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Notes of October 5, 1984, conversation with Hank Hosking (USFWS)
concerning wildlife observations made during the construction of the
Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project, Kodiak Island, Alaska. Conversation
with Chuck Elliott (Harza-Ebasco).
I. Rap tors
Bald Eagles
A. In the spr1.ng of 1982 when the initial Terror Lake Project
camp was being constructed, a bald eagle nest wds located
300-400 ft. from the campsite. Nest building activity was
already underway when the camp activities started. The
eagles fledged at least one young. The nest was 1000 ft.
from an actively used helicopter landing pad. Eagles,
B.
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{1 pair), were observed nesting within 0.5 miles from the camp
the next year. The original nest located 300-400 ft. from
the camp in 1982 was not reused in 1983 or 1984.
During construction of the transmission line in 1~83, a pair
of bald eagles moved into the area of active tower
construction and started nest building activities. T-line
construction and th~ associated helicopter activity conn~cted
with the construction were stopped until the eagle nesting
activities were finished and two eagles were fledged. The
contrRctor then came back in and finished building the toweru
In 1984 a pair of bald eagles returned to the site and
occupied the area (and raised 2 young). The area was in the
flight path to the construction camp--the eaJles were subject
to overflights of helicopters, Cessna 206 1 s and multi-engine
aircraft (Goose's) flying at 1000-1500 ft, the nesting eagles
did not appear to be disturbed by the aircraft.
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Golden Eagles
A. In 1983 construction activity on a tunnel and penstock ~~as
underway when a pair of golden eagles came in and nested on a
cliff face about 0.5 miles from the construction site.
Despite blasting and associated no1se, the birds raised at
least one young but it was lost before fledging. The loss
was not attributed to construction activities. The nest was
unoccupied i~ 1984.
Rough-legged Hawk
A.
II. Bears
Raptor surveys in 1982, before construction began, determined
2-3 pairs of Rough-legged hawks were nesting in the Terror
Lake basin (with one nest near the proposed dam site).
During 1983 when construction activities were underway, no
hawks were observed nesting 1n the basin, but birds were
observed hunting in the area. In 1984 (after construction
'\vas over) one pair of hawks nested in the basin--assumption
1s more hawks will return to the basin as time progresses.
Construction activities did not d=ive brown bears out of the area.
Accounts of bears watching workers and construction activities
from hills and ridges were recorded. Bears were observed walking
through the camp and making frequent checks of waste disposal
areas. Should have no problems with bears if a diligent garbage
disposal program is developed and followed.
III. Mountain Goats
During the 1983 construction of the Falls Creek Dam and tunnel
( ac ti vi ty included blasting) mountain goats occupied cliff areas
0.5 and 1 mile from the site. The goats gave birth to young at
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these sites ~n 1983 and 1984. Construction activities did not
oppear to disturb them, but low flying helicopters •3ere a source
of alarm and resulted in flight behavior.
IV. Red Fox
Red foxes were not driven away by construction activities, but
tamed readily and entered camps and buildings in search of
handouts. They would also den under camp buildings. Red foxes 1n
the area were easily trapped by a construction worker who ran a
trap line near camp~
V. Deer
Deer displayed no fear of construction vehicles, construc::ion
activities did not dri~q deer out of the area. The deer actually
became
travel.
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. a nu1sance in certain areas, . J..e. hazards to vehicle
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