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FEDERALENERGYREGULATORYCOMMISSIONOFFICEOFELECTRICPOWERREGULATIONDRAFTENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENTSUSITNAHYDROELECTRICPROJECTFERCNO.7114-ALASKAVolume6.FERC/DEIS-0038TK14J~QSgt-47;L()o.1~56AppendixL.AppendixM.RecreationResourcesVisualResourcesARLISAlaskaResourcesLibrary&InformationServicesllnchorage,AlaskaApplicant:AlaskaPowerAuthority333West4thAvenueSuite31Anchorage,Alaska99501AdditionalcopiesoftheDraft-EISmaybeorderedfrom:DivisionofPublicInformationFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission825NorthCapitolSt.,NE.Washington,D.C.20426May1984 ivTABLEOFCONTENTS(Cont'd)L.2.2.3.3NorthernStudyArea.L.2.2.3.4OtherAlternativePowerTransmissionRoutesL.2.2.4AlternativeBorrowSites.~.2.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternatives.L.2.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenario.L.2.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenario.L.2.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioL.2.4ComparisonofAlternatives.L.2.4.1SusitnaDevelopmentAlternatives.L.2.4.2Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternativesL.3MITIGATION. . . . . . .REFERENCES. . . . . . . . . ......... .APPENDIXM.VISUALRESOURCESM.lVISUALRESOURCEANALYSISCRITERIA.M.2AFFECTEDENVIRONMENT.M.2.1ProposedProject.M.2.1.1UpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasinM.2.1.1.1LandscapeCharacterTypes....M.2.1.1.2ProminentNaturalFeaturesM.2.1.1.3SignificantViewsheds,VistaPoints,andTravelM.2.1.2PowerTransmissionLineCorridorM.2.1.2.1LandscapeCharacterTypes.M.2.1.2.2ProminentNaturalFeatures. . . . . . . . . .M.2.1.2.3SignificantViewsheds,VistaPoints,andTravelM.2.2SusitnaDevelopmentAlternatives.M.2.2.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesigns.M.2. 2.2AlternativeAccessRoutes.M.2.2.3AlternativePowerTransmissionLineRoutesM.2.2.4AlternativeBorrowSites.M.2.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternatives.M.2.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioM.2.3.1.1BelugaandChuitnaRivers.M.2.3.1.2KenaiPeninsula.M.2.3.1.3Anchorage.M.2.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioM.2.3.2.1Nenana.M.2.3.2.2Willow.M.2.3.2.3CookInlet.M.2.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioM.2.3.3.1ChakachamnaLakeM.2.3.3.2BrowneM.2.3.3.3KeetnaM.2.3.3.4Snow...M.2.3.3.5Johnson..M.2.3.3.6Nenana,ChuitnaRiverandAnchorageM.3ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTS.M.3.1ProposedProject.M.3.1.1WatanaDevelopmentM.3.1.1.1ConstructionM.3.1.1.2Operation.....M.3.1.2DevilCanyonDevelopmentM.3.1.2.1Construction.M.3.1.2.2Operation.M.3.1.3AccessRoutes.M.3.1.3.1DenaliHighway-to-WatanaRouteM.3.1.3.2Watana-to-DevilCanyonRoute.M.3.1.3.3RailAccesstoDevilCanyon..M.3.1.4PowerTransmissionFacilities...M.3.1.4.1Dams-to-GoldCreekSegment..M.3.1.4.2GoldCreek-to-FairbanksSegmentM.3.1.4.3GoldCreek-to-AnchorageSegmentM.3.2SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesM.3.2.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesignsM.3.2.2AlternativeAccessRoutes.M.3.2.3AlternativePowerTransmissionLineRoutesfv1.3.2.4AlternativeBorrowSites.M.3.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternatives.M.3.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioM.3.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioRoutesRoutesL-39L-39L-39L-39L-39L-39L-40L-40L~40L-41[-42L-43M-3M-3M-4M-4M-5M-5M-20M-20M-20M-21M-21M-36M-36M-36M-36M-37M-37M-37M-37M-37M-38M-38M-38M-38M-38M-38M-38M-39M-39M-39M-39M-39M-39M-39M-40M-40M-40M-43M-43M-43M-49M-49M-49M-53M-53M-53M-53M-65M-65M-65M-66M-66M-66M-66M-66M-68 vTABLEOFCONTENTS(Cont'd)M.3.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGeneration ScenarioM.3.4ComparisonofAlternatives.....M.3.4.1SusitnaDevelopmentAlternatives.M.3.4.2PowerGenerationScenarios.M.4MITIGATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M.4.1MitigativeMeasuresProposedbytheApplicantM.4.1.1AdditionalStudy.N.4.1.2BestDevelopmentPractices. . . . . . .M.4.1.3CreativeEngineeringDesign.M.4.1.4UseofForm,Line,Color,orTextures.M.4.2AdditionalMitigativ~MeasuresRecommendedbytheStaffREHRnfCES.M-68M-68M-68M-69M-69M-69M-69M-70M-71M-71M-71M-72 viLISTOFFIGURESFigureCOVERPHOTO:Artist'sRenditionoftheProposedWatanaDamandReservoirAPPENDIXL.RECREATIONRESOURCESL-lSchematicRepresentationofRecreationFeaturesintheSusitnaProjectRecreationArea. . . . . . ...L-15APPENDIXM.VISUALRESOURCESM-1LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesoftheUpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...M-12M-2PhotosoftheUpperandMiddleSusitnaBasinLandscapeCharacterTypes. . ...M-13M-3SelectedPhotosofProminentNaturalFeaturesLocatedwithintheUpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...M-16M-4LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheFairbanks-to-Hea1ySegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor. . . . . . . . . .M-28M-5LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheHealy-to-GoldCreekSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.. . . .M-29M-6LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheGoldCreek-to-WillowSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.. . . . . . . . .M-30M-7LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheWillow-to-AnchorageSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor. . . . .M-31M-8PhotosoftheLandscapeCharacterTypesAlongtheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-32M-9PhotosofSelectedProminentNaturalFeaturesLocatedwithintheProposedTransmissionLineCorridorArea.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-35M-10Artist'sPhotoRenditionoftheProposedWatanaDam.. . . . . . . . . .M-41M-11PhotoofExistingSusitnaRiverValleyandArtist'sRenditionoftheProposedWatanaReservoiratMid-Drawdown. . . . . . . . .. . . . .M-42M-12ExamplesofSlope/SlideProblemsAroundaReservoir. . . . .M-44M-13PhotoofProposedSiteoftheConstructionCamp/PermanentVillageAreaandArtist'sRenditionofPermanentWatanaSettlementM-45M-14SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactswithintheWatanaandDevilCanyonDamFacilitiesandVillageArea.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-47M-15Artist'sPhotoRenditionoftheProposedDevilCanyonDamandReservoir.M-48M-16SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedRoadandRailAccessRoutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-52M-17Artist'sRenditionoftheProposedDevilCanyonHigh-LevelSuspensionBridgeM-60M-18SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedFairbanks-to-HealyTransmissionLineSegment.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-61M-19SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedHealy-to-GoldCreekandDams-to-GoldCreekTransmissionLineSegments.. . . . . . . . . . .M-62M-20SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedGoldCreek-to-WillowTransmissionLineSegment. . . .. . . . . . . . . .M-63M-21SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedWillow-to-AnchorageTransmissionLineSegment.. . . .M-64M-22AerialViewofExistingTransmissionLineSimilarinSizeandTowerDesigntothatof theProposedSusitnaTransmissionLineSystem. .. . . . .M-65 viiLISTOFTABLESTablePageAPPENDIXL.RECREATIONRESOURCESL-lCharacteristicsofAlaskanNationalWildlifeRefuges. . . . . .L-4L-2CharacteristicsoftheNationalParkUnitsinAlaska. . . . . .L-6L-3AcreagesWithinUnitsoftheStateParkSystem,DifferentiatedbyParkDistrict. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L-7L-4InventoryandUserCapacitiesofExistingRecreationFacilitiesandLandOwnershipofRecreationAreasinAlaska.. . . . . . . . . . . .L-8L-5FavoriteOutdoorRecreationActivities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L-9L-6AverageAnnualRecreationOccasionsperParticipatingAdultbyActivityandRegion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L-10L-7RegionalInventoriesofPublicRecreationFacilitiesProvidedbyGovernmentalAgenciesofAlaska,1977. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L-12L-8PrincipalPreferencesofOutdoorRecreationistsResidingin$outhcentralAlaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L-13L-9TrailsintheSusitnaProjectRecreationStudyArea.L-18L-I0FeaturesoftheApplicant'sProposedRecreationPlanL-37APPENDIXM.VISUALRESOURCESM-lDistanceViewingCriteria.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-4M-2DescriptionsofLandscapeCharacterTypeswithintheUpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-6M-3DescriptionsofLandscapeCharacterTypesAlongtheProposedPowerTransmissionLineCorridor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-22M-4SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactswithintheWatanaandDevilCanyonDamFacilitiesandVillageArea.. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .M-46M-5SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedRoadandRailAccessRoutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .M-50M-6SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .M-54M-7SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactAreasAlongtheAlternativePowerTransmissionRouteSegments.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .M-67 DRAFTENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENTSUSITNAHYDROELECTRICPROJECT,FERCNO.7114APPENDIXLRECREATIONRESOURCESPreparedbyD.D.NessArgonneNationalLaboratoryL-1 L-3APPENDIXL.RECREATIONRESOURCESL.1AFFECTEDENVIRONMENTL.1.1IntroductionL.1.1.1HistoricalPerspectiveThevastareaofAlaskanlandsandwatersandthepronounceddiversityofclimate,landscape,vegetation,residentandmigrantwildlife,andhumanculturallifestylescontributetoanabun-danceofoutdoorrecreationalopportunitieswithinthestate.Thecurrentrecreationresourcebasestronglyreflectsland-usedesignationsoftherecentpast;however,theestablishmentofsomemajorrecreationareaspredatesthegrantingofstatehoodtoAlaskain1959.OneoftheearliestandmostsignificantareastobeestablishedwastheTongassNationalForest,between1902and1909(Selkregg,1974);theTongassisthelargestnationalforestinthenation.OtherareasestablishedintheearlypartofthecenturyincludeMt.McKinleyNationalPark,1917;KatmaiNationalMonument,1918;andGlacierBayNationalMonument,1925(Selkregg,1974).ThesethreeunitsoftheNationalParksSystemhavesincebeenrenamedDenaliNationalParkandPreserve,KatmaiNationalParkandPreserve,andGlacierBayNationalParkandPreserve,respec-tively(NationalParkService~1982).Officiallyrecognizedin1959,theConstitutionoftheStateofAlaskaauthorizedthestatelegislaturetoestablishastateparksystem(ParkPlanningSection,1982a).ThisauthorizationwasimplementedintheAlaskaLandActof1959,whichprovidedthatareasofmorethan640acres[260hectares(ha)]couldnotbeclosedtomultipleuse,exceptbyactofthelegislature.TheFederalOmnibusActof1959transferred32parcels[eachlessthan640acres(260ha)]tothestate,withmanagementresponsibilitiesdelegatedtotheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources.OtherAlaskanlegislationin1959includedanappropriationof$75,000forforestryandparkactivities.In1960,legislationincludedappropriationsforthedevelopmentofthestateparksystem.However,capitalappropriationsneverexceeded$50,000untilfiscal1967.Statelegi-slatorsauthorizeda$900,000bondissuein1966inordertomatchFederalgrantfundsavailablethroughtheFederalLandandWaterConservationFundAct.Anadditionalbondissuewasautho-rizedin1970,andthestateparksystemwasexpandedtoincludenearly1mi11ionacres(0.4millionha).The1970legislationalsoincludedestablishmentofaseparateDivisionofParkswithintheDepartmentofNaturalResources.Anotherprincipaladditiontothesystemoccurredin1979withtheestablishmentofthe1.5million-acre(0.6million-ha)WoodRiver-TikchikStatePark.Asof1982,thestateparksystemcomprisedmorethan80unitsconsistingofabout3millionacres(1.2millionha)ofstateland(ParkPlanningSection,1982a).ThemostrecentandbyfarthemostdramaticincreaseindedicatedrecreationresourceareasofAlaskaoccurredwithpassageoftheAlaskaNationalInterestLandsConservationAct(PublicLaw96-487)of1980.LandswithintheNationalParkSystemincreasedbyabout43.6millionacres(17.6millionha)(GeneralAccountingOffice,1982).TheNationalWildlifeRefugeSystemwasexpandedbyabout53.7millionacres(21.7millionha),andabout3.3millionacres(1.3millionha)wereaddedtotwoexistingnationalforests.OtherdedicationsincludedcreationofaNationalConservationArea[1.2millionacres(0.5millionha)]andaNationalRecreationArea[lmillionacres(0.4millionha)].FederalacquisitionsattributabletotheActinvolvedatotalof103.3millionacres(41.8millionha).Forperspective,thisacreagerepresentsabout27.5%ofAlaskanlandandslightlyexceedstheareaofCalifornia.L.1.1.2StatewideOverviewL.1.1.2.1RecreationResourceAreasFEDERALRESOURCEAREASThegreatestproportionoftheFederalrecreationresourcebaseconsistsofnationalwildliferefuges.AdministeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeSel'vice,therefugesrangefromthe0.7million-acre(0.3million-ha)TetlinNationalRefugetothevast19.6million-acre(7.9million-ha)YukonDeltaNationalWildlifeRefuge(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1982).TheareaoftheArcticNationalWildlifeRefugeinnortheasternAlaskacomparescloselywiththatoftheYukonDeltaRefuge.Thecumulativeareaofthe16nationalrefugesisabout76millionacres(31millionha)(GeneralAccountingOffice,1982),about20%oftheacreageinAlaska.Charac-teristicsoftherefugesaresummarizedinTableL-1. Table L-1.Characteristics of Alaskan National Wildlife Refuges -::l National Refuge Alaski'l Maritime Alaska Peninsula Arctic Becharof Innoko Izembek Kanuti Kenai Kodiak Koyukuk Nowitna Selawik Tetlin Togiak Yukon Delta Yukon Flats General Location 5 units -Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands,Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea,Gulf of Alaska Alaska Peninsula Extreme Northeastern Alaska Alaska Peninsula Near Koyukuk Alaska Peninsula Near Allakaket Kenai Peninsula Kodiak Island Huslia Near Tanana Near Kotzebue Northway Inland from Togiak Yukon River Delta area, Nunivak Island Fort Yukon Acreage 3,548,956 3,500,000 18,054,624 1,200,000 3,850,000 320,893 1,430,000 1,970,000 3,555,000 3,555,000 1,560,000 2,150,000 700,000 4,105,000 19,624,458 8,630,000 Distinctive Wildlife Sea birds,sea lions,sea otters, harbor seals Brown bears,caribou,moose,sea otters,peregrine falcons Caribou,polar bears,brown bears, wolves,Dall's sheep,peregrine falcons Brown bears,bald eagles Migratory birds,beavers Black brant,brown bears Migratory waterbirds,furbearers, moose Moose,salmon,mountain goats, Dall 's sheep,bears Wolves,caribou Wolves,caribou Migratory waterfowl,caribou,moose, bears,furbearers Migratory waterbirds Migratory waterfowl,Dall's sheep Nearly every major wildlife species in Alaska Migratory birds,musk ox on the Island Waterfowl r , -I:> Conversion:To convert acres to hectares,multiply by 0.405. Source:Alaska Northwest PUblishing Company (1982). L-5UnitsoftheNationalParkSystemestablishedinAlaskaincludeparks,preserves,monuments,andhistoricparks.Collectively,theseareasarecomprisedofabout51millionacres(21millionha),equivalenttoabout14%oftheareainthestate(NationalParkService,1982).Thoughtypicallylarge,unitsofthesystemrangefromthe108-acre(44-ha)SitkaNationalHistoricParktothe12.3million-acre(4.98million-ha)Wrangell-St.EliasNationalParkandPreserve.ThelatteristhelargestunitoftheNationalParkSystem(NationalParkService,1982).CharacteristicsofthenationalparkunitsinAlaskaaresummarizedinTableL-2.ThetwonationalforestsmanagedbytheU.S.ForestServicealsocontributesubstantiallytotheoutdoorrecreationresourcebaseofAlaska.TheTongassNationalForestofSoutheasternAlaskaandChugachNationalForestofSouth-centralAlaskaarethenation'slargestandsecondlargestnationalforests,respectively(AlaskaNorthw~stPublishing,1982);thecombinedareais23.3millionacres(9.4millionha),equivalenttoabout6%oftheareainthestate(GeneralAccountingOffice,1982).About23%ofthenationalforestlandshavebeenassignedwildernessstatus,ashavelargeacreageswithinvariousnationalwildliferefugesandnationalparkunitsinAlaska.ThetotalacreageofdesignatedwildernessareasinAlaskamanagedbytheU.S.ForestService,NationalParkService,andU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceisabout56.4millionacres(22.8millionha),orabout15%oftheareainAlaska.TheBureauofLandManagementadministerstheWhiteMountainNationalRecreationAreaandtheSteeseNationalConservationArea,whicharelocatedinCentralAlaskatothenorthandnorth-east,respectively,ofFairbanks.Thecombinedareaisabout2.2millionacres(0.9millionha).TheBureauofLandManagementandNationa1ParkServicealsomanageabout434,000acres(176,000ha)oflandsthatborderunitsoftheWildandScenicRiversSystemlocatedoutsidetheboundariesofFederallydedicatedareas.Forthemostpart,however,the3,232miles(mi)[5,200kilometers(km)]ofAlaskanwaterwayswithintheWildandScenicRiversSystemarelocatedwithinnationalparks,refuges,andotherFederallandsnotedabove(NationalParkService,1982).Insummary,theareasadministeredbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,NationalParkService,U.S.ForestService,andBureauofLandManagementcompriseatotalofabout153millionacres(62millionha)(GeneralAccountingOffice,1982),whichisabout41%ofAlaskanland,andforperspective,equivalenttoabout90%oftheareaofTexas.AsofDecember1981,theBureauofLandManagementalsoadministeredanadditional121millionacres(49millionha)ofpublicdomainlands,therebycontributingtooutdoorrecreationopportunitieswithmultiple-usemanage-mentpractices.STATERESOURCEAREASTheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandtheAlaskaDivisionofParksaretheprincipalagenciesadministeringrecreationresourcesonstatelandsofAlaska.TheDepartmentofFishandGamemanagesabout1.77millionacres(0.72millionha)ofstatelandcomprising8StateGameRefuges,2StateGameSanctuaries,and11CriticalHabitatAreas(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).ThecumulativeareaoftheStateGameRefugesis689,000acres(280,000ha),thatfortheStateGameSanctuariesisabout104,000acres(42,000ha),andthatforCriticalHabitatAreasisabout977,000acres(395,000ha).Managementobjectivesentailprotectionofwildlifeandwildlifehabitats,withspecialprovisionsforwildlifeviewingandhuntingandotherrecreationuses.AdministeredbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks,theStateParkSystemincluded82parkunitsasofJanuary1982(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Fiveoftheunitsarestateparks,thesmallestofwhichisthe6,045-acre(2,446-ha)ChilkatStateParklocatednearHainesinSoutheastAlaska,andthelargestofwhichisthe1.4million~acre(0.6million-ha)Wood-TikchikStateParklocatednearDillinghaminSouthwestAlaska.OtherunitsoftheStateParkSystemincludeStateRecrea-tionAreas(generallyofsubstantialsize)andStateRecreationSites,HistoricParks,andHistoricSites(allrelativelysmallareas).Collectively,unitsofthesystemcompriseabout2.97millionacres(1.20millionha).InformationconcerningtheseunitsissummarizedinTab1e L-3.AdditionalunitsareproposedforinclusionintheStateParkSystem,includingStateTrails,StateRecreationRivers,andStatePreserves.However,theStateParkSystemiscurrentlysubjectto"adynamicperiodofchangereflectinglargerchangesoccurringinthestate'seconomyandlandownership"(ParkPlanningSection,1982a).Inpart,uncertaintiesconcerninglandownershipstemfromtheAlaskaStatehoodAct,whichprovidedfortheStateofAlaskatoselect104.45millionacres(42.27millionha)oflandprimarilyfromthepublicdomain(Selkregg,1974).Additionally,theAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActof1971providedfortheselectionof44millionacres(18millionha)ofFederallandbyAlaskaNatives(GeneralAccountingOffice,1982).Inneithercasehavelandselectionsbeencompleted.Thus,themannerinwhichlandselectionsmayaffectsomeexistingunitsaswellasplanneddevelopmentsoftheStateParkSystemisnotnowforeseeable.OTHERRECREATIONRESOURCEAREASLocaloutdoorrecreationactivitiesprimarilyinvolveuseofmunicipalOt'communitypa:ksites.ThecollectiveareadevotedtomunicipalparksinAlaskais7,883acres(3,190ha),wlthabout ..=-=-=..:C-_=:-::="-::-=_<:-_=.O_::.=-=-_r -~.._.~~---_..~. .~--~~..~.~- ! Table L-2.Characteristics of the National Park Units in Alaska National Park Unit Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve Bering Land Bridge National Preserve Cap Krusenstern National Monument Denali National Park and Preserve Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Katmai National Park and Preserve Kenai Fjords National Park Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Kobuk Valley National Park Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Noatak National Preserve Sitka National Historic Park Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve Yukon-Charlie Rivers National Preserve General Location Alaska Peninsula Seward Peninsula Near Noatak Near Cantwell Anaktuvuk Pass Near Haines Alaska Peninsula Near Seward Skagway Kobuk Near Kustatan Upstream from Noatak Near Sitka Wrangell,Chugach and St.Elias Mountains Eagle Acreage 517,000 2,457,000 560,000 5,695,493 7,952,000 3,275,146 3,955,373 567,000 11,745 1,710,000 4,013,000 6,460,000 108 12,318,000 1,713,000 Distinctive Features Evidence of volcanic activity,crater lake,and waterfall Remnant land bridge,archeological and paleontologic resources,volcanics Archeological sites reveal Eskimo cultures dating back 4,000 years Mount McKinley,large glaciers,caribou,Dall's sheep,moose,brown bear,wolves North of the Arctic Circle,"greatest remaining wilderness in NorthAmerica,"rugged mountain scenery Great tidewater glaciers,ice to lush temperate rainforest,largevarietyofanimals Abundance of wildlife,renowned sport fishing,wild rivers,"Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes" Harding Icefield,1 of 4 major ice caps in U.S.,deep glacialvalleys,rainforest,abundant marine and bird life Historic buildings and portions of Chilkoot and White Pass Trailsprominentin1898goldrush Rich variety of arctic wildlife,Great Kobuk Sand Dunes,archeo-logical sites,wild river In heart of Chigmit Mountains,rugged scenery,most importantsalmonspawningareainNorthAmerica Largest undisturbed mountain-ringed basin in nation,very diversefloraandfauna,archeological sites Battleground marking the last major Tlingit Indian resistance toRussiancolonization Largest unit of the National Park System,"mountain kingdon ofNorthAmerica,"wild rivers,wildlife Numerous cabins and relics from the 1898 gold rush,paleontologicandarcheologicalsites,wild river r I en Conversion:To convert acres to hectares,multiply by 0.405. Source:National Park Service (1982). L-7TableL-3.AcreagesWithinUnitsoftheStateParkSystem,DifferentiatedbyParkDistrictt1RecreationRecreationHistoricalHistoricalDistrictSitesParksAreasParksSitesTotalSoutheast3456,04511526,453CopperBasin2,0822,082Mat-Su1,303421,12022,685271445,379Chugach141495,000495,141Interior1,519254,84810256,377Kenai1,478328,29010,294340,062Southwest2041,428,3201,428,524PInformationcurrentasofJune1981.Conversion:Toconvertacrestohectares,multiplyby0.405.Source:ModifiedfromAlaskaDivisionofParks(1981).52%ofthisacreagelocatedinAnchorage(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).Schoolsitesusableasparksaccountforanadditional2,000acres(810ha).Further,somemilitaryreservationsincludesmallparkacreagesthatservethegeneralpublicaswellasmilitarypersonnel.Inareasofconcentratedrecreationalactivity,privategroupsmayprovideservicessuchasfly-inguidedtourstoremoteprivatelodges(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Specificinforma-tiononsuchactivitiesisverylimited,butthedemandsfor,andprovidersof,thevariousservicesareincreasing(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).LandsselectedbyAlaskaNativesalsorepresentaverysubstantialrecreationresourcebase.However,theextenttowhichtheselandswillbeopentopublicrecreationisasyetunknown.L.1.1.2.2RecreationFacilitiesandActivitiesAllpublicrecreationareasandfacilitiesadministeredbyFederal,state,andlocalgovern-mentalagencieswereinventoriedinastatewidesurveyconductedin1977(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).ResultsaresummarizedinTableL-4.Asidefromthe"Military"categoryshowninthetable,theacreagesadministeredbythevariousotheragencieshavebeenupdatedtoreflect1980estimates(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).Otherinformationshowninthetableincludestheestimatedcapacityofsomeoftherecreationfacilities.[Thecapacityisindicatedas"PAOT"(personsat-one-time).Forexample,thetotaldevelopedcapacitiesofthe1,270campingunitsadministeredbyFederalagenciesareratedtoadequatelyserviceatotalof6,299PAOT.]RecreationusepatternsandpreferencesvarysignificantlyindifferentregionsofAlaska(JointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommission,1979).Forexample,residentsofSoutheastAlaskacommonlytravelfromthemaincommunitiesbyboatorplanetofavoritefishingcovesortoremotehuntingareas.Incontrast,theKenaiPeninsulaisinvadedonsummerweekendsbynumerousAnchorageresidentswhoovercrowdthecampgroundsandwaysidesduringthesalmonseason.ResidentsofFairbanksandotherinteriorcommunities,ontheotherhand,arelessinterestedinnewrecreationdevelopmentsbecausetheyarestillabletodispersetopubliclandstoparti-cipateinavarietyofactivities.Whilethesecharacterizationsmaybesomewhatextreme,regionaldifferencesdoexist,aswillbeevidentinthefollowingdiscussion.OneoftheprincipalandmorecomprehensivesourcesofinformationconcerningvariousaspectsofoutdoorrecreationinAlaskaistheAlaskaPublicSurvey(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).Thesurveywasamultiagencyeffortbasedon2,888interviewswithhouseholdersintheSoutheast,Southcentral,andInteriorregionsofAlaska(ClarkandJohnson,1981).Individualsover18yearsoldwererandomlychosenforinterviews,andeachinterviewwascompletedinonehour.Atotalof67communitieswererepresented.Theresultofthesurveyisanextensivecomputerdatabaseavailableforusebybothresourcemanagersandprivatecit izenstoanalyzeawiderangeofresourceproblems.InformationpresentedinTableL-5isderivedfromthedatabase.Asthetableshows,fishingisthemostfavoredoutdoorrecreationactivityinSoutheastandSouthcentralAlaska,whiletentcampingisthefavoriteactivityintheInteriorregion.Overall.trail-relatedactivitiesareamongthemorepopularactivities.TableL-6.alsobasedonsurveyresults,providesinformationindicat-ingthenumberoftimesperyearthatanaverageindividualparticipatesinagivenactivity. I Table L-4.Inventory and User Capacities of Existing Recreation Facilities and Land Ownership of Recreation Areas in Alaska PAOT =Persons at one time. All-terrain vehicles/off-road vehicles. School Federal Military State Local Sites Facil ities Number PAOn l Number PAOT Number PAOT Number PAOT Number PAOT Camping units 1,270 6,299 229 824 1,218 4,384 477 1,717 Remote'cabins 221 1,135 30 180 2 8 3 6 Picnic tables 270 1,368 34 161 1,747 8,735 323 1,583 Picnic shelters 22 220 1 10 32 320 Clam beaches (miles)- - - -28 Boat launches 34 34 4 4 26 26 12 12 Boat moorages - -25 25 - -4,378 4,378 Canoe trails (miles)332 1,932 --47 280 26 160 Horse trails (miles)214 1,070 49 240 8 40 Walk/run trails (miles)973 9,730 --443 4,430 23 230 Bicycle trails (miles)- -1 10 --76 760 ATV/ORVt 2 trails (miles)535 2,130 70 280 142 670 14 104 X-Ct 3 ski trails (miles)101 1,010 132 1,320 256 2,510 80 800 Dog-mushing trails (miles)- - --750 3,000 Ski lifts/tows 6 -15 ---4 Golf courses -'-1 ---4 Loc/- (Pvt) Tennis courts --23 - - -59 -40 Basketball courts --14 - --20 -223 Volleyball courts - -11 ---9 -72 Swimming pools --2 -10 -7 -11 Softball/baseball fields --41 ---75 -69 Soccer/football fields - -14 ---12 -20 Track and field --4 -- -5 -13 Target shooting ranges - -4 -3 -1 -4 Ice skating rinks - -12 ---20 -81 - --- -- - - - ------ --- - - ----- - - -- - -------- -------- Land Ownership (acres)153 mi 11 ion N/At 4 4.7 million 7,883 2,000 t l t 2 t 3 Cross-Country. t 4 N/A =Not Available. Conversion:To convert miles to kilometers,multiply by 1.61;to convert acres to hectares,multiply by 0.405. Source:Modified from Alaska Division of Parks (1981). , Ico TableL-5.FavoriteOutdoorRecreationActivitiest1Three-RegionSoutheastSouthcentralInteriorAverage,%Fishing24%24%10%22%Tentcamping39139Hunting66106Motorboating10546Hiking/walking/runningt213595Beachcombing1355Baseball/softball3454Bicyclingt22364Cross-countryskiingt22454Alpineskiing2424WinterORVt21332Swimming2222Flyingforpleasure122SummerORVt2122Traveling/sightseeing222Horsebackridingt2122Othert3t1Percentageofrespondentsselectingthespecifiedactivityastheirfirstpreference.t2Trail-relatedactivities.t3Twenty-fiveotheractivitieswerelistedandrepresented1%orlesseach.Source:AlaskaDivisionofParks(1981). L-10TableL-6.AverageAnnualRecreationOccasionsperParticipatingAdultbyActivityandRegionNumberofTimesperYearActivitiesDrivingforpleasureWalking/runningforpleasureBicyclingFishing(freshwater)MotorboatingSwimmingSnowmobiling/otherwinterORVCross-countryskiingMotorcycling/othersummerORVBaseball/softballAttendingsports,enter-tainmentSledding/tobagganingTentcampingHikingwithpackTargetshootingFootball/soccerKayaking/canoeingOutdoortennis/badmintonFlyingforpleasureOutdoorbasketballRecreationvehiclecampingAlpineskiingOutdoorhockeySailingHorsebackridingWaterskiingGolfingHangglidingOtherinlandactivitiesSoutheast21.817.99.13.16.02.41.91.62.04.25.84.61.53.93.41.61.01.91.02.30.22.10.010.20.20.20.00.02.5Southcentral18.313.312.57.55.34.14.45.05.14.83.84.53.62.93.32.93.13.53.32.03.12.61.21.21.00.50.60.12.6Interior16.37.212.814.611.015.611.210.08.15.85.53.47.64.21.43.43.41.22.12.42.10.82.81.11.00.70.10.02.4Three-RegionAverage18.712.911.78.26.96.65.55.45.14.94.74.34.13.52.92.72.72.52.42.22.12.01.30.90.80.50.30.12.5Source:ModifiedfromAlaskaDivisionofParks(1981). L-nThetwotablesindicatethewidevarietyofrecreationopportunitiesavailable,andcrosscomparisonswithinandbetweentablesprovideinsightastothepatternsandpreferencesofrecreationparticipation.Comparabledataforthemoresparselypopulatedregionsandforout-of-statetouristsarenotavailable;however,itseemsunlikelythattheresultswoulddiffersUbstantiallyfromthethree-regionaverages.L.l.2ProposedProjectL.l.2.1RegionalSettingAsdelineatedinstateparkplans,theSouthcentralRegionofAlaskaisboundedbythedivideoftheAlaskaRangeonthenorthandencompasses:ZodiakIslandonthesouth(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).TheeasternboundaryoftheregioncorrespondswiththeAlaska-Yukonborder,andthewesternlimitscorrespondwiththewesternboundariesoftheMatanuska-SusitnaandKenaiPeninsulaboroughs.ThewesternlimitsoftheregionalsoincludeportionsofDenaliNationalParkandPreserveandintercepteasternportionsoftheLakeClarkandKatmaiNationalParkandPreserve.OthernationalparkunitswithintheSouthcentralRegionincludetheKenaiFjordsNationalParkandmostofthevastWrangell-St.EliasNationalParkandPreserve.TheChugachNationalForestisentirelywithintheregion,asaretheKenaiandKodiakNationalWildlifeRefuges.AsidefromsmallislandunitsoftheAlaskaMaritimeNationalWildlifeRefuge,thecollectiveareaoftheFederalrefuge,park,andforestunitslocatedwhollyorpartiallywithintheSouthcentralRegionexceeds30millionacres(12millionha).ThesededicatedFederalholdingsaredescribedfurtherinSectionL.l.l.2andTablesL-landL-2.OtherFederallymanagedareasoftheSouthcentralRegionincludelargeacreagesofpublicdomainadministeredbytheBureauofLandManagementinaccordwiththeconceptofmultipleuseoflandresources.Provisionsforoutdoorrecreationareintegralconsiderationsinland-useplanning.LandmanagementunitsadministeredbytheBureauaredifferentiatedintofourunitscalled"planningblocks",whichmayconsistofoneormoreseparatelandparcels(U.S.BureauofLandManagement,1980).Twoofthep1anningblocksaretheColumbiaandBeringblocks,1ocatedimmediatelyinlandofPrinceWilliamSound,inmountainousterrainprimarilycoveredwithactiveglacialicefie1ds.Thecombinedacreageofthetwoblocksisabout1.1mi11ionacres(0.4millionha).TheothertwoplanningblocksadministeredbytheBureauaretheDenaliBlock,encompassing3.73millionacres(1.51millionha),andtheTiekelBlock,consistingof0.52millionacres(0.21millionha)(U.S.BureauofLandManagement,1982).TheDenaliBlockoccursasanirregulartractbetweenPaxsonandCantwellandisgenerallybisectedbytheDenaliHighway.TheTiekelBlockislocatedonbothsidesoftheRichardsonHighway,about32mi(51km)southofGlennallen.TheBureaualsoadministersthoseportionsoftheGulkanaandDeltariversthathavebeendesig-natedasunitsoftheWildandScenicRiversSystem.TheseriversegmentsparallelportionsoftheRichardsonHighwaytotheeastandnorth,respectively,oftheSusitnaRiverBasin.TheAlaskaDivisionofParksistheprincipalstateagencyadministeringrecreationresourceareasintheSouthcentralRegion.Furthermore,theDivision'seffortsindevelopingresourcesitesarestronglyfocusedinthisregion.Forexample,ofthe82parkunitsintheStateParkSystemin1982,53wereintheSouthcentralRegion(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Theunitsarecharacterizedasfollows:UnitsNumberAcreageStateParks31,244,614StateHistoricalParks3496StateRecreationAreas1334,022StateRecreationSites334,394StateTrails1Totals531,283,526TheconcentrationofstateparkunitsintheSouthcentralRegionappearstorelatestronglytotwofactors.First,morethanhalfofresidentsofAlaskaliveinthisregion.Second,thetransportationsystemoftheregionismoreextensivelydevelopedthanthatofotherregionsofthestate(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Furthermore,anoverviewofthedistributionofstateparkunitswithintheSouthcentralRegionrevealsamarkedconcentrationofrecreationdevelop-mentadjacenttopopulationcentersandalongmajorhighways.Informationrelativetotheregionaldistributionofrecreationalfacilitiesasgatheredinthe1977recreationsurveyispresentedinTableL-7.Asindicated,for18ofthe25categorieslisted,60%ormoreoftherecreationalfacilitiesarelocatedinSouthcentralAlaska.This L-12TableL-7.RegionalInventoriesofPublicRecreationFacilitiesProvidedbyGovernmentalAgenciesofAlaska,1977t1NumberofFacilitiesbyRegionFacilitiesCampingunitsRemotecabinsPicnictables,PicnicsheltersBoatlaunchesBoatmooragesCanoetrails(miles)Horsetrails(miles)Walk/runtrails(miles)Bicycletrails(miles)ATV/ORVt2trails(miles)X-Ct3skitrails(miles)Dog-mushingtrails(miles)Ski1ifts/towsGolfcoursesTenniscourtsBasketballcourtsVolleyballcourtsSwimmingpoolsSoftball/baseballfieldsSoccer/footballfieldsTrackandfieldTargetshootingrangesIceskatingrinksPlaygroundsSouthcentral2,328701,18516791,7233392719447670252345011589183621313432149106215Southeast35114933230382,7593440927203519227842220Interior4843376794422841594430071338111520621511SouthwestNorthwest312011242Total3,1942522,304551624,4833952711,439777615697502551222569230185462212113246:"iIiiIIIIIt1Doesnotincludeprivatelyownedfacilities.t2All-terrainvehicles/off-roadvehicles.t3Cross-country.Conversion:Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61.Source:AlaskaDivisionofParks(1981). L-13concentrationreflectsthehigherpopulationdensity,betterdevelopedhighwaynetwork,andhighproportionofstateparkunitsintheSouthcentralRegion.Additionally,theconcentrationmayreflectanincreasingpreferencebyAlaskanstouserecreationa1resourcesthatareclosetohomeorreadilyaccessible(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).TheAlaskaPublicSurveyof1981providedinformationconcerningpreferencesandprioritiesofSouthcentralAlaskanswithrespecttooutdoorrecreationactivities.TheresultsaresummarizedinTableL-8.AsPartAofthetableindicates,therecreationactivityinwhichadultsinSouthcentralAlaskamostfrequentlyparticipateisdrivingforpleasure;secondiswalkingandrunningforpleasure.ThefrequencyforadultsoftheSouthcentralRegionwhoparticipateinthesetwoactivitiesaverage18.3and13.3timesperyear,respectively(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).Acomparablenumberwasreport~dforbicycling(12.5timesperyear).Numbersforallotherreportedactivitieswere7.5orlesstimesperyear.TableL-8.PrincipalPreferencesofOutdoorRecreationistsResidinginSouthcentralAlaskat1A.ActivitiesinWhichAdultsMostFrequentlyParticipateDrivingforpleasureWalking/runningforpleasureFishingAudienceforoutdoorsportsTentcampingMotorboatingBicyclingCross-countryskiingTargetshootingRecreationalvehiclecampingB.ActivitiesinWhichAdultsWouldLiketoParticipateMoreOftenFishingCamping(general,tent)MotorboatingHntingHikingAlpineskiingFlyingDrivingforpleasureRecreationalvehiclecampingBicyclingC.ActivitiesRatedasFavoritebyAdultsFishingTentcampingWalking/runningforpleasureHuntingMotorboatingBeachcombingPlayingsoftball/baseballCross-countryskiingAlpineskiingBicyclingt1BasedonresponsesbyadultsparticipatingintheAlaskaPublicSurvey.Source:ParkPlanningSection,1982b.PartBofTableL-8indicatesactivitiesinwhichadultswouldprefertoparticipatemoreoften.Thepreferenceswerefishing(25%),tentcamping(12%),motorboating(8%),andhunting(7%).Anadditional8%oftherespondentssaidtheywouldprefertoparticipateinmoretrail-relatedactivities(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).FavoriterecreationactivitiesofadultswithintheSouthcentralRegionarelistedinPartCofTableL-8.AdditionalinformationispresentedinTableL-5.Asthetablesshow,24%ofthetotalsurveyrespondentsintheSouthcentralRegionidentifiedfishingastheirfavoriteoutdoorrecreationactivity.Thesecondmostfavoriteactivitywastentcampingat9%.Comparablepercentages(byactivity)fortheInteriorandSoutheastRegionsprovideabasisforcomparison(TableL-5).Forexample,fishingwasidentifiedasthefavoriteoutdooractivityby24%ofthesurveyrespondentsintheSoutheastandSouthcentralRegionsofAlaska.AcomparablepercentfortheInteriorRegionisonly10%.L.1.2.2UpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasinL.1.2.2.1ExistingConditionsTheproposedWatanaandDevilCanyondamsitesandaccessroutesarelocatedinaremoteareaoflimitedaccessibility.Noneofthepublicagenciesprovidessitesorfacilitiesforanorganizedoutdoorrecreationprograminthearea.Noristheareaasawholenorportionsthereofknowntobeunderconsiderationforinclusionasadedicatedrecreationresourcearea,suchaspartof L-14theWildandScenicRiversSystem,theNationalTrailsSystem,orasaWildernessArea(Terres-trialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).AschematicrepresentationofrecreationalfeaturesintheproposedprojectareaispresentedinFigureL-1.Atotalof120buildingsiteshavebeeninventoriedintheproposedprojectarea--threeprivatelyownedlodgesandmostoftherestareprivatecabins(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,TableE.9.5).Someofthesebuildingsitesinvolvemultiplecomplexes,althoughthemajorityareisolatedstructures.Thelodgesareprimarilybasecampsforfishingandhuntingactivities.Opportuni-tiesforsportfishingareabundant,andbothsportandtrophyhuntingoccur;themorepopularbiggamespeciesareDall'ssheep,moose,caribou,blackbear,andbrownbear(ExhibitE,Vol.SA,Chap.2,Sec.2.2).*Thelodgestypicallyserve20to30guestsatonetime,withatotalforalllodgesofabout120guestsperyear(ExhibitE,Vol.SA,Chap.2,Sec.2.2).Thelodgesalsoserverivertravelers,boaters,andotherparticipantsintrail-relatedactivities.Theprincipalmodeoftraveltothelodgesisairplane.StephanLakeLodge,locatedbyStephanLake,is14mi(23km)southwestoftheproposedWatanadamsite.Itisthelargestofthethreelodgecomplexes,consistingoftenmainstructuresandsevenadditionaloutlyingcabins.Itisalsothemostintensivelyused,servingapredominantlyEuropeanclientele(TerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).HighLakeLodgeislocatedatHighLake,6mi(10km)northeastoftheproposedDevi1Canyondamsite.Itisthesecondlargestlodgecomplexinthearea,comprising11structures.TsusenaLakeLodgeislocated8mi(13km)northoftheproposedWatanadamsiteandadjacenttoTsusenaLake.Thelodgecomplexconsistsofthreestructuresusedprimarilybylodgeownersandtheirfamiliesandfriends(TerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).Inadditiontothelodges,therearenumerousindividuallyownedcabinsscatteredthroughouttheproposedprojectarea.Someofthesecabinsarelocatedinclusters,suchasthosearoundWatanaandClarencelakes,whileothersarelocatedinrelativelyremoteareas.Thesecabinsareusedforavarietyofactivities,butabout50unitshavebeenidentifiedasprovidingshelterspecificallyforhuntersandfishermen(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,TableE.9.5).Afewofthecabinsarepermanentresidences,butmostareusedonaseasonalbasis.ThemajorrecreationresourceareasinthevicinityoftheproposedprojectlocationareDenaliStateParkandDenaliNationalParkandPreserve.Thenortheasternportion ofDenaliStateParkiswithin10mi(16km)oftheDevilCanyonprojectboundary(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1975).Comprisingover324,000acres(131,000ha)(ExhibitE,Vol.Sa,Chap.2,Sec.2.1.3),theDenaliStateParkisaccessiblebyair,majorhighway,andrailroad.TheparkisboundedontheeastbytheAlaskanRailroadandtraversedbytheParksHighwayforabout37mi(60km).Anestimated519,000travelerspassedthroughand/orusedconveniencesoftheparkin1981(ExhibitE,Vol.Sa,Chap.2,Sec.2.1.3).DevelopedfacilitiesinDenaliStateParkareconcentratedintheByersLakearea,thelocationofacampgroundwith61campingunitsand15picnickingunits(AlaskaNorthwestPUblishing,1982).Inadditiontothedevelopedfacilities,numerousopportunitiesprevailforhiking,skiing,snowshoeing,snowmobiling,andrivertouring(LandandResourcePlanningSection,1980).DenaliStateParkabutstheDenaliNationalParkandPreserveonboththewestandnorth.Thisvastparkandpreserveunitcomprises6.03millionacres(2.44millionha),approximatelyequiva-lenttotheareaofVermont(NationalParkService,1982).About31%,or1.9millionacres(0.8millionha),oftheparkisofficiallydesignatedaswildernessarea.MajoraccessroutesincludetheParksandDenalihighwaysandtheAlaskanRailroad;airserviceisalsoavailable.DenaliNationalParkandPreserveconstitutethemostpopularattractionintheregionforbothresidentsandout-of-statevisitors;over250,000visitationswerereportedin1981(ExhibitE,Vol.Sa,Chap.2,Sec.2.1.3).Developmentswithinthisnationalparkunitincludesevencamp-groundscomprisingatotalof225campingunits(DenaliNationalParkandPreserve,1983).Otheraccommodationsincludelodgingunits,diningfacilities,giftshop,gasstation,loungeandsaloon,grocerystore,andphotoshops.Awidevarietyofrecreationopportunitiesareavailable,includinghiking,backpacking,mountainclimbing,skiing,hunting,fishing,andsnowmobiling.AprincipalfeatureofthisnationalparkunitisMt.McKinley,thehighestmountainpeakinNorthAmerica,crestingat20,320feet(ft)[6,200meters(m)]MSL.Adiver-sityofwildlifeandlandscapesettingscontributetotheattractivenessofthearea.AlongtheParksHighwayandtheAlaskanRailroad,numerousprivatedevelopmentssupplementtherecreationalopportunitiesinthearea.Thesedevelopmentsareprimarilyserviceoriented,providingaccommodationstotouristsandtravelersandalsoservingasstagingareasforindi-vidualsenroutetomoreremoterecreationareas.*Throughoutthisdocument,referencestospecific"Exhibits"aretotheexhibitssubmittedtoFERCaspartofAlaskaPowerAuthority'sSusitnaHydroelectricProjectLicenseApplication.Referencestospecific"Appendices"(App.)aretotheappendicesprovidedinVolumes2through7ofthisDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement. '.1'" T.101t T.••. T.... T.'" SCALE 0 ..8 M'LES Figure L-1.Schematic Representation of Recreation Features in the Susitna Project Recreation Area. (See next page for legend.)[Source:EXhibit-E,Vol.8,Chap.7,Fig.E.7.4,Revised June 1983] r I...... fJ1 LANDSCAPEFEATURES:_...-WATERWAYS•••••••PORTAGETRAILIIII IRAILROADS•TOWNSEXISTINGROADS•STRUCTURESPROPOSEDROADS4feBUILDINGCLUSTERS---TRAILS*HIGHPOINTS_0-SUSITNAWATERSHEDBOUNDARY..MINORVIEWS---PROPOSEDTRANSMISSIONLINES....MAJORVIEWS.-....LIMITSOFRECREATIONSTUDY11111111I11SIGNIFICANTLANDSCAPESETTINGS_..-PARKBOUNDARIESNOTE:SEETABLEE.7.8FORSPECIFICTRAILDATA.RECREATIONACTIVITIES:UHIKINGEICROSSCOUNTRYSKUNGIIDOGSLEDDINGIIBOATING~ROCKHUNTINGmBERRYPICKING'!:.~CAMPINGmSNOWMACHINING~TAKE-OUTPOINTIIHUNTING~SNOWSHOEING~PUT-INPOINT.~....:.=FISHING~MOUNTAINEERINGmPHOTOGRAPHYmFLYINGIIOFF-ROADDRIVINGrISHELTER~BIRDWATCHINGC;HORSEBACKRIDINGWILDLIFECONCENTRATIONS:oMOOSE0SHEEPoBROWNBEARoBLACKBEARL-16oWATERFOWLoCARIBOUFigureL-i.Continued L-17AlongtheDenaliHighway,severalprivatedevelopmentsserverecreationalinterests.Alongthesegmentnorthoftheproposeddamsites,forexample,aretheprivatelyownedlodgesAdventuresUnlimited,GraciousHouse,andtheSusitnaRiverLodge.Farthertotheeast,avarietyofaccommodationsareoffered,particularlyintheTangleLakesarealocatedsome20mi(32km)westofPaxson.Facilitiesandservicesincludetwolodges,alargecampground,andguidingservice(InteriorRegionReconnaissanceSection,1981).TangleLakesisalsoaput-inpointforfloattripsontheDeltaRiver,adesignatedWildandScenicRiver.TheTangleLakesareaiswithintheboundariesoftheTangleLakesArcheologicalDistrict,listedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces(AlaskaDept.ofTransportationandPublicFacilities,1981).TheBureauofLandManagementmaintainsseveralsmallrecreationsitesalongtheDenaliHighway;theprincipalsiteadjacenttotheproposedprojectareaisa31-unitcampgroundlocatedatthejunctionoftheDenaliHighwayandBrushkanaCreek(ExhibitE,Vol.5A,Chap.2,Sec.2.2).TheBureaualsomaintainsaboatlaunchattheSusitnaRivercrossingandasmallcampgroundatClearwaterCreek.OtherBureaulandsalongtheDenaliHighwayandadjacenttotheprojectareahavebeendesignatedbytheBureauforrecreationbutareessentiallyundevelopedatthistime(Kukloketal.,1982).PlansforupgradingtheDenaliHighwayhavebeenproposed(AlaskaDept.ofTransportationandPublicFacilities,1981).IntegralwiththeplansisthepropositionthattheDenaliHighwaybenominatedforstatusasaNationalScenicHighway.Currentinformationindicatesthatthispropositionhasbeendenied(AlaskaLandUseCouncil,1983).TheboatlaunchsiteatthejunctionoftheSusitnaRiverandDenaliHighwayisapopularaccesspointforriverrecreation.RiverrunnerscanfollowtheSusitnaRivertoVeeCanyonandportagetoClarenceLake,ordivertfromtheSusitnaRiver,andpowerupstreamontheTyoneRiverandultimatelyreachLakeLouise,whichisaccessiblebylandfromtheGlennHighway.OtherrivertravelopportunitiesintheproposedprojectareaentailfloatingonStephanLakeanddownPrairieCreektotheconfluencewiththeTalkeetnaRiver,whichhasbeenproposedfordesigna-tionasaStateRecreationRiver(ParkPlanningSection,1982b),orwhite-waterkayakingontheClassVIrapidsofDevilCanyon(ExhibitE,Vol.5a,Chap.2,Sec.2.2).Theexistingnetworkoftrailswithintheprojectareahavebeenbuiltprimarilyforaccessbyminers,trappers,hunters,andfishermen(ExhibitE,Vol.5a,Chap.2,Sec.2.2).InformationaboutthevarioustrailsissummarizedinTableL-9,andiskeyedtoFig.L-1.Whiletheaccessnetworkprecludescertainmodesoftransport,thevarioustrailsprovideopportunitiesforactivitiessuchashiking,skiing,snowmobiling,off-roadvehiclepleasuredriving,wildlifeviewing,anddogsledding.-L.1.2.2.2PotentialFutureDevelopmentsThestatusoffuturerecreationalresourcedevelopmentsintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinremainsuncertain.TheextenttowhichAlaskanNativesandAlaskanNativeCorporationsmaychoosetodeveloptheirlandsforrecreationuseisnotyetknown.ItseemsreasonabletoexpectthattheBureauofLandManagement,theNationalParkService,theU.S.FishandWildlifeService,theU.S.ForestService,andotherFederalagencieswouldfocusprimarilyonenhancingtheirexistingfacilities.Ontheotherhand,theAlaskaDivisionofParksappearstohaveadoptedarelativelyaggressivepositioninrespondingtopotentialfutureneeds.ThepositionoftheDivisionofParkscanbeillustratedbyreferencetotheSouthcentralRegionrecreationplanfor1982-1992(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).TheDivisioncurrentlyadministers53stateparkunitsinthatarea.Potentialadditionstothestateparksysteminclude31"proposed"units;anadditional13unitsareclassified"futureconsiderations".TheSouthcentralRegionplanalsoprovidesforacquisitionstoandintensifieddevelopmentofsomeexistingparkunits.RecommendedactionsneartheproposedprojectareaincludeestablishingtheTalkeetnaasaStateRecreationRiver,addingtheIndianRiverareatoDenaliStatePark,conductingafeasibilitystudyoftheTokositnaproject(aproposedresortdevelopmentofstatewidesignificance),anddevelopingacompletetrailprogramandmanagementplan.L.1.2.3LowerSusitnaBasinandCookInletAreaThenumberofstateparkunitsinthevicinityofAnchorageillustratesthetendencyforconcen-tratedrecreationaldevelopmentaroundmajorpopulationcenters.TheresidentpopulationofAnchorageis173,017,about43%ofthetotalpopulationofAlaska(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).ImmediatelyeastofAnchorageistheChugachStatePark,amajorrecreationresourceareacomprising405,204acres(164,000ha)(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1982).Extensivedevelopedfacilitiesareavailable,aswellasopportunitiesforavarietyofdispersedrecrea-tionactivities(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1980).RecreationresourcesofAnchorageinclude4,100acres(1,660ha)ofmunicipalparks(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).TheGooseBay,PalmerHayFlats,andSusitnaFlatsstategamerefuges,administeredbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,areinthevicinityofAnchorage.FederallysponsoredrecreationsitesintheareaarelocatedatFt.Richardsonand Table L-9.Trails in the Susitna Project Recreation Study Areat 1 Trail Beginning Middle End Years Used Use r- I ~ Foot,snowmobile, skis Sled road foot use Dry,snowmobiles and foot Unknown Best portaging Biking &off-road vehicles Off-road vehicles &hiking Hiking Hiking Hiking;to be built in 1983 1920s -present 1957 -present 1950s -present 1950s -present 1961 -present Merma id Lake Portage Creek Big Deadman Lakes Butte Creek drainage Same (loop) Curry Ridge Parks Highway at Troublesome Creek Crossing Tsusena Lake Snodgrass Lake Devil Canyon Confl uence of John &Chunilna Creeks Chunilna Creek Butte Lake Portage Creek Ridge top west of VABM Clear Near Cantwell Alaska Railroad mile 232 Chunil na Chunilna Denali Highway Denali Highway Gold Creek Gold Creek To Maclaren River Random throughout the southern area of the study area Susitna River Stephan Lake Denali Highway Near Butte Lake Denali Highway near the Susitna Bridge Byers Lake Parks Highway Park Highway at Little Coal Creek . 1.Cat,ORV 2.Cat,ORV 3.Cat 12.Butte Creek Trail 13.Byers Lake Trail 14.Little Coal Creek 15.Curry Ridge Trail 4.Packhorse,Old Sled Road 5.ATV 6.Snodgrass Lake Trail 7.Portage Creek Trail 8.Susitna River Trail 9.Talkeetna Trails 10.Stephan Lake Trail 11.Big Lake Trail t 1 Existing trails are shown in Fig.L-l. Source:Modified from Exhibit E,Vol.8,Chap.7,Table E.7.6. L-19theElmendorfAirForceBase,wheresomedevelopedfacilitiesandareasareopentolimitedrecreationusebythegeneralpublic(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Twenty-onestateparkunitsarelocatedontheKenaiPeninsula,primarilyalongthewesternedgeofthepeninsula(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Theconcentrationofparksreflectsastrongdemandforrecreationopportunities,asindicatedbyparkplanningdocuments(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Tosomeextent,itmayalsoreflectreadyaccessbybothwaterandlandroutes(theSewardandSterlinghighways).Thewidelydiverseenvironmentalsettingofthepeninsulaincludescoastalenvironment,freshwaterlakesandrivers,marineandmountainsettings,andactiveglaciers.MajorFederalrecreationresourceareasborderingportionsofCookInletincludetheChugachNationalForest,KenaiNationalWildlifeRefuge,andLakeClarkNationalPark(seeSec.L.l.1.2.1).ThesegmentoftheGlennHighwayfromPalmertoGlennallenandtheRichardsonHighwaysoutherlyfromGlennallenconstitutetheprimaryaccessfor16unitsofthestateparksystem.Locatedatvaryingdistancesfromthemajorhighway,mostoftheseparkunitsareclassifiedasStateRecreationSites(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1982).Alloftheunitsarerelativelysmall,thelargestcomprising600acres(240ha).TheseveralstateparkunitsalongtheParksHighwayincludetheDenaliStatePark,WillowCreekStateRecreationArea,NancyLakeStateRecreationArea,andNancyLakeStateRecreationSite(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).ThetwoNancyLakeparkunitsarecontiguous.L.l.2.4TransmissionLineCorridorsEnvironmentalcriteriausedinselectingtheroutefortheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorincludedavoidanceofexistingorproposeddevelopedareas,heavilytimberedareas,privateland,wildliferefuges,andparksparallelingexistingtransmissionlineswhenfeasible;andselectingforgentlerelief(ExhibitB,TableB.38).Thecorridortraversesa3,520-acre(1,425-ha)tractproposedforadditiontotheWillowCreekStateRecreationArea(ParkPlanningSection,1982b)andpassesneartheNancyLakeState-RecreationArea.However,thecorridordoesnotencroachonanyofthemajorexistingrecreationalresourceareas,withexceptionofthenortheastcorneroftheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefuge,whichwouldbetraversedforadistanceof5mi(8km)(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,Fig.E.9.10).Thetransmission1inecorridorbetweentheproposeddamsitesandtheGo1dCreekswitchyard(segmentsAJCD,Fig.2-14)traversesareacharacterizedbylow-intensityrecreationalactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.Thecorridoralsointerceptsand/orparallelsoff-roadvehicleroutes,snowmobiletrails,andhikingpaths,particularlyintheGoldCreekarea.ItisnotablethattheDams-to-GoldCreekcorridorpasseswithin1mi(1.6km)oftheHighLakeLodge.LikeHighLake,otherlakesinthisareaarealsopopularrecreationsitesandareaccessibleprimarilybyfloatplane(AcresAmerican,1982).SegmentsoftheSusitnaRiver,TsusenaandDevilcreeks,andabout14otherminorwaterwaysarealsowithintheproposedtransmissionlinecorridor.TheSusitnaRiverandTsusenaCreeksupportavarietyofgamefishandarealsousedforotherwater-basedrecreationactivities.RecreationopportunitiesinthevicinityoftheproposedGoldCreek-to-Fairbankstransmissionlinecorridor(segmentsABC,Fig.2-15)includeavarietyoflow-densityactivitiessuchashunting,fishing,hiking,andothertrail-relatedactivities.Afewisolatedresidential/recreationalcabinsoccuralongthecorridor,buttherearenosignificantprivatelydevelopedrecreationfacilities.Inadditiontointersectingafewrecreationtrails,unimprovedroads,andsecondaryhighways,theproposedcorridorvariouslypara11e1sandintersectstheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroad,whichconstitutethemajortravelroutesofthesightseeingpublic.ThecorridorintersectstheParksHighwayatthethreelocationsandtheAlaskaRailroadattwolocations.ThecorridoralsocrossestheDenaliHighwayeastofCantwell.Riverroutestra-versedbytheproposedcorridorincludetheNenana(threelocations),Susitna,Indian,Jack,Tanana,YanertForkoftheNenana,andtheEastandMiddleForksoftheChulitnaRiver.TheNenana,Susitna,andTananariversareparticularlypopularwaterwaysforrivertravelers,aswellasforanglersandotherparticipantsinwater-basedrecreationactivities.Over80smallerwaterwaysarealsotraversedbytheproposedcorridor.TheGoldCreek-to-AnchoragecorridoroftheSusitnatransmissionsystemwouldencroachontheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefuge,aswellasonsensitiveareastothesouthwestofWillowandinthevicinityandtothesouthoftheNancyLakeStateRecreationArea(segmentsADFC,Fig.2-16).Residential/recreationalcabinsarecommonaroundthelakesinthisarea,whereaccessisprimarilybyfloatplanes.Also,therearemanyestablishedrecreationtrailsinthearea,particularlytotheeastoftheSusitnaFlatsGameRefuge.TrailstraversedbytheproposedtransmissioncorridorincludetheIditarodDogsledRacingTrail.IntheAnchoragearea,theproposedcorridorparallelsanexistingtransmissionline.MajortravelroutesthatintercepttheproposedcorridorincludetheAlaskaRailroadandtheGlennandDavishighways.Majorwaterwaystraversedbytheproposedcorridorincludeth~LittleSusitna, L-20Kashwitna,andTalkeetnarivers;allsupportsubstantialsportfishingactivities.OneofthelargestsilversalmonrunsinSouthcentralAlaskaoccursintheLittleSusitnaRiver(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).L.1.3SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesL;1.3.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesignsRecreationresourcesassociatedwiththealternativedamlocationsanddesigns(Fig.2-17)aresimilartotheresourcesoftheproposedSusitnaproject.Therearenodedicatedrecreationresourceareasnordevelopedrecreationsitesorfacilities,andthelocationsarecharacterizedbylow-density,dispersedrecreationactivities(andtrail-relatedrecreation).Accordingly,thediscussionofrecreationresourcespresentedinSectionL.1.2.2isalsoapplicabletotheSusitnadevelopmentalternatives.L.1.3.2AlternativeAccessRoutesNodedicatedrecreationorconservationareasoccurintheproposedalternativeaccessroutes(Fig.2-13).Recreationalopportunitiesarelimitedtolow-densityactivitiessuchashuntingandfishingandtotrail-relatedactivities.Thus,whilecertainfactorssuchasgameandfishresourcesandsocioeconomicaspectswereconsidered,theApplicantindicatesthatrecreationresourceswereessentia11yeliminatedascriteriafordesignatingandevaluatingofalternativeaccessroutes(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,p.E-10-49).L.1.3.3AlternativePowerTransmissionRoutesL.1.3.3.1CentralStudyAreaInitially,15transmissionlinerouteswereidentifiedwithinthecentralstudyarea[ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,Sec.2.4(b)].However,eightofthecorridorsweredeemedunacceptablebecauseoftechnica1and/oreconomicconsiderations.Successivescreeningandcomparisonsfurtherreducedthenumberofpossibilitiestofour[ExhibitB,Vol.2,Sec.2.7(d)]:Corridor1(seg-mentsABCD),Corridor3(AJCF),Corridor13(ABCF),andCorridor14(AJCD)(Fig.2-14).Nodevelopedordedicatedpublicrecreationresourceareasoccurwithinoradjacenttothesefourcorridors;publicrecreationopportunitiesarelimitedtolow-densityactivitiessuchashuntingandfishingandtotrail-relatedactivities.However,segmentCD(commontoCorridors1and14)doesparallelanoff-roadvehicletrailextendingfromGoldCreektoalocationneartheproposedDevilCanyondamsite[ExhibitB,Vol.2,Sec.2.7(d)].Thistrailwouldfacilitateaccessforconstructionandmaintenanceoftransmissionfacilities,whereasconstructionoffacilitiesinsegmentCF(commontoCorridors3and13),wouldrequiredevelopmentofaccessroads.Conse-quently,Corridors3and13wereeliminatedfromfurtherconsideration.AfterCorridor14(AJCD)wasselectedastheproposedroutebytheApplicant[ExhibitB,Vol.2,Sec.2.7(d)],theremainingCorridor1wasdesignatedasanalternativeroute.ItshouldbenotedthatsegmentABCofCorridor1isnotfarfromprivatelydevelopedrecreationfacilities,includingStephanLakeLodgeandseveralcabinsintheStephanLakeandFogLakesareas.DevelopedtransmissionfacilitiesinthisportionofCorridor1wouldbeobservablefromvantagepointsatornearthesesites.L.1.3.3.2SouthernStudyAreaCorridor2(ADFC)wasselectedastheproposedroutebetweentheWillowsubstationandAnchorage(Fig.2-16).Thetwoalternativecorridorsarediscussedbelow.ALTERNATIVECORRIDOR1(SegmentsABC)NomajordedicatedrecreationresourceareasaretraversedbyCorridor1(ABC).However,severalsmallrecreationsitesarenearby.TheWillowCreekStateRecreationareaabutsthewesternboundaryoftheWillowCreeksubstation(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Withinorimmediatelyperipheraltotheboundariesofthecorridor,inthePalmer-WasillaareaaretheKepler-BradleyStateRecreationArea,FingerLakeStateRecreationSite,MatanuskaValleyColonyFarmStateHistoricSite,andGoodingLake.GoodingLakeisanestablishedbird-watchingarea(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,Sec.2.4.6).FromtheEklutnaPowerhouseintoAnchorage,Corridor1parallelsexistingtransmissionlinerights-of-way(ExhibitB,Vol.2,Sec.2.7).Publicrecreationareasneartheseexistingrights-of-wayincludePetersCreekandMirrorLakestaterecreationsites,EagleRivercampground,andtheThunderBirdFallsturnout;sitesandfacilitiesofthemoreurbanizedsettingswithinandnorthofAnchoragehavenotbeenidentified.MajortouristroutesthatintersectCorridor1includetheGlennHighway(atfivelocations),theGeorgeParksHighway,andtheAlaskaRailroad.SecondaryroadsthatintersectCorridor1includetheWillowCreek(HatcherPass)Road,whichistheonlyroadaccesstoIndependenceMineStateHistoricalPark(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Recreationtrailsparallelingand/or intersectingCorridor1includetheIditarodTrail,anhistoricrouteandthesceneoftheannualIditarodDogsledRace.Atotalof33waterwaysintersectCorridor1:5riversand28creeks(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,TableE.10.21).Thesewaterwaysaffordopportunitiesforavarietyofrecreationactivities.TheriversystemsincludetheMatanuska,Knik,Eklutna,Eagle,andLittleSusitnarivers.TheEklutnaandEagleriversoriginateinChugachStateParkandarereadilyaccessibleforriverrecreationenthusiasts.TheLittleSusitnaisapopularrivertouringroute;fromalaunchnearHouston,rivertravelerscantourdownstreamandeitherportagetoSkeetnainthesouthernpartoftheNancyLakesareaorcontinuedownstream.TheLittleSusitnaisnotableforoneofthelargestsilversalmonrunsinSouthcentralAlaska(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).TheriverhasbeenproposedforStateRecreationRiverstatus(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).ALTERNATECORRIDOR3(SegmentsAEFC)Corridor3includessegmentFC,whichispartoftheproposedCorridor2.Thus,thealternativecorridorisessentiallysegmentAEF(Fig.2-16).ThecorridortraversesNancyLakeStateRecrea-tionAreaforadistanceofabout9mi(15km).ReadilyaccessiblefromtheGeorgeParksHighway,thismajorrecreationareaaffordsopportunitiesforawidevarietyofactivities.Summeractivitiesincludepicnicking,camping,hiking,fishing,canoeing,motorboating,andnaturestudy.Winteractivitiesincludedogsledding,cross-countryskiing,snowmobiling,snowshoeing,andicefishing.Thefourlargestlakes(RedShirt,Butterfly,Lynn,andNancylakes)intheareasupportlaketrout,rainbowtrout,whitefish,andDollyVarden.Inrecentyears,theareaaroundNancyLakeshasexperiencedarecreationalcabinboom(U.S.Dept.ofAgriculture,1981).Severallakesidedevelopments,typicallyaccessedbyfloatplanes,occurwithinorimmediatelyadjacenttothecorridor.Corridor3intersectstwoprincipaltouristroutes:theGeorgeParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadnearWillow.Thecorridoralsointersectsand/orparallelstheNancyLakeParkwayandrecreationtrailsinNancyLakeStateRecreationArea,aswellasrecreationtrailsfurthertothesouth,includingtheIditarodDogsledRacingTrail.Waterwaysintersectingand/orparallel-ingthecorridorincludeseveralcreeksandtheLittleSusitnaRiver.L.1.3.3.3NorthernStudyAreaTheproposedcorridorbetweentheHealysubstationandFairbanksisdiscussedinSectionL.1.2.4.Thethreealternativesarediscussedbelow.ALTERNATIVECORRIDOR2(SegmentsABDC)SegmentABoftheproposedCorridor1(ABC)iscommontoCorridor2(ABDC).Thus,thealterna-tiverouteisessentiallysegmentBDC.Nosignificantpublicorprivaterecreationdevelopmentsoccurinoradjacenttothecorridor;howeveritdoesintersecttheGeorgeParksHighwaynearFairbanksandparallelsorintersectsafewestablishedrecreationtrails.Land-basedrecrea-tionopportunitiesconsistofdispersedactivitiessuchashunting,cross-countryskiing,snow-mobiling,hiking,andoperationofoff-roadvehicles.ThecorridoralsointersectsseveralcreeksandtheTatlanika,Wood,andTananarivers.TheTanana,inparticular,affordsavarietyofrecreationalactivities,includingsomeprovidedbycommercialinterests.Riverexcursionsonsternwheelercraftareavailableonaregularbasis(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1982).Moreover,oneoftheannualfestiveeventsintheFairbanks-NenanaareaisRiverDaze,featuringaraftracedowntheTananaRiverfromFairbankstoNenana.ALTERNATIVECORRIDOR3(SegmentsAECD)Corridor3consistsoftwomainsegments,AEandECD(Fig.2-15).FromtheNenanaRiver-HealyCreekconfluence,segmentAEgenera11ypara11e1s aroadthatextendseasterlyalongthenorthbankofHealyCreekpasttheSuntrana,Usibelli,andCrippleCreekminingareasforatotalofabout8mi(13km).Thisroadistheonlydevelopedright-of-wayinthevicinityofthe65-mi(105-km)segmentAE.Fromtheeasternterminusoftheroad,segmentAEsuccessivelyparallelstheremainingupstreamportionofHealyCreek,about5mi(8km)ofanestablishedtrailthatcrossesthedividebetweenHealyandCodycreeks,theentirelengthofCodyCreek,andaportionofWoodRivertoaterminusnorthofJapanHills.OnlyafewisolatedcabinsoccurwithinthisportionofsegmentAE.Recreationalopportunitiesarelimitedtodispersedactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.HealyCreekisareportedraftingarea(ExhibitB,Vol.2,TableB.41).However,noinformationisavailableaboutriverrecreationalactivitiesintheotherwaterwaysparallelingorintersectingsegmentAE.Theremotenessofthegeneralareaisconduciveonlytominorrecreationuse.FromthenorthernterminusofsegmentAEneartheJapanHills,segmentECDofCorridor3extendsnorthwesterlyalongtheWoodRivertoaconfluencewithFishCreekandthennorthacrossthe L-22WoodandTananariverstoaterminus nearEster(Fig.2-15),atotaldistanceof50mi(80km).NorthoftheTananaRivertravelroutesintersectingcorridorsegmentDCincludeseveraltrails,theChenaRidgeRoad,andtheGeorgeParksHighway.TheChenaRidgeRoadisarecommendedrouteforviewingtheCityofFairbanksandtheTananaRiverValley(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983),whiletheGeorgeParksHighwayisamajortouristroute.SouthoftheTananaRivertherearenodevelopedaccessroads,trails,orrecreationsitesalongthecorridor.Thus,recreationopportunitiesarelimitedtodispersedactivities.TheflatwetlandssouthofFairbanksareusedforsnowmobilingandrelatedactivitiesduringthewinter(ExhibitB,Vol.2,TableB.41);but,forthemostpart,recreationaluseislowbecauseoftheremotenessofthearea.Althoughthecorridorsegmentintersectsnumerouscreeks,riverrecreationactivityisprimarilylimitedtotheTananaRiver.TananaRiverrecreationwasaddressedbrieflyinthediscussionofalterna-tiveCorridor2.ALTERNATECORRIDOR4(SegmentAEF)Corridor4consistsoftwosegments:AEandEF.RecreationresourcesandactivitiesassociatedwithsegmentAEwereidentifiedinthediscussionofalternativeCorridor3above.Thediscus-sionhereislimitedtosegmentEF.FromalocationnorthoftheJapanHills,segmentEFextendsduenorthacrosstheWoodandTananariversandintoFairbanks(Fig.2-15),adistanceof40mi(64km).Thecorridorintersectsanundeterminednumberofrights-of-waywithinFairbanks(ExhibitB,Vol.2,TableB.41).RecreationresourcesandactivitiesassociatedwithsegmentEFatandsouthoftheTananaRiveraregenerallysimi1artothoseofsegmentECDofCorridor3.AminordifferencecanbenotedinthatsegmentEFintersectsthreeestablishedtrails;thus,sometrail-relatedrecreationoccursalongthecorridor.Additionally,afewdevelopedsitesarelocatedalongthecorridor,includ-ingacabinintheJapanHillsarea.Nevertheless,recreationuseislimitedbecauseoftheremotenessofthearea.L.1.3.3.4OtherAlternativePowerTransmissionRoutesSubsequenttosubmissionofformalapplicationforalicense,theApplicantidentifiedadditionalalternativetransmissionlinesegments,asshowninDrawingsT-1, T-5,andT-6ofWakefield(1983).Recreationalresourceareasandactivitiesassociatedwiththeseadditionaltransmissionroutesarediscussedbelow.ANCHORAGE-WILLOWSEGMENTS(DrawingT-l)Segments1,5,8,18,and19constituteaportion oftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridor.Thus,recreationresourceareasandactivitiesassociatedwiththesesegmentsweretreatedinSectionL.l.2.4.Segments2,9,11, 14, 16,and17constituteanalternativecorridorwhoserecreationresourceareasandactivitiesareessentiallysimilartothoseofalternativeCorridor1(seeSec.L.l.3.3.2).Alternativesegment3intersectstheGeorgeParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroad(primarytouristroutes).Fromthesouthernterminusofsegment3,segment4andsegments6and7constitutetwoalternativeroutesaroundtheBigLakearea,connectingwiththeproposedcorridorwestoftheKnikArm.Segment4intersectstheLittleSusitnaRiver(riverrecreationcorridor),theIditarodDogSledRacingTrail,andseveralotherrecreationtrails.Relativelynumerousrecreationalcabinsoccurwithinoradjacenttocorridorsegment4,includinglakesidecabinsintheHorseshoeLake, PapooseTwins,andCarpenterLakeareas.Segment6 a1sointersectstheLittleSusitnaRiver,aswellastheaccessroadtotheBeaverLakesarea,theaccessroadtotheRockyLakeandBigLakestaterecreationsites,andotherrecreationtrails.Recreationalcabinsoccurwithinandadjacenttosegment6,particularlyintheBeaverLakesarea.Recrea-tionresourcesassociatedwithsegment7includeGooseBayStateGameRefuge,theThreemileLakerecreationarea,privaterecreationsites,theIditarodDogsledRacingTrail,andseveralotherrecreationtrails.Fromthejunctionofsegments6and7,segment10extendseasterly,connectingwithotheralter-nativesegmentsinthePalmerarea.Segment10intersectsseveralrecreationtrailsandtouristroutes,includingtheKnik-GooseBayRoad,theAlaskaRailroad,andGlennHighway.Recreationsiteslocatedwithinoradjacenttocorridorsegment10includestheLucileLakearea.OthercorridorsegmentsinthePalmerareaincludeSegments12, 13,and15.Touristroutesintersectingsegment12includetheGlennHighway,theAlaskaRailroad,Willow-FishookRoad,andOldGlennHighway.Otherrecreationresourcesassociatedwithcorridorsegment12areofminorimportance.Segment13intersectstheGeorgeParksHighwayandisadjacenttotheKepler-BradleyStateRecreationarea.Segment15closelyparallelstwomajortouristroutes:theGlennHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroad. L-23HEALY-ANDERSONSEGMENTS(DrawingT-5)Corridorsegments1,2,5,8,and9constituteaportionoftheproposedcorridortreatedinSectionL.1.2.4.Segments3,4,and7intersectwithseveralcreeksandafewestablishedtrails.Thetypicalrecreationaluseconsistsoflow-densitydispersedactivitiesandminortrail-relatedrecreation.Fromajunctionwithsegment5,segment10closelyparallelsandthenintersectsthreemajorrecreationcorridors:theNenanaRiver,theGeorgeParksHighway,andtheAlaskaRailroad.ItcontinuestoparalleltheGeorgeParksHighwaythroughtheAndersonarea.Segment10alsointersectstheaccessroadtotheClearMewsdevelopmentsite,aswellasseveralestablishedtrails.ANDERSON-FAIRBANKSSEGMENTS(DrawingT-6)Corridorsegments9,12, 15, 17,20, 22,and25constituteaportion oftheproposedcorridordiscussedinSectionL.1.2.4,Segments11,21,and23traverseareasoflowrecreationalpoten-tialforotherthandispersedrecreationactivities.Majortravelroutescloselyparalleledbysegments6A,10, 14,and18includetheGeorgeParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroad.Segment14alsointersectstheTananaRiver,animportantriverrecreationcorridor.Segment13intersectstheTananaRiveraswellastheGeorgeParksHighwayandanestablishedsledroad.FromnearNenana,segments16,26,and27collectivelyintersecttheTenanaRiverthreetimesenroutetoFairbanks;recreationalopportunitiesassoci-atedwiththesesegmentsprimarilyconsistofrivertouringanddispersedactivities.The2-mi(3-km)segment6intersectstheGeorgeParksHighway.Fromthejunctionofsegments6and6Aatabout12mi(19km)northeastofNenana,segments19and24closelyparalleltheAlaskaRailroadenroutetoFairbanks.L.1.3.4AlternativeBorrowSitesCurrently,therearenodevelopedrecreationsitesassociatedwiththealternativeborrowsites.Recreationuseintheseareasconsistsofdispersedactivities,primarilylow-densitysporthuntingandfishing,withsometrail-relatedrecreationalactivities.Thus,thereisnosubstan-tivebasisfordifferentiatingrecreationopportunitiesassociatedwiththevariousborrowsites.L.1.4Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternativesL.1.4.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioL.1.4.1.1BelugaandChuitnaRiversAreaTheBelugaandChuitnariversarelocatedtothewestofCookInlet,atclosestdistanceabout50mi(80km)westofAnchorage.Althoughthelocalroadandtrailnetworkisrelativelywelldeveloped,theareaisisolatedfromthemajorhighwaysystemduringallbutthewinterseason.Visitoraccessisprimarilybyfloatplaneorwheeledaircraft.Nosubstantialdevelopedrecrea-tionsitesoccurintheimmediatearea.ThenearestdedicatedrecreationandconservationareasareLakeClarkNationalParkandtheSusitnaFlatsandTradingBaystategamerefuges.Althoughrelativelyremote,areasinlandfromCookInletaresubjecttoconsiderablerecreationalactivity(Bechtel,1983).Huntingandfishingaretheprincipaldispersedrecreationactivities;othersincludehiking,camping,skiing,snowmobiling,andvariouswater-basedactivities.SeveralanadromousspeciesofsalmonmigrateuptheMcArthur,Beluga,Chakachatna,andChuitnarivers,aswellasassoci-atedtributaries.Thus,thesewaterwaysarepopularsportfishingsites.OtherfishspeciesincludeDollyVarden,rainbowtrout,whitefish,grayling,andburbot.Biggamespeciespresentintheareaincludemoose,caribou,andbrownandblackbears;mooseandblackbeararerela-tivelyabundant.Wetlandsandwaterfowlhabitataboundinthearea,andwaterfowlhuntingisapopularrecreationactivity.ThenearbyTradingBayStateGameRefugeistheninthmostimportantwaterfowlhuntingareainthestate(Bechtel,1983).L.l.4.1.2KenaiMuchofthenorthwesternKenaiPeninsulaiswithintheKenaiNationalWildlifeRefuge.Therefugeincludesdesignatedwildernessarea,aswellasdevelopedpicnicsites,campgrounds,andotherrecreationfacilitiesmaintainedbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Onthenorthwestcoast1ineoftheKenaiPeninsulaistheCaptainCookStateRecreationArea,a3,620-acre(1,465-ha)tractthatincludesthreedevelopedcampgrounds(79units),picnicsites,andotherfacilities(AlaskaNorthwestPUblishing,1982).OtherdevelopedpUblicrecreationareasincludemunicipalparksinKenaiandSoldatna,aswellasthelzaakWalton,BerniceLake,andKasilofRiverstaterecreationsitesandtheJohnsonLakeandClamGulchstaterecreationareas.Both L-24thesestaterecreationareasandothercurrentlyundevelopedsitesareadministeredbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks.PrivateestablishmentsprovideaccommodationstotravelersoftheSterlingHighwayandKenaiSpurRoad,whichareprimarytouristroutes.EnvironmentalsettingsinnorthwestKenaiareconducivetoawiderangeofdispersedrecreationopportunities,includingsightseeing,berrypicking,hiking,backpacking,primitivecamping,boating,canoeing,riverrunning,skitouring,snowmobiling,andmountainclimbing.Huntingisenjoyedbymany;moosearethemoreabundantofthebiggamespecies(Simmerman,1983).Sportfishingisparticularlypopular;therearenumerousopportunitiesforstream,river,andlakefishing,andtheKenaiRivernearSoldatnaissaidtohavesomeofthe"world'sbestfishing"(AlaskaNorthwestPUblishing,1983).L.l.4.1.3Anchorage-TurnagainArmOutdoorrecreationresourceareaswithinthelimitsofAnchoragearenumerousandmarkedlyvaried.Municipalholdingsincludeparks,greenbelts,campgrounds,athleticfields,play-grounds,tenniscourts,iceskatingrinks,andbicycletrails,aswellasagolfcourseandzoo(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).Additionally,developedlakeandstreamsidesitesaffordopportunitiesforawiderangeofwater-basedrecreationactivities,includingsportfishing.PublicparksoftheAnchoragearearangefromtherelativelysmallEarthquakeParktotheexten-siveFarNorthBicentennialPark.Thelattercomprises5,000acres(2,020ha)locatedsoutheastofdowntownAnchorage.Duringwinter,theentireparkisavailableforcross-countryskiing,exceptformarkeddogsledandsnowmobiletrails(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).EastofAnchorageisthe490,000-acre(198,000-ha)ChugachStatePark,whichconsistsofgla-ciatedmountainousterrainwithsomeactiveicefields(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1980).Asub-stantialportionoftheparkiszonedaswildernessarea.Developedfacilitiesincludehighwaywaysideareas,campandpicnicsites,andavisitorscenter;however,theoverallusepatternformostoftheparkinvolvesdispersedrecreation(hunting,fishing,etc.)andtrail-relatedactivitiessuchashiking,backpacking,cross-countryskiing,andsnowmobiling.SouthernportionsoftheparkareaccessiblefromtrailheadsalongtheSewardHighway,whichtraversesPotterMarshandparallelsmostofthenorthshorelineofTurnagainArm.Theremainderofthisshoreline(fromtheKni~ArmtotheeasternlimitsofPotterMarsh)isincludedinthePotterPointStateGameRefuge.Sporthuntingispermittedinsomeareas,buttherefugeismorenotableforopportunitiestoobservetheprotectedwaterfowl,particularlyduringspringandfallmigrations,andthroughoutthenestingseason(Simmerman,1983).Theeastern(upper)portionofTurnagainArmissurroundedbytheChugachNationalForest,exceptforsmallareasnearGirdwoodandPortage.DevelopedrecreationsitesaccessiblefromGirdwoOdincludetheAlyeskaresort,whichfeaturesthelargestskiareainAlaska(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).InthePortagearea,theU.S.ForestServicemaintainsavisitorscenterandrelatedfacilitiesatPortageLakewithinviewoftheterminusofPortageGlacier.TheServicealsomaintainsthreecampgroundsalongPortageCreek;thecampgroundsincludeatotalof55campsitesand9picnicunits.L.1.4.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioL.1.4.2.1WillowDedicatedrecreationalareasnearWillowincludetheWillowCreekStateRecreationArea[240acres(97ha)J,therelativelylarge[22,700acre(9,200ha)JNancyLakeStateRecreationArea,andthesma11NancyLakeStateRecreationSitewithitswel.l-developedpicnicandcampingarea(AlaskaNorthwestPUblishing,1982).OtherrecreationsitesincludeFingerlake,RockyLake,andtwoBigLakestaterecreationsites,allwithin20mi(32km)ofWillow,whichislocatedontheGeorgeParksHighway.SeverallodgesandotherestablishmentslocatedalongtheGeorgeParksHighwayprovidevariousaccom-modationsforthetouringpublic.ItshouldbenotedthatamasterplanhasbeenpreparedforaproposedexpansionoftheWillowCreekStateRecreationArea(ParkPlanningSection,1983).Theproposedexpansionwouldconsistofabout3,450acres(1,400ha)extendingwestfromtheexistingWillowCreekStateRecreationAreatotheSusitnaRiver.ThenumerouslakesandotherlandscapefeaturesaroundWillowhaveinducedthedevelopmentofnumerousrecreationcabins.IndependenceMineStateHistoricalSiteisaccessiblefromWillowCreekRoad,whichextendseasterlyupthedrainage.WillowCreekisconfluentwiththeSusitnaRiverafewmilestothewest;thus,bothresidentandanadromousfishspeciesarepresentinthearea.Themoreabundantofthebiggamespeciesaremooseandblackbear.L.1.4.2.2NenanaFromnearCantwell,theGeorgeParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadvariouslyparallelandintersectthenorth-flowingNenanaRiverenroutetoaconfluencewithth~TananaRivernearthitownofNenana.Bothriversaffordextensiveopportunitiesforriverrecreationactivities, L-25includingrivertouring,boating,kayaking,andfishing.TheNenanaRiverhasbeenreportedasa"generalrecreationarea,intensivelyused"(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,Fig.E.9.11).About67highwaymiles(108km)up-riverfromNenanaistheentrancetotheDenaliNationalParkandPreserve,·theonlymajordeveloped'recreationresourceareainthevicinityoftheNenanaRiver.Commercialinterestsprovidescheduledfloattripsdown-riverfromtheparkentrance(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).TheGeorgeParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroadaremajortouristroutes.Accordingly,establish-mentsinNenana,othercommunities,andindividualprivatedevelopmentsalongtheseroutesprovidelodging,novelties,andotheraccommodations,includinglocalguideandtransportservicestothetouringpUblic.Asidefromtouristactivities,localoutdoorrecreationischaracterizedbydispersedactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.Semi-permanentcampsarepresentinsomeofthebetterhuntingandfishingareas(Hegg1982).Principalbiggamespeciesincludemoose,caribou,andblackandbrownbears.Themorepopulargamefishspeciesaregrayling,whitefish,burbot,andlaketrout(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).L.1.4.2.3CookInletAreaTherecreationalresourcesoftheCookInletareawerediscussedinSectionsL.1.4.1.1,L.1.4.1.2,andL.1.4.1.3.L.1.4.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioL.1.4.3.1ChakachamnaLakeLocatedabout60mi(96km)westofAnchorageacrossCookInlet(Fig.2-18),theChakachamnaprojectsiteisinarelativelyremotearea(Bechtel,1983).ThewesternboundarybordersdesignatedwildernessareaoftheLake.ClarkNationalPark.TheTradingBayStateGameRefugeislocateddownstreamfromChakachamnaLakeandincludesuplands,tidalflats,andsubmerged1ands.Althoughtherearenodevelopedpub1icrecreationsitesinthearea,recreationuseissubstantialandincreasing.Accesstotheprojectareaisprimarilybyfloatplaneandwheeledaircraft;boatsareusedlessfrequently.Internaltravelisfacilitatedbyaccesseasementsalongthecoast,lakeshore-lines,banksofmajorwaterways,roads,andsectionlinesofFederallands(Bechtel,1983).Theprincipalrecreationactivitiesarefishing,hunting,hiking,andkayaking.Gamefishincludenumerousresidentandanadromousspecies.Biggamespeciesarerepresentedbymoose,barren-groundcaribou,andblackandbrownbears.ThenearbyTradingBayStateGameRefugeistheninthmostimportantwaterfowlhuntingareainthestate(Bechtel,1983);15cabinshavebeenerectedonstateandprivatelandswithintherefuge,primarilyasshelterforwaterfowl-huntingactivities.LakeChakachamnaisacommonstagingareaforinitiatingkayaktrips.L.1.4.3.2JohnsonRiverTheJohnsonsiteislocatedontheJohnsonRiverimmediatelyabovetheconfluenceoftheJohnsonandTananarivers(Fig.2-18).TheTananaisusedforriverrecreationbythegeneralpublic,aswellasbycommercialinterests.CharterboatserviceforsightseeingontheTananaRiverisavailableatDotLake,locatedupstreamfromtheJohnson-TananaRiverconfluence(AlaskaNorth-westPublishing,1983).TheAlaskaHighwaygenerallyparallelstheTananaRiverbetweenTokandFairbanksandisextensivelyusedbytheautotouringpublic.SightseeingintheJohnsonRiverareaisenhancedbyopportunitiestoviewlocalwildlife.Bandstotalingabout500buffaloroamtheareabetweenDeltaJunctionandtheJohnson-Tananaconfluence.Also,aherdofabout500caribouinhabitthearea,andDall'ssheeparefrequentlyobservedonmountainsadjacenttothehighway.Numerousprivatecampingandlodgingfacilitiesareavailableforthetouringpublic.Inaddition,theAlaskaDivisionofParksmaintainsdevelopedcampsitesatseverallocationsalongornearthehighway,includingtheTokRiver,MoonLake,Clearwater,andDonnellyCreekstaterecreationsitesandtheQuartzLakeandHardingLakestaterecreationareas.AsiscommoninallofAlaska,huntingandfishingareamongthemorepopularrecreationactivi-ties.Themorecommonbiggamespeciesareblackandbrownbear,caribou,andmoose.Licensesforhuntingbuffaloareacquiredbylottery.Salmonandgraylingareamongthepreferredgamefish.,TheKeetnasiteis'locatedon:theTalkeetnaRiver(Fi91.2-18),theheadwatersareaoriginatingintheTalkeetnaMountains.'"Thedrainagewayisrelativelyundeveloped:butamajortrail,aswellaslessertrailsextendingaboveandbelowtheKeetnasite,facilitatesawiderangeoftrail-relatedactivitiessuchasskiing,hiking,camping,snowmobiling,ORVuse,rockclimbing,goldpanning,andberrypiCking(AlaskaDept.ofNaturalResources,1982).However,theprinci-paldispersedrecreationactivitiesaresporthuntingandfishing.SubstantiallandsimmediatetotheTalkeetnaRiverareprimemooseharvestingareas(AlaskaDept.ofNaturalResources,L.1.4.3.3Keetna L-261982).Caribouandblackandbrownbearsalsorangethroughthearea.PrimeharvestareaforDall'ssheepisextensivesurroundingtheheadwatersoftheTalkeetnaRiver.TheTalkeetnaisalsoapopularfishingwaterwayforanadromousandfreshwaterfish.TheupperTalkeetnaRiver,includingthePrairieCreektributary,representssomeofthefinestraftingandwhite-waterkayakingareasinAlaska(AlaskaDept.ofNaturalResources,1982).LowerportionsoftheTalkeetnaareexcellentforcanoeing.TheAlaskaDivisionofParkshasdesignatedtheTalkeetnaRiverasaproposedStateRecreationRiver(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).L.1.4.3.4SnowTheSnowsiteiswithintheChugachNationalForest(Fig.2-18).TheU.S.ForestServiceadministersthePrimroseCampground,locatedadjacenttotheSewardHighway-SnowRivercross-ing(AlaskaNorthwestPublishing,1983).Thisdevelopedcampgroundconsistsoftencampsitesandrelatedfacilities,includingaboatlaunch.TheForestServicealsomaintainsseveralhikingtrailsinthearea.Developedpull-outsalongSewardHighwayprovideopportunitiesforviewingwi1dlifeand1oca1 1andscapes.TheSnowRiverflowswestandnorthintothesouthendofKenaiLake,locatedtothewestofthehighway.Guideandotherservices,aswellasrecrea-tionequipment,areavailablefromprivateestablishmentslocatedatintervalsalongthehighway.GamefishintheSnowRiverdrainageincludesockeyeandcohosalmon.Themorecommonbiggameanimalsaremooseandblackbear.Dall'ssheepalsooccurinthearea(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,p.E-10-12).L.1.4.3.5BrowneTheBrownesiteislocatednorthofHealyontheNenanaRiver(Fig.2-18).Theriverisinten-sivelyusedforrivertravel,recreationboating,canoeing,kayaking,andfishing(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.9,Fig.E.9.11).AsidefromtheDenaliNationalParkandPreserve,therearenosignificantdevelopedrecreationalresourceareasinthevicinityoftheBrowneprojectsite.Afewlodgesandotherprivatedevelopmentsintheareaprovidelocalguideandtransportservices,novelties,andotheraccommodationstothetouringpublic.However,localoutdoorrecreationistypicallycharacterizedbydispersedactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.Semi-permanentcampsarepresentinsomeofthemorefavorableandbetterknownhuntingandfishingareas(Hegg,1982).Principalbiggamespeciesaremoose,caribou,andblackandbrownbears.TherearenoanadromousfishspeciesintheBrowneprojectarea;themorecommonresidentspeciesaregrayling,whitefish,burbot,andlaketrout.L.1.4.3.6Nenana,ChuitnaRiver,andAnchorageRecreationalopportunitiesintheNenana,ChuitnaRiver,andAnchorageareasarediscussedinSectionsL.1.4.2.2,L.1.4.1.1,andL.1.4.1.3,respectively.L.2ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSL.2.1ProposedProjectThedevelopmentoftheproposedprojectwouldhavebothdirectandindirectimpactsonrecrea-tionresourcesandusepatterns.Theestablishmentofthetworeservoirswoulddirectlyandextensivelyalterthenaturallandscapes.Establishedusepatterns,particularlythoseinvolv-ingdispersedrecreationactivities,wouldbedisrupted.Similarly,white-waterresourcesandriver-touringactivitieswouldbesubstantiallyimpacted.Amongthemorenotableindirecteffectsonrecreationalresourceswouldbedisplacementofwildlifepopulationsandhabitatsduringreservoirclearing,whichinturnwouldreducesporthuntingopportunitieswithintheprojectarea.Fishpopulationsandsportfishingwouldbesimilarlyaffectedduringin-streamconstructionandreservoirfilling.Thepresenceoflargeconstructionforceswouldindirectlyimpactrecreationresourcesonsiteaswellasthoseinareasadjacenttotheprojectsites.Constructionpersonnellivingonsitewouldcauseincreasedpressureonlocalrecreationresources,whilecommutingprojectpersonnelwouldcompetewithresidentsandtouristsinlocalcommunitiesforlodging,recreation,opportunities,andservices.Constructionpersonnelwouldalsogenerateincreaseddemandforlocalrecreationopportunities.Thisdemandwouldbereinforcedasaccesstoprojectsiteswasopenedtopublicuse.Asidefromphysicalimpacts,thedevelopmentoftheproposedprojectwouldresultinimpactsthatareperceptualinnature.Theseperceptualimpactsderivefromconceivedincompatibilitywithinagivenrecreationsetting;i.e.,visualdisharmony,disconcertingnoise,andincongruitywithwildernessenvironment.Judgmentsrelativetotheforegoingperceptionsarestronglysubjectiveandhighlyval'iableamongindividualsofthegeneralpublic.Forexample,someindividualsmightforegorecreationopportunitiesintheproposedprojectareatoavoidbeingexposedtoperce"iveddisruptionsofrelativelyundisturbedwildernesssettings;othersmight L-27utilizetheproposedreservoirsandaccessroadstofacilitateexpandedrecreationoppor-tunities.Further,someindividualsparticipatingintrail-relatedrecreationmightviewtheproposedtransmission1inesasunwelcomeincuI'sionsintonatural1andscapesettings;othersmightutilizethetransmissionlinerights-of-wayasaccessroads.Inrecognitionoftheseandotherpotentialimpacts,theApplicanthasproposedarecreationdevelopmentplan.Thisplanisdescribed·inSection2.1.11andfurtherdiscussedinSec-tionL.2.1.5.L.2.1.1WatanaDevelopmentL.2.1.1.1ConstructionNodevelopedpublicrecreationareasorfacilitiesarelocatedwithintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposedWatanasite.Privatedevelopmentsarelimitedtolodgecomplexesandsparselyscatteredcabins,shacks,andlean-tos,mostofwhichareusedasbasestationsforsporthuntingandfishingasforwellasrivertravel,hiking,cross-countryskiing,snowmobiling,andothertrail-relatedactivities.Thus,projectconstructionwouldprimarilyimpactdispersedrecreationalopportunitiesinawildernesssetting.Toaminorextent,thewildernesssettinghasalreadybeenmodifiedinthatatemporaryfieldstationiscurrentlymaintainedneartheproposedWatanadamsiteforpersonnelconductingresearchassociatedwiththeWatanaproject.Constructionactivitiesinthevicinityofthedamsite,uplandborrowareasandquarrysites,andconstructionlaydownareasandthedevelopmentofthetemporaryconstructioncamp/villageandthepermanentWatanatownsite(seeSec.2.1)wouldresultindestructionofwildlifehabitatandthedisplacementofwildlifespeciestoadjoiningundisturbedareas.Similarly,thevegeta-tionclearingintheimpoundmentareaoftheproposed38,000-acre(15,400-ha)Watanareservoirwouldresultinconsiderabledisplacementofterrestrialwildlife(seeAppendixK).Accordingly,theprincipalconstructionimpactsonsporthuntingwouldentailpreemptionofhuntingareaandincreasedhuntingpressureinundisturbedhabitatsadjacenttotheprojectarea.Initialconstructionactivitieswouldalsoadverselyaffectsportfishingactivities.Construc-tionofthecofferdamsandriverdiversiontunnelsaswellasriverdredgingbelowandabovetheWatanadamsitewouldresultindamagetofish,reducedreproduction,anddestroyedhabitat.Additionally,runofffromimpoundmentclearings,disturbedconstructionsites,anddredgingactivitiesmightcausesignificantturbidityandsedimentationindownstreamaquatichabitats.ConstructionimpactsonfishpopulationsaremorethoroughlydiscussedinAppendixI.Inadditiontodirectimpactsfromprojectconstruction,therewouldbesignificantindirectimpactsattributabletoconstructionpersonnelandtheirfamilieshousedattheWatanasite.Thetemporaryconstructioncampwouldincludebachelorquartersforabout3000workersandaccommodations(includingsomerecreationfacilities)forabout300families(ExhibitA,Vol.1,Sec.1.13).TheApplicantproposesthatdevelopedroadaccessfromtheDenaliHighwaytotheWatanadamsite,aswellasallactiveworkareasassociatedwithdevelopmentoftheWatanaimpoundment,beunavailableforpublicrecreationuseduringprojectconstruction(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.3).Thus,increasedlevelsoflocalsporthuntingandfishingwouldbeprimarilyattributabletooff-dutypersonneloftheworkforce.Thepotentialwouldexistformarkedcompetitionandconfrontationsbetweenlocalresidentsandprojectpersonnelregard-ingtheuseofrecreationresourcesinandadjacenttotheprojectarea,particularlyduringpeakconstructionperiods(1990-1991).Topreventlocaloverharvestsofgameandfishpopula-tions,closecooperationwillbemaintainedbetweentheApplicantandtheBoardofFisheries(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.4),theAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,andtheBoardofGame(ScheduleB,SupplementalItems,Vol.2,Sec.7,CommentD).Competitionforrecreationopportunitieswouldnotbelimitedtotheprojectarea.Commutingandotherprojectpersonnelwouldcompetewithresidentsofadjacentcommunitiesforuseoflocalrecreationsitesandfacilities,aswellasfordispersedrecreationopportunities.Touristtrafficcouldalsobeaffected,particularlyinsmallercommunitieswherelodgingfacilitieswouldbeunavailablebecauseofthepresenceofcommuterprojectpersonnel(seeAppendixN).ClosingtheWatanadamin1991andsubsequentfillingofthereservoirwouldaffectrecreationresourcesand/oractivitiesbothupstreamanddownstreamofthedamsite.Withintheimpound-mentarea,sevenriverfrontcabins(threeinvariousstagesofdisrepair)wouldbeinundated(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,TableE.9.5).Alsoinundatedwouldbeprimefishingareaswhe:eclearwaterstreamssuchasDeadman,Watana,Kosina,JayandGoosecreeksbecomeconfluentwlththeSusitnaRiver(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3.1).Additionally,theVeeCanyonrapidswouldalsobeinundated;therapidsrepresentasignificantwhite-waterresource,andthecanyonisadesignatedscenicresourcearea(seeAppendixM).Low-flowreleasesfromtheWatanadamduringreservoirfillingwoulddegradethequalityofboatingandotherrivertra~elexperiencesinareasdownstreamfromDevilCanyon,particularlyduringperiodsoflow;alnfallandsurfacerunoff.Sportfishingmightbesimilarlyaffected.AdditionalinformatlononimpactstofishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI. L-28L.2.1.1.2OperationThetransitionoftheWatanaprojectfromdevelopmentaltooperationalstatusin1994wouldcorrespondwithamarkedreductioninonsiteprojectpersonnel.Forexample,thepeakonsiteWOY·kforceisprojectedtoincludeabout3500constructionpersonnelin1990(ExhibitE,Vol.7,Chap.5,TableE.5.25);in1994theonsiteworkforcewouldconsistofabout145operationalpersonnel.ThisnumberwouldincreasesomewhatwhentheDevilCanyonprojectbecameoperationalin2002,sincetheDevilCanyonfacilitieswouldberemotelyoperatedfromtheWatanacontrolstation.Inanyevent,thehuntingandfishingpressuresonlocalgameandfishpopulationsattributabletoprojectpersonnelwouldbemarkedlylessduringprojectoperationthanthepressuresthatprevailedduringprojectdevelopment.OperationalpersonnelwouldbehousedinapermanenttownsitedevelopedneartheWatanadam.Facilitieswouldincludeprovisionsforawiderangeofrecreationactivities,therebyalleviatingtheneedordesireforoffsiterecrea-tionopportunities.Concurrentwiththedecreaseinprojectpersonnelfollowingprojectconstruction,therewouldprobablybeanincreaseinthegeneralpopulacevisitingthearea,sincetheprojectaccessroadextendingfromtheDenaliHighwaytotheWatanadamsiteisexpectedtobecomeavailableforgeneralpublicusein1993(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1).Muchofthepublictrafficwouldconsistofsightseers,manyofwhomwouldviewtheWatanadevelopmentasaprincipalpointofinterest.However,someofthetouringpublicaswellashikersandotherrecreationistswouldundoubtedlyconsiderthealteredterrainandprojectstructuresanunwelcomeintrusioninanotherwisenatural1andscape.Detailsconcerningimpactsonthevisua1resourcesoftheWatanaimpoundmentareaarepresentedinAppendixM.TheprojectaccessroadwouldalsobeusedtogainaccesstohuntingandfishingareasintheWatanaimpoundmentarea,therebycontributingtoincreasedcompetitionforsport·huntingandfishingopportunities(seeSec.L.2.1.3.1).Theproposedprojectoperationwouldadverselyaffectvariousrecreationactivitiesandoppor-tunitieswithintheWatanaimpoundment.Thesubstantialseasonalfluctuationinwaterlevelswouldrestrictthekindsofrecreationfacilitiesthatcouldbedevelopedattheland-waterinterface.Atlowerwaterlevels,unsightlymudflatswouldbeexposed,therebydiscouragingordetractingfromwater-basedrecreationactivities.Highwaterlevelsandwindactionwouldinducebanksloughingthatwouldlimitorrestrictaccessibilityalongtheshorelineofthereservoir.Unstabilizedbankswouldbeunsightlyand,insomecases,hazardoustotheunwaryrecreationist.ControlledwaterreleasesfromtheWatanadamwouldvariouslyaffectriverrecreationactivitiesandopportunitiesindownstreamareas.FreeflowthroughtheDevilCanyonrapidswouldcease,andtheuniquenessofthiswhite-waterresourcewouldbediminished.Whilecontrolled-flowconditionsmightbelesshazardous,therapidswouldlikelybeunavailableforpublicusefollow-ingthestartofconstructionattheDevilCanyondamsitein1995(ExhibitC,Vol.I,Fig.C.2).Boatingandotherriverrecreationalopportunitiesthatarepossibleinsomedownstreamareasonlyduringhighriverflowswouldalsobecurtailedoreliminated.Additionally,thequantity,schedule,andtemperatureofreleaseswouldcreateapotentialforchangesinsportfishproduc-tionandanglingsuccessindownstreamstretchesoftheriver,aswellasintributariesandinterconnectedlakesinthearea.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsofreleasesfromWatanadamondownstreamfisheriesispresentedinAppendixI.L.2.1.2DevilCanyonDevelopmentL.2.1.2.1ConstructionThereislittletodifferentiatebetweentheenvironmentalsettingsandrecreationopportunitiesoftheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanaimpoundmentareas(seeSec.L.2.1.1.1).Bothareasarerelativelyremoteandlackdedicatedpublicrecreationresources.PrivaterecreationsiteswithintheDevilCanyonimpoundmentareaarelimitedtoisolatedlodgesandcabins.ThereisconcentrationofcabinsitesalongPortageCreek,immediatelydownstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyondamsite(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,FigureE.9.9),whichwouldberelativelyunaffectedbytheproposedproject.Projectconstructionwouldprimarilyimpactdispersedrecreationalopportunitiesandriver-touringactivities.Constructionforaccesstothedamsitewouldbeinitiatedin1992(ExhibitC,Vol.1.,Sec.2),andonsiteconstructionwouldbeginin1994.Thenea~estdevelopedpublicrecreationalareaisDenaliStatePark,atclos~stdistanceabout10mi(16km)fromthe"DevilCanyonprojectsite.Despitethisproximity,theDevilCanyonsiteislocatedinarelativelyremotearea.Currently,theprincipalaccesstothesiteisbymeansofanoff-roadvehicletrailextendingeasterlyfromGoldCreek.TosupportconstructionattheDevilCanyonsite,a14-mi(22-km)railroadspurwouldbebuiltfromGoldCreektoarailheadonthesouthernbankoftheSusitnaRiverattheprojectsite.AdditionalaccesswouldinvolvebuildingasuspensionbridgeacrosstheSusitnaRiverandconstructinga37-mi(60-km)accessroadacrosstheuplandsnorthoftherivertoconnectwiththeDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroad(Fig.2-11). L-29AccommodationsthatwouldbedevelopedattheDevilCanyonprojectsiteincludeatemporaryconstructioncampfor1,650singleworkersandatemporaryvillagetohouse250families(ExhibitA,Vol.1,Sec.7.13).SinceneithertherailwaynortheaccessroadwouldbeaparticularlyconvenientmannerofenteringorleavingtheDevilCanyonsite,andsinceavarietyofonsiterecreationalfacilitieswouldbeprovided,itisexpectedthatprojectpersonnelwouldnotappreciablydisruptrecreationusepatternsinDenaliStateParkorothermajordevelopedpublicrecreationsitesinthesurrounding.area.However,competitionforuseofsmalllocalrecreationsitessuchastheBrushkanaCampgroundmightbesevere,ascouldbecompetitionforlocalrecreation-relatedhousing(motels,cabins,etc.)(seeAppendixN).Ascurrentlyplanned,neithertheaccessrailroadfromGoldCreeknortheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadwouldbeavailableforpublicuse,pendingadecisiontobemadefollowingcomple-tionofprojectconstruction(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Secs.3.1.4,3.1.5).Accordingly,levelsofparticipationindispersedrecreationduringprojectconstructionwouldnotbegreatlyaltered;theincreasedactivitywouldresultprimarilyfromoff-dutyprojectpersonnel.GiventhatconstructionoftheWatanawouldessentiallybecompletedpriortoinitialconstructionatDevilCanyonin1994(Figs.2-8,2-9)andassumingthattheDenaliHighway-WatanaaccessroadwouldbeavailableforpublicusefollowingWatanaconstruction,muchofthedemandforpublicrecreationopportunitieswouldbefocusedontheWatanaprojectarea.Constructionactivitiesinthevicinityofthemaindamsiteandancillarystructures,thequarryandborrowsites,andtheconstructionlaydownandserviceareasandthedevelopmentoftemporaryconstructioncampandvillagewouldresultinthedestructionofwildlifehabitatandthedisplacementofwildlifetoadjoiningundisturbedareas.Similarly,clearingofvegetationintheimpoundmentareaoftheproposed7,800-acre(3,155-ha)DevilCanyonreservoirwouldresultinconsiderabledisplacementofterrestrialwildlife(seeAppendixK).Intermsofeffectsonrecreationresources,theprincipalconstructionimpactswouldentailpreemptionofhuntingarea,andthereforedecreasedhuntingopportunitiesandincreasedhuntingpressureinundisturbedhabitatsadjacenttotheprojectarea.Constructionactivitiesinthevicinityofthedamsitemightalsohaveaminorimpactonsportfishingactivities.Constructionofthecofferdamsandtheriverdiversiontunnelwouldresultinsomedownstreamturbidityandsedimentation.Excavationandblastingintheriverchannelrequiredforconstructionofthearchandsaddledamsmighthavesimilareffects(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3.2).ExcavationofconstructionmaterialsfromtheupstreamborrowareamightbedisruptiveoffishpopulationsinCheechakoCreek.Runofffromareasdisturbedduringvegetationclearingwouldalsocontributetodownstreamturbidityandsedimentation.ConstructionimpactsonfishpopulationsatthedamsiteanddownstreamareasaremorethoroughlydiscussedinAppendixI.Inadditiontodirectimpactduringprojectconstruction,therewouldbeincreaseddemandforsporthuntingandfishingopportunitieswithresultingpotentialforcompetitionbetweenprojectpersonnelandsportsmen,similartotheissuesdiscussedfortheWatanadamsite.AsnotedinSectionL.2.1.1.1,theApplicantwouldworkcloselywithappropriateregulatory,resourcemanage-ment,andlaw-enforcementagenciestopreventoverutilizationoflocalgameandfishpopula-tions.TheclosureoftheDevilCanyondamandreservoirfillingwouldaffectrecreationresourcesand/oractivitiesbothupstreamanddownstreamofthedamsite.Withintheimpoundmentarea,theDevilCanyonrapids(ClassVIwaters)wouldbeinundated;therearefewcomparablewhite-waterrunsintheworld.PrimefishingareasandhabitatwhereclearwaterstreamssuchasTsusenaandFogCreeksbecomeconfluentwiththeSusitnaRiverwouldalsobeinundated(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3.2).Tworiverfrontcabins(onecurrentlyunused)wouldbeinundated,aswouldoneadditionalbuildingsiteonwhichthecabinhascollapsedandisnolongerusable(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,TableE.9.5).Thustheexistingcabinswouldbeunavailableforfuturerecreationuse.Wildlifegamespeciesinhabitingthepreviouslyclearedareasintheimpoundmentwouldperishorbedisplacedfromthereservoirarea.Low-flowreleasesfromtheDevilCanyondamduringreservoirfillingwouldcurtailordegradethequalityofboatingandotherriver-travelexperiencesinareasdownstreamfromthedamsite.However,theseimpactswouldbetransitory.Reservoirfillingwouldoccurintwostages,thefirstrequiringaboutfourweeks(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3),thesecondfivetoeightweeks.Sportfishingwouldlikewisebeaffectedbythelow-flowreleases.AdditionalinformationonimpactstofishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI.L.2.1.2.2OperationThetransitionoftheDevilCanyonprojectfromdevelopmentaltooperationalstatuswouldcorrespondwithamarkedreductioninprojectpersonnelatthesite.TheDevilCanyonfacilitieswouldberemotelycontrolledfromtheWatanacontrolstation,andprojectpersonnelattheDevilCanyonsitewouldbeprimarilylimitedtomaintenancestaff.AllprojectpersonnelwouldbehousedattheWatanatownsite,andthetemporaryconstructioncampandvillageattheDevil L-30Canyonsitewouldbedismantledandthebuildingsitesreclaimed(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.3.4).AsnotedinSectionL.2.1.1.2,thetotalmanpowerrequirementforoperationandmaintenanceoftheWatanaandDevilCanyonfacilitiesisestimatedat170employees.Thusthepressureonlocalgameandfishpopulations,aswellasthedemandorneedforotherrecreationopportunitiesattributabletoprojectpersonnel,wouldbefarlessthanduringprojectconstruc-tion.CorcurrentwiththedecreaseinprojectpersonnelattheDevilCanyonsite,therewouldprobablybeanincreaseinusebythegeneralpopulace,especiallyifrailwayaccesstothesiteandtheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadbecameavailableforpublicusefollowingprojectconstruction(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Secs.3_1.3,3.1.4).Mostofthepublictrafficwouldconsistofsightseers,manyofwhomwouldviewtheDevilCanyondevelopmentasaprincipalpointofinterest.However,someofthetouringpublicmightregardprojectfeaturesasanunwelcomecontrastwithadjacentnatural1andscapes.Inanycase,theDevi1Canyondamisbutoneofthefeaturesofoveralldevelopmentthatwouldbeexpectedtoinducedemandforadditionalrecreationopportuni-ties,asisindicatedintheproposedrecreationplanoutlinedinSection2.1.11.TheproposedoperationoftheDevilCanyonfacilitieswouldcausefluctuationsinwaterlevelsinthereservoir.TheimpactsonrecreationopportunitiesandactivitieswouldbesimilartothoseattheWatanareservoir,asdescribedinSectionL.2.1.1.2.However,becausedrawdownsintheDevilCanyonreservoirwouldbelesssevereandbecausethebanksofthereservoiraresteeper,theareaofexposedmudflatswouldbemarkedlylessatDevilCanyo~thanatWatana.WaterlevelswithintheDevilCanyonreservoirduringAugustandearlySeptemberwouldbe50ft(15m)lowerthanfortheremainderoftheyear(ExhibitE,Vol.5A,Chap.2,Sec.4.2.3),whilewaterlevelsintheWatanareservoirwouldfluctuateupto110ft(34m).ThescheduleandquantityofdownstreamreleasesfromtheDevilCanyondamwouldbecomparabletothosefromtheWatanadampriortooperationoftheDevilCanyonfacilityintheyear2002.ThustheadverseconditionsthatwouldaffectdownstreamboatingandotherriverrecreationduringWatanaoperationwouldcontinuetoprevail.However,releasesfromtheDevilCanyondamwouldresultinslightlywarmerriverflowsduringthewinter(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3.2).Thustheriverfreezingfrontwouldbedisplacedfurtherdownstream,alteringfishhabitatconditionsandcreatingthepotentialforadverselyaffectingsportfishingopportunities.Additionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsofthetemperatureregi"meofdownstreamflowsispresentedinAppendixI.L.2.1.3AccessRoutesL.2.1.3.1DenaliHighway-to-WatanaRouteCONSTRUCTIONTheproposedaccessroadfortheWatanadevelopmentsitewouldentailupgradingthe21-mi(34-km)segmentoftheDenaliHighwayextendingeasterlyfromCantwell,andconstructingofa42-mi(68-km)roadextendingfromtheeasternterminusofhighwayimprovementsoutherlytotheWatanasite.AssociatedworkwouldincludebuildingatemporaryconstructioncampnearBrushkanaCreek(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.3),aswellasexcavatingborrowsitesanddisposalareasalongtheDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessright-of-way(ExhibitE,Vol.6A,Chap.3,Sec.2.3.3).Boththeinitialaccessandmainaccessroadare·scheduledtobecompletedinlessthantwoyears(Fig.2-8).TheprincipaleffectsonrecreationopportunitiesresultingfromtheupgradingoftheDenaliHighwaywouldinvolvehighwaytravelers.Touringsightseers,recreationistsproceedingtoorreturningfromdistantrecreationsitesorfacilities,andothertravelerswouldbeinconveniencedbytemporarytraffic-patterndisruptions,irregularorroughroadsurfaces,etc.Thecumulativeeffectsoftheseconditionswouldbemostsevereduringthepeakrecreationseason.Further,thepresenceofroadconstructionequipment,humanactivities,anddisruptedterrainwoulddetractfromtheestheticqualityofthehighwayright-of-way.Instreamconstructionactivities(bridgework,culverts,etc.)aswellasrunofffromotherconstructionsitesanddisturbedsurfaceswouldtemporarilydegradefishhabitatandincreasedownstreamturbidityandsedimen-tation,potentiallyreducingopportunitiesforsportfishingactivities.AdditionalinformationconcerningaffectedstreamsandfishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI.Recreationuse.inthe'vicinityoftheproposedDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessright-of-waycurrentlyconsistsoflow-densitydispersedactivities,predominantlysporthuntingandfishing.Theseprevailingactivitiescouldreadilybeabsorbedordisplacedtoareasadjoiningtheaccesscorridor;however,itremainsthatconstructionoftheaccessroadwouldresultinsomemortalityand/ordisplacementaswellasdestroyedand/oralteredhabitatsofterrestrialgameanimalsandfish.Displacedindividualswouldcontributetoincreasedintra-andinterspecificstressinadjoininganimalandfishpopulations,andtheoverallresultwouldbesomediminutioninsuit-ablehabitatfor,andsuccessratesofindividualsporthuntingandfishingexcursions.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsofaccessroadconstructiononwildlifeandfishpopulationsispresentedinAppendicesKandI,respectively. L-31Somecross-countryskiers,hikers,andotherparticipantsindispersedrecreationactivitieswouldconsidertheconstructionactivitiesandDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroadasdetractingfromtheotherwisenaturalwildernesssetting.Detailsconcerningadversevisualimpactsasso-ciatedwithaccessroadconstructionarediscussedinAppendixM.GiventhattheDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroadwouldbeunavailableforpublicuseduringprojectconstruction,theupgradingofthe21-mi(34km)segmentoftheDenaliHighwayeastofCantwellwouldpromoteauto-touringandrelatedrecreationopportunitiesalongtheDenaliHigh-wayextendingeasterlyfromtheWatanacutoff.Inaddit iontothegeneralpub1ic,potentialparticipantswouldincludecommutingprojectpersonnelresidingintheCantwellarea,aswellasprojectpersonnelhousedattheWatanadamsite.TheincreasedtrafficflowalongtheDenaliHighwayduringthesummerseasonwouldundoubtedlygeneratedemandfor,andincreasedpartici-pationin,recreationopportunities,therebyjeopardizingsensitiverecreationresourcesthatarecurrentlyunprotected.Additionally,existingrecreationfacilitieswouldlikelybeover-utilized.Inthisrespect,itisnotablethattheApplicant'sproposedrecreationplanincludesprovisionsforexpandingthecapacityoftheBrushkanacampgroundlocated10mi(16km)eastoftheWatanacutoff(Sec.2.1.11).SincetheCantwell-to-Watanaaccessrouteswouldbeclearedofsnowduringthewinterseason(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.3),winterrecreationopportunitieswouldexistalongtheDenaliHighway.TheWatanacutoffwouldlikelybeusedasastagingareaforactivitiessuchascross-countryskiingandsnowmobiling.Themoreaccessibleareasmightbeoverused,andtheremotewildernesssettingsdegraded.OPERATIONRecreationactivitiesandusepatternsestablishedalongtheDenaliHighwayduringWatanaconstructionwouldlikelycontinueduringoperationoftheWatanafacilities,aswouldthepotentialforimpactsaspreviouslydiscussed.However,iftheDenaliHighway-WatanaaccessroadwasopenedforgeneralpublicusefollowingWatanaconstruction(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.3),recreationusepatternsintheprojectareawouldchangesubstantially,sincetheaccessroadwouldfacilitateparticipationinawiderangeofrecreationopportunities.InviewofthepopularityofpleasuredrivingininlandAlaska(TableL-6)mostpublicusersoftheaccessroadwouldbesightseerswhoseprincipa1objectivewouldbetoviewtheWatanafacilitiesandimpoundment.OtherswouldusetheWatanadamsiteasastagingareaforaccess-ingmoreremoteareas.Asignificantportionofthetrafficwouldalsobeoff-dutyprojectpersonnelandfamilies.Assumingthatsufficientpublicparkingwasavailable,somerecreationistswouldutilizeareasadjacenttotheaccessroadforactivitiessuchashiking,hunting,andfishing.Theprincipalimpactsfromsuchactivitieswouldbethedegradationoroverutilizationoftherecreationresourcesinthemoreaccessibleareas.Unlesscontrolled,operatorsofoff-roadvehicleswoulddivertfromtheaccessroadseekingrecreationopportunitiesinmoreremoteareas,therebydisruptingroadsideviewsanddegradingwildernesssettingsenroutetoandatthepointofdestination.Thepeakusageoftheaccessroadbyrecreationistswouldoccurduringthesummer;however,theroadwouldbeclearedduringthewinterthusprovidingopportunitiesforwintersportactivities.Theseactivitiesmightalsocontributetooverutilizationofpopularrecreationsitesandcoulddegradethewildernesscharacterofremoteareas.L.2.1.3.2Watana-to-DevilCanyonRouteCONSTRUCTIONFromajunctionontheDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroad,about3mi(5km)northoftheWatanadamsite,theWatana-to-DevilCanyonaccessroadwouldextendwestandsoutherlytotheDevilCanyondamsiteandthenacrossahigh-levelsuspensionbridge(alsotobeconstructed)toarailheadonthesouthernsideoftheSusitnaRiver.ThedistancefromtherailheadtotheWatanadamsiteisabout37miles(60km)(ExhibitA,Vol.1,Sec.7.12).ConstructionoftheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadwouldbeinitiatedin1992(Fig.2-9).TheproposedWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroutetraversesremotearea,exceptthatitdoesextendtowithin1mi(1.6km)oftheHighLakeLodge.Thelodgeiscurrentlyaccessiblebyfloatplane.Thus,constructionoftheproposedroadwouldprovideforoverlandaccessbydevelopedroad.Ontheotherhand,thepresenceoftheroadandnoisefromconstructionandroadtrafficwouldsignificantlydetractfromthewildernesssettingsurroundingthelodge.Accordingly,theconstructionoftheaccessroadmightbeconsideredasanegativeorpositiveimpact,dependingonthefutureplansofthelodgeowners. L-32RecreationuseinthevicinityoftheproposedWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadcurrentlyconsistsoflow-densitydispersedactivities,predominantlysporthuntingandfishing.TheconditionswouldbesimilartothoseneartheproposedDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroad,andtheconclusionsdrawninSectionL.2.1.3.1arethereforeapplicablehere.EffectsofaccessroadconstructiononwildlifeandfishpopulationsarefurtherdiscussedintheAppendicesKandI,respectively.Constructionoftheaccessroadinsomeareasofroughterrainwouldentailcut-and-fillopera-tionsandexcavationofseveralborrowsites.Theseactivitieswouldhaveadversevisualeffects(seeAppendixM).Oncecompleted,theWatana-DevilCreekaccessroadwouldbeclosedtopublicuseuntiltheDevilCanyonfaci1itieswereoperationa1intheyear2002(Fig.2-9).Intheinterim,off-dutycon-structionpersonnelattheDevilCanyonsiteaswellasoperationsandmaintenancepersonnelattheWatanasitewouldprobablyusetheroadforsightseeingandothertrail-relatedrecreationalactivities.Theroadwouldalsobeusedforaccesstopopularrecreationsites,includingprimehuntingandfishingareas.Consequently,therecreationsettingofsomeofthemoreaccessibleareasmightbedegraded,andlocalgameandfishpopulationsmightbejeopardized.ThedegreetowhichprojectpersonnelmightincreasepressureongameandfishresourcesisdiscussedinAppendicesKandI,respectively.OPERATIONIftheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadwasopenedforgeneralpublicusein2002whentheDevilCanyonfacilitiesbecameoperational(ExhibitE,Chap.7,Vol.8,Sec.3.1.4),anothersignifi-cantchangeinpublicrecreationusepatternswithintheprojectareawouldoccur.Thechangeswouldbesimi1artothosediscussedinreferencetotheDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroad(Sec.L.2.1.3.1).ConstructionpersonnelwouldhavelefttheDevilCanyondamsitearea,andprojectpersonnelusingtheaccessroadwouldbelimitedasmalloperationsandmaintenancestaffcommutingtotheDevilCanyonsitefromthepermanenttownsiteattheWatanasite.Thus,thegeneralpublicwouldbethemainusersoftheroad,mostofwhomwouldbesightseersvisit-ingtheareatoviewthetwodamsand.impoundments.TheDevilCanyonSite,withitshigharchconcretedamandhigh-levelsuspensionbridge,wouldbeexpectedtobethemoreattractiveofthetwodamsites.Recreationopportunities(andtheassociatedimpacts)alongtheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadwouldbesimilartothosementionedwithrespecttotheDenaliHighwayaccess(Sec.L.2.1.3.1).TheApplicant'sproposedrecreationplanincludesprovisionsforcurtailingorminimizinganyadverseimpactsfromtheseactivities(seeSec.2.1.11).Forexample,amonitoringphaseprovidesforearlydetectionofoveruseandforthedevelopmentofadditionalrecreationsitesand/orfacilitiesasneeded.L.2.1.3.3RailAccesstoDevilCanyonCONSTRUCTIONRailwayaccesstotheDevilCanyondamsitewouldentailconstructingarailroadspurofftheAlaskaRailroadatGoldCreekwhichwouldextendeastandnortherlyalongthesouthbankoftheSusitnaRiverforadistanceofabout14mi(23km).ThespurwouldterminateatarailheadtobedevelopedonthesouthbankandacrosstheriverfromtheDevilCanyonconstructionsite.Therailroadspuristobecompletedbymid-1994(Fig.2-9).Currentpublicrecreationuseinthevicinityoftheproposedrailaccessright-of-wayconsistsofdispersedactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.Effectsonterrestrialgameanimalsandfishpopulations,andtheconsequentimpactonsporthuntingandfishing,wouldbesimilartothosediscussedinSectiqnL.2.1.3.1(seealsoAppendicesKandI).Otherrecreationactivitiesthatoccurinthevicinityoftheproposedright-of-wayincludehiking,skiing,trail-relatedactivities,andrivertouring.Dependingonfinalalignmentoftherailroadspur,accessconstructionmightdisruptordisplacelocalestablishedtrailsorrecreationpatterns.Somehikers,skiersandotherrecreationistswouldbeexposedtoviewsinwhichtherailroadand/orongoingorresidualconstructionimpactsdominatetheviewshed,therebydetractingfromthequalityoftherecreationalexperience.AdditionaldiscussionofvisualeffectsassociatedwithconstructionoftheproposedrailroaddevelopmentispresentedinAppendixM.Constructionnoisemightalsohaveanadverseeffectforrecreationistsnearactiveconstructionsites.Personnelassociatedwithconstructionoftherailroadspurwouldcompetewithlocalresidentsfortheavailablerecreationalopportunities.However,thiswouldbeatransitoryeffect,sinceconstructionofthespurisscheduledtobecompletedoveratwo-yearperiod.Eventhoughcom-pletedinmid-1994,thespurrailroadfacilitieswouldbeunavailableforpublicuse,pendingcompletionofDevilCanyonconstruction(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.5). L-33OPERATIONFollowingon-lineoperationoftheDevilCanyonfacilities,thespurrailroadwouldnolongerserveprojectfunctions(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.3.1.5).AlthoughtherailroadmightbecomeavailableforpUblicuse,noplansforintendedusearespecified.Thephase5monitor-ingprogramoftheApplicant'sproposedrecreationplan(Sec.2.1.11)seemsanappropriateforumfordeliberatingthepotentialutilityoftherailroadspurin2002.L.2.1.4PowerTransmissionFacilitiesL.2.1.4.1Dams-to-GoldCreekSegmentCONSTRUCTIONTheproposedtransmissionlinerights-of-wayextendingbetweenthedamsitesandtheGoldCreekswitchyarddonotencroachonanyofficiallydesignatedpublicrecreationresources.Activitiesintheareatraversedbytheproposedlinesarecharacterizedbylow-intensitydispersedrecrea-tionuse,primarilyhuntingandfishingactivities.Thetransmissionlinerights-of-waywould,however,interceptand/orparallelunimprovedvehicletrailsandhikingtrails,particularlyintheGoldCreekarea(Fig.L-1).Somerecreationists,suchasoperatorsofoff-roadvehiclesandsnowmobiles,mightwelcometheopportunityforusingtheclearedrights-of-wayforaccessingpreviouslyremoteareas,whileotherparticipantsindispersedrecreationactivitieswouldregardtheconstructionofthetransmissionlinesasdetractingfromthenaturallandscape.Inthisrespect,itisnotablethatthetwoWatana-to-GoldCreektransmissionlineswouldbypasswithin1mi(1.6km)oftheprivatelyownedHighLakeLodge(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Fig.E.7.14).Constructionnoiseanddustmightbeatemporarynuisance,buttheintrusionofthetransmissionlinesinthenaturallandscapesettingwouldbeenduringandvisibletopeopleatornearthelodge.OtherlakesinthevicinityofHighLakeLodgearealsopopularsport-fishingareas,andlikeHighLakeareaccessibleprimarilybyfloatplane.Thusthecompletedtransmissionlinesmightposeahazardforunwarypilots,particularlyduringandimmediatelyfollowingtransmissiontowererectionandlinestringing.ThestageddevelopmentoftheWatanaandDevilCanyonfacilitieswouldinfluencethemannerandtimingbywhichviewerswouldbeaffectedbytheadverseimpactsoftransmissionlineconstruc-tiononnaturallandscapesettings.Forexample,theWatana-GoldCreektransmissionlineswouldbeoperationalinmid1994(Fig.2-8)whichcorrespondswiththescheduledcompletionoftheWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroadandtheGoldCreek-DevilCanyonrailroadaccess(ExhibitC,Vol.1,Fig.C.2).ThustheinitialrecreationusersofthesetwoaccessrouteswouldobservethecompleteddevelopmentoftheWatana-to-GoldCreektransmission1ineswhichwouldbewhollyorpartiallyvisiblefromsubstantialsegmentsoftheaccessroutes.Observerswouldessen-tiallybelimitedtoprojectpersonnel,sincetheaccessrouteswouldbeunavailableforpublicuseduringDevilCanyonconstruction.However,iftheaccessrouteswereopenedforpublicusewhentheDevi1Canyonfaci1itiesbecameoperationa1in2003,thetouringpub1icwouldalsobeexposedtotheeffectsofprojecttransmissionlinefacilitiesonthenaturallandscapesettings.AdditionaldiscussionofestheticimpactsassociatedwithtransmissionlineconstructionispresentedinAppendixM.Right-of-wayclearingandtransmissionlineconstructionwouldalterwildlifehabitatanddisturbwildlifepopulations,adverselyaffectinglocalsporthunting.Moredetailedinformationconcern-ingtheeffectsoftransmissionlineconstructiononwildlifepopulationsispresentedinAppendixK.ThetransmissionlinesfromthetwodamstotheGoldCreekswitchingstationwouldtraversetheSusitnaRiver,TsusenaCreek,DevilCreek,andabout14additionalminorwaterways(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,TableE.10.22).In-streamactivities,bankdisturbance,andsubsequenterosionresultingfromtransmissionlineconstructionmightdisruptoralterfishhabitataswellasincreaseturbidityandsedimentationindownstreamareas,temporarilyaffectinglocalsportfishingopportunities.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsoftransmissionlineconstructiononlocalfishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI.Visualimpactswouldalsoresultfromthepresenceofthetransmissionlines,whichwoulddetractfromthequalityofotherwater-basedrecreationexperiences,particularlyinthecaseoftheSusitnaRivercrossing.OPERATIONRoutinemaintenanceoftheoperationaltransmissionfacilitiesgenerallywouldnotbeexpectedtodirectlyaffectrecreationactivitiesorresources.Theadversevisualeffectsonlandscapesettingswould,however,continueduringtheoperationalphase.Likewise,thetransmissionlinecorridorswouldcontinuetobeusedtoaccessremoteareas,and,insomecases,sensitiveenvironmentalsettingsmightbedegradedbyexcessiveuse. L-34L.2.1.4.2GoldCreek-to-FairbanksSegmentCONSTRUCTIONTheproposedright-of-wayfortheGoldCreek-to-Fairbankstransmissionfacilitiesdoesnotencroachonortraverseanyofficiallydesignatedpublicrecreationresources.Similarly,nosignificantprivatelydevelopedrecreationfacilitiesorareasareknowntooccurinproximityto,ortobetraversedby,theproposedtransmissionlinerights-of-way.However,someownersorusersofrecreationcabinsandsimilarfacilitiesadjacenttothetransmissionlinesmightbeexposedtoconstructionnoise,dust,andotherdisturbances,includingalteredlandscapesfromthepresenceofthetransmissionlines.ItshouldbenotedthattheproposedtransmissionlinewouldparalleltheAnchorage-FairbanksTransmissionIntertie(underconstruction)betweenGoldCreekandHealy.Thustheadversevisualeffectsonlandscapesforthisportion oftheproposedtransmissionlinewouldbeadditivetothoseassociatedwiththeIntertie,andsomewhatlessseverethanforanewright-of-way.Recreationopportunitiesinthevicinityofthetransmissionlinescurrentlyincludeavarietyofdispersedrecreationactivitiessuchashunting,fishing,hiking,andtrail-relatedtravel.Insomecases,constructionpersonnelwouldtemporarilyincreasethecompetitionforlocalgameandfishresources.Additionally,somerecreationtrailsandpatternsofcross-countrytravelmightbetemporarilydisruptedbecauseoftransmissionlineconstruction.Sometrailusers,suchasoperatorsofoff-roadvehiclesandsnowmobiles,wouldusethetransmissionlineright-of-waytoaccessremoteareas,insomecasesjeopardizingthewi1dernesssettingsinaffectedareas.Otherparticipantsindispersedrecreationactivitieswouldavoidthetransmi~sionlinecorridorstoavoidviewingdisturbedlandscapes.Theproposedtransmissionlinewouldvariouslyparallelorcrosstwomajortravelcorridors:theParksHighway(crossedbytherouteatthreelocations)andtheAlaskaRailroad(crossedattwolocations).Inaddition,thelinewouldcrosstheDenaliHighwayeastofCantwell.Thussightseerswouldbeexposedtonumerousinstancesinwhichthetransmissionlinewoulddetractfromnaturallandscapesettings.Viewsofrivertravelerswouldalsobeadverselyaffected.Constructionoftheproposedlinewouldentail10rivercrossings:theNenanaRiveratthreelocationsandtheSusitna,Indian,Jack,Tanana,YanertForkoftheNenana,andEastandMiddleForksoftheChulitnaRiveratonelocationeach.TheNenana,Susitna,andTananariversareparticularlypopularroutesforrivertravelers.VisualimpactsarediscussedinAppendixM.Thepotentialforright-of-wayclearingandtransmissionlineconstructionaffectinglocalsporthuntingopportunitiesisnotedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsoftransmissionlineconstructiononwildlifepopulationsispresentedinAppendixK.ThedevelopmentoftheproposedGoldCreek-to-Fairbankstransmissionlineswouldentailcrossingsevenriversatotaloftentimesaswellasover80additionalwaterwaycrossings,i.e.,includ-ingcreeks,tributariesofcreeks,andmultiplecrossingsofsomestreams(ExhibitG,Vol.4,PlatesG.38-52).Someoftheimpactsonstreamfisheriesthatcouldresultfromtransmissionlineconstructionatwaterwaycrossingsandthepotentialfordiminishedsportfishingoppor-tunitiesarenotedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.AdditionalinformationconcerningtheeffectsoflineconstructiononlocalfishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI.OPERATIONThedirecteffectsoftransmissionlineoperationonrecreationresourcesandactivitiesarediscussedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.ThepotentialforadverseimpactsonterrestrialgamespeciesandfishpopulationsisdiscussedinAppendicesKandI,respectively.L.2.1.4.3GoldCreek-to-AnchorageSegmentCONSTRUCTIONTheproposedGoldCreek-to-AnchoragetransmissionlineswouldnottraverseorotherwiseaffectanyofficiallydesignatedpublicrecreationresourceareasexceptthatthelineswouldcrosstheextremenortheasternportionoftheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefugeforadistanceofabout5mi(8km)(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.9,Fig.E.9.10).Forperspective,theStateGameRefugesystemincludedatotalof688,822acres(278,760ha)in1981(AlaskaDivisionofParks,1981).Thustheacreagewithinthe400-ft(122-m)transmissionlineright-of-wayrepresentslessthan0.04%ofthetotalareawithintheStateGameRefugesystem.Theproposedtransmissionlineswouldtraversea3,520-acre(1425-ha)areathathasbeenproposedforincorporationintotheWillowCreekStateRecreationArea(ParkPlanningSection,1982b).Theproposedexpansionareawouldbetraversedforabout2mi(3km)(ExhibitG,Vol.4,PlateG.34).NosignificantprivatelydevelopedpUblicrecreationfacilitiesorareasareknowntooccurintheproximityoftheproposedtransmissionlinerights-of-way. L-35Currentrecreationusesinthevicinityoftheproposedtransmissioncorridorincludeavarietyofdispersedrecreationactivitiessuchashunting,fishing,hiking,andtrail-relatedmodesoftravel.Insomeinstances,constructionpersonnelwouldtemporarilyincreasethecompetitionforlocalgameandfishresources.Effectsofright-of-wayclearingandtransmissionlineconstructiononlocalsporthuntingarenotedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.TheimpactoftransmissionlineconstructiononwildlifepopulationsisalsodiscussedinAppendixK.Certainrecreationtrailsandpatternsofcross-countrytravelmightalsobetemporarilydisruptedasaresultoftransmissionlineconstruction.Ontheotherhand,portionsofthetransmissionlineright-of-waymightbeusedtogainaccesstoremoteareas,resultinginoverutilizationofsensitivelocationsorotherwisedetractingfromthewildernesssettings.Numerouslakesadjacenttotheproposedtrans~issionlinesarepopularrecreationspotsandcommonlyareaccessedbyfloatplane,particularlytothesouthwestofWillowandinthevicinityandsouthoftheNancyLakeStateRecreationArea(AcresAmerican,1982).Thetransmissionlineswouldposeahazardforrecreationistsaccessingnearbylakesbymeansoffloatplane.Furthermore,therelativelynumerousownersorusersofnearbyprivaterecreationcabinsandfacilitiesadjacenttothetransmissionlinecouldbeaffectedbyconstructionnoise,dust,andotherunwelcomeexperiences,includingalteredlandscapesresultingfromthepresenceofthetransmissionlines.ThedevelopmentoftheproposedGoldCreek-to-Anchoragetransmissionlineswouldentailcrossing3riversandabout40additionalcreeksandminorwaterways(ExhibitG,Vol.4,PlatesG.0-38).Someoftheimpactsonstreamfisheriesresultingfromtransmissionlineconstructionatwater-waycrossingsandtherelatedpotentialfordiminishedsportfishingopportunitiesarediscussedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.AdditionaldiscussionoftheeffectsoflineconstructiononlocalfishpopulationsispresentedinAppendixI.TravelersontheParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadwouldviewtheGoldCreek-to-AnchoragetransmissionlinesatintersectionsnearWillow,whiletravelersproceedingnortherlywouldviewthelinesfromseveralvantagepointsbetweenWillowandtheGoldCreekarea.Inthelattercase,however,visualeffectswouldonlybeincremental,sincetheWillow~to-GoldCreeksegmentparallelstheAnchorage-FairbanksTransmissionIntertie.Theproposedtransmissionlineswouldalsoparallelorintersectnumerousrecreationtrails,particularlyintheareasouthwestofWillowandinthevicinityandsouthoftheNancyLakearea;onesuchmajortrailisthe~ditarodDogsledRacingTrail(AcresAmerican,1982).RivertravelerswouldalsoviewthetransmissionlinessincethetransmissioncorridorintersectswiththeTalkeetna,Kashwitna,andLittleSusitnariversaswellasothernavigablewaterways.ProjecttransmissionlinesintheAnchorageareawouldparallelexistingtransmissionfacili-ties,causingonlyincrementalvisua1effects.However,severalmajortravelrouteswouldbeparalleledorintersectedbythetransmissionright-of-way,includingtheAlaskaRailroad,theGlennandDavishighways,andtheOilwellandSkiBowlroads(ExhibitG,Vol.4,PlateG.30).AdditionaldiscussionofestheticimpactsrelatedtotransmissionlineconstructionispresentedinAppendixM.OPERATIONThedirecteffectsonrecreationresourcesandactivitiesresultingfromoperationofthetrans-missionlineswouldbesimilartothosediscussedinSectionL.2.1.4.1.ThepotentialforadverseimpactsonterrestrialgameandfishpopulationsisdiscussedinAppendicesKandI,respectively.L.2.1.5ProposedRecreationPlanTheApplicanthasproposedtoimplementarecreationdevelopmentplantocompensateforpublicrecreationopportunitiesimpactedbytheWatanaandDevilCanyondevelopmentsandtoaccommodaterecreationdemandinducedbytheproposedproject.DetailsoftherecreationplanarepresentedinSection2.1.11.Selectedfeaturesoftheplanareidentifiedinthefollowingdiscussion.Therecreationplanprovidesfortheimplementationofamonitoringprogramandfivephasesofrecreationdevelopment.TheApp1icanthascurrentlycommittedonlytodevelopmentPhases1through4(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.6.2).Phase1andthemonitoringprogramwouldbeginwiththeWatanaconstructionin1985(Fig.2-8).Monitoringdatawouldbeassessedtoidentifyanyneededmodificationsinsubsequentdevelopmentphases.Phase2(asmodified)wouldbeimplementedwithinthreeyearsoftheassessmentdate.TheevaluationofPhase3developmentwouldgenerallycorrespondwithinitialdevelopmentattheDevilCanyondamsitein1995~a~basedonWatanamonitoringdata.Phase3development(asmodified)wouldbeimplementedwlthlnthreeyearsfollowing1995(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.7,Sec.6.2.1).TheevaluationofPhaseFourwouldgenerallycorrespondwithoperationoftheDevilCanyonfacilitiesin2003.ThefeaturesofPhases2-4couldbeconsiderablymodifiedduringtheextendedimpl:men~ationdschedule.Recreationdemandsarenotlikelytoremainconsistentthroughouttheperlodlnvolve'. L-36Further,landownersadjacenttoprojectsitesmightelecttodevelopfacilitiestoaccommodatecertainpublicrecreationactivitiesthatareunforeseeableatpresent.TheimplementationofPhase5developmentwouldbecontingentonafutureassessmentandonagreementbetweenallpartiesinvolved,andonlyifadditionalrecreationdemandwasestablishedbasedonanalysisofmonitoringdata.TableL-10outlinesvariousphases,siteidentifications,andrecreationfeaturesoftherecreationplanascurrentlyproposed.Anappraisaloftheproposedrecreationdevelopmentsindicatesthatwiththeexceptionofthetwovisitorscenters,mostoftherecreationdevelopmentinvolvesconstructionoftrailsandtrai1sidefaci1ities.TheBrushkanaCampgroundisessentiallyawaysideareaofftheDenaliHighway.Theproposedtrail-relateddevelopmentsreflectcurrentrecreationpreferences,asestablishedbyresultsoftheAlaskaPublicSurvey(DivisionofParks,1981).RandomlyselectedresidentsofSoutheasternAlaskawererequestedtoindicatepreferencesforstateparkacquisi-tion,development,andmaintenance.Mostofthosesurveyedexpressedadesireforadditionalhikingtrails,roadsidecampgrounds,anddevelopedrecreationareas.Forexample,preferencerelativetohikingtrailswasasfollows:morehikingtrails,53%;moretrailsidedevelopments,31%;maintenanceofexistingtrailsonly,16%;andfewerhikingtrails,1%ofthetotalrespon-dents(ParkPlanningSection,1983).TheApplicant'sproposedrecreationplanisconsistentwiththecurrentrecreationdemandsofSouthcentralAlaskaresidents,asbasedontheAlaskaPublicSurvey.Additionally,themonitor-ingdatawouldbeevaluatedperiodicallytodetermineanychangeintherecreationdemand.L.2.2SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesL.2.2.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesignsThelocationsofthealternativedamsitesanddesignconfigurationsarewithinthesamegeneralareaasoftheproposedproject.Nodedicatedpublicrecreationsites,facilitiesorconserva-tionareasoccurinthevicinity.Thus,theeffectsonrecreationusepatternsassociatedwithdevelopmentofoneofthealternativeswouldbesimilartothosediscussedinSectionsL.2.1.1andL.2.1.2;i.e.,effectsonsporthuntingandfishingandotherdispersedrecreationincludingtrail-relatedandriver-touringactivities.Althoughthekindsofrecreationactivitiesinvolvedwouldberelativelysimilar,theextentoftheeffectsonrecreationopportunitieswouldvaryduetodifferencesinareapreemptedfordevelopmentofagivenalternativesystem.DevelopmentoftheWatanaIalternativewouldentailloweringtheimpoundmentelevationto2,100ft(640m),whichwouldresultinreducingtheareapreemptedfordamandimpoundmentsitestoabout28,300acres(11,450ha);ofwhichabout24,000acres(9,710halwouldbeinundatedlandarea(Table4-14).GiventhatthecombinedWatana-DevilCanyonconfigurationproposedbytheApp1icantwouldresultininundationofabout36,900acres(14,930ha),optingforconstructionoftheWatanaI-DevilCanyonalternativewouldinundateabout29,900acres(12,100hal,andresultinabout7,000acres(2,830halremainingavailableforland-basedrecreationactivities.Amongotherconsiderations,lesswildlifewouldbedisplacedandpressureonsportgameandfishresourcesinundisturbedadjacentareaswouldbelessintensethanwouldbethecasefortheWatana-DevilCanyonconfigurationasproposedbytheApplicant.ThelandrequirementfortheWatanaI-ModifiedHighDevilCanyonalternativewouldbeapproxi-matelythesameasfortheWatanaI-DevilCanyonalternative,andtheeffectsonrecreationresourcesandfacilitieswouldbesimilar,withonenotableexception.DevelopmentoftheModifiedHighDevilCanyondamwouldinundateTsusenaFalls(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,TableE.10.19).ThesefallswouldbeunaffectedbydevelopmentoftheproposedWatana-DevilCanyonconfiguration.However,theModifiedHighDevilCanyonalternativewouldobviatepro-visionsoftheproposedrecreationplan(Sec.2.1.11)forconstructinganaccesstrailtoenablehikingsightseerstoviewthefalls.LandfortheWatanaI-Reregulatingdamalternativewouldbelessthanfortheotheralterna-tives.ConstructionoftheReregulatingdamwouldresultininundationofabout4,000acres(1,600hal,whichincombinationwithWatanaIwouldrequireatotalofabout28,000acres(11,300hal.Incomparisonwiththeproposedproject,theWatanaI-Reregulatingdamalterna-tiveswouldleaveanadditional8,900acres(3,600haloflandavailablefordispersedrecrea-tionopportunities.EffectsonsporthuntingopportunitieswouldbesomewhatlessthanthosementionedintheprecedingdiscussionoftheWatanaI-DevilCanyonalternative.Similartotheotheralternatives,developmentofthisalternativewouldresultininundationoftheVeeCanyonRapids.However,whiletheReregulatingdamwouldcausefree-flowoftheDevilCanyonrapidstocease,therapidswouldnotbeinundated,aswouldthecasefortheotheralternatives.Sinceallofthealternativesrepresentvariouslysmallereffortsthantheproposedproject,theconstructionworkforcewouldbecorrespondinglysmaller.Thuscompetitionforrecreationresourcesandopportunitiesbetweenprojectpersonnelandlocalresidentswouldbelessintense(seeAppendixN). L-37TableL-I0.FeaturesoftheApplicant'sProposedRecreationPlanFeatureDescriptionPhaseOneBrushkanaCampTyone/SusitnaRiver•confluenceButteCreek/SusitnaMiddleForkChulitnaPortalEntryPhaseTwoWatanaDamsiteVisitorCenterWatanaTownsiteTsusenaCreekTsusenaButteDeadman/BigLakeClarenceLakeWatanaLakePhaseThreeMid-ChulitnaMountains/DeadmanMountainPhaseFourDevilCreekDrainageDevilCanyonDamsiteVisitorCenterMermaidLakePhaseFive-TobedevelopedSouleCreekSouthernChulitnaMountainsFogLakesStephanLakeRehabilitationSites0.25milesofroad;25campsites;3singlevaultlatrines;1bulletinboard;8trashcans;and1waterwell.1shelter.1boatlaunch(Susitnabridge)25milesofprimitivetrail;trailhead;2overnightshelters;6parkingspaces;trashcans;bulletinboard;andsigns.Explanatoryentrysignand2-3carpullout.1visitorexhibitbuilding;20parkingspaces;2singlevaultlatrines;1interpretivetrail;4picnicsites;and1bulletinboard.2milesofprimitivetrailtoTsusenaFalls;1trailhead;andparking.20milesofprimitivetrail;2shelters;1trailhead;and3parkingspaces.4milesofprimitivetrail;primitivecamp(2-4capacity);1trailhead;and6parkingspaces.4milesofprimitivetrail,primitivecampsite(5-6capacity);1trailhead;and6parkingspaces.9milesofprimitivetrail;andsigns.3milesofprimitivetrail;1footbridge;and1primitivecampsite(2-3capacity).15milesofprimitivetrail;1primitivecampsite(2-4capacity);1trailhead;and10parkingspaces.9milesofprimitivetrail;1trailhead;5parkingspaces;1bench;andsigns.1visitorcenter,0.5milesoftrail;1shelter;1singlevaultlatrine;8picnicsites;15parkingspaces;3benches;andsigns.8campsites;1shelter;2singlevaultlatrines;1waterwell;1bulletinboard;5garbagecans;andsigns.onlyifdemandrequires8milesofprimitivetrail;primitivecampsite(5-6capacity);1trailhead;and5parkingspaces.3mi1esofprimit ivetrail;primit ivecampsite(3-4capacity);1trailhead;and3parkingspaces.15milesofprimitivetrail;15unitcampground;1singlevaultlatrine,15parkingspaces;1trailhead;andsigns.5milesofprimitivetrail;5campsites,semi-primitive;signs;andcanoeboatramp.Asappropriate.Conversion:Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61.Source:Applicant'sScheduleB,SupplementalItems,Vol.2,Sec.7,Comment91. L-38Duringtheoperationofeachproposedalternative,waterlevelswithintheWatanaIimpoundmentwouldundergosubstantialseasonalfluctuations,withadverseeffectsonrecreationopportuni-tiessimilartothosediscussedinSectionL.2.1.2.FluctuationsintheDevilCanyon,ModifiedHighDevilCanyon,andReregulatingimpoundmentswouldbelesssevere,withcorrespondinglylesssevereimpactsonrecreationactivities,asnotedinSectionL.2.1.2.2.L.2.2.2AlternativeAccessRoutesNodedicatedrecreationorconservationareasoccurinthevicinityofthealternativeaccessrights-of-way.Theareasarerelativelyremote,andcharacterizedbylow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities.Nevertheless,clearingoftherights-of-wayandroadconstructionwouldsharplycontrastwithadjacentnaturalsettings--asituationlikelybeobjectionabletosomerecreationists--andcouldtemporarilydisruptordisplacehikingpathsandunimprovedtrails.Fishpopulationswouldbeatleasttemporarilyimpactedinsensitiveareasrequiringin-streamconstructionwork,withacorrespondingdiminutionofsportfishingopportunities.Also,distri-butionpatternsofterrestrialgamespecieswouldlikelybealtered,therebyaffectingsporthuntingopportunities.Completionofavariousaccessrouteswouldincreaseaccessibilitytotheprojectarea.Unlesscontrolled,theopportunisticsportsmancouldusetheroadstoaccessprimefishingorhuntingareasotherwiseaccessibleonlywithdifficulty,therebyincreasingthepressureonlocalsportgameandfishresources.Otheroperatorsofoff-roadvehiclescoulddivertfromtheaccessroad,riskingoverutilizationofchoicerecreationsitesaswellasjeopardizingwildernessrecreationexperiencesinremoteareas.Thepotentialforimpactsonrecreationopportunitieswouldnotbeconfinedtotheprojectarea.Commutingandotherprojectpersonnelwouldcompetewithlocalresidents,tourists,andothersforuseofrecreationfacilities,lodging,andservicesinadjacentcommunities(AppendixN).L.2.2.3AlternativePowerTransmissionRoutesMostofthetypicalimpactsonrecreationresourcesandactivities(dustemissions,constructionnoise,potentialuseoftransmissionlinesasaccesscorridors,etc.)relatedtotransmissionlineconstructionandoperationwerediscussedinSectionL.2.1.4.Accordingly,thefollowingdiscussionfocusesononlythoseimpactsassociatedwithagivenalternativetransmissionline.L.2.2.3.1CentralStudyAreaFollowingsuccessivescreening(Sec.L.1.3.3),fourprincipalalternativecorridorswereidenti-fiedbetweentheWatanaandDevilCanyondamsitesandtheGoldCreeksubstation:Corridor1(ABCD),Corridor3(AJCF),Corridor13(ABCF),andCorridor14(AJCD)(Fig.2-14).Sincenodedicatedrecreationorconservationareasoccuralongthesecorridors,theprincipalpeopleaffectedwouldbeparticipantsinlow-densityhuntingandfishingandintrail-re1atedandriver-touringactivities.Insomecases,anisolatedfootpathorothertrailsmightalsobetemporarilydisruptedordisplacedbytransmissionlineconstruction.Themajorimpactofthetransmissionlineswouldbethevisualimpactsoftheirpresence.Allfourcorridorstraverseremoteterrain,althoughCorridor2bypasseswithin1mi(1.6km)oftheHighLakeLodge.However,thiscorridorwasdesignatedasthepreferredroutebecauseitparallelsanexistingORVtrailforabout8mi(13km).Thepresenceofthistrailwouldeliminatetheneedforpioneeraccess.TowerstructureserectedinsegmentABCofCorridor1wouldbeobservablefromStephanLakeLodgeandseveralrecreationcabinsintheStephanLakeandFogLakesareas(sealsoSectionL.1.3.3.D).L.2.2.3.2SouthernStudyAreaTwoa1ternativeWi11ow-to-AnchoragecorridorswereidentifiedintheSouthernStudyarea:Corridor1(ABC)andCorridor3(AEFC)(Fig.2-16).AssumingthatCorridor1wouldavoiddedicatedorotherwisesensitiveareasinthePalmerarea.However,thetransmissionlinewouldlikelybevisuallyintrusivefromoneormoreofthefollowing:WillowCreekandKepler-BradleyStateRecreationAreas~FingerLakeStateRecreationSite,andGoodingLake.FromtheEklutnaPowerhouseintoAnchorage,Corridor1para11e1sanexistingtransmission1ineright-of-way.However,intrusiveviewsofthealternativelinecouldoccuratPetersCreekandMirrorLakeStateRecreationSites;EagleRiverCampground,and/orThunderBirdFallsturnout.Viewsofthelinewouldalsooccurfromanumberofmajortouristroutes,includingtheAlaskaRailroad,WillowCreekRoad,GeorgeParksHighway,andtheGlennHighway(atfivedifferentlocations).Additionally,thelinewouldbevisiblefromrivertravelroutes,includingtheLittleSusitna,Matanuska,Knik,Eklutna,andEaglerivers.Corridor3traversesNancyLakeStateRecreationareaforabout9mi(15km).Assumingthefinalalignmentwouldavoidencroachmentondevelopedrecreationfacilities,thelinewould L-39neverthe1essconstituteaseverevisua1impactformanyrecreationusersofthearea.SeveralprivateownersoflakesidecabinsinthevicinityandsouthoftheNancyLakesareawouldbesimilarlyaffected.Moreover,anumberoflakesinthisareaareaccessedbyfloatplane;thusthelineswouldcreateadegreeofhazardtoairtravelers(seealsoSec.L.1.3.3.2).L.2.2.3.3NorthernStudyAreaThreealternativecorridorswereidentifiedintheNorthernStudyArea:Corridor2(segmentsABDC),Corridor3(AEDC),andCorridor4(AEF)(Fig.2-15).ThesecorridorsaredescribedinSectionL.1.3.3.3.Nosignificantpublicorprivaterecreationdevelopmentsoccurinoradjacenttothecorridors.Developedstructuresarelimitedtoafewisolatedcabins.Forthemostpartthecorridorstraverseremoteterrainwhererecreationusepatternsconsistoflow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities.IntheFairbanksarea,however,allthreecorridorsintersecttheTananaRiver,whichisamajorriver-touringroute.TheGeorgeParksandafewothermajorroadsarealsointersected.Therefore,highwayandrivertravelerswouldbevisuallyexposedtotransmissionlineswithinthealternativecorridors.L.2.2.3.4OtherAlternativePowerTransmissionRoutesFollowingformalapplicationforlicense,theApplicantidentifiedadditionalalternativetrans-mission1inesegments.Thesegmentsarenotarrangedtodepictcorridors,butbyselectingvariouscombinationofsegments,numerousroutescanbeidentified,includingsomewhichareverysimilartothosediscussedinthepreceedingsections.Thelackofdefinitivealignmentsprecludesspecificassessmentofimpacts.However,generalizedevaluationsofpotentialeffectsonrecreationresourcesandactivitiescanbeinferredfromalternativesegmentdescriptionspresentedinSectionL.1.3.3.4.L.2.2.4AlternativeBorrowSitesNospecificrecreationresourcesoractivitiesareassociatedwiththealternativeborrowsites.Therecreationusepatterninthevicinityofthesitesisthatoflow-densitydispersedrecrea-tion.Thusthedispositionofmaterialsfromthealternativeborrowsiteswouldnotmeaningfullyaffectcurrentorforeseeablerecreationopportunities.L.2.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternativesL.2.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioAsindicatedinSectionL.1.4.1.1,theBelugaandChuitnaRiversareinrelativelyremoteareas,andrecreationusepatternsconsistofdispersedrecreationactivities.Withinthissetting,itisunlikelythatthedevelopmentoffive200-MWcombinedcycleunitswouldhaveameaningfuleffectoncontemporaryrecreationactivities.MuchofthelandareainthenorthwesternKenaipeninsulaconsistsofdedicatedrecreationandconservationareas(Sec.L.1.4.1.3).Similarly,mostofthelandintheAnchorage-TurnagainArmareaiswithineitherChugachStateParkorChugachNationalForest(Sec.L.1.4.13).Non-dedicatedlandsoccurinthePortage,Girdwood,andAnchorageareas.However,sinceonlyabout5acres(2ha)arerequiredforeach200-MWcombined-cycleunit,thesitingoftwounitsnearKenaiandonealongtheTurnagainArmwouldhaveaminimaleffectonrecreationopportunitiesandexperiences.Inallcases,itisassumedtheunitswouldbelocatedtominimizethelengthofutilityanddistributioncorridors.L.2.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioNenanaislocatedontheAlaskaRailroadandtheGeorgeParksHighway,bothofwhicharemajortouristroutes.Asidefromtourist-relatedrecreationopportunities,therecreationusepatternintheNenanaareaconsistsoflow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing(Sec.L.1.4.2.2).Accordingly,three200-MWcoalfiredunitscouldbesitedintheNenanaareawithoutencroachingonanydedicatedrecreationareas(Sec.L.1.4.2.2).Themajorrecreation-relatedimpactswouldincludecompetitionbetweenprojectpersonnel,localresidents,andtouristsforrecreationopportunities(hunting,fishing,etc.),services,andhousingaccommo-dations.Otherimpactswouldderivefromincreasedtraffic(includingtrafficrelatedtoconstruc-tionand,later,fromcoalandcombustionwastetransport),withattendantnoisepollution.Followinginitialoperationoftheplants,theenvironmentalsettingintheareawouldbefurtherdegradedbyemissionsfromthecoal-firedplants.Thedevelopmentoftwo200-MWcoal-firedplantsatWillowwouldentailascenariosimilartothatatNenana,withthefollowingexceptions.Willowisthefocusofthreemajortouristroutes:theAlaskaRai1road,theGeorgeParksHighways,andtheWi11owCreek(HatcherPass)Road,whichistheprincipalaccesstoIndependenc~MineStateHistoricalSite.SitingofthetwoplantsnearWillowwouldhavetobeselectivetoavoidpublic,private,andcommercialrecreationresourceareas,aswellasestablishrecreationcorridorssuchasWillowCreek,which ";,1'L-40isapopularareaforresidentandanadromousfishingactivities,boating,andrivertouring.Accordingly,competitionforrecreationresourcesandfacilitieswouldbekeeneratWillowthanatNenana.L.2.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioMajorimpactsrelatedtothealternativeimpoundmentsareidentifiedasfollows:JohnsonRiver:DevelopmentoftheimpoundmentatJohnsonRiverwouldinundateasegmentoftheAlaskaHighway(amajortouristroute)andabout84,000acres(34,000ha)thatcurrentlyprovidesopportunitiesforawidevarietyoflow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities.ThedamwouldalsodisruptrivertouringontheTananabybothcommercialandprivateinterests(Sec.L.l.4.3.2).Keetna:CreationoftheKeetnaimpoundmentwouldinundateabout4,800acres(1,940ha)andportionsofamajoroff-roadvehicletrail,aswellashikingtrailsusedforawidevarietyofdispersedrecreationactivities,primarilyhuntingandfishing.Someofthefinestraftingandwhite-waterkayakinginAlaskawouldalsobeinundatedordisrupted.Moreover,substantialprimemooseharvestareawouldbeinundatedadjacenttotheTalkeetnaRiver,whichhasbeenproposedforStateRecreationRiverstatus.SnowRiver:TheSnowRiverimpoundmentwouldinundate2,600acres(1,050ha)aswellassomefacilitiesmaintainedbytheU.S.ForestService,whicharerelativelyheavilyusedfordispersedrecreationactivities(Sec.L.l.4.3.4).BrowneSite:DevelopmentoftheBrownesitewouldinundateabout10,640acres(4,305ha),aswellassegmentsoftheAlaskaRailroadandtheGeorgeParksHighway,whicharemajortouristroutes.ThedamwouldalsoalterflowsoftheNenanaRiver,anotableriver-touringroute.Therecreationusepatternsintheinundatedareaconsistoflow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities(Sec.L.l.4.3.5).Inadditiontothesemajorimpactsonrecreationresources,therewouldbeaotherimpactsfromtheinfluxofprojectpersonnelpriortoprojectconstruction.Theconsequencesoftheseimpactswouldbeofasimilarnature(butonasmallerscale)tothosediscussedfortheproposedproject(Sec.L.2.1).Incontrastwiththeforegoing,thedevelopmentoftheChakachamnasitewouldnotbeexpectedtoresultinsignificantimpactsonrecreationresources.Theprojectwouldinvolvealake-tapatLakeChakachamna,andtherecreationusepatternintheareaconsistsoflow-intensitydispersedrecreationactivities.Thereforeimpactsonpublicrecreationwouldbeofaminornature.Thethermalunitsofthiscombinedhydro-thermalscenariowouldincludea200-MWcoal-firedunitatNenana.ExpectedimpactsonpublicrecreationwouldbesimilarinkindbutoflesserintensitythanthosediscussedinSectionL.2.3.2.Minorimpactsonpublicrecreationalsowouldresultfromconstructionandoperationoftwo200-MWcombined-cycleunitsataChuitnaRiversiteanda70-MWcombustion-turbineunitnearAnchorage.L.2.4ComparisonofAlternativesL.2.4.1SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesThedamandimpoundmentsitesfortheWatanaI-DevilCanyonalternativewouldrequireabout29,900acres(12,100ha)oflandarea(Table4-14).TheWatana-I-ModifiedHighDevilCanyonalternativewouldrequireaboutthesamearea;however,theModifiedHighDevilCanyonoptionwouldresultintheinundationofTsusenaFalls,whichisanotablerecreationresourcearea.TheWatanaI-tunnelReregulatingdamalternativewouldrequireabout27,000acres(11,000ha),ormorethan2,000acres(810ha)lessthaneitheroftheothertwoalternatives.Thuswiththisalternative,moreareawouldremainavailablefordispersedrecreation,lesswildlifewouldbedisplaced,andsporthuntingandfishingpressureswouldbelessintenseadjacenttotheprojectarea.Additionally,free-flowthroughDevilCanyonwouldcease;buttheDevilCanyonrapidswouldnotbeinundated,aswouldbethecasefortheothertwoalternatives.DevelopmentoftheproposedWatanaandDevilCanyonimpoundmentswouldpreemptabout37,000acres(15,000ha)ofland(Table4-14)currentlyusedfordispersedrecreationactivities.TheTsusenaFallswouldnotbeaffected,buttheDevilCanyonwhite-waterrunwouldbeinundated.Therearenodedicatedrecreationorconservationareasassociatedwiththeproposedordesigna-tedalternativeaccessroadsintheprojectarea.Recreationusepatternsthroughouttheareastraversedbyalloftheaccessrights-of-wayconsistoflow-densitydispersedrecreation,includingsporthuntingandfishing,aswellastrail-relatedandriver-touringactivities.Accordingly,differencesintherecreationpotentialsassociatedwiththeproposedandalterna-tiveroutesareindistinguishable. L-41Theproposedrights-of-wayfortheprincipalalternativedamsites-to-GoldCreektransmissionlines(includingtheproposedroute)traverserelativelyremoteterrainusedforlow-densitydispersedrecreation.Recreationpotentialassociatedwiththealternativetransmissionlinesissimilar,withthefollowingexception:transmissionfacilitiesconstructedwithinthealter-nativeroutethatextendssouthwesterlyacrosstheSusitnaRiverfromtheWatanadamsitewouldconstitutevisualintrusionofdistantlandscapesettingsasviewedfromStephanLakeLodgeandrecreationcabinsintheLakeStephanandFogLakesareas.Transmissionfacilitiesdevelopedwithintheproposedroutewouldpasswithin2mi(3.2km)oftheHighLakeLodge.TheproposedandtwoalternativecorridorswereidentifiedfortheproposedWillow-to-Anchoragetransmissionlineconnection(Fig.2-16).ThewesternmostalternativecorridortraversesNancyLakeStateRecreationareaforabout9mi(15km),aswellastraversingorpassingnearothersensitiveareas(lakesidecabins,recreationtrails,etc.)inthevicinityandtothesouthoftheNancyLakesarea.Theproposedcorridortraversesmuchthesamearea,withtheimportantdifferencethattheproposedcorridorpassestothewestofNancyLakeStateRecreationArea.TheotheralternativecorridorextendseastandsouthfromWillowoverrelativelyremoteterraintoalocationnorthwestofPalmerandthentraversesorpassesnearanumberofsensitiveareasenroutetoAnchorage.Thissecondcorridorisalmosttwiceaslongasthewesterncorridor.Fromthestandpointofavoidingimpactsonrecreationresourceareasandfacilities,neitherofthealternativesisconsidereddesirable.ThreealternativetransmissionlinecorridorsandtheproposedroutewereidentifiedfortheHealy-to-Fairbanksinterconnect(Fig.2-15).Nodedicatedrecreationorconservationareasoccurnearthefouralternativeroutes;alltraverseremoteterrain.Structuresnearthecorridorsarelimitedtoafewisolatedcabins;and,inallcases,recreationusepatternsconsistofverylow-densitydispersedrecreationactivities.ThealternativecorridorextendingeastofHealytotheWoodRiverandthencenorthernlythroughtheWoodRiverValleytoFairbanksiscircuitous,traversing115mi(185km)comparedto90mi(145km)fortheproposedcorridor.TheproposedandonealternativecorridorintersectandvariouslyparalleltheGeorgeParksHighwaybetweenHealyandalocationneartheBrownestationontheAlaskaRailroad.However,itislikelythattheshortestofthealternativecorridors[86mi(139km)]wouldhavetheleastimpactonrecreationopportunities.Therecreationusepatternsinthevicinityoftheborrowsitesistypicallylow-densitydispersedrecreationactivity.Sincenoneofthesitesrepresentsignificantrecreationresourceareas,thereisnomeaningfulbasisfordifferentiatingbetweenthem.L.2.4.2Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternativesThenaturalgas-firedgenerationscenarioinvolvesasmalllandrequirementandrelativelyinnocuousoperationalimpacts.Thus,thisscenariowouldseemthemostcompatiblewithrespecttorecreationresourceareas.Themoresevereimpactsonrecreationresourcesassociatedwiththecoal-firedgenerationscenariowouldoccurintheNenanaandWillowareas.Nenanaislocatedinaremoteareawheretherela-tivelymoderatelandrequirementsforthree200-MWcoal-firedplants[about600acres(245ha)]wouldnotbeasignificantproblem.However,therecreationusepatternintheareaislow-intensitydispersedrecreationwithverylimitedcapacityforsatisfyingdemandfordevelopedrecreationsitesandfacilities.Thusthepresenceofconstructionpersonnelwouldresultinseverecompetitionwithtouristsandlocalresidentsforrecreationopportunities,services,andlodging.Pressureonrecreationresourcesduringdevelopmentoftwo200-MWcoal-firedplantsatWillowwouldlikelybesomewhatlessintense,becauseoftheexistenceofmodestpublicandcommercialdevelopedrecreationsitesandfacilities.AvailablerecreationopportunitiesinthePalmerandAnchorageareaswouldalsoalleviaterecreationdemandintheWillowarea.Assumingthatgenerationunitsofthecoal-firedscenariowouldbesitedtoavoidormlnlmlzeimpactsatdevelopedrecreationsites,comparingthepotentialeffectsonpublicrecreationopportunitiesre1atedtothecoal-firedgenerationscenari0withthoseassociatedwiththeproposedSusitnagenerationscenarioprimarilyentailsconsiderationsofdispersedrecreationactivities.Dispersedrecreationopportunitiesarenotnecessarilycomparableonanacre-for-acrebasis.However,theestimatedlandrequirementforpermanentfacilitiesofthecoal-firedscenariois600acres(240ha)(Table4-14),comparedwithabout37,000acres(15,000ha)requiredfordamsites,impoundmentsandotherpermanentfacilitiesoftheproposedproject.Bothscenarioswouldentailadditionalimpactsonrecreationresources,buttheoverallimpactsrelatedtothecoal-firedscenariowouldbeconsiderablylessthanthosefortheproposedproject.Aprincipa1disadvantagerelatedtothedeve1opmentofthe'combinedhydro-thermalgenerationscenarioderivesfromthelargeland-requirement.Forexample,developmentoftheJohnsonsitewouldentailinundationofasegmentoftheAlaskaHighwayand84,000acres(34,000ha),muchofwhichsupportsdispersedrecreationactivities.Incomparison,thetotallandrequirementforpermanentfacilities(damsites,impoundment'areas,andgeneratingstations)oftheproposedSusitnagenerationscenarioisabout37,000acres(15,000ha).Othercomponentunitsofthecombinedhydro-thermalgenerationscenariowouldfurthercontributetoimpactsonrecreation L-42resources.AlthoughtheSnowsiteisrelativelysmall,participationlevelsinrecreationopportunitiesarerelativelyhighthere.DevelopmentoftheKeetnasitewouldimpactseveralimportantrecreationresources,includinganotablewhite-waterarea,primesporthuntingandfishing,andwildernessrecreationexperiences;further,theTalkeetnaareahasbeenproposedasaStateRecreationRiver.L.3MITIGATIONInpart,theimplementationoftheApplicant'srecreationplan(Sec.2.1.11)wouldconstitutemitigationforlossesofrecreationresourcesandopportunitiesrelatedtodevelopmentoftheproposedproject.Therecreationplanalsoincludesprovisionsforaccommodatingrecreationdemandthatwouldbegeneratedduetoconstructionandoperationofprojectfacilities.TheStaffconsiderstheApplicant'sproposedrecreationplantobereasonablemitigationfor,andaprudentandsystematicapproachto,resolvingrecreationneedanddemandrelatedtotheproposedproject.Althoughnotspecificallyidentifiedasmitigativemeasures,severalrecommendationshavebeenproposedbyconcernedresourceagencieswithrespecttoprojectrelatedrecreationneeds.Recommendations,identifiedbytheagency,aresummarizedasfollows:NationalParkService(Welch,1983)(a)Highqualitymotionpictures,withnarrative,shouldbepreparedtoensureapermanentfilmrecordofexistingriverconditions(Tyone-SusitnaRiverconfluencetoGoldCreek),aswellascorrespondingrecordsforconstructionandoperationalphasesoftheproposedproject.Theserecordswouldbeusedasinterpretivetoolsatprojectvisitorcenters.(b)ConsiderationshouldbegiventoprovidingpublicaccesstotheSusitnaRiverbelowthedamtoenableuseoftheDevilCanyonwhite-waterpriortothecompletionandoperationoftheDevilCanyondam.(c)ConsiderationshouldbegiventoprovidingpublicaccessfromtheprojecttransportationcorridortoPortageCreekforfishingand/orkayaking.(d)Appropriatedayuseand/orovernightfacilitiesshouldbeconsideredforGoldCreektoaccommodatebackpackersenteringtheprojectareaviatheDevilCanyondamconstructionright-of-way,aswellasrecreationistsusingtheAlaskaRailroadwhowishtolay-overatGoldCreek.(e)ThestatusofStephanLakedevelopmentshouldbeelevatedtoPhase1implementationsincenegotiationsforright-of-waycouldbelengthy.ThesenegotiationsshouldberesolvedatanearlydatetoensurecontinuedpublicuseoftheStephanLake-PrairieCreekcorridorduringprojectconstruction.AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources(Wunnicke,1983)(a)Leasing,concession,orotherarrangementsshouldbeexecutedforacqulrlngcontrolofatleastonepublicsiteofsuitablesize(40acresormore)atStephanLakeforcampingandfishing,andtoserveasastagingareaforfloattripsdowntotheTalkeetnaRiver.(b)LegalaccessshouldbesecuredandatrailconstructedfromthereservoirtoStephanLake.(c)ItisrecommendedthattherecreationelementofExhibitEaddthreesitesadjacenttotheAlaskaRailroad:IndianRiver,GoldCreek,andCurry.Thesesiteswouldprovidedestina-tionpointsforrecreationusersoftheAlaskaRailroadandagreaterdiversityofrecrea-tionopportunities.Inthefollowingdiscussion,recommendationsoftheNationalParkService(NPS)andtheAlaskaDepartment.ofNaturalResources(ADNR)areidentifiedbyletternotationsusedintheprecedinglistingofrecommendations:NPS(a)-TheApplicanthasagreedtoconsiderpreparationofapermanentfilmrecordtodocumentdevelopmentoftheSusitnaRiverandReservoirsystem(ExhibitE,Vol.lOB,Chap.II,App.11J).NPS(b),(c)-TheprojectconstructionscheduleandtheApplicant'sproposalthatthegeneralpublicwouldbeexcludedfromconstructionsitesandrelatedaccessroadsessentiallyprecludesdevelopingaccesstotheSusitnaRiverbelowtheWatanadamsitetoallowtemporarypublicuseoftheDevilCanyonwhite-water;i.e.,theDenaliHighway-Watanaaccessroadwouldnotbeavail-abletothepUblicbefore1994,andconstructionatDevilCanyonwouldbeinitiatedin1994(ExhibitC,Vol.1,FiguresC.1andC.2).Similarly,theappropriatesegmentoftheprojecttransportationcorridorfordevelopingaccesstoPortageCreekwouldnotbeavailableforpublicusebefore2002.WhethersuchaccesstoPortageCreekin2002wouldbeneededordesirableisnotforeseeableatthistime. L-43NPS.(d),.ADNR(c)-T~erec~mmendat~onsfor.r~creationdevelopmentatGoldCreek,Curry,and~nd1an.R1verarenot1nconslstentw1thprov1s~onsoftheAppl1cant'srecreationplan.Theplan1Sdes1gnedtoallowforresponsetorecreat10ndemandrelatedtotheproposedproject.Giventhatstrongrecreationdemandwouldexistordevelopatoneormoreoftherecommendedlocationssubsequentphasesofrecreationdevelopmentcouldbeadjustedandtheappropriatedevelopment'undertakentoalleviatetheindicatedrecreationdemand.NPS(eLADNR(a),(b)-AircraftaccesstoStephanLakeforraftingorkayakingtheStephanLake-PrairieCreek-TalkeetnaRivercorridorwillcontinue(ExhibitE,Vol.lOB,Chap.11,Append.11.J).DevelopedrecreationfacilitiesatStephanLakearelimitedtosportsman'slodges,acommerciallodge,andprivatecabinsusedprimarilyasbasestationsforhuntingandfishingexcursions.SinceaccesstoStephan~akeisprimarilybymeansofaircraft,acquiringanddevelopingatractforrecreationpurposeswouldbenefitonlyaselectsegmentofthepublic.Accordingly,theStephanLakeareaisconsideredtobealow-prioritydevelopmentsite,atleastduringtheforeseeablefuture.REFERENCESFORAPPENDIXLAcresAmerican,Inc.1982.SusitnaHydroelectricProject,TransmissionLineSelectedRoute,FinalDraft.PreparedfortheAlaskaPowerAuthority.AlaskaDepartmentofTransportationandPublicFacilities.1981.DenaliHighway,CantwelltoPaxson,EnvironmentalAssessment.30pp.A1askaDepartmentofNaturalResources.1982.LandUseIssuesandPre1iminaryResourceInven-tory.Vol.1.PlanningBackgroundReport.199pp.AlaskaDivisionofParks.1975.DenaliStatePark:AMasterPlan.AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources.Anchorage.49pp.AlaskaDivisionofParks.1980.ChugachStateParkMasterPlan.Resources.Anchorage.89pp.AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalAlaskaDivisionofParks.NaturalResources.1981.AlaskaOutdoorRecreationPlan,1981-85.Anchorage.91pp.AlaskaDepartmentofAlaskaLandUseCouncil.1983.DraftStudytoDeterminetheDesirabilityofCreatingtheDenaliNationalScenicHighway.Aninteragencystudyprepared 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DRAFTENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENTSUSITNAHYDROELECTRICPROJECT,FERCNO.7114APPENDIXMVISUALRESOURCESPreparedbyR.C.SundellArgonneNationalLaboratoryM-1 M-3APPENDIXM.VISUALRESOURCESM.1VISUALRESOURCEANALYSISCRITERIAOneconsiderationintheplacementofprojectstructuresandtransmissionlinetowersshouldbetoplan,design,andconstructprojectfeaturesthattotheextentpossiblewouldbeinharmonywith,oratleastbesubordinateto,thesurroundinglandscape(U.S.ForestService,1975).Thethreemajorobjectivesofthevisualresourceanalysisandmanagementapproachareto(1)identifytheexistingvisualresourcesintheprojectstudyareas,(2)determinethevisualimpactsoftheproposedprojectanditsalternativesontheseresources,and(3)prepareamitigativestrategytolessentheimpactonanygivenvisualresource.Theseobjectivesareaccomplishedinathree-stepapproach.Thefirststepinvolvesidentifyingandcharacterizingthevarioustypesoflandscapes;deter-miningtheirqualityanduniquenessinrelationtotheregionalprojectareasettingandwithinthestate;quantifyingsite-specificprominentnaturalfeatureswithineachgivenlandscapetype;andlocatingallsignificantviewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelroutesintheprojectarea.Step2usesthedatacollectedfromstep1todeterminetheeffectsthattheprojectwouldhaveonthevisualresources(generallandscapeandsite-specificfeatures)foundwithintheprojectarea.Impactsaredeterminedbyusingstate-of-the-artevaluationmethods,suchastheU.S.ForestService(1973,1974)visualmanagementsystem.Thefinalstep(step3)inthevisualresourceanalysisistodevelopamitigationplanthatwilllessenthevisualimpactscausedbytheproposedproject.Visualimpactscanoftenbeminimizedby(1)redesigningvariousprojectfeatures(usingform,line,color,andtexture),(2)modifyingorenhancingsurroundingvegetationpatterns,(3)takingintoaccountthetopographicalfeaturesofthearea,and(4)insomeinstancescompleteavoidanceofvisuallysensitiveareas.Fourvisualelementscompetefordominanceinalandscape:(1)form,(2)line,(3)color,and(4)texture(U.S.ForestService,1973).Thesefactorsexertdifferingdegreesofvisualinfluence,power,anddominance(U.S.ForestService,1975).Forexample,theformoftrans-missionlinestructuresisusuallygeometric,forceful,andlarge.Secondly,thetransmission1ineright-of-waygenerallyhasalinearimpactbecauseofclearedvegetationandstraightdistanceoftheline.Third,dependingonlightingconditions,seasonoftheyear,andcolorofthematerialsthatthetowersandconductorsareconstructedof,transmissionlinesandtowersmayormaynotbehighlyvisibleagainstthenaturalbackground.Finally,naturallandscapetexturescanrarelybematchedbyutilitystructures.Fortheprojectfeaturesandtransmissionline,itisimportanttoanalyzethesurroundingtopography,vegetation,and anyuniquefeatureslocatedwithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiver"Basinandthepowertransmissionlinecorridor.Inthefollowingevaluationofthevisualresources,anumberofimportantfactorswereconsidered,including(1)expectedimagebytheviewer,(2)importanceofretentionofthecharacterofthearea,(3)vantagepointofviewer,(4)durationoftheview,(5)numberofviewers,and(6)viewingdistance.Impactsinrelationtoviewingdistancesaredescribedintermsoftheforeground,middleground,andbackgroundcriteriadevelopedbytheU.S.ForestService(TableM-1).Althoughquantitativeproceduresareusedtotheextentpossibleinthisanalysis,itmustberecognizedthatcertainaspectsofanyvisualresourceanalysisandmanagementsystemwillremainsubjectiveandrelyonqualitativeanalysisduetovariancesinindividualperceptionofanygivenaestheticresource.M.2AFFECTEDENVIRONMENTTheareasthatwouldbeaffectedbytheproposedSusitnaHydroelectricProjectanditsalterna-tivesarelocatedprimarilyintheSouthcentralRegionofAlaska.SomeprojectfeaturesandtransmissionlinecorridorsalsoextendintotheInteriorRegionofthestate.TheSouthcentralRegionisgeographicallyboundedbytheAlaskaRangetothenorthandwest,theWrangellMountainstotheeast,andtheChugachMountainsandGulfofAlaskatothesouth.Muchoftheregionischaracterizedbyrugged,mountainousterrain.Mt.McKinley(westoftheprojectarea)isoneofthestate'smostprominentgeographicalfeatures.Theregionalsocontainsplateaus,andbroadrivervalleys,oftenwithbraidedchannelflows(ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.8,p.E-8-1).*TheAnchoragearea,with173,000residents(nearlyhalfofthestate'spopulation),*Throughoutthisdocument,referencestospecific"Exhibits"aretotheexhibitssubmittedtoFERCaspartofAlaskaPowerAuthority'sSusitnaHydroelectricProjectLicenseApplication.Referencestospecific"Appendices"(App.)aretotheappendicesprovidedinVolumes2through7ofthisDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement. M-4TableM-1.DistanceViewingCriteriaComponentsDistanceSightcapacityObjectviewedVisualcharacteristicsForegroundO--!,,-lzmiDetai1RockpointIndividualplants&speciesMiddleground!"-lz--3-5milesDetail&generalEntireridgeTextures(conifers&hardwoods)Background3-5miles--infinityGeneral--nodetailSystemofridgesPatterns(light&dark)ForegroundCharacteristicsPresence--theobserverisinit.Maximumdiscernmentofdetail--inproportiontotimeandspeed.Scale--observercanfeelasizerelationshipwiththeelements.Discernmentofcolor--intensityandvalueseeninmaximumcontrasts.Discernmentofothersensoryexperiences--sound,smell,andtoucharemostacutehere.Discernmentofwindmotion.Aerialperspectiveabsent.MiddlegroundCharacteristicsLinkagebetweenforegroundandbackgroundpartsofthelandscape.EmergenceofoverallshapesandpatternsVisualsimplificationofvegetativesurfacesintotextures.Presenceofaerialper-spective--softenscolorcontrasts.DiscernmentofrelationbetweenlandscapeunitsBackgroundCharacteristicsSimplification--outlineshapes,littletextureordetailapparent,objectsviewedmostlyaspatternsoflightanddarkStrongdiscernmentofaerialperspective--reducescolordistinc-tion,replacesthemwithvaluesofblueandgray.Discernmentofentirelandscapeunits--drainagepatterns,vegetativepatterns,landforms.Individualvisualimpactsleastapparent.Conversion:Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61.Source:U.S.ForestService(1973).islocatednearthenortheasternendofCookInlet.Itisapproximately100airmiles(mi)[160kilometers(km)]southoftheproposedprojectsdamsitesandisnearthesouthernterminusoftheproposedtransmissionlineroute.Theregionhasdiverselandscapes,includingspruce-hemlockandspruce-hardwoodforests,wetlands,moistandwettundra,plateauupland,mountains,andanumberofactiveglacier-beddedmountainvalleys.TheInteriorRegionisborderedbytheBrooksRangetothenorth,theBeringSeatothewest,theCanadianbordertotheeast,andtheAlaskaRangetothesouth.Largeportionsoftheareaincludebraidedandmeanderingriversandstreams.TheYukonRiver,whichbisectstheInteriorRegion,isprobablythemostprominentnaturalfeature.Rivervalleysareprimarilyvegetatedwithspruce-hardwoodforests.Theregionalsocontainswetlands,treelesstundra,andbrushcoveredhighlands.Thereisanabundanceofwildlifeandfisheriesresourceswithintheregion.Fairbanks(30,000residents)isAlaska'ssecondlargestcity;itisapproximately100airmi(160km)northoftheproposeddamsitesandisnearthenorthernterminusoftheproposedtransmissionlineroute.M.2.1ProposedProjectM.2.1.1UpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasinThesitesoftheproposed'WatanaandDevi1Canyonhydroe1ectricdamsandrelatedfacilities(e.g.,reservoirs,constructioncamps,village,accessroads)andtheWatana-to-GoldCreek M-5transmissionlinecorridor(37mi,or60km)wouldbelocatedwithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasin,whichispartoftheSouthcentralRegionofthestate.Thisareaisdiverseinlandscapecharacter,essentiallyroadless,andsparselyinhabited.Thesefactorscontributetoanimageofbeingnaturalwithoutthepresenceofsignificanthumanintrusionanddevelopment.Themajorlandscapecharactertypes;prominentnaturalfeatures;andsignificantviewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelrouteswithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinaredescribedbelow.M.2.1.1.1LandscapeCharacterTypesTheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasincontainsavarietyofaestheticallydistinctanddiverselandscapetypesconsistingofamixtureofvarioustopographic(mountains,broadvalleys),vegetation(woodlands,tundra,barrenland),andwaterresource(rivers,waterfalls,rapids,lakes,andstreams)features.Thesephysicalfeaturesareenhancedbyothervisualandaestheticelements,suchasatmosphericconditions,presenceofwildlife,andnaturalscentsandsounds.Viewerperspectiveofthevariouslandscapetypesdependsontheobserverposition,distance,angle,andilluminationfactors.Landformsoftheareaaredefinedbythreemajorelements:(1)thedeeplyincisedSusitnaRivervalleyanditstributaries,(2)thenorthernTalkeetnaandChulitnamountains,and(3)thenorthernTalkeetnaplateau(TerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).Thefeatures,texture,andphysicalreliefoftheareaaredominatedbythenortheasterntrendofthenorthernTalkeetnaplateau,lowroundedmountains,andgenerallyrollinghighlands.Theseareasgenerallyslopeupwardtomeetadjacentlandformsthataremorerugged,higher,andmountainous.LandformstothenortharepartoftheAlaskaRange,andtheMt.McKinleyareaistothewest.Landformstotheeastconsistoflowermountainsandhillswidelyspacedontheplateauandflatterrainwithnumerousponds(TerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).Thevegetationisdiverseandvarieswithelevation.Densespruce-hardwoodforestscoverthelowerdrainageareasandslopes,whilelargeareasoftundravegetationcoverthehighereleva-tions.Avarietyofshrub-typevegetationoccursbetweentheforestandtundraareas.(Foramoredetaileddescription,seeSec.3.1.5andAppendixJ.)Colorvariationalsoenhancestheaestheticqualityofthearea.Thisisparticularlytrueinthefallwhentheleavesofthedeciduoustreesturncolor(yellow,orange,andred)andarecontrastedagainstthedominantdark-greenspruce.Thetundraalsoundergoesbriefcolorchangeintheautumn,andtherecanbeconsiderablecontrastagainstmountainbackdropsandareasofopen,bluesky.Duringthewinter,partialandcompletesnowcoverdominatesthelandscape.Thelandforms,waterforms,vegetation,andviewswithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinaredescribedinTableM-2.Principalprojectfeatureslocatedwithintheareaarelistedundertheappropriatelandscapecharactertypeinthetable.ThesedescriptionscorrespondtothelandscapecharactertypesshowninFigureM-1.PhotosforeachlandscapecharactertypearepresentedinFigureM-2.Prominentnaturalfeatureslocatedwithineachspecificlandscapetypearedescribedindetailbelow.M.2.1.1.2ProminentNaturalFeaturesAnumberofexceptionalandotherprominentnaturalfeaturesoccurwithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.TheV-shapedvalleysoftheSusitnaRiveranditstributariesarevisuallyprominent,andforestedareasassociatedwiththevalleysformdistinctpathsofgreenthroughapredominantlytundra-typelandscape.TheSusitnaRivercanyonisparticularlyprominentatandnearDevilandVeeCanyons,whereturbulentrapids,rockoutcroppings,shearcliffs,andenclosedcanyonwallspredominate.Therearenumerousclear,fast-flowingmountaincreekswithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaBasin.Someofthesecreeksflowoversteepandrockyembankments,formingwaterfallsandflumes.Therearealsonumerous1akesinavarietyofshapesandsettings--fromsmall,irregular-shapedlakesinwoodlandsettingstolargerglaciallakesandacomplexsetoffine,finger-shapedlakessetinablackspruceandshrubwetlandarea.Sur-roundingportionsofthebasinarehighermountainpeaksanddistantmountainranges.Theprominentnaturalfeatureswithinthebasinaredescribedbelow.ThelocationsofthesefeaturesareshowninFigureM-1andcrossreferencedbyalphabeticaldesignationintheappro-priatelandscapecharactertypedescriptioninTableM-2.PhotosofselectedprominentnaturalfeaturesarealsoincludedinFigureM-3.ThefollowingdescriptionsarebasedoninformationpresentedinExhibitE(Vol.8,Chap.8)oftheApplicant'sapplicationandinalanduseanalysisreportpreparedbyTerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,Inc.(1982),aswellasonfieldverificationbyaerialandgroundreconnaissance.A.Devil'sClubFalls:Devil'sClubFallsisascenicwaterfalllocatednearaproposedborrowareathatiseasilyaccessiblefromtheSusitnaRiverbelowtheDevilCanyonrapids.(Unoffi-ciallynamedfortheabundanceoftheplantdevil'sclubthatispresentallthewayuptothefalJs.) M-6TableM-2.DescriptionsofLandscapeCharacterTypes(LCT)withintheUpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasinLandformst11.MID-SUSITNARIVERVALLEYLCTValley2to6miinwidthwithsteepslopes.Flat,terracedlandadjacenttoIndianRivernearSusitnacon-fluence.2.DEVILCANYONLCTSteeptoverticalrockcanyonwallswithmediumtodark-browncolorsforseveralmiles.Canyonisnearly1,000ftdeep.Predominantlyincisedvalleyforover20mi.Giantrockshelvesandangularbouldersinriverchannel.CanyonisasignificantnaturalfeatureofAlaska.3.TALKEETNAUPLANOSLCTFlattorollinguplandplateau.Primarilymoderatelysteeptosteepslopes.Severalknobsriseabove4,000ft,withaverageelevationof3,000ft.Drainagesformdeep,steep,slopedvalleysandcanyons.Ruggedrockyhilltopsandout-croppingsarecommon.4.CHULITNAMOISTTUNDRAUPLANDSLCTWidevarietyofsmall-andlarge-scaletopographicrelief.Large,well-definedandenc1osedlakebeds.Long,flat,aswellasrolling,terracesabovetheSusitnaRiver,withvarietyofcanyonsizes.Dark-brown-coloredrockoutcropscommonalongtheupperterrace,canyonandlakeedges.Severallong,shallowvalleys.5.PORTAGELOWLANDSLCTLowerportionofPortageCreekformsdistinctwinding,fixedchannelandsteep-slopedvalley.Largeerodedsidewallsarecommononmanyhairpinturnsintheriver.Flatterracedareasalonguppercreekarealsocommon.WaterformsModeratelybraided,silt-ladenriverupto0.5miwide.Wetlandareas,islands,sandbars,andcobblesarecommonadjacenttoflatterracedareas.GoldCreektributarytoSusitnaflowsthroughnarrowforestedcanyon.Highvolumeandfixedchannelriverthroughdeepcanyon.ContainsanII-mistretchofworldClassVIkayakingwhitewater.Portage,Cheechako,andDevilcreeksareallnotable,withsteeptoverticalcanyonedtributaries.DevilCreekFallsarethemostscenicfallsinbasin.Numberoflakes20to50acresinsize.Massiveareasofmuskegbogs.ChunilnaCreekissignificantdrainageintheareawithmanytributaries..Manylakesaretopographicallyenclosed.Dozensofirregular-shapedlakesuptoseveralhundredacresinsize.Bogandwetlandareascommonthroughout.ManysmallstreamsflowthroughcanyonstoSusitnaRiver.LandscapeincludesIndianRiver,PortageandDevilcreeks.PortageCreekisaveryscenic,fast-flowingandclearwatertributarytoSusitnabelowDevi1Canyon.ManysmallstreamscascadeintoPortageCreek.VegetationDensemixedforestofspruceanddeciduoustrees.Tundraandbrushspeciesonsteepervalleyslopes.Sprucegreenismostprominentcolor,smallamountofyellow/goldcolorbydeciduoustreesinautumn.Tundracoverprovidesgoodred/orangecolortonesinfall.Slopesdenselycoveredwithmix-tureofspruceanddeciduoustreeswithgoodfallcolor.Smallpurestandsofpoplarspe-ciesprovideinterestingtreepatternsinfallandwinter.Highcolorcontrastwithfoamygraywater.Moistandwettundraisdominant.Moderatelydensespruce-deciduoustreecoverprimarilyrestrictedtodrainages.ChunilnaCreekvalleyisdenselyforested.UplandareaeastofPortageCreekispredominantlytundra.TheuplandareawestofPortageCreekiscoveredwithmoderatelydensespruceforest.Willowandothershrubspeciesarecommonindensecovernearbanksoflakesandwetlandareas.ScatteredandsparsestandsofsprucearelocatedeastofPortageCreek,andmixedwoodsareinthecreekvalley.Tundracolorsaremediumtodarkgreeninspringandsummer;brightred,burgundy,andyellowinfall;andgoldandlightbrownduringwintermonthswhennotcoveredbysnow.Moderatelydensespruce-deciduousforestcoversmostofvalleyuptoaverageelevationof2500ft.Bright-greenspringfoliageofdeciduoustreesprovidescolor.Well-mixedforestprovidesscenicfallcolor. ViewsViewsdirectedwithintheriverchannel,valleyslopes,andcommonlysnow-cappedChulitnaMountainstonorthViewsprimarilyrestrictedwithintheimmediatecanyon/valley.Viewsaredramaticinthenear-verticalrockcanyonportionsoftherivervalley.Foregroundandbackgroundviewsarescenicthroughoutmostoflandscape.Panoramicviewspossiblefromhigherpoints.ChulitnaandTalkeetnamountainsandAlaskaRangecanbeviewed.GoodviewsofSusitnaand·Talkeetnarivervalleys.Foregroundandmiddlegroundviewsare·scenicandcommonexceptindenserforestedareas.Vantagepointsarelimitless.ViewsoftheChulitnaandTalkeetnamountainsoccuroften,andviewsofAlaskaRangearepossible.Inlateautumn,brilliantbluecoloroflakesprovidessharpcontrasttosnow-coveredland-scape.Scenicviewstoadjacentdrainages.Viewsgenerallyrestrictedtodeepandforestedvalley.Forestviewsareinmarkedcon-trasttomanylocationsinregion.Overall,combinationofnaturalfeaturesprovidesveryaestheti-callypleasingenvironment.M-7ProminentNaturalFeaturest2Devil'sClubFalls(unofficialname)(A)-scenicwaterfallbelowDevilCanyonrapids.DevilCanyonandRapids(B)-10miofturbulentwhitewaterwith-insceniccanyongorge.DevilCreekFalls(C)- 2largewaterfallsconstrictedbynarrowopeningbetweenjaggedrockwallsplungethroughcrevassesandcascadetopoolbelow.CheechakoFalls(D)-seriesof5waterfallssetinsteepgorgewithrockycliffssurroundedbythickmatsofmossandothervegetation.SwimmingBearLake(unofficialname)(E)-Largealpinelakesetinmatandcushion/sedge-grasstundra.•Noneidentified.ProposedProjectFeaturesRai1spur.WatanatoGoldCreektransmission1ine.Constructionvillageandcamp.GoldCreekswitchingstation.DevilCanyondamsite.DevilCanyonimpoundment.Borrowsite.Accessroad.Suspensionbridge.WatanatoGoldCreektransmission1ine.•Noneidentified.Accessroute.Watana-to-GoldCreektransmission1ine.•Noneidentified. ~III~II!Landformst16.CHULITNAMOUNTAINSLCTOver900mi2ofruggedglaciallycarvedmountains.NarrowandbroadV-shapedvalleyswithglaciersandpermanenticefields.Rockglaciers.Slopesrisesteeplytoover6,000ftinelevation.Manyextensivetalusslopes.7.SUSITNAUPLANDTERRACELCTTerraced,flattorollingterrain.Slopeshavegentlegradients.Depressedlakebasins.8.SUSITNARIVERVALLEYLCTUpto4-mi-widevalley,broaderthanDevilCanyonarea.Occasionaldark-coloredrockout-cropsorbluffsoccuralongvalley;upriverfromTsusenaCreekonnorthsideisshearcliffoflight-coloredrock,soil,andcobble.Riverbottomalsohaslowterracebeforeitrisessteeplytotheuplands.9.WETUPLANDTUNDRALCTFlattorollinguplandareawithseverallargesurficialcreeks.GentletomoderatelysteepslopesfromChulitnahighlandstothecreeks.Mildlytomoderatelydepressedlakebedswithadjacentglacia-tedbluffsandhills.M-8TableM-2.ContinuedWaterformsCirquelakesofaqua-bluecolor.5or6lakesseveralhundredacresinsize;largestisinCaribouPass.TheJack,Middle,andEastForkChulitnariversandtheTsusena,Brushkana,Soule,Deadman,andHonolulucreeksareallsignifi-cantdrainages.Large,linear,glaciatedandirregular-shapedlakes;StephanLakeissecondlargestinupperSusitnaBasin.FogLakes(5adjacentlakes,eachofseveralhundredacres)createuniquepattern.Fog'CreekformsnarrowanddeeplyincisedcanyonleavingtheFogLakesareaandflowingintoSusitnaRiver.Mildlybraidedriverwithlargeislandsofcobbleandsand.Fog,Tsusena,Deadman,Watana,Kosina,andJaycreeks-~allsignificantandscenictribu-tariestothisportionofSusitna;allhavesteepandnarrowcanyonsneartheircon-fluenceswithSusitna.Tsusena,Deadman,andWatanacreeksallhavenotablefalls.Confluenceofclearwaterofthetributarieswiththesilt-ladenriverwaterisofvisualinterest.BigLakeandDeadmanLakearelargestlakesinupperbasin;BigLakecovers1,080acres.DeadmanCreekisuniquemeanderingwatercourse.BrushkanaandButtecreeksareothersignificantdrainagesofthearea.Bogsandwetlandsoccurexten-sively.Vegetation•Tundraandshrubspeciescovervalleyfloorsandslopes,creat-inginterestingedgeastheymeetthebarren,steeperrockSlopes.ScatteredstandsofspruceanddeciduoustreesalongtheJack,Middle,andEastForkChulitnarivers.Greenspruce-deciduousforestcoverforover20mialongTsusenaCreek.Denselyforestedwithspruceandsomedeciduoustrees,exceptfor10-mi2areanortheastofFogLakesthatispredominantlytundra.Moderatelydensetodensespruce-deciduousforestcoversmuchofriverandtributaryvalleys;goodautumncolor.Willowandothershrubspeciesoccuralongriverbanksandterraces.Wettundracoverprevalent,withoccasionalstandsofspruce.Willowandothershrubspeciesarecommonnearcreekbanks,lakeshores,andinwetlandareas. ViewsViewsarescenicalmostevery-where.Impressiveandawesomenaturalfeatures.Mountainrockcolorsoflighttoaarkgray(primarilytalusslopes)andmediumtodarkbrown(highermountaintops)providevarietyoftexturesandpatternswithseasonalcolorchangesofthetundra.Viewsoftenre~trictedbyforestcoveranddepressedlakebeds;however,highermoun-tains(TalkeetnaandChulitna)stillriseabovethehorizon.Openvantagepointsarepresentforpanoramicviews.Broadvalleyallowsforexpandedviews;althoughmostly"riverandvalleyoriented,viewsoutofvalleyarepossibleonlongerstraightportionsofriver,andmountaintopscanbeseen.PanoramicviewsoftheChulitna,Talkeetna,andClearwatermoun-tainsandAlaskaRangearepossible.Infallandearlywinter,iceformingonDeadmanCreekcreatesveryinterestingpatternsandtextures.Fallcoloroftundra,combinedwithallothernaturalfeatures,ishighlyscenic.M-9ProminentNaturalFeaturest2CaribouPass(F)-twolonglakessurroundedbyglaciatedmoun-tainsinCaribouPass.TsusenaLakeandButte(G)-lakeatedgeofChulitnaMountains,createdbyanoldmoraine.Pro-minentbutterises4,132ftabovethelake.ChulitnaButte(H)-overlooksAlaskaRailroadandcommunities;providesaccessibleviewpointofprojectareafromParksHighway.DeadmanMountain(I)-isolatedmoun-tain5,525fthigh;overshadowsDeadmanandBiglakes.StephanLake(J)-over4-mi-longlakeatbaseofTalkeetnaMoun-tains;lodgeslocatedinthevicinity;woodsandtundrasurroundshoreline.FogLakes(K)-seriesof5large,linearlakesonrollingtoflatlandscapewithwetlands,tundra,andmixedforest.TsusenaCreekFalls(L)-descendsnearly200ft~versteep,rockycliffandcascadesintolarge,rock-enclosedpool.DeadmanCreekFalls(M)-surgesoverincisedchannelandplummetsoverrockyslopesintoacleanboulder-strewnpool.BigandDeadmanlakes(N)-pictur-esquelysituatedbetween3largetundra-coveredbuttes,panora-micviewsofSusitnaBasin,AlaskaRange,andDeadmanMoun-tain.ProposedProjectFeaturesAccessroute.Borrowsites.•Borrowsites.Watanadamsite.WatanatoGoldCreektransmission1ine.Borrowsites.Constructionvillageandcamp-site.Permanenttownsite.Permanentairstrip.Borrowsites.Accessroad. M-IOTableM-2.ContinuedandrockyRocktodarkLandformst110.TALKEETNAMOUNTAINSLCTRuggedandsteeplyslopedmoun-tainrangecoveringseveralthousandsquaremiles.Elevationsover8,000ft.Largeglaciers,permanenticefields,andotherglacialfeatures.Large,moderatelyslopedterraces.Long,narrowtobroadV-shapedvalleys.Largetalusslopes.11.SUSITNAUPLANDSLCTTerraced,flatandrollingterrain.Elevationsfrom3,000to5,600ft.Slopesprimarilyflattomoder-atelysteep.Largerlakebedsaredepressed.Streamvalleysarebroadandfixedchannel.Rockoutcrops,cliffs,hilltopsarecommon.colorsarelighttanbrown.12.VEECANYONLCTSteepandmeanderingrivervalley.The~-toI-miwidevalleyrisesover500ftfromtheriverbottom.VeeCanyondisplaysaunique,verytight,V-shapedrockfeatureinadoublehairpinbendoftheSusitnaRiver;canyoniscolorful.OshetnaRiver,GooseCreek,andothersmallertributarycreekshavedeepvalleysneartheirconfluenceswithSusitnaRiver.WaterformsCirquelakes.Numerouslakesuptoseveralhundred.acresinsize.Manyriversandcreeks.Numeroussmalllakesscatteredthroughoutareaindensepatterns.Twolargestlakes,WatanaandClarence,arenarrowandlinear;bothcoverseveralhundredacres.Largenumberofsmallcreeks.Susitnatributaries,Kosina,Tsisi,Gilbert,andGoosecreeksandthesilt-ladenOshetnaRiver,allscenic.SusitnaRiverflowsveryfastthroughfixedchannel.Well-knownstretchofroughwhite-wateroccursthroughVeeCanyon.RiverbeginstomeanderseveralmilesupriverfromVeeCanyon.Riverareaincludesnumerousislandsandsandbarswithagravelcobbleedge.VegetationTundraandshruboccurthrough-outmountains,primarilybelowthesteeperrockyslopesandpeaks.Densespruce-deciduousforestscoverrivervalleysexceptfordrainagesinnortheasternareaofrange.Uplandmoisttundraandshrubspeciescovermostoflandexceptrockyareas.Fallcolorsofmassivetundraareacreatevarietyofpatterns.Sparsetomoderatelydensestandsofspruceoccurwithinsomeofthedrainages.Tundra,brushandrockslopesdominatesouthernsideofcanyon,whilemoderatelydensetosparsespruceforestscovernorthsideslopesandriverbottom.13.SUSITNAUPLANDRIVERVALLEYANDWETTUNDRABASINLCTLow,flat,androllingterracesabovethebanksofSusitnaRiver.Atthispoint,SusitnaRiverismildlytoheavilybraidedandbecomesmorebraidedasitnearsitsglacialheadwaters.Therivervariesfrom0.1toover1miwide.Severalhundredlakesrangingfromverysmalltoover500acresinsize.SignificanttributariesincludetheOshetna,Tyone,andMaclarenriversandClearwater,Butte,Windy,andValdezcreeks.Wettundraisdominantvegetationtype.Sparsestandsofsprucescatteredthroughoutarea.Densewillowandothershrubtypesoccuralongtheriverandmanylakebanks.Inautumn,tundrafoliagecreatesanextensivevarietyofcolor-fulpatternsoverthelandscape.t1NumericdesignationsarekeyedtolandscapecharacterphotosprovidedinFigureM-2.t2LetterdesignationfollowingeachprominentnaturalfeatureiskeyedtothewrittendescriptioninSectionM.2.1.1.2anphotosprovidedinFigureM-3.Conversions:Toconvertfeettometers,multiplyby0.305;Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61;Toconvertsquaremiles(mi2)tosquarekilometers(km2),multiplyby2.59;Toconvertacrestohectares,multiplyby0.405.Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.8,andfieldverificationthroughaerialandgroundreconnaissance. ViewsManyviewsarescenicandlimit-less.Viewsarepanoramictosemi-enclosed,dependingonviewerposition.Viewsareexpansive.Manyareasatthissameelevationandhigherintheuppel'basincanbeviewedfromthishighupland.ViewsofTalkeetnaareparticu-larlyscenic.Viewsarerestrictedtofore-groundareaduetodeepandnarrownatureofthecanyon/valley.Someofhigheradjacentpointscanbeseenfrommoreopenareasoftheriver.Adjoiningtributarycanyonsofferadditionalforegroundviewsofinterest.Thewide-opencharacteroftheriverbasinallowsscenicviewsofAlaskaRangeandTalkeetnaMountains.SusitnaandWestForkglaciers,thesourceoftheSusitnaRiver,canbeseenfrom30to50midistant.Viewsinforegroundnotparticu-larlyscenic,exceptduringfalltundracolor.M-llProminentNaturalFeaturest2ProposedProjectFeaturesClearValley(0)-containsunusual•None"identified.flatsurfacesraisedoffvalleyfloorsurroundedbymeanderingstreams.SpearpointFalls(unofficialname)(P)-4waterfallsalongsma11creek.Mt.WatanaCirqueLake(Q)-high,•Noneidentified.pristinecirquelakewithscenicvalleyview.WatanaLake(R)-3,000ftelevationwithMt.Watanarisingdirectlytothewest.Mt.WatanaFalls(S)-flowsoverdeeplyincisedrockgorgeonnorthernsideofMt.Watana.VeeCanyon(T) -deeplycut,double•Watanadamimpoundment.hairpinbendchannelwithstretchofwhitewater.TyoneRiver(U)-clear,slow-•Noneidentified.flowingriver;exceptional,prominentglacialremainsandscenicwhitebluffs. M-12u...QJ"0UC~IllN='I0~::E:VlQJL......Jo.QJo.~::::J..0""'IIIQJI-+-'.<::X+-'CQJ+-'4-0"0QJQJ'<::Ul+-'+-'QJUl~.~C~r--'r-+-'roUl"OQJ QJQJI.L.0...0>,,~+-'.~rou~~Ul:::lQJ QJ+-'+-'"0roUZro"O~C+-'roroC.<::QJUQJC~'~QJ..oEo.ro0Ill+-'~Ua..Ul+-'"0ro"0C.<::Cro+-'ro~CUlQJ'~QJ'<::0.+-'"0>,QJ,-,t-o+-'Lf)+-'Ul~.~eoQJ"0~+-'QJwU>,UlroQJQJ"O~-'>t.~Cro:::lroCIJ.<::QJ+-'"U~roMc:roQJ·0QJ4-eo"j0.Ulro~~w0UQJro-lUl..o~V"0E:::lUl0\C:::l+-'OJ0rozro'~----J-...-CL...LL.0a...oL."c:='I-"c:oa.=:lr-.:a:icriVur>-L.~Vo1->"c:L.oVa..~=:lcro0Cc:~-.~'en+-':::l:::lQ)(/)(/)~CIJ"c:0a.>-=:l~00L.>"CIJc:L.":::lVc:I-,~0~crc:a.CIJ00=:l'0c:>-0~-c:c:CIJ0-0UQ).5:::lQ)(/)>.Yo"5"V0.c~0I-UfI]c:'0~c:='o~oc:~~o:::l~.c.cU0\ItO"oo~ocro.YoCIJo~<:~lul~D~o()):t,'P'<1~====?1',','.<1','':':':~':'~=====J:]\.\."\.\,\....."....,""""....\,........\,....\.""'"""'"""'"\,"\,\,....\.""'""""\,...."............\.....\,\.\,....""",'~',,,,\,\.\.....','9,','"""\.\.\,\.\.\,\,\.....\."\,....\.....\,....\,,,,\.\,"\.,,,,,,,,,,+-'ceoQJcc·~0.~EIII0Ul0'<::0L.III~UI"-"CO0.f:tc,='~oeo,I-QJ+-'IfI]~>Ic:V'r-Ur-'0c:~0::QJ01-0>,>Ic:fI]>-.IIIQJI='"C"C-'>t.I0Coc:+-'WI~..QU%QJIUl~+-'I0.§-li=:l:::lIll'~I~c:Vl..0~o.~0Ul'~0Vc:crc:QJ~.<::V~n.Yo~'r;;QJX0'r;;V"0+-'wI"-0='V='"0+-':tl-(/)>(/)QJ::E:-l~0nff)0())Q):t~0..- M-131.Mid-SusitnaRiverValleyLCT3.TalkeetnaUplandsLCT2.DevilCanyonLCT4.ChulitnaMoistTundraUplandsLCTFigureM-2.PhotosoftheUpperandMiddleSusitnaBasinLandscapeCharacterTypes.(NumbersarekeyedtoTableM-2). 5.PortageLowlandsLCT7.SusitnaUplandTerraceLCTM-146.ChulitnaMountainsLCT8.SusitnaRiverValleyLCTFigureM-2.Continued. 9.WetUplandTundraLCT11.SusitnaUplandsLCTM-1510.TalkeetnaMountainsLCT12.VeeCanyonLCT13.SusitnaUplandRiverValleyandWetTundraBasinLCTFigureM-2.Continued. :11:II1.DevilCanyonRapids(B)3.CaribouPass(F)M-162.DevilCreekFalls(C)4.TsusenaButte(LookingSouthTowardTsusenaLake)(G)FigureM-3.SelectedPhotosofProminentNaturalFeaturesLocatedwithintheUpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.(Letterdesignationsaftertitlesarekeyedtotextdescriptions,TableM-2,andFig.M-l.) 5.StephanLake(J)7.DeadmanCreekFallsM-176.FogLakes(K)8.DeadmanLake/BigLake(N)FigureM-3.Continued. 9.WatanaLake(R)M-1810.VeeCanyon(T)FigureM-3.Continued. M-19B.DevilCanyonandRapids:DevilCanyonisasteep-sided,nearlyenclosedgorge.Itssidesarealternatingspruce-coveredterracesandrock-boundwalls.ThecanyonconstrictstheSusitnaRiverchanneltoproduceover10mi(16km)ofturbulentwhitewater.Theunusualgeology,hydrology,andaestheticcharacterofthecanyonmakesitanotablenaturalfeaturenotonlywithintheproposedDevilCanyondamsiteandimpoundmentarea,butalsointheentirestate.C.DevilCreekFalls:DevilCreekFalls,consistsoftwolargewaterfallsthatareconstrictedbyanarrowopeningbetweenjaggedrockwalls,thenplungethroughdeeplyincisedcrevassesandcascadetothepoolbelow.ThecreekeventuallyjoinstheSusitnaRiverbelow.Thesettingincludesverticalrockwalls,clearstreams,andcolorfulvegetationandexposedminerals.D.CheechakoFalls:TheCheechakoFallsC01Sistsofaseriesoffivewaterfa11salongCheechakoCreek(southeastoftheproposedDevilCanyondamsite)setinasteepgorge.Thetwolargestfallsareabout25feet(ft)[8meters(m)]apart.Therearepoolsandrockycliffsthataresurroundedbythickmatsofmossandothervegetation.E.SwimmingBearLake:SwimmingBearLake(unofficialname)isoneofthehigherlakesintheprojectarea(neartheproposedWatana-DevilCanyonaccessroute).Locatedat3,350ft(1,021m)MSL,itisalargealpinelakesetinmatandcushion/sedge-grasstundra.F.CaribouPass:TwolonglakessurroundedbyglaciatedmountainsarelocatedinCaribouPass,whichisanarrowvalley.Wetlandsandtundracoverthevalleyfloor,wherethemiddleforkoftheChulitnaRiverheadwatersislocated.G.TsusenaButteandTsusenaButteLake:LocatedattheedgeoftheChulitnaMountains,TsusenaButteLakewascreatedbyanoldmoraineandisoneofthedeepestlakesinthearea[110ft(34m)].ThevalleyofTsusenaCreekshowsevidenceofitsglacialpastandincludesavarietyoftundra1andscapesandcolorfulrockformations.TheprominentTsusenaButterises4,312ft(1,314m)abovethelake.H.ChulitnaButte:ChulitnaButteoverlookstheAlaskaRailroad'spastandpresentcommunitiesandprovidesanaccessibleviewpointofpartoftheprojectareafromtheGeorgeParksHighway.I.DeadmanMountain:DeadmanMountainreachesaheightof5,525ft(1,684m)MSL.ThisisolatedmountainovershadowsDeadmanLakeandBigLake.J.StephanLake:StephanLakeisalargelakeatthebaseoftheTalkeetnaMountains;itis4.2mi(6.8km)long.Wetlandandgentlyro11inghi11scoveredwithmixedwoodsandtundrasurroundtheshoreline.Thelakereceivesrelativelyhighrecreationaluse,andseveralsports-men'slodgesarelocatedinthevicinity.ItisthestartingpointforkayakersandraftersontheTalkeetnaRiver.K.FogLakes:TheFogLakesareaseriesoffive1arge,1inear1akeslocatedonthesouthernsideoftheSusitnaRiver.Theaveragesurfaceareaofeach1akeis270acres[110hectares(ha)].Thelakesoccurinagentlyrollingtoflatlandscapethatconsistsofwetlands,mixedforest,andtundravegetation.L.TsusenaCreekFalls:TheclearandturbulentTsusenaCreekwaterfalldropsnearly200ft(60m)asitdescendsoverasteep,rockycliffandcascadesintoalarge,deep,rock-enclosedpool.Thefallsisbackdroppedbyanimpressiverockycanyoncoveredwithmixedwoodsandadensegreenvegetativecover.Theproposedpermanenttownsiteislocatednearthisarea.M.DeadmanCreekFalls:DeadmanCreekFallsisoneofthelargestandmostscenicwaterfallsintheprojectarea.DeadmanCreeksurgesoverlooserockinanincisedchannelandplummetsverticallyoverrockyslopesandoutcroppingsintoaclear,boulder-strewnpool.Thefallsareoftenenvelopedinvaporandmist.ThesefallswouldbeinundatedbytheproposedWatanareservoir.N.BigandDeadmanLakes:BigLakeandDeadmanLakearepicturesquelysituatedbetweenthreelargetundra-coveredbuttes.BigLake,thelargestlakeintheprojectarea,isanexampleofalakeheldinbyaterminalmoraine.ThepanoramicviewsoftheSusitnaRiverBasinandoftheAlaskaRangeandnearbyDeadmanMountaincreateanareanotableforitsscenicandgeologicfeatures.O.ClearValley:ClearValleycontainsunusual,flatsurfacesraisedoffthevalleyfloorandsurroundedbymeanderingstreams.Thedominantfeatureofthisvalleyisitsvisualgeologicalhistory,whichisfairlyyoungandcontainsgoodexamplesoflateralmoraines.ClearValleycontrastssignificantlywiththesurroundingviewscape.P.SpearpointFalls:TheSpearpointFallscomprisesfourwaterfallsalongarelativelysmallcreek.Thelargestwaterfallisbelowtheothersinalarge,hollowed-outarea.Thefallsareunofficiallynamedforaspearpointdiscoveredinanearbyarchaeologicalsite. M-20Q.Mt.WatanaCirqueLake:TheMt.Watanacirquelakeprovidesascenicinterpretationofthearea'sglacialhistory.Thecirquecontainsapristinelake,simpleinoutlineanddistinguishedbythenaturalamphitheaterformedonthreesidesbytoweringscreeslopes.Theremainingsideprovidesascenicviewofthevalley.R.WatanaLake:MountWatana,directlytothewest,providesanaestheticallypleasingsettingforthehigh[3,000ft(900m)JWatanaLake.S.Mt.WatanaFalls:AwaterfallonthenorthernsideofMt.Watanaflowsoveradeeplyincisedrockgorgeinterlaidwithblackandwhitemarble.Barrentundrasurroundsthefalls,andamistoftenhangs aboveit.T.VeeCanyon:VeeCanyonincludesadoublehairpinbend,adeeplycutchannel,andastretchofwhite-water.Thecanyonwallsconsistofverysteeprockridges.Therock,ofteninterlaidwithmarbleandgreenschist,isunusuallycolorful.Veecanyon,withitsmoreopenwalls,ismorevisiblethanDevilCanyon.ItisasignificantvisualresourcelocatedwithintheproposedWatanareservoirarea.U.TyoneRiver:NearitsconfluencewiththeSusitnaRiver,theslow-flowing,dark,andclearTyoneRiverisflankedonitssouthernshorebystarklycontrastingchalk-coloredcliffs.Thesecliffsarecomposedoflacustrinedepositsleftbehindbyanexpansivepreglaciallake,oneofthreesuchlakesofsignificantsizerecordedinAlaska.M.2.1.1.3SignificantViewsheds,VistaPoints,andTravelRoutesViewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelroutesareimportantcomponentsofvisualresourceevalua-tion.Significantviewshedsarethoseareasthatcanbelookedtowardorkeptinsightbyaviewer.Viewsintoaviewshedcanbedistantandpanoramicorcanbenearandsomewhatconfined,dependinguponthevistapointwithintheviewshed.Avistapointisarelativepositionfromwhichaviewercanobservevariousfeatureswithintheviewshedarea.Panoramicviewsareimportantforperceivingandexperiencingtheoveralllandscape.Anexamplewouldbetheoppor-tunitytoviewtheAlaskaRange.Vistas,definedbysomeasconfinedviews,oftenfocusonaspecificfeaturewithinthelandscape.Travelroutesfrequentlybecomeanimportantfactorinaestheticresourcesbecauseofobserverposition,durationofview,andnumberofviewersassoci-atedwiththeviewshedsofaprojectarea.Thevistapoint,orobserverposition,istheloca-t ionofspecificplacesorsettingswhereanindividua1can"view"the1andscape.Undertheproposedproject,viewswouldprimarilyoccuralongvariousportionsoftheaccessroads.Othervistapointswouldbelocatedatrecreationsites;existinguseareas;theproposedWatanaandDevilCanyondamsandvisitorcenters;townandcampsites;andalongthereservoirareas.Withintheupperandmiddlebasinarea,thehighermountainpeaks(includingDeadman,Devil,andWatanamountains)providevistapointsthatoverlooktheproposeddamsitesandadjacentareas.ViewscanalsobeobtainedfromthemoreaccessibleoverlooksofTsusenaandChulitnabuttesandalongtheridgesaboveVeeCanyonandatBigLakeandSwimmingBearLake.ManyofthesesitesallowextensiveviewsofthecentralTalkeetnaMountainsandtheAlaskaRange,oftenfocusingonMountsMcKinley,Deborah,andHessandontheEldridge,WestFork,andSusitnaglaciers(Terres-trialEnvironmentalSpecialists,1982).ViewsalsohavebeenpreviouslydiscussedinrelationtothevariouslandscapecharactertypesdescribedinTableM-2.ThemostsignificanttravelroutewithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinistheDenaliHighwaytothenorthoftheproposeddamfacilityareas(seeFig.M-1).M.2.1.2PowerTransmissionLineCorridorTheproposed330-mi(530-km)transmission1inecorridorbetweenFairbanksandAnchoragegenerallyfollowsportionsoftheGeorgeParksHighway(Route3)andtheAlaskaRailroad,whicharelocatedinpartwithintheTanana,Nenana,ChulitnaandSusitnarivervalleys.ThisareaiscommonlyreferredtoastheAlaskaRailbelt.AreasofhumandevelopmentwithintheRailbeltregionoccurprimarilyalongthe323-mi(520-km)GeorgeParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroad.PrincipalareasofhumandevelopmentincludeFairbanks,Ester,College,Nenana,Anderson,Healy,Mt.DenaliNationalPark,Cantwell,Chulitna,DenaliStatePark,Talkeetna,Willow,andAnchorage.AlthoughthereismorehumandevelopmentalongthetransmissionlinecorridorthanwithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea(seeAppendixF),therearestilldiverselandscapeswithvaryinglandforms,waterforms,topographicalfeatures,andviews.Themajorlandscapecharactertypes,prominentnaturalfeatures,andsignificantviewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelroutesfoundalongtheproposedFairbanks-to-Anchoragetransmissionlinecorridoraredescribedbelow.ThevisualresourcesalongtheproposedWatana-to-GoldCreektransmissionlinecorridorwerediscussedinSectionM.2.1.1.M.2.1.2.1LandscapeCharacterTypesThelandformsalongthetransmissionlinecorridoraremainlydefinedbytheTanana,Nenana,ChulitnaandSusitnarivervalleysandtheirtributaries;theAlaskaMountainRange(including M-21Mt.McKinley);theTalkeetnaMountains;andtheCookInletofftheGulfofAlaska.Theareaalsocontainsanumberofhumandevelopments(e.g.,cities,towns,highways,andrailroad).AspreviouslydiscussedinSectionM.2.1.1.1,thevegetationintheareaisdiverseandvarieswithelevation,slope,drainage,andseason.Descriptionsofthevariouslandforms,waterforms,vegetation,andviewsforthevariousland-formtypesalongthetransmissionlinecorridorareprovidedinTableM-3.Principalprojectfeatures(e.g.,transmissionlines,substations,accessroads,etc.)andmilepostsforthetransmission1inerouteare1istedundertheappropriate1andscapecharactertype.Thesedescriptionscorrespondtothe1andscapecharactertypesshowninFiguresM-4throughM-7.PhotosforeachlandscapecharactertypearepresentedinFigureM-8.Prominentnaturalfeatureslocatedwithineachspecificlandscapetypearediscussedindetailbelow.M.2.1.2.2ProminentNaturalFeaturesAnumberofprominentnaturalfeaturesoccurwithinandadjacenttothetransmissionlinecorridor.ManyofthemountainousnaturalfeaturesoccurwithintheAlaskaRange.ThemostsignificantnaturalfeaturewithintheregionisMt.McKinley,whichdominatesthelandscapefromvariouslocationsalongthecorridor.OthersignificantfeaturesincludeRexDome[4,155ft(1,266m)MSL],WalkerDome[3,942ft(1,202m)],JumboDome[4,493ft(1,369m)],SugarloafMountain[4,450ft(1,356m)],UsibelliPeak[6,129ft(1,868m)],andDoraPeak[5,572ft(1,698m)].Acolorful"badlands"typearea(softrockstratarapidlyeroding)occursintheNenanaUplands.Thenarrow,steep-walledNenanaGorgeislocatedtothewestofthecorridor.NaturalfeaturessurroundingthescenicBroadPassareaincludeMt.McKinley[20,320ft(6,194m)MSL],Mt.Deborah[12,339ft(3,761m)],Mt.Pendleton[7,800ft(2,377m)],PanoramaMountain[5,778ft(1,761m)],andtheReindeerHills[4,534ft(1,382m)].NotablenaturalfeatureslocatedwithintheChulitnaRiverValleylandscapeareaincludeHurricaneGulchandtheHonoluluCreekarea.TheprominentCurryRidgeextendsthroughtheDenaliStatePark,andtheTalkeetnaMountainsarelocatedtotheeast.TheSusitnaRiverlowlandslandscapeareaincludesthescenicNancyLakeRecreationArea.Themostprominentnaturalfeatureslocatedalongthetransmissionlinecorridoraredescribedbelow.ThelocationsofthesenaturalfeaturesareshowninFiguresM-4throughM-7andarecross-referencedbyalphabeticaldesignationintheappropriatelandscapecharactertypedescrip-tioninTableM-3.PhotosofselectedprominentnaturalfeaturesareincludedinFigureM-9.ThefollowingdescriptionsarebaseduponinformationpresentedinExhibitE(Vol.8,Chap.8),andinalanduseanalysispreparedbyTerrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,Inc.(1982),aswellasonfieldverificationbyaerialandgroundreconnaissance.V.*NenanaGorge:NenanaRiverflowsthroughaverynarrow,steep-walledgorgeforapproxi-mately10mi(26km)fromMcKinleyParkStationtoHealy.ThegorgeconsistsofanouterU-shapedcanyon(1/2to3/4miwide)thatextendstoaheightof2,500ft(760m)abovethecanyonfloor.Inaportion ofthecanyontheriverflowsinaninnergorgeabout500ft(150m)widewithnearlyverticalrockwalls200to300ft(60-90m)high(AlaskaDept.ofNaturalResources,1981).W.Mt.McKinleyandSurroundingMountainousRegion:NumerousexceptionalnaturalfeaturesarelocatedthroughouttheAlaskaRange,includingMt.McKinley[20,320ft(6,194m)]whichdominatesthelandscapefromvariouspointsalongtheproposedcorridorarea.OtherprominentfeaturesincludeRexDome,WalkerDome,JumboDome,WalkerMountain,UsibelliPeak,NoraPeak,andMt.Fellows.X.HonoluluCreek:HonoluluCreekisatributarytotheChulitnaRiver;ithasrapidlyflow-ingwaterandasteeplyincisedvalley.Y.HurricaneGulch:HurricaneGulchisatributarycreektotheChulitnaRiver.IthasasteeplyincisedvalleythatprovidesaspectacularviewfromtheAlaskaRailroadbridgeandGeorgeParksHighwaybridge.Z.NancyLakeStateRecreationArea:TheNancyLakeStateRecreationAreaischaracterizedbyaflattogentlyrollinglandscapewithnumerouslakes,streams,andswamps.Theareaisquitedifferentfromthesurroundingmountainousandtundraareasandisoneofthefewpastorallake-forestlandscapespreservedinitsnaturalstateforrecreationpurposes(AlaskaDiv.ofParks,undated).M.2.1.2.3SignificantViewsheds,VistaPoints,andTravelRoutesThedefinitionsofsignificantviewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelroutesarediscussedinSectionM.2.1.1.3.Significantviewshedsandvistapointsoccurinnumerouslocationsalongthe*ContinuationofletteringsequencestartedinSectionM.2.1.1.2. M-22TableM-3.DescriptionsofLandscapeCharacterTypes(LCT)alongtheProposedPowerTransmissionLineCorridorI"Landformst11.TANANARIDGELCTDistinctroundedhillsinterruptedbysmallvalleys.Slopesmoderatelysteeptosteep.Slopesriseseveralthousandfeetabovelowlands.2.NENANARIVERLOWLANDSLCTExtremelyflatterrain.NumeroussmalldrainagesandtheNenanaandTeklanikarivers.Sand,gravel,andcobbleS.3.NENANAUPLANDSLCTRelativelyflat,meanderingrivervalleyterracesseveralmileswidewithsteepslopesrisinguptotheAlaskaRangefoot-hills.ExposedrockandsoilcliffsandhighlyerodedbankscommonalongNenanaRiver.Rockoutcrops,generallylighttotantodarkbrown,commonalongrisingterraceedges.WaterformsBoundedtosouthandwestbyheavilybraidedTananaRiver.Numerouscreekslocatedthrough-outarea.Afewsmallscattered·lakes.GoldstreamCreekisverydistinc-tivemeanderingwatercoursedividingTananaRidgefromhigherhillstothenorth.Braidedchannelsandheavilymean-deringNenanaandTeklanikariverscreateadistinctpattern.Numeroussmaller,meanderingtributaries.Manyscatteredsmalllakesandexpansivewetlandareas.Numerousislands.LargeandmoderatelybraidedNenanaRiver,withsiltyglacialwater,isthemostsignificantwaterform.Severalrelativelysmalltribu-taries.Scatteredsmalllakes.Bogareasandwetlands.Numerousislandsandabroadfloodplain.VegetationDistinctstandsofdeciduoustreesandstandsofspruceandmixedforests.Generallydenseforestcover.Foliagecolorpatternshavehighaestheticvalueinspringandfall.Whitetrunksofbirchprovideinterestingwintertextures.Expansivecoverofthintomoder-atelydensespruceforestswestofNenanaRiver..LinearbandsofsprucealongdrainageseastofNenanaRiver.Tundraandwetland-bogspeciescovermostofthearea.Variablepatternsofsparsetodensespruceandmixedforestovermostofthearea.Scatteredopenspacesoftundraandbaregroundwithlight-coloredsoils.4.ALASKARANGE(SUGARLOAFMOUNTAIN/WINDYPASSAREAS)LCTRuggedandsteeplysloped600-mi-Cirquelakes.long,50-to80-mi-widemountainNumeroussmallglaciallakes.rangeextendingfromwestofManyriversandcreeks.CookInlettoCanadianborder.ProminentwaterfeaturesincludeDividesSouthcentralandInteriorNenanaRiver,YanertFork,JackRegionsofAlaska.River,MoodyCreek,MontanaIncludesMt.McKinley,highestCreek,andCarloCreek.mountaininNorthAmerica.Elevationsrangefrom2,000fttoover20,000ftIncludeshundredsofglaciers,icefields,andotherglacialfeatures.ProminentlandformsincludePyramidMtn.,PanoramaMtn.,ReindeerHills,Mt.Healy,Mt.Fellows,andSugarLoafMtn.Primarilytundraandshruboccurthroughoutmountainsbelowsteeperrockyslopesandpeaks.Spruce-deciduousforestscovermanyrivervalleys.Wettundraonlowerelevations. ViewsViewsaremoderateinscenicqualityexcepthighduringfallcolor.Viewsarelimitedbydenseforestcover.Clear-cuttransmissionlineandroadrights-of-wayclearlyvisibleinmanyareas.Viewsoftheimmediateareaaremonotonousbecauseofthelackofreliefandlackofdistinct-ivefeatures.Viewsareacrosstheriveranddirectedtothehigh,forestedTananahillstothenorthandAlaskaRangetothesouth.Existingtransmissionlinesarehighlyvisible.ViewsorientedtoAlaskaRangeinthesouthandthehighfoot-hillsintheeast.Viewsoftheriverarenotpar-ticularlyscenicincomparisontomountainviews.Rockcliffsandoutcropsareofvisualinterest.Existingtransmissionlinesarehighlyvisible.Manyscenicandlimitlessviews.Viewsarepanoramictosemi-enclosed,dependingonviewerposition.Impressiveandprominentnaturalfeatures.Mountainrockcolorsoflighttodarkgray(primarilytalusslopes)andmediumtodarkbrown(highermountaintops)providevarietyoftexturesandpatternswiththeseasonalcolorchangesofthetundra.Man-madefeaturesincludeAlaskaRailroad,GeorgeParksHwy.,communitiesofCantwellandMcKinleyVillage,andsomeprivateresidences.M-23ProminentNaturalFeaturest2•Noneidentified.•Noneidentified.•NenanaGorge(V)NumerousexceptionalnaturalfeaturesarelocatedthroughouttheAlaskaRange.AreafeaturesincludeMt.McKinley,RexDome,WalkerDome,JamboDome,WalkerMountain,UsibelliPeak,NoraPeak,andMt.Fellows(W).ProposedProjectFeaturesEstersubstationTransmissionlinemileposts0to40.Transmissionlinemileposts40to70.Transmissionlinemileposts70to100.Healysubstation.Transmissionlinemileposts100to113and123to134. II'IIII'I'ILandformst15.YANERTRIVERVALLEYLCTRivervalleywidthrangesfrom2miatYanertGlaciertoover5miatconfluencewithNenanaRiver.AlaskaRangerisessteeplyfromthevalleyneartheglacier.GentlyslopingterracesuptothemountainsbecomesprogressivelylongerasvalleyopensintoadjoiningNenanaRivervalley.6.BROADPASSLCTWidedrainagetroughseparatingtheAlaskaRangeandthenorth-westChulitnaMountains.Broad,flattogentlyrollingglacial-carvedvalleyfloor.Morainesanddrainlinesparallellongaxisofdrainagetrough.7.CHULITNARIVERVALLEYLCTRiverdividesAlaskaRangefromChulitnaMountains.Topographyvariesfromlevelvalleystosteepridges.SteeplyincisedvalleyssuchasHurricaneGulch.AlaskaRangerisesgentlyfromvalley.SteeprisefromvalleytoChulitnaMountains.8.CURRYRIDGELCTAreadominatedbyCurryRidge,whichrisestoelevationof4,000to4,500ft.Twonarrowtoto8-mi-widerivervalleysextendalongridgebase.Valleyfloorsslopegraduallyup-wardto1,400ftinelevationatnorthendofridge.M-24TableM-3.ContinuedWaterformsHeavilybraidedriverformostofitslength.Broad,fixedchannellast5mi.Longandlinearlakesparallelingvalley,includingSummitandMirrorlakes.JackandEastForkChulitnarivers.ChulitnaRiversystemdividedintoeast,west,andmiddleforks.Lakesaresmallandelongated.WaterfallspresentalongHurricane,Honolulu,andAntimonycreeks.ChulitnaRivervariesinwidthfrom300fttoover1mi.EasternportionoflandscapedominatedbytheSusitnaRiveranditstributary,theIndianRiver.Byers,Lacy,andSpinkslakesarethemostvisible.VegetationTundradominates.Scatteredsprucestandsadjacenttoriverbottom.Varietyoftreelesstundra-typevegetation.Whiteandblacksprucewithdeep·greencolor.Rivervalleypredominantlyopen-tundra-coveredlandscape.Mixedspruce-poplarinbottom-lands.Spruce-hardwoodinuplands.Alpinetundraandbarrengroundabovetreeline.Treelessbogswithlow-growingvegetation.Coverincludesuplandspruce/deciduousforestanduplandtundrawithisolatedareasoflowlandspruce,deciduousforests,andlowbrush.Muskegbogsarepresent.Moistslopesarebrushcovered.Alpinetundraandshrubbylow-growingplantmatsoccurabovetimberline. ViewsViewsareforegroundandmiddle-ground.Areamoderatetohighinaestheticvalue.NenanaValley,YanertFork,andupperNenanaValleynearDenaliNationalParkentranceprovidedramaticfeatures.ViewsofMt.McKinley,Mt.Deborah,Mt.Pendleton,PanoramaMountain,andReindeerHi11s.ParksHighwaybetweenthecommu-nitiesofBroadPassandWindyPass underconsiderationforstatescenichighwayclassifi-cation.VisiblecommercialandresidentialstructuresconcentratedaroundCantwell-DenaliHighwayjunctionandSummitLake.AlaskaRailroadstopsatColorado,Summit,andBroadPass.ParksHighwaycrossesentirelengthoflandscapetypefromnorthtosouth.ProminentviewsoftheAlaskaRangetothe·west.Spectacularmountain,glacier,andvalleyviewsfromopenareasandvantagepointsalongtheParksHighway.Severalsmallroad,railroad,andrecreational-relatedcommunitiesandfacilitieswithinthevalley.PortionsofParksHighwayrecom-mendedforstatescenichighwayclassification.Mt.DenalicanbeseenabovetheflatChulitnaRivervalleyandRuthGlacierfromthesouthernportionofCurryRidge.ViewsofCurryRidgecanbeseenfromParksHighwayandByersLakearea.M-25ProminentNaturalFeaturest2•Noneidentified.•Surroundingmountainousarea.HonoluluCreekarea(X).HurricaneGulch(Y).•Noneidentified.ProposedProjectFeaturesTransmissionlinemileposts113to123.Transmissionlinemileposts134to158.Transmissionlinemileposts158to188.Transmissionlinemileposts188to193. M-26TableM-3.ContinuedLandformst19.CHULITNAMOISTTUNDRAUPLANDSLCTSeeTableM-2fordescription10.MID-SUSITNARIVERVALLEYLCTSeeTableM-2fordescriptionWaterformsVegetation11.TALKEETNAMOUNTAINLOWLANDSANDUPLANDSLCTTerracedandhillylandscape.BraidedTalkeetnaRiverandtribu-Afterrisingsteeplyseveraltaries.thousandfeetfromtheSusitnaNumberoflakesusedforrecrea-RiverValley,landscapebecomestion.arollingterracedplateau.LarsonLakeislargestwithintheAverageelevationof3,000ft,witharea.afewknobsrisingabove4,000ftGold,Cheechako,Chulitna,andDisappointmentcreeksarethemorescenicdrainages.Densespruce-deciduousforest.Muskegbogscommon.Wettundravegetationpredomi-natesinlowlands.Hundredsofsmalllakesandmuskegbogs.Scatteredsprucetreesthroughoutarea,butusuallyindrainagesatlowerelevations.12.SUSITNARIVERLOWLANDSLCTVeryflattogentlyrollinglow-lands.Largerlakeareasenclosedbysmallhills.MountSusitna,aflat-toppedrem-nantvolcano,risesover3,000ftabovethelowlands;adjacentLittleMountSusitnaandnearbyBelugaMountainalsorisesteeplyabovethelandscape.13.ANCHORAGELCTRollingandflatterracedlow-landsofKnikandTurnagainarms(upperCookInlet).RollingandmoderatelysteepslopesofChugachfoothills.Largesunkenareascausedbythe1964earthquake.Urbanizedtownlandscape.Wetbogandwetlandscoveralargepercentageoftheland~Hundredsofsmalllakesindensepatterns.Numeroustopographicallyenclosedlakesseveralhundredacresinsize.HeavilybraidedSusitnaRivervariesfrom~toseveralmileswidewithmanyislands.NumerousmeanderingtributariestoSusitna.Severalsmallcreeks'traversetheareaandflowintoCookInlet.Severallargeman-madelakes.Scatterednaturallakes.AreadominatedbytheadjacentCookInletandconnectingarms.Thinstandsofblackspruceandmanybogareas.Marshgrasses.Moderatelydensetodensecoverofspruce-deciduoustreesaroundhigherreliefedandlargerlakeareas.GoodfallcoloralongtheSusitnaanditstributaries.Darkgreencolorofspruceisdominant.Denserurbanareashavesparseornamentaltreecoverwithsomenaturalspruceanddeciduoustrees.Undevelopedareas,lakes,andfoothillsgenerallycoveredwithmoderatelydensetodenseforestsofspruce-deciduoustreesandwillow.Naturaldrainagesusuallyforestedand/orhavedenseshrubcover.t1NumericdesignationsarekeyedtolandscapecharacterphotosprovidedinFigureM-8.t2LetterdesignationfollowingeachprominentnaturalfeatureiskeyedtothewrittendescriptioninSectionM.2.1.2.2andphotosprovidedinFigureM-9.Conversions:Toconvertfe~ttometers,multiplyby0.305;Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61;Toconvertsquaremiles(mi2)tosquarekilometers(km2) ,multiplyby2.59;Toconvertacrestohectares,multiplyby0.405.Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.8,andfieldverificationthroughaerialandgroundreconnaissance. ViewsSomescenicandpanoramicviewsoftheAlaskaRange,TalkeetnaandSusitnarivers,andtheChulitnaandTalkeetnamountains.Denseuplandforestcoverrestrictsvision,withscenicviewspossiblefromoccasionalelevatedpositionsandwidenedriverchannel.Vieweraccesslimitedtofoot,floatplane,boat,andasmallnumberofjeep,all-terrainvehicle,andhorsetrails.Viewsofsurroundingrivervalleysfromhighpointsandterracededges.Viewsofimmediateareagenerallymonotonousbecauseofexpansivecommonalityandflattopographyoflandscape.ViewsoftheAlaskaRangeandChugachandTalkeetnamountains,aswellasoftheMountSusitnalandmark,arepossiblefromopenareas.Weatherpermitting,MountMcKinleydominatesthescene.RiverparalledbyParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroad.•SmallcommunitiesandrecreationsitesoccuralongorneartheParksHighway.Duetoflattoundulatingterrainviewsareopen.AdjacentChugachMountainscreateahigh-qualityaes.theticset-ting,coveredwithsnowinwinter,greenvegetationinsummer,andcolorfulfoliageinfall.TheAlaskaRange,nearbyMountSusitna,KenaiMountains,andtheCookInlet,withitsuniquemudflats,canbeviewed.M-27ProminentNaturalFeatures•Noneidentified.•NancyLakeRecreat·ionArea(Z).•Noneidentified.ProposedProjectFeaturesTransmissionlinemileposts193to197Transmissionlinemileposts197to203.WatanatoGoldCreektransmissionline.GoldCreekswitchingstation.Transmissionlinemileposts203to230.•Transmissionlinemileposts230to314.•Willowsubstation.Transmissionlinemile.posts314to330.Anchoragesubstation. M-28...CP.~a::oc:oc:oI-12Mileszo,.,.,°~cozOil),...-----------------------------.<\~--"'I'I-J"co_",'"~...-~\"Zt_>-~..~z°~coAlaskaRailroadI : : : :11.TananaRidget:•.•I2.NenanaRiverLowlandseZZAJ.NenanaUplands_____HighwayI I40.AlaskaRange(SUA)I I I I I I4b.AlaskaRange(WP)FigureM-4.LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNat~ral'FeaturesAlongtheFairbanks-to-HealySegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.[NumbersarekeyedtothelandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-2(designatedbyanasterisk)orTableM-3.Lettersarekeyedtotheprominentnaturalfeatureslistedinthosetablesanddescribedinthetext.][Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.8,Fig.E-8-6]".,- M-29zo~.,..------""T'".,...,,..,....,....,...,,..,....,...~,...,....,..~,...!""'7"..,.,.-----------"""""'"co12MilesI~.zU1.....onCOIA-~""AA······••••••••••••••••••••~~.iX)>Ol>0lx: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : .I~"A'_.H·"..",."'-"'''C,............. .......... .. .. .... .. .... .. .... .. .. ...... .. ..........zU1"it'oNi---..:-A....::..Ico150030'W__.AlaskaRailroadvZZJ3.NenanaUplandsI I40.AlaskaRange(SUA)II I I I I4b.AlaskaRange(WP)k',',',15.YanertRiverVolleyKSSSJ6.BroodPassDOoOl7.ChulitnaRiverVolley_____HighwayI : : : ; I8.CurryRidgef----I9.ChulitnaMoistTundraUplands(:::::::::110.MidSusitnaRiverVolleyI II I I I11.TalkeetnaUplandst....I6..ChulitnaMountains"FigureM-S.LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheHealy-to-GoldCreekSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.[NumbersarekeyedtothelandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-2(designatedbyanasterisk)orTableM-3.Lettersarekeyedtotheprominentnaturalfeatureslistedinthosetablesanddescribedinthetext.][Source:ExhibitE,SupplementalInformation,Chapter8,Comment7]' M-30zz0I~C'lCO1'(I.l-I';z'?ii:lDl-.T~.I0L\..-~COII~"Z~~ioIl~I')0....co151° W150030'W150°Wzii:l-.ToC'lco7.8.149030'WHighwayIII I I I12.SusitnaRiverLowlandsWM5..PortageLowlandst....I6..ChulitnaMountains1777;17.•SusitnaUplandTerrace&SS:'39.•WetUplandTundraI.'.'/J10.•TalkeetnaMountains\\\IXX>OII:: : : It=::J9.1:::::::::110.z~C'loC'lcozioI')oC'lcozN0"-C'lcoFigureM-6.LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheGoldCreek-to-WillowSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.[NumbersarekeyedtothelandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-2(designatedbyanasterisk)orTableM-3.Lettersarekeyedtotheprominentnaturalfeatureslistedinthosetablesanddescribedinthetext.][Source:ExhibitE,SupplementalInformationChapter8,Comment7] M-31.~-~,-=+-I~rMt"'t:IORAGE12MilesCookInletzoN<0zoI"')o....toj}zinvo.....tozo....tozit>V~\oI ,o-+-------,....------,....------.,....-----------t.<0151°W150°30'W150°W149°30'W149°W__.AlaskaRailroadI I I II I12.SusitnaRiverLowlandsI I13.AnchorageHighwayI'//,110.•TalkeetnaMountainsFigureM-7.LandscapeCharacterTypesandProminentNaturalFeaturesAlongtheWillow-to-AnchorageSegmentoftheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.[NumbersarekeyedtothelandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-2(designatedbyanasterisk)orTableM-3.Lettersarekeyedtotheprominentnaturalfeatureslistedinthosetablesanddescribedinthetext.][Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,Chap.8,Fig.E.8.7] 1.TananaRidgeLCT3.NenanaUplandsLCTM-322.NenanaRiverLowlandsLCT4.AlaskaRange(WindyPassArea)LCTFigureM-8.PhotosoftheLandscapeCharacterTypesAlongtheProposedTransmissionLineCorridor.(NumbersarekeyedtoTableM-3) 5.YanertRiverValleyLCT7.ChulitnaRiverValleyLCTM-336.BroadPassLCT8.CurryRidgeLCT,FigureM-8.Continued III9.Mid-SusitnaRiverValleyLCT11.SusitnaRiverLowlandsLCTM-3410.TalkeetnaLowlandsandUplandsLCT12.AnchorageLCTFigureM-8.Continued M-351.NenanaGorge(V)3.HurricaneGulch(Y)2.LookingtowardMt.McKinleyandSurroundingMountainousRegion(W)4.NancyLakeStateRecreationArea(Z)FigureM-9.PhotosofSelectedProminentNaturalFeaturesLocatedwithintheProposedTransmissionLineCorridorArea.(Letterdesignationsaftertitlesarekeyedtotextdescriptions,TableM-3,andFigs.M-4throughM-7.) M-36Tanana,Nenana,Chulitna,andSusitnarivervalleysandridgeareas.Viewswithinthetrans-missionlinecorridorareawouldoccuratvariouspointsalongtheGeorgeParksHighway,AlaskaRailroad,andfromcommunitiesandsettlements(e.g.,McKinleyVillage)locatedadjacenttothehighwayandrailroadbetweenAnchorageandFairbanks.TheGeorgeParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroadtravelroutesareshowninFiguresM-4throughM-7.RecreationistsalongridgelinesandpeopleatvariouslocationswithintheDenaliNationalandStatePark,wouldhaveviewsextendingintothetransmissionlinecorridor.ViewsalsohavebeenpreviouslydiscussedinrelationtothevariouslandscapecharactertypesdescribedinTableM-3.TravelersontheGeorgeParksHighwayoutsideofFairbanksviewanexistingtransmissionlineatvariouspointsbetweenFairbanksandtheline'sexistingterminusatHealy.Varioustrans-missionlinesandothertypesofhumandevelopmentandactivitiesareclearlyvisibleintheAnchorageArea.Also,theproposed170-mi(280-km)Anchorage-Fairbankstransmissionlineinter-tiebetweenthecommunitiesofHealyandWillowisconsideredtobeaseparateanddistinctprojectfromtheSusitnaHydroelectricProject.TheSusitnaHydroelectricProjecttransmissionlinewillessentiallyparallelmostoftheintertieroute.M.2.2SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesM.2.2.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesignsThesitesforthealternativeSusitnadamlocationsanddesignsarewithinthesameupperand,middleSusitnaRiverBasinlandscapesettingasdescribedaboveinSectionM.2.1.1.Thisessen-tiallyroadlessandsparselyinhabitedareaisdiverseinlandscapecharacter,withmountains,tundra,woodedareas,lakes,andrivervalleys.ProminentnaturalfeaturesincludeV-shapedvalleys,turbulentrapids,waterfalls,rockoutcroppings,shearcliffs,andenclosedcanyonwalls.ThealternativeWatanaIandReregulatingdamswouldbelocatedwithintheSusitnaRiverValleylandscapecharactertype.Thisbroadrivervalleyconsistsofaninitiallybraidedriverwithmoderatelydensetodensespruce-deciduousforestcoveralongtheriverandtributaryvalleys.Thebroadvalleyaffordsexpandedviews,althoughmostviewsareriverandvalleyoriented,withsomeviewsofdistantmountaintops.ThetwomostprominentnaturalfeaturesintheareaareTsusenaCreekFallsandDeadmanCreekFalls.ThealternativeModifiedHighDevilCanyondamwouldbelocatedwithintheDevilCanyonland-scapecharactertype.Theareaconsistsofsteeptoverticalrockcanyonwallsnearly1,000ft(300m)high.Thecanyoncontainsmorethan10mi(16km)ofWorldClassVIkayakingwhitewaterandisconsideredasignificantnaturalfeaturewithintheStateofAlaska.Viewswithinthecanyonareaaredramatic,andprominentnaturalfeaturesincludethecanyon,rapids,andDevilCreekFalls.M.2.2.2AlternativeAccessRoutesTwoa1ternativeaccesscorridorswereconsideredinthedevelopmentoftheWatanaandDevi1Canyondamsiteplans.Thesecorridorswere:Corridor1 -ParksHighwaytoWatanadamsite,northsideofSusitnaRiverandCorridor2~ParksHighwaytoWatanadamsite,southsideofSusitnaRiver.BothcorridorsarelocatedwithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasin.Thelandscapecharactertypes,naturalfeatures,andviewswithinthesecorridorsarediscussedinSectionM.2.1.1,showninFigureM-l,anddescribedinTableM-2.Corridor1extendsthroughtheMid-SusitnaRiverValley,ChulitnaMoistTundraUplands,PortageLowlands,DevilCanyon,andSusitnaRiverValleylandscapecharactertypes.ProminentnaturalfeatureswithinthecorridorincludeDevilCanyonRapids,DevilCreekFalls,TsusenaCreekFalls,andDeadmanCreekFalls.Corridor2extendsthroughtheMidSusitnaRiverValley,TalkeetnaUplands,DevilCanyon,SusitnaUplandTerrace,andSusitnaRiverValleylandscapecharactertypes.ProminentnaturalfeaturesincludeDevilCanyonRapids,DevilCreekFalls,StephanLake,FogLakes,TsusenaCreekFalls,andDeadmanCreekFalls.M.2.2.3AlternativePowerTransmissionLineRoutesThealternativepowertransmissionlineroutesarelocatedwithinthreecorridorstudyareas:(1)northernstudyareabetweenFairbanksandHealy,(2)centralstudyarea,whichiswithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea,and(3)southernstudyareabetweenWi11owandAnchorage.ThesealternativeroutesegmentsareshowninFigures2-14through2-16.Ingeneral,thelandscapecharactertypes,prominentnaturalfeatures,andviewingareasthatwouldbeaffectedbytheseroutesarethesameasthosedescribedinSectionM.2.1.However,thealternativeroute'segmentsalsoextendthroughfourlandscapecharactertypesnotpreviouslymentioned:(1)theFairbankslandscapeinthenortherncorridorareaandthe(2)LittleSusitnaRiver,(3)Knik-MatanuskaDelta,and(4)ChugachFoothillslandscapesinthesoutherncorridorarea.Descriptionsoftheselandscapecharactertypes,adaptedfromareportpreparedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources(1981),areasfollows: M-37FairbanksLandscapeCharacterType:TheFairbanksareaischaracterizedbyanurbantownland-scapesituatedwithinnearlylevelfloodplainsandlowlandswithalluvialfans.ChenaRidge[over1,000ft(300m)MSLJiswestofthecity.WaterformswithintheareaincludetheChenaandTananariversandnumerouscreeks,streams,andponds.Vegetationincludesornamentaltreeandshrubcoverwithinthedenserurbanareaandamixedforestofspruce,birch,aspen,poplar,andlow-growingshrubsinthesurroundinglowlands.Agriculturalcropsandgrassesarealsogrowninthelowlandareas.Viewsofmanmadefeaturesandhumanactivitiesarepredominantintheforeground,withbackgroundnaturalfeatures(e.g.,hillsandmountains)visiblefromopenareaswithintheurbanareaandfringe.LittleSusitnaRiverLandscapeCharacterType:TheLittleSusitnaRiverlandscapecharactertypeisborderedbyhighmountainsonthreesidesandextendsintothebroad,openSusitnaRiverlowlandstothewest.TheareaisarollingmoraineandincludestheLittleSusitnaRiverandanumberoflakes,streams,and.creeks.Vegetationispredominantlyspruce-mixedhardwoodforest.Theareacontainsthecommunity·ofWasillaandanumberofscatteredresidential,commercial,andagricultura1deve1opments.Viewsareoften1imitedbecauseofsurroundingvegetation,althoughhighmountainsandlowlandplainscanattimesbeseeninthedistance.Knik-MatanuskaDeltaLandscapeCharacterType:This 1andscapeareaincludestheKnikArmofCookInletandsurroundingtideflats(mudflats),tidalmarshlands,andsomerollingmorainalterrain.TheChugachMountainsand,toalesserextent,TalkeetnaMountainsarevisibleinthebackground.Themajorwaterformsincludelarge,glaciallyfedMatanuskaandKnikrivers.Vegetationisextremelyvariable,rangingfrombaremudflatsalongtheshorestospruce-hardwoodforests(birchdominated)intheuplands.ProminentlandscapefeaturesincludePioneerPeak,TwinPeaks,BolderburgButte',andMt.Susitnainthedistance.Viewsaresignificantbecauseofthehighcontrastcreatedbythebroad,treelessdeltasurroundedonthreesidesbysteepmountainsmorethan6,000ft(1,800m)high.ChugachFoothillsLandscapeCharacterType:Thisnarrow,glaciatedlowlandarealocatedbetweenAnchorageandtheKnikRiverdeltaisborderedbythesteepChugachMountainstotheeastandtheKnikArmtothewest.TheTalkeetnaMountainsandthemoredistantAlaskaRangecanbeseentothenorth.Vegetationconsistspredominantlyofaspruce-birchforestwithoccasionalbogsandmarshlahds.WaterformsincludetheEagleRiverandnumeroussmallcreeksandstreamswithrapidsandwaterfalls.TheKnikArmisshallowandturbid,withextensivemudflatsalongthetidalareas.Variouscommunities,roads,andotherhumandevelopmentscanbeviewedinthearea.M.2.2.4AlternativeBorrowSitesAllofthealternativeborrowsitesarewithintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinareaandoccurintheSusitnaRiverValley,SusitnaUplandTerrace,WetUplandTerraces,ChulitnaMoistTundraUplands,andChulitnaMountainslandscapecharactertypes.TheselandscapecharactertypesandassociatedprominentnaturalfeaturesandviewsareshowninFigureM-1anddescribedinTableM-2.M.2.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternatives*M.2.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioM.2.3.1.1BelugaandChuitnaRiversVisualcharacteristicsoftheBelugaandChuitnariversregionincludesteepmountains,vegeta-teduplands,andcoastalwetlands.Theregionisdominatedbymountains,glaciers,lakes,andstreamsintheAlaskaRange.Panoramicviewsofspectacu1armountainousandglaciatedterrainarecommon.Vegetationisvariable,rangingfromamixtureofconiferousanddeciduoustreesatlowerelevationstoshrubs,thickets,andalpinevegetationathigherelevations.Coastalwetlandsextendabout5mi(8km)inlandfromthecoast.Thepredominantvegetationinthecoastalregionconsistsofrelativelylowgrassesandsedges,thuspermittingpanoramicvistasofthesurroundingmountains,CookInlet,andtheKenaiPeninsulaacrossCookInlet.M.2.3.1.2KenaiPeninsulaVisualresourcesintheKenaiarearangefromhighmountainsandglacierstouplands,denseforests,1akes,rivers,andwetlands(AlaskaGeographicSociety,1981).ThemajorwaterformwithintheareaisCookInlet.Vegetationconsistsmainlyoflowlandspruce-hardwoodforest.AnumberofsmallcommunitiesandhomesteadsarescatteredalongtheSterlingHighway.ViewsoftheCookInletandlowlands,uplands.,andmountainousregionsareoftenhighlyscenic.*Thelocationsofthenon-SusitnagenerationalternativesareshowninFigure2-18. M-38M.2.3.1.3AnchorageTheAnchorageareaconsistsofanurbanizedtownlandscapesituatedwithinrollingandflatterracedlowlands.RollingandmoderatelysteepslopesoccurintheChugachFoothills.TheareaisdominatedbytheKnikandTurnagainarmsoftheCookInlet.SeveralsmallcreekstraversetheareaandflowintoCookInlet;scatterednaturalandmanmadelakesarealsofoundwithintheregion.Vegetationwithintheurbanareaincludessparseornamentaltreecoverwithsomenaturalspruceanddeciduoustrees.Undevelopedareas,lakes,andfoothillsaregenerallycoveredwithmoderatelydensetodenseforestsofspruceanddeciduoustrees.Becauseoftheflattoundulatingterrain,viewsaregenerallyopen.TheadjacentChugachMountainscreateahigh-qualityaestheticsettingwithsnowinthewinter,greenvegetationinsummer,andcolorfulfo1iageinautumn.The:AlaskaRange,nearbyMountSusitna,theKenaiMountains,andtheCookInlet,withitsnotablemudflats,canbeviewedwithintheAnchorageurbanarea.M.2.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioM.2.3.2~1NenanaThelandscapecharactertypeslocatedintheNenana/HealyregionincludetheNenanaRiverLow-landsandtheNenanaUplands.Thelowlandareasconsistofextremelyflatterrainwithnumeroussmalldrainages.Riversarebraidedandmeanderextensively.Vegetationisthintomoderatelydensespruceforestsandtundraandwetlandbogareas.Viewscanbecomemonotonousbecauseofthelackoftopographicalreliefandlackofdistinctiveandvaryingforegroundfeatures.Existingtransmissionlinesarevisible.TheNenanaUplandsareaconsistsofarelativelymeanderingrivervalleythatisterracedandhassteepslopesrisingtotheAlaskaRangefoot-hills.ThelargeandmoderatelybraidedNenanaRiveristhemostsignificantwaterformintheregion,whichalsoincludeslake,bog,andwetlandareas.Vegetationisvariablepatternsofspruceandmixedforestscatteredwithopenareasoftundra.ViewsareorientedtotheAlaskaRangeinthesouthandthehighfoothillsintheeast.Existingtransmissionlinesarealsovisibleintheregion.M.2.3.2.2WillowTheWillowregionconsistsessentiallyoftheSusitnaRiverLowlandslandscapecharactertype.Thelowlandsareflattogentlyrollingwiththelargerlakesenclosedbysmallhills.MountSusitna[over3,000ft(900m)MSL],LittleMountSusitna,andBelugaMountainriseabovethelowlands.TheheavilybraidedSusitnaRivervariesfromone-halfmiletoseveralmileswideandhasnumerousmeanderingtributaries.Theareaiscoveredbylargetractsofwetlandsandhundredsofsmalllakes.Vegetationincludesmarshgrasses,thinstandsofblacksprucenearbogareas,andmoderatelydensetodensestandsofspruceanddeciduoustreesaroundareasofhigherreliefandlargelakes.Viewswithintheimmediateareaaregenerallymonotonousbecauseofthecommonlyflattopography;however,viewsoftheAlaskaRange(dominatedbyMt.McKinley)andChugachandTalkeetnamountainsarepossiblefromopenareas.Smallcommunitiesandrecrea-tionsitesoccuralongtheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroad,whichextendthroughtheSusitnaRiverlowlandsarea.M.2.3.2.3CookInletVisualcharacteristicsoftheCookInletregionareextremelyvariedandincludesteepmoun-tains,vegetateduplands,andcoastalwetlands,asgenerallydescribedinSectionM.2.3.1.Vegetationisvariable,fromamixtureofconiferousanddeciduoustreesatthelowerelevationstoshrubs,thickets,andalpinevegetationathigheraltitudes.Wetlandsextendabout5mi(8km)inlandfromthecoast.ThepredominantvegetationofgrassesandsedgesinthecoastalregionallowsforpanoramicvistasofthesurroundingCookInletcoastlineandhills,mountains,andglaciatedterraininthebackground.ThisregionalsoincludestheAnchoragearea,previouslydescribedinSectionM.2.3.1.3.M.2.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioM.2.3.3.1ChakachamnaLakeThevisualcharacteristicsoftheChakachamnaLakeareaincludesteepmountainousterrain,vegetateduplands,andcoastalwetlands.ChakachamnaLake,ChakachatnaRiverCanyon,andtheheadwatersoftheMcArthurRiverarelocatedinnarrowglaciatedvalleysthataresurroundedbysteepandruggedmountainousterrain(Bechtel,1983).Extendedviewsfromalongthelakeofferscenicvistasofglaciersdescendingintothelake.TheChakachatnaRiverdescendsfromthelakeandgoesthroughatwistingcanyonsurroundedbysteepmountainousterrain.Whitewaterrapidsfrequentlyoccurthroughthisportionoftheriver,whichhasbothasinglechannelandbraidedsystems.Vegetationofthelowerslopesalongthelakeconsistsofamixtureofconifersanddeciduoustrees.Vegetationonthehigherslopesconsistsofabandofshrubthicketsandhigheralpinevegetation.Densevegetation(e.g.,cottonwood,whitespruce,willow)limitsviewsasonedescendsalongtheChakachatnaandMcArthurrivers.Anunusualareaofdrysand M-39flatsandaborderoflichen-coveredflatsoccuralongthemiddlereachoftheMcArthurRiver;thisprovidesvisualdiversity(textureandcolor)andpermitsextendedviewsofthesurroundingmountains(Bechtel,1983).Wetlandsextendabout5mi(8km)inlandfromthecoast.Thepre-dominantvegetationofgrassesandsedgesallowforpanoramicvistasofthesurroundingmountainsCookInlet,andtheKenaiPeninsulalocatedacrossCookInlet.'M.2.3.3.2BrowneThelandscapecharacteroftheBrowneareaismainlydefinedbytheNenanaRiverValleyanditstributariesandtheAlaskaMountainRange,whichincludesMt.McKinley.Landformsintheareaincludearelativelyflat,meanderingrivervalleyborderedbyterraceduplandsthatgivewaytosteepslopesrisinguptotheAlaskaRangefoothills.Exposedrockandsoilcliffs(lighttantodarkbrown)withhighlyerodedbanksarecommonalongtheNenanaRiver.Thelargeandmoderatelybraidedriveristhemostsignificantwaterform,withitssilty,glacialwater.Theareaincludesseveralsmalltributaries,scatteredsmalllakes,bogareas,wetlands,andnumerousislandswithinthebroadfloodplain.Vegetationconsistsofvariablepatternsofsparsetodensespruceandmixedforest.Theareaalsocontainsscatteredopenspacesoftundraandbaregroundwithlight-coloredsoils.·Anumberofsmallhumandevelopmentareas(e.g.,Healy,Suntrana)occurintheRailbeltcorridor.ViewsareessentiallyorientedtothemountainsoftheAlaskaRangeandhighfoothillareas..M.2.3.3.3KeetnaTheKeetnaareaislocatedinthelowerhalfoftheTalkeetnaRiverBasin.ThemajorlandformistheTalkeetnaMountains,locatedtothenortheast.Thevegetationnearthealternativeprojectsiteispredominantlyuplandspruce-hardwoodforest.Vegetationabovetheriverathigherelevationsisamixtureoflowshrubcommunities,sedge-grasstundra,andmatandcushiontundra.TwoscenicareaslocatedinthevicinityincludeSentinelRockandGraniteGorge·(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,p.E-10-13).M.2.3.3.4SnowTheSnowRiverisoneoftheKenaiPeninsula'smajorriverdrainagesystems.Theregionischaracterizedbyglaciallycarvedvalleys,rugged,snow-cappedmountainridges,andavarietyofvegetationtypes.Thevisualsettingoftheregionisdominatedbythesteep,snow-cappedpeaksoftheKenaiRange,withsharplydefinedridges,steep-sidedcrests,andboulderoutcrops.Threeprominentpeaksabove4,000ftMSL(1,200m)surroundtheSnowsitelocation.LargeglacialicefieldsarelocatedintheKenaiMountainsnortheastoftheSnowsite.Mixedconiferanddeciduousspeciesconstitutemostofthedenselyforestedvalleyareas.Alpinevegetationandsubalpineherbaceousmeadowsdominatetheslopesabovethetreeline.Slopesabove4,000ft(1,200m)MSLaretypicallybarrenrockandtalussurfaces.M.2.3.3.5JohnsonTheJohnsonareaislocatedinthelowlandareasneartheconfluenceoftheTananaRiveranditstributary,theJohnsonRiver.ThedominantlandformintheareaistheAlaskaRange.JohnsonRiverislocatedinaglaciated"U"-shapedvalley.ThebraidedJohnsonRiverflowstowardthebroadvalleyoftheTananaRiver,whichisborderedbytheAlaskaRangetothesouthandrounded,gentleridgesandslopesoftheYukon-TananaUplandareatothenorth.Thevegetationnearthealternativedamsiteispredominantlybottomlandspruce-poplarforest.Vegetationathigherelevationsabovethefloodplainismostlyuplandspruce-hardwoodforest.M.2.3;3.6Nenana,ChuitnaRiverandAnchorageThe1andscapefortheNenanaareaisdescribedinSectionM.2.3.2.TheChuitnaRiverandAnchoragelandscapesaredescribedinSectionM.2.3.1.M.3ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSM.3.1ProposedProjectThevisualresourceswithintheproposedprojectareaweredescribedinSectionM.2.1inrela-tiontothelandscapecharactertypes;prominentnaturalfeatures;andsignificantviewsheds,vistapoints,andtravelroutes.Inthissection,thepotentialimpactsoftheproposedprojectonthesevisualresourcesareevaluated.Thisevaluationisbasedonfieldreconnaissanceandoninformation,engineeringdata,andengineeringdesignsanddrawingssuppliedintheSusitnaprojectapplication(ExhibitE,Vol.8;ExhibitF;andExhibitG).."Ii M-40M.3.1.1WatanaDevelopmentM.3.1.1.1ConstructionTheconstructionoftheWatanadamandassociatedfacilities,theimpoundmentarea,theconstruc-tioncampandvillage,andpermanenttownwouldsignificantlychangetheimageandcharacteroftheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea,especiallyintheSusitnaRiverValleylandscapecharactertypeandthesouthernportionoftheWetUplandTundralandscapecharactertype.ThecurrentlyremoteandlargelyundisturbedSusitnaRiverValleywouldbecomeanareaofincreasedhumanactivityanddevelopment,a1dvisualresourceswouldbealteredaccordingly.TemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionoftheproposedWatanadamwouldincludethepresenceofconstructionpersonnel,heavyequipment,andmaterialsinaremote,naturalsetting.Con-structionactivitiesofmorelong-termimpactatthedamsitewouldincludetheremovalofvegetationandthedisturbanceofsoil,scaringofthelandinthisnaturalrivervalley.Landforms,waterforms,andvegetationwouldalsobedisturbedatborrowsitesandotherproject-associatedfacilities,suchasthepowerhouse,tailracetunnel,constructioncampsite,airstrip,andaccessroads.Asconstructionofthedamprogressed,thedamstructureandassociatedreservoirwouldbecomeincreasinglyprominentfeaturesofthearea.Theconstructioncampandvillagewouldbebuiltonabout300acres(120ha)ofwetlandsnorth-eastoftheproposeddamsite(Fig.2-3),resultinginviewsofsuchstructuressuchasdormi-tories,ahospital,recreationfacilities,administrativebuildings,singleandmultifamilydwellings,aschool,stores,asewagetreatmentplant,andalandfill.Thesevariousvisualdisturbanceswouldbeviewedbytheconstructionpersonnelandtheirfamilies,occasionalrecreationistsinthearea,andindividualsflyingoverorneartheprojectarea.Alterationstothelandscapeduringtheconstructionperiodthatarenotsubsequentlyinundatedbythereservoirwouldremainvisibleduringtheentireoperationallifetimeoftheproject,asdiscussedbelow.M.3.1.1.2OperationTheproposed885-ft(270-m)high,4,100-ft(1,750-m)crest-length,earth-filldamwouldbecomethemostprominentvisualfeatureinthepreviouslynaturalsettingoftheSusitnaRiverValleylandscapearea.Thegeometriclinesandformsofthedamandassociatedstructureswouldbeindramaticvisualcontrasttothenaturalform,color,andtextureoftherivervalley(seeFig.M-10).Thesestructureswouldbeviewedbyprojectpersonnel,supportstaff,recreationistsinthearea,andindividualsflyingoverorneartheprojectarea.Themainspillwayofthedamwouldconsistofalong,straight,slopingconcretechute,2,000ft(600m)long,upto100ft(30m)wide,andmorethan100ft(30m)deep.Theemergencyspi11-waywouldconsistofaconcretechuteover5,000ft(1,515m)long,200ft(60m)wide,and30to50ft(9to15m)deep.Thesespillwayswouldbepositionedindeeprockcutsontherivervalleyslopesandwouldbevisibletooperationpersonnelandvisitorsastheycrossedtheaccessroadbridge(Fig.2-3).Therockcutsandgradingwouldbeinconsistentwiththenaturallandformsandvegetationinthearea.Thevisualscarscreatedbyconstructionoftheroadaccesstothepowerhouseandtrailracetunnelareaswouldalsoremainhighlyvisiblefromthedamarea.Whenfi11ed,theWatanaimpoundmentwouldbeabout54mi(90km)long,morethan5mi(8km)wide,andhaveawatersurfaceareaof36,000acres(14,600ha).Thelandforms,waterforms,andvegetationwithinthevalleyoftheSusitnaRiverwouldbeinundated(Fig.M-11).Theimpound-mentalsowouldinundateportionsofmajortributaries,includingDeadman,Watana,Kosina,andJaycreeks.TheDeadmanandWatanacreekwaterfallswouldbeinundated.DeadmanCreekFallsisoneofthe1argestand,mostscenicwaterfallsintheprojectarea.MuchoftheVeeCanyonareaalsowouldbeinundated.Thishighlysceniccanyonincludesadoublehairpinbend,adeeplycutchannel,andastretchofwhitewaterrapids.Variousrockformations,steepridges,andvariedcoloration(rockinterlaidwithmarbleandgreenschist)maketheareaanimportantvisualresource.Thepartialinundationofthecanyonareawi11detractfromitssignifiCanceasanaturalscenicfeature.Itisanticipatedthatduringoperation,themaximumreservoirdrawdownof120ft(35m)wouldbeinthespring(AprilandMay)andwouldresultinexposureofsubstantialareasofmudflats.Itisexpectedthatthesemudflatswouldbemorethan1mi(1.6km)wideandwouldbevisuallyobtrusivetoanyrecreationistsnearthereservoirarea(althoughsnowcovermightobscuretheviewofthemudflatsinearlyspring).Thesemudflatareaswouldcontinuetobevisuallyobtru-sivetorecreationistsonornearthereservoirthroughoutthesummermonthsuntilthereservoirwasfi11ed(completelycoveringexposedmudflatareas)bySepte'mber.Extensives1umping,scaling,andlandslidingwouldbeexpectedtooccuralongsteepslopesofthenewlycreatedreservoir.Suchslumpingcouldextendhundredsoffeetupthesidesoftheslopeandwouldresultinunsightlyscarsvisibletorecreationistsusingthereservoirandadjacentareas. M-41FigureM-IO.Artist'sPhotoRenditionoftheProposedWatanaDam.(Doesnotincludepermanenttown,accessroads,transmissionlines,substation,oraircraftlandingstrip.)[So~rce:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE8b] M-42.'-'-'-,.:..--.---.--..-,-,_.........,-...-.-...~.-....-.~~.:-:=-:=<._=~=~;:--.-~..-:?:c;-:~:~i~.~,-<·--,..=--_.FigureM-ll.PhotoofExistingSusitnaArtist'sRenditionoftheatMid-Drawdown(bottom).Vol.8,AppendixE8B]RiverValley(top)andProposedWatanaReservoir[Source:ExhibitE, M-43Thisslumpingandlandslidingwouldcontinuetooccuruntiltheangleofreposewasreachedandtheslopesbecamestabilized(Fig.M-12).TheWatanaswitchyard(originpointofthetwo345-kVtransmissionlines)wouldoccupyabout11acres(4.5ha)oflandinanareaabovethedamonthenorthterrace(Fig.2-3).Theyard,whichwouldbefencedandpavedwithgravel,wouldcontainelectricalequipmentandstructuresthatwouldbepredominantlyaluminum-toneincolor.Theform,line,andcolorofthisequipmentwouldbevisuallypredominantinanareawherethereislittlevegetationscreening.Theelec-tricalequipmentandstructureswouldbesilhouettedagainsttheskylinefromvariousvantagepoints,suchasalongtheaccessroad.Anumberofproposedborrowsiteswouldbelocatedbothup-anddownstreamfromtheproposedWatanadam.Thepresenceofborrowsitesnotinundatedbythereservoirwouldcreatelong-termvisualimpacts.SuchareaswouldincludeislandsintheSusitnaRiverbelowthedam,thelownorthriverterracebelowthedam(nearthemouthofTsusenaCreek),andthe640-acre(256-ha)borrowsitelocatedonthehighnorthterraceadjacenttoDeadmanCreek.Theborrowsitesalongtheriverbelowthedamwouldbeinfullviewfromthedamarea.Borrowsitesupstreamofthedammightcreaterigidangularformsalongtheshorelineofthereservoirthatwouldbevisibletovisitorsinthearea.The300-acre(120-ha)temporaryconstructioncampandvillagewouldcreatevisualimpactsthatwouldextendintotheoperationphaseoftheWatanaproject.Visualimpactswouldresultfromthescarificationof{helandandpresenceofareasdevoidofvegetationwherethecampstruc-tureswereremoved.Intheseareasdenudedofvegetation,mudandwaterpondingresultingfromsoilcompactionwouldbevisibletovisitorsandtothepermanenttownresidentswhotraveledthroughtheareaandwholivedadjacenttotheconstructionvillagesite.The90-acre(36-ha)permanentvillagewouldbevisuallyinconsistentwiththenaturallandscapecharacterofthearea.Thevillagewouldconsistofatowncenterwithapproximately20buildings,ahospital,125dwellingunits,andawaterandsewagetreatmentplant.Extensivehuman'activitiesinandsurroundingthepermanentvillagewoulddegradethevisualcharacteroftheexistingwetlandsetting(Fig.M-13).ViewsinrelationtotheWatanadamfacilitiesandpermanenttownsitearedescribedinTableM-4andshowninFigureM-14.M.3.1.2DevilCanyonDevelopmentM.3.1.2.1ConstructionTemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionoftheDevilCanyondamprojectwouldincludethepresenceofworkers,equipment,andmaterialsintheremoteandnaturalsettingoftheDevilCanyonarea.AswasdescribedfortheWatanaproject,theconstructionoftheDevilCanyondamandassociatedfacilities,theimpoundmentarea,andtheconstructioncampandvillagewouldsignificantlychangetheimageandcharacteroftheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea,especiallyinportionsoftheDevilCanyon,MidSusitnaRiverValley,TalkeetnaUplands,ChulitnaMoistTundraUplands,andPortageLowlands1andscapecharactertypes.Thevisua1characteroftheareawouldchangefromthatofaremoteandlargelyundisturbedcanyonareatooneofgreaterhumanactivity,development,anddisturbance.M.3.1.2.2OperationTheproposedprojectareawouldbeviewedbyprojectpersonnel,recreationists,andpeopleflyingoverornearthearea.Theline,form,andcolorofthe645-ft(195-m)high,1,300-ft(394m)spanconcretearchdamwouldvisuallycontrastwiththenaturalform,color,andtextureoftheDevilCanyonarea(Fig.M-15).Whenfilled,theDevilCanyonreservoirwouldbeabout32mi(53km)longandamaximumof1800ft(549m)widenearthedam.Thesurfaceareaofthereservoirwouldbeabout7,800acres(3,120ha),withthewaterimpoundmentreachingupstreamalmostasfarastheWatanadam.ThereservoirwouldinundateDevilCanyonandtherapidsthatextendthroughit.Thecanyonisasteep-sided,nearlyenclosed,gorgethatconstrictstheSusitnaRiverchannelandresultsinover10mi(16km)ofturbulent(ClassVI)whitewaterrapids.Theunusualgeologic,hydrologic,andaestheticcharacteristicsofthecanyonmakeitanotab1eAlaskannaturalfeature.TheimpoundmentwouldalsoinundateminorportionsofDevilandFogcreeks.-Themainspillwayofthedamwouldconsistofaslopingconcretechannelmorethan1,000ft(300m)long,ataperedwidthfromabout150ftto75ft(45-25m),(23m),andadepthofapproximately25ft(7.5m).Theemergencyspillwaywouldconsistofaslopingrockcutchannelover1,400ft(420m)longand250ft(75m)wide,withanextendingconcretepilotchannelapproximately800ft(240m)longand50ft(15m)wide.ThesespillwayswouldrequirerockcutsonthenorthernslopeoftherivervalleyandonthehighterracedareaonthesouthernsideoftheSusitnaRiver.Themainspillwayandrockcutwoulddominatethelandscapeonthenorthernrivervalleyslopeandwouldbeinfullviewoftheproposedvisitorcenter,whichwouldbelocatedonthesouthernsideofthecanyon.Therockchuteoftheemergencyspillwaywoulddominatethelandscapeonthesouthernsideofthedam(Fig.2-5). M-44FigureM-12.ExamplesofSlope/SlideProblemsAroundaReservoir(WillistonReservoir,BritishColumbia).[Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE8E,Photos8.E.land8.E.2] M-45FigureM-13.PhotoofProposedSiteoftheConstructionCamp/PermanentVillageArea(top)andArtist'sRenditionofPermanentWatanaSettlement(bottom).[Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE88,Photo8.8.2J Table M-4.Significant Views and Visual Resource Impacts within the Watana and Devil Canyon Dam Facilities and Village Area Landscape Character Type Project Feature or Area Viewed Viewpointst 'Viewers Affected Viewing Distancet2 Visual Resource Impact ·Watana Reservoir ·Dam site (3)Operation personnel Foreground/middle- and visitors ground/background Fog Lakes Area Dam site (4)Operation personnel Middleground/back- and visitors ground Downstream Susitna Dam site (5)Operation personnel Foreground/middle- and visitors ground/background WATANA DAM FACILITIES 1.Sus i tna Ri ver •Town Va 11 ey LCT ·Watana Site area ·Transmission lines Watana Townsite area (1) ·Access road (2) ·Dam site (6) Residents and travelers .Highway travelers Operation personnel and vi s itors Foreground/Middle- ground Middleground/back- ground Foreground/middle- ground Commercial and residential structures,the Watana Dam, associated facilities,the reservoir,and Tusuena Butte would be visible. The Watana dam,associated facilities,and reservoir would be visible from the access road above the Susitna River valley. Dam,power plant facilities, and the reservoir would be visible. Visitors facilities would be visible from the dam area. Power facilities and trans- mission lines would be highly visible in the foreground. Observers would clearly view the powerhouse access road and construction borrow areas in the middleground and have background views of the Susitna River valley. Silhouetted views of the trans- mission lines and switchyard. 3: I +>(]) DEVIL CANYON DAM FACILITIES 2.Devil Canyon LCT •Devil Canyon Reservoir .Dam site (7) ·Saddle dam .Dam site (8) ·Devil Canyon Bridge .Bridge surface (9) Downstream Devil Canyon .Dam site (10) views Operation personnel and vi s itors Operation personnel and visitors Operation personnel and visitors Operation personnel and visitors Foreground/middle- ground/background Middleground Foreground/middle- ground Foreground/middle- ground The dam,associated facilities, and the reservoir would be visible. Saddle dam and associated facilities would be clearly visible. The power plant out fall and transmission lines would be visible to people driving across the suspension bridge. Power facilities,power access road and the dry Susitna River bed would be highly visible. t 'Numbers of viewpoints are keyed into Figure M-14. t 2 Viewing distances are (1)foreground =0-1/4-1/2 mi,(2)middleground =1/4-1/2-3-5 mi,(3)background =3-5 mi -infinity (U.S.Forest Service,1973) viewing distance characteristics are discussed in Section J.2,Table J.l. Source:Adapted from Exhibit E,Supplemental Information,Chap.8,Comment 2. Fog Creek 3: I .j:> -...J ~ Devil Canyon DamtC=2:7 •·.,.••..... ..• •,.. '. 4 Miles ......•..,Access Road ___Transmission Lines Figure M-14.Significant Views and Visual Resource Impacts within the (left)Watana and (right)Devil Canyon Dam Facilities and Village Area.(Numbers are keyed to the viewpoints listed in Table M-4. Arrows indicate general direction of view.) ..,.... M-48FigureM-15.Artist'sPhotoRenditionoftheProposedDevilCanyonDamandReservoir.(Doesnotincludeconstructioncampandvillage,accessroads,transmissionlines,orsubstation.)[Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE8B] M-49The1,000-ft(300-m)longDevilCanyonsaddledamthatwouldbeadjacenttothemainarchdamwoulddominatethesmall-scaleplateau-typelandscape.Thetextureandcolorofthesaddlewouldbeinsharpcontrasttothesurroundingvegetationandsmallpondarea.Extensiveclear-ingofvegetation,aswellasrockcuttingfor2.5mi(4km)ofroadaccessduringtheconstruc-tionofthepowerhousetunnelwouldleavelargevisualscarsonthesteepnorthernslopesthatwouldbevisibletopersonsusingtheaccessroadandtopersonsatthevisitorcenter.TheDevilCanyonswitchyardwouldoccupyabout18acres(7.3ha)oflandonthenorthernterraceabovethedamsite(Fig.2-5).SimilartotheWatanadamswitchyard,theareawouldbefencedandsurfacedwithgravel.Theswitchyardwouldcontainvariouspiecesofelectricalequipmentandstructureswhoseform,line,andaluminum-tonecolorwouldbevisuallydominantinanareawherethereislittlevegetationscreening.Theelectricalequipmentandstructuresalsowouldbesilhouettedagainsttheskylinefromvariousvantagepoints,suchasalongtheaccessroad.Thedevelopmentofthe200-acre(80-ha)temporaryconstructionvillageandcampsiteswouldcauselong-termvisualimpactsthatwouldextendintotheoperationphaseoftheDevilCanyonproject.·Bothsiteswouldbelocatedonaflat,wetlandterracesurroundedbymixedforests.Visualimpactswouldresultfromthescarificationofthelandinareasdevoidofvegetationwherethecampstructureswereremoved.Thislackofvegetationandthepresenceofmudandwaterpondingcreatedbysoilcompactionwouldbevisibletopersonswhotraveledthroughthearea.VisualresourceimpactsinrelationtotheDevilCanyondamfacilitiesaredescribedinTableM-4andshowninFigureM-14.M.3.1.3AccessRoutesTemporaryvisualimpactsduringconstructionoftheproposed(1)DenaliHighway-to-Watanadamsiteaccessroute,(2)Watanadam-to-Devi1Canyondamaccessroute,and(3)Devi1Canyonrailspurwouldconsistofthepresenceofworkers,equipment,andmaterialsalongtheroutes.Thenatureoftheseimpactswouldbesimilartothosediscussedforotherprojectfeatures--aremoteandlargelyundisturbedareawouldbeconvertedtooneofgreaterhumanactivityanddevelop-ment.Thesevisualdisturbanceswouldbeviewedbyconstructionpersonnel,occasionalrecrea-tionistsintheareas,andindividualsflyingovertheaccessroutes.Visualimpactsthatwouldextendintothelong-termoperationphaseoftheprojectarediscussedbelow.M.3.1.3.1DenaliHighway-to-WatanaRouteThepresenceofthe40-mi(67-km)long,24-ft(7.3-m)wide,high-speeddesign(40-55mph,65-90Km/h),gravelaccessroadtoWatanadamwouldresultinsignificantvisualresourceimpactstothelandscape.TheroadwouldextendsouthfromDenaliHighway,crossBrushkanaandDeadmanCreeks,extendtothewestofDeadmanMountain,crossaDeadmanCreektributary,andparallelDeadmanCreektotheWatanadamsite(Fig.M-16).Visualimpactsalongthisroutewouldconsistofviewsoflargecutandfillareas,areaswherevegetationhadbeenremoved,andareassubjecttoerosion.Allthesefeatureswoulddetractfromtheaestheticcharacterofthearea.Inaddition,largeborrowpitsexcavatedadjacenttotheroadwouldresultinlong-termvisualimpactsfromscarificationcausedbyremova1ofvegetation,erosion,andthepresenceofpartiallywater-filleddepressions.Onthepositiveside,theproposedroadwouldprovidenewaccesstoscenicviewsforvisitors,recreationists,andpersonsfromthepermanentWatanavillage.Suchviewswouldincludepano-ramicviewstowardtheAlaskaRange,ClearwaterMountains,andtheTalkeetnaRange.However,recreationistsintheareaaroundtheproposedroutemightconsidertheroadavisualintrusiondetractingfromtheirenjoymentofthenaturallandscapeofthearea.Viewsfromtheroadaswellasoff-roadviewsaredescribedinTableM-5andshowninFigureM-16.M.3.1.3.2Watana-to-DevilCanyonRouteDevelopmentofthe34-mi(56km)long,24-ft(7.3m)wide,gravelroadbetweentheWatanaandDevilCanyondamsiteswouldresultincut-and-fillworkandborrowpitsthatwouldbevisibletomotoristsandrecreationistsintheareaduringtheoperationalphaseoftheproject.Creationofborrowsitesneartheroadwouldresultinscarred,unvegetated,andpartiallywater-filleddepressionsthatwouldremainlongafterconstructionwascompleted.AswiththeDenaliHighway-to-Watanadamaccessroad,thevisualcharacteroftheWatana-to-DevilCanyonaccessroadwouldbeincontrasttotheexistingnaturalenvironment,butatthesametime,theroutewouldprovideviewsofthesurroundingareapreviouslyseenonlybypersonsonfoot.Oneofthemorevisuallyprominentfeaturesoftheaccessroadwouldbea2,600-ft(785-m)steelsuspensionbridge600ft(180m)abovetheSusitnaRivertothewestoftheDevilCanyondam.Constructionofthishigh-levelbridgewouldrequireextensivegradinganddisruptionoflandformsandvegetationforthebridgeapproachesandwouldinfringeuponthenaturalsettingoftheDevilCanyonarea.Thesealterationswouldbevisibleafterconstructionceases.Thebridgewouldnotofferrecreationistsagoodviewofthedam,andtheproposedstructuralstyleandformofthebridgewoulddolittletocomplementtheformandlineofthesurroundingDevil Table M-5.Significant Views and Visual Resource Impacts Along the Proposed Road and Rail Access Routes Landscape Character Type Approximate Duration of Viewt 1 Viewpointst 2 Viewers Affected Viewing Distancet 3 Significant Views and Visual Resource Impactt4 DENALI -WATANA ACCESS 1.Wet Upland . 4 minutes (-3 mi) Tundra LCT (Denali Highway Area) 2.Chulitna Moun- tains LCT 8 minutes (-5 mi) 4 minutes (-3 mi)and extended views at pull- off points 5~minutes (-4 mi) •5~minutes (-4 mi) 13~minutes (-10 mi) Walking pace for various trail lengths .Access road (1) Access road (2) Access road and (3)trail head pulloffs Access road (4) .Access road (5) Access road (6) Off':road trail (7-12) •Motori sts Motori sts Motori sts and hi kers Motorists .Motori sts Motori sts Hikers and recrea- tionists Foreground/Middle- ground/background Foreground/middle- ground Foreground/middle- ground/background Foreground/middle- ground/background Foreground/middle- ground/background Middleground Foreground/middle- ground/background Upland tundra visible in the foreground and the Nenana River Valley and Alaska Moun- tain Range visible in the middleground and background. Extended view of access road and Butte land mark. Motorists would have fore- ground and middleground views of trailheads and trails in drainage way and background views of Chulitna Mountains from access road and pulloff areas at trailhead locations; hikers would experience fore- ground and middleground views of the access road. Panoramic view of Clear Water Mountains. Foreground views of Big/Dead- man Lakes area,middleground views of Watana Reservoir and and panoramic views of the Talkeetna mountains in the background. Extended views of Tsusena Butte. Numerous views of Soul,Dead- man,and Tsusena Creeks, Caribou Pass;the Chulitna River Valley;Alaska Range and other natural features along proposed hiking trails. Views would be closed to panoramic with occasional views of project features such as the access road. 3: I U1o 19PJ6 W-2'V~~OM2 ~Uq~C9f6 a6U6~9J q.~~6Cf~OU o~A~6M') K9~J VCC622 Konf62'Tab~@WM~5?9&ent~~a~dfO f~6 A~6Mbo~U+2 J~2f6q ~U ~~an~6 W-Je'2~aU~~~C9Uf A~6M2 9Uq A~2n9J K620n~C6 Iwb9Cf2 VJoua f~6 b~obo26q K09q 9Uq an i.... viewing Jv~o M ---1 locatibns along the e transmission 'dor as ~~'"0.Views of railroad facilities~by boaters along the Susitna '7"iver •Middleground/back- JV9 0 tRround Jv~o20.M Significant Views and Viewer-s,Aff~aa ~OQq Viewing Dist.mcet 3 .ll.oua~faI~~o&er?tl~1f Impactt 4 Motorists •Foreground •Clear view of the Deadman Creek drainage, View the Tsusena Creek drain- age, •Access road and pulloff area (13) •Access road (14)•Motorists Jvao M Jffi o20.M,.R~j:9~EM (-3 mi) •Less than ~minuil!1~1Mfl ~!.I\fA~cess road (15) feet),-...DEI\lr C'DVYi • 8 minutes (-6 mi)and extended at pulloffs Q. ~.;::, Go·o 6!Ii.""7"f" • 3 m1 \exteri '"'off poin ESS TO ~~err-'l . Floating dmetS -6 mi co IoUo ~ :s: co UI ~~ :s: Landscape Approximate Duration Charac~e Vloa!<o ~o!l&.oaqF Viewt 1 -----H!allMo1Pointst2 3. !§.. fU DWr tion of view·based·on·travel t 2 Num ers of vi~~are keyed Figure "ttl!Vie ing distances are (1)foregro nd =O-~-~mi~~ dis ance characterjstjcs are di us sed in Sectio~ ''I'"Mot ri sts wo~O v~IGa.ge cut and fi 11 areas.borro~ ~re proposed access route. it'S "tn e l. $our~:AdaPted from Exhibit E,Supplemental Information,Chap.8,Comment 2. .... ! ~ A~6M~Ua a~rgi<6 9L69" ua gjOUa t~6 147 0 W9a6" A~6M t~6 lana6ug CL66i<qL9~U_ CL66i<qL9~U9a6" Cj69L A~6M 0t t~6 D6gqWgU guq 6LOq6q aOjja \\ 1480 W1Lonuq 147 0 30'W W~qqj6aLonuq\pgci<- "\:OL6aLonuq A~6fo'l61.:a·VH~SS Road A~6M~~a-D4at9bc6:j:~=-n'OnsR1~~~o~;~IJEt=tIwbgq.j." z~aU~t~C9Ut A~6Ma 9Uq HiglW(~o~utah 1490 W 1480 30'W VCC6aa L09q (Iv)•WOtOL~ata bnjjott 9L69 (13) •vcc6aa L09q guq •WOtOL~ata ~~A6L ~PA P09t6La gJoua t~6 znaHug ~o •A~6Ma 0t L9jJL09q tgCjjjt~6a .~ .;:,(,jq t 66t)~DEVIL C.DAM r6aa t~9U '/w~ursfls<ltfiRiJ Rivl!iFc6aa •U9~.3Q1tW (~3 w~) 6Xt6Uq6q 9t bnjjotta • 8 w~Unt6a (~e w~)9Uq3" "-£ ~nL~:'Vqgbt6q tLOW EX~jPjt E'znbbj6W 6U t 9 j IUtOLWgt~OU'C~gb·8'CO WW6U t S· IStb]i~mb ,iWiljq pa q6b6bq8~:,115Gb ;1,150 at tqn6b eb9t:tE4!JSOJItJ (lont!,9aG ilb2ilCosm Ok qOAU2¥LbYW Q4F GCt4 0U tit tL§A6J·I C~9L9C~6 Alaska RaUroact A~6M.j.J rguqac9b6 VbbLOX~W9t6 DnL9t~ou .jj.l/ h 4~anL~tjOU 0t Aj6M pga6q ou tL9A6j a~~~ .J.~ Figure M-16.Significant Views and Visual Resource Impacts Along the Proposed Road and Rail Access Routes"lg~~em~ers ae@u~ey@~qto the viewpoints listed in Table M-5"Arrows indicate general direction of view.) Canyonlandscape(seeFig.M-17).ViewsfromtheWatanatoDevilCanyonaccessroadandthehigh-levelsuspensionbridgearedescribedinTableM-5andshowninFigureM-16.M.3.1.3.3RailAccesstoDevilCanyonThepresenceoftheproposed14-mi(23-km)long,31-ft(9.3-m)widerailspurbetweenGoldCreekandtheDevilCanyondamsitewouldresultinvisualimpactsalongtheSusitnaRiver.TherailalignmentwouldresiWI:t6<lIlllIctA:l~5!'i~flu~~~~olW.9itlfl~~lJllWItb1ltr~\>Oifuh;lt.hecolorandtextureofthenaturallyforestec:J~c:J~BlfJci:tlec!IJocf~gJcaJPoifg~ql3iTl5le~rlValll1~i\RecreationistsusingtheSusitnaRiverwouldbeabletoviewthescarificationontheslopesadjacenttotherailspur.Atr"eSel!t,t:lie,e;s110;lItelitiollofuS;I19t!,e,~il.SpUIfOIpublictlanspo,tation,thusthe1inewetJ1lra<1Wt{providemembersofthe.tlJM'l!j~C'fl,~41!WrAe(.JllZ8til!iortunities~J~~e\9'{re'l1t6l!e'1£81pe\!RP:li!l:\nlt-he$us1tnaR1vervalley.V1ewsfromthera11spuraredescnbed1n1~\1?3M~H~-~~iMllA11j8t"-'3I3~1?:/a)Q5ureM-16.69'16nor.t6.tadu2'19.ta3.a~'16qaa0'1:l6nor.t6.tadu2'19.ta3rno'1lgnrbn9.tx9.tn9rng92.TJJ9gbrH6n606T.rM314PT'..1='1't •'{6wrlgrH.."'6'9169gcbYfftr6n'6hgfls•m1SSlOnaj\fj;ljid"vri~r.t'1oqaa0'1:l6gnrbn9.tX9bn6gnff9ff.6'16Q.bfov9f.t.trJb'1.6wo.tnobn.6~99'1JorriDb'1.6wo.t'{.6wrlgrHThetemporaryvisualimpactsthatwouldoccurduringconst~ij«1j~9~theSusitnatransmissionlinefacilitieswouldbesimilarinnature.forall~egmentsqftheproposedcorridor.Theseimpa~s.6v1l9Bl&5l!6MJ1istof~eJ~s~ffi:!"&vdfl".tWO+~s~6~l'i~JjlnIe"'t.,gna~~f~aterialsduringconstructionofa~~qfi9~h~~,6~~iYef~roads,.transmi;S~.RllHljr\l;lfi.6t0XWtr~.tAgSct,ftJA~S~,.f\-b~~~,,and?uringthestri.ngi.ngoftfiecdRauctors.Thesev1suald1st~~~ancesw6~~bevlewed6~construct1onpersonnel,lnd1-vidua1sflyingoverthetransmission1ineroute,recreationists,personsatvariousvantagepointsal-oogHptffOijleH'accessrO'6dg6'8.m;v0~fhri;gtilwa~llt~:l"eenlbil~s.t~gt~e'vici-Mti1!6'rIHj;~h@Htroans-mis~ionline~~gmElJlts,andresidentsofC;9~munit(~.sjilg!:'.9!rbevarioyscorridorsE!9thE!Wt!s~Intf(Ja~t¥~n:lti61u£h~~e'9'l'.einporaryimpads'1,.6-eft~:lde{f~~di%i~Wt91:lf'M1g'1lfrSR~'Mlfl~~o'nfacilitieswou1dcreatelong-t~bR\;fVtb4Ht1nJl¥1pactsthat~~~rfj09iki~\olH6fWr.61;IlR9~~~o-nt.t~\Ji\~jX!9.1ifeofthefacilities.Theselong-termimpactsalongeachofthetraft6~~i0.m~~~r$MgMeRtJ.~representedinTableM-6andFiguresM-18throughM-21andarediscussedinmoredetailinthefollowjngsections..69'1.6abn6fqU.6nsn9H.o.t.tn9:l.6tb.6'19vrH.6n.6n9H9r1.tgnof.6gnrbn9.tx9.tn9rng92'TJJabn.6fqU6n.6n9H.£M3 1 4 1 D-t-GldCIcSb.60'1[[.6H.6~a.6fA9r1.t.Dnlibi;o'1rr~mg'leJ,o,0r'l~'i1l6~1J!~\n.6b60'1[[.6H.6~a6fA9r1.taaO'1:l.6gnrbn9.tx3.-[[6'1bn.6'19vrH6n.6n9H~99'1J~:loHb'1.6wo.tThetra~~~549~.6~Wersalongthe45-mi(72-km)longWatanaandDevilCanyondams-to-GoldCreek345-kVtransmissionlinesegmentwouldconsistprincipallyof100-ft(30-m)high,guyed,steel-pole,X-framestructures;spmesin~lesteel-polestructureswouldbeusedforanglesandareaswitf\9\.6te~~fS'Vo~9~Fig."t~~1~:~~berrtr~a'hffl~t.tW~~~1Rr~~~jJtga~~~q~.ft(90m)widebetweent.heWatanaandDev1lCanyonaams,ana'5i.6'H'C1~r\ll~rj'l'8exAA1~9rtP%~~11CanyondamandtheGoldCreeksubstation.ThetransmissionlinetowersandconductorswouldbesilhouettedagainsttheskylinefromvariousviewpointsalongtheWatana-to-DevilCanyondamaccessroadandrailspur~~~~:;~,~:::~~:~=~~7~~~Yi~:a~~t~i.tf~~rk~t.4~~~~~i·~~::~~o~r:o~~~c~~b~~g~~y.Ji9'l.6vJ.69H''..)19iA'!1<.6911aaO'1::l.6nor.6",1a'aU2''{r!sHvn\6'1l'd1'JTBn91~~•TableM-6anasnown1nF1gU'G'tjh'iHg9dn9r1.tbn6.69'16abn6fqU6n6n9Ho.t,nra6dbfuow9nrf9r1T.9g.6nr.6'1b~99'1J'{booMgnof.6bn9.tX9M.3.1.4.2GoldCreek-to-Fairbanks&tiEJl.J1Ial!lltt.t'19.tnIb9aoq0'1qf9ff.6'1.6qo.tnrg9dT_he.tr;~~smi~~i.fr'1.JJf!es~~mfnnJ.eJ<~~n~'11n~99\~5!lh~M~~~'1~91tDftIi&'9~~'ww~BJcP.CreekT§Jl~MGstiSl26JWitst~rlft~B!fl,1~~bJil~~A1j.e-tFa1rBan'1('s'~u~Qcons1§~nJl\<l~~~A%61~~)hh.@''JI9NltalJr6.tQbWll&0.p~@JZ'Po1e,X-frametowers.~~eclearedright-of-waywouldbe300ft(90m)wide.ThedistancaE8l!tweentowerstructuresalongtheproposedlinetypicallywouldbe1,300ft(390m).Adjacenttowerstructuresalongparallellineswouldbeabout115ft(35m)apart.BetweenGoldCreekandtheHealysUbstation,theproposedtransmissionlinewouldessentiallyparalleltheAnchorage-FairbanksIntertie;therefore,visualimpactscausedbytheSusitnaprojecttowerandlinep1aCemfA~~H'bhliln.f)y9tri¥Sostrttr~ht9QfHtR~~oroW@1fa\1(j~c@n~~lft:1:l)I9:Mc:t~ta,linnatl2'getH.tfi1lCllllYtl:liHealysubstatiOOlvt1ltheatenmi1lmB1.6\lldintBrJ1lI!Ia~'lI6a!i~lf$O,:le:~.elW1>y9~right-of-W~wdM'liberequi*r[[V'{9fni'>I:JM.aa.6Q'{bnrWo.tqugnrbn9.tx9bn.6'(9ff6V'19vhgnh'19V6'1T•.69'16Visua1reSA'd~5e<ff~~5l41d~Jlorf1:.1~JfJq'i"'l1¥n~il-S1(/:lcj.63'Vea4~'b.~f?b~g.<1t~i!fel.andsc'l)~J@RSlT'i5~ti!lI1\Ty~e,wherethe'-transmission11newouldextendacrossDenalibIDg"IlW-,)IiJICI!IO\~.6inful~9ltA~56f'{lMrltiillrists.Thisareahasbeenrecommendedbythestatefordesignationasascenichighwayarea.Also,thetranlMritrs9:lOO.61i'mlrlflauld1t!l@.6ff\rbl1Pa~ijlJ't)'flOOIgflta~Mflra,tlPr~~~Rr~.t2:'"'MlP.6E~Rm)awayfromtheGeorgeParksHighwayinthishighlyscenicregion.Thetransmis~~1)n)l~1?efa~sowouldbevisibleattwoAM.~ker,.6R~\t;Rq~bf1r~s.singsandfromportionsoftAAri'1iAillMWof~tft9jQ~rcellanddisposalareasbetween,G'61dg.w~ftf:landHurricane.BetweenCantwellandtheYanertFork,thetransmission1inewouldagainextendclosetotheGeorgeParksHighway.ThetransmissionlinewouldbehighlyvisiblealongtheIndianRiverintheAlaskaRangelandscape,andfromvariousvantagepointsalongtheeasternboundaryofDenaliNationalParkandtheGeorgeParksHighway.TheHealysubstationneartheAlaskaRailroadwouldbehighlyvisible.FromHealytoFairbanks,thetransmissionlinewouldextendthroughtheforestedTananaRidgeandtheNenanaUplandsland-scapecharactertypes,whileparallelingthel'oadnearHealy.Viewsofthetransm'issionlineandspecificvisualimpactsin.relationtothoseviewsareshowninFiguresM-18andM-19anddescrib~dinTableM-6...1H srUbnsbso'Y22S:>:>Snoy.nsJrrvsOojsnsJsWsriJmO'YT2WSrV.(\I-M.gr,SS2)sqs:>2bnsrno'{nsJ.aI-Ms'Yugr,nrnwori2bnse-MsrdsTnrbsdr'Y:>2sbS'YSsgbr'Ydnor2nsq2u2rsvsr-rigrrinoxnsJrrvsOoj22S:>:>ArrsRE.E.I.E.M~ss'YJbro<lnsswJsd'YUq2rrs'Ysbrw(m-E.e)JT-IE,gnor(m~-ES)rm-~IbS20qO'YqsriJTOs:>ns2s'YqsriTrrs'YsriT.'Ysvr51snJr2u2srlJgnors2J:>sqmrrSu2rvnrJrU2S'YbruowSJi"2msbnoy.nsJrrvsOsrijbnss'YuJxsJbns'YOr0:>sri.:trabtliEwMti51jr£j:{jrUrfJ(jWlnt6N;Jiea-t$o~9'4~uIlOr'R~r.A§bItlPpcu:1t&2s'YbruowJnsmngrrssrUgnr2U2J2rnorJss'Y:>s51A~If!Jst-h~s~ltQP~gTtN~Ift~i;ol!bslt~~f)i-aPf)sJ2S'YOTy'rrs'YuJsnsriJTO.'YUq2ri"s'YsriJojJns:>stbs2sqor2srlJnonoi"Js:>rThs:>2sriJwsrvojsrdssdbruow'Ysvr51snJr2u2~tHetlft!,noHfI!roqed:ei!:5ffdtl(:JlotitlqeFfJ!)i:"Iii![ldfetltodOi":i'd:!l:t"fOil2f:!ll:!lil:t,jd:!l2:!l1(:JfAsrl-j1nMc~sGfelr9!J6Ws1YllP-l~~C~12SrJrnuJ'Yoq~~~§liIiW~~,nl!l~!!mwrtsrlJTO2'Ysdmsmsbrvo'Yq~~,,lirl11§wsnrrGB(Dica~Ej(1-'1aBFAM~(S-~E~lnrbsdr'Y:>2sbS'YS'YUq2Irs'YsrlJmO'Yl2wsrV.y.sllsv'Ysvr51snJr2u2.aI-MS'YU1.TananaRidgeLCT•SegmentextendingfromEsterSubstationacrossParks•EsterSubstationarea•~~~~~~~lingandextendingacrossporti6WiiiF~a1Jk~nor22rm.2rt8rllna'Yft\"dlg~a~e·J·E.MHighwaytowardOhioCreekandontowardLittleGoldnor22rm2ns'Y.tsn.tr2u2sri.tSltlteMlalll;j~J2no:>gnhub'YU:>:>ObruowJsriJ2J:>sqmrrSU2rvy''Ys'YoqmsJsriTs2sriT.'Yobh'Yo:>bS20qO'YgsriJT92JnsmgS?r.rs'YOT.s'YuJsnnr'YSrrmr2sdbruow2sr~rrbsTsnrrnorJ:>U'YJ2no:>gnhub2rsr'Y9~~lsM;ng,.f"9Ififi:i~i1J~a¥2~"to~lfuG'9"!51fg;~~C9m<TOJ2tIMe!¥!~T~a2'¥.Jsqmrgn}gn.hJ2sri.tgnhu~bns.,~~M~~2~Mft.lJeIU\;tiPfm0ra.rcfh~rRM.~22.rm2ns'Y.t.,2bso'Y?~i.~I?a.~qdRt~~~<f.sTO-rbnr,rsnn02'YsqnorJ:>u'YJ2no:>'laDSwsrvsdbruow2s:>nsi:HLij2rbrSU2rvs2sriT.2'YoJ:>uoiro:>StUTOsgsJnsv2uor'Ysvjs2n02'Ysq,2J2rnorjss'Y:>s'Y,sJuo'Ysnrrnor22rm2ns'YJsrij'Ysvognry'rT2rsubrv-2n5rtjN§r1~atBi\!lU'rJl:m-r:>rv'9i$;g~t2~lidirig;..cbn5ll~wiltt!cirJ1iRlbvlbnNaeblYo'Y22S:>:>S'He'iaJTllqR~rs2jnroqnI)2!Wfur!t692'Yobh'Yo:>2\1ohsvsd,tB.':!pr!l.2.~JJi"num'l!Q;>TO2Jnsbr2s'Ybns,2JI'l~mg~_2snUnor22rmsjss'Y:>b ruow2SrjrrbSTn'of~~W~R%'Ylfrg~1tHeJwgiWfbP~\}9lf~~lja;~':>sqmry''Ys'YoqnisJe'9''l!~ri§ulbljcn~¥.tN;f>i.2Si".trrbSTsrlJTOSTfr•~Uliifffl9Ot~'b~R~~liIrlaisJla~l:I~ra1iaoa,ebtW»'rjsrij2j:>sq!¥l~nJrftlJt6*,la'lliI~j-gnora-MsrdsTnrbsjns2s'Yqs'YfM.iUtiI$lJgli11!lfllUYRN4liliaitteafjs'YJsriJTOri:>ssgnofs2J:>sqmrm'Ysj-gnors2sriT.2norj:>s2gntworrOTsrijnrri"sjsbs'YomnrbS22u:>2rbS'YSbnsIS-Mriguo'Yrij8I-M2s'Yugr,bns3.NenanaUplandsLCT•SegmentextendingalongtheNenanaRiveradjacentto•NenanaUplandsareatheAlaskaRailroad2"l1"r"aIjl.IEM•ExtendingacrosstheAlaskaRailroadanJ~.aIri,[ilJP"boUA~J5k~m~ilroadand•towardRockCreekNenanaRiverandrai1-~ss'YJbro<l-oj-2msbnoy.nsJrrvsobnssnsjsW.gnor(m~-S\)rm-e~sriJgnors2'YSWQibatBIQ:~asjitl¥-ls'YjsriT-rssj2,bsy.ug,rigrri(m-OE)j't-OOITOy'rrsqbnhqj2r2no:>bruowJnsmgs2snrrnor22rm2ns'YjV~-e~E2SS'YSbns2srgns'YoTbS2UEsdb(uow2S'YUj:>U'Yj2sroq-rssj2Sr~nr2smO.2;2S'YUj:>U'Yj2sms'YT-X,sroqSri..j.nsswjsdsbrw(mOe)fT.~9~~~agJ!(a~~"{R~~~~~~f~~'tln~dr~:~~~~:1'1.gf1~e~0~Pc!1~8~HetHrwb(o<l9rijbnsmsbnoy.nsJrr~;dl41ie~.m.y9Bfvt.i~lYiW·I5'ft'6~"tlns,2ms't>noy.nsJrrvsObnssnsjsWsrijJ2nrsgsbsjJsuorirr2sdbruow2'Yoj:>ubno:>bns2'Yswojsnrrnor22rm2ns'YjsriT.norJsj2du2~ss'YJ'YUq2rrs'Ybnsbso'Y22S:>:>Smsbnoy.nsJrrvsO-oj-snsjsWsrijgnors2jnroqwsrv2uor'YsvmO'YTsnrry'~2y.rrigrrisdbruow'Yobh'Yo:>'flStenfldR9"~rqS!b~~#,:;s~~ai~~sa~~MJ1't16ili'l1¥NT.~~l~klt1~i9JrIljld.foil1~bnsnrbsdh:>2SbS'YS2'YSWO.t.~~~;~gr~~r~~g~~~O~~~orinjadPos~1fe~~~r~Qsjo~..:~n'llPJaRiIlmr~~?~!l!Vbas1n.toNenanaUplandsareaandthenbegi*Ji~t!oYUgr,nrnl1'MY26Wl;a M s rdsTextendalongMoodyCreekdrainage.ThelinewouldbegintoparallelproposedIntertttne~32~nsd'Yrs,-oj-~ss'YJbro[)S.~.1.E.M21:rn.1:noHs:tirlua~ss'YJh..~::l~t~~.~(1B'll.~)rmeRIonrbflsjxs.tnsmqs2sn[Jn.Qr22rm~~5'Yj.sriT...·r"R"lr"5~~"Kane"LLT..rrj'"S~~l!~e_Og'T'tA!rdl.Mooa.¥C'reelCllr~lnaae.Montaa.:J'JNo~sl.te-sp"~JlCylew-j,soC('Su§ifP'loa~Qtam6ek'aia!anU'Aa6ffilng€r2nO:>ulUaw2>1nSOrs-,~TrQ~o<j1den'timm"l9nsswieea~:>nsj2rbsriT.sbrw(mDe)3TDOEsdbruowy'SW-To-jrigr'YbS'Yssr:>s~f.2'YSWOJsms'YT-X'YswoJjns:>stbA.(mDeE)jTOOE,Isdbruowy'rrs:>rqy'jsnrrbS20qO'YqsriJgnors2s'Yuj:>uij2'YswojsriJbos~se'YJbroClnsswJg8,J'Ysq5(meE)jTelljuodssdbruow2snrrrsrrs'Ysqgnors2S'YUj:>U'Yj2-sgs'Yori:>nA9MrSrrS'Y6q'lrr6fJos22sbruowsnrrnor22rm2nS'YjbS20qO'YqsriJ,noi"JsJ2du2y'rssHsnrrbns'YSWOJJ:>sto'Yq6n.tfau2eriJy'dbS2US:>2j:>sqmrf6u2rv,S'YOTs'YsriJ;srj'YsJnI2~nsd'Yrs,§f:IjYRmiltRigEn:JJsnnrf.s$~'l_el(lf~mn@li'laib's'WPlf'b'fORerfaftsR1Qeyf1~~II'YJ22W~ey{}flfiJ&N~~:>sfqsdtYfI~OW!lSW-TO-Jrigh~e~lJi.Ms'CJ'lll"c,O;!!I~oom.:'601ftiesnajarib/lfansrillrlltw';ssrij()'jvlOOrjsj2du2y'rssH•TraversingrivervalleyandextendinguptoWindyPass•McKinleyVill~rups'Yarea,slG'lTll1I!ilt~"R'ailOle!l~':>2bnsJ9'egm&1tP@Q£IJ!lCflRdiCf8stsf'taPfh:t:efol!lWn~!~fp~Y.~l1H~~~brlJ!C~r.lbStt~A2s'YrSU2rV.2J2h~l1indyTeaH9l\11ea)ruTnra8lflMII§ka(.~fl~drrsn90220'Y;)SbnsJxsbluowsnrrnor22rmans'Y-.:rsrijs'Ysriwsrij,o2rA.SS'YSy'swrigrri:>rns:>2S2Snoi".tsngr2sb'YOT9Jsj2grl.t'ldbsbnsmmo:>9'Yneed26ri6S'YSarriTsg'Yos<lsrl.tmO'YTy.sws(m51!fI~aCflM't:st~hffl{lAiqJ1JtmP@B~s~g_<ff.J~~'mthl\la§l!PbfutloJlli~pamh~n6'YjowjJsSrdr2rvsdbruowofrsl~~Pf(n~~~2rm2ns'YjsriT.norgs'Y:>rns:>2'lrrlgrri2rriJnry'swrigrH2~'Ysq2SS'YSrS20q2rbbnsffS~'Y!~d~10~6&l~i~TO2norj'YoqmO'YTbnsagnr2F~lndfPRJJ~~a~~fJ~snrrnor22rm2ns'YJsrlJ,)ho,J'YsnsYsrijbnsrfswjnsJnsswjsB.sns:>h'YuHbnscl-85ls"fMgbr6TInsswJ90y'rrigrrisdbruowsnrrnor22rm2ns'YjsriT.y.swrigrH2~'YSqsg'Yos<lsri.:tojsaar:>bnsJxsnrsg.6bruow2Jnroqsgsjnsv2uor'YsvmO'YTbns,sqs:>2bnsrsgns51s~2sfAsriJnr'Ysvr51nsrbnIsrijgnorsSrdr2rvy'rssHsriT.y'swrigrHa~'Ysqslhos<lsriJbns~'Ysqfsnorjs\l1rrsnsOTOy''Ysbnuodn'YsJ2sssrijgnorssriJ,2~nsd'Yrs,ojy'rssHmo'Y'.sfdr2rvy'frigrrisdbruowbso'Yrrs51s~2srAsrij'YssnnorJsJ2du2-bnsr2bnsrqUsnsns\!1sriJbnssgbr51snsfisTbSJ2S'YOTsriJriguo,riJbnsjxsbruowsnrfnor22rm2ns'YJsnfrnor22rm2ns'YJsrUTO2wsrV.Y.fS9H1ssnbso'lsriJgnfrsrrs'Ysqsrrriw,2Sqy'j'Ysj:>s'Ysri:>sqS:>2bnseI-Mbns81-M2s'Yugr,nrnwori2S'YS2wsrvS20rijojnorJsfs'Ynr2J:>sqmrrSu2rv:>rTr:>sq2bns.a-MsrdsTnrb~dr'Y:>2sb ViewersAffectedHighwaytravelersHighwaytravelersHighwaytravelersHighwaytravelersRiverrecreationistsRecreationistsHighwaytravelersHighwayandrailroadtravelersRiverrecreationists,railroadandhighwaytravelersHighwayandrailroadtravelersandrecrea-tionistsRailtravelersandriverrecreationistsResidentsandhigh-wayandrailroadtravelersOccasionalback-countryrecreationistsandhuntersRiverrecreationistsandboatersResidentsandtouristsResidentsandhighwayandrailroadtravelersHighwayandrail-roadtravelersWindyPassresi-dents,highwayandrailroadtravelers,riverboatersViewingDistancet2Foreground/middlegroundForeground/middlegroundMiddlegroundMiddleground/backgroundForegound/middlegroundMiddleground/backgroundMiddleground/backgroundMiddleground/backgroundForeground/middleground•Foreground/middlegroundForegroundForeground/middlegroundForeground/middle-ground/backgroundForeground/middlegroundMiddlegroundForeground/middlegroundForeground/middleground•Foreground/middlegroundM-55VisualResourceImpactEsterSubstationandlineextendingacrosshighwaywouldbeinfullviewoftravelers.Linewouldbeviewedextensivelybytravelerswhereitparalleledthehighwayandcrosseditin2locations.Therewouldbe6scenicoverlooksalongthissectionofhighwaywhereviewsofthelinewouldbeverynoticeable.Linewouldbeviewedbytravelersalongmostoftheseg-mentsandwouldbeviewedfrom2scenicoverlooks.·Linewouldbegintoextendawayfromthehighway,withlimitedviewingpotential.Linewouldbeviewedbyrecreationistsusingtheriverandfromanearbyrecreationsite.Linewouldbeviewedmainlybypersonsusingtheareafordogsleddingactivities.Linewouldbeviewedintermittentlybyhighwaytravelers.Highwayandrailtravelerswouldintermittentlyviewthelineinthedistance.RailroadandhighwaytravelersandriverrecreationistswouldbeabletoviewthelineextendingalongandacrosstheNenanaRivervalley.Thelinemightbeseenfromvariousscenichighwayturnoutsandadjacenttoabout8mioftheAlaskaRailroad.Thelinewouldparallelabout8to10mioftheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroadinagenerallyopenareaeasilyviewedbytravelers.Thelinecouldalsobeviewedfrom2scenicturnoutsand2recreationsiteswithin1to3miofthetransmissionroute.DirectviewoflineextendingoverAlaskaRailroadandNenanaRiver.HealySubstationandassociatedtransmissionlinesandtowerswouldbehighlyvisibletolocalresidentsandhighwayandrailtravelers.LocalresidentswouldalsobeabletoviewlineextendingintotheSugarLoafMoun-tainarea.Nosignificantsite-specificimpactsanticipatedforground-levelviewers.However,tourandhuntingguideservicesfeellinewoulddisruptaerialviewsforhuntersandtourists.Occasionalback-countryrecrea-tionistsandhunterswouldbeabletoviewthelinefromvariousvantagepointswithintheSugarLoafMountainarea.RafterswouldviewlineextendingacrosstheYanertRivervalleyarea.LinesegmentwithintherivervalleywouldbevisiblefromMcKinleyVillage.TravelersandresidentswouldviewlineinCarloCreekarea.HighlyvisibleattimestohighwaytravelersasthelineparalleledthehighwayandPanoramaMountainthroughoutWindyPass.Littlevegetationscreeningpresent.LinewouldbevisibletohighwayandrailtravelersandNenanaRiverboaters. M-56TableM-6.Continued.LandscapeCharacterType(LCT)t1TransmissionLineSegmentViewpoints7.BroadPassLCT8.ChulitnaRiverValleyLCT9.ChulitnaMoistTundraUplandsLCT10.Mid-SuitnaRiverValleyLCT(northernsection)DAMS-TO-GOLDCREEKSEGMENT11.MidSusitnaRiverValleyLCT(centralsection)SegmentextendingoverNenanaRiverandacrossReindeerHills,DenaliHighway,andJackRiverParallelingSummitLakeareawithin1miExtendingalongandthencrossingtheMiddleForkoftheChulitnaRiverExtendingwithin1mioftheBroadPasscommunityandparallelingParksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadSegmentextendingacrosstheEastForkoftheChulitnaRiverandthenparallelingthebankoftheriverParallelingtheParksHighway(within~to1milExtendingalongtheParksHighwayandcrossingHonoluluCreekParallelingtheParksHighway(within1milandcrossingHurricaneGulch,thenextendingsouthbetweenChulitnaButteandtheChulitnaMountainsSegmentextendingthroughChulitnaPassareawithin~mioftheAlaskaRailroadandcrossingtheIndianRivernearthecommunityofChulitnaExtendingsouth,crossingtheSusitnaRiverandextend-inginasouthwesterlydirectionneartheSusitnaRivertowardGoldCreekExtendingtotheGoldCreekSubstationExtendingfromGoldCreekSubstationtowardDevilCanyonDamwithintheSusitnaRiverValleyCantwe11areaSummitLakeareaBroadPassvalleyCommunityofBroadPassEastForkChulitnaRiverForkscampground/restareaHonoluluCreekarea•HurricaneGulcharea•ChulitnaPassarea•SusitnaRiverarea•GoldCreekarea•SusitnaRiverarea12.DevilCanyonLCT13.ChulitnaMoistTundraUplandsLCT14.SusitnaRiverLCTExtendingacrosstheSusitnaRivertotheeastof•DevilCanyondamareaPortageCreekintheDevilCanyonareaExtendinginanortheasterlydirectiononthetundraup-•UplandTundraarealandspasttheHighLakeareatoDevilCreek,extendingacrosstheupperportionofDevilCreekandtheneasttowardtheWatanadamareaExtendingacrossTsusenaCreekandterminatingatthe•WatanadamareaWatanadamsubstationGOLDCREEK-TO-ANCHORAGESEGMENT15.Mid-SusitnaRiverSegmentextendingfromtheGoldCreekSUbstationinaValleyLCT(southernwesterlydirectionparaileltotheSUsitnaRiverandsection)crossingGoldCreektowardtheTalkeetnaUplandsarea•SusitnaRiverarea ViewersAffectedViewingDistancet2Residents,high-Foreground/middlegroundwayandrailroadtravelersHighwayandrailroadMiddlegroundtravelersHighwayandrailroadBackgroundtravelersResidents,high-ForegroundwayandrailroadtravelersRiverrecreationistsForegroundHighwaytravelers,Foregroundcampers,recreationistsHighwayandrailroadForeground/middlegroundtravelersHighwayandrailroad•MiddlegroundtravelersResidentsand•ForegroundrailroadtravelersBoatersandrecrea-•Foreground/middlegroundtionistsResidentsand•MiddlegroundrailroadtravelersWatanaandDevil•Foreground/middlegroundCanyondamprojectpersonnelDevilCanyondam•Foreground/middlegroundprojectpersonnelandrecreationistsWatanaandDevil•Foreground/middlegroundCanyondamprojectpersonne1andrecreationistsWatanaandDevil•Foreground/middlegroundCanyondamprojectpersonnel,residents,andrecreationistsBack-countryrecrea-•BackgroundtionistsM-57VisualResourceImpactLinewouldbeinfullviewofDenaliHighwaytravelers,residentsofCantwell,andfromalongOldAirportRoad.Viewsoftowersandclearedright-of-wayaslineextendedoverReindeerHills.Viewsfromtrainwouldbedirectedtowardlines.LinewouldbeviewedfromhighwayandrailroadwhereitextendedacrosstheChultnaRivervalley.LinewouldbeviewedfromtheBroadPasscommunityarea.LinewouldbeviewedbyrecreationistsusingtheE.ForkoftheChulitnaRiver.Linewouldbeviewedfromrestareabecauseoflimitedscreening.Becauseofproximityoflineandscatteredvegetationalscreening,thelinewouldbeviewedfromportionsofParksHighway(proposedscenicdesignation)andtheAlaskaRailroad.HurricaneGulchisanoutstandingnaturalfeatureviewedbytravelersalongtheParksHighwaypulloff.Clearedright-of-waywouldbeviewedfrompulloffarea.LinewouldbeinviewofChulitnaresidentsandAlaskaRailroadtravelersbecauseofsparsevegetationalscreeningathighelevations.LinewouldbeviewedbynumerousriverboatersandrecreationiststravelingalongtheSusitnaRiver,causingadisruptioninthenaturalriverboatingexperience.OccasionalviewsofthelinebyGoldCreekresidentsandrajltravelerswouldoccurwherevegetationalscreeningisinadequate.LinewouldbeviewedbyWatanaandDevilCanyonper-sonnelalongtheentirerailaccessroute.LinewouldbeviewedbyDevilCanyondampersonnelandbyrecreationistsvisitingthedamsiteandtravelingtotheHighLakeLodgearea.LinewouldbeviewedbyDevilCanyonandWatanadampersonnelandbyrecreationiststravelingalongtheaccessroad.LinewouldbeviewedbyWatanadampersonnel,Watanasettlementresidents,andrecreationistsandothersvisitingtheWatanadamsite.Linewouldbeviewedbyrecreationistsintheback-countryareaofGoldCreek. M-58TableM-6.Continued.LandscapeCharacterType(LCT)t1TransmissionLineSegmentViewpoints16.TalkeetnaMountains(LowlandsandUplands)LCT17.SusitnaRiverLow-landsLCT18.AnchorageLCTBelowGoldCreekextendinginasouthwesterlydirec-tiontowardDeadhorseandLakecreeksandthenextend-inginasoutherlydirectiontowardChunilnaCreekExtendingacrossChunilnaCreekinasoutherlydirec-tiontowardtheTalkeetnaRiverandextendingtothewestofMamaBearandPapaBearLakesSegmentextendingacrosstheTalkeetnaRiverPassingwithin~miofthesouthwesterncornerofLarsonLakeandextendingacrossAnswer,Montana,andGoosecreeksExtendingbetweenthecommunityofCaswellandCaswellLakeandcrossingCaswellCreek•ExtendingacrosstheKashwitnaRiverandparallelingtheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroad(within1to2milExtendingtoHealySubstationt3ExtendingacrosstheAlaskaRailroadandParksHigh-waytowardproposedWillowCreekrecreationareaExtendinginasoutherlydirectionfromParksHighwayandbisectingproposedWillowCreekRecreationAreaExtendingthroughthelowlandstothewestoftheNancyLakeStateRecreationAreaExtendingthroughtheSusitnaFlatsStateGameRefugeandtowardPt.McKenzieandtheKnikArmofCookInletSegmentextendingfromKnikSubstationtoAlaskaRail-roadcrossingExtendingfromnorthofAnchorage,aroundtheFortRichardsonarea,alongtheGlennHighway,MuldoonandTudorstreets,terminatingattheAnchorageSubstationCurryRidge•ChunilnaCreekareaTalkeetnaRiverarea•LarsonLakeareaCaswellResidentialareaKashwitnaRiverareaWillowSubstationandFishHook-WillowRoadWillowCreekBridgeExistingandproposedWillowCreekRecreationArea•IditarodTrailcross-ings(andothertrailcrossings)LittleSusitnaStateRecreationRivercrossingKnikBottomlandareaAnchorageareat1LandscapecharactertypesaredescribedinTablesM-2andM-3.t2Viewingdistancesare:(1)Foreground=O-~-~mi,(2)Middleground=~-~--3-5mi.,(3)Background=3-5mi.--infinity(U.S.ForestService,1973).ViewingdistancecharacteristicsarediscussedinSectionM.2,TableM-l.t3TransmissionlinewouldessentiallyparalleltheproposedAnchorage-FairbankstransmisionlinefromHealy(locatedwithintheNenanaUplandsLCT)toWillow(locatedwithintheSusitnaRiverLowlandsLCT).Conversion:Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61.Source:AdaptedfromExhibitE,SupplementalInformation,Chap.8,Comment7. M-59TableM-6.ContinuedjViewersAffectedBack-countryrecrea-tionistsRecreationistsBoatersandriverrecreationistsLakerecreationistsResidentsWaterrecreationistsResidentsandhighwaytravelersHighwayandrailroadtravelers•Recreationists•Recreationists•RecreationistsRailroadtravelersUrbanresidents,highwaytravelers,recreationistsViewingDistancet2Background•Foreground/middlegroundForeground/middleground•Foreground/middlegroundMiddlegroundForegroundForeground/middleground•MiddlegroundForeground/middlegroundForeground/middleground•Foreground/middlegroundForegroundForegroundVisualResourceImpactLinewouldbeinfullviewfromCurryRidgeinDenaliStatePark,adverselyimpactingtheviewsofback-countryrecreationists.Heavyvegetationcovermightlimitviewsoflineextend-ingacrossthecreek.However,viewswouldoccurwherethelineextendedacrosstrailsandwaterwaysleadingtolocalresidences.Also,visualimpactscouldoccurwherethelineextendedacrosssoutheasterncorneroftheChaseII,UnitIVsubdivisionandforlandparcelsnearwherethelinewouldbisecttheWestTalkeetnaBluffsaddition.ThelinewouldbehighlyvisibletoboatersandriverrecreationistsasitextendedacrosstheTalkeetnaRiver,consideredanimportantrecreationalresource.Linewouldbewithin~miofthesouthernportionofLarsonLakeandwouldbeviewedfromthewaterandtheproposedLarsonLakedevelopmentarea;linewouldalsobeviewedasitextendedupwardalongaridge,sil-houettedagainsttheAlaskaRange.Linewouldbewithin1miofCaswell.Linewouldbevisiblealongashortsegmentoftheriver.Ingeneral,densevegetationcoveringtheareawouldminimizevisualimpacts.SubstationandtransmissionlinewouldbevisibleintheWillowarea,especiallyatresidencesalongFishHook-WillowRoadduetolackofvegetationalscreening.Ingeneral,vegetationwouldscreenthelinefromhigh-wayandrailtravelersexceptfromcertainanglesoveropenbogareasandwherethelineextendsacrossWillowCreek.LinewouldbelocatedtothenorthoftheexistingWillowCreekRecreationAreaandwouldextendthroughamajorportionoftheproposedrecreationarea.LinewouldbeinfullviewofpersonsusingtheIditarodTrail,aswellas6otherrecreationtrailswithinthearea.LinewouldbeviewedbyrecreationistsusingtheLittleSusitnaRiver.LinewouldbeadjacenttotheAlaskaRailroadforabout3miandwouldcrossit.Linewouldbeviewedfromroads,residentialareas,andrecreationareasalong about5miofGlennHighway,theaccessroadtotheArcticBowlrecreationarea,thebordersofFt.RichardsonandElmendorfAirForceBase,andMuldoonandTudorstreets. M-60--..__.......~:-.~:::~z-i-......FigureM-17.Artist'sRenditionoftheProposedDevilCanyonHigh-LevelSuspensionBridge.[Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE8B] M-61zo,.-------------------------::--;--:"'1It)~'J~7',~zCPin>~ii:00~c:co0~c:.~e0~\t-o~o'\O~zbn0~~~CD.').iP~c0cz~ino~~~zo;b\,\.~-_.-.-._--.r·_·~~-·UGNITE...-",'\,-,-,,---,4~_..'-'"~-HEALY.1\~L._._._.~.12Miles__.AlaskaRailroad_____Highway___TransmissionLines..FigureM-18.SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedFairbanks-to-HealyTransmissionLineSegment.(NumbersarekeyedtolandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-6.Arrowsindicategeneraldirectionofview.) M-62DENALINATIONALPARKzin0.....t')toZ0..----....-,1:."'7-----------.,~.\312Miles,S,..7..-;1',,_,.....1J......__..-""1'.II\•I,,II~...~_JI_..-..,'"zot')tozino~+-__--..lE.:~--......J!L..QGQ6!JLD~CBJRE~E~K~-__.=::::::::::!......:.:~:.:.:...~.:....----f."150030'W1500W149°30'W1490W148°30'W1480W__.AlaskaRailroad_____Highway___TransmissionLinesFigureM-19.SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedHealy-to-GoldCreekandDams-to-GoldCreekTransmissionLineSegments.(Numbersarekeyedtoland-scapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-6.Arrowsindicategeneraldirectionofview.) M-63TalkeetnaRiver....CP>a::17oc:+'"iii~(f)oNtozN0"-Ntozz~NoN<012Mileszz(0Or')N<0zOJoVN<0z(0o~+-~-..tAi~--l..JJ.l.::.:.~:....-...:Wl.!..l:~....:.,r------~~"'T"'-------;:1<0151° W150°30'W150°W149°W148°30'Wot"l<0__.AlaskaRailroad_____Highway___TransmissionLinesFigureM-20.SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedGoldCreek-to-WillowTransmissionLineSegment.(NumbersarekeyedtolandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-6.Arrowsindicategeneraldirectionofview.) M-64ZoN.,..------------ftIIrl.........---------------.,eozino~.....eoz<:>0""r-(0j)CookInletzor-eo12Mileszin~",0, ,0eo151° W150030'W1500W149°30'W1490W__.AlaskaRailroad_____Highway___TransmissionlinesFigureM-21.SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactsAlongtheProposedWillow-to-AnchorageTransmissionLineSegment.(NumbersarekeyedtolandscapecharactertypeslistedinTableM-6.Arrowsindicategeneraldirectionofview.) M-65FigureM-22.AerialViewofExistingTransmissionLineSimilarinSizeandTowerDesigntothatoftheProposedSusitnaTransmissionLineSystem.[Source:ExhibitE,Vol.8,AppendixE8D,Photos8.D.11and8.D.12]M.3.1.4.3GoldCreek-to-AnchorageSegmentThetransmissionlinesegmentextending145mi(233km)fromtheGoldCreeksubstationtotheterminuspointinAnchoragewouldconsistofthesametypeoftowerstructuresasdiscussedinSectionM.3.1.4.2.Theright-of-wayclearingwouldbe400ft(120m)wide.BetweenGoldCreekandtheWillowsubstation,theproposedtransmissionlinewouldparalleltheAnchorage-FairbanksTransmissionIntertie,andthusvisualimpactscausedbytheSusitnaprojecttowerandlineplacementwouldbeonlyincrementalinnature.Acompletelynewright-of-waywouldberequiredfromtheWillowsubstationtotheterminuspointinAnchorage.MajorvisualresourceimpactsbetweenGoldCreekandAnchoragewouldincludethoseintheTalkeetnaMountainslandscapearea,wherethetransmissionlinewouldbeinfullviewfromCurryRidgeinDenaliStateParkandwouldbehighlyvisibleasitextendedacrosstheTalkeetnaRiver,consideredtobeanimportantrecreationresourcewithinthestate.IntheChulitnaRiverlandscapeareathetransmissionlinewouldbevisiblefromtheGeorgeParksHighway.BetweenWillowandAnchorage,thetransmissionlinecorridorwouldbevisiblemainlyfromtheair.WithinthegreaterAnchoragearea,fromtheKnikArmtotheterminuspoint,thetrans-missionlinewouldessentiallyparallelanexistingtransmissionlineandwouldnotsignifi-cantlyaffectthevisualresourcesofthearea.ViewsofthetransmissionlineandspecificvisualimpactsinrelationtothoseviewsareshowninFiguresM-20andM-21anddescribedinTableM-6.M~3.2SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesM.3.2.1AlternativeDamLocationsandDesignsTheconstructionandoperationofalternativesinvolvingWatanaI,theReregulatingdamandModifiedHighDevilCanyonwouldresultinessentiallythesametypeofvisualresourceimpactsdiscussedinSectionsM.3.1.1andM.3.1.2.ThesefacilitieswouldproduceasignificantchangeintheimageandcharacteroftheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea,especiallyintheSusitnaRiverValleyandDevilCanyonlandscapecharactertypes.Thedamstructures,associatedfacilities,andreservoirswouldmodifythevisualcharacteroftheareafromthatofaremoteandlargelyundisturbedrivervalleyandcanyonareatooneofgreaterhumanactivity,develop-ment,anddisturbance.Inaddition,theHighDevilCanyonalternativewouldinundateTsusenaFalls(ExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,TableE.10.19). M-66M.3.2.2AlternativeAccessRoutesConstructionactivitiesalongthenorthernandsouthernalternativeaccessrouteswouldresultintemporaryvisualdisturbancessimilartothosediscussedinSectionM.3.1.3.Inaddition,atemporarylow-levelbridgeacrosstheSusitnaRiverwouldberequiredduringtheconstructionphaseofthesouthernalternativeroute.Constructionactivitiesandthedisturbanceofthenatura1 1andscapewouldbeviewedbyconstructionpersonne1,occasiona1recreationistsinthearea,andindividualsflyingovertheaccessroutes.Inasimilarfashiontotheproposedaccessroute,thealternativerouteswouldrequirecutandfilloperations,vegetationremoval,andborrowareasthatwouldreiultinlong-termvisualimpactsduetolandscarification.Inparticular,the48-mi(77-km)northernaccessroutealternative(Corridor1)wouldimpactthenatura1 1andscapefromHurricane(alongtheGeorgeParksHighway),acrosstheIndianRiver,paralleltothescenicPortageCreekareaatahighelevation,andacrossthetundrauplandstowardtheWatanaDamsiteareacrossingDevilandTsusenaCreeks.The7-mi(11-km)DevilCanyonroadspur(toservetheproposedDevilCanyonProject)wouldextendacrossmountainousterrainandresultinextensivesidehillcuttinginthePortageCreekarea.Thesouthernaccessroutealternative(Corridor2)wouldconsistofa12-mi(19-km)railspurgenerallyparallelingthesouthsideoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenGoldCreekandDevilCanyon,a35-mi(56-km)accessroadfromtheDevilCanyondamsiteareatotheWatanadamsiteanda20-mi(32-km)roadfromtheDevilCanyondamsitetotheGeorgeParksHighwaynearHurricane.TheroadportionofthealternativeroutewouldmakeasoutherlyloopawayfromtheSusitnaRiverValleyandthenextendacrosstheSusitnaRiveratapointapproximately12-mi(19-km)downstreamoftheWatanadamsite.Thisaccessroutewouldresultinvisualresourceimpactsfromextensivesidehillcuttingintheruggedareabetweenthetwodamsitesandtheneedforalow-levelbridgeacrosstheSusitnaRiver.Inasimilarfashionasdiscussedforthenorthernalternativeroute,visualimpactswouldalsooccurfromtheconstructionandoperationofanaccessroadandhighlevelsuspensionbridgefromtheDevilCanyondamsitetotheGeorgeParksHighwaynearHurricane.Thesuspensionbridgewouldrequireextensivegradinganddisruptionofnatural1andforms.AsdiscussedpreviouslyinSectionM.3.1.3,newaccessroutesintheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinwouldprovideforpanoramicviewsfromthehighwayattheexpenseofdetractingfromthenaturalsceneforrecreationistsinthearea.M.3.2.3AlternativePowerTransmissionLineRoutesTemporaryvisualimpactsduringtheconstructionofanyofthealternativetransmissionlineroutesegments[includingthoseidentifiedbyWakefield(1983)]wouldbesimilartothosedescribedinSectionM.3.1.4.Sensitiveviewingareasthatmightbeimpactedbythelong-term,permanentplacementoftransmissionlineright-of-waysupporttowers,conductors,accessroads,andsubstationfacilitiesalongthevariousalternativetransmissionroutesegmentsaredescribedinTableM-7.ThetransmissionlineroutesegmentsareshowninFigures2-14through2-16.M.3.2.4AlternativeBorrowSitesSevenborrowsitesandthreequarrysitesarebeingconsideredfordamconstructionmaterials(Figs.2-2and2-6).Ingeneral,thevisualresourceimpactscausedbytheestablishmentofaborrowareaaredescribedinSectionsM.3.1.1andM.3.1.2.Inparticular,sixoftheborrowareas(A,C,D,E,F,andH)wouldbevisuallydegradedinappearancebecauseofthescarifica-tionofnaturalfeaturescausedbytheremovalofvegetation,gravel,rock,andoverburden.Also,twoborrowareaslocatedalongTsusenaCreek(SiteC)andadjacenttoFogCreek(SiteH)wouldrequiretheconstructionofhaulroads,furtherdegradingviewsofthesurroundingnaturalfeatures.Fourborrowareas(B,I,J,andL)wouldbeeventuallyinundatedbytheWatanaandDevilCanyonReservoirs,resultinginnolong-termvisualimpacts.M.3.3Non-SusitnaGenerationAlternativesM.3.3.1Natural-Gas-FiredGenerationScenarioEachofthe200-MWcombined-cycleunitsandthe70-MWcombustion-turbineunitsinthenatural-gas-firedgenerationscenariowouldconsistofamainpowerplantbuildingandassociatedsupportstructuresonabouta5-acre(2-ha)site.SpecificvisualresourceimpactswoulddependontheactualsitinglocationoftheplantfacilitieswithintheproposedBeluga,Kenai,andAnchorageareas.Potentialviewersimpactedmightincludehighwaymotorists,recreationists,orlocalresidents.Impactsmightoccurfromviewsoftheplantstructure,smokestack[about75ft(23m)high],anyhazardwarninglights(e.g.,strobes)locatedonthestack,anddependingoncoolingtowerdesignandatmosphericconditions,watervaporplumesemanatingfromthecoolingtowers.Ifwet-drycoolingtowersareused,nosignificantvaporplumesareanticipated.Inaddition,visualimpactsmightoccuralongthegaslineandpowertransmissionlineright-of-waysthatwouldbenecessarytoconnectthepowerplantwithexistingutilityfacilities.However,itisanticipatedthattheproposedpowerplantswouldbelocatedwithin10mi(16km)ofexistingutilitysystemstherebyminimizingthepotentialforsignificantvisualimpacts. M-67TableM-7.SignificantViewsandVisualResourceImpactAreasAlongtheAlternativePowerTransmissionRouteSegmentsRouteSegmentNorthernStudyArea(Fairbanks-to-Healy)1.ABC(ProposedRoute)2.ABDC3.AEDC4.AEFCentralStudyArea(UpperandMiddleSusitnaRiverBasin)1.ABCD2.ABECD3.AJCF4.ABCJHI5.ABECJHI6.CBAHI7.CEBAHI8.CBAG9.CEBAG10.CJAG11.CJAHI12.JA-CJHI13.ABCF14.AJCD(ProposedRoute)15.ABECFSouthernStudyArea(Wi1low-to-Anchorage)1.ABC'2.ADFC(ProposedRoute)3.AEFCLength(Miles)t19086115105404541778268739095866970414145733839VisualResourceImpactArea3crossingsofParksHwy.;NenanaRiver-scenicarea3crossingsofParksHwy.;highvisibilityinopenflats1crossingofParksHwy.;highvisibilityinopenflatsHighvisibilityinopenflatsFogLakes;StephanLake;proposedaccessroadFogLakes;StephanLake;proposedaccessroad;highcountry(Prairie&ChulitnaCreekdrain-ages)andviewshedofAlaskaRangeViewshedofAlaskaRangeandHighLake;proposedaccessroadFogLakes;StephanLake;proposedaccessroad;viewshedofAlaskaRangeFogLakes;StephanLake;HighLake;proposedaccessroad;viewshedatAlaskaRangeFogLakesandStephenLake;proposedaccessroad;TsusenaButte;viewshedofAlaskaRangeFogLakesandStephenLake;proposedaccessroad;highcountry(Prairie-ChunilnaCreeks);TsusenaButte;viewshedofAlaskaRangeFogLakes;StephenLake;accessroad;scenicareaofDeadmanCreek;viewshedofAlaskaRangeFogLakes;StephenLake;proposedaccessroad;highcountry(PrairieandChunilnaCreeks);DeadmanCreek;viewshedofAlaskaRangeHighLakesarea;proposedaccessroad;DeadmanCreekdrainage;viewshedofAlaskaRangeHighLakesarea;proposedaccessroad;viewshedofAlaskaRangeHighLakesarea;proposedaccessroad;TsusenaButte;viewshedofAlaskaRangeFogLakes;StephanLake;proposedaccessroadViewshedofAlaskaRangeandHighLake;proposedaccessroadFogLakes;StephanLake;proposedaccessroad;highcountry(PrairieandChunilnaCreeksdrainages);viewshedofAlaskaRangeIditarodTrail;trailparallelingDeceptionCk.:GoodingL.Birdwatchingarea;5cross-ingsofGlennHwy.,1crossingofParksHwy.SusitnaFlatsGameRefuge;IditarodTrail;1crossingofParksHwy.LakeareasouthofWillow;IditarodTrail;1crossingofParksHwy.t1Conversion:Toconvertmilestokilometers,multiplyby1.61.Source:AdaptedfromExhibitE,Vol.9,Chap.10,TablesE.10.21,E.10.22andE.10.23. M-68M.3.3.2Coal-FiredGenerationScenarioThethree200-MWcoal-firedunitsintheNenanaareaandtwo200-MWunitsintheWillowareawouldprobablybevisuallyobtrusiveinrelationtotheirsurroundingenvironmentandproximitytoscenichighways,waterways,andrecreationareas.BecauseoftheproximityoftheDenaliNationalParkandPreserveandotherscenicresources,theNenanaareawouldbesignificantlyimpactedbytheconstructionandoperationofthree200-MWcoal-firedunits.Also,theresiden-tialandrecreationalareassurroundingWillowwouldbeadverselyimpactedbyviewsofthetwo200-MWcoal-firedunitsthere.Coal-firedgenerationplantswouldproducemanyofthesamevisualresourceimpactsasdiscussedinSectionM.3.3.1.Inaddition,thecoalpowerplantwouldrequireadditionalplantstructures,coalunloadingfacilities,reservecoalpiles,andwastedisposalareas.Stackheightwouldbebetween400and500ft(120-150m)highandveryvisibletonearbyviewers.Dependingonatmo-sphericconditions,thesteamplumeemanatingfromthestackwouldvaryfrombeingnon-existenttoseveralhundredfeetinlengthduringthesummerandupto1mi(1.6km)duringthewintermonths.Also,visibilitydownwindfromtheplantwouldbeadverselyimpactedbyhazelayerscreatedfromstackemissions.Besidesthevisualimpactswithintheproximityoftheplantsites,additionalvisualimpactsmightoccurastheresultofdisturbinglandsforstripminingcoalandsolidwastedisposal.However,itisanticipatedthatlandsdisturbedforcoalextrac-tionorwastedisposalwouldeventuallyberevegetated,minimizingthelong-termvisualimpacttothesurroundinglandscape.M.3.3.3CombinedHydro-ThermalGenerationScenarioVisualresourceimpactsofdamf~cilities,accessroutes,borrowareas,andpowertransmissionfacilitiesatthevariousout-of-basinalternativehydrositeswouldbesimilartothosedis-cussedinSectionM.3.1.Inparticular,theBrownesitewoulddetractfromthevisualresourcesoftheNenanaRiverValley.AttheKeetnasitetwoscenicareas,SentinelRockandGraniteGorge,wouldbeinundated.AlthoughtheSnowandJohnsonsiteswouldnotimpactanydesignatedscenicareas,theywouldresultinthepresenceofman-madefacilitiesinanareaofhighaestheticqualityandessentiallynatural,undisturbedareas.Long-termvisua1impactsattheChakachamnasiteareexpectedtobeminimalsincenodamstructurewouldbeconstructed.Visualresourceimpactsfromthethermalfaci1itiesofthisscenari0havebeendiscussedinSec-tionsM.3.3.1andM.3.3.2.M.3.4ComparisonofAlternativesM.3.4.1SusitnaDevelopmentAlternativesTheconstructionandoperationofalternativesinvolvingtheWatanaI,Reregulatingdam,andModifiedHighDevilCanyondamwouldessentiallyresultinthesametypeofvisualresourceimpactsastheproposedWatanaandDevilCanyondams.EachofthealternativedamfacilitieswouldproduceasignificantchangeintheimageandcharacteroftheupperandmiddleSusitnaRiverBasinarea,especiallyintheSusitnaRiverValleyandDevilCanyonlandscapecharactertypes.Thedamstructures,associatedfacilities,andreservoirswouldmodifythevisualcharac-teroftheareafromthatofaremoteandlargelyundisturbedrivervalleyandcanyonareatooneofgreaterhumanactivity,development,anddisturbance.Constructionactivitiesalongthenorthernandsouthernalternativeaccessrouteswouldresultintemporaryvisualdisturbancessimilartothosefromtheproposedaccessroute.Allaccessrouteswouldrequirecutandfilloperations,vegetationremoval,borrowareas,andhigh-levelsuspensionbridgesthatwoulddegradethenaturalcharacteroftheregionandbevisibleduringthelong-termoperationphaseoftheproject.Onthepositiveside,allthealternativerouteswouldprovidenewaccesstoscenicviewsformotorists.However,recreationistsinthesurround-ingareaviewingthealternativeroutesmightconsidertheroadsandrailspuravisualintrusiondetractingfromtheirenjoymentofviewinganaturallandscape.Neitherofthealternativeaccessroutesortheproposedrouteareclearlypreferable.Thevisualresourceimpactsforeachofthealternativepowertransmissionroutesegmentsforthenorthern,central,andsoutherncorridorareasaredescribedinSectionM.3.2.3.Inthenorthernstudyarea,alternativeroutesAEFandAEDChavemorepotentialfordisruptingbackcountryviewsbecauseoftheirlength,extendingthroughtheHealyCreekandWoodRivervalleys,andextendingacrosstheextensiveopenflatareasouthofFairbanks.Ingeneral,thetrans-missionlinecorridorsegmentswithinthecentralstudyareaextendingalongDeadmanCreekandtheDenaliHighway,TsusenaCreekandJackRiver,andDevilCreekandJackRiverwouldproducegreatersignificantimpactswithintheChulitnaMountainsandtundrauplandsthantheproposedandalternativecorridorsegmentsextendingwestfromthedamsitestotheGoldCreekarea.Thesesegmentswoulddetractfromthenaturalsettinginareasplannedtobedevelopedforrecreationpurposes.A150,severalofthea1ternativesegmentsbetweenthedamsitesandtheGoldCreekareawouldhavegreatervisualimpactstotheexistingrecreationareasaroundtheFogLakesandStephanLakeareathantheproposedtransmissionroute.Withinthesouthern M-69corridorarea,alternativeroutesegmentsABC'andAEFCwouldproducesignificantlygreatervisualimpactsthanalternativesegmentADFCortheproposedroute.SegutentABC'wouldbeviewedbypersonswithintheLittleSusitnaRiverBasin,aroundthePalmerarea,andfromtheGlennHighway(Route1)alongtheKnikArm.Ofthetenalternativeborrowsiteareas,four(B,I,J,andL)wouldbecompletelyinundatedandwouldnotcauseanylong-termvisualimpacts.Thesixremainingalternativeborrowsiteareaswouldbeviewedinthelong-term.BorrowsitesCandHwouldrequireextensivehaulroadsfurtherdegradingtheviewsofthesurroundingnaturalfeatures,resultingingreatervisualresourceimpactstotheSusitnaRiverValleyareathantheothereightsites.M.3.4.2PowerGenerationScenariosVisualresourceimpactsarehighlydependentontheactualsitingoftheprojectalternativeswithrespecttothevisualqualityofthearea,establishedviewpointsandviewshedareas,andthenumberofpersonsresidingortravelingthroughsuchareas.Ingeneral,naturalgas-firedgenerationplantswouldbelessobtrusiveandresultinfewervisualresourceimpactsthanthelargercoal-firedplantsordamalternativesforthereasonsdiscussedintheprevioussections.Inparticular,theurbanAnchorageareawouldbemostsuitedforadditionalnatural-gaspowerplantdevelopmentinrelationtominimizingvisualresourceimpacts.BecauseoftheproximityofDenaliNationa1Parkandotherscenicresources,theNenanaareawouldbesignificantlyimpactedbytheconstructionandoperationofthree200-MWcoal-firedpowerplantunits.TheresidentialandrecreationalareassurroundingtheWillowareawouldalsobeadverselyaffectedbyviewsofplantfacilitiesandassociatedhazelayercreatedbytheoperationoftwo200-MWcoal-firedunits.Concerningthecombinedhydro-thermalalternative,LakeChakachamnawouldnotproducesignificantlong-termvisualimpacts;however,theremaininghydrounitsandcoal-firedplantinNenanawouldproducesignificantvisualresourceimpacts.M.4MITIGATIONM.4.1MitigativeMeasuresProposedbytheApplicantTheApplicant's~isualresource/aestheticmitigationplanisdesignedtoreduceoreliminateadverseimpactsduetoprojectdevelopment.TheApplicantstatesthattheemphasisofthemitigationmeasuresisto:(1)avoidcriticalenvironmentsincludingongoingsiterefinementsthroughoutthedesignphase,(2)usebestdevelopmentpracticesandsitesensitiveengineering,and(3)rehabilitation.Theapplicanthasidentifiedfourmajorcategoriesofmitigationwhichinclude(1)additionalstudies,(2)bestdevelopmentpractices,(3)creativeengineeringdesign,and(4)theuseofform,line,color,andtexture.ThesefourtypesofmitigativestrategiesproposedbytheApplicantaredescribedbelowandinExhibitE(Vol.8,Chap.8,pp.E-8-47throughE-8-59).M.4.1.1AdditionalStudyDuringthePhaseIIdetaileddesignprocess,aninterdisciplinarydesignteamwouldbeassembledtoresolvetheaestheticimpacts.Theseaestheticimpactswouldbefurtheramelioratedthroughsitespecificdesignanalysisanddevelopment.Aestheticimpactsshouldbemitigatedthroughsitingstudiesandalternativesolutions.Thesestudieswouldinclude:(a)SitingStudiesSitingoffacilitieswouldbeusedtoreducevisualintrusionintotheexistinglandscapeandminimizerequirementsforgradingandotherdisruptions.Byutilizinglocalconditionssuchastopographicchangesandvegetation,theinherentabsorptioncapabilitiesofland-scapescouldbemaximized.Theneedformitigationmeasuresinthefacilitydesignsalsowouldbereducedbyavoidingparticularlysensitivelocationssuchaswetlands,discontinuouspermafrostzonesandotherareaswhichwouldrequireextensivemodification.Sitingwouldbeusedtomaximizethepotentialforenhancingtheaestheticexperience.Examplesofthisinclude:facilitylocationstotakeadvantageofspectacularviewoppor-tunitiesandsitingfacilitiessuchthattheyenhanceorcomplimenttheirsetting.Otherspecificexamplesofmitigationthroughsitingmightinclude:Facilitysitingwouldbeusedtominimizerequirementsforclearingorremovalofvegetation.Structuresshouldbeconsolidatedasmuchaspossibletodisturbtheminimumnecessaryareaofgroundsurface; M-70Facilitywouldbesitedtoavoidthaw-susceptibleareas(discontinuouspefmafrostzones)capableofslumpingorthermalerosion;Solidwastedisposalsiteswouldbelocatedinstable,well-drainedlocations.Sitingwouldutilizeexistingexcavationssuchasdepleteduplandborrowpits.Intermittentdrainages,ice-richsoils,orothererosion-susceptiblefeatureswouldbeavoided;Transmissionlineadditionsshouldbelocatedadjacenttoestablishedtransmissioncorridors.Wheretransmissionlineshaveacommondestination,theyshouldfollowacommonroute;andTransmissioncorridorsshouldfollowtheforestedgeasmuchaspossible(i.e.,thetransitionzonebetweenforestandshruborforestandtundra)versuscuttingthroughdensewoodlands.Linesshouldavoidcrossingwetlands.(b)AlternativeSolutionsInsomeinstancesthefacilitychosentoserveaspecificprojectfunctionmightnotbethedesignsolutionwhichwouldleaseimpacttheaestheticresource.Thiswouldbeconsideredonlyincaseswherepresentsolutionswouldbedifficulttomitigateevenwithmodifica-tions.M.4.1.2BestDevelopmentPracticesConstructionandrehabilitation,aswellasoperationpolicies,areoftenasimportantinmiti-gatingfacilityimpactsasisthefaci1itiesactualdesign.ThroughouttheSusitnaproject,generaldevelopmentpolicieswhichmitigateorpreventimpactswouldinclude:(a)ConstructionTechniguesConstructionequipmentandvehicleswouldbeconfinedtogravelroadsandpadsordesignatedconstructionzones.Alloff-roadorall-terrainvehiclesusewouldbeprohibitedonthesitebyindividuals.Temporaryfacilitiessuchasroads,constructionzonesandstorageyardswouldbelocatedtominimizetheimpactsandthereforetherehabilitationneeded.Borrowsiteswouldbeexcavatedaccordingtoasitepriorityprogramdevelopedbythedesignphasecontractor.Thosesiteswhichwouldcauseleastimpactswouldbeexploitedfirstwiththeidentifiedsensitiveareasutilizedlastandonlyifallothersourcesareexhausted.Materia1siteswouldbeplannedandminedinsuchawayastofaci1itaterestoration.Abandonedaccessroads,camppads,andairstripswouldbeusedwhereverfeasibleasmaterialsourcesforoperations,inlieuofexpandingexistingsitesorinitiatingnewones.Whereriprapisrequired,materialproducedduringexcavationofthepowerhouse,galleries,andtunnelswouldbeusediffeasible.Wheretheyarenotadjacenttoanexistingroad,transmissioncorridorsshouldbeconstruc-tedtoavoidunnecessaryclearingofvegetation.Intundralocationwhereclearingisnotrequiredforaccess,minimumgrounddisturbancevehiclessuchasRoligonorflat-treadNodwell-typevehiclesshouldbeused.Transmissioncorridordevelopmentshouldavoidcreatinganalternativeaccessrouteforall-terrainvehicles.Alldebrisgeneratedbyconstructionactivitieswouldberemovedaftercompletion.Excavationspoilwouldbedisposedofinthefutureimpoundmentareaofthedamunderconstruction.Wherehauldistancesprohibitthis,spoildisposalsiteswouldbeplacedinstable,well-draineduplandlocations.Limitsofconstructionactivityandstoragewouldbedefinedduringthedesignphasesothatvegetationclearingandsoildisruptionwouldbeminimized.Whereremovalofvegeta-tionisrequired,organicoverburdenshouldbesegregatedandstockpiledforuseinsubse-quentrehabilitation.(b)RehabilitationTechniguesDisturbedrockcutswouldberoughlyblastedtoformssimilartoexistingnaturalconditions.Constructionareasnotrequiredforprojectoperationwouldbephasedoutassoonastheyarenolongerrequired(duringthesameseason,ifpossible).Restorationshouldinclude M-71scarificationandfertilization.Non-operationalroadswouldbestructurallyalteredtorestorenormaldrainagepatterns.Organicoverburden,slash,anddebrisstockpiledduringclearingwouldbedistributedovertheexcavatedareaspriortofertilization.Thisincludesborrowsiteswhichhaveponded.Onceoperationalmaterialsitesaredepletedornolongerrequired,theyshouldberehabili-tatedbytheendofthenextgrowingseasonfollowinglastuse.Equipment,structures,andmaterialsshouldberemovedfromasitepriortorehabilitation.Thesiteshouldbegradedtocontourswhichareconsistentwithsurroundingterrainandallowcompletedrainagewithminimalerosionpotential.Whereitcanbedemonstratedthaterosionisnotlikelytobeaproblem,restorationshouldemphasizefertilizationandscarification,andminimizeseeding,toencouragetheinvasionofnativeplansfromthesurroundingparentpopulation.Whereseedingisemployed,naturegrassesappropriatetotheclimateandgeographyoftheprojectareashouldbeused.(c)OperationPoliciesOnprojectlands,off-roadandall-terrainvehicleswouldberestrictedtodesignatedmaintenancetrails.ConcurrentwithothereducationalprogramsforSusitnaworkersandresidents,anorganizedeffortwouldbemadetoincreasetheawarenesstotheaestheticenvironment,i.e.,refusedisposal,vandalismandindiscriminateuseoffragileenvironments.M.4.1.3CreativeEngineeringDesignForprojectfacilitiesthatarenotcompatiblewiththelandscapecharactertype,examplesofpotentialdesignmeasuresthatmightbetakeninclude:Roadprofileelevationswouldbeminimizedandsideslopesmadesufficientlygentletoblendintoexistingcontours;andTominimizeexcavationdisruption,facilitydesignwouldmlnlmlzegravelrequirementsbyavoidanceofwetareasorpermafrostzones,structureconsolidation,andbalancedcutandfill.M.4.1.4UseofForm,Line,Color,orTexturesSomeaestheticimpactscausedbyprojectfacilitiescouldbegreatlyreducedbymodifyingtheirappearancetoblendintothesurroundinglandscape.Thisshouldbeaccomplishedbyrepeatingpredominantexistingconditionssuchas:Thecolorsofsoilvegetationorsky;Formsoftopographysuchasmassivelowhillsorangularrockcliffs;Line:includingelementssuchastheverticalorientationofspruceforestsorthehorizontalcharacterofalake;andTexture:Existingroughanddullsurfacesshouldbeapproximatedandshinymaterialspronetoglareavoided.M.4.2AdditionalMitigativeMeasuresRecommendedbytheStaffItisrecommendedthattheapplicantadheretoallthemeasuresstatedinSectionM.4.1.Inaddition,theStaffrecommendsthatwhereroadandstreamcrossingsoccuralongtheproposedtransmissionlineroute,shrubsandtreesshouldbeplantedandretainedasmuchaspossibletopreventaviewintothecorridorfromalongsuchcrossingpoints.Tominimizethedurationofviewandlengthofthelineseenfromroadways,crossingsshouldbemadeatrightanglestotheroadwayswhereverpossible.H-frameand/orsingle-poletowersshouldbeusedtoreducetowerdominanceinsensitiveviewingareas.Low-profiletowerstructuresshouldbeused(iffeasible)inhighlyvisibleareaswheretowersofstandardheightcouldbeviewedabovethetreetops.Towerstructuresshouldbesetasfarbackfromroadwaysandstreambanksasfeasible.Alltransmissionlinestructuresshouldbecoloredtoblendinwiththenaturalbackgroundvegeta-tion.Visualimpactsinforestedareascanbeminimizedbyselectiveclearing,leavingasmuchlowgrowthintheright-of-wayaspossible,andthroughadditionalplanting.Taperedclearingoftheright-of-way(throughtreetopping,etc)willsoftentheedgesoftheright-of-way,reducingthevisualimpact.Aright-of-wayclearingpatternshouldbedevelopedwherefeasibletoreduce M-72thestraight-linecorridoreffect.Thelinesshouldberoutedsothattheyfollowandconformtonaturaltopographiclinesasmuchaspossible.Inaddition,linesshouldbesitedtooneedgeofavalleyordrawandparallelalandformchange.Skyliningofthelinesandtowersshouldbeminimized.Ifahillmustbecrossed,itshouldbecrossedatanangle(e.g.,sideorshoulderofthehillratherthanthetop).Iftheproposedlinestraverseaprominentviewingarea,thelinesshouldbelocatedbetweentheviewingareaandavegetativeortopographicalscreeniffeasible.Attheproposedsubstationlocations,anyexistingtreesandvegetationshouldbeleftstandingtotheextentpossibletoscreentheterminalfacilities.Theterminalfacilitiesshouldbepaintedacolorthatwillbestblendinwiththebackgroundvegetation.Theheightofthetransmissionlineterminatingstructuresshouldbekepttotheminimumsafeandpracticalheight.REFERENCESFORAPPENDIXMAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources.1981.SusitnaBasinPlanningBackgroundReport.ScenicResourcesAlongtheParksHighway,InventoryandManagementRecommendations.DivisionofResearchandDevelopment.Anchorage.AlaskaDivisionofParks.Undated.NancyLakeStateRecreationArea.AlaskaStateParks.Anchorage.AlaskaGeographicSociety.1981.AlaskaNationalInterestLands-TheD-2Lands.Geographic.Vol.8,No.4.Anchorage.AlaskaBechtelCivilandMineralsInc.1983.ChakachamnaHydroelectricProjectInterimFeasibilityAssessmentReport.Vol.I,Sec.1-10,AppendicestoSec.4.0and8.0,andVol.II,AppendixtoSec.6.0.PreparedfortheAlaskaPowerAuthority.Anchorage.T~rrestrialEnvironmentalSpecialists,.Inc.1982.SusitnaHydroelectricProject,EnvironmentalStudies,Subtask7.07:LandUseAnalysis.Phase1Report.PreparedforAcresAmerican,Inc.Buffalo,NY.U.S.ForestService.HandbookNo.434.1973.NationalForestLandscapeManagement.Washington,DC.Volume1.AgriculturalU.S.ForestService.1974.NationalForestLandscapeManagement.Volume2,Chapter1.TheVisualManagementSystem.AgriculturalHandbookNo.462.Washington,DC.U.S.ForestService.1975.NationalForestLandscapeManagement.Volume2,Chapter2.Utilities.AgriculturalHandbookNo.478.Washington,DC.Wakefield,W.C.,II.1983.MemorandumfromWilliamC.WakefieldII,SusitnaProjectManager,FederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission,toSusitnaAdvisoryCommittee.PotentialRefinementsfortheSusitnaHydroelectricProjects.(October18).