amount of nutrients: Total Nitrogen as N - 135 pounds per acre Available Phosphoric Aced as P.O, - 60 pounds per acre Soluble Potash as K,O - 60 pounds per acre 95 pounds of nitrogen. applied per acre will be derived from ureaform of ureaformaldehyde. The remainder may be derived from any source. All fertilizers will be furnished in a standard unopened container with weight, name of nutrients, and manufacturer's guaranteed statement of analysis cleanly marked, all in accordance with state and federal laws. 7.4.4. Mulch Mulch will be specifically processed wood cellulose fiber. This wood fiber will not contain any growth or inhibiting factors. The mulch shall be dyed to a suitable color to facilitate inspection of its placement by AP&T inspectors. Mulch shall be manufactured to allow impregnation with seed and absorption and percolation of moisture after application. Wood fiber mulch will be applied at a rate of 2,000 pounds per acre. 7.4.5. Application Approved seeding equipment shall be used to apply seed and in a separate application mulch and fertilizer. The seeder used on this project may utilize water as the carrying agent to maintain a continuous agitator action with a constant pressure. 7.4.6. Acceptance of Work The contractor will be responsible for the revegetation work. Acceptance of areas receiving seed, fertilizer and mulch as specified above will be based on a uniform stand of grass at the time of final inspection by AP&T personnel. All temporary erosion and siltation control facilities will be maintained in satisfactory conditions until the seeded areas are well established. Alternative erosion control measures may be required in some project areas where steep slopes and problem areas persist or in the event the seeding cut-off date established by the State of Alaska is surpassed. The contractor will be responsible for the alternative erosion control measures, and they shall be installed according to manufacturer's instructions and approval of AP&T personnel. This plan depicts anticipated erosion control measures to be taken during construction. An Erosion Control Inspector will be appointed for monitoring compliance with this plan and for directing the contractor to take actions they deem necessary to prevent erosion, if the specific management practices are not adequately controlling erosion. AP&T engineering and environmental staffs will also review the project regularly during construction to ensure that implementation of the erosion and sedimentation plan is functioning as designed. During construction, culverts and retention ponds will be cleaned on an as-needed basis. Extra straw bales, silt fences, and posts will be on-site, and available if required. AP&T operations personnel will be responsible for annually inspecting and maintaining the roads, culverts, drainage courses and other project facilities as required when construction is completed. 75 j mmen AP&T has no plans to abandon this project in the foreseeable future. However, in the case that abandonment should occur, such an effort would be carefully coordinated with Sealaska Corporation, the United States Forest Service, and appropriate state agencies. While USFS road abandonment procedures and following restoration are well established, abandonment procedures for other project elements are on a case by case basis. USFS personnel are aware of only one abandonment of a hydroelectric facility in this USFS district. The primary concerns of the USFS in this abandonment was the decommissioning of dams and waterways and removal of overhead electrical facilities. The dams and the waterways were either breached or filled. In the case of the Black Bear Lake project, the removal of project facilities would be simpler since no dam is contemplated. Depending upon future years abandonment the site removal may have to be tempered with appropriate historic preservation efforts befitting a site if it were eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. 35 8.0 SCHEDULE OF EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL MEASURES 8.1 General The proposed project schedule is illustrated in Table 2. The siphon and buried penstock construction will occur in the dry months of July and August. The balance of the project will be completed in a two construction season time frame extending from May through September. Segment 1 Siphon Segment 2 Upper Penstock Segment 3 Buried Penstock Segment 4 Powerhouse Segment 5 Roadway The erosion and sedimentation control measures will be implemented in the following general manner: a Where necessary, all topsoil in disturbed areas will be removed and stockpiled. a Control ditches and erosion control and sedimentation ponds (ESC ponds) will be in place prior to all project clearing and excavation. 36 a Erosion control measures including silt fences, ESC ponds, control ditches and straw bale barriers will be removed upon the development of vegetation. " All laydown helicopter pads and staging areas will be restored following functional project completion. Restoration will include topsoil cover, re- seeding and netting for slopes greater than 5 percent. Erosion and sedimentation measure schedules are more particularly described as follows: 8.1.1. Siphon Area and Upper Buried Penstock Segment 1 Sta. 0+00 to Sta. 8+50 Prior to Construction Prior to major pipeline construction, the contractor will remove and stockpile organic soils in areas to be disturbed. The organic soil stockpile will be protected with control ditches that divert surface run-off away from the stockpile. During Construction All excavation will be performed using excavating equipment or by hand. Following excavation and backfilling operations, the pipe trench will be brought to within 6 inches of finished grade. After testing, the pipe trench will be brought to finish grade with organic soils that are stockpiled. The finish graded topsoil will be netted with jute erosion fabric and re-seeded. Following Construction The contractor will repair any eroded areas prior to project final completion. 8.1.2. Surface Penstock Area Segment 2 Sta. 8+50 to Sta. 27+50 Prior to Construction The 30-inch diameter surface penstock area includes the construction of rock anchored piers for the surface penstock and rock anchored concrete foundations for the temporary skyway support towers. The pipeline will be strung along the penstock alignment ahead of installation and saddle mounting. Prior to excavation in the surface penstock area, the contractor will construct the erosion and sediment control pond at Sta. 29+00 or another suitable location. 37 Prior to excavation of penstock piers and skyway towers, the contractor will make efforts to remove and stockpile topsoil from areas to be disturbed. The contractor will provide control ditches to intercept all tributary run-off prior to initiating work in disturbed areas. During Construction During construction, the erosion and sediment control ponds will be inspected daily. The contractor will remove and stockpile any accumulated sediments at locations designated by the engineer. Following Construction Following construction of the penstock and siphon, the skyway may be demolished and removed from the project. Topsoil will be replaced in all disturbed areas where it was removed during construction. The disturbed areas will be re-seeded and netted with jute erosion control netting. The control ditch and pond restoration will include regrading to pre-existing contours and replacement of any removed topsoil. The topsoil areas will be netted with jute erosion control fabric and seeded. All post construction restoration work will be inspected daily by the engineer. 8.1.3. Lower Buried Penstock Area Segment 3 Sta. 27+50 to Sta. 48+70 Prior to Construction Prior to excavation of the buried penstock, the contractor will construct the following: a Silt fence on the west side of the pipeline right-of-way a Erosion and sediment control pond (ESC) and control ditches on the southeast side of the powerhouse a Penstock staging area erosion and sediment control pond. The contractor will remove and stockpile all topsoil located in disturbed areas. Surface drainage will be diverted away from the stockpile through control ditches. There is expected to be a major pipe storage, staging and helicopter landing area just north of the buried penstock. This is also the proposed lower terminal area for the skyway. Pipeline materials will be stored in the penstock staging area. This approximate 5 acre area will have control ditches and ESC pond in place prior to clearing activities. The engineer will inspect all pre-construction erosion and sedimentation control measures. 38 During Construction Pipe material will be strung along the pipeline right-of-way in advance of pipeline installation activities. The compacted pipe trench will have water bar control ditches at approximately 100 feet on center to divert runoff to the silt fence and sediment pond. Following Construction Following hydraulic testing, the buried penstock disturbed area will be covered with approximately 6 inches of suitable material, jute netted, and seeded. Straw bale barriers will be placed at 100-foot intervals along the pipeline right-of-way. Following the growth of vegetation, the ESC ponds, ditches, and staging areas will be backfilled, netted, and re-seeded where slopes exceed 5 percent. 8.1.4. Powerhouse Area Segment 4 Sta. 48+70 to Sta. 49+70 Prior to Construction Prior to excavation of the powerhouse and tailrace facilities, the contractor will construct drainage control ditches and an ESC pond. The contractor will remove all topsoil from the construction areas where necessary and stockpile at locations designated by the engineer. During Construction All excavation will be performed using appropriate excavating equipment. Cut slopes will be protected with erosion control netting. The stream channel riprap bank stabilization measures will be in place prior to excavating the tailrace structure. Following Construction Upon completion of the project, the area will be graded and disturbed areas will be netted and seeded where slopes exceed 5 percent. Following the development of vegetation, the ESC ponds and control ditches will be backfilled, graded, and seeded. Any topsoil removed from the project staging area will be reapplied and seeded. 39 Come ~_ 4 — 8.1.5. Project New Access Road Segment 5 Sta. 189+70 to Sta. 237+50 Prior to Construction The roadway alignment will be cleared and grubbed. The topsoil shall be removed and stockpiled at sites designated by the engineer. The soil stockpile sites will be protected with control ditches. During Construction Following grading of the roadway, all drainage culverts will be installed. The culvert outlets will be equipped with sediment traps and silt fences. The engineer will inspect sediment traps daily and advise the contractor of need to remove accumulated sediment. Following Construction All cut and fill slopes will be covered with jute netting and seeded. Upon the development of vegetation, the silt fences will be removed by the contractor. —_— REFERENCES Alaska Power Authority. 1985. Erosion and Sedimentation Control. February 1985. Bishop, Swanston and Smith. 1989. Hydrogeological Examination of Black Bear Creek between Base of Falls and Head of Spring Fork. June 1989. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 1983. Black Bear Lake Draft Environmental Impact Statement (FERC Project No. 5715). February, 1983. Harris, A.S., and W.A. Farr. Forest Ecology and Timber Management. The Forest Ecosystem of southeast Alaska, Volume 7. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Portland, Oregon. General technical report PNW-25. Harza Engineering Company. 1983. Black Bear Lake Hydroelectric Project Preliminary Geology Report. June 1983. APPENDIX A TABLE OF CONTENTS EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURES: Detention Pond Run-off Control from Larger Areas Prevention of Erosion from Localized Areas - Straw Bale Barrier Prevention of Erosion from Localized Areas - Silt Fence Barrier Prevention of Erosion in Drainage Channels Stabilization of Stream Channel Banks Roadway Traffic Erosion Control - Rock Construction Entrance Road an mon » > Roadway Traffic Erosion Control - Vehicle Turnouts LIST OF FIGURES A-1 Typical Erosion and Sediment Control Pond A-2 Typical Straw Barrier A-3 Silt Fence Barrier A-4 Erosion Control Fabric A-5 Typical Culvert Detail EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE A: Detention Pond Run-off Control from Larger Areas REFERENCE FIGURES: A-1 TYPE: Temporary Erosion Control Pond PURPOSE: To control and retain run-off from disturbed areas such that sediment laden waters do not enter the existing drainage course. GENERAL: Temporary erosion control pond are basins created by construction of a barrier or dam across a watercourse or by excavating a basin or by a combination of both. Temporary erosion control ponds shall be installed in order to detain run-off waters and trap sediment and cause settlement of the larger proportion of suspended solids from erodible areas thus protecting land, drainage ways, and streams below the installation from damage by excessive sedimentation and debris deposition. Temporary ponds shall be designed to the following standards. i The dam or barrier forming the pond shall be located to provide for maximum volume capacity for trapping sediment behind the structure as well as for greatest ease of clean out. In some cases, intercepting ditches as shown in A-1 are necessary to divert the run-off to the control pond. Whenever possible, these ditches will meander to preserve the natural vegetation. Typical dams and barriers are shown in Figure A-1. The earthen dam structure is used for the larger contributing areas or drainage basins. The straw and silt fence barriers are used when the contributing disturbed are is small or localized. Siltation ponds shall provide a minimum of 1 foot below the outfall elevation for dead storage. The storage volume shall be a minimum of 0.2 cubic feet per 100 square feet tributary to the pond. The volume of the pond above the 1.0 feet storage shall be sized to handle a 2- year, 24-hour design storm and will be based on the geometry of the pond. The surface area of the pond will be determined by the following equation: surface area = 1.2Q/vs; where Q = the 2-year design flow and vs = the settling velocity. (When additional areas are pumped to sediment ponds, Q = the 2-year design flow and the flow rate of all pumps contributing to the sediment pond. Interior sides of the siltation pond shall be no steeper than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical. An outfall consisting of a vertical pipe or box type perforated riser joined by a water tight connection to a pipe which extends through the barrier or dam forming the pond shall be provided. The outfall shall have the capacity to discharge the 2-year frequency peak flow. The crest elevation of the riser shall be a minimum of 1 foot below the lowest elevation of the barrier or dam forming the temporary pond providing a minimum 1 foot of free board. An anti-vortex device and trashrack shall be securely installed on the top of the outfall riser. The bottom of the riser shall be attached to a minimum 1 foot high base of sufficient mass so as to prevent riser floatation. A gravel filter consisting of washed gravel or quarry rock shall be placed around the perforated riser. Discharge from the siltation pond shall be to a rock lined waterway and shall typically pass through a filter fabric fence immediately prior to discharge from the site. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE B: Prevention of Erosion from Localized Areas REFERENCE FIGURE: A-2 TYPE: Straw Bale Barrier PURPOSE: To reduce the generation of sediment from disturbed areas by filtering or diverting run-off from localized stripped areas. GENERAL: Straw bale barriers will be temporarily installed across existing drainageways to collect and store run-off and sediment prior to discharge. Straw bale barriers will be installed in drainageways, before any upslope grading, or construction activities, commence. Straw bale barriers will be constructed to the following general specifications. Ls 10. Straw bale barriers shall be laid sideways, tightly abutted, stacked securely in place with at least two stakes per bale, and keyed into the ground 6 to 8 inches. Straw bale barriers shall be constructed to a sufficient length and height to impound the required volume. Straw bale barriers shall be located to provide maximum capacity for trapping sediments. Sediment ponds, created by the straw bale barriers, shall provide a minimum of 1 foot below the riser elevation for storage. The storage volume will be determined as described in Erosion and Sediment Control Measure A. The volume of the sediment pond will be determined as outlined in Erosion and Sediment Control Measure A. An outfall shall be provided that consists of a vertical perforated pipe type riser, jointed by a water-tight connection with an anti-seepcollar to a pipe, which extends through the straw bale barrier. The outfall shall have the capacity to discharge the 10-year frequency flow. The crest elevation of the riser shall be a minimum of 1 foot below the lowest elevation of the straw bale barrier, providing a minimum 1 foot of free board. An anti-vortex device and trashrack shall be securely installed on the top of the outfall riser. The bottom of the river shall be attached to a minimum 1-foot high bale of sufficient mass to prevent riser floatation. A gravel filter consisting of washed gravel or quarry rock having less than 2 percent fines shall be placed around the perforated riser. 11. Riprap shall be placed on both sides of the straw bales and outfall channel, for erosion control. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE C: Prevention of Erosion from Localized Areas REFERENCE FIGURE: A-3, A-4 TYPE: Silt Fence Barrier PURPOSE: The silt fence barrier filters run-off, prior to discharge, by intercepting sediment while allowing water to percolate through it. GENERAL: A silt fence is a temporary barrier made of a water-permeable filter fabric such as celanese fiber, polypropylene material, polyvinyl chloride woven cloth, reinforced chlorosulfinated polyethylene cloth, or approved equivalent. Silt fences will be installed along the creek downslope of disturbed areas, prior to any upslope grading. silt fences will be installed around the spoil or stockpile area, immediately following disposal of excavated material. Silt fences shall meet the following criteria: 1 The height of the silt fence shall be a minimum of 2'-0", measured from the existing or graded ground. The silt fence shall be supported by wood or steel fence posts, spaced a maximum of 4 feet apart. Wire shall be used to support the filter fabric unless the manufacturer's recommendations exclude its use. The filter fabric will be securely fastened to the upstream side of each support post. The steel posts which support the silt fences shall be installed on a slight angle toward the expected run-off source. The filter fabric shall be trenched into the ground with a spade, or mechanical trenched, so that the downslope face of the trench is flat and perpendicular to the line of flow. Where solid rock is encountered, steel posts will be used and will be securely grouted into the rock. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE D Prevention of Erosion in Drainage Channels REFERENCE FIGURE: A-5 TYPE: Culvert Outfall PURPOSE: The velocity of flow is nearly always speeded during passage through a culvert and always when passing down a chute. To prevent the formation of a scour hole or plunge pool, the end of the culvert or chute will be protected by the placement of a 1-foot thick blanket of quarry spalls tapering from a width of twice the culvert diameter at the outfall to four times the culvert diameter at a length of four culvert diameters. GENERAL: The velocity of water flowing through a culvert or down a chute will usually increase and, therefore, will tend to form a plunge pool where it flows into an unlined channel. To minimize this potential, the velocity of the water shall be dissipated with the use of riprap. The typical outfall shall include the following provisions. This type of detail is temporary or permanent. a: The riprap blanket shall be a minimum of 12-inches in thickness. Material may be dumped or hand placed. 25 The lateral extent of the rock shall be at least one culvert diameter on each side of the chute or pipe. 35 The length of the apron beyond the end of the chute or pipe shall be three diameters. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE E: Stabilization of Stream Channel Banks REFERENCE FIGURES: TYPE: Streambank Stabilization PURPOSE: Streambank erosion is a natural phenomenon, but can become a problem during storm events and higher water. Riprap sections will be utilized to provide additional scour protection and stabilization of the streambank particularly in sensitive areas. GENERAL: Most failures of revetments or linings are due to an inadequate extent of the lining. The upper limit should generally be above design high water level. Bank protection should be terminated at bedrock or at the maximum depth of scour. Where lining cannot be extended to the desired depth, place riprap at the toe, and it will fall into the scour hole as it develops. Revetments may consist singly of stone, piling, etc. or in combination with vegetation. Dumped riprap forms a flexible lining which is, therefore, resistant to settlement and will not be so susceptible to undercutting as concrete lines, since stone will gradually slump into the scour hole. Its other major advantage is that it has a very rough surface which results in dissipation of the stream's energy, minimizing scouring problems at the ends of the revetment or lining. In designing stone linings, it must be remembered that ability to resist erosion depends principally on the size of stone used rather than the thickness of the lining. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE F: Roadway Traffic Erosion Control TYPE: Rock Construction Entrance Road PURPOSE: This measure is a stabilized pad of crushed stone located at any point where traffic will be entering or leaving a construction site to reduce or eliminate the tracking or flowing of sediment onto adjacent land or right-of-ways. GENERAL: A temporary Construction Entrance is a rock stabilized temporary entrance pad and shall be constructed at points where traffic will be entering or leaving a construction site from or onto adjacent roads or right-of-way. The pad shall be of sufficient length and width to eliminate transportation of mud and sediment from the construction area onto the right-of-way by motor vehicles or by run-off. This temporary measure if constructed and designed properly can become part of the final roadway section. Construction will meet the following standards: 1 The stabilized construction entrance shall be a minimum thickness of 8 inches and constructed of free draining material such as crushed stone (2-1/2" to 1-1/2"). 2s Width should be the full width of all points of ingress or egress. 35 Length should be as required but not less than 50 feet. 4. The entrance will be maintained in a condition which will prevent tracking or flowing of sediment onto public right-of-ways. Periodic top-dressing with additional stone may be necessary as field conditions dictate. When washing is required, it shall be done on an area stabilized with crushed stone which drains into an approved sediment trap or sediment pond. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL MEASURE G: Roadway Traffic Erosion Control TYPE: Vehicle Turnouts PURPOSE: This measure is a stabilized turnout area located at designated areas along the access road to provide vehicles a place to pull over to allow passage of other vehicles along the narrow roadway. GENERAL: Vehicle turnouts are surfaced areas adjacent to the roadway to allow vehicles to pass. The pullout will be of sufficient size to allow construction vehicles space to safely pull out of traffic. Construction will meet the following standards: 1 The surfacing material will be the same type and thickness as that used on the roadway surface. The turnout surface will be graded to slope toward the roadway. All cut and fill slopes will have erosion and sediment control measures as outlined in measures B and C. Flow in existing roadside ditches will be maintained throughout construction by lining the ditch with quarry spalls; or for deeper ditches, installing a culvert. Turnouts will not be installed in the bottom of sag vertical curves, and will not be installed to interfere with any natural drainages. A sediment trap will be installed immediately downstream of the vehicle turnout. ferfrrafed Oran Pipe * in gravel-filled french “Sole : a < ; Sechmenf ASewaferina pray be eccomsli'shed wth Miter Fipe eof aoe fed Base Perloraled drun pire in freseh as Shown or, wha (erpereled river ppe covered with Aifer fobric aa greve/ "cone". A Conte/ sfructure may oke be reguired - See (fem 6 fic ay ae ie ee , Gnd fions Provide 4 vebar trash vack on riser I' Spillway Peeh 4 PRED 16" dia. and qveater I' reekead See ate cA Le th ed pee eth. SECTION A-A BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Aloska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington EROSION AND SEDIMENT CON. POND. TWO STAKES PER BALE TO Me eee POSITION ANTI-SEEP COLLAR PERFORATED nsem\ SILTATION GRAVEL FILTER (MAY BE HELO IN PLACE WITH WIRE MESH) STRAW BALE AS RECO. STAKE STRAW BALES BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Alaska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington STRAW BALE BARRIER 7 FRR engineering | Figure A-2 Filter Fabric Material 60° wide rolls. Use staples or wire rings to attatch faerie 1 wre 2° by 2° by 14 Ga. Wire Fabric or equiv. 6’ Max. Filter Fabric 2 by 4° wood posts, standard or better or Material equal alternate: Steel fence posts eee nema n-gen ee a C 2° by 2° by 14 Ga. Wire Fabric or equiv. Provide 3/4* - 1.5° washed gravel backfill ———=, FILTER FABRIC FENCE in tench and on both sides of filter fence fabric on the surface 2° by 4° wood post Alt: Steel fence posts BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles Isiond, Aloska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMFANY Port Townsend, Washington FILTER FABRIC FENCE | BiRRenginessing | Figure A-3 On shallow slopes, strips of netting may be applied across the slope. (Slopes up to 1:1) Where there is a berm at the top of the slope, bring the netting over the berm and anchor it m= behind the berm. On steep slopes, apply strips of netting parallel to the direction of flow and anchor securely. (Slopes greater than 1:1) Bring netting down to a level area before terminating the installation. Turn the end under 6" and staple at 12" intervals. In ditches, apply netting parallel to the direction of flow. Use check slots every 15 feet. Do not join strips in the center of the ditch. BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles isiond, Aloska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE COMPANY Port Townsend, Washington EROSION CONTROL FABR is BRengineering Figure A-4 Grave/ Foadwéy edimené r3e°. CoMP C98 VRIES) 26 TIOA/ [Vs /o-o" 2" Stee/ oe Lar cr wirp~ are atv earcee BLACK BEAR LAKE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prince of Woles isiond, Aloska FERC NO. 10440 ALASKA POWER & TELEPHONE CCMFANY Port Townsend, Washington ROAD CULVERT FRRengineering | Figure A-5