HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA4049v296thCongress,2dSessionSenateDocumentNp.96--68,Part269-7370LETTERFROMTHESECRETARYOFTHEARMYTRANSMITTINGALETTERFROMTHECHIEFOFENGINEERS,DEPARTMENTOFTHEARMY,DATEDFEBRUARY8,1977,SUBMITTINGAREPORT,TO-GETHER'WITHACCOMPANYINGPAPERSANDIL.LUSTRATIONS,ONSOUTH-CENTRALRAILBELTAREA,ALASKA(HYDROELECTRICPOWER),UPPERSUSITNARIVERBASIN,iNPARTIALRESPONSETOARESOLUTIONOFTHECOMMITTEEONPUBLICWORKS,UNITEDSTATESSENATE,ADOPTEDJANUARY18,1~2INTHREEVOLUMESVOLUMEIIOCTOBER-1980.-ReferredtotheCommitteeonEnvironmentandPublicWorksandorderedtobeprintedU.S.GOVERNMIUNTPRINTINGOFFICEWASHINGTON:19801/~t~25.$'1>ft2?no.'{Off\)~:L
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AfPPfE:.N1Dfj)(11'PART·2·INTERIM;FEASIBIL1'!YREPOR'!'ISOUTHCENTRALRAIL13ELTAREAALASKAIUPPER.SUSITNARIVER·BASINIjlii~I"I:~~~~iSECTIONG.MARKETABILITYANALYSESSECTIONH.TRANSMISSIONSYSTEMSECTIONI.ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENTFORTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMS.HYDROELECTRICPOWER·~DRELATEDPURPOSES1
SECTIONGMARKETABILITYANALYSESUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORAlaskaPowerAdministrationUpperSusitnaRiverHydroelectricStudiesReportonMarketsforProjectPowerDecember19753
ContentsTitlePartI-INTRODUCTION.PurposeandScope.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .AlternativePlansforUpperSusitnaHydroelecticDevelopmentPreviousStudiesPartII-SUMMARYPageNo.7771011PartIII-POWERMARKETAREASAnchorage-CookInletAreaFairbanks-TananaValleyAreaValdez-GlennallenArea.. . . .PartIV-EXISTINGPOWERSYSTEMSUtilitySystemsandServiceAreasNationalDefensePowerSystemsIndustrialPowerSystems....ExistingandPlannedGeneration'..131314151616181919...-.PartV -POWERREQUIREMENTSPowerRequirementsDataAnnualRequirementsLoadDistributionData.StudiesforAlaskaPowerSurveyFactorsInfluencingPowerDemandsPopulationChange. . . . . . .EconomicGrowth.ChangesinUseofElectricEnergy1975EstimatesofFuturePowerRequirements..CopperValleyPowerRequirementsExistingSituations.. .FutureUtilityLoads.. . . .IndustrialLoads. . . . . . .CriteriaforCapacityandEnergyDistributionEnergyDistribution. .CapacityRequirements. . . . . .... .42323232936404043454758585859606062
'.PartVI-ALTERNATIVEPOWERSOURCESPowerSurveyStudies. . . . . . .EnergyandPowerCostTrends. . .ReviewofFuelCostsandAvailability.ReviewofAvailableAlternatives'..Coal-firedSteamplantsHydro.Nuclear""..OtherAlternativesPartVII-FINANCIALANALYSESMarketforProjectPower....ScopingAnalysis. . . . . .ComparisonwithMay1974StatusReportRevisedCostEstimates. . . . . . ..;. .AverageRateDeterminationforProposedPlan.PowerMarketin~Considerations.,..MarketAspectsofOtherTransmissionAlternatives.. . . . . . ...........Anchorage-CookInletArea. . . ...•. . . . .GlennallenandOtherPointsontheRichardsonHighway.Exhibit1:PartialBibliographyofRelatedStudiesExhibit2:ReportonOperation,Maintenance,andReplacements5656568.6971717878798080839193939596969697101.
ListofTablesPageNo.1.AlternativeSystemPlans--InstalledCapacityandFirmEnergy.2.SummaryofExistingGeneratingCapacity...3.AnchorageandFairbanksAreaLoaddata,1964-19744.UtilitySalesandCustomers-RailbeltArea,1965-19735.EnergyUseperCustomer,1965-19736.MonthlyPeakLoads,1971to1974...7.MonthlyLoadFactors,1972and19738.UtilitySystemRequirements,1960-19729.RegionalUtilityLoadEstimates,1972-2000,_(AlaskaPowerSurvey).10.RegionalTotalLoadEstimates,1972-2000,(AlaskaPowerSurvey).11.EstimatedUtility,NationalDefense,andIndustrialPowerRequirements,1974-2000..12.AssumedIndustrialDevelopment. . . . . . .13.EstimatedIndustrialPowerRequirements.. .14.MonthlyEnergyRequirementsasPercentofAnnualRequirements. . . . ..15.FutureGenerationCostEstimates(AlaskaPowerSurvey). . . . . . . . . .16.AlternativeGenerationCostsforConventionalCoal-firedSteamplants. . . . . .....17.AssumedMarketforUpperSusitnaPower. .18.AverageRatesforRepaymentforAlternativeDevelopmentPlans. . . . . . . . .19.CostSummariesforAlternativeSystems.20.ComparisonwithMay1974StatusReport.21.AverageRateDetermination-System#5.ListofFigures92Q242728313538404148555761667382848592941.LocationMap-UpperSusitnaProjectandRailbeltPowerMarkets82.AreasPresentlyServedbyRailbeltUtilities173.MonthlyPeakLoads,1963to1974304.SystemDailyGenerationCurves325.AlaskaPlanningRegions. . . .376.EstimatedUtility,NationalDefense,andIndustrialPowerRequirements,1974to2000.456
PartIINTRODUCTIONPurposeandScopeThisstudywillanalyzethepowermarketofanUpperSusitnahydroelectricdevelopment.Twomajorareasofconcernwillbeinvestigated.Theseare:1.Projectdesigninrelationtotheuseoftheprojectpower;and2.Financialfeasibilityunderexistingrepaymentcriteria.Studyeleme'ntsinclude:1.estimatesoffuturepowerrequirementsa.timingb.magnitudec .loadcharacteristics2.estimatesoffuturepow~rsalesandratesrequiredforrepayment3.analysisofcostsofalternativesourcesofpowerThelevelbfdetailisthatrequiredfordemonstrationofprojectfeasibilityforpurp()s~~ofconsiderationbytheCongressforprojectauthorization.AlternativePlansforUpperSusitnaHydroelectricDevelopmentFigure1showsgenerallocationsofth~..potentialunitsoftheUpperSusitnaProjectinrelationshiptotheAlask<;l.Railbelt.ThefourkeyUpperSusitnadamsitesareDevilCanyon,Watana,Vee,andDenali.SeveralalternativesystemsfordevelopingtheUpperSusitnaProjectwereevaluated.Table1sutnmarizesdataonenergyandpowercapabilityforthesealternCJ.tivesystems.TheCorpsofEngineersproposesaninitialdevelopmentincludingtheDevilCanyonandWatanasites.(System#5)Sys~em#1(DevilCan-yonandPenali)isanalogoustotheintitialdevelopmentplanadvancedinearlierstudiesbytheBureC\.uofReclamationandAPA.System#4isthefour,...damultimatedevelopmentplanidentifiedinpreviousUSBR-APAstudies.7
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PreviousStudieE;Thereisafairlysubstantialbacklogofpowersystemand:P1'"oj~dfistudi~relevanttothecurrentevaluationoftheUpperSusitnaRiv~xPr8j~ct."Apartialbibliographyisappe~ded.Thepr~viousstudiesm;of,>tr,el'evaBttopowermarketc'onsiderations-'include:".-',"1.AdvisoryCommitteestudiescompletedin1974fortheFederalPow¢tCommission's(FPC)newA:laskaPowerSurvey._,:rhestudies.,inctudeevalu~tionotexistingpower"systemsangfuturer,i~edsthrough_theyear2000,andthemaingenerationandtransmissionalte:rnat:ive~,availabletomeettheneeds.Thepowerrequirementstudtes.andalternativegenerationsystemstudiesforthenewpowersurveywereusedextensivelyinthecurrentstudy.TheFPCsummaryreportforitsnewsurveyisnotyetavailable.2.Aseriesofutility,systemstudiesforRailbeltareautilities~indudeassessmentsoflo~i;is,powercosts,andgenerationandtrcinsmissionalternatives.3.Pre~iousworkb.ytheAlaskaPo~erAdmirii,.stration,t,heBtireauofReclamation,theutilitysystems,andindlistryonstudiesbf:vario~splansforRailbelttransmissioninterconnectionsandtheUpperSusitnahydroelectricpotential.Themostrecentofthesearethe,¥ay1974',:,StatusReportotltheDevilCanyonProject'byAPAandthe:Sept~mber1974,ReassessmentReportonUpperSusitrtaRiverHydroelectricDevelopment-preparedfortheStateofAlaskabytheHenryJ.KaiserCompany.Itshouldb~notedthatmanyofthestudieslisted-,inthebibliographyrepresentaperiodi~historywhentherewasverylittleconcernaboutenergyconserva-tion.growth,andneedsforconservingoilandnaturalgasresources.Similarly,manyofthesestudiesreflectedanticipationoflongterm,very'lowcosten~rgysupplies.Inthisrega!d,thestudiesfor:thehewpowersurveyareconsideredparticularlysignificantinthai:theyprovide'afirstassessmentofAlaskapowersystemneedsreflectingthecurrentconcernsforenergyandfuelsconservationandtheenvironment,andtherapidly.-.,.....'increasingco$tsofenergyinthee<;OI}orny.10
PartIISUMMARY1.StudiesoffuturepowerrequirementspreparedfortheFPCAlaskaPowerSurveywerereviewedinlight6fnewdatafortheyears1973and1974.Newestimates·ofpower··requirementsthrough-theyear2000werepreparedreflectingthebestcurrentestimatesofJoads..--:that'woUldactuallybeservedfromaninterconnectedRailbeltpowersystemservi:ngtheFairbanks-TananaValleyareaandtheAnchorage-CookInletarea.ThesenewestimatesaresummarizedonTablell.2.AdditionaldatawascompiledforpotentialloadsintheCopper.Valleyarea,andapreliminaryanalysisofelectricservicefromtheUpperSusitnaProjecttothisareawasmade.Itdoesnotappearfeasibletoinclude'servicetothisareaduringinitialstagesoftheproject.3.Availabledataonarealoadcharacteristics'weree:xaminedmlightoffuture'systemoperation;estimatesofmonthlyenergydistri-butionwerepreparedforsizingprojectreservoirs;andanannualplantfactorof50percentwasselectedforsizingprojectpowerplants.4.StudiesofalternativepowersoUrcespreparedfortheFPCAlaskaPowerSurveywerereviewedinlightofrecentstudiesandtrendsinenergy.ItwascondudedthatoilandnaturalgasfiredgenerationishotadesirablealternativeformajornewpowersuppliesintheAlaskaRailbeltiIl1985andlateryears.Itisconsideredthatcoal~firedsteamplantswouldbethemostlikelyalternativeinlieuofSusitnahydro.Thepowersurveysteamplantcostestimateswereupdatedforcomparisonpurposes.5.AsetofpreliminaryratestudieswasmadeforuseinthescopinganalysisofalternativeSusitnahydrodevelopmentplans.ThesestudiesarepremisedonSeptember1975plansandcostestimatesdonotreflectlatestestimatesforthefinalprojectreport.Thestudiesindicatedanaveragerateof19.7millsperkilowatthourfortheCorpsproposedplanofdevelopment(System#5)andaverageratesrangirigfrotn20.9to24.5millsforthealternativesystems.Thestudiesalsoindicatedthatalternativestagingassumptionsutilizingthesamedesignsandcostestimateswouldnarrowtherange_to20.9to22.8millsperkilowatthour,adifferenceoflessthantenpercent.Theseratesaresubstantiallyhigherthanpresentnaturalgas-firedgenerationintheCookInletarea,butsignificantlylowerthancurrentestimatesfornewcoal-firedplants.11
6.Theabovevalueswerer~Vie\V~~rhin}li.ghtofthefinalplans?a·I}G,l·;costestimates,withtheindicationthattheproposedplan(System#5)wouldhaveappro:Ximalelya.:l0percentadvantageoverthe.alternativehydrosystemsfrontth~:VieWp.9:i,J!l.t'of;~pst~j.power~otheco,n,51,lmer.7.APAestimatesthatan9veragerateJorfirm~~ergyof21.Lmills.perkilowatthourwouldbe.requir~dtorepaycost,l;>.oftheproje<:~.under.<currenfFederalrepaymen,tcriterip..Th~t?jspremiseg.olfcostestimatesusingJ~uary19.75pricelevelsCin.din.c1ud~samortir.p.tionoitheinvestmentandannualcostsforoperation,maintenance,andreplacements.ThecompilationsfortheaveragefirIl1energyrateappear.onT.abl~21..8.Thestudies.reflectoveryrapidlychangingvaluesinenergyandcostsofdoingbusiness.Itisestim9tedthatincreasein.costsandFederalinterestrateforrepaymentamounttoovera40percentincreaseinratesforrepaymentasc«;>mparedwithcondi·tionsrep0t'ted>ipARA'sM1iY-1974statusreportonDevilGanyon.Ifthepre_El~ntcostsareesca,latedat5percentperyear,averageratesforUpperSusitnapowerwc"uldlikelyexceed40m~llsperkilowattl1out'whentheprojectisactuallybroughtonline.9.Thechangingcostsforhydrodevelopmentmustbeconsideredinlightoitherapidchangesincostsforotherpowe;rproducing..facilitiesandfuels.Itappearsreasonabletoassumethatfuture'costescalationforhydroconstructionwillbeataslowerrate.thanforaverageenergycostsin.theeconomy.Aftercompletion,anyincreasesincostsforUlehydropowerwouldlikelybeverysmall.10.Withtheprevailinginterstsrates,powerratesareverysensitivetoanystretch-outofconstructionperiodandthesizeofinvest-mentaccumulatedpriortostartofrevenues.Carefulattentiontostagingopportunitieswillbeneededinfinaldesignofthe.project.-11.APAalsopreparedestimatesofarlIlualcosts.foroperation,mainte-nance,powermarkets,andinterimreplacementsforusein.theprojecteconomicandfinancialanalysis.Thisd~teissummarizedinExhibit2ofthisreport.12
PartIIIPOWERMARKETAREASThroughoutitshistoryofinvestigations,theUpperSusitnaRiverProjecthasbeenofinterestforitscentrallocationtotheFairbanksandAnchorageareaswhichhaveAlaska'slargestconcentrationsofpopulation,economicactivity,services,andindustry.Underanyplanofdevelopment,majorportionsoftheprojectpowerwouldbeutilizedinthesetwoareas.Additionally,thebasicprojecttransmissionsystemservicingAnchorageandFairbankscouldprovideelectricservicetopresentandfuturedevelopmentsbetweenthetwopoints.ElectrificationoftheAlaskaRailroadisanotherpossibility.ThesemajormarketareasarereferredtoastheAnchorage-CookInletarea.andtheFairbanks-TananaValleyarea.Additionalpotentialmarketsareutilityandindustrialloadsal(mgthepipelinecorridorbetweenDeltaJunctionandValde.z.Anchorage-CookInletAreaGEmerally,thishasreferencetothedevelopedareasaroundUpperCookInletincludingtheAnchoragearea,theKenaiPeninsula,andtheMatanuskaandSusitnavalleys.ThisincludesmostofthepopulationandeconomicactivityintheMatanuska-Susitna,GreaterAnchorageArea,andKenaiPeninsulaBoroughs.ThisgeneralareahasbeenthefocalpointformostoftheState'sgrowthintermsofpopulation,business,services,andindustrysinceWorldWarII.Majorbuildingofdefenseinstallations,expansionofgovernmentservices,discoveryanddevelopmentofnaturalgasandoilintheCookInletarea,andemergenceofAnchorageastheState'scenterofgovernment,finance,travel,andtourismaremajorelementsinthehistoryofthisarea.Becauseofitscentralroleinbusiness,commerce,andgovernment,theAnchorageareaisdirectlyinfluencedbyeconomica'ctivityelsewhereintheState.MuchofthebuildupinanticipationoftheAlyeskapipeline,muchofgrowthrelatedtoCookInletoildevelopment,andmuchofthegrowthinStateandlocalgovernmentservicessinceStatehoodhaveoccurredintheimmediateAnchoragevicinity.TheGreaterAnchorageAreaBoroughestimateditsJulyT,1974,populationat162,500,oranincreaseofnearly30%sincethe1970census.Thisisover45percentoftotalestimatedStatepopulationin1974.,13
TheMatanuska-SusitnaBoroughincludesseveralsmallcities(Palmer,Wasilla,Talkeetna)andthestate'slargestagriculturalcommunity.Othereconomicactivitiesincludearecreationindustryandsomelightmanufacturing.MuchrecentgrowthintheBoroughhasbeeninresidentialandrecreationhomesforworkersintheAnchoragearea.Estimated1974.populationwas9,787.TheKenaiPeninsulaBoroughincludesthecitiesofKenai,Soldatna,·Homer,Seldovia,aridSewardwithimportantfisheries,oilandgas,andrecreationindustries..Estimated1974populationwas13,962.BoththeMatanuska-SusitnaandKenaiPeninsulaBoroughswillhavesomeurbanexpansionoverthenextfewdecades.PressuresforurbandevelopmentwouldbesubstantiallyincreasediftheproposedsurfacecrossingsoftheKnikandTurnagainArmswereconstructedrPresentandproposedactivitiesindicatelikelihoodofrapidgrowthinthisgeneralCookInletareafortheforeseeablefuture.MuchofthisactivityisrelatedtooilandnaturalgasincludingexpansionoftherefineriesatKenai,proposalsformajorLNGexportstothesouthII4811andprobableadditionaloffshoreoilandgasdevelopment.TheState'.sCapitalSiteSelectionCommitteehasnarrowedtheirsearchtofoursitesforthenewcapitalcity,ofwhichthreelocationsareintheSusitnaValley.TheareawillcontinuetoserveasthetransportationhubofwestwardAlaska,andtourismdemandswilllikelycontinuetoincreaserapidly.Majorlocaldevelopmentseemsprobable.Fairbanks-TananaValleyAreaFairbanksisAlaska'ssecondlargestcity,thetradecenterformuchofAlaska'sInterior,servicecenterfortwomajormilitarybases,andsite.oftheUniversityofAlaskaanditsassociatedresearchcenter.SeveraloutlyingcommunitiesincludingNenana,Clear,NorthPole,andDeltaJunctionarelooselyincludedintheIIFairbanks"':TananaValley"area.Historically,theareaisfamousforitsgold.Currently,itisinamajorboomconnectedwiththeconstructionofAlyeskapipeline.TheFairbanks-NorthStarBoroughhadanestitnated1974populationof50,762andtheoutlyingcommunitieswithinthepowermarketareaprobablytotaledabout10,000populationatthattime.14
Itisgenerallyfeltthatpost-pipelinegrowthintheFairbanksareawillbeataslowerpacethantheAnchorage-CookInletarea.However,majorfutureresourcedevelopmentsintheInteriorandtheNorthSlopewouldhavedirectimpactontheFairbankseconomy.Valdez-GlennallenLikeFairbanks,thetwocommunitiesareheavilyimpactedbypipelineconstruction,especiailyValdezbecauseoftheconcentrationofworkon,~thepipelineterminal.Longerrangeprospectsprobablyincludeamorestableeconomyassociatedwiththepipelineandterminaloperationsandtheimmenselyvaluablerecreationresourcesofthisarea..1569-7370 -81- 2
PartIVEXISTINGPOWER·SYSTEMSUtilitySystemsandServiceAreasTheelectricutilitiesinthepowermarketareaarelistedbelowandareaspresentlyreceivingelectricserviceareindicatedonFigure2.AnchorageArea..c,AnchorageMunicipalLightandPower(AML&P)ChugachElectricAssociation(CEA)MatanuskaElectricAssociation(MEA)HomerElectricAssociation(HEA)SewardElectricSystem(SES)FairbanksArea-FairbanksMunicipalUtilitySystem(FMUS)GoldenValleyElectricAssociation(GVEA)ValdezandGlennallenArea-CopperValleyElectricAssociation(CVEA)AlaskaPowerAdministrationoperatestheEklutnaHydroelectricProjectandmarketswholesalepowertoCEA,AIv1L&P,andMEA.AML&PservestheAnchorageMunicipalarea.CEAsuppliespowertotheAnchoragesuburbanandsurroundingruralareasandprovidespoweratwholesaleratestoHEA,SES,andMEA.TheHEAserviceareacoversthewesternportionoftheKenaiPeninsulaincludingSeldovia,acrossthebayfromHomer.MEAservesthetownofPalmer,thesurroundingruralareaintheMatanuskaandSusitnaValleys.TheutilitiesservingtheAnchorage-CookInletareaarepresentlylooselyinterconnectedthroughfacilitiesofAPAandCEA.AnemergencytieisavailablebetweentheAML&PandAnchorageareamilitaryinstallations.ForthisstudyitisassumedthatUpperSusitnapowerwouldbedeliveredatanewsubstationontheCEAsysteminthevicinityofPointtv1acKenzieonthenorthsideofKnikArm,andthatprojectpowerwouldbewheeledovertheCEAsystemtootherutilitiesinthegeneralCookInletarea.16,
17U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR.ALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION'UPPEHSUSITNARIVERPROJECTAREAS.PRESENTLYSERVEDBYRAILBELTUTILITIESSCALE~---.-...~.-_._-_._'-~.===ao50100Miles
FMUSservestheFairbctnksmunicipalarea,whileGVEAprovidesservicetotheruralareas.TheFairbanksareapowersuppliershavethem()stcompletepowerpoolingagreementintheState.FMUS,GVEA,theUniversityofAlaskaandthemilitarybaseshaveanarrangementwhichincludesprovisionsforsharingreservesanqenergyinterchangeInaddition,GVEAoperatestheFortWainwrightsteamplant'l,lnderanagreementwiththearmy.ThedeliverypointforUpperSusitnapowertotheGVEAandFMUSsystemsisassumedattheexistingGoldHillsubstationofGVEAnearFairbanks.TheCopperValleyElectricAssociationservesbothGlennallenandValdez.Rac;lialdistributionlinesofCVEAextendfromGlennallen30milesrlorthontheCopperRiver,55milessouthontheCopperRivertoLowerTonsinaand70mileswestonGlennHighway.Forthisstudy,itisassumedthatprojectpowerwouldbedeliveredtotheCVEAsystematGlenallen.NationalDefensePowerSystemsThesixmajornationaldefenseinstallationsinthepowermarketareaare:(therearenumeroussmallerinstallations)~.'Anchoragearea-ElmendorfAirForceBaseFortRichardsonFairbanksarea-ClearAirForceBaseEielsonAirForceBaseFortGreeleyFortWainwrightEachofthemajorbaseshasitsownsteamplantusedforpowerandforcentralspaceheatingsource.ExceptforClearAirForceBase,eachisinterconnectedtoprovidepowertoorreceivepowerfromthelocalutilities.Inthepast,nationaldefenseelectricgenerationhasbeeI'lamajorportionofthetotalinstalledcapacity.Withtheprojectedstabilityofmilitarysitesandthegrow,thoftheutilities,thenationaldefenseinstallationwillbecomealesssignificantpartofthetotalgenerationcapacity.18
IndustrialPowerSystems•,-(.0._-Three,industr.ialplants"ontheKenCiiPeninsulamaintaintheirownpowerplants;'butar;ei~terconne.c£ecrwiththeHEAsystem.Colliers.'chemicalplantgene'~atesitsba'-si~'powerandenergyneedsreceivingonlystandbycapacity'f~~mHEA.-KenaiLiquifiedNaturalGasplantbuysenergyfromHEA,buthasitsownstandbygeneration.TesoroRefinerydoesboth;buysfromHEAandfurnishesp~rto.fitso~nneeds....Otherself-suppliedindustrialgeneratorsir;,cludeoilplatformaildpipelineterminalfacilitiesintheCookInletarea.TheValdezpipelineterminalwillhaveasizablepowerplant,andmostofthepumpingstationsontheAlyeskapipeline,~illhavesmallpowerplants.Existing,andPlannedG;enerationTable2providesasummaryofexistinggenyratingcapacity.Thetablewasgenerallycurrentasofmid-1974.TheAnchorage-CookInletareq.hadatotalinstalledcapacityof414.8MWin1974.Naturalgasfiredturbineswerethepredominantenergysourcewith341.7MWofinstalledcapacity.Hydroelectriccapacityof45MWwasavailablefromtwoptojects,EklutnaandCooperLake.Steamturbinescomprised14.5MW,ofcapacityanddieselgeneration,mostlyinstandbyserviceaccountedlortheremaining13.5MW.TheFairbanks-TananaValleYilreautilitieshadatotalinstalledcapacityof127.7MWin1974.Steamhirbinesprovidedthelargestblockofpowerintheareawithaninstalledcapacityof53.5MW.Gasturbinegeneration(oil-fired)provided42.1MWofpoweranddieselgeneratorscontributed32.1MWtothearea.19
Table2..Anchorage-CookInletArea:SummaryofExistingGeneratingCapacityInstalledCapacity'"1000.kw'--Diesel'.Gas.SteamHydro·ICTurbine'TurbineTotalUtilitySystemNationalDefenseIndustrialSystemSubtotal45.045.013.59.310.132.9341.72.3.344.014.549.564.0414.858.812.4486.0Fairbanks-TananaValleyArea:UtilitySystemNationalDefenseSubtotalValdezandGlennallen32.114.947.06.242.142.153.563.0116.5127.777.9205.66.2Notes:ThemajorityofthedieselgenerationisinstandbystatusexceptatValdezandGlennallen.Source:1974AlaskaPowerSurvey,TechnicalAdvisoryReport,ResourcesandElectricPowerGeneration,AppendixAandAlaskaElectricPowerStatistic~,1960-1973,APA.20
21Source:Environmentalimpactstatements,publicmeetingsandAPApersonalcontacts.GenerationfacilitieswillneedtobeinstaIledtomeetrequirementsbetween1975and'1985whenthefii~tSusitnaRiver'hydrounitcoulcibeontheline.Currentplansoftne'utilitiesi'ti.dudethefollowing~..".-..units:5353154053161PlannedCapacity,~1W781053'1975",...'1'976,1977GoldenValleyElectricAssociation(GVEA)NorthPoleChugachElectricAssociation(CEA).Unit4UnitS.S& 6FairbanksArea:AnchorageArea:UtilitiesEstimatesoffuturepowerrequirementsindicatesubstantialadditionalcapacityneedsby1985overandabovethepresentplans.Studiesofothergeneration,mainlyeoaJfiredsteamplants,havebeenmade'bytheutilitiesbuteommitments.tolongerrangegenerationwithcoal,havenotbeenmade.:'TheAML&P15~1Wunitsaresteamturbineheatrecoveryunits.Theremainderoftheunitsaregasturbines.The53MWratingsarebaseloadratings.Winterpeakloadratingsare70MW.TheAnchorageareaunitsarenaturalgasfired,whiletheFairbanksunitsareoilfired.AnchorageMunicipalLight&PowerCAML&P):Units8 & 9Unit10
Natural,gassupplycontractshavebeensecuredbyChugachElectricAssociationthrough1998intheBelugaarea.The.naturalgasavailableunderpresentcontractscouldmeettheexpected1982CEAgeneration1/.needsofapproximately536:MW.-CVEArecentlyinstalled1,000kwahd2;624kwdieselgeneratorsatValdezandorderedtwo2,624kwdieselelectricgeneratorsforGlennallen.Studiesareunderwayona6,000kwSolomonGulchhydroprojectnearValdez.Inadditiontotheutilityplans,somenewself-suppliedindustrialplantsareplannedorunderConstruction.TheseincludepowersuppliesfortheAlyeskapipelineterminal(oil-firedsteam)andforpumpingstations(smalldieselplants).ElectricservicerequirementsforthepumpingstationsintheimmediatevicinityofGlennallenan:dFairbanksaretobesuppliedbyCVEAandGVEA,respectively.Therealso,maybenewindustrialpowerplantsinconnectionwithrefineryexpansionandtheproposednewLNGplantsontheKenaiPeninsula.Generally,industryhasshownawillingnesstopurchasepowerfroITitheutilitiesifadequatereliablesuppliescanbeguaranteed.1/CEAEnvironmentalAnalysis'ofProposed230kvTransmissionLinefromTeelandsubstationtoReedsubstation,page8..22
PartV.POWERREQUIREMENTSPowerrequirementstudiesforthisreportincluded:areviewoftheregionalpowerrequirementstudiesforthenewFPCAlaskaPowerSurveyandoth~rrecentload.estimates;'analyses'ofrecenttrendsinpowerconsumption;andpreparationofanewsetcHloadestimatesreflectingthepresentbestestimatesoffutureare.a>requirementsthroughtheyear2000.Thestudiesalsoincludedanalysisofloadcharacteristicsasneededtodevelopcriteriaforinstalledcapacityandreservoirregulationforpowerproductionfromtheproposed~ydroelectricdevelopment.PowerRequirementsDataThissectionsummarizesdatal..lsedinestimatingfuturepowerrequirementsanddeterminingcriteriaforenergydistributionahdpeakingcapacityfortheSl.lsitnahydroelectricdevelopment;Theestimatesoffuturerequirementsarepremisedonassumed:dataand!annualfuturegrowthtrends.Energydistri):lUtionandpeakingcapacitycriteriaareestimatedfromloaddistrihl.ltiondata..Annl.lalRequirementsTable3summarizes·annualpowerrequirementdatafortheAnchorage-CookInletandFairbanks-Tanapa.Valleyareasfortheyears1964to1974.Thetableincludes:utilitysystemannualenergyrequirements,annualpeakload,annualloadfactor,andratesofincreaseinenergyrequirements;similardataforrepres€mt~tiveyearsforthenationaldefenseinstallationsinthetwoareas;and1972requirementsfortheself-suppliedindustrialpla:ntSontheK~i1aiPeninstl1a.Table3alsoincludesasummationoftheseloadsfortheyears1964,1972,and1974(assurriingindustiialloadsini972;arid19;74areequal).Thetotalareaelectricalenergyrequirementsincreasedbyafactorof2.63duringthe1964-l974period,foranaverageincreaseofjl.lstninepercentperyear.Theutilityrequirementsincreasedatanaveragerateof14.2percentperyearandexceeded12perc~ntgrowthinallbuttwoyearsofthatperiod.Averagegrowthwas14.5percentand13.2percentforAnchorageandFairbanks,respectively.23
Table3.Anchorage'andFairbanksAreaLoadData,1964-1974YearEnergyMillionKwhPeakLoadMWLc;>aqFactorPercentAnnualIncreaseMiJlion-:-kwh.%-AnchorageAreaUtilityReguirements46.149.849.950.649.451.6"51>253.550.251.4.52.562.849.846.866.566.9110.7145.997.2149.9171.1,18.612.310.413.411.917.619.7n.o15.215.1UtilityRequirements-FairbanksArea196495.723.646.21965103.726.544.78.08.41966115.927.847.612.211.81967128.631.846.212.711.01968158.242.742.229.623.01969186.045.646.627.817.61970231.057.046.345.024.21971267.371.243.136.315.71972305.5.71.948.4·38.214.31973315.071.550.29.53.11974330.082.945.415.04.8UtilityRequirements-Anchorage&Fai:rbanksArea'.1964433.9107.264.11965504,.7118.448.770.816.31966566.2130.8.'49.461.512.21967625.7143.949.6,·59.5]0.51968721.8172.647.696.115.41969816.5185.250.394.713.11970972.2272.349.9155.719.119711156.4260.550.7184.218.919721289.8295.849.6133.4n.519731449.2323.551.1159.412.419741635.3366.950.9186.112.824
Table3.AnchorageandFairbanks.AreaLoadData,1964-1974(t6nt.)YearNetMillionKwh,PeakLoadMW'LoadFactor,PercentSelf-SuppliedIndustry-KenaiPeninsula197254.39.753.2NationalDefense-"Anchorage19641972.1974141166.5155.1.3233.932.650.255.954.3NationalDefense-Fairbanks196419721974197203.3197.03741.440.860.655.955.1TotalRequirements-Utility,IndustrialandNationalDefense1964197219741/7721,7052,03317638145050.151.051.61/AssumesIndustrialloadsin1974sameas1972..Notes:IIAnchorageuutilitydatareflectsrequiremeptsofCEA,AML&P,MEA,HEA,andSES.IIFairbanksIIutilitydatereflectssumofGVEAandFMUS.25
ThedatainTable3indicatesthatNationalDefenserequirementshavebeenquitestableovertheperiod.NationalDefenserequirementstotaled44percentoftotalarearequirementsin1964,butonly17percentin1974.'Withtheexceptionoftheself-suppliedindustryintheKenaiPeninsula,areaindustrialloadsaresuppliedbytheutilitiesandincludedintheutilitystatistics.Tables4and5illustratethemajorcomponentsofgrowth.intheutilityrequirementsincreaseincustomersandincreaseinusepercustomer.Numberofcustomersisgenerallyanalogoustoincreaseinareapopulationandeconomicactivities.Usepercustomerwillreflectavarietyoffactorssuchasadditionalappliances,ageneraltrendtowardsbetterhousingandexpandingbusinessinthenewsuburbanareas.Table5showsenergyusepercustomerandannualincreasedusefortheperiod1965through1973.Themainobservationisthattheusepercustomerhasincreasedsignificantly,anqisstillincreasing.TheAnchorageareacustotneraveraged.5.2percentannualincreasewhiletheFairbanksareaaveraged9.8percentannualincrease.Thecombinedweightedannualgrowthwas6.2percent.Estimatesoffuturepowerrequirementspresentedsubsequentlyassumethislargerateofgrowthwillnotcontinueindefinitely,andthatsaturationofhomeappliancesandconservationeffortswillstabilizethepercustomeruse.ThepeakloaddataonTable3representsthesumofannualpeaksfromthevarioussystems.Areatotalpeakloadwouldbesomewhatsmallerinmostcasesduetodiversity.ThedatashownonTable3indicatedthatbotharealoadcentershaveafluctuatingannualutilityloadfactorverycloseto50percent.TheindustryontheKenaiPeninsulahasbeenslightlyhigherat53percent.NatipnalDefensehasthehighestat55percent.Areatotalloadfactorwouldbesomewhathigherduetodiversity.ThedatainTable3indicatesthatfor1974,approximately74percentofthetotalsystemenergy·is.usedintheAnchorageareaand26percentintheFairbanksarea.Comparablefiguresfortheutilitypor,tionwas80percentintheAnchorageareaand20percentintheFairbanksarea.26
Millin,"'r nT""'13Til
'2i:)I1:f.<;G:'··In:;"Vt3~f(.1 Vb vq:g-f'iT''-"_·_·_'---.~;·Ta6·le 4:",Uttl Ity -Sales and Customers-Rallbelt Ar4!a,1965,:",1973
Residential 'Commercial/Industrial Total1965197019731965illQ.J1ll,1965 ,1970 .!.2llAnchorageArea
34,656 54,518 (e)(e)133,083 '(e)AML&P ,1000 KWH 84,OOO()92,889 159,538 231,OOO{)222,200 325,200(e)Cus tomers 6,664 8,860 11,400 e 2,071 2,221 2,540 e 8,742 II ,233 14,100
CEA 1000 KWH 111,587 198,856 287,879 49,747 99,387 174,187 164,507 309,049 483,029Customers15,449 ,23,358 29,077 1,028 1,791 2,465 16,559 25,263 '31 ,~65
MEA 1000 KWH 17 ,115 29,702 52,305 16,708 19,681 29,501 33,952 49,11564 82,018Customers2,638 3,664 5,029 411 546 730 3,050 4,213 5,765
HEA 1000 KWH 6,176 19,290 31 ,848 16,749 53,845 73,943 23,855 75,000 108,407Customers1,413 2,707 3,891 358 542 830 1,832 3,329 4,822
TOTAL 1000 ,KWH 169,534 302,366 456,032 176,093 332,451 508,63J 355.397 655,813 998,65"Customers 26,164 38,589 49,397 3,868 5,100 6,565 30,18,3 44,038 56,352 .1'0.)
"l
Fairbanks Area
FM~,'1000 KWH 16,172 2l~619 27,300{e)37,941 41,500{e)43~962 71,408 '"(e)22,109 83,000{e)Customers 4,147 4,443 4,500{e)795 874 '900 4,~98 '5',492 5,600
GVEA 1000 KWH 23,142 67,123 106,882 25',850 69,064 98,]44 49,357 136,486 206,108Customers3,908 5,846 7,382 523 817 973 4,'478 6,671 8,363
.'(....TOTAL 1000 KWH 39,314 90,742 134,182 47,959 107,005 140,244 93,319 207,894 289,108Customers8,055 10,289 11,882 1,318 1,691 1,873 9,476 12,163 13,963
Ra 11 be 1t Area
TOTAL 1000 KWH 208,848 393,108 590,214 224,052 439,456 648,875 448,716 863,707 1,287,762Customers34,219 48,878 61,279 5,186 6,791 8,438 39,659 56,201 70,315
(e)Estimated
Table 5.
--~=-~c::..c==----=-_"'-""-,::.;;..:..:.:;:;.:'_.-:"_"='.---=",
___'_'_,."~~=__~----:-:-5~--::~c.--,------.::-...:.-=----------=------=:~--,--,-:,~=c~~~"---="::':''---''':'-=-~--=~~~~=='':'--==--=--=:''''O=::-~::::~:;:::=:;;::=:~=--''~~:-=-_''"----.:..:.:.:~__
Energy Use Per Customer,1965-1973
2/,,:,
Units:Thousand Kilowatthours per Customer
Residential Commercial/Industrial Total
Annual Annual Annual
1965 1970 1973 Growth 1965 1970 1973 Growth 1965 1970 1973'Growth-----(%)(%).0(%)
"l:'
Anchorage Area
AML&P 5.2 6.2 7.4 4.5 44.9 71.8'90.9 9.2 15.2 19,.8 23.1 5.4
··CEA 7.2 8.5 9.9 4.1 48.4 55.5 70.7 4.8 9.~12.215.3 5.6
MEA 6.5 8.110.4 6.1 40.736.0 40.4 ---11.111.814.2 3.1
~HEA 4.4 ~,~~46.8 99.3 89.1 8.413.0 22.5,~2.5 7.1
Average 6.3 7.8 9.2 4.9 45.5 65.2 77.5 6.,,9 11.8 14.9:..17.75,2
Fairbanks Area
3.9 5.3 6.1 5.7 27.8 43.4 46.1 .Q.5
5.9'11.5 14.5 '11.9 49.4 84.5 101.5 9.4.---------- --4.9 8.8 11.3 '11.0 36'.4 63.3 74.9 9.4
FMU
GVEA
Average
Combined Area
Average 6.1 8.0 9.6 5.8 43.2 64.7 76.9 .7.5
8.8 13~.0·14.8 6!7
11.0 20.5 24.6 10.6
9.8 17.120.7 .9;8
11.3 15.4 18.3 6.2
Source:REA and APA data.
DistributionDataFigur~3shows_monthlypeCl,kutilityloads,1963to1974,fortheA.nchorage-CookInletandFairbank~-TananaValleyareas.Table6summarizesmonthlypeakdataforthe1971to1974period.Theprominent-aspectisthatsummerpeaksare'runningabout60percentofannualpeak."Thisindicates1:hai.:$uJI1rrl,er_peaking:requirementswillnotbeveryinfluenti~~i.ndeterrniniri'gcapacity-requirements.Winterpeaksshowninthebibl~"p;t"obablyreflectacombinationofgrowthand_ciimatediff~rences.Itisofinterest"thatthe1973-197~peaks~inNovember,December,January,andFebruarywe]:"epfabout-thesame.~magnitude,whileJantiarypeakstheprece-dirigtWowinterswerevery~:pro~~nent.:,-.Figure4showsrepresentativeweeklyloadcurvesforArichorageareautilJtie$.Summerandwinterloadshap~sCl.ppearsimilarexceptthatthewIntershowamorepronouncedeveningpeak.,.Thedailypeaksinbothsummerandwintertendtobebroad.Dat~onFigure4indicatestheminimumhourlyloadduringsummerrangingfrom29to31percentofthewinterpeak.Ta9le7showsrepresentativemonthlyloadfactors.Theseareuniformlyhighthroughouttheyear,intherangeof70to76percent.Itisanticipatec;lthatsilllilardataonaweeklybasiswouldsnowweeklyloadfactorsare-{requentlyabove80percent.29
1315%,.0("'.~.-}.l._~~-cNNo3:oZ-tZ!<"tJ11'1»"ro»ofJ)CIloc;;nCDae.»Cilo(i)n0»":/"",enc":/"00n.,:;r0cmellii"S::n c-'"~.§:"0»0..-:!:cnc_.":/"2.--'00","'a.0d'mlE•ell».,;",.~~.riP~;},..o'"I~.,o'.,~o3Cl'T\2.~.0."elleT",0<'"!:!.=-"s::'<cm:._nell_.n"O_0.,-o'c»~..-~~:nellaoen5';;"'s::?li=,c::-f'1e94.7%CIl~?;'elloCIl~":/"ello!1;Il;»ell-_0n..:;r,..;.:0Om"'ii""tinc~eT_._no'rCoO'=~~Q_.'"::0.-"J?'~:tI.,C_;",.»MriP:tI:..C:104:3%·i75.8%_.i-J.-1-T-Z!CIl"tI-t~gO'~i''!!ri~~=CD::r::::J.._.-c=Tl'g.':==:'0(Del=:(')!!t.enCi'•~Utens::_.":/".,o:SoCD::t&~~~~~:'<:1-'(DfT1a.CDaCDos.Q~~ell::g_.NCnellQ_"'0:-=-.~oCoOlS3~fI!..,30L~!!:~2-2.'1J~1>~~cnif~.~ir~~~-o;0=aen."-......085"=..,,,ell"...0.~8-"0o73.2%..,1.~1.~79.1%IIIIi._---j--.50.0%68.9°/0THOUSANDSOFKWello'"(")~oNoo<D~CD.....01<D.....'"<D""CDen01~-<~l~~r-I<5:!llme"ll,..~!70.5%(SE))II1---.h63.3%(Yl,~In;ijj39.0°MSEl<;;48.9%(YIi~I~I39.20/j'i'72.1%(SEI},71.2%(Yl~__v·:••I:CD51.5%(SEI~47.8%(Y)'0'enIIJI40.6'0Ul\,.1,",.76.6%(SE)"l)86.3%('"-'1)1t:CD52.9%(SElll38.6%g:~\.~89%(YII,....6910~5S~~_)722%,(Y)-It'<Dr•en5O.5%(SE1\Ii.....f\~.I.IO/o(Y)\"';.686%(SE!)·~;91.4%(YIi1,••••NODATA~CDi('363°'(V\405%~g:5t58%(SE1\"-.''0" .'\"'-.-.'.68.2%(SE.l."'-...168.0%(YlI_.~'ijj'45.5%(SElf($1It.~7%(y)!"'-7'7697%(Y)-66.3%(SE1'T./IIr·...'<D150.,%(SE)(,t',.....42.8%(YIo\ -....... \I,.........",--72.7%{Sq),;:>594%('"J._.I:')48.3%(SE)'.:::::>5.8%.".-.-.-.....,........597%(SE»),..;53.3%('"I~.__~__.?1Is..".-.S"I~/.~46.5%(SE)\gt;28.6%(Y)~.~--.......~.\-'"",,:._'.63.9%(SE1).;>53.1%(Y)-(_.,;.-'-;'.,I/'25.6%(SEII'29.2%(Y):",.,.""-.........32.9%(SEl"',-<:)'';'56.3%tY)(,..._'-'I'\\...."""'"-:---O£?'~<D...""..."..
'Oct.,69-7370-81- 3MonthTable6.MonthlyPeakLoads,.1971to19741971-19721972-19731973-1974Peak%AnnualPeak%AnnualPeak-%AnnualMWPeakMWPeakMWPeak143.656146.852162.859143.356154.554175.964161.763179.664194.571185.873209.274224.382222.888236.383269.698236.293260.792266.997254.5100283.0100274.5100224.588259.692264.296222.887225.180249.491176.769196.469201:673157.962.176.762180.466152.160165.258176.;r6431Rep.resents·sUIIlofloadfifor~AML&P,C~A,IiMUS,andGVEAasRllbiishl::ldinAlaskaEleetricPowerStatistics,1960-1973,APA,December1974.PeakswithinindividuaLsystemsmayhaveoccurredatdifferenttimes·duringthetnonths;"Ju,lyr.<A,pr..::;_:~'~!e:.j'A._~_.'_-;~-~.r:...:~.,.>
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I ,i i 11TI '!'I I I -II Ii I \1 I 11,1 I,h''!.i150li'l I I Ii 111 1 ,!II II 1 II ill I I ,ii'~'Ii!E140
I II j Ii :ill;:!I :1 I!il II 1 r it!II i ~:,.
i I i j Ii I fttiHtll!:;lill',I I I I I:i 130.,
,I 1
11 I,~I Ii f-h'illl'I I[T II:
\&I .!I II :,:'!I Ii i!:1 cd~i r:-I!!II I 'T:i I!I 1\11 I ,.
1 IT~,120 I t,l
i !'II II II I :!II'~'II I I ''I it",
Iii2..'.
~1I0 I I !!I 'II I III i I I'Jlh.1 i,'i i I I I I 'I'I Iii,i15~i rll II I iill\':!I"L II I I ii]IiizIIIilli!!:II I:I II I I ~!20
I ill 1 '[If I Iii~IOQ U I ii ill!i Iii Iii I -;te.!~11 I I 1 !.'!I ll!~I :i II ill !'!I Ii I I !I if'I !:to I
i ;II!l!i l ,l_i !Ii I I \,I I
\Iii I \1 I ,
1 .[IitoI
!i1 II i II !'II I ,',!I :,
I "I Ii Ii I I I10
!UI II I.I I Ii.,'I i :';il ,
II10-,......':I U'i I II II I !i II.'I I 1 I I!80 ,,
i i40,.r
30 I I I I I 11/01 'r-II il '!
36A9N36P,36A9N36P~3U.N36P'361\,"3 6p ,9 36A.N'SP9 3 SA 9 N 3 SP 9 3SA9N3SP9SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDA"THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
DAYS OF THE WEEK -,
RepresentssumofloadsforAML&P,CEA,FMUS,andGVEAaspublishedinAlaskaElectricPowerStatistics,1960~1973,APA,December1974."Table7.MonthlyLoadFactors,1972and1973)f19721973EnergyMonthlyEnergyMonthly1·.<.,PeakMillion"·LoadPeakMillion'Load·,MWkwhFactorMWkwhFactor'--254.,5135.372283.0153.6'72Feb.224.5115.376·259.6,127.573Mar.222.8119.270225.1125.575Apr.176.796.676196.4105.475May157.987.875176.798.575June152.178.572165.287.674July146.876.670162.889.874Aug.154.586.975175.996.273Sept.176.992.972194.5100.872209.2108.870,224.3122.773Nov.236.3124.473269.6,144.674Dec.260.7143.374266~9147.074Note:3S
Studiesfor.AlaskaPowerSurveyThepowerrequirementstudiesforthenewFPCAlaskaPowerSurvey'aresummarizedin.theMay1974reportoftheT~thnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisand"LoadProjec:ti,oh',..Thesestudiesincludedreview.ofprevious'l'eportsandrecent10Cldestimatespreparedforthepowersysteminthe'state,analysisofpre$entandfuture.trendsinpowerconsu~ption,andregionalestimatesoffuturepowerrequirementsthroughtheyear.2000,TheseregionalestimatesweredevelopedasarangeoffuturerequirementsdependinguponassumedlevelsofchangeintheAlaskapopulation.andeconomy,Alloftheestimatesassumedsubstantialreductioningrowthratesforpowerdemands'after1980.wouldbe'achievedthroughconservationmeasures.ThepowersurveyregionalestimatesincludedRailbeltarealoadsintheregionaltotalsfortheSouthcentralandYukonregions~Figure5showstheregionalboundaries.For1972,utilityrequirementsimmediatelyaccessibletoaninterconnectedRailbeltsystemamountedtoabout96percentoftotalutilityloadsforthetworegions,ThustheregionaltotalsarereasonablyrepresentativeofRailbeltsystemrequirements,Theregionalestimatesalsoincludedevaluationsoflikelynewindustrialpowerrequirements--timber,mineral,oilandgas,etC,--manyofwhichwouldberemotefrom..aRailbeltsystem,fortheforeseeablefuture,Table8summarizesregionalutilitysystemrequirementsforthe1960to1972periodaspresentedinthepowers.urvey,ThisanalysesindicatedRailbeltutilityrequirementswereincreasingatanaveragerate'of14percentannually,In1972,Railbeltutilityloadstotaled1,3billionkilowatthours,orabout80percentofstatewiderequirementsfortheyear,Total1972Railbelt.loads,includingutility,nationaldefense,andself-suppliedindustrialloads,wereabout2billionkilowatthours,or77percentofstatewidetotalrequirementsfortheyear.Tables9and10summarizetheregionalestimatesfromthepowersurveythroughtheyear2000forutilitysystemrequirements,andfortotalrequirementsincludingnationaldefensesystemsandindustrialrequirements,Thepower.surveystudiesreflectfutureassumptionsrangingfromfairlylimitedtoratherrapiddevelopmentoftheAlaskaresourcesandeconomy.Onthebasisofthepowersurveymid-rangeestimates,expectedincrementsinregionalutilityandtotalrequirementsareasfollows:36
------------------------------------------------------~
400
Scale in mil ••
136"
50 100 200 lIOO
ALASKA 'PLANNI:NG
REGIONS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORI
ALASKA POWER ADMINISTRATION
'GULF OF AlLAlSKAl f --
L ---r-------
Il \·\'
\'__i,_,-
;;-V/~-------t-------- -
:I '
Co)
"'l
AnnuaLGrossGeneration,Millionkwh.19601042348674311961III26489·1147519621202949312520'1963129329102145731964141362110156281965148452117.177351966160510132208211967165560145228911968177633171251,007196918570,8198291,120197020283124335l',3111971217990276431,526.1972'!/2291,037307461,620Table8.tJtilitySystemRequirements,1960-19723811.412.010010010022319.114.9RemainderStateofStateYTotal?:./7.515.1201619Yukon(Interior)13.912.554.6264SouthcentralAlaska.Ratesofc:rrowth,(%peryear)7.56.2PortionofStatewideRequirements,(%),241914.SoutheastAlaska1960-19661966d9721960196619721/Arctic,Northwest,andSquthwestRegions..2/Totalsmaynotbalanceduetorounding.3/1972datapreliminary.Year
Table8.UtilitySystemRequirements,1960-1972;(Cont'd)Other.·GrowthIndicationsFactorPopulationgrowth,1960-1972:1.StatewideTotalresidentialpopulationTotalcivilianpopulation2.RailbeltTotalresidentialpopulationTotalcivilianpopulationAnnualGr,owthRate3.0%3.7%3.6%4.5%Railbeltareautilitypowerrequirements,1960-1971growth:1.TotalrequirementsKwhsalesNumberofcustomersKwh/customer2.ResidentialsalesK~vhsalesNumberofcustomersKwh/customer14.0%6.0%7'.3%13.8%6.5%7.0%Source:AlaskaPowerSurvey,TechnicalAdvisoryComplitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadPr6Jection.39
Table 9.Regional Utility Load Estimates,1972-2000
Note:Estimated future peak:demand based on 50 percent annual load factor ..
Source:Alaska Power Survey,Technical Advisory Committee on Economic Analysis and Load
Projection.
Annual
Energy
Million KWH
200'0
Peak
Demand!
1000 KW
Annual
Energy
Million KWH
"
,':.r~
Peak
Demand
1000 KW
."-~::'~')
~,
1980
Annual
Energy
,Million KWH
Peak
Demand
1000 KW
\lJ
;'~
.Peak Annual'
De~and Energy
1000 KW Million KWH
,~r.~''":.:::-~':;};\:;<,;~It!f(:~/~~ji ~1 :~.
Table lO ..,Riegt~:mal!)To'talLoa$::l:Estimate,,.jl9,j:2f2000:;.;
~.~';1:;.r,:,;;'",,:,..t .'
~J ".",
~~-,~
f Actuai'Requirements'
,1972
""l·~t
~!~
,~,
Region
Higher Rateof-"Growth
,~.
1,465Southcentral•317 990 5,020 5,020 30,760 7,190 ,40,810
Yukon (Iriterior)U5 542 330 1,610 760 3,980 1,390 7,000
'~
Total.432 2,007 1,320 .6,630 5,780 34,740 8i580 47,810
;--
or:.Likely Mig Range of Growth...
Southcentral 790 3,790 1,530 "7,400 3,040 15,300
Yukon (hi terior •280'1,310 470 2',270 910 4,6iO',.----
,Total L070 5,100 2,000 9,670 3,950 19,910
Lower Rate of Growth
Southcentral 650 3,040 1,160 5,430 1,790 8,510
Yukon (Interior)250 1,140 370 1,760 530 2,540
Total ,900 4,180 '1,530 7,190 2,-320.11,050
Note:Assume 80 percent annual load factor for,industrial requirements;50 percent for utility requirements.
fligher estimate includes nuclear enrichment facility in 1980's with requirements of 2.5 million kilowatts.
Source:Alaska Power Survey,Technical Advisory Committee on Et:onomic Analysis and Load Projection.
42PopulationChange-1/Thismaybecompare~:lwithanetincreaseofthefarWestregionof14.7percent,the,MountainRegionwith15.9percentandtheUnitedStateswith13.8percent,ReviewofBusinessandEconoinicConditions..2,1063,4005,4703,0934,57010,240AnnualEnergyMillionKwhAnnu,alEnergyMillionKwh4977701,260638930.1,950PeakDemandMWPeakDemandMWSouthcentralandYukonTotalLoa,dIncrementsSouthcentralandYukon.UtilityLoadIncrementsFactorsInfluencingPowerDemands1972-19801980-19901990-2000Period'1972~19801980-1990.1990-2000PeriodDuringthe1950-60decadeAlaska's-popula.tionincreasedsome76percent.Thefollowingdecade,althoughaddingover76.,000persons,thenetincreasewas34percent.YIncreasesfortheSouthcentralandInteriorregionswere117and50percent;and114and16percentr.espectively.ThissectionwilldiscusssomeofthefactorsthatwillinfluencefuturepowerdemandsintheRailbeltarea.Inmanycases,directimpactonpowerdemandscannotbequantifiedwithanydegreeofaccuracy,butallofthefactorswillbeconsideredintheassumptionsforfuturerequirements.
AlaskaPopulation1950-;1:970aland1974b/'i\}~,:..:ChangeChangeChangeYearAlaskaNo.%So.CentralNo.%InteriorNo.%---1950128,64350,90923,00R196022-6,16797;52475.8108,85158,75&117.349,12826,120113.51970302,64776,48033.8163,75854~90750.456,7997,67115.61974351,15948,98616.2194,56931,77719.467,31510,51618.5Eachyearfrom1960to1970,AlaskaandtheSouthcentralandtheInterior'h~gionsaddeda:naverageofsome7,600;5,500;and750personsrespectively.SinceJ970,thesesameareasareestimatedtohaveannuallyaveragedanincreaseover12,200;7,900;and2,600.These£igurespredatestartofconstq.lc:tionoftheAlyeskapipeline.Dis,countingdirectemployrnentonpipelirieconstruction,Railbeltpopulationha:s:beenincreCl:singatacompoundrateofaround3.5percentperyear.Mostplannersexpectcontinuedrapidincreaseforatleastthenextfewyears.EconomicGrowthPopulationchangeisofco:urserelatedtoeconomicactivityandemployment,opportunities.HistoricallyAlaska'seconomywasbasedonfurs,goldandcopper.Itsmoderneconomyhasreliedonfisheries,forestryandgovernmentservices.•"PresentlyAlaska'sgrowtheconomyisbeingdrivenbytheexplorationand,developmentof"thenorthern,(primarilyArcticSlope)oil'andgasfields,theconstructionoftheAlyeskaoilpipelineandtranshipmentfacilitiesatValdez;andtheaccompanyinggrowthinsupportservicesandfacilitiesatAnchorage,Fairbanksandothertownsalongthepipelineroute.Additionalimpetusiscomingfromstate~IReviewofBusinessandEconomicConditions,UniversityofAlaska,InstituteofSocial,EconomicandGovernmentResearch,Dec.1971,Vol.VII",-No.5...J!:IDerivedfromCurrentPopulationEstimates~CensusDivisions,July1,1974,AlaskaDepartmentofLabor,ResearchDivision.43
expenditures,co~~truc;t!bnofi~~ati'p"frCl;struct':lre,expansionOfAlaskaISserviceindustry,andactivitiesassociatedwiththeAlaskaNativeClaims'~Settlem_~ntAct(ANCSi\).-:..-Someoftheseactivitiessuchastheconstructionoftheoilpipelineandtranshipmentfacilitieshavealimitedtimeinwhichtheireffectwillcorltinuetoprovideecortomy,expansion.Forexample;thehuge·pipelineconstructionforceisexpectedtodeclineveryrapidlyoncompletion'ofthe.actualpipelayingirilate1976,aridlonger.fermemployment.fbroperatingthelinewillinvolverelativelyfewjobs.Other£actbrssuchasAN6SAcan.beexpectedtohavevery10ngAermeffects-;astheregional,andvillagecorporatiQns,usetheircapitaLlandandresour,cestoeconomicadvantage';:.'."Thereareverystrongpressuresforexpandingoilandgasexplorationanddevelopm.entinAlaska~representingavery'complexsetofinterestsatthenationah':state,and.localle::vels..$everalareaso,n,theAlaskaOuter;ContinentalShelLand'NavalPetroleumcReserve#4areveryhighpriorities:inthenationalprogramsdirectedtoenergyselfsufficiency,.Stateinterestandinvolvementincludespossibleadditionalleasing(BeaufortSeaandothers),recognitionthatleasingandroyaltyrevenueswilllikelybethemajorsourceofstateincomefortheforeseeablefuture,andd~c::j,sicinsbIlstateroyaltyoilandgas.SomeoftheNativeCorporationshaveoilandgasexplor~tionprogramsunderway.Ifreservesare:fbund~.therewill··bestrongpressuresfordevelopmentfortheselandstoo.i;Generally,itmustqeassumed-thattheoiLanq.gas-developments·willcontinuetobeamajorfactor.intheRailbeltand.state<economy,fortheforeseeablefuture.;candthatadditionalmajoroilandgasdevelopmentsimpactingtheRailbeltareprobablewithinthe.nextfewyears,-includingsubstantialexpansionofthe-presentpetrochemica1industry.OtherfactorswhichwillcontinuetosupporteconomicgrowthintheRailbeltincludetheCapitalrelocation,andanyfurtherdevelopmentsinoth~rindustriesincludingtourism,forestry,mining,andagriculture.NooneiSf5ugg~stiJ:'l~thatalloftheabove'\Villo<;:curiJ:lthe;shortterm.Each,hO'Yeye~,has.,a_pd$§ibilityilid9-riycc)in,binati~ri:0£th~abov:e-eventsmustinc~ea:sethepopulationofAlaskaandtheenergyreq~i·rem~nts.
Changes'inpseoLElectricEnergyNationally,electric.energyconsumptionhasp>eenexpandingatacompoundrateofaroundsevenpercentperyear.Thiscompareswtth.arounda.fourpercentincreaseintotalenergy>use.The!?eincreasescorrelatewithorexceedtrendsinnationalgrossproductandsubstantiallyexceedratesofpopulationgrowth.Manyfactorscanbecitedinatleastpartiale~lanationof,tllesetrendshighproductivity,ofelectricenergyininquf';try,increasingaffluence,lowcostofenergy,andsoforth.PreliminarystatisticsindicatethattotalU.S.energyconsumption.during1974declinedbyabouttwopercentandthatelectricenergyproductionfortheyearshowednogrowthover1973.Thiswasthefirstfullyearofwidespreadconcernforenergyconservation,andresultsoftheconservationprogramsarereflectedinthechanges.However,thechangesalsoreflectalargeincreaseinrelativecostofenergy,adeepeconomicrecessionwithhighunemploymentandlargeamountsofidleindustrialcapacity,andgenerallymildwinters.ForAlaska,1974wasnotarecessionyear.Energyconsumptioncontinuedto'increaserapidlyinthestate,includingincreasesexceeding12percentinelectricenergyrequirementsforthemajorRailbeltutilities.DatapresentedpreviouslyshowedthatincreasesinelectricdemandsfortheRailbeltreflectbothincreasesinnumbersofcustomersandincreasesinusepercustomer.Itisreasonabletoassumethatelectricenergywillbesubstitutedformanydirectusesofoilandgasinthefuture.Thissubstitutionisoneofthefewmajoroptionsavailableforreducingdependencyonoilandnaturalgas.Onlyveryroughestimatesareavailableontheextenttowhichsuchsubstitutionsmaybedesirable,.Datapresentedinthepowersurveyshowedelectricenergyaccountedforonly13percenttotalenergyusedinAlaskain1971,andthatasof1972,over60percentofthestate'selectricrequirementswerederivedfromoilandgas.Incontrast,thePacificNorthwestderivesover90percentofitselectricenergyfromhydropower,andelectricityaccountsforabout40percentof45
totalregionalenergyuse.ItisAPA'sjudgementthatinthelongterm,electricenergywillprovideasimilarlylargeshareoftotalenergyrequirerrfEmts'in:theRailbeltare-a,ifalternativepowersourcesofcoal,hydro,andnuc1eaiaredeveloped."Assumingnogrowthinoverallenergyuse,thiswouldinvolveathree-foldincreaseinelectricenergyrequirements.Thecoldclimates,especiallyintheInterior,provideadditionalincentivetosubstituteelectricenergy-fordirectuseoffossilfuels.Forexample,analleleetriceconomyforthe'Fairbanksareawouldsubstantiallyreducefutureproblemswithairpollution,fog,andicefog.46
1975EstimatesofFuturePowerRequirementsThissectionpresentsfuturepowerrequirementestimatesdevelopedforthecurrentevaluationoftheUpperSusitnaProject.Workforthenewestimatesconsistedof:0)areviewofthepreviousd,ataand'datafromthepowersurveyinlightofnewdatafortheyears1973and1974;(2)considerationofcurrentregionalandsectionaltrendsinenergyandpoweruse;and(3)preparationofanewsetofloadestimatesreflectingthismostrecentdata.Thenewanalysesgenerallyindicatethatmajorpremisesforthepowersurveyloadestimatesremainvalid.Changesincludetheupdateforthemostrecentestimatesandreducingtheregionalestimatesfromthepowersurveytoreflectareasthatcouldbeserveddirectlyfromaninter-connectedRailbeltsystem.Thislatterstepeliminatedloadsfor,remotecitiesandvillagesa.swellaspotentialindustrial-loadsfortheseremote-areas.For1973and1974,theAnchorageareautilitiesenergydemandincreased15.2percentperyearandpeakingrequirementsincreased12.6percentperyear.TheFairbanksIutilitiesenergydemandincreasedonly3.9percentwhilethepeakingrequirementincreaseci7.4percent.ThesmallerincreaseintheFairbanksareaisassumedduetothelargebuildupinanticipationoftheoilpipelineconstruction,andthenasubsequentdelayofconstructionstartuntillate1974.69-7370-81-4IncrementsofTotalPowerRequirements,1,000KWIncrementsofUtilityPowerRequirements,1,000KW2,2802,2901,4801974-20002,2801,1806001990-20001,140740560471980-19904403703201974-1980HigherEstimateMid-RangeLowerEstimate1974-19801980-19901990-20001974-2000HigherEstimate5403,9602,3006,800Mid-Range4208001,5002,720LowerEstimate3406006601,600ThenewestimatesaresummarizedinTable11andFigure6.Indicatedloadincrements,bydecade,are:
Table 11.Estimated Utility,National Defense,and Industrial Power Requirements
Actual Requirements Estimated Fqture Requirements
Type of Load 1974 1980 1990 ·2000
Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual
Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy
Area 1000 kw Million/kwh .1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 k~MilUon /kwh
National Defense
.Anchorage 10
Fairbanks y
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Total
.~industrial
Anchorage
Fairbanks 1/
Anchorage
Fairbanks Y
33
-!!..
74
155 35 170 40 190 45 220
197 45 220 .50 240 55 260--352 80 390 90 430 100 480
-~
High Rate of Development Assumed
45 100 710 2,910 20,390 2,920 20,460
--------
Mid-Range Development Assumed .
50 350 100 710 410 2,870
--.------
Low Development Assumed
20 140 50 350 100 710
1/Rounds to less than 10 MW
Note:Industrial development does not assume pipeline pumping.
Table 11.Estimated Utility,National Defense,and Industrial Power Requirements (Cant)
.,
Actual Requirements Estimated Future Requirements
Type of Load 1974 1980 1990 2000
Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual
Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy
Area 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh
Utilities High Rate of Growth
Anchorage 284 1,305 650 2,850 1,570 6,880 3,430 15,020
~Fairbanks 83 330 160 700 380 1,660 800 3,500-- --
------.---
Total 367 1,635 810 3,550 1,950 8,540 4,230 \18,520
Likely Mid-Range Growth
Anchorage 590 2,580 1,190 5,210 2,150 9,420
Fait-banks 150 660 290 1,270 510 2,230---
Total'740 3,240 1,480 6,480 2,660 11,650
Lower Rate of Growth
Anchorage 550 2,410 1,010 4,420 1,500 6,570
Fairbanks 140 610 240 1,050 350 1,530------
Total 690 3,020 1,250 5,470 1,850 8,100
Table 11.Estimated Utility,National Defense,and Industrial Power Requirements (Cant)
Type of Load
Area
g)Anchorage
Fairbanks
Total
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Total
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Total
Actual Requirements Estimated Future Requirements
1974 1980 1990 2000
Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak .Annual
Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy
1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh 1000 kw Million/kwh
Combined Utility,National Defense,and Industrial Power Requirements
Higher Growth Rate
327 1,505 785 3,730 4,520 27,460 6,395 35,700
124 527 205 920 430 1,900 855 3,760------
451 2,302 990 4,650 4,950 29,360 7,250 39,460
Likely Mid-Range Growth Rate
675 3,100 1,330 6,110 2,605 12~510
195 880 340 1,510 565 2,490----
870 3,980 1,670 7,620 3,170 15,000
Lower Growth Rate
605 2,720 1,100 4,960 1,645 7,500
185 ,830 290 1,290 405 1,790------
790 3,550 1,390 6,250 2,050 9,290
..-l~W~..
ESTIMATED FUTUR;E·POWER REQUI;.BEMENI:S
1974-2000
I.PEAK LOAD REQUIREMENTS
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
't.(
til....
3=5000
:E 4000
I
03000«g 2000'
~«w 1000a..
500
400
300
Note:Includes estimated peak load
requirements for utility,notional defense,
and industrial power systems in the
Anchorage-Cook Inlet and Fairbanks-
Tanana Volley areas.
100'I A.P.A.-September 1975 I
1965 70 75 eo 85 9095 2000
YEAR ,
Note:Includes estimated annual energy·Jequireme'1t~
for utility,notional defense,and industrial power
systems in the Anchorage-Cook Inlet and Fairbanks-
Tanana Volley ar~as.
ESTIMATED FUTURE POWER REQUIREMENTS
1974-2000
2.ANNUAL ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
40,ob.01 I ::I 1
30,000 I
20,000
J:.3:10,000
~
Zo 5000
:j 4000
:E 3000
Ib 2000
0::
IJJ
Z
IJJ
-J«::::>z ~OO
Z 400«
VI
~
300
200
90 95 20008085
YEAR
7570
1001 !I1965 !A.P.A.-September 1975!!
Withallowancesforreservesal1.dplantretirem.ents,theindicatednewcapacityrequirementsbytheyear2000rangefromabouttwotoeightmillionkilowattswithamid-rangeestimateofoverthreemillionkilowatts.R~tesofincrea'seinutilitypowerrequirementsassumedforthefuture-estimatesareshownbelow:Estimate1974-19801980-1900 1990-2000HigherRange14.1%9%8%LikelyMid-Range12.4%7%"-6%LowerRange,11.1%6%4%Itbearsrepeatingthattheassumedgrowthrates-after19'80'aresubstantially';belowexistingtrendsand'thattheyassumesubstantialsavingsthroughincreasedefficiencyinuseofenergyandconservationprograms.TheestimatesfortheNationalDefenserequirementsarepremisedonthe1974poweruseforthe'majorbasesandanassumedfuture"growthofapproximatelyonepercentperyear.Theseestimatesarelowerthanpresentedinthepowersurveydata,reflectingtrendsin1973and'1974.TheestimatesforfutureutilityrequirementscoverthesameloadsectorsasnowsuppliedbyAlaskautilitysystems.Thisincludesmostlightindustryandindustrysupportservices.TheutilityestimatesdonotincludeaJlowancesforindustrialrequirementsformajornewresourceextractionandprocessing,newenergyintensiveil1dustries,orheavymanufacturing.Thepowersurveystudiesincludedareviewofpotenti,alnewdevelopmentsintheenergy,mineral,andtimberfieldsandaset'ofassumptionsonindividualdevelopmentsconsideredlikelythroughtheyear2000.Basically,theestimatesinvolvedselectingafewdevelopmentsconsideredmostlikelytooccurfromamongthemorepromisiIlgpotentialsandroughestimatesofthepowerrequirementsthat,wouldbeinvolved.Forthisstudy,thepowersurveyassumptionswerescreenedtoincludeonlythosedevelopmentswhich'couldbereadilyservedfromaninterconneCtedRailbeltpowersystem.ThiseliminatedmanypotentialnewindustrialloadslistedintheSurvey,particularlyremoteminingdevelopments,'\intheYukonregion.'53
Tables12and13summarizeassumednewindustrialpowerrequirementsforthisreport.Thebasicassumptionsincorporatedinthesenewestimatesaresummarizedbelow.Inmostcases,theassumptionsaresimilartothoseadoptedforthepowersurvey:1.Itisgenerallyconsidered·thatthe,Railbeltareapopulationwillcontinuetogrowmorerapidlyduringthestudyperiodthanthenationalaverage.2.Utilitystatisticsindicateindividualcustomers'electricenergyconsumptionhasbeenincreasingsixtosevenpercentperyear.,However,alloftheloadestimatesassumethatsaturationlevelsformanyenergyuseswillbe:reachedandthatratesofincreaseformostindividualuseswilldeclineduringthe1980'sand1990's.Thisreflectsassumedeffectsofmajoreffortstoincreaseefficienciesandconserveenergyforalluses.3.Rapidgrowth.intheRailbeltareawillcontinuethroughthebalanceofthe1970's,witheconomicactivitygeneratedbyNorth.Slopeoilandgasdevelopmentbeingamajorfactor.4.Futureadditionalenergysystems,potentialmineraldevelopments,petroleumprocessing,anddevelopmentofapetrochemicalindustrywillallbeveryinfluentialinuseofelectricalenergythroughtheendofthecentury.5.MajoreconomicadvancesforallofAlaskaandespeciallyfortheAlaskaNativepeopleshouldbeanticipatedasaresultoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.6.Theremaybesubstantialsubstitutionofelectricityfordirectuseofoilandgasiftheelectricityisfromothersources.Loadfactorsassumedwerethesameasforthepowersurvey--utilitysystems,50%;industrialloads,80%;-andnationaldefense,55%.The50%and55%arefurthersupportedbythedatainTable3.The80%isanassumptionbasedonhigherutilizationofgenerationequipmentbyindustry.Minordifferencesmaybereflectedinthetableduetocombiningandrounding.Theconceptofrangeestimatespresentedinthepowersurveyiscontinued.Itattemptstobalancethepopulationandthegrowthfactorswithincreasingconservationtrends.TheIIhigherllrangeanticipatessignificantnewS4
AssumedIndustrialDevelopmentTable12.RATEOFINDUSTRYGROWTHKenaiPeninsula:ChemicalPlant:MidHighLNGPlant:LowMidHighRefinery':TimberProcessing:LowMidHighASSUMPTIONExisting,withplannedexpansionby1980,then,nochangeto2000.Existing,largerexpansionassumedby1980,continuedexpansionto2000.~Existing,largestyetexpansionassumedby1980,largerexpansionto2000.Existing,withnochangeassumedto2000.Existing,nochangebefore1980,steadyexpansionthereafter.Existing,expansionassumedbefore1980andcontinuingto2000.Existing,plussameassumptionsasUGplant.Smallstartbefore1980,expansiontohighvalueby2000.Largerstartbefore1980,expansiontohighvalueby1990.Largeststartbefore1980,nochangeto2000.55
MidStart-upbefore1980,DOchangeto2000.Mid'Start-upbefore1980,fulloperationby1990,nochangeto2000.HighFulloperationstart-upbefore1980,DOchangethe:reafter."""""ASSUMPTIOB"""Initiallyloadedafter1980,loadtripledby2000.Startatfulloperationbefore1990,nochangeto2000.Start-upafter1980,fulloperationby'2000.Pilotprojectpowerbetween1990and2000.Start-upby1980,five-foldexpansionby1990,doubleby2000.Largestart-upby1980,doubleby1990,nochangeto2000.Start-upaft.er1980,nochangeto2000.Start-upafter1980,fiv~foldexpansionby2000.(continued)AssumedIndustrialDevelopmentLowMidInitiallyloadedbefore1980,tripledby199021/3expansionby2000.HighLargerinitialloadbefore1980,21/3expansionby1990,nochangeto2000.56LowLowMidPilotprojectby1990,tulloperationby2000.HighPilotprojectbefore1980,fulloperationby1990,nochangeto··2000.LowHighHighMidHighRATEOFGROWTHTable12.Timber:NewCity:NuclearFue~Enrichment:BelugaCoalGasification:LNGPlant:MiningandMineralProcessing:OtherVicinities:IBDtETRY
Source:1974AlaskaPowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeReportonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProductions,pages81-89.!/Existing;nstallations~/Timberprocessingandoilrefineryloadstotaledlessthan10NnN.57
energyandminerald~velopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmostpromising.TheIIl0werllrangegenerallyassumesaslackening'ofthepaceofdevelopmentfollowingthecompletion,~ftheAlyeskapipeline.TheIImid-rangellappearstobeareasonablyconservativeestimate•Withtheexceptionoftheannuallargeloadforanuclearenrichmentfacility(2500MWinthe1990and2000IIhighrangellestimates'only)alloftheassumednewindustrialloadsareconsideredveryconservative.Themainpurposeofincludingthenuclearenrichmentassumptionistoillustratethatorderofmagnitudeofloadsforlargeenergy-intensiveuses.Veryroughestimatesforrequirementsthatmightbeanticipatedfora.newcapitalcityarealsoincludedinTable12.TheestimatesdonotassumemajorloadsassociatedwithOCSdevelopmentsorverylargepetrochemicalindustries.Similarly,theydonotassumerapidaccelerationofminingandmineralprocessing.CopperValleyPowerRequirementsTheCopperValleyElectricAssociationprovidespoweratValdezandGlennal-len.Powerrequirementsarerelativelysmall,butrecentratesofincreasehavebeenlargebecauseofactivityrelatedtotheAlyeskapipelineand.terminalconstruction.ExistingSituationCVEAenergyrequirementshaveincreasedatanaverageannualrateof10percentfrom5.6millionkwhperyearin1965,thefirstyearCVEA.servedbothGlennallenandValdez,to14.4millionkwhperyearin1974.The1974peakloadforthetwotownswas3.5MW.Combinedinstalledcapacitywas6.1MW(alldiesel).CVEArecentlyinstalled3.6MWinValdezandhas5.2MWscheduledforGlennallenduring1975w.ithanadditional6MWproposedforValdezin1976andagainin1978.CVEAhasunderstudyasmallhydroproject(SolomonGulch)andapotentialintertiebetweenG~ennallenandValdez.FutureUtilityLoadsThemostrecentestimateofutilityloadsispresentedinanOctober1974studypreparedforCVEA.YThestudyestimatednearfutureloadswouldpeakat9MWand46millionkwhuponconstructioncompletionofthepipeline,\yCopperValleyElectricAssociation,Inc.15YearPowerCostStudyHydro/Diesel,RobertW.RetherfordAssociates,October,1974.58
i'thepipeliI?-eterminal,andanelettricalinterconnectionhetweenValdezandGlennallenirt'1978.The10ads"w'ere,estimatedtolevelOffforafewyearsatthattime.'By1989,thesfuClyestimatedtheloadsat'15Mwand'75millionkwh.Itvias'envisionedthafCVEAwouldfurnishenergy"totheconstructioncamp,thepipelinerefrigerdtibnstation,andtheutility-typelo~dsattW'ooilpipelinepumpingstations.AfyeskaPipelineCompany.~estimatedtheseloadswouldamountt,021.8millionkwhannually."APAestimatedCVEApowerrequirementsbasedonrateofgrowthassumptionssimilartothoseusedforestimatingtheAnchorageandFairba.nksareaneeds.Theestimatesareshowninthefollowingtabulation:.198019902000EnergyEnergyEnergyMillionPeakMillionPeakMillionPeak>,GrowthDuriilgPeriodkwhMWkwhMWkwhMW'High327771816938Y.id-Range297581310524Lower27649117317ShouldtheValdezareabecomeamajormanufacturingoroilprocessingarea,theaboveestimatesofutilityloadswouldbemuchtoolow.IndustrialLoadsCurrentindustrialloadsincludetheconstructioncampsforthepipelineterminalandpumpingstations.Anoil-firedsteamplantwillsupplyelectricrequirementsandprocesssteam;attheterminal.';'I'hesearerelativelysmallloads.Theconceptofusingelectricpowerforoillinepumpingrequirementshasbeenadvancedinpreviousstudies.Foravarietyofreasons,includingeconomicsandabsenceofastrongareatransmissionsystem,thisplanwasnotattractive'tothepipelinecompany.Allrecognizethatasubstantialsavingsinoilcouldbeaccomplishedifthepipelinewereelectrified,andifthepowerwerederivedfromanothersourcesuchashydroorcoal.TotalrequirementsforpipelinepumpingsouthoftheYukonRiverwereestimatedat225,000KWinanAPAstudy(1969).S9
TheconceptoLut:i.lizingelectricitytodi~p1;a,c~_fu:el~wouldbep,rfu,rth~FattentionifanA~a~ka~outeisselected£ortransportingnaturalgas'IroJIlAlaska's,NorthSlope._,.'Thesubstantia~amountofgaspeec1edfor;compressorandrefrigerati()Dstationsandf()rliquefying.th.egascould.besavedby.substituting';'electricpO¥1er.Inf9rt;n!'i-1estimate~fromtpeEIPasoNat~ralGasCompC}IJ.Yindicater~quirement~o(upto900MWifctn.AI,askagaslineandLNGplantwerepoweredbyelectricity.Assumingan80percentplantfactor,thiswouldamounttoaround6billionkilowatthpursannualenergy.Ala.rgeportio"noftheloadw~uldbeattidewaterattheLNGplant.TheavailabilityoflargeamountsofoilandpossiblynaturalgasatportsontheGulfofAlaskafurthersuggeststhepossi1;>ilityofestablishingrefineriesorpetroleumplantsinthearea.IndustrialloadsassociatedV::ithoilandgaspipelinesandotherpotentialindustrialloadsinthePrinceWilliamSoundAreahavenotbeencon~ideredinassessmentsofUpperSusitnapowermarketsandfinancialfeasibilityoftheproj.ect.CriteriaforCapacityandEnergyDistributionReservoirandpowerplantcapacitycriteriaarepremisedonexpecteduseoftheprojecttomeetpowerdemands.ThissectiondiscussesthedataandassumptionsincorporatedinthecapacitycriteriafortheUpperS\lsitnaProject.Thebasicapproachinvolvesasetofmonthlyenergydistributionassumptionswhichareused'tosizetheprojectreservoirsandtodetermine,annu~lfirmenergyproductionfromtheproject.Thepowerplantcapacity~ssumptionsreflectthecapacityneededtomarkettheprojectpower.EnergyDistributionItisassumedthattheenergyrequirementsfromthehydroelectricprojectwillbeproportionaltototalsystemenergyrequirementsonamonthlybasisforanygivenyectr.Table14summarized1970-1972monthlyenergydistributionfortheareautilities,expressedasapercentofannualenergyrequirements.Thetablealsoshowsenergydistributionassumptionsusedinprevioushydro'"electricstudiesinthearea.60
Table14.MonthlyEnergyRequirementsasPercentofAnnualRequirements21CombinedloadsofCEA,AML&P,GVEA,FMUS,forperiodOct.1970-Sept.1972.~/Assumestotalrequirementsconsistingof25%industrialloadsand75%oftheabovecombinedloadsofthefourmajorutilities.6163.636.465.334.763.536.562.137.9196119711970-1972ReconnnendedDevil1Brad1~1UtilitltforCurrentMONTHCanyon_ILake-LoadsStudies41--8.98.37.98.0Oct.Nov.9.49.18.98.8Dec.10.411.010.29.7Jan.9.39.911.310.6Feb.8.19.09.29.0Mar.8.38.49.89.4April7.77.88.08.1May7.67.47.27.5June7.27.26.56.9July7.4 7.26.4 6.9Aug.7.77.27.17.4Sept.8.07.57.57.7Total100.0100.0100.0100.0.SEASONALMay-Sept.Oct.-Aug.~ICorpsdraft,report,1971IIUSBRFeasibilityreport.
Forthecurrentstudie.s,itassumesthatfutureloadpatternswillbemodifiedsomewhatasaresultdindustrialrequirementsthatwouldtendtohaveafairlyevenenergydistributionthroughouttheyear.AsindicatedonTable14,thisassumptionmodifiedseasonaldistributionofenergybylessthantwopercent.Asusedintheprojectoperationstudies,firmenergycapabilityisdeter-minedforanygivencombinationofreservoircapacityastheamountofenergythatcanbedeliveredundercriticalyearrunoffconditionsusingI,theassumedmonthlyenergydistribution.Undertheseassumptions,substan-tialamountsofsecondaryenergyareavailableinmostyears,andasignificantpartofthereservoircapacityisusedonlyforlongtermstoragetoincreaseflowsinthelowestrunoffyears.Thesemethodsarequitetraditionalforplanningstudies,althoughitisrecognizedoperationswouldnotfollowpreciselythesamepatterns.Theprojectwouldalwaysoperateinconjunctionwithotherthermalandhydro-electricplantsintheinterconnectedsystem.EnergydemandsontheSusitnaProjectwouldvarybecauseofchangesinfuelsupplies,generatormaintenanceschedules,andotherfactors.Itisalso·anticipatedthatactualprojectoperationswouldbepointedmoretowardsmaximizingannualenergyproductionratherthanlongtermstoragetoaugmentflowsinthecritic$l.lyear.However,theplanningstudyassumptionprovidesareasonablyconservativeestimateofaverageannualfirmenergyandanadequatebasisfordeterminingmeritsoftheproject.CapacityRequirementsAsdiscussedpreviously,theutilitysystemshavehadcombinedannualloadfactorsslightlyover50percentinthepastfewyears.Thisispremisedonnon-concurrentpeaksinseparatesystems,soactualloadfactorswouldbesomewhathigherduetodiversity.Datapresentedearlieralsoshowsthatmid-summerpeakshavebeenrunningabout60percentofmid-winterpeaks,thatmonthlyloadfactorsgenerallyexceed70percent,andthatwinterandsummerloadshapesarequitesimilar.Itisanticipatedthattherewillbeatrendtowardssomewhathigherannualloadfactorsinthefuture.Inadditiontobenefitingfromanyloaddiversityintheinterconnectedsystem,peakloadmanagement(includingsuchactionaspeakloadpricing)offersconsiderableopportunityforimprovingloadfactors,whichinturnreducesoverallcapacityrequirementsforthesysteminanygivenyear.Forplanningpurposes,itisassumedthattheannualsystemloadfactorwillbeintherangeof55to60percentbythelatterpartofthecentury.62
systemsapacityrequirementswouldbedeterminedbywinterpeakloadrequirements,plusallowancesforreservesandunanticipatedloadgrowth.Thelowersummerpeaksprovidelatitudeforscheduledunitmaintenancea;ndrepairs.<5~iiypeakloadshapesforthesystemindicateaverysmallportionof>th~capacityisneededforverylowloadfactoroperation,Itisexpectedthatsomeofthegasturbinecapacitywhichisnowusedessentiallyfor~~seloadwilleventuallybeusedmainlyforpeakshavingpurposes;thatis,itwillbeoperatingduringpeakloadhoursforthefewdayse,a,chyearwhenloadsapproachannualpeak,andoperatinginstandbyr,es~rveforthebalanceoftheyear.:;';1':;r~.itisexpectedthatreliabilitystandardswillbeupgradedasthepower;y,stemsdevelop.Thiswilllikelyincludespecificprovisionsformaintain-i:il.g,spinningreservecapacitytocoverpossiblegeneratoroutagesas'~:ellassubstantialimprovementsinsystemtransmissionreliability.Examinationofthewinterdailyandweeklyloadcurves(Figure4)indicates.thebaseloadportionisabout70percentoftotalloadandthepeakloadi~:f-bout30percentoftotalload.Loadfactorforthepeakportionis'a'bout50percent,andwinterweeklyloadfactorsareontheorderof,-(../".-lk9,percent.,.i".,.\4n..,annualplantfactorof50percenthasbeenselectedfortheUpper~H-~itraProject.Thisislargelyajudgmentfactorreflectingthefollowingconsiderations:\;..11Thisassumptionwouldinsurecapabilitytoserveaproportionalshareofbothpeakingandenergyrequirementsthroughouttheyear,andadequateflexibilitytomeetchangingconditionsinanygivenyear.Anysignificantreductioninthiscapacitycouldmateriallyreduceflexibility.Theredoesnotappeartobeasignificantmarketforlowloadfactorpeakingcapacitywithintheforeseeablefuture.Thereislikelihoodthatloadmanagementand'additionofsomeindustrialloadswillincreasetheoverallsystemloadfactorinthefuture,anditisexpectedthatseveralexistingandplannedgasturbineunitscouldeventuallybeusedforpeakshaving.6369-7370 -81- 5
4.Itis1"ecognizedthatthemodeofoperationforthehydrowillchangethroughtime.Intheinitialyearsofoperation,itislikelythatthefullpeakingcapacitywouldbeusedveryinfrequently.Forexample,themid-rangeestimatedsystempeakloadfortheyear2000is3,170MW.Assumingloadshapessimilartothecurrent1\nchoragearealoads,thewinterpeakweekwouldrequireabout·2,000MWofcontinuouspowertocoverthebaseloadsandabout1,200MWofpeakingpoweriLoadfactors·ofthepeakportionwouldbeabout50percent.64
PowerSurveyStudies·-Solar,wind,andtidalpowerwerenotconsideredasmajorplanningalternatives.(theevaluationofalternativesisintendedtohelpprovidethebasisforselectingthemostappropriatecourseofactionformeetingfuturedemands.Reliability,prices,andenvironmentalimpaCtsareimportantaspectsofsuchacomparison.Additionally,therangeofalternativesmustincludeonlythoseforwhichtechnologyisavailable(ormayreasonablybeexpectedtobeavailableinthistimeframe).65ALTERNATIVEPOWERSOURCES.PartVISomeveryroughdataoninstallationcostsfornuclearpowerwerepresented.MostplanneddevelopmentsintheSouth"48"areinthe1000MWclass;reportsatthetimewereindicatingplantinvest~entsintherangeof$500to$600perkilowatt;thatcomparableAlaskacostslIJightbeontheorderof$900to$1000perkilowatt;andthatsmallerplantswouldlikelybemorecostly..'T.heproposedUpperSusitnahydroelectricdeveloprhentwouldp~~videlargeblocksofloadfactorpowerfortheRailbeltareastartinginabout·1985.Thissectiondiscussesalternativemeansofprovidingequivalentlpbwbrsupplies..Itconcludesthatconventionalcoal-firedsteamplantsrepresentthemostlogicalalternativetomajor~ydrodevelopmentforlthistimeperiod..Thestudiesforthenewpowersurveyincludesfairlydetailedanalysisofgenerationcostsforsteamplants(coalandoilorgas-fired),gasturbines,·anddieselengines.KeyassumptionsrelativetotheRailbeltwerethat(1)fuelssuitableforuseingasturbineswouldbeavailablein1980atacostoffrom60¢to$1.00permillionBtursat1973pricelevels(noLirtflation),and(2)thatcoalforsteamplantswouldbeavailableatacostoffrom30¢to60¢peTmillionBtu'sin1980at1973prices.Table15summarizesthealternativegenerationcostspresentedinthesurvey.
Equipmentandheatrateassumptions:1.Diesel!El~ctriG(IC)Powerplants@59%AnnualLoadFactor(PublicFinanciI1g)10.021.9,25.629.336.71605.023.126.830.537.910,370:Btu/kwh)1601.025.829.833.841.81300.211,200Etu/kwh30.434.438.446.4130Fuelcost@20¢lgal.Fuelcost@25¢/gal.Fuelcost@30¢/gal.Fuelcost@40¢/gal.(Basedon:20MWopencycle,15,000Btu/kwh35MWopencycle,13,500Btu/kwh50MWregenerativecycle,12,000Btu/kwhNotes:Costswouldbehigherforremotelocations;alternateassumptionsofprivatefinancingincreasesunitcostsfrom2.1to2.6millsperkilowatthour.Table15.1/Source:AdvisoryCommitteeStudiesforFPCAlaskaPowerSurvey.66Unitgenerationcost,includingfuels,mills/kwh:2.GasTurbinePowerplants@50%AnnualPlantFactor(PublicFinancing)Plantsize,MW203550500Investmentcost,$/kw135135167150Unitenergycosts,includingfuels,mills/kwh:Fuel\7.617.317.757.22cost@20¢/1,ffituFuelcost@30¢/~fBtu9.118.518.958.42JFuelcost@60¢/~fBtu13.6112.4112.5512.02Fuelcost@$1.OOIMBtu19.6117.6117.3516.82Fuelcost@$1.41/1,ffitu25.9123.0722.3921.86(oil@20¢/gallon)Plantsize,:MWInvestmentcost,$/kw
Table15.FutureGenerationCosts(cant.)Coal-FiredSteamplants,RailbeltArea,50%and80%PlantFactor(PublicFinancing).(Assumedheatrateof10,000Btu/kwh)4.Gas-FiredSteamplants,RailbeltArea,50%and80%LoadFactor(PublicFinancing).(Assumedheatrateof10,000Btu/kwh)9.112.116.16.89.813.87.310.39.912.93132801,0001,00010.113.117.1e.O11.0ILl14.13345005003739.212.211.714.718.712.915.94094562002006780%PlantFactorPlants50%PlantFactorPlants80%PlantFactorPlants50%PlantFaCtorPlants9.28.47.412.2 11.410.416.2 15.414.410.113.114.417.413.016.020.0444496100100Fuels@30¢/MBtuFuels@60¢/MBtuFuels@$l.OO/MBtuFuelcosts@30¢/MBtuFuelcosts@60¢/NffituFuelcosts@$1.OO/rYIBtuFuelcost@30¢/MBtuFuelcost@60¢/MBtuFuelcost@30¢/MBtu.Fuelcost@60¢/MBtuUnitenergycostsincluding,fuels,mills/kwh:Plantsize,MWPlantsize,MWInvestmentcost,$/kwUnitenergycostsinch+dingfuels,mills/kwh:Investmentcost,$/kw
EnergyaridPowerCostTrendsEnergyandp:owereconomicsareundergoingveryrapidchange,andthesechangesareextremelyimportantintermsofnewdecisionsonnewsourcesofenergysupply.Upuntiltheearly1970's,mostenergyplanningassumedthatabundant,lowcostenergysupplieswouldbeavailableonalongtermbasisfromoil,naturalgas,andnuclearfuels.Longtermtrends,especiallysinceabout1950,seemedtosupportthisassumption.Themorerecentexperiences,particularlysincethe1973oilembargo;,providetheoutlookthatenergywillbeapreciousandrelativelycostlycommodityfortheforeseeal::>lefuture.Keychangesincludethehugeincreasesinfuelprices,addedcostsforpollutioncontrol,veryrapidincreasesinnuclearcosts,andabsenceofanynewtechnologicalbreak-through.Thestudiesforthenew·AlaskaPowerSurveyreflectth,estartoftrendstowardsmuchmorecostlyenergysupplyinAlaska.Generally,thesestudiesreflecteddataup.throughmid-1973.Eventssincethattimeindicatethatmostofthecostfiguresinthepowersurveyarenowtoolow.Fuelpriceshavecontinuedtoescalaterapidlyashavecostsforlaborandmaterials.Therapidpaceofchangemakesmanytraditionalcostcomparisonsobsolete.Forexample,the1969AlaskaPowerSurveyandotherstudiesatthattimeassumedlongrangegenerationcostsusingAlaskanaturalgaswouldbeontheorderoffourmillsperkilowatthour.Nationwide·atthattime,itwasgenerallyassumedthatlargenuclearandcoalplantswouldhaveaboutthesamefourmillaveragegenerationcost.Thesefiguresgenerallybecametheyardsticksformeasuringfeasibilityofnewpowerinstallations.Thenuclearandcoal-firedsteamplantsarestillthemajoryardstickfortheU.S.,butisverydifficulttoputcurrentvaluesontheyardstickbecauseoftherapidcostincrease.Itnowappearsthattheminimumgenerationcostsforlargenewbaseloadthermalplantsmaybeintherangeof15to20millsper'kilowatthourfortheSouth·"48"states.ArecentInteriorDepartmentreporfestimatedunitcostsof18.8and19.8millsperkilowatthourfornewbaseload(70%capacityfactor)nucleararidcoalfiredplants.YThiswaspremisedon1973costsand1,000MWsizeplants.1/EnergyPerspectives,USDI,1974.BasedonProjectIndependencestudies.68
69ReviewofFuelCostsandAvailabilityDollarsperKilowattInstalledCapacity(Basedon.1000MWplants)850680198455844619742221781970119951965.NuclearplantsFossilfiredsteamplantsThatreportindicatedu.nitcostsof30mills.perkilm.;vatthourfornuclearand28millsforcoalifsimilarplantswereoperatedata40percentannualcapacityfactor.11aIds,FC;IIPowerPlantCapitalCostsGoingOutofSightll,PowerEngineering,August1974.Itseemscertainthatby1985Alaska'sproductionofoilandnaturalgaswillbeamajorportionoftotalU .S.production,andthatthebulkoftheAlaskaproductionwillbefor'exporttotheSouth114811markets.SomecostadvantageshouldprevailinAlaskabecauseofthehightrans-portationcosts,however,Alaskafuelcost'swillcertainlyreflectbroadernationalandinternationaltrends.Policiesgoverningchoiceoffuelswillalsoreflectthebroadernationalconcerns.21IIUtilitiesHedgeonNuclearPlans;CoalPlantProspectBrightens,IIEngineeringNewsRecord,August21,1975..Ihadditiontorapidlyincreasingfuelcosts,theinvestmentcostsforthermalplantshavebeenincreasingveryrapidly,partlythroughinflationandhigherratesandpartlythroughaddedcostsforpollutioncontroldevices.Onepublication.indicate.dthe'followingtrends11:,..--.-.'.AmorerecentreportbyEdisonElectriCInstituteindicatedconstructioncostsforc6al-firedsteamplantsorderedin1974for1979operationwouldcost$525perkilbwatt.Costofscrl.lbbersforairpoilutioncontrolamount.toanadditional$140-$150perkilowatt.?../Smallerplantssuitableforuse,intheRailbeltareawouldlogicallycostmore.
701/FPCletterofAug.12,1975,toAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineers.,.,8.8014.2115.465.215385.693.232.6CentsPerMillionBtuTheFederalPowerCommissionrecentlyestimatedthevalueofcoalforelectricgenerationat60¢permillionBtufortheFairbanksareaandat50¢permillionBtufortheAnchorage/Kenafrrea:intheirdeter~inationofpowervaluesforthecurrentFPCstudies.-ThecostoftransportationfromHealytoFairbanksat$5.21pertonand8,300Btuperpoundisequivalentto3.2millsperkilowatthourb.asedon10,000Btu/kwh.Availabilityofamplesupplies-ofcoalforelectricgenerationintheRailbeltareaseemsassumedasreportedinthepowersurvey.InadditiontotheactiveminenearHealy,thereareactiveleasesintheBelugaarea.Developmentofexpandedcoalminingisconsideredverylikelyinthenearfuture.ItislikelythatnewcoalminingwouldbeprimarilyforexporttotheSouth"48"butopeningofnewmineswouldprobablyassureadequatesuppliesofcoalforutilitiesuseinAlaska.CurrentAlaskacoalproductionislimitedtotheUsibelliminenearHealywhichfurnishescoaltotheGVEApowerplantatHealy,FortWainwrightnearFairbanks,andFairbanksMunicipalUtilitySysteminFairbanks.Thepowersurveystated~inemouthcoaldeliveredtotheHealysteamplantwas47¢permillionBtuinearly1974.Pricesattheendof1974wereasfollows:GVEAcostatHealypowerplantFMUScostdeliveredtoFairbanksFt.WainwrightcostdeliveredtoFairbanks-FreightcosttoFairbanksAtthistime,itnolongerappearsappropriatetoassumeoilandnaturalgaswillbeanavailableoptionformajorpowersuppliesinthelong.rangewhereoptionsexisttoutilizeothersources.Ifthisistrue,theconventionalnuclearandcoal-firedplantswillbecomethemostreadilyavailablealternativetodevelopmentofmajornewhydrosourcesfortheRailbelt.
Thereisa.widevarietyofopiniononprobablefuturecostofcoal.FormanYIear~,q).al'price~weresetasmallmargineaboveproductioncoststocompetewithlowcostoilandnaturalgassupplies.Thispricingsituationhaschangeddramaticallyinrecentyearswiththechangingenergysituation.Themuchhigherpricesfor·oilandincentivesforconvertingfromoilandgastocoalsubstantiallyincreasesmarketvalueofthecoal.Natipn,wideavt=::ragepricesforutilitycoalhaveincreaseddramaticallysincetheearly1970's.Averagepricenationwideincreased57percentin1974(from51.4to80.9centspermillionBtu)accordingtoFPCstatistics.TheFederalEnergyAdministration'sdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementon"EnergyIndependenceActandRelatedTaxProposalsIIpredictedalong-termpriceoflow-sulfurcoalataround$1.50/millionBtu.Thisispremisedoncurrentprice)evels(noinflation),andmaybetoolow.Accordingtosome,thepriceofcoalwilleventuallyrisetoequalthepriceofoilonacostperBtubasis,providingtransportationcostsareaccountedfor.ItseemsprobablethatanymajorAlaskanco-alminingwouldresultinapricingstructuretiedtothebroaderU .S.market,inwhichcaseAlaskashouldhavesomeadvantagesduetotransportationcosts.Forpurposesofthisstudy,itisassumedthat1985costswithoutinflationofutilitycoalformajorRailbeltpowersupplieswillbeintherangeof$1.00to$1.50permillionBtu.Fuelsforconventionalnuclearpowerplantshavealsoincreasedsubstan-tiallyoverthepastfewyears,butremainacomparativelysmallportionofaveragecostsofnucleargeneration.ReviewofAvailableAlternativesCoal-firedSteamplantsIti.sassumedthatanymajornewcoal-firedplantswouldbelocatedclosetominingoperations,probablyintheBelugaareaforpowersuppliestotheAnchorage-CookInletarea,andintheHealyareaforpowersuppliestotheFairbanks-TananaValley.Basedonrelativesizesofpowermarkets,individualplantsizewouldlikelybe500MWorlessfortheAnchorage-CookInletareaand200MWorlessfortheFairbanks-TananaValleyarea,andindividualplantswouldlikelyhaveatleasttwounits.Becauseof71
operatingcharacteristics,andmaintenanceandreliabilityrequirements,itseemsunlikelythatverylargeunitsizes(500MWandup)couldbeutilizedbeforeabout'theyear2000.Thepowersurveystudiesincludedevaluationsoflikelycostsforcoalfiredsteamplantsof200MW,500MW,and1,000MWcapacity.The200MWand500MWsizesareconsideredreasonablyrepresentativeofplantsizes<thatcouldbeconsideredasalternativestoUpperSusitnapowerfortheFairbanks-TananaValleyandCookInletare'as,respectively.Costestimatesforthe200MWand500MWplantswereupdatedforuseinthecurrentstudy,andtheresultsaresummarizedonTable16.•72
24301.3,12.62006302.52.510.0.,15.026.431.415.0.·2,2.533.61.614.5726526200'..'T·;~;Plan.t$iz~:iMW.·i.:,?OQ"500.'.';;,-'."Table16,Alte~I:lativeGeneratiOIrC;ostsforConventionalCoal-firedSteamplantsNumbero£Units..,;'~.-CapitalCost,mills/kwhTotalEnergyCostmills/kwh28.673CostofEnvironmentalEquipment$/kwFuelCost,mills/kwh10.0,TransmissionCosttoLoadCenter2.5'lnstalledCost"bperationandMaintenance,mills/kwh.<InvestmentCost,Railbelt,·$/kw·
Theprincipleassutnptio:ris.r~:Q~ctedjn,thisupd?teinclude:1.Updatedinvestmentcostspresentedinthepowersurvey(January1973pricelevels)toJanuary1975pricesusedtheEngineeringNewsRec9rdcOJnp()site.constr'uc~iop.costindex.UsingtheHandy-Whitmansteamgenerationplarifcostindex,theestimatedtotalenergycostwouldbeslightlyhigher--approximately6percent.ThebasicestimatereflectsSouth"4811constructioncostsandanAlaskacon-structionfactorof1.8.2.Increasingtheinvestmentcostby$200perkilowatttoreflectestimatedenvironmentalprotectioncostswhichwerenotspecificallyincludedintheestimatefortheAlaskaPowerSurvey.Thedatausedinthepowersurveywasforplantscompleted_duringthe19601s;currentpracticeinvolvesconsiderableadditionalexpenseforcontrolofsulfur,particulates,andnitrogenoxideinstackemissionandsubstantiallyincreasedcostsforcoolingwaterfacilities.3.Annualcapitalcostwasdeterminedusinga35-yearlifeandaninterestrateof6-5/8percent.Thisequalsthecurrent(FY1976)FederalrepaymentrateforwaterprojectsandcloselyapproximatesacurrentcompositeofmunicipalandREAborrowingcosts.Annualfixedchargesof8.77percentforpublic,non-Federalfinancingweredetermined(includingcostofmoney,depreciation,interimreplacements,insuranceandpaymentsinlieuoftaxes).4.OperationandmaintenancecostspresentedinthispowersurveywereupdatedtoJuly1975costs,usingtheU.S.DepartmentofLaborCostofLivingIndex.ThepowersurveyestimatesreflectanAlaskacostfactorof1.50..5.Fuelcostrangeof$1.00to$1.50permillionBtuandaheatrateof10,000Btuperkwh.6.Annualcapacityfactorof50percent.7.TransmissioncostsareonthesamebasisascostsoftransmittingSusitnaRiverhydroprojectpowertotheloadcenters.Smallervoltagelineswereassured.DistancesfromBelugaLakeareatoPalmerareaandHealytoEsterarebothapproximately100miles.Theindicatedaverageunitcostof26.4to31.4millsperkilowatthourisintendedasanassessmentofalternativecostsforR,ailbeltareapowersuppliesfromcoal-firedsteamplantsundercurrentcostlevels.74
TheFederalPowerCommissionpreparedestimatesofpower.valuesfor.theUpperSusitnastudiespremisedonestimatesforcoal-firedsteam-p{1.~ts•.fortheFairbanksandAnchorage-Kenaiarea.YTheseestimatesinCorporatethefollowingassumptions:Interest.ratesof5,718percentforFederalfinancing;and6,,25percentand5.95perce:n.tforAnchorageandFairbanks,respectively,forpublic,non~Federalfinancing.2.Atwo-unit,150IvfWplantfortheFairbanksareawithfuelcostof60¢perlI'.illionBtuandaheatrateof12,000Btu/kwh.3.Athreeunit,450:MWplantfortheAnchorage-Kenaiareawithfuelcostsof50¢permillionBtuandaheatrateof9,800Btu/kwh.4.Thepowervalueestimatesincorporatetransmissioncoststotheloadcenterandacreditforthehydrobasedonhigheravailability/reliability.'TheFPCestimateswereconvertedtoanaveragemillrateforcomparisonwiththeotheralternatives:FairbanksCoal-firedAlternativesPublic,non-Federalfinancing,29.5-32.5mills/kwh.Federalfinancing(6-1/8%),27.8-30.6mills/kwh.Anchorage-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativesPublic,non-Federalfinancing,24.6-27.3mills/kwh.Federalfinancing(6-1/8%),22.3-24.6mills/kwh.The(iboveresultsarequitesimilartotheestimatesbasedonthepowersurvey.ItisrecognizedthattheinterestratesusedforFPCaresomewhatlowerthanpresentFederalrepaymentcriteriaandthatinotherrespectsthetwoevaluationsaresomewhatdissimilar.YFPCletterdatedAugust20,1975,toCorpsofEngineers.7S
76Distributioncostsandlossesarenotincluded.2/Source:CVEA/KPUexperience32.840.047.154.34005.0to1010,000HeavyDuty33.340.748.155.52705.010,370MediumdutyFuelcost@30¢/gal40¢/gal50¢/gal60¢/galUnitgenerationcost,includingfuel,mills/kwh:Investmentcost$/kwHeatRate,Btu/kwhTypeofServicePlantsize,MWAssumptionsincludetwounitsperplant,longerlifeandslightlyhighere.fficiencyforheavydutyunits.1/Source:GlacierHighwayElectricAssociation,Juneau,AlaskaThefollowingtabulationshowsdieselgenerationcostsusingassumptionssimilartothoseincorporatedinthepowersurveystudiesandthemorerecentequipmentcostdata:Fuelcostsremainthemajorcostforgenerationbydiesel.However,equipmentandconstructioncostshaveincreasedsignificantlysincethepowersurvey.Unitsidenticaltotho,secosting$160/kwinthepowersUrveycost$220/kwinlate1974for1975delivery.YPlanning,engineering,andfinancingcostsareadditional.Heavydutyindooruriitsinthe2500kwto5000kwsizerangearecosting$300/kw,excludingsite,engineering,contingencies,financingcosts,andinterestduringconstruction.YSeveralsmallertownswillhavenoalternativebutdieselelectricgenerationuntiltheyareinterconnectedtoalargersystem.Diesel-electricPowerplants
Onerecentstudyestimateddieselgenerationcostsat34.6mills/kwhin1974basedon$220/kwbasicequipmentcostsandfuelat33¢lgallon.1/Ifutu:re'costsfor1980and1985wereestimatedat58.6and85.4mills/kwh<assumingescalationofequipmentcostsat6%/yearandfuelcostsat10%/year..ActualmanufacturersIcostestimatesreceivedbythesamefirmforsimilargenerationequipmentinJuly1974was$297/kw;considerablyhigherthantheassumed·$220/kw.R.W.BeckandAssociates,AnalysisofElectricSystemRequirements,CityandBoroughofSitka,Alaska,April1974.77
HydroAsapartofitsworkfortheJune1967report,AlaskaNaturalResou'rcesandtheRampart'Project,theInteriorDepartmentthroughtheBureauofReclamationpreparedanextensiyeinventoryofAlaskanhydroelectricresources,includingevaluationofpotentiallargehydroprojectsthatmightbeconsideredasalternatives'totheRampartproposal.Theinventorywithminormodificationhasbeenpublishedinthe1969FPCAlaskaPowerSurveyandelsewhere.Theinventorystudies,theevaluationofthefewmajorhydroelectricpotentialsofAlaska(Le.,Rampart,Yukon-Taiya,Susitna,Wood.Canyon,andWoodchopper)in.the1967report,andtheearlierbasinandprojectreportsoftheBureauofReclamationarethebasisofadvancingUpperSusitnaasthemostlogicalmajorhydrodevelopmentoftheAlaskaRailbeltatthistime.NuclearTherearenoauthoritativestudiesoflargenuclearplantsfortheAlaskaRailbelt.Thereisagreatdealofcontroversyonnuclearpower--manyproponentsandmanyopponents.APAfeelsthatdetailedevaluationwoulddemonstrateexistingnucleartechnologyis.thoroughlyadequatetoassureengineeringfeasibilityandsafetyfornuclearplantsintheAlaskaRailbelt.However,severalfactorsindicatenuclearpowerwouldbelessattractivethancoal-fired'plantsfornear-futureconsideration.Firstisperformancedataonexisting'nuclearplants--averagingabout70percentmachineavailabilitynationwidebecauseofdowntimeformaintenanceandrepairandforcedoutages.Thischaracteristicwillimproveovertime,butforthepresent,thenuclearalternativeswouldprobablyrequiresubstantiallylargersystemreserves.Recentcostdataindicatesthatfortb~South114811,nuclearandcoal-firedcostsarequitesimilar,withnuclearrequiringamuchlargerinitialinvestment.Becauseofhigherconstructioncosts,itisprobable'thatnuclearpowerwouldbeconsiderablymoreexpensivethancoal-firedpowerinAlaskaatleastfortheforeseeablefuture.78
OtherAlternativesSimilarly,geothermalpowercouldeventuallyprovetobeaveryvaluableresourcefortheRailbelt.GeothermalpotentialisconsideredhighfortheWrangellMou.ntainsandportionsoftheAlaskaRange.Subsurfaceinformationisnotadequatetodefinetheresources.ThereisaknownlargephysicalpotentialfortidalpowerdevelopmentintheCookInletarea..butagainnodetailedstudies.areavailable.Tiderangeisconsiderablysmallerthanth~better.knownpotentialssuchasPassamaquoddy.7969-7370 -81- 6"Existinggeothermaltechnologyisbasicallylimitedtousingthebestoftheresources--preferablyhotd1l'ysteam.orsuperheatedwaterthatcanbereachedatfairlyshallowdepth.Asyet.therearenofirmindicationsthatlargegeothermalresourcese:x:istinAlaskathatcouldbedeyelopedwithav'ailabletechnology.Onthisbasis.geothermalpowercannotbecOllsideredaviablealternativeatthistimetomajorcoalandhydropower.SeveraldifferentconceptsfordevelopingtheCookInlettidalpotentialhavebeenmentioned.Thesei~cludea,plantodraintheInletattheFore1andswithpumpedstorageunitstoequalizeoutput·ofpower;andatwobasinschemewhichwouldutilizetheKnikandTurnagainArm.Thelatterinconceptwouldbetiedinwithroadorrailcauseways.Becauseoftheinterestin.alternativeenergysources•thereissomemerittopreparingagoodreconnaissanceofthisalternative.However.consideringthehugesizeoftheworkinvolved,thelikelyrange.ofimportantenvironmentalconsiderations,andinherentdifficu.ltyandcostofutilizingthelowheadavailablefromthetide,tidalpowerdoesnotconstituteareasonablealternativefordeterminingmeritsoftheUpperSusitna.Windpowerisreceivinggreatinterest.butexistingandlikelynearfuturetechnologyislimitedtosmallandrelativelycostlyunits.LikegeothermaL,thelongrangepotentialmayproveveryill1portant,'($/:putwindisnota,viablealternativeformajornewpowersuppliesatthistime.
80MarketforProjectPowerThissectionpresentsestimatesofthemarketforprojectpowerandevaluationsofpowerratesneededtorepaytheinvestmentinpowerfacilities.FINANCIALANALYSISPart'VIIPresentFederalcriteriaforpowerproducingfacilitiescallforrepaymentofprojectcostswithinterestwithin50years·aftertheunitbecomesrevenueproducing.TheapplicableinterestrateforFiscalYear1976is6-5/8percent.AtthetimeSusitnapowerbecomesavailable,theRailbeltpewersystemswillhaveseveralhunclredmegawattsofcapacityinoilandnaturalgasfired(turbine)equipment.Itisassumedthatbecauseoffuelcostandotherincentives,itwillbedesirabletoplacemuchofthegasturbineequipmentincoldreserve,exceptforlimitedoperationinthepeakshavingmode.Thisisparticularlytrueofanyoil-:firedequipmentandtheleastefficientofthegasturbineequipment.PrevioussectionspresentedestimatesofpowerrequirementsfortheinterconnectedRailbeltsystemunderarangeofassumptionsforfuturedevelopment.Theportionofthispowermarketthatwouldrepresentdemandsforprojectpowerwoulddependonratesofgrowth,changesinoperatingmodesofotherfacilities,fuelpolicies,availabilityandprices,andotherfactors.TheUpperSusitnaProjectisprimarilyforpower,thoughpresentindicationsarethatlJljnorportionsofprojectcostswouldbeallocatedtootherpurposes,suchasrecreation.Prelinunaryestimatesarethatsuchcostallocationstootherpurposeswouldbelessthanonepercentofthetotalprojectinvestment.Thusfinancialviabilityoftheprojectbecomestheessentialelementindemonstratingfeasibilityofthepowerdevelopment.Thesizeofmarket,amountofinvestment,andapplicableinterestratearethemainfactorsinfluencingratesforpower.Operation,maintenanceandreplacementcostsareaminorpart6ftotalannualcosts,sotheydonotinfluencepowerratessignificantly.Ifratesneededtorepaythehydrodevelopmentareattractiveincomparisontootheralternativesthatmaybeavailable,theprojectmaybeconsideredfinanciallyfeasible.
By1985:someoftheoldersteam-firedplantswouldbeatorneartheendofusefullifeandlikelycandidatesforearlyretirement.Undertheseconditions,itisassumedthatfirmdemandsforSusitnapowerwoulddevelopveryrapidly.Forpurposesofthesepreliminaryratedeterminations,itisassumedthatthefirmmarketforSus'itnapowerwouldbeupto75percentofthetotalutilityrequirementsforthemid-rangeloadestimatesfortheAnchorage-CookInletandFcUrbanks-TananaValleyarea.Thisisconservativetotheextentthatitdoes.notassumeanydemandsfromthenationaldefenseorindustrialloadsectors.Itcouldbeoptimisticiftheutilitiescontinueveryheavyrelianceonoilandnaturalgas.Table17showsthe75percentassumptionincomparisonwithtotalarealoadestimates.Asindicatedonthetable,75percentofutilityrequirementsisequiv~lentto61to66percentoftotalarearequirements.duringthe1985-1995period.Itisrecognizedthattheseareoversimplifiedmarketassumptions,andthatthemarketestimateswillrequirecontinuedrefinementasprojectplansanddesignareprepared.Ifitshoulddevelopthatfuturedemandsforprojectpoweraresomewhatlower,itisreasonabletoassumethattheprojectwouldbestagedoverasomewhatlongerperiodoftime.Assumptionsforsecondaryenergysalesareasfollows:1.WithDevilCanyonoperatingalone,thereisrelativelylittleflexibilityforschedulingsecondaryenergysothemarket.forsuchenergywouldbelimited.TheCorpsoperationstudiesindicateaverageannualsecondaryenergycapabilityof201lvfW.Itisassumedthat:themarketablepo]:"tionwouldbe10MWinthefirstyearofoperation(equivalentto86millionkilowatthoursatthemarket),andthatthismarketwouldexpandin10:MWincrementsto50MWinthefifthyearofoperation.Thisassumesthatthesecondaryenergycouldbeofferedinsizableblockswithguaranteeddurationoftwotosixmonths,dependingonforecastsofreservoiroperations,butthatrelativelylittleofthisenergywouldbeavailableduringmid-winter.81
1/Percentoftotalarearequirements.Potentialmarketfornewhydroelectricpowerandenergy(basedon75%ofestimatedmid-rangeutilityrequirements)AnnualPeakingRequirementsAnnualEnergyRequirements1000kwMillionkwhYearAnchorageFairbanksTotalAnchorageFairbanksTotal19856301607902,7606903,45019866801708502,9507403,69019871201809003,1657903,95519887701909603,3958404,23519898302001,0303,6409004,54019908902201,no3,9009604,86019919402301,170'4,1401,0105;15019921,0002401,2404,4001,0705,47019931,0602601,3204,6701,1305,80019941,1302701,4004,9501,2006,15019951,2002901,4905,2501,2606,510AssumedMarketforUpperSusitnaPower1,2205,5607901/3,450(65)(62)1/1,6707,6201,no1/4,8601/(66)(62)2,30010,6801,4901/6,510.(65)(61).Y82ComparisonWithTotalAreaPowerRequirementsAnchorage&FairbanksAssumedMarketforrequirementsnew(Mid-rangeEstimates)HydroelectricPowerPeakAnnualEnergy.PeakAnnualEnergy1000kw'Millionkwh1000kwMillionkwhTable17.199519851990Year'
2.WiththeJnultiplereservoirsystem.s,itisassumedthatmarketflexibilitycouldbesubstantiallyenhancedandthatmarketingpolicieswouldbepremisedonmaxin~izingann.ualenergyproduction..Inpractice"thiswouldlikelybeachievedbysettingfirmenergycontra.ctsdosetoaverageannualenergycapabilitywithexchangesall:doff~peakpurchasesandtomeetcontra.ctcommitmentsduringlowrunoffyears.TheCorpsoperationstudiesindicateaverageannualsecondarycapabilityrangingfrom40to10811Wforthemultiplereservoirsystem.Forpurposesoftheratestudies,itisassumedthefullamountofthesecondaryenergycouldbemarketedstartingin1990.TheCorpsvaluesfOl'secondarypowerwereconvertedtoannualenergyandtransmissionlossesweredeductedtoderivetheamountsofsecondaryenergysalesusedintheratestudies:6System#1-690x10kwh/yearsales.6System#2-932x10kwh/yearsales.6System#3-345x106kwh/yearsales.System#4-630x10kwh/yearsales.6System#5-690xl0kwh/yearsales.3.Arateof10millsperkilowatthourisassumedforsecondarysales.Scopin.gAnalysisAPApreparedasetofestimatesofaveragepowerratesneededtorepaycostsofthealternativehydrodevelopmentplans.Thisprovidedabasisforlookingatthealternativeplansfromtheviewpointofimpactonpowerrates.ThesestudieswerepremisedonpreliminarydesignsandestimatespreparedbytheCorpsofEngineers(darnsandpowerplants)andAPA(transmissionsystemsandoperationandmaintenance)asreportedintheSeptember1975draftreportsofthetwoagencies.ThesepreliminaryrateestimatesaresummarizedinTablE'18andthecostassumptionsincorpOl'atedinthemaresummarize~in'I:able19.NotethattherehavebeensubstantialchangesinthecostestimatessincetheSepte~berdraftreportasdicusssedlater.83
84I-BSame,butUSBR-APAcosts,Denali20.7System#2DevilCanyon(W.S.1450),1985Watana(W.S.2050),199021.424.2Average·RatesforFirmEnergy(Mills/kwh)SystemPlanSystem#5Watana(22QO),1986DevilCanyon(1450),199019.74-ADevilCanyon&DenalibOthonline,1985Vee1990Watana,1995(USBRplan;Corpscosts).22.8!IPreliminaryscopinganalysisforSeptember1975draftreport;doesnotreflectcostchangessincethattime.2-AWatana,1985DevilCanyon,1990(Reviseorderofconstruction)21.0Table18.AverageRatesfor.RepaymentforAlternative.DevelopmentPlans1JI-ADevilCanyonandDenalibothonline,1985(USBRplan;Corpscosts).21.9System#4DevilCanyon(1450),1985Denali(2535),1990Vee(2300),1995Watana(1900),2000System#1DevilCanyon(W.S.1450),1985Denali(W.S.2535),199024..5.System#3DevilCanyon(1450),1985.Watana(2050),1990Denali(2535),199520.9
}jCostsareforpreliminaryscopinganalysesinSeptember1975draftreportanddonotreflectrevisionssincethattime.11Table19..CostSunmaryforAlternativeSystems85730,820125~440856,2601,538177I,715TotalSystem(2535)1990Dena1i231,400.45,990277,390(1450)1985114,10011,340125,440389,00064,430453,430Devi1CanyonCosts-$1,000~'ConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostSystem#·1ConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostTotarSystemInvestmentCostAnnualOperationandMaintenanceAnnualReplacementAnnualOM..&RTransmissionFacilitiesPowerProductionFacilities~r~f:•.~(i:'-".,--wy'S~El'ev.~qmpletionDate
YCostsareforpreliminaryscopinganalysesinSeptember1975draftreportanddonotreflectrevisionssincethattime.86System#21,8833962,279223,0101,395,6901,172,680TotalSystem18,5401,84020,380Watana(2050)1990600,000119,250719,250184,31018,320202,630·389,000.64,430453,430(1450)1985"Devi ICanyonCosts-$1,000CostSummaryfor~IternativeSystems1/(Continued)AnnualOperationandMaintenanceAnnualReplacementAnnualOM&RConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostTotalSystemInvestmentCostTransmissionFacilitiesPowerProductionFacilitiesTable19.W.S.Elev.CompletionDateUnit
Cos,t,ofSummaryforAlternativeSystemsY,(Continued)System#3AnnualOperationandMaintenanceAnnualReplacementAnnualOM&RTotalSystem1,450,070223.0101,673,oaq1,8833962,279Denali(2535)1995,231,40045,990277,39018,5401,84020,380(2050)1990'Watana'600,000119,250719,250(J450).1985DevilCanyon184,31018,320202,630389,00064,430453,430Costs-$1,000ConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostConstructioriCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostW.S.E1eVeCompletionDateUnitTable19.PowerProductionFac.ilitiesTransmissionFacilities,..,{-,<9.S.~,IotaISystemInvestmentCostYCostsareforpreliminaryseopinganalysesinSeptember1975draftreportanddonotreflectrevisionssincethattime.87
Table19.CostSunmaryforAlternat.iveSystems!/(Continued)SystemI4DeviITotalUnit.CanyonWatanaDenaliVeeSystemW.S.Elev.(1450),(1905)(2535)(2300)CompletionDate1985200019901995Costs-$1,000PowerProductionFadlltiesConstructionCosts389,000486,400231,480399,000InterestDuringConstruction64,43096.67045,99019,300InvestmentCost453,430583,070277,390478,3001,792,190TransmissionFacUitiesConstructionCosts184,3107,93029,130.1nterestDurIngConstruction18,3207902,890InvestmentCost202,6308,720'32,020243,370TotalSystemInvestmentCost2,035,560AnnualOperationandMaintenance2,269AnnualReplacement2,~~§AnnualOM&R!ICostsareforpreliminaryscopinganalysesinSeptember1975draftreportanddonotreflectrevisionssincethattime.88
!ICostsareforpreliminaryscopinganalysesinSeptember1975.draftreportanddonotreflectrevisionssincethattime.1/CostSummary'for·AlternativeSystems(Continued)891,883396--2,279223,0001,353,0001,576,000TotalSystem(2050).1986197,00020,000217,000737,000146,000883,000Watana6,0006,000(1450)1990403,00067,000470,000DevilCanyonSystem.#5Costs-$1,000Table19.ConstructionCosts'InterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostConstructionCostsInterestDuringConstructionInvestmentCostAnnualOperationandMaintenance.AnnualReplacementAnnualOM&R.TotalSystemInvestmentCostTransmissionFacilitiesPowerProductionFacilitiesW.·S.Elev.CompletionDate
Themethodusedinvolvescalculating1985presentworthvalues,o£investmentandOM&Rcostsandenergysalesandreducingbothtoequivalentannualvalues.Revenuesfromsecondaryenergy(10millsperkilowatthour)aredeductedfromequivalentannualcosts.Anaveragerateforfirmenergytorecovertheremainingcostsisthencomputed.Ineachcase,therepaymentperiodcovers50yearsaftereachunit.becomesrevenueproducingunderthemarketassumptionpresentedearlier;thefullfirmenergycapabilityoreachunitcouldbemarketedinthefirstyearaftercompletion.Theratedeterminationalsoincorporatesthemarketassumptionsforsecondaryenergywhichwerepresentedprevibusly.Table21summarizestheaverageratesforfirmenergyforthefoursystemsandalsoillustrateseffectonratesofalternateassumptionsofschedulingprojectunits.ThehighestindicatedrateisforSystem#1(24.5millsperkilowatthour).ThisreflectstheverylimitedenergycapabilityofaDevilCanyonProjectforthefirstfiveyearswithoutups~reamstorage.System1-A(21.9mills)assumesthesamedesignandcosts,butcompletionofbothDevilCanyonandDenaliin1985asprop~edin'theUSBR-APAplan.TheindicationisthatifDe'vilCanyonoperatesforasignificanttimeperiodwithoutupstreamstorage,powerrateswouldbesignificantlyincreased.Powerratesareofcourseverysensitivetodesignassumptions.TheUSBRestimatesforDenaliDamwerepreparedonaveryconservativedesignreflectingthefoundationconditionsatthatsite.ThisisdiscussedintheMay1974StatusReport.AroughupdateoftheUSBRcoststoJanuary1975pricewasmade.ThisindicatesthenewCorpsestimatesforDenaliareappro:ximately20percenthigherthanwouldbederivedfromtheBureauestimates.System1-B,(20.7mills)usingUSBRcostsupdatedtoJanuary1975,indicatestheaddedconservatismintheCorpsestimateaddsabout1.2millstotheaveragerate.\System2-AassumesCorps~esignandcostsbutreversestheorderofconstruction.(Watanaon\linein1985andDevilCanyononlinein1990.)Thisin4i,catesasmallr-eductioninaveragerate,againrelatedtothelimitedstoragecapacityatDevilCanyon.System4-AassumesCorpsdesignandcostscompletionofDevilCanyonandDenaliin1985,withVeeandWatanafollowingatfive-yearintervals.90
IfUSBRdesignassumptionswereusedforDenali,theratesforSystem#3,#4,and#4-AwQuldbesomewhatlowerthanshownonthetable.oIP,ystem#5hasthelowestindicat~drate(19.7millsperkilowatthour),orapproximately5percentlowerthanSystem#1-B,#2-A,and#3.Thegeneralconclusionsfromthepreliminaryanalysisincludes:L,ThereappearstobeseveralalternativedevelopmentplansfortheUpperSusitnathatwouldyieldapproximatelyequivalentpowerratestotheconsumer,andthatonthebasisofthepowerratesthereislittlepreferenceasbetweenplans.2.TheimportanceofupstreamstorageaboveDevilCanyonisevident.3.Thestudiesin4].catemerittotheDenaliunitasapossiblefutureaddition.ComparisonwithMay1974StatusReportAPA'sMay,1974,DevilCanyonStatusReportprovidesabasisforcomparingrecentcostchanges.ThedevelopmentplanpresentedintheStatusreportisanalogoustotheCorpsSystem#1,exceptthatAPAassumedcon:pletionofboththeDevilCanyonandDenaliunitsatthesametimewhiletheCorpsSystem#1assumesPenaliwouldbecompleted£iveyearsafterDevilCanyon.TheStatusReportusedJanuary1974pricelevelsand,theapplicableinterestratesferFY1974whichwas5-5/8p'ercentforrepayment.ThepresentstudiesarepremisedontheFY1976interestrateof6-5/8percentandJanuary1975pricelevels.TheyearendingJanuary1975hadveryhighratesofinflationinallsegmentsoftheeconomy.TheBureauofReclamation'scompositeconstructioncostindexincreased21percentfortheperiod.Thechangeininterestrateswithoutanyinfla.ti.-mwouldincreaseannualrepaymentrequirementsbyabout18percent.Thecombinationofhighercostsandhigherinterestratesrepresentsapproximatelya42percentincreaseinannualcostsasindicatedonTable20.91
ComparisonwithMay1974StatusReportStatusRepbrtPlan(DevilCanyon+Denali)'Table20.PriCeLevelApplicableinterestrateforrepaymentEstimatedconstructioncost.$millionsInterestduringconstruction$millionsInvestmentcost$millionsAnnualpaymerit.excludingOM&R,$millionsCQstsasinMay1974StatusReportJanuary19745-5/8%597.184.968241.092CurrentStudiesJanuary19756-5/8%72412184558.1Increase+21%+42%
RevisedCostEstimatesDuringthereviewprocess,thereweresomesign.ificantchangesincostassumptionsforthevariousalternativedevelopmentplans.Fromtheviewpointofthepowermarket,thechangesallfavoredSystem#5--'thatisrelativecostincreasesforSystem#5weresubstantiallysmallerthanfortheClther~lternativesunderconsideration.-'.A.•prelinrli1arycheckwaSnladeusingthetlewcostswhichindicatedthe\followingaverageratesforthevarioussystems:(samesystemdesignationasTable18),System#5-20.4mills/kwhSystem#2A-22.3mills/kwhSystem#2-23.0mills/kwhSystem#lB-23.0mills/kwhSystem#3-23.3mills/kwhAgaintherangeisrelativelysmall,butunderthelatestcostassumptions,$ystem#5"....'ouldhaveabout10percentlowerpowerratesthanthenext."ri!Ol?tfavorableplan.AverageRateDeterminationforProposedPlanTable21summarizestheestimateofaveragerateforfirmenergyneededtorepayinvestmentintheprojectfacilities.Themethodsusedarethe~ameasforthescopinganalysis.Theindicatedaveragerateis21.1millsperkilQwatthour.};rotethatthescopinganalyses'discussedpreviouslyfounda2004millaVEfragerateforSystem#5.Thedifferenceof0 .'7millsreflectsaddedttahsmissioncostsadoptedfortheproposedplan(substationinTalkeetnaWcinity,switchyardnearHeaIy,'andtwosinglecircuitlinesinlieu'tirth~doublecircuitassumptionsusedinthescopinganalyses).+heindicatedratefortheproposedplanissigtrlficantlylowerthantheestimatedcostsofpowerfromcoal-firedsteamplants.Theanalysisdoesnotreflectallowanceforfutureinf1.ati·on.Aroughestimateindicatesthatwithafivepercentperyearcostescalationandconstructionschedules"ascontemplatedintheCorpsproposal,requiredratesforthesystemwouldexceed40millsperkilowatthour.93
Table 21.Average Rate Determination -System #5
(Watana +Devil Canyon)
Project Costs,$1000 1986 PW Costs Project Energy Sales,Million Kwh
Revenue $1,000
Producing Firm Secondary 1986 PW 1986 PW
Year Investment OM&R Investment OM&R Energy Energy Firm Energy Secondary ~~ergy
1986 1,278,810 1829 1,278,810 3054 86 0986 to 1989)81
1987 II II 172 10,431 151
1988 II II 258 213
1989 II II 344 266
1990 489,240 2400 378,520 4860 690 3,527 0990 to 2040)
1991 II 5150 II 3,505 7,732
199.2 II 5470 II 3,491
1993 "5800 II 3,472
-0 1994 "6058 II (1994 to 2040)
""51,873
2040 -
Totals 1,657;330 76,299 8,443
Annual or
Annual Equivalent 113,345 2,267 5,218 577
Average Rate Computation:
0)Annual Costs:
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Capital $113,345,000
OM&R 2,267,000
Total $115,612,000
Revenue from secondary energy @ 10 mills/kwh -5,770,000
Required revenue from firm energy sales $109,842,000
Equivalent a.n.nual firm energy sales 5,218,000,000 kwh
Average rate for repayment 109,842,000/5,218,000,000 =21.1 mills/kwh
h'iM .,;"l'iVie"A ,+'.""~ji'''o'*'''d'''"d1'~V Yt47 'tMWW i'9titml'f*W"'~t&w.*e"(i#0tw">W·&f5!t.#jjWW'WWktbtjVfiraHtT;;;f'We**bt'W1'(~litW*,fi;'¥tMf>frrinijtWt''tIt'~Wtt¥1t"t~'
PowerMarketingConsiderationsheaveragerateisusefulmainlyasabasisforeasycomparisonoftheproposalaild-the'alterIlatives..i\ctllalrr:C:trk~tingcontractswouldlikelyincludeseparateprovisionsfordemand'anltenergychargesandaccount,forwheelingd~~rg¢~.re~erveagre~merits,'~dotherfactors.Thereare,~pmeb'Uiltininequitiesforanygivenmethodofpricing.MostutilitysysteIT'sandmostlargeFederalsyste:rnsuseessentiallyapostage,stamprate,thatispowerratessetthesameforalldeliverypointsonithesystem.Actualcostsofservingtheloadsvarywiththedistanceandsizeandcharacteristicsofload--itismorecostlytoserveasmallloadseveralmilesfromthepowersourcethan;toservealargerloadnearby.Policiesvaryfromsystemto,systemastoporti,onsof"hookup"costs<bornpythecustomers.'Ac.:tual~atesfortheSusitnasystemmightrefleCtseveralitemsofcostsandreven.uesnotidentifieclintheprojectstudies.Forexample,itislikely'that,considerableuseofprojectfacilitieswouldbemadeoverthe>lifeoftheprojecttowheelpowerfromothersources.Anywheelj.ngrevenueswouldloweroverallprojectpowerratessoIrJewhat.Converselyiwheelingcostsforp!ojectpower'delivered'over'non-Federaltransmissionlines",ouldneedtobeworkedintoprojectratesChedules.Thisisnow,')doneunderAPAmarketingcontractsfortheSnettishamProject;therearemanysi~llilarsituaticmsinotherFederalpowersystems~.Roughestimatesweremadeonacost-of-servicebasisforpowerdeliveredatFairban1<.sandatPointMacKenzieundertheproposedplaIl''Theseindicatedthatabout85,percentoftheproject~costs(orabout17.90£the21.1mills'perkilowatj;h,ouraveragerate)isinvolvedinproducingthepower(DevilCanyonandWatanaunitsandthetransmissionlin~betweenDev'iLCanyonandWatana)"Theremaining15percentisfortransmissionfacilitiestothemajorloadcenters,.Ifthetransmissioncostswerechargedtopowerdeliveredatthetwoloadcentersonacostofservicebasis,average~ateswouldbeabqut25.2IIli1lsper'kilowatthouratFairbanksand20.2millsatPointMacKenzie..Thedifferencerelates,todistanceandsizeofload.Asstatedelsewhere,thetransmissionplantodeliver projectpowerinAnchoragewouldneedtoheworkedcutinthedetailedpost'~uthorl.zati6nstudies.Itwouldinvolveaddedcosts,eitherthroughwheeling'chargesforprojectpower'o'vern.on'-FederalllnesOrprojecttransmissionlinesaroundorunderJ<nikArm.Thesecostscouldbe~cib'~utthesameforalternativepowersourcessuchastheBelugacoals.Itisconsideredessentialthatschedulingqfprojectfacilitiesbecloselytiedtothe,marketingf.unction."95
MarketAspects.of.otherTransmissionAlternativesItisreasonabletoexpectmodificationsoftheprojecttransmissionsystemtomeetchangingr~quirementsthroughtim~.':['hecapacityofthemain345kvand230kvlinescouldbel,1pgradec:l~ubstantiallyasneedsarise'..byaddingcompensationandtransformercapacity.Additionalsubstationscouldbeprovidedaswarrantedbyfutureloadsandsubjecttoacasebycasedeterminationofeconomics.Similarly,extensionsoftheprojecttransmissionlinestoserveotherareaswouldbeconsideredonthebasisofneeds,andeconomics,andavailablealternatives.Anchorage-CookInletAreaThecostsintheproposedplanarepremisedondeliverypointstosub-stationsnearTalkeetnaandPointMacKenzie.RoughestimatesindicatesimilarcostsforaplanwithdeliverypointsatTalkeetna,PointMacKenzie,andtheexistingAPAPalmersubstation.Thus,basicallytheprojectcosts-canprovidedeliverypointsontheexistingCEAandAPAsystemsnorthofKnikArm,butdonotincludecostsofdeliveringthepoweracrossora-roundtheArm.WithorwithouttheSusitnaProject,additionaltransmissioncapabilityisneededontheapproachestoAnchorage.TheCEAplanofKnikArmloopat230kvisanimportantstepindevelopingthiscapability,butadditionalcapacitywouldbeneededbythemid-1980's.EssentiallythesameproblemswouldexistwithalternativepowersourcessuchastheBelugacoals,sointhissensethesolutiondoesn'tbearonthemeritsoftheUpperSusitnaProject.DetailedstudiesfollowingprojectauthorizationwouldneedtoconsidertheseveralalternativesforprovidingpoweracrossKnikArm.Costswouldbeworkedintoratestructureseitherthroughwheelingchargesonnon-Federallinesorprojectlinesifneeded.GlennallenandOtherPointsontheRichardsonHighwayRoughestimatesweremadefortransmissionsystemstodeliver projectpowertotheCVEAsystem-atGlennallen-.LinedistancefromPalmerisapproximately136miles.Thestudiesconsistedofroughcostestimatesforalternative138kvand230kvlinesandcomparisonwithloaddatapreseptedpreviously.Theyindicatedthatonthebasisofnormalutilityrequirements,anintertietoGlennallencouldprobablynotbejustifieduntilafter1990,thenalinetoGlennallenisincludedintheplansandcostSfortheinitialdevelopmentproposal.Overthelongterm,itappearsthatatransmissionloopfromPalmertoGlennallenandthennorthalongtheRichardsonHighwaytointerconnectwiththeCVEAsystemshouldreceivefurtherconsideration.96
EXHIBITG-lPARTIALBIBLIOGRAPHYOFRELATEDSTUDIES97
AppendixAPartialBibliographyofRelatedStudies1.AdvisoryCommitteeReportsforFederalPowerCommissionAlaskaPowerSurvey:ReportoftheExecutiveAdvisoryCommittee,December1974EconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections,May1974ResourcesandElectricPowerGeneration,May1974CoordinatedSystemsDevelopmentandInterconnection,December1974EnvironmentalConsiderationsandConsumerAffairs,May1974(FPChasitssummaryreportinpreparation)2.AlaskaPowerSurvey,FederalPowerCommission,1969.3.DevilCanyonStatusReport,AlaskaPowerAdministration,May1974.4.DevilCanyonProject,-;-Alaska..:RepqrtoftheCommissionerofReclamation,March1961,andsupportingreports.Reprint,March1974.5.ReassessmentReportonUpperSusitnaRiverHydroelectriCDevelopmentfortheStateofAlaska,HenryJ.KaiserCompany,Sept.1974.6.ProjectIndependence,FederalEnergyAdministration,1974.Amainreport,summary,seventaskforcereportsandthedraftenviron-mentalimpactstatement.7.EngineeringandEconomicStudiesfortheCityofAnchorage,AlaskaMunicipalLightandPowerDepartment,R.W.BeckandAssociatesandRalphR.StefanoandAssociates,August1970.8.PowerSupply,GoldenValleyElectricAssociation,Inc.,Fairbanks,Alaska,StanleyConsultants,1970.9.CopperValleyElectricAssociation,Inc.-15yearPowerCostStudy,Hydro/Diesel,RobertW.RetherfordAssociates,October1974.10.EnvironmentalAnalysisforProposedAdditionstoChugachElectricAssociation,Inc.,GeneratingStationatBeluga,Alaska,ChugachElectricAssociation,October1973.98
11.CentralAlaskaPowerPool,workingpaper,AlaskaPowerAdministration,October1969.12.AlaskaRailbeltTransmissionSystem.workingpaper,AlaskaPowerAdministration,December1967.13.ElectricGenerationandTransmissionIntertieSystemforInteriorandSouthcentralAlaska,CH2MHill,1972.14.CentralAlaskaPowerStudy.TheRalphM.ParsonsCompany,undated.15.AlaskaPowerFeasibilityStudy,TheRalphM.ParsonsCompany,1962.99
EXHIBITG-2UPPERSUSITNARIVERHYDROELECTRICSTUDIESREPORTONOPERATION,MAINTENANCE,ANDREPLACEMENTS101iI
TablesAnnualCosts105103109106106107104113114115AnnualReplacementCostS. .FiguresAnnual0&MCostSummaryItemized0&MCostEstimateReplacements102MarketingandAdministrationContentsOperationAssumptionsTitle1.AlternativeSystemPlans-Ins'talledCapaCity&FirmEnergy...IntroductionandSummary2.1.UpperSusitnaBasinLocationMap3.4.
103IntroductionandSummary1991,7374532,2864532,2866182,8875172,340'SummaryofOperation,Maintenance,.andReplacementCostsAnnualOp.erationAnnualTotalandMaintenanceReplacementOM&R$1,000$1,000 $1,000~gt1re1showsgenerallocationsofthepotentialunitsoftheUpper':~'imaprojectinrelationshiptotheAlaskaRailbelt.Thefourkey~:~pet.SusimadamsitesareDevilCanyon,Watana,Vee,andDenali.~.-~-.;"..--...parateestimateswerepreparedforeachoffivealternativedevelopment',nsorsystems.The:fivealternativesareidentifiedonTable1along.,ithpowerandenergycapabilityforeachsystem.'.1...','0.'•~1y-stem#1-DevilCanyonandDenali1,538,i~paperpresentsestimatesoftheannualrecurringcostsforproject':erationsandmaintenance,powermarketing,andreplacementsforthe~J?~.l'"Susimahydroelectrieprojects.':_;:System#4-DevilCanyon,"',Wa.tana,Denali,&Vee2,269System#5-DevilCanyon,&Watana(proposedplan)1,833~5(~._.+p,eestimatesreflectAPAlsassumedoperationplanfortheprojectpower-'plants,reservoirs,andtransmissionlines.aswellasestimatedcostsfpr,powermarketingandoverallprojectadministration.:,_Yi:;<··,.. ._ _'"'IpeCorpsofEngineersproposesaninitialdevelopmentconsistingoftheDe~ilCanyonandWatanasites(System#5).ThehighWatana.damplanis~r,oposedtobeconstructed:firstfollowedbytheDevilCanyonunit.t4>;;~.'S:ystem#2-DevilCanyont;',v;andWatana1,833!.","(!,.(}.s,.'ystem#3-DevilCanyon,,.itWatana&Denali1,833
Table 1.Alternative System Plans
Installed Capacity &Firm Energy
W.S.
el.P.O.L.Devil
S~tem M.S.L.Date Canyon Watana Vee System Total
Installed Firm Installed Fi,rm Insta1.led Firm Installed Firm'Secondary
Capacity Energy Capacity Energy,Capacity Energy Capacity Energy Energy
1000 Million 1000 Million'1900 Million 1000 Millio~Million
kw kwh kw kwh kw kwh kw'kwh kwh
System #1
Devil Canyon 1450 1985 5,80 2497
Denali 2535 1990
58,0 2497 701
System #2
Devil Canyon 1450 1985,600 2628
Watana 2050 1990,470 2059.....
1070 4687:'946,0
,j:>,
System·#3
'",~
Devil'Canyon 1450 1985 700 3066
6.'70Watana20501990 2935
Denali 2535 1995 -':'..,.:~.
.i 1370"6QOl 350'
System #4 .':-....
Devil Canyori~1450 )985 713 3119
Den.ali 2535 1990
Vee 2300 '1995 300 .1314
Watana 1905 2000 421'1840
"
143'4"6~73;640
System #5
Watana 2200 1986 792 3101
Devil Canyon 14?0 1990 776 3048
1568'6149 701
Notes:System #~is,the proposed initial development plan.
Data is£rom Corps of Engineers studies.
OperationAssumptionsForpurposesof,thisstudy,itisassumed,theprojeCtheadquartersandJriai.noperationscenterwouldbenearTalkeetnaoratsomeotherequallyat:cessiblepointc:mthesystem.Itisrecognizedtheremoteopercitionsc"eriterisnotdependentonbeingadjacenttoapowerplant.'Thiscentralprojectheadquarters,wouldhousetheremotepowerplantoperationanddispatchcenter.Powerplarffoperationanddamandre-servoiroperationswouldbefromthisoperation-dispatchcenterforeachperm.Electrician/operatorsandmechanic/operatorswouldbelocatedatthepowerplantstoprovideforroutinemaintenanceandmanualoperationvJhenrequired.Denalidamwouldberemotecontrolled,withacaretakerih:residenceatthedamsite.Specializedpersonnelsuchaselectronic,technicians,andmeterandrelayrepairmen'wouldserveattheseveral.....phwerplantsandsubstations,butwouldworkoutofprdjectheadquarters.Projectadministration,includingsupervisionofpowerproduction,water~cheduling,andtransmissionfacilities,wouldbefromprojecthead-~tia:rters.~1ajorturbineandgeneratorinspectionandmaintenanceworkwouldbe,','ciccomplishedbyelectricians,mechanics,engineers,otherexperiencedAPApersonnel,andmanufacturers'representativesasrequired.AlaskaPowerAdministration'smainofficewouldhandlepowermarketing,accounting,personnelmanagement,andgeneraladministrativematters.??ransmissionlinemaintenancewouldbehandledbytwolinecrewswithintegrationoftheEklutnaProjectlinecrew.Transmissionlinemainte-nancewarehousesandpartsstorageyardVJouldbelocatedatDevilCanyon~,oFWatana,approximatelrmidwaybetweenDevilCanyonandFairbanks,andatprojectheadquarters.Membersoftheli:necrewwouldbestationedalongtheline,transmissionmaintenancestations,andtheIr1ajorsub-stationstoprovideroutinelinepatrolandminorcaretakingtasksandsecurityaroundthefacilities.Formajormaintenancework,thet:rans-missionlinecrew'memberswouldgatheraftheproblemarea.Visitorfacilitieswithprovisionsforself-guidedtoursthroughthepowerplantwouldrequireonlyoccasionalassistancefromoperationpersonnel.Projectrelatedrecreationalfacilitieswouldinvolvecooperation"betWeenFederal,State,andlocalinterestsandlikelybemainta.inedbyaStateorlocalentity.',105
106AnnualCosts,--,.'f'-'..CustamerbillingCollectingAccountspayableFinancialrecordsPayrollPersonnelmanagementProper~managementBudgetingMarketingpolicy.Rateandrepaymentstudies.....RateschedulesPowersalescontracts9Perating';'greetI1~ntsSystemrelia,bilityandcoordination2.Accounting3..Marketing1.Adrninistration.Themarketingandadrr:inistJ;-ationaspectsinvolvethreemainfunctions:.Projectoperation,maintenanceandadlninistrC!-tionwouldlikelyincludetheexistingEklutnaProject,witharesultingnet'savingstotheelectricalconsulller.Eklutnawould.b:esuperyisor,ycontrolledfromthi=rr:ainoperatio~s~ent~:rwip,.elec~icians/opel'C!-to,rsandmechanic/operatorsstationedatEklutna.Itisestimat~clthatappr(lxim~tely$100;00.0,peryearcouldbesavedbyjointoperationof.theEklutna·~mciSJJ;SjtnaProjects:cMarketingandAdministrationPartof.thisworkwouldbecarriedoutbytheprqjec~headquarters;overalladministrationandsuPPo.rt,serviceswouldbehandIedbythePJ'Aheadquartersstaff.Theestimatedcpst§foroper~tion,maintenance,marketing,andaqmin'""istrationarebasedonitemizedestimatesofpersonnel"equipIl'lept:,.$upplies,andservicesrequiredto'accomplishthework..
OperationandmaintenincerequirementsforSystems#2,#3,arid#5wouldbesubstantiallythesame.EachofthethreeplanshaspowerplantsatDevilCanyonandWatanathataresimilarexceptforinstalledcapacity(l070,1vfWforSystem#2',1370MWforSystem#3,15681v1WforSystem#5).Numberofunitsandpower:plantlayoutisthesameforthethreeplans,sostaffingwouldbeesserttiallythesameforeachplan.Systern#3includesDenaliDcim.<butadded'O&Mcostsforthestructurewouldbeminor.Forpurposesofthisstudy,annualoperationandmaintenancecostsareassumedthesameforthethreeplans..TheestimateassumesFederallyclassmedpersorinelprovidingmanagementari.(1~adIPjnisfrative>functionsandwagegradepersonneldoingthe'physicalday-to"'dayteclmical'operationand'mairttEmariceoftheproject:·"Wageratesfortheclassifiedemployeesarebasecontheiniddleratewithinagrade.WagegradepersonnelratesarebasedonprevailingwagesineffectintheAnchorageareaand:re£leCtbasicnourIyrates,benefits,andovertinJeprovisions.Costsofsupplies,eqriipmentandpersonnelrequirementsarebasedonBureauofReclamationGuidelines,characteristicsofeqUipment,andAlaska,PowerAdministrationoperatingexperiEmceontheEklutnaandSnettishamProjectsinAlaska.TheEklutnaprojectisafullystaffedfacility,includingatransrnissionlinecrew,whichhasbeenoperatedbyAPAanditspredecessoragencysinceprojeCtconstructionin1955.TheSnettishamProjectisanisolatedproje<::t,sepa.ratedfroinJuneauloadcenterby45milesofruggedterraiIlandwater.Amaintenancecrewperformsroutinemaihtenanceattheprojectsite,whileprojectopera-tionsareremotelycontrolledfromJuneau.ItisenvisionedthattheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinProjectwouldhavesomecharacteristicsofbothprojects.Itemizedcostsforoperation,maintenance,marketing,andadministrationforthealternativeplansofdevelopmentarepresentinTable2.Costsbymajorcategoryandnumberofpet'sonnelaresummarizedonTable3.ReplacementsTheannualreplacementcostprovisionestablishesafundtofinancemajoritemswhichhavealifeperiodoflessthanfiftyyearsforprojectrepayment.Theobjectiveistocovercostsandinsurefinancingforatimelyreplacementofmajorcostitemstokeeptheprojectopera-tingefficientlythroughoutitsentirelife~107
Iternscoveredincludegeneratorwindings,communicationequipment,..asmallpercentofthetransmissiontowers,andseveralitemsinthesub-station.andswitchyards.Itemscoveredbyroutineannualmaintenancecostsandnotcoveredbythereplacementfundincludeyehicles,smallbuildings,camputilities,andmaterialsa;ndsupplies.Majorfeaturessuchasdamsandpowerplantstructuresareconsideredtohayeserviceliveslongerthanthe50-yearprojectrepaymentperiod.andtheircostsarenotcoveredbythereplacementfunds.TheannualreplacementcostisbasedonexperienceddatabytheBureauofReclamation.TheprocedureandbasicfactorshaveqeenadoptedbytheDepartmentofInterior.'Thefactors"developedprovide{isinkingf:undfor;the,variousitemsso):hatbYetheendofthe.ite:l'Ils'se:r:yicelife,thefundwillbelargeenoughtoreplaceit.ThesaIp.ecinterestrateusedforprojectrepaymentisusedtoestablishthesinldngfund.;TheFiscalYear1976rateof6-5/8percentwasestablishedbytheDepartmentoftheTreasury.Thefactorsapplytotheentirepow~rplant,substation,andswitchyard.Theyapplytothetransmissiontowers,:fixturesan~lcc;:>nductorsonthetransmissioD;system.Right-of-wayandclearingcostsaren<;:>tincluded.Table.4presentstheannualreplacementfactorsbaseclon6-5/8percentinterestrate,thecostsofthepertinentprojectfeature,andtheannualreplacementfundforthealternativeplansofdevelopment..TheprojectcostsareonaJanuary1975basis.PowerplantcostsarefromCorpsofEngineerestimateswhileAlaska.PowerAdministrationestimatedthetransmission,substation,andswitchyardcosts.108
TABLE2.ITEMIZED,QPERA,TI:NG&MAINTENANCECOSTESTIMATE109TOTALPERSONNELCOST30,00024,70022,20022,20014,50012,0009,60033,80015,0008)00025,00086,100135,20054,08054,08027,04045,76027,04027,040162,24091,52062,400108,16054,080108,160488,800332,800167,900$1,124,700100MWFuture,5unitsGS-14GS-13GS-12GS~12G~-9GS-7GS-52@15.00hr.4@13.00"2@13.00"4@13.00"2@13.00hr.2@13.00"1@13.00"2@11.00"1@13.00"1@13.00"6@13.00"4@11.00"600MWNoPowerProjectManagerAssistantProjectManagerElectricalEngineerMechanicalEngineerSupply&PropertyAdministrativ~AssistantSecretaryTotalWageGradeWagesTotalLineCrewWagesElectriciansMechanicsHeavyDutyEquip~OperatorMaintenanceManMeterRelayMechanicElectronicTechnicianPowerplantOperatorsAss't.Powerplant'oPeratorsTotalSupervisory&ClassifiedWagesForemenLinemenEquipmentOperatorsGroundmenSupervisory&ClassifiedWageGradeDevilCanyonDenaliLineCrew.C.O.L.A.--25%ShiftDifferentialSundayPayOvertimeGovernmentContributionsLongevityN.A.TotalFringeBenefitsfo~PersonnelPersonnelSYSTEM1.DEVILCANYONANDDENALI
':£'ABLE2.(Con:ti,nued)--I'J;'EMIZEDOPE:Ri\TION&MAINTENANCECOSTESTIMATESYSTEMl--(Continued)--DEVILCANYONANDDENALIEquipmentOperation&Maintenance,Miscellaneous63,6008,00015,00015,000100,00040,000-5,00020,00015,000218,000ANNUALCOST9,0005,0005,0005,2006004,5002,5003,0002,5002,3002,0007,5004,50010,000132,000$1,538,300$AnnualReplacementCost;J:.C.*S.L.*$90,00010·50,0001050,00010,36,00074,000745,0001025,0001020,000725,0001016,000720,00010150,000,2090,00020100,00010110ServiceLifeInitialCostTotalEquipment,etc.TelephoneOfficialtravelVacationtravelSupplies,Services&Maintenance--Powerp1antSupplies&Services--Vehic1es&EquipmentEmployeetrainingLinesprayGovernmentcampmaintenanceD-8-(1)980-(1)Maintainer-(1)Pickups-(4)&(6)Sedan-(1)Lowboy;'(1)Dumptruck-(1)Flatbed-(4)&(2)firetruck-(1)Snotracs-(2)Backhoe-(1)Crane,50ton-(1)HydraulicCrane,20ton-(1)Linetrucks-(4).TotalMiscellaneousAPAmainofficeadministration,accounting,collecting,marketingexpenses.*S.t.•I.C.TOTALSYSTEM1
69-7370 -81- 81112,0001,0003,000~o,ooo31,0003,0001,00090,00010,000176,80010,00016,0005,000104,000344,8001,538,300$4.5,76054,08054,08022,880$1,883,100*8.L.77*I.C.12,0008,000700MW600MWDevilCanyonWatanaOvertimeGovernmentContributionsForemanPayVacationtr.avelEmployeetr~iningSupplies,Services&MaterialsSuppliesandServices2Pickups1SnowtractorTABLE2.(Continued)",,:,,I'rID1IZEDOPERATION&MAINTENANCECOSTESTIMATEIncreasebasestaffofSystem.1."PersonnelWatanaSupervisoryControl,fromDevilCanyonEquipmentMiscellaneous·,APAmainofficeadministrative,accounting,collecting. &marketingexpense11SameoperationandmaintenanceestimateusedforSystem#2, #3,and#5.;~,!2Assistantoperator's@11.00hr.2Electricians@13.00"2Mechanics@13.00"1Maintenanceman@11.00""SYSTEM2.DEVILCANYONANDWATANAYTOTALADDITIONSTOSYSTEM1SYSTEM1TOTALSYSTEM2
SYSTEM4--DEVILCANYONANDWATANAANDVEETABLE2.(Continued)--"ITEMIZEDOPERATION&MAINTENANCECOSTESTIMATE9,0005,0003,4002,5002,5002,3002,0004,50030,00058,0006,0002,000.50,00031,200$27,04054,08054,08045,76027,04022,900$230,90010,00020,8005,00035,800385,9001,883,100$2,269,000300MWTotalMiscellaneousTotal112VacationtravelEmployeetrainingSupplies,ServicesandMaterials--Powerplant&vehiclesD-8MaintainerPickups-(4)DumptruckFiretruckSnotracs-(2)BackhoeHydraulicCrane,20tonOvertimeGovernmentContributionsForemanPayTotalFringeBenefitsTotalWageGradeAddtoSystem#2:Vee1Heavyequipmentoperator@13.00hr;,2Electricians@13.00"2Mechanics@13..00'-'2Maintenancemen@ 1L00"1Operator@13.00"1Assistantoperator@'11.00"APAmainofficeadministration,accounting,collecting,marketingexpenses.Equipment,Operation&Maintenance,AnnualReplacementCostMiscellaneousPersonnelTOTALSYSTEM4TotalAdditionstoSystem2System2
System 2 '.System 3 System 4DevilCanyon&.Devil Canyon,Devil Canyon,Watana Y Hatana &.Denali '.Ja tana,Denali,
--&.VeeNumberDollarsNumberDollarsNumberDollars
1,124,700 1,332,500 1,332,500 1,599,200
7 7 7 7313838'47
218,000 322,000 322,000 380,000
.-
,.63 600 66 600 ....66 600 ."97 800
1,406,300 1,721,ioo I,721~100 2,077,000 .
I -
132,000 162,000 162,000 192,000
.
~
I 1,538,300 1,883,100 1,883,100 2,269,000I!I
!I
·::..:1 $y ~t~~::'(~·,:;1~;Z.I
\I;!
f ,,"',J.L \,.'.'L;:..~E',!r;,.~a
Administration
':";"
APA main office &dministration,
accounting,collecting,
maxketing expeU8e
Subtotal
r···..···__···,,·.-·____..___,..__._._._-_._--~
I .Il~_._..-:._--__.__.__.__._.__._'"'---iN=beruc":::!an
1
_·_.._-_..-_,.._-..,_.__----
Personnel:
Direct costs,COLA,benefits,
overtime
Number oQ classified persons
Number of wage board persons
Telephone,travel,SUPPlies,
ser~ices,training,line spray,
camp maintenance
Equipmerit~
Annual cost t()rep1ace
i...~isce11aneous :
IMarke ting and
I•I
If..~\C~;t.t\It..;>..lI.,•.J
r.t
I
f
w
Table 4.Replacement Costs
System #1
Devil Canyon and
Denali
System #2 81 #3
Devil Canyon and Watana
(includes Denali)
System #4
Devil Canyon,Watana,
'Vee and Denali
Feature
Annual
Replace-
ment
Factor
Cost
to'
Construct
Annual
Replace-
ment
Cost ,',
Cost
to
Construct
Annual
Replace-\"
ment
Cost
Cost
to
Construct
Annual
Replace-
ment
Cost
Powerplant'0.0012 $128,000,000 $153,600 $283,600,000 $340,300 $404,400,000 $485,300
Transmission towers,
fixtures &conductors 0.0001--.85~200,000 8,500 150;OOo~odO 15,000 163,400,000 16,300
...Substations and
:i:switchyards 0.0039 9,400,000 36,700
198,000
25,100,000 97,900
453,200
29,900,000 116,600
618,200
Powerp lant
Transmission towers,
fixtures 81 conductors
/
,Substations and
switchyards'
0.0012
0.0001
0.0039
System #5
Watana (el.2,200)and
Devil Canyon
$301,191,000 $361,400
180,362,000 18,000
35,235,000 137,400
516,800
UPPERSUSITNABASINLOCATIONMAP11So50JOOMile.
SECTIONHTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMUWITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORAlaskaPowerAdministrationUpperSusitnaRiverHydroelectricStudiesReportonTransmissionSystemDecember1975117
-;-,118PartIII-EXISTINGTRANSMISSIONSYSTEr.lS129Anchorage-CookInletArea129Fairbanks-TananaVallcyArea132GlennallenandValdezArea. .132126122122125122122PageNo.. ... ..PartII-SUM11ARY.PartIV-'TPANS~USSIONCORRIDORSTUDIES136r.,.1ethodofEvaluation136TheCorridors145SusitnaCorridor145NenanaCorridor145DeltaCorridor146MatanuskaCorridor"146AvailableData146LocationConsiderations148ClimateandElevation148Topography. . . . .148SoilsandFoundation149Vegetation149Wildlife. . . . . . .149VisualAspects150Socia-EconomicAspects150Distance....150RelativeCost. . . . .153CorridorEvaluations153ProjectPowertoAnchorage-CookInletArea153ProjectPowertoFairbanks-TananaValleyArea155,ProJeetPowertoValdeiandOtherPofntsontheRichardsonHighway.158PartI-INTRODVCTION.PurposeandScope. . . . . . . .AlternativePlansforUpperSusitnaHydroelectricDevelopment.PreviousStudiesAcknowledgementsContentsTitle
..TitlePartV -TRANSMISSIONSYSTEMDESIGNSANDESTIMATESElectricalDesign. . . . . . . . . . . . .TransmissionCapacity. . . . . . . . .VoltageSelectionandLineCharacteristicsSubstationsandSwitchyardsPowerFlowStudiesReliabilityRight-of-WayClearingAccessRoadsStructuralDesignWindandIceLoadingSnow....TowerDesign....Foundations. . . . .TransmissionCostEstimatesAlaskaCostFactorsTransmissionLineCostsSwitchyardandSubstation5:ostsTransmissionMaintenanceFacilitiesEstimatesforAlternativeHydroDevelopmentPlans. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Transmi.ssionEstimatesforProposedPlan.Const~~ctionSchedule. . . . . . .OtherTransmissionAlternatives. . . .ServicePlansforAnchorage-CookInletAreaServicetoOtherRailbeltPowerLoads. . . .119PageNo.159159159161_169169170170170171171173173173177178178181181181185187187187188
120ListofTables2.TransmissionLinesandMajorInterconnections133182179.11.SwitchyardandSubstationCostsPageNo.10.TypicaIf·1i1eTransmissionLineCosts9.Temperature,Precipitation,andWindforSummit.17412.SUl1l11aryofTransmissionSystemCostEstimates1848.TransmissionLineCharacteristics1657.Comparisonof230and345kvSystems16:26.CorridorAnalysis:ProjectPowertoFairbanks-TananaValleyArea. . . . . . . .1565.CorridorAnalysis:ProjectPowertoAnchorage-CookInlet.. . . . . . . • . . . . .;. .1544.RelativeTransmissionConstructionCostsforAlternativeCorridors. . . . . . . . .1513.KeytoAlternativeCorridorsandSegments1431.UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,ProjectDataSheet..12.4
4.ExistingTransmissionSystems-TananaValleyArf2a.'1353.ExistingTransmissionSystems.-AnchorageArea131123130137138141139163142167175186".......-....TheRailbelt.. . . . . .AlternativeTransmissionCorridors.PotentialTransmissionCorridorsListofFigures1212.ExistingTransmissionSystems-CookInletArea1.UpperSusitnaBasinLocationMap5.9.TransmissionCorridorSegments6.J\lternativeSystemPlans·... .7.10.TransmissionSystemLayout-..,12.AlternativeTransmissionLineStructures11.SubstationLayout. . . . .8.13.TransmissionSystemLayout.
122PreviousStudiesAlternativePlansforUpperSusitnaHydroelectric·DevelopmentPurposeandScope,INTRODUCTIONPartI1.AdvisoryCommitteestudiescompletedin1974fortheFederalPowerCommission·snewAlaskaPowerSurvey.Thestudiesincludeevaluationofexistingpowersystemsandfutureneedsthroughtheyear2000,andthemaingenerationandtransmissionalternativesavailabletomeettheneeds.TheFPCsummaryreportforitsnew-surveyisnotyetavailable.ThereisafairlysubstantialbacklogofpowersystemandprojectstudiesrelevanttothecurrentevaluationoftheUpperSusitnaRiverProject.Apartialbibliographyisincludedinthepowermarketreport.Thepreviousstudiesmostrelevanttopowermarketandtransmissionsystemplanninginclude:Theengineeringandenvironmentalevaluationsforthetransmissionsystetnsarepartsofthesamestudy,and'AlaskaPowerAdmillistration'senvironmentalassessmentforthetransmissionsystemisacompanionreporttothisvolume.ThisreportcoversthetransmissionsystemstudiesbytheAlaskaPowerAdministrationfortheproposedUpperSusitnahydroeleetricdevelopment.Thestudiesareofpre-authorizationorfeasibilitygrade.Theyconsistofevaluationofalternativecorridorlocationsfromtheviewpointsofengineering,costs,andenvironment;studiesoftransmissionsystemsneededforalternativeprojectdevelbpinentplans;arJ.dconsider"':ationofalternativetransmissiontechnologies.Thesestudiesdealwithgeneralcorridorlocatioii';"themoredetailedstudiesfollowingprojectauthorizationwouldincludefinal,onthegroundroutelocation.TheCorpsofEngineersproposesaninitialdevelopmentincludingtheDevilCanyonandWatanasiteswiththeDenalisiteconsideredasapotentialfuturestage.Table1sumnlCirizesdataorieriergyandpowercapabilityandcostsforthisproposedplanandtheprincipalalternativesystemfordevelopingtheUpperSusitnahydroelectricpotential.System#5istheCorpsproposedplan.,Figure1showsgenerallocationsofthep6tentlalunitsoftheUpperSusitnaProjectinrelationshiptotheAlaskaRailbelt.ThefourkeyUpperSusitnadamsitesareDevilCanyon,Watana,Vee,andDenali.
U.s.DEPARTMENTOFTHE/t\TERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONUPPERSUSITNA,:BASINLOCATIONMAP123oSCAI,J:.soIOOMilesAPA2-74•
2.AseriesofstudiesforRailbeltareautilitiesinclude"assessmentsofloads,pow~rcosts,andgenerationandtra~smissionalternatives.3.PreviousworkbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration,theBureauofReclamation,theutility'systems,andindustryonstudiesofvariousplansforRailbeltt~ansmissioninterconnectionsandtheUpperSusitnahydroelectricpotential.ThemostrecentofthesearetheMay,1974StatusReportontheDevilCanyonProjectbyAPAandtheSeptember,1974ReassessmentReportonUpperSusitnaRiverHydroelectricDevelopmentpreparedfor"theStateofAlaskabytheHenryJ.Kaiser.Company.Itshouldbenotedthatmanyofthestudieslistedinthebibliogr.aphyrepresentaperiodinhistorywhentherewasverylittleconcernaboutenergyconservation,growth,andneedsforconservingoil.aridnaturalgasresoU1:ces.Similarly.manyofthesestudiesreflectedanticipationoflongterm,verylowcostenergysupplies.Inthisregard~,thestudiesforthenewpowersurveyareconsideredparticularlysignificantinthattheyprovideafirstassessmentofAlaskapowersystemneedsreflectingthecurrentconcernsforener.gyandfuelconservationandtheenvironment,andtherap~dlyjncreasingcostsofen~rgyintheeconomy.AcknowledgementsWehaveattemptec;ltoreferenceprincipaldatasourcesinthetext.Thecorridorstudiesutilizeddatafrommanydifferentsources--USGSmapping;ERTSphotomosaicsobtainedthroughtheGeophysicalInstituteoftheUniversityofAlaska;soilssurveyandsnowsurveyinformationfromSoilConservationServicereportsforportionsofthecorridor~;resourcesmapsandreportsfromthestatewideresourcesinve~torybytheResourcesPlanningTeamoftheFederaFStateLandUsePlanningCommission;theStateofAlaska'sRegionalProfilefortheSouthcentralRegion;"climaterecordsfromtheNationalWeatherService;andotherdatasources.TheBonnevillePower·Administrationprovidedtechnicalassistanceinseveralways:participationintheaerialandsurfacereconnaiss"anceofthepotentialcorridors;struct:uraldesignsandunitcostsfortransmissionlinesandsubstations;conswtationsonthe;transmissionenvironmentalassessmentandreviewsofdesignandcosfsfudiespreparedbyAPA.TheelectricutilititysystemsoftheRailbeltareaprovidetheAlaskaexperiencebaseforconsideringfuturetransmissionsystems;,utilitypersonnelprovidedvaluableassistancethroughconsultationontheirtransmissionsystemexperiencesandpracticesandonalternativeplansfortransmittingSusitnapowertotheloadcenters.125
1261.Themainele'mentsofthestudywere:(1)evaluationofalternativecorridorsforlocatingprojecttrallsmissionlinesconsideringenviron-mental,engineering,reliabilityandcost'aspects;,(2)preparationofdesignsandcostestimates'forthetransmissionsystemsneededforalternativeprojectdevelopmentplans.3.Thecorridorevaluationstarte,dwithmapidentificationofallpotentiallyfeasible'.corridorsandafieldreconnaissancewhicheliminatedthoseforwhichtopography,'elevation,andclimatefactorswould,beunacceptable.Theremainingcorridorswerethenevaluatedinmoredetailtodeterminetheirrelatiyeadvantagesanddisadvant-ages.MuchofthedetailofthisevaluationispresentedintheAPAenvironmentalassessmentoftheprojecttransmissionfacilities.SUMMARYPartII2.The'powermarketanalyses(APAreportonprojectpower·markets)showthatthebulkoftheprojectpowerwouldbeutilizedinFairbanks-TananaValleyandAnchorage-CookInletareas,withsmallerpotentialmarketsintheGlennallenandValdezareasandotherpointsalongtheRichardsonHighway.Becauseoftherelativelylargedemands,electricservicetotheAnchorageandFairbanksareasi.stheJargestsingleconsiderationindesignofprojecttransmis-sionfacilities."Servicetotheotherareaswouldbeaddedwhenfeasible.4.ItW'asconcludedthatthe,mostdesirablecorridorlocationwouldfollowexistingsu~facetransportationsystemswheneverpossible.Theprincipledisadvantageofsuchlocationislinevisibilityfromtheexistingroadandrailsystems.Carefulattentiontouseofnaturalvegetation.andtopographytoscreenthelines,locatingthelinesatanappropriatedistancefromroads,andselectionofnon-reflectingmaterialsinfinalrouteselectionanddesignwouldminimizevisibilityproblems;itisrecognizedthatevenwithbestlocationanddesign,portionsofthelinewouldhehighlyvisible.Significantadvantages'oflocatingthelinesnearexisting.surfacetransportationsystemsincludeminimizingrequirementsfornewaccessroads,savi~gsincostsforconst:r.uctionandoperationandmairitenance,asignificantimprovementinreliability;andavoidingneedforpioneeringnewcorridorsinpresentlyundevelopedareas,.
5.Exceptfor·constrictedpassesthroughthemountains,theproposed··corridorsshouldbeconsideredasverybroad·andgenerallocationswithinwhichmanyalternativesarepossibleforfinalroutelocations...Thefinalroutelocationswouldbedeterminedthroughdetailedpostauthorizationstudies.6 .ThemostseriousconflictsinthefinalrouteselectionwilllikelybeencounteredintheNenanaCanyonroutethroughthe·AlaskaRange.TheFishandWildlifeServicehasrecommendedthataroutewestoftheParksHighwaybeselectedthroughtheNenanaCanyontominimizepossibleconflictswithraptorhabitat.AnyroutethroughtheCanyonareawouldinvolvelinesvisiblefromportionsofMountMCKinleyNationalParkandtheFWSproposalwouldplaceportionsoftheroutewithinparkboundaries.APAconsidersuseofthecorridorthroughtheNenanaCanyonwillresultinsubstantiallylessenvironmentaldamagethanwouldthepioneeringofnewcorridorsthroughtheAlaskaRange.7.AdditionalconflictsareantiCipatedirifin'alrouteselectionalongtheapproachestoAnchoragebecauseof·the·KnikArm,andtopography,andland·useandownershippatternsonpossibleroutesaroundKnikArm.CostestimatespresentedinthisreportassumedeliveryofprojectpowertopointsontheCEAtransmission·systemnorthofKnikArm.Itisrecognizedthatthe'detailed·studiesfolloWingauthorization.wouldneedtoconsiderseveralalternativeplanstotransmitpoweracrossoraroundKnikArmtoAnchorage.8.TheinitialsetoftransmissionplansandestimateswerepreparedforuseinevaluatingthealternativeSusitnahydroelectricdevelop-mentplans.Itwasfoundthatconventionaloverheadlinesat230kvand345kvwouldbesuitableforthedistancesandamountsofpowerinvolved.TheinitialplansuseddoublecircuitlinesonasinglesetoftowersandassumeddeliverypointsatFairbanksandAnchorage.9.Asaresultofreviewbyareautilities,theBonnevillePowerAdministration,andothers,thetransmissionplanandcostestimatefortheinitialhydrodevelopmentplan(WatanaandDevilCanyon)was"modifiedtoincorporate:theaddedcostsfortwosinglecircuitlinesinlieuofdoublecircuitlines;anadditionalsubstationinthegeneralvicinityofTalkeetna;andaswitchingstationinthevicinityofHealy.Theresultingtrans-missionplanincludes:twosinglecircuit230kvlinesfrom127
WatanatoDevilCanyon(30miles),twosinglecircuit230kvlinesfromDevilCanyontoFairbanks(198miles)withinintermediateswitchingstationatHealy;andtwosinglecircuit345kvlinesfromDevilCanyontopointsonthenorthshoreofKnikArm(136miles)withanintermediatesubstationinthevicinitYofTalkeetna.TheestimatedconstructioncostbasedonJanuary1975pricelevelsis$256million.ItisestimatedthatthreeyearswouldberequiredforconstructionofthetransmiSsionfacilitiesfollowingcompletionofdetailedroutestudiesandfinaldesignsandacquisitionofnecessaryrights-of-way.10.RoughplansandestimateswerepreparedfortransmissionsystemstodeliverprojectpowertoGlennallenandotherpointsalongtheRicharqsonHighway,andresultsaresummarizedalongwitheconomicanalysesofsuchplansintheAPApowermarketstudy.11.Alternativetransmissiontechnologieswereconsideredinplanselection,includingDCsystemsandundergroundlines.Withexsitingandlikelynearfuturetechnology,reliabilityandcostconsiderationsappear.toruleoutuseofundergroundsystemsforthelinesunderconsideration.OperatingcharacteristicsofDCsystemswouldessentiallyruleouttheirapplicationforaninitialsystemtodistributeprojectpowertoRailbeltpowermarkets.12.Thegeneralcorridorlocationsandtransmissiondesignsandestimatesareconsideredadequatefor·purposesofdemonstratingprojectfeasibility.128
129Thefiveelectricutilitycompaniesservingthisar~aare:Anchorage-CookInletAreaEXISTINGTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMSPardnTheexistingtransmissionsystemsinthisareaareindicatedonFigures2and3.Table2hasasummaryofexistinglinesandinterconnections.Theareapresentlyhasatotalofabout545circuitmilesat33kvorhighervoltage.CEAhasunderconstructiona230kvoverheadlinearoundKnikArmtoAnchorageincludinginterconnectionswiththeMEAandAPAsystems.Theinitialphaseisnowunderconstruction;initialoperationwillbeat138kv.AML&PservestheAnchorageMunicipalarea.CEAsuppliespowertotheAnchoragesuburbanandsurroundingruralareasandprovidespoweratwholesaleratestoHEA,SES,andMEA.TheHEAservice'areacoversthewesternportionoftheKenaiPeninsulai!1cludingSeldovia,acrossthebayfromHomer.MEAservesthetown,ofPalmerandthe"surroundingruralareaintheMatanuskaandSusitnaValleys.SESservesthecityofSeward.Alask,aPowerAdministrationoperatestheEklu,tnaHydrQelecb;icProjectandmarketswholes.alepowertoCEA"AML&P,andMEA...AnchorageMunicipalLigllt<;lndPower(AML&P)ChugachElectricAssociation(cEA)'MatanuskaElectricAssociation(MEA)HomerElectricAssociation(H~A)SewardElectricSystem(SE$).Thepowermarketstudiesmakeitvery,clearthatamajorpart()ftheprojectpowerwouldbeutilizedintheA~c;:horage.-CookInlet~dFairbanks-TananaValleyareas,respectively.Ad(iitionalpotentialpowermarketsexistintheGl~nnallenana.V,:!ldezareasandCJ.longtheAlyeskapipeline.utilitiesservingtheAnchorage-CookInletareaarepresentlylooselyinterconnectedthroughfacilitiesofAPAandCEA,AnemergencytieisavailablebetweentheAML&PandAnchorageareamilitaryinstallaticlns.
80LineLineLineLineA.P.A.-JULY197460LOCATIONMAP20130~UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR:::·:::::::/~~//~t~::::··.ALASKA.POWERADMINISTRATIONCHAKACHAMNALAKE
CEAI15KV
<ID
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a::1 APA 115 KV
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ROAD
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
ALASKA PO~R ADMINISTRATION
EXISTING'TRANSMISSION
SYSTEMS
ANCHORAGE AREA
CEA 115 KV
~II~~
U'l
u
r~:.::~I ~''-~~I UJ
~
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CEA 134.5KV
AML6P 34;5 KV ~r~'Jr~~-~m ~••u AirCEA !34.SKYI
Scale in miles
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I--~I ~CEA 34.5 KV
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@./\CEA 134.5KVI@.
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~IV1974
Forpurposes6fthisstudy,itisassumedthatSusitnapowerwouldbemadeavailableatasubstationinthevicinityofTalkeetnaandatpointsontheCEA230kvlooparoundKnikArm,andthatthepowerwouldbewheeledovertheCEAandAPAEklutn,asystemstoserveAnchorage.Asdiscussedlaterinthereport,theactualplanfordeliveringprojectpowerintheAnchorage-CookInletareawillneedtobedeterminedthroughdetailedsystemsstudiesfollowingprojectauthorization.Fairbanks-TananaValleyArea'I'hetwoelectricutilitiesinthisareaare:F~rbanksMunicipalUtilitySystem(FMUS)GoldenValleyElectricAssociation(GVEA)FMUSSiervestheFairbanksmunicipalarea,whileGVEAprovidesservicetothesuburbanandruralareas.TheFairbanksareapowersuppliershavethemostcompletepowerpoolingagreementintheState.FMUS,GVEA,theUniversityofAlaskaandthemilitarybaseshaveanarrangementwhichincludesprovisionsforsharingreservesandenergyinterchangeaccounts.Inaddition,GVEAoperatestheFortWirin-wrightsteamplantunderanagreementwiththearmy.TheexistingtransmissionsystemsareindicatedonFigure4;Table2includesasummaryofthelinesandexistinginterconnections.ThedeliverypointforUpperSusitnapowertotheGVEAandFMUSsystemsisassumedattheexistingGoldHillsubstationofGVEAnearFairbanks..GlennallenandValdezTheCopperValleyElectricAssociationservesbothGlennallenandValdez.RadialdistributionlinesofCVEAextend'fromGlennallen30milesnorthontheCopperRiver,55milessouthonthe.CopperRivertoLowerTonsinaand70mileswestonGlennHighway.CVEAhasgivensomeconsiderationtoa115kvintertiebetweenValdezandGlennallen.Forthisstudy,itisassumedthatprojectpowerwouldbedeliveredtotheCVEAsystematGlennallen..132
Transmission Lines and Major Interconnections
(Note:.Lines under 33 kv not incIude:d)
Area Owner
Transmission Lines
Designation KV Mileage With
Interconnections '1/
Substation
Fairbanks GVEA Healy-Gold Hill
Gold Hill-Johnson Rd.
Zehnder-Fox
Misc.within City
Gold Hill-Murphy Dome
Fox~Pilot Bluff
138
69
69
69
34.5
34.5
104
45
8
3
24
18
U.of Alaska
FLWainwright
Eielson AFB
Ft.Greely
FMU
Universi~
Ft.Wainwright
'Eielson
High~ayPark
Zehnder'
c..l
c..l
FMU Muni.Pwr.PIt.-Zehnder 69 1 Ft.Wainwrigh t 19th Street
(See GVEA).
Anchorage-
Cook Inlet
MEA
APA
AML&P
Ea'gle River Tap-Walter
.Pipple
Palmer--NW Knik Arm S·ym.
Pa1mer-:-Lucas-Reed
Eklutna-Palmer
Eklutna-Reed-Eagle
River-:Anchorage .
Anchorage AP A Sub-.City
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115
34.5
34.5
115
115
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.15·
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APA
AML&P
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Elmendorf
(See APA)
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Reed
Eagle River
Anchor.age
,Anchorage
Anchorage
(cont.)Transmission Lines and Major Interconnections
(Note:Lines under 33 kv not included)
Transmission Lines Interconnection !/'
Area Owner Designation KV Mileage With Substation
Anchorage-CEA Beluga-International 138 52 (incl.4 (See APA and HEA)
Cook Inlet mi .submarine)
(cont.)
Anchorage APA Sub-Bernice
Lake 2/115 165--1
Cooper Lake-Quartz Creek 69 6
Co)3 Lines to Soldotna y 69 8601>0
Misc.within Anchorage 34.5 31
HEA Kasilof Sub-Homer 69 61 CEA Kasilof
Kenai Area Line 33 12-i
1/Listed only once under substation ownership (National Defense-owned SUbstations are listed under the inter-
connected utility).
y Incl.Tudor Sub.-International and spur line to Portage.Quartz Creek-Bernice ~ake portion leased from HEA.
3/Leased from HEA:Soldotna-Quartz Creek,Soldotna-BerriiceLake,Soldotna-Kasilof.
.",,~,'"'\.j"",;,~;»:."~'--·.if'8§;h'-i·;f-t?~;i#6·:<#iiiN4;i4}.lli:qR);;!iMiaifi;Nwh.**gFt@**iijigj;'~'ttW¥'e¥wtmh1t&¥fbQ;trttffHt~!rwftt\C(trrt-tff1
4060AP.A.-JULY1974LOCATIONMAP/'.. .'/)."20Scaleinmilesx-x-x-x33KVTran!imissionLinex-·-x-·-x69KVTransmissionline~--x-..-xI15KVTransmissionLineIt--X-'_-X138KVTransmissionlineoUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONEXISTINGTRANSMISS·IONSYSTEMSTANANAVALLEYAREA135.~..~.')7'..Jc._....FAIRBANKSI/'C/!./X\~~"~\.'\iHEALY\.~!iAIRPORTWAY
136MethodofEvaluationTRANSMISSIONCORRIDORSTUDIESPartIVThesecondstepinvolvedanaerialreconnaissancetodeterminewhichofthesecorridorswereactuallyfeasibleforconstructinglines.Severalwerefoundtohave"fatalflaws"orcharacteristicsthatwouldprecludetheirusefortransmissionlines.Reasonsforeliminatingcorridorsatthisstageincludedcompletelyunsuitabletopography,obstructionbymajorglaciers,orexcessiveelevations.FromtheprojectnorthtotheFairbanksarea,theoptionsforcrossingtheAlaskaRangearelimitedtothepasesintheNenanaRiverdrainage(NenanaCorridor)ortotheeastgenerallyalongtheRichardsonHighway(DeltaCorridor)..ApreliminaryidentificationofpotentialcorridorswasmadeutilizinglargesCedtopographicmapsandphotomqsaicspreparedfromsatellitephotography.Thisinvolvedprimarilyidentifyingpotentiallyfeasiblepassesthroughthemountains.Figure7indicatesthecorridorsidentifiedinthisstep.Themajormountainranges--Alaska,Talkeetna,andChugach--limittherangeofchoiceincorridors(SeeFigure5).Thehigherelevationsinthesemountainsarecompletelyunsuitablefor-transmissionlines,andtherearerelativelyfewlow-elevationpassesthroughtheseranges.Awayfromthemountains,awiderangeoflocationscouldbeconsidered.Figure6illustratesonaverybroadscale,thealternativesforlocatingthelines.FromtheprojectsouthtotheAnchoragearea,theheartoftheTalkeetnamountainscanbeavoidedbycorridorswhichgenerallyfollowtheSusitnaRiverValley(Su~itnaCorridor)oronesthatpasstotheeast6fthemountainsandapproachAnchoragefromtheMatanuskaValley(MatanuskaCorridors).Widthofcorrido,risnotdefinedprecisely.Theactualright-of-wayneededisfairlynarrow.Exceptwherelimitedbyspecificphysicalorenvironmentalconsiderations,thecorridorsthemselvesshouldbeconsideredseveralmileswide.Thisportionofthetransmissionstudyevaluatesalternativecorridorsfortransmissionfacilitiestodeliverprojectpowertothepowermarkets.Theterm"corridor"meansgenerallocationoftransmissionfacilities,andthestudiesareintendedtoshowrelativemeritsofalternativetransmissioncorridorsfromtheviewpointsoftheenvironment,engineer~ing,economics,andreliability.
75A.PA.-JULY191550RAILBELT25THE137.·1$..~.....~UNITED.STATESDEPARTME.NTOFTHEINTERIOR..G"~·.ALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION...~~'"~","""'''':J''''CJ
•FAIRBANKSg'5075100125'A,P.A,Morch1975UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONDEVILCANYONPROJECTALTERNATIVESYSTEM-PLANSScaleinmiles138HealyNENANAICORRIDOR•••.._Cantwell.-./.'<:.
·....,,.u.s:.DEPARTMENTOFTHE.iNTERIOR. ..SCALE......----=--~139o.50!OOMile.
Theremainingpotentialcorridors,whicha.reihdica.tedonFigure8,werethenanalyzedinmoredetail.ThebasisfortheanalysiswasindividualcorridorsegmentswhichareindicatedonFigure9.Forconvenience,thealternativecorridorsaridthelndividualsegmentswerenumberedas,shownonth~maps.Table3providesakeytothisnumberingsystem.Alloftheseremaining-corridorsareconsidered.'---.physicallyfeasiblefortransmissionlines.Theevaluationisintended.toidentifytherelativeadvantagesanddisadvantagesofutilizingthealternativesfortransmissionlines.Thestepsintheevaluationwere:(1)Descriptionandinventorybysegmentofthekeyresourcesthatwouldbeimpactedbyatransmissionline.'(2)Evaluationofprobableimpactsoflocating,building,andopera.tingtransmissionline'sforeachsegment.(3)Determinationofrelativecostandreliabilityforlinesutilizingthealternativecorridors.(4)Summarizationofadvantagesanddisadvantagesfromtheviewpointofenvironment,engineering,costs,andreliabilityofservice.(5)Selectionofpreferredcorridors.Thecomparisonsbetweenalte:r,-nativesusedparametersthatcouldbequantified,suchaslengthandcost,whilejudgmentrankingwasusedforthoseparametersthatcouldnotbereadilyquantified.Thedescrip'tionsandinventoryandevaluationofimpactsarereportedinJ:lloredetailintheA.P .A.envi,ronmentalassessment ,withonlysuwmaryinfor,mationpresentedintpisrepor,l.Thedescriptionandinventorygroupeddataandinterpretations'underninebroadcategories:(1)TopographyandGeology(2)Soils(3)Vegetation(4)Wildlife(5)Climate(6)ExistingDevelopments(7)LandOwnershipandSta.tus(8)RelationtoExistingRightsofWay(9)ScenicQualityandRecreation140
"."""UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONDEVILCANYONPROJECTALTERNAT"'VETR.ANSMISSIONCORRIDORSScaleinmiles_~~~§i~~~~iiiiiiiiiiiii~~~~i"5075100125A.P.A.-March1975141
142FAIRBANKS5075100125,A.P.A.-Morch1975DEVILCANYONPROJECTTRANSMISSIONCORRIDORSEGMENTSScaleinmilesl'l1~iTEOSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALAsKAPOWERADMINISTRATION
Nenana#19,8,7,10,13,16228Nenaria#29,8,7,10,12,14,17250Nenana#39,8,7,10,12,14,15,16261Nenana#4..8,9,11,14,15;16~~->223.Nenana#58,9,11,14,17212DeltaCorridorDelta#18,9,18,19,280CorridorSusitna#1Susitna#2Susitna#3Susitna#4Matanuska#1Matanuska#269-7370 -81-10KeytoAlternati.'veCorridorsandSegmentso~,CorridorSl1sitnaCorridors1,3,7,8,91,2,7,8,"91,4,5,8;91,4,6,8,9.MatanuskaCorridors8,9,20,228,9,18,21,22NenanaCorridors143ApproximateTotalMileage166170159164258385
Theprobableimpactsareidentifiedanddescribedunderfivebroadcategoriesintheenvironmentalassessment.(1)Sqils(2)Vegetation(3)Wildlife(4)ExistingDevelopm~nts(5)ScenicQualityandRecreation.AlternativecorridorswerecomparedutilizingajudgIIlentrankingundereachofthefiveimpact.categories.Thecostaspectofthecorridoranalysisispremisedonroughrecon-naissancecostsforadoublecircuitsteeltowerlinelocatedinthecorridor.Theestimateincludedaccessfacilitiesusingthefollowingcriteria:(1)Forcorridorswithinapproximatelyfive~ilesofexistingsurfacetransportation,pioneeraccesssuitableforfour-wheeldrivevehicleswouldbeprovidedwhereterrainandsoilsarefavorable.Wheresoilsarenotsuitableforpioneerroadtypeofaccess,noroadisprovidedandoverlandaccessforconstructionandoperationandmaintenancewouldbelimitedtowinterperiodswithadequatesnowcover.Otherwise,accesswouldbebyhelicopter.(2)Forcorridorspioneeringintonewareas,ormorethanfivemilesfromexistings~rface'transportation,theestimatesincludeanewroadtomin~mumstandardssuitableforaccesstothelineandtoprovideappropriateenvironmentalprotections--adequateerosioncontrol,permafrostprotection.etc.Suchnewroadswouldbesinglelane,gravelsurface,withperiodicpassingareas.Relativecostanddifficultyforoperationandmaintenanceactivitiesareshownbyjudgmentrankitlgforthisanalysis.Thisreflectseaseofaccess.terrain.climate.andotherfactorsthatbearontheoperationandmaintenanceactivities.ReliabilityisalSoshownbyjudgmentrankingreflectingrelativehazardstomajoroutagesandrelativedifficultyofmakingrepairs.144
Th'e:COl-:n:dbrsThealternativesrept-esentonlygeneralcorridors,anddonotattempttodefineanactual:right-of-~ay.Thus,thealternativesdonotdistinguishamongmanyminorvariations"andasaresult,arefairlyfleXible.Onlybriefdescriptionsofthecorridorsare1nc1udecthere'sincedetailsofresourcesandidentifiedimpaCtsareav~lable'intheAPAenvironmentalassessment.Asasummaryreference,the"Inventory"and"Impact"matrixesfromthea:ssessmentareappendedtothis'report.SusitnaCorridorsTherearebasicallyfourfeasiblecorridorswhichconnectDevilCanyontoAnchorageviatheSusitnadrainage.Alifour'oftheseincorpOrate.thesegmentthatrunsfromtheendpointsofPointMacKen~ietoTalkeetna,sothissegmentcan~therefore,betreatedasseparateandnotincludedinacomparisonofthealternativecorddors";•Ofthefourcorridorsthatrun'fromTalkeetnatoDevilCanyon-Watana,thefirstfollows'theSusitnaVaHeyno:rth,parallelingtheAlaskaRailroadtoGoldCreek,whereitleadseasttotiEdntoDevilCanyon-Watana(Su:sitila-'1).Thenext,andfarthestwest,parallelstheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwaythroughDenaliStatePark,alongTroublesomeCreek";eventually'leadingeasttotieintoGoldCreekandDevilCany6n-Watana(Susitna;..2).Thethi:rdgoesu:ptheTalkeetnaRiver'andgainingthe:ridget6theeastofDisappointmentCreek,leadsnorthtothe.~ridgeleadhigto'Devil,Canyon(Susitna-3).',ThefourthandmosteasterlycorridorfollowstheTalkeetnaRivertoPrairieCreek,whichitfollowstoStephan:Lake,'halfwaybetWeenDevilCanyonandWatana.'(Susitna~3).·NenanaCo:rridorsTherearefivefeasiblecorridot-sconnectingtheUpper:SusitnawithFairbanksbywayoftheNenanaRiver.·Thefirstis'acorridor·parallelingthehighwayand:r:ailroadfromGoldCreektoCantwell,toHealy,andtoFairbanks(Nenana-1).145
ThesecondduplicatesthefirstcorridortoCantwell,butthenleadseastparallelingtheDenaliHighway,asfarasWellsCreekandnorthoverthepasstoLouisCreek,continuing'overtheDeanCl'eekPasstotheWoodRiver.ItthenfollowstheWoodandTananaRiverstoFairbanks(Nenana-'-;;2).The<thirdcorridor.,(Nenana-3),duplicatesthesecondtopeanCreek,whereitthencoritinuesupYanertForkandoverMoodyPas$,endingupatHealyandjoiningthefirstcorridor.Corridorfour(Nenana-4)leavesWatanaandheadsnorth,emergingontotheDenaliHighwayneartheBrushkanaRiver.Itthenleadswest,goesupWellsCreek,andjoinscorridorthreetoHealyaridFairbanks."CorridorfivestartSthesamewayascorridorfour,exceptinsteadofgoingoverMoodyPasstoHealy,Hleadseastove,rDeanCreekintotheWoodRiver,andthenleadsnorthtoFairbanks,(Nenar>.a,-5).DeltaCorridorForthisstudy,onlyonecorridoralongtheDeltaRiverwasconsidered.ThiscorridorleavesWatanadamsiteandleadseastdownButteCreektotheDEmalidamsiteandcontinueseastalongtheDenaliHighway.ItthimproceedsnorthnearPaxsonovertheIsabelPassandparal~ell:;theRichardsonHighwayiritoFairbanks._Alternativescouldb,everylimitedinthevicinityofIsabelPass,butadditionalalternatiy:escould.beconsideredinthe,TananaValley.andCopperRiverValleY.MatanuskaCorridorsTwocorridorswereconsideredutilizingtheMatanuskaValleyasaccesstoAnchorage.ThefirstcorridorconnectsWatanatoVeedamsite,leadssoutheasttotheLittleNelchinaRiver,whichitfollowstotheGlennHighwayandcorridorone,whichitfollowstoPointMacKenzie(Matanuska-l).ThesecondfollowstheDeltaroutetoPaxson,thenleadssouthtoGlennallen.Itthengoeswest,overTahnetaPass,andintotheMatanuskaValley;tyingintoPointMacKenzie(Matanuska-2).AvailableDataAvarietyofdatasourceswereus.edinthestudy,includingU.S.GeologicalSurveymapsatscale1:250,000and1:63,360,ERTSphotomosaics,anduncontrolledaerialandgroundphotomosaicsofcriticalareas.146
Thedatacompiledbythe'Res~)UrcePlanningTeamofthe,LandUsePlanningCommissionintheirstatewideinventorystudieswasusedextensively.'.Thisdataisavailableinasetof1:250,000overlaymapsandsupportingreports•Itinchtdesi.nforma1ionongeology,vegetation,wildlifehabitat,soils,waterresources,recreation:,landstatus,archaeologicalandhistoricsites,·andotherresourceaspects.M:oredetailedsoilsurveydata·fromtheSoiLConservationServiceisavailableforsoinecorridorsegments.U.S.GeologicalSurveypermafrostmapswereutilized.Availableclimatologicaldatafrom·theNationalWeatherServicewer·e·utilizedforFairbanks,Anchorage,Palmer,Talkeetna,Summit,McKinfeyPark,Clear,andotherlocationsintheRailbelt.InSeptember,1974,personnelfromAPAanqBonnevillePowerAdministrationmadeanaeria~and,surfacereconnaissanceofthealternativecorridors"toexaminecriticalareasandobtainfirst-handinformationon,theterrainandotherfactors..Over2,600-35mms.Iidesweretaken,.proc~ssed,indexed;and,cataloguedtorecordandpreservedetailsoftheobservations.Interviewswithmanagement.aridmaintenancepersonnelofthetwomajorutilitiesoperatingtransmissionlines,in,themarketingareasofAnchorageandFairbankswere.made.TheobjectivewastoeJeterminethecri:teria,problems,experien,ce•.andsugge~tionstheycouldo~erinplanning,locating,anddesigninganupperS'UsitnCitransmissionsystem.Panoramicphotomosaicswerepreparedusingphotographiccolorprintsmadefromtheslidestohelpevaluatetheimpactofatransmissionlineconstructedthroughcritical,scenic,andotherpotentialproblemareas..Report~coveringimpressionsand~datagatheredfromthereconnais-sanceandroughcostevaluationswerepreparedtofurtherassessthemeritsofthevariousalternativeccorridors.Uncontrolledaerialphotomosaicsofthealternativecorridorswerepreparedtoassistintheresolutionofquestionsincriticalproblemareas.Severa,Lenvironmen,talimpact,s~tementswereusedtoprovideinformationnotreadilyavailableelsewhere.AerialphotographsofthevariouscorridorroutesareavailablefromBureauofLandManagement,U.S.GeologicalSurvey,andAlaskaState.Highway.pepartmel)t.Numerousmagazines,newspaper£;,publications,andotherreportswerealsoincorporatedintothestudydata.147
LocationConsiderationsCorridorlocationobjectivesare·toobtainan·optimumcombinationofreliabilityandcostwiththefewestenvironmentalproblems.Inmanycases,theseobjectivesaremutuallycompatible.However,thisisoftennotthecasewithrespecttolinevisibilityandscenicimpacts.Throughoutthecorridorevaluation,thequestionarisesofwhetheritismoredesirabletoplacelines,relativelyclosetoexistingsurfacetransportationfacilitiesorto.pioneernewcorridorswherethelinewouldbeseenbyfewpeople.Thefollowingitemsaremajorfac.torsconsideredintheevaluationofalternativecorridors:ClimateandElevationWinds,icing,snowdepth,andlowtemperaturesareveryimportantparametersintransmissiondesigns,operation,andreliability.Experiencewithexistinglinesoftheareautilitiesindicatesfewunusualclimaticproblemsfortheareasawayfromthemountains,exceptforwinterlowtemperaturesthat,inhibitoperationandmaintenanceactivities.Theclimatefactorsbecomemoresevereinthemountains.Highwinds;longerwinters,moresnow,andcold~raveragetemperaturesarecharactistic.APAbelievesthatelevationsaboveabout4000feetintheAlaskaRangeandTalkeetnaMountainsarecompletelyunsuitableforlocatingmajortransmissionfacilities.Significantadvantagesinreliabilityandcostareexpectedifthelinescanbekeptwellbelow3000feetinelevation.Extremewindsinexcessof100MPHareexpectedforexposedareasandpassesinthemountains.ThepotentialforicingisprobablynotasseriousasincoastalareasofAlaska,solongasthelowerelevationpassesareused.Thecorridorsunde·rconsiderationdonotinvolveunusuallyheavysnowdepths.TopographyTopographyplaysathreefoldroleintransmissionlocation--0)itaffectscostofconstruction,inspection,andmaintenance;(2)itaffectsvisualimpact;and(3)itaffectsreliability.Transmissioncostsrisedramaticallyinareasofbrokenorsteepterrain--towersrequirespecialfoundations,individualdesignforvariationinleglengthstoaccommodateslopingsites.Brokenreliefalsoincreasescostbyincreasingthenumberoftowersrequiredpermileduetodecreased148
spacing.Thesesametopographiccharacteristicsincreaseaccessdifficultieswhich,inturn,increaseaccessroadcosts,timespentintransit,anddifficulty-intransportingconstructionandmaintenancesuppliesaridmaterials.InspectionoflinesiIi,roughterrainchangesaroutineoperationintoanordealorincreasescostsbymakingutilizationofaircraftanecessity.Hisincreasinglydifficulttovisuallyshieldalineanditsdearingscarastopographicreliefincreases.Thisisespeciallytrue undercertainorientations,particularlywhenthelinerunsparalleltoasteepsidehillinviewofaroad,railroad,orotherviewpoint.Conditionsofinstabilityposephysicalthreatstothereliabilityoftheline.Brokenterrain,steepslopes,orconditionsinwhichthe"angleoftheterrainexceedstheangleofreposeofthesoil;increasethechancesofland,rock,ormudslides.Snowslidesareanadditionalhazardonsteepslopes.Soil~andFoundation,Transmissionlinesarelessaffectedbysoilsandfoundationlitnitationsthanareroads,railroads,andpipelines.GoodexamplesofthisexistintheGVEAandCEAtransmissionsystemswhichtraversesensitivemuskegandpermafrostareaswithfewproblems.Thisrequ,iresdesignsoftowerfoundationsthatarecompatiblewiththesoilsituationandcqrefuldesignandcontrolofaccessforconstructionandoperationandmaintenance.VegetationHeavilyforestedareasinthevalleyswouldrequireessentiallycontinuousclearingofthetransmissionright-of-way.Thehigherelevationsand·muskegareaswouldinvolveessentiallynoclearing.Impactsarediverse:intheforestedareas,opportunitiestoshieldthelinesfromviewaregood,butthecontim.lousscarisgenerallyunavoidable.,Athigherelevations,therewouldbeverylittleimpactonvegetation,butlinevisabilityishigh.WildlifeTherewillbesomehabitatchangesduetoclearing"andaccessfacilities.Probablythemajorconsiderationforwildlifeistheextenttowhichthetransmissionlineschangetheaccesstolandbypeople.Thisissubjecttosomecontrolbymanagingaccess,butnewcorridorsandnewaccessroadstendtoencouragepublic"useandthusincreasepressuresonfishandwildlife.149
VisualAspectsMorethartanyotherfactorintransmissionlocation,thevisualaspectiscontroversialandsubjecttoawiderangeofopinion.Existingcriteriaprovideforutilizingnaturalvegetationandtopographicreliefasashield,minimizingcrossingsoverroads,andotherwiseutilizingrouteselectionandorientationtechniquestominimizevisability.Otheroptionsincludeuseofnon-reflectiveconductorsandtowers.Atbest,suchmeasuresareonlypartlyeffective.Socio-EconomicAspectsLandstatus,ownership,use,andvalueareimportantfactorsinthelocationoftransmissioncorridoralignments.Considerationofexistinguses,costsofright-of-wayandeasementstendtoinfluencetheselectionofalignmentswhichwillaffectotherusesleast.Huntinglodges,touristaccommodations,andfacilitieswithhighscenicusesorvalues,suchasparks,scenicviewpoints,recreationareas,etc.,alsoshouldbe·avoidedorskirtedby·transmissioncorridorsorthecorridorshouldbewellscreened.Recenttre,ndsinlandmanagementtendtofavorthe:corridorconceptforcombiningtransportati(>n;utility,andcommunicationfacilities.Therationaleistoconfineman'sinfluencetoarelativelysmallzoneDistanceTheeconomicsoftransmissionlineconstructionandmaintenancedietatethatlinedistancesshouldbekeptasshortaspossiblewhilerecognizingothercriteria.Thiswillresultinlowercon.structioncostsandshorterconstructiqnperiods.Loweroperationartdmaintenancecostswillresultbecauseit'willtakelesstimetbfindafaultonashorterline.Ashorterlinewillbesubjectedtofewerhazardsbecauseitisphysicallysmaller.Powerandenergylosseswillbeloweronashorterline.Otherimpactsofashorterlineincludelessclearing--fewertreesmustbecut,thuslesslandwillbesubjectedtoman'sinfluenceandlesswildlifehabitatwillbealtered.Longerlinesrequirehighervoltageswitharesultantrequirementofhighercapacityandlargerconductors,towe;rsjandhardware.Thiscombinationincreasescostsaswellasright-of-waywidth.150
Relative TransmissIon Construction Cost for
Alternative Corridors -Upper 8usitna to Anchorage
8 - 1
8usitna Corridors
8-2 8-3 8 - 4
Matanuska Corridors
M-l M-2
--v......
Length,miles
Max;elevation,feet
Cl~aring,miles
Med.heavy
Light
None
Access Roads,miles
New roads
4-Wheel drive access
None
Tower Construction ,miles
Heavy steel
Normal
Compq.rative Cost,$1,000
Clearing
Access
Transmission Lines
Total
166
2,100
166
o
122
44
44
122
3,000
8,000
82,000
93,000
170
2,100
146
10
14
o
126
44
44
126
3,000
8,200
84.000
95,200
159
3,800
132
10
17
12
122
25
68
91
3,000
9,500
81,300
93,800
164
2,200
142
13
9
32
104
28
62
102
3,000
10,900
82,200
96,100
258
3,000
166
17 '
75
84
138
36
30
228'
600
19,900
'132,700
153,200
385
4,000
228
157
64
290
31
94
291
,1',100
27,200
196,200
224,500
liiI!Ffit:#1f'!'''lttztW"ie'''A~~i~~i:2i.,;L;~,;i;".,.;,-,.~g~~:;'';'t,::'\l,:ii;;i:';'i::':~.i.:J.O;;ifib0.i,1;i.1.~:;;;'~';"""::>;>_,',~;,~,~j!.l"~.';'~,:,",;;"",.;;.,,;,;,~,;,2;.',."",;,:;:~;,,_;_,:,,,.;,.~-<-~",.,';
RelativeCostRoughreconnaissancecostestimatesweremadefortransmis~ionlinesinthealternativecorridorstoillustraterelativecosts.Th~estimatesaresummarizedonTable4.Theestimatesreflectaccess,clearing,andlineconstructioncosts.Forthe8usitnaandMatanuskaCorridors,theyarepremisedona345kvdoublecircuitline;theNenanaandDeltaCorridorsarebasedona230kvdoublecircuitline.CorridorEvaluationsThissectionsummarizesresultsoftheevaluationsandidentificationofpreferredcorridors.Intheassignedranking,lowernumbersreflectapreferenceorfewerimpacts.ProjectPowertoAnchorage-CookInletArea8ixcorridorswereconsidered.AsummaryoftheanalysisispresentedonTable5.TheMatanuskaCorridorswerefoundtooffernosignificantadvantageformajorpowersuppliestotheAnchorage-CookInletarea.Disadvantagesincludeaddedlength,significantdistanceathigherelevationswhichcouldcomplicateconstructionandoperations,andadditionalimpactsassociatedwithmoreaccessandlongerlines."Thefour8usitnaCorridorsassumeacommonalignmentfromTalkeetnatoPt.MacKenzie.Thisshouldbedepictedasafairlybroadcorridoratthistime,sincetheterrainisquitefavorablefortransmissionandtherewouldbeagreatdealofflexibilityinlocatingthefinalroutetominimizeimpactsandinterferencewithexistingdevelopments.Thiswillrequireverycarefulroutestudies.NorthofTalkeetna,therearesomecriticalfactorsofterrainandaccess.ThefeasibleroutesbetweenDevilCanyon-WatanaandtheTalkeetnaareaare:8-1,generallyalongtheAlask,a:Railroad.8-2,whichgenerallyfollowstheAnchorage""'FairbanksHighway8-3and8-4,whichapproachTalkeetnathroughtheTalkeetnaRiverValley.83,theshortestroute,alsoinvolvesthemostdifficultterrainandhighestelevations.Thiswouldbetheleastadvantageousfremtheviewpointofbuildingandoperatingatransmissionline.153
Corridor Analysis -Project Power to Anchorage/Cook Inlet Area
Analysis Factor:
.Length,miles
Max.elevation,feet
Ranking
Susitria Corridors Matanuska Corridors
S - 1 S-2 S - 3 S - 4 M-1 M'-2
166 170 159 164 258 385
2,100 2,100 3,800 :2,,200 3,000 4,000
1 1 2 1 3 4
l.n
"..
Environmental"Imp acts
Soils
Vegetation
Wildlife
Existing developments
Scenic quality /recreatiori:
Developed areas
Remote areas
Ranking
1
2
1
3
3
1
1
2
3
2
3
3
2
3
1 1 2 2
1 3 4 5
3 3 4 3
2 1 3 3
2 il·<3 3
3 4 4-3
1 3 4 4
Costs
,Cons truction
Operatioll and maintenance
Ranking
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
.2
1
1
1
3
3
3
4
3
4
Reliability .
Exp()sure to hazards
Ease of repair
Ranking
Summary Ranking
1 1 2 1 2 3
1 2 2 2 :3 '3
1 2 3 2 4 4
c.
1 2 3 2 4 4
(preferred
corridor)
liiifiitb;'j"·"'y'"±'h 'y'-;""'j N""'>.;"w"';Ii.<{,'';';0;o\ij."··'t>';k',e"t'-"'1'5""£""'*"-'':''·'"·(Pi;':"N-N4'iJ-<'ttk,!-'libB{i;'~+!'ry't;ig¢''i'BH~;PWfiditlio"Wj;!;i&WrWM4xf'.;~,.'H"'"r!·'·'H,*0;\§itihhi;iVt&i.+"#bMH~;'i';!ilrf~it&<"+ii?i;Wi#i'i';f'#"i;'-M
ReconnaissanceofthefourSusitnaCorridorsindicatesthatvegetationandtopographywouldfacilitatescreeningoflinestominimizevisualimpacts.S-4wouldinvolvepioneeringanewroaduptheTalkeetnaRivertotheStephanLakearea;similarly,S-3wouldinvolveconsiderablenewroadconstructionintheTalkeetnaValley.S-2wouldtraversetheexistingDenaliStatePark,whichwouldrequireanewaccessbetweenGoldCreekandtheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.TheaspectsoftheStateParkforS-2andthenewcorridorsrequiredforS-3andS-4weremajorfactorsintheevaluations..Theredoesnotappeartobeagreatdealofdifferenceintermsofimpactsonsoil,vegetation,andwildlife,exceptthatinvolvedin.newaccessroadconstruction.CostaspectsarequitesimilarforS-1,S-2,andS-3;S:-.1-appearsmostdesirablefrom·thereliabilityviewpointbecauseofproximitytoexistingtransportationandlo~erelevations.,ThepreferredcorridorisS-l,ProjectPowertoFairbanks-TananaValleyAreaSixcorridorswereconsidered,andasummaryoftheanalysisispresentedonTable6.TheDeltaCorridorinvolvesseveraldisadvantageswhichrelateprimarilytolongerdistancesandaconsiderabledistanceatfairlyhighelevations.:~rhepotentialadvantcigesar~avoidingentirelytheBroadPass-Nenana.~'i';Canyonai-'eaandthepotentialforextendingelectricservicetothePaxsonareaandportionsoftheUpperTananaValley.'-or'MuchoftheDeltaRouteisinareaswherelineswouldbequitevisiblebecauseoflimitedvegetationandlimitedopportunitytoshieldlineswithtopography.TheNenanaalternativesfallintotwogeneralcla~ses:(1)corridorsparallelingtheexistingtranspo:dationcorridorcontainingtheAnchorage-Fairbanks'HighwayaridtheAlaskaRailroad,and(2)alternativestothe'eastofthiscorridorthroughtheAlaskaRangetotheFairbanksarea.N"':1followstheAlaskaRailroadtotheBroadPassareaandCantwell,proceedsihroughtheNe:nanaCanyontoHealy,andgenerallyparallelstheexistingGVEAtransmissionlinefroIIlHealytoFairbanks..<:155
Corridor Analysis -Project Power to Fairbanks/Tanana Area
Analysis Factor:
Length,miles
Max.elevation,feet
Ranking
Environmental Impacts
Soils
Vegetation
Wildlife
Existing developments
Scenic quality/recreation:
1.110-Developed areas
Remote areas
Rartking
Nenana Corridors Delta Co,rridor
N -1 N - 2
N -3 N -4 N - 5
D-
228 250 261 223 212 280
2,400 4,300 4,000 4,000 4,300 4,000
1 3 3 2 3 3
1.3 2 2 3 3
2 2 3 2 1 3
1 3 2 3 3 3
3 2 2 2 1 2
3 2 2 1 1 3
1 3 2 2 3 2
1 3 3 2 1 3
Costs
Construction
Operation an~maintenance
Ranking
1
1
1
4
4
4
2
2
2
3
3
3
5
5
5
6
3
4
Reliability
Exposure to hazards
Ease of :repair
Ranking
Summary Ranking
J 4 3 2 4 4
1 4 2 3 4 3
1 3 2 2 3 3
1 4 2 2 3 4
(preferred
corridor)
~.~~W.~~~~_~_~'~~€'i~~~~MM~@·~WW¥.WAH.W.~.&.#ffl.·••_M.~t~
N'-lisanobviousfirstchoicefromthevieWpointbftransmisslonlineconstructionandop~rationbecauseoftheproXimitytoeXistingtransportationthroughoutitslerigthanduseofthemostfavorablepassthroughtheAlaskaRange.BecauseofproXimitytoeXistingtransportation,impactsonsoil,vegetation,andwildlifewouldlikelybelessseverethantheotheralternativeswhichpioneerroutesinremoteareas.N-lalsohasobviousdisadvatagesinthattheareafromBroadPassthroughtheNenanaCanyonoffersverylimitedopportunitiestoshieldtransmissionlinesfromview,andfromCantwelltoHealy,therouteparallelstheeasternboundaryofMt.McKinleyNationalPark.PortionsoftheJinewouldbevisiblefromtheParkHeadquarters.Theenvironmentalassessmentincludesanumberofphotosillustratingterrainandvegetationin.thisarea.TheotherNenanaalternativesprovideabasisforexploringfeasibilityofavoidingtheareasofBroadPassandtheNenanaCanyon.N-l,N-2,andN-3followthesamealignmentfromDevilCanyontoCantwell.N-2andN-3followeastalongtheDenaliHighway,andthenheadnorththroughtheAlaskaRangeabout30mileseastoftheNenanaCanyon.N-2crossestwopassesandreturnstotheNenanaRiveratHealyjustbelowtheNenanaCanyon.·FromHealytoFairbanks,N-2-followstheeXistingGVEAline,asdoesN'-l.N-3continuesnorththroughathirdpassandapproachesFairbanksthroughtheWoodRiverDrainage.N-4andN,..5avoidboththeBroadPassareaandtheNehanaCanyon.TheyheadnorthfromthevicinityofWatanaDamtoWellsCreekandthennorthtotheFairbanksareausingthesamerouteasN-2andN-3,respectively.TheprimaryadvantagestothisgroupofalternativesareavoidinghighlyscenicareasalongtheAlaskaRailroadandAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.N-2andN-5additionallyareremovedfromtheRailroadahdtheHighwaybetweentheAlaskaRangeandFairbanks.Otherthanvisualimpactsinpresentlyutilizedareas,N-2, N-3,N-4,andN-5seemtooffernosignificantadva1'ltages.Becausetheyinvolvepioneeringnewroutes.inremoteareas~'includingsubstantialrequirementsfornewaccessroads,thefouralternativeswouldhavegreaterimpactsonsoilandwildlifethanwouldN-l.157
APAbelievesitwouldbefe·asiblefromtheengineerngviewpointtoconstructandoperatetransmissionlinesin,anyofthes.eC01:"ridors.However,becauseofremotene.ss,moreruggedterrain,andthehighelevationpasses,alt~rnativesN-2,N-3, N-4,andN-5wouldinvolvesignifican~lyhigherinitialcostaswellasoperationalcostsandsignificantlylower.reliabilitythanalternativeN"-LOlithegroundsofenvironment,engineering,costs,andreliability,N-listhepreferredcorridor.ProjectPowe~toValdezandOtherPointsontheRichardsonHighwayAnalysishasnotbeencompletedofalternativecor1:"idorsfor.de:J.iveringpowel"totheGlennallenareaandotherpointsalong.theRichardsonHighway.Thebasicalternativesappeartobe:(1)Construc1ingalinefromthePalmerareatoGlennallen.(2)ConstructingalinefromtheDevilCanyon-WatanaareatoGlennallen.(3)C?mpletingaloopfromPalmertoGlennallenandthennorthalongtheRichardsonHighwaytotheFairbanksarea.ExistingstudiesbyAPAandareautilitiesevaluatepossibleelectricservicetopointsalongtheRichardsonHighvvayfromGlennallentoValdezwithandwithoutpowertoelectrifythepumpings,tationsalongtheAlyeskapipeline.Thestudiesind~cate138kvsystemwouldsufficeifpipelinepumpingloadsarenotincluded,andthata230kvsystemwouldbeneededwithpipelinepumping.Neitherofthesealternativeswouldprovidesignificantad9itionalcapacitytotransfeJ;'power.betweentheAnchorageandFairban.ksareas.APA'spresentthinkingisthata138kvor230kvlinetoGlennallen,eitherfromPalmerortheDevilCanyon-Watanaareashouldbeevaluatedforpossible~nclusioI:1.in~,~plystagesofprojectconstrllction,ang<thatcompleting;aloopalongtheRichardsonHighwaymaybed,esirableasalaterstageoftheproject.·..158
69-7370 -81-11,ElectricalDesignThispartsummarizesdesignsandestimatesfortransmissionsystemsforthefouralternativedevelopmentplansreferencedinTable1.Thetransll'issionstudiesassumelineslocatedinthepreferredcorridorsfroIntheprojecttotheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.TransmissiontotheGlennallenareaistreatedasaseparatealternative.7501,3001,5001,5001,5003003003003002505001,2001,0001,200,1,2005801,5681,3701,0701,434TRANSMISSIONSYSTEMDESIGNSANDESTIMATESPartVAsdiscussedsubsequently,thesedesigncapacitiesarenotnecessarilyultima,tecapaciti.esofthetransrnipsionsystem.Forexample,withminorcostadditi9nsandnom~nalincre.;sesi~~ossesatp~*loading,thetransmi~.sionsystemcapacityforthe,proposed'plan"(System#5)couldbeupgr5LdedbyaUeast50%witho'Utbasicchangeinvoltage,towerdesign,orconductors...TransmissionCapa~Basedonfirmpowercapabilityofthealternativesystems,therelativesizeofpowermarketsintheAnchorage-CookInletandFairbanks-TananaValleyareas,andanassumedmarginforflexibility,designcapacitiesforthetransmissionsystemswereassumedasfollows:Project_AssumedTransmissionCapacity,MWInstalledCapacityAnc:hC?rageFairbanksAnchorage+MWFairbanksVoltageSelectionandLineCharacteristicsBasedonnominalcarrying"capaciti~s,both230kvand345kvsystemsentered,consideration.Becausereliabilityhashighprioritylthesystemsusedmulti-circuitconfigurations,exceptSystem#1.Conductorsizes,spacings,stranding,andbundlingwereassumedforeachvoltage.Thefollowingtablesummarizestheseassumptions.Italsoindicatesameasureofcapabilitytobesubsequentlydiscussed.Designstudieswilldeterminefinalparameters,includingseriescompensation.159System#5:Watana+DevilCanyonSystem#1:DevilCanyon+DenaliSystem#2:DevilCany';n+W'atanaSystem#4:DevilCanyon+':Vatana+Vee+DenaliSystem#3:DevilCanyon+Watana+Denali
1601/Wouldbe50%greaterfortwosinglech:-cuitlinesonadjacentrights-of-way.Underthesamestabilitycriteria,asinglecircuit,uncompensated230kvtransmissionlinehasacapabilityofabout29,300MW-mi.A345kvduplexsystemcarries82,000MW-mi.A500kvlineiscapableof186,000MW-mi.,whichistoolargetoapplytotheSusitnaProject.Thevoltagealternativesthereforearebracketedbythestandard230kvand345kvsystems.345kvACSRRail954MCM45/7Duplex16"28'82,200MW-mi.:SteelorAluminum5140'29,300MW-mi.20'230kvSteelorAluminum61~51ACSRPheasant1272MCM54/19Simplex.VoltageConductor:TypeNameSizeStrandingNumberperphaseFlatSpacing:ConductorPhaseTowers:MaterialNo.permileRight-of-WayWidthYSingleCircuitCapacitywithoutCompensationThetwovoltageoptions·indicateminimumandmaximumconsiderations.Alaska'sfirst230kvlirieisnowbeingconstructedintheAnchorageareawillbeoperatedinitiallyat138kv.Basedonaconservativeor"safe"stabilitycriteriaof250powerangle.betweenhigh~oltagebuses,the138kvtransmissionsystemiscapableof.lessthan12,000MW-mi.Thatis,thepowertransmittedtimesmilestransmittedmustbelessthan12,000.TheminimumacceptablecapabilitynorthorsouthfromtheSusitnaProjectisover50,000MW-mi.andeventuallycouldbeashighas188,000MW-mi.Clearly,evenacompensated138kvsystemofseverallineswouldbeinadequateanduneconomicaLConductorschosenforuseinthisstudyhavenotbeensubjectedtodetailedeconotnicevaluation.The1272MCMappliedtothe230kvoptionisoftenusedforthatvoltagebutseldomisit'exceeded.The345kv954MCMduplexconductorhasbeen.usedexte~sively.Thermalconstraintsriecessitatelargerconductorswithlargerkvsystems.Thecarryingcapacityofthe345kvtransmissionvoltagecanbeaccommodatedbyasimplexconductor,andtherearemanysuchintheU.S.However,the,conductorsizeapproachesanunwieldydiameter.Duplexbundlingwidelyusedin345kvsystemsreducesthediameter,retainsthermalcapacity,andincreasesstabilitylimit;Highervoltagesalsoproducemorecoronaphenomena.Thisis
relievedsomewhatbylargerconductors.The954MCMduplexconductorapproximatesanaverageamongallthesefactorsforuseinfeasibilitystudies.DCoptionswereconsideredonlybriefly.OperatingcharacteristicsmadeDCsystemsinappropri~teforafirstmajorRailbeltintertie.TllelinelengthsbetweentheProjectandtheAnchorageandFairbanksareasare136and212miles,respectively.ItisgenerallyconsideredthatDCeconomicswouldnotbeattractiveattheserelativelyshorttransmissiondistances.Table7summarizesacomparisonof230kvand345kvsysteIl1sforthealternativehydrodevelopmentsystems.Onthebasisofthiscompari-son,a230kvtransmissionplanwasselectedforSystem#1withtwocircuitstoAnchorageandasinglecircuittoFairbanks.ForSystems#2,#3,#4and#5,two345kvcircuitswouldbeneededbetweenDevilCanyonandAnchorage,andtwo230kvcircuitsbetweenDevilCanyonandFairbanks.TheassumedtransmissionsystemlayoutisindicatedonFigure10.ThemainlinesgofromtheDevilCanyonswitchyardtosubstationsatPointMacKenzieandEster-GoldHill.Systems#2,#3,and#5haveaswitchyardatWatanaandtwo230kvdrcuitsfromWatanatotheDevilCanyonswitchyard.System#4hasasimilarswitchyardatVeeandtwo230kvcircuitsfromVeetoWatana.Alltransmissionplansarerelativelysimple,radialsystemsthathavedistances,voltages,andloadswellwithinexperienceofexistingsystemsintheSouth48.Handstudieswereusedtodeterminerequiredcompensationandsystemlossesandtocheckforvoltagedropandstability.Table8summarizeslinecharacteristicsandsystemlossesforthetransmissionsystems.The230kvlinefromDevilCanyontoFairbanksinSystem#1appearstobeclosetostabilitylimits.Allofthedoublecircuitlinescouldprovideconsiderahleadditionalcapacitybyaddingseriescompensation.SubstationsandSwitchyardsThetransmissionstudiesincludedswitchyardandsubstationdesign,·layouts,andcostestimates.Switchyardandsubstationdesignsassumedthenominal"breakerandone-half"scheme.Eachlineandtransformerisprotectedbyoneandone-halfcircuitbreakers.Thisisacompromisebetweenthecostofa"two-breaker"planandthereductioninreliabilityiIlherentina"one-breaker"scheme.Figure11indicatessubstationlayoutsattheloadcenterandswitchyardlayoutsatpowerplants.161
Comparison of 230 and 345 KV Systems
Alternative System and
Installed Capacity'
#1
(580MW)
#2
(1070MW)
#3
(1370MW)
#4
(1434MW)
#5
(l568lvfW)
Anchorage Line (136 mi.)
Capability Requirement (MW-mi.)70,000 140,000 164,000 164,000 164,000
Line (Rail Conductor):
82,200 82,200
LiI:le (Rail'Conductor ):'
82,200 82,2.q0
2'30 kv COPlpensated Transmission Lihe )Pheasant ConduCtor):
Compensation.(%)5 12
Maximum Capability (MW-mi.)55,000 33,300
(per circuit)
Number ofCircuits Required 1 2
.Power Loss (%),7 4.6
Line (Pheasant Conductor):
20 40,
36,600,48,800
50 50
58,600 58,600
3 3
7 ..7 7.7
82,200 82,200
2 2
3.5 3.5
60,000 60,000
12 12
33,300 33,300
2 2
4.6 4.6
82,20Q 82,200
1 1
2.7 2.7
1
2.7
2
4~,6
2
3.5
12
3~,300
60,000.
3
7.7
?O
58,600
1
2.7
2
2.9
3
6.5
60,000
, 2
4.8
50,000
1 ''.- •
345·kv Duplex Uncompensated'Transmis~ion
Maximum c:.:apability (MW-mi.)82,200
(per circuit)
Number of Circuits Required 1
Power Loss (%)2.3
345 kv Duplex Uncompensated Transmission
Maximum Capability (MW~mi.)82,200
(per circuit),
Number of Circuits Required 1
Power Loss (%)2.9
230 kv Compensated Transmission
Compensation (%)
Maximum Capability (MW-mi.)
(per circuit)
Number of Circuits Required
Power Loss (%)
Fairbanks Line,(198 mi.)
Capability Requirement (MW-mi.)
~
100Miles50.SYStE~ISCALE------oU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERAOMINISTRATIONUPPERSUSITNA-:RIVERPROJECTTRANSMISSIO~fSYSTEM.LAYOUT
100Mites/50------o...:::::::::...........;;:~~::::::;::::::::;::::::..,;.;:::::::::::::164
Transmission Line Characteristics
Transmission Data For Alternative Systems
System System System System System
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Devil Canyollto Pt.MacKenzie (136 miles):
Number of circuits 2 2 2 2 2Nominallineloading,MW 500 1,000 1,200 1,200 1,200Voltage,kv 230 345 345 345 345Conductor(ACSR)1,272 954 954 954 954Losses:
Peak MW 24 28 40 40 40Peak%5 3 3 3 3.....
Energy MWH/yr.Y 19,100 22,700 32,700 32,700 32,7000-
U1
Devil Canyon to Ester-Gold Hill (198 miles):
Number of circuits 1 2 2 2 2Nominallineloading,MW 250 300 300 300 '300Voltage,kv 230 230 230 230 230Conductor(ACSR)1,272 1,272 1,272 1,272 .1,272Losses:
Peak MW 17 12 12 12 12Peak%7 4 4 4 4EnergyMWH/yr.Y 13,900 10,000 10,000 10,000 '10,000
Y At 40%Line Loading Factor.
(continued)
Transmission Data For Alternative Systems
~~~S~~m S~~m ~~~
#1 #2 ·#3"#4
Watana to Devil Canyon (30 miles):
System
#5
Less than 2%of peak
0'
0'
Number of circuits
Nominal line loading,MW
Voltage,kv
Conductor (ACSR)
Losses:
Peak "MW,·
Watana to Vee (40 miles):
2
470
230
1,272
2
670
230
1,272
2
721
230
1,272
2
750
230
1.272
Number of circuiis
Nominal line loadirig,MW
Voltage,kv
Conductor (ACSR)
Losses:
Peak MW Less than 2%of peak
2
300
230
1,272
2-30Units65%ofabove8"5%ofaboveNo.OFUNITS...~SIZE230KVMach.KV167230/138KV-200MVA-30230KVTertiaryKVe~-------+"""-..t;>oU'--@--/...I/)CB-.,r--~~...~~--I-_...J20I/)Ue>~lll::-0GJrt).~N.cl~--~----+-",urt)oE{:!t;WATANA,·230KVSWITCHYARD~,~.~DEVICECircuitBreakers•Sta.Svc.,Reac.,CapacitorSUBSTATIONLAY0UT~PowerTransformersCircuitBreakersSta.Svc.,Reac.,Capacitors~2.FAIRBANKS.230KVSUBSTATION8'>GJClil.2:;...--11-------....GJ,ue...=·U,·~>._lll::=0'E~........---"""---1/)1eNo~
3.DEVIL.CANYONSWITCHYAR·D_0'5c~'5~-__-'--@]--/---,r--i'~!>~""lJI'f--------".....-------+-~o.~-~-u-0c~~>'~~~----.~--;~~~o~'E.,)4-~---------'~....;..-------F~~.U;~~~>,!!!Neo~iF-fr-......-I0c~~.~.vJw.2-400MVABankwJvv,_l\A{Y'230/345KVAA(V\__~-.--~e~Ba••e.~.~1j~~0u~~CDCD~>~~I~~~.~~~~~040--'~--------""--------.........~~~.. >~B--IO-----·-----.--.---.--~--~~-~-e~~:;~~'~.'..~,~~u~...'~.....~.~~~o•...Future.'.0....~a·------.--.-----.-.--.'--"-'-.~-.----,..-~~o~.0FF.~~DEVICEPowerTransformersCircuitBreakersSta.Svc••Reac.,Capacitors.SIZE2-400MVABks.2301345KV230KV-345KVTerttoryKVNo,OFUNITS7-10Units(133.3MVAea.)6-230KV.3-345KV5%ofabove4.ANCHORAGE345KVSUBSTATION750MVA.Bks.-345/230KV345KVTertiaryKV7~10Units(250MVAeo)65%ofabove.~.~-------f~--<.~~~_.,-->':;.~eo:u->4-"'1--:----__--~~=10s~'iiiN~·EC~~-----.....•0c>'OcF8PowerTransformersCircuitBreakersSta.Svc.•Reac.•Capacitors'Note:Single-phase(10)transformersareconnected3per30bankwith1(1spareperswitchyardorsubstation.168
Inadditiontothebreakers,eachendofthetransmissionlinehastransformers,buswork,and,wherepertinent,reactorsandcapacitors.Transformerswereprovidedbetweentransmissionvoltages.PowerFlowStudiesAsstatedpreviously,handstudieswereusedtodeterminetransmissionsystemdesignparametersandlosses.SeveralcomputerrunsweremadeattheBonnevillePowerAdministrationtocheckbasicsystemperformanceunderloadandwithassumedoutages.ThecomputerstudiesconfirmthatthesystemdesignassumptionsareadequateforfeaSibilitystudypurpose,thatis,toprovideanadequatebasisfordeterminingphysicalandfinancialfeasibilityofthesystem.Themoredetailedstudiesforactualdesignwouldincludethefullrangeofsystemsanalysisappropriateforamajornewpowersystem.ReliabilityTheprelimitlarytransmissionevaluations.assumedmultiplecircuitconfiguration;substati,ons,Cl.:J;ldswitchyardsusethe"breakerandone-half'I,.scheme..Thevarioussystemsassumetwocircuit>;onasingletowerexceptfor,asinglecircuit230kvlinetoFairbanksinSystem#1.Towerdesignsarefree-standing,steelwithNESC"heavyllloadingforthelow-levelportionsofthecorridors,andanadditionalsafetyfactorforruggedterrainandmountainpasses.Therehavebeennospecificstudiesofsystemreliability.Basedonexperienceelsewhere,thedoublecircuitlineswouldhaveveryhighreliability.Theywouldbevulnerabletooutagesdueeithertotowerfailure(landslides,etc.)ortoafailurecausedbyinterferencewithbothcircuits(suchasanaircraftaccident).Thenexthigherlevelofreliabilitywouldbetoutilizetwosingle-circuitlines.Ifthesewereincloseproximitytoeachother,theycouldutilizethesameaccessfacilities.Right-of-wayandclearingrequirementswouldincrease.Somefurtherreductioninvulnerabilitytoseriousoutageswouldbeobtainedbyparallelorloopedlinesinseparaterights-of-way.DuringreviewoftheprelimitlarystudiesbytheBonnevillePowerAdministrationandareautilities,strongpreferencewasindicatedforplacingeachcircuitonaseparatesetoftowers.Thereviewersfelttheaddedreliabilityofsuchaplanwouldjustifytheadditionalcosts.169
AccessRoadsEstimatedwidthandareaofrights-of-wayareasfollows:Clearing15.2.22.817.0"25..5AcresPerMile125190140210ROWWidth230kv,singleordoublecircuit2-230kY,adjacentROW345kv,singleOrdoublecircuit2-345kv,adjacentROWLineSincethepreferredcorridorisincloseproximitytoexistingsurfacetransportation,requirementsfornewaccessroadsareminimal.Wheresoilsandtopographyarefavorable,aprimitiveaccessroadsuitableOvermbstoftheroute,thenormalROWwidthwouldbeadequate'forboththelinesandtheaccessfacilities.Right-of-Way·HeavilyforestedareasintheSusitnaandTananaValleyswotildrequireessentiallycontinuousclearing.However,treesizevariesfromsmalltomediumandclearingoperationsarenotparticularlydifficult.BasedonUSGSmapswithvegetationoverprintandForestServicemaps.shciwing,timbertypes,approximately231'milesoflineunderSystem#1-and261'milesforSystem#2,#3,#4,and#5wouldreqUireessentiallycontinuousclearing.AunItcostof$500peracreforclearingwasassumed,basedonrecenthighwayconstructionbids.Acreageforclearingwerepremisedon4.6acrespermileforthe230kvlinesand5.1forthe345kvlines..Detailedanalysisoflandownershipwouldbeneededasapartoffinalrouteselection.Itisanticipatedthatsomeprivatelandswillbecrossedandthateasementswouldbeobtained(ratherthanpurchasedinfee).Wherethelinesareonpublicland,'itisassumedthatROWcanbebbtai:i'iedWithbutcosttotheproject.Theestimatesindudeanallowancebf$700per'acreforeaSementSconportionsofthelineswhichareasstitrtedt6in:volveprivatelarids.Orithehasis'ofjudgment.evaluationofbroadlandownershippatternsforeachcorridorsegment,approximately75milesalongtheDevil'Canyon'loFairbanksand89milesalongtheDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzieroutemayrequireeasements.TheremainingportionsoftheliI'l;eswouldinvolveonlynominalclearingofoccasionalsmalltreesandsomebrushremoval.170
forfour-wheeldrivevehiclesisassumed.Suchaccessroadswouldconsistoflittlemorethanatrailalongtheright-of-waywithoccasionalcrossdrainagestructuresandsmallamountsofgraveLfill.Accesstoexistingroadswouldbeprovidedperiodically.Nomajorstreamcrossingswouldbeinvolved.Theserudimentaryroadswouldbeusedinboththeconstructionandoperationandmaintenancephases.BetweenGoldCreekandtheprojectpowerplants,itisassumedthatthe.accessroaqsbuiltfordamconstructionwouldbeadequatefor.transmissionaccess.Fortheremainderoftheline,an~stimated219milesissuitableforfour-wheeldriveaccessroads.Theestimatesinclude$50,000permileforroads.FromGoldCreektoCantwellandHealy,terrain,vegetation,andsoilsdonotfavor,useoftheprirnitiveaccessr.oags.Itisassum~dthatnonewroadswouldheprovi<iedfor.thislin.esegment.Fortllisportionoftheline,acce~swouldbelimitedtohelicopteralldwinterover-snowvehiclesforconstructionandoperationandmaintenance.SignificantportionsoitheexistingGVEAand.~EAtransmissionsysteIIls,haveb,eenbuiltandoperatedinthismanner....'.StructuralDesignWindandIceLoading<..._.---,Thereisnotagreatdealofharddata~mwindandf~ingextremesfortheE;electedcorridors.However,ther.e1SaFuffi~iEmte~erienc~basetoestablishthat~ind'andiceconditionsshouldnotgeuI1usu~llysevere.ExistingtransmissionlinesintheMatanuska-SusitnaVall~ysa:ridfromHealytoFairbankshavenotexperiencedanyunusualicingproblems.Hoarfrostisafairlycommonexperienceinwinter,butnotaproblemforHVlines.Climateandtopographygenerallydonotfavorformationofheavyglazeorrimeice--duringmostoftheyearitiseithertoo-.hot,toocoldortoodryforheavyicingtooccur."ThisismarkedlydifferentfromconditionsinsomemountainousareasalongtheGulf6fAlaskawheretemperatureandmoistureconditionsfavorabletoheavyicingarequitecommon.J71
1721/CommunicationfromAlaskaDepartmentofHighways,June1975.~ource(allfromNationalWeatherService)Maximum'WindRecordedMPHPeriodofRecord1914-197461-1974AnnualStationSummary1940-1974381974Annual"StationSummary1941-1974481974IIII.II1949-1967lessthan40NWSUniformSummary,Part1929-1974401974AnnualStationSummaryStationAnchorageTalkeetnaSummitNenanaFairbanksItisexpectedthatmoreseverewindload,criteriawouldbeappropriateforportionsofthelinethroughtheBroadPassareaandtheNenanaCanyon.Amoredetailedstudyofclimateconditionsfor,these'corridorsegments,includingcollectingadditionalwinddata,wouldbeneededalongwiththedetaileddesignstudie~.ThisstudymakesallowanceformoreseverewindconditionsintheseareaS.byincreasingtowersteel10percent.KeystationsforwinddataareatAnchorage,Talkeetna;Summit,Nenana,andFairbanks.Allofthesestationshavefairly-lengthyrecordsofwindobservations;·nonehaverecordedunusuallyseverewinds.Theavailablerecordeddataisonthebasisoffastestmile,soactualpeakgusts'wouldbehigher.Thebasictran~missioncostdataforthis.studyarepremised,ontheBonneville'PowerAdministrationdesignsforNationalElectricSafetyCodeHeavingLo'adingassumptions--4poundwindconcurrentwith,t"radialiceoranalternative8poundwindloading.TheNESCloadingassumptionisconsistentwithnormalutilitypracticeforthisareaandisconsideredadequatefortheportionsofthelinefromTalkeetnatoAnchorageandfromHealytoFairbanks..Itisknowritllatmoreseverewindso'ccurthroughtheNenariaCanyon.DuringinitialoperationsoftheHealy-Fairbanks138kvline,3·towersintheimmediatevicinityofHealywerelostdiletohighwinds.TheproblemareaisrightatthemouthofNenanaCanyon.TheAlaskaStateHighwayDepartmentoperatedananemometerattheMoodyBridgesiteinNenanaCanyonforashortperiod'duringconstructionoftheArichorage-FairbanksHighway.Maximumrecordedwindwas62MPH,andamoreseverewindstormwasobservedduringaperiodwhentherecorderwasnotoperating.Y
Verysevereicingis.notconsideredlikelybasedonthetopographyandclimatedata,comparativelylowelevationsthroughtheAlaskaRange,andabsence.ofreportsofse.vereici:ng..TheavailabledataalsoindicatespossibilitiesareremoteforsimultaneousoccurrenceofmaXimumwindandmaximumicing0AsummaryofdataforthestationatSummitfollows0HeaviestwindsoccurfromNovembertoMarchwhenairtemperaturesarewellbelowfreezing0SnowAvailablesnowdepthdatafromSoilConservationServiceSnowSurveypublicationswerereviewedprimarilytodetermineiftherewereanyareasalongthecorridorwheresnowdepthsarelargeenoughtoaffecttowerdesigns.Standardtowerdesignsassumedforthisstudyaregenerallyadequatetohandlesnowdepthsupto10feet.Forareasoflargersnowaccumulation,addedtowerheightwouldbeneededtoobtainnec~ssaryclearance.Thisisoftenhandledbyadding"snowlegs"tostandardtowerdesigns0Basedonthesnowdata,maximumsnowaccumulationwellunder10feetisexpectedovertheentireroute,exceptforoccasionalareassubjecttodrifting0Thesnowdepthwillnotlikelyaffecttransmissiondesignsandcostssignificantly0TowerDesignThecostestimatesarepremisedonfree-standing,steel-latticetowers0Thisassumptionreflectsfully-proventechnologyforwhichthereisagoodexperiencebaseincostingandconstructionmethods.Thefinaldesignswouldconsiderseveralalternativedesignsandmayresultinselectingguyedtowersforportionsofthelineanduseofspecialtowerdesignsinareaswherethelinesaremostvisible.Figure12indicatesrepresentativesizesandshapesforseveral230kvtowers;345kvtowersaresomewhatlargerbecausephasetophaseandphasetogroundclearancesmustbe8to10feetgreaterthanfor230kvoFoundationsAvailablesoilsandfoundationdatainclude:detailedsoilsurveysfromtheSoilConservationServiceforpartofthelowerSusitnaValleyandtheim~ediateFairbanksarea;generalgeologicandpermafrostmapsfromtheUSGS;1:250,000scalereconnaissancelevelinte:rpretationofsoiltypespreparedbytheResourcesPlanningTeamoftheLandUsePlanningCommission;anddatafromroutestudiesforexistingtransmissionlinesandhighways0Theenvironmentalassessmentincludesaregionalperma-frostmapandstripmapsshowinggeneralsoiltypesforthecorridors.173
Temperature..Precipitation,''aridWind.forSuJilmit"Average0.MeanWindSpeed,MPHTemperature,,FMeanMaximumMinimumPrec~p.MonthMonthMonthInchesMeanRastest,MileJan.0.87.3-5.70.915.144Feb.6.313.0-0.51.1711.946Mar.10.418.72.01.0111.048Ap'r.23.~32.714.0.0.647.633May37.445.629.10.727.728June48.857.939.72.188.329July52.160.34~.92.987.830Aug.48.756.141.23.257.426Sept.39.847.132:.52.75·7.537,oCt.23.730.117.21.628.035Nov.9.515.53.51.2311.339Dec.3.09.3-3.31.1712.744174
SINGLE CIROUIT SINGLE CIRCUIT
FLAT CONFIGURATION DELTA CONFIGURATION
FREE-STANDING TOWERS
I•
I•
!
1
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i i 0 i ij••I
,I~-----31'----~
l----------,,,............../7/
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ALTERNATIVE
TRANSMISSION LINE
STRUCTURES
DOUBLE CIRCUIT
STACKCONFIGURAT ION
NOTE'STRUCtURES DEPICTED ARE
DESiGNED FOR 230 t\V_
SINGLE CIRCUIT
FLAT CONFIGURATION
-N
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Areasofmuskeg,frostsusceptiblesoils,andpermafrostwillrequirecarefulfoundationdesign.Itisestimatedthatuptoabout30percentofthelinewouldrequirefoundationsdesignedspecificallytoaccommodatetheseconditions.Experiencesuggeststhatsuchspecial'designswouldnotinvolvemajorincreasedcostsfortheline.Anumberofdifferentdesignapproacheshavebeenused:PortionsofexistingCVEAlinesthroughmuskegareasthathaveconside!ablefrostactionhaveusedguyedtowerssetonsteelpilefoundations.TheGVEAHealy-Fairbankslinecross'essomeverysensitivepermafrostareas.Italsousesguyedtowers,butthefoundationisasinglepedestal.AfurtheroptionwouldbeuseofthermalpilingstokeepfOl;mda:tibnsinafrozenstate.TransmissionlinesforCanada'sNelsonRiverProjectusefreestandingtowerswithfootingssetonagrillagefoundationtocrosspermafrostandmuskeg.Thistechniqueinvolvessettingagrillageofsteelortimberbelowtheactivefrostzoneforthefoundation.Theestimatesforthisreportarepremisedonuseofthe,grillagefoundations.Thisisaconservativeassumptionsincemuchoftheroute~illundoubtablybesuitablefornormaltowerfoundations--concretefootings,undereachtowerleg.Foundationconsiderationswillof~oursebeamajorconsiderationinthedetailedrouteanddesignstudies,followingauthor-ization.TransmissionCostEstimatesThissectionsummarizesthetransmission'systemcostestimates.Thebasicestimate!>arepremisedoncostexperiences,oftheBonnevillePowerAdministrationwithadjustmentstoreflectAlaskaconstructioncostsandJanuary.1975priCE:!levels.Asnotedpreviously,costsforrights-of-way,clearing,andaccesswereestimatedseparately.Thefirstsetofestimateswerepreparedtoallowcomparisonoftheseveralalternativehydro.developmentplansandwereusedintheCorpsofEngineersscopinganalysis'.''Furtherstudiesweremadeonalt~rn'ativetransmissionplansforthe'proposediniti~ldeveloPD.1entplan(WatanaandDevilCanyon)resultinginthetransmissionplanandestimatedpcludedintheprojectproposal,177
AlaskaCostFactorsThebasiccostdatafromBPAreflectsPacificNorthwestconditions.Alaskaconstructionwouldinvolvesubstantiallyhigherlaborcostsarid·additionaltransportationcoststodelivermaterialsfabricatedintheSouth114811toAlaskanconstructionsites.APAderives1.1AlaskafactorsIIof1.9forlaborand1.1fora.ddedtransport-ation.Th~:BPAdatawereseparatedintocomponentsoflaborandmaterialsandtheappropriatefactors.wereappliedtoestimateAlaskacosts.The1.9laborcostfactorispremisedonacomparisonofwagearidfringebenefitsdataunderrecentmEWcontractsfortheAnchorageandPortlandareaswithappropriateallowancesforovertimeandsubsistancepay.forremoteworkinAlaska.The1.1transportationcostfactorispremisedoncurrentbarge·andrailtariffspetweenSeattleandvariouspointsalongtheAlaskaRailroad,withanallowanceforloadingandunloading.TransmissionLineCostsTypicalmilecostsforconstructipgtransmissionlineswerefurnishedbytheBonnevillePowerAdministration.Thesecostswereitemizedbymajorcomponentsandportionsofcostsforlabor.andmaterial.APAadjustedthesecostswiththeAlaskafactorsforlaborandtransport-q.tion.derivedabove.TheestimatesaresummarizedonTable10.TheBPAtypicalmilecostswere.premisedonJanuary·1974price.levelsandAPAmadeadj-u,stmentstoJanuary.1975prices.BasedonadvicefromBPApersonnel,towersteelcostswereincreasedfrom$450to$800perton.Otherbasic·costitemswereupdatedusingUSBRindexes.Theestimatesincludeallowancesfor:handlingaridstorageofmaterials;contingenciesandunlisteditems;andoverheaditems.Theallowanceforhandlingandstorageis15%oftowersteelcostsplus10%ofothermaterialcostS.Thereisa25%allowanceforcontingenciesandunlisteditemssuchascommunicationsequipmentandseriescompensation.The20%overheaditemincludessurveys,designs,inspection,andcontractadministration.178
TowerSteel13.1813.9522.9524.3042.,7145..23Conductors10.4913.73 16.2627.4718.3137.48Hardware&Accessories.821.644.00Insule.tors1.142.284.21Miscellaneous4.413.584.415.054.419.24Subtotal(PacificNW)28.0833.2243.6260.7465.43100.16January1975Costs,$1,0001/TowerSteel16.7424.8329;1543.2554.2480.51Conductors13.3217.4420.6534.8923.2547.60Hardware&Accessories1.042.085.08Insulators1.452.905.35Miscellaneous5.604.555.606.415.6011.73Subtotal(PacificNW)35.6649.3155.4089.5383.09150.27AlaskaFactor1.91.11.91.11.91.1AlaskaCost67.7554.24105.2698.48157.87165.30Subtotal121.99203.74323.17Handling&2/9.5216.9929.81Storage-Subtotal131.51220.73352.98Contingencies&UnlistedItems(25%)32.8855.1888.25Subtotal164.39275.91441.23Admin.overhead,survey,design&inspection(20%)32.8855.1888.25TotalAlaskaCon""'structionCost197.27331.09529.48Rounded200330530179TypicalMileTransmissionLineCosts345kvDoubleCircuitLaborMaterials230kvDoubleCircuitLaborMaterialsJanuary1974Costs,$1,000230kvSingleCircuitLaborMaterialsYCostincreasereflectfollowingassumption:TowerSteel:Jan1975$800/ton=1.78Jan1974$450/tonOtheritemsbasedonUSBRtransmissioncostindex:Jan19751.87=1.27Jan19741.47~/15%oftowersteelcostplus10%ofothermaterialscosts.
l'ypicaLMileTransmissionLineCosts-cont.January1974Costs,$1,000TowerSteelConductorsHardware,&AccessoriesInsulatorsMiscellaneousSubtotal(PacificNW)Labor26.3511,.814.4142.57345kvSingleCircuitMaterials27.9018.742.00,2.105.95January1975Costs,$1,OOO.YTowerSteelConductorsHardware&AccessoriesInsulatorsMiscellaneousSubtotal(PacificNW)AlaskaFactorAlaskaCostSubtotalHandling&StorageYSubtotalContingencies&UnlistedItems(25%)SubtotalAdmin.overhead,survey,design&inspection(20%)TotalAlaskaCon-structionCost'Rounded33.'4615.005.6054.061.9102.71197.5717.67215.2453.81269.05322.86320.0049.6623.80,2'.542.707.60'86.241.194.862/CostincreasereflectfollQwingassumption:TowerSteel:Jan1975$800/ton""Jan1974$450/ton=1.78Otheritemsbasedon·USBRtransmissioncostindex:Jan19751.87=127Jan19741.47.15%oftowersteelcostplus10%ofothermaterialscosts.180
Asnotedpreviously,tower!;~elwasincreased10%abovethatforthetypicalmilecostsforportionsofthelineinhigherelevationsthroughtheAlaskaRange.SwitchyardandSubstationCosts---:;Tciblel1showssample~omputationsofswitchyardandsubstationcosts.',ThesewereestimatedusingbasiccostdataformajorequipmentitemsfromBonnevillePowerAdministration's"SubstationDesignEstimatlng('Catalog"withpricelevels.ofJanuary1975.Themajorcostitemsare'':.<,thetransformersandcircuitbreakers.Asinthetransmissionestimates,'-~:d6stsforthemajorequipmentitemswereadjustedforAlaskalabor___[~I?:dtransp6rtationcosts.Additionalallowancesweremadefor:handlingt.andstorage(15%ofmaterialcost);contingenciesandunlisteditems---(25%);andoverhead(20%).'.,Costsforindividualswitchyardsandsubstationsweredeterminedbyincreasingthemajorequipmentitemasderivedabovebyanac;lditional10%allowanceforstation,serviceitems....'TransmissionMaintenanceFacilitiesTheestimatesincludeprovisionfortransmissionmaintenan<:eheadquartersatroughlythemid-pointsoftheDevilCanyon-FairbanksandDeyi)"Canyon-Anchoragelines.EachheadquCirterswouldconsistpfalineman'sresidence,vehiclest,oragebuilding,warehouse,andfencedstorageyard.EstimatesforAlternativeHydroDevelopmentPlansTable12summarizescostestimatesfortransmissionsystemsassumedfortheCorpsofEngineersscopinganalysisofalternativehydroqevelop-mentplans.T1:'-eplan!3inc;luc;lesubstationsatFairbanksandPointMacKenziewithswitchyardsateachpowerplant.Transmission:liriesassumedforthescopinganalysisareasfollows:System#lassumesasinglecircuit230kvlinefromDeVil,CanyontoFairbanksandadoublecircuit230kvlinefromDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzie.Thetransmissionplansinthescopinganalysisforsystems#2,#3,.and#5assumeadoublecircuitlinefromDevilCanyontoFairbanks,a345kvdoublecircuitlinefromDevilCahyont9.fclirbanks,anda230kvdoublecircuitlinefromWatanatoDevHCanyon.System#4addsa230kvdoubleCircmtllnefromVeetoWatana.·..181
SwitchyardandSubstationCostsPartI -SampleCalculation,DerivationofCircuitBreakerandTransformerCostsEquipmentCost($1,000-PowerTransfo·rmer345/230kvLaborMaterialJanuary1975Costs)CircuitBreak'er345kvLaborMaterial+97+..1227.12770Equipment·CostStructures&AccessoriesSubtotalAlaskaFactorAlaskaCostSubtotalHand~ing&Storage(15%ofmaterial)Contingenciesandunlisteditems(25%)Administrativeoverheadanddesign(20%)Total,AlaskaConstructionCostRounded11+516x1.930320+138458x1.150453476+134+107"85185015+823xl·.9-_.44265+138403.x1.144348766PartII-SampleCalculation,DevilCanyonSwitchyardConstructionCostJanuary1975CostsSix-230kvCircuitbreakers6x$565,000=Six-345kvCircuitbreakers6x$'770,000=Seven-345/230kvSinglephasetransformers7x$850,000=Subtotal10%stationservice,capa!=itors,reactorsTotalConsttuctionCost182$3,390,0004,620,0005",950,00013,960,0001,400,000$15",360,000
Switchyard and Substation Costs (cont.)
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Summa!!ofTransmission.SIste~,Co~t~timates..Length.9fline.,milesPortionr~.qu~ring;eas~ments~.m~~es.Portionrequiringdearing,miles:,Medium-JIeavy,NoneAccessroads,miles:4-:-WheelDrive,..'NOJ;leTowerConstruction,miles:'NESCHeavy:'AddedSteel.(Mountains)SystemSysterp.:SystetP4Ll#2"'<~~5#4,·334364·404~64l64~64.23l26130,1103103103219219219-,.i115.:145.185195195195139169;209ConstructionCostsEstimatesfo;toScopingAnalysesClearingEasementsAccessRoadsTransmissionLinesSubstations'SwitchyardsSystem.#.1.1,0102,24014~24087,19019,320System.#2'3,.1,2102,41014,240151,96041,900($1,000).Syste1tl'..#·.4...:1,2102,41014,240165,70046.870TOTAL124,000211,720230,430EstimateforProposedPlan(System#5)ConstructionCosts($1,000)ClearingEasement~AccessRoadsTransmissionLines,.Substations8rSwitchyardsTOTALRounded2,4303,62Q.l4,370182.,10053;520,.256,000,184
185Transmis,sionEstiniat,es.:f9:r"P.r9I?dS~9J?lanWiththesechanges,fotalconstructioncostsof$256millionareincluded'inthepropos.edinitialdevelopmentplan:Construction'Cost$1,0002,4303,62014,370.182,100$202,5209,1507,89012,4203,7304,97015,360$53,520$256,040$256,000RoundedTotalTransmissionCostsSwitchyardandSubstations:.FairbanksSubstationTalkeetnaSubstationPointMacKenzieHealySwitchyardWatanaSwitchyardDevilCanyonSwitchyardSubtotal,SwitchyardsandSubstationsItem2.AnadditionalsubstationinthevicinityofTalke:etriawhichappearswarrantedbythepattetnofloadd~velopmentintheMEAsystem(estimatedaddedcostsof$7.9million)..1..Additionofaswitchingstationattheapproximatemia-pointoftheDevilCanyon-Fairbanksline(thisisassumedatHealyandestimatedaddedcostsare$3.7million).3.Includingcostsforparallelsinglecircuitline'sonAdjacentrights-of-wayinlieuofthedoublecircuitlinesinthepreliminaryestimates(addedcostsof$32.7million)..Onthebasii'iofreviewsofthepreliminarydesignsbyareautilities,theBortnevillePo:yt',etAdtnillistration,andothers,furtherconsiderationwasgiventoalternativecircuitconfiguration,alternativeserviceplansfortheAnchorage-CookInfetarea,andsectionalizirigtheDevilCany,ontoFairbanksline.Thisresultedintnef61lo\v'ingchangesiIithe'transmissiortplanadoptedfbr'theproposedproject:(seeFigure13)TransmissionLines:ClearingRights-of-WayAccessRoadsLin~sSubtotal,TransmissionLine
SCALE100Miles50------o·.·.n~:::::8·...···....:~~*~,J~~~~~mmll::;:.:::.:::~ORDOV~.~..·::!::~~!!~~'!~I!'!!I!!!!!,iili!::t!::,llliiil::",:::":::'"•U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR•.ALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION.::UPPERSUSITNARIVERPROJECT:TRANSMISSIONSYSTEMLAYOUTSYSTEM5186
Construction.ScheduleItisestimatedthatactualconstruction()fthebackbonetransmissionsystemB5,.couldbeaccomplishedreadilyoverathree-yearperiod.Itisassumedthatconstructionwouldbekeyedtocompletingthesystematthesametimethatfirstgeneratingunitscomeonline.OtherTransmissionAlternativesServicePlansforAnchorage-CookInletArea\jI.tmustbeanticipatedthattherewillbecontinuingproblemsandcontroversyastobulktransmissionfacilitiesintheapproachestoAnchorage.KnikandTurnagainArmsareformidablebarriers;theChugachRangeandexistinglandusedesignationandownershippatternscombinetorestrictalternativesforlocatinglines.ExistingunderwatercablesacrossKnikArmhavehadseriousproblems;overheadlineswiUcontinuetodrawopposition;environmentalgroupswould:like.tosee·allnew,linesunderwaterorunderground;thistechnologyhassomeseverepro'blemsinreliabilityandcostsandisparticularlyvulnerabletoex:tendedoutage.ThetransIl'lssionalternativesforthisareain¢ludethefollowing:Additionalunderwatercablesandlocatingcablesatdifferenti~l"ossingpointstoreducehazardsoffailure.CablesconstructedonaKnikorTurnagaincauseway.Thiswouldeliminatemuchofthehazardtoextendedoutagessince.cables.wouldbeeasilyaccessibleforrepairs.Overheadlinesaroundth.etwoarms.OneoptionisrebuildingalongtheEklutnatransmissio~right-of-waytoprovideadditionalcapacity.OverheadlinesacrossshallowerportionsofKnikandTurnagainArms(placetower.structuresonpiers).Detailedcostestimatesforthesealternativeswerenotdevelopedforthisstudy..ThesameproblemswillexistwithorwithouttheSusitnaProjectsincetheavailablepowersupplyalternativesalsorequirelinescrossingorroutedaroundKnikArm.187
ThebasiccostestimatesfortheproposedplanassumetwosinglecircuitlinesterminatingatPointMacKenzie.Analternativeestimatewaspreparedassumingonelineterminating'atPointMacKenzieandasecondattheexistingAPAsubstationatPalmer.Totalcostsiorthetwoalternativesweresimilar.Idsrecognizedthatthedetailedstudiesfollowingprojectauthorizationwillneedtoincludecarefulstudyincooperationwith'theareautilitiestodetermineappropriatefacilitiesinafinalplanandthatsuchstudiesmaydemonstrateneedtoincludeadditionalcapacitytop.eliverprojectpowertoAnchorage.Whiletheplanadvancedinthisreportisnotintendedasafixedplan,iUsconsideredanadequatebasisfordeterminingmeritSoftheproposedproject.ServicetoOtherRailheltPowerLoadsThetotalRailbeltp<>Wersystemwillincludebulktransmissionfacilitiessuchasthosepresentedinthisreportandextensivetransmissionanddistributionsystemsatlowervoltage.Thebulkpowerfacilitiesdonotreplacetheneedforthedistributionsystems.Forexample,theconceptofelectrifyingtheAlaskaRailroadhasbeenadvancedfromtimetotime.Thiswouldrequirepoweratdistributionvoltagealongth.erailroadright-of-way.ThehighvoltagelinesfortheSusitnaProjectmayencourageconsiderationofRailroadelectrification,butaseparatelineatlowervoltagewouldbeneededtoservetherailroad.Similarly,'theproposalofGVEAtoextendits25kvdistnbutionlinetoMountMcKinleyParkHeadquartersandCantwelliscompatiblewiththeSusitnaplan.Again,thehighvoltagelinedoesnotreplacetheneedfor·thedistributionfacilities--SusitnapowerwouldreachCantwellthroughtheGVEAdistributionsystem.AsapartoftheSusitnastudies,veryroughcostsestimateswerepreparedfortransmissionlinestodeliverSusitnapowertoGlennallenandotherpointsalongtheRichardsonHighway.ThesealternativesarediscussedinthePowerMarketReport.l88
SECTIONIENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENTFORTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMSUNITEDSTATESDEPARTlviENTOFTHEINTERIORAlaskaPowerAdministrationEnvironmentalAssessmentforTransmissionSystemsforDevilCanyonandotherPotentialUnitsof.TheUpperSusitnaRiverProjectDecember1975189
ContentsTitleContents. ... . . . . .... . . ..... .PageNo.190INTRODUCTION.. .. . .... . . . ..... ..193DESCRIPTIONOFTHEPROPOSEDACTION196THECORRIDORSSusitnaCorridorNenanaCorridorDeltaCorridorMatanuskaCorridor....'.'.. .204204207208208213209213214216·217217217218218218219220221.'.......'ENVIRONMENTALASSESSMENTOFCORRIDORSSummaryMatrixes.•.Susitna-l.... .Nenana-lSusitna-2.Susitna-3Susitna-4Nenana-2Nenana-3Nenana-4Nenana-5Matanuska-lMatanuska-2Delta.....,.ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSOFCORRIDORSSummaryMatrixesSusitna-l.Nenana-lSusitna-2Susitna-3Susitna-4.Nenana-2Nenana-3Nenana-4Nenana-5Matanuska-lMatanuska-2Delta. .......ComparisonofImpactsofCorridors'...227223227231236239242245248250252255260264268190
MITIGATIONOFIMPACTS.....................................276Soils...•.....•.·.......•· ·276Vegetation','•..:..,. . .279Wildlife.•............•........••..•.•.•.•....,........280ExistingDevelopments..•..••..........."'.". .281ScenicQuality-Recreation,....................281CuIturalResources.....o••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••282ADVERSEENVIRONMENTALIMPACTS.............................284RELATIONSHIPBETWEENSHORT-TERMUSESOFTHEENVIRONMENTAND;LONG-TERMPRODUCTIVITY.....•...........:.288IRREVERSIBLEANDIRRETRIEVABLECOMMI'flI.1ENTSOFRESOURCES".............•.....••..........•.,.....290OTIIERALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDACTION.................293SharingofRights-of-Way..........•....•....•.......•293UndergroundTransmissionSystems.............•..•....295DirectCurrentTransmission..........................299AlternativeSystemPlans.............................300AlternativeMethodsofConstructionandMaintenance..303AlternativeEndpoints...•...••.•..•..•.•.......:.....306AlternativeLocalService............................308NoAction(non-construction).........................309ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......•..•...••...•......•.....•........•.310BIBLIOGRAPHy..•...•••••••.•••.•...•.....•...••••••.....•.•~311LISTOFTABLESKeytoAlternativeCorridorsandSegments.............206CorridorAna1ysis--ProjectPowertoAnchorage/CookInlet..........................................269CorridorAnalysis--ProjectPowertoFairbanks/.Tanana, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • .270Mater~alsandLandCommitted,.......291191-7370~81-13
l.2.3.4.5.6.LISTOFFIGURESTheRailbeIt.AlternativeTransmissionLineStructures.AlternativeTransmissionLineStructures.AlternativeSystemPlans.AlternativeTransmissionCorridors.;.TransmissionCbrridorSegments.LISTOFEXHIBITSPage.1941981982022032051-1PhysicalandSocialCharacteristicsoftheEnvironment1-2StripMapsCoveringtheAlternativeCorridors1-3Photographs1-4Glossary192
INTRODUCTION.TheTransmissionSystemEnvironmentalAss~ssmentfortheUpperSusitnaProject,isoneofthreereportsproducedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministrationassupportingstudiesforinvestigationshytheU.S.ArmyCorpsof,Ij:ngineersofhydroeleftricdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Theothertwo'APAreportsthaLcomplementthisAssessmentaretheTransmissionSystemReportandthePowerMarketsReport.Althoughthereisconsiderableoverlapinthesethree·documents,eachofthethreediscussesbasicallydifferentfacetsinthetransmissionsY$tems.TheCorpsstudiesconsideredseveralalternativehydrodevelopmentplansinvolvingfourmaindamsitesontheUpperSusitnaRiveraboveGoldCreek.FourofthesesiteswereidentifiedinpreviousBureauofReclamationinvestigations(DevilCanyon,Watana,VeeandDenali,asindicatedinFigure1.)Thefifthsite(HighDevilCanyon)islocatedbetweenDevilCanyonandWatanaandisanalternativefordevelopingtheheadinthatreachoftheriver.Basedonengineering,cost,andenvironmentalfactors,theCorpsproposesaninitialdevelopmentplanincludingtheWatanaandDevilCanyondamandpowerplantsat~achsite.ThetransmissionsystemstudiesfortheUpperSusitnaRiverProjectareofpreauthorizationorfeasibilitygrade.Theyconsistofevaluationofalternativecorridorlocationsfromtheviewpointsofengineering,costs,andenvironment;reconnaissancestudiesoftransmissionsystemsneededforalternativeprojectdevelopmentplansforuseinoverallprojectformulationstudies;considerationofalternativetransmission.technologies;andfeasibilitygradedesignsandcostestimatesforthepreferredtransmissionplan.Thesestudiesdealwithgeneralcorridorlocation;themor'edetailed.studiesfollowingprojectal.lthorizationwouldincludefinal,ori-the-gr'oundroutelocation.Thepurpose-ofapreliminarytransm;ssicmcorridorsurveyistoeliminatethosewhichdonotappeartobefeasible,whetherfortechnical,economic,orenvironmentalreasons.Thepreliminarysurveythenanalyzesthoseremainingcorridorsandpresentsthedataonthevariousalternativecorridorsinsuchawaysothatcomparisonscanbemade.Atthispoint,itisnotwithinthescopeofthepreliminarysurveytoshowpreferenceforsomecorridorsoverothers,onlytorejec;:tobviouslyunfeasibleonesandtoanalyzethefeasibleones.Furtheranalysisthenprovidesthebasisfortheselectionofthepreferredsystemplan.Thewidthofthecorridorsisvariable.In.stretches'confinedbymountain-ousterrain,thecorridormaybealmosta~narrowasthefinalroute;'inflat.;.country,thecorridorcanbeseveralmileswid.e.Withinagivencorridortherecanbeseveralfeasibleroutestobeselectedfrominthefinalroutesurvey.193
75A.P.A,-JULY197550Scole-Mile$.25MNIT~DSTATES'OEPARTMENTOF'THE'INTERIORALASKA.POWERAOt.'!INISTRAnONTHE'RAILBELT194
Basically,thes.el~ctionofcorridorsdevolvesontheneedtotransmitpowerfromagenerationsite--theDevilCanyon-Watanadamsites--totwoloadcenters,AnchorageandFairbanks(SeeFigure1).The.loadcenters~re~lmostequallytothenOl·th;apdsouthoftheUpperSusitnac0111plex,apd,a.recopnectedtoeach'otherbytwobasiccorridors--theAnchorage--::FairbanksHighwaylAlaska.RailroadandtheGlenn/RichardsonHighway.Thealternativesareallvariationsuponthesetwoba.siccorridors,whicharedictatedbythetopographyandclimateoftheRaUbelt,area.Althoughthemosteconomicaltransmissioncorridcwif:itheoreticallyastraightlinejoininggenerationsiteandloadcenter,physicalandsocialfactorsforc:edeviationsfromthi,sshorteskdistanceideal.Thus,itcan,oftenhappenthatphysicalandsocialfactorsareinoppositiontoeconomicfactors,~andabalancehastobefound.ThisstrivingforabalanceresuHsinalternatives,fromwhich·ieventuallyamostdesirable.corridorhastobec):lOsen.Themethodof.analysisforthealternativesusestheshortestsegmentsbetweenintersectionsofalternative".corriciorsastheunitsq.fevaluations;thesetrlayvaryinlengthfrotJ)15toover100miles.Thesesegmentswereevaluatedonaset.ofphysicalandsocialcriteria,putare'!lot.~obecomparedtoeach()th.er.Theseevaluationsare.showninthematrix.eson.pages,19,..22andpages34-37.Usingthesesegmentsasbasicunitsincombination,several.alternativecorridorscanbedevisedandcanthenbecompared.To.saverepetition,segmentscommontoalternativecorridorsbeingcomparedcanbeomittedfr0tn.the.comparison.Thecorridorpresenteqin.theDescriptionoftheProposedActionisthatroutewhichproducestheminimumadverseimpactsconsistentwitheconomicfeasibility..195
DESCRIPTIONOFTHEPROPOSED,ACTIONTh~proposedactionindudestheconstructionandopera.tionofatransmissionsystemtodeliverpowergeneratedbydarnsandpowerphmts011the,UpperSusitnatothetwoprimaryloadcentersofAnchorage.andFairbanks,Iandp~rhapsotherloadcentersthatmayprovefeasible.Theclesignand'locationofthislinewillprovigeforthemosteco~omicalconstructionandreliableoperationconsistentwithminimaldamagetotheenvironment.Ifapproved,.constructionwouldbeginbyabout1980.BesidesdeliverybfpowerfromtheUpperSusitnaProject,a.!iotherquiteimportantfunctionofthetransmissionlineistheinterconnectioriofthesystemspresentlyservingtheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.Inter-connectionwillhaveseveralresults.Itwillprovideincreasedreliabilityfortheentiresysteminthatsevereshortageoroutagesinone-utility'canthenbealleviatedbyatransferofpowerfromotherutilities.Eachutilitywillneedlessreservecapacity-andsurplusfromonepartOfthesystemcanoffsetdeficitsinanother.Communitiespresentlynotservedbythelargerutil~ties,-ornearthefringesofservicemaybenefitfrominterc6nnedionbytyingintothesystem,thusallowingthemtoavoidlocalgeneration.whichjsusuallyamoreexpensivealternative.InterconnectionoftheAnchbrageandFairbanksutilitieswouldbeasteptowardanintertie.with·CanadaandtheLow~:c48,withbenefitsonalargerscalethanlocalinterconnection.ThiswoUldleadtothemostefficient.generationand-distributionofenergy,.r!:?u1tingingreatsavingsoffossilfuels.TheproposedcorridorrunsfromtheDevilCanyonpowerhousewestto.GoldCreek,.thensouthwestalong.theSusitnaRiverandtheAlask'a'RailroadtoTalkeetna.FromTalkeetnathecorridorfollowstheeastbankoftheSusitnaRivertotheNancyLakeareaandthenduesouthtoPointMacKenzie.ThesecondhalfofthecorridorrunsfromGoldCreeknorthtoChulitnaandthenparallelstheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadthroughBroadPass,theNenanaCanyon,andtoHealy.FromHealythecorridorwillfollowtheexistingGVEA138kvtransmissionlinetotheexistingsubstationatGoldHilltoEster,althoughtheexistingright-of-waymaynotnecessarilybeused.ThesectionofcorridorfromDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzieisabout140miles;fromDevilCanyontoEsterisabout200miles.Theproposedfacilitiesareadoublecircuit345kvtransmissionlinetoAnchorage,adoublecircuit230kvtransmissionlinetoFairbanks,aswitch-yardateachpowersite,andthenecessarysubstationstodeliverpowerto196
theutilitysystems.Accessroadsuitableforfour-wheeldrivevehicleswillfollowtheright-of-waywherefeasible.InareasofhighlyerodCl,blesoils,'scenicsensitivity,orvulnerability'toimpactsstemmingfromtmpl'ovedaccess"theseaccessroadswillbeomitted.Thisassessmentwaspremiseduponstackeddciublec~rcuits,bothcircuitsusingthesamesetoftrans-mi.ssionstructures.However,reviewsbyBonnevillePowerAdministrationandotheragenciesvoicedconcernforthereliabilityofthissystem,andanalternativearrangemeritofc,ircuitsstudied..', .,'Inthisarrangement,twC!singlecircuitsyst~ms;paralleleachother,not,~ecessari1yalongthe.sameright-of-way.Thisparallelsinglecircuitsystemwillreducetheprobabilityofatotalbreakin'transmissions,butwillcostsomewhatmoreandrequiremoreright-of-wayandclearingthanthestackeddoublecircuitsystem.The,right-of-wayfordoubleandsinglecircuitsof-bsimilarvoltageisidentical;inthecaseof345kvitis140feet,for230kvitis125feet.Aparallelsinglecircuitcouldrequireuptotwicetheright-of-:-wayareaandclearingofasingleordoublecircuit.Theproposedal:tionwillincludethealternativesofparallelsinglecircuitsand,stackeddoublecircuit.Neither'systemwillbeexclusive;itisverypossibletouse'bothsystemsa.l6ngdifferentstretchesof,thetransmi~sionline.Inthefollowing'discussions,ofimpacts,'the,acreageofright-of-wayandclearingwillbepremiseduponstackeddoublecir<;.uit~-Thesequenceoffinalroutingandconstructionfollowsagenel"alsequenceoffinalsurveytolocatetowersand'clearingwidths,clearingandaccessconstruction,erection oftowers,stringing,tensioning,andright-of-wayrestoration.Thefinalsurveywillinvolvephotogrammetricdeterminationofclearingwidthstominimizetheamountofclearmg;notonlyisthismoreeconomical,butitalsoavoidsthemethodoftotalclearingwithinsetdistancesfromthecenterline.Finaltowerlocationsarealsodeterminedatthistime;towerspacingsareusuallyontheorderoffourorfivepermile,butwillbespacedcloserasconditionswarrant.Towerswillbeeithersteelor:aluminumandofthefree-standingtype,althoughdependinguponfinaldesignandlocalconditions,guyedtowersmaybeusedinsomeareas.Theconductorsareofaluminumconductorreinforcedwithsteel.197
.--1:!'·-·--=-'!::l\'T."U'W:"A4L!;::'i';W~~'--","';;;·_",,"c ·iOl\'ii-~_"A_
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...
-0
ClO
SINGLE.CIRCUIT SINGLE CIRCUIT
FLAT CONFIGURATION DELTA CONFIGURATION
FREE-STANDING TOWERS
T--\.><iI
I
~
SINGLE CIRCUIT
FLAT CONFIGURATION
Source'Edison Electric Institute
GUYED TOWERS
SINGLE CIRCUIT
FLAT CONFIGURATION
.DOUBLE CIRCUIT
STACK CONFIGURATION
NOTE;STRUCTURE.S DEPICTED ARE
DESIGNED FOR 345KV..230KV
STRUCTURES'ARE SLIGHTLY
.SMALL~R.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTOF,TtlEINTERIOR .
ALASKA POWER AD~INISTRATION
ALTERNATIVE
.';"',--",
TRANSM ISSIONLI.NE
oJ,
STRUCTURES
A.P.A~JANUARY 1975
aien
SINGLE CIRCUIT
DELTA CONFIGURATION
:0 I GUYED TOWER
-0
I"56'~..•.·.·.·,
r-T.l+l
1e
SINGLE CIRCUIT
METAL H-FRAME STRUCTURE
Source'Edison Electric Institute '
'r-~O'n'f qRlp ·
~
SINGLE CIRCUIT
METAL H-FRAME STRUCTURE
r--56'."llZ·=Nh!\,1/I
SINGLE CIRCUIT
WOOD H-FRAME STRUCTURE
SINGL'E,CIRCUIT
WOOD H-FRAME STRUCTURE
NOTE:STRUCTURES DEPICTED ARE
DESIGNED FOR 345 KV.230KV
STRUCTURES ARE SLIGHTLY
SMALLER.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
ALASKA POWE,R ADMINISTRATION
ALTERNATIVE,
TRANSMISSION LINE
STRUCTURES
A.P.A.-JANUARY 1975
Towerdesignswillbedeterminedinthefinaldesign;varyingconditionsmaycallforseveraldesignsbeingused.Freestandingtowersaremore.easilyconstructed.onsectionswithgoodaccessroads;guyedtowers,aremo~esuitableforhelicopterconstruction.Variousgy.yed'andfree-standing.towerdesigns,forsingleanddoublecircuits,andseveral,'alternate'structuresforuseinlieuofthesetowersinspecialCircumstan,ces.areshownonFigures'2and3.:InheavHyforestedareas,clearingwillbedonebybrushblades,orrot~rycuttersonbulldozersandbyhand,removalofthe(:1earedar~aa.ndindividualdangertreesoutsideofthemainclearedstrip.Dangertreesarethosetrees,thatnlaygrowritosuchasizewithinfiveortenyearsthattheY-mayfallwithinasetdistancefromaconductorortower.Distancefromthecenterline,growthrate,andmaximumobtainableheightwilldeterminedangertrees.Disposalofclearedmaterialsmayvaryfromsellingofmerchantabletimbertochippingorburningofslash.Thereareknownandpotentialarcheologicalandhistoricalsitesalongtheproposedcorridors.Tominimizepossiblevandalismordisturbance,nositesotherthanthoseontheNationalRegistershallbeloditedeitheronamaporonthenarrativeofthisassessment'.Topreservet4eintegrityoftheseknownandpotentialsites,apreconstructionarcheologicalsurveyofthecorridorswillbecarriedout·andthefinaltransmi,ssion·routewillbeadjU:stedtonlinimizedisruption.'Inadvertentdiscoveryofanunsuspectedsiteatalater~tagewillentaileithertheminorrelocationoffasegmentofthetransmissionlineorthesalvageofthesiteasprescribedbyExecutiveOrder#11593andP.L.93-291.Insectionswherepermanentaccessroadsarerequired,theroadwillbebuiltandmaintainedtoastandardsuitableforfour-wheelvehicles.Notallsectionswillhaveaccessroads;incriticalareas,wintercon-struction,orhelicopterconstructionwillbeused.~ight-of-:-wayrestorationafterconstr\lctionincludesremovaloftemporarystructuresandtemporaryroads,disposalofslashandrefuseand·reyegeta-tion.Insomecases,itmaybenecessarynotonlytomaintainaccessroads,buttoupgradethemifitisdeterminedbytheStateDepartmerit6fHighwaysthatsucharoadwouldbeasuitableadditiontothesecondaryI'oadsystem.Ateachterminus,andatanyfuturetapson·thelinetoserveothercommuni-ties,asubstationwillberequired.Basically,asubstationisrequiredtoadjustthevoltagesuppliedbythetransmissionlinetomatchthatoftherecipientsystem.Inaddition,thesubstationfulfillsaswitchingfunction.200
AtthenorthterminousofEster,theexistingGoldHillsubstationcould'beusedwithappropriatemodification~.AtthesouthterminusatPointMacKenzie,theexistingunderwatercableterminalcouldbeenlargedtoaccommodateasubstation.IfanalternativeendpointnearPalmerisfinallyselectedoverPointMacKenzie,asubstationpresentlyservingtheAPA115kvEklutnasystemcouldbeused.Alongsomesections,periodicsuppressionoftallvegetationwillbenecessary.Thiswillbeaccomplishedwithmanualapplicationofherbi-cidesorhandclearing,orboth.Vegetationmaintenan~ewillneedtoberepeatedeveryfiveyearsorlonger.Periodicinspectionofthelinewillbedonefromtheair,complementedbylessfrequentinspectionfromtheground.Inspectionwillrevealpotentialfailureoftowercomponentssuchasvibrationdampers.insulators,andguylines;conditionoftowerfootings;conditionofconductor;presenceofdangertrees;andconditionofaccessroads.Alternativemethodsofconstructionandmaintenancewhichwerereferredtoabove,willbediscussedingreaterdetailinthesectionAlternativestotheProposedAction.\ThepreferredsystemplanwaschosenbyAlaskaPowerAdministrationafterpreliminarystudyofallfeasiblecorridorsjoiningthe.UpperSusitnacomplextoAnchorageandFairbanks.Themostfeasiblecorridorwasselectedonthebasisofcost,reliability,andpotential'environmentalimpact;therema:iningcorridorsrepresentalternativesofvaryingdegreesoffeasibility.201
230KV_DoubleCircui'HealyNENANAICORRIDOR~Cantwell./DELTACORRIDOR230KVAi{;e['flDoubleCircuit-UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONDEVILCANYONPROJECTALTERNATIVESYSTEMPLANSScaleinmiles5075100125A.P.A.-March1975202
203UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONDEVILCANYONPROJECTALTERNATIVETRANSMISSIONCORRIDORSScaleinmiles5075100125A.P.A.-March1975,.
THECORRIDORSThealternativesystemplansrepresentpnlygeneralcorridors,anddonotattempttodefineanactualright-of-:-way.Th~$,thealternativesdonotdistinguishamongmanyminorvariations,and~asaresult,arefairlyflexible.FouralternativedamsystemsfortheUpperSusitnCi.areoutlinedintheTransmissionSystemsReport,andtwoalternativetransmissionsystemstoconnectthemwithAnchorageandFairbanks..DetailsofthealternativedamsystemswillbefoundonTable1oftheTransmissionSystemsReport.Forthreeofthesealternativesystems--oneofwhichistheDevilCanyon-WatanaSystemproposedbytheCorpsofEngineers--thetransmissionsystemwillconsistoftheproposed345kydoublecircuittoAnchorageandthe230kvdoublecircuittoFairbanks.Forthefourthdamsystem,a230kvdoublecircuittoAnchorageanda230k~singlecircuittoFairbankswillbeused.Thesetwoalternativedesignsinconju'nctionwiththe.alternativetransmissioncorridors,constitutethealternativesystemplans.Thedegreeofenvironmentalimpactismoredependentuponthealternativecorridorand,toalesserdegree,uponthevoltage;thenumberofcircuitsaffectsenvironmentalimpactsleast.Thewidthofthecorridorsisvariable.Instretchesconfinedbymountainousterrain,thecorridormaybealmostasnarrowasthefinalroute;inflatcountry,thecorridorcanbeseveralmileswide.Withinagivencorridor,therecanbeseveralfeasibleroutesto.beselectedfromthefinalroutesurvey.Therearefourgroupsofalternatives:first,thpsethatleadfromDevilCanyon-WatanatoAnchorageviatheSusitnawatershed;second,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheNenanaandTananadrainage;third,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheDeltaandTananadrainages;andfourth,thosethatleadtoAnchorageviatheCopperandMatanuskadrainages(seeFigures4and5,andStripMapsinExhibit1-2)..SusitnaCorridorsTherearebasicallyfourfeasiblecorridorswhichconnectDevilCanyontoAnchorageviatheSusitnadrainage.AllfouroftheseincorporatethesegmentthatrunsfromtheendpointsofPointMacKenzietoTalkeetna,sothissegmentcan,therefore,betreatedasseparateandnotincludedinacomparisonofthealternativecorridors.204
205UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONDEVILCANYONPROJECTTRANSMISSIONCORRIDORSEGMENTSScaleinmiles5075100125A.P.A.-March1975
KeytoAfterna:1:iveCorrid.'orsandSegmentsNenana#17,10,13,16198Nenana#27,10,12,14,17220Nenana#37,10,12,14, 15,16-·231Nenana#48,9,11,14,IS,16223Nenana#58,9,11,14,17212~DeltaCorridorDelta#18,9,18,19280CorridorSusitna#1Susitna#2Susitna#3·Susitna#4Matanuska#1Matanuska#2SegmentsofCorridorSusitnaCorridors1,3,71,2,7.1,4,51,4,6,8MatanuskaCorridors8,9,20,228,9,18,21,22NenanaCorridors206ApproximateTotalMileage136140129147258385
OfthefourcorridorsthatxunfromTalkeetnato-DevilCany:on~Watana,thefirstisthesouthernhalfoftheproposedcorridor"whichfollowstheSusitna.vaileyrl:orth,:parallcungtheAlaskaRailroadtoGoldCreek,Whereitalsoleadseastto'ueinto'Devil-Canyon'-Watana(Susitna-:l,inFigure5)..Thenext,andfarthestwestparallelstheAnchorage-Fairha:hk~HighwaythroughDenaliStatePark,alongTroublesomeCreek;eventuallyleadingeasttotieintoGoldCreekandDevilCanyon~Wata'na.(Susitna-2);ThethirdgoesuptheTalkeetnaRiverandgainingtheridgetotheeastofDisappointmentCreek,leadsnorth'totheridgeleadingtoDevil'Canyon(Susitna-3).ThefourthandmosteasterlycO,rridorfollowstneTalkeetna.illv.ertoPrairieCreek,whichitfollowstoStephanLake,half\;<;TaybetweenDevilCanyon.and'Watana(Susitna-4)·..NenanaCorridorsTherearefivefeasiblecorridorsconnectingtheUpperSusitna·withFairbanksbywayoftheNenanaRiver.ThefirstisacorridorparallelingthehighwayancfrailroadfromGoldGreektoCantwell,toHealy,andtoFairbanks.Thisisthenorthernhalfofthepreferredcorridor(Nenana-1,inFigure5).ThesecondduplicatesthefirstcorridortoCantwell,butthenleadseastparallelingtheDenaliHighway,northupasfarasWellsCreekandoverth'epasstoLouisCre.ek,continuingovertheDeanCreekPasstotheWoodRiver.ItthenfollowstheWood.andTananaRiverstoFairbanks(Nenana-2).Thethirdcorridor,(Nenana-3),duplicatesthesecondtoDeanCreek,whereitthencontinuesupYanertForkand.overMoodyPass,endingupat.Healyandjoiningthefirstcorridor•.Corridorfour(Nenana~4)leavesWatanaandheadsnorth,emergingontotheDenaliHighwayneartheBrushkanaHiver.Itthenleadswest,goesupWellsCreek,andjoinscor~idorthreetoHealyandFairbanks:Corridorfive·startsthesamewayascorridorfour,exceptthatinsteadofgoingoverMoodyPasstoHealy',itleadseastoverDeanCreekintotheWoodHiver,andthenleadsnorthtoFairbanks;(Nenana-5).20769-7370 -81-14
DeltaCorridorThereisonlyonebasicallyfeasiblecorridoralongtheDeltaRiver.ThiscorridorleavesWatanadamsiteandleads,eastdownButteCreektotheDenalidamsiteandcontinueseastalongtheDenaliHighway.ItthenproceedsnorthnearPaxsonoverIsabelPassandparallelstheRichardsonHighwayintoFairbanks.MatanuskaCorridorsTherear~two.corridorsutilizingtheMatanuskaValleyas'accesstoAnchorage.ThefirstfollowstheDeltaroutetoPaxsoh,thenleadssouthtoGlennallen.Itthengoeswest,overTahnetaPass,andintotheMatanuskaValley,tyingintoPointMacKenzie.ThesecondcorridorconnectsWatanatoVeedamsite,leadssoutheasttotheLittleNelchinaRiver,whichitfollowstotheGlennHighwayandcorridorone,whichitfollowstoPointMacKenzie.CorridorSegmentsInordertomoreeasilya~sessenvironmentalimpactsofatransmissionlineonthesecorridors,theyarereducedtosmallerunits,orcorridorsegments.Asegmentisthusthatpartofacorridor,eitherbetweentwointersectionswithothercorridors,orbetweenanintersectionandoneoftheendpointsnearAnchorageorFairbanks.,Thelengthofasegmentisnotstandard,noristhelengthsetbyanyphysicalcriteria.ThesesegmentsaretheminimumnumberofunitsthatCanbecombinedtoformthepreviouslydescribedalternativecorridors(seeFigure6).Assessmentoftheexistingenvironmentandofimpactsofatransmissioncorridorwillbedoneonthesegmentlevel.Asaconvenience,theseassessmentswillbesummarizedinmatrixform,differentiatedastoenvironmentalinventoryandassessmentofimpacts.TheSusitnaandNenanacorridorswilleachhaveseparatematrixes;theMatanuskaandDeltacorridorswillbecombinedbecauseofthefewernumberofalternatives.Segmentsarelabelledintwoways;thefirstisanodallabel,inwhichthenodesidentifythes~gment(e.g.WellsCreek-DeanCreek),thesecondisanassignednumberwhichcorrespondstoakeymap.Bothlabelsareusedonthematrix.Matrixeswillbefoundonpp.18-20andpp.32-34.208
MatrixesforInventoryofCor:ridorSegments:Thefollowingmatrixesareforinventoryoftheenvironmentbyninecategories.ThedefinitionsofthecategoriesandgeneralinformationaregivenintheExhibitI-I.Theprocessfromwhichthe22corridorsegmentsarederivedisexplainedonpages15-20.Duetotheproblemsattendanttoreducingsuchlargeamountsofinformationtosuchaconstrainedformat,it,wouldappearthatsomeofthecategoriesarenottreatedonthesameleyelofdetail asoth~l's.Specifically,climate,whichisofgreaterconcernfromthedesignthantheenvironmentalstandpoint,andthusisrelativelylightlytreatedinthisEnvironmentalAssessment.Onlydatathatwasfoundbysearchingtheliteraturewasentered.Thus,forexample,cariboumaybefoundinasegmentalthoughnomentionofitismadeinthematrix..Oneadvantagetothematrixsystemofpresentationisthatitiseasilyupdated;thus,discrepanciesbroughttoourattentioncaneasilybechanged.Theconstraintsofthisformatalsoobligetheuseofabreviations;MMCPMzonestandsfortheMountMcKinleyCooperativePlanningandManagementzone,GVEAreferstotheGoldenValleyElectricAssociation,MEAreferstotheMatanuskaElectricAssociation,andtheARRistheAlaskaRailroad.ThelandstatusentriesarebaseduponthelandstatussituationofMarch1974.Stateselectio~srefertonotonlypatented,butalsoallpendingandtentativelyapprovedStateselections.Nativevillagedeficienciesandregionaldeficiencies(NVDandNRD)willpel'hapsbethemostunstableareasatpresent,soitisquitelikelythattheentriesregardingtheselandsmaynotbepresentlyvalid.209
TOPOGRAPHY /OEOLOOY son.s VEaETATION WlLDLtFE
~~
~
CLIMATE EXlSTINO DEVELOPMEh"TS tJJ.m OWNERSHIP/STA'lVS EXlS'I1NO RlOHTS-QF-WAY SCENIC QUALITY/RECREATION
Point MacKenlie -
Talkeetna 1.
64 !dlas.Higbestpoint 500'at
Talkeetna to sea level at Pt.
Mi:J'.enzie.Wide rlVtlr valleyj
="~fl:n'~l~.~:;
widGns IlJIdflattens to south.
Poorly dnined,many bop mel.
lakes.
rol.~dmDralii'a
altered by outw..b.floodplain••
lilt."and.gravel,..,amp"and
lakel.Freefrompermafrolt.
Poorly drained flbroWl peat 1011••
other poorly dnined.oll.and
....elldrained.trona1yadd.oll••
I.......In ",..diu'".......ion DOtendal.
==~~~~~and
Moon every..,hen,bl.do;bear.
Curbeare....
TrumpeterSwanh.bltllln
pond.along'SWlltnaValley.
Transitional-Dd.ldoJ'mdwettcT
in southern end of 5eglllmt.
Va~5lIlIl1tOlmSalCl1BtJ'Bns
portatim corridor.Several
reaeatim .rus and ~"""'"""",,.
PriMrily Stat.e"potCIiItial se1~
ectiOlll;indetetidnato·{as of
3 -74)Native Yill.,n of Mmtana
Creek;Caswell,·andJ:nik.=cu~~~c:'
Reeteaticm·ireas:Big LUe,!!Dc:ky
Lake(~Lake),Nancyl.ab!,
WillowCTeelc.~1,Iltolow
scenic qualitY in swth.~1111
tohiaharoundTalb!etna.
421J1iles.Rolling high plateau to
Inorth'bec:aaina:f1atter ,1oweT'Talkeetna -Oold Cnek f'orested hills to south.M!I
v:l..Trouble.ome Creek into 9Jsitna Valley.Hlgh pore:
(2)lU'tUld2000'.
In northempart.....elld"a1ned
thlnllOil"."lronglyadd;deep
permalrOlllllable.Southern pari IBottollll.and 5]l1'UCe-poplar,uplandpoorlYdrainedfibroUilpeal;other~hardwood,lOlf'lmlshl_-
poorly dralned.oil"andweU 111""5'AlpJnetmldra {fl.
dralned"lronglyacldllOib.Slop"
on north:o lZ'.Low to medium
ero"lonl)Otendat.
QariboumightbepreSllllt..bllCk
bear,-.ose.Transitional/-.itabl......Stat.e seleeted land.DmaliStat.e""'..l'araUebNicborap-FairloaDksIIii1DAIYinJddHcticm.
Run.through Denali Stlte Park.
Hlah"eenlcquality.
Talkeetrla •Ookt Cnak
v:l.aAlaskaRIllI'Md (3)I
Well drained,grawlly.strmgly
..eidson,.southomthlTd,poorl:
38 ailes.Hish-point 900'.Vee clrained,fibrous peat and well IBottca1and.spruce_poplar,upland~·1IIOdont.ely narrow-\'alley clrained,s~y add soil.spruce-hardwOod.
floor wideniJlg to the south.:rU::OSim ~~to
Moose,bladt bear~.fur bearers.Tnlnsitiona1•.
TO'IrnaolGold C~k.Curry.Lan...
Chue.and Sherman.MOfII-.re,
a-U cOlllmunldQ.nOt.-J1
-.rvedbyAlultaRlllro.d.
State·.electod land,"bordon on
Denali State Park.I·hJ'a11olsA.R.R.
Parall"I•."UI beunclary oC Denali
:~lalePark.
Poorly drained fibrous peat,
8l11iles.500'elevatil:a.Widel,I ~l:t~he;V~fl:~~l I Botteal.andspruco-poplar.I M:lose,black bo~.fur bearon.I Transitimal.Talkeetna River (4)li'oll1ng \'alley bottoll.M!Iny lakes.Slopo,s <l2t.1I;Ilt to ..u".
erosicmpotential.
--
t.)I I woll .........."""'Y od.~11.
Bottealaud 5p1UCO·pop18:r,upland I~o in lower olova~iDr15 and-:lt~htl~~~;lova-~~~~~=.0"'Dinppo!ntmanlCreak ticm to high plateau with several 1'OCky gmnI.Gravelly soil.=;=~OIf'~,_-=:-po~=:'c:n.~~~:lYI MJuntabl/transi~ma1.
(5)1ncisedcreob.Slopes)In.J..(IIterosil:a
.potential.
4211dles.2200'ollfYJ,tim.Wide Wellclrained"tronglyacid.Bottealand spnICO-poplar,upland
~::~~~mk-slephani e~~~i;it r:;v:llY50US.Slopo,s)In.~=,~.InuSh._-I M:loso.black and grinly bean.,I MJuntain/tnlnIlitiona1.to modil.aerosion potenUal.
.....
_.
_.
State selectedlGd.
.)/3 State selected land,2/3
Hative;·nl~doficilllllq'.
l/3Statesoloctodlllnd.2/3;'IHa~iVCInl~&;ficienc:y.
.....
_.
/b>o'
,MedJ,,,..scenicva)Ull.rolatiwlY
secess!blebyboat •
HlghsCllll1c:qua1ityaroa-rola_
tiwlyinaccassiblo..
Scm:!roc:roatiarialuse oflUo5in
=~l!~~~:C:=:ibl~t;
floatplario.
DovilCanyon-Oold
Creek (7)
14adles.1500'olevationabove
dmaite.NarTow c:s:nym:lnc:isotl
in plateau lIidens as platellU
dJangostoro1linghillstowst.
Well dralnod,strongly acid,
gravelly soU,.Slopes)In.
1Dlf to mediun orosiDll potential.
Uplllnd !ipnICO-hardfpod.MSoso,blKk lieu.
Transitional.
_.
1/2statosolectiOlll,"1/2Natiw
rogil;Ql)doficianc:y.
_.'~~r5~~~J:~:::~~
bUity.
13 Dd.les.2200'elew.tion Hish-I Woll drained,strongly acid,I Upland5pIUCe-bardwood.inriver I Moose black andgrin1ybear
Dev:l.l Canyon -Stephan Iplateau lIith deeply incised creob gravelly soils.Slopos),121.and stnllllll valleys,101f'bnt5h and fur ~arors.•
Lake (8)and rivers.1Dlf to modiPII orosion potential.bog/1lI5kos an plateaus.
=nSd~~'~=rhm~dIUp1and5]l1'UCe_hardwoodinriVCIrI /lbOs~,blackand Z:r.1ybear,17 milos.2200'elovatlOll.Flat and poorly :::.rn:soU,with IIi1d creeb,InuSh end bog and 1IlI!I-fur bearers c:ari~.
Stophan Lake -W.lana Iplateau bounded by hills to north I'ShallOW to deep permafrost tablo.keg l:a plateau.'
(9)and south,incised rlvor IIlId croob (lTavoUy soUs.Slopes <12t.
/lkIdiPII erosiDll potential.
M:u1tain/tnlllSitional.
_taln.
_.~~~='::i=r-r:-
Resorvoir.·-
NatiVOregionaldefiq.'enq-,~rl:'
sitowi1:hdrawa1..forDanaIiCanyoil ,.
Resonoir.' , ..
_.
_.
·Hlahs~cquaiity-limitad.
ac.cossibility.
Reen:l'ltional 1.150 of Fog Lakes
1Il'e1l.HigbsCllll1cqualitY-
BCCt!uibloby float pllllUl.
SUSITNA INVENTORY
'",C.'i,<.".
~~
~
Iobose present',especiallY'in 100000rl....'Il.tain/tl'llll51tiOll.Stmnit weath-I".vera!small earrnun1ties alongvalleys,black bear on forested or:lIllIlUa1 temperature 25.9 P.,transportation lines.FAA strips
areas.IIrtIIUlo.lIreclpitatiat 21.85".at SUmdt and Cantwell.Southernpartbofl1ersOenaliStatePark.
QI slopes >12t:Well drained thin
\
stronglyacidSOilSwitltdeepper-1 !CaribouconcentratiOns,1IlOO50in'hila.3300'atD8admanPass.mafrosttllble"gtavo.llY•..Q1slopeSUplandspruce-hardwood,lowland .10Wllrvalloysandplateaus,Da.ll
Series,of lIIOderate1y wide valleys .<:12':Poorly drained loamy soils spruce-hardwood,low brush -IIIlSkeg sheep in high areas,black bear on
joinedbygentlepasses,culminat-witltsurfacepeatand'shallowpor-bog.Alpine tundra._forested areas.'ingmwide.valleyofBrusllkana mafrosttable'-~UIlterosionpo-"
Creek and Nenana River.tential.
High sc::enic <jualityalongllKlSt of
Ithis route,southern part borders~tate selected land,Native.villligel<Anchorag".f1airbMb Highway Alaska Denali State Park.Mlljor views to
Withdrawal,area within J+Olol Zono.'Railroad.'l/lIst and nOTtll of.transportation
.corridor ofAlaskil ltange.
Gold C....ek ~Cantwell
(0)
Watana-Wella Credtvl
BruehkanaC....ek (11)
'TOPOGRAPHY/OEOLOOY
48mllea;','2400'elevation.Wide
valley with moderately tnclaed
riven In~outh.becoming very
wide depzoeul?n In Broad Pau.
tr'!veUng!:'lE.with roiling valley
bottom'.
SOILS
:t~~rs:~~;,,~~r:g~~~d~r~baf*~~~e~at
BotbsoilsgravellywtthmedilaJl
erosion potential.Slopes <12'.
VEGETATION
~~:e~J:a~~,r:l:~~:
bog/nuskeg.
WILDLIFE
I
CLIMATE
IotllDlta;"I.
EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS
""',.
LAND OWNERSHIP/STATUS
U-l.withdmwal,northllm part with
in !+OM Zone.
EXISTING RIOHTS-OF·WAY
_.
I
SCENIC QUALITY/RECREATION
MediUlll scenic quality but"biaeces-
dbl".
Wen.Creek -Cantwell
(!2)
Welldrained,thin,stronglyacid
22 miles.,2500'elevation.Valley soils with deep pernafrost tllble
et Wells Creekwideils to west,with in conjunction with poorly drained
flatbottOlltboundbyllXlUlltainsto soils with surface peat and shallow
north and south.pOIllIlIfrosttllble.Mlid.1U1l1erosion
potential.Gravellysoils.·S1opes
<121.'..
Lowlandspruco-haJ'dwood.
I
Cariboucontentrations,~epre
sent,Dallshellpinhighareas,
blaa:bear in forested area.
Ioknmtain.Denali l-lighway,soma settlement
along highway.
Native Village wi'thdrawal,stat~
selee::ted land,within M«:m Zone.l.IenaliHighway.itighscenf.Cq~lity,goodviewsto
!'llSides.
I
39 mUM.2200.'at Cantwell.Wide
J
valley 1II1l'1'CIW5 ~o north to series ,Well drained nonacid brown graVel
l:!f tigh.t canyons separated by wide soils in conjunction with poorly
valley of Yamllrt Fork.Northof drainedloamysoilwithsurface
eE:~~a~tr~~~~~*s~~~~~E:~~
Windy.'.
t:aribouCOlltentrationssouthof I=t~ha~~~=nrt~1~:l~~~=~S~f~~
.canyons,1IlOO50 present in IIIOl'll towers.McKinley weather'annual River.Flight strips ofYanert I'.tate selected land and ~lcKinley IAndiorage.Fairbanks fiJ.gbway Alasks
open parts of CMyons.Dall sheep teInporature 27.1 F.,annual precip.and McKinley Village and Healy National Park,within J.M:FM Zone.Railroad.'
inhighareas,blatkbearpresent.itation14.5Cl".(FMat McK1nley).
I\.,)
Cantw.,U-H~aly (13)
W"llaCl'e"k-Dean
Creek (14)
2611t11es.4,000'at 1'10115 Pass.
!'lido valley narrowing to the north
to pass with Louis Creek,a high
saddlo."'Abrupt dt'ql into Louis
Creek;down to'Yanort Fork and
extrtt=lOly1fido aggrading dtannel.
Thinsoilsandrock,verystellp
~T~<;,LevelareaspoorlY
'Uplmldspruce-hardwood,lowland
spruce·hardwood,alpinetundra,
sane low brush -bog/lIIlSkeg.
Lwlandspruco-hardwood,upland 1t:aribouconc:entrations,I!XlOse in
$pruce-hardwood,lowbrush-JllUSkeg!lower elevations Ilall sheep in
bog,andalpinetlllldra.Highbrus h.ighareas,bl~bearin.forested
in Yanert Valley.area,~inlY hear in bigbor areas.
"buntain.'Nono.D'landStateselectedland,Wells
Creek within !+OM Zone.'
_.
High acenle quality.Imp ....utve
canyona Interaperaedwlth open
areaa,o(moredlatantvlewa.,Oood
poaalbllltyo(vlewlngwlldlife.
High touzol.st Irafftc along thla
majozo tzoanaportatlon corridor.
Higb seenic quality but inalXes-
sible.
24ndles;·2700"at~Pass.
North.up'wideVIIlleyandoverwido
Dean Creek -Healy OS)I=~sin~toW~~lr~ca:rn.;a1
Thin roc::ky soils and rock.stellp
slopesOJlupporparts.Stellp
gravelly,poorly drained soils with
variablepeIlllBfrosttahlein,con-
junction witlt-steep gravelly well
drained gray soils;shallow'bed-
roc::k.'bderate orosion potential.
Lowlandspruce-hardwood,upland
spruce-hardwood,lowbrush-llUS_
klIg/bog(inpassareaJ,aIpine
tundra (ridges along lawerM:lody
Crook).
CaribouconcentratiOllS,lJI)QSoin
~~ra~:s~t~~kg:;~in~re~ted
areas,grhzlybearinhighor
areas..
Iobuntain.NoneinlllOUlitains;UsibelliCoalHinesatHealy.State selected land~""',.1obditmlsceniCqualitybutinacces_
sible.
Healy to Ester (16)
97 miles.i41J0'at Healy.,350'atltlOalY.Nenana.:-Well-drained brown
Nenana,1500'inGoldstr.;am·Hills.gravelsoilsandpoorlydrained
Wide,terraced valley of Nenana 1011lllS with surface peat,shallow
flows north tomcrge with Tanana .peIlllBfrost tablo.Nenana-Ilstor:
flood plain.OVer Tanana River wtI11-draincd brom loams with,l:ti~f~~'a~K,;r;.ro~~~~i~llS ~=swi~f~ra:d~~l~:~~ed
clay and silt atM:lody.pennafrosttable.Medillllltohigh
Bottomlandsp1'Ul:e-poplar,upland
spruce-hardwood,lowland$pruce-
hardwood,lowbrush-lIIlSkeg/bog,
levtll areas tend to bogs,north
slopes are lowland spruco-hard-
wood,sunnyslopesareupland
spruce-hardwood_
Caribou concentrations on wesl
bank of Nenan.between Hesly and
aouthofClearAFB.mooaealong
whole route.bl.ck bear In fo....sted
areas.TrumpeterSw.nhabltat
along ponds of Tanana V.ney.
Small canmmitios dong transPO~-I'PrimariIYSt,,:te-selected land with
tion linos.Several flight strips.aomeexlatingFederalwlthdrawalsIntorior.Healy lie.ather:annUllI!FM station at Nenana.Townof andNativevlllsgewlthdrawala.teJrporature 26.4°F.,annual pre-Nenana,Clear Military Reservation.cipltlltionll.34"
Andlorage-Fairbanb Highway,AlllSkal~r~~~~~:a~ms~ear:~~y~
Railroad,GVEA 138 ky.line.~eem~~l*c~~f=~-
!ogicalSite(Nationalllegister).
Dean Creek to Estel'
(WoodP.iver)(l?)
110 miles 4300'at Dean-Wood pa"l Upper Wood River'Thin rocky SO~ISI.iuPine tundra,high brush,low-I~:~~~v:o;,C~:-:~I;~:al:n~r:~~er~9:~I~~~s~a~vall~r,~";:~ad~~e:~ri.:r~~a~r~~e ~~a:':~~~i~~~ra,:~::;t1:~~~:::::::fb~;~::w~~1
.
8 u-shaped glader valley with ag-shalllW'permarrost tsble.GenUe Wood River is area of inter~rSed River.black and grizzly bear~:t::'T~~~w;~~rn,~~:::Id ::1~5e.w~~d~a~:;I~:,own ~~~~o~;:ta~tt~.~ra"::~t~n:sr~~~:::'~~:~I;;~ltatflatandpoorlydrained.eroalonpolenUal.
Mountain and Interior.Blair Lake Military Reservation.
PrilnttrilyStatoseJected land.Nati~villqedof1ci(llltyllrtd
existing Federal vitltdrait-als.
""',.Sc::enic quality ranges fran high
tOmeditanbutinac:cessible.
NENANA INVENTORY
TOPOGRAP.HY /GEOLoGY.
DELTA~MATANUSKA~
~
EXISTING'DEVELOPMENTS LAND OWNERSHIP/STATUS EXISTING RIGHTS-OF-WAY SCENIC QUALITY/RECREATION
l\,)....
l\,)
WatanatoPaxsonVia
Butte Creek (I8)
Paxson to Fairbanks
(9)
Wiltana to Slide Mtn.
via Vee (20)
98miles.,4000"nearRockCreek.
Varies from wide,flat,open:ter~
rain to rolling,post-glacial
terrain.Valleyfl~are
usually wide .andflat,poorly
dra~.,~ylakes,kett1es,
~morain.tUridges.easttoMac
larenRiver.,This upland area
contains ·altiplanation terraces
and is underlain with discon-
tinuouspenmfrost.
152 miles~'2700'"at PaXson,3QOO'
at Isabel Pass.'Rolling hills at
Paxson ,lead to high flat pass and
north,to U-shapelobtmtain'Valley
near Rainbow Ridge-Blaclc Rapids
area.Rolling hills near Don-
ne:uy Dome decrease to flat land
by Sielson Am.
90 mi~es.3,OOQ'elev:ation atplateau
at head of Little Nelchina River.
Generally flat and rolling terrain;
a high plateau extending from Susitn
River to Lake Louise area.Numeros
lakes and bogs.'"
Low,areas':poorly'drained soils
with surface peat and shallqw
perma:fI\?st table.Textures
range~gravelly to fine.
Slopes:"Well-drained,thin,
strongly acid soils;deep
pennafr.ost table.M::dium to
11igh erosion potential.
Low areas:Poorly drained soils with
surface peat and shallow permafrost
table.Slopes:Well drained soils:
some containing lenses qf fines.Shal'
low to deep permafrost table"if any,
Medium erosion potentiaL Rocky soil
and bedrock in Delta Canyon area.
Thixotropic silts just north of Sum-
111itLake.Permafrost continuous from
Shaw Creek to Tanana·Ri.ver ~
Low:areas:,Poorly drained soils
with peaty sutface;shallow per-
mafrost table•.Mediumerosioil
potential.Uplailds:Well
drained thin soils with dark
acid surface;deep permafrost
table.Gravelly texture.Med-
ium erosion potential.Perma-
frost is continuous oil this
I Wf~~=.;~~-rich area
Lowland spruce-haTdwood;upland
spruc:e-haTdwood,'low brush .bog
and 1ll1Skeg'nnist tundra.
Full range of 'Vegetative.types
frombottomland.sproce1X'Plar
to alpine tundra.
Upland spruce-hardwood;low
brosh bog and IlIJSkeg;moist
tundra.
Nelchina caribou herd (presently
about 4000-5000),moose present in
moderately high numbers ,black and
grizzly bears.wolves present.
Trumpeter Swan habitat along ponds
of Tanana Valley.Big Del,ta bison
herd fall range (200 animals),Dall
sheep common on Alaska,Range.black
and grizzly bears,good duck habitat
in sloughs and oxbows of Chena and
Salcha Rivers and morainal ponds of
Donnelly Dome.Peregrine falcon
habitat,particularly near Salcha R.
Nelchina caribou herd,IOOOse in
moderately high nunbers,black
and grizzly bears,wolves present.'
lobtmtain.
Interior.
Pobuntain/interior.
None.·Low to no potential for
comnercial foresting andagri-
culture due to soils.
NOne.Lowtonopotentialfor
carmercial forestry'or agricul-
<ureduetosoils.
State selections,Native regional
deficiency withdrawals,and D-1
withdrawals.Denail Damsite with-
drawal.Area around Denali
Damsite is within 'MMcPMZ,
Native regional deficiency and
state selections.Watana and Vee
powersite withd-rawa1s.
Donali Highway.
RichardsonHighway,Alyeska
Pipeline.
None.
Tangle Lakes Archeological Dis-
trict (National Register).Denali
Carit'ground.Tangle River Boat
Launch.Highscenic,quality-
easily accessible with good views
to north of Mt.Hayes section of
Alaska Range,ClearWater and
Amphitheater M:ltm:tains.
Proposed Historical Sites:Rapids
Ibnting Lodge,Mile 220;Big Delta
Roadhouse,Mile 252.Cleatwater,
Donnelly,Fielding Lake.Wayside
Parks.Delta eanq,grotmd,proposed
Delta Wild River.Excellentviews
of Alaska Range £ran Big Delta
south.Easily accessible.
To east is Lake Louise recreational
land complex.High scenic quality
-,land of'lakes and ponds.,Access-
ible by dirt'road from Glenn High-
o Way to Lake Louise or by float
I:plane.
Paxson to Slide Mtn.
viaG:i.ennallen(21)
119ndles;,2700'at Paxson.
Rolling.hills and flat,plateaus,
cut by,incised streams•.Poorly
drained,having IIlIJlY~akes and
bogs.
r.iljor portion of route:Poorly
drained,fine grain soils with
surface peat;shallow permfrost
table.Medium erosion potential.
Uplandarea:s:Well drained,
thin,strongly acid soils with
deep pennafrost table.,Penna-
frost is'continuous in this
area.
Lowland,spruce-hardwood,low brosh
bog and JmJSkeg.
Nelchina ca~bou and 'very high
moose concentrations on Gulkana
drainage.black and grizzly bears,
wolves present,good duck habitat
al0,ng Glilkana from Summit and
Paxson Lakes.Thaw ~akes;,Gulkan
iS,most important fishery in Copper
River system.Paxson and Summit
Lakes are important fish lakes.
Interior.
Towns of GlennalI,en;Gulkana.
settlement along highway.Recrea-
tional development north of Glenn
Highway.This area has low
potential for commercial forestry
and agriculture due to soils.
State selections and Utility
Corridor.Native village with-
.,drawls of Gulkana,Gakona,
Tazlina and Copper Center.
Sourdough Lodge (National Register)
Proposed historical sites of M:~
CTeary's;~adhouse,Milel04;
Gakona Roadhouse,Mile 132;Pax-
?in~~~.AlyeSka Pipe~I~~:~~~1i~~~~e
louise Waysides.Proposed Paxson
Lake·RecreationAreaandliUlkana
Wild River•.High to medium
scenic quality;
Slide Mts.to Point
MacKenzie (22)
1138 miles.3000'at Tahneta Pass.
Wide pass 'approached from east be-
COO'les.:Il8ITOWva1leytowest'of
pass.Incised river and low
:ridges occupy valley bounded by
mjor·mountain ranges,on north
lfpcl south.Valley debouches on-
to Matanuslca-Knikflood plain,
toPt.McXenzie,routecrosses
many lakes on flat flood plains
and poorly drained uplandS.
Matanuska Yalley:.Well drairled
loamy or gravelly gTay.soils and Istronglyacidsoils.Medium to ~sproce-ha>'dWOd,low brush I·!>bose preSent,bl'ack.8;J1d'grizzly~~~~··==~i~.h~~~~t~~~P=~I~=ia~~sheep rm·surrounding~t,w1neI'ilble t.o frost heaving,agricultural land.
and well drained acid soils.Low
to mediun erosion·potential.
/·Transition/motmtain.
ConsiderabJe developnent in Ma'ta-
nuska Valley•.Coal deposits near
Sutton.FanninginlowervaIley,
recreation use along Knil<:Ann.
Stateselectionspr~IY •.sane
Native regionaldeficieJlcyand
D-llands.·Nativevillagewith-
drawals.of Chickaloon,Eklutna
and Knik.
Glenn Highway j Alaska Railroad.
various minor roads.
KnikArcheologica1Site-
Independence Mines,near Palmer
(National Register).Big Lake!
Rocky Lake waysides.O1ugach
state Park to south.Matanuslca
Valley is high scenic quality
area.Several scenic overlooks
along highway.Highly vivid
landscape.
DELTA/MATANUSKA INVENTORY
ENVIRONhtfENTALASSESSM'ENTOFCORRIDORSTheproposedcorridorisacornbinationofthecorridors·Susitna';;'landNenana-I,andisMultimodalCorridor#29oftheBL~1studyofl\1ultimodalTransportationandUtilityCorridorsInAlaska.Thecommonfeatureofbothis'theirparallelingoftheexistingAlaskaRailroadcorridor.TheNenan~"'lcorridoristheshortestandtbosteconomicalcorridorconnectingDevilCanyon<toEster,andis198mileslong.The136-milelongSusitna-1corridorisonlysevenmileslongerthantheshortestcor1:"idorconnectingDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzie,Susitna-3,butsinceitadheres'moreclosEHytotheexistingcorridors..isthemosteconomicaland,atthesametime,leastenvironmentally'detrimentalcorridor.Susitna-1FromPointMacKenzietheSusitna-1cor.ridortravelsnorthalbngtheeastflankoftheSusitnaValley,anextremelywideand:pc>0rlydrainedplain.Heavyforestsofbottomlandspruceandpoplar,interspersedwithmuskegandblackspru<:e..aretypical.The$oilstendtobedeep,ve~ypoorlydrainedpeatsin.conjunction1,vithwell-drainedg!avelsandloams.Thewell-drainedsoilsoccupymorethanhalfofthelowerSusitnaValley;totheeastalongt~e'..terraceflanking.the.floodplain,theratio.ofwelltopoorlydrainedsoilsishigher.AlthoughpermafrostisalmostabsentinthislowerpartoftheSusitnaValley..thepoorlydrainedareas~lCesubjecttofreezi.ngandhei3,vinginwinter,.AproposedChugachElectricAssociation23,QkvtransmissionlinewoV.ldinter-secttheSusitna-lcorridorjust'northofPointMacKenzie.This.linej',',',-.•...-"-'.,-.-',"','-''..."',.'.,.-:.',-''i.willbeinitiallyope.rateda.t115kv,andwilleventuallyconne<;:tthegasturbinegenerationsiteatBelugawiththeCEAsystembyfollowingthenorthsoreofKnickAl"mandconnectingsouthtoAnchorage.Asizeableconcentrationofmoo$eJnhabitthelowerSusitnaRiverValley..andthevalleyalsosupportsamoderatedensityofwate!fow'l.Bothbrownandblackbeararepresent.AstheSusitna-1corridorapproachesthe.NancyLakearea,itmeetsandcrossestheAlaskaRailroadandtheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway,bothofwhichrunnorthwesttosoutheast.ContinuingnorthandtotheeastofthehighwayIrailroad¢orridor,theSusitna-1cortidorcrossesseveralmajortributariesoftheSusitnaRiverwhichoriginate.intheTalkeetnaMountains.TheseareWillowCreek,SheepCreek,andmoreimportantly,theKashwitnaRiver.Inthisareatheterrainhasbecomemorerolling..andtherelativeproportionofwelldrainedsoilssupportingthickpoplar-spruceforestisconsiderablygreaterthantothesouth.213
ThetownofTalkeetnaisthefirstsizeablecommunitytobeapproachedbythecorridor.Talkeetnaisasmalltown,originallyastopontheAlaskaRailroad.Recreationplaysastrongroleinthetown'seconomysinceseveralcharterflying.·servicesprovideaccess.totheAlaskaRangeandtheTalkeetnaMpuntains.TalkeetnaisattheconfluenceoftheSusitna,Chulitna,andTalkeetnaRivers;thecorridorcrossesc:mlytheJalkeetnaRiveratthispoint.Therollingterrainencounteredtothesouthis.morepronounced·here,.andthe.valleyoftheSusitrlaRivernarrows,.~onsiderablyaboveTalkeetna.The.highwayturnswestaboutISmilessouthofTalkeetna;~erailroadcontinuesnorthovertheTalkeetnaRiverandfollowstherivernorthtoGoldCreek.ThewestbankoftheriveristheeasternboundaryofDenaliStatePark.AtGoldCreektheSusitmiRiverflowsdownfromtheeast;therailroadcontinue~northtoChulitnaandaneventualre-convergencewitht4ehighway.The,Susitna-lcorridorfollowstheriveralongtheincreas-inglyrestrictedvalleytotheDevilCanyonpowersite.Al0!lgthevalleyfloorand\'Oalls,areforestsofspruceandhardwoodsbased'onrelativelywelldrainedsoils.Theuplandsabovethevalleysupportsparserforests,andincreasirigamountsofpermafrostsoilsare"encountered.TheSusitna-lcorridortraversesmooseconcentrationsforitsentirelength;waterfowldensitydropsfrom1l10deratetolownorth'oftheTalkeetnaRiver.TheNenana-lcorridorretracespartoftheSusiina-lcorridortoGoldCreek,butleadsnorthtoChulitna,parallelingtherailroad,andeventu-allythehighway,also.Pa~tChulitnathecorridorlies'withinthewatersh:edofth-e'Chulifi:laRiveruntilBroad.Passiscrossed.TheChulitnaValleyisrelativ~lywide'witharollingfloor,andincisedriversandstreams.'Thevalleyleadsuptothenortheast,andthelowrollmghillsonthefloorandflanksreflectthiso::Hentation.ThesoilsherearepoorlydrainedClays'3l0ngtheriverbottoms,andwelldrainedbutthinsoils.Permafrost,whenpi~esentiisrelativelydeep.TheforestsherearesparsearidbecoinerrJoresoastheheadofthepassisapproached;generallyuplandspruce-hardwood,theyareinterspersedwithbogsandnmskegsiIipoorlydrained.areas.SOlLemooseconcentra-tionsaretraversed;Dallsheepinhabitthesurroundinguplandareas.TothenorthofBroadPasstheNenana-lccrridorlieswithintheNenanawatershed,·droppingfromamaximumelevationof2,400feetatSummit.214
BroadPass,drainedbya:tributaryoftheNenana,alsomaintainsthegeneralcharacterofthepassuntilCantwell.atwhich.pointtheNenana....1corridorconvergestotheNenanaRiver.Acrossingisnecessary,asthewestbankoftheNenananorthofCantwell'istheboundaryoftheMou,ntMcKinleyNationalPark.FollowingtheeastbankoftheNenanathecorridot:piercestheAlaska'Range,emergingatHealy.ThevalleyoftheNenanabecomesconstrictedinitspassagethroughthe,.AlaskaRange;intwostretchesitisparticularlyrestdcted.TheentranceoftheNenanaRiverimmediatelynorthofCantwellisa~ghtvaUeyhemmedinbyloose,shaleytaltlsconesfor10or15miles'.Downstream,awidevalleyattheconfluenceofYanertForkseparatesthisuppercanyonfromacanyonfurtherdownriverbytheMcKinleyParkHeadquarters.Thislowercanyonisevenmorerestrictedthantheuppercanyon;thehighwayisforceddownnexttotheriver,andbluffsandunstableslopesflankbothsides.Aproposed25kvdistributionlineisplannedtoconnecttheMcKinleyParkHeadquarterswiththeGoldenValleyElectricAssociation.Thislinewouldbeacombinationofwood-poleoverheadline'andburiedcable,andwouldconnecttoHealy.Thevegetationinthe'canyonsvaries.fromtiplandspruce-hardwoodtoalpinetundra;soilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedriverbottomstounstabletalus..Somelocalizedmooseconcentrationsarecrossed,particularlyi1'\theYanertForkconfluence;intherestrictedcanyonsDallsheephabitatisencountered.HeadingnorthwardoutoftheAlaskaRange,theNenana-lcorridordebouchesontotheplainsaroundHealy.TheNenanaRiverisstronglyincisedfromHealy,northwardforabout20miles,andterracesareprominentalongbothbanks.Thesoilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedsoilsontheterraceflatsandriverbottomtowelldrainedsoilsontheslopes;Theseconditionsarereflectedinthevegetation,whichtendstobeblackspruceandmuskegonthebottonilandsandflats,andspruce-hardwoodsontheslopes.Coalisexposedon'slopesontheeastbanksoftheNenanaRiver.TheUsibelliMiningCompanyatHealyprovidesfuelfortheGoldenValleyElectricAssociationsteamplant,whichisthesouthernterminusofa138-kvtransmissionlinetoEster.TheNenana-lcorridorparallelstheAlaskaRailroadandAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.ScenicqualitynorthofHealyismoderatetolow;theterrainisflat,blanketedwithafairlyuniformmosaicofspruce-hardwoodsandmuskeg.215
AstheTananaRiv~risapproached,thelandbecomesflatterandtheforestdensityheavier;theNenanadividesintomanybranchesandsloughsnearitsmouth.Theentir.estretch.ofcorridorfromHealytoNenanatraverses·goodmoosehabitat;overthewestbankoftheNenanaRiverliesaconsiderablecaribouwinterrange.Despitethelargenumbersofmuskegandponds,particula.rlytowardNenana,thisstretchisalow-densitywaterfowlha.bitat.ThecorridorcrossestheTananaRiver,amajortributaryoftheYukonRiver,andascendsthehillsimmediatelytothenorth.Thesehillsvarybetween1,400and1,800feetinelevation,andareorientedinalongridgeflankingthenorthbankoftheTananaRiver.Thefinegrainsoil,iseasilyerodedandisunderla.inbypermaf:t:0statvaryingdepths.Thesoiliswelldrainedonslopesandpoorlydrain.edoncreekbottoms,ands~pportsan10deratelydenseforestofuplandandlowlandspruce-hardwoodSmall~oncentrationsofmoosehabitatarecrossedbythecorridor.Noothermajorwildlifehabitatsexistinthisstretch.Historically,goldminingwasextensivehere,usuallyintheformofdredging.Thecreekbottomsareoftenpatternedwithdepositedtailingsfrompreviousworkages.TheendpointofEsterreflectspreviousdredgingactivity;considerablespoilsoccupymC?ststream·bottoms.EsterisanoutlyingcommunityofFairbanks,andthelocationoftheGoldHillsubstation,theassumedterminusoftheNenana-1corridor.AlternativeSusitna-2ThisalternativeispartoftheELMMultimodalCorridor#29.AlternativecorridorSusitna-2is140mileslong,4mileslongerthanSusitna-'-1.ItdiffersfromSusitna-1inthatfromTalkeetnaitcrossestheSusitnaRiver,heads,northintoDenaliStatePark,thennorthwesteverTroublesomeCreekandontoGoldCreekwhereitrejoinsSusitna-1.Thisalternatesegmentis42mileslong.InitssouthernparttheenvironmentalsettingissimilartotheGoldCreek-TalkeetnasegmentofSusitna:"2;however,itcrossessomelow,rollingmountains,reachingacrestof2,000feetelevationbeforedroppingbacktotheSusitnaValley.AlpineandmoisttundraecosystemswillbecrossedinadditiontothoseecosystemscrossedonSusitna-1;however,thesearelimitedinextent.216
AlternativeSusitna-3AlternativecorridorSusitna-3is129roileslong,7milesshorterthanSusitna-I.ItisbasicallyamoredirectcorridorfromTalkeetnatoDevilCanyon,bypassingtheAlaskaRailroadbetweenTalkeetnaandGold1Creek.Thelengthofthealternatesegmentis451ililes;thelengthofthecorrespondingsegmentinSusitna-lis52m~les.HeadinguptheTalkeetnaRiveritcrossesandheadsnorthupandoveraplateauofalmost4.000feetelevation.Tntheprocess,itcrossesabout25milesofmoisttundrainadditionto20milesofuplandspruce-hardwood.AlternativeSusitna-4AlternativecorridorSusitna-4is147mileslong,11mileslongerthanSusitna-l.AswiththeotheralternativeSusitnacorridor~.itdeviatesfromTalkeetna.headinguptheTalkeetnaRiverandPrairieCreektoStephenLake,thenheadingwesttoDevilCanyondart1site.Thissegmentis63milesversusadistanceof52for·thecomparablesegmentofSusitna-1.ThiscorridorwillrequireatleastonecrossingoftheTalkeetna'Rivet";ittraversestheuplandspruce-hardwoodecosystemformostofitslength.andafewtriilesof'inoisttundra.Themajorsoilforthissegmentisawelldrainedgravel.Permafrostcanbee>...-pectedinthehigher.elevations.Thecrestofthissego1entisatStephenLake,anelevationof2,200feet.AlternativeNenana-2AlternativecorridorNenana-2is220mileslong,22mileslongerthanNenana-I.ThisalternativedepartsNenana-olatCantwell,headseasttoWellsCreek,northtoDeanCreekandthe,·',ToodRiver,andfollowstheWoodRivernorthtoEstel".Thissegmentis158niiles.FromCantwellthecorridorparallelstheDenaliHighway,thencrossestheNenanaRiverinthevicinityoftheconfluenceofWellsCreek.WellsCreekvalleyprogressivelynarrowsand'steepensasitsheadisapproached,culmirl:atingina:3,900footpassintoLouisCreekwhichdrainsintoYanertFort.FromYanertForkthecorridorleadsupandovertheDeanCreek-WoodRiverpassat4,000feetandfollowstheWoodRiverValleyouttotheTananaRiverValley.Awidevarietyofecosystemsistraversed,fromalpinetundratobogandmuskeg.Permafrostcanbeassumedtobeprevalent;soilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedpeatstorock.For25to30milesthecorridorrunsadjacenttoorthroughtheBlairLakeAirForceRange.Habitatofmoose,caribouandDallsheeparetraversed.FromtheProjecttoCantwell,thisalternativeispartoftheBLMMultimodalCorridor#29.217
AlternativeNenana-3Alternative-corridorNenena~3is231mileslong,33mileslongerth,anNenana..,1.ItisidenticaltoNenana-luptoCantwell;.fromCantwellitloopseastandnorththroughtheAlaskaRange,rejoiningNenana-latHealy.Thissegmentis72mile~.Thecomparabl~segmentofNepana-Iis39miles.FromCaJ:ltw~l1thecorridorheadseast~longtheNenanaRiverandDenaliHighway,thencenorth,uptheWellsCreekvalley,overthepass(3,900feet)toLouisCreekandYanertFork.FromYanertForkthecorridorgoesoveranotherpass(2,900feet)toMoodyCreekand.followsthis;creektoHealyandNenana-I.Theterrainvariesfromrolling,hillsand,valleystohighpasses~d,.sharpridges.S,oilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedpqttomlandtoe~osedbedrock;permafrostisprevalent.Ecosystems'crossedaremois;tt,undra,alpinetundra,uplandspruce-hardwood,and,muskegandbog.Habitatsofmoose,caribou',andpallsheeparetraversed.Exceptfor2~milesparallelingtheDenaliH:ighway,nootherrights-of-wayareparalleled.,FromGoldCr.eektoCantwell,thiscorridoris;part,qfBLMMultimodalCorridor#29.AlternativeNenana-4AlternativecorridorNenana-4is223mileslong,25~ileslongerthan,Nenana-I.FromDevilCanyonitleadseastandnorth,eventually-tyingintoNenana-:1atHealy.Thelengthofthissegmentis126miles;thelengthofthecomparablesegmentofNenana-Iis101miles.ThecorridorleavesDevilCanyon,headingeasttoWatanaDamsite,andthennorthupDeadmanCreekandBrushkanaCreek'toWellsCreek.FromWellsCreekitheadsupoverthepass(3,900feet)toLouisCreekandYanertFork,overanotherpass(2,900feet)toMoodyCreek,whichitf()llowstoHealy.Theterrainvariesfromrolling1:lillsandvalleysJohighpassesandsharpridges.Soilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedbottomlandtoexposedbedrock;permafrostcanbeassumedtobeprevalent.Ecosystemstra-versedaremoisttundra,alpinetundra,muskegaJl,dbog,ariduplandspruce-hardwood.Habitats·ofmoose,caribou,andDallsheeparec;:rossed.Thereisnoparallelingofexistingcorridors..,AlternativeNenana-5AlternativecorridorNenana-Sis212mileslong,14mileslongerthanNenana-I.ItistotallyseparatefromNenana-I,beingaparallelcorridor218
totheeastofthepreferredcorridor.Noexistingrights-of-wayorcorridorsareutilizedorparalleled.FromDevilCanyon,thecorridorleadseasttoWatana,thencenorthupDeadmanCreekanddownBrushkanaCreektoWellsCreek.ClimbingovertheWellsCreekpass(3,900feet),itdropsintoYanertForkandcontinuesonup:Deari'Cre'ek.Th.ecorridorcrossestheDeanCreek-WoodRiverpass(4,000feet)andtravelsnorthalongtheWoodRivertoEster.Thecorridor'crossesterrainvaryingfromtheflatTananaRivervalleytohighmountainpasses'suchasWellsPass.SoilsvaryfrompoorlydrainedmaterialontheTananafloodplaintobarerockandtalusintheAlaskaRange.Permafrostisprevalent.Ecosystemscrossedarealpinetundra,moisttundra~uplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce~~ardwood,andbogandmuskeg.SignificantamountsofDallsheep,moose,andcaribouwinterrangeareencountered.AlternativeMatanuska-lAlternativecorridorMatanuska-1differsradicallyfromSusitna-linthatitloopstotheeastandsouth,andapproachesPointMacKenziefromtheeast.Itstotallengthis258miles,122mileslongerthan'Stisitna-1.Aconsiderableportion,125miles,parallelstheGlennHighway'corridorandothersecondaryroadandexistingorplannedtransmissioncorridors.FromDevilCanyonthecorridorheadseast·toWatana::a:ndVeedanlsites,thentravelssoutheastoverasparselyforested,poorlydraiIledplatea.utotheheadoftheLittleNelChinaRiver.Predominantlyrollinghills,theterrainisfairly'openandgentle.ThecorridorpassesjusttothewestofSlideMountain,whereitturnswesttoparalleltheGlennHighway.Onc:eovertheTahnetaPassandintotheMatanuskadrainage,thecorridorleadswestthroughasharplydefi~edvalleyflooredwithrolling'hillsanddrainedbyastronglyincisedriver.Continuingwest,thecorridorencounterstheflatlandat'themouthoftheMatanuskaValleyandthediminutivefarmingareaofthelowervalley.ContinuingsouthwestalongthenorthernshoreofCookInletittraversesconsiderableforestsandmuskegsonthe'flatlandsnorthofPointMacKenzie.Thesoilsencounteredvaryfromthepoorlydrained,finegrainmaterialsneartheLittleNelchinatogroundmoraineandgravelintheUpperMatanuskaValley,welldrainedgrayloamintheLowerMatanuska:Valley,andpoorlydt'ainedpeatintheflatlandnortofPointMacKenzie.PermafrostiscontinuousfromVeedamsitetoTahnetaPass,discontinuousintheupperMatanuskaValley,andsporadicinthelowervalleytoPointMacKenzie.219
Thecorridor,encounterstheuplandspruce-hal'dwoodecosystemsalongtheSusitnaRivertoVeedamsite,andmoisttundratotheLittleNelchina,anduplandspruce-hardwoodtothelowervalley.FromthelowervalleytoPointMacKenzie,bottomland~pruce-poplar,farmland,andbog-muskegareencountered.'ThesectionfromDevilCanyontotheheadoftheLittleNelchinaRiverrunsbetweenmajorcariboucalvingandwinteringranges.TheNelchinaherdnumberedover61,000inthelate19601s,presentlyithasbeNleen4,000and5;000animals.Somewinteringrangeis,crossedalongtheLittleNelchinatotheGlennHighwayandTahnetaPass.'SomeDallsheephabitatexistsintheTahnetaPass;mooseconcentrationsareencounteredinthePointMacKenziearea.FromtheProjecttoGlennHighway,thisalternativeispartofBLMMultimodalCorridor#29;alongtheGlennHighwaytoPalmer,itispartofCorridor#31.AlternativeMatanuska-2AlternativecorridorMatanuska-2is385miles,120mileslongerthanMatanuska-land249mileslongerthanSusitnad.FromWatanadamsiteitloopsmuchfurthertotheeastthanMatanuska-l,rejoiningitatSlideMouI}tf:i.in;thissegmentofMatanuska-2is217miles,versus97miles,forthec:omparablesegmentofMatanuska~1.FromWatanadamsitethecorridorcrossestheSusitnaRiver,headingnortheasttowardButteCreekandtheDenaliHighway.RecrossingtheSusitnainthevicinityofDenalidamsite,thecorridorcontinueseast.crossingtheMaclarenRiverandstillparallelingtheDenaliHighwayuntilitapproachesPaxson.TurningsouthandcrossingtheGulkanaRive!atleasttwiceandparallelingtheRichardsonHighwayandtheAlyeskaPipeline.itheadstowardGlennallen.FromGlennallenthecorridorheadswestupthevalleyoftheTazlinaRiver,parallelingtheGlennHighwaytoSlideMountainandthejunctionwithMatanuska-l,Themajorityoftheterrainisflatland;fromWatanatoDenali.damsitesthecorridorencountershillyterraindissectedbylongvalleysandlowpasses.ThehighestpointonthiscorridorisintheTangleLakes-RockCreekareabetweentheMaclarenRiverandPax~on.Thisisaplateauofabout4,000feetelevation.poorlydrainedandcoveredwithpost-glacialfeaturessuchaseskersandterminalmoraines,andmanysmalllakes;perm~~rostisprevalent.Thepredominantecosystetntot4ispointismoisttundra.220
FromPaxsontoSlideMountainthecorridorlieswithintheCopperR.iverlowlands,abasinunderla:nbynearlycontinuouspermafrost.Generallypoorlydrained,thisbasinisdominatedbyuplandandlowlandspruce'"hardwood,andmuskegecosystems.ExceptfortheareaaroundGlennallen,thisentirecorridorrunsthroughthewinterrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherd.AlongtheCopper,GulkanaandTazlinaRiversaroundGlennallenmooseconcentrationsexist,andsmallerconcentrationsareencounteredaroundWatanaandDenalidamsitesandtheTangleLakes.Almostallbfthiscorridortraversesmediumdensitywaterfowlhabitat.TheTangleLakesArcheologicalDistrict,andtheSourdoughInnontheRichardsonEighway,arelistedintheNationalRegisterofHistorical.andArcheologicalSites,publishedintheFederalRegisterofFebruary4,1975.WiththeexceptionofthestretchfromWatanatoDenalidamsites,allofMatanuska-2parallelsexistingcorridors.ParalleltotheRichardsonHighway,itispartofBLMMultimodalCorridor#33,;paralleltoGlennHighway,itispartofcorridor#31.TheDeltaCorridorAlternativeTheDeltacorridoris280mileslong,82mileslongerthanNenana-I.ThiscorridorutilizesthecorridorthroughtheDeltaRivercanyonontheAlaskaRange,approachingFairbanksfron1thesoutheast.FromDevilCanyonandWatanadamsites,thiscorridorheadseastoverthehillsnorth6ftheSusitnaRiver,followingButteCreektoDenaliDamsite.ParallelingtheDenaliHighway,thecorridorre-crossestheSusitnaandfurthereast,theMaclarenRiver.OvertheplateaubetweentheMaclarenRiverandPaxsori.,thecorridorreachesacrestof4,000feet.AtPaxson,thecorridol'turnsnorth,followingtheRichardsonHighway-AlyeskaPipelinecorridoroverIsabelPass,awide,gentledivideat3,000feetofelevation.Northofthepass,thecombinedcorridol'spassthroughtheAlaskaRange,followingtheDeltaRiver.Therearesomeconstrictions.inthesouthernpartoftheDeltaRivercanyon;however,themajorityofthecanyonisnotoverlysevere.Northofthecanyon,theterrainconsistsofrollinghillsuntiltheTananaValleyisreached.ThetownsofBigDeltaandDeltaJunction,bothsmallsettlements,areneartheconfluenceoftheDeltaandtheTananaRivers.TheterrainintheTananaValleyisaflatfloodplaintothesouthwestoftheriver,androllinghillspunctuatedbyseveralmajortributariesonthenortheast.ThehillsonthenortheastflattenoutasthecorridorapproachesFairbanks.221
I IThepredominantsoilsinthestretchfromWatanatoIsabelPas,sarepoorlydrainedpeatysoilswithshallowpermafrosttables.Shallow,rockysoi-lSidominatetheDeltaRivercanyonstretch,followedbymixedpoorlyandwelldrainedsoilswithlensesoffinegrainmaterial,generallyloess.MoisttundraisthepredominantecosystemfromWatanatoIsabe.l,Pass;theDeltaRivercanyonandthehillsnortheastoftheDeltaandT:ananaRiversaremostlywithintheuplandspruce-hardwoodecosystem.AlongtheTananafloodplain,bottomlandspruce-poplarforestsarefound;localizedmuskeg-bogconditionsarefoundinth;emouth~ofSalchaandShawCreeks,andsomelowlandspruce-hardwoodoccurjustsouthofFairbanks..,...".FromWatanatoPaxson,thewinterrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherdiscrossed,,andfromnorthoftheDeltaRivercanyontojustsouthofBigDelta,bisonrangeiscrossed.Thebisonherd!1uplbersabout200animalsandisthe;r,esultoftransplantingeffo:rts.Thecorridortraversessporadicareasofmooseconcentration,thelargestoccuringalongtheTananaRiver.ThecorridoralsointersectsDallsheeprangeintheDeltaRivercany·on.Waterfowlhabitatalongthiscorridorisgenerallyoflowdensity,althoughlocalhigherqualityhabitatsexistnearDonpelly,ShawCreek,andSalchaRiyer.TheareabetweenDonnellyandIsabelPa/?sisoneofgoodtohighscenicquality,providinggoodviewsoftheAlaskaRange,particularlyoftheMt.Hayes-Skarlandgrouptothewest.Severalglaciers,comewithinonetothree1l)ilesofthecorridor;manyarevisiblefrornthehigh:wa,y.,TheBlackRapidsGlacierisparticularlywellk~ownforitssurgingactivity..,Thissamemountainousareaishighlymineralized,particularlywith.copperandgold.Somegoldoccursalsone:arFairbanks.Theonlyothersignificantmineralresour,cesnearthecorridorare.thearep.sSiouthwestoftheTananaRiverwhichhavealowpotentialforoilandgas.Althoughattemptshavebeenmade,Cl.gricultureisnotsignificantanywherealongthiscorridor..Thisisduetoacombinationofproblemswith,soil,gro:wingseasonlength,andwatersupply.TheforestsfromBigpeltatoFairbanksaremoderatelydenseandmaysupportasizeable.forestry.ThiscorridorfromPaxsontoBigDeltaispartofBLM'MultimodalCQrridor#33.222
MatrixesforAssessmentofImpactsonCorridorSegments:Thefollowingmatrixesareforassessmentofimpactsofatransmissionlinebyfivecategories.ThedefinitionsofthecategoriesandgeneralinformationaregiveninExhibitr:Theprocessfromwhichthe22corridorsegmentsarederivedisexplainedenpages10-15.Theconstraintsofthisformatalsoobligetheuseofabbreviations:MMCPMzonestandsfortheMountMcKinleyCooperativePlanningandManagementzone;GVEAreferstotheGoldenValleyElectricAssociation;MEAreferstotheMatanuskaElectricAssociation;andtheARRistheAlaskaRailroad.ThelandstatusentriesarebaseduponthelandstatussituationofMarch1974.Stateselectionsrefertonotonlypatented,butalsoallpendingandtentativelyapprovedStateselections.Nativevillagedeficienciesandregionaldeficiencies(NVDandNRD)willperhapsbethemostunstableareasatpresent,soitisquitelikelythattheentriesregardingtheselandsmaynotbepresentlyvalid.22369-7370 -81-15
SOILS VEGETATION
SUSITNA~
IMPACTS
WILDLIFE EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS SCENIC QUALITY /RECREATION
Point lY!acKenzie -
Talkeetna
Talke~tna -Gold Creek
via Troublesome Creek
(2)
Considerable clearing is needed.Upland vege-Destruction of habitat for small animals.En-.~tt~KeinqJ~ct e:m.S,C~~lC ~~tY ~~cyt6L~wland soil :UIJ;1erabl~to frost heavi~g but tation will warrant maintenance;poorly drained ha~cement of habitat for larger mammals due to Some possible conflicts with private lands from'Po~sible n~~~~ewi~~a~i~~a:,in
With low eros.lon potenti~l.Upland sol1~are areas will probably need little maintenance.increased successional growth.Harrassment lNancy Lake ~o Talkeetna.No ~act on £o:e-Wasilla-Big Lake area and Nancy Lake a~a
rnor~su~cepti~le to erosion:T~ermal dlS~~ilash must be disposed of to inhibit infestation unlikely due to good cover throughout area.,seeable agrl~ture -most s011s are tmSU1t..depending upon final location.No ,confli~t'
ruption IS unlikely.-No maJor nver crossIngs of remaining trees with spruce ~eetle or ips From Nancy Lake to Pt.McKenzie,access WIll able for agrIculture.with Kp,ik archeological'site.Talkeetlla
are anticipated On this route.beetle.Vegetation has high resistance to fire be improvedif access road left in;increased to Nancy:line can be almost totally'con-'\"
control.hunting pressure may result.ce~e~or ;aid para~lel and adjacent to',;1-------+-----------.....-,---;---------------1---------------;----I-eJUstm~lme clearmgs.
Sane design problems inherent to soils around "
Talkeetna:Frost heaving,pqssible permafrost,Lower.elevation forest will need considerable . ._"""y;
~rsd~~~~i~~in~~e~~~~:~ion~~tial,~:=c~~anr:..~~~~ui~~~:"t Route opens up an inaccessible area within ":~':~~~o~~~~6:~~Ze;1~~~~;;
is higher.Possible ,river crossing needed for clearin~and '!"'intenance.~Eiccept £0:area Denali State Park:closed to hunting._,one but.will undoubtedly interfere with pqtentiail.:
Troublesome Creek.three needed for Susitna above timberlll.""vegetat70n has.a hlgh rate trllli users.,.~
and Talkeetna Rivers.Access road crossing ,on of spread of fue and a hlgh reslstance to
Troublesome Creek may cause siltation.•'control.
t-.)
t-.)
~
Talkeetna .:.'Gold Creek
via Alaska Railroad (3)
Talkeetna River (4)
,)isappointment Creek
(5)
Talkeetna River only major river crossing;
siltation here is not a problem as river carries·
glacial silt already.
Poorly drained soils susceptible to frost
heaving and poor foundations;well drained
soils on slopes less apt to cause problems.
Low to medium erosion potential.Little
likelihood of serious permafrost degradation.
Possible degradation of local permafrost.'Few
foreseeable impacts from ~rosion,siltation.or
permafrost degradation.
Tree clearing needed along entire segment;
maintenance will be needed.Vegetation has
high rate of spread and high resistance to
control.Brush will be introduced by re-
growth.
Expensive clearing of heavy forest needed
with maintenance.Brush will be introduced
by regrowth.Vegetation has high rate of
fire spread and high resistance to control:
Clearing and maintenance need in lower eleva-
tions.Most of route is highland sproce-
hardwood and alpine tundra.Preservation of
ground vegetation essential -disruption can
'result in longlived scars due to slow regrowth
rate.Upper elevations have high rate of fire
spread,low resistance to control.'
No extensive :inaccessible areas opened up
line parallels A.R.R.;access road would
allow vehicles to reach this area indepen-
dently from the A.R.R.,so hunting pressure
may increase.If the A.R.R.right-of-way is
adj oumed or shared,impacts will be very low.
Pioneer route will open up new areas to access.
Hunting pressure will increase.Brush intro-
duction in this area will enhance habitats
for JOOQse,bear.
Pioneer route will open up considerable new
areas to access.Most of this area is open
forest toalpine tundra -damage to habitat
could be severe (from fires.erosion,ORVis).
If line adjoins Alaska Railroad,railroad
could be electrified and corridor consolidated.
Increased access to an area'presently .having
only a few flag stops -on Alaska Railroad.
I{one
None
Medium impact on scenic quality,Mos;t traffic'
through this stretch is by A.R.R.,and'line
can be well hidden from passengers using
rail lines unless corridor is consolidated.
Low impact onscenic quality.,Line is not
visible.Wilderness quality 'somewhat
impacted,but ease of concealment keeps
impact low,
Line will cross open alpine tundra for quite ~
distance,having high impact on wilderness qual,
i~"
~:::'i(:~rcek -StePhan~::~:;::~;:::~e~~:::o:.om erosion,siltation
Heavy forest clearing needed on Talkeetna
River valley with introduction of brush requir-
ing maintenance.Less clearing required and
more care for vegetative mat needed in Prairie
Creek valley to Stephen Lake.High to medium
rate of fire spread,high to medium resistance
to control.
Pioneer route will open up considerable new
areas to access.Impact will be less on
upper areas due to less disruption of vege-
tation by clearing.Area is presently ac-
cessible by float plane and received con-
siderable hunting pressure alreadY.I
Where line emerges from Talkeetna River valley
Private land and/or ,cabin lC,ases on lake shores to Stephen Lake,scenic quality receives mediur
in the pass areas.Most of these can be "impact;lakes received some recreational use.
avoided.Othetwise,no impacts on existing Impact on wilderness is mediun due to the
developments.existing recreational use and "easy accessihil-
ity by float plane.
Devil Canyon -Gold
Creek (7)
Devil Canyon -Stephan
Lake (8)
Stephan Lake -Watana
(9)
Few foreseeable impacts from erosion.siltation
or permafrost degradation.
Few foreseeable impacts from erosion,siltation
or permafrost degradation.-
Few erosion.impacts but possible·permafrost·
degradation and-frost heaving in poorly
drained soils.
Clearing of mediun forest "with periodic main-
tenance.High rate of fire spread,mediun re-
sistance to control.
'Clearing of medium forest in river valley;
•less clearing'needed on plateau.Fire rate
'of spread in valley high.resistance to control
medium.On ,plateau.rate of fire spread low,
resistance to control high.
Heavier vegetatio:1.in creek bottoms can be
spanned over by line.Vegetation on plateau
does not require extensive cleaning.Rate of
fire spread low.resistance to control high.
Moose and bear habitat enhanced by regrowth
on clearings.Access road may result in
increased hunting pressure.
Little impact on habitat of large mamnals such
as moose and bear,minimal clearing on plateau
areas and creek canyons can be spanned.,Ac-
cess road would be under control from dam-
site so unauthorized use for hunting ""uld
be,low.
Little impact on habitat of moose and bear,
minimal clearing on plateau areas and span-
ning of creek canyons.Access would be
under control of dinnsites so unauthorized
USe for hunting would be low.
Old jeep road exists,connecting Devil
canyon Damsite to Alaska Railroad.Mining
claims,no longer operating,on Portage
Creek.These roads could be part of the
access road system.
None
N:me
Low impact on scenic quality -this area is
not presently easily accessible,and Devil Can"
yon Damsite road will not be used much by non-
project personnel;line can be concealed from
this road or,can be used as the line access
road also.
Low inipact on scenic -qualiiy -area is of med-
itnn scenic quality.Some recreational use.in II
Stephen Lake area.Line can be partially con-
'Cp.aled but not totally.
Medium impact on scenic qua~ity -area is 01:
mediun scenic quality.Some recreational
use of Stephen L;il<e area.Line can be par-
tially concealed but not totally.
SUSITNAIMPACTS
~~
~
II.)
II.)
\11
Gold Creek -Cantwell
(10)
Watana -Wells Creek vi
Brushkana Creek (11).
Wells Creek -Cantwell
(12)
Cantwell -Healy (13)
Wells Creek -Dean
Creek (14)
Dean Creek -Healy (15)
Healy to Ester (16)
Dean Creek to Ester
(Wood'Pjver)(17)
SOILS
Erosion impact is low.Shallow .permafrost in
poorly drained areas'susceptible to degrada-
tion;since the access road can avoid these
areas.this impact will be low.
Poorly drained loam:impact on permafrost in
this case is high,and frost heaving is poss-
ible.'Upland 'soils:impact is Iowan perma-
frost.medium on erosion.
Erosion impact is low level..Shallow permafrost
in.poorly drained areas susceptible to degrada-
tion;since the access road can avoid·these
areas J this impact will be .low.
High erosion potential throughout .stretch .
Exposed bedrock in canyons will proVide solid
tower foundations but will inhibitactess road
construction if needed on canyon slopes.
Poorly drained areas have high permafrost
degradation susceptibility.Low siltation impact;
High erosion potential·and exposed bedrock on
slopes ..Some 'areas of poorly drained 'soil sus-
ceptible to permafrost degr:ad~~ion in wider val-
ley floors'.·River too deep for"fording and is
silt.,-laden normally.so siltation will have low
impact.
High erosion potential~on slopes;high suscepti-
bility to permafrost degradation on poorly
drained valley tl09;r:S.Towards Healy J'well
drained soils are subje,ct to.medium erosion
potential and low susceptibility to permafrost
degradation ..Crossing needed on Healy Creek;
low siltation impact.
Nenana flood plain has medium erosion potential.
Poorly drained areas subjec't to potential perma-
frost degradation and frost heaving.Goldstream
hills are highly erosive and susceptible to
permafrost degradation and slope instability.
Crossing of Tanana River needed:low siltation
impact.
Upper Wood River:low erosion and permafrost
impacts.Lower Wood River:medium to high
potential impacts on permafrost.High sus-
ceptibility to heaving.Low to meditnn ero-
sion potential.Crossing of Tanana River
needed.
VEGETATION
Successively less clearing as se8Jllllftt goes'
north,In Broad Pass,no trees need
clearing and the only vegetation lost
·would be from access road,Slow regrowth
implies that maintenance will not be needed
and also that revegetation may be necessary
along some areas,Medium to high rate'of
fire spread;high resi~tancet?control.
Clearing varies from dense spruce-hardwoods
to alpine tundra.Most vegetation loss
will be from access road.Slow regrowth
implies that maintenance will not be
needed and that in places revegetation
may be necessary.Medium to high rate of
fire spread;high resistance to contrOl;
low resistance in alpine tundra.
Clearing -varies'from spruce-hardwoods to
high brush.Most vegetative loss from ac-
cess roads.Slow regrowth implies that
maintenance will not be needed.Meditnn to
high rate of fire spread;high resistance
to control.
Heavy clearing in valley bottom by Yanert
Fork;,lighter clearing throughout rest of
route.High rate of fire 'spread;high re-
;;istance .to control on valley floor;low
resistance in alpine tundra.
Heavy clearing on valley bottoms to no
clearing in alpine t,undta.,Slow regrowth
in higher elevations.High rate of fire
spread;high resistance to"control at
lower eleVations;··low resistance to con-
trol in alpine.tundra.
Heavy clearing in Yanert Fork;little to no
clearing elsewhere.Slow regrowth in higher
elevations and poorly drained areas.High
to low rate of fire spread;high to low
resistance to control.
Heavy clearing for most of route except
near Healy.Introduction of brush into
right-of-way.High rate of fire spread;
high resistance to control.
Heavy clearing on Tanana lowlands.Light to
no clearing in Upper Wood River in alpine
and moist tundra,and the Tanana flood plain
muskegs.Varying rates of fire spread and
controllability.
WILDLIFE
Some enhaitcement of bear and moose habitat
in southern part of segment;no change in
northern part.This route opens up no
maj or new areas to hunting;overall impact
is 1"",.
Some enhancement of bear and moose habitat
in heavier forested areas,but no signifi-
cant change.Access road opens up a pre-
viously inaccessible area to intnlSion
and htmting;since caribou and moose are
present,this could have a significant
impact on hunting preserve.Firing on
tundra areas could severely impact cari-
bou habitat.
Some enhancement of bear and moose habitat
in heavier forested areas,but little signi-
ficant change.No new areas opened up.
Overall impact is low.
Some habitat d';struction 'and,enhancement due
to clearing;,overall impact of clearing is
low.No new areas opened up to hunting.
Construction activities combined with trans-
portation use of corridor may temporarily
repulse some mammals such as wolf and bear.
Construction activities may inhibit caribou
and sheep activities.Overall habitat modi-
fication low,especially if winter roads
and/or helicopter construction is used.
Fire can seriously impact sleep and caribou
habitat.Large new area opened by access
road will increase hunting pressure.
Construction activities may inhibit caribou
ancl sheep activities.Overall habitat modi-
fication low,especially if winter roads/
helicopter construction is used.Fire can
seriously impact sheep and caribou habitat.
Large new area opened by access road will
increase·htnlting pressure.
Clearing will enhance considerable amount n
moose habitat.Caribou confined to west
bank of Nenana and thus will not be affectrd
if line runs on east bank.No new signifi -"
cant areas opened up,particularly if GVEA
right-of-way is paralleled or adjoined.
Construction activities and fire in Upper
Wood River will negatively affect caribou and.
sheep.Clearing in Lower Wood River will en-
hance moose habitat.Very large area opened
up by access road will be subjected to
greater hunting pressure.
EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS
Few private holdings -small chance of con-
.flict.Low impact -very few existing
developments.
N'::me
Apart from'settlements along Denali Highway,
no developments -no impa<::ts.
The addition of a third right-of-:-way through
the canyons may cause congestion unless
rights-of-way are consolidated ..Possible con-
nection to GVEA line at Healy.Potential tap to
prOVide connection of Cantwell into system.
N::me
Possible line connection at Healy Power
Plant -Usibelli Mine roads may be used
for access.
Private holdings (claims,homesteads,etc.)
along route -towns of Healy,Lignite,
Nenana:These towns may be affected by
construction activities since they are
transportation centers along the segment.
If GVEA line is adjoined,there will be a
conflict with the FAA airport at Nenana for
clearance.
N:lne
SCENIC QUALITY/RECREATION
Entire segment within Mt.McKinley Coopera-
tive Planning and Management Zone.Southern
part borders Denali State Park.Visible line
will,have high impact,particularly if to west
of,highway and railroad.Line can be con-
cealed somewhat,however,in most of segment.
BJioad Pass has least COVl'r for line.
Low impact on scenic quality;this area is
of medium scenic quality and not readily
accessible.However,there'is a high im-
pact on wilderness,especially i£an access
road is built.
Medium impact on scenic quality;area is of
high scenic quality,but line can be con-
cealed.Entire segment within MMPCFM Zone.
Severe impact on {scenic quality;not only is
the canyon an area of high scenic quality,
concealment of the line is hard and the west
bank of the Nenana is park land.
High impact to wilderness quality.but limited
to the immediate valley occupied by.line:
nature·of terrain will adequately conceal line
unless it,is run on ridges>(unlikely in this
segment).
High impact to wilderness quality except for
lower Moody Creek"(Vsibelli Mine works).
Nature of terrain will conceal line except for
ridge along lower Moody Creek where line will
be silhouetted.
No impact On Dry Creek archeological site
since line will travel on east bank of Ne-
nana River.Medium impact near Healy and
in the Golds tream Hills;low impact along
lower Nenana River .Impact will be less
if GVEA right-of-way is adjoined.Low im-
pact on wilderness.
Low impact on scenic quality due to extreme
inaccessibility.Wilderness quality will
receive high impact in upper Wood River,
medium to low along lower Wood River be-
cause of varying concealment and presence
of civilization.
NENANA IMPACTS
DELTA AND MATANUSKA ~
IMPACTS
=======••
l-o)
'"0-
Watana to Paxson via
Butte Creek (18)
Paxson to Fairbanks (19)
Watana to Slide Mtn.
via Vee (20)
Paxson to Slide Mtn.
via Glennallen (21)
Slide Mts.to Point
MacKenzie (22)
SOILS
Vulnerable.to p~rmafrost-degradation.Low-
lyingarea~are susc.eptible to heaving and
settlement.Erosion potential is medium to high.
Access road will need to-be adequately culverted
over areas of poor drainage.
In Delta Canyon bedrock is easily reached for
tower foundations ..Thixotropic silts north of
Stirri'mit Lake 'combined with seismic risk-~ill
affec:t"reliability'of Hile.-Phelan Creek.Tanana
River',.Gulkana River.Shaw and Salcha Creeks
need.crossings.
Low areas vulnerable to h,eaving.Considerable
impact to p'ermafrost pdssihle from access'
road;winter construction preferable.Access
road will need to be adequatelyculverted over
areas of poor drainage .
Vulnerable 'to-heaving.Considerable impact to
permafrost possible from access'road;winter
construction preferable._Acc.ess road will
:need to be adequately cul~erted in areas of
·poordrainage ..-Overall impacts would be
reduced if Alyeska right-of-way were to be
adjoined where possible.
Erosion impact fr()m construction and access
road can be high.Perman·ost degradation is
unlikely.Impact of construction·and road
on Knik Arm soils will be low.Frost heaving
is very probable in poorly drained areas.
VEGETATION
Minimal clearing thrOUghout segment;no need
for.~intemince.,Possible disruption <?f
5urfa,ce mat and subsequent erosion On slopes
or permafrost.degradation ()J1 poorly drained
areas.Fires have low to ,medium resistance
to control.
Light clearing from Paxson to Donnelly Dome
area.Heavy clearing as route goes north.
Brush 'introduction in clearings in Spruce-
Hardwood'forests.'Slash must be disposed of
to prevent beetle infestations.Vegetation
has medium to high rate of fire spread and
high to meditJll resistance to control.Impacts
overall woilld be less if Alyeska right-of-way
were to be adj oined.
Light ,cleari:ng over most,of route;some clear~
ing through Spruce-HardwOods necessary around
lower Little Nelchina River.Risk of beetle
infestation'<slash.Vegetation on Upper
Susitna plateau has low to meditJllrate of fire
spread and medium to high res istance .to con-
trol.Vegetation on lower Little Nelcbina has
high rate of spread and high resistance to
control.
Me,UtJIl to heavy'clearing,throughout segment.
Brush introduction will occur in clearings.
Risk of beetle infestation of slash.Vege-
tation has high rate of fire spread and high
resistance to control..Overall impactswoilld
be reduced·if Alyeska right-of-way were to be
adjoined wereipossible.
\iXc~pt f~r Tahneta Pass and Gunsight MoWltain
area".segment.req.p.red meditJll to heavy clear-
ing for entire length.Brush introduction
will occur in clearings.-Clearings will need
periodic Jnaintenance..Risk of beetle infest-
ation of slash.·Vegetation has medium to
high rate o.f fire spread and.high res.istance
to control.
WILDLIFE
Constructiqn -activities may interfere with
caribou mov.~nts.,Low impact on moose
activities..:Little change in habitat frQm
,c'7m~rtrUction,.oo~ess.severe scarring or ex-
c~ssive firestiffect.vegetation...Access
road ,will open -up the Butte Creek "rea and
hooting ;pressures may increase.
Possible-interference.with caribou and bison'
movements..Lo~impact on moose in $outhern
part,but will enhance .habitat on more
heavily forested areas.Low impact on Dall
Sheep in Delta Canyon since line will ,stay
low.,Minimal destruction of duck habitat
if right-of-way crosses Salcha sloughs @d
ponds by Donnelly IJome.Siltation in Gul-
kana,Salcha and Shaw creeks will affect
anadromous fish.
Pos'sible,interference with Nelchina caribou
herd movements.Low _impact on moose exc~pt
on lower Little Nelchina,.where clearings
will enhance caribou habitat.This route
opens a ]Tery.large area to hunting.
Possible interference with Nelchina caribou
herd 'movements •.Although moose are'numerous,
major·impact shoilld be thsenhancement of
habitat along clearings.Fire will be
destruetiy~Jo .caribou habitat,may.~l)hanc::e,
moose habitat.Overall impacts woilld be
less if the'Alyeska right-of-way were to
be adjoined.
Low-impact onDall Sheep.Clearing will en-
hancemoose habitat.Low .impacts on wildlife
,in general.
EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS
No existing developments except for scarce
settlements along Denali Highway.No impact.
Settlements along Richardson Highway may be
impacted by line right-of-way acquisition.
Towns of Delta Junction and Big Delta will
receive some impacts,mostly beneficial,
fron'transit of material and labor.Possi- ,
ble congestion of right-of-way through Delta
Canyon unless rights-of-way are consolidated.
Overall impacts woilld be less if Alyeska
right-of-way were to be adjoined.
N:me
Town of Glenriallen will receive some impacts,
mostly beneficial,from transit ·of material
and labor.No other major impacts.Overall
impacts woilld ..be less if Alyeska right~of
way were to be adjoined.
Considerable farming community on Palmer -
ccrihicts may arise in land use.Roads by
abandoned coal mine areas can be used as
access.Lower Matanuska Valley has a high
ratio of privately owned land which will
result in acquisition for right-of-way.
SCENIC QUALITY/RECREATION
Low impact on Butte Creek area,mediUl11 impact
on view as seen from Denali Highway;line can
be concealed somew!lat from highWay.PrellJll-
inary route surveys in Tangle Lakes Archeo-
logical District will locate archeological
sites;adjustment of route woilld alleviate
conflict.Right.~of-way will avoid recrea-
tion areas and east end of Denali Highway
to lessen impact on recreation and scenic
quality.
High impacts on scenic quality :i'~P""'!on
Wilderness·quality suffers since this would
be a pioneer corridor.
Low impact on scenic quality -line can be
easily concealed for entire segment.Pos-
sible conflicts with recreational and his-
toric sites depending on final location.
Impacts ,would be less if Alyeska right-of"
way were to be adjoined.
Severe'impact on scenic quality of Upper
Matanuska Valley and Tahneta Pass..Partial
concealment is possible.Impact lessens as
valley \'iid.ens,~d B:gricu1tural use becomes
more apparent and concea1.nlent increases.
Low i.Jnpact onKnik Arm area;line can avoid
all recreation areas and be -concealed from
roads.
DELTA/MATANUSKA IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSOFCORRIDORSImpactsofPreferredCorridorSusitna-lSoils:InthelowerSusitnaValleythe.corridorwil~,encountersubstantialareasofpoorlydrainedsoilsthatalt}).oughnotyulnerabletoerosionwill,however,pose.theproblemoffrost-jac:ki~g.oftowerfqotingsandanchors,Unlessmeasuresaretaken,to,co1lnteract~hispotentialproblem,additionalmaintenanceanditscorrespondingimpactswill'beneces~ary,Thebetterdraineduplands()ilsarelessvulner'ab~eto.heaving,'hut,aswithmanyfloodplainsoils,israthersusceptibletoerosion,particul,arlystreamerosion,Sincetherelativeproportionsofthesetwosoiltypesvaryfrompoorlydrainedsoilsinthesouthernportiontowelldraineduplandsoilsinthenorthern,theimpactsassociatedwiththe'fuwillhaveasimilardistribution.Accessroa9copstruction,although,requiringheavyclearing,willberelativelyeasyintheuplandsoils,Watererosionwilloccursomewhat,particula.rlyduringtheconstructionphase,influencingwaterqualityintheclea.rwaterstreamscrossed,Roadconstr~ctionintheareasofpoorlydrain~dpeatswillinvolveproblemsofhardeningthesurfacesufficientlytobearconstructiontraffic,Ruttingandgougingoftrackswilloccurifconventionalvehiclesattempttocrossanunhardenedsurface,.Corduroy,piles,deepfills,anddrainagearemethodsofhardeningmuskegsurfaces,allofwhichareexpensivean(!willinvolvelocalimpacts','Avoidanceqftheproblembycarefulrouting,wintercon-struction,and/oruseoflow-pressuretrea.dvehicleswillinvolvelessimpacts,c,Permafrostisgenerallynotpresent,Whereisolatedmassesdoexist,they.areburiedfairlydeeply,Potentialthermaldisruptionofperma-frost·alongthiscorridorisunlikely,ThecorridbrparallelstheSusitna,involvingnocrossing,butinter-sects'severaltributariesfromtheTalkeetnaMountains,Fordingofmachineryandyardingoflogsacrossthesestreamswillresultinincreasedsedimentation.IntJ:t.esmallerclearwaterstreamsthismayresultinreductionofspawninghabitat,andp.otentialgilldamageinfishdown-streamofthecrossing.Vegetation:I!thelinetoPointMacKenzieis345kv,theamountofclearingforthe.right-of-waywillbeupto2,308acres;ifthelineistobei30kv,theamountofclearingwilLbeupto2,060acres.Theactual227
clearingwillproba.blynotbeashighastheseacreagessincevegetationalongsomestretchesmaynotrequireclearing,exceptaroundtowerbases.Theterrainbeingrelativelyflat,theaccessroadcanutilizetheright-of-waywithoutadditionalclearing.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearirigwillbethedestructionofthevege-tation;themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrainmechanicalclearingmethodssuchasbulldozingwillcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequen~erosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopeshandclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfires,andtoreducepotentialinfesta-tionofhealthytreesbysprucebeetles(Dendroctomusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposedof.Thiscanbeeithel'bysaleofmarket-abletimberorbyburning.Althoughburningwillreduceairqualitytempor-arily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives.(SeeMitigatingMeasures).Regrowthratesalongthiscorridorarefastenough,particularlyinthesouthernportion,towarrantperiodicsuppressionoftallgrowingtreeswhichposeahazardtothetransmissionline.Thepreferredmethodalongthiscorridorismanualapplicationofasuitableherbicide.Theamountofclearingtobemaintained,themodestregrowthrates,andhighcostoflabormakethisalternativepreferrableinthiscorridoroveraerialapplicationofherbicidesontheonehand,orhandcuttingofresidualtreesontheother.Ifproperapplicationtechniquesareadheredto(seeMitigatingMeasures),therewillbenootherimpactsotherthanthemaintenanceofasub-climaxvegetation.Accidentaloversprayingorwinddrift,orimproperdilutionresultinginunnecessarydestructionofvegetation,andsprayingofwaterbodiesresultinginhabitatdestructionforaquaticlifearenotlikelytooccurwithmanualapplication.Sectionsneedingvegeta-tionsuppressionoccursinthebottomlandspruce-poplar,lowlandspruce-hardwood,anduplandspruce-hardwoodforests,particularlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarandmuskeg-bogareas,whichcompriseasignificantproportionoftheecosystemscrossedbythiscorridor,willneedlittleclearingandnovegetationsuppression.Lowlandspruce-hardwoodareaswillnotneedtobemaintainedasoftenasbottomlandspruce-poplar.Wildlife:Alterationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife.Thiscorridortraversesmanyareasofmooseconcentration,andmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroductionofbrushresultingfromtheregrowthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintained,thisbrushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.Mostbrushareasareintransition,228
changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphasenearertheclimacticphase;thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.Animalsdependentuponclimacticforest,suchassquirrels,willsufferlossanddisplacement.However,theirfasterreproductiverateswillallowtheirpopulationstoadjustrapidly.Mostanimalswillbenefitfromtheedgeenvironment,offeringbothforageandcoverfortheadjacentforestandbrush.Initially,animalmovementsmayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthebrushgrowsintoadensecoverthiswillbelimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshouldbelowinthiscorridor.Constructionitselfwillaffectwildlife.Largermammalsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.Smalleranimalswillsufferlossofindividuals,butshouldrecuperaterapidlyoncecon-structioniscompleted.Thedensityofforestinthiscorridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistancetoavoidcontactwithconstructionactivities.Vegetationsuppression,bywhatevermethod,willperiodicallyremovecoverfromalongtheright-of-way.However,duetothesurroundingcoveroftheunclearedforests,thisimpactwillbeinsignificant.Recreation:TheSusitna-lcorridorwillapproachwithin10milesofseveralrecreationalandwaysideareasinthe10werSusitnavalley.ThelargestoftheseistheNancyLakesRecreationArea.Inaddition,thecorridorwillrunadjacent.totheDenaliStateParkfor22miles.However,theSusitnaRiverwillseparatethecorridorfromthePark;themail}accesstolandswithintheParkistheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway,andthisisanaverageof10milesawaytothewestovera2,000to2,500feethighridge.Dependinguponthepoliciesofthelandmanagingagenciesinvolved,thiscorridorwillprovideaccesstoareaspreviouslydifficultofaccess.ThelargestsuchareaisthatsouthofNancyLaketoPointMacKenzie.Denseforestandmuskeglimittravel.AnothersuchstretchisthatfromTalkeetnanorth.AlthoughtheserviceroadparallelstheRailroad,itwillofferasignificantlyeasieraccessbycarortrucktothiscorridor.~1anycabinsalongthesestretcheswillbeprovidedwithbetteraccess;however,thecreationofeasieraccessmayinterferewithisolationdesiredbymanyoftheowners.IfnobridgeisprovidedovertheTalkeetnaRiver,theserviceroadwillbelessattractivetocasualtravellers.229
CulturalResources:TheNationalRegisterofHistoricandArcheologicalSiteslistsonlyonesiteinthearea,KnikVillage.Thecorridorwillrunatleast10milestothewestofthissite.Itislikelythatarcheo-logicalsiteswillbefoundalongthecorridor,eitherduringthelocationsurveyorduringconstruction.Ifso,minorrouterelocations,orcarefultowerlocations,willprotectthesesites.Inadvertentalterationofasitewillreduceordestroyitshistoricalvalue....ScenicResources:Thiscorridordoesnottraverseanyareasofgoodorhighqualityscenicvalues.Thenorthernportionis,however,morescenicthanthesouthernportion.Inthenorthernportionthefairlycontinuousmoderatelydenseforestwillprovideamplescreeningfromtransportationroutes.Furthersouth,theforestsaremoreintermingledwithopenmuskeg.Glimpsesofthetransmissionlinecanthenbeseenfro~thehighwayorrailroadthroughthesemuskegs.SouthofNancyLakethecorridorandthetransportationcorridorsdiverge,andalthoughcoverbecomesmoresporadic,thelinewillnolongerbevisiblefromthetransportationroutes.ThetransmissionlinewillnotbevisiblefromtheNancyLakeRecreationArea.AstheAlaskaRailroadandthetransmissioncorridorapproachGoldCreek,thevalleybecomesmoreconfined,andscreening:becomesmoredifficult.However.itappearsthatthelinecanbeconcealedthroughmostofthisportion..LandUseandResources:FromPointMacKenzietoNancyLakethecorridorfollowsnoexistingcorridorfor32miles.NorthofNancyLaketoGoldCreekthe·corridorparallelstheAlaskaRailroad,andtoTalkeetnatheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwayandMatanuskaElectricAssociationdistributionlines.Noimpactisexpectedontheseutilities.Althoughagricultureinthisareaisgenerallylimitedtoafewfarmsandsubsistencegardens,thereispotentialin·thebetterdrainedsoilstosupportfarming.ThecorridorwillencountersomeagriculturenearNancyLake,andagainabout25milesnorthnearthesettlementofMontana.Impactonagriculturewillbeverylow.GoodstandsofblackcottonwoodandbalsampoplarexistneartheTalkeetnaRiver,butthereisnoextensiveforestrytobeimpactedbythecorridor.Futureforestrymayutilizetheaccessroadbothforloggingandasafireroad,butthisimpactislowanddependsalsouponthelandownership.230
Impactonmineralresourcesislow;thecorridordoesnottraversesignificantareasofpotentialmetallicminerals,anddoesnotapproachanyexistingcoaloroildevelopmentsalthoughthepotentialforcoal,oilandgasexistsalongnearlytheentirelengthofthecorridor.Duetothehighcostofalow-load.tapona345kvline,thelikelihoodofthedevelopmentoftheseresourcesduetotheproximityofatransmissionlineislow;Social:Fewtownsareencounteredbythecorridor.Wheneverpossible,thefinallocationwill-circumventcommunities.Theconstructionphasecanlastsomewherefromthreetofiveyears.Duringthattime,workonthetransmissionlinewillaffectthesecommunities.Thenumbersofworkersneededonatransmissionlinerelativetoapipelineislow.Workerswillbehousedincamps,orwillbebasedinAnchorageorFair-banks,bothofwhicharelargeenoughtoabsorbtheworkforce.Laborwillprobablyberecruitedfromthesecitiesorbroughtinbythecontractors.Littleornolaborforcewillbedrawnfromthesmallercommunitiessinceitisnotexpectedthattheirresidentsmighthavetheskillsandqualificationsfortransmissionlinework.Someeconomicimpactcanbeexpected,asflyingservices,motels,restaurants,andentertainmentsreceivebusiness,notonlyfromthetransmissionlineworkers,butfromrelatedpersonnel,also.Talkeetnaistheonlycommunity,exceptAnchorage,receivingtheseimpactsfromcorridorSusitna-l.ItcanbeexpectedthatAnchoragecouldacceptthisimpactwithlittlestrain,buttheimpactmaybehighforTalkeetna.Theimpactsmaybeadverseinthatservicesmightbetemporarilymonopolizedbytheconstructionactivity,andgoodinthatitwouldbring.considerablemoneytobusinessinthetown.ImpactsofPreferredCorridorNenan.a-lSoils:TheincidenceofpermafrostincreasesfromDevilCanyonnorthtoFairbanks;however,itisgenerallydiscontinuous,withafairlydeeptable.Impactsresultingfromthermaldegradaticnwillbelow,exceptfqrsoilsintheMoodyareawhichareice-rich...AsinSusitna-l,soilsvaryfrompoorlydraine~soilsonlowlands,andbetterdrainedsoilsonslopes.Erosionpotentialforthemajorityofthecorridorislowtomediumsincethegreaterportionofthecorridorisonrelativelylevelland.TwosignificantexceptionsarethesectionsintheNenanaCanyonandtheIIGoldstreamHills.IITheNenanaCanyonareawouldposesevereerosionalproblemsforanaccessroadduetothesteepslopesencountered.Discontinuouspermafrostisfound,whichpresentsahighpotentialfordegradation.231
Duetothephysicalandpoliticalrestraints,thecorridorwillhavetotraversemanyslopes.Soilsareoftenshallowontheseslopes;indeed,manyofthemaretalus.TheuppercanyonisconstrictedbetweenPanoramaMountainandtheNenanaRiver,andanextensive,unstabletalusslopeliesatthefootofPanoramaMountain.Inthelowercanyon,thin,unstablesoilblanketsthesteepslopetotheeastofthehighway.Wherethecorridortraversesslopessuchasthese,erosionwillbeaseriousproblem,especiallyonthinsoilsorunstablesoils.ThisimpactwillbeespeciallyobjectionablesinceerosionscarsmaybevisiblefromtheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwayandMt.McKinleyNationalPark.Becauseofthepotentiallysevereimpactofouraccessroadinthisarea,nonewillbebuiltandhelicopterconstructionwillbeused.TheNenanaCanyonareaisalsointhevicinityofseverallargefaults.TheDenaliFaultcrossesthecorridorjustnorthofCantwell,andanotheractivefaultisencounterednearHealy,northofthelowercanyon.Thisfactorwillaffectlocationofthetransmissionlineonunstableslopes.ThesoilintheGoldstreamHillscontainslensesoffinegrainmaterialwhich,combinedwiththeslopesencounteredbythecorridor,posesapotentialerosionproblem~Fortunately,rainfallisscantinthisarea.ThelowlyingareasintheGoldstreamHillshaveashallowpermafrosttable;soavoidingthepotentiallyerodablefinegrainsoilsbylocatingthetransmissionlinelowwillpresentaproblemwithfrozensoilsandmuskegs.ThecorridorwillcrossPortageCl-eek,theWestandMiddleForksoftheChulitnaRiver,theJackRiver,theNenanaRiver,YanertFork,HealyandLigniteCreeks,andtheTananaRiver.WiththeexceptionoftheNenanaandTananaRiversandYanertFork,theseareclearwaterstreams.Fordingsandcrossingswhichdisturbthebottomwillaffectwaterquality,aswillrun-offintothesestreamsfromadisturbedclearing.Vegetation:Upto1,440acreswillneedclearingalongthiscorridor.Actualacreageofclearingwillprobablybemuchlesssincethisfigureassumesclearingtothefullwidthoftheright-of-way.Inmanyareas,onlytheareasaroundthetowerbaseswillrequireclearing,particu-larlyinthelowlandspruce-hardwoodandmuskeg-bogecosystems.Theheaviestclearingswillbenecessaryinthebottomlandspruce-poplaranduplandspruce-hardwoodecosystemsalongthelowerNenanaRiverandtheTananafloodplain.Alongthegreaterpartofthecorridor,theaccessroadcanbeincorporatedintotheclearingduetolevelterrain.FromDevilCanyontoHealy,therewillbenoaccessroad.232
Themostimmediateeffectofclearingwillbethedestructionoftheclearedvegetation.Thetimberclearedfromthebottomlandspruce-poplarwillbesold,ifmerchantable.Non-merchantabletimberwillbeburnedifanaccessroadispresent.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.Beetleinfestatienwillbeofconcernmainlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystem.Somedisruptionofthesoilfromclearingistobeexpected;increasederosionbecause·ofthis,andenhancedbythelackofcover,willresult.Ifvegetationiscleareduptoriverbanksonstreamcrossings,thismayresultinadditionalsedimentation.Clearingwillentailhabitatmodification,tobediscussedunder"Wildlife."Regrowthratesalongthiscorridorareslowenoughtonotrequireaprogramofvegationsuppressionotherthanoccasionalcuttingduringroutineinspectionandmaintenancepatrols.Wildlife:Therewillbelossofindividualsmalleranimals,anddisplace-.mentofothers;however,thisisatemporarysetback.Highreproductiveratesofsmallermammalsandre-invasionwillalleviatethisimpact.Apermanenthabitatmodificationwillresultfromtheclearingandmaintenance;acorridorofbrushwillbemaintainedthroughotherwiseforestedland.Animalsdependentuponclimaxforest,suchassquirrels,willsuffersomehabitatloss.Animalsdependentuponbrushandforbsforbrowsewillgain.Apartfromlocalconcentrations,theonlymajormooseconcentrationalongthiscorridoroccursfromHealytotheTananaRiveralongtheNenanaRiver.AftertheconstruCtionphase,moosewillbenefitfromtheIledge"environ-ment,offeringincreasedbrowseimmediatelyadjacenttoforest,whichprovidescover.CDependinguponthefinallocation,theaccessroadmayresultinadditionalhuntingpressureuponmooseinthisarea.Thiswillalsodependuponthechanceofmorehuntersintheareathanpresentlysinceifthenumberofhuntersremainsthesame,thereisnoreason.tosuspectthatincreasedaccesswillresultinbetterhuntingsuccess.Inpassingthroughthe10wer,NenanaCanyon,theNenana-lcorridortraversesDallsheephabitat.However,sincethesheeptendtoinhabitareashigherthananyfeasiblelinelocation,andsincenoaccessroadwillbeusedinthisarea,impactonDallsheepwillbelowtonone.233
Recreation:TheNenana-lcorridorwillparalleleightmilesofthenortheastborderofDenaliStatePark,butwill.beseparatedfromtheboundarybyIndianRiver,theAlaskaRailroad,andatleastonemile.ofbuffer.Fur,!hernorth,itparallelstheeastborderofMLMcKinleyNationalParkfor30miles,beingseparatedbytheNenanaRiver,theAnchorage-FairbanksHighwfl.Y,and.theAlaskaRailroad.AtnopointwillthecorridorcrosslandsproposedasadditionstotheMLMcKinleyNationalPark.Theaccessroadwillopenupnoextensivepreviouslyinaccessibleareassinceitwillparallelexistingtransportationafewmilesdistant;norecognizedwildernessareasareinfringed.Useoftheaccessroal:!bythepublicwillbedeterminedbytherelevantland-managip.g.agency.Ifthefinalroutelocatio?crossestheClearMEWS,restrictionsmaybeplaceduponpublicuseofthisportionoftheaccessroad.CulturalResources:TheNa'tionalRegisterofHistoricandArcheologicalSiteslistsonlyonesiteapproachedbytheNenana-lcorridor,theDryCreekarcheologicalsite.Thisliestothe.westofHealy,theNenanaRiver,andtheexistingtransportationcorridors.SincethecorridorrunsalongtheeastbankoitheNenana,therewillbenoimpactonthissite.Ifthefinalroutesurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalorhistoricalsitewithpotentiil.1forinclusionintheNationalRegister,minorrouterelocations,orcarefultowerlocation,willprotectthesesites.Inadvertantalterationofasitewillreduceordestroyitshistoricalvalue.ScenicResources:ThecorridorpassesthroughanarearecognizedasbeingofgoodtohighscenicqualityfromDevilCanyontoHealy.ThepossibilityofscreeningthroughoutthisareavariesfrommoderateinthesouthernportionaroundChulitna,tominimalintheBroad.PassandtheupperandlowercanyonsoftheNenanaRiver.Scenicqualitywillbeimpacted,theimpactbeingafunctionofexistingscenicqualityandtheopportunityforscreening.ImpactintheNenanaCanyonwillbehigh;impactonBroadPasswinbemoderatetohigh;impactelsewherewillbemoderate.Twofavorablefactorsmitigatetheimpactsomewhat:1)ThecorridorisnotvisuallyintactastheAlaskaRailroadandtheAnchorage~FairbanksHighwayhavealreadyreducedscenicqualitysomewhat.2)Themajorviewssouthofthecanyonsaretothewest,towardtheMt.McKinleymassif,whereasthecorridorliestotheeastofthetransportationroutes,themostlikelyviewpoints.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.)234
LandUseandResources:TheNenana-lcorridorfellowsexistingcorridorsfOritsentirel~mgtlLFor10milesitfollowstheAlaskaRailroadfromGoldCreek.FromnorthofChulitna.toEsteritfollows'acombinedRailroad/Highwaycorridor.FromHealynorthitalsoparallelstheGoldenValleyElectricAssociation138kvtransmissionline.Itispossiblethecorridorcouldadjointhisright-of-wayortheGVEAlinecouldberebuilttoahighercapacityandtheexistingright-of-wayutilized..AlthoughthepotentialforagricultureexistsalongthiscorridorintheTananaValleyportion,itexistsintheformofhomegardensandgrazingifatall..Impactonexistingandpotentialagricultureislowtonone.Someforestryexistsinthebottomlandspruce-poplarforestsalongthelowerNenanaR.iverandtheTananaRiver.Possiblesalesofmerchantabletimberfromtheclearinginthisareawillbringshort-livedbusinesstothetownofNenana,butthisimpa.ctwillbelow.Useoftheaccessroadasaloggingroadandfirebreakmayoccur,butthisusewillnotsignifi-cantlyaffectlogginginthisarea.AlthoughthecOrridorapproachesandcrosse'sseveralmineralizedareasandfossilfueldeposits,itwillnotmakepowerdirectlyavailablefordevelopmentexceptthroughdistributionsystemsoftheexistingelectricutilities.Theaccessroadmaybeusedasaprospectingroad,butwillnotserveforheavieruse.ThevalueofthemineralsandfuelissuchthatifaprC)fitableareaweretobedeveloped,itwouldbefeasibletorelocatesmallsectionsofthetransmissionline.Onthewhole,impactcnexistingandpotentialmineralandfuelextractionislow.SlightlymorethanhalfofthelengthofthiscorridorpassesthroughtheMt.McKinleyCooper~tivePlanningandManagementZoneofEcologicalConcern.Thisisastudyarea6fajointState-FederalPlanningandManagementCommitteeresponsibleforlanduseplanningintheareaperipheraltotheM1.McKinleyNationalPark.Social:Thesetownswillbeaffectedbythecorridor:Cantwell,Healy,Nenana~and'Fa.irbanks.Cantwellisasmallcommunitywithnoelectricu~ility,and'fewservicesa.partfromarailroadstationandafewrestaurant/motel/gasstations.IncomingmaterialmayarriveattheAlaskaRailroad;possiblecongestionofthestationmayoccur.Thisisaninsignificantimpact,however,andquitetemporary.ItispossiblethatCantwellwilltapdirectlyfromthe230kvtransmissionline.235
Electricalservicewilleitherbeviafuturedistributionlinesofoneoftheexistingutilitiesorbytappingfromanewsubstation.Th7proposed25kvdistributionlinetoMcKinleyParkmayeventuallyextendsouthtoserveCantwellandSummit.Ifthetransmissionlineisconstructedfirst,pressureisexpectedtobegreaterforasubstationtoserveCantwellandSumtr.it.Thepresenceofanearbytransmissionlinewillundoubtedlyresultinincreasedpressurefromthecommunityforelectricalservice;althoughwhichofthetwomethodswillbedeterminedbythecostandfeasibilityofboth.HealyissimilartoCantwell,exceptthatitisservedbytheGVEAsystem'sHealysteamplant.Nenanaisafairlyimportanttransportationnode,situatedatthecrossingoftheTananaRiver,anavigablewaterway,bytherailroadandhighwaycorridors.Situatedinabottomlandspruce-poplararea,ifthetimberfromalineclearingistobesold,thenthelogswillpassthroughNenana,offeringsomebusinessandjobs.ItisunlikelythatmuchlaborfortheactuallineconstructionwillbedrawnfromNenana.ThetownisalreadyservedbytheGVEAsystem.TheexistingHealy138kvlinepassesveryclosetothetown.Forashortstretchitusesshortertowersandspanstominin1izehazardstoaircraftusingtheFAAstripsouthoftown.Thecorridorwillbefarenoughfromtheairstriptoreducethishazardtoaminimum,and anyspansdeemedhazardousbytheFAAwillbemarked.ImpactsofAlternativeSusitna-;2Alternativecot:ridorSusitna-2duplicatesSusitna-lfromPointMacKenzietoTalkeetna.Impactsareidenticalforthissegment,andarediscussedunderimpactsofpreferredcorridorSusitna-l.ImpactsdiscussedhereareforthesegmentfromTalkeetnatoGoldCreekviaTroublesomeCreek.Soils:Inthesouthernportionofthisalternativethereisahighproportionofpoorlydrainedsoilswhichcanbeexpectedtopresentproblemsfortowerfootingsandaccessroads.Theseverityoftheproblemwilldependuponthevulnerabilityofthesoiltofrostheavingandtheabilityofthefinallinesurveytoavoidareasofpoorsoils.IntheuplandareasaroundTroublesomeCreek,gravellysoilswillpresenterosionalproblems,particularlysincesteeperslopesareencountered.Frostheavingshouldbelessofaconcern,andmaintenanceoffootingswillbeless .Therewillbelittleornoproblemwiththermaldisruptionofpermafrostasthereisonlydiscontinuous,deeplyburiedpermafrostalongthisalternative.However,finallinesurveycanlocateandavoidanyhighriskareas.Thermaldisruption,particularlyintheuplandareas,couldleadtogulleyingandotherformsoferosion.236
CrossingsoftheTalkeetnaandSusitnaRivers,parallelingofWhiskersCreek,andapossiblecrossingofTroublesomeCreekarenecessary.FordingoftheTalkeetnaandSusitnaRiversisunlikely.Inanyevent,theriversarebothalreadysedimentladenriversandwillbelittleaffectedbyadditionalsediment.Sedimentwillnegativelyimpactfish·habitatintheWhiskersandTroublesomeCreeks,bothofwhichareclearw,aterstreams.Vegetation:TheamountofclearingfortheSusitna-2alternativeisupto2,375acres,67acresmorethanthatforSti,sitna-I,ifthelineistobe345~v.A230kvlinewouldrequireupto2,121acres,61morethanasimilarlinealongSusitna-1.Theactualacresofclearingwillprobablybelessthanthesefiguressincesomestretchesmayonlyrequireclearingfortheaccessroadandthetowerbases..Inthesouthernportiontheterrainisflatenoughsothattheclearingwillincludetheac;:cessroad;inthesteeperterraintheaccessroadmayhavetodeviatefromtheright-of-waytomaintaingrade,andthiswillrequireadditionalclearing.,Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevegetation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrain,mechanicalclearingmethodssuchasbulldozingwillcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoil,andsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopeshandclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfires,andtoreducepotentialinfestationofhealthytreesbysprucebeetles(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposedof.Thiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchant-abletimberorbyburning.Althoughburningwillreduceairqualitytemporarily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.)Regrowthratesalongthiscorridorarefastenough,particularlyinthesouthernportion,towarrantperiodicsuppressionoftallgrowingtreeswhichposeahazardtothetransmissionline.Thepreferredmethodalongthiscorridorismanualapplicationofasuitableherbicide.Theamountofclearingtobemaintained,themodestregrowthrates,andhighcostoflabormakethisalternativepreferableinthiscorridoroveraerialapplicationofherbicidesontheonehand,orhandcuttingofindividualtreesontheother.Ifproperapplicationtechniquesareadheredto(seeMitigatingMeasures),therewillbenootherimpactsotherthanthemaintenanceofasub-climaxvegetation.Accidentaloversprayingorwinddrift,orimproperdilution,resultinginunnecessaryde~tructionofvegetationandsprayingofwaterbodiesresultinginhabitatdestruction237
foraquaticlifeareJ1.otlikelytooccurwithmanualapplication.Sectionsneedingvegetationsuppressionoccursinthebottomlandspruce-poplar,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andupla.ndspruce-hardwoodforests,particularlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarandmuskeg-bogareas,whichcompriseasignificantproportionoftheecosystemscrossedbythiscorridor,willneedlittleclearingandnovegetationsuppression.Lowlandspruce-hardwoodareaswillnotneedtobemaintainedasoftenasbottomlandspruce-poplar.Wildlife:Alterationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife.Thiscorridortraversesmanyareasof.mooseconcentration,andmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroductionofbrushresultingfromtheregrowthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintained,thisbrushareawilllastforthe..lifeoftheline.Mostbrush,areasareintransition,changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphaseapproachingtheclimacticphase.Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse..Animalsdependentuponclimacticforest,suchassquirrels,willsufferlossanddisplacement.However,theirfasterreproductiverateswillallowtheirpopulationstoadaptrapidly.Mostanimalswil~benefitfromtheedgeenvironment,offeringbothforageandcoverfromtheadjacentforestandbrush.Initially,animalmovementsmayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthebrushgrowsintoadensecover,thiswillbelimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshouldbelowinthiscorridor.;Constructionitselfwillaffectwildlife.Largermam111alsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.SmalleranimalswillsufferlossofiIldividuals,butshouldrecuperaterapidlyonceconstructioniscompleted.Thedensityofforestinthis.corridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistancetoavoidcontactwithconstructionactivities.VegetationsuppressioIl,bywhatevermethod,willperiodicallyremovecoverfromalongthe.right-of-w;ay.However,duetothesurroundingcoveroftheunclearedforests,thisimpactwillbeinsignificant.Recreation:Thiscorridorpenetrates26PlilesoftheDenaliStatePark,comingwithin4milesoftheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwaynearthePark'ssouthernborder.ThisputsthecorridorwithineasywalkingdistanceofthehighwayforasignificantpartofitslengthwithinthePark.Thiswillaffectpresentandpotentialtrailsintersectingthecorridor..238
AccessibilitytotheParkwouldbeincreasedbythecreationofanaccess.routeparalleltothehighway;however,thehighwayandtheSusitnaRiverarenotseparatedmorethannineorlessthanfourandahalfmiles,sothecorridor,whichseparatesthetwo,willnotserviceaninaccessiblearea.HuntingispresentlyprohibitedinDenaliStateParksoanaccessroadwillhavenovalueashuntersIaccess.ImpactonrecreationwillbenegativesincetheentireareaoftheParktotheeastofthehighwaywillbelimitedforhikinganddaytrails'.CulturalResources:TheNationalRegisterlistsnohistoricalorarcheo-logicalsitesalongthiscorridor,Ifthefinalroutesurveylocatesanarcheologicalsite'<minorrelocationorcarefultowerlocationwill.avoiddisruptionofthesite,Inadvertantdisruptionofanarcheological.sitewillreduceordestroyitsarcheologicalvalue,ScenicResources:Thetransmissionlinecanbeeffectivelyhiddenfromthehighwayforitsentirelength;however,its.impactis.stillhighb.ec.au.seo.fconflictswiththeexistingandpqtentialtrailsintheStatePark.Asignificantvalueofthesetrailsisaesthetic,andvisibilityofatransmissionlinefromaninterceptedoradjacenttrailwillserj.ously...."~..detractfromtb.eoriginalpurposeofthesetrails,,..LandUseandResources:Themajorlanduseofthissegmentisscenicandr~cr~ationaLImpactsareasdescribed,above.under"Recreation",and"Sce~icResa"urces."...T~erewillbenosignificantimpactonforestryoragriculturebecauseoftheexclusivenatureoftheStatePark.landuse,Therewillbenoimpactsonotherresourcesinthissegment.ImpactsofAlternativeSusitna-3Soils:.Thes.oils.encounteredalongthisalternativearebasicallywellsuitedtotheconstructionofanaccessroad,Thelowe;rosionpotential,a~bsenceofsignifi~antpermafrost,andth~gravellytextureindicatethateffectsoferosionandconsequentsedimentationwillbelow.Dependinguponthefinalr.c>utesurvey,severalsmallclearwatercreekswillb~crossed.Somesedimentationwilloccurfromfordingofconstruc-tionequipment.Thissedimentationwillb.7(.ofate~porarynature,andoflowsignificancesincethisuplandareaisnotanimportant·fishery,TheTalkeetnaRiverwillneedatleastonecrossing,butprobablywillnotbeforded,SincetheTalkeetnaRiverca"rriesaglacialsiltload,anyadditionalsedimentationwillnotbesignificant.23969-7370 -81-16
Theuplandsoilsarequiteshallow;excavationoffootingsmayrequireblasting.Accessroadlocationmayhavetodeviatefromthetransmissionlineinordertokeepanacceptablegradewithoutextensiveexcavation.Vegetation:TheSusitna-3alternativefor345kvcouldrequireupto1,900acres,407acreslessthanthatforSusitna-1.For230kv,thisalternativewouldrequireuptoI,696acres,364acreslessthanasimilarlinealong.corridorSusitna;..1.ThemajorityofthisclearingwilloccurintheTalkeetnaRivervalley.LittleornoclearingwillberequiredintheuplandareastowardDevilCanyon.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillb~thedestructionofthevegetation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrainmechanicalclearingmethods,suchasbulldozing,willcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopes,handdearingwillmi.tigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotential.1ikelywithmechaniCaldearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfiresandtoreducepotentialinfestationofhealthytreesbysprucebeetles(Dendroctomusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposedof.Thiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchant-abletimberorbyburning.Althoughburningwillaffectairqualitytempo-rarily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.)Regrowthratesalongthiscorridorarefastenough,particularlyinthesouthernportion,.towarrantperiodicsuppressionoftall·growingtreeswhichposeahazardtothetransmissionline~Thepreferredmethodalongthiscorridorismanualapplicationofasuitableherbicide.Theamountofclearingtobemaintained,themodestregrowthrates,andhighcostoflabormakethisalternativepreferrableinthiscorridoroveraerialapplicationofherbicidesontheonehandorhandcuttingofindividualtreesontheother.Ifproperapplicationtechniquesareadheredto(seeMitigatingMeasures),therewillbenootherimpactsotherthanthemain-tenanceofasub-climaxvegetation.Wildlife:Alterationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife.ThiscorridortraversesmanyareasofmooseconcentrationintheTalkeetnaRivervalley,andmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroductionofbrushresultingfromtheregrbwthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintained,thisbrushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.Most240
brushareasareintransition,changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphasenearertheclimacticphase.Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.AnimalsdependentuponclimacticforesJ,suchassquirrels,willsufferlossanddisplacement.J10wever,theirfa~terreproductiverateswillallowtheirpopulationstorecuperaterapidly.Mostanimalswillbenefitfromthe~dge~nvironment,offeringbothforageandcoverfromth'e.adjacentforestandbrush.Initially!,animalmovementsmayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthe.brushgrowsintoadensecover,thiswillbelimited.Thisimpactshouldbelowinthiscorridor.Theremaybeapossibleimpactonthecaribouwinterrangereportedtoexistinintheuplandareasalongthisalternative.Summerconstruc-tionwillreducecontactsofcaribouandtheconstructionactivity.Firesstartedbyconstructionmaydestroypotentialwinterbrowse.Thedegreeofthis.impactdependsupontheareaburnedandtheseasonoftheburning.Largermammalsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.Smalleranimalswillsufferlossofindividuals,butshouldrecuperaterapidlyonceconstructioniscompleted.ThedensityofforestinthiscorridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistanGetoavoidcontactwithconstructionactivities.Vegetationsuppression,.bywhatevermethod,willperiodicallyremovecoverfromalongth.eright-of~way..However,duetothesurroundingcoveroftheunclearedforests,thisimpactwillbei~significant.Herbicideswillnotdirectlyaffectanimalsinthedilutionsusedformanualspraying;herbicides.p.sedonright-of-waymaintenancearenon-cumulative.e:mdarereadilyexcreted.Theoveralladv:erseimpactofherbicidesprayingwillbelow,asitwillbenecessaryonlyevery'fivetotenyears,whereastheavailabilityofforageprovidedisaspermanentasthe.transmission.line.ReclZeation:.Thiscorridorapproachesnorecognizedrecreationarea.SincetheentirelengthofthissegmentfromTalkeetna.toDevilCanyonparallelsnoexistingtransportationline,asizeableamouI1~oflandisopeneduptoaccessbyfour-wheeldrivevehicles,dependentuponthepoliciesofthelandownersormanagingagency.Forrecreationrequiringvehicularaccess,thisincreasedaccesswillhaveabeneficialimpact.forrecr~ationdependentuponprimitivevalues,increasedaccesswillhaveadetrimentalaspect.241
CulturalResources:Thereisn.oknownimpactonculturalresourcesinthissegment.ScenicResources:Intermsofviewercontacts,thiscorridorwillhavealowimpactonsceniCqualityduetoitsrelativeinaccessibility.How-ever,thiscorridorwillhaveahigherimpactupontheintactnessofthisareathanthecomparablesegmentsofSusitna-1andSusitna-2.Thehighprimitivevaluesandmediumtohighscenicvalueofthiscorridor,coupledwithrelativelyhighvisibilityofatransmissionlineintheuplandarea,willresultinahighimpac"ton.scen.icquality,dis-regardingthefactorofviewerconta.cts.LandUseandResources:NoimpactonagricultureisanticipatedalongthiscorridorfromTalkeetnatoDevilCanyon.AnaccessroadwillnotenhanceforestryiIitheTalkeetnaRivervalleysinceitwouldbeunsuit-ableforaloggingroadun1E~ssitwereoverbuilt,andsincethe-accessroadwouldrunveryclosetothetransmissionlineitself.ImpactsonmineralreSourceswillalsobelow;notenoughpotentialexistsalongthecorridortobeinfluencedbytheincreasedaccess.Social:Nocommunitiesareencounteredalongthiscorridor;sothereisnoimpact.ImpactsofAltern.ativeSusitna;...4Soils:Forsoilsin'theportionofthiscorridorthatfollowstheTalkeetnaRiverandPrairie·Creek,impactsfromerosion,siltation,andpermafrostdegradationarelow.CrossingsoftheTalkeetnaRiverandIronCreekwillbenece.ssary.Bothofthesestreamsaresedimentladen;·soaddi-tionalsedimentationwillhavelittleeffect.Thesoilsontheuplandportionofthiscorridoraremoresusceptibletoerosion,cilthoughtheslopesareshallower..Animproperlyconstructedaccessroadwillcauseerosion.Veryfewcreeksarecrossed.Sedimentationwouldbeaveryminorproblem.Somepermafrostassociatedwithpoorlydrained,peatysoilsmaypresentproblems,n6tonlyof-permafrostdegradation,butoffrost-heaving.However,finallinesurveyshouldreducethispotentialimpact.UnavoidablestretchesofpoorlygrC!-i,neCl;soilsmayberuttedandscarredbyvehicletracksunless'thE!accessroadishardenedwithagravelbed.Vegetation:Fora345kvlinethiscorridorcouldrequireupto2,257acresofclearing,50acreslessthanSusitna-'l.Fora230kvdesignitwouldrequireupto2,105acres,45acreslessthanasimilarlineon242
Susitna..,.l.Actualacreagesofclearingwillprobablybelessthanthesefiguressincetheentireright-of-waywillinmostcasesnotbecleared,andalongsomestretchesonlytheaccessroadandtowerbasesneedtobecleared.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevege-tation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwild-lifehabitats.Inhillyterrain,mechanicalclearing-trJethodssuchasbulldozingwillcause·considerabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuse·ofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopes,handclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfiresandtoreducepotentialinfesta-tionofhealthytreesbysprucebeetles(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposedof.Thiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchantabletimberorbyburning.Althoughburningwillaffectairqualitytemporarily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives.(SeeMitigatingMeasures~)RegrowthratesalongtheTalkeetnaRivervalleyarehighenoughsothatperiodicsuppressionoftallgrowingtreeswithintheclearingisrequired.Themethodtobeusedwillbemanuallyappliedherbicide,appliedtotargettreesduringregularmaintenancepatrols.Ifproperlyapplied,therewillbenocontaminationofwaterbodiesordestructionofnon-targetvegetation.Themostimportantimpactofthisprogramwillbethemainte-nanceofsub-climaxbrushwithinforestedareas.Wildlife:Alterationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife.ThiscorridortraversesanareaofmooseconcentrationintheTalkeetnaValley,andmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroductionofbrushresult-ingfromtheregrowthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintained,thisbrushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.Mostbrushareasareintransition,changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphasenearertheclimacticphase.Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.Animalsdependentuponclimacticforest,suchassquirrels,willsufferlossanddisplacement.However,theirfasterreproductiverateswillallowtheirpopulationstoadaptrapidly.Mostanimalswillbenefitfromtheedgeenvironment,"offeringbothforageandcoverfromtheadjacentforestandbrush.Initially,animalmovementsmayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthebrushgrowsintoadensecover,thiswillbelimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshouldbelowinthiscorridor.243
Constructionitselfwillaffectwildlife.Largermammalsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.Smalleranimalswillsufferlossofindividuals,butshouldrecuperaterapidlyoncecon-structioniscompleted.Thedensityofforestinthiscorridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistancetoavoidcontactwithconstructionactivities.'Vegetationsuppression,bywhatevermethod,willperiodicallyremovecoverfromalongtheright-:-of-way.However,duetothesurroundingcoveroftheunclearedforests,thisimpactwillbeinsignificant..Herbi-cidesappliedasoutlinedunder"Vegetation,"willproducefeweffectsuponanimals.Sinc.etheherbicidesareappliedpnlytotargetvegeta-tion,theprobabilityofingestionisreducedtoaminimum.Herbicidesarenottoxictoanimalsintheconcentrationsnormallyused,andarenotcumulativeineffect.Recreation:AlthoughthiscorridordoesnotapproachanyStateorFederalrecreationareasorparks,itwillaffecttherecreati()naluseoftheuplandareanearStephenLake.Readilyaccessiblebyfloatplane,thisareaispopularwithsportsmenandvacationers.Thelakeshavemanycabinsalongtheirshores.Theaccessroadw<imldprovideanothermeansofaccessforthisarea,whichwouldtendtoincreasetherecrea-tionaluse.andatthesametime,thetransmissionlinewouldbevisible• . .... - .Iformostofitslengthovertheuplandarea.Ifoneoftheperceivedvaluesofthisareaisitsrelativeinaccessibility,thenincreasedaccessandavisibletransmissionlinewouldhaveahighlydetrimentalimpact.Increasedaccessibilitytootherareastraversedbythecorridorw,?uldbebeneficialtorecreationalusedependentuponeasyaccess.CulturalResources:Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesan:unsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:'Intermsofviewercontacts,impactofatransmissionlinealongtheTalkeetnaRivervalleywillbelow.Alongtheuplandareaitwillbehigh.Thisareais.aheavilyusedrecreationarea,sparselyforested,andofmoderatetohighscenicquality.Thus,theconstructionofatransmissionlineandtheinherentvisibilityofsuchalinewouldresultinahighimpact.244
LandUseandResources:Therewillbesignificantimpacts,bothbene-ficialanddetrimental,onthepredominantlanduse,recreation.Theseimpactsarediscussedunderthe"Recreation"sectionabove.':['herewillbenoimpactonagriculture,forestry,andmineralresources.Social:Therewillbenosocialimpactsfromthiscorridor.ImpactsofAlternativeNenana-2Soils:.Impactsonsoilsal0I?-gthiscorridorwillbeidenticaltothoseout-linedinNenana-luptoCantwell.Thegenerallyflat,gravellysoilfromCantwelltoWellsCreekisvulnerabletowatererosion.Constructionactivitiesmaycausegulleyinginthisarea.Thepeatypermafrostsoilsalsofoundinthisareawillpresentproblemsinconstructingtheaccessroad.Possibleruttingandscarringmayleadtodegradationoftheunder-lyingpermafrostandfurthererosion.FromWellsCreektotheupperWoodRiver,impactswillvarywiththetypeofsoilencountered,whichcanbelocalizedpoorlydrainedfrozensoil,thinsoilsandgravel,andbarebedrockandtalus.Localpocketsofpoorlydrainedsoilscanbeavoidedtoanextent.Unavoidableencounterswillresultindisturbanceofthesoilandpossibleconsequentdisruptionofthepermafrost.Thinsoilsandgravelareverysusceptibletoerosion,pa~ticularlysincetheywillbefoundinconjunctionwithsteepslopes.Accessroadconstructionwillhaveadetrimentalaffectinboththesesoils.Noimpactonbarebedrockandtalusisanticipated;however,footingsfortowerswillrequireblastingandconstructionofanaccessroadwillbeextremelydifficult.Increasingamountsofpoorlydrained,frozen,'peatysoilsencounteredfromalongthelowerWoodRivertotheTananaRiverwillcauseincreasingproblemswithaccessroadconstruction,footingstabilization,andruttingandscarringofthesoils.Unlesstheaccessroadisbeddedongravel,thereisastrongpotentialforpermafrostdegradationandconsequentgulley-ingandmaintenanceproblems.ImmediatelyadjacenttotheTananaRiver,stratifiedsoilspresentapotentialwatererosionproblem,yetareeasiertoconstructonthanthesurroundingpoorlydrainedpeats.Thesestrati-fiedmaterialsareoftenleveesofextinctorexistingchannels.Theyarelinear,butsinuous,andmayprovidenotonlythebestfoundationfora:road,butalsothehighestpointabovefloodwaters.'245
Theimpactof·seditIlentationonglacialriverswilloelow.SedimentationimpactonclearwaterstreamswillbemediumforWellsCreek.LouisCreek.andDeanCreek.SedimentationimpactsuponthenumerousclearwatertributariesoftheWoodRiverwillbelowsincetheywillbecrossedclosetotheirconfluenceswiththesiltladenWoodRiver.Vegetation:Thiscorridorcouldrequireupto1.500acresofclearing.60acresmorethanthatforNenana-I.Actualacreageclearedwillprobablybelessthanthisfiguresincetheentireright-of-wayneednotbecleared.and'theterrainrequiringtheheaviercle~ringisgenerallyflatenoughtoallowtheaccessroadtorunwithintheclearing.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevege-tation.Themlichmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrainmechanicalclearing~ethodssuchasbulldozingwillcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesandrotarycutterswilrreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopes.hanaclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfiresaridtoreducepotentialinfesta-tionofhealthytrees'inthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystembysprucebeetles(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andipsbeetles.slashmustbedisposed6f.Thiscanbedonebysaleofmerchantabletimber.bychipping.orbyburning.Althoughburningwillaffectairqualitytemporarily.itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking.burning.orchipping.anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.).\\Exceptforthebottomlandspruce-poplarforestalongtheTananaRiver,regrowthratesarelowenoughsothatlittlevegetationsuppressionotherthanroutinetrimmingofdangertreesisnecessary.MoreextensivecuttingprogramsmaybenecessaryintheareaaroundtbeTananaRiver.Inthemoisttundraandalpinetundraecosystems.disturbedareaswillbeveryslowtorecuperate.Revegetationwithappropriatespecieswillbenecessarytominimizesurfaceerosionaridpermafrostdegradation.Properconstructionandaccessroaddesignwilllimitvegetationlosstotheareaoccupiedbytheroadbedandtowerbases.Noclearingisnecessaryintheseareas.Firescausedbyconstructionandmaintenancewillhavelittleimpact,providingtheyarediscoveredquicklyandstoppedwithoutexcessdisturb-anceofthesoil.Thepresentpatternsofforestsarecausedbypreviousnaturallycausedfireswhichareanintegralfactorof-these246
ecosystems.Impactfromasmallnumberofadditionalfiresoflimitedareawillbelow.Wildlife:Thegreatestanticipatedimpactuponwildlifewillbethealtera-tionofvegetativepatterns,andthisimpactwillbeafunctionofthedegreeofclearing.Animalsdependentuponclimaxforestwillsufferlossofindividualsandlossofhabitat.Generally,thesearethesmallmammalssuchassquirrelandmarten.Moosewillbenefitfromthecreationof.anareaofmaintainedbrowse.Sincetheclearingwillnotbeallowedtotalregrowth,thebr()wsecreatedcanbeconsideredaspermanentastheline.Theconjunctionofforestandopenbrushcreatesafavorable"edge"environmentformostanimals,offeringforageontheclearingandcoverintheforest.Constructionactivitywilltemporarilyfrightenawaywildlife;however,thisisanextremelylocalandtemporaryimpact.Maintenancepatrolswillnotbefrequentenoughtokeepanimalsfromreturningtothecorridor.ImpactuponthecaribouwinteringrangesoneithersidesoftheAlaska·Rangewillbelowifconstructionisdoneinsummer,whichmaybepre-ferrableinany.casebecauseofbetterworkingconditions.Dallsheephabitatwillbeimpactedinthattheywillbefrightenedawayfromcon-structionactivitymoresothancaribouandmoose.Again,thisimpactisofatemporarynature.Uncheckedfireineitherofthesehabitatswilladverselyimpactbothcaribouandsheep.Withcaribouparticularly,destructionofJheirkeywinterbrowse,lichen,mayhavelonglastingeffectsduetoslowregrowthrates.Recreation:ThiscorridordoesnottraverseanyFederalorStateparksorrecreationareas.Itdoes,however,brieflyapproachwithinfivemilesthesoutheastCOrnerofMcKinleyNationalPark.Exceptfor22milesalongtheDenaliHighway,thecorridorwillprovideaccesstoanareapreviouslyaccess,ibleonlybyairorfoot.Insomecases,accessispresentlypossiblewithall-terrainvehicles.•Increasedacce~swillimpactgameanimalpopulationssomewhat;theactualimpactwilldependuponthedesirabilityoftheareaforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.CulturalResources:..ThisalternativeapproachesnoNationalHistoricorArcheologicalSit~s.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationofthelineor247
towerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:Thisalternativetraversesareasoflowtohighscenicquality.Intermsofviewercontacts,thiscorridorwillhavelittleimpactsinceitwillnotbevisiblefromtransportationroutesformostofitslength.Disregardingviewers,highvisualimpacttoscenicandwildernessqualityinthemountainOusportionofthecorridorcanbeexpected.LandUseandResources:.Therewillbenoimpactsonforestryandagriculturethroughout'thisalternative.Therewillbenoimpactsonmineralorfossilfuelresources.Apartfromobtainingeasements,noimpactisexpectedonexistinglanduse.ImpactsofAlternativeNenana-3Soils:ThemajorityofthesoilsontheportionofthisalternativewhichdiffersfromtheproposedNenana-1corridorarerocky,thinsoilsandbedrock,andassucharewellsUitedgenerallyfortowerfoundations.Accessroadconstructionwillbehamperedbysteepslopes,bedrock,andtalusencounteredbythiscorridor.Erosionwillgenerallybelow,althoughonthinsoilsorunstableslopes,erosionwillbesevereunlesscorrectivemeasuresareemployed.Permafrostcanbeassumedtobecontinuous,butwillnotusuallybeofconcerntotowerlocationunlessthesoilisice-rich.Thisccmditionisassumedtoberestrictedtovalleyfloors.Soilimpactsfortheremainderofthealternativearedescribedundersoilimpactsoftheproposedcorridor.Vegetation:TheNenana-3corridorcouldrequireupto1,318acresofclearing,121acreslessthanNenana-LAlmostnoclearingisneededontheportionwhichdiffersfromtheNenana-lcorridorsincemostlyalpineandmoisftundraecosystemsareencounteredinthisportion.Impactsresultingfromclearingwillbesimilartothosediscuss'ecl'underNenana-LAlongthedifferingsegmentdestructionofvegetationwillbelimitedtothoseareasdirectlyoccupiedbytheroadbedandth~towerbases.Thiswillbeapermanentimpact,althoughsomerevegetationoftowerbasescanbeexpected.248
Destructionofthevegetativematin>tundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarringcouldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richpermafrostariderosion..Firesresultingfromconstructionandoperation,unlesssuppressedquickly,willresultinextensivedestructionofvegetation.Theseecosystemsareadaptedtonaturalwildfires,andunlesstheoccurrenceofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldun~ernormalcircumstances.Wildlife:ImpactsonwildlifeforthosesegmentsofthisalternativecorridortoNenana-larediscussedunderimpactstowildlifeoftheproposedcorridor.Alongthedifferingsegment,therewillbelittleimpactfromhabitatmodificationduetoclearing.IncreasedincidenceoffireresultingfromoperationorconstructionwilladverselyaffecthabitatforDallsheepandcaribou.Moosehabitatwillbeenhanced,uptoapoint,byfire.Constructionactivitymaycauseavoidanceofthecorridorbyanimals;however,thisisatemporaryimpact.OperationandmaintenancewillnotaffecttheanimalsIoccupationofthecorridor.IncreasedaccessaffordedbytheaccessroadmayincreasehuntingpressureonDallsheep~caribou,andtoalesserdegreeonmoose.Thedegreeofthisimpactisdependentuponthedesirabilityofthiscorridorforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.Recreation:ThiscO,rridordoesnottraverseanyFederalorStateparksorrecreationareas.Itdoes,however,brieflyapproachwithin5milesthesoutheastcornerofMcKinleyNationalPark.Exceptfor22milesalongtheDenaliHighway,thecQrridorwillprovideaccesstoanare~previouslyaccessibleonlybyairorfoot.Insomecases,acc.essispresentlypossiblewithall-terrainvehicles.Increasedaccesswillimpactgame'animalpopulationssomewhat;Theactualimpactwilldependupondesirabilityoithearea;forhunting,andaccess.andhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmallagingagencies.CulturalResources:ThisalternativeapproachesnoNationalHistori~orArcheologicalSites.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspected249
archeologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationoftheline.ortowers''willbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanara'ieologicalsite~illreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:Thisalternativetraversesareasofmoderatetohighscenicquality.Intermsofviewercqntacts,thiscorridorwillhavelittleimpactsinceitwillnotbevisiblefromtransportationroutesformostofitslength.Disregardingviewers,highvisualimpacttoscenicanQwildernessqualityinthemountainousportionofthecorridorcanbeexpected.LandUseandResources:Therewillbenoimpactsonforestryandagriculturethroughoutthisalternative.Therewillbenoimpactsonmineralorfossilfuelresources.ImpactsofAl~ernativeNenana":4Soils:FromHealytoEster,thiscorridorduplicatesNenana-I,andimpactstosoilsareidenticaltothosediscussedunderimpactsofNenana-I.ThesoilsfromWatanaDainsiteto'WellsCreekwillbeveryvulnerabletopermafrostdegradationandfrostheaving.Thevegetativematmustbepreserved,andconstructionactivitymustbeplannedtominimizedisruptionOfthesoiLErosioncausedbypermafrostdegradationandaccessroadc:onstructionwillhaveadverseimpactsonwaterqualityintheclearwaterstreamsencountered.'/Fordingofstreamsinthissegment,giventhesensitivesoilconditions,couldresultitiextensivebankerosion.Tominimizethisandtoensuretheintegrityofthetransmissionline,thecorridorwillavoidrivercrossingswhenpossible.FromWellsCreektoHealyviaNenana-4,thesoilsarerocky,thinsoilsandbedrock,andassucharewellsuitedgenerallyfortowerfoundations.Accessroadc:onstructionwillbehamperedbysteepslopes,bedrock,andtalusencounteredbythiscorridor.Erosionwillgenerallybelow,althoughonthinsoilsorunstableslopes,erosionwillbesevereunlesscorrectivemeasuresareemployed.Permafrostcanbeassumedto'becontinuous,butwillnotusuallybeofconcerntotowerlocationunlessthesoilisice-rich.Thisconditionisassumedtoberestrictedtovalleyfloors.-/,250
Vegetation:,TheNenana-4alternativecouldrequireupto1,182acresofClearing,257acreslessthanNenana-I.Actualacresclearedwillprobablybelessthanthissincetheentireright-of-wayneednotbecleared..ImpactsonvegetationfromHealytoEsterareidenticaltothosediscussed.;forthatsegmentunderimpactsofNenana-I.AlmostnoclearingisneededontheportionwhichdiffersfromtheNenana-:-Icorridorsincemostlyalpineandmoisttundraecosystemsareencounteredinthisportion.Impactsresultingfromclearingwillbesimilartothosedis-cussedunderNenana-I.Alongthedifferingsegment,destructionofvegetationwillbelimitedtothoseareasdirectlyoccupiedbytheroadbedandthetowerbases.Thiswillbeapermanentimpa.ct,althoughsomerevegetationoftowerbasescanbeexpected.Destructionofthevegetativematintundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarringcouldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richpermafrostanderosion.Firesresultingfromconstructionandoperation,unlesssuppressedqui,ckly,willresultinextensivedestructionofvegetation.Theseeco-systemsare.adaptedtonaturalwildfires,andunlesstheoccurrencofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldundernormalcircumstances.Wildlife:Impactsonwildlifeforthos~segmentsof.thisalternativecorridortoNenana-Iarediscussedunderimpactstowildlifeoftheproposedcorridor.Alongthedifferingsegmenttherewillbelittleimpactfronihabitatrilodi-fi·cationduetoclearing.Incr~.asedincidenceoffireresultingfromoperation.or.constructionwilladyerselyaffecthabitatforDallsheepandcarib.ou.Moosehabitatwillbeenhanced,uptQapoint,byfire..Constructionactivitymaycause.avoidanceofthecorridorbyanimals;however,thisisatemporaryimpact.OperationandmaintenancewillnotaffecttheanimalsIoccupationofthecorridor.Increasedaccessaffordedbytheserviceroadmayincreasehunting.pressureonDaTIsheep,caribou,andtoalesserdegreeonmoose.The251
degreeofthisimpactisdependentuponthedesirabilityofthiscorridorforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.Recreation:ThiscorridordoesnottraverseanyFederalorStateparksorrecreationareas.Thecorridorwillprovideaccesstoanareapre-viouslyaccessibleonlybyairorfoot.Insomecases,accessispresentlypossiblewithall-terrainvehicles.Increasedaccesswillimpactgameanimalpopulationssomewhat.Theactualimpactwilldependuponthedesirabilityoftheareaforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.CulturalResources:ThisalternativeapproachesnoNationalHistoricorArchedlogicalSites.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtherighf-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:Thisalternativetraversesareasoflowtohighscenicquality.Intermsofviewercontacts,thiscorridorwillhavelittleimpactsinceitwillnotbevisiblefromtransportationroutesformostofitslength.Disregardingviewers,highvisualimpacttoscenicandwildernessqualityinthemountainousportionofthecorridorcanbeexpected.LandUseandResources:Therewillbenoimpactsonforestryandagriculturethroughoutthisalternative.Therewillbendimpactsonmineralorfossilfuelresources..ImpactsofAlternativeNenana-5Soils:ThesoilsfromWatanaDamsitetoWellsCreekwillheveryvulner-abletopermafrostdegradationandfrostheaving.Thevegetativematmustbepreserved,andconstructionactivitymustbeplannedtomini-mizedisruptionofthesoil.Erosidncausedbypermafrostdegradationandaccessroadconstructionwillhaveadverseimpactsonwaterqualityintheclearwaterstreamsencountered.Fordingofstreamsinthissegment,giventhesensitivesoilconditions,couldresultinextensivebankerosion.Tomininiizethis.andtoensuretheintegrityofthetransmissionline,thecorridorwillavoidrivercrossingswhenpossible.252
FromWellsCreektoupperWoodRiverthesoilsarerocky,thinsoilsandbedrock,andassucharewellsuitedgenerallyfortowerfoundations.AccessroadcO:nstructionwillbehamperedbysteepslopes,bedrock.andtalusencounteredbythiscorridor.Erosionwillgenerallybelow,althoughonthinsoilsorunstableslopeserosionwillbesevereunlesscorrectivemeasuresareemployed.Permafrostcanbeassumedtobecontinuous,butwillnotusuallybeofconcerntotowerlocationunlessthesoilisice-rich.Thisconditionisassumedtoberestrictedtovalleyfloors.TheWoodRivervalleyandTananaRivervalleypresentproblemswithlocatingwelldrainedsoils.Largeareasofpoorlydrainedpeatswithcontinuousshallowpermafrostwillresultinpotentialsevereimpactssuchaspermafrostdegradation.ruttingandscarringofthesurface,bankerosionwhereclearwaterstreamsareforded,anderosioncausedbyaccessroadconstruction.Thenecessaryclearingwillalsogreatlyaddtoerosionandsiltation.PreventiveandcorrectivemeasuresWillneedtobeusedtominimizetheseimpacts.Vegetation:Thiscorridorwillrequireupto1,369acresofclearing,74acreslessthanNenana-I.Actualacresclearedwillprobablybelessthanthisfiguresincetheentireright-of-wayneednotbecleared.ThemajorityoftheclearingwillbealongtheTananaRivervalleyandlowerWoodRiverinthebottomlandspruce-,.poplaranduplandspruce-hardwoodecosystems.Alongthegreaterpartofthecorridortheaccessroadcanbeincorporatedintotheclearingduetolevelterrain.Themostimmediateeffectofclearingwillbethedestructionbftheclearedvegetation.Downedtimberandslashmustbedisposedofbyopenburningorchippingwhenpossibletopreventinfestationofstandingstocksofbottomlandspruce-poplarwithsprucebeetle(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andtheaccumulationoffuelforwildfire.Non-merchantabletimberwillbeburnedifan·accessroadispresent.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.Beetleinfestationwillbeofconcernmainlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystem.Destructionofthevegetativematintundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarringcouldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richpermafrostanderosion.Firesresultingfromconstructionandoperation,unlesssuppressedquickly,willresultinextensivedestructionofvegetation.Theseeco-systemsareadaptedtonaturalwildfires,andunlesstheoccurrenceofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldundernormalcircumstances.253
Somedisruptionofthesoilfromcleal'ingistobeexpected.Increasederosionbecauseofthis,andenhancedbythelackofcover,willresult.Ifvegetationiscleareduptoriverbanksonstreamcrossings,thismayresultin.additional·sedimentation.Wildlife:Therewillbeloss'Qfindividualsmalleranimalsanddisplace-mentofothers;however,this'isatemporarysetback.HighreproductiveratesofsmalLmammalsandre-invasionwillamendthis'impact;Apermanenthabitatmodificationwillresultfromtheclearingandmainten-ance.AcorridorofbrushwillbemaintainedthroughotherWise·forestedland.Animalsdependentuponclimaxforest,suchassquirrels,willsuffersomehabitatloss.Animalsdependentuponbrushandforbsforbrowsewillgain.ThelargeconcentrationofmoosealongthelowerWoodRiverandtheTananaRiverwillbenefitfromtheregrowthofbrushintoclearedareas.Dallsheepandcaribouinthemountainousareaswillsuffersomelossofforagetotheroadbedandtowerbases.Excessivefirewilladverselyaffecttheforagefortheselasttwogameanimalssincetheyaredependentuponclimaxvegetationwhichhasaslowregrowthrate.Moosewillbenefitfromfires,uptoapoint.Excessivefiresmaytriggererosionwhichwoulddegrade,ratherthanenhance,browseformoose.Constructionactivitymaycauseavoidanceofthecorridorbyanimals;however,thisisatemporaryimpact.OperationandmaintenancewillnotaffecttheanimalsIoccupationofthecorridor.IncreasedaccessaffordedbytheserviceroadmayincreasehuntingpressureonDallsheep,c.aribou,andmoose.Thedegreeofthisimpactisdependentuponthedesirabilityofthiscorridorforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.Recreation:ThiscorridordoesnottraverseanyFederalorStaleparksorrecreationareas.Thecorridorwillprovideaccesstoanareapre-viouslyaccessibleonlybyairorfoot.Insomecases,accessispliesentlypossiblewithall-terrainvehicles.Increaseda.ccesswillimpactgameanimalpopulationssonlewhat.Theactualimpactwilldependuponthedesirabilityoftheareaforhunting,andaccessandhuntingregulationsimposedbythelandmanagingagencies.CulturalResources:ThisalternativeapproachesnoNationalHistoricorArcheologicalsites.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspected254
archeologicalsitealongthe.right-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicaLsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:Thisalternativetraversesareasoflowtohighscenicquality.Intermsofviewercontacts,thiscorridorwillhavelittleimpactsinceitwillnotbevisiblefromtransportationroutesformostofitslength.Disregardingviewers,highvisualimpacttoscenicandwilder-nessquali·tyinthemountainousportionofthecorridorcanbeexpected.LandUseandResources:Therewillbenoimpactsonforestryandagriculturethroughoutthisalternative.Therewillbenoimpactsonmineralorfossilfuelresources.ImpactsofAlternativeMatariuska-lSoils:FromDevilCanyontoVeeDamsite,someproblemsrelatedtopoorlydr~inedwoilswillbeencountered.Generally,erosionpotentialalongthissegmentwillbelowtomoderate.Permafrostdegradationpotentialislow.Therelativelylevelna.tureoftheterrainwillfacilitateconstruc-tionofanaccessroadwithoutundueerosionalproblems.Severalclear-waterstreamswillneedcrossing;Sedimentationmayoccurfromthesecrossings,butsincethey\\iillbetfossedc1osetotheirconfluenceswiththesilt-ladenSusitna,thisimpactwillbelow.FromVeeDamsitetoSlideMountainthepotentialforpermafrostdegrada-tionisveryhigh.Thepoorlydrainedfine-grainsoilsencounteredareveryvulnerabletofrostheaving,whichwillentailmuchmaintenanceofthelineandroad.Thepotentialforscarringandruttingofthesurfaceishigh,andthesubsequenterosionmaycausesignificantsedimentationinthemanyclearwaterstreamsinthisarea.FromSlideMountaintoPalmer,thecorridorencounterslesssensitivesoils.OnceoverTahnetaPasspermafrostbecomesincreasinglydiscon-tinuous,andwelldrainedsoilspredominate.ErosionpotenHalislowtomoderateandconstructionofanaccessroadshouldpresentnoundueerosionalimpacts.SteepslopesintheupperMatanuskaValleymaypresentsomeerosionalproblems,buttheslopesaregenerallystable.Thinsoilsarealsocommon',andpotentialfordenudationofslopesbelowanaccessroadcutexists,butshouldbeeasilypreventable.25569-7370-81-17
InthelowerMatanuskaValleysoilssusceptibletowatererosionareencountered,andlocationoftowers-androadwillhavetobeplannednotonlytopreventbankcutting,butalsotoavoidathreattotheinteg-rityoftheline.Sincethisareaisalso.:theState'sonlymajoragricul-turalarea,extensivecareshould~betakentoavoidadverselyaffectinggoodquality,arablesoils.FromPalmertoPointMacKenzielargeareasofpoorlydrainedsoilswiUagainnecessitategreatcareinlocationofthetransmissionline.Althoughpermafrostisabsent,scarringofthesoftpeatsoilsisstillapossibility,andthesubsequentsedimentationofclearwaterstreamswillhaveanadverseimpactonaquaticlife.Theheavierclearingnecessaryinthisareawillalsocontributesomewhattosedimentation;towhatdegreeisdependentuponthecareexercisedinminimizingdisruptionofthesoil.Vegetation:Ifa345kvtransmissionsystemisconstructed,thisalter-nativecouldrequireupto2,817acresofclearing,510acresmorethanSusitna-l.Ifa230kvsystemisused,upto2,514acresofclear-ingwillbenecessary,454acresmorethanasitl)ilarsystemalongSusitna-l.ThemajorityofthisclearingwillbeinthelowerMatanuskaValleyandalongthenorthshoreofCookInlettoPointMacKenzie.VerylittleclearingwillberequiredalongtheportionfromVeeDamsitetotheLittleNelchinaRiver.Actualacresofclearingw:illprobablYbelessthantheabovefiguressince.theentirewidthoftheright-of-wayneednotbeclea.red.Theterrainisgenerallylevel;.sotheaccessroadcanbeincorporatedintothelineclearingwithoutadditionalclearing.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevege--tation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrain,mechanicalclearing.methodssuchasbulldozingwillcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopeshandclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfires,andtoreducepotentialinfes-,tationof:healthybottomlandspruce-poplarbysprucebeetles(Dendroctonusrufipennis)a~dipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposedof.Thiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchantabletimber,chipping,orbyburning.Althoughburningwillreduceairqualitytemporarily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives;so,non-merchantabletimberwillbeburnedifanaccessroadispresent.WithnQaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.Beetleinfestationwillbeofconcernmainlyonthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystem.256
Regrowthratesalongthiscorridorarefastenough.particularlyinthesouthernportio-n.towarrantperiodicsuppressionoftallgrowingtreeswhichposeahazardtothetransmissionline.Thepreferred~ethodalongthiscorridorismanualapplicationofasuitableherbicide.Theamountofclearingtobemaintained.themodestregrowthratel?,andhighcostoflabormakethisalternativepreferrableinthiscorridorov~raerialapplicationofherbicidesontheonehand,or:handcuttingofindividualtreesontheother.Ifproperapplicat;.ontechniquesareadheredto(seeMitigatingMeasures),therewillbenootherilllpactsothe.rthanthemaintenanceofasub-climaxvegetation.Accidentaloversprayingorwinddl'ift,orimproperdilution,~esultinginunrtecessarydestructionofvegetationandsprayingofwaterbodiesresultinginhabitatdestruc-tionforaquaticlifewillnotoccur.'Sectionsneedingvegetationsuppressionoccurinthebottomland'spruce-poplar,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andupl~dspruce-hardwoodforests.particularlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplar.Muskeg-bogareas,whichcomprise'asignificantproportionoftheecosystemscrossedbythiscor-ridorwillneedlittleclearingandnovegetation'suppression.Lowlmdspruce-hardwoodareaswillnotneedtobemaintainedasoftenasbottom-landspruce-poplar..InthemoisttundraecosystemsencounteredbetweenVeeDamsiteandtheLittleNe1<::hinaRiver,destructionofvegetationwillbelimitedtothoseareasdirectlyoccupiedbytheroadbedandthetowerbases.ThiswillbeapermanentimpactialthoughsomerevegetationoftowerbasescanbeeJL-pected..pestructionofthevegetativematinthetundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarringcouldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richpermafrostanderosion..,Firesresultingfromconstructionandoperation,unlesssuppressedquickly,willresultinextensivedestructionofvegetation.Theseecosystemsareadaptedtonatur~lwildfires,andunlesstheoccurrenceofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldundernormal'circumstances.Wildlife:Alterationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife.Thiscorridortraversesmanyareasofmooseconcentration,aridmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroduction<;Ifbrushresultingfromtheregrowthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintamed.thisbrushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.,Mostbrushareasareintransition,changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphasen~arertheclimacticphase.Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.257
Animalsdependentuponclimacticforestsuchassquirrelswillsufferlossanddisplacement.However,theirfaster;reproductiverateswill...allowtheir.populationstoadaptrapidly.+Mostanimalswillbenefitfromtheedgeenvironment,offeringbothforageandcoverfromtheadjacentJorestandbrush.Initially,animalmovementsmayoccuralongtheright--of-way,butasthebrushgrowsintoadensecover,-thiswillbelimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshould.belowinthiscorridor.Constructionitsel(vv,:tlJ,·affectwildlife.Largermammalsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnafterthecpnstructionactiyity.Sm;illeranimalswillsufferlossofindividuals,butshouldrecuperater;ipidlyonceconstructioniscompleted.Thedensityofforestinthiscorridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistancetoayoidcontactwithconstruc-tion.activities.Vegetationsuppression,bywhatevermethod,willperiodicaUyremovecoverfroma~ong.theright-of-way.However,duetothel;urroundingcoverofthe.unclearedforests,thisimpactWillbe,.jnsignificant.Areasrequiringclearingcoincidewithmoosepopulations.'TheresultingbrushwillbetQtheirbenefit.CaribouontheuplandbetweentheSusitnaandLittleNelch.inaRiverswillsuffersomedirectlossofforage'£i'omthevegetationcoveredbytheroadbedandtowerbases.Ofmoreimport-ancetocaribouhabitatisthepotentialoverburningofkeywinterbrowse,andthesubsequentreductionofwinterrange.SincetheNelchinacaribouherdhasundergonedrasticreductionsinpopulation(fromanestimated61,000inthelate1960'stoanestimated4,000to5,000presently)any.adverseimpactoncaribouhabitatcanbe.consideredserious.Theaccessroadwillseriouslyaffecthuntingsuccessunlesshuntingisfurtherrestrictedinthisarea.Therewillbeonlyslign.1impactonDallsheeprangeinTahnetaPass.Recreation:ThiscorridorapproachesnoStateorFederalparkor.recreationarea.Howevet,areaswithalligh:recreationaluseareencroachedupon.TheLakeLouis,~ar.eaisacomplexofinterc()nnectedlakessetuponagentle,roilinguplands,andr"eceiyeshighUSefO:r""vacationing,fishing,andcamping.LakeLouiseitselfliesapproximately10mileseastofthisalternativecorridor.Increase9-accE!ssa.pdvisibilityoftransmissionstructureswillhaveimpactsupontherecreation:al:use.SincetheareaisservedbyonlyoneroadtotheGlennHighway,anaccessroadwouldincreaseaccesstothearea.Thismaybeperceivedasanadverseimpactbypeoplealreadyowningorleasingsitesal~ngthelakeswhovaluetherelativesolitude,andmaybeperceivedas.beneficialbyfishermen,h,utl,ters,andotherswantingaccesstocabinsitesontheselakes..258
FromD~vilCanyontoSlideMountainthiscorridorwilltraverseareaspreviouslyaccessibleonlybyfootorair.Theimpactofanaccessroadhasbeendiscussedabove.ForaccesstothenorthofLakeLouise,increasedaccesswillallowgreateruseofthisuplandarea.Forhuntersparticularly,theincreasedaccessmaybeperceivedasdesirable..Accesswillbecontrolledbythelandmanagingagencyhavingjurisdic-tionovertheseareas.CulturalResources:ThiscorridorwillapproachthesitesoftheIndependenceMinesandKnikVillage,bothNationalHistoric:alSites.ThecorridorwillavoidtheIndependenceMinesbyatleast8miles;sonoimpactonthissiteisanticipated.TheKniksitewillbeapproachedupto3to5miles;however,impactonthissitewillbelowtonone.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerwillbealteredtoavoiddamageto.,suchsites.Inadvertent'damagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue..Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheo-logicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbea·beneficialaspect.ScenicResources:Therewiltbeamedium,to'highimpactonscenicqualityoftheTahnetaPass,""upperMatanuskaValleyarea.Highexistingscenicquality,largenumbersofviewersalongtheGlennHighway,andsomedifficultyinconcealmentofatransmissionlinecontributetothisimpact.DevelopmentofthelowerMatanuskaValley,whichhasalreadyaffectedtheintactnessofthatarea,willlessenvisualimpact.Theoppor-tunitiesforconcealmentaregreateralsointhelowervalley.Lownumbersofviewercontactsandeaseofconcealmentwill'greatlyinitigatevisualimpactfromPalmertoPointMacKenzie.Visualimpacthereislowtomedium.VisualimpactfromVeeDamsitetoSlideMountainislow.Thisis'afadoroflow,viewercontacts,lowtomediumexistingscenicquality,andtowardSlideMo.untainsomemeasureofconcealment.L~dUseandResources:AlowimpactisexpectedonagricultureontheMatanuska.Thefinalroutecanavoidpresentlydevelopedlandandhighqualityundevelopedland.Eveniflandinproductionweretobecrossed,onlyth.elanddirectlyoccupiedbythetowerbaseswouldherenderE;!dunfarmable.Muchoftheagriculturallandisdevotedtodairy..,ingandhay.Therewouldbe.averylowimpactontheseuses..Truckfarmingwouldbeimpactedmorethandairyingorhaysincethepatternsofrowcropswouldbeaffectedbytowerlocations.259
Nosignificantimpacts·areexpectedonpotentialforestryalongthisalternative,norareanysignificantimpactsexpectedonmineralsextraction·.Social:.Somesocio-economicimpactscanbeexpectedforPalmer,Wasilla,andtheseveralsmallcommunitiesalongthenorthshoreofCookInlet.Skilledlaborwillmostlikelynotbedrawnfromthesecommunities,althoughitispossiblethatunskilledlaborfromthesecommunitiesmightbeemployedontheconstructionphase.Localservicessuchasfoodandlodgingshouldexperienceanincreaseinbusiness,butthiswillbeatemporaryimpact,andduetotherelativelysmallamountofworkersneededandtheshiftingaspectoftheconstruction,aninsignificantimpact,also.Easementswillneedtobepurchasedoverprivatelyownedlands.Thiswillgivealumpsumpayment,whichwillbeapositiveimpactuponthelandowner.FutureriseinlandpricesandassessedtaxesduetoencroachingresidentialdevelopmentwilladverselyimpactlandownerswhohCiveeasementsontheirland.Theywillpaytaxonlandtheycannotdevelop,atratesfarbeyondtheratesforundevelopedland.Incaseswherethismayoccur,somearrangementsuchasanincreasedlumpsumpaymentorannualpaymentsequaltothedifferenceintaxratesshouldbemade.ImpactsofAlternativeMatanuska-2Soils:ImpactsonsoilsfromSlideMountaintoPointMacKenzieareidenticalto.thosedescribedunderimpactsonsoilsofalternativecorridorMatanuska-l.ThroughouttheentiresegmentfromWatanaDamsitetoSlideMountainbywayofGlennallen,thepotentialforpermafrostdegradationisveryhigh.Thepoorlydrainedfine-grainsoilsencounteredareveryvulnerabletofrostheaving,whichwillentailmuchmaintenanceofthelineandroad.Thepotentialforscarringandruttingofthesurfaceishigh,andthesubsequenterosionmaycausesignificantsedimen.tationinthe'manyclearwaterstreamsinthisarea.'ParticularlysensitiveistheGulkanaanditstributaries.Thecorridorparallelsthiso.systemforapproximately50miles,andmultiplecrossingswillhavecumulativeeffectonsedimentation.260
·Vegetation:TheMatanuska~2alternativecouldrequiretipto3.869acresofclearingifa345kvsystemisconstructed.Thisis1.561acresmorethantheproposedSusitna-lcorridor.Ifa230kvsystetnisused,upto3.454acreswillneedclearing,1.394acresmorethanSusitna-l,Actualacreage'ofclearingwillprobablybelessthanthesefiguressincenotalloftheright-of-wayneedbecleared.andtheterrainislevelenoughsothattheaccessroadcanbeincorporatedintothelineclearing.Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevege-tation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrain.mechanicalclearingmethodssuchasbulldozing'willcauseconsiderabledfsruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosion.andstr~amsedimentation.'The'useofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreduceiliiseffect.Onsteepslopes,hand'clearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.Toreduceavailabl~fuelforforestfires.'andtoreducepotentialinfesta-tionofhealthybottomlandspruce-'poplarbysprucebeetles(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmustbedisposed6LThiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchantabletimber,bychipping,orbyburning;Althoughburningwillreduceairqualitytemporarily.itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingth~mthealternatives,sonon-merchantabletimberwill'beburnedifanaccessroadispresent.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalong,theclearing.Beetleinfestationwillbeofconcernmainlyonthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystem.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.JInthemoisttundraecosystemcrossedfromWatanaDamsitetowithin10C?r20mUesofPaxson.destructionofvegetationwillbelimitedtothoseareasdirectlyoccupiedbytheroadbedandthetowerbases.Thiswillbeapermanentimpact,althoughsomerevegetationoftowerbasescarlbeexpected.Destructionofthevegetativematintundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarring,couldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richperma-frostanderosion..Firesresultingfromconstruction,and'operation,unlesssuppressedquickly,willresultinextensivedestrllctionofvegetation.Theseecosystemsare'adaptedtonaturalwildfires,andunlesstheoccur-renceofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldundernormalcircumstances.'261
Wildlife,:'Alt~rationofvegetationpatternswillaffectwildlife..Thiscprridortraverses'manyareC\Sofmooseconcentration,andmoose'shollid'b~nefitfrom~~introductiono~brushresultingfromtheregrowthontheclearing.Sincethecle~ring~ustbemaintained,thisb'rushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.MostbtoushareasareintransJtion,,changingfromthehrushphasetosomeotherphasenear~rtheclimac-ticphase.,Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.Areasrequiringclearingcoincidewithmoosepopulations..Theresultingbrushwillbetotheir,benefit.CaribouontheuplandsbetweentheSusimaandLittle.NelchinaRiverswillsuffersomedirectlossoffo~age.c.".'•..;..',...'.-'_;',:-';'. . .~.fromthevegetationcoveredbytheroadbedandtowerbCiSes.'.Ofmoreimportancetoc,aribouhabitati,sthepotentialover~urningofkeywinterbrowse,and,thesubs~quentreductioninw,interrange.Due,toth,e,--.',.'-..drasticreductioninthepopulationoftheNelchinaherd,(fromanestimated61,000inthelate1960'stoanestimated4,000tp5,000in1974)anyadverseimp<lctoncad.bouisaseriousimpact.Increasedaccesswillbeaseriousadverseimpact\lnlessJ111n,tingisfurtherrestrictedinthisarea.,~"Animalsdependentuponclimacticforestsuchas,squirrelswills.uffer10ssanddisplaceritentHo~eyer,theirJastreproductionrateswrll,allowtheirpopulationstoadapt,rapidly.,,',,MostaPimalswi~lbf:mefitfromtheedgeenvironment,offeringbothforageandcoverfromtheadjacentforestandbrush.Initially,ani~almove":mentsmayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthe,brushgro""sintoadens~cov~r,thiswillb,elimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshouldbelowinthiscorridor.,.Constructionitselfwillaffectwildlife.LargermammalsmayteIllPorarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.Smalleranimalswillsufferlossofindividuals,butshouldrecuperCiterapicilyoncec,on-structioniscompleted.,'Recreation:Thi~corridorapproachesnoS'tateorFederalparkorreCrea-tionarea.However,areaswithahighrecreationaluseareenc:roachedupon.TheLakeLouiseareaisacpmplexofinterconnectedlakess,et,uponagentle,rollingupland~,andreceivesh!~huseforvacationing,fishing,andcamping.LakeLouise,liesapproximately,35milestothe,west.Sincethecorridorwillparallelanexistinghigh~ay,itisunlikelythatitwillcontributegreatlytoincreasedaccesstothislakecomplex.262
ExceptfortheportionfromWatanaDamsitetoDenaliDamsite,thecorridorwillparallelexistinghighway..Thref6re,itisnotexpectedthatthecorridorwillprovideaccesstosignificantlylargeareas.CulturalResources:ApartfromIndependenceMinesandtheKniksitediscussedunderalternativeMatanuska-l,theonlyNationalArcheol-ogicalsiteistheTangleLakesArcheologicalDistrictwestofPaxson.Carefulexaminationofthefinalroutewillminimizeanychanceofdisruptionofarcheologicalsiteswithinthisdistrict.ANationalHistoricalSite,SourdoughLodge,willnotbeapproachedenoughtobeaffected.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadvertentdamagetoanarcheologicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.ScenicResources:ImpacttO$cehicqualityfromDenaliDamsitetoPaxsonwillbehigh.Largenumbersofviewercontacts,littleopportunityforconcealment,'andareasofhighexistingscenicqualityarefactorsinthishighimpact.FromWatanatoDenaliDamsites,visualimpactislow.FromPaxsontoSlideMountainvisualimpactwillrangefromlowtomoderate.FortherestOfthisalternative,visualimpactsareasdescribedforalternativeMatanuska-l.LandUseandResources:Littleornoimpactisexpectedonagriculture,forestry,ormineralextraction...Thiscorridorwillparalleltheright-of-wayoftheAlyeskaPipelineandtheRichardsonHighway.Itwill,bydoingso,'reinforcetheexistenceofautilitycorridorandsubsequently,thelocationoffuturerights-of-way.Somesavingsoftotalwidthofthiscorridorcouldbeachievedbysharingofrights-of-way.(SeeAlternativestotheProposedAction.)Social:Socio-economicimpactswillbeidenticaltothosediscussedforalternativeMatanuska-l,withtheexceptionoftwoadditionalcommuni-ties,GlennallenandPaxson.Sincethecorridorwillrunsoclosetoboth,itisverylikelythattheywillreceiveimpactsupontheirservicessuchaslodgingandfood.Thisisatemporaryimpact,andnotverysignificant.Somelocallabormaybeemployedduringconstruction,butthiswillprobablybeunlikely.263
Easementswillneedtobepurchasedwhereprivatelandmustunav9id-ablybe.crossed.Thiswillresultinthelandowner.receivingalumpsumpayment,.andwillprovidesomeinfl~ofcapitCll'totheseareas.ImpactsoftheDeltaAlternativeSoil:Thisalternativecrossessignificantlylargeareasofsoilshavingmoderatetohigherosionpotential.Therearetwosensitivesoilareas:1)Thepoorlydrained,ice-richpermafrostfoundthroughouttheentirelengthoftheroute.Thissoilisvulnerabletopermafrost<iegradation,frostheaving,andruttingandscarringofthetopsoil.2)Thesecondsensitivesoiltypeisthefine-grainsoils,generallywelldraineduplandsoils,foundbetweenShawCreekandFairban.ks.Thissoilisvulner-·abletogulleying,unstableslopes,andwinderosion.Erosionfromeitherofthesetwosoiltypesmaycausesedimentationin.themanyclearwaterstreamsthataretributariestotheTananaRiver.Gen-erally,theseclearwatertributariesarelimitedtothosedrainirlgthenortheastportionoftheTananaRivervalleyinthisarea.TributariesoftheTananafromtheAlaskaRangeare'sedimentladenandwillnotbesignificantlyimpactedfromerosion.Localproblemareaswillbeencountered.NorthofSummitLake,inIsabelPass,isanareaofthixotropicsoilswhichbecomeplasticunderseismicshock.Unlessthissoilcanbefeasiblycircumvented,trans-missiontowersinthisareawillbeunderhigherthannormalseismicrisk.ThroughtheIsabelPass,rockysoilsinterspersedwithbedrockandtaluswillpresentproblemsinplacingoftowerfoundationsandaccessroad.Excessivecuttingandfillingforanaccessroadthroughthisarea,inconjunctionwiththinsoilsorunstableslopes,cancausesevereerosion.Alarge,extremelymarshyareaaroundtheShawCreekconfluencewillbeencountered.Towerfoundationswillneedspecialattentionandtheaccessroadwillneedspecialdesign.Frostheavingwillbesevereinthismarshysoil.Vegetation:TheDeltaalternativecouldrequireupto1,737acresofclearing,288acresmorethanNenana-I.Theactualacreageclearedwillprobablybelessthanthesefiguressincetheentirewidthoftheright-of-wayneednotbecleared.Inareaswhereclearingisrequired,theterrainislevelenoughtopermittheaccessroadtobeincorporatedintothelineclearing.264
Themajorityoftheclearingwillbedoneintheuplandspruce-'hardwoodandbottomlandspruce-poplaralongthelowerDeltaRiverandtheTananaRiVer.Toreduceavailablefuelforforestfires,andtoreducepotentialinfesta-tionofhealthybottomlandspruce-poplarbysprucebeetles·(Dendroctonusrufipennis)andipsbeetles,slashmust·bedisposedof.Thiscanbeeitherbysaleofmerchantabletimber,bychipping,orbyburning.Althoughburningwillreduceairqualitytemporarily,itismoreeconomicalandlessdamagingthanthealternatives,sonon-merchantabletimberwillbeburnedifanaccessroadispresent.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinfor,stacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongthetlearing.Beetleinfestationwillbeofconcernmainlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystem.(SeeMitigatingMeasures.)Theimmediateeffectofthisclearingwillbethedestructionofthevege-tation.Themuchmoresignificantimpactwillbeuponerosionandwildlifehabitats.Inhillyterrain,mechanicalclearingmethodssuchasbulldozingwillcauseconsiderabledisruptionofthesoilandsubsequenterosionandstreamsedimentation.Theuseofbrushbladesorrotarycutterswillreducethiseffect.Onsteepslopes,handclearingwillmitigatetheotherwiseheavyerosionpotentiallikelywithmechanicalclearing.InthealpineandmoisttundraecosystemsfoUndfromWatanaDamsitethroughIsabelPassandtheAlaskaRange,destructionofvegetationwillbelimitedtothoseareasdirectlyoccupiedbytheroadbedandthetowerbases.Thiswillbeapermanentimpact,althoughsomerevege-tationoftowerbasescanbeexpected.Destructionofthevegetativematintundraareaswillresultinlonglastingscarsunlesscorrectiveandpreventivemeasuresaretaken.Thisscarringcouldleadtosubsequentdegradationofice-richperma-frostanderosion.Firesresultingfromconstructionandoperation,unlesssuppressedquickly,willresultinextensivedestructionofvegetation.Theseeco-systemsareadaptedtonaturalwildfires,andunlesstheoccurrenceofman-causedfiresisveryhigh,theyshouldrecuperateasquicklyastheywouldundernorn1alcircumstances.Wildlife:Theareasrequiringthemostclearingcoincidewithmanyareasofmooseconcentration,andmooseshouldbenefitfromtheintroductionofbrushresultingfromthe'regrowthontheclearing.Sincetheclearingmustbemaintained~thisbrushareawilllastforthelifeoftheline.Mostbrushareasareintransition,changingfromthebrushphasetosomeotherphasenearertheclimacticphase."Thebrushinatransmissionclearingcanbecountedasamorepermanentsourceofbrowse.265
b~eilat'~e,numqe1f~:of9aribouin,theNelthinaherdsouthof~eAlaska~chi~e:,;V(riU;s,~ffer'sottledirectlossofforagefrQmthevegetationcovered,;by'th'e"roaJ:lbedandtowerbases.Ofmoreimportancetocaribouhabitatisthepotentialoverburningofkeywinterbrowse,andthesubsequent-:fedtiction'in:winterrange:Duetothedrasticreductioninthepopulation",;o£·the.Ne1chinaherd,(fromanestimated61,000inthe1960'sto4,000:tQ$,OOOin1974)anyadverseimpactisaseriousimpact.Increased·accesswillseriouslyaffecttheherdunlesshuntingisfurtherrestricted..,There~wiUbeon1yslightimpactonDaIlsheeprangein'IsabelPassandth,ecanyonoftheDeltaRiver.Animalsdependentuponclimacticforest·suchassquirrelswillsufferlossanddisplacement.However,theirfasterreproductiyerateswillallowtheirpopulationtoadaptrapidly.Mostanimalswillbenefitfromtheedgeenvironment,offeringbothforageandcQverfromtheadjacentforestandbrush..Initially,animalmovemen.ts,mayoccuralongtheright-of-way,butasthebrushgrowsinto.adensecoverthiswillbelimited.Inanyevent,thisimpactshouldQelowonthiscorridor.Constructionitselfwillaffectwildlife.Largermammalsmaytemporarilyleavetheareatoreturnaftertheconstructionactivity.SmalleranimalswillsufferlossoHndividua1s,butshouldrecuperater.apidlyonceconstr,uctioniscompleted..Thedensityofforestinthiscorridorwillallowanimalstomoveonlyashortdistancetoavoidcontactwithconstruc-tionactivities.Vegetationsuppression,bywhatevermethod,willperiodicallyremovecoverfromalongtheright-of-way.However,duetothesur;roundingcoveroftheunclearedforests,thisimpactwillbeinsignificant.Recreation:ThiscorridordoesnotinfringeuponanyFe(~IeralorStateparkorrecreationarea.SincetheDeltaalternativeparallelsexistinghighwaysa,rtdtheA1yeskaPipeline,itwillnotprovidenewaccesstoanysignificantlylargearea.Useoftheaccessroadisdependentuponregulationsimposedbythelandownersorlandmanagingagency.,.CulturalResource~:Forthesegmentfro:rn.Watana.DamsitetoPaxsontheimpactsareasdescribedunderimpactSofalternativeMatanuska-2.FromPaxsontoFairbankstherearenoNationalArcheologicalorHistori-calSites.Ifthefinalsurveydisclosesanunsuspectedarcheologicalsitealongtheright-of-way,thelocationofthelineortowerswillbealteredtoavoiddamagetosuchsites.Inadverten.tdamagetoanarcheo-logicalsitewillreduceitshistoricalvalue.Atthesametime,discoveryofanarcheologicalsiteduringsurveyorconstructionwillbeabeneficialaspect.~266
ScenicResources:ThiscorridorwillhavevisualimpactsrangingfromhighalongtheDenaliHighwayandthroughtheIsabelPass-AlaskaRangearea,moderatefromDonn'ellyDomeitotheSalchaRiver,andtolowfromtheSalchaRivertoFairbanks.SincenearlytheentirecorridorisexposedtoviewersfromtheDenaliandRichardsonHighways,thevari-ablesareth¢existing'scenicqualityandtheopportunitiesJorconceal-ment.Alongthisalternative,generallythehighertheexistingscenicquality,thelesstheopportunityforconcealment.Land'UseandResources:Noimpactsareexpectedonmineralsextrac-tion;Thearea'aroundBigI)eltaandDeltaJunctionisapotentiallymajoragriculturalarea,particularlydn'graincropssuchasbarley.Crossingofgoodqualityarablelandwillresultintheremovalfromproductionofthelandoccupiedbythetowerbases.RowcropswilLbemoreaffectedthanfieldcropsinthatpatternsoftillingandh~rvestingwillbemoredisruptedbytowerlocations;.AlongthelowerDeltaRiverandtheTananaRiverthereispotentialforforestry,particularlyinthebottomlandspruce-poplarecosystems.The,Deltaalternativewillhavelittleeffedonforestry,apartfromminimal.useasloggingroadsorfirebreaks.Merchantabletimberfromclearingoperationscanbedisposedofbysale.Theproximityofahighwayand'riverwillfacilitatesalvageoflogs.ParallelingoftheAlyeskaPipelineandtheRichardsonHighwaywillreinforcetheutilitycorridoralongtheDeltaandTananaRivers,andwillaffectlocationoffuturerights..,.of-way.,thetotalwidthofthisutilitycorridorcanbereduced.bysharingofrights-of-way..(SeeAlternativesto.theProposedAction.)Social:ThetownsofPaxson,DeltaJunctionandBigDeltawillbenefitfromuseofs.ervices.suchasfoodandlodgingbyconstructionworkers.Itisunlikelythatmuchofthelaborneededforconstructionwillbedrawnfromthe,smallercommunities.,Loggingoftimberandclear~ngcontractswillaffecttownsalongtheTananaRiverbyprovidingj<;>bsandcapitalfromsalesoftimber.Thiswillbeashort-livedimpact,however.Someeasementsacrossprivatelandmayneedtobepurchased.ThemajorityofthealternativecanberoutedalongtheutilitycorridoralongtheAlyeskaPipeline.Purchasesofeasementwillprovidealumpsuminfluxofcapitaltotheaffectedlandowners.Thisinfluxistemporary,unlessarrangementsaremadeforyearlypayments.267
1'.1-I'1...1p11I'r,.rri'ErQJ1l"the'precedingClescriptions.ofpotentialimpactsofthevariousalterriativecorrid6:t's,.comparisonscanbedrawntoran~thesealternatives-;as,totheirdegr~e.ofcumulativeimpact.Severalassumptionswillbeusedili.thesecomparisons,andfromthesecomparisonsthe.proposedcorridorswere,selec.ted;.Thefirstassumptiontobemadeisthatotherfactorsbeingequal,cumulativeimpactsareproportionaltocorridorlength.Inotherwords,a100milecorridorwillhavetwicethecumulativeimpacta50milecorridorcrossingsimilarterrainandecosystemswouldhave..Ifv~ryingconditions:exist,thisassumptionisnotnecessarilyvalid;a100milecorridorcrossingstablesoilsmayincurlessimpactthana50milecorridoroverice-richpermafrost.Thesecondassumptionisthatjointuseandparallelingofexistingrights-of-wayispreferabletopioneeringofanewcorridorbecauseofthesecondaryimpactsassociatedwithnewcorridors.Againstthisassumptionistheassumptionthattransmissionsystemsalwayscauseanadversevisualimpactofvaryingdegree,andthattransmissionsystemsshouldbescreenedasmuchaspossiblefrommajorsurfacetrans-portationroutes.Thusatransmissionlineideallyshouldshareor'paralleltransportationrights-of-wayandyetnotbeseenfromthem;thisisaconditionrarelyachieved.Thefourthassumptionisthatatransmissioncorridorshouldbelocatedtoanticipatefutureneeds,andsoreducepotentialproliferation·offuturetrans-missioncorridors.Practically,thiswillfavorcorridorsthatapproachpresentandpotentialcommunitiesthatmayrequireinterconnection.Thefifthassumptionisthatthecorridorshouldfulfillitsrequirementsaseconomicallyaspossiblewhilekeepingenvironmentalimpactstoaminimum.Thisisanextensionofthefirst,second,andfourthassumptions.~Usingtheseassumptionsasbroadcategoriesinconjunctionwithenviron-mentalcriteria.,thetwelvecorridorscanbesummarizedandrankedinthefollowingtable:268
Corridor Analysis .:..Project Power to Anchorage/Cook Inlet Area
Susitna Corridors Matanuska Corridors
An~lysis Factor:S - 1 S - 2 S - 3 S - 4 M - 1 M - 2
Length,miles 136 140 129 147 258 385
Max.elevation,feet 2,100 2,100 3,800 2,200 3,000 4,000
%of joint or parallel use 75 75 39 35 52 90
Cost x $1,000 92,650 94,986 93,712 96,072 153,187 224,427
Ability to accommodate
t.)future.needs 1 1 3 3 4 20-
'0()Ranking 1 1 2 1 3 4
Environmental ..Impacts
Soils 1 2 1 1 2 2
V ~}getation 2 3 1 3 4 5
Wildlife 1 2 3 3 4 3
Existing .developments 3 3 2 1 3 3
Scenic quality/r~creation:
Developed areas 3 3 2 1 3 3
Remote areas 1 2 3 4 4 3
Ranking 1 3 1 3 4 4
Corridor Analysis -'P'roject Power to Fairbanks/Tanana Aiea
Analysis Factor:
Length.miles
Max.elevation,feet.
%of joint or parallel use '
Cost x $1,000
Ability to accommodate
10.)
~future needs
Ranking'
Environmental Impacts
Soils'
Vegetation
Existing developments
Scenic quality/recreation:
Developed areas
Remote areas
Ranking
Nenana Corridors Delta Corriq.or'
N - 1 N - Z N - 3 N - 4 N - 5 D----
198 220 231 223 212 280
2,400 4,300 4,000 4,000 4,300 4,000
100%38%78%43%0%86%
85,382 107,090 106,272 95,648 96,572 122.475
1 4 3 4 5 2
1 3 3 3 4 3
1 3 '2 2 3 3
2 2 3 2 1 3
3 2 2 2 "1 2
3 2 2 1 1 3
1 3 2 2 3 2
1 3 3 2 1 3
'.:;V:·,,~,.':!~::"0,~~,,:;ft;ii;Mg;;;4i:'¥Wv?i%ll'l
Combiningtheinformationonthistablewiththemoredetaileddescrip-tionsofpotentialenvironmentalimpactsofthecorridorsinpages34to74,abriefdiscussionofeachcorridoranditsrelativesuitabilityfollows:.Susitna-lOfthepossiblecorridorsfromtheUpperSusitnaProjecttotheAnchoragearea,theSusitna-lcorridoristhesecondshortest,andoneoftheclosestadherentstoexistingcorridors.Becauseofthefairlyheavytomoderateforestdensity,theclearingcanbescreenedfromtheparallelAlaskaRailroadandAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.OfthesixcorridorsleadingtotheAnchoragearea,thisisthecheapesttoconstruct.Someoftheadvantagesofthiscorridorareitsdirectnessanditsproximitytosmallcommunitieswhichmayeventuallyrequireadirecttap.ItavoidstheDenaliStateParkandconsequentialscenicimpactsasseenfromthehighway,andavoidsunnecessarycrossingsoftheSusitnaRiver.Thedisadvantagesofthiscorridorare:theadditionalaccessprovidedtotheareabetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCreek,whichispresentlyservedbyflagstopsontheRailroad;thenewaccessprOvidedtotheareabetweenNancyLakeandPointMacKenzie;andthepossibleinterferencewithrecreationintheNancyLakeRecreationArea.Susitna-2ThiscorridorisslightlylongerthanSusitna-·l,moreexpensive,andwillinterferewithrecreationintheDenaliStatePark.ConcealabilityofthelinefromtransportationroutesisequaltoSusitna-l,asisitsabilitytoincorpor-atefutureelectricalneedsofcommunitiesenroute.InterferencewiththeNancyLakeRecreationAreaandthenewaccessprovidedtoPointMacKenzieis.similartoSusitna-l,Themajordisadvantageofthiscort:i:dorwillb~,theinterferencewiththeDenaliStatePark;itwouldpracticallyrendertheParkareatotheeastoftheHighwayueslessforhikingtrails.sincetrailsofanylengthoverfivemileswouldcrosstheright-of-way.Forthisreason,itisnotpreferredoverSusitna-l,27169-7370 -81-18
Susifna-3Thisistheshortestofthecorridors,andthesecondtothecheapestcorridortoAnchorage.Itavoidsvisibilityfromtransportationroutesbystrikingtothenortheastthroughrelativelyinaccessiblecountry.Thus,itislessabletoaccommodatenewtapsalongthestretchfromTalkeetnatoGoldCreek.TheproximitytoNancyLakeRecreatioriAreaandtheaccesstoPointMacKenziearesimilartoSusitna-l.ThiscorridorhastWoseriousdisadvantages:First,itwillpioneeraconsider-ableareaofland,reducingwildernessvaluesandpermittingproblemswithincreasedaccess..Secondly,itwillbemorevulnerabletoweatheramirelia-bilitywillbereduced.Forthesetworeasons,itisnotfavoredovei'Susitna-l.Susitna-4ThiscorridorisconsiderablylongerandmoreexpensivethanSusitna-l~only33%ofitslengthfollowsexistingcon-idors,sinceitavoidspublictransporta-tionroutesbyleadingnortheasttoDevilCanyonfromTalkeetna.ItisnotasabletohandlenewloadsfromTalkeetnatoGoldCreekasSusitna-l;theprox-imitytotheNancyLakeP.,ecreationAreaandtheincreasedaccesstoPointMacKenziearesimilartoSusitna-LThelargeareaofnewaccessprovided,withitsattendantproblems,combinedwithrecreationaluseoftheStephanLake!areareducethevalueofthiscorridor.Becauseofthisanditshighercost,itisnotpreferredoverSusitna-l.Matanuska-lThiscorridorisalmosttwiceaslongasSusitna-l,andabout60%moreexpensive.Halfofitslengthparallelsexistingcorridors;whereitdoesfollowthesecorridors,itsconcealabilityvariesfromlowtohigh.Itispoorlysuitedtoa:ccommodatefutureelectricalneeds.Thereal'eseveralmajorenvironmentalobjectionstothiscorridor.First,itwouldopenupaverylargeareaofpreviouslyinaccessible(exceptbyair)area.Thisareaisuniqueinmanyways:first,itisaconsiderablepartoftheNelchinacaribourange,andsincethisherdhassuffe'redmajordeclinesrecently,anyimpactontheirrangewillbeadverse.Secorldly,thisareahasahighrecreationaluse,suchasfly-inhunting,fishing,andcabins;increasedaccessmayreducewildernessvaluesforthissortofrecreation.Thirdly,thisisalargeareaofcontinuousice-richpermafrost.Theseobjec-tions,combinedwithitslengthandcost,ruleoutthisalternative.272
Matanuska-2Thiscorridorisalmostthreetimes.19ngerthan.Susitna-1andalmostiSO%moreincost.However,mostoUtslengthparallelsexistingcorridors;visibilityfromtransportationrouteswouldbemediumtohighformuchofitslength.Itwouldbewell-suitedtotheinterconnectionoftheCVEAsystem.Sinceitfollowsexistingcorridorsformostofitslength,thenew-accessproblemisratherlowforthisalternative.Themajorenvironmentalobjectiontothiscorridorwillbethelargeareaofice-richpermafrosttobecrossed,andvisibilityinscenicareas,asinTahnetaPassandtheUpperMatanuskaValley.However,itslengthandcostareiIlordinatelyhigh,sothiscorridorisnotrecommendedatthistime.Nenana-ITheNenana-IcorridoristheshortestandcheapestcorridorconnectingtheUpperSusitnaProjecttoFairbanks.Itwouldparalleloruseexistingrights-of-wayforitsentirelength.anditsabilitytoaccommodatefutureelectricalneedsareverygood.ThemainobjectiontothiscorridorwouldbethelackofconcealmentfromsouthofBroadPasstoHealy;varyingc:iegreesofvisualimpactalongthisstretchcouldbe.expected.AlthoughnotenteringtheMountMcKinleyNationalPark,itwouldbevisiblealongtheAnchorage~FairbanksHighwayinthevicinityofthePark.Noothermajorenvironmentalproblemsareantici-pated.Tofurtherreduceimpact,noaccessroadisplannedfromHealysouthtotheProjectarea.Thismodificationwouldapplynotonlytothiscorridor,butalsototheCantwell-GoldCreeksectionsofNenana-2andNenana-3.Nenana-2AlthoughnotmuchlongerormoreexpensivethanNenana-I,thiscorridorwouldprovideaccesstoaverylargearea;only38%ofitslengthfollowsexistingcorridors.ThosesectionsparallelingtheAnchorage-Fairbanks~Highway/AlaskaRailroadcorridorwouldberathervisible.Theincreasedaccessisamajorenviro:nmentalobjection;themajorrecrea-tionaluseofthisaccessroadwouldbeforhunting.andwildernessqualityofthisareawouldbeirreversiblydamaged.AnothermajorobjectionisthenecessityofcrossingseveralhighpassesintheAlaskaRange;reliabilitywouldbeless,notonlybecauseofharsherconditions.buta"lsotouncertaintyofaccessforrepairs.ThiscorridorislesssuitablethanNenana-I.273
Nenana-3This'corridorismoreexpensiveandlongerthanNenana-I.Itparallelse:xi.s<tingidghts-6f""wayformorethan:-7S%ofitslength,circumventingthe"Nencinacanyon>areabywayoftwootherpassesintheAlaskaRange.FromtheProjecttoCantwell,itw.ouldberathervisible.ItismuchbettersuitedtoconnectexistingandpotentialcommunitiestotheinterconnectedsystemthanNenana-2jbutwillnotbeabletobetappedbyMcKinleyPark.Asignificantareaofmountainousterrainwillbeopenedupbythiscorridor,unlesshelicopterconstructionisused.OnehighpasSwillneedtobecrossed;theharshconditionswillreducereliabilityofoperationandaccess.ThiscorridorisnotpreferredoverNenana-].'Nenana-4SlightlylongerandmoreeA'PensivethanNenana-I,thiscorridorwouldnotbeseenfromtransportationroutesfromtheProjectareanorthtoHealy.Lessthanhalfofthiscorridorparallelsexistingrights-of-way,anditwouldbepoorlysuitedtoaccommodatefutureelectricalneedsofexistingorpotentialcommunities.NotonlywouldthiscorridorhavethesameobjectionsasthatofNenana-3,italsowo~ldprovideaccesstotheareaimmediatelynorlhofWatanadamsitetotheDenaliHighway,dividingwhatisnowafairlylargewildernessarea.ThisareacanbeeA'Pected"toprovideunsuitablesoils,muchofitice""richpermafrost.Nenana-4isnotpreferredoverNenana-I.Nenana-SThiscorridorisuniqueinthatitswholelengthpioneersanewcorridor;noexistingrights-of-wayareparalleled.Yet,itslengthandcostarenotmuchgreaterthanNenana-l,Itwouldbeverypoorlysuitedtoaccommodatefutui'eelectricalneedsofexistingandpotentialcommunities.ThiscorridorcombinestheobjectionsofNEmana-2andNenana-4,andits"onlyadvantagewouldbeitsconcealmentfromtransportationroutes.Thus,thiscorridorisnotrecommended.274
DeltaTheDeltacorridoristwiceaslongand50%moreexpensivethanNenana-I.Mostofitparallelsexistingrights-of-way,.·andformanystretches,wouldbehighlyvisiblefl'omtheDenaliandRichardsonHighways.Ithasafairsuit-abilityforaccommodatingfutureelectricalneedsofexistingorpotentialcommunities.Inaddition,itcanservetopowerpipelinepumpingstationsandconnecttheCVEAandGVEAsystems;Themajorenvironmentalobjectionstothislineare:thereisalargeareaofpoorsoilstobecrossedalongtheDenaliHighwayandthroughIsabelPass;thelinewouldalsobehighlyvisibleinthesetwoareas.Thiscorridorin-fringesontheNelchinacaribourange.SincetheNelchinaherdhassufferedsuchdramaticlossesinthepasttenyears,anyimpactontheirrangeshouldbeconsideredadverse.'I'heonlyEndangeredSpeciesinAlaska,thePeregrinefalcon,would~beaffectedinitshabitatalongtheSalchaBluffs.AlargearcheologicaldistrictwouldhavetobecrossedwestofPaxson.Theseobjec-tions,combinedwithlengthandcost,ruleagainstthisalternative.TheselectionoftheNenana-IandSusitna-lastheproposedcorridorsdoesnotdisavowtheimpactsassociatedwiththem;itonlyselectsthesetwoasthemosteconomicallydesirableandtheleastenvironmeritallyobjectionaplealternatives.Lessening,ormitigation,oftheimpactsofthesetwocorridorsisdiscussedinthefollowingsection.275....
MITIGATIONOFIMPACTSMostmitigatingmeasuresare'basicallystandardpracticesstringentlyenforced..IfbasicapplicableregulationsissuedbytheFederal,State,'andlocalgovernmentsregardingenvit'onmentqualityareadheredto,mostimpactsaffectingairandwaterqualitywill-beminimized.ApplicationofpracticesandguidelinessuchasthoseissuedinEnvironmentalCriteriaforElectric.TransmissionSystems,ajointDepartmentoftheInterior,DepartmentofAgriculturepublication,willreducevisual.andenvironmentalimpacts.Consultationwithagenciesproficientincertainareasofconcern,suchastheSoilConservationServiceandtheStateDepartmentofFishandGame,willprovidefurtherguidanceonmitigationofimpacts.Morespecificmitigatingmeasures'arediscussedbelow.Itmustberememberedthatmanyofthesearestandardpracticesintendednotonlytominimizedamagetotheenvironment,butalsotoprotecttheintegrityofthetransmissionline.ExperiencegainedfromconstructionandmaintenanceofothertransmissionsystemsinAlaskahasshownthatmostenvironmentalimpactsfromtransmis-sionlinescanbeavoided.GoldenValleyElectric-Associationand·ChugachElectric·Associationhaveconstructedandoperatedseverallineswithoutaccessroads,onpoorsoils,andunderharshclimaticconditions.Exceptforvisualimpact,mostenvironmentalimpactscausedbyatransmis-sionsystemarefarlessthanmanytransportationandcommunicationsystems;particularlyifitisanoverheadsystem.Themajorit.yoftheimpactsareduetotheaccessroads;iftheaccessroadcanbeomitted,alargeportionofthepotentialimpactswillbeeliminated.Thefollowingmitigativeprocedureswillassumetheexistenceofanaccessroadanditspotentialimpacts;itmustberememberedthataccessroadswillnotbeusedwheretheyareshowntobeincompatiblewiththeenvironment.SoilsSinceitisexpectedthatmostdamagetosoilswilloccurduringtheconstructionphase,theconstructionschedulecanbearrangedsothatconsiderableamountsofthework,particularlythoserequiringtheuseofanaccessroad,suchasdeliveryofmaterials,canbedoneinwinterandspring,whenthegroundisleastvulnerabletophysicaldisturbances.276
However,winterroadusewillbedependentuponsnowdepthandsurfaceconditions;winterusecanaffectsurfacevegetationthroughdestructionofsurfaceplants,orover-compactionofsnow.Temporaryroadswillbeavoided.asmuchaspossible;accessroadswillbebuilttoastandardapplicabletotheexpecteduse.IfsodesignatedbytheStateDepartmentofHighways,somese,ctionsofaccessroadswillbebuilttosecondaryroadstandards..."Notall~sectionsofthelinewillrequireanaccessroad;particularlysensitiveareasnlaybeprotectedbyth~useofhelicopterconstructionandmaintenance,ortheuseofwinteraccessroadsandhelicoptermainten-ance.Itshouldberecognized,however,thatdependenceonaerialmethodsleavestheconstructionand/ormaintenanceprogrammorevulnerabletoweatherconditions.OnemajorsectionwillbeconstructedwithoutaccessroadsfromDevilCanyontoHealy.Forgroundwork,roadsmustbeadequatelyconstructedto·avoiderosion,slopeinstability,degradationofthepermafrost,andalterationofdrainage.Gravelorotherinsulatingmaterialshouldunderlaypermanentaccessroadsonpermafrostarea;culvertsandbridgeswherenecessaryshouldbeplacedtoavoiddisruptionofdrainageandpossibleicing.conditions.Slopesoncutsandfillsshouldbeofpropergradientandrevegetatedassoonaspossibletopreventerosionandslumping..Revegetationwillbedone'withspeciesrecommendedinAVegetativeGuideforAlaskapublishedbytheS9ilConservationService.Forgroundworkoffoftheaccessroad,orwherenoaccessroadwillbeprovided,machinerycompatibletothesurfaceshouldbeused.Forshallowpermafrostareas,softmuskegandbogs,andhighlyerosivesoils,machinerywith10w.,-pressuretreadsortiresshallbeusedtoavoidscarringthevegetativematandincurringsubsequenterosion.Onsensitivesoils,suchasice-richsoilswithashallowpermafrosttable,disturbedsoilwillbeprotectedwithanorganicinsulatingmulch,suchasstraw,orwhenavailable,chippedslashfromtheclear-ing.Revegetationwithappropriatecoverplantswillimmediatelyfollowconstruction.Toreducethelikelihoodofdisturbanceofmarshysoils,matsofslash,logs,orothermaterialswillbeused.Onerodab1eslopes,nobulldozingwillbedoneonslopesgreaterthan35%.Allcutsandfillsshallbeangledbacksufficientlytominimizeslumpingandimmediatelyseededwithappropriateplants.SoddingorfabricmatsmaylJ"eedtobeusedin.somecasestominimizeerosionuntil277.,..fJl:1
revegetationcancontrolslopeerosion.Culvertsandwaterbreakswillbeplacedtoreducewaterflowoverthebareroadbed.Nomachineclearingwillbepermittedwithin100feetofanystreambed.Toprotecttheintegrityofstructuresinextremelymarshysoilsorsoilswithashallowice-rich.permafrosttable.andtominimizeuseoftheaccessroadformaintenanceoftowerfootingsonthesesoiis.heattransferdevicesmaybeusedifnecessarytokeeptowerfootingsand'guysfrozenintoplace.Thisisespeciallyimportantinthosestretchesnothavinganaccessroad.Keepingpoorlydrainedsoilsandthe.shallowactivezonearoundtowerbasespermanentlyfrozen.eliminatesfrost-heavingofanchorsandsettlingoffoundationsduetochangesinthepermafrost.Thereareseveraltypesofthesedevicesin,use;theiruseiswidespreadalongtheAlyeskaPipelinewhereelevatedsectionsofpipearevulnerabletosettling.Agooddiscussionofseveraltypesofthesedevicesisfoundinthearticle"SettlingaProblemofSettlingll•intheNorthernEngineer.Vol.7.:tio.1.Thebasicprincipleofthesedevicesisthatof"pumpingIIheatfl"omthesoiltotheair.Year-roundoperationwouldrequireanactualpumptokeepcoolantflowing•butseveraltypesusenopump.relyiIlginsteaduponthedifferencebetWeensoilandambientairtemperaturesinwinterandone-wayflowofcoolanttoretardheattransfertothesoilinsummer.Theseheat-transferdevicesmayprovidethebestavailablesolutiontotheproblemofsuitablefootingsandanchorsforstructuresinmuskeg.Firecontrolwillbequicka:tidefficienttolimitfirestosmallareas.Firecontrolmethodsandmachineryshould:tiotultimatelycausemoredamagethanthefiresthemselves;soildisruptionbyfirecontrolmustnotaggravatesoildisturbancealreadycausedby,afire~Aedalcontrolandgroundvehicleswithlow-pressuretreadswillbeusedwhereneeded.Crewswillbeinstructedonfiresafety:Extinguishingtoolswillbec>:tihand;machinerywillbesuitablymaintainedtominimizesparking.Workwillgoonaspecialbasisduringhigh-riskperiods.Thepermane:titaccessroadcandoubleas'afirebreakandafire-controlroadfor"continuingwildfiremanagement.Onunbridgedstreamcrossings.gravelfordswillbe,constructedwherethebottomisnotalreadygravel.Notreesshallbefelledory~rdedacrossstreams.Nowastematerialwillbedumpedintostreamsor278
abandonedontheirfloodplains.Towerswillbelocatedwellawayfromstreams,notonlytoreducethepotentialforerosion,butalsofortheirownsafety.VegetationOnlythenece,ssaryvegetationwillbeclearedtominimizeimpactandcost.Photogrammetricidentification.ofclearingzoneswillbeused;thistechnique,alreadyinusebyBonnevillePowerAdministration,usesacombinationoffactors,includingspacingoftowers,linesag,topo-graphy,profiles,andgrowthratestodetermineexactlywhichtreesneedtobeeliminatedinaforestedarea.DesignationoftheminimumsafedearingwillbeinkeepingwiththeNationalElectricSafetyCode.Clearingwillbewithbrushbladesonbulldozersonfrozenground,aswellaswithrotarycuttingorhandclearingtoreduceunnecessarydisruptionofvegetation.Nobulldozingwillbepermittedonslopes""greaterthan35%.Clearingonsteepslopeswillbebyhand;stumpsandrootswillbeallowedtoremaintohelpkeepslopesstable.Slashwillbeimmediatelychippedtoprovideerosioncontrolwherenecessaryorburnedtoavoidpotentialinse'ctepidemicsandtoreducefirehazard.Non-merchantabletimberwillbeburnedifanaccessroadispresent.Withnoaccessroad,machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning,orchipping,anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.Beetleinfestationwillbeofconcernmainlyonthebottom-landspruce-poplarecosystem.Disturbedareaswillbegradedbacktomergewiththecontoursoftheland,andfertilizedorrevegetatedifnecessarytoprovideagroundcover.Inmanycases,chippingofbrush,averysuitablemethodofreducingsoilerosionintheclearing,willalsoprovidesomeincreaseofinsulationinareasofshallowpermafrost.Firehazardwillbelow,sincethechipswillusuallybeinwetsoilsintheseconditions.Revegetationofclearedareascanbewithplantspeciesthatwillenhancehabitatforanimals,yetcansuccessfullydominatetaller-growingspecies.Typicalofthesespeciesaregrassesandlegumes."Revegetationwillbecarriedoutin"accordaIlcewithAVegetativeGuideforAlaskapresentlyusedbytheStateDepartmentofHighways.Thosesectionsofclearingneedingperiodicmaintenancetokeepdowntall-growingtreeswillbeclearedinsuchawayastominimizefurthersoildisruption.Ifmechanicalmethodsareused,selectivecuttingispreferableoverbrushhogsorbrushbladesontractors,whichnotonly279.''"
,can.,bedestructivetothesoil,butinefficient.also,inthatlittle.~el~ctiv~c\lttingispossible.Ifherbicidalcontrolistobeused,properapplicationmethodsandproperherbicidemethodswillbeused.Aerialapplicationwillnotbeused;manualapplicationisnotonlyveryselective.butaccidentalmisapplicationislesslikelytooccur.Herbicideswillnotbeappliednexttostreamsorlakes;abufferstripwillbeleftuntreatedadjacenttowaterbodies.Applicationwillbeofacoverageanddilutionappropriat~tothevegetationbeingtreated.Firecontrolwillbeasdiscussedintheprecedingsectiononsoils.WildlifeApolicyofminimalclearingofvegetationshouldhavetheleastimpactuponwildlifeintermsofdestructionofhabitat.Avoidanceofuniquehabitat,orhabitatofrareandendangeredspecieswillminimizeimpactontheseimportant,butusuallylocalized,areas.Seasonalschedulingofconstruc;:tionwillminimizecontactswithmigratingmammals,althoughthismayconflictwithwintercbnstructioninareasusedbywinteringcaribouormoose.Anyaccessroadswillbedesignedtominimizerivercrossings,whichshouldreducesedimentationcausedbyfording,machinery.Wherepossible,drainagewil~bepreservedthroughprop~rplacingofculvertsandbridges.Borrowpitswillbelocatedtoavoidsedimentationofclearwater,streamsandlakesandsubsequentimpactsonaquaticecosystems.Spillsoffuel,oil,andot,herchemicalswillbeavoided,particularlyifstreamsorlakesmaybeaffected.Herbicides,ifused,willbeappliedproperly.Wildfirecontrolwill.beaseliscussedinthesectiononsoils.Harassmentofwildlifebygroundvehicles,planes,orhelicopters,eitherdeliberateorinadvertant,willbeminimizedbystrictenforce-mentofvehicleuseandaircraftusebyeitherthecontractorsorthe_supervisorsduringconstructionandmaintenance.Huntingandtrappingactivitiesofworkcrews'willbecontrolled.TheAlyeskaPipelinecampsrestrictfirearmspossessiontocontrolhuntingandharassment,aswellasaccidentalshootings.TheAlyeskaPipelinecampandconstructionare~shavealsobeen'closedtohuntingandfishingbytheAlaskaStateDepart-mentofFishandGame.Similarcontrolswillbeemployedfortransmissionlinework.Increasedexposureofwildlifetohuntingortrappingbecauseofthe.increasedaccessofaserviceroadcanbecontrolledtoadegree,ifdeemednecessarybygamemanagementagencies.Accessroadheadscanbe280
barricadedorconcealed,breakscanbedesignedontheaccessroadtolimitusebystandardfour~wheeldrivevehicles,andtheroadcanbeposted.However,itisnotexpectedthatsuch·access""'controlmeasureswillentirelysucceed.Inmostareas,AlaskaPowerAdministrationfavorsmultiple-'useoftheright-of-way;finalregulationofaccesswillbeatthediscretionofthelandownerorland-managingagency.Existing·Developments~SocialToavoidpreemptionofprivatelands,thefinalroutewillbeflexibleenoughtocircumventsmallblocksofprivateland.Largerprivatelyownedsectionswillentailapurchaseofeasement.Allofthealter-nativecorridorscanavoidcommunitiesenroute.SectionsofthelinedeemedhazardousbytheFAAwillbeadequatelymarkedasoutlinedinPart77,FAAregulations1I0bjectsAffectingNavigable·AirSpacell•Effects'ofaudiblenoiseandelectromagneticinterferenceareminimizedbythedistancebetweenthemajorityofthecorridoraridresidences,especiallyresidenceswithradioandlortelevisionreception.Avoidanceofcommunitiesforthemostpartwilleliminatethenuisancesofnoiseandinterference..Parallelingcommunicationlinesvulnerabletoreducedinterferencecanbere-routedtominimizethedistancealongwhichtransmissionandcommunicationlinescloselyparallel.Themagnitudeofinducevoltageisinverselyproportionaltothesquareoftheseparatingdistance,sodoublingthedistancebetweenthe·transmissionlineandcommunicationlineswouldreduceinducedinterferencetoa'quarter.Campswillbeprovidedfortransmissionlineworkers;theseandallmaterialdumpsandconstructionareaswillbelocatedawayfromsmallcommunities;suchprecautionswillnotbeneededforthelargertownsofAnchorageandFairbanks.Thecampswillbetemporary,andwillberemovedastheconstructionphaseinthei;Vicinityiscompleted;thelandoccupiedbythecampswilleither-reverttotheirformeruseorusedforotherpurposes.Dependingupontheabilityofthecommunitytoabsorbaninfluxofpeople,thecampswillprovideforentertainment,food,andlodging.Thiswillminimizethestrainonsuchservicesinthecommunities,atthesametime,allowinglocalmerchantstoprofitfromtheseservices.ScenicQuality-RecreationTheobtrusivenessofatransmissionlinecanbelessenedbyproperdesignandlocation.Inforestedareas,placingtheclearingfarenough281•..~lr
fromaparallelhighwayorrailroadissufficienttoconcealthetransmissionline.Inareashavingshortertrees,usingthetopographytoconcealalinebehindridges,inswales,andalongbreaksinslopeswillhelptolessenitsvisibility.Incompletelyopenareas,theonlyalternativesareusingacombinationoftopographyanddistancetoconcealaline,ortokeepitclosetotheroadifitcannotbeconcealed.Bykeepinganobviouslinenexttoaroad,Onecanwalkunderthelinetogetanunobstructedviewo£sceneryontheotherside;merelykeepinganunconcealablelineashortdistancefromaparallelroaddoesnotlessenitsobtrusiveness,anditprecludesgettingaclearviewofscenerybeyond.Othertechniquesofconcealingormitigatingthepresenceofalinearetoavoidclear-cutsforclearings"butinstead,tofeatherbackthebreakbetweenoriginalforestandclearing;useofphotogrammetricselectiveclearingwilleasetheabruptappearanceofclearings.'Whereroadcrossingsarenecessary,itisbestto,crossatlessthanrightanglesandtoleaveabufferstripoforiginalvegetationtomasktheright-of-way.Thismightinvolveusingtallerthan'usualtowerson'eithersideofthehighwaytoprovidetheadditionalclearance.Placing'linesonridgessilhouettesthem,andwillbeavoided;ridgecrossingsarebestputinnotchesorlowspots.Wheneverpossible,existingrights-of-wayshouldbesharedorparalleledtoavoid:theproblemsassociatedwith.pioneeringacorridorininacces-sibleareas.Trailsinthese"inaccessible"areasshould,however,beavoided;preservingwildernessqualityentailssharingorparallelingallrights.,-:of-wayexcepttrails,andfromthese,linesshouldbeshieldedasmuchaspossible.CulturalResourcesThereareknownandpotentialarchaeologicalandhistoricalsitesalongtheproposedcorridors.Tominimizepossiblevandalismordisturbance,nositesotherthanthoseontheNationalRegistershallbelocatedeitheronamaporonthenarrativeofthisassessment.Topreservetheintegrityoftheseknownandpotentialsites,apre-constructionarchaeologicalsurveyofthecorridorswillbecarriedout,andthefinaltransmissionroutewillbeadjustedtominimizedisruption.Inadvertentdiscoveryofanunsuspectedsiteatalaterstagewillentaileithertheminorrelocationofasegmentofthetransmissionline,orthesalvageofthesiteasprescribedbyExecutiveOrder11593andP.L.93-291.282
Forsitesalreadydisturbed,suchasthoseuncoveredduringexcavation,accuraterecordsofthesitewillbeprepared;thesitewillbestudiedtodetermineitssignificanceandtheextentof'disturbance·,Allphoto-graphs,drawings,anddescriptionswillbefiledwiththeLibraryofCongressaspartoftheHistoricAmericanBuildingsSurveyortheHistoricAmericanEngineeringRecord,Ifthesiteisofsuchsignifi-canceto,warrant-moredetailedstudy,constructionworkshallbetemporarilyhaltedonthevicinityofthesite;ifnecessary,aminorrelocationcanbearrangedtopreventfurtherdisruptionofveryimportantsites.283...t;;!1
ADVERSEENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSAllgenerationofpowerwillcreateadverseimpacts.alltransmissionofpowerwillcreateadverseimpacts;allgenerationsites,'exceptforlocalgeneration.needatransmissionsystem.·Thedegreeofadverseimpactofatransmissionlinewillvarywithitslength.thecharacteroftheterrain.andthecareexercisedindesign.construction._operation.andmaintenance.lAdherencetoregulation.sandguidelinesissuedbytheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969.theWaterQualityAct.andrelevantStateandlocalagenciesandapplicationofmitigatingmeasuresasoutlinedinthepreceding.sectionwillreduceunavoidabledetrimentalimpactstoaconsiderabledegree.ExperienceinconstructionandmaintenanceoftheUlorerecenttransmissionlinesofAlaskanutilitieshasshownthatmost,adverseimpactscanbeavoidedormitigated.TheHealy-FairbanksandtheBeluga-PointMacKenzietransmissionlineshavebeensuccessfulincrossingawidevarietyofecosystemswithlittledamage.Theselineshaveusedwinterandhelicopterconstructioninadditiontoconventionalvehicleaccessroads.Theuseoftheexperiencegainedintheseprojectswillreducethedegreeofadverseimpactsconsiderably.However.someunavoidableimpactsareinevitable.Theseimpactsareoftwokinds:Thoseresultingfromtheconstructionactivities.andthoseinherentintheexistenceofatransmissionline.Unavoidableimpactsduetoconstructionactivitiesareusuallytemporary;theseincludeeffectssuchasdisruptionofthesurfacevegetationandsubsequenterosiononslopes;disruptionofanimalhabitatduetohumanpresence;andlossofvegetationduetoclearing.Thedegreeoftheseimpactswilldependuponthemitigationmeasurestaken.timingoftheconstructionphase.andecologicalfactors;theseimpactswilllessenorceaseafterconstructtion.asregrowthofvegetationandreinvasionoffaunaoccurs.Unavoidableimpactsofamorepermanentnatureassociatedwithmaintenanceandoperationofthetransmissionlineincludemodificationofhabitatduetoamaintainedclearing;increasedaccessandsubsequentimpactsofincreasedaccess;influenceonexistingandfuturelanduse;influencesonexistingandfutureutilitycorridors;andveryimportantly.impactsonscenicquality.Themaintenanceofaclearingthroughforestedareaswillhaveimpactsonwildlifeforthelifeofthetransmissionlines.Animalsdependentuponsuccessionalvegetationforbrowse.suchasmooseandsnowshoe284
hare,willbenefitbytheintroductionofbrushintoanotherwiseforestedarea.Animalsdependentuponclimaxforestforhabitat,suchasredsquirrel,willsufferareductionofhabitat.Ingeneral,bothoftheseimpactswillbeinsignificantduetothesmallratioofaffectedlandtotheareaofunaffectedforesttraversedbyatransmissionroute.Increasedaccessduetotheexistenceofatransmissionlinewilldependuponthetypeofaccessusedtotheline,thedegreeofpresentaccess-ibility,theareaofinaccessiblelandopenedup,andtheattractionforactivitiesotherthanlinemaintenance.Somesectionsofthelinewillhavenoaccessroad;somewillbeservicedbytemporaryconstructionroadsorwinterroads;somesectionswillbeservicedbyanaccessroadsuitableforfour-wheeldrivevehicles.Thus,accesswillbeeffectivelydeniedtovehiclesunabletonegotiatearoadofthisstandard,andinmanyareas,toallvehiclesexceptall-terrainvehiclesoraircraft.Iftheareaisalreadysuitablyservedbyanexistingroadofhigherstandards,itwouldbeexpectedthatatransmissionlineaccessroadwillnotappreciablyaffecttheexistingaccess.Also,itwouldbeexpectedthatlarge'areasopenedupbyanewaccessroadwouldreceivemoreimpactsthansmallerareas;however,itcanalsobereasonedthatlargerareascanabsorbthegreaterimpactsofincreasedaccessmoreeasilythansmallerareas.Ifotherfactorsareconsideredequal,impactsofincreased'accesswilldependupontheareaIsattractivenessforhunting,packing,camping,andsightseeing.AlaskaPowerAdministrationpresentlyfavorstnultiple--useoftransmissionrights-of-way.Sincemostoftherights-of-waywillbeeasementsonStateandprivatelands,andlandsnianagedbyotheragencies,deter-minationofaccesswillbelefttothelandownersormanagers.Therewillbeanunavoidableimpactonpresentandfuturelanduse;.'thedegreeofthisinipactisafunctionoftheexistinguseandthepotentialuses·ofnotonlythelandoccupiedbythetran:smission.line,butalsotheadjacentlands.Presently,thereislittleagricultureorforestryalongthealternativecorridors;residentialareasarelargelylimitedtotheAnchorage-PalmerandFairbanksareas.However,futurepatternsoflandusewilichange;agriculturalpatternsadjacent"toatransmissionlinewillbeaffectedsomewhat,dependingonthecropandthemethodofagriculture.Sincethetransmissionlinewillprobablypredateagriculturallandusealongthecorridor,this285
impactwillbeslight,andprobablybeneficial,sincearight-of-waywouldprovideclearedlandatlittleornoexpensetothefarmer.Irrigationandtillingmethodswillhavetoadaptthemselvestothespacingofthetowers;landoccupiedbythetowerbaseswillbeunusable,butthislandisasmallfractionoftheright-of-way.Forestryispresentlylimitedbyphysical,economic,andownershipfactors.Presentforestryareascaneasilybecircumvented;potentiaiareasmaybenefitfromtheexistingaccessroadofthetransmissionlinenotonlyforlogging>butalsoforfirecontrol.Theexistenceofatrans-missioncorridoringeneralwillhaveaminimalimpaCtonforestry.Presentresidentialareaswillbeunaffectedbyanyofthealternativecorridors;potentialresidentialareasadjacenttoanexistingtransmissionlinewillaccommodatethemselvestoitspresence.Thevoltageofthetrans-missionlineprecludesdirectservicetosmall.communities;thesewillhavetobeservedbylowervoltagedistributionlines,emanatingfromexistingorfuturemajorsubstations.Thepotentialforservicetosmallcommunitiesisasignificantimpactinthatthesecommunitiesmaystronglydesiretotapthetransmissionline;iftheyareservicedbythetransmissionline.>theywillessentiallybecomepartoftheinterconnectedsystem.Sincethecostofpowerwillmostlikelydecreaseinthesecommunitiesafterinter<:onnec-tion,somelocalgrowthcanbe.expanded.dependingon.whatdegreetheavailabilityandcostofpowerwas.alimitingfactortogrowth.Theexistenceoiatransmissioncorridormaytendtoattractfuturecorridors;toaconsiderableextent;thisisabeneficialimpactinthatitismoreeconomi-calforrights-of-waytobesharedortobeadjacent;thereisalessenedlikelihoodoflargeareasofwilde,rnesstobecutintoamultitudeofsmallerareasbyredundantrights-of-way;andthepossibilityexistsfor"symbiotic"useofaright-:of-waybytwodifferenttypesofut~lities.Examplesaretheuseofaccessroadsfortransportationandtheelectrificationofrailroadsandpipelines.Incorridorslimitedbyphysicaland/orland-useconstraints,suchastheNenanaCanyonthroughth~AlaskaRange,proliferation.ofrights-of-waywillleadtocongestion;in,cases,Suchasthis,itismostdesirabletosetafuturepattern1:>yattemptingtoutilbeexistingcorridorstominimizepotentialcongestion.OneofthemostsignificantunavoidableadverseimpaCtswilLbeuponscenicquality.Atransmissionlinewillalwayscauseadetrimentalimpact;thedegreeofthisimpactisdeterminedbythevisibilityandobtrusivenessotthetransmissionlineasseenbythemajorityoftheviewers.Sincemostoftheviewersofthealternativecorridorswillbeontheexistingtranspor-tationroutes.itisinferredthatincreasedvisibilityandobtrusivenessfrom286
However,itisimpossibletohideanylinefromallviewersfromalldirections.Anytransmissionlineiseasilyvisiblefromtheair;placingalineawayfromaroadtohideitfrommotoristswillnotconcealitfromhunters,hikers,andcampers,towhomthelinemaybeespeciallyobtrusive.Thisdilemmabecomesmoresevereinopencountry,partic-ularlyinscenicsurrounds.Insummary,adverseenvironmentalimpactswillbe:-clearingofvegetationfromasmuchas3747acres.-subsequentperiodiccontroloftheregrowthontheclearingcreated.-permanentremovalofvegetationfromtowerbases,accessroads,andanyfuturesubstationstobeaddedtothesystem.-impactstosoilfromconstructionandmaintenanceoperations.-'impactstofisheriesinclearwaterstreamsaffectedbyconstructionandmaintenance.-impactstowi.1dlife,bothbeneficialandadverse,stemmingfromtheaboveeffectsofconstructionandmaintenance.-visualimpactstoscenicandrecrea:tionalresourcesfromTalkeetnanorthtoHealy.-effectsortairqualityduetoburningofslashresultingfromclearingoperations.69-7370 -81-19
RELATIONSHIPBETWEENSHORT-TERMUSESOFTHEENVIRON},,1ENTANDLONG:-TERMPRODUCTIVITYThetransmissionlinecanbeassumedtohaveaverylonglife;aslongasloadsareexpectedtoincrease,astheyare,andaslongastheUpperSusitnaprojectisaviablesourceofpower,thetransmissionroutecanbeconsideredoperative.Individualcomponentswillbereplaced,anditisforeseeablethatthelincitselfmaybeupgradedtohighervoltagesandcapacity,butitwillstillbeessentiallythesametransmissionsystem.Thebulkoftheimpactsontheenvironmentofthelinewillbeencounteredduringtherelativelyshortconstructionphase.Ofthelong-termeffects,somewouldterminateimmediatelyorshortlyaftertheretirementoftheline.Someoftheseeffectswouldbethosespringingfromaccessroadmaintenance,vegetationcontrol,noiseandelectromagneticin~erference,(seeExhibitIIIHazardsll)andvisualimpact.OtherimpactswillbelIimprintedllintotheenvironment.Wildlifepatternsmayhavebeenaffectedbycontinualhuntingorhabitatmodification;thesepatternswilllingerforaconsiderabletimeafterapossibleremovaloftheline.Vegetationpatterns,alteredbycontinualmaintenanceorintroductionofgrassesorothernonnativeplants,maycontinueforaverylongtime.Uncheckedregrowthoftheclearingwilleventuallyresultinsuccessionalvegetationclosertothestageofthesurroundingforests;thisregrowthwillentailhabitatmodificationsoppositetothosecausedbytheoriginalclearing,butofcourseoveramuchlongertimeperiod.Theaboveassumesthatthetransmissionright-of-waywillretainitsoriginalfunctionforthelifeoftheproject.However,thisright-of-waymayinfluencelandusepatternsthat,likevegetationpatterns,willlingerafterthetermoftheactualtransmissionline.Theright-of-waymayassumethefunctionofatransportationroute;thistransport-ationroutemayeventuallyhavemoreimpactthantheoriginaltransmissionlineandevenoutlivetheline.Otherrights-of-waymayberoutedadjacenttothetransmissionline,thussettingaregionalpatternofcorridorsthatagainmayoutlivethelifetimesoftheoriginalutilities.Atransmissionlinewhichpresentlypioneersaright-of-wayintoundevel-opedareasmayimprintapattern,whichalthoughitmightshiftandfluctuatesomewhat,willdeterminefuturelanduseandtransportationandtransmissionnetworksforthatareafarbeyonditsownlifetime.Thiseffectissimilarforotherrights-of-waywhichpioneerlargeundevelopedareas.AgoodexampleofthisistheAlaskaRailroad,whichisnowparalleledbydistributionandtransmissionlinesandahighway,andwhichresultedinthecreationofseveralsmallcommunitiesalongitslength.288
Anothereffectonthelong-termproductivityoftheareabythetransmissioncorridorwouldspringfromtheinterconnectionoftheelectricpowergridsofthetwolargestpopulationcentersintheState.Interconnectionwouldenableuseofthecheapestgenerationandthemaintenanceofsmallerreservecapacity,whileatthesatnetimeresultingingreaterreliabilityforbothsystems.InterconnectionwouldassumeanimportancenearlyasgreatasthefunctionofdeliveryofUpperSusitnapower.NewpopulationcentersarisingintheRailbeltareawouldbeaidedbyproximitytothisinterconnectedsystem.Thegrdwth·ofenergy-intensiveheavyindustryalongthecorridorduetotheavailabilityofpowerispresentlyunlikely;thisisduetothehightransportationandlaborcostsofthearea"whichwouldoutweightheadvantageoftheavailabilityofrelativelycheappower.TheconstructionofaninterconnectedpowersystetnfortheRailbeltisaresponsetotheincreaseddemandforelectricpower.Initself,theavailabilityofpowerisnotenoughtoinducegrowthofanarea;otherfactors,someofwhichareintra-and.inter-regionaltransportation,theavailabilityoflabor,theexistenceofamarketformanufacturedgoods,produce,andIorrawmaterials,mustexistalsotospurregionalgrowth.Theseotherfactorsareprobablymoreresponsibleforgrowththantheavailabilityofpower•TherearenoimportantpotentialhydropowersitesclosetothealternativecorridorsexcepttheWoodCanyonsite.TheviabilityofthisprojectmaybeenhancecibytheexistenceofthetransmissionroutewhichfollowstheRichardsonHighwayroute.However,otherfactorssuch··aslargesizeOfthepotentialprojectandenvironmentalimpactsoftheWoodCanyonprojectreducetheprobabilityofthisprojectbeingspurredonbytheexistenceofanalternativecorridor.TheproposedHealy-McKinleyPark25kvdistributionlinemaybeaffectedbytheNenana-lcorridor.Thedistributionlinewilladdanotherright-of-waytoanarrowcanyonalreadyoccupiedbytwotransportationlines.Theconstructionofatransmissionlinecouldremovethenecessityofpartofthisdistributionline;atapatMcKinleyParkcouldservethisareawithpowerfromtheUpperSusitnaProject.However,ithasyettobedetertninedifthecostofalow-loadtapatMcKinleyParkwillprovemoreeconomicalthananextensionofadistributionlinefromHealy.Theproposed230kvCEAtranstnissionlinefromPointMacKenziearoUndKnikArmmayprovideanothermeansofconnectionoftheSusitna-lcorridortotheAnchorageareainconjunctionwiththeexistingsubmarinecablesatPointMacKenzie.289!f1ili]
IRREVERSIBLEANDIRRETRIEVABLECOMMITMENTS.OFRESOURCESThematerialsdirectlyusedintheconstructionofthet:ransmi$sionlineandaccessroadswillbeirretrievablycommittedforthelife·ofthetransmissionline.Thesematerialsincludethealuminumandsteelin.thetowers,aluminumandsteelinthecablesandguys,insulators,steelculvel:"ts,gravelandconcrete.Ofthese,aluminumandsteelhavescrapvalueandcanberecycled.Maintenancevehicleswillbeirretrievablycommitted,sincetheirresalevahleafterfullusecanbeexpectedtobe·low.Thefl,lelexpendec:l·onconstructionandmaintenanceisirretrievablycomlDitted,asareotherchemicals,such.aspaint,ifsteeltowersaretobecoated,andherbicides,ifchemicalcontrolofvegetationisused.The;landoccupiedbytheright-of-wayisirreversiblycommittedforthelifeoftheproject,althoughitcanreverttoitsoriginaluseorsomeotheruseafterretirementoftheline.Thislandcan,forthemostpartbeusedforotheractivities,suchasrecreation,access,oragriculture..Thisis,however,atthediscretionofthelatldownerorl~d-matlagingage.ncy.LandUsepatternsmaybepermanentlyaffectedbythepattern,originatedbythetransmissioncorridor,witheffectsoutlivingtheorigina,ltrans-missionline.IrreversibleecologicalchangesmaYresult,dependingupontheamountofclearing.orlarge-scalechangeimposedupopanareabyaright-of-way.Mostofthesechanges,suchasthemaintenance0:(successionalvegetationinanotherwiseclimaticforest,willeventuallyreverttotheiroriginalcondition,afterretir~mentofthetransmissionline,althoughthismaytakeaconsiderableperiodoftime.Mineralextractionmaybeaffectedby.thelocation~fthetransmissionline;sucheffectsprobablywilllastforthelifetimeoftheline,unlessthelineislaterre-routedaroundorebodies;.Thiswouldnotbepractical.forlowunit-valueminerals,suchassandandgravel.Inadvertantdisruptionofundetectedarcheologicalsiteswouldresultinirreversibledamagetosuchsites,reducingtheamountofinformationobtainableandtheirhist()ricalorarcheologicalyalue.Discoveryofunharmedsitesduringconstructionwillbeabeneficialeffect,however.AllsitesdiscoveredduringconstructionwillbesalvagedasprescribedbyExecutiveOrder11593andPublicLaw93-291,anamendmenttotheReservoirSalvageActof1960.Thelaborspentinconstruction,operation,andmaintenanceofthetrans-missionlineisirreversiblycommitted,asarethesecondaryeffectsoftheincreasedemploymentafforded.290
MATERIALSANDLANDCOMMITTEDConduc-Struc-MaximumLengthtors1/tures2/ROW3/Clearing4/ProposedSystemPlanmiles.TonTonacresacres---Susitna-l:345-kv-DC1364,62413,6682,3082,308Susitna-l:345-kv-PSC4,62416,6844,6164,616Susitna-2:345-kv-DC1404,76014,0702,3762,376Susitna-2:345'-kv-PSC4,76017,3604,7524,752Susit'na-3:345-kv-DC1294,55613,4672,2741,900Susitna-3:345-kv-PSC4,55615,9964,5483,800Susitna-4:345-kv-DC1475,06614,9752,5292,257Susitna-4:345-kv-PSC5,06618,2265,0584,514Matanuska-l:345-kv-pC2589,01026,6334,4972,817Matanuska-l:345-kv-PSC9,01031,9928,9945,634Matanuska-2:345-kv-DC38513,05638,5926,5163,869Matanuska-2:345-kv-PSC13,05647,74013,0327,738Nenana-I:230-kv-DC1985,10810,6923,0001,439Nenana-I:230-kv-PSC5,10813,1446,0002,878!1MNeriana-2:230-kv-DC2205,67611,8803,3331,500,,~Nenana~2:230-kv-PSC5,67614,5086,6663,000Nenana-3:230-kv-DC2315,96012,4743,4501,318.~Nenana-3:230-kv-PSC5,96015,1906,9002,636tlli~Nenana-4:230-kvDC2235,75312,0423,3781,182~1lIiNenana-4:230-kv-PSC5,75313,8266,7562,364fi!~Nenana-5:230-kv-DC2125,47011,4483,2121,364Nenana-5:230-kv-PSC5,47013,1446,4242,728Delta:230-kv-DC2807,22415,1204,2421,727Delta:230-kv...PSC7,22417,3608,4843;4541/Assumesterrain.2/Assumesterrain.3/Assumes4/AssumesRailahdPheasantconductors;canbe10%greaterinroughsteelfree-standingtower;canbe10%greaterinroughR.O.W.widthof140'for345kv,and125'for230kv.totalclearingforfullwidthofright-of-way.DC=DoubleCircuit;SC=SingleCircuit;PSC=ParallelSingleCircuit291
MATERIALSANDLANDCOMMITTEDConduc-Struc-MaximumLength·tors1/tures2/ROW3/ClearingifAlternateSystemPlanmilesTonTonacresacresSusitna-l:230-kv-DC1363,5097,3442,0602,060Susitna-l:230-kv-PSC3,5098,4324,1204,120Susitna-2:230-kv-DC1403,6127,5602,1212,121Susitna-2:230-'kv-PSC3,6128,6804,2424,242Susitna-3:230-kv-DC1293,4577,2362,0301,697Susitria-3:230-kv-PSC3,4577,9984,0603,394Susitna-4:230-kv-DC1473,8448,0462,2572,015Susitna-4:230-kv-PSC3,8449,1144,5144,030Matanuska-l:230-kv-DC2586,83714,3104,0152,515Matanuska-l:230-kv-PSC6,83715,9968,0305,030Matanuska-2:230-kv-DC3859,90720,7365,8183,454Matanuska-2:230-kv-PSC·9,90723,87011,6366,908Nenana-I:230..,.kv-SC1982,2546,1383,0001,439Nenana-2:230-kv-SC2202,8386,8203,3331,500Nenana-3:230-kv-SC2312,9807,1613,4501,318Nenana-4:230-kv-SC2232,8766,9133,3781,182Nenana-5:230-kv-SC2122,7356,5723,2121,364Delta:230-kv-SC2803,6128,6804,2421,7271/Assumesterrain.2/Assumesterrain.3/Assumes4/AssumesRailandPheasantconductors;canbe10%greaterinroughsteelfree-standingtower;canbe10%greateriIiroughR.O.W.widthof140'for345kv,and125'for230kv.totalclearingforfullwidthofright-of-way.DC=DoubleCircuit;SC=SingleCircuit;PSC=ParallelSingleCircuit292
OTHERALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDACTION,Alternativecorridorshavealreadybeendiscussedandcomparedontheprevioussectionsandonthematrixesintheappendix.Inthissection,alternativestobasicassumptionsoftheproposedtransmissionlinewillbediscussedalongwiththealternativeofnon-construction.SharingofRights-of-WayTheassumptionismadeintheproposedandthealternativecorridorsthatanentirelynewright-of-waywillneedtobeobtainedfortheentirecorridor.Sharingright-of-waywithanotherutilityCnotnecessarilyelectrical)mayobviatemanypotentialimpactsinthataccessmayalreadyexist,reducingconstructionactivitysomewhat,andthatpioneeringofnewcorridors,withattendantproblems,isnolongernecessary.Theproposedtransmissioncorridorcouldadjoinorsharetherights-of-wayoffivetypesofsystems:otherelectricaltransmission,communica-tion,pipelines,railroads,andhighways.Alth,oughthebenefitineachcaseisasavingsintotallanduse,theadverseimpactsuponthesefivesystemsvary.Electricaltransmissionsystemsthatarejointlyusingone,right-of-waywillsufferareductioninreliability,inthatacatastropheaffectingoneline!suchasseismicactivity,isverylikelytoaffecttheother.Safetyduringmaintenancewilldecreasesomewhat.Jointuseofanexistingcommuniciationright-of-waywillentailpossibledamagetotheexistingsystemduringconstructionofthetransmissionline.Steadystatenoisemaybeinducedintothecommunicationline;thecomn"Junicationlinewillalsobemorevulnerabletofaultandlightningdamage.Inthecaseofburiedcommunicationcables,erosionwilloccurunlesscorrectivemeasuresareused.Pipelinesaresubjectedtocorrosionriskalso.Thehazardsofconstructiondamage,shockandfiresorexplosionwillexist.Railroadswillbesubjectedtoshockandfirehazar'ds.Communicationsmaysufferinterference,andinthecaseofelectricsignals,inducedcurrentmaycausefalsecontrolsignals.Alonghighways,transmissionlinescancontributetoradioandaudiblenoise,andinthecaseofaccidents,cancauseafireandshockhazard.Inthecaseofjointuseofrailroadandhighwayrights-of-way,theriskofaccidentsonthesesystemsaffectingtheintegrityofthetransmissionsystemmustalsobeconsidered.293'1"
TheaboverisksareconsideredwithnOcompensationormitigation.Forinstance,corrosionofcablescanbecontrolled,ascaninducedcurrents.Properconstructiontt::chniqueswillgreatlyminimizeriskofdamage.Effectssuchasaudiblenoiseandresultingrisksoffireandexplosionfromaccidentscannotberesolvedwithjointright-of-wayuse.However,theuseofabufferstripbetweep.right-of-waywillnotentailasavingsinland;inthecaseofadjoiningorpartialoverlapofrights-of-waysrequir-ingclearingthroughforest,theuseofabufferofstandingtreeswillrealizenosavingsinclearing."Notallrights-of-waysarevisuallycompatible;forinstance,sharingofright-of-waywithamajorhighwayortrailsystemswillcauseanunacceptablescenicimpact.Forhighways,thisincompatibilitymustbeweighed.againsttheadditionalscenicvisualimpactofviewing-theparallel,butseparaterights-of-way.However,utilitiesnotdirectlyinvolvinghumantransportationorthoseincommercialorindustrialsurroundingsaresuitedforright-of-waysharingparticularlyiftheutilityisanexistingtransmissionline.OntheproposedcorridortoFairbanks,theGoldenValleyElectricAssocia-tionownsa138kvtransmissionlinefromHealytoEster.Itis:possibletocombinethislinewiththeproposed230kvdouble-circuitlinefromDevilCanyonbyupgradingtheproposedlineto345kvdouble-circuitandaddingenoughwidthtomakea140footwideright-of-way.Thiswouldbeamoreefficientuseoftheland,alongwiththeeliminationofredundancyofparalleltransmissionlines.Anotherexistingright-of-waywhichcouldbesharedisthatoftheAlyeskaPipeline.Thisisaright-of-waywithanexistingroadfornearlyitsentirelength;useofthisutilitywould,however,entt;lilalongertransmissionline.Thepumpingstationsalongthepipelineareplannedtooperatewithaportionofthetransportedoil;however,ifthestationsweretobeelectricallyoperated,theycoulddrawpowerfromanadjacentdistributionlinewhichtapsthetransmissionline..E:xtrawidthwillneedtobeobtainedfortheright-of-wayifthetransmissionlinewere.tofollowthepipeline.Thefeasibilityofhavingindividualtapstoservethepumpingstationsislow,duejotheinordinateexpenseinvolved.Oneutilityright-of-waycloselyfollowstheproposedtransmissioncorridorfornearlyitsentirelength.ThisistheAlaskaRailroad,ownedbytheFederalGovernmentandoperatedbytheDepartmentofTransportation.294
Presently,therailroadisoperatedbydieselmotors;ifelectricmotorsweretobeused,powercouldbetappedfromanadjacentpowerline.However,duetoarelativelynarrowright-of-waywhichatransmissionlinecouldnotsimultaneou$lyoccupy,theright~of-waywouldneedtobedoubledonwidth,creating,ineffect,twoimmediatelyadjacentright-of-ways.Thus,therewouldnotbethesavingsofright-of-wayastheprevioustwocases.TheAlaskaRailroad'carriesmainlyfreight;in1973,therailroadoperatedover1800freightcarsand54passengercars.Therewillbesomeobjectiononthepartofthepassengercomponenttotheextremeclosenessofamajortransmissionlinefor250miles;how~ever,thisismuchlessofanimpactthanifthelineweretocloselyparalleltheAnchorage-Fairbankshighwayforthesamedistance.T.Y.Lin(intheNorthernEngineer,Vol.5,No.4)proposestheconstructionofIntegratedPipelineTransportation,acoalescenceofseparatebutparalleltransportationcorridorsintooneintegratedstructuretominimizeenvironmentalimpacts,economizeonconstruction,and.increaseefficiencyofserviceandmaintenance.Itispossibletointegratetransmissionlinesintosuchatransportationsystem,andwouldresultinthebestuseofthelandandtheleastimpacts.However,thepresenceofseveralexistingtransportationroutesprecludeconstructionofsuchintegratedtransportationsystems;theyaremostfeasibleinopeningupnewcorridorsofsignificantlength,andthissituationisnotforeseeablefntheRailbelt.Also,atransmissionlineintegratedintosuchasystemwouldrequiretechnologysirnilartothatrequiredbyanundergroundcable,thenextalternatiyetobediscussed.UndergroundTransmissionSystemsThisdiscussionwilllimititselftothepresenttechnologyoftransmissionsystems;potential.capabilitieswillbediscussedattheendofthissection.MuchofthismaterialisabstractedfromtheBonnevillePowerAdministrationsdraftFiscalYear1976ProposedProgramEnvironmentalImpactStatement.Undergrqundtransmissionshavebeenfoundtobepracticalintwotypes.ofsituations;oneinwhichthecostsofanundergroundsystem.arelessthananoverheadone,suchasinarea·sofveryhighright-of-waycostsorwherealargesavingsinlinelengthisp6ss·ible,suchaswithsu?marinecables.Theothersituationisthatinwhichanundergroundsystemhashighsuitability,suchasentrytosubstation,sincongestedareasoreliminatingthehazardsofcriticalcrossings·,Eiuchasothertransmissionsystems,andtoeliminatehazards.toaircraftnearairports.Neitherofthesetwogeneralsituationsexistsforanyappreciablelengthalongtheproposedcorridororanyofthealternatives.Althoughunder-groundlineswillalmosteliminatesomeimpacts,suchasvisualimpacts,theywillproduceotherimpactsnotnormallyassociatedwithoverheadsystems.295ti~l
Insomecases,theuseofundergro'Q.11dtransmissioncanbejustifiedtoreducevisualimpactswheretheseimpactsarejudgedtobegreaterthantheadverseimpactsof'Q.11dergrounding.Suchasituationistypicalinthosehighlyscenicareaswherethetransmissionstructureswouldeitherbesilhouetted,highlyvisible,orhighlyobtrusive,yetwheretheaccessroadandtrenchingscarofanundergroundcablewouldnotbeoverlyvisible.Thissortofsituationwillruleoutcanyonsandotherhigh-reliefareas,butwillfavorrelativelyflatland.Thegreatestvisualdifferencebetweenundergroundandoverheadtrans-missionisobviously'thelackofthetransmissionstructures.However,anundergroundsysteminallcaseswillrequirenotonlyanaccessandconstructionroad,butalsoatrenchwhichwillbevisibleforqJlitesometiJLeafterconstruction.Overheadsystems,however,canbe'builtwithouttheneedforanaccessorconstructionroad,'andtheonlyexcavationneededwillbeforthetowerfoundationsspacedoutatarateoffourorfivetoamile.Ifthelocation,design,andconstructionofanoverheadsystemareproperlyspecified,th'eaccessroadandclearingwillbeasvisible,andusuallymorevisible,'thanthestructuresthemselves.Whereclearingisnotneeded,themostvisiblecomponentwillthenbetheaccessroad,andasindicated,eventhisneednotbeconstructedforanoverheadsystem.Incontrast,anundergroundsystemwillalwaysneedaclearinginanyareaandwillalwaysneedaconstructionroad.Thus,anundergroundsysteminrollingorsteepterrainmaywellbemorevisiblethananoverheadsysteminthesesituations.Forthisreason,coupledwiththeseismicrisktobediscussedbelow,itisnotrecommendedthatthesectionofcorridorthroughtheAlaskaRange,beunderground.AmajorfactorintheuseofundergroundsystemsisthecoseTransmissionsystemsareusuallydesi&nedtomeetgivenrequirementsfortheleastcost;inalmostallsituations,overheadlineswillmeetsystemrequirementsatalowercostthanundergroundcables.'.TheA.D.LittleReporttotheElectricResearchCouncil(October1971)state:;thatundergroundtransmission'costscanbeashighastentimesgreaterth~overheadsystems,andinthecaseofcompressedgascablesystems,upto20tf;mes.Undergroundsystemsgenerallyinvolvehighermaterialscostforthecableandforassociatedmaterialssuchasinsulatingbackfillorprotectivesheeting.Installationismorecomplicated,involvingexcavationandbackfillingandlaboruseishigherthanforoverheadsystems.Splicing296
....ofa345kvcablecantakeeightormorefullworkdaysandmustbeperformedinspeciallyconstructedair-conditionedrooms,("UndergroundPowerTransmission",P.H.Rose,Science,Volol70,Oct.1970).Theoretically,overheadsystemshavemoreoutagesthanundergroundsystemssincetheyareexposedtoweather,vandalism,.andaccidents;however,unlessdamageisexceptionallysevere,includingfailureofoneormoretowers,oraccessisrestrictedbyweather,theseoutagesareofshortduration.Faultsinundergroundcablesmayresultinlong-termoutagesuptoseveralweeks;thisresultsfromthedifficultyinlocationofthefault,thetimeinvolvedinexcavationandbackfilling,andthetimeneededtoreplacethefaultedsectionbysplicinginanewsection.Frozenground,whichpersistsforfi,veorsixmonths,willretardrepaireffortsmorethanusual.Inseismicallyactiveareas,suchascanbefoundintherailbelt,thereliabilityofundergroundcablesmustbequestioned.Slicingofthecablecanresultfromsettlingorslumpingofthesoil;oil-filledorcompress-gasfilledcablesmayruptureduringsoilmovement.OtheragentscancausefaUlting,suchasrodents,corrosion,-andsubsequentexcavation.Locationandcorrectionoffaultsinacablefollowingquakesmayinvolveconsiderabletimeandeffortasopposedtothelocation'offaultsinanoverheadsystem.Overheadtransmissionlineshavemoreinherentresiliencythanundergroundcables,andfaultsaremoreaccessibleandeasiertolocate.Environmentalimpactsofanundergroundcahlecanbequitesignificantinthatac<:>ntinuoustrenchisrequiredandan.accessroadismandatoryfor,theconstructionvehiclesandthelayingofthecable.Thebackfilledtrenchmaycauseerosionalproblems,particularlyifthetrenchcutsupordownslopes.Aclearedright':"of-waymustbeprovidedformain-tenancevehiclesneededtounearthafaultedline;'however,thisclearingneednotbeaswideas'for-anoverheadsystem.Repairswill.involvere-excavation,withattendantimpactsduetopotentialerosion.Anundergroundcableinusewillcontinuouslygiveooffheat;thiscanbeveryseriousinice-richpermafrostareas,whichoccurinallofthealternativecorridors.Insulatingbackfillwillretardbutnoteliminatethisheatflow;heat-transferdeviceswillbenecessarytopreventexcessiveslumpingandsettlingofice-richareastraversedbyanundergroundcable.Generatedheatwillalsoaffectthegrowthofvegetation,butthisdoesnotappeartobeasignificantimpact.297
Duetotheexpenseanddifficultyofinstallation,undergroundcables'areratherinflexiblewithregardstochangingpowerneeds.Theadditionofanothercircuitortheadditionoftapsforlocalcommunitiesisverydifficultincomparisontooverheadsystems,wheretheadditionofanadditionalcircuitwillnotrequireanotherright-of-way,andtheadditionofatapwillnotinvolvetheexcavationofthecable',splicing,andterminalfacilitiesfortheoilorpressurizedgasinsulation.Onhillyterrain,unreinforcedlow-pressure,oil-filledcableissubjecttopossibleruptureduetotheincreasedoilpressureatthelowpointsofcables.Reinforcingandpressurecompensationdevicesarenecessaryinthistypeofcableoverhillyground.High-pressureoil-filledpipecablerequiresacontinuoushighpressuremaintainedbypumps.Thistypeofundergroundsystemisalsosubjecttopressuredifferentialsduetoelevation'changes.CablesfilledwithnitrogenorSF6gascontainconductorswrappedwithoil-impregnatedpaper;onhillyterrain,thisoilwillseeptothelowerends,andsothiscableisonlysuitedforlevelterrain..Cablesinsulatedwith<solidinsulation,suchascross7linked'polyethylenearesubjecttomanufacturing.flaws,suchassmall.voids,whichcanlaterdevelopintoelectricalfaults;the'probabilityoffaultsisproportionaltothevoltage.Usageisusuallylimitedto138kvorlower.Amajordisadvantage.ofundel'groundsystemsisthecarryingcapacitydictatedbycapacitivereactance.Capacitivereactanceisinherentinthecableconstruction,andresultsinachargingcurrentwhichdecreasestheusablepowerthatcanbetransmitted.Thepowerlossinanundergroundcableis25to30timesgreaterthanfor.:moverheadsystem.Ifacableexceedsacertainlength,itstransmissioncapadtybecomeszero.Foracableof115kv,thislengthisabout45miles;fora230kvcablethelengthisabout35mile~.Inotherwords,fora230kvcable35mileslong,theloss'isequaltotheinputpower.Toovercomecapacitivereactancelosses,andthuslengthenthecriticallength:0£anundergroundcable,shuntreactorsmustbeinstalledatperiodicintervalsalongthecable.Theseshuntreactorsareprefel'rablylocatedabovegroundforaccessandheatdissipation,andarebasicallyequivalenttoaseriesofminiaturesubstationswiththeattendantsimilarenvironmentalirr.pacts,highreductioninreliability,andadditionalcosts.~98
ResearchtoimprovetheundergroundtransmissiontechnologyiscarriedonbytheDepartmentoftheInteriorthroughtheOfficeoftheAssistantSecretaryforEnergy-andMinerals,andbyprivateindustrythroughtheElectricPowerResearchInstitute;privateindustryismakingbyfar·thegreatercontribution,spending$14millionduring·fiscalyear1974ineffortstoadvanceundergroundtransmissiontechnology.OneresultofrecenteffortsistheCompressedGasInsulatedBus(CGIB).Althoughstill10to20timesrnoreexpensivethanoverheadtrans-missionandofuntestedreliability,thissytemcanhandle500kvwithacriticallengthofupto200miles,atenfoldimprovementoverpreviouscriticallengthsforthisvoltage;Thepotentialadvantagesofsuchasystemincludereducedvisualimpact,noaudiblenoiseaselectro-magneticinterference,smallvolume,.simplicityofmaintenance~andpowerhandlingcapabilityapproachingthatforoverheadsystems.BonnevillePowerAdministrationplanstooperatealengthofprototype500kvCGIBnearEllensburg,Washingtonstartingthesummerof1974toaccumulateexperiencewiththissystem.Eventually,undergroundcablesmaybe.expectedtoequaloverheadsystenJsinperformanceandoverallreliability;however,sincemostofthecostofanundergroundsystemisattributabletolabor,thecostdifferentialbetweenthetwosystemsisnotexpectedtodecreasesignificantly..APAwillnotrecommendundergroundconstructionforthisproject.Thepresenttechnologyforundergroundtransmissionisnotsufficientlyadvancedtoassurereliabilityofserviceforaregionalintertie.APAintendstofollowcontinuingdevelopmentsinundergroundingtech-nology;butthereisnoindicationthatthedisadvantagesofunder-groundingwillbesolvedinthenearfuture.DirectCurrentTransmission.Directcurrenttran.smissionhasbeenusedinseveralcountriesforbulktransmissionofpoweroverlongdistances.Duetothehigher.costsofconversion,thistypeoftransmissionisusuallyusedfordistancesof500.to1,000milesben.veenconverterstations.IfnoitermediatetapsareplannedbetweenthegenerationsiteandAnchorageandFairbanks,thenthe.136mileand198milelengthsoftheproposedcorridorsareconsiderablyshorterthantheeconomicaldistances.Intermediatetapstoservepresentlyunconnectedtownandfuturepopulationcentersalongthesecorridorswouldrequireconverterstationsandevenshortertrans-missionlengths.299
Environmentalimpactsofd-ctransmissionsystemsaregenerallythesameasfora--csystems,exceptthatd--csystemsrequireonlytwoconductorsinsteadofthree,andthuswouldrequireaslightlynarrowerright-of-way.Forundergroundtransmission,theuseofdirectcurrentwillobviatelossesfromcapacitivereactance,andinthisway,enhancetheviabilityofundergroundingwhileimposingtheadditionalcostsofconvertersateachendofthecable.Theuseofd-cinundergroundsystemswill·notlowertheinstalledcostpercable,norwillitenhancereliability.Theneedforonlytwocableswilllower·'thetotalcostversusa-ctransmission,andiforiecableisfaulted,theothercanfunctionathalf-capacitywithpropergrounding.Thelimitationsofd-ctransmissionpresentlyaregreatenoughsothatitcannotberecommendedfortheUpperSusitnaRiverProject.However,technologicaladvancesmayeventuallyprovideacheaper.alternativetothepresentconverters,andthusprovidetheflexibilitypossessedbythea.,..csystem.AlternativeSystem.PlansAlternativeVoltages:Theproposedsystemplanspecifiesa345kvdoublecircuitlinefromthegenerationsitetoAnchorageanda230kvdoublecircuitlinefromthegenerationsitetoFairbanks.TheIITransmissionReportlldiscussesanalternativesystemplanwitha230kvdoublecircuitlinetoAnchorageanda230kvsingleCircuitlinetoFairbanks.Fordesigndetails,refertotheIITransmissionReportll•Theright-of-waywidthfor230kvis125feet;f~r345kvitis140feet.Doubleandsinglecircuitlinesofthesamevoltagerequireidenticalwidths.Thestructuresneededfor345kvareslightlylargerthanthosefor230kv,andinsomecases,maybemorevisible,butthisisunlikely.Theenvironmentalimpactsofthisalternativevoltagewillbeessentiallyidenticaltotheproposedone.Therewillbesomemajordifferences,however,intheamountofright-of-wayandclearingforallthealternativecorridorsfromthegenerationsitetoAnchorage,andintheamountsofmaterialscommittedforallthe·alternativecorridors.300
DoubleCircuits:StackedorParallelSingleCircuits:BothoftheabovealternativevoltageswilLeallfordoublecircuitstoAnchorage,andonewillrequireadoublecircuittoFairbanks.IntheDesc~iptionoftheProposedActionsection,theuseofstackeddoublecircuitswaspremised.Inthisarrangementofcircuits,bothcircuitsoccupythesameright-of-wayandaresupportedbythesametowers,suchasshowninFigure2.However,anotherarrangementofcircuitswillbeproposedforthosesegmentsofthecorridorrequiringaddedreliability.Sincetheproposedprojectwillbearegionalintertie,thereisconcernfor'reliabilitybytheutilitiesservingtheAnchorageandFairbanksareasandconsultedagenciessuchasBonnevillePowerAdministrationandtheBureauofReclamation.Becauseofthisconcern,mostoftheproposedcorridorwillrequireamorereliablearrangementofcircuitsthanthestackeddoublecircuit.Thisalternativearrangementofcircuitsforeithervoltageplanwillcallfortwoparallelsinglecircuitsinsteadofastackeddoublecircuit.Thiswillnotaffectthesystemplan,asineithermethod,adoublecircuitwillbeprovidedwhereneeded.However,aparallelsinglecircuitwillrequireup-totwicetheacreageandclearingofastackeddoublecircuit,whichrequiresnomoreacreageorclearingth~a"singlecircuit.Themajoradvantageofsuchamethodwillbetheextrareliabilityprovidedbyaredundanttransmissionline;outagesfromdroppedtowersordroppedconductorssllortinganothercircuitareeliminated.Thevisibilityofaparallelsinglecircuitlinewillbedifferentthanastackeddoublecircuit;thetowersareshorterthandoublecircuittowers,butthenumberofstructurespermileistwiceasmuch.Inaddition,theclearingistwiceaswide.Theextrareliabilityo{,aredundanttransmissionlinemaynotbenecessaryfortheentirelengthofacorridor,butonlyinthoseareasofhighriskfromwinds~slides,orseismicactivity.Inthetableonpages108-109,thematerialsandlandcommittedforeachalternativecorridorandbothalternativesystemplansarepresented.Foreachdoublecircuitsystem,theequivalentmaterialandlandfortheparallelsinglecircuitsystemispresentedalso.Itmustberememberec:lthatinthistable,itassumedforthepar~lelsinglecircuitsystemthattheentirecorridorwillusethissystem,theactualmaterialsandlandscommittedwillprobablybeless.301
CommonorDividedRight-of-wayforParallelSingleCircuits:Whentwoparallelsinglecircuitsareused,theycanbelocatedeitheronacomlPonright-of-:-wayofawidthuptotwicethewidthrequiredforasinglecircuit,ortheycanbelocatedalongtwototallyseparaterights-of-way..Theadvantagesofacommonright-of-wayareeconomyofconstructionandmaintenanceinthatonlyoneaccessroadneedbebuiltandmaintained;andabetteruseofthelandinthatunusuablestripsoflandbetweenrights-of-waywillbeminimized.Problemsrelatedtoincreasedaccesswillbelesswithacommonaccessroadthanwith.duplicateaccessroads.Thereliabilityofparallelsinglecircuitswillbeincreasedifseparaterights-;-of-wayareusedonthetheorythatnaturaldisastersaffectingonecircuitwillprobablyaffecttheotheroneimmediatelyadjacenttoit.Separationofthetwocircuitswillincreasethechanceofsurvivalofatleastoneofthecircuits.Inthiscase,thedistanceofseparationisunderstoodtobeontheorderofuptoseveralmiles;bothcircuitswouldremainthesamecorridor.Anadditionaladvantage6fseparaterights-of-waywillbe.flexibilityforlocalserviceforcommunitiesenroute,andforlocalservice,assumingitisdecidedthatacommunityinthevicinityofthecorridorofa345kvdoublecircuitlinewillbeconnectedtothetransmissionsystem.Iftw(jparallelsinglecircuitsareused,oneright-of-waycanbe.routedtoprovideacloserapproachto.thecommunity,reducing.thelengthofdistributionline.Theuseofparallelsinglecir-cuitsforconnectiontotheAnchorageareawillbediscussedunderAlternativeEndpoints.Acommonright-of-waymayinsomeinstancesrequireonlyhalftheclearingrequiredofseparaterights-of-way;inmostcases,however,theamountsofclearingwillbenearlyequal.Bothwillrequirethesameamountsofmater-ialandlaborinconstruction.Iftwoparallelsinglecircuitsareused,bothcomtnonandseparaterights-of-waymaybeused.Instretchesofhighriskofcatastrophicfailure,suchasslide·andseismicareas,separaterights-of-wayarepreferrable;Inareasoflowriskofnaturaldisaster,economyofconstructionandmaintenancewouldindicateacomtnonright-of-way.Thecostofparallelsinglecircuitconstructiononacommonright':"of-wayisincludedinthe"TransmissionReport;IILaterdesignstudieswillgointogreaterdetailontheproblemofreliability.302
AdditionalTransmissionLinesAlongOtherCorridors:Anotheralter-nativeistheconsfructionoftransmissionlinesalongtheMatanuska-lorMatanuska-2andtheDeltacorridorsinconjunctionwiththeproposedsystem.Thesecorridorswouldnotnecessarilybeconstructedatthesametimenorsamevoltagesorcapacitiesastheproposedsystem.ThemainadvantageofsuchasystemwOlildbetheincreasedreliabilityofred,m-dantlines,andtheinterconnectionofcommunitiesalongtheGlennandRichardsonHighways,theCopperValley"ElectricAssociationandtheinterconnectedsystemproducedbytheproposedsystemplan.'TheenvironmentalimpactsoftheseadditionalcorridorswouldessentiallybethesameasthoseoutlinedforMatanuska-landMatanuska-2andtheDeltacorridors.However,theamountsofright-of-way,clearing,andmaterialscommittedwilldependuponthevoltageandcapacitiesoftheseadditionalcorridors.Fordetails,refertothe"TransmissionReport.IIAlternative:MethodsofConstructionandMaintenanceAccessRoadsversusHelicopterConstruction:Itisproposedtobuildpermanentaccessroadsforthelength'ofboththeproposedSusitna-landNenana-lcorridorswiththeexceptionofunsuitableareas.Theseareaswillbeconstructedbyhelicopteraccess.Whereanaccessroadisused,itwillbeb,roken~tmajorstreamcrossings,stretchesofpoorsoilorbrokenterrain,orwhereitwouldresultinexcessivevisualdegradation.Themajorsectionsoftheaccessroadwillti~illtoexistingtransportationcorridors.Thesebreaksintheaccessroadwillalsoservetolimitaccess.The,advantagesofanaccessroadoverhelicopteraccessare:less'expenseper,mileovermostterrain;easeilJ.transportationofmachineryandmaterials,t0wererection,,stringi:qgofconductors,andremovalofmerch';'ntabletimb~r;morereliabilitYofaccessformaintenanceandinspection;andmultiple-useofcorridor.Disadvantagesofanaccessroadare:increasedmaintenanceproblems;unauthorizeduseofaccessroad;potentialincreaseinerosionandsedi-mentation;increasedvisibility,andmoreclearingrequiredwithsubse-quentimpacts.Sinceneitheralternativemethodissuitablefortheentirelengthoftheproposedcorridor,theproposedmethodofaccessisthatwhichwasjudgedtobemostsuitabletothelocation.30369-737a -81-20
WinterAccessversusYear-RoundAccess:Transportationofmaterialsandmachineryand·constructionduringwinterwouldeliminatemanyimpactsrelated·toaccessroadconstruction.andtowererection.Withtotalwinterconstruction,theaccessroadwouldnotbenecessary•WinterroadusewiUdependuponthetopography,snowdepths,soilmoisturecontent,vegetationcover,andloadedvehicleweights.Twomajorabusesofwinter.roads.aretheiruseoverinsufficientsnowcover,especiallywithvehiclesofhighsurfaceloading,whichcandestroythevegetativecover;andtheover-compactionofsnowcausedbyhighsurfaceloadings,indeepersnow,whichresultsinlos.sofinsulationforsurfacevegetationandamoretenaciousspringsnowpackonthetrackarea.Disadvantagesofwinteraccessandconstructionare:theconstructionseasonwouldberatherlimited;conditionswillbeharshonmenandmachinery;snowandfrozengroundmayinterferewithexcavationandplacementoftowerfootings;thelackofanaccessroadwillaffectthereliabilityofmaintenanceaccess,andwilleliminateanymultiple-useoftheclearing.Consideringthesiteofthisproject,itisnecessarytouseasmuchoftheyearaspossibleinordertocompleteconstructionwithinareasonabletime.Also,givensomeoftheweatherconditionsandthelengthofthecorridors,reliabilityofaccessisimperative,especiallysincethereisnoproposedback-uptransmissionlineincaseofafault.Thus,wheneverpossible,year-roundconstructionwillbeused.Asoutlinedabove,accessroadswillbeusedwheneverindicated.AlternativeMethodsofClearing:Presently,someoftheclearingmethodsusedbytheutilitiesareassimpleasbulldozingoveranyand·alltreeswithinasetdistancefromthecenterlineoftheright-of-way,insuringenoughwidthforanaccessroad,easeofconstruction,andclearancebetweenfallingtreesandtheconductors.Thismethodisfairlydirect,involvinglittlediscretionbetweenwhatiscleared,andactuallywhatisminimallynecessaryforconstructionandmaintenance.However,thisn:ethodalsoresults·inexcessivedisturbanceofthesoilandunnecessarydestructionofvegetation.304
Considerablycheaperandlessenvironmentallydamaging,thetechniqueofonlyclearingthatvegetationnecessaryforconstru.ctionahdmaintenanceisrecommended.Insteadoitopplingtreeswithabulldozer,selectivecut-tingisused,allowingstumpstoremain.Thereal"ethree1l1ethodsofdisposalofclearedvegetation:salesofmerchantabletimber,burning,orchipping.-Allthreealternativemethodswillbeusedwhereapplicable.-With-noaccessroad•machinerycannotbebroughtinforstacking,burning ,orchipping,-anddownedtimberwillbeleftalongtheclearing.Saleoftimberwillrequireanaccessroad;someofthetimbercanbeusedinroadconstructionintimberbridgesandcorduroyinmuskeg.Alsointhiscategoryistheofferingoftimbertoanywhowishtoremoveitforfirewood;thiswillonlybesignificantnearsettledareas,andanytimbernotdisposedofinthiswayaftera.fewmonthswillbe'disposedofinothei'ways.Ifnoaccessroadistobeused,thenopenburningistheonlyavailablemethodofdisposal.Atemporarydeclineinairqualityisinevitable,andopenburning,inanycase,willbesubjecttolocalordinancesoftheaffectedboroughs.Fcrced~draftburningwillconsiderablyreduceparticulates,butwillrequireanaccessroadforthelargetubburners.Inanycasewhereburningisallow-able.whereanaccessroadwillbebuilt,andwherechippingisnot-necessary,forced""draftburningwillbeused.Inareaswherelarge-scaleburningisprohibited,orwherechippingismoresuitable,thenslashandunsalabletimberwillbechipped.Althoughmostexpensiveandtimeconsumirigoithethreemethods,chippinginmanyinstancesispreferable.-Wherepel"mafrostdegradationislikely,wherethesurfacematofvegetationhasbeenseriouslydisturbedordestroyed,oronpotentiallyerosivesoils,theuseofchipsasaprotectivehumusisindicated.Chipswillprovideameasureofinsulationoverice-richfrozensoils,someprotectionforbaresoils,andalthoughdecompo-sitionratesareslow,anorganicmulchtoaidrevegetation.Sincethechipswilllieontheground,andusuallybe-somewhatwet,theywillpresentlessofafirehazardthanunchippedslash.305
Afourthmethod()fdisposalistostackslashandallowittonaturallydecompose.Althoughthiswillprovideatemporaryhabitatfor.smallmammals,itwillalsoprovidegoodhabitatfordestructiveinsects,providefuelforfires,andreducethevalueoftheclearingasafirebreak.Thus,thisoptionisnotrecommendedintheecosystemsofmoderateanddenseforests,specificallythebottomlandspruce-poplaranddenseuplandspruce-hardwoodecosystems.AlternativeMethodsofClearingMaintenance:Inareasoffastregrowth,someperiodicsuppressionoftallplantsisnecessary.Therear.ethreemajoralternativemethods:aerialapplicationofherbicide,mailu~lapplicationofherbicide,andphysicalcuttingoftreesandbrush.Aerialsprayinginvolvesthecoverageoflargeareaswithherbicidessprayedfromanairplane,ormorefrequently,ahelicopter.Duetothenon:"'selectivenatureofapplicationandtheriskofaccidentaloverspraying,sprayingofwaterbodies,.andimproperconcentrations,thismethodwillnotbeused.Manualapplicationof.herbicidesinvolvesthesprayingoftargettrees,dispersalofpelletsatthebaseoftargettrees,or.selectivesprayingofthicketofbrush.Itisrelativelysafefromtherisksassociatedwithaerialspraying,andalsomuchmoreselective.Itcanbecarriedoutduringroutinegroundinspectionsorduringscheduledprogramsofbrushsuppression.Physicalcuttinginvolvestheidentificationanddestr~ctionofdangertreesandtheperiodicsuppressionofbrush.Chainsaws,brushaxes,andmotorizedrotaryaxescanbeusedforthis.Thelaborexpendedisgreaterthanformanualapplicationofherbicide,butissafeforuseadjacenttowaterbodies.Iflargeareasofbrusharecut,theslash.mustbeburnedorchipped.Smallamountsofslashwidelydispersedwillnotposeaninsectorfirehazard.Theproposedmethodofcontrolisthemanualapplicationofherbicideswithcuttinginsensitiveareas;aerialsprayingisnotproposed.AlternativeEndpoints:Forthisfeasibilitystudy,itwasnecessarytoassumeendpointstoallowdeterminationcosts,clearing,etc.Thisinnowaywiltfinallydefinetheendpointsoftheactualtransmission,justasthelocationofacorridordoesnotattempttolocatetheactualplacementofatransmissionlinewithinth'atcorridor.Theactualendpointswillbedeterminedinthefinaldesignstudies.306
ThechoiceofendpointsoftheNenanaandDeltaalternativecorridorsisrelativelylimitedtothosealreadypostulated--EsterandFairbanks.Unlessnewsubstationsweretobebuilt,thesearetheonlytwofeasiblechoices.TheAnchorageareawillneedadditionaltransmissioncapacity,whethertheproposedtransmissionsystemisbuiltornot.However,thereareseriousproblemsinsupplyingpowertoAnchorage.Presently,powerisbroughtintoAnchoragethroughthesubmarinecablesatPointMacKenziefromthenortheastviatheAPA115kvline,andftomthesouth,whichwillnotbeofconcerninthisdiscussion.ThetwosuppliestoAnchorageviaPointMacKenzieandtheAPAlineovercomethebarrierofKnikArmintwoways:adirectcrossing,'andan'end-run'aroundthenorthoftheArm.Althoughmostdirect,thesubmarinecablesarenotasreliableasanoverheadsystem;ihiswasbroughtoutinthefailureofthecablescausedbyadraggingship'sanchorinthewinterof1974-75.PointMacKenzieis/farclosertothemainloadcenteratAnchoragethanPalmer;thetransmissioncorridorwillcrossrelativelyless'developed..landtoapproachAnchorageviaPoint·MacKenziethanviaPalnJer.PowerwouldbemarketeddirectlytoChugachElectricAssociation,-andwheeledovertheirsystem,toAnchorageMunicipalLightandPower,HomerElectricAssoCiation,-Ma.tanuskaElectricAssociation,andtheSewardElectricSystem~AnotherpossiblemethodforconnectiontoAnchorage,utilizing-thePointMacKenzieendpointwouldbetheoverheadcrossingofKnikArm.Placingthetowersonpiersacross-arelativelyshallowsectionof·KnikArmwouldallowamoredirectconnectiontoAnchorage,avoidingboththesubtnarinecablesandthemorecircuitousroutearoundtheArm.However,visi-bilitywouldbehighforthisline,possibleinterferencewithmarineandairtrafficmayresult,andthereisapossibleriskofdamagebypackicetothe'towers.CEApresentlyoperatesa138kvlinefromtheBelugagasturbinegenera-tionsitetoPointMacKenzie,designedforupgradingto230kv,andhasproposedanextensionaroundKnikArmwhichwilleventuallytieintoAnchoragebywayofReedSubstation.AnendpointforSusitna-1atPointMacKenziecouldusethis.proposedlineasanalternateconnectiontoAnchoragealongwiththesubmarinecables.Thiswould,however,bedependentuponauthorizationfortheconstructionoftheextension.DeliverytotheexistingAPAsystematPalmerwouldavoid·thelimitationsandriskofthesubmarinecrossingofKnikArm,butwouldinvolvemorecrossingofprivatelyownedland.Powerwouldbemarketeddirectlyto307
i\ij.9~~Ji~~~t~,}ffi~ei,~~ltM~At:r~4:P9W~1';cmclJ::hggachEI~ctl'icAssociation."'~~~~~~!~~~~~~tf?i~l:;~~t~c,l)';~~_~~"th.eC:EA(syst~.m40.HEA,.SES,andMEA.'Sr;:;",'.'i~,~j;<j.J::i?i,s$ln:"\lirl,{If,:>'-""'Th~,e:qr6n~ent~assessmentfortheSusitnacorridorwithanendpointat;i~m~r",V\!'()~ld,besubstantiallythesameasthatfor.theproposedsystem.Mil~age•••..clearing,andother·impactswouldremainvirtuallythe~ame.IfthecorridorweretoberoutedalongtheuplandsnorthoftheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway,somewhatbettersoilswouldbeencountered,andmoreprivatelyowpedlandandfarmswouldbecrossed.FortheMatanuskaalternativecorridors,therewouldbemoresubstantivedifferences:thecorridorwouldbe'about45milesshorter,andwouldinvolveupto764acreslessofright-of-wayandclearing.Also,lessmaterialswouldbeused,andlesslaborexpendedbyutilizingthePalmerendpoint.Theuseofseparaterights-of-wayforparallelsinglecircuitswouldenabletheutilizationoftwoseparateendpointschosentomaximizeeaseofaccesstoAnchoragewhileretainingahighdegreeofreliability.Asanexample,onecircuitcouldterminateatthePointMacKenziecableterminal,theothercoulddeliverpowerviatheAPAsystemnearPalmer.OtherpossiblecombinationscouldbedevisedwithendpointsofPalm,er.apotentialcause-wayacrossKnikArm,andtheprojectedBelugaextensionaroundKnikArm.Anothervariationonendpointswouldbetheupgrading()ftheexisting115kvAPAlinefromPalmertoEklutnatoAnchorage.Eithel."asinglecircuitorbothcircuitsfromtheUpperSusitnaprojectcouldbebuiltuponthisdght-of-wayif:additionaJcapacitywasaddedtohandletheoutputoftheEklutnapowerplant.Thefinaldecisiononendpointswillbemade.inlaterdesignstudies,andwillbedependentupontheevolutionoftheexistingtransmission~ystemsinthetimeuntilthefinaldesignstudies.AlternativeLocalServiceAlongtheproposedcorridorsareseveralcommunitiesnotpresentlyservedbythelargerutilities.Thesecommunitiesdependuponlocaldieselgenerationforelectdcalpower,andnotallmembersofthesecommunitiescanaffordthehighcostoflocalgeneration.ThesecOlllmuni-tieswilleventuallybeservedwithUpperSusitnapower,eitherbyadirecttapfromtheproposedtransmissionlineorindirectlybyextensionsofexistingdistributionsystems.Sizeoftheload,lengthandcostofthenecessarydistributionsystemextension,anddistancefromotherpresentlyunservedcommunitieswilldeterminewhichofthesetwomethodswillserveacommunity.
Acommunity,orclusterofcommunities,relativelydistantfromexistingdistributionsystems,yetclosetothetransmissionsystem,andhavinganexpectedloadoffivetotenmegawatts.willbelikelytotapdirectlyfromthetransmissionline.Hbwever,adistributionsystemwillstillbenecessarytodeliverpowerfromthesubstationtothecommunity.COlInDunitieswithe~ectedlowloadsmaynotjustifytheexpenseofasubstationforadirecttap;thesecbmrnunitieswillhavetowaitforanextensionofexistingdistribution.NoAction(Non-construction)Indiscussingthealternativeofnon-constructionoftheproposedtrans-missionline,theviabilityoftheUpperStisitnahydroelectricprojectmustbeconsidered.sincetheprimarypurposeofthetransmissionlinewillbetodeliverthegeneratedpowertothemajorcentersintheRail-belt.Inessence,non-constructioriofthefransmissionlineimpliesnon-constructionoftheUpperSusitnapowersites.NoactionwillmeanthatthepotentialpoweroftheUpperSusitnawillnotbemadeavailabletotheRailbeltarea.Sinceuseofpowerisprojectedtoincrease.alternatesourcesofpowerwillhavetobeused.Ifpresentplantsareupgraded,thiswillresultintheincreaseduseoffossilfuelssuchascoaland"gas.Itisnotlikelythatcostsoffossilfuelswillremainthesame,andtheywill'almostcertainly-notdecrease.Developmentoflarge-scalehydroprojectswillprobablybebeyondthecapabilityofthepresentutilities.sofossilfuelswillbeusedforarelativelylow-,priorityusewhereasarenewableresource,waterpower,wingountapped.Ifadditionalpowersitesarerequiredtosatisfyenergyneeds,astheyprobablywillbe,thentheywillrequiretlieirowntransmissionsystemstodelivertheirpower.Thus,non-developmentoftheUpperSusitnaanditstransmissionsystemwillnothaltfurtherconstructionoftransmissionsystemsbyotheragenciesorutilities, .andifnewpowersitestendtobesmall-scaleduetoinabilityofutilitiestodeveloplargehydrosites,thenmoretransmissionlinesmayresultthaniftheUpper·Susitnaweretobedeveloped.Anothereffectofnon-constructionwillbetopreservetheinsularanddisconnectedcharacteroftheutilitysystemspresentlyservingtheRailbelt.Atransmissionlinetobebuiltwiththemainpurposeofinter-connectionwouldnotbelikelyinthenearfuture.andtheduplicationandwasteofthepresentsituationwillbeprolonged.309
~;ACl(NOWLEDGEMENTSInprepatingthisEnvironmentalAssessment.theAlaskaPowerAdminis-trationhasworkedinclose,coordinationwiththeAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineers.ThisreportwascirculatedinpreliminarydraftanddrafteditionstointerestedFederalandStateagencies.boroughs.utilities.andgroupsforcommentandinformation.manyofwhichp,rovidedvaluableassistance.ConJmentsandadvicehavebeengivenbythefollowingagencies.utilities.andgroups:BonnevillePowerAdministrationBureauofLandManagenJent-BureauofReclamationU.S.ForestService.AlaskaREigiotlNationalParkServiceFishandWildlifeServiceNational,WeatherServiceStateofAlaska:DepartmentofEnvirotlmentalConservationDepartmentofCommunityandRegio;nalAffairsDepartmentofNaturalResources-Diyisionof.Par~sDepartJDentofFish.andGameDepartmentofHighwaysFairbanksNorthStarBoroughAnchorageMunicipalLightandPowerDepartmentChugachElectricAssociationGolden>ValleyElectricAssociationHomerElectric~AssociationMatanuskaElectricAssociationGe()physicalItlstitute.UniversityofAlaskaCo~mon:wealt1l.Associates.Inc.Inaddition.manyindividualshavecontributedvaluableinformalcomments.310
BibliographyUndergroundPowerTransmission,A.D.LittleReporttotheElectricResearchCouncil,October16,1971.AlaskaRegionalProfiles:South-CentralRegion,theArcticEnvironmentalInformationandDataCenter;TheUniversityofAlaskaandtheOfficeoftheGovernor,StateofAlaska1974.MultimodalTransportation!CorridorsinAlaska:APreliminaryConceptualAnalysis.U.S.DepartmentofInterior,BureauofLandManagement,October1974.2Volumes.TheNeedfor~NationalSystemofTransportationandUtilityCorridorsAcrossFederalLands:AStudyReport(Draft).U.S.DepartmentofInterior,BureauofLandManagement,July1975.2Volumes.EnvironmentalEffectsofHerbicidesResearchProject,K.L.Carvell,Edison.ElectricInstitute,NewYork;EElProjectRPl03.The1970NationPowerSurvey,FederalPowerCommission;printedbyGovernmentPrintingOffice,Washington,D.C.,December1971,PartIV.EHVTransmissionLineReferenceBook,writtenandeditedbyProject.E~V,GeneralElectricCompany;published1968byEdisonElectric.Institue.MeasuringtheSocialAttitudesandAestheticandEconomicConsiderationsWhichInfluenceTransmissionLineRouting,P.L.Hendrickson,etaliBattellePacificNorthwestLaboratories,Richland,WA;July1974,NWL-1837:UC-II.EnvironmentalAtlasofAlaska;P.R.John~onandC.W.Hartman;UniversityofAlaska,College,Alaska,1969.MuskegEngineeringHandbook,editedbyI.e.MacFarlane;bytheMuskegSubcommitteeoftheNRC-AssociateCommitteeonGeotechnicalResearch;UniversityofTorontoPress,1969.55WaystotheWildernessinSouthcentralAlaska;Nienhauser,Simmerman,VanderLaan;MountaineeringClubofAlaskaandTheMountaineers;Seattle,June1972.OregonWeedControlHandbook,OregonStateUniversityExtensionService,Corvallis,April1973.311
ResourcesofAlaska:ARegionalSummary,theResourcePlanningTeam,JointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommissionforAlaska,July1974..A VegetativeGuideforAlaska,.preparedbytheSoilConservationServiceetalipublishedbytheDepartmentofAgriculture,Portland,1972.EnvironmentalCriteriaforElectricTransmissionSystems,USDA,USDl;U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,Washington,D.C.1970.B.H.Baker,"DidBeetlesDoThat?",AlaskaMagazine,July1974,p.48.A.E.Caswell,C.V.Nazare,R.J.Berger,J.C;TossiofCommonwealthAssociates,Inc.,"GeologyisCriticalinRoutingEHVTransmissionLinesI!,ElectricalWorld,December1974,p.54ff.J.A.Heginbottom,"PermafrostandGroundStability",NorthernEngineer,Vol.6,No.4,Winter74-75,pA.ProposedMt.McKinleyNational~arkAdditions,·Alaska:EnvironmentalStatement;AlaskaPlanningGroupvs.DepartmentofInterior,October1974.GeneralConstructionandMaintenanceProgram::EnvironmentalStatementpreparedbyBonnevillePowerAdministration,August1974.GasPipelineDraftEIS;DepartmentoftheInterior.BureauofLandManage-ment,January1975.HerbicideUseonNationalForestsofAlaska:EnvironmentalImpactState-mentpreparedbyU.S.ForestService,Region10,May1975.ProposedElectricDistributionLineExtensiontoMcKinleyPark:DraftEIS;preparedbyDepartmentofInterior,NationalParkService,PacificNorthwestRegion.ReceivedNovember1975.EnvironmentalAnalysisofProposed230kvTransmissionLinefromTeelandSubstationtoReedSubstation;ChugachElectricAssociation,January1975.---.DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheCantwell-McKinleyParksectionoftheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway;DepartmentofHighwaysStateofAlaska,August1971.312
"PreservationofHistoricPlaces",FederalRegister,Vol.40,No.24,February7,1975."ThreatenedorEndangeredFaunaorFlora",FederalRegister,Vol.40,No.127,JulyI,1975."NationalRegisterofNaturalLandmarks",FederalRegister,Vol.40,No.87,May5,1975,p.19503ff."DiscussionofUndergroundingAlternativesinEnvironmentalSupplements",draftpositionpaperpreparedbyBonnevillePowerAdministration,February1975.313
PHYSICALANDSOCIALCHARACTERISTICSOFTHEENVIRONMENTExhibitI-IThefollowingappendixwilldiscussgene~alcharacteristicsofthe.physicalandsocialcategpriesusedintheassessmentofth~proposed.corridorsandtheiralternatives.BothadefinitionordescJ;:iptionofthecategoryandadescriptionofpotentialimpactsinthesecategoriesfromatransmissionlinecorridorwillbediscussed.Notethephase"potentialimpacts";notallimpactsdescribed~ilinecessarilyocci.lr.Thissectionisintendedonlyforbackgroundinfor:mation;specific..andmoredetailedtreatmentoftheproposedcorridorsandthej~.Cl.lter:nativesiscoveredunder"Environ:mentalAssessmentofCorric1ors"and"Assess-mentofImpads".TopographyandGeologyThisisoneofthemoreimportantcategories,fortopographyinfluencesmostofthesucceedingones.Topographyisitselfasurfaceexpressionofunderlyinggeologyandtectonics(forconvenience,tectonicswillbeconsideredundergeologywhilehydrologywillbecoveredalongwithtopography).TheRailbeltareaischaracterizedbythreelowlandareasseparatedbythreemajormountainareas.TothenorthistheTanana-Kuskokwin1Lowland,whichisdelineatedbytheAlaskaRangetothesouth.TheSusitnaLowlandistothesouthwest,boundedtothenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andtotheeastbytheTalkeetnaandChugachMountains.TheCopperRiverLowlandintheeastisboundedon.thenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andthewestbytheTalkeetnaMountains.Eachbasinisunderlainbyquaternaryrockssurfacedwithglacialdebris,alluvium,andeoliandeposits.ThemountainsareprimarilymetamorphicandsedimentaryrocksoftheMesozoic,withseveralareas·ofintrusivegraniticrocksintheTalkeetnaMountainsandtheAlaskaFange,andN'esozoicvolcanicrocksintheTalkeetnaMountains.Figure1delineatesthemajorfeatures.TheRailbeltisanactiveseismicarea;the1964earthquakewasperhapsoneofthemostdestructiveearthquakesonrecord;Theseismichistoryisshortrelativetothetin1eoverwhichstrains.accumulatetoproduceanearthquake,sohistoricseismicityisapoorguidetopotentialseismicrisks.ThereareseveralsignificantlyactivefaultsintheRailbeltarea.ThemostspectacularfaultintermsoflengthandprominenceistheDenaliFault,alongarcbisectingtheentireRailbeltthroughtheAlaskaRange.?\..f.aximumexpectableearthquakesintheareacanbeofatleastamagnitudeof8.5ontheRichterScale.Figure2depictsseismichistoryoftherailbeltfrom1899to1964·.315·
IGNEOUS ROCKS
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U.S.DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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GEOLOGY
OFTHE
RAILBELT AREA
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glacial debris.
TERTIARY
Sandstone,conglomerate.shale.mudstone;
nonmarine and marine
MESOZOIC
Sandstone and shale;marine and nonmarine;
includes some metamorphic·rocks
PALEOZOIC AND PRECAMBRIAN
Metamorphic rocks:3chist.gneiss,etc.;
mainly Paleozoic
PALEOZOIC AND PRECAMBRIAN
Sandstone.shale.limestone;mostly marine;
includes some early Mesozoic rocks
QUATERNARY
Surficial deposits.alluvium.
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SEDIMENTARY AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS
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I~Vavl>:1 Paleozoic intrusive rocks;granitic and ultramafic
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317Figure2CORDOVA4J'{.>~U.S.De:PARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONEARTHQUAKES:1899-1964MAGNITUDE~6SOURCE:U.S.C.6G.S.1966SCALE~_.__...~._."Vo~~M~A.P.A.-JULY1975
TheAlaskaRange,withintheareaunderconsideration,ispiercedbytwotributariesoftheTananaRiver,theNenana-andDeltaRivers.Theriverstothenorthoftherangeforthemostpartflowfromglacialsources,throughtherollingnorthernfoothills,andthendirectlynorthtofeedintotheTananaRiver.TheSusitnaRiverstartsfromgiacialoriginsquiteclosetothoseoftheNenanaFiver.TheupperSusitnadrainsalargeplateauandfoothillarea,debouchingontoawidefloodplainfromthejunctionwiththeChulitnaandTalkeetnaRivers,thenflowingsouthtoitsmouthinCookInlet.TheGulkanaandNelchinaFiversarebothtributariesoftheCopperRiver.TheGulkanahasits.glacialoriginsontheAlaskaRange,theNelchinafromglacialandclearwateroriginsintheTalkeetnaandChugachMountains.110stoftheseriversystemsexperiencehighflowsstartinginlateAprilandcontinuingthroughlatesummer,diminishingtominimumsinMarchorearlyApril.BreakupusuallyprecedesthesnowmeltandoccursinlateAprilorearlyMay.Glacial-fedstreamsaresubjecttoviolentflowandrapidchannelchanges.SoilsSoilsareafunctionofgeology,vegetation,andclimate.Climate,particularly,playsanimportantroleinsoilformationanddistribution,beingthecauseofoneofthemorewell-knownattributesofnorthernsoils-~permafrost.Ingeneral,soilsinboththetaigaandtundraregionareshallowandprofilesarepoorlydeveloped.Slowdecompositionrateslimitthenutrientsupply;insolationislowandtheyearlyaveragesoiltemperatureislow,oftenbelowfreezing.In-general,subarcticbrownforestsoilsdominatenorthoftheAlaskaRange,podzolsdominatesouthoftheRange,andbogandhalf-bogsoilsarefoundeverywhere.Permafrostistheres.ultofan:annualsoiltemperaturenearorbelowfreezing.Technically,permafrostisthatpartofthesoilandbedrockwhichhashadatemperatureof00orlowerforatleasttwoyears.Thus,frozenrockanddrysoilscanbeconsideredtobepermafrost;however,ice-richsoilsaregenerallythetypesofpermafrostofmostconcerntoman-madeprojects.PermafrostisgenerallycontinuousnorthoftheAlaskaRangeandsporadicsouthofit;itsdepthandthicknessvaryconsiderably.318
100M,I..A.PA.-JANUARY1975IJIDI~~cJCJMAPLEGENDUnderlainbycontinuouspermafrostUnderlainbydiscontinuoui~;;;;~~~~e~~~~~~~~~~~~:l&~-JpermafrostIjUnderlainbyisolat.dmassesofpermafrost.319/,/69-7370 -81-21
Th~soiLabove'thepermafrosttablewhichthawsinsummerisknown.".as,theactivelayer.Sinceice-richpermafrostisrelativelyimpermeable,ashallowactivelayerwilltendtobequitemoist;runoffisslightduetolowevaporationratesandlowsoilpermeability,soevenintherelativelydryinteriorthereisconsiderablesoilmoisture.Theactivelayer,ifoffinegrainmaterial,isverysusceptibletofrostaction,suchasheavesandformationoficelenses.Shallowmoistactivelayersmaybelubricatedduetoexcessivemoistureatthepermafrosttable,resultinginmasswastingonevengentleslopes,calledsolifluction.Thevegetativecoverhasastronginfluenceonpermafrost;therelativelyhighreflectanceofsolarradiation(albedo)limitsinsolation,andtheinsulationprovidedlimitsheattransferfromabove.Otherfactorsinpermafrostdistributionareslopeandaspect,andunderlyingparentmaterial.Duetothewarmermeanannualtemperature,theequilibriumbetweenvegetationandpermC!-frostcanbemoredelicateintaigathanintundraareas.Forgeneralpermafrostdistribution,seeFigure3.:Mostsoilsareofglacialorigin;eitherdirectlyfrommorainalmaterial;orfromglaciolacustrineorglaciofluvialmaterials;orfromloess,orwinddepositedmaterialofglacialorigin.SomeoftheseoriginsareevidentinthecontinuingdepositionofthemajorriversspringingfromtheAlaskaRange.Lowtemperaturesandhighsoilmoisturecombinetocauseslowdecompositionoforganicmaterialandsubsequentlyc;:ausetheubiquitiousbogsandmuskeg,typifiedbypeatlayersoverfinegrainmaterial,supportinglittleelsethanblackspruceandsedges.Bogsandmuskegsareespeciallyprevalentinthefloodplainsofriversandlevelareasunderlainbypermafrost.Themajorimpactsofatransmissionlinewillbeasaresultofconstructionactivitiesandofanyaccessroads,Constructionactivities,withtheirpotentialforbreakingthesurfacematofvegetation·anddisruptionofs'llrfacedrainage,canpossiblyresult·inwindandwatererosion.Theexistenceandmaintenanceofanaccessroadmaycauseerosion,thoughtoalesserdegreethanconstructionactivities.Groundwaterregimeandsurfacedrainagemaybealteredbyanaccessroad,particularlyonfinegrainsoils.Thiscouldresultincreationofbogsonflatlandorgullyingonsideslopes.320
Destructionofpermafrostandtherest1-ltantsettlingandero?ionmayresultfromincreasedinsolationwher~thevegetationmathasbeendestroyed,eitherfromdirettdestructiorifromvehicles,orfromover-compactionofwinterroads.Destrucfionofpermafrostmayalsooccurfromerosionandseverewildfires.Firecontr01proceduresmayrespltingreaterdamagetothevegetationcoverthanthatcausedbythefireitself.Otherpotentialresultsfromdestructionofpermafrostareloweringofthewatertablewithanincreaseinthickne,s,softheactivelayer,andslopeinstabilitywhichmanifestsitselfasslumpingandsolifluction.Insomelocalareas,thixotropicsoilsexist,whi,chbecomeplasticunderstresssuchaswouldbecausedbyearthquake,.Theintegrityofatransmissionlinecanbethreatenedinthesesituationseitherbyfailureoftowerfoundationsorbyslideorslumps.Wet,finegrainsoilsare,particularlyvulnerabletofrost-heaving,whichcouldcausedamagetotowerfqotingsandtheroadway;sinceheavingisaseasonalphenomenon,thismightresultinconstantmaintenanceoftheseareas.VegetationTherearesevengeneralvegetationtypespresentwithinthestudyarea.Theyareclassifiedastothepredorninantvegetationtypeandtopographic-location;thisclassificationisderivedfromthatoftheecosystemclass-ificationoftheJointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommission.ThesearedepictedinFigure4;forestdensityinFigure5.Bottomlandspruce-poplarisconfinedtobroadfloodplainsandriverterraces,andwarmersouthslopesofmajorrivers.Characteristicvegetationiswhitespruce,balsampoplar,birchandaspen.Uplandspruce-hardwoodissimilartobottomlandspruce-poplarinthepresenceofthesamecharacteristictrees,butislimitedtothehigherportionsofwatersheds.Actualspeciescompositionvariesduetoslopeandexposure.Lowlandspruce-hardwoodisgenerallyfoundonpoorersoilsorsites,suchasonpeat,glacialdeposits,outwashplainsandalluvialfans,oronnorth-facingslopes.Characteristictreesarewhitespruce,blackspruce,tamarack,aspenandbirch.321
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~"ge,:~
_Coastal H('m:ock'-Spruce
_Bottomland Spruce~J:'6plar
Upland'Spruce-Hardwood
t:!tSi\:\/:d Lowland Spruce-Hardwood
[",::-:::,:'::......J;'.::.;.:,:.,:-:::-:;.Hlgh Brush..'.'.
mil LOw Brush.Muskeg-Bog
E:::-:::-:::-:::-:::-:::~Moist Tundra
I I Alpine Tundra
I r Wet Tundra
Source:Joint Federal-State Land Use
Planning Commission
APA -July 1975
'-J g'\<>(,'1 "........,.,~~"~C?Q '~
c>viCiNITY MAP
<::>
ECOSYSTEMS
BASED ON VEGETATIVE TYPES
SCALE- ------._.-
-OOMII.,
3!
lQ
C,
I'D
",.
_DENSEFOREST1I1lIlIIIIlMODERATEFOREST[II]SPARSEFORESTc::JNON-FOREST()('!Source'AlaskaInternationalRollAndHIglNayCommission'-~.'.\\.'.\1,,.\'\f. Ij)3235FORESTDENSITYSCALE~.......-_.Jo50100Mil••A.P.A.-JUlY1975
Highbushincludestwosub-types.Oneexistsjustabovetimberlineinmountainousareas,theotherexistsonactivefloodplainsofmajor·rivers.Characteristicplantsareaspen,balsampoplar,aldersandberries.Lowbush,-bog,andmuskegisformedusuallyonoutwashandoldriverterraces,infillingpondsandsloughs,andthroughoutlowlands.Characteristicplantsaretamarack,bJackspruce,aldersrwillows,andberries.MoisttundraexistspntherollingfoothillsoftheAlaskaRangeandthehigherportionsoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Characteristicplantsaredwarfwillowsandbirches,Labradortea,greenalder,andberries.Alpinetundratypicallyisfoundininountainareas,generallyabovetheforestandbrushsystems.Characteristicplantsareresinbirch,Labradortea,mountainheath,rhododendronanddwarfblueberry.Vegetationisafunctionofclimate,soil,topographyandotherfactors,amongwhichiswildfire.•'.Naturalwildfireshavealwaysbeenanimportantpartoftaiga(bol"~alforest)andtundraecosystems,andvegetationmosaicsareoftenanexpressionofpastwildfires.Manytalgaspeciesshowadaptationstofire;forexample,theconesofblackspruceopenwithheataridthusareamongtheearliestcolonizersofburnt-overareas.FirecanpreventvegetationsystemsfromreaChingaclimacticstagebyperiodicdestructionofforest,tothebenefitofsuccessionalvegetation,sUchasbrush'.Primalproductivityintaigaecosystemsi~highestinsuccessionalbrushandlowestinblackspruce,muskegsandbogs.Therefore,agentssuchaswildfireandactivefloodplainstanincreaseandmaintainprimalproductivity.Secondaryeffectsoftheseagentscanbeincreasedforageformammalsanddeepeningoftheactivelayerinpermafrostareas.Mostofthedirectimpactsofatrartsmissionlineandaccessroaduponvegetationaresmallbecauseoftheinsignificant<ra,tiooflandoccupiedbytheline,road,borrowpits,etc.tothesurroundiIlgunaffectedland.Somesecondaryimpactsareofgreaterconsequence../Themostobviousimpactisthelossofvegetation.Thisislimitedtotheaccessroad,andtemporarily,theright-of-way.Priinaryproductivitymaybedecreased;inforestedareasitwillpr~bably324
beincreased.Limitedregrowthandmaintenancealongtheright-of-waywillresultinasubclimaxplantcommunityinforestedareas;regrowthinbrushandtundraareaswilleventuallyreachclimaxasfarasnaturalconditiOnsallow.Inanycase,directchangesinprimaryproductivityalongtheright-of-wayuponthetotalproductivityoftheareaarenegligible.Thereisapotentialforintroductionofnon-nativeor"weed"speciesintoclearedareas.However,fewplantsnotalreadyadaptedtotheharshclimate,especiallyofthetundras,willbeabletocompetewiththenativespecies.Whereclearinghasresultedinslashanddebris,thisslashmustbedisposedof.Althoughstackedordispersedslashmayprovidehabitatforsmallanimals,thereisahighpotentialthatslashmayresultinincreasedfirehazard'andincreasesininsectpopulationsandpossiblyaffectingsorroundingforests.Slashcanbeburnedintheopen,burnedinforced-draftburners,orchipped.Openburningresultsinconsiderablesmokeandash,yetissimpleanddirect.Forced-draftburningismoreexpensivethanopenburning.Bothburningmethodsaresubjecttqopenburningordinancesofboroughs.Chippingeliminatessmokeandashentirely,bunsveryexpensiveandrequiresmoremachinerytotravelalongtheright-of-way.Disposalofthechipsisaproblem,becauseideallytheyshouldbedispersedtopreventkilHngtheplantsontheground.Sincedecompositionratesareslow,chipsmaynotreverttohumusforquitesometime.Disposalofchipsinlakesandpondswillresultin'eutrophicationandcontamination.Slowgrowthrateswillkeepvegetationmanagementalongtheright-of-waytoaminimalmaintenance.Periodiccontrolwillstillbenecessaryinforestareashowever.Mechanicalcontrol,thephysicaldestructionoftrees,canbetimeconsuming,expensive,anddetrimentaltotheright-of-waycover.Theuseofbrushhogsandotherlargemechanizedclearingmachinesisnotonlyinefficient,butalsoentailsdamagetothesoilandsmallplants.Cuttingwillagainraise'"theprobiemofslashdisposal.Theuseofherbicides>tocontrolvegetationintheright-of-wayisconsiderablycheaperthanphysicaldestruction.Herbicidescaneitherbeofabroad-spectrumtypeorspecies-specific;applicationcanbefromtheairorontheright-of-way.325
Oversprayanddriftingareproblemswithaerialapplication;applicationonthegroundismuchmoreselectivea,ndaccurate.Degenerationofherbicidesdependsonthechemicalused,soiltemperature,IPoisture,texture,andtherateofbiodegradation.Mostherbicidesusedinright-of-waycontrolareoflowtoxi.citytoanirnals,andappeartobenon-cumulative,unlikemanypesticides.Contaminationoflakesandstreamsispossible;potentialdestructionofaquaticplantsmayresult,destroyingfishhabitat.However,thispossibilityisoffsetbythedecompositionanddilutionofherbicides.Thereislittleornoevidenceoflong-termaccumulaHonofherbicidesonthesoil;leaching,sunlight,microbialaction,anddegradationbyvegetationitselfinhibitsaccumulation.Physicaldisruptionofthevegetativemat,eitherfromclearingormachinetracls.s,orfromroadconstruction,willreducetheinsulationoffrozensoilfromsummerwarIPth.TheexposureofdarkersoilwillincreasewarmthfroIr..insolation;thesefactorscan-combinetoalterthepermafrost-vegetationrelationship.Settlingfrompermafrost.destruction\villca~seerosionandthermokarst;loweringofthepermafrosttablewillalterthegroundwater:regime.Theseeffectsinturnwillaffectthevegetationcover.Areaswiththinpermafrost,suchasinthetaiga,areinamoredelicatebalancewithveg~tationthanmoreheavilyfrozenareas,particularlyiftheactivelayerisshallowalso.ExperienceinfarmingintheTananaValleyhasshownthatloweringofthepermafrosttableduetodisruptionoftheoriginalvegetationcanalsocauselowering,ofthewatertableandsubsequentchangesinvegetationdue-toadeeperactivelayeranddryertopsoil.Althoughtaigaecosystemsareadaptedtowildfire,exceptionallydeep-burningfiresinpeatcanchangethepermafrostregimeofanarea,withsubsequentchangeinvegetation.Excessiverepetitionoffiresinanareacanachievethesa,meresult,andalso·canhavearesult;ofmaintainingalowsubclimaxvegetation.Secondaryimpactstowildlifearevaried,froriIdestructi~nofhabitatandcovertoenhancedhabitatduetoincreasedprimaryproductivity.Constructionandmaintenanceactivitiesprovideadditionalpotentialforfire;towhatdegreefireswillincreaseisimpossibletopredict.Potentialman~causedfiresdependuponthedistributionandflammabilityofpla,nLcommunitiesalongtheright-of-way,theseasonalscheduleofconstruction,andannualclimaticvariation.Duringconstruction,potentialofman-causedfirewillbegreat,butdetectionshouldbeearly,andareasburnedsmall.Duringoperationandmaintenanceofthetransmissionline,potentialofman-causedfirewillbelow,butdetectionslower,andconsequently,areasburnedwillbelarger.Operationoffire-fightingmachineryofftheaccessroadsmaycauseconsidel'abledamage.326
Variousplantcommunitiesdifferinrateoffirespreadandresistancetofirecontrol:UplandSpruce-HardwoodLowlandSpruce-HardwoodBottomlandSpruce-'PoplarHighBrushMoistTundraAlpineTundraRateofSpreadHighHighMediumLowMediumHighResistancetoControl,MediumHighHighHighMediumLowMan-causedfirepotentialexistsmainlyduringtheperiodofMaythroughSeptember.Uncontrolleduseofaccessroadswillincreasethepotentialforman-causedfires.WildlifeC,JSomegeneralitiescanbedrawnfor,asthefaunaofthetaiga-andtundraecosystems.Themostimportantfactorgoverningwildlifepopulationsanddistributionistherelativelylowprimalproductivityofthetaiga,andtheevenlower,productivityofthetundra.Herbivore-basedfoodchainsaremoredevelopedanddiverseonthetaigathenthetundra.Inbothareas,arelativelysmallnumberofherbivorespeciesexist,withlessonthetundra.Someherbivoresexperiencecyclicalpopulationfluctuations;thesef1uctuations~arecoupledtofluCtuationsinpredatorpopulatiohs.Thereishighmobilityofthelargerm~mmalsandbirds.,Migratingmammalsareanexpressionofthelowbearingcapacityofthelandforlargeherbivores.MigTatingbirdsreflectextremesin'theseas<:malavailabilityoffood.Sapravory(consumingofdeadplantandanimalmaterial)playsanimportantroleinthefoodchain.Thelownumberofspeciesinthetundraecosystemfoodchainmakesthisane:A1:remelysensitivearea.Adisturbanceaffectingonespecieswillhaveaninordinatesubsequenteffectonotherspeciesinthefoodchain.Ane:Al'ressionofthistenuousbalanceisinthefluctuationsinpopulations.Examplesofthesefluc;tuationsaretheperiodicexplosionsof~limmingandsnowshoeharepopulations,whicharerelatedtothesomewhatmilderandslightlylaggingfluctuationsofpredators,suchaslynxorwolf.Distributionofmoose,bear,Dahlsheep,caribou,bisonandwaterfowlareshown'inFigures6,7,and8.Aquaticecosystemshavesimilarfeaturesoftheaboveterrestrialecosystems.Lowspeciesdiversity,lowgrowthrates,andlonglifespansarecharac-,teristics,ofthelakefish.Anadromousfishsuchassalmo:nareextremelyimportantintherailbeltarea;thelowerSusitna,Copper~andTananaRiversarethebasisforaconsiderablecommercial,subsistence,andsportfishery.327
Figure6u.s.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION100Mil..-2A.P.A.-JULYI975o50WILDLIFEMOOSE,DALLSHEEp,BROWNBEARMAPIIIBrown/GrizzlyBearDenningAreask\:::]MooseConcentration328
100MilesA.P.A.oJ.ULY1975SCALE~.._--------=Figure7WILDLIFECARIBOUANDBISONa50DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION..'".'.......'...".....""........,.....~.....""~CaribouSummerRange,::.~'::.~'::......."....~,~CaribouCalvingRange~""",........,j"~'~'~'~"'~~~~~'~~?i~i-;~BisonRange....':...'Source'JointFederal-StatelJIndUsePlanningCommission329
Figure8DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKA.POWERADMINISTRATIONWILDLIFEWATERFOWLHABITAT100Mil••A.P.A.-JULY197550oSource'JointFederal-StateLaUSePlanningCommissionBIlIIIBIIIHighDensityIIIIIIIIMediurnDensity[IIJ]LowDensify"330
331Atransmission-linepersewillnothavemanyimpactsuponwildlife;mostoftheimpactswillbeasaresultofconstructionandmaintenance.Directdestructionwillaffectthelessmobileanimalssuchasthesmallmammals,whoseterritoriesmaybesmallenoughtobeencompassedbytheconstructionarea.Thesignificanceo.fthisimpactis-smallinrelationtotheanimalpopulationinthesurroundingareasunlesstheareaeffectedisakeyareaforaparticularspecies.Theconstructionareawillbereinvadedtoadegreebyanimalsfromthesurroundingareaafterthelineisbuiltandregrowthproceeds.Huntingandtrappingbyconstructionworkerscanbeconsidered"directdestruction;mortalityfromproject-relatedfirescanalsobeconsidereddirectdestruction.Amoreseriousimpactthandirectdestructionisthepreemptionofhabitat.Animalsforcedoutof.theirhabitatbyconstructionD"'aynotfindanotherniche;thisassumesthatthelandisatitscarrying'capacityforthatspecieswhichisaffected.Someanimals,suchascarnivores,willfleeatalmostallhumanintrusion;iftheyareforcedintoalower-gradearea,oraredislocatedforalongperiod,theywillbeweakenedandincreasedmortalitycanbeexpected.Deliberateorinadvertentharassmentofwildlife,particularlylargemammals,willbeaseriousimpact.Flightstoconstructionsites,maintenanceflights,andoperationofvehiclesonopenareas,allhave-thepotentialforanimalharassment.Harp.ssmentduringcal"vingforsheepandcariboucancauseincreasedstillbirth.Althoughatransmissionandaccessroadwillnotimposeabarriertomigrationofcaribou,constructionworkduringcertainseasonsmayinhibitherdsfromapproachingworkareas.Thecreationofaclearedcorridorthroughheavyforestmayresultinincreasedanimalmovementalongthe·right-of-way.Migratingbirdsmaysuffersornemortalityfromcollisionswithtowersoflines,buttheseJossesshouldbenegligible.Collisionsofbirdswillbemostlikelynea.rareasofbirdcongregations,suchasrestingorfeedingare~,particularlyduringtimesofpoorvisibilityandduringtakeofforlanding.Thecablesarenotspacedcloseenoughnoraretheyinvisibleenoughtoheefficientsnares.Thesizeofcpnductorforthe230kvlineis1.4inchesacrossandthespacingis18to40feetbetweencables.Theprobabilityofabirdflyinginanappropriateareaattherightelevationandattheproperangletothelinesimultaneouslyisrathersmall.Electrocutionofbirdsisalsounlikely;thedistancebetweenlinesover115kvandbetweenlinesandgroundisgreatenoughtomakeshortingoutbyabirdalmostimpossible.Birdscansafelyperchoncablesortowers.ThereislittleexperienceofprovenbirdfatalitiesfromcollisionorelectrocutionwiththepresentAPAtransmissionlinesinJuneauandAnchorage.
Themostsignificantimpactsresultfromhabitatmodificationresultingfromimpactsonsoilsandvegetation.Clearinginforestareasandmaintenanceofasubclimaxplantcommunityofbrushandlowplantswillenhancehabitatbyincreasingtheprimaryproductivityoftheclearedarea.Browseformoosewillheincreased;theconjunctionofgoodcoverintheoriginalforestwithaswathofbrowsecreatesadiverse"edge"habitatformanyanimalsdependentonsubclimaxgrowth.Animalsdependentonclimaxornear-climaxv~getationwillsufferlossofhabitat;examplesaretheredsquirrelandnorthernflyingsquirrel,bothofwhichdependuponWhiteSpruce.Destructionofclimaticlichenontundraareaswilldestroywinterbrowseforcaribou.ThedeclineofthecaribouherdsinAlaskaisattributednotonlytohunting,butalsotodestructionoftundralichenbyman-causedfires.Lichenisthekeybrowseforcaribou,foritistheirprimefoodduringthewinter.Itisestimatedthatapproximately50yearsarerequiredforaburnedareatorecovera:usablecover"oflichenforcaribou.Destructionofclimacticvegetationbyfireoftenenhancesmoosehabitat.Tiagaecosystemsareadaptedtowildfire,andpresentmosaicsofvegetationcommunitiesareoftenareflectionofformerfires.1mincreaseoffiresresultingfromman-madecauseswill,uptoapoint,havenotmuchmoreimpactthantheincidenceoflightning-causedfires.Asignificantincreaseovernatural-causedfireswillresultiti.increasedmortalityfromfires,excessivedestructionofcoverandhabitatforwildlifedependentuponclimacticornear~climacticvegetation,increasedsiltingofriversandlakes,potentialdisruptionofseasonalhabitsandmigrations,andpotentialdisruptionofthepermafrost-vegetationrelationship.Impactuponaquaticlifefromatransmissionlineshouldbesmall.Theaquaticfoodchaininthetaigaandtundraisextremelysimple,andasaresult,disruptionofhabitatforonespeciesquiteoftenindirectlyaffectsmanyotherspecies.Potential impactsaretheincreasedsedimentationofriversandlakes;alterationofflows;eutrophicationandpollutionoflakesandstreams;disruptionofhabitatduetogravelborrow,fill,andexcavation;andwithdrawalofwater,especiallyduringwinter.Sedimentationcanresultfromerosionalongtheconstructionsites,burned"'overareas,borrowpits,andrivercrossings.Theimpactofsedimentationdependsupontheseverityofsedimentation,theexistingwaterquality,andtheamountofaquaticlifeinthestreamorlake.332
Inriversalreadycarryingglacialsediment,theeffectofman-causedsedimentationwillbeslight.Clearwaterstreamsandlakessupportinglargeaquaticpopulationswillbemostaffected.Suspendedsedimentcancausegilldamageinfishandsedimentsettlingoutofsuspensioncanfillintersticesingravelbeds,reducingsuitabilityforspawning.Alterationofdrainagebyanaccessroadmayinfluenceriverflow,butatransmissionlineprojectshouldnotaffectsurfacedrainagetoanyappreciabledegree.Spillsofoilorfuel,herbicides,andotherchemicalsintowaterbodieswillimpactaquatichabitat.Fast-flowingstreamswillbetheleastaffectedbyspills,duetotherapiddispersalanddilutionofthecontaminant;lakesandslowstreamswillbemostaffected.Theactualimpactisdependentuponthetypeofspill,theamount,andthevolumeofwateraffected.Additionofexcessivenutrientsororganicmattertolakes,suchasdisposalofslash,maycauseeutrophication,eitherfromexcessivealgalgrowthorfromdecompositionororganicmaterial.Excessiveoxygendepletioninlakewaterswillleadtofishkills.Alterationofstreamandlakebedswilldestroyhabitat.Someofthealterations,suchasgravelextraction,willaddaninordinateamountofsedimenttoaclearwaterstream.Asecondaryimpactofgreatsignificancetowildlifefromatransmissionlinewillbetheincreasedaccesstoareasnowunservicedbyroads.Ifanaccessroadismaintainedforlinemaintenance,itisverylikelythatitwillbeusedbythepublic.BonnevillePowerAdIriinistrationhasexperiencedunauthorizedp.ublicuseofthoseaccessroadswhicharesupposedlyclosedtoallnon-maintenanceuse.Tomanymammals,thepresenceofmanhasanimpact,particularlythepresenceofhunters.Increasedaccesstopresentlyinaccessibleareaswillcertainlyaddtohuntingpressuresongameinthoseareas.Thedegreeoftheimpactdependsuponregulationbygamemanagementagencies,thequalityoftheareaforhunting,andtheseason.Climate~"Thiscategoryadherestothedefinitionofclimate,thatis,theaverageweatherconditionsoveralongperiod;however,thereareveryfewclimaticdataforthestudyarea,particularlyinregardstowindspeeds.Thus,eachsegmentisassignedtooneormoreofthreegeneralclimaticzones.ThesearetheTransitional,Interior,andMountainzones.TheTransitionalZoneisamodifiedcontinentalclimate,havingsomeofthecharacteristicsoftheMaritimeZonealongthecoastoftheGulfofAlaska,yetbeingpartiallysubjecttothegreatertemperatureextremesanddrierclimateoftheInteriorZone.333
Theyearlyaveragetemperatureforthiszoneisabout290Finthenortherlypartto380inthesoutherlypart.Temperatureextremesrangefromabout-400to850F.Precipita;tionrangesfrom12to24inchesperyear;snowfallrangesfromlessthan50tomorethan200inchesperyea}".Windsaregenerallycalm,althoughhighwindsover50mphcanbeexpected.TheInteriorZoneisatruecontinentalclimate.Itisrelativelydry,beingdominatedbyhighpressureairmasses.Asaresult,extremeseasonaltemperaturevariationsrandrelativelymildwindscanbeexpected.Theyearlyaveragetemperatureforthiszoneisabout240to29.oF;annualtemperatureextremesrahgefrom-600tonearlylOOoF.Precipitationhasanannualrangeofabout8to16inchesayear.Snowfallamountsfroll',lessthen50toalmost100inchesayear.Windsaregenerallyverylight,withhighwindsrecordedatlessthan50mph.Sincethisareaisdominatedbystablehighpressureair,temperatureinversionsarecommon,andventilationislow.Thusthepotentialexistsforsmog,fog,andice-fogaroundsourcesofparticulatesand/ormoisture.Ice-fogsrepeatedlycoverFairbanksandseriouslyreducevisibility;thete~peratureusuallymustbebelow-3SoFforthistooccur.TheMountainZoneisbasicallyamodificationofamoreprevalentzone,inthiscase,eithertheTr,ansitionalortheInteriorZones.Thecausesofthemodificationareelevationandrelief.Increasedeleva-tiontendstolowerth~yearlyaveragetemperaturewithoutdecreasingseasonaltemperaturevariationspresentatlowerelevations.High-reliefcombinedwithelevationresultsinincreasedprecipitationduetoadiabaticcoolingofupliftedairmasses,andanincreaseintheforceoflocalwinds.Sincemountainousterrainisanythingbutuniform,windpatternscanvarytremendously.However,itis~afetoassumehighextremesofwindthroughouttheentirezone.LandOwnershipandStatusLandownershipisconsiderablylessinfluen.cedbyphysicalfC!-ctorsandmorebysocialfactors.Atpresent,landownership'isanunstablesituation,foralthoughthemajorityofthelandtraversedbytheroutesegmentsispresentlyFederalland,thatratioisdestinedtochange,withmorelandbeinginStateandNativeownership.WiththeexceptionoftheMatanuskaValleyandthemoreheavilysettledareas,thereispresentlyrelativelylittlepr.ivate1yownedland.334
LandStatusisanevenmorechangingsituationthanlandownership.ThepresentlandstatussituationislargelyaresultoftheStatehoodActof1959,ANCSAin1971,andtheAlaskaConservationActof1974.AllFederallandsinAlaskaarepresentlyinawithdrawalstatus;notonlywillaconsiderableportionofFederallandbetransferredtoStateandNativeownership,butalltheremainingFederallandsareslatedeitherforinclusionintoeithertheexistingNationalsystemssuchasNationalParksandtheNationalForests,orforwithdrawalsforclassificationandpublicinterest.Atpresent'capartfromprivateholdings,onlypatentedStatelandandexistingFederalwithdrawalscanbeconsideredconstant.MostofthecorridorsegmentslieinlandsthatarependingortentativelyapprovedStateselections,Nativevillagewithdrawals,andNativeregionaldeficiencywithdrawals,allofwhichareinfluxatthepresent.Therefore,assessmentofthelandstatusofasegmentreflectsonlythesituationatthetimeofthispublication.Directimpactsonexistingdevelopmentswillgenerallybelow,mainlybecausetherearesofewexistingdevelopmentsalongthesegments.Duetothechangingnatureoflanduseandownership,impactsmaychangeconsiderablyinthespaceofafewyears.Withthepresentpatternoflandownership,therewillbefewconflictswithlandownership,asmostofthelandalongtheroutesarepresentlyinFederalandStateownership.DistributionoflandstoNativesandotherprivateownersbytheFederalandStategovernmentsinthefuturewilUncreasethelikelihoodofpurchaseofeasementofprivatelands,andpossiblesubsequentdisplacementofprivateoviJners.Littleimpactisexpecteduponexistinglanduse;theright~of-waywidthrequiredforatransmissionlineisasmallfractionofthelandthelinetraverses.Ther~willbealmostnoconflictwithagriculturallands;atpresent,agricultureisbasicallylimitedtothelowerMatanuskaValley,andsmallerareasintheTananaandCopperRiverValleys.Thepotentialforagricultureexistsoveraconsiderableareaoftherailbelt(seeFigure9),buttheimpactofatransmissionlineonthesepotentialareasislessthanontheexistingareas.ForestryatpresentisverylimitedintheRailbelt,morefromownershipcausesthennaturalcauses.Forestrycanbeexpectedtoincrease,butimpactsfromatransmissionlinewillbeminimal.33569-7370 -81-22
Knownandpotentialareasofcoal,oil,naturalgas,andminerals'existintheRailbeltarea.Thefossilfuelsarepredominantinthe'threebasinsoftheTananaRiver,CookInlet,andtheCopperRiverlowland.Mineralsaremoreusuallyfoundinthemoremountainousareas.Atransmission.lineitselfwillhavelittleeffectondevelopment,..oftheseresources.TheavailabilityofpowerfromtheUppe-rSusitnaprojectmightspurdevelopment,butthisisdependentuponthelocalutilitiesandtheirdistributionsystems.LocationofthesemineralresourcesisshowninFigure10, 11,and12.Littledirectimpactontowns_fromatransmissionlinecanbeexpected;thisresultsfromtheabilitytocircumventthefewtownsencountered.TheendpointsubstationsareoutsideofAnchorageandFairbanks,sothesetownswillnotbepenetratedby.aright-of-way.SocialImpactsThepredictionofsocialimpactsandtheirmitigationisdifficult;quiteafewvariablesareinvolved,suchasthelaborsupply,the--desiresoftheaffectedcommunities,andtheoccurrenceofotherlargeprojectsin.theareaoftheproposedcorridor.However,itiscertainthatbecauseofitssize,therewillbesocialimpactsduetotheconstructionactivity,interconnection,andtheavailabilityofpower.Constructionactivitywillaffectcommunitiesin:directproportiontotheinvolvementandinindirectproportiontotheirsize.Perhapsthebestway10minimizetheeffectsofconstructionactivityuponsmallcommunitiesiswiththeuseofconstructioncampsspacedalongthecorridor,avoidingthecommunitiesofTalkeetnaandthelowerSusitna,Cantwell,Healy,.andNenana.Thesecampswillbetemporary,tobeconstructedandmaintainedinsuchamanneraf?tominimizedamagetotheirsurroundings;Uponcompletionoftheproject,thecampsshallberemovedandrestoredascloselyaspossibletotheiroriginalconditionorcanbere-usedforother.purposes.Thespacingofthe<campsisdependentuponthenatureoftheterrainandthemethodofconstruction;spacingwillvaryfromfortytoonehundredmiles.Notallcampswillnecessarilyoperatesimultaneously.Theestimatedtimeneededforconstructionisthreeyears;assumingthatthecampsarenotoperatingsimultaneously,butprogressfromonesectiontoanother;thenitfollowsthattheconstructio~periodforagivenareaalongtheproposedcorridorwillbeconsiderablyshortedthanthreeyears.Thus,impactsfromconstructionactivitiescanbeexpectedtolastlessthanthreeyears.336
SOURCE:ALASKA337Figure9LNNALLENU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWER!'OMINISTRATIONPOTENTIALARABLELANDINTHERAILBELTAREASCALE!!!!!""'5---;Z--.~_._.m~..72o50100Mil..A.P.A.-JANUARY1975
Figure10,!'U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONOilANDGASPOTENTIALa100Mne.A.RA.-JULY197&SCALE1!!!!!!!!!Laiai~'.-_.o50MAP--.Sou",.,JointFederal-StateLanduse-;;:;;~('t--..I'.u:I~"==~",.','.'.,,\'-\HighPotentialforOilandGas~ModeratePdential[]]]LowPotential338
A.P.A.-JULY197&Figure11COALANDGEOTHERMALAREASU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION339·
MAP_VERYHIGHPOTENTIAl:"'1111111111HIGHPOTENTIAL340_Figure12U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONPOTENTIALMINERALDEVELOPMENTAREASSCALEI!"!"'-Laiwa&~.-~..?o50100MilosA.P.A.-JULY1975.J.
Theworkforceisdependentuponthecontractor,thetimeschedule,andtheavailabilityofworkers.Afigurecanbeobtainedasfollows:assumethatworkisprogressingsimultaneouslyalongtheentirecorridor;thatcampsareanaverageofsixtymilesapart,andthatitrequiresfivemenpertowerfortransmissionlineconstruction.Withina60milestretchoflinethereare300towers,andifittakestenworkingdaysonJ:heaveragetoplacea345kvtower,includingfoundations,thenfivecrewscouldcompletethetowersinrangefromcampin60days.TheHmeneededtostringandtensionthestretchwiththreeconductorswillbeanother20days;associatedworkpriortoandfollowiI}gthisconstructionwilloccupytherestoftheseasonofabout15-20weeks.Ifthisrateofworkisprogressingattheothercamps,andifsixcampsareplannedinall,thenatotalof150lineworkersarerequired.Otherworkersareneededsuchasdrivers,pilots,laborers,cementworkers,surveyors,campsupport,andadministration.Thiscouldbringthetotalupto250people;however,actualnumbersmaybeashighastwiceorthreetimestheestimate.Associatedwiththeemploymentgenerateddirectlybythisprojectistheeffectonservicesintherailbeltarea,suchassuppliers,machinerysales,shippers,etc.Theimpactonasmallcommunity,suchasCantwell,willbethatofacampseparatedfromthetown,withabout100-125workersforthespaceofoneortwoworkingseasons;apartfromincidentalcontacts,suchasentertainment,andservicetovisitorstotheproject,thisimpactwillberatherlow,andofshortduration.Oper,ationandmaintenanceimpactswillalsobelow.Arelativelysmallworkforcecanhandleoperationsatthepowersites,substations,andinterveningtransmis$ionline.Mostoperationswillo'ccuratthepowersitesandtheterminalsubstationsatEsterandPointMacKenzie;amuchsmallerforcecanpatrolthetransmissionperiodically,makingnecessaryrepairsand.maintainingeffectiveclearance.Ifthesmaller.communitiesareserved,theywillrequiretheirownsubstationandcrew,whichcanhandlebothsubstationoperationandlinemaintenance'fortheirarea.TheinterconnectionandavailabilityofUppefSusitnapowerwillhavesomeeffects.Forthesmallercommunitiesalongtheproposedcorridor,connectionwiththeinterconnectedsystemwouldprovideelectricpowercheaperthanthepresentlocalgeneration.Manyfamiliespresentlywithoutelectricpowerbecauseofthecostofgeneratorsandfuelwouldfinditmoreeconomicallyavailable.Theavailabilityofpower,not341
Figure1380.23A.P.A.-JULY197460LOCATIONMAP4020NGTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMSCOOKINLETAREAX-K-X-X-X33KVTransmissionLine.·-..-x-·.,.x69KVTransmissionLineX-··_I(-··-X115KVTransmissionLineIt---·-x-··-x138KVTransmissionLineScaleinmi.I~~,..........UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEIN"T·~gln~ALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONoCHAKACHAIIINALAKE342
.~.~)~./(Figu\"'e14LOCATIONMAP/UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONEXISTINGTRANSMISSIONSYSTEMSTANANAVALLEYAREAX-lt-X-X33KVTransmissionLinex-·-x-·-x69KVTransmissionLine..--x-··-x115KVTransmlsslonLineIt--X-·--X138KVTransmissionLineGVEA69J(VAIIlPRTWAYFAIRBANKS343oScaleinmiles204060AP.A.-JULY1974
necessarllyc1'ieappower,willprobablybeacauseofsomegrowth'inthesecoznmtinities.How'ever,itis'extremelyunlikelythatindustrywouldbeattractedtooutlyingcommunitiesasaresultoftheavailabilityofpower;thehighcostsoftrarisportation,laborandmaterialwouldoutweigh'thebenefitofaccessiblepower.TheprobabilityofdevelopmentofanewStatecapitalalongtheproposedcorridorwouldbeenhancedsomewhatbytheexistenceorpromiseofavailablepowerandaconnecnontothepresentutilitiesintheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.ThelocationofthenewStatecapitalwould;however,beinfluencedmorebytransportation.Inanycase,ifthenewcapitalweretobeconnectedtoUpperSusitnapower,itwouldhaveaprojectedloadoflessthantenpercentofthepresentAnchorageload.Unlikethesmallercomm:unitiespresentlyriotservicedbyoneoftherailbeltutilities,theavailabilityofUpperSusitnapowerwouldnotsignificantlyaffectgrowthinAnchorageo:rFairbanks.Growthintheseare,asisaproblemthatalreadyexists,andincreasedpowerforthesetownsisaresponseto,notacauseofgrowth.'For'mo:reinformationonsocio-economicfactors,seethePowerMarketReport.'ExistingRights-of-WayExistingrights-of-wayisconcernedwithsurface.transmissionandtransportationroutes.Thepossibilityexistsforsharedrights-of-wayorsharedaccesswithanexistingtransmissionortransportationsystem.Someoftheseexistingrights-of-wayarethehighwaysysteirt,theAlaskaRailroad,transmissioncorridors,theAlyeskaPipeline,andforaproposednaturalgaspipeline,system.Federallandhasbeenwithdrawnforautilitycdrridoralo:p.gpartsoftheAiyeskapipelineroute.Thepossibilityexistsnotonlyforsharedright-of-way"butalsofora"symbiotic"useofanexistingrighf-of-wayiri;whichatransmis-sionlinecouldprovidepowerforthepresentoccupant.Twoexamp~esareelectrificationoftheAlaskaRai1+oad,andusingelectricpu~pingstationsalongtheAlyeskaPipeline.Existingtransmissionsystemsare~hownonFigures13and14.ScenicQualityScenicqualitydoesnotlenditselfwelltoquantification;thisisamuchmorea,rnbiguouscategorythantheprecedingones,duetothedifficultyin,definitionofsuchtermSal:;"s<;enicquality".Therear~several344
componentsofscenicquality,whichwhendefined,willdefinethiscategory."Existingscenicquality"isastatementofthepresentvisualaspectofanarea,whetheritisanareaofperceivedhighsc.enicvalue,oranareaoflowscenicvalue.Perceivedscenicvalues(beautiful,ugly,monotonous,vibrant,etc.)areextremelyvariable,notonlybylocation,butalsobyseason,weather,andmostimportantly,bytheindividualviewer.Someofthemoreimportantc;omponentsoIscenicql.lalttyarescal~,unity,intactness,varietyandvividness;Scaleisrelationshipofaviewedareatotheviewer.Scalesrangefromdetail,.ordose-upviews,(suchasviewsofsmallelementsofthelandscapeasplants,rockformation$.,,etc.)tomiddleviews,suchasonecouldhaveinaforest,inwhichindividualelementsstillholdmostoftheattention;todistantorscenicviews,inwhichindividualelementsaresubordinatetotheentireview(perceptionofaforestratherthanperceptionofindividualtrees).Unityisthedegreeofharmonyamongelementsinalandscape;putanotherway,itisthedegreeofthelackofdiscordantelements.Awheatfarmoffiveacresisconsideredbymostpeopletobelessdiscordantinanotherwiseforestedlandscapethanafiveacretankfarm.Unityisalearnedconcept,aridassuch,isvariablenotonlyamongtheindividualsandgroups,butalsoisvariableovertimeastasteschange.Varietyisthedegreeofdiversityinalandscape;itsconverseisuniform-ity.thedegreeofhomogeneity.Varietymaybeafunctionofscale;alandscapeperceivedasuniform,suchastundra,mayhavedetailviewsofamazingvariety.particularlyinitsplantlife.Thereappearstobenoobviousrelationshipbetweenvarietyandunityorbetweenvarietyandintactness.Vividnessisthestrengthoftheimpressionoflandscape.Itisafunctionofthedegreeofpronouncementofthemajorqualitiesinalandscape.Vividnessisinterrelatedwiththecomponentsofunity,intactness,andvariety.Itdoes'not"implystrongvarietyorstronguniformity,butratherthedegreetowhichvarietyoruniformityisperceivedandremembered.Astwoexamples,thehighlydiverseviewofMt.McKinleyasseenfromWonderLake,andthehighlyuniformlandscapearoundLakeLouisearebothveryvividtotheauthor.whereasthelandscapeoflowerTalkeetnaRiverismuchlessvivid.Sincescenicqualityisacomplexsubject,someassumptionsmustbemadeinordertouseitascategoryinamatrix.Thefirstassumptionisthatwewillonlybeconsideringlarge-scaleviews;detailandmiddle-viewsshouldnotbeaffectedbyatransmissionline.Second.'345
<::>MAPSou"""~.VoI.40.No.24February4,1975346;'j'-..-fNATIONALHISTORICALANDARCHEOLOGICALSITESSCALE~~.......----..,()50100Mil..A.P.A.-JULY11175
MAp[[IT]GoodtoHighQua'iityScenicArea~HighQualityScenicAreaIIiiIfi··\Ii,.II:i.1IiLJ~I'I!I347SCENICVALUESSCALE~~~---)o50100MII••
~oat,temptwillbemadetoquantifyscenicqualities;thestudyofp~rceptionisJl:0t'yetr'advan'cedtothepointwhereonecanconfidentlyquantifyasii,bjectofsuchwidelyvaryingindividualperceptions.Third,theareawithinNationalandStateParksorotherscenicreserveswillautomaticallybeconsideredmoresensitivetoscenicdegradationbecauseoftheirrecognizedscenicqualities.Fourth,landscapesvisableft:ommajorsurfacepublictransportationrQuteswillbeconsideredmoresensitivethanthosethatarenot.Thereasoningbehind:thiststl:1atallscenicvaluesarenotintrinsictothelandscape,rather,they'~reresponsesoftheirldivi¢l.ualsperceivingthatlandscape.Anareawithahigh.n:umberof-viewerc9ntactswouldthenbemoresensitivetoscenicdegradationthananareawithnoviewers,orwithveryfewvi~wers.....'Obtrusivenessisthelackofunityofanelementwiththe'restofalandscape,thedegreetowhichanelementisperceivedasincongruous.Atransmis-'.sionlineinavalleybottomseenfromtwomilesawayislessobtrusive'andvisiblethanalinesilhouettedonat;idgeonemileaway.Factorsaffectingobtrusivenessaretowerdesignandheight;designandwidthofclearing;reflectiveness.offowerandcable;top9graphy;anddistancefromviewer.'Wherena;tural.coverandtopographyehablealinetobehidden,impactonscenic'quality,is10\V;.onopentllndra,impactwillbemediumtohigh,dependingondistanceandtopography.Thereareseveralrecreationandscenicreservesaffected.bythealterna-tiveroutes;mostimportantare1·fountMcKinleyNationalParkandDenaliStatePark.Botharerathersensitiveareas,astheyattractandaretheresultpfaconsiderabletouristtrade.ParksinAlaskahavetheimageotopen,unspoiledwilderIless,particularlytotouristsfromoutsidetheState.Visibilityofatransmissionlineinoraroundtheseparkswillhaveagreaterimpactthaninotherareas.There,areavarietyofState-ownedrecreationalareasandwaysidesadjacenttothehighwaysintheRailbelt;impactontheserecreationalsiteswillbelow;duetotheirrelativelysmallsize,theycanbecircumventedeasily.Th'eNationalRegisterofFebruary4,1975listssixregisteredhistoricalandarchaeologicalsitesthatmightpossiblybeaffectedbythealternativeroutes.TheseareshownonFigure15.ThereareknownandpotentialarcheologicalanclhistoricalsitesnotontheNationalRegisteralongtheproposedcorridors.To,minimizepossiblevandalismordisturbancenositesotherthanthoseontheNationalRegistershallbelocatedeitheronamaporonthenarrative348
ofthisassessment.Topreservetheintegrityofknownandpotentialsites,apre-constructionarcheologicalsurveyofthecorridorswillbecarriedout,andthefinaltransmissionroutewillbeadjustedtominimizedisruption.InadvertentdiscoveryofanunsuspectedsiteatalaterstagewillentaileithertheminorrelocationofasegmentofthetransnUssionline,orthesalvageofthesitesasprescribedbyExecutiveOrder11593.andP.L.93-291.Thealternativ~routescrossnoproposedorexistingscenic,wildorrecreationalrivers,nordotheycrossanyproposedorexistingwilder-nessareasorwildl,iferefuges.However,insegmentswherethetrans-missionlinewillpioneeracorridorthroughapreviouslyintactarea,thequalityof\Vildernesswillsuffer,especiallyifthetransmissionlineiseasilyvisible;However,inmostsegmentsthetransmissionlinewillparallelexistingcorridorsorwilltraversenosignificantlylargeareasofintactwilderness.Apioneercorridorcrossingasignificant-lylargewilderness.areawillhaveahighimpactonaccessandfuturelocationofotherrights-of-way.Theseinturnwilldegradewildernessqualityfurther,but,tothebenefitofincreasedaccessforrecreationalusesinvolvingmotorized·access..Figure16showsanapproximationofexistingscenicquality.HazardsandInconvenienceOneofthemoreobviouspotentialhazardsisthatofelectricalshock.Threedistincthazardscanbedefined.Oneisthebriefvoltagebrieflyappearingonthegroundnearadroppedconductor.Thesecondisthedirectcontactwithaconductor.Thethirdhazardisthatofinducedcurrentinmetallicobjectsnearanoperatingtransmissionline.Whenaconductorisdropped.,eitherasaresultoftowerorconductorfailure,itisswitched.offinafractionofasecond.Duringthisshorttime,avoltageiscausedintheimmediatevicinityofthecontact;thehazardwouldvarywiththedistancetothecontactpoint,thevoltageproduced,andotherfactors.DroppedconduCtorsarearareeventinmosttransmissionsystems;theyaretheresultofvandalism(riflefire),stor.ms,andoccasionally,defectsofcomponents..Directcontactcanbealethalhazard;usuallyitinvolvesinadvertentlyshortingoneoftheconductorswithmachineryorotherequipmentworkingunderatransmissionline.Constructionbooms,pipes,andpolesmustbemaneuveredwithcarenearanoperatingtransmissionline.Sincegroundclearanceincr,easeswithoperatingvoltag·e,thishazardislesswiththehighervoltages.349
It~spossibletoinduce·avciltageinmetallicconductorsparalleling,atransmissionline;suchasraillinesandfences,Thiscould'presentapotentialhazarddependentupontheconductivityandlengthoftheobject,anditsdistancefromthetransmissionline,Propergroundingofpotentialinductingobjectswilleliminatethishazard.Overheadtransmissionsystemsnearairfieldsanda.reasofheavylow-flyingairtrafficpresent'apotentialhazardtoaircraft.Properplacementandroutingwillreducethishazard;theuseoftaut-spansho'rttowerscanreducetheheightofanoverheadsystem,andmarkingconductorsthatspanvalleysandnotcheswillincreasevisibilitytoaircraft.Anoperatingoverheadtransmissionsystemwillgeiieratea.udible·noiseimmediatelyadjacent,particularlyifthevoltageis345k"orhigher.Fora345kvline,.audiblenoiseattheedgeoftheright-of~waywillbelessthan45decibels,roughlyequivalenttothenoiseleveloflighttrafficat100feet.Actualaudiblenoiselevelsarerelatedtovoltage,configuration,andheightofconductors,atmosphericconditions,andindi"vidualsensitivity.Radioandtelevisionreceptionimmediatelyadjacenttoanoverheadtransmissionsystemmaysufferfromelectromagneticinterference(EMI).Suchinterferenceislocalized,andismoreintenseduring~rain.OtherfactorsinfluencinglevelsofEM!arethevoltageandconfigur-ationoftheconductors.,heightofconductoraboveground-,ageand.surfacefinishofconductor,andatmosphericconditions.'AgoodreferenceforEMandaudiblenoiseistheEHVTransmissionLineReferenceBook.Evidenceofeffectsonlifefromexposuretoelectricalfieldspresentinthevicinityoftransmissionlinesisinconclusive.SeveraltestscitedintheBattelleReport"MeasuringtheSocialAttitudesandAestheticandEconomicConsiderationsWhichInfluenceTransmission'LineRouting"indicatenoilleffectsnotedonlinemenworkinginverystrong'electricalfields,andmiceexposedtoelectricalfields;however,'othersourcesintheUSSRandGermanycitedbythisreportindicatedpossibleharmfuleffectsonanimalsandhumans.OzoneproductionbyCoronalossesfromtransmissionlinesislow.TheBattelleReportcitedaboveindicatesthatozoneconcentrationadjacenttoa765kvlinewasontheorderofonly2to3partsperbillionbyvolume;thisconcentrationshouldbeconsiderablylessfor230kvlines.350
STRIPMAPSCOVERINGTHEALTERNATIVECQRRIDORSExhibit1'-2StripMapscoveringtheAlternati..&eCorridors.Thefollowingstripmapsareinthreegroups:thoseshowingthegeneralfeatures,thosedepictinglandstatus,andthosedelineatingsoiltypes.Thealternativecorridor~arecoveredbysevenmapsforeachgroup;thereissomeoverlapfrommaptomap,butnotallalternapvecorridorsare,entirelydepictedonanyonemap.Oneach.mapisagraystripe.showingtheapproXimatepositionofanalternativecO:r,ridbronthatmap;thesepositiop,s.areveryapproximate,andtheexactloca.tipn'·andwidthareindeterminate.Theland:statusrnappedisbaSedupontheland.statussituationofMarch1974.Stateselectio:nsi:ncludepatented:p~nding.andtentativelyapprovedState-selec::tedJands.Dueto.thepresentunstableconditionofIClpd.'sta.tus.itmustberecognizedthattheremaybechangessince.thedatebilliemap.Thesoilsmapsarebaseduponthe1:250,000soiisoverlaymappublishedbytheJointFederal-StateLand'UsePlanningCommission.35169-7370 -81-23
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONINDEXTOALTERNATIVECORRIDORMAPSScaleinmiles3525075100125A.P.A.-March1975
353
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SOILSLEGENDSoil·CiMW__CEi).....SlopeGroup-~_--~TexturalGroupSoilsErosionPotential"EAT-Poorlydrainedsoils,normallyinwaterlaidmaterials.EFT-Welldrainedsoils,instratifiedmaterialsonfloodplainsandlowterraces.EOL-Welldrainedgraysoils;shallowbedrock.EOP-Welldrainedloamyorgravellygraysoils;deeppermafrosttable.HMT-Poorlydrainedpartiallydecomposedpeat;seldomfreezesinwinter.HMV-Poorlydrainedpartiallydecomposedpeat;containsl~nsesofvolcanicash.HY(B)G-Poorlydrainedfibrouspeat;freezesinwinter..HYP-Poorlydrainedfibrouspeat;shallowpermafrosttable.IAHP-Poorlydrainedsoilswithpeatysurfacelayer;shallowpermafrosttable.lAP-Poorlydrainedsoils;shallowtodeeppermafrosttable.lAW-Moderatelywelltopoorlydrainedsoils;maycontaindeeplyburiedicemasses.ICF-Welldrainedbrownsoils;containslensesoffine-grainmaterial.ICP-Welldrainedthingrownsoils;deeppermafrosttable.ICT-Welldrainedgrownsoils;non-acid.IND-Welldraineddarksoilsformedinfinevolcanicash.IUE-Welldrainedsoilswithdark,acidsurfacelayer.IUL-Welldrainedsoilswithdark,acidsurfacelayer;shallowbedrock.IUP-Welldrainedthinsoilswithdarkacidsurface;deeppermafrosttable.RM-Verysteep,rocky,_orice-coveredland.SOP-Welldrained,thin,stronglyacidsoils;deeppermafrosttable.SOT-Welldrainedstronglyacidsoils.SOU-Welldrained,stronglyacidsoils;verydarksubsoil.Themappingunits,whilereferringtoonlyoneortwodominantsoilsintheassociation,includeothersoilsandlessextensivesoils.SlopeGroups1 -Slopesdominatelylessthan12%.2 -Slopesdominatelysteeperthan12%.TexturalGroupsc -sandyf-clayeyErosionPotentialg -verygravellym -loamy(medium)E-1-lowE-2-medium360E-3-high
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-LANDSTATUSLEGENDMajorwithdrawalspriortoAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct,(December18,1971)WithdrawalsforpossibleInclusiononthefourNationalsystems(D-2).Withdrawalsforclassificationandpublicinterest(D-l)Stateselections-patented,tentativelyapproved,andpending(55)WithdrawalsforNativevillageseligibleforlandselectionsWithdrawalsforNativevillages,eligibilityforlandselectionnotfinallydeterminedVillagedeficiencywithdrawals(NVD)oRegionaldeficiencywithdrawals(NRD)~=~~~~======1Utilitycorridor(UC)ThesemapsrepresentthelandstatussituationasdeterminedbytheBureauofLandManagement,December18,1973·368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
EXHIBIT1-3PhotographsThefollowingphotographsdepicttypicalviewsandcriticalpointsalongtheproposedcorridorsandtheiralternatives:Photos1 - 4areillustrationsofCorridorSusitna-1Photos5 -25areillustrationsofCorridorNenana-1Photos26-28areillustrationsofCorridorSusitna-2Photos29-30areillustrationsofCorridorSusitna-3,4Photos31-40areillustrationsofNenana-2,3,4,5Photos41-56areillustrationsofMatanuska-1,2Photos57-69areillustrationsofDeltaCorridorAllphotographsinthisappendixweretakenbyAPApersonnel.ThemajorityweretakeninSeptemberof1974.376
LowerSusitnaRiverValley.Thisareaischarac-terizedbyextensivemuskegs,intermingledwithbottomlandspruce-poplarforests.Pennafrostisabsentordiscontinuousinthisarea,althoughthesoilsaregenerallypoorlydrained.377
II..SusitnaRiverValley.Lakesareprevalentandassoc-iatedwithmuskegs,whichsucceedtheminformation.Muskegsaresucceededinturnbyforestsdependentuponwell-drainedsoils.Thethreestagesofsuccess-ionareshownhere.378
SusitnaRiverValleynearTalkeetna.Astheterrain:becomesmorerolling,therelativeBIIlOlmtofmuskegbecomesless.379
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Town of Talkeetna.This town is at the confluence of the Talkeetna,Susitna,and Chulitna Rivers.The Alaska Railroad can be seen cross-ing the Talkeetna River near the right edge of the picture.
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Surrunit Lake at Broad Pass.Broad Pass is an aptly named feature;a
structurally-controlled depression in an otherwise mountainous area.
It is the divide for tributaries of the QlUlitna and Nenana Rivers.
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Alaska Range from Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway near Broad Pass,late
spring.Vegetation biome is lowland spruce-hardwood.Soils here are
basically glacial deposits.
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Alaska Range fro.Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway near Broad Pass.Soil
here is poorly drained;trees visible are black spruce.
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Entering Alaska Range on Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway,north of Cantwell.
Concealment of line will be difficult in areas such as this.
LookingsouthalongNenanaRivertoUpperNenanaCanyon.TheAnchorage-FairbanksHighwayparallelstheleftbank.MountMcKinleyNationalParkandtheAlaskaRailroadareontherightbankoftheriver.385
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Nenana River and Sugar Mountain,seen from Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway
near Yanert.Yanert Fork enters Nenana River near right-hand edge of
photo.Visible also is corrrnunication line for Alaska Railroad.
VeryrestrictedcanyonalongNenanaRivernorthofMcKinleyPark.AlaskaRailroadisoffleft-handedgeofphoto.LandleftofriveriswithinMountMcKinleyNationalPark.387
388
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Nenana River valley in vicinity of Moody bridge on Anchorage-
Fairbanks Highway.
••..;••390
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Usibelli Coal Mines near Healy.Note the seams of coal in the
scarp.This coal is the fuel for the Healy stearnplant.
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Nenana River flood plain near Healy.Note the terraces
characteristic of the Nenana Valley in this area.
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138 KV Healy transmission line.Looking south from Anchorage-
Fairbanks Highway towards Healy.
i,\•Guyedtangenttowerinforeground;guyeddead-endtowersinbackground;Healy138KVtransmissionline.394
Guyed138KVtowerontheHealytransmissionline.395
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Nenana River valley,looking south to Alaska Range.Terraces are
fairly evident along right backgrotmd.
TownofNenana,atconfluenceofTananaRiverandNenanaRiver,whichflowsinfromlowerright.Double-spanbridgeisfortheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway;single-spanbridgeisforAlaskaRailroad.397
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Alaska Railroad siding along Tanana River at Nenana.Large free-
standing tCMer is part of river crossing of Healy 138 KV transmission
line.
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TCMIl of Nenana;frontage on Tanana River.Nenana handles considerable
river traffic on the Tanana River.
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"Goldstream Hills".On the slopes,the predominant vegetation is
birch-white spruce,on poorly drained areas and some north-facing
slopes;black spruce predominate.
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View to the west from the "Goldstream Hills".These hills flank the
north bank of the Tanana River;the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway enters
them immediately across the river from Nenana,and follCMs their
crest to Ester and Fairb~.
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Clearing for Matanuska Electric Association (~ffiA)distribution line.
Vegetation is predominantly poplar and spruce.Clearing was done
by uprooting trees with a bulldozer.
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Near Honolulu on the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway.Biomes shown on
low brush muskeg in foregr01.md and upland spruce-hardwood in back-
ground.Black spruce in foreground are associated with poorly drain-
ed soils and/or shallow pennafrost tables.
LittleCoalCreekinDenaliStatePark.Vegetativebiomeisclassifiedasuplandsp~ce-hardwood.Streamsinthisareaareincisedintoarelative-lygentleplain.,404
TalkeetnaRiverneartownofTalkeetna.ThisphotoshmvsthedensityandconformityoftheforestofthelmverSusitnaValleyintheTalkeetnaarea.405
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Detail of bottomland forest near Talkeetna.Predominant trees are
poplar and white spruce with considerable brush tmderstory.This
forest type can easily conceal a transmission clearing.
UpperWellsCreek,approachingpasstoLouisCreek.Biomeisalpinetillldra.407
·.$j.r-!Vl~(1)(1)I-<UVl.r-!;::j0H§I-<4-<~(1)(1)Vl~Vl~Po..~(1)(1)I-<UI'"Vl...-l-...-l(1)~408
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Moody Pass fran Yanert Fork to Moody Cree~,.which is visible in the
upper left.This pass is relatively low (2900')and wide,but
soils are poorly drained and subject to pennafrost.
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Lower Moody Creek.This is a well-dissected area,covered with
upland spruce-hardwood.Routing of transmission may prove diffi-
cult in this stretch.
LaverMoodyCreekatconfluencewithHealyCreek(topofphoto).Unstableslopesareevident.411'.
1.AlI'i.
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Looking north from western end of Denali Highway.Typical low
brush and muskeg biomes.Trees are black spruce.
AerialviewlookingwestalongDenaliHighwayandNenanaRivertoCantwell.Notethatforestsarelimitedtotheterraceslopesandleveesoftheriverchannel.413
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Surface view of area typical of that shCMIl in photo above;in this
case,the Nenana River is in the vicinity of the Wells Creek con-
fluence.The lowland spruce-hardwood is limited to the terrace
slope and river bottom.
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Looking west up the Nenana River and Denali Highway.The sources of
both the Nenana and Susitna Rivers are in the Alaska Range visible in
the upper left.In the upper left also is the divide between these
two rivers J a wide J poorly-drained area called Monahan Flat.
l
«.....SusitnaRiverbetweenWatanaandVeedarnsites.Heaviervegetation,inthiscaseuplandspruce-hardwoodforest,islimitedtothevalleyslopes,thevegetativebiomeontheupperplateausisgenerallymoistttmdra,muskeg,andalpinettmdra.416
,J:>.-'I
Susitna River at Vee darnsite.This demonstrates the typically in-
cised character of the Upper Susitna fran Devil Canyon to the Tyone
River.Note that heavier vegetation is limited to slopes and creek
valleys.
I
M:»isttundranearButteLake;lookingnorthtoMJnahanFlatsandAlaskaRange.ATVtracksarevisibleintheforegrolDld;thesetracksstartfrailtheDenaliHighway,whichcrossestheflatsinthebaclcgrotmd.418
ATVtracksleadingfromDenaliHighway.Thisphotoshowstypicalmoisttundravegetationwithlow-growingbrush,peatysoil,andpoordrainage.419
.L 1l.a '"
~
t-.)o
Susitna River above Denali damsite,looking west.The few spruce to
be fm.m.d are limited to the river bottom.
~
100)...
ImpOlmdment area of Denali damsite.The Susitna here is a meandery,
aggrading river,the surrotmding land is very poorly drained and
tmderlain by fairly continuous pennafrost.
~
to.)
to.)
Maclaren River,looking north to the CleaIWater MOlmtains.The fore-
ground knob is part of a morainal ridge.These morainal features
are reItaively well-drained,whereas the flat low-lying·lands are
poorly drained with shallow permafrost tables.
1----l
.j:>,
I'.)w
Looking north along the Denali Highway to the Amphitheater Mountains.
Morainal ridges nm across the middle of the photo.The biome along
most of the eastern half of the Denali Highway is moist tundra.
~
10,)
~
--....-...--
Uplands near Sourdough on the Richardson Highway.This is typical of
the plateau bordering the Copper River lowland on the north and east.
Poorly drained,it supports many lakes,the largest of them in the
Lake Louise complex.
~
to.)c.n
The Lake Louise plateau.Biomes are predominantly lowland spruce-
hardwood and muskeg.These uplands are underlain by continuous
perma fros t.
l
1,;IAtI'~'·~
~
to.)
0-
The Copper River lowlands,a large basin tmderlain by pennafrost.
TazlinaRiverasseenfromtheGlennHighway.427
~....,
<Xl
Tahneta Pass area between the Tazlina and Matanuska River drainages.
Lakes and muskegs are indicative of poor drainage.The mOlmtains
are part of the Q1Ugach Range.
TalkeetnaMountains;GleIUlHighwayrunsacrossthelowerportionsofthephoto.TheMatanuskavalleyisborderedonthenorthbytheTalkeetnaRange,onthesouthbytheQlUgach.429
.j::o,
eNo
4,w,-
Havell Glacier and the Chugach Range.The Matanuska River flaYs in an
incised channel across the middle of the photo.
CaribouCreekandtheTalkeetnaMountains;GlermHighwayonlowerportionofphoto.ThistributatyoftheMatanuskaRivertypifiestheincisedcharac-terofmanyriverserodingthroughglacialdebrisandloess,suchastheMatanuska,Copper,Gulkana,andupperNenanaRivers.43169-7370 -81-28
J "JA It
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to.)
Matanuska River and Chugach Range.The Matanuska River has a braiding
channel due to the high silt load from the Howell and r.ratanuska
Glacier,and the glacial tributaries entering from the Chugach Range.
~
Co)
(.oJ
Looking north by Paxson Lake on the Richardson Highway to the
Alaska Range.Paxson Lake is an important part of the fisheries of
the Gulkana River.
~w
~
Ii·.."fA 1101
Sumnit Lake and the Alaska Range.Sumnit Lake is drained by the
Gulkana River and is just south of Isabel Pass.
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Co)
iii
Isabel Pass,looking north to Rainbow Ridge.The Richardson High-
way,the Del ta River,and the Alyeska Pipeline cross the photo at the
base of RainbCM Ridge.
J>.
<..l
0-
....:J ....,.-•.-••
Rainbow Ridge,as seen from the south.The Richardson Highway crosses
under the ridge from right to left.The slope of the ridge is a
series of adjoining talus cones some of which are unstable.
-------------------------1
.0;
Co).....---I
0\...
Delta River by Black Rapids Glacier.The glacier is partially visible
in the upper center of the photo.The Delta River carries considerable
'glacial silt,resulting in aggradation and braiding of the channel.
'"'W
ClO ............•0'
N
~-~~~..-----------------~---~=a:l
Alaska Range seen fran the north from the Richardson Highway.This
is not true perspective as seen from the highway,since the photo was
taken with a telephoto lens...-
,J:>.
eN
-D
The Alaska Range seen from the Richardson Highway near Donnelly Dome,
looking south.The dust is from the channel of the Delta River,which
is extremely undersized for its channel.
~
~o
Another view of the Delta River as seen fran near DOIUlelly Dome.
Again,the blowing dust from the channel is evident.
J:>,
J:>,...
Alaska Range from Big Delta,taken with telephoto,In the foreground
is the Delta River channel,which near here joins the Tanana River.
~
~
10,)
.........-...
Fann near Delta Jtmction.Some attempt at farming is made in the
ClealWater Lake area,but agriculture is relatively tmimportant except
for the lower Matanuska Valley area.
443
••.,...~III,"Looking~theTananaRiveracrosstheconfluenceofSh.,Creek.ThebraidingofchannelscharacteristicoftheDeltaandTananaRiversisevident.444
TheTananaRiverfloodplain.Thisareaisextreme-lyflatandpoorlydrained.Threetypesofbiomearerepresentedinthispicture:muskeg,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andbottomlandspruce-poplar.Thedarkforestsaremainlyblackspruce.Thesinuouslighterforestiswhitespruce,aspenandbirch.Thisforesttypepreferswell-drainedsoils,andsoisfomdonoldleveesofexistingandextinctchannels.445
GLOSSARY-EXHIBIT1-41.Brushblades,brushhogs:Devjcesmountedontractorsorbulldozerswhichcutandclearbrushwithlesssoildisturbancethanthemethodsofuprootingwiththestandardbladeorshovel.2.Chipping:Methodofdisposalofclearedbrushandslashbymechanicalcuttingintosuitablysmallchips,whicharetheneitherdispersedorhauledaway.3.Climax:Astableconditionachievedbya-communityofplantsandanimalsresultinginsuccessfuladjustmenttoitsenvironment.Thestabilityinvolvedisofalong-termnature;short-termfluctuationsaretobeexpected.Inthisway,aclimaxstageofdevelopmentcanbeconsidereddynamicallystableratherthanstatic.SeeSuccession.4.Conductor:Thepartofthetransmissionsystemwhichactuallytransmitspower.Inoverheadsystems,thisisanuninsulatedcable,generallyofaluminumandsteel,connectedtothetowersbywayofinsulators.Inunder-groundsystems,theconductorisgenerallyaluminunJcableinsulatedwithoil-impregnatedpaper,oil,orplastic.Thiscableisoftenwrappedinaprotectivesheath.Inoverheadsystems,therecanbemultipleconductorsperphase.Singleconductorsarecalledsimplex;doubleconductorsarecalledduplex.Largernumbersofcablesperphasecanbeused,theresultingcombinationcalledconductorbundles.5.Corridor:Ageneralizedroute.Astripoflandofvariablewidthjoiningtwoendpoints.Inthisassessment,corridorsarenotdefinedinwidthandfinallocation.AmorespecificlinearlocationistheRoute.6.DangerTree:Anytreewhichthreatensthesafetyofatransmissionsystem.Severalfactorsdeterminedangertrees:voltageofline,heightoflineaboveground,heightoftree,growthrateoftree,anddistanceoftreetocenterline.Thesetreesmustbeperiodicallyidentifiedandremoved.7.Ecosysem:Thecomplexofacommunityanditsenvironmentfunctioningasanecologicalunitinnature.8.ElectromagneticInterference(EM!):Interferencewithradioandtelevi-sionproducedbycoronalossesfromtransmissionlines.EMIisafunctionofmanyfactors,amongthemthevoltageoftheline,theconfiguration,site,heightandageoftheconductors,andatmosphericconditions.446
9.Fault:Inthetransmissionsense,aconditionofeither,?penorshortcircuitingcanbecausedbydefects,lightning,groundingorconnectingofphases,droppingofoverheadcable,orbreakininsulationinundergroundcable.Inthegeologicsense,~fractureinthecrust,alongwhichdisplace-menthasoccurred.10.Free-standingTowers:Atransmissiontowerdesignneedingnosupportfromguyedcables.Thisdesigngenerallyhasfourlegs,andisusuallyofsteellatticeconstruction.SeeGuyed.Tower.11.GenerationSite:Anypowersite,withoutregardtomethodofgeneration.Generationsitesareoneendtotransmissionlines.Inthisassessment,thegenerationsitesarethepotentialpowersitesontheUpperSusitnaRiver.12.GuyedTower:Atransmissiontowersupportedbytwoormoreguyedcablesandpivotingononeortwopoints.Generallylighterthanfree-standingtowers,theyaremoresuitedtohelicopterconstruction.SeeFree-standingTo~'ers.13.Habitat:Theparticularareainwhichaplantoranimallives.Ingeneral,anyareapossessingthoseconditionsnecessarytosupportapopulationofaparticularplantoranimal.14.Herbicide:Avarietyofpesticidewhichaffectsplants.Herbicidescanbegeneralorspecificinaction,andofvariouspotenciesandduration.15.Interconnection:Theconnectionoftwoormoreindependentpowersystems'\'\Tithtielines.Besidesanincreaseintotalreliability,theopportunityexistsforonesystemtosellsurpluspowertoanother,whichcan.resultingreaterefficiencyofgeneration.16.LoadCenter:Apointatwhichtheloadofagivenareaisconcentrated.Forexample,theAnchorageloadcenter,asreferredtointhisassessment,coverstheloadincludedintheCEA,AML&P,HEA,SES,andMEAsystems.Theloadcenterisassumedtobethereceivingendofatransmissionline.SeeGenerationSite.17.Permafrost:PermafrostisaconditionresultingwheneversoilorrockhasbeensubjectedtoanannualaveragetemperatureoflessthanOOCformorethantwoyears.Ice-richpermafrostispermanentlyfrozensoilwithahighmoisturecontent.Permafrosttableisthelevelbeneaththesoilsurfacewhichremainsfrozenthroughsummer.44769-7370 -81-29
18.Right-of-way(ROW):Aright-of-wayisastripoflanddedicatedforuseofsomeutility,suchastransportationortransmission.ThelandwithinaROWissometimesaneasement,notinvolvingthepurchaseoftheland,orcanbeownedbytheutility.Theright-of-waywidthforatransmissionlineisgenerallylessthan200feetwide.Clearingwidthandright-of-waywidthshouldnotbeconfused;clearingwidth,ifclearingisneededatall,isalmostalwayslessthantheright-of-waywidth.19.Route:AdefinitelocationofaROW,asopposedtoacorridor.20.Seismic:Pertainingto,subjectto,ofthenatureof,orcausedbyanearthquake.21.Substation:Afacilityatajunctionoftransmissionlinesoratthepointofdistributiontoaloadcenter.Asubstationfunctionstoswitchpowerandraiseorlowervoltage.SeeTap.22.Succession:Aprocessbywhichacommunityofplantsandanimalsachievesastableadjustmenttoitsenvironment;asuccessionalstageisatransitionculminatinginastableclimaxstage,providingtheprocessisallowedtocontinue.However,duetonaturalandhumancauses,acommunitywilloftenneverreachaclimaxstage,thesuccessionalstagesbeingmaintainedbyfire,-logging,grazing,agricultureorotherreasons.23.SystemPlan:Aplanoftransmissionfromgenerationsitetoloadcenterwhichisacombinationoftwofactors:thecorridorlocationandthevoltageandcapacityofthetransmissionline.24.Tap:Adrawingofpowerfromatransmissionline,particularlyatapointbetweenthegenerationsiteandthemainloadcenter.Eachtapwillinvolveasubstation.25.UtilityCorridors:Aconceptofconcentratinggenerallyparallelrights-of-way,evehtothepointofsharingofrights-of-way.Therights-of-waycan·beforvariousutilities,suchaspipelines,railroads,transmissionlines,andhighways.26.Sedimentation:Theintroductionintoastreamorlakeofsedimentnotnormallyassociatedwiththatwaterbody.Althoughsometimescausedbynaturalagents,suchasslidesorerosiontriggeredbyfires,itismoreoftenaresultofman'sactivities,suchasloggingandfarming.448
.SUMMARY.HyroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin(Southcentral.RailbeltArea,Alaska)ResponsibleOffice:AlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersColonelGeorgeR.Robertson,DistrictEngineerP.O.Box7002,Anchorage,Alaska99510Telephone(907)276-49152.DescriptionofAction:TherecommendedplanistoconstructdamsontheupperSusitnaRiveratWatanaandDevilCanyon,powerplants,electrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters,accessroads,andpermanentoperationandrecreationalfacilities.Theprojecthasbeenauthorizedfordetailedpreconstructionstudies.Whenfunded,environ-mental,social,economic,andengineeringaspectsoftheprojectwillbestudiedatgreaterdepthoveraperiodofseveralyearspriortorecom-mendingtoCongresswhetherornottheprojectshouldbeadvancedtofinaldesignandconstruction.AmajorsupplementtotheEnvironmentalImpactStatementwillbepreparedattheconclusionofpreconstructionstagestudies.ThesupplementwillbecoordinatedforpublicreviewandcommentandfurnishedtotheCongressalongwiththeAlaskaDistrict'sfinalrecommendations.( )RevisedDraftEnvironmentalStatement1.NameofAction:()Administrative(X)FinalEnvironmentalStatement(X)Legislative3.a.EnvironmentalImpacts:Thetwo-damsystemwouldinundatesome50,500acresextending84milesupstreamfromDevilCanyonDam.Ninemilesofatotalll-milereachofwhitewaterwouldbeinundatedinDevilCanyon.Transmissionlineswouldtotal364milesinlength;corridorswouldaverage186-210feetinwidth,andrequireabout8,200acresofright-of-way,ofwhichabout6,100acreswouldrequirevege--tativeclearing.TheprojectwouldutilizearenewableresourcetoproduceprojectedpowerneedsoftheRailbeltareaequivalenttotheannualconsumptionof15millionbarrelsofoil.Heatandnoiseandairpollutionproblemsassociatedwithmostalternativeenergyproductionsourceswouldbeprevented.StreamflowsforsomedistancebelowDevilCanyonwouldcarrysignificantlyreducedsedimentloadsduringthesummermonths.Recreationalopportunitywouldbeincreasedbyaccessroadsandcreationofproject-relatedrecreationalfacilities.b.AdverseEnvironmentalEffects:Thefollowingadverseimpactswouldresultfromprojectimplementation:impairmentofvisualqualityresultingfromaccessroads,dams,andtransmissionlines;lossofvegetationandhabitatduetoinundationandroadconstruction;creationofpublicaccessresultinginincreasedpressureonwildlifeandneedforintensi-fiedgamemanagementandfirepreventionpractices;449
increasedturbidityofSusitnaRiverdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDamduringwintermonths;preventionoffuturemineralextractionfrominundatedlandandllmitationsofoptionsforusesoflandsaffectedbythetransmissioncorridors;directimpactonmoosethroughsomereduc-tionofexistinghabitat;possibleinhibitionofmovementofcaribouwhichcrossthereservoirbetweencalvingandsummerranges;tempQrarydegradationofair,water,andvegetationasaresultofslashanddebrisdisposal;inundationofonehistoricalsiteand anyarcheo-logicalsiteswh1chmightbediscoveredwithinthereservoirpools;socialimpactsrelatedtoseasonalityofconstructimnworkanddemandsuponservicesofsmallcommunitieslocatedinthevicinityofconstruc-tionactivity.4.Alternatives:Constructnoadditiona1electricalgeneratingfacili-ties,constructotherSusitnahydroelectricalternatives,constructotherSouthcentralRailbelthydroelectricfacilities,develop.otheralternativeenergygeneratingfacilitiesusingresourcessuchascoal,oil,andnaturalgas,nuclearpower,geothermal,solar,orotheralter-nativepowergeneratingresources..5.CommentsReceived:a.DistrictReviewofDraftStatement:UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorAlaskaPowerAdministrationGeologicalSurvey--Reston,VirginiaFishandWildlifeServiceBureauofOutdoorRecreation--Seattle,WashingtonNationalParkService--Anchorage,AlaskaNationalParkService--Seattle,WashingtonBureauofIndianAffairs--Juneau,Alaska.BureauofLandManagement--Anchorage,AlaskaUnitedStatesDepartmentofCommerce.UnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyDepartmentoftheArmy.U.S.ArmyColdRegionsResearchandEngineeringLaboratory--Hanover,NewHampshireDepartmentofTransportationCoastGuard--Seattle,WashingtonFederalAviationAdministration--Anchorage,AlaskaFederalHighwayAdministration--Portland,OregonDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment--Seattle,WashingtonDepartmentofAgriculture--SoilConservationServiceFederalPowerCommissionStateofAlaska--OfficeoftheGovernorGreaterAnchorageChamberofCommerceOfficeoftheMayor--Anchorage,Alaska450
SierraClubAlaskaConservationSociety--College,AlaskaAlaskaConservationSociety--Anchorage,AlaskaKnikKanoersandKayakers,Inc.--Anchorage,AlaskaCookInletRegion,Inc.--Anchorage,AlaskaOrahDeeClarkJr.High,SeventhGrade,SixthPeriodClassPrivateCitizensb.Deeartmenta1ReviewofRevisedDraftStatement:UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgricultureUnitedStatesDepartmentofCommerceUnitedStatesEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyFederalEnergyAdministrationUnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportationFederalPowerCommissionUnitedStatesDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentUnitedStatesDepartmentofHealth,Education,andWelfareOfficeoftheGovernorofAlaska--StateClearinghouse6.DraftStatementtoCEQ3October1975.RevisedDraftStateme~ttoCEQ9July1976.FinalStatementtoEPA26June1979.451
JI\{fI:\\\'~{/\:\I!i~I'\<\\"~'I",,-',....ifJ,..'"J' Iff','':(!"1{I'"1I\\l,f1...,\4.\I,d\'<C:l..I'4\}~~~(.'x~LIf,.,\\\4520:::WI->->-C/)..............<l:0:::f-LUU:c<Cwl-z:0-0:::f-C/)0.......0:::ZC/)W=:>0-(!JC/)zz......0:::~WC/)00-<C00-D:l-J.==>{2."()>-;:-Zf.-:i'~/'I[/-l>illD/I
~
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Looking downstream on Susitna River at Devil Canyon damsite.Dam would be
located near bottom of photo.Vegetation is mostly white spruce.
Paragraph1.01.011.021.032.02.012.01.12.01.22.01.32.01.42.01.4.12.01.4.22.01.4.32.01.4.42.01.4.52.01.52.022.02.12.02.1.12.02.1.22.02.22.02.2.12.02.2.22.02.2.32.02.32.02.3.12.02.3~22.02.3.32.02.3.42.02.3.52.02.3.62.02.3.72.02.3.82.02.3.92.02.42.02.52.032.03.12.03.2DRAFTENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENTSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREA,ALASKAHYDROELECTRICPQWERDEVELOPMENTUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINTableofContentsPageProjectDescription459PurposeandAuthority459ScopeoftheStudy459DescriptionofAction461EnvironmentalSettingWithouttheProject467PhysicalCharacteristics467DescriptionoftheArea467RiverCharacteristics470CookInlet472Geology/Topography472General472SusitnaBasin473TransmissionLineCorridor473SeismicAreas475Minerals475Climate476BiologicalCharacteristics476Fish476AnadromousFish476ResidentFish479Birds479Waterfowl479Raptors479OtherBirds481Mammals481Caribou481Moose483Grizzly/BrownBears483BlackBears485Da11Sheep485MountainGoats486Wolves486Wolverines486OtherMamma1s,486ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStates488Vegetation~88CulturalCharacteristics489Population489Economics491455
Paragraph2.03.32.03.3.12.03.3.22.03.3.32.03.3.42.03.4'2.03.4.12.03.4.22.03.4.32.03.4.42.03.4.52.03.4.62.03.52.03.62.043.03.013.023.034.04.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.124.134.144.154.164.174.184.18.1TableofContents(Cont'd).PageTransportation494Rail494Roads494Air494OtherFormsofTransportation494Recreation495Access.495Hunting495Fishing496Boating496Camping496OtherOutdoorRecreationalActivities496HistoricalResources497ArchaeologicalResources497.EnergyNeeds498RelationshipoftheProposedActiontoLandUsePlans50.1PresentLandStatus501AlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct501UtilityCorridors502EnvironmentalImpactsoftheProposedAction503HydrologyandWaterQuality503Fish506Wildlife510Recreation512HistoricalResources513ArchaeologicalResources516Vegetation516Mining518Agriculture518Roads'5.18ConstructionActivities519Workers'Facilities519Esthetics520Earthquakes521Sedimentation522ClimaticConditions522AirPollution523Social523Population523456
Paragraph5.06.06.016.026.02.16.02.26.02.36.02.46.02.56.02.66.02.76.02.86.02.96.02.106.02.116.036.03.16.03.26.03.36.03.46.03.56.046.04.16.04.26.04.36.04.46.04.56.04.66~04.76.04.86.056.05.16.05.26.05.37.0TableofContents(Cont'd)AdverseEnvironmentalEffectsWhichCannotbeAvoidedAlternativestotheProposedActionGeneralAlternativeSourcesofPowerNoActionCoalOilandNaturalGasNuclearPowerGeothermalSolarWind.andTida1WoodIntertieSolidWasteHydropowerAlternativeHydrologicBasinsintheSouthcentralRailbeltAreaRampartCanyonWoodCanyonChakachamnaLakeBradleyLakeSusitnaRiverAlternativeHydroelectricPlansintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinGeneralDevilCanyonWatanaDevilCanyonHighDamDevilCanyon-DenaliThree-DamSystemFour-DamSystemKaiserFour-DamSystemAlternativePowerTransmissionCorridorsAlternativestoSusitna1AlternativestoNenana1AlternativestoSusitnaandNenanaCorridorsRelationshipBetweenLocalShort-TermUsesofMan'sEnvironmentandEnhancementofLong-TermProductivity457525529529530530530533536536537537537537538538538538540540540542542542542542542543543545548548548549551555
Paragraph8.08.018.028.038.048.04.18.04.28.04.38.04.49.09.019.02No.IIINo.123456789101112131415TableofContents(Cont'd)IrreversibleorIrretrievableCommitmentsofResourcesin·theProposedActionChangesinLandUseDestructionofArchaeologicalor-HistoricalSitesChangeinRiverUseConstructionActivitiesFuelRequirementsManpowerMaterialLandCoordinationwithOtherAgenciesGeneralPublicParticipationProgramSelectedBibliographyEconomicDataCommentsandResponsesProposedTransmissionLineCorridor(PhotosCourtesy,AlaskaPowerAdministration)TABLESTitleFlowsDataontheProposedProjectandSelectedSusitnaAlternatives,LISTOFFIGURESTitleTheRai1be1tUpperSusitnaRiverBasinLocationMapTransmissionSystemLayoutUpperSusitnaRiverBasinGeologyoftheRai1be1tAreaWi1d1ife--Waterfow1HabitatWi1d1ife--CaribouandBisonWi1d1ife--Moose,Da11Sheep,BrownBearProjectedEnergyDemandProposedRecreationPlanCoalandGeothermalAreasOilandGasPotentialSouthcentra1KeyHydroelectricAlternativesAlternativeTransmissionCorridorsPotentialMineralDevelopmentAreas458557557557557558558558558558559559559561564573Page503544Page460463466469474480482484500514531534539547556
1.0PROJECTDESCRIPTION1.01PurposeandAuthority.TheutilizationofrenewableresourcestoproduceelectricalenergyfordomesticandindustrialuseshasbecomeaprimaryconcernintOday'senergycrisis.Theconsumptionofnonre-newablesourcesofenergysuchaspetroleumandnaturalgashasnowreachedacriticalpointwhereconservatio"nofdomesticsourcesmustbeconsidered.WiththeforecastincreaseindevelopmentforAlaskaandcorrespondingincreaseindemandforelectricpower,theCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senateadoptedaresolutionon18January1972,requestingastudyfortheprovisionofpowertotheSouthcentralRailbeltareaofAlaska.Theresolutionisquotedasfollows:ThattheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborscreatedundertheprovisionsofSection3oftheRiverandHarborActapprovedJune13,1902,be,andishereby,requestedtoreviewthereportsoftheChiefofEngineerson:CookInletandTributaries,Alaska,publishedasHouseDocumentNumbered34,Eighty-fifthCongress;CopperRiverandGulfCoast,Alaska,publishedas"HouseDocumentNumbered182,Eighty-thirdCongress;TananaRiverBasin,Alaska,publishedasHouseDocumentNumber137,Eighty-fourthCongress;YukonandKuskokwimRiverBasins,Alaska,publishedasHouseDocumentNumbered218,Eighty-eighthCongress;and,otherpertinentreports,withaviewtodeterminingwhetheranymodificationsoftherecommendationscontainedthereinareadvisableatthepresenttime,withparticularreferencetotheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentsystem,includingtheDevilCanyonProjectandanycompetitivealternativesthereto,fortheprovisionofpowertotheSouthcentralRailbeltareaofAlaska.1.02ScopeoftheStudy.TheSouthcentralRailbeltareaisthatportionoftheYukonandsouthcentralsubregionswhichextendsfromCookInletandtheGulfofAlaskaonthesouthtothesouthernslopesoftheBrooksRangeonthenorth,adistanceofabout500miles.Thisarea,containingabout75percentofAlaska'spopulation,isservedbytheAlaskaRail-roadandiscommonlyreferredtoastheIIRailbeltll(seeFigure1).Majorpowerresources,bothhydroelectricandfossilfuels,andthegreatestpowerdemandsareinthisregion.459
460l'I'ILE.$iIRAILBELT:THEFIG~RE~..!ioiOL.....§:s2o.......!'~o~o:.....L
Theproposedactiondiscussedinthisdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementisatwo-damsystemlocatedintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,whichwillprovidehydroelectricpowertotheSouthcentralRailbeltregioninAlaska..1.03DescriptionofAction.Therecommendedplanconsistsofconstruc-tionofdamsandpowerplantsontheupperSusitnaRiveratWatanaandDevilCanyon,andelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters,accessroads,permanentoperatingfacilities,andotherproject-relatedfeatures.Asubsidiarypurposeintheconstructionoftheelectrictrans~missionlinewillbetheinterconnectionofthetwolargestelectricpowerdistributiongridsintheStateofAlaska,whichwillresultinincreasedreliabilityofserviceandlowercostofpowergeneration..TheproposedplanfortheWatanasite(Figure2)wouldincludetheconstructionofanearthfilldamwithastructural.heightof810feetatrivermile165ontheSusitnaRiver.Thereservoiratnormalfullpoolwouldhaveanelevationof2,200feetandacrestelevationof2,210feet,haveasurfaceareaofapproximately43,000acres,andwouldextendabout54rivermilesupstreamfromthedamsitetoabout4milesabovetheconfluenceoftheOshetnaRiverwiththeSusitna..ThegeneratingfacilHiesatWatanawouldincludethreeFrancisreactionturbineswithacapacityof236MW(megawatts)perunitandamaximumunithydrauliccapacityof7,770cfs(cubicfeetpersecond).ThefirmannualproductionofelectricalpoweratWatanawouldbe3.1billionkilowatt-hours.DevelopmentoftheDevilCanyonsiteincludestheconstructionofaconcrete,thin-archdamwithamaximumstructuralheightof635feetandwithacrestelevationof1,455feet.Thedamwouldbelocatedatrivermile134ontheSusitnaRiver.DevilCanyonreservoirwouldhaveawatersurfaceareaofabout7,550acresatthenormalfullpoolelevationof1,450feet.Thereservoirwouldextendabout28rivermilesupstreamtoapointneartheWatanadamsite,andwouldbeconfinedwithinthenarrowSusitnaRivercanyon.ThegeneratingfacilitiesatDevilCanyonwouldincludefourFrancisreactionturbineswithacapacityof171MWperunitandamaximumunithydrauliccapacityof6,250cfs.ThefirmannualenergyprovidedatDevilCanyonwouldbe3.0billionkilowatt-hours.Atotalof6.1billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergywouldbeproducedbythecombinedDevilCanyon-Watanasystem.Secondaryannualaverageenergyproductionfromthistwo-damsystemincludesan461
.a:o.
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to.)
Looking upstream toward Watana damsite.Tsuena Creek in left center of photo.
Da~site just beyond the visible section of river.
FIGURE246369-7370 -81-30
additional0.8billionkilowatt:"'hoursperyear.The6.9billionkilo-wattsoffirmandsecondaryannualenergywouldbetheenergyequivalentofabout15millionbarrelsofoilperyear,orabout112billioncubicfeetofnaturalgasperyear,orabout1.5billionbarrelsofoilovera100-yearproject-lifeperiod~MostofthegeneratedelectricalpowerwouldbeutilizedintheFairbanks-Tanana·ValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaiPeninsulaareas.Theproposedtransmissionsystemwouldconsistoftwo198-mile,230kvsinglecircuitlinesfromDevilCanyontoFairbanks(calledtheNenanacorridor),andtwo136-mile,345kvsinglecircuitlinesfromDevilCanyontotheAnchoragearea(calledtheSusitnacorridor).BothlineswouldgenerallyparalleltheAlaskaRailroad.PowerwouldbecarriedfromWatanatoDevilCanyonviatwosinglecircuit230kvtransmissionlines,adistanceof30miles.Totallengthofthetransmissionlineswouldbe364miles.ThegenerallocationsofthetransmissionlinesareshownonFigure3.Transmissionlinecorridorswouldrequirearight-of-wayofapproximately186-210feetinwidthtotaling.slightlymorethan8,200acresofwhichabout6,100acreswouldrequireclearing.Towerswouldbeeithersteeloraluminumandoffree-standingorguyedtype,dependinguponfinaldesignandlocalconditions.AccesstotheDevilCanyonandWatanasiteswouldbedeterminedbysitingstudiesthatwouldincludeconsiderationoftheenvironmentalimpactsforroadsandtransmissionlines.Preliminarystudiesindicateanaccessroadapproximately64mllesinlengthwouldconnecttheWatanasitewiththeParksHighwayviaDevilCanyon.Afactorconsideredinlocationanddesignofaccessroadswouldbetheirsubsequentuseforpublicrecreationalpurposes.Project-orientedrecreationalfacilitieswouldincludevisitorcentersatthedams,boatlaunchingramps,campgrounds,picnicareas,andtrailsystems.Someofthesefacilitieswould,bedevelopedincooperationwithFederal,Stateorprivateownersoflandadjacenttotheproject.Housingwouldalsobeprovidedforoperationspersonnel.ThetotalfirstcostsoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectbasedonOctober1976pricesareestimatedat$1.86billion,includingthetransmissionsystem.Overall,DevilCanyoncostsareestimatedat$527,000,000,andWatanaat$1,327,000,000.WatanaDamwouldbecon-structedfirstandWatana'scostswouldincludethetotalcostofthetransmissionsystem.Thebenefit-to-costratiocomparedtothecoalalternativeat6-1/8percentinterestrateand100-yearprojectlifeis1.3usingFederalfinancing.464additional0.8billionkilowatt:"'hoursperyear.The6.9billionkilo-wattsoffirmandsecondaryannualenergywouldbetheenergyequivalentofabout15millionbarrelsofoilperyear,orabout112billioncubicfeetofnaturalgasperyear,orabout1.5billionbarrelsofoilovera100-yearproject-lifeperiod~MostofthegeneratedelectricalpowerwouldbeutilizedintheFairbanks-Tanana·ValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaiPeninsulaareas.Theproposedtransmissionsystemwouldconsistoftwo198-mile,230kvsinglecircuitlinesfromDevilCanyontoFairbanks(calledtheNenanacorridor),andtwo136-mile,345kvsinglecircuitlinesfromDevilCanyontotheAnchoragearea(calledtheSusitnacorridor).BothlineswouldgenerallyparalleltheAlaskaRailroad.PowerwouldbecarriedfromWatanatoDevilCanyonviatwosinglecircuit230kvtransmissionlines,adistanceof30miles.Totallengthofthetransmissionlineswouldbe364miles.ThegenerallocationsofthetransmissionlinesareshownonFigure3.Transmissionlinecorridorswouldrequirearight-of-wayofapproximately186-210feetinwidthtotaling.slightlymorethan8,200acresofwhichabout6,100acreswouldrequireclearing.Towerswouldbeeithersteeloraluminumandoffree-standingorguyedtype,dependinguponfinaldesignandlocalconditions.AccesstotheDevilCanyonandWatanasiteswouldbedeterminedbysitingstudiesthatwouldincludeconsiderationoftheenvironmentalimpactsforroadsandtransmissionlines.Preliminarystudiesindicateanaccessroadapproximately64mllesinlengthwouldconnecttheWatanasitewiththeParksHighwayviaDevilCanyon.Afactorconsideredinlocationanddesignofaccessroadswouldbetheirsubsequentuseforpublicrecreationalpurposes.Project-orientedrecreationalfacilitieswouldincludevisitorcentersatthedams,boatlaunchingramps,campgrounds,picnicareas,andtrailsystems.Someofthesefacilitieswould,bedevelopedincooperationwithFederal,Stateorprivateownersoflandadjacenttotheproject.Housingwouldalsobeprovidedforoperationspersonnel.ThetotalfirstcostsoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectbasedonOctober1976pricesareestimatedat$1.86billion,includingthetransmissionsystem.Overall,DevilCanyoncostsareestimatedat$527,000,000,andWatanaat$1,327,000,000.WatanaDamwouldbecon-structedfirstandWatana'scostswouldincludethetotalcostofthetransmissionsystem.Thebenefit-to-costratiocomparedtothecoalalternativeat6-1/8percentinterestrateand100-yearprojectlifeis1.3usingFederalfinancing.464
Detaileapowerandeconomics,hydrology,projectdescriptionandcosts,foundationandmaterials,transmissionline,andrecreationalinformationareavailableattheAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineers,officeinAnchorage,Alaska.Variousstudies,reports,andarticlesprovidedbackgrounddataandinfor-mationforthisEnvironmentalImpactStatement.(SeeSelectedBibliography.)EnvironmentalstudiesbytheCorpsandotherStateandFederalagencieswillcontinue,inordertoprovideadetailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimpacts.ThewaterResourcesDevelopmentActof1974,PublicLaw93-251,setsforthatwo-stagepost-authorizationpreconstructionplanningprocesspriortoCongressionalauthorizationforconstruction.Whenaprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning,theprocessrequirestheCorpsofEngineerstoreporttheirfindingsforCongressionalapprovalbeforeadvancingtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.Duringthisinterimperiod,additionalstudieswillbeundertakentofurtherassessenvironmentalimpactsoftheproject.TheEISwillbesupplementedduringthisphasetoreflectthechangedconditionswhichnormallyprevailseveralyearslaterwhenplanninganddesignstudiesareundertaken,andtomorefullyaddressimpactsonthoseresourcesforwhichdetailedinformationispresentlylimited.SincesupplementstotheEISwillagainbefullycoordinatedwithallreviewingentities,Congresswillbefullyapprisedofthelatestthinkingandthefullestpossibleconsiderationofenvironmentalimpactsin'determiningwhetherornottoauthorize,cons.tructionofthe·project.Theenvironmentalstudieswillincludeinvestigationandevaluationofpossibleecologicalandsocio-economicimpactsoftheproject.Asspecificareasofconcernareidentifiedduringpreconstructionstudies,theywillbeinvestigatedmoreintensively.Problemstobeaddressedduringthedetaileddesignstudyphaseincludeidentificationofsignificantadverseimpactstotheenvironmenta1~culturalandrecreationalresourcesoftheareaandspecificactionswhichshouldbetakentoprevent,ameliorate,ormitigatetheseimpacts.Inventoryandevaluationoffishandwildliferesourcesaffectedbytheprojectwillcontinue.Intensivehydrologicalstudieswillbemadetodeterminetheeffectsofalteredstreamflowonthefishandwildlifehabitatdownstreamoftheproject.Mineralresourcepotentialwillbeassessedfortheimpoundmentareas.Alsoreconnaissancesandsurveyswillbemadeforhistoricalandarcheologicalresourceswhichmayliewithintheproposedprojectsitesandtransmissioncorridors.465Detaileapowerandeconomics,hydrology,projectdescriptionandcosts,foundationandmaterials,transmissionline,andrecreationalinformationareavailableattheAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineers,officeinAnchorage,Alaska.Variousstudies,reports,andarticlesprovidedbackgrounddataandinfor-mationforthisEnvironmentalImpactStatement.(SeeSelectedBibliography.)EnvironmentalstudiesbytheCorpsandotherStateandFederalagencieswillcontinue,inordertoprovideadetailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimpacts.ThewaterResourcesDevelopmentActof1974,PublicLaw93-251,setsforthatwo-stagepost-authorizationpreconstructionplanningprocesspriortoCongressionalauthorizationforconstruction.Whenaprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning,theprocessrequirestheCorpsofEngineerstoreporttheirfindingsforCongressionalapprovalbeforeadvancingtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.Duringthisinterimperiod,additionalstudieswillbeundertakentofurtherassessenvironmentalimpactsoftheproject.TheEISwillbesupplementedduringthisphasetoreflectthechangedconditionswhichnormallyprevailseveralyearslaterwhenplanninganddesignstudiesareundertaken,andtomorefullyaddressimpactsonthoseresourcesforwhichdetailedinformationispresentlylimited.SincesupplementstotheEISwillagainbefullycoordinatedwithallreviewingentities,Congresswillbefullyapprisedofthelatestthinkingandthefullestpossibleconsiderationofenvironmentalimpactsin'determiningwhetherornottoauthorize,cons.tructionofthe·project.Theenvironmentalstudieswillincludeinvestigationandevaluationofpossibleecologicalandsocio-economicimpactsoftheproject.Asspecificareasofconcernareidentifiedduringpreconstructionstudies,theywillbeinvestigatedmoreintensively.Problemstobeaddressedduringthedetaileddesignstudyphaseincludeidentificationofsignificantadverseimpactstotheenvironmenta1~culturalandrecreationalresourcesoftheareaandspecificactionswhichshouldbetakentoprevent,ameliorate,ormitigatetheseimpacts.Inventoryandevaluationoffishandwildliferesourcesaffectedbytheprojectwillcontinue.Intensivehydrologicalstudieswillbemadetodeterminetheeffectsofalteredstreamflowonthefishandwildlifehabitatdownstreamoftheproject.Mineralresourcepotentialwillbeassessedfortheimpoundmentareas.Alsoreconnaissancesandsurveyswillbemadeforhistoricalandarcheologicalresourceswhichmayliewithintheproposedprojectsitesandtransmissioncorridors.465
APA-1975100Mil..50SCALEFe==o:•••••••••••mTR~UAPPERSUSITNARIVERPROJECT<'~"'''''l'IISSIONSYSTEMLAYOUTFIGURE3466APA-1975100Mil..50SCALEFe==o:•••••••••••mTR~UAPPERSUSITNARIVERPROJECT<'~"'''''l'IISSIONSYSTEMLAYOUTFIGURE3466
2.0ENVIRONMENTALSETTINGWITHOUTTHEPROJECT2.01PhysicalCharacteristics2.01.1DescriptionoftheArea.TheSusitnaRiver,withanoveralldrainageareaofabout19,400squaremiles,isthelargeststreamdischargingintoCookInlet.TheSusitnaRiverbasinisborderedonthesouthbythewatersofCookInletandtheTalkeetnaMountains,ontheeastbytheCopperRiverplateauandtheTalkeetnaMountains,andonthewestandnorthbythetoweringmountainsoftheAlaskaRange.TheupperSusitnaRiverupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyondamsitedrainsanareaofapproximately5,810squaremiles(seeFigure2).ThreeglaciersflowdownthesouthernflanksoftheAlaskaRangenear13,832-footMountHayestoformthethreeforksoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Theseforksjointoflowsouthwardforabout50milesthroughanetworkofchannelsoverawidegravelfloodplaincomposedofthecoarsedebrisdischargedbytheretreatingglaciers.Thecold,swift,silt-ladenriverthencurvestowardthewestwhereitwindsthroughasingledeepchannel,some130milesthroughuninhabitedcountry,untilitreachestheAlaskaRailroadatthesmallsettlementofGoldCreek.AftertheSusitnaescapestheconfinementofDevilCanyon,theriver'sgradientflattens.TheriverthenturnssouthpastGoldCreek,whereitflowsforabout120milesthroughabroadsiltandgravel-filledvalleyintoCookInletnearAnchorage,almost300milesfromitssource.PrincipaltributariesofthelowerSusitnabasinalsooriginateintheglaciersofthesurroundingmountainranges.Thesestreamsaregenerallyturbulentintheupperreachesandslowerflowinginthelowerregions.Mostofthelargertributariescarryheavyloadsofglacialsiltduringthewarmersummermonths.TheYentnaRiver,oneoftheSusitna'slargesttributaries,beginsinthehighglaciersoftheAlaskaRange,flowsinageneralsouth-easterlydirectionforapproximately95milesandenterstheSusitna24milesupstreamfromitsmouth.TheTalkeetnaRiveroriginatesintheTalkeetnaMountainsonthesoutheasternpartofthebasin,flowsinawesterlydirection,anddischargesintotheSusitnaRiver80milesupstreamfromCookInletandjustnorthofthecommunityofTalkeetna.TheChulitnaRiverheadsonthesouthernslopesofMountMcKinley,thehighestpointinNorthAmerica,withanelevationof20,320feet.Theriverflowsinasoutherlydirection,joiningtheSusitnaRivernearTalkeetna.4672.0ENVIRONMENTALSETTINGWITHOUTTHEPROJECT2.01PhysicalCharacteristics2.01.1DescriptionoftheArea.TheSusitnaRiver,withanoveralldrainageareaofabout19,400squaremiles,isthelargeststreamdischargingintoCookInlet.TheSusitnaRiverbasinisborderedonthesouthbythewatersofCookInletandtheTalkeetnaMountains,ontheeastbytheCopperRiverplateauandtheTalkeetnaMountains,andonthewestandnorthbythetoweringmountainsoftheAlaskaRange.TheupperSusitnaRiverupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyondamsitedrainsanareaofapproximately5,810squaremiles(seeFigure2).ThreeglaciersflowdownthesouthernflanksoftheAlaskaRangenear13,832-footMountHayestoformthethreeforksoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Theseforksjointoflowsouthwardforabout50milesthroughanetworkofchannelsoverawidegravelfloodplaincomposedofthecoarsedebrisdischargedbytheretreatingglaciers.Thecold,swift,silt-ladenriverthencurvestowardthewestwhereitwindsthroughasingledeepchannel,some130milesthroughuninhabitedcountry,untilitreachestheAlaskaRailroadatthesmallsettlementofGoldCreek.AftertheSusitnaescapestheconfinementofDevilCanyon,theriver'sgradientflattens.TheriverthenturnssouthpastGoldCreek,whereitflowsforabout120milesthroughabroadsiltandgravel-filledvalleyintoCookInletnearAnchorage,almost300milesfromitssource.PrincipaltributariesofthelowerSusitnabasinalsooriginateintheglaciersofthesurroundingmountainranges.Thesestreamsaregenerallyturbulentintheupperreachesandslowerflowinginthelowerregions.Mostofthelargertributariescarryheavyloadsofglacialsiltduringthewarmersummermonths.TheYentnaRiver,oneoftheSusitna'slargesttributaries,beginsinthehighglaciersoftheAlaskaRange,flowsinageneralsouth-easterlydirectionforapproximately95milesandenterstheSusitna24milesupstreamfromitsmouth.TheTalkeetnaRiveroriginatesintheTalkeetnaMountainsonthesoutheasternpartofthebasin,flowsinawesterlydirection,anddischargesintotheSusitnaRiver80milesupstreamfromCookInletandjustnorthofthecommunityofTalkeetna.TheChulitnaRiverheadsonthesouthernslopesofMountMcKinley,thehighestpointinNorthAmerica,withanelevationof20,320feet.Theriverflowsinasoutherlydirection,joiningtheSusitnaRivernearTalkeetna.467
",.0-coSusitnaGlacieronSusitnaRiverdrainage.Glaciermeltinsummermonthscontributestohiehsedimentintheriver.SusitnaGlacieronSusitnaRiverdrainage.Glaciermeltinsummermonthscontributestohiehsedimentintheriver.
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TheprincipaltributariesoftheupperSusitnabasinarethesi1t-ladenMaclaren,thelessturbidOshetna,andtheclear-flowingTyone(Figure4).Numerousothersmallertributariesgenerallyrunclear.StreamflowintheSusitnaRiverbasinischaracterizedbyahighrateofdischargefromMaythroughSeptemberandbylowflowsfromOctoberthroughApril.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisunderlainbydiscontinuouspermafrost.Permafrostisdefinedasathicknessofs-oil,orothersurficialdeposit,or ofbedrockbeneaththegroundsurfaceinwhichatemperaturebelow320Fhasexistedcontinuouslyfortwoyearsormore.SuchpermanentlyfrozengroundisfburidthtoughoutmuchofAlaska.TheareaaboveandbelowtheMaclarenRiverjunctionwiththeSusitnaisgenerallyunderlainbythintomoderatelythickpermafrost.Maximumdepthtothebaseofpermafrostinthisareaisabout600feet.Aroundthelargerwaterbodies,suchaslakes,permafrostisgenerallyabsent.InsomeareasofthelowersectionoftheupperSusitnabasin,permafrostisnotpresent.AdditionaldataisrequiredbeforepermafrostareascanbespecificallyidentifiedupstreamfromDevilCanyon.Becauseofthelengthoftheproposedtransmissionsystem,andthediversityofterrainandecosystemsbisectedbyacorridorextendingfromAnchoragetoFairbanks,thesystemisdividedintosixmajorsegmentswhichlendthemselvestodiscussionintermsofgenerallysimilarecologicalcharacteristics.TherouteextendingsouthfromWatanaDamtoPointMacKenzieisreferredtoastheSusitnaCorridor.TheroutenorthfromGoldCreektoEsteriscalledtheNenanaCorridor(bothcorridorssharethelinefromWatanatoGoldCreek).ThecorridorformostofitslengthgenerallyparallelstheAlaskaRailroad.TheSusitnaCorridorissubdividedintothreemajorsegments:(a)PointMacKenzienorthtoTalkeetna,adistanceof84miles;(b)TalkeetnatoGoldCreek,38miles;and(c)GoldCreektoWatana,44miles.TheNenanaCorridorisalsodividedintothreesegments(continuingnorth):(a)GoldCreektoCantwell,62miles;(b)CantwelltoHealy,39miles;and(c)HealytoEster,97miles.TheselocationsareshownonFigure3.Relevantphysicalandecologicalfeaturesofindividualtransmissionlinesegmentsaredescribedinthefollowingparagraphs.2.01.2RiverCharacteristics.TheupperSusitnaRiverisascenic,free-flowingriverwithveryfewsignsofman1spresence.TheextremeupperandlowerreachesoftheSusitnaoccupybroad,glaciallyscouredvalleys.However,themiddlesectionoftheriver,betweentheDenaliHighwayandGoldCreek,occupiesastream-cutvalleywithextremelyviolentrapidsinDevilCanyon.470TheprincipaltributariesoftheupperSusitnabasinarethesi1t-ladenMaclaren,thelessturbidOshetna,andtheclear-flowingTyone(Figure4).Numerousothersmallertributariesgenerallyrunclear.StreamflowintheSusitnaRiverbasinischaracterizedbyahighrateofdischargefromMaythroughSeptemberandbylowflowsfromOctoberthroughApril.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisunderlainbydiscontinuouspermafrost.Permafrostisdefinedasathicknessofs-oil,orothersurficialdeposit,or ofbedrockbeneaththegroundsurfaceinwhichatemperaturebelow320Fhasexistedcontinuouslyfortwoyearsormore.SuchpermanentlyfrozengroundisfburidthtoughoutmuchofAlaska.TheareaaboveandbelowtheMaclarenRiverjunctionwiththeSusitnaisgenerallyunderlainbythintomoderatelythickpermafrost.Maximumdepthtothebaseofpermafrostinthisareaisabout600feet.Aroundthelargerwaterbodies,suchaslakes,permafrostisgenerallyabsent.InsomeareasofthelowersectionoftheupperSusitnabasin,permafrostisnotpresent.AdditionaldataisrequiredbeforepermafrostareascanbespecificallyidentifiedupstreamfromDevilCanyon.Becauseofthelengthoftheproposedtransmissionsystem,andthediversityofterrainandecosystemsbisectedbyacorridorextendingfromAnchoragetoFairbanks,thesystemisdividedintosixmajorsegmentswhichlendthemselvestodiscussionintermsofgenerallysimilarecologicalcharacteristics.TherouteextendingsouthfromWatanaDamtoPointMacKenzieisreferredtoastheSusitnaCorridor.TheroutenorthfromGoldCreektoEsteriscalledtheNenanaCorridor(bothcorridorssharethelinefromWatanatoGoldCreek).ThecorridorformostofitslengthgenerallyparallelstheAlaskaRailroad.TheSusitnaCorridorissubdividedintothreemajorsegments:(a)PointMacKenzienorthtoTalkeetna,adistanceof84miles;(b)TalkeetnatoGoldCreek,38miles;and(c)GoldCreektoWatana,44miles.TheNenanaCorridorisalsodividedintothreesegments(continuingnorth):(a)GoldCreektoCantwell,62miles;(b)CantwelltoHealy,39miles;and(c)HealytoEster,97miles.TheselocationsareshownonFigure3.Relevantphysicalandecologicalfeaturesofindividualtransmissionlinesegmentsaredescribedinthefollowingparagraphs.2.01.2RiverCharacteristics.TheupperSusitnaRiverisascenic,free-flowingriverwithveryfewsignsofman1spresence.TheextremeupperandlowerreachesoftheSusitnaoccupybroad,glaciallyscouredvalleys.However,themiddlesectionoftheriver,betweentheDenaliHighwayandGoldCreek,occupiesastream-cutvalleywithextremelyviolentrapidsinDevilCanyon.470
ConfluenceoftheTyoneandSusitnaRiversseveralmilesabovetheupperreachesoftheproposedWatanareservoir.~"lrtVI-r)ConfluenceoftheTyoneandSusitnaRiversseveralmilesabovetheupperreachesoftheproposedWatanareservoir.I
TheSusitnaRiverisoneofthreemajorwhitewaterriversinAlaska.PortionsofallthreeareClassVI(onascaleofItoVI)boatingriversattheupperlimitofnavigability.Fewkayakershavecompletedthechallengingll-milerunthroughDevilCanyon.Onewhohassuccess-fullykayakedit,Dr.WaltBlackadar,hasdescribeditastheIIMountEverest"ofkayaking(AnchorageDailyTimes,March28,1973).TheSusitnawasoneoftheAlaskanriversrecommendedfordetailedstudyaspossibleadditionstotheNationalWildandScenicRiversSystemin1973,butwasnotoneofthe20riversrecommendedforinclu-sioninthesystembytheSecretaryoftheInteriorin1974.TheSusitnaRiverhasnotyetbeenstudiedasrecommended.About86percentofthetotalannualflowoftheupperSusitnaoccursfromMaythroughSeptember,withthemeandailyaverageflowfromlateMaythroughlateAugustintherangeof20,000to32,000cubicfeetpersecond.IntheNovemberthroughAprilperiod,themeanaveragedailyflowoftheriverisintherangeof1,000to2,500cubicfeetpersecond.On7June1964,therecordingstationatGoldCreekmeasuredaflowslightlyinexcessof90,000cubicfeetpersecond,whichwasthehighestflowrecordedfortheupperSusitnaRiversincerecordingstartedin1950.Highsummerdischargesareglacialmelt.Themainstreamsduringthehighrunoffperiods.retardwaterflows,streamsruncausedbysnowmelt,rainfall,andcarryaheavyloadofglacialsiltDuringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesrelativelysilt-free.2.01.3CookInlet.AllofthemajorwatercourseswhichflowintoCookInleteitheroriginatefromglaciersorflowthrougherosivesoils;eithertypeofstreamcarriesahighsuspended-solidsload.ThenaturalhighflowperiodinsteamstributarytoCookInletoccursduringthesummermonthsofMaytoSeptember,themainperiodwhensedimentistransportedtotheInlet.FreshwaterrunoffintotheupperInletisanimportantsourceofnutrientsandsediments.Largequantitiesofnitrate,silicate,andsurface-suspendedsedimentwithparticulateorganiccarbonentertheInletwithfreshwater.Concentrationsareespecially"highintheinitialrunoffeachspringandsummer.TheseadditionsdecreaseinconcentrationdowntheInletuponsubsequentmixingwithsalineoceanicwaterandwithtidalaction.ThelargeinputoffreshwaterdilutesandtendstoreducesalinityandphosphateconcentrationaroundrivermouthsandintheupperreachesofCookInlet.2.01.4Geology/Topography2.01.4.1General.TheRailbeltareaischaracterizedbythreelowlandareasseparatedbythreemajormountainareas.Tothenorthisthe472TheSusitnaRiverisoneofthreemajorwhitewaterriversinAlaska.PortionsofallthreeareClassVI(onascaleofItoVI)boatingriversattheupperlimitofnavigability.Fewkayakershavecompletedthechallengingll-milerunthroughDevilCanyon.Onewhohassuccess-fullykayakedit,Dr.WaltBlackadar,hasdescribeditastheIIMountEverest"ofkayaking(AnchorageDailyTimes,March28,1973).TheSusitnawasoneoftheAlaskanriversrecommendedfordetailedstudyaspossibleadditionstotheNationalWildandScenicRiversSystemin1973,butwasnotoneofthe20riversrecommendedforinclu-sioninthesystembytheSecretaryoftheInteriorin1974.TheSusitnaRiverhasnotyetbeenstudiedasrecommended.About86percentofthetotalannualflowoftheupperSusitnaoccursfromMaythroughSeptember,withthemeandailyaverageflowfromlateMaythroughlateAugustintherangeof20,000to32,000cubicfeetpersecond.IntheNovemberthroughAprilperiod,themeanaveragedailyflowoftheriverisintherangeof1,000to2,500cubicfeetpersecond.On7June1964,therecordingstationatGoldCreekmeasuredaflowslightlyinexcessof90,000cubicfeetpersecond,whichwasthehighestflowrecordedfortheupperSusitnaRiversincerecordingstartedin1950.Highsummerdischargesareglacialmelt.Themainstreamsduringthehighrunoffperiods.retardwaterflows,streamsruncausedbysnowmelt,rainfall,andcarryaheavyloadofglacialsiltDuringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesrelativelysilt-free.2.01.3CookInlet.AllofthemajorwatercourseswhichflowintoCookInleteitheroriginatefromglaciersorflowthrougherosivesoils;eithertypeofstreamcarriesahighsuspended-solidsload.ThenaturalhighflowperiodinsteamstributarytoCookInletoccursduringthesummermonthsofMaytoSeptember,themainperiodwhensedimentistransportedtotheInlet.FreshwaterrunoffintotheupperInletisanimportantsourceofnutrientsandsediments.Largequantitiesofnitrate,silicate,andsurface-suspendedsedimentwithparticulateorganiccarbonentertheInletwithfreshwater.Concentrationsareespecially"highintheinitialrunoffeachspringandsummer.TheseadditionsdecreaseinconcentrationdowntheInletuponsubsequentmixingwithsalineoceanicwaterandwithtidalaction.ThelargeinputoffreshwaterdilutesandtendstoreducesalinityandphosphateconcentrationaroundrivermouthsandintheupperreachesofCookInlet.2.01.4Geology/Topography2.01.4.1General.TheRailbeltareaischaracterizedbythreelowlandareasseparatedbythreemajormountainareas.Tothenorthisthe472
Tanana-KuskokwimLowland,whichisdelineatedbytheAlaskaRangetothesouth.TheSusitnaLowlandistothesouthwest,boundedtothenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andtotheeastbytheTalkeetnaandChugachMountains.TheCopperRiverLowlandintheeastisboundedonthenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andthewestbytheTalkeetnaMountains.Eachbasinisunderlainbyquaternaryrockssurfacedwithglacialdebris,alluvium,andeoliandeposits.Themountainsareprimarilymetamorphicandsedi-mentaryrocksoftheMesozoic,withseveralareasofintrusivegraniticrocksintheTalkeetnaMountainsandtheAlaskaRange,andMesozoicvolcanicrocksintheTalkeetnaMountains.Figure5delineatesthemajorfeatures.2.01.4.2SusitnaBasin.TheAlaskaRangetothewestandnorthandtheTalkeetnaMountainstotheeastmakeupthehighperimeteroftheLowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TheAlaskaRangeismadeupofPaleozoicandMesozoicsediments,someofwhichhavebeenmetamorphosedinvaryingdegreesandintrudedbygraniticmasses.TheTalkeetnaMountainRange,withpeaksupto8,850feet,ismadeupofagraniticbatholithrimmedontheSusitnabasinsidebygraywackes,argellites,andphyllites.Muchoftheinteriorportionofthebasinisfluvial-glacialoverburdendeposits.Glaciers,inturn,carvedthebroadU-shapedvalleys.Glacialoverburdencoversthebedrock,whichiscomposedmainlyofshaleandsandstonewithinterbeddedcoals,PaleozoicandMesozoicsediments,andlavaflows.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinispredominantlymountainous,borderedonthewestandsouthbytheTalkeetnaMountains,onthenorthbythesummitsoftheAlaskaRange,andonthesouthandeastbytheflatCopperRiverplateau.Valleysareflooredwithathickfillofglacialmorainesandgravels.2.01.4.3TransmissionLineCorridor.BeginningatsealevelatPointMacKenzie,thetransmissionlinecorridorrisestoanelevationof500feetatTalkeetna.ThecorridortraversesawiderivervalleywithrollingterraineastoftheSusitnaRiverandextremelyflatlandtothewest.Thevalleyflattensandwidenstothesouth,ispoorlydrained,andhasmanybogsandlakes.FromTalkeetnatoGoldCreek,thecorridorfollowsamoderatelynarrowvalleyfloornarrowingtowardthenorthernend.Maximumelevationis900feet.ThecorridorfromGoldCreektoWatanarisestoanelevationofabout2300feetontheplateausouthofDevilCanyonbeforedescendingtotheWatanadamsite.473Tanana-KuskokwimLowland,whichisdelineatedbytheAlaskaRangetothesouth.TheSusitnaLowlandistothesouthwest,boundedtothenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andtotheeastbytheTalkeetnaandChugachMountains.TheCopperRiverLowlandintheeastisboundedonthenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andthewestbytheTalkeetnaMountains.Eachbasinisunderlainbyquaternaryrockssurfacedwithglacialdebris,alluvium,andeoliandeposits.Themountainsareprimarilymetamorphicandsedi-mentaryrocksoftheMesozoic,withseveralareasofintrusivegraniticrocksintheTalkeetnaMountainsandtheAlaskaRange,andMesozoicvolcanicrocksintheTalkeetnaMountains.Figure5delineatesthemajorfeatures.2.01.4.2SusitnaBasin.TheAlaskaRangetothewestandnorthandtheTalkeetnaMountainstotheeastmakeupthehighperimeteroftheLowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TheAlaskaRangeismadeupofPaleozoicandMesozoicsediments,someofwhichhavebeenmetamorphosedinvaryingdegreesandintrudedbygraniticmasses.TheTalkeetnaMountainRange,withpeaksupto8,850feet,ismadeupofagraniticbatholithrimmedontheSusitnabasinsidebygraywackes,argellites,andphyllites.Muchoftheinteriorportionofthebasinisfluvial-glacialoverburdendeposits.Glaciers,inturn,carvedthebroadU-shapedvalleys.Glacialoverburdencoversthebedrock,whichiscomposedmainlyofshaleandsandstonewithinterbeddedcoals,PaleozoicandMesozoicsediments,andlavaflows.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinispredominantlymountainous,borderedonthewestandsouthbytheTalkeetnaMountains,onthenorthbythesummitsoftheAlaskaRange,andonthesouthandeastbytheflatCopperRiverplateau.Valleysareflooredwithathickfillofglacialmorainesandgravels.2.01.4.3TransmissionLineCorridor.BeginningatsealevelatPointMacKenzie,thetransmissionlinecorridorrisestoanelevationof500feetatTalkeetna.ThecorridortraversesawiderivervalleywithrollingterraineastoftheSusitnaRiverandextremelyflatlandtothewest.Thevalleyflattensandwidenstothesouth,ispoorlydrained,andhasmanybogsandlakes.FromTalkeetnatoGoldCreek,thecorridorfollowsamoderatelynarrowvalleyfloornarrowingtowardthenorthernend.Maximumelevationis900feet.ThecorridorfromGoldCreektoWatanarisestoanelevationofabout2300feetontheplateausouthofDevilCanyonbeforedescendingtotheWatanadamsite.473
LEGE:\"D
SEDIl\\E;\TARY MD t>.lET A~!ORPHIC ROCKS
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"11:\:,:
GEOLOGY
OF THE
RAILBELT AREA
SCAcE
~_J
~:.:.:.0 ....·'.\
..--/'
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glacial debris.
Fault
(Dashed where inferred)
--
Paleozoic volcanic rocks
PALEOZOIC A.'\D PRECA:.lBRIPS
~letamorphic rocks:schist.gneiss.etc.;
mainly Paleozoic
PALEOZOIC A..'\D PRECA~.!BRj,~_,\
Sandstone.shale.lirr:estone:rr.ostly marine;
includes sotr.e early ~:esozoic rocks
t>.lESOZOIC
Sandstone and shale;marine and nonmarine:
includes sozr.e metar.corphic rocks
TERTIARY
Sandstone.conglomerate.shale.mudstone;
nonmarine and marine
QC ATERI-':ARY
Surficial de?osits.alluvium.
eolian sand and silt
IG;\EOL'S ROcr:S
t~~;}~~:-'!esozoic intrusive rocks;mainly granitic....-~.
~,•.I',~J'HeSOZOlC vo canle rOCKS
Source:V.S.G.S.
APA-1975
I~,,;:-';.1 Paleozoic intrusive rocks;granitic and ultramafic
o
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c:=J
o
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C
;0
rn
U'l ~Quaternary and Tertiary volcanic rocks
oIlo
~
GEOLOGY
OF THE
RAILBELT AREA
glacial debris.
Paleozoic volcanic rocks
PALEOZOIC A.'\D PRECA:.lBRIPS
~letamorphic rocks:schist.gneiss.etc.;
mainly Paleozoic
PALEOZOIC A..'\D PRECA~.!BRj,~_,\
Sandstone.shale.lirr:estone:rr.ostly marine;
includes sotr.e early ~:esozoic rocks
t>.lESOZOIC
Sandstone and shale;marine and nonmarine:
includes sozr.e metar.corphic rocks
TERTIARY
Sandstone.conglomerate.shale.mudstone;
nonmarine and marine
QC ATERI-':ARY
Surficial de?osits.alluvium.
eolian sand and silt
IG;\EOL'S ROcr:S
Fault
(Dashed where inferred)
--
Source:V.S.G.S.
APA-1975
~~~;}~~:-'!esozoic intrusive rocks;mainly granitic
F-+~~+!1\fesozoic volcanic rocKs
LEGE:\"D
I~,,;:-';.1 Paleozoic intrusive rocks;granitic and ultramafic
SEDIl\\E;\TARY MD t>.lET A~!ORPHIC ROCKS
~~
"......
G)
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U'l ~Quaternary and Tertiary volcanic rocks
BetweenGoldCreekandCantwell,thecorridorrisestoa2400-footelevation.Ittraversesawidevalleywithmoderatelyincisedriversinthesouth,becomingaverywidedepressioninBroadPasswithrollingvalleybottomcontinuingtothenortheast.FromCantwell,elevation2200feet,theNenanaRivervalleynarrowstothenorthintoaseriesoftightcanyonsseparatedbythewidevalleyofYanertFork.ThecorridoremergesfromthecanyonintoawiderollingplainsouthofHealy,withstreamterracesadjacenttotheNenanaRiver.ThecorridorisbisectedbytheDenaliFaultatWindyCreek.ElevationatHealyis1400feet,droppingto350feetatNenana,andrisingagainto1500feetintheGoldstreamHillssouthwestofEster.2.01.4.4SeismicAreas.ThesouthcentralareaofAlaskaisoneoftheworld'smostactiveseismiczones.Inthiscentury,9Alaskanearth-quakeshaveequalledorexceededamagnitudeof8.0ontheRichterScale,andmorethan60quakeshaveexceededamagnitudeof7.0.SeveralmajorandminorfaultsystemseitherborderorcrosstheSusitnaRiverbasin.TheMarch1964Alaskaearthquake,withamagnitudeof8.4,whichstrucksouthcentralAlaska,wasoneofthestrongestearthquakeseverrecorded.Atotalof115liveswerelost,98byquake-associatedtsunami(seismicseawaves).TheRichterscaleisalogarithmicscalewherea7.0earthquakewouldbetentimesstrongerthana6.0quakeandan8.0quakewouldhaveonehundredtimestheintensityofa6.0earth-quake.MuchofsouthcentralAlaskafallswithinseismiczone4(onascaleof0to4)wherestructuraldamagecausedbyearthquakesisgenerallythegreatest.ThisareaofAlaskaandtheadjoiningAleutianchainarejustpartofthevast,almostcontinuousseismicallyandvolcanicallyactivebeltthatcircumscribestheentirePacificOceanBasin.2.01.4.5Minerals.MostoftheSusitnabasinaboveDevilCanyonisconsideredtobehighlyfavorablefordepositsofcopperormolybdenumandforcontactorveindepositsofgoldandsilver.Oneknowndepositofcopperofnear-commercialsizeandgradeisnearDenali.Also,theValdezCreekgoldplacerdistrict,fromwhichtherehasbeensomepro-duction,iswithintheproposedprojectwatershed.Thoughanumberofmineraloccurrencesareknownandtheareaisconsideredfavorablefordiscoveryofadditionaldeposits,muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped.Thus,geologically,thebasinconstitutesoneoftheleastknownareasintheStateexceptforafewareasinthevicinityofDenaliwheresomegeologicmappinghasbeendone.-Geologicinformationfortheprojectareaisnotdetailedenoughtoassessmineralresourcepotentialwithintheproposedreservoirimpoundmentareas.475BetweenGoldCreekandCantwell,thecorridorrisestoa2400-footelevation.Ittraversesawidevalleywithmoderatelyincisedriversinthesouth,becomingaverywidedepressioninBroadPasswithrollingvalleybottomcontinuingtothenortheast.FromCantwell,elevation2200feet,theNenanaRivervalleynarrowstothenorthintoaseriesoftightcanyonsseparatedbythewidevalleyofYanertFork.ThecorridoremergesfromthecanyonintoawiderollingplainsouthofHealy,withstreamterracesadjacenttotheNenanaRiver.ThecorridorisbisectedbytheDenaliFaultatWindyCreek.ElevationatHealyis1400feet,droppingto350feetatNenana,andrisingagainto1500feetintheGoldstreamHillssouthwestofEster.2.01.4.4SeismicAreas.ThesouthcentralareaofAlaskaisoneoftheworld'smostactiveseismiczones.Inthiscentury,9Alaskanearth-quakeshaveequalledorexceededamagnitudeof8.0ontheRichterScale,andmorethan60quakeshaveexceededamagnitudeof7.0.SeveralmajorandminorfaultsystemseitherborderorcrosstheSusitnaRiverbasin.TheMarch1964Alaskaearthquake,withamagnitudeof8.4,whichstrucksouthcentralAlaska,wasoneofthestrongestearthquakeseverrecorded.Atotalof115liveswerelost,98byquake-associatedtsunami(seismicseawaves).TheRichterscaleisalogarithmicscalewherea7.0earthquakewouldbetentimesstrongerthana6.0quakeandan8.0quakewouldhaveonehundredtimestheintensityofa6.0earth-quake.MuchofsouthcentralAlaskafallswithinseismiczone4(onascaleof0to4)wherestructuraldamagecausedbyearthquakesisgenerallythegreatest.ThisareaofAlaskaandtheadjoiningAleutianchainarejustpartofthevast,almostcontinuousseismicallyandvolcanicallyactivebeltthatcircumscribestheentirePacificOceanBasin.2.01.4.5Minerals.MostoftheSusitnabasinaboveDevilCanyonisconsideredtobehighlyfavorablefordepositsofcopperormolybdenumandforcontactorveindepositsofgoldandsilver.Oneknowndepositofcopperofnear-commercialsizeandgradeisnearDenali.Also,theValdezCreekgoldplacerdistrict,fromwhichtherehasbeensomepro-duction,iswithintheproposedprojectwatershed.Thoughanumberofmineraloccurrencesareknownandtheareaisconsideredfavorablefordiscoveryofadditionaldeposits,muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped.Thus,geologically,thebasinconstitutesoneoftheleastknownareasintheStateexceptforafewareasinthevicinityofDenaliwheresomegeologicmappinghasbeendone.-Geologicinformationfortheprojectareaisnotdetailedenoughtoassessmineralresourcepotentialwithintheproposedreservoirimpoundmentareas.475
TheAlaskaStateDepartmentofNaturalResourcesstatesthatthereare"active"and"non-active"miningclaimsintheupperSusitnaRiverdrainageareabetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver.ManyoftheseclaimsareinupperWatanaCreekabovethemaximumreservoirpoolelevation,andinthesurroundingdrainageareaswherecopperactivityismoderatelyextensive.2.01.5Climate.TheSusitnabasinhasadiversifiedclimate.Thelatitudeoftheregiongivesitlongwintersandshortsummers,withgreatvariationinthelengthofdaylightbetweenwinterandsummer.ThelowerSusitnabasinowesitsrelativelymoderateclimatetothewarmwatersofthePacificonthesouth,thebarrtereffectoftheAlaskaRangeonthewestandnorth,andtheTalkeetnaRangeontheeast.Thesummersarecharacterizedbymoderatetemperatures,cloudydays,andgentlerains.Thewintersarecoldandthesnowfallisfairlyheavy.AtTalkeetna,atanelevationof345feet,whichisrepresentativeofthelowerbasin,thenormalsummertemperaturerangesbetween440and680F,withwintertemperaturesrangingbetween00and400F.Theextremetemperaturerangeisbetween-480and91°F.Theaverageannualprecipi-tationisabout29inches,includingabout102inchesofsnowfall.TheupperSusitnabasin,separatedfromthelowerbasinbymountains,hasasomewhatcolderclimateandanaverageoverallannualprecipi-tationrateofapproximately30inches.TheclimateofthetransmissionlinecorridorfromDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzieistransitional,withmild,wetconditionsprevailingtowardthesouthernendofthesegment.Thenortherncorridorhasextremelyvariableclimaterelatedtodifferencesinelevation.FromGoldCreektoCantwell,theannualtemperatureaverages25.90Fandannualprecipitation21.85inches.FromCantwelltoHealy,theannualtemperatureis27.70Fandannualprecipitation14.5inches.Highwindsarereportedinthissegment.NorthfromCantwell,theclimateistypicaloftheinterior,withanaveragetemperatureof26.40Fandannualprecipitation11.34inches.2.02BiologicalCharacteristics.2.02.1Fish.2.02.1.1AnadromousFish.FishinhabitingtheSusitnabasinaredividedintotwomajorgroups:residentandanadromous.Theanadromousfishspendsaportionofitslifecycleinsaltwater,returningtothefreshwaterstreamstospawn.InthisgroupareincludedfivespeciesofPacificsalmon:sockeye(red);coho(silver);chinook(king);pink(humpback);andchum(dog)salmon.Juvenilesalmonofseveralofthesespendseveralyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosea.Allfivespeciesofsalmondiesoonafterspawning.DollyVarden,achar,iswidelydistributedinthestreamsofCookInletandispresentintheLowerSusitnaRiverBasinwithbothanadromousandresidentpopulations.476TheAlaskaStateDepartmentofNaturalResourcesstatesthatthereare"active"and"non-active"miningclaimsintheupperSusitnaRiverdrainageareabetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver.ManyoftheseclaimsareinupperWatanaCreekabovethemaximumreservoirpoolelevation,andinthesurroundingdrainageareaswherecopperactivityismoderatelyextensive.2.01.5Climate.TheSusitnabasinhasadiversifiedclimate.Thelatitudeoftheregiongivesitlongwintersandshortsummers,withgreatvariationinthelengthofdaylightbetweenwinterandsummer.ThelowerSusitnabasinowesitsrelativelymoderateclimatetothewarmwatersofthePacificonthesouth,thebarrtereffectoftheAlaskaRangeonthewestandnorth,andtheTalkeetnaRangeontheeast.Thesummersarecharacterizedbymoderatetemperatures,cloudydays,andgentlerains.Thewintersarecoldandthesnowfallisfairlyheavy.AtTalkeetna,atanelevationof345feet,whichisrepresentativeofthelowerbasin,thenormalsummertemperaturerangesbetween440and680F,withwintertemperaturesrangingbetween00and400F.Theextremetemperaturerangeisbetween-480and91°F.Theaverageannualprecipi-tationisabout29inches,includingabout102inchesofsnowfall.TheupperSusitnabasin,separatedfromthelowerbasinbymountains,hasasomewhatcolderclimateandanaverageoverallannualprecipi-tationrateofapproximately30inches.TheclimateofthetransmissionlinecorridorfromDevilCanyontoPointMacKenzieistransitional,withmild,wetconditionsprevailingtowardthesouthernendofthesegment.Thenortherncorridorhasextremelyvariableclimaterelatedtodifferencesinelevation.FromGoldCreektoCantwell,theannualtemperatureaverages25.90Fandannualprecipitation21.85inches.FromCantwelltoHealy,theannualtemperatureis27.70Fandannualprecipitation14.5inches.Highwindsarereportedinthissegment.NorthfromCantwell,theclimateistypicaloftheinterior,withanaveragetemperatureof26.40Fandannualprecipitation11.34inches.2.02BiologicalCharacteristics.2.02.1Fish.2.02.1.1AnadromousFish.FishinhabitingtheSusitnabasinaredividedintotwomajorgroups:residentandanadromous.Theanadromousfishspendsaportionofitslifecycleinsaltwater,returningtothefreshwaterstreamstospawn.InthisgroupareincludedfivespeciesofPacificsalmon:sockeye(red);coho(silver);chinook(king);pink(humpback);andchum(dog)salmon.Juvenilesalmonofseveralofthesespendseveralyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosea.Allfivespeciesofsalmondiesoonafterspawning.DollyVarden,achar,iswidelydistributedinthestreamsofCookInletandispresentintheLowerSusitnaRiverBasinwithbothanadromousandresidentpopulations.476
SmeltrunsareknowntooccurintheSusitnaRiverasfarupstreamastheDeshkaRiverabout40milesfromCookInlet.Salmonarefoundtospawninvaryingnumbersinsomeofthesloughsandtributariesofthe SusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyon.SalmonsurveysandinventoriesofthelowerSusitnaRiveranditstributarieshavebeenmadeoveranumberofyears,resultinginconsiderabledistributiondata;however,populationstudiesandadditionalresourcestudiesareneeded.ThesurveysindicatethatsalmonareunabletoascendtheturbulentDevilCanyon,and,thus,arepreventedfrommigratingintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.The14millionpoundsofcommercialsalmoncaughtinCookInletduring1973comprisedabout10percentofthe136.5millionpoundsofsalmonharvestedinAlaskaduringtheyear.Chum,red,andpinksalmontotaledabout94percentofthesalmoncatchforCookInletduring1973.(1973CatchandProduction--CommercialFisheriesStatistics--Leaflet#26,StateofAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame).The1973commercialcatchfiguresdonotapproachthemaximumsustainedyieldsforCookInlet,butdopresentthelatestavailablecommercialcatchinformation,andexceptforchinooksalmonarerep-resentativeofthelastseveralyearsofcommercialsalmonfishing.SportandsubsistencefishingforsalmoninCookInletandintheSusitnabasinarealsoimportantconsiderations.AccordingtotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,asignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesintotheSusitnaRiverBasin.Althoughallsalmonstocksareimportant,datafromearlier1950and1960fishandwildlifereportsaddedtothelatest1974-75studiesindicatethatonlyasmallpercentageoftheSusitnaBasinsalmonmigrateintothe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenthepro-posedDevilCanyondamsiteandtheconfluenceoftheChulitnaRivertospawnintheriver'sclearwatersloughsandtributaries.Furtherstudiesshoulddeterminemorespecificinformationonsalmonnumbersandhabitatimpacts.A1974assessmentstudy,bytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,ofanadromousfishpopulationsintheSusitnaRive~watershedestimated24,000chum,5,200pink,1,000red,andbetween4,000and9,000cohosalmonmigrateduptheSusitnaRiverabovetheriver'sCJ1-fluencewiththeChulitnaRiverduringthe7-weekstudyperiJdfrom?~Julythrough11Septemberwhenmostofthesalmonweremigratinguptheriver.Thereportindicatedthatchinooksalmonwerealsopresent.Accordingtothe1974assessmentbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,aminimumof1,036pink,2,753chum,307coho,and104soc:<eye,andanundeterminednumberofchinooksalmonspawnedduringtheAugustandSeptemberspawningperiodinthestreamsandsloughsofthe SusitnaRiverbetweentheChulitnaRivertributaryandPortageCreekasdeter-minedfrompeaksloughandstreamindexescapementcounts.Theassess-mentalsoindicatedthataportionofthepinksalmonspawninthestudyareamayhavebeendestroyedbyalateAugust-earlySeptemberflood.477SmeltrunsareknowntooccurintheSusitnaRiverasfarupstreamastheDeshkaRiverabout40milesfromCookInlet.Salmonarefoundtospawninvaryingnumbersinsomeofthesloughsandtributariesofthe SusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyon.SalmonsurveysandinventoriesofthelowerSusitnaRiveranditstributarieshavebeenmadeoveranumberofyears,resultinginconsiderabledistributiondata;however,populationstudiesandadditionalresourcestudiesareneeded.ThesurveysindicatethatsalmonareunabletoascendtheturbulentDevilCanyon,and,thus,arepreventedfrommigratingintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.The14millionpoundsofcommercialsalmoncaughtinCookInletduring1973comprisedabout10percentofthe136.5millionpoundsofsalmonharvestedinAlaskaduringtheyear.Chum,red,andpinksalmontotaledabout94percentofthesalmoncatchforCookInletduring1973.(1973CatchandProduction--CommercialFisheriesStatistics--Leaflet#26,StateofAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame).The1973commercialcatchfiguresdonotapproachthemaximumsustainedyieldsforCookInlet,butdopresentthelatestavailablecommercialcatchinformation,andexceptforchinooksalmonarerep-resentativeofthelastseveralyearsofcommercialsalmonfishing.SportandsubsistencefishingforsalmoninCookInletandintheSusitnabasinarealsoimportantconsiderations.AccordingtotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,asignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesintotheSusitnaRiverBasin.Althoughallsalmonstocksareimportant,datafromearlier1950and1960fishandwildlifereportsaddedtothelatest1974-75studiesindicatethatonlyasmallpercentageoftheSusitnaBasinsalmonmigrateintothe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenthepro-posedDevilCanyondamsiteandtheconfluenceoftheChulitnaRivertospawnintheriver'sclearwatersloughsandtributaries.Furtherstudiesshoulddeterminemorespecificinformationonsalmonnumbersandhabitatimpacts.A1974assessmentstudy,bytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,ofanadromousfishpopulationsintheSusitnaRive~watershedestimated24,000chum,5,200pink,1,000red,andbetween4,000and9,000cohosalmonmigrateduptheSusitnaRiverabovetheriver'sCJ1-fluencewiththeChulitnaRiverduringthe7-weekstudyperiJdfrom?~Julythrough11Septemberwhenmostofthesalmonweremigratinguptheriver.Thereportindicatedthatchinooksalmonwerealsopresent.Accordingtothe1974assessmentbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,aminimumof1,036pink,2,753chum,307coho,and104soc:<eye,andanundeterminednumberofchinooksalmonspawnedduringtheAugustandSeptemberspawningperiodinthestreamsandsloughsofthe SusitnaRiverbetweentheChulitnaRivertributaryandPortageCreekasdeter-minedfrompeaksloughandstreamindexescapementcounts.Theassess-mentalsoindicatedthataportionofthepinksalmonspawninthestudyareamayhavebeendestroyedbyalateAugust-earlySeptemberflood.477
Chinook(KingSalmon).Thekingsalmonspendsfromonetothreeyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosea.Itisnotunusualforthisspeciestoattainaweightofover40pounds.Themaximumageis8years.In1973,over5,000kingswerecaughtinCookInlet;thetotalcommercialcatchcomprisedabout1.5percentofthetotalweightofsalmoncaughtinthisarea.The1973catchfiguresforkingsalmonwereverylowwhencomparedtotheaverageyearlycatchforthisspecies.SockeyeSalmon(Re~.Thesockeyesalmonaveragesbetween6and8pounds,witharangeoffrom2to12pounds.Thisspeciesspendsfrom1to3yearsinariversysteminwhichthereareconnectinglakes.Themaximumageattainedbythissalmonis7years,butmostreturntospawnat4or5yearsofage.Thelandlockedvarietyofthisspeciesiscalledakokaneeandusuallyattainsalengthoffrom12to15inches.In1973,almost700,000sockeyeswerecaughtinCookInlet,withatotalweightofover5millionpounds,or37.0percentofthetotalweightoftheCookInletcommercialsalmoncatch.About14.5percentofthesockeyesalmoncatchinAlaskaoccurredinCookInlet.CohoSalmon(Silver).Thecohoorsilversalmonspendsfrom1to2yearsinfreshwaterandreturnsfromtheoceantospawnat3or4yearsofage.Maturecohoaverageabout10pounds;somereachweightsofover30pounds.The106,000cohoscaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedjustover648,000poundsandcomprisedabout4.5percentofthetotalcommercialsalmoncatchforthearea.PinkSalmon(Humpback).Thepinksalmonmigratestoseaimmediate1yafterhatchingandreturnstospawnat2yearsofage.Theaverageweightofamaturepinkis3to4pounds,withsomepinksweighingupto10pounds.The624,000pinksalmoncaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedover2,260,000poundsandcomprisedabout16.2percentofthetotalweightofthecommercialsalmoncatchinthearea.Historically,odd-yearcatchesofpinksalmonarepoor.Even-numberedyearcatchesaverageabout2millionpinks.Chum(DogSalmon).Chumsalmonattainweightsofupto30pounds,withanaveragematureweightof8to9pounds.Thisspeciesmigratestoseaimmediatelyafterhatchingandmaturesbetween3and6yearsofage.The742,000chumscaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedalmost5,800,000poundsandmadeupover41.0percentofthetotalcommercialsalmoncatchforthearea,thelargestpercentageofanyofthe5speciesofPacificsalmon.About12.5percentofthe1973AlaskanchumsalmoncatchoccurredinCookInlet.Salmoneggshatchinlatewinterorearlyspringfollowingthesummerandfallspawningperiods.Theeggsincubateingravellystream-bedsandcannottoleratehighlevelsofsiltationorlowflowsthatdewaterthestreambedsduringtheincubationoralevin(pre-emergent)stages.Lowflows,especiallycriticalduringthewintermonths,candewatermanyofthespring-fedfreshwatersloughsthatareavailabletospawningsalmon(seeTable1,page45.)478Chinook(KingSalmon).Thekingsalmonspendsfromonetothreeyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosea.Itisnotunusualforthisspeciestoattainaweightofover40pounds.Themaximumageis8years.In1973,over5,000kingswerecaughtinCookInlet;thetotalcommercialcatchcomprisedabout1.5percentofthetotalweightofsalmoncaughtinthisarea.The1973catchfiguresforkingsalmonwereverylowwhencomparedtotheaverageyearlycatchforthisspecies.SockeyeSalmon(Re~.Thesockeyesalmonaveragesbetween6and8pounds,witharangeoffrom2to12pounds.Thisspeciesspendsfrom1to3yearsinariversysteminwhichthereareconnectinglakes.Themaximumageattainedbythissalmonis7years,butmostreturntospawnat4or5yearsofage.Thelandlockedvarietyofthisspeciesiscalledakokaneeandusuallyattainsalengthoffrom12to15inches.In1973,almost700,000sockeyeswerecaughtinCookInlet,withatotalweightofover5millionpounds,or37.0percentofthetotalweightoftheCookInletcommercialsalmoncatch.About14.5percentofthesockeyesalmoncatchinAlaskaoccurredinCookInlet.CohoSalmon(Silver).Thecohoorsilversalmonspendsfrom1to2yearsinfreshwaterandreturnsfromtheoceantospawnat3or4yearsofage.Maturecohoaverageabout10pounds;somereachweightsofover30pounds.The106,000cohoscaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedjustover648,000poundsandcomprisedabout4.5percentofthetotalcommercialsalmoncatchforthearea.PinkSalmon(Humpback).Thepinksalmonmigratestoseaimmediate1yafterhatchingandreturnstospawnat2yearsofage.Theaverageweightofamaturepinkis3to4pounds,withsomepinksweighingupto10pounds.The624,000pinksalmoncaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedover2,260,000poundsandcomprisedabout16.2percentofthetotalweightofthecommercialsalmoncatchinthearea.Historically,odd-yearcatchesofpinksalmonarepoor.Even-numberedyearcatchesaverageabout2millionpinks.Chum(DogSalmon).Chumsalmonattainweightsofupto30pounds,withanaveragematureweightof8to9pounds.Thisspeciesmigratestoseaimmediatelyafterhatchingandmaturesbetween3and6yearsofage.The742,000chumscaughtinCookInletduring1973weighedalmost5,800,000poundsandmadeupover41.0percentofthetotalcommercialsalmoncatchforthearea,thelargestpercentageofanyofthe5speciesofPacificsalmon.About12.5percentofthe1973AlaskanchumsalmoncatchoccurredinCookInlet.Salmoneggshatchinlatewinterorearlyspringfollowingthesummerandfallspawningperiods.Theeggsincubateingravellystream-bedsandcannottoleratehighlevelsofsiltationorlowflowsthatdewaterthestreambedsduringtheincubationoralevin(pre-emergent)stages.Lowflows,especiallycriticalduringthewintermonths,candewatermanyofthespring-fedfreshwatersloughsthatareavailabletospawningsalmon(seeTable1,page45.)478
2.02.1.2ResidentFish.Grayling,rainbowtrout,laketrout,DollyVarden,whitefish,sucker,sculpin,andburbot(ling)comprisetheprincipalresidentfishpopulationoftheSusitnaRiverbasin.Althoughdistributionstudieshavebeenmadeinthepast,themagnitudeofresidentfishpopulationsintheSusitnadrainageislargelyunknown.Duringthewarmermonthsoftheyear,whentheSusitnaRiverissiltladen,sportfishingislimitedtoclearwatertributariesandtoareasinthemainSusitnaRivernearthemouthsofthesetributari:5.Residentfish,especiallygrayling,apparentlyinhabitthemouthsofsomeoftheclearwaterstreamsontheSusitnaRiverbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver;however,mostofthetributariesaretoosteeptosupportsignificantfishpopulations.Someoftheuppersectionsoftheseclearwatertributaries,suchasDeadmanCreek,supportgraylingpopulations.Laketroutarealsoprominentinmanyoftheterraceanduplandlakesofthearea.2.02.2Birds.2.02.2.1Waterfowl.Theeast-weststretchoftheSusitnaRiverbetweentheTyoneRiverandGoldCreekisamajorflywayforwaterfowl.Themajorityofthewaterfowlnestingareasin'theUpperSusitnaRiverBasinareonthenearbylakesoftheCopperRiverLowlandregion,ontheTyoneRiverandsurroundingdrainageareas,andonthepondsandlakesofthewidefloodplainintheDenaliarea.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhasamoderateamountofusebywaterfowlwhencomparedwiththeLowerSusitnaRiverBasin.Thelowerbasinhasasubstantiallygreateramountofwaterfowlhabitat,andagreaternumberandvarietyof-waterfowlseasonallyusethethousandsoflakesandpondsinthisareatonestandtoraisetheiryoung.Lar':1'-numbersofmigrantbirdsalsousetheSusitnaRiverbasinforfeedingandrestingduringspringandfallflightstoandfromA1aska1sinteriorandnorthslope.DistributionanddensityofwaterfowlhabitatwithintheRai1beltareaisshownonFigure6.2.02.2.2Raetors.Raptors,includinggolden-eagles,baldea9les,andvariousspeclesofhawks,owls.andfalcons,occurthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasinbutinsmallernumbersintherivercanyonbetween'PortageCreekandtheOshetnaRiver.AJune1974surveyofc1iff-nestingraptorsconductedbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,deter-minedthatthepopulationdensitiesofthesebirdsbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiverarelowandthatnoendangeredspeciesofper-egrinefalcons,Americanorarctic.appeartonestalongtheupperSusitnaRiver.PeregrineshaveoccasionallybeensightedwithintheareaoftheupperSusitnabasinandalongmigrationroutesthroughtheBroadPassareaoftheupperChulitnaRiver.47969-7370 -81-312.02.1.2ResidentFish.Grayling,rainbowtrout,laketrout,DollyVarden,whitefish,sucker,sculpin,andburbot(ling)comprisetheprincipalresidentfishpopulationoftheSusitnaRiverbasin.Althoughdistributionstudieshavebeenmadeinthepast,themagnitudeofresidentfishpopulationsintheSusitnadrainageislargelyunknown.Duringthewarmermonthsoftheyear,whentheSusitnaRiverissiltladen,sportfishingislimitedtoclearwatertributariesandtoareasinthemainSusitnaRivernearthemouthsofthesetributari:5.Residentfish,especiallygrayling,apparentlyinhabitthemouthsofsomeoftheclearwaterstreamsontheSusitnaRiverbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver;however,mostofthetributariesaretoosteeptosupportsignificantfishpopulations.Someoftheuppersectionsoftheseclearwatertributaries,suchasDeadmanCreek,supportgraylingpopulations.Laketroutarealsoprominentinmanyoftheterraceanduplandlakesofthearea.2.02.2Birds.2.02.2.1Waterfowl.Theeast-weststretchoftheSusitnaRiverbetweentheTyoneRiverandGoldCreekisamajorflywayforwaterfowl.Themajorityofthewaterfowlnestingareasin'theUpperSusitnaRiverBasinareonthenearbylakesoftheCopperRiverLowlandregion,ontheTyoneRiverandsurroundingdrainageareas,andonthepondsandlakesofthewidefloodplainintheDenaliarea.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhasamoderateamountofusebywaterfowlwhencomparedwiththeLowerSusitnaRiverBasin.Thelowerbasinhasasubstantiallygreateramountofwaterfowlhabitat,andagreaternumberandvarietyof-waterfowlseasonallyusethethousandsoflakesandpondsinthisareatonestandtoraisetheiryoung.Lar':1'-numbersofmigrantbirdsalsousetheSusitnaRiverbasinforfeedingandrestingduringspringandfallflightstoandfromA1aska1sinteriorandnorthslope.DistributionanddensityofwaterfowlhabitatwithintheRai1beltareaisshownonFigure6.2.02.2.2Raetors.Raptors,includinggolden-eagles,baldea9les,andvariousspeclesofhawks,owls.andfalcons,occurthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasinbutinsmallernumbersintherivercanyonbetween'PortageCreekandtheOshetnaRiver.AJune1974surveyofc1iff-nestingraptorsconductedbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,deter-minedthatthepopulationdensitiesofthesebirdsbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiverarelowandthatnoendangeredspeciesofper-egrinefalcons,Americanorarctic.appeartonestalongtheupperSusitnaRiver.PeregrineshaveoccasionallybeensightedwithintheareaoftheupperSusitnabasinandalongmigrationroutesthroughtheBroadPassareaoftheupperChulitnaRiver.47969-7370-81-31
WILDLIFEWATERFOWLHABITATIBJlillillHighDensity!illIIlJ]MediumDensityUIIJ]LowDensitySource'JointFederal-StateLonUsePlannlnoCommissionFIGURE6480o50.-)IOOMilesA.P.A.-JULY1975WILDLIFEWATERFOWLHABITATIBJlillillHighDensity!illIIlJ]MediumDensityUIIJ]LowDensitySource'JointFederal-StateLonUsePlannlnoCommissionFIGURE6480o50.-)IOOMilesA.P.A.-JULY1975
Onthebasisofthe1974U.S.FishandWildlifeServicefindings,otherraptorpopulationsinthecanyonareaoftheupperSusitnaRiverweredeterminedtobeminor,althoughminimaldatawereacquiredonthetree-nestingraptors.Severalnestingpairsofbaldeaglesandgyr-falconswereobservedinornearthecanyonsofthisarea,andgoldeneaglesfrequentlyoccupieduplandcliffsinthevicinityofCoalCreek.SubstantialpopulationsofravenswerefoundinreachesoftheSusitnaRiveraboveGoldCreek.Thenestsofthislargebirdareoftenusedbyraptors,includingperegrinesandgyrfalcons.However,therewasnoevidencethatthenestsobservedwerebeingusedbyraptors.2.02.2.3OtherBirds.Unknownnumbersofgamebirds,suchassprucegrouseandwillowptarmigan,inhabittheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.SomeincidentalgamebirdhuntingtakesplacealongtheDenaliHighway,butsuchhuntingpressuresarepracticallynonexistentinmostofthearea.Variousotherspeciesofbirdsincludingsongbirds,shorebirds,andothersmallbirdsarefoundthroughouttheUpperSusitnaRiverBasininvaryingnumbers.2.02.3Marrma1s.2.02.3.1Caribou.OneofthemostsignificantwildliferesourcesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisthewide-rangingNe1chinacaribouherd.Thisherd,amajorrecreationalandsubsistenceresourceinthesouth-centralregion,declinedfromapopulationhighofabout71,000in1962toalowofbetween6,500and8,100animalsin1972.Thisspectaculardeclinehasbeenattributedtovariousfactors,includingmigrationtootherareas,badweather,predation,andoverhunting.Motorizeda11-terrainvehicleaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntingsuccesseveninthefaceofarapidlydecliningcariboupopulation.SegmentsoftheNe1chinaherdperiodicallyrangethroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin(seeFigure7).Themajorcalvingareafortheherd'isonthenortheastslopesoftheTalkeetnaMountainsontheupperreachesoftheKosinaCreek,OshetnaRiver,andLittleNe1chinaRiverdrainages.Calvinggenerallytakesplacebetweenmid-Mayandmid-June.ExceptforintermittentseasonalmigrationroutesacrosstheSusitnaRiverinareasupstreamfromTsusenaCreek,caribouarenotresidenttothemainSusitnaRivercanyonbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver.'Cariboudependuponclimaxrange,especiallyforwinterforage;anyalterationofthevegetation,especiallyofsedgesandlichens,hasadetrimentalimpactupontheirdistributionandnumbers.AtraitoftheNe1chinaherdisanalmostconstantchangeofwinterranges,aphenomenonthathasundoubtedlycharacterizedAlaska'scariboupopulationsforcenturies.481Onthebasisofthe1974U.S.FishandWildlifeServicefindings,otherraptorpopulationsinthecanyonareaoftheupperSusitnaRiverweredeterminedtobeminor,althoughminimaldatawereacquiredonthetree-nestingraptors.Severalnestingpairsofbaldeaglesandgyr-falconswereobservedinornearthecanyonsofthisarea,andgoldeneaglesfrequentlyoccupieduplandcliffsinthevicinityofCoalCreek.SubstantialpopulationsofravenswerefoundinreachesoftheSusitnaRiveraboveGoldCreek.Thenestsofthislargebirdareoftenusedbyraptors,includingperegrinesandgyrfalcons.However,therewasnoevidencethatthenestsobservedwerebeingusedbyraptors.2.02.2.3OtherBirds.Unknownnumbersofgamebirds,suchassprucegrouseandwillowptarmigan,inhabittheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.SomeincidentalgamebirdhuntingtakesplacealongtheDenaliHighway,butsuchhuntingpressuresarepracticallynonexistentinmostofthearea.Variousotherspeciesofbirdsincludingsongbirds,shorebirds,andothersmallbirdsarefoundthroughouttheUpperSusitnaRiverBasininvaryingnumbers.2.02.3Marrma1s.2.02.3.1Caribou.OneofthemostsignificantwildliferesourcesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisthewide-rangingNe1chinacaribouherd.Thisherd,amajorrecreationalandsubsistenceresourceinthesouth-centralregion,declinedfromapopulationhighofabout71,000in1962toalowofbetween6,500and8,100animalsin1972.Thisspectaculardeclinehasbeenattributedtovariousfactors,includingmigrationtootherareas,badweather,predation,andoverhunting.Motorizeda11-terrainvehicleaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntingsuccesseveninthefaceofarapidlydecliningcariboupopulation.SegmentsoftheNe1chinaherdperiodicallyrangethroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin(seeFigure7).Themajorcalvingareafortheherd'isonthenortheastslopesoftheTalkeetnaMountainsontheupperreachesoftheKosinaCreek,OshetnaRiver,andLittleNe1chinaRiverdrainages.Calvinggenerallytakesplacebetweenmid-Mayandmid-June.ExceptforintermittentseasonalmigrationroutesacrosstheSusitnaRiverinareasupstreamfromTsusenaCreek,caribouarenotresidenttothemainSusitnaRivercanyonbetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver.'Cariboudependuponclimaxrange,especiallyforwinterforage;anyalterationofthevegetation,especiallyofsedgesandlichens,hasadetrimentalimpactupontheirdistributionandnumbers.AtraitoftheNe1chinaherdisanalmostconstantchangeofwinterranges,aphenomenonthathasundoubtedlycharacterizedAlaska'scariboupopulationsforcenturies.481
FIGURE7482WILDLIFECARIBOUANDBISONIOOMllesA.P.A.-JULY1975FIGURE7482WILDLIFECARIBOUANDBISONIOOMllesA.P.A.-JULY1975
TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameconsiderstheNelchinaherdtobeoneoftheState'smostimportantcariboupopulations.SeveralthousandhuntersfromAnchorageandFairbanksparticipateintheannualhuntingofthisspecies.Additionalthousandsofnon-huntingrecrea-tionistsviewthemigrationsofcaribouastheycrosstheState'smajorhighways.Inaddition.theherdprovidessustenancetopredatorsandscavengerssuchaswolves.grizzlybears,blackbears,wolverines.lynx,andvariousspeciesofbirds.Caribouareessentially1i'mitedindistributionwithinthetrans-missionlinesystemtothe136-milesegmentextendingnorthfromCantwell.InthemountainousareabetweenCantwellandHealy,theyconcentratesouthofcanyons.TheyarefoundinconcentrationsonthewestbankoftheNenanaRivernorthofHealyandsouthofClearAirForceBase.2.02.3.2Moose.MooserangethroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin(Figure8).Widefluctuationsofpopulationshaveoccurredovertheyears.A1973AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamefallaerialcountresultedinsightingofapproximately1,800mooseintheupperSusitnaRiverdrainage.NumbersofmooseinthesouthcentralregionofAlaskahavebeenreducedinrecent.years~uemainlytoweatherconditions,huntingpressures,wolfpredation,unbalancedage-sexratios,andelimi-nationofhabitat.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisatorabovetimberline,resultingin"largeamountsof"edge"attimberlinewhichproducecon-siderablequantitiesofwillow,animportantwinterforageformoose.Successionalvegetationchangesfollowingfirealsocontributeheavilytoareasfavoringmoosehabitat.LimitednumbersofmooseinhabittheSusitnaRiverbottombetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver,becauseofarestrictedamountofsuitablehabitat.However,theavailablehabitatprovidescriticalwinterrangeformoosethatdoutilizethisarea.Mooseinhabittheentirelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridorbutaremoreabundantinthelowervalleys.Inmountainousterrain,theyaremorecommonlyfoundinmoreopenpartsofcanyons.2.02.3.3Grizzly/BrownBears.Grizzlies,alsoreferredtoasbrownbearsinAlaska,arecommonthroughouttheSusitnaRiverdrainageandarefairlynumerousintheupperSusitnadespitetheabsenceofsalmon.Alpineandsubalpinezonesarethehabitatsmostfrequentlyusedbygrizzlies,althoughthemoretimberedareasareseasonallyimportant.DenningbeginsinOctober,andallbearsareindensbymid-November(seeFigure8).BearsusuallyreappearduringMay,dependingonweatherconditions.Importantspringfoodsincludegrasses,sedges,horsetails,-otherherbaceousplants,andcarrionwhenavailable.Onoccasion.483TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameconsiderstheNelchinaherdtobeoneoftheState'smostimportantcariboupopulations.SeveralthousandhuntersfromAnchorageandFairbanksparticipateintheannualhuntingofthisspecies.Additionalthousandsofnon-huntingrecrea-tionistsviewthemigrationsofcaribouastheycrosstheState'smajorhighways.Inaddition.theherdprovidessustenancetopredatorsandscavengerssuchaswolves.grizzlybears,blackbears,wolverines.lynx,andvariousspeciesofbirds.Caribouareessentially1i'mitedindistributionwithinthetrans-missionlinesystemtothe136-milesegmentextendingnorthfromCantwell.InthemountainousareabetweenCantwellandHealy,theyconcentratesouthofcanyons.TheyarefoundinconcentrationsonthewestbankoftheNenanaRivernorthofHealyandsouthofClearAirForceBase.2.02.3.2Moose.MooserangethroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin(Figure8).Widefluctuationsofpopulationshaveoccurredovertheyears.A1973AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamefallaerialcountresultedinsightingofapproximately1,800mooseintheupperSusitnaRiverdrainage.NumbersofmooseinthesouthcentralregionofAlaskahavebeenreducedinrecent.years~uemainlytoweatherconditions,huntingpressures,wolfpredation,unbalancedage-sexratios,andelimi-nationofhabitat.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisatorabovetimberline,resultingin"largeamountsof"edge"attimberlinewhichproducecon-siderablequantitiesofwillow,animportantwinterforageformoose.Successionalvegetationchangesfollowingfirealsocontributeheavilytoareasfavoringmoosehabitat.LimitednumbersofmooseinhabittheSusitnaRiverbottombetweenDevilCanyonandtheOshetnaRiver,becauseofarestrictedamountofsuitablehabitat.However,theavailablehabitatprovidescriticalwinterrangeformoosethatdoutilizethisarea.Mooseinhabittheentirelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridorbutaremoreabundantinthelowervalleys.Inmountainousterrain,theyaremorecommonlyfoundinmoreopenpartsofcanyons.2.02.3.3Grizzly/BrownBears.Grizzlies,alsoreferredtoasbrownbearsinAlaska,arecommonthroughouttheSusitnaRiverdrainageandarefairlynumerousintheupperSusitnadespitetheabsenceofsalmon.Alpineandsubalpinezonesarethehabitatsmostfrequentlyusedbygrizzlies,althoughthemoretimberedareasareseasonallyimportant.DenningbeginsinOctober,andallbearsareindensbymid-November(seeFigure8).BearsusuallyreappearduringMay,dependingonweatherconditions.Importantspringfoodsincludegrasses,sedges,horsetails,-otherherbaceousplants,andcarrionwhenavailable.Onoccasion.483
WILDLIFEMOOSE,DALLSHEEp,BROWNBEAR.MAP~Brown/GrizzlyBearDenningAreas1>:··:··:1MooseConcentration~lIlIJTII]]DollSheepRonge."-Sou",e'JointFederal-SlateLandU..---'PlanningCommissionl~A"TI'!!TllJJ,I.lO"FIGURE8484a50·2100Mile,A.P.A.-JULY1975WILDLIFEMOOSE,DALLSHEEp,BROWNBEAR.MAP~Brown/GrizzlyBearDenningAreas1>:··:··:1MooseConcentration~lIlIJTII]]DollSheepRonge."-Sou",e'JointFederal-SlateLandU..---'PlanningCommissionl~A"TI'!!TllJJ,I.lO"FIGURE8484a50·2100Mile,A.P.A.-JULY1975
mooseorcariboucalvesaretaken.Berries--lowbushandhighbushcranberries~blueb~rries,andbearberries--providemajorsummerfoodsupplements.Aprimeconsiderationforgrizzlybearsistominimizedirectconflictwithhumansasthegrizzlyisadverselyaffectedbycontactwithman.Huntingforgrizzlybearsinthisareaoftenoccursincidentallytootherhuntingduringtheshortfallopenseason.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridor,mostgrizzlybears~~e1imitedindistributiontothehigherareas,primarilybetweenCantwellandHealyalthoughtheyarefoundthroughoutthispartofAlaska.2.02.3.4BlatkBears.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinsupportsfairblackbeardensities.Thelargerpopulationsareinsemi-openforestedareaswithreadilyaccessiblealpine-subalpineberrycrops.Riverbottoms,lakeshores,andmarshylowlandsarefavoritespringblackbearareas.BlackbearsgenerallyeatmanyofthesametypesoffOudasar~eatenbygrizzlies.Denninghabitsarealsosomewhatsimilartothegrizzlybear's.Naturalfiresgenerallybenefitblackbears,especiallywhendensematuresprucestandsareburned.Mostotherlandusesdonotseriouslyaffectbearnumbersinthisarea,andblackbearsarenotasadverselyaffectedbycontactwithmanasaregrizzlies.Blackbearsarefoundinforestedareasthroughoutthelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridor.2.02.3.5DallSheep.ThesesheeparepresentinmanyareasoftheAlaskaRange,TalkeetnaMountains,andinthehigherelevationsoftheSusitnaRiverbasin(Figure8).ThegreatestconcentrationsofDallsheepintheSusitnabasinoccurinthesouthernportionsoftheTal-keetnas;herdsbecomescatteredonthenorthernportionoftherange,wherepartsofthemountainsareuninhabitedbysheep.DallsheeparealsofoundintheWatanaHills.BecauseoftherelativelygentlenatureofmuchoftheTalkeetnaMountainsandWatanaHills,predationinthisareahasmoreeffectonsheepnumbersthaninmoreruggedhabitats.Sheephavealwaysfurnishedsomeofthedietofwolvesandothercarni-voresinthisarea.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridor,DallsheepareessentiallylimitedtothemountainousareabetweenCantwellandHealy.Huntingpressureforramsisfairlyheavyduetorelativelygoodaccessfromhighways,byair,andbyATVs(all-terrainvehicles).Nevertheless,asistrueelsewhereintheState,ram-onlyhuntingseemstohavelittleeffectonoverallnumbers.Sheeppopulationsarealmostentirelycontrolledbynaturalfactorssuchashabitat,weathercondi-tions,predation,anddisease.Conflictsbetweenman1sactivitiesand,485mooseorcariboucalvesaretaken.Berries--lowbushandhighbushcranberries~blueb~rries,andbearberries--providemajorsummerfoodsupplements.Aprimeconsiderationforgrizzlybearsistominimizedirectconflictwithhumansasthegrizzlyisadverselyaffectedbycontactwithman.Huntingforgrizzlybearsinthisareaoftenoccursincidentallytootherhuntingduringtheshortfallopenseason.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridor,mostgrizzlybears~~e1imitedindistributiontothehigherareas,primarilybetweenCantwellandHealyalthoughtheyarefoundthroughoutthispartofAlaska.2.02.3.4BlatkBears.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinsupportsfairblackbeardensities.Thelargerpopulationsareinsemi-openforestedareaswithreadilyaccessiblealpine-subalpineberrycrops.Riverbottoms,lakeshores,andmarshylowlandsarefavoritespringblackbearareas.BlackbearsgenerallyeatmanyofthesametypesoffOudasar~eatenbygrizzlies.Denninghabitsarealsosomewhatsimilartothegrizzlybear's.Naturalfiresgenerallybenefitblackbears,especiallywhendensematuresprucestandsareburned.Mostotherlandusesdonotseriouslyaffectbearnumbersinthisarea,andblackbearsarenotasadverselyaffectedbycontactwithmanasaregrizzlies.Blackbearsarefoundinforestedareasthroughoutthelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridor.2.02.3.5DallSheep.ThesesheeparepresentinmanyareasoftheAlaskaRange,TalkeetnaMountains,andinthehigherelevationsoftheSusitnaRiverbasin(Figure8).ThegreatestconcentrationsofDallsheepintheSusitnabasinoccurinthesouthernportionsoftheTal-keetnas;herdsbecomescatteredonthenorthernportionoftherange,wherepartsofthemountainsareuninhabitedbysheep.DallsheeparealsofoundintheWatanaHills.BecauseoftherelativelygentlenatureofmuchoftheTalkeetnaMountainsandWatanaHills,predationinthisareahasmoreeffectonsheepnumbersthaninmoreruggedhabitats.Sheephavealwaysfurnishedsomeofthedietofwolvesandothercarni-voresinthisarea.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridor,DallsheepareessentiallylimitedtothemountainousareabetweenCantwellandHealy.Huntingpressureforramsisfairlyheavyduetorelativelygoodaccessfromhighways,byair,andbyATVs(all-terrainvehicles).Nevertheless,asistrueelsewhereintheState,ram-onlyhuntingseemstohavelittleeffectonoverallnumbers.Sheeppopulationsarealmostentirelycontrolledbynaturalfactorssuchashabitat,weathercondi-tions,predation,anddisease.Conflictsbetweenman1sactivitiesand,485
criticalsheephabitat,suchaslambingorwinteringareas,canadverselyimpactDa11sheeppopulations.2.02.3.6MountainGoats.GoatsoccurinlownumbersinvariousareasoftheTalkeetnaMountainsandintheWatanaHillsarea,anddonotprovideasignificantamountofhuntingintheupperSusitnabasin.ThegoatsgenerallyinhabitrougherterrainthandoDa11sheep,andarethuslesssusceptibletoman'sactivities.2.02.3.7Wolves.WolvesoccurthroughoutmostoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Populationsaresubjecttorapidfluctuations,andesti-matesshouldbeviewedwithextremecaution.Wolfnumbershavebeenestimatedfromalowof13in1943,afterpredatorcontrolefforts,toahighof400to450in1965.Currentlyanestimated300wolvespopulatetheareaencompassingtheupperSusitna,theTalkeetnaMountains,andtheupperCopperRiverdrainagearea.ThewolfhasbeenremovedfrompredatorclassificationandisnowclassifiedasagameanimalinAlaska.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamemanagementstudiesconcludedthat,from1957to1967,wolfpredationneitheradverselyaffectedothergamepopulations,norreducedhuntingsuccessforsportsmen.However,absoluteconclusionswereuncertainsincemooseandcariboupopulationsmayhavereachedtheirhighsduringthisperiod.Thestudyprovedthatwolvesandmencanoftencoexistwhilecompetingforgameanimals,butthatattimesmanmustacceptreductionofavailablegamebywolves.2.02.3.8Wolverines.ThisareaofAlaskahasconsistentlyproducedmorewolverinesthananyotherareaofcomparablesizeintheState.Wolverinesareseenregularlythroughoutthearea,anditisnotunusualforahunterreturningtoakillsitetofindawolverinefeedingonhismooseorcaribou.Wolverineshavewithstoodhumanencroachmentandtrappingwithoutanynoticeablereductioninnumbersorrange.2.02.3.9OtherMammals.FuranimalspeciesoftheupperSusitnainadditiontowolfandwolverineincludebeaver,muskrae,otter,mink,Canadalynx,fox,marten,andweasel.FoundinvaryingpopulationsthroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinandtransmissioncorridor,eachofthesespeciesha.sitsownuniquehabitatrequirements.However,exceptforalimitednumberofbeaver,therivercanyonareabetweenDevilCanyonandthemouthoftheOshetnaRiverisnotcon-sideredgoodqualityfuranimalhabitatformostofthesespecies.Othermammalsfoundinthisareaincludecoyotes,snowshoehares,groundsquirrels,treesquirrels,pikas,marmots,andseveralspeciesofvoles,shrews,andmice.Aswithotheranimals,thepopulationsofthevariousspeciesvaryasadverseorbeneficialfactorsareencountered.486criticalsheephabitat,suchaslambingorwinteringareas,canadverselyimpactDa11sheeppopulations.2.02.3.6MountainGoats.GoatsoccurinlownumbersinvariousareasoftheTalkeetnaMountainsandintheWatanaHillsarea,anddonotprovideasignificantamountofhuntingintheupperSusitnabasin.ThegoatsgenerallyinhabitrougherterrainthandoDa11sheep,andarethuslesssusceptibletoman'sactivities.2.02.3.7Wolves.WolvesoccurthroughoutmostoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Populationsaresubjecttorapidfluctuations,andesti-matesshouldbeviewedwithextremecaution.Wolfnumbershavebeenestimatedfromalowof13in1943,afterpredatorcontrolefforts,toahighof400to450in1965.Currentlyanestimated300wolvespopulatetheareaencompassingtheupperSusitna,theTalkeetnaMountains,andtheupperCopperRiverdrainagearea.ThewolfhasbeenremovedfrompredatorclassificationandisnowclassifiedasagameanimalinAlaska.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamemanagementstudiesconcludedthat,from1957to1967,wolfpredationneitheradverselyaffectedothergamepopulations,norreducedhuntingsuccessforsportsmen.However,absoluteconclusionswereuncertainsincemooseandcariboupopulationsmayhavereachedtheirhighsduringthisperiod.Thestudyprovedthatwolvesandmencanoftencoexistwhilecompetingforgameanimals,butthatattimesmanmustacceptreductionofavailablegamebywolves.2.02.3.8Wolverines.ThisareaofAlaskahasconsistentlyproducedmorewolverinesthananyotherareaofcomparablesizeintheState.Wolverinesareseenregularlythroughoutthearea,anditisnotunusualforahunterreturningtoakillsitetofindawolverinefeedingonhismooseorcaribou.Wolverineshavewithstoodhumanencroachmentandtrappingwithoutanynoticeablereductioninnumbersorrange.2.02.3.9OtherMammals.FuranimalspeciesoftheupperSusitnainadditiontowolfandwolverineincludebeaver,muskrae,otter,mink,Canadalynx,fox,marten,andweasel.FoundinvaryingpopulationsthroughoutmuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinandtransmissioncorridor,eachofthesespeciesha.sitsownuniquehabitatrequirements.However,exceptforalimitednumberofbeaver,therivercanyonareabetweenDevilCanyonandthemouthoftheOshetnaRiverisnotcon-sideredgoodqualityfuranimalhabitatformostofthesespecies.Othermammalsfoundinthisareaincludecoyotes,snowshoehares,groundsquirrels,treesquirrels,pikas,marmots,andseveralspeciesofvoles,shrews,andmice.Aswithotheranimals,thepopulationsofthevariousspeciesvaryasadverseorbeneficialfactorsareencountered.486
,ely'eaeka.erstaliss.ofeSusitnaRiverbetweenWatanaandVeedamsites.Heaviervegetation,inthiscaseuplandspruce-hardwoodforest,islimitedtothevalleySlopes,thevegetativebiomeontheupperplateausisgenerallymoisttundra,muskeg,andalpinetundra.487SusitnaRiverbetweenWatanaandVeedamsites.Heaviervegetation,inthiscaseuplandspruce-hardwoodforest,islimitedtothevalleyslopes,thevegetativebiomeontheupperplateausisgenerallymoisttundra,muskeg,andalpinetundra.487
2.02.4ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStates.TheonlyspeciesintheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicespublication,ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStates,thatmightberesidentinormigratethroughtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinarethetwosubspeciesoftheperegrinefalcon:Falcoperegrinesanatum(American)andFalcoperegrinestundrius(arctic).AlthoughnoperegrinesappeartobenestingalongtheupperSusitnaRiveratpresent,therehavebeenoccasionalsightingswithintheareaandalongknownmigrationroutesforthisspeciesastheymovethroughtheBroadPassareaontheupperChulitnaRiver.Thesemigratingperegrinesareoccasionallyreportedtoincludemembersofthetwoendangeredsubspecies.SeveralspeciesofwildlifethatareconsideredthreatenedordepletedintheLower48StateshavesubstantialpopulationswithinAlaska.SuchspeciesincludetheAmericanbaldeagle,thewolf,andthegrizzlybear.2.02.5Vegetation.ThemajorecosystemsofAlaskaaredividedintomarineandlandgroupings,withthelandgroupdividedintofresh-water,tundra,andconiferoussystems.Thefreshwatersystemincludesglaciersandicefields,lakes,andriverineecosystems;thetundrasystemissubdividedintomoist,wet,andalpinetundras;andtheconiferoussystemisdividedintosixplant-relatedclassifications.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinincludesthefollowingfourbroadlandecosystemclassifications:moisttundra;alpinetundra;uplandspruce-hardwoodforest;andlowlandspruce-hardwoodforest.Thelargestpercentageofth~basinisclassifiedasmoistoralpinetundrawithmostoftheareainandadjacenttothemainriverchannelbelowtheMaclarenRiverclassifiedaseitheruplandorlowlandspruce-hardwoodforest.AtGoldCreek,thebottomlandforestofwhitespruceandblackcottonwooodisverymuchinevidenceonwelldrainedbanks.Ascendingtheriver,balsampoplarreplacesthecottonwoodsaroundFogandTsusenaCreeks.ThinhardwoodsandwhitesprucebecomelessandlessinevidencebutstilloccurinsmallstandsonwelldrainedriverbarsandtributaryfansupstreamtoButteCreek.Abovethistributary,onlyscatteredstandsofblackspruceoccur,growing~ptotheglaciers.Thelowerhillsideshavealowbrushcoverwithmoi~ttundrainthelowerareas.Theperiodicallyfloodedriverflatsare/inwillow,'sedges-highbrush,andwettundra.Sincemuchofthedrainagebasinisuplands,alpinetundraisoneofthemostprominentvegetationtypes.Alpinetundraiscomposedoflowmatplants,bothherbaceousandshrubby.Moisttundrausuallyformsacompletegroundcoverandisveryproductiveduringthegrowingseason.Planttypesvaryfromalmostcontinuouscottongrasswithasparsegrowthofsedgesanddwarfshrubstostandswheredwarfshrubsdominate.Tundraecosystemsareespeciallyfragileandareverysusceptibletolong-termdamageordestructionfromoveruse.Regenerationisextremelyslow,withsomelichensrequiringmorethan60yearstorecover.4882.02.4ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStates.TheonlyspeciesintheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicespublication,ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStates,thatmightberesidentinormigratethroughtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinarethetwosubspeciesoftheperegrinefalcon:Falcoperegrinesanatum(American)andFalcoperegrinestundrius(arctic).AlthoughnoperegrinesappeartobenestingalongtheupperSusitnaRiveratpresent,therehavebeenoccasionalsightingswithintheareaandalongknownmigrationroutesforthisspeciesastheymovethroughtheBroadPassareaontheupperChulitnaRiver.Thesemigratingperegrinesareoccasionallyreportedtoincludemembersofthetwoendangeredsubspecies.SeveralspeciesofwildlifethatareconsideredthreatenedordepletedintheLower48StateshavesubstantialpopulationswithinAlaska.SuchspeciesincludetheAmericanbaldeagle,thewolf,andthegrizzlybear.2.02.5Vegetation.ThemajorecosystemsofAlaskaaredividedintomarineandlandgroupings,withthelandgroupdividedintofresh-water,tundra,andconiferoussystems.Thefreshwatersystemincludesglaciersandicefields,lakes,andriverineecosystems;thetundrasystemissubdividedintomoist,wet,andalpinetundras;andtheconiferoussystemisdividedintosixplant-relatedclassifications.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinincludesthefollowingfourbroadlandecosystemclassifications:moisttundra;alpinetundra;uplandspruce-hardwoodforest;andlowlandspruce-hardwoodforest.Thelargestpercentageofth~basinisclassifiedasmoistoralpinetundrawithmostoftheareainandadjacenttothemainriverchannelbelowtheMaclarenRiverclassifiedaseitheruplandorlowlandspruce-hardwoodforest.AtGoldCreek,thebottomlandforestofwhitespruceandblackcottonwooodisverymuchinevidenceonwelldrainedbanks.Ascendingtheriver,balsampoplarreplacesthecottonwoodsaroundFogandTsusenaCreeks.ThinhardwoodsandwhitesprucebecomelessandlessinevidencebutstilloccurinsmallstandsonwelldrainedriverbarsandtributaryfansupstreamtoButteCreek.Abovethistributary,onlyscatteredstandsofblackspruceoccur,growing~ptotheglaciers.Thelowerhillsideshavealowbrushcoverwithmoi~ttundrainthelowerareas.Theperiodicallyfloodedriverflatsare/inwillow,'sedges-highbrush,andwettundra.Sincemuchofthedrainagebasinisuplands,alpinetundraisoneofthemostprominentvegetationtypes.Alpinetundraiscomposedoflowmatplants,bothherbaceousandshrubby.Moisttundrausuallyformsacompletegroundcoverandisveryproductiveduringthegrowingseason.Planttypesvaryfromalmostcontinuouscottongrasswithasparsegrowthofsedgesanddwarfshrubstostandswheredwarfshrubsdominate.Tundraecosystemsareespeciallyfragileandareverysusceptibletolong-termdamageordestructionfromoveruse.Regenerationisextremelyslow,withsomelichensrequiringmorethan60yearstorecover.488
MostofthetimberecosystemsintheupperSusitnabasinarelocatedadjacenttotheriverandtributariesonthecanyonslopesandon.thesurroundingbenchlands.Themajortimberspeciesincludebirch,balsampoplar,blackcottonwood,whitespruce,andblackspruce.Overall,thetimberqualityinthisareaisnotgood,withawidevarietyofsizes,mostlysmallerandnoncommercial.Muchofthebirchandspruceismoresuitableforpulpthanforsawtimber;however,afairyieldofsaw10gscouldbeobtainedfromstandsofblackcottonwoodandbalsampoplar.Thetransmissionlinecorridortransectsfivegenerallydistinctvegetationtypes.Threeofthese--uplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andalpinetundra--arecommonwithintheupperSusitnabasin,asdiscussedabove.Twoarerelatedtodistinctlydifferentlandforms.Bottomlandspruce-poplarisconfinedtobroadfloodplainsandriverterraces,andwarmersl~pesofmajorrivers.Characteristicvegetationiswhitespruce,balsampoplar,birch,andaspen.Lowbush,bog,andmuskegareanotherdistincttypeusuallyformedonoutwash,andoldriverterraces,infillingpondsandsloughs,andthroughoutlowlands.Characteristicplantsaretamarack,blackspruce,alders,willows,andberries.ProgressingnorthwardfromPointMacKenzie,thecorridoris.principallycharacterizedbybottomlandspruce-poplar,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andmuskegbogtoTalkeetna.FromthispointtoGoldCreek,bottomlandspruce-poplarisinterspersedwithuplandspruce-hardwood.ThesegmentleadingfromGoldCreek'toCantwellistypicallybottom-landspruce-poplarinterspersedwithuplandspruce-hardwood,andlowbrush-bog/muskeg.ThroughtheAlaskaRangebetweenCantwellandHealy,thevegetationisamixtureofuplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,alpinetundra,andsomelowbrush-muskeg/bog.FromHealytoEster,thevegetationischaracterizedbybottom-landspruce-poplar,uplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andlowbrush-muskeg/bog.2.03CulturalCharacteristics.2.03.1Population.TheSouthcentralRai1beltareaofAlaskacontainstheState1stwolargestpopulationcenters,AnchorageandFairbanks,andalmostthree-fourthsoftheState'stotalpopulation.TheAnchorageareaalonehasoverhalftheresidentsintheState.Recentlyrevisedestimatesfor1975indicateover386,000peoplewillbeinAlaskabytheendoftheyear,comparedtoslightlyover302,000countedinthe1970census,anincreaseofabout28percentinthatperiod.OtherestimatesbytheAlaskaDepartmentofLaborindicateanexpectedStatepopulationofalmost450,000fortheyear1980,anadditional16percentincreaseover1975,andapopulationincreaseofnearly50percentin10years.ThelargestgrowthintheStatehasbeenintheSouthcentralRailbe1tarea,andthistrendisexpectedtocontinue.Withthepossiblerelo-cationofAlaska'scapitalfromJuneautotheRailbeltarea,anaddi-tionalpopulationimpactwillbeexertedonthisareaoftheState.489MostofthetimberecosystemsintheupperSusitnabasinarelocatedadjacenttotheriverandtributariesonthecanyonslopesandon.thesurroundingbenchlands.Themajortimberspeciesincludebirch,balsampoplar,blackcottonwood,whitespruce,andblackspruce.Overall,thetimberqualityinthisareaisnotgood,withawidevarietyofsizes,mostlysmallerandnoncommercial.Muchofthebirchandspruceismoresuitableforpulpthanforsawtimber;however,afairyieldofsaw10gscouldbeobtainedfromstandsofblackcottonwoodandbalsampoplar.Thetransmissionlinecorridortransectsfivegenerallydistinctvegetationtypes.Threeofthese--uplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andalpinetundra--arecommonwithintheupperSusitnabasin,asdiscussedabove.Twoarerelatedtodistinctlydifferentlandforms.Bottomlandspruce-poplarisconfinedtobroadfloodplainsandriverterraces,andwarmersl~pesofmajorrivers.Characteristicvegetationiswhitespruce,balsampoplar,birch,andaspen.Lowbush,bog,andmuskegareanotherdistincttypeusuallyformedonoutwash,andoldriverterraces,infillingpondsandsloughs,andthroughoutlowlands.Characteristicplantsaretamarack,blackspruce,alders,willows,andberries.ProgressingnorthwardfromPointMacKenzie,thecorridoris.principallycharacterizedbybottomlandspruce-poplar,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andmuskegbogtoTalkeetna.FromthispointtoGoldCreek,bottomlandspruce-poplarisinterspersedwithuplandspruce-hardwood.ThesegmentleadingfromGoldCreek'toCantwellistypicallybottom-landspruce-poplarinterspersedwithuplandspruce-hardwood,andlowbrush-bog/muskeg.ThroughtheAlaskaRangebetweenCantwellandHealy,thevegetationisamixtureofuplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,alpinetundra,andsomelowbrush-muskeg/bog.FromHealytoEster,thevegetationischaracterizedbybottom-landspruce-poplar,uplandspruce-hardwood,lowlandspruce-hardwood,andlowbrush-muskeg/bog.2.03CulturalCharacteristics.2.03.1Population.TheSouthcentralRai1beltareaofAlaskacontainstheState1stwolargestpopulationcenters,AnchorageandFairbanks,andalmostthree-fourthsoftheState'stotalpopulation.TheAnchorageareaalonehasoverhalftheresidentsintheState.Recentlyrevisedestimatesfor1975indicateover386,000peoplewillbeinAlaskabytheendoftheyear,comparedtoslightlyover302,000countedinthe1970census,anincreaseofabout28percentinthatperiod.OtherestimatesbytheAlaskaDepartmentofLaborindicateanexpectedStatepopulationofalmost450,000fortheyear1980,anadditional16percentincreaseover1975,andapopulationincreaseofnearly50percentin10years.ThelargestgrowthintheStatehasbeenintheSouthcentralRailbe1tarea,andthistrendisexpectedtocontinue.Withthepossiblerelo-cationofAlaska'scapitalfromJuneautotheRailbeltarea,anaddi-tionalpopulationimpactwillbeexertedonthisareaoftheState.489
490
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~'0oLookingupstreamatSusitnaRivernearGoldCreekabout15milesbelowDevilCanyon.NoteAlaskaFailroadbridge.LookingupstreamatSusitnaRivernearGoldCreekabout15milesbelowDevilCanyon.NoteAlaskaPailroadbridge.
Atthepresenttime.onlyafewsmallsettlementsarelocatedalongtheParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanksandtheAlaskaRail-roadintheSusitnaRivervalley.ExceptforthesmallsettlementatDenali.the.rearefew.ifany.permanentfull-timeresidentsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinaboveDevilCanyon.2.03.2Economics.BothAnchorageandFairbanksareregionaleconomiccentersfortheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tarea.Government.trade.andservicescomprisethemajorportionofthearea'stotalemployment.Constructionandtransportationarealsoimportant.Makingrelativelylesssignificantcontributionsarethefinancing.mining.andmanufacturingindustries.whileagriculture.forestry.andfisheriescontributelessthanonepercentoftheemploymentdollartotheeconomyoftheRai1be1tarea.In1972thewagesandsalariesforthesouthcentra1regionofAlaskaamountedtomorethan$704.000.000.Inthegovernmentgroups.employmentisdividedmoreorlessequallybetweenFederal.State.andlocalsectors.Thearea'smajorFederalemployeristheDepartmentofDefense.withmostofitsemployeescon-centratedinfourmilitaryinstallations.StateandlocalgovernmentemploymentincludesemployeesfromagenciesoftheStateofAlaskaandthecitiesandboroughswithinthearea.Aftergovernment.thetwogroupshavingthelargestemploymentaretradeandservices.TheirimportanceassourcesofemploymentfortheRai1beltarearesidentsisafurthermanifestationoftheregion'stworelativelyconcentratedpopulationcentersandofthehighdegreeofeconomicdiversity.aswellaslevelsofdemandforgoodsandservices.whicharesubstantiallyhigherthaninmostotherpartsofAlaska.TheimportanceofconstructionislargelyduetothehighlevelofexpansionexperiencedbytheAnchorageandFairbanksareassince1968.Thisgrowthcanpartlybeattributedtothetrans-Alaskapipelineprojec~.whichisencouragingmuchnewconstructioninbothpublicandprivatesectors.Highlevelsof~employmentintheregion'stransportationindustryreflectthepositionsofAnchorageandFairbanksasmajortransportationcenters.notonlyfortheSouthcentra1Rai1beltareabutfortherestoftheStateaswell.ThePortofAnchoragehandlesmostofthewaterbornefreightmovingintosouthcentra1andnorthernAlaska.InternationalairportsatAnchorageandFairbanksserveashubsforcommercialairtrafficthroughoutAlaskaandareimportantstopoversfor37majorinternationalaircarriers.Anchoragealsoservesasthetransferpointforgoodsbroughtintotheareabyairandwater.whicharethendistri-butedbyairtransport.truckorbyAlaskaRailroadtomoreremoteareas.491Atthepresenttime.onlyafewsmallsettlementsarelocatedalongtheParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanksandtheAlaskaRail-roadintheSusitnaRivervalley.ExceptforthesmallsettlementatDenali.the.rearefew.ifany.permanentfull-timeresidentsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinaboveDevilCanyon.2.03.2Economics.BothAnchorageandFairbanksareregionaleconomiccentersfortheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tarea.Government.trade.andservicescomprisethemajorportionofthearea'stotalemployment.Constructionandtransportationarealsoimportant.Makingrelativelylesssignificantcontributionsarethefinancing.mining.andmanufacturingindustries.whileagriculture.forestry.andfisheriescontributelessthanonepercentoftheemploymentdollartotheeconomyoftheRai1be1tarea.In1972thewagesandsalariesforthesouthcentra1regionofAlaskaamountedtomorethan$704.000.000.Inthegovernmentgroups.employmentisdividedmoreorlessequallybetweenFederal.State.andlocalsectors.Thearea'smajorFederalemployeristheDepartmentofDefense.withmostofitsemployeescon-centratedinfourmilitaryinstallations.StateandlocalgovernmentemploymentincludesemployeesfromagenciesoftheStateofAlaskaandthecitiesandboroughswithinthearea.Aftergovernment.thetwogroupshavingthelargestemploymentaretradeandservices.TheirimportanceassourcesofemploymentfortheRai1beltarearesidentsisafurthermanifestationoftheregion'stworelativelyconcentratedpopulationcentersandofthehighdegreeofeconomicdiversity.aswellaslevelsofdemandforgoodsandservices.whicharesubstantiallyhigherthaninmostotherpartsofAlaska.TheimportanceofconstructionislargelyduetothehighlevelofexpansionexperiencedbytheAnchorageandFairbanksareassince1968.Thisgrowthcanpartlybeattributedtothetrans-Alaskapipelineprojec~.whichisencouragingmuchnewconstructioninbothpublicandprivatesectors.Highlevelsof~employmentintheregion'stransportationindustryreflectthepositionsofAnchorageandFairbanksasmajortransportationcenters.notonlyfortheSouthcentra1Rai1beltareabutfortherestoftheStateaswell.ThePortofAnchoragehandlesmostofthewaterbornefreightmovingintosouthcentra1andnorthernAlaska.InternationalairportsatAnchorageandFairbanksserveashubsforcommercialairtrafficthroughoutAlaskaandareimportantstopoversfor37majorinternationalaircarriers.Anchoragealsoservesasthetransferpointforgoodsbroughtintotheareabyairandwater.whicharethendistri-butedbyairtransport.truckorbyAlaskaRailroadtomoreremoteareas.491
Althoughexertingrelativelylittledirectimpactontotalemploy-ment,mining,'finance,insurance,andrealestateplayimportantrolesintermsofthesecondaryemploymenttheygenerateintheregion.MostpeopleemployedinminingengageinactivitiesrelatingtopetroleumextractionfromfieldsinCookInletandtheKenaiPeninsula.Asub-stantialportionoftheroyaltiesandtaxescollectedbytheStateasaresultofoilproductionintheareaisreturnedtotheareaintheformofjobsinStategovernmentandthroughrevenuesharingwithvariouslocalgovernments.Thetotalvalueofoilandgasproductioninthesouthcentra1regionfor1972wasalmost$240million.Similarly,theAnchoragefinancialsector,inspiteofitssmallemployment,exertsconsiderableeconomicleverageasthebankingcenterforAlaska.MostagriculturalactivitiesintheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareatakeplaceintheMatanuska,Susitna,andTananaValleys.ThepotentialforagricultureintheseareasofAlaskaisconsideredfavorable,althoughdevelopmentoftheindustryhasnotbeenextensive.Commercialfisheriesactivityistheoldestcash-basedindustryofmajorimportancewithintheregion.Theindustryhaschangedsubstantiallyduringthepast20yearsandcontinuestobemodifiedasaresultofbothbiologicandeconomicstimuli.Thesalmonindustryhasalwaysbeenamajorcomponentoftheindustryintermsofvolumeandvalue.Since1955,thekingcrab,shrimp,andTannercrabfisherieshaveundergonemajordevelopment,andhalibutlandingshaveincreasedsubstantiallyinrecentyears.Thetotalwholesalevalueofcommercialfishandshell-fishforthesouthcentra1regionofAlaskain1972wasjustover$100millionincludingacatchofalmost110millionpoundsofsalmonwithawholesalevalueofnearly$38million.Thesouthcentra1regionofAlaskaincludestheKodiak-She1ikofarea,theCookInletarea,andtheCopperRiver-GulfofAlaskaarea.TheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareaisthatportionofthe southcentra1andYukonsubregionsthatisservedbytheAlaskaRailroad.Theregion'stimberoutputislessthan10percentofthetotaltimberharvestedcommerciallyin,A1aska.Thetimberindustryisshiftingfromsupplyingthelocalmarkettoproductionaimedattheexportmarket.StumpagevalueoftimbercutfromStateandNationalforestlandsinthesouthcentra1regionduring1972wasabout$130,000.Thetouristindustryplaysanincreasinglyimportantroleintheeconomyoftheregion.Precisedataontourismarenotavailable,butthenumbersofAlaskan-visitorshaveincreasedfromabout130,000in1971toapprOXimately216,000in1973.AforecastbytheDivisionofTourismin1973estimated288,000peoplewouldvisitAlaskain1975andabout554,000in1980.492Althoughexertingrelativelylittledirectimpactontotalemploy-ment,mining,'finance,insurance,andrealestateplayimportantrolesintermsofthesecondaryemploymenttheygenerateintheregion.MostpeopleemployedinminingengageinactivitiesrelatingtopetroleumextractionfromfieldsinCookInletandtheKenaiPeninsula.Asub-stantialportionoftheroyaltiesandtaxescollectedbytheStateasaresultofoilproductionintheareaisreturnedtotheareaintheformofjobsinStategovernmentandthroughrevenuesharingwithvariouslocalgovernments.Thetotalvalueofoilandgasproductioninthesouthcentra1regionfor1972wasalmost$240million.Similarly,theAnchoragefinancialsector,inspiteofitssmallemployment,exertsconsiderableeconomicleverageasthebankingcenterforAlaska.MostagriculturalactivitiesintheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareatakeplaceintheMatanuska,Susitna,andTananaValleys.ThepotentialforagricultureintheseareasofAlaskaisconsideredfavorable,althoughdevelopmentoftheindustryhasnotbeenextensive.Commercialfisheriesactivityistheoldestcash-basedindustryofmajorimportancewithintheregion.Theindustryhaschangedsubstantiallyduringthepast20yearsandcontinuestobemodifiedasaresultofbothbiologicandeconomicstimuli.Thesalmonindustryhasalwaysbeenamajorcomponentoftheindustryintermsofvolumeandvalue.Since1955,thekingcrab,shrimp,andTannercrabfisherieshaveundergonemajordevelopment,andhalibutlandingshaveincreasedsubstantiallyinrecentyears.Thetotalwholesalevalueofcommercialfishandshell-fishforthesouthcentra1regionofAlaskain1972wasjustover$100millionincludingacatchofalmost110millionpoundsofsalmonwithawholesalevalueofnearly$38million.Thesouthcentra1regionofAlaskaincludestheKodiak-She1ikofarea,theCookInletarea,andtheCopperRiver-GulfofAlaskaarea.TheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareaisthatportionofthe southcentra1andYukonsubregionsthatisservedbytheAlaskaRailroad.Theregion'stimberoutputislessthan10percentofthetotaltimberharvestedcommerciallyin,A1aska.Thetimberindustryisshiftingfromsupplyingthelocalmarkettoproductionaimedattheexportmarket.StumpagevalueoftimbercutfromStateandNationalforestlandsinthesouthcentra1regionduring1972wasabout$130,000.Thetouristindustryplaysanincreasinglyimportantroleintheeconomyoftheregion.Precisedataontourismarenotavailable,butthenumbersofAlaskan-visitorshaveincreasedfromabout130,000in1971toapprOXimately216,000in1973.AforecastbytheDivisionofTourismin1973estimated288,000peoplewouldvisitAlaskain1975andabout554,000in1980.492
:.-0W«LookingnorthalongtheDenaliHighwaytotheArnphitheaterMountains.Morainalridgesrunacrossthemiddleofthephoto.ThebiomealongmostoftheeasternhalfoftheDenaliHighwayismoisttundra.LookingnorthalongtheDenaliHighwaytotheArnphitheaterMotmtains.MorainalridgesTImacrossthemiddleofthephoto.ThebiomealongmostoftheeasternhalfoftheDenaliHighwayismoistttmdra.J
Withpopulationtrendprojectionsshowingasubstantialincreasein.thenumberoffutureresidentsintheStateandespciallyintheSouth-centra1Railbe1tarea,therewi11beare1atedincrea"seinthedemandforjobs,goods,energy,andservices.Alaskahasawealthofreservesinrenewableandnonrenewableresourcesthatwillhavetobeaddressedintheverynearfuture..Theworldconsumptionofnonrenewableresourcesforenergyproduc-tionsuchasoilandg~shasreachedorwillsoonreachacriticalpointintimewherealternativemeanstoproduceenergymustbedeveloped.Theneedforthedevelopmeritandutilizationofthoserenewableresourcesmustbeweighedagainsttheadverseeffectsthatthesedevelopmentswouldhaveonanever-decreasingregimeofnaturalenvironment.2.03.3Transportation.2.03.3.1Rail.TheAlaskaRailroadrunsfromSewardontheGulfofAlaska,pastAnchorage,uptheSusitnaValley,pastMountMcKinleyNationalPark,anddowntoFairbanksontheTananaRiver,adistanceof483miles.TheFederallyconstructedandoperatedAlaskaRailroadwasbuiltbetween1914and1923.2.03.3.2Roads.PavedroadsintheRailbeltareainclude:the127mileSeward-Anchoragehighwaywhichincludes38milesofthe174mileSterlingHighwaybetweenSewardandHomer;thenewly-constructed358-mileParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks;a205-milesectionoftheAlaskaHighwaythatconnectsTokJunctionwithFairbanks;the328-mileGlennHighwayconnectingAnchoragewithTokJunction;andthe266-mileRichardsonHighwayfromValdez,onPrinceWilliamSound,toitsjunctionwiththeAlaskaHighwayatDeltaJunction,97milessoutheastofFairbanks.TheonlyroadaccessthroughtheupperSusitnabasinisthe135-milegravelDenaliHighwaybetweenPaxsonontheRichardsonHighwayandCantwellontheParksHighw~y,andthe20-milegravelroadfromtheGlennHighwaytoLakeLouise.TheDenaliHighwayisnotopenforuseduringthewintermonths.2.03.3.3Air.InadditiontomajorairlineswithinAlaska,therearenumeroussmallcommercialoperatorsplusthehighestpercapitaratioofprivateaircraftinthenation.ManysmallremotelandingstripsarescatteredthroughouttheSusitnabasin,andfloatplanesutilizemanylakesandstreamstoferryfreightandpassengerstotheremoteback-countryareas.InmanyareasoftheState,theonlyaccessisprovidedbytheairplane.2.03.3.4OtherFormsofTransportation.ATV'sandothertypesofoff-roadvehiclesprovidetransportationintoareasintheupperSusitnabasinwherethere·arenodevelopedroads.Severaldevelopedtrailsare494Withpopulationtrendprojectionsshowingasubstantialincreasein.thenumberoffutureresidentsintheStateandespciallyintheSouth-centra1Railbe1tarea,therewi11beare1atedincrea"seinthedemandforjobs,goods,energy,andservices.Alaskahasawealthofreservesinrenewableandnonrenewableresourcesthatwillhavetobeaddressedintheverynearfuture..Theworldconsumptionofnonrenewableresourcesforenergyproduc-tionsuchasoilandg~shasreachedorwillsoonreachacriticalpointintimewherealternativemeanstoproduceenergymustbedeveloped.Theneedforthedevelopmeritandutilizationofthoserenewableresourcesmustbeweighedagainsttheadverseeffectsthatthesedevelopmentswouldhaveonanever-decreasingregimeofnaturalenvironment.2.03.3Transportation.2.03.3.1Rail.TheAlaskaRailroadrunsfromSewardontheGulfofAlaska,pastAnchorage,uptheSusitnaValley,pastMountMcKinleyNationalPark,anddowntoFairbanksontheTananaRiver,adistanceof483miles.TheFederallyconstructedandoperatedAlaskaRailroadwasbuiltbetween1914and1923.2.03.3.2Roads.PavedroadsintheRailbeltareainclude:the127mileSeward-Anchoragehighwaywhichincludes38milesofthe174mileSterlingHighwaybetweenSewardandHomer;thenewly-constructed358-mileParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks;a205-milesectionoftheAlaskaHighwaythatconnectsTokJunctionwithFairbanks;the328-mileGlennHighwayconnectingAnchoragewithTokJunction;andthe266-mileRichardsonHighwayfromValdez,onPrinceWilliamSound,toitsjunctionwiththeAlaskaHighwayatDeltaJunction,97milessoutheastofFairbanks.TheonlyroadaccessthroughtheupperSusitnabasinisthe135-milegravelDenaliHighwaybetweenPaxsonontheRichardsonHighwayandCantwellontheParksHighw~y,andthe20-milegravelroadfromtheGlennHighwaytoLakeLouise.TheDenaliHighwayisnotopenforuseduringthewintermonths.2.03.3.3Air.InadditiontomajorairlineswithinAlaska,therearenumeroussmallcommercialoperatorsplusthehighestpercapitaratioofprivateaircraftinthenation.ManysmallremotelandingstripsarescatteredthroughouttheSusitnabasin,andfloatplanesutilizemanylakesandstreamstoferryfreightandpassengerstotheremoteback-countryareas.InmanyareasoftheState,theonlyaccessisprovidedbytheairplane.2.03.3.4OtherFormsofTransportation.ATV'sandothertypesofoff-roadvehiclesprovidetransportationintoareasintheupperSusitnabasinwherethere·arenodevelopedroads.Severaldevelopedtrailsare494
shownonmapsoftheupperbasin.TrailsareutilizedbyATVs,trailbikes,hikers,horsebackriders,andwintertravelers.Shallow-draftriverboats,smallboats,canoes,rubberrafts,andkayaksutilizesectionsoftheupperSusitnaRiver,afewtributarystreams,LakeLouise,andsomeoftheotherlakesforrecreationpurposes.Exceptforthesefewareas,,boatinguseispracticallynonexistentwithinmuchoftheupperbasin.2.03.4Recreation.2.03.4.1Access.Thegreatestconstraintonrecreationactivitiesformostofthe5,800-square-mileUpperSusitnaRiverBasinistheshortaceofroadaccess.Exceptfora20-milegravelroadfromtheGlennHighwaytothesouthernshoresofLakeLouiseontheupperdrainageoftheTyoneRiver,themainaccesstotheareaisbywayofthegravel.DenaliHighwaythroughtheupperpartofthebasin.Floatplanesareusedtoflyinhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationiststovariousareaswithinthebasin,but,exceptforafewlargerisolatedlakes,thisformofaccessisrelativelyminor.All-terrainvehiclesandsnowmobilesalsoprovideoff-roadaccesstoareaswithintheupperSusitnabasin.BoatsareusedtosomeextenttoprovideaccessontheTyoneRiverdrainageandtoareasoftheSusitnaRiverbetweentheDenaliHighwayandDevilCanyon.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhasverylittlerecreationalactivityatthepresenttime.Greatdistances,roughorwetterrain,andlackofroadslimituseofmostofthisareatoafewhardysoulswhoenterthesewildlandsforrecreationalpurposes,ortothewildliferesidentsandmigrantbirdsandanimalsthatpassthroughthe.region.2.03.4.2Hunting.AmajorrecreationaluseoftheupperSusitnaareaisbig-gamehuntingandassociatedrecreationalactivities.Thegreatest.huntingpressuresareexertedfromafewfly-incamps,andfromareasalongtheDenaliHighway.Mostwolvesandbearsharvestedaretakenwhilehuntingcaribouormoose.TheincreaseduseofATVstoprovideaccessandtohaulbiggameisasignificantfactorinimprovedhuntingsuccess,eveninthefaceof'declininggamepopulations.ThemechanizedATVcanpenetratedeeplyintopreviouslyinaccessiblecountry,leavingfewareasthatprovidehavensforthereducednumbersofcaribouandmoose.ItappearsthattheuseofATVsforhunting,alreadyprohibitedinsomeareas,mayhavetobefurthercontrolled.Thehunti~gofDallsheep,mountaingoats,andwaterfowlisminimalintheupperbasineveninareasofroadaccesssuchastheDenaliHighway.49569-7370 -81-32shownonmapsoftheupperbasin.TrailsareutilizedbyATVs,trailbikes,hikers,horsebackriders,andwintertravelers.Shallow-draftriverboats,smallboats,canoes,rubberrafts,andkayaksutilizesectionsoftheupperSusitnaRiver,afewtributarystreams,LakeLouise,andsomeoftheotherlakesforrecreationpurposes.Exceptforthesefewareas,,boatinguseispracticallynonexistentwithinmuchoftheupperbasin.2.03.4Recreation.2.03.4.1Access.Thegreatestconstraintonrecreationactivitiesformostofthe5,800-square-mileUpperSusitnaRiverBasinistheshortaceofroadaccess.Exceptfora20-milegravelroadfromtheGlennHighwaytothesouthernshoresofLakeLouiseontheupperdrainageoftheTyoneRiver,themainaccesstotheareaisbywayofthegravel.DenaliHighwaythroughtheupperpartofthebasin.Floatplanesareusedtoflyinhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationiststovariousareaswithinthebasin,but,exceptforafewlargerisolatedlakes,thisformofaccessisrelativelyminor.All-terrainvehiclesandsnowmobilesalsoprovideoff-roadaccesstoareaswithintheupperSusitnabasin.BoatsareusedtosomeextenttoprovideaccessontheTyoneRiverdrainageandtoareasoftheSusitnaRiverbetweentheDenaliHighwayandDevilCanyon.MuchoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhasverylittlerecreationalactivityatthepresenttime.Greatdistances,roughorwetterrain,andlackofroadslimituseofmostofthisareatoafewhardysoulswhoenterthesewildlandsforrecreationalpurposes,ortothewildliferesidentsandmigrantbirdsandanimalsthatpassthroughthe.region.2.03.4.2Hunting.AmajorrecreationaluseoftheupperSusitnaareaisbig-gamehuntingandassociatedrecreationalactivities.Thegreatest.huntingpressuresareexertedfromafewfly-incamps,andfromareasalongtheDenaliHighway.Mostwolvesandbearsharvestedaretakenwhilehuntingcaribouormoose.TheincreaseduseofATVstoprovideaccessandtohaulbiggameisasignificantfactorinimprovedhuntingsuccess,eveninthefaceof'declininggamepopulations.ThemechanizedATVcanpenetratedeeplyintopreviouslyinaccessiblecountry,leavingfewareasthatprovidehavensforthereducednumbersofcaribouandmoose.ItappearsthattheuseofATVsforhunting,alreadyprohibitedinsomeareas,mayhavetobefurthercontrolled.Thehunti~gofDallsheep,mountaingoats,andwaterfowlisminimalintheupperbasineveninareasofroadaccesssuchastheDenaliHighway.49569-7370-81-32
2.03.4.3Fishing.Accessisagainthemajorfactorindeterminingareasthatareutilizedinfishingforgrayling,rainbowtrout,white-fish,andlaketrout.TheSusitnaandMaclarenRiversaresiltladenthroughouttheirentirecoursesduringthewarmermonthsoftheyear.Therefore,sportfishingislimitedtolakes,clearwatertributaries,andtoareasinthemainSusitnanearthemouthsofthesetributaries.SportfishingpressureintheupperSusitnabasinislight.Manylakesandsomeareasoftheriveraffordlandingsitesforfloat-equippedaircraft.AfewareasalongthemainSusitnaandsometributaries,suchastheTyoneRiverandLakeLouise,havesomepressurefromboatfisher-men.AnincreasingnumberofhunterS~s~ATVstogetintoandoutofthebackcountry,exertingincidentalfishingpressureinsomeareas.Aspreviouslystated,salmondonotmigrateintotheupperSusitnaRiveraboveDevilCanyonsoarenotafactorinthesportfisheryofthisarea.2.03.4.4.Boating.AminoramountofrecreationalboatingoccursinthewatersoftheupperSusitnabasin.SomelakessuchasLakeLouisehaveaheavieramountofboatingactivity,andsomeriverssuchastheTyoneandtheSusitnahavealighteramountofboatingactivity.SomekayakersutilizeportionsofthemainSusitnaRiver,butveryfewhavebravedthedifficultwatersoftheSusitnathroughtheareaknownasDevilCanyon.2.03.4.5Camping.Mostcampinguseinthisareaisincidentaltootherrecreationalactivitiessuchashunting,fishing,boating,andhighwaytravel.SomedevelopedcampgroundfacilitiesarelocatedatLakeLouiseandatthreecampgroundsalongtheDenaliHighwayoutsidetheupperSusitnabasin.Tourismduringthesummermonthsinvolvingtheuseofcampers,trailers,andsimilarrecreationalvehiclesisincreasingatadramaticrateinAlaska.Manyofthesevehiclescampalongtheroadswhereadequatefacilitiesdonotexistandwheretheseactivitiesarecreatingever-increasingadverseimpactsupontheland.2.03.4.6OtherOutdoorRecreationalActivities.MostotherrecreationalactivitiesintheupperSusitnaRiverbasinexertvaryingenvironmentalimpactsonthearea.Manyactivitiessuchashiking,backpacking,andphotographytakeplaceincidentallytootherrecreationalpursuitssuchashunting,fishing,boating,camping,anddrivingforpleasure.Trailbikes,snowmobiles,four-wheel-drivevehicles,andothermechanicalequipmentcancauseextremeadverseenvironmentaldamagetothefragileecosystemsofthebasinwhenusedinacareless,uncontrolledmanner.Atthepresenttime,recreationisoneofthemajorusesoftheupperSusitnaRiverdrainagearea,buttheoverallutilizationofthisareabyhumansremainscomparativelylight.496I2.03.4.3Fishing.Accessisagainthemajorfactorindeterminingareasthatareutilizedinfishingforgrayling,rainbowtrout,white-fish,andlaketrout.TheSusitnaandMaclarenRiversaresiltladenthroughouttheirentirecoursesduringthewarmermonthsoftheyear.Therefore,sportfishingislimitedtolakes,clearwatertributaries,andtoareasinthemainSusitnanearthemouthsofthesetributaries.SportfishingpressureintheupperSusitnabasinislight.Manylakesandsomeareasoftheriveraffordlandingsitesforfloat-equippedaircraft.AfewareasalongthemainSusitnaandsometributaries,suchastheTyoneRiverandLakeLouise,havesomepressurefromboatfisher-men.AnincreasingnumberofhunterS~s~ATVstogetintoandoutofthebackcountry,exertingincidentalfishingpressureinsomeareas.Aspreviouslystated,salmondonotmigrateintotheupperSusitnaRiveraboveDevilCanyonsoarenotafactorinthesportfisheryofthisarea.2.03.4.4.Boating.AminoramountofrecreationalboatingoccursinthewatersoftheupperSusitnabasin.SomelakessuchasLakeLouisehaveaheavieramountofboatingactivity,andsomeriverssuchastheTyoneandtheSusitnahavealighteramountofboatingactivity.SomekayakersutilizeportionsofthemainSusitnaRiver,butveryfewhavebravedthedifficultwatersoftheSusitnathroughtheareaknownasDevilCanyon.2.03.4.5Camping.Mostcampinguseinthisareaisincidentaltootherrecreationalactivitiessuchashunting,fishing,boating,andhighwaytravel.SomedevelopedcampgroundfacilitiesarelocatedatLakeLouiseandatthreecampgroundsalongtheDenaliHighwayoutsidetheupperSusitnabasin.Tourismduringthesummermonthsinvolvingtheuseofcampers,trailers,andsimilarrecreationalvehiclesisincreasingatadramaticrateinAlaska.Manyofthesevehiclescampalongtheroadswhereadequatefacilitiesdonotexistandwheretheseactivitiesarecreatingever-increasingadverseimpactsupontheland.2.03.4.6OtherOutdoorRecreationalActivities.MostotherrecreationalactivitiesintheupperSusitnaRiverbasinexertvaryingenvironmentalimpactsonthearea.Manyactivitiessuchashiking,backpacking,andphotographytakeplaceincidentallytootherrecreationalpursuitssuchashunting,fishing,boating,camping,anddrivingforpleasure.Trailbikes,snowmobiles,four-wheel-drivevehicles,andothermechanicalequipmentcancauseextremeadverseenvironmentaldamagetothefragileecosystemsofthebasinwhenusedinacareless,uncontrolledmanner.Atthepresenttime,recreationisoneofthemajorusesoftheupperSusitnaRiverdrainagearea,buttheoverallutilizationofthisareabyhumansremainscomparativelylight.496I
2.03.5HistoricResources.ThecurrentNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaceshasbeenconsulted,andnoNationalRegisterpropertieswillbeaffectedbytheproject.Ahistorical-archaeologicalstudyrecentlycompletedfortheCorpsofEngineersbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks(HeritageResourcesAlongtheUpperSusitnaRiver,August1975)indicates11historicsiteswithinthestudyportionoftheupperSu~itnabasin.Theseareallessentiallyrelatedtothediscoveryofgold.MostoftheearlyminingactivityoccurredonValdezCreek,wherethetownofDenaliwasestablished.Nineofthesitesarelocatedinthatgeneralarea.Twosites,bothdesignatedascabins,arelocatedonKosinaCree~.onenearitsmouth,andoneaboutsixmilesupstream.TheapparentdearthofhistoricallocationsbetweenDevilCanyonandtheMaclarenRiverisexplainedbythefollowingexcerptfromtheAlaskaDivisionofParks'report(indiscussingthefirstmappingoftheareain1912):IIExceptforafewprospectsontheOshetnaRiver,theUSGSneverreceivedanyreportsofgoldbeingfoundontheSusitnabetweenDevilCanyonandtheMaclareninsignificantquantities.ThoughtheTanainaandAhtnaIndiansdidagreatdealofhuntingandfishingontheriverinthisarea,thewhitemanfoundlittlegold,analmostunnavigableriver,andnoreasontosettleanywherenearthe'Devil'sCanyon'.11In1920theAlaskaRailroadwascompleted,givinggeneralaccesstoMountMcKinleyNationalPark.Highwaysfollowedinthe1940'sand1950's,andtheprimaryuseoftheareabecamerecreational.TheroadapproachtoMountMcKinleyParkwasbywayofthegravelDenaliHighwayuntiltherecentcompletionoftheParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks.2.03.6ArchaeologicalResources.OnlyonearchaeologicalsitehasbeenexaminedwithinthestudyareaportionoftheupperSusitnabasin,andithasneverbeenexcavated.ThisistheRatekinSite,locatedneartheDenaliHighwayseveralmileseastoftheSusitnaRiver.Threeotherlateprehistoricarchaeologicalsiteshavebeenreported,oneonupperValdezCreek,andtwoontheTyoneRiver.VerylittleinformationispresentlyavailableontheaboriginalusesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Basedupontheknowledgeoftheprehistoryofcontiguousareas,theAlaskaDivisionofParks'reportconcludesthattheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwaslikelyinhabitedasearlyas10,000yearsago,duringLatePleistocene/EarlyHolocenetimes,withusecontinuinginintensityduringLatePrehistoric/EarlyHistorictimes.OnearchaeologicalsitewithinthegeneralvicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorislistedintheNationalRegisterof4February1975.Thisis'theDryCreeksite.ExtensivearchaeologicalremainshavebeenfoundintheTangleLakesareaoutsidetheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinneartheMaclarenRiverdrainage'candtheareahasbeenenteredontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Theremainsareapparentlyassociatedwithalarge4972.03.5HistoricResources.ThecurrentNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaceshasbeenconsulted,andnoNationalRegisterpropertieswillbeaffectedbytheproject.Ahistorical-archaeologicalstudyrecentlycompletedfortheCorpsofEngineersbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks(HeritageResourcesAlongtheUpperSusitnaRiver,August1975)indicates11historicsiteswithinthestudyportionoftheupperSu~itnabasin.Theseareallessentiallyrelatedtothediscoveryofgold.MostoftheearlyminingactivityoccurredonValdezCreek,wherethetownofDenaliwasestablished.Nineofthesitesarelocatedinthatgeneralarea.Twosites,bothdesignatedascabins,arelocatedonKosinaCree~.onenearitsmouth,andoneaboutsixmilesupstream.TheapparentdearthofhistoricallocationsbetweenDevilCanyonandtheMaclarenRiverisexplainedbythefollowingexcerptfromtheAlaskaDivisionofParks'report(indiscussingthefirstmappingoftheareain1912):IIExceptforafewprospectsontheOshetnaRiver,theUSGSneverreceivedanyreportsofgoldbeingfoundontheSusitnabetweenDevilCanyonandtheMaclareninsignificantquantities.ThoughtheTanainaandAhtnaIndiansdidagreatdealofhuntingandfishingontheriverinthisarea,thewhitemanfoundlittlegold,analmostunnavigableriver,andnoreasontosettleanywherenearthe'Devil'sCanyon'.11In1920theAlaskaRailroadwascompleted,givinggeneralaccesstoMountMcKinleyNationalPark.Highwaysfollowedinthe1940'sand1950's,andtheprimaryuseoftheareabecamerecreational.TheroadapproachtoMountMcKinleyParkwasbywayofthegravelDenaliHighwayuntiltherecentcompletionoftheParksHighwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks.2.03.6ArchaeologicalResources.OnlyonearchaeologicalsitehasbeenexaminedwithinthestudyareaportionoftheupperSusitnabasin,andithasneverbeenexcavated.ThisistheRatekinSite,locatedneartheDenaliHighwayseveralmileseastoftheSusitnaRiver.Threeotherlateprehistoricarchaeologicalsiteshavebeenreported,oneonupperValdezCreek,andtwoontheTyoneRiver.VerylittleinformationispresentlyavailableontheaboriginalusesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Basedupontheknowledgeoftheprehistoryofcontiguousareas,theAlaskaDivisionofParks'reportconcludesthattheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwaslikelyinhabitedasearlyas10,000yearsago,duringLatePleistocene/EarlyHolocenetimes,withusecontinuinginintensityduringLatePrehistoric/EarlyHistorictimes.OnearchaeologicalsitewithinthegeneralvicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorislistedintheNationalRegisterof4February1975.Thisis'theDryCreeksite.ExtensivearchaeologicalremainshavebeenfoundintheTangleLakesareaoutsidetheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinneartheMaclarenRiverdrainage'candtheareahasbeenenteredontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Theremainsareapparentlyassociatedwithalarge497
proglaciallakethatexistedduringandafterthelastperiodofglacia-tion,datingbacksome10,000to12,000years.Itisreasonabletoexpectfurtherremainstobefoundaroundthelakebedmarginswhenmoredetailedinvestigationsaremade.2.04EnergyNeeds.PowerrequirementsfortheRailbeltareincreasingrapidly,andsubstantialamountsofnewgeneratingcapacityandaddi-tionaltransmissionsystemdevelopmentwillbeneededinthenearfuture.TheRailbeltnowderivesmostofitspowerfromoilandnaturalgas.Pastplanninghascontemplatedthatnaturalgasand,eventually,fuelsfromtheAlyeskaPipelinewouldcontinueaslong-rangeenergysourcesforRailbeltpowersystems.However,recentchangesinthenationalandinternationalenergysituationindicatethatotheralternativessuchastheabundantcoalandhydroresourcesoftheRailbeltshouldberecon-sidered.Theenergydemandcurveusedinthehydropowerstudyisbasedon1975projectionsprovidedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.ThecurverepresentsthecombineddemandoftheareasthatcouldbeserveddirectlyfromaninterconnectedRailbeltsystem,andispremiseduponassumedgrowthratesafter1980thataresubstantiallybelowexistingtrends.Thesegrowthratesassumesubstantialsavingsthroughincreasedefficiencyinuseofenergyandthroughconservationprograms.TheloadprojectionusedinthehydropowerstudyisdepictedinFigure9alongwiththeotherestimatesprovidedinAPA's1975analysis.The"higher"rangeanticipatessignificantnewenergyandmineraldevelopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmostpromising,alongwithanannualgrowthrateinresidential,commercial,andlightindustrialusesthatremainsthroughoutthestudyperiodsomewhataboverecentelectri-calenergyconsumptiongrowthratesintheU.S.TheIIlowerllrangepresumesminimalindustrialdevelopment,aloadgrowthratefortheremainderofthisdecadewellbelowcurrentactualratesofincrease,andenergygrowthoverthenexttwentyyearsthatbarelymatchesthelatestpopulationgrowthrateprojectionsforthatperiod.Thislowerestimategenerallyassumesasignificantslackeningofthepaceofdevelopmentalmostimmediatelyandcontinuingthroughouttheperiodofstudy.The"mid-rangellappearstobeareasonablyconservativeestimate,withannualratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementslessthan7percentafter1980ascomparedtoanhistoricalannualgrowthrateof14percentduringtheperiod1960to1971.Thisadopted"mid-range"projectionassumessteadybutmoderategrowthafterthepresentboomperiodcoupledwithmoreefficientenergyuse.Becauseofleadtimeneededforcoalandhydroelectricdevelopment,immediateneedsforthenextdecadewillhavetobehandledbyadditionaloilandgas-firedunits.However,theopportunityexistsforhydroandcoaltobecomethemainenergysourcesforRailbeltpowerbyabout1985,ifpriorityisattachedtotheseresources.498proglaciallakethatexistedduringandafterthelastperiodofglacia-tion,datingbacksome10,000to12,000years.Itisreasonabletoexpectfurtherremainstobefoundaroundthelakebedmarginswhenmoredetailedinvestigationsaremade.2.04EnergyNeeds.PowerrequirementsfortheRailbeltareincreasingrapidly,andsubstantialamountsofnewgeneratingcapacityandaddi-tionaltransmissionsystemdevelopmentwillbeneededinthenearfuture.TheRailbeltnowderivesmostofitspowerfromoilandnaturalgas.Pastplanninghascontemplatedthatnaturalgasand,eventually,fuelsfromtheAlyeskaPipelinewouldcontinueaslong-rangeenergysourcesforRailbeltpowersystems.However,recentchangesinthenationalandinternationalenergysituationindicatethatotheralternativessuchastheabundantcoalandhydroresourcesoftheRailbeltshouldberecon-sidered.Theenergydemandcurveusedinthehydropowerstudyisbasedon1975projectionsprovidedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.ThecurverepresentsthecombineddemandoftheareasthatcouldbeserveddirectlyfromaninterconnectedRailbeltsystem,andispremiseduponassumedgrowthratesafter1980thataresubstantiallybelowexistingtrends.Thesegrowthratesassumesubstantialsavingsthroughincreasedefficiencyinuseofenergyandthroughconservationprograms.TheloadprojectionusedinthehydropowerstudyisdepictedinFigure9alongwiththeotherestimatesprovidedinAPA's1975analysis.The"higher"rangeanticipatessignificantnewenergyandmineraldevelopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmostpromising,alongwithanannualgrowthrateinresidential,commercial,andlightindustrialusesthatremainsthroughoutthestudyperiodsomewhataboverecentelectri-calenergyconsumptiongrowthratesintheU.S.TheIIlowerllrangepresumesminimalindustrialdevelopment,aloadgrowthratefortheremainderofthisdecadewellbelowcurrentactualratesofincrease,andenergygrowthoverthenexttwentyyearsthatbarelymatchesthelatestpopulationgrowthrateprojectionsforthatperiod.Thislowerestimategenerallyassumesasignificantslackeningofthepaceofdevelopmentalmostimmediatelyandcontinuingthroughouttheperiodofstudy.The"mid-rangellappearstobeareasonablyconservativeestimate,withannualratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementslessthan7percentafter1980ascomparedtoanhistoricalannualgrowthrateof14percentduringtheperiod1960to1971.Thisadopted"mid-range"projectionassumessteadybutmoderategrowthafterthepresentboomperiodcoupledwithmoreefficientenergyuse.Becauseofleadtimeneededforcoalandhydroelectricdevelopment,immediateneedsforthenextdecadewillhavetobehandledbyadditionaloilandgas-firedunits.However,theopportunityexistsforhydroandcoaltobecomethemainenergysourcesforRailbeltpowerbyabout1985,ifpriorityisattachedtotheseresources.498
StudiesbytheadvisorycommitteesforthecurrentAlaskaPowerSurveyprovideestimatesofcostsforalternativepowersuppliesfromcoal,naturalgas,andoil-firedplants.IndicationsarethatpowerfromSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentwouldbecomparableincosttopresentgas-firedgenerationintheCookInletareaandwouldbelessexpensivethanalternativesavailabletootherSouthcentralRailbeltpowermarkets.Therearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.Oilpriceshaveincreaseddramaticallyinthepastfewyears,andtherearemanypressurestoraisenaturalgasprices.Therearealsoargumentsthatnaturalgasreservesareneededforpetrochemicalindustriesandforothernon-poweruses.ManypeopleinGovernmentandindustryquestiontheuseofnaturalgasandoilforlong-rangepowersystemfuels.On31December1974theCongressenactedPublicLaw93-577.Thisactestablishedanationalprogramforresearchanddevelopmentinnon-nuclearenergysources.Oneofthesectionsofthelawstipulatedthatheavyemphasisshouldbegiventothosetechnologieswhichutilizerenewableoressentiallyinexhaustibleenergysources.499StudiesbytheadvisorycommitteesforthecurrentAlaskaPowerSurveyprovideestimatesofcostsforalternativepowersuppliesfromcoal,naturalgas,andoil-firedplants.IndicationsarethatpowerfromSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentwouldbecomparableincosttopresentgas-firedgenerationintheCookInletareaandwouldbelessexpensivethanalternativesavailabletootherSouthcentralRailbeltpowermarkets.Therearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.Oilpriceshaveincreaseddramaticallyinthepastfewyears,andtherearemanypressurestoraisenaturalgasprices.Therearealsoargumentsthatnaturalgasreservesareneededforpetrochemicalindustriesandforothernon-poweruses.ManypeopleinGovernmentandindustryquestiontheuseofnaturalgasandoilforlong-rangepowersystemfuels.On31December1974theCongressenactedPublicLaw93-577.Thisactestablishedanationalprogramforresearchanddevelopmentinnon-nuclearenergysources.Oneofthesectionsofthelawstipulatedthatheavyemphasisshouldbegiventothosetechnologieswhichutilizerenewableoressentiallyinexhaustibleenergysources.499
200019901980LOADPROJECTIONSvvV':\~~././'(\,-'"l/1/VV)1/IIIIIVVQ~VJ~~~vV.....L~f-V...v-~~1/~...~~:.--~~..."L-I--~~l--f..::'1=:::::::1="'=-""""40,000o197010,000a:::30,000~3:~zo..J20,000....J:iYEARPROJECTEDENERGYDEMANDSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTFIGURE9500200019901980LOADPROJECTIONSvvV':\~~././'(\,-'"l/1/VV)1/IIIIIVVQ~VJ~~~vV.....L~f-V...v-~~1/~...~~:.--~~..."L-I--~~l--f..::'1=:::::::1="'=-""""40,000o197010,000a:::30,000~3:~zo..J20,000....J:iYEARPROJECTEDENERGYDEMANDSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTFIGURE9500
3.0RELATIONSHIPOFTHEPROPOSEDACTIONTOLANDUSEPLANS.3.01PresentLandStatus.LandsinthegeneralprojectareaoftheproposedUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhydroelectricdevelopmentatDevilCanyonandWatanaareunderFederaljurisdictionandadministeredbytheU.S.BureauofLandManagement.TheselandshavebeenclassifiedaspowersitesbyPowerSiteClassificatfonNumber443,dated13February1958.TheprojectareasaredesignatedinthePowerSiteClassificationbyapproximatedamsitelocationsandcontourdesignationsasfollows:DevilCanyon:Thisareabeginsapproximately1.4milesupstream.fromthemouthofPortageCreekandincludesalllandsupstreamfromthispointbelowthe1500-footcontour.Watana:Thisareabeginsapproximately1.5milesupstreamfromTsusenaCreekandincludesalllandsupstreamfromTsusenaCreekandfromthispointbelowthe],9l0-footcontour.TransmissionCorridor:MostoftheroutesegmentslieinlandsthatarependingortentativelyapprovedStateselections,nativevillagewithdrawals,andnativeregionaldeficiencywithdrawals,allofwhichareinastateoffluxatthepresent.Thereisverylittleprivatelyownedlandwithintheproposedcorridor.MostoftheaffectedlandsbetweenPointMacKenzieandTalkeetnaarepotentialStateselections.NativevillagewithdrawalsrelevanttothesettlementsofMontanaCreek,Caswell,andKnikareindeterminate.FromTalkeetnatoGoldCreek,thecorridortransectsStateselectedlandandbordersonpenaliStatePark.BetweenGoldCreekandDevilCanyon,thelandsare50/50Stateselectionsandnativeregionaldeficiency.FromGoldCreektoCantwel~,thelandsarecomprisedofnativewithdrawalsandStateselections.FromCantwelltoHealy,therouteisStateselectedlandborderingonMountMcKinleyNationalPark.RoutelandsbetweenGoldCreekandHealyalsofallwithintheMountMcKinleyCooperativePlanningandManagementZone.FromHealytoEster,therouteprimarilytransectsStateselectedlandwithsomeexistingFederalwithdrawalsandnativevillagewithdrawals.Landstatusdescribedaboveissubjecttochangeasdeterminationsaremadeforultimatedisposal.3.02AlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.ThePowerSiteClassifi-cationwithdrawalsareinanareadesignatedundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct(PublicLaw92-203)forvillagedeficiencywith-drawals:landswhichcanbeselectedbyvillagecorporationswhichcannotmeettheirselectionentitlementfromwithdrawalsintheareasimmediatelysurroundingthosevillagesasprovidedinSectionll(a)(J)ofPL92-203.LandswithinthepowersitewithdrawalmaynotbeselectedasNativeVillagedeficiencylands.Accordingly,theeffectofPL92-203concernsonlythelandslyingabovethecontoursdesignatedinthePowerSitewithdrawal.Aproposedexchangeoflandsispresentlybeingconsidered5013.0RELATIONSHIPOFTHEPROPOSEDACTIONTOLANDUSEPLANS.3.01PresentLandStatus.LandsinthegeneralprojectareaoftheproposedUpperSusitnaRiverBasinhydroelectricdevelopmentatDevilCanyonandWatanaareunderFederaljurisdictionandadministeredbytheU.S.BureauofLandManagement.TheselandshavebeenclassifiedaspowersitesbyPowerSiteClassificatfonNumber443,dated13February1958.TheprojectareasaredesignatedinthePowerSiteClassificationbyapproximatedamsitelocationsandcontourdesignationsasfollows:DevilCanyon:Thisareabeginsapproximately1.4milesupstream.fromthemouthofPortageCreekandincludesalllandsupstreamfromthispointbelowthe1500-footcontour.Watana:Thisareabeginsapproximately1.5milesupstreamfromTsusenaCreekandincludesalllandsupstreamfromTsusenaCreekandfromthispointbelowthe],9l0-footcontour.TransmissionCorridor:MostoftheroutesegmentslieinlandsthatarependingortentativelyapprovedStateselections,nativevillagewithdrawals,andnativeregionaldeficiencywithdrawals,allofwhichareinastateoffluxatthepresent.Thereisverylittleprivatelyownedlandwithintheproposedcorridor.MostoftheaffectedlandsbetweenPointMacKenzieandTalkeetnaarepotentialStateselections.NativevillagewithdrawalsrelevanttothesettlementsofMontanaCreek,Caswell,andKnikareindeterminate.FromTalkeetnatoGoldCreek,thecorridortransectsStateselectedlandandbordersonpenaliStatePark.BetweenGoldCreekandDevilCanyon,thelandsare50/50Stateselectionsandnativeregionaldeficiency.FromGoldCreektoCantwel~,thelandsarecomprisedofnativewithdrawalsandStateselections.FromCantwelltoHealy,therouteisStateselectedlandborderingonMountMcKinleyNationalPark.RoutelandsbetweenGoldCreekandHealyalsofallwithintheMountMcKinleyCooperativePlanningandManagementZone.FromHealytoEster,therouteprimarilytransectsStateselectedlandwithsomeexistingFederalwithdrawalsandnativevillagewithdrawals.Landstatusdescribedaboveissubjecttochangeasdeterminationsaremadeforultimatedisposal.3.02AlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.ThePowerSiteClassifi-cationwithdrawalsareinanareadesignatedundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct(PublicLaw92-203)forvillagedeficiencywith-drawals:landswhichcanbeselectedbyvillagecorporationswhichcannotmeettheirselectionentitlementfromwithdrawalsintheareasimmediatelysurroundingthosevillagesasprovidedinSectionll(a)(J)ofPL92-203.LandswithinthepowersitewithdrawalmaynotbeselectedasNativeVillagedeficiencylands.Accordingly,theeffectofPL92-203concernsonlythelandslyingabovethecontoursdesignatedinthePowerSitewithdrawal.Aproposedexchangeoflandsispresentlybeingconsidered501
bytheCookInletNativeRegionalCorporation,theStateofAlaska,andtheBureauofLandManagement.ThisproposedexchangewouldresultintheState'sbecomingownerofthelandsabovethecontoursdesignatedinthepowersitewithdrawalinlieuoftheNativeVillagecorporations.Theproposedexchange,however,necessitatesanamendmenttoPL92-203,andpossiblytoAlaskastatutes,topermitsuchanexchangetoproceed.3.03UtilityCorridors.TheU.S.BureauofLandManagementhaspre-paredareportsuggestingaPrimaryCorridorSystemfortheStateofAlaska.ThereportwaspreparedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofSection17(b)(3)oftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct(PublicLaw92-203).ThePrimaryCorridorSystemisdefinedasanetworkofcorridorsintendedforthesystematictransportofhigh-value,energy-relatedresourcesfromtheirpointoforigintoprocessingortransshipmentpointsinotherregionsoftheState.Thenetworkisintendedtoidentifytransportationroutesforresourcesofnationalorstatewidesignificanceandisanalogoustothetransportationnetworkthatalreadyexistsinconterminousstatesconsistingofnavigation,highway,rail-road,andpipelinesystems.TheSusitnaprojectisoneofthehydroelectricpowerdevelopmentssufficientlyadvancedintheplanningphasetowarrantcorridorconsider-ationforhigh-voltagepowertransmissionlines.ThetransmissionlinesfromtheproposedSusitnaprojecthavebeenidentifiedasaportionofCorridorNo.29inthesuggestedPrimaryCorridorSystem.502bytheCookInletNativeRegionalCorporation,theStateofAlaska,andtheBureauofLandManagement.ThisproposedexchangewouldresultintheState'sbecomingownerofthelandsabovethecontoursdesignatedinthepowersitewithdrawalinlieuoftheNativeVillagecorporations.Theproposedexchange,however,necessitatesanamendmenttoPL92-203,andpossiblytoAlaskastatutes,topermitsuchanexchangetoproceed.3.03UtilityCorridors.TheU.S.BureauofLandManagementhaspre-paredareportsuggestingaPrimaryCorridorSystemfortheStateofAlaska.ThereportwaspreparedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofSection17(b)(3)oftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct(PublicLaw92-203).ThePrimaryCorridorSystemisdefinedasanetworkofcorridorsintendedforthesystematictransportofhigh-value,energy-relatedresourcesfromtheirpointoforigintoprocessingortransshipmentpointsinotherregionsoftheState.Thenetworkisintendedtoidentifytransportationroutesforresourcesofnationalorstatewidesignificanceandisanalogoustothetransportationnetworkthatalreadyexistsinconterminousstatesconsistingofnavigation,highway,rail-road,andpipelinesystems.TheSusitnaprojectisoneofthehydroelectricpowerdevelopmentssufficientlyadvancedintheplanningphasetowarrantcorridorconsider-ationforhigh-voltagepowertransmissionlines.ThetransmissionlinesfromtheproposedSusitnaprojecthavebeenidentifiedasaportionofCorridorNo.29inthesuggestedPrimaryCorridorSystem.502
4.0ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSOFTHEPROPOSEDACTION4.01HydrologyandWaterQuality.About86percentofthetotalannualflowoftheupperSusitnaRiveroccursfromMaythroughSeptember.AveragedailyflowsfromthelatterpartofMaythroughthelatter.partofAugustfluctuateintherangeof20,000to32,000cubicfeetpersecond(cfs).NovemberthroughApriltheaveragedailyflowsrangebetween1~000and2,500cfs.Theriveralsocarriesaheavyloadofglacialsedimentduringthehighrunoffperiods.Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesreducewaterflowsthestreamsrunrelativelysilt-free.SomeoftheimpactsthatcouldbecausedbytheprojectdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDamarediscussedbelow.Significantreductionsofthelatespringandearlysummerflowsoftheriverandsubstantialincreasesofthewinterflowswould.occur.Theflowoftheriverduringtheperiod1950through1974averagedabout9,280cfs.TheprojectedaverageregulateddownstreamflowsforaDevilCanyon-Watanasystemcomputedonamonthlybasiswouldrangebetweenabout7,560cfsinOctobertoalmost15,100cfsinAugust.Inextremeyears,themonthlyaverageswouldrangefromabout6,300cfstonearly28,300cfs.Theaveragemonthlyregulatedflowscomparedtotheaverageunregulatedflowsbasedontheperiodfrom1950through1974areasfollows:TABLEI -FLOWSRegulatedUnregulatedMonthcfscfsJanuary9,9051,354February9,4291,137March9,0261,031Apri18,2781,254May8,15812,627June8,32926,763July9,60423,047August15,09121,189September10,80013,015October7,5605,347November8,3692,331December8,9681,656Theheavier'sedimentmaterialnowcarriedbytheriverduringhighrunoffperiodsbetweenDevilCanyonandthejunctionoftheChulitnaandTalkeetnaRiverswiththeSusitnaRiverwouldbesubstantiallyreduced,andayear-round,somewhatmilky-textured"glacia1flour"(suspendedglacialsediment)wouldbeintroducedintothecontrolledwater5034.0ENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSOFTHEPROPOSEDACTION4.01HydrologyandWaterQuality.About86percentofthetotalannualflowoftheupperSusitnaRiveroccursfromMaythroughSeptember.AveragedailyflowsfromthelatterpartofMaythroughthelatter.partofAugustfluctuateintherangeof20,000to32,000cubicfeetpersecond(cfs).NovemberthroughApriltheaveragedailyflowsrangebetween1~000and2,500cfs.Theriveralsocarriesaheavyloadofglacialsedimentduringthehighrunoffperiods.Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesreducewaterflowsthestreamsrunrelativelysilt-free.SomeoftheimpactsthatcouldbecausedbytheprojectdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDamarediscussedbelow.Significantreductionsofthelatespringandearlysummerflowsoftheriverandsubstantialincreasesofthewinterflowswould.occur.Theflowoftheriverduringtheperiod1950through1974averagedabout9,280cfs.TheprojectedaverageregulateddownstreamflowsforaDevilCanyon-Watanasystemcomputedonamonthlybasiswouldrangebetweenabout7,560cfsinOctobertoalmost15,100cfsinAugust.Inextremeyears,themonthlyaverageswouldrangefromabout6,300cfstonearly28,300cfs.Theaveragemonthlyregulatedflowscomparedtotheaverageunregulatedflowsbasedontheperiodfrom1950through1974areasfollows:TABLEI -FLOWSRegulatedUnregulatedMonthcfscfsJanuary9,9051,354February9,4291,137March9,0261,031Apri18,2781,254May8,15812,627June8,32926,763July9,60423,047August15,09121,189September10,80013,015October7,5605,347November8,3692,331December8,9681,656Theheavier'sedimentmaterialnowcarriedbytheriverduringhighrunoffperiodsbetweenDevilCanyonandthejunctionoftheChulitnaandTalkeetnaRiverswiththeSusitnaRiverwouldbesubstantiallyreduced,andayear-round,somewhatmilky-textured"glacia1flour"(suspendedglacialsediment)wouldbeintroducedintothecontrolledwater503
releasesbelowthedam.PreliminarystudiesbytheCorpsofEngineersindicatethatthesuspendedsedimentinreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldbeatlowlevels(15-35ppm).Accordingtofisheryinvestigationsduringthewinterof1974-75bytheDivisionofCommercialFisheriesoftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameontheSusitnaRiverbetween·PortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiver,suspendedsolidsamplesofriver~ateratGoldCreek,ChaseandtheParksHighwaybridge,indicatedarangeoffrom4to228ppm,andthatthesesuspendedsolidsarewithinanadromusfishtolerances.Althoughtheaveragesedimentloadinsummermonthsislessthan1000ppm,loadssometimesreachamaximumof5000ppmintheunregulatedriver.Reductionofexistingsummersedi-mentationpeaksshouldhaveabeneficialeffectonanadromousandresidentfishpopulationsforsomedistancedownstreamfromDevilCanyonDam.OnoccasionswhenspillingwateroverDevilCanyonDamwouldbenecessaryduringlatesummerperiodsofextremehighflows,nitrogensupersaturationcouldbeintroducedintotheriverbelowthedam.Fishexposedtohighlevelsofthisconditioncansuffergas-bubbledisease(likebendstoadeep-seadiver)whichcanbefatal.Thecombinedhighlevelregulatingoutletsandpowerhousecapacities(30,000cfsand24,000cfsrespectively)attheWatanaDamareadequatetoaccommodatefloodswithrecurrenceintervalsofuptoapproximately50years.AttheDevilCanyonDamthehydrauliccapacityoftheinitialfourgeneratingunitsisapproximately25,000cfsatnormalmaximumpoolelevatioonof1,450feet.ThelowleveloutletworksatDevilCanyonarenotdesignedtogenerateatpoolelevation1,450feet,therefore,totaloutflowwithoutspillislimitedtoamaximumof25,000cfs.Ofthe25yearsofstreamflowrecord,spillswereestimatedtooccurin11oftheoperationyears,withtheaveragespilllastingl~dayswithanaverageflowofanadditional8,500cfs.However,anynitrogensupers-aturationanddissolvedoxygenthusintroducedshouldbereducedsub-stantiallyintheturbulentriversectionjustdownstreamfromDevilCanyondam.TheproposedspillwayatWatanaDamisnotconducivetohighlevelsofnitrogenoroxygensupersaturation,andspillswouldoccurveryseldom,onlyontheoccasionsofextremefloodingconditionsinlatesummer.Fewfish,underexistingconditions,arebelievedtooccupythetwoandone-halfmilesectionofSusitnaRiverbetweentheproposedDevilCanyondamsiteandthemouthofPortageCreek.Thissituationcouldchangewithadecreaseinregulatedflowsduringthesummermonths.TemperatureofthewaterreleasedfromDevilCanyonDamwouldbeadjustedtoapproachthenatural.riverwatertemperatures.Thiswouldbemadepossiblebytheproposedincorporationofselectivewithdrawloutletsintothedamstructure.VariationsinwaterreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldcauselessthanaone-footdailyfluctuationofdownstreamwaterlevelsintheriverduringtheMaythroughOctoberperiodsincethereservoirwould504releasesbelowthedam.PreliminarystudiesbytheCorpsofEngineersindicatethatthesuspendedsedimentinreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldbeatlowlevels(15-35ppm).Accordingtofisheryinvestigationsduringthewinterof1974-75bytheDivisionofCommercialFisheriesoftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameontheSusitnaRiverbetween·PortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiver,suspendedsolidsamplesofriver~ateratGoldCreek,ChaseandtheParksHighwaybridge,indicatedarangeoffrom4to228ppm,andthatthesesuspendedsolidsarewithinanadromusfishtolerances.Althoughtheaveragesedimentloadinsummermonthsislessthan1000ppm,loadssometimesreachamaximumof5000ppmintheunregulatedriver.Reductionofexistingsummersedi-mentationpeaksshouldhaveabeneficialeffectonanadromousandresidentfishpopulationsforsomedistancedownstreamfromDevilCanyonDam.OnoccasionswhenspillingwateroverDevilCanyonDamwouldbenecessaryduringlatesummerperiodsofextremehighflows,nitrogensupersaturationcouldbeintroducedintotheriverbelowthedam.Fishexposedtohighlevelsofthisconditioncansuffergas-bubbledisease(likebendstoadeep-seadiver)whichcanbefatal.Thecombinedhighlevelregulatingoutletsandpowerhousecapacities(30,000cfsand24,000cfsrespectively)attheWatanaDamareadequatetoaccommodatefloodswithrecurrenceintervalsofuptoapproximately50years.AttheDevilCanyonDamthehydrauliccapacityoftheinitialfourgeneratingunitsisapproximately25,000cfsatnormalmaximumpoolelevatioonof1,450feet.ThelowleveloutletworksatDevilCanyonarenotdesignedtogenerateatpoolelevation1,450feet,therefore,totaloutflowwithoutspillislimitedtoamaximumof25,000cfs.Ofthe25yearsofstreamflowrecord,spillswereestimatedtooccurin11oftheoperationyears,withtheaveragespilllastingl~dayswithanaverageflowofanadditional8,500cfs.However,anynitrogensupers-aturationanddissolvedoxygenthusintroducedshouldbereducedsub-stantiallyintheturbulentriversectionjustdownstreamfromDevilCanyondam.TheproposedspillwayatWatanaDamisnotconducivetohighlevelsofnitrogenoroxygensupersaturation,andspillswouldoccurveryseldom,onlyontheoccasionsofextremefloodingconditionsinlatesummer.Fewfish,underexistingconditions,arebelievedtooccupythetwoandone-halfmilesectionofSusitnaRiverbetweentheproposedDevilCanyondamsiteandthemouthofPortageCreek.Thissituationcouldchangewithadecreaseinregulatedflowsduringthesummermonths.TemperatureofthewaterreleasedfromDevilCanyonDamwouldbeadjustedtoapproachthenatural.riverwatertemperatures.Thiswouldbemadepossiblebytheproposedincorporationofselectivewithdrawloutletsintothedamstructure.VariationsinwaterreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldcauselessthanaone-footdailyfluctuationofdownstreamwaterlevelsintheriverduringtheMaythroughOctoberperiodsincethereservoirwould504
notbeusedforpeakingpurposes.Theregulateddailyfluctuationsduringthewintermonthscouldrangeuptoonefootundernormaloper-atingconditions.AccordingtoU.S.GeologicalSurveystudies~thenaturalnormaldailyfluctuationsi.ntheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonrangeuptoaboutonefoot.·StratificationconditionswithinthereservoirscouldcausesometemperatureanddissolvedoxygenproblemsintheriverforsomedistancedownstreamfromtheDevilCanyonDamandwithinthereservoirsthem-selves.Theseconditionscouldhaveanadverseimpactonthedownstreamfishery.However~thisproblemcanbeminimizedbymultiple-levelwaterreleasestructureswhichareproposedforincorporationintobothdams.Thiswouldprovidethecapabilityofselectivewithdrawalofwaterfromvariouslevelswithinthereservoirtomoderaterelease·temperaturesanddissolvedoxygencontent.Spillwaydesignswillalsobeconsideredtoreducesupersaturationofdownstreamwaterflowswithatmosphericgases.Therewouldbeaperiodofchannelstab'ilizationinthe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonDaminwhichtheriverwouldtendtoadjusttothestabilizedflowwithlowsedimentlevelsbutgeneralchanneldegradationcausedbyariver'sattempttoreplacethemissingsedimentloadwithmaterialpickedupfromtheriverbedisnotexpectedtobeasignificantconcernalongthecoarsegravelbedreachesoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenTalkeetnaandDevilCanyon.However~thisphenomenonwouldbethesubjectoffuturedetailedstudiestodeterminethedistanceatwhichsedimentloadswouldbecomereestab1ish~d.Upstreamfromthedamsthemajorenvironmentalimpactswouldbecausedbythereservoirimpoundments.Undertheproposedtwo-damsystem~thereservoirbehindtheDevilCanyonDamwouldfluctuateupto5feetduringtheyear~whileWatanareservoirwouldfluctuatebetwe2n80and125feetduringtheyearundernormaloperatingconditions.ThemaximumdailyfluctuationatDevilCanyonreservoirundernormaloperatingconditionswouldbelessthantwofeet.DevilCanyonreservoirwouldcoverabout7~550acresinanarrowsteep-walledcanyon(1/4to3/4-mi1e-wide)withfewareasofbiggamehabitatandaminimalamountofresidentfishhabitatnearthemouthsofseveral ofthetributariesthatentertheSusitnaRiverinthe28-mi1esectionabovetheproposeddamsite.Thereservoirwouldalsofloodapproximately9milesofthe11-mi1e,whitewatersectionofDevilCanyon.Watanareservoir,withastructuralheightof810feetandapool·elevationof2,200feet,wouldfloodabout43,000acresina 54-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverthatwouldreachupstreamabout4milesabovetheOshetnaRiverconfluence.ExceptinafewareasnearthemouthsoftributariessuchasDeadmanCreek,WatanaCreek,JayCreek,andKosinaCreek,theWatanareservoirwouldbecontainedwithinafairlynarrowcanyon1/3-mi1eto1mileinwidthformuchofitslength.505notbeusedforpeakingpurposes.Theregulateddailyfluctuationsduringthewintermonthscouldrangeuptoonefootundernormaloper-atingconditions.AccordingtoU.S.GeologicalSurveystudies~thenaturalnormaldailyfluctuationsi.ntheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonrangeuptoaboutonefoot.·StratificationconditionswithinthereservoirscouldcausesometemperatureanddissolvedoxygenproblemsintheriverforsomedistancedownstreamfromtheDevilCanyonDamandwithinthereservoirsthem-selves.Theseconditionscouldhaveanadverseimpactonthedownstreamfishery.However~thisproblemcanbeminimizedbymultiple-levelwaterreleasestructureswhichareproposedforincorporationintobothdams.Thiswouldprovidethecapabilityofselectivewithdrawalofwaterfromvariouslevelswithinthereservoirtomoderaterelease·temperaturesanddissolvedoxygencontent.Spillwaydesignswillalsobeconsideredtoreducesupersaturationofdownstreamwaterflowswithatmosphericgases.Therewouldbeaperiodofchannelstab'ilizationinthe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonDaminwhichtheriverwouldtendtoadjusttothestabilizedflowwithlowsedimentlevelsbutgeneralchanneldegradationcausedbyariver'sattempttoreplacethemissingsedimentloadwithmaterialpickedupfromtheriverbedisnotexpectedtobeasignificantconcernalongthecoarsegravelbedreachesoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenTalkeetnaandDevilCanyon.However~thisphenomenonwouldbethesubjectoffuturedetailedstudiestodeterminethedistanceatwhichsedimentloadswouldbecomereestab1ish~d.Upstreamfromthedamsthemajorenvironmentalimpactswouldbecausedbythereservoirimpoundments.Undertheproposedtwo-damsystem~thereservoirbehindtheDevilCanyonDamwouldfluctuateupto5feetduringtheyear~whileWatanareservoirwouldfluctuatebetwe2n80and125feetduringtheyearundernormaloperatingconditions.ThemaximumdailyfluctuationatDevilCanyonreservoirundernormaloperatingconditionswouldbelessthantwofeet.DevilCanyonreservoirwouldcoverabout7~550acresinanarrowsteep-walledcanyon(1/4to3/4-mi1e-wide)withfewareasofbiggamehabitatandaminimalamountofresidentfishhabitatnearthemouthsofseveral ofthetributariesthatentertheSusitnaRiverinthe28-mi1esectionabovetheproposeddamsite.Thereservoirwouldalsofloodapproximately9milesofthe11-mi1e,whitewatersectionofDevilCanyon.Watanareservoir,withastructuralheightof810feetandapool·elevationof2,200feet,wouldfloodabout43,000acresina 54-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverthatwouldreachupstreamabout4milesabovetheOshetnaRiverconfluence.ExceptinafewareasnearthemouthsoftributariessuchasDeadmanCreek,WatanaCreek,JayCreek,andKosinaCreek,theWatanareservoirwouldbecontainedwithinafairlynarrowcanyon1/3-mi1eto1mileinwidthformuchofitslength.505
ThespillwaydesignatWatanadivertstheexcessriverflowsintotheTsusenaCreekdrainageapproximately2.5milesabovethecreek'sconfluencewiththeSusitnaRiver.Ontheoccasions(approximatelyonceevery50years)whenitwouldbenecessarytodivertexcessriverflowsoverthespillwayduringextremefloodingconditionsinlatesummer,theadverseenvironmentalimpactonfishandvegetationresourcesinlowerTsusenaCreekcouldbesignificant.'WatanareservoirwouldfloodreachesoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamfromTsusenaCreekthataresometimesusedascariboucrossings.Itwouldalsofloodsomemoosewinterrangeintheriverbottom.Thereservoirwouldalsocoverexistingresidentfishhabitatatthemouthsofsomeofthetributariesinthissectionoftheriverandpossiblywouldcreateotherfishhabitatathigherelevatinnsonthesetributaries.Potentialwaterqualityimpactscausedbyconstructionoftrans-missionfacilitiesaretheincreasedsiltationofriversandlakes;alterationofstreamflows;eutrophication(increasednutrientlevels)andpollutionoflakesandstreams;anddisruptionofaquatichabitatduetogravelborrow,fill,andexcavation.Eliminatingorminimizingthesepotentialadverseimpactswouldbeemphasizedduringthedesign,construction,~ndmaintenanceoftheproposedproject.4.02Fish.OneoftheenvironmentalimpactscausedbytheproposedDevilCanyon-WatanaprojectwouldbethesubstantialreductionofnaturalriverflowsduringthelatterpartofJuneandtheearlypartofJulywhensalmonstartmigratinguptheSusitnaRiver.TheprojectedaveragemonthlyregulatedflowsduringperiodsinAugustandSeptember,whenthemajorityofthesalmonarespawning,approachtheaveragenaturalflowsoftheriverduringthisperiod.Ina1974studybytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameonsurveysconductedtolocatepotentialsalmonrearingandspawningsloughsonthe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenPortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiver,21sloughswerefoundduringthe23Julythrough11Septemberstudyperiod.Salmonfrywereobservedinatleast15ofthese21backwaterareas.Adultsalmonwerepresentin9ofthe21sloughs.In5ofthesloughstheadultsalmonwerefoundinlownumbers(from1to24withanaveragebetween6and7).In4othersloughslargenumberswerepresent(from107to681withanaverageofjustover350).DuringDecember1974andJanuaryandFebruary1975,theAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinvestigated16ofthe21sloughspreviouslysUl'veyedduringthesummerof1974.Ofthe16sloughs,5indicatedpresenceofcohosalmonfry.Thenumbersoffrycapturedinthe5sloughsatvarioustimesrangedfrom1to21withanaverageof5.Manyofthe16sloughssurveyedwereappreciablydewateredfromthesummer/fallstate.506ThespillwaydesignatWatanadivertstheexcessriverflowsintotheTsusenaCreekdrainageapproximately2.5milesabovethecreek'sconfluencewiththeSusitnaRiver.Ontheoccasions(approximatelyonceevery50years)whenitwouldbenecessarytodivertexcessriverflowsoverthespillwayduringextremefloodingconditionsinlatesummer,theadverseenvironmentalimpactonfishandvegetationresourcesinlowerTsusenaCreekcouldbesignificant.'WatanareservoirwouldfloodreachesoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamfromTsusenaCreekthataresometimesusedascariboucrossings.Itwouldalsofloodsomemoosewinterrangeintheriverbottom.Thereservoirwouldalsocoverexistingresidentfishhabitatatthemouthsofsomeofthetributariesinthissectionoftheriverandpossiblywouldcreateotherfishhabitatathigherelevatinnsonthesetributaries.Potentialwaterqualityimpactscausedbyconstructionoftrans-missionfacilitiesaretheincreasedsiltationofriversandlakes;alterationofstreamflows;eutrophication(increasednutrientlevels)andpollutionoflakesandstreams;anddisruptionofaquatichabitatduetogravelborrow,fill,andexcavation.Eliminatingorminimizingthesepotentialadverseimpactswouldbeemphasizedduringthedesign,construction,~ndmaintenanceoftheproposedproject.4.02Fish.OneoftheenvironmentalimpactscausedbytheproposedDevilCanyon-WatanaprojectwouldbethesubstantialreductionofnaturalriverflowsduringthelatterpartofJuneandtheearlypartofJulywhensalmonstartmigratinguptheSusitnaRiver.TheprojectedaveragemonthlyregulatedflowsduringperiodsinAugustandSeptember,whenthemajorityofthesalmonarespawning,approachtheaveragenaturalflowsoftheriverduringthisperiod.Ina1974studybytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameonsurveysconductedtolocatepotentialsalmonrearingandspawningsloughsonthe50-milesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenPortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiver,21sloughswerefoundduringthe23Julythrough11Septemberstudyperiod.Salmonfrywereobservedinatleast15ofthese21backwaterareas.Adultsalmonwerepresentin9ofthe21sloughs.In5ofthesloughstheadultsalmonwerefoundinlownumbers(from1to24withanaveragebetween6and7).In4othersloughslargenumberswerepresent(from107to681withanaverageofjustover350).DuringDecember1974andJanuaryandFebruary1975,theAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinvestigated16ofthe21sloughspreviouslysUl'veyedduringthesummerof1974.Ofthe16sloughs,5indicatedpresenceofcohosalmonfry.Thenumbersoffrycapturedinthe5sloughsatvarioustimesrangedfrom1to21withanaverageof5.Manyofthe16sloughssurveyedwereappreciablydewateredfromthesummer/fallstate.506
Thereportalsostatedthatanumberofcohofrywerecapturedinthe SusitnaRiv.ernearGoldCreekindicatingthatsomecohosalmonfrydooverwinterinthemainriver.ThewinterinvestigationsindicatedthattheSusitnaRiverbetweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetnawastransportingsuspendedsoli.dloadsrangingfrom4ppmto228ppm.Itmaybereasonabletoassumethatoneofthemostcriticalfactorsinsalmonspawningisthedewaterin!1ofareasinwhichthesalmonhavespawned.Ifwinterflowsareinsufficienttocoverthespawningbedsitwouldbeof"littleconsequenceifhighsummerflowsallowedsalmontospawninsomeofthesloughsthataredewateredduringtheeggincubationoralevinstages.AccordingtoaHydrologicReconnaissanceoftheSusitnaRiverBelowDevil1sCanyon,October1974bytheNationalMarineFisheriesServicewhencomparingregulatedflowstonaturalflows(seeTable1onpage45),liltisreasonabletoconcludethatduringthemonthsofOctoberthroughMarchspringflowsmaybeenhancedintherivervalleybottom,duringthemonthsofMaythroughmid-Septemberthesespringflowsmaybedepressed."Itisreasonabletoassumeonthebasisofexistingdatathattherewillbesomechangesinthe.relationshipbetweentheregulatedriverandaccesstoexistingsalmonrearingandspawningsloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDam.Itappearsfeasibletodevelopaprogramtoimprovefishaccesstoandfromsomeofthesloughsandtributariesinthe SusitnaRiverasaconsequenceoftheproject'sstabilizingeffectonsummerflows.Suchaprogramwouldbeaprojectconsideration.Flooding,whichoccursfrequentlyundernaturalconditionsandpresentlydestroyssalmoneggsinthisstretchoftheriverwouldbealmostcompletelyeliminatedbyregulationoftheupperSusitnaRiverflows..ReductioninflowsandturbiditybelowDevilCanyonDammightcausesomedisorientationofsalmonmigratingintothesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenPortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiverduringaninitialperiodafterconstructionofthedamsanduntilfuturesalmonstocksreadjustedtothechangeinregulatedriverconditions.Duringtheperiodofconstruction,riverflowswillbedivertedthroughtunnelsinthecanyonwallsandpasttheconstructionareasatthedamsiteswithminimalchangesinexistingwaterquality.Duringtheperiodsinwhichthenewly-constructedreservoirswouldbefillingwithwater,downstreamflowmaintenancewouldbecoordinatedwiththefishandwildlifeagenciestopreventunnecessarydamagetodownstreamfisheryresources.ItisproposedtoinitiateconstructionofWatanaDaminabout1981,andDevilCanyonapproximatelyfiveyears1ater.507Thereportalsostatedthatanumberofcohofrywerecapturedinthe SusitnaRiv.ernearGoldCreekindicatingthatsomecohosalmonfrydooverwinterinthemainriver.ThewinterinvestigationsindicatedthattheSusitnaRiverbetweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetnawastransportingsuspendedsoli.dloadsrangingfrom4ppmto228ppm.Itmaybereasonabletoassumethatoneofthemostcriticalfactorsinsalmonspawningisthedewaterin!1ofareasinwhichthesalmonhavespawned.Ifwinterflowsareinsufficienttocoverthespawningbedsitwouldbeof"littleconsequenceifhighsummerflowsallowedsalmontospawninsomeofthesloughsthataredewateredduringtheeggincubationoralevinstages.AccordingtoaHydrologicReconnaissanceoftheSusitnaRiverBelowDevil1sCanyon,October1974bytheNationalMarineFisheriesServicewhencomparingregulatedflowstonaturalflows(seeTable1onpage45),liltisreasonabletoconcludethatduringthemonthsofOctoberthroughMarchspringflowsmaybeenhancedintherivervalleybottom,duringthemonthsofMaythroughmid-Septemberthesespringflowsmaybedepressed."Itisreasonabletoassumeonthebasisofexistingdatathattherewillbesomechangesinthe.relationshipbetweentheregulatedriverandaccesstoexistingsalmonrearingandspawningsloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDam.Itappearsfeasibletodevelopaprogramtoimprovefishaccesstoandfromsomeofthesloughsandtributariesinthe SusitnaRiverasaconsequenceoftheproject'sstabilizingeffectonsummerflows.Suchaprogramwouldbeaprojectconsideration.Flooding,whichoccursfrequentlyundernaturalconditionsandpresentlydestroyssalmoneggsinthisstretchoftheriverwouldbealmostcompletelyeliminatedbyregulationoftheupperSusitnaRiverflows..ReductioninflowsandturbiditybelowDevilCanyonDammightcausesomedisorientationofsalmonmigratingintothesectionoftheSusitnaRiverbetweenPortageCreekandtheChulitnaRiverduringaninitialperiodafterconstructionofthedamsanduntilfuturesalmonstocksreadjustedtothechangeinregulatedriverconditions.Duringtheperiodofconstruction,riverflowswillbedivertedthroughtunnelsinthecanyonwallsandpasttheconstructionareasatthedamsiteswithminimalchangesinexistingwaterquality.Duringtheperiodsinwhichthenewly-constructedreservoirswouldbefillingwithwater,downstreamflowmaintenancewouldbecoordinatedwiththefishandwildlifeagenciestopreventunnecessarydamagetodownstreamfisheryresources.ItisproposedtoinitiateconstructionofWatanaDaminabout1981,andDevilCanyonapproximatelyfiveyears1ater.507
AccordingtoastudydiscussedintheJournalofFisheriesResearchBoardofCanada--Volume32,No.1,January1975,EcologicalConsequencesoftheProposedMoranDamontheFraserRiver,someofthebeneficialdownstreamimpactsofthedamcouldincludethefollowing:Thehigherregulatedwinterflowsmightincreasethesurvivalofsalmoneggsinthesloughsandbackwaterareasoftheriverdownstreamfromthedam.Theincreasedflowscouldinsurebettercoverageandbetterpercolationthroughth~gravelandpresumablyincreaseeggandalevinsurvival.Salmonalevinareyoungfishwithattachedegg-sacsthatremaininthegravelbedsuntiltheyemergeasfry.AnadditionalconsequenceofreducedturbiditybelowthedammightbeagradualreductidninthepercentageoffinematerialsinthesalmonspawningareasnearthemouthsofsloughsandtributariesastheyentertheSusitnaRiver.Thiscouldalsoleadtoimprovedpercolationthroughthegravelinthestreambedandpossiblyimprovesurvivalofeggs.Reducedsiltationduringthesummermonthsshouldprovebeneficialforbothanadromousandresidentfishspeciesforsomedistancedown-streamfromtheproposedDevilCanyonDam.ItisalsoreasonabletoexpectthatsomeadditionalsalmonspawningandrearinghabitatwoulddevelopwithinsomesectionsoftheSusitnaRive~betweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetna.AccordingtotheMoranDamstudy,reducedturbidityduringthesummermonthsorduringtheperiodsofseawardmigrationcouldleadtoanincreaseinvisibilitywithintheriverandthereforeanincreaseinpredationofsalmonfry.Aslightincreaseinturbidityduringthewintermonthsmightalsoincreasethesurvivalofyoungsalmonduetoadecreaseinvisibilityduringthatperiod.Anotherimpactonjuvenilesalmoncouldbetheextentionoftheseawardmigrationperiodduetolessturbidwaterinthe50-mileportionoftheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyon.Otherhydrologicfactorspreviouslydiscussedwouldalsoaffectthefisheryresourcedownstreamfromthedams.Theseandotherchangescouldalsoinfluencethefoodandlifecyclesforfishihthissectionoftheriver.BiologicalandphysicalchangeslikelytooccurarethesubjectsofongoingstudiesbyStateandFederalagenciesunderthedirectionoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Resultsofthesestudieswillbeusedindeterminingneedsformoredetailedfinaldesignphasestudies,feasibleprojectmodification,andmitigativeorameliorativemeasures.508AccordingtoastudydiscussedintheJournalofFisheriesResearchBoardofCanada--Volume32,No.1,January1975,EcologicalConsequencesoftheProposedMoranDamontheFraserRiver,someofthebeneficialdownstreamimpactsofthedamcouldincludethefollowing:Thehigherregulatedwinterflowsmightincreasethesurvivalofsalmoneggsinthesloughsandbackwaterareasoftheriverdownstreamfromthedam.Theincreasedflowscouldinsurebettercoverageandbetterpercolationthroughth~gravelandpresumablyincreaseeggandalevinsurvival.Salmonalevinareyoungfishwithattachedegg-sacsthatremaininthegravelbedsuntiltheyemergeasfry.AnadditionalconsequenceofreducedturbiditybelowthedammightbeagradualreductidninthepercentageoffinematerialsinthesalmonspawningareasnearthemouthsofsloughsandtributariesastheyentertheSusitnaRiver.Thiscouldalsoleadtoimprovedpercolationthroughthegravelinthestreambedandpossiblyimprovesurvivalofeggs.Reducedsiltationduringthesummermonthsshouldprovebeneficialforbothanadromousandresidentfishspeciesforsomedistancedown-streamfromtheproposedDevilCanyonDam.ItisalsoreasonabletoexpectthatsomeadditionalsalmonspawningandrearinghabitatwoulddevelopwithinsomesectionsoftheSusitnaRive~betweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetna.AccordingtotheMoranDamstudy,reducedturbidityduringthesummermonthsorduringtheperiodsofseawardmigrationcouldleadtoanincreaseinvisibilitywithintheriverandthereforeanincreaseinpredationofsalmonfry.Aslightincreaseinturbidityduringthewintermonthsmightalsoincreasethesurvivalofyoungsalmonduetoadecreaseinvisibilityduringthatperiod.Anotherimpactonjuvenilesalmoncouldbetheextentionoftheseawardmigrationperiodduetolessturbidwaterinthe50-mileportionoftheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyon.Otherhydrologicfactorspreviouslydiscussedwouldalsoaffectthefisheryresourcedownstreamfromthedams.Theseandotherchangescouldalsoinfluencethefoodandlifecyclesforfishihthissectionoftheriver.BiologicalandphysicalchangeslikelytooccurarethesubjectsofongoingstudiesbyStateandFederalagenciesunderthedirectionoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Resultsofthesestudieswillbeusedindeterminingneedsformoredetailedfinaldesignphasestudies,feasibleprojectmodification,andmitigativeorameliorativemeasures.508
Upstreamfromthedams,themajorimpactontheresidentfishpopulationswouldbecausedbythereservoirimpoundments.Undertheproposedplan,DevilCanyonreservoirwouldfluctuateverylittle.Eventhoughthesteep-walledcanyonofthisreservoirmightprovelessthandesirableforaprogramtodeveloparesidentfishpopulation,some'speciesoffishmightbeabletoadapttothisreservoirandprovidefuturesportfishingbenefits.WatanaDamwouldhaveawidelyfluctuatingreservoirwhichwouldgenerallyprovedetrimentaltothedevelopmentofresidentfishpopu-lations.Suspendedglacialsedimentcouldbeafactorinbothofthereservoirsaftertheheavierglacialsedimentshavesettledout;how-ever,somenaturallakesinAlaskasuchasTustumenaandSkilak,withheavyinflowsofglacialdebrissustainfishpopulationsundersimilarconditions,sotodeveloppopulationsoffishunderrelatedconditionsmaybefeasible.Mostresidentfishpopulations,especiallygrayling,utilizesomeoftheclearwatertributariesoftheSusitnaRiverorareasnearthemouthsofthesestreamsastheyentertheglaciallyturbidmainriverchannelduringperiodsofhighrunoff.Manyofthesetributarieswouldbefloodedintheirlowerreachesbytheproposedreservoirimpound-ments.Theresidentfishpopulationswouldbeaffectedbytheincreasedwaterlevelsintheproposedreservoirs;butinsomeareas,accesstotributariesforresidentfishmaybeimprovedbyincreasedwaterelevat~ons.ItappearshighlyunlikelythatanadromousfishsuchassalmoncouldbesuccessfullyintroducedintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Withthesuccessionofveryhighdamsandtherelatedproblemsandcostsofpassingmigratingfishoverandthroughthesedams,suchaprogramappearsinfeasible(Report,EcoloicalConseuencesoftheProosedMoranDamontheFraserRiver.Thisreportstatesinreferencetohighdams:'liThE;!choiceisclearlybetweenupstreamsalmonstocksordams.IIHowever,theintroductionofaresidentsalmonspecies,suchassockeye(kokanee)orotherstosomewatersoftheupperSusitnabasinmightprovefeasiblewithfurtherstudies.OtherproblemsrelatedtotheintroductionofanadromousfishintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwouldincludethefollowing:Fishwouldexperiencehighmortalityratesiftheyattemptedtomovedownstreamthroughturbinesoroutletworksintheproposedseriesofhigh-headdams.AccordingtoCorpsofEngineersstudies,a35percentmortalityratecouldbeexpectedonfishsuchasyoungsalmonateach highdam.Perhapsevenmoresignificantthanturbinelossistheexperiencebackgroundthatjuvenilesalmonidswillgenerallynotmigrateoutoflargestoragetypereservoirs.Reversecurrents,temperaturestrati-fication,etc.,apparentlydisorientsthemigrantsandcauses,themtolosetheirmigrationalmotivation.Asaresultmanyneverevenreachthedamandtheyspendtheirlivesasresidualsinthereservoir.(Example:BrownleeReservoir,SnakeRiver,IdahoandOregon)509Upstreamfromthedams,themajorimpactontheresidentfishpopulationswouldbecausedbythereservoirimpoundments.Undertheproposedplan,DevilCanyonreservoirwouldfluctuateverylittle.Eventhoughthesteep-walledcanyonofthisreservoirmightprovelessthandesirableforaprogramtodeveloparesidentfishpopulation,some'speciesoffishmightbeabletoadapttothisreservoirandprovidefuturesportfishingbenefits.WatanaDamwouldhaveawidelyfluctuatingreservoirwhichwouldgenerallyprovedetrimentaltothedevelopmentofresidentfishpopu-lations.Suspendedglacialsedimentcouldbeafactorinbothofthereservoirsaftertheheavierglacialsedimentshavesettledout;how-ever,somenaturallakesinAlaskasuchasTustumenaandSkilak,withheavyinflowsofglacialdebrissustainfishpopulationsundersimilarconditions,sotodeveloppopulationsoffishunderrelatedconditionsmaybefeasible.Mostresidentfishpopulations,especiallygrayling,utilizesomeoftheclearwatertributariesoftheSusitnaRiverorareasnearthemouthsofthesestreamsastheyentertheglaciallyturbidmainriverchannelduringperiodsofhighrunoff.Manyofthesetributarieswouldbefloodedintheirlowerreachesbytheproposedreservoirimpound-ments.Theresidentfishpopulationswouldbeaffectedbytheincreasedwaterlevelsintheproposedreservoirs;butinsomeareas,accesstotributariesforresidentfishmaybeimprovedbyincreasedwaterelevat~ons.ItappearshighlyunlikelythatanadromousfishsuchassalmoncouldbesuccessfullyintroducedintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Withthesuccessionofveryhighdamsandtherelatedproblemsandcostsofpassingmigratingfishoverandthroughthesedams,suchaprogramappearsinfeasible(Report,EcoloicalConseuencesoftheProosedMoranDamontheFraserRiver.Thisreportstatesinreferencetohighdams:'liThE;!choiceisclearlybetweenupstreamsalmonstocksordams.IIHowever,theintroductionofaresidentsalmonspecies,suchassockeye(kokanee)orotherstosomewatersoftheupperSusitnabasinmightprovefeasiblewithfurtherstudies.OtherproblemsrelatedtotheintroductionofanadromousfishintotheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwouldincludethefollowing:Fishwouldexperiencehighmortalityratesiftheyattemptedtomovedownstreamthroughturbinesoroutletworksintheproposedseriesofhigh-headdams.AccordingtoCorpsofEngineersstudies,a35percentmortalityratecouldbeexpectedonfishsuchasyoungsalmonateach highdam.Perhapsevenmoresignificantthanturbinelossistheexperiencebackgroundthatjuvenilesalmonidswillgenerallynotmigrateoutoflargestoragetypereservoirs.Reversecurrents,temperaturestrati-fication,etc.,apparentlydisorientsthemigrantsandcauses,themtolosetheirmigrationalmotivation.Asaresultmanyneverevenreachthedamandtheyspendtheirlivesasresidualsinthereservoir.(Example:BrownleeReservoir,SnakeRiver,IdahoandOregon)509
Impactuponaquaticlifefromthetransmissionlineshouldbesmallbecauseofthecarethatwouldbetakentopreventdegradationofstreamswithinthecorridor.However,theaquaticfoodchaininthetaiga(borealforest)andtundraisextremelysimple,andasaresult,disruptionofhabitatforonespeciesquiteoftenindirectlyaffectsmanyotherspecies.Potentialimpactsare:increasedsiltationofriversandlakes;alterationofflows;eutrophicationandpollutionoflakesandstreams;anddisruptionofhabitatduetogravelborrow,fill,andexcavation.Allconstructionandmaintenanceactivitieswouldbecontrolledtopreventorminimizeadverseenvironmentalimpacts.4.03Wildlife.Reservoirimpoundments,transmissionlinecorridors,andaccessroadswouldhavevaryingdegreesofenvironmentalimpactonwildlife.TheDevilCanyonreservoirwouldbelocatedwithintheconfinesofanarrow,steep-walledcanyonwithfewareasofbig-gamehabitatandonnomajormigrationroutesforbig-gameanimals.Insomecases,animalssuchasmooseandcariboumayfinditeasierto crossthenarrowreser-voirthantheywouldthepresentfast-movingriveratthebottomofadeep,steep-sidedcanyon.TheproposedWatanaDamwouldbegenerallycontainedwithinafairlydeepandnarrowrivercanyon.WatanareservoirwouldlieacrossoneoftheintermittentseasonalcariboumigrationroutesbetweenthemaincalvingareaoftheNelchinacaribouherd,locatedsouthoftheriverinthenortheastfoothillsoftheTalkeetnaMountains,andsomecaribousummerrangeonthenorthsideoftheSusitnaRiver.Calvinggenerallytakesplaceduringamonth-longperiodstartinginthemiddleofMayandmostofthecariboumoveoutofthecalvingareainJuneandJuly.Ice-shelvingconditionscausedbywinterdrawdownonWatanareser-voirorspringicebreakupconditionsonthereservoircouldcauseproblemsforcaribou,moose,orotheranimalsiftheyattempttocrossthisreservoirwhentheseadverseconditionsexist.WarmerweatherandarapidlyfillingreservoirshouldeliminateanyadverseiceconditionsatWatanaduringthemonthofMay.Ascaribouarestrongswimmers,theyshouldhavefewerproblemscrossingthenarrow2/3to1milewidesectionofthereservoirinthehistoriccrossingareasinthevicinityofKosinaandJayCreeksduringJulyaftercalvingthantheywouldcrossingtheswollenglacialriverduringperiodsofhighrunoff.SomecariboucouldalsomigratearoundtheupperreachesoftheproposedWatanareservoirareaasindicatedinexistingspringmigrationpatterns.CariboumigrationpatternsfortheNelchinaherdarecontinuallychanging,asstatedinAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamestudyreports.TheirstudiesalsoindicatedtheuseoftheWatanareservoirsitebyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.Underadverseiceconditions,thereservoirscouldresultinincreasedproblemsforsomesegmentsoftheherd.Also,therecouldbesomepermanentchangesinhistoricalherdmovementpatterns.510Impactuponaquaticlifefromthetransmissionlineshouldbesmallbecauseofthecarethatwouldbetakentopreventdegradationofstreamswithinthecorridor.However,theaquaticfoodchaininthetaiga(borealforest)andtundraisextremelysimple,andasaresult,disruptionofhabitatforonespeciesquiteoftenindirectlyaffectsmanyotherspecies.Potentialimpactsare:increasedsiltationofriversandlakes;alterationofflows;eutrophicationandpollutionoflakesandstreams;anddisruptionofhabitatduetogravelborrow,fill,andexcavation.Allconstructionandmaintenanceactivitieswouldbecontrolledtopreventorminimizeadverseenvironmentalimpacts.4.03Wildlife.Reservoirimpoundments,transmissionlinecorridors,andaccessroadswouldhavevaryingdegreesofenvironmentalimpactonwildlife.TheDevilCanyonreservoirwouldbelocatedwithintheconfinesofanarrow,steep-walledcanyonwithfewareasofbig-gamehabitatandonnomajormigrationroutesforbig-gameanimals.Insomecases,animalssuchasmooseandcariboumayfinditeasierto crossthenarrowreser-voirthantheywouldthepresentfast-movingriveratthebottomofadeep,steep-sidedcanyon.TheproposedWatanaDamwouldbegenerallycontainedwithinafairlydeepandnarrowrivercanyon.WatanareservoirwouldlieacrossoneoftheintermittentseasonalcariboumigrationroutesbetweenthemaincalvingareaoftheNelchinacaribouherd,locatedsouthoftheriverinthenortheastfoothillsoftheTalkeetnaMountains,andsomecaribousummerrangeonthenorthsideoftheSusitnaRiver.Calvinggenerallytakesplaceduringamonth-longperiodstartinginthemiddleofMayandmostofthecariboumoveoutofthecalvingareainJuneandJuly.Ice-shelvingconditionscausedbywinterdrawdownonWatanareser-voirorspringicebreakupconditionsonthereservoircouldcauseproblemsforcaribou,moose,orotheranimalsiftheyattempttocrossthisreservoirwhentheseadverseconditionsexist.WarmerweatherandarapidlyfillingreservoirshouldeliminateanyadverseiceconditionsatWatanaduringthemonthofMay.Ascaribouarestrongswimmers,theyshouldhavefewerproblemscrossingthenarrow2/3to1milewidesectionofthereservoirinthehistoriccrossingareasinthevicinityofKosinaandJayCreeksduringJulyaftercalvingthantheywouldcrossingtheswollenglacialriverduringperiodsofhighrunoff.SomecariboucouldalsomigratearoundtheupperreachesoftheproposedWatanareservoirareaasindicatedinexistingspringmigrationpatterns.CariboumigrationpatternsfortheNelchinaherdarecontinuallychanging,asstatedinAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamestudyreports.TheirstudiesalsoindicatedtheuseoftheWatanareservoirsitebyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.Underadverseiceconditions,thereservoirscouldresultinincreasedproblemsforsomesegmentsoftheherd.Also,therecouldbesomepermanentchangesinhistoricalherdmovementpatterns.510
Withinthetransmissionlinecorridorsystem,impactstocaribouwouldbelimitedtothe136-milesegmentextendingnorthfromCantwell.Thereisnosignificantcaribouuseofareastothesouth.Althoughthetransmissionlineandrelatedaccessroadswouldnotimposeaphysicalbarriertomigrationofcaribou,.constructionandmaintenanceworkduringcertainseasonsmayinhibitherdmovement.SincecaribouareprimarilyconfinedtothewestbankoftheNenanaRiver,theywillnotbesignificantlyaffectedinthisareaifthelinerunsalongtheeastbank.Althoughphysicaldestructionofcaribouhabitatwillnotbeasignificantimpactofpowerlineconstruction,thereareindirectconsequenceswhichcouldbesignificant.Increaseoffiresresultingfrommanmadecausescoulddestroytundralichenwhichistheirprimesourceofwinterfood.Itisestimatedthatapproximately50yearsarerequiredforaburnedareatorecoverausablecoveroflichenforcaribou.Noisegeneratedbythetransmissionlinescouldalsomodifynormalbehavior,ascouldpublicaccessibilityprovidedbytransmissionlineroads.AmoosesurveyconductedinearlyJune1974bytheAlaskaDepart-mentofFishandGameindicatedthat,althoughspringcountingconditionswerelessthanideal,atotalof356moosewereseenalongtheupperSusitnaRiverandinthelowerdrainageareasofthemajortributaries.A1973fallcountinthesamegeneralareasightedatotalof1796moose.Ofthe356moosecountedintheJune1974survey,13wereseeninorneartheareaoftheproposedWatanareservoirbelowVeeCanyon.NoneweresightedwithintheproposedDevilCanyonreservoirimpoundment.Althoughlimite.dmoosehabitatappearstoexistwithinthepoolareasoftheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirs,itisconsideredcriticaltpthosemoosenowutilizingthearea.Specialstudieswillberequiredtodetermineimpactsuponmoosehabitatandpopulations.DuringtheJune1974FishandGamesurveyperiod,onegrizzlywassightedontheupperOshetnaandoneontheMaclarenRiver.FiveblackbearsweresightedontheSusitnaRiver.Atotalof56caribouweresightedinthesurveyarea.Moosearefoundthroughoutthelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridor.Thegreatestadverseimpacttotheseanimalswouldbetheincreasedhuntingaccessprovidedbyroadsandtheopennessofthecorridoritself.Habitat,ontheotherhand,wouldoverallbeimproved.Subclimaxgrowthwithinthetransmissionlinecorridorwouldincreasemoosebrowse.TheproposedreservoirsatDevilCanyonandWatanaarelocatedalongamajorflywayforwaterfowl.Veryfewwaterfowlappeartonestonthesectionsoftheriverthatwouldbefloodedbythesereservoirproposals.Ontheotherhand,thereservoirswouldprovidesuitablerestingareasforwaterfowlmigratingthroughthebasin.S1169-7370 -81-33Withinthetransmissionlinecorridorsystem,impactstocaribouwouldbelimitedtothe136-milesegmentextendingnorthfromCantwell.Thereisnosignificantcaribouuseofareastothesouth.Althoughthetransmissionlineandrelatedaccessroadswouldnotimposeaphysicalbarriertomigrationofcaribou,.constructionandmaintenanceworkduringcertainseasonsmayinhibitherdmovement.SincecaribouareprimarilyconfinedtothewestbankoftheNenanaRiver,theywillnotbesignificantlyaffectedinthisareaifthelinerunsalongtheeastbank.Althoughphysicaldestructionofcaribouhabitatwillnotbeasignificantimpactofpowerlineconstruction,thereareindirectconsequenceswhichcouldbesignificant.Increaseoffiresresultingfrommanmadecausescoulddestroytundralichenwhichistheirprimesourceofwinterfood.Itisestimatedthatapproximately50yearsarerequiredforaburnedareatorecoverausablecoveroflichenforcaribou.Noisegeneratedbythetransmissionlinescouldalsomodifynormalbehavior,ascouldpublicaccessibilityprovidedbytransmissionlineroads.AmoosesurveyconductedinearlyJune1974bytheAlaskaDepart-mentofFishandGameindicatedthat,althoughspringcountingconditionswerelessthanideal,atotalof356moosewereseenalongtheupperSusitnaRiverandinthelowerdrainageareasofthemajortributaries.A1973fallcountinthesamegeneralareasightedatotalof1796moose.Ofthe356moosecountedintheJune1974survey,13wereseeninorneartheareaoftheproposedWatanareservoirbelowVeeCanyon.NoneweresightedwithintheproposedDevilCanyonreservoirimpoundment.Althoughlimite.dmoosehabitatappearstoexistwithinthepoolareasoftheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirs,itisconsideredcriticaltpthosemoosenowutilizingthearea.Specialstudieswillberequiredtodetermineimpactsuponmoosehabitatandpopulations.DuringtheJune1974FishandGamesurveyperiod,onegrizzlywassightedontheupperOshetnaandoneontheMaclarenRiver.FiveblackbearsweresightedontheSusitnaRiver.Atotalof56caribouweresightedinthesurveyarea.Moosearefoundthroughoutthelengthofthetransmissionlinecorridor.Thegreatestadverseimpacttotheseanimalswouldbetheincreasedhuntingaccessprovidedbyroadsandtheopennessofthecorridoritself.Habitat,ontheotherhand,wouldoverallbeimproved.Subclimaxgrowthwithinthetransmissionlinecorridorwouldincreasemoosebrowse.TheproposedreservoirsatDevilCanyonandWatanaarelocatedalongamajorflywayforwaterfowl.Veryfewwaterfowlappeartonestonthesectionsoftheriverthatwouldbefloodedbythesereservoirproposals.Ontheotherhand,thereservoirswouldprovidesuitablerestingareasforwaterfowlmigratingthroughthebasin.S1169-7370 -81-33
Migratingbirdswouldpossiblysuffersomemortalityfromcollisionswithtowersorlines,butsuchlossesshouldbenegligible.Thelinewouldgenerallyparallelnormalnorth-southmigrationroutes.Thecableswouldbelargeenoughtohaveahighdegreeofvisibilityandwouldbewidelyenoughspacedtobeineffectivesnares.Electrocutionofbirdsisalsounlikelysincethedistancebetweenlinesandbetweenlinesandgroundwouldbegreatenoughtomakeshortingoutbybirdsalmostimpossible.Atransmissionlinepersewillnothavemanyimpactsuponwild-life;mostoftheimpactswillbeasaresultofconstructionandmaintenance.Directdestructionwillaffectthelessmobileanimalssuchasthesmallmammals,whoseterritoriesmaybesmallenoughtobeencompassedbytheconstructionarea.Thesignificanceofthisimpacttotheseanimalsissmallinrelationtotheirpopulationinsurroundingareas.Thelossofhabitatforbears,wolves,wolverines,Dallsheep,andotheranimalsalsoappearstobeminimal.However,lossestoanysignificantelementofthefoodwebwillaffectconsumers.·Thus,lossestomooseorcaribouwouldimpactuponpredatorspecies.Otherbirds,includingraptors,songbirds,shorebirds,andgamebirds,donotappeartobesignificantlyaffectedbythereductionofhabitatintheareaoftheproposeddamsandreservoirsandonthetransmissionlinecorridor,althoughsomehabitatwillbelostforallspeciesofwildlifethatutilizetheaffectedareas.Roadaccesstothetwodamsitesandtothetransmissionlinewouldhavea significantimpactonfishandwildliferesourcesinareasopenedtovehicleencroachment.SpecificareassuchasStephanLake,FogLakes,lowerDeadmanCreek,andthenorthernslopesoftheTalkeetnaMountainscouldbesignificantlyimpactedbyhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationistsbyanaccessroadtotheWatanaDam.Thesamewouldbetruealongvarioussegmentsofthetransmissionline.Stategamemanagementpoliciescouldcontrolsomeoftheadverseimpactsonfishandwildlifeirrtheseareas.However,thi~increaseinpublicaccessibilitywouldsignificantlyincreasethenecessityforintensifiedlawenforcementandfirepreventionmeasures.4.04Recreation.MuchoftheUpperSusitn~RiverBasinhaslittleor,inmanyareas,norecreationalactivityatthepresenttime.Acombi-nationofpoorroadaccess,roughterrain,andgreatdistancespresentlylimittheuseofthe5,800-square-milebasin,especiallythelandsdirectlyimpactedbytheproposedproject,toafewhunters,fishermen,andotherhardysoulswhoutilizethesewildlandsforrecreationalpurposes.Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectwouldhaveanimpactonanumberofpresentandprojectedrecreationalactivitiesbothintheimmediatedamandreservoirareasanddownstreamfromthedams.512Migratingbirdswouldpossiblysuffersomemortalityfromcollisionswithtowersorlines,butsuchlossesshouldbenegligible.Thelinewouldgenerallyparallelnormalnorth-southmigrationroutes.Thecableswouldbelargeenoughtohaveahighdegreeofvisibilityandwouldbewidelyenoughspacedtobeineffectivesnares.Electrocutionofbirdsisalsounlikelysincethedistancebetweenlinesandbetweenlinesandgroundwouldbegreatenoughtomakeshortingoutbybirdsalmostimpossible.Atransmissionlinepersewillnothavemanyimpactsuponwild-life;mostoftheimpactswillbeasaresultofconstructionandmaintenance.Directdestructionwillaffectthelessmobileanimalssuchasthesmallmammals,whoseterritoriesmaybesmallenoughtobeencompassedbytheconstructionarea.Thesignificanceofthisimpacttotheseanimalsissmallinrelationtotheirpopulationinsurroundingareas.Thelossofhabitatforbears,wolves,wolverines,Dallsheep,andotheranimalsalsoappearstobeminimal.However,lossestoanysignificantelementofthefoodwebwillaffectconsumers.·Thus,lossestomooseorcaribouwouldimpactuponpredatorspecies.Otherbirds,includingraptors,songbirds,shorebirds,andgamebirds,donotappeartobesignificantlyaffectedbythereductionofhabitatintheareaoftheproposeddamsandreservoirsandonthetransmissionlinecorridor,althoughsomehabitatwillbelostforallspeciesofwildlifethatutilizetheaffectedareas.Roadaccesstothetwodamsitesandtothetransmissionlinewouldhavea significantimpactonfishandwildliferesourcesinareasopenedtovehicleencroachment.SpecificareassuchasStephanLake,FogLakes,lowerDeadmanCreek,andthenorthernslopesoftheTalkeetnaMountainscouldbesignificantlyimpactedbyhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationistsbyanaccessroadtotheWatanaDam.Thesamewouldbetruealongvarioussegmentsofthetransmissionline.Stategamemanagementpoliciescouldcontrolsomeoftheadverseimpactsonfishandwildlifeirrtheseareas.However,thi~increaseinpublicaccessibilitywouldsignificantlyincreasethenecessityforintensifiedlawenforcementandfirepreventionmeasures.4.04Recreation.MuchoftheUpperSusitn~RiverBasinhaslittleor,inmanyareas,norecreationalactivityatthepresenttime.Acombi-nationofpoorroadaccess,roughterrain,andgreatdistancespresentlylimittheuseofthe5,800-square-milebasin,especiallythelandsdirectlyimpactedbytheproposedproject,toafewhunters,fishermen,andotherhardysoulswhoutilizethesewildlandsforrecreationalpurposes.Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectwouldhaveanimpactonanumberofpresentandprojectedrecreationalactivitiesbothintheimmediatedamandreservoirareasanddownstreamfromthedams.512
Atthepresenttime,theSusitnaRiverupstreamfromPortageCreektotheDenaliHighwaybridgeisafree-flowingriverwithfewsignsofman'sactivitiesandminimalpUblicuse.Theprojectwouldsignificantlychangeboththepresentriverinesettingandhumanuseofthearea.ImprovedroadaccessintotheupperSusitnabasinwouldsubstantiallyincreasepressuresonalltheresourcesimpactedbyoutdoorrecreationactivitieswithintheseareas.Alongwithapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressure,theconstructionofproject-orientedrecreationalfacilitieswouldfurtherincreasepublicuseintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposeddamsandreservoirs.Theserecreationaldevelopmentswouldeventuallyincludevisitorcentersatthedams,boatlaunchingrampsonthereservoirs,campgrounds,picnicareas,trallsystems,andotherrelateddevelopments,asshowninFigure10.Itisestimatedthatwith"therecommendeddevelopmentplan,theinitialannualvisitationtotheprojectareawouldbeabout77,000people.ThepossiblerelocationofthestatecapitaltotheLowerSusitnaRiverBasincouldhaveasubstantialimpactontheextentofdevelopmentofrecreationalfacilitieswithintheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectarea.Atthepresenttime,fewpeoplereside.withinalOO-mileradiusoftheprojectarea,andday-useoftheprojectbylocalresidentswouldbeminimalunderexistinggrowthconditions.Anyproject-relatedrecreationaldevelopmentprogramwouldinvolvecooperationbetweentheappropriateFederal,State,andlocalinterestsandwouldrequireStateorlocalsponsorship,sharingofcostsforconstruction,andmaintenanceofthedevelopedrecreationalfacilitiesbytheappropriateStateorlocalsponsor.TheStateofAlaska(Divi-sionofParks)hasindicatedaninterestinsponsoringaprogramofrecreationaldevelopmentintheareaoftheproposedproject.4.05HistoricalResources.AlthoughapreliminaryinvestigationbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks(HeritageResourcesalongtheUpperSusitnaRiver,August1975)indicatesthelocationof11historicsiteswithintheupperSusitnabasinhydropowerstudyarea,onlyoneofthesewouldbedirectlyaffectedbythecurrentlyproposedtwo-damdevelopment.ThissiteislocatednearthemouthofKosinaCreekandwouldbeinundatedbytheWatanareservoir.Thesignificanceofthissite,acabin,isnotdisclosedintheStatereport.However,onthebasisofthelimitedearlymodernhistoryassociatedwiththeupperSusitnabasin,part-ticularlythedowns~reamportionaboveDevilCanyon,itismostlikelythatthesiteisrelatedtoearlyexploratorymininginthearea.TheKnikhistoricalsite,althoughlocatedinthevicinityofthetrans-missionlinewouldnotbeaffectedbythetransmissioncorridor.513Atthepresenttime,theSusitnaRiverupstreamfromPortageCreektotheDenaliHighwaybridgeisafree-flowingriverwithfewsignsofman'sactivitiesandminimalpUblicuse.Theprojectwouldsignificantlychangeboththepresentriverinesettingandhumanuseofthearea.ImprovedroadaccessintotheupperSusitnabasinwouldsubstantiallyincreasepressuresonalltheresourcesimpactedbyoutdoorrecreationactivitieswithintheseareas.Alongwithapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressure,theconstructionofproject-orientedrecreationalfacilitieswouldfurtherincreasepublicuseintheimmediatevicinityoftheproposeddamsandreservoirs.Theserecreationaldevelopmentswouldeventuallyincludevisitorcentersatthedams,boatlaunchingrampsonthereservoirs,campgrounds,picnicareas,trallsystems,andotherrelateddevelopments,asshowninFigure10.Itisestimatedthatwith"therecommendeddevelopmentplan,theinitialannualvisitationtotheprojectareawouldbeabout77,000people.ThepossiblerelocationofthestatecapitaltotheLowerSusitnaRiverBasincouldhaveasubstantialimpactontheextentofdevelopmentofrecreationalfacilitieswithintheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectarea.Atthepresenttime,fewpeoplereside.withinalOO-mileradiusoftheprojectarea,andday-useoftheprojectbylocalresidentswouldbeminimalunderexistinggrowthconditions.Anyproject-relatedrecreationaldevelopmentprogramwouldinvolvecooperationbetweentheappropriateFederal,State,andlocalinterestsandwouldrequireStateorlocalsponsorship,sharingofcostsforconstruction,andmaintenanceofthedevelopedrecreationalfacilitiesbytheappropriateStateorlocalsponsor.TheStateofAlaska(Divi-sionofParks)hasindicatedaninterestinsponsoringaprogramofrecreationaldevelopmentintheareaoftheproposedproject.4.05HistoricalResources.AlthoughapreliminaryinvestigationbytheAlaskaDivisionofParks(HeritageResourcesalongtheUpperSusitnaRiver,August1975)indicatesthelocationof11historicsiteswithintheupperSusitnabasinhydropowerstudyarea,onlyoneofthesewouldbedirectlyaffectedbythecurrentlyproposedtwo-damdevelopment.ThissiteislocatednearthemouthofKosinaCreekandwouldbeinundatedbytheWatanareservoir.Thesignificanceofthissite,acabin,isnotdisclosedintheStatereport.However,onthebasisofthelimitedearlymodernhistoryassociatedwiththeupperSusitnabasin,part-ticularlythedowns~reamportionaboveDevilCanyon,itismostlikelythatthesiteisrelatedtoearlyexploratorymininginthearea.TheKnikhistoricalsite,althoughlocatedinthevicinityofthetrans-missionlinewouldnotbeaffectedbythetransmissioncorridor.513
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\II-\III1j\(_.r__/--,J-----.-''-~I,,,,,,LookingupstreamatSusitnaRivernearDenali.Tundraecosystemswithscatteredareasofblackspruce.LookingupstreamatSusitnaRivernearDenali.Tundraecosystemswithscatteredareasofblackspruce.
4.06ArchaeologicalResources.Ofthefourpresentlyknownarchaeo-logicalsitesintheupperSusitnabasin,alllieupstreamfromtheinfluenceofth~WatanaDamandreservoir,accordingtotheAlaskaDivisionofP~rksreportofAugust1975.Onthebasisofprobablehighestgamediversityinearlytimes,thereportselectsareasmostlikelytohavebeeninhabitedbypeople,andthusidentifiessitesforpotentialarchaeologicalexploration.Thesesitesaremostgenerallydesignatedasbeingneartheconfluenceofstreamswherehabitatdiversitywaslikelyhighest.Thereportconclude~that"--theentireriversystemshouldberegardedasanareaofextremelyhigharchaeological-potential.IIThereportfurtherstates:"Whileitisdifficulttomeasuretheamountofadverseimpacteachofthefourdamcomplexeswillhaveonheritageresources,itispossibletoascertainthattheDevilCanyonDamwillhavetheleasteffect.TheWatanaDamwillhavethesecondlowestadverseimpact,followedbyDenaliDam.TheconstructionoftheVeeDa~sitewillbavethemostadverseimpactonsignificantheritageresources."(TheVeeandDenaliDamsarenotintheproposedplanofdevelopment.)Moreintensivereconnaissanceoftheaffectedareaswillbeneces-saryfollowingprojectauthorizationtodeterminetheactualexistenceandlocationsofsites.TheDryCreekarchaeologicalsiteislocatedinthevicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridor.Thesitewillnotbeaffectedbydevelopmentwithintheproposedroute.4.07Vegetation.Allofthevegetationwithinthe'poolsofthepro-.posedreservoirsandintheproposedroadlocationswouldbeeliminatedifthedamswereconstructed.Treeswouldalsobeclearedinareaswithintransmissionlinecorridors.Mostofthetreesandshrubswouldbeclearedduringconstructionoperations,andsomeofthecommercialtimberwouldprobablybemarketed.Mostoftheresidueslashmaterialanddebriswouldbeburnedorburied.MuchoftheexistingtreeandshrubcoverintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinislocatedintheriverandcreekbottomsandonthesteepcanyonslopesabovethestreamsandwouldbelostduringdamconstruc-tion.Theoperationstoclearthevegetationwithinthereservoirimpoundmentsandotherareaswouldrequireanetworkoftemporaryroadsandworkareasforpersonnel,equipment,andvehicleswithinandaroundtheareastobecleared.Controlsovertheclearingandrelatedopera-tionswouldincludeprovisionstoreduceorpreventmanyoftheadverseenvironmentalimpactsoftheseactivitiesincludingthepossibilityofuncontrolledfires.ThemajorecosystemsoftheupperSusitnabasinincludetheuplandandlowlandspruce-hardwoodforestsystemsandthemoistandalpinetundrasystems.Alltheseecosystemsaresusceptibletolong-term5164.06ArchaeologicalResources.Ofthefourpresentlyknownarchaeo-logicalsitesintheupperSusitnabasin,alllieupstreamfromtheinfluenceofth~WatanaDamandreservoir,accordingtotheAlaskaDivisionofP~rksreportofAugust1975.Onthebasisofprobablehighestgamediversityinearlytimes,thereportselectsareasmostlikelytohavebeeninhabitedbypeople,andthusidentifiessitesforpotentialarchaeologicalexploration.Thesesitesaremostgenerallydesignatedasbeingneartheconfluenceofstreamswherehabitatdiversitywaslikelyhighest.Thereportconclude~that"--theentireriversystemshouldberegardedasanareaofextremelyhigharchaeological-potential.IIThereportfurtherstates:"Whileitisdifficulttomeasuretheamountofadverseimpacteachofthefourdamcomplexeswillhaveonheritageresources,itispossibletoascertainthattheDevilCanyonDamwillhavetheleasteffect.TheWatanaDamwillhavethesecondlowestadverseimpact,followedbyDenaliDam.TheconstructionoftheVeeDa~sitewillbavethemostadverseimpactonsignificantheritageresources."(TheVeeandDenaliDamsarenotintheproposedplanofdevelopment.)Moreintensivereconnaissanceoftheaffectedareaswillbeneces-saryfollowingprojectauthorizationtodeterminetheactualexistenceandlocationsofsites.TheDryCreekarchaeologicalsiteislocatedinthevicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridor.Thesitewillnotbeaffectedbydevelopmentwithintheproposedroute.4.07Vegetation.Allofthevegetationwithinthe'poolsofthepro-.posedreservoirsandintheproposedroadlocationswouldbeeliminatedifthedamswereconstructed.Treeswouldalsobeclearedinareaswithintransmissionlinecorridors.Mostofthetreesandshrubswouldbeclearedduringconstructionoperations,andsomeofthecommercialtimberwouldprobablybemarketed.Mostoftheresidueslashmaterialanddebriswouldbeburnedorburied.MuchoftheexistingtreeandshrubcoverintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinislocatedintheriverandcreekbottomsandonthesteepcanyonslopesabovethestreamsandwouldbelostduringdamconstruc-tion.Theoperationstoclearthevegetationwithinthereservoirimpoundmentsandotherareaswouldrequireanetworkoftemporaryroadsandworkareasforpersonnel,equipment,andvehicleswithinandaroundtheareastobecleared.Controlsovertheclearingandrelatedopera-tionswouldincludeprovisionstoreduceorpreventmanyoftheadverseenvironmentalimpactsoftheseactivitiesincludingthepossibilityofuncontrolledfires.ThemajorecosystemsoftheupperSusitnabasinincludetheuplandandlowlandspruce-hardwoodforestsystemsandthemoistandalpinetundrasystems.Alltheseecosystemsaresusceptibletolong-term516
damageordestruction;thepredominanttundrasystemsareespeciallyvulnerable.Particularcarewouldhavetobetakentoprotectthelandandthevegetationfromunnecessarydamage,andremedialactionswouldalsoneedtobetakentomakefeasiblerepairstowhateverdamageshouldoccur.Exceptfortheriveritselftheareawithintheproposedreser-voirpoolisdominatedbytheuplandspruce-hardwoodforestecosystem.Most,ofthedirectimpactsofthetransmissionlineandrequiredaccessroadsuponvegetationwouldberelativelysmallwithrespecttothemagnitudeofsurroundingunaffectedland.Upto6,iOOoftheapproximately8,200acresof right-of-waywouldhavetobecleared.Theeffectonscenicqualitywouldbea majorimpactoftheclearedright-of-way.Regrowthbeyondalimitedheightwouldbepreventedbymaintenance,thuscutsthroughforestedareaswouldbepermanentlyvisible.Thiseffectwouldnotbeassignificantinmoreopenareasathigherelevations,suchasBroadPass,wherenotreeclearingisrequired.Ontheotherhand,insuchareasthetransmissionlineitselfwouldbemorevisible.ThiseffectismorefullydiscussedundertheheadingofEsthetics.Thedisposalofslashanddebris,whetherbyburning,burying,chipping,orstackinghaspotentiallyadverseeffectsuponremainingvegetationandotherresources.Althoughstackedordispersedslashmayprovidehabitatforsmallanimals,thereisahighpotentialthatslashmayresultinincreasedfirehazardandincreasesininsectpopulationswhichcoulddamagesurroundingforests.Chippingisveryexpensiveandrequiresmoremachinerytotravelalongtheright-of-way.Disposalofchipsisaproblembecausetheyshouldbedispersedtopreventkillingtheplantsontheground.Sincedecompositionratesareslow,chipsmaynotreverttohumusforquitesometime.Vegetationalongmostofthetransmissionlinecorridorisconducivetoahighrateoffirespread.andisconsideredtobeofmediumtohighresistancetofirecontrol.However,withproperprecautionarymeasures,bU,rningwouldprobablybethemostdesirablemethodofslashanddebrisdisposalfromanenviron-mentalviewpoint.Significantimpactstowildlifewouldresultfromhabitatmodifi-cationresultingfromimpactsuponvegetation.Transmissi~ncorridorclearinginforestareasandmaintenanceofasubclimaxplantcommunityofbrushandlowplantswouldimprovehabitatforsomespeciesbyincreasingprimary,productivityintheclearedareas.Browseformoosewillbeincreased;theconjunctionofgoodcoverintheoriginalforestwithaswathofbrowsecreatesadiverselIedgellhabitatformanyanimalsdependentonsubclimaxgrowth.Animalsdependentonclimaxornear-climaxvegetationwillsufferlossofhabitat;ex~mplesaretheredsquirrelandnorthernflyingsquirrel,bothofwhichdependuponwhitespruce.517damageordestruction;thepredominanttundrasystemsareespeciallyvulnerable.Particularcarewouldhavetobetakentoprotectthelandandthevegetationfromunnecessarydamage,andremedialactionswouldalsoneedtobetakentomakefeasiblerepairstowhateverdamageshouldoccur.Exceptfortheriveritselftheareawithintheproposedreser-voirpoolisdominatedbytheuplandspruce-hardwoodforestecosystem.Most,ofthedirectimpactsofthetransmissionlineandrequiredaccessroadsuponvegetationwouldberelativelysmallwithrespecttothemagnitudeofsurroundingunaffectedland.Upto6,iOOoftheapproximately8,200acresof right-of-waywouldhavetobecleared.Theeffectonscenicqualitywouldbea majorimpactoftheclearedright-of-way.Regrowthbeyondalimitedheightwouldbepreventedbymaintenance,thuscutsthroughforestedareaswouldbepermanentlyvisible.Thiseffectwouldnotbeassignificantinmoreopenareasathigherelevations,suchasBroadPass,wherenotreeclearingisrequired.Ontheotherhand,insuchareasthetransmissionlineitselfwouldbemorevisible.ThiseffectismorefullydiscussedundertheheadingofEsthetics.Thedisposalofslashanddebris,whetherbyburning,burying,chipping,orstackinghaspotentiallyadverseeffectsuponremainingvegetationandotherresources.Althoughstackedordispersedslashmayprovidehabitatforsmallanimals,thereisahighpotentialthatslashmayresultinincreasedfirehazardandincreasesininsectpopulationswhichcoulddamagesurroundingforests.Chippingisveryexpensiveandrequiresmoremachinerytotravelalongtheright-of-way.Disposalofchipsisaproblembecausetheyshouldbedispersedtopreventkillingtheplantsontheground.Sincedecompositionratesareslow,chipsmaynotreverttohumusforquitesometime.Vegetationalongmostofthetransmissionlinecorridorisconducivetoahighrateoffirespread.andisconsideredtobeofmediumtohighresistancetofirecontrol.However,withproperprecautionarymeasures,bU,rningwouldprobablybethemostdesirablemethodofslashanddebrisdisposalfromanenviron-mentalviewpoint.Significantimpactstowildlifewouldresultfromhabitatmodifi-cationresultingfromimpactsuponvegetation.Transmissi~ncorridorclearinginforestareasandmaintenanceofasubclimaxplantcommunityofbrushandlowplantswouldimprovehabitatforsomespeciesbyincreasingprimary,productivityintheclearedareas.Browseformoosewillbeincreased;theconjunctionofgoodcoverintheoriginalforestwithaswathofbrowsecreatesadiverselIedgellhabitatformanyanimalsdependentonsubclimaxgrowth.Animalsdependentonclimaxornear-climaxvegetationwillsufferlossofhabitat;ex~mplesaretheredsquirrelandnorthernflyingsquirrel,bothofwhichdependuponwhitespruce.517
4.08Mining.TheU.S.DepartmentofInte~ior,~ureauo~M~nesofficeinJuneau,Alaska,hasstatedthattheSus1tnaR1verbas1n1nthepro-posedreservoirimpoundmentareasisgenerallyfavorableforvarioustypesofmineraldeposits,buttheareahasneverbeenmappedgeologically.4.09Agriculture.Noprojectbenefitsareanticipatedforirrigationatthistime,andexceptforprovidingreasonablypricedelectricalpowertofarmsandagriculturalactivities,noothermajorimpactsonagricultureareexpected.PresentlymostagriculturalactivityintheState,fromcropfarmingtodairyfarming,occursintheCookInletsubregion.Ofthe2.5millionacresoflandthathavesoilcharacteristicsconducivetotheproductionofcultivatedcropsintheCookInlet-SusitnaLowlands,about70percentoccursinthevalleysoftheMatanuskaandtheSusitnaRiversandtheirtributaries.Mostofthislandisasyetundeveloped.4.10Roads.PermanentroadswouldbebuilttoprovideaccessfromtheParksHighwaytotheDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesandsomesegmentsofthetransmissionline.Permanentroadswouldalsoprovideaccesstoproposedrecreationfacilitieswithintheprojectarea.Temporaryroadsforprojectconstructionandreservoirclearingoperationswouldalsobeconstructed.Noroadswouldbebuiltwithinthetransmissionlinecorridorinthe39-milereachbetweenCantwellandHealy,andthe10~milereachbetweenGoldCreekandChulitna.NopermanentroadswouldbeconstructedupstreamfromthevicinityofWatanadam.Theimpactofroadaccesstoareaswithintheproposedhydroelectricdevelopmentswouldbesignificant;also,theroadsthemselveswouldhaveadefiniteimpactupontheland.Resourcevaluesimpactedbyproposedroadsincludefish,wildlife,vegetation,recreation,scenery,water,andsoils.Airandnoisepollutionrelatedtoroadconstructionanddustgeneratedbyvehicletravelonunpavedroadscouldalsobesignifi-cantadverseenvironmentalimpacts.Insectionswherepermanenttransmissionlineaccessroadsarerequired,theroadwouldbebuiltandmaintainedtoastandardsuitableforfour-wheel-drivevehicles.Notallsectionswillhaveaccessroads;incriticalareas,winterconstructionorhelicopterconstructionwi11beused.Itisalsoexpectedthathelipadsandpossiblyanaircraftlandingstripwouldbeprovidedwithintheprojectareaforairevacuationofinjuredworkersandfortheconvenienceofreducedtraveltime;anytemporaryaircraftlandingfacilitieswouldberehabilitatedafterprojectconstruction.Proposedright-of-wayrestorationafterconstructionincludesremovaloftemporarystructuresandtemporaryroads,disposalofslashandrefuse,andwherenecessary,revegetation.5184.08Mining.TheU.S.DepartmentofInte~ior,~ureauo~M~nesofficeinJuneau,Alaska,hasstatedthattheSus1tnaR1verbas1n1nthepro-posedreservoirimpoundmentareasisgenerallyfavorableforvarioustypesofmineraldeposits,buttheareahasneverbeenmappedgeologically.4.09Agriculture.Noprojectbenefitsareanticipatedforirrigationatthistime,andexceptforprovidingreasonablypricedelectricalpowertofarmsandagriculturalactivities,noothermajorimpactsonagricultureareexpected.PresentlymostagriculturalactivityintheState,fromcropfarmingtodairyfarming,occursintheCookInletsubregion.Ofthe2.5millionacresoflandthathavesoilcharacteristicsconducivetotheproductionofcultivatedcropsintheCookInlet-SusitnaLowlands,about70percentoccursinthevalleysoftheMatanuskaandtheSusitnaRiversandtheirtributaries.Mostofthislandisasyetundeveloped.4.10Roads.PermanentroadswouldbebuilttoprovideaccessfromtheParksHighwaytotheDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesandsomesegmentsofthetransmissionline.Permanentroadswouldalsoprovideaccesstoproposedrecreationfacilitieswithintheprojectarea.Temporaryroadsforprojectconstructionandreservoirclearingoperationswouldalsobeconstructed.Noroadswouldbebuiltwithinthetransmissionlinecorridorinthe39-milereachbetweenCantwellandHealy,andthe10~milereachbetweenGoldCreekandChulitna.NopermanentroadswouldbeconstructedupstreamfromthevicinityofWatanadam.Theimpactofroadaccesstoareaswithintheproposedhydroelectricdevelopmentswouldbesignificant;also,theroadsthemselveswouldhaveadefiniteimpactupontheland.Resourcevaluesimpactedbyproposedroadsincludefish,wildlife,vegetation,recreation,scenery,water,andsoils.Airandnoisepollutionrelatedtoroadconstructionanddustgeneratedbyvehicletravelonunpavedroadscouldalsobesignifi-cantadverseenvironmentalimpacts.Insectionswherepermanenttransmissionlineaccessroadsarerequired,theroadwouldbebuiltandmaintainedtoastandardsuitableforfour-wheel-drivevehicles.Notallsectionswillhaveaccessroads;incriticalareas,winterconstructionorhelicopterconstructionwi11beused.Itisalsoexpectedthathelipadsandpossiblyanaircraftlandingstripwouldbeprovidedwithintheprojectareaforairevacuationofinjuredworkersandfortheconvenienceofreducedtraveltime;anytemporaryaircraftlandingfacilitieswouldberehabilitatedafterprojectconstruction.Proposedright-of-wayrestorationafterconstructionincludesremovaloftemporarystructuresandtemporaryroads,disposalofslashandrefuse,andwherenecessary,revegetation.518
withinFish,valuesDesign,location,construction,rehabilitation,andmaintenanceofaprojectroadsystemwillbegivenprimeconsiderationwiththeutili-zationofgoodlandscapemanagementpractices.4.11ConstructionActivities.Proposedproject-relatedconstructionactivitiesincludethebUildingofthedamsandtheirrelatedfacilities;theclearingofreservoirareas;theconstructionofroads,electricaldistributionsystems,andrecreationfacilities;andthebuildingoffacilitiesforworkers.TheconstructionoftheSusitnaprojectisestimatedtotake10yearstocomplete,withanestimated'6yearsofconstructionfortheWatanadamand5yearsforDevilCanyonwithaone-yearoverlap.TheimpactoftheseconstructionactivitieSontheexistingenviron-mentwouldbesignificant.Theactivitiesthemselveswouldcausevaryingdegreesofphysicalpollutiontotheair,land,andwatertheprojectareaandtosomeareasoutsidethedevelopmentarea.wildlife,vegetation,visualresources,soils,andotherresourcewouldbeadverselyimpactedbyconstructionactivitieswithintheprojectaY'ea.Generalconstructionactivitieswouldintrudeonexistingfishandwildlifehabitat,causesoilerosionproblemswithrelatedreductionofwaterquality,clearareasofvegetation,causenoiseanddustproblems,intrudeonnaturalvisualresourcevalues,introduceairpollutantsintotheatmospherebyburningslashanddebris,andcauseotherrelatedenvironmentalimpacts.Forinstance,breakingthesurfacematofvegetationanddisruptionofsurfacedrainagecanresultinwindandwatererosion,andmeltingofpermafrost,resultinginsubsidenceanddisruptionofgroundwatertables,whichinturnresultsinerosion.Mostofthedamagetosoilsalongthetransmissionlinewouldoccurduringtheconstructionphase.Theconstructionschedulewouldbearrangedsothatworkrequiringuseofanaccessroad,suchasdeliveryofmaterials,couldbedoneinwinterandspring,whenthegroundisleastvulnerabletophysicaldisturbances.Thiswouldeliminatetheneedforextensivefillingandconsequentuseofborrowpitsorquarries.Toobtainmaterialsfromborrowsourcesandquarrysitesfortheconstructionofthedams,·roadsandotherfacilitieswouldbenecessary.Borrowareaswouldbelocatedwithintheproposedreservoirpoolareaswherefeasible.Anyborroworquarrysitesnecessaryoutsideofthepoolareawouldberehabilitated.Areaswillalsobeneededtodisposeofsomematerials~nddebris.Allconstructionactivitieswouldbecontrolledtominimizeortopreventadverseenvironmentalimpacts.4.12Workers'Facilities.Nocommunitieswithincommutingdistancetotheproposedprojectareacouldabsorbthenumberofworkersrequiredfortheconstructionofthedamsandrelatedfacilities.Sometypeoftemporaryconstructioncampswiththenecessaryfacilitieswouldneedtobeprovidedduringtheconstructionperiods,andpermanentfacilitieswouldneedtobebuiltformaintenanceandoperationalpersonnelaftercompletionoftheconstructionphase.519withinFish,valuesDesign,location,construction,rehabilitation,andmaintenanceofaprojectroadsystemwillbegivenprimeconsiderationwiththeutili-zationofgoodlandscapemanagementpractices.4.11ConstructionActivities.Proposedproject-relatedconstructionactivitiesincludethebUildingofthedamsandtheirrelatedfacilities;theclearingofreservoirareas;theconstructionofroads,electricaldistributionsystems,andrecreationfacilities;andthebuildingoffacilitiesforworkers.TheconstructionoftheSusitnaprojectisestimatedtotake10yearstocomplete,withanestimated'6yearsofconstructionfortheWatanadamand5yearsforDevilCanyonwithaone-yearoverlap.Theimpactoftheseconstructionactivitiesontheexistingenviron-mentwouldbesignificant.Theactivitiesthemselveswouldcausevaryingdegreesofphysicalpollutiontotheair,land,andwatertheprojectareaandtosomeareasoutsidethedevelopmentarea.wildlife,vegetation,visualresources,soils,andotherresourcewouldbeadverselyimpactedbyconstructionactivitieswithintheprojectaY'ea.Generalconstructionactivitieswouldintrudeonexistingfishandwildlifehabitat,causesoilerosionproblemswithrelatedreductionofwaterquality,clearareasofvegetation,causenoiseanddustproblems,intrudeonnaturalvisualresourcevalues,introduceairpollutantsintotheatmospherebyburningslashanddebris,andcauseotherrelatedenvironmentalimpacts.Forinstance,breakingthesurfacematofvegetationanddisruptionofsurfacedrainagecanresultinwindandwatererosion,andmeltingofpermafrost,resultinginsubsidenceanddisruptionofgroundwatertables,whichinturnresultsinerosion.Mostofthedamagetosoilsalongthetransmissionlinewouldoccurduringtheconstructionphase.Theconstructionschedulewouldbearrangedsothatworkrequiringuseofanaccessroad,suchasdeliveryofmaterials,couldbedoneinwinterandspring,whenthegroundisleastvulnerabletophysicaldisturbances.Thiswouldeliminatetheneedforextensivefillingandconsequentuseofborrowpitsorquarries.Toobtainmaterialsfromborrowsourcesandquarrysitesfortheconstructionofthedams,·roadsandotherfacilitieswouldbenecessary.Borrowareaswouldbelocatedwithintheproposedreservoirpoolareaswherefeasible.Anyborroworquarrysitesnecessaryoutsideofthepoolareawouldberehabilitated.Areaswillalsobeneededtodisposeofsomematerials~nddebris.Allconstructionactivitieswouldbecontrolledtominimizeortopreventadverseenvironmentalimpacts.4.12Workers'Facilities.Nocommunitieswithincommutingdistancetotheproposedprojectareacouldabsorbthenumberofworkersrequiredfortheconstructionofthedamsandrelatedfacilities.Sometypeoftemporaryconstructioncampswiththenecessaryfacilitieswouldneedtobeprovidedduringtheconstructionperiods,andpermanentfacilitieswouldneedtobebuiltformaintenanceandoperationalpersonnelaftercompletionoftheconstructionphase.519
Theconstructionandoperationsoftheworkers'campswouldcomplywithStateandFederalpollutioncontrollawsandstandards,andallactivitieswouldbecontrolledtominimizeadverseenvironmentalimpactspresentedbythecamps.Landsusedforoperatingthetemporarycampareaswouldberehabilitatedwhentheprojectworkwascompleted.4.13Esthetics.Theproposedprojectwouldbelocatedinareasthatpresentlyhavepracticallynopermanentsignsofman'spresence.ThelandbetweenPortageCreekandtheDenaliHighwayisanaturalandscenicareawhichwouldprobablyqualifyforwildernessclassificationundermostdefinitionsoftheterm.Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheexistingnaturalscenicresourcevalueswithintheprojectarea.AnydamconstructionontheupperSusitnawouldchangeasegmentofwhatisnowanatural,free-flowingriverintoamanmadeimpoundment.Withinal2-monthperiod,DevilCanyonreservoircouldfluctuateupto5feetwhileWatanareservoirwouldfluctuateupto125feetundernormaloperatingconditions.TheproposedWatanaimpoundmentislocatedinanarrow,steep,isolatedcanyonwheretheseasonalfluctuationwouldnothaveasubstantialscenicimpact.Theviolent,whitewatersectionoftheSusitnaRiverthroughDevilCanyonwouldbesubstantiallyinundatedbyadamatDevilCanyon.Roadsandtransmissionlineswouldalsoimpactthenaturalscenicresourcevaluesofthearea.Sinceitis~xpectedthataconsiderablenumberoftouristsandStateresidentswouldvisitthedamsites,everyeffortwouldbegiventominimizingtheadversevisualimpactsofconstructionactivities.Agreatdealcanbeaccomplishedtomaximizescenicresourcevaluesthatwillremainafterconstruction.Goodlandscapemanagementpracticeswouldaddsubstantiallytotherecreationalexperienceoftheprojectvisitorwithfacilitiesthatarewellplannedandwellmaintained.Theproposedtransmissionlinecorridorwouldcrossnoexistingorpresentlyproposedscenic,wild,orrecreationalrivers,norwoulditcrossanyexistingorpresentlyproposedwildernessareasorwildliferefuges.Inmostsegments,thetransmissionlinewouldparallelexist-ingcorridorsortraversenosignificantlylargeareasofintactwil-derness.However,insomesegmentswherethetransmissionlinewouldpioneeracorridorthroughapreviouslyintactarea,thequalityofwildernesswouldsuffer,especiallywherethetransmissionlineiseasilyvisible.Locationanddesignofthetransmissionfacilitieswillincludemaximumconsiderationstominimizetheadverseestheticimpactswithinthetransmissioncorridor.520Theconstructionandoperationsoftheworkers'campswouldcomplywithStateandFederalpollutioncontrollawsandstandards,andallactivitieswouldbecontrolledtominimizeadverseenvironmentalimpactspresentedbythecamps.Landsusedforoperatingthetemporarycampareaswouldberehabilitatedwhentheprojectworkwascompleted.4.13Esthetics.Theproposedprojectwouldbelocatedinareasthatpresentlyhavepracticallynopermanentsignsofman'spresence.ThelandbetweenPortageCreekandtheDenaliHighwayisanaturalandscenicareawhichwouldprobablyqualifyforwildernessclassificationundermostdefinitionsoftheterm.Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelectricprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheexistingnaturalscenicresourcevalueswithintheprojectarea.AnydamconstructionontheupperSusitnawouldchangeasegmentofwhatisnowanatural,free-flowingriverintoamanmadeimpoundment.Withinal2-monthperiod,DevilCanyonreservoircouldfluctuateupto5feetwhileWatanareservoirwouldfluctuateupto125feetundernormaloperatingconditions.TheproposedWatanaimpoundmentislocatedinanarrow,steep,isolatedcanyonwheretheseasonalfluctuationwouldnothaveasubstantialscenicimpact.Theviolent,whitewatersectionoftheSusitnaRiverthroughDevilCanyonwouldbesubstantiallyinundatedbyadamatDevilCanyon.Roadsandtransmissionlineswouldalsoimpactthenaturalscenicresourcevaluesofthearea.Sinceitis~xpectedthataconsiderablenumberoftouristsandStateresidentswouldvisitthedamsites,everyeffortwouldbegiventominimizingtheadversevisualimpactsofconstructionactivities.Agreatdealcanbeaccomplishedtomaximizescenicresourcevaluesthatwillremainafterconstruction.Goodlandscapemanagementpracticeswouldaddsubstantiallytotherecreationalexperienceoftheprojectvisitorwithfacilitiesthatarewellplannedandwellmaintained.Theproposedtransmissionlinecorridorwouldcrossnoexistingorpresentlyproposedscenic,wild,orrecreationalrivers,norwoulditcrossanyexistingorpresentlyproposedwildernessareasorwildliferefuges.Inmostsegments,thetransmissionlinewouldparallelexist-ingcorridorsortraversenosignificantlylargeareasofintactwil-derness.However,insomesegmentswherethetransmissionlinewouldpioneeracorridorthroughapreviouslyintactarea,thequalityofwildernesswouldsuffer,especiallywherethetransmissionlineiseasilyvisible.Locationanddesignofthetransmissionfacilitieswillincludemaximumconsiderationstominimizetheadverseestheticimpactswithinthetransmissioncorridor.520
Thetransmissionlinewouldhaveminimumimpactonscenicqua.lityfromPointMacKenzietoTalkeetnasinceitcouldbeconcealedorinsomeareasbelaidparallelandadjacenttoexistinglineclearings.ThelinewouldhaveamoderateimpactonscenicqualitybetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCreek.Thelinecouldbehiddenwellfromraillinesunlessthecorridorswereconsolidated.FromGoldCreektoDevilCanyon,thelinecouldeitherbelargelyconcealedfromtheroadorcouldbeusedastheroadaccessrouteitself.BetweenGoldCreekandCantwell,avisiblelinewouldhavesubstantialimpact,particularlyiflocatedwestofthehighwayandrailroad.Thelinethroughthisareacouldbesomewhatconcealed,withtheexceptionofBroadPasswhichhastheleastveg-etativecover.FromCantwelltoHealy,the1inewouldhaveasevereimpactonscenicquality;notonlyisthecanyonanareaofhighscenicquality,concealmentofthelineisdifficultandthewestbankoftheNenanaisParkland.TheimpactwouldbemoderatenearHealyandintheGoldstreamHillsandlowalongthelowerNenanaRiver.ImpactwouldbelessifGoldenValleyElectricAssociationright-of-waywerejoined.Itwouldbemoredifficulttoreducethevisualimpactofthetransmissionlinecorridorfromtheairtraveler,butthedesignofthetransmissionfacilitieswouldconsiderthisimportantfactor.TheinstallationofsignificantlengthsofhighvoJtageundergroundelectricaltransmissioncableislimitedbypresenttechnology.Fromthestandpointofesthetics,undergroundtransmissioncableswoulddefinitelybepreferredtoanoverheadtransmissionsystem.Shouldtechnologyofundergroundelectricalpowertransmissionbecomesufficientlyadvancedpriortotransmissionlineconstruction,itmaybefeasibletoutilizeundergroundcablein'shortreachesofthetransmissionsystemwherethevisualobtrusivenessofanoverheadsystem'isparticularlyobjectionab1e.Inseismicallyactiveareasthereliabilityofundergroundcablesmustbequestionedwhereslicingofthecablecanresultfromsettlingorslumpingofthesoil;oil-filledorcompress-gasfilledcablemayruptureduringsoilmovement;anditismoredifficulttolocateandcorrectdamagedundergroundcable.Overheadtransmissionlinesalsohavemoreinherentresiliencythanundergroundcables.4.14Earthquakes.SeveralmajorandminorfaultsystemseitherborderorcrosstheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,andthesouthcentralareaofAlaskaisinoneoftheworld1smostactiveseismiczones.OneofthestrongestearthquakesinrecordedhistorystrucksouthcentralAlaskainMarchof1964;themagnitudeofthequakewas8.4ontheRichterScale.Thequakewas,centeredjustnorthofthePrinceWilliamSoundarea,approximately120milesfromtheproposeddamsites(seeFigure2).DevilCanyonandWatanaDamswillbedesignedtowithstandaMaximumCredibleEarthquakeof8.5magnitudewithanepicenterof40milesatafocaldepthof20miles,whichistheapproximatedistance521Thetransmissionlinewouldhaveminimumimpactonscenicqua.lityfromPointMacKenzietoTalkeetnasinceitcouldbeconcealedorinsomeareasbelaidparallelandadjacenttoexistinglineclearings.ThelinewouldhaveamoderateimpactonscenicqualitybetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCreek.Thelinecouldbehiddenwellfromraillinesunlessthecorridorswereconsolidated.FromGoldCreektoDevilCanyon,thelinecouldeitherbelargelyconcealedfromtheroadorcouldbeusedastheroadaccessrouteitself.BetweenGoldCreekandCantwell,avisiblelinewouldhavesubstantialimpact,particularlyiflocatedwestofthehighwayandrailroad.Thelinethroughthisareacouldbesomewhatconcealed,withtheexceptionofBroadPasswhichhastheleastveg-etativecover.FromCantwelltoHealy,the1inewouldhaveasevereimpactonscenicquality;notonlyisthecanyonanareaofhighscenicquality,concealmentofthelineisdifficultandthewestbankoftheNenanaisParkland.TheimpactwouldbemoderatenearHealyandintheGoldstreamHillsandlowalongthelowerNenanaRiver.ImpactwouldbelessifGoldenValleyElectricAssociationright-of-waywerejoined.Itwouldbemoredifficulttoreducethevisualimpactofthetransmissionlinecorridorfromtheairtraveler,butthedesignofthetransmissionfacilitieswouldconsiderthisimportantfactor.TheinstallationofsignificantlengthsofhighvoJtageundergroundelectricaltransmissioncableislimitedbypresenttechnology.Fromthestandpointofesthetics,undergroundtransmissioncableswoulddefinitelybepreferredtoanoverheadtransmissionsystem.Shouldtechnologyofundergroundelectricalpowertransmissionbecomesufficientlyadvancedpriortotransmissionlineconstruction,itmaybefeasibletoutilizeundergroundcablein'shortreachesofthetransmissionsystemwherethevisualobtrusivenessofanoverheadsystem'isparticularlyobjectionab1e.Inseismicallyactiveareasthereliabilityofundergroundcablesmustbequestionedwhereslicingofthecablecanresultfromsettlingorslumpingofthesoil;oil-filledorcompress-gasfilledcablemayruptureduringsoilmovement;anditismoredifficulttolocateandcorrectdamagedundergroundcable.Overheadtransmissionlinesalsohavemoreinherentresiliencythanundergroundcables.4.14Earthquakes.SeveralmajorandminorfaultsystemseitherborderorcrosstheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,andthesouthcentralareaofAlaskaisinoneoftheworld1smostactiveseismiczones.OneofthestrongestearthquakesinrecordedhistorystrucksouthcentralAlaskainMarchof1964;themagnitudeofthequakewas8.4ontheRichterScale.Thequakewas,centeredjustnorthofthePrinceWilliamSoundarea,approximately120milesfromtheproposeddamsites(seeFigure2).DevilCanyonandWatanaDamswillbedesignedtowithstandaMaximumCredibleEarthquakeof8.5magnitudewithanepicenterof40milesatafocaldepthof20miles,whichistheapproximatedistance521
ofbothdamsitestotheDenaliFaultsystem,andisthemostlikelysourceofaseismiceventofthismagnitude.TheSusitnaFault,trun-catedbytheDenaliFault,bisectstheregioninanortheasttosouth-westdirectionapproximately2.5mileswestoftheWatanadamsite.DuetotherelativelyshortlengthoftheSusitnafault,amaximumcredibleearthquakeof6.0isconsideredreasonable.AnearthquakeofthismagnitudealongthisfaultwillbeconsideredinthedesignofWatanaandDevilCanyondams.4.15Sedimentation.Reservoirsedimentinflowwouldvaryateachreservoir.Undertheproposedsystem,DevilCanyonreservoirwouldloseapproximately6.5percentofitstotalstorageareatosedimenta-tionduringalOa-yearperiod.WatanareservoirwouldhavealOa-yearsedimentinflowthatwouldequalabout4.2percentofthereservoir'sstoragecapacity.Bothproposedreservoirshaveadead~torageareathatisnotutilizedforpowerproduction;therefore,muchoftheinitiallOa-yearsedimentationforthereservoirswouldbecontainedwithinthis"deadstoragespace,"whichwouldnothaveanysignificanteffectonreservoiroperations.MuchoftheheaviersedimentdepositedinWatanareservoirwouldcollectattheheadofthe54-mile-longreservoir.Eventhoughtheproject-lifeiscomputedonalOa-yearperiodforeconomicreasons,withadequatemaintenance,theusefullifeoftheproposedprojectduetosedimentationisestimatedtobeinexcessof500years.Ifatsomefuturetimeafeasibleprogramofsedimentremovalweredeveloped,theusefullifeperiodcouldbeextended.4.16ClimaticConditions.ThesevereclimaticconditionsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasincouldhaveasubstantialenvironmentalimpactonthedesign,construction,andoperationoftheproposedhydroelectricdevelopment.Permafrostconditions,extremecoldwintertemperatures,alongperiodofcoldweather,andiceconditionsonthereservoirandriveraresomeofthesignificantclimaticconditionsthatwouldhavetobeconsidered.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisunderlainbydiscontinuousperma-frost,sosomeprojectareaswillhavetocontendwithpermafrostand'otherareaswillnot.Extremelycoldwintertemperaturesandlongperiodsofcoldweatherwillplacesubstantialrestrictionsonmanyprojectconstructionactivi-tiesandincreasethetimeneededtocompletetheconstructionoftheprojecttoatQtalof10years.Icingconditionsonthereservoirsandtherivermaycauseawiderangeofadverseimpactsbothonprojectconstructionactivitiesandonprojectoperations.Anice-freestretchofwarmer,openwaterbelow522ofbothdamsitestotheDenaliFaultsystem,andisthemostlikelysourceofaseismiceventofthismagnitude.TheSusitnaFault,trun-catedbytheDenaliFault,bisectstheregioninanortheasttosouth-westdirectionapproximately2.5mileswestoftheWatanadamsite.DuetotherelativelyshortlengthoftheSusitnafault,amaximumcredibleearthquakeof6.0isconsideredreasonable.AnearthquakeofthismagnitudealongthisfaultwillbeconsideredinthedesignofWatanaandDevilCanyondams.4.15Sedimentation.Reservoirsedimentinflowwouldvaryateachreservoir.Undertheproposedsystem,DevilCanyonreservoirwouldloseapproximately6.5percentofitstotalstorageareatosedimenta-tionduringalOa-yearperiod.WatanareservoirwouldhavealOa-yearsedimentinflowthatwouldequalabout4.2percentofthereservoir'sstoragecapacity.Bothproposedreservoirshaveadead~torageareathatisnotutilizedforpowerproduction;therefore,muchoftheinitiallOa-yearsedimentationforthereservoirswouldbecontainedwithinthis"deadstoragespace,"whichwouldnothaveanysignificanteffectonreservoiroperations.MuchoftheheaviersedimentdepositedinWatanareservoirwouldcollectattheheadofthe54-mile-longreservoir.Eventhoughtheproject-lifeiscomputedonalOa-yearperiodforeconomicreasons,withadequatemaintenance,theusefullifeoftheproposedprojectduetosedimentationisestimatedtobeinexcessof500years.Ifatsomefuturetimeafeasibleprogramofsedimentremovalweredeveloped,theusefullifeperiodcouldbeextended.4.16ClimaticConditions.ThesevereclimaticconditionsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasincouldhaveasubstantialenvironmentalimpactonthedesign,construction,andoperationoftheproposedhydroelectricdevelopment.Permafrostconditions,extremecoldwintertemperatures,alongperiodofcoldweather,andiceconditionsonthereservoirandriveraresomeofthesignificantclimaticconditionsthatwouldhavetobeconsidered.TheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinisunderlainbydiscontinuousperma-frost,sosomeprojectareaswillhavetocontendwithpermafrostand'otherareaswillnot.Extremelycoldwintertemperaturesandlongperiodsofcoldweatherwillplacesubstantialrestrictionsonmanyprojectconstructionactivi-tiesandincreasethetimeneededtocompletetheconstructionoftheprojecttoatQtalof10years.Icingconditionsonthereservoirsandtherivermaycauseawiderangeofadverseimpactsbothonprojectconstructionactivitiesandonprojectoperations.Anice-freestretchofwarmer,openwaterbelow522
DevilCanyonDamcouldcauseice-fogconditionsinthatareaduringperiodsofextremelycoldweather.Regulationsofwinterflowsarenotexpectedtohaveanysignificanteffectsonrivericeconditionsneces-saryforthecontinueduseofthestreamforwintertraveldownstreamfromTalkeetna.Theeffectsofpossiblehighwindsandicingconditionsonthetransmissionlineswillbeevaluatedanddesignfeatureswillbeincor-poratedintotheconstructionofthesefacilitiestoreduceoreliminatetheadverseimpactsposedbytheseconditions.4.17AirPollution.MostoftheexistingelectricalpowerintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaisproducedbygas,coal,andoil-firedgeneratingunitswhichcausevaryingdegreesofairpollution.CookInletgasisacleanfuelthatcausesfewseriousairpollu-tionproblemsatthepresenttime.Theexistinggasturbineshaveverylowefficienciesandemitvisiblewatervaporduringthecolderwintermonths.Also,nitrogenemissionscouldbeofsignificantconcernforanyproposedlargergas-firedplants.HydroelectricenergycouldreplacetheburningoffossilfuelsforelectricpowergenerationinmuchoftheFairbanksareaandcouldhelptoalleviatetheseverewintericefogandsmokeproblemsinthatarea.Hydroelectricprojectsprovideaverycleansourceofpowerwithpracticallynodirectairpollution-relatedproblems.Thistypeofelectricalpowergenerationcouldreduceasubstantialnumberoffutureairpollutionproblemsassociatedwiththeburningofgas,oil,andcoal.Itwouldbenecessarytoburnsomeoftheresidueslashmaterialanddebrisduringprojectconstructionandclearingoperations,andfireswouldbecontrolledasnecessary.4.18Social.4.1a.lPopulation.SubstantialincreasesinpopulationareexpectedwithintheSouthcentralRailbeltareathroughtheyear2000and,withthepossiblerelocationofAlaska'sStatecapitalfromJuneautotheRailbelt,anadditionalpopulationimpactcanbeexpectedinthisarea.ThepopulationoftheareawillincreasewithorwithoutthedevelopmentofhydroelectricprojectsproposedfortheSusitnaRiver;constructionoftheprojectisnotexpectedtohaveanysignificantlongrangeeffectonoverallpopulationgrowth,butisratherdesignedtofulfillpresentlyprojectedneedsofagrowingpopulationasonealter-nativemeansofproducingpowerwhichwillhavetobeprovidedinonewayoranother.."Thusthetotalamountofpowergeneratedbythepro-posedSusitnahydroelectricprojectwouldgenerallybeanalternativesource,whichwouldhaveasoneofitsmajorconsiderationsarenewable523DevilCanyonDamcouldcauseice-fogconditionsinthatareaduringperiodsofextremelycoldweather.Regulationsofwinterflowsarenotexpectedtohaveanysignificanteffectsonrivericeconditionsneces-saryforthecontinueduseofthestreamforwintertraveldownstreamfromTalkeetna.Theeffectsofpossiblehighwindsandicingconditionsonthetransmissionlineswillbeevaluatedanddesignfeatureswillbeincor-poratedintotheconstructionofthesefacilitiestoreduceoreliminatetheadverseimpactsposedbytheseconditions.4.17AirPollution.MostoftheexistingelectricalpowerintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaisproducedbygas,coal,andoil-firedgeneratingunitswhichcausevaryingdegreesofairpollution.CookInletgasisacleanfuelthatcausesfewseriousairpollu-tionproblemsatthepresenttime.Theexistinggasturbineshaveverylowefficienciesandemitvisiblewatervaporduringthecolderwintermonths.Also,nitrogenemissionscouldbeofsignificantconcernforanyproposedlargergas-firedplants.HydroelectricenergycouldreplacetheburningoffossilfuelsforelectricpowergenerationinmuchoftheFairbanksareaandcouldhelptoalleviatetheseverewintericefogandsmokeproblemsinthatarea.Hydroelectricprojectsprovideaverycleansourceofpowerwithpracticallynodirectairpollution-relatedproblems.Thistypeofelectricalpowergenerationcouldreduceasubstantialnumberoffutureairpollutionproblemsassociatedwiththeburningofgas,oil,andcoal.Itwouldbenecessarytoburnsomeoftheresidueslashmaterialanddebrisduringprojectconstructionandclearingoperations,andfireswouldbecontrolledasnecessary.4.18Social.4.1a.lPopulation.SubstantialincreasesinpopulationareexpectedwithintheSouthcentralRailbeltareathroughtheyear2000and,withthepossiblerelocationofAlaska'sStatecapitalfromJuneautotheRailbelt,anadditionalpopulationimpactcanbeexpectedinthisarea.ThepopulationoftheareawillincreasewithorwithoutthedevelopmentofhydroelectricprojectsproposedfortheSusitnaRiver;constructionoftheprojectisnotexpectedtohaveanysignificantlongrangeeffectonoverallpopulationgrowth,butisratherdesignedtofulfillpresentlyprojectedneedsofagrowingpopulationasonealter-nativemeansofproducingpowerwhichwillhavetobeprovidedinonewayoranother.."Thusthetotalamountofpowergeneratedbythepro-posedSusitnahydroelectricprojectwouldgenerallybeanalternativesource,whichwouldhaveasoneofitsmajorconsiderationsarenewable523
energysource,ratherthanbeinganadditionalpowersource.Projectedpowerrequirementsbasedonmid-rangeestimatesshowthatthepro~osedSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentprogramcouldsupplyasubstantla1portionoftheRai1be1t'sprojectedelectricpowerneedsstartinginabout1985.TheproposedupperSusitnaRiverhydroprojectswillnotcreatelargeblocksofexcesselectricpowerforheavyenergy-consumingindustries.Iflargeramountsofelectricenergyareneededforaprogramofheavyindustrialdevelopment,additiona1energy-producingsourceswillhavetobeconstructed.Insummary,theprojectisdesignedtoserveprojectedpopulationneeds--nottostimulatepopulationgrowthasaconsequenceofindustrieswhichwouldbeattractedbylargeblocksofexcesselectricalenergy.A10-yearDevilCanyon-WatanahydroelectricdevelopmentprogramwouldhaveaneconomicimpactontheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareathatwouldbefelttoagreaterdegreeduringtheconstructionphaseofprojectdevelopment.ItisexpectedthatthisproposedprojectwouldhavesomestabilizinginfluenceontheoveralleconomyoftheRai1be1tareaduringtheperiodofconstructionstartinginabout1980,sinceconstructionwouldbeinitiatedseveralyearsaftertheAlaskanoilpipelinehasbeenbuiltandaboutthetimetheproposedgaspipelineisscheduledforcompletion.Thenumberofmenrequiredtoconstructthisprojectisestimatedtobeabout1,100menduringthepeaksummerconstructionperiod..Variouscommunity,borough,state,andprivatefacilitiesandagencieswouldbeimpactedtovaryingdegreesbytheworkersinvolvedintheconstructionoftheproposedproject.Workers'campswouldbeconstructedinthevicinityofsomeofthevariousconstructionacti-vities,butadditionalimpactswouldbecreatedbythefamiliesoftheconstructionworkerslivinginvariousnearbycommunitieswhowouldrequireadditionalfacilitiesandservices.Itisalsoexpectedthatduetoadverseclimaticconditions,muchoftheconstructionontheprojectfacilitieswouldberestrictedtothewarmermonthsoftheyear--probablyAprilthroughOctober.Theseasonalnatureoftheconstructionworkwouldhaveanadverseimpactonthelocaleconomyduringthewintermonths.Aftertheconstructionoftheproject,asmallnumberofpeoplewouldberequiredtooperateandmaintaintheprojectandproject-relatedfaci1ities--thesepeoplewouldnotcreateasignificantsocialoreconomicimpactontherailbeltarea.524energysource,ratherthanbeinganadditionalpowersource.Projectedpowerrequirementsbasedonmid-rangeestimatesshowthatthepro~osedSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentprogramcouldsupplyasubstantla1portionoftheRai1be1t'sprojectedelectricpowerneedsstartinginabout1985.TheproposedupperSusitnaRiverhydroprojectswillnotcreatelargeblocksofexcesselectricpowerforheavyenergy-consumingindustries.Iflargeramountsofelectricenergyareneededforaprogramofheavyindustrialdevelopment,additiona1energy-producingsourceswillhavetobeconstructed.Insummary,theprojectisdesignedtoserveprojectedpopulationneeds--nottostimulatepopulationgrowthasaconsequenceofindustrieswhichwouldbeattractedbylargeblocksofexcesselectricalenergy.A10-yearDevilCanyon-WatanahydroelectricdevelopmentprogramwouldhaveaneconomicimpactontheSouthcentra1Rai1be1tareathatwouldbefelttoagreaterdegreeduringtheconstructionphaseofprojectdevelopment.ItisexpectedthatthisproposedprojectwouldhavesomestabilizinginfluenceontheoveralleconomyoftheRai1be1tareaduringtheperiodofconstructionstartinginabout1980,sinceconstructionwouldbeinitiatedseveralyearsaftertheAlaskanoilpipelinehasbeenbuiltandaboutthetimetheproposedgaspipelineisscheduledforcompletion.Thenumberofmenrequiredtoconstructthisprojectisestimatedtobeabout1,100menduringthepeaksummerconstructionperiod..Variouscommunity,borough,state,andprivatefacilitiesandagencieswouldbeimpactedtovaryingdegreesbytheworkersinvolvedintheconstructionoftheproposedproject.Workers'campswouldbeconstructedinthevicinityofsomeofthevariousconstructionacti-vities,butadditionalimpactswouldbecreatedbythefamiliesoftheconstructionworkerslivinginvariousnearbycommunitieswhowouldrequireadditionalfacilitiesandservices.Itisalsoexpectedthatduetoadverseclimaticconditions,muchoftheconstructionontheprojectfacilitieswouldberestrictedtothewarmermonthsoftheyear--probablyAprilthroughOctober.Theseasonalnatureoftheconstructionworkwouldhaveanadverseimpactonthelocaleconomyduringthewintermonths.Aftertheconstructionoftheproject,asmallnumberofpeoplewouldberequiredtooperateandmaintaintheprojectandproject-relatedfaci1ities--thesepeoplewouldnotcreateasignificantsocialoreconomicimpactontherailbeltarea.524
5.0ADVERSEENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSWHICHCANNOTBEAVOIDEDApproximately50,550acresoflandwouldbefloodedbythereser-voirs(7,550acresatDevilCanyon,43,000acresatWatana)atnormalpoolelevation.Thisencompassesanalmostcontinuous84-milereachoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Approximately2milesofnaturalriverwouldremainunfloodedbetweenthetworeservoirs.Allwoodlandsandothervegetationwithinthereservoirpoolswouldbepermanentlylost.Trans-·missionlineclearingwouldberequiredessentiallythefulllengthofthe136-mile~10ngSusitnacorridorforatotalofabout3,700acres.Onlyabouthalfofthe198-mile-longNenanacorridorwouldrequireclearing,orapproximately2,400acres.Waterreleasedfromthereservoirswouldbeslightlyturbidthrough-outtheyear,whereasunderexistingconditionsthestreamnormallyrunsclearfrom1atefallunti1earlyspringbreakup.StudiestodateindicatethatthesedimentinsuspensionwouldnotbehighinthereleasesatDevilCanyondam,rangingprobablyfrom15-35ppm.Ontheotherhand,heavysedimentloadsnowcarriedbythestreamduringthewarmermonthsofspringthroughearlyfallwouldbesignificantlyreduced.Downstreamwaterqualityproblemsrelatedtotemperature,dissolvedoxygen,andnitrogensupersaturationcouldoccur.Thesewouldbeheldtominimal,andpossiblyinsignificantlevelsbyspillwaydesignandtheincorporationofmultiple-levelwaterwithdrawalstructures.Approximately9milesoftheexistingll-milewhitewaterreachthroughDevilCanyonwouldbelostthroughinundation.Thelower2.5milesofTsusenaCreek,whichwouldbeutilizedasaspillwayforexcessriverflows(thiswouldoccuronlyontheoccasionsofaperiodofexcessivelatesummerflooding),willsufferadverseimpactstofishandon-shorevegetationduringsuchperiods.Somemoosehabitatwithinthecanyonfloorandadjacentslopeswouldbeinundatedbythereservoirs.MostofthepresentuseisupstreamfromTsusenaCreek,thusthegreatestimpacttomoosewouldresultfromtheWatanareservoir.Theamountofgoodhabitatislimited,butitslosswouldbepermanent.TheWatanareservoirwouldliebetweenthespringcalvinggroundsandportionsofthesummerrangeofthewide-rangingNelchinacaribouherd.Mortalitytocaribouandotheranimalsattemptingtocrossthereservoirscouldresultfromice-shelvingconditionswhichmightoccurintothemonthofMay,onWatanareservoir,aildotherdifficultieswhichmightbeencounteredinswimmingbothreservoirs.Thereservoirscouldconceivablyalterhistoricalherdmovementanddistribution,althoughtheanimalsdonotexhibitanyreadilydefinablepatterns,otherthaninthebroadestofterms,atthepresenttime.5255.0ADVERSEENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSWHICHCANNOTBEAVOIDEDApproximately50,550acresoflandwouldbefloodedbythereser-voirs(7,550acresatDevilCanyon,43,000acresatWatana)atnormalpoolelevation.Thisencompassesanalmostcontinuous84-milereachoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Approximately2milesofnaturalriverwouldremainunfloodedbetweenthetworeservoirs.Allwoodlandsandothervegetationwithinthereservoirpoolswouldbepermanentlylost.Trans-·missionlineclearingwouldberequiredessentiallythefulllengthofthe136-mile~10ngSusitnacorridorforatotalofabout3,700acres.Onlyabouthalfofthe198-mile-longNenanacorridorwouldrequireclearing,orapproximately2,400acres.Waterreleasedfromthereservoirswouldbeslightlyturbidthrough-outtheyear,whereasunderexistingconditionsthestreamnormallyrunsclearfrom1atefallunti1earlyspringbreakup.StudiestodateindicatethatthesedimentinsuspensionwouldnotbehighinthereleasesatDevilCanyondam,rangingprobablyfrom15-35ppm.Ontheotherhand,heavysedimentloadsnowcarriedbythestreamduringthewarmermonthsofspringthroughearlyfallwouldbesignificantlyreduced.Downstreamwaterqualityproblemsrelatedtotemperature,dissolvedoxygen,andnitrogensupersaturationcouldoccur.Thesewouldbeheldtominimal,andpossiblyinsignificantlevelsbyspillwaydesignandtheincorporationofmultiple-levelwaterwithdrawalstructures.Approximately9milesoftheexistingll-milewhitewaterreachthroughDevilCanyonwouldbelostthroughinundation.Thelower2.5milesofTsusenaCreek,whichwouldbeutilizedasaspillwayforexcessriverflows(thiswouldoccuronlyontheoccasionsofaperiodofexcessivelatesummerflooding),willsufferadverseimpactstofishandon-shorevegetationduringsuchperiods.Somemoosehabitatwithinthecanyonfloorandadjacentslopeswouldbeinundatedbythereservoirs.MostofthepresentuseisupstreamfromTsusenaCreek,thusthegreatestimpacttomoosewouldresultfromtheWatanareservoir.Theamountofgoodhabitatislimited,butitslosswouldbepermanent.TheWatanareservoirwouldliebetweenthespringcalvinggroundsandportionsofthesummerrangeofthewide-rangingNelchinacaribouherd.Mortalitytocaribouandotheranimalsattemptingtocrossthereservoirscouldresultfromice-shelvingconditionswhichmightoccurintothemonthofMay,onWatanareservoir,aildotherdifficultieswhichmightbeencounteredinswimmingbothreservoirs.Thereservoirscouldconceivablyalterhistoricalherdmovementanddistribution,althoughtheanimalsdonotexhibitanyreadilydefinablepatterns,otherthaninthebroadestofterms,atthepresenttime.525
Duringtheaveragewinter,WatanaReservoirwouldhaveadrawdownofabout95to120feetbelowfullpoollevel.Thisfluctuationwouldcreatelargemudflatsadjacenttothereservoirintimesofmaximumdrawdown.Althoughothermajorwildli'fespecies,suchasbears,wolves,wolverines,andDallsheeparenotexpectedtobedirectlyaffectedbytheprojecttoasignificantextent,therewillinevitablybesomesecondaryimpactsresultingfromdisruptionofexistingpredator-preyrelationships.Overall,terrestrialwildlifehabitatwillbereduced.Smallanimalsresidenttoinundatedareaswillbelost.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridors,thosespeciesdependentupon.climaxornear-climaxvegetationwillbethemostadverselyaffected.Examplesaretheredsquirrelandnorthernflyingsquirrel.ResidentfishpopulationsaboveDevilCanyonDam(therearenoanadromousfishunderexistingconditionsabovethispoint)wouldbeadverselyaffectedtosomeextentbythechangefromariverinetolakeenvironmentwithinthereservoirpools,particularlybythesubstantialwinterdrawdownconditonsatWatana.Theresidentsportfisheryisnotsignificantwithinthemainriverchannel.Primaryimpactswouldoccurnearthemouthsofafewclearwatertributarieswhichprovidesomeknowngraylinghabitat.TheintricatechangesexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromDevilCanyonwillresultinbothbeneficialandadverseimpactstoresidentandanadromousfishes.Adverseimpactscouldresultfromposs-iblereductioninnutrientsandprimaryproductivity,cutting,anderosionofexistingsteambedconfiguration,increasedturbidityduringthewintermonths,andchangesinthehydraulicandbiologicalregimeofsalmonrearingandspawningsloughs.(AspointedoutinSection4,manyoftheanticipatedchangesdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDamcouldprovebeneficial1:0boththeanadromousandresidentfishery.Determinationsastotheoffsettingeffectsofthesechangesarethesubjectofongoingstudies.)Roadsrequiredforprojectconstruction,operati6n,andmaintenancewouldimpairvisualqualityandpermitgeneralpublicaccessintoalargelypristinearea.Thiswouldhavethepotentialtoincreasepressureonexistinggam~populationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldis-turbanceandharassment.Thisinturnwouldrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandlawenforcementpracticesandpreventativemeasuresforthecontrolofwildfire.Anotherharmfuleffectwouldbetheimpactofsomeoftheroadsthemselveswheredelicateecosystemsaretraversed.Someoftheinevitableconsequencesofroadconstructionaredestructionofvegetationandwildlifehabitat,reducedinsulationoffrozensoils,andsettlingfrompermafrostdegradation,resultinginbotherosionandalterationofthe.groundwaterregime.Degradationofvisualqualityingeneralwouldbeamajoradverseeffectofprojectconstruction.Thiswouldbeattributableprimarilytoroads,damconstruction,right-of-wayclearingforthetransmissionline,andtheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlirieitself.Althoughcare526Duringtheaveragewinter,WatanaReservoirwouldhaveadrawdownofabout95to120feetbelowfullpoollevel.Thisfluctuationwouldcreatelargemudflatsadjacenttothereservoirintimesofmaximumdrawdown.Althoughothermajorwildli'fespecies,suchasbears,wolves,wolverines,andDallsheeparenotexpectedtobedirectlyaffectedbytheprojecttoasignificantextent,therewillinevitablybesomesecondaryimpactsresultingfromdisruptionofexistingpredator-preyrelationships.Overall,terrestrialwildlifehabitatwillbereduced.Smallanimalsresidenttoinundatedareaswillbelost.Withinthetransmissionlinecorridors,thosespeciesdependentupon.climaxornear-climaxvegetationwillbethemostadverselyaffected.Examplesaretheredsquirrelandnorthernflyingsquirrel.ResidentfishpopulationsaboveDevilCanyonDam(therearenoanadromousfishunderexistingconditionsabovethispoint)wouldbeadverselyaffectedtosomeextentbythechangefromariverinetolakeenvironmentwithinthereservoirpools,particularlybythesubstantialwinterdrawdownconditonsatWatana.Theresidentsportfisheryisnotsignificantwithinthemainriverchannel.Primaryimpactswouldoccurnearthemouthsofafewclearwatertributarieswhichprovidesomeknowngraylinghabitat.TheintricatechangesexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromDevilCanyonwillresultinbothbeneficialandadverseimpactstoresidentandanadromousfishes.Adverseimpactscouldresultfromposs-iblereductioninnutrientsandprimaryproductivity,cutting,anderosionofexistingsteambedconfiguration,increasedturbidityduringthewintermonths,andchangesinthehydraulicandbiologicalregimeofsalmonrearingandspawningsloughs.(AspointedoutinSection4,manyoftheanticipatedchangesdownstreamfromDevilCanyonDamcouldprovebeneficial1:0boththeanadromousandresidentfishery.Determinationsastotheoffsettingeffectsofthesechangesarethesubjectofongoingstudies.)Roadsrequiredforprojectconstruction,operati6n,andmaintenancewouldimpairvisualqualityandpermitgeneralpublicaccessintoalargelypristinearea.Thiswouldhavethepotentialtoincreasepressureonexistinggam~populationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldis-turbanceandharassment.Thisinturnwouldrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandlawenforcementpracticesandpreventativemeasuresforthecontrolofwildfire.Anotherharmfuleffectwouldbetheimpactofsomeoftheroadsthemselveswheredelicateecosystemsaretraversed.Someoftheinevitableconsequencesofroadconstructionaredestructionofvegetationandwildlifehabitat,reducedinsulationoffrozensoils,andsettlingfrompermafrostdegradation,resultinginbotherosionandalterationofthe.groundwaterregime.Degradationofvisualqualityingeneralwouldbeamajoradverseeffectofprojectconstruction.Thiswouldbeattributableprimarilytoroads,damconstruction,right-of-wayclearingforthetransmissionline,andtheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlirieitself.Althoughcare526
wouldbetakentominimizetheseimpactstothegreatestpossibleextent,theoverallnaturalsettingandscenicqualityofthedamsitesandtransmissionlinecorridorwouldbepermanentlyimpaired.Althoughonlyonehistoricalcabinsiteandnoarchaeologicalsitesarepresentlyknowntoexistwithintheproposedreservoirpoolsortransmissionlinecorridor,groundreconnaissanceoftheaffectedareaswhichwouldtakeplacepriortoanyconstructionactivitycouldresultinthediscoveryofsuchsites.Wheredeterminednecessary,siteswouldbesalvagedatprojectcost.Disposalofslashandotherwoodydebrisresultingfromreservoirandtransmissionlineright-of-wayclearingwouldhavevaryingdegreesanddurationofimpact.Materialinthereservoirpoolswouldmostlikelybedisposedofbyburning.Thiscouldincreasethepossibilityofwildfireinwoodlandsadjacenttotheclearingarea,andwouldaffectambientairquality,andintroduceashandothermaterialintotheSusitnaRiverduringreservoirfilling.Theseimpacts,whiletemporarilyharmful,wouldbeofshortduration.Othermethodsofdisposal,suchasstacking,burying,andchipping,haverelatedadverseimpacts,manyofwhicharemoresevereoroflongerdurationthanburning.Mineralresourcepotentialwithinareaswhichwouldbeinundatedbythereservoirsisnotfullyknown.Inundationwouldobviatethepracti-cabilityoffutureminingorextractionofsuchresources.Futureoptionsconcerninganyotheruseoflandswithinthereser-voirpoolswouldeffectivelybeforeclosed.Impactsonlanduserelatedtothetransmissionlinesaremoredifficulttoassess.Therewillbeunavoidableimpactsonpresentandfuturelandusewithforeclosureofsomealternativefutureuses.Thesecouldbebothadverseandbeneficial.Inpotentialfarmingareas,irrigationandtillingmethodswouldhavetobeadaptedtothespacingoftowers,andlandoccupiedbythetowerbaseswouldbeunusabl~.Also,thetransmissioncorridorcouldattractfuturecorridors.Thiswouldfurtherincreasevisualimpactsassociatedwiththeadditiona1corridorsandstructures.Bothtemporaryandpermanentfacilitieswouldhavetobeprovidedforprojectworkers.Impactsfromtemporaryfacilities,whileadverse,wouldbetemporary.Permanentfacilitieswouldbelocatedanddesignedtominimizeadverseimpacts.Smallcommunitiesnearconstructionactivitieswouldbeimpactedbyaninfluxoftemporaryconstructionworkersandtheirfamilies,withresultantincreaseddemanduponcom-munityservices.Thetemporarynatureofthisinfluxofpeoplewouldbedifficulttocopewith,andcouldwellhavecommunityeffectslastingwellbeyondthedepartureofthistransientpopulation.Anotherproblemrelatedtoworkgeneratedbytheprojectwouldbeitsseasonality.Inmanyinstances,constructionactivitywouldbelimitedtothewarmerseason;thusmanyoftheseworkerswouldbeseasonallyemployed.52769-7370-81-34wouldbetakentominimizetheseimpactstothegreatestpossibleextent,theoverallnaturalsettingandscenicqualityofthedamsitesandtransmissionlinecorridorwouldbepermanentlyimpaired.Althoughonlyonehistoricalcabinsiteandnoarchaeologicalsitesarepresentlyknowntoexistwithintheproposedreservoirpoolsortransmissionlinecorridor,groundreconnaissanceoftheaffectedareaswhichwouldtakeplacepriortoanyconstructionactivitycouldresultinthediscoveryofsuchsites.Wheredeterminednecessary,siteswouldbesalvagedatprojectcost.Disposalofslashandotherwoodydebrisresultingfromreservoirandtransmissionlineright-of-wayclearingwouldhavevaryingdegreesanddurationofimpact.Materialinthereservoirpoolswouldmostlikelybedisposedofbyburning.Thiscouldincreasethepossibilityofwildfireinwoodlandsadjacenttotheclearingarea,andwouldaffectambientairquality,andintroduceashandothermaterialintotheSusitnaRiverduringreservoirfilling.Theseimpacts,whiletemporarilyharmful,wouldbeofshortduration.Othermethodsofdisposal,suchasstacking,burying,andchipping,haverelatedadverseimpacts,manyofwhicharemoresevereoroflongerdurationthanburning.Mineralresourcepotentialwithinareaswhichwouldbeinundatedbythereservoirsisnotfullyknown.Inundationwouldobviatethepracti-cabilityoffutureminingorextractionofsuchresources.Futureoptionsconcerninganyotheruseoflandswithinthereser-voirpoolswouldeffectivelybeforeclosed.Impactsonlanduserelatedtothetransmissionlinesaremoredifficulttoassess.Therewillbeunavoidableimpactsonpresentandfuturelandusewithforeclosureofsomealternativefutureuses.Thesecouldbebothadverseandbeneficial.Inpotentialfarmingareas,irrigationandtillingmethodswouldhavetobeadaptedtothespacingoftowers,andlandoccupiedbythetowerbaseswouldbeunusabl~.Also,thetransmissioncorridorcouldattractfuturecorridors.Thiswouldfurtherincreasevisualimpactsassociatedwiththeadditiona1corridorsandstructures.Bothtemporaryandpermanentfacilitieswouldhavetobeprovidedforprojectworkers.Impactsfromtemporaryfacilities,whileadverse,wouldbetemporary.Permanentfacilitieswouldbelocatedanddesignedtominimizeadverseimpacts.Smallcommunitiesnearconstructionactivitieswouldbeimpactedbyaninfluxoftemporaryconstructionworkersandtheirfamilies,withresultantincreaseddemanduponcom-munityservices.Thetemporarynatureofthisinfluxofpeoplewouldbedifficulttocopewith,andcouldwellhavecommunityeffectslastingwellbeyondthedepartureofthistransientpopulation.Anotherproblemrelatedtoworkgeneratedbytheprojectwouldbeitsseasonality.Inmanyinstances,constructionactivitywouldbelimitedtothewarmerseason;thusmanyoftheseworkerswouldbeseasonallyemployed.52769-7370-81-34
VI~ClI)SusitnaRiveratVeedamsite.Thisdemonstratesthetypicallyin-cisedcharacteroftheUpperSusitnafromDevilCanyontotheTyoneRiver.Notethatheaviervegetationislimitedtoslopesandcreekvalleys.0> 0>~o>-'~ro"'O(')~-i'll/)roroO>~"'O"'ONrol/)-i'l>-<-0.0> 0>OJro::r-0.~"'0~"'00'10'1~-'-0.~0 0~0>0::r1::0~~~::r~~0>3-'-0.~ ~t.n~0>~ro~0>00>"""5•o.~oo.~~<~~O>~I::<<0.-0.0 0~"'OOro-'t.no.t.nI"D0>~~~oo0ro~<D~-0.rot.n~I::~-0. -0.-''-'."'0-0.::r"'0-'roO>ro-0."""'C~,'"-o~..-i'lIro~-0•""'"""T"""....----•ISusitnaRiveratVeedamsite.Thisdemonstratesthetypicallyin-cisedcharacteroftheUpperSusitnafromDevilCanyontotheTyoneRiver.Notethatheaviervegetationislimitedtoslopesandcreekvalleys.
6.0ALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDACTION6.01General.Alaskahasawidevarietyofenergyalternativestoproduceelectricity.Eachofthemajorenergyresources--oil,coal,naturalgas,andhydroelectricpotentialcouldeasilymeetprojectedpowerrequirementswe11beyondtheyear2000.Thenuc1earenergyalter-nativeisalsoavailable,andgeothermalresourcescouldbesignificantinsomepartsoftheState.Presentenergygenerationsystemsdepend.heavilyonfueloilsandnaturalgaswithsmalleramountsofelectricalenergycomingfromhydropowerp1antsandcoal.ItisassumedthathydroelectricpowerfromtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasincouldbeoperationalby1986withthecompletionofthefirstdamandpowerplant;thuseconomicandfinancialfeasibilityshouldbeassessedintermsofrealisticalternativesthatcouldbemadeavailableinaboutthesametimeframe.SuchalternativesincludepowerfromCookInletoilandnaturalgas,coalresourcesintheBelugaandNenanafields,oilfromtheA1yeskapipeline,naturalgasfromtheNorthSlope,otherhydroresources,nuclearpower,andgeothermalpower.PublicLaw93-577passedbytheCongresson31December1974hasemphasizedtheconservationofnonrenewableresourcesandtheutili-zationofrenewableresourceswherepossible.Th~constructionoftheproposedhydroelectricdamsontheupperSusitnaRiverisafeasibleprojectthatutilizesarenewableresourcetogenerateelectricalpowerwhilehelpingtoconservetheuseofnonrenewableresourcessuchasoilandnaturalgas.PresentAlaskanpowersystemshaveasignificantenvironmentalimpactonurbanenvironments,butarelativelysmallenvironmentalimpactoutsidetheurbanareas.SubstantialincreasesinSouthcentralRailbeltpowerrequirementswillinvolvethedevelopmentoffutureelectricpowersystems,largerfacilities,andsomealternativesthathaveveryimportantenvironmentalimplications.Futurepowersystemswillalsorequireapproachesthatincludefullconsiderationofenvironmentalvaluesandalternativesandmustantici-patethatAlaskaandthenationwillattachincreasingimportancetoenvironmentalprotection,energyconservation,andconservationofnonrenewableresources.Additionalrequirementsmustbeanticipatenforlong-rangeadvanceplanningandsiteselection,publicparticipation,andfullconsiderationoftheenvironmentinplanning,design,construc-tion,andoperationofpower.facilities.Thesignificantenvironmentalimpactsofthevariousproposedalternativeswouldvarydependingonthelocation,design,construction,andoperationofthefacilitiesforeachofthealternatives.5296.0ALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDACTION6.01General.Alaskahasawidevarietyofenergyalternativestoproduceelectricity.Eachofthemajorenergyresources--oil,coal,naturalgas,andhydroelectricpotentialcouldeasilymeetprojectedpowerrequirementswe11beyondtheyear2000.Thenuc1earenergyalter-nativeisalsoavailable,andgeothermalresourcescouldbesignificantinsomepartsoftheState.Presentenergygenerationsystemsdepend.heavilyonfueloilsandnaturalgaswithsmalleramountsofelectricalenergycomingfromhydropowerp1antsandcoal.ItisassumedthathydroelectricpowerfromtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasincouldbeoperationalby1986withthecompletionofthefirstdamandpowerplant;thuseconomicandfinancialfeasibilityshouldbeassessedintermsofrealisticalternativesthatcouldbemadeavailableinaboutthesametimeframe.SuchalternativesincludepowerfromCookInletoilandnaturalgas,coalresourcesintheBelugaandNenanafields,oilfromtheA1yeskapipeline,naturalgasfromtheNorthSlope,otherhydroresources,nuclearpower,andgeothermalpower.PublicLaw93-577passedbytheCongresson31December1974hasemphasizedtheconservationofnonrenewableresourcesandtheutili-zationofrenewableresourceswherepossible.Th~constructionoftheproposedhydroelectricdamsontheupperSusitnaRiverisafeasibleprojectthatutilizesarenewableresourcetogenerateelectricalpowerwhilehelpingtoconservetheuseofnonrenewableresourcessuchasoilandnaturalgas.PresentAlaskanpowersystemshaveasignificantenvironmentalimpactonurbanenvironments,butarelativelysmallenvironmentalimpactoutsidetheurbanareas.SubstantialincreasesinSouthcentralRailbeltpowerrequirementswillinvolvethedevelopmentoffutureelectricpowersystems,largerfacilities,andsomealternativesthathaveveryimportantenvironmentalimplications.Futurepowersystemswillalsorequireapproachesthatincludefullconsiderationofenvironmentalvaluesandalternativesandmustantici-patethatAlaskaandthenationwillattachincreasingimportancetoenvironmentalprotection,energyconservation,andconservationofnonrenewableresources.Additionalrequirementsmustbeanticipaterlforlong-rangeadvanceplanningandsiteselection,publicparticipation,andfullconsiderationoftheenvironmentinplanning,design,construc-tion,andoperationofpower.facilities.Thesignificantenvironmentalimpactsofthevariousproposedalternativeswouldvarydependingonthelocation,design,construction,andoperationofthefacilitiesforeachofthealternatives.529
Solutionsconsideredinthisinvestigation.tomeetel~ctricalne~dsintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaweregrouped1nthreemajorcategor1es:alternativesourcesofpower;alternativehydropowersourcesintheRailbeltarea;andalternativehydropowerplansintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Theextentofstudygiventoeachpotentialsolutionwasestablishedbyfirstscreeningeachalternativeforsuitability,appli-cability,andeconomicmeritinmeetingneeds.Eachalt~rnativewastestedforphysical,political,financial,institutional,economic,environmental,andsocialfeasibility.ContinuouscoordinationwasmaintainedwithareaStateandFederalagencieswhichhaverelatedinterests.Alternativemeasuresconsideredforpowerpurposesarediscussedinthefollowingparagraphs.6.02AlternativeSourcesofPower.6.02.1NoAction.Oneofthealternativestothedevelopmentoffacilitiestogenerateadditionalelectricpowerwouldbenottobuildanyadditionalfacilities.Thisapproachwouldsavethecostsofplanning,designing,constructing,andoperatingadditionalfacilities.Itwouldalsoavoidtheadverseenvironmentalimpactswhichwouldbegeneratedbytheconstructionofdamsor ofotherelectricalgeneratingfacilities;however,additionalpowersourcesarethoughttobenec-essaryandwouldnotbeprovidedbythisalternative.Ifahydroelectricsystemisnotdeveloped,alternativepowersourceswouldberequiredtosatisfyprojectedfuturegrowthneedsoftheRajlbeltarea.Becauseofleadtimeinvolvedinplanning,financing,andconstructionofanycurrentlyviablealternative,oilandnaturalgasmustcontinuetoprovidethebulkofthearea1spowersuppliesuntilthe19801s.Onanequivalenttime-framebasis,coalisthemostlikelyfutureelectricalenergysoLircefortheRailbeltarea,ifhydropowerisnotdeveloped.Theimpactsofthecoalalternativearediscussedinthefollowingparagraph.6.02.2Coal.Coalisthemostabundantfossilfuelinthenation.SouthceritralAlaskahastwoknownextensivedeposits(Figure11).TheBelugaRiverareanorthwestofCookInletcontainscoalreservesofatleast2.3billiontonsor,energy-wise,anequivalentofalmost6billionbarrelsofoil.DevelopmentofBelugacoalswouldenhancepossibilitiesforcoal-firedpowergenerationatreasonablecost.CoalresourcesintheNenanaFieldsintheSouthcentralRailbeltsouthofFairbanksnearHealy,Alaska,areevenmoreextensivethantheBelugaRiverreserves,totalingatleast7billiontons,orequivalentofabout18billionbarrelsofoil.Inmanycases,themajorobstacletoincreasedcoalusageistheproblemofremovingthehighsulfurcontentinordertomeetairpollu-tionstandardswhen"thecoalisburned.Otherproblemsincludestripandsubsurfacemining,withassociatedenvironmentalimpacts,and'trans-portationofthecoal.TheBelugacoalshavelowamountsofsulfurbutalsohavehighashandwatercontent.Considerablerefiningwouldbeneededtoenableitsuseinpowergeneration.530Solutionsconsideredinthisinvestigation.tomeetel~ctricalne~dsintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaweregrouped1nthreemajorcategor1es:alternativesourcesofpower;alternativehydropowersourcesintheRailbeltarea;andalternativehydropowerplansintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Theextentofstudygiventoeachpotentialsolutionwasestablishedbyfirstscreeningeachalternativeforsuitability,appli-cability,andeconomicmeritinmeetingneeds.Eachalt~rnativewastestedforphysical,political,financial,institutional,economic,environmental,andsocialfeasibility.ContinuouscoordinationwasmaintainedwithareaStateandFederalagencieswhichhaverelatedinterests.Alternativemeasuresconsideredforpowerpurposesarediscussedinthefollowingparagraphs.6.02AlternativeSourcesofPower.6.02.1NoAction.Oneofthealternativestothedevelopmentoffacilitiestogenerateadditionalelectricpowerwouldbenottobuildanyadditionalfacilities.Thisapproachwouldsavethecostsofplanning,designing,constructing,andoperatingadditionalfacilities.Itwouldalsoavoidtheadverseenvironmentalimpactswhichwouldbegeneratedbytheconstructionofdamsor ofotherelectricalgeneratingfacilities;however,additionalpowersourcesarethoughttobenec-essaryandwouldnotbeprovidedbythisalternative.Ifahydroelectricsystemisnotdeveloped,alternativepowersourceswouldberequiredtosatisfyprojectedfuturegrowthneedsoftheRajlbeltarea.Becauseofleadtimeinvolvedinplanning,financing,andconstructionofanycurrentlyviablealternative,oilandnaturalgasmustcontinuetoprovidethebulkofthearea'spowersuppliesuntilthe1980's.Onanequivalenttime-framebasis,coalisthemostlikelyfutureelectricalenergysoLircefortheRailbeltarea,ifhydropowerisnotdeveloped.Theimpactsofthecoalalternativearediscussedinthefollowingparagraph.6.02.2Coal.Coalisthemostabundantfossilfuelinthenation.SouthceritralAlaskahastwoknownextensivedeposits(Figure11).TheBelugaRiverareanorthwestofCookInletcontainscoalreservesofatleast2.3billiontonsor,energy-wise,anequivalentofalmost6billionbarrelsofoil.DevelopmentofBelugacoalswouldenhancepossibilitiesforcoal-firedpowergenerationatreasonablecost.CoalresourcesintheNenanaFieldsintheSouthcentralRailbeltsouthofFairbanksnearHealy,Alaska,areevenmoreextensivethantheBelugaRiverreserves,totalingatleast7billiontons,orequivalentofabout18billionbarrelsofoil.Inmanycases,themajorobstacletoincreasedcoalusageistheproblemofremovingthehighsulfurcontentinordertomeetairpollu-tionstandardswhen"thecoalisburned.Otherproblemsincludestripandsubsurfacemining,withassociatedenvironmentalimpacts,and'trans-portationofthecoal.TheBelugacoalshavelowamountsofsulfurbutalsohavehighashandwatercontent.Considerablerefiningwouldbeneededtoenableitsuseinpowergeneration.530
COALANDGEOTHERMALAREASIOOMile5A.P.A.-JULY1975o50FIGURE11531ITIDJID]CoolAreasoCOALANDGEOTHERMALAREASIOOMile5A.P.A.-JULY1975o50FIGURE11531ITIDJID]CoolAreaso
~IThecoalalternativecouldbeavailableonaboutthesametimeframeasothermajornewpowersourcessuchashydropowerandpossiblynuclearpower.Itappearsthatbase10adthermalplantscouldbeutilizedintheRailbe1tareaby1990.CoalandhydropotentialfortheSouth-centralRai1be1tmaybethe,leastexpensivealternativesforthenewpowersuppliesinthe1980'sandbeyond~butcoalwouldbemoreexpensivethanhydro.Coal-firedplantsshouldalsobegivenconsiderationinremoteareaswhichcouldbesuppliedbywatertransportation.Intheabsenceofmajorhydrodevelopmentorthediscoveryofaddi-tionalgasreserves,itisassumedthattheRailbeltpowersystemwouldshiftfromoilandgas-firedpowerunitstocoalastheprincipalenergy.sourcestartingabout1985.ItisfurtherassumedthatthecoalplantswouldeitherbeconventionalsteamorsteamandgasturbineunitslocatedneartheBelugaandNenanacoalfields.Inviewofthequantitiesofcoalinvolvedandpresent-dayminingpractice,itispresumedthatstripminingwouldbeemployedtoobtainthecoal.Withoutspecificknowledgeoftheminingsite,itisnotpossibletoprojecthowmuchacreagewouldbeaffected;however,itisassumedtobeinthehundreds,possibl~thousands,ofacres.Muchaddi-tionallandwouldberequiredforstockpilingofoverburdenandminewastesuntilsuchtimeasaportionofthepitbecameworkedoutandcouldbeusedfordisposal.Theimmediateimpactswouldbethedestruc-tionoftheoverlyingvegetationandthuslossofhabitatfortheresi-dentanimalsandbirds.Additionallandwouldbealteredforroadsorotherroutesforworkingthemine(s)andtransportingthecoaltogenerationfacilities.Airqualitycouldbeexpectedtosufferfromlargeinputsofdust.Waterincontactwithcoalandminewastesgenerallybecomeacidicandtoxictovegetationandanimallife.Itisdifficulttopreventsuchwaterfromenteringeithertheundergroundwatertableorthenaturaldrainagestreamsintheareaandthusimpact-ingwaterqualitytosomedistancefromtheactualmine.Anyscenicvaluesinthemineareawouldbelostatleastuntiltheminewasexhaustedandrestorationcompleted.Environmentalqualitieswouldalsobeaffected.atthepowergen-eratingfacilities.Considerablelandwouldbeoccupiedbythestruc-turesandmorebytheoperatingcoalstockpilesandaccessroutes.Theassociated.vegetation,habitat,andscenicvalueswouldbelost.Evenwithemissionscontrolledtolegallevels,therewouldbeaninputofparticulatematterandchemicalcompoundsintotheatmosphere.Largeamountsofwaterwouldbeneededforcoolingpondsrequiringeitherlandforinstallationofthepondsandtheremovalofthewaterfromnaturalsourcesortheuseofanaturalwaterbody(lakeorriver)forthecoolingelement.Inthelattercase,theeffectsofIIthermalpollutionllonthereceivingwaterwouldbesubstantial,especiallyasregardsstimulationofvegetalgrowthandadverseimpactsonfish~ifpresent.Disposalsitesforthewastecombustionproductswouldbeneededandcouldrequirealterationoflargequantitiesoflandanditsnaturalvalues.'532~IThecoalalternativecouldbeavailableonaboutthesametimeframeasothermajornewpowersourcessuchashydropowerandpossiblynuclearpower.Itappearsthatbase10adthermalplantscouldbeutilizedintheRailbe1tareaby1990.CoalandhydropotentialfortheSouth-centralRai1be1tmaybethe,leastexpensivealternativesforthenewpowersuppliesinthe1980'sandbeyond~butcoalwouldbemoreexpensivethanhydro.Coal-firedplantsshouldalsobegivenconsiderationinremoteareaswhichcouldbesuppliedbywatertransportation.Intheabsenceofmajorhydrodevelopmentorthediscoveryofaddi-tionalgasreserves,itisassumedthattheRailbeltpowersystemwouldshiftfromoilandgas-firedpowerunitstocoalastheprincipalenergy.sourcestartingabout1985.ItisfurtherassumedthatthecoalplantswouldeitherbeconventionalsteamorsteamandgasturbineunitslocatedneartheBelugaandNenanacoalfields.Inviewofthequantitiesofcoalinvolvedandpresent-dayminingpractice,itispresumedthatstripminingwouldbeemployedtoobtainthecoal.Withoutspecificknowledgeoftheminingsite,itisnotpossibletoprojecthowmuchacreagewouldbeaffected;however,itisassumedtobeinthehundreds,possibl~thousands,ofacres.Muchaddi-tionallandwouldberequiredforstockpilingofoverburdenandminewastesuntilsuchtimeasaportionofthepitbecameworkedoutandcouldbeusedfordisposal.Theimmediateimpactswouldbethedestruc-tionoftheoverlyingvegetationandthuslossofhabitatfortheresi-dentanimalsandbirds.Additionallandwouldbealteredforroadsorotherroutesforworkingthemine(s)andtransportingthecoaltogenerationfacilities.Airqualitycouldbeexpectedtosufferfromlargeinputsofdust.Waterincontactwithcoalandminewastesgenerallybecomeacidicandtoxictovegetationandanimallife.Itisdifficulttopreventsuchwaterfromenteringeithertheundergroundwatertableorthenaturaldrainagestreamsintheareaandthusimpact-ingwaterqualitytosomedistancefromtheactualmine.Anyscenicvaluesinthemineareawouldbelostatleastuntiltheminewasexhaustedandrestorationcompleted.Environmentalqualitieswouldalsobeaffected.atthepowergen-eratingfacilities.Considerablelandwouldbeoccupiedbythestruc-turesandmorebytheoperatingcoalstockpilesandaccessroutes.Theassociated.vegetation,habitat,andscenicvalueswouldbelost.Evenwithemissionscontrolledtolegallevels,therewouldbeaninputofparticulatematterandchemicalcompoundsintotheatmosphere.Largeamountsofwaterwouldbeneededforcoolingpondsrequiringeitherlandforinstallationofthepondsandtheremovalofthewaterfromnaturalsourcesortheuseofanaturalwaterbody(lakeorriver)forthecoolingelement.Inthelattercase,theeffectsofIIthermalpollutionllonthereceivingwaterwouldbesubstantial,especiallyasregardsstimulationofvegetalgrowthandadverseimpactsonfish~ifpresent.Disposalsitesforthewastecombustionproductswouldbeneededandcouldrequirealterationoflargequantitiesoflandanditsnaturalvalues.'532
Socialimpactswouldbemixedineffect.Theoperationoftheminepowerplantwouldprovidelong-termemploymentformanymorepeoplethanforhydroelectricfacilityofthesamesize.Becauseofthis,thevisibleeconomiceffectsrelatedtodisposableincomeandthemultipliereffectofadditionalcashcirculatingintheeconomiccommunitywouldbemuchmoreevidentthanwithahydropowersystem.Howeveracoal-thermalfacilitywouldforegotherecreationalandpossiblefloodcontrolbenefitsprovidedbyahydropowerproject.Theadverseeffectsofcoalminingwilloccureventuallyregardlessofthepresenceofhydropowerdevelopmentasthisresourcewillbeuti1izedforotherpurpo~"e'S:-~Usingcoalasapowersourceinvolvesextensiveadverseimpactstotheenvironment,bothinthemagnitudeoftheeffectsandinthesizeoftheareasaffected.Developmentofhydropowersourceswouldallowforother,morebeneficialusesofourcoalresources.Therefore,coalisdeterminedtobealessdesirablesourceofelectricalenergyproductionthanhydroelectricdevelopment.Coalwastheeconomicstandardby.whicheachofthehydroalternativeswastested.6.02.3OilandNaturalGas.Intheperiodfollowingthe1967Depart-mentofInteriorreport,AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject,moststudiesbyFederalagenciesandareautilitycompaniesfocusedontheCookInletsuppliesofnaturalgasand,morerecently,onpipelinefuelsforRailbeltpower.LocationofpotentialoilandgasreservesintheSouthcentralareaareshowninFigure12.CookInletgasisacleanfuel,andfewseriousairpollutionprob-lemsexistforgas-firedunits.Gasturbineexhaustisnoisy,butmodernnoisesuppressionequipmentcanreducethisimpact.Energyconservationaspectsqfgas-firedunitsmaybecomesignificantbecauseexistinggasturbineshavelowefficienciesandemitvisiblewatervaporduringthecolderwintermonths.Also,nitrogenemissionscouldbeof.significantconcernforanyproposedlargergas-firedplants.ExistingplansfortheCookInletareainvolveadditionallarge,advanced-cyclegasturbineunitsatBelugaandadditionalturbinesandwaste.,.heat-recoveryunitsinAnchorage.TheFairbanksareautilitycompaniesplanadditionalgasturbineunitsusingpipelinefuels.Plansforthenearfutureincludeanumberofmeasurestoincreaseefficiency,includingtheadvancedcycleandwaste-heat-recoveryunitsmentionedpreviously.However,becauseofleadtimeinvolvedinplanning,financing,andconstructingalternatives,oilandnaturalgasmustprovidethebulkofthearea'spowersupplies,atleastuntilthemid-1980's.CookInletnaturalgashasprovidedlowcostpowerbenefitsforthesurroundingareaintherecentpastand,withsubstantialreservesundercontract,shouldhandleareapowerrequirementsforseveralmoreyears.533Socialimpactswouldbemixedineffect.Theoperationoftheminepowerplantwouldprovidelong-termemploymentformanymorepeoplethanforhydroelectricfacilityofthesamesize.Becauseofthis,thevisibleeconomiceffectsrelatedtodisposableincomeandthemultipliereffectofadditionalcashcirculatingintheeconomiccommunitywouldbemuchmoreevidentthanwithahydropowersystem.Howeveracoal-thermalfacilitywouldforegotherecreationalandpossiblefloodcontrolbenefitsprovidedbyahydropowerproject.Theadverseeffectsofcoalminingwilloccureventuallyregardlessofthepresenceofhydropowerdevelopmentasthisresourcewillbeuti1izedforotherpurpo~"e'S:-~Usingcoalasapowersourceinvolvesextensiveadverseimpactstotheenvironment,bothinthemagnitudeoftheeffectsandinthesizeoftheareasaffected.Developmentofhydropowersourceswouldallowforother,morebeneficialusesofourcoalresources.Therefore,coalisdeterminedtobealessdesirablesourceofelectricalenergyproductionthanhydroelectricdevelopment.Coalwastheeconomicstandardby.whicheachofthehydroalternativeswastested.6.02.3OilandNaturalGas.Intheperiodfollowingthe1967Depart-mentofInteriorreport,AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject,moststudiesbyFederalagenciesandareautilitycompaniesfocusedontheCookInletsuppliesofnaturalgasand,morerecently,onpipelinefuelsforRailbeltpower.LocationofpotentialoilandgasreservesintheSouthcentralareaareshowninFigure12.CookInletgasisacleanfuel,andfewseriousairpollutionprob-lemsexistforgas-firedunits.Gasturbineexhaustisnoisy,butmodernnoisesuppressionequipmentcanreducethisimpact.Energyconservationaspectsqfgas-firedunitsmaybecomesignificantbecauseexistinggasturbineshavelowefficienciesandemitvisiblewatervaporduringthecolderwintermonths.Also,nitrogenemissionscouldbeof.significantconcernforanyproposedlargergas-firedplants.ExistingplansfortheCookInletareainvolveadditionallarge,advanced-cyclegasturbineunitsatBelugaandadditionalturbinesandwaste.,.heat-recoveryunitsinAnchorage.TheFairbanksareautilitycompaniesplanadditionalgasturbineunitsusingpipelinefuels.Plansforthenearfutureincludeanumberofmeasurestoincreaseefficiency,includingtheadvancedcycleandwaste-heat-recoveryunitsmentionedpreviously.However,becauseofleadtimeinvolvedinplanning,financing,andconstructingalternatives,oilandnaturalgasmustprovidethebulkofthearea'spowersupplies,atleastuntilthemid-1980's.CookInletnaturalgashasprovidedlowcostpowerbenefitsforthesurroundingareaintherecentpastand,withsubstantialreservesundercontract,shouldhandleareapowerrequirementsforseveralmoreyears.533
expensive,ifonlybecauseofpressurestoexportthefuelstoareaswherehigherpricescanbeobtained.ThepresentuseofoilandnaturalgasasasourceofelectricalenergyisviableforAlaska;however,ahigherandbetterfutureuseoftheseresourcescanand,inallprob-abilitywill,bemade.Inviewofthenationaleffortstodevelopenergysourcesthatlimittheuseofoilandgasforpowergeneration,thisalternativewasrejected.6.02.4NuclearPower.Theuseofnuclearpowerasacommercialelec-tricalenergysourceforthenationis~expectedtoincreaseconsiderablybythe year1985.Adverseenvironmentalimpactsareassociatedwithsurfaceandsubsurfaceminingofuranium,changesinlanduse,disposalofwasteheat,riskofaccidents,andsafestorageofhighlyradioactivewastes.Inspiteofthesefactors,morethan50percentoftheelec-tricalpowerofthenationisexpectedtobegeneratedbynuclearpowerbytheyear2000.Bytheendofthiscentury,breederplants,whichproduceadditionalfuelwhiletheyproducepower,willgraduallytakeoveralargershareoftheproductionofelectricity.Possiblyatsometimeinthenextcentury,nuclearfissionplantsandproposednuclearbreederplantswillbereplacedbynuclearfusionreactorsandbycentralgeneratingstationsrunningonsolarpower.Nuclearpowershouldbeconsideredalikelylong-rangesourceofbase10adpowerfortheRailbe1tareaandisgenerallyconsideredadistantoptionbecauseofsizeofpowermarkets,costandenvironmentalfactors,andtheavailabilityofmorefavorablecoalandhydroalter-natives.Theforeseeablefuturefor-nuclearpowergenerationinAlaskashouldbecomemateriallymorefavorableonlyifthereiseitherabreak-throughincostsandtechnologyorsignificantnewdevelopmentinsmall-sizedplants.Becauseofthesizeofpowermarkets,costs,andenvironmentalfactors,nuclearpowerdevelopmentinAlaskaisnotconsideredtobeanattractivealternativetocheaper,readilyavailablepowersourcesduringthiscentury.6.02.5Geothermal.GeothermalresourcesmayeventuallyprovidesignificantpowergenerationinAlaska;theSouthcentralRailbeltareahassubstantialgeothermalpotential(seeFigure11).Thissourceofenergyisnotconsideredareasonableshorttermalternativetoothermoreproventypesofpowergeneration,asincreasedutilizationofgeothermalresourcesdependsuponadditionaltechnologicaldevelopmentandeconomics.Geothermalpowergenerationisalsoconsideredtobeafuturesupplementtootherpowersourcesratherthananalternativemethodofproducingelectricity.536expensive,ifonlybecauseofpressurestoexportthefuelstoareaswherehigherpricescanbeobtained.ThepresentuseofoilandnaturalgasasasourceofelectricalenergyisviableforAlaska;however,ahigherandbetterfutureuseoftheseresourcescanand,inallprob-abilitywill,bemade.Inviewofthenationaleffortstodevelopenergysourcesthatlimittheuseofoilandgasforpowergeneration,thisalternativewasrejected.6.02.4NuclearPower.Theuseofnuclearpowerasacommercialelec-tricalenergysourceforthenationis~expectedtoincreaseconsiderablybythe year1985.Adverseenvironmentalimpactsareassociatedwithsurfaceandsubsurfaceminingofuranium,changesinlanduse,disposalofwasteheat,riskofaccidents,andsafestorageofhighlyradioactivewastes.Inspiteofthesefactors,morethan50percentoftheelec-tricalpowerofthenationisexpectedtobegeneratedbynuclearpowerbytheyear2000.Bytheendofthiscentury,breederplants,whichproduceadditionalfuelwhiletheyproducepower,willgraduallytakeoveralargershareoftheproductionofelectricity.Possiblyatsometimeinthenextcentury,nuclearfissionplantsandproposednuclearbreederplantswillbereplacedbynuclearfusionreactorsandbycentralgeneratingstationsrunningonsolarpower.Nuclearpowershouldbeconsideredalikelylong-rangesourceofbase10adpowerfortheRailbe1tareaandisgenerallyconsideredadistantoptionbecauseofsizeofpowermarkets,costandenvironmentalfactors,andtheavailabilityofmorefavorablecoalandhydroalter-natives.Theforeseeablefuturefor-nuclearpowergenerationinAlaskashouldbecomemateriallymorefavorableonlyifthereiseitherabreak-throughincostsandtechnologyorsignificantnewdevelopmentinsmall-sizedplants.Becauseofthesizeofpowermarkets,costs,andenvironmentalfactors,nuclearpowerdevelopmentinAlaskaisnotconsideredtobeanattractivealternativetocheaper,readilyavailablepowersourcesduringthiscentury.6.02.5Geothermal.GeothermalresourcesmayeventuallyprovidesignificantpowergenerationinAlaska;theSouthcentralRailbeltareahassubstantialgeothermalpotential(seeFigure11).Thissourceofenergyisnotconsideredareasonableshorttermalternativetoothermoreproventypesofpowergeneration,asincreasedutilizationofgeothermalresourcesdependsuponadditionaltechnologicaldevelopmentandeconomics.Geothermalpowergenerationisalsoconsideredtobeafuturesupplementtootherpowersourcesratherthananalternativemethodofproducingelectricity.536
Someofthepossibleproblemsassociatedwiththegenerationofelectricpowerfromgeothermalresourcesincludesitingoffacilities,brinedisposal,andcorrosion.Thisrenewableresourcecouldalsoprovideusablesideproductssuchasheat,water,andchemicals.Thisisnotconsideredarealisticalternativetootherenergysourceswithintheforeseeablefuture.6.02.6Solar.Theradiantheatofthesunisanotherrenewablesourceofenergythathasconsiderablepotentialforgeneratingpowerinthiscountryandtheworld.Practicaluseofsolarenergytoproduceelectricpoweronalargescaleisprimarilyaquestionofdevelopingthetechnologytogenerateandtostorelargeamountsofelectricityproducedbythesun'sradiation.Amajordisadvantagewhereversuchdevelopmentispursuedisthelargelandarearequiredfort'eflectorinstallationtoprovideusableamountsofpowerandthusth0largeenvironmentaldisturbancesinherentinsuchachangeinlanduse.AsecondconcernespeciallyinAlaskaisthatduringthewinter,whendemandforelectricalpowerisgreatest,thesuniseitherabsentfromoratbestabriefvisitortolocalskies.SolarpowergenerationisnotconsideredafeasibleplanningalternativeforAlaskanpowersystemsinthenearfuture.6.02.7WindandTidal.Researchanddevelopmentproposalsforwindgeneratorsshouldimprovefuturecapabilitiesofwind-poweredelectricalgeneratingsystems.Withincreaseddieselfuelcosts,wind-generatedelectricalpowerisapossiblealternativepowersourceforremoteareaswithsmallloads.Theextremecostsandenvironmenta1effectsinvo1vedinmosttidalflowhydroelectricproposalsaremajorfactorsopposingthisalternativemethodofgeneratingelectricalpower.Neither~;t2rnativeisconsideredfeasibleforprovisionoflargeamountsofenergyatthistime.6.02.8Wood.InpartsofsoutheasternAlaska,woodisusedtofiresteam-generatingpowerplants.Alaskadoeshavevastforestreservesthatcouldbeused;however,thesesametreeshavefarhigherandbetteralternativeusesinwood,paper,andotherindustries.Inadditior.th0esthetic,ecological,andenvironmentalimpactsofthelargeharve=~5necessarytoallowproductionoflargeamountsofenergyappeartobemassive.Woodasanenergysourceisnotconsideredamajoralternative.6.02.9Intertie.AlaskacouldpurchasesurpluspowerfromsourcesinCanadaorthe"Lower48;"however,thecostoftransmissionfacilitiesandtheuncertaintyofavailabledependablepowerwouldbemajorfactorsopposingsuchascheme.Therefore,anintertiedoesnotappeartobefeasibleatthistime.537Someofthepossibleproblemsassociatedwiththegenerationofelectricpowerfromgeothermalresourcesincludesitingoffacilities,brinedisposal,andcorrosion.Thisrenewableresourcecouldalsoprovideusablesideproductssuchasheat,water,andchemicals.Thisisnotconsideredarealisticalternativetootherenergysourceswithintheforeseeablefuture.6.02.6Solar.Theradiantheatofthesunisanotherrenewablesourceofenergythathasconsiderablepotentialforgeneratingpowerinthiscountryandtheworld.Practicaluseofsolarenergytoproduceelectricpoweronalargescaleisprimarilyaquestionofdevelopingthetechnologytogenerateandtostorelargeamountsofelectricityproducedbythesun'sradiation.Amajordisadvantagewhereversuchdevelopmentispursuedisthelargelandarearequiredfort'eflectorinstallationtoprovideusableamountsofpowerandthusth0largeenvironmentaldisturbancesinherentinsuchachangeinlanduse.AsecondconcernespeciallyinAlaskaisthatduringthewinter,whendemandforelectricalpowerisgreatest,thesuniseitherabsentfromoratbestabriefvisitortolocalskies.SolarpowergenerationisnotconsideredafeasibleplanningalternativeforAlaskanpowersystemsinthenearfuture.6.02.7WindandTidal.Researchanddevelopmentproposalsforwindgeneratorsshouldimprovefuturecapabilitiesofwind-poweredelectricalgeneratingsystems.Withincreaseddieselfuelcosts,wind-generatedelectricalpowerisapossiblealternativepowersourceforremoteareaswithsmallloads.Theextremecostsandenvironmenta1effectsinvo1vedinmosttidalflowhydroelectricproposalsaremajorfactorsopposingthisalternativemethodofgeneratingelectricalpower.Neither~;t2rnativeisconsideredfeasibleforprovisionoflargeamountsofenergyatthistime.6.02.8Wood.InpartsofsoutheasternAlaska,woodisusedtofiresteam-generatingpowerplants.Alaskadoeshavevastforestreservesthatcouldbeused;however,thesesametreeshavefarhigherandbetteralternativeusesinwood,paper,andotherindustries.Inadditior.th0esthetic,ecological,andenvironmentalimpactsofthelargeharve=~5necessarytoallowproductionoflargeamountsofenergyappeartobemassive.Woodasanenergysourceisnotconsideredamajoralternative.6.02.9Intertie.AlaskacouldpurchasesurpluspowerfromsourcesinCanadaorthe"Lower48;"however,thecostoftransmissionfacilitiesandtheuncertaintyofavailabledependablepowerwouldbemajorfactorsopposingsuchascheme.Therefore,anintertiedoesnotappeartobefeasibleatthistime.537
6.02.10SolidWaste.Theburningofsolidwasteproductstoproduceelectricalpowerhaspotentialinsomeareasofthecountry,buttheredoesnotappeartobeanadequatesupplyofsolidwasteproductsintherailbeltareatoproducesubstantialamountsofenergy.Associatedairqualityandodorproblemswouldalsoappeartobesevere.Thlsalter-nativeisnotconsideredfeasibletomeettheenergyneedsintherailbeltarea,butcouldsupplementthetotalpowerneedsforthearea.6.02.11Hydropower.ThereconnaissancereportonpotentialdevelopmentintheStateofAlaskamadein1948bytheU.S.BureauofReclamation,includedhundredsofpotentialpower~evelopmentsiteslocatedthrough-outthefivestudyregionsoftheState:Southeast,Southcentral,Yukon-Kuskokwim,SewardPeninsula,andArctic.In1969andagainin1974the1948reportwasupdated,andinMay1974thelatestrevisionwaspublishedasthe1974AlaskaPowerSurvey.ThetwolargestmarketareasforpowerarelocatedintheSouthcentralRailbelt,particularlytheAnchorage-CookInletarea,andtheFairbanks-TananaValleyarea.ThelargeamountoftheavailablerenewablewaterresourcewhichcouldproduceelectricpowerhasexcellentpotentialtoanswertheenergyneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.6.03AlternativeHydrologicBasinsintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea6.03.1RampartCanyon.ConsiderablestudyhasbeenmadeofthepossibilityofdevelopinghydroelectricpowerintheUpperYukonBasinwithadamsitelocatedinRampartCanyonontheYukonRiverapproximately140milesnorthwestofFairbanks,Alaska.TheprojecthasoneofthegreatesthydroelectricpotentialsinNorthAmerica.Theproposalwouldcreateareservoirwithawatersurfaceareaofapproximately10,600squaremiles,withamaximumlengthof280milesandamaximumwidthofabout80miles.Theprojectwouldprovidefirmannualenergyof34.2billionkilowatt-hours(theenergyequivalentofover74millionbarrelsofoilperyear).However,theimpactsonfishandwildliferesourcesintheYukonFlatswouldbesignificant.Implementationofsuchaprojectwouldalsobeextremelycontroversial.Rampartisengineering1yfeasibleandtheproposedprojectwouldprovideenoughexcessenergytoencouragefurtherindustrialdevelopmentinAlaska,butitwouldintroduceanumberofsecondaryimpactsnotassociatedwiththerecommendedalternative.Excessenergycouldalsobetransmittedtothe"Lower48"throughanintertiesystem.However,thiswouldbeamajoractionnotdirectlyapplicabletoenergyneedsoftheRailbeltArea.Justificationwouldhavetobebasedonanation-wideplanwhichincludedRampartasarecommendedalternativetothedevelopmentofotherenergysources.Withinthetime-framecriteriaestab1ishedforfulfillmentofprojectedgrowthneedsintheRai1beltArea,thisisnotconsideredaviablealternative.5386.02.10SolidWaste.Theburningofsolidwasteproductstoproduceelectricalpowerhaspotentialinsomeareasofthecountry,buttheredoesnotappeartobeanadequatesupplyofsolidwasteproductsintherailbeltareatoproducesubstantialamountsofenergy.Associatedairqualityandodorproblemswouldalsoappeartobesevere.Thlsalter-nativeisnotconsideredfeasibletomeettheenergyneedsintherailbeltarea,butcouldsupplementthetotalpowerneedsforthearea.6.02.11Hydropower.ThereconnaissancereportonpotentialdevelopmentintheStateofAlaskamadein1948bytheU.S.BureauofReclamation,includedhundredsofpotentialpower~evelopmentsiteslocatedthrough-outthefivestudyregionsoftheState:Southeast,Southcentral,Yukon-Kuskokwim,SewardPeninsula,andArctic.In1969andagainin1974the1948reportwasupdated,andinMay1974thelatestrevisionwaspublishedasthe1974AlaskaPowerSurvey.ThetwolargestmarketareasforpowerarelocatedintheSouthcentralRailbelt,particularlytheAnchorage-CookInletarea,andtheFairbanks-TananaValleyarea.ThelargeamountoftheavailablerenewablewaterresourcewhichcouldproduceelectricpowerhasexcellentpotentialtoanswertheenergyneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.6.03AlternativeHydrologicBasinsintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea6.03.1RampartCanyon.ConsiderablestudyhasbeenmadeofthepossibilityofdevelopinghydroelectricpowerintheUpperYukonBasinwithadamsitelocatedinRampartCanyonontheYukonRiverapproximately140milesnorthwestofFairbanks,Alaska.TheprojecthasoneofthegreatesthydroelectricpotentialsinNorthAmerica.Theproposalwouldcreateareservoirwithawatersurfaceareaofapproximately10,600squaremiles,withamaximumlengthof280milesandamaximumwidthofabout80miles.Theprojectwouldprovidefirmannualenergyof34.2billionkilowatt-hours(theenergyequivalentofover74millionbarrelsofoilperyear).However,theimpactsonfishandwildliferesourcesintheYukonFlatswouldbesignificant.Implementationofsuchaprojectwouldalsobeextremelycontroversial.Rampartisengineering1yfeasibleandtheproposedprojectwouldprovideenoughexcessenergytoencouragefurtherindustrialdevelopmentinAlaska,butitwouldintroduceanumberofsecondaryimpactsnotassociatedwiththerecommendedalternative.Excessenergycouldalsobetransmittedtothe"Lower48"throughanintertiesystem.However,thiswouldbeamajoractionnotdirectlyapplicabletoenergyneedsoftheRailbeltArea.Justificationwouldhavetobebasedonanation-wideplanwhichincludedRampartasarecommendedalternativetothedevelopmentofotherenergysources.Withinthetime-framecriteriaestab1ishedforfulfillmentofprojectedgrowthneedsintheRai1beltArea,thisisnotconsideredaviablealternative.538
~--YUKONRIVER..SOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTKEYHYDROELECTRICAND'0:.:::<..:.</::./::::..:::::::::::/TRANSMISSION.A LTERNATIVES~~LE_m_n._."7o .:'0100MII••FIGURE13~--YUKONRIVER..SOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTKEYHYDROELECTRICAND'0:.:::<..:.</::./::::..:::::::::::/TRANSMISSION.A LTERNATIVES~~LE_m_n._."7o .:'0100MII••FIGURE13
Thetremendousfinancialinvestments,thesubstantialenvironmental'impacts,thelimitedopportunitiesformarketingtheenormousamountsofpower,andtheavailabilityofmorefavorable,lesscostlyalternativesprecluderecommendingconstructionoftheRampartprojectatthistime.RampartDamcouldbedevelopediffuturenationalneedsreconmendtheproject'sconstruction.6.03.2WoodCanyon.Anotherpossiblelocationfo~significanthydroelectricpowerdevelopmentisWoodCanyonontheCopperRiver.Thedamsitewouldbelocatedabout85milesabovethemouthoftheCopperRiverintheChugachMountainsofsouthcentralAlaska.A"highdam"woulddevelopfirmannualenergyof21.9billionkilowatt-hours.A"10wdam"wouldprovide10.3billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.TheconstructionofadamatWoodCanyonwouldforcerelocationoftwocommunitiesandwouldcreateseriousenvironmentalproblemsaffectingbothfishandwildlifevalues,especiallytothelargesalmonrunsontheCopperRiver.Unlesstheproblemposedtomigrating'salmoncouldbesolvedsatisfactorily,theprojectwouldhaveanextremelyadverseeffectonthemajorcommercialfishingindustryinawideareaoftheGulfofAlaska.Thisalternativeisnotconsideredfeasibleatthistime.6.03.3ChakachamnaLake.-ThepossibilityofdevelopinghydroelectricpowerfromChakachamnaLakewasinvestigated.Thelakeis'locatedontheChakachatnaRiverwhichemptiesintothewestsideofCookInletapproximately65mileswestofAnchorage.Thefacilitywouldgenerate1.6billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Theprojectwouldrequiretheerectionoftr.ansmissionfacilitiesoverdifficultterraintotieintoaSouthcentra1Rai1be1ttransmissionsystemandthecon-structionofahigh-costll-mi1etunnelforpowergeneration.TheadverseenvironmentalimpactwouldbesubstantiallylessthanformanyproposedAlaskanhydroelectricprojects.However,thelowenergyoutputandthehighcosts:--enderthisalternativeinfeasibleatthistime.6.03.4BradleyLake.Thesiteforthisauthorizedhydroe1ec~projectisatBradleyLakeontheKenaiPeninsulaattheheadofKachemakBaynearHomer,Alaska.Theproposalwouldgenerate0.4billionkillowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyandcouldserveasasouthernpeakingin-stallationforaSouthcentra1Rai1be1tpowersystem.Adverseenviron-mentalimpactsofthisproposedprojectwouldberelativelyminorcom...paredtotheotherhydroelectricdevelopmentalternativeswhich,wereconsidered.1faneconomicallyfeasibleplancanbedeye10pedforBradleyLake,theprojectcouldbeintegratedwithfuturedevelopmentoftheSusitnaRiverbasin.Byitself,thisprojectwouldfulfillonlyasmallportionoftheprojectedelectricalneedsoftheRai1be1tarea.540Thetremendousfinancialinvestments,thesubstantialenvironmental'impacts,thelimitedopportunitiesformarketingtheenormousamountsofpower,andtheavailabilityofmorefavorable,lesscostlyalternativesprecluderecommendingconstructionoftheRampartprojectatthistime.RampartDamcouldbedevelopediffuturenationalneedsreconmendtheproject'sconstruction.6.03.2WoodCanyon.Anotherpossiblelocationfo~significanthydroelectricpowerdevelopmentisWoodCanyonontheCopperRiver.Thedamsitewouldbelocatedabout85milesabovethemouthoftheCopperRiverintheChugachMountainsofsouthcentralAlaska.A"highdam"woulddevelopfirmannualenergyof21.9billionkilowatt-hours.A"10wdam"wouldprovide10.3billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.TheconstructionofadamatWoodCanyonwouldforcerelocationoftwocommunitiesandwouldcreateseriousenvironmentalproblemsaffectingbothfishandwildlifevalues,especiallytothelargesalmonrunsontheCopperRiver.Unlesstheproblemposedtomigrating'salmoncouldbesolvedsatisfactorily,theprojectwouldhaveanextremelyadverseeffectonthemajorcommercialfishingindustryinawideareaoftheGulfofAlaska.Thisalternativeisnotconsideredfeasibleatthistime.6.03.3ChakachamnaLake.-ThepossibilityofdevelopinghydroelectricpowerfromChakachamnaLakewasinvestigated.Thelakeis'locatedontheChakachatnaRiverwhichemptiesintothewestsideofCookInletapproximately65mileswestofAnchorage.Thefacilitywouldgenerate1.6billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Theprojectwouldrequiretheerectionoftr.ansmissionfacilitiesoverdifficultterraintotieintoaSouthcentra1Rai1be1ttransmissionsystemandthecon-structionofahigh-costll-mi1etunnelforpowergeneration.TheadverseenvironmentalimpactwouldbesubstantiallylessthanformanyproposedAlaskanhydroelectricprojects.However,thelowenergyoutputandthehighcosts:--enderthisalternativeinfeasibleatthistime.6.03.4BradleyLake.Thesiteforthisauthorizedhydroe1ec~projectisatBradleyLakeontheKenaiPeninsulaattheheadofKachemakBaynearHomer,Alaska.Theproposalwouldgenerate0.4billionkillowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyandcouldserveasasouthernpeakingin-stallationforaSouthcentra1Rai1be1tpowersystem.Adverseenviron-mentalimpactsofthisproposedprojectwouldberelativelyminorcom...paredtotheotherhydroelectricdevelopmentalternativeswhich,wereconsidered.1faneconomicallyfeasibleplancanbedeye10pedforBradleyLake,theprojectcouldbeintegratedwithfuturedevelopmentoftheSusitnaRiverbasin.Byitself,thisprojectwouldfulfillonlyasmallportionoftheprojectedelectricalneedsoftheRai1be1tarea.540
talofesIe.Thelowoftingbe,ric:enIy:putemakowatt-ofUpstreamviewofDevilCanyondamsite.541UpstreamviewofDevilCanyondamsite.541
6.03.5SusitnaRiver.SurveysforpotentialhydropowerdevelopmentintheSusitnaRiverbasinwerereportedbytheCorpsofEngineersin1950andbytheU.S.BureauofReclamationin1948, 1952,1961,and1974.The1952USBRreportindicated12potentialhydropowersitesinthebasin;ofthese,thefive-damsitesstudiedintheupperSusitnabasinshowedthehighestpotential.Thesestudiesshowedtheenviron-mentalimpactfromprojectsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwouldnotbeassevereasthosefromotherbasins,andthefirmenergypotentialcouldcontributesubstantiallytosatisfyingtheneedsoftheSouth-centralRai1be1tarea.6.04A1tern~tiveHydroelectricPlansintheUpperSu~itnaRiverBasin:6.04.1General:EightplansforhydroelectricdevelopmentoftheSusitnaRiverbasinincludingtheproposedactionswerestudiedasfollows:6.04.2DevilCanyon.ThepossibilityofasingledamdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnabasinlocatedattheDevilCanypndamsit~wasinvesti-gated.Theproposedthin-archdamwithastructuralheightofabout635feetwouldhaveawatersurfaceareaofabout7,550acresatthenormalmaximumpoolelevationof1,450feet,m.s.1.Theprojectwouldproduce0.9billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyfromaninstalledcapacityof220megawatts.Becauseoftheverylimitedstoragecapacity,theprojecthasalowfirmenergycapabilityandisnotconsideredeconomicallyviable.6.04.3Watana.ThissingledamdevelopmentoftheupperSusitnabasinlocatedattheWatanasitewouldbeanearthfilldamwithstructuralheightofabout810feet.Thereservoirwouldhaveanormalmaximumpoolelevationof2,200feet,wouldhaveasurfaceareaofapproximately43,000acres,andwouldextendabout54rivermilesupstreamtoapointbetweentheOshetnaandTyoneRivers.Theannualfirmelectricalpro-ductionofWatanawouldbe3.1billionkilowatt-hoursfromaninstalledcapacityof792megawatts..Althoughfeasible,theprojectdevelopslessthanhalfofthebasinpotentialandisnotviableinitselfsincemoreproductivefeasibleplansareavailable.6.04.4DevilCanyonHighDam.InSeptember1974,HenryJ.KaiserCompanypreparedareportproposinganalternativehydroelectricdevelop-mentprojectontheupperSusitnaRiver.Thereportstatesthatpre-liminaryinvestigationsindicatedthatan810-foot-high,concrete-facedrockfi11damlocatedaboutfivemilesupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyonsitewouldprovide3.7billionkilowattsofaverageannualenergy,or2.6billionki1owatt~hoursoffirmannualenergy(figuresconvertedtostandardCorpsofEngineersevaluationparameters).Thisdamwouldinundateabout58milesoftheSusitnaRiverwithareservoirofapproximately24,000surfaceacresatafullpoolelevationofl,750feet.5426.03.5SusitnaRiver.SurveysforpotentialhydropowerdevelopmentintheSusitnaRiverbasinwerereportedbytheCorpsofEngineersin1950andbytheU.S.BureauofReclamationin1948, 1952,1961,and1974.The1952USBRreportindicated12potentialhydropowersitesinthebasin;ofthese,thefive-damsitesstudiedintheupperSusitnabasinshowedthehighestpotential.Thesestudiesshowedtheenviron-mentalimpactfromprojectsintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwouldnotbeassevereasthosefromotherbasins,andthefirmenergypotentialcouldcontributesubstantiallytosatisfyingtheneedsoftheSouth-centralRai1be1tarea.6.04A1tern~tiveHydroelectricPlansintheUpperSu~itnaRiverBasin:6.04.1General:EightplansforhydroelectricdevelopmentoftheSusitnaRiverbasinincludingtheproposedactionswerestudiedasfollows:6.04.2DevilCanyon.ThepossibilityofasingledamdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnabasinlocatedattheDevilCanypndamsit~wasinvesti-gated.Theproposedthin-archdamwithastructuralheightofabout635feetwouldhaveawatersurfaceareaofabout7,550acresatthenormalmaximumpoolelevationof1,450feet,m.s.1.Theprojectwouldproduce0.9billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyfromaninstalledcapacityof220megawatts.Becauseoftheverylimitedstoragecapacity,theprojecthasalowfirmenergycapabilityandisnotconsideredeconomicallyviable.6.04.3Watana.ThissingledamdevelopmentoftheupperSusitnabasinlocatedattheWatanasitewouldbeanearthfilldamwithstructuralheightofabout810feet.Thereservoirwouldhaveanormalmaximumpoolelevationof2,200feet,wouldhaveasurfaceareaofapproximately43,000acres,andwouldextendabout54rivermilesupstreamtoapointbetweentheOshetnaandTyoneRivers.Theannualfirmelectricalpro-ductionofWatanawouldbe3.1billionkilowatt-hoursfromaninstalledcapacityof792megawatts..Althoughfeasible,theprojectdevelopslessthanhalfofthebasinpotentialandisnotviableinitselfsincemoreproductivefeasibleplansareavailable.6.04.4DevilCanyonHighDam.InSeptember1974,HenryJ.KaiserCompanypreparedareportproposinganalternativehydroelectricdevelop-mentprojectontheupperSusitnaRiver.Thereportstatesthatpre-liminaryinvestigationsindicatedthatan810-foot-high,concrete-facedrockfi11damlocatedaboutfivemilesupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyonsitewouldprovide3.7billionkilowattsofaverageannualenergy,or2.6billionki1owatt~hoursoffirmannualenergy(figuresconvertedtostandardCorpsofEngineersevaluationparameters).Thisdamwouldinundateabout58milesoftheSusitnaRiverwithareservoirofapproximately24,000surfaceacresatafullpoolelevationofl,750feet.542
Thisproj~ctwouldbelocatedinmuchofthesameareaoftheSusitnaRivercanyonoccupiedbytheproposedDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectandwouldhavesimilarenvironmentalimpactswithsomeexceptions.WhereastheDevilCanyonreservoirinthetwo-damproposalwouldremainnearlyfullallyear,theKaiserreservoirwouldfluctuatesubstantially.Kaiser'sproposedDevilCanyonHighDam,locatedabout25milesdownstreamfromtheWatanasite,wouldhaveproportionatelyfewermilesofpermanentroadsandtransmissionlinesthantheDevilCanyon-Watanaproject,thereforelessenvironmentalimpactonresourcesaffectedby+hesefacilities.Therecreationopportunitieswouldbefewerfortheone-damproposal.Thesubstantialfluctuationofthereservoirwouldreducesomerecre-ationpotentialandreduceresidentfishpopulationswhileincreasingtheadversevisualimpactassociatedwithreservoirdrawdown.Theplanwasfoundtolackeconomicfeasibility.6.04.5DevilCanyon-Denali.Thisalternativetwo-damsystemwouldincludethethinarchconcretedamatDevilCanyonanda260-foot-highearthfilldaminthevicinityofDenali.TheDenaliDamwouldprovidestorageonlyandwouldhavenopowerhouse.Thissystemwouldgenerate2.5billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyfromaninstalledcapacityof575megawattsatDevilCanyonDam.Thesurfaceacres-floodedwouldtotalabout62,000acres(DevilCanyon,7,550;Denali54,000).Theplanwouldentailsignificantenvironmentalimpactsonwaterfowlnestingareas,mooserange,andarchaeological/historicalvaluesintheDenalireservoirarea.Economicfeasibilityislacking.6.04.6Three-damSystem.Athree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-DenalihydroelectricdevelopmentontheupperSusitnaRivercouldbebuiltasanextensionofthetwo~damDevilCanyon-WatanaprojectiftheDenalistoragesiteprovedfeasible.Suchadamsystemwouldprovideatotalof6.8billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Ifathree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-Denaliprojectwereconstructed,itwouldincludeDevilCanyonandWatanadamspreviouslydescribed,anda260-footstoragedamatDenali.Thisthree-damsystemwouldinundateapproximately104,550acresandwouldtake13to17yearstoconstruct.Withathree-damsystem,the100-yearstoragecapacityinWatanareser-voirwouldbereducedbylessthan3percentduetosedimentation.Environmentally,thisplanwouldresultintheadverseimpactsassociatedwiththeDevilCanyon-Denalitwo-damsystem,plustheaddedimpactofinundatingsomeadditionalmooserangeandbisectingasea-conalcariboumigrationroute.Thoughthelatterimpactshouldnotseriouslyimpedesummercariboumigration,itcouldresultinsomecariboumortalityifanimalsattemptedtocrossthereservoirduringadverseiceconditions,includingthepossibilityofice-shelvingduringperiodsofreservoirdrawdown.54369-7370 -81-35Thisproj~ctwouldbelocatedinmuchofthesameareaoftheSusitnaRivercanyonoccupiedbytheproposedDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectandwouldhavesimilarenvironmentalimpactswithsomeexceptions.WhereastheDevilCanyonreservoirinthetwo-damproposalwouldremainnearlyfullallyear,theKaiserreservoirwouldfluctuatesubstantially.Kaiser'sproposedDevilCanyonHighDam,locatedabout25milesdownstreamfromtheWatanasite,wouldhaveproportionatelyfewermilesofpermanentroadsandtransmissionlinesthantheDevilCanyon-Watanaproject,thereforelessenvironmentalimpactonresourcesaffectedby+hesefacilities.Therecreationopportunitieswouldbefewerfortheone-damproposal.Thesubstantialfluctuationofthereservoirwouldreducesomerecre-ationpotentialandreduceresidentfishpopulationswhileincreasingtheadversevisualimpactassociatedwithreservoirdrawdown.Theplanwasfoundtolackeconomicfeasibility.6.04.5DevilCanyon-Denali.Thisalternativetwo-damsystemwouldincludethethinarchconcretedamatDevilCanyonanda260-foot-highearthfilldaminthevicinityofDenali.TheDenaliDamwouldprovidestorageonlyandwouldhavenopowerhouse.Thissystemwouldgenerate2.5billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyfromaninstalledcapacityof575megawattsatDevilCanyonDam.Thesurfaceacres-floodedwouldtotalabout62,000acres(DevilCanyon,7,550;Denali54,000).Theplanwouldentailsignificantenvironmentalimpactsonwaterfowlnestingareas,mooserange,andarchaeological/historicalvaluesintheDenalireservoirarea.Economicfeasibilityislacking.6.04.6Three-damSystem.Athree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-DenalihydroelectricdevelopmentontheupperSusitnaRivercouldbebuiltasanextensionofthetwo~damDevilCanyon-WatanaprojectiftheDenalistoragesiteprovedfeasible.Suchadamsystemwouldprovideatotalof6.8billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Ifathree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-Denaliprojectwereconstructed,itwouldincludeDevilCanyonandWatanadamspreviouslydescribed,anda260-footstoragedamatDenali.Thisthree-damsystemwouldinundateapproximately104,550acresandwouldtake13to17yearstoconstruct.Withathree-damsystem,the100-yearstoragecapacityinWatanareser-voirwouldbereducedbylessthan3percentduetosedimentation.Environmentally,thisplanwouldresultintheadverseimpactsassociatedwiththeDevilCanyon-Denalitwo-damsystem,plustheaddedimpactofinundatingsomeadditionalmooserangeandbisectingasea-conalcariboumigrationroute.Thoughthelatterimpactshouldnotseriouslyimpedesummercariboumigration,itcouldresultinsomecariboumortalityifanimalsattemptedtocrossthereservoirduringadverseiceconditions,includingthepossibilityofice-shelvingduringperiodsofreservoirdrawdown.54369-7370 -81-35
TABLE II
>!",
DATA ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT AND SELECTED SUSITNA ALTERNATIVES
Type Normal Mil es of Billion Kilowatt-
of Structural Full Pool Surface Total Storage River Hours of Firm
Construction Height Elevation Acres Acre-Feet Inundated Annual Energ2'
Selected Plan:--_._---~----- --~-----------.~~-~- ----- - -
Devil Canyon Concrete,635'1,450'7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi 11 810'2,200'43,000 9,624,000 54
Totals 50,550 6.1
Alternatives:
Kaiser's High Earthfill 810'1,750'24,000 4,700,000 58 (2.6)
Devil Canyon
:01 son Concrete,200'+1,020'1,000 83,000 8•gravity
Vee Ea rthfi 11 455'2,300'9,400 920,000 32
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2,535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 88,400 5.6
Devil Canyon Concrete,635'1,450'7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi11 810'2,200'43,000 9,624,000 54
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2~535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 104,550 6.8
Devil Canyon Concrete,635 1 1,450 1 7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi 11 515'1,905'14,000 2,420,000 40
Vee Earthfi11 455'2,300'9,400 920,000 32
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2,535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 84,950 6.2
TABLE II
>!",
DATA ON THE PROPOSED PROJECT AND SELECTED SUSITNA ALTERNATIVES
Type Normal Miles of Billion Kilowatt-
of Structural Full Pool Surface Total Storage River Hours of Firm
Construction Height Elevation Acres Acre-Feet Inundated Annual Energy
Selected Plan:
Devil Canyon Concrete,635'1,450'7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi 11 810'2,200'43,000 9,624,000 54
Totals 50,550 6.1
Alternatives:
Kaiser's High Earthfill 810'1,750'24,000 4,700,000 58 (2.6)
Devil Canyon
:01 son Concrete,200'+1,020'1,000 83,000 8•gravity
Vee Ea rthfi 11 455'2,300'9,400 920,000 32
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2,535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 88,400 5.6
Devil Canyon Concrete,635'1,450'7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi11 810'2,200'43,000 9,624,000 54
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2~535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 104,550 6.8
Devil Canyon Concrete,635 1 1,450 1 7,550 1,050,000 28
thin-arch
Watana Earthfi 11 515'1,905'14,000 2,420,000 40
Vee Earthfi11 455'2,300'9,400 920,000 32
Denali Earthfi 11 260'2,535'54,000 3,850,000 34
Totals 84,950 6.2
Thisalternativehassignificantlygreatertotaladverseenviron-mentalimpactsthantherecommendedplan(DevilCanyonandWatanadevelopment)andiseconomicallyfeasible.6.04.7Four-damSystem.InMay1974,theAlaskaPowerAdministrationupdatedaMarch1961reportoftheBureauofReclamationwhichproposeddevelopmentofthehydroelectricresourcesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.ThereportproposedaninitialplantobuildtheDevilCanyonDamandpowerplantandanupstreamstoragedamandreservoiratDenali.Subsequentdevelopmentofafour-damsystemwouldincludedamsatboththeWatanaandVeesites.Thefour-damsystemwouldgenerateatotalof6.2billionkilowattsoffirmannualelectricalenergy.TheWatanaDa:,1underthisplanwouldbeabout300feetlowerthanintheselectedDevilCanyon-Watanaproposal,andtheVeeDamwouldbeabout55feetlowerthanintheoriginalBureauofReclamation4-damproposal.Initialdevelopmentofthefour-damsystem,DevilCanyon-Watana-Vee-Denali,wouldincludeonlytheconstructionofthehydroelectricdamatDevilCanyonandthestoragedamatDenali.Thiscombinationoftwodamswouldproduce2.5billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Thisinitialtwo-damstystemwouldalsobecompatiblewiththethree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-Denali,alternativeproposal.Thefourreservoirsconsideredinthisdevelopmentwouldinundateapproximately85,000acresoflandandriverintheupperSusitnabasin,comparedwithabout50,550acresfloodedintheselectedtwo-damproposal.ThetworeservoirsproposedinthelowersectionoftheupperSusitnaRiverwouldhavesubstantiallyfewerknownadverseenvironmentalimpactsthanthetwoupperareareservoirsattheVeeandDenali.Generallythefurtherupstreamareservoirislocatedinthefour-damsystem,thegreaterthe~veralladverseenvironmentalimpactwouldbeonfish,wildlife,andestheticresources.Inafour-damplan,Watanareservoirwouldcoverasurfaceareaofabout14,000acresbehinda515-foot-highdamwithapoolelevationof1,905feet.Thereservoirwouldextendover40milesupstreamfromthedamsiteandwouldbecontainedinthenarrowcanyonformostofits1ength.UndereitherWatanaalternative,thereservoirwouldfloodareasusedbymigratingcaribouandwouldfloodsomemoosewinterrangeintheriverbottom.Itwouldalsocoverexistingresidentfishhabit~tatthemouthsofsomeofthetributariesinthissectionoftheriverandpossiblewouldcreateadditionalstreamhabitatathigherelevations.The455-foot-highVeeDamwouldbebuiltonlyunderthefour-damplaninconjunctionwiththelowerheightWatanaDam.Veereservoirwouldinundateabout32milesofglacialriverandwouldhaveapool545Thisalternativehassignificantlygreatertotaladverseenviron-mentalimpactsthantherecommendedplan(DevilCanyonandWatanadevelopment)andiseconomicallyfeasible.6.04.7Four-damSystem.InMay1974,theAlaskaPowerAdministrationupdatedaMarch1961reportoftheBureauofReclamationwhichproposeddevelopmentofthehydroelectricresourcesoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.ThereportproposedaninitialplantobuildtheDevilCanyonDamandpowerplantandanupstreamstoragedamandreservoiratDenali.Subsequentdevelopmentofafour-damsystemwouldincludedamsatboththeWatanaandVeesites.Thefour-damsystemwouldgenerateatotalof6.2billionkilowattsoffirmannualelectricalenergy.TheWatanaDa:,1underthisplanwouldbeabout300feetlowerthanintheselectedDevilCanyon-Watanaproposal,andtheVeeDamwouldbeabout55feetlowerthanintheoriginalBureauofReclamation4-damproposal.Initialdevelopmentofthefour-damsystem,DevilCanyon-Watana-Vee-Denali,wouldincludeonlytheconstructionofthehydroelectricdamatDevilCanyonandthestoragedamatDenali.Thiscombinationoftwodamswouldproduce2.5billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Thisinitialtwo-damstystemwouldalsobecompatiblewiththethree-damDevilCanyon-Watana-Denali,alternativeproposal.Thefourreservoirsconsideredinthisdevelopmentwouldinundateapproximately85,000acresoflandandriverintheupperSusitnabasin,comparedwithabout50,550acresfloodedintheselectedtwo-damproposal.ThetworeservoirsproposedinthelowersectionoftheupperSusitnaRiverwouldhavesubstantiallyfewerknownadverseenvironmentalimpactsthanthetwoupperareareservoirsattheVeeandDenali.Generallythefurtherupstreamareservoirislocatedinthefour-damsystem,thegreaterthe~veralladverseenvironmentalimpactwouldbeonfish,wildlife,andestheticresources.Inafour-damplan,Watanareservoirwouldcoverasurfaceareaofabout14,000acresbehinda515-foot-highdamwithapoolelevationof1,905feet.Thereservoirwouldextendover40milesupstreamfromthedamsiteandwouldbecontainedinthenarrowcanyonformostofits1ength.UndereitherWatanaalternative,thereservoirwouldfloodareasusedbymigratingcaribouandwouldfloodsomemoosewinterrangeintheriverbottom.Itwouldalsocoverexistingresidentfishhabit~tatthemouthsofsomeofthetributariesinthissectionoftheriverandpossiblewouldcreateadditionalstreamhabitatathigherelevations.The455-foot-highVeeDamwouldbebuiltonlyunderthefour-damplaninconjunctionwiththelowerheightWatanaDam.Veereservoirwouldinundateabout32milesofglacialriverandwouldhaveapool545
elevationof2.300feetwithasurfaceareaofapproximately9.400acres.ThereservoirwouldfloodasubstantialamountofmoosehabitatonthemainSusitnaandonthelowerreachesoftheOshetnaandTyoneRivers.CariboumigrationroutesalongthesouthbankoftheSusitnaRiverwouldalsobeaffectedaswouldsomewaterfowlhabitatofminorsignificance.Presentresidentfishhabitat,especiallygrayling,wouldbefloodedatthemouthsofmanyoftheclearwatertributariesintheareacoveredbytheVeereservoir.AnyroadtotheVeedamsitewouldopenuplargerareasofwildlandsthatareprimewildlifehabitatandescapementareas(inaccessibletoman)forcaribou.bear.andmoose,andwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheseandotherfishandwildliferesourceswithintheseareas.DenaliDam,withastructuralheightof260feet.wouldforma54,000-acrestoragereservoirwithapoolelevationof2,535feet.Largeareasofwildlifehabitat,especiallyformoose,caribou,andwaterfowl,wouldbeinundatedinanareabetween2and6mileswideandapproxi-mately34mileslong.ManyclearwaterstreamsenteringtheSusitnaRiverinthisareahavevaryingpopulationsofarcticgrayling;howthefluctuatingreservoirwouldaffectthisfisheryisgenerallyunknownatthistime.Substantialareasoflandswouldbeexposedduringtheseasonaldrawdownsofthisstorageresetvoir;fromanestheticstand-point,thiswouldbeasubstantialadverseenvironmentalimpact,espe-ciallywhenviewedfromthewell-traveledDenaliHighwayduringtheearliersummermonthswhenthereservoirwouldbelow.Therelocationof19milesoftheDenaliHighwaynecessarywithther.onstructionofadamattheDenalisitewouldprovideadditionalaccesstothisareawithincreasingpressuresonthefishandwildliferesourcesinCoalCreek,ClearwaterCreek,lowerMaclarenRiver.ButteCreek,andtheeasternslopesoftheWatanaHills.TherewouldbesubstantiallylessdevelopedrecreationalpotentialattheVeeandDenalisitesthanatDevilCanyonbecauseoftraveldistancesinvolvedandreservoirdraw-down,especiallyattheDenalidamsite.ItisexpectedthatconstructionoftheVeeprojectwouldtake5to6years,whiletheDenalidamandreservoirwouldtakebetween3and5yearstoconstruct.Theconstructionperiodofthefour-damsystemwouldbebetween18and23years,ifthedamswereconstructedinsequence.Themagnitudeofenvironmentalimpactsresultingfromafour-damsystemintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinclearlymakesthisalessdesirablealternativethantheone-,two-,orthree-damplans.546elevationof2.300feetwithasurfaceareaofapproximately9.400acres.ThereservoirwouldfloodasubstantialamountofmoosehabitatonthemainSusitnaandonthelowerreachesoftheOshetnaandTyoneRivers.CariboumigrationroutesalongthesouthbankoftheSusitnaRiverwouldalsobeaffectedaswouldsomewaterfowlhabitatofminorsignificance.Presentresidentfishhabitat,especiallygrayling,wouldbefloodedatthemouthsofmanyoftheclearwatertributariesintheareacoveredbytheVeereservoir.AnyroadtotheVeedamsitewouldopenuplargerareasofwildlandsthatareprimewildlifehabitatandescapementareas(inaccessibletoman)forcaribou.bear.andmoose,andwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheseandotherfishandwildliferesourceswithintheseareas.DenaliDam,withastructuralheightof260feet.wouldforma54,000-acrestoragereservoirwithapoolelevationof2,535feet.Largeareasofwildlifehabitat,especiallyformoose,caribou,andwaterfowl,wouldbeinundatedinanareabetween2and6mileswideandapproxi-mately34mileslong.ManyclearwaterstreamsenteringtheSusitnaRiverinthisareahavevaryingpopulationsofarcticgrayling;howthefluctuatingreservoirwouldaffectthisfisheryisgenerallyunknownatthistime.Substantialareasoflandswouldbeexposedduringtheseasonaldrawdownsofthisstorageresetvoir;fromanestheticstand-point,thiswouldbeasubstantialadverseenvironmentalimpact,espe-ciallywhenviewedfromthewell-traveledDenaliHighwayduringtheearliersummermonthswhenthereservoirwouldbelow.Therelocationof19milesoftheDenaliHighwaynecessarywithther.onstructionofadamattheDenalisitewouldprovideadditionalaccesstothisareawithincreasingpressuresonthefishandwildliferesourcesinCoalCreek,ClearwaterCreek,lowerMaclarenRiver.ButteCreek,andtheeasternslopesoftheWatanaHills.TherewouldbesubstantiallylessdevelopedrecreationalpotentialattheVeeandDenalisitesthanatDevilCanyonbecauseoftraveldistancesinvolvedandreservoirdraw-down,especiallyattheDenalidamsite.ItisexpectedthatconstructionoftheVeeprojectwouldtake5to6years,whiletheDenalidamandreservoirwouldtakebetween3and5yearstoconstruct.Theconstructionperiodofthefour-damsystemwouldbebetween18and23years,ifthedamswereconstructedinsequence.Themagnitudeofenvironmentalimpactsresultingfromafour-damsystemintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinclearlymakesthisalessdesirablealternativethantheone-,two-,orthree-damplans.546
ALTERNATIVETRANSMISSION,CORRIDORS,ScaleinmilesJ100125A.PA-Morch197575w50'F'tGURE14547__.__-MATANUSKA/--CORRIDORr·PalmerNenana-3-DevilCanyon':===~.,.,.~S";'.'7j):.::'"U~,tna-3\.-r-'\TalkeetnaALTERNATIVETRANSMISSION,CORRIDORS,ScaleinmilesJ100125A.PA-Morch197575w50'F'tGURE14547__.__-MATANUSKA/--CORRIDORr·PalmerNenana-3-DevilCanyon':===~.,.,.~S";'.'7j):.::'"U~,tna-3\.-r-'\Talkeetna
6.04.8KaiserFour-DamSystem.Anadditionalstudyofafour-damsystemwasmadebytheCorpsofEngineersutilizingtheKaiserDevilCanyonHighDamasthemaincomponentinanupperSusitnabasinsystem.Thisalternativeincludedboththe.Veeand~ena1iDamsandalowreregu-1atingdam(Olson)justbelowtheconfluenceofPortageCreek.Thisfour~damsystemcouldprovideanestimated5.6billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Theenvironmentalimpactsofthisfour-damsystemareacombinationoftheimpactsoftheKaiserDevilCanyonHighDam,theVeeandDenalidamsites,anda·lowreregu1atingdamdownstreamfromDevilCanyonjustbelowPortageCreek.Thesystemwouldinu~dateabout88,250acres.Oneofthemajoradditionalimpactswouldincludeanadromousandresidentfisheryimpacts causedbythereregu1atingdamjustbelowPortageCreek.Theplanisnoteconomicallyfeasible.6.05AlternativePowerTransmissionCorridors.AnydevelopmentofhydroelectricpowerintheupperSusitnabasinwouldrequiredevelopmentofelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRai1beltloadcenters.Indeterminingthepreferredsystem,theAlaskaPowerAdministrationstudiedallfeasible~orridorsjoinin~theupperSusithacomplextoAnchorageandFairbanks.Themostfeasiblecorridorwasselectedonthebasisofcost,reliability,andpotentialenvironmentalimpact;theremainingcorridorsrepresentalternativesofvaryingdegreesoffeasibility.Fourgroupsofalternativeswere~onsidered:first,thosethatleadfromDevilCanyon-WatanatoAnchorageviatheSusitnawatershed;second,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheNenanaandTananadrainage;third,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheDeltaandTananadrainages;andfourth,thosethatleadtoAnchorageviatheCopperandMatanuskadrainages.Withineachofthefourbasiccorridorsystems,anumberofalternativecorridorrouteswereconsidered.Figure14displaysthesevariousroutes.Susitna1andNenana1aretheselectedroutes.6.05.1AlternativestoSusitna1.AsshowninFigure14,acommoncorridorissharedbyallSusitnaalternativealignmentsfromPointMacKenzietoTalkeetna.FromTalkeetnatothereservoirsites,foura1ternati~ecorridorsegmentswereconsidered•.ImpactsattributabletoSusitna1,theselectedcorridor,arediscussedinSections4.0and5.0nftheEIS.Theotherthreecorridorsarediscussedasfollows:Susitna2Thiscorridoris140mileslong,4mileslongerthanSusitna1.ItdiffersfromSusitna1inthatfromTalkeetnaitcrossestheSusitnaRiver,leadsnorthintoDenaliStatePark,thennorthwestoverTroublesomeCreekandontoGoldCreekwhereitrejoinsSusitna1.5486.04.8KaiserFour-DamSystem.Anadditionalstudyofafour-damsystemwasmadebytheCorpsofEngineersutilizingtheKaiserDevilCanyonHighDamasthemaincomponentinanupperSusitnabasinsystem.Thisalternativeincludedboththe.Veeand~ena1iDamsandalowreregu-1atingdam(Olson)justbelowtheconfluenceofPortageCreek.Thisfour~damsystemcouldprovideanestimated5.6billionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergy.Theenvironmentalimpactsofthisfour-damsystemareacombinationoftheimpactsoftheKaiserDevilCanyonHighDam,theVeeandDenalidamsites,anda·lowreregu1atingdamdownstreamfromDevilCanyonjustbelowPortageCreek.Thesystemwouldinu~dateabout88,250acres.Oneofthemajoradditionalimpactswouldincludeanadromousandresidentfisheryimpacts causedbythereregu1atingdamjustbelowPortageCreek.Theplanisnoteconomicallyfeasible.6.05AlternativePowerTransmissionCorridors.AnydevelopmentofhydroelectricpowerintheupperSusitnabasinwouldrequiredevelopmentofelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRai1beltloadcenters.Indeterminingthepreferredsystem,theAlaskaPowerAdministrationstudiedallfeasible~orridorsjoinin~theupperSusithacomplextoAnchorageandFairbanks.Themostfeasiblecorridorwasselectedonthebasisofcost,reliability,andpotentialenvironmentalimpact;theremainingcorridorsrepresentalternativesofvaryingdegreesoffeasibility.Fourgroupsofalternativeswere~onsidered:first,thosethatleadfromDevilCanyon-WatanatoAnchorageviatheSusitnawatershed;second,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheNenanaandTananadrainage;third,thosethatleadtoFairbanksviatheDeltaandTananadrainages;andfourth,thosethatleadtoAnchorageviatheCopperandMatanuskadrainages.Withineachofthefourbasiccorridorsystems,anumberofalternativecorridorrouteswereconsidered.Figure14displaysthesevariousroutes.Susitna1andNenana1aretheselectedroutes.6.05.1AlternativestoSusitna1.AsshowninFigure14,acommoncorridorissharedbyallSusitnaalternativealignmentsfromPointMacKenzietoTalkeetna.FromTalkeetnatothereservoirsites,foura1ternati~ecorridorsegmentswereconsidered•.ImpactsattributabletoSusitna1,theselectedcorridor,arediscussedinSections4.0and5.0nftheEIS.Theotherthreecorridorsarediscussedasfollows:Susitna2Thiscorridoris140mileslong,4mileslongerthanSusitna1.ItdiffersfromSusitna1inthatfromTalkeetnaitcrossestheSusitnaRiver,leadsnorthintoDenaliStatePark,thennorthwestoverTroublesomeCreekandontoGoldCreekwhereitrejoinsSusitna1.548
Thisalternativesegmentis42mileslong.AlpineandmoisttundraarecrossedinadditiontothoseecosystemscrossedbySusitna1;howeverthesearelimitedinextent.IncomparisontoSusitna1,thisalternativealsorequiresclearing100moreacres.Ittraverses26milesofDenaliStatePark,andconflictswithtrailsystemsinthePark.Susitna3.Thiscorridoris129mileslong,7milesshorterthanSusitnal--:--TIisbasicallyamoredirectcorridorfromTalkeetnatoDevilCanyon,bypassingtheAlaskarailroadbetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCreek.Thelengthofthealternativesegmentis45miles.Itcrossesoveraplateauofalmost4,000feetelevationascomparedtomaximumelevationsofabout2,000feetforSusitna1and2.Italsocrossesabout25milesofmoisttundraand20milesofuplandspruce-hardwood.IncomparisontoSusitnatherewouldbe1,610acreslessclearingofvegetationrequired,therewouldbepossibleimpactsoncaribouwinterrange,sizeableamountsoflandwouldbeopeneduptovehicularaccess,primitivevalueswouldbeadverselyaffected,andthetransmissionlinewouldbehighlyvisible.Susitna4.Thiscorridoris147mileslong,11mileslongerthanSusitna1.ItleadsfromTalkeetna,uptheTalkeetnaRiverandPrairieCreektoStephenLake,thenwesttoDevilCanyondamsite.Thissegmentis63miles,versus52mi1esforthecomparableSusitna1segment.Thissegmenttraversesuplandspruce-hardwoodsformostofitslength,andcrossesafewmilesofmoisttundra.Permafrostispresentatthehigherelevations,whichrisetoabout2,200feet.ComparedtoSusitna1,thisalternativewouldresultinpermafrostandsoilerosionproblems,75acreslessvegetativeclearing,penetrationofamooseconcentrationarea,impactuponrecreationalusenearStephenLakebycreatingvehicularaccess,andbehighlyvisibleintheuplandareawhichisrelativelyintensivelyusedbyrecreationists.6.05.2AlternativestoNenana1.TherearefivealternativecorridorsconnectingtheprojectareawithFairbanksbywayoftheNenanaRiver.Nenana1parallelsthehighwayandrailroadandcomprisesthenorthernhalfoftheselectedcorridorsystem.Nenana1isdescribedinSection2.0andimpactsarediscussedinSections4.0and5.0oftheEIS.TheotherfourNenanacorridoralternativesarediscussedandcomparedtoNenana1asfollows:Nenana2.Thiscorridoris220mileslong,22mileslongerthanNenana1.ItdepartsNenana1atCantwell,leadseasttoWellsCreek,northtoDeanCreekandtheWoodRiver,andfollowstheWoodRivernorthtoEster.Thissegmentis158miles.Thecorridorrisesto4,000feetontheDeanCreek-WoodRiverpass.Awidevarietyof549Thisalternativesegmentis42mileslong.AlpineandmoisttundraarecrossedinadditiontothoseecosystemscrossedbySusitna1;howeverthesearelimitedinextent.IncomparisontoSusitna1,thisalternativealsorequiresclearing100moreacres.Ittraverses26milesofDenaliStatePark,andconflictswithtrailsystemsinthePark.Susitna3.Thiscorridoris129mileslong,7milesshorterthanSusitnal--:--TIisbasicallyamoredirectcorridorfromTalkeetnatoDevilCanyon,bypassingtheAlaskarailroadbetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCreek.Thelengthofthealternativesegmentis45miles.Itcrossesoveraplateauofalmost4,000feetelevationascomparedtomaximumelevationsofabout2,000feetforSusitna1and2.Italsocrossesabout25milesofmoisttundraand20milesofuplandspruce-hardwood.IncomparisontoSusitnatherewouldbe1,610acreslessclearingofvegetationrequired,therewouldbepossibleimpactsoncaribouwinterrange,sizeableamountsoflandwouldbeopeneduptovehicularaccess,primitivevalueswouldbeadverselyaffected,andthetransmissionlinewouldbehighlyvisible.Susitna4.Thiscorridoris147mileslong,11mileslongerthanSusitna1.ItleadsfromTalkeetna,uptheTalkeetnaRiverandPrairieCreektoStephenLake,thenwesttoDevilCanyondamsite.Thissegmentis63miles,versus52mi1esforthecomparableSusitna1segment.Thissegmenttraversesuplandspruce-hardwoodsformostofitslength,andcrossesafewmilesofmoisttundra.Permafrostispresentatthehigherelevations,whichrisetoabout2,200feet.ComparedtoSusitna1,thisalternativewouldresultinpermafrostandsoilerosionproblems,75acreslessvegetativeclearing,penetrationofamooseconcentrationarea,impactuponrecreationalusenearStephenLakebycreatingvehicularaccess,andbehighlyvisibleintheuplandareawhichisrelativelyintensivelyusedbyrecreationists.6.05.2AlternativestoNenana1.TherearefivealternativecorridorsconnectingtheprojectareawithFairbanksbywayoftheNenanaRiver.Nenana1parallelsthehighwayandrailroadandcomprisesthenorthernhalfoftheselectedcorridorsystem.Nenana1isdescribedinSection2.0andimpactsarediscussedinSections4.0and5.0oftheEIS.TheotherfourNenanacorridoralternativesarediscussedandcomparedtoNenana1asfollows:Nenana2.Thiscorridoris220mileslong,22mileslongerthanNenana1.ItdepartsNenana1atCantwell,leadseasttoWellsCreek,northtoDeanCreekandtheWoodRiver,andfollowstheWoodRivernorthtoEster.Thissegmentis158miles.Thecorridorrisesto4,000feetontheDeanCreek-WoodRiverpass.Awidevarietyof549
ecosystemsistraversed,fromalpinetundratobogandmuskeg.Perma-frostcanbeassumedtobeprevalent.For25to30milesthecorridorrunsadjacenttoorthroughtheBlairLakeAirForceRange.Habitatsofmoose,caribou,andDallsheeparetraversed.ThefollowingconditionsorimpactsareofgreatermagnitudealongthiscorridorthanalongNenana1:Peaty,permafrostsoilsaremoreprevalentandwouldcausegreaterproblemsrelatedtoaccessroadconstructionanderosionpreventionorcontrol;about90moreacresofclearingwouldberequired;anddis-turbedareasinmoistandalpinetundrawouldbeveryslowtorecuperate.Dallsheepandcaribou,inadditiontomoose,wouldbedisturbedbyconstructionactivity,andmostofthecorridorwouldprovidevehicularaccesstoareasnowaccessibleonlyby-foot.Viewercontactwouldberelativelylowbecauseoftheisolationfromexistingtransportationroutes.Nenana3.Thiscorridoris231mileslong,33mileslongerthanNenana1.ItisidenticaltoNenana1fromDevilCanyontoCantwellwhereitthenloopseastandnorththroughtheAlaskaRange,rejoiningNenana1atHealy.Thissegmentis72mileslongwhilethecomparablesegmentofNenana1is39miles.Terrainalongthealternativesegmentvariesfromrollinghillsandvalleystohighpassesandsharpridges,thehighestofwhichisabout3,900feet.Thealternativesegmenttraversesmoistandalpinetundra,uplandspruce-hardwood,muskeg,andbog;however,rockythinsoilsandbedrockpredominate.Erosionwouldgenerallybelow.Valleyfloorshavecontinuouspermafrost.Ascom-paredtoNenana1,nearly200acreslessclearingwouldberequired,andincreasedaccesswouldcauseapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressureonDallsheep,caribouandmoose.ConstructionofthetransmissionlinewithinthealternativesegmentbetweenCantwellandHealywouldbetechnicallydifficultandexpensive,anditwouldbedifficulttomaintain.However,sinceitwouldnotbevisiblefromexistingtrans-portationroutes,itwouldhavelowviewerimpact.Nenana4.Thiscorridoris223mileslong,25mileslongerthanNenana1.FromDevilCanyonitleadseastandnorth,tyinginatHealytoNenana1.Thelengthofthisseparatesegmentis126miles;thecomparablesegmentofNenana1is101miles.FromDevilCanyon,thecorridorleadseasttoWatanaDamsiteandthennorthupDeadmanandBrushkanaCreektoWellsCreekwhereitcontinuesovera3,900-footpasstoLouisCreekandYanertFork,thenoveranotherpass(2,900feet)toMoodyCreekwhichitfollowstoHealy.Ecosystemstrav-ersedaremoistandalpinetundra,muskegandbog,anduplandspruce-hardwood.Moose,caribou,andDallsheepinhabit,thiscorridor.BetweenWatanaandWellsCreek,soilsareveryvulnerabletopermafrostdegradationandfrostheaving.Erosionwouldbeaseriousproblemrelatedtopowerltneandroadconstructionandwouldresultindegradationofwaterqualityintheclearwaterstreamsencountered.FromWellsCreektoHealy,550ecosystemsistraversed,fromalpinetundratobogandmuskeg.Perma-frostcanbeassumedtobeprevalent.For25to30milesthecorridorrunsadjacenttoorthroughtheBlairLakeAirForceRange.Habitatsofmoose,caribou,andDallsheeparetraversed.ThefollowingconditionsorimpactsareofgreatermagnitudealongthiscorridorthanalongNenana1:Peaty,permafrostsoilsaremoreprevalentandwouldcausegreaterproblemsrelatedtoaccessroadconstructionanderosionpreventionorcontrol;about90moreacresofclearingwouldberequired;anddis-turbedareasinmoistandalpinetundrawouldbeveryslowtorecuperate.Dallsheepandcaribou,inadditiontomoose,wouldbedisturbedbyconstructionactivity,andmostofthecorridorwouldprovidevehicularaccesstoareasnowaccessibleonlyby-foot.Viewercontactwouldberelativelylowbecauseoftheisolationfromexistingtransportationroutes.Nenana3.Thiscorridoris231mileslong,33mileslongerthanNenana1.ItisidenticaltoNenana1fromDevilCanyontoCantwellwhereitthenloopseastandnorththroughtheAlaskaRange,rejoiningNenana1atHealy.Thissegmentis72mileslongwhilethecomparablesegmentofNenana1is39miles.Terrainalongthealternativesegmentvariesfromrollinghillsandvalleystohighpassesandsharpridges,thehighestofwhichisabout3,900feet.Thealternativesegmenttraversesmoistandalpinetundra,uplandspruce-hardwood,muskeg,andbog;however,rockythinsoilsandbedrockpredominate.Erosionwouldgenerallybelow.Valleyfloorshavecontinuouspermafrost.Ascom-paredtoNenana1,nearly200acreslessclearingwouldberequired,andincreasedaccesswouldcauseapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressureonDallsheep,caribouandmoose.ConstructionofthetransmissionlinewithinthealternativesegmentbetweenCantwellandHealywouldbetechnicallydifficultandexpensive,anditwouldbedifficulttomaintain.However,sinceitwouldnotbevisiblefromexistingtrans-portationroutes,itwouldhavelowviewerimpact.Nenana4.Thiscorridoris223mileslong,25mileslongerthanNenana1.FromDevilCanyonitleadseastandnorth,tyinginatHealytoNenana1.Thelengthofthisseparatesegmentis126miles;thecomparablesegmentofNenana1is101miles.FromDevilCanyon,thecorridorleadseasttoWatanaDamsiteandthennorthupDeadmanandBrushkanaCreektoWellsCreekwhereitcontinuesovera3,900-footpasstoLouisCreekandYanertFork,thenoveranotherpass(2,900feet)toMoodyCreekwhichitfollowstoHealy.Ecosystemstrav-ersedaremoistandalpinetundra,muskegandbog,anduplandspruce-hardwood.Moose,caribou,andDallsheepinhabit,thiscorridor.BetweenWatanaandWellsCreek,soilsareveryvulnerabletopermafrostdegradationandfrostheaving.Erosionwouldbeaseriousproblemrelatedtopowerltneandroadconstructionandwouldresultindegradationofwaterqualityintheclearwaterstreamsencountered.FromWellsCreektoHealy,550
soilsarerockyandthin.Erosionwouldberelativelylowinthisreach.Permafrostiscontinuous,inthevalleyfloors.AscomparedtoNenana1,thiscorridorwouldrequireabout380acreslessclearing.Littlemodificationofhabitatwouldberequiredonthisdifferingsegment.VehicularaccesswouldbeprovidedwhichwouldpotentiallyincreasehumanpressuresonDallsheepandcaribou,andtoalesserdegreeonmoose.Mostofthissegmentwouldhavelowviewercontactbecauseofitsisolationfromexistingtransportationsystems.Nenana5.Thiscorridor..is212mileslong,14mileslongerthanNenana1.ItistotallyseparatefromNenana1,beingaparallelcorridorlyingtotheeastoftheproposedcorridor.ItisidenticaltoNenana4fromDevilCanyontoYanertForkwhereitbecomesseparateasitleadsupDeanCreekandcrossesovera4,000-footpassintotheWoodRiverdrainage.ItthenleadsnorthalongtheWoodRivertoEster.Permafrostisprevalent.Alpineandmoisttundra,uplandspruce-lowlandspruce-hardwood,andbogandmuskegecosystemsaretraversedbythesegmentwhichdiffersfromNenana4.SignificantnumbersofDallsheepandmooseareencounteredaswellasimportantwinterrangeforcaribou.ConstructionproblemsalongtheWoodRiverandTananaRivervalleys_wouldresultfromthelackofwelldrainedsoilsandthepresenceofcontinuousshallowpermafrost.Soilerosionandpermafrostdegradationwouldposeserioussiltationthreatstoclear-waterstreams.Thiscorridorwouldrequireclearingofabout100acreslessthanNenana1;Dall-sheepandcaribouhabitatwouldbeadverselyaffected.Increasedaccesstorelativelyinaccessibleareaswouldbeprovided.Viewercontactswouldberelativelyfewasaresultoftheremotenessofthecorridor.6.05.3AlternativestoSusitnaandNenanaCorridors.InadditiontotheSusitnaandNenanaalternativecorridorspreviouslydescribed,considerationwasgiventoanalternativeroutingsystemfortransmittingelectricitytothetwomajorloadcenters,AnchorageandFairbanks(seeFigure14)..TwoothercorridorswereconsideredasaccesstoAnchorageviatheMatanuskaValley.ThesearereferredtoasMatanuskaCorridors1and2.EssentiallyonlyoneothercorridorisdeemedfeasiblefromthehydropowersitesatDevilCanyonandWatanatoFairbanks.ThisiscalledtheDeltaCorridor.Matanuska1.ThiscorridordiffersradicallyfromSusitna1inthatitloopstotheeastandsouth,andapproachesPointMacKenziefromtheeast.Itstotallengthis250miles,122mileslongerthanSusitna1.Aconsiderableportion,125miles,parallelstheGlennHighwayorothersecondaryroadsorplannedtransmissioncorridors.FromDevilCanyonthecorridorleadseasttoWatanaDamsitethencesoutheasterlyoverasparselyforested,poorlydrainedplateautotheheadoftheLittleNelchinaRiver.Here,theterrainisfairlyopenandgentle551soilsarerockyandthin.Erosionwouldberelativelylowinthisreach.Permafrostiscontinuous,inthevalleyfloors.AscomparedtoNenana1,thiscorridorwouldrequireabout380acreslessclearing.Littlemodificationofhabitatwouldberequiredonthisdifferingsegment.VehicularaccesswouldbeprovidedwhichwouldpotentiallyincreasehumanpressuresonDallsheepandcaribou,andtoalesserdegreeonmoose.Mostofthissegmentwouldhavelowviewercontactbecauseofitsisolationfromexistingtransportationsystems.Nenana5.Thiscorridor..is212mileslong,14mileslongerthanNenana1.ItistotallyseparatefromNenana1,beingaparallelcorridorlyingtotheeastoftheproposedcorridor.ItisidenticaltoNenana4fromDevilCanyontoYanertForkwhereitbecomesseparateasitleadsupDeanCreekandcrossesovera4,000-footpassintotheWoodRiverdrainage.ItthenleadsnorthalongtheWoodRivertoEster.Permafrostisprevalent.Alpineandmoisttundra,uplandspruce-lowlandspruce-hardwood,andbogandmuskegecosystemsaretraversedbythesegmentwhichdiffersfromNenana4.SignificantnumbersofDallsheepandmooseareencounteredaswellasimportantwinterrangeforcaribou.ConstructionproblemsalongtheWoodRiverandTananaRivervalleys.wouldresultfromthelackofwelldrainedsoilsandthepresenceofcontinuousshallowpermafrost.Soilerosionandpermafrostdegradationwouldposeserioussiltationthreatstoclear-waterstreams.Thiscorridorwouldrequireclearingofabout100acreslessthanNenana1;Dall.sheepandcaribouhabitatwouldbeadverselyaffected.Increasedaccesstorelativelyinaccessibleareaswouldbeprovided.Viewercontactswouldberelativelyfewasaresultoftheremotenessofthecorridor.6.05.3AlternativestoSusitnaandNenanaCorridors.InadditiontotheSusitnaandNenanaalternativecorridorspreviouslydescribed,considerationwasgiventoanalternativeroutingsystemfortransmittingelectricitytothetwomajorloadcenters,AnchorageandFairbanks(seeFigure14)..TwoothercorridorswereconsideredasaccesstoAnchorageviatheMatanuskaValley.ThesearereferredtoasMatanuskaCorridors1and2.EssentiallyonlyoneothercorridorisdeemedfeasiblefromthehydropowersitesatDevilCanyonandWatanatoFairbanks.ThisiscalledtheDeltaCorridor.Matanuska1.ThiscorridordiffersradicallyfromSusitna1inthatitloopstotheeastandsouth,andapproachesPointMacKenziefromtheeast.Itstotallengthis250miles,122mileslongerthanSusitna1.Aconsiderableportion,125miles,parallelstheGlennHighwayorothersecondaryroadsorplannedtransmissioncorridors.FromDevilCanyonthecorridorleadseasttoWatanaDamsitethencesoutheasterlyoverasparselyforested,poorlydrainedplateautotheheadoftheLittleNelchinaRiver.Here,theterrainisfairlyopenandgentle551
withpredominantlyrollinghills.Thecorridor,onpassingjusttothewestofSlideMountain,turnswesttoparalleltheGlennHighway.ItcrossesoverTahnetaPassintotheMatanuskadrainage,whichitfollowstotheflatlandatthemouthoftheMatanuskaValley.ItcontinuessouthwestalongthenorthernshoreofCookInlet,traversingconsiderableamountsofforestandmuskegasitapproachesPointMacKenzie.Perma-frostinthiscorridoriscontinuousfromtheupperendofWatanareservoirtoTahnetaPass,discontinuousintheUpperMatanuskaValley,andsporadicinthelowervalley.Ecosystemstraversedincludespruce-hardwoodsandmoisttundrabetweentheWatanaDamsiteandtheLittleNe1chinaRiver,anduplandspruce-hardwoodinthelowervalley.BetweenDevilCanyonandtheLittleNe1chinaRiver,thecorridorgenerallyrunsbetweencariboucalvingandwinteringranges.Also,somewinteringrangeistraversedalongtheLittleNe1chinaRiverandGlennHighwaytoTahnetaPass.SomeDallsheephabitatexistsinTahnetaPassandMooseconcentrationsareencounteredinthePointMacKenziearea.BetweenWatanareservoirandSlideMountain,thepotentialforpermafrostdegradationisveryhigh.Frostheavinginthepoorlydrainedfine-grainedsoilswouldrequireheavymaintenanceofbothlineandaccessroad.Erosionwouldcontributesedimenttoclearwaterstreamsinthearea.Erosionpotentialisrelativelylowalongtheremainderofthecorridor.Thisroutewouldrequireapproximately750acresmoreclearingthanSusitna--most1yinthelowerMatanuskaValley.Moosewouldgen-erallybenefitfromclearing,whereascaribourangewouldsufferloss.LakeLouiseandsomeotherhighrecreationaluseareaswouldbeimpactedupon.IncreasedaccesswouldbeprovidedtoareasnorthoftheGlennHighway.Thescenicqualityalongthehighwaywouldgenerallybelowered,sinceconcealmentofthelinewouldbeaproblemalongmostofitsroute.Matanuska2.AlternativecorridorMatanuska2is385mileslong,120mileslongerthanMatanuska1and249mileslongerthanSusitna1.FromWatanaDamsiteitloopsmuchfurthertotheeastthanMatanuska1,rejoiningitatSlideMountain.ThissegmentofMatanuska1is217mileslong,versus97milesforthecomparablesegmentofMatanuska2.FromWatanaDamsitethecorridorcrossestheSusitnaRiverandleadsnortheasttowardButteCreekandtheDenaliHighway,whichitparallelstoPaxson.Hereitturnssouth,parallelingtheRichardsonHighwayandtheA1eyskaPipelinetoGlennallen.FromGlenallenitparallelstheGlennHighwayupthevalleyoftheTaz1inaRivertoSlideMountainandthejunctionwithMatanuska1.Mostofthecorridortraversesflatterrain.Highestpointonthecorridorisaplateauofabout4,000feetelevationintheTangleLakes-RockCreekareabetweentheMaclarenRiverandPaxson.Thisareaispoorlydrainedandcoveredwithpost-glacialfeaturessuchaseskersandterminalmoraines,andmanysmalllakes.Permafrostisprevalent.Thepredominantecosystemismoisttundra.FromPaxsontoSlideMountainthecorridorlieswithintheCopperRiverlowlands,abasinunderlainbynearlycontinuouspermafrost.552withpredominantlyrollinghills.Thecorridor,onpassingjusttothewestofSlideMountain,turnswesttoparalleltheGlennHighway.ItcrossesoverTahnetaPassintotheMatanuskadrainage,whichitfollowstotheflatlandatthemouthoftheMatanuskaValley.ItcontinuessouthwestalongthenorthernshoreofCookInlet,traversingconsiderableamountsofforestandmuskegasitapproachesPointMacKenzie.Perma-frostinthiscorridoriscontinuousfromtheupperendofWatanareservoirtoTahnetaPass,discontinuousintheUpperMatanuskaValley,andsporadicinthelowervalley.Ecosystemstraversedincludespruce-hardwoodsandmoisttundrabetweentheWatanaDamsiteandtheLittleNe1chinaRiver,anduplandspruce-hardwoodinthelowervalley.BetweenDevilCanyonandtheLittleNe1chinaRiver,thecorridorgenerallyrunsbetweencariboucalvingandwinteringranges.Also,somewinteringrangeistraversedalongtheLittleNe1chinaRiverandGlennHighwaytoTahnetaPass.SomeDallsheephabitatexistsinTahnetaPassandMooseconcentrationsareencounteredinthePointMacKenziearea.BetweenWatanareservoirandSlideMountain,thepotentialforpermafrostdegradationisveryhigh.Frostheavinginthepoorlydrainedfine-grainedsoilswouldrequireheavymaintenanceofbothlineandaccessroad.Erosionwouldcontributesedimenttoclearwaterstreamsinthearea.Erosionpotentialisrelativelylowalongtheremainderofthecorridor.Thisroutewouldrequireapproximately750acresmoreclearingthanSusitna--most1yinthelowerMatanuskaValley.Moosewouldgen-erallybenefitfromclearing,whereascaribourangewouldsufferloss.LakeLouiseandsomeotherhighrecreationaluseareaswouldbeimpactedupon.IncreasedaccesswouldbeprovidedtoareasnorthoftheGlennHighway.Thescenicqualityalongthehighwaywouldgenerallybelowered,sinceconcealmentofthelinewouldbeaproblemalongmostofitsroute.Matanuska2.AlternativecorridorMatanuska2is385mileslong,120mileslongerthanMatanuska1and249mileslongerthanSusitna1.FromWatanaDamsiteitloopsmuchfurthertotheeastthanMatanuska1,rejoiningitatSlideMountain.ThissegmentofMatanuska1is217mileslong,versus97milesforthecomparablesegmentofMatanuska2.FromWatanaDamsitethecorridorcrossestheSusitnaRiverandleadsnortheasttowardButteCreekandtheDenaliHighway,whichitparallelstoPaxson.Hereitturnssouth,parallelingtheRichardsonHighwayandtheA1eyskaPipelinetoGlennallen.FromGlenallenitparallelstheGlennHighwayupthevalleyoftheTaz1inaRivertoSlideMountainandthejunctionwithMatanuska1.Mostofthecorridortraversesflatterrain.Highestpointonthecorridorisaplateauofabout4,000feetelevationintheTangleLakes-RockCreekareabetweentheMaclarenRiverandPaxson.Thisareaispoorlydrainedandcoveredwithpost-glacialfeaturessuchaseskersandterminalmoraines,andmanysmalllakes.Permafrostisprevalent.Thepredominantecosystemismoisttundra.FromPaxsontoSlideMountainthecorridorlieswithintheCopperRiverlowlands,abasinunderlainbynearlycontinuouspermafrost.552
i!~~..•..IGenerallypoorlydrained,thisbasinisdominatedbyuplandand'lowlandspruce-hardwoodandmuskegecosystems.ExceptfortheareaaroundGlenallen,theentirecorridorrunsthroughthewinterrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherd.MooseconcentrationsarefoundalongtheCopper,Gulkana,andTazlinaRivers.Mostofthecorridortraversesmediumdensitywaterfowlhabitat.WithinthesegmentfromWatanaDamsitetoSlideMountainthepotentialforpermafrostdegradationisveryhigh.Frostheavingwouldentailhighmaintenanceofthislineandroad.Subsequenterosioncouldcausesignificantimpactonclearwaterstreamsinthearea.Clearingwouldberequiredforabout2,200acresmorethantheSusitna1corridor.Moosewouldgenerallybenefitfromclearingwhilesomecaribourangewouldsufferdamageandloss.ExistingrecreationalusesintheLakeLouiseareawouldnotbesignificantlyimpactedbythiscorridor..ThearchaeologicalrichnessoftheTangleLakesareamakesitlikelythatpresentlyunknownsiteswouldbediscovered,andpossiblydisturbed,asaresultoftheproject.ImpactonscenicqualityalongtheDenaliHfghwaytoPaxsonwouldbehighasaresultoflargenumbersofviewer-contactsandlittleopportunityforlineconcealment.DeltaCorridor.Thiscorridoris280mileslong,82mileslongerthanNenana1.FromDevilCanyon,itfollowsessentiallythesamepathasMatanuska2toPaxson.Hereitturnsnorth,followingtheRichardsonHighway-AlyeskaPipelinecorridoroverIsabelPass,awide,gentledivideat3,000feetofelevation.Itcontinuesalongthepipeline.corridorthroughtheAlaskaRange,followingtheDeltaRiver.NorthofDeltaRivercanyontheterrainconsistsofrollinghillsuntiltheTananaValleyisreached.TheterrainhereisflattoFairbanks.ShallowrockysoilsdominatetheDeltaRiverCanyonstretch,followed•northbymixedpoorlyandwelldrainedsoils.Thissegmenttraversesuplandspruce-hardwoodnortheastoftheDeltaandTananaRivers.AlongtheTananafloodplain,bottomlandspruce-poplarforestpredominate.Somelowlandspruce-hardwoodoccursimmediatelysouthofFairbanks.BisonrangewouldbetraversedbetweentheDeltaRiverCanyonandBigDelta.SporadicmooseconcentrationsoccuralongtheTananaRiver..DallsheeprangeoccursintheDeltaRiverCanyon.Ice-richpermafrostisfoundthroughoutthecorridor,andthesoilisvulnerabletoperma-frostdegradation,frostheaving,ruttingandscarring.GenerallywelldraineduplandsoilsbetweenShawCreekandFairbanksaresubjecttogulleying,unstableslopes,andwinderosion.Clearwaterstreamsaresubjecttosedimentpollutionfromconstructionandmaintenanceactivity.ThixotrophicsoilsinIsabelPasswouldexposetransmissiontowerstohigherthannormalseismicrisk.Clearingrequiredinthiscorridorwouldbeabout430acresmorethaninNenana1.TheNelchinacaribouherdsouthoftheAlaskarangewouldbeadverselyimpactedbythisalternative.Additionalaccesstohunterswouldbeprovided.TheareasofhighestscenicvaluealongtheDenaliandRichardsonhighwayscoincidewiththeleastopportunityfortransmissionlineconcealment.553i!~~..•..IGenerallypoorlydrained,thisbasinisdominatedbyuplandand'lowlandspruce-hardwoodandmuskegecosystems.ExceptfortheareaaroundGlenallen,theentirecorridorrunsthroughthewinterrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherd.MooseconcentrationsarefoundalongtheCopper,Gulkana,andTazlinaRivers.Mostofthecorridortraversesmediumdensitywaterfowlhabitat.WithinthesegmentfromWatanaDamsitetoSlideMountainthepotentialforpermafrostdegradationisveryhigh.Frostheavingwouldentailhighmaintenanceofthislineandroad.Subsequenterosioncouldcausesignificantimpactonclearwaterstreamsinthearea.Clearingwouldberequiredforabout2,200acresmorethantheSusitna1corridor.Moosewouldgenerallybenefitfromclearingwhilesomecaribourangewouldsufferdamageandloss.ExistingrecreationalusesintheLakeLouiseareawouldnotbesignificantlyimpactedbythiscorridor..ThearchaeologicalrichnessoftheTangleLakesareamakesitlikelythatpresentlyunknownsiteswouldbediscovered,andpossiblydisturbed,asaresultoftheproject.ImpactonscenicqualityalongtheDenaliHfghwaytoPaxsonwouldbehighasaresultoflargenumbersofviewer-contactsandlittleopportunityforlineconcealment.DeltaCorridor.Thiscorridoris280mileslong,82mileslongerthanNenana1.FromDevilCanyon,itfollowsessentiallythesamepathasMatanuska2toPaxson.Hereitturnsnorth,followingtheRichardsonHighway-AlyeskaPipelinecorridoroverIsabelPass,awide,gentledivideat3,000feetofelevation.Itcontinuesalongthepipeline.corridorthroughtheAlaskaRange,followingtheDeltaRiver.NorthofDeltaRivercanyontheterrainconsistsofrollinghillsuntiltheTananaValleyisreached.TheterrainhereisflattoFairbanks.ShallowrockysoilsdominatetheDeltaRiverCanyonstretch,followed•northbymixedpoorlyandwelldrainedsoils.Thissegmenttraversesuplandspruce-hardwoodnortheastoftheDeltaandTananaRivers.AlongtheTananafloodplain,bottomlandspruce-poplarforestpredominate.Somelowlandspruce-hardwoodoccursimmediatelysouthofFairbanks.BisonrangewouldbetraversedbetweentheDeltaRiverCanyonandBigDelta.SporadicmooseconcentrationsoccuralongtheTananaRiver..DallsheeprangeoccursintheDeltaRiverCanyon.Ice-richpermafrostisfoundthroughoutthecorridor,andthesoilisvulnerabletoperma-frostdegradation,frostheaving,ruttingandscarring.GenerallywelldraineduplandsoilsbetweenShawCreekandFairbanksaresubjecttogulleying,unstableslopes,andwinderosion.Clearwaterstreamsaresubjecttosedimentpollutionfromconstructionandmaintenanceactivity.ThixotrophicsoilsinIsabelPasswouldexposetransmissiontowerstohigherthannormalseismicrisk.Clearingrequiredinthiscorridorwouldbeabout430acresmorethaninNenana1.TheNelchinacaribouherdsouthoftheAlaskarangewouldbeadverselyimpactedbythisalternative.Additionalaccesstohunterswouldbeprovided.TheareasofhighestscenicvaluealongtheDenaliandRichardsonhighwayscoincidewiththeleastopportunityfortransmissionlineconcealment.553
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554 DenaliHighwaybridgeacrossupperSusitnaRiver.ThisareawouldhavebeeninundatedbyadamattheDenalisite.
~f~'7.0RELATIONSHIPBETWEENLOCALSHORT-TERMUSESOFMANISENVIRONMENT~ANDENHANCEMENTOFLONG-TERMPRODUCTIVITYTheprojectaspresentlyconceivedcouldhaveausefullifespaninexcessof500yearsbasedonthe"deadstoragespaceII(spacebelowthelowe~twaterintakesforthepowethouses)withinthereservoirsforsedimentaccumulation.Individualcomponentswouldbereplacedasnecessary,buttheoverallsystemwouldremainessentiallythesame.Shouldthesystemlastthislong,orforanynumberofreasonsbemadeinoperativeatanearlierdate(anexamplewouldbedevelopmentofmoredesirablealternativesourcesofelectricalpower),manyoftheresourcesdescribedaboveinSections4and5wouldhavebeen,forallpracticalpurposes,committedtopermanentforeclosureofoptionsforalternativefutureuses.Inthissense,thelong-termproductivityofthedirectlyaffectedenvironmentwillhavebeensacrificedforashorter-termalternativeuse,sinceimpactsattributabletothereservoirswillbeofmuch.longerdurationthantheusefullifeoftheprojectforhydroelectricpowerproduction.Bythesametoken,theprojectwouldcontributetoasavingsinnonrenewableenergysourceswithanenergyequivalentofabout15millionbarrelsofoil,orapproximately112billioncubicfeetofgasperyear.Althoughthissavingsisaprincipalfactorintheconsiderationofahydroelectricalternative,overthelonghaul,hydroelectricenergymustbeviewedasaninterimmeasureforconservingthenationlsnonrenewableenergysourcesuntilsomemorepractical,permanentmethodofproducingelectricityisachievedwhichwillnotoverburdenthenation'sorworld'sfiniteresources.Somefeatures·oftheprojectwillhavelesslengthyimpactontheenvironmentthanthedamsandreservoirs.Manyoftheimpactswillbeencountereddurjng--andforarelativelybrieftimefollowing--theconstructionphase.Ofthelonger-termimpacts,somewouldterminateorlessenimmediatelyorshortlyafterretirementofagivenprojectcomponent.Forinstance,ifthetransmissionlineweretoberemoved,manyofitsimpactswouldsoondisappear.Maintenanceactivity,noiseandelectromagneticinterference,andvisualimpactsassociatedwiththelinesandtowerswouldbeimmediatelyeliminated.Roadscouldberemoved,top'soilsreplaced,andeventuallynaturalrevegetationproc-esseswouldlargelyobscurethepreviousexistenceofthetransmissionsystem.Otherimpactswould,tovaryingdegrees,be"imprinted"intotheenvironment.Wildlifepatternsmayhavebeenaffectedbycontinualhuntingorhabitatmodification.Vegetativepatterns,alteredbycontinualmaintenanceorintroductionofnonnativeplants,maycontinueforalongtime.Landusepatternsinfluencedbytheprojectwouldlingerafteritceasedtofunction.Noextremelyshort-termbenefitsfromtheprojectarethebasisforjustifyingthelong-term,ifnotpermanent,commitmentoftheproductivityoftheaffectedareas.Thetrade-offisessentiallyalong-t~rmbenefitwhichcanbeachievedonlyattheexpenseofanevenmoreextendedcommitmentoftheaffectedresources.555~f~'7.0RELATIONSHIPBETWEENLOCALSHORT-TERMUSESOFMANISENVIRONMENT~ANDENHANCEMENTOFLONG-TERMPRODUCTIVITYTheprojectaspresentlyconceivedcouldhaveausefullifespaninexcessof500yearsbasedonthe"deadstoragespaceII(spacebelowthelowe~twaterintakesforthepowethouses)withinthereservoirsforsedimentaccumulation.Individualcomponentswouldbereplacedasnecessary,buttheoverallsystemwouldremainessentiallythesame.Shouldthesystemlastthislong,orforanynumberofreasonsbemadeinoperativeatanearlierdate(anexamplewouldbedevelopmentofmoredesirablealternativesourcesofelectricalpower),manyoftheresourcesdescribedaboveinSections4and5wouldhavebeen,forallpracticalpurposes,committedtopermanentforeclosureofoptionsforalternativefutureuses.Inthissense,thelong-termproductivityofthedirectlyaffectedenvironmentwillhavebeensacrificedforashorter-termalternativeuse,sinceimpactsattributabletothereservoirswillbeofmuch.longerdurationthantheusefullifeoftheprojectforhydroelectricpowerproduction.Bythesametoken,theprojectwouldcontributetoasavingsinnonrenewableenergysourceswithanenergyequivalentofabout15millionbarrelsofoil,orapproximately112billioncubicfeetofgasperyear.Althoughthissavingsisaprincipalfactorintheconsiderationofahydroelectricalternative,overthelonghaul,hydroelectricenergymustbeviewedasaninterimmeasureforconservingthenationlsnonrenewableenergysourcesuntilsomemorepractical,permanentmethodofproducingelectricityisachievedwhichwillnotoverburdenthenation'sorworld'sfiniteresources.Somefeatures·oftheprojectwillhavelesslengthyimpactontheenvironmentthanthedamsandreservoirs.Manyoftheimpactswillbeencountereddurjng--andforarelativelybrieftimefollowing--theconstructionphase.Ofthelonger-termimpacts,somewouldterminateorlessenimmediatelyorshortlyafterretirementofagivenprojectcomponent.Forinstance,ifthetransmissionlineweretoberemoved,manyofitsimpactswouldsoondisappear.Maintenanceactivity,noiseandelectromagneticinterference,andvisualimpactsassociatedwiththelinesandtowerswouldbeimmediatelyeliminated.Roadscouldberemoved,top'soilsreplaced,andeventuallynaturalrevegetationproc-esseswouldlargelyobscurethepreviousexistenceofthetransmissionsystem.Otherimpactswould,tovaryingdegrees,be"imprinted"intotheenvironment.Wildlifepatternsmayhavebeenaffectedbycontinualhuntingorhabitatmodification.Vegetativepatterns,alteredbycontinualmaintenanceorintroductionofnonnativeplants,maycontinueforalongtime.Landusepatternsinfluencedbytheprojectwouldlingerafteritceasedtofunction.Noextremelyshort-termbenefitsfromtheprojectarethebasisforjustifyingthelong-term,ifnotpermanent,commitmentoftheproductivityoftheaffectedareas.Thetrade-offisessentiallyalong-t~rmbenefitwhichcanbeachievedonlyattheexpenseofanevenmoreextendedcommitmentoftheaffectedresources.555
POTENTIALMINERALDEVELOPMENTAREASMAP~VERYHIGHPOTENTIAC--11111111I!1HIGHPOTENTIALFIGURE15556I.SCALE,--.-......---o50••-.-.....------+7IOOMil••A.P.A.-JULY1975POTENTIALMINERALDEVELOPMENTAREASMAP~VERYHIGHPOTENTIAC--11111111I!1HIGHPOTENTIALFIGURE15556I.SCALE,--.-......---o50••-.-.....------+7IOOMil••A.P.A.-JULY1975
8.0IRREVERSIBLEORIRRETRIEVABLECOMMITMENTSOFRESOURCESINTHEPROPOSEDACTION.8.01ChangesinLandUse.ThedevelopmentofhydroelectricdamsontheupperSusitnaRiverwouldpresentanirreversiblechangeoflandusefromanexistingwildernesstypeland-usesituation,alongafree-flowingriverwithlimitedaccess,toaland-usesituationwherepublicaccesswouldbeprovidedtoaseriesofmanmadelakescreatedbytheconstructionofhydroelectricdamswithintherivercorridorandtorecreationsite~withintheprojectarea.Proposedtransmissionlinesandpermanentroadswouldalsobelocatedinareasofexistingwildlandsorwheretransportationcorri-dorspresentlyexist.8.02DestructionofArchaeologicalorHistoricSites.Atthepresenttime,noarchaeologicalsitesareknowntoexistwithintheareasoftheproposedimpoundments,damsites,powerlineroutes,orroadlocations.Shouldsuchsitesbelocatedduringon-the-groundreconnaissanceduringthedetailedstudyphase,measureswillbetakentoavoiddisturbancewherepossible.Shouldtheyfallwithinthereservoirpools,salvagewillbeundertaken.Inthelatterevent,however,thesiteswouldbepermanentlylosttoalternativefutureuses.Oneoldcabinsite,probablyrelatedtoearlyminingexploration,islocatedatthemouthofKosinaCreekwithintheWatanareservoirimpoundmentarea.ThissiteisdesignatedasahistoricalsitebytheAlaskaDivisionofParks.8.03ChangeinRiverUse.Iftheproposedprojectis~eveloped,the84-mileportionoftheriverabovethedamswouldbeconvertedfromafree-flowingrivertoaseriesofmanmadelakestotalingabout50,000surfaceacres.SuchdevelopmentwouldprecludeanyconsiderationforWildandScenicRiverclassification.The"whitewater"sectionoftheriverthroughDevilCanyonwouldbesubstantiallyinundated,aswouldsectionsoftheriverbottomnowusedforwildlifehabitat.Downstreamtheinitial50-milesectionoftheriverwouldbechangedfromanuncontrollednaturalriver,withveryhighsummerflowsandheavyglacialsedimentationandlowwinterflowswithpracticallynosedimentation,toariverwithregulatedflowsandasmallamountofsuspendedglacialsediment.The80-milesectionoftheriverbetweenTalkeetnaandCookInletwouldbeaffectedtoalesserdegreebecauseofmajortributaries.5578.0IRREVERSIBLEORIRRETRIEVABLECOMMITMENTSOFRESOURCESINTHEPROPOSEDACTION.8.01ChangesinLandUse.ThedevelopmentofhydroelectricdamsontheupperSusitnaRiverwouldpresentanirreversiblechangeoflandusefromanexistingwildernesstypeland-usesituation,alongafree-flowingriverwithlimitedaccess,toaland-usesituationwherepublicaccesswouldbeprovidedtoaseriesofmanmadelakescreatedbytheconstructionofhydroelectricdamswithintherivercorridorandtorecreationsite~withintheprojectarea.Proposedtransmissionlinesandpermanentroadswouldalsobelocatedinareasofexistingwildlandsorwheretransportationcorri-dorspresentlyexist.8.02DestructionofArchaeologicalorHistoricSites.Atthepresenttime,noarchaeologicalsitesareknowntoexistwithintheareasoftheproposedimpoundments,damsites,powerlineroutes,orroadlocations.Shouldsuchsitesbelocatedduringon-the-groundreconnaissanceduringthedetailedstudyphase,measureswillbetakentoavoiddisturbancewherepossible.Shouldtheyfallwithinthereservoirpools,salvagewillbeundertaken.Inthelatterevent,however,thesiteswouldbepermanentlylosttoalternativefutureuses.Oneoldcabinsite,probablyrelatedtoearlyminingexploration,islocatedatthemouthofKosinaCreekwithintheWatanareservoirimpoundmentarea.ThissiteisdesignatedasahistoricalsitebytheAlaskaDivisionofParks.8.03ChangeinRiverUse.Iftheproposedprojectis~eveloped,the84-mileportionoftheriverabovethedamswouldbeconvertedfromafree-flowingrivertoaseriesofmanmadelakestotalingabout50,000surfaceacres.SuchdevelopmentwouldprecludeanyconsiderationforWildandScenicRiverclassification.The"whitewater"sectionoftheriverthroughDevilCanyonwouldbesubstantiallyinundated,aswouldsectionsoftheriverbottomnowusedforwildlifehabitat.Downstreamtheinitial50-milesectionoftheriverwouldbechangedfromanuncontrollednaturalriver,withveryhighsummerflowsandheavyglacialsedimentationandlowwinterflowswithpracticallynosedimentation,toariverwithregulatedflowsandasmallamountofsuspendedglacialsediment.The80-milesectionoftheriverbetweenTalkeetnaandCookInletwouldbeaffectedtoalesserdegreebecauseofmajortributaries.557
8.04ConstructionActivities.8.04.1FuelRequirements.Significantamountsoffueloilsandgasolineforuseintransportationandconstructionactivitiesrelatedtoprojectconstructionwouldbeirretrievablycommitted.8.04.2Manpower.ManpowerresourcesduringthecOnstructionandoperationphasesoftheprojectwouldbeirretrievablycommitted.Themajorityoftheseman-hourswouldbecommittedoveralO-yearperiod,dependingonthefinaldevelopmentprogram."8.04.3Material.Allthematerialusedinproject-relatedconstructionwouldconstituteanirretrievablecommitmentofresources,asthismaterialwouldnotbeavailableforotheruses.Someamountsofmaterialmightbesalvagedifthefacilitieswereremovedatsome~aterdate.8.04.4Land.Anylandcommittedtoprojectdevelopmentsuchasreser-voirimpoundmentareas,damsites,roads,etc.,wouldbeunavailableforotherthanproject-relatedusesuntilsuchtimeasthefacilitieswerenolongerneeded.5588.04ConstructionActivities.8.04.1FuelRequirements.Significantamountsoffueloilsandgasolineforuseintransportationandconstructionactivitiesrelatedtoprojectconstructionwouldbeirretrievablycommitted.8.04.2Manpower.ManpowerresourcesduringthecOnstructionandoperationphasesoftheprojectwouldbeirretrievablycommitted.Themajorityoftheseman-hourswouldbecommittedoveralO-yearperiod,dependingonthefinaldevelopmentprogram."8.04.3Material.Allthematerialusedinproject-relatedconstructionwouldconstituteanirretrievablecommitmentofresources,asthismaterialwouldnotbeavailableforotheruses.Someamountsofmaterialmightbesalvagedifthefacilitieswereremovedatsome~aterdate.8.04.4Land.Anylandcommittedtoprojectdevelopmentsuchasreser-voirimpoundmentareas,damsites,roads,etc.,wouldbeunavailableforotherthanproject-relatedusesuntilsuchtimeasthefacilitieswerenolongerneeded.558
9.0COORDINATIONWITHOTHERAGENCIES9.01General.Apublicparticipationprogramwasmaintainedthroughouttheinvestigation.Coordinatinnwithvariousagenciesandgroupswasmadetoprovideandtoobtainpertinentinformation,andthefollowingmethodswereused:publicmeetings,workshopmeetings,andinformalmeetings.9.02PublicParticipationProgram.AworkshopmeetingwasheldinAnchorageon30April1974todiscussthestudywithinterestedenviron-mentalgroups.RepresentativesoftheconsultantfirmofJonesandJones,whichwascontractedbytheDistricttoconductaninventoryandevaluationofenvironmental,estheticandrecreationalresourcesofthestudyarea,presentedanddiscussedresultsoftheirstudies.AsimilarworkshopmeetingwasheldwithFederalandStateagencyrepresentativeson29October1974,andanotherwasheldwithNativeCorporationson12March1975.InitialpUblicmeetingswereheldon6May1974inFairbanksand8May1974inAnchoragetonotifythepublicthatthestudyhadbeeninitiated,andtofurnishavailableinformationandreceivecomments.SeveralenvironmentalgroupsstatedthattheywouldreservejudgementoftheprojectuntiltheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementwasavailableforreview.Concernsexpressedbythesegroups(theAlaskaCenterfortheEnvironmentandtheSierraClub)includedimpactsuponthefuturequalityoflifeinAlaskawhichwouldbecausedbyhydroelectricdevelopment.TheyalsoquestionedtheAlaskaPowerAdministration1sprojectionofpowerneeds,theexaminationofalternatives,andtheshippingofAlaska'sfossilfuelselsewhere.TheystressedtheneedforcoordinationwiththeAlaskaLandUsePlanningCommission,andsuggestedpublichearingsontheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement.InterimpublicmeetingswereheldinAnchorageon27May1975andFairbankson29May1975.EnvironmentalgroupsrepresentedincludedtheAlaskaConservationSociety,theSierraClub,andtheAlaskaCenterfortheEnvironment.Commentsofthesegroupsincludedtheopinionthattheprojectwouldspurmoregrowth,butthatnuclearenergywasbelievednottobeanacceptableenergysourceatthistime.Theyfurtherrecommendedthealternativeofburningsolidwastestoproducepower.Theyweretroubledbythelocationoftransmissionlines,andstatedthatwemayhaveagreaterneedforhydroelectricpowerin50-75years.Theyquestionedhydroelectricpowerasbeingarenewableresource.Otherconcernsincludedlandstatusoftheaffectedareas,siltation,costsofpower,andtheneedforconsideringalternativesourcesofpower.55969-7370 -81-369.0COORDINATIONWITHOTHERAGENCIES9.01General.Apublicparticipationprogramwasmaintainedthroughouttheinvestigation.Coordinatinnwithvariousagenciesandgroupswasmadetoprovideandtoobtainpertinentinformation,andthefollowingmethodswereused:publicmeetings,workshopmeetings,andinformalmeetings.9.02PublicParticipationProgram.AworkshopmeetingwasheldinAnchorageon30April1974todiscussthestudywithinterestedenviron-mentalgroups.RepresentativesoftheconsultantfirmofJonesandJones,whichwascontractedbytheDistricttoconductaninventoryandevaluationofenvironmental,estheticandrecreationalresourcesofthestudyarea,presentedanddiscussedresultsoftheirstudies.AsimilarworkshopmeetingwasheldwithFederalandStateagencyrepresentativeson29October1974,andanotherwasheldwithNativeCorporationson12March1975.InitialpUblicmeetingswereheldon6May1974inFairbanksand8May1974inAnchoragetonotifythepublicthatthestudyhadbeeninitiated,andtofurnishavailableinformationandreceivecomments.SeveralenvironmentalgroupsstatedthattheywouldreservejudgementoftheprojectuntiltheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementwasavailableforreview.Concernsexpressedbythesegroups(theAlaskaCenterfortheEnvironmentandtheSierraClub)includedimpactsuponthefuturequalityoflifeinAlaskawhichwouldbecausedbyhydroelectricdevelopment.TheyalsoquestionedtheAlaskaPowerAdministration1sprojectionofpowerneeds,theexaminationofalternatives,andtheshippingofAlaska'sfossilfuelselsewhere.TheystressedtheneedforcoordinationwiththeAlaskaLandUsePlanningCommission,andsuggestedpublichearingsontheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement.InterimpublicmeetingswereheldinAnchorageon27May1975andFairbankson29May1975.EnvironmentalgroupsrepresentedincludedtheAlaskaConservationSociety,theSierraClub,andtheAlaskaCenterfortheEnvironment.Commentsofthesegroupsincludedtheopinionthattheprojectwouldspurmoregrowth,butthatnuclearenergywasbelievednottobeanacceptableenergysourceatthistime.Theyfurtherrecommendedthealternativeofburningsolidwastestoproducepower.Theyweretroubledbythelocationoftransmissionlines,andstatedthatwemayhaveagreaterneedforhydroelectricpowerin50-75years.Theyquestionedhydroelectricpowerasbeingarenewableresource.Otherconcernsincludedlandstatusoftheaffectedareas,siltation,costsofpower,andtheneedforconsideringalternativesourcesofpower.55969-7370 -81-36
~!LatestagepUblicmeetingswereheldinAnchorageon7October1975andFairbankson8October1975topresentanddiscusstheselectedplan.Anumberofenvironmentalgroupswererepresentedatoneorbothofthesemeetings.Theyincluded:theIsaacWaltonLeague,theMountain-eeringClubofAlaska,theAlaskaConservationSociety,KnikKanoersandKayakers,andFairbanksEnvironmentalCenter.CommentsincludedtheneedforCorpsfundingforfishandwildlifestudiesanddataprocessingofenvironmentalinformation.Expressedconcernsincludedtheinundationofascenic,white-waterriver,locationoftheprojectareatooclosetoaproposedTalkeetnaStatePark,toomuchhumanuseinthearea,impactsonmoosehabitatanddownstreamsalmonruns,differencesreflectedinthe1960and1975costestimates,thelowinterestrateusedincomputingprojectbenefits,whowouldoperatethedamsandsellthe.power,reservoirsiltation,turbidity,fluctuationsinstreamflows,impactsonpermafrost,thepossibilityofearthquakes,theformationoffrazi1ice,thegeologyofthearea,benefitsclaimedforfloodcontrol,thelocationoftransmissioncorridorsandconstructionoftransmissionlines,landstatus,impactsuponpopulationgrowth,recreationaldevelopment,theproductionofsecondaryenergy,andothers.Mostofthesegroupsvoicedeitherstrongoppositiontotheprojectorreservedjudgementpendingfurtherstudiesandspecificprojectrecommendations.Manyorganizations,groups,andindividualsexpressedsupportoftheselectedplan.AninformalpollofpeopleattendingthelatestagepUblicmeetingsindicatedsupportfortheprojectbyabout5personsforeachpersonwhoopposedit.560~!LatestagepUblicmeetingswereheldinAnchorageon7October1975andFairbankson8October1975topresentanddiscusstheselectedplan.Anumberofenvironmentalgroupswererepresentedatoneorbothofthesemeetings.Theyincluded:theIsaacWaltonLeague,theMountain-eeringClubofAlaska,theAlaskaConservationSociety,KnikKanoersandKayakers,andFairbanksEnvironmentalCenter.CommentsincludedtheneedforCorpsfundingforfishandwildlifestudiesanddataprocessingofenvironmentalinformation.Expressedconcernsincludedtheinundationofascenic,white-waterriver,locationoftheprojectareatooclosetoaproposedTalkeetnaStatePark,toomuchhumanuseinthearea,impactsonmoosehabitatanddownstreamsalmonruns,differencesreflectedinthe1960and1975costestimates,thelowinterestrateusedincomputingprojectbenefits,whowouldoperatethedamsandsellthe.power,reservoirsiltation,turbidity,fluctuationsinstreamflows,impactsonpermafrost,thepossibilityofearthquakes,theformationoffrazi1ice,thegeologyofthearea,benefitsclaimedforfloodcontrol,thelocationoftransmissioncorridorsandconstructionoftransmissionlines,landstatus,impactsuponpopulationgrowth,recreationaldevelopment,theproductionofsecondaryenergy,andothers.Mostofthesegroupsvoicedeitherstrongoppositiontotheprojectorreservedjudgementpendingfurtherstudiesandspecificprojectrecommendations.Manyorganizations,groups,andindividualsexpressedsupportoftheselectedplan.AninformalpollofpeopleattendingthelatestagepUblicmeetingsindicatedsupportfortheprojectbyabout5personsforeachpersonwhoopposedit.560
SELECTEDBIBLIOGRAPHY"DevilCanyonRapidsBeaten,"AnchorageDailyTimes,March29,1973.Dames&MooreConsultingEngineers.Subsurface'Geophysical'ExplorationforProposedWatanaDamsite.Anchorage:U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers"AlaskaDistrict.1975FederalEnergyAdministration.ProjectIndependence.Amainreport,summary,seventaskforcereportsandtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.1974FederalPowerCommission.AdvisoryCommitteereports,1974AlaskaPowerSurvey(with1975update):ReportoftheExecutiveAdvisoryCommittee.December1974EconomicAnalysisandLoadprojections.May1974ResourcesandElectricPowerGeneration.May1974CoordinatedSystemsDevelopmentandInterconnection.December1974EnvironmentalConsiderationsandConsumerAffairs.May1974Geen,GlenH."EcologicalConsequencesoftheProposedMoranDamontheFraserRiver,"JournaloftheFisheriesResearchBoardofCanada,Vol.32,No.1(JanuarY-1975).JonesandJones.UpperSusitnaRiver,Alaska-AnInventoryandEvaluationoftheEnvironmentalAestheticandRecreationalResources.IJ.~ArmyCorpsofEngineers,~askaDistrict.1975Kellerhals,Rolf,andDonGill."ObservedandPotentialDownstreamEffectofLargeStorageProjectsinNorthernCanada,"CommissionInternationaleDesGrandesBarrages,OnziemeCongresdesGrandesBarrages.Madrid,1973Little,A.D.UndergroundPowerTransmission.ReporttotheElectricResearchCouncil.16October1971Ray,DixyLee,Chairman,U.S.AtomicEnergyCommission.Aspeechgivenat25thAnnualAIBSmeetingatArizonaStateUniversity,Tempe,Arizona.17June1975StateofAlaska,DepartmentofFishandGame.Alaska'sWildlifeandHabitat.January1973~Alaska1973CatchandcProductionCommercialFisheryStatistics.--S:::-t;-a-;'t-=-'isticalLeafletNo.26..Variousletters,reviewcommentsandreports.--.,---~561SELECTEDBIBLIOGRAPHY"DevilCanyonRapidsBeaten,"AnchorageDailyTimes,March29,1973.Dames&MooreConsultingEngineers.Subsurface'Geophysical'ExplorationforProposedWatanaDamsite.Anchorage:U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers"AlaskaDistrict.1975FederalEnergyAdministration.ProjectIndependence.Amainreport,summary,seventaskforcereportsandtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.1974FederalPowerCommission.AdvisoryCommitteereports,1974AlaskaPowerSurvey(with1975update):ReportoftheExecutiveAdvisoryCommittee.December1974EconomicAnalysisandLoadprojections.May1974ResourcesandElectricPowerGeneration.May1974CoordinatedSystemsDevelopmentandInterconnection.December1974EnvironmentalConsiderationsandConsumerAffairs.May1974Geen,GlenH."EcologicalConsequencesoftheProposedMoranDamontheFraserRiver,"JournaloftheFisheriesResearchBoardofCanada,Vol.32,No.1(JanuarY-1975).JonesandJones.UpperSusitnaRiver,Alaska-AnInventoryandEvaluationoftheEnvironmentalAestheticandRecreationalResources.IJ.~ArmyCorpsofEngineers,~askaDistrict.1975Kellerhals,Rolf,andDonGill."ObservedandPotentialDownstreamEffectofLargeStorageProjectsinNorthernCanada,"CommissionInternationaleDesGrandesBarrages,OnziemeCongresdesGrandesBarrages.Madrid,1973Little,A.D.UndergroundPowerTransmission.ReporttotheElectricResearchCouncil.16October1971Ray,DixyLee,Chairman,U.S.AtomicEnergyCommission.Aspeechgivenat25thAnnualAIBSmeetingatArizonaStateUniversity,Tempe,Arizona.17June1975StateofAlaska,DepartmentofFishandGame.Alaska'sWildlifeandHabitat.January1973~Alaska1973CatchandcProductionCommercialFisheryStatistics.--S:::-t;-a-;'t-=-'isticalLeafletNo.26..Variousletters,reviewcommentsandreports.--.,---~561
AnAssessmentStudyoftheAnadromou~FishPopulations------~in~t~helUpperSusitnaWatershedBetweenDev11CanyonandtheChulitnaRiver,byBruceM.Barrett.1974.__:..Spring1971lt1.2.2..seP~rturiti9..!!.0untsoft,heProposet!DevilCanyonDamArea,byDonaldCalkins.1974StateofAlaska,DivisionofParks.HeritageResourcesAlon9wtheUpperSusitnaRiver.August1975StateofAlaska,JointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommissionforAlaskaandtheUniversityofAlaska.CoordinatedbyLidiaL.Selkregg.AlaskaRegionalProfiles-SouthcentralRegion.1974U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers.AnalyzingtheEnvironmentalImpactsofWaterProjects.PreparedbyInstituteofWaterResources.March1973U.s.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers,NorthPacificDivision.!lCompendiumontheSuccessofPassageofSmallFishThroughTurbines.May1967(outofprint)U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrict.!lReportontheRampartCanyonProject,YukonBasin,Alaska.1971____=---:--OffshoreOilandGasDevelopmentinCookInlet,Alaska-EnvironmentalImpactStatement.September1974SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,InterimFeasibility----=R-ep-o--rt-HydroelectricPowerandRelatedPurposesfortheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,withtechnicalappendices.December1975U.S.DepartmentofCommerce,NationalMarineFisheriesService.AHydrologicalReconnaissanceoftheSusitnaRiverBelowDevilCanyonDam.October1974U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject.June1967AlaskaPowerAdministration.DevilCanyonStatusReport.---:-:--;--.May1974~,..------.-_-..:Al~ska~owerAdministration.SupplementaryInformationConcerningCulturalandHlstorlcalResourc~s.AsupplementtoInterimFeasibilityReport,ElectricPower,SouthcentralRallbeltAreaAlaska,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Appendix1,Part2.Juneau,Alaska:AlaskaPowerAdministration.June1976~~~Bureau?fLandManagement:~ultimodelTransportationandUtilityCorridorSystems1nAlaska- APrellm1naryConceptualAnalysis.October1974562AnAssessmentStudyoftheAnadromou~FishPopulations------~in~t~helUpperSusitnaWatershedBetweenDev11CanyonandtheChulitnaRiver,byBruceM.Barrett.1974.__:..Spring1971lt1.2.2..seP~rturiti9..!!.0untsoft,heProposet!DevilCanyonDamArea,byDonaldCalkins.1974StateofAlaska,DivisionofParks.HeritageResourcesAlon9wtheUpperSusitnaRiver.August1975StateofAlaska,JointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommissionforAlaskaandtheUniversityofAlaska.CoordinatedbyLidiaL.Selkregg.AlaskaRegionalProfiles-SouthcentralRegion.1974U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers.AnalyzingtheEnvironmentalImpactsofWaterProjects.PreparedbyInstituteofWaterResources.March1973U.s.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers,NorthPacificDivision.!lCompendiumontheSuccessofPassageofSmallFishThroughTurbines.May1967(outofprint)U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrict.!lReportontheRampartCanyonProject,YukonBasin,Alaska.1971____=---:--OffshoreOilandGasDevelopmentinCookInlet,Alaska-EnvironmentalImpactStatement.September1974SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,InterimFeasibility----=R-ep-o--rt-HydroelectricPowerandRelatedPurposesfortheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,withtechnicalappendices.December1975U.S.DepartmentofCommerce,NationalMarineFisheriesService.AHydrologicalReconnaissanceoftheSusitnaRiverBelowDevilCanyonDam.October1974U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject.June1967AlaskaPowerAdministration.DevilCanyonStatusReport.---:-:--;--.May1974~,..------.-_-..:Al~ska~owerAdministration.SupplementaryInformationConcerningCulturalandHlstorlcalResourc~s.AsupplementtoInterimFeasibilityReport,ElectricPower,SouthcentralRallbeltAreaAlaska,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Appendix1,Part2.Juneau,Alaska:AlaskaPowerAdministration.June1976~~~Bureau?fLandManagement:~ultimodelTransportationandUtilityCorridorSystems1nAlaska- APrellm1naryConceptualAnalysis.October1974562
-::--__BureauofReclamation.PotentialDevelopmentofWaterResourcesi~;heSusitnaRiverBasinofAlaska.August1952BureauofRecl~mation.FeasibilityReport,DevilCanyonproject,Alaska.March1961BureauofReclamation.EngineeringGeologyoftheVee--~anyonDamsite.November1962FishandWildlifeService.SurveyofthePeregrineFalcon---a-rjdOtherRaptorsintheProposedSusitnaRiverReservoirImpoundmentAreas.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife.ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStatesResourcePublicationNo~114.Washington:-1973GeologicalSurvey.WaterResourcesDataforAlaska,Water----';:-Su-p-p-:;-"lyPapers.Washington:1950through1974-__~~~NationalParkServiceNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesWashington:1975VariousFishandWildlifeServiceletters,reviewcommentsand-----reports.563-::--__BureauofReclamation.PotentialDevelopmentofWaterResourcesi~;heSusitnaRiverBasinofAlaska.August1952BureauofRecl~mation.FeasibilityReport,DevilCanyonproject,Alaska.March1961BureauofReclamation.EngineeringGeologyoftheVee--~anyonDamsite.November1962FishandWildlifeService.SurveyofthePeregrineFalcon---a-rjdOtherRaptorsintheProposedSusitnaRiverReservoirImpoundmentAreas.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife.ThreatenedWildlifeoftheUnitedStatesResourcePublicationNo~114.Washington:-1973GeologicalSurvey.WaterResourcesDataforAlaska,Water----';:-Su-p-p-:;-"lyPapers.Washington:1950through1974-__~~~NationalParkServiceNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesWashington:1975VariousFishandWildlifeServiceletters,reviewcommentsand-----reports.563
11,800,00033,856,000137,876,000128,153,000300,00050,0009,373,000ECONOMICDATAEXTRACTEDFROMU.S.ARMYCORPSOFENGINEERSINTERIMFEASIBILITYREPORTCOMPLETEDOCUMENTISAVAILABLEATU.S.ARMYENGINEERDISTRICT,ANCHORAGE,ALASKAEstimatedFirstCost(IncludesNon-FederalRecreation)EstimatedValueofPublicDomain(LandtransferredwithoutCost)AverageAnnualCostAverageAnnualBenefitsPower(IncludesTransmissionLineIntertie)RecreationFloodControlAreaRedevelopmentNetAnnualBenefitsBenefittoCostRatio564$1,520,000,000$$104,020,000$S$$$$1.3to111,800,00033,856,000137,876,000128,153,000300,00050,0009,373,000ECONOMICDATAEXTRACTEDFROMU.S.ARMYCORPSOFENGINEERSINTERIMFEASIBILITYREPORTCOMPLETEDOCUMENTISAVAILABLEATU.S.ARMYENGINEERDISTRICT,ANCHORAGE,ALASKAEstimatedFirstCost(IncludesNon-FederalRecreation)EstimatedValueofPublicDomain(LandtransferredwithoutCost)AverageAnnualCostAverageAnnualBenefitsPower(IncludesTransmissionLineIntertie)RecreationFloodControlAreaRedevelopmentNetAnnualBenefitsBenefittoCostRatio564$1,520,000,000$$104,020,000$S$$$$1.3to1
PROPOSEDTRANSMISSIONLINECORRIDOR(PhotoscourtesyofAlaskaPowerAdministration)LowerSusitnaRiverValley.Thisareaischarac-terizedbyextensivemuskegs,intermingledwithbottomlandspruce-poplarforests.Pennafrostisabsentordiscontinuousinthisarea,althoughthesoilsaregenerallypoorlydrained.565PROPOSEDTRANSMISSIONLINECORRIDOR(PhotoscourtesyofAlaskaPowerAdministration)LowerSusitnaRiverValley.Thisareaischarac-terizedbyextensivemuskegs,intermingledwithbottomlandspruce-poplarforests.Pennafrostisabsentordiscontinuousinthisarea,althoughthesoilsaregenerallypoorlydrained.565
SusitnaRiverValley.Lakesareprevalentandassoc-iatedwithmuskegs,whichsucceedtheminformation.Muskegsaresucceededintumbyforestsdependentuponwell-drainedsoils.TIlethreestagesofsuccess-ionareshownhere.566SusitnaRiverValley.Lakesareprevalentandassoc-iatedwithmuskegs,whichsucceedtheminformation.Muskegsaresucceededintumbyforestsdependentuponwell-drainedsoils.TIlethreestagesofsuccess-ionareshownhere.566
VI
0-
"l
Town of Talkeetna.This town is at the confluence of the Talkeetna,Susitna,and Chulitna Rivers.The Alaska Railroad can be seen cross-ing the Talkeetna River near the right edge of the picture.
Town of Talkeetna.This town is at the confluence of the Talkeetna,Susitna,and Chulitna Rivers.The Alaska Railroad can be seen cross-ing the Talkeetna River near the right edge of the picture.
VI
0-
00
Near Honolulu on the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway.Biomes shown on
low brush muskeg in foregrm.md and upland spruce-hardl.,rood in back-
grotmd.Black spruce in foregrotmd are associated with poorly drain-
ed soils and/or shallow permafrost tables.
Near Honolulu on the Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway.Biomes shown on
low brush muskeg in foregrOlm.d and upland spruce-harrn.vood in back-
grOlm.d.Black spruce in foreground are associated with poorly drain-
ed soils and/or shallow permafrost tables.
VI
0-
-0
Alaska Range from Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway near Broad Pass,latespring.Vegetation biome is lowland spruce-hardwood.Soils here arebasicallyglacialdeposits.
Alaska Range from Anchorage-Fairbanks Highway near Broad Pass,latespring.Vegetation biome is lowland spruce-harchvood.Soils here arebasicallyglacialdeposits.
LookingsouthalongNenanaRivertoUpperNenanaCanyon.TheAndlOrage-FairbanksHighwayparallelstheleftbank.MotmtMcKinleyNationalParkandtheAlaskaRailroadareontherightbankoftheriver.570LookingsouthalongNenanaRivertoUpperNenanaCanyon.TheAndlOrage-FairbanksHighwayparallelstheleftbank.MotmtMcKinleyNationalParkandtheAlaskaRailroadareontherightbankoftheriver.570
VeryrestrictedcanyonalongNenanaRivernorthofncKinleyPark.AlaskaRailroadisoffleft-handedgeofphoto.LandleftofriveriswithinMOlmtr.'1cKinleyNationalPark.571VeryrestrictedcanyonalongNenanaRivernorthofncKinleyPark.AlaskaRailroadisoffleft-handedgeofphoto.LandleftofriveriswithinMOlmtr.'1cKinleyNationalPark.571
1beTananaRiverfloodplain.Thisareaisextreme-lyflatandpoorlydrained.1breetypesofbiomearerepresentedinthispicture:muskeg,lowlandspruce-harct"ood,andbottomlandspruce-poplar.Thedarkforestsaremainlyblackspruce.Thesinuouslighterforestiswhitespruce,aspenandbirch.Thisforesttypepreferswell-drainedsoils,andsoisfoundonoldleveesofexistingandextinctchannels.5721beTananaRiverfloodplain.Thisareaisextreme-lyflatandpoorlydrained.1breetypesofbiomearerepresentedinthispicture:muskeg,lowlandspruce-harct"ood,andbottomlandspruce-poplar.Thedarkforestsaremainlyblackspruce.Thesinuouslighterforestiswhitespruce,aspenandbirch.Thisforesttypepreferswell-drainedsoils,andsoisfoundonoldleveesofexistingandextinctchannels.572
DISTRICTREVIEWLETTERSRECEIVEDBYTHEDISTRICTENGINEERONTHEDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTANDRESPONSESTHERETO573DISTRICTREVIEWLETTERSRECEIVEDBYTHEDISTRICTENGINEERONTHEDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTANDRESPONSESTHERETO573
'1i '!Iji, . iijIii!I'IiFEDERALCOMMENTS·ANDRESPONSESU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureSoilConservationServiceU.S.DepartmentofInteriorAlaskaPowerAdministrationFishandWildlifeServiceGeologicalSurveyBureauofIndianAffairsBureauofLandManagementNationalParkService-AnchorageNationalParkService-SeattleBureauofOutdoorRecreationU.S.DepartmentofCommerceNationalWeatherServiceNationalOceanSurveyNationalMarineFisheriesServiceU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentU.S.DepartmentofTransportationFegeralAviationAdministrationFederalHighwayAdministrationUnitedStatesCoastGuardDepartmentoftheArmy•ColdRegionsResearchandEngineeringLaboratoryU.S.EnvironmentalProte~tionAgencyFederalPowerCommissionComments1-4.14-2125-3536-404142-7879-9091-9495-97567-121322-2422-2498-100101102-103104-108109'1i'!Iji, . iijIii!I'IiFEDERALCOMMENTS·ANDRESPONSESU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureSoilConservationServiceU.S.DepartmentofInteriorAlaskaPowerAdministrationFishandWildlifeServiceGeologicalSurveyBureauofIndianAffairsBureauofLandManagementNationalParkService-AnchorageNationalParkService-SeattleBureauofOutdoorRecreationU.S.DepartmentofCommerceNationalWeatherServiceNationalOceanSurveyNationalMarineFisheriesServiceU.S.DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentU.S.DepartmentofTransportationFegeralAviationAdministrationFederalHighwayAdministrationUnitedStatesCoastGuardDepartmentoftheArmy•ColdRegionsResearchandEngineeringLaboratoryU.S.EnvironmentalProte~tionAgencyFederalPowerCommissionComments1-4.14-2125-3536-404142-7879-9091-9495-97567-121322-2422-2498-100101102-103104-108109
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURESOiLCONSERVATIONSERVICE204East5thAvenue,Room217,'Anchorage,Alaska99501December2,1975CharlesA.Debe1iusColonel,CorpsofEngineersDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:Wehavereviewedthedraften,vironmenta1impactstatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Southcentra1RailbeltArea,Alaska."Weofferthefollowingcommentsforyourconsideration:Thisrepresent~allcommentsoftheSoilConservationService.GENERALCOMMENTSThestatementrepresentsconsiderableeffortintheassemblyofavailabledataandineffectivepresentationofpertinentfactsthroughoutthere-port.Thestatementappearstoappraiseimpactsadequatelyforafeas-ability~tagestudy.Wehavepreviouslyreviewedandcommentedontheenvironmentalassessmentofthetransmissionlineproposalthatisanintegralpartofthisproposal.SPECIFICCOMMENTSThe,statementcontainsnoinformationonsoilsinvolvedwiththeproposal,exceptforsomebriefstatementsinthecaptionsattheendofthevolume.Thecaptionofthesecondphoto.implyingthatwelldrainedsoilssucceedmuskegs,iserroneous.Theabsenceofsoilsinformationatthedamsiteorinthetransmissioncorridorsisaseriousdeficiencyofthestatement.57569-7370 -81-37, 14UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURESOiLCONSERVATIONSERVICE204East5thAvenue,Room217,'Anchorage,Alaska99501December2,1975CharlesA.Debe1iusColonel,CorpsofEngineersDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:Wehavereviewedthedraften,vironmenta1impactstatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Southcentra1RailbeltArea,Alaska."Weofferthefollowingcommentsforyourconsideration:Thisrepresent~allcommentsoftheSoilConservationService.GENERALCOMMENTSThestatementrepresentsconsiderableeffortintheassemblyofavailabledataandineffectivepresentationofpertinentfactsthroughoutthere-port.Thestatementappearstoappraiseimpactsadequatelyforafeas-ability~tagestudy.Wehavepreviouslyreviewedandcommentedontheenvironmentalassessmentofthetransmissionlineproposalthatisanintegralpartofthisproposal.SPECIFICCOMMENTSThe,statementcontainsnoinformationonsoilsinvolvedwiththeproposal,exceptforsomebriefstatementsinthecaptionsattheendofthevolume.Thecaptionofthesecondphoto.implyingthatwelldrainedsoilssucceedmuskegs,iserroneous.Theabsenceofsoilsinformationatthedamsiteorinthetransmissioncorridorsisaseriousdeficiencyofthestatement.57569-7370 -81-37, 14
Weappreciatetheopportunitytocomment.Sincerely.enclosurecc:CouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(5copies)OfficeofCoordinatorofEnvironmentalQualityActivities·R.M.Davis.Administrator.SCS.Washington.D.C.K.LWilliams.Director.WTSC.SCS.Portland.OregonDistrictConservationist.SCS.Fairbanks.Alaska':I576Weappreciatetheopportunitytocomment.Sincerely.enclosurecc:CouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(5copies)OfficeofCoordinatorofEnvironmentalQualityActivities·R.M.Davis.Administrator.SCS.Washington.D.C.K.LWilliams.Director.WTSC.SCS.Portland.OregonDistrictConservationist.SCS.Fairbanks.Alaska':I576
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENT.OFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATIONSERVICEjLCommentnoted.~Commentnoted.Detailedsoilsinformationatthedamsiteandinthetransmissioncorridorsisnotpresentlyavailable.Suchstudieswouldbethesubjectoffutureinvestigationsrequiredforfacilitiessiting,constructiontechniques,..etc.TheSCSletterwasreceivedtoolatetochangethereferencedphotocap-tion,sincethatportionoftheEIShadalreadygonethroughfinalprinting.However,thestatementthat"muskegsaresucceededinturnbyforestsdependentuponwell-drainedsoils"isacknowl-edgedasanerror.Obviously,muskegareasdonotrapidly,ifever,evolveintowell-drainedsoils.Theymay,however,eventuallysupportwater-toleranttreespecies..-.~Concur.Unavoidableconstructionscarsrelatedtoprojectfeatures,suchasroadsandborrowareas,_willberehabilitated,includingdressingwithtopsoilandappropriatelandscapingandvegetativeplanting.TheSoilConservationServicewillbeconsultedwithregardtotheseefforts.4Concur.Temporaryandpermanentfacilitieswillbedesigned.andlocatedwithaviewtoaesthetics,erodibilityofsoils,andotherrelevantfactors.,)577RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENT.OFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATIONSERVICEjLCommentnoted.~Commentnoted.Detailedsoilsinformationatthedamsiteandinthetransmissioncorridorsisnotpresentlyavailable.Suchstudieswouldbethesubjectoffutureinvestigationsrequiredforfacilitiessiting,constructiontechniques,..etc.TheSCSletterwasreceivedtoolatetochangethereferencedphotocap-tion,sincethatportionoftheEIShadalreadygonethroughfinalprinting.However,thestatementthat"muskegsaresucceededinturnbyforestsdependentuponwell-drainedsoils"isacknowl-edgedasanerror.Obviously,muskegareasdonotrapidly,ifever,evolveintowell-drainedsoils.Theymay,however,eventuallysupportwater-toleranttreespecies..-.~Concur.Unavoidableconstructionscarsrelatedtoprojectfeatures,suchasroadsandborrowareas,_willberehabilitated,includingdressingwithtopsoilandappropriatelandscapingandvegetativeplanting.TheSoilConservationServicewillbeconsultedwithregardtotheseefforts.4Concur.Temporaryandpermanentfacilitieswillbedesigned.andlocatedwithaviewtoaesthetics,erodibilityofsoils,andotherrelevantfactors.,)577
U'NITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCETheAssistantSecretaryforScienceandTechnolo~Washington,D.C.20230November25,1975ColonelA.Debelius.District'Engineer-AlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineer~"U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy!iiP.O.7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:Thisisinreferencetoyourdraftenvironmentalimpactstatemententitled"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska".Inorderto'expeditetransmittaloftheenclosedcommentsfromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration,wearesendingthemtoyouastheywerereceivedinthisoffice.Thankyouforgivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecomments,whichwehopewillbeofassistancetoyou.Wewouldappreciatereceivingeight(8)copiesofthefinalstatement.:1!IiniI"I!I,Sincerely,?:i~~~DeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairsEnclosures:MemofromNOAA-NationalMarineFisheriesServiceMemofromNOAA-NationalOceanSurveyMemofromNOAA-NationalWeatherService578U'NITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCETheAssistantSecretaryforScienceandTechnolo~Washington,D.C.20230November25,1975ColonelA.Debelius.District'Engineer-AlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineer~"U.S.DepartmentoftheArmy!iiP.O.7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:Thisisinreferencetoyourdraftenvironmentalimpactstatemententitled"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska".Inorderto'expeditetransmittaloftheenclosedcommentsfromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration,wearesendingthemtoyouastheywerereceivedinthisoffice.Thankyouforgivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecomments,whichwehopewillbeofassistancetoyou.Wewouldappreciatereceivingeight(8)copiesofthefinalstatement.:1!IiniI"I!I,Sincerely,?:i~~~DeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairsEnclosures:MemofromNOAA-NationalMarineFisheriesServiceMemofromNOAA-NationalOceanSurveyMemofromNOAA-NationalWeatherService578
IV:-"i'U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENationalOC,eanicii'ndAtmospheri,cAdministrationN~T.~~)~.\l_,\\C·\;t:::r,~~:F,\':,~~-."'..'c;"s'.',..~'i.lt-·-JhV~,i.l~l.nn..r""c.c:.........o.'".ReplytoAttn,of'W2,,2!AEDr.WilliamAronDirector,Officeof'EcologyandEnvironmentalCori~ervai::i6n(EEl', "_,"Jji\;·~.;.:,·L:~:~;:·j.[DilXDr.George'p,Cressman"k,c.li,.LLGi;UiDirector,Nationai,WeatherService(W)DElS7509.61"UppeJ:'SusitnaRiverBasin,AlaskaTheplanproposestheconstructionof,,damsandpowerplantsontheupperSUSlTNARiver.Theoperationofthesefacilitieswillimpactuponthepublicriverandfloodforecastwarningserviceprovidedbythe'NationalWeatherServiceinthisbasin.TheseservicesemanatefromNWSofficesatAnchorageandFairbanksasdescribedintheenclosures.,This,shouldbemadeapartoftheElS,579IV:-"i'U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENationalOC,eanicii'ndAtmospheri,cAdministrationN~T.~~)~.\l_,\\C·\;t:::r,~~:F,\':,~~-."'..'c;"s'.',..~'i.lt-·-JhV~,i.l~l.nn..r""c.c:.........o.'".ReplytoAttn,of'W2,,2!AEDr.WilliamAronDirector,Officeof'EcologyandEnvironmentalCori~ervai::i6n(EEl',"_,"Jji\;·~.;.:,·L:~:~;:·j.[DilXDr.George'p,Cressman"k,c.li,.LLGi;UiDirector,Nationai,WeatherService(W)DElS7509.61"UppeJ:'SusitnaRiverBasin,AlaskaTheplanproposestheconstructionof,,damsandpowerplantsontheupperSUSlTNARiver.Theoperationofthesefacilitieswillimpactuponthepublicriverandfloodforecastwarningserviceprovidedbythe'NationalWeatherServiceinthisbasin.TheseservicesemanatefromNWSofficesatAnchorageandFairbanksasdescribedintheenclosures.,This,shouldbemadeapartoftheElS,579
-"".!;l,I!·n~§.':-itiona'l1Jc'caHic·and'At~(J~:J;H~:'"ic,n.d:nirl·is~rntion(t:QAA)]'li.li:ional!':eath~i'"'S~~':icerrO'liC2Sflea::!forE'cl.1.stjr.~·ser'/i.f.;~'flJ("(;i.'tjn,~r·i'l~r:basins..,This'-s'y$t~.:li:i'/::l1';25pr~diCt11J:iJ~i..'fcnt.1C'ip.ll:c.J~t·~92:.\!tLlp.:~rt.icu1arr.~g~~orS3S:~S.inth~~:~!5iii.Ti:2:,efG....~~,..:..1St5.~:}·c·b:~:;:~~:onC1J:;~("I(~~·::"....,~C1pitl":!·tio;"t·~r.r1r.,.;....~.--,}-I''l-~'·'''··-'....:'--,..;•.·;·..:;-:···••i\-·~.~··..~rc:_..I:·l--:o'"--."c.:._~'_""",:..:.-(,...._.;>.........;0:.}.a,r:!..~...I.L:!..•i':....._..•I":':.t,..;'_(;••.:!'....I:"1:...:n.eftc.:::d.fcr~~ti.stistransr.iit.tedtoC"jtyof-ricials~n-=I.-Isp~per-s»andrad.ioandtele-v}si.onstetio:ls·il1.thebHir..Thesemediadisseminatetheinfo:-r.tationtot:esident~of.the:flood?lid~intheformofafloedI·iarning..ThistimelyTcrew:rr,1r.gpermltsprocectlvemeasurestobe·undert~k~nbylndustrialplantspubiic'utilitie5»municipal.officials,andindividuals~",;thprcpe~tyinth.e10'.'11a"ds..Servicesavailableareofth~f!JliO\~ingtypes:.-,:'."',l.'.~...,-". -•._'.,",'1.FlashF1ood:.TheresconsibleHeath~:".Sen'ict!ForecastOfficftStl[l;1l'ie5\·teath~rforebstst\~iC2dail~fc:".theState~·Inadditiontot::~routineforeco1sts.specialfor~castsofseverestormsand'generalflashfloodwatchesforsmallstreams·areissuedasrequired.HSR-57HeatherRadarinstallationshavecapabilityforim:n~iate..'detectionandevaluationofrainfallintensity.location.andstannmOVEment...Informationispronptlyrelayedbyteletype'circuits'andtelephonetonewsmediaandccr.;munityofficialsandla\~enforcement..·•agencies.Tlie.HeatherServiceOffice'··issuesFlashFlood~larniLgs:asrequiredforsm'allstreamsinitsareaofresponsibility_..2.NajarFloods:.Riverstageforecastsarebasedonradarcoverage.reportsfrcmriverandr~ir.fallreporting.stationsandtelemetryin.ornear1thebasin.:..TheRiverFoi·eC;:i\!lt,Centersilrestaffed~Iithprofessionalhydrologistsresponsiblefor'thepreparationofriver..forecastsb<!:sed'onl'laterequivalentofSl19HCO'/2'r.rainfall-'runoffrelations,streamf1o·.~routing,anda1'lOr~lngkno\~ledge'ofanticipatedl'leath:el'"cond,i.tions.Theleadtimebetweendistributionofthefore-castsa:1dthefloodcrestmaybesho·...t;hO\'laver,leadtir.tenoro.ti'!l1yrangesfrom12hoursforrainfallandup·toseveral'we~ksforsnowm~ltSpecificcrestforecastsareissuedasrequired.RiverDistrictOfficesareresponsiblefortheinterpretationanddistributionof..floodfDrecastsandtheoperation...ofthehydrologicreportingsub-stationnetworkinitsareaofrespon·sibility.'..3.Hydrocli:::aticData:I'!ostofthedata.fromthenetworkispublished.Theserecordsprovidethebasisfor.forecastsas\1ellasfortheplar::!!;:;)anddesignofprotectivel'lor!:sandtheiro'perationduringfloods•.River:andfloodforecastingisfur:dam~ntaltnthedesignandesse~tialintheoperationofalevee0:"reservoirsystem.,'580-"".!;l,I!·n~§.':-itiona'l1'Jc'caHic·and'At~(J~:J;H~:'"ic,n.d:nirl·is~rntion(t:QAA)]'li.li:ional!':eath~i'"'S~~':icerrO'liC2Sflea::!forE'cl.1.stjr.~·ser'/i.f.;~'flJ("(;i.'tjn,~r·i'l~r:basins..,This'-s'y$t~.:li:i'/::l1';25pr~dictilJ:iJ~i..'fcnt.1C'ip.ll:c.J~t·~92:.\!tLlp.:~rt.icu1arr.~g~~orS3S:~S.inth~~:~!5iii.Ti:2:,efG....~~,..:..1St5.~:}·c·b:~:;:~~:onC1J:;~("I(~~·::"....,~C1pitl":!·tio;"t·~r.r1r.,.;....~.--,}-I''l-~'·'''··-'....:'--,..;•.·;·..:;-:···••i\-·~.~··..~rc:_..I:·l--:o'"--."c.:._~'_""",:..:.-(,...._.;>.........;0:.}.a,r:!..~...I.L:!..•i':....._..•I":':.t,..;'_(;••.:!'....I:"1:...:n.eftc.:::d.fcr~~ti.stistransr.iit.tedtoC"jtyof-ricials~n-=I.-Isp~per-s»andrad.ioandtele-v}si.onstetio:ls·il1.thebHir..Thesemediadisseminatetheinfo:-r.tationtot:esident~of.the:flood?lid~intheformofafloedI·iarning..ThistimelyTcrew:rr,1r.gpermltsprocectlvemeasurestobe·undert~k~nbylndustrialplantspubiic'utilitie5»municipal.officials,andindividuals~",;thprcpe~tyinth.e10'.'11a"ds..Servicesavailableareofth~f!JliO\~ingtypes:.-,:'."',l.'.~...,-".-•._'.,",'1.FlashF1ood:.TheresconsibleHeath~:".Sen'ict!ForecastOfficftStlfl;1l'ie5\·teath~rforebstst\~iC2dail~fc:".theState~·Inadditiontot::~routineforeco1sts.specialfor~castsofseverestormsand'generalflashfloodwatchesforsmallstreams'areissuedasrequired.HSR-57HeatherRadarinstallationshavecapabilityforim:n~iate..'detectionandevaluationofrainfallintensity,location,andstannmOVEment...Informationispronptlyrelayedbyteletype'circuits'andtelephonetonewsmediaandccr.;munityofficialsandla\~enforcement..·•agencies.Tlie.HeatherServiceOffice'··issuesFlashFlood~larniLgs:asrequiredforsm'allstreamsinitsareaofresponsibility_..2.NajarFloods:.Riverstageforecastsarebasedonradarcoverage.reportsfrcmriverandr~ir.fallreporting.stationsandtelemetryin.ornear1thebasin.:..TheRiverFoi·eC;:i\!lt,Centersilrestaffed~Iithprofessionalhydrologistsresponsiblefor'thepreparationofriver..forecastsb<!:sed'onl'laterequivalentofSl19HCO'/2'r.rainfall-'runoffrelations,streamf1o·.~routing,anda1'lOr~lngkno\~ledge'ofanticipatedl'leath:el'"cond,i.tions.Theleadtimebetweendistributionofthefore-castsa:1dthefloodcrestmaybesho·...t;hO\'laver,leadtir.tenoro.ti'!l1yrangesfrom12hoursforrainfallandup·toseveral'we~ksforsnowm~ltSpecificcrestforecastsareissuedasrequired.RiverDistrictOfficesareresponsiblefortheinterpretationanddistributionof..floodfDrecastsandtheoperation...ofthehydrologicreportingsub-stationnetworkinitsareaofrespon·sibility.'..3.Hydrocli:::aticData:I'!ostofthedata.fromthenetworkispublished.Theserecordsprovidethebasisfor.forecastsas\1ellasfortheplar::!!;:;)anddesignofprotectivel'lor!:sandtheiro'perationduringfloods•.River:andfloodforecastingisfur:dam~ntaltnthedesignandesse~tialintheoperationofalevee0:"reservoirsystem.,'580
•RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYu.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALWEATHERSERVICE~CommentsofDr.GeorgeP.Cressman.DirectoroftheNationalWeatherService.areacknowledged.Assuggested.theWeatherServiceStatementonFloodWarningProgram.asappendedtoDr.Cressman'sletter.isreproducedintheEIS.581•RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYu.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALWEATHERSERVICE~CommentsofDr.GeorgeP.Cressman.DirectoroftheNationalWeatherService.areacknowledged.Assuggested.theWeatherServiceStatementonFloodWarningProgram.asappendedtoDr.Cressman'sletter.isreproducedintheEIS.581
OCT311975TO:FROM:Dr.WilliamAronDirectorOfficeofEcologyandEnvironmentalConservationDr.GordonLill(signed)GODeputyDirectorRDONLlLLNationalOceanSurveyC52/JL~6SUBJECT:DEIS#7509.61-UpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthCentralRailbeltArea)AlaskaThesubjectstatementhasbeenreviewedwithintheareasofNOSresponsibilityandexpertise)andintermsoftheimpactoftheproposedactiononNOSactivitiesandprojects.Thefollowingcorrmentisofferedforyourconsideration.Geodeticcontrolsurveymonumentsmaybelocatedintheproposedtransmissionlineroutes.Ifthereisanyplannedactivitywhichwilldisturbordestroythesew~numents,NOSrequiresnotlessthan90daysnotificationinadvanceofsuchactivityinordertoplanfortheirrelocation.NOSrecommendsthatfundingforthisprojectincludesthecostofanyrelocationrequiredforthesemonuments.582OCT311975TO:FROM:Dr.WilliamAronDirectorOfficeofEcologyandEnvironmentalConservationDr.GordonLill(signed)GODeputyDirectorRDONLlLLNationalOceanSurveyC52/JL~6SUBJECT:DEIS#7509.61-UpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthCentralRailbeltArea)AlaskaThesubjectstatementhasbeenreviewedwithintheareasofNOSresponsibilityandexpertise)andintermsoftheimpactoftheproposedactiononNOSactivitiesandprojects.Thefollowingcorrmentisofferedforyourconsideration.Geodeticcontrolsurveymonumentsmaybelocatedintheproposedtransmissionlineroutes.Ifthereisanyplannedactivitywhichwilldisturbordestroythesew~numents,NOSrequiresnotlessthan90daysnotificationinadvanceofsuchactivityinordertoplanfortheirrelocation.NOSrecommendsthatfundingforthisprojectincludesthecostofanyrelocationrequiredforthesemonuments.582
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALOCEANSURVEY()Weconcur.Everyeffortwillbemadetoavoiddisturbinggeodeticcontrolsurveymonumentsinlocatingtheproposedtransmissionlines.Intheeventthatdisturbanceisunavoidable,theNationalOceanSurveywillbegivenatleast90daysadvancenotice,andcostsofrelocationwillbeborneatprojectexpense.583RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALOCEANSURVEY()Weconcur.Everyeffortwillbemadetoavoiddisturbinggeodeticcontrolsurveymonumentsinlocatingtheproposedtransmissionlines.Intheeventthatdisturbanceisunavoidable,theNationalOceanSurveywillbegivenatleast90daysadvancenotice,andcostsofrelocationwillbeborneatprojectexpense.583
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration.NATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEP.O.BOX1668-JUNEAU,ALASKA99801November19,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:TheNationalMarineFisheriesServicehasreviewedthedraftenviron-mentalimpactstatementforIIHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Southcentra1RailbeltArea,A1aska.1IInordertoprovideastimelyaresponsetoyourrequestforcommentsaspossible,wearesubmittingtheenclosedcorrunentstoyoudirectly,inparallelwiththeirtransmittaltotheDepartmentofCommerceforincor-porationintheDepartmentalresponse.ThesecommentsrepresenttheviewsoftheNationalMarineFisheriesService.Theformal,consolidatedviewsoftheDepartmentshouldreachyoushortly.Sincerely,1-~ALI!/11u4~..~HarryL.RietzeDirector,AlaskaRegionEnclosure584U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration.NATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEP.O.BOX1668-JUNEAU,ALASKA99801November19,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:TheNationalMarineFisheriesServicehasreviewedthedraftenviron-mentalimpactstatementforIIHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Southcentra1RailbeltArea,A1aska.1IInordertoprovideastimelyaresponsetoyourrequestforcommentsaspossible,wearesubmittingtheenclosedcorrunentstoyoudirectly,inparallelwiththeirtransmittaltotheDepartmentofCommerceforincor-porationintheDepartmentalresponse.ThesecommentsrepresenttheviewsoftheNationalMarineFisheriesService.Theformal,consolidatedviewsoftheDepartmentshouldreachyoushortly.Sincerely,1-~ALI!/11u4~..~HarryL.RietzeDirector,AlaskaRegionEnclosure584
DateNovember19,1975U.S.D£:;:;),.~MrMENrC~cuMMERCENa~ii3r;al'iJc3aniciindA~mg~p:J.l.rlcAdmininration!J(J.i.':OYlIlLi-!11.1'1:WJ.'·'i:;J,r.:;Y·1:e:;D&'f'vice1".(i.h0XlC:C8~Jun~a.u~A7,~sY..a99802ReplytoAttn.of:FAK/RJM/To:Director,OfficeofEcology&EnvironmentalConservation,EEThru:AssociateDirector{for~Rerour'7Ma~agement,F3From~.JlarryL.Rietzeg..~u/H.~TDirector,AlaskaRegionSubject:CommentsonDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement--HydroelectricPowerDevelopment-UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska.CorpsofEngineersDEIS#7509.61ThedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,thataccompaniedyourmemorandumofSeptember30,1975,hasbeenreceivedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceforreviewandcomment.Thestatementhasbeenreviewedandthefollowingcommentsareofferedforyourconsideration:GeneralCommentsItisestimatedthatapproximately3,300,000salmon,whichincludeallfivePacificspecies,areproducedintheSusitnaRiverfortheAlaskacommercialcatch.Basedon1975prices,theannualvaluetofishermenwouldbenearly$9,000,000.!/ItshouldbenotedthattheSouthcentralRailbeltAreaplaysasignificantroleintherecreationalactivitiesoftheresidentandtouristfishingindustry.Presently,thereisnodataavailableonsalmonrecreationalfisheryvaluesaccruabletotheSusitnaRiver.However,wewould,expectthisvaluetoincreaseproportionatelytoprojectedincreasesinpopulationandtourismintheprojectarea.AsoutlinedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameatrecentpublicmeetingsregardingtheDEIS,muchoftheinformationneededtomakeasystemsanalysisofthelivingresourcesoftheriverenvironmenthasneverbeencollected.WebelieveitwouldbeimprudenttomakeanyobjectivecommentsregardingthefisheryaspectswithinthevarioussectionsoftheDEIS,becauseofthelackofanysubstantialdataonwhichtobaseourconclusionsandbecau$einventoriesandevaluationsarestillbeingconductedbyresourceagencies.!/U.S.FishandWildlifeService.1975.SouthcentralRailbeltAreaUpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricProjectTwoDamPlan.U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.October1975.28pp.585:~..8DateNovember19,1975U.S.D£:;:;),.~MrMENrC~cuMMERCENa~ii3r;al'iJc3aniciindA~mg~p:J.l.rlcAdmininration!J(J.i.':OYlIlLi-!11.1'1:WJ.'·'i:;J,r.:;Y·1:e:;D&'f'vice1".(i.h0XlC:C8~Jun~a.u~A7,~sY..a99802ReplytoAttn.of:FAK/RJM/To:Director,OfficeofEcology&EnvironmentalConservation,EEThru:AssociateDirector{for~Rerour'7Ma~agement,F3From~.JlarryL.Rietzeg..~u/H.~TDirector,AlaskaRegionSubject:CommentsonDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement--HydroelectricPowerDevelopment-UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska.CorpsofEngineersDEIS#7509.61ThedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,thataccompaniedyourmemorandumofSeptember30,1975,hasbeenreceivedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceforreviewandcomment.Thestatementhasbeenreviewedandthefollowingcommentsareofferedforyourconsideration:GeneralCommentsItisestimatedthatapproximately3,300,000salmon,whichincludeallfivePacificspecies,areproducedintheSusitnaRiverfortheAlaskacommercialcatch.Basedon1975prices,theannualvaluetofishermenwouldbenearly$9,000,000.!/ItshouldbenotedthattheSouthcentralRailbeltAreaplaysasignificantroleintherecreationalactivitiesoftheresidentandtouristfishingindustry.Presently,thereisnodataavailableonsalmonrecreationalfisheryvaluesaccruabletotheSusitnaRiver.However,wewould,expectthisvaluetoincreaseproportionatelytoprojectedincreasesinpopulationandtourismintheprojectarea.AsoutlinedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameatrecentpublicmeetingsregardingtheDEIS,muchoftheinformationneededtomakeasystemsanalysisofthelivingresourcesoftheriverenvironmenthasneverbeencollected.WebelieveitwouldbeimprudenttomakeanyobjectivecommentsregardingthefisheryaspectswithinthevarioussectionsoftheDEIS,becauseofthelackofanysubstantialdataonwhichtobaseourconclusionsandbecau$einventoriesandevaluationsarestillbeingconductedbyresourceagencies.!/U.S.FishandWildlifeService.1975.SouthcentralRailbeltAreaUpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricProjectTwoDamPlan.U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior.October1975.28pp.585:~..8
SpecificConmlents4.0EnvironmentalImpactsoftheProposedAction4.02FishIPage49,paragraph7.Hebelievethecollectionofonefieldseason's9d.ataisnotsufficientlydefinitivetomakeanyassumptionsregardingtherelationshipsbetweensalmonspawningandrearingsloughsand anyregulatedflowswithintheproposedproject.10Page49.paragraph8.Thestatementregardingtheeliminationofsalmoneggdestructionshouldbequalifiedbynotingthatitisbasedonan-inconclusivesin~le-yearobservation.l:/Page50,paragraph1.Thestatementregardingsalmondisorientationbyinitialprojectstartupshouldbeexpandedtoincludetheeffectsofprojectconstruction.Waterqualitydegradation,diversion,etc.,wouldallservetoconfusesalmonreturningtotheirnaturalspawningareas.Page50,lastparagraph.Thisparagraphshouldbewrittentoqualifythestatusoffuturefisheriesstudiesnoted.TheCorpsofEngineershasnoassurancethatanyproposedfishandwildlifestudieswillbefundedorcarriedoutintimetobeofvalueinmakinganyfeasibleprojectmodifications.6.0AlternativestqtheProposedAction6.02AlternativeSourcesofPower6.02.3oilandNaturalGasPage72.BecausetheproposedElPasoAlaskanaturalgaslinecouldbe_IconstructedtobringfuelfromtheknownPrudhoeBayfieldtothe~~Anchorage-Fairbanksarea,itshouldbegivenconsiderationasapossiblealternativesourceofpower.Wewouldappreciatereceivingtwocopiesofthefinalenvironmentalimpactstatement.Barrett,BruceM.1974.AnAssessmentoftqeAnadromousFishPopulationsintheUpperSusitnaRiverWatershedBetweenDevilCanyonandtheChulitnaRiver.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGa~e,DivisionofCommercialFisheries.Anchorage.November1974.56pp.586SpecificConmlents4.0EnvironmentalImpactsoftheProposedAction4.02FishIPage49,paragraph7.Hebelievethecollectionofonefieldseason's9d.ataisnotsufficientlydefinitivetomakeanyassumptionsregardingtherelationshipsbetweensalmonspawningandrearingsloughsand anyregulatedflowswithintheproposedproject.10Page49.paragraph8.Thestatementregardingtheeliminationofsalmoneggdestructionshouldbequalifiedbynotingthatitisbasedonan-inconclusivesin~le-yearobservation.l:/Page50,paragraph1.Thestatementregardingsalmondisorientationbyinitialprojectstartupshouldbeexpandedtoincludetheeffectsofprojectconstruction.Waterqualitydegradation,diversion,etc.,wouldallservetoconfusesalmonreturningtotheirnaturalspawningareas.Page50,lastparagraph.Thisparagraphshouldbewrittentoqualifythestatusoffuturefisheriesstudiesnoted.TheCorpsofEngineershasnoassurancethatanyproposedfishandwildlifestudieswillbefundedorcarriedoutintimetobeofvalueinmakinganyfeasibleprojectmodifications.6.0AlternativestqtheProposedAction6.02AlternativeSourcesofPower6.02.3oilandNaturalGasPage72.BecausetheproposedElPasoAlaskanaturalgaslinecouldbe_IconstructedtobringfuelfromtheknownPrudhoeBayfieldtothe~~Anchorage-Fairbanksarea,itshouldbegivenconsiderationasapossiblealternativesourceofpower.Wewouldappreciatereceivingtwocopiesofthefinalenvironmentalimpactstatement.Barrett,BruceM.1974.AnAssessmentoftqeAnadromousFishPopulationsintheUpperSusitnaRiverWatershedBetweenDevilCanyonandtheChulitnaRiver.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGa~e,DivisionofCommercialFisheries.Anchorage.November1974.56pp.586
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICE,1Commentnoted.tjTheneedforadditionalenvironmentaldatatomakeanobjectiveanalysisoftheproposedprojectsisarecognizedconcernoftheCorps.Duringthepost-authorizationphase,environmentalstudieswillbemadetoobtaintheneededdatatodevelopboth'~esignandmitigationmeasurestominimizeordeletethechancesofenviron-mentalimpact.Thepreliminarydatapresentlyavailableisabasisforidentifyingareasofconcernthatneeddetailedanalysis.Aspost-authorizationstudiesproceed,supplementstothestatementwillbepreparedandcoordinated.:1Noted.idWaterqualitydegradationduringconstructionwouldbe1imitedtopossibleincreaseinturbidity.However,thisconditionwouldonlybeminorsincetherunoffinthoseareasthatwouldproduceturbidconditionswillbedivertedintosettlingbasinspriortoreturningtotheriver.Duringconstructionnaturalriverflowswillbedivertedaroundtheconstructionareaaboveanyknownspawningareasandwouldhavenoimpactondownstreamfishpopulations.Atthetimeofinitialstorage,thefishandwildlifeagencieswillberequestedtofurnishnecessaryflowreleasestopreventanydownstreamimpacts.jl}_Futurestudiesidentifiedinreferencedparagrapharethosethatwouldbeconsideredifcongressionalauthorizationisreceivedfortheproposedproject.Thesestudieswouldbeaccomplishedduringthepost-authorizationanddesignphasesoftheprojects.Noassurancescanbegivenatthistimethatthese'studieswouldbefundedsincefundingwillbedependentuponcongressionalappro-priations:1;,ITheproposednewnaturalgaspipelinefromthePrudhoeBayfield,althoughnotspecificallyidentifiedinthealternativediscussionofOilandGas,wastakenintoconsiderationwhenthisalternativewasinvestigated.587RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICE,1Commentnoted.tjTheneedforadditionalenvironmentaldatatomakeanobjectiveanalysisoftheproposedprojectsisarecognizedconcernoftheCorps.Duringthepost-authorizationphase,environmentalstudieswillbemadetoobtaintheneededdatatodevelopboth'~esignandmitigationmeasurestominimizeordeletethechancesofenviron-mentalimpact.Thepreliminarydatapresentlyavailableisabasisforidentifyingareasofconcernthatneeddetailedanalysis.Aspost-authorizationstudiesproceed,supplementstothestatementwillbepreparedandcoordinated.:1Noted.idWaterqualitydegradationduringconstructionwouldbe1imitedtopossibleincreaseinturbidity.However,thisconditionwouldonlybeminorsincetherunoffinthoseareasthatwouldproduceturbidconditionswillbedivertedintosettlingbasinspriortoreturningtotheriver.Duringconstructionnaturalriverflowswillbedivertedaroundtheconstructionareaaboveanyknownspawningareasandwouldhavenoimpactondownstreamfishpopulations.Atthetimeofinitialstorage,thefishandwildlifeagencieswillberequestedtofurnishnecessaryflowreleasestopreventanydownstreamimpacts.jl}_Futurestudiesidentifiedinreferencedparagrapharethosethatwouldbeconsideredifcongressionalauthorizationisreceivedfortheproposedproject.Thesestudieswouldbeaccomplishedduringthepost-authorizationanddesignphasesoftheprojects.Noassurancescanbegivenatthistimethatthese'studieswouldbefundedsincefundingwillbedependentuponcongressionalappro-priations:1;,ITheproposednewnaturalgaspipelinefromthePrudhoeBayfield,althoughnotspecificallyidentifiedinthealternativediscussionofOilandGas,wastakenintoconsiderationwhenthisalternativewasinvestigated.587
DEPARTMENTOFHOUSINGANDURBANDEVELOPMENTARCADEPLAZAnUILDING,1311SECONDAVfNlJfSEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101REGlONXOfficeofCommunityPlanning&Develop~entCharlesA.DebeliusColonel,CorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersPOBox7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:INREPLYREI10DSubject:DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinWehavereviewedthedraftstatementsubmittedwithyourSeptember22,1975letterrequestingcommentswithin45days.TheproposedactionistoconstructdamsontheupperSusitnaRiveratWatanaandDevilCanyons,powerplans,transmissionfacilities,accessroads,andoperatingandrecreationalfacilities.Atthispointwedonotseeanysignificantimpactinourareasofconcern.Asplansdevelop,wewouldliketobekeptuponpossiblechangesinpopulationprojectionsandrelatedhousingandcommunityfacilitiesneeds.YourplansappeartobeconsistentwiththeAlaskaWaterStudyCommittee'sassumptionsthattherewouldbeinitialandcontinuedhydropowerdevelopmentintheSusitnaRiverBasin.SincebothouragenciesaswellastheState,isrepresented.onthisCommittee,thereshouldbenoprobleminadequatelycoordinatinwaterrelatedprojectplans.Thanksfortheopportunitytoreviewyourstatement.,~SinCere~~}/.Li"Jl ,"',fl~.I:/,/#U~,I..>d~,4.~,I,ert'c.Scll.assistantRegionalAdministrator588DEPARTMENTOFHOUSINGANDURBANDEVELOPMENTARCADEPLAZAnUILDING,1311SECONDAVfNlJfSEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101REGlONXOfficeofCommunityPlanning&Develop~entCharlesA.DebeliusColonel,CorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersPOBox7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:INREPLYREI10DSubject:DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinWehavereviewedthedraftstatementsubmittedwithyourSeptember22,1975letterrequestingcommentswithin45days.TheproposedactionistoconstructdamsontheupperSusitnaRiveratWatanaandDevilCanyons,powerplans,transmissionfacilities,accessroads,andoperatingandrecreationalfacilities.Atthispointwedonotseeanysignificantimpactinourareasofconcern.Asplansdevelop,wewouldliketobekeptuponpossiblechangesinpopulationprojectionsandrelatedhousingandcommunityfacilitiesneeds.YourplansappeartobeconsistentwiththeAlaskaWaterStudyCommittee'sassumptionsthattherewouldbeinitialandcontinuedhydropowerdevelopmentintheSusitnaRiverBasin.SincebothouragenciesaswellastheState,isrepresented.onthisCommittee,thereshouldbenoprobleminadequatelycoordinatinwaterrelatedprojectplans.Thanksfortheopportunitytoreviewyourstatement.,~SinCere~~}/.Li"Jl,"',fl~.I:/,/#U~,I..>d~,4.~,I,ert'c.Scll.assistantRegionalAdministrator588
gRESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFHOUSINGANDURBANDEVELOPMENT::i.JCommentnoted.589gRESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFHOUSINGANDURBANDEVELOPMENT::i.JCommentnoted.589
,>;Ilt:PlYIlEH.1tTO'700UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteri()rALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50JUNEAU.ALASKA99802December1.19751415ColonelCharlesDebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineet'sBox7002Anchorage.AK99510DearColonelDebelius:TheInteriorDepartment.OfficeofEnvironmentalProjectReview.requeste,thatwefurnishyoucommentsonyourdraftEIS."HydroelectricDevelop-ment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."GeneralCommentsWebelievethedraftstatementdoesnotprovideadequateinformationontheproposedprojecttransmissionsystem,andimpacts,alternativesconsidered,andmeasurestomitigatepotentialadverseimpactsofthetransmissionsystem.SuchmaterialcouldbeincludedbyextractorbyappropriatereferencetotheAlaskaPowerAdministration'sEnviron-mentalAssessmentoftheprojecttransmissionsystem.IThestatementincludesalistofreferencescited,butforthemostpart,thetextofthestatementdoesnotindicates'ourcesofdata.Webelieveamorecompletecitationofdatasourcesisneeded.16WebelievethedraftsubstantiallyoverstatespotentialadverseimpactsoftheidentifiedupstreamdamandreservoirsitesatVeeandDenali(see,forexample,the1965reportoftheFishandWildlifeService,"ADetailedReportontheFishandWildlifeResourcesAffectedbytheVeeProject,Alaska").WebelieveitisverylikelythatafulldevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpotential,includingoneorbothoftheupstreamreservoirs,wouldresultinsignificantlylessadverseenvironmentalimpactsthanwoulddevelopmentofavailablealternativesoutsidetheSusitnabasin.590'"Ilt:PlYIlEH.1tTO'700UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteri()rALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50JUNEAU.ALASKA99802December1.19751415ColonelCharlesDebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineet'sBox7002Anchorage.AK99510DearColonelDebelius:TheInteriorDepartment.OfficeofEnvironmentalProjectReview.requeste,thatwefurnishyoucommentsonyourdraftEIS."HydroelectricDevelop-ment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."GeneralCommentsWebelievethedraftstatementdoesnotprovideadequateinformationontheproposedprojecttransmissionsystem,andimpacts,alternativesconsidered,andmeasurestomitigatepotentialadverseimpactsofthetransmissionsystem.SuchmaterialcouldbeincludedbyextractorbyappropriatereferencetotheAlaskaPowerAdministration'sEnviron-mentalAssessmentoftheprojecttransmissionsystem.IThestatementincludesalistofreferencescited,butforthemostpart,thetextofthestatementdoesnotindicates'ourcesofdata.Webelieveamorecompletecitationofdatasourcesisneeded.16WebelievethedraftsubstantiallyoverstatespotentialadverseimpactsoftheidentifiedupstreamdamandreservoirsitesatVeeandDenali(see,forexample,the1965reportoftheFishandWildlifeService,"ADetailedReportontheFishandWildlifeResourcesAffectedbytheVeeProject,Alaska").WebelieveitisverylikelythatafulldevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpotential,includingoneorbothoftheupstreamreservoirs,wouldresultinsignificantlylessadverseenvironmentalimpactsthanwoulddevelopmentofavailablealternativesoutsidetheSusitnabasin.590
dIftheCorps'proposeddevelopmentplanisauthori·zed(DevilCanyonandWatana)•webelieveitisprobablethattheDenaliDamwouldreceivefurtherconsiderationasapotentialaddit~onaldevelopment.Thedatageneratedinyourcurrentstudiesindicatesadditionalreservoircapacitywouldbebeneficial;wefeelthisisparticularlysignificantinviewofveryheavywinterenergydemandsintheRailbelt.Webelievethismattershouldbediscussedinthefinalstatement.SpecificCommentsThesearereferencedtosectionnumbersinthedraftEIS.1.(n.DescriptionofAction.Suggestincludingaconcisedescriptionofactionsinvolvedinconstructingandoperatingthetransmissionsystem(clearing.access.towers.lines,substations,maintenance).2.02.2.2.Raptors.TheFishandWildlifeServicemadeaerialsurveystodeterminerelationshipsoftheproposedtransmissionfacilitiestoraptors.ThedatashouldbereferencedintheEIS.TheattachedletterofJuly14,1975,fromDr.ClaytonR.Whitediscussesfindings.2.03.6.ArcheologicalResources.BasedoninformalconsultationwiththeAlaskaDivisionofParksonthetransmissioncorridorstudies.weunderstandthatthereareknownandpotentialarcheologicalandhistori-calsitesalongtheproposedtransmissioncorridors.Toavoidpossibledisturbance,thesesitescannotbeidentifiedintheprojectreports.WebelievetheprojectreportandEISshouldrecognizeneedsforpre-con-structionarcheologicalsurveysunderapplicableregulations.4.03.Wildlife.WebelievethatexperiencewiththeexistingHealytoFairbankstransmissionline,andCEAandAPAlinesinthelowerSusitnaValleyandAnchorage-Palmerareasispertinentwithrespecttopotentialimpactsoncaribouandwaterfowl.WearenotawareofanyexperiencedorallegedproblemswithcaribouontheHealy-Fairbanksline.Similarly,theexistinglines.intheCookInletareahaveapparentlynotcausedsignificantproblemsformigratingbirds.6.02.11.Hydropower.Thereferenced1948reportoftheBureauofReclamationwasbutoneoftheearlyevaluationsofAlaskahydropotential.Subsequentstudies,includingtheStatewideInventorypublishedinthe1969and1974AlaskaPowerSurveyreports,andtheJune1967InteriorDepartmentreport,"AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject,"provideagreatdealoffurtherdefinitionoftheseresources.59169-737a -81-38"''''1::......Iisli9dIftheCorps'proposeddevelopmentplanisauthori-zed(DevilCanyonandWatana)•webelieveitisprobablethattheDenaliDamwouldreceivefurtherconsiderationasapotentialaddit~onaldevelopment.Thedatageneratedinyourcurrentstudiesindicatesadditionalreservoircapacitywouldbebeneficial;wefeelthisisparticularlysignificantinviewofveryheavywinterenergydemandsintheRailbelt.Webelievethismattershouldbediscussedinthefinalstatement.SpecificCommentsThesearereferencedtosectionnumbersinthedraftEIS.1.(n.DescriptionofAction.Suggestincludingaconcisedescriptionofactionsinvolvedinconstructingandoperatingthetransmissionsystem(clearing.access.towers.lines,substations,maintenance).2.02.2.2.Raptors.TheFishandWildlifeServicemadeaerialsurveystodeterminerelationshipsoftheproposedtransmissionfacilitiestoraptors.ThedatashouldbereferencedintheEIS.TheattachedletterofJuly14,1975,fromDr.ClaytonR.Whitediscussesfindings.2.03.6.ArcheologicalResources.BasedoninformalconsultationwiththeAlaskaDivisionofParksonthetransmissioncorridorstudies.weunderstandthatthereareknownandpotentialarcheologicalandhistori-calsitesalongtheproposedtransmissioncorridors.Toavoidpossibledisturbance,thesesitescannotbeidentifiedintheprojectreports.WebelievetheprojectreportandEISshouldrecognizeneedsforpre-con-structionarcheologicalsurveysunderapplicableregulations.4.03.Wildlife.WebelievethatexperiencewiththeexistingHealytoFairbankstransmissionline,andCEAandAPAlinesinthelowerSusitnaValleyandAnchorage-Palmerareasispertinentwithrespecttopotentialimpactsoncaribouandwaterfowl.WearenotawareofanyexperiencedorallegedproblemswithcaribouontheHealy-Fairbanksline.Similarly,theexistinglines-intheCookInletareahaveapparentlynotcausedsignificantproblemsformigratingbirds.6.02.11.Hydropower.Thereferenced1948reportoftheBureauofReclamationwasbutoneoftheearlyevaluationsofAlaskahydropotential.Subsequentstudies,includingtheStatewideInventorypublishedinthe1969and1974AlaskaPowerSurveyreports,andtheJune1967InteriorDepartmentreport,"AlaskaNaturalResourcesandtheRampartProject,"provideagreatdealoffurtherdefinitionoftheseresources.59169-737a-81-38"''''1::......Iisli9
2021WebelievethesemorerecentstudiesshouldbereferencedasthebasisforselectingtheUpperSusitnaprojectasthemostdesirablenear-futuremajorhydroprojectfortheRailbelt.TheexistingdataareadequatetodemonstratethattheverylargealternativessuchasRampartandWoodCanyonwouldinvolvegreaterenvironmentalproblems.AnalternativeplantoreplaceSusitnawithequivalentpowersuppliesfromotherpoten-tialhydroprojectswouldrequiredevelopingseveralprojectsindifferentbasinswithattendantimpacts.6.04.5.DevilCanyon-Denali,and6.04.6.,Three-DamSystem.Wedonotconcurinthestatementsthateconomicfeasibilityislackingfortheseplans,sincewebelievethisfindingispremisedonunreasonablyconser-vativeevaluationsofcostsinvolvedintheDenaliDam.Asindicatedinthe"GeneralComments,nwebelievetheDenaliDammayultimatelyprovetobeadesirablefutureadditionto.theproposedWatana-DenaliCanyonPlan,consideringneedforwinterenergy,environmentalaspects,andavailablealternatives.Sincerelyyours,..<V~7~_O_vRobertJ.CrossActingAdmiOnistratorEnclosurecc:OfficeofEnvironmentalProjectReview5922021WebelievethesemorerecentstudiesshouldbereferencedasthebasisforselectingtheUpperSusitnaprojectasthemostdesirablenear-futuremajorhydroprojectfortheRailbelt.TheexistingdataareadequatetodemonstratethattheverylargealternativessuchasRampartandWoodCanyonwouldinvolvegreaterenvironmentalproblems.AnalternativeplantoreplaceSusitnawithequivalentpowersuppliesfromotherpoten-tialhydroprojectswouldrequiredevelopingseveralprojectsindifferentbasinswithattendantimpacts.6.04.5.DevilCanyon-Denali,and6.04.6.,Three-DamSystem.Wedonotconcurinthestatementsthateconomicfeasibilityislackingfortheseplans,sincewebelievethisfindingispremisedonunreasonablyconser-vativeevaluationsofcostsinvolvedintheDenaliDam.Asindicatedinthe"GeneralComments,nwebelievetheDenaliDammayultimatelyprovetobeadesirablefutureadditionto.theproposedWatana-DenaliCanyonPlan,consideringneedforwinterenergy,environmentalaspects,andavailablealternatives.Sincerelyyours,..<V~7~_O_vRobertJ.CrossActingAdmiOnistratorEnclosurecc:OfficeofEnvironmentalProjectReview592
U.S.:'.r>.,.~:Jr!/if:...-......1875-BrighamYoungUniversityCentennial-1975July14,1975Mr.MelvinMonsonU.S.FishandWildlifeService813"0"StreetAnchorage.Alaska99501DearMelvin:IamsendingthisbriefletterforyouruseindiscussionwiththeAlaskaPowerAdministrationconcerningtheproposedSusitnaDamSiteandassociatedPowertransmissionlines.Afullreportwillbesenttoyouwhichwillincludetheentiresummer'sfindings.This,however,willrequiresometimetocompleteandIamdesi~ousofyouandthepoweradministrationreceivingthefollowinginformationasearlyaspossible.Weusebothhelicopterandfixedwing(helio)tosearchforfalcons.Thetransmissionlinesthatformthebasicfigure8configurationoftheAlaska-Fairbanks.Fairbanks-BigDelta.BigDelta-Anchorage,DenaliHighwaywereinvestigated.Theseroutesbasicallyparallelexistinghighways.Withinthisareathereisconsiderablehabitatforcliffnestingraptors.However.asIindicatedinmy1974interimreporttoFishandWildlifeService.IfoundnonestingPeregrineFalconswithintheconfinesofanyofthe4proposeddamsites.HistoricallytheremayhavebeenPeregrinesthere.butintheyearofthesurveynonewasfound.ThetransmissionroutesalsotraverseareasthatlookexcellentforPeregrineFalcons.however.theonlyareaofconcernatthemoment.asregardsPeregrines.wouldbethatportionoftheproposedtransmissionlineroutewhichbasicallyparallelsthehighwayandTananaRiverfromFairbankstoBigDelta.ThereareseveralhistoricalPeregrinesitesalong':heTananaRiverandSulchaRiver.Oneshouldbemindful.howeverthatasidefromthePeregrine.theGyrfalconisalsofoundinlimitednumberswithinthatportionofAlaskaandbecauseofitsoverallrestrictedrangeintheArctic.oneshouldbecautiousofthisspecies.SeveralnestingpairsarefoundfromSum~itLakeregiontotheDenaliHighwayregion.thence.northalongtheAnchorage-FairbanksHighh'ayintheareaoftheHealy-Cantwellregion.Toproduceleastimpactintermsofraptors.thetransmissionlinesshouldprobablybeplacedalongthesouthsideoftheDenaliHighwayandthewestsideofthenewFairbanks-AnchorageHighw~y.593U.S.:'.r>.,.~:Jr!/if:...-......1875-BrighamYoungUniversityCentennial-1975July14,1975Mr.MelvinMonsonU.S.FishandWildlifeService813"0"StreetAnchorage.Alaska99501DearMelvin:IamsendingthisbriefletterforyouruseindiscussionwiththeAlaskaPowerAdministrationconcerningtheproposedSusitnaDamSiteandassociatedPowertransmissionlines.Afullreportwillbesenttoyouwhichwillincludetheentiresummer'sfindings.This,however,willrequiresometimetocompleteandIamdesi~ousofyouandthepoweradministrationreceivingthefollowinginformationasearlyaspossible.Weusebothhelicopterandfixedwing(helio)tosearchforfalcons.Thetransmissionlinesthatformthebasicfigure8configurationoftheAlaska-Fairbanks.Fairbanks-BigDelta.BigDelta-Anchorage,DenaliHighwaywereinvestigated.Theseroutesbasicallyparallelexistinghighways.Withinthisareathereisconsiderablehabitatforcliffnestingraptors.However.asIindicatedinmy1974interimreporttoFishandWildlifeService.IfoundnonestingPeregrineFalconswithintheconfinesofanyofthe4proposeddamsites.HistoricallytheremayhavebeenPeregrinesthere.butintheyearofthesurveynonewasfound.ThetransmissionroutesalsotraverseareasthatlookexcellentforPeregrineFalcons.however.theonlyareaofconcernatthemoment.asregardsPeregrines.wouldbethatportionoftheproposedtransmissionlineroutewhichbasicallyparallelsthehighwayandTananaRiverfromFairbankstoBigDelta.ThereareseveralhistoricalPeregrinesitesalong':heTananaRiverandSulchaRiver.Oneshouldbemindful.howeverthatasidefromthePeregrine.theGyrfalconisalsofoundinlimitednumberswithinthatportionofAlaskaandbecauseofitsoverallrestrictedrangeintheArctic.oneshouldbecautiousofthisspecies.SeveralnestingpairsarefoundfromSum~itLakeregiontotheDenaliHighwayregion.thence.northalongtheAnchorage-FairbanksHighh'ayintheareaoftheHealy-Cantwellregion.Toproduceleastimpactintermsofraptors.thetransmissionlinesshouldprobablybeplacedalongthesouthsideoftheDenaliHighwayandthewestsideofthenewFairbanks-AnchorageHighw~y.593
The-onlyconceivablearea,then,ofimpactwitnthePeregrineFalconwouldbethatpartofthetransmissionroutefromFairbankstoBigDelta,thence,southalongtheBigDeltaregiontoaboutSummitLake.InthisregionnorecentPeregrineFalconnestings(since1972)havebeenmade.ThePeregrineisindeedintroubleinthisregion.FurtherimpactcanbeavoidedbyperhapsrunningthetransmissionlinesacrosstheflatssouthoftheFairbanks-BigDeltaHighwaykeeping,perhaps,2to3linesawayfromtheTananaRiver.Hopefully,thesedatawill.sufficeuntiltheentirereportcanbesubmittedtoyou.Sincerely,Cl~Wh~AssociateProfessorofZoologymp594IThe-onlyconceivablearea,then,ofimpactwitnthePeregrineFalconwouldbethatpartofthetransmissionroutefromFairbankstoBigDelta,thence,southalongtheBigDeltaregiontoaboutSummitLake.InthisregionnorecentPeregrineFalconnestings(since1972)havebeenmade.ThePeregrineisindeedintroubleinthisregion.FurtherimpactcanbeavoidedbyperhapsrunningthetransmissionlinesacrosstheflatssouthoftheFairbanks-BigDeltaHighwaykeeping,perhaps,2to3linesawayfromtheTananaRiver.Hopefully,thesedatawill.sufficeuntiltheentirereportcanbesubmittedtoyou.Sincerely,Cl~Wh~AssociateProfessorofZoologymp594I
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION14Theportiononalternativetransmissionsystemshasbeenexpanded.ThecooperationofAPAinevaluatingpotentialrydroelectricfacilitiesontheUpperSusitnaRiverhasbeenextremelyhelpful.TheenvironmentalassessmentoftransmissionfacilitieshasbeenusedasasupportingdocumentincompilingtheEISandhasbeenincorporatedintotheAppendixofthetechnicalfeasibilityreport.15TheSelectedBibliographyhasbeenexpandedtolistsourcesnotpreviouslycitedaswellasadditionalsource~utilizedinrevisingthedocument.16Theenvironmentalimpactsstatedfortheupstreamdamsitesareinrelationtothoseinthelowerportionofthebasin.Butwhencomparedtoimpactsofhydroelectricalternativesoutsidethebasin,i.e.,RampartandWoodCanyon,theyaresignificantlylessoverall.17Thealternativethree-damschemedoesshowanetbenefit,butunderanincrementalanalysistbethirddamadd-onisnoteconomi-·callyviableatthistime.t8Commentnoted,19Commentnoted.ReferredletterisincludedintheEISasanattachmenttoAPA'sletter.2UCommentsnoted.21Commentnoted.Seeresponsenumber17.595RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATION14Theportiononalternativetransmissionsystemshasbeenexpanded.ThecooperationofAPAinevaluatingpotentialrydroelectricfacilitiesontheUpperSusitnaRiverhasbeenextremelyhelpful.TheenvironmentalassessmentoftransmissionfacilitieshasbeenusedasasupportingdocumentincompilingtheEISandhasbeenincorporatedintotheAppendixofthetechnicalfeasibilityreport.15TheSelectedBibliographyhasbeenexpandedtolistsourcesnotpreviouslycitedaswellasadditionalsource~utilizedinrevisingthedocument.16Theenvironmentalimpactsstatedfortheupstreamdamsitesareinrelationtothoseinthelowerportionofthebasin.Butwhencomparedtoimpactsofhydroelectricalternativesoutsidethebasin,i.e.,RampartandWoodCanyon,theyaresignificantlylessoverall.17Thealternativethree-damschemedoesshowanetbenefit,butunderanincrementalanalysistbethirddamadd-onisnoteconomi-·callyviableatthistime.t8Commentnoted,19Commentnoted.ReferredletterisincludedintheEISasanattachmenttoAPA'sletter.2UCommentsnoted.21Commentnoted.Seeresponsenumber17.595
DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATIONISection2.0EnvironmentalSettingwithouttheProject,coverstheexistingAirTransportationinparagraph2.03.3.3Air.Section4.0EnvironmentalImpactoftheProposedAction,makesnomentionofanyaviationimpactrelatedtotheproject.Asaminimum,thepotentialimpactoftheheli-copterconstructionmentionedinparagraph4.10Roadsshouldbecovered.Also,wehavenotedthatonotherconstructionprojects,evenwhenthereisroadaccess,therehasbeenatendencytoprovidehelipadsorlandingstripsforairevacuationofinjuredworkersortheconvenienceofreducedtraveltime.Iftheseaspectshavebeenreviewed,itappearsthatSection4.0wouldbeenhancedbyincludingsomecommentonthepoten-tialforimpactorthelackofitfromairoperations.IWerecommendus.ingtheword"airplane"inplaceoftheterm"bushplane"asitisusedinparagraph2.03.3.3Air.Thetermmaybemisleadingorconfusingsincemanyofthelocationsthatareonlyaccessiblebyairareservedbylargejetaircraft.Wehavecompletedo~rreviewofthedraftEISontheHydroelectricPowerDevelopmentfortheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea.DearColonelDebelius:OCT301975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510ALASKANREGION63251XTHAVENUEANCHORAGE,ALASKA99501TELEPHONE272-5561ThefollowingcommentsareofferedforyourconsiderationasyouprepareyourfinalEIS.222423ThankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewandcommentonyourdraftEIS.Sincerely,596DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATIONISection2.0EnvironmentalSettingwithouttheProject,coverstheexistingAirTransportationinparagraph2.03.3.3Air.Section4.0EnvironmentalImpactoftheProposedAction,makesnomentionofanyaviationimpactrelatedtotheproject.Asaminimum,thepotentialimpactoftheheli-copterconstructionmentionedinparagraph4.10Roadsshouldbecovered.Also,wehavenotedthatonotherconstructionprojects,evenwhenthereisroadaccess,therehasbeenatendencytoprovidehelipadsorlandingstripsforairevacuationofinjuredworkersortheconvenienceofreducedtraveltime.Iftheseaspectshavebeenreviewed,itappearsthatSection4.0wouldbeenhancedbyincludingsomecommentonthepoten-tialforimpactorthelackofitfromairoperations.IWerecommendus.ingtheword"airplane"inplaceoftheterm"bushplane"asitisusedinparagraph2.03.3.3Air.Thetermmaybemisleadingorconfusingsincemanyofthelocationsthatareonlyaccessiblebyairareservedbylargejetaircraft.Wehavecompletedo~rreviewofthedraftEISontheHydroelectricPowerDevelopmentfortheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea.DearColonelDebelius:OCT301975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510ALASKANREGION63251XTHAVENUEANCHORAGE,ALASKA99501TELEPHONE272-5561ThefollowingcommentsareofferedforyourconsiderationasyouprepareyourfinalEIS.222423ThankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewandcommentonyourdraftEIS.Sincerely,596
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATIONALASKANREGION~..~ThesuggestedchangehasbeenmadeintheappropriatesectioninIdl~theStatement.Section4.10hasbeenrevisedtoindicatethatanyhelipadsconstructedwouldbeofatemporarynatureandwouldberehabilitatedwhennolongerneeded.i~}Section4.10hasbeenrevisedtodiscusstheneedforfacilitiestoprovideforairevacuationofinjuredpersonnel.597RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATIONALASKANREGION~..~ThesuggestedchangehasbeenmadeintheappropriatesectioninIdl~theStatement.Section4.10hasbeenrevisedtoindicatethatanyhelipadsconstructedwouldbeofatemporarynatureandwouldberehabilitatedwhennolongerneeded.i~}Section4.10hasbeenrevisedtodiscusstheneedforfacilitiestoprovideforairevacuationofinjuredpersonnel.597
UnitedStatesDepar,tmentoftheInteriorFISHANDWILDLIFESERVICEALASKAAREAOFFICE8130STREETANCHORAGE.ALASKA9950199510dolon"lChnrlesA.DcheliusDistrictBn~in"er,Cor~sofEn~incersIIlr<.1(1).DistrictP.O.Box.700?/\nchort'l,,:e,AlCUpperSUSltnaTTyoroe1e~tri.cPowerDevelopmentER75/942NPAEN-PR-EN252627DcnrColonelDC'helil1s:The1\]'H;1~AAr~floftheU.S.Fi.sh'moHilc11iftServicehnsthefollo\oTin~com~entstoofferonthisenvironmentalstatement.w~renretthntth~r"wnsno~cneraldiscussionincluc1ec1onnossihlcniti~atin~measurestoheemnloyec1intheproject.l-IeunrlerstanothatCletailed.sturlie!'!unrlert:l!<enhytheCor!"lsIRterinthel1uthori7.rttionrroC':css~,Ti.llnrovidetheh:u;esonwhichr.;tin:ltinnM('H1Sllreswi.llhe(lp.v('lor~rl;however,:l~enerAlOlltUnf'0fpOS'1ih]('"1:1"liorntin"fTlcnSlIT.'(,s:ltth;!'!!"Ioi"t"10111,1l;ei.nformllt.iv(>.},OS'1ofhnhit.nt,forcy'l1T"'plt:l,m;"'hthemit:!~llteoh~'I'l.c~llisitionorrT.'otcC':tionofRiM:!lnr.",crcn~ef'lqet·Thl'!re.Antid.pnterlhefivy1\5('hyrecr.eAtion;!'!tsmi~hthe:l11,.vi:ltC'ohy!,]ndn~lIccessrOfidssoAStodiRco1\ra~eslIchlI!'!eorhyORVre;'1I1ationsenforcedhytheInnd-ml\nnr.in~l1~ency.AnO1ltlinepresentationflllChn!';this"TOU]rlcleArlyrl~~onst'rntethcforctholl~ht~iventhi.ssubjectbytheCorpe:~TithoutreCluirin3detail"'hich:isunavai.lableyet.WeArer]~ns~eltonotethat~onsirlerationwillber,iventoimprovin~fishaccesstoandfromsomeofthesloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromDevilCanyon.Wearealso~leasedthattheresultsofonr,oinr,studiesunderthedirectionoftheFishandWilrllifeServicewillheusedduringthefinaldesi?,nphnsestudicsforfeasibleprojcctmodificationandmitir.atin~measures.'SPECIFICSU1l1%1rV,3Banrlpll~e53,pnr1l.3.,.thepresentdocumenttenc:lstominimize'impactstomoosehabitat.Especiallyonpa?,e53,theeffectsofthelossofT:X>osehabitatshouldbedescribedindetailandthete-r~"preferred"nnel"critical."defined.Thenumberofacrestobeinundatedandsecondaryadver!'!eeffects,ifany,shouldbediscussed.Asmalllossofhabitatmaynot~nneartobesi~nificantwhenassessedalone,butwhenaddedwithallthestatewidelosses'ofsimilarsize,thelossmaybe8i~nficant.598UnitedStatesDepar,tmentoftheInteriorFISHANDWILDLIFESERVICEALASKAAREAOFFICE8130STREETANCHORAGE.ALASKA9950199510dolon"lChnrlesA.DcheliusDistrictBn~in"er,Cor~sofEn~incersIIlr<.1(1).DistrictP.O.Box.700?/\nchort'l,,:e,AlCUpperSUSltnaTTyoroe1e~tri.cPowerDevelopmentER75/942NPAEN-PR-EN252627DcnrColonelDC'helil1s:The1\]'H;1~AAr~floftheU.S.Fi.sh'moHilc11iftServicehnsthefollo\oTin~com~entstoofferonthisenvironmentalstatement.w~renretthntth~r"wnsno~cneraldiscussionincluc1ec1onnossihlcniti~atin~measurestoheemnloyec1intheproject.l-IeunrlerstanothatCletailed.sturlie!'!unrlert:l!<enhytheCor!"lsIRterinthel1uthori7.rttionrroC':css~,Ti.llnrovidetheh:u;esonwhichr.;tin:ltinnM('H1Sllreswi.llhe(lp.v('lor~rl;however,:l~enerAlOlltUnf'0fpOS'1ih]('"1:1"liorntin"fTlcnSlIT.'(,s:ltth;!'!!"Ioi"t"10111,1l;ei.nformllt.iv(>.},OS'1ofhnhit.nt,forcy'l1T"'plt:l,m;"'hthemit:!~llteoh~'I'l.c~llisitionorrT.'otcC':tionofRiM:!lnr.",crcn~ef'lqet·Thl'!re.Antid.pnterlhefivy1\5('hyrecr.eAtion;!'!tsmi~hthe:l11,.vi:ltC'ohy!,]ndn~lIccessrOfidssoAStodiRco1\ra~eslIchlI!'!eorhyORVre;'1I1ationsenforcedhytheInnd-ml\nnr.in~l1~ency.AnO1ltlinepresentationflllChn!';this"TOU]rlcleArlyrl~~onst'rntethcforctholl~ht~iventhi.ssubjectbytheCorpe:~TithoutreCluirin3detail"'hich:isunavai.lableyet.WeArer]~ns~eltonotethat~onsirlerationwillber,iventoimprovin~fishaccesstoandfromsomeofthesloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromDevilCanyon.Wearealso~leasedthattheresultsofonr,oinr,studiesunderthedirectionoftheFishandWilrllifeServicewillheusedduringthefinaldesi?,nphnsestudicsforfeasibleprojcctmodificationandmitir.atin~measures.'SPECIFICSU1l1%1rV,3Banrlpll~e53,pnr1l.3.,.thepresentdocumenttenc:lstominimize'impactstomoosehabitat.Especiallyonpa?,e53,theeffectsofthelossofT:X>osehabitatshouldbedescribedindetailandthete-r~"preferred"nnel"critical."defined.Thenumberofacrestobeinundatedandsecondaryadver!'!eeffects,ifany,shouldbediscussed.Asmalllossofhabitatmaynot~nneartobesi~nificantwhenassessedalone,butwhenaddedwithallthestatewidelosses'ofsimilarsize,thelossmaybe8i~nficant.598
Pa~e23,pllra.3 -Oth~IHrds.Thestatement"So!"'1eincidentalhunti.n~takesplAcenlon?,theDenalini~h,,,ay"ismisleadin~,thou~hthisispresurnahlyareferenceto'~amebird.huntin~.Huntin~pressure~enerallyis~eavyalon~theDenaliIIip,hwayandthisstatementneedstotiemore.closely"lithbirdhuntino.only.Par,e37,firstpara.-Other;·For.!'..!ofTra~orEti~.Thestatc~entconcernin?:shallow-draftriverboats,small'boats,canoes,rubberraftsnndkayaksneedsexpandinr.,si.nceLa'~csLouise,Susitna,TyoneandtheTyoneRiverconnlexintheUpper''Susitnadrainl1n,ereceiveheavyboatinr;andfloatplaneusebyhuntersandfishermCnlfromtheGlennallenlmdAnchorarearea.Pa~e4~,nara.3 -Thestatement"•••andaminimalamountofresidentfishhabitatatthemouthsofafe\':ofthetributll.riesthatentertheSusitna:Uvtrrinthe2~-milesectionoftheproposeddams1te"shoulnbee:<pandedtoidentifyhO"lmAnytrihutariesentertheSusitnaTH.verinthenffectedreachofrivernndtoniRCUSSmorefullythe"mi.nimalfishhAhitAt".I~Op:t."'eI:f'.,ntlTR.5 -ThiS!'larll~r:'lrh.shoulnheeX!'ltlnflcntoin("1.110etheAnti~i!nltenInllT:1hcrof"rl'lreoccasions"l-Thene,=cess"mtcrwOl)lc1hedivertenov~rthe.,~r;llwny,theclinAti~oren~ine~rin~fActors!'lreci!'litAtin~thesnoccasions,nonthede~r.neofsi~nj,ficnntadversej.mptlctsonfish:mrlver>~tntion.PI1~eM',pn"''''.n -ThiR·!'lI)r...,.~r..1!'lh~ho"ln~!'lnci.fythel'(""'~sof~r)O!'l(~hn.hit.qtIinllrtrlntt"nnnditRi1'/1!'lortl'lncetomOORe.1.ikm'li~p.,thefi~hh..,hitFltintmnaterl5hol11(1ht"(Ieserthenin~reat.p.rdet.,,;}.HO"lmilchfiRhhn.hitFltwi.llhe~2inttnOl'ltr.dnon\-lhatR!'ed(\s'''illhellffectcr'l?HhFltt?!'l~fioffjfihhFlh1tatwillhecrantenathir.her.elnv1\tionsann,·ihats,!>edesC'recX!'lectec1totlsethe"new"hal'l!tnt?PI'l"'e51,ll'lstPI'lTI'l.-H<'!sur>~t"st!'illl,stitlltionofthp."r01-rl"fr...,niJe"fortheIHorn"siMnle"inthestl'lte1"lent,IfTTnwt"ver,thetlC"!tl1\t:lefoooeh.,ini.nthetai~n33(hOTf'lllfort>st).1nOtlmelr.qisp.xtreMelysi1"l!'lle,IlnrlnsFlr.C's1.1lt,elisruptionof.hnhi.trtforonesnedeRC1tli.teoftE'ni.noir.eetlytlffeetRnnnyother.S!'led.eR."Pl'l"t"53,;.nrl'1..j -".\ltholl~hf!'1ooseh;'\hitAtnoe!'!exi~t'''ithinthe!"loolareasofthepro!'losenDevi1.C·."lnyonandt-l."ltanareservoirs,theovern11lo~sofnrp.f('rrp.elorcriticAl"linterfot"1\~eI'lrenr.''1otllciAfft"('.thut11fim,ql1nercenttlO'e~ftheUnot"r')usitn-a!T:-noseponulati.on·""(emphlls:i,Rarlded)';--\ole(10,.~lieve'ili'c;C-iS-sufficienti~llti~navillahleatthistimeontheUpperSusitnl\3.:1moosepopulationtocate?,oricallyiJ1'l!>lyonlvasTTlnllrcrcenta,,:eofmOORe'''illheI'lffectcd.Anti.dnntecistunieshytheFil'lhnnelWil(IUfeS~r.viceincoonernt:l.on,·TiththeAlns'cnDep:lrtmentofFi.shtlnnGnrneshould!'lrovielethenccdeeli.nformationfOTndcterdnntionwithinthenextfotlT'yenrs.Pant"64,nnrn.1-thehnck~ro'!nrldatAsunnortin~theps!'!ertionthatlar~eIblocksofexcess!'lm,er"li1lnotbecreatedl'l1'thepro;ectshouldbepresented.Ohviously,theimpactontheStateofAlaskawouldheprofound.nndlon~-lastinf':'~:-::-'i.falll.r~esur!'llusofpm"erbecameavailahleandindustrialdevelopment,,,ereuOstimulatedhythis.Sincethis·"lOuInbeviewedbymanyas·anadverseimpact,orattheleastasecondaryimpactofma~nitude,itshouldbeexploredhere.599Pa~e23,pllra.3 -Oth~IHrds.Thestatement"So!"'1eincinentalhunti.n~takesplAcenlon?,theDenalini~h,,,ay"ismisleadin~,thou~hthisispresurnahlyareferenceto'~amebird.huntin~.Huntin~pressure~enerallyis~eavyalon~theDenaliIIip,hwayandthisstatementneedstotiemore.closely"lithbirdhuntino.only.Par,e37,firstpara.-Other;·For.!'..!ofTra~orEti~.Thestatc~entconcernin?:shallow-draftriverboats,small'boats,canoes,rubberraftsnndkayaksneedsexpandinr.,si.nceLa'~csLouise,Susitna,TyoneandtheTyoneRiverconnlexintheUpper''Susitnadrainl1n,ereceiveheavyboatinr;andfloatplaneusebyhuntersandfishermCnlfromtheGlennallenlmdAnchorarearea.Pa~e4~,nara.3 -Thestatement"•••andaminimalamountofresidentfishhabitatatthemouthsofafe\':ofthetributll.riesthatentertheSusitna:Uvtrrinthe2~-milesectionoftheproposeddams1te"shoulnbee:<pandedtoidentifyhO"lmAnytrihutariesentertheSusitnaTH.verinthenffectedreachofrivernndtoniRCUSSmorefullythe"mi.nimalfishhAhitAt".I~Op:t."'eI:f'.,ntlTR.5 -ThiS!'larll~r:'lrh.shoulnheeX!'ltlnflcntoin("1.110etheAnti~i!nltenInllT:1hcrof"rl'lreoccasions"l-Thene,=cess"mtcrwOl)lc1hedivertenov~rthe.,~r;llwny,theclinAti~oren~ine~rin~fActors!'lreci!'litAtin~thesnoccasions,nonthede~r.neofsi~nj,ficnntadversej.mptlctsonfish:mrlver>~tntion.PI1~eM',pn"''''.n-ThiR·!'lI)r...,.~r..1!'lh~ho"ln~!'lnci.fythel'(""'~sof~r)O!'l(~hn.hit.qtIinllrtrlntt"nnnditRi1'/1!'lortl'lncetomOORe.1.ikm'li~p.,thefi~hh..,hitFltintmnaterl5hol11(1ht"(Ieserihenin~reat.p.rdet.'\il.HO"lmilchfiRhhn.hitFltwi.llhe~2inttnOl'ltr.dnon\-lhatR!'ed(\s,,,illhellffectcr'l?HhFltt?!'l~fioffjfihhFlh1tatwillhecrantenathir.her.elnvntionsann,·ihats,!>edesC'recX!'lectec1totlsethe"new"hal'l!tnt?PI'l"'e51,ll'lstPI'lTI'l.-H<'!sur>~t"st!'illl,stitlltionofthp."r01-rl":Fr...,niJe"fortheIHorn"siMnle"inthestl'lte1"lent,IfTTnwt"ver,thetlC"!tlnt:lefoooeh.,ini.nthetai~n33(hOTf'lllfort>st).1nOtlmelr.qisp.xtreMelysi1"l!'lle,IlnrlnsFlr.C's1.1lt,elisruptionof.hnhi.trtforonesnedeRC1tli.teoftE'ni.noir.eetlytlffeetRnnnyother.S!'led.eR."Pl'l"t"53,;.nrl'1..j-".\ltholl~hf!'1ooseh;'\hitAtnoe!'!exi~t,,,ithinthe!"loolareasofthepro!'losenDevi1.C·."lnyonandt-l."ltanareservoirs,theovern11lo~sofnrp.f('rrp.elorcriticAl"linterfot"1\~eI'lrenr.''1otllciAfft"('.thut11fim,ql1nercenttlO'e~ftheUnot"r')usitn-a!T:-noseponulati.on·.."(emphlls:i,Rarlded)';--\ole(10,.~lieve'ili'c;C-iS-sufficienti~llti~navillahleatthistimeontheUpperSusitnl\3.:1moosepopulationtocate?,oricallyiJ1'l!>lyonlvasTTlnllrcrcenta,,:eofmOORe,,,illheI'lffectcd.Anti.dnntecistunieshytheFil'lhnnelWil(IUfeS~r.viceincoonernt:l.on,·TiththeAlns'cnDep:lrtmentofFi.shtlnnGnrneshould!'lrovielethenccdeeli.nformationfOTndcterdnntionwithinthenextfotlT'yenrs.Pant"64,nnrn.1-thehnck~ro'!nrldatAsunnortin~theps!'!ertionthatlar~eIblocksofexcess!'lOl,er"li1lnotbecreatedl'l1'thepro;ectshouldbepresented.Ohviously,theimpactontheStateofAlaskawouldheprofound.nndlon~-lastinf':'~:-::-'i.falll.r~esur!'llusofpOl"erbecameavailahleandindustrialdevelopment,,,ereuOstimulatedhythis.Sincethis·"lOuInbeviewedbymanyas·anadverseimpact,orattheleastasecondaryimpactofma~nitude,itshouldbeexploredhere.599
Thnnkyoufortheop!'lortunit)'torevi.c~.,thisdrnftr:t..~ten:ent.AF.ana~encvwithspecificrcs!'lonsihi1itiesrelatedtotheproject,theFishandWildlifeServicelooksfonrardtorCViCl'lingtheotherdocumentsasthepro.iect~oesthrour,hitsauthorizationprocedureandofferstoassistatanytine.600Thnnkyoufortheop!'lortunit)'torevi.c~.,thisdrnftr:t..~ten:ent.AF.ana~encvwithspecificrcs!'lonsihi1itiesrelatedtotheproject,theFishandWildlifeServicelooksfonrardtorCViCl'lingtheotherdocumentsasthepro.iect~oesthrour,hitsauthorizationprocedureandofferstoassistatanytine.600
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORFISH·ANDWI~DLIFESERVICE;<....JAnoutlinepresentationofpossibleamelioratingormitigatingmeasurescannotbemadeuntiladeterminationastowhattypesandtowhatextentsuchmeasureswillberequired.AsstatedattheendofSection1.0:IIExamplesofproblemsexpectedtobeaddressedduringthedetaileddesignstudyphaseincludeidentifi-cationofsignificantadverseimpactstoimportantfishandwild-lifespecies,andspecificactionswhichshouldbetakentoprevent,ameliorate,ormitigatetheseimpacts.1I.Theprovisionsofthe1958FishandWildlifeCoordinationwillbefullycompliedwithintheconsiderationofprojectdamagestofishandwildliferesnurces.andtheimplementationofappropriateameliorativeormitigativemeasures.~-..-,.f~'JCommentnoted.C'"jTrue,pastfishandwildlifereportsgenerallydiscountedmoose;""-habitatinDevilCanyonandshowedcomparativelylowmoosepopula-tionsintheWatanareservo.irarea.AdefinitionofIIpreferredllandIIcriticalllinrelationtomoOsehabitathasnotbeendefinedintheEISatthistime.Futurewildlifestudiesshoulddetermineanddefinecriticalmoosehabitatandnumberwithintheproposedimpoundmentareas.~,3ThewordsIIgamebirdllhavebeenaddedtothestatementtoclarifythisdiscussionofhuntingpressure.;.,;.;JInSection2.03.3(Transportation),theEISindicatesboatingandfloatplaneuseinareasoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Cl~)ThefishhabitatatthemouthsofclearwatertributarieswhichwouldbeinundatedbytheproposedimpoundmentsismorefullydiscussedinSection2.0undertheheadingResidentFish.AccordingtoasurveyconductedjointlybytheFishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinMayandSeptember1974,onlyFogCreekandTsusenaCreekprovidegoodresidentfishhabitatwithinthereservoirimpoundmentareas.Someoftheothertribu-tariesprovidepoorhabitat,whil"eothersindicatednopresenceoffish.• 4~~--TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoindicatethatexcesswaterwouldbedivertedoverthespillwayonceinapproximately50years.Thefactorsprecipitatingtheseoccasionswouldconsistofafullreser-viorconcurrentlywithinflowinexcessofthecombinedturbineandregulatoryoutletworkscapacity.Impactsonthe2.5-milereachofTsusenaCreekwouldconsistofchannelandstreambankerosion,~OlRESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORFISH·ANDWI~DLIFESERVICE;<....JAnoutlinepresentationofpossibleamelioratingormitigatingmeasurescannotbemadeuntiladeterminationastowhattypesandtowhatextentsuchmeasureswillberequired.AsstatedattheendofSection1.0:IIExamplesofproblemsexpectedtobeaddressedduringthedetaileddesignstudyphaseincludeidentifi-cationofsignificantadverseimpactstoimportantfishandwild-lifespecies,andspecificactionswhichshouldbetakentoprevent,ameliorate,ormitigatetheseimpacts.1I.Theprovisionsofthe1958FishandWildlifeCoordinationwillbefullycompliedwithintheconsiderationofprojectdamagestofishandwildliferesnurces.andtheimplementationofappropriateameliorativeormitigativemeasures.~-..-,.f~'JCommentnoted.C'"jTrue,pastfishandwildlifereportsgenerallydiscountedmoose;""-habitatinDevilCanyonandshowedcomparativelylowmoosepopula-tionsintheWatanareservo.irarea.AdefinitionofIIpreferredllandIIcriticalllinrelationtomoOsehabitathasnotbeendefinedintheEISatthistime.Futurewildlifestudiesshoulddetermineanddefinecriticalmoosehabitatandnumberwithintheproposedimpoundmentareas.~,3ThewordsIIgamebirdllhavebeenaddedtothestatementtoclarifythisdiscussionofhuntingpressure.;.,;.;JInSection2.03.3(Transportation),theEISindicatesboatingandfloatplaneuseinareasoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Cl~)ThefishhabitatatthemouthsofclearwatertributarieswhichwouldbeinundatedbytheproposedimpoundmentsismorefullydiscussedinSection2.0undertheheadingResidentFish.AccordingtoasurveyconductedjointlybytheFishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinMayandSeptember1974,onlyFogCreekandTsusenaCreekprovidegoodresidentfishhabitatwithinthereservoirimpoundmentareas.Someoftheothertribu-tariesprovidepoorhabitat,whil"eothersindicatednopresenceoffish.•4~~--TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoindicatethatexcesswaterwouldbedivertedoverthespillwayonceinapproximately50years.Thefactorsprecipitatingtheseoccasionswouldconsistofafullreser-viorconcurrentlywithinflowinexcessofthecombinedturbineandregulatoryoutletworkscapacity.Impactsonthe2.5-milereachofTsusenaCreekwouldconsistofchannelandstreambankerosion,~Ol
I,llii,l!,iiflushingoffishandotherstreamorganisms,anddamagetostream-sidevegetation.AdiscussionoftheimportanceofinundatedmoosehabitathasbeenaddedtoSection4.0;oftheEIS.Acr.esofsignificantmoosehabitatcanonlybedeterminedfromstudieswhichareproposedtobeconductedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanning.Thesestudieswilldeterminetheextentandtypesofamelioratingmeasuresrequiredtooffsetanyunavoidabledamagetomoosehabitatandpopulations.AsstatedinSection,2.0oftheEIS,grayling,rainbowtrout,laketrout,DollyVarden,whitefish,sucker,sculpin,andburbotcomprisetheprincipalresidentfishpopulationoftheSusitnadrainage.Asalsostated,graylingistheprincipalsportspeciesinhabitingthemouthsofclearwatertributaries.Iti$expectedthatthiswould,bethepredominantspeciesinhabitinganynewhabitatcre~tedathigherelevationsbythereservoirs,sincehabitatconditionswouldprobablybesimilaratthehigherelevations.Aswiththecaseofmoose,sucheventualitiescanonlybeascertainedbydetailedfuturestudies.Wedisagree.Admittedly,thetaigaandtundraare"fragile"ecosys-tems.However,anecosystemcouldbefragileandstillhaveacomplexaquaticfoodchain.Suchafoodchainwouldprobablybelessseverelydamagedbyagivenactionthanwoulda "simple"foodchaininwhichlossofonelinkmightdirectlyaffecttheentiresystem.~4Commentnoted,butpaststudiesindicatelownumbersofmoosearefoundwithintheproposedreservoirareas.~5Seeresponsenumber255.602I,llii,l!,iiflushingoffishandotherstreamorganisms,anddamagetostream-sidevegetation.AdiscussionoftheimportanceofinundatedmoosehabitathasbeenaddedtoSection4.0;oftheEIS.Acr.esofsignificantmoosehabitatcanonlybedeterminedfromstudieswhichareproposedtobeconductedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanning.Thesestudieswilldeterminetheextentandtypesofamelioratingmeasuresrequiredtooffsetanyunavoidabledamagetomoosehabitatandpopulations.AsstatedinSection,2.0oftheEIS,grayling,rainbowtrout,laketrout,DollyVarden,whitefish,sucker,sculpin,andburbotcomprisetheprincipalresidentfishpopulationoftheSusitnadrainage.Asalsostated,graylingistheprincipalsportspeciesinhabitingthemouthsofclearwatertributaries.Iti$expectedthatthiswould,bethepredominantspeciesinhabitinganynewhabitatcre~tedathigherelevationsbythereservoirs,sincehabitatconditionswouldprobablybesimilaratthehigherelevations.Aswiththecaseofmoose,sucheventualitiescanonlybeascertainedbydetailedfuturestudies.Wedisagree.Admittedly,thetaigaandtundraare"fragile"ecosys-tems.However,anecosystemcouldbefragileandstillhaveacomplexaquaticfoodchain.Suchafoodchainwouldprobablybelessseverelydamagedbyagivenactionthanwoulda "simple"foodchaininwhichlossofonelinkmightdirectlyaffecttheentiresystem.~4Commentnoted,butpaststudiesindicatelownumbersofmoosearefoundwithintheproposedreservoirareas.~5Seeresponsenumber255.602
rIUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorGEOLOGICALSURVEYRESTON,VIRGINIA22092o,,,e&0'TilEDIRECTORER-75/942Colon~lCharlesA.DebeliusAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:NOV171975WehavereviewedyourdraftenvironmentalstatementontheUpperSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentandofferthefollowingsuggestions.Ithasbeennotedthatimpactswillbeanalyzedafterprojectauthorizationandpriortoprojectdesign(p.8,par.1).Informationconspicuouslyabsentinthepresentstatement,butwhichshouldbeincorporatedinarevisedorfinalenvironmentalstatement.includesthegeologyoftheproposeddamsites.includingpermafrostconditions.andrelatedimpacts.MuchpertinentinformationcanbefoundinarecentGeoiogicalSurveyreport,"PreliminarygeologicandseismicevaluationoftheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirareasSusitnaRiver~Alaska."byJohnC.LahrandRuebenKachadoorian.ThatreportnotesthattheDevilCanyondamsitei~underlainbyargilliteandgraywackeofCretaceousage.anddescribesjointsetsandshearzonesinthedamsitearea(p.5-6).TheWatanadamsiteisdescribedasbeingunderlainbygraniticrockwhichhasintrudedtheCretaceousargilliteandgraywacke.Indiscussingpotent~algeologicandseismichazardstotheproject"theSurveyr~portstatestoat"on~.mustassumethattheproposedD~vilCanyonandWatanaReservoirscouldbesubjectedtoearthq~akegeneratedlandslides"(p.14,par.1).Ithasalsobeenobservedthatunconsolidatedsedimentshighabovetheriveronthecanyonwallswouldbeinundatedwhenthereservoirsarefilledand"duringamajorseismiceventthesesedim~ntsmayslideandgeneratewavesinthereservoir"(p.14,par.2)~Anotherhazard.discussedinthepreliminaryreportisthatoftherunupagainstthedamsofwavesthatmightconceivablybegeneratedbyblocksfallingintothereservoirsorbysubaerialorsubaqueouslandslides;additionally.thepossibility603rIUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorGEOLOGICALSURVEYRESTON,VIRGINIA22092o,,,e&0'TilEDIRECTORER-75/942Colon~lCharlesA.DebeliusAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:NOV171975WehavereviewedyourdraftenvironmentalstatementontheUpperSusitnahydroelectricdevelopmentandofferthefollowingsuggestions.Ithasbeennotedthatimpactswillbeanalyzedafterprojectauthorizationandpriortoprojectdesign(p.8,par.1).Informationconspicuouslyabsentinthepresentstatement,butwhichshouldbeincorporatedinarevisedorfinalenvironmentalstatement.includesthegeologyoftheproposeddamsites.includingpermafrostconditions.andrelatedimpacts.MuchpertinentinformationcanbefoundinarecentGeoiogicalSurveyreport,"PreliminarygeologicandseismicevaluationoftheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirareasSusitnaRiver~Alaska."byJohnC.LahrandRuebenKachadoorian.ThatreportnotesthattheDevilCanyondamsitei~underlainbyargilliteandgraywackeofCretaceousage.anddescribesjointsetsandshearzonesinthedamsitearea(p.5-6).TheWatanadamsiteisdescribedasbeingunderlainbygraniticrockwhichhasintrudedtheCretaceousargilliteandgraywacke.Indiscussingpotent~algeologicandseismichazardstotheproject"theSurveyr~portstatestoat"on~.mustassumethattheproposedD~vilCanyonandWatanaReservoirscouldbesubjectedtoearthq~akegeneratedlandslides"(p.14,par.1).Ithasalsobeenobservedthatunconsolidatedsedimentshighabovetheriveronthecanyonwallswouldbeinundatedwhenthereservoirsarefilledand"duringamajorseismiceventthesesedim~ntsmayslideandgeneratewavesinthereservoir"(p.14,par.2)~Anotherhazard.discussedinthepreliminaryreportisthatoftherunupagainstthedamsofwavesthatmightconceivablybegeneratedbyblocksfallingintothereservoirsorbysubaerialorsubaqueouslandslides;additionally.thepossibility603
4036373839ofdamagebyseichtlsthatmightdevelop·inthereservoirs.durin~earthquakeshasbeenbrieflydiscussed(p.14-15).Possiblehazardsofearthquakes.inducedbyreservoir'fillinghavealsobeendiscussed(p.15';'16).Itisconcludedthatalloftheforegoingpossiblehazardsshouldbecarefullyassessedinthesitinganddesignoftheproposeddams(p.17).Recommendationsarepresentedforgeologicandgeophysicalstudies(p.18-19;p.21-24).DailyfluctuationsofuptotwofeetintheriverbelowtheproposedDevillsCanyondamarecomparedtothenaturalfluctuationsofaboutonefoot(p.46,par.5).However.thenaturaldailyfluctuationsoccurdurin~thespringandsummerrunoffofsnow-meltathighflowswhilethoseafterconstructionoftheprojectwouldoccuratlowerflows.bemoreabrupt.andoccurinwinter.Thus.somedifferenteffectsmightbeexpectedandtheseshouldbediscussedinthefinalstatement.ThespillwaydesignattheupperdamwoulddivertflowsthatcannotbetakenthroughoutletstructureintoTsusenaCreek.2.5milesabovetheconfluencewiththeSusitnaRiver.ItisindicatedthatontheTareoccasionswhenthisdiversionwouldtakeplactl.theimpactsonTsusenaCreekcouldbesignificant(p.48).Thefrequencyatwhichdamagingdiversionsmightoccurshouldbegivenaswellasestimatesofextentoftheresultingeffects.Theoccurrenceofground-waterresourcesintheprojectareaisnotaddressedintheenvironmentalstatement.althoughbitsofinformationon~eology(p.14-15)andthesuggestedground-waterimpactsofthecoalalternative'(p.71)indicatethatappreciableground-waterresourcesexistinthearea.Itisnotpossibletoevaluatetheimpactsoftheproposedprojectongroundwaterwithoutmoreinformation.Afthoughwerealizethatthisdocumentrepresentsonlyafeasibility·stage.webelievethatimpactsongroundwatershouldbeevaluatedforeachmajorcomponentoftherecommendeddevelopmentplan.especiallyfortheproposeddams.powerplants.transmissionfacilities,roadsandrecreationalfacilities.Theseevaluationdmightbepresentedindetailaftertheprojectisauthorized.butcurrentknowledgeshould'besufficientforevaluationingeneralterms.IT.hereissomeapparentcon.flictintheinterpretationoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSdtlementActwhichisnotresolved(p.43-44).AfurtherstatementseemsnecessarytosaythatthisdifferencebetweentheintentofthelawandtheunderstandifigoftheBureauofLandManagement'isyettobesettled.Wethankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthedraftenvironmentalstatement.Sincerelyyours.....-L;i._-<--~A""''V1°~~~tor..6044036373839ofdamagebyseichtlsthatmightdevelop·inthereservoirs.durin~earthquakeshasbeenbrieflydiscussed(p.14-15).Possiblehazardsofearthquakes.inducedbyreservoir'fillinghavealsobeendiscussed(p.15';'16).Itisconcludedthatalloftheforegoingpossiblehazardsshouldbecarefullyassessedinthesitinganddesignoftheproposeddams(p.17).Recommendationsarepresentedforgeologicandgeophysicalstudies(p.18-19;p.21-24).DailyfluctuationsofuptotwofeetintheriverbelowtheproposedDevillsCanyondamarecomparedtothenaturalfluctuationsofaboutonefoot(p.46,par.5).However.thenaturaldailyfluctuationsoccurdurin~thespringandsummerrunoffofsnow-meltathighflowswhilethoseafterconstructionoftheprojectwouldoccuratlowerflows.bemoreabrupt.andoccurinwinter.Thus.somedifferenteffectsmightbeexpectedandtheseshouldbediscussedinthefinalstatement.ThespillwaydesignattheupperdamwoulddivertflowsthatcannotbetakenthroughoutletstructureintoTsusenaCreek.2.5milesabovetheconfluencewiththeSusitnaRiver.ItisindicatedthatontheTareoccasionswhenthisdiversionwouldtakeplactl.theimpactsonTsusenaCreekcouldbesignificant(p.48).Thefrequencyatwhichdamagingdiversionsmightoccurshouldbegivenaswellasestimatesofextentoftheresultingeffects.Theoccurrenceofground-waterresourcesintheprojectareaisnotaddressedintheenvironmentalstatement.althoughbitsofinformationon~eology(p.14-15)andthesuggestedground-waterimpactsofthecoalalternative'(p.71)indicatethatappreciableground-waterresourcesexistinthearea.Itisnotpossibletoevaluatetheimpactsoftheproposedprojectongroundwaterwithoutmoreinformation.Afthoughwerealizethatthisdocumentrepresentsonlyafeasibility·stage.webelievethatimpactsongroundwatershouldbeevaluatedforeachmajorcomponentoftherecommendeddevelopmentplan.especiallyfortheproposeddams.powerplants.transmissionfacilities,roadsandrecreationalfacilities.Theseevaluationdmightbepresentedindetailaftertheprojectisauthorized.butcurrentknowledgeshould'besufficientforevaluationingeneralterms.IT.hereissomeapparentcon.flictintheinterpretationoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSdtlementActwhichisnotresolved(p.43-44).AfurtherstatementseemsnecessarytosaythatthisdifferencebetweentheintentofthelawandtheunderstandifigoftheBureauofLandManagement'isyettobesettled.Wethankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthedraftenvironmentalstatement.Sincerelyyours.....-L;i._-<--~A""''V1°~~~tor..604
RESPONSETOCm1MENTSBYU.S.DEPAIHMLNTOFTIlL1NlLlUORGEOLOGICALSURVEY~~t)ThegeologyofthefoundationsforDevilCanyonisaphyillitecomplexwithjointsetscrossingtheriverataslightdiagonal.Duetothesteepcliffsthereisnooverburden.FoundationrocksatWatanaaregranitictypeswithjointscrossingtheriverataslightdiagonal.Overburdenvariesgreatlyandisexpectedtobe1to10feetdeepinthevicinityoftheaxis.Depthofbedrockintheriverchannelcouldbeasmuchas70feetaccordingtoseismicstudies.Thebedrockformationofthecanyonwallschangesfromigneouscomplexistometamorphizedsedimentcomplexes.Theexactboundarieswillnotbeknownuntillaterdesignstudies~reauthorized.Detailedseismicitystudieswillberequiredindeter-miningtheexactsitingandfinaldesignofthedams.TheCorpsconcurswiththeGeologicalSurveythatthegeologyoftheprojectareamustbestudiedindepthtoidentifyhazardswhichthedamsandreservoirscouldbesubjectedto.~)':Thehydroprojectswillbeoperatedinamannersimilartothenormalloaddemandoftherailbeltareawhichpresentlyhasanannualloadfactorof50percent.Monthlyloadfactorsthroughouttheyearhaverangedbetween70to76percent,andweeklyloadfactorsarefrequentlyabove80percent.Therefore,underthenormalenergydemandmakeup,theWatanaturbineswouldhaveade-quatecapacitytomeetallpeakingrequirements,andtheDevilCanyonprojectwouldservethebaseload,thusregulati.ngtheWatanadisch~rgesandmaintainingarelativelystabledownstreamdischarge.However,iftheDevilCanyonprojectswereoperatedwithina70to80percentplantfactorrangeonamonthlybasis,therespectiveriverfluctuationswouldbeminimal(ontheorderoflessthanafootonamonthlybasis).Underextremeconditionswhenarail-beltsystemfailureofexistingthermalunitsmayrequireheavyhydrousage,abruptfluctuationscouldoc~ur.Spring,summer,andfallstageincreaseswouldhaverelativelythesameeffectasnaturalstagefluctuationsbroughtonbyflooding.Generally,however,systemfailuresatthistimeoftheyearcouldbemetbyotherthermalunitsheldinreserve.Therefore,awintersystemfailurewouldprobablyprovidethemostadverserivereffect..Inregardtoprematureicebreakupbroughtonbyriverfluctuations,studiesconductedbytheMissouriRiverDivision,CorpsofEngineers.havefoundthatstageincreasesofupto7feetatmoderateratecanbetoleratedwithoutprematurebreakup.A7-footfluctuationisfarinexcessofthemaximumstageincreasesanticipatedfortheproposedhydroprojects.':'3'"t..•.Thisparagraphhasbeenexpandedonpage48oftheEIS.frequencyisapproximatelyonceevery50years.605Thespi11RESPONSETOCm1MENTSBYU.S.DEPAIHMLNTOFTIlL1NlLlUORGEOLOGICALSURVEY~~t)ThegeologyofthefoundationsforDevilCanyonisaphyillitecomplexwithjointsetscrossingtheriverataslightdiagonal.Duetothesteepcliffsthereisnooverburden.FoundationrocksatWatanaaregranitictypeswithjointscrossingtheriverataslightdiagonal.Overburdenvariesgreatlyandisexpectedtobe1to10feetdeepinthevicinityoftheaxis.Depthofbedrockintheriverchannelcouldbeasmuchas70feetaccordingtoseismicstudies.Thebedrockformationofthecanyonwallschangesfromigneouscomplexistometamorphizedsedimentcomplexes.Theexactboundarieswillnotbeknownuntillaterdesignstudies~reauthorized.Detailedseismicitystudieswillberequiredindeter-miningtheexactsitingandfinaldesignofthedams.TheCorpsconcurswiththeGeologicalSurveythatthegeologyoftheprojectareamustbestudiedindepthtoidentifyhazardswhichthedamsandreservoirscouldbesubjectedto.~)':Thehydroprojectswillbeoperatedinamannersimilartothenormalloaddemandoftherailbeltareawhichpresentlyhasanannualloadfactorof50percent.Monthlyloadfactorsthroughouttheyearhaverangedbetween70to76percent,andweeklyloadfactorsarefrequentlyabove80percent.Therefore,underthenormalenergydemandmakeup,theWatanaturbineswouldhaveade-quatecapacitytomeetallpeakingrequirements,andtheDevilCanyonprojectwouldservethebaseload,thusregulati.ngtheWatanadisch~rgesandmaintainingarelativelystabledownstreamdischarge.However,iftheDevilCanyonprojectswereoperatedwithina70to80percentplantfactorrangeonamonthlybasis,therespectiveriverfluctuationswouldbeminimal(ontheorderoflessthanafootonamonthlybasis).Underextremeconditionswhenarail-beltsystemfailureofexistingthermalunitsmayrequireheavyhydrousage,abruptfluctuationscouldoc~ur.Spring,summer,andfallstageincreaseswouldhaverelativelythesameeffectasnaturalstagefluctuationsbroughtonbyflooding.Generally,however,systemfailuresatthistimeoftheyearcouldbemetbyotherthermalunitsheldinreserve.Therefore,awintersystemfailurewouldprobablyprovidethemostadverserivereffect..Inregardtoprematureicebreakupbroughtonbyriverfluctuations,studiesconductedbytheMissouriRiverDivision,CorpsofEngineers.havefoundthatstageincreasesofupto7feetatmoderateratecanbetoleratedwithoutprematurebreakup.A7-footfluctuationisfarinexcessofthemaximumstageincreasesanticipatedfortheproposedhydroprojects..:·3'"t..•.Thisparagraphhasbeenexpandedonpage48oftheEIS.frequencyisapproximatelyonceevery50years.605Thespi11
3~GroundwaterwithintheconfinesoftheproposedreservoirsanddamstructuresislimitedtotheshallowaquiferwhichdischargestotheSusitnaRiverandtolocalbenchesperchedonbedrock.Theaquiferisroughly80feetdeepandisunderlainbybedrock.Becausethestreamchannelandsubsequentbedrockare"rivercut,"thelateralextentofgroundwaterisintermittentandconfinedtobenchesshapedbyglacialscour.ThefloodplainoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyondamsitebutbelowtheupperreachesoftheWatanareservoirisconfinedtoasteep-walled,narrowcanyon.Groundwaterwithinthestudyareahasnoexistingorplannedhumanuse.Fromanengineeringstandpoint,fewproblemsareanticipatedfromgroundwaterinterferenceduringorafterconstruc-tion.Conversely,althoughinundatedwithinreservoirareas,downstreamgroundwaterimpactisexpectedtobeminimal.Adequatefreshetrechargecoupledwiththeinfluentnatureofthewinterflowregimeshouldmaintainexistingdownstreamwatertables.Accessroadswilltraversethebasinonrelativelyhighgroundoutsideofthecanyonconfines.Whilesomegroundwatermaybeencountered,thegeneralrouteoftheroadshasbeenchosentominimizedesignproblemssuchasgroundwater.Thetopographyoftheareawouldnotindicatethattheroadswouldhaveanysignifi-cantgroundwaterimpact.Thesamegeneralobservationsholdforthetransmissionsystem;however,considerablymoreterrainwouldbecrossedandagreaterpotentialforgroundwaterimpactmayexist.Muchofthetransmissionsystemwillfollowexistingtransportationandutilitycorridorsandananalagousobservation,ofgroundwaterinterferencealongtheserouteswouldindicatefewpotentialproblems.4UThediscussionoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActhasbeenexpandedandupdatedintheEIStoreflectthelatestst~tusofthelandsintheprojectareaandtoindicatethatsomeofthemattersconcerningtheultimatedispositionoftheselandshavenotyetbeenresolved.SeeSection3.02inEIS.6063~GroundwaterwithintheconfinesoftheproposedreservoirsanddamstructuresislimitedtotheshallowaquiferwhichdischargestotheSusitnaRiverandtolocalbenchesperchedonbedrock.Theaquiferisroughly80feetdeepandisunderlainbybedrock.Becausethestreamchannelandsubsequentbedrockare"rivercut,"thelateralextentofgroundwaterisintermittentandconfinedtobenchesshapedbyglacialscour.ThefloodplainoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamfromtheproposedDevilCanyondamsitebutbelowtheupperreachesoftheWatanareservoirisconfinedtoasteep-walled,narrowcanyon.Groundwaterwithinthestudyareahasnoexistingorplannedhumanuse.Fromanengineeringstandpoint,fewproblemsareanticipatedfromgroundwaterinterferenceduringorafterconstruc-tion.Conversely,althoughinundatedwithinreservoirareas,downstreamgroundwaterimpactisexpectedtobeminimal.Adequatefreshetrechargecoupledwiththeinfluentnatureofthewinterflowregimeshouldmaintainexistingdownstreamwatertables.Accessroadswilltraversethebasinonrelativelyhighgroundoutsideofthecanyonconfines.Whilesomegroundwatermaybeencountered,thegeneralrouteoftheroadshasbeenchosentominimizedesignproblemssuchasgroundwater.Thetopographyoftheareawouldnotindicatethattheroadswouldhaveanysignifi-cantgroundwaterimpact.Thesamegeneralobservationsholdforthetransmissionsystem;however,considerablymoreterrainwouldbecrossedandagreaterpotentialforgroundwaterimpactmayexist.Muchofthetransmissionsystemwillfollowexistingtransportationandutilitycorridorsandananalagousobservation,ofgroundwaterinterferencealongtheserouteswouldindicatefewpotentialproblems.4UThediscussionoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActhasbeenexpandedandupdatedintheEIStoreflectthelatestst~tusofthelandsintheprojectareaandtoindicatethatsomeofthemattersconcerningtheultimatedispositionoftheselandshavenotyetbeenresolved.SeeSection3.02inEIS.606
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRSJuneauAreaOfficeP.O.Box3·8000Juneau,Alaska99802INRE.PL'w'f~Lf'f~HI()November3,1975MemorandumTo:DistrictEngineer,DepartmentoftheArmYAnchorageFrom:AreaDirectorSubject:ReviewofdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska(ER75/942)GeneralComments:ThedocumentispresentedinagoodformatsothedocumentisreadableIahdeasytofollowthrough.Thereappeartobeprovisionsmadetoavoid~JlanyfuturelandconflictsundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.SpecificComments:Wehavenofurthercomments.60769-7370 -81-39UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRSJuneauAreaOfficeP.O.Box3·8000Juneau,Alaska99802INRE.PL'w'f~Lf'f~HI()November3,1975MemorandumTo:DistrictEngineer,DepartmentoftheArmYAnchorageFrom:AreaDirectorSubject:ReviewofdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska(ER75/942)GeneralComments:ThedocumentispresentedinagoodformatsothedocumentisreadableIahdeasytofollowthrough.Thereappeartobeprovisionsmadetoavoid~JlanyfuturelandconflictsundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.SpecificComments:Wehavenofurthercomments.60769-7370 -81-39
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYu.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRS~~~Commentsnoted.608.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYu.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRS~~~Commentsnoted.608.
rrI,UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTStateOffice555CordovaStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:INREPLYREFERTO.1792.5(911)Wehavereviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementtitled"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska"ER75-942.Ourconcerns:basicallycenteraroundthelackofassessmentoftheeffectsoftheproposedprojectonthedownstreamportionoftheSusitnaRiver.Wearealsoconcernedthat,~:~sincetheprojectisonlyinthefeasibilitystage,futuredesigneffortsandongoingstudiesmayuncoveradditionalenvironmentaldata.Thus,anotherimpactstatementoranupdatewouldbedesirableatthetimetheprojectbecamemorespecific.GeneralCommentsTheproposedDevilsCanyon-WatanaDamprojectisbeingplacedononeofIthemajorriverdrainagesinsouthcentralAlaska,buttheDEISdoesnotprovidea .comprehensiveoverviewoftheimpactsofthisproposedhydro-.i~Jelectriccomplexonthestreamecosystemandassociatedresourcevalues.Considerationoftheenvironmentalimpactsoftheprojectandaffectsonrecreation,navigationandfisheries,forexample,needtobeexpandedtoincludethelowerSusitnaRiverfromDevilsCanyontoitsmouthonCookInlet.Inthisregard,theDEISisdeficient,andadverseimpacts~,inthelowerrivermayoutweighpotentialbeneficialaspects"oftheproposalinopeningupaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasin.SpecificCommentsSummaryPage2.DescriptionofAction-ThedraftstatesthatallimpactswerenotIexhaustivelyevaluatedsincetheprojectisonlyinthe"feasibilitystudy"stage.However,itappearsthattheproposalhasgone609rrI,UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTStateOffice555CordovaStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:INREPLYREFERTO.1792.5(911)Wehavereviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementtitled"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska"ER75-942.Ourconcerns:basicallycenteraroundthelackofassessmentoftheeffectsoftheproposedprojectonthedownstreamportionoftheSusitnaRiver.Wearealsoconcernedthat,~:~sincetheprojectisonlyinthefeasibilitystage,futuredesigneffortsandongoingstudiesmayuncoveradditionalenvironmentaldata.Thus,anotherimpactstatementoranupdatewouldbedesirableatthetimetheprojectbecamemorespecific.GeneralCommentsTheproposedDevilsCanyon-WatanaDamprojectisbeingplacedononeofIthemajorriverdrainagesinsouthcentralAlaska,buttheDEISdoesnotprovidea .comprehensiveoverviewoftheimpactsofthisproposedhydro-.i~Jelectriccomplexonthestreamecosystemandassociatedresourcevalues.Considerationoftheenvironmentalimpactsoftheprojectandaffectsonrecreation,navigationandfisheries,forexample,needtobeexpandedtoincludethelowerSusitnaRiverfromDevilsCanyontoitsmouthonCookInlet.Inthisregard,theDEISisdeficient,andadverseimpacts~,inthelowerrivermayoutweighpotentialbeneficialaspects"oftheproposalinopeningupaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasin.SpecificCommentsSummaryPage2.DescriptionofAction-ThedraftstatesthatallimpactswerenotIexhaustivelyevaluatedsincetheprojectisonlyinthe"feasibilitystudy"stage.However,itappearsthattheproposalhasgone609
45IfarbeyondthefeasibilitystageandshouldrequireadetailedEISWhichevalua.tesallpossibleimpacts.Ifanotherimpactstatementwillbepreparedafterdesignandfurtherstudies,thisshouldbesostatedorexplained.3.46a.EnvironmentalImpacts-IncreasedturbidityoftheSusitnaRiver.downstreamfromtheprojectareaduringthewintermonthsislistedasamajoradverseenvironmentalimpact.Yet,noanalysisismadeinanyoftheremaining.sectionsoftheEISofthepotentialimpactsofthiswaterqualitychangeuponoverwinteringresidentandanadromousfishinthemainstemSusitnaRiverbelowthesite.47ITherecreationalopportunitieswouldmorethanlikelybealteredratherthanincreased.Usepatternswouldshiftfromdefactowildernessorientedactivitiestomoreintensiveactivitiesadjacenttothenewroadsandreservoirs.48ITheprojectwouldalsopromotethedevelopmentofadjacentprivate.(Native)lands.Page1,paragraph1.02lItissuggestedthatitisprematuretoconsiderthesubject49'projectwithoutfirstcompletingthes.tage2comprehe.nsivereportonthefeasibilityof,developingotherhydroelectricsites.inthearea.Page6,paragraph1.03IThediscussionofaccessroaddesign/locationshouldbes.trengthened,50"ifpossible.Mentionisonlymadethatsuchconstructionwillincludeconsiderationofenvironmentalfactors.Itwouldappearappropriateforsuchconsiderationstobediscussedindetail.51Itisunderstoodthattheoperationandmaintenanceofproject-related,recreationaldevelopmentswillbeassumedbythelandmanagingagencyhavingresponsibilityforthemajorportionofadjacentpubliclands;and,assuch,itwouldseembesttoresolvethatmatteratanearlydateandincorporatethatorganization'sgoals/plansintothedesignofanyrecreationaldevelopments.Page15,paragraph2.01.4.3521Itisimpossibletoconsidertheenvironmentalimpactsofthetransmissioncorridorasdescribed.Aconsiderableexpansionthissec·tioniswarranted.610of45IfarbeyondthefeasibilitystageandshouldrequireadetailedEISWhichevalua.tesallpossibleimpacts.Ifanotherimpactstatementwillbepreparedafterdesignandfurtherstudies,thisshouldbesostatedorexplained.3.46a.EnvironmentalImpacts-IncreasedturbidityoftheSusitnaRiver.downstreamfromtheprojectareaduringthewintermonthsislistedasamajoradverseenvironmentalimpact.Yet,noanalysisismadeinanyoftheremaining.sectionsoftheEISofthepotentialimpactsofthiswaterqualitychangeuponoverwinteringresidentandanadromousfishinthemainstemSusitnaRiverbelowthesite.47ITherecreationalopportunitieswouldmorethanlikelybealteredratherthanincreased.Usepatternswouldshiftfromdefactowildernessorientedactivitiestomoreintensiveactivitiesadjacenttothenewroadsandreservoirs.48ITheprojectwouldalsopromotethedevelopmentofadjacentprivate.(Native)lands.Page1,paragraph1.02lItissuggestedthatitisprematuretoconsiderthesubject49'projectwithoutfirstcompletingthes.tage2comprehe.nsivereportonthefeasibilityof,developingotherhydroelectricsites.inthearea.Page6,paragraph1.03IThediscussionofaccessroaddesign/locationshouldbes.trengthened,50"ifpossible.Mentionisonlymadethatsuchconstructionwillincludeconsiderationofenvironmentalfactors.Itwouldappearappropriateforsuchconsiderationstobediscussedindetail.51Itisunderstoodthattheoperationandmaintenanceofproject-related,recreationaldevelopmentswillbeassumedbythelandmanagingagencyhavingresponsibilityforthemajorportionofadjacentpubliclands;and,assuch,itwouldseembesttoresolvethatmatteratanearlydateandincorporatethatorganization'sgoals/plansintothedesignofanyrecreationaldevelopments.Page15,paragraph2.01.4.3521Itisimpossibletoconsidertheenvironmentalimpactsofthetransmissioncorridorasdescribed.Aconsiderableexpansionthissec·tioniswarranted.610of
Pages18-21,paragraph2.02.1Thedraftwouldbenefitinthissectionbytheinclusionofafisherieshabitatmapdetailingthedistributionandthespawningandrearinghabitat,byspecies,ofbothanadT'omousand·residentfishintheimmediateareaofthedamproposals(ChulitnaRiverconflu-~:JencetotheupperendoftheWatanaimpoundment).Page23,paragraph2.02.3.1RatherthanstatethatATVaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntingaccessinspiteofarapidlydecliningcariboupopulation,itmightbejustifiedtostatethatincreasedaccess,whetherviaATV'sorroads,coupledwithanincreasinghumanpopulation,maybeacontributingcauseoftherapidlydecliningcariboupopulation.Page36,paragraph2.03.3.4Riverboatsandairboatsareacommonformoftransportationtorecreationalcabins,homesites,andthehuntingandfishingoppor-tunitiesofthelowerSusitnaRiver.DuetothebraidedandoftenshallowcharacteroftheSusitnaRiverintheareabetweenthemouthsoftheKashwitnaandDeshkaRivers,the3,252and19,160cfsreductionsinflowcreatedbythepropos~dprojectduringMaythroughJuly(asshowninTable1,page45)couldhaveaconsiderableimpactonthenavigationofthelowerriver,particularlyforboatersusingpropeller-drivenoutboardcraft.15455TheimpactofflowreductionsoncurrenttransportationtorecreationalopportunitiesinthelowerrivershouldbeexaminedandweighedagainstthesuggestedadvantagesofincreasedaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasin!(Page54,paragraph4.04).Inwinter,thelowerSusitnaRiverisalsoahighwayfortravelbysnowmachineforhomesteadersandrecreationaltractowners.Itshouldbedeterminedifregulateddischargesrangingfrom6,038to7,428or481%to657%increasesovernaturalflowsinJanuarythroughAprilwillresultinhazardoustravelduetothinnericeformationsortheircompleteabsenceinthelowersegmentoftheriver.Page37,paragraph2.03.4.156Itisincorrecttostatethatfloatplaneaccessisrelativelyminorandrestrictedtoafewlargelakes.Suchuseisactuallyquitecommonandinallprobability,mostlakeslargeenoughtoaccommodateaSuperCubareutilized.611'5'7Pages18-21,paragraph2.02.1Thedraftwouldbenefitinthissectionbytheinclusionofafisherieshabitatmapdetailingthedistributionandthespawningandrearinghabitat,byspecies,ofbothanadT'omousand·residentfishintheimmediateareaofthedamproposals(ChulitnaRiverconflu-~:JencetotheupperendoftheWatanaimpoundment).Page23,paragraph2.02.3.1RatherthanstatethatATVaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntingaccessinspiteofarapidlydecliningcariboupopulation,itmightbejustifiedtostatethatincreasedaccess,whetherviaATV'sorroads,coupledwithanincreasinghumanpopulation,maybeacontributingcauseoftherapidlydecliningcariboupopulation.Page36,paragraph2.03.3.4Riverboatsandairboatsareacommonformoftransportationtorecreationalcabins,homesites,andthehuntingandfishingoppor-tunitiesofthelowerSusitnaRiver.DuetothebraidedandoftenshallowcharacteroftheSusitnaRiverintheareabetweenthemouthsoftheKashwitnaandDeshkaRivers,the3,252and19,160cfsreductionsinflowcreatedbythepropos~dprojectduringMaythroughJuly(asshowninTable1,page45)couldhaveaconsiderableimpactonthenavigationofthelowerriver,particularlyforboatersusingpropeller-drivenoutboardcraft.15455TheimpactofflowreductionsoncurrenttransportationtorecreationalopportunitiesinthelowerrivershouldbeexaminedandweighedagainstthesuggestedadvantagesofincreasedaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasin!(Page54,paragraph4.04).Inwinter,thelowerSusitnaRiverisalsoahighwayfortravelbysnowmachineforhomesteadersandrecreationaltractowners.Itshouldbedeterminedifregulateddischargesrangingfrom6,038to7,428or481%to657%increasesovernaturalflowsinJanuarythroughAprilwillresultinhazardoustravelduetothinnericeformationsortheircompleteabsenceinthelowersegmentoftheriver.Page37,paragraph2.03.4.156Itisincorrecttostatethatfloatplaneaccessisrelativelyminorandrestrictedtoafewlargelakes.Suchuseisactuallyquitecommonandinallprobability,mostlakeslargeenoughtoaccommodateaSuperCubareutilized.611'5'7
586061IItisalsoincorrecttosaythattheUpperSusitnaRiverB~sinhasverylittlerecreationalactivity.Asnotedpreviously,float-planesandATV'sareutilizedquiteheavilybyhunters,fishermenandotherrecreationists.Preliminarystudiesindicate.significantpopulationsofhUt:lters,fishermenandminersutilizingtheSusitnaRiverBa~in.Reference:UpiversityofAlaska1975DRVStudy(reportbeingprepared).Page37,paragraph2.03.4.2Referencetothehuntingofsheepandgoatsbeingminimal,evenalongtheDenaliHighway,impliesagenerallackofinterestinthatdirection;however,therealreasonforminimalhuntingpressurealongthehighwayisprobablytheresultofminimalsheepIX>Pulations• .Page43,paragraph3.01AlthoughthegeneralprojectareaispresentlyunderthejurisdictionofBLMandtheareatobeinundatedisclassifiedasapowersite,theentireareaiswithdrawnunderANCSAforpossibleselectionpyNativecorporations.Selectionshavealreadybeenfiledforlandsintheimmediateareaoftheproposedsites.Wesuggestyou.contacttheLandOffice,555CordovaStreet,forthespecificlocations.Pages45-52,paragraphs4.01and4.02Thepresentrelationshipoffoodsupply,watertemperatures,turbidities,velocityofflowanddissolved.oxygenlevelscurrentlyfoundinthelowerSusitnaRiverprovideabalancewhichpermitstheexistenceofoverwinteringfishpopulationsmigranttothestreamfromclearwatersloughsandtributarieswhichhavediminishedwaterflowsorarefrozentothebottom.AlterationofanyoneoftheseconditionsproduceschangesintheotherswhichdegradethelowerSusitnaRiver'scapabilitytosupportwinteringandwillresultinadeclineofresidentandanadromousfishpopulations.AnyattemptthroughengineeringdesignanddischargemanagementtomaintainthelowerSusitnaRiverissubjectto·failurebecauseoftheharshclimateandthecomplexinteractionoftheabovefactors.Assuming,forexample;thatdischargesfromtheDevilsCanyonDamareincreased657%abovethenaturalflowlevelduringthewinterperiodandallotheroftheabovefactorsremainatthepaturallevel,thefollowingwillhappen:612586061IItisalsoincorrecttosaythattheUpperSusitnaRiverB~sinhasverylittlerecreationalactivity.Asnotedpreviously,float-planesandATV'sareutilizedquiteheavilybyhunters,fishermenandotherrecreationists.Preliminarystudiesindicate.significantpopulationsofhUt:lters,fishermenandminersutilizingtheSusitnaRiverBa~in.Reference:UpiversityofAlaska1975DRVStudy(reportbeingprepared).Page37,paragraph2.03.4.2Referencetothehuntingofsheepandgoatsbeingminimal,evenalongtheDenaliHighway,impliesagenerallackofinterestinthatdirection;however,therealreasonforminimalhuntingpressurealongthehighwayisprobablytheresultofminimalsheepIX>Pulations•.Page43,paragraph3.01AlthoughthegeneralprojectareaispresentlyunderthejurisdictionofBLMandtheareatobeinundatedisclassifiedasapowersite,theentireareaiswithdrawnunderANCSAforpossibleselectionpyNativecorporations.Selectionshavealreadybeenfiledforlandsintheimmediateareaoftheproposedsites.Wesuggestyou.contacttheLandOffice,555CordovaStreet,forthespecificlocations.Pages45-52,paragraphs4.01and4.02Thepresentrelationshipoffoodsupply,watertemperatures,turbidities,velocityofflowanddissolved.oxygenlevelscurrentlyfoundinthelowerSusitnaRiverprovideabalancewhichpermitstheexistenceofoverwinteringfishpopulationsmigranttothestreamfromclearwatersloughsandtributarieswhichhavediminishedwaterflowsorarefrozentothebottom.AlterationofanyoneoftheseconditionsproduceschangesintheotherswhichdegradethelowerSusitnaRiver'scapabilitytosupportwinteringandwillresultinadeclineofresidentandanadromousfishpopulations.AnyattemptthroughengineeringdesignanddischargemanagementtomaintainthelowerSusitnaRiverissubjectto·failurebecauseoftheharshclimateandthecomplexinteractionoftheabovefactors.Assuming,forexample;thatdischargesfromtheDevilsCanyonDamareincreased657%abovethenaturalflowlevelduringthewinterperiodandallotheroftheabovefactorsremainatthepaturallevel,thefollowingwillhappen:612
1.Temperaturesremainatnaturallevelof320F.Fish,beingcoldbloodedorganisms,havetheirbasicactivitylevel"set'~bytemperature--inthiscasetheirlowest.Streamvelocitieshavebeenincreasedandfishcannotmaintaintheirstationintherivercurrents.Bytheirinabilitytomaintainorproduceahigheractivitylevel,theyaresubjecttostressanqmortality.2.Foodsupplyispresentlylimited,andforthisexercise,ispresumedtoremainthesame.Utilizationofavailablefoodsupplybyfishisdecreasedbecausemoreoftheirbasicenergyexpen-'dituremustgointoswimmingratherthanintotheactivitycos~63tocapturepreyorganisms.Fishlosecondition,arestressedandsubjecttomortality..3.Dissolvedoxygenispresentlyabove5mr./l.Atthislevel,oxygenisinsufficientsupplytomaintainthelowmetabolic!'ateof.thefish.,Muchlowerlevelswouldberequiredtocausefishstressandmortality.'Discharge-streamvelocitywouldhavenoimpact.4.Thewatersarepresentlyclearinthewintersituation.Withincreasedflow,therewouldbenoimpactonfishlife,'adverseor-beneficial.Intheabovecase,alterationofstreamvelocitiesaffectsswimmingperformanceoffishandutilizationoftheirfoodsupplyintroducing,stressandmortality.Ifallthepossiblepermutationsandcombinationsofchangeandinteractionoftheabovefactorsareworkedthrough,itcanberealizedthatconstructionoftheDevilsCanyonproject64willaffectthelowerSusitnaRiver'ssuitabilityascriticalwinterhabitatrorresidentandanadromou5fishwithlittlehoperormitigation.ThisshouldbeqlearlyandpositivelyoutlinedbytheCorpsofEngineersasan'adverseimpactoftheproject.TheeffectonfishproductionandstreamecologyshouldbeexpandedtoincludetheentirelowerSusitnaRiver.Page50,paragraph~.02Whatisthebasisforthereadjustmentoffish?PresumablysomesortIofevolutionaryadaptationistobeaccomplishedinashortperiodoftimetocomplexhabitatchangesandalterationofnaturalbiological,65cues.Morelikely,theadjustmentwillbeasubstantialdeclineinfishpopulationnumbers.Thisshouldbepositivelystated.Page50,paragraphsC4-6Presently,itisdoubtfulthatspawningbysalmonoccursinthemainIstemSusitnaRiver.Thisparagraphisirrelevanttothetruefisheries6131.Temperaturesremainatnaturallevelof320F.Fish,beingcoldbloodedorganisms,havetheirbasicactivitylevel"set'~bytemperature--inthiscasetheirlowest.Streamvelocitieshavebeenincreasedandfishcannotmaintaintheirstationintherivercurrents.Bytheirinabilitytomaintainorproduceahigheractivitylevel,theyaresubjecttostressanqmortality.2.Foodsupplyispresentlylimited,andforthisexercise,ispresumedtoremainthesame.Utilizationofavailablefoodsupplybyfishisdecreasedbecausemoreoftheirbasicenergyexpen-'dituremustgointoswimmingratherthanintotheactivitycos~63tocapturepreyorganisms.Fishlosecondition,arestressedandsubjecttomortality..3.Dissolvedoxygenispresentlyabove5mr./l.Atthislevel,oxygenisinsufficientsupplytomaintainthelowmetabolic!'ateof.thefish.,Muchlowerlevelswouldberequiredtocausefishstressandmortality.'Discharge-streamvelocitywouldhavenoimpact.4.Thewatersarepresentlyclearinthewintersituation.Withincreasedflow,therewouldbenoimpactonfishlife,'adverseor-beneficial.Intheabovecase,alterationofstreamvelocitiesaffectsswimmingperformanceoffishandutilizationoftheirfoodsupplyintroducing,stressandmortality.Ifallthepossiblepermutationsandcombinationsofchangeandinteractionoftheabovefactorsareworkedthrough,itcanberealizedthatconstructionoftheDevilsCanyonproject64willaffectthelowerSusitnaRiver'ssuitabilityascriticalwinterhabitatrorresidentandanadromou5fishwithlittlehoperormitigation.ThisshouldbeqlearlyandpositivelyoutlinedbytheCorpsofEngineersasan'adverseimpactoftheproject.TheeffectonfishproductionandstreamecologyshouldbeexpandedtoincludetheentirelowerSusitnaRiver.Page50,paragraph~.02Whatisthebasisforthereadjustmentoffish?PresumablysomesortIofevolutionaryadaptationistobeaccomplishedinashortperiodoftimetocomplexhabitatchangesandalterationofnaturalbiological,65cues.Morelikely,theadjustmentwillbeasubstantialdeclineinfishpopulationnumbers.Thisshouldbepositivelystated.Page50,paragraphsC4-6Presently,itisdoubtfulthatspawningbysalmonoccursinthemainIstemSusitnaRiver.Thisparagraphisirrelevanttothetruefisheries613
661valueofthetributaries.providedtheavailable.river,namelywinterhabitatforfishfromsloughsandAdditionals~awninghabitatwillnotbeofanyvalue,criticalwinterhabitatforfishsurvivalisnot676869Pages55-56,paragraph4.04.ThelowerSusitnaBasinencompassesoneofthelargestblocksofland'currentlypatentedtotheStateofAlaska.TheareawillseeincreasedpublicuseinrecreationduetothefactthatmanyareasofthestatewillshortlybeturnedovertotheprivateownershipofNativeregionalcorporationsandvillageswhichwillrestrictaccesstolandspreviouslyusedbyrecreationistsfromthedenselypopulatedAnchoragearea.Also,assuggested,anewcapitalmaybeconstructedclosetothelowerSusitnaRiver.TheimpactsofreduceddischargesintheSusitnaRiverduringthesummermonthsshouldbeexaminedtodeterminetheeffectoncurrentmodesoftransportationandnavigationforrecreationalpurposesinanareawhichhasagrowingdemand.IThedraftestimatesanannualvisitationtotheprojectareaof77,000people.Themethodologyforarrivingatthisfigureshouldbeshown,sincetherearenoprevioussimilarsituationsorcaseanalysesinAlaska.Page59,paragraph4.10lItwouldbeofvalueforthereadertoknowtheactuallocationsofproposedroaqsandtheconditionsunder·whichitwouldbeconsiderednecessarytoaccomplishrevegetationoftemporaryroadsandotherdisturbedareas.Page61,paragraph4.1370ICareshouldbeexercisedinlocatingthetransmission..linebetweenPointMacKenzieandCantwellsoastoavoidadegradationofthescenicviewsofMt.McKinley.71IAnexpansionofthebriefdiscussionofplannedlandscapemanagementtechniqueswouldbeappropriate.IThelastsentenceinthefirstparagraphshouldreadpositively,72"Thatwould(deleteprobably)qualifyforwildernessclassification"(deleterest).614661valueofthetributaries.providedtheavailable.river,namelywinterhabitatforfishfromsloughsandAdditionals~awninghabitatwillnotbeofanyvalue,criticalwinterhabitatforfishsurvivalisnot676869Pages55-56,paragraph4.04.ThelowerSusitnaBasinencompassesoneofthelargestblocksofland'currentlypatentedtotheStateofAlaska.TheareawillseeincreasedpublicuseinrecreationduetothefactthatmanyareasofthestatewillshortlybeturnedovertotheprivateownershipofNativeregionalcorporationsandvillageswhichwillrestrictaccesstolandspreviouslyusedbyrecreationistsfromthedenselypopulatedAnchoragearea.Also,assuggested,anewcapitalmaybeconstructedclosetothelowerSusitnaRiver.TheimpactsofreduceddischargesintheSusitnaRiverduringthesummermonthsshouldbeexaminedtodeterminetheeffectoncurrentmodesoftransportationandnavigationforrecreationalpurposesinanareawhichhasagrowingdemand.IThedraftestimatesanannualvisitationtotheprojectareaof77,000people.Themethodologyforarrivingatthisfigureshouldbeshown,sincetherearenoprevioussimilarsituationsorcaseanalysesinAlaska.Page59,paragraph4.10lItwouldbeofvalueforthereadertoknowtheactuallocationsofproposedroaqsandtheconditionsunder·whichitwouldbeconsiderednecessarytoaccomplishrevegetationoftemporaryroadsandotherdisturbedareas.Page61,paragraph4.1370ICareshouldbeexercisedinlocatingthetransmission..linebetweenPointMacKenzieandCantwellsoastoavoidadegradationofthescenicviewsofMt.McKinley.71IAnexpansionofthebriefdiscussionofplannedlandscapemanagementtechniqueswouldbeappropriate.IThelastsentenceinthefirstparagraphshouldreadpositively,72"Thatwould(deleteprobably)qualifyforwildernessclassification"(deleterest).614
Wesuggestqualificationastowhatextentroadsandtransmissionlineswillimpactaesthetics.Thethirdparagraphreadsasajustificationstatement.Page68,paragraph6.0Itissuggestedthatalternativestotheproposalmightsurfaceinthefeasibilitystudy'(Stage2)forthedevelopmentofotherhydro-electricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltareawhichisscheduledtobecompletedin1978.Pages69and78,paragraphs6.02,6.03-DevelopmentoftheBelugaCoalFieldswillprobablyoccurregardlessofthepresenceorabsenceoftheUpperSusitnaHydroelectricProject.ConsideringtheadjacencyoftheBeluga'CoalFieldsandthepotentialChakachamnaHydroelectricProject,someconsiderationshouldbegiventopotentialpowerproductionbasedonablendofthesetwosystems.Otherfactorsinfavorofconcentrationofpowerproductioninthear'eaarethepotentialforindustrialdevelopment,deepwaterportcapabilitiesandthepresenceofsomepowertrans-missionlinesatpresent.OilandgasfielddevelopmenthasalreadyoccurredthroughouttheBelugaareaandamajortimberoperationexists,sotheprojectswouldnotbeaffectingadefactowildernessliketheUpperSusitnaBasin.Page71,paragraph6.02.2.Referenceismadetothelackofrecreationalandfloodcontrolbenefitsinacoal-thermalfacility.Therearenoknownfloodingproblemsalongtheriverwhichrequirecontrol;hencethefloodcontrol"benefits"ofthetwo-damproposalareoflittlevalue.Page89,paragraph6.05Atransmissioncorridorisindicatedinfigure15aspossiblypassingthroughtheCopperRiverBasinservedbytheCopperValleyElectricAssociationwhichhasplanstoincreasetheirservicebyanewhydroelectricproj~ctatSolomonGulchnearValdezwithatransmissionlinetotheCopperRiverBasin.Thecoordinationofthesetwotransmissionorpowersystemsshouldbeexplainedinthe'final..Sincerelyyours,Ie,0,J.,f/.--Udldt~e--Curtis·V.McVeeStateDirector61517''''Wesuggestqualificationastowhatextentroadsandtransmissionlineswillimpactaesthetics.Thethirdparagraphreadsasajustificationstatement.Page68,paragraph6.0Itissuggestedthatalternativestotheproposalmightsurfaceinthefeasibilitystudy'(Stage2)forthedevelopmentofotherhydro-electricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltareawhichisscheduledtobecompletedin1978.Pages69and78,paragraphs6.02,6.03-DevelopmentoftheBelugaCoalFieldswillprobablyoccurregardlessofthepresenceorabsenceoftheUpperSusitnaHydroelectricProject.ConsideringtheadjacencyoftheBeluga'CoalFieldsandthepotentialChakachamnaHydroelectricProject,someconsiderationshouldbegiventopotentialpowerproductionbasedonablendofthesetwosystems.Otherfactorsinfavorofconcentrationofpowerproductioninthear'eaarethepotentialforindustrialdevelopment,deepwaterportcapabilitiesandthepresenceofsomepowertrans-missionlinesatpresent.OilandgasfielddevelopmenthasalreadyoccurredthroughouttheBelugaareaandamajortimberoperationexists,sotheprojectswouldnotbeaffectingadefactowildernessliketheUpperSusitnaBasin.Page71,paragraph6.02.2.Referenceismadetothelackofrecreationalandfloodcontrolbenefitsinacoal-thermalfacility.Therearenoknownfloodingproblemsalongtheriverwhichrequirecontrol;hencethefloodcontrol"benefits"ofthetwo-damproposalareoflittlevalue.Page89,paragraph6.05Atransmissioncorridorisindicatedinfigure15aspossiblypassingthroughtheCopperRiverBasinservedbytheCopperValleyElectricAssociationwhichhasplanstoincreasetheirservicebyanewhydroelectricproj~ctatSolomonGulchnearValdezwithatransmissionlinetotheCopperRiverBasin.Thecoordinationofthesetwotransmissionorpowersystemsshouldbeexplainedinthe'final..Sincerelyyours,Ie,0,J.,f/.--Udldt~e--Curtis·V.McVeeStateDirector61517'7
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTJ.l~Thepurposeoffuturedesigneffortsandongoingstudiesisto-obtainadditionalenvironmentaldata.TheEISwillbeamendedorupdatedperiodicallyduringthecourseofthesestudiestoreflectallsignificantimpactsidentified.~~AsacknowledgedinthefirstparagraphofBLM'sletter,theprojectiscurrentlyinthefeasibilitystage.Acomprehensiveanddetailedoverviewoftheimpactsoftheprojectcannotbeascertaineduntilthedetailed,pre-constructionstageofplanningisauthorizedandfundedbytheCongress.TheFEISwillberevisedandupdatedtoincludealladditionalinformationreceivedduringthe:EISreviewprocess.'li.lTheneedforfurtherstudiestodeterminedetailedimpactsoftheprojectisacknowledgedintheEIS.TheCorpsdoesnotviewopeningupaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasinasbeingbeneficial.TheEISfullyaddressesthegeneralimpactsexpectedtoresultfromsuchaccess--bothadverseandbeneficial.AnyIIbenefitsllfromsuchaccessarenotweighedasatrade-offtoadverseimpactswhichmayormaynotoccurdownstream.'-isAllCorpsprojectstudiesareinafeasibilitystagepriortobeingauthorizedandfundedbytheCongressforadvancementtodetailedstudies,whicharemadepriorto--andresultsofwhichareadeterminingfactorin--adeterminationbytheCongressthattheprojectshouldbeauthorizedandfundedforconstruction.Thus,thisproposaliscurrentlyinafeasibilitystage,andwillremainsountilsuchtimethatCongressmayapproveauthorizationforpre-constructionstudiesandappropriationoffundingtherefore.Onthebasisofdetailedstudiesmadeduringthenextstage,theEISwillbeappropriatelyamendedorupdated.':.iGIncreasedturbiditywhichisexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewintermonthsisnotlistedasamajoradverseenvironmentalimpactintheEIS.Itisdiscussedasanunavoidableadverseimpact,thesignificanceofwhichpresentlyisnotwhollyknown.Thereissomeevidencetosupportaview,however,thattheimpactmayberelativelyminor.Estimatesof15to35ppmofsus-pendedsedimentarebasedonconcentrationsbelowglacial-fednaturallakesinAlaska.OneoftheseisSkilakLake.TheKenaiRiver,whichflowsfromthislake,isgenerallyrecognizedasoneofthemoreimportantsalmonstreamsinAlaska.'x~?Commentnoted.616RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTJ.l~Thepurposeoffuturedesigneffortsandongoingstudiesisto-obtainadditionalenvironmentaldata.TheEISwillbeamendedorupdatedperiodicallyduringthecourseofthesestudiestoreflectallsignificantimpactsidentified.~~AsacknowledgedinthefirstparagraphofBLM'sletter,theprojectiscurrentlyinthefeasibilitystage.Acomprehensiveanddetailedoverviewoftheimpactsoftheprojectcannotbeascertaineduntilthedetailed,pre-constructionstageofplanningisauthorizedandfundedbytheCongress.TheFEISwillberevisedandupdatedtoincludealladditionalinformationreceivedduringthe:EISreviewprocess.'li.lTheneedforfurtherstudiestodeterminedetailedimpactsoftheprojectisacknowledgedintheEIS.TheCorpsdoesnotviewopeningupaccesstotheUpperSusitnaBasinasbeingbeneficial.TheEISfullyaddressesthegeneralimpactsexpectedtoresultfromsuchaccess--bothadverseandbeneficial.AnyIIbenefitsllfromsuchaccessarenotweighedasatrade-offtoadverseimpactswhichmayormaynotoccurdownstream.'-isAllCorpsprojectstudiesareinafeasibilitystagepriortobeingauthorizedandfundedbytheCongressforadvancementtodetailedstudies.whicharemadepriorto--andresultsofwhichareadeterminingfactorin--adeterminationbytheCongressthattheprojectshouldbeauthorizedandfundedforconstruction.Thus,thisproposaliscurrentlyinafeasibilitystage.andwillremainsountilsuchtimethatCongressmayapproveauthorizationforpre-constructionstudiesandappropriationoffundingtherefore.Onthebasisofdetailedstudiesmadeduringthenextstage,theEISwillbeappropriatelyamendedorupdated.':.iGIncreasedturbiditywhichisexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewintermonthsisnotlistedasamajoradverseenvironmentalimpactintheEIS.Itisdiscussedasanunavoidableadverseimpact.thesignificanceofwhichpresentlyisnotwhollyknown.Thereissomeevidencetosupportaview,however,thattheimpactmayberelativelyminor.Estimatesof15to35ppmofsus-pendedsedimentarebasedonconcentrationsbelowglacial-fednaturallakesinAlaska.OneoftheseisSkilakLake.TheKenaiRiver,whichflowsfromthislake,isgenerallyrecognizedasoneofthemoreimportantsalmonstreamsinAlaska.'x~?Commentnoted.616
48Commentnoted.4bThemostfeasiblealternative.hydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltandYukonregionswereconsideredduringtheStage1InterimReport.Stage2studieswouldconsistprimarilyofamorein-depthevaluationofthealternativesalreadyconsidered.50Considerationsofenvironmentalfactorsrelatedtoroadconstructionwillbeconsideredingreatdetailwhenandifstudiesforsuchroadsareauthorizedandfunded.Atthepresentfeasibilitystageofplanning,theexactlocationofaccessroadsisnotknown.51Concur.Assoonasitisdetermined--asaresultofconsumationoftheprovisionsoftheNativeClaimsSettlementAct--whatagencyororganizationwillhavethemanagementresponsibilityforthemajorportionofadjacentlands,effortswillbemadetoincorporaterecreationaldevelopmentintothatorganization'splansandgoals.Theselandsarepresentlyinastateofflux,havingbeendesignatedasNativeVillageDeficiencyLands.52Impactsofthetransmissionlines,insofarascanbepresentlypredictedwithareasonabledegreeofaccuracy,arediscussedunderappropriateresourcecategoriesthroughouttheEIS.AcomprehensiveenvironmentalassessmentoftheimpactsofallthealternativetransmissionlinecorridorshasbeenmadebytheAlaskaPowerAdmin-istration.ThisdocumentisincludedintheappendixtotheCorps'interimfeasibilityreport,andisavailableforpublicreviewintheDistrictoffice..53Weagree.Suchamapwouldhavebeenincludedhaditbeenmadeavailablebyanyoftheresponsiblefisheryresourceagencies.Thistypeofinformationwillnotbeavailableuntilfisherystudiescurrentlyunderwayarecompleted.54ThestatementdescribessuspectedandknownimpactsofATVaccesstobasinmooseandcaribouherds.Italsoacknowledgesthatroadaccesswi11.increasethepotentialforadditiona1huntingpressure.AsstatedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,incommentingontheEIS,thatagencyhasthestatutoryauthorityandcapabilitytocontrolhuntingpressure.55Thiscouldconceivablyhappen,particularlyduringtheearlyyearsfollowingprojectcompletionwhiletheriverisstilldividedamongstaseriesofbraidedchannels.However,theriverisexpected,throughregulatedflowandeliminationofhighfloodstages,toeventuallyassumeabasicallysingle,meanderingchannel.Whenthisoccurs,withwaterhavingbeenconcentratedinasinglechannel,thesummernavigabilityofthestreammightwellimprove.Concurrently61748Commentnoted.4bThemostfeasiblealternative.hydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltandYukonregionswereconsideredduringtheStage1InterimReport.Stage2studieswouldconsistprimarilyofamorein-depthevaluationofthealternativesalreadyconsidered.50Considerationsofenvironmentalfactorsrelatedtoroadconstructionwillbeconsideredingreatdetailwhenandifstudiesforsuchroadsareauthorizedandfunded.Atthepresentfeasibilitystageofplanning,theexactlocationofaccessroadsisnotknown.51Concur.Assoonasitisdetermined--asaresultofconsumationoftheprovisionsoftheNativeClaimsSettlementAct--whatagencyororganizationwillhavethemanagementresponsibilityforthemajorportionofadjacentlands,effortswillbemadetoincorporaterecreationaldevelopmentintothatorganization'splansandgoals.Theselandsarepresentlyinastateofflux,havingbeendesignatedasNativeVillageDeficiencyLands.52Impactsofthetransmissionlines,insofarascanbepresentlypredictedwithareasonabledegreeofaccuracy,arediscussedunderappropriateresourcecategoriesthroughouttheEIS.AcomprehensiveenvironmentalassessmentoftheimpactsofallthealternativetransmissionlinecorridorshasbeenmadebytheAlaskaPowerAdmin-istration.ThisdocumentisincludedintheappendixtotheCorps'interimfeasibilityreport,andisavailableforpublicreviewintheDistrictoffice..53Weagree.Suchamapwouldhavebeenincludedhaditbeenmadeavailablebyanyoftheresponsiblefisheryresourceagencies.Thistypeofinformationwillnotbeavailableuntilfisherystudiescurrentlyunderwayarecompleted.54ThestatementdescribessuspectedandknownimpactsofATVaccesstobasinmooseandcaribouherds.Italsoacknowledgesthatroadaccesswi11.increasethepotentialforadditiona1huntingpressure.AsstatedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,incommentingontheEIS,thatagencyhasthestatutoryauthorityandcapabilitytocontrolhuntingpressure.55Thiscouldconceivablyhappen,particularlyduringtheearlyyearsfollowingprojectcompletionwhiletheriverisstilldividedamongstaseriesofbraidedchannels.However,theriverisexpected,throughregulatedflowandeliminationofhighfloodstages,toeventuallyassumeabasicallysingle,meanderingchannel.Whenthisoccurs,withwaterhavingbeenconcentratedinasinglechannel,thesummernavigabilityofthestreammightwellimprove.Concurrently617
withthis,downstreamrecreationalopportunitymaywellimproveduringthesummermonths.Heavysedimentloadsandhighfloodstageswhichnowcharacterizetheriverduringtheheightoftheoutdoorrecreationalseasonwillbesignificantlydiminished,thusmakingtheareamoreattractivetogeneraloutdoorrecreationists.bSAsstatedintheIIS,wintericeconditionsarenotexpectedtobesignificantlychangeddownstreamfromTalkeetna.AboveTalkeetnatherivermaybecomemorehazardousforwintertravel.SuchuseaboveTalkeetna,atthepresenttime,isminor.t>:?Theextentoffloatplaneuseisdescribedinmoredetailinapre-viousparagraphentitledAir.Theterms"minor"and"common"arerelativeincontext.IncomparisontoknownareasofcommonorhighfloatplaneuseinAlaska,suchuseintheUpperSusitnaBasinisconsideredtoberelativelyminor.~3Again,liverylittle"isarelativeterm..TheuseofATV'sandfloatplanesbyhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationistsintheremotesettingoftheUpperSusitnaBasinisminisculecomparedtoareasnearhumanpopulationcenterswhereeasyaccessisprovidedbyroads.Thefirsthalfofthiscommentisnotclearastowhatismeantby"implies."Itisagreed,however,thatminimalsheepandgoathuntingalongtheDenaliHighwaymaywellindeedbetheresultofminimalpopulations.~~)Thissectionhasbeenupdatedtoreflectthecurrentstatus.oflandsaffectedbytheproject.Thestatusoffilingontheselandsisnotcogentatthistime,sinceexchangespresentlyproposedaresubject~oanamendmenttoPL92-203andpossiblytoAlaskastatutes.ty!~Thisisapurelyconjecturalstatement.Nosuchassertionhasbeenmadebyanyoftheresponsiblefishmanagementagencies,sincesuchadeterminationcanonlybemadebasedondetailedstudies,whicharecurrentlyunderway.Itwouldbejustasvalidtostatethattheoppositeconditioncouldoccur;i.e.,alterationcouldimproveoverwinteringcapabilityofthemainstream.b:~Commentnoted.bJCommentnoted.{)1Thereappearstobeaconflictbetweenthefirstsentenceofthisparagraphwhichstates:"...alterationofstreamvelocitiesaffectswimmingperformanceoffishandutilizationoftheirfoodsupplyintroducingstressandmortality."--andsubparagraph4ofthepreviousparagraphwhichstates:"Withincreasedflow,there618withthis,downstreamrecreationalopportunitymaywellimproveduringthesummermonths.Heavysedimentloadsandhighfloodstageswhichnowcharacterizetheriverduringtheheightoftheoutdoorrecreationalseasonwillbesignificantlydiminished,thusmakingtheareamoreattractivetogeneraloutdoorrecreationists.bSAsstatedintheIIS,wintericeconditionsarenotexpectedtobesignificantlychangeddownstreamfromTalkeetna.AboveTalkeetnatherivermaybecomemorehazardousforwintertravel.SuchuseaboveTalkeetna,atthepresenttime,isminor.t>:?Theextentoffloatplaneuseisdescribedinmoredetailinapre-viousparagraphentitledAir.Theterms"minor"and"common"arerelativeincontext.IncomparisontoknownareasofcommonorhighfloatplaneuseinAlaska,suchuseintheUpperSusitnaBasinisconsideredtoberelativelyminor.~3Again,liverylittle"isarelativeterm..TheuseofATV'sandfloatplanesbyhunters,fishermen,andotherrecreationistsintheremotesettingoftheUpperSusitnaBasinisminisculecomparedtoareasnearhumanpopulationcenterswhereeasyaccessisprovidedbyroads.Thefirsthalfofthiscommentisnotclearastowhatismeantby"implies."Itisagreed,however,thatminimalsheepandgoathuntingalongtheDenaliHighwaymaywellindeedbetheresultofminimalpopulations.~~)Thissectionhasbeenupdatedtoreflectthecurrentstatus.oflandsaffectedbytheproject.Thestatusoffilingontheselandsisnotcogentatthistime,sinceexchangespresentlyproposedaresubject~oanamendmenttoPL92-203andpossiblytoAlaskastatutes.ty!~Thisisapurelyconjecturalstatement.Nosuchassertionhasbeenmadebyanyoftheresponsiblefishmanagementagencies,sincesuchadeterminationcanonlybemadebasedondetailedstudies,whicharecurrentlyunderway.Itwouldbejustasvalidtostatethattheoppositeconditioncouldoccur;i.e.,alterationcouldimproveoverwinteringcapabilityofthemainstream.b:~Commentnoted.bJCommentnoted.{)1Thereappearstobeaconflictbetweenthefirstsentenceofthisparagraphwhichstates:"...alterationofstreamvelocitiesaffectswimmingperformanceoffishandutilizationoftheirfoodsupplyintroducingstressandmortality."--andsubparagraph4ofthepreviousparagraphwhichstates:"Withincreasedflow,there618
wouldbenoimpactonfish.life,adverseorbeneficial.'"Thecontentoftheremainderofthisparagraphisnoted.65Thestatementhasnotbeenmodified.Commentnoted.66Commentnoted.67Thesubjectofreduceddischargesduringthesummermonthsasrelatedtorecreationaltransportation(navigation)isdiscussedinresponsetoanearlierBLMcomment.WeagreethatiflandsintheprojectareaareturnedovertotheNatives,recreationalusageintheUpperSusitnaBasinwilllikelyberestricted,and'thatifanewStatecapitalisconstructedclosetotheSusitnaRiver,recreationaldemandwillincrease.Theproject,byprovidingpublicuseonlandswhichwouldotherwiseberestrictedtosuchusebyNativeownership,willcontributesignificantlytotherecreationalneedsofpeoplelivinginthenewcapital.68Thevisitationfiguresweredevelopedbyaprivateconsultantincoordi-nationwiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks,andareincludedintheRecreationSectionofAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.6~Commentnoted.70Commentnoted.71Commentnoted.72ThesentencereferringtoIIprobablellwildernessclassificationisaccurate.73ItisstatedintheEIS:IIDegradationofvisualqualityingeneralwouldbeamajoradverseeffectofprojectconstruction.Thiswouldbeattributableprimarilytoroads,damconstruction,right~of-wayclearingforthetransmissionline,andtheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlineitself.1INomeaningfulqualificationastowhatextentroadsandtransmissionlineswillimpactuponestheticscanbemade,sincesuchimpactsarewhollysubjectiveinnature,andaredependentuponeachindividual'ssenseofwhatconstitutesestheticimpairment.74Commentnoted.75Seeresponsenumber49.76Coalandotherhydroelectricalternatives,includingLakeChakachamna,aresufficientlyaddressedintheEIStoexplainwhytheywerenotselectedastherecommendedplan.DevelopmentoftheBelugaCoalFieldsmayindeedbedevelopedregardlessofthepresenceorabsenceoftheUpperSusitnahydroelectricproject.619wouldbenoimpactonfish.life,adverseorbeneficial.'"Thecontentoftheremainderofthisparagraphisnoted.65Thestatementhasnotbeenmodified.Commentnoted.66Commentnoted.67Thesubjectofreduceddischargesduringthesummermonthsasrelatedtorecreationaltransportation(navigation)isdiscussedinresponsetoanearlierBLMcomment.WeagreethatiflandsintheprojectareaareturnedovertotheNatives,recreationalusageintheUpperSusitnaBasinwilllikelyberestricted,and'thatifanewStatecapitalisconstructedclosetotheSusitnaRiver,recreationaldemandwillincrease.Theproject,byprovidingpublicuseonlandswhichwouldotherwiseberestrictedtosuchusebyNativeownership,willcontributesignificantlytotherecreationalneedsofpeoplelivinginthenewcapital.68Thevisitationfiguresweredevelopedbyaprivateconsultantincoordi-nationwiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks,andareincludedintheRecreationSectionofAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.6~Commentnoted.70Commentnoted.71Commentnoted.72ThesentencereferringtoIIprobablellwildernessclassificationisaccurate.73ItisstatedintheEIS:IIDegradationofvisualqualityingeneralwouldbeamajoradverseeffectofprojectconstruction.Thiswouldbeattributableprimarilytoroads,damconstruction,right~of-wayclearingforthetransmissionline,andtheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlineitself.1INomeaningfulqualificationastowhatextentroadsandtransmissionlineswillimpactuponestheticscanbemade,sincesuchimpactsarewhollysubjectiveinnature,andaredependentuponeachindividual'ssenseofwhatconstitutesestheticimpairment.74Commentnoted.75Seeresponsenumber49.76Coalandotherhydroelectricalternatives,includingLakeChakachamna,aresufficientlyaddressedintheEIStoexplainwhytheywerenotselectedastherecommendedplan.DevelopmentoftheBelugaCoalFieldsmayindeedbedevelopedregardlessofthepresenceorabsenceoftheUpperSusitnahydroelectricproject.619
770nthe'ton'trary,'thereare'existing-flobdi~gproblemsalong.theSusitnaRiverwhichrequirecontrol.OnelnvolvesthetownofTalkeetnawhichisbeingthreatenedbyriverbankcaving,andtheotherinvolvesnearlyannualdamagetotheAlaskaRailroadtracks."Benefits"fromfloodcontrolareindeedsmall,thusverylittleofprojectbenefitsareattributedtoit(0.03of1percentofaverageannualbenefits).78TheEISmakesitperfectlyclearthatthedepictedtransmissioncorridorsareallalternativeswhichwereconsideredandallbutoneofwhichwererejected.TherearenOtransmissionlineplannedforconstructioninrelationtothisprojectwhichwouldpassthroughtheCopperRiverBasin.620770nthe'ton'trary,'thereare'existing-flobdi~gproblemsalong.theSusitnaRiverwhichrequirecontrol.OnelnvolvesthetownofTalkeetnawhichisbeingthreatenedbyriverbankcaving,andtheotherinvolvesnearlyannualdamagetotheAlaskaRailroadtracks."Benefits"fromfloodcontrolareindeedsmall,thusverylittleofprojectbenefitsareattributedtoit(0.03of1percentofaverageannualbenefits).78TheEISmakesitperfectlyclearthatthedepictedtransmissioncorridorsareallalternativeswhichwereconsideredandallbutoneofwhichwererejected.TherearenOtransmissionlineplannedforconstructioninrelationtothisprojectwhichwouldpassthroughtheCopperRiverBasin.620
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorNATIONALPARKSERVICEAlaskaTaskForce524West6thStreet,Room201Anchorage,Alaska99501November11,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:Wehavebeenaskedtosubmitourcommentsonthedraftenvironmentalstatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska"d1.rectlytoyouroffice.Ourcommentsareasfollows:Asectionshouldbeincludedtoshowprojectedfuturepowerrequire-mentsof,therailbeltarea.Thissectionshouldprovideacomparisonofexistinerequirementsandprojectedneeds.Theimpactsconcerningrecreationalopportunitiesneedexpansion.Inalandofsomanynaturallakesitseemsthatareservoiroftheproposeddesign(longandnarrow)wouldbeoflittlerecreationalattraction.Theattractionwouldbethefishthatwereplantedandthefacilitiesprovided(whichcouldbedonefornaturallakes~thusnotrequiringtheproject).ThedocumentstatesthatverylittlerecreationaluseisnowmadeoftheupperSusitnabasin.Futureneeds(1986)shouldbeshown.Thisareawillreceiveincreasedpressureby1986andwillbesignificantwhentheSusitnaflatsarefurtherdeveloped.ThesummerdrawdownoftheWataneprojectwiilimpairtherecreationuseoftheprojectandleaveabarrenareawhichwillnotbe~vailableforanyuseorprovidewildlifehabitat.Doesthisactivitybalancethelossofwhitewaterandriverboatingduetothe.impoundments?Asidefromaccesstoapreviouslyprimitivearea,howdotherecreationalimprove-mentscomplimentorblendwiththoseoftheregione.g.,Mt.McKinleyNationalParkandDenaliStatePark?Howwasthefigureof77,000potentialvisitorsarrived.at?ThepowerlineshouldnotbebuilttoFairbanks.SuchanapproachwouldeliminatethesevereimpactsofsuchalinethroughtheBroad62181IUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorNATIONALPARKSERVICEAlaskaTaskForce524West6thStreet,Room201Anchorage,Alaska99501November11,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:Wehavebeenaskedtosubmitourcommentsonthedraftenvironmentalstatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska"d1.rectlytoyouroffice.Ourcommentsareasfollows:Asectionshouldbeincludedtoshowprojectedfuturepowerrequire-mentsof,therailbeltarea.Thissectionshouldprovideacomparisonofexistinerequirementsandprojectedneeds.Theimpactsconcerningrecreationalopportunitiesneedexpansion.Inalandofsomanynaturallakesitseemsthatareservoiroftheproposeddesign(longandnarrow)wouldbeoflittlerecreationalattraction.Theattractionwouldbethefishthatwereplantedandthefacilitiesprovided(whichcouldbedonefornaturallakes~thusnotrequiringtheproject).ThedocumentstatesthatverylittlerecreationaluseisnowmadeoftheupperSusitnabasin.Futureneeds(1986)shouldbeshown.Thisareawillreceiveincreasedpressureby1986andwillbesignificantwhentheSusitnaflatsarefurtherdeveloped.ThesummerdrawdownoftheWataneprojectwiilimpairtherecreationuseoftheprojectandleaveabarrenareawhichwillnotbe~vailableforanyuseorprovidewildlifehabitat.Doesthisactivitybalancethelossofwhitewaterandriverboatingduetothe.impoundments?Asidefromaccesstoapreviouslyprimitivearea,howdotherecreationalimprove-mentscomplimentorblendwiththoseoftheregione.g.,Mt.McKinleyNationalParkandDenaliStatePark?Howwasthefigureof77,000potentialvisitorsarrived.at?ThepowerlineshouldnotbebuilttoFairbanks.SuchanapproachwouldeliminatethesevereimpactsofsuchalinethroughtheBroad62181I
828384PassareaandtheNanan~Canyon.WhyisitnecessarytotransmitpowernorthtotheFairbanksarea?Theestheticdamagecausedbytransmissionlineconstructionshouldbemorecarefullyexamined.Considerationofundergroundlinesincertainstretchesshouldbecarefullyconsidered.Economiccostsshouldnotbetheonlyconsiderationforthosesectionswhereetheticsaremostimportant.6.02AlternativesAllalternativesneedexpansion.OnpageoneofthedraftEIS,theresolutionstatesinpartaninvestigationof"anycompetitivealternative."Canthisreallybedoneifontheonehandoilandgasalternativesaredismissedinviewofa"nationaleffort,"andcoalisdiscountedonthebasisofextensiveadverseenvi~entalimpactseventhoughstatementssuchasonpage71i~icate~extensivestudiesoftheimpactofcoalm~ninghavenotbeenconducted.AnalternativeconsistingofthedevelopmentofseveralsourcescombinedtoproducethepowerrequirementsoftheStateshouldbeconsidered.6.02.2CoalItshouldbestatedthattheHealyCoalfieldshavebeendevelopedandthatthestripminingdamageinthisareahasbeentakingplaceforanumberofyears.RoadsfromtheHealycoalfieldshavebeenbuiltandthetransporta-tionproblemisminimalwhenthegeneratingplantisadjacenttothecoalsource.Higherlocalemploymentwillberealizedbydevelop-mentofcoalenergysources.6.02.3OilandNaturalGas85IThesefuelsourcesneedtobeconsideredinmoredetail.availableintheFairbanksareaby1986andwhatarethebenefitsinrelationtothe$1.343billion1975requireddamproject•.6.04.2DevilCanyonWhatwillbecostforthetwo86Thisalternativeshouldbemorecarefullyexamined.Evenwithalowfirmenergycapabilityitappearsthatthisprojectwouldproducepowerduringtheseasonwhenitismostneeded.Theimpactsfromthissingledamprojectareminorascomparedtothetwodamproject.Lesstransmissionlineconstructionwouldberequiredwiththisalternativecombinedwithotherprojects.This.projectappearstohavethehighestrecreationpotential.8~IWerecommendthatthequestionofenvironmentalimpactversuscosttbenefitofdevelopmentforanumberofenergysourcesbeexplored.622828384PassareaandtheNanan~Canyon.WhyisitnecessarytotransmitpowernorthtotheFairbanksarea?Theestheticdamagecausedbytransmissionlineconstructionshouldbemorecarefullyexamined.Considerationofundergroundlinesincertainstretchesshouldbecarefullyconsidered.Economiccostsshouldnotbetheonlyconsiderationforthosesectionswhereetheticsaremostimportant.6.02AlternativesAllalternativesneedexpansion.OnpageoneofthedraftEIS,theresolutionstatesinpartaninvestigationof"anycompetitivealternative."Canthisreallybedoneifontheonehandoilandgasalternativesaredismissedinviewofa"nationaleffort,"andcoalisdiscountedonthebasisofextensiveadverseenvi~entalimpactseventhoughstatementssuchasonpage71i~icate~extensivestudiesoftheimpactofcoalm~ninghavenotbeenconducted.AnalternativeconsistingofthedevelopmentofseveralsourcescombinedtoproducethepowerrequirementsoftheStateshouldbeconsidered.6.02.2CoalItshouldbestatedthattheHealyCoalfieldshavebeendevelopedandthatthestripminingdamageinthisareahasbeentakingplaceforanumberofyears.RoadsfromtheHealycoalfieldshavebeenbuiltandthetransporta-tionproblemisminimalwhenthegeneratingplantisadjacenttothecoalsource.Higherlocalemploymentwillberealizedbydevelop-mentofcoalenergysources.6.02.3OilandNaturalGas85IThesefuelsourcesneedtobeconsideredinmoredetail.availableintheFairbanksareaby1986andwhatarethebenefitsinrelationtothe$1.343billion1975requireddamproject•.6.04.2DevilCanyonWhatwillbecostforthetwo86Thisalternativeshouldbemorecarefullyexamined.Evenwithalowfirmenergycapabilityitappearsthatthisprojectwouldproducepowerduringtheseasonwhenitismostneeded.Theimpactsfromthissingledamprojectareminorascomparedtothetwodamproject.Lesstransmissionlineconstructionwouldberequiredwiththisalternativecombinedwithotherprojects.This.projectappearstohavethehighestrecreationpotential.8~IWerecommendthatthequestionofenvironmentalimpactversuscosttbenefitofdevelopmentforanumberofenergysourcesbeexplored.622
Notenoughdiscussionoftheintertieandthesecondarysocial-Ieconomicimpactsoftheintertie,i.e.encouragementofstrip~~developmentallalongthepowerline.Dowereallyneed/wantanintertieinAlaska?Howmuchenergyislostthroughtransmissionlines?Waterfordomestic/agriculturalusewillsoonbeinshortsupply.IHowdoesthisuseofwaterfitinwithlongrangewaterneeds.~~Undersection4.0theimpactofthematerialsitestoconstructthedamshasnotbeenevaluated.Gravel,limestoneforcement,andearthforlandfilliftakenfromsitesnotbetofloodedwillhaveamajorimpactontheareasestheticsandimportantsightseeinguse.Iflocallimestoneisusedtomakethecementnecessaryforthe~()Devil'sCanyonDam,thiswillcreatescar~onthelandscapeandconsiderableairandnoisepollutioninanareacriticaltothevisitortothisMt.McKinleyregion.LimestonesourcesnearCantwellifutilizedandprocessedtherewouldcreatevisualandairpollutionimpactstotheMt.McKinleyNationalParkvisitor,aswellastheresidentsofCantwell.ThisimpactmustbeevaluatedandmitigatedinthisEIS.Sincerely,AlbertG.HensonProjectLeaderAGHenson:jkm62369-7370 -81-40Notenoughdiscussionoftheintertieandthesecondarysocial-Ieconomicimpactsoftheintertie,i.e.encouragementofstrip~~developmentallalongthepowerline.Dowereallyneed/wantanintertieinAlaska?Howmuchenergyislostthroughtransmissionlines?Waterfordomestic/agriculturalusewillsoonbeinshortsupply.IHowdoesthisuseofwaterfitinwithlongrangewaterneeds.~~Undersection4.0theimpactofthematerialsitestoconstructthedamshasnotbeenevaluated.Gravel,limestoneforcement,andearthforlandfilliftakenfromsitesnotbetofloodedwillhaveamajorimpactontheareasestheticsandimportantsightseeinguse.Iflocallimestoneisusedtomakethecementnecessaryforthe~()Devil'sCanyonDam,thiswillcreatescar~onthelandscapeandconsiderableairandnoisepollutioninanareacriticaltothevisitortothisMt.McKinleyregion.LimestonesourcesnearCantwellifutilizedandprocessedtherewouldcreatevisualandairpollutionimpactstotheMt.McKinleyNationalParkvisitor,aswellastheresidentsofCantwell.ThisimpactmustbeevaluatedandmitigatedinthisEIS.Sincerely,AlbertG.HensonProjectLeaderAGHenson:jkm62369-7370 -81-40
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORNATIONALPARKSERVICEALASKATASKFORCE79Anentiresection(2.04)isdevotedtoadiscussionofenergyneeds.Figure9isagraphwhichillustratesafive-yearrecordofenergyconsumption(1970-1974)plusprojectedloadgrowththroughtheyear1999.80Recreationisnotthepurposeofthereservoirs.However,theywillinevitablyattractsomevisitationforrecreationalpurposes.Recrea-tionalusage,asestimatedintheEIS~isclaimedasaprojectbenefit,butitscontributiontoprojectjustificationisinfinitesimal--beinglessthan0.2of1percentoftotalprojectbenefits.81Thereservoirs,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,affordmorerecreationalopportunityintheUpperSusitnaBasinthanwouldotherwiseexist,bothasaresultofthef1atwaterrecreationalopportunityaffordedbythereservoirs,andaccessprovidedbytheroadsystemwhichwillbenecessarytoconstructandoperatetheproject.MostofthereservoirrecreationalvisitationwillbeassociatedwiththeDevilCanyonsite.Watanawillbemuchlessattractiveasaresultcifitsdrawdown.Thelossofwhitewater,itself,cannotbemeasuredintermsoftrade-offstorecreationalusesaffordedbythehydropowerproject.Recreationalusesofthewhitewater,ontheotherhand,canbedirectlyrelatedtopost-projectrecrea-tion.PresentandfutureboatingusesofDevilCanyonwouldnotbegintocomparetootherformsofrecreationusesintheUpperSusitnaBasin(primarilyhuntingandfishing),withorwithouttheproject.ThevisitationestimatewasprovidedbyaprivateconsultantwhocloselycoordinatedhisproceduresandmethodologywiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks,andisincludedintheRecreationAssessmentsection,AppendixI,ofthefeasibilityreport.82ThepurposeofthehydropowerprojectwouldbetoprovideprojectedenergyloadrequirementstotheSouthcentralRailbe1tareaandparti-cularlytothetwolargedemandcentersofFairbanksandAnchorage.Theestheticimpactofthetransmissionlinewillbecarefullyexamined,andeveryeffortmadetominimizeitsvisualimpactsindeterminingtheexacta1inementofthisfacility.Considerationofundergroundcableshasbeenmade,andadiscussionofthisalternativehasbeenaddedtotheEIS.83Achievementofnationalenergygoalswasnottheonlycriterionuponwhichtheselectionofthehydropoweralternativewasbased.Neitherwereenvironmentalimpactsthesolebasisfortherejectionofthecoalalternatives.Economicfactorspla.vedalarqeroleinthesedeterminations.624RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORNATIONALPARKSERVICEALASKATASKFORCE79Anentiresection(2.04)isdevotedtoadiscussionofenergyneeds.Figure9isagraphwhichillustratesafive-yearrecordofenergyconsumption(1970-1974)plusprojectedloadgrowththroughtheyear1999.80Recreationisnotthepurposeofthereservoirs.However,theywillinevitablyattractsomevisitationforrecreationalpurposes.Recrea-tionalusage,asestimatedintheEIS~isclaimedasaprojectbenefit,butitscontributiontoprojectjustificationisinfinitesimal--beinglessthan0.2of1percentoftotalprojectbenefits.81Thereservoirs,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,affordmorerecreationalopportunityintheUpperSusitnaBasinthanwouldotherwiseexist,bothasaresultofthef1atwaterrecreationalopportunityaffordedbythereservoirs,andaccessprovidedbytheroadsystemwhichwillbenecessarytoconstructandoperatetheproject.MostofthereservoirrecreationalvisitationwillbeassociatedwiththeDevilCanyonsite.Watanawillbemuchlessattractiveasaresultcifitsdrawdown.Thelossofwhitewater,itself,cannotbemeasuredintermsoftrade-offstorecreationalusesaffordedbythehydropowerproject.Recreationalusesofthewhitewater,ontheotherhand,canbedirectlyrelatedtopost-projectrecrea-tion.PresentandfutureboatingusesofDevilCanyonwouldnotbegintocomparetootherformsofrecreationusesintheUpperSusitnaBasin(primarilyhuntingandfishing),withorwithouttheproject.ThevisitationestimatewasprovidedbyaprivateconsultantwhocloselycoordinatedhisproceduresandmethodologywiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks,andisincludedintheRecreationAssessmentsection,AppendixI,ofthefeasibilityreport.82ThepurposeofthehydropowerprojectwouldbetoprovideprojectedenergyloadrequirementstotheSouthcentralRailbe1tareaandparti-cularlytothetwolargedemandcentersofFairbanksandAnchorage.Theestheticimpactofthetransmissionlinewillbecarefullyexamined,andeveryeffortmadetominimizeitsvisualimpactsindeterminingtheexacta1inementofthisfacility.Considerationofundergroundcableshasbeenmade,andadiscussionofthisalternativehasbeenaddedtotheEIS.83Achievementofnationalenergygoalswasnottheonlycriterionuponwhichtheselectionofthehydropoweralternativewasbased.Neitherwereenvironmentalimpactsthesolebasisfortherejectionofthecoalalternatives.Economicfactorspla.vedalarqeroleinthesedeterminations.624
84Thedevelopmentofcoalasameansofproducingelectricalpowerwastheeconomicstandardagainstwhicheachofthehydroelectricplanswastested.Thatis,thepowerbenefitsusedincomputingthebenefit-to-costratiorepresentedthecostofproducingthesameamountofpowerbyconstructingandoperatingageneratingsystemusingcoalasthefuel.Forpurposesofsimplificationandmoredirectcomparabilitytoeachhydrosystemalternativeevaluated,asinglelargecoal-findcomplexlocatedintheHealyareawasutilized.TheHealyCre.ekcoaldistricthasavailablereservesapproximatelyequaltotheenergyproductionrequirementsofthe100-yearperiodofanalysis.Sincethiscoalfieldhasalreadybeendevelopedforthisverypurpose,itisalogicalchoiceforcomparison.Socioeconomicimpactwoulddevelopeachtimeageneratingfacilitywas.constructedinthearea,buttheoverallpermanentjobsarisingfromoperationwouldhaveaminimaleffectontheoveralleconomyofthearea.85Oilornaturalgas,fromwhateversource,isexpectedtobeanexpensivesourceofenergyinthefuture.Amajorconsiderationinthehydropowerproposalistheconservationofnonrenewableresources.Thebenefit/costratiooftheproposedhydropowerprojectwouldbecomparabletonearfutureoilandnaturalgasalternatives.86Asstated,theproject--byitself--hasalowfirmenergycapabilityand,therefore,isnoteconomicallyviablewhencomparedwiththeeconomicstandardofcoal.Thatis,inorderfortheprojecttopayforitself,thewholesalemillratewouldbegreaterthanthatofanalternativecoalsystem.AfluctuatingpoolhaslessrecreationpotentialthanasteadyreservoirasproposedintheselectedplanfortheDevilCanyonfacility.ThisalternativeisdiscussedinSection6.04.02oftheEIS.87Duringtheprocessofplanformulation,theobjectiveofEnvironmentalQualitywasconsideredalongwiththeobjectiveofNationalEconomicDevelopmentinthedevelopmentandevaluationofalternativeplans,asprescribedbytheWaterResourceCouncil'sPrinciplesandStandards.Thus,environmentalimpactswereweighedagainstthemonetarybenefitsforeachofthealternativesexplored.88ThediscussionofthetransmissionsystemshasbeenexpandedintheEIS.SinceessentiallyallofthecorridorsystemtraverseseitherpubliclandsorlandswhichmaybeassignedtotheNatives,thereshouldbenosignificantpotentialforuncontrolled"strip"development.Anintertieisessentialiftheproposedhydroelectricprojectisconstructed.It·alsohasotheradvantagesrelatedtoreliabilityofenergysupplytotheState'stwolargestloadcenters.Averageenergylossthroughthetransmissionlineswillbe0.7percentofthetotalenergytransmitted,butthe6.1bi11ionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyisthenetenergyavailableatthedeliverypointsnearAnchorageandFairbanks.89Shouldtheproposedplanbeimplemented,thesummerflowsoftheSusitnaRiverwillberegulated,andwaterinexcessofsummerpowerneeds62584Thedevelopmentofcoalasameansofproducingelectricalpowerwastheeconomicstandardagainstwhicheachofthehydroelectricplanswastested.Thatis,thepowerbenefitsusedincomputingthebenefit-to-costratiorepresentedthecostofproducingthesameamountofpowerbyconstructingandoperatingageneratingsystemusingcoalasthefuel.Forpurposesofsimplificationandmoredirectcomparabilitytoeachhydrosystemalternativeevaluated,asinglelargecoal-findcomplexlocatedintheHealyareawasutilized.TheHealyCre.ekcoaldistricthasavailablereservesapproximatelyequaltotheenergyproductionrequirementsofthe100-yearperiodofanalysis.Sincethiscoalfieldhasalreadybeendevelopedforthisverypurpose,itisalogicalchoiceforcomparison.Socioeconomicimpactwoulddevelopeachtimeageneratingfacilitywas.constructedinthearea,buttheoverallpermanentjobsarisingfromoperationwouldhaveaminimaleffectontheoveralleconomyofthearea.85Oilornaturalgas,fromwhateversource,isexpectedtobeanexpensivesourceofenergyinthefuture.Amajorconsiderationinthehydropowerproposalistheconservationofnonrenewableresources.Thebenefit/costratiooftheproposedhydropowerprojectwouldbecomparabletonearfutureoilandnaturalgasalternatives.86Asstated,theproject--byitself--hasalowfirmenergycapabilityand,therefore,isnoteconomicallyviablewhencomparedwiththeeconomicstandardofcoal.Thatis,inorderfortheprojecttopayforitself,thewholesalemillratewouldbegreaterthanthatofanalternativecoalsystem.AfluctuatingpoolhaslessrecreationpotentialthanasteadyreservoirasproposedintheselectedplanfortheDevilCanyonfacility.ThisalternativeisdiscussedinSection6.04.02oftheEIS.87Duringtheprocessofplanformulation,theobjectiveofEnvironmentalQualitywasconsideredalongwiththeobjectiveofNationalEconomicDevelopmentinthedevelopmentandevaluationofalternativeplans,asprescribedbytheWaterResourceCouncil'sPrinciplesandStandards.Thus,environmentalimpactswereweighedagainstthemonetarybenefitsforeachofthealternativesexplored.88ThediscussionofthetransmissionsystemshasbeenexpandedintheEIS.SinceessentiallyallofthecorridorsystemtraverseseitherpubliclandsorlandswhichmaybeassignedtotheNatives,thereshouldbenosignificantpotentialforuncontrolled"strip"development.Anintertieisessentialiftheproposedhydroelectricprojectisconstructed.It·alsohasotheradvantagesrelatedtoreliabilityofenergysupplytotheState'stwolargestloadcenters.Averageenergylossthroughthetransmissionlineswillbe0.7percentofthetotalenergytransmitted,butthe6.1bi11ionkilowatt-hoursoffirmannualenergyisthenetenergyavailableatthedeliverypointsnearAnchorageandFairbanks.89Shouldtheproposedplanbeimplemented,thesummerflowsoftheSusitnaRiverwillberegulated,andwaterinexcessofsummerpowerneeds625
willbestoredforreleaseduringthefallandwintermonths.Therewouldnotappeartobeanyfuturewatersupplyshortagesfordomestic/agriculturaluseintheLowerSusitnaRiverBasin,andtheproposeddamsonlytemporarilystorethewaterforhydroelectricpowergeneration.90Restorationofmaterialborrowareasoutsidethereservoirpoolswillbeconductedtoblendthesitesintothesurroundingareaasmuchaspossibletominimizetheestheticimpact.Incompilingtheconstruc-tioncostsforallalternatives,theutilizationofcementmanufacturedoutsideofAlaskawasused.Iflocalareasaredevelopedaslimestonesources,appropriatemeasureswillbetaken·tominimizetheadverseimpactsofsuchaction.626willbestoredforreleaseduringthefallandwintermonths.Therewouldnotappeartobeanyfuturewatersupplyshortagesfordomestic/agriculturaluseintheLowerSusitnaRiverBasin,andtheproposeddamsonlytemporarilystorethewaterforhydroelectricpowergeneration.90Restorationofmaterialborrowareasoutsidethereservoirpoolswillbeconductedtoblendthesitesintothesurroundingareaasmuchaspossibletominimizetheestheticimpact.Incompilingtheconstruc-tioncostsforallalternatives,theutilizationofcementmanufacturedoutsideofAlaskawasused.Iflocalareasaredevelopedaslimestonesources,appropriatemeasureswillbetaken·tominimizetheadverseimpactsofsuchaction.626
L76l9(PNR)CAEUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorNATIONALPARKSERVICEPacificNorthwestRegionFourthandPikeBuildingSt.·allle,WashingtonHSIOIOctober22,1975.ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,andhavethefollowingcomments.Wearequiteconcernedaboutthepossibilityofanabove-ground,high-voltagepowerlineparallelingtheeasternboundaryofMountMcKinleyNationalPark.Thestatementdoesnotgivespecificinformationonrouting,towerdesign,orvegetationalandscenicimpacts,soitisdifficulttodeterminetheextentofimpactsontheParkanditsvisitors.WerequestthatcontactwithourofficeinAnchoragebemaintainedregardingtheprogressofthisprojectandthatwebeinformedofdecisionsregardingtheCantwelltoHealytrapsmissioncorridor.Wefeelthatthealternativesforpowertransmissioncorridorsonpage89areinadequate.Firstly,undergroundsystemsarenotconsidered--especiallyintheCantwelltoHealysection.Certainlythecostforundergroundlineswouldbemore,butthestatementshouldweigheconomic.considerationsagainsttheotherimpactsinvolved.ImpactonscenicvaluesnearMountMcKinleyNationalParkandintheNenanaCanyonwillbesubstantial,andthuswefeelthatundergroundingmustbeseriouslyconsidered.Thesecondreasonweconsiderthealternativesforpowertransmissioncorridorsinadequateisthatthereisnoanalysisofimpacts.Figure15graphicallypresentsthealternatives.Thetextthenstatesthattheproposalwasselectedonthebasisofcost,reliability,andpotentialenvironmentalimpact,butnoneoftheneededinformationispresented.Anenvironmentalstatementshouldpresentenoughinforma-tionforthereadertounderstandwhytheproposalwasselectedoverthealternatives.627919293L76l9(PNR)CAEUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorNATIONALPARKSERVICEPacificNorthwestRegionFourthandPikeBuildingSt.·allle,WashingtonHSIOIOctober22,1975.ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,andhavethefollowingcomments.Wearequiteconcernedaboutthepossibilityofanabove-ground,high-voltagepowerlineparallelingtheeasternboundaryofMountMcKinleyNationalPark.Thestatementdoesnotgivespecificinformationonrouting,towerdesign,orvegetationalandscenicimpacts,soitisdifficulttodeterminetheextentofimpactsontheParkanditsvisitors.WerequestthatcontactwithourofficeinAnchoragebemaintainedregardingtheprogressofthisprojectandthatwebeinformedofdecisionsregardingtheCantwelltoHealytrapsmissioncorridor.Wefeelthatthealternativesforpowertransmissioncorridorsonpage89areinadequate.Firstly,undergroundsystemsarenotconsidered--especiallyintheCantwelltoHealysection.Certainlythecostforundergroundlineswouldbemore,butthestatementshouldweigheconomic.considerationsagainsttheotherimpactsinvolved.ImpactonscenicvaluesnearMountMcKinleyNationalParkandintheNenanaCanyonwillbesubstantial,andthuswefeelthatundergroundingmustbeseriouslyconsidered.Thesecondreasonweconsiderthealternativesforpowertransmissioncorridorsinadequateisthatthereisnoanalysisofimpacts.Figure15graphicallypresentsthealternatives.Thetextthenstatesthattheproposalwasselectedonthebasisofcost,reliability,andpotentialenvironmentalimpact,butnoneoftheneededinformationispresented.Anenvironmentalstatementshouldpresentenoughinforma-tionforthereadertounderstandwhytheproposalwasselectedoverthealternatives.627919293
ITheNationalRegisterCriteria(36CFR800)shouldbeappliedtothe94cahinwhichwasidentifiedbytheAlaskaDivisionofParksandwouldbeinundatedbytheWatanareservoir.Theseprocedureswereprinted.intheFederalRegisterofFebruary4,1975,andshouldbeconsulted.Sincerelyyours,!k..•.'!jir,~EdwardJ.KurtzActingRegionalDirector6,28ITheNationalRegisterCriteria(36CFR800)shouldbeappliedtothe94cahinwhichwasidentifiedbytheAlaskaDivisionofParksandwouldbeinundatedbytheWatanareservoir.Theseprocedureswereprinted.intheFederalRegisterofFebruary4,1975,andshouldbeconsulted.Sincerelyyours,!k..•.'!jir,~EdwardJ.KurtzActingRegionalDirector6,28
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFTHENATIONALPARKSERVICEPACIFICNORTHWESTREGION9iAmaphasbeenaddedtotheEISwhichmoreclearlyindicatesthelocationofthetransmissionlinecorridor.Theexactalignmentwithinthiscorridor,andtowerdesign,havenotyetbeendetermined,butestheticimpactswillbeaprimaryconsiderationinpowerlinelocationandtowerdesign.InanyeventthetransmissionlinewillbelocatedontheeastsideoftheGeorgeA.ParkshighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadthroughtheBroadPass--MountMcKinleyNationalParkarea,andeveryeffortwillbemadetoeitherentirelyconcealthelineorminimizeitsvisual.obtrusiveness.TheNationalParkServicewillbekeptfullyinformedofdecisionsregardingtheCantwelltoHealysegmentofthetransmissionlinecorridor.~2TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoinc·ludeadiscussionofundergroundcablesasanalternatemadeoftransmittingelectricity.Economicconsiderationswillnotbethebasisforselectingoverheadtransmissionlinesinlieuofundergroundcables.Otherfactorswhichwi11beconsideredincludeenvironmenta1impacts,technica1problems,maintenance,andreliability.~:3TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoincludeadiscussionoftherelativeimpactsofthealternatetransmissionlinecorridors.~~AsstatedintheEIS,thecurrentNationalRegisterofHistoricalPlaceswasconsulted,andrevealednoNationalRegisterpropertieswhichwouldbeaffectedbytheproject.NationalRegistercriteria(36CFR800)willbeappliednotonlytothecabinidentifiedinthepreliminaryreconnaissancestudymadebytheAlaskaDivisionofParksundercontracttotheCorps,buttotheentireareaaffectedbytheproject.Thisincludesthorougharchaeologicalandhistoricalsurveysalongallaccessroadroutes,transmissionlinecorridor,andthedamandreservoirsites.629RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFTHENATIONALPARKSERVICEPACIFICNORTHWESTREGION9iAmaphasbeenaddedtotheEISwhichmoreclearlyindicatesthelocationofthetransmissionlinecorridor.Theexactalignmentwithinthiscorridor,andtowerdesign,havenotyetbeendetermined,butestheticimpactswillbeaprimaryconsiderationinpowerlinelocationandtowerdesign.InanyeventthetransmissionlinewillbelocatedontheeastsideoftheGeorgeA.ParkshighwayandtheAlaskaRailroadthroughtheBroadPass--MountMcKinleyNationalParkarea,andeveryeffortwillbemadetoeitherentirelyconcealthelineorminimizeitsvisual.obtrusiveness.TheNationalParkServicewillbekeptfullyinformedofdecisionsregardingtheCantwelltoHealysegmentofthetransmissionlinecorridor.~2TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoinc·ludeadiscussionofundergroundcablesasanalternatemadeoftransmittingelectricity.Economicconsiderationswillnotbethebasisforselectingoverheadtransmissionlinesinlieuofundergroundcables.Otherfactorswhichwi11beconsideredincludeenvironmenta1impacts,technica1problems,maintenance,andreliability.~:3TheEIShasbeenexpandedtoincludeadiscussionoftherelativeimpactsofthealternatetransmissionlinecorridors.~~AsstatedintheEIS,thecurrentNationalRegisterofHistoricalPlaceswasconsulted,andrevealednoNationalRegisterpropertieswhichwouldbeaffectedbytheproject.NationalRegistercriteria(36CFR800)willbeappliednotonlytothecabinidentifiedinthepreliminaryreconnaissancestudymadebytheAlaskaDivisionofParksundercontracttotheCorps,buttotheentireareaaffectedbytheproject.Thisincludesthorougharchaeologicalandhistoricalsurveysalongallaccessroadroutes,transmissionlinecorridor,andthedamandreservoirsites.629
-INREPLYREFERTO:E3027UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFOUTDOORRECREATIONNORTHWESTREGION'000EFCOt'DA)'EN"E915SECONDAVENUE.RM.990sF''''''.,'.s'.'IIf'••e•.°UQ4SEATTU,WASHINGTON93174ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:NO\.'~1975TheDraftEnvironmentalStatement,IIHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,1Ihasbeenreceivedinthisofficeforreviewandcomment.Thefollowingcommentsareprovidedforyourconsideration.Werecognizethatenvironmentalstudiesarenotcomplete;nonetheless,wewouldliketomentiontwosubjectswhichwefeelshouldbecoveredinmoredetail.'IThewholesubjectofroadstothehydroelectricdevelopments,totherecre,ationfacilities,andtoandalongthetransmiss,·oncorridorhasnot95beenadequatelyaddressed.Locationsandimpactsofroadswhetherper-manentoronlyfortheconstructionperiodneedtobediscussedingreaterdetail.ITheintrusionofmanasconstructionworkerandlaterasrecreationist96mayhavesignificantimpactsontheecologyofthisarea.Theeffect.ofmanandhismachinesandtheimpactsassociatedshouldbediscusseclingreaterdetailalso.~IItshouldbenotedthatthisistheviewofourofficeanddoesnot9.necessarilyrepresenttheofficialviewoftheSecretaryoftheInterior.Weappreciatetheopportunitytocommentandhopeourcommentswillassistinthepreparationofthefinalstatement.630Sincerelyyours,MauriceH.LundyJ;;;;;;2IJ?~--.--;-.-INREPLYREFERTO:E3027UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFOUTDOORRECREATIONNORTHWESTREGION'000EFCOt'DA)'EN"E915SECONDAVENUE.RM.990sF''''''.,'.s'.'IIf'••e•.°UQ4SEATTU,WASHINGTON93174ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:NO\.'~1975TheDraftEnvironmentalStatement,IIHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,1Ihasbeenreceivedinthisofficeforreviewandcomment.Thefollowingcommentsareprovidedforyourconsideration.Werecognizethatenvironmentalstudiesarenotcomplete;nonetheless,wewouldliketomentiontwosubjectswhichwefeelshouldbecoveredinmoredetail.'IThewholesubjectofroadstothehydroelectricdevelopments,totherecre,ationfacilities,andtoandalongthetransmiss,·oncorridorhasnot95beenadequatelyaddressed.Locationsandimpactsofroadswhetherper-manentoronlyfortheconstructionperiodneedtobediscussedingreaterdetail.ITheintrusionofmanasconstructionworkerandlaterasrecreationist96mayhavesignificantimpactsontheecologyofthisarea.Theeffect.ofmanandhismachinesandtheimpactsassociatedshouldbediscusseclingreaterdetailalso.~IItshouldbenotedthatthisistheviewofourofficeanddoesnot9.necessarilyrepresenttheofficialviewoftheSecretaryoftheInterior.Weappreciatetheopportunitytocommentandhopeourcommentswillassistinthepreparationofthefinalstatement.630Sincerelyyours,MauriceH.LundyJ;;;;;;2IJ?~--.--;-.
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFOUTDOORRECREATION95Specific1ocationofroads,bothpermanentandtemporary,hasnotbeendeterminedatthisstageofplanningfortheproposedprojects.Detailedplanninganddesignforthistransportationnetworkwillbeaccomplishedinthepost-authorizationstage.Aproposedroadcorridorhasbeenidentifiedfortheapproximate64-mileroadtotheWatanadamsite(Figure4).Location,design,construction,rehabilitation,andmaintenanceoftheprojectroadsystemwillbegivenprimecons~derationwiththeutilizationofgoodlandscapemanagementpractices.Whenthespecificroadsystemhasbeendeveloped,thissystemanditsrelatedimpactswillbediscussedinfuturesupplementstothestatement.~()TheopeningupoftheSusitnaBasintomanandhismachinesisconsideredoneofthemajoradverseimpactsoftheproposedpro-Jects.Thisactionwillincreasetheneedforinstitutionalregulationsinanareathatpresentlyhasfewtocontrolactivitiesthatwouldbemagnifiedbecauseofeasyaccess.This;inturn,willhavebothsocialandeconomicimpactsinthatmanmaynotbeabletodothingsinthefuturethathewasusedtodoinginthepast,andwouldcostmorebecauseoftheneedtoenforcetheregulationtoprotecttheenvironment.97Noted.631RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFOUTDOORRECREATION95Specific1ocationofroads,bothpermanentandtemporary,hasnotbeendeterminedatthisstageofplanningfortheproposedprojects.Detailedplanninganddesignforthistransportationnetworkwillbeaccomplishedinthepost-authorizationstage.Aproposedroadcorridorhasbeenidentifiedfortheapproximate64-mileroadtotheWatanadamsite(Figure4).Location,design,construction,rehabilitation,andmaintenanceoftheprojectroadsystemwillbegivenprimecons~derationwiththeutilizationofgoodlandscapemanagementpractices.Whenthespecificroadsystemhasbeendeveloped,thissystemanditsrelatedimpactswillbediscussedinfuturesupplementstothestatement.~()TheopeningupoftheSusitnaBasintomanandhismachinesisconsideredoneofthemajoradverseimpactsoftheproposedpro-Jects.Thisactionwillincreasetheneedforinstitutionalregulationsinanareathatpresentlyhasfewtocontrolactivitiesthatwouldbemagnifiedbecauseofeasyaccess.This;inturn,willhavebothsocialandeconomicimpactsinthatmanmaynotbeabletodothingsinthefuturethathewasusedtodoinginthepast,andwouldcostmorebecauseoftheneedtoenforcetheregulationtoprotecttheenvironment.97Noted.631
98U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATIONRoom412MohawkBuilding222S.W.MorrisonStreetPortland,Oregon97204November24,1975'INREPL.YREFERTO10ED.3ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska'99510Re:DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementHydroelectricPowerDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea,AlaskaDearColonelDebelius:WehavethefollowingcommentsontheaboveDEISwhichyoumaywishtoconsider:1.ThereportdepictsthatthegeneralchoiceoftheroutestoplacethetransmissionlinesiswithintheexistinghighwaycorridorfromSummittoHealy.Atpresent,thereisnothingtomarthepristinebeautyofthevalleyexceptfortherailroadononesideandthehighwayontheother.TheNenanaRivermeandersthroughapassintheAlaskarange.Thebeautyisstunningviewedfromboththerailroadandthehighway.Toaddatransmissionlinethroughthiscorridorwouldcertainlydestroytheunusualnaturalbeauty.TheBroadPassareasouthofCantwelliswithouttreesandtransmissionlineswouldbedifficulttohide.9912•WehavenotedthereisnomentionoftherecentarcheologicalfindnearCarloCreek.Youmaywishtoincludethisinyourdiscussionsonpage93.1003.Adiscussionofimpactstotheexistinghighwaysystemthatmayoccurasaresultofthisprojectisneeded.Thisshouldincludethepotentialneedforreconstructionoraddedmaintenancecostsresultingfromtransportingnecessaryconstructionmaterials.Also,anyhazardstotrafficthatm&yoccurduringconstructionshouldbediscussed.WeappreciatetheopportunitytocommentonthisdraftEIS.Sincerly"yours,~_~:h-c.c/(?&~~G{u.:/_RichardC.Cowdery,Direc~OfficeofEnvironmentandDesign63298U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATIONRoom412MohawkBuilding222S.W.MorrisonStreetPortland,Oregon97204November24,1975'INREPL.YREFERTO10ED.3ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska'99510Re:DraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementHydroelectricPowerDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea,AlaskaDearColonelDebelius:WehavethefollowingcommentsontheaboveDEISwhichyoumaywishtoconsider:1.ThereportdepictsthatthegeneralchoiceoftheroutestoplacethetransmissionlinesiswithintheexistinghighwaycorridorfromSummittoHealy.Atpresent,thereisnothingtomarthepristinebeautyofthevalleyexceptfortherailroadononesideandthehighwayontheother.TheNenanaRivermeandersthroughapassintheAlaskarange.Thebeautyisstunningviewedfromboththerailroadandthehighway.Toaddatransmissionlinethroughthiscorridorwouldcertainlydestroytheunusualnaturalbeauty.TheBroadPassareasouthofCantwelliswithouttreesandtransmissionlineswouldbedifficulttohide.9912•WehavenotedthereisnomentionoftherecentarcheologicalfindnearCarloCreek.Youmaywishtoincludethisinyourdiscussionsonpage93.1003.Adiscussionofimpactstotheexistinghighwaysystemthatmayoccurasaresultofthisprojectisneeded.Thisshouldincludethepotentialneedforreconstructionoraddedmaintenancecostsresultingfromtransportingnecessaryconstructionmaterials.Also,anyhazardstotrafficthatm&yoccurduringconstructionshouldbediscussed.WeappreciatetheopportunitytocommentonthisdraftEIS.Sincerly"yours,~_~:h-c.c/(?&~~G{u.:/_RichardC.Cowdery,Direc~OfficeofEnvironmentandDesign632
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S;DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATION98Commentnoted.99100TherecentarcheologicalfindnearCarloCreekwasexcavatedinaroadcutontheParksHighwaynearMt.McKinleyNationalPark.Theremainsofbothfossilsandartifactswerefoundinthisburiedsite.Thorougharcheologicalreconnaissanoewillbemadeoftheentiretransmissionline,corridorpriortoestablishingtheexactalinementofthetransmissionline.Itisexpectedthatmostsitescanbeaviodedbyjudiciousalinement.Ifandwherethisshouldbeimpossible,appropriatesalvageorothermitigative.measureswillbetaken.Thetotalimpactofthisprojectontheexistinghighwaysystemhasnotyetbeenevaluated.theimpactwouldincludeadditionalvehicletravelduetotheprojectconstructionphase.Onlyamod-erateincreaseinvehicletrafficovernormalhighwaytravelduetotheUseofprojectfacilitiesisexpectedafterprojectconstruc-tion.Studiesrequiredtoevaluatethepotentialneedforrecon-structionoraddedmaintenancecostswillbemadeduringthedetailedplanningphase.Nosuchneedshavebeenidentifiedduringthefeasibilitystageofplanning.Impactsonthenighwaysystem,overall,shouldbeminor.633RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S;DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALHIGHWAYADMINISTRATION98Commentnoted.99100TherecentarcheologicalfindnearCarloCreekwasexcavatedinaroadcutontheParksHighwaynearMt.McKinleyNationalPark.Theremainsofbothfossilsandartifactswerefoundinthisburiedsite.Thorougharcheologicalreconnaissanoewillbemadeoftheentiretransmissionline,corridorpriortoestablishingtheexactalinementofthetransmissionline.Itisexpectedthatmostsitescanbeaviodedbyjudiciousalinement.Ifandwherethisshouldbeimpossible,appropriatesalvageorothermitigative.measureswillbetaken.Thetotalimpactofthisprojectontheexistinghighwaysystemhasnotyetbeenevaluated.theimpactwouldincludeadditionalvehicletravelduetotheprojectconstructionphase.Onlyamod-erateincreaseinvehicletrafficovernormalhighwaytravelduetotheUseofprojectfacilitiesisexpectedafterprojectconstruc-tion.Studiesrequiredtoevaluatethepotentialneedforrecon-structionoraddedmaintenancecostswillbemadeduringthedetailedplanningphase.Nosuchneedshavebeenidentifiedduringthefeasibilitystageofplanning.Impactsonthenighwaysystem,overall,shouldbeminor.633
FormJuTF1320.10--67)OfFICEOFTHESECRllARYNovember11,1975DATE,HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,Upper10replySusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,refer10'AlaskaMemorandumSUBJECT,FROMSecretarialRepresentative,Region10TODistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAnchorage,AlaskaAttachedistheonlycommentreceivedfromDOTagenciesonthesubjectEIS.~RegionalRepresentativeoftheDepartmentofTransportation,Region10Attachment634FormJuTF1320.10--67)OfFICEOFTHESECRllARYNovember11,1975DATE,HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,Upper10replySusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,refer10'AlaskaMemorandumSUBJECT,FROMSecretarialRepresentative,Region10TODistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAnchorage,AlaskaAttachedistheonlycommentreceivedfromDOTagenciesonthesubjectEIS.~RegionalRepresentativeoftheDepartmentofTransportation,Region10Attachment634
DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONUNITEDSTATESCOASTGUARDMAILINGA~ESS:COMMANDER(finlJ17THCOASTGIlA'W&ISTRICTFPOSEATTLE..,,11October1975From:Commander,SeventeenthCoastGuardDistrictTo:SecretarialRepresentative,Region10,Seattle,WA.Attn:CAPTR.T.BROWERSubj:ReviewofEISforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska;commentconcerningl.SubjectEIShasbeenreviewedandtheonlysignificantCoastIGuardimpactwouldbetheincreaseinrecreationalboatingactivityjL()1Lonthenewlycreatedlakesbehindthedams.NootherareasofCoastGuardinterestwererevealed/11.A,~r~!~MBydirection635DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONUNITEDSTATESCOASTGUARDMAILINGA~ESS:COMMANDER(finlJ17THCOASTGIlA'W&ISTRICTFPOSEATTLE..,,11October1975From:Commander,SeventeenthCoastGuardDistrictTo:SecretarialRepresentative,Region10,Seattle,WA.Attn:CAPTR.T.BROWERSubj:ReviewofEISforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska;commentconcerningl.SubjectEIShasbeenreviewedandtheonlysignificantCoastIGuardimpactwouldbetheincreaseinrecreationalboatingactivityjL()1Lonthenewlycreatedlakesbehindthedams.NootherareasofCoastGuardinterestwererevealed/11.A,~r~!~MBydirection635
101Commentnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMErnOFTRANSPORTATIONCOASTGUARD636101Commentnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMErnOFTRANSPORTATIONCOASTGUARD636
DEPARTMENTOFTHEARMYiJ.5.ARMYCOLDREGION~';RESEARCHANDENGINEERINGLABORATORYHANOVER,NEWHAMI-'SHIRE03755CRREL-RE12November1975SUBJECT:ReviewDraftSusitnaImpactStatementDistrictEngineerU.S.ArmyEngineerDistrict,ALASKAP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK995101.USACRRELstaffsbothinFairbanksandHanoverhavereviewedtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."Wefindthereportacomprehensiveassessmentoftheproposedprojectandonewhichdealsrealisticallywiththeadverseenvironmentaleffects.2.Ourcommentsaremorespecificallydirectedatquestionsrequlrlngfurtherinvestigationandwhichshouldbekeptinmindastheprojectdevelops.Thesearebrieflystated:a.Theinfluencesandconstraintsofpermafrostatthedamsitesfordesignpurposesandinthereservoirs,particularlyasrelatedtoerosionalongshorelines.Theneedforproperassessmentofpermafrostconditionsandhowtheimpoundmentwillmodifygroundtemperaturesisapparent.b.TheinfluenceofafluctuatingriverlevelbelowDevilCanyononwintericeformation.Iceproductionislikelytoincreaseasaresultofthefluctuating-waterlevels(breakingupof-theicecoverduetopeakpowerreleases).Thismaycausedownrivericeproblemsduetonaturalorman-madeobstructions.c.TheproductionoffraziliceinthewhitewatersectionofDevilCanyonandearliericeformationinthereservoir.Thesemayresultinrestrictedflowconditionsandgreatericeformationintheimpoundment.d.Thechangeinreservoiranddownriverwaterqualitiesparticularlyunderwinter,ice-coveredconditions.Thequestionofmodifiedsedimentloadanditssignificancetobothfishproductivityandfloodplainecologyrequiresadditionalinvestigation.637DEPARTMENTOFTHEARMYiJ.5.ARMYCOLDREGION~';RESEARCHANDENGINEERINGLABORATORYHANOVER,NEWHAMI-'SHIRE03755CRREL-RE12November1975SUBJECT:ReviewDraftSusitnaImpactStatementDistrictEngineerU.S.ArmyEngineerDistrict,ALASKAP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK995101.USACRRELstaffsbothinFairbanksandHanoverhavereviewedtheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,"HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."Wefindthereportacomprehensiveassessmentoftheproposedprojectandonewhichdealsrealisticallywiththeadverseenvironmentaleffects.2.Ourcommentsaremorespecificallydirectedatquestionsrequlrlngfurtherinvestigationandwhichshouldbekeptinmindastheprojectdevelops.Thesearebrieflystated:a.Theinfluencesandconstraintsofpermafrostatthedamsitesfordesignpurposesandinthereservoirs,particularlyasrelatedtoerosionalongshorelines.Theneedforproperassessmentofpermafrostconditionsandhowtheimpoundmentwillmodifygroundtemperaturesisapparent.b.TheinfluenceofafluctuatingriverlevelbelowDevilCanyononwintericeformation.Iceproductionislikelytoincreaseasaresultofthefluctuating-waterlevels(breakingupof-theicecoverduetopeakpowerreleases).Thismaycausedownrivericeproblemsduetonaturalorman-madeobstructions.c.TheproductionoffraziliceinthewhitewatersectionofDevilCanyonandearliericeformationinthereservoir.Thesemayresultinrestrictedflowconditionsandgreatericeformationintheimpoundment.d.Thechangeinreservoiranddownriverwaterqualitiesparticularlyunderwinter,ice-coveredconditions.Thequestionofmodifiedsedimentloadanditssignificancetobothfishproductivityandfloodplainecologyrequiresadditionalinvestigation.637
102103e.Modificationinfloodplainandreservoirshorelinevegetationasasourceofhighqualityforageformooseandwaterfowlandmethodstoreduceadversevisualimpacts.Thequestionoflarge,seasonalfluctuationintheWatanaimpoundmentandhowtostabilizetheshorelineforwildlifeandrecreationaluseanderosioncontrolrequiresfurtherinvestigation.f.Siteinvestigationsrelatedtotransmissionlinecorridors.Thesearerequiredtoresolvequestionsoflargemammalimpactsandoptimalrestorationtechniquesforerosioncontrolandvisualimpacts.3.Wealsonoteanapparentdiscrepancy~nthecalculationoftheannualproductionof3.0billionKWHfortheDevilCanyon(180MW/4400cfs/Francisunitisgivenonp.3;onp.45,TableT,averageregulatedflowisapproximately4200cfs/month;9200cfs/4400cfs/180MV~376MWpermonthor4.5billionKWHperyear).Isthisarealdifferenceorduetoassumptionsmadeinarrivingatthe3.0billionfigure?4.Ilookforwardtoreceivingcopiesof,thefinalstatementandinpro-vidingtheDistrictwithcontinuedinputfromourstaff.638102103e.Modificationinfloodplainandreservoirshorelinevegetationasasourceofhighqualityforageformooseandwaterfowlandmethodstoreduceadversevisualimpacts.Thequestionoflarge,seasonalfluctuationintheWatanaimpoundmentandhowtostabilizetheshorelineforwildlifeandrecreationaluseanderosioncontrolrequiresfurtherinvestigation.f.Siteinvestigationsrelatedtotransmissionlinecorridors.Thesearerequiredtoresolvequestionsoflargemammalimpactsandoptimalrestorationtechniquesforerosioncontrolandvisualimpacts.3.Wealsonoteanapparentdiscrepancy~nthecalculationoftheannualproductionof3.0billionKWHfortheDevilCanyon(180MW/4400cfs/Francisunitisgivenonp.3;onp.45,TableT,averageregulatedflowisapproximately4200cfs/month;9200cfs/4400cfs/180MV~376MWpermonthor4.5billionKWHperyear).Isthisarealdifferenceorduetoassumptionsmadeinarrivingatthe3.0billionfigure?4.Ilookforwardtoreceivingcopiesof,thefinalstatementandinpro-vidingtheDistrictwithcontinuedinputfromourstaff.638
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDEPARTMENTOFTHEARMYCRREL1L()~TheCorpsgenerallyconcurswiththeneedsforfurtherinvestiga-~tionsasitemizedunderparagraph2oftheCRRELletter.Allnecessaryadditionalengineeringandbiologicalstudieswillbeconductedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanning.103The4,400cfsrelatestothemaximumdischargepereach180mw(nameplate)unit,andinnowayentersintotheenergypotentialoftheriver.Theactualdependablecapacityofeachunitisroughly171mwbasedonthefirmannualenergyanda50percentplantfactor.Itmustberealizedthatonlyunderpeakloadre-quirementsorheavyreservoirinflowwouldall4turbinesbeoperatedsimultaneously.Forexample,ifall4turbineswereoperatedatfulloverloadcapacityforanentireyear(4X180mwX1.15=828mw),theenergyproducedwouldbe7.25billionkilowatthoursofenergy.ByapplyingtheDevilCanyonmaximumheadtothebasicpowerequation,theresultingaveragemonthlystreamflowrequiredtoproducethehypothetical7.25BKwhenergywouldbei-nexcessoftwicetheaveragemonthlystreamflowof9,200cfs.Subsequentestimatesofdependablecapacitybasedonaverageannualevergyhaveresultedinare-sizingoftheDevilCanyonunitsto194mw,eachwithamaximumhydrauliccapacityofroughly6,200cfs.63969-7370 -81-41RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDEPARTMENTOFTHEARMYCRREL1L()~TheCorpsgenerallyconcurswiththeneedsforfurtherinvestiga-~tionsasitemizedunderparagraph2oftheCRRELletter.Allnecessaryadditionalengineeringandbiologicalstudieswillbeconductedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanning.103The4,400cfsrelatestothemaximumdischargepereach180mw(nameplate)unit,andinnowayentersintotheenergypotentialoftheriver.Theactualdependablecapacityofeachunitisroughly171mwbasedonthefirmannualenergyanda50percentplantfactor.Itmustberealizedthatonlyunderpeakloadre-quirementsorheavyreservoirinflowwouldall4turbinesbeoperatedsimultaneously.Forexample,ifall4turbineswereoperatedatfulloverloadcapacityforanentireyear(4X180mwX1.15=828mw),theenergyproducedwouldbe7.25billionkilowatthoursofenergy.ByapplyingtheDevilCanyonmaximumheadtothebasicpowerequation,theresultingaveragemonthlystreamflowrequiredtoproducethehypothetical7.25BKwhenergywouldbei-nexcessoftwicetheaveragemonthlystreamflowof9,200cfs.Subsequentestimatesofdependablecapacitybasedonaverageannualevergyhaveresultedinare-sizingoftheDevilCanyonunitsto194mw,eachwithamaximumhydrauliccapacityofroughly6,200cfs.63969-7370-81-41
U.S.EN V IRONM·eNTALPROTECTIONAGEN CYREGIONX1200SIXTHAVENUESEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101RE!'LYTOAnNOF:10FA-MIS623November13.1975104ColonelCharlesA~DebeliusDepartmentoftheAfmyAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage.Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:Wehavecompletedreviewofyourdraftenvironmentalimpactstatement."HydroelectricPowerDevelopment.SusitnaRiverBasin"andsubmitthefollowingcomments.Theincreasedriverturbidityduringthewintermonthscausedbyreleasesfromthereservoirisofparticularconcern.Thestatement,onpage46,says"preliminarystudiesbytheCorpsofEngineersindicatethatthesuspendedsedimentwouldbeatlowlevels_(15-35ppm)."Theselevelsofsuspendedsedimentaresufficientlyhightowarnofpotentialviolationsofwaterqualitystandards.TheseJointFederpl-StateWaterQualityStandards(18AAL'70.020)limitsuspendedsolidsbyprohibitingdepositswhichadverselyaffectfishandotheraquaticlifereproductionandhabitat.Thestandardslimitturbiditytolessthan5JacksonTurbidityUnits(JTU)abovebackground.WerecognizethehighnaturalsuspendedsolidsloadcarriedbytheSusitnaRiver.Duringthewinter,however,theSusitnacontainsrelativelyclearwater.Theabsolutevalueofthesolidslevelisnotasimportantasthechangeintimingofthehighersolidslevelfromsummertowinter.Themagnitudeofthischangeandpotentialstandardsviolationsshouldbediscussedinthefinalimpactstatement.IAnotherconcernwouldbepossiblealteredtemperaturesduetoreleasesfromthereservoir.Accordingto·thestatement.byusingmultipleleveldischargeoutlets.thetemperatureofthereleased.watercouldbemadetoapproximatenaturalconditions.Weareinterested640U.S.EN V IRONM·eNTALPROTECTIONAGEN CYREGIONX1200SIXTHAVENUESEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101RE!'LYTOAnNOF:10FA-MIS623November13.1975104ColonelCharlesA~DebeliusDepartmentoftheAfmyAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage.Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:Wehavecompletedreviewofyourdraftenvironmentalimpactstatement."HydroelectricPowerDevelopment.SusitnaRiverBasin"andsubmitthefollowingcomments.Theincreasedriverturbidityduringthewintermonthscausedbyreleasesfromthereservoirisofparticularconcern.Thestatement,onpage46,says"preliminarystudiesbytheCorpsofEngineersindicatethatthesuspendedsedimentwouldbeatlowlevels_(15-35ppm)."Theselevelsofsuspendedsedimentaresufficientlyhightowarnofpotentialviolationsofwaterqualitystandards.TheseJointFederpl-StateWaterQualityStandards(18AAL'70.020)limitsuspendedsolidsbyprohibitingdepositswhichadverselyaffectfishandotheraquaticlifereproductionandhabitat.Thestandardslimitturbiditytolessthan5JacksonTurbidityUnits(JTU)abovebackground.WerecognizethehighnaturalsuspendedsolidsloadcarriedbytheSusitnaRiver.Duringthewinter,however,theSusitnacontainsrelativelyclearwater.Theabsolutevalueofthesolidslevelisnotasimportantasthechangeintimingofthehighersolidslevelfromsummertowinter.Themagnitudeofthischangeandpotentialstandardsviolationsshouldbediscussedinthefinalimpactstatement.IAnotherconcernwouldbepossiblealteredtemperaturesduetoreleasesfromthereservoir.Accordingto·thestatement.byusingmultipleleveldischargeoutlets.thetemperatureofthereleased.watercouldbemadetoapproximatenaturalconditions.Weareinterested640
intheoperationaldetailsofthisprocedure.How:willnaturaltempera-turesbeestablishedoncetheprojectisinoperation?_Thediscussionofsupplyanddemandofelectricpoweronpages40and64impliesnolargeexcessofpowernotneededbytheprojectedpopulationincrease.Thatis,nolargeamountsofpower~wouldbe.availabletopromotelargescaleindustrialprojectswiththeirsecondaryenvironmentaleffects.Amorequantitativediscussionisneededtoshowtheapproximateequivalence'offuturedemandandsupplyofenergy.Under"Sedimentation"onpage62mentionismadeofdepositsofheaviersedimentsintheupperreachesoftheWatanareservoir.WouldthehigherdrawdownatWatanacombinedwithgradualbottomslopeandsedimentaccumulationformlargemudareasdevoidofvegetation?Wouldtheseareastendtoincreaseastheageoftheprojectincreased?Thesequestionsandpossibleremediesneedtobeaddressed.Additionalenvironmentalstudiesarepromisedwhencongress.ionalauthorizationfortheprojectisobtained.Becauseofthepresentinsufficiencyofinformationinsomeareas,thestatementisnotadequateforreviewpurposesatthistime.Consequently,weareclassifyingourcommentsonthisprojectasER-2(EnvironmentalReservations-InsufficientInformation).TheERratingisbasedonthepotentialviolationofWater_QualityStandards.Thisissuemustbeaddressedinthefinalsta~eent.TheInsufficientInformationratingisbasedontheanticipatedruturestudies.ThisclassificationoftheEnviron-mentalProtectionAgency'scommentswillbepublishedintheFederalRegisterinaccordancewithourresponsibilitytoinformthepublicofourviewsonproposedFederalactions.Ourratingoftheprojectrelatessolelytoitswaterqualityaspectsanddoesnotindicateeitherouroppositionorsupport.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency'sresponsibilityistomakecertainthatadverseimpactswithinourareaofexpertiseareclearlydocumented.Thankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthisdraftenvironmentalimpactstatement.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsconcerning-ourcommentsorcategorizationprocedures.pleaseletusknow.Sincerelyyours.ULulLvJ)---J(.~-2('-<'VJ-.JWa~terD.JaspersDirectorOfficeofFederalAffairs641110506108intheoperationaldetailsofthisprocedure.How:willnaturaltempera-turesbeestablishedoncetheprojectisinoperation?_Thediscussionofsupplyanddemandofelectricpoweronpages40and64impliesnolargeexcessofpowernotneededbytheprojectedpopulationincrease.Thatis,nolargeamountsofpower~wouldbe.availabletopromotelargescaleindustrialprojectswiththeirsecondaryenvironmentaleffects.Amorequantitativediscussionisneededtoshowtheapproximateequivalence'offuturedemandandsupplyofenergy.Under"Sedimentation"onpage62mentionismadeofdepositsofheaviersedimentsintheupperreachesoftheWatanareservoir.WouldthehigherdrawdownatWatanacombinedwithgradualbottomslopeandsedimentaccumulationformlargemudareasdevoidofvegetation?Wouldtheseareastendtoincreaseastheageoftheprojectincreased?Thesequestionsandpossibleremediesneedtobeaddressed.Additionalenvironmentalstudiesarepromisedwhencongress.ionalauthorizationfortheprojectisobtained.Becauseofthepresentinsufficiencyofinformationinsomeareas,thestatementisnotadequateforreviewpurposesatthistime.Consequently,weareclassifyingourcommentsonthisprojectasER-2(EnvironmentalReservations-InsufficientInformation).TheERratingisbasedonthepotentialviolationofWater_QualityStandards.Thisissuemustbeaddressedinthefinalsta~eent.TheInsufficientInformationratingisbasedontheanticipatedruturestudies.ThisclassificationoftheEnviron-mentalProtectionAgency'scommentswillbepublishedintheFederalRegisterinaccordancewithourresponsibilitytoinformthepublicofourviewsonproposedFederalactions.Ourratingoftheprojectrelatessolelytoitswaterqualityaspectsanddoesnotindicateeitherouroppositionorsupport.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency'sresponsibilityistomakecertainthatadverseimpactswithinourareaofexpertiseareclearlydocumented.Thankyoufortheopportunitytocommentonthisdraftenvironmentalimpactstatement.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsconcerning-ourcommentsorcategorizationprocedures.pleaseletusknow.Sincerelyyours.ULulLvJ)---J(.~-2('-<'VJ-.JWa~terD.JaspersDirectorOfficeofFederalAffairs641110506108
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYREGIONX104Duetothesedimentretentioncharacteristicsofthe.reservoirs,suspendedsedimentsdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyonDamwouldbesignificantlyreducedoverall.Thisreductionwouldbemostapparentduringthesummermonthswhenglacialmeltresults'inextremelyhighsedimentloads.This"presentlyoccursduringthesalmonspawningperiod,whensiltationandturbidityarelikelythemostcriticaltoaquaticlifereproductionand.habitat.TheEPAestimatedincreaseinturbidityduringthewintermonthsmaybehigh.Theseestimatesof15to35ppminthereleasesatDevilCanyonDamarebasedonmeasuredsuspendedsedimentconcentrationsbelowglacial-fednaturallakesinAlaska,includingriversflowingfromSkilak,Tustumena,Eklutna,andLongLakes.Theproposedprojectswillhavemultiple-leveldischargeoutletswhichwillpermitselectivewithdrawalofoutflowsfromarangeofreservoirelevations.AsstatedinSection4.01oftheEIS,sedimentsamplestakenbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameduringthewinterof1974-75intheSusitnaRiverbetweenGoldCreekandTalkeetnaindicatedarangeof4to228ppm.lu5Oneofthemajorreasons,alongwithcontrolofoxygencontent,forincorporationofmultiple-leveldischargeoutletsintothedamstructuresistoprovidefortemperatureregulationofwaterreleasedfromthereservoirs.Sincetherewillbethermalstratificationinthesedeeppoolsthroughouttheyear,watercanbereleasedfromvariousheights,orcombinationofheightsabovetheIIdeadllstoragespace,toprovideamixofwatersapproachingnaturalstreamflowtemperatures.106Seeresponsenumber255.lU7TheanswertobothquestionsislIyes.1IThesearephenomenacharac-teristicofanyreservoirreceiv,"ngheavysedimentloadsandhavingsignificantperiodicdrawdown.Mudflatswouldbecomemostextensiveinareasimmediatelyabovethelow-waterpool.Asthewaterlevelfallsfromthehighpoolelevation,muchofthesedimentaccumulatedwithintheinundatedstreambedwouldbeflusheddownintothereservoir.Landsimmediatelyabovethelowpoolelevationwouldbecomeinundatedtooearlyinthespringforplantgrowthtoestablish.However,thehigherelevationswithinthedrawdownareawouldprobablydevelopagrowthofannualgrassesandforbspriortobeinginundatedlateinthesummerorearlyfall.1(j8Conmentsnoted.642RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYREGIONX104Duetothesedimentretentioncharacteristicsofthe.reservoirs,suspendedsedimentsdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyonDamwouldbesignificantlyreducedoverall.Thisreductionwouldbemostapparentduringthesummermonthswhenglacialmeltresults'inextremelyhighsedimentloads.This"presentlyoccursduringthesalmonspawningperiod,whensiltationandturbidityarelikelythemostcriticaltoaquaticlifereproductionand.habitat.TheEPAestimatedincreaseinturbidityduringthewintermonthsmaybehigh.Theseestimatesof15to35ppminthereleasesatDevilCanyonDamarebasedonmeasuredsuspendedsedimentconcentrationsbelowglacial-fednaturallakesinAlaska,includingriversflowingfromSkilak,Tustumena,Eklutna,andLongLakes.Theproposedprojectswillhavemultiple-leveldischargeoutletswhichwillpermitselectivewithdrawalofoutflowsfromarangeofreservoirelevations.AsstatedinSection4.01oftheEIS,sedimentsamplestakenbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameduringthewinterof1974-75intheSusitnaRiverbetweenGoldCreekandTalkeetnaindicatedarangeof4to228ppm.lu5Oneofthemajorreasons,alongwithcontrolofoxygencontent,forincorporationofmultiple-leveldischargeoutletsintothedamstructuresistoprovidefortemperatureregulationofwaterreleasedfromthereservoirs.Sincetherewillbethermalstratificationinthesedeeppoolsthroughouttheyear,watercanbereleasedfromvariousheights,orcombinationofheightsabovetheIIdeadllstoragespace,toprovideamixofwatersapproachingnaturalstreamflowtemperatures.106Seeresponsenumber255.lU7TheanswertobothquestionsislIyes.1IThesearephenomenacharac-teristicofanyreservoirreceiv,"ngheavysedimentloadsandhavingsignificantperiodicdrawdown.Mudflatswouldbecomemostextensiveinareasimmediatelyabovethelow-waterpool.Asthewaterlevelfallsfromthehighpoolelevation,muchofthesedimentaccumulatedwithintheinundatedstreambedwouldbeflusheddownintothereservoir.Landsimmediatelyabovethelowpoolelevationwouldbecomeinundatedtooearlyinthespringforplantgrowthtoestablish.However,thehigherelevationswithinthedrawdownareawouldprobablydevelopagrowthofannualgrassesandforbspriortobeinginundatedlateinthesummerorearlyfall.1(j8Conmentsnoted.642
FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSiONREGIONALOFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CALIF.94111December4,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofBngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedyourDraft~:nvironmentalImpactstatementontheHydroelectricDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,datedSeptember1975.ThesecommentsoftheSanFranciscoRegionalOfficeoftheFederalPowerCommission'sBureauofPoweraremadeinaccordancewiththeNationalEnviromnentalPolicyActof1969,andtheAugust1,1973,GuidelinesoftheCouncilonr:nvironmentalQuality.OurcommentsareprimarilydirectedtowardtheneedforpowerthatwouldbeproducedbytheUpperSusitnaDevelopment,thealternativepowersources,andthefuelsituationsrelativetonon-hydroelectricpoweralternatives.TherecommendedplanistoconstructdamsandpowerplantsattheWatanaandDevilCanyonsitesandelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters.TheproposedplanfortheWatanasitewouldincludetheconstructionofan8l0-foothighearthfilldamandpowerplantwhichwouldcontainthreeFrancisturbineswithanameplatecapacityof250MWeach.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.1billionkWh.DevelopmentoftheDevilcanyonsitewouldincludea635-foothighthin-archdamandpowerplantwithfourFrancisturbines,each.ratedat180MW.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.0billionkWhwithregulatedstreamflowfromWatanastorage.TheelectricalpowergeneratedwouldbetransmittedtotheFairbanks-TananaValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaipeninsUJ.aareas.Therecommendeddevelopmentisshowntobeeconomicallyfeasible.643FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSiONREGIONALOFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CALIF.94111December4,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofBngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedyourDraft~:nvironmentalImpactstatementontheHydroelectricDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,datedSeptember1975.ThesecommentsoftheSanFranciscoRegionalOfficeoftheFederalPowerCommission'sBureauofPoweraremadeinaccordancewiththeNationalEnviromnentalPolicyActof1969,andtheAugust1,1973,GuidelinesoftheCouncilonr:nvironmentalQuality.OurcommentsareprimarilydirectedtowardtheneedforpowerthatwouldbeproducedbytheUpperSusitnaDevelopment,thealternativepowersources,andthefuelsituationsrelativetonon-hydroelectricpoweralternatives.TherecommendedplanistoconstructdamsandpowerplantsattheWatanaandDevilCanyonsitesandelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters.TheproposedplanfortheWatanasitewouldincludetheconstructionofan8l0-foothighearthfilldamandpowerplantwhichwouldcontainthreeFrancisturbineswithanameplatecapacityof250MWeach.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.1billionkWh.DevelopmentoftheDevilcanyonsitewouldincludea635-foothighthin-archdamandpowerplantwithfourFrancisturbines,each.ratedat180MW.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.0billionkWhwithregulatedstreamflowfromWatanastorage.TheelectricalpowergeneratedwouldbetransmittedtotheFairbanks-TananaValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaipeninsUJ.aareas.Therecommendeddevelopmentisshowntobeeconomicallyfeasible.643
(1)'{heNeedrorPowerWeagreewithandendorsethesubjectreport'sassertioninSection2.04thatsubstantial8,1IW;)untsofnewgeneratingcapacitywillbeneededtomeetfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.RecentstudiesoftheSouthcentralandYukonregion(whichincludestheSouthcentralRail-beltasitsmaincomponent),asdefinedinthe1974A1askaPowerSurveyReportoftheExecutiveAdvisoryCommittee,indicatethatrapidratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementswillcontinueatleastforthebalanceofthe1970's,refieetingeconomicactivityassociatedwithNorthSlopeoildevelopment8.l1dexp8.l1sionofcommercialandpublicservices.Estimatesbeyon~1980reflectarangeofassumptionsastotheextentoffutureresourcesuseandindustrialandpopulationgrowth.Allindicationsarethatacceleratedgrowthwillcontinuethroughtheyear2000,witheconomicactivitygeneratedbyNorthSlopeoil-andnaturalgasdevelopmentbeingamajorfactor-butonlyoneofseveralimportantfactors.ItisgenerallyconsideredthattheSouthcentral-Yukonregionalpopulationwillcontinuetogrowatafasterratethanthenationalandstateaverages,thatfutureadditionalenergysystemsandotherpotentialmineraldevelopmentswillhaveamajoreffect,andthattherewillbenotableexpansionintransportationsystems.Signi-fic8.l1teconomicadvancesforallofAlaskaandespeciallyfortheAlaskaNativepeopleshouldbeanticipatedasaresultoftheA1askaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.Otherinfiuencingfactorscouldbecited,butthegeneraloutlookisforfurtherrapidexpansionofenergyandpowerrequirementsintheSouthcentral-Yukonarea.ArangeofestimatesforfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentraJ.andYukonregionsispresentedinthe1974ReportoftheAlaska.PowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Therangeofestimatesattemptstobalanceall\Yl"iadofcontrollingfactorsincludingcosts,conservationtechnologies,availableenergysources,typesofAlaskandevelopment,etcetera.Thehighergrowthrange8.l1ticipatessignificantnewenergyandmineralde~lopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmorepromising.Thelowergrowthr8J\/$egenerallyassumesanunqualifiedslackeningofthepaceofdevelopment",ollowingcompletionofthe~eskapipelineand,inouropinion,isnotconsideredrealistic.']he-mid-rangegrowthrateappearstobeareasonableestimatewhichweadoptasmostrepre-sentativebasedonrecentmanifestationsandourassessmentoffuturecondi-tions.ItshouldbenotedthatthereareseveralresponsibleadvisorycommitteememberswhofeelthatrecentaccelerationOfmineralrawmaterialshortagesofallkindsindicatesapossibilitythat~nthehighrangeestimatescouldbeexceeded.Table1,whichisaco~nsedextract-ofinformationcontainedintheaforementionedadvisoryco~tteereport,summarizesloadestimates"fortheSouthcentralandYukonRe~ns.Indicatedloadincrementsbydecadeareas·follm·TS:644(1)'{heNeedrorPowerWeagreewithandendorsethesubjectreport'sassertioninSection2.04thatsubstantial8,1IW;)untsofnewgeneratingcapacitywillbeneededtomeetfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.RecentstudiesoftheSouthcentralandYukonregion(whichincludestheSouthcentralRail-beltasitsmaincomponent),asdefinedinthe1974A1askaPowerSurveyReportoftheExecutiveAdvisoryCommittee,indicatethatrapidratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementswillcontinueatleastforthebalanceofthe1970's,refieetingeconomicactivityassociatedwithNorthSlopeoildevelopment8.l1dexp8.l1sionofcommercialandpublicservices.Estimatesbeyon~1980reflectarangeofassumptionsastotheextentoffutureresourcesuseandindustrialandpopulationgrowth.Allindicationsarethatacceleratedgrowthwillcontinuethroughtheyear2000,witheconomicactivitygeneratedbyNorthSlopeoil-andnaturalgasdevelopmentbeingamajorfactor-butonlyoneofseveralimportantfactors.ItisgenerallyconsideredthattheSouthcentral-Yukonregionalpopulationwillcontinuetogrowatafasterratethanthenationalandstateaverages,thatfutureadditionalenergysystemsandotherpotentialmineraldevelopmentswillhaveamajoreffect,andthattherewillbenotableexpansionintransportationsystems.Signi-fic8.l1teconomicadvancesforallofAlaskaandespeciallyfortheAlaskaNativepeopleshouldbeanticipatedasaresultoftheA1askaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.Otherinfiuencingfactorscouldbecited,butthegeneraloutlookisforfurtherrapidexpansionofenergyandpowerrequirementsintheSouthcentral-Yukonarea.ArangeofestimatesforfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentraJ.andYukonregionsispresentedinthe1974ReportoftheAlaska.PowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Therangeofestimatesattemptstobalanceall\Yl"iadofcontrollingfactorsincludingcosts,conservationtechnologies,availableenergysources,typesofAlaskandevelopment,etcetera.Thehighergrowthrange8.l1ticipatessignificantnewenergyandmineralde~lopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmorepromising.Thelowergrowthr8J\/$egenerallyassumesanunqualifiedslackeningofthepaceofdevelopment",ollowingcompletionofthe~eskapipelineand,inouropinion,isnotconsideredrealistic.']he-mid-rangegrowthrateappearstobeareasonableestimatewhichweadoptasmostrepre-sentativebasedonrecentmanifestationsandourassessmentoffuturecondi-tions.ItshouldbenotedthatthereareseveralresponsibleadvisorycommitteememberswhofeelthatrecentaccelerationOfmineralrawmaterialshortagesofallkindsindicatesapossibilitythat~nthehighrangeestimatescouldbeexceeded.Table1,whichisaco~nsedextract-ofinformationcontainedintheaforementionedadvisoryco~tteereport,summarizesloadestimates"fortheSouthcentralandYukonRe~ns.Indicatedloadincrementsbydecadeareas·follm·TS:644
Incrementsof'Southcentral-YukonPowerRequirements1972-19£\0?ea..":A..'1I1ual]ernandi'l1.ergyM-lGWh19rI0-1990Pea';Annual·DemandEnergyM-lGWh19<)()-2000l'e-aK-~\lUl\l:\lDemandEnergyMVGWh1972-2000:~:\\\'--Xlil"l~~IDemandEnergyMVGWhHigherf!.:stimateMid-Range88846233093446028no9304570280013070195010240814845803351817903Accordingtothesubjectreport,atotalof6100GWhoffirmannualenergywouldbeproducedbythecombinedDevilcanyon-Watanasystemwhichwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof1470MV.Althoughthereportdoesnotindicateproposedconnnercialoperationdates,basedoninformationinourfilestheprojectwouldbestagedandtheinitialDevilCanyoninstallation(3000GWhand720M-l)couldbecomeoperablein1985andtheultimateinstalla-tionin1990.UnderthistimetableitisapparentthatthereisaneedforpowerintheSouthcentral-YukonRegionby1985and1990intheorderofmag-nitudeofatleastasmuchastheproposedsubjectdevelopment.'Iherefore,operationoftheproposedprojectwouldhelpmeetthepowerneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltareaby1985andbeyond.(2)AlternativePowerSourcesandFuelSituationOurrecentestimateofpowervaluesfortheDevilca.nyon-Watanaprojectindicatesthatthemosteconomicalalternativetotheproject'soutputWOuldbepowerfromacombinedcyclegeneratingplantusingnaturalgasasanoperat-ingfuel.Weacknowledgethesubjectreport'spremisethattherearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseofnaturalgasasanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.Duetochangesinrequirements,otherFederaland/orSta1jeagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnaturalgasandoilforelectricpowerproductionthroughoutAlaska.Recognizingtheundertaintyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasandoilafter1985fornewgenerat-ingcapacity,thepossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwidepressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelforthermal-electricplantstobeconstructedinthemid-1980'sandbeyond.Essentially,weagreewiththediscussionofalternativesourcesofpowerinparagraphs6.02.1·-6.02.10ofthesubjectreport.645Incrementsof'Southcentral-YukonPowerRequirements1972-19£\0?ea..":A..'1I1ual]ernandi'l1.ergyM-lGWh19rI0-1990Pea';Annual·DemandEnergyM-lGWh19<)()-2000l'e-aK-~\lUl\l:\lDemandEnergyMVGWh1972-2000:~:\\\'--Xlil"l~~IDemandEnergyMVGWhHigherf!.:stimateMid-Range88846233093446028no9304570280013070195010240814845803351817903Accordingtothesubjectreport,atotalof6100GWhoffirmannualenergywouldbeproducedbythecombinedDevilcanyon-Watanasystemwhichwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof1470MV.Althoughthereportdoesnotindicateproposedconnnercialoperationdates,basedoninformationinourfilestheprojectwouldbestagedandtheinitialDevilCanyoninstallation(3000GWhand720M-l)couldbecomeoperablein1985andtheultimateinstalla-tionin1990.UnderthistimetableitisapparentthatthereisaneedforpowerintheSouthcentral-YukonRegionby1985and1990intheorderofmag-nitudeofatleastasmuchastheproposedsubjectdevelopment.'Iherefore,operationoftheproposedprojectwouldhelpmeetthepowerneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltareaby1985andbeyond.(2)AlternativePowerSourcesandFuelSituationOurrecentestimateofpowervaluesfortheDevilca.nyon-Watanaprojectindicatesthatthemosteconomicalalternativetotheproject'soutputWOuldbepowerfromacombinedcyclegeneratingplantusingnaturalgasasanoperat-ingfuel.Weacknowledgethesubjectreport'spremisethattherearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseofnaturalgasasanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.Duetochangesinrequirements,otherFederaland/orSta1jeagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnaturalgasandoilforelectricpowerproductionthroughoutAlaska.Recognizingtheundertaintyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasandoilafter1985fornewgenerat-ingcapacity,thepossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwidepressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelforthermal-electricplantstobeconstructedinthemid-1980'sandbeyond.Essentially,weagreewiththediscussionofalternativesourcesofpowerinparagraphs6.02.1·-6.02.10ofthesubjectreport.645
(3)otherAlternativestotheProposedActionTheCorpsI;)1':1Sdiscussesseveralpotentialalternativel)JdroelectrlLdevelopmentswithintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea.Allofthesealternativeseitherhaveagreateradverseenvironmentalimpactthantheproposedplan,orarenotconsideredfeasibleatthepresenttime.Verytrulyyours,!f~.f,/J//~...c.W(Deputy)M.THOMAS(Acting)RegionalEngineerAttachment(Table1)646(3)otherAlternativestotheProposedActionTheCorpsI;)1':1Sdiscussesseveralpotentialalternativel)JdroelectrlLdevelopmentswithintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea.Allofthesealternativeseitherhaveagreateradverseenvironmentalimpactthantheproposedplan,orarenotconsideredfeasibleatthepresenttime.Verytrulyyours,!f~.f,/J//~...c.W(Deputy)M.THOMAS(Acting)RegionalEngineerAttachment(Table1)646
TA'OLE 1
Totnl Power Requirements
SOllthcentra 1 and Yukon Reg;cns ]j-
Estimated·Future Requirements
..
Region
Actual Reguirerr.ents
'.19.12
Pear':-Annual
Demand'Energy
tiM .,G'vlh-----
1980
Peak Annual
Demand Energy
~'iH G\'!h-
'990
Peak Annual
Demand Energy
1\1\~GHh-
2000
Peak Annl1a 1
Demand Eney-;y
"'1\.1 ~I,rh1'1"'1 Ud,1-
0-
.Ilo
"Scuthcentra 1
Yukon (Interi or)
Total
317 1 4,65
l.lL 542
432 2 007
Higher Rate of Growth
990 5 020 5 020 30 760 7 190 40 810
330 1 610 ..160 3 980 1 390 7 oeo
1 320 6 630.5780 34 740'8'580 47 810
Like lY Mi d_-Rallg_~__G,r 0\',1 to_Ra te
Southcentral
Yukon (Interior)
Total
790 3 790
280 1310-..-,,..;.--.,;.
1 070 5 100
·1 530 7 400
470 2 270
2 000 9 670
.,.
3 040 15 30J
.--
910 ,4 610-
3 950 19 910
1/As defined in the 1974 Alaska Power Survey-.
TA'OLE 1
Totc)1 Po\'/Cr Rcqui rcmcn ts
SOllthcentra 1 and Yukon Reg;cns JJ
..
Region
0-
.Ilo
"Scuthcentra 1
Yukon (Interi or)
Total
Southcentral
Yukon (Interior)
Tota 1
Actua 1 Regui rerr.ents,
'.1972
Peak·:Annual'
Demand'Energy
t,M '.,G'vlh-----
317 1 4,65
115 542
432 2 007
Estimated·Future Requirements
1980 '990 2000
Peak Annual Peak Annual Peak Annual
Demand Energy Demand Energy Demand EneY';Y
~'iH G\'!h 1\1\~GHh ~lH G\'Ih
Higher Rate of Growth
990 5 020 5 020 30 760 7 190 40 810
330 1 610 760 3 980 1 390 7 ceo,320 6 630,5780 34 740'8·580 47 810
Like1yMid-Range Growth Rate
790 3 790 .,530 7 400 3 040 1"~f\1"\:;)"'..:,;
.--
280 1310 470 2 270 910 ·4 610,
1 070 5 100 2 000 9 670 3 950 19 910
".,'
1/As defined in the 1974 Alaska PO\'/erSurvey
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYFEDE~ALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONALOFFICEJl(;~StatementsandcommentsfromtheFederalPowerComntissionarenoted,includingthegeneralagreementonpowerneedsandalternatives.648RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYFEDE~ALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONALOFFICEJl(;~StatementsandcommentsfromtheFederalPowerComntissionarenoted,includingthegeneralagreementonpowerneedsandalternatives.648
STATECOMMENTSANDRESPONSESStateofAlaskaStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofCommerceandEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentofFishand_GameDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDepartmentofPublicWorks649Comments110-111112-125126-128129-160161162-169STATECOMMENTSANDRESPONSESStateofAlaskaStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofCommerceandEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentofFishand_GameDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDepartmentofPublicWorks649Comments110-111112-125126-128129-160161162-169
STATE"L1crDEVELOPMENTAND'LANNINGJAYS.HAMMOND,GOVERNORPOUCHAD-JUNEAU!/SIllPHONE485-3512November10,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusCorpsofEngineersDistric~EngineersDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Subject:Southcentra1Rai1be1tHydroelectricProjectStateI.D.No.75091103..DearColonelDebe1ius:TheAlaskaStateClearinghousehascompletedreviewonthesubjectproject.Thefollowingagencieswereinvitedtoreviewandcomment:StateofAlaskaDepartmentof·Community&RegionalAffairsOfficeofPlanning&Research(H&SS)DeparbnentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageFairbanksDepartmentofHighways.DepartmentofLawDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDivisionofLandsDivisionofParksDepartmentofPublicWorksDepartmentofCommerce&EconomicDevelopmentAlaskaEnergyOfficeDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentFiveoftheaboveagenciesrespondedandtheircommentsareattached..ITheStatedoesnotobjecttothisprojectatthistime,however~ourfinal110positioncannotbedetermineduntilamorecomprehensivereviewoTthisprojecthas"beencompletedbytheState.650STATE"L1crDEVELOPMENTAND'LANNINGJAYS.HAMMOND,GOVERNORPOUCHAD-JUNEAU!/SIllPHONE485-3512November10,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusCorpsofEngineersDistric~EngineersDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Subject:Southcentra1Rai1be1tHydroelectricProjectStateI.D.No.75091103..DearColonelDebe1ius:TheAlaskaStateClearinghousehascompletedreviewonthesubjectproject.Thefollowingagencieswereinvitedtoreviewandcomment:StateofAlaskaDepartmentof·Community&RegionalAffairsOfficeofPlanning&Research(H&SS)DeparbnentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageFairbanksDepartmentofHighways.DepartmentofLawDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDivisionofLandsDivisionofParksDepartmentofPublicWorksDepartmentofCommerce&EconomicDevelopmentAlaskaEnergyOfficeDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentFiveoftheaboveagenciesrespondedandtheircommentsareattached..ITheStatedoesnotobjecttothisprojectatthistime,however~ourfinal110positioncannotbedetermineduntilamorecomprehensivereviewoTthisprojecthas"beencompletedbytheState.650
ItisobviolJ'ifrPll,!IH'rr",p()II~()5rl":I·ivl'(lin!.hisofficethatagreatdealofadditionalstudieswillhavetobeduneberorethereiJllllipilctcanbedetermined.TheGovernorhascreatedamulti-agencyStateTaskForcetoconductathoroughassessmentoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectric.powerdevelopmentproposals.ThisgroupwillmakerecommendationstotheGovernoronanumberofcriticalaspectsoftheproposal,includingananalysisofdemandprojections,alternateenergysources,growthimpacts,andenvironmentaleffects.TheCorpsshouldconsiderthisTaskForceasitsbasiccontactwiththeStateonthisproject••TheClearinghousefindsthisprojecttobeconsistentwithStatelong-range'planninggoalsandobjectives.Therefore,thisletterwillsatisfythereviewrequirementsoftheOfficeofManagementandBudgetCircularA-95.Sincerely,~~~~State~FederalCoordinatorAttachmentcc:CommissionerLanghorneMotley651111ItisobviolJ'ifrPll,!IH'rr",p()II~()5rl":I·ivl'(lin!.hisofficethatagreatdealofadditionalstudieswillhavetobeduneberorethereiJllllipilctcanbedetermined.TheGovernorhascreatedamulti-agencyStateTaskForcetoconductathoroughassessmentoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectric.powerdevelopmentproposals.ThisgroupwillmakerecommendationstotheGovernoronanumberofcriticalaspectsoftheproposal,includingananalysisofdemandprojections,alternateenergysources,growthimpacts,andenvironmentaleffects.TheCorpsshouldconsiderthisTaskForceasitsbasiccontactwiththeStateonthisproject••TheClearinghousefindsthisprojecttobeconsistentwithStatelong-range'planninggoalsandobjectives.Therefore,thisletterwillsatisfythereviewrequirementsoftheOfficeofManagementandBudgetCircularA-95.Sincerely,~~~~State~FederalCoordinatorAttachmentcc:CommissionerLanghorneMotley651111
110111RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFSTATEOFALASKASTATECOVERLETTERSubsequenttoreceiptoftheAlaskaStateClearingHouseletterof10November1975,theCorpsmetwiththeGovernor"smulti-agencyStateTaskForceon12December1975.ThisgroupwasestablishedtoconductathoroughassessmentoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentproposal,andtomakerecommend-ationstotheGovernoronanumberofcriticalaspectsoftheproject.·Thepurposeofthisinitialmeeting,whichwasconsideredveryfruitfulbyTaskForcemembers,wastoprovideamorecomp-rehensivereviewoftheproject.SubsequentcoordinationwillbeconductedwiththeTaskForcetoprovidethemwithadditionalinformationonwhichtobasetheirrecommendations.Detailedstudieswillbeconductedinthefuturetoevaluate,indepth,theimpactoftheprojectbeforerecommendingfundingofconstructionshouldtheadditionalstudiesindicate~heprojectisstillviable.652110111RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFSTATEOFALASKASTATECOVERLETTERSubsequenttoreceiptoftheAlaskaStateClearingHouseletterof10November1975,theCorpsmetwiththeGovernor"smulti-agencyStateTaskForceon12December1975.ThisgroupwasestablishedtoconductathoroughassessmentoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentproposal,andtomakerecommend-ationstotheGovernoronanumberofcriticalaspectsoftheproject.·Thepurposeofthisinitialmeeting,whichwasconsideredveryfruitfulbyTaskForcemembers,wastoprovideamorecomp-rehensivereviewoftheproject.SubsequentcoordinationwillbeconductedwiththeTaskForcetoprovidethemwithadditionalinformationonwhichtobasetheirrecommendations.Detailedstudieswillbeconductedinthefuturetoevaluate,indepth,theimpactoftheprojectbeforerecommendingfundingofconstructionshouldtheadditionalstudiesindicate~heprojectisstillviable.652
MEMORANDUM.'..~StateofAlaska"\r',-.~.:.,I,.~;·01•r('J','.,::./':i~,d:1.,.~!.,.~..1....DATE:November3,1975'-",!'"".:"',i:O/Lt.V"~(~!j't..~;)~i¢.I~~:..r,.......':·..·i'.1{;~"."'r!DraftEIS--HydroelectricPower'Development,UpperSusitnaRiverFILENO:RaymondW,EstessState-FederalCoordinatorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningOf.ficeoftheG~TELEPHONENO:ErnstW,~1uelle~il...tA~a.e..SUBJECT:CommissionerDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationTO:FROM:TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationisawarethattheproposedactivityisalegislativeaction.However,iftheCongressdoesauthorizethecons'tructionofthisprojectastheCorpsofEngineersisrequesting,theCorpsmustinitiatedetailedstudiesculminatingintheformulationofacomprehensiveenvironmentalimpactstatementontheproposedhydroelectricpowerproject.Ratherthan.~~mplycommentingonthedraftEIS,itisessentialthatthisDepartmentandother'interestedStateandFederalagenciespartici-12pateinallstagesoftheplanning,research,andconstructionreviewphasesofthisactivity.Toimplementthisproposal,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationproposesthatajointFederal-Statetaskforcebeformedandmeetonaregularbasistoreview,comment,JandadvisetheCorpsontheenvironmentalimplicationsofeachphaseoftheproposedhydroelectricpowerprojectintheUpperSusitnaBasin.Membersofthistaskforceshouldincluderepre-sentativesfromtheGovernor'sEnergyOffice,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,theDepartmentofFishandGame,theDepartmentofNaturalResources,theUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService,theNationalMarine13FisheriesService,theBureauofLandManagement,andtheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Byutilizingsuchaninterdisciplinaryplanningteam,theenvironmental,~social,economic,.andengineeringaspectsofthisprojectcanbefully14analyzedandresearched,andappropriatemitigatingmeasurestaken.ThefollowingareourcommentsonthedraftEIS:Thefigureof35~salmon~rymortalityinturbines(p.51,EIS)shoulqbefootnotedandreferencedastherearealargenumberofvariablesthatmayaffectthisfigure.Inadditiontofishm9rtalityinturbines,thereareseveralotherproject-associatedconditionslistedwhich,ifconsideredcollectively,mightrepresentpotentialforsignificantimpacttoresidentandanadromousfish,Theyareasfollows:a.Theunspecifiedeffectsofcoolersummerandwinter·watertemperaturesonanadromou~andresidentfish(p.67oftheFeasibilityStudy).b.TheeffectsonmigratingfishcausedbythereductionofnaturalriverflowsduringlateJuneandearlyJuly(p.69).653MEMORANDUM.'..~StateofAlaska"\r',-.~.:.,I,.~;·01•r('J','.,::./':i~,d:1.,.~!.,.~..1....DATE:November3,1975'-",!'"".:"',i:O/Lt.V"~(~!j't..~;)~i¢.I~~:..r,.......':·..·i'.1{;~"."'r!DraftEIS--HydroelectricPower'Development,UpperSusitnaRiverFILENO:RaymondW,EstessState-FederalCoordinatorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningOf.ficeoftheG~TELEPHONENO:ErnstW,~1uelle~il...tA~a.e..SUBJECT:CommissionerDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationTO:FROM:TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationisawarethattheproposedactivityisalegislativeaction.However,iftheCongressdoesauthorizethecons'tructionofthisprojectastheCorpsofEngineersisrequesting,theCorpsmustinitiatedetailedstudiesculminatingintheformulationofacomprehensiveenvironmentalimpactstatementontheproposedhydroelectricpowerproject.Ratherthan.~~mplycommentingonthedraftEIS,itisessentialthatthisDepartmentandother'interestedStateandFederalagenciespartici-12pateinallstagesoftheplanning,research,andconstructionreviewphasesofthisactivity.Toimplementthisproposal,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationproposesthatajointFederal-Statetaskforcebeformedandmeetonaregularbasistoreview,comment,JandadvisetheCorpsontheenvironmentalimplicationsofeachphaseoftheproposedhydroelectricpowerprojectintheUpperSusitnaBasin.Membersofthistaskforceshouldincluderepre-sentativesfromtheGovernor'sEnergyOffice,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,theDepartmentofFishandGame,theDepartmentofNaturalResources,theUnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService,theNationalMarine13FisheriesService,theBureauofLandManagement,andtheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Byutilizingsuchaninterdisciplinaryplanningteam,theenvironmental,~social,economic,.andengineeringaspectsofthisprojectcanbefully14analyzedandresearched,andappropriatemitigatingmeasurestaken.ThefollowingareourcommentsonthedraftEIS:Thefigureof35~salmon~rymortalityinturbines(p.51,EIS)shoulqbefootnotedandreferencedastherearealargenumberofvariablesthatmayaffectthisfigure.Inadditiontofishm9rtalityinturbines,thereareseveralotherproject-associatedconditionslistedwhich,ifconsideredcollectively,mightrepresentpotentialforsignificantimpacttoresidentandanadromousfish,Theyareasfollows:a.Theunspecifiedeffectsofcoolersummerandwinter·watertemperaturesonanadromou~andresidentfish(p.67oftheFeasibilityStudy).b.TheeffectsonmigratingfishcausedbythereductionofnaturalriverflowsduringlateJuneandearlyJuly(p.69).653
c.'Eff~ctsofthespillingofwateroverDevil'sCanyonDam(pp.66-67).L15d.Thepossibilitythatreductioninflow,turbidity,andtemperaturebelowDevil'sCanyonDammightcausedisorientationofmigratingsalmonduringan"initialperiod"duringandafterconstruction(p.70).11611'1e.Thefeasibilityofpassingmigratingfishoverandthroughthehighdams(p.72).Onpage75oftheFeasibilityStudy,thereisthepossibility,howeversmall,thattransmissionlinesmightimpedemigratingbiggamethroughitsinherentcharacteristics,suchasconstantnoise(linehum)and"smell"(ozone).Anyin-depthstudiesofimpactsresultingfromthisproject'stransmissionlineroutings,includingalternateroutes,shouldbereferenced.Inadditiontodirectimpactssucha~onscenic-visualqualityandarcheologicalsites,suchstudiesshoulddealwithindirectimpactssuchasnewresidences,forexample,thenewcapitalsiteandindustriesthatotherwisecouldnotlocateintheregionwithouttheavailablepower.Thefigurecitedforfrequenc(ofspillingexcesswaterattheDevil'sCanyonDamonpage46(onceevery10years,three-dayduration)canalsobecon-tested.Themagnitudeofthenitrogensuper-saturatedwaterproblemontheColumbiaRiversuggeststhatresidentandanadromousfishescouldbeadverselyaffectedonamuchmorefrequentbasis.Thereducedflowvelocitydownstreamfromthedamwillmorethanlikelyallowpassageoffishupstreamintopre-vio~slyinaccessibleareasadjacenttothedam,sUbjectingthemtotheproblemscitedabove.Precautionstakentomitigatetheseproblemsareno~statedandonehastoassumethatfew,ifany,measureswillbetakenindamconstructiontoaccommodatetheseconcerns.Inreferencetopage58,casepredominatelywhiteimportantavianspecies.EIS,theclimaxornearclimaxvegetation,inthisspruce,isalsopreferrednestingforanumberof119Onemajorpotentialadverseimpactnotmentioned(p.67,EIS)isfailureofthedamstructure.Withregardtothis,moredetailisneededonthehighpotentialintheregionforsevereseismicactivity.What,inadditiontoseismicshocks,arethechancesforlandslidesgeneratingsurgesofdis-placedwater,faultdisplacement,andotherresponsestoseismicactivityC'xCfJedinqstructurallimits?Theeffectofinundatedareasofseismicactivityisonlynowbeingunderstood,andmustbefullyaddressedintheEIS.Attentionshouldalsobegiventoanylandslidepotentialrosultinqfrontinundationandsubsequentsaturationand/orerosionof!;lopes:Thisisparticularlytruewhetepermafrostexists.Littleisknownandle~sisunderstoodaboutthebehaviorofpermafrostaroundandunderaninundatedarea,butonecertaintyisthatitwillthawunderwaterandwhereexposedatshoreline.Thiscouldleadtomasswastingonevenmoderateslopes,creatinganunstableconditionthatcouldthenmigrateuphill.Adetailed654c.'Eff~ctsofthespillingofwateroverDevil'sCanyonDam(pp.66-67).L15d.Thepossibilitythatreductioninflow,turbidity,andtemperaturebelowDevil'sCanyonDammightcausedisorientationofmigratingsalmonduringan"initialperiod"duringandafterconstruction(p.70).11611'1e.Thefeasibilityofpassingmigratingfishoverandthroughthehighdams(p.72).Onpage75oftheFeasibilityStudy,thereisthepossibility,howeversmall,thattransmissionlinesmightimpedemigratingbiggamethroughitsinherentcharacteristics,suchasconstantnoise(linehum)and"smell"(ozone).Anyin-depthstudiesofimpactsresultingfromthisproject'stransmissionlineroutings,includingalternateroutes,shouldbereferenced.Inadditiontodirectimpactssucha~onscenic-visualqualityandarcheologicalsites,suchstudiesshoulddealwithindirectimpactssuchasnewresidences,forexample,thenewcapitalsiteandindustriesthatotherwisecouldnotlocateintheregionwithouttheavailablepower.Thefigurecitedforfrequenc(ofspillingexcesswaterattheDevil'sCanyonDamonpage46(onceevery10years,three-dayduration)canalsobecon-tested.Themagnitudeofthenitrogensuper-saturatedwaterproblemontheColumbiaRiversuggeststhatresidentandanadromousfishescouldbeadverselyaffectedonamuchmorefrequentbasis.Thereducedflowvelocitydownstreamfromthedamwillmorethanlikelyallowpassageoffishupstreamintopre-vio~slyinaccessibleareasadjacenttothedam,sUbjectingthemtotheproblemscitedabove.Precautionstakentomitigatetheseproblemsareno~statedandonehastoassumethatfew,ifany,measureswillbetakenindamconstructiontoaccommodatetheseconcerns.Inreferencetopage58,casepredominatelywhiteimportantavianspecies.EIS,theclimaxornearclimaxvegetation,inthisspruce,isalsopreferrednestingforanumberof119Onemajorpotentialadverseimpactnotmentioned(p.67,EIS)isfailureofthedamstructure.Withregardtothis,moredetailisneededonthehighpotentialintheregionforsevereseismicactivity.What,inadditiontoseismicshocks,arethechancesforlandslidesgeneratingsurgesofdis-placedwater,faultdisplacement,andotherresponsestoseismicactivityC'xCfJedinqstructurallimits?Theeffectofinundatedareasofseismicactivityisonlynowbeingunderstood,andmustbefullyaddressedintheEIS.Attentionshouldalsobegiventoanylandslidepotentialrosultinqfrontinundationandsubsequentsaturationand/orerosionof!;lopes:Thisisparticularlytruewhetepermafrostexists.Littleisknownandle~sisunderstoodaboutthebehaviorofpermafrostaroundandunderaninundatedarea,butonecertaintyisthatitwillthawunderwaterandwhereexposedatshoreline.Thiscouldleadtomasswastingonevenmoderateslopes,creatinganunstableconditionthatcouldthenmigrateuphill.Adetailed654
rtreatiseonthebehavior·ofpermafrostisstronglyrecommendedforthispro-ject.Thethreatofmassiveerosionresultingfromliquificationofperma-frostconstitutesapriorityimpactconsideration.1120Whatvolumeofsedimentannuallydotheppmloadfiguresrepresent,i.e.,whatIjL~1isthebasisforprojectinga"500year"projectlife?(p.91.)OnefailingoftheenvironmentalimpactstatementisamoredetailedanalysisofAlternativeHydrologicBasinsintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea(6.03)andAlternativePowerTransmissionCorridors(6.05).WhilethecasefortheUpperSusitnaRiversiteisconvincinglyandcompletelypresentedandacknowl-edgingthattheDEISiswrittenspecificallyforthissite,thealternativeareasarenotdevelopedinsufficientdetail.Phraseslike"tremendousfinancialinvestments"and"substantialenvironmentalimpacts"(p.78)areusedtojustifyrejectionofspecificalternatives.Thesecommentsarehighlysubjectiveandshouldnotbesubstitutedforfactualdata.Itisa150apointofconjecturethatalternativeexoticenc~gysources,particularlygeothermal,shouldbecategoricallydismissedasbo·ingeconomic-allyandtechnologicallyimpracticalinthisregion.Thisisnotnecessarilysoandmayrepresentaseriousunderestimationoftheirlong-termpotential.Forexample,hydrogenerationfromnon-constantenergysourcesisshowingmuchpromise.Also,tidalpowerwasunderstatedasthereispotentialforusingCookInlet'slargetiderangeinanenvironmentallyacceptablemanner.TheuseofdifferentscalesforthemapseriesFigures4-8makeseasycom-parisonofcompetinglandusevaluesdifficult.Thisisespeciallytruewherethemajorlandmarks(e.g.,SusitnaRiverandtributaries)arenotincludedonthemap.Forexample,compareFigures4and7.TheUpperSusitnaRiver,Watana,Devil'sCanyonDamsites,andproposedtransmissioncorridorsshouldbehighlightedonthehabitatmapsothattheimpactedarea.canbeeasilyseen.ItwouldalsobehelpfultoincorporatemoredetailedinformationonwildlifedistributionandseasonalmovementsinthefinalenvironmentalstatementthanthatprovidedbythemapseriesoftheJointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommission.OnemajorsourceinthisregardcouldbetheAlaskaDepartmentofFisha?dGame'sAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlas.Thisinformationbasecouldbefurtherexpandedthroughinformaldis-cussionswithwildlifehiologistsoftheStateandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.OnepointthathasnotbeenadequatelyaddressedintheDRISisthefollowingquestion:WilltheproposedhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentactasacatalystforurMantedgrowthinSouthcentralAlaska?'l'heliteratu.reisrepletewithcaseswhichclearlyindicatethathighwaysandsewerandwatersystemscaninduceunwantcngrowth.Doc"thesame:rationaleholdtrlWfortheproposedhyuroelcctricfacilityintheUpperSusitnaBasin?Thesequestionshavebeenonlyweaklyaddr~ssedonpages63and64oftheDElS.65569-7370 -81-4222123124125rtreatiseonthebehavior·ofpermafrostisstronglyrecommendedforthispro-ject.Thethreatofmassiveerosionresultingfromliquificationofperma-frostconstitutesapriorityimpactconsideration.1120Whatvolumeofsedimentannuallydotheppmloadfiguresrepresent,i.e.,whatIjL~1isthebasisforprojectinga"500year"projectlife?(p.91.)OnefailingoftheenvironmentalimpactstatementisamoredetailedanalysisofAlternativeHydrologicBasinsintheSouthcentralRailbeltArea(6.03)andAlternativePowerTransmissionCorridors(6.05).WhilethecasefortheUpperSusitnaRiversiteisconvincinglyandcompletelypresentedandacknowl-edgingthattheDEISiswrittenspecificallyforthissite,thealternativeareasarenotdevelopedinsufficientdetail.Phraseslike"tremendousfinancialinvestments"and"substantialenvironmentalimpacts"(p.78)areusedtojustifyrejectionofspecificalternatives.Thesecommentsarehighlysubjectiveandshouldnotbesubstitutedforfactualdata.Itisa150apointofconjecturethatalternativeexoticenc~gysources,particularlygeothermal,shouldbecategoricallydismissedasbo·ingeconomic-allyandtechnologicallyimpracticalinthisregion.Thisisnotnecessarilysoandmayrepresentaseriousunderestimationoftheirlong-termpotential.Forexample,hydrogenerationfromnon-constantenergysourcesisshowingmuchpromise.Also,tidalpowerwasunderstatedasthereispotentialforusingCookInlet'slargetiderangeinanenvironmentallyacceptablemanner.TheuseofdifferentscalesforthemapseriesFigures4-8makeseasycom-parisonofcompetinglandusevaluesdifficult.Thisisespeciallytruewherethemajorlandmarks(e.g.,SusitnaRiverandtributaries)arenotincludedonthemap.Forexample,compareFigures4and7.TheUpperSusitnaRiver,Watana,Devil'sCanyonDamsites,andproposedtransmissioncorridorsshouldbehighlightedonthehabitatmapsothattheimpactedarea.canbeeasilyseen.ItwouldalsobehelpfultoincorporatemoredetailedinformationonwildlifedistributionandseasonalmovementsinthefinalenvironmentalstatementthanthatprovidedbythemapseriesoftheJointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommission.OnemajorsourceinthisregardcouldbetheAlaskaDepartmentofFisha?dGame'sAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlas.Thisinformationbasecouldbefurtherexpandedthroughinformaldis-cussionswithwildlifehiologistsoftheStateandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.OnepointthathasnotbeenadequatelyaddressedintheDRISisthefollowingquestion:WilltheproposedhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentactasacatalystforurMantedgrowthinSouthcentralAlaska?'l'heliteratu.reisrepletewithcaseswhichclearlyindicatethathighwaysandsewerandwatersystemscaninduceunwantcngrowth.Doc"thesame:rationaleholdtrlWfortheproposedhyuroelcctricfacilityintheUpperSusitnaBasin?Thesequestionshavebeenonlyweaklyaddr~ssedonpages63and64oftheDElS.65569-7370 -81-4222123124125
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION11ZConcur.1'13Concur.Wesuggestthatlocalgovernmententitiesalsoparticipate.114Conmentnoted.115116The35percentmortalityrateonfish,suchasyoungsalmon,isafigurebasedonCorpsofEngineersexperienceatotherhighdams.a.Thiswillbeafactor.Alterationoftemperatureregimewillcertainlyinfluencesalmoneggdevelopment,andpossiblyoutmigrationtime.AsstatedinSection4.01oftheEIS,theuseofmulti-leveldischargeoutletsatthedamswouldallowforsomeadjustmentintemperaturetoapproachthenaturalrivertemperatures.b.TheEISacknowledgesinSection4.02thepossibleimpactonmigratorysalmOn.c.Supersaturationofgasesrequiresmorethanspill.Tem-perature,distance,andvolumearealsofactors.ThisimpactisdiscussedintheEISandwillbethesubjectofdetaileddesignstudies.117AchangeindesignofoutletandgeneratingfacilitiesatthedamhasrevisedthespillfrequencyatDevilCanyonasshownin"theEIS.Salmonarenot1ikelytoattempttomigratetothedam,evenifpassageispossible(whichappearsunlikely)s'incethelasttributaryinwhichtheyareabletospawnisPortageCreek--severalmilesbelowthedam.Contrarytothestatedassumption,featureswillbeincorporatedintothedamoutletworkstomini-mizenitrogensupersaturation.118Commentnoted.jLjl~Damdesignwillincorporatefeaturestowithstandearthquakesof656RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION11ZConcur.1'13Concur.Wesuggestthatlocalgovernmententitiesalsoparticipate.114Conmentnoted.115116The35percentmortalityrateonfish,suchasyoungsalmon,isafigurebasedonCorpsofEngineersexperienceatotherhighdams.a.Thiswillbeafactor.Alterationoftemperatureregimewillcertainlyinfluencesalmoneggdevelopment,andpossiblyoutmigrationtime.AsstatedinSection4.01oftheEIS,theuseofmulti-leveldischargeoutletsatthedamswouldallowforsomeadjustmentintemperaturetoapproachthenaturalrivertemperatures.b.TheEISacknowledgesinSection4.02thepossibleimpactonmigratorysalmOn.c.Supersaturationofgasesrequiresmorethanspill.Tem-perature,distance,andvolumearealsofactors.ThisimpactisdiscussedintheEISandwillbethesubjectofdetaileddesignstudies.117AchangeindesignofoutletandgeneratingfacilitiesatthedamhasrevisedthespillfrequencyatDevilCanyonasshownin"theEIS.Salmonarenot1ikelytoattempttomigratetothedam,evenifpassageispossible(whichappearsunlikely)s'incethelasttributaryinwhichtheyareabletospawnisPortageCreek--severalmilesbelowthedam.Contrarytothestatedassumption,featureswillbeincorporatedintothedamoutletworkstomini-mizenitrogensupersaturation.118Commentnoted.jLjl~Damdesignwillincorporatefeaturestowithstandearthquakesof656
Anextrememagnitudeof8.5withanepicenterof40mileswhichisgreaterthanthemaximumcredibleearthquakethatcouldbeexpectedtoaffectthesedamsites.NodamsdesignedbytheCorpsofEngineershaveeverfailed,andtheCorpshasarecordofbeingveryconservativeindesigningsafetyfeaturesintodams.120Foradiscussionoflandslidepotentialresultingfromthawingofpermafrost,seeresponseNumber173.1~1AdditionalsedimentinformationcanbefoundinAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.ProjectcostsandbenefitsarebasedonastandardlOa-yearperiodforthistypeofproject.Actualusefullifeoftheprojectwouldbesubstantiallymorethan100years,and,basedonsedimentationstudiesalone,theprojectwouldhaveausefullifeinexcessof500years.122Thealternativ~hydrologicbasinsandpowertransmissioncorrido~swerestudiedinsufficientdepthtodeterminetheireconomic,social,environ-mental,andengineeringfeasibility.Allalternativesrejectedforfurtherconsiderationfailedtomeetstandardsofacceptabilityunderoneormoreofthesecriteria.AmorethoroughanalysisofeachofthesealternativesisdisplayedintheFeasibilityReportanditstechnicalappendices.Phrasessuchas"tremendousfinancialinvest-ments"and"substantialenvironmentalimpacts"aresupportedbytheresultsofpreviousstudiesonmanyofthealternativedamsites.ReportsofthesestudiesareavailableintheDistrictoffice.Thesetermsarenotthebasisforrejectionofspecificalternatives.TheCongressionalmandatespecificallydirectedtheCorpstoevaluatetheDevilCanyonProject.123"Exoticenergysources"werenotcategoricallydismissed.Thelong-termpotentialofgeothermalenergyisclearlyacknowledgedinthefirstsentenceofthediscussionofthisalternative,whichstates:"Geo-thermalresourcesmayeventuallyprovidesignificantpowergenerationin-Alaska;....."(emphasisadded).However,asclearlystatedintheEIS,thisalternativedependsontechnologicaldevelopmentandeconomicfeasibility.Futhermore,itisconsideredtobeafuturesupplementalmeansofgeneratin~power.Itisnotconsideredtobeareasonablealternativetoproventypesofpowergenerationwithinthetime-frameofprojectedfutureelectricalneeds.Tidalpowerisnotrejectedonthebasisoftechnicalfeasibility.WedonotagreethatitcouldbedevelopedinCookInletineitheraneconomicallyorenvironmentallyacceptablemannerwithintheforeseeablefuture.124TheSusitnaRiverandthedamsiteshavebeenemphasizedinfiguresshowingthevariousresourceswithintheRailbeltarea.InformationintheAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlasissimilartodatainthe657Anextrememagnitudeof8.5withanepicenterof40mileswhichisgreaterthanthemaximumcredibleearthquakethatcouldbeexpectedtoaffectthesedamsites.NodamsdesignedbytheCorpsofEngineershaveeverfailed,andtheCorpshasarecordofbeingveryconservativeindesigningsafetyfeaturesintodams.120Foradiscussionoflandslidepotentialresultingfromthawingofpermafrost,seeresponseNumber173.1~1AdditionalsedimentinformationcanbefoundinAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.ProjectcostsandbenefitsarebasedonastandardlOa-yearperiodforthistypeofproject.Actualusefullifeoftheprojectwouldbesubstantiallymorethan100years,and,basedonsedimentationstudiesalone,theprojectwouldhaveausefullifeinexcessof500years.122Thealternativ~hydrologicbasinsandpowertransmissioncorrido~swerestudiedinsufficientdepthtodeterminetheireconomic,social,environ-mental,andengineeringfeasibility.Allalternativesrejectedforfurtherconsiderationfailedtomeetstandardsofacceptabilityunderoneormoreofthesecriteria.AmorethoroughanalysisofeachofthesealternativesisdisplayedintheFeasibilityReportanditstechnicalappendices.Phrasessuchas"tremendousfinancialinvest-ments"and"substantialenvironmentalimpacts"aresupportedbytheresultsofpreviousstudiesonmanyofthealternativedamsites.ReportsofthesestudiesareavailableintheDistrictoffice.Thesetermsarenotthebasisforrejectionofspecificalternatives.TheCongressionalmandatespecificallydirectedtheCorpstoevaluatetheDevilCanyonProject.123"Exoticenergysources"werenotcategoricallydismissed.Thelong-termpotentialofgeothermalenergyisclearlyacknowledgedinthefirstsentenceofthediscussionofthisalternative,whichstates:"Geo-thermalresourcesmayeventuallyprovidesignificantpowergenerationin-Alaska;....."(emphasisadded).However,asclearlystatedintheEIS,thisalternativedependsontechnologicaldevelopmentandeconomicfeasibility.Futhermore,itisconsideredtobeafuturesupplementalmeansofgeneratin~power.Itisnotconsideredtobeareasonablealternativetoproventypesofpowergenerationwithinthetime-frameofprojectedfutureelectricalneeds.Tidalpowerisnotrejectedonthebasisoftechnicalfeasibility.WedonotagreethatitcouldbedevelopedinCookInletineitheraneconomicallyorenvironmentallyacceptablemannerwithintheforeseeablefuture.124TheSusitnaRiverandthedamsiteshavebeenemphasizedinfiguresshowingthevariousresourceswithintheRailbeltarea.InformationintheAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlasissimilartodatainthe657
125SouthcentralRegionalProfileprintedSeptember1974incooperationwiththeJointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommissionforAlaska.TheCorpsofEngineersalsohadtheclosecooperationoftheStateandFederalfishandwildlifeagenciesindevelopingtheEIS.AsstatedinSection4.18oftheEIS:liThepopulationoftheareawillincreasewithorwithoutthedevelopmentofhydroelectricprojectsproposedfortheSusitnaRiver;constructionofthisprojectisnotexpectedtohaveanysignificantlong-rangeef~ectonoverallpop-ulationgrowth,butisratherdesignedtofulfillpresentlyprojectedneedsofagrowingpopulationasonealternativemeansofproducingpowerwhichwillhavetobeprovidedinonewayoranother."Forfurtherresponsetothiscomment,seeresponseNo.255.658125SouthcentralRegionalProfileprintedSeptember1974incooperationwiththeJointFederal-StateLandUsePlanningCommissionforAlaska.TheCorpsofEngineersalsohadtheclosecooperationoftheStateandFederalfishandwildlifeagenciesindevelopingtheEIS.AsstatedinSection4.18oftheEIS:liThepopulationoftheareawillincreasewithorwithoutthedevelopmentofhydroelectricprojectsproposedfortheSusitnaRiver;constructionofthisprojectisnotexpectedtohaveanysignificantlong-rangeef~ectonoverallpop-ulationgrowth,butisratherdesignedtofulfillpresentlyprojectedneedsofagrowingpopulationasonealternativemeansofproducingpowerwhichwillhavetobeprovidedinonewayoranother."Forfurtherresponsetothiscomment,seeresponseNo.255.658
fROM.TO,STATieofALAS:<ARaymondW.EntcssState-FederalCoordinatorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningOfficeoftheGovernorLanghorneA.Motley~Commissioner11'DepartmentofCommerceandEconomicDevelopmentDATESUIIJECT,October16,1975SouthcentralRailbeltHydro-electricProjectStateI.D.No.75091103ThehydroelectricprojectproposedbytheAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersisakeyelementinmeetingAlaska'sfuturepowerneeds.Atpresent,theprojectneedstoreceiveanintensiveanddetailedlstudyofseveralpotentialadverseimpactsontheenvironment.12'~Theseincludefurtherexaminationofthedam'seffectonthe£anadramousfish,theincreasedturbidityoftheSusitnaRiverduringwintermonths,andtheinhibitionandhighermortalityofthecariboupopulation.Howeverwebelievetheprojectshould,atthispoint,receivethefullsupportoftheStateforthefollowingreasons:a)Itutilizesarenewableresource;b)environmentalimpactiscomparativelylessthanalternativepowersources;c)federalapprovalwouldresultintheCorpsreceivingneededfundingtoo~taintheanswerstothenecessaryquestionsofadverseenvironmentalimpac"t,throughfurtherdetailedanalysisandstudy.Insummary,projectisdefinitelynecessaryifAnchorageandFairbanksaretoreceivelow-cost,dependablepower,andthesubsequentlackofheat,noise,andairpollutionproblemsaddtoitsfeasibility.Thedraftenvironmentalimp~ctstatementraisesseveralpertinentquestions,buttheanswerswillonlybeachievedthroughStateandFederalsupportoftheproject.659fROM.TO,STATieofALAS:<ARaymondW.EntcssState-FederalCoordinatorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningOfficeoftheGovernorLanghorneA.Motley~Commissioner11'DepartmentofCommerceandEconomicDevelopmentDATESUIIJECT,October16,1975SouthcentralRailbeltHydro-electricProjectStateI.D.No.75091103ThehydroelectricprojectproposedbytheAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersisakeyelementinmeetingAlaska'sfuturepowerneeds.Atpresent,theprojectneedstoreceiveanintensiveanddetailedlstudyofseveralpotentialadverseimpactsontheenvironment.12'~Theseincludefurtherexaminationofthedam'seffectonthe£anadramousfish,theincreasedturbidityoftheSusitnaRiverduringwintermonths,andtheinhibitionandhighermortalityofthecariboupopulation.Howeverwebelievetheprojectshould,atthispoint,receivethefullsupportoftheStateforthefollowingreasons:a)Itutilizesarenewableresource;b)environmentalimpactiscomparativelylessthanalternativepowersources;c)federalapprovalwouldresultintheCorpsreceivingneededfundingtoo~taintheanswerstothenecessaryquestionsofadverseenvironmentalimpac"t,throughfurtherdetailedanalysisandstudy.Insummary,projectisdefinitelynecessaryifAnchorageandFairbanksaretoreceivelow-cost,dependablepower,andthesubsequentlackofheat,noise,andairpollutionproblemsaddtoitsfeasibility.Thedraftenvironmentalimp~ctstatementraisesseveralpertinentquestions,buttheanswerswillonlybeachievedthroughStateandFederalsupportoftheproject.659
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCEANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENT126Commentnoted.jl2,~Concur.Suchstudiesareproposedforthepre-constructionstageofdetailedplanning..128Commentsnoted.660RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCEANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENT126Commentnoted.jl2,~Concur.Suchstudiesareproposedforthepre-constructionstageofdetailedplanning..128Commentsnoted.660
IVI-EMORANDU.MStateofAlaskaTO:FROM:PeteCizmichRegionalSupervisorHabitatProtectionDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageLarryJ.HeckartMgt/ResearchCoordinatorDivisionofSportFishDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageDATE:FILENO:TELEPHO;"ENO:SUBJECT:October2,1975Susitha(Devi1'sCanyon,E.1.S.CommentsFollowingaretheconsolidatedcommentsontheCorpsofEngineersdraftE.I.S.pertainingtotheSusitnaRiverHydroelectricdevelopment":Page18,lastparagraph-Itissignificantthatsomesalmonspeciesrearjuvenilesforseveralyearsinfreshwaterpriortoseawardmigration.Thisparagraphimpliesthey·originateinsaltwater.Thefreshwaterrearingsegmentmaybethemostcritical.Page19,paragraph1 -Shouldmentionwhatsurveysandtheyear(s)theywereconductedtodeterminethatfishdonotmigratebeyondDevilCanyon.paragraph2 -ThisisnotindicativeofNorthernDistrictCookInlet(SusitnaRiverBasin)asawhole.paragraph3 -ADF&GcurrentlyhasescapementgoalsforKenaiandKasilofrivers.Wecannotconcludethatadequateescapementocc~rsintotheSusitnaRiverbecauseescapementgoalshavebeenreachedinthe'KenaiandKasilofrivers.11301131113,2paragraph4 -Thisparagraphshouldberewrittenasitismisleadingaswritten,i.e.,:accordingtotheADF&G,asignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesuptheSusitnaRiver.Spawn-ingisfoundtooccurasfarupstreamasPortageCrk,approximatelythreemilesdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyondamsite.Spawningandrearingsalmonidsoccurinmanyclearwatersloughsandtribu-tariesf.-omPortageCreekdownstreamtotheconfluenceoftheSusitnaChulitnarivers.133ILasttwosentencesinparagraphareokay.paragraph5 -Shouldidentifystudy(firstsentence)as1974assess-ImentstudybyADF&G.134Omitlastsentence.;Also.kingsalmonareexcluded.Barrett's1974repo~tindicateskingsalmonpresent.661IVI-EMORANDU.MStateofAlaskaTO:FROM:PeteCizmichRegionalSupervisorHabitatProtectionDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageLarryJ.HeckartMgt/ResearchCoordinatorDivisionofSportFishDepartmentofFish&GameAnchorageDATE:FILENO:TELEPHO;"ENO:SUBJECT:October2,1975Susitha(Devi1'sCanyon,E.1.S.CommentsFollowingaretheconsolidatedcommentsontheCorpsofEngineersdraftE.I.S.pertainingtotheSusitnaRiverHydroelectricdevelopment":Page18,lastparagraph-Itissignificantthatsomesalmonspeciesrearjuvenilesforseveralyearsinfreshwaterpriortoseawardmigration.Thisparagraphimpliesthey·originateinsaltwater.Thefreshwaterrearingsegmentmaybethemostcritical.Page19,paragraph1 -Shouldmentionwhatsurveysandtheyear(s)theywereconductedtodeterminethatfishdonotmigratebeyondDevilCanyon.paragraph2 -ThisisnotindicativeofNorthernDistrictCookInlet(SusitnaRiverBasin)asawhole.paragraph3 -ADF&GcurrentlyhasescapementgoalsforKenaiandKasilofrivers.Wecannotconcludethatadequateescapementocc~rsintotheSusitnaRiverbecauseescapementgoalshavebeenreachedinthe'KenaiandKasilofrivers.11301131113,2paragraph4 -Thisparagraphshouldberewrittenasitismisleadingaswritten,i.e.,:accordingtotheADF&G,asignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesuptheSusitnaRiver.Spawn-ingisfoundtooccurasfarupstreamasPortageCrk,approximatelythreemilesdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyondamsite.Spawningandrearingsalmonidsoccurinmanyclearwatersloughsandtribu-tariesf.-omPortageCreekdownstreamtotheconfluenceoftheSusitnaChulitnarivers.133ILasttwosentencesinparagraphareokay.paragraph5 -Shouldidentifystudy(firstsentence)as1974assess-ImentstudybyADF&G.134Omitlastsentence.;Also.kingsalmonareexcluded.Barrett's1974repo~tindicateskingsalmonpresent.661
paragraph3 -Omit"limited".Thenumbersofgamebirdsisunknown.Figure7 -Thewhite(unmarked)areainthecenterofthecaribourangemapisbothsummerandwinterrange.Thisareashouldbesoindicated.Page20.paragraphs1-5-Tryingto.relateCookInletcatchtoSusitnaRiverstocksmaybemisleading.TheDepartmentdoesnothaveamethodofdifferentiatingsalmonstocksinupperCookInletthatarelandedinthecommercialfishery.WedoknowthatthemajorityofsalmonlandedintheNorthernDistrictcommercialfisheryareproducedintheSusitnabasin.However.wedonotknowwhatproportionofthecommercialcatchlandedbetweenthelatitudesofAnchorPointand135theForelandsareproducedintheSusitnabasin.Incertainyears.primarilyevenyears,asubstantialpercentcouldbefromtheSusitnaRiver.Therefore.tousetheNorthernDistrictcatchasanindicatoroftheSusitnaproductionwouldbeinvalid.ThecasepackforCookInletasanindicatorofSusitnaproductionisalsoworthlessinthatitreflectsthetotalcasesofsalmonpackedinalldistrictsofCook'InletandinsomeyearsincludesfishpackedfromBristolBayandotherareas.InessencethereisnopresentmethodofaffixingavaluetotheSusitnaRiversalmonproduction.Wedohavea"gutfeeling"basedonexperience,thatasubstantialproportionofCookInletsalmonpro-ductionisfromtheSusitnawatershed.paragraph1 -Whynotalifehistorysectionforresidentspecies.asgivenforanadromousspecies?1361Page21.1371Page23.1381Page24.1391page27.paragraph3 -Nottrue~transmissioncorridor.Bearsoccurinbothdirectionsalongthe14°1Page37&38-Recreationintheareas.affecteddownstreamofDevil'sCanyonwouldappeartowarrantmentlon.Page46.paragraph1 -Whatisthesourceofinformationindicatingunregulatedsummersiltloads?Again.whilesummersiltationisdecreasedandtheeffectsmaybebeneficial.theincreasedwintersiltloadmaycausedeleteriouseffects.Atwhatpointisthe(15-35ppm)sedimentloadcalculatedandatwhatseasonalperiod?Ifmultipleleveldischargeoutletsareutilizedtoapproximatenormalstre~mtemperaturesitmaybeimpliedthatin.thewinterwaterwillbedrawnfromthebottomofthereservoir~Itislogical662paragraph3 -Omit"limited".Thenumbersofgamebirdsisunknown.Figure7 -Thewhite(unmarked)areainthecenterofthecaribourangemapisbothsummerandwinterrange.Thisareashouldbesoindicated.Page20.paragraphs1-5-Tryingto.relateCookInletcatchtoSusitnaRiverstocksmaybemisleading.TheDepartmentdoesnothaveamethodofdifferentiatingsalmonstocksinupperCookInletthatarelandedinthecommercialfishery.WedoknowthatthemajorityofsalmonlandedintheNorthernDistrictcommercialfisheryareproducedintheSusitnabasin.However.wedonotknowwhatproportionofthecommercialcatchlandedbetweenthelatitudesofAnchorPointand135theForelandsareproducedintheSusitnabasin.Incertainyears.primarilyevenyears,asubstantialpercentcouldbefromtheSusitnaRiver.Therefore.tousetheNorthernDistrictcatchasanindicatoroftheSusitnaproductionwouldbeinvalid.ThecasepackforCookInletasanindicatorofSusitnaproductionisalsoworthlessinthatitreflectsthetotalcasesofsalmonpackedinalldistrictsofCook'InletandinsomeyearsincludesfishpackedfromBristolBayandotherareas.InessencethereisnopresentmethodofaffixingavaluetotheSusitnaRiversalmonproduction.Wedohavea"gutfeeling"basedonexperience,thatasubstantialproportionofCookInletsalmonpro-ductionisfromtheSusitnawatershed.paragraph1 -Whynotalifehistorysectionforresidentspecies.asgivenforanadromousspecies?1361Page21.1371Page23.1381Page24.1391page27.paragraph3 -Nottrue~transmissioncorridor.Bearsoccurinbothdirectionsalongthe14°1Page37&38-Recreationintheareas.affecteddownstreamofDevil'sCanyonwouldappeartowarrantmentlon.Page46.paragraph1 -Whatisthesourceofinformationindicatingunregulatedsummersiltloads?Again.whilesummersiltationisdecreasedandtheeffectsmaybebeneficial.theincreasedwintersiltloadmaycausedeleteriouseffects.Atwhatpointisthe(15-35ppm)sedimentloadcalculatedandatwhatseasonalperiod?Ifmultipleleveldischargeoutletsareutilizedtoapproximatenormalstre~mtemperaturesitmaybeimpliedthatin.thewinterwaterwillbedrawnfromthebottomofthereservoir~Itislogical662
141I:'~toassumereleasefromtheselevelswouldcarryagreatersiltloadthanthoseclosertothesurface.Ifthisisso.discussionsreferringtoawintermilkytextured'"glacialflow"maybeextremelyoptomistic.Ifthe15-35ppmwintersedimentloadiscalculatedatthereleasesitsitcanbeexpectedtoincreaserapidlyasthedownriverflowsreplacethesedimentloadlostupstreaminthereservoir.Estimatesof15-35ppmwintersedimentloadappearextremelylowandlikelywouldnotapplyforanydistancebelowDevelCanyon.Winterturbiditymaywellexceedtheindicatedestimate.Page49.paragraph1 -Ifregulatedflowsarenotgreatenoughadultsmaybe~unabletoentersloughsandtributariestospawn.Concernisex-4'~pressedforextremelylowwateryearsandplannedregulatedflows~undertheseconditions.paragraph2 -WhatflowreductionswilloccurduringconstructionandIjL~thesubsequentfillperiodandforwhatduration?.paragraphs3&4 -MorecurrentdataisnowavailablerenumbersofI144sloughsandtributariesutilizedbysalmon-andotherRlainstemmigra-.tionalcharacteristics.TheclearwaterconditionoftheSusitnaRiverduringwinter·monthsIcouldbeacontributingfactortosalmonfryutilizingthemainstem.jL~~Ifayear-roundsomewhatmilky-textured"glacialfloor"conditionis.introducedbecauseofcontrolledwaterreleasesbelowthedam.frymaynotbeabletorearinthemainstemSusitnaRiver.paragraph7 -Itislikelythataprogramtoimprovefishaccessto11.46thesloughsasaresultofdecreasedsummerflowswillnotonlybefeasiblebut"necessary"andrequired.Page50.paragraph1 -Previously(page46)itwasstateddownstreamwatertemperatureswouldapproximatenormalwinterregimes.Thispara-graphimpliesdecreasedtemperatures.Greenstatedinhispaper.entitledEcologicalConsequencesoftheP~QP~3_~MO~~~2~_on_thefraserRiv~I_thatreductionindownstreamdischargeandresultantwatervelocitiesduringthespringseawardoutmigrationcouldadverselyaffectsurvivalofyoungsalmonbyex-tendingtheperiodrequiredtomakethemigration..Healsosuggestedreductionsinturbiditywouldlikelylimitdailymigrationtothedarkerhours.furtherextendingthetotalmigra-tionalperiod.663141I:'~toassumereleasefromtheselevelswouldcarryagreatersiltloadthanthoseclosertothesurface.Ifthisisso.discussionsreferringtoawintermilkytextured'"glacialflow"maybeextremelyoptomistic.Ifthe15-35ppmwintersedimentloadiscalculatedatthereleasesitsitcanbeexpectedtoincreaserapidlyasthedownriverflowsreplacethesedimentloadlostupstreaminthereservoir.Estimatesof15-35ppmwintersedimentloadappearextremelylowandlikelywouldnotapplyforanydistancebelowDevelCanyon.Winterturbiditymaywellexceedtheindicatedestimate.Page49.paragraph1 -Ifregulatedflowsarenotgreatenoughadultsmaybe~unabletoentersloughsandtributariestospawn.Concernisex-4'~pressedforextremelylowwateryearsandplannedregulatedflows~undertheseconditions.paragraph2 -WhatflowreductionswilloccurduringconstructionandIjL~thesubsequentfillperiodandforwhatduration?.paragraphs3&4 -MorecurrentdataisnowavailablerenumbersofI144sloughsandtributariesutilizedbysalmon-andotherRlainstemmigra-.tionalcharacteristics.TheclearwaterconditionoftheSusitnaRiverduringwinter·monthsIcouldbeacontributingfactortosalmonfryutilizingthemainstem.jL~~Ifayear-roundsomewhatmilky-textured"glacialfloor"conditionis.introducedbecauseofcontrolledwaterreleasesbelowthedam.frymaynotbeabletorearinthemainstemSusitnaRiver.paragraph7 -Itislikelythataprogramtoimprovefishaccessto11.46thesloughsasaresultofdecreasedsummerflowswillnotonlybefeasiblebut"necessary"andrequired.Page50.paragraph1 -Previously(page46)itwasstateddownstreamwatertemperatureswouldapproximatenormalwinterregimes.Thispara-graphimpliesdecreasedtemperatures.Greenstatedinhispaper.entitledEcologicalConsequencesoftheP~QP~3_~MO~~~2~_on_thefraserRiv~I_thatreductionindownstreamdischargeandresultantwatervelocitiesduringthespringseawardoutmigrationcouldadverselyaffectsurvivalofyoungsalmonbyex-tendingtheperiodrequiredtomakethemigration..Healsosuggestedreductionsinturbiditywouldlikelylimitdailymigrationtothedarkerhours.furtherextendingthetotalmigra-tionalperiod.663
14714811415~1511page51,1521page52,153fpage53,ColumbiaRiverdataindicatesmortalityofsalmonincreaseswiththetimerequiredtocompletethedownstreammigration.(seefurthercommentsfollowingreincreasedmortalitiesdependentonsi1tloads).-Reductionsinsummerflowtemperaturescanbeexpectedtoreducethespeedofupstreammigratingsalmon.Thedegree towhichthismayaffectmaturationandeventualspawningmustbedetermined.IncreasedwintertemperaturesdownstreamofDevilCanyoncanbeex-pectedtoincreasetherateofdevelopmentandmayloadtoprematurefryemergenceanddownstreamseawardmigrations.Theseeffectsmustbedetermined.paragraph2 -Shouldindicatewhatflowswillbeduringthisperiod.Whataboutotherwaterqualityparameters?paragraph4 -ThisagencycurrentlyhasavailablelittleevidenceofsignificantmainstemSusitnaRiverspawn~ngdownstreamofDevilCanyon.Therefore,unles.sflowsarehighenoughtofloodthesloughandtri-butaryareas,wherespawningisknowntooccur.benef.itsarelikelytobeoflittlevalue.paragraph5 -WhileGreenmadethisstatementasreimprovedeggsurvival.healsosuggestedfurtherincreasesinmortalitiesduetopredationwerepossibleduetodecreaseinturbidity.Itwasalsosuggestedthatalteredtemperature,discharge~andtur-bidityregimescouldsignificantlyreducethesurvivalofoutmigrantjuvenilesalmon.Thereisnosolidevidenceavailablethatadultsalmoncanadequatelyadjusttoalteredflow,temperature,andturbidityregimes.paragraph6 -finalsentence-Thereisnoevidenceofmainstemspawningsoitisdoubtfulthereisanythingtoenhance.Thereduc-tioninsummerflowsmaycauseareductioninbothtributaryspawningareasandtributaryand/ormainstemrearing.paragraph7 -Thisalsoappliestodownstreamareas.Insectsarefoundtoprovideanimportantpartofrearingfrydiets.paragraph3 -Thissentencesoundstheoretical.Citeevidencesupportingthisstatement..paragraph4 -Paragraphmeaningless.Samplesizetoosmalltobesignificant.66414714811415~1511page51,1521page52,153fpage53,ColumbiaRiverdataindicatesmortalityofsalmonincreaseswiththetimerequiredtocompletethedownstreammigration.(seefurthercommentsfollowingreincreasedmortalitiesdependentonsi1tloads).-Reductionsinsummerflowtemperaturescanbeexpectedtoreducethespeedofupstreammigratingsalmon.Thedegree towhichthismayaffectmaturationandeventualspawningmustbedetermined.IncreasedwintertemperaturesdownstreamofDevilCanyoncanbeex-pectedtoincreasetherateofdevelopmentandmayloadtoprematurefryemergenceanddownstreamseawardmigrations.Theseeffectsmustbedetermined.paragraph2 -Shouldindicatewhatflowswillbeduringthisperiod.Whataboutotherwaterqualityparameters?paragraph4 -ThisagencycurrentlyhasavailablelittleevidenceofsignificantmainstemSusitnaRiverspawn~ngdownstreamofDevilCanyon.Therefore,unles.sflowsarehighenoughtofloodthesloughandtri-butaryareas,wherespawningisknowntooccur.benef.itsarelikelytobeoflittlevalue.paragraph5 -WhileGreenmadethisstatementasreimprovedeggsurvival.healsosuggestedfurtherincreasesinmortalitiesduetopredationwerepossibleduetodecreaseinturbidity.Itwasalsosuggestedthatalteredtemperature,discharge~andtur-bidityregimescouldsignificantlyreducethesurvivalofoutmigrantjuvenilesalmon.Thereisnosolidevidenceavailablethatadultsalmoncanadequatelyadjusttoalteredflow,temperature,andturbidityregimes.paragraph6 -finalsentence-Thereisnoevidenceofmainstemspawningsoitisdoubtfulthereisanythingtoenhance.Thereduc-tioninsummerflowsmaycauseareductioninbothtributaryspawningareasandtributaryand/ormainstemrearing.paragraph7 -Thisalsoappliestodownstreamareas.Insectsarefoundtoprovideanimportantpartofrearingfrydiets.paragraph3 -Thissentencesoundstheoretical.Citeevidencesupportingthisstatement..paragraph4 -Paragraphmeaningless.Samplesizetoosmalltobesignificant.664
paragraph5 -Improvementofhabitatqualitythroughconstructionof1154transmissionlinesistheoretical.Page56,paragraph1 -Huntingpressureswillnotincrease,onlythepotential~forhuntingpressureincreases.ADF&Ghasthestatuatorycapabilities.~~tocontroltheactualpressures.Page65,paragraph2 -Willthesummersiltloadsduringthe10-12yearcon-structionperiodactuallybedecreased,orperhapsincreasedasadirectresultofexcavation,roadbyilding,etc.?Page66,paragraph3 -Again,onlythepotentialforhuntingpressureisincreased.GeneralComments:1156115715SFindingsindicatethelowerreachesoftheTalkeetnaRiverareveryimportanttoadultandfrysalmon.ChangesintheSusitnaRivercouldpotentiallyhaveagreateffectonthisarea,too.AnotherareanotmentionedinthereportisthepossibilityoftheSusitnaRiverjustnorthofTalkeetnabeingamajormillingareaforsalmonspawningdownstreamasisindicatedbytwoseasonsoftaggingstudies.ThechangesintheSusitnaRivercouldaffectfishreturningtotheTalkeetna,Chulitna,andlowerclearwatertributariesoftheSusitnaRiver.Mentionisnotmadeoftheloss"ofgamehabitatdowns"!:reamofD~vilCanyonIduetoflowregulation,thuseliminatingtheperiodicfloodingnecessaryfor159maintenanceofri"parianbarareas.Moosehabitatcanbeexpectedtobead-verselyaffectedduetoresultantsuccessionalchangesinthedownstreamareasfromDevilCanyonto/Talkeetna.Thisstatementrefersonlytoregulationversusnon-regulation.The12-yearIperiodofconstructionand,resultanteffectsonthefish,wildlife,and160".recreationalresourcesarenotaddressed.665paragraph5 -Improvementofhabitatqualitythroughconstructionof1154transmissionlinesistheoretical.Page56,paragraph1 -Huntingpressureswillnotincrease,onlythepotential~forhuntingpressureincreases.ADF&Ghasthestatuatorycapabilities.~~tocontroltheactualpressures.Page65,paragraph2 -Willthesummersiltloadsduringthe10-12yearcon-structionperiodactuallybedecreased,orperhapsincreasedasadirectresultofexcavation,roadbyilding,etc.?Page66,paragraph3 -Again,onlythepotentialforhuntingpressureisincreased.GeneralComments:1156115715SFindingsindicatethelowerreachesoftheTalkeetnaRiverareveryimportanttoadultandfrysalmon.ChangesintheSusitnaRivercouldpotentiallyhaveagreateffectonthisarea,too.AnotherareanotmentionedinthereportisthepossibilityoftheSusitnaRiverjustnorthofTalkeetnabeingamajormillingareaforsalmonspawningdownstreamasisindicatedbytwoseasonsoftaggingstudies.ThechangesintheSusitnaRivercouldaffectfishreturningtotheTalkeetna,Chulitna,andlowerclearwatertributariesoftheSusitnaRiver.Mentionisnotmadeoftheloss"ofgamehabitatdowns"!:reamofD~vilCanyonIduetoflowregulation,thuseliminatingtheperiodicfloodingnecessaryfor159maintenanceofri"parianbarareas.Moosehabitatcanbeexpectedtobead-verselyaffectedduetoresultantsuccessionalchangesinthedownstreamareasfromDevilCanyonto/Talkeetna.Thisstatementrefersonlytoregulationversusnon-regulation.The12-yearIperiodofconstructionand,resultanteffectsonthefish,wildlife,and160".recreationalresourcesarenotaddressed.665
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFFISHANDGAME129Asentencehasbeenaddedestablishingthefactthatjuvenilesalmonmayspendseveralyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosaltwater.130Theparagraphisconsideredfactualaspresentlystated.Nodata.havebeenprovidedfromanyauthoritativesource,includingtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,thatsalmonhaveeverbeenrecordedupstreamfromDevilCanyon.JL:3JLThestatisticspresentedinthisparagraphoftheEISaretaken,asindicatedbyreference,fromLeaflet#26preparedbytheStateofAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.132Conrnentnoted.jL~~AstatementhasbeenaddedthatasignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesintotheSusitnaRiverBasin.JL~~Theparagraphhasbeenrevisedassuggestedwithexceptionofomittingthe1astsentence.Thestatementmadeinthe1975AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameassessmentthataportionofthepinksalmonrunmayhavebeendestroyedbyalateAugust-earlySeptemberfloodhasnotbeenomitted.JL~fiThereis'noattemptanywhereinthereferencedfiveparagraphstorelateCookInletcatchtoSusitnaRiverstocks.NeitheristhereanyreferencetocasepacksforCookInletasanindicatorofSusitnaproduction.WeagreethatthereisnopresentmethodofaffixingavaluetotheSusitnaRiversalmonproductionandhavenotattemptedtodoso.WehaveaddedastatementthattheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameaccordsasignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonruntotheSusitnaRiverBasin.1L~E;Theinclusionofalifehistorysection foranadromousfishwasanoptionaldecisionmadebythewritersoftheEIS.ThereisnorequirementbyNEPAorCEQguidelinesthatsuchasectionbeincludedinanEIS.Salmonwereincludedbecauseofthegreatsignificance(recreationalaswellaseconomical)accordedthisspecies.Also,projectimpactsaremoresubtlyassociatedwiththeliferequirementsofsalmonthanwithanyoftheothermajorfishspecies.:L~~Concur.Thestatementhasbeenrevisedtoindicatethatthenumbersofgamebirdsareunknown.666RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFFISHANDGAME129Asentencehasbeenaddedestablishingthefactthatjuvenilesalmonmayspendseveralyearsinfreshwaterbeforemigratingtosaltwater.130Theparagraphisconsideredfactualaspresentlystated.Nodata.havebeenprovidedfromanyauthoritativesource,includingtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,thatsalmonhaveeverbeenrecordedupstreamfromDevilCanyon.JL:3JLThestatisticspresentedinthisparagraphoftheEISaretaken,asindicatedbyreference,fromLeaflet#26preparedbytheStateofAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.132Conrnentnoted.jL~~AstatementhasbeenaddedthatasignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonrunmigratesintotheSusitnaRiverBasin.JL~~Theparagraphhasbeenrevisedassuggestedwithexceptionofomittingthe1astsentence.Thestatementmadeinthe1975AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameassessmentthataportionofthepinksalmonrunmayhavebeendestroyedbyalateAugust-earlySeptemberfloodhasnotbeenomitted.JL~fiThereis'noattemptanywhereinthereferencedfiveparagraphstorelateCookInletcatchtoSusitnaRiverstocks.NeitheristhereanyreferencetocasepacksforCookInletasanindicatorofSusitnaproduction.WeagreethatthereisnopresentmethodofaffixingavaluetotheSusitnaRiversalmonproductionandhavenotattemptedtodoso.WehaveaddedastatementthattheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameaccordsasignificantpercentageoftheCookInletsalmonruntotheSusitnaRiverBasin.1L~E;Theinclusionofalifehistorysection foranadromousfishwasanoptionaldecisionmadebythewritersoftheEIS.ThereisnorequirementbyNEPAorCEQguidelinesthatsuchasectionbeincludedinanEIS.Salmonwereincludedbecauseofthegreatsignificance(recreationalaswellaseconomical)accordedthisspecies.Also,projectimpactsaremoresubtlyassociatedwiththeliferequirementsofsalmonthanwithanyoftheothermajorfishspecies.:L~~Concur.Thestatementhasbeenrevisedtoindicatethatthenumbersofgamebirdsareunknown.666
r!13~CaribourangemapisasshownfrommapsintheSouthcentralR_eJl..lonalProfileandtheAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlas.Thestatementhasbeenclarifiedtoindicatethatgrizzlybeararealsofoundthroughoutthisp'artofAlaska.140141Possibleimprovementofsummerfishingconditionsmightoccurwithreducedse~imentloadsdownstreamofDevilCanyondam.OtherrecreationdownstreamofDevilCanyondoesnotappeartobesig-nificantlyaffectedatthistime.Detailedinformationonhydrology,includingsedimentation,canbefoundinAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.Multi-levelwaterreleasestructuresdonotdrawwaterfromthebottomofthereser-voirstoragepool(the~o-calleddeadstoragepool),butgenerallyfromtheupperone-halftoone-thirdofreservoirstorage.CommentonthereplacementofsedimentloadinwaterreleasesatDevilCanyonisdiscussedinSection4.01HydrologyandWaterQualityof'theEIS.Weconcurthatsedimentloadsbelowthedamwouldprobablyincreaseassedimentispickedupfromtheriverbed,butthe15to35ppmreferstothereleasesatDevilCanyondam.142Conmentnoted.:L~:lTherewillbenoreductionofdownstreamflowsdruingconstruction.ClosecoordinationwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamewillbeundertakentopre-determineminimumflowsd~streamfromthedamsduringfilling.14,4TheEISwillbeupdatedorsupplementedassignificantnewinformationisacquiredandprovidedtotheCorpsofEngineers.145Thisdeterminationwillbeanobjectiveoffishery·investigationsasthestudyprogresses.146Fishaccesstothesloughsasaresultofdecreasedsurrmerflowswillbeimprovedifitisfoundtobenecessaryandrequired.14'7Commentsnoted.148AspreViouslystated,mlnlmumflowsrequiredtomaintainthefisherywillbedeterminedincooperationwithU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.Impactsonotherwaterqualityparameterswhichmightresultfromwithholdingaportionofthewaterduringhighflowsforreservoirfillingisnotknownatthistime.667r!13~CaribourangemapisasshownfrommapsintheSouthcentralR_eJl..lonalProfileandtheAlaskaWildlifeandHabitatAtlas.Thestatementhasbeenclarifiedtoindicatethatgrizzlybeararealsofoundthroughoutthisp'artofAlaska.140141Possibleimprovementofsummerfishingconditionsmightoccurwithreducedse~imentloadsdownstreamofDevilCanyondam.OtherrecreationdownstreamofDevilCanyondoesnotappeartobesig-nificantlyaffectedatthistime.Detailedinformationonhydrology,includingsedimentation,canbefoundinAppendixIofthefeasibilityreport.Multi-levelwaterreleasestructuresdonotdrawwaterfromthebottomofthereser-voirstoragepool(the~o-calleddeadstoragepool),butgenerallyfromtheupperone-halftoone-thirdofreservoirstorage.CommentonthereplacementofsedimentloadinwaterreleasesatDevilCanyonisdiscussedinSection4.01HydrologyandWaterQualityof'theEIS.Weconcurthatsedimentloadsbelowthedamwouldprobablyincreaseassedimentispickedupfromtheriverbed,butthe15to35ppmreferstothereleasesatDevilCanyondam.142Conmentnoted.:L~:lTherewillbenoreductionofdownstreamflowsdruingconstruction.ClosecoordinationwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGamewillbeundertakentopre-determineminimumflowsd~streamfromthedamsduringfilling.14,4TheEISwillbeupdatedorsupplementedassignificantnewinformationisacquiredandprovidedtotheCorpsofEngineers.145Thisdeterminationwillbeanobjectiveoffishery·investigationsasthestudyprogresses.146Fishaccesstothesloughsasaresultofdecreasedsurrmerflowswillbeimprovedifitisfoundtobenecessaryandrequired.14'7Commentsnoted.148AspreViouslystated,mlnlmumflowsrequiredtomaintainthefisherywillbedeterminedincooperationwithU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.Impactsonotherwaterqualityparameterswhichmightresultfromwithholdingaportionofthewaterduringhighflowsforreservoirfillingisnotknownatthistime.667
14b(Olnlllcntsnoted.TheEIShasincludedadditionaltemperatureandturbidityinformationfromtheMoranDamstudy.15\,Ifprovi<;ion<;,weIHddpto\ll't'VPllthydl"Hllichlock'\!Jt'<;to'.,111111111'.pdwnill9tributtlriesandslou~Jhs(astheUSsaystherewillbe.ifnecessary).itisnotlikelythattributaryspawningareaswillbereduced.TheEISdoesnotstatethatmainstemspawningwillbeenhanced.Weagreethatlittle.ifany.mainstemspawningoccursunderpresentnaturalconditions.However.itisnotunrealistictoassumethatsomespawninghabitatcoulddevelopinthemainsternwithinthereachsubjectedtosignificantlyreducedsummersedimentloadsandflooding.1bJConcur.152Thesecondsentenceinthereferencedparagraphdoesmakeatheoret-icalstatement.Theevidencesupportingthestatementiscontainedinthesentenceitselfwhereane~ampleiscitedofnaturallakesinAlaskawhichhaveheavyglacialinflow.yetsustainfishpopulations.153TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameisthesourceofthesefigures(asindicatedbyreferenceintheparagraph).Theyareincludedhereonlyasamatterofofficiallyrecordeddata--observationsmadeduringonemoosesurvey.Theparagraphcontainsnoallusionastothesignificanceofthefigures--theyspeakforthemselves.154Disagree.Transmissionlinerights-of-wayareknowntoimprovehabitatforwildlifespecieswhichbenefitfromsubclimaxvegetation.155Concur.Thesente~cehasbeenmodifiedtoindicatethattherewillbeapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressure..156Theparagraphwhichisthesubjectofthiscommentreferstosedimentandturbiditychangeswhichwouldoccuruponcompletionoftheproject.Anyincreasesinturbidityduringconstructionwouldbeofextremelyshortduration.whilesmalldiversiondamswerebeingplacedtodirectriverflowthroughbypasstunnels.Damconstruction.itself.wouldbedone"inthedry."thusconstructionofthedamswouldhavenosignificantimpactonwaterquality.157Concur.ThesentencehasbeenmodifiedtoindicateaPQtentialincreaseinpressureonexistinggamepopulations.Untilstudiesaremadeofthissituation.nopositivecanbemadeconcerningthedownstreamimpactsofflowuponmoosehabitat.However.thereiscgoodpossibility158COMnentsnoted.159Disagree.conclusionregulation66814b(Olnlllcntsnoted.TheEIShasincludedadditionaltemperatureandturbidityinformationfromtheMoranDamstudy.15\,Ifprovi<;ion<;,weIHddpto\ll't'VPllthydl"Hllichlock'\!Jt'<;to'.,111111111'.pdwnill9tributtlriesandslou~Jhs(astheUSsaystherewillbe.ifnecessary).itisnotlikelythattributaryspawningareaswillbereduced.TheEISdoesnotstatethatmainstemspawningwillbeenhanced.Weagreethatlittle.ifany.mainstemspawningoccursunderpresentnaturalconditions.However.itisnotunrealistictoassumethatsomespawninghabitatcoulddevelopinthemainsternwithinthereachsubjectedtosignificantlyreducedsummersedimentloadsandflooding.1bJConcur.152Thesecondsentenceinthereferencedparagraphdoesmakeatheoret-icalstatement.Theevidencesupportingthestatementiscontainedinthesentenceitselfwhereane~ampleiscitedofnaturallakesinAlaskawhichhaveheavyglacialinflow.yetsustainfishpopulations.153TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameisthesourceofthesefigures(asindicatedbyreferenceintheparagraph).Theyareincludedhereonlyasamatterofofficiallyrecordeddata--observationsmadeduringonemoosesurvey.Theparagraphcontainsnoallusionastothesignificanceofthefigures--theyspeakforthemselves.154Disagree.Transmissionlinerights-of-wayareknowntoimprovehabitatforwildlifespecieswhichbenefitfromsubclimaxvegetation.155Concur.Thesente~cehasbeenmodifiedtoindicatethattherewillbeapotentialincreaseinhuntingpressure..156Theparagraphwhichisthesubjectofthiscommentreferstosedimentandturbiditychangeswhichwouldoccuruponcompletionoftheproject.Anyincreasesinturbidityduringconstructionwouldbeofextremelyshortduration.whilesmalldiversiondamswerebeingplacedtodirectriverflowthroughbypasstunnels.Damconstruction.itself.wouldbedone"inthedry."thusconstructionofthedamswouldhavenosignificantimpactonwaterquality.157Concur.ThesentencehasbeenmodifiedtoindicateaPQtentialincreaseinpressureonexistinggamepopulations.Untilstudiesaremadeofthissituation.nopositivecanbemadeconcerningthedownstreamimpactsofflowuponmoosehabitat.However.thereiscgoodpossibility158COMnentsnoted.159Disagree.conclusionregulation668
160thatmoosebrowsewillbeincreasedasaresultofregulation.Barareaswithinthebraidedstreamchannelaretoofrequentlyandextensivelyfloodedundernaturalconditionstosupportanysignif-icantamountofbrowsevegetation.Whentheflowbecomesregulated,thestreamchannelisexpectedtobecomemoreunifiedandwillprobablyassumeameanderingpattern.Large,barrenbarareas,nolongersubjectedtointensiveerosionfromfrequentflooding,willprobably"establishpermanentplantgrowth.Asthisgrowthevolvesthroughtheshrubbysuccessionalstages,moosebrowsewillbeincreased.Eventually,muchoftheselandswillestablishtrees,mostly'cottonwood,andthusevolvebeyondthebrowsestage.Moosehabitatwill,atthattime,decreasebutwillprobablycontinuetoexistingreaterquantitythanispresentlyavailablewithinthebraidedchannelsystem.TherewillbenosignificanteffectsonfishduringtheIO-yearconstructionperiod.Aspreviouslystated,theremaybesomeverytemporarydegrad~tionofwaterqualitythroughincreasedsiltationduringtheshortperiodwhenthestreamwillbeblockedwithtemporarydiversiondamsrequiredtodivertriverflowthroughthebypasstunnels.Thisimpactshouldbeminor.Withregardtoterrestrialwildlife,constructionactivitywillresultinsomeoutrightdestructionofhabitatandtheevacuation,andprobabledecimation,ofspeciesinhabitingtheimmediateandsurroundingconstructionareas.Thisimpact,overall,willbemuchlesssigni-ficant,however,thanthesubsequentimpactrelatedtohabitatinundationasthereservoirsarefilled.669160thatmoosebrowsewillbeincreasedasaresultofregulation.Barareaswithinthebraidedstreamchannelaretoofrequentlyandextensivelyfloodedundernaturalconditionstosupportanysignif-icantamountofbrowsevegetation.Whentheflowbecomesregulated,thestreamchannelisexpectedtobecomemoreunifiedandwillprobablyassumeameanderingpattern.Large,barrenbarareas,nolongersubjectedtointensiveerosionfromfrequentflooding,willprobably"establishpermanentplantgrowth.Asthisgrowthevolvesthroughtheshrubbysuccessionalstages,moosebrowsewillbeincreased.Eventually,muchoftheselandswillestablishtrees,mostly'cottonwood,andthusevolvebeyondthebrowsestage.Moosehabitatwill,atthattime,decreasebutwillprobablycontinuetoexistingreaterquantitythanispresentlyavailablewithinthebraidedchannelsystem.TherewillbenosignificanteffectsonfishduringtheIO-yearconstructionperiod.Aspreviouslystated,theremaybesomeverytemporarydegrad~tionofwaterqualitythroughincreasedsiltationduringtheshortperiodwhenthestreamwillbeblockedwithtemporarydiversiondamsrequiredtodivertriverflowthroughthebypasstunnels.Thisimpactshouldbeminor.Withregardtoterrestrialwildlife,constructionactivitywillresultinsomeoutrightdestructionofhabitatandtheevacuation,andprobabledecimation,ofspeciesinhabitingtheimmediateandsurroundingconstructionareas.Thisimpact,overall,willbemuchlesssigni-ficant,however,thanthesubsequentimpactrelatedtohabitatinundationasthereservoirsarefilled.669
srATiiofALASi<Al/frftE;2{@;}fdlt/ff/iK4!J?fllDEPARTMENTOFNATURALRESOURCESDIVISIONOFLANDS".,.,'."'~.~..''.•:T~~=':;.~:J".-~I'iil'.'.SUBJECT,TO.r'itO""RAYMONDW.ESTESSState-FoderaICoordinatorOfficeoftheGovernorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningPouchADDATE•Juneau,Alaska99801GARYJOHNSON,ActingChief~~Planning&ClassificationsecJlonAloskaDivisionofLands323E.4thAvenueAnchoroge,Alaska99501I·.·,":,......: . " •I,.;.t~.~.)"October27,'r975State1.0.No.75091103Southcent'ralRallbeltHydrO-electricProjectTheabove-notedprojecthasbeenreviewedbytheDivisionofLands'staff,withthefollowingcommentconsideredappropriate:"GeneralCorrrnant:ThisprojectappearstohavefilvorableenergydovelopmentbenefitswhilehavingarelativelylowenvIronmentalImpact."(Planning&Classification-G.Johnson)Thankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewthisproject.670srATiiofALASi<Al/frftE;2{@;}fdlt/ff/iK4!J?fllDEPARTMENTOFNATURALRESOURCESDIVISIONOFLANDS".,.,'."'~.~..''.•:T~~=':;.~:J".-~I'iil'.'.SUBJECT,TO.r'itO""RAYMONDW.ESTESSState-FoderaICoordinatorOfficeoftheGovernorDivisionofPolicyDevelopmentandPlanningPouchADDATE•Juneau,Alaska99801GARYJOHNSON,ActingChief~~Planning&ClassificationsecJlonAloskaDivisionofLands323E.4thAvenueAnchoroge,Alaska99501I·.·,":,......:. " •I,.;.t~.~.)"October27,'r975State1.0.No.75091103Southcent'ralRallbeltHydrO-electricProjectTheabove-notedprojecthasbeenreviewedbytheDivisionofLands'staff,withthefollowingcommentconsideredappropriate:"GeneralCorrrnant:ThisprojectappearstohavefilvorableenergydovelopmentbenefitswhilehavingarelativelylowenvIronmentalImpact."(Planning&Classification-G.Johnson)Thankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewthisproject.670
161COlll1lentnoted.69-7370 -81-43RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFNATURALRESOURCESDIVISIONOFLANDS671161COlll1lentnoted.69-7370 -81-43RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFNATURALRESOURCESDIVISIONOFLANDS671
,"~L.'!..!.'.~.::-..:;:'~,,~~.,"YO'"~..:.,".'-"'-)01..",'....,.',.~".~State1.0.No.15091103SusitnaRiverHydroelectricProposalDATE:StateofAlq?~.~..):[I::if"/'~•...Jf.\('.':0'of)l":.UII'frof()\Ln,'"'It1/October21,1915OCT.2~'97S..l~...'FILENO:SUBJECT:TELEPHONENO:Raymond\LEstcssState-FederalCoordinatorDlvi910nofPolicyDevelopmentnndPlanningOfficeoftheGovernorJamesE.Noody<f1?\"nIChiefPlanningEngine~.'~,OivloionofAviationiDepartmentofPublicWorksMEMORANDUMTO:rROM:p,.e-Following~off-the-cuffcommentsonthesubjectprojectasrequestedInyourSeptember24memo,andasrelatedtotheSeptember22trans-mittalsfromtheCorpsofEngineers.Att.1c1ll!disacopyoftheOctober9memowithHr.Baxter'scommentsfollowinghisreviewofthematerial.162Thednta.asBaxtcrnoted.)wastoobroadinscopeandbrieftoallowustoev;,luatchowtheprojectcouldeffectourpresentandfutureoperations.Specifically.thereisnoinventoryoftheairportsorrecognizedlandingareas.eitherpublicorprivatelyowned.intheimmediatevicinityoftheIproject.Thescaleofthemapsandthequalil.yoftheprintingsuppliedwiththedataarcsuchthatitisnotpossibletoident·ifytheboundariesoftheprojectsothat\Jecancomparethemagainstourinventoryof.landingnrea!!.althoughwedoubtthatverymanyfieldswould;beinvolved.163Theb:lgp,cstquestionfromthestandpointoftransportationdealsmainlywithsurfacetransportationratherthanaviation.Thatis.howwouldthedams.lakes.andrelatedfacilitiesimprove.andrestrict.accessibilitytotheSusitnaBasin?Thecreationofan80milelongsystemoflakeswouldcertainlyrestricttheselectionoralignmentofroadroutestraver3ingthearea.Ontheotherhand.thelakesthemselvesmightofferIIcertaindegreeofflexibilityrclativetosurfacetransportation.Perhapsthemostimportantpointisthefactthattherewouldlikelybear.purhip,hwayconstructedconnectingtherailroadandGeorgeA.ParksHighwaytoth<.>damsystem.therebyprovidingconvenientpublicvehicularaCC(!9Stowhatisnowarelativelyremoteregion.IIti6a150likelythatsometypeofairportorlandingstripwillbeconstructedintheimmediateproximityofeachofthedams.toprovide164quickaccessdurJngconstructioniffornootherreason.It,~ouldbeintercr.tingtokn2wwhc:rethesestripsmightbe,l)owlargethcy.w~uld.1;'7')hI.!.;;lndsoon.{"Im/,:"",r........fwf-IV(.~~/.I('r"t:I<t,."&?nr!y.v4__UC4~/-:'yIThedam~nndtheirrelatedhydroelectricplantswillinthem'selvescreateemploymentopportunities.Sincetheprojectswillresultinimproved6urfaccaccessplusamajorsupplyofelectricalenergy.andsincetheareaisrelativelyclosetomineralizedzones,mineralandother~esourcesmay672,"~L.'!..!.'.~.::-..:;:'~,,~~.,"YO'"~..:.,".'-"'-)01..",'....,.',.~".~State1.0.No.15091103SusitnaRiverHydroelectricProposalDATE:StateofAlq?~.~..):[I::if"/'~•...Jf.\('.':0'of)l":.UII'frof()\Ln,'"'It1/October21,1915OCT.2~'97S..l~...'FILENO:SUBJECT:TELEPHONENO:Raymond\LEstcssState-FederalCoordinatorDlvi910nofPolicyDevelopmentnndPlanningOfficeoftheGovernorJamesE.Noody<f1?\"nIChiefPlanningEngine~.'~,OivloionofAviationiDepartmentofPublicWorksMEMORANDUMTO:rROM:p,.e-Following~off-the-cuffcommentsonthesubjectprojectasrequestedInyourSeptember24memo,andasrelatedtotheSeptember22trans-mittalsfromtheCorpsofEngineers.Att.1c1ll!disacopyoftheOctober9memowithHr.Baxter'scommentsfollowinghisreviewofthematerial.162Thednta.asBaxtcrnoted.)wastoobroadinscopeandbrieftoallowustoev;,luatchowtheprojectcouldeffectourpresentandfutureoperations.Specifically.thereisnoinventoryoftheairportsorrecognizedlandingareas.eitherpublicorprivatelyowned.intheimmediatevicinityoftheIproject.Thescaleofthemapsandthequalil.yoftheprintingsuppliedwiththedataarcsuchthatitisnotpossibletoident·ifytheboundariesoftheprojectsothat\Jecancomparethemagainstourinventoryof.landingnrea!!.althoughwedoubtthatverymanyfieldswould;beinvolved.163Theb:lgp,cstquestionfromthestandpointoftransportationdealsmainlywithsurfacetransportationratherthanaviation.Thatis.howwouldthedams.lakes.andrelatedfacilitiesimprove.andrestrict.accessibilitytotheSusitnaBasin?Thecreationofan80milelongsystemoflakeswouldcertainlyrestricttheselectionoralignmentofroadroutestraver3ingthearea.Ontheotherhand.thelakesthemselvesmightofferIIcertaindegreeofflexibilityrclativetosurfacetransportation.Perhapsthemostimportantpointisthefactthattherewouldlikelybear.purhip,hwayconstructedconnectingtherailroadandGeorgeA.ParksHighwaytoth<.>damsystem.therebyprovidingconvenientpublicvehicularaCC(!9Stowhatisnowarelativelyremoteregion.IIti6a150likelythatsometypeofairportorlandingstripwillbeconstructedintheimmediateproximityofeachofthedams.toprovide164quickaccessdurJngconstructioniffornootherreason.It,~ouldbeintercr.tingtokn2wwhc:rethesestripsmightbe,l)owlargethcy.w~uld.1;'7')hI.!.;;lndsoon.{"Im/,:"",r........fwf-IV(.~~/.I('r"t:I<t,."&?nr!y.v4__UC4~/-:'yIThedam~nndtheirrelatedhydroelectricplantswillinthem'selvescreateemploymentopportunities.Sincetheprojectswillresultinimproved6urfaccaccessplusamajorsupplyofelectricalenergy.andsincetheareaisrelativelyclosetomineralizedzones,mineralandother~esourcesmay672
165bed('vC'lopt'dthllscont'ributingtomorcemployment,increasedscttlement,orI'OI'II.1otJon,andaninct"{!asedneedforboth.airandsurfacetransportation.~ICincreasedaccessibilitywilllikelyattractconsIderablerecreationalnct{vHy,whetherornotanymim~ralorotherindustrialresourcesaredevPloped.liasanyoneconsideredthealternativeofprivatedevelopmentofthisI:1._6t"-:hydrocll!ctricresource?Whichwou'ldbenefittheStatemore-federalrdevelopmentoftheresource,orprivatedevelopment?TlwtoneofthedraftEISandthedraftInterimFeasibilityReportseemtoindicatearelativelydctailedn~viewoftheimpaci.:onthelandsaduallyencompassedbytheproposedproject.Howev"""c.aprojectofthioRcopewhichwillcreatean80milesystemoflakeswithroadaccess(flllChthatperhaps75percentoftheState'spopulation\"illbewithinroughly4hoursdrivingtime)willhaveasignificantimpactontheadjacentlands.Thesubsequentimpactonair~ndothertransportation.canonlybeidentifiedafterprobableusesofthisadjacent:landhaveb(~cncat:!toged.Forexample,iftheNationalParkService,ortheDiviHlonofParksoftheState'sDepartmentofNaturalRcsources,desirestopreservethesurroundingareaforrecreationalpurposes,onetypeof1617llviaLionactivitywillpredominate.Thatis,recreationalflyingorsimpleLransportatio~forrecreationalpurposesmichtbetheprimetr:llwportationmode.SCClp.lanetrafficml~htcOinprisc>the111ghcRtpercentageof;wronaut:lcalactIvityandnll.ghtresultinheavyimpactsatcorresponding[;('aplallcb<ls(!!;in-Anchorar,eandelsewhere.Ontheotlwrhand,shouldtlwr·(·hecxtl'lls:lV(>netLlcmentofthearea,andparticularlyifthisis;wHoclatedwlthmineralorindustrIaldevelopment,ahir,herpercentageofaeronauticalClctlvitymightinvolvecommercial(scheduledairline)opcrations-possiblywithmediumtoheavyaircraft.Ahettl'rmapshowingthelakesystem,probablesurfaceaccessroutes,andsurroundingarea;plusmoreinformationonthewildlife,mineral,anda'~rlculturalresourcesoftheareafromrespectiveStateofficeswouldhelpusbettergaugetheimpactoftheproject.Itisapparentthattheprojectitselfwillhavelesslongrangeimpactonairtrans-1.68portationthanthesecondarydevelopmentswhichwillspringfromtheproposedhydroelectriccomplex.Allad,m('ul673165bed('vC'lopt'dthllscont'ributingtomorcemployment,increasedscttlement,orI'OI'II.1otJon,andaninct"{!asedneedforboth.airandsurfacetransportation.~ICincreasedaccessibilitywilllikelyattractconsIderablerecreationalnct{vHy,whetherornotanymim~ralorotherindustrialresourcesaredevPloped.liasanyoneconsideredthealternativeofprivatedevelopmentofthisI:1._6t"-:hydrocll!ctricresource?Whichwou'ldbenefittheStatemore-federalrdevelopmentoftheresource,orprivatedevelopment?TlwtoneofthedraftEISandthedraftInterimFeasibilityReportseemtoindicatearelativelydctailedn~viewoftheimpaci.:onthelandsaduallyencompassedbytheproposedproject.Howev"""c.aprojectofthioRcopewhichwillcreatean80milesystemoflakeswithroadaccess(flllChthatperhaps75percentoftheState'spopulation\"illbewithinroughly4hoursdrivingtime)willhaveasignificantimpactontheadjacentlands.Thesubsequentimpactonair~ndothertransportation.canonlybeidentifiedafterprobableusesofthisadjacent:landhaveb(~cncat:!toged.Forexample,iftheNationalParkService,ortheDiviHlonofParksoftheState'sDepartmentofNaturalRcsources,desirestopreservethesurroundingareaforrecreationalpurposes,onetypeof1617llviaLionactivitywillpredominate.Thatis,recreationalflyingorsimpleLransportatio~forrecreationalpurposesmichtbetheprimetr:llwportationmode.SCClp.lanetrafficml~htcOinprisc>the111ghcRtpercentageof;wronaut:lcalactIvityandnll.ghtresultinheavyimpactsatcorresponding[;('aplallcb<ls(!!;in-Anchorar,eandelsewhere.Ontheotlwrhand,shouldtlwr·(·hecxtl'lls:lV(>netLlcmentofthearea,andparticularlyifthisis;wHoclatedwlthmineralorindustrIaldevelopment,ahir,herpercentageofaeronauticalClctlvitymightinvolvecommercial(scheduledairline)opcrations-possiblywithmediumtoheavyaircraft.Ahettl'rmapshowingthelakesystem,probablesurfaceaccessroutes,andsurroundingarea;plusmoreinformationonthewildlife,mineral,anda'~rlculturalresourcesoftheareafromrespectiveStateofficeswouldhelpusbettergaugetheimpactoftheproject.Itisapparentthattheprojectitselfwillhavelesslongrangeimpactonairtrans-1.68portationthanthesecondarydevelopmentswhichwillspringfromtheproposedhydroelectriccomplex.Allad,m('ul673
'rOtrJamesE.}-IoodyChiefPlanningEngineerKinneyR.Ba-~A8sistantPl~nglneerDAlESUBJECT,October9,1975AlaskaStateClearinghouseStateI.D.No.75091103UpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRai1bel~Area169AfterreviewingtheDraftEnviro~entalImpactStatementsfortheHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,Ihavefoundt~atthewayinwhichitiswrittendoesnotcreatemuchdetailtoanalyzeconstructivelyordestructively.TheapproachisofageneralnatureandproqibitsmanycommentsbeingmadetowardstheEIS.InthepastEIS'sthathave.beenreviewed,·theauthorwillcommithimselftoparticular.controversialtopics,thuscreatingaflockofcommentsfromthevariousagencies.TheonlycommentsthatIhavetomakeareconcerningtheintroductionoftwolargelakesthatwillgreatlyinfluencetheactivitiesoffloatplanesandboats.Thiswillopentheadjacentlandtohuntingandfishingcampsaswellasotherrecreational£unctio~s.WilltheadjacentlandbeopentopublicsaleorwillitbeestablishedintoaWildlifeReserve,orwhatever?Iamsurethatwiththeintroduction:ofvisitorcentersthatotherpeoplewillfollowandacommunitywillmorelikelybeestablished.674'rOtrJamesE.}-IoodyChiefPlanningEngineerKinneyR.Ba-~A8sistantPl~nglneerDAlESUBJECT,October9,1975AlaskaStateClearinghouseStateI.D.No.75091103UpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRai1bel~Area169AfterreviewingtheDraftEnviro~entalImpactStatementsfortheHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,Ihavefoundt~atthewayinwhichitiswrittendoesnotcreatemuchdetailtoanalyzeconstructivelyordestructively.TheapproachisofageneralnatureandproqibitsmanycommentsbeingmadetowardstheEIS.InthepastEIS'sthathave.beenreviewed,·theauthorwillcommithimselftoparticular.controversialtopics,thuscreatingaflockofcommentsfromthevariousagencies.TheonlycommentsthatIhavetomakeareconcerningtheintroductionoftwolargelakesthatwillgreatlyinfluencetheactivitiesoffloatplanesandboats.Thiswillopentheadjacentlandtohuntingandfishingcampsaswellasotherrecreational£unctio~s.WilltheadjacentlandbeopentopublicsaleorwillitbeestablishedintoaWildlifeReserve,orwhatever?Iamsurethatwiththeintroduction:ofvisitorcentersthatotherpeoplewillfollowandacommunitywillmorelikelybeestablished.674
164RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFPUBLICWORKSDIVISIONOFAVIATION162Commentnoted.AirtransportationisdiscussedintheEIStothedepthnecessaryforthefeasibilitystageofplanning.Duringdetailedplanning,allAlaskaStateagencieswouldbecloselycoordinatedwithtoinsureconsiderationofresourcesordevelop-mentswithintheirareasofpurview.TheCorps,uponrequest,willbehappytoprovidetheDivisionofAviationwithdetailedmaps'oftheprojectstudyarea.Jlt):JConstructionofthedamswillnotrestrictsurfaceaccessibilitytotheSusitnaBasin,sincenoroadaccessispresentlyavailablethroughthecanyonarea.ConstructionofanacceSsroadleadingfromtheGeorgeA.Parkshighwaywillprovidepublicvehicularaccesstowhatisnowarelativelyremoteregion.Weagree,roadrouteselectionwillberestrictedbythereservoirs.Also,thereservoirs,themselves,mayprovidesomebenefitaslandingsitesforamphibiousairplanes.NolandingstripsrelatedtoprojectconstructionwillbedevelopedintheareawithoutpriorconsultationwiththeFederalAviationAdministrationandtheAlaskaDivisionofAviation.165Commentnoted.166Yes.TheDevilCanyonHighDamalternativ~discussedintheEISisaproposeddevelopmentbyHenryJ.KaiserCompany.PrivatefinancingofelectricalenergyprojectsisoneofthestandardtestsincomputingbenefitsofFederalprojects.Intheinstanceofthisstudy,coal,whichwasdeterminedtohavealowerbenefit-to-costratiothanhydropower,couldeasilybeaprivatelydevelopedpowersource.EitherFederalorprivatedevelopmentwouldbeofbenefittotheState.Ifidenticalresourcesweredevelopedtothesamedegree,presumablythebenefitswouidbeapproximatelyequal.167Commentnoted.168ThequalityofmapshasbeenimprovedintherevisedEIS.However,theyarestillsmallinsizeandscale.Aspreviouslynoted,theCorpswillprovidelarger,moredetailedmapsuponrequest.169Allpubliclandsacquiredforprojectpurposeswillbeopentothepublic.Thestatusofwildlifeontheselandswouldbedeter-minedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.OthercommentsmadebyMr.Baxterarenoted.675164RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKADEPARTMENTOFPUBLICWORKSDIVISIONOFAVIATION162Commentnoted.AirtransportationisdiscussedintheEIStothedepthnecessaryforthefeasibilitystageofplanning.Duringdetailedplanning,allAlaskaStateagencieswouldbecloselycoordinatedwithtoinsureconsiderationofresourcesordevelop-mentswithintheirareasofpurview.TheCorps,uponrequest,willbehappytoprovidetheDivisionofAviationwithdetailedmaps'oftheprojectstudyarea.Jlt):JConstructionofthedamswillnotrestrictsurfaceaccessibilitytotheSusitnaBasin,sincenoroadaccessispresentlyavailablethroughthecanyonarea.ConstructionofanacceSsroadleadingfromtheGeorgeA.Parkshighwaywillprovidepublicvehicularaccesstowhatisnowarelativelyremoteregion.Weagree,roadrouteselectionwillberestrictedbythereservoirs.Also,thereservoirs,themselves,mayprovidesomebenefitaslandingsitesforamphibiousairplanes.NolandingstripsrelatedtoprojectconstructionwillbedevelopedintheareawithoutpriorconsultationwiththeFederalAviationAdministrationandtheAlaskaDivisionofAviation.165Commentnoted.166Yes.TheDevilCanyonHighDamalternativ~discussedintheEISisaproposeddevelopmentbyHenryJ.KaiserCompany.PrivatefinancingofelectricalenergyprojectsisoneofthestandardtestsincomputingbenefitsofFederalprojects.Intheinstanceofthisstudy,coal,whichwasdeterminedtohavealowerbenefit-to-costratiothanhydropower,couldeasilybeaprivatelydevelopedpowersource.EitherFederalorprivatedevelopmentwouldbeofbenefittotheState.Ifidenticalresourcesweredevelopedtothesamedegree,presumablythebenefitswouidbeapproximatelyequal.167Commentnoted.168ThequalityofmapshasbeenimprovedintherevisedEIS.However,theyarestillsmallinsizeandscale.Aspreviouslynoted,theCorpswillprovidelarger,moredetailedmapsuponrequest.169Allpubliclandsacquiredforprojectpurposeswillbeopentothepublic.Thestatusofwildlifeontheselandswouldbedeter-minedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.OthercommentsmadebyMr.Baxterarenoted.675
~ROUPCOMMENTSANDRESPONSESAlaskaConservationSociety-CollegeAlaskaConservationSociety-AnchorageGreaterAnchorageChamberofCommerceCookInletRegion,Inc.KnikKanoersandKayakers,Inc.OrahDeeClarkJr.High-7thGrade,6thPeriodSierraClub676Comments170-182183-:-199200201202203204-257~ROUPCOMMENTSANDRESPONSESAlaskaConservationSociety-CollegeAlaskaConservationSociety-AnchorageGreaterAnchorageChamberofCommerceCookInletRegion,Inc.KnikKanoersandKayakers,Inc.OrahDeeClarkJr.High-7thGrade,6thPeriodSierraClub676Comments170-182183-:-199200201202203204-257
99701Collcae.AI..talOll80192'1·!}~~OJ}-1\"1IlItJ';:,If,~.~\'~~~'.tI~'..'.'11.1.r,;,.,"".v..;'I'1",t·J'i:';(J"".!r~:,."..t"Ii'!"""'.{'/',...'~.,I-':>/1;,' ; ,J'f.~,t' -1'..:',>..- --~1;':-'-i-._....~~.-1-----~~~ALASKACONSERVATIONSOCIETYCOMMENTSONTHEAI.ASKADISTRICT,CORPSOFENGINEER'SENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENT,HYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOP-MENT,UPPERSUSITNARIVERBASIN,SOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREA,AI.ASKAdated:September1975GENER.ALCOMMENTSConsideringthemagnitudeoftheproposedtwodamprojectfortheupperSusitnaRiver,thedraftenvironmentalimpactstate:::ent(deis)iswhollyinadequateinagreatmanyrespects,evenasafeasibilitystudy.Athoroughanalysisofitsinadequacieswouldrequireconsiderablymoreenergiesthanwe,asanorganizationdependentuponvolunteerworkers,canmuste:.-inthe~horttimeperiodavailableforst~dysincethere-leaseofthedocumentonSeptember22,1975.Instead,wehavechosentoidentifytypesofdeficienciesandpresentexamplesofthesetypes1ntheremarksthatfollow.1'10TYPEONE:CONFUSINGPRESENTATIONIsthisoristhisnotadraftEIS,thatisthequestion?Accordingtothetitlepage,thedocumentpublishedinSepteffiber1975isadraftEISandaccordingtoacoverlettersentwiththedocumentthatisdatedSeptember22,1975signedbyCol.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineer,thedocumentreceivedbyusisTHEdraftEIS."AfinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,incorporatingallcommentsreceived,willbepreparedandwillbefiledwiththeCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality"(letterdatedSept.22,1975fromCol.Debelius).However,atthepublichearingheldbytheCorpsofEngineerson8October1975inFairbanks,Alaska,Col.DebeliusandhisstaffstatedthatthedocumententitleddraftEISwasinfactapreliminarydraftEISandthatadraftEISwouldbedevelopedlaterfollowedbyafinaldraftEIS.Toaddtotheconfusion,thesumm-arypage,underitem?"D~sr.riptio~ofAction"statesthat"sincethe,currentstudyisinthefeasibilitystage,impactsarenoteXhausitv~iyevaluated.Iftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedfordetailedstudiesenvironmental,social,economic,andengineeringaspectsoftheprojectwillbestudiedatlengthpriortoareccmmendationtoCongressforadvancementtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction."Later,onpageI67799701Collcae.AI..talOll80192'1·!}~~OJ}-1\"1IlItJ';:,If,~.~\'~~~'.tI~'..'.'11.1.r,;,.,"".v..;'I'1",t·J'i:';(J"".!r~:,."..t"Ii'!"""'.{'/',...'~.,I-':>/1;,';,J'f.~,t'-1'..:',>..---~1;':-'-i-._....~~.-1-----~~~ALASKACONSERVATIONSOCIETYCOMMENTSONTHEAI.ASKADISTRICT,CORPSOFENGINEER'SENVIRONMENTALIMPACTSTATEMENT,HYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOP-MENT,UPPERSUSITNARIVERBASIN,SOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREA,AI.ASKAdated:September1975GENER.ALCOMMENTSConsideringthemagnitudeoftheproposedtwodamprojectfortheupperSusitnaRiver,thedraftenvironmentalimpactstate:::ent(deis)iswhollyinadequateinagreatmanyrespects,evenasafeasibilitystudy.Athoroughanalysisofitsinadequacieswouldrequireconsiderablymoreenergiesthanwe,asanorganizationdependentuponvolunteerworkers,canmuste:.-inthe~horttimeperiodavailableforst~dysincethere-leaseofthedocumentonSeptember22,1975.Instead,wehavechosentoidentifytypesofdeficienciesandpresentexamplesofthesetypes1ntheremarksthatfollow.1'10TYPEONE:CONFUSINGPRESENTATIONIsthisoristhisnotadraftEIS,thatisthequestion?Accordingtothetitlepage,thedocumentpublishedinSepteffiber1975isadraftEISandaccordingtoacoverlettersentwiththedocumentthatisdatedSeptember22,1975signedbyCol.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineer,thedocumentreceivedbyusisTHEdraftEIS."AfinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,incorporatingallcommentsreceived,willbepreparedandwillbefiledwiththeCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality"(letterdatedSept.22,1975fromCol.Debelius).However,atthepublichearingheldbytheCorpsofEngineerson8October1975inFairbanks,Alaska,Col.DebeliusandhisstaffstatedthatthedocumententitleddraftEISwasinfactapreliminarydraftEISandthatadraftEISwouldbedevelopedlaterfollowedbyafinaldraftEIS.Toaddtotheconfusion,thesumm-arypage,underitem?"D~sr.riptio~ofAction"statesthat"sincethe,currentstudyisinthefeasibilitystage,impactsarenoteXhausitv~iyevaluated.Iftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedfordetailedstudiesenvironmental,social,economic,andengineeringaspectsoftheprojectwillbestudiedatlengthpriortoareccmmendationtoCongressforadvancementtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction."Later,onpageI677
171ofthedocument,underparagraph1.02,"ScopeoftheStudy"atwostagestudyisindic'ltedwhereinStage1"isaninterimreport,tobecomple-tedby1December1975,onthefeasibilityofhydroelectricdevelopmentonthelIppl·rSlIsitnaRiver"andStage2"isacomprehensivereport,an-tlclpatl'dtobecompletedin1978,todeterminethefeasibilityofdcveloprnin);othl'rhydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltarea."Fromthisstatementisonetoconcludethatthedocumentwereceivedisadraft(orpreliminarydraft)EISforStage1ofafeasiblitystudy?WillthisthenbefollowedbyafinalEISonStageI?AndthisfollowedbyadraftEISonStage2;followedbyafinalEISonStage2;followedbyadraftEISontheDevilCanyon/Watanaauthorizedproject;followedbyafinalElSontheauthorizedproject????WhatmakesthesequestionsrelevantisthevastdifferenceinimportancebetweenbeingaskedtocommentonadraftEISonStagelofafeaSibilitystudyversusadraftEISonaprojectthatisauthorized.Althoughthelatterhasnotyetbeenaccomplished,theCorpsisrecommendingauthori-zationandSenatorMikeGravelhasalreadyintroducedabilltotheU.S.Senate·"authorizingconstructionofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsinordertohurrytheprojectalongsothatitcanbeincludedinthissessions"omnibuswaterresourcesdevelopmentpackage".(Gravel,1August1975NewsRelease.)IfauthorizationisgivenbyCong~ess,whathappenstothenormalandpropersequenceofenvironmentalevaluationrequiredbyNEPA'l.Willthetwostagefeasibilitystudyofhydroelecticsitesin-therail-beltareabecontinuedeventhoughconstructionofoneproject(DevilCanyon/Watana)hasbeenauthorized?TYPE'NO:BIASEDEVALUATIONOFALTERNATIVESTheresolutionadoptedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senateon18January1972specificallyrequeststhattheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsincludeinitsevaluationofmaterialsrelatingtodevelopingpowerresourcesintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaofAlaskaareviewofthepotentialof"theSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentsystem,includingtheDevilCanyonProjectandANYCOMPETITIVEALTERNATIVESTHERETO•••(p.l:capsareours).TenalternativepowersourcesarementionedintheDEISbutallaredismissedasnon-competitiveinthecourseoftenpages!Twoofthesesources,naturalgasandcoal,arereallyviablealternativesinAlaskaatthistime,yetthetreatmentinthisEISis,tosaytheleast,biasedandwhollyinade-quate.Forexample,inparagraph2,page71thedocumentstates:"Inviewofthequantitiesofcoalinvolvedandpresent-dayminingpractice,itispresumedthatstripminingwouldbeemployedtoobtainthecoal.Withoutspecificknowledgeoftheminingsite,itisnotpossibletopro-jecthowmuchacreagewouldbeaffected;however,itisassumedtobeinthehundreds,possiblythousands,ofacres•••"Ifthisisn'tbiased,Idon'tknowabiasedstatementwhenIseeone.Ifitisn'tdeliberately678171ofthedocument,underparagraph1.02,"ScopeoftheStudy"atwostagestudyisindic'ltedwhereinStage1"isaninterimreport,tobecomple-tedby1December1975,onthefeasibilityofhydroelectricdevelopmentonthelIppl·rSlIsitnaRiver"andStage2"isacomprehensivereport,an-tlclpatl'dtobecompletedin1978,todeterminethefeasibilityofdcveloprnin);othl'rhydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltarea."Fromthisstatementisonetoconcludethatthedocumentwereceivedisadraft(orpreliminarydraft)EISforStage1ofafeasiblitystudy?WillthisthenbefollowedbyafinalEISonStageI?AndthisfollowedbyadraftEISonStage2;followedbyafinalEISonStage2;followedbyadraftEISontheDevilCanyon/Watanaauthorizedproject;followedbyafinalElSontheauthorizedproject????WhatmakesthesequestionsrelevantisthevastdifferenceinimportancebetweenbeingaskedtocommentonadraftEISonStagelofafeaSibilitystudyversusadraftEISonaprojectthatisauthorized.Althoughthelatterhasnotyetbeenaccomplished,theCorpsisrecommendingauthori-zationandSenatorMikeGravelhasalreadyintroducedabilltotheU.S.Senate·"authorizingconstructionofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsinordertohurrytheprojectalongsothatitcanbeincludedinthissessions"omnibuswaterresourcesdevelopmentpackage".(Gravel,1August1975NewsRelease.)IfauthorizationisgivenbyCong~ess,whathappenstothenormalandpropersequenceofenvironmentalevaluationrequiredbyNEPA'l.Willthetwostagefeasibilitystudyofhydroelecticsitesin-therail-beltareabecontinuedeventhoughconstructionofoneproject(DevilCanyon/Watana)hasbeenauthorized?TYPE'NO:BIASEDEVALUATIONOFALTERNATIVESTheresolutionadoptedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senateon18January1972specificallyrequeststhattheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsincludeinitsevaluationofmaterialsrelatingtodevelopingpowerresourcesintheSouthcentralRailbeltareaofAlaskaareviewofthepotentialof"theSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentsystem,includingtheDevilCanyonProjectandANYCOMPETITIVEALTERNATIVESTHERETO•••(p.l:capsareours).TenalternativepowersourcesarementionedintheDEISbutallaredismissedasnon-competitiveinthecourseoftenpages!Twoofthesesources,naturalgasandcoal,arereallyviablealternativesinAlaskaatthistime,yetthetreatmentinthisEISis,tosaytheleast,biasedandwhollyinade-quate.Forexample,inparagraph2,page71thedocumentstates:"Inviewofthequantitiesofcoalinvolvedandpresent-dayminingpractice,itispresumedthatstripminingwouldbeemployedtoobtainthecoal.Withoutspecificknowledgeoftheminingsite,itisnotpossibletopro-jecthowmuchacreagewouldbeaffected;however,itisassumedtobeinthehundreds,possiblythousands,ofacres•••"Ifthisisn'tbiased,Idon'tknowabiasedstatementwhenIseeone.Ifitisn'tdeliberately678
biased,thenitreflectsanon-objectiveandincompetantreviewofexistingknowledgeregardingcoalasanenergysourceinAlaska.Inthefirstplacet'~distributionofcoalsuitableforuseingeneratingelectricityforthesouthcentralrailbeltareaIS~~OWN;thesitesarefewinnumberandtherearereasonableestimatesofthecoalreservesavailableinthem.(Seeparagraph6.022USGSReport).Thus,theacreagethatwouldhavetobedisturbedtoextractthecoaltosupplyagivenamountofgeneratingcapacitycanbecalculatedbutapparentlywasn't.Second,ifweassummedthattheacreagethatwouldbeaffectedwas"inthehundreds,possiblythousands."howdoesthatcomparewiththe50,500acres(-78.91squaremiles)whichwillbeinundatedbythetwodamstosaynothingoftheroads,constructioncampsetc.!!!Furthermore,astripminedareacanberecontouredandrevegetatedsotheyCOmebackintt,beingproductivehabitatforatleastsome'(andintheNenanacoalfield,perhapsmost)ofthespeciesthatinhabitedtheareabeforestrippingoccurred.Inaddition,thetotalacreagedisturbedisnotaffectedallatonce,whereas,inundationbyaresevoirwiththeconsequentsiltation,buriesthetotalacreageinafewyears,and,forallpracticalpurposes,completelyeliminatesitsbiologicalproductivityoratleastsignificantlyreducesitforever.Laterinthissameparagraphthestatementismadethat'~aterin.contact;withcoalandminewastesgenerallybecomeacidicandtoxictovegetationandanimallife."WhatdoesthatgeneralstatementhavetodowiththespecificalternativeofusingcoaltogenerateelectricityinAlaska?CoalintheNenanacoalfield(nearHealy,Alaska)isverylowinsulfurandthusthereisverylittlepotentialofaseriousacidwasteproblem.Furthermore,burningthiscoalproducesverylowemissionsofsulfurdioxideandthatwhichisproducedcanbecapturedbyappropriatestackdesign.Thus,theimpressiongiventheuninformedreaderthat!1!coalproducesbadenvironmentalconditionsisverymisleadingespeciallyinthecaseoftheAlaskansituation.Thefinalsentenceinthissameparagraphappearsabsolutelyludicrouswhencomparedwithanothersentencefromthissamedocument:"Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelecticprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheexistingnaturalscenicresourcevalueswithintheprojectarea."(DraftEIS,page61.paragraph2).Yhichisworse?Thefinalparagraphofthecoalalternativeconcludes:II·lnviewoftheextensiveadverseenvironmentalimpactsas.sociatedwiththecoalalternative,bothinmagnitudeofeffectsandareasaffected.thisisdeterminedtoaless(sic)-desirablesourceofenergyproductionthaqhydroelectricdevelopment."(p.72)HowcouldtheCorps.:Jr't'iveatthisconclusionwhenNOEVIDENCEispresentedthatusingAlaskancoalasanenergyresourcewouldproducemore"extensiveadverseenvir-onmentalimpacts"thanhydroelectricpowerfromtwodamsontheSusitnaRiver?679172biased,thenitreflectsanon-objectiveandincompetantreviewofexistingknowledgeregardingcoalasanenergysourceinAlaska.Inthefirstplacet'~distributionofcoalsuitableforuseingeneratingelectricityforthesouthcentralrailbeltareaIS~~OWN;thesitesarefewinnumberandtherearereasonableestimatesofthecoalreservesavailableinthem.(Seeparagraph6.022USGSReport).Thus,theacreagethatwouldhavetobedisturbedtoextractthecoaltosupplyagivenamountofgeneratingcapacitycanbecalculatedbutapparentlywasn't.Second,ifweassummedthattheacreagethatwouldbeaffectedwas"inthehundreds,possiblythousands."howdoesthatcomparewiththe50,500acres(-78.91squaremiles)whichwillbeinundatedbythetwodamstosaynothingoftheroads,constructioncampsetc.!!!Furthermore,astripminedareacanberecontouredandrevegetatedsotheyCOmebackintt,beingproductivehabitatforatleastsome-(andintheNenanacoalfield,perhapsmost)ofthespeciesthatinhabitedtheareabeforestrippingoccurred.Inaddition,thetotalacreagedisturbedisnotaffectedallatonce,whereas,inundationbyaresevoirwiththeconsequentsiltation,buriesthetotalacreageinafewyears,and,forallpracticalpurposes,completelyeliminatesitsbiologicalproductivityoratleastsignificantlyreducesitforever.Laterinthissameparagraphthestatementismadethat'~aterin.contact;withcoalandminewastesgenerallybecomeacidicandtoxictovegetationandanimallife."WhatdoesthatgeneralstatementhavetodowiththespecificalternativeofusingcoaltogenerateelectricityinAlaska?CoalintheNenanacoalfield(nearHealy,Alaska)isverylowinsulfurandthusthereisverylittlepotentialofaseriousacidwasteproblem.Furthermore,burningthiscoalproducesverylowemissionsofsulfurdioxideandthatwhichisproducedcanbecapturedbyappropriatestackdesign.Thus,theimpressiongiventheuninformedreaderthat!1!coalproducesbadenvironmentalconditionsisverymisleadingespeciallyinthecaseoftheAlaskansituation.Thefinalsentenceinthissameparagraphappearsabsolutelyludicrouswhencomparedwithanothersentencefromthissamedocument:"Theconstructionoftheproposedhydroelecticprojectwouldhaveasignificantimpactontheexistingnaturalscenicresourcevalueswithintheprojectarea."(DraftEIS,page61.paragraph2).Yhichisworse?Thefinalparagraphofthecoalalternativeconcludes:"-Inviewoftheextensiveadverseenvironmentalimpactsas_sociatedwiththecoalalternative,bothinmagnitudeofeffectsandareasaffected.thisisdeterminedtoaless(sic)-desirablesourceofenergyproductionthaqhydroelectricdevelopment."(p.72)HowcouldtheCorps.:Jr't'iveatthisconclusionwhenNOEVIDENCEispresentedthatusingAlaskancoalasanenergyresourcewouldproducemore"extensiveadverseenvir-onmentalimpacts"thanhydroelectricpowerfromtwodamsontheSusitnaRiver?679172
TYPETHREE:LACKOFQUANTIFICATIONOFMATERIALDESCRIBINGEXISTINGENVIRONMENTThroughoutthedraftEIS,meaninglessadjectivaldescriptorsareusedratherthannumbers.Examples:1':'3a.Page12,para.2:"MostoftheupperSusitnaRiverBasinis•underlainhydiscontinouousper~afrost."-Howmuehismost?Whatistherelationshipofdiscontinouspermafrosttothesuccessorfailureofthehydroproject?Whataretheenvironmentalconsequencesofbuildingdamsinsuchterrain?lb.Page14,para.1:"Fewkayakershaveattemptedthedangerous1''74elevenmilerunthroughDevilCanyon."Howmanyisaf.ew?Werewhite-watercanoergroupscontactedandaskedabouttheirviews?Ic.Page25,para.2.02.3.:"Grizzliesarecommonthroughoutthelr~5SusitnaRiverdrainageandarefairlynumerousintheupperSusitnades-•pitetheabsenceofsalmon(seeFig.B)""Common"and"fairly"numerousinrelationtowhatotherareas?Howmanypersquaremile?.IManyadditionalexamplescouldbecitedbuttheyarealmosttoonumerousto1'76count:Ifthedataareavailable,presentthemandiftheyarenotavailable,sayso.TYPEFOUR:IMPORTANTISSUESNOTADDRESSEDANYWHEREORVERYLIGHTLYTOUCHEDUPON11r17a.Onpage17,paragraph2.01.4.5thepointismadethat"muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped,"andthe"thebasinconstitutesoneoftheleastknownareasintheState".•.yetNOWHEREinSection4.0,EnvironmentalImpacts,doestheEISconsiderthecon-sequencpsofinundating50,500acresofgeologicallyunmappedterrain.Thepotentiallossofmineralresourcesisdismissedinanesentence:"Inundationwouldobviatethepracticabilityoffutureminingor,·ex-tractionofsuchresources."(page67).b.TheEISmakesthefollowingstatements:page10:"TheSusitnaRiver...isthelargeststreamdts('h~rgingintoCookInlet."page14:"FreshwaterrunoffintotheUpperInletisanimportantsourceofnutrientsandsediments"page45:"Significantreductionsofthelatespringandearlysummerflowsoftheriverandsubstantialincreasesofwinterflowswouldoccur"ifthedamsarebuilt.Inspiteofthesefacts,nowheredoestheEISconsidertheimpactonCookInletofmodifyingtheriverflow:680TYPETHREE:LACKOFQUANTIFICATIONOFMATERIALDESCRIBINGEXISTINGENVIRONMENTThroughoutthedraftEIS,meaninglessadjectivaldescriptorsareusedratherthannumbers.Examples:1':'3a.Page12,para.2:"MostoftheupperSusitnaRiverBasinis•underlainhydiscontinouousper~afrost."-Howmuehismost?Whatistherelationshipofdiscontinouspermafrosttothesuccessorfailureofthehydroproject?Whataretheenvironmentalconsequencesofbuildingdamsinsuchterrain?lb.Page14,para.1:"Fewkayakershaveattemptedthedangerous1''74elevenmilerunthroughDevilCanyon."Howmanyisaf.ew?Werewhite-watercanoergroupscontactedandaskedabouttheirviews?Ic.Page25,para.2.02.3.:"Grizzliesarecommonthroughoutthelr~5SusitnaRiverdrainageandarefairlynumerousintheupperSusitnades-•pitetheabsenceofsalmon(seeFig.B)""Common"and"fairly"numerousinrelationtowhatotherareas?Howmanypersquaremile?.IManyadditionalexamplescouldbecitedbuttheyarealmosttoonumerousto1'76count:Ifthedataareavailable,presentthemandiftheyarenotavailable,sayso.TYPEFOUR:IMPORTANTISSUESNOTADDRESSEDANYWHEREORVERYLIGHTLYTOUCHEDUPON11r17a.Onpage17,paragraph2.01.4.5thepointismadethat"muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped,"andthe"thebasinconstitutesoneoftheleastknownareasintheState".•.yetNOWHEREinSection4.0,EnvironmentalImpacts,doestheEISconsiderthecon-sequencpsofinundating50,500acresofgeologicallyunmappedterrain.Thepotentiallossofmineralresourcesisdismissedinanesentence:"Inundationwouldobviatethepracticabilityoffutureminingor,·ex-tractionofsuchresources."(page67).b.TheEISmakesthefollowingstatements:page10:"TheSusitnaRiver...isthelargeststreamdts('h~rgingintoCookInlet."page14:"FreshwaterrunoffintotheUpperInletisanimportantsourceofnutrientsandsediments"page45:"Significantreductionsofthelatespringandearlysummerflowsoftheriverandsubstantialincreasesofwinterflowswouldoccur"ifthedamsarebuilt.Inspiteofthesefacts,nowheredoestheEISconsidertheimpactonCookInletofmodifyingtheriverflow:680
TYPEFIVE:INADEQUATEREFERENCINGOFSOURCESUTILIZEDAlthough31pagesofthedraftEISaredevotedtoadescriptionofthe"environmentalsettingwithouttheproject",veryfewreferencesaremadetothesourcesofthematerialpresentedandthefewcitatiopsthataregiven,areincompletesothatsomeonewishingtocheckwiththeoriginalsourcewouldhaveadifficulttimelocatingit.TYPESIX:UNREADABLEORINADEQUATEFIGURESFigure3(page7)is50sketchyastobeuselessforassessingrelation-shipsbetweenthetransmissioncorridorandevenbasicterrainfeatures.Figure4(page11)isunreadable.'SUMMARYFollowingareviewofthedraftEISforhydroelectricdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,theAlaskaConservationSocietyfoundthedocumenttobeatotallyinadequateevaluationoftheenvironmentalimpactslikelytooccuriftheDevilCanyonandWatanadamsweretobeconstructedontheriver.Deficienciesinthedocumentare50numerousthatanitem181byitemenumerationofthemwouldprobablyrequirea'documentequaltoorgreaterinlengththanthedraftEISitself.Inordertokeepourcommentstoa:,easonablelevel,weclassificedthedeficienciesintosixtypes:1.ConfusingPresentation;2.BiasedEvaluationofAlternatives;3.LackofQuantificationofMater:'alDescribingExistingEnvrionment;4.ImportantIssuesNotAddressed;S.InadequateReferencin'g;and6.UnreadableFigures.SeveralexamplesofthedeficienciesnotedforeachcategoryarepresentedandreferencedtotheirlocationwithinthedraftEIS.CONCLUSIONInviewoftheinadequacyofthedraftEIS.theAlaskaConservationSocietfeelsthattheexistingdocument1'\eedstobecompletelyrevisedandup-gradedBEFOREanyfurtherrecommendationsaremadetoCongressbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.Inparticular.theCorpsshouldmeetitsresponsibilityasmandatedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senatetoevaluate"olmycompetitivealternatives"totheDevilCanyonandWatanaDamprojectinan.!:!!'llise<!mannerandpresentthisevaluationtotho!~ublic.182TYPEFIVE:INADEQUATEREFERENCINGOFSOURCESUTILIZEDAlthough31pagesofthedraftEISaredevotedtoadescriptionofthe"environmentalsettingwithouttheproject",veryfewreferencesaremadetothesourcesofthematerialpresentedandthefewcitatiopsthataregiven,areincompletesothatsomeonewishingtocheckwiththeoriginalsourcewouldhaveadifficulttimelocatingit.TYPESIX:UNREADABLEORINADEQUATEFIGURESFigure3(page7)is50sketchyastobeuselessforassessingrelation-shipsbetweenthetransmissioncorridorandevenbasicterrainfeatures.Figure4(page11)isunreadable.'SUMMARYFollowingareviewofthedraftEISforhydroelectricdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,theAlaskaConservationSocietyfoundthedocumenttobeatotallyinadequateevaluationoftheenvironmentalimpactslikelytooccuriftheDevilCanyonandWatanadamsweretobeconstructedontheriver.Deficienciesinthedocumentare50numerousthatanitem181byitemenumerationofthemwouldprobablyrequirea'documentequaltoorgreaterinlengththanthedraftEISitself.Inordertokeepourcommentstoa:,easonablelevel,weclassificedthedeficienciesintosixtypes:1.ConfusingPresentation;2.BiasedEvaluationofAlternatives;3.LackofQuantificationofMater:'alDescribingExistingEnvrionment;4.ImportantIssuesNotAddressed;S.InadequateReferencin'g;and6.UnreadableFigures.SeveralexamplesofthedeficienciesnotedforeachcategoryarepresentedandreferencedtotheirlocationwithinthedraftEIS.CONCLUSIONInviewoftheinadequacyofthedraftEIS.theAlaskaConservationSocietfeelsthattheexistingdocument1'\eedstobecompletelyrevisedandup-gradedBEFOREanyfurtherrecommendationsaremadetoCongressbytheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.Inparticular.theCorpsshouldmeetitsresponsibilityasmandatedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senatetoevaluate"olmycompetitivealternatives"totheDevilCanyonandWatanaDamprojectinan.!:!!'llise<!mannerandpresentthisevaluationtotho!~ublic.182
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFALASKACONSEVATIONSOCIETYCOLLEGE,ALASKA170Commentnoted.171Thiscommentindicatesalackofunderstandingoftheproceduralre-quirementsestablishedbytheCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityforfedf!ralagencycompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct.GuidelinestoFederalagenciesforpreparingdetailedEnvironmentalStatementsonproposalsforlegislationappearintheCodeofFederalRegulationsinTitle40,ChapterV,atPart1500.Inaddition,pursuanttoSection2(f)ofExecutiveOrder11514,theCorpshasdevelopedagencyproceduresinconsultationwithCEQwhichevenmorespecificallyprovideguidanceforthepreparationofCorpsEnvironmentalImpactStatements.BothCEQguidlinesandCorpsregulationshavebeenadheredtointhepreparationoftheDraft".EnvironmentalImpactStatement.FollowingcoordinationoftheDEISwithotheragencies,groupsandindividuals--andincorporationofallcommentsreceived,responses·thereto,andadditiontotheEISofanyneworadditionalinformationreceived--theCorpswillprepareanupdatedrevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.TheRDEISwillthenbesubjectedtointensivein-housereviewathigherlevelsofauthority,andtheDistrictwillmakeanynecessaryrevisions.Aftersuchrevisionsaremade,theRDEISwillbesubmittedtoCEQand,atthesametime,willbes~ntouttothe130ardofEngineersforRiversandHarbors,thefinalreviewagencyoftheCorps,andtoFederalandStateagenciesforreviewandcomment.Groupsandindividualscommentingonthedraftstatementwillbefurnishedinformationalcopies.TheDistrictwillprepareappropriateresponses,makenecessaryrevisionstothemaintextduetocommentsreceived"andforwardaFinalEnvironmentalStatementtotheOfficeoftheChiefofEngineerswhichinturnwillforwardthedocumenttotheOffice,SecretaryoftheArmy.IftheChiefofEngineersdeterminesthatnewinformationreceivedisofsuchsignificanceastowarrantrecon-siderationofpreviousrecommendationsoftheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarbors.hewillsendthedocumentbacktotheBoardforsuchreconsideration.WhentheOffice,SecretaryoftheArmy,transmitstheFinalFeasibilityReportandaccompanyingFEIStoCongress,itwillalsotransmittheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementtoCEQ.Atthesametime,theDivisionandDistrictofficewillbenotifiedofthetransmittalfortimelydistributionoftheFEIStoagencies,groupS,andindividualsthathavereceivedandfurnishedcommentsatvariouslevelsonthestatement.ThedocumentcommentedonbythereviewerisaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,asindicatedonthecoverandinthetext.TheDEISaddressesStageIofatwo-stagestudy.StageIinvolvesastudy,asmandatedbyCongress(byresolutionoftheCommittee682RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFALASKACONSEVATIONSOCIETYCOLLEGE,ALASKA170Commentnoted.171Thiscommentindicatesalackofunderstandingoftheproceduralre-quirementsestablishedbytheCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityforfedf!ralagencycompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct.GuidelinestoFederalagenciesforpreparingdetailedEnvironmentalStatementsonproposalsforlegislationappearintheCodeofFederalRegulationsinTitle40,ChapterV,atPart1500.Inaddition,pursuanttoSection2(f)ofExecutiveOrder11514,theCorpshasdevelopedagencyproceduresinconsultationwithCEQwhichevenmorespecificallyprovideguidanceforthepreparationofCorpsEnvironmentalImpactStatements.BothCEQguidlinesandCorpsregulationshavebeenadheredtointhepreparationoftheDraft".EnvironmentalImpactStatement.FollowingcoordinationoftheDEISwithotheragencies,groupsandindividuals--andincorporationofallcommentsreceived,responses·thereto,andadditiontotheEISofanyneworadditionalinformationreceived--theCorpswillprepareanupdatedrevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.TheRDEISwillthenbesubjectedtointensivein-housereviewathigherlevelsofauthority,andtheDistrictwillmakeanynecessaryrevisions.Aftersuchrevisionsaremade,theRDEISwillbesubmittedtoCEQand,atthesametime,willbes~ntouttothe130ardofEngineersforRiversandHarbors,thefinalreviewagencyoftheCorps,andtoFederalandStateagenciesforreviewandcomment.Groupsandindividualscommentingonthedraftstatementwillbefurnishedinformationalcopies.TheDistrictwillprepareappropriateresponses,makenecessaryrevisionstothemaintextduetocommentsreceived"andforwardaFinalEnvironmentalStatementtotheOfficeoftheChiefofEngineerswhichinturnwillforwardthedocumenttotheOffice,SecretaryoftheArmy.IftheChiefofEngineersdeterminesthatnewinformationreceivedisofsuchsignificanceastowarrantrecon-siderationofpreviousrecommendationsoftheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarbors.hewillsendthedocumentbacktotheBoardforsuchreconsideration.WhentheOffice,SecretaryoftheArmy,transmitstheFinalFeasibilityReportandaccompanyingFEIStoCongress,itwillalsotransmittheFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementtoCEQ.Atthesametime,theDivisionandDistrictofficewillbenotifiedofthetransmittalfortimelydistributionoftheFEIStoagencies,groupS,andindividualsthathavereceivedandfurnishedcommentsatvariouslevelsonthestatement.ThedocumentcommentedonbythereviewerisaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,asindicatedonthecoverandinthetext.TheDEISaddressesStageIofatwo-stagestudy.StageIinvolvesastudy,asmandatedbyCongress(byresolutionoftheCommittee682
onPublicWorksofthe~nitedStatesSenateon18January1972},todeterminethefeasibilityofhydroelectricdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiver.StageIIwillinvolveanadditionalstudy(notyetundertaken)whichwilldeterminethefeasibilityofotherhydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.Thus,thesecondstagestudywillbeconductedtofullyrespondtoCongress'directive.ThereisavastdifferenceinimportanceinbeingaskedtocOllmentonaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementofafeasibilitystudyversusaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementonaprojectthatisauthorized.Ifthisprojectisauthorized,extensive,detailedenvironmentalstudieswillbeundertakentoidentifyunavoidableadverseimpactswhichwillresultfromprojectconstruction.Procedureswillbestudiedwherebytheprojectcanoemodifiedtominimizeadverseimpactsortootherwisemitigateunavoidabledamages.AtthistimetheEISwillessentiallyberewrittenandthereviewprocessinitiatedagain.Asaresultofthisdetailedevaluationofprojectimpacts,Congresswillagainhaveanopportunitytoconsiderthemeritsoftheprojectandmakeadeterminationastowhetherornotitshouldbeauthorizedforfundingandconstruction.ThelatterrequiresadistinctandseparateactionbytheCongress.172InreferencetothealternativestotheproposedSusitnaRiver hydro-@lectricdevelopment,theInterimFeasibilityReportdiscussesingreaterdetailthereasonsthatcoalwasdeterminedtobealessdesirablesourceofelectricalenergyproductionthanhydroelectricdevelopment.Thealternativestohydroelectricdevelopmentarealsodiscussedinsection6.0oftheElS.Theinformationwasgatheredfromawidevarietyofsourcesandpresentedinacondensedform.173Manyunquantified--unquantifiable--resourcevaluesaredescribednarrativelythroughouttheEIS.ThestatementmakesitclearthatpermafrostisprimarilyrestrictedtoareasoftheUpperSusitnaBasinupstreamfromthereservoirsites,thoughtheWatanasiteisknowntohavesomepermafrost.Theexactextentofthisconditionwillnotbeknownuntilproposeddetailedgeologicstudieshavebeencompleted.Permafrostwillhavenorelationshiptothesuccessorfailureofthehydroproject.Itwill,however,beafactor(oneofmanygeologicalconsiderations)thatwillhave·tobetakenintoaccountinthedesignandfunctionoftheproject.PermafrostisnotpresentintheDevilCanyondamsitebutmaybepresentwithinaportionofthereservoirsite.TheWatanareservoirsitecontainsareasofintermittentpermafrost,particularlyonnorth-facingslopes.Intheseareastheoverburdenmantleassumesasteeperangleofreposethanwouldnormallyexist.Itisexpectedthatasthereservoirfillsandpermafrostdegrades,someslumpingofnaturalslopeswilloccur.Theseslumpsorslideswillbeminimalintheireffectonthecapacityofthereservoir,sinceverylightoverburdenisfoundinthelowerelevationsofthecanyonwheresuchslumpingwouldoccur.Abovetheserockywallsthevalleyflattensabruptlyintothehighterracesofglacialdepositswheretheslopesaregenerallystable.Permafrost683onPublicWorksofthe~nitedStatesSenateon18January1972},todeterminethefeasibilityofhydroelectricdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiver.StageIIwillinvolveanadditionalstudy(notyetundertaken)whichwilldeterminethefeasibilityofotherhydroelectricsitesintheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.Thus,thesecondstagestudywillbeconductedtofullyrespondtoCongress'directive.ThereisavastdifferenceinimportanceinbeingaskedtocOllmentonaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementofafeasibilitystudyversusaDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementonaprojectthatisauthorized.Ifthisprojectisauthorized,extensive,detailedenvironmentalstudieswillbeundertakentoidentifyunavoidableadverseimpactswhichwillresultfromprojectconstruction.Procedureswillbestudiedwherebytheprojectcanoemodifiedtominimizeadverseimpactsortootherwisemitigateunavoidabledamages.AtthistimetheEISwillessentiallyberewrittenandthereviewprocessinitiatedagain.Asaresultofthisdetailedevaluationofprojectimpacts,Congresswillagainhaveanopportunitytoconsiderthemeritsoftheprojectandmakeadeterminationastowhetherornotitshouldbeauthorizedforfundingandconstruction.ThelatterrequiresadistinctandseparateactionbytheCongress.172InreferencetothealternativestotheproposedSusitnaRiver hydro-@lectricdevelopment,theInterimFeasibilityReportdiscussesingreaterdetailthereasonsthatcoalwasdeterminedtobealessdesirablesourceofelectricalenergyproductionthanhydroelectricdevelopment.Thealternativestohydroelectricdevelopmentarealsodiscussedinsection6.0oftheElS.Theinformationwasgatheredfromawidevarietyofsourcesandpresentedinacondensedform.173Manyunquantified--unquantifiable--resourcevaluesaredescribednarrativelythroughouttheEIS.ThestatementmakesitclearthatpermafrostisprimarilyrestrictedtoareasoftheUpperSusitnaBasinupstreamfromthereservoirsites,thoughtheWatanasiteisknowntohavesomepermafrost.Theexactextentofthisconditionwillnotbeknownuntilproposeddetailedgeologicstudieshavebeencompleted.Permafrostwillhavenorelationshiptothesuccessorfailureofthehydroproject.Itwill,however,beafactor(oneofmanygeologicalconsiderations)thatwillhave·tobetakenintoaccountinthedesignandfunctionoftheproject.PermafrostisnotpresentintheDevilCanyondamsitebutmaybepresentwithinaportionofthereservoirsite.TheWatanareservoirsitecontainsareasofintermittentpermafrost,particularlyonnorth-facingslopes.Intheseareastheoverburdenmantleassumesasteeperangleofreposethanwouldnormallyexist.Itisexpectedthatasthereservoirfillsandpermafrostdegrades,someslumpingofnaturalslopeswilloccur.Theseslumpsorslideswillbeminimalintheireffectonthecapacityofthereservoir,sinceverylightoverburdenisfoundinthelowerelevationsofthecanyonwheresuchslumpingwouldoccur.Abovetheserockywallsthevalleyflattensabruptlyintothehighterracesofglacialdepositswheretheslopesaregenerallystable.Permafrost683
1?~willnotbeafactorinthesuccessofthedamsincethefoundationwillbeestablishedwellbelowthelevelofpermafrostconditions.Therehavebeenonlytwoorthreepeople,toourknowledge,whohaveclaimedtohaverunthe11milesof"whitewater"atDevilCanyon;therehavebeenothet'swholhlve~ayakedportionsofthissectionoftheriverandportagedoutofthedeepcanyonarounddangeroussectionsoftheriver,AcopyofareportbyDr.W.L.BlackadarofSalmon,Idahoisincluded..SeeresponseNo.257.175Thewords"common"and"fairlyllnumerousaredescriptionsusedfromvariousStateandFederalagencywildlifestatementsandreports-itispresumedthatthesetermswereusedinrelationtotheanimalsintheStateofAlaska.-176171178ThetermsandnumbersusedintheEISwereTromavailabledatafromFishandWildlifeAgencies.ItisalsostatedthatadditionalfishandWildlifedatawillbeobtainedduringthepreconstructionplanningprocess.Byselectivelyquotingportionsoftwosentencesthereviewerconveystheimpressionthatabsolutelynothingisknownaboutmineralresourcesinthedrainagebasin.Intheirentirety;thetwosentenceswhicharepartiallyquotedreadthus:"Thoughanumberofmineraloccur-rencesareknownandtheareaisconsideredfavorablefordiscoveryofadditionaldeposits,muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped.Thusgeologically,thebasinconstitute.soneoftheleastknownareasintheStateexceptforafewareasinthevicinityofDenaliwheresomegeologicmappinghasbeendone.1IAdditionally,thepreviousparagraphsstates:"MostoftheSusitnaBasinaboveDevilCanyonisconsideredhighlyfavorablyfordepositsofcopperormolybdenumandforcontactorveindepositsofgoldandsilver.1ITheparagraphgoesontoidentifytwoknownmineraldepositsites-oneforcopperandoneforgold.Thepotentiallossofknow,suspected,andunknownmineralresourcesisthuscandidlyacknowledgedinthesentenceasquotedwhollyfromSection4.0.Geologicmappingoftheimpoundmentareas,requiredtodeterminefaultsandfoundationconditions,wouldbeextensivepriortoanyrecommendationthattheprojectbefundedforcon-struction.AlthoughCookInletisnotspecifiedbynameindiscussingthedownstreameffectsofmodifiedriverflow,thefollowingstatementismadeinSection5.0:"Adverseimpactscouldresultfrompossiblereductioninnutrientsandprimaryproductivity,cutting,anderosionofexistingstreambedconfiguration,increasedturbidityduringthewintermonthsandchangesinthehydraulicandbiologicalregimeofsalmonrearingandspawningsloughs."Theseimpactswilldiminishwithdownstreamdistance,butsomeofthemmaywellbefelttosomeextentinCookInletitself.Adeterminationofanysignificant6841?~willnotbeafactorinthesuccessofthedamsincethefoundationwillbeestablishedwellbelowthelevelofpermafrostconditions.Therehavebeenonlytwoorthreepeople,toourknowledge,whohaveclaimedtohaverunthe11milesof"whitewater"atDevilCanyon;therehavebeenothet'swholhlve~ayakedportionsofthissectionoftheriverandportagedoutofthedeepcanyonarounddangeroussectionsoftheriver,AcopyofareportbyDr.W.L.BlackadarofSalmon,Idahoisincluded..SeeresponseNo.257.175Thewords"common"and"fairlyllnumerousaredescriptionsusedfromvariousStateandFederalagencywildlifestatementsandreports-itispresumedthatthesetermswereusedinrelationtotheanimalsintheStateofAlaska.-176171178ThetermsandnumbersusedintheEISwereTromavailabledatafromFishandWildlifeAgencies.ItisalsostatedthatadditionalfishandWildlifedatawillbeobtainedduringthepreconstructionplanningprocess.Byselectivelyquotingportionsoftwosentencesthereviewerconveystheimpressionthatabsolutelynothingisknownaboutmineralresourcesinthedrainagebasin.Intheirentirety;thetwosentenceswhicharepartiallyquotedreadthus:"Thoughanumberofmineraloccur-rencesareknownandtheareaisconsideredfavorablefordiscoveryofadditionaldeposits,muchofthedrainagebasinhasneverbeengeologicallymapped.Thusgeologically,thebasinconstitute.soneoftheleastknownareasintheStateexceptforafewareasinthevicinityofDenaliwheresomegeologicmappinghasbeendone.1IAdditionally,thepreviousparagraphsstates:"MostoftheSusitnaBasinaboveDevilCanyonisconsideredhighlyfavorablyfordepositsofcopperormolybdenumandforcontactorveindepositsofgoldandsilver.1ITheparagraphgoesontoidentifytwoknownmineraldepositsites-oneforcopperandoneforgold.Thepotentiallossofknow,suspected,andunknownmineralresourcesisthuscandidlyacknowledgedinthesentenceasquotedwhollyfromSection4.0.Geologicmappingoftheimpoundmentareas,requiredtodeterminefaultsandfoundationconditions,wouldbeextensivepriortoanyrecommendationthattheprojectbefundedforcon-struction.AlthoughCookInletisnotspecifiedbynameindiscussingthedownstreameffectsofmodifiedriverflow,thefollowingstatementismadeinSection5.0:"Adverseimpactscouldresultfrompossiblereductioninnutrientsandprimaryproductivity,cutting,anderosionofexistingstreambedconfiguration,increasedturbidityduringthewintermonthsandchangesinthehydraulicandbiologicalregimeofsalmonrearingandspawningsloughs."Theseimpactswilldiminishwithdownstreamdistance,butsomeofthemmaywellbefelttosomeextentinCookInletitself.Adeterminationofanysignificant684
181impactonCookInletcanonlybedeterminedsubsequenttolengthyandcostlydetailedhydrological,biological,andwaterqualitystudiesoftheentiredownstreamsystem.Suchstudiesare~lannediftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning.Themagnitudeandcostoftheseandotherstudieswhichwillberequiredpriortofinalrecommendationsforconstructionauthorizationsareclearlybeyondthescopeandfundingconstraintsofthecurrentfeasibilitystudy.179ManyspecificmaterialsourcesarereferencedwithinthebodyofthedraftEISandgeneralinformationsourcesarelistedinthebibliographicreferencessectionoftheEIS.180AnewschematicdrawingoftheproposedtransmissioncorridorhasbeenfurnishedbyAPA.Theexacton-the-groundlocationoftheproposedtransmissionlinewillbedeterminedinfuturestudiesthatwillincorporateenvironmental,economicandengineeringconsiderations.•Theword"if"issignificantinthecontextofthefirstsentenceofthiscomment.TheCorpshasclearlystatedinthedraftEISthatiftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning,detailedenvironmentalstudieswillbeundertakenpriortoanyrecommendationsforconstructionauthorizationandfunding.Atthepresenttimeitisnotknowniftheprojectwillevenbefundedforfurtherstudies,muchlessconsfruction.Inresponsetotheremainderofthe"Summary"comment,everydeficiencythatcanbespecificallyldentifiedhasbeengivenanindividualresponseandclarifiedintheRDEIS.182TheCorpsofEngineersisveryawareofitsresponsibilityasmandatedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheu.S.Senate.Thepublichasbeenkeptfullyinformedthroughouttheprogressofthisstudy.Anumberofpublicmeetingshavebeenheld,workshopswithinterestedenvironmentalgroupshavebeenconducted,andthedraftEIShasbeensenttoeveryoneindicatinganinterestinit,alongwithaletterspecificallyrequestingtheirviewsandcomments.SeeresponseNo.171,foradiscussiononproceduresofupdatingtheEISpriortoformalsubmittaltoCongress.685181impactonCookInletcanonlybedeterminedsubsequenttolengthyandcostlydetailedhydrological,biological,andwaterqualitystudiesoftheentiredownstreamsystem.Suchstudiesare~lannediftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning.Themagnitudeandcostoftheseandotherstudieswhichwillberequiredpriortofinalrecommendationsforconstructionauthorizationsareclearlybeyondthescopeandfundingconstraintsofthecurrentfeasibilitystudy.179ManyspecificmaterialsourcesarereferencedwithinthebodyofthedraftEISandgeneralinformationsourcesarelistedinthebibliographicreferencessectionoftheEIS.180AnewschematicdrawingoftheproposedtransmissioncorridorhasbeenfurnishedbyAPA.Theexacton-the-groundlocationoftheproposedtransmissionlinewillbedeterminedinfuturestudiesthatwillincorporateenvironmental,economicandengineeringconsiderations.•Theword"if"issignificantinthecontextofthefirstsentenceofthiscomment.TheCorpshasclearlystatedinthedraftEISthatiftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedforpreconstructionplanning,detailedenvironmentalstudieswillbeundertakenpriortoanyrecommendationsforconstructionauthorizationandfunding.Atthepresenttimeitisnotknowniftheprojectwillevenbefundedforfurtherstudies,muchlessconsfruction.Inresponsetotheremainderofthe"Summary"comment,everydeficiencythatcanbespecificallyldentifiedhasbeengivenanindividualresponseandclarifiedintheRDEIS.182TheCorpsofEngineersisveryawareofitsresponsibilityasmandatedbytheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheu.S.Senate.Thepublichasbeenkeptfullyinformedthroughouttheprogressofthisstudy.Anumberofpublicmeetingshavebeenheld,workshopswithinterestedenvironmentalgroupshavebeenconducted,andthedraftEIShasbeensenttoeveryoneindicatinganinterestinit,alongwithaletterspecificallyrequestingtheirviewsandcomments.SeeresponseNo.171,foradiscussiononproceduresofupdatingtheEISpriortoformalsubmittaltoCongress.685
,,,i.',-",PlLASi{ACONSERVATIONSOClaYUPPERCOOKINLETCHAPTERBOX3395ANCHORAGE.ALASKA99501Oct.17.197.5CharlesDebeliusCol.,Corpsof~ngineersDistrict~ngineer!~ox7002Anchorage,Alaska99.510801.Dehe1iuB.ThefollowingarethecommentsoftheUPP(!t'CookInletChapteroftheAlaskaConservation;:;ocietyontheur:lft;~nvironmentalImpact:'tatementon"){v;roelectricPower~velopment-Upper;,;usitnaRiver;'asin';;outhcentra1RailheltArea,Alaska",Al~lskaDistrict.Corpsof~nRineers,;:;ept.197.5.UCIC,AC:";protests,theshorttimeframeinwhichthisstatementhastll'enbroughtout.rheagenciesmuchlessthepubli.caske1tocommentontheI,;latementhasscarcelyenoughleadtimetoLl.~nt\.fywhatneededtobe183Jane,muchlesstojoit•..:>omeofthefollowing"uo:!stionsaskedatthehearinr,swerepartiallyanswerelatthepublicrr.e!,)tingheldbytheCorpsinI\nchorageOct.7(whichwasonly16daysbefore','/rittencommentswerelue)butwewishtoassuretheyarecontainedinthefinal,e;I~.IUC1(':,J\(;...believesthi.sDc;l""tobegenerallyin:de,-!uateanlunacceptable.,Ieagreewiththe...tatementonpg.8.....'1'he'::1....ioesnotinclujea184detailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimp'lcts.....'IeobjectI>trenuouslytothefactthattheproposelpro.iecthasto'hea\ltnori~ejtobehulltbeforeadequateenvironmentals'tuliescanbemade.'1'hefollowingaresomegeneralobservationsaniquestionsontheOr:l.,.Fish.Game,Habitat'l'hemostobviousfactoristhelossof.50,000plusacresthatwillbeinun'late1bytheresevoirwatersandlostashabitat.ralkswithFdeGpersonnelrevealthattheyneejmoretimetodoa.iequategamecounts(moose,caribou,etc.),rangeworktojeterminewhatkmnio'fhabitatwillhp.lost.ilentifyspecificcariboumigrationroutesthroughthearea,anitheyneejtimetoiientifyexactlywhichstreamsthemixejstock};ofG31monspawnin.Asweunierstan1it,theyha1atthemosta.yeartostartioinr;thisworkwithonly2fulltimeregularstaffpeopleandtheDEDICATEDTOTHEWISEUSE.PROTECTIONANDPRESERVATIONOFALASKA'SRENEWABLEANDNON-RENEWABLENATURALRESOURCES.686,,,i.',-",PlLASi{ACONSERVATIONSOClaYUPPERCOOKINLETCHAPTERBOX3395ANCHORAGE.ALASKA99501Oct.17.197.5CharlesDebeliusCol.,Corpsof~ngineersDistrict~ngineer!~ox7002Anchorage,Alaska99.510801.Dehe1iuB.ThefollowingarethecommentsoftheUPP(!t'CookInletChapteroftheAlaskaConservation;:;ocietyontheur:lft;~nvironmentalImpact:'tatementon"){v;roelectricPower~velopment-Upper;,;usitnaRiver;'asin';;outhcentra1RailheltArea,Alaska",Al~lskaDistrict.Corpsof~nRineers,;:;ept.197.5.UCIC,AC:";protests,theshorttimeframeinwhichthisstatementhastll'enbroughtout.rheagenciesmuchlessthepubli.caske1tocommentontheI,;latementhasscarcelyenoughleadtimetoLl.~nt\.fywhatneededtobe183Jane,muchlesstojoit•..:>omeofthefollowing"uo:!stionsaskedatthehearinr,swerepartiallyanswerelatthepublicrr.e!,)tingheldbytheCorpsinI\nchorageOct.7(whichwasonly16daysbefore','/rittencommentswerelue)butwewishtoassuretheyarecontainedinthefinal,e;I~.IUC1(':,J\(;...believesthi.sDc;l""tobegenerallyin:de,-!uateanlunacceptable.,Ieagreewiththe...tatementonpg.8.....'1'he'::1....ioesnotinclujea184detailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimp'lcts.....'IeobjectI>trenuouslytothefactthattheproposelpro.iecthasto'hea\ltnori~ejtobehulltbeforeadequateenvironmentals'tuliescanbemade.'1'hefollowingaresomegeneralobservationsaniquestionsontheOr:l.,.Fish.Game,Habitat'l'hemostobviousfactoristhelossof.50,000plusacresthatwillbeinun'late1bytheresevoirwatersandlostashabitat.ralkswithFdeGpersonnelrevealthattheyneejmoretimetodoa.iequategamecounts(moose,caribou,etc.),rangeworktojeterminewhatkmnio'fhabitatwillhp.lost.ilentifyspecificcariboumigrationroutesthroughthearea,anitheyneejtimetoiientifyexactlywhichstreamsthemixejstock};ofG31monspawnin.Asweunierstan1it,theyha1atthemosta.yeartostartioinr;thisworkwithonly2fulltimeregularstaffpeopleandtheDEDICATEDTOTHEWISEUSE.PROTECTIONANDPRESERVATIONOFALASKA'SRENEWABLEANDNON-RENEWABLENATURALRESOURCES.686
~..parttlmehelpof2alies.Also,moneywasnotavailabletodothestudiesInee1eJ.Thismoney,asweunJerstanJit,woulJbeprovilelunierenablinglegl-slationshoul1itbepassej,butagain,weprotestthatthisproposelprojectshoullnotbeauthorizejuntilale-luatestujiesarelone..F~~aswellasotherconcernejagencies,neeltimetoinitiatestuJis185toJefi..neimpact,regulatorychangesanltoJefinemitigationtoc.ompensatelforlossofhabitat.TheyalsoneelmorespecificJatafromtheCorpsinordertoevaluatelownstreameffectsonfishaniothera-luaticinhabitantsofthestreamsanitritutariE:lsaffecteJbythisproposelJamsystem.~amecountssiteiintheD~I~arecompletelyirde-luate-i.e.pg.53"DuringtheJune1974survey,onegrizzlywassighted•••fiveblackbearswere8itedonthe~usitnaRiver.J1.totalof56caribOUweresightedinthe8urveyarea"Whatwasthesurveyarea?Isoneyearsdatatheonlyavailable?Howmanytimesduringtheyearwerecountsmade?Informationa8basicasthisdoesnotseemtobeavailableintheD~I~.~pecificBtu~iesneedtobedonetodeterminehowincreasedriver186watertemperaturewilleffectsuchthingsasdownstreamicingconditions,salmoneggemergence,andeffectsonotherinhabitantsofthissystem.Theeffectswillnotbelimitedtojusttheimmediateareaofthedams.Whatwillthespecificchangesbeingoingfromanunregulatedrivertoaregulatedone?~hateffectwillthishaveonthemooserange?WhatwilltheCorpsdotomitigatetheseeffects?TheCorpsseeminglywillhave"toImitigateforthelossofmooserange-willtheygivelandstothe~tatesomewhereelseorproviiemoneytoincreasemanagementonotherlanls?ThisquestionioesnotseemtobeajlresselatallintheDEI~.:.;iltationTheproblemofsiltationraisesmanyquestionsinourmindsthatarenotaddresselinthestatement.Howwilllecreaselsiltationinthesummereffectprimaryproductivity?Ifthenutrientsaredecreasedduringthewarmermonthswhenlifere-emergesinthisnorthernlatitude,whatwillbetheresultupthefoolchain?especiallyinCookImletintowhichthe~usitnadrains?noWwillthiseffectthezooplankton?Andonupthefoodchain?~ventually,couldthispossiblyeffect~hesalmonruns?Alao.asdecreasedsiltationispredictedaftercompletionoftheproposeddams.whatabouttheincreasedsiltationboundtoresultfromtheconstructionphase(est.tobe10-15years)?Otherquestions-HowmuchsiltwillbepickedupafterthewaterisreleasedfromtheJam?Theremaybealowsedimentloadspilledfromthedam.butwhatarethe'figuressay,1milebelowthedam?.jedimentationThefactorsthatinfluencetherateoferosion,transportationofmaterialstoareservoiranithetrappingofsedimentwithinareservoirarecomplexanihighlyvariable.Thegeologyofanarea,natureofthesoils.slopes.rainfall.runoff.hyjrauliccharacteristics.coveranjotherconlitionsvarygreatly..Howeve~.giventheglacialsilt·andothersedimentcontentofthewateoftheSusitnaRiver.thestateilossofstoragecapacityfora100yearIperioi(6,5%forDevilCanyon1am.3.6(.fortheWatanadam)appearlow.Thereiuctionofsuspentiedselimentto15-35ppm(pg.46)meansthatmuchoftheunregulatelriverselimentloal(lessthan1000ppminsummermonths)wouURgerj1ainej~6'theproposejlams,Icorsfromexistingreservoirsintheu,~.havingdrainageareasgreaterthan1000S'luaremilesandstorageca.pacitiesrangingfrom0.05to2.06;'andaveraging0.72,.(~ottshalk.1964).Acoupleof_examples.68769-7370 -81-44~..parttlmehelpof2alies.Also,moneywasnotavailabletodothestudiesInee1eJ.Thismoney,asweunJerstanJit,woulJbeprovilelunierenablinglegl-slationshoul1itbepassej,butagain,weprotestthatthisproposelprojectshoullnotbeauthorizejuntilale-luatestujiesarelone..F~~aswellasotherconcernejagencies,neeltimetoinitiatestuJis185toJefi..neimpact,regulatorychangesanltoJefinemitigationtoc.ompensatelforlossofhabitat.TheyalsoneelmorespecificJatafromtheCorpsinordertoevaluatelownstreameffectsonfishaniothera-luaticinhabitantsofthestreamsanitritutariE:lsaffecteJbythisproposelJamsystem.~amecountssiteiintheD~I~arecompletelyirde-luate-i.e.pg.53"DuringtheJune1974survey,onegrizzlywassighted•••fiveblackbearswere8itedonthe~usitnaRiver.J1.totalof56caribOUweresightedinthe8urveyarea"Whatwasthesurveyarea?Isoneyearsdatatheonlyavailable?Howmanytimesduringtheyearwerecountsmade?Informationa8basicasthisdoesnotseemtobeavailableintheD~I~.~pecificBtu~iesneedtobedonetodeterminehowincreasedriver186watertemperaturewilleffectsuchthingsasdownstreamicingconditions,salmoneggemergence,andeffectsonotherinhabitantsofthissystem.Theeffectswillnotbelimitedtojusttheimmediateareaofthedams.Whatwillthespecificchangesbeingoingfromanunregulatedrivertoaregulatedone?~hateffectwillthishaveonthemooserange?WhatwilltheCorpsdotomitigatetheseeffects?TheCorpsseeminglywillhave"toImitigateforthelossofmooserange-willtheygivelandstothe~tatesomewhereelseorproviiemoneytoincreasemanagementonotherlanls?ThisquestionioesnotseemtobeajlresselatallintheDEI~.:.;iltationTheproblemofsiltationraisesmanyquestionsinourmindsthatarenotaddresselinthestatement.Howwilllecreaselsiltationinthesummereffectprimaryproductivity?Ifthenutrientsaredecreasedduringthewarmermonthswhenlifere-emergesinthisnorthernlatitude,whatwillbetheresultupthefoolchain?especiallyinCookImletintowhichthe~usitnadrains?noWwillthiseffectthezooplankton?Andonupthefoodchain?~ventually,couldthispossiblyeffect~hesalmonruns?Alao.asdecreasedsiltationispredictedaftercompletionoftheproposeddams.whatabouttheincreasedsiltationboundtoresultfromtheconstructionphase(est.tobe10-15years)?Otherquestions-HowmuchsiltwillbepickedupafterthewaterisreleasedfromtheJam?Theremaybealowsedimentloadspilledfromthedam.butwhatarethe'figuressay,1milebelowthedam?.jedimentationThefactorsthatinfluencetherateoferosion,transportationofmaterialstoareservoiranithetrappingofsedimentwithinareservoirarecomplexanihighlyvariable.Thegeologyofanarea,natureofthesoils.slopes.rainfall.runoff.hyjrauliccharacteristics.coveranjotherconlitionsvarygreatly..Howeve~.giventheglacialsilt·andothersedimentcontentofthewateoftheSusitnaRiver.thestateilossofstoragecapacityfora100yearIperioi(6,5%forDevilCanyon1am.3.6(.fortheWatanadam)appearlow.Thereiuctionofsuspentiedselimentto15-35ppm(pg.46)meansthatmuchoftheunregulatelriverselimentloal(lessthan1000ppminsummermonths)wouURgerj1ainej~6'theproposejlams,Icorsfromexistingreservoirsintheu,~.havingdrainageareasgreaterthan1000S'luaremilesandstorageca.pacitiesrangingfrom0.05to2.06;'andaveraging0.72,.(~ottshalk.1964).Acoupleof_examples.68769-7370 -81-44
":l~ptl,jnt'IuttereservoirinNew!i;exico,lost16%ofitsoriginalstorager.:lp:lcity(2.6millionacre-feet)in)2yearsofoperation.Guernseyreservoirinnyominglost39/0ofitsstoragecapacityof7),000acre-feetinjust18726years.-The,jatasourcesandmeth01suseJtocomputethoseseJimentationratesarenotinclujedintheD~I.:>andarethusnotavailableforevaluationhyreviewersofthestatement.Also,thereisnomentionoftheconstructionofasedimentpooltomitigatetneestimateJlossof·Ltor,agevolumneovertheyears.I'razilIceHagtheproblemoffrazilicebeenconside,red?'I'hisphenomenofnorthernclimatesisagreathazzardtopowerplants.Itisessentiallyicefof.,thatsolidifiesintoaspecialcrystalformationontheintakesystema~thecold(glacialinthisinstance)water.hitsthewarmerareanearerthe188turbines.Itsolidifiesinstantlypndwhenthishappens,thefastreVolvingturbineshaveadecreasedwaterflowandcouldburnout.Thereis!;uppose,nytechnologytoovercomethis,buttheproblemis.l!.Q.1addressedintheDEI..;8.n,jwefeelitisaveryimportantenvironmentalconsideration.(,jeeNilliams,J.P."FrazilIce- AReviewofitsPropertieswitha";clcctelrlibHography",Engineering,!'love1959,pg.55-60).wearenotconvince:lthisproblemcanbedismissedbysayingthewatertemperatureinthereservoirwillbe"tohighforthistooccur".I.~aterPlowsnhatwillbetheeffectofessentiallyeliminatingpeakandlowflows?189Provilin.gflowfiguresfortheChulitnaandotherdownstreamareaswe10.notfeel"arebeyonithee·ffectoftheproject".Also,whatwillbetheeffectofwarmerwaterflowinwinteranjcoolerinsummer?IpC!rmafrostThereseemstobeincompleteidentificationofpermafrostareas.HowOwillmeltingiceonreservoirseffectthepermafrost?Howmuchwillerosion19contributetothese,liment10aJanJwillwaveactioncauseincreasejerosi.ononpermafrostareas?rlhatwillbetheeffectofinnundatinglargeareasofliHcontinuouspermafrost?~xactlyhowmuchpermafrostwillbeundertheimpounJe.Jarea?,~;!rthquakesPg.62states."DevilCanyonand;jatanaDamswillbedesignedtowith-1.91standaiilaximumCreJible~arthquakeof8.5magnitujewithanepicanterof40milesatafocaldepthof20milesWhichistheapproximatedistanceofbothdamsitestotheDenaliFaultsystemaniisthemostlikelysourceofaseismiceventofthismagnitude.The~usitnaFault,truncatedbytheDenalifault,bisectstheregionina~~to~Ndirectionapproximately2.5mileswestofthe;Iatanadamsite".Asthe";usitnaFaultispa,r,t,oftheDenati.faultsystem,isitnotposs'iblethataquakecouldoccurcloserthanIWmiles?Hefeelthiscertainlyneedsmorestu:iyandfurtherclarification.I(;eology192·,{hatisthegeologyofthefounlationofthedams?Howfartot,(>lrock?llhatistheformationofthecanyonsidesthatwillbeinnundateJwithwater?IFIooiControlPg.71mentionsun:lerAlternative";ourcesofPower-"Acoal-thermal193facilitywoullforef,otherecre.ationalanJfloodcontrolbenefitsproV.idej\l,Yah.vIropowerproject".lihereisthejatalocumentingflooJingandtheneelforfloolcontrolonthe;.,usitna?Isfloodingaproblemonthe;:,usitna?KecreationIASmooseandcaribouhabitatwillbedestroyel(thusJecreasinghunting)an?therewillbenofishinthereservoirs,whatwillthegreatrecreationalbenefitoftheseproposeliamsbetothepub}.ic?Joating?Ratersports?~hat7~stheareabelowtheproposedJamsw~llprobab~ybe688":l~ptl,jnt'IuttereservoirinNew!i;exico,lost16%ofitsoriginalstorager.:lp:lcity(2.6millionacre-feet)in)2yearsofoperation.Guernseyreservoirinnyominglost39/0ofitsstoragecapacityof7),000acre-feetinjust18726years.-The,jatasourcesandmeth01suseJtocomputethoseseJimentationratesarenotinclujedintheD~I.:>andarethusnotavailableforevaluationhyreviewersofthestatement.Also,thereisnomentionoftheconstructionofasedimentpooltomitigatetneestimateJlossof·Ltor,agevolumneovertheyears.I'razilIceHagtheproblemoffrazilicebeenconside,red?'I'hisphenomenofnorthernclimatesisagreathazzardtopowerplants.Itisessentiallyicefof.,thatsolidifiesintoaspecialcrystalformationontheintakesystema~thecold(glacialinthisinstance)water.hitsthewarmerareanearerthe188turbines.Itsolidifiesinstantlypndwhenthishappens,thefastreVolvingturbineshaveadecreasedwaterflowandcouldburnout.Thereis!;uppose,nytechnologytoovercomethis,buttheproblemis.l!.Q.1addressedintheDEI..;8.n,jwefeelitisaveryimportantenvironmentalconsideration.(,jeeNilliams,J.P."FrazilIce-AReviewofitsPropertieswitha";clcctelrlibHography",Engineering,!'love1959,pg.55-60).wearenotconvince:lthisproblemcanbedismissedbysayingthewatertemperatureinthereservoirwillbe"tohighforthistooccur".I.~aterPlowsnhatwillbetheeffectofessentiallyeliminatingpeakandlowflows?189Provilin.gflowfiguresfortheChulitnaandotherdownstreamareaswe10.notfeel"arebeyonithee·ffectoftheproject".Also,whatwillbetheeffectofwarmerwaterflowinwinteranjcoolerinsummer?IpC!rmafrostThereseemstobeincompleteidentificationofpermafrostareas.HowOwillmeltingiceonreservoirseffectthepermafrost?Howmuchwillerosion19contributetothese,liment10aJanJwillwaveactioncauseincreasejerosi.ononpermafrostareas?rlhatwillbetheeffectofinnundatinglargeareasofliHcontinuouspermafrost?~xactlyhowmuchpermafrostwillbeundertheimpounJe.Jarea?,~;!rthquakesPg.62states."DevilCanyonand;jatanaDamswillbedesignedtowith-1.91standaiilaximumCreJible~arthquakeof8.5magnitujewithanepicanterof40milesatafocaldepthof20milesWhichistheapproximatedistanceofbothdamsitestotheDenaliFaultsystemaniisthemostlikelysourceofaseismiceventofthismagnitude.The~usitnaFault,truncatedbytheDenalifault,bisectstheregionina~~to~Ndirectionapproximately2.5mileswestofthe;Iatanadamsite".Asthe";usitnaFaultispa,r,t,oftheDenati.faultsystem,isitnotposs'iblethataquakecouldoccurcloserthanIWmiles?Hefeelthiscertainlyneedsmorestu:iyandfurtherclarification.I(;eology192·,{hatisthegeologyofthefounlationofthedams?Howfartot,(>lrock?llhatistheformationofthecanyonsidesthatwillbeinnundateJwithwater?IFIooiControlPg.71mentionsun:lerAlternative";ourcesofPower-"Acoal-thermal193facilitywoullforef,otherecre.ationalanJfloodcontrolbenefitsproV.idej\l,Yah.vIropowerproject".lihereisthejatalocumentingflooJingandtheneelforfloolcontrolonthe;.,usitna?Isfloodingaproblemonthe;:,usitna?KecreationIASmooseandcaribouhabitatwillbedestroyel(thusJecreasinghunting)an?therewillbenofishinthereservoirs,whatwillthegreatrecreationalbenefitoftheseproposeliamsbetothepub}.ic?Joating?Ratersports?~hat7~stheareabelowtheproposedJamsw~llprobab~ybe688
194clo:;eIluetosafetyreasons,kayakerswillprobablybeexcluledfromIudnr,theriver.Also,willtheaccessroalsbeopentothepUblicofwilltheybeclosej'luetosafetyreasons?,·\{..el~s~·;Hoa.Js-----,~ctlywherewillthesebebuilt-itisveryhardtotell·bythemapsintheiLL...Alsomileageestimatesvary."illtheybeopentothepublic?HowwiIewilltherightofwaybe?Howwillthedirtandgravelbeobtainejtobuildtheseroads?'jransmi~;sionlinesanicorridors'illeGtatementisvery.unclearastoexactlywherethesewillbe.Ilowwillrie;htofwaybeobtained?Itproposestocrossfederal.state.private,aninativelanJs.tlithincreasedpressureonlanjresourceanduseofIanIfornonproJuctivepurposes.hasburyingthetransmissionlinesbeenconsilend?Technologyisavailabletodothisanlcouldcausemuchle~;6lisruptionofthelan1.Fewertreeswouldhavetobedestroyedanlthehuriellimesareacoullberevegetated.~uchacorrilorcouldhavevariedelp,esinstealofastraightswathcutthruthewillerness.iierealizethisalternativeisveryexpensivebutwefeelitshoullbeconsiderej~sanalternativetooverhea1transmissionlinesintheDEI~.~ealsonotetheeffectofearthquakesonoverheadtransmissionlineshasnotheenalrJresse.l.tiehavesomequestionsastopossiblehealthha7,zarlsarounltransmissionlinesiuetohighwattageradiation.765.000'voltsseemstohethecriticalpointatwhichadverseimpactsbegin•.,omeoftheproblemsencounteredincludeI1.ozoneformation2.interferancewithralioandT!V.signalsJ.noisepollution-hummingandcracklingsound(upto70decibelshasbeenrecorled-90Jecibelsisthelegalnoiselimit)4.possibilityofelectricshock.5.possiblyhealthhazzarJs-increase~b/p.chromosomeJamage.nervoussystemdamage)I~e-lonotknowifanyofthiswouldhappenwiththisproposedproject.butwefeelintheinterestsofpublichealth,thatthisshouldbelookedintoandaJdresseJintheOcl".iihatstuJieshavebeendoneonstrengthofthewindintheareasfortransmissionlines?/jeunaerstanJtheprojectarouniJuneauhasha-lincrejibleproblemswithwindblow-jownoflines-notthatthere·areasstrongwin,isintheinterior,butthenwhoknows?i\o-lataispresentedonthis.Whatwillbetheenergyasdeliveredto.....nchorageandFairbanks?dhatwillbelostintransmission?Onpg.Jitstates."Asubsidiarypurposeintheconstructionoftheelectricaltransmissionlinewillbetheinterconnectionofthelargestelectricalpowerlistributiongridsinthe;tateofAlaska•••"Whatarethese2powergriis?cCo:.llithey~einterconnect,jwithouttheproposeiiam?~hyisitnecessarytointerconnectthem?Damoperation~howillhecharge1withoperatingthelamifitisbuilt?TheCorps?Utilitiescommission?The0tate?AlsoaveryimportantquestioniswhatisgoingtobeJonewiththe"seconlarypower"proiucei?Theproposejprojecthasabuiltinsurplusofpower-orinotherworls,itisbuildingwayahealofthecurrentneelsoftherailbel~.~hatisthepurposeofthisseconlarypowerproluction?Isthepurposetoattractinlustry?Ifso,wefeelthatthisisaselloutfromtheoriginalstateJpurpose.";~xtrapower"withnowheretogowillnecessatecar:"Jingchargesanjasus~tl.thetaxpayerwillpay.PlusthefactthatthisoverproJuctionWlbewaste1anlthustherationaltoattractbiginlustrytouseit.68919619'1194clo:;eIluetosafetyreasons,kayakerswillprobablybeexcluledfromIudnr,theriver.Also,willtheaccessroalsbeopentothepUblicofwilltheybeclosej'luetosafetyreasons?,·\{..el~s~·;Hoa.Js-----,~ctlywherewillthesebebuilt-itisveryhardtotell·bythemapsintheiLL...Alsomileageestimatesvary."illtheybeopentothepublic?HowwiIewilltherightofwaybe?Howwillthedirtandgravelbeobtainejtobuildtheseroads?'jransmi~;sionlinesanicorridors'illeGtatementisvery.unclearastoexactlywherethesewillbe.Ilowwillrie;htofwaybeobtained?Itproposestocrossfederal.state.private,aninativelanJs.tlithincreasedpressureonlanjresourceanduseofIanIfornonproJuctivepurposes.hasburyingthetransmissionlinesbeenconsilend?Technologyisavailabletodothisanlcouldcausemuchle~;6lisruptionofthelan1.Fewertreeswouldhavetobedestroyedanlthehuriellimesareacoullberevegetated.~uchacorrilorcouldhavevariedelp,esinstealofastraightswathcutthruthewillerness.iierealizethisalternativeisveryexpensivebutwefeelitshoullbeconsiderej~sanalternativetooverhea1transmissionlinesintheDEI~.~ealsonotetheeffectofearthquakesonoverheadtransmissionlineshasnotheenalrJresse.l.tiehavesomequestionsastopossiblehealthha7,zarlsarounltransmissionlinesiuetohighwattageradiation.765.000'voltsseemstohethecriticalpointatwhichadverseimpactsbegin•.,omeoftheproblemsencounteredincludeI1.ozoneformation2.interferancewithralioandT!V.signalsJ.noisepollution-hummingandcracklingsound(upto70decibelshasbeenrecorled-90Jecibelsisthelegalnoiselimit)4.possibilityofelectricshock.5.possiblyhealthhazzarJs-increase~b/p.chromosomeJamage.nervoussystemdamage)I~e-lonotknowifanyofthiswouldhappenwiththisproposedproject.butwefeelintheinterestsofpublichealth,thatthisshouldbelookedintoandaJdresseJintheOcl".iihatstuJieshavebeendoneonstrengthofthewindintheareasfortransmissionlines?/jeunaerstanJtheprojectarouniJuneauhasha-lincrejibleproblemswithwindblow-jownoflines-notthatthere·areasstrongwin,isintheinterior,butthenwhoknows?i\o-lataispresentedonthis.Whatwillbetheenergyasdeliveredto.....nchorageandFairbanks?dhatwillbelostintransmission?Onpg.Jitstates."Asubsidiarypurposeintheconstructionoftheelectricaltransmissionlinewillbetheinterconnectionofthelargestelectricalpowerlistributiongridsinthe;tateofAlaska•••"Whatarethese2powergriis?cCo:.llithey~einterconnect,jwithouttheproposeiiam?~hyisitnecessarytointerconnectthem?Damoperation~howillhecharge1withoperatingthelamifitisbuilt?TheCorps?Utilitiescommission?The0tate?AlsoaveryimportantquestioniswhatisgoingtobeJonewiththe"seconlarypower"proiucei?Theproposejprojecthasabuiltinsurplusofpower-orinotherworls,itisbuildingwayahealofthecurrentneelsoftherailbel~.~hatisthepurposeofthisseconlarypowerproluction?Isthepurposetoattractinlustry?Ifso,wefeelthatthisisaselloutfromtheoriginalstateJpurpose.";~xtrapower"withnowheretogowillnecessatecar:"Jingchargesanjasus~tl.thetaxpayerwillpay.PlusthefactthatthisoverproJuctionWlbewaste1anlthustherationaltoattractbiginlustrytouseit.68919619'1
198CostbenefitratioThisratioiscomputeias1.4sosupposeilythereismorebenefitthancost?!Jut,lookingattheinterestrateWhichwascomputeiat6J/8;4,we10notfeelthisisanaccuratereflectionoftherealisticmarket.~eneeJtokno~thecostofthisproposelprojectintermsofhowmuchenergywillbeusedtobuiljthedam,ho~many~arrelsofoilwillbeirretreviblycommitte.i,andhowmuchenergywillit"cost"tomaintainthedam?Let'slookattheCQst-asoneofthebenefits,theJamissupposedtobe"lowercostofpowergeneration"(pg.Jjhowarewetoevaluatethefollowingfiguresofestimatedcostofthedamanitransmissionlinesl1.WhenfirstproposelinApril1960-:1>478,874,000(iJevilCanyonProjectReportofCommissionofReclamation,March1961)2.Jan1974-$6R2,000,OOO(DevilCanyon~tatusReport,May1974,Dept.ofInterior,AlaskaPowerAdm.)).Jan.1975-$l.)l~Jbillion(Corps,J;:;I;;;)Toourwayofthinkin~,thisprojectiseconomicallyunfesible.HowcantheCorpsjustifythisoutrageousexpenjiture-Whichalmostamountstotheirtotaloperatin~buigetfortheentireCorpslastyear?we10notfeelallthealternativesourcesofpowerhavebeenevaluateiwith'an"openmini".Coullcurrentlyavailablepowersourcesievelopedtotheirfullestsupplytheneelsoftherailbelt?Howmuchenergywillreallybenee1elintherailbelt?Whatwillbethenetenergy~enefitanalysis?~illotherenergyresourcesbeievelopedconcurrentlyanibeavailablebythetimetheJamsareonline?IInconclusion,wehaveveryserious~uestionsaboutthelackoffactualcontentoftheD~I~,thepotentialattractionofbigindustry199duetooverprodU.ctionofpower,andsocio-economicimpactthatwould-beinevitable.Neseenoprovenneedforthisprojectanicertainlycannotseethatitiseconomicallyfesible•.'-:')f;...!,~-;;:.::.,l,),,~~,;;:,-·II~'1t;>.r.({,nl.'?'~L--r&"1·('Ie'//;'('')J690198CostbenefitratioThisratioiscomputeias1.4sosupposeilythereismorebenefitthancost?!Jut,lookingattheinterestrateWhichwascomputeiat6J/8;4,we10notfeelthisisanaccuratereflectionoftherealisticmarket.~eneeJtokno~thecostofthisproposelprojectintermsofhowmuchenergywillbeusedtobuiljthedam,ho~many~arrelsofoilwillbeirretreviblycommitte.i,andhowmuchenergywillit"cost"tomaintainthedam?Let'slookattheCQst-asoneofthebenefits,theJamissupposedtobe"lowercostofpowergeneration"(pg.Jjhowarewetoevaluatethefollowingfiguresofestimatedcostofthedamanitransmissionlinesl1.WhenfirstproposelinApril1960-:1>478,874,000(iJevilCanyonProjectReportofCommissionofReclamation,March1961)2.Jan1974-$6R2,000,OOO(DevilCanyon~tatusReport,May1974,Dept.ofInterior,AlaskaPowerAdm.)).Jan.1975-$l.)l~Jbillion(Corps,J;:;I;;;)Toourwayofthinkin~,thisprojectiseconomicallyunfesible.HowcantheCorpsjustifythisoutrageousexpenjiture-Whichalmostamountstotheirtotaloperatin~buigetfortheentireCorpslastyear?we10notfeelallthealternativesourcesofpowerhavebeenevaluateiwith'an"openmini".Coullcurrentlyavailablepowersourcesievelopedtotheirfullestsupplytheneelsoftherailbelt?Howmuchenergywillreallybenee1elintherailbelt?Whatwillbethenetenergy~enefitanalysis?~illotherenergyresourcesbeievelopedconcurrentlyanibeavailablebythetimetheJamsareonline?IInconclusion,wehaveveryserious~uestionsaboutthelackoffactualcontentoftheD~I~,thepotentialattractionofbigindustry199duetooverprodU.ctionofpower,andsocio-economicimpactthatwould-beinevitable.Neseenoprovenneedforthisprojectanicertainlycannotseethatitiseconomicallyfesible•.'-:')f;...!,~-;;:.::.,l,),,~~,;;:,-·II~'1t;>.r.({,nl.'?'~L--r&"1·('Ie'//;'('')J690
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYALASKACONSERVATIONSOCIETYUPPERCOOKINLETCHAPTER183FormalpublicmeetingstodiscusstheselectedplanforhydropowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwereheldinAnchorageon7October1975andinFairbankson8October.Thepublicwasgiven15daystoincludewrittencommentstheywishedtobeinsertedintothepublicrecordforthosemeetingsalongwithanystatementstheymadeatthemeetings.TheDistrictEngineerstatedthatallwrittencommentsontheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheproposedproject,whichwasdistributedbytheCorpsofEngineerson22September"1975,shouldbemadetotheCorpsby17November1975sothatthesecommentscouldbeincludedintheEnvironmentalImpactStatementduetobecompletedinearlyDecember1975.Actually,environmentalcommentsdatedthrough3DecemberareincludedintheCommentandResponseSectionoftheEIS.184AsstatedinSection1.03oftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheproposedDevilCanyon-WatanahydroelectricprojectontheupperSusitnaRiver,thestudyisinthefeasibilitystage,andtheEISdoesnotincludeadetailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimpacts,manyofwhichcannotbefullyascertainedpriortocongressionalauthori-zationandfundingofdetailedeconomic,environmental,andengineeringstudies(includingadditionalfishandgamestudies).Thetwo-stageauthorizationprocessrequirescongressionalapprovalbeforeadvancingfromthedetailedstudiesstagetofinalprojectdesignandconstructionstagewhentheactualprojectfundingwouldbeauthorizedandprojectconstructionwouldbegin.ManyprojectshavepreliminaryauthorizationfromCongress,butforonereasonoranothertheyarenotallfundedorconstructed.185AsindicatedinSection4.03(Wildlife)oftheEIS,thenumbersofbiggameandtheamountofhabitatateminimalwithintheproposedDevilCanyonimpoundmentarea,andpreliminarydataindicatethatlow~opulationsofsuchanimalspresentlyutilizetheproposedreservoirarea.Iftheprojectisauthorized,itisexpectedthatconstructiononthefirstdamwouldstartin1980or1981.Authorizedfishandwildlifestudies~ouldbefundedtocontinueduringtheinterimstudyperiodandtheinformationwouldbeusedtoprevent,ameliorate,ormiHgatetheadverseimpactstoimportantfishandwildlifespecies.186Allprojectdata,includingriverregulatoryinformation,areavailabletothefishandwildlifeagenciesattheDistrictEngineers'officeinAnchorage,andtheseagenciesareawareofthiscoordination691RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYALASKACONSERVATIONSOCIETYUPPERCOOKINLETCHAPTER183FormalpublicmeetingstodiscusstheselectedplanforhydropowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinwereheldinAnchorageon7October1975andinFairbankson8October.Thepublicwasgiven15daystoincludewrittencommentstheywishedtobeinsertedintothepublicrecordforthosemeetingsalongwithanystatementstheymadeatthemeetings.TheDistrictEngineerstatedthatallwrittencommentsontheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheproposedproject,whichwasdistributedbytheCorpsofEngineerson22September"1975,shouldbemadetotheCorpsby17November1975sothatthesecommentscouldbeincludedintheEnvironmentalImpactStatementduetobecompletedinearlyDecember1975.Actually,environmentalcommentsdatedthrough3DecemberareincludedintheCommentandResponseSectionoftheEIS.184AsstatedinSection1.03oftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementfortheproposedDevilCanyon-WatanahydroelectricprojectontheupperSusitnaRiver,thestudyisinthefeasibilitystage,andtheEISdoesnotincludeadetailedandexhaustiveevaluationofprojectimpacts,manyofwhichcannotbefullyascertainedpriortocongressionalauthori-zationandfundingofdetailedeconomic,environmental,andengineeringstudies(includingadditionalfishandgamestudies).Thetwo-stageauthorizationprocessrequirescongressionalapprovalbeforeadvancingfromthedetailedstudiesstagetofinalprojectdesignandconstructionstagewhentheactualprojectfundingwouldbeauthorizedandprojectconstructionwouldbegin.ManyprojectshavepreliminaryauthorizationfromCongress,butforonereasonoranothertheyarenotallfundedorconstructed.185AsindicatedinSection4.03(Wildlife)oftheEIS,thenumbersofbiggameandtheamountofhabitatateminimalwithintheproposedDevilCanyonimpoundmentarea,andpreliminarydataindicatethatlow~opulationsofsuchanimalspresentlyutilizetheproposedreservoirarea.Iftheprojectisauthorized,itisexpectedthatconstructiononthefirstdamwouldstartin1980or1981.Authorizedfishandwildlifestudies~ouldbefundedtocontinueduringtheinterimstudyperiodandtheinformationwouldbeusedtoprevent,ameliorate,ormiHgatetheadverseimpactstoimportantfishandwildlifespecies.186Allprojectdata,includingriverregulatoryinformation,areavailabletothefishandwildlifeagenciesattheDistrictEngineers'officeinAnchorage,andtheseagenciesareawareofthiscoordination691
ofinformation.Althoughup-to-dateinformationonfishandwildlHeissomewhatlimited,pastdata--includinginformationfromthe1950'sand1960's--indicatethatthesearelowgamepopulationsintheproposedUevilCanyon-Watanaprojectareas.Onesurveystudymadeduringthewinterof1974-75doesnotconstituteareasonablescientificstudy,assuch,butitfurtherindicatesthatthenumbersofvariousanimalsinthisareaarerelativelylow.Ib7Sedimentationstudiestodeterminethesignificantenvironmentalimpacts--bothadverseandbeneficia1--thatwou1dbegeneratedbytheproposedproject,willbecontinued.Preliminarystudies,includingAHydrologic~!~_c_o!,-n_(l_i_s_sance_0'theSusitnaRiverBelowDevil'sCanyon,October1974,preparedforNationalMarineFisheriesServiceatJ~neau,Alaska,andvariousdetailedu.S.CorpsofEngineersandBureauofReclamationhydrologicalstudiesandotherstudiesonsedimentationareavailableforreviewattheAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineers'officeinAnchorage,Alaska.Duringtheconstructionphase,theriver1sflowswouldbedivertedthroughtunnelsaroundthedamconstructionareasandshouldnotsignificantlyaffectsedimentbelowthedams.Otheractivities,suchasbuildingroadsandbridgesandclearingvegetationintheproposedreservoirareasandtransmissionlinecorridors,couldcausesomesiltationorsedimentproblems.Theseactivitieswouldbedoneinsuchamannerastominimizepossibleadverseimpacts(seeSection4.11).Preliminarysedimentationstudiesandpost-BureauofReclamationstudiesindicatetheratesofsedimentdepositioninthereservoirsasstatedintheEIS.ThesecomputationsareavailableforreviewattheCorps'officeinAnchorage.Thesediment loadonemilebelowtheDevilCanyondamshouldbesubstantiallythesameasthereleasesatthedamduetotherockynatureoftheriverbedinthissectionoftheSusitnaRiverandwithnosignificanttributariesinthissectionoftheriverthatcouldcontributehighersedimentloads.Therewouldbeaperiodofchannelstabilizationinthe50-milesectionbelowtheproposedDevilCanyondaminwhichtheriverwouldtendtoadjusttothestabilizedregulatedflowswithlowsedimentlevels.Somechanneldegradationin·somesectionsoftheriverwouldoccurastheriverwouldattempttoreplacethemissingsedimentloadwithmaterialpickedupfromtheriverbed,butthisisnotexpectedtobeofsignificantconcernalongthecoarsegravelbedreachesoftheriverbetweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetna.Projectedstudiesshouldfurtherclarifyanddefinedeg-radationoftheriverbedinthissectionoftheSusitna.188Yes,theproblemoffrazilicehasbeenconsidered.Alsoseeresponsenumber298.692ofinformation.Althoughup-to-dateinformationonfishandwildlHeissomewhatlimited,pastdata--includinginformationfromthe1950'sand1960's--indicatethatthesearelowgamepopulationsintheproposedUevilCanyon-Watanaprojectareas.Onesurveystudymadeduringthewinterof1974-75doesnotconstituteareasonablescientificstudy,assuch,butitfurtherindicatesthatthenumbersofvariousanimalsinthisareaarerelativelylow.Ib7Sedimentationstudiestodeterminethesignificantenvironmentalimpacts--bothadverseandbeneficia1--thatwou1dbegeneratedbytheproposedproject,willbecontinued.Preliminarystudies,includingAHydrologic~!~_c_o!,-n_(l_i_s_sance_0'theSusitnaRiverBelowDevil'sCanyon,October1974,preparedforNationalMarineFisheriesServiceatJ~neau,Alaska,andvariousdetailedu.S.CorpsofEngineersandBureauofReclamationhydrologicalstudiesandotherstudiesonsedimentationareavailableforreviewattheAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineers'officeinAnchorage,Alaska.Duringtheconstructionphase,theriver1sflowswouldbedivertedthroughtunnelsaroundthedamconstructionareasandshouldnotsignificantlyaffectsedimentbelowthedams.Otheractivities,suchasbuildingroadsandbridgesandclearingvegetationintheproposedreservoirareasandtransmissionlinecorridors,couldcausesomesiltationorsedimentproblems.Theseactivitieswouldbedoneinsuchamannerastominimizepossibleadverseimpacts(seeSection4.11).Preliminarysedimentationstudiesandpost-BureauofReclamationstudiesindicatetheratesofsedimentdepositioninthereservoirsasstatedintheEIS.ThesecomputationsareavailableforreviewattheCorps'officeinAnchorage.Thesediment loadonemilebelowtheDevilCanyondamshouldbesubstantiallythesameasthereleasesatthedamduetotherockynatureoftheriverbedinthissectionoftheSusitnaRiverandwithnosignificanttributariesinthissectionoftheriverthatcouldcontributehighersedimentloads.Therewouldbeaperiodofchannelstabilizationinthe50-milesectionbelowtheproposedDevilCanyondaminwhichtheriverwouldtendtoadjusttothestabilizedregulatedflowswithlowsedimentlevels.Somechanneldegradationin·somesectionsoftheriverwouldoccurastheriverwouldattempttoreplacethemissingsedimentloadwithmaterialpickedupfromtheriverbed,butthisisnotexpectedtobeofsignificantconcernalongthecoarsegravelbedreachesoftheriverbetweenDevilCanyonandTalkeetna.Projectedstudiesshouldfurtherclarifyanddefinedeg-radationoftheriverbedinthissectionoftheSusitna.188Yes,theproblemoffrazilicehasbeenconsidered.Alsoseeresponsenumber298.692
1HtilhecJetdiledeffectsofalteringthepresentflowregimenoftherivercanonlybe.determinedbystudieswhichhavenotyetbeenmade,butwhichareproposedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanningwhendetailedstudiesarenormallymade.Effectsofflowchangeswillbestudiedasfardownstreamastheycanbemeasured,includingCookInlet.Winterandsummerwatertemperatureswillnotbesignificantlyaffectedbytheproject.Multipleoutletstructureswillpermitwithdrawalfromthereservoirs(inwhichwaterwillbethermallystratified)atanylevelrequiredtomaintainnear-naturalstreamtemperatures.19~Seeresponsenumber173.191Seeresponsenumber240.l~GSeeresponsenumber36.1~3Thequotedsentenceisastatementoffact.TheCorpshasawealthofdata,availableforpublicperusalintheDistrictoffice,documentingflooddamagestotheAlaskaRailroadandthetownofTalkeetna.Bene-fitsattributabletoreducingdamagestotheAlaskaRailroadarecom-putedintheprojectcost-benefitratio.BenefitstoTalkeetnaarenot.Benefitsresultingfromincreasedrecreationalopportunityarealsoincludedinthecost-benefitanalysis.Benefitsattributabletofloodcontrolandrecreationcompriseabout0.2of1percentofthetotalprojectbenefits,thusneitherisafactorinprojectjustification.194Therecreationalbenefitsascribabletotheprojectaresummarizedinthe[IS.ThedetailedrecreationalanalysisiscontainedinSectionFtoAppendix1oftheInterimFeasibilityReport.ThisdocumentisavailableforpublicinspectionintheDistrictoffice.AccessroadsandallotherfacilitieswillbeopentopUblicuseunlesssomeareasoroperationalproceduresoftheprojectaredeterminedtobedangeroustopublicsafety.1~5Exactlocationsoftheroadsarenotpresentlyknown,norhavemileagesandright-of-waywidthsbeenexactlydetermined.Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofaccessroadswillbeopentothepublic.Thisisabasicpremiseintheestimateofpublicrecreationalusageonprojectwatersandlands.Dirtandgravelwillbeobtainedinthevicinityofroadconstruction.Necessaryborrowareas,wherepossible,willbescreenedfromviewfromtheaccessroad.Theseareaswi11berehabili-tatedasnecessary.6931HtilhecJetdiledeffectsofalteringthepresentflowregimenoftherivercanonlybe.determinedbystudieswhichhavenotyetbeenmade,butwhichareproposedduringthepre-constructionstageofplanningwhendetailedstudiesarenormallymade.Effectsofflowchangeswillbestudiedasfardownstreamastheycanbemeasured,includingCookInlet.Winterandsummerwatertemperatureswillnotbesignificantlyaffectedbytheproject.Multipleoutletstructureswillpermitwithdrawalfromthereservoirs(inwhichwaterwillbethermallystratified)atanylevelrequiredtomaintainnear-naturalstreamtemperatures.19~Seeresponsenumber173.191Seeresponsenumber240.l~GSeeresponsenumber36.1~3Thequotedsentenceisastatementoffact.TheCorpshasawealthofdata,availableforpublicperusalintheDistrictoffice,documentingflooddamagestotheAlaskaRailroadandthetownofTalkeetna.Bene-fitsattributabletoreducingdamagestotheAlaskaRailroadarecom-putedintheprojectcost-benefitratio.BenefitstoTalkeetnaarenot.Benefitsresultingfromincreasedrecreationalopportunityarealsoincludedinthecost-benefitanalysis.Benefitsattributabletofloodcontrolandrecreationcompriseabout0.2of1percentofthetotalprojectbenefits,thusneitherisafactorinprojectjustification.194Therecreationalbenefitsascribabletotheprojectaresummarizedinthe[IS.ThedetailedrecreationalanalysisiscontainedinSectionFtoAppendix1oftheInterimFeasibilityReport.ThisdocumentisavailableforpublicinspectionintheDistrictoffice.AccessroadsandallotherfacilitieswillbeopentopUblicuseunlesssomeareasoroperationalproceduresoftheprojectaredeterminedtobedangeroustopublicsafety.1~5Exactlocationsoftheroadsarenotpresentlyknown,norhavemileagesandright-of-waywidthsbeenexactlydetermined.Itisanticipatedthatthemajorityofaccessroadswillbeopentothepublic.Thisisabasicpremiseintheestimateofpublicrecreationalusageonprojectwatersandlands.Dirtandgravelwillbeobtainedinthevicinityofroadconstruction.Necessaryborrowareas,wherepossible,willbescreenedfromviewfromtheaccessroad.Theseareaswi11berehabili-tatedasnecessary.693
19bTransmi5Sionlineright-of-waywillbeobtainedthroughstandardrealestateprocedures.Verylittleofthelinewillcrossprivateproperty,and.wh~reverpossible,privatelandswillbeavoidedaltogether.'Intheeventsomeprivatelandsaretraversed,propertywillbeacquiredwherepossiblebynegotiation.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,the(jovernmentwillexerciseitspowerofeminentdomain.Yes,buryingthetransmissionlinehasbeenconsidered,andadiscussionofthisalternativehasbeenaddedtotheEIS.ItistheconclusionoftheAlaskaPowerAdministrationthatundergroundcableismuchmoresus-ceptibletodamagefromseismicactivitythanareoverheadtransmissionlines.andthattheinstallationofsignificantlengthsofhighvoltageundergroundelectricaltransmissioncableislimitedbypresenttechnology(seeSection4.13oftheEIS).Anumberofstudieshavebeenmadeconcerninghealthhazardsassociatedwithradiationfromhigh-powertransmissionlines.Itisgenerallyconcludedthatlinestransmittinglessthan500kvposenothreattohumanhealth.OneofthesestudieswasmadebyBattellePacificNorthwestLaboratoriesandisentitledMeasuringtheSocialAttitudesandEstheticand~conomicConsiderationsWhichInflu~nceTransmissionLineRouting.ThereportisdatedJuly1974andisidentifiedbyindexnumberNW-1837UC-ll.Thereareveryfewclimaticdatafortheareatra-versedbythetransmissionlinecorridor,particularlyinregardtowindspeeds.TheInteriorZone(northoftheAlaskaRange)isdomi-natedbyhighpressureairmassesresultinginrelativelymildwinds.TheTransitionalZone(southoftheAlaskaRange)hasgenerallycalmwinds.althoughhighwindsover50m.p.h.canbeexpected.TheMountainZone(AlaskaRange)canbeexpectedtohavethehighestwinds.Highwindsarereportedtohaveknockeddown138kvtowersinthearealyingbetweenCantwellandHealy.AsstatedintheEIS,thenetfirmannualenergydeliveredtoAnchorageandFairbankswould"be6.1billionkilowatt-hours.Thisisnetoflossesinpowertransmission,whichamountsto0.7percentoftheenergygeneratedatthepowersites.ThetworeferencedpowergridsarecomprisedofexistingnetworksoftransmissionfacilitieswhichseparatelyservethegreaterAnchorageandFairbanksareas.Yes,theycouldbeinterconnectedwithouttheproposeddam;however,itisnot'necessarytoconnectthem.Theadvantagetointerconnectionislargelyrelatedtothegreaterrelia-bilityofelectricenergysupplytothetwoseparatecommunities.Theywouldautomaticallybeinterconnectediftheproposedhydropowersystemisdeveloped..197ThemarketingagentandoperatorofthesystemwouldbetheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Foradetaileddiscussionofsecondaryenergyandattractionofindustry,seeresponsenumber255.198Ideally,theinterestrateshownreflectstheopportunitycostofthefundscommittedtotheproject.Itshouldnotnecessarilyreflectcurrentfinancialmarketconditions.butrathertheapproxi-matereturntosavingsandinvestmentoverthelOa-yearproject69419bTransmi5Sionlineright-of-waywillbeobtainedthroughstandardrealestateprocedures.Verylittleofthelinewillcrossprivateproperty,and.wh~reverpossible,privatelandswillbeavoidedaltogether.'Intheeventsomeprivatelandsaretraversed,propertywillbeacquiredwherepossiblebynegotiation.Ifthiscannotbeaccomplished,the(jovernmentwillexerciseitspowerofeminentdomain.Yes,buryingthetransmissionlinehasbeenconsidered,andadiscussionofthisalternativehasbeenaddedtotheEIS.ItistheconclusionoftheAlaskaPowerAdministrationthatundergroundcableismuchmoresus-ceptibletodamagefromseismicactivitythanareoverheadtransmissionlines.andthattheinstallationofsignificantlengthsofhighvoltageundergroundelectricaltransmissioncableislimitedbypresenttechnology(seeSection4.13oftheEIS).Anumberofstudieshavebeenmadeconcerninghealthhazardsassociatedwithradiationfromhigh-powertransmissionlines.Itisgenerallyconcludedthatlinestransmittinglessthan500kvposenothreattohumanhealth.OneofthesestudieswasmadebyBattellePacificNorthwestLaboratoriesandisentitledMeasuringtheSocialAttitudesandEstheticand~conomicConsiderationsWhichInflu~nceTransmissionLineRouting.ThereportisdatedJuly1974andisidentifiedbyindexnumberNW-1837UC-ll.Thereareveryfewclimaticdatafortheareatra-versedbythetransmissionlinecorridor,particularlyinregardtowindspeeds.TheInteriorZone(northoftheAlaskaRange)isdomi-natedbyhighpressureairmassesresultinginrelativelymildwinds.TheTransitionalZone(southoftheAlaskaRange)hasgenerallycalmwinds.althoughhighwindsover50m.p.h.canbeexpected.TheMountainZone(AlaskaRange)canbeexpectedtohavethehighestwinds.Highwindsarereportedtohaveknockeddown138kvtowersinthearealyingbetweenCantwellandHealy.AsstatedintheEIS,thenetfirmannualenergydeliveredtoAnchorageandFairbankswould"be6.1billionkilowatt-hours.Thisisnetoflossesinpowertransmission,whichamountsto0.7percentoftheenergygeneratedatthepowersites.ThetworeferencedpowergridsarecomprisedofexistingnetworksoftransmissionfacilitieswhichseparatelyservethegreaterAnchorageandFairbanksareas.Yes,theycouldbeinterconnectedwithouttheproposeddam;however,itisnot'necessarytoconnectthem.Theadvantagetointerconnectionislargelyrelatedtothegreaterrelia-bilityofelectricenergysupplytothetwoseparatecommunities.Theywouldautomaticallybeinterconnectediftheproposedhydropowersystemisdeveloped..197ThemarketingagentandoperatorofthesystemwouldbetheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Foradetaileddiscussionofsecondaryenergyandattractionofindustry,seeresponsenumber255.198Ideally,theinterestrateshownreflectstheopportunitycostofthefundscommittedtotheproject.Itshouldnotnecessarilyreflectcurrentfinancialmarketconditions.butrathertheapproxi-matereturntosavingsandinvestmentoverthelOa-yearproject694
life.Currenthighinterestratesareverypossiblyashort-termaberration.Bylaw.theinterestrateisannuallysetequaltotheaverageinterestrateonlong-termgovernmentsecurities,limitedbyamaximumincreaseof0.25percentperyear.Asensi-tivityanalysisusingarangeofinterestratesisdescribedinSectionCofAppendix1totheInterimFeasibilityReportwhichisavailableforpublicreviewintheDistrictoffice.Thecostsmentionedarecostsofdifferentsystemswithdifferentcapabilities;theyarenotalteredcostestimatesofthesameproject.Currentlyavailablepowersources(coalandnaturalgas)couldsupplytheneedsoftherailbeltbutathighercostthantheproposedplan.TheenergyneedsoftheRailbeltareaarediscussedintherevisedmainreport.Ifconstructed,theselectedplanistomeetincreasedenergyloadsduringtheperiodfromabout1986to1997.Duringthistime,iftheloadprojectionsarenotexceeded,theexistenceofthehydroprojectwouldtaketheplaceofanynetadditiontothermalplantcapacitythatwouldotherwisebeaddedintheRailbeltarea.199Conmentnoted..y695life.Currenthighinterestratesareverypossiblyashort-termaberration.Bylaw.theinterestrateisannuallysetequaltotheaverageinterestrateonlong-termgovernmentsecurities,limitedbyamaximumincreaseof0.25percentperyear.Asensi-tivityanalysisusingarangeofinterestratesisdescribedinSectionCofAppendix1totheInterimFeasibilityReportwhichisavailableforpublicreviewintheDistrictoffice.Thecostsmentionedarecostsofdifferentsystemswithdifferentcapabilities;theyarenotalteredcostestimatesofthesameproject.Currentlyavailablepowersources(coalandnaturalgas)couldsupplytheneedsoftherailbeltbutathighercostthantheproposedplan.TheenergyneedsoftheRailbeltareaarediscussedintherevisedmainreport.Ifconstructed,theselectedplanistomeetincreasedenergyloadsduringtheperiodfromabout1986to1997.Duringthistime,iftheloadprojectionsarenotexceeded,theexistenceofthehydroprojectwouldtaketheplaceofanynetadditiontothermalplantcapacitythatwouldotherwisebeaddedintheRailbeltarea.199Conmentnoted..y695
~_r,!~!!1."~~o~()l."a~~._.CHAMBERofCOMMERCEOctober22,1975emssroadsoftheAirWorldColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorps.ofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchora~e,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectorsandmembershipoftheAnchorageChamberofCommerce,Iwishtoexpressourtotalsupportforthedevelopmentofhydro-electricpowerintheUpperSusitnaRiverarea.TheChamberwouldliketoofferitsservicesinhelpingtopromotetheCon-structionoftheDevil'sCanyonandWatanadamsassoonaspossible.PleasecalIonusforanyfurtherhelpwemayprovide..Sincerelyyours,,200I~~tl.:4L4..JU-.Lor..nH.LounsburyPresidentswwGPLA.TER.1I.NCHORAGECHAMBeROF'COMMERCE-612FSTREET.ANCHORAGE.ALASKA99501_(Q07)272.2401696~_r,!~!!1."~~o~()l."a~~._.CHAMBERofCOMMERCEOctober22,1975emssroadsoftheAirWorldColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorps.ofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchora~e,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectorsandmembershipoftheAnchorageChamberofCommerce,Iwishtoexpressourtotalsupportforthedevelopmentofhydro-electricpowerintheUpperSusitnaRiverarea.TheChamberwouldliketoofferitsservicesinhelpingtopromotetheCon-structionoftheDevil'sCanyonandWatanadamsassoonaspossible.PleasecalIonusforanyfurtherhelpwemayprovide..Sincerelyyours,,200I~~tl.:4L4..JU-.Lor..nH.LounsburyPresidentswwGPLA.TER.1I.NCHORAGECHAMBeROF'COMMERCE-612FSTREET.ANCHORAGE.ALASKA99501_(Q07)272.2401696
•RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYGREATERANCHORAGECHAMBEROFCOMMERCE200Commentnoted.697•RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYGREATERANCHORAGECHAMBEROFCOMMERCE200Commentnoted.697
October9,1975AlaskaDistrict,corpsofEngineersAttn:ColonelCharlesH.Debelius,DistrictEngineerP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Dr::trSir:Thisi",stonotifyyouofapossibleerrorintheimpact·statement."HydroelectricPowerDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."Onpage39thesecondparagraph.underArcheologicalRecourcesstatesthat,"twoarcheologicalsiteswithinthegeneralvicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorarelistedintheNationalRegisterof4February1975.ThesearetheKnikandDryCreekSites."AccordingtoDougReger,StateArcheologist,theKniksiteisnotanarcheologicalsite,butanhistorictownsite.ItisnotlistedintheNationalRegisterasanarcheologicalsite(p.5250).However,DryCreekislistedasanarcheologicalsite.EmployedasaresearchassistantwiththeCookInle~HistoricSitesProject,Ihaveencounteredthisapparentinconsistency.TheprojectisinvolvedincompilinganinventoryofNativehistoricandcemeterysitesintheCookInletRegion.Ifyouhaveanycommentsonthismatter,pleasedirectthemto:4201IThankyou.MaryWeirsumCookInletHistoricSitesProject1211West27thAvenueAnchorage,Alaska99503Sincerely,MaryWeirsum,ResearchAssistantCookINletHistoricSitesProject698October9,1975AlaskaDistrict,corpsofEngineersAttn:ColonelCharlesH.Debelius,DistrictEngineerP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Dr::trSir:Thisi",stonotifyyouofapossibleerrorintheimpact·statement."HydroelectricPowerDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasinSouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska."Onpage39thesecondparagraph.underArcheologicalRecourcesstatesthat,"twoarcheologicalsiteswithinthegeneralvicinityoftheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorarelistedintheNationalRegisterof4February1975.ThesearetheKnikandDryCreekSites."AccordingtoDougReger,StateArcheologist,theKniksiteisnotanarcheologicalsite,butanhistorictownsite.ItisnotlistedintheNationalRegisterasanarcheologicalsite(p.5250).However,DryCreekislistedasanarcheologicalsite.EmployedasaresearchassistantwiththeCookInle~HistoricSitesProject,Ihaveencounteredthisapparentinconsistency.TheprojectisinvolvedincompilinganinventoryofNativehistoricandcemeterysitesintheCookInletRegion.Ifyouhaveanycommentsonthismatter,pleasedirectthemto:4201IThankyou.MaryWeirsumCookInletHistoricSitesProject1211West27thAvenueAnchorage,Alaska99503Sincerely,MaryWeirsum,ResearchAssistantCookINletHistoricSitesProject698
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYCOOKINLETREGION,INC.~()jLThecorrectionhasbeenmadeintheEIS.699RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYCOOKINLETREGION,INC.~()jLThecorrectionhasbeenmadeintheEIS.699
t'( "_"'_~,""",:,--,;"l.-~-.---""",)...-KnikKanoers&.Kayal{ers,Inc.301L~ColumbiaAnchoraGc,Alaska9950417November,1975Col.CharlcsA.Dehelius,DistrictEngineer1\1a:;1<:aDIstrict,CorpsofEngineersf)(!pnrtmentoftheArmyp.O.Box700~~f\nchorarr,e..Ala[3Jca9~)510])(~arCol.n(~bcliu[j:Il'll<'Knll{J\anocr:3&KayalcersvlishtogoonrecordasopposingIlle:constructIonof<:.LnydamsontheSusitnaRiver.Suchdcv(~lopm(~rrtwoulddestroyamajorwildernesswhitewaterriver,tr.~l'lIICdlithe:biCc.:<:st1nNorthAmerica11byitsfirstpaddler,Ill'.~·Ja.ltel'Dlaclcadar.IIIthcIf:tfticsandlsixtiestheCorpsdammedanumberof\'h(~natIon'sfinestvvhitc\'mterriversinthenameofI1progress."Ye~teachnevIdamservedonlytospuronfurtherprofl;l.gateuscofen0r~y•.Inotherwords,thesebeautifulriverswere:Jflcl'lflccdtonotwcfulpurpose.Nowadayssucheconomic\,()on<lo[';/';]CDwouldnever'.'/inapproval,yettheCorpsisattempt-lnr~to::;Uu'tthLJ:.:;amed(~structive,wastefulprocessherewith(:'ItlCofthe'counlryl:;mo::.,tspectacular,wildest,loveliestl'lvc:ru.Il'heSusitnamu::;tbelefttorunfreeforfutureCC11C1'ation:'j•Sincerelyyours,.-~),"/'"..'.....EdS"vansonPresident700t'( "_"'_~,""",:,--,;"l.-~-.---""",)...-KnikKanoers&.Kayal{ers,Inc.301L~ColumbiaAnchoraGc,Alaska9950417November,1975Col.CharlcsA.Dehelius,DistrictEngineer1\1a:;1<:aDIstrict,CorpsofEngineersf)(!pnrtmentoftheArmyp.O.Box700~~f\nchorarr,e..Ala[3Jca9~)510])(~arCol.n(~bcliu[j:Il'll<'Knll{J\anocr:3&KayalcersvlishtogoonrecordasopposingIlle:constructIonof<:.LnydamsontheSusitnaRiver.Suchdcv(~lopm(~rrtwoulddestroyamajorwildernesswhitewaterriver,tr.~l'lIICdlithe:biCc.:<:st1nNorthAmerica11byitsfirstpaddler,Ill'.~·Ja.ltel'Dlaclcadar.IIIthcIf:tfticsandlsixtiestheCorpsdammedanumberof\'h(~natIon'sfinestvvhitc\'mterriversinthenameofI1progress."Ye~teachnevIdamservedonlytospuronfurtherprofl;l.gateuscofen0r~y•.Inotherwords,thesebeautifulriverswere:Jflcl'lflccdtonotwcfulpurpose.Nowadayssucheconomic\,()on<lo[';/';]CDwouldnever'.'/inapproval,yettheCorpsisattempt-lnr~to::;Uu'tthLJ:.:;amed(~structive,wastefulprocessherewith(:'ItlCofthe'counlryl:;mo::.,tspectacular,wildest,loveliestl'lvc:ru.Il'heSusitnamu::;tbelefttorunfreeforfutureCC11C1'ation:'j•Sincerelyyours,.-~),"/'"..'.....EdS"vansonPresident700
ZO;lComnentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYKNIKKANOERS&KAYAKERS,INC.701ZO;lComnentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYKNIKKANOERS&KAYAKERS,INC.701
October8,1975From:OrahDeeClarkJr.High150SouthBragawAnchorage,AKTo"'homitmayconcern,TheseventhGradesixthperiodclasstooknpoll,andhasdecided,.a~therateofseventeentothree,aGainsttheseriesofdams,boginningwiththeDevilsCanyonDam.\~edecidedagainstitforvilriousreasons;(1)thatit",ouldharmthoecology,(2)Thatit"'ouldharmthenaturalhabit.atofmoose"~andotherwildlif~,fP1d(3)thatit"1oulddamagethescenery,'.•hich1,lP.fee]htl.sbeendIJ.mat;ed(-lnol~sh.Ho"sereappoIntedtothiscommiteebyourteacherBrs.StarkofOrahDeoClarkJr.IIieh•ShegaveUSthepro!sandcon'softheissue,andtookthepoll.Respectfullyyours,KrisAshleyTheresaRusnak702October8,1975From:OrahDeeClarkJr.High150SouthBragawAnchorage,AKTo"'homitmayconcern,TheseventhGradesixthperiodclasstooknpoll,andhasdecided,.a~therateofseventeentothree,aGainsttheseriesofdams,boginningwiththeDevilsCanyonDam.\~edecidedagainstitforvilriousreasons;(1)thatit",ouldharmthoecology,(2)Thatit"'ouldharmthenaturalhabit.atofmoose"~andotherwildlif~,fP1d(3)thatit"1oulddamagethescenery,'.•hich1,lP.fee]htl.sbeendIJ.mat;ed(-lnol~sh.Ho"sereappoIntedtothiscommiteebyourteacherBrs.StarkofOrahDeoClarkJr.IIieh•ShegaveUSthepro!sandcon'softheissue,andtookthepoll.Respectfullyyours,KrisAshleyTheresaRusnak702
20:!Commentsnoted.69-7370 -81-~5RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSEVENTHGRADEORAHOfrClARYJR.HIGHSCHOOL70320:!Commentsnoted.69-7370 -81-~5RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSEVENTHGRADEORAHOfrClARYJR.HIGHSCHOOL703
SierrnClub330J\Iown,:,~l5Anchorn~c,Alaska9950315November,1975Col.Char1e~A.Dcbe1ius,DistrictEngineerA:ILln1mDiGtrict,Corp::;of.Engineers1).~partmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorac;c,Alanlca99510He:NP/\EN-PR-ENDearCol.Debelius:Thefollowin~~nrc':thecommentsoftheSierraClubontheCorpsofJ':nc;lneera'draftenvironmentalstatementonSusitnaRiverhyclropo\'lCrdevclopment.204205ThedraftstaLementininadequate.ItsbasicfaultisthatitiurnlCloneprolmc;andapiece,withanotablelackofharddatapreGcntcd.Suchdatemustbesuppliedinthefinaldocu-tllelltaothntreaderncnnmakearationalchoiceastovlhethertheproposed~)usitnadam3areeconomicallyandecologicallyJustj.finble.Thereh~:JbeennneriounfailuretodiscussnlternativestotlwproJcct.r:I.'heFederalPov/erCommissiondidthescopine,1llaly:;1:;toselecttheleast-costalternativefor.compnrativeevaluntionwiththehydropr9ject.In'doinGso,theFPCelimi-natedfl'omconsiderationseveralalternativesvlhichcould,ifaIlocnted the$1.5billionprojectedhydrocostorevenlesser~lI,lOlllltS,comparefavorablytothedams.Thesealternativesincludesolar,';/ind,Geothermal,andtidalpowereenerationGy~;tcln:jand:1.nvcstmentinconservationmeasures.ITheDEI3reco~nizesthatOil,naturalGas,andcoalwillbe.Alas!m'smajorpov/crsourcesforatleastthenextdecade.During206th.i.stime1tlnakesmUCh,moresensetoinvestintechnoloeies\',hichthescopineanalysisruledoutandhavethemonlinebytileendofthedecade.1/\majoradvantac;eofnon-hydroalternativesistheirflexibility.Coalplants,forexample,cancomeonandofflineinresponseto20'1dCliltmd.OnccahydroprojectisbuiltitvlillgeneratelargeU:,lOuntsofelectricityregardlessofneed.TheeffectofthiswillbetoattractiQdustriesthatneedlargeblocksofelectriclt~IOnpac;c3ix,itisstntedthatlIThebenefit-to-costratiocomparedtothecoalalternativeat61/8~~interestrateand100-year704SierrnClub330J\Iown,:,~l5Anchorn~c,Alaska9950315November,1975Col.Char1e~A.Dcbe1ius,DistrictEngineerA:ILln1mDiGtrict,Corp::;of.Engineers1).~partmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorac;c,Alanlca99510He:NP/\EN-PR-ENDearCol.Debelius:Thefollowin~~nrc':thecommentsoftheSierraClubontheCorpsofJ':nc;lneera'draftenvironmentalstatementonSusitnaRiverhyclropo\'lCrdevclopment.204205ThedraftstaLementininadequate.ItsbasicfaultisthatitiurnlCloneprolmc;andapiece,withanotablelackofharddatapreGcntcd.Suchdatemustbesuppliedinthefinaldocu-tllelltaothntreaderncnnmakearationalchoiceastovlhethertheproposed~)usitnadam3areeconomicallyandecologicallyJustj.finble.Thereh~:JbeennneriounfailuretodiscussnlternativestotlwproJcct.r:I.'heFederalPov/erCommissiondidthescopine,1llaly:;1:;toselecttheleast-costalternativefor.compnrativeevaluntionwiththehydropr9ject.In'doinGso,theFPCelimi-natedfl'omconsiderationseveralalternativesvlhichcould,ifaIlocnted the$1.5billionprojectedhydrocostorevenlesser~lI,lOlllltS,comparefavorablytothedams.Thesealternativesincludesolar,';/ind,Geothermal,andtidalpowereenerationGy~;tcln:jand:1.nvcstmentinconservationmeasures.ITheDEI3reco~nizesthatOil,naturalGas,andcoalwillbe.Alas!m'smajorpov/crsourcesforatleastthenextdecade.During206th.i.stime1tlnakesmUCh,moresensetoinvestintechnoloeies\',hichthescopineanalysisruledoutandhavethemonlinebytileendofthedecade.1/\majoradvantac;eofnon-hydroalternativesistheirflexibility.Coalplants,forexample,cancomeonandofflineinresponseto20'1dCliltmd.OnccahydroprojectisbuiltitvlillgeneratelargeU:,lOuntsofelectricityregardlessofneed.TheeffectofthiswillbetoattractiQdustriesthatneedlargeblocksofelectriclt~IOnpac;c3ix,itisstntedthatlIThebenefit-to-costratiocomparedtothecoalalternativeat61/8~~interestrateand100-year704
projectlifeisl.l~usinGFederalfinancing."SurelythewritersoftheDEISunderstandthatabenefit-costratioismeanttoindicatewhetheraproject'scostsoutNciC;hitsexpectedbenefits.ItisaninternalrelationshipandthecoalalternativeshouldnothaveenteredintothecalculatidnatalII2'0thoU[ihitisproperloneetheDICratioiscomputedltocompare8ittotheBlcratioforotherprojects.FurthermoreItheDEISe;ivennoinformationonhowthisfigurewasarrivedat.Whataretheproject'sexpectedbenefits?Onpage71recreationandfloodcontrolarementionedasbenefitslbutWithinthebodyoftheDEISfloodcontrolis'otherwiseneverreferredto.TheCorpsacceptedtheFPCscopine;studyand~roceededtoevaluatecoalasthelea~t-costalternative.Coalwasevalu-atedata8.77~discount'lratewhilethehydroprojectwasevalu-atedatthe61/8%interestrateprescribedbythePrinciplesandStandardsAct(whichlwhileavastimprovementove~the·~09ridiculousinterestratestheCorpsusedtoassume,isstillextremelylowintermsoftoday'smoneymarket).ThedraftinterimfeasibilityreportgivesaBlcratioof1.4forhydroand1.3forcoal.ButthedifferenceininterestratesseemstoaccountforthereasontheBICforhydroismorethanthatforcoal.Evenwiththatfavorableinterestrateltheratiosarealmostthesame!FurthermoreItheBlcanalysisgivesnoweiehttofleXibilityandresponsivenessofthepowergeneratingsystems.Thecoalalternativeisaflexiblesystemwhichtheprivatesectorwould,finance,andcoalisaresourcewhichcanbedevelopedtonbytonasitisneeded.Thehydroprojectwouldbeaninflexiblecommitmentofresourcesunderwrittenbythefederalgovernmentjits"front-end"costsareextremelyhighandrepresentbillswhichfallduebeforeanyenergyisproducedatall.AnotherflawintheBlestudyistheestimateforrecreationbenefits.Recreationbenefitsare,estimatedat$3001000annually.In:fact,thereareVirtuallynorecreationalhenefitqfortheprojectandtherearcveryhighrecreationlosses.Accordingtothedraftinterimfeasibilityreport(p.F-3L"PewplacesintheworldofferthevarietyofoutdoorrecreationresourcesZ<tAavailableinAlasl<:a...Bothresidentsandvisitorsalikehave.LVunexcelledopportunitiesforrecreationactivitiesamongapro-fusionofbeautifullakes,rivers,andmountainsllargelyun-touchedbymoderncivilization."Giventhesefortunate-eircum-stanceslwhywouldanyonewanttovisitanarrowlmurl<y,arti-ficiallaJ{C?'1.'he\1atanareservoirl''lithitsannualdrawdownoffrom80to125feet(whichwouldbeatitsworstinearlyJune,thenrisesteadilythroughoutthesummer)1wouldbeVirtuallyunusableforrecreationpurposes.Aboat-ralnpwhichcanallowfora125-footvariationinwaterlevelinasteep,narrowcanyonwo~ldbedifficultindeedtodesign.TheSusitnaflows"some130mil~sthroughuninhabitedcountry"I(P.10).Thisisanotherlroundaboutwayofstatingthatitflows130milesthroughwilderness.WerethewritersoftheDEIS705projectlifeisl.l~usinGFederalfinancing."SurelythewritersoftheDEISunderstandthatabenefit-costratioismeanttoindicatewhetheraproject'scostsoutNciC;hitsexpectedbenefits.ItisaninternalrelationshipandthecoalalternativeshouldnothaveenteredintothecalculatidnatalII2'0thoU[ihitisproperloneetheDICratioiscomputedltocompare8ittotheBlcratioforotherprojects.FurthermoreItheDEISe;ivennoinformationonhowthisfigurewasarrivedat.Whataretheproject'sexpectedbenefits?Onpage71recreationandfloodcontrolarementionedasbenefitslbutWithinthebodyoftheDEISfloodcontrolis'otherwiseneverreferredto.TheCorpsacceptedtheFPCscopine;studyand~roceededtoevaluatecoalasthelea~t-costalternative.Coalwasevalu-atedata8.77~discount'lratewhilethehydroprojectwasevalu-atedatthe61/8%interestrateprescribedbythePrinciplesandStandardsAct(whichlwhileavastimprovementove~the·~09ridiculousinterestratestheCorpsusedtoassume,isstillextremelylowintermsoftoday'smoneymarket).ThedraftinterimfeasibilityreportgivesaBlcratioof1.4forhydroand1.3forcoal.ButthedifferenceininterestratesseemstoaccountforthereasontheBICforhydroismorethanthatforcoal.Evenwiththatfavorableinterestrateltheratiosarealmostthesame!FurthermoreItheBlcanalysisgivesnoweiehttofleXibilityandresponsivenessofthepowergeneratingsystems.Thecoalalternativeisaflexiblesystemwhichtheprivatesectorwould,finance,andcoalisaresourcewhichcanbedevelopedtonbytonasitisneeded.Thehydroprojectwouldbeaninflexiblecommitmentofresourcesunderwrittenbythefederalgovernmentjits"front-end"costsareextremelyhighandrepresentbillswhichfallduebeforeanyenergyisproducedatall.AnotherflawintheBlestudyistheestimateforrecreationbenefits.Recreationbenefitsare,estimatedat$3001000annually.In:fact,thereareVirtuallynorecreationalhenefitqfortheprojectandtherearcveryhighrecreationlosses.Accordingtothedraftinterimfeasibilityreport(p.F-3L"PewplacesintheworldofferthevarietyofoutdoorrecreationresourcesZ<tAavailableinAlasl<:a...Bothresidentsandvisitorsalikehave.LVunexcelledopportunitiesforrecreationactivitiesamongapro-fusionofbeautifullakes,rivers,andmountainsllargelyun-touchedbymoderncivilization."Giventhesefortunate-eircum-stanceslwhywouldanyonewanttovisitanarrowlmurl<y,arti-ficiallaJ{C?'1.'he\1atanareservoirl''lithitsannualdrawdownoffrom80to125feet(whichwouldbeatitsworstinearlyJune,thenrisesteadilythroughoutthesummer)1wouldbeVirtuallyunusableforrecreationpurposes.Aboat-ralnpwhichcanallowfora125-footvariationinwaterlevelinasteep,narrowcanyonwo~ldbedifficultindeedtodesign.TheSusitnaflows"some130mil~sthroughuninhabitedcountry"I(P.10).Thisisanotherlroundaboutwayofstatingthatitflows130milesthroughwilderness.WerethewritersoftheDEIS705
2122111afraidthatthe\'lordItvlilderne::H,Itmi~htmaketheriverinits.'undamrnedstatesoundtoov?luabJ,e?Theptatementsatthetopofpae;ell~arcmisleadine;.ItshoulducnotedthatnoneoftheseriversisClassVIinitsentirety.Turnbacl{CanyonontheAlsekcanbeportae;ed;therestoftheriverhasueenrunbyinexperiencedIcayakers.DevilCanyonontheSunitnacanalsobeportae;ed;hereae;ain,theriverabovethecanyonc..inbeandhas'beenrunbykayakcrsoflimitedexperience.Lc:::;sI::;knownoftheBremner,buttheheavywhlte\'1ateriscon-fInedtoitstwocanyons.Th~pointisthatevenaverydiffi-cultrivercanbeutilizedbyiinexpert'kayakersandraftersiftherapidscanbep'ortae;ed.AsforDevilCanyonitselfinsteadofmaldnc;valuejudc;ementsandusingloadedwordsli1m(ldane;erous,ItthefinalEISnhouldemphasizethatitisattractivetokayakerspreciselyBECAUSEitisdifficult.\'/altBlackadar,thefirstper::30ntorunitandaheavy-waterpaddlerofextensiveeXf.er-ience,termeditlithebiggest\'lhitewaterinNorthAmerica.Ir~ntionismadeherethattheSusitnawasrecommendedasaBORstudyriverIIbutvmsnotoneofthe20riversrecommendedfor213inclusioninthe(Wild&ScenicRivers)systembytheSecretaryoftheInteriorin1971~."'l'rue,asfarasitgoes,butitdoesn't.eofarenoue;h;Int.erior'sd-2bill'isonlyoneofseveral.TheSusitnainindeedproposedasawildriverintheconservationists'd-2bill,astheauthor~oftheDEISweresurelywellaware.Ipnge23."Severalllne;:;tine;pairsofbaldeae;lesandgyrfalcons214vlereobnervedinthecanyonarea.HOltlmanyisIIseveralll?vleretheresomanythattheycouldnotbecounted?215On'thesamepace,itisnotedthatItMotorizedall-terrainvehicleaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntinGsuccesseveninthefaceofarapidlydeclininc;cariboupopulation11(Nelchinaherd).Acriticalfactorhasbeen\'lintermaintenanceoftheNabeGnaroad,whichpermitn::.no\'lmobilerstohaultheirmachines1nasfaraitheywishincomfort,thentakeoff.CariboU--especiallyprec;nantcows--arenotabletowithstandtheresultantnoh;eandharaGstnent.RoadnvantlyincreasetheactiVityofoff-roadvehicles,andtheSunitnadamnwillreqUireroads(builtat::;tateeX~)en3e?),presumablymaintainedinwinter(alsoatstateexpennc?).ThefinalEISshouldinvestie;atethe'probablecon-sequencestoanalreadythreatenedcaribouherd.216Pn(~e2J~.'rhc'mapsthrouc;htheent:l.redocumentarcDoor.Only:JOrneonewhorecognlzeDtheshapeoftheSU31tnawouldbeabletolocateitonthe,maps,sinceitisnotlabeled.Yet.pt'esumablytherelationshipoftherivertothehabitatbeingmappediscritical--farmoreso,forinstance,thanthelocationofCordova('tlh;Lchappearsoneachmap).Withoutknowingwhichlinerepresentstheriver,andthelocation'ofeach'dam,thegraphicsarequite,literallymeaningless.IHunting,pressureforramsintheCantwell-Healy,area1s"fairly7062122111afraidthatthe\'lordItvlilderne::H,Itmi~htmaketheriverinits.'undamrnedstatesoundtoov?luabJ,e?Theptatementsatthetopofpae;ell~arcmisleadine;.ItshoulducnotedthatnoneoftheseriversisClassVIinitsentirety.Turnbacl{CanyonontheAlsekcanbeportae;ed;therestoftheriverhasueenrunbyinexperiencedIcayakers.DevilCanyonontheSunitnacanalsobeportae;ed;hereae;ain,theriverabovethecanyonc..inbeandhas'beenrunbykayakcrsoflimitedexperience.Lc:::;sI::;knownoftheBremner,buttheheavywhlte\'1ateriscon-fInedtoitstwocanyons.Th~pointisthatevenaverydiffi-cultrivercanbeutilizedbyiinexpert'kayakersandraftersiftherapidscanbep'ortae;ed.AsforDevilCanyonitselfinsteadofmaldnc;valuejudc;ementsandusingloadedwordsli1m(ldane;erous,ItthefinalEISnhouldemphasizethatitisattractivetokayakerspreciselyBECAUSEitisdifficult.\'/altBlackadar,thefirstper::30ntorunitandaheavy-waterpaddlerofextensiveeXf.er-ience,termeditlithebiggest\'lhitewaterinNorthAmerica.Ir~ntionismadeherethattheSusitnawasrecommendedasaBORstudyriverIIbutvmsnotoneofthe20riversrecommendedfor213inclusioninthe(Wild&ScenicRivers)systembytheSecretaryoftheInteriorin1971~."'l'rue,asfarasitgoes,butitdoesn't.eofarenoue;h;Int.erior'sd-2bill'isonlyoneofseveral.TheSusitnainindeedproposedasawildriverintheconservationists'd-2bill,astheauthor~oftheDEISweresurelywellaware.Ipnge23."Severalllne;:;tine;pairsofbaldeae;lesandgyrfalcons214vlereobnervedinthecanyonarea.HOltlmanyisIIseveralll?vleretheresomanythattheycouldnotbecounted?215On'thesamepace,itisnotedthatItMotorizedall-terrainvehicleaccesstothebackcountryhasimprovedhuntinGsuccesseveninthefaceofarapidlydeclininc;cariboupopulation11(Nelchinaherd).Acriticalfactorhasbeen\'lintermaintenanceoftheNabeGnaroad,whichpermitn::.no\'lmobilerstohaultheirmachines1nasfaraitheywishincomfort,thentakeoff.CariboU--especiallyprec;nantcows--arenotabletowithstandtheresultantnoh;eandharaGstnent.RoadnvantlyincreasetheactiVityofoff-roadvehicles,andtheSunitnadamnwillreqUireroads(builtat::;tateeX~)en3e?),presumablymaintainedinwinter(alsoatstateexpennc?).ThefinalEISshouldinvestie;atethe'probablecon-sequencestoanalreadythreatenedcaribouherd.216Pn(~e2J~.'rhc'mapsthrouc;htheent:l.redocumentarcDoor.Only:JOrneonewhorecognlzeDtheshapeoftheSU31tnawouldbeabletolocateitonthe,maps,sinceitisnotlabeled.Yet.pt'esumablytherelationshipoftherivertothehabitatbeingmappediscritical--farmoreso,forinstance,thanthelocationofCordova('tlh;Lchappearsoneachmap).Withoutknowingwhichlinerepresentstheriver,andthelocation'ofeach'dam,thegraphicsarequite,literallymeaningless.IHunting,pressureforramsintheCantwell-Healy,area1s"fairly706
heavyduetorelatively~oodaccessfromhighways,byair,andbyA'1'V1nll(p.27).Thestatementistrue,andtheSusitna_hydroprojectwouldprovideequallyeasyaccessforanareathat~b10nowwl1dernaoo--aroad,whichcanalsobeusedtohaulA'l'VIson,andtwoormoreenormouslal{estolandafloatplaneorski-plane,on.Theeffectonmoose,caribou,andbearshouldbenotedinthefinalEIS.TheSusltnaarea"hasconsistentlyproducedI;lorcwlllVl~l.·llle:3th,:manyotherareaofcomparablenizcinthe,State••••\'JolV~l'llleShavewithstoodhumanencroachmentandtl'appin~withoutany--noticeablereductioninnumbersorran~c"(p.28).YetithasalreadybeenadmittedthattheareaispresentlyWilderness,soanylIencroachmentllsofarhasbeenhuntin~lodc;csandtrappers'218cabins--not70,000visitorsayear.WouldtheDEIShaveusbe-lievethatwolverineswon'tmindthedams,roads,people,noise,etc.?Absurd.Thewolverineisanextremelysecretive,warywildernessspecieswhichcannotcoexistwithhighwaysandindustrialdevelopment.Pa'ge'37:"Ploatplanesareuoedtoflyinhunters•••butthisformofaccessisrelativelyminor.~'••Amajorrecreationaluse•••isbig-gamehunting••••Thegreatestpressuresareexertedfromafewfly-incamps."Iffly-inaccessisIIminor,1Ithenhowcanitproducethe"greatestllpressureina"major"recreationaluse?Thestatementsareinconsistent,afrequentproblemintheDEIS219"ItappearsthattheuseofATV'sforhunting,alreadyprohibitedinsome,areas,mayhavetobefurthercontrolled."Thisstate-mentmisleadin[51yimpliesthatsuchusecanbecontrolled,wheninfactitisverydifficult(andexpensive)todo.Whatwillbethecostsoftheextrawildlifeprotectionofficersneededtoenforcesuchaclosureinanareawherefeasyaccesshasnewlybeencreated?Whowillpaythesecosts?....Pace'38.J\c;ain,thesuperlative,hUGewhitewaterofDevilICanyonisimpliedtobeveryunattractive,eqUivalentto2~Oimplyinc;thatMt.St.Eliasio"nor.;oodllforclimbinr.;becauseit~isverydifficultandsucce~orulattemptshavebeenfew.He1'1nditexccecl1nc;lyoddthattheDEISwasrushed-topublicationjustbeforetheCorpswasduetoreceivetheJonesandJonesstudyonrecreationaluseandpotentialoftheSusitna.Althoughasaconsequencewehavenothadthebenefitofreadingthestudy221itself,weunderstandthatitrecommendsthatthewhitewaterofDeVilCanyonnotbeinundated,becauseofitsgreatvalueasascenicandrecreationalresource.Page40,enerYryneeds.Again,thesearemereunsubstantiatedotatementn.-'Because-ofleadtimeneededforcoalandhydro-electricd~velopment,_immediateneedsforthenextdecadewill"'2-tf)havetobehandledbyadditionaloilandgas-firedunits."True,,(,I!Ceventoogenerous,asregardshydropower(theCorpsfactsheetofOct.23,1975estimates~onstructiontimeat14years),butBelugacoalhasalreadybeenleasedandisreadytobemined,andHealycoalisalreadyinproductionandhasbeenforyears.707heavyduetorelatively~oodaccessfromhighways,byair,andbyA'1'V1nll(p.27).Thestatementistrue,andtheSusitna_hydroprojectwouldprovideequallyeasyaccessforanareathat~b10nowwl1dernaoo--aroad,whichcanalsobeusedtohaulA'l'VIson,andtwoormoreenormouslal{estolandafloatplaneorski-plane,on.Theeffectonmoose,caribou,andbearshouldbenotedinthefinalEIS.TheSusltnaarea"hasconsistentlyproducedI;lorcwlllVl~l.·llle:3th,:manyotherareaofcomparablenizcinthe,State••••\'JolV~l'llleShavewithstoodhumanencroachmentandtl'appin~withoutany--noticeablereductioninnumbersorran~c"(p.28).YetithasalreadybeenadmittedthattheareaispresentlyWilderness,soanylIencroachmentllsofarhasbeenhuntin~lodc;csandtrappers'218cabins--not70,000visitorsayear.WouldtheDEIShaveusbe-lievethatwolverineswon'tmindthedams,roads,people,noise,etc.?Absurd.Thewolverineisanextremelysecretive,warywildernessspecieswhichcannotcoexistwithhighwaysandindustrialdevelopment.Pa'ge'37:"Ploatplanesareuoedtoflyinhunters•••butthisformofaccessisrelativelyminor.~'••Amajorrecreationaluse•••isbig-gamehunting••••Thegreatestpressuresareexertedfromafewfly-incamps."Iffly-inaccessisIIminor,1Ithenhowcanitproducethe"greatestllpressureina"major"recreationaluse?Thestatementsareinconsistent,afrequentproblemintheDEIS219"ItappearsthattheuseofATV'sforhunting,alreadyprohibitedinsome,areas,mayhavetobefurthercontrolled."Thisstate-mentmisleadin[51yimpliesthatsuchusecanbecontrolled,wheninfactitisverydifficult(andexpensive)todo.Whatwillbethecostsoftheextrawildlifeprotectionofficersneededtoenforcesuchaclosureinanareawherefeasyaccesshasnewlybeencreated?Whowillpaythesecosts?....Pace'38.J\c;ain,thesuperlative,hUGewhitewaterofDevilICanyonisimpliedtobeveryunattractive,eqUivalentto2~Oimplyinc;thatMt.St.Eliasio"nor.;oodllforclimbinr.;becauseit~isverydifficultandsucce~orulattemptshavebeenfew.He1'1nditexccecl1nc;lyoddthattheDEISwasrushed-topublicationjustbeforetheCorpswasduetoreceivetheJonesandJonesstudyonrecreationaluseandpotentialoftheSusitna.Althoughasaconsequencewehavenothadthebenefitofreadingthestudy221itself,weunderstandthatitrecommendsthatthewhitewaterofDeVilCanyonnotbeinundated,becauseofitsgreatvalueasascenicandrecreationalresource.Page40,enerYryneeds.Again,thesearemereunsubstantiatedotatementn.-'Because-ofleadtimeneededforcoalandhydro-electricd~velopment,_immediateneedsforthenextdecadewill"'2-tf)havetobehandledbyadditionaloilandgas-firedunits."True,,(,I!Ceventoogenerous,asregardshydropower(theCorpsfactsheetofOct.23,1975estimates~onstructiontimeat14years),butBelugacoalhasalreadybeenleasedandisreadytobemined,andHealycoalisalreadyinproductionandhasbeenforyears.707
2~322422522'7P(jr:;r~Ill.IIHeavyempha~;1sshouldbeGiventothosetechnologiesvlhiehut:llizer'cne\"JableoressentiallyinexhaustibleenerGYGOUl'ces.IIItispreposteroustoimply,hereaselscvlh'creinthem:J:~,thatthe:3uGitnadamsrepresenttheuscofrenewablere-.SOU~UCG.AwllclernessrIver!snotarenewableresource.Oncedeveloped,it10destroyedforever.Andgreatwildernesswhite-waterriversarcnotml1ynonrenewable,theyareexceedinglyrare,thankslarGelytotheCorpsofEngineers.Pn~c42.Morc~nrbacegraphics.WhatonearthdothefiGuresontheleftreprc:3cnt?50,000\oJHJ\'l'?Onwhatinformationisthe[~raphlla::Jed?lIereagain,wearctoacceptitonfaith.Andit's~nold,oldtricktosetforthoneabsurdlyhighfiguretomakeolleInprcferr'edalternativelookmorereasonablebycomparison.Hllatevcrthoncleft-handnumberssymbolize,thehighrangeindIcatOGvfe'lluse19timesusmany.ofthemintheyear2000as\'/edidin1970.Evenhamstersdon'tmultiply.thatfast.Paf~e45.Therearesomeinterestingimplicationsonsedi-mentationhere,althoughtheDEISwronGfullyfailstomakethemexplicit.Theaveragenaturalflowinthefivehigh-flowmorithsofHay-Septemberis19,328cfs.Ifweassumeanaveragesedimentloadofabout1000ppm(theDEISsaysitis1I1essthan1000,IIl.eadingthecynictobelievethatitmustbeverycloseindeedto1000ppm),then19.3cubicfeetofsiltwouldbeflowingintotheHatanares81'voir.everysecondduringthosefivemonthsfor11totalof255,130,560cubicfeet(9,1~49,280cubicyards),just1ntheMQy-Septemberperiod,everyyear.Hewillcharitablya::;sumethatnosiltentersthereservoirfromOctober-I\pril.r'killlVlhile,ofcourse,asmallamountofsilt·isleaVingtheoyotcm:15-35ppmyear-roundinanaveraGeflowof9300cfs.I\f~aJnf5CJl(~I'ou~;lyo::;::Jllmlnc"that(lhl[~h32ppmleavesthe:3Y:Jt,emthat'::;.3cuuicreetorGcdimcntlostpersecondor~),I~()O,{}OOcubicfeet'eachyear(350,lWOcubicyards).InShort,9,lt119,200cubicyardsofsilt,sandand~ravelenteringthesY:Jterneveryyear,350,lWOcubicyardsgoinGout,andanetyearlycainof9,098,880millioncubicyards.That'saformidableamountofsilt.CantheCorpsguaranteethatreservoirsiltat~onproblemswillnotoccurhereastheyhaveatotherdams?P<J.rr,cIIG.Ifwhitewatercan"reducesubstantially"thesuper-G<lturatednltroL';enandclissolvedoxygenintroducedintothewaterInpaGsin~overthespillway,thenwhynotleavemore\-lhHc\·mteravailableforthisu::Jefulpurpose,insteadofsub-rnet'f~ill[';nineofthe11milesofDevilCanyon?Paf~C113."FutUl~edetailedstudies"willbenecessarytomakesure~cneralchanneldeGradationwon'toccuruelowthedamastheriverattemptstorec;ainitsnormalsedimentload.Thesestudie:JarctolJepartofIIpre-construetionplar'ming,,.whichtheCorpswouldhaveusbelievedocsnotnecessarilycommitustobUildinr;thedams,despitetlwname.IHearctoldthattheWatanawouldfloodexistingfishhabitatbutmiGhtcreate"otherfishhabitatathigherelevationson7082~322422522'7P(jr:;r~Ill.IIHeavyempha~;1sshouldbeGiventothosetechnologiesvlhiehut:llizer'cne\"JableoressentiallyinexhaustibleenerGYGOUl'ces.IIItispreposteroustoimply,hereaselscvlh'creinthem:J:~,thatthe:3uGitnadamsrepresenttheuscofrenewablere-.SOU~UCG.AwllclernessrIver!snotarenewableresource.Oncedeveloped,it10destroyedforever.Andgreatwildernesswhite-waterriversarcnotml1ynonrenewable,theyareexceedinglyrare,thankslarGelytotheCorpsofEngineers.Pn~c42.Morc~nrbacegraphics.WhatonearthdothefiGuresontheleftreprc:3cnt?50,000\oJHJ\'l'?Onwhatinformationisthe[~raphlla::Jed?lIereagain,wearctoacceptitonfaith.Andit's~nold,oldtricktosetforthoneabsurdlyhighfiguretomakeolleInprcferr'edalternativelookmorereasonablebycomparison.Hllatevcrthoncleft-handnumberssymbolize,thehighrangeindIcatOGvfe'lluse19timesusmany.ofthemintheyear2000as\'/edidin1970.Evenhamstersdon'tmultiply.thatfast.Paf~e45.Therearesomeinterestingimplicationsonsedi-mentationhere,althoughtheDEISwronGfullyfailstomakethemexplicit.Theaveragenaturalflowinthefivehigh-flowmorithsofHay-Septemberis19,328cfs.Ifweassumeanaveragesedimentloadofabout1000ppm(theDEISsaysitis1I1essthan1000,IIl.eadingthecynictobelievethatitmustbeverycloseindeedto1000ppm),then19.3cubicfeetofsiltwouldbeflowingintotheHatanares81'voir.everysecondduringthosefivemonthsfor11totalof255,130,560cubicfeet(9,1~49,280cubicyards),just1ntheMQy-Septemberperiod,everyyear.Hewillcharitablya::;sumethatnosiltentersthereservoirfromOctober-I\pril.r'killlVlhile,ofcourse,asmallamountofsilt·isleaVingtheoyotcm:15-35ppmyear-roundinanaveraGeflowof9300cfs.I\f~aJnf5CJl(~I'ou~;lyo::;::Jllmlnc"that(lhl[~h32ppmleavesthe:3Y:Jt,emthat'::;.3cuuicreetorGcdimcntlostpersecondor~),I~()O,{}OOcubicfeet'eachyear(350,lWOcubicyards).InShort,9,lt119,200cubicyardsofsilt,sandand~ravelenteringthesY:Jterneveryyear,350,lWOcubicyardsgoinGout,andanetyearlycainof9,098,880millioncubicyards.That'saformidableamountofsilt.CantheCorpsguaranteethatreservoirsiltat~onproblemswillnotoccurhereastheyhaveatotherdams?P<J.rr,cIIG.Ifwhitewatercan"reducesubstantially"thesuper-G<lturatednltroL';enandclissolvedoxygenintroducedintothewaterInpaGsin~overthespillway,thenwhynotleavemore\-lhHc\·mteravailableforthisu::Jefulpurpose,insteadofsub-rnet'f~ill[';nineofthe11milesofDevilCanyon?Paf~C113."FutUl~edetailedstudies"willbenecessarytomakesure~cneralchanneldeGradationwon'toccuruelowthedamastheriverattemptstorec;ainitsnormalsedimentload.Thesestudie:JarctolJepartofIIpre-construetionplar'ming,,.whichtheCorpswouldhaveusbelievedocsnotnecessarilycommitustobUildinr;thedams,despitetlwname.IHearctoldthattheWatanawouldfloodexistingfishhabitatbutmiGhtcreate"otherfishhabitatathigherelevationson708
theDetributaries.IIPerhaps.Butit'scertainlynote;oine;toIreplacespawnInchabitat,whichrequiresclean,well-oxye;enated,.e;ravel;notwhiletheWatan,areservoirisfluctuating125feet228everysununer:.Page49.TheSusitnacarrieswintersiltloadsof4-228ppm;earlierthe.DEIShadtermedthewinterwaterIIclear."Yetthediocharc;ebelowthedamswouldbeIImilkyllat15-35ppm.Bothstatementscan'tbetrue.TheproblemmaybethattheDEIS229tendstousefie;uresdistortedbyextremecircumstanceswhenthemode~'lOuldbemoreuseful.Trivialhere,perhaps,butnotsoelsowhere--asregardsenergydemands,forInstance.Pae;e51,thequestionoffishhabitatinlakeswithheavysiltIinflow.'1'heDEISadmitsthatitcouldbeaproblem,butmentionsthemanynaturnllakeswherethereisfishhab!tatdespiteheavy230inflowsofsilt.Buttheselakeshaveequallyheavysiltflowsbackout,asanyoneknowswhohaspaddledtheTazlina.'l'helakesdon'tsimplysiltupasthev/atanareservoirwilleventually.AlsoonthiGpar;.eisthefirsthint("theproposedseriesofhic;h':'headdamsll)thattheCorpsdoesindeedintendtobuildallfourdamsonceitgetsitsfootinth~door,despitethepiousassuranceonpage89thatIIthemac;nitudeofenvironmentalimpactsresultine;fromafour-damsystemintheUpperSusitna231RiverBasinclearlymakesthisalessd¢'sirable'alternativethantheone-,tV10-,orthree-damplans.11ThefinalEISshouldmake'explicittheCorpsIintentiontobuildallfourdams.Pace52.TheproblemoficeshelvingintheWatanareservoirandtheattendantdifficultiesforcaribouandmooseattemptingtocrOGSitisaseriousoneandthereisnojustificationforglosGingoverit,astheDEISdoes.Studiesindicatethatcari-232bouuseoftheWatanasiteforgrazingandcrossingIIwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975."Onefive-monthstUdy,onamigratoryspecieslikecaribou,'isofverylimitedutility,yetthereaderoftheDEISmic;htwellrecievethe'lmpreGsionthatitprovedthatcariboudonotandw:lllnotusethearea.Nosuchconclusionispossib~eonthebasisofasinglewinter'sstudy.Pace53.Countinr,;conditionsinJune197L~were1I1essthanideal."ADF&Gsawonly35bmoose,whereasthey'dseen1796the'·previousfall.UnlessthewinterwaGinordinately::wvere,wecanassumethatcountincconditionswerenotmerely1'10:.3:3thanidenlll:theyweretotallyInadequate•.YettheDEISmentionGthefic;ureoas233thour;htheyweremeaningfUl.J\DF&Ghunric;htrullyresentedtheunrea:::;on",blehaGtewithwhichithashadtocurryoutitsSusitHadamstudicG,andonameagerbudc;et.CooperationfromtheCorpshanbcenverypoor.Page51~,transmissionlineimpacts.TheDEISstatestherewillIbe"notmanyperse;most•••willbeasaresultofconstructionan!l.maintenance."InfactthegrowththeSusitnadamswillfoster,andtheeasyaccessi'twillprOVide,willcausemajor709theDetributaries.IIPerhaps.Butit'scertainlynote;oine;toIreplacespawnInchabitat,whichrequiresclean,well-oxye;enated,.e;ravel;notwhiletheWatan,areservoirisfluctuating125feet228everysununer:.Page49.TheSusitnacarrieswintersiltloadsof4-228ppm;earlierthe.DEIShadtermedthewinterwaterIIclear."Yetthediocharc;ebelowthedamswouldbeIImilkyllat15-35ppm.Bothstatementscan'tbetrue.TheproblemmaybethattheDEIS229tendstousefie;uresdistortedbyextremecircumstanceswhenthemode~'lOuldbemoreuseful.Trivialhere,perhaps,butnotsoelsowhere--asregardsenergydemands,forInstance.Pae;e51,thequestionoffishhabitatinlakeswithheavysiltIinflow.'1'heDEISadmitsthatitcouldbeaproblem,butmentionsthemanynaturnllakeswherethereisfishhab!tatdespiteheavy230inflowsofsilt.Buttheselakeshaveequallyheavysiltflowsbackout,asanyoneknowswhohaspaddledtheTazlina.'l'helakesdon'tsimplysiltupasthev/atanareservoirwilleventually.AlsoonthiGpar;.eisthefirsthint("theproposedseriesofhic;h':'headdamsll)thattheCorpsdoesindeedintendtobuildallfourdamsonceitgetsitsfootinth~door,despitethepiousassuranceonpage89thatIIthemac;nitudeofenvironmentalimpactsresultine;fromafour-damsystemintheUpperSusitna231RiverBasinclearlymakesthisalessd¢'sirable'alternativethantheone-,tV10-,orthree-damplans.11ThefinalEISshouldmake'explicittheCorpsIintentiontobuildallfourdams.Pace52.TheproblemoficeshelvingintheWatanareservoirandtheattendantdifficultiesforcaribouandmooseattemptingtocrOGSitisaseriousoneandthereisnojustificationforglosGingoverit,astheDEISdoes.Studiesindicatethatcari-232bouuseoftheWatanasiteforgrazingandcrossingIIwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975."Onefive-monthstUdy,onamigratoryspecieslikecaribou,'isofverylimitedutility,yetthereaderoftheDEISmic;htwellrecievethe'lmpreGsionthatitprovedthatcariboudonotandw:lllnotusethearea.Nosuchconclusionispossib~eonthebasisofasinglewinter'sstudy.Pace53.Countinr,;conditionsinJune197L~were1I1essthanideal."ADF&Gsawonly35bmoose,whereasthey'dseen1796the'·previousfall.UnlessthewinterwaGinordinately::wvere,wecanassumethatcountincconditionswerenotmerely1'10:.3:3thanidenlll:theyweretotallyInadequate•.YettheDEISmentionGthefic;ureoas233thour;htheyweremeaningfUl.J\DF&Ghunric;htrullyresentedtheunrea:::;on",blehaGtewithwhichithashadtocurryoutitsSusitHadamstudicG,andonameagerbudc;et.CooperationfromtheCorpshanbcenverypoor.Page51~,transmissionlineimpacts.TheDEISstatestherewillIbe"notmanyperse;most•••willbeasaresultofconstructionan!l.maintenance."InfactthegrowththeSusitnadamswillfoster,andtheeasyaccessi'twillprOVide,willcausemajor709
~.2341111.1pacts.J\ndananyhuntercanattest,wildfowltendtoavoidtran:.imi:JGionlinecorridors.235Pn(~e5{)."In1Unlannualvisitationtotheprojectareawouldbe"about17,000people"!IsthisfigurepartofthesourceofthatinflatedlollBICratio?Ho\'!wasitderived?If77,000peoplereallydidusethearea(anopponedtomPl'~lyctt'.tvln~~byoutofcurios.lty to[~1nncun\:till'd:\I\\.wll\.,'11\~,'\l\d11:\1',1\~Ipr'ovicleasic;n:lfJcantreCI'(~lltJ111IalbC1WI.'lt),tile.I.i\Il'a~t.wouldbetremcnclou:Jlyheavy.CLin.'1.':11lcectlla(pop.200)handlesuch'avlsitor'load?IPac;e57."r~uchofthecY.::I.stinc;treeandshrubcoverintheUpper236~U:.)jtl1aHlvcrBasinislocatedintr.leriverandcreekbottomsandonthesteepcanyonslopesabovethestreamsandwouldbelostdurlnr;damcon3truction."'l'hisisimportantmoosehabitat.Page61.LandalongtheSusitna"isanaturalandscenicareathatwouldprobn[~qualifyforwildernessclassificationunder237'!!10stdefinitionsoftheterm.l1(Emphasisadded.)UnderwhatdcflnitioncoulditpOGsiblyfailtoqualify?'rheproposedCorpsprojectwoulddefinitelydestroyawildernes~riverandareaofhiC;hquality.ThatfactshouldbeadmittedforthrightlyinthefinalEIS.23"'rheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorwouldcrossnoexistingorrH'e:::;cntlyproposedscenic,Wild,orrecreationalrivers,norwoulditcrossanyexisting.orpresentlyproposedwildernessapcns01'vlildliferefuges."True,butwhatofthedams·them-selves,andtheproposedSusitnaNationalWildRiverofconser-vationist:::;'d-2legislationnowpendingbefordCongress1239l1netweenGoldCreekandCantwell,avisible(power)linewouldhaveGubstantialimpact,particularlyiflocatedwestofthehir.;hvmyandrailroad.IIItcouldnotbeconcealedthrouc;hBroad_PauseThisareaprovidessomeofthemoststrikinc;lyscenicviewsofMt.M6Kinleyandtheimpactof~uchatransmission'linevlOuldbedevastatinc;.It1sappallingthattheCorp::;wouldevcncOlluiderplacinc;thelineonthewestsieieofthehic;hwayandrailroad.240Pac;e62..Howfortunatethatthe"mostlikely"sourceofan8.5earthquakewouldbeasafe40milesdistant.Yetitisalsoadmlttc:dthat"theSusitnaFault,truncatedbytheDenaliPault,ui:JCct~thercc;loninanorthca~tto~~()utlw/er;tdlr'cctionapprox:trnately2.5milesweotofthe~/ut:madWI\:J:l\'0."~Jhnto\'udieGorthef'uultDy:;temand"most.likclyllquaker;havebeendonebyIndc:pcndentseimnicexpcrt['l?\oJhydoeotheDInScontain.nomapsorc;raphic,dioplaysshOWingthelocationofthesefault::;?VIa:.;itfearedthatitwouldlookalittletoographiconly2.5milesfromanBIO-foot-highearthfilldam?IPage63..Therecouldbeice-fogconditionsintheareabelowDevilCanyonDamIiduringperiodsofextremecoldweather."Theimplicationisthaticefogisarareoccurrenceindeed,happenine710~.2341111.1pacts.J\ndananyhuntercanattest,wildfowltendtoavoidtran:.imi:JGionlinecorridors.235Pn(~e5{)."In1Unlannualvisitationtotheprojectareawouldbe"about17,000people"!IsthisfigurepartofthesourceofthatinflatedlollBICratio?Ho\'!wasitderived?If77,000peoplereallydidusethearea(anopponedtomPl'~lyctt'.tvln~~byoutofcurios.lty to[~1nncun\:till'd:\I\\.wll\.,'11\~,'\l\d11:\1',1\~Ipr'ovicleasic;n:lfJcantreCI'(~lltJ111IalbC1WI.'lt),tile.I.i\Il'a~t.wouldbetremcnclou:Jlyheavy.CLin.'1.':11lcectlla(pop.200)handlesuch'avlsitor'load?IPac;e57."r~uchofthecY.::I.stinc;treeandshrubcoverintheUpper236~U:.)jtl1aHlvcrBasinislocatedintr.leriverandcreekbottomsandonthesteepcanyonslopesabovethestreamsandwouldbelostdurlnr;damcon3truction."'l'hisisimportantmoosehabitat.Page61.LandalongtheSusitna"isanaturalandscenicareathatwouldprobn[~qualifyforwildernessclassificationunder237'!!10stdefinitionsoftheterm.l1(Emphasisadded.)UnderwhatdcflnitioncoulditpOGsiblyfailtoqualify?'rheproposedCorpsprojectwoulddefinitelydestroyawildernes~riverandareaofhiC;hquality.ThatfactshouldbeadmittedforthrightlyinthefinalEIS.23"'rheproposedtransmissionlinecorridorwouldcrossnoexistingorrH'e:::;cntlyproposedscenic,Wild,orrecreationalrivers,norwoulditcrossanyexisting.orpresentlyproposedwildernessapcns01'vlildliferefuges."True,butwhatofthedams·them-selves,andtheproposedSusitnaNationalWildRiverofconser-vationist:::;'d-2legislationnowpendingbefordCongress1239l1netweenGoldCreekandCantwell,avisible(power)linewouldhaveGubstantialimpact,particularlyiflocatedwestofthehir.;hvmyandrailroad.IIItcouldnotbeconcealedthrouc;hBroad_PauseThisareaprovidessomeofthemoststrikinc;lyscenicviewsofMt.M6Kinleyandtheimpactof~uchatransmission'linevlOuldbedevastatinc;.It1sappallingthattheCorp::;wouldevcncOlluiderplacinc;thelineonthewestsieieofthehic;hwayandrailroad.240Pac;e62..Howfortunatethatthe"mostlikely"sourceofan8.5earthquakewouldbeasafe40milesdistant.Yetitisalsoadmlttc:dthat"theSusitnaFault,truncatedbytheDenaliPault,ui:JCct~thercc;loninanorthca~tto~~()utlw/er;tdlr'cctionapprox:trnately2.5milesweotofthe~/ut:madWI\:J:l\'0."~Jhnto\'udieGorthef'uultDy:;temand"most.likclyllquaker;havebeendonebyIndc:pcndentseimnicexpcrt['l?\oJhydoeotheDInScontain.nomapsorc;raphic,dioplaysshOWingthelocationofthesefault::;?VIa:.;itfearedthatitwouldlookalittletoographiconly2.5milesfromanBIO-foot-highearthfilldam?IPage63..Therecouldbeice-fogconditionsintheareabelowDevilCanyonDamIiduringperiodsofextremecoldweather."Theimplicationisthaticefogisarareoccurrenceindeed,happenine710
Pac;es70,73.Itisinterestingt.onotethecloseproximityof'majorcoalandpetroleumresourcestothecitiesof'Anchorageand'Fair\banks.Sincetheconceptofthe"railbelttlashavinghic;hen~rgyneedsisf'allacious(thetwowidely-separatedcit1esofAnchorageandFairbanksareheavyenergyconsumers,andsotoamuchsmallerextentarethetownsof'theKenaiPeninsula,butthehandfulof'homesteaders,dodge-ownersandrailroadworkerslivingalongthe"railbelt"a'ccountforaminuteshareof'thetotalenergydemand),whynotsimplyutilize~hesenearbyre-sources,whicharealreadybeingdeveloped,andwithouttheneedforfederalfunding?OristheCorps·tel11ngAlaskansthatwe711Pac;es70,73.Itisinterestingt.onotethecloseproximityof'majorcoalandpetroleumresourcestothecitiesof'Anchorageand'Fair\banks.Sincetheconceptofthe"railbelttlashavinghic;hen~rgyneedsisf'allacious(thetwowidely-separatedcit1esofAnchorageandFairbanksareheavyenergyconsumers,andsotoamuchsmallerextentarethetownsof'theKenaiPeninsula,butthehandfulof'homesteaders,dodge-ownersandrailroadworkerslivingalongthe"railbelt"a'ccountforaminuteshareof'thetotalenergydemand),whynotsimplyutilize~hesenearbyre-sources,whicharealreadybeingdeveloped,andwithouttheneedforfederalfunding?OristheCorps·tel11ngAlaskansthatwe711
247Ill1u"tenduretilecnv:l.ronmentnlcostsofstrip-mininc;forcoal,andL11'~:;tl·c:;~orp.l.pcllnebooms,butarenottobepermittedto246r'.;i1nallYbellc1'Lt.··.1'1'0111thedcveloI)mcntofourstat~lsresources?[-1\1:;tall(jIll'coal,011and~nGbeshlppedtotheLovlerh8forutlwr:.,tou:a~':'l':lf~{~'(').'J'ileforecastofenerr;yneeds1nabsurd.Havin[iusedJ.1111l1~Llt.onbarrel::.;ofoJ.land16billioncubicfeetofnaturalI",:!:;JIl19'(~!,VICilrccxpc.:ctcdto.use(underIIm1d-ranGe11est1mates!);~l)1I11111onbarrel:..;of011(19tlmesanmuch)and134billioncubIcCcetof(jaG(eighttimenasmuch)intheyear2000"ifrCCf~nttx'cnd:]continue.IIWithoutfurtherdocumentationof.Lhe:;enrnaz.l.n[~flc;ures,thereadermustineVitablythinkthemequ.l.valcnttosaylni.!;,"11'recenttrendscontinuejtheteenager\'/111be10IGIIbythetimeheIS33yearsold.II~Pil(jC7'(.ThelIextremecostsandenvironmentaleffectsinvolved24111mo:..;tt.Idal1'10\'1hYC.lroelectricproposalsaremajorf.actors.opp():;lIlL~1ltidalpo\'JCr.'l'rueenouc;h;veryfewplacesinthe.\,/()rldtirosuitableforthedevelopmentoftidalpower.CookInlethappellstobeoneofthebeG!;however.111,1::;not[l.blc.thattheDEISfindsus·lltoosmall"for.nuclearpower-2490[':1011<\wa::;teburnin[i,but"toobiglltobeallowedtouseour.-ovm011andr,a:J.~...Irar;(~6'(.'l'he·trnn::;minGionline"right-of-waY·"lOuldprOVide250cl,~aredJandatlittleornoC/<pensetothefarmer.IIAdanger-oll~jly1rre:.;ponsibleGtatement'thatshouldbedeletedfromthef1nal1':18.HadJ.ationfromhigh-voltagepowerlinesishazardoustoI1v1n~tl::;~3Ue[J.2511'<1[';e.75.rrhedifi"icultyofsafedisposalofradioactivewastesi:,noted.~lanypeoplequestionthewisdomofasystemthatmustrelyonmanyfuturegenerationstodealresponniblywiththeby-productsorenercyusedbythisgeneration.Butthesameargu-11~ntcanberaisedinconnectionwiththishydropowerproject.EvenJ.fitbecomesobsolete,evenifitsiltsupandcannolongerproducepower,ahu~edammustbemaintainedandrepairedforever,elsedownstreamresidentswillbeatriskofhorrendousfloodsormud-slides.AdamisaswordofDamocleshangingovertheIwadsofour[ireat-granchildren.Par;e911..Heconcurwiththel\laskaEnergyOfficecriticismthatthefinalEISshouldipcludeanetenergybenefitanalysisforthe\'lholcsYGtern,includln[itheener[iYusedduringconstructionand103sesdurln[ilon[i-distancetransmission.Pa~c6,cost.Totalfirstcost.(January1975)pricesof$1.343b1l110n.'l'hcre\'lOSnojustificationforusInc;January1975pricesintheDEIS.'rheCorpsIOctober'23factsheetalreadyshowsapriceJumpto:p.5billion(a~!;157,000,000rise--morethanenoughtobuildSenatorGrave11sfederalofficebuilding!),buteventhisfigureisludicrous.Thecontractorswillnotbepaidin1975712247Ill1u"tenduretilecnv:l.ronmentnlcostsofstrip-mininc;forcoal,andL11'~:;tl·c:;~orp.l.pcllnebooms,butarenottobepermittedto246r'.;i1nallYbellc1'Lt.··.1'1'0111thedcveloI)mcntofourstat~lsresources?[-1\1:;tall(jIll'coal,011and~nGbeshlppedtotheLovlerh8forutlwr:.,tou:a~':'l':lf~{~'(').'J'ileforecastofenerr;yneeds1nabsurd.Havin[iusedJ.1111l1~Llt.onbarrel::.;ofoJ.land16billioncubicfeetofnaturalI",:!:;JIl19'(~!,VICilrccxpc.:ctcdto.use(underIIm1d-ranGe11est1mates!);~l)1I11111onbarrel:..;of011(19tlmesanmuch)and134billioncubIcCcetof(jaG(eighttimenasmuch)intheyear2000"ifrCCf~nttx'cnd:]continue.IIWithoutfurtherdocumentationof.Lhe:;enrnaz.l.n[~flc;ures,thereadermustineVitablythinkthemequ.l.valcnttosaylni.!;,"11'recenttrendscontinuejtheteenager\'/111be10IGIIbythetimeheIS33yearsold.II~Pil(jC7'(.ThelIextremecostsandenvironmentaleffectsinvolved24111mo:..;tt.Idal1'10\'1hYC.lroelectricproposalsaremajorf.actors.opp():;lIlL~1ltidalpo\'JCr.'l'rueenouc;h;veryfewplacesinthe.\,/()rldtirosuitableforthedevelopmentoftidalpower.CookInlethappellstobeoneofthebeG!;however.111,1::;not[l.blc.thattheDEISfindsus·lltoosmall"for.nuclearpower-2490[':1011<\wa::;teburnin[i,but"toobiglltobeallowedtouseour.-ovm011andr,a:J.~...Irar;(~6'(.'l'he·trnn::;minGionline"right-of-waY·"lOuldprOVide250cl,~aredJandatlittleornoC/<pensetothefarmer.IIAdanger-oll~jly1rre:.;ponsibleGtatement'thatshouldbedeletedfromthef1nal1':18.HadJ.ationfromhigh-voltagepowerlinesishazardoustoI1v1n~tl::;~3Ue[J.2511'<1[';e.75.rrhedifi"icultyofsafedisposalofradioactivewastesi:,noted.~lanypeoplequestionthewisdomofasystemthatmustrelyonmanyfuturegenerationstodealresponniblywiththeby-productsorenercyusedbythisgeneration.Butthesameargu-11~ntcanberaisedinconnectionwiththishydropowerproject.EvenJ.fitbecomesobsolete,evenifitsiltsupandcannolongerproducepower,ahu~edammustbemaintainedandrepairedforever,elsedownstreamresidentswillbeatriskofhorrendousfloodsormud-slides.AdamisaswordofDamocleshangingovertheIwadsofour[ireat-granchildren.Par;e911..Heconcurwiththel\laskaEnergyOfficecriticismthatthefinalEISshouldipcludeanetenergybenefitanalysisforthe\'lholcsYGtern,includln[itheener[iYusedduringconstructionand103sesdurln[ilon[i-distancetransmission.Pa~c6,cost.Totalfirstcost.(January1975)pricesof$1.343b1l110n.'l'hcre\'lOSnojustificationforusInc;January1975pricesintheDEIS.'rheCorpsIOctober'23factsheetalreadyshowsapriceJumpto:p.5billion(a~!;157,000,000rise--morethanenoughtobuildSenatorGrave11sfederalofficebuilding!),buteventhisfigureisludicrous.Thecontractorswillnotbepaidin1975712
dollars.Thesamefactsheetmentionsa11~-ycarconstructionperiod•.Iftheprojectwerealreadyinproe;resstoday,itcouldnotbefin1s,hcduntillate1989.ThewholeDEISisfilledwithspeculativeprojectionsondubiousgrounds;whywastherenoprojectionofcostsinOctober1969dollars?Ifinflation('ontinueGatitccurrent137~rate--notethatweareplayingthe~orpslowne;amehere--thefinalcostwillbe$8.33billion,aGtar.;(~erine;sum.nutletusassumethatinflationwillbenonexistentforthenext11~years(lndthattherewillbenocostoverruhs.Amodestproposal:insteadofbuildingtheSusitnadams,that$1.5billioncouldbe1nvested.Evenatamere6%,itwouldproduce$90millionayear.Itcouldbesplitupamongsome400,000~eopleexpectedtoliveintherailbeltareaat$225~)crcapIta.SurelymostAlaskanswouldprefertohavethecash--:~900yearlyforafamilyoffourwouldgofartowardpayingtheC;asbIll!--andthec;enerousU.S.taxpayerwouldbesuretoapprove,sincethe$1.5billionprincipalwouldremainuntouched.Abeautifulwildernesswhitewaterriverwouldnothavetobedestroyed,andAlaskanswouldnothavetosufferthroughst:i.llanotherwrackingconstructionboom.ThehydroprojectnotonlymakeslittlesenseforAlaska,itmakeslittlesenseintermsofawisenationalenergypolicy.Theopportunitycostofinvesting$1.5billiontoproducepowerforapproximately1100,000peopleisextremelyhigh.ThislargeaninvestmentinprojectsotherthanhydropowercouldprOVidemoreener~yformorepeopleatlowerenvironmentalcost.'I'hem:l;,~.;ur.:r.:e:>tsthatAlaskawouldbedependentonoilandgasdurinc;thedam::.;I11~-yearconstructiontime.Hhenthedamscomeonline,thehydropav/crwouldtheoreticallyreplaceoila.ndnatural[r,asp;cneratine;facilItiesthusfreeinguptheoilandgastobecllippecltotheLovlerh8.(Thisscenarioisunlikelytooccur,asearliernoted,becausethehydropowerwouldprobablyattractlarC;eblockindustrialusersandstimulatedemand,ratherthanmeetinGexistine;andprojecteddemand.)Butevenifoilandnaturale;aswerenolongerneeded.forelectricalgeneration,theycarlysavinGSwouldbeinsic;nificantcomparedtonationaloilcon:3tllnptlon.TheDElSstatenthatestimated1972fueluseforAlaslcaI:Jpower:Jystem:Jincluded1.1+millionbarrelsof011.Forpurpo:,c:Jofcomparison,in1972thenationasawholeused5.99billionbarrelsofoil.(Source:FordFoundationEnergyPolleyProject,Preliminary·Report.)ThusAlaskarepresentedles:Jthanonefour-thousandthofthetotaldemand.Amajore;oaloftheprojectistoconservefossilfuels(p.91)."Bythesametoken,theproject\'lOuldcontributetoasavln~Ginnonrenewableenergyresourceswithanener~yeqUivalentofabout11.3millionbarrelsofoil,orapprOXimately80billioncubicfeetofgasperyear.Althou8hthissavingsisaprincipalfactorintheconsiderationofahydroelectricalternative,overthclon8haulhydroelectricenergymustbeviewed71352253255dollars.Thesamefactsheetmentionsa11~-ycarconstructionperiod•.Iftheprojectwerealreadyinproe;resstoday,itcouldnotbefin1s,hcduntillate1989.ThewholeDEISisfilledwithspeculativeprojectionsondubiousgrounds;whywastherenoprojectionofcostsinOctober1969dollars?Ifinflation('ontinueGatitccurrent137~rate--notethatweareplayingthe~orpslowne;amehere--thefinalcostwillbe$8.33billion,aGtar.;(~erine;sum.nutletusassumethatinflationwillbenonexistentforthenext11~years(lndthattherewillbenocostoverruhs.Amodestproposal:insteadofbuildingtheSusitnadams,that$1.5billioncouldbe1nvested.Evenatamere6%,itwouldproduce$90millionayear.Itcouldbesplitupamongsome400,000~eopleexpectedtoliveintherailbeltareaat$225~)crcapIta.SurelymostAlaskanswouldprefertohavethecash--:~900yearlyforafamilyoffourwouldgofartowardpayingtheC;asbIll!--andthec;enerousU.S.taxpayerwouldbesuretoapprove,sincethe$1.5billionprincipalwouldremainuntouched.Abeautifulwildernesswhitewaterriverwouldnothavetobedestroyed,andAlaskanswouldnothavetosufferthroughst:i.llanotherwrackingconstructionboom.ThehydroprojectnotonlymakeslittlesenseforAlaska,itmakeslittlesenseintermsofawisenationalenergypolicy.Theopportunitycostofinvesting$1.5billiontoproducepowerforapproximately1100,000peopleisextremelyhigh.ThislargeaninvestmentinprojectsotherthanhydropowercouldprOVidemoreener~yformorepeopleatlowerenvironmentalcost.'I'hem:l;,~.;ur.:r.:e:>tsthatAlaskawouldbedependentonoilandgasdurinc;thedam::.;I11~-yearconstructiontime.Hhenthedamscomeonline,thehydropav/crwouldtheoreticallyreplaceoila.ndnatural[r,asp;cneratine;facilItiesthusfreeinguptheoilandgastobecllippecltotheLovlerh8.(Thisscenarioisunlikelytooccur,asearliernoted,becausethehydropowerwouldprobablyattractlarC;eblockindustrialusersandstimulatedemand,ratherthanmeetinGexistine;andprojecteddemand.)Butevenifoilandnaturale;aswerenolongerneeded.forelectricalgeneration,theycarlysavinGSwouldbeinsic;nificantcomparedtonationaloilcon:3tllnptlon.TheDElSstatenthatestimated1972fueluseforAlaslcaI:Jpower:Jystem:Jincluded1.1+millionbarrelsof011.Forpurpo:,c:Jofcomparison,in1972thenationasawholeused5.99billionbarrelsofoil.(Source:FordFoundationEnergyPolleyProject,Preliminary·Report.)ThusAlaskarepresentedles:Jthanonefour-thousandthofthetotaldemand.Amajore;oaloftheprojectistoconservefossilfuels(p.91)."Bythesametoken,theproject\'lOuldcontributetoasavln~Ginnonrenewableenergyresourceswithanener~yeqUivalentofabout11.3millionbarrelsofoil,orapprOXimately80billioncubicfeetofgasperyear.Althou8hthissavingsisaprincipalfactorintheconsiderationofahydroelectricalternative,overthclon8haulhydroelectricenergymustbeviewed71352253255
a:,nnJnLe1'110men:3ureforcon:J(~rvinGthenation'snOlli:·(~nL:\'I~il,J.(~enL:r(~y::.;ourCC3un\.Usonicmarcpl'ac-tIcal,peI'llIancntmethodof'pro<JiJcinLjelectricity1:,ac!l.L(:v(~d\'/hJ.ch\'/111notoverburdenthenationI Gor\'Iorlcl1wfinitere::.;ources.1Inut:;',1.5billioninvestednowinnewenergysourcesandcon-:3c:rvationIi1ca:..;urc:jliouldyieldmuchgreaterbenef1t3thanthedarn:j.'J.'hcC(Wp::;'i::;pU:jlll.I1Cfor"pre-c0113tructionp1anninc;11fundJnr~aDthOUGhunenergycmerc;encyoituation,ratherth<:l.na:1urpJ.u:j,existsor\'/111c:xl~,twithinthenextcoupleofdecades.rI'h~rc1::;110'emerc;ency,hO'llever.AlaskaIGwellsuppliedvJith.ol1~r~yre::;ource~intheproceGsofbeingdeveloped.Thejust-rclca~edstudybythestateDivisionofGeoloc;icalandqeophysicaJ~urvcy~how::.;thatwiththePrudhoeBaygasownedbythentatewel'/nlhaveancmlJarra::;:.;mcntofenerc;yriches.Sincethereistime,the:;;1.5billIonor:\;3billionor~;ebillionofthefederaltaxpayers'moncY,\'~lichthodamswillcostshouldinsteadbeInvc:jtcd1nresearchforalternatlve,bettermean::;ofenerGYproduction,researchwhichwouldbeagod::;endtothewholenation.JackHesnlonAlaskaHepresentative714a:,nnJnLe1'110men:3ureforcon:J(~rvinGthenation'snOlli:·(~nL:\'I~il,J.(~enL:r(~y::.;ourCC3un\.Usonicmarcpl'ac-tIcal,peI'llIancntmethodof'pro<JiJcinLjelectricity1:,ac!l.L(:v(~d\'/hJ.ch\'/111notoverburdenthenationIGor\'Iorlcl1wfinitere::.;ources.1Inut:;',1.5billioninvestednowinnewenergysourcesandcon-:3c:rvationIi1ca:..;urc:jliouldyieldmuchgreaterbenef1t3thanthedarn:j.'J.'hcC(Wp::;'i::;pU:jlll.I1Cfor"pre-c0113tructionp1anninc;11fundJnr~aDthOUGhunenergycmerc;encyoituation,ratherth<:l.na:1urpJ.u:j,existsor\'/111c:xl~,twithinthenextcoupleofdecades.rI'h~rc1::;110'emerc;ency,hO'llever.AlaskaIGwellsuppliedvJith.ol1~r~yre::;ource~intheproceGsofbeingdeveloped.Thejust-rclca~edstudybythestateDivisionofGeoloc;icalandqeophysicaJ~urvcy~how::.;thatwiththePrudhoeBaygasownedbythentatewel'/nlhaveancmlJarra::;:.;mcntofenerc;yriches.Sincethereistime,the:;;1.5billIonor:\;3billionor~;ebillionofthefederaltaxpayers'moncY,\'~lichthodamswillcostshouldinsteadbeInvc:jtcd1nresearchforalternatlve,bettermean::;ofenerGYproduction,researchwhichwouldbeagod::;endtothewholenation.JackHesnlonAlaskaHepresentative714
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSIERRACLUB204Conllne~tnoted.205TheFederalPowerC?mmission,in~arryingoutits~unctions.u~dertheFederalPowerAct,1Sconcernedw1thallelements1ndeterm1n1ngpowervalues.TheCorpscooperateswiththeFederalPowerCommissioninevaluatingpowerbenefitsonthebasisofunitpowervaluesdevelopedbytheCommission.Projectpowerbenefitsincludefinancingfactorsrelatedtothealternativesourceofpower,publicorprivate,thatwould~ostlikelybeutilizedtoservethesamemarketareaintheabsenceoftheproject.Thealternativeisusuallyanew,privatelyfinanced,modern,andefficientthermalpowerp1ant.However,allalternativesarecarefullyexamined.InthecaseofthisstudY:-bothnaturalgasandcoalwere'chosenasthemostreasonablepotentialalternatives.Gaswaseliminatedonthebasisofprojectedavailabilityatthetimehydropowerwouldgoonlinein1986,andbythedirectionofCongresstoconservenonrenewableresourcesandtoutilizerenewableresourcesforpowergenerationwherepossible.Thereisnolongeranyreasontoanticipatethisfuelwillcontinuetoprovideanabundant,cheapenergysourceforthelongtermashasbeenexercisedinthepast.Incalculatingthebenefit/costratioofcoalandhydropoweralternatives,thelatterwasdeterminedtohavethegreaterbenefits.206Commentnoted.2071tistruethatsomenon-hydroalternatives,suchascoal,aremore~flexiblethanhydropowerinresponsetofluctuationindemand.However,thehydropowerprojectpresentlyproposedwillnotmeetenergydemandprojectedtoexistwithinarelativelyfewyearsfollowingprojectcompletion.Thus,existingorfuturecoalorgasplantsmaywellbeusedtoprovidetheflexibilitytocopewithfluctuationindemandabovethelevelofbaseloadrequirementsfulfilledbythehydropowerproject.Forathoroughdiscussionoftheeffectoftheprojectuponindustrialdevelopment,seeresponsenumber255.2t)8Thecoalalternativedoesenterintothehydroprojectcost-benefitcalculation.becausethisalternativeistheeconomicstandardagainstwhicheachofthehydropowerplansistested.Thatis,thepowerbenefitsofagivenhydrosystemrepresentthecostofproducingthesameamount},'ofpowerbyconstructingandgeneratingaconv~ntional,state-of-the-artgenerationsystemusingcoalasfuel.Thus,thecoalalternative,bydefinition,hasabenefit-costratioequaltoone.Theinterestduringconstructionwasaddedtoprojectcosts.andthoseexpendituresaccruingafter1986werediscountedtothe1986power-on-linedateat6~1/8per-centtogivethetotalinvestmentcost.Thepresentworthofthebenefitswascalculatedalsobydiscountingat6..1/8percentto1986.Theinvest-mentcostandpresentworthofthebenefitswerethenamortizedat6-1/8percentoverthe100-yearprojectlifetogiveannualcostsandbenefitswhichwerethencomparedtogivethebenefit-costratio.715RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSIERRACLUB204Conllne~tnoted.205TheFederalPowerC?mmission,in~arryingoutits~unctions.u~dertheFederalPowerAct,1Sconcernedw1thallelements1ndeterm1n1ngpowervalues.TheCorpscooperateswiththeFederalPowerCommissioninevaluatingpowerbenefitsonthebasisofunitpowervaluesdevelopedbytheCommission.Projectpowerbenefitsincludefinancingfactorsrelatedtothealternativesourceofpower,publicorprivate,thatwould~ostlikelybeutilizedtoservethesamemarketareaintheabsenceoftheproject.Thealternativeisusuallyanew,privatelyfinanced,modern,andefficientthermalpowerp1ant.However,allalternativesarecarefullyexamined.InthecaseofthisstudY:-bothnaturalgasandcoalwere'chosenasthemostreasonablepotentialalternatives.Gaswaseliminatedonthebasisofprojectedavailabilityatthetimehydropowerwouldgoonlinein1986,andbythedirectionofCongresstoconservenonrenewableresourcesandtoutilizerenewableresourcesforpowergenerationwherepossible.Thereisnolongeranyreasontoanticipatethisfuelwillcontinuetoprovideanabundant,cheapenergysourceforthelongtermashasbeenexercisedinthepast.Incalculatingthebenefit/costratioofcoalandhydropoweralternatives,thelatterwasdeterminedtohavethegreaterbenefits.206Commentnoted.2071tistruethatsomenon-hydroalternatives,suchascoal,aremore~flexiblethanhydropowerinresponsetofluctuationindemand.However,thehydropowerprojectpresentlyproposedwillnotmeetenergydemandprojectedtoexistwithinarelativelyfewyearsfollowingprojectcompletion.Thus,existingorfuturecoalorgasplantsmaywellbeusedtoprovidetheflexibilitytocopewithfluctuationindemandabovethelevelofbaseloadrequirementsfulfilledbythehydropowerproject.Forathoroughdiscussionoftheeffectoftheprojectuponindustrialdevelopment,seeresponsenumber255.2t)8Thecoalalternativedoesenterintothehydroprojectcost-benefitcalculation.becausethisalternativeistheeconomicstandardagainstwhicheachofthehydropowerplansistested.Thatis,thepowerbenefitsofagivenhydrosystemrepresentthecostofproducingthesameamount},'ofpowerbyconstructingandgeneratingaconv~ntional,state-of-the-artgenerationsystemusingcoalasfuel.Thus,thecoalalternative,bydefinition,hasabenefit-costratioequaltoone.Theinterestduringconstructionwasaddedtoprojectcosts.andthoseexpendituresaccruingafter1986werediscountedtothe1986power-on-linedateat6~1/8per-centtogivethetotalinvestmentcost.Thepresentworthofthebenefitswascalculatedalsobydiscountingat6..1/8percentto1986.Theinvest-mentcostandpresentworthofthebenefitswerethenamortizedat6-1/8percentoverthe100-yearprojectlifetogiveannualcostsandbenefitswhichwerethencomparedtogivethebenefit-costratio.715
2t,9Thecoalalternativewasnotevaluatedatan8.77percentdiscountrate.The8.77percentfigureisusedtocalculateannualfixedchargesand,assuch,isusedfordifferentpurposesthanthediscountrateemployedinthehydroanalysis.Incorporatedinthis8.77percentisthecompositeofmunicipalandREAborrowingcostsintheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.Itisthiscostofborrowingthatisproperlycomparedwiththe6-1/8-percentdiscountrateannuallyestablishedbytheTreasuryDepartment.ThecompositefinancingusedbyFPCinanalyzingthepublic,non-Federallyfinancedcoalalternativewas6.25percentinterestratefortheAnchorage-Kenaimarketarea,and5.95percentinterestratefortheFairbanksmarketarea.21LMostoftherecreationbenefitsattributedtoreservoirdevelopmentareassociatedwiththeDevilCanyonsite.Alsoseeresponsenumber8l.211Commentnoted.212TheparagraphhasbeenreworkedtoindicatethatportionsofthelistedriversareClassVIboatingrivers,andthatDevilCanyonisdiff~cultinsteadof~angerous.FormoreinformationonwhitewaterofSusitna,seeresponsenumber257.213TheCorpsofEngineersis'awarethatliTheSusitnaisindeedproposedasawildriverintheconservationists'0-2bill--".Furthermore,alllandandwaterwithintheimmediateareaofprojectinfluence,includingtheupperSusitnaRiver,aretentativelyscheduledforselectionasNativedeficiencylands,whichareclassifiedas0-1.Section3.0oftheEISisdevotedentirelytoadiscussionoftherelationshipoftheproposedactiontolanduseplans.214Theparagraphfromwhichtheword"severa1"isexcerptedreferstothe1974findingsoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceduringasurveyofraptorpopulationsinthecanyonareaoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Duringthissurvey,threenestingpairsofbaldeaglesandtwogyro-falconnestswereobservedneartheDevilCanyonarea.215TheSusitnaRiverdamswillrequireaccessroadswhichwillbebuiltatFederalexpense.Theywillrequireyear-roundmaintenance.TheStatemaychoosetoincorporatetheseroadsintotheStatehighwaysystem.Ifitdoes,thenmaintenancewillbecomeaStateresponsibilityandcost.Ontheotherhand,iftheStatedoesnotchoosetoincorporatetheroadsintoitshighwaysystem,maintenancewillcontinueasaFederalresponsibilityandcost.HuntingpressurewillnotincreaseasaresultofroadaccessintothedamsitessinceADF&Ghasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontroltheactualpressures.Thus,onlythepotentialforhuntingpressurewillincrease.2JoTheSusitnaRiverhasbeendrawnwithadarkenedlinetomoreclearlyshowitslocationontheschematicmaps.7162t,9Thecoalalternativewasnotevaluatedatan8.77percentdiscountrate.The8.77percentfigureisusedtocalculateannualfixedchargesand,assuch,isusedfordifferentpurposesthanthediscountrateemployedinthehydroanalysis.Incorporatedinthis8.77percentisthecompositeofmunicipalandREAborrowingcostsintheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.Itisthiscostofborrowingthatisproperlycomparedwiththe6-1/8-percentdiscountrateannuallyestablishedbytheTreasuryDepartment.ThecompositefinancingusedbyFPCinanalyzingthepublic,non-Federallyfinancedcoalalternativewas6.25percentinterestratefortheAnchorage-Kenaimarketarea,and5.95percentinterestratefortheFairbanksmarketarea.21LMostoftherecreationbenefitsattributedtoreservoirdevelopmentareassociatedwiththeDevilCanyonsite.Alsoseeresponsenumber8l.211Commentnoted.212TheparagraphhasbeenreworkedtoindicatethatportionsofthelistedriversareClassVIboatingrivers,andthatDevilCanyonisdiff~cultinsteadof~angerous.FormoreinformationonwhitewaterofSusitna,seeresponsenumber257.213TheCorpsofEngineersis'awarethatliTheSusitnaisindeedproposedasawildriverintheconservationists'0-2bill--".Furthermore,alllandandwaterwithintheimmediateareaofprojectinfluence,includingtheupperSusitnaRiver,aretentativelyscheduledforselectionasNativedeficiencylands,whichareclassifiedas0-1.Section3.0oftheEISisdevotedentirelytoadiscussionoftherelationshipoftheproposedactiontolanduseplans.214Theparagraphfromwhichtheword"severa1"isexcerptedreferstothe1974findingsoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceduringasurveyofraptorpopulationsinthecanyonareaoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Duringthissurvey,threenestingpairsofbaldeaglesandtwogyro-falconnestswereobservedneartheDevilCanyonarea.215TheSusitnaRiverdamswillrequireaccessroadswhichwillbebuiltatFederalexpense.Theywillrequireyear-roundmaintenance.TheStatemaychoosetoincorporatetheseroadsintotheStatehighwaysystem.Ifitdoes,thenmaintenancewillbecomeaStateresponsibilityandcost.Ontheotherhand,iftheStatedoesnotchoosetoincorporatetheroadsintoitshighwaysystem,maintenancewillcontinueasaFederalresponsibilityandcost.HuntingpressurewillnotincreaseasaresultofroadaccessintothedamsitessinceADF&Ghasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontroltheactualpressures.Thus,onlythepotentialforhuntingpressurewillincrease.2JoTheSusitnaRiverhasbeendrawnwithadarkenedlinetomoreclearlyshowitslocationontheschematicmaps.716
217TheEISclearlystates(inSection5.0)thatincreasedpressuresonexistinggamepopulationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldisturbanceandharassmentwillrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandTawenforcementpractices.Aspreviouslystated,ADF&Ghasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontrolthesepressures--albeit,atgreatercostandeffortonthepartofStategovernment..218ThequotedstatementisincludedintheEIStoemphasizetheimportanceofSusitnaRiverBasintowolverines.Encroachmenttodatehasincludedmorethan"huntinglodgesandtrappers'cabins;"ithasalsoincludedhuntingandsignificantimpactonwolverinesintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Wehaveexpressedconcern.however,(inSection5.0)thatanylossestomooseandcaribouoccasionedbytheprojectwill"...impactuponpredatorspecies."This,ofcourse.includ~sthewolverine.21&Ofcourse,theuseofATV'scanbecontrolled.TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.incommentingonthedraftEIS,hasstatedthatithasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontroltheactualpressuresofincreasedhuntingpotential.Inthediscussionofadverseenvironmentaleffectswhichcannotbeavoided(Section5.0),withreferencetorequiredroadconstruction,itisstated:"Thiswouldhavethepotentialtoincreasepressureonexistinggamepopu-lationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldisturbanceandharrassment.Thisinturnwouldrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandlawenforcementpracticesandpreventativemeasuresforthecontrolofwildfire."IncreasedcostsrelatedtointensifiedmanagementandlawenforcementwouldbebornebytheState.220Thereisnothinginthereferencedparagraphwhichimpliesthatthe"Super-lative,hugewhitewaterofDevilCanyon"isunattractive,muchless'veryunattractive'."However.tobeconstantwithanearlierchangeinadjectivessuggestedbythereviewers.wehavesubstitutedtheword."difficult"for"violent.II2~1TheJonesandJonesreportwasprovidedtotheAlaskaDistrictinMarch1975,andhasbeenavailableintheDistrictofficeforpublicreviewsincethattime.Allrelevant,significantinformationcontainedinthereportwasutilizedinpreparationofthedraftEIS.Withrespecttothereport'srecommendationconcerningtheinundationofDevilCanyon,thefollcwingisquotedfrompage8ofthereport:"Inparticular,itissuggestedthatrelocationoftheDevilCanyonDamtoapointaboveDevilCreekbeinvesti-gated,perhapsatahigherpoollevel.coupledwithrelocationcoftheVeedamsitesomewhatdownstreamanddeletionoftheWatanadamsiteentirely.PossiblebenefitsincludepreservationoftheestheticresourcesofDevilCanyonandenhancedreservoirfishhabitatandrecreationalopportunities."Infact.notonlywasthisalternativeconsideredandevaluated,itwasbutoneofanumberofdamsandcombinationsofreservoirswhichwereevaluatedinselectingtheproposedplan.TheauthorityandresponsibilityforthisfinaldecisionrestswiththeDistrictEngineer--notwithaconsultant.717217TheEISclearlystates(inSection5.0)thatincreasedpressuresonexistinggamepopulationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldisturbanceandharassmentwillrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandTawenforcementpractices.Aspreviouslystated,ADF&Ghasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontrolthesepressures--albeit,atgreatercostandeffortonthepartofStategovernment..218ThequotedstatementisincludedintheEIStoemphasizetheimportanceofSusitnaRiverBasintowolverines.Encroachmenttodatehasincludedmorethan"huntinglodgesandtrappers'cabins;"ithasalsoincludedhuntingandsignificantimpactonwolverinesintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Wehaveexpressedconcern.however,(inSection5.0)thatanylossestomooseandcaribouoccasionedbytheprojectwill"...impactuponpredatorspecies."This,ofcourse.includ~sthewolverine.21&Ofcourse,theuseofATV'scanbecontrolled.TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.incommentingonthedraftEIS,hasstatedthatithasthestatutorycapabilitiestocontroltheactualpressuresofincreasedhuntingpotential.Inthediscussionofadverseenvironmentaleffectswhichcannotbeavoided(Section5.0),withreferencetorequiredroadconstruction,itisstated:"Thiswouldhavethepotentialtoincreasepressureonexistinggamepopu-lationsthroughhunting,trapping,andgeneraldisturbanceandharrassment.Thisinturnwouldrequireintensifiedgamemanagementandlawenforcementpracticesandpreventativemeasuresforthecontrolofwildfire."IncreasedcostsrelatedtointensifiedmanagementandlawenforcementwouldbebornebytheState.220Thereisnothinginthereferencedparagraphwhichimpliesthatthe"Super-lative,hugewhitewaterofDevilCanyon"isunattractive,muchless'veryunattractive'."However.tobeconstantwithanearlierchangeinadjectivessuggestedbythereviewers.wehavesubstitutedtheword."difficult"for"violent.II2~1TheJonesandJonesreportwasprovidedtotheAlaskaDistrictinMarch1975,andhasbeenavailableintheDistrictofficeforpublicreviewsincethattime.Allrelevant,significantinformationcontainedinthereportwasutilizedinpreparationofthedraftEIS.Withrespecttothereport'srecommendationconcerningtheinundationofDevilCanyon,thefollcwingisquotedfrompage8ofthereport:"Inparticular,itissuggestedthatrelocationoftheDevilCanyonDamtoapointaboveDevilCreekbeinvesti-gated,perhapsatahigherpoollevel.coupledwithrelocationcoftheVeedamsitesomewhatdownstreamanddeletionoftheWatanadamsiteentirely.PossiblebenefitsincludepreservationoftheestheticresourcesofDevilCanyonandenhancedreservoirfishhabitatandrecreationalopportunities."Infact.notonlywasthisalternativeconsideredandevaluated,itwasbutoneofanumberofdamsandcombinationsofreservoirswhichwereevaluatedinselectingtheproposedplan.TheauthorityandresponsibilityforthisfinaldecisionrestswiththeDistrictEngineer--notwithaconsultant.717
222Commentnoted.2G~TheEIScandidlydiscussestheinundationofsome82milesoftheSusitnaRiver,including9milesoftheexistingll-milewhitewatersectioninDevilCanyon.Thewholesectionfromwhichthesentenceisquoteddealswithenergyneeds.TheSusitnaRiverdoes,infact,constituteaninex-haustibleenergysource.224TheordinatescaleoftheloadprojectionsontheprojectedenergydemandgraphwasinadvertentlynotlabeledinthedraftEIS.Thenumb~rsinthisscalerepresentkilowatt-hours(inmillions)andhavebeensolabeledinthereviseddraftElS.TheoriginandmeaningofthecurvesonthegrapharefullydiscussedintheElS.Themid-rangeloadprojectioncurveselectedfortheCorps'analysisisconsideredconservative,withannualratesofincreaseinpower,requirementslessthan7percentafter1980ascomparedtoanhistoricalannualgrowthrateof14percentduringtheperiod1960to1971.225Onthebasisofdatafromreservoirprojectsonmanytypesorrivers,theCorpshasdevelopedareliablemethodologyforcalculatingsedimentationrates.Onthebasisofthismethodology,whichincludesconsiderationofgeologiccharacteristicsofthebasin,rivergradient,precipitationpatterns,runoffcharacteristics,andtopography,theCorpshasestimatedthattheprojectwillexceedbyalargemarginthe100-yearlifeuponwhicheconomicjustificationisbased(itispresentlybelievedthattheusefullifeoftheprojectduetosedimentationmayexceed500years).2~bNitrogensupersaturationisaphenomenonwhichwouldonlyoccurwhenwaterisreleasedthroughtheoverflowstructure.Thiswouldoccuratanestimatedfrequencyofonceevery2yearswithadurationof14days.Theoverflowstructurewillbedesignedtominimizeintroductionofnitrogen.Theexpectedimpactofthisconditionisnotsignificantenoughtowarrantrelocationofthedam.227Quotedfully,thesentencecontainingthephraseIIfuturedetailedstudiesllstates:IIHowever,thisphenomenonwouldbethesubjectoffuturedetailedstudiestodeterminethedistanceatwhichsedimentloadswouldbecomereestablished.IIThereisnothingintheEISindicatingthatsuchstudies1I•••willbenecessarytomakesuregeneralchanneldegradationwon'toccurbelowthedam...11Itistruethatthereferencedfuturedetailedstudiesarerecommendedaspartofpreconstructionplanning.DetailedplanningofallCorpsprojectsisdonefollowingspecificCongressionalauthorizationandfundingofsuchstudies.Followingthecompletionofdetailedpreconstructionplanning,Congressagaindetermineswhetherornottheprojectshouldbefundedforconstruction.718222Commentnoted.2G~TheEIScandidlydiscussestheinundationofsome82milesoftheSusitnaRiver,including9milesoftheexistingll-milewhitewatersectioninDevilCanyon.Thewholesectionfromwhichthesentenceisquoteddealswithenergyneeds.TheSusitnaRiverdoes,infact,constituteaninex-haustibleenergysource.224TheordinatescaleoftheloadprojectionsontheprojectedenergydemandgraphwasinadvertentlynotlabeledinthedraftEIS.Thenumb~rsinthisscalerepresentkilowatt-hours(inmillions)andhavebeensolabeledinthereviseddraftElS.TheoriginandmeaningofthecurvesonthegrapharefullydiscussedintheElS.Themid-rangeloadprojectioncurveselectedfortheCorps'analysisisconsideredconservative,withannualratesofincreaseinpower,requirementslessthan7percentafter1980ascomparedtoanhistoricalannualgrowthrateof14percentduringtheperiod1960to1971.225Onthebasisofdatafromreservoirprojectsonmanytypesorrivers,theCorpshasdevelopedareliablemethodologyforcalculatingsedimentationrates.Onthebasisofthismethodology,whichincludesconsiderationofgeologiccharacteristicsofthebasin,rivergradient,precipitationpatterns,runoffcharacteristics,andtopography,theCorpshasestimatedthattheprojectwillexceedbyalargemarginthe100-yearlifeuponwhicheconomicjustificationisbased(itispresentlybelievedthattheusefullifeoftheprojectduetosedimentationmayexceed500years).2~bNitrogensupersaturationisaphenomenonwhichwouldonlyoccurwhenwaterisreleasedthroughtheoverflowstructure.Thiswouldoccuratanestimatedfrequencyofonceevery2yearswithadurationof14days.Theoverflowstructurewillbedesignedtominimizeintroductionofnitrogen.Theexpectedimpactofthisconditionisnotsignificantenoughtowarrantrelocationofthedam.227Quotedfully,thesentencecontainingthephraseIIfuturedetailedstudiesllstates:IIHowever,thisphenomenonwouldbethesubjectoffuturedetailedstudiestodeterminethedistanceatwhichsedimentloadswouldbecomereestablished.IIThereisnothingintheEISindicatingthatsuchstudies1I•••willbenecessarytomakesuregeneralchanneldegradationwon'toccurbelowthedam...11Itistruethatthereferencedfuturedetailedstudiesarerecommendedaspartofpreconstructionplanning.DetailedplanningofallCorpsprojectsisdonefollowingspecificCongressionalauthorizationandfundingofsuchstudies.Followingthecompletionofdetailedpreconstructionplanning,Congressagaindetermineswhetherornottheprojectshouldbefundedforconstruction.718
2~bThe[ISstatesonlythatpossiblyotherfishhabitatwouldbecreatedathigherelevationsonthetributariestotheWatanareservoir.Theactualeffectscanonlybepredictedonthebasisofdetailedfieldstudies.Thereisa900dpossibilitythatreservoirfluctuationwouldnotsignificantlyaffectspawninghabitat.Drawdownwilloccurduringthewintermonths,whenriverinflowislow.Thereservoirwillbefilledduringthespringandsummermonthsof higherrunoff.Shouldspawningoccurduringtheperiodwhenthereservoirisfullandrelativelystable,theremaybelittleadverseimpactonanynewspawninghabitatcreatedatthehigherelevation.'2G9Indescribingrivercharac~eristicsunderexistingconditionsinSection:2.0oftheEIS,itisstated:"Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesjretardwaterflows,str-:::.amsrunrelativelysilt-free."Weseenoconflict;betweenthisstatementandtheoneonpage49ofthedraftEISwhichstates/thatwinterinvestigationsbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameindi-\~atedthatsuspendedsolidsrangedfrom4ppmto228ppm.FollowingprojectlonstructionitispredictedthatsuspendedsedimentinreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldberelativelylow(l5to35ppm)year":roundasaconsequence¢fheaviersedimentsbeingretainedinthereservoirs.However,evenatthislowfigure,itispredictedthatthewatermaynotbeasclearinthew'intermonthsasitnowisduetothenatureoftheveryfine"glacialscour"whichwillbeintroducedintothereservoirsduringthesummermonthsandY'emaininsuspensionduringthewinter.SedimentsamplestakenbyADF~Gunderexistingconditionsreflectatransportofheavysedimentswhichoriginatefromtheriverbeditself.Relativelyhighconcentrationsoflarge,granularmaterialmaynotsignificantlyaffectwaterclarity,whereasmuchsmalleramountsofafinelysuspendedsedimentwillcausea"turbidor"milky"appearance.Thelasttwosentencesofthereviewer'scommentarenoted,23'01\n1akessiItup.Therapidityoffi11ingisre1atedtotheamountandcharacteristicsof·sedimentinflow,outflow,andthesize,depth,andlengthofthelake.Thisisequallytrueofnaturalbodiesofwaterandmanmadelakes.231The"proposedseriesofhigh-headdamsIIreferstotheDevilCanyonandWatanadams.ThesearetheonlydamsproposedfordevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Theproposedhigh-headWatanaDaminundatestheVeedamsitethusmakingitunavailableforhydroelectricdevelopment.Therearenootherdamsitessuitablefordevelopmentofahigh-headdam.232ThefollowingstatementismadeinthereferencedparagraphoftheEIS:"...underadverseiceconditions,thereservoirscouldresultinincreasedproblemsforsomesegmentsoftheherd.Also,therecouldbesomepermanentchangesinhistoricalherdmovementpQtterns."Thefive-monthstudybyI\DF&GwasreferencedbecauseitistheonlystudythathasbeenmadeofcariboucrossingattheWatanareservoirsite.Apreviousparagraphstatesthatcariboudousethearea.69-7370 -81-462~bThe[ISstatesonlythatpossiblyotherfishhabitatwouldbecreatedathigherelevationsonthetributariestotheWatanareservoir.Theactualeffectscanonlybepredictedonthebasisofdetailedfieldstudies.Thereisa900dpossibilitythatreservoirfluctuationwouldnotsignificantlyaffectspawninghabitat.Drawdownwilloccurduringthewintermonths,whenriverinflowislow.Thereservoirwillbefilledduringthespringandsummermonthsof higherrunoff.Shouldspawningoccurduringtheperiodwhenthereservoirisfullandrelativelystable,theremaybelittleadverseimpactonanynewspawninghabitatcreatedatthehigherelevation.'2G9Indescribingrivercharac~eristicsunderexistingconditionsinSection:2.0oftheEIS,itisstated:"Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesjretardwaterflows,str-:::.amsrunrelativelysilt-free."Weseenoconflict;betweenthisstatementandtheoneonpage49ofthedraftEISwhichstates/thatwinterinvestigationsbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameindi-\~atedthatsuspendedsolidsrangedfrom4ppmto228ppm.FollowingprojectlonstructionitispredictedthatsuspendedsedimentinreleasesatDevilCanyonDamwouldberelativelylow(l5to35ppm)year":roundasaconsequence¢fheaviersedimentsbeingretainedinthereservoirs.However,evenatthislowfigure,itispredictedthatthewatermaynotbeasclearinthew'intermonthsasitnowisduetothenatureoftheveryfine"glacialscour"whichwillbeintroducedintothereservoirsduringthesummermonthsandY'emaininsuspensionduringthewinter.SedimentsamplestakenbyADF~Gunderexistingconditionsreflectatransportofheavysedimentswhichoriginatefromtheriverbeditself.Relativelyhighconcentrationsoflarge,granularmaterialmaynotsignificantlyaffectwaterclarity,whereasmuchsmalleramountsofafinelysuspendedsedimentwillcausea"turbidor"milky"appearance.Thelasttwosentencesofthereviewer'scommentarenoted,23'01\n1akessiItup.Therapidityoffi11ingisre1atedtotheamountandcharacteristicsof·sedimentinflow,outflow,andthesize,depth,andlengthofthelake.Thisisequallytrueofnaturalbodiesofwaterandmanmadelakes.231The"proposedseriesofhigh-headdamsIIreferstotheDevilCanyonandWatanadams.ThesearetheonlydamsproposedfordevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Theproposedhigh-headWatanaDaminundatestheVeedamsitethusmakingitunavailableforhydroelectricdevelopment.Therearenootherdamsitessuitablefordevelopmentofahigh-headdam.232ThefollowingstatementismadeinthereferencedparagraphoftheEIS:"...underadverseiceconditions,thereservoirscouldresultinincreasedproblemsforsomesegmentsoftheherd.Also,therecouldbesomepermanentchangesinhistoricalherdmovementpQtterns."Thefive-monthstudybyI\DF&GwasreferencedbecauseitistheonlystudythathasbeenmadeofcariboucrossingattheWatanareservoirsite.Apreviousparagraphstatesthatcariboudousethearea.69-7370 -81-46
2a31hereisnoimplicationinthereferencedparagraphthatthemoosecountfiguresare"meaningful.1ITheyareincludedsimplyasamatterofrecordedfact.Ifanyconclusioncanbedrawnfromthesestatistics,itwouldappeartobethattheupperSusitnaRiverandthelowdrainageareasofthemajortributariesprovideimportantmoosewinteringhabitat.Thestatement"cooperationfromtheCorpshasbeenverypoor"isamisstatementoffacts.TheCorpshascooperatedandworkedverycloselywithADF&G.2d4lmpactsresultingfromthetransmissionlines,includingsecondaryeffectsresultingfromroadaccess,arethoroughlydiscussedinotherparagraphsinthissectionofthereport.Wenotewithinterestthatsomereviewersr(~gardtransmissionlinesasa+;lreattowildfowlbecauseofthepossibilityofcollisionwhileothersbelievethatwildfowltendtoavoidtransmissionlinecorridors.2~5ThevisitationestimatewasprovidedbyaprivateconsultantwhocloselycoordinatedhisworkwiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks.Benefitsattributabletorecreationconstituteapproxi-mately0.2of1percentoftheannualprojectbenefits.TheCorpshasnotpredictedthattheestimated77,000peoplewhowillvisittheprojectannuallywillalsovisitTalkeetna,whichwouldbeseparatedfromtheDevilCanyonsitebyover110milesofroads.ThereisnoplanneddirectprojectroadaccessbetweenGoldCreekandTalkeetna.23GAsrequiredbythe1958WildlifeCoordinationAct,theCorpshasrequestedfromtheu.s.FishandWildlifeServiceanevaluationofprojectimpactsuponfishandwildliferesources,includingmoose.Upontheconclusionsoftheirstudy,adeterminationwillbemadethroughthecooperativeeffortsofwildlifeagenciestodeterminemitigationmeasuresnecessaryfortheunavoidabledestructionofmoosehabitat.237TheCorps'descriptionisaccurateaswritten.Therearemanycriteriaestablishedforwildernessclassificationofanarea.ThedescriptionwasputintheEIStoinformthereaderofthewildernessqualityofthearea.Thefactthataportionofthisareawillbeextensivelymodified,includingcompleteinundationofsome84milesofriver.isclearlystatedandexten-sivelydescribedintheEIS.238Asstatedinresponsetoapreviousquestion,thelandsaffectedbytheprojectarepresentlyclassifiedasnativevillagedeficiencylands,andtheCorpsisawareofconservationists'D-2legislationnowpendingbeforeCongress.239TheCorpsisnotconsideringplacingthetransmissionlineonthewestsideofthehighwayandrailroadbetweenGoldCreekandCantwell.Thequotedsentenceisfactualaswritten.Theschematicfigureindicatingthelocationofthetransmissionlinecorridorhasbeenclarified.7?n2a31hereisnoimplicationinthereferencedparagraphthatthemoosecountfiguresare"meaningful.1ITheyareincludedsimplyasamatterofrecordedfact.Ifanyconclusioncanbedrawnfromthesestatistics,itwouldappeartobethattheupperSusitnaRiverandthelowdrainageareasofthemajortributariesprovideimportantmoosewinteringhabitat.Thestatement"cooperationfromtheCorpshasbeenverypoor"isamisstatementoffacts.TheCorpshascooperatedandworkedverycloselywithADF&G.2d4lmpactsresultingfromthetransmissionlines,includingsecondaryeffectsresultingfromroadaccess,arethoroughlydiscussedinotherparagraphsinthissectionofthereport.Wenotewithinterestthatsomereviewersr(~gardtransmissionlinesasa+;lreattowildfowlbecauseofthepossibilityofcollisionwhileothersbelievethatwildfowltendtoavoidtransmissionlinecorridors.2~5ThevisitationestimatewasprovidedbyaprivateconsultantwhocloselycoordinatedhisworkwiththeBureauofOutdoorRecreationandtheAlaskaDivisionofParks.Benefitsattributabletorecreationconstituteapproxi-mately0.2of1percentoftheannualprojectbenefits.TheCorpshasnotpredictedthattheestimated77,000peoplewhowillvisittheprojectannuallywillalsovisitTalkeetna,whichwouldbeseparatedfromtheDevilCanyonsitebyover110milesofroads.ThereisnoplanneddirectprojectroadaccessbetweenGoldCreekandTalkeetna.23GAsrequiredbythe1958WildlifeCoordinationAct,theCorpshasrequestedfromtheu.s.FishandWildlifeServiceanevaluationofprojectimpactsuponfishandwildliferesources,includingmoose.Upontheconclusionsoftheirstudy,adeterminationwillbemadethroughthecooperativeeffortsofwildlifeagenciestodeterminemitigationmeasuresnecessaryfortheunavoidabledestructionofmoosehabitat.237TheCorps'descriptionisaccurateaswritten.Therearemanycriteriaestablishedforwildernessclassificationofanarea.ThedescriptionwasputintheEIStoinformthereaderofthewildernessqualityofthearea.Thefactthataportionofthisareawillbeextensivelymodified,includingcompleteinundationofsome84milesofriver.isclearlystatedandexten-sivelydescribedintheEIS.238Asstatedinresponsetoapreviousquestion,thelandsaffectedbytheprojectarepresentlyclassifiedasnativevillagedeficiencylands,andtheCorpsisawareofconservationists'D-2legislationnowpendingbeforeCongress.239TheCorpsisnotconsideringplacingthetransmissionlineonthewestsideofthehighwayandrailroadbetweenGoldCreekandCantwell.Thequotedsentenceisfactualaswritten.Theschematicfigureindicatingthelocationofthetransmissionlinecorridorhasbeenclarified.7?n
240TheSusitnaFau1t,a1thoughclosetotheproject,doesnothavetheprobabilityofcreatingasviolentanearthquakeatthereservoirsitesasdoesthemoredistantDenaliFault.Forthisreason,an8.5RichterMaximumCredibleEarthquake(~1CE)attheDenaliFault(40milesdistant)wasselectedfordesignpurposesratherthanthe6.0RichterMCEeventwhichcouldresultfromtheSusitnaFault(2.5milesdistant).Thefaultsystemoftheentireareawouldbethoroughlystudiedpriortofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.,.241.Againthestatementconcerningthepossibilityoftheoccurrenceofice-fogconditionsbelowDevilCanyonDamduringperiodsofextremecoldweatherisfactualaswritten.Asnotedinthecomment,thisishardlyacriticalpointgiventheremotelocationofthedamsite.721240TheSusitnaFau1t,a1thoughclosetotheproject,doesnothavetheprobabilityofcreatingasviolentanearthquakeatthereservoirsitesasdoesthemoredistantDenaliFault.Forthisreason,an8.5RichterMaximumCredibleEarthquake(~1CE)attheDenaliFault(40milesdistant)wasselectedfordesignpurposesratherthanthe6.0RichterMCEeventwhichcouldresultfromtheSusitnaFault(2.5milesdistant).Thefaultsystemoftheentireareawouldbethoroughlystudiedpriortofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.,.241.Againthestatementconcerningthepossibilityoftheoccurrenceofice-fogconditionsbelowDevilCanyonDamduringperiodsofextremecoldweatherisfactualaswritten.Asnotedinthecomment,thisishardlyacriticalpointgiventheremotelocationofthedamsite.721
24b1\1tf>rnativesrelatedtogas,oil,andcoalaresufficientlydiscussedinthe[IStoexplainthejustificationoftheirrejectionasalternativestohydropower.247Commentnoted.248Thesentencefromwhichthephaseisquotedreferstoalltidalflowhydro-electricQr029sa12_'Tidalpowerisseldomifeverproposedinareaswhereitisnot"suitable."CookInletmaybeoneofthebes.tareasforsuchdevelopment;nevertheless,the"extremecostsandenvironmentaleffects"arethebasisfornotrecommendingitfortidalflowhydroelectricdevelop-ment,24~Thebasisf~rtherejectionofnuclearpower,solidwasteburning,andoililnd<JilSalternativesareexplainedintheEIS.Someofthealternativeswererejectedonthebasisofprovidingeitherexcessorinsufficientenergytomeetareasonableamountoftheneedsofmoderatelyprojectedqrowth.250ThestatementisfactualandhasnotbeendeletedfromtheEIS.Scientificstudiesoftheradiationeffectsofhighvoltagepowerlinesindicatethattherearenoharmfulhumaneffectsfromlinestransmittinglessthan500kv.Themaximumpowertransmittedontheproposedsystemwouldbe345kv.Farmingpractices,furthermore,generallydonotexposehumanstosustained,close-rangecontactwithtransmissionlines.Forreferencetoanauthori-tativestudyconcerningthehealthhazardsoftransmissionlineradiation,seeresponsenumber196.251Commentsnoted.252Pricesattheactualtimeofconstructionwillundoubtedlybehigherthan,January1975prices.Similarly,thepriceofenergywillalsobehigher,ilndsincetheprojectproducesenergylongafterthegreatmajorityofprojectcostsarepaid,incorporationofageneralpricelevelescalatorwouldhavetheeffectofamplifyingbenefitstoagreaterdegreethancosts.I\ssuminginflationwould,therefore,causetheprojecttoappearmoreeconomicallyfavorable.Inflationisnotassumedbecauseassumptionsaboutfuturepricelevelsaredeemedtoospeculative.Futurevalues,cost,andbenefitswillbeequallyaffectedbyinflation.Long-rangeprojectionsarenotmadebasedsimplyonhistoricalratesofgrowth.Theyareoftenincludedinadiscussionforpurposesofcomparison.2~3Commentnoted.254Thestudyrevealsthatthehydroprojectwillproducetherequiredenergyiltaloweconomicandenvironmentalcost.72224b1\1tf>rnativesrelatedtogas,oil,andcoalaresufficientlydiscussedinthe[IStoexplainthejustificationoftheirrejectionasalternativestohydropower.247Commentnoted.248Thesentencefromwhichthephaseisquotedreferstoalltidalflowhydro-electricQr029sa12_'Tidalpowerisseldomifeverproposedinareaswhereitisnot"suitable."CookInletmaybeoneofthebes.tareasforsuchdevelopment;nevertheless,the"extremecostsandenvironmentaleffects"arethebasisfornotrecommendingitfortidalflowhydroelectricdevelop-ment,24~Thebasisf~rtherejectionofnuclearpower,solidwasteburning,andoililnd<JilSalternativesareexplainedintheEIS.Someofthealternativeswererejectedonthebasisofprovidingeitherexcessorinsufficientenergytomeetareasonableamountoftheneedsofmoderatelyprojectedqrowth.250ThestatementisfactualandhasnotbeendeletedfromtheEIS.Scientificstudiesoftheradiationeffectsofhighvoltagepowerlinesindicatethattherearenoharmfulhumaneffectsfromlinestransmittinglessthan500kv.Themaximumpowertransmittedontheproposedsystemwouldbe345kv.Farmingpractices,furthermore,generallydonotexposehumanstosustained,close-rangecontactwithtransmissionlines.Forreferencetoanauthori-tativestudyconcerningthehealthhazardsoftransmissionlineradiation,seeresponsenumber196.251Commentsnoted.252Pricesattheactualtimeofconstructionwillundoubtedlybehigherthan,January1975prices.Similarly,thepriceofenergywillalsobehigher,ilndsincetheprojectproducesenergylongafterthegreatmajorityofprojectcostsarepaid,incorporationofageneralpricelevelescalatorwouldhavetheeffectofamplifyingbenefitstoagreaterdegreethancosts.I\ssuminginflationwould,therefore,causetheprojecttoappearmoreeconomicallyfavorable.Inflationisnotassumedbecauseassumptionsaboutfuturepricelevelsaredeemedtoospeculative.Futurevalues,cost,andbenefitswillbeequallyaffectedbyinflation.Long-rangeprojectionsarenotmadebasedsimplyonhistoricalratesofgrowth.Theyareoftenincludedinadiscussionforpurposesofcomparison.2~3Commentnoted.254Thestudyrevealsthatthehydroprojectwillproducetherequiredenergyiltaloweconomicandenvironmentalcost.722
255Stimulationofsignificantheavyindustrialdevelopmentisnotexpectedtorem,1tfromtheSmdtnaProjectforthefollowingreasons:I.Theprojectedenergyloadgrowthuponwhichthemarketabilityas-slImptionsarebased,doesnotincorporatesignificantheavyindustrialdl'velopment.Rather,theprojectionassumesagradualexpansionofindustryh:lsedonlyonalreadyplannedexpansionstoexistingfacilitiesandonreadilyidentifiablenewindustrycloselytiedtoprovenresourcecapabilitiesandl'conomicrealities;thisdevelopmentisexpectedwithorwithouttheproject.2.Thehydroprojectisdesignedtoprovideadditionalpowerincrementallythrollghphas(~dconstrue~ion.From1986toabout1995,theSusitnapowerwill1II('('thothincreasedloadanddisplaceotherwiseproducedbymorecostlystream-firedpl:mts.Thelessefficientandobsoletesteam-firedplantswillbein:lctivatedorretired.'3.Therewi11besomesecondaryenergyassociatedwiththeproposed,,):111.Suchenergyisnotdesignedintotheplan,butisaresultofdefiningtill'"rIrm"energyasthatwhichcanbeproducedintheworstwateryear(drought).Thus,inmostyears,thereisadditionalwateravailabletoproduce"secondary"energywhich,becauseitcannotbequaranteedtotheuser,isIIsullllysoldatadiscountonawhen-availablebasis.Thes('condarycapabilityoftheproposedplanisseasonal,occuringduringUIC'summermonthsofJunethroughSep'tember,andamountstoabout12percentofi.hefirmenergyoutput.Ofthe25yearsofstreamflowsutilizedfortheoperntlonalstudies,secondaryenergywouldbeavailableduringthesummermonthsofInoftheyears.ItisestimatedthatsecondaryenergywouldbeIIwrketcdatabout10millsperKWHorapproximately50percentoftheestimatedcostoffirmenergy.NeitherfirmnorsecondaryenergygeneratedfromtheSlIsltnllBasinprojectswillbewhatiscommonlytermed"cheap"powereventhoughitisattractivewhencomparedtothethermalgeneratedalternatives:lVnDableforsatisfyingfutureRailbeltenergyneeds.Marketabilityanalysishasdc·terminedthattherequirl'dpay-backusagerateforfirmenergyfromtheSw-dtnaProject,is21.2millsperKWH.Incomparison,presentratesforfirmenergymarketedbyBonnevillePowerAdministrationinthePacificNorth-westduringthewintermonthsis4.1millsandlessinthesummer.Ingeneral,energyhythehydroprojectwillbesomewhatlessexpensivethanenergyprovidedfrom:l1ternntivesources.Itisforthisandenvironmentalreasons,thatthehydroprojectistheselectedplan.Theresultingenergycostsavingswill:lccrlletoallRailbeltareaelectrictyusers.ThislowercostenergywillprovideaslightlocationaladvantagetotheRailbeltareaincomparisontocondftionswithouttheplan.Significantstimulationofheavyindustryisnotexpectedtoresult,however,becauseasnotedabove,theprojectis<!psignedsuchthatavailablecapacityascloselyaspossibleapproximatestill'projecteddemand•.Further,thecheapersecondaryenergywillbeavailableontooirregnlarabasistoserveasanimportantdeterminantinindustrialIocationa1decisian-making.256Compntnoted.723255Stimulationofsignificantheavyindustrialdevelopmentisnotexpectedtorem,1tfromtheSmdtnaProjectforthefollowingreasons:I.Theprojectedenergyloadgrowthuponwhichthemarketabilityas-slImptionsarebased,doesnotincorporatesignificantheavyindustrialdl'velopment.Rather,theprojectionassumesagradualexpansionofindustryh:lsedonlyonalreadyplannedexpansionstoexistingfacilitiesandonreadilyidentifiablenewindustrycloselytiedtoprovenresourcecapabilitiesandl'conomicrealities;thisdevelopmentisexpectedwithorwithouttheproject.2.Thehydroprojectisdesignedtoprovideadditionalpowerincrementallythrollghphas(~dconstrue~ion.From1986toabout1995,theSusitnapowerwill1II('('thothincreasedloadanddisplaceotherwiseproducedbymorecostlystream-firedpl:mts.Thelessefficientandobsoletesteam-firedplantswillbein:lctivatedorretired.'3.Therewi11besomesecondaryenergyassociatedwiththeproposed,,):111.Suchenergyisnotdesignedintotheplan,butisaresultofdefiningtill'"rIrm"energyasthatwhichcanbeproducedintheworstwateryear(drought).Thus,inmostyears,thereisadditionalwateravailabletoproduce"secondary"energywhich,becauseitcannotbequaranteedtotheuser,isIIsullllysoldatadiscountonawhen-availablebasis.Thes('condarycapabilityoftheproposedplanisseasonal,occuringduringUIC'summermonthsofJunethroughSep'tember,andamountstoabout12percentofi.hefirmenergyoutput.Ofthe25yearsofstreamflowsutilizedfortheoperntlonalstudies,secondaryenergywouldbeavailableduringthesummermonthsofInoftheyears.ItisestimatedthatsecondaryenergywouldbeIIwrketcdatabout10millsperKWHorapproximately50percentoftheestimatedcostoffirmenergy.NeitherfirmnorsecondaryenergygeneratedfromtheSlIsltnllBasinprojectswillbewhatiscommonlytermed"cheap"powereventhoughitisattractivewhencomparedtothethermalgeneratedalternatives:lVnDableforsatisfyingfutureRailbeltenergyneeds.Marketabilityanalysishasdc·terminedthattherequirl'dpay-backusagerateforfirmenergyfromtheSw-dtnaProject,is21.2millsperKWH.Incomparison,presentratesforfirmenergymarketedbyBonnevillePowerAdministrationinthePacificNorth-westduringthewintermonthsis4.1millsandlessinthesummer.Ingeneral,energyhythehydroprojectwillbesomewhatlessexpensivethanenergyprovidedfrom:l1ternntivesources.Itisforthisandenvironmentalreasons,thatthehydroprojectistheselectedplan.Theresultingenergycostsavingswill:lccrlletoallRailbeltareaelectrictyusers.ThislowercostenergywillprovideaslightlocationaladvantagetotheRailbeltareaincomparisontocondftionswithouttheplan.Significantstimulationofheavyindustryisnotexpectedtoresult,however,becauseasnotedabove,theprojectis<!psignedsuchthatavailablecapacityascloselyaspossibleapproximatestill'projecteddemand•.Further,thecheapersecondaryenergywillbeavailableontooirregnlarabasistoserveasanimportantdeterminantinindustrialIocationa1decisian-making.256Compntnoted.723
CITIZENCOMMENTSANDRESPONSESW.L.BlackadarEricBoernerMaryEvans,DanHuttunen,andBobFoxSeaAirmotive,Inc.StephenKurthDanMawhinneyThomasE.MeachamPhilipN.OsbornChristopherPearsonR.JohnStrasenburgh.C.H.Swanson,Jr.~lohnR.SwansonBarbaraWinkley724Comments257258-26126~263264-276277-280281-310311312313314315316CITIZENCOMMENTSANDRESPONSESW.L.BlackadarEricBoernerMaryEvans,DanHuttunen,andBobFoxSeaAirmotive,Inc.StephenKurthDanMawhinneyThomasE.MeachamPhilipN.OsbornChristopherPearsonR.JohnStrasenburgh.C.H.Swanson,Jr.~lohnR.SwansonBarbaraWinkley724Comments257258-26126~263264-276277-280281-310311312313314315316
SALMONMEDICALCENTERBOX1110BALMON,IDAHOB3467W.L..BLAC!CADAR,M.D.7••-3a:.3BOYD!C.SIMMONBM.D.7S.-3e:a:1October16,1975AlaskaDistrictCorps.of'EngineersAnchorage,AlaskaRe:DraftenvironmentalimpactstatementontheUpperSusitnaBasin-HYdroelectricpowerdevelopmentDearSir:Ihavereviewedcarefullyyour95pagestatementandamalarmedthatyoudismisstheadversechangesinDevil'sCanyoninatwolineinserton.page93.ThelossofDevil'sCanyonforwhitewaterkayakingdeservesmuchmoreimpactthanyouhavegiven'it.ThissectionofcanyonhasonlybeenpAddledafewtimesbutitispaddleableanditisdestinedtobecomeextremelywellusedandextremelypopular.Tenyearsago,almostnoonehadruntheGrandCanyoninkayaks.Now,thousandsaretraversingthisfamousgorge.Asthesethousandslookfornewhorizons,Devil'sCanyonloomsastheonlychallengewhichistechnicallyfeasibletodowithoutunduerisk.IpaddledDevil'sCanyonin1972,plantoreturnwithalargegroupthisnextsummerandIlmowofanothergroupthatwillgoindependently.TolosetheDevil'sCanyonsectionofwhitewaterwouldbeatragiclosstoAmericaandit'sfuturegenerationsbecausethereisnootherplacelikeitinNorthAmerica,orforthatmattertheworldasfarasIknow.YoudismisstheanadromousfishcapacityoftheSusitnabystatingthatfishdonotnowtraverseDevil'sCanyon.Thistomylmowledgeistrueand;yetitwouldbeaverysimpleprojecttopassfishsuccessfullythroughDevil'sCanyonsincethebottleneck,Ibelieve,isonlyintwodrops.TheseCQuldeasilybealteredwithshorttunnelstopermitthispassageorsomesortofladderoperationsoactuallythelosst()fisheriesofDevil'sCanyonisthoroughlyasgreatasthatlosswouldbeatRampartoverafivehundredyeCirperiod.725SALMONMEDICALCENTERBOX1110BALMON,IDAHOB3467W.L..BLAC!CADAR,M.D.7••-3a:.3BOYD!C.SIMMONBM.D.7S.-3e:a:1October16,1975AlaskaDistrictCorps.of'EngineersAnchorage,AlaskaRe:DraftenvironmentalimpactstatementontheUpperSusitnaBasin-HYdroelectricpowerdevelopmentDearSir:Ihavereviewedcarefullyyour95pagestatementandamalarmedthatyoudismisstheadversechangesinDevil'sCanyoninatwolineinserton.page93.ThelossofDevil'sCanyonforwhitewaterkayakingdeservesmuchmoreimpactthanyouhavegiven'it.ThissectionofcanyonhasonlybeenpAddledafewtimesbutitispaddleableanditisdestinedtobecomeextremelywellusedandextremelypopular.Tenyearsago,almostnoonehadruntheGrandCanyoninkayaks.Now,thousandsaretraversingthisfamousgorge.Asthesethousandslookfornewhorizons,Devil'sCanyonloomsastheonlychallengewhichistechnicallyfeasibletodowithoutunduerisk.IpaddledDevil'sCanyonin1972,plantoreturnwithalargegroupthisnextsummerandIlmowofanothergroupthatwillgoindependently.TolosetheDevil'sCanyonsectionofwhitewaterwouldbeatragiclosstoAmericaandit'sfuturegenerationsbecausethereisnootherplacelikeitinNorthAmerica,orforthatmattertheworldasfarasIknow.YoudismisstheanadromousfishcapacityoftheSusitnabystatingthatfishdonotnowtraverseDevil'sCanyon.Thistomylmowledgeistrueand;yetitwouldbeaverysimpleprojecttopassfishsuccessfullythroughDevil'sCanyonsincethebottleneck,Ibelieve,isonlyintwodrops.TheseCQuldeasilybealteredwithshorttunnelstopermitthispassageorsomesortofladderoperationsoactuallythelosst()fisheriesofDevil'sCanyonisthoroughlyasgreatasthatlosswouldbeatRampartoverafivehundredyeCirperiod.725
WhileyouhavelistedmanyproposalsfortheSusitnaallofthemincludeadaminDevilsCanyon.Certainlysomealter-nativethoughtshouldbegiventowardshavingonlytheupstreamdamsbuiltallowingfuturegenerationstomakethedecisionin,Devi:lsCanyon.Pleaseenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordandhaveitshowthatthereis·strongoppositiontotheDevil'sCanyondamandthatthislosswillbeirretrievable.WLB:kcSin~~7lySUbmi.t~d,.7/'./..r':/{,d~/Ua&I''"~add/(w.L.Blackadar,M.D.726WhileyouhavelistedmanyproposalsfortheSusitnaallofthemincludeadaminDevilsCanyon.Certainlysomealter-nativethoughtshouldbegiventowardshavingonlytheupstreamdamsbuiltallowingfuturegenerationstomakethedecisionin,Devi:lsCanyon.Pleaseenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordandhaveitshowthatthereis·strongoppositiontotheDevil'sCanyondamandthatthislosswillbeirretrievable.WLB:kcSin~~7lySUbmi.t~d,.7/'./..r':/{,d~/Ua&I''"~add/(w.L.Blackadar,M.D.726
,..w.L.DL"CltAO/,R,M.D.P.O.l10X\110OALMOU.IO....HO53,H.7.·t,'.727w·-,..w.L.DL"CltAO/,R,M.D.P.O.l10X\110OALMOU.IO....HO53,H.7.·t,'.727w·-
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."--731-'I".........)'~"'"~y}fi.\;l.'.1..;;L.-\r;;~A~Hl."'i.Ct.•:'.O.b.:iX1110C'M.I:H),v.IPo4I;Ot<.l.:s}'."--731-'I".........)'~"'"~y}fi.\;l.'.1..;;L.-\r;;~A~Hl."'i.Ct.•:'.O.b.:iX1110C'M.I:H),v.IPo4I;Ot<.l.:s}'
\,,'.I,"r'"\.~:AD/.:'.,I.~..r;.'.,!..'.'Yo1\~;;.('I,Ll~"i~,IUA':i003"07.~;;.-~)/f,JJJ:1J5,.pp..c-L('-1«./\)1-1l~/732\,,'.I,"r'"\.~:AD/.:'.,I.~..r;.'.,!..'.'Yo1\~;;.('I,Ll~"i~,IUA':i003"07.~;;.-~)/f,JJJ:1J5,.pp..c-L('-1«./\)1-1l~/732
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYW.L.BLACKADAR,M.D.207COlllllentscontainedinDr.Blackadar'sletterof16October1975arenoted.DrawingsandnotationsmadebyDr.Blackadaron1October1972(notaninclosurewithDr.Blackadar'sletterof16October1975)arealsoinclosed,sinc~theycontainadditionalinformationrelatedtothenavigabilityofthewhitewatersectionofDevilCanyon.ComparingthepossiblelosstotheoreticalsalmonintroductionintotheupperSusitnabasintothehugeareacovered'"bytheYukonRiverdrainageaboveRampartappearstobesomewhatexaqgerated.733RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYW.L.BLACKADAR,M.D.207COlllllentscontainedinDr.Blackadar'sletterof16October1975arenoted.DrawingsandnotationsmadebyDr.Blackadaron1October1972(notaninclosurewithDr.Blackadar'sletterof16October1975)arealsoinclosed,sinc~theycontainadditionalinformationrelatedtothenavigabilityofthewhitewatersectionofDevilCanyon.ComparingthepossiblelosstotheoreticalsalmonintroductionintotheupperSusitnabasintothehugeareacovered'"bytheYukonRiverdrainageaboveRampartappearstobesomewhatexaqgerated.733
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'I.J0cur""r'ONI:>ASU.llOLbu,:>cJ.rive.r.·"\0\iN"'(r~sf~J.iNwh......~t"'Ki,.,~"pL...c~he.t"ci...fki~w:L.L".,.,A.bti4-vhl'vLsJ,,}cofAL.tsI(AO"'i~''''04ll'1Ih'".p..,.o.....,CAL;fo"""A-1/",/~I'I4ilfl~.....will..-M"~~o"l:!we.\(....0"'"'~'Ir""Or-~~.AL~1"..,I'I1.....ilArwi#..Me.11,.1Corp0fGAJ~;",urs~NtI-\~<.;,.oc.e"j>J't}iON,1h<.IS~Vc..\--ct"e.-fotJi')hfi!>A~IIceLI~-4dlfJt1"rSC.,C,..4Ld~sorJ#t(.SvSi~"'.qi2'v,....i~Pte.~~ti~,,~$fsofAL.{,IfllA-5It',.,,",S,SCllre},,.,.,,1W~~oul,)if:SAy~MAl-i/,-cdlflfti!>NO!N«:tlcd.IIfAAV"A5"-,.,.,..,d1-Airbt4nKSIttr.~roWiN-'iNLeAfsItNdbow,,'~.11\c.258)p("l'wli~-,~c.-h-oro~s+lvirc~oN0"....~~fCIALrcso"....c~s.If,'sellidt''''!to~t'c..Wh",tcouLJ..t.,,..pp"'"If~~d~s~eft;c,l-ccl)ltulpow,...;~J;~;tv'Io<lf~A~A.x.4~..;,\1>1-Ai,.b~r)I{~.l)o1l~l{IIN'>t"<~~~W4lt++lti!>'50c,AUeJP('~"'C$s??rJ~iNI(Nbt.1h~.rivet'>,,'"#.c.~.,....tt,Art:"-tlal'obhiN~IIrkric~w"'ic.~S"Pf'6,tU(c.()IJ~~rL04,.,~t.WhAt~~PP""'swh~,.,_~'"..".,,,.<f<(JIfntsa.re,uOAJsI"rllc:ftJ.01<1Mf~"'('ivu<;,:1,;.~1o{AtLI#t<-fcr+~l,N.rfyie,.,~Nor",..(l.,c04~...;cddOWNS~~RYe.lo4cJ(cd."(i'"A/lrh{';lJALL,AI(c..LVhl\~c.v~..."''''PPf'''~v~sh-(.,.,.,ONfl.c.r;v~.....•~~o.'wJ.\-t>"'....-1'(..ASi:>)\jr...·(.~tt'.t~ltON#.(JovwsJry""..?o,fIONS.1-loL<J~iLl..~.~~"l-k,-rLIt.....,~~-'.J.r"/'.1/-YieNf~.l.'"£"pr#'c.A-sw..,tRtI..,..,4It'r,iNY'-<'oc..~"1'J0...b"'1"~lilC(y"/(0r.,...,>c.IJ•'../')IOJillO'\hA.JAd(~h<..c.t~(f~'"IJ.{.fi'Shutt:C;j,J-/Qt,Oc.e-'j\,N.l.l~'ShApptl'1'Jto#t~t?7Cool(IAJ~' ..1,.,(41,#tt."Svsif,.,4rivt(w'br~c.o"'''"'t,..JcJ~".Glct,t.L<l~-hJJ'1VNJ•...-\t<-tJA-t;otJ4l",.,J~,tdiliv<o'SA-vt.So~'It"~50lJo+beelV")~<:jN~)Mue),Alk_A'ioAJlh;~('ivulo"ldre~;b1bLoftJ.4tlltJ4L"'jN:fiC"r;,t:-e.i-fo,.~'(.f!,.mri..uviltdSJ.~~.1k<..VJ~..k\>J,,"~"L.>lvt~i/oJpf,;.LsCJ\"'jONi"JAW'I~~,.,d~A~;"',.4o"rc.Jo,~dVlA-tt'1/;>~l"~I1-i~~\&'tv~ticS~"tl'\'tlfc.A(ml(1t",,~~titI~.1t~<JIMIS(.~~Ir"kI~<.'(iv(i'L-J~Ll\X.},..",(6.~~Lo"'lP,",~~&.J~/)(jowdt"cp"'lr.jW~4t/t-rc.Ool.,.~l\<"'''''At;''t>toJ"r)O\...i"'~~<..'S~ify.s",r.\lt..)0'--to....-!-Aliff'MA~'"h""'fN(~~,1-'1",1IjrJ#\l~~c.ofcO""P'Jh~o.wll~i,jtseC'lI\~~t4t.It/lltilc,"".259~"t'ot.\.....JcfttJp.Ah,~v.-U",ilcdl'\j",c(tn,heC~do.U~i~,fl.'-"~SAb~,c.?h.Losap~,o\k"SOUt"C(';.o~-e1"t"'1CI'\foJAAKol~~()lIldb<.I.A:,L;'L(~.11\<.c..otpsof~1J~j",r~t')tcct/II..rft..Jt'l'w;Ald'It>'O(o~;lO\I\L.+~~lJc.l4'..r.f'.,y;l)foJIt~f..NO+f.e~i~ki~~L/o'(tCrI']'1~~I 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a-t+tu<,orJ!>'ld~("liO~SW~il"Md.'YVl(AlliO""i"'~~#",l",;.{l.+4<.r6s~'''',L;~o!~(~\"AA(IS.IfJ~.(.Srt~":J"'..WiLttJ.-<.jroyostcld~7..-e4L~lttolJVpJ.oIt~M~~"''''~{of~<7")o'I~tJifV.d<0++t<.L.,..J,q~4JV"lfl..WhAtwo...tA\tl~fptNi(if,lid,vof.?1~<-CO""r'l""",,,,,,;t;cssU4f"'4d""d.orlbecAv~c:01-~,~ro\O)(t'"'S""rp~wovu.b~VI;p'!O\J+-.W"'AtotU<.W,LdLIk0t+-&<re~.O'"'?\..0h...fc..v;L(J.,Ap~I260~~"M'~f"ld'iN~CAv:,b>")~of+t</Je(C{.,iN141,4'"",,.,.1~.<I4lo'KIf14-f;~lh-Nd.5~<co",,,;cJu:;-f!,,,..-10b-c.40rJeof.J-t~Wlf/Sol''''porf.,.._fc..A",:,hP(Y"t>..,~hONt"rJ~<'5Nt.·IsiflAO""#-..?<JShl,J)-lte.sG,.,.,.,,_..f.~~~i2611l"~4hrrtJ,(t'"1Mdr;,.AT!JI,<...l.li~)iN~~IJ""~0(-cI~"cl<J?,...~_1A-...,(rl"'P,~:~wwill,Jl,;~~{~dtJ,<.IVA-f,...;who~t=~~bsrs;I;.,.,)"./"/of"'~~c.w,,"'~~,c.,.-(Af",,..,s.??"}rlo"'GrtS'~,5,,",<erle~-/DJ~.f,,,.,...',,,,,1It<.~rf~cI>M4fd",..hv'{d,.,Ih....,,(c'"IJ,'(..LJiLd(lfc/ivP,ci'1Yr'1/tJvd"q.{SD~(.50C.lo-<co..,"':,,-AS~ed,.c...>.,,1.0~fHt.ft..,1A~?,Op("(.of,HI'tSJ{/f.Ih"'''''/(j'''''lOr:}().),,-f#-.c-/tNt!rAf,C"",C~/;0/Jt~i4"'''NJP715kJo73569-7370 -81-47a-t+tu<,orJ!>'ld~("liO~SW~il"Md.'YVl(AlliO""i"'~~#",l",;.{l.+4<.r6s~'''',L;~o!~(~\"AA(IS.IfJ~.(.Srt~":J"'..WiLttJ.-<.jroyostcld~7..-e4L~lttolJVpJ.oIt~M~~"''''~{of~<7")o'I~tJifV.d<0++t<.L.,..J,q~4JV"lfl..WhAtwo...tA\tl~fptNi(if,lid,vof.?1~<-CO""r'l""",,,,,,;t;cssU4f"'4d""d.orlbecAv~c:01-~,~ro\O)(t'"'S""rp~wovu.b~VI;p'!O\J+-.W"'AtotU<.W,LdLIk0t+-&<re~.O'"'?\..0h...fc..v;L(J.,Ap~I260~~"M'~f"ld'iN~CAv:,b>")~of+t</Je(C{.,iN141,4'"",,.,.1~.<I4lo'KIf14-f;~lh-Nd.5~<co",,,;cJu:;-f!,,,..-10b-c.40rJeof.J-t~Wlf/Sol''''porf.,.._fc..A",:,hP(Y"t>..,~hONt"rJ~<'5Nt.·IsiflAO""#-..?<JShl,J)-lte.sG,.,.,.,,_..f.~~~i2611l"~4hrrtJ,(t'"1Mdr;,.AT!JI,<...l.li~)iN~~IJ""~0(-cI~"cl<J?,...~_1A-...,(rl"'P,~:~wwill,Jl,;~~{~dtJ,<.IVA-f,...;who~t=~~bsrs;I;.,.,)"./"/of"'~~c.w,,"'~~,c.,.-(Af",,..,s.??"}rlo"'GrtS'~,5,,",<erle~-/DJ~.f,,,.,...',,,,,1It<.~rf~cI>M4fd",..hv'{d,.,Ih....,,(c'"IJ,'(..LJiLd(lfc/ivP,ci'1Yr'1/tJvd"q.{SD~(.50C.lo-<co..,"':,,-AS~ed,.c...>.,,1.0~fHt.ft..,1A~?,Op("(.of,HI'tSJ{/f.Ih"'''''/(j'''''lOr:}().),,-f#-.c-/tNt!rAf,C"",C~/;0/Jt~i4"'''NJP715kJo73569-7370 -81-47
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYERICBOEMER25bThegrowingpopulationsoftheAnchorageandFairbanksareaswillgenerateanincreaseddemandforenergy.Hydroelectricpowerisconsideredtobethemostdesirablemethodofsupplyingprojectedenergyneedsatthistime.25~ThealternativesarelistedanddiscussedinSection6.0oftheEIS.260Seeresponsenumber240.261ThepossibleimpactsoftheimpoundmentsontheNelchinaherdhavebeendiscussedintheEIS.Additionalstudiesconcerningthewildlifewithintheregionwillbeconductedduringthepreconstructionplanningphaseoftheproject.736RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYERICBOEMER25bThegrowingpopulationsoftheAnchorageandFairbanksareaswillgenerateanincreaseddemandforenergy.Hydroelectricpowerisconsideredtobethemostdesirablemethodofsupplyingprojectedenergyneedsatthistime.25~ThealternativesarelistedanddiscussedinSection6.0oftheEIS.260Seeresponsenumber240.261ThepossibleimpactsoftheimpoundmentsontheNelchinaherdhavebeendiscussedintheEIS.Additionalstudiesconcerningthewildlifewithintheregionwillbeconductedduringthepreconstructionplanningphaseoftheproject.736
Octob4r19,1975426Skarlandnallu.otA.,College,Ak.-199701Box70021Anchol'~'get,Ak.,99510.theRlIImpartDaml'Topoul.W.'remnreencouragedbythe~ullitnaDamproject,whichth.pT~ceding.tudie..Howevex',Wfteotind.omewe.kne~8e.inth.study,andwefindwecan'taccepttheproposaltor.numberotrftr.8ona.twod~M~willh~v~80me~irniticantimp-eta,whiehwefoundwerein.detqu~telycono:Sd':'Tl'd,ornoteonsiderfldat-11,inYClurstudy.i.th~mo~timport.nth~rdinAl.skaint~rm.orannual~poTt-hunt~rhnrv~st:1tll~~~"'v"",muchconl·id~r..tion.Co10nl'l1Dtob~liusm..ntione.1durin"hilSpreaerlbtion.ttit..Floirt,,·nl:..h,.,.,.,inr.onth..»1'-ft.}O;mt.hatth4herrlcon-bt.entlyero"","",th-riv"rinJll)y,.."rlth-tth"""IlJf)rimpactcfrth,.(h,m/'!(Inthflhl'lrllwouldb.anocca:donalmorblityf~\l"toicft.l>dvinC;inthf'r".~rvoirn.We'vedone30m"furth"rre.etlorch,/fndt...lthatatargTuterimJ'&\ctoneron".tothoftumm"rf~roundrsnorthoftheriverin~aterillY.ndurlyJunl'l•.N1er:'lltionUml!'.nuctul'ltItmorl!wii"lyth:.nyourr"portindic_tee.(MolJtotthis737Octob4r19,1975426Skarlandnallu.otA.,College,Ak.-199701Box70021Anchol'~'get,Ak.,99510.theRlIImpartDaml'Topoul.W.'remnreencouragedbythe~ullitnaDamproject,whichth.pT~ceding.tudie..Howevex',Wfteotind.omewe.kne~8e.inth.study,andwefindwecan'taccepttheproposaltor.numberotrftr.8ona.twod~M~willh~v~80me~irniticantimp-eta,whiehwefoundwerein.detqu~telycono:Sd':'Tl'd,ornoteonsiderfldat-11,inYClurstudy.i.th~mo~timport.nth~rdinAl.skaint~rm.orannual~poTt-hunt~rhnrv~st:1tll~~~"'v"",muchconl·id~r..tion.Co10nl'l1Dtob~liusm..ntione.1durin"hilSpreaerlbtion.ttit..Floirt,,·nl:..h,.,.,.,inr.onth..»1'-ft.}O;mt.hatth4herrlcon-bt.entlyero"","",th-riv"rinJll)y,.."rlth-tth"""IlJf)rimpactcfrth,.(h,m/'!(Inthflhl'lrllwouldb.anocca:donalmorblityf~\l"toicft.l>dvinC;inthf'r".~rvoirn.We'vedone30m"furth"rre.etlorch,/fndt...lthatatargTuterimJ'&\ctoneron".tothoftumm"rf~roundrsnorthoftheriverin~aterillY.ndurlyJunl'l•.N1er:'lltionUml!'.nuctul'ltItmorl!wii"lyth:.nyourr"portindic_tee.(MolJtotthis737
inform_tioncomesfromaDAlAckaDepartmentofFishandaam~r~portentitted,"NehduCaribouReport",b;yGregoryN.Boc,publbh"dinApril1973bytheDepllrtm"nt)It18likelyth.tth"h~rdwouldfrequentlycroastherea..rvoirb.foretheicei.out.Caribouare~xc~ll.ntswimmersaDdlowmortalitywouldbeexpectedevenwhenl~reehumbersofveryyoungc.lv~scro~~enice-free,turbulent~iv.r.nowev~r,hoof~daDim.lecan'tcopewithf~llBthroughice:theyarcnotabletoclimblout-e-in.AtL~keLoui.e,bi~logi~tsh~veobservedcllriboubre~kinethroughthiniCol,IIn,l..11th"-nim..lll.ub"equlrntlydrown"d.""',.wonderaboutthel'lhhilityof.theiceon\o'.ten.Recervoirwithexpactedwaterlevelfluctu-t10n.of125feet.Icedeva~opingonfluctuatingw.ter~urfac~~couldbe..xp"ct"dtohI!p~rticulerly'unllhble,'fIIfwouldexp"t::tunstableiceonthereaervoirfttohOlveIl~r:l.oulleffectlloncalfnumber:s.':'heprop()Il~(I''CO""5rOlldilllik"lytodr,JI.w~.numb..rofhunters,.lInowmpchinerslindIIl11lorhrlmemb~r!'lofthepublictothelire..,furtherincrflasingml)rtality.The_roapr..~.,ntlyact_.eIIrechargearfl~forwildlife:•numberotdifferentgam.population&f1njoy.tabilityofnumbersandsecurityinthedamare¥,duemostl:todifficult.Cc&.~.Ifth8damsarebuilt,we~tronglyrecommendkeepingthe,~cces.roadclosedtothep'lblic,andwerecomme~dRotFlanningcampsitesandrecreetiORare»s'rounrlth"re.ervoir••W.lookedattheAl••k.PowerCommi.aionreportonwhich:ourenercydemandcurv~iab~ft~d.Wftquo"tion1tnaccuracy,sine.itpredictllfuture~ner~nftedpartl;yontncre~~~rlftn~rgyUll1atemmingfromtheoilpip~lineirnpQct:an:impactWedon'texpecttocontinue.Enerr,yneedsm»ywellbemuch10$.th~nthe.n~rG7nged£youhaveprojected.Th'tCorpa'PublicBrochure.ebt'Jd,"Ap~rtic111,..rlyimporhntconaiderationofc~rt~1nhydropow~rprojectsi~thftpotentialtoprovid~f.~rmorepowGrthanqem-ndeJ.ttheti~.op~r.tirnb'ri~~.Plen~ir.ulpoweratrelativelylowco~t.C~1lstimulategrowthandd~ve'lopm"nt.."(pr'.11).738inform_tioncomesfromaDAlAckaDepartmentofFishandaam~r~portentitted,"NehduCaribouReport",b;yGregoryN.Boc,publbh"dinApril1973bytheDepllrtm"nt)It18likelyth.tth"h~rdwouldfrequentlycroastherea..rvoirb.foretheicei.out.Caribouare~xc~ll.ntswimmersaDdlowmortalitywouldbeexpectedevenwhenl~reehumbersofveryyoungc.lv~scro~~enice-free,turbulent~iv.r.nowev~r,hoof~daDim.lecan'tcopewithf~llBthroughice:theyarcnotabletoclimblout-e-in.AtL~keLoui.e,bi~logi~tsh~veobservedcllriboubre~kinethroughthiniCol,IIn,l..11th"-nim..lll.ub"equlrntlydrown"d.""',.wonderaboutthel'lhhilityof.theiceon\o'.ten.Recervoirwithexpactedwaterlevelfluctu-t10n.of125feet.Icedeva~opingonfluctuatingw.ter~urfac~~couldbe..xp"ct"dtohI!p~rticulerly'unllhble,'fIIfwouldexp"t::tunstableiceonthereaervoirfttohOlveIl~r:l.oulleffectlloncalfnumber:s.':'heprop()Il~(I''CO""5rOlldilllik"lytodr,JI.w~.numb..rofhunters,.lInowmpchinerslindIIl11lorhrlmemb~r!'lofthepublictothelire..,furtherincrflasingml)rtality.The_roapr..~.,ntlyact_.eIIrechargearfl~forwildlife:•numberotdifferentgam.population&f1njoy.tabilityofnumbersandsecurityinthedamare¥,duemostl:todifficult.Cc&.~.Ifth8damsarebuilt,we~tronglyrecommendkeepingthe,~cces.roadclosedtothep'lblic,andwerecomme~dRotFlanningcampsitesandrecreetiORare»s'rounrlth"re.ervoir••W.lookedattheAl••k.PowerCommi.aionreportonwhich:ourenercydemandcurv~iab~ft~d.Wftquo"tion1tnaccuracy,sine.itpredictllfuture~ner~nftedpartl;yontncre~~~rlftn~rgyUll1atemmingfromtheoilpip~lineirnpQct:an:impactWedon'texpecttocontinue.Enerr,yneedsm»ywellbemuch10$.th~nthe.n~rG7nged£youhaveprojected.Th'tCorpa'PublicBrochure.ebt'Jd,"Ap~rtic111,..rlyimporhntconaiderationofc~rt~1nhydropow~rprojectsi~thftpotentialtoprovid~f.~rmorepowGrthanqem-ndeJ.ttheti~.op~r.tirnb'ri~~.Plen~ir.ulpoweratrelativelylowco~t.C~1lstimulategrowthandd~ve'lopm"nt.."(pr'.11).738
w.wouldr~thor•••,,forth.immedSat.~ltur.,utili~ati~nofnatur-lg••tromthepower.Wedon'twentenercyproducti~nAbovethatn.c••s.ryfortheimM.diat~future,ai.e~ex~.ft••n.rgycouldatimulate,10tonlyindu.tri.~iz.tior.,butWaftt.!ul.n~rgyuee--ab.dhabitforthepublictod.v8lop.W.te.lthatiti.poorplanaiagtod.eid~tobuildadambetoreknowingwh.r~thega.pip&linewillgo.theHr.exp.ctlt.ncyofth..damwouldb@500years.This"'....ma~mprobabl.,Dincew.knowotnod"mwithaprojltctedlitet1l~eotov.r'00yeara.Hooverdamwa.alaopredictedtohavlt•low.iltatio.rat.,anditbec~ftiltingupbetorecon.tructioaw~ecompleted.h~atwouldtheben.tit/coatanaly~i_look11k.ittheproject.dreali.tice.timate.TheSuaitn.i.oneofthemo~timportantriver.inthe.tat.interm.ofitaaveryhighvalueo~a.undamm.dSuaitnaRiver,aotonlyfortheabovereamon_,buttorit.valuea.awild.rn••••Itenergyisr••llyn.ce~.ary, ~~approveothydropowerprojeet.oa.m.ll~r.cale..'~efe.lth.ttheCUGitnaRiveri.thewroagriverto1"/11.Sin~.r"ly,/1~1&wt.d-MaryEvans262wilfl-itema~;7ntmajdr,u.otA./.J&i--:JII~'~~_D".Huttonenwildlit~m.nagementmajor,u.otA.~,--r(,~;f(~BobFoxTVeeinatructor739w.wouldr~thor•••,,forth.immedSat.~ltur.,utili~ati~nofnatur-lg••tromthepower.Wedon'twentenercyproducti~nAbovethatn.c••s.ryfortheimM.diat~future,ai.e~ex~.ft••n.rgycouldatimulate,10tonlyindu.tri.~iz.tior.,butWaftt.!ul.n~rgyuee--ab.dhabitforthepublictod.v8lop.W.te.lthatiti.poorplanaiagtod.eid~tobuildadambetoreknowingwh.r~thega.pip&linewillgo.theHr.exp.ctlt.ncyofth..damwouldb@500years.This"'....ma~mprobabl.,Dincew.knowotnod"mwithaprojltctedlitet1l~eotov.r'00yeara.Hooverdamwa.alaopredictedtohavlt•low.iltatio.rat.,anditbec~ftiltingupbetorecon.tructioaw~ecompleted.h~atwouldtheben.tit/coatanaly~i_look11k.ittheproject.dreali.tice.timate.TheSuaitn.i.oneofthemo~timportantriver.inthe.tat.interm.ofitaaveryhighvalueo~a.undamm.dSuaitnaRiver,aotonlyfortheabovereamon_,buttorit.valuea.awild.rn••••Itenergyisr••llyn.ce~.ary,~~approveothydropowerprojeet.oa.m.ll~r.cale..'~efe.lth.ttheCUGitnaRiveri.thewroagriverto1"/11.Sin~.r"ly,/1~1&wt.d-MaryEvans262wilfl-itema~;7ntmajdr,u.otA./.J&i--:JII~'~~_D".Huttonenwildlit~m.nagementmajor,u.otA.~,--r(,~;f(~BobFoxTVeeinatructor739
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYMARYEVANS,DANHUTTUNEN,ANDBOBFOXInreferencetocommentsontheNelchinacaribouherd:··Theinformationoncaribou(Sections2.01.3.1and4.03oftheEIS)wastakenfromseveralsourcesincludingtheBlaskaRegionalProfiles--SouthcentralReg_io!',July1974andtheStateofAlaska,DepartmentofFishandGcll1le'sAlaska'sWildlifeandHabitat,January1973.AsstatedintheLIS':-'--'iWar-mer-'weatherandarapfdlyfillingreservoirshouldeliminateanyadverseicecor,JitionsduringthemonthofMay.IIThemajorcalvingareafortheNelchinaherdisontheupperreachesofKasinaCreek,OshetnaRiver;andLittleNelchinaRiverdrainageswithcalvinggenerallytakingplacebetweenmid-Mayandmid-June.Migra-tiontothesurroundingsummerrangesusuallybeginsinthelatterpartofJunewiththemajormovementtakingplaceinJuly.AsstatedinSection4.15oftheEIS:Eventhoughtheproject-lifeiscomputedona100-yearperiodforeconomicreasons,withadequatemaintenance,theusefullifeoftheproposedprojectsduetosedi-mentationisestimatedtobeexcessof500years.Thebenefit-costratioisbasedonaproject-lifeoflOO.yearsandisafixedstandardforallFederalhydropowerprojectevaluation.740RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYMARYEVANS,DANHUTTUNEN,ANDBOBFOXInreferencetocommentsontheNelchinacaribouherd:··Theinformationoncaribou(Sections2.01.3.1and4.03oftheEIS)wastakenfromseveralsourcesincludingtheBlaskaRegionalProfiles--SouthcentralReg_io!',July1974andtheStateofAlaska,DepartmentofFishandGcll1le'sAlaska'sWildlifeandHabitat,January1973.AsstatedintheLIS':-'--'iWar-mer-'weatherandarapfdlyfillingreservoirshouldeliminateanyadverseicecor,JitionsduringthemonthofMay.IIThemajorcalvingareafortheNelchinaherdisontheupperreachesofKasinaCreek,OshetnaRiver;andLittleNelchinaRiverdrainageswithcalvinggenerallytakingplacebetweenmid-Mayandmid-June.Migra-tiontothesurroundingsummerrangesusuallybeginsinthelatterpartofJunewiththemajormovementtakingplaceinJuly.AsstatedinSection4.15oftheEIS:Eventhoughtheproject-lifeiscomputedona100-yearperiodforeconomicreasons,withadequatemaintenance,theusefullifeoftheproposedprojectsduetosedi-mentationisestimatedtobeexcessof500years.Thebenefit-costratioisbasedonaproject-lifeoflOO.yearsandisafixedstandardforallFederalhydropowerprojectevaluation.740
SEAAIRMOTIVE,INC.Mr.Chainran,ladies&Gentlemen:MynaneisWardI.Gay.WeoperateseaMmotive,Inc.atLakeHood,anairtaxioperation.'1rhavelivedinAnchorageforthepast40yearsandhaveseenalotofchangeshere.WehaveneededtheDevilCanyonDarnontheUpperSUsitnaRiverfor20yearsam,infact,IflewpersonnelonSUIVeytripsofthisdamsitenorethan25yearsago,beforeanygasoroilwasdiscoveredinAlaska.IalsorerenberwhentheEklutnahydroelectricplanwasfirstproposed(beforeW:>rldWarII).Theoriginalestim:ltewasslightlyoversixmilliondollars.Whenwefinallygotaroundtodoingit,theClOstwasinexcessof32milliondollars.'.Ihebigdelaywasbecausewedidnotneedthatmuchpc:7Ner.ThengaswasdiscoveredatKasilof.'.IhepeopleinAncooragewantedgas,sowevoteda20yearfranchisetoac::orrpa...yandbuiltapipelinefranKasilof.toMcroragethatwearestillpayrngfor,eventroughwehavenaturalgasrightacrosstheinletfranusthat:thereisnousefor.ChugachElectrichasbuilta~rplantatBeluga,thatsoouldhavebeeninAncoorage,butthegaswaschea~atBelugaevenwithbuilding2~rlinestotransmitittoMcrorage.Itseanstheycanbringthepc:7Nerinbutnotthegas.Maybebecauseofthefranchise.Anyway,thepeoplehavetopayforitnoIt\3.tterhowitisdonesoinsteadofl'M.kingnoremistakes,letsbuildtheDevilcanyonDamontheSusitnaandfurnish~rtothewrolerailbelt.Thiswillbeutilizinganaturalresourcethatisnotexpendable.'!henthenaturalresourcesthatareexpendable,suchasnaturalgas,oilandcoalcanbesoldtootherstatesandoountriesthatarenotasfortunateasweareinhavinganabuOOanoeofwater.741SEAAIRMOTIVE,INC.Mr.Chainran,ladies&Gentlemen:MynaneisWardI.Gay.WeoperateseaMmotive,Inc.atLakeHood,anairtaxioperation.'1rhavelivedinAnchorageforthepast40yearsandhaveseenalotofchangeshere.WehaveneededtheDevilCanyonDarnontheUpperSUsitnaRiverfor20yearsam,infact,IflewpersonnelonSUIVeytripsofthisdamsitenorethan25yearsago,beforeanygasoroilwasdiscoveredinAlaska.IalsorerenberwhentheEklutnahydroelectricplanwasfirstproposed(beforeW:>rldWarII).Theoriginalestim:ltewasslightlyoversixmilliondollars.Whenwefinallygotaroundtodoingit,theClOstwasinexcessof32milliondollars.'.Ihebigdelaywasbecausewedidnotneedthatmuchpc:7Ner.ThengaswasdiscoveredatKasilof.'.IhepeopleinAncooragewantedgas,sowevoteda20yearfranchisetoac::orrpa...yandbuiltapipelinefranKasilof.toMcroragethatwearestillpayrngfor,eventroughwehavenaturalgasrightacrosstheinletfranusthat:thereisnousefor.ChugachElectrichasbuilta~rplantatBeluga,thatsoouldhavebeeninAncoorage,butthegaswaschea~atBelugaevenwithbuilding2~rlinestotransmitittoMcrorage.Itseanstheycanbringthepc:7Nerinbutnotthegas.Maybebecauseofthefranchise.Anyway,thepeoplehavetopayforitnoIt\3.tterhowitisdonesoinsteadofl'M.kingnoremistakes,letsbuildtheDevilcanyonDamontheSusitnaandfurnish~rtothewrolerailbelt.Thiswillbeutilizinganaturalresourcethatisnotexpendable.'!henthenaturalresourcesthatareexpendable,suchasnaturalgas,oilandcoalcanbesoldtootherstatesandoountriesthatarenotasfortunateasweareinhavinganabuOOanoeofwater.741
SEAAIRMOTM:..INC.Ithasbeensaidthatthisdam'to1Oulddestroywildqamehabitatandcalvinggroundsfotcaribou.ItookJrf:IfirsthuntinqpartytotheFogLakesinthefallof1947andhavehuntedthereeveryyearsince.Ihaveseenthousarx1sofcaribou'godownthebankand'swimthe100yarosofriverandgouptheother'side,seldomstoppinq~thesmallsprucetimberbecausetheyknc:Mtheyarewlnerabletowlvesandbearinthe'timber,andthereisverylittlefor'themtoeatthere.Ihaveneverseenao:Mhavehercalfdowninthecanyon.Theylikethehillsabove·timberwheretheycanseeandIUl.'Ihisalsoappliestoooose.WiththedamWilt,thecaribouw:>U1donlyhaVe.toswimacrossa1/4milelake.'!batisnothinqforthemoroooseeither,oraqrizzlybearforthatmatter.'lberehasneverbeenanyfishintheSusitnadrainaqeabovethedamsite.Eventhesalnoncannotbuckthewhitewaterinthecanyon.Thelakeoouldbestockedwithfishandmadea\tOlderful,accessablerecreationareathatthepeopleoftherailbeltarealreadyinneedof.Theganeanimalsarenearlygoneinthisarea.raI,mainlybecausewehaveprotectedthewlvesforthelast7years.'Ihiscanbechangedinafewyears.Ithinktheproperpeoplehavenowleamedthatmancannotallowtheotherpredatorstoincrease,unlimited,'andstUlhavethe\«>nderfu1gameparadisethathedesirestoview.SEAAIRMOTM:..INC.Ithasbeensaidthatthisdam'to1Oulddestroywildqamehabitatandcalvinggroundsfotcaribou.ItookJrf:IfirsthuntinqpartytotheFogLakesinthefallof1947andhavehuntedthereeveryyearsince.Ihaveseenthousarx1sofcaribou'godownthebankand'swimthe100yarosofriverandgouptheother'side,seldomstoppinq~thesmallsprucetimberbecausetheyknc:Mtheyarewlnerabletowlvesandbearinthe'timber,andthereisverylittlefor'themtoeatthere.Ihaveneverseenao:Mhavehercalfdowninthecanyon.Theylikethehillsabove·timberwheretheycanseeandIUl.'Ihisalsoappliestoooose.WiththedamWilt,thecaribouw:>U1donlyhaVe.toswimacrossa1/4milelake.'!batisnothinqforthemoroooseeither,oraqrizzlybearforthatmatter.'lberehasneverbeenanyfishintheSusitnadrainaqeabovethedamsite.Eventhesalnoncannotbuckthewhitewaterinthecanyon.Thelakeoouldbestockedwithfishandmadea\tOlderful,accessablerecreationareathatthepeopleoftherailbeltarealreadyinneedof.Theganeanimalsarenearlygoneinthisarea.raI,mainlybecausewehaveprotectedthewlvesforthelast7years.'Ihiscanbechangedinafewyears.Ithinktheproperpeoplehavenowleamedthatmancannotallowtheotherpredatorstoincrease,unlimited,'andstUlhavethe\«>nderfu1gameparadisethathedesirestoview.
263Commentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYl~ARDI.GAYSEAAIRMOTIVE,INC.743263Commentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYl~ARDI.GAYSEAAIRMOTIVE,INC.743
a(~~~.bYUftt~&r?,/[)OZ-/a,uk'7'au.d<4.'7'1:F/0J&L1.,~:744a(~~~.bYUftt~&r?,/[)OZ-/a,uk'7'au.d<4.'7'1:F/0J&L1.,~:744
745745
~rI746~rI746
,68747,68747
270.748270.748
749749
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75169-7370 -81-4827527675169-7370 -81-48275276
WETLANDSoftheUNITEDSTATESTHEIREXTENTANDTHEIRVALUETOWATERFOWLANDOTHERWILDLIFEBySamuelP.ShawandC.GordonFredineOffiN'ofRi,JcrBnllinStudicllCIRCULAR39FiSHANDWILDLIFESERVICEUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR752WETLANDSoftheUNITEDSTATESTHEIREXTENTANDTHEIRVALUETOWATERFOWLANDOTHERWILDLIFEBySamuelP.ShawandC.GordonFredineOffiN'ofRi,JcrBnllinStudicllCIRCULAR39FiSHANDWILDLIFESERVICEUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR752
THEPROBLEM,OFSAVINGWETLANDSThegreatnaturalwealththatoriginallymadepossiblethegrowthanddevelopmentoftheUnitedStatflllincludedagenerousendowmentofshallow-waterandwaterloggedlands.Theori~jnalinhab-itantsoftheNewWorldhadutilizedtheanimalslivingamongthesewetplacesfort~odandcloth-ing,buttheypermittedthelandtoremainessen-tiallyunchanged.TheadventofEuropeansettlersbroughtgreatchangcsintheland,andaquatichabitatswereparticularlyvulnerabletothesettlers'activities.KenneyandMcAteewrotein1938:Amongtheallll!!tsofmankind,wildlifereceivesItstrueappraiMalonlyilladvancedstages01civilization,when,owingtotheheerllcKMdestructionofearliertimesithasbeen""rioIlMlyifnotirreparablyreducea.UnderpioneerconditiollKtherul"lItorthetreatmentorwildlifeareImme-dlllleI'xp!oitationoftheuAefulanddrasticdestructionoftheulelf'lI!\,anrltheserull'stendtoremainineffectlongaftertheoriKinalmotive!\aregone.IntheearlierstagesoflIettiemcntnoonethinksofallottinganylandfortheuseofIwildlife;theeffortistowresteverypossibleacrefrom~nahlrl~andmak!'ityieldanincome.Thereisnovisiontoi111'1',thereillnotimetolearn,thatlandunitswiththeirInatllmlOC(:lIpl\ntll,IL8exemplifiedbyabeavermeadow,amllllkmtmarMh,1\dllcklake,adeerforest,oranantelopeImC!\ll,I\rcprodlldiveentitieKthatundercertaincircllm-,IItl\nC"lIIJIllybeworthfarmorethananythingmancl\nputIintheirplnceandthatoncedestroyedmayneverbete-eatllblllllwd.(7)ITHENATUREOFWETLANDSThetrrm"wetlands,';asusrdinthisreportandillthewildlifefipldgenerally,refersto lowlandscovrredwithshallowandsometimestemporaryorintrrmittl'ntwaters.TheyarereferredtobyRuchnlUllesI1.Smarshes,swamps,bogs,wetmead-ows,potholl'lI,sloughs,andriver-overflowlands.Shallowlakl'sandponds,usuallywithemergentvegetllt.ionasaconspicuousfenture,areincludedinthedrfinition,butthepermancntwatersorslrl'ams,rescrvoirs,anddeeplakesarenotin-I1I01lenumb.,"Inbmcketsrer.'rtoItem.IntheListorR.lrrenCl'son1'01.47.cluded.Neitherarewa.terareasthatare/sotem-porarya.stoha.velittleornoeffectonthedevelop-mentofmoist-soilvegetation.Usuallytheseverytemporaryarea.sareofnoapprecie.blevaluetothespeciesofwildlifeconsideredinthisreport.Mostwetlandscanbedrainedorfilledtocreatosuitablelandforagricultural,industrial,orresi-dentialexpansion.Otherslieinpotentialim-poundmentsiteswherepermanentdeep-wateren-vironmentscanbedeveloped.Ifeithertypeofprojectiscarriedout,however,thefoodandcoverplantsrequiredbywaterfowlandotherwetland.wildlifenolongergrowinabundance.Theseaquaticplantsn~edwaterloggedorshallow-watersoilsinordertothrive.Apparently,agreatmanypeoplestillthinkthatuntiloneofthesetwocoursesisfollowed,anywet-landareaisjustsomuchwa.steland-canunfortu-nateoccurrenceintheland-economist'sclassifica-tionofproductivelanduses.Solongasthisbeliefprevails,wetlandswillcontinuetobedrained,filled,diked,impounded,orotherwisealtered,andthuswilllosetheiridentityaswetlandsandtheirvalueaswildlifehabitat.COOPERATIVEPLANNINGStateandFederalagenciesengag~dinconflictingprogramsofwetlanddestructionandwetlandpres-ervationmustwmktogethertodevelopunifiedwetland-useprogramsthatarebothacceptabletothelandowner.andben~ficialtotheNation.I~isone-sidedplannin~forexample,ifaflood-controlagencyneglectswildlifewaluesasitplansfortheeliminationofriver-overflowareas,whentheseareasareusedbymillionsofducksduringthewint.erseason.Inland-useplanning,anagencydealingwithdrainageprojectswouldbesubjecttocriticismifitsplanstoremovewaterfromextensivemarsh-landsorscatteredpotholesweredevelopedwithoutregardforthefactthat,individuallyorcollec-tively,theyprovideessentialhabitatforthousands753THEPROBLEM,OFSAVINGWETLANDSThegreatnaturalwealththatoriginallymadepossiblethegrowthanddevelopmentoftheUnitedStatflllincludedagenerousendowmentofshallow-waterandwaterloggedlands.Theori~jnalinhab-itantsoftheNewWorldhadutilizedtheanimalslivingamongthesewetplacesfort~odandcloth-ing,buttheypermittedthelandtoremainessen-tiallyunchanged.TheadventofEuropeansettlersbroughtgreatchangcsintheland,andaquatichabitatswereparticularlyvulnerabletothesettlers'activities.KenneyandMcAteewrotein1938:Amongtheallll!!tsofmankind,wildlifereceivesItstrueappraiMalonlyilladvancedstages01civilization,when,owingtotheheerllcKMdestructionofearliertimesithasbeen""rioIlMlyifnotirreparablyreducea.UnderpioneerconditiollKtherul"lItorthetreatmentorwildlifeareImme-dlllleI'xp!oitationoftheuAefulanddrasticdestructionoftheulelf'lI!\,anrltheserull'stendtoremainineffectlongaftertheoriKinalmotive!\aregone.IntheearlierstagesoflIettiemcntnoonethinksofallottinganylandfortheuseofIwildlife;theeffortistowresteverypossibleacrefrom~nahlrl~andmak!'ityieldanincome.Thereisnovisiontoi111'1',thereillnotimetolearn,thatlandunitswiththeirInatllmlOC(:lIpl\ntll,IL8exemplifiedbyabeavermeadow,amllllkmtmarMh,1\dllcklake,adeerforest,oranantelopeImC!\ll,I\rcprodlldiveentitieKthatundercertaincircllm-,IItl\nC"lIIJIllybeworthfarmorethananythingmancl\nputIintheirplnceandthatoncedestroyedmayneverbete-eatllblllllwd.(7)ITHENATUREOFWETLANDSThetrrm"wetlands,';asusrdinthisreportandillthewildlifefipldgenerally,refersto lowlandscovrredwithshallowandsometimestemporaryorintrrmittl'ntwaters.TheyarereferredtobyRuchnlUllesI1.Smarshes,swamps,bogs,wetmead-ows,potholl'lI,sloughs,andriver-overflowlands.Shallowlakl'sandponds,usuallywithemergentvegetllt.ionasaconspicuousfenture,areincludedinthedrfinition,butthepermancntwatersorslrl'ams,rescrvoirs,anddeeplakesarenotin-I1I01lenumb.,"Inbmcketsrer.'rtoItem.IntheListorR.lrrenCl'son1'01.47.cluded.Neitherarewa.terareasthatare/sotem-porarya.stoha.velittleornoeffectonthedevelop-mentofmoist-soilvegetation.Usuallytheseverytemporaryarea.sareofnoapprecie.blevaluetothespeciesofwildlifeconsideredinthisreport.Mostwetlandscanbedrainedorfilledtocreatosuitablelandforagricultural,industrial,orresi-dentialexpansion.Otherslieinpotentialim-poundmentsiteswherepermanentdeep-wateren-vironmentscanbedeveloped.Ifeithertypeofprojectiscarriedout,however,thefoodandcoverplantsrequiredbywaterfowlandotherwetland.wildlifenolongergrowinabundance.Theseaquaticplantsn~edwaterloggedorshallow-watersoilsinordertothrive.Apparently,agreatmanypeoplestillthinkthatuntiloneofthesetwocoursesisfollowed,anywet-landareaisjustsomuchwa.steland-canunfortu-nateoccurrenceintheland-economist'sclassifica-tionofproductivelanduses.Solongasthisbeliefprevails,wetlandswillcontinuetobedrained,filled,diked,impounded,orotherwisealtered,andthuswilllosetheiridentityaswetlandsandtheirvalueaswildlifehabitat.COOPERATIVEPLANNINGStateandFederalagenciesengag~dinconflictingprogramsofwetlanddestructionandwetlandpres-ervationmustwmktogethertodevelopunifiedwetland-useprogramsthatarebothacceptabletothelandowner.andben~ficialtotheNation.I~isone-sidedplannin~forexample,ifaflood-controlagencyneglectswildlifewaluesasitplansfortheeliminationofriver-overflowareas,whentheseareasareusedbymillionsofducksduringthewint.erseason.Inland-useplanning,anagencydealingwithdrainageprojectswouldbesubjecttocriticismifitsplanstoremovewaterfromextensivemarsh-landsorscatteredpotholesweredevelopedwithoutregardforthefactthat,individuallyorcollec-tively,theyprovideessentialhabitatforthousands753
SUMMARYOF·CHAPTERSThl'prohlemofsavingwetlandsistoprpnntJllill'shps,foiwomps,opl'nshallowwoters,lindsea-foioflllllylIool!l·dIlludsfromlwingol'ninrd,floollPd,01'fill('(I,hl'l1l'I'IOfoiiflgtlll'iI'vIIIuellSwildlifl'habitat.Thf'sl't.YI)P!'>oflICjlllltir.f'nviJ'Onllwnts,eollecti\'l'lyidl'fltifif'din1hisI'l'portafoi1Nfla.lIds,fumish('ss('n-tinlhllhitotfornilwlltl'rfowl,mo!'>t!'>p('ci('soffurllnilllols,lIudIllonysp(,l~il'soffinmgnmp,forpstgaJJlI',lindWlIrlll-watl'rfi!'>h.CoordinatedadvanceplllllllinghyItIII'l'SOllrceint('J'rstsist.hekeynotet.osoh·jngIhl'prohll'm.Asnnnidinsur.hplan-ning,tlH'Fishol1dWildlifeHl'rvice,withthecoop-I'l'alionofHtIltrgfill1l'Ilg(,lll~il's,condul;tl'dawet-11ITldsill"f'ntol'ywithI'llJpha!'>isonpresrntuseful-rll'SSoftill'lOTIOSaswntf'rfowlhahito\..Ac('nturyofwl't1andexploitationhastaughtlJJallYIf'Sfoion!'>intill'usrandmisuseofwetlands.TIll'SWlImpLandAc.lsof1849,1850,and1860pll"l'C1till'woyfortransfl'rringnrarly6.5millionnapsofwrtlllTlllsin15StH\.PSfromFederaltoSt.Ilt.£'udminist.rationforthrP1ll'POSPofN.;peditingt.hl'irorninogl'.NI'Orlynilthl'$elondsnrrnowinpri\'o.t.l~ownprship,andtlH'jrusebywildlifeisusu-allyonlyaminorconsidrration.Althoughevi-drncesofwl'tlandIOflsesasrevealedbypreviousiJ)\'('nt.oril·sart>not.complrt.elyreliablebecauset.heyrpprl'sl·nt.diffcrpntt.ypesofcoverage,itapJwarst.hat.at.lrast.45millionof(heoriginal127millionRcr('sofnaturalwet.landshavebeendrainedorotherwist>df'stroyed.AgriculturaLdrainage(l02millionacresnowinorganizedenterprises)andfloodcontrolaretheforcesprimarilyrespon-!lihle,but.otheractivitiessuchascanalconstruc-t.ion,drainageformosquitocontrol,industrialex-pansion,andhighwaybuildinghavegreatlyre-ducedthl'wildlifevaluesofsompwetlands,partic-ularlyalongthecoast.s.754WetlandsoilshaYephysicalandchrmicalprop-rrliesthataredrrindfromthernYi"onmpntinwhichtI}('soilsoriginate.Climate,landform,andnativevegetationlargrlygovernthenatureofthispnYironmrnt,hencealsothenaturrofthrsoilsilndtheirpot(>ntialusrs.Mostwrtlandsareunderlainbyorganicsoilsknownaspeatnndmuck,orbyrecentlydeposited,water-carripdalluvialsoils.Ingeneral,alluvialsoilshavehighpr'agriculturalpotentialsthanpeatandmuck.Manypentandmuc.ksoils,haveprovedunproduc-tiveforagriculturpnfterdrainagp;othersarein-herentlyfertile.Inmanyareas,thpreappearstobeadirectrelationbetweenpotent,iallygoodagri-culturalwetlandsandpresentlygoodwaterfowlwetlands,suggestingthatcompetitionbetwpenagriculturalandwildlifeinterestswillbecompmoreintenseintheyearsahead.ThewetlandsinventoryrcYealstheloeation,dassifieation,andeYllluationof74,439,300acresofwetlandsaswatl.'rfowlha~itat.Atleast90percentofallwetlnndsofimport.ancetowaterfowlareincluded.Fromthestandpointofwaterfowlvalue,thetotalacreagecoveredbytheinventoryisdistributedasfollows(inmillionsofacres):8.9,high;13.6,moderate;24.0,low;and27.9,negli-gible.ValuesarebasedonrelativewaterfowluseintheStatewherethewetlandsarelocated.Bywetlandcategories,theeightinlandfreshtypescomprise63,491,000acres,thethreeinlandsalinetypescomprise1.,618,000acres,thethreecoastalfreshtypescomprise4,041,000acres,andthesixcoastalsalinetypescomprise5,290,000acres.The20wetlandtypesareecologicalclassifica-tionsdesignedtohelprecognizetherelativeim-portancetowatprfowlofthemanydifferentkindsSUMMARYOF·CHAPTERSThl'prohlemofsavingwetlandsistoprpnntJllill'shps,foiwomps,opl'nshallowwoters,lindsea-foioflllllylIool!l·dIlludsfromlwingol'ninrd,floollPd,01'fill('(I,hl'l1l'I'IOfoiiflgtlll'iI'vIIIuellSwildlifl'habitat.Thf'sl't.YI)P!'>oflICjlllltir.f'nviJ'Onllwnts,eollecti\'l'lyidl'fltifif'din1hisI'l'portafoi1Nfla.lIds,fumish('ss('n-tinlhllhitotfornilwlltl'rfowl,mo!'>t!'>p('ci('soffurllnilllols,lIudIllonysp(,l~il'soffinmgnmp,forpstgaJJlI',lindWlIrlll-watl'rfi!'>h.CoordinatedadvanceplllllllinghyItIII'l'SOllrceint('J'rstsist.hekeynotet.osoh·jngIhl'prohll'm.Asnnnidinsur.hplan-ning,tlH'Fishol1dWildlifeHl'rvice,withthecoop-I'l'alionofHtIltrgfill1l'Ilg(,lll~il's,condul;tl'dawet-11ITldsill"f'ntol'ywithI'llJpha!'>isonpresrntuseful-rll'SSoftill'lOTIOSaswntf'rfowlhahito\..Ac('nturyofwl't1andexploitationhastaughtlJJallYIf'Sfoion!'>intill'usrandmisuseofwetlands.TIll'SWlImpLandAc.lsof1849,1850,and1860pll"l'C1till'woyfortransfl'rringnrarly6.5millionnapsofwrtlllTlllsin15StH\.PSfromFederaltoSt.Ilt.£'udminist.rationforthrP1ll'POSPofN.;peditingt.hl'irorninogl'.NI'Orlynilthl'$elondsnrrnowinpri\'o.t.l~ownprship,andtlH'jrusebywildlifeisusu-allyonlyaminorconsidrration.Althoughevi-drncesofwl'tlandIOflsesasrevealedbypreviousiJ)\'('nt.oril·sart>not.complrt.elyreliablebecauset.heyrpprl'sl·nt.diffcrpntt.ypesofcoverage,itapJwarst.hat.at.lrast.45millionof(heoriginal127millionRcr('sofnaturalwet.landshavebeendrainedorotherwist>df'stroyed.AgriculturaLdrainage(l02millionacresnowinorganizedenterprises)andfloodcontrolaretheforcesprimarilyrespon-!lihle,but.otheractivitiessuchascanalconstruc-t.ion,drainageformosquitocontrol,industrialex-pansion,andhighwaybuildinghavegreatlyre-ducedthl'wildlifevaluesofsompwetlands,partic-ularlyalongthecoast.s.754WetlandsoilshaYephysicalandchrmicalprop-rrliesthataredrrindfromthernYi"onmpntinwhichtI}('soilsoriginate.Climate,landform,andnativevegetationlargrlygovernthenatureofthispnYironmrnt,hencealsothenaturrofthrsoilsilndtheirpot(>ntialusrs.Mostwrtlandsareunderlainbyorganicsoilsknownaspeatnndmuck,orbyrecentlydeposited,water-carripdalluvialsoils.Ingeneral,alluvialsoilshavehighpr'agriculturalpotentialsthanpeatandmuck.Manypentandmuc.ksoils,haveprovedunproduc-tiveforagriculturpnfterdrainagp;othersarein-herentlyfertile.Inmanyareas,thpreappearstobeadirectrelationbetweenpotent,iallygoodagri-culturalwetlandsandpresentlygoodwaterfowlwetlands,suggestingthatcompetitionbetwpenagriculturalandwildlifeinterestswillbecompmoreintenseintheyearsahead.ThewetlandsinventoryrcYealstheloeation,dassifieation,andeYllluationof74,439,300acresofwetlandsaswatl.'rfowlha~itat.Atleast90percentofallwetlnndsofimport.ancetowaterfowlareincluded.Fromthestandpointofwaterfowlvalue,thetotalacreagecoveredbytheinventoryisdistributedasfollows(inmillionsofacres):8.9,high;13.6,moderate;24.0,low;and27.9,negli-gible.ValuesarebasedonrelativewaterfowluseintheStatewherethewetlandsarelocated.Bywetlandcategories,theeightinlandfreshtypescomprise63,491,000acres,thethreeinlandsalinetypescomprise1.,618,000acres,thethreecoastalfreshtypescomprise4,041,000acres,andthesixcoastalsalinetypescomprise5,290,000acres.The20wetlandtypesareecologicalclassifica-tionsdesignedtohelprecognizetherelativeim-portancetowatprfowlofthemanydifferentkinds
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTEPHENKURTH264Commentnoted.Practicallyno"wetlands"forwaterfowlarelocatedwithintheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirareas.265COlmlentnoted.266The6-1/8percentinterestrateisprovidedbyWaterResourceCouncil,andisbasedonthecurrentcosttotheFederalGovernmentofborrowingmoney.2r.7Reductionoffloodinganderosioncouldresultinsubclimaxgrowthofvegetationinthebraidedchannelsystemandwouldprovidebrowseformoose.26bProjectpowerwillbemarketablebyexistingpowermarketingagencies,atratestobeestablishedbynormalrate-settingproceduresandafterpublichearingshavebeenheld.Useofpowerbyindustriescanberegulatedbymeansofpowerrates.Alsoseeresponsenumber255.269GrowthprojectionsinAlaskaarenotbasedprimarilyonpastgrowthstatistics,butratherondemographic,economic,andotherfactorswhichwillcontrolfuturegrowth.270ThenoactionalternativeiscoveredinSection6.02.1oftheEIS.271Statementregardingnuclearpowerproviding50percentoftheelectricalpowerbytheyear2000referstothenationasawhole.Nuclearpowerdoesnotrepresentthemostfeasiblealternative'powersourceforAlaska,asstatedinSection6.02.4ofthe£lS.272Commentsnoted.27aCommentsnoted.274Commentsnoted.275Commentsnoted.276Commentsnoted.755RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTEPHENKURTH264Commentnoted.Practicallyno"wetlands"forwaterfowlarelocatedwithintheproposedDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirareas.265COlmlentnoted.266The6-1/8percentinterestrateisprovidedbyWaterResourceCouncil,andisbasedonthecurrentcosttotheFederalGovernmentofborrowingmoney.2r.7Reductionoffloodinganderosioncouldresultinsubclimaxgrowthofvegetationinthebraidedchannelsystemandwouldprovidebrowseformoose.26bProjectpowerwillbemarketablebyexistingpowermarketingagencies,atratestobeestablishedbynormalrate-settingproceduresandafterpublichearingshavebeenheld.Useofpowerbyindustriescanberegulatedbymeansofpowerrates.Alsoseeresponsenumber255.269GrowthprojectionsinAlaskaarenotbasedprimarilyonpastgrowthstatistics,butratherondemographic,economic,andotherfactorswhichwillcontrolfuturegrowth.270ThenoactionalternativeiscoveredinSection6.02.1oftheEIS.271Statementregardingnuclearpowerproviding50percentoftheelectricalpowerbytheyear2000referstothenationasawhole.Nuclearpowerdoesnotrepresentthemostfeasiblealternative'powersourceforAlaska,asstatedinSection6.02.4ofthe£lS.272Commentsnoted.27aCommentsnoted.274Commentsnoted.275Commentsnoted.276Commentsnoted.755
756756
757280757280
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDANMAWHINNEY277TheproposedSusitnaptojectwouldchangetheareaswhereprojectfacilitiessuchasdams,reservoirs,roads,transmissionlines,andrecreationareaswouldbebuilt,butwewoulddesignandconstructthesefacilitiesusingthehigheststandardstolessentheadverseimpactsandtomaximizethebeneficialimpacts.278Alaskaisandwillcontinuetobeagreatstatewherepeoplecanlive,work,playandenjoythe'wonderfulnaturalresourcesthatarefoundhere,butthoseofuswhomovedherefromotherplacesorwerebornherewillhavetoconsiderthatotherswillcomehereinthefutureformuchthesamereasonsthatmotivatedthepresentresidentstolivehere.Tosomethismightnotnecessarilymeanprogress,butitistheurealworld."WithgoodplanningwehopetohelpprovideagoodplacetoliveandworkandstillretainmuchofAlaska'sgreatwealthinthenaturalenvironment.True,somepeoplewillbemoredirectlyaffectedbyourproposalsforhydroelectricpowerthanothers,butwebelievethatwhatwedoproposewilladverselyaffectfewerpeoplethananyotherviablealternativewhichwouldprovideequivalentelectricalenergy.Also,webelievethattheproposedprojectiseconomicallyandengineeringlyfeasibleandlessenvironmentallydamagingthananyotheralternativewhichcouldmeetelectricalenergyneedsofthefuture.279IntheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActmorethan80millionacresofAlas~a's356millionacresareproposedtoberetainedinthe4Federalsystemsincludingparks,wildliferefuges,wildandscenicriversandnaturalforests.TheStatehasalsoproposedmillionsofacresforparkandrecreationlands.Itisalsoreasonabletoassumethatmuchoftheover40millionsofacresofnativelands,106millionsofacresofStatelandsandthebalanceoflandsleftinotherprivateandFederalcontrolwillbeleftinitsnaturalstateordevelopedtoencouragerecreationbutitisobviousthatsomedevelopmentwillalsotakeplace.280AsnotedinSection9.0oftheEnvironmentalImpactStatement,wehavehadthreesetsofPublicMeetingsinbothAnchorageandFairbankswhereallthepublichasbeeninvitedtoattendandtoexpresstheirfeelingsandconcernsonthisproposedproject.PeoplefromtheTalkeetnaareaandfromtheareasthatwouldbedirectlyaffectedbyprojectfacilitiesattendedthemeetings;thepeoplelistenedtotheproceedingsandsomemadecomment,bothforandagainsttheproposedproject.758RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDANMAWHINNEY277TheproposedSusitnaptojectwouldchangetheareaswhereprojectfacilitiessuchasdams,reservoirs,roads,transmissionlines,andrecreationareaswouldbebuilt,butwewoulddesignandconstructthesefacilitiesusingthehigheststandardstolessentheadverseimpactsandtomaximizethebeneficialimpacts.278Alaskaisandwillcontinuetobeagreatstatewherepeoplecanlive,work,playandenjoythe'wonderfulnaturalresourcesthatarefoundhere,butthoseofuswhomovedherefromotherplacesorwerebornherewillhavetoconsiderthatotherswillcomehereinthefutureformuchthesamereasonsthatmotivatedthepresentresidentstolivehere.Tosomethismightnotnecessarilymeanprogress,butitistheurealworld."WithgoodplanningwehopetohelpprovideagoodplacetoliveandworkandstillretainmuchofAlaska'sgreatwealthinthenaturalenvironment.True,somepeoplewillbemoredirectlyaffectedbyourproposalsforhydroelectricpowerthanothers,butwebelievethatwhatwedoproposewilladverselyaffectfewerpeoplethananyotherviablealternativewhichwouldprovideequivalentelectricalenergy.Also,webelievethattheproposedprojectiseconomicallyandengineeringlyfeasibleandlessenvironmentallydamagingthananyotheralternativewhichcouldmeetelectricalenergyneedsofthefuture.279IntheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActmorethan80millionacresofAlas~a's356millionacresareproposedtoberetainedinthe4Federalsystemsincludingparks,wildliferefuges,wildandscenicriversandnaturalforests.TheStatehasalsoproposedmillionsofacresforparkandrecreationlands.Itisalsoreasonabletoassumethatmuchoftheover40millionsofacresofnativelands,106millionsofacresofStatelandsandthebalanceoflandsleftinotherprivateandFederalcontrolwillbeleftinitsnaturalstateordevelopedtoencouragerecreationbutitisobviousthatsomedevelopmentwillalsotakeplace.280AsnotedinSection9.0oftheEnvironmentalImpactStatement,wehavehadthreesetsofPublicMeetingsinbothAnchorageandFairbankswhereallthepublichasbeeninvitedtoattendandtoexpresstheirfeelingsandconcernsonthisproposedproject.PeoplefromtheTalkeetnaareaandfromtheareasthatwouldbedirectlyaffectedbyprojectfacilitiesattendedthemeetings;thepeoplelistenedtotheproceedingsandsomemadecomment,bothforandagainsttheproposedproject.758
THOMASE.MEACHAMATIORNEYATLAWSUITE403310"K"STREETANCHORAGE,ALASKA911"01(e07)278.1322(1107)278-1443October9,1975ColonelCharlesDebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaska··DistrictU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,AX99510Re:WrittenTestimonyConcerningDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementDearColonelDebelius:IamenclosingwiththisletteracopyofmycommentsconcerningyourDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementonhydro-electricpowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Alaska.Ideliveredthistestimonyorallyatyourpublichear-ingonOctober7,1975,andwouldrequestthatmywrittentes-timonybeincludedinyourhearingrecord.Iwouldalsorequestthatthisletteroftransmittalbeincludedinyourhearingrecord,sinceadditionalfactscon-cerningtheproductionofyourDraftEnvironmentalImpactState-mentbecameevidentduringthecourseofthehearingTuesdaynight.FromthetestimonygivenbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,itisapparentthatyourDraftEnvironmentalStatementwasissuedpriortocompletionofstudiesbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,whichhadbeenoncontractwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServicetoconductwildlifestudiesintheaffectedarea,andforthespecificpurposeofyourenvironmentalanalysisoftheproposedproject.Byaccel-eratingthecompletionandissuanceoftheDraftImpactState-ment,yourofficehastotallyexcludedabodyofknowledgewhich,ifavailabletothegeneralpublic,wouldhavepermittedamuchmorethorQ~ghanalysisoftheeffectsofyourproposedproject.Inaddition,Iwouldassumethatavailabilityoftheresultsofthisstudywouldhaveaidedyourownplannersinevaluatingtheproposedproject.Notonlyisthisdeliberateomissionverydetrimentalfromthestandpointofanadequateenvironmentalstatement,but759THOMASE.MEACHAMATIORNEYATLAWSUITE403310"K"STREETANCHORAGE,ALASKA911"01(e07)278.1322(1107)278-1443October9,1975ColonelCharlesDebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaska··DistrictU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,AX99510Re:WrittenTestimonyConcerningDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementDearColonelDebelius:IamenclosingwiththisletteracopyofmycommentsconcerningyourDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementonhydro-electricpowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Alaska.Ideliveredthistestimonyorallyatyourpublichear-ingonOctober7,1975,andwouldrequestthatmywrittentes-timonybeincludedinyourhearingrecord.Iwouldalsorequestthatthisletteroftransmittalbeincludedinyourhearingrecord,sinceadditionalfactscon-cerningtheproductionofyourDraftEnvironmentalImpactState-mentbecameevidentduringthecourseofthehearingTuesdaynight.FromthetestimonygivenbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,itisapparentthatyourDraftEnvironmentalStatementwasissuedpriortocompletionofstudiesbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,whichhadbeenoncontractwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeServicetoconductwildlifestudiesintheaffectedarea,andforthespecificpurposeofyourenvironmentalanalysisoftheproposedproject.Byaccel-eratingthecompletionandissuanceoftheDraftImpactState-ment,yourofficehastotallyexcludedabodyofknowledgewhich,ifavailabletothegeneralpublic,wouldhavepermittedamuchmorethorQ~ghanalysisoftheeffectsofyourproposedproject.Inaddition,Iwouldassumethatavailabilityoftheresultsofthisstudywouldhaveaidedyourownplannersinevaluatingtheproposedproject.Notonlyisthisdeliberateomissionverydetrimentalfromthestandpointofanadequateenvironmentalstatement,but759
IlearnedatthehearingthattheCorpsofEngineershadalsoexcludedanadditionalcontractedstudywhichwasintendedtoexploreindepthsomeaspectsoftheproject,forpurposesofyourEnvironmentalImpactStatement.IbelievethatthefirmofJone~&Jones,Consultan~s,wasengagedtostudycertainaspectsoftheproject•.Ihaveseentheirreport,entitledUpperSusitnaRiver:InventoryandEvaluationoftheEnviron-mental,AestheticandRecreationalResources.Thisfirmwasalsocontractedtoanalyzesgecific~spectsoftheproposal,butthelast-minuteaccelerationofthedeadlinedatefortheImpactStatementprecludedanyanalysisofthevoluminousresultsoftheirstudyinyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement.IbelievethatthedeliberateexclusionofthesetworelevantsourcentaOterials,andthelackofpublicknowledgeoftheirconclusions,hasdealtaverystrongblowagainstyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement.Iwouldexpectthat,attheleast,fullconsiderationofthesedocumentswillbegiveninyourFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,andthatthe~edoc-umentswillbeavailableforevaluationbytheinterestedpublic..Thankyou.yerymuchforyoureven-handedtreatmentofthehearingitself,andfortheefficientmannerinwhichitwasorganizedandconaucted.Yourssincerely,2811TEM/bjaEnclosure760ThomasE.MeachamIlearnedatthehearingthattheCorpsofEngineershadalsoexcludedanadditionalcontractedstudywhichwasintendedtoexploreindepthsomeaspectsoftheproject,forpurposesofyourEnvironmentalImpactStatement.IbelievethatthefirmofJone~&Jones,Consultan~s,wasengagedtostudycertainaspectsoftheproject•.Ihaveseentheirreport,entitledUpperSusitnaRiver:InventoryandEvaluationoftheEnviron-mental,AestheticandRecreationalResources.Thisfirmwasalsocontractedtoanalyzesgecific~spectsoftheproposal,butthelast-minuteaccelerationofthedeadlinedatefortheImpactStatementprecludedanyanalysisofthevoluminousresultsoftheirstudyinyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement.IbelievethatthedeliberateexclusionofthesetworelevantsourcentaOterials,andthelackofpublicknowledgeoftheirconclusions,hasdealtaverystrongblowagainstyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement.Iwouldexpectthat,attheleast,fullconsiderationofthesedocumentswillbegiveninyourFinalEnvironmentalImpactStatement,andthatthe~edoc-umentswillbeavailableforevaluationbytheinterestedpublic..Thankyou.yerymuchforyoureven-handedtreatmentofthehearingitself,andfortheefficientmannerinwhichitwasorganizedandconaucted.Yourssincerely,2811TEM/bjaEnclosure760ThomasE.Meacham
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYTHOMASE.MEACHAMLETTERDATED9OCTOBER1975281Aconcerted.continuingefforthasbeenmadethroughoutthestudyprocesstoacquirealldatapossiblefromallconcernedsourceswithspecialemphasisonfisheryandwildlifedatasovitalforavalidassessmentofprojecteffectsonmajorecosystemsandthetotalenvironment.WehaveworkedthroughtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(FWS).astheleadagency,tocoordinateourstudywithAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame(ADF&G).Wehad,priortothePublicMeeting,apreliminaryreportofFWS(containingtheADF&Gcontribution).Thisreport.preparedinaccordancewiththeFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.wasformallypUblishedon10October1975.Inaddition,wehadinformalcontactsonanearlydailybasiswithFWSpersonneltobeassureaspossiblethatnoneworimportantinformationrelativetotheirareaofresponsibilitywasbeingomittedfromconsideration.ThefactthattheJonesandJonesinventoryandevaluation(preparedundercontracttotheCorpsofEngineers)isnotcontainedintotoineithertheDEISorfeasibilityreportdoesnotmeanthatithasbeenexcluded,omitted,orignoredinourevaluations.Quitethecontrary,ithasbeenofmuchvaluetous,andhasbeeninourhandsforoversixmonthspriortocompletionoftheDEIS.761RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYTHOMASE.MEACHAMLETTERDATED9OCTOBER1975281Aconcerted.continuingefforthasbeenmadethroughoutthestudyprocesstoacquirealldatapossiblefromallconcernedsourceswithspecialemphasisonfisheryandwildlifedatasovitalforavalidassessmentofprojecteffectsonmajorecosystemsandthetotalenvironment.WehaveworkedthroughtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(FWS).astheleadagency,tocoordinateourstudywithAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame(ADF&G).Wehad,priortothePublicMeeting,apreliminaryreportofFWS(containingtheADF&Gcontribution).Thisreport.preparedinaccordancewiththeFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.wasformallypUblishedon10October1975.Inaddition,wehadinformalcontactsonanearlydailybasiswithFWSpersonneltobeassureaspossiblethatnoneworimportantinformationrelativetotheirareaofresponsibilitywasbeingomittedfromconsideration.ThefactthattheJonesandJonesinventoryandevaluation(preparedundercontracttotheCorpsofEngineers)isnotcontainedintotoineithertheDEISorfeasibilityreportdoesnotmeanthatithasbeenexcluded,omitted,orignoredinourevaluations.Quitethecontrary,ithasbeenofmuchvaluetous,andhasbeeninourhandsforoversixmonthspriortocompletionoftheDEIS.761
282COMMENTSREGARDINGDRAFTENVIRON~mNTALIMPACTSTATEMENT:HYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOP~NTONTHEUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINt'ALASKAOctober7,1975Gentlemen:MynameisTomMeacham.IamaresidentofAnchorage,Alaskaandamconservatior.chairmanofthoMountaineeringClubofAlaska.Iamtestifyingasanindividual.Ibelievethat,yourDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementregardinghydroelectricpowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverissubjecttocriticismbothinconceptandin'detail.IwilldealwiththecriticismsIhaveregardingtheconceptfirst.YourDraftImpactStatementwasissuedonSeptember22,1975.Thishearingcomesexactlytwoweeksafterthatdate,offeringnorealisticopportunityforpublicinputbasedontheassertionsoffactandassumptionsmadeinyourImpactStatement.Instead,thishurriedconsiderationoftheImpactStatementseemsdesignedtonullifyoreliminateanymeaningfulcriticis~frompersonsororganization~whichmayhavesomedoubtsaboutyourproject.Thiscertainlyisnotthe"atmosphereofpublicunder-standing,trust,mutualcQoperative,andinamannerresponsivetothepublicinterest",asyourregulationsrequire.TheDraftImpactStatementitselfismuchtoonarrow,giventhescopeoftheproblem.TheDraftStatementpurportstoanalyzethefeasibilityofhydroelectricpowerintheUpperSusitnaBasin,inrelationtootheralternativepowersqurceswhichmaybeavailable.Wearetoldthatmoreextensivestudieswillpemadeofthevarious,factorsrequiredundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,iftheprojectisapproved.However,IhavefoundnothingintheDraftStatementwhichcouldbetermedafeasibilityreport,inrelationtootheralternativepowersourcesandtheprojectedneedsoftherailbeltareainfutureyears.Becausethequestionoffeasibilityandoffutureneedwillreceiveonlythepresentenvironmentalanalysis,thatanal-ysismustbeascompleteasanyrequiredunderNEP~foranyspe-oifioAspectofactualhydroeleotrioplantoonstruction.The762282COMMENTSREGARDINGDRAFTENVIRON~mNTALIMPACTSTATEMENT:HYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOP~NTONTHEUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINt'ALASKAOctober7,1975Gentlemen:MynameisTomMeacham.IamaresidentofAnchorage,Alaskaandamconservatior.chairmanofthoMountaineeringClubofAlaska.Iamtestifyingasanindividual.Ibelievethat,yourDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementregardinghydroelectricpowerdevelopmentontheUpperSusitnaRiverissubjecttocriticismbothinconceptandin'detail.IwilldealwiththecriticismsIhaveregardingtheconceptfirst.YourDraftImpactStatementwasissuedonSeptember22,1975.Thishearingcomesexactlytwoweeksafterthatdate,offeringnorealisticopportunityforpublicinputbasedontheassertionsoffactandassumptionsmadeinyourImpactStatement.Instead,thishurriedconsiderationoftheImpactStatementseemsdesignedtonullifyoreliminateanymeaningfulcriticis~frompersonsororganization~whichmayhavesomedoubtsaboutyourproject.Thiscertainlyisnotthe"atmosphereofpublicunder-standing,trust,mutualcQoperative,andinamannerresponsivetothepublicinterest",asyourregulationsrequire.TheDraftImpactStatementitselfismuchtoonarrow,giventhescopeoftheproblem.TheDraftStatementpurportstoanalyzethefeasibilityofhydroelectricpowerintheUpperSusitnaBasin,inrelationtootheralternativepowersqurceswhichmaybeavailable.Wearetoldthatmoreextensivestudieswillpemadeofthevarious,factorsrequiredundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct,iftheprojectisapproved.However,IhavefoundnothingintheDraftStatementwhichcouldbetermedafeasibilityreport,inrelationtootheralternativepowersourcesandtheprojectedneedsoftherailbeltareainfutureyears.Becausethequestionoffeasibilityandoffutureneedwillreceiveonlythepresentenvironmentalanalysis,thatanal-ysismustbeascompleteasanyrequiredunderNEP~foranyspe-oifioAspectofactualhydroeleotrioplantoonstruction.The762
writersofthisImpactStatementhave,withnostatutoryauthorityIandverylittleactualauthority,determinedthathydroelectricpoweristhe"mostfeasible"meanstomeetthearea'spresumed.futureneeds,andhave,withoutfurtheranalysis,proceededto.283presentthedetailsoftheproposeddamconstruction.Ouestionswhichtheyhaveleftunansweredarethefollowing:1.Whatisthesource6fanyassumptionsregardingpopulationgrowthandgrowthinelectricalde-mandin.therailbeltarea?AretherevariationsamongsourcesintheseprojectionsJandifso,whichprojectionsdidtheCorpsexamineandadopt?2.Hasanycomprehensiveeconomic,socialorenviron-mentalanal~sisbeendoneofotheralterna~ives~othehydroelectricproject,includingpurchaseofpowerfromCanada,coalgasification,coal'burning,useofnaturalgas,geothermalresources,oranyotheravailableorprojectedsourceinAlaska?Ifstudieshavebeenexaminedregardingthesefactors,whatisthesourceofthesestudies?1..Willhydroelectricdevelopmentintperailbeltareadiscourageuseanddevelopmentofalternativesources?Willothersourcesdevelopdespitecon-structionofhydroelectricprojects?285Thesequestions,andotherswhichIamsureotherpersonswillraise,gototheverypremiseuponwhichyourEnvironmentalImpactStatementwasbased:.the"feasibility"ofhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentintherailbeltregion.Untiltheseissuesareaddressed,thereisnopointindiscussingspecificconstructionproposalsforvariousdams.However,thetoneofyourImpactStatementindicatesquiteclearlythat"feasibility"toyouragencyismerelyaquestionofreceivingtherequisiteamountofdollarsfromCongress,andthatoncethatgrantisassured,theCorpsofEngineerswillveryquicklydemonstratethathydroelectricpowerintherailbeltregionisphysicallyfeasibleTherealquestionoftheproprietyofhydroelectricpower,inthecon-textofthisregion'sneedsandincontrastwithotheravailablesources,willneverbeanswered.BecausethemajorityofyourDraftImpactStatem~ntdealswiththerealityofatwo-damconst~uctionproposal,1havesome763writersofthisImpactStatementhave,withnostatutoryauthorityIandverylittleactualauthority,determinedthathydroelectricpoweristhe"mostfeasible"meanstomeetthearea'spresumed.futureneeds,andhave,withoutfurtheranalysis,proceededto.283presentthedetailsoftheproposeddamconstruction.Ouestionswhichtheyhaveleftunansweredarethefollowing:1.Whatisthesource6fanyassumptionsregardingpopulationgrowthandgrowthinelectricalde-mandin.therailbeltarea?AretherevariationsamongsourcesintheseprojectionsJandifso,whichprojectionsdidtheCorpsexamineandadopt?2.Hasanycomprehensiveeconomic,socialorenviron-mentalanal~sisbeendoneofotheralterna~ives~othehydroelectricproject,includingpurchaseofpowerfromCanada,coalgasification,coal'burning,useofnaturalgas,geothermalresources,oranyotheravailableorprojectedsourceinAlaska?Ifstudieshavebeenexaminedregardingthesefactors,whatisthesourceofthesestudies?1..Willhydroelectricdevelopmentintperailbeltareadiscourageuseanddevelopmentofalternativesources?Willothersourcesdevelopdespitecon-structionofhydroelectricprojects?285Thesequestions,andotherswhichIamsureotherpersonswillraise,gototheverypremiseuponwhichyourEnvironmentalImpactStatementwasbased:.the"feasibility"ofhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentintherailbeltregion.Untiltheseissuesareaddressed,thereisnopointindiscussingspecificconstructionproposalsforvariousdams.However,thetoneofyourImpactStatementindicatesquiteclearlythat"feasibility"toyouragencyismerelyaquestionofreceivingtherequisiteamountofdollarsfromCongress,andthatoncethatgrantisassured,theCorpsofEngineerswillveryquicklydemonstratethathydroelectricpowerintherailbeltregionisphysicallyfeasibleTherealquestionoftheproprietyofhydroelectricpower,inthecon-textofthisregion'sneedsandincontrastwithotheravailablesources,willneverbeanswered.BecausethemajorityofyourDraftImpactStatem~ntdealswiththerealityofatwo-damconst~uctionproposal,1havesome763
287Iquestionstoraise·concerningthatproposal.Ifeelthattherearcseveralveryseriousinconsistenciesorunwarrantedassu.mptionsmadeinthatImpactStatement,andIfeelconfidentthatsatisfac-toryanswerswillbeprovidedatthetimethefinalimpactstatementiswritten.Amongmyquestionsarethefollowing:2881.2.IsthecapacityoftheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectexcessjve?Theprojectedelectricaloutputisapproximatelysixtimesthepresentneedfortheentirestate,yetitisonlyone-fourthofyourprojectionoftherailbeltarea'sneedsin1985.Whatentitywillmanagetheproposedproject?willitbeaTVA-typeauthority,whichhasdem-onstratedlittleresponsivenesstothepublicinterest?willtheauthorityoperatingtheprojectbesubjecttojurisdictionoftheAlaskaPublicUtilitiesCommission?Whatwillbethepolicyonsaleof"secondaryenergy"?Whatisthepurposeforprovidingac~pacitytoproducesecondaryenergy?WillsaleofsecondaryenergybesubjecttoregulationbytheAlaskaPublicUtilitiesCommission?.2912924.5.willratestructuresfavorsaleoflargeblocksofpower,atlowunitcost,tomajorindustrialusers?Ifso,willtheavailabilityofcheappowerinducebasicindustriestolocateintherail.beltregion?Wouldthislocationforbasicindustriesbedesirable,fromthesocial,econ-omicandenvironmentalstandpointoftheexistingrailbeltcommunity?Youhavestatedthattheprojectareacontainssomediscontinuouspermafrost.Isanypermafrostlocatedbeneaththeimpoundmentareasofthetwodarns?Ifso,willtheextremeyearlydrawdownbe-hindWatanaDamleadtocontinuousmeltingofpermafrostanderosionofresevoirbanks?Whatwillbetheeffectsuponfish,wildlifeandhumanactivitiesdownstreamfromthedarnsites764287Iquestionstoraise·concerningthatproposal.Ifeelthattherearcseveralveryseriousinconsistenciesorunwarrantedassu.mptionsmadeinthatImpactStatement,andIfeelconfidentthatsatisfac-toryanswerswillbeprovidedatthetimethefinalimpactstatementiswritten.Amongmyquestionsarethefollowing:2881.2.IsthecapacityoftheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectexcessjve?Theprojectedelectricaloutputisapproximatelysixtimesthepresentneedfortheentirestate,yetitisonlyone-fourthofyourprojectionoftherailbeltarea'sneedsin1985.Whatentitywillmanagetheproposedproject?willitbeaTVA-typeauthority,whichhasdem-onstratedlittleresponsivenesstothepublicinterest?willtheauthorityoperatingtheprojectbesubjecttojurisdictionoftheAlaskaPublicUtilitiesCommission?Whatwillbethepolicyonsaleof"secondaryenergy"?Whatisthepurposeforprovidingac~pacitytoproducesecondaryenergy?WillsaleofsecondaryenergybesubjecttoregulationbytheAlaskaPublicUtilitiesCommission?.2912924.5.willratestructuresfavorsaleoflargeblocksofpower,atlowunitcost,tomajorindustrialusers?Ifso,willtheavailabilityofcheappowerinducebasicindustriestolocateintherail.beltregion?Wouldthislocationforbasicindustriesbedesirable,fromthesocial,econ-omicandenvironmentalstandpointoftheexistingrailbeltcommunity?Youhavestatedthattheprojectareacontainssomediscontinuouspermafrost.Isanypermafrostlocatedbeneaththeimpoundmentareasofthetwodarns?Ifso,willtheextremeyearlydrawdownbe-hindWatanaDamleadtocontinuousmeltingofpermafrostanderosionofresevoirbanks?Whatwillbetheeffectsuponfish,wildlifeandhumanactivitiesdownstreamfromthedarnsites764
!'.duringthetwelveyearsofconstruction?<WilltheSusitnaRiverbeentirelyimpoundedbyWatanaDamwhileDevilCanyonDamisbeingconstructed?7.Whateffectwillthelossoflow,clearflowsoftheSusitnaRiverinwintertimehaveuponthefishwhichmigratefromthetributariestothemainstemduringwintertimetoavoidfreezing?8.Whateffectwilltheincreasedwintertimevolume,morethaneight·timestheexistinguncontro":l.ledwinterflow,haveuponfishandwildlifeiritheLowerSusitna?Whateffectwillthisincreasedwinterflowqaveuponerosionpotential?9.Willmulti-levelreleasesofwaterfrombehindthedamsleadtoincreasedsiltationduringre-leases,whenwaterandsiltfromthebottompor-tionsoftheresevoirarereleased?10.Whatwillbethepeakmonthlyflowsanticipatedontheriverafterconstruction?TheImpactStatementlistsonlyaveragemonthlyflows,notpeakflows.11.Whatmeasureswillbetakentocontroltheproblemof"frazzleice"undercoldwinterconditions?12.Whatisthepresentconsumptionoftherailbeltarea,intermsofbarre~sofoil?13.Hasthetotalenergycostoftwelveyearsofdamconstructionbeendebitedagainsttheeventualproductionoftheproject,intermsofbarrelsofoil114.Howmuchoilwouldthetotalfirstcostsoftheprojectbuyattoday'sprices?1293I294I295I296I297I298I299I300I30115.WhatwillbetheactualamountofdeliveredpowerItoFairbanks,Anchorage,andotherrailbeltpoints?TheImpactStatementlistsonlytheprojectedpowerproductionatthedamsite,anddoesnotcalculate765302!'.duringthetwelveyearsofconstruction?<WilltheSusitnaRiverbeentirelyimpoundedbyWatanaDamwhileDevilCanyonDamisbeingconstructed?7.Whateffectwillthelossoflow,clearflowsoftheSusitnaRiverinwintertimehaveuponthefishwhichmigratefromthetributariestothemainstemduringwintertimetoavoidfreezing?8.Whateffectwilltheincreasedwintertimevolume,morethaneight·timestheexistinguncontro":l.ledwinterflow,haveuponfishandwildlifeiritheLowerSusitna?Whateffectwillthisincreasedwinterflowqaveuponerosionpotential?9.Willmulti-levelreleasesofwaterfrombehindthedamsleadtoincreasedsiltationduringre-leases,whenwaterandsiltfromthebottompor-tionsoftheresevoirarereleased?10.Whatwillbethepeakmonthlyflowsanticipatedontheriverafterconstruction?TheImpactStatementlistsonlyaveragemonthlyflows,notpeakflows.11.Whatmeasureswillbetakentocontroltheproblemof"frazzleice"undercoldwinterconditions?12.Whatisthepresentconsumptionoftherailbeltarea,intermsofbarre~sofoil?13.Hasthetotalenergycostoftwelveyearsofdamconstructionbeendebitedagainsttheeventualproductionoftheproject,intermsofbarrelsofoil114.Howmuchoilwouldthetotalfirstcostsoftheprojectbuyattoday'sprices?1293I294I295I296I297I298I299I300I30115.WhatwillbetheactualamountofdeliveredpowerItoFairbanks,Anchorage,andotherrailbeltpoints?TheImpactStatementlistsonlytheprojectedpowerproductionatthedamsite,anddoesnotcalculate765302
powerlosses.30316.Whatfactorswereusedtocalculateabenefit-costratioof1.4?Whywasanartificiallylowinterestrateofsiyandone-eighthpercentused?Doesthenatureofthisproject,on'aglacialriverwithnopresentlyknowntechniquefordredgingresevoirsfilledbysediment,jus-tifyaIOO-yearlifeprojection?·UponwhatfactorswasthelOO-yearprojectlifecalculated?DoestheCorpsofEngineershaveanyavailabledatafromotherhydroelectricpro-jectsconstructedonglacialriverswithstreamflowscomparabletotheSusitnaRiver?Whatwillbetheeffectofincreasedenergy,velocityandabrasionofthereleasedwaterbelowDevilCanyonDamupontheLowerSusitnaRiver,andupontheturbidityoftheriver?Is"floodcontrol"aplannedbenefitoftheresevoirs,asmentionedonpage71ofyourdraft?WhatisthehistoricalincidenceofSusitnaRiverfloods?20.307Whyhastheproposedprojectbeenstressedfora"maximumcredibleearthquake"withanepicenterfortymilesdistant,sincetpeSusitnafaultisonly2.5milesfromthesiteofthedams?Uponwhatassumptionsistheturbidityrateduringwinterflowsof15to35partspermillioncalcu-lated?Thisassumptionseemsexcessivelylow,whenmeasuredagainsttheriver'sincreasedabra-sionpotential,themulti-levelreleases,andthesignificantlyincreasedwintervo~umes.YourDraftImpactStatementhasseriouslyneglectedtoplaceDevilCanyoninthecontextofpresentandfuturerecreationpotentialinAlaskaandinNorthAmerica.YoustatethatitisoneofthreemajorwhitewaterriversinAlaska.However,youneglectedtopointoutthat,amongwhitewaterexperts,itisconsideredthepremierstretchofwhitewaterinNorthAmerica,ifnotintheworld.Of• I766powerlosses.30316.Whatfactorswereusedtocalculateabenefit-costratioof1.4?Whywasanartificiallylowinterestrateofsiyandone-eighthpercentused?Doesthenatureofthisproject,on'aglacialriverwithnopresentlyknowntechniquefordredgingresevoirsfilledbysediment,jus-tifyaIOO-yearlifeprojection?·UponwhatfactorswasthelOO-yearprojectlifecalculated?DoestheCorpsofEngineershaveanyavailabledatafromotherhydroelectricpro-jectsconstructedonglacialriverswithstreamflowscomparabletotheSusitnaRiver?Whatwillbetheeffectofincreasedenergy,velocityandabrasionofthereleasedwaterbelowDevilCanyonDamupontheLowerSusitnaRiver,andupontheturbidityoftheriver?Is"floodcontrol"aplannedbenefitoftheresevoirs,asmentionedonpage71ofyourdraft?WhatisthehistoricalincidenceofSusitnaRiverfloods?20.307Whyhastheproposedprojectbeenstressedfora"maximumcredibleearthquake"withanepicenterfortymilesdistant,sincetpeSusitnafaultisonly2.5milesfromthesiteofthedams?Uponwhatassumptionsistheturbidityrateduringwinterflowsof15to35partspermillioncalcu-lated?Thisassumptionseemsexcessivelylow,whenmeasuredagainsttheriver'sincreasedabra-sionpotential,themulti-levelreleases,andthesignificantlyincreasedwintervo~umes.YourDraftImpactStatementhasseriouslyneglectedtoplaceDevilCanyoninthecontextofpresentandfuturerecreationpotentialinAlaskaandinNorthAmerica.YoustatethatitisoneofthreemajorwhitewaterriversinAlaska.However,youneglectedtopointoutthat,amongwhitewaterexperts,itisconsideredthepremierstretchofwhitewaterinNorthAmerica,ifnotintheworld.Of• I766
thethreeAlaskanriversmentioned,theAlsekandtheBremnerareinaccessiblebyboatersateithertheiroriqinortheirtermin\ls.Bycontrast,DevilCanyoncanbereachedontheDenaliHiqhwayfordeparture,anditste~inuslieson&heParksHiqhway.Recre-ationalwhitewaterboatihqisoneofthefastest-qrowinqsportsinthenation,andparticularlyinAlaska,yetwehavenoanalysisofthisincreaseinpopularityinyourImpactStatement.Onthecontrary,youronlystatemen~sconcerninqoutdoorrecreationists,ortowhitewaterboatersinparticular,arerepeatedreferencesto"afewhardysouls"witiaveiledimplicationsthatanyonewhotriesto~akanyportionofDevilCanyonhasadeathwish.Yourimpactstatementfailstoanalyzethetremendousqrowthofself-propelledsports,suchasmountain~erinq,hikinq,backpackinq,andwhitewaterboatinq.Instead,itassumeswithoutbasisinfactthattheDevilCanyonareahasnopresentorfuturepoten-tialforthesesports,andcanonlybemadeavailableforrecrea-tionusersbycreatinqsomesortofartificialaccess,suchas'resevoirsandroads.TheDraftImpactStatementdoesnotdiscusstheproposedTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkandtheeffectsucharesevoirmighthaveonthatproposal.Nordoesitdisc~ssthefederallandssurroundingtheresevoirproposalwhichmaybese-lectedbyCookInletNativeRegionalCorporation,ormaybetradedtotheStateofAlaskaasanadditiontotheTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkproposal.Withincreasedmechanizedaccessbeinqoneoftheprimefeaturesoftheproject,itwillalmostcertainlyh~ve'sometypeofimpactuponaStateParkproposal.Whatvaluewasaddedtoyourbenefit-costratiofortherecreationopportunitieswhichyouforeseeasar~sultofconstructionoftheproject,anduponwhatfactorswerethesevaluesbased?Simplystated,IfeelthatthevalueofDevilCanyonofthe~usitnaRiver,asthefreest,wildest,mostviolentandmostimpressivefree-flowingriveronthecontinent,hasbeenentirelyoverlooked.Theriver,tomyknowledge,isstilleligibleforwildriverstatusunderfederallaw,andanydecisionbytheInteriorDepartmentnottorecommendtheriverin1973wasbasedonthefactthatahydroelectricprojectwasproposed,andnotonanyinherentcharacteristicoftheriveritself.Baseduponthecon~entofyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement,IhavefoundnocompellingreasonwhyDevilCanyonshouldnotremainfreeanduncontrolled,amonumenttonatureandnoe,toman,orparticularlytotheCorpsofEnqineersorourConqressionaldeleqation.Pleaseincludemystatementinyourrecordoforaltestimony76769-7370 -81-49.,308309thethreeAlaskanriversmentioned,theAlsekandtheBremnerareinaccessiblebyboatersateithertheiroriqinortheirtermin\ls.Bycontrast,DevilCanyoncanbereachedontheDenaliHiqhwayfordeparture,anditste~inuslieson&heParksHiqhway.Recre-ationalwhitewaterboatihqisoneofthefastest-qrowinqsportsinthenation,andparticularlyinAlaska,yetwehavenoanalysisofthisincreaseinpopularityinyourImpactStatement.Onthecontrary,youronlystatemen~sconcerninqoutdoorrecreationists,ortowhitewaterboatersinparticular,arerepeatedreferencesto"afewhardysouls"witiaveiledimplicationsthatanyonewhotriesto~akanyportionofDevilCanyonhasadeathwish.Yourimpactstatementfailstoanalyzethetremendousqrowthofself-propelledsports,suchasmountain~erinq,hikinq,backpackinq,andwhitewaterboatinq.Instead,itassumeswithoutbasisinfactthattheDevilCanyonareahasnopresentorfuturepoten-tialforthesesports,andcanonlybemadeavailableforrecrea-tionusersbycreatinqsomesortofartificialaccess,suchas'resevoirsandroads.TheDraftImpactStatementdoesnotdiscusstheproposedTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkandtheeffectsucharesevoirmighthaveonthatproposal.Nordoesitdisc~ssthefederallandssurroundingtheresevoirproposalwhichmaybese-lectedbyCookInletNativeRegionalCorporation,ormaybetradedtotheStateofAlaskaasanadditiontotheTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkproposal.Withincreasedmechanizedaccessbeinqoneoftheprimefeaturesoftheproject,itwillalmostcertainlyh~ve'sometypeofimpactuponaStateParkproposal.Whatvaluewasaddedtoyourbenefit-costratiofortherecreationopportunitieswhichyouforeseeasar~sultofconstructionoftheproject,anduponwhatfactorswerethesevaluesbased?Simplystated,IfeelthatthevalueofDevilCanyonofthe~usitnaRiver,asthefreest,wildest,mostviolentandmostimpressivefree-flowingriveronthecontinent,hasbeenentirelyoverlooked.Theriver,tomyknowledge,isstilleligibleforwildriverstatusunderfederallaw,andanydecisionbytheInteriorDepartmentnottorecommendtheriverin1973wasbasedonthefactthatahydroelectricprojectwasproposed,andnotonanyinherentcharacteristicoftheriveritself.Baseduponthecon~entofyourDraftEnvironmentalStatement,IhavefoundnocompellingreasonwhyDevilCanyonshouldnotremainfreeanduncontrolled,amonumenttonatureandnoe,toman,orparticularlytotheCorpsofEnqineersorourConqressionaldeleqation.Pleaseincludemystatementinyourrecordoforaltestimony76769-7370 -81-49.,308309
310concerningthisproposedproject.IamalsosubmittingawrittenstatementwhichIwouldlikeincludedinyourhearingrecord.IwillexpecttoreceivecopiesofanyfurtherpUbliccorrespondencewhichyoumaYissueasconsiderationofthefeasibilityofthisproposedprojectcontinues.Inaddition,Iwouldexpecttore-ceiveyourFinalEnvironm~~ta1ImpactStatementconcerninghydro-electricprojectfeasibilityinSouthcentra1Alaska.Thankyouverymuch.~{~ThomasE.Meacham1410"H"StreetAnchorage,Alaska99501768310concerningthisproposedproject.IamalsosubmittingawrittenstatementwhichIwouldlikeincludedinyourhearingrecord.IwillexpecttoreceivecopiesofanyfurtherpUbliccorrespondencewhichyoumaYissueasconsiderationofthefeasibilityofthisproposedprojectcontinues.Inaddition,Iwouldexpecttore-ceiveyourFinalEnvironm~~ta1ImpactStatementconcerninghydro-electricprojectfeasibilityinSouthcentra1Alaska.Thankyouverymuch.~{~ThomasE.Meacham1410"H"StreetAnchorage,Alaska99501768
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFTHOMASE.MEACHAMDATED,7OCTOBER1975282JhetimingoftheissuanceoftheDEIS(22September)andtheschedulingofthePublicMeeting(s)(7and8OctoberinAnchorageandFairbanks)wereresponsivetoCEQguidelines.GuidelinesforagencycompliancewithNEPAarepromulgatedbythePresident'sCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.Theseguidelinesstipulatea45-dayreviewperiodfortheDEISfollowingtheanhouncemriltofitsavailabilityintheFederalRegister.SuchannouncementwasmadeintheFederalRegisterprintedon3October1975.Thus;theperi~dforpublicreviewandcommentonthedocumentdoesnotexpireuntil17November1975.Withregardtopublichearings,CEQguidelinesstipulatethataDEISbemadeavailableatleast15dayspriortothetimeofsuchhearings.ThisrequirementwasmetinschedulingthePublicMeetinginAnchorageon7October1975.OpportunityforpublicinputintotheDEISinthisinstanceis57days--from22Septemberto17November1975.Actually,commentsreceivedby3December1975areincludedintheEIS.PublicMeetings(hearings)aredesignedtoinvolvepublicparticipationinacontinuoustwo-waycommunicationprocesswhichfnvolveskeepingthepublicfullyinformedonthestatusandprogressofstudiesandfindingsofplanformulationandevaluationactivities.Itisameansofactivelysolicitingfromagencies,groups,andindividualstheiropinionsandperceptionsofobjectivesandneeds.And,finally,itisonetoolfordeterminingpublic-preferencesregardingresourceuseandalternativesthereto.TwoprevioussetsofmeetingshadbeenconductedpriortotheOctobermeetings.Thefirstinformedthepublicthatthestudywasunderwayandsolicitedtheirviewsastothedirectionitshouldtakeandastowhatspecificconcerns,wishes,orinputstheyhadrelativetothestudysubjectmatter,thestudyarea,andanyotheralliedfieldstheycaredtoaddress.Thesecondsetofmeetingsreportedtothemthestudyprogress,especiallyanumberofpossiblealternativemeansofaccomplishing(andeventheoptionofforegoingaccomplishing)thebasicstudypurposeofprovidingelectricalenergytosupplyprojectedareaneeds.Onceagainthecomments,desires,andinputs(bothfactualandintangible)ofthepublicweresolicited.Thelatestmeetingscontinuedthepreviousprogressfromgeneraltospecificbypresentingtheendresultsofthepreceedingstudies,expressedpublicopinionsandwishes,andweighingofthe.manytechnical,environmental,andeconomicaspectsofthealternatives.769RESPONSETOCOMMENTSOFTHOMASE.MEACHAMDATED,7OCTOBER1975282JhetimingoftheissuanceoftheDEIS(22September)andtheschedulingofthePublicMeeting(s)(7and8OctoberinAnchorageandFairbanks)wereresponsivetoCEQguidelines.GuidelinesforagencycompliancewithNEPAarepromulgatedbythePresident'sCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.Theseguidelinesstipulatea45-dayreviewperiodfortheDEISfollowingtheanhouncemriltofitsavailabilityintheFederalRegister.SuchannouncementwasmadeintheFederalRegisterprintedon3October1975.Thus;theperi~dforpublicreviewandcommentonthedocumentdoesnotexpireuntil17November1975.Withregardtopublichearings,CEQguidelinesstipulatethataDEISbemadeavailableatleast15dayspriortothetimeofsuchhearings.ThisrequirementwasmetinschedulingthePublicMeetinginAnchorageon7October1975.OpportunityforpublicinputintotheDEISinthisinstanceis57days--from22Septemberto17November1975.Actually,commentsreceivedby3December1975areincludedintheEIS.PublicMeetings(hearings)aredesignedtoinvolvepublicparticipationinacontinuoustwo-waycommunicationprocesswhichfnvolveskeepingthepublicfullyinformedonthestatusandprogressofstudiesandfindingsofplanformulationandevaluationactivities.Itisameansofactivelysolicitingfromagencies,groups,andindividualstheiropinionsandperceptionsofobjectivesandneeds.And,finally,itisonetoolfordeterminingpublic-preferencesregardingresourceuseandalternativesthereto.TwoprevioussetsofmeetingshadbeenconductedpriortotheOctobermeetings.Thefirstinformedthepublicthatthestudywasunderwayandsolicitedtheirviewsastothedirectionitshouldtakeandastowhatspecificconcerns,wishes,orinputstheyhadrelativetothestudysubjectmatter,thestudyarea,andanyotheralliedfieldstheycaredtoaddress.Thesecondsetofmeetingsreportedtothemthestudyprogress,especiallyanumberofpossiblealternativemeansofaccomplishing(andeventheoptionofforegoingaccomplishing)thebasicstudypurposeofprovidingelectricalenergytosupplyprojectedareaneeds.Onceagainthecomments,desires,andinputs(bothfactualandintangible)ofthepublicweresolicited.Thelatestmeetingscontinuedthepreviousprogressfromgeneraltospecificbypresentingtheendresultsofthepreceedingstudies,expressedpublicopinionsandwishes,andweighingofthe.manytechnical,environmental,andeconomicaspectsofthealternatives.769
283RelatedtotheabovemisunderstandingofthepublicreviewperiodoftheDEIS,thereappearstobesomeconfusionastothepurposeandscopeofthisdocument.Simplystated,underNEPA(PublicLaw91-190),asummarydocument(EIS)mustbepreparedoutliningforpublicscrutiny(andreviewbyFederal,State,andlocalagencies)thesionificantimpacts(bothadverseandfavorable)whichcanbereasonabl.-;--(,-"eseentoresultfromaspecificcourseofactionproposedbydFederalagency.Thecontentofthedocumentisout-linedtoincludefivemajorareasofdiscussion.Theyare:theenvironmentalimpactoftheproposedaction;andadverseenvironmentaleffectswhichcannotbeavoidedshouldtheproposalbeimplemented;alternativestotheproposedaction;therelationshipbetweenlocalshort-termusesofman'senvironmentandthemaintenanceandenhancementoflong-termprod~ctivity;andanyirreversibleandirretrievablecommitmentsofresourceswhichwouldbeinvolvedintheproposedactionshoulditbeimplemented.Agreatbodyofinterpretations,regulations,legaldecisions,andpolicieshavesubsequentlyevolvedtomorespecificallydefine theprocedures,formats,detailedcontents,andprocessingofthevariousand'sundryversionsofEIS's.Thefeasibilityreportisaseparateanddistinctdocumentwhichexaminesindetailmanyofthequestionsyouraise.Thisdocument,aswellastheDEIS,containsdatawhichweresummarizedatthePublicMeeting.Becausethereportcouldnotbefinalizeduntilthepublicviewsonitsgeneralcontent,especiallyon.theconclusionandrecommendationstobecontainedtherein,itcouldnot,ofcourse,bepublishedpriortothemeetingssettoobtain,thoseviews.Itisnowbeinggivenfinalrevisionsasaresultofthemeetingsandofreviewbyhigherauthority.284ThegrowthrateprojectionsforenergydemandarebytheAlaskaPowerAdministration(APA).Theyreflecta1975revisionofthefiguresfromthe1974AlaskaPowerSurvey.ThemajorcompetitiveprojectionsarethosepublishedbyOBERS(OfficeofBusiness[conomics--nowrenamedBureauofEconomicAnalysis--andEconomicResearchService).Theseprojectionsarebasedalmostsolelyonpopulationtrendsandhavetodateconsistentlybadlyunder-estimatedallvarietiesofgrowthinAlaska.285Thealternativesmentionedhavebeenconsideredasapartofthefeasibilitystudy.Datafromallavailablesourceshavebeenutilized.Coalisfoundtobethemajoralternativetohydropower.286Hydrodeve10pmentmayormaynotsupplantdevelopmentofa1terna-tivepowersources.Theproposedprojectwillsupplytheareapowerdeficitonlytoaboutthemid-1990'swheneitheradditionalhydropowerorotheralternativesourceswillhavetobedeveloped.770283RelatedtotheabovemisunderstandingofthepublicreviewperiodoftheDEIS,thereappearstobesomeconfusionastothepurposeandscopeofthisdocument.Simplystated,underNEPA(PublicLaw91-190),asummarydocument(EIS)mustbepreparedoutliningforpublicscrutiny(andreviewbyFederal,State,andlocalagencies)thesionificantimpacts(bothadverseandfavorable)whichcanbereasonabl.-;--(,-"eseentoresultfromaspecificcourseofactionproposedbydFederalagency.Thecontentofthedocumentisout-linedtoincludefivemajorareasofdiscussion.Theyare:theenvironmentalimpactoftheproposedaction;andadverseenvironmentaleffectswhichcannotbeavoidedshouldtheproposalbeimplemented;alternativestotheproposedaction;therelationshipbetweenlocalshort-termusesofman'senvironmentandthemaintenanceandenhancementoflong-termprod~ctivity;andanyirreversibleandirretrievablecommitmentsofresourceswhichwouldbeinvolvedintheproposedactionshoulditbeimplemented.Agreatbodyofinterpretations,regulations,legaldecisions,andpolicieshavesubsequentlyevolvedtomorespecificallydefine theprocedures,formats,detailedcontents,andprocessingofthevariousand'sundryversionsofEIS's.Thefeasibilityreportisaseparateanddistinctdocumentwhichexaminesindetailmanyofthequestionsyouraise.Thisdocument,aswellastheDEIS,containsdatawhichweresummarizedatthePublicMeeting.Becausethereportcouldnotbefinalizeduntilthepublicviewsonitsgeneralcontent,especiallyon.theconclusionandrecommendationstobecontainedtherein,itcouldnot,ofcourse,bepublishedpriortothemeetingssettoobtain,thoseviews.Itisnowbeinggivenfinalrevisionsasaresultofthemeetingsandofreviewbyhigherauthority.284ThegrowthrateprojectionsforenergydemandarebytheAlaskaPowerAdministration(APA).Theyreflecta1975revisionofthefiguresfromthe1974AlaskaPowerSurvey.ThemajorcompetitiveprojectionsarethosepublishedbyOBERS(OfficeofBusiness[conomics--nowrenamedBureauofEconomicAnalysis--andEconomicResearchService).Theseprojectionsarebasedalmostsolelyonpopulationtrendsandhavetodateconsistentlybadlyunder-estimatedallvarietiesofgrowthinAlaska.285Thealternativesmentionedhavebeenconsideredasapartofthefeasibilitystudy.Datafromallavailablesourceshavebeenutilized.Coalisfoundtobethemajoralternativetohydropower.286Hydrodeve10pmentmayormaynotsupplantdevelopmentofa1terna-tivepowersources.Theproposedprojectwillsupplytheareapowerdeficitonlytoaboutthemid-1990'swheneitheradditionalhydropowerorotheralternativesourceswillhavetobedeveloped.770
287Commentnoted.288Thecapacityofthetwo-damprojectisnotexcessive.TheelectricaloutputislessthanthreetimesthepresentRailbeltneed(notsixtimesthepresentStateneed,asyoustate).Assuch,inconjunctionwithpresentsystems(andanyothersdevelopedtomeetthedemandgrowthpriortohydropoweravailability),theproposedsystemwillsatisfythemid-rangedemandcurveuntilthe1990'swhenadditionalpowerwillbeneeded.289AlaskaPowerAdministration(APA),aDepartmentofInterioragency,willmanagetheprojectmuchinthewayBonnevillePowerAdministrationmanagestheFederalhyorosysteminthePacificNorthwest.TheyarenotsubjecttoAPUCregulation,butworkcloselywiththem.29UYe.s.However,thereisverylittlesecondaryenergyassociatedwiththeproposedplan.Suchenergyisnotdesignedintoaplan,butisaresultofdefiningthe"firm"energyasthatwhichcanbeproducedintheworstwateryear(drought).Thus,inmo~tyears,thereisadditionalwateravailabletoproduce"secondary"energywhich,becauseitcannotbeguaranteedtotheuser,isusuallysoldatadiscountonawhen-availablebasis.Thesecondarycapabilityoftheproposedplanisonlyabout12percentofthefirmenergyoutput.Again,APAisnotsubjecttoAPUCregulation,perse,butcooperatescloselywiththem.291.Theproposedprojectisnotintendedtobedeve1opmenta1,buttomeetaprojected,conservativegrowthprojection.Iftheprojectioniscorrect,thereshouldbelittleinthewayoflargeblocksofpoweravailabletoinduceextraordinaryindustrialization.Forfurtherresponsetothiscomment,seeresponsenumber255.2!l2Yes,somepermafrostislocatedbeneaththeWatanareservoirandmaybealsowithinaportionoftheDevilCanyonreservoir.Weforeseebothmeltingofthispermafrostandsomeerosionasaresult.However,theoverburdensubjecttoerosionissha11owoveramajorityofthesteep,rockycanyons,andtheneteffectsoneitherstoragecapacityortheshorelineshouldbeminor.2~~ThedownstreameffectsduringconstructionshouldbeminimalinasmuchastheentirenaturalriverflowswillbepassedbydiversiontunnelsuntilcompletionoftheWatanaDamabout1986.Atthattime,aregulated.flowconsistentwiththeneedsofdownstreamfisherymanagementwillbepasseduntilcompletionofDevilCanyonabout1990.AgaintheriverflowswillbedivertedthroughatunnelaroundtheDevilCanyondamsiteduringtheconstructionperiodatthatsite.Afterthat,fullregulatedflow,as771287Commentnoted.288Thecapacityofthetwo-damprojectisnotexcessive.TheelectricaloutputislessthanthreetimesthepresentRailbeltneed(notsixtimesthepresentStateneed,asyoustate).Assuch,inconjunctionwithpresentsystems(andanyothersdevelopedtomeetthedemandgrowthpriortohydropoweravailability),theproposedsystemwillsatisfythemid-rangedemandcurveuntilthe1990'swhenadditionalpowerwillbeneeded.289AlaskaPowerAdministration(APA),aDepartmentofInterioragency,willmanagetheprojectmuchinthewayBonnevillePowerAdministrationmanagestheFederalhyorosysteminthePacificNorthwest.TheyarenotsubjecttoAPUCregulation,butworkcloselywiththem.29UYe.s.However,thereisverylittlesecondaryenergyassociatedwiththeproposedplan.Suchenergyisnotdesignedintoaplan,butisaresultofdefiningthe"firm"energyasthatwhichcanbeproducedintheworstwateryear(drought).Thus,inmo~tyears,thereisadditionalwateravailabletoproduce"secondary"energywhich,becauseitcannotbeguaranteedtotheuser,isusuallysoldatadiscountonawhen-availablebasis.Thesecondarycapabilityoftheproposedplanisonlyabout12percentofthefirmenergyoutput.Again,APAisnotsubjecttoAPUCregulation,perse,butcooperatescloselywiththem.291.Theproposedprojectisnotintendedtobedeve1opmenta1,buttomeetaprojected,conservativegrowthprojection.Iftheprojectioniscorrect,thereshouldbelittleinthewayoflargeblocksofpoweravailabletoinduceextraordinaryindustrialization.Forfurtherresponsetothiscomment,seeresponsenumber255.2!l2Yes,somepermafrostislocatedbeneaththeWatanareservoirandmaybealsowithinaportionoftheDevilCanyonreservoir.Weforeseebothmeltingofthispermafrostandsomeerosionasaresult.However,theoverburdensubjecttoerosionissha11owoveramajorityofthesteep,rockycanyons,andtheneteffectsoneitherstoragecapacityortheshorelineshouldbeminor.2~~ThedownstreameffectsduringconstructionshouldbeminimalinasmuchastheentirenaturalriverflowswillbepassedbydiversiontunnelsuntilcompletionoftheWatanaDamabout1986.Atthattime,aregulated.flowconsistentwiththeneedsofdownstreamfisherymanagementwillbepasseduntilcompletionofDevilCanyonabout1990.AgaintheriverflowswillbedivertedthroughatunnelaroundtheDevilCanyondamsiteduringtheconstructionperiodatthatsite.Afterthat,fullregulatedflow,as771
297describedattheMeeting,willbereleased.Itisnowstandardproceduretominimizeconstructioninputsofturbidity-pollutantstotheriverduringconstructiontotheextentthatallconstructionwaterswillbecycledthroughsettlingbasins,etc.,ifsuchneedisfound.294Thelowlevel(lessthan35ppm)ofglacialIIflourllwhichweexpecttobepasseddownstreamyear-round(inlieuofhighlyturbidsummerflowsandveryclearwinterflows)issimilartothenaturalconditionsatKasilofRiver-TustumenaLakewherefishthriveverywell.Weforeseenonoticeableadverseimpactfromthissource.However,afinaldetermi-nationofth~seeffectswillnotbemadeuntildetailedstudies,someofwhicharecurrentlyunderway,arecompleted.2~5Thewintertimeflowvolume,eventhoughsubstantiallygreaterthanthatofminimumnaturalflows,isstillquitemoderateandshouldhavelittleadverseimpactondownstreamfishand/orwildlife.Theequalizationofthesummerandwinterflowsandtheeliminationofmostofthesedimentloadwilltendtochangethedimensionsattheriverandwillincreaseitserosivepotential,butnotnecessarilyactualerosion.Therockynatureofmuchofthecanyonbelowthedamsitewillresistanyregimechangeforcenturies.Onlyinareasofalluvialdepositswouldthetendenciesforconcentratedflowinanarrower,deeper,possiblymeanderingchannelmanifestthemselves.Furthermore,theywouldonlybenoticeableinthatportionoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamoftheChulitnaRiverconfluence.Inthepast,estimatesoferosiondownstreamofdamsiteshavebeentoogreat.Intheseestimates,thephenomenonofchannelarmoring(i.e.,thesmallsizematerialissweptawayandnotreplaced,leavingauniformlylargestonebottomhighlyresistanttofurthererosion)wasnotconsidered.Withthepresentstateoftheart,mostoftheabove-mentionedmorphologicalprocessesarecalculable,andanypotentiallyadverseeffectscanbeminimized.296Thepurposeofthemultilevelintakestructuresistoallowselectionofthewaterreleasedtoprecludejustsuchdownstreamqualityproblems.Noreleaseswillbemadefromthereservoirbottom,butonlyfromtheactivepowerpool--sayabouttheupperone-thirdtoone-halfthereser-voirdepth.Thepeakmonthlyflowwouldoccurduringamajorfloodandwouldbemuchlessthanthenaturalpeakflowsincethereservoirsofferstoragetoallowaspreadingofthetotalfloodvolumeoveraperiodofdaysratherthanafewhoursunderunregulatedconditions.Duringnon-floodperiodsthecombinedDevilCanyonandWatanasystemwouldbeoperatedsothatDevilCanyonwouldreregulatetheWatanareservoirdischargetoprovide772297describedattheMeeting,willbereleased.Itisnowstandardproceduretominimizeconstructioninputsofturbidity-pollutantstotheriverduringconstructiontotheextentthatallconstructionwaterswillbecycledthroughsettlingbasins,etc.,ifsuchneedisfound.294Thelowlevel(lessthan35ppm)ofglacialIIflourllwhichweexpecttobepasseddownstreamyear-round(inlieuofhighlyturbidsummerflowsandveryclearwinterflows)issimilartothenaturalconditionsatKasilofRiver-TustumenaLakewherefishthriveverywell.Weforeseenonoticeableadverseimpactfromthissource.However,afinaldetermi-nationofth~seeffectswillnotbemadeuntildetailedstudies,someofwhicharecurrentlyunderway,arecompleted.2~5Thewintertimeflowvolume,eventhoughsubstantiallygreaterthanthatofminimumnaturalflows,isstillquitemoderateandshouldhavelittleadverseimpactondownstreamfishand/orwildlife.Theequalizationofthesummerandwinterflowsandtheeliminationofmostofthesedimentloadwilltendtochangethedimensionsattheriverandwillincreaseitserosivepotential,butnotnecessarilyactualerosion.Therockynatureofmuchofthecanyonbelowthedamsitewillresistanyregimechangeforcenturies.Onlyinareasofalluvialdepositswouldthetendenciesforconcentratedflowinanarrower,deeper,possiblymeanderingchannelmanifestthemselves.Furthermore,theywouldonlybenoticeableinthatportionoftheSusitnaRiverupstreamoftheChulitnaRiverconfluence.Inthepast,estimatesoferosiondownstreamofdamsiteshavebeentoogreat.Intheseestimates,thephenomenonofchannelarmoring(i.e.,thesmallsizematerialissweptawayandnotreplaced,leavingauniformlylargestonebottomhighlyresistanttofurthererosion)wasnotconsidered.Withthepresentstateoftheart,mostoftheabove-mentionedmorphologicalprocessesarecalculable,andanypotentiallyadverseeffectscanbeminimized.296Thepurposeofthemultilevelintakestructuresistoallowselectionofthewaterreleasedtoprecludejustsuchdownstreamqualityproblems.Noreleaseswillbemadefromthereservoirbottom,butonlyfromtheactivepowerpool--sayabouttheupperone-thirdtoone-halfthereser-voirdepth.Thepeakmonthlyflowwouldoccurduringamajorfloodandwouldbemuchlessthanthenaturalpeakflowsincethereservoirsofferstoragetoallowaspreadingofthetotalfloodvolumeoveraperiodofdaysratherthanafewhoursunderunregulatedconditions.Duringnon-floodperiodsthecombinedDevilCanyonandWatanasystemwouldbeoperatedsothatDevilCanyonwouldreregulatetheWatanareservoirdischargetoprovide772
nearlyconstanthourlystreamfl.owbelowDevilCanyon.DevilCanyontineffecttwillbeservingacomponentofthebaseloadofthesystemandWatanawouldbeutilizedtoservepeakingrequirements.Thecompositeeffectof"thisoperationwouldprovideanearlyconstanthourlyhydro-graphfortheriverreachbelowDevilCanyon.2~8Fraziliceisashort-termearlywinterphenomenoninvolvingaspecificsetofmeteorologicalconditionsinassociationwithshallow,clearrapidlyflowingwatertandtheabsenceoficecover.TheverydeeptmilkYtrelatively'placidwatersofthereservoirsaretotallyoppositetotheconditionsfavorabletofraziliceformation.BethatasitmaYtifsuchicedidformtt~ecapabilityofselectivewithdrawalofdeeper-lyingtwarmerwatersprovidedbythemultilevelintakesystemwouldofferasimpletimmediatetbuilt-insolutiontotheproblem.29~TheestimatedRailbeltenergydemandfor1975is2.4billionkilowatt-hoursttheequivalenttoconsumptionof5.2millionbarrelsofoil.SOOIntermsofconstructioncoststyes;intermsofenergyconsumed,no.Sl)lTheanswerdependsonwhatvalueisassignedtotoday'soil.Atapriceof$13perbarrelforoilfromOPECnations,theproject'sfirstcostisequivalenttoapproximately115millionbarrelsofcrudeoil.Itshouldbenotedthattheenergyprovidedbytheprojectoverits100-yeareconomiclifewillresultinnon-useofover1.5billionbarrelsofoiloritsenergyequivalentofover11trillioncubicfeetofnaturalgas.It;salsolikelythatfutureoilpricescouldincreasesubstantially.Sl)2Thequoted6.1billionkilowatt-hoursreflectthenetannualpowerdeliveredtothetwodistributioncenterstPt.MackenzieforAnchorageandEster-GoldHillforFa;rbankstafterdeductionoftransmissionlossesestimatedat0.7percentofprimeenergy.Theapproximatesplitofdeliveredenergyis25percenttoFairbanksand75percenttoAnchorage.303Thebasicbenef{tsareshownonpage106oftheEIS.TheinterestrateisthatsetbyregulationoftheWaterResourceCouncilforuseineconomicevaluationofFederalprojectstandreflectsthegovernment'scostinborrowingmoney.Sedimentationiscalculatedtoreduc~thesystemstoragecapacityby4.2percentin100years.Mostoftheloststorageisinthe"deadstorage"zonetnotavailableforpowerproductioninanycase.Thesystempoweroutputreflectsthestoragelosttosedimentationoverthe100-yearprojectlife.Alsoseeresponsenumber121.773nearlyconstanthourlystreamfl.owbelowDevilCanyon.DevilCanyontineffecttwillbeservingacomponentofthebaseloadofthesystemandWatanawouldbeutilizedtoservepeakingrequirements.Thecompositeeffectof"thisoperationwouldprovideanearlyconstanthourlyhydro-graphfortheriverreachbelowDevilCanyon.2~8Fraziliceisashort-termearlywinterphenomenoninvolvingaspecificsetofmeteorologicalconditionsinassociationwithshallow,clearrapidlyflowingwatertandtheabsenceoficecover.TheverydeeptmilkYtrelatively'placidwatersofthereservoirsaretotallyoppositetotheconditionsfavorabletofraziliceformation.BethatasitmaYtifsuchicedidformtt~ecapabilityofselectivewithdrawalofdeeper-lyingtwarmerwatersprovidedbythemultilevelintakesystemwouldofferasimpletimmediatetbuilt-insolutiontotheproblem.29~TheestimatedRailbeltenergydemandfor1975is2.4billionkilowatt-hoursttheequivalenttoconsumptionof5.2millionbarrelsofoil.SOOIntermsofconstructioncoststyes;intermsofenergyconsumed,no.Sl)lTheanswerdependsonwhatvalueisassignedtotoday'soil.Atapriceof$13perbarrelforoilfromOPECnations,theproject'sfirstcostisequivalenttoapproximately115millionbarrelsofcrudeoil.Itshouldbenotedthattheenergyprovidedbytheprojectoverits100-yeareconomiclifewillresultinnon-useofover1.5billionbarrelsofoiloritsenergyequivalentofover11trillioncubicfeetofnaturalgas.It;salsolikelythatfutureoilpricescouldincreasesubstantially.Sl)2Thequoted6.1billionkilowatt-hoursreflectthenetannualpowerdeliveredtothetwodistributioncenterstPt.MackenzieforAnchorageandEster-GoldHillforFa;rbankstafterdeductionoftransmissionlossesestimatedat0.7percentofprimeenergy.Theapproximatesplitofdeliveredenergyis25percenttoFairbanksand75percenttoAnchorage.303Thebasicbenef{tsareshownonpage106oftheEIS.TheinterestrateisthatsetbyregulationoftheWaterResourceCouncilforuseineconomicevaluationofFederalprojectstandreflectsthegovernment'scostinborrowingmoney.Sedimentationiscalculatedtoreduc~thesystemstoragecapacityby4.2percentin100years.Mostoftheloststorageisinthe"deadstorage"zonetnotavailableforpowerproductioninanycase.Thesystempoweroutputreflectsthestoragelosttosedimentationoverthe100-yearprojectlife.Alsoseeresponsenumber121.773
3"'4ThelOO-yearlifeisaCorpsofEngineersstandardforthistypeofproject,usedincdmputationofprojecteconomics.ThispolicyisacceptedbytheWaterResourcesCouncilandbyCongress.Theactualusefullifeofthestructuresshouldexceedthe100yearsbyalargemargin.TheCorpshasdatafromprojectslocatedonmanytypesofrivers.Itisfromthisdatathatastandardmethodologyofcalculatingsedimentationrateshasbeendeveloped.ToattemptcorrelationofsedimentationoftheupperSusitnaRiverwithotherriversonlyonthebasisoffloworstorageofwaterismeaningless.Manyfactors,includingbutnotlimitedtogeologyofthebasins,rivergradients~precipitationpatterns,runoffcharacteristics,andtopography,influencesedimentationandmustbeconsideredtodetermineanyvalidcorrelation.3()5Increasedkineticenergyintheformofhighwatervelocitiesduetothelargeheadofwaterbehindthedamisdissipatedatthedam.Mostoftheenergyisabsorbedbythepowerstationturbines.Spillwayandoutletworksreleasesspendtheirenergyinthedischargepoolbelowthedam.Thus,thedischargevelocityratiosinthecanyondownstreamofthedamarethesameafterprojectcompletionasundernaturalconditions.3t'bFloodcontrolisaprojectbenefit.ThepresentadverseeffectoffloodsonhumanityislimitedtodamagestotheAlaskaRailroad.Pre-ventionofthesedamagesisthesoleclaimedfloodcontrolbenefit.Asthedownstreamareadevelops,therewillbeagrowthinpopulationandpropertywhichcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyunregulatedflows;however,noestimateofthisfuturebenefitisclaimed.Floodcontrolbenefitsareabout0.03of1percentofaverageannualprojectbenefits.3()7TheSusitnaFault,althoughclosetotheproject,doesnothavetheprobabilityofcreatingasviolet(highmagnitude)anearthquakeasthemoredistantDenaliFault.Itisforthisreasonthatan8.5RichterMaximumCredibleEarthquake(MCE)attheDenaliFault(40milesdistant)wasselectedfordesignpurposesoverthe6.0RichterMCEeventatSusitnaFault(2.5milesdistant).TheturbiditylevelispredictedonthebasisofallsettleablesolidsbeingtrappedbythetWdreservoirswithonlythesuspendedsolids(glacialflour),15-35ppmbeingreleasedatDevilCanyonDam.Thepresentsummersedimentloadoftheriverisattributabletoeasilyerodab1esoilsinthe~pperbasinandisnotanindicationthatsigni-ficantmaterialisbeingpickedupdownstreamofthecanyons.Infact,thelowerriverbedisrelativelystableunderallbutextremelyhighflowsbecauseofthegravel-cobblenatureofthebedmaterials.7743"'4ThelOO-yearlifeisaCorpsofEngineersstandardforthistypeofproject,usedincdmputationofprojecteconomics.ThispolicyisacceptedbytheWaterResourcesCouncilandbyCongress.Theactualusefullifeofthestructuresshouldexceedthe100yearsbyalargemargin.TheCorpshasdatafromprojectslocatedonmanytypesofrivers.Itisfromthisdatathatastandardmethodologyofcalculatingsedimentationrateshasbeendeveloped.ToattemptcorrelationofsedimentationoftheupperSusitnaRiverwithotherriversonlyonthebasisoffloworstorageofwaterismeaningless.Manyfactors,includingbutnotlimitedtogeologyofthebasins,rivergradients~precipitationpatterns,runoffcharacteristics,andtopography,influencesedimentationandmustbeconsideredtodetermineanyvalidcorrelation.3()5Increasedkineticenergyintheformofhighwatervelocitiesduetothelargeheadofwaterbehindthedamisdissipatedatthedam.Mostoftheenergyisabsorbedbythepowerstationturbines.Spillwayandoutletworksreleasesspendtheirenergyinthedischargepoolbelowthedam.Thus,thedischargevelocityratiosinthecanyondownstreamofthedamarethesameafterprojectcompletionasundernaturalconditions.3t'bFloodcontrolisaprojectbenefit.ThepresentadverseeffectoffloodsonhumanityislimitedtodamagestotheAlaskaRailroad.Pre-ventionofthesedamagesisthesoleclaimedfloodcontrolbenefit.Asthedownstreamareadevelops,therewillbeagrowthinpopulationandpropertywhichcouldbeadverselyaffectedbyunregulatedflows;however,noestimateofthisfuturebenefitisclaimed.Floodcontrolbenefitsareabout0.03of1percentofaverageannualprojectbenefits.3()7TheSusitnaFault,althoughclosetotheproject,doesnothavetheprobabilityofcreatingasviolet(highmagnitude)anearthquakeasthemoredistantDenaliFault.Itisforthisreasonthatan8.5RichterMaximumCredibleEarthquake(MCE)attheDenaliFault(40milesdistant)wasselectedfordesignpurposesoverthe6.0RichterMCEeventatSusitnaFault(2.5milesdistant).TheturbiditylevelispredictedonthebasisofallsettleablesolidsbeingtrappedbythetWdreservoirswithonlythesuspendedsolids(glacialflour),15-35ppmbeingreleasedatDevilCanyonDam.Thepresentsummersedimentloadoftheriverisattributabletoeasilyerodab1esoilsinthe~pperbasinandisnotanindicationthatsigni-ficantmaterialisbeingpickedupdownstreamofthecanyons.Infact,thelowerriverbedisrelativelystableunderallbutextremelyhighflowsbecauseofthegravel-cobblenatureofthebedmaterials.774
J-',4.TheDEISandfeasibilitystudydonotslighttherecreationalpotential,tJofthewhitewaterriver.Factually,theareaisisolated,haslittleaccess,nosupply-subsistencefacilities,andtheDevilCanyonportionoftheriverissoviolentastodiscourageallbutthemostskillfulkayakers.Asbestaswehavebeenabletodetermine,lessthanadozenattemptshavebeenmadetorunportionsoftherapidsinthelast50years.ItsclassificationasaClass6river,athreattothelifeofeventhemostskillfulboatsman,andtheaweofitsviolenceexhibitedinwrittenaccountsofsomewhohavechallengedtherapidsguaranteethatitsrecreationalusewouldbelimitedtoaveryfewpeople.Thereservoirscouldandwou~d,however,providerecreationalopportunitytobroadersectionsofthepublic,whileaboutthreemilesoftherapidswouldremaintochallengethewhitewaterenthusiasts.Astoignoringtheareapotentialfor"self-propelledsports,"ourviewisthatthesearethemostlikelyrecreationalusesforthelandssurroundingthereservoirs.Assuch,wehaveestimatedonlyalimitedrecreationaldevelopmentbasedoncamping-hiking-boating,ratherthanaheavyday-usetypeofdevelopment.TheDEISdoesnotdiscusstheconceptualTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkinasmuchastheStateDivisionofParkshasnotindicatedanyplanthattheprojectareashouldbeapartthereofwhenoriftheparkbecomesareality.Rather,theyhavediscouragedassociationoftheprojecttoocloselywiththeexistingDenaliStatePark,preferringthattheareabeconsideredaseparateStateRecreationAreaiftheStatebecomestheprojectrecreationalsponsor.ThefactthatthelandsformanymilestothesouthofreservoirsitesarepresentlysetasidefornativeselectionundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActwouldappeartoargueheavilyagai,nsttheprobabilitythattheproposedparkandprojectwouldbeinanywaycloselyassociated,atleastfortheforeseeablefuture.,J':.JCommentnoted.,.J.i.,iCommentnoted.775J-',4.TheDEISandfeasibilitystudydonotslighttherecreationalpotential,tJofthewhitewaterriver.Factually,theareaisisolated,haslittleaccess,nosupply-subsistencefacilities,andtheDevilCanyonportionoftheriverissoviolentastodiscourageallbutthemostskillfulkayakers.Asbestaswehavebeenabletodetermine,lessthanadozenattemptshavebeenmadetorunportionsoftherapidsinthelast50years.ItsclassificationasaClass6river,athreattothelifeofeventhemostskillfulboatsman,andtheaweofitsviolenceexhibitedinwrittenaccountsofsomewhohavechallengedtherapidsguaranteethatitsrecreationalusewouldbelimitedtoaveryfewpeople.Thereservoirscouldandwou~d,however,providerecreationalopportunitytobroadersectionsofthepublic,whileaboutthreemilesoftherapidswouldremaintochallengethewhitewaterenthusiasts.Astoignoringtheareapotentialfor"self-propelledsports,"ourviewisthatthesearethemostlikelyrecreationalusesforthelandssurroundingthereservoirs.Assuch,wehaveestimatedonlyalimitedrecreationaldevelopmentbasedoncamping-hiking-boating,ratherthanaheavyday-usetypeofdevelopment.TheDEISdoesnotdiscusstheconceptualTalkeetnaMountainsStateParkinasmuchastheStateDivisionofParkshasnotindicatedanyplanthattheprojectareashouldbeapartthereofwhenoriftheparkbecomesareality.Rather,theyhavediscouragedassociationoftheprojecttoocloselywiththeexistingDenaliStatePark,preferringthattheareabeconsideredaseparateStateRecreationAreaiftheStatebecomestheprojectrecreationalsponsor.ThefactthatthelandsformanymilestothesouthofreservoirsitesarepresentlysetasidefornativeselectionundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActwouldappeartoargueheavilyagai,nsttheprobabilitythattheproposedparkandprojectwouldbeinanywaycloselyassociated,atleastfortheforeseeablefuture.,J':.JCommentnoted.,.J.i.,iCommentnoted.775
. ..philipn.osborn•geologicconsuItant'l-"HDAVE.H.E.eBELLEVUE,WA91004e(206)4~••3~1'17Ootober1975Col.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerDepArtmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistriot,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anohorage,Alaska99510SUBJECT:.DraftEnvironmentalImpaotStatement:HydroeleotricPowerDevelop-ment,UpperSusi:naRiverBasin,SouthoentralRailb6ltArea,AlaskaGentlemen:'!'hefollowingmaterialissubmittedforinolusioninthereoordsofthepublicmeetingof7Ootober1975,RE:SouthoentralRailbeltArea,HydroeleotrioPower~tudy,andasspecifiooommentinreply.totheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementreoentlyissuedbytheCorpsinrelationtothisstudy.WithinmycapaoityasageologicconsultantIhavehadpreviousimputtothisstudy;speoifioally,inpreparingareoonnaissanoegeologiostudyoftheUpperSusitnaRiverwatershedforthereporttotheCorpsbyJonesandJones;UpperSusitna~,Alaska:A!lInventory~Evaluationof~Environmental,Aesthetio,~RecreationalResouroes.Myoommentsarerestriotedtothe.geologicaspectsoftheproposedprojectandwithinthisdisciplinetotheinherentseismiodangersofthesiteandthegeomorphologioaladjustmentswhiohmayensueoonstruotionoftheproject.IhavethoroughlyreviewedtheDraftErSandhavepersonallyoommunioatedwithMr.YouldandMr.Chandlei-.RespeotfUllysubmitted,'1Jt;t..No'({k~nip•OsbornGeolog0ConsultantEno.776. ..philipn.osborn•geologicconsuItant'l-"HDAVE.H.E.eBELLEVUE,WA91004e(206)4~••3~1'17Ootober1975Col.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerDepArtmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistriot,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anohorage,Alaska99510SUBJECT:.DraftEnvironmentalImpaotStatement:HydroeleotricPowerDevelop-ment,UpperSusi:naRiverBasin,SouthoentralRailb6ltArea,AlaskaGentlemen:'!'hefollowingmaterialissubmittedforinolusioninthereoordsofthepublicmeetingof7Ootober1975,RE:SouthoentralRailbeltArea,HydroeleotrioPower~tudy,andasspecifiooommentinreply.totheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementreoentlyissuedbytheCorpsinrelationtothisstudy.WithinmycapaoityasageologicconsultantIhavehadpreviousimputtothisstudy;speoifioally,inpreparingareoonnaissanoegeologiostudyoftheUpperSusitnaRiverwatershedforthereporttotheCorpsbyJonesandJones;UpperSusitna~,Alaska:A!lInventory~Evaluationof~Environmental,Aesthetio,~RecreationalResouroes.Myoommentsarerestriotedtothe.geologicaspectsoftheproposedprojectandwithinthisdisciplinetotheinherentseismiodangersofthesiteandthegeomorphologioaladjustmentswhiohmayensueoonstruotionoftheproject.IhavethoroughlyreviewedtheDraftErSandhavepersonallyoommunioatedwithMr.YouldandMr.Chandlei-.RespeotfUllysubmitted,'1Jt;t..No'({k~nip•OsbornGeolog0ConsultantEno.776
TheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementforhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverbasincontainsinsufficientdatawithinthegeologicdiscipline.Thisdataisessentialtoacompleteandadaquateevaluationoftheproposedproject- -itsmerits,benefits,andcosts.Specifically:1)Thegeologicmaponpage16isincomplete;faultswhichtransecttheS\lsitnaBasinarenotshown.MajorfaultsintersecttheSueitnaRiverdown-streamfromTsusenaCreek(SusitnaFault),atVeeCanyon,upstreamfromtheconfluenceoftheSusitnaannMaclarenRivers,andnearDenali.SeveralsmallerfaultsarelocatedintheValdezCreekareaandatotherareaswithinthesite.Undoubtably,otherfaultsexistwithinthestudyregion;theymaybepresentlyinferredorunmappedduetotheimmenseareaandthelackofdetailedgeologicsurveillance.2)Thegeologicmapshowsnoindicationofstructuralfeatures,particu-larlyinDevilCanyon.AlargerscalemapshouldbeincludedshowingfaUlts,joints,shearzones,andlithologyoftheUpperSusitnaBasinattheproposeddamsites.Specifically,atDevilCanyon,amasterjointsetstrikingN.250W.anddipping800east,aminorjointsetstrikingeast-westanddippingnorth,ashearzonewithstrikeanddipsimilartothemasterjointset,andthemassivephyllitelithologystrikingeast-westanddippingapproximately50-600southarenotshowntKachadoorian,1914;Osborn,1914;JonesandJones,1915).3)Thereisnomentionofactualmovementalongthemajorfaultswithinthestudyareaandthoseoutsidebutwhichcouldhavesignificanteffectonadamandreservoirsystem;inparticular,butnotlimitedto,thesefaultsandoffsetsshouldbementioned:DenaliFault~-post-Pleistocenedisplacementof120mmeasuredand200mfromaerialphotographinterpretation;TotchundaFault- -post-Wisconsandisplacementof210mtPage,1912);SusitnaFault- -11kmofdisplacementinferredfrommorphologicalexpression(usborn,1914)777TheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementforhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverbasincontainsinsufficientdatawithinthegeologicdiscipline.Thisdataisessentialtoacompleteandadaquateevaluationoftheproposedproject- -itsmerits,benefits,andcosts.Specifically:1)Thegeologicmaponpage16isincomplete;faultswhichtransecttheS\lsitnaBasinarenotshown.MajorfaultsintersecttheSueitnaRiverdown-streamfromTsusenaCreek(SusitnaFault),atVeeCanyon,upstreamfromtheconfluenceoftheSusitnaannMaclarenRivers,andnearDenali.SeveralsmallerfaultsarelocatedintheValdezCreekareaandatotherareaswithinthesite.Undoubtably,otherfaultsexistwithinthestudyregion;theymaybepresentlyinferredorunmappedduetotheimmenseareaandthelackofdetailedgeologicsurveillance.2)Thegeologicmapshowsnoindicationofstructuralfeatures,particu-larlyinDevilCanyon.AlargerscalemapshouldbeincludedshowingfaUlts,joints,shearzones,andlithologyoftheUpperSusitnaBasinattheproposeddamsites.Specifically,atDevilCanyon,amasterjointsetstrikingN.250W.anddipping800east,aminorjointsetstrikingeast-westanddippingnorth,ashearzonewithstrikeanddipsimilartothemasterjointset,andthemassivephyllitelithologystrikingeast-westanddippingapproximately50-600southarenotshowntKachadoorian,1914;Osborn,1914;JonesandJones,1915).3)Thereisnomentionofactualmovementalongthemajorfaultswithinthestudyareaandthoseoutsidebutwhichcouldhavesignificanteffectonadamandreservoirsystem;inparticular,butnotlimitedto,thesefaultsandoffsetsshouldbementioned:DenaliFault~-post-Pleistocenedisplacementof120mmeasuredand200mfromaerialphotographinterpretation;TotchundaFault- -post-Wisconsandisplacementof210mtPage,1912);SusitnaFault- -11kmofdisplacementinferredfrommorphologicalexpression(usborn,1914)777
4)Thepossibilityofanincreaseinseismioactivityasaresultofreservoirimpoundmentandfluctuationisnotmentioned.NotingtheImmeqiat~proximityoftheWatanareservoi~totheSusitnaFault,thispossibilityshoul6be.considered.Thisphenomenonhasbeenwidelyreoognizedandiswelldocumented,e.g.,increaseinearthquakeaotivityfollowingtheimpoundmontofLakeMeadbehindHooverDam{Richter,1958).5)ThereisnomentionoftherecurrenceperiodioityofBreatearthquakes{greaterthanS.O)withinSouthoentralAlaska.Agreatearthquakemaybe,..expectedapproximatelyonceevery30years{Sykes,1971)or16.7timesduringthereasonablelifespanofthedamstruoture...6)LargeportionsoftheUpperCopperRiverbasinsubsidedduringtheMaroh,1964earthquake{Plafker,1965).Theimplicationsoffurthersubsidenoeduringfutureearthquake3andthepossibility,howeverremote,.ofachangeindrainagepatternswherebytheWatanareservoirmightinvadetheUpperCopper'Riverbasinshouldbeanalyzed•.It·shouldbenotedthereisonly16~feetofelevA.tiongainfromthe'VlatanatullpoolleveltoLakeLouise.There.is'ahighprobabilitythattheCopperRiversystemhasbeentheoutle'tfortheUpperSuaitnaiirainageatleastonceandpossibly'severaltimesduringthegeologiohistoryoftheUpperSusitnaRiver{Osborn,1974).7)Itisabsolutelyimparativethatthepossibilityofaseichageneratedbyseismicactivityorlandslidewithineitherreservoirbeconsidered.Thesestandingwavescanhavedevastatingeffects,asevi~encedatLituyat. .Bay{Miller,1960),andhavebeenresponsibleforseveralovertoppingsand'damfailuresinhistoriotimes.Inaddition,thefollowinggeomorphologicalproblemsandquestions,shouldbeaddressed.0)Howwilltheaccumulationofsedimentatthebedload"dumping.ground"attheupperendoftheWatanareservoireffecttherivermorphology?4)Thepossibilityofanincreaseinseismioactivityasaresultofreservoirimpoundmentandfluctuationisnotmentioned.NotingtheImmeqiat~proximityoftheWatanareservoi~totheSusitnaFault,thispossibilityshoul6be.considered.Thisphenomenonhasbeenwidelyreoognizedandiswelldocumented,e.g.,increaseinearthquakeaotivityfollowingtheimpoundmontofLakeMeadbehindHooverDam{Richter,1958).5)ThereisnomentionoftherecurrenceperiodioityofBreatearthquakes{greaterthanS.O)withinSouthoentralAlaska.Agreatearthquakemaybe,..expectedapproximatelyonceevery30years{Sykes,1971)or16.7timesduringthereasonablelifespanofthedamstruoture...6)LargeportionsoftheUpperCopperRiverbasinsubsidedduringtheMaroh,1964earthquake{Plafker,1965).Theimplicationsoffurthersubsidenoeduringfutureearthquake3andthepossibility,howeverremote,.ofachangeindrainagepatternswherebytheWatanareservoirmightinvadetheUpperCopper'Riverbasinshouldbeanalyzed•.It·shouldbenotedthereisonly16~feetofelevA.tiongainfromthe'VlatanatullpoolleveltoLakeLouise.There.is'ahighprobabilitythattheCopperRiversystemhasbeentheoutle'tfortheUpperSuaitnaiirainageatleastonceandpossibly'severaltimesduringthegeologiohistoryoftheUpperSusitnaRiver{Osborn,1974).7)Itisabsolutelyimparativethatthepossibilityofaseichageneratedbyseismicactivityorlandslidewithineitherreservoirbeconsidered.Thesestandingwavescanhavedevastatingeffects,asevi~encedatLituyat..Bay{Miller,1960),andhavebeenresponsibleforseveralovertoppingsand'damfailuresinhistoriotimes.Inaddition,thefollowinggeomorphologicalproblemsandquestions,shouldbeaddressed.0)Howwilltheaccumulationofsedimentatthebedload"dumping.ground"attheupperendoftheWatanareservoireffecttherivermorphology?
r9)WhatchangeswilloccurindeltabuildingatthemouthoftheSusitnaRiverandwhataretheeffectsonsedimentationinTurnagainArmasaresultoflowersedimentloadsintheSusitna?{TheprincipalsourceareaofsedimentinTurnagain·:ArmistheSusitnadrainage.)10)Allexistingsedimentloadstudysamplesareinstantaneous;therearenocontinuoussamples.Duetothetremendoussedimentloadinthe30dayperiodfollowingbreakup{perhaps60-80%oftotal)whendischargesmayexceed90,000ofs,theexistingdata~$inadaquatetoallowvolumetrioextrapolationfora100yearperiod.11)WhateffectswillfluotuationsoftheWatanareservoirhaveonsolifluctionmasswastingandwilltherebeasubstantialinoreaseinshorelineerosion?12)Whateffectswillthetransmissionoorridorhaveonpermafrostintheareaoftraverse?Howwillthetransmissiontowersbeanohoredtopreventdislbcationbyheavin~ofthedisturbedsurfaoe?TheBeandm3nYotherquestions,problems,andinadaquaciessuggestthatthedocumentshouldbereturnedtotheSouthoentralRailbeltTaskTeamforadditionalstudiesandvoluminousadditionstotheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.1!:t!l:n.~~1311GeologioConsultant779r9)WhatchangeswilloccurindeltabuildingatthemouthoftheSusitnaRiverandwhataretheeffectsonsedimentationinTurnagainArmasaresultoflowersedimentloadsintheSusitna?{TheprincipalsourceareaofsedimentinTurnagain·:ArmistheSusitnadrainage.)10)Allexistingsedimentloadstudysamplesareinstantaneous;therearenocontinuoussamples.Duetothetremendoussedimentloadinthe30dayperiodfollowingbreakup{perhaps60-80%oftotal)whendischargesmayexceed90,000ofs,theexistingdata~$inadaquatetoallowvolumetrioextrapolationfora100yearperiod.11)WhateffectswillfluotuationsoftheWatanareservoirhaveonsolifluctionmasswastingandwilltherebeasubstantialinoreaseinshorelineerosion?12)Whateffectswillthetransmissionoorridorhaveonpermafrostintheareaoftraverse?Howwillthetransmissiontowersbeanohoredtopreventdislbcationbyheavin~ofthedisturbedsurfaoe?TheBeandm3nYotherquestions,problems,andinadaquaciessuggestthatthedocumentshouldbereturnedtotheSouthoentralRailbeltTaskTeamforadditionalstudiesandvoluminousadditionstotheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.1!:t!l:n.~~1311GeologioConsultant779
JonesandJones,1975,UpperSusitnaRiver,Alaska:AnInventorynndlWaluation2f~~nvironmental,Aesthetic,andRecreationalnesources.PreparedforAlankaDistrict,Corpaofj·)lgineers.KnchHdoorinn,R.,1974,GeologyoftheDevilCanyonDa.lISite,Alaska,Q.lieGeologicalRurveyOpenI"HeReport1A::A.Q..Miller,D.J.,1960,GiantWavesinLituyaBay,Alaska,U.S.Geol'ogicalSurvey.ProfessionalPaper.124::..Q..- -Osborn,PhilipN.,.197.4,GeologicReconnaissanceSl!theUpperSusitna!!..!:!!!:Watershed.PreparedforJonesandJones.Page,RobertA.,1972,CrustalDeformationontheDenaliFault,Alaska,1942-1970,Journal~.GeophysicalResearch,v.77,.p.1528.Plafker,George,1965,TectonicDeformationAssociatedwiththe1964AlaskaFArthquake,Science,v.148,p.1675.Richter,CharlesF.,1958,ElementarySeismology,SanFrancisco:W.H.l''reemanandCo..Sykes,l,ynnR.,1971,AftershockZonesofGreatEarthquakes,SeismicityGaps,andEarthquakePredictionforAlaskaandtheAleutians,JournalSl!GeophysicalResearch,v.16,p.8021.780JonesandJones,1975,UpperSusitnaRiver,Alaska:AnInventorynndlWaluation2f~~nvironmental,Aesthetic,andRecreationalnesources.PreparedforAlankaDistrict,Corpaofj·)lgineers.KnchHdoorinn,R.,1974,GeologyoftheDevilCanyonDa.lISite,Alaska,Q.lieGeologicalRurveyOpenI"HeReport1A::A.Q..Miller,D.J.,1960,GiantWavesinLituyaBay,Alaska,U.S.Geol'ogicalSurvey.ProfessionalPaper.124::..Q..- -Osborn,PhilipN.,.197.4,GeologicReconnaissanceSl!theUpperSusitna!!..!:!!!:Watershed.PreparedforJonesandJones.Page,RobertA.,1972,CrustalDeformationontheDenaliFault,Alaska,1942-1970,Journal~.GeophysicalResearch,v.77,.p.1528.Plafker,George,1965,TectonicDeformationAssociatedwiththe1964AlaskaFArthquake,Science,v.148,p.1675.Richter,CharlesF.,1958,ElementarySeismology,SanFrancisco:W.H.l''reemanandCo..Sykes,l,ynnR.,1971,AftershockZonesofGreatEarthquakes,SeismicityGaps,andEarthquakePredictionforAlaskaandtheAleutians,JournalSl!GeophysicalResearch,v.16,p.8021.780
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYPHILIPN.OSBORN311TheEISrecognizesthemostimportantandmajorgeologicaspects0ftheprojectarea.TheCorpsofEngineerswillstudyalloftheareasofgeologicconcernexpressedinMr.Osborn'sletterandmanymoregeo1ogicconditionsastheSouthcentra1Railbe1tstudycontinues.Tothisend,theCorpshasalreadyretainedtwocon-sultantsspecializedinthefieldoftectonicsandseismicHyofthearea.TheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyhasbeenaskedtodothegeologicalmappingoftheriverandreservoirs.Thiswouldincludetectonicsofthearea,landslidesintothereservoir,seichesinthereservoir,aswellastherequiredgeologicdataasoutlinedinCorpsofEngineers'regulationsandmanuals.781RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYPHILIPN.OSBORN311TheEISrecognizesthemostimportantandmajorgeologicaspects0ftheprojectarea.TheCorpsofEngineerswillstudyalloftheareasofgeologicconcernexpressedinMr.Osborn'sletterandmanymoregeo1ogicconditionsastheSouthcentra1Railbe1tstudycontinues.Tothisend,theCorpshasalreadyretainedtwocon-sultantsspecializedinthefieldoftectonicsandseismicHyofthearea.TheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyhasbeenaskedtodothegeologicalmappingoftheriverandreservoirs.Thiswouldincludetectonicsofthearea,landslidesintothereservoir,seichesinthereservoir,aswellastherequiredgeologicdataasoutlinedinCorpsofEngineers'regulationsandmanuals.781
Dee..r,i'r.IJ0riith,nhthG\-\-C;+t\kh~~CAY\V"Y\eeJt\...l'rnCl~th""'J~,ll,u9\tPhlpOJIthlA~thQWO1'0cJt\M~Clhth«upperSu~,tY\G\rive,..wClvlJpr(JJvCo4 •I'th'V\~\thC-\-\th.~pro1~d..,,~ofener'1YJe.-m~JJv'Y\CitiCAt\--(1~hac.c...oVw~C.ArrvbCA,b\~.Jow~turn'Int-kr<At~ofenerCfyqrvY\.Il\t\-c.1=-<4It·bCA",kjortqCAN~t-~piPth'~I-sFnU,h~Ith\Y\h.t,,<.\~o.~t,u~s~-.i,1,'.(,t.~Dev\ht.C4Y\1~~-n.D.(.'-h~~JC'.vn\.t)-Q~mOlo'r-eGV;)~~\,lt.;l.th.t.y._hUV~thtfAdrJeJClJVc"h+-CA.~ofF\(JoJ\~'\\e-s~\CAnJ.'>'thllJ\.AIav\~"h(A,\fotCA1~cA.\\tre.~v,nJl\~~hJl•I782.'\Dee..r,i'r.IJ0riith,nhthG\-\-C;+t\kh~~CAY\V"Y\eeJt\...l'rnCl~th""'J~,ll,u9\tPhlpOJIthlA~thQWO1'0cJt\M~Clhth«upperSu~,tY\G\rive,..wClvlJpr(JJvCo4•I'th'V\~\thC-\-\th.~pro1~d..,,~ofener'1YJe.-m~JJv'Y\CitiCAt\--(1~hac.c...oVw~C.ArrvbCA,b\~.Jow~turn'Int-kr<At~ofenerCfyqrvY\.Il\t\-c.1=-<4It·bCA",kjortqCAN~t-~piPth'~I-sFnU,h~Ith\Y\h.t,,<.\~o.~t,u~s~-.i,1,'.(,t.~Dev\ht.C4Y\1~~-n.D.(.'-h~~JC'.vn\.t)-Q~mOlo'r-eGV;)~~\,lt.;l.th.t.y._hUV~thtfAdrJeJClJVc"h+-CA.~ofF\(JoJ\~'\\e-s~\CAnJ.'>'thllJ\.AIav\~"h(A,\fotCA1~cA.\\tre.~v,nJl\~~hJl•I782.'\
IThp~(,~,1.JCJth,W\~thCIV~~th~t\rfAJQvy\J)+0b-tbUl\t\Y\A\<4~h,~t-htSUs-tt~..~(PlU<AFor)t~rlVtr's69-7370 -81-50312783IThp~(,~,1.JCJth,W\~thCIV~~th~t\rfAJQvy\J)+0b-tbUl\t\Y\A\<4~h,~t-htSUs-tt~..~(PlU<AFor)t~rlVtr's69-7370 -81-50312783
:312Commentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYCHRISTOPHERPEARSON784:312Commentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYCHRISTOPHERPEARSON784
P.O.Box171Anchorage,AK99510October11,1975Ct')l.CharlesA.DebcllusD1:;trlctr;nglnecrAI.1.:.;~~aDistrIct,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchora~c,AK995]0DenrCol.D:!bellusrIamuriUnC1nt:encralreferencetotheUpperSusitnaRiverProjoct.Althour"hIam<1.Gain:.t......hoprojectforenvironmentalandsocialimpactl'C'nnon~,l'\.Ioulrillk('tofocusmycommentsonnspecificpartofthe:.>tu<ly.ThefoIlO}/1np;comments,therefore,havotodo~llththetrans-micdoncorr1r1or,calli~dalternative"Susitna-l"IntheScptcmbnr1975draftoftheEnvlror!r.lcnlalAsscs::;mcntoftheSusltnaTran:;nic:.>ion:::yot.cm.whichFaralJ01:;t.h0/\lankaflailroadbetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCrock.AoaIXlrt-.}'carrc:.tcicntofLaneCreek,locatednearmile241.7oftheAln!;l:a!la'lrC'lad,IamdeeplyconcernedaboutthisparI.oftheproject.Iamnotalone:thorenrehundred~ofpnopll~who0wnorlca~elandandHhohavorecreationorresidencecabinsinthearoaaffnctedby"Suf:iitna-l"betweenTnlkcctnaandColdCrc~k.Ar.cc::mroad:..;w111rulnthisarea."hrln{~inginlarGer.mnocr:::ofpeopleandalltheattendantproblem::;,whichi:lproc1G~lyw!1atmc:o:tpeoplewhobuHtinthiE;a1'oal:antcdtogetawayfrom.Tnadditiontothorond3,thetransmi3:l1ontowcrn,litlc~,andclearedarea:;;willt~un:;1.c;ht]j'nndanimpairmentofthewildernessenvironment.Inreadjngtheabovemer-tinnedd~aft,IwassurprlncdanddifitreB5edattheincomplet.eand11l1nlead1nginformationwhichitcontalned.Iar.-.rcferingherotot-henat.r~cer:;andsupportln~textfortheEnvlror:rnentalAS5eszmcntandF:nvironmcn+'alImpactzectlonG.Althoughthedrn'f.'t"C'~IT.StohavebeenIntond--Hi1'1.:;;.:.15I\rcrflci::l.lstudy,theerrorsIwilJnotearr~noglarinc;thattheyr(lq\llr~commentandcorrectionbeforethedraft1:;;1l~0datiabasisforanydocin'onG.Thematrixforthlc:::ec:mentof"fJusitna-I"undorI':xlstin:.:Development:>indicatef.lcvoral)'nH£oad:..;topn,ofI~hlchL').ncinOlll~.Lannisnotevenaflag~;tor,:uv]In:;r]'thl'onformanyyear3.Thocurrtlrd.flLlEstopsarcmile232.2:;1).5,2J6,~J8.h,239.5,21J.L7,21~1~.6;and()t.tll~r:~nrwt.htoGoldCreok.J·::achofthc:.~~~tol):':;.rf'pr.o:>nntsrrallcommuniticfiofa:::cat.teredthreetotencab~n:;l!h\chI"'l'rl~~U~(~forrecreationorresldcne(',mo~:t.ly·thelatter.Thelocatlnr:"oi'th~C:lhi!1:~ranL;0uptothrenl!lll(l~,~ndoc;cablonallyfurther.n'ol1thernnrnadtracy:>.Ther.::J.trix·forInractzunrlcr.!'~xl:;tlngDcveloF(I:ich~"Ind1Gil::'cnnoimpact1nthisarea,althouChlowerdownonthepr;ct:1'.~:~tr~pb:1La!-:ccah.tn~arcrnl):ltlTJncd.Thetr:'xti:;equallyincomplete.Infnct,the··Irr.pact~jof'PreferredCorridorSusitna-l"(p~.JB)scar.cely~p'r,tlonztheTa:kcctr.~-ColdCrc~kneGmcntatall.785P.O.Box171Anchorage,AK99510October11,1975Ct')l.CharlesA.DebcllusD1:;trlctr;nglnecrAI.1.:.;~~aDistrIct,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchora~c,AK995]0DenrCol.D:!bellusrIamuriUnC1nt:encralreferencetotheUpperSusitnaRiverProjoct.Althour"hIam<1.Gain:.t......hoprojectforenvironmentalandsocialimpactl'C'nnon~,l'\.Ioulrillk('tofocusmycommentsonnspecificpartofthe:.>tu<ly.ThefoIlO}/1np;comments,therefore,havotodo~llththetrans-micdoncorr1r1or,calli~dalternative"Susitna-l"IntheScptcmbnr1975draftoftheEnvlror!r.lcnlalAsscs::;mcntoftheSusltnaTran:;nic:.>ion:::yot.cm.whichFaralJ01:;t.h0/\lankaflailroadbetweenTalkeetnaandGoldCrock.AoaIXlrt-.}'carrc:.tcicntofLaneCreek,locatednearmile241.7oftheAln!;l:a!la'lrC'lad,IamdeeplyconcernedaboutthisparI.oftheproject.Iamnotalone:thorenrehundred~ofpnopll~who0wnorlca~elandandHhohavorecreationorresidencecabinsinthearoaaffnctedby"Suf:iitna-l"betweenTnlkcctnaandColdCrc~k.Ar.cc::mroad:..;w111rulnthisarea."hrln{~inginlarGer.mnocr:::ofpeopleandalltheattendantproblem::;,whichi:lproc1G~lyw!1atmc:o:tpeoplewhobuHtinthiE;a1'oal:antcdtogetawayfrom.Tnadditiontothorond3,thetransmi3:l1ontowcrn,litlc~,andclearedarea:;;willt~un:;1.c;ht]j'nndanimpairmentofthewildernessenvironment.Inreadjngtheabovemer-tinnedd~aft,IwassurprlncdanddifitreB5edattheincomplet.eand11l1nlead1nginformationwhichitcontalned.Iar.-.rcferingherotot-henat.r~cer:;andsupportln~textfortheEnvlror:rnentalAS5eszmcntandF:nvironmcn+'alImpactzectlonG.Althoughthedrn'f.'t"C'~IT.StohavebeenIntond--Hi1'1.:;;.:.15I\rcrflci::l.lstudy,theerrorsIwilJnotearr~noglarinc;thattheyr(lq\llr~commentandcorrectionbeforethedraft1:;;1l~0datiabasisforanydocin'onG.Thematrixforthlc:::ec:mentof"fJusitna-I"undorI':xlstin:.:Development:>indicatef.lcvoral)'nH£oad:..;topn,ofI~hlchL').ncinOlll~.Lannisnotevenaflag~;tor,:uv]In:;r]'thl'onformanyyear3.Thocurrtlrd.flLlEstopsarcmile232.2:;1).5,2J6,~J8.h,239.5,21J.L7,21~1~.6;and()t.tll~r:~nrwt.htoGoldCreok.J·::achofthc:.~~~tol):':;.rf'pr.o:>nntsrrallcommuniticfiofa:::cat.teredthreetotencab~n:;l!h\chI"'l'rl~~U~(~forrecreationorresldcne(',mo~:t.ly·thelatter.Thelocatlnr:"oi'th~C:lhi!1:~ranL;0uptothrenl!lll(l~,~ndoc;cablonallyfurther.n'ol1thernnrnadtracy:>.Ther.::J.trix·forInractzunrlcr.!'~xl:;tlngDcveloF(I:ich~"Ind1Gil::'cnnoimpact1nthisarea,althouChlowerdownonthepr;ct:1'.~:~tr~pb:1La!-:ccah.tn~arcrnl):ltlTJncd.Thetr:'xti:;equallyincomplete.Infnct,the··Irr.pact~jof'PreferredCorridorSusitna-l"(p~.JB)scar.cely~p'r,tlonztheTa:kcctr.~-ColdCrc~kneGmcntatall.785
Therathersignificantov~rsigntofignorinethislarge~lockofpeopleandtheimpactth~"~~)~ltr.a-l·corridorwillhavoonthem,-indicatesavarysuperficialnnd,almoGtlrrcsponsl1ticanalysis.Inotethatthematlce~canbeca=-::')j'l!pdnt.cu.Inlightoftheimformationcont.."linedherein,Ihopethatth('dr:1ft,::latriccsandtext,'1111becorrected~forcbeinGc,ukJ..ttr:.-d-I;.~d~d:;~o:,tlo,korG.Awildcrnc~G1He~O'!'~j'~....1.~andalarGenumberofpeo~)lewlnbedest.royedifthetrnn~min:.;iort1:\'n('Garebuiltinthl::;corridor.' IwouldthereforeHkcto~~cctr.c"~:u::;U:''1:],-l''altcr.natlv~between'falkectnaandGoldCreekalXlndoncd.Ifthincannotb::do'nc,t.her.atlCiiGtstudyitcarefullytomlnlmlzl!theimp.lc:;.'fhcrcfo::-c,Icertainlyhopeyouw111considerheUcoptcrconstrtlctloninthl~areaandchoocnaroutewhichw111avoidpriva.telylC:l.:lt,doroWrlfl(11atv].R.JohnStrasenburgh31nccrc.ly,j "''/'/i..;~{.I..,I1.,,1' i..~.....,.ce.Scnator3GravelandZtcven~R~p!'(.'::;cnt,'lttv,:,Y~une!labr.r"~;".~,:;~~~,~~.:-'ow:r/,dr.:ini::;tratlon1786Therathersignificantov~rsigntofignorinethislarge~lockofpeopleandtheimpactth~"~~)~ltr.a-l·corridorwillhavoonthem,-indicatesavarysuperficialnnd,almoGtlrrcsponsl1ticanalysis.Inotethatthematlce~canbeca=-::')j'l!pdnt.cu.Inlightoftheimformationcont.."linedherein,Ihopethatth('dr:1ft,::latriccsandtext,'1111becorrected~forcbeinGc,ukJ..ttr:.-d-I;.~d~d:;~o:,tlo,korG.Awildcrnc~G1He~O'!'~j'~....1.~andalarGenumberofpeo~)lewlnbedest.royedifthetrnn~min:.;iort1:\'n('Garebuiltinthl::;corridor.'IwouldthereforeHkcto~~cctr.c"~:u::;U:''1:],-l''altcr.natlv~between'falkectnaandGoldCreekalXlndoncd.Ifthincannotb::do'nc,t.her.atlCiiGtstudyitcarefullytomlnlmlzl!theimp.lc:;.'fhcrcfo::-c,Icertainlyhopeyouw111considerheUcoptcrconstrtlctloninthl~areaandchoocnaroutewhichw111avoidpriva.telylC:l.:lt,doroWrlfl(11atv].R.JohnStrasenburgh31nccrc.ly,j"''/'/i..;~{.I..,I1.,,1' i..~.....,.ce.Scnator3GravelandZtcven~R~p!'(.'::;cnt,'lttv,:,Y~une!labr.r"~;".~,:;~~~,~~.:-'ow:r/,dr.:ini::;tratlon1786
3"13RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYR.JohnStrasenburghThestudyiscurrentlyinthefeasibilitystage,thusdetaileddesignandroutingofthetransmissionlinehasnotyetbeenaccomplished.Forthisreason,thepresentroutingofthelineisdesignatedasarelativelybroadstripoflandconstitutinga"corridor."AsstatedintheEnvironmentalAssessmentforTrans-missionSystems(APA):liToavoidpresumptionofprivatelands,thefinalroutewillbeflexibleenoughtocircumventsmallblocksofprivateland."Theassessmentgoesonatsomelengthdescribingtheactionswhichwillbetakentolessentheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlinewit',caregiventoproper designandlocations.Thesectionoftheassessmentdealingwithimpactsonscenicqualityandrecreationend~withthefollowingstatement:"Wheneverpossible,existingrights-of-wayshouldbesharedorparalleledtoavoidtheproblemsassociatedwithpioneeringacorridorininaccessibleareas.Trailsinthese"inaccessible"areasshould,however,beavoided;preservingwildernessqualityentailssharingorparallelingallrights-of-wayexcepttrails,andfromthese,linesshouldbeshieldedasmuchaspossible.UThus,preservationofthewildernesssettingwillbeamajorconsiderationintransmissionlinelocationandconstruction.7873"13RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYR.JohnStrasenburghThestudyiscurrentlyinthefeasibilitystage,thusdetaileddesignandroutingofthetransmissionlinehasnotyetbeenaccomplished.Forthisreason,thepresentroutingofthelineisdesignatedasarelativelybroadstripoflandconstitutinga"corridor."AsstatedintheEnvironmentalAssessmentforTrans-missionSystems(APA):liToavoidpresumptionofprivatelands,thefinalroutewillbeflexibleenoughtocircumventsmallblocksofprivateland."Theassessmentgoesonatsomelengthdescribingtheactionswhichwillbetakentolessentheobtrusivenessofthetransmissionlinewit',caregiventoproper designandlocations.Thesectionoftheassessmentdealingwithimpactsonscenicqualityandrecreationend~withthefollowingstatement:"Wheneverpossible,existingrights-of-wayshouldbesharedorparalleledtoavoidtheproblemsassociatedwithpioneeringacorridorininaccessibleareas.Trailsinthese"inaccessible"areasshould,however,beavoided;preservingwildernessqualityentailssharingorparallelingallrights-of-wayexcepttrails,andfromthese,linesshouldbeshieldedasmuchaspossible.UThus,preservationofthewildernesssettingwillbeamajorconsiderationintransmissionlinelocationandconstruction.787
STILLWATERCLINICBOX8COI.UMBUS,MONTANAOctober21,1975AlaGkaDistrictCorpofEngineersAnchorage,Alaska99500Re:UpperSusitnaBasinHydro-ElectricPower'Development~DearSirs:ItcomestomyattentionthatapowerdevelopmentinclUdingadamorseveraldamsintheupperSusitnaandDevil'sCanyonisstillbeingproposed.Itismyfeelingthatverylittle,thoughthasbeengiventotheenvironmentalimpactthatsuchaprojectwouldhave,andthepermanentlossofsometremendousriverfloatingandboatinginthefutureyears.Thisparticularstretchofriverisasmagnificent,asfarasriversgo,asMcKinleyiswhenoneconsidersitsrelationshiptoothermountains.1feelth::ltanymeasuretochangeordefacethisrivershouldbeascarefullyconsideredaswouldaproposaltochangeordefaceMountMcKinley.IwishyouwouldenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordasevidencethatthereisstrongoppositiontotheTh!vil'sCanyonDamthatwillpermanentlydestroythemarvelsofthiscanyon.CBS/eh314788Sincerelyyours(()~L-)....1~C····t'V~~~~)J/~VV?C.H.SwansonJr._M.D_VJSTILLWATERCLINICBOX8COI.UMBUS,MONTANAOctober21,1975AlaGkaDistrictCorpofEngineersAnchorage,Alaska99500Re:UpperSusitnaBasinHydro-ElectricPower'Development~DearSirs:ItcomestomyattentionthatapowerdevelopmentinclUdingadamorseveraldamsintheupperSusitnaandDevil'sCanyonisstillbeingproposed.Itismyfeelingthatverylittle,thoughthasbeengiventotheenvironmentalimpactthatsuchaprojectwouldhave,andthepermanentlossofsometremendousriverfloatingandboatinginthefutureyears.Thisparticularstretchofriverisasmagnificent,asfarasriversgo,asMcKinleyiswhenoneconsidersitsrelationshiptoothermountains.1feelth::ltanymeasuretochangeordefacethisrivershouldbeascarefullyconsideredaswouldaproposaltochangeordefaceMountMcKinley.IwishyouwouldenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordasevidencethatthereisstrongoppositiontotheTh!vil'sCanyonDamthatwillpermanentlydestroythemarvelsofthiscanyon.CBS/eh314788Sincerelyyours(()~L-)....1~C····t'V~~~~)J/~VV?C.H.SwansonJr._M.D_VJ
~11~LlCommentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYC.H.SWANSON,JR.M.D.789~11~LlCommentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYC.H.SWANSON,JR.M.D.789
!.JOIINH.SWANSONP.o.no.x?llHerkrlry.Califor~i394701tJ'~~~\9,1.~~'\~.~.u.v.."VCi~'"1H,}..OI~~~~»~-An\'Y~~~/nw~C~,"~~~V~~.~P'4.f:(t~~~~;:r.~~~,tt.t.~VIl1+'u.k.O~CJ.M,~.-!.""~VIl.,~-.M.ll'\Atw-~tVt.a...~.~~~~~"""tM~,:\Qtt~~V\.io~~t\l1MA..*~~~k~.~~~\O~~'UAo\,Mwtltt..\.&~~t~~~~~~~~,.It~.~~\A,.~~~1JJvVuU.\J\~-~~c£tJ.14~u,~tw~~J:4~\..~~-M\6A..x~yM:tZ;.A.~J",:tt~\a-t:r~~W\'''bO~lW'J...11W~~~~..k.~~'-\'U.~14.M£IIJVfo1J,')1~1..1-~~I~V,:.JJ....sx;JriIcl\bu~~t~~~~~lJ..t.-~~~\A..\Ju..t~"'"~rtJ..'V\J\.A.M£.~&~l~.~~"li.A&\t"~4fW/vJiS...~~~~£1dJ~IA.N,~It~~~Iv!{f~~~~~\vl-'J;:~id.1Nv.J...~l~}P-~1I\1.64AM"/\~~~~,'\)lN,~~~\..\~,,\.w-~M-.xk.~~..,~.~Vd.~.790!.JOIINH.SWANSONP.o.no.x?llHerkrlry.Califor~i394701tJ'~~~\9,1.~~'\~.~.u.v.."VCi~'"1H,}..OI~~~~»~-An\'Y~~~/nw~C~,"~~~V~~.~P'4.f:(t~~~~;:r.~~~,tt.t.~VIl1+'u.k.O~CJ.M,~.-!.""~VIl.,~-.M.ll'\Atw-~tVt.a...~.~~~~~"""tM~,:\Qtt~~V\.io~~t\l1MA..*~~~k~.~~~\O~~'UAo\,Mwtltt..\.&~~t~~~~~~~~,.It~.~~\A,.~~~1JJvVuU.\J\~-~~c£tJ.14~u,~tw~~J:4~\..~~-M\6A..x~yM:tZ;.A.~J",:tt~\a-t:r~~W\'''bO~lW'J...11W~~~~..k.~~'-\'U.~14.M£IIJVfo1J,')1~1..1-~~I~V,:.JJ....sx;JriIcl\bu~~t~~~~~lJ..t.-~~~\A..\Ju..t~"'"~rtJ..'V\J\.A.M£.~&~l~.~~"li.A&\t"~4fW/vJiS...~~~~£1dJ~IA.N,~It~~~Iv!{f~~~~~\vl-'J;:~id.1Nv.J...~l~}P-~1I\1.64AM"/\~~~~,'\)lN,~~~\..\~,,\.w-~M-.xk.~~..,~.~Vd.~.790
."".I.-.J"tl.JCommentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYJOHNR.SWANSON791."".I.-.J"tl.JCommentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYJOHNR.SWANSON791
410SkarlandHallUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,Alaslta'99701Oct7,1975AlaskaDistrictCorpsof:~c.ineoraP.O.nox7002Anchorace,Alaska99510Dear.5ir:Iatt('\ndedyourhearin0sheldhereinFairbanksinOctober,withGreatinterestandconcernforthefuturedevelopmentoftheproposedriamsonthnDiGSusitna'River.I\'/811Gonw\'rhntBurDrisedwhenColonell)obe1iusmentionedthatthere,miGhtotillhp.apOGsibi1ityofadditionaldamconstructionsuchastheHa"Y'art.','/hontheCorl'stri0storesurrectsuchsl-:oletonsofthisrnncnitudcof.oio10cicalblunder,itmakesonp\'londeraboutoomnofthrrcasonin~behindpresentstudies.A1thou:::hI\'IOU1(1hethefirsttoadmitthatthe,Devil'sCanyonarf'la\';ouldbe~f'probab1"thebestlocationforadarnoiteintheState,Ifeelthat).snecessarytoevaluateallofAlas!ta'sresources,an~~iGe1nnduscl'lanninr-,withthebestandvdnestuseofresourcesinsteadofdevc10pinSinapiecemealstyle.Ifr.r:lthatthequ('ntionshouldberaised'astothenecessityofaciaMforhydro-electricpowenhtthistiTo1C!.rrherenrcpresentlynanycn('rr,yresourcesbeinG~AstedinA1aslta.FlarinGofnatural~ashasbeencarriedoutforoveradecadainCookInlet.Asastullent'oncar"!lUSattheUniversityofAlaokaatCo1leee,I':dtness('ntirefloorourineccGGarilyburnin,";electricity21{hoursaday,andconcurnptionioatamayimum..Th0factthat'thr:CorpoofEnl~inecrsisplanninr;thisprojC!ctatthisti~e,priortoImG\'rledr.8oftheroutethe~asp;i.pc1ine\'ri1ltl\kc,indi.catesnnattttudoof"developmentfordeve10p!llent'ssake"topcrhapnquotea\'lollImO\'ffiAlaslwninversely.Iftnfactth~.North.slope0as'nipclinedoco(,0throu::'hAlasl~a,itwouldapp~artometobeextremelyshortoichtedatthistimetocoahead\'[1thconstructionr>lans,as\'1011ascncoura~inGMorc\'IasteorA1acl,a'0renewableandnonrcnc\:rablcresources.Yours'ninccr~,~~~.fBarbara~'/ink10y,cc:CovornorHammond792410SkarlandHallUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,Alaslta'99701Oct7,1975AlaskaDistrictCorpsof:~c.ineoraP.O.nox7002Anchorace,Alaska99510Dear.5ir:Iatt('\ndedyourhearin0sheldhereinFairbanksinOctober,withGreatinterestandconcernforthefuturedevelopmentoftheproposedriamsonthnDiGSusitna'River.I\'/811Gonw\'rhntBurDrisedwhenColonell)obe1iusmentionedthatthere,miGhtotillhp.apOGsibi1ityofadditionaldamconstructionsuchastheHa"Y'art.','/hontheCorl'stri0storesurrectsuchsl-:oletonsofthisrnncnitudcof.oio10cicalblunder,itmakesonp\'londeraboutoomnofthrrcasonin~behindpresentstudies.A1thou:::hI\'IOU1(1hethefirsttoadmitthatthe,Devil'sCanyonarf'la\';ouldbe~f'probab1"thebestlocationforadarnoiteintheState,Ifeelthat).snecessarytoevaluateallofAlas!ta'sresources,an~~iGe1nnduscl'lanninr-,withthebestandvdnestuseofresourcesinsteadofdevc10pinSinapiecemealstyle.Ifr.r:lthatthequ('ntionshouldberaised'astothenecessityofaciaMforhydro-electricpowenhtthistiTo1C!.rrherenrcpresentlynanycn('rr,yresourcesbeinG~AstedinA1aslta.FlarinGofnatural~ashasbeencarriedoutforoveradecadainCookInlet.Asastullent'oncar"!lUSattheUniversityofAlaokaatCo1leee,I':dtness('ntirefloorourineccGGarilyburnin,";electricity21{hoursaday,andconcurnptionioatamayimum..Th0factthat'thr:CorpoofEnl~inecrsisplanninr;thisprojC!ctatthisti~e,priortoImG\'rledr.8oftheroutethe~asp;i.pc1ine\'ri1ltl\kc,indi.catesnnattttudoof"developmentfordeve10p!llent'ssake"topcrhapnquotea\'lollImO\'ffiAlaslwninversely.Iftnfactth~.North.slope0as'nipclinedoco(,0throu::'hAlasl~a,itwouldapp~artometobeextremelyshortoichtedatthistimetocoahead\'[1thconstructionr>lans,as\'1011ascncoura~inGMorc\'IasteorA1acl,a'0renewableandnonrcnc\:rablcresources.Yours'ninccr~,~~~.fBarbara~'/ink10y,cc:CovornorHammond792
316Comnentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYBARBARAWINKLEY793316Comnentsnoted.RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYBARBARAWINKLEY793
LETTERSRECEIVEDBYTHECHIEFOFENGINEERSASARESULTOFCOORDINATIONOFTHEREVISEDDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTANDRESPONSESTHERETOUNITEDSTATE~;DEP~P.Tl'VJENTOFCOiVirllERCEThoA5::.i5tant~';ouet;aryforScienceandTechnologyWi35h,ngton,D.C.20230October4,1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisOfficeoftheChiefofEngineersDe?G~~=e~toftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearG~ncrnl.M0rris:Thisi{inreferencetoyourreviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatemententitled"Upper'SusitnaRiverBasin,Southccntra1R.::lilbeltArea,Alaska.IITheenclosedcommentsfromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationareforwardedforyourconsideratim..Thankyouforgivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecomments,whichwehopewillbeofassistancetoyou.Wewouldappreciate'receivingeightcopiesofthefinalstatemcnt.Sincerely,c/f,'O(a~S1d~11er(:l.DeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairsEnclosure:MemofromMr.HarryL.RietzeDirector,AlaskaRegion794LETTERSRECEIVEDBYTHECHIEFOFENGINEERSASARESULTOFCOORDINATIONOFTHEREVISEDDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTANDRESPONSESTHERETOUNITEDSTATE~;DEP~P.Tl'VJENTOFCOiVirllERCEThoA5::.i5tant~';ouet;aryforScienceandTechnologyWi35h,ngton,D.C.20230October4,1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisOfficeoftheChiefofEngineersDe?G~~=e~toftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearG~ncrnl.M0rris:Thisi{inreferencetoyourreviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatemententitled"Upper'SusitnaRiverBasin,Southccntra1R.::lilbeltArea,Alaska.IITheenclosedcommentsfromtheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationareforwardedforyourconsideratim..Thankyouforgivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecomments,whichwehopewillbeofassistancetoyou.Wewouldappreciate'receivingeightcopiesofthefinalstatemcnt.Sincerely,c/f,'O(a~S1d~11er(:l.DeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairsEnclosure:MemofromMr.HarryL.RietzeDirector,AlaskaRegion794
U.S.OEPARTMEN.DFCOMr..'ERCENationalOcoanicandAtmoapharicAdmlnlatratlonNational.MarineFisheriesServiceP.O.Box1668~Juneau~Al.aska99802DATE:September15,1976FAK21/JBConservationSEP291976TO:EE,OfficeofEcologyandEnvironm~ntalr'"rl1,-t~\("S;d~L'SEP291976THRU:~~F3,AssociateDirectorforResourceManagement\0}\I'\({)-f',()}\.1\.d'/.'I.f.~l-(,t.'-L/~/l-FROM:II)'HarryL.Rietze~cIDirector,AlaskaRegionSUBJECT:ReviewofRevisedDEIS#7607.37,HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,AlaskaCorpsofEngineersThereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricPm",erDevelopment,UpperSLisitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbe1t'Area,Alaska,thataccompaniedyourmemorandumofJuly21,1976,hasbeenrece',vedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceandweoffer..,thefoll~wingcomments.Comments4:DEnvlronmentalImpactsoftheProposedActionThlssectionmadeseveralreferencestochangesinvariousparametersofwaterqualityandfishhabitat.However,theproblemofstreambederosionandchannelchangeanditseffectonfishspawningandrearinghabitatintheSusitnaRiversystemshouldbediscussedingreaterdetail.317Webelievethatifthechannelpatternchangesfromabraidedstreampatterntoasingle,dTeporincisedwatercourseduringwintermonths,asindicated,there",coul~,beasignificantreductionofgroundwaterheadwithresultantdewateringofsloughsusedasspawningandrearingareaso.Oftwenty-e'ightsloughsidentifiedin1974and1975,atleast22wereutilizedbys,almonforspawningand/orrearingareas.2Reductionofintra-gravelflowscouldseriouslyaffectmortalityofeggsandalevinso1500EnvironmentalEffectsWhichCannotBeAvoidedP~7,paragraph3Elevatedwatertemperature.sduringthefirstfewweeksofdevelopmentofsalmoneggscancreat~bnormalitiesand795U.S.OEPARTMEN.DFCOMr..'ERCENationalOcoanicandAtmoapharicAdmlnlatratlonNational.MarineFisheriesServiceP.O.Box1668~Juneau~Al.aska99802DATE:September15,1976FAK21/JBConservationSEP291976TO:EE,OfficeofEcologyandEnvironm~ntalr'"rl1,-t~\("S;d~L'SEP291976THRU:~~F3,AssociateDirectorforResourceManagement\0}\I'\({)-f',()}\.1\.d'/.'I.f.~l-(,t.'-L/~/l-FROM:II)'HarryL.Rietze~cIDirector,AlaskaRegionSUBJECT:ReviewofRevisedDEIS#7607.37,HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,AlaskaCorpsofEngineersThereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricPm",erDevelopment,UpperSLisitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbe1t'Area,Alaska,thataccompaniedyourmemorandumofJuly21,1976,hasbeenrece',vedbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceandweoffer..,thefoll~wingcomments.Comments4:DEnvlronmentalImpactsoftheProposedActionThlssectionmadeseveralreferencestochangesinvariousparametersofwaterqualityandfishhabitat.However,theproblemofstreambederosionandchannelchangeanditseffectonfishspawningandrearinghabitatintheSusitnaRiversystemshouldbediscussedingreaterdetail.317Webelievethatifthechannelpatternchangesfromabraidedstreampatterntoasingle,dTeporincisedwatercourseduringwintermonths,asindicated,there",coul~,beasignificantreductionofgroundwaterheadwithresultantdewateringofsloughsusedasspawningandrearingareaso.Oftwenty-e'ightsloughsidentifiedin1974and1975,atleast22wereutilizedbys,almonforspawningand/orrearingareas.2Reductionofintra-gravelflowscouldseriouslyaffectmortalityofeggsandalevinso1500EnvironmentalEffectsWhichCannotBeAvoidedP~7,paragraph3Elevatedwatertemperature.sduringthefirstfewweeksofdevelopmentofsalmoneggscancreat~bnormalitiesand795
increasedmortality.3HigherthannonnaltemperatureregimescanalsoaffecttIledegree-dayrequirementsofdevelopingeggsandfrysothatearlieremergencefromthesubstratecanoccur.318Thiscouldtakeplaceatatimewhenfoodsourcesarenotavailableorduringaperiodofadverseenvironmentalconditions.Bothcouldaffc.:-tsurvivaloffry.WebelievethattheOEISshouldaddresstheseeffects.1IIyuroclcctricPO\...erDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SoufhccntralRailbeltArea,AlaskaCorpsofEngineers,InterimFeasibilityReport,page67,paragraph5.2PreauthorizationAssessmentofAnadromousFishPopulationofUpperSusitnaRiverWatershedintheVicinityoftheProposedDevilCanyonHydroelectricProject.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGan~,·1975.31heLO\...-TemperatureThresholdforPinkSalmonEggsinRelationtoaProposedHydroelectricInstallation.Bailey,Jad<E.,.andEvans,DaleR.,FisheryBulletin:Vol.69,No.3,1971.796increasedmortality.3HigherthannonnaltemperatureregimescanalsoaffecttIledegree-dayrequirementsofdevelopingeggsandfrysothatearlieremergencefromthesubstratecanoccur.318Thiscouldtakeplaceatatimewhenfoodsourcesarenotavailableorduringaperiodofadverseenvironmentalconditions.Bothcouldaffc.:-tsurvivaloffry.WebelievethattheOEISshouldaddresstheseeffects.1IIyuroclcctricPO\...erDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SoufhccntralRailbeltArea,AlaskaCorpsofEngineers,InterimFeasibilityReport,page67,paragraph5.2PreauthorizationAssessmentofAnadromousFishPopulationofUpperSusitnaRiverWatershedintheVicinityoftheProposedDevilCanyonHydroelectricProject.AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGan~,·1975.31heLO\...-TemperatureThresholdforPinkSalmonEggsinRelationtoaProposedHydroelectricInstallation.Bailey,Jad<E.,.andEvans,DaleR.,FisheryBulletin:Vol.69,No.3,1971.796
317318RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALOCEANICANDATMOSPHORICADMINISTRATIONNATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEFurtherenvironmentalstudiesarerequiredtoadequatelyaddresstheproblemofstreambederosionandchannelchangeandresultingeffectsonfishspawningandrearinghabitat.ThepreliminarydatapresentedintheDEISareabasisforidentifyingareasthatneedfurtheranalysis.Detailedbiologicalandhydrologicalstudieswillbemadetoobtaindatanecessarytoassesstheimpactofalteredstreamflowontherelationshipbetweenthemainstreamchannelandexistingsloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromtheproject.AsstatedintheDEIS,temperaturesofthewaterreleasedfromDevilCanyonDamwouldbeadjustedtoapproachthenaturalriverwatertemperatures.Thiswouldbemadepossiblebytheproposedincorpo-rationofselectivewithdraWiloutletsintothedamstructures.Thedesignnecessarytoprovideoptimumtemperatures,aswellasdis-solvedoxygenandnitrogenlevelsandothercriticalwaterqualitycontrol,willbedeterminedbydetailedmodelingstudies.797317318RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCENATIONALOCEANICANDATMOSPHORICADMINISTRATIONNATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEFurtherenvironmentalstudiesarerequiredtoadequatelyaddresstheproblemofstreambederosionandchannelchangeandresultingeffectsonfishspawningandrearinghabitat.ThepreliminarydatapresentedintheDEISareabasisforidentifyingareasthatneedfurtheranalysis.Detailedbiologicalandhydrologicalstudieswillbemadetoobtaindatanecessarytoassesstheimpactofalteredstreamflowontherelationshipbetweenthemainstreamchannelandexistingsloughsandtributariesdownstreamfromtheproject.AsstatedintheDEIS,temperaturesofthewaterreleasedfromDevilCanyonDamwouldbeadjustedtoapproachthenaturalriverwatertemperatures.Thiswouldbemadepossiblebytheproposedincorpo-rationofselectivewithdraWiloutletsintothedamstructures.Thedesignnecessarytoprovideoptimumtemperatures,aswellasdis-solvedoxygenandnitrogenlevelsandothercriticalwaterqualitycontrol,willbedeterminedbydetailedmodelingstudies.797
u.s.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCY.REGIONX1200SIXTHAVENUESEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101REPLYTOATTNOF:10FA-MiS623OCT151976ColonelGeorgeR.RobertsonDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelRobertson:WehavecompletedreviewingtheRevisedDraftEnviron-mentalImpactStatementissuedbyyourofficeon"Hydro-electricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin."WebelievethatthisversionoftheDEISis,likeitspredecessor,prematureinthattheCorpshasnotyetcollectedenoughcurrentwaterqualitydatatoadequately319describethatportionoftheexistingenvironmentandtoallowathoroughreview.Wefeelthereshouldalsobeanattempttomodelthereservoirsandtheirdischargesinanefforttoestimatetheireffectsondownstreamwaterqualityandaquaticbiota.Inparticular,forourreviewtheenvironmentalstatementshouldcontaindatawhichshowsthecurrentvaluesforturbidity(aswellassuspendedanddissolvedsediments),dissolvedoxygen,dissolvednitrogenandtemperatureforpointsintheriverupstreamoftheproposedreservoir320sites,atthesereservoirsitesariddownstreamoftheproposedproject.Wedonotbelievethatwaterqualitydatawhichislargelytwentyyearsoldcanalwaysbeusedtorepresentcurrentconditio~intheriver.Thisadditionaldatashouldbeusedtomodelthereservoirsandtheeffectsofprojectdischargesondownstreamwaterqualitysothatasupportableassessmentcanbemade,inthestatement,oftheproject'seffectsondownstreamturbidity,dissolvedoxygenconcentrationsandwatertemperatures.Webelievethatsuchaneffortisessential798u.s.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCY.REGIONX1200SIXTHAVENUESEATTLE,WASHINGTON98101REPLYTOATTNOF:10FA-MiS623OCT151976ColonelGeorgeR.RobertsonDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelRobertson:WehavecompletedreviewingtheRevisedDraftEnviron-mentalImpactStatementissuedbyyourofficeon"Hydro-electricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin."WebelievethatthisversionoftheDEISis,likeitspredecessor,prematureinthattheCorpshasnotyetcollectedenoughcurrentwaterqualitydatatoadequately319describethatportionoftheexistingenvironmentandtoallowathoroughreview.Wefeelthereshouldalsobeanattempttomodelthereservoirsandtheirdischargesinanefforttoestimatetheireffectsondownstreamwaterqualityandaquaticbiota.Inparticular,forourreviewtheenvironmentalstatementshouldcontaindatawhichshowsthecurrentvaluesforturbidity(aswellassuspendedanddissolvedsediments),dissolvedoxygen,dissolvednitrogenandtemperatureforpointsintheriverupstreamoftheproposedreservoir320sites,atthesereservoirsitesariddownstreamoftheproposedproject.Wedonotbelievethatwaterqualitydatawhichislargelytwentyyearsoldcanalwaysbeusedtorepresentcurrentconditio~intheriver.Thisadditionaldatashouldbeusedtomodelthereservoirsandtheeffectsofprojectdischargesondownstreamwaterqualitysothatasupportableassessmentcanbemade,inthestatement,oftheproject'seffectsondownstreamturbidity,dissolvedoxygenconcentrationsandwatertemperatures.Webelievethatsuchaneffortisessential798
321322.Iinorderto.ensurethattheproposedmitigatingmeasure(multi-levelreservoiroutlets)isadequatetoensurecompliancewithAlaska'sWaterQualityStandards.BecauseofthisinformationgapwemustcontinuetoratetheproposedactionandtheenvironmentalstatementER-2(environmentalreservations,inadequateinformation).ThisratingandthedateofourcommentswillbepublishedintheFederalRegisterinaccordancewithourresponsibilitytoinformthepublicofourviewsonproposedFederalactionsunderSection309oftheCleanAirAct,asamended.WeappreciatethisopportunitytoreviewyourRevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementandwouldbegladtodiscussourconcernswithyouatyourconvenience.ForadditionalinformationcontactDanCreventseninourAnchorageoffice(907)265-4881and/orDanSteinbornintheSeattleRegionalOffice(206)442-1595.Sincerely,AlexandraB.Smith.DirectorOfficeofFederalAffairs79969-7370 -81-51321322.Iinorderto.ensurethattheproposedmitigatingmeasure(multi-levelreservoiroutlets)isadequatetoensurecompliancewithAlaska'sWaterQualityStandards.BecauseofthisinformationgapwemustcontinuetoratetheproposedactionandtheenvironmentalstatementER-2(environmentalreservations,inadequateinformation).ThisratingandthedateofourcommentswillbepublishedintheFederalRegisterinaccordancewithourresponsibilitytoinformthepublicofourviewsonproposedFederalactionsunderSection309oftheCleanAirAct,asamended.WeappreciatethisopportunitytoreviewyourRevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementandwouldbegladtodiscussourconcernswithyouatyourconvenience.ForadditionalinformationcontactDanCreventseninourAnchorageoffice(907)265-4881and/orDanSteinbornintheSeattleRegionalOffice(206)442-1595.Sincerely,AlexandraB.Smith.DirectorOfficeofFederalAffairs79969-7370 -81-51
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYREGIONX319Weagreethatfurtherwaterqualitystudies,bothforbaselinedataandimpactanalysis,arerequiredtothoroughlydescribetheexistingenvironmentandtoassessprojectimpacts.Duringthepreconstructionphase,detailedbiologicalandhydrologicalstudies,includingreservoirmodeling,willbemadetoobtainthisinfor-mation.320Detailedwaterqualitystudiestodeterminepresentbaselinelevelsofavarietyofparameters,includingthoselistedabove,willbemade.Aspreconstructionstudiesproceed,supplementstothisstatementwillpreparedandcoordinatedasappropriate.321Duringpreconstructionstages,reservoirmodelingwillbeaccom-plishedtoallowsimulationofreservoiranddownstreamchangesofanumberofparameterswhichaffecttheecologicalcycle.Thiswillrequireanextensivebaselinedataacquisitionprogramtoproperlycalibratethemodel.Thisanalyticalmodelwillthenbeusedtoadequatelydetermineenvironmentalimpactandtoensurethatpropermitigatingmeasuresareincorporatedinthedesignoftheproject.322Commentsnoted.800RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYREGIONX319Weagreethatfurtherwaterqualitystudies,bothforbaselinedataandimpactanalysis,arerequiredtothoroughlydescribetheexistingenvironmentandtoassessprojectimpacts.Duringthepreconstructionphase,detailedbiologicalandhydrologicalstudies,includingreservoirmodeling,willbemadetoobtainthisinfor-mation.320Detailedwaterqualitystudiestodeterminepresentbaselinelevelsofavarietyofparameters,includingthoselistedabove,willbemade.Aspreconstructionstudiesproceed,supplementstothisstatementwillpreparedandcoordinatedasappropriate.321Duringpreconstructionstages,reservoirmodelingwillbeaccom-plishedtoallowsimulationofreservoiranddownstreamchangesofanumberofparameterswhichaffecttheecologicalcycle.Thiswillrequireanextensivebaselinedataacquisitionprogramtoproperlycalibratethemodel.Thisanalyticalmodelwillthenbeusedtoadequatelydetermineenvironmentalimpactandtoensurethatpropermitigatingmeasuresareincorporatedinthedesignoftheproject.322Commentsnoted.800
323DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFAREOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYWASHINGTON.D.C.202D115September1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearGeneralMorris:ThisDepartmenthasreviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementconcerningtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska.Whiletheproposedprojectdoesnotappeartosignifi-cantlyimpactontheremoteAlaskanareainwhichitislocated,theDEISdoesnotaddressplansforpro-vidinghealthservicestoconstructionworkers,manyofwhommaywellbeAlaskannatives.ThismattershouldbeaddressedinthefinalEIS.Thankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewthedocument.Sincerely,t7~~CharlesCustardDirectorOfficeofEnvironmentalAffairs801323DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFAREOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYWASHINGTON.D.C.202D115September1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearGeneralMorris:ThisDepartmenthasreviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementconcerningtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska.Whiletheproposedprojectdoesnotappeartosignifi-cantlyimpactontheremoteAlaskanareainwhichitislocated,theDEISdoesnotaddressplansforpro-vidinghealthservicestoconstructionworkers,manyofwhommaywellbeAlaskannatives.ThismattershouldbeaddressedinthefinalEIS.Thankyoufortheopportunitytoreviewthedocument.Sincerely,t7~~CharlesCustardDirectorOfficeofEnvironmentalAffairs801
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFARE323Becauseoftheremotenessofthesite,completehealthserviceswillbeprovidedthroughouttheconstructionphaseoftheproject.Thankyouforthecommentrecognizingtheneedforplansforpro-Visionsoftheseservices.802RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYDEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFARE323Becauseoftheremotenessofthesite,completehealthserviceswillbeprovidedthroughouttheconstructionphaseoftheproject.Thankyouforthecommentrecognizingtheneedforplansforpro-Visionsoftheseservices.802
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorOFFICEOFTHE.SECRETARYWASHINGTON,D.C..2(l240PEPER-76/692DearGeneralMorris:29October1976YourletterofJuly9,1976,transmittedyourproposedreportandreviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementonHydro-electricPowerDevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Alaska.Yourletterrequestedthecommentsandrecommenda-tionsofthisDepartmentonthereportandcommentsonthedraftenvironme.ntalimpactstatement.Wearepleasedtorespondwiththeviewsandcon~entsassetforthinthebodyofthisletter.ChiefofEngineers'ReportWehavenoobjectiontoyourrecommendationforauthorizationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstageofadvancedengineeringanddesignfortheproject.WeagreethatadditionaldetailedstudieswillberequiredtodeterminethepotentialimpactsofaprojectofthismagnitudeandcomplexityontheAlaskanenvironmentandeconomy.Thewildernesscharacteristicsofthisremoteareawithitsfish,wildlife,andrecreationalresourceswillhavetobefullyinvestigatedpriortocon-siderationofauthorizationforprojectconstruction.ManyofthenecessarystudieswillinvolvethisDepartmentbytradition,expertise,andlegalresponsibility.Wewouldexpecttoworkcloselywithyouindeterminingthescopeofprojectstudiest6beundertakenandindevelopingascheduleandbudgettosupportthiswork.Areasofspecificconcernincludeevaluationofimpactsonfish,wildlife,andrecreationalresources~includingimpactsonwhitewaterboating;landmanagement;mineralresources;andth~Department'sresponsibilitieswithrespecttotransmittingandmarketingpowerfromCorpsofEngineers'projects.ThereportoftheFishandWildlifeServicemakesseveralspecificrecommendationswhichwebelieveshouldbeadopted803UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorOFFICEOFTHE.SECRETARYWASHINGTON,D.C..2(l240PEPER-76/692DearGeneralMorris:29October1976YourletterofJuly9,1976,transmittedyourproposedreportandreviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementonHydro-electricPowerDevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,Alaska.Yourletterrequestedthecommentsandrecommenda-tionsofthisDepartmentonthereportandcommentsonthedraftenvironme.ntalimpactstatement.Wearepleasedtorespondwiththeviewsandcon~entsassetforthinthebodyofthisletter.ChiefofEngineers'ReportWehavenoobjectiontoyourrecommendationforauthorizationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstageofadvancedengineeringanddesignfortheproject.WeagreethatadditionaldetailedstudieswillberequiredtodeterminethepotentialimpactsofaprojectofthismagnitudeandcomplexityontheAlaskanenvironmentandeconomy.Thewildernesscharacteristicsofthisremoteareawithitsfish,wildlife,andrecreationalresourceswillhavetobefullyinvestigatedpriortocon-siderationofauthorizationforprojectconstruction.ManyofthenecessarystudieswillinvolvethisDepartmentbytradition,expertise,andlegalresponsibility.Wewouldexpecttoworkcloselywithyouindeterminingthescopeofprojectstudiest6beundertakenandindevelopingascheduleandbudgettosupportthiswork.Areasofspecificconcernincludeevaluationofimpactsonfish,wildlife,andrecreationalresources~includingimpactsonwhitewaterboating;landmanagement;mineralresources;andth~Department'sresponsibilitieswithrespecttotransmittingandmarketingpowerfromCorpsofEngineers'projects.ThereportoftheFishandWildlifeServicemakesseveralspecificrecommendationswhichwebelieveshouldbeadopted803
aspartoftIlephaseIplanningeffort.Amongotherthings,theFishandWildlifeServicerecommendsthatthepreserva-tion,propagation,andmanagementoffishandwildliferesourcesbeamongthepurposesforwhich.theprojectwillbeauthorizedforconstruction.WebelievethatphaseIworkshouldincludedetailedstudiesofthefishandwildliferesourcesoftheprojectareaandpotentialprojecteffectsontheseresources.WedirectyourattentiontocoordinatedstudiesrecommendedinNovember20andDecember15,1975,lettersfromtheAreaDirec~or,FishandWildlifeService,totheDistrictEngineerandtoaNovember18,1975,reportentitled,"BiologicalStudyProposalsRelatingtoHydroelectricDevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin"preparedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.TheFishandWildlifeServiceprovidedfundingestimatesinthoselettersforthedetailedfishandwildlifestudiescoveringafive-yearstudyperiod.WeunderstandthatthephaseIstudyperiodmaycoveronlythreeyears;consequently,thefishandwildlifestudieswouldhavetobecondensedintothethree-yearperiod.Thiswouldnotaffectbudgetrequire-ments.Therecommendedstudiesreflectconcernsthatthebaselinehydrologyandfisherydataareinadequatetopredictevenprimaryprojectimpacts.Rangeandeffectsofturbidityandtemperaturechangesarespeculative,asistheextentofdewateringofsloughs.Theproposedfishandwildlifestudieswouldbeaimedatade-tailedunderstandingoftheseprojectimpactsandtheformu-lationofmeasurestomitigateorcompensateforfishandwildlifelosses.ItisnotapparentfromyourproposedreportorfromtheConferenceReportonS.3823,theWaterResourcesDevelopmentActof1976,whethertherecommendedfishandwildlifestudiesaretobeincludedinthephaseIfunding.Westronglyrecommendthattheproposedfishandwildlifestudiesberecommendedinyourfinalreportforfundingandimplementation..Werecommend·thatthedetailedlocationstudiesoffacilitiesandpowertransmissionlinesincludeclarificationoflandstatusandconsultationswithlandmanagingentities.WeurgeclosecoordinationwiththeStateDirector,BureauofLandManagement,555CordovaStreet,Anchorage,Alaska99501.Thisofficecanassistyouinsuchcomplexareasasright-of-waypermitsandcompliancewiththeAlaska.NativeClaimsSettlementAct.804aspartoftIlephaseIplanningeffort.Amongotherthings,theFishandWildlifeServicerecommendsthatthepreserva-tion,propagation,andmanagementoffishandwildliferesourcesbeamongthepurposesforwhich.theprojectwillbeauthorizedforconstruction.WebelievethatphaseIworkshouldincludedetailedstudiesofthefishandwildliferesourcesoftheprojectareaandpotentialprojecteffectsontheseresources.WedirectyourattentiontocoordinatedstudiesrecommendedinNovember20andDecember15,1975,lettersfromtheAreaDirec~or,FishandWildlifeService,totheDistrictEngineerandtoaNovember18,1975,reportentitled,"BiologicalStudyProposalsRelatingtoHydroelectricDevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin"preparedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.TheFishandWildlifeServiceprovidedfundingestimatesinthoselettersforthedetailedfishandwildlifestudiescoveringafive-yearstudyperiod.WeunderstandthatthephaseIstudyperiodmaycoveronlythreeyears;consequently,thefishandwildlifestudieswouldhavetobecondensedintothethree-yearperiod.Thiswouldnotaffectbudgetrequire-ments.Therecommendedstudiesreflectconcernsthatthebaselinehydrologyandfisherydataareinadequatetopredictevenprimaryprojectimpacts.Rangeandeffectsofturbidityandtemperaturechangesarespeculative,asistheextentofdewateringofsloughs.Theproposedfishandwildlifestudieswouldbeaimedatade-tailedunderstandingoftheseprojectimpactsandtheformu-lationofmeasurestomitigateorcompensateforfishandwildlifelosses.ItisnotapparentfromyourproposedreportorfromtheConferenceReportonS.3823,theWaterResourcesDevelopmentActof1976,whethertherecommendedfishandwildlifestudiesaretobeincludedinthephaseIfunding.Westronglyrecommendthattheproposedfishandwildlifestudiesberecommendedinyourfinalreportforfundingandimplementation..Werecommend·thatthedetailedlocationstudiesoffacilitiesandpowertransmissionlinesincludeclarificationoflandstatusandconsultationswithlandmanagingentities.WeurgeclosecoordinationwiththeStateDirector,BureauofLandManagement,555CordovaStreet,Anchorage,Alaska99501.Thisofficecanassistyouinsuchcomplexareasasright-of-waypermitsandcompliancewiththeAlaska.NativeClaimsSettlementAct.804
Essentiallyallprojectcostswouldbeallocatedtopowerpurposestoberepaid,withinterest,fromrevenuesfrompowerandenergysales.Thecriteriaforrepaymentaresomewhatdifferentthanthecriteriaforeconomicevaluationwithrespecttoperiodforanalysisandinterestrates.ThisisreflectedinthemarketabilityanalysisfurnishedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration(letterofDecember10,1975).FromtheviewpointoftheInteriorDepartmentresponsibilitiesfortransmittingandmarketingpowerunderSection5ofthe1944FloodControlActltheprojectasproposedintheDis-trictEngineer'sreportappearstobeafeasibleundertaking.However,thisfindingmustbequalifiedtotheextentthatanysubstantialchangesintheplanmayadverselyaffectprojectfeasibility.Insomestudyareaswecannotfullyagreethattheavailabledataandstudiesarenotadequateforthepurposeofseekinganauthorizationtoconstruct.WebelievethefindingignoresalargeportionofthedatainthestudiesrelevanttoSusitnaBasinthathavebeencompiledoveraperiodofmorethan20yearssincetheprojectwasfirstgivenserious60nsidera-tion.Totheextentthatthesedataareapplicableandsound,theyshouldbeutilized.Werecognizethattheprojectwouldinvolveaverylargein-vestment.However,theindicatedcostsdonotappearoutoflinewithotherpoweralternativesavailabletotheStateandtheNation.Theindicatedcostsappearquitefavorableincomparisonwithcurr~ntexperiencewithlargecoal-firedornuclearpowerplantsandsubstantiallylowerthanexpectedcostsformoreexoticfuturealternatives~WeobtainedfromtheDistrictEngineer,Alaska,anindicationthatthephaseIstudieswouldprobablyrequireapproximatelythreeyearsandwouldcoverthefullrangeofdataandstudiesconcerningenvironmental,socio-economic,andengineeringstudies.TheDistrictEng~neeralsoadvisedthatthephaseIstudieswouldnotincludeconstructingaroadtotheWatanadamsite,butthatapioneerroadtoWatanawouldlikelybeincludedintheadvancedengineeringanddesignstudies(Sectionl(b)provisions).ThispointconcernsussinceSectionl(b)specificallyexcludesconstructionandlandacquisition.Itappearsthatthisshouldberesolvedin-yourfinalreporteventhoughtheConferenceReportonS.3823didnotadopttheSectionl(b)recommendation.805Essentiallyallprojectcostswouldbeallocatedtopowerpurposestoberepaid,withinterest,fromrevenuesfrompowerandenergysales.Thecriteriaforrepaymentaresomewhatdifferentthanthecriteriaforeconomicevaluationwithrespecttoperiodforanalysisandinterestrates.ThisisreflectedinthemarketabilityanalysisfurnishedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration(letterofDecember10,1975).FromtheviewpointoftheInteriorDepartmentresponsibilitiesfortransmittingandmarketingpowerunderSection5ofthe1944FloodControlActltheprojectasproposedintheDis-trictEngineer'sreportappearstobeafeasibleundertaking.However,thisfindingmustbequalifiedtotheextentthatanysubstantialchangesintheplanmayadverselyaffectprojectfeasibility.Insomestudyareaswecannotfullyagreethattheavailabledataandstudiesarenotadequateforthepurposeofseekinganauthorizationtoconstruct.WebelievethefindingignoresalargeportionofthedatainthestudiesrelevanttoSusitnaBasinthathavebeencompiledoveraperiodofmorethan20yearssincetheprojectwasfirstgivenserious60nsidera-tion.Totheextentthatthesedataareapplicableandsound,theyshouldbeutilized.Werecognizethattheprojectwouldinvolveaverylargein-vestment.However,theindicatedcostsdonotappearoutoflinewithotherpoweralternativesavailabletotheStateandtheNation.Theindicatedcostsappearquitefavorableincomparisonwithcurr~ntexperiencewithlargecoal-firedornuclearpowerplantsandsubstantiallylowerthanexpectedcostsformoreexoticfuturealternatives~WeobtainedfromtheDistrictEngineer,Alaska,anindicationthatthephaseIstudieswouldprobablyrequireapproximatelythreeyearsandwouldcoverthefullrangeofdataandstudiesconcerningenvironmental,socio-economic,andengineeringstudies.TheDistrictEng~neeralsoadvisedthatthephaseIstudieswouldnotincludeconstructingaroadtotheWatanadamsite,butthatapioneerroadtoWatanawouldlikelybeincludedintheadvancedengineeringanddesignstudies(Sectionl(b)provisions).ThispointconcernsussinceSectionl(b)specificallyexcludesconstructionandlandacquisition.Itappearsthatthisshouldberesolvedin-yourfinalreporteventhoughtheConferenceReportonS.3823didnotadopttheSectionl(b)recommendation.805
WebelievethedatafromthemarketabilityanalysisshouldbeincludedinyourreporttoCongresssincethatanalysisisdirectlyrelevanttoimpact:oftheproposedprojectonpowersystemrates,revenuerequirements,andcoststotheconsumer.YourreportnotesthatthepoweristobemarketedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministrationoftheInteriorDepartmentandtheDistrictEngineer'sreportmakestherecommendationthatthemarketingagencyalsooperateandmaintaintheproject.TheseprovisionsareconsistentwiththeMarch14,1962,MemorandumofAgreement,betweenourtwodepartmentscon-cerningwaterdevelopmentinAlaska,theColumbiaRiverBasin,andtheMissouriRiverBasin.TechnicalAppendixesTherearetwochangesinthetechnicalappendixesfurnishedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.AppendixI,Part2,PageG-90,revisethelastsentencetoread:"Theyindicatedthatontheb~sisofnormalutilityrequirements,anintertietoGlennallencouldprobablynotbejustifieduntilafter1990,thusalinetoGlennallenisnotincludedintheplansandcostsfortheinitialdevelopmentproposal."AppendixI,Part2,PageH-39,lastparagraph,deletesentence:"ThermalconstraintsnecessitatelargerconductorswithlargerkVsystems."Theconductorsizeneededtomeetcurrentcarryingca~acityisgenerallysmallerthantheconductorsizeneededtoreduceinterference(TVI,RI,audiblenoise)toacceptablelevels.Thisinterferenceisaresultofcoronawhichisafunctionofvoltagelevelandconductordiameter.PageH-44,Table8.Atotalfigureforlossesforeachplanshouldbegiven.WehavesomequestionsonAppendixI,Part1,principallyconcerningtheCorps'modificationoftheBureauofReclamation'sfeasibilitydesignfortheDevilCanyonDam.ThequestionsareofatechnicalnatureandarebeingdiscussedwiththeDistrictEngineer.Wewillfurnishsupplementarycommentsafterthesediscussionsarecompleted.806WebelievethedatafromthemarketabilityanalysisshouldbeincludedinyourreporttoCongresssincethatanalysisisdirectlyrelevanttoimpact:oftheproposedprojectonpowersystemrates,revenuerequirements,andcoststotheconsumer.YourreportnotesthatthepoweristobemarketedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministrationoftheInteriorDepartmentandtheDistrictEngineer'sreportmakestherecommendationthatthemarketingagencyalsooperateandmaintaintheproject.TheseprovisionsareconsistentwiththeMarch14,1962,MemorandumofAgreement,betweenourtwodepartmentscon-cerningwaterdevelopmentinAlaska,theColumbiaRiverBasin,andtheMissouriRiverBasin.TechnicalAppendixesTherearetwochangesinthetechnicalappendixesfurnishedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.AppendixI,Part2,PageG-90,revisethelastsentencetoread:"Theyindicatedthatontheb~sisofnormalutilityrequirements,anintertietoGlennallencouldprobablynotbejustifieduntilafter1990,thusalinetoGlennallenisnotincludedintheplansandcostsfortheinitialdevelopmentproposal."AppendixI,Part2,PageH-39,lastparagraph,deletesentence:"ThermalconstraintsnecessitatelargerconductorswithlargerkVsystems."Theconductorsizeneededtomeetcurrentcarryingca~acityisgenerallysmallerthantheconductorsizeneededtoreduceinterference(TVI,RI,audiblenoise)toacceptablelevels.Thisinterferenceisaresultofcoronawhichisafunctionofvoltagelevelandconductordiameter.PageH-44,Table8.Atotalfigureforlossesforeachplanshouldbegiven.WehavesomequestionsonAppendixI,Part1,principallyconcerningtheCorps'modificationoftheBureauofReclamation'sfeasibilitydesignfortheDevilCanyonDam.ThequestionsareofatechnicalnatureandarebeingdiscussedwiththeDistrictEngineer.Wewillfurnishsupplementarycommentsafterthesediscussionsarecompleted.806
RevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementGeneralCommentsto\325WesuggestthestatementberevisedtoshowthattheproposedFederalactionisauthorizationandimplementationofthe324phaseIdesignmemorandumwork.Abriefdescriptionoftheworkcontemplatedunderthisactionshouldbeincluded.Thereviseddraftstatementappearstoincludeessentiallyallitemsthatwouldactuallybeimpactedbythehydroelectricprojectandthetransmissionlines.ThusitappearsadequateforthepurposesofphaseIstudieseventhoughdataislackingtomakedetailedanalysesofimpacts.WenotethatpreviouscommentsbyseveralInteriorDepartmentbureausareacknowledgedintheRevisedDraft-Statement,andthattheindicationofCorpscommitmentsmadeinresponsetothecommentsshoulds6mewhatmitigatepotentialadverseimpacts.DetailedCommentsIsummarypage,paragraph3(a).Theparagraphshouldreferthecapacityandn-umberofpowerplantsinvolved.326Page7,Section1.03.Descri£tionofAction.Alongwithstatementsaboutongoingstudlesandstudiesthatwillbeconductedduring-chepreconstructionplanningstage,astate-mentshouldbeincludedtotheeffectthatmineralsassess-mentsurveyswillalsobeconductedduringpreconstructionplanningstage.ThissamestatementshouldbeincludedinthefinalChiefofEngineers'reportbeforetransmittaltoCongressforfundingofthenecessarystudies.Mineralre-sourcesshouldbegiventhesametreatmentasotherresourcespresentintheproposedprojectarea.327,page43,3.01.SincetitletoNativecorporationsortheStateofAlaskahasnotbeenissuedtolandatthisdatealongtheproposedtransmissioncorridor,thestatusremainsun-settled.ThefinalstatementshouldindicatecoordinationwiththeBLMStateofficeinthismatter.328Page43,3.02.Thelandstatushereremainsunclearsincetheproposedexchangeshavenotbeenfullyimplementedorconcurredbyallparties.Developmentimpactsonadjacentlandscannotbeassesseduntilownershipisfinallydeter-mined.TheStateandNativecorporationscouldhavedifferentdevelopmentphilosophies.807RevisedDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementGeneralCommentsto\325WesuggestthestatementberevisedtoshowthattheproposedFederalactionisauthorizationandimplementationofthe324phaseIdesignmemorandumwork.Abriefdescriptionoftheworkcontemplatedunderthisactionshouldbeincluded.Thereviseddraftstatementappearstoincludeessentiallyallitemsthatwouldactuallybeimpactedbythehydroelectricprojectandthetransmissionlines.ThusitappearsadequateforthepurposesofphaseIstudieseventhoughdataislackingtomakedetailedanalysesofimpacts.WenotethatpreviouscommentsbyseveralInteriorDepartmentbureausareacknowledgedintheRevisedDraft-Statement,andthattheindicationofCorpscommitmentsmadeinresponsetothecommentsshoulds6mewhatmitigatepotentialadverseimpacts.DetailedCommentsIsummarypage,paragraph3(a).Theparagraphshouldreferthecapacityandn-umberofpowerplantsinvolved.326Page7,Section1.03.Descri£tionofAction.Alongwithstatementsaboutongoingstudlesandstudiesthatwillbeconductedduring-chepreconstructionplanningstage,astate-mentshouldbeincludedtotheeffectthatmineralsassess-mentsurveyswillalsobeconductedduringpreconstructionplanningstage.ThissamestatementshouldbeincludedinthefinalChiefofEngineers'reportbeforetransmittaltoCongressforfundingofthenecessarystudies.Mineralre-sourcesshouldbegiventhesametreatmentasotherresourcespresentintheproposedprojectarea.327,page43,3.01.SincetitletoNativecorporationsortheStateofAlaskahasnotbeenissuedtolandatthisdatealongtheproposedtransmissioncorridor,thestatusremainsun-settled.ThefinalstatementshouldindicatecoordinationwiththeBLMStateofficeinthismatter.328Page43,3.02.Thelandstatushereremainsunclearsincetheproposedexchangeshavenotbeenfullyimplementedorconcurredbyallparties.Developmentimpactsonadjacentlandscannotbeassesseduntilownershipisfinallydeter-mined.TheStateandNativecorporationscouldhavedifferentdevelopmentphilosophies.807
Page50,paragraph2.Thereisanimrortant",\{';'\r'~nt0nn-·tradictionbeh:etc"nthefea.sibi1ityl'q\(\l't\lndth...'dl'<,\ftstatementconcerningwinterflows.Page67,paragraph5ofthereportstatesthattheriverwillchannelizeintoasingledeepwatercoursebetweenDevilCanyondamandTalkeetnainwinter;page50,paragraph2ofthedraftstatesthathigherwinterflowsmayincreaseeggsurvivalinthesloughs.Webelievethereisagoodchancethatiftheriverd~esformasingledeepchannelinwinter,thesloughsmaydrainintoitandmarkedlyreduceeggsurvival.Thispossibilityshouldbetreatedatlengthinthefinalstatement.Theregulatedflowswillhavetheadditionaladverseeffectoflimitingnaturalstreambankandbarerosionanddepositiondownstreamfromthedam~Thesenaturalprocessespresently.createlargeareasoffloodplainwillowandalderandsupportsizeablenumbersofmoose.Regulatedflowswillreducetheextentofdisturbedareaandconsequentlytheamountofflood-plainhabitatandthenumberofmoosesupportedbyit.329330331Inv.iewo.ftheseseriousprob.lems,.there.lea.seregimefortheI.·damwillhavetomaintaintheintegrityofpresentaquaticandfloodplainhabitat..RegUlationofflowasproposedinthedraftstatementmaythereforenotbepossible.Pages67-70,Section5.0.ThesectiondoesnotdescribeanyIimpactsfrompowerplantsandswitchyards.ThestatementS.hOUld332discusstheseimpactsorlackofimpactsasapplicable.SummaryTheDepartmentoftheInteriorconcursintheArmyrecornmenda-tionandrecentCongressionalactioncallingforauthorizationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstageofadvancedengineeringanddesignincludingnecessarydetailedenvironmentalstudies,333subjecttothecommentsstatedabove.Withabovenotedexcep-tions,wefurtherbelievethereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementisgenerallyadequateforitspurpose.~pUt7Aas18tan~Lt.GeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314808yours,SecretaryoftheInteriorPage50,paragraph2.Thereisanimrortant",\{';'\r'~nt0nn-·tradictionbeh:etc"nthefea.sibi1ityl'q\(\l't\lndth...'dl'<,\ftstatementconcerningwinterflows.Page67,paragraph5ofthereportstatesthattheriverwillchannelizeintoasingledeepwatercoursebetweenDevilCanyondamandTalkeetnainwinter;page50,paragraph2ofthedraftstatesthathigherwinterflowsmayincreaseeggsurvivalinthesloughs.Webelievethereisagoodchancethatiftheriverd~esformasingledeepchannelinwinter,thesloughsmaydrainintoitandmarkedlyreduceeggsurvival.Thispossibilityshouldbetreatedatlengthinthefinalstatement.Theregulatedflowswillhavetheadditionaladverseeffectoflimitingnaturalstreambankandbarerosionanddepositiondownstreamfromthedam~Thesenaturalprocessespresently.createlargeareasoffloodplainwillowandalderandsupportsizeablenumbersofmoose.Regulatedflowswillreducetheextentofdisturbedareaandconsequentlytheamountofflood-plainhabitatandthenumberofmoosesupportedbyit.329330331Inv.iewo.ftheseseriousprob.lems,.there.lea.seregimefortheI.·damwillhavetomaintaintheintegrityofpresentaquaticandfloodplainhabitat..RegUlationofflowasproposedinthedraftstatementmaythereforenotbepossible.Pages67-70,Section5.0.ThesectiondoesnotdescribeanyIimpactsfrompowerplantsandswitchyards.ThestatementS.hOUld332discusstheseimpactsorlackofimpactsasapplicable.SummaryTheDepartmentoftheInteriorconcursintheArmyrecornmenda-tionandrecentCongressionalactioncallingforauthorizationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstageofadvancedengineeringanddesignincludingnecessarydetailedenvironmentalstudies,333subjecttothecommentsstatedabove.Withabovenotedexcep-tions,wefurtherbelievethereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementisgenerallyadequateforitspurpose.~pUt7Aas18tan~Lt.GeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314808yours,SecretaryoftheInterior
32LJ325326327RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBasedoncurrentguidelinesestablishedbyExecutiveOrder11514.theCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityandCorpsofEngineersRegulations.weinterprettheproposedFederalactiontoconsistoftheultimateprojectproposal.Thisisnecessarytoinsurethatdecisionmakershavesufficientinformationconcerningagivenproposaltorcletermineitsjustificationinlightofenvironmentalconsequences.StudiesmadeduringphaseIdesignmemorandumworkarenecessarytodeterminetheimpactsoftherecommendedproposal.andtheEISwillsubsequentlybesuppJementedasappropriatetoreflectimpactsindetail.SomeimpactsrelatedtophaseIstudiesareinevitableduetotheremotenessandinaccessibilityoftheproposedprojectarea.Thesewillberelatedprimarilytophysicalexplorationsinthevicinityofthedamsitesandalonganaccessroutewhichwouldbedevelopediftheprojectisauthorizedforconstruction.Thiswillrequireuseofheavyequipmentwhichisproposedtobehauledtotheworksitebyall-terrainvehiclesduringthewintertoavoiddamagetotundraandothervegetationanddelicatesoils.Thusphysicaldisturbancewillbelimitedtorelativelysmallareasandwill,insofaraspracticable.becontainedwithinproposedimpoundmentareas.oralongtheaccesstraildevelopedbytheDepartmentofInteriorwhenitmadegeologicalstudiesoftheareainyearspast.Shouldtheprojectnotbeauthorizedforconstruction.somerehabilitationmeasuresmaybenecessary.Overall,thephysicalimpactsrelatedtophaseIfieldinvestigationsareexpectedtoberelativelyinsignificant.AmajorobjectiveofphaseIstudiesistoidentifyavoidableadverseimpactsassociatedwiththeprojectshoulditbeimplemented,andtoincorporatemitigativemeasureswhere~ecessary.Thesummarypagehasbeenheldtoaverybrief,generaldescriptionoftheproposedactionandthemajorimpactsassociatedwithit.Adiscussionofspecificfeatureswouldbesolengthyastonegatetheusefulnessofthesummary.Thecapacityandnumberofpowerplantsinvolvedaredescribeoinsection1.03.DuringphaseIstudiesthemineralresourceoftheproposedimpoundmentareaswillbeassessed.TheneedforsuchastudyhasbeenacknowledgedinthefinalEIS.Thereferencedparagraphclearlystatesthatthestatusoflandoccupiedbyalternativetransmissioncorridorsispresentlyun-settledandthatexistingjurisdictionsaresubjecttochangeasdeterminationsaremadeforultimatedisposal.TheStateBLM80932LJ325326327RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBasedoncurrentguidelinesestablishedbyExecutiveOrder11514.theCouncilonEnvironmentalQualityandCorpsofEngineersRegulations.weinterprettheproposedFederalactiontoconsistoftheultimateprojectproposal.Thisisnecessarytoinsurethatdecisionmakershavesufficientinformationconcerningagivenproposaltorcletermineitsjustificationinlightofenvironmentalconsequences.StudiesmadeduringphaseIdesignmemorandumworkarenecessarytodeterminetheimpactsoftherecommendedproposal.andtheEISwillsubsequentlybesuppJementedasappropriatetoreflectimpactsindetail.SomeimpactsrelatedtophaseIstudiesareinevitableduetotheremotenessandinaccessibilityoftheproposedprojectarea.Thesewillberelatedprimarilytophysicalexplorationsinthevicinityofthedamsitesandalonganaccessroutewhichwouldbedevelopediftheprojectisauthorizedforconstruction.Thiswillrequireuseofheavyequipmentwhichisproposedtobehauledtotheworksitebyall-terrainvehiclesduringthewintertoavoiddamagetotundraandothervegetationanddelicatesoils.Thusphysicaldisturbancewillbelimitedtorelativelysmallareasandwill,insofaraspracticable.becontainedwithinproposedimpoundmentareas.oralongtheaccesstraildevelopedbytheDepartmentofInteriorwhenitmadegeologicalstudiesoftheareainyearspast.Shouldtheprojectnotbeauthorizedforconstruction.somerehabilitationmeasuresmaybenecessary.Overall,thephysicalimpactsrelatedtophaseIfieldinvestigationsareexpectedtoberelativelyinsignificant.AmajorobjectiveofphaseIstudiesistoidentifyavoidableadverseimpactsassociatedwiththeprojectshoulditbeimplemented,andtoincorporatemitigativemeasureswhere~ecessary.Thesummarypagehasbeenheldtoaverybrief,generaldescriptionoftheproposedactionandthemajorimpactsassociatedwithit.Adiscussionofspecificfeatureswouldbesolengthyastonegatetheusefulnessofthesummary.Thecapacityandnumberofpowerplantsinvolvedaredescribeoinsection1.03.DuringphaseIstudiesthemineralresourceoftheproposedimpoundmentareaswillbeassessed.TheneedforsuchastudyhasbeenacknowledgedinthefinalEIS.Thereferencedparagraphclearlystatesthatthestatusoflandoccupiedbyalternativetransmissioncorridorsispresentlyun-settledandthatexistingjurisdictionsaresubjecttochangeasdeterminationsaremadeforultimatedisposal.TheStateBLM809
officehasbeenkeptinformedofpotentialrealestaterequirementsthroughouttheinitialstudyphase.TheseeffortswillbeintensifiedduringthedetailedstudyphasenotonlywithBLM,butwithallotherconcernedagencies,organizationsandindividuals.328Commentsnoted.329Asstatedonpage47,paragraph2,andpage49,paragraph410ftheDEIS~thereisexpectedtobeaperiodofchannelstabilizationoftheSusitnaRiverwithsomechangesintherelationshipbetweentheregulatedriverandexistingsalmonreafingandspawningsloughsandtributaries.Theextentofchanneldegradationandtheeffectsofthisphenomenononimportantfisherieshabitatwillbethefocusofextensivebiologicalandhydrologicalstudiesthroughoutthepreconstructionplanningstage.330Theexpectedshort-termresultofregulatedflowdownstreamoftheprojectistheenlargementofareassupportingpioneeringspecies,suchaswi11owandalder,asthisvegetationovertakestheareaspreviouslydominatedbyflooddisturbances.Butasthevegetationoftheseareasmatures,climaticspeciesmaytakeoverandresultinreducedmoosehabitat.Thesignificanceofthisphenomenonwillbethesubjectofdetailedbaselinedataaccumulationandanalysisduringthedetailedstudyphase.331Althoughdetailedbaselinehydrologicdataarepresentlynotavail-ableonwhichtobaseconclusions,preliminaryfindingsindicatethatthereleaseregimeoftheprojectmaycauseanunavoidablechangeinthepresentaquaticandfloodplainhabitatoftheSusitnaRiver.Itispossiblethattheriver,throughfloodstagereducti')nandflowregulation,maybecomeasinglemeandering'channel,withincreasedflowandturbidityexpecteddownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewinteranddecreasedflowsandturbidityduringthesummer.Thereforefloodplainandaquatichabitatmaybemodified.Themagnitudeandextentofthischangeisspeculativeuntilfurtherstudiesareconductedduringthedetailedstudyphase.332Uponcompletionofinstallationsthereshouldbenoappreciableimpactsresultingfromthelocationandoperationofthepower-plantssincetheywillbelocatedundergroundandwillnotreleasegaseousorsolidpollutants.Switchyardswilloccupyopenspacewhichmustbealteredforthispurpose.However,thiswillbeinfinitesimalcomparedtolandsinundatedbyreservoirs.ImpactsofthesefacilitieswillbeaddressedinasupplementtotheEISuponcompletionofdetailedstudiesrequiredtodeterminetheirdesignandspecificlocation.333Commentsnoted.810officehasbeenkeptinformedofpotentialrealestaterequirementsthroughouttheinitialstudyphase.TheseeffortswillbeintensifiedduringthedetailedstudyphasenotonlywithBLM,butwithallotherconcernedagencies,organizationsandindividuals.328Commentsnoted.329Asstatedonpage47,paragraph2,andpage49,paragraph410ftheDEIS~thereisexpectedtobeaperiodofchannelstabilizationoftheSusitnaRiverwithsomechangesintherelationshipbetweentheregulatedriverandexistingsalmonreafingandspawningsloughsandtributaries.Theextentofchanneldegradationandtheeffectsofthisphenomenononimportantfisherieshabitatwillbethefocusofextensivebiologicalandhydrologicalstudiesthroughoutthepreconstructionplanningstage.330Theexpectedshort-termresultofregulatedflowdownstreamoftheprojectistheenlargementofareassupportingpioneeringspecies,suchaswi11owandalder,asthisvegetationovertakestheareaspreviouslydominatedbyflooddisturbances.Butasthevegetationoftheseareasmatures,climaticspeciesmaytakeoverandresultinreducedmoosehabitat.Thesignificanceofthisphenomenonwillbethesubjectofdetailedbaselinedataaccumulationandanalysisduringthedetailedstudyphase.331Althoughdetailedbaselinehydrologicdataarepresentlynotavail-ableonwhichtobaseconclusions,preliminaryfindingsindicatethatthereleaseregimeoftheprojectmaycauseanunavoidablechangeinthepresentaquaticandfloodplainhabitatoftheSusitnaRiver.Itispossiblethattheriver,throughfloodstagereducti')nandflowregulation,maybecomeasinglemeandering'channel,withincreasedflowandturbidityexpecteddownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewinteranddecreasedflowsandturbidityduringthesummer.Thereforefloodplainandaquatichabitatmaybemodified.Themagnitudeandextentofthischangeisspeculativeuntilfurtherstudiesareconductedduringthedetailedstudyphase.332Uponcompletionofinstallationsthereshouldbenoappreciableimpactsresultingfromthelocationandoperationofthepower-plantssincetheywillbelocatedundergroundandwillnotreleasegaseousorsolidpollutants.Switchyardswilloccupyopenspacewhichmustbealteredforthispurpose.However,thiswillbeinfinitesimalcomparedtolandsinundatedbyreservoirs.ImpactsofthesefacilitieswillbeaddressedinasupplementtotheEISuponcompletionofdetailedstudiesrequiredtodeterminetheirdesignandspecificlocation.333Commentsnoted.810
FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSION"WASHINGTON,D.C.204262December1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314Reference:DAEN-CWP-ADearGeneralMorris:ThisisinreplytoyourletterofJuly9,1976,invitingcommentsbytheCommissionrelativetoyourproposedreport,andtothereportsoftheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsandoftheDistrictandDivisionEngineers,ontheSouthcentralRailbe1tArea,Alaska(HydroelectricPower)UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Areviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementaccompaniedthereports.ThecitedreportscoverstudiesofthefeasibilityofprovidingelectricpowerfortheAnchorage-FairbanksRailbeltareathroughhydro-electricdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Afterconsiderationofalternativeplans,theplanselectedwouldconsistofdevelopmentsattheWatanaandDevilCanyonsites.Becauseofthemagnitudeandcomplexityoftheprojects,aphasedapproachtothefinaldecisiononconstructionwasrecommended.InitiationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagewasauthorizedinPublicLaw94-581,approvedOctober22,1976.Asproposed,thedevelopmentwouldconsistofthe810-foothighWatanaDamwithaninstalledcapacityof708,000kilowattsandthe63S-foothighDevilCanyonDamwithaninstalledcapacityof684,000kilowatts.Thetotalestimatedcostofconstruction,basedonJanuary1975pricelevels,is$1,531,800,000.Theproposedhydroelectricdevelopmentisdesignedtosupplymostoftheincreasedpowerdemandsbetween1985and2000oftheAnchorageandFairbanksareas,aswellasothersmallcommunitiesintheRailbeltregion.TheAlaskaPowerAdministrationhasmadeseveralprojectionsofthecombined811FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSION"WASHINGTON,D.C.204262December1976LieutenantGeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314Reference:DAEN-CWP-ADearGeneralMorris:ThisisinreplytoyourletterofJuly9,1976,invitingcommentsbytheCommissionrelativetoyourproposedreport,andtothereportsoftheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsandoftheDistrictandDivisionEngineers,ontheSouthcentralRailbe1tArea,Alaska(HydroelectricPower)UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Areviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatementaccompaniedthereports.ThecitedreportscoverstudiesofthefeasibilityofprovidingelectricpowerfortheAnchorage-FairbanksRailbeltareathroughhydro-electricdevelopmentintheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin.Afterconsiderationofalternativeplans,theplanselectedwouldconsistofdevelopmentsattheWatanaandDevilCanyonsites.Becauseofthemagnitudeandcomplexityoftheprojects,aphasedapproachtothefinaldecisiononconstructionwasrecommended.InitiationofthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagewasauthorizedinPublicLaw94-581,approvedOctober22,1976.Asproposed,thedevelopmentwouldconsistofthe810-foothighWatanaDamwithaninstalledcapacityof708,000kilowattsandthe63S-foothighDevilCanyonDamwithaninstalledcapacityof684,000kilowatts.Thetotalestimatedcostofconstruction,basedonJanuary1975pricelevels,is$1,531,800,000.Theproposedhydroelectricdevelopmentisdesignedtosupplymostoftheincreasedpowerdemandsbetween1985and2000oftheAnchorageandFairbanksareas,aswellasothersmallcommunitiesintheRailbeltregion.TheAlaskaPowerAdministrationhasmadeseveralprojectionsofthecombined811
loadsoftheseareas.ThevariousprojectionsaregenerallyconsistentwithinformationsuppliedtotheFederalPowerCommissionbytheadvisorycommitteesinvolvedintheCommission'sforthcomingAlaskaPowerSurvey.Themid-rangeprojection,whichwasselectedbyyourDepartmentforuseinitsevaluations,assumesautilityloadgrowthrateof12.4percentannuallybetween1974and1980,7percentbetween1980and1990,and6percentbetween1990and2000.Totalpeakdemandswouldincreasefrom451megawattsin1974,to870megawattsin1980,to1,670megawattsin1990,andto3,170megawattsin2000.Themid-rangeprojectionappearstobeareasonableestimateofpowerloadsthatcanbeanticipatedtooccurwithintheRailbeltarea.Powervaluesdeve!opedbytheCommissionstaffwerebasedontheestimatedcosts,usingJanuary1975pricelevels,ofcoal-firedsteam-electricplantsconstructedintheFairbanksandtheAnchorage-Kenaiareas.AcombinationofREAandmunicipalfinancingwasassumed.OnthebasisofCommissionstaffassumptionsastotheutilizationofthehydrosystempowerbetweenthetwoareas,compositepowervaluesof$89.93perkilowatt-yearfordependablecapacityand5.98millsperkilowatt-hourforenergywerederived.Usingthesevalues,andapplyingappropriatediscountstoreflectatime-lagbeforethepowerinstallationwouldbefullyusabletomeetthearealoads,thetotalannualpowerbenefitsascomputedbyyourDepartmentare$128,153,000,includinganominaleconomicvaluefortheinterconnectionbetweenFairbanksandAnchorage.-IndependentcalculationsbytheCommissionstaffagreev~rycloselywiththatamount.Thestaffalsonotesthat,inadditiontotheeconomicbenefits,theproposedinterconnectionbetweenAnchorageandFairbankspowersystemsshouldhaveadefinitebeneficialeffectonthereliabilityofbothsystems.IncludingyourDepartment'sestimatedbenefitsforrecreation,floodcontrol,and.arearedevelopment,thetotalannual1>enefitswould"beabout$138,000,000,.comparedtoyourDepartment'sestimatesofannualcostsofabout$104,000,000.Consequently,theproposeddevelopmentappearstobeeconomicallyjustified.ThestaffsuggeststhatfurtherstudiesbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminetheoptimumdevelopmentof~heUpperSusitnaBasin.AlthoughthebasicWatana-DevilCanyondevelopmentappearstobewelljustified,variationsinpowerloadgrowthcouldwarrantcon-334siderationofadditionalprojectsinthebasinordeferralofconstructionoftheDevilCanyonproject.Furtherstudiescouldalsoleadtodifferentconclusionsconcerningsuchfactorsasheightofdams,sizeandnumberofunits,orprovisionsforfutureunits.Basedonitscons~deratiodofthereportsofyourDepartment,thereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatement,andthestudiesofitsownstaff,theCommissionconcludes'thattheproposedWatanaandDevilCanyon812loadsoftheseareas.ThevariousprojectionsaregenerallyconsistentwithinformationsuppliedtotheFederalPowerCommissionbytheadvisorycommitteesinvolvedintheCommission'sforthcomingAlaskaPowerSurvey.Themid-rangeprojection,whichwasselectedbyyourDepartmentforuseinitsevaluations,assumesautilityloadgrowthrateof12.4percentannuallybetween1974and1980,7percentbetween1980and1990,and6percentbetween1990and2000.Totalpeakdemandswouldincreasefrom451megawattsin1974,to870megawattsin1980,to1,670megawattsin1990,andto3,170megawattsin2000.Themid-rangeprojectionappearstobeareasonableestimateofpowerloadsthatcanbeanticipatedtooccurwithintheRailbeltarea.Powervaluesdeve!opedbytheCommissionstaffwerebasedontheestimatedcosts,usingJanuary1975pricelevels,ofcoal-firedsteam-electricplantsconstructedintheFairbanksandtheAnchorage-Kenaiareas.AcombinationofREAandmunicipalfinancingwasassumed.OnthebasisofCommissionstaffassumptionsastotheutilizationofthehydrosystempowerbetweenthetwoareas,compositepowervaluesof$89.93perkilowatt-yearfordependablecapacityand5.98millsperkilowatt-hourforenergywerederived.Usingthesevalues,andapplyingappropriatediscountstoreflectatime-lagbeforethepowerinstallationwouldbefullyusabletomeetthearealoads,thetotalannualpowerbenefitsascomputedbyyourDepartmentare$128,153,000,includinganominaleconomicvaluefortheinterconnectionbetweenFairbanksandAnchorage.-IndependentcalculationsbytheCommissionstaffagreev~rycloselywiththatamount.Thestaffalsonotesthat,inadditiontotheeconomicbenefits,theproposedinterconnectionbetweenAnchorageandFairbankspowersystemsshouldhaveadefinitebeneficialeffectonthereliabilityofbothsystems.IncludingyourDepartment'sestimatedbenefitsforrecreation,floodcontrol,and.arearedevelopment,thetotalannual1>enefitswould"beabout$138,000,000,.comparedtoyourDepartment'sestimatesofannualcostsofabout$104,000,000.Consequently,theproposeddevelopmentappearstobeeconomicallyjustified.ThestaffsuggeststhatfurtherstudiesbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminetheoptimumdevelopmentof~heUpperSusitnaBasin.AlthoughthebasicWatana-DevilCanyondevelopmentappearstobewelljustified,variationsinpowerloadgrowthcouldwarrantcon-334siderationofadditionalprojectsinthebasinordeferralofconstructionoftheDevilCanyonproject.Furtherstudiescouldalsoleadtodifferentconclusionsconcerningsuchfactorsasheightofdams,sizeandnumberofunits,orprovisionsforfutureunits.Basedonitscons~deratiodofthereportsofyourDepartment,thereviseddraftenvironmentalimpactstatement,andthestudiesofitsownstaff,theCommissionconcludes'thattheproposedWatanaandDevilCanyon812
hydroelectricdevelopmentsappeartobeeconomicallyeffectivemeansofmeetingprojectedpowerloadsoftheAnchorageandFairbanksRailbeltarea.TheCommissionrecommendsthatfurtherstudiesbemadetodeterminetheoptimumscaleandschedulingofthedevelopmentsneededtomeettheloadgrowthofthearea.TheCommissionstaffwillbeavailabletoworkwithyourDepartmentinresolvingsomeoftheseissues.Sincerelyyours,813hydroelectricdevelopmentsappeartobeeconomicallyeffectivemeansofmeetingprojectedpowerloadsoftheAnchorageandFairbanksRailbeltarea.TheCommissionrecommendsthatfurtherstudiesbemadetodeterminetheoptimumscaleandschedulingofthedevelopmentsneededtomeettheloadgrowthofthearea.TheCommissionstaffwillbeavailabletoworkwithyourDepartmentinresolvingsomeoftheseissues.Sincerelyyours,813
334RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYFEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONTheCorpsofEngineersacknowledgesandconcursintheviewsexpressedbytheFederalPowerCommission.DetailedstudieswillbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminethebestcombinationoffeaturesforoptiumumdevelop-mentoftheUpperSusitnaBasin.814334RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYFEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONTheCorpsofEngineersacknowledgesandconcursintheviewsexpressedbytheFederalPowerCommission.DetailedstudieswillbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminethebestcombinationoffeaturesforoptiumumdevelop-mentoftheUpperSusitnaBasin.814
335STA.T.E91'",,,A.LAS.K..,A.OFFiCE:OFTHE~Ov£RNORJU.....UNovetnberIt,~976Lt.GeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearLt.GeneralMorris:ReferenceismadetoyourletterofJuly9,1976,informingmethatacopyofyourproposedSouthcentralRaUbeltArea,Alaska,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,InterimHydroelectricPowerFeasibilityReporthadbeensubmittedtotheDirector,DivisionofWaterandHarbors,forreviewandcommentpriortotransmissionofthereporttoCongress.Subsequenttothisaction,coordinationhasbeenmaintainedwiththeAlaskaDistrictEngineerwhohasprovidedadditionalinformationdefiningtherangeandtypeofstudiesendorsedinyourreport.IconcurintherecommendationbytheBoardofEngineersreportthatfurtherstudyeffortisneededforaprojectofthismagnitude.Iagreethatadditionaldetailedstudies,includingthoseaddressedbymytaskforce,willber~luiredtodeterminethesignificantimpactsassociatedwiththemagnitudeandcomplexityoftheproject.OurtaskforcerecommendationswillbesuppliedtotheDistrictEngineer.TheinformationobtainedfromtheDistrictEngineerconcerningstudiesproposedinthenextstagecoincideswellwiththeenvironmental,socio-economicandtechnicalstudiesidentifiedbytheStateTaskForceduringreviewoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.Asthesedetailedstudiesareaddressed,coordinationshouldbemaintainedwiththeState'sdesigneetoassurethatassessmentsareansweringthosepointsraisedinthetaskforcereportandtoinsurethattheinformationdevelopedwillbeadequateonwhichtobasefutureStaterecommendations.Thankyoucomments.69-7370 -81-52815these335STA.T.E91'",,,A.LAS.K..,A.OFFiCE:OFTHE~Ov£RNORJU.....UNovetnberIt,~976Lt.GeneralJ.W.MorrisChiefofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyWashington,D.C.20314DearLt.GeneralMorris:ReferenceismadetoyourletterofJuly9,1976,informingmethatacopyofyourproposedSouthcentralRaUbeltArea,Alaska,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,InterimHydroelectricPowerFeasibilityReporthadbeensubmittedtotheDirector,DivisionofWaterandHarbors,forreviewandcommentpriortotransmissionofthereporttoCongress.Subsequenttothisaction,coordinationhasbeenmaintainedwiththeAlaskaDistrictEngineerwhohasprovidedadditionalinformationdefiningtherangeandtypeofstudiesendorsedinyourreport.IconcurintherecommendationbytheBoardofEngineersreportthatfurtherstudyeffortisneededforaprojectofthismagnitude.Iagreethatadditionaldetailedstudies,includingthoseaddressedbymytaskforce,willber~luiredtodeterminethesignificantimpactsassociatedwiththemagnitudeandcomplexityoftheproject.OurtaskforcerecommendationswillbesuppliedtotheDistrictEngineer.TheinformationobtainedfromtheDistrictEngineerconcerningstudiesproposedinthenextstagecoincideswellwiththeenvironmental,socio-economicandtechnicalstudiesidentifiedbytheStateTaskForceduringreviewoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.Asthesedetailedstudiesareaddressed,coordinationshouldbemaintainedwiththeState'sdesigneetoassurethatassessmentsareansweringthosepointsraisedinthetaskforcereportandtoinsurethattheinformationdevelopedwillbeadequateonwhichtobasefutureStaterecommendations.Thankyoucomments.69-7370 -81-52815these
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKAOFFICEOFTHEGOVERNOR335TheCorpsofEngineersacknowledgesandconcursinthecommentsexpressedbytheGovernoroftheStateofAlaska.Detailedenvironmental,socioeconomicandtechnicalstudieswtllbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminetheimpactsoftheproject.ThesestudieswillincorporaterecommendationsbytheStateTaskForc~andcoordinationwillbemaintainedwiththeState'sdesignee.816RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYSTATEOFALASKAOFFICEOFTHEGOVERNOR335TheCorpsofEngineersacknowledgesandconcursinthecommentsexpressedbytheGovernoroftheStateofAlaska.Detailedenvironmental,socioeconomicandtechnicalstudieswtllbemadeduringthephaseIdesignmemorandumstagetodeterminetheimpactsoftheproject.ThesestudieswillincorporaterecommendationsbytheStateTaskForc~andcoordinationwillbemaintainedwiththeState'sdesignee.816
ThomasTaggartBox1195Seward,Alaska9966419Dooember,1976CertifiedHailChiefofJn~ineersun~ted3t~tes.~Corpsof3n~ineers~laShinJ~on,D.C.20314?.e:DE1i-C:'l!'-C:R':"IIS:.:oDR:,FT:;:""II1C1ll·~~·;TALIH?ACl'STAT3:·!S1IT,HYDROELECTRICR);'i3RDj"'I::LOPi';~;T,ti??SH')U3IT:T,i.:-d:T:.~2BDJ,AL.4.37.A.::.'C3.rSir:If:'ouca.'1atallcomprehendthepurehatredl'ihichIattempttoconveyinthisletter,:'OU··'illhaveoeguntograspthemagnitUdeof;rourcrimes.Iholdinuttercontemptever'Jbreathofairlihichentersyouratrophiedlungs,ever'Jperverseoffspringwhichwillfollewinyour:;hadol,edcorridors.Iherebydedicatethelastdropofblood1Vithinmetothene-:;ationof:ToUrwill.Bei'orgoin~furtherhere,a."devermindfulofTf['JOlmlackofeloqUence,Irededicatethe~o~oldngexcerptsofapoemto;rouandyourfellowconspiratorsagainestlife.l1A31'3R3.Q[;{AI!.byBobD'.rlanCO:'le:rouma"ter::JoflTar,:routhatbuildthebigguns11'lthat0uildthedC1:'.t,hplant'!s,youthatbuildallthebombs'::outhat",:1idecehind<lalls,T")UthathidebehinddesksIju::t:,a."lt:'-O'jto~mol1thatIcanseethroughyourmasks::'_'Uthiltnl",vordonenothin'butbuildtodestroy':Ollplayl-tithrrr'J~mrldlikeit'syourlittletoy....Ie'..:'vet:'r::Jlmthe1-;erstrearthatcaneV'lrbehurled?e'lrtob~..nfichild:-aenintothelJorld•••~OlTmuchr10I!mo:·,tot~'kO~ltofturnYour.i~:lt::'a::fthatI'myoung,youmiqhtsayI'munlearned;;utthere'sonethingI!mOl"tho1.:ghI'-myoungert:,anyouTh:lt'~venJesus"0uldnev·?!'<:'orGive;·rhat:'oudoLet;,cask','ouonequestion,is:"ourmoneythat"good;-lilli tb'..l~';:oufor::'7cne::s,doyouthinkthatitcould'It:tink7:11~1.1l:'ind',;hen:rourdeatht':lkesitstollAllt~emone:r:roumade"rillneverbuyback~'oursoulAndIhop''?~hatyoudieandyourdeath'11comesoonI:·rl.llfollo:T:;rourcasketinthepaleafternoonAndI'll::atch::hile70urlo::ereddcwntoyourdeathbed.\ndI'lleta."1::!o'er:rour~rave'til!'-msurethat;rou'redeadConcerningthe!!latterathand,I~,asinf,)I'!'!edonDecember6th,1976hzrEr.Steye\dlson,ranklmkno',m,Ann:rCorpsofili'(ineers,Alaska~i3trictthatcOllllnentsonthea.bove-mentioned::-ubjectcouldstillbesubrrl.ttedrorinclusioninthePinal&1vironrnentalI:'lpact:,tatement.IhermTi.thsulrJ.trrryco!!r.ll';nts,someof,,'hichareintheattachedletterof!,larch9th,1')76tot~eebai~""ofthe30aroofi!:ngineersforliversandHubors.Iaskforthatletter~ertainingto.theInterim7ea3ibility~eporttobeincluded~iiththisoneinthe?JI3,sinceitreb,testocilsical::'..'the.;ameissuesand~rill.,avemethenecessityofdU::llicationofp.':fort.,..817ThomasTaggartBox1195Seward,Alaska9966419Dooember,1976CertifiedHailChiefofJn~ineersun~ted3t~tes.~Corpsof3n~ineers~laShinJ~on,D.C.20314?.e:DE1i-C:'l!'-C:R':"IIS:.:oDR:,FT:;:""II1C1ll·~~·;TALIH?ACl'STAT3:·!S1IT,HYDROELECTRICR);'i3RDj"'I::LOPi';~;T,ti??SH')U3IT:T,i.:-d:T:.~2BDJ,AL.4.37.A.::.'C3.rSir:If:'ouca.'1atallcomprehendthepurehatredl'ihichIattempttoconveyinthisletter,:'OU··'illhaveoeguntograspthemagnitUdeof;rourcrimes.Iholdinuttercontemptever'Jbreathofairlihichentersyouratrophiedlungs,ever'Jperverseoffspringwhichwillfollewinyour:;hadol,edcorridors.Iherebydedicatethelastdropofblood1Vithinmetothene-:;ationof:ToUrwill.Bei'orgoin~furtherhere,a."devermindfulofTf['JOlmlackofeloqUence,Irededicatethe~o~oldngexcerptsofapoemto;rouandyourfellowconspiratorsagainestlife.l1A31'3R3.Q[;{AI!.byBobD'.rlanCO:'le:rouma"ter::JoflTar,:routhatbuildthebigguns11'lthat0uildthedC1:'.t,hplant'!s,youthatbuildallthebombs'::outhat",:1idecehind<lalls,T")UthathidebehinddesksIju::t:,a."lt:'-O'jto~mol1thatIcanseethroughyourmasks::'_'Uthiltnl",vordonenothin'butbuildtodestroy':Ollplayl-tithrrr'J~mrldlikeit'syourlittletoy....Ie'..:'vet:'r::Jlmthe1-;erstrearthatcaneV'lrbehurled?e'lrtob~..nfichild:-aenintothelJorld•••~OlTmuchr10I!mo:·,tot~'kO~ltofturnYour.i~:lt::'a::fthatI'myoung,youmiqhtsayI'munlearned;;utthere'sonethingI!mOl"tho1.:ghI'-myoungert:,anyouTh:lt'~venJesus"0uldnev·?!'<:'orGive;·rhat:'oudoLet;,cask','ouonequestion,is:"ourmoneythat"good;-lilli tb'..l~';:oufor::'7cne::s,doyouthinkthatitcould'It:tink7:11~1.1l:'ind',;hen:rourdeatht':lkesitstollAllt~emone:r:roumade"rillneverbuyback~'oursoulAndIhop''?~hatyoudieandyourdeath'11comesoonI:·rl.llfollo:T:;rourcasketinthepaleafternoonAndI'll::atch::hile70urlo::ereddcwntoyourdeathbed.\ndI'lleta."1::!o'er:rour~rave'til!'-msurethat;rou'redeadConcerningthe!!latterathand,I~,asinf,)I'!'!edonDecember6th,1976hzrEr.Steye\dlson,ranklmkno',m,Ann:rCorpsofili'(ineers,Alaska~i3trictthatcOllllnentsonthea.bove-mentioned::-ubjectcouldstillbesubrrl.ttedrorinclusioninthePinal&1vironrnentalI:'lpact:,tatement.IhermTi.thsulrJ.trrryco!!r.ll';nts,someof,,'hichareintheattachedletterof!,larch9th,1')76tot~eebai~""ofthe30aroofi!:ngineersforliversandHubors.Iaskforthatletter~ertainingto.theInterim7ea3ibility~eporttobeincluded~iiththisoneinthe?JI3,sinceitreb,testocilsical::'..'the.;ameissuesand~rill.,avemethenecessityofdU::llicationofp.':fort.,..817
Idoha'~eadditio:".alcomm.entshOHever.TothenorthoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinii·,sP:-udh,-:>e!layHithne!"ha~s10billionormorebarrelsofoil,andtrillionsofcubicfeet-::natural3~s.Tot·te;·restaretheBelugaandHealycoalfieds(lo~-t-sulphur)whicharees-ti!":lted.tocontainthec1uivalentof24billionbarrelsof'oil.Tothe:>outhisCookInJ,eto~:30::1c:o.,~,probac).e~xten:;iveO.C.S.reservoirs,a.'ldthepotentialorharnessingCookI::::'-,t·';;0foottides.AtalltimesinAlaskatherearetremendous'tl1nds.-raitingtogeneratee1~ct:·i.c:'.~:r,in3U!"C'lerr.1onths'·;ehaveupto24hoursperdayofunrestrictedsolarenergy,'~:1,1.~<=ot:!cr.;alpotentialSlJchasexistsin·SonomaCounty;Californiaisabundanthere.;)es··.·itethi3';ealthofresources,inyoorblunder:l.i1gincompetencea."dmazeorbureaucratic~e-"ll'l:ion:::youcanfindnoother··r:J::ftorrovidepOHerforAlaska'sminisculepopulationthantocon:tI"\:ctdamsonthe3usitna]iver.InsteadofallowingNorthS1.0'geoiltogotoJapan3.3ispro!'o,cd(lessoilcom~an:'ta:<estoU.3.Treasury),whydon'tyouenergetica.lJ.yHOrkt,o:leet:-::lt.Uaskag'ltjustthe'mlallt~ckleofoil,rhichsheneeds?It'1~ouldhardlybe'·.::;,'ed07the,?luttonousconsumersofthe1I10~.er48"intheirheadlongrushintooblivion.::;0IW!r,:p.l;r,it;rouldsavebillionsoftaxdollarsbY'preventingthe3usitnaDamboondoogle.?leasere:r3infromquotin~to~ePUbl~cLaw93-577?ertainingtocon3ervationofnonre-n:::'-nbleres:l1.l!,,:cs.Iunderst'anditperfectly,andIalsounderstandhO"1ludicroustheappli-cationoftr.elette!'01t:latlawistothissituation.iiEARESURRCUHDZ.Dm::-EINALASKABYA.,::u?,~:::S',::,U,T:tCF::ATU?.AL'Z)CU1CESCFU}lLUlIT:IDPRO:-lISE.;.[einAlaskacouldnotusethe"~~p.so·Jrcesin2000years.ALLOWUST~nlSImrr?ICANTFR.\CTIO'-:OFTIDSE!G30U!lC:iSNEEDEDTC3:';"':','J:?:CU:~~-r.:.Sandstillmaintaintheintegrityofournaturalenvironment.Most.\l:t3:{a.~.SareAlas~anspr~cisel:rbecauseofthelackofdams,free~m;ysandotherinsidi6l&lS,.der:caning-;;;croachr.lentsofyour9:lciety.Thefollo,r:.nesl~etclT'Jco!llt"'1cnt:;:JertaintotherevisedDEISorrevisedIFR,asnoted..1)I'.:·i'!2.:'=yet!lat',!le?~ISshouldincludemetricconversionsfollot'ringallnumeral:;whereaprlica'cl'3.Tt~e.fact+.h1tthis"'lsnttdoneinthedraftstatementindicatesthattheCorpsiL..·lfisunr:;::!'onsivetothecl~a."1v.r.gv'l1uesofoursociety.;::)It",lOlJldbeap:;ropriatefor+he?'~Stobeexpedientlybroughttothepublic'sattention'Ii-athe:-1I0UClibr3.rie3ofthefollmnngcom:nunities:AllSouthcentralAlaskancOllllllUnities,JU:h~au(:;le:;~tdcapitol),the~ublicli'orariesofthecapitolcitiesofeach.stateandt":'rit-:Jr:r,3.~dtheDistrictofColu"lbia.Furthermore,thereshouldbenodollarvalueplaced~~.such":ocurr.ents;:hich'ouldin:~i"::litthepUblic'sabilitytoobtainsuch.PleasenotelI'(J~G~~P.~·5intheattachedletter~ertainingtotheCo~sdubiousmethod:>ofdisseminating:.::-~:r:la.ti':Jnont~'3·-~r3.rt;>roposalsforthisp~o,j~ct:.J)3ec:ion2.01.4.5,?ara<rraph1,page17statesthat"HostoftheSusitnabasinaboveDevil:;3l1yonisconsi::leredto':'ehighl:!f"avor:lblefordepositsofcopperormol;.rbdenum••"'30Q.:'.08,p.60ofthe:>amedocll::le:lt(RDZI3)statesthatn••theareahasneverbeenIIappedO:80logicall;;r."Des:)itet::eset~rosta:e"lents,theCorpsisapparentlynotsolicitingcomments:-,'Ql1lt'leU.".3ursau0:'::ines,andthisfactcastsapallontheintegrityoftheCorps.3incetile3.reahasnotbeenext"".,.i.vP.1.ychecked::orrdnerals,letusassumeforthemomentth3tvastdepositsofura,iu::l,geld,plutonium,etc.existthere.4)Thro'J'OhouttheiIDZISandthe]IFRtheCorps!"p.f':r5simplytomoosehabitatorgoodmoose:1-hitat.Ho',reverinAp-cndix2oftheIFil,theUS?~~·..ISr'"ferstothesa..-noareasaspreferredorcrit,icalmoose'~abitat.TheCorpsisa~aincaughtbeinghssthancandidaboutimportant:actswhichareorconcern'toillAlaskans..5)C'r!the3u"",701ar::PIlP,spc.3b,theCorpsrefersto"increasedturbiditydownstreamfrom.>",i~·:;-:.n:.ron"a::;anadverseenv:'~nn:entuimpact.Thesa..'1JOphenor.1e11OI1(increasedtUrbidit:,r)isciteclonp.63oft·nemRas0.I"~aS0nfornotoptingforthealternati'Jeofacoalfired::0':rc,,,:-:J::o::-:;:'.Dce!!t!:eCo~s;,ossi'Jl]'con5icl!~rthepot"'ntialdamagetotheSl:siilna(a-:l,~orri-;:'r)tobec:le::ss:':::o:ii'ica:-:cethan"do.:,:a:eto3treamsaroundBelugaorHeaJ"ywhere818'8311L37,338,339IIdoha'~eadditio:".alcomm.entshOHever.TothenorthoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinii·,sP:-udh,-:>e!layHithne!"ha~s10billionormorebarrelsofoil,andtrillionsofcubicfeet-::natural3~s.Tot·te;·restaretheBelugaandHealycoalfieds(lo~-t-sulphur)whicharees-ti!":lted.tocontainthec1uivalentof24billionbarrelsof'oil.Tothe:>outhisCookInJ,eto~:30::1c:o.,~,probac).e~xten:;iveO.C.S.reservoirs,a.'ldthepotentialorharnessingCookI::::'-,t·';;0foottides.AtalltimesinAlaskatherearetremendous'tl1nds.-raitingtogeneratee1~ct:·i.c:'.~:r,in3U!"C'lerr.1onths'·;ehaveupto24hoursperdayofunrestrictedsolarenergy,'~:1,1.~<=ot:!cr.;alpotentialSlJchasexistsin·SonomaCounty;Californiaisabundanthere.;)es··.·itethi3';ealthofresources,inyoorblunder:l.i1gincompetencea."dmazeorbureaucratic~e-"ll'l:ion:::youcanfindnoother··r:J::ftorrovidepOHerforAlaska'sminisculepopulationthantocon:tI"\:ctdamsonthe3usitna]iver.InsteadofallowingNorthS1.0'geoiltogotoJapan3.3ispro!'o,cd(lessoilcom~an:'ta:<estoU.3.Treasury),whydon'tyouenergetica.lJ.yHOrkt,o:leet:-::lt.Uaskag'ltjustthe'mlallt~ckleofoil,rhichsheneeds?It'1~ouldhardlybe'·.::;,'ed07the,?luttonousconsumersofthe1I10~.er48"intheirheadlongrushintooblivion.::;0IW!r,:p.l;r,it;rouldsavebillionsoftaxdollarsbY'preventingthe3usitnaDamboondoogle.?leasere:r3infromquotin~to~ePUbl~cLaw93-577?ertainingtocon3ervationofnonre-n:::'-nbleres:l1.l!,,:cs.Iunderst'anditperfectly,andIalsounderstandhO"1ludicroustheappli-cationoftr.elette!'01t:latlawistothissituation.iiEARESURRCUHDZ.Dm::-EINALASKABYA.,::u?,~:::S',::,U,T:tCF::ATU?.AL'Z)CU1CESCFU}lLUlIT:IDPRO:-lISE.;.[einAlaskacouldnotusethe"~~p.so·Jrcesin2000years.ALLOWUST~nlSImrr?ICANTFR.\CTIO'-:OFTIDSE!G30U!lC:iSNEEDEDTC3:';"':','J:?:CU:~~-r.:.Sandstillmaintaintheintegrityofournaturalenvironment.Most.\l:t3:{a.~.SareAlas~anspr~cisel:rbecauseofthelackofdams,free~m;ysandotherinsidi6l&lS,.der:caning-;;;croachr.lentsofyour9:lciety.Thefollo,r:.nesl~etclT'Jco!llt"'1cnt:;:JertaintotherevisedDEISorrevisedIFR,asnoted..1)I'.:·i'!2.:'=yet!lat',!le?~ISshouldincludemetricconversionsfollot'ringallnumeral:;whereaprlica'cl'3.Tt~e.fact+.h1tthis"'lsnttdoneinthedraftstatementindicatesthattheCorpsiL..·lfisunr:;::!'onsivetothecl~a."1v.r.gv'l1uesofoursociety.;::)It",lOlJldbeap:;ropriatefor+he?'~Stobeexpedientlybroughttothepublic'sattention'Ii-athe:-1I0UClibr3.rie3ofthefollmnngcom:nunities:AllSouthcentralAlaskancOllllllUnities,JU:h~au(:;le:;~tdcapitol),the~ublicli'orariesofthecapitolcitiesofeach.stateandt":'rit-:Jr:r,3.~dtheDistrictofColu"lbia.Furthermore,thereshouldbenodollarvalueplaced~~.such":ocurr.ents;:hich'ouldin:~i"::litthepUblic'sabilitytoobtainsuch.PleasenotelI'(J~G~~P.~·5intheattachedletter~ertainingtotheCo~sdubiousmethod:>ofdisseminating:.::-~:r:la.ti':Jnont~'3·-~r3.rt;>roposalsforthisp~o,j~ct:.J)3ec:ion2.01.4.5,?ara<rraph1,page17statesthat"HostoftheSusitnabasinaboveDevil:;3l1yonisconsi::leredto':'ehighl:!f"avor:lblefordepositsofcopperormol;.rbdenum••"'30Q.:'.08,p.60ofthe:>amedocll::le:lt(RDZI3)statesthatn••theareahasneverbeenIIappedO:80logicall;;r."Des:)itet::eset~rosta:e"lents,theCorpsisapparentlynotsolicitingcomments:-,'Ql1lt'leU.".3ursau0:'::ines,andthisfactcastsapallontheintegrityoftheCorps.3incetile3.reahasnotbeenext"".,.i.vP.1.ychecked::orrdnerals,letusassumeforthemomentth3tvastdepositsofura,iu::l,geld,plutonium,etc.existthere.4)Thro'J'OhouttheiIDZISandthe]IFRtheCorps!"p.f':r5simplytomoosehabitatorgoodmoose:1-hitat.Ho',reverinAp-cndix2oftheIFil,theUS?~~·..ISr'"ferstothesa..-noareasaspreferredorcrit,icalmoose'~abitat.TheCorpsisa~aincaughtbeinghssthancandidaboutimportant:actswhichareorconcern'toillAlaskans..5)C'r!the3u"",701ar::PIlP,spc.3b,theCorpsrefersto"increasedturbiditydownstreamfrom.>",i~·:;-:.n:.ron"a::;anadverseenv:'~nn:entuimpact.Thesa..'1JOphenor.1e11OI1(increasedtUrbidit:,r)isciteclonp.63oft·nemRas0.I"~aS0nfornotoptingforthealternati'Jeofacoalfired::0':rc,,,:-:J::o::-:;:'.Dce!!t!:eCo~s;,ossi'Jl]'con5icl!~rthepot"'ntialdamagetotheSl:siilna(a-:l,~orri-;:'r)tobec:le::ss:':::o:ii'ica:-:cethan"do.:,:a:eto3treamsaroundBelugaorHeaJ"ywhere818'8311L37,338,339I
16)>0.'.03,pa::,.1$,s:n.h:To'mat·::om;ressionalCOl1l:'1i'.teedoestheCoro;ssubmititsf'.!....:d-L!";....~."'?6).c:t:-:n;a;.;e''J.:-;!.:;:r-aph'3.Scitedabwe,theCornsrarerstothe"nossible"irJti.bitionof:;;..:'ic'Yl·:,.,·...e:::·~r.;::.',L'Tnot"p:caable"or"hig?11/:::robable"consideringthat:rou?roposetoc"cw-tet~1e'ia:ana:te~er'10irdirectl,7ont?1epathofthe?lelchinaherd?AnotherCaseoft:.'":t;Gor:.Jsinclinatio!:to?iveus",ici)ushalf-t~thsperhaps?17)~ec.1.03,par.15,sen.$:~oul~~'ttheseaiditionalstudiesreferredtoherebea:r:.L;teoft·,;:~one···ifCongresss!1oulddecidetoshootdo:,;nther-roposal?13)3ec.1.~3,par.15.sen7:'r'1issentenceis-,lOrdedasthoughitisaforegoneconclusion:h::;tCon;::res:;··fill<lut'lJrizear1vvar:c(:·~c::~tt·::;:~~l1alpro.~"ctdesignandconstruction.on.matJ:)esther;'lr·.·~~·oa3e3:cha9re3~.~r1~tion'?Itisimpliedthat.Uaska'smajorpowerresourcesexistinJoestheCoz::,gconsider?rudJiO'e"'"1jaya.z::dPetroleum:leserve10)3ec.1.02,para.1,sen.3:t.;:c.:Jouthce!1tralRai:b-.'lt;\~ea..~utobeninorre50urces?11)Sec.1.G3,par.3,sen.1:InlightoftherecentIdahodisaster,isit~ri::;etocon-::tr"l:ctan"!:;~hfill-13."0\ofthi3magnitude?If'the~yatanaDambursts,~'Thatet':-ect,·muldit:::l'leont<,,,,J~..,ilCan'.-'nD:un'!Iftheybothgo,',1hat1"Touldbetheeffecton\'iillow(thenew3~:ltecar;itol)·:lnc.Ie',;""rvil1:J.ges0:t~eL01-T!~r3usitnaRiv'er?7)3ee.1.01,s'lntence2isahighl7[aee:.:rateappraisaJ.ofthesituation,andasasolution.:'I1E':'T~UCZco:rsur-IPrIo;;?8)Sec.1.01,sen.3mentions"•••atthe:-equestoflocal.interests•••"Asaconcemedcit-i;:,~n,:::;1e~eb:.·d-:;mandthattheCorpselaboratecnthat:;tdementinthe:'1':::IS.9)Sec.1.J1•••7x.s:tesoiution!na.'1datesthattheCor;::sreview"anycompetitivealternatives"+'0tileSusitna:t'dro?!"Oposals,a."1:litisapr::arentfromthePoOEISandtheiUFRthattheCorpshas;'ai:!.edto(!j:tensi-;el:rreviewthealternatives.19)Sec.?"'.1,;1'\::-.2,sen.3:Theadjectivesusedhere(cold,swift,silt-laden,unin-~abited)ma:'<)eaccurate,butare:Jbviouslyintendedtoprojectanimageofaharsh,unrelenti.ngrivera:!dl'Jnd~lhic:,p03siblj"desrrves"tobet'll'led.',ih:rnotdescribetherivera3"wild,md::c~r.ic",tilelandas"uninhabited,butnotuninhabitablell.":in::notindeed.20)~i~.4:Thismapisuntitled.21)joe.2.01.2,pa::-.2&:3:Althol",hthe3u:;iba"asnotreconl'1endedasa_rild&:scenicriver};:'the>cret:J.rr0:-Int"rior,it:i.:lSind.~edbeenreoOT:!r1'mdedas3uchby'Jtherlegislation(32918~~~1356h),andthat:-actdeservesmentioninthe?:IS,asdoestheriverlsnickn~:1I~~i:~~.~:;':::-;:-'1':!It\::_··.?:T·~G!I.12);ec.1.03,par6:The~i?\lreSheredonotcorrespondwiththosegivenonpage92ofthe~:?.HowcantheCor?spubli:.;ha21under0:"thismagnitudeandexpecttomaintainitsc:'e'-l~bi:J.it7?13)?ig.2,3,5,.8,11.12:"ThemapsareinerrorbJprojectingtheCopperRivernigh,,-ayto..~()r::·':!ctatC:atina,"i'O.t'Ert:-,."3..'1atThG:>1p:;onPassnorthofValdez.11.);8e.1~:)3,par.11;These:-i":'J~s,=houldbeupdatedinthe:31:3to1977estimates.1~\;~~.1.03,par12:Theben0fittoe03tratiosivenhere(1.4)isinconflictwiththeo~:c,,~-;r.':l:'.nt:"1eRn'!!.(1.3).::hoare:·tetobelieve?HowdoesSenatorGravel'sbondpro-'lo:3.l'l..:'f\~~·tthe6.J/8~;intcrostrate?3411342134313441345134613471348'349'SeO'3511352135313541355,356181916)>0.'.03,pa::,.1$,s:n.h:To'mat·::om;ressionalCOl1l:'1i'.teedoestheCoro;ssubmititsf'.!....:d-L!";....~."'?6).c:t:-:n;a;.;e''J.:-;!.:;:r-aph'3.Scitedabwe,theCornsrarerstothe"nossible"irJti.bitionof:;;..:'ic'Yl·:,.,·...e:::·~r.;::.',L'Tnot"p:caable"or"hig?11/:::robable"consideringthat:rou?roposetoc"cw-tet~1e'ia:ana:te~er'10irdirectl,7ont?1epathofthe?lelchinaherd?AnotherCaseoft:.'":t;Gor:.Jsinclinatio!:to?iveus",ici)ushalf-t~thsperhaps?17)~ec.1.03,par.15,sen.$:~oul~~'ttheseaiditionalstudiesreferredtoherebea:r:.L;teoft·,;:~one···ifCongresss!1oulddecidetoshootdo:,;nther-roposal?13)3ec.1.~3,par.15.sen7:'r'1issentenceis-,lOrdedasthoughitisaforegoneconclusion:h::;tCon;::res:;··fill<lut'lJrizear1vvar:c(:·~c::~tt·::;:~~l1alpro.~"ctdesignandconstruction.on.matJ:)esther;'lr·.·~~·oa3e3:cha9re3~.~r1~tion'?Itisimpliedthat.Uaska'smajorpowerresourcesexistinJoestheCoz::,gconsider?rudJiO'e"'"1jaya.z::dPetroleum:leserve10)3ec.1.02,para.1,sen.3:t.;:c.:Jouthce!1tralRai:b-.'lt;\~ea..~utobeninorre50urces?11)Sec.1.G3,par.3,sen.1:InlightoftherecentIdahodisaster,isit~ri::;etocon-::tr"l:ctan"!:;~hfill-13."0\ofthi3magnitude?If'the~yatanaDambursts,~'Thatet':-ect,·muldit:::l'leont<,,,,J~..,ilCan'.-'nD:un'!Iftheybothgo,',1hat1"Touldbetheeffecton\'iillow(thenew3~:ltecar;itol)·:lnc.Ie',;""rvil1:J.ges0:t~eL01-T!~r3usitnaRiv'er?7)3ee.1.01,s'lntence2isahighl7[aee:.:rateappraisaJ.ofthesituation,andasasolution.:'I1E':'T~UCZco:rsur-IPrIo;;?8)Sec.1.01,sen.3mentions"•••atthe:-equestoflocal.interests•••"Asaconcemedcit-i;:,~n,:::;1e~eb:.·d-:;mandthattheCorpselaboratecnthat:;tdementinthe:'1':::IS.9)Sec.1.J1•••7x.s:tesoiution!na.'1datesthattheCor;::sreview"anycompetitivealternatives"+'0tileSusitna:t'dro?!"Oposals,a."1:litisapr::arentfromthePoOEISandtheiUFRthattheCorpshas;'ai:!.edto(!j:tensi-;el:rreviewthealternatives.19)Sec.?"'.1,;1'\::-.2,sen.3:Theadjectivesusedhere(cold,swift,silt-laden,unin-~abited)ma:'<)eaccurate,butare:Jbviouslyintendedtoprojectanimageofaharsh,unrelenti.ngrivera:!dl'Jnd~lhic:,p03siblj"desrrves"tobet'll'led.',ih:rnotdescribetherivera3"wild,md::c~r.ic",tilelandas"uninhabited,butnotuninhabitablell.":in::notindeed.20)~i~.4:Thismapisuntitled.21)joe.2.01.2,pa::-.2&:3:Althol",hthe3u:;iba"asnotreconl'1endedasa_rild&:scenicriver};:'the>cret:J.rr0:-Int"rior,it:i.:lSind.~edbeenreoOT:!r1'mdedas3uchby'Jtherlegislation(32918~~~1356h),andthat:-actdeservesmentioninthe?:IS,asdoestheriverlsnickn~:1I~~i:~~.~:;':::-;:-'1':!It\::_··.?:T·~G!I.12);ec.1.03,par6:The~i?\lreSheredonotcorrespondwiththosegivenonpage92ofthe~:?.HowcantheCor?spubli:.;ha21under0:"thismagnitudeandexpecttomaintainitsc:'e'-l~bi:J.it7?13)?ig.2,3,5,.8,11.12:"ThemapsareinerrorbJprojectingtheCopperRivernigh,,-ayto..~()r::·':!ctatC:atina,"i'O.t'Ert:-,."3..'1atThG:>1p:;onPassnorthofValdez.11.);8e.1~:)3,par.11;These:-i":'J~s,=houldbeupdatedinthe:31:3to1977estimates.1~\;~~.1.03,par12:Theben0fittoe03tratiosivenhere(1.4)isinconflictwiththeo~:c,,~-;r.':l:'.nt:"1eRn'!!.(1.3).::hoare:·tetobelieve?HowdoesSenatorGravel'sbondpro-'lo:3.l'l..:'f\~~·tthe6.J/8~;intcrostrate?3411342134313441345134613471348'349'SeO'3511352135313541355,3561819
;.O):;ec.h.al,~;n'.11:'7:1.)anticip"terlsU3?endedsedbent1.'Jvels(15-35p!Jm)atthe:)roposed:07i1';:an:'onJar:';:uld::'):con:'Or:1to3PAregulations.Thisfa.ctaloneh~scau:;edthei::?A~:Jcl:1.3,.i~:''.11.:.3:r()je:t.3.~;?:J.-2(3nviron"'1~ntal1eservations).T:iisisaaeriousconsidera--:i'i:1,3.l1Jshaul:]be':reatl-,"e:....--pmd'?duponinthe~'SI~~.31)·ec.11.()1,?ar.14:Iti:."tatedthat":-lome;'Tinter;1100S'"ra.t'J;;eintheriv,',rbottom"would',e:'10"'-::';:.:.Il'nf.:>r'1eret;:,,\Gcendix2oftheITR,pa·ee13ottheUSF?U3re!Jort,thechart':-.:c:Ji'1c\:.C:Jtc>:>thot33\920~2£.p:-efi)r!'ed£!crit.icalmoo::;ehabitat-;Tillbelosttothe·J.t'"!~'3.:~e.5,..,~!tJi~.~··,;c'llthe:orpscareTOco~;·;".ent?;'2:2'.Oc.)!.02,,:ara18(.:1~~:Hereit,isc'1ncludedthatfish··muldhaveadii':'icult(ifnot~-;.<i3'·i1.:>1'1;time"Jf~s-:,:,;,bl:':;::ingth~~s21vGSineitherof~h·?:::ropo3edreservoirs.Sowhat:,,,cr:a:.icnal"ot'-ntial'·:o:<'.dbe:,.vailable:·Tithout·fi3hing?Pcm'erboating?S~Ii..'l1!'linff?J:)3ec.4.03,oar.2:rhi3p3.r'l€ra~htellsU~ th~t~>~lCaI1yonhasfet-lareasofbig-game';"01.'.:1"•"'1eF,?';i-::Lr.thechartquotedinitem}31abovetellsusthatDevilCanyonhas5,7:·0~~pr'2:c~~d:·rc~tic·3.l::.~bitat'":.'or;noose.3h)3ec.4.03,par.10:tfuy~asttisparagraphdeleted~romtheReYisedInterL~?easibility1",?ort(RI?~)?.3;;):lec.4.13,par.h:"T~e;:::'Opo::edtra.'1:>Ji1i::;sionl:.necorridor;muldcrossnoexistingor;::~~"p.ntl:·pro-::o"ed:cenic,'.rild.or:-ecreatior:o:llrivArs,noruouldit'crossan:rexistingor::.:'e';entl~·,)!'Opo'ied':ild",rnc~so.rea.:;•••"The3usitnafliverit"elfi.3propo!3edasawildci:c'~:!.cri·,,·r,a::d'lllofthe~a.."1.:li!'lthe:J;y:er3usitna:t!.ver:!lUin"wouldprobablyqualii'y~:::r'.rilricrnesscla:J-;ifica'ionundermostde~initionsofthetam"(3ec.4.13,par.1).I357,358I359136013611362•36313641365I36613671368~3691370-,,:,\"):..;.2.01.i.I.~',par.It,~An..1::l:":upt.h~re:"r.~:.'";a:'?.\fldinThisisava::;uestat0'1~nt.JusthO~'TmanyminingclaimshOHlargeanareaofacres/hectares?23)SDC.~.01.h.5,O:!H'.4,sen.~:It"many"oftheseclaimsareabovethp.proposed,:'e5ervoir,C'lr."e·atcl;.ra:::su~:et!latlike',;iae"manj'"areHithintheareaof"theproposedreservoir?2~)·;"lc.?.02.1.1,par.2,sen.3::'lithalittlehelp:'romhumanssa.l."!1oncould;ll'Obablybe."'··~dt::rQug!1D(~'rilCarnon,thusthe·,tatement"unabletoascend"shouldbefolloHedbythe::.:;"""::1It-it:';~::;ent",inthe!4'-~I3.;~;).:;("~.:::.03.1,par.1:Despiteal.lthepipelinerelated:'i~urp.scitedhere,thepopulation~::.t::'ask.1.t1/5the1'1.:1<19.ro.a0;'the!"emainin'!'49statescombined)!"ellI:Uns3M.\LLER.TIUNthe··op~llat.ionJfan:'one0:'A:",~rical:;~largest'£!!!!!I26)3i!c.2.03.2,par3,sen.4:To:,a-;,thatUaska'scurrentgr'OHthratecanpartl~rbeat-:ri>~:·-itot;-.etra!1S-'·.2a;;::ailipeli:le.is9.verJmisl"adingstat"r::~nt,unlessfiTlresare~i'!ento3'.Jb3t::.:-tiate.it.I:·TouldSUe:::sth.'ltperhaps90-95%ofthecurre':!t3'r'O··Tthrtlteis':'::'~ctl:7a~~ributabl+o'l'....PSpan";..Uaska;·rill~ubsequentlyhavealargedecl:!.neinFopulation-.!hcnthe~i~eline.is.cvm.';~leted.'~7::PC.2.03.2,n,,~.12:Thisisatrulyincrediblestater.wnt.;-lhynotcon3iderreducing:::::.·;m"tbn'1::').~e::t,,;Jnsofsolvingthe,"nergyproblem"Ourgrcmthhasbecomernili~nant,~'11:-:u,tbet."'eatedasa::Ialignanci.23).::'.'c.?0.3.J.2,par.1:Thespur:'l~ntionedhereisinactualitythe·'e-;.3.rdHighway,the';:Jir.~-:''Jdc:t::.P.:·:.~nai:~nin::mla.The3e~entr=f'3r~'edtoisJBmileslone,not27.27)J~c.2.03.h.2,par.1,~en5:Thissentenceshouldbeentirelydeletedfrom:he~~;.:t"303nor:2.TIJ..,,;ce,butr:l~"·,risinte~dedtosho••thel'Iajestyofl'lacllinesov;;rnature,.·z::'chis.'J!:inacur'1te:)J::ii:n;"lature;Josition,andt-,?icaloftheinsensitivethin'{:~ngofthe~J:':"3·)f::':ri:Jeerst-Ihic:·.:'3proba:::l:,:nadeupofpeople"ihoa..""6totallyestranredf::-omtheir:;.-i.t~Jra:!..r-o~;·..:i:--:··:"!-:~t.820;.O):;ec.h.al,~;n'.11:'7:1.)anticip"terlsU3?endedsedbent1.'Jvels(15-35p!Jm)atthe:)roposed:07i1';:an:'onJar:';:uld::'):con:'Or:1to3PAregulations.Thisfa.ctaloneh~scau:;edthei::?A~:Jcl:1.3,.i~:''.11.:.3:r()je:t.3.~;?:J.-2(3nviron"'1~ntal1eservations).T:iisisaaeriousconsidera--:i'i:1,3.l1Jshaul:]be':reatl-,"e:....--pmd'?duponinthe~'SI~~.31)·ec.11.()1,?ar.14:Iti:."tatedthat":-lome;'Tinter;1100S'"ra.t'J;;eintheriv,',rbottom"would',e:'10"'-::';:.:.Il'nf.:>r'1eret;:,,\Gcendix2oftheITR,pa·ee13ottheUSF?U3re!Jort,thechart':-.:c:Ji'1c\:.C:Jtc>:>thot33\920~2£.p:-efi)r!'ed£!crit.icalmoo::;ehabitat-;Tillbelosttothe·J.t'"!~'3.:~e.5,..,~!tJi~.~··,;c'llthe:orpscareTOco~;·;".ent?;'2:2'.Oc.)!.02,,:ara18(.:1~~:Hereit,isc'1ncludedthatfish··muldhaveadii':'icult(ifnot~-;.<i3'·i1.:>1'1;time"Jf~s-:,:,;,bl:':;::ingth~~s21vGSineitherof~h·?:::ropo3edreservoirs.Sowhat:,,,cr:a:.icnal"ot'-ntial'·:o:<'.dbe:,.vailable:·Tithout·fi3hing?Pcm'erboating?S~Ii..'l1!'linff?J:)3ec.4.03,oar.2:rhi3p3.r'l€ra~htellsU~th~t~>~lCaI1yonhasfet-lareasofbig-game';"01.'.:1"•"'1eF,?';i-::Lr.thechartquotedinitem}31abovetellsusthatDevilCanyonhas5,7:·0~~pr'2:c~~d:·rc~tic·3.l::.~bitat'":.'or;noose.3h)3ec.4.03,par.10:tfuy~asttisparagraphdeleted~romtheReYisedInterL~?easibility1",?ort(RI?~)?.3;;):lec.4.13,par.h:"T~e;:::'Opo::edtra.'1:>Ji1i::;sionl:.necorridor;muldcrossnoexistingor;::~~"p.ntl:·pro-::o"ed:cenic,'.rild.or:-ecreatior:o:llrivArs,noruouldit'crossan:rexistingor::.:'e';entl~·,)!'Opo'ied':ild",rnc~so.rea.:;•••"The3usitnafliverit"elfi.3propo!3edasawildci:c'~:!.cri·,,·r,a::d'lllofthe~a.."1.:li!'lthe:J;y:er3usitna:t!.ver:!lUin"wouldprobablyqualii'y~:::r'.rilricrnesscla:J-;ifica'ionundermostde~initionsofthetam"(3ec.4.13,par.1).I357,358I359136013611362•36313641365I36613671368~3691370-,,:,\"):..;.2.01.i.I.~',par.It,~An..1::l:":upt.h~re:"r.~:.'";a:'?.\fldinThisisava::;uestat0'1~nt.JusthO~'TmanyminingclaimshOHlargeanareaofacres/hectares?23)SDC.~.01.h.5,O:!H'.4,sen.~:It"many"oftheseclaimsareabovethp.proposed,:'e5ervoir,C'lr."e·atcl;.ra:::su~:et!latlike',;iae"manj'"areHithintheareaof"theproposedreservoir?2~)·;"lc.?.02.1.1,par.2,sen.3::'lithalittlehelp:'romhumanssa.l."!1oncould;ll'Obablybe."'··~dt::rQug!1D(~'rilCarnon,thusthe·,tatement"unabletoascend"shouldbefolloHedbythe::.:;"""::1It-it:';~::;ent",inthe!4'-~I3.;~;).:;("~.:::.03.1,par.1:Despiteal.lthepipelinerelated:'i~urp.scitedhere,thepopulation~::.t::'ask.1.t1/5the1'1.:1<19.ro.a0;'the!"emainin'!'49statescombined)!"ellI:Uns3M.\LLER.TIUNthe··op~llat.ionJfan:'one0:'A:",~rical:;~largest'£!!!!!I26)3i!c.2.03.2,par3,sen.4:To:,a-;,thatUaska'scurrentgr'OHthratecanpartl~rbeat-:ri>~:·-itot;-.etra!1S-'·.2a;;::ailipeli:le.is9.verJmisl"adingstat"r::~nt,unlessfiTlresare~i'!ento3'.Jb3t::.:-tiate.it.I:·TouldSUe:::sth.'ltperhaps90-95%ofthecurre':!t3'r'O··Tthrtlteis':'::'~ctl:7a~~ributabl+o'l'....PSpan";..Uaska;·rill~ubsequentlyhavealargedecl:!.neinFopulation-.!hcnthe~i~eline.is.cvm.';~leted.'~7::PC.2.03.2,n,,~.12:Thisisatrulyincrediblestater.wnt.;-lhynotcon3iderreducing:::::.·;m"tbn'1::').~e::t,,;Jnsofsolvingthe,"nergyproblem"Ourgrcmthhasbecomernili~nant,~'11:-:u,tbet."'eatedasa::Ialignanci.23).::'.'c.?0.3.J.2,par.1:Thespur:'l~ntionedhereisinactualitythe·'e-;.3.rdHighway,the';:Jir.~-:''Jdc:t::.P.:·:.~nai:~nin::mla.The3e~entr=f'3r~'edtoisJBmileslone,not27.27)J~c.2.03.h.2,par.1,~en5:Thissentenceshouldbeentirelydeletedfrom:he~~;.:t"303nor:2.TIJ..,,;ce,butr:l~"·,risinte~dedtosho••thel'Iajestyofl'lacllinesov;;rnature,.·z::'chis.'J!:inacur'1te:)J::ii:n;"lature;Josition,andt-,?icaloftheinsensitivethin'{:~ngofthe~J:':"3·)f::':ri:Jeerst-Ihic:·.:'3proba:::l:,:nadeupofpeople"ihoa..""6totallyestranredf::-omtheir:;.-i.t~Jra:!..r-o~;·..:i:--:··:"!-:~t.820
3711372'373137437513761377,378_37!1'380'snljf;):~c.~.O?,,ar.2,:len2:Itis~t~~edthattempora~rrcad3wouldneedtobecon-:t.:--.1Cle·:.iin"oti:i::y"·l:"e~slltoimp.lernentcle.:lrcutti!l3fort~ereservoirs.Hot·,tem~>JraryL'0.te"!,,:r:l7r:,o:1dandho:.;isittobe"...e::l')·IE-a"?37)Sec.c.,7,~:lr3:;r~atistheeOMme~eial?otentialofthetimbertobeclearcutt·;it~li:1t~l?{J.~:;~-!"loirareasandtranmnissir,ncor~"idor3?38)Jee.5.0,:J'3-!'.2:ent:-roocc3.3ion::inthLsparagraphtheSusitnaili.verisreferredtoasa:It!'P.3--'Il.Tiati.·otantar;l":'J::tto.~",.~erringtothe'L'..mala:"asas"hills",andb:rusln~S';C}l:':',rase01oTJitis~pr.a!'e~tthat'r.eCo!";)Sisattemptingtoimpler.lC!ntinour::i.n1c~hl~:~-:.;.g-eofthe3usit:1J.beingsome'·'h·atL:1si<=;niflcantint::ere:rionalcontext.?'::-t:-.c~morP..tiH:l"-a~;ts'mtc,:cei::tr.isp·'ra:::ro.?h3houldbedeleted,sinceitdoesnot~'?f-·:-!.O3...'1·"..1'5.·:C:'3Cef.:'IJct"..39)''Ole.5.0,;.-ar.4:"ApFro.:dmately9milesofthee:':i~ting11-mile,thite:'Taterreach~~l'r'-:m~h:JcvilDa"'~ron~louldbelOGtt~ro\Jeh-inundation.u~oestheCo~sin"{,endtodis-""!'.3St~ecL;r.i~~ca.'1ceofthisac!v"r3eeffect'..lithor.ebrief3p.r.tence?IrefertheCorpshr.!"'?totheJonesaJor:cs.1ec:"ea~ionalJerort:'Thichinnole5sthanfiveseperateinctancescite'S:heim;;"!'t:u:ce;;.ftherecreationalaniaestheticv:;JJ.leofDevilCan:r0n~1.!:§~.~3t~t':,e.Cr:~~a~o~8&.210of:'~atrep0rt,.Jo:;.es'r.JonesT"€cor.t"Tlcndr"lovingthelo~...er:!:;1l1ent>!!.',':OlJtoftlevUC'l.."l~,·on.'~h~sinfactisa'lild<!:scenicriver:,and;.Tillsurel:!>c.i·~sir":1·l.t~lDsucJi"""OTt!1eU.;.Congress.-::~.)::;1')0.5.0,par.6:The"someII::-:cosehabito.tr"fer,edtohereisinactuality~9,680}C:"~sofcr.tio:llornrP.ferredhabitata:>I:ertheUS7&..·;S.JUthoughtheUS?c:,,;Sdioenter~rroron:,a:;e13oftheirre~ortinap';endix2oft,i1efe.3..3ibilityre!"ort,thisdoes:'n!"owa;ri:1';ic~tethatalltheirfi;p.:rssare.inaccur3.te.Conversely,rath.~rthanques-~i~r:ingthec:-ediblllt--ofthe:::?'~"';"',theCo2;'sHhoul:iacc9ptthe?rofessionialiS!!lo~t;i··l~·,;ork.,::h:"ch.~r1ocurn~nted~1ithph0tOf:r~phs.hI)~cc.5.0,?ar.9,sen.1:70saythatthe~siJentfish;;o~~lationcouldbeadverselyc..·..~~c~.('l':=~i:;31lincre.~libleunderO.ltate::ent.Cr'_·S3re~erenceheretosectiont..;..02,par.19.'~'~':h,int:-:eCor'JS"'.m:!O.-r!::;,;;:tate~thatconditions:·Till"renerallybedetrimental"to:""':'.k::tfis:'1.Al'lotheri,nta.'1ceoftheunboundedh:rpocrisyinherentintheC·jrps"':Jsition;.:1itattenptst:luse:"l"this~r:,)~·'J:=;altothe.-t"'tr'''~:.can?er)~:le.1.:.~)JPC.5.0,l)ar.15,8"nt~:1Ce51'ihculdbedel,~tedfrom·the7:::I3si-:1ceithasno1"elevancet·..,tt,is;;ectirn(~dv~r~::ec~rr:"r:J~"1o'·ntali!"!~:lcts)..1,3)~.'c.S.01,:':lr.6,C~'Jl:ltheC'rpsdef'.ne~·:lntisme~!lt<."politicalf·:;asibility't?hh)·t:lc.6.0?1:"ntin:-t::J.ti",i~q:":crn"ti·.'e'actionhasn~tbe€·ndis7~ssedaslacking;"\:3.::ibilit~.·..:.t:·;houldhe~·!":~atl~J'e'::"3.b:~r3.t"dup':Jninth~7-rr~..'.';)'ec.6.02.2,par.2::'1e:'irztS'!1t;mceherehasabsolut,=l~rnoreleva..'1ceto,\laska's,=o~lre-:0lJrCe·mri-;~OH2.::.100-:els'ted:n::-:~?:::::3.1:")."ec.f:.oc.2,par.5,,'e:1.2t:Jrtl4:7:10C]U1lityand·.l".~t:rofthelendTer.r)')ro.r:!J.y;2.t-e"edb',r··tr:i;:;~i::.l::':7:l)ror-al;;")·.·lJnetbeGintoapproachtheirrepa::-ableandjlemanent,5.n.:;'E:~tobedoneto39,580acr~"ofcriti::al/prgfcrredr:loo:;ehabitatbythehydroproposal.T:1Cfir.alZI3;:;1-:m13.:::::"ectth3.tfact.-382•'"1)';ec.6.02.2,pI'7::'h.is!,:lI"l:,npn-i-,p:'cts'heinar:e.').;~·ih:-pocriticalpodtionofthe:JrJstotheext,eme.T~eCo!,?"~tt8~"tStoo:fscttheecon::.<icsuperiorityofthecoal~rnati.ve(Man;r:'lorej0bs.!tgreaterkilo'·rattoutput)bys:J;j"i.ngtha.~thecoalalternative':011:>'nCotprovic'c~ecreaE::nal0:'"floodcontrelbene:i's.Yet:m',Joge96oftheRIFR,the,:,.:":.~.:t3.t03t:lat~llesi[nifieanc"ofrccr",ation::ll:::floodcontrolto'-'et::cre·:;ual~~:/lrj':,:::£!2E:=~oftnetokilproj~ctC03t.HO:-1':cad1?theCorps.~a.:'1tstojusti.r~·~t::iT'-:~lJ:'-·~ce!8213711372'373137437513761377,378_37!1'380'snljf;):~c.~.O?,,ar.2,:len2:Itis~t~~edthattempora~rrcad3wouldneedtobecon-:t.:--.1Cle·:.iin"oti:i::y"·l:"e~slltoimp.lernentcle.:lrcutti!l3fort~ereservoirs.Hot·,tem~>JraryL'0.te"!,,:r:l7r:,o:1dandho:.;isittobe"...e::l')·IE-a"?37)Sec.c.,7,~:lr3:;r~atistheeOMme~eial?otentialofthetimbertobeclearcutt·;it~li:1t~l?{J.~:;~-!"loirareasandtranmnissir,ncor~"idor3?38)Jee.5.0,:J'3-!'.2:ent:-roocc3.3ion::inthLsparagraphtheSusitnaili.verisreferredtoasa:It!'P.3--'Il.Tiati.·otantar;l":'J::tto.~",.~erringtothe'L'..mala:"asas"hills",andb:rusln~S';C}l:':',rase01oTJitis~pr.a!'e~tthat'r.eCo!";)Sisattemptingtoimpler.lC!ntinour::i.n1c~hl~:~-:.;.g-eofthe3usit:1J.beingsome'·'h·atL:1si<=;niflcantint::ere:rionalcontext.?'::-t:-.c~morP..tiH:l"-a~;ts'mtc,:cei::tr.isp·'ra:::ro.?h3houldbedeleted,sinceitdoesnot~'?f-·:-!.O3...'1·"..1'5.·:C:'3Cef.:'IJct"..39)''Ole.5.0,;.-ar.4:"ApFro.:dmately9milesofthee:':i~ting11-mile,thite:'Taterreach~~l'r'-:m~h:JcvilDa"'~ron~louldbelOGtt~ro\Jeh-inundation.u~oestheCo~sin"{,endtodis-""!'.3St~ecL;r.i~~ca.'1ceofthisac!v"r3eeffect'..lithor.ebrief3p.r.tence?IrefertheCorpshr.!"'?totheJonesaJor:cs.1ec:"ea~ionalJerort:'Thichinnole5sthanfiveseperateinctancescite'S:heim;;"!'t:u:ce;;.ftherecreationalaniaestheticv:;JJ.leofDevilCan:r0n~1.!:§~.~3t~t':,e.Cr:~~a~o~8&.210of:'~atrep0rt,.Jo:;.es'r.JonesT"€cor.t"Tlcndr"lovingthelo~...er:!:;1l1ent>!!.',':OlJtoftlevUC'l.."l~,·on.'~h~sinfactisa'lild<!:scenicriver:,and;.Tillsurel:!>c.i·~sir":1·l.t~lDsucJi"""OTt!1eU.;.Congress.-::~.)::;1')0.5.0,par.6:The"someII::-:cosehabito.tr"fer,edtohereisinactuality~9,680}C:"~sofcr.tio:llornrP.ferredhabitata:>I:ertheUS7&..·;S.JUthoughtheUS?c:,,;Sdioenter~rroron:,a:;e13oftheirre~ortinap';endix2oft,i1efe.3..3ibilityre!"ort,thisdoes:'n!"owa;ri:1';ic~tethatalltheirfi;p.:rssare.inaccur3.te.Conversely,rath.~rthanques-~i~r:ingthec:-ediblllt--ofthe:::?'~"';"',theCo2;'sHhoul:iacc9ptthe?rofessionialiS!!lo~t;i··l~·,;ork.,::h:"ch.~r1ocurn~nted~1ithph0tOf:r~phs.hI)~cc.5.0,?ar.9,sen.1:70saythatthe~siJentfish;;o~~lationcouldbeadverselyc..·..~~c~.('l':=~i:;31lincre.~libleunderO.ltate::ent.Cr'_·S3re~erenceheretosectiont..;..02,par.19.'~'~':h,int:-:eCor'JS"'.m:!O.-r!::;,;;:tate~thatconditions:·Till"renerallybedetrimental"to:""':'.k::tfis:'1.Al'lotheri,nta.'1ceoftheunboundedh:rpocrisyinherentintheC·jrps"':Jsition;.:1itattenptst:luse:"l"this~r:,)~·'J:=;altothe.-t"'tr'''~:.can?er)~:le.1.:.~)JPC.5.0,l)ar.15,8"nt~:1Ce51'ihculdbedel,~tedfrom·the7:::I3si-:1ceithasno1"elevancet·..,tt,is;;ectirn(~dv~r~::ec~rr:"r:J~"1o'·ntali!"!~:lcts)..1,3)~.'c.S.01,:':lr.6,C~'Jl:ltheC'rpsdef'.ne~·:lntisme~!lt<."politicalf·:;asibility't?hh)·t:lc.6.0?1:"ntin:-t::J.ti",i~q:":crn"ti·.'e'actionhasn~tbe€·ndis7~ssedaslacking;"\:3.::ibilit~.·..:.t:·;houldhe~·!":~atl~J'e'::"3.b:~r3.t"dup':Jninth~7-rr~..'.';)'ec.6.02.2,par.2::'1e:'irztS'!1t;mceherehasabsolut,=l~rnoreleva..'1ceto,\laska's,=o~lre-:0lJrCe·mri-;~OH2.::.100-:els'ted:n::-:~?:::::3.1:")."ec.f:.oc.2,par.5,,'e:1.2t:Jrtl4:7:10C]U1lityand·.l".~t:rofthelendTer.r)')ro.r:!J.y;2.t-e"edb',r··tr:i;:;~i::.l::':7:l)ror-al;;")·.·lJnetbeGintoapproachtheirrepa::-ableandjlemanent,5.n.:;'E:~tobedoneto39,580acr~"ofcriti::al/prgfcrredr:loo:;ehabitatbythehydroproposal.T:1Cfir.alZI3;:;1-:m13.:::::"ectth3.tfact.-382•'"1)';ec.6.02.2,pI'7::'h.is!,:lI"l:,npn-i-,p:'cts'heinar:e.').;~·ih:-pocriticalpodtionofthe:JrJstotheext,eme.T~eCo!,?"~tt8~"tStoo:fscttheecon::.<icsuperiorityofthecoal~rnati.ve(Man;r:'lorej0bs.!tgreaterkilo'·rattoutput)bys:J;j"i.ngtha.~thecoalalternative':011:>'nCotprovic'c~ecreaE::nal0:'"floodcontrelbene:i's.Yet:m',Joge96oftheRIFR,the,:,.:":.~.:t3.t03t:lat~llesi[nifieanc"ofrccr",ation::ll:::floodcontrolto'-'et::cre·:;ual~~:/lrj':,:::£!2E:=~oftnetokilproj~ctC03t.HO:-1':cad1?theCorps.~a.:'1tstojusti.r~·~t::iT'-:~lJ:'-·~ce!821
::8)~::;c.7.0:lIo:-na.'w500:rearoldda"lsaretilereine;d.::;';·,nceat~hisFointintime?a:;o;r:an:~'1co:-".at"oi-J.ia"":1s?117)3':c.9.~2,par.5:";\..,in:omalpollof;:;eopleatt-.ndin.~thelate3tagepublicmeet-~,~:sl!l':':'co.t~::i3U':pOrl:'ortheproject••••"Thisisahigh1;runprofessionalstatlementbyt::cGJr!~sJ.!ldshouldbec1elcted':'nthe?:TIS.Doe::'theCorpsbelievet:Lt:,!1epublicis.,.'J::':'i:;2.ee:1ou::;htolendcrpedencetoanin:o:.malpollconducted'oytheCorpsitself?50)3~,c_5.0:Thisacctio"sh'luldlistthehugemudflatstobecre3.tedbjthe'ilatana~.');;:'Voir::ir3.l·rdo:masanadverseenvir.Jrmlen:alcf:ec-:.Thefollolrin,,;st'3te:'1~:'!ts"ertnntotheInterimFeasibilityneportandtherevisedIFR.P,,:-e?3:'.,'11','·.!astho:oureeAlaSkaRe~ionalE'o?Ulation~::i>I?lo:mentbyG.:i.:togers..iE'ted:.Ol'lthe;Un??a'''~35tnru38:Concerningthemethodl0fr'Jusedbytbe,UaskaPOl·rer:,dm.ini::;tra:ion:or;roj~c:in~?o~~rrequir~m~nts,isit'1iseto?rojectthat_~askals~rowthrateinthenext-5-20:-e:trs'rillbesimilia:otot:lenational'lv"lrageofthe19601sa'1dearl~r19701s?~h':'3canbeacold~'1dinhospitablel3ndat:i~es,?nd?coplearenotgoingto~~gratehere'lSreadil."a.:;t:,e~.r:·rool-:linthe"lower,'.8".This~'Je3tion'lblemethodofesti.l'nating.Uaska's,:":-:)·:thr3tecastsdou':Jtonthejusti:icationforthisl1~Tdroelectt±c-;:roject.?age40:Int:.istablethehi'iher,anseestim.a.tegiven::orthedecade1990-2080isactuallylo:;-e:-t~ant;'le101'Terr3n~eIAnotherindicationthat':·heCOI'?sth:-ffi-lthisreporttogeth~r'1.1.1',itt2.athought.Footnotelionthispa;:eindicatesthatthe:'iguresin'the"tablewere3.rriv~datcyahiGhlyspecula·Tva:·ra:rofr',asoning,andindicatest.hatthe"Tholeserlesor:i:u~csiJli~tlemoreth~afabrication.•383I384;385?2..~e45,lastpara~ra;:h:',-ihoist!1eCorpsofEngineerstoassaythatwehereinAlaskadonoth.s'·;e:I?enerall:;raccc?tedgroHthgoals"?\00A.qEYOUPEOPLE-../HO'.·jOULD;\TTEf·!PrTOC:·LUr:acuaLrvEST(jAPP]C:Il,-\TZYCURO':iN}!O::IDID,'PBR'lZRSE.\:IDilliOI}!3!ITSDE::ISTIDIC&S?iJ.,:e59:~r:J.tional::ConomicD-:;"lelo":nentCritpria:"TangiblebenefitsmustexceedeconomicCJ:ts."I,~on0tbeli~i'eth~t'~hiscrit~ria-:rillbeme,t.Considsrthe:ollo~;ingitems••:\)3:rnec:'.tingthecoalaltc!'n:!.tiveinfavorofhydro~ower,avast<lllIountofjobswillbe10::':.toUas::ar.s.The:3:3shouldspelloutho:rl'lanyjobsHillbelostbecauseofthis.B)Thisi::;thecon3tructionofafir3t-time-av~r'damsystemunderAlaskancondittons.CastoV!'Jrridezrdue'0the:1a.rshenviron-:::mtcould;-;akeashamblesoftheIS/cratio.Look~,t':~,ec'J:-!"-;nt:.r._ceta~ani:heTr'3Jls,;l:ls><a?it:elineSystem:oranindicator•••$8,000,000,000.Up10001,fromtheori?,inal~st:'""lat~s,:arselyduetoin:lation,butlikeln:::elargelydueto'~eunpre(~i.ctableeleJ1'l~nt:·~.It.is::03sible':::att:1eJevilCanrnDamc-rouldnotmeettherequilre:t!ents!lecii'iedunderitem2ofthe:SD'erit~,iaont~is?~g:.Item30ftheNEDrruid~linesmaynotbemetif~l1e:)ote!'ltiallo,s'.'lt:JeeconO!Tl-,0"thecoalreldedjobsisfiguredin,asitshouldbe.Pa~~e61,par.2:;'~:e:irsthalfof:;entencefiveisdeletedfromtheilIFR.'JithoutthisexplJ.nato~."phras~,theSecondh:llfof':~esent0ncetc:'!dstobemisleading.~~~e62,~ar.1:::alt0:tl1is~ara~raph~asdeletedr,amtherevisedIFR.Thosesentencesr.'Jnta:.nedthE.~acts,··:ithout-hichtheremainderofther-ararrr~phappearstobeconjecture.T~,e.""3h.111:1',)ereinstat·:d.?:J.,';e63,?~r.2:~~ere;leh<lvetheclassicexampleofhO;'7theCorpsofEngineersis.attempt-'.ngtone1j:ltivel:!in:lu--nceour""'TIiinkingconcerninP.'7.hemeritsofthecoalalternative.TheI?nstates:"3:Ven·.·11th:1oEutioncontroldevices·torestrictand/orremovehannfulsub-'t.·'ncel',therel;ouldceS071e·je'1radationofairq:..:alityfromcombustionproducts."IntheI'9VisedIFR,theCor--~deletes'the-term"combustionproducts"infavorofthis:!I··:ate:-vapo::-,carban,:a:-ticl:,s,3ulfurcom,oOunds,andunburnedgases•••"WHAT~'lEARE1-10:3T:;C::C:Y~·~ZJ"..lITHH37313:"-=l:'~.'~:_~AT-:'3:·!PTATBR.:\l:rIAS:r:NG'!':BjJ·1ERICANi)~:A)PLE.822::8)~::;c.7.0:lIo:-na.'w500:rearoldda"lsaretilereine;d.::;';·,nceat~hisFointintime?a:;o;r:an:~'1co:-".at"oi-J.ia"":1s?117)3':c.9.~2,par.5:";\..,in:omalpollof;:;eopleatt-.ndin.~thelate3tagepublicmeet-~,~:sl!l':':'co.t~::i3U':pOrl:'ortheproject••••"Thisisahigh1;runprofessionalstatlementbyt::cGJr!~sJ.!ldshouldbec1elcted':'nthe?:TIS.Doe::'theCorpsbelievet:Lt:,!1epublicis.,.'J::':'i:;2.ee:1ou::;htolendcrpedencetoanin:o:.malpollconducted'oytheCorpsitself?50)3~,c_5.0:Thisacctio"sh'luldlistthehugemudflatstobecre3.tedbjthe'ilatana~.');;:'Voir::ir3.l·rdo:masanadverseenvir.Jrmlen:alcf:ec-:.Thefollolrin,,;st'3te:'1~:'!ts"ertnntotheInterimFeasibilityneportandtherevisedIFR.P,,:-e?3:'.,'11','·.!astho:oureeAlaSkaRe~ionalE'o?Ulation~::i>I?lo:mentbyG.:i.:togers..iE'ted:.Ol'lthe;Un??a'''~35tnru38:Concerningthemethodl0fr'Jusedbytbe,UaskaPOl·rer:,dm.ini::;tra:ion:or;roj~c:in~?o~~rrequir~m~nts,isit'1iseto?rojectthat_~askals~rowthrateinthenext-5-20:-e:trs'rillbesimilia:otot:lenational'lv"lrageofthe19601sa'1dearl~r19701s?~h':'3canbeacold~'1dinhospitablel3ndat:i~es,?nd?coplearenotgoingto~~gratehere'lSreadil."a.:;t:,e~.r:·rool-:linthe"lower,'.8".This~'Je3tion'lblemethodofesti.l'nating.Uaska's,:":-:)·:thr3tecastsdou':Jtonthejusti:icationforthisl1~Tdroelectt±c-;:roject.?age40:Int:.istablethehi'iher,anseestim.a.tegiven::orthedecade1990-2080isactuallylo:;-e:-t~ant;'le101'Terr3n~eIAnotherindicationthat':·heCOI'?sth:-ffi-lthisreporttogeth~r'1.1.1',itt2.athought.Footnotelionthispa;:eindicatesthatthe:'iguresin'the"tablewere3.rriv~datcyahiGhlyspecula·Tva:·ra:rofr',asoning,andindicatest.hatthe"Tholeserlesor:i:u~csiJli~tlemoreth~afabrication.•383I384;385?2..~e45,lastpara~ra;:h:',-ihoist!1eCorpsofEngineerstoassaythatwehereinAlaskadonoth.s'·;e:I?enerall:;raccc?tedgroHthgoals"?\00A.qEYOUPEOPLE-../HO'.·jOULD;\TTEf·!PrTOC:·LUr:acuaLrvEST(jAPP]C:Il,-\TZYCURO':iN}!O::IDID,'PBR'lZRSE.\:IDilliOI}!3!ITSDE::ISTIDIC&S?iJ.,:e59:~r:J.tional::ConomicD-:;"lelo":nentCritpria:"TangiblebenefitsmustexceedeconomicCJ:ts."I,~on0tbeli~i'eth~t'~hiscrit~ria-:rillbeme,t.Considsrthe:ollo~;ingitems••:\)3:rnec:'.tingthecoalaltc!'n:!.tiveinfavorofhydro~ower,avast<lllIountofjobswillbe10::':.toUas::ar.s.The:3:3shouldspelloutho:rl'lanyjobsHillbelostbecauseofthis.B)Thisi::;thecon3tructionofafir3t-time-av~r'damsystemunderAlaskancondittons.CastoV!'Jrridezrdue'0the:1a.rshenviron-:::mtcould;-;akeashamblesoftheIS/cratio.Look~,t':~,ec'J:-!"-;nt:.r._ceta~ani:heTr'3Jls,;l:ls><a?it:elineSystem:oranindicator•••$8,000,000,000.Up10001,fromtheori?,inal~st:'""lat~s,:arselyduetoin:lation,butlikeln:::elargelydueto'~eunpre(~i.ctableeleJ1'l~nt:·~.It.is::03sible':::att:1eJevilCanrnDamc-rouldnotmeettherequilre:t!ents!lecii'iedunderitem2ofthe:SD'erit~,iaont~is?~g:.Item30ftheNEDrruid~linesmaynotbemetif~l1e:)ote!'ltiallo,s'.'lt:JeeconO!Tl-,0"thecoalreldedjobsisfiguredin,asitshouldbe.Pa~~e61,par.2:;'~:e:irsthalfof:;entencefiveisdeletedfromtheilIFR.'JithoutthisexplJ.nato~."phras~,theSecondh:llfof':~esent0ncetc:'!dstobemisleading.~~~e62,~ar.1:::alt0:tl1is~ara~raph~asdeletedr,amtherevisedIFR.Thosesentencesr.'Jnta:.nedthE.~acts,··:ithout-hichtheremainderofther-ararrr~phappearstobeconjecture.T~,e.""3h.111:1',)ereinstat·:d.?:J.,';e63,?~r.2:~~ere;leh<lvetheclassicexampleofhO;'7theCorpsofEngineersis.attempt-'.ngtone1j:ltivel:!in:lu--nceour""'TIiinkingconcerninP.'7.hemeritsofthecoalalternative.TheI?nstates:"3:Ven·.·11th:1oEutioncontroldevices·torestrictand/orremovehannfulsub-'t.·'ncel',therel;ouldceS071e·je'1radationofairq:..:alityfromcombustionproducts."IntheI'9VisedIFR,theCor--~deletes'the-term"combustionproducts"infavorofthis:!I··:ate:-vapo::-,carban,:a:-ticl:,s,3ulfurcom,oOunds,andunburnedgases•••"WHAT~'lEARE1-10:3T:;C::C:Y~·~ZJ"..lITHH37313:"-=l:'~.'~:_~AT-:'3:·!PTATBR.:\l:rIAS:r:NG'!':BjJ·1ERICANi)~:A)PLE.822
;:-.:.:~~~;4,r:.J,....3Itis!;;.:l7...d'lhereth:lt.:~1ec")nlal:'e~n.ti·.'eliou~d~roviiepOH'3requiv-']_.;~nt~.;)::v:..at.:raltcrn3.tive.i:1isstatc:nr.ntisf?.lse.T:'1ecoalal"t-a~3..IL.ivewouldin;"lct;;t"OV~l~;)11,000,000Kilo;;a:t:ioa,sl,!C?3i'im·:;n"!rg:rthantheh'.-dropo:·:erpropeeaJ..Irc''r:1'3::-e"0:::a::e89oftherevbedIf1t,""";:hel-.Jit:'3'lIsastat~dthat~.l1ecoalalt:?l'wn';r.:.ve:::;uld::a';ea·:lep'C'ndoJ!liheca"acit:"·:Jf1C6,-:OJ:cilo''attsHOaEthantheh;rdroproject.I::.:;liso'·~13i.,,:u.;iir.Gont:lisPJ.~Ctosayt:13.tt:1ecoal.31ternat~veneetsthe~rojected,1;.::'1,;·"::'J::tEth,1::90':,.Iti3 infactavirtually,mli'~itedresourceincomparisonto.'.:".:..;.~a.r3nc·::-.isJandcou:dkecp·~J3:;i~1[f,1r\Tellover1500~"ears.PaFe6$:C0n~J.~ngthe~igu~es"TC.~the!~~~~dtherev;~~d17R,itisinformativeton~:8thatt~e~0~efittocostratioa"dnetannualbenefitsofthehydropowerproj~t:':;::ebp0n::-eviseddotm~;ardb:'D.!:101.lt25~inthesixmontelstl1:ltelapsQdbet~':eenthese,rQ'Q~t~. ~!theti:ethecostofcopinG'·nth1laska'sadverseenvi~entisaidedt6theC-:::'-3,t,hefi:~re3may··:ell:-e::'lectanesativeB/cratioandnobeneii~s~·:h:.tevp.r.ra.:,a78:Ho';herehereis:nentionedthe103s·J1'baoitattotransmissioncu:-,·idors.71J~t;1':!!"!noe,iti'3inaneto-;3.:,'thJtthes~reser'loi::-'s·.ri.llprovideacontrib'Jtionto-:a;:.erfo·da"a"::,estingarea".Isu!"oseyou,ashtoilnrylythat':he,~resent,·rater!oul~!"'3:10~:"Ju:1'<:>ring"Iithoutam~.,ade''''restingo:''3a''!r:tE:LOSSOF39,680,"C:G3CJFC1UT1CALClL".~':::::.3}"CC,2:H3:':'.TTO,:-.:','::;~-::~3:WCI~I,F:\.f!:I::Om;T.u::de:'!'ec::'cation,theterm"adv~::,s~effect"re:'er!"ingtotheDevilCanyon,·rhite~{atersholild·oe:,cv"i.:jedto:-eadIItotaldest:"lJction'l.?a:'E!f:9:':n'.:c::-lEDbene.:its:·')r':1ecoalaltcmaCive,itshouldbeconsideredthatthis'-;fluld.,eap:oivate~nte!'p-ieec:1deavor~·rhichwouldcontributellIUohtoi:heper!letuation01'OUl"fr3ecnt~"Gr:ses:rstem.Thefi~urescouldbearrivedat,11'3!1.'·onecare:!to?ursue'hatE"e0.'thinki!1g.L'hefiTJres::civenhere'lnde~the?nviron,-nental('Ualit;rguidelines:;.r'li":Jccu::a"".The:'areinfactoutrii?;:ttliesbytheCorps,,;f.'3n1in'lers.,\5statedpre-':L-.:.::';',:,;:e:-..:"o~,o:eddr,s~roul:!destro:.:forevernearly1~0,006acresofcrit:'calorpre-ier::-,.,,]~()03":'jdtat.Toc-:ll'lparethetn'S.'deT,'~:ctiono~82;nilesof11~ajorriverlike·:Ie.3·.:::i:n'1tot:Je:,,:~no::.~e",r".d.T':;onof110-120m:'1Gsoflessern'l°rsis11diJtortion'·~:l.:'chi"in.iic:iti-:eof'cri.:ni:n:l:'t.cntb::itsI'erpetra~or,theU•.;•.',rm:r::ngi.n~ers.Inclosing,Ialllcompelled·to~'WthatitbecomesextreJ1lel:rdifficulttomaintainra-~::2ctforoneIc'fovC'!"!l.'\':"ntH:lan,'lgainestallreasonandcommonsenSAthatgoverr.rnentatteirr;)tstohurdenitsD801::1e~[lthallunneededandun"antedcolossussuchasth'osl'r-rdro-electricor-oject.. - .":JlQ·,'hen,asinthiscaso,thatgoverr.mentat~ell'!ptstoinfluenceopinionbyputting:orthmislGa:1inrranddistortedfacts,itistimeforthosepeopletorevaluatetheirprioritesan~redirectthecourseoftheirlives.Aredressisinorder,andshallbeforthcoming.CC:DistrictEngineer,AnchorageDivi3ion~~i~eer,?ort18nd,Crogan?residen{~~krCart~r,;.;...'.kPLA....S.C,o...G11"\Q'J'nrnorJa:rHaI:lr'1ond,Juneau-'onatorTed3+.,v<>ns,ilash;,rg+on::er..:l.tor1-:ikeOravel,':i:lS'1ington::eprns0.nt1.ti~leJon·.~oun~:":,:·j('ls!1in~t·')n(;HAIItMANR~~Qw.u.~so""~£Ghk>A.SHo\A)E.l1)NSE.C~£.,ll.iSl&Nll11l:Cl.~\1...I\o>b.~...l:,US'~',lA)A$",IIl>~"l"O~823;:-.:.:~~~;4,r:.J,....3Itis!;;.:l7...d'lhereth:lt.:~1ec")nlal:'e~n.ti·.'eliou~d~roviiepOH'3requiv-']_.;~nt~.;)::v:..at.:raltcrn3.tive.i:1isstatc:nr.ntisf?.lse.T:'1ecoalal"t-a~3..IL.ivewouldin;"lct;;t"OV~l~;)11,000,000Kilo;;a:t:ioa,sl,!C?3i'im·:;n"!rg:rthantheh'.-dropo:·:erpropeeaJ..Irc''r:1'3::-e"0:::a::e89oftherevbedIf1t,""";:hel-.Jit:'3'lIsastat~dthat~.l1ecoalalt:?l'wn';r.:.ve:::;uld::a';ea·:lep'C'ndoJ!liheca"acit:"·:Jf1C6,-:OJ:cilo''attsHOaEthantheh;rdroproject.I::.:;liso'·~13i.,,:u.;iir.Gont:lisPJ.~Ctosayt:13.tt:1ecoal.31ternat~veneetsthe~rojected,1;.::'1,;·"::'J::tEth,1::90':,.Iti3infactavirtually,mli'~itedresourceincomparisonto.'.:".:..;.~a.r3nc·::-.isJandcou:dkecp·~J3:;i~1[f,1r\Tellover1500~"ears.PaFe6$:C0n~J.~ngthe~igu~es"TC.~the!~~~~dtherev;~~d17R,itisinformativeton~:8thatt~e~0~efittocostratioa"dnetannualbenefitsofthehydropowerproj~t:':;::ebp0n::-eviseddotm~;ardb:'D.!:101.lt25~inthesixmontelstl1:ltelapsQdbet~':eenthese,rQ'Q~t~.~!theti:ethecostofcopinG'·nth1laska'sadverseenvi~entisaidedt6theC-:::'-3,t,hefi:~re3may··:ell:-e::'lectanesativeB/cratioandnobeneii~s~·:h:.tevp.r.ra.:,a78:Ho';herehereis:nentionedthe103s·J1'baoitattotransmissioncu:-,·idors.71J~t;1':!!"!noe,iti'3inaneto-;3.:,'thJtthes~reser'loi::-'s·.ri.llprovideacontrib'Jtionto-:a;:.erfo·da"a"::,estingarea".Isu!"oseyou,ashtoilnrylythat':he,~resent,·rater!oul~!"'3:10~:"Ju:1'<:>ring"Iithoutam~.,ade''''restingo:''3a''!r:tE:LOSSOF39,680,"C:G3CJFC1UT1CALClL".~':::::.3}"CC,2:H3:':'.TTO,:-.:','::;~-::~3:WCI~I,F:\.f!:I::Om;T.u::de:'!'ec::'cation,theterm"adv~::,s~effect"re:'er!"ingtotheDevilCanyon,·rhite~{atersholild·oe:,cv"i.:jedto:-eadIItotaldest:"lJction'l.?a:'E!f:9:':n'.:c::-lEDbene.:its:·')r':1ecoalaltcmaCive,itshouldbeconsideredthatthis'-;fluld.,eap:oivate~nte!'p-ieec:1deavor~·rhichwouldcontributellIUohtoi:heper!letuation01'OUl"fr3ecnt~"Gr:ses:rstem.Thefi~urescouldbearrivedat,11'3!1.'·onecare:!to?ursue'hatE"e0.'thinki!1g.L'hefiTJres::civenhere'lnde~the?nviron,-nental('Ualit;rguidelines:;.r'li":Jccu::a"".The:'areinfactoutrii?;:ttliesbytheCorps,,;f.'3n1in'lers.,\5statedpre-':L-.:.::';',:,;:e:-..:"o~,o:eddr,s~roul:!destro:.:forevernearly1~0,006acresofcrit:'calorpre-ier::-,.,,]~()03":'jdtat.Toc-:ll'lparethetn'S.'deT,'~:ctiono~82;nilesof11~ajorriverlike·:Ie.3·.:::i:n'1tot:Je:,,:~no::.~e",r".d.T':;onof110-120m:'1Gsoflessern'l°rsis11diJtortion'·~:l.:'chi"in.iic:iti-:eof'cri.:ni:n:l:'t.cntb::itsI'erpetra~or,theU•.;•.',rm:r::ngi.n~ers.Inclosing,Ialllcompelled·to~'WthatitbecomesextreJ1lel:rdifficulttomaintainra-~::2ctforoneIc'fovC'!"!l.'\':"ntH:lan,'lgainestallreasonandcommonsenSAthatgoverr.rnentatteirr;)tstohurdenitsD801::1e~[lthallunneededandun"antedcolossussuchasth'osl'r-rdro-electricor-oject.. - .":JlQ·,'hen,asinthiscaso,thatgoverr.mentat~ell'!ptstoinfluenceopinionbyputting:orthmislGa:1inrranddistortedfacts,itistimeforthosepeopletorevaluatetheirprioritesan~redirectthecourseoftheirlives.Aredressisinorder,andshallbeforthcoming.CC:DistrictEngineer,AnchorageDivi3ion~~i~eer,?ort18nd,Crogan?residen{~~krCart~r,;.;...'.kPLA....S.C,o...G11"\Q'J'nrnorJa:rHaI:lr'1ond,Juneau-'onatorTed3+.,v<>ns,ilash;,rg+on::er..:l.tor1-:ikeOravel,':i:lS'1ington::eprns0.nt1.ti~leJon·.~oun~:":,:·j('ls!1in~t·')n(;HAIItMANR~~Qw.u.~so""~£Ghk>A.SHo\A)E.l1)NSE.C~£.,ll.iSl&Nll11l:Cl.~\1...I\o>b.~...l:,US'~',lA)A$",IIl>~"l"O~823
RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYTHOMASTAGGARTTheresponseswhichfollowaredirected,tothenumberedcommentsbeginningonpage2ofMr.Taggart'sletterof19December1976.CommentsprevioustothesereflectMr.Taggart'spersonal~iewsoftheCorpsofEngineersanddonotspecificallyaddresstheEIS;therefore,noresponseisdeemednecessaryorappropriate.336(1)Atthepresenttimemetricfiguresarenotwellunderstoodbymostofthereviewers.TheintentofthisEISistopresentinfor-mationconciselyandin.nontechnicaltermssothatltcanbeeasilyreadandunderstoodbythereviewingpublic./337(2)TheFEISwillbebroughttothepub1ic'~attentioninaccord-ancewithofficialdirectivesandguidelines,includingthoseoftheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.TherehasneverbeenanymonetarychargeforanEISpreparedbytheAlaskaDistrict,norwilltherebeinthefuture.Nevertheless,reproductioncostsforthesedocumentsarehighandareincludedaspartoffinitefundingappropriatedbytheCongressforreportpreparationanddissem-ination.Itdoesnotappearreasonabletofurnishcopiestolibrar-iesinallotherstateswhenitisnotknownwhetherornottheyaredesiredorwhethertheywillevenbeutilized.EIScopiesarefurnishedtoeveryonewhohasexpressedapriorwishtoreceivethem.Extracopiesareprintedtofillanticipatedadditionalrequests...Noonehasbeendenie9accesstoanEISwhohasexpressedaninteresttoreviewone.824RESPONSETOCOMMENTSBYTHOMASTAGGARTTheresponseswhichfollowaredirected,tothenumberedcommentsbeginningonpage2ofMr.Taggart'sletterof19December1976.CommentsprevioustothesereflectMr.Taggart'spersonal~iewsoftheCorpsofEngineersanddonotspecificallyaddresstheEIS;therefore,noresponseisdeemednecessaryorappropriate.336(1)Atthepresenttimemetricfiguresarenotwellunderstoodbymostofthereviewers.TheintentofthisEISistopresentinfor-mationconciselyandin.nontechnicaltermssothatltcanbeeasilyreadandunderstoodbythereviewingpublic./337(2)TheFEISwillbebroughttothepub1ic'~attentioninaccord-ancewithofficialdirectivesandguidelines,includingthoseoftheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.TherehasneverbeenanymonetarychargeforanEISpreparedbytheAlaskaDistrict,norwilltherebeinthefuture.Nevertheless,reproductioncostsforthesedocumentsarehighandareincludedaspartoffinitefundingappropriatedbytheCongressforreportpreparationanddissem-ination.Itdoesnotappearreasonabletofurnishcopiestolibrar-iesinallotherstateswhenitisnotknownwhetherornottheyaredesiredorwhethertheywillevenbeutilized.EIScopiesarefurnishedtoeveryonewhohasexpressedapriorwishtoreceivethem.Extracopiesareprintedtofillanticipatedadditionalrequests...Noonehasbeendenie9accesstoanEISwhohasexpressedaninteresttoreviewone.824
341determinetheamounts,locations,andcriticalityofmoosehabitat.Suchadjectivesas"good"or"critical"havelittlemeaningduringthefeasibilitystageofastudypriortothecompletionoftheintensivestudiesrequiredtodeterminetheprecisevalueofaknownresource.340(5)Increasedturbidity,whichisexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewintermonths,isdiscussedintheRDEISasanunavoidableadverseimpact,thesignificanceofwhichisnotwhollyknownatthistime.Atpresent,thereisaveryhighsummersedimentloadduetoglacialoutwashandaverylowwintersedimentload.Withconstructionofthereservoirs,thereisexpectedtobealowyear-roundsedimentloadconsistingonlyoftheveryfine"glacialflour"whichwillremaininsuspension.Thepost-project,downstreamsedimentloadisestimatedtoapproximateconcentrationsfoundbelowglacier-fednatural.lakesinAlaska.Futurehydrologicalandbiologicalstudieswillfurtherrefinetheseestimatesandevaluatetheenvironmentalimpacts.IntheInterimFeasibilityReport,theprobabilityofincreasedturbidityduetotheintroductionofsedimentsintothestreamsandriversinthevicinityofcoalminingactivitiesisdiscussedasanadverseenvironmentalimpactwhichmustbeaddressedintheconsiderationofthecoalalternatives.Environmentalimpactswerenotthesolebasisfortherejectionofthecoalalternative.Eco-nomicfactorsplayedalargeroleinthisdetermination.(6)Asstatedinsection4.03oftheRDEIS,WatanaReservoirwouldlieacrossoneoftheintermittentseasonalcariboumigrationroutesbetweenthemaincalvingareaandsomesummerrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherd~Itisnotknownwhatbarrierthereservoirwillpre-sentinplaceoftheturbulentriver.Alsothemigrationpatternsforthisherdarecontinuallychanging.Therefore,wethinkthechoiceofthephrase"possibleinhibitionofmovementofcaribou"isappropriate--atleastuntildetailedstudiesofcariboumove-mentsarecompletedduringthepreconstructionplanningphase.342343(7)ThisisarhetoricalquestiontheanswertowhichisbeyondthescopeofthisEIS..Seeresponsenumber362forfurthercomment.(8)ThereferencedphrasehasbeendeletedfromtheFEIS.Instudiesmandatedbycongressionalresolutions,itisassumedthattheresolutionswereinitiatedattherequestoflocalconstitu-ents.SincetheSenatePublicWorksCommitteeResolution,whichisquotedinitsentiretyinsection1.01,doesnotidentifythebasisforthisresolution,furtherspeculationwillbeomittedfromthisEIS.825341determinetheamounts,locations,andcriticalityofmoosehabitat.Suchadjectivesas"good"or"critical"havelittlemeaningduringthefeasibilitystageofastudypriortothecompletionoftheintensivestudiesrequiredtodeterminetheprecisevalueofaknownresource.340(5)Increasedturbidity,whichisexpectedtooccurdownstreamfromtheprojectduringthewintermonths,isdiscussedintheRDEISasanunavoidableadverseimpact,thesignificanceofwhichisnotwhollyknownatthistime.Atpresent,thereisaveryhighsummersedimentloadduetoglacialoutwashandaverylowwintersedimentload.Withconstructionofthereservoirs,thereisexpectedtobealowyear-roundsedimentloadconsistingonlyoftheveryfine"glacialflour"whichwillremaininsuspension.Thepost-project,downstreamsedimentloadisestimatedtoapproximateconcentrationsfoundbelowglacier-fednatural.lakesinAlaska.Futurehydrologicalandbiologicalstudieswillfurtherrefinetheseestimatesandevaluatetheenvironmentalimpacts.IntheInterimFeasibilityReport,theprobabilityofincreasedturbidityduetotheintroductionofsedimentsintothestreamsandriversinthevicinityofcoalminingactivitiesisdiscussedasanadverseenvironmentalimpactwhichmustbeaddressedintheconsiderationofthecoalalternatives.Environmentalimpactswerenotthesolebasisfortherejectionofthecoalalternative.Eco-nomicfactorsplayedalargeroleinthisdetermination.(6)Asstatedinsection4.03oftheRDEIS,WatanaReservoirwouldlieacrossoneoftheintermittentseasonalcariboumigrationroutesbetweenthemaincalvingareaandsomesummerrangeoftheNelchinacaribouherd~Itisnotknownwhatbarrierthereservoirwillpre-sentinplaceoftheturbulentriver.Alsothemigrationpatternsforthisherdarecontinuallychanging.Therefore,wethinkthechoiceofthephrase"possibleinhibitionofmovementofcaribou"isappropriate--atleastuntildetailedstudiesofcariboumove-mentsarecompletedduringthepreconstructionplanningphase.342343(7)ThisisarhetoricalquestiontheanswertowhichisbeyondthescopeofthisEIS..Seeresponsenumber362forfurthercomment.(8)ThereferencedphrasehasbeendeletedfromtheFEIS.Instudiesmandatedbycongressionalresolutions,itisassumedthattheresolutionswereinitiatedattherequestoflocalconstitu-ents.SincetheSenatePublicWorksCommitteeResolution,whichisquotedinitsentiretyinsection1.01,doesnotidentifythebasisforthisresolution,furtherspeculationwillbeomittedfromthisEIS.825
3L~4(9)ConsiderationofalternativestotheDevilc~ny.on-w~tanaHydro-'electricprojectwasincludedinboth.documents.Thedi~cuss1onintheRDEISconsideredninealternativestohydroelectricpowerofwhichcoalwasdeterminedtobemostcompetitive.Inaddition,fourothergeneralhydropowersiteswereevaluatedaswereseveralconfigurationsfortheUpperSusitnaRiverl3asin.345(10)Section1.02oftheRDEISdoesnotimpl,YorspecifythatallofAlaska'smajorpowerresourcesaretnthe.SouthcentralRailbeltarea.Itdoesstatethatmajorpowerresources,bothhydroelectricandfossilfuel,existinthisregfon.PrudhoeBayandPetroleumReserve#4aremajorpowerresourcesoccurringoutsidethisarea.346(11)Thegeologyoftheprojectareawillbeinvestigatedindepthtoidentifyandevaluateanyhazardswhi'chthedarnsandreservo;rscouldbesubjectedto.Thesedetailedgeologicandseismicstudieswillbeusedtodeterminetheexactsi'ttngandfinaldesignfeaturesofthedams.Finallocationanddesignplanswillinco~porateallprecautionsnecessarytoinsureagainstcatastrophe.347(12)TheRDEISandtheInterimFeasibilityReport,initiallypub-lishedinDecember1975,utilizedaverageannualenergyasthecon-trollingparameterforpowerhousedesign.Asaresult,194MWunitswereprojectedfortheDevilCanyonplant.Thefeasibilityreportwasrevisedon1June1976toutilizefirmannualenergyasthecontrol.Thus,thepowerunitsweresizedto171MW.Thesmallerunitsw\llnotaffecttheoverallfirmannualenergyofthetwodamsystem.·Itwill,however,slightlydecreasetheamountofsecondaryenergythatcanbeproduced.Thischangewasnotincorporatedin.theRDEIS.Ithasnobearingonenvironmentalimpactsandthus,thougharegrettableomission,isofnopracticalsignificance.TheturbinecapacityfiguresforDevilCanyonandW8tanahavebeenupdatedintheFEIS.348(13)ThismapusedinthereferencedfiguresprojectstheCopperRiverHighwayasitwasoriginallyproposed,thatis,asconnectingatChitina.SubsequentrevisionsprojectthehighwayasconnectingtotheRichardsonHighwaynorthofValdez.349(14)Theestimatedcostsgivenonpage6havebeenupdatedtoOctober1976price~whicharethemostrecentfiguresavailable.350(15)Thedifferenceinthevaluesforthebenef1t-to-costratioisagainduetorevisionsshownintheInterimfeasibtlityReport8263L~4(9)ConsiderationofalternativestotheDevilc~ny.on-w~tanaHydro-'electricprojectwasincludedinboth.documents.Thedi~cuss1onintheRDEISconsideredninealternativestohydroelectricpowerofwhichcoalwasdeterminedtobemostcompetitive.Inaddition,fourothergeneralhydropowersiteswereevaluatedaswereseveralconfigurationsfortheUpperSusitnaRiverl3asin.345(10)Section1.02oftheRDEISdoesnotimpl,YorspecifythatallofAlaska'smajorpowerresourcesaretnthe.SouthcentralRailbeltarea.Itdoesstatethatmajorpowerresources,bothhydroelectricandfossilfuel,existinthisregfon.PrudhoeBayandPetroleumReserve#4aremajorpowerresourcesoccurringoutsidethisarea.346(11)Thegeologyoftheprojectareawillbeinvestigatedindepthtoidentifyandevaluateanyhazardswhi'chthedarnsandreservo;rscouldbesubjectedto.Thesedetailedgeologicandseismicstudieswillbeusedtodeterminetheexactsi'ttngandfinaldesignfeaturesofthedams.Finallocationanddesignplanswillinco~porateallprecautionsnecessarytoinsureagainstcatastrophe.347(12)TheRDEISandtheInterimFeasibilityReport,initiallypub-lishedinDecember1975,utilizedaverageannualenergyasthecon-trollingparameterforpowerhousedesign.Asaresult,194MWunitswereprojectedfortheDevilCanyonplant.Thefeasibilityreportwasrevisedon1June1976toutilizefirmannualenergyasthecontrol.Thus,thepowerunitsweresizedto171MW.Thesmallerunitsw\llnotaffecttheoverallfirmannualenergyofthetwodamsystem.·Itwill,however,slightlydecreasetheamountofsecondaryenergythatcanbeproduced.Thischangewasnotincorporatedin.theRDEIS.Ithasnobearingonenvironmentalimpactsandthus,thougharegrettableomission,isofnopracticalsignificance.TheturbinecapacityfiguresforDevilCanyonandW8tanahavebeenupdatedintheFEIS.348(13)ThismapusedinthereferencedfiguresprojectstheCopperRiverHighwayasitwasoriginallyproposed,thatis,asconnectingatChitina.SubsequentrevisionsprojectthehighwayasconnectingtotheRichardsonHighwaynorthofValdez.349(14)Theestimatedcostsgivenonpage6havebeenupdatedtoOctober1976price~whicharethemostrecentfiguresavailable.350(15)Thedifferenceinthevaluesforthebenef1t-to-costratioisagainduetorevisionsshownintheInterimfeasibtlityReport826
andnotreflectedintheRDEIS.TheFEISshowstheupdat~dB-tratioof1.3.TheinterestratethatmightbeappliedtoaStaterevenuebondissueisnotknownatpresent.Itwillbesetduringthebondbiddingprocessandwilldepend,inpart,ontheState'screditstandingatthattime.351(16)TheSecretaryoftheArmysubmitsthereportoftheChiefofEngi-neerstothePublicWorksCommittee(s)orwhicheverHouse(s)ofCongressthatoriginallyadoptedtheresolutionrequestingthestudy.352(17)Asstatedinthereferencedparagraph,theadditionalenviron-mentalstudieswillbeusedtoinformCongressasfullyaspossibleofallenvironmentalimpactsofthisproject.Thisadditionalinfor-mationwillbeutilizedinthedecisionmakingprocessofwhetherornottoadvancetothefinaldesignandconstructionstages.Thus,theknowledgegainedfromthesestudieswillbepartofthebasisforrea.chingthefinaldecision.353(18)ThereferencedsentencehasbeenrewordedtomakeclearthepointthatCongressmayormaynotauthorizeconstructionoftheproject.Detailedenvironmental,social,economic,andengineeringdatarequiredforinformeddecision-makingwillbeprovidedforthatpurpose.354(19)Theadjectivesusedhereseemaccurateandappropriate.TheUpperSusitnaRiveriswildandscenic,butwildandscenicriversarenotnecessarilycold,swift,orsilt-laden.Theprojectareaisnotpresentlyinhabited.355(20)Thetitleoffigure4doesappearinthelowerright-handcor-nerofthemap.Itisentitled"UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.II356(21)IncheckingonthecurrentstatusoftheSusitnaRiver,ithasbeenfoundthatmultiplerecommendationshavebeenmadeforthewildandscenicriverdesignation.OneofthelatestsuchproposalsisincludedinHR39submittedbyRepresentativeMorrisK.Udall(D.AZ)in1977.Theultimateoutcomeoftheseproposalsortheireffectontheprojectisunknownatthistime.Theparagraphdescrib-ingthekayakingopportunitiesinDevilCanyonhasbeenexpandedtoincludeitsnickname.357(22)OnthebasisofinformationprovidedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources,thenumberandlocationsofminingclaimsintheUpperSusitnaBasinarepresentlyonlygenerallyknown.Specificidentificationofallminingclaimssubjec'ttoimpactfromtheproj-ectwillbeaccomplishedduringthedetailedpreconstructionstudyphaseandtheywillbeaddressedinasupplementalEIS.827andnotreflectedintheRDEIS.TheFEISshowstheupdat~dB-tratioof1.3.TheinterestratethatmightbeappliedtoaStaterevenuebondissueisnotknownatpresent.Itwillbesetduringthebondbiddingprocessandwilldepend,inpart,ontheState'screditstandingatthattime.351(16)TheSecretaryoftheArmysubmitsthereportoftheChiefofEngi-neerstothePublicWorksCommittee(s)orwhicheverHouse(s)ofCongressthatoriginallyadoptedtheresolutionrequestingthestudy.352(17)Asstatedinthereferencedparagraph,theadditionalenviron-mentalstudieswillbeusedtoinformCongressasfullyaspossibleofallenvironmentalimpactsofthisproject.Thisadditionalinfor-mationwillbeutilizedinthedecisionmakingprocessofwhetherornottoadvancetothefinaldesignandconstructionstages.Thus,theknowledgegainedfromthesestudieswillbepartofthebasisforrea.chingthefinaldecision.353(18)ThereferencedsentencehasbeenrewordedtomakeclearthepointthatCongressmayormaynotauthorizeconstructionoftheproject.Detailedenvironmental,social,economic,andengineeringdatarequiredforinformeddecision-makingwillbeprovidedforthatpurpose.354(19)Theadjectivesusedhereseemaccurateandappropriate.TheUpperSusitnaRiveriswildandscenic,butwildandscenicriversarenotnecessarilycold,swift,orsilt-laden.Theprojectareaisnotpresentlyinhabited.355(20)Thetitleoffigure4doesappearinthelowerright-handcor-nerofthemap.Itisentitled"UpperSusitnaRiverBasin.II356(21)IncheckingonthecurrentstatusoftheSusitnaRiver,ithasbeenfoundthatmultiplerecommendationshavebeenmadeforthewildandscenicriverdesignation.OneofthelatestsuchproposalsisincludedinHR39submittedbyRepresentativeMorrisK.Udall(D.AZ)in1977.Theultimateoutcomeoftheseproposalsortheireffectontheprojectisunknownatthistime.Theparagraphdescrib-ingthekayakingopportunitiesinDevilCanyonhasbeenexpandedtoincludeitsnickname.357(22)OnthebasisofinformationprovidedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources,thenumberandlocationsofminingclaimsintheUpperSusitnaBasinarepresentlyonlygenerallyknown.Specificidentificationofallminingclaimssubjec'ttoimpactfromtheproj-ectwillbeaccomplishedduringthedetailedpreconstructionstudyphaseandtheywillbeaddressedinasupplementalEIS.827
358(23)Seeaboveresponse.359(24)AccordingtotheOctober1975Fish&WildlifeServicereportontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin~themostprob~blereasonthatsalmonareunabletoascendDevilCanyo"nis"ahydraulicblockresultingfromhighwatervelocitiesforseveralrivermileswithinDevilDanyon."Theonlywaythatmancouldassistthesalmonpastthisblockistoprovidealternatetransportattonmeans~suchascapturingandtruckingspawningadultsaroundthecanyonorcon-structingafishpassagefacilitysimilartothatfoundontheFrazerRiverinBritishColumbia.Sincenosl!chplansexistfortheforeseeablefuture~wethinkthatthestatement"unab1etoascendIIisanaccuratedescriptionofconditionsforsalmoninrelationtoDevilCanyon.360(25)Commentnoted.361(26)ThegrowthofAnchorageandFairbankssince1973hasbeen.largelyduetoactivityassociatedwithTAPS.TheAnchorageBusi-nessIndex~tabulatedbe10w~indicatesthegenerallevelofeco-nomicactivityinAnchoragesince1970~YEARINDEXRATEOFINCREASE19701001971104.34.3%1972108.13.61973114.96.31974139.821.71975169.921.51976172.71.7Source:Mr.BobRichards~AlaskaPacific.BankTherewasaboutafive-foldincreaseintherateofeconomicgrowthduringthepipelineyearsovertheunderlyinggrowthrateof'about4percent.Postpipe1ineuncertaintiesandout-migrationofworkersresultedinalessthannormalexpansionin1976.AlaskapopulationandeconomicgrowthinthefuturedependsprimarilyondevelopmentoftheState'spetroleumreserves,Statefiscalpol;cy~andthegrowthofotherbasicindustries.Growthwillnotstopwith·thecompletionofthepipeline.Rather~comple.tionofthepipeline'allowstheStatetobegincollectingla.rgeotlrevenuesthatwillbeakeydeterminantincontinuedeconomicexpans'ion,butatalesserratethanexperiencedatthepeakof.theP1Pelineconstructionactivity.828358(23)Seeaboveresponse.359(24)AccordingtotheOctober1975Fish&WildlifeServicereportontheUpperSusitnaRiverBasin~themostprob~blereasonthatsalmonareunabletoascendDevilCanyo"nis"ahydraulicblockresultingfromhighwatervelocitiesforseveralrivermileswithinDevilDanyon."Theonlywaythatmancouldassistthesalmonpastthisblockistoprovidealternatetransportattonmeans~suchascapturingandtruckingspawningadultsaroundthecanyonorcon-structingafishpassagefacilitysimilartothatfoundontheFrazerRiverinBritishColumbia.Sincenosl!chplansexistfortheforeseeablefuture~wethinkthatthestatement"unab1etoascendIIisanaccuratedescriptionofconditionsforsalmoninrelationtoDevilCanyon.360(25)Commentnoted.361(26)ThegrowthofAnchorageandFairbankssince1973hasbeen.largelyduetoactivityassociatedwithTAPS.TheAnchorageBusi-nessIndex~tabulatedbe10w~indicatesthegenerallevelofeco-nomicactivityinAnchoragesince1970~YEARINDEXRATEOFINCREASE19701001971104.34.3%1972108.13.61973114.96.31974139.821.71975169.921.51976172.71.7Source:Mr.BobRichards~AlaskaPacific.BankTherewasaboutafive-foldincreaseintherateofeconomicgrowthduringthepipelineyearsovertheunderlyinggrowthrateof'about4percent.Postpipe1ineuncertaintiesandout-migrationofworkersresultedinalessthannormalexpansionin1976.AlaskapopulationandeconomicgrowthinthefuturedependsprimarilyondevelopmentoftheState'spetroleumreserves,Statefiscalpol;cy~andthegrowthofotherbasicindustries.Growthwillnotstopwith·thecompletionofthepipeline.Rather~comple.tionofthepipeline'allowstheStatetobegincollectingla.rgeotlrevenuesthatwillbeakeydeterminantincontinuedeconomicexpans'ion,butatalesserratethanexperiencedatthepeakof.theP1Pelineconstructionactivity.828
362363364365366367368369(27)Reducedcomsumptionisoneofthevariousapproachestothecountry'senergyproblemasdemonstratedb~pre.sidentCarter'senergyproposal.However,itisnotanticipatedthatredUt,edcon-sumptionwi11bethecompletesolution.Tb,erefore,thedevelopmentanduti1izationofrenewableresourceswillbecome1ncreas'1nglyimportantinthefuture.Implementationofanenergyconsumptionreductionprogramisbeyondtheauthorityofthisagency.AlsoanindepthanalysisofthismatterisbeyondthescopeofthisEISandwouldbespeculativeinnatureatthistime.(28)ThereferencedparagraphhasbeencorrectedtoreflectthetruelengthoftheSewardHighway.(29)ContrarytotheexpressedopinionthatthereferencedsentenceisIInotrelevantandshouldbedeletedfromtheFEIS,1Ithepresentuseofall-terrainvehiclesandthepotentialfortheirincreaseduseresultingfromtheprojectisanareaofmajorconcerntotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.Theyhaverequestedthatsec-ondaryimpactsrelatedtoincreasedaccessibilityresultingfromtheprojectbethesubjectofintensivestudyandevaluationduringthepreconstructionstudyphase.furthermore,thereferencedsen-tencediscussesall-terrainvehicleswiththeintentionofpoint-ingouttheirpotentialadverseimpactongameherds.(30)Asdiscussedinresponsenumber340,theestimatesofsus-pendedsedimentarebasedonconcentrationsfoundinriversbelowglacier-fed'natura1lakesinAlaska.Additionalhydrologicalstudiesarerequiredtoadequatelyaddressthequestionof~ostprojectsus-pendedsedimentlevels.StudiestobemadeduringphaseIoftheGeneralDesignMemorandumwillassessthisproblemandpossibleeffectsonthebiotaoftheriver.TheEISwillsubsequentlybesupplementedasappropriatetodiscussanyimpactindetail.(31)SeeResponseNumber339.(32)Anyproject-relatedrecreationaldevelopmentprogramwouldinvolvecooperationbetweentheappropriateFederal,State,andlocalinterestsforsponsorship,costsharingandmaintenanceofrecreationalfacilities.Proposedrecreationalfacilitiesfortheprojectareaincludevisitorcenters,campgrounds,picnicareas,trailsystems,andboatlaunches.Therefore,recreationalpotentialwouldexistforday-useactivities,camping,hiking,andboatingbesideshuntingandfishinginthearea..(33)SeeResponseNumber339.(34)Paragraph10ofsection4.03oftheREISisnotdeletedintheRevisedInterimFeasibilityReport(1June1976).Thesameparagraphappearsasthesecondparagraphofpage72oftheRIFR.829362363364365366367368369(27)Reducedcomsumptionisoneofthevariousapproachestothecountry'senergyproblemasdemonstratedb~pre.sidentCarter'senergyproposal.However,itisnotanticipatedthatredUt,edcon-sumptionwi11bethecompletesolution.Tb,erefore,thedevelopmentanduti1izationofrenewableresourceswillbecome1ncreas'1nglyimportantinthefuture.Implementationofanenergyconsumptionreductionprogramisbeyondtheauthorityofthisagency.AlsoanindepthanalysisofthismatterisbeyondthescopeofthisEISandwouldbespeculativeinnatureatthistime.(28)ThereferencedparagraphhasbeencorrectedtoreflectthetruelengthoftheSewardHighway.(29)ContrarytotheexpressedopinionthatthereferencedsentenceisIInotrelevantandshouldbedeletedfromtheFEIS,1Ithepresentuseofall-terrainvehiclesandthepotentialfortheirincreaseduseresultingfromtheprojectisanareaofmajorconcerntotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.Theyhaverequestedthatsec-ondaryimpactsrelatedtoincreasedaccessibilityresultingfromtheprojectbethesubjectofintensivestudyandevaluationduringthepreconstructionstudyphase.furthermore,thereferencedsen-tencediscussesall-terrainvehicleswiththeintentionofpoint-ingouttheirpotentialadverseimpactongameherds.(30)Asdiscussedinresponsenumber340,theestimatesofsus-pendedsedimentarebasedonconcentrationsfoundinriversbelowglacier-fed'natura1lakesinAlaska.Additionalhydrologicalstudiesarerequiredtoadequatelyaddressthequestionof~ostprojectsus-pendedsedimentlevels.StudiestobemadeduringphaseIoftheGeneralDesignMemorandumwillassessthisproblemandpossibleeffectsonthebiotaoftheriver.TheEISwillsubsequentlybesupplementedasappropriatetodiscussanyimpactindetail.(31)SeeResponseNumber339.(32)Anyproject-relatedrecreationaldevelopmentprogramwouldinvolvecooperationbetweentheappropriateFederal,State,andlocalinterestsforsponsorship,costsharingandmaintenanceofrecreationalfacilities.Proposedrecreationalfacilitiesfortheprojectareaincludevisitorcenters,campgrounds,picnicareas,trailsystems,andboatlaunches.Therefore,recreationalpotentialwouldexistforday-useactivities,camping,hiking,andboatingbesideshuntingandfishinginthearea..(33)SeeResponseNumber339.(34)Paragraph10ofsection4.03oftheREISisnotdeletedintheRevisedInterimFeasibilityReport(1June1976).Thesameparagraphappearsasthesecondparagraphofpage72oftheRIFR.829
370371372373374375(35)SeeResponseNumber356.(36)TheIIroadsllinquestionwillbetheminimumneceS$qrytoallQWmen(tocuttheplants)andvehicles(toh~ul·thecutmateriql.toaburningorotherdisposalsite).Theywill,toth.egreatestextentpossible,bewithintheimpoundmentareaofthereservoirs.Wherethisispossible,theywi"beinexistenceonlyuntilcoveredbythereservoirand,thus,willrequirenoremovql.Wherethisisnotpossible,theroadswillbetemporary'inthesensetha.ttheywillnotbemaintainedonceclearingtsaccomplished.Ataminimum,unfloodedsectionsoftheroadswillberenderedunusableandallowedtorevege..tatenaturally.CompleteIIremoval"ofsuchroadswouldrequireregrqO"ing,plowingandplantingtopromotere.vegetati-on.Manyareasofthereservoirwallswouldnotbeclearedbyuseofroads;theyaretooprecipitousandhelicopteraccess,bothforpersonnelanddebrisremoval,wouldbetheonlypracti'calapproach,(37)Thecorrmercialpotentialhasnotbeen·quantified,but,fromobservationofthetypesandsizesoftreesfoundinthereservoirarea(asdifferentiatedfromthoseonmoreneqrlylevelsurroundinglands),thevalueisconsideredmini'mal.A·moreexplic;tinventorywillbeachievedduringpre-constructtoninvestigations,bothfromtheviewpointofcommercialvalueandfromtheirvalueaswildlifehabitat.(38)AccordingtotheAmericanHeritageDictionary,1976NewCollegeEdition,thedefinitionofastrea;mislIabodyofrunningwater,especially,suchasabrook,rivulet,orriver.1IThus,theSusitnaRivermaycorrectlybetermedastreaminthebroadsenseofthewordandtheuseofthiswordisnotanattempttoplaydownthesignificanceofamightyriver.Whetherth.ereductionoftheheavysedimentloadsofthesummerisanadverseeffectornotisstillopentoquestion.Futuredetailedenvironmentalstudieswilldecidewhateffectsthisreductionwillhaveonsuchprocessesasnutrienttransport.(39)TheCorpsrecognizesthevalueofDevilCanyoninitspresentstate.Therecreationaland/orestheticalvalueisdiscussedinmoredetailinthesectionsoftheRDEIStitledIIRiverCharacter-isties,IIIIRecreation,IIandIIEsthetics.II.Thesentencereferredtoonpage67simply1ist~theinundationoftherrverasanadverseenvironmentaleffectoftheprojectwh.ichc~nnotbeaVQidedwithconstructionoftheproject.(40)SeeCommentNumber339.830370371372373374375(35)SeeResponseNumber356.(36)TheIIroadsllinquestionwillbetheminimumneceS$qrytoallQWmen(tocuttheplants)andvehicles(toh~ul·thecutmateriql.toaburningorotherdisposalsite).Theywill,toth.egreatestextentpossible,bewithintheimpoundmentareaofthereservoirs.Wherethisispossible,theywi"beinexistenceonlyuntilcoveredbythereservoirand,thus,willrequirenoremovql.Wherethisisnotpossible,theroadswillbetemporary'inthesensetha.ttheywillnotbemaintainedonceclearingtsaccomplished.Ataminimum,unfloodedsectionsoftheroadswillberenderedunusableandallowedtorevege..tatenaturally.CompleteIIremoval"ofsuchroadswouldrequireregrqO"ing,plowingandplantingtopromotere.vegetati-on.Manyareasofthereservoirwallswouldnotbeclearedbyuseofroads;theyaretooprecipitousandhelicopteraccess,bothforpersonnelanddebrisremoval,wouldbetheonlypracti'calapproach,(37)Thecorrmercialpotentialhasnotbeen·quantified,but,fromobservationofthetypesandsizesoftreesfoundinthereservoirarea(asdifferentiatedfromthoseonmoreneqrlylevelsurroundinglands),thevalueisconsideredmini'mal.A·moreexplic;tinventorywillbeachievedduringpre-constructtoninvestigations,bothfromtheviewpointofcommercialvalueandfromtheirvalueaswildlifehabitat.(38)AccordingtotheAmericanHeritageDictionary,1976NewCollegeEdition,thedefinitionofastrea;mislIabodyofrunningwater,especially,suchasabrook,rivulet,orriver.1IThus,theSusitnaRivermaycorrectlybetermedastreaminthebroadsenseofthewordandtheuseofthiswordisnotanattempttoplaydownthesignificanceofamightyriver.Whetherth.ereductionoftheheavysedimentloadsofthesummerisanadverseeffectornotisstillopentoquestion.Futuredetailedenvironmentalstudieswilldecidewhateffectsthisreductionwillhaveonsuchprocessesasnutrienttransport.(39)TheCorpsrecognizesthevalueofDevilCanyoninitspresentstate.Therecreationaland/orestheticalvalueisdiscussedinmoredetailinthesectionsoftheRDEIStitledIIRiverCharacter-isties,IIIIRecreation,IIandIIEsthetics.II.Thesentencereferredtoonpage67simply1ist~theinundationoftherrverasanadverseenvironmentaleffectoftheprojectwh.ichc~nnotbeaVQidedwithconstructionoftheproject.(40)SeeCommentNumber339.830
37651/378379380381382383(41)Thereferencedsentencehasbeenmodifiedtoindicatethatsomeadverseeffectswouldresulttoresidentfis-hpopulations,particularlyinwatanaReservoir.(~;;')W~ttHltUI'.Ihe~at'a~h1~hhliSbee!11ltltjdHi~clttldE!1~t~"t!t~~..;encestobeneficialeffects.(43)Yes.IIPoliticalI'feasibili'tyisthatwhichcanreasonablybeachievedwithinthesocial(political)frameworkofthetimean~placeinquestion.Itisusuallynarrowerinscopethan"economicllfeasi'bilitywhichdepends(inoursocialsys·tem)onthenetprofit-lossparameterandisinturnnarrowerthanlltechnical11feasibilitywhichisthatwhichcanCorcould}beaccomp1ishedwithpresenttechnologywithoutregardtoeithereconomicorpolitica1restraints.Thus,politicalfeasibilityusua.llyrepresentsacompromiseamongthemanyandvariedviewsandgoals-ofth...ep~b.1tc.(44)Thealternativeofnoactionwillbeoneofseveralalterna-ivesthatwillbeexaminedinmoredeta.ilduringthepreconstruc-tionstudies.Astheseinvestigationsproceed,supplementstothisFEISwillbepreparedandcoordinatedasappropriate.(45)Weconcur.Thesentencehasbeendeleted.(46)TheeconomiclifeoftheproposedhYdropowerprojectis100years.Inactuality,theprojectmayfunctioneffectivelyforaslongas500years.Dependingonthedepthofcoalveinswhichwouldbestrip-minedasanalternativesourceofenergy,thedamagetosur-faceareascouldbeinexcessofthatofthereservoirimpoundmentareas.Therearealsoenormouscostsandtechnicalproblemsa.ssoci-atedwithrestorationofminedareasandthepreventionoferosionandpollution,especiallyinthefragtleenvtronmentofInteriorandSouthcentralAlaska.Atpresent,therehasbeennolarge-scaleattemptatrevegetationofhighlydisturbedsoilsunderthesevereclimaticconditionsfoundhere,andthefeasibilityofsuchanundertaking1snotcompletelyknownatthistime.Duringdetailedstlldieswhichwi11beconductedpriortoadec;sianbyCongressastowhetherornottoauthorizeprojectconstruction,thecomparisonofthesetwoalternativeswi11bemorethoroughlyassesse.dandeva1uatedastowhatthetrade-offsactuallywouldbe.(47)AlthoughtherecreationalandfloodcontrolelementsoftheprojectconstituteaminorportionOf.thetota.,projectc.ostsandbenefits,thesearebenefitsthatwouldnotbeobtainedwiththecoa1alternative.(48)Wehavenostatisticsonthenumberofexisting500and/or100year-olddams.Sincetechnologyhaschangedvastlyin500831'69-7370 -81-5337651/378379380381382383(41)Thereferencedsentencehasbeenmodifiedtoindicatethatsomeadverseeffectswouldresulttoresidentfis-hpopulations,particularlyinwatanaReservoir.(~;;')W~ttHltUI'.Ihe~at'a~h1~hhliSbee!11ltltjdHi~clttldE!1~t~"t!t~~..;encestobeneficialeffects.(43)Yes.IIPoliticalI'feasibili'tyisthatwhichcanreasonablybeachievedwithinthesocial(political)frameworkofthetimean~placeinquestion.Itisusuallynarrowerinscopethan"economicllfeasi'bilitywhichdepends(inoursocialsys·tem)onthenetprofit-lossparameterandisinturnnarrowerthanlltechnical11feasibilitywhichisthatwhichcanCorcould}beaccomp1ishedwithpresenttechnologywithoutregardtoeithereconomicorpolitica1restraints.Thus,politicalfeasibilityusua.llyrepresentsacompromiseamongthemanyandvariedviewsandgoals-ofth...ep~b.1tc.(44)Thealternativeofnoactionwillbeoneofseveralalterna-ivesthatwillbeexaminedinmoredeta.ilduringthepreconstruc-tionstudies.Astheseinvestigationsproceed,supplementstothisFEISwillbepreparedandcoordinatedasappropriate.(45)Weconcur.Thesentencehasbeendeleted.(46)TheeconomiclifeoftheproposedhYdropowerprojectis100years.Inactuality,theprojectmayfunctioneffectivelyforaslongas500years.Dependingonthedepthofcoalveinswhichwouldbestrip-minedasanalternativesourceofenergy,thedamagetosur-faceareascouldbeinexcessofthatofthereservoirimpoundmentareas.Therearealsoenormouscostsandtechnicalproblemsa.ssoci-atedwithrestorationofminedareasandthepreventionoferosionandpollution,especiallyinthefragtleenvtronmentofInteriorandSouthcentralAlaska.Atpresent,therehasbeennolarge-scaleattemptatrevegetationofhighlydisturbedsoilsunderthesevereclimaticconditionsfoundhere,andthefeasibilityofsuchanundertaking1snotcompletelyknownatthistime.Duringdetailedstlldieswhichwi11beconductedpriortoadec;sianbyCongressastowhetherornottoauthorizeprojectconstruction,thecomparisonofthesetwoalternativeswi11bemorethoroughlyassesse.dandeva1uatedastowhatthetrade-offsactuallywouldbe.(47)AlthoughtherecreationalandfloodcontrolelementsoftheprojectconstituteaminorportionOf.thetota.,projectc.ostsandbenefits,thesearebenefitsthatwouldnotbeobtainedwiththecoa1alternative.(48)Wehavenostatisticsonthenumberofexisting500and/or100year-olddams.Sincetechnologyhaschangedvastlyin500831'69-7370 -81-53
(oreven100)years,theexistenceofsuchstructureswouldhavelittlebearingonthelifeoftheproposedstructures,excepttostressthatifsuchoutmodedtechniquesandmaterialscould$urvivesuchatime,modernmethodsandmaterialscouldbeexpectedtodoevenbetter.Thereare,howeverquiteafewhistoricbuildingsusingportlandcementconcrete(usuallyasamortarbutsometimesasslabsormasselements)thatdatewellinexcessofTOOyearsandeven500years..384(49)Thestatementisfactualaswritten.Thepollhasnotbeennorwillitbeusedtojustifyanyfutureaction.Itmerelyrepre-sentstheexpressedviewsofpeopleattendingthemeeting.335(50)WeagreethatthecreationofmudflatsinWatanaReservoirduringperiodsoflowriverflowsshouldbediscussedinthissec-tion.Thisomissionhas.beencorrectedinsection5.0oftheFEIS.Furthercommentsbeginningonpage6ofMr.Taggart'sletterof19December1976pertainonlytotheInterimfeasibilityReport.Thus,noresponseisconsideredappropriateintheFEIS.Mr.Taggart'sletterof9March1976,whichalsoreferstotheInterimFeasibilityReport,wasinclosedwithhiscommentsontheRDEISandhasbeenincludedhere.AlsoincludedistheletterofresponsefromtheCorpstohisletter.832(oreven100)years,theexistenceofsuchstructureswouldhavelittlebearingonthelifeoftheproposedstructures,excepttostressthatifsuchoutmodedtechniquesandmaterialscould$urvivesuchatime,modernmethodsandmaterialscouldbeexpectedtodoevenbetter.Thereare,howeverquiteafewhistoricbuildingsusingportlandcementconcrete(usuallyasamortarbutsometimesasslabsormasselements)thatdatewellinexcessofTOOyearsandeven500years..384(49)Thestatementisfactualaswritten.Thepollhasnotbeennorwillitbeusedtojustifyanyfutureaction.Itmerelyrepre-sentstheexpressedviewsofpeopleattendingthemeeting.335(50)WeagreethatthecreationofmudflatsinWatanaReservoirduringperiodsoflowriverflowsshouldbediscussedinthissec-tion.Thisomissionhas.beencorrectedinsection5.0oftheFEIS.Furthercommentsbeginningonpage6ofMr.Taggart'sletterof19December1976pertainonlytotheInterimfeasibilityReport.Thus,noresponseisconsideredappropriateintheFEIS.Mr.Taggart'sletterof9March1976,whichalsoreferstotheInterimFeasibilityReport,wasinclosedwithhiscommentsontheRDEISandhasbeenincludedhere.AlsoincludedistheletterofresponsefromtheCorpstohisletter.832
C-'--J..,...._.j.:.1...I,;....~,,,:,,,,,-.wTho,r:tl.3T~3l:~-t.~-.31nox11)~S~~,Alaaka·996649Ha.reh,1976Ci-:.3.l.r::tan.·Eo..:ciof'~1::i.n>.::rsforRiv,rsa."'1dHa:-;;orsK:':'l~~3uil~l':';"'.':;FortJdvoi:-,'/':':":~nill.22.:.'60~::::~'':::U;:::.iG:~IlJ:T"{a';;ro:tTOil'l'!l~u:?~aSCSI'l'::'\'nIV.:=.tBASlii,4\I..\:j:~\Acop:,.oft.~isstuetJin1'ourvol:.l:1esandincludingtheJonesr.:Jonesaacreational..1aport.:a::;!'::lc.::'::edbj"~h33e~·:ard?lfolicLibrar:"onFriciay,5Hareh,1976,'ihichgavethepeoplaofSe·:a:-o.a~p::'O:-:l.:-.3.t':lyth:-ee(3)daystorevie~~itandsubr.1itcor.mtentsby'thedeacCineor10i'larch.:lClarepo:-t;h.db':lenreCl\=estedap!lroxi;:;atelyoner.1onthago,~thich;Iouldhaveall.o~o/8dafairl:rrr.;a.s,,::a:'le'.:.i.::.afo,:,theF',,:'ollctoravie'"ithaditb30ndelivoredeA-pe~entlJ.Il-1ouldliket~....a.::.~t:1isoppo:-tu:::"tytocongra'l!ulate·theArmy-Corpsof!l:nginoersonitse.~9llenttL":li.ngin':;9';,tingkis:'Clportint-o~hah<m:lsofthepeople~Tho'dllbedirectlyaf'fectedb"Jtheproposedproj'i::ct.Itis...-..,estimationthattheCorps'westionablemethodsofdissemina.ting1.'1tor:llatio."t·)~nepublicc)uldbestbed::fincdasBorderingOnCr:l.rnina.lityAndNotServini,T~~!atien31.I~:.e:"est.HayIaskthats;Jcnfuturepertinentinformationbegivenfreely,openl7and.jOj"'Ol;s:lJ't·)tnopuo:iclibrzriesof'thosec()j!'~..,u:U.ties"Tharatheproposal(s),dllhaveg:.-eate!i'ectupon,'enilpopulace.Ifurther::o~·easkthat':hisl".ltterinitsentiretybe1ncorpox-atedintoa:tJY'future.:;t°.lcy0:'1..,):;.,c-;statementre~:l:-dingthisproject.I:1a'lQhadti.-r:.gtoc:-:'~.:'l:;revie;-1thefivevolunes,andI~ofO"ollda.t'thist:!..."'1el1.'tetoc<X"QCiIl.'it1J:;C':1tt·:lr.l.Za.,ba.s~caE:.-inoppositiontothl3proposedprojectbecauseofthraereasons"ilichI·,::'l.lhereel'abc7:l.teu~on:(1)Tc.op:-o~actHilli:-:-eversiblyalterarela1(ivelypristineareaof.uas~,a.(.::)ThareisatleastoneviablealternativetotheprojectWhichseemstohavemoreJneti't..~(3)ThoC.::l:':::sofEngineerShasbeenlesstho.ncandidandperhapsovertlydece1t..f'ulin~..se:~tingitsca5~,~thichleadsonetobelievethattheprojectitseltJIJqno'tbe'tcasibleor~sira'olefronvorio',,;sstandp:>ints.?irstl:,rI.r:.J.:!.to;Jchupon.-rhatIperceiveasthemajorenvironmentaliJ!\pa.cts.Ontheis~eorr:ooschabit.'l.t,Iheraq'Jote£'romthemainreport,page71:"•••i'tise::lti.'J3.~Qdthat2000toj~'::'jac!'cs,n~.;t.l.:rin~-Tat,antl.Cr3ek,c"'J:dbefavorablemoosehabitat.....'l'h:.sstatf.l.'!U:lntbj"the.C~J:-:-.sisquite!,ulidinc==:;parison:-ritAtliefollo',Tin:;statonontfrom.t.'teletteroftheU.Fio.sr-u~:;":':;hedin;"P?-;....iix2,pa..~e22:"•••:l9s~rvoi:'S,·lillinundatem.ooaehabitatccnsistingo£•••,2j,'20acresofha.bitat~:h:'c~receivesmod:J:-ateuse,and18,560acresofhabitat~michreqaive~,hea'rJusc.~he:::oderoto<:.noheav:'rusea:-easarcconsiderednreferredorcritic3.l••"inter~111bitat!.11Co~~:dtheCo~s;'l~olapossiblel<ii'tthc~efactsoutofthomainreportbyoversight?Itdoesno~.S'~'::1:i.ll:el~li':.-~:"\~·:l'lC:'ClI3it.Anyonelivinginn:lsk:l.atthistimecouldnot~1elpbutbea-"zaro'::::....ther.oosc::o::'.:1':.tio~1.!.3untho,,;ra."lQ,andbyflooding39,68011Cro8ofcriticalond/orpro."~d~·:.-edl'I1ooseh'1bi':.:ltthoCorps:·/iUini"actbecontributingto\·th:::Ltq,Juldbethepom:muntdc.."iido0;'t::e.U<!.s~,a."'1::loosea.s....en~~'T~:no\rit.DoestheCorpscare?..T::epropos~ddal:lS.-Tillhaveanadverseeffectuponcariboupsal:non,a."'Ic;ithee%1lianl:8red. 'Pe::-~-:~il~'1~,to.dt:':'::0mi:.....:lt~onrouteoftheg:-oatkrdimIiiLslled.(90:;):ielchinaCanDou:{"~':'=';";i::"oe:'r..:;tratedb:rt!'le!nOop03edW::Ltana3.esarvoir.Onpa~cs2~207oftht"su?p~ntaJ.·~Tcn..:s·~J:)::~s~~ac:-c:1tiona.l19portit:..:;hcavil:re~~:lhasizedthattheWatanaRosarvoircouldhave"1.,,:,;:::::\':i·).;;;13:l."l.::.S'3V~ro"i:1pactonth.i3j1crd.'(2)ThoonuanJerodparegrina-l.uc:ort·huatloastth:-c'3::-.i'·:;-:lti;:::--;·;t·:-~t:l~":)·.:':!'ltho.5u:;:.......na.d.'i.v1r'!a';.ley.Pa~o72ofthoma:i.rireport.Jt.t.cstiia~":::":-:-:'..:i1::;'oi.'o:..:o"Jldpo.:si·.;l:rsu':·i'·~::-::c:-,enOl'tality::"omcoll1sions~Tithto~"'9r5orl!n~s•••ltSo:::".:l."j'10.;;')<;';;c:::-.this:;:o:1:l."'l':eredspec--l,..1s:lu::;tain?(3)Concern:'..ngt.lteS~sitnaRivers'l.l,,:lon.<::'".3,:'!'l.~:·c:)::>:.:.~'Jo~etj,e:;3?~:-;'lst~9rin_'..P.:co7lcij.x2:"Thepotentiallosstotheecor.O'rat'~"''"''~c-·~''~·''.-"~...'lr·-·!......c~...-t-'ction0'"..l-,··..,"r"'ctco~b...~...;,---t-"-h'--'~-'~.~'._~~",.;;;u......_..L_.•,..."'.J..••.J•••.~......_v...._~.)~U,J,Q.Ie.,,:J.....tr.JJrl8a:~.aatJr..,11:1.."1t~C:::=::Zrdti~~'3~ictcc.!?2.;~·,::_~s.1Q~".IiTiV',efi(f.iriiar.-sn:9~liIj.~2r.d.m"ons-;-0!:qunaakl"U:.~",theCorpscara?1I833C-'--J..,...._.j.:.1...I,;....~,,,:,,,,,-.wTho,r:tl.3T~3l:~-t.~-.31nox11)~S~~,Alaaka·996649Ha.reh,1976Ci-:.3.l.r::tan.·Eo..:ciof'~1::i.n>.::rsforRiv,rsa."'1dHa:-;;orsK:':'l~~3uil~l':';"'.':;FortJdvoi:-,'/':':":~nill.22.:.'60~::::~'':::U;:::.iG:~IlJ:T"{a';;ro:tTOil'l'!l~u:?~aSCSI'l'::'\'nIV.:=.tBASlii,4\I..\:j:~\Acop:,.oft.~isstuetJin1'ourvol:.l:1esandincludingtheJonesr.:Jonesaacreational..1aport.:a::;!'::lc.::'::edbj"~h33e~·:ard?lfolicLibrar:"onFriciay,5Hareh,1976,'ihichgavethepeoplaofSe·:a:-o.a~p::'O:-:l.:-.3.t':lyth:-ee(3)daystorevie~~itandsubr.1itcor.mtentsby'thedeacCineor10i'larch.:lClarepo:-t;h.db':lenreCl\=estedap!lroxi;:;atelyoner.1onthago,~thich;Iouldhaveall.o~o/8dafairl:rrr.;a.s,,::a:'le'.:.i.::.afo,:,theF',,:'ollctoravie'"ithaditb30ndelivoredeA-pe~entlJ.Il-1ouldliket~....a.::.~t:1isoppo:-tu:::"tytocongra'l!ulate·theArmy-Corpsof!l:nginoersonitse.~9llenttL":li.ngin':;9';,tingkis:'Clportint-o~hah<m:lsofthepeople~Tho'dllbedirectlyaf'fectedb"Jtheproposedproj'i::ct.Itis...-..,estimationthattheCorps'westionablemethodsofdissemina.ting1.'1tor:llatio."t·)~nepublicc)uldbestbed::fincdasBorderingOnCr:l.rnina.lityAndNotServini,T~~!atien31.I~:.e:"est.HayIaskthats;Jcnfuturepertinentinformationbegivenfreely,openl7and.jOj"'Ol;s:lJ't·)tnopuo:iclibrzriesof'thosec()j!'~..,u:U.ties"Tharatheproposal(s),dllhaveg:.-eate!i'ectupon,'enilpopulace.Ifurther::o~·easkthat':hisl".ltterinitsentiretybe1ncorpox-atedintoa:tJY'future.:;t°.lcy0:'1..,):;.,c-;statementre~:l:-dingthisproject.I:1a'lQhadti.-r:.gtoc:-:'~.:'l:;revie;-1thefivevolunes,andI~ofO"ollda.t'thist:!..."'1el1.'tetoc<X"QCiIl.'it1J:;C':1tt·:lr.l.Za.,ba.s~caE:.-inoppositiontothl3proposedprojectbecauseofthraereasons"ilichI·,::'l.lhereel'abc7:l.teu~on:(1)Tc.op:-o~actHilli:-:-eversiblyalterarela1(ivelypristineareaof.uas~,a.(.::)ThareisatleastoneviablealternativetotheprojectWhichseemstohavemoreJneti't..~(3)ThoC.::l:':::sofEngineerShasbeenlesstho.ncandidandperhapsovertlydece1t..f'ulin~..se:~tingitsca5~,~thichleadsonetobelievethattheprojectitseltJIJqno'tbe'tcasibleor~sira'olefronvorio',,;sstandp:>ints.?irstl:,rI.r:.J.:!.to;Jchupon.-rhatIperceiveasthemajorenvironmentaliJ!\pa.cts.Ontheis~eorr:ooschabit.'l.t,Iheraq'Jote£'romthemainreport,page71:"•••i'tise::lti.'J3.~Qdthat2000toj~'::'jac!'cs,n~.;t.l.:rin~-Tat,antl.Cr3ek,c"'J:dbefavorablemoosehabitat.....'l'h:.sstatf.l.'!U:lntbj"the.C~J:-:-.sisquite!,ulidinc==:;parison:-ritAtliefollo',Tin:;statonontfrom.t.'teletteroftheU.Fio.sr-u~:;":':;hedin;"P?-;....iix2,pa..~e22:"•••:l9s~rvoi:'S,·lillinundatem.ooaehabitatccnsistingo£•••,2j,'20acresofha.bitat~:h:'c~receivesmod:J:-ateuse,and18,560acresofhabitat~michreqaive~,hea'rJusc.~he:::oderoto<:.noheav:'rusea:-easarcconsiderednreferredorcritic3.l••"inter~111bitat!.11Co~~:dtheCo~s;'l~olapossiblel<ii'tthc~efactsoutofthomainreportbyoversight?Itdoesno~.S'~'::1:i.ll:el~li':.-~:"\~·:l'lC:'ClI3it.Anyonelivinginn:lsk:l.atthistimecouldnot~1elpbutbea-"zaro'::::....ther.oosc::o::'.:1':.tio~1.!.3untho,,;ra."lQ,andbyflooding39,68011Cro8ofcriticalond/orpro."~d~·:.-edl'I1ooseh'1bi':.:ltthoCorps:·/iUini"actbecontributingto\·th:::Ltq,Juldbethepom:muntdc.."iido0;'t::e.U<!.s~,a."'1::loosea.s....en~~'T~:no\rit.DoestheCorpscare?..T::epropos~ddal:lS.-Tillhaveanadverseeffectuponcariboupsal:non,a."'Ic;ithee%1lianl:8red. 'Pe::-~-:~il~'1~,to.dt:':'::0mi:.....:lt~onrouteoftheg:-oatkrdimIiiLslled.(90:;):ielchinaCanDou:{"~':'=';";i::"oe:'r..:;tratedb:rt!'le!nOop03edW::Ltana3.esarvoir.Onpa~cs2~207oftht"su?p~ntaJ.·~Tcn..:s·~J:)::~s~~ac:-c:1tiona.l19portit:..:;hcavil:re~~:lhasizedthattheWatanaRosarvoircouldhave"1.,,:,;:::::\':i·).;;;13:l."l.::.S'3V~ro"i:1pactonth.i3j1crd.'(2)ThoonuanJerodparegrina-l.uc:ort·huatloastth:-c'3::-.i'·:;-:lti;:::--;·;t·:-~t:l~":)·.:':!'ltho.5u:;:.......na.d.'i.v1r'!a';.ley.Pa~o72ofthoma:i.rireport.Jt.t.cstiia~":::":-:-:'..:i1::;'oi.'o:..:o"Jldpo.:si·.;l:rsu':·i'·~::-::c:-,enOl'tality::"omcoll1sions~Tithto~"'9r5orl!n~s•••ltSo:::".:l."j'10.;;')<;';;c:::-.this:;:o:1:l."'l':eredspec--l,..1s:lu::;tain?(3)Concern:'..ngt.lteS~sitnaRivers'l.l,,:lon.<::'".3,:'!'l.~:·c:)::>:.:.~'Jo~etj,e:;3?~:-;'lst~9rin_'..P.:co7lcij.x2:"Thepotentiallosstotheecor.O'rat'~"''"''~c-·~''~·''.-"~...'lr·-·!......c~...-t-'ction0'"..l-,··..,"r"'ctco~b...~...;,---t-"-h'--'~-'~.~'._~~",.;;;u......_..L_.•,..."'.J..••.J•••.~......_v...._~.)~U,J,Q.Ie.,,:J.....tr.JJrl8a:~.aatJr..,11:1.."1t~C:::=::Zrdti~~'3~ictcc.!?2.;~·,::_~s.1Q~".IiTiV',efi(f.iriiar.-sn:9~liIj.~2r.d.m"ons-;-0!:qunaakl"U:.~",theCorpscara?1I833
'".--;::1<)Ptt'::,o..;odDanlCJ..'1~·-on\:\:Iill-!l:-nanently,Ilininn.t;.9''.10.oftilo11lUbeo.iU~~•••T.)~~r'/:~ch~::ist.sth'I".:l.I..;:;ould~enOi:,,~titnatt;1:!.13;Jll.rlicularstrotchot~:hito~;atari"t..'<.u.t~1:-.:';::1:.r.s:)ir~dinclu..':"onoft:-:e:'jllsit."a:-c.verin52918andH113564asa~'lildaiv3rundarthe:.l;.s:(,3,:;a.tivaCl:.':"~3ettle::l,:mtAc7..ii:;l.;dlesstos::-,y,t;1is'isoneofthemo3tuniquestretches0:wat·~r;·;i:ichGo:!has,!r:mtedusont~isc;.:-th.Innoles$.thanfive(5)inst~ces'(pages9~139,130-1~1,1~1,210)t:-:eJon~saJo~es~ecr~ational~epo~citestheimport~~eeoftherecre-atio~a:and3.est~~ticvalueofDevilC~~yoninitsprimitiv~:state.T~eriver~tse1tisdcscribe~:1::"1:'e:[Ot:::t'wa:-estofka:::aking:lon~age131.Onpa?,es8'4210theropo:-tsuzzeststta-lingthalo:nrda"l1c:ltirelyoutofDmrilCmr-ontoprcse:-vedth3highq..ul.1itj"oftheareas"aestheticandrec::-eation31.va.beandItsuniq:.:enessintheroffi,onalconteXtl•••1IIstheCorpscapable'oflist-enin;;toits0;::'contrn.::tedad.,isors?';hcredoess.ee:m.tobeother"'alidreasonstoabortthis:project.AlthollghtheCorPsest1-:o:3.teStheprojec~coat'tobe3.~,;::'Oxin'.atelJ·'~1.5billion,thcnteareC!Uiteareo"peopleinhighplacesuhodisagree.AmongthQl':lisU.3.SenatorTedStevenS'ofAlaskawhoconcludesthatthecost~·:illbeatl::ast$2.5to·)3.0billions.Itthes~lat.t$Itfiguresaremoreneu-:J..v4Ccurate~·,;·~en~;~ei>r"j~ct.isnotCColl';;:--.icall:rfeasible.. .TheI.:l::'r-;~achadoori3.n~'e9ort(AP?i,exhibit1)-2)S:l~f3·thatlIitispre£arableto.placet:.e~::msa,:ay1:"\..001f:ml-:'eciandjoi=~tedare<:l.S.1IUe'l"rthclass,the!~o[atanaDamasproposed'W'illbeonJ.;r.~;d.lesE'lastoftheSusitnaFault.HastheCorpsconsideredthattnel'8;;.reint.lleneighborhood.c:t::el.-;e(i2)c::;:::::-Jr.:i1;;esd,C7.::1st:::-eaz...fro:':lDevilC<U'l:ronl'lhlencouldbeir.'1periledbyaprecipitous':;~'5:-::icralz.tGddisaster?Thene,·rstatecapitalislikewise:wojectedtobebuiltnearthebanksoft~e.l~;er3us~t~a3iver.ItisconcludedonpaJTe470::thenainreportthatcoal,.lis"atechnicall:rfeasibleandeoo-n·:.:-':;'caJ.l:y-vi:l~.i..;;alternati::e•••"tothel1:rdropo;rerproposal~'Therearema.n;:rfactsandfigt;::oes-,;.1·.cnsuppo;;tthefeasibility0:utilizin~coalatthistime!forllaslcalsneeds.Itisconserva-~lveljresti:Jatcdt.hataminir.nm.of9.3DilliontonsofcoalaiKistinthecor.:binedNenana-Belugafields.:!C'lrro",orlstatesthatthisc~alisoflow-sulphurcontentwhichisemironmentallyacceptable.Therepo::-testi.lllatest..hat5.63-5.85milliontonsl'1ouldbeconsumedannua.ll7b:r,.U.a:>ka.'iJ;,-(;:.viding9.3billiontonsbythec::;tim:Jteda.-lnu:u',consumptionwecomeup~:ithenou~coalto::;up:).:..!'i\laskaisne~!dsforappro:·:i"·:lately1600:rearsntthecurrentrateofconsu:;,ption.:::Vonif95;'ofthiscoal,,0.:::shippsdout:::ide01:tileztate,t.h~re''1ouldstillbeenouCblettto.takecareofAlaska'sneedsfor80;·ears.F'Jrthormore,the:tl1ofieldsarerelativelyclosetot~o~~or~o?~l~tioncenterswhichwoul~needthem,thuselimlnatingtheneedforganglingtrans-;:-,issionl:.n:l:;·e:;.,"tendingallovel:"theinterior.'rhesecoalfieldst'1ould.ere;;.~r..a:n:rr.lOrepem.anentj:JosforAla3kansthanwouldt:-:eproposedhydropowerproject!whichcouldonlyemploy45;;ork~rs.Itseemsthatthestrategiclocationof:.nesecoalfieldsandtheirmagnitudeindicate.thatcoal.isincieedthe:noresensiblet'1~ofgeneratingpowerfor.liasl:"duringthenextfel.·'decades~oruntiltechn::JLciicaladva.'1cesallowustoutilizeSolar,G.;oth,mal,i:lindandTidalresources.Cor:::e::'!'.ingtheenviron.centalimpactofcoal,itissta~aonpage62ofthemai."1reporttr.at:!!.p!,rc:d.n;,tely13,300acresoflandwouldbestripI'Iinedove;r,\lthe100yearliteIIoftheHealyproject.Howevsr,onpage89there?ortcontradictsitselfbysayingthattheHealyprojectis.estimatedat35:,'cars,"Thic~,iftrue,wO"Jldred'Jcetheir.'1pac1;edacrea;;eby65%.Itshouldbeemphasizedthatthese6400acro::;Hhich••ouldbest.rippeda:'e;farlesstha."1the6O~oaoacreswh:l.ch.nllbeinun:iat~dand/orcles.;;c;.:tfortl1aproposed:'Elsarvoiraandtransr.lissioncomdors.Fur-th'~more,theHealya:-eaisnotconsideredascriticalhabitatfora.Vldldlifespeciesasist~~vastl!laj,,:-=.tyofac::-eage;Th~ch,;illbeinundatedbythe,,,r,,,,t::ma::teservoir.InSU-::-·:.r;i,iti5a?~arentt;1att.:-.e:!ea.l;:iandBelugacoalfieldsshouldbout1l1zedtotheextentthatt;:'3;';'arer.·:·,,".::e~to:~.ll.fiL:..':'as:'<a'sone:'~Jrequitenents.It''1ouldalsobew13etoconduct.them;.:chneedeuresearch~nco~"rnessL~gthe30footilidesofCookInletforServinitheneedsofAn~:-.o::-a;~eandt:',ene:'Tcapital.c•••••District~6ineer,.\nc~o~a~eDivi5i:JnEr.gineer,Portland,Ore.H"noNoleJ~3.Har.r.ond,JuneauHO_10rZlJle!·!L'<eGravel,~"'ashington,i).C.Honor:lcle7ed3teven5,:'!a::;l1in~ton,!).C.'io."!:l::':Jle~nald::.::."oung,~·lashir.;'ton,D.C.834$incarelY..-•--\:::..............,..'."...--.,:-...\..i:.:. -'j~'.)~"\\;.(\..-;\~~..s......___•.Al'asTaggart~~..-"._".'".--;::1<)Ptt'::,o..;odDanlCJ..'1~·-on\:\:Iill-!l:-nanently,Ilininn.t;.9''.10.oftilo11lUbeo.iU~~•••T.)~~r'/:~ch~::ist.sth'I".:l.I..;:;ould~enOi:,,~titnatt;1:!.13;Jll.rlicularstrotchot~:hito~;atari"t..'<.u.t~1:-.:';::1:.r.s:)ir~dinclu..':"onoft:-:e:'jllsit."a:-c.verin52918andH113564asa~'lildaiv3rundarthe:.l;.s:(,3,:;a.tivaCl:.':"~3ettle::l,:mtAc7..ii:;l.;dlesstos::-,y,t;1is'isoneofthemo3tuniquestretches0:wat·~r;·;i:ichGo:!has,!r:mtedusont~isc;.:-th.Innoles$.thanfive(5)inst~ces'(pages9~139,130-1~1,1~1,210)t:-:eJon~saJo~es~ecr~ational~epo~citestheimport~~eeoftherecre-atio~a:and3.est~~ticvalueofDevilC~~yoninitsprimitiv~:state.T~eriver~tse1tisdcscribe~:1::"1:'e:[Ot:::t'wa:-estofka:::aking:lon~age131.Onpa?,es8'4210theropo:-tsuzzeststta-lingthalo:nrda"l1c:ltirelyoutofDmrilCmr-ontoprcse:-vedth3highq..ul.1itj"oftheareas"aestheticandrec::-eation31.va.beandItsuniq:.:enessintheroffi,onalconteXtl•••1IIstheCorpscapable'oflist-enin;;toits0;::'contrn.::tedad.,isors?';hcredoess.ee:m.tobeother"'alidreasonstoabortthis:project.AlthollghtheCorPsest1-:o:3.teStheprojec~coat'tobe3.~,;::'Oxin'.atelJ·'~1.5billion,thcnteareC!Uiteareo"peopleinhighplacesuhodisagree.AmongthQl':lisU.3.SenatorTedStevenS'ofAlaskawhoconcludesthatthecost~·:illbeatl::ast$2.5to·)3.0billions.Itthes~lat.t$Itfiguresaremoreneu-:J..v4Ccurate~·,;·~en~;~ei>r"j~ct.isnotCColl';;:--.icall:rfeasible...TheI.:l::'r-;~achadoori3.n~'e9ort(AP?i,exhibit1)-2)S:l~f3·thatlIitispre£arableto.placet:.e~::msa,:ay1:"\..001f:ml-:'eciandjoi=~tedare<:l.S.1IUe'l"rthclass,the!~o[atanaDamasproposed'W'illbeonJ.;r.~;d.lesE'lastoftheSusitnaFault.HastheCorpsconsideredthattnel'8;;.reint.lleneighborhood.c:t::el.-;e(i2)c::;:::::-Jr.:i1;;esd,C7.::1st:::-eaz...fro:':lDevilC<U'l:ronl'lhlencouldbeir.'1periledbyaprecipitous':;~'5:-::icralz.tGddisaster?Thene,·rstatecapitalislikewise:wojectedtobebuiltnearthebanksoft~e.l~;er3us~t~a3iver.ItisconcludedonpaJTe470::thenainreportthatcoal,.lis"atechnicall:rfeasibleandeoo-n·:.:-':;'caJ.l:y-vi:l~.i..;;alternati::e•••"tothel1:rdropo;rerproposal~'Therearema.n;:rfactsandfigt;::oes-,;.1·.cnsuppo;;tthefeasibility0:utilizin~coalatthistime!forllaslcalsneeds.Itisconserva-~lveljresti:Jatcdt.hataminir.nm.of9.3DilliontonsofcoalaiKistinthecor.:binedNenana-Belugafields.:!C'lrro",orlstatesthatthisc~alisoflow-sulphurcontentwhichisemironmentallyacceptable.Therepo::-testi.lllatest..hat5.63-5.85milliontonsl'1ouldbeconsumedannua.ll7b:r,.U.a:>ka.'iJ;,-(;:.viding9.3billiontonsbythec::;tim:Jteda.-lnu:u',consumptionwecomeup~:ithenou~coalto::;up:).:..!'i\laskaisne~!dsforappro:·:i"·:lately1600:rearsntthecurrentrateofconsu:;,ption.:::Vonif95;'ofthiscoal,,0.:::shippsdout:::ide01:tileztate,t.h~re''1ouldstillbeenouCblettto.takecareofAlaska'sneedsfor80;·ears.F'Jrthormore,the:tl1ofieldsarerelativelyclosetot~o~~or~o?~l~tioncenterswhichwoul~needthem,thuselimlnatingtheneedforganglingtrans-;:-,issionl:.n:l:;·e:;.,"tendingallovel:"theinterior.'rhesecoalfieldst'1ould.ere;;.~r..a:n:rr.lOrepem.anentj:JosforAla3kansthanwouldt:-:eproposedhydropowerproject!whichcouldonlyemploy45;;ork~rs.Itseemsthatthestrategiclocationof:.nesecoalfieldsandtheirmagnitudeindicate.thatcoal.isincieedthe:noresensiblet'1~ofgeneratingpowerfor.liasl:"duringthenextfel.·'decades~oruntiltechn::JLciicaladva.'1cesallowustoutilizeSolar,G.;oth,mal,i:lindandTidalresources.Cor:::e::'!'.ingtheenviron.centalimpactofcoal,itissta~aonpage62ofthemai."1reporttr.at:!!.p!,rc:d.n;,tely13,300acresoflandwouldbestripI'Iinedove;r,\lthe100yearliteIIoftheHealyproject.Howevsr,onpage89there?ortcontradictsitselfbysayingthattheHealyprojectis.estimatedat35:,'cars,"Thic~,iftrue,wO"Jldred'Jcetheir.'1pac1;edacrea;;eby65%.Itshouldbeemphasizedthatthese6400acro::;Hhich••ouldbest.rippeda:'e;farlesstha."1the6O~oaoacreswh:l.ch.nllbeinun:iat~dand/orcles.;;c;.:tfortl1aproposed:'Elsarvoiraandtransr.lissioncomdors.Fur-th'~more,theHealya:-eaisnotconsideredascriticalhabitatfora.Vldldlifespeciesasist~~vastl!laj,,:-=.tyofac::-eage;Th~ch,;illbeinundatedbythe,,,r,,,,t::ma::teservoir.InSU-::-·:.r;i,iti5a?~arentt;1att.:-.e:!ea.l;:iandBelugacoalfieldsshouldbout1l1zedtotheextentthatt;:'3;';'arer.·:·,,".::e~to:~.ll.fiL:..':'as:'<a'sone:'~Jrequitenents.It''1ouldalsobew13etoconduct.them;.:chneedeuresearch~nco~"rnessL~gthe30footilidesofCookInletforServinitheneedsofAn~:-.o::-a;~eandt:',ene:'Tcapital.c•••••District~6ineer,.\nc~o~a~eDivi5i:JnEr.gineer,Portland,Ore.H"noNoleJ~3.Har.r.ond,JuneauHO_10rZlJle!·!L'<eGravel,~"'ashington,i).C.Honor:lcle7ed3teven5,:'!a::;l1in~ton,!).C.'io."!:l::':Jle~nald::.::."oung,~·lashir.;'ton,D.C.834$incarelY..-•--\:::..............,..'."...--.,:-...\..i:.:. -'j~'.)~"\\;.(\..-;\~~..s......___•.Al'asTaggart~~..-"._".
NPAEN-PR-RMr.ThomasTaggartGeneralDeliverySeward,Alaska9966420April1976DearMr.Taggart:Iamwritinginresponsetoyour9March1976lettertotheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsconcerningtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinreportwhichwaspreparedbythisoffice.First,letmeapologizeforthelatenessofthereportreachingtheSewardLibrary.Thiswasnotintentionalnorwasthereanydesiretodenythepublicfullopportunitytoreviewandcommentonthematter.Rather,itwasaresultofourunderestimationofthepublicdesiretobeinformedwhichcausedustoprintandassemblefeweroftherathermassivereportsthanprovedtobenecessarytomeetthepublicdemand.About200copiesofthereporthavebeendistributedwhennormally,ademandofhalfthatwouldputareportonour"bestseller"list.Ingeneral,wehavemadeaconcertedeffortthroughoutthepasttwoyearstofosterwidespreadpublicparticipationinallphasesofthestudyandnotjustinthereviewoftheendresult.ThisisbothaCorpspolicyandplaincornmonsense,inasmuchasourstudiesaredesignedtomeetpublicneedsanddesiresbythepossibleexpenditureofpublicfundstoaccomplishactionswhichthepublicwillhavetolivewithformanyyearstocome.Astoyourspecificcommentsonthereportandrelateddocuments,Iprovidethefollowingreplies:WeareawareofthedescrepancybetweentheacresofmoosehabitatwhichwillbelostasestimatedbytheCorpsandbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USF&WS).TheacreagesestimatedbyUSF&WSreflectsomeobviouserrors.Onpage13oftheirreportyouwillfindatabulationshowingthatwithinthe7,550-acreDevilCanyonreservoir,USF&WSclassifies835NPAEN-PR-RMr.ThomasTaggartGeneralDeliverySeward,Alaska9966420April1976DearMr.Taggart:Iamwritinginresponsetoyour9March1976lettertotheBoardofEngineersforRiversandHarborsconcerningtheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinreportwhichwaspreparedbythisoffice.First,letmeapologizeforthelatenessofthereportreachingtheSewardLibrary.Thiswasnotintentionalnorwasthereanydesiretodenythepublicfullopportunitytoreviewandcommentonthematter.Rather,itwasaresultofourunderestimationofthepublicdesiretobeinformedwhichcausedustoprintandassemblefeweroftherathermassivereportsthanprovedtobenecessarytomeetthepublicdemand.About200copiesofthereporthavebeendistributedwhennormally,ademandofhalfthatwouldputareportonour"bestseller"list.Ingeneral,wehavemadeaconcertedeffortthroughoutthepasttwoyearstofosterwidespreadpublicparticipationinallphasesofthestudyandnotjustinthereviewoftheendresult.ThisisbothaCorpspolicyandplaincornmonsense,inasmuchasourstudiesaredesignedtomeetpublicneedsanddesiresbythepossibleexpenditureofpublicfundstoaccomplishactionswhichthepublicwillhavetolivewithformanyyearstocome.Astoyourspecificcommentsonthereportandrelateddocuments,Iprovidethefollowingreplies:WeareawareofthedescrepancybetweentheacresofmoosehabitatwhichwillbelostasestimatedbytheCorpsandbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(USF&WS).TheacreagesestimatedbyUSF&WSreflectsomeobviouserrors.Onpage13oftheirreportyouwillfindatabulationshowingthatwithinthe7,550-acreDevilCanyonreservoir,USF&WSclassifies835
7,040acresasbeinglightlyusedbymooseandan.additional5,760acresasbeingmoderatelyused.Unfortunately,wethusfindthemoosehabitatinundatedbythereservoirissome5,250acres(69.5percent)inexcessofthetotalacreagecoveredbythereservoir~Further;examinationofthetopographyandvisualobservationshowthatextremelysteepcanyonsides,whereitwouldbedifficultforamoosetostandorwalkandwherevegetationappearstobeofatypenotgenerallyfavorableasmooseforage,makeupaboutone-halftotwo-thirdsofallterrainwhichwouldbeinundatedbytheproposedpool.Again,thisconflictswiththecitedmoosehabitatacreages.ThefiguresfortheWatanareservoir,althoughnotsummingtomorethanthetotalreservoiracres,aresim-ilarlyquestionablewhencomparedwiththeobservableterrain(spe-cificallyverysteepcanyonwalls)andvegetationovermuchofthereservoir.Regardingtheeffectsoftheproposeddamsoncaribou,salmonandtheperegrinefalcon,Iofferthegeneralcommentthatweforeseethepossibilityofadverseeffectsonthefirsttwolifeformsbutlittlechanceofilleffectonthefalcon.Themagnitudeoftheadverseimpactsoncaribouandsalmoncannotatthistimebemeasured.However,theinformationanddatawewereabletoacquireindicatesthatthemagni-tudeofadverseimpactstobothcaribouandsalmonwouldmostprobablybemoderateand,inthecaseofsalmon,subjecttocorrectionthroughmanagementandmitigationefforts.TheJonesandJonesstatementraisesvalidquestionswhichwillbeaddressedinfuturestudies.Wecannotprovethatadverseeffectsmentionedinthereportcouldnotresultfromtheprofect,butfindlittleevidencethat,infact,theywould.ThestatementconcerningmigratingbirdsandtheirpossiblecollisionswiththetowersandlineswasbasedonthelargemassesofwaterfowlwhichmigratethroughtheSusitna-Nenanavalleys.Thefalcon,oneofthemostkeen-sightedofallcreatures,shouldhavenotroubleavoidingastruc-turewhichoccupiesa200-footwidestripthroughavalleyamileormoreinwidth.AstotheUSF&WSstatementonthevalueofpossiblesalmonlosses,againthereispresentlynosupportivedatatoindicatethatsalmon,inthenumbersimpliedbythedollarvalues,inhabittheaffectedwaters.Quitethecontrary,basedonthedataproducedtodatebyAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandUSF&WS,itwouldbedifficulttoassignadollarvaluelossinthethousandsofdollars,muchlessinthemillions.Themultmilliondollarfigures,bytheway,appeartobebasedontotaldestructionofallsalmonthoughttooriginateanywhereinthetotalSusitnaRiverdrainage,innowayconsistentwithanyforeseeableimpactsoftheproposedproject.,;Thethirdmajorareawhichyouaddressedconcernsthedestructionoftheestheticandrecreationalvalueof9milesoftheDevilCanyonrapids.836l7,040acresasbeinglightlyusedbymooseandan.additional5,760acresasbeingmoderatelyused.Unfortunately,wethusfindthemoosehabitatinundatedbythereservoirissome5,250acres(69.5percent)inexcessofthetotalacreagecoveredbythereservoir~Further;examinationofthetopographyandvisualobservationshowthatextremelysteepcanyonsides,whereitwouldbedifficultforamoosetostandorwalkandwherevegetationappearstobeofatypenotgenerallyfavorableasmooseforage,makeupaboutone-halftotwo-thirdsofallterrainwhichwouldbeinundatedbytheproposedpool.Again,thisconflictswiththecitedmoosehabitatacreages.ThefiguresfortheWatanareservoir,althoughnotsummingtomorethanthetotalreservoiracres,aresim-ilarlyquestionablewhencomparedwiththeobservableterrain(spe-cificallyverysteepcanyonwalls)andvegetationovermuchofthereservoir.Regardingtheeffectsoftheproposeddamsoncaribou,salmonandtheperegrinefalcon,Iofferthegeneralcommentthatweforeseethepossibilityofadverseeffectsonthefirsttwolifeformsbutlittlechanceofilleffectonthefalcon.Themagnitudeoftheadverseimpactsoncaribouandsalmoncannotatthistimebemeasured.However,theinformationanddatawewereabletoacquireindicatesthatthemagni-tudeofadverseimpactstobothcaribouandsalmonwouldmostprobablybemoderateand,inthecaseofsalmon,subjecttocorrectionthroughmanagementandmitigationefforts.TheJonesandJonesstatementraisesvalidquestionswhichwillbeaddressedinfuturestudies.Wecannotprovethatadverseeffectsmentionedinthereportcouldnotresultfromtheprofect,butfindlittleevidencethat,infact,theywould.ThestatementconcerningmigratingbirdsandtheirpossiblecollisionswiththetowersandlineswasbasedonthelargemassesofwaterfowlwhichmigratethroughtheSusitna-Nenanavalleys.Thefalcon,oneofthemostkeen-sightedofallcreatures,shouldhavenotroubleavoidingastruc-turewhichoccupiesa200-footwidestripthroughavalleyamileormoreinwidth.AstotheUSF&WSstatementonthevalueofpossiblesalmonlosses,againthereispresentlynosupportivedatatoindicatethatsalmon,inthenumbersimpliedbythedollarvalues,inhabittheaffectedwaters.Quitethecontrary,basedonthedataproducedtodatebyAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandUSF&WS,itwouldbedifficulttoassignadollarvaluelossinthethousandsofdollars,muchlessinthemillions.Themultmilliondollarfigures,bytheway,appeartobebasedontotaldestructionofallsalmonthoughttooriginateanywhereinthetotalSusitnaRiverdrainage,innowayconsistentwithanyforeseeableimpactsoftheproposedproject.,;Thethirdmajorareawhichyouaddressedconcernsthedestructionoftheestheticandrecreationalvalueof9milesoftheDevilCanyonrapids.836l
Thisisamatterwhichcannotbeadequatelyanalyzedfromapurelylogicalornumericalviewpointinthatitdealswiththeemotionalreactionsofpeopletosuchmattersasbeautyandawesomeness,theperceptionsofwhichvaryfrompersontoperson.WerecognizetheunusualviolenceoftheserapidsandcanunderstandhowcanoersandkayakerswhoidentifystronglywithsuchcreationsofnaturewouldregardthemasuniqueorlitheMountEverestofKayaking.1IWealsorealizethat,ofallthethousandsofkayakersinthenation,onlyahandfulhave,orwilleverdevelop,theskilltoactuallyrunthesewhitewaters.Thus,asarecreationalasset,DevilCanyonrapidsisoflittlevaluetothegeneralpublicoreventothevastmajorityofkayakers.Fromthestandpointofesthetics,fewpeoplehavethemeanstoviewthecanyonsincethereis,withoutdisturbingthelandanddamagingother·estheticvaluesbyconstructionofmanymilesofroads,noconvenientwayforthegeneralpublictocomewithinmilesofthearea.Thisisnottosaythatweregardthedestructionofthiswhite-waterresourceasmeaninglessorinconsequential.Thequestionofthetrade-offvaluebetweentherapidsandelectricalenergywasoneofthegreatestconcernsthroughoutthestudy.Wewishitwerepossibletohavebothofthem;however,ourinvestigationshaveledustoconcludethatwecanhaveonlyoneandtofurtherconcludethatthebestinterestofthemajorityofthepublicliesinproducingtheelectricalenergyattheexpenseofsacrificingtheestheticvalueofthestretchofriver.Iftheprojectcostsof$2.5to$3.0billionwhichyouattributetoSenatorStevenswereinfactaccurate,youwouldbecorrectinconclud-ingthattheprojectwasnotviable.Thefigureof$1.5billion,andawesomeamountinitself,isourbestprofessionalestimateofthepresentprojectcost.IstressIIpresentllbecausecontinuedinflationandthuslessenedpurchasingvalueperdollarwouldintimeleadtoahigherprojectcostjustasdeflationwouldtendtoreducethecost.Pleaserecognizethatwhateverthegeneraleconomictrend,thevalueoftheprojectoutput,electricalenergy,wouldfollowthe.sametrendwiththeprobableresultoflittlechangeinthebenefit-to-costratiooftheprojectwhateverthedollarcostofconstruction.This,ofcourse,isaverysimplifiedeconomicprojectionwhichwouldbesubjecttomanyothervariableswhichcouldaffectprojectviabilityineitherdirectionWeconcurwiththeLahr-Kachadoorianviewthatitisbestnottobuilddamsonornearfaults.Itisunfortunatelytrue,however,thatmostofthebetterhydropowersitesthroughouttheworldarefoundinmountainousareaswhichareinallprobabilitytheresultofthesamegeologicprocesseswhichalsoproduceearthquakesandfaulting.Thus,itisrarelypossibletohavetheIIbest,1Iinwhichcasetheengineerisleftwiththesecondchoicewhichistodesignhisdamstowithstandthe.837Thisisamatterwhichcannotbeadequatelyanalyzedfromapurelylogicalornumericalviewpointinthatitdealswiththeemotionalreactionsofpeopletosuchmattersasbeautyandawesomeness,theperceptionsofwhichvaryfrompersontoperson.WerecognizetheunusualviolenceoftheserapidsandcanunderstandhowcanoersandkayakerswhoidentifystronglywithsuchcreationsofnaturewouldregardthemasuniqueorlitheMountEverestofKayaking.1IWealsorealizethat,ofallthethousandsofkayakersinthenation,onlyahandfulhave,orwilleverdevelop,theskilltoactuallyrunthesewhitewaters.Thus,asarecreationalasset,DevilCanyonrapidsisoflittlevaluetothegeneralpublicoreventothevastmajorityofkayakers.Fromthestandpointofesthetics,fewpeoplehavethemeanstoviewthecanyonsincethereis,withoutdisturbingthelandanddamagingother·estheticvaluesbyconstructionofmanymilesofroads,noconvenientwayforthegeneralpublictocomewithinmilesofthearea.Thisisnottosaythatweregardthedestructionofthiswhite-waterresourceasmeaninglessorinconsequential.Thequestionofthetrade-offvaluebetweentherapidsandelectricalenergywasoneofthegreatestconcernsthroughoutthestudy.Wewishitwerepossibletohavebothofthem;however,ourinvestigationshaveledustoconcludethatwecanhaveonlyoneandtofurtherconcludethatthebestinterestofthemajorityofthepublicliesinproducingtheelectricalenergyattheexpenseofsacrificingtheestheticvalueofthestretchofriver.Iftheprojectcostsof$2.5to$3.0billionwhichyouattributetoSenatorStevenswereinfactaccurate,youwouldbecorrectinconclud-ingthattheprojectwasnotviable.Thefigureof$1.5billion,andawesomeamountinitself,isourbestprofessionalestimateofthepresentprojectcost.IstressIIpresentllbecausecontinuedinflationandthuslessenedpurchasingvalueperdollarwouldintimeleadtoahigherprojectcostjustasdeflationwouldtendtoreducethecost.Pleaserecognizethatwhateverthegeneraleconomictrend,thevalueoftheprojectoutput,electricalenergy,wouldfollowthe.sametrendwiththeprobableresultoflittlechangeinthebenefit-to-costratiooftheprojectwhateverthedollarcostofconstruction.This,ofcourse,isaverysimplifiedeconomicprojectionwhichwouldbesubjecttomanyothervariableswhichcouldaffectprojectviabilityineitherdirectionWeconcurwiththeLahr-Kachadoorianviewthatitisbestnottobuilddamsonornearfaults.Itisunfortunatelytrue,however,thatmostofthebetterhydropowersitesthroughouttheworldarefoundinmountainousareaswhichareinallprobabilitytheresultofthesamegeologicprocesseswhichalsoproduceearthquakesandfaulting.Thus,itisrarelypossibletohavetheIIbest,1Iinwhichcasetheengineerisleftwiththesecondchoicewhichistodesignhisdamstowithstandthe.837
unavoidableearthquakeforces.Suchisthecaseforthisproject.Wehaveindeedconsideredthethreattodownstreamconmunitiesand,ashavemostofthenumerousdamprojectsalongthewesterncoastofNort~America,aredesigningtoprecludeadisastrousdamfailure.ThecnmmentonthelocationofthenewStatecapitolisdifficultto.addressinasmuchasnofirmsitinghasbeenmade.However,itdoespointuponethingwhichshouldbecarefullyconsideredinthechoiceanddevelopmentofthecapitolsite,thatis,locatingthecityoutsideofknownorprojectedfloodhazardzones.Weconcurthatcoalpoweredgenerationistechnicallyandeconomicallyfeasibleandthatmuchfutureuseofthisresourcecanandprobablywillbemade.ThenumericalanalysisyouhaveperformedisoversimplHiedbutprobablyreflectsanadequategeneralpictureasrelatestomanycenturiesofsupply(atpresentuserates)beingavail-able.Pleaserecognizethatthecostofminingthiscoalwillvarygreatlysinceit1iesatdepthsupto3000feetbelowthesurface.Also,pleasenotethatevenwiththemosteconomicalminingtechniqueatrelativelyshallowdepths(nottoexceed200feet)thatelectricalenergywouldcostaboutoneandone-ha1ftimesasmuchtoproducefromacoal-firedplantasformtheproposedhydroelectricdams.Thisiswhyweconsiderthehydroplantaseconomicallysuperiorinthiscase.Coal,tous,isaverysensiblewayofgeneratingmuchofthefutureAlaskandemand.Theproposedproject,atthistimeandfortheproject-ednearfuturedemands,isevenmoresensible.The"project1ife"is100yearsforbothcoalandhycropowertomakeeconomiccomparisonofthetwoquitedifferentsystemsvalid.Theactualphysicallifeofthecoalplantwouldbemorenearly35yearswhichmeansineffectthatthecoalplantwouldhavetoberebutlttwicebeforetheinitialhydropowerplantworeout.Because100yearsisthecomparisonperiod,thefull18,000acres(ataminimum)wouldhavetobemined.Furthermore,theHealyarea,asstated,isheaVilyutilizedbybothmooseandcaribou,muchofitforwinterrangewhichmeansthatinallprobabilitytherewouldbemorecriticalhabitatcontainedinthe50,000(not60,000)acresofthereservoirs.IconcurthatfutureuseofHealyandBelugacoalsshouldbeutilizedaspractibletomeetasub-stantia1portionoftheAlaskanenergydemands;butnottotheexclu-sionofbetteralternativeswheresuchexist.Ialsoconcurthatre-searchmighteventuallyallowbeneficialharnessingoftheCookInlettidesbutmusthonestlystatethatIdonotforeseethiSoccurringinwhatremainsofthiscentury.ItisclearlystatedintheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,whichwaspreparedforthisprojectinSeptember1975,thatsincethecurrentstudyisinthefeasibilitystage,impactsarenotexhaustivelyevaluated.838unavoidableearthquakeforces.Suchisthecaseforthisproject.Wehaveindeedconsideredthethreattodownstreamconmunitiesand,ashavemostofthenumerousdamprojectsalongthewesterncoastofNort~America,aredesigningtoprecludeadisastrousdamfailure.ThecnmmentonthelocationofthenewStatecapitolisdifficultto.addressinasmuchasnofirmsitinghasbeenmade.However,itdoespointuponethingwhichshouldbecarefullyconsideredinthechoiceanddevelopmentofthecapitolsite,thatis,locatingthecityoutsideofknownorprojectedfloodhazardzones.Weconcurthatcoalpoweredgenerationistechnicallyandeconomicallyfeasibleandthatmuchfutureuseofthisresourcecanandprobablywillbemade.ThenumericalanalysisyouhaveperformedisoversimplHiedbutprobablyreflectsanadequategeneralpictureasrelatestomanycenturiesofsupply(atpresentuserates)beingavail-able.Pleaserecognizethatthecostofminingthiscoalwillvarygreatlysinceit1iesatdepthsupto3000feetbelowthesurface.Also,pleasenotethatevenwiththemosteconomicalminingtechniqueatrelativelyshallowdepths(nottoexceed200feet)thatelectricalenergywouldcostaboutoneandone-ha1ftimesasmuchtoproducefromacoal-firedplantasformtheproposedhydroelectricdams.Thisiswhyweconsiderthehydroplantaseconomicallysuperiorinthiscase.Coal,tous,isaverysensiblewayofgeneratingmuchofthefutureAlaskandemand.Theproposedproject,atthistimeandfortheproject-ednearfuturedemands,isevenmoresensible.The"project1ife"is100yearsforbothcoalandhycropowertomakeeconomiccomparisonofthetwoquitedifferentsystemsvalid.Theactualphysicallifeofthecoalplantwouldbemorenearly35yearswhichmeansineffectthatthecoalplantwouldhavetoberebutlttwicebeforetheinitialhydropowerplantworeout.Because100yearsisthecomparisonperiod,thefull18,000acres(ataminimum)wouldhavetobemined.Furthermore,theHealyarea,asstated,isheaVilyutilizedbybothmooseandcaribou,muchofitforwinterrangewhichmeansthatinallprobabilitytherewouldbemorecriticalhabitatcontainedinthe50,000(not60,000)acresofthereservoirs.IconcurthatfutureuseofHealyandBelugacoalsshouldbeutilizedaspractibletomeetasub-stantia1portionoftheAlaskanenergydemands;butnottotheexclu-sionofbetteralternativeswheresuchexist.Ialsoconcurthatre-searchmighteventuallyallowbeneficialharnessingoftheCookInlettidesbutmusthonestlystatethatIdonotforeseethiSoccurringinwhatremainsofthiscentury.ItisclearlystatedintheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement,whichwaspreparedforthisprojectinSeptember1975,thatsincethecurrentstudyisinthefeasibilitystage,impactsarenotexhaustivelyevaluated.838
Itismadeclearthatiftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedfordetailedstudiestenvironmentaltsocialteconomicandengineeringaspectsoftheprojectwillbestudiedat1engthpriortoarecom-mendationtoCongressforadvancementtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.IndeedttheStateofAlaskahasconditioneditsendorse-mentoftheprojectwiththestipulationthatthesetypesofstudiesbemade.FishandwildlifestudiesaloneareestimatedbytheStatetorequire5yearsforcompletionatanestimatedcostinexcessof$4million.TheCorpsisingeneralagreementwiththesestudyproposalsintheeventtheprojectisauthorized.Foraddtionalinformationwhichwasnotincludedinthe4-volumeInterimFeasibilityReporttIaminclosingacopyoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.WehaveaddedyournametoourmailinglisttandwillfurnishyouacopyofthefinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementwhenitbecomesavailable.Sincerelyyourst1InclAsstated.~.SIJOSEPHW.HURSTITColoneltCorpsofEngineersActingtDistrictEngineer839Itismadeclearthatiftheprojectisauthorizedandfundedfordetailedstudiestenvironmentaltsocialteconomicandengineeringaspectsoftheprojectwillbestudiedat1engthpriortoarecom-mendationtoCongressforadvancementtofinalprojectdesignandconstruction.IndeedttheStateofAlaskahasconditioneditsendorse-mentoftheprojectwiththestipulationthatthesetypesofstudiesbemade.FishandwildlifestudiesaloneareestimatedbytheStatetorequire5yearsforcompletionatanestimatedcostinexcessof$4million.TheCorpsisingeneralagreementwiththesestudyproposalsintheeventtheprojectisauthorized.Foraddtionalinformationwhichwasnotincludedinthe4-volumeInterimFeasibilityReporttIaminclosingacopyoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement.WehaveaddedyournametoourmailinglisttandwillfurnishyouacopyofthefinalEnvironmentalImpactStatementwhenitbecomesavailable.Sincerelyyourst1InclAsstated.~.SIJOSEPHW.HURSTITColoneltCorpsofEngineersActingtDistrictEngineer839
APPENDIXIIPERTINENTCORRESPONDENCEANDREPORTSOFOTHERAGENCIESTableofContentsLetterfrom:AlaskaPowerAdministrationAlaskaPowerAdministrationAlaskaRailroadBureauofIndianAffairsBureauofLandManagementBureauofLandManagementDepartmentofTransportationFederalPowerCommissionFederalPowerCommissionFederalPowerCommissionU.S.WeatherBureauAlaskaEnergyOfficeDivisionofParksDivisionofParksStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningStanJusticeMatanuskaElectricAssociationJohnL.Cerutti,P.E.BarbaraWinkleyMountaineeringClubofAlaskaFairbanksNorthStarBoroughT.R.Slaton,P.E.C.H.Swanson,Jr.,M.D.AnchorageChamberofCommerceKnikKanoersandKayakersDate20November197510December197510June19753November197513March197515July197511November197512August197520August19754December1975UndatedDraft6October19754April19754June19759June197512September197529May197510June197513June19757October1975.,.7October197513October197515October197521October197522October197517November1975Page840844849850851852853855860861866882883885886892893895897898899900902903904905ReportofU.S.FishandWildlifeService,10October1975840APPENDIXIIPERTINENTCORRESPONDENCEANDREPORTSOFOTHERAGENCIESTableofContentsLetterfrom:AlaskaPowerAdministrationAlaskaPowerAdministrationAlaskaRailroadBureauofIndianAffairsBureauofLandManagementBureauofLandManagementDepartmentofTransportationFederalPowerCommissionFederalPowerCommissionFederalPowerCommissionU.S.WeatherBureauAlaskaEnergyOfficeDivisionofParksDivisionofParksStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningStatePolicyDevelopmentandPlanningStanJusticeMatanuskaElectricAssociationJohnL.Cerutti,P.E.BarbaraWinkleyMountaineeringClubofAlaskaFairbanksNorthStarBoroughT.R.Slaton,P.E.C.H.Swanson,Jr.,M.D.AnchorageChamberofCommerceKnikKanoersandKayakersDate20November197510December197510June19753November197513March197515July197511November197512August197520August19754December1975UndatedDraft6October19754April19754June19759June197512September197529May197510June197513June19757October1975.,.7October197513October197515October197521October197522October197517November1975Page840844849850851852853855860861866882883885886892893895897898899900902903904905ReportofU.S.FishandWildlifeService,10October1975840
INREPLYREH.RTO:700AIRMAILUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50JUNEAU.ALASKA!iHJfOOX99802November20,1975ColonelCharlesDebeliusCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictBox7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:ThiscoversseveralitemsdiscussedintelephoneconversationsofNovember11and12,1975,withEricYouldandGaryFlightnerofyouroffice.Subjectsdiscussedincluded:1.ConsiderationofaddinganadditionalskeletonbayatbothWatanaandDevilCanyonpowerplantsforfuturepeakingcapacity.2.ArequestforAPAviewsonanybenefitsthatmightbeassociatedwithinterconnectingRailbeltareapowerloads.3.RevisionsinthedesignsandestimatesforDevilCanyonandWatanawhichresultedfrominternalCorpsreview,specificallyarequire-mentforcapabilitytoevacuateWatanaReservoirinashortperiodoftimewhichwouldrequirealargeincreaseinoutletcapacityandcosts.Wedonothavethedetailsonitems1and3,butitisapparantthatthesechangescouldhavesignificantimpactonpowermarketability.Therefore,wewouldliketooffercommentsonthechangesaswellasfurnishingtherequestedviewsininterconnectionbenefits.841INREPLYREH.RTO:700AIRMAILUnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50JUNEAU.ALASKA!iHJfOOX99802November20,1975ColonelCharlesDebeliusCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictBox7002Anchorage,AK99510DearColonelDebelius:ThiscoversseveralitemsdiscussedintelephoneconversationsofNovember11and12,1975,withEricYouldandGaryFlightnerofyouroffice.Subjectsdiscussedincluded:1.ConsiderationofaddinganadditionalskeletonbayatbothWatanaandDevilCanyonpowerplantsforfuturepeakingcapacity.2.ArequestforAPAviewsonanybenefitsthatmightbeassociatedwithinterconnectingRailbeltareapowerloads.3.RevisionsinthedesignsandestimatesforDevilCanyonandWatanawhichresultedfrominternalCorpsreview,specificallyarequire-mentforcapabilitytoevacuateWatanaReservoirinashortperiodoftimewhichwouldrequirealargeincreaseinoutletcapacityandcosts.Wedonothavethedetailsonitems1and3,butitisapparantthatthesechangescouldhavesignificantimpactonpowermarketability.Therefore,wewouldliketooffercommentsonthechangesaswellasfurnishingtherequestedviewsininterconnectionbenefits.841
1.AdditionalPeakingCapacityTheplanincludedinyourdraftreportispremisedona50percentannualplantfactorwithprovisionsofaskeletonbayineachpowerplantforfutureadditionalpeakingcapacity.·The50percentfigureisasrecommendedbyAPA;weunderstandtheadditionalskeletonbaysarejudgementadditionsbytheCorps.ThecostsandbenefitsassociatedwiththeprovisionsforaddedpeakingcapacityarenotidentifiedintheCorpsdraftreports.Ourdraftpowermarketappendix(September1975)includessomeofthereasoningbehindourrecommendationsfora50percentplantfactor.ThisispremisedonrathersimplisticassumptionsrelativetotheroleofamajorhydroplantintheRailbeltarea.Ourdataandstudieshavenot,atleastthusfar,givenanyindicationthatmarketswouldexistforaddition-alpeakingcapacityatthisprojectuntilwellbeyondtheyear2000.Wedonotobjecttoincludingthesingleskeletonbayforpeakingadditionsatthetwo·powerplants.However,wedonothaveanysupportforassign-ingbenefitstothisfutureaddedcapacity.Itisoursuggestionthattheincrementedcostsfortheskeleton"8aysincludingwaterwaysbeidentifiedandexcludedfromyourbasicbenefit-costcomparison.Thiswouldamountto:(1)demonstratingfeasibilitybasedonthe50percentplantfactor,and(2)demonstratingcostsforprovidingthefutureoptionseparately.Wedonotconcurintheconceptofaddingasecondskeletonbayateachofthetwoplants,sincewebelievethatanypotentialmarketsforsuchadditionalcapacityaretooremotetobeconsideredinafeasipilitydetermination.2.InterconnectionBenefitsAnumberofpreviousstudiesbyAPAandothersprovidegoodindicationthataRailbeltintertiewouldbejustifiedeventuallywithoutdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaProject.Possiblesituationsthatwouldbringaboutthejustificationinclude:1.BulkpowersupplytotheInteriorfromafuturelargethermalstation(coalornuclear).2.AnynewsizablepowerdemandsatpointsbetweenAnchorageandFairbanks.Anexampleistheconceptofelectricdriveforpipelinepumpingstations.orapossiblenewcommunityinSusitnadrainage.8421.AdditionalPeakingCapacityTheplanincludedinyourdraftreportispremisedona50percentannualplantfactorwithprovisionsofaskeletonbayineachpowerplantforfutureadditionalpeakingcapacity.·The50percentfigureisasrecommendedbyAPA;weunderstandtheadditionalskeletonbaysarejudgementadditionsbytheCorps.ThecostsandbenefitsassociatedwiththeprovisionsforaddedpeakingcapacityarenotidentifiedintheCorpsdraftreports.Ourdraftpowermarketappendix(September1975)includessomeofthereasoningbehindourrecommendationsfora50percentplantfactor.ThisispremisedonrathersimplisticassumptionsrelativetotheroleofamajorhydroplantintheRailbeltarea.Ourdataandstudieshavenot,atleastthusfar,givenanyindicationthatmarketswouldexistforaddition-alpeakingcapacityatthisprojectuntilwellbeyondtheyear2000.Wedonotobjecttoincludingthesingleskeletonbayforpeakingadditionsatthetwo·powerplants.However,wedonothaveanysupportforassign-ingbenefitstothisfutureaddedcapacity.Itisoursuggestionthattheincrementedcostsfortheskeleton"8aysincludingwaterwaysbeidentifiedandexcludedfromyourbasicbenefit-costcomparison.Thiswouldamountto:(1)demonstratingfeasibilitybasedonthe50percentplantfactor,and(2)demonstratingcostsforprovidingthefutureoptionseparately.Wedonotconcurintheconceptofaddingasecondskeletonbayateachofthetwoplants,sincewebelievethatanypotentialmarketsforsuchadditionalcapacityaretooremotetobeconsideredinafeasipilitydetermination.2.InterconnectionBenefitsAnumberofpreviousstudiesbyAPAandothersprovidegoodindicationthataRailbeltintertiewouldbejustifiedeventuallywithoutdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaProject.Possiblesituationsthatwouldbringaboutthejustificationinclude:1.BulkpowersupplytotheInteriorfromafuturelargethermalstation(coalornuclear).2.AnynewsizablepowerdemandsatpointsbetweenAnchorageandFairbanks.Anexampleistheconceptofelectricdriveforpipelinepumpingstations.orapossiblenewcommunityinSusitnadrainage.842
Theexistingstudiesindicateadvantagesassociatedwithloaddiversityandsharedreserveswouldberelativelyminor.Forexample,asbetweentheAnchorageandFairbanksareasthereisnotagreatdiversityonaseasonalorhourlybasis,andanyadvantagesinreservesharingwouldbelimitedbyreserverequirementsimposedbecauseoftransmissionreliability.Afurtherlimitonintertieadvantagesisdisparityinsizeofmarket.AnchoragearealoadsareseveraltimeslargerthanFairbanksarealoads.AreasofpotentialintertiebenefitsincludeaddedflexibilityindaytodayschedulingofgenerationJincreasedflexibilityinselectingnewpowersources,andaddedflexibilityinpowersaleandinterchangearrangements.Webelieveitwouldbeconsistentwithyourproceduresforbenefitevaluationtoexamineintertiebenefitsonthebasisofalternativecostsforachievingtheintertiebenefits.TheAPAevaluationofalternativepowercosts(powermarketstudy)andtheFPCbenefitdeterminationassumeseparatecoalfiredplantsfortheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.LocationassumptionsofBelugaandHealyfortheplantsareconsistentwiththeevaluation,withaggregateplantcapacityequivalenttotheSusi1naplan.Followingthis"alternative",itwouldbelogicaltoassumethatthenextmajorpoweradditionfortheRailbeltwouldbealargethermalplantintheBelugaareawithanintertiebetweenBelugaandHealy.Foryourbenefitevaluations,youmightassumea'completiondateofaround1995andaconstructioncostofarounq.$60millionasthealternativecostofachievingtheintertiebenefits.Thisispremisedonroughestimatesofcostsofa230kvintertiebetweenBelugaandHealyincludingnecessarysubstationcosts.3.RequirementforRapidEvacuationofWatanaReservoirWeunderstandthattherequirementunderconsiderationisessentialevacuationofactivecapacityoverafourmonthperiodassumingrecordhighinflowsfortheperiod.WealsounderstandthatthisisnowastandarddesigncriteriaforCorpsreservoirssubjecttoexceptiononanindividualbasis.843Theexistingstudiesindicateadvantagesassociatedwithloaddiversityandsharedreserveswouldberelativelyminor.Forexample,asbetweentheAnchorageandFairbanksareasthereisnotagreatdiversityonaseasonalorhourlybasis,andanyadvantagesinreservesharingwouldbelimitedbyreserverequirementsimposedbecauseoftransmissionreliability.Afurtherlimitonintertieadvantagesisdisparityinsizeofmarket.AnchoragearealoadsareseveraltimeslargerthanFairbanksarealoads.AreasofpotentialintertiebenefitsincludeaddedflexibilityindaytodayschedulingofgenerationJincreasedflexibilityinselectingnewpowersources,andaddedflexibilityinpowersaleandinterchangearrangements.Webelieveitwouldbeconsistentwithyourproceduresforbenefitevaluationtoexamineintertiebenefitsonthebasisofalternativecostsforachievingtheintertiebenefits.TheAPAevaluationofalternativepowercosts(powermarketstudy)andtheFPCbenefitdeterminationassumeseparatecoalfiredplantsfortheAnchorageandFairbanksareas.LocationassumptionsofBelugaandHealyfortheplantsareconsistentwiththeevaluation,withaggregateplantcapacityequivalenttotheSusi1naplan.Followingthis"alternative",itwouldbelogicaltoassumethatthenextmajorpoweradditionfortheRailbeltwouldbealargethermalplantintheBelugaareawithanintertiebetweenBelugaandHealy.Foryourbenefitevaluations,youmightassumea'completiondateofaround1995andaconstructioncostofarounq.$60millionasthealternativecostofachievingtheintertiebenefits.Thisispremisedonroughestimatesofcostsofa230kvintertiebetweenBelugaandHealyincludingnecessarysubstationcosts.3.RequirementforRapidEvacuationofWatanaReservoirWeunderstandthattherequirementunderconsiderationisessentialevacuationofactivecapacityoverafourmonthperiodassumingrecordhighinflowsfortheperiod.WealsounderstandthatthisisnowastandarddesigncriteriaforCorpsreservoirssubjecttoexceptiononanindividualbasis.843
Itoccurstousthatsucharequirementwould,beessentiallyinfeasibleformostlargereservoirprojects,butmayvery'wellbedesirableformanystructuresinandnearpopulousareas.Fromtheviewpointofprojectoperation,includingstructuralsafety,wedonotseearequirementforthesuggestedrapidevacuationofWatanaReservoir.Thelongwinterperiodandverylargehydrauliccapacityofthepowerplimtwouldappearthoroughlyadequateasprovisionforreservoirdrawdown.4.FuelConservationAspectsTheexistingevaluationproceduresdonotprovidespecificrecognitionoffuelcons'ervationaspectsofwaterpowerdevelopmentexceptaspurchasecostoffuelisincludedintheevaluationofalternativecostsorbenefits.Fromtheviewpointofthenation'senergyeconomy,thedevelopmentofthehydroprojectprovidesanewsourceofpowerwhichisrecognizedunderNEDobjectives.Itresultsinanetincreaseinnationalfuelsuppliesbecauselessenergywouldbetakenfromthermalplantsoverthelifeofthehydroproject.Theactualfuelsavingswouldincludesubstantialamountsofoilandnaturalgasimmediatelyoncompletionoftheprojectandlongertermsavingsofcoal.Webelieveitisquitewellestablishedthatcurrentandnearfuturefuelpricesaregenerallybelowtheprobablelong-termvalueofthesefuelstothenation,andtothisextenttheprojectbenefitsareunderstated.Initsbenefitevaluation,FPCusedcoalpricesof60¢and50¢permillionBtufortheFairbanksandAnchorageareas,respectively.IntheAPAalternativepowercostevaluation,theassumptionismadeofapricerangeof$1.00to$1.50as1985coalcostin1974dollars(noinflation).Ifthehighervaluesareappropriate,andassumingnofurtherincreaseinrealvalueofthefuelsafter1985,projectbenefitswilllikelybeontheorderof5to10millsperkilowatthourhigherthanindicatedbytheFPCestimates.WerecognizethatFPCproceduresrequireuseofcurrentcostlevelsintheirbenefitdeterminations.However,Iamsurethatallinvolvedrecognizethattheproceduresweredevelopedduringaperiodwhenfuelpricesandrealcostofenergyintheeconomywereonalong..,.termdowntrendrelativetootherprices.Sincerelyyours,eV:{L~RobertJ.CrossArtingAnrrd,nistr;1t(W844lItoccurstousthatsucharequirementwould,beessentiallyinfeasibleformostlargereservoirprojects,butmayvery'wellbedesirableformanystructuresinandnearpopulousareas.Fromtheviewpointofprojectoperation,includingstructuralsafety,wedonotseearequirementforthesuggestedrapidevacuationofWatanaReservoir.Thelongwinterperiodandverylargehydrauliccapacityofthepowerplimtwouldappearthoroughlyadequateasprovisionforreservoirdrawdown.4.FuelConservationAspectsTheexistingevaluationproceduresdonotprovidespecificrecognitionoffuelcons'ervationaspectsofwaterpowerdevelopmentexceptaspurchasecostoffuelisincludedintheevaluationofalternativecostsorbenefits.Fromtheviewpointofthenation'senergyeconomy,thedevelopmentofthehydroprojectprovidesanewsourceofpowerwhichisrecognizedunderNEDobjectives.Itresultsinanetincreaseinnationalfuelsuppliesbecauselessenergywouldbetakenfromthermalplantsoverthelifeofthehydroproject.Theactualfuelsavingswouldincludesubstantialamountsofoilandnaturalgasimmediatelyoncompletionoftheprojectandlongertermsavingsofcoal.Webelieveitisquitewellestablishedthatcurrentandnearfuturefuelpricesaregenerallybelowtheprobablelong-termvalueofthesefuelstothenation,andtothisextenttheprojectbenefitsareunderstated.Initsbenefitevaluation,FPCusedcoalpricesof60¢and50¢permillionBtufortheFairbanksandAnchorageareas,respectively.IntheAPAalternativepowercostevaluation,theassumptionismadeofapricerangeof$1.00to$1.50as1985coalcostin1974dollars(noinflation).Ifthehighervaluesareappropriate,andassumingnofurtherincreaseinrealvalueofthefuelsafter1985,projectbenefitswilllikelybeontheorderof5to10millsperkilowatthourhigherthanindicatedbytheFPCestimates.WerecognizethatFPCproceduresrequireuseofcurrentcostlevelsintheirbenefitdeterminations.However,Iamsurethatallinvolvedrecognizethattheproceduresweredevelopedduringaperiodwhenfuelpricesandrealcostofenergyintheeconomywereonalong..,.termdowntrendrelativetootherprices.Sincerelyyours,eV:{L~RobertJ.CrossArtingAnrrd,nistr;1t(W844l
/:<Ilf.PI.YREH.RTO:700UnitedStatesDcpartmcn~oftheInteri()rALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50:JUNEAU.ALASKA99802December10I1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersBox7002AnchorageIAK99510DearColonelDebelius:TheenclosedreportscovertheAlaskaPowerAdministration'sstudiesonpowermarketsIoperationandmaintenancerequirementsItrans-missionsystemsIandtransmissionsystemenvironmentalassessmentfortheproposedUpperSusitnahydroelectricdevelopment.WeunderstandtheAPAreportsaretobeincludedasportionsofTechnicalAppendixIfortheCorpsofEngineersreportontheproposedprojectwiththefollowingdes~gnation:AppendixIIPartG.ReportonPowerMarkets(includingestimatesofprojectoperationImaintenanceIandreplacementrequirements)•AppendixI,PartH.ReportonProjectTransmissionSystems.AppendixI,PartI.TransmissionSystemEnvironmentalAssessment.AuthorityTheAPAstudieswerepreparedinsupportoftheCc:rpsofEngineersevaluationofhydroelectricdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiveI'BasininAlaskaunderaJanuary1972studyresolutionbytheU.S~SenatePublicWorksCommittee.AuthorizationfortheAPAworkincludesSection5oftheFloodControlActof1944ccncerningInteriorDepartmentresponsibilitiesfortransmissionandmarketingof.powerfromCorpsof845/:<Ilf.PI.YREH.RTO:700UnitedStatesDcpartmcn~oftheInteri()rALASKAPOWERADMINISTRATIONP.o.BOX50:JUNEAU.ALASKA99802December10I1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersBox7002AnchorageIAK99510DearColonelDebelius:TheenclosedreportscovertheAlaskaPowerAdministration'sstudiesonpowermarketsIoperationandmaintenancerequirementsItrans-missionsystemsIandtransmissionsystemenvironmentalassessmentfortheproposedUpperSusitnahydroelectricdevelopment.WeunderstandtheAPAreportsaretobeincludedasportionsofTechnicalAppendixIfortheCorpsofEngineersreportontheproposedprojectwiththefollowingdes~gnation:AppendixIIPartG.ReportonPowerMarkets(includingestimatesofprojectoperationImaintenanceIandreplacementrequirements)•AppendixI,PartH.ReportonProjectTransmissionSystems.AppendixI,PartI.TransmissionSystemEnvironmentalAssessment.AuthorityTheAPAstudieswerepreparedinsupportoftheCc:rpsofEngineersevaluationofhydroelectricdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiveI'BasininAlaskaunderaJanuary1972studyresolutionbytheU.S~SenatePublicWorksCommittee.AuthorizationfortheAPAworkincludesSection5oftheFloodControlActof1944ccncerningInteriorDepartmentresponsibilitiesfortransmissionandmarketingof.powerfromCorpsof845
Engineersprojects,·andtheActofAugust9.1955,concerningInteriorDepartmentinvestigationsofAlaskawaterandpowerdevelopmentpotential.TheprojectplanwasformulatedinaccordancewiththeAlaskaprovisionsoftheArmy-InteriorAgreementofMarch14,1962.PlanofDevelopmentTheproposedplanofdevelopmentincludestheWatanadamandpower-plantwithinstalledcapacityof792.000kilowatts.followedbytheDevilCanyondamandpowerplantwithinstalledcapacityof776,000kilowatts,foratotalcapacityof1,568,000kilowatts.TheCorpsofEngineersstudiesindicatetheplanwouldhaveannualfirmenergypotentialof6.149billionkilowatthoursbasedonevaluationofcriticalperiodwatersupply.Averageannualenergyproductionwouldbe6.85billionkilowatthours.TheplanincludestransmissionlinestotheAnchorage-CookInletarea,andFairbanks-TananaValleyarea,andnecessaryswitchyardandsubstations.Thetransmissionfacilitiesaredescribedbelow:TransmissionSystemStudiesandTr~missionEnvironmentalAssessmentThemainelementsofthesestudieswereevaluationofalternativecorridors·forlocatingprojecttransmissionfacilities,consideringenvironmental,engineering,reliabilityandcostaspects,andprepara-tionofdesignsandcostestimatesfortransmissionsystemsneededforalternativeprojectdevelopmentplans.Thecorridorstudiesconcerngenerallocationsoffacilitieswithactualroutelocationstobedeterminedinthemoredetailedstudiesfollowingprojectauthorization.Itwasconcludedthatthemostdesirablecorridorlocationswouidfollowexistingsurfacetransportationsystems,ratherthanpioneeringnewcorridorsforthetransmissi~nfacilities.Thetransmissionplanandcostestimatefortheproposedhydrodevelopmentplanincludesthefollowingfeatures:1)twosingle-circuit23O-kvlinesfromWatanatoDevilCanyon(30miles);2)twosingle-circuit230-kvlinesfromDe.vilCanyontoFairbanks(198miles),withanintermediateswitchingstationatHealy;3)twosingle-circuit345-kvlinestopointsontheNorthShoreofKnikArm(136miles),withanintermediatesubstationinthevicinityofTalkeetna;4)switchyardsatthetwopowerplants;and5)substationsatFairbanksandinthePointMackenziearea.Estimatedconstructioncostsforthetransmission846Engineersprojects,·andtheActofAugust9.1955,concerningInteriorDepartmentinvestigationsofAlaskawaterandpowerdevelopmentpotential.TheprojectplanwasformulatedinaccordancewiththeAlaskaprovisionsoftheArmy-InteriorAgreementofMarch14,1962.PlanofDevelopmentTheproposedplanofdevelopmentincludestheWatanadamandpower-plantwithinstalledcapacityof792.000kilowatts.followedbytheDevilCanyondamandpowerplantwithinstalledcapacityof776,000kilowatts,foratotalcapacityof1,568,000kilowatts.TheCorpsofEngineersstudiesindicatetheplanwouldhaveannualfirmenergypotentialof6.149billionkilowatthoursbasedonevaluationofcriticalperiodwatersupply.Averageannualenergyproductionwouldbe6.85billionkilowatthours.TheplanincludestransmissionlinestotheAnchorage-CookInletarea,andFairbanks-TananaValleyarea,andnecessaryswitchyardandsubstations.Thetransmissionfacilitiesaredescribedbelow:TransmissionSystemStudiesandTr~missionEnvironmentalAssessmentThemainelementsofthesestudieswereevaluationofalternativecorridors·forlocatingprojecttransmissionfacilities,consideringenvironmental,engineering,reliabilityandcostaspects,andprepara-tionofdesignsandcostestimatesfortransmissionsystemsneededforalternativeprojectdevelopmentplans.Thecorridorstudiesconcerngenerallocationsoffacilitieswithactualroutelocationstobedeterminedinthemoredetailedstudiesfollowingprojectauthorization.Itwasconcludedthatthemostdesirablecorridorlocationswouidfollowexistingsurfacetransportationsystems,ratherthanpioneeringnewcorridorsforthetransmissi~nfacilities.Thetransmissionplanandcostestimatefortheproposedhydrodevelopmentplanincludesthefollowingfeatures:1)twosingle-circuit23O-kvlinesfromWatanatoDevilCanyon(30miles);2)twosingle-circuit230-kvlinesfromDe.vilCanyontoFairbanks(198miles),withanintermediateswitchingstationatHealy;3)twosingle-circuit345-kvlinestopointsontheNorthShoreofKnikArm(136miles),withanintermediatesubstationinthevicinityofTalkeetna;4)switchyardsatthetwopowerplants;and5)substationsatFairbanksandinthePointMackenziearea.Estimatedconstructioncostsforthetransmission846
systemare$256milhonbasedonianuaryl'-)i,pric.elevels.11.isesti-matedthatthreeyearswouldberequiredforconstructionfollowingcompletionofthedetailedroutestudies,finaldesigns,andacquisitionofnecessaryrights-of-way.ThemostseriousconflictsinthefinalrouteselectionwilllikelybeencounteredintheNenanaCanyonroutethroughtheAlaskaRange.TheFishandWildlifeServicehasrecommendedthataroutewestoftheParksHighwaybeselectedthroughtheNenanaCanyontominimizepossibleconflictswithraptorhabitat.AnyroutethroughtheCanyonareawould·involvelinesvisiblefromportionsofl·fountl..kKinleyNationalParkandtheFWSproposalwouldplaceportionsoftheroutewithinparkboundaries.APAconsidersuseofthecorridorthroughtheNenanaCanyonwillresultinsubstantiallylessenvironmentaldamagethanwouldthepioneeringofnewcorridorsthroughtheAlaskaRange.AdditionalconflictsareanticipatedinfinalrouteselectionalongtheapproachestoAnchoragebecauseoftheKnikArm,andtopography,andlanduseando"WnershippatternsonpossibleroutesaroundKnikAl"nl.CostestimatespresentedinthisreportassumedeliveryofprojectpowertopointsontheCEAtransmissionsystemnorthofKnikArm.ItisrecognizedthatthedetailedstudiesfollowingauthorizationwouldneedtoconsiderseveralalternativeplanstotransmitpoweracrossoraroundKnikArmtoAnchorage.BasedoninformalconsultationswiththeStateArcheologist,thecorridorsunderconsiderationinvolveknownandpotentialarcheologicalsites.Archeologicalsurveyswouldbeneededaspartofth:efinalroutestudies.Inadvertentdiscoveryofanunsuspectedsiteatalaterstagewouldentaileitherrelocationofalinesegmentorsalvageofthesiteunderapplicablelawsandregulations.TheinitialplandoesnotincludetransmissionfacilitiestoservetheCopperValleyarea.Suchfacilitiesmaybejustifiableasafuturestageofthesystem.Operation,Maintenance,andReplacementAPA'sevaluationofannualcosts,operation,maintenance,andreplace-mentaresummarizedonExhibit2ofthereportonpowern:arkets.Theestimatescoverthefullrangeofoperationsandmarketingactivities.Annual"OM&R"costsfortheproposedplanareestimatedat$2,400,000basedon1975priceandwagelevels.84769-7370 -81-54systemare$256milhonbasedonianuaryl'-)i,pric.elevels.11.isesti-matedthatthreeyearswouldberequiredforconstructionfollowingcompletionofthedetailedroutestudies,finaldesigns,andacquisitionofnecessaryrights-of-way.ThemostseriousconflictsinthefinalrouteselectionwilllikelybeencounteredintheNenanaCanyonroutethroughtheAlaskaRange.TheFishandWildlifeServicehasrecommendedthataroutewestoftheParksHighwaybeselectedthroughtheNenanaCanyontominimizepossibleconflictswithraptorhabitat.AnyroutethroughtheCanyonareawould·involvelinesvisiblefromportionsofl·fountl..kKinleyNationalParkandtheFWSproposalwouldplaceportionsoftheroutewithinparkboundaries.APAconsidersuseofthecorridorthroughtheNenanaCanyonwillresultinsubstantiallylessenvironmentaldamagethanwouldthepioneeringofnewcorridorsthroughtheAlaskaRange.AdditionalconflictsareanticipatedinfinalrouteselectionalongtheapproachestoAnchoragebecauseoftheKnikArm,andtopography,andlanduseando"WnershippatternsonpossibleroutesaroundKnikAl"nl.CostestimatespresentedinthisreportassumedeliveryofprojectpowertopointsontheCEAtransmissionsystemnorthofKnikArm.ItisrecognizedthatthedetailedstudiesfollowingauthorizationwouldneedtoconsiderseveralalternativeplanstotransmitpoweracrossoraroundKnikArmtoAnchorage.BasedoninformalconsultationswiththeStateArcheologist,thecorridorsunderconsiderationinvolveknownandpotentialarcheologicalsites.Archeologicalsurveyswouldbeneededaspartofth:efinalroutestudies.Inadvertentdiscoveryofanunsuspectedsiteatalaterstagewouldentaileitherrelocationofalinesegmentorsalvageofthesiteunderapplicablelawsandregulations.TheinitialplandoesnotincludetransmissionfacilitiestoservetheCopperValleyarea.Suchfacilitiesmaybejustifiableasafuturestageofthesystem.Operation,Maintenance,andReplacementAPA'sevaluationofannualcosts,operation,maintenance,andreplace-mentaresummarizedonExhibit2ofthereportonpowern:arkets.Theestimatescoverthefullrangeofoperationsandmarketingactivities.Annual"OM&R"costsfortheproposedplanareestimatedat$2,400,000basedon1975priceandwagelevels.84769-7370 -81-54
PowerMarketTheA:PApowermarketreportinc1udesourestimatesoffutureareapowerrequirements,theportionoftherequirementsthatmightbeservedfromtheSusitnaProject,areviewofavailablealternativestohydrodevelop-ment,andevaluationofrepaymentrequirements.Asindicatedbelow,weestimatethatanaveragerateforfirmenergydeliveredatwholesaleintheFairbanksandAnchorageareasat21.1millsperkilowatthourwouldbeneededunderpresentFederalrepay-mentcriteria:DevilCanyonWatanaTotalSystemWS.ElevationCompletiondateInstalledCapacity,lvlWAnnualFirmEnergy,billionkwhAnnualSecondaryEnergy,billionkwhConstructionCosts,$1,000InterestDuringConstruction$1,000TotalInvestment,$1,000TotalAnnualCosts,$10001,45019907763.05432,0002,20019867923.101,088,0001,5686.150.7.1,520,000248,0001,768,000115,612Assumedrateforsecondaryenergy,mills/kwhRequiredaveragerateforfirmenergy,mills/kwh1021.1Thesecomputationsarepremis.edonJanuary1975pricelevelsandfuturecostincreasewouldbereflectedinhighercostforprojectpower.OurreviewofalternativepowersourcesindicatesthattheSusitnapowerwouldbesubstantiallymoreexpensivethanpresentpowerfromnaturalgasintheCookInletarea.,butlessexpensivethanalternativepowersuppliesfromnewcoal-firedplants.ItisAPA'sviewthatalternativecostsforpowerfromcoal-firedsteamplantsisanappropriatemeasureofrelativemeritoftheUpperSusitnaproposal.848PowerMarketTheA:PApowermarketreportinc1udesourestimatesoffutureareapowerrequirements,theportionoftherequirementsthatmightbeservedfromtheSusitnaProject,areviewofavailablealternativestohydrodevelop-ment,andevaluationofrepaymentrequirements.Asindicatedbelow,weestimatethatanaveragerateforfirmenergydeliveredatwholesaleintheFairbanksandAnchorageareasat21.1millsperkilowatthourwouldbeneededunderpresentFederalrepay-mentcriteria:DevilCanyonWatanaTotalSystemWS.ElevationCompletiondateInstalledCapacity,lvlWAnnualFirmEnergy,billionkwhAnnualSecondaryEnergy,billionkwhConstructionCosts,$1,000InterestDuringConstruction$1,000TotalInvestment,$1,000TotalAnnualCosts,$10001,45019907763.05432,0002,20019867923.101,088,0001,5686.150.7.1,520,000248,0001,768,000115,612Assumedrateforsecondaryenergy,mills/kwhRequiredaveragerateforfirmenergy,mills/kwh1021.1Thesecomputationsarepremis.edonJanuary1975pricelevelsandfuturecostincreasewouldbereflectedinhighercostforprojectpower.OurreviewofalternativepowersourcesindicatesthattheSusitnapowerwouldbesubstantiallymoreexpensivethanpresentpowerfromnaturalgasintheCookInletarea.,butlessexpensivethanalternativepowersuppliesfromnewcoal-firedplants.ItisAPA'sviewthatalternativecostsforpowerfromcoal-firedsteamplantsisanappropriatemeasureofrelativemeritoftheUpperSusitnaproposal.848
IConclusionsThisletterreflectsthefindingsoftheAlaskaPowerAdministrationanddoesnotrepresentapositionbytheInteriorDepartmentontheSusitnaProject.APAconsidersthegeneralcorridorlocations,thetransmissionplanandestimates,andtheoperation,maintenanceandreplacementevaluationsappropriateforpurposesofdeterminingfeasibilityoftheUpperSusitnaProject.Fromtheviev.rpointofpowermarkets,theproposeddevelopmentplaninc1udingtheWatanaandDevilCanyonunitsappearsfeasibleandrelativelymoreattractivethantheotheralternative,hydrodevelopmentplansconsideredintheCorpsstudies.WearenotinagreementwiththeCorps'appraisalofthepotentialDenaliunit,andwebelievethatfuturestudiesmaydemonstratethatDenaliisadesirablefutureadditiontotheproposedplan.ItisAPA'sviewthattheproposedplanofdevelopment,includingWatanaandDevilCanyon.units;isfeasiblefromtheviewpointofpowermarket-ingandrepaymentrequirements.Sincerelyyours,ActingAdministratorEnclosures849IConclusionsThisletterreflectsthefindingsoftheAlaskaPowerAdministrationanddoesnotrepresentapositionbytheInteriorDepartmentontheSusitnaProject.APAconsidersthegeneralcorridorlocations,thetransmissionplanandestimates,andtheoperation,maintenanceandreplacementevaluationsappropriateforpurposesofdeterminingfeasibilityoftheUpperSusitnaProject.Fromtheviev.rpointofpowermarkets,theproposeddevelopmentplaninc1udingtheWatanaandDevilCanyonunitsappearsfeasibleandrelativelymoreattractivethantheotheralternative,hydrodevelopmentplansconsideredintheCorpsstudies.WearenotinagreementwiththeCorps'appraisalofthepotentialDenaliunit,andwebelievethatfuturestudiesmaydemonstratethatDenaliisadesirablefutureadditiontotheproposedplan.ItisAPA'sviewthattheproposedplanofdevelopment,includingWatanaandDevilCanyon.units;isfeasiblefromtheviewpointofpowermarket-ingandrepaymentrequirements.Sincerelyyours,ActingAdministratorEnclosures849
DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATION=========================:::THEALASKARAILROADP.O.Box7-2111Anchorage.Alaska99510June10,1975Mr.CharlesWellingEconomicSection,CorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,AI<99510DearMr.Welling:YouhaverequestedinformationfromusconcerningpossiblebenefitsthatcouldbederivedbytheRailroadasaresultoftheconstructionofadamontheSusitnaRiver.Onedirectbenefitwould-beareductioninperiodicdamagetoroadbedandtrackduringbreakup.Largeicejamswouldbeeliminated,whichonpreviousoccasionshavecausedfloodingandwashingoutofgradewithasubsequentinterruptionintrainservicetoFairbanks.Averagedamageofsuchawashouthasrunabout$50,000.AcontrolledflowoftheSusitnawouldalsoreducebankprotectionwork.Itisestimatedthatayearlyexpenditureof$50,000iscur-rentlyrequiredtoprovidethenecessaryriprapandrevetmentwork.Sincerely,t1x:1?t.'fVl-~t!4~~T.C.FuglestadChiefEngineer8501DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONFEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATION=========================:::THEALASKARAILROADP.O.Box7-2111Anchorage.Alaska99510June10,1975Mr.CharlesWellingEconomicSection,CorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,AI<99510DearMr.Welling:YouhaverequestedinformationfromusconcerningpossiblebenefitsthatcouldbederivedbytheRailroadasaresultoftheconstructionofadamontheSusitnaRiver.Onedirectbenefitwould-beareductioninperiodicdamagetoroadbedandtrackduringbreakup.Largeicejamswouldbeeliminated,whichonpreviousoccasionshavecausedfloodingandwashingoutofgradewithasubsequentinterruptionintrainservicetoFairbanks.Averagedamageofsuchawashouthasrunabout$50,000.AcontrolledflowoftheSusitnawouldalsoreducebankprotectionwork.Itisestimatedthatayearlyexpenditureof$50,000iscur-rentlyrequiredtoprovidethenecessaryriprapandrevetmentwork.Sincerely,t1x:1?t.'fVl-~t!4~~T.C.FuglestadChiefEngineer8501
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRS~neauAreaOfficeP.O.Box3·8000Juneau,Alaska"99802INREPL.YREFERTO,November3,1975MemorandumTo:DistrictEngineer,DepartmentoftheArmyAnchorageFrom:AreaDirectorSubject:ReviewofdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska(ER75/942)GeneralComments:Thedocumentis,presentedinagoodformatsothedocumentisreadableandeasytofollowthrough.ThereappeartobeprovisionsmadetoavoidanyfuturelandconflictsundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.SpecificComments:Wehavenofurthercomments.851UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORBUREAUOFINDIANAFFAIRS~neauAreaOfficeP.O.Box3·8000Juneau,Alaska"99802INREPL.YREFERTO,November3,1975MemorandumTo:DistrictEngineer,DepartmentoftheArmyAnchorageFrom:AreaDirectorSubject:ReviewofdraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforHydroelectricDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska(ER75/942)GeneralComments:Thedocumentis,presentedinagoodformatsothedocumentisreadableandeasytofollowthrough.ThereappeartobeprovisionsmadetoavoidanyfuturelandconflictsundertheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.SpecificComments:Wehavenofurthercomments.851
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTStateOffice555CordovaStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501INREPLYREFERTO2650.11(931)MAR131975Mr.LeeThompsonU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersRealEstateDivi~ionP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearMr.Thompson:SinceyourtelephoneinquiryofFebruary19,1975,wehavedonesomeresearchontherelationshipbetweenpowersitereservesandAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActwithdrawalsandhavecometothefollowingconclusion.A25-townshipwithdrawalundersectionll(a)(l)ofthe"act(PL92-203,85Stat.688)predominatesoverallotherwithdrawalsexceptNationalParkSystemandNationalDefensewithdrawals.Adeficiencywithdrawalundersection11(a)(3)oftheactdoesnot.Thereasonforthisdifferenceisfoundinthedifferingauthoritiesunderwhichthetwotypesofwithdrawalsaremade.The25-townshipwithdrawalsarebydirectactofCongress"thefollowingpubliclandsarewithdrawn..•11Thedeficiencywithdrawals,however,arepubliclandorderssignedbytheSecretaryoftheInteriorunderarestrictedauthorityfromCongress,"TheSecretaryshallwithdrawthreetimesthedeficiencyfromthenearestunreserved,vacantandunappropriatedpubliclands."~1(Emphasisadded).ThelandwithinthepowersitereserveissegregatedfromadeficiencywithdrawalunderANCSAbecauseitis"reservedpublicland"andCongressdidnotgivetheSecretarytheauthoritytomakedeficiencywithdrawalsfromreservedlands.WhatthisallmeansisthatNativevillagesandregionsmayselectpowersitelandifitlieswithintheirsectionll(a)(l),25-townshipwithdrawal,buttheymaynotselec~powersitelandfromwithin"asectionll(a)(3)deficiencywithdrawal.Sincerelyyours,11PL92-203,§ll(a)(l)2/PL92-203,I11(a)(3)(A)852UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorBUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTStateOffice555CordovaStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501INREPLYREFERTO2650.11(931)MAR131975Mr.LeeThompsonU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersRealEstateDivi~ionP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearMr.Thompson:SinceyourtelephoneinquiryofFebruary19,1975,wehavedonesomeresearchontherelationshipbetweenpowersitereservesandAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementActwithdrawalsandhavecometothefollowingconclusion.A25-townshipwithdrawalundersectionll(a)(l)ofthe"act(PL92-203,85Stat.688)predominatesoverallotherwithdrawalsexceptNationalParkSystemandNationalDefensewithdrawals.Adeficiencywithdrawalundersection11(a)(3)oftheactdoesnot.Thereasonforthisdifferenceisfoundinthedifferingauthoritiesunderwhichthetwotypesofwithdrawalsaremade.The25-townshipwithdrawalsarebydirectactofCongress"thefollowingpubliclandsarewithdrawn..•11Thedeficiencywithdrawals,however,arepubliclandorderssignedbytheSecretaryoftheInteriorunderarestrictedauthorityfromCongress,"TheSecretaryshallwithdrawthreetimesthedeficiencyfromthenearestunreserved,vacantandunappropriatedpubliclands."~1(Emphasisadded).ThelandwithinthepowersitereserveissegregatedfromadeficiencywithdrawalunderANCSAbecauseitis"reservedpublicland"andCongressdidnotgivetheSecretarytheauthoritytomakedeficiencywithdrawalsfromreservedlands.WhatthisallmeansisthatNativevillagesandregionsmayselectpowersitelandifitlieswithintheirsectionll(a)(l),25-townshipwithdrawal,buttheymaynotselec~powersitelandfromwithin"asectionll(a)(3)deficiencywithdrawal.Sincerelyyours,11PL92-203,§ll(a)(l)2/PL92-203,I11(a)(3)(A)852
·"'6UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior'"BUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTAnchorageDistrictOffice4700East72ndAvenueAnchorage,Alaska99507INRE~LYREI'ERTO:1780(110)JUL151915Mr.HenryNakamuraDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002ElmendorfAFB,Alaska99510DearMr.Nakamura:ImpactsoftheproposedDevilsCanyon,WatanaCreekandDenalihydroelectricpowerprojectonBLMlands,resourcesandprogramsisdifficulttoaccess.Theinformationnecessarytodoathoroughanalysisoftheseprojects,simplyisn'tavailable.Thereportsoftheimpactsonthevariousresourcesdraftedbyourstaff,brieflysummarizesthebasicdatathatisavailable,recognizingthatmoredetailedinformationisnecessary.Managementoftherecreationactivitieswhichwouldbegeneratedbydevelopmentoftheproposedprojectswillalsobeanimportantcon-sideration.Ifthelandsadjoiningthefuturereservoirsgointoprivateownership,theon-the-groundrecreationmanagementresponsi-bilitiesmaybetterbehandledbyanagencyotherthantheBLM;theStatemaybeagoodchoice.However,inordertoinsurepublicaccess,itisstronglyrecommendedthattheBLM,throughwhatevermeanspos-sible,retainownershipofpublicaccesspointstothelake.Theactualmanagement,operationand/orultimateownershipcouldrestwithanotherpublicagencyafteramoredetailedcosteffectivenessanalysiswereundertaken.Naturally,iftheadjacentlandsremaininFederalad-ministration,wewouldbeinterestedindevelopingandmanagingarecreationprogram.Withthepresentlandstatussituation,itisimpossibletodeterminewhetherornottheadjoininglandswillremaininpublicownership.Amorethoroughanalysiswillbemadeduringtheimpactstatementreviewprocess.~Sincerely,f.,.I-.nf~1/h4~~~DonovanYingstActingDistrictManager853·"'6UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInterior'"BUREAUOFLANDMANAGEMENTAnchorageDistrictOffice4700East72ndAvenueAnchorage,Alaska99507INRE~LYREI'ERTO:1780(110)JUL151915Mr.HenryNakamuraDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002ElmendorfAFB,Alaska99510DearMr.Nakamura:ImpactsoftheproposedDevilsCanyon,WatanaCreekandDenalihydroelectricpowerprojectonBLMlands,resourcesandprogramsisdifficulttoaccess.Theinformationnecessarytodoathoroughanalysisoftheseprojects,simplyisn'tavailable.Thereportsoftheimpactsonthevariousresourcesdraftedbyourstaff,brieflysummarizesthebasicdatathatisavailable,recognizingthatmoredetailedinformationisnecessary.Managementoftherecreationactivitieswhichwouldbegeneratedbydevelopmentoftheproposedprojectswillalsobeanimportantcon-sideration.Ifthelandsadjoiningthefuturereservoirsgointoprivateownership,theon-the-groundrecreationmanagementresponsi-bilitiesmaybetterbehandledbyanagencyotherthantheBLM;theStatemaybeagoodchoice.However,inordertoinsurepublicaccess,itisstronglyrecommendedthattheBLM,throughwhatevermeanspos-sible,retainownershipofpublicaccesspointstothelake.Theactualmanagement,operationand/orultimateownershipcouldrestwithanotherpublicagencyafteramoredetailedcosteffectivenessanalysiswereundertaken.Naturally,iftheadjacentlandsremaininFederalad-ministration,wewouldbeinterestedindevelopingandmanagingarecreationprogram.Withthepresentlandstatussituation,itisimpossibletodeterminewhetherornottheadjoininglandswillremaininpublicownership.Amorethoroughanalysiswillbemadeduringtheimpactstatementreviewprocess.~Sincerely,f.,.I-.nf~1/h4~~~DonovanYingstActingDistrictManager853
.vNITED~TATESGOVERNMENTMeinOrandu111OEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYSUBJECT,FROMTODATE:HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperInreplySusitnaRiverBasin,Southcentra1RailbeltArea,reler10:AlaskaSecretarialRepresentative,Region10DistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAnchorage,AlaskaNovember11,1975AttachedistheonlycommentreceivedfromDOTagenciesonthesubjectEIS.~RegionalRepresentativeoftheDepartmentofTransportation,Region10Attachment854.vNITED~TATESGOVERNMENTMeinOrandu111OEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYSUBJECT,FROMTODATE:HydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperInreplySusitnaRiverBasin,Southcentra1RailbeltArea,reler10:AlaskaSecretarialRepresentative,Region10DistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAnchorage,AlaskaNovember11,1975AttachedistheonlycommentreceivedfromDOTagenciesonthesubjectEIS.~RegionalRepresentativeoftheDepartmentofTransportation,Region10Attachment854
DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONUNITEDSTATESCOASTGUARDMAILINGADD"ESS,COMMANDER(do1,17THCOASTGll-ARCdiSTRICTFPOSEATTLE.771•1October1975From:Commander,SeventeenthCoastGuardDistrict•To:SecretarialRepresentative,Region10,Seattle,WA.Attn:CAPTR.T.BROWERSubj:ReviewofEISforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska;commentconcerning1.SubjectEIShasbeenreviewedandtheonlysignificantCoastGuardimpactwouldbetheincreaseinrecreationalboatingactivityonthenewlycreatedlakesbehindthedams.NootherareasofCoastGuardinterestwererevealed.By855DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONUNITEDSTATESCOASTGUARDMAILINGADD"ESS,COMMANDER(do1,17THCOASTGll-ARCdiSTRICTFPOSEATTLE.771•1October1975From:Commander,SeventeenthCoastGuardDistrict•To:SecretarialRepresentative,Region10,Seattle,WA.Attn:CAPTR.T.BROWERSubj:ReviewofEISforHydroelectricPowerDevelopment,UpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska;commentconcerning1.SubjectEIShasbeenreviewedandtheonlysignificantCoastGuardimpactwouldbetheincreaseinrecreationalboatingactivityonthenewlycreatedlakesbehindthedams.NootherareasofCoastGuardinterestwererevealed.By855
FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONALOFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM4 t 5SANFRANCISCO,CALIF.94tItAugust12,1915ColonelCharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,Corps'ofEngineersP.O.Box1002Anchorage,AK99510SubJect:PowerValuesforDevilCanyon-Watan8Project(YourNPAEN-DB-HY)DearColonelDebelius:Inresponsetoyourlettero~17April1915requestingsubjectpowervalues,weare~urnishingthevaluesshownfollowing.ThepowervaluesarebasedonaJanuary1,1975pricelevelandpublicnon-~ederaland~ederalfinancing,thelatterat5-7/8iinterestrate.Publ1c-nonfederallyfinancedvalueswereestimatedusingthesamemethodologyemployedincomputedfederalvaluesexceptthatfixedchargeswerecalculatedusingcompositeREA-municipalfinan-cingderivedonthebasisoftheweighted-averageofREAandmunicipalelectricutilitynetenergyforloadsin1974.Thiscomposite~inancingwascomputedat6.25%interestratefortheAnchorage-Kenaimarketareaand5.95~interestrate~ortheFairbanks.marketarea.HydroelectricpowervaluesinboththeFairbanksandAnchorage-Kenaimarketsdeliveredattherespective138-kVreceivingstationbuswereestimated~oraverageannualcapacityfactorso~45%and5l.8~.Thesecapacity~actorscorrespondtothepeakingcapabilityandaverageannualenergyoutputforDevilCanyonwithoutupstreamstorageand.DevilCanyonwithWatana.Peakingcapabilityisesti-matedtobe15percenthigherthantheinstallednameplate.capacity.Asshowninourlettero~l~rch7,1975regardingpowervalues~ortheDevilCanyon-Denaliproject,itwasassumedthattheoutputo~theproposedsubjectprojectwouldbedeliveredtothetwomarketareas,in1985andtherea~ter,intheratioof25~totheFairbanksloadareaand7510totheAnchorage-Kenailoadarea.Thisapproximatedivisionofloadrequirementsisbasedonprojectedfuturepowerrequirements,usingamid-rangegrowthrate,asshowninTable12,TotalPowerRequirementsbyRegions,1912-2000,oftheMay1974ReportoftheAlaskaPowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Thisestimatewasusedinsizingalternativesteam-electriccapacity.8561!,FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONALOFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM4t5SANFRANCISCO,CALIF.94tItAugust12,1915ColonelCharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,Corps'ofEngineersP.O.Box1002Anchorage,AK99510SubJect:PowerValuesforDevilCanyon-Watan8Project(YourNPAEN-DB-HY)DearColonelDebelius:Inresponsetoyourlettero~17April1915requestingsubjectpowervalues,weare~urnishingthevaluesshownfollowing.ThepowervaluesarebasedonaJanuary1,1975pricelevelandpublicnon-~ederaland~ederalfinancing,thelatterat5-7/8iinterestrate.Publ1c-nonfederallyfinancedvalueswereestimatedusingthesamemethodologyemployedincomputedfederalvaluesexceptthatfixedchargeswerecalculatedusingcompositeREA-municipalfinan-cingderivedonthebasisoftheweighted-averageofREAandmunicipalelectricutilitynetenergyforloadsin1974.Thiscomposite~inancingwascomputedat6.25%interestratefortheAnchorage-Kenaimarketareaand5.95~interestrate~ortheFairbanks.marketarea.HydroelectricpowervaluesinboththeFairbanksandAnchorage-Kenaimarketsdeliveredattherespective138-kVreceivingstationbuswereestimated~oraverageannualcapacityfactorso~45%and5l.8~.Thesecapacity~actorscorrespondtothepeakingcapabilityandaverageannualenergyoutputforDevilCanyonwithoutupstreamstorageand.DevilCanyonwithWatana.Peakingcapabilityisesti-matedtobe15percenthigherthantheinstallednameplate.capacity.Asshowninourlettero~l~rch7,1975regardingpowervalues~ortheDevilCanyon-Denaliproject,itwasassumedthattheoutputo~theproposedsubjectprojectwouldbedeliveredtothetwomarketareas,in1985andtherea~ter,intheratioof25~totheFairbanksloadareaand7510totheAnchorage-Kenailoadarea.Thisapproximatedivisionofloadrequirementsisbasedonprojectedfuturepowerrequirements,usingamid-rangegrowthrate,asshowninTable12,TotalPowerRequirementsbyRegions,1912-2000,oftheMay1974ReportoftheAlaskaPowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Thisestimatewasusedinsizingalternativesteam-electriccapacity.8561!,
AspreviouslymentionedinourletterofMay9,1975,wereviewedallofthefactorswhichaffectedthesubjectstudy.Datawhichyou,theAlaskaPowerAdministration,utilities,andelectricequipmentmanufacturersfurnishedwerethoroughlyanalyzedtodeterminematerialandconstructioncostsintheSouthcentralareaofAlaska.Fuelcostsusedareb~seduponthebestinforIDdtionavailablepertainingtocontrctctpricesasofthepricingleveldate.Ar:10ngthesourcesofinformationare:the19"(4AldskaPowerSurveyHeportsoftheExecutiveAd.visoryCommitteeandtheTechnicalAdvisoryCom-mitteeonResourcesandElectricPowerGener~tion;Southcentralelectricutilityreports,data,andpersonalcontacts;variousStateagencies;andseveralnaturalgasandcoalproducingcompanies.Theat-lIBrketpowervaluesareshownbelow.Thetotalvalueisthesumofthevalueofproject'sdependablecapacitygnditsusableenergy.VALUEOFPGlERTypeofFinancingPubl1c-nonfederal17Federal(Pricelevelofl/l~---DependableUsableDependablt::U"[jableMarketAreaCapacityEneray~acityEne11Y------==.;:.;;.~~;;;..-.-----:$/kW-yr•.mills/kWh$/kW-yr.r.d.llsl:\lh45~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative51.8~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative1/CompositeREAandMUnicipal96.9586.1546.89·8577.845.366.3788.8875.1242.00'f.895.h26.1+3AspreviouslymentionedinourletterofMay9,1975,wereviewedallofthefactorswhichaffectedthesubjectstudy.Datawhichyou,theAlaskaPowerAdministration,utilities,andelectricequipmentmanufacturersfurnishedwerethoroughlyanalyzedtodeterminematerialandconstructioncostsintheSouthcentralareaofAlaska.Fuelcostsusedareb~seduponthebestinforIDdtionavailablepertainingtocontrctctpricesasofthepricingleveldate.Ar:10ngthesourcesofinformationare:the19"(4AldskaPowerSurveyHeportsoftheExecutiveAd.visoryCommitteeandtheTechnicalAdvisoryCom-mitteeonResourcesandElectricPowerGener~tion;Southcentralelectricutilityreports,data,andpersonalcontacts;variousStateagencies;andseveralnaturalgasandcoalproducingcompanies.Theat-lIBrketpowervaluesareshownbelow.Thetotalvalueisthesumofthevalueofproject'sdependablecapacitygnditsusableenergy.VALUEOFPGlERTypeofFinancingPubl1c-nonfederal17Federal(Pricelevelofl/l~---DependableUsableDependablt::U"[jableMarketAreaCapacityEneray~acityEne11Y------==.;:.;;.~~;;;..-.-----:$/kW-yr•.mills/kWh$/kW-yr.r.d.llsl:\lh45~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative51.8~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative1/CompositeREAandMUnicipal96.9586.1546.89·8577.845.366.3788.8875.1242.00'f.895.h26.1+3
FairbanksPowerValuesTheat-marketpowervaluesfortheFairbanksareaarebasedonestimatedcostsofpowerfromanalternativesteam-electricsourcedescribedasfollows:Acoal-firedgeneratingplantwith150MWtotalcapacityconsistingoftwo75MWunits;heatrate,12,000Btu/kWh;capitalcost,$640perkilowatt;servicelife,35years;andcoalcostof60¢permillionBtu.FortheFairbanksareaneitheracombinedcyclenorcombustionturbinealternativeplantwasconsidereddueto:1)uncertainfutureavailabilityofnaturalgasand/oroilinsufficientquantitiestouseasanoperatingfuel,and2)therelativelyabundantsourceofcoalintheHealyarea.Thepowervaluesincludea10%hydro-steamadjustmentmadetoat-marketestimatedcapacitycoststocreditthehydroelectricplantwithitsgreateroperatingreliabilityandfleXibility.Anchorage-KenaiPowerValuesTheat-marketpowervaluesforthe~chorage-Kenaiareaarebasedonstudiesoftheestimatedcostsofpowerfromtwoalternativesourcesasdescribedfollowing:(1)Coal-firedgeneratingplantwith450!~totalcapacityconsistingofthree150~Munits;heatrate,9800BtU/kWh;capitalcost,$595perkilowatt;servicelife,35years;andcoalcostof50¢permill10nBtu.(2)Combinedcyclegeneratingplantwith450~Mtotalcapacityconsistingoffour112.5Mrl(100MWnameplate)units(onecombustionturbineandonesteamturbineperunit);heatrate,8500Btu/klfh;capitalcost,$235perkilowatt;servicelife,30years;andnaturalgas(operating)costof70¢permillionBtuanddistillateoil(standby)costof$1.15permillionBtu.Theestimatesinclude5'/JandlO~hydro-steamadjustmentsmadetoat-marketestimatedcostsforthecombinedcycleandcoal-firedalternativesrespectively.Theseadjustmentscreditthehydroelectricplantwithitsgreateroperatingreliabilityandflexibility.~thoughfortheAnchorage-Kenaiareathecombinedcyclealter-nativeplantisthemoreeconomicallyfeasibleofthetwoconsidered,itisdesirabletoprovidevaluesforbothalternatives.TheAlaskaPowerSurveyindicatesthatnaturalgascouldsupplysufficientenergytomeettotalStatepo,,'errequirementsthroughtheyear2000andbeyond.Someutilities,gasproducingcompanies,andStateagenciesquestiontheamountofnaturalgasreservesbutacknowledgethatreservepotentialexists.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseof858FairbanksPowerValuesTheat-marketpowervaluesfortheFairbanksareaarebasedonestimatedcostsofpowerfromanalternativesteam-electricsourcedescribedasfollows:Acoal-firedgeneratingplantwith150MWtotalcapacityconsistingoftwo75MWunits;heatrate,12,000Btu/kWh;capitalcost,$640perkilowatt;servicelife,35years;andcoalcostof60¢permillionBtu.FortheFairbanksareaneitheracombinedcyclenorcombustionturbinealternativeplantwasconsidereddueto:1)uncertainfutureavailabilityofnaturalgasand/oroilinsufficientquantitiestouseasanoperatingfuel,and2)therelativelyabundantsourceofcoalintheHealyarea.Thepowervaluesincludea10%hydro-steamadjustmentmadetoat-marketestimatedcapacitycoststocreditthehydroelectricplantwithitsgreateroperatingreliabilityandfleXibility.Anchorage-KenaiPowerValuesTheat-marketpowervaluesforthe~chorage-Kenaiareaarebasedonstudiesoftheestimatedcostsofpowerfromtwoalternativesourcesasdescribedfollowing:(1)Coal-firedgeneratingplantwith450!~totalcapacityconsistingofthree150~Munits;heatrate,9800BtU/kWh;capitalcost,$595perkilowatt;servicelife,35years;andcoalcostof50¢permill10nBtu.(2)Combinedcyclegeneratingplantwith450~Mtotalcapacityconsistingoffour112.5Mrl(100MWnameplate)units(onecombustionturbineandonesteamturbineperunit);heatrate,8500Btu/klfh;capitalcost,$235perkilowatt;servicelife,30years;andnaturalgas(operating)costof70¢permillionBtuanddistillateoil(standby)costof$1.15permillionBtu.Theestimatesinclude5'/JandlO~hydro-steamadjustmentsmadetoat-marketestimatedcostsforthecombinedcycleandcoal-firedalternativesrespectively.Theseadjustmentscreditthehydroelectricplantwithitsgreateroperatingreliabilityandflexibility.~thoughfortheAnchorage-Kenaiareathecombinedcyclealter-nativeplantisthemoreeconomicallyfeasibleofthetwoconsidered,itisdesirabletoprovidevaluesforbothalternatives.TheAlaskaPowerSurveyindicatesthatnaturalgascouldsupplysufficientenergytomeettotalStatepo,,'errequirementsthroughtheyear2000andbeyond.Someutilities,gasproducingcompanies,andStateagenciesquestiontheamountofnaturalgasreservesbutacknowledgethatreservepotentialexists.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseof858
naturalgasf:iSanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.DuetochangesinreqUirements,otherFederalf:ind!orStateagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnf:ituralgasoroilforelectricpowergeneratingpurposesinAlaska.Duetotheuncertl::dntyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasafter19~5fornewgeneratingcapacity,theunforeseenpossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwideeconomicpressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelfortherml-electricplantstobeconstructedafter1985.TheextensivecoaldepositsnearCookInletareattractivefuturealternativesourcesofenergyforthisregionandcouldleadtooptionstoconvertfromoilandnaturalgastocoalasthemajorpowersourceduringthe1980's.Insummary,itisnotreadilyapparentwhetherfuturegeneratingplantswillusenaturalgasorcoalasaprimaryfuel.Assumingeitherfuelissufficientlyavailable,itsusewouldthenbedictatedbynotonlyeconomicsbutfutureenvironmentalconstraints.Therefore,weareprovidingpowervaluesfortwoalternatefuels-naturalgasandcoal.DependableCapacityDependablecapacityoftheprojecthasbeenestimatedusingsubjectprojectcriticalperiodenergyoutputassuppliedintheattachmentstoyourletterof17April1975andassumingpowerfirstbecomesavailablein1985.Onacalendaryearbasis,Decemberwasdeterminedtobethecriticf:ilmonth-themonthwhenmuximumothercapacityisreqUired.Ourload-resourcestudiesshowthattheDevilCanyonprojectwithoutupstreamstoragecanbeabsorbedbythecombinedAnchorage-KenaiandFairbanksloadsin1990.DevilCf:inyonwithWatana,availablein1990,wouidbeusableinmeetingcombinedarealoadsin1993.OurestimateofthedependablecapacityoftheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectisshownontheattachedtable.Verytrulyyours,~.:J~J~MeFrankThomasRegionalEngineerAttachmentcc:NorthPacificDiv•CorpsofEngineers859naturalgasf:iSanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.DuetochangesinreqUirements,otherFederalf:ind!orStateagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnf:ituralgasoroilforelectricpowergeneratingpurposesinAlaska.Duetotheuncertl::dntyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasafter19~5fornewgeneratingcapacity,theunforeseenpossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwideeconomicpressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelfortherml-electricplantstobeconstructedafter1985.TheextensivecoaldepositsnearCookInletareattractivefuturealternativesourcesofenergyforthisregionandcouldleadtooptionstoconvertfromoilandnaturalgastocoalasthemajorpowersourceduringthe1980's.Insummary,itisnotreadilyapparentwhetherfuturegeneratingplantswillusenaturalgasorcoalasaprimaryfuel.Assumingeitherfuelissufficientlyavailable,itsusewouldthenbedictatedbynotonlyeconomicsbutfutureenvironmentalconstraints.Therefore,weareprovidingpowervaluesfortwoalternatefuels-naturalgasandcoal.DependableCapacityDependablecapacityoftheprojecthasbeenestimatedusingsubjectprojectcriticalperiodenergyoutputassuppliedintheattachmentstoyourletterof17April1975andassumingpowerfirstbecomesavailablein1985.Onacalendaryearbasis,Decemberwasdeterminedtobethecriticf:ilmonth-themonthwhenmuximumothercapacityisreqUired.Ourload-resourcestudiesshowthattheDevilCanyonprojectwithoutupstreamstoragecanbeabsorbedbythecombinedAnchorage-KenaiandFairbanksloadsin1990.DevilCf:inyonwithWatana,availablein1990,wouidbeusableinmeetingcombinedarealoadsin1993.OurestimateofthedependablecapacityoftheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectisshownontheattachedtable.Verytrulyyours,~.:J~J~MeFrankThomasRegionalEngineerAttachmentcc:NorthPacificDiv•CorpsofEngineers859
YearDEVILCANYON-WATANAPROJECT,ALASKACapacityDependableonCombinedAnchorage-KenaiandFairbanksAreaLoadsMil1985868788891990919293toendof'servicelif'eyEquals115~(600+472)Mol860117213328449575765932lllO123311YearDEVILCANYON-WATANAPROJECT,ALASKACapacityDependableonCombinedAnchorage-KenaiandFairbanksAreaLoadsMil1985868788891990919293toendof'servicelif'eyEquals115~(600+472)Mol860117213328449575765932lllO123311
MarketAreaFEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONAL.OFFICE555SATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CAL.IF.84111August20,1975Lt~ColonelJosephW.HurstActingDistrictEngineer~skaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510Subject:PowerValuesforDevilCanyon-WatanaProject(YourNl?AEN-DB-HY)DearColon~lHurst:Inresponsetotherequestin~ourletterofAugust11,1975,powervl:i1uesfortheDevilCanyon-WatanaProjectbasedonFederalInterestRateor0-1/5'/0arefurnishedbelow.Thepril,;e1evelofJanuary1,1975andallotherconsiderationsdescribedinourJ.etterofAugust12,1975remainunchanged.At-MarketValueofHYdroelectricPowerFederalFinanci--6-13dPriceLevelof11 )DependableUsablecapacityEnergy45~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanks~chori::lge-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinea.CycleAlterna"G:Lve5l.a!AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KtnaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative90.8476.1742.79Yoursv~rytruly,~~:J-~~ILFrankThomasBegionalEngineerMarketAreaFEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONAL.OFFICE555SATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CAL.IF.84111August20,1975Lt~ColonelJosephW.HurstActingDistrictEngineer~skaDistrict,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,AK99510Subject:PowerValuesforDevilCanyon-WatanaProject(YourNl?AEN-DB-HY)DearColon~lHurst:Inresponsetotherequestin~ourletterofAugust11,1975,powervl:i1uesfortheDevilCanyon-WatanaProjectbasedonFederalInterestRateor0-1/5'/0arefurnishedbelow.Thepril,;e1evelofJanuary1,1975andallotherconsiderationsdescribedinourJ.etterofAugust12,1975remainunchanged.At-MarketValueofHYdroelectricPowerFederalFinanci--6-13dPriceLevelof11 )DependableUsablecapacityEnergy45~AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanks~chori::lge-KenaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinea.CycleAlterna"G:Lve5l.a!AnnualCapacityFactorFairbanksAnchorage-KtnaiCoal-firedAlternativeCombinedCycleAlternative90.8476.1742.79Yoursv~rytruly,~~:J-~~ILFrankThomasBegionalEngineer
FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONAL.OFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CAL.IF.94111December4,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,Corpsof8ngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedyourDraft~~vironmentalImpactstatementontheHydroelectricDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,datedSeptember1975.ThesecommentsoftheSanFrancisco,RegionalOfficeoftheFederalPowerCommission'sBureauofPoweraremadeinaccordancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,andtheAugust1,1973,GuidelinesoftheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.OurcommentsareprimarilydirectedtowardtheneedforpowerthatwouldbeproducedbytheUpperSusitnaDevelopment,thealternativepowersources,andthefuelsituationsrelativetonon-hydroelectricpoweralternatives.TherecommendedplanistoconstructdamsandpowerplantsattheWatana'andDevilCanyonsitesandelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters.TheproposedplanfortheWatanasitewouldincludetheconstructionofan810-foothighearthfilldamandpowerplantwhichwouldcontainthreeFrancisturbineswithanameplatecapacityof250MWeach.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.1billionkWh.DevelopmentoftheDevilcanyonsitewouldincludea635-foothighthin-archdamandpowerplantwithfourFrancisturbines,eachratedat180MW.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.0billionkWhwithregulatedstreamflow.fromWatanastorage.TheelectricalpowergeneratedwouldbetransmittedtotheFairbanks-TananaValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaipeninsulaareaS.Therecommendeddevelopmentisshowntobeeconomicallyfeasible.862FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONREGIONAL.OFFICE555BATTERYSTREET,ROOM415SANFRANCISCO,CAL.IF.94111December4,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict,Corpsof8ngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:WehavereviewedyourDraft~~vironmentalImpactstatementontheHydroelectricDevelopmentUpperSusitnaRiverBasin,SouthcentralRailbeltArea,Alaska,datedSeptember1975.ThesecommentsoftheSanFrancisco,RegionalOfficeoftheFederalPowerCommission'sBureauofPoweraremadeinaccordancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,andtheAugust1,1973,GuidelinesoftheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality.OurcommentsareprimarilydirectedtowardtheneedforpowerthatwouldbeproducedbytheUpperSusitnaDevelopment,thealternativepowersources,andthefuelsituationsrelativetonon-hydroelectricpoweralternatives.TherecommendedplanistoconstructdamsandpowerplantsattheWatana'andDevilCanyonsitesandelectrictransmissionfacilitiestotheRailbeltloadcenters.TheproposedplanfortheWatanasitewouldincludetheconstructionofan810-foothighearthfilldamandpowerplantwhichwouldcontainthreeFrancisturbineswithanameplatecapacityof250MWeach.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.1billionkWh.DevelopmentoftheDevilcanyonsitewouldincludea635-foothighthin-archdamandpowerplantwithfourFrancisturbines,eachratedat180MW.Thefirmannualgenerationwouldbe3.0billionkWhwithregulatedstreamflow.fromWatanastorage.TheelectricalpowergeneratedwouldbetransmittedtotheFairbanks-TananaValleyandtheAnchorage-KenaipeninsulaareaS.Therecommendeddevelopmentisshowntobeeconomicallyfeasible.862
(1)'lheNeedforPowerWeagreewithandendorsethesubjectreport'sassertioninSection2.04thatsubstantialamountsofnewgeneratingcapacitywillbeneededtomeetfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.RecentstudiesoftheSouthcentralandYukonregion(whichincludestheSouthcentralRail-beltasitsmaincomponent),asdefinedinthe1974AlaskaPowerSurveyReportoftheExecutiveAdvi~oryCommittee,indicatethatrapidratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementswillcontinueatleastforthebalanceofthe1970's,reflectingeconomicactivityassociatedwithNorthSlopeoildevelopmentandexpansionofcommercialandpublicservices.Estimatesbeyond1980reflectarangeofassumptionsastotheextentoffutureresourcesuseandindustrialandpopulationgrowth.Allindicationsarethatacceleratedgrowthwillcontinuethroughtheyear2000,witheconomicactivitygeneratedbyNorthSlopeoilandnaturalgasdevelopmentbeingamajorfactor-butonlyoneofseveralimportantfactors.ItisgenerallyconsideredthattheSouthcentral-Yukonregionalpopulationwillcontinuetogrowatafasterratethanthenationalandstateaverages,thatfutureadditionalenergysystemsandotherpotentialmineraldevelopmentswillhaveamajoreffect,andthattherewillbenotableexpansionintransportationsystems.Signi-ficanteconomicadvancesforallofAlaskaandespeciallyfortheAlaskaNativepeopleshouldbeanticipatedasaresultoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.Otherinfluencingfactorscouldbecited,butthegeneraloutlookisforfurtherrapidexpansionofenergyandpowerrequirementsintheSouthcentral-Yukonarea.ArangeofestimatesforfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralanaYukonregionsispresentedinthe1974ReportoftheAlaskaPowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Therangeofestimatesattemptstobalanceamyriadofcontrollingfactorsincludingcosts,conservationtechnologies,availableenergysources,typesofAlaskandevelopment,etcetera.Thehighergrowthrangeanticipa.tessif,llificantnewenergyandmineraldevelopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmorepromising.Thelowergrowthrangegenerallyassumesanunqualifiedslackeningofthepaceofdevelopmentfo11ovnngcompletionoftheAlyeskapipelineand,inouropinion,isnotconsideredrealistic.Themid-rangegrowthrateappearstobeareasonableestimatewhichweadoptasmostrepre-sentativebasedonrecentmanifestationsandourassessmentoffuturecondi-tions.Itshouldbenotedthatthereareseveralresponsibleadvisorycommitteememberswhofeelthatrecentaccelerationofmineralrawlnaterialshortagesofallkindsindicatesapossibilitythateventhehighrangeestimatescouldbeexceeded.Table1,whichisacondensedextractofinformationcontainedintheaforementionedadvisorycommitteereport,summarizesloadestimatesfortheSouthcentralandYukonRegions.Indicatedloadincrementsbydecadeareasfo110\'1s:86369-7370 -81-55(1)'lheNeedforPowerWeagreewithandendorsethesubjectreport'sassertioninSection2.04thatsubstantialamountsofnewgeneratingcapacitywillbeneededtomeetfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltarea.RecentstudiesoftheSouthcentralandYukonregion(whichincludestheSouthcentralRail-beltasitsmaincomponent),asdefinedinthe1974AlaskaPowerSurveyReportoftheExecutiveAdvi~oryCommittee,indicatethatrapidratesofincreaseinpowerrequirementswillcontinueatleastforthebalanceofthe1970's,reflectingeconomicactivityassociatedwithNorthSlopeoildevelopmentandexpansionofcommercialandpublicservices.Estimatesbeyond1980reflectarangeofassumptionsastotheextentoffutureresourcesuseandindustrialandpopulationgrowth.Allindicationsarethatacceleratedgrowthwillcontinuethroughtheyear2000,witheconomicactivitygeneratedbyNorthSlopeoilandnaturalgasdevelopmentbeingamajorfactor-butonlyoneofseveralimportantfactors.ItisgenerallyconsideredthattheSouthcentral-Yukonregionalpopulationwillcontinuetogrowatafasterratethanthenationalandstateaverages,thatfutureadditionalenergysystemsandotherpotentialmineraldevelopmentswillhaveamajoreffect,andthattherewillbenotableexpansionintransportationsystems.Signi-ficanteconomicadvancesforallofAlaskaandespeciallyfortheAlaskaNativepeopleshouldbeanticipatedasaresultoftheAlaskaNativeClaimsSettlementAct.Otherinfluencingfactorscouldbecited,butthegeneraloutlookisforfurtherrapidexpansionofenergyandpowerrequirementsintheSouthcentral-Yukonarea.ArangeofestimatesforfuturepowerrequirementsoftheSouthcentralanaYukonregionsispresentedinthe1974ReportoftheAlaskaPowerSurveyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeonEconomicAnalysisandLoadProjections.Therangeofestimatesattemptstobalanceamyriadofcontrollingfactorsincludingcosts,conservationtechnologies,availableenergysources,typesofAlaskandevelopment,etcetera.Thehighergrowthrangeanticipa.tessif,llificantnewenergyandmineraldevelopmentsfromamongthosethatappearmorepromising.Thelowergrowthrangegenerallyassumesanunqualifiedslackeningofthepaceofdevelopmentfo11ovnngcompletionoftheAlyeskapipelineand,inouropinion,isnotconsideredrealistic.Themid-rangegrowthrateappearstobeareasonableestimatewhichweadoptasmostrepre-sentativebasedonrecentmanifestationsandourassessmentoffuturecondi-tions.Itshouldbenotedthatthereareseveralresponsibleadvisorycommitteememberswhofeelthatrecentaccelerationofmineralrawlnaterialshortagesofallkindsindicatesapossibilitythateventhehighrangeestimatescouldbeexceeded.Table1,whichisacondensedextractofinformationcontainedintheaforementionedadvisorycommitteereport,summarizesloadestimatesfortheSouthcentralandYukonRegions.Indicatedloadincrementsbydecadeareasfo110\'1s:86369-7370-81-55
IncrementsofSou._____.....-~Ul\.onPowerRequirements1972-19801980-19901990-20001972-2000PeakAnnualPeakAnnualPeakAnnualPeakAnnualDemandEnergyDemandEnergyDemandEnergyDemandEnergyM.,rGWhMWmVhMWffilhMWGWhHigherEstimate8884623446028110280013070814845803Mi.d-Range63830939304570195010240351817903Accordin~tothesubjectreport,atotalof6100GWhoffirmannualenergywouldbeproducedbythecombinedDevilcanyon-Watanasystemwhichwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof11~70Mil.Althoughthereportdoesnotindicateproposedcommercialoperationdates,basedoninformationinourfilestheprojectwouldbestagedandtheinitialDevilCanyoninstallation(3000GWhand720MW)couldbecomeoperablein1985andtheultimateinstalla-tionin1990.UnderthistimetableitisapparentthatthereisaneedforpowerintheSouthcentral-YukonRegionby1985and1990intheorderofmag-nitudeofatleastasmuchastheproposedsubjectdevelopment.'Iherefore,operationoftheproposedprojectwouldhelpmeetthepowerneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltareaby1985andbeyond.(2)AlternativePowerSourcesandI~elSituationOurrecentestimateofpowervaluesfortheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectindicatesthatthemosteconomicalalternativetotheproject'soutputwouldbepowerfromacombinedcyclegeneratingplantusingnaturalgasasanoperat-ingfueLWeacknowledgethesubjectreport'spremisethattherearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseofnaturalgasasanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.Duetochangesinrequirements,otherFederaland/orStat.eagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnaturalgasandoilforelectricpowerproductionthroughoutAlaska.Recognizingtheundertaintyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasandoilafter1985fornewgenerat-ingcapacity,thepossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwidepressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelforthermal-electricplantstobeconstructedinthemid-19E30'sandbeyond.Essentially,weagreewiththediscussionofalternativesourcesofpowerinparagraphs6.02.1-6.02.10ofthesubjectreport.864IncrementsofSou._____.....-~Ul\.onPowerRequirements1972-19801980-19901990-20001972-2000PeakAnnualPeakAnnualPeakAnnualPeakAnnualDemandEnergyDemandEnergyDemandEnergyDemandEnergyM.,rGWhMWmVhMWffilhMWGWhHigherEstimate8884623446028110280013070814845803Mi.d-Range63830939304570195010240351817903Accordin~tothesubjectreport,atotalof6100GWhoffirmannualenergywouldbeproducedbythecombinedDevilcanyon-Watanasystemwhichwouldhaveanameplatecapacityof11~70Mil.Althoughthereportdoesnotindicateproposedcommercialoperationdates,basedoninformationinourfilestheprojectwouldbestagedandtheinitialDevilCanyoninstallation(3000GWhand720MW)couldbecomeoperablein1985andtheultimateinstalla-tionin1990.UnderthistimetableitisapparentthatthereisaneedforpowerintheSouthcentral-YukonRegionby1985and1990intheorderofmag-nitudeofatleastasmuchastheproposedsubjectdevelopment.'Iherefore,operationoftheproposedprojectwouldhelpmeetthepowerneedsoftheSouthcentralRailbeltareaby1985andbeyond.(2)AlternativePowerSourcesandI~elSituationOurrecentestimateofpowervaluesfortheDevilCanyon-Watanaprojectindicatesthatthemosteconomicalalternativetotheproject'soutputwouldbepowerfromacombinedcyclegeneratingplantusingnaturalgasasanoperat-ingfueLWeacknowledgethesubjectreport'spremisethattherearemanyquestionsconcerningfutureavailabilityandcostsofnaturalgasandoilforpowerproduction.ItisthepolicyofthisCommissiontodiscourageuseofnaturalgasasanoperatingfuelforpowergenerationinthecontiguousUnitedStates.Duetochangesinrequirements,otherFederaland/orStat.eagenciesmayimposerestrictionsonthefutureusageofnaturalgasandoilforelectricpowerproductionthroughoutAlaska.Recognizingtheundertaintyofthefutureavailabilityofnaturalgasandoilafter1985fornewgenerat-ingcapacity,thepossibilityofitsrestrictiveuseifavailable,anditssensitivitytoworldwidepressures,coalmaybethemostlikelyalternativefuelforthermal-electricplantstobeconstructedinthemid-19E30'sandbeyond.Essentially,weagreewiththediscussionofalternativesourcesofpowerinparagraphs6.02.1-6.02.10ofthesubjectreport.864
(3)OtherAlternativestotheProposedActionTheCorps'DElSdiscussesseveralpotentialalternativehydroelectricdevelopmentswith~ntheSouthcentralRailbeltArea.Allofthesealternati.eitherhaveagreateradverseenvironmentalimpactthantheproposedplan,orarenotconsideredfeasibleatthepresenttime.Verytrulyyours,Ii~.,/)//~fl(/JZy'd-etl/(Deputy)M.~'RANKTHOMAS(Acting)RegionalEngineerAttachment(Table1)86569-7370-81-56(3)OtherAlternativestotheProposedActionTheCorps'DElSdiscussesseveralpotentialalternativehydroelectricdevelopmentswith~ntheSouthcentralRailbeltArea.Allofthesealternati.eitherhaveagreateradverseenvironmentalimpactthantheproposedplan,orarenotconsideredfeasibleatthepresenttime.Verytrulyyours,Ii~.,/)//~fl(/JZy'd-etl/(Deputy)M.~'RANKTHOMAS(Acting)RegionalEngineerAttachment(Table1)86569-7370-81-56
TAGLE 1
Total Power Requirements
Southcentral and Yukon R~g;ons 11
Actual Require~ents Estimated·Future Requirements
Region
19}2
Pe,(i<'.Ann-ua 1
D2in~nd·Energy
t,j\,[G\;lh----
1980
Peak Annual
DeP.',and Energy
t,fl'[GI,th
1990
Peak Annual
Demand Energy
1\1\~G\·/h
2008
Peak Annual
Demand Energy
t'l\'J G\'!h .
Higher Rate of Growth
i SCllthcentral 317 ,4·65 990 5 020 5 020 30 760 7 190 t.r'·8F:.V ,J
Yukon (Interior)115 542 330 1 6'-0 760 3 980 1 390 7 000
Total 432 2 007 1 320 6 630 5 780 34 740 8·580 4-><''''. I \,J I ''';
Li kel~Mi d-Ra_ngeGro\'lth Rate _
Southcentra1
Y,,IK'"''''I i nt'~""'l'0 ....)""'.",11 \ _I _I I
Tota 1
1/As defined in the 1974 Alaska PO\'/er Survey
790 3 790
280 1 310-
,070 5 100
·1 5307 400
470 2 270
2000 9 670
3 040 1:3C<)
910 .f.610
3 950 1:91 J
TAGLE 1
Total Power Requirements
SOllthcentra 1 and Yukon R~g;ons 11
Actual Require~ents
Region
i SCllthcentral
Yukon (Interior)
Total
Southcentra1
Tota 1
19}2
Peal<'.Annual
D2in~nd·Energy
t'1t,[G\;lh:----.-
317 1 4·65
115 542
432 2 007
Estimated·Future Requirements
1980 1990 2008
Peak Annual Peak Annual Peal~Annual
DeP.',and Energy Demand Energy Demand Energy
t'fl'[G\'!h 1\1\~G\·lh t'!\·J G'.'lh .
Higher Rate of Growth
990 5 020 5 020 30 760 7 190 t.r'·8F:,v '.J
330 1 6'-0 760 3 980 1 390 7 000
1 320 6 630 5 780 34 740 8·580 4-><''''. I \,J I ''';
Likely Mid-Range Growth Rate
790 3 790 ·1 530 7 400 3 040 1:3C'J
280 1 310 470 2 270 910 .!.610
1 070 5 100 2000 9 670 3 950 1~0·"~.;i J
1/As defined in the 1974 Alaska PO\'/er Survey
DRAFrTO:Mr.VernonK.HagenOfficeofChiefofEngineersCorpsofEngineersForrestalBldg.,Rm.5-F-039Washington,D.C.20314FROM:JohnT.RiedelChief,HydrometeorologicalBranchSUBJ:Tentative'EstimatesofProbableMaximumPrecipitation(PMP)andSnowmeltCriteriaforFourSusitnaRiverDrainagesIntroductionTheOfficeofChiefofEngineers,CorpsofEngineersrequestedPMPandsnowmeltcriteriaforthesubjectdrainagesinamemorandumtotheHydrometeorologicalBranch,datedDecember12,1974.TheAlaskaDistrictrequestedthestudybecompletedbyFebruary1,1975;however,amorerealisticdateforcompletingastudyinwhichwehaveconfidenceisJune1,1975.Becauseoftheneedtosoonbeginhydrologicstudiesbasedonmeteorologicalcriteria,theBranchhasconcentratedontheproblemandhasdeterminedthegenerallevelofcriteria.ArangeofPMPvaluesaregiveninthismemorandumwithinYhichwebelievevaluesfromamorecomprehensivestudywillfall.Thesequencesofsnowmeltwinds,temperatures,anddewpointsshouldbecheckedwithadditionalstudies.Inaddition,ifweknewindetailhowsno~~e1twillbecomputed,wecouldgiveemphasistothemoreimportantelements.PMPestimatesforfourdrainagesArangeofestimatesofPNPfor6,24,and72hoursforfourdrainagesoutlinedonthemapaccompanyingtheDecember12,1974memorandumarelistedintable1.Thesearenut:lberedfrom1to4(sm:tllesttolargest).867DRAFrTO:Mr.VernonK.HagenOfficeofChiefofEngineersCorpsofEngineersForrestalBldg.,Rm.5-F-039Washington,D.C.20314FROM:JohnT.RiedelChief,HydrometeorologicalBranchSUBJ:Tentative'EstimatesofProbableMaximumPrecipitation(PMP)andSnowmeltCriteriaforFourSusitnaRiverDrainagesIntroductionTheOfficeofChiefofEngineers,CorpsofEngineersrequestedPMPandsnowmeltcriteriaforthesubjectdrainagesinamemorandumtotheHydrometeorologicalBranch,datedDecember12,1974.TheAlaskaDistrictrequestedthestudybecompletedbyFebruary1,1975;however,amorerealisticdateforcompletingastudyinwhichwehaveconfidenceisJune1,1975.Becauseoftheneedtosoonbeginhydrologicstudiesbasedonmeteorologicalcriteria,theBranchhasconcentratedontheproblemandhasdeterminedthegenerallevelofcriteria.ArangeofPMPvaluesaregiveninthismemorandumwithinYhichwebelievevaluesfromamorecomprehensivestudywillfall.Thesequencesofsnowmeltwinds,temperatures,anddewpointsshouldbecheckedwithadditionalstudies.Inaddition,ifweknewindetailhowsno~~e1twillbecomputed,wecouldgiveemphasistothemoreimportantelements.PMPestimatesforfourdrainagesArangeofestimatesofPNPfor6,24,and72hoursforfourdrainagesoutlinedonthemapaccompanyingtheDecember12,1974memorandumarelistedintable1.Thesearenut:lberedfrom1to4(sm:tllesttolargest).867
TheestimatesareforthemonthsofAugust~September-theseasonofgreatestrainfallpotential.Forthesn~~ltseason,multiplytheestimatesby70percent.Theestimatestakeintoaccountnumerouscocsi~erationsincludingseveralmethodsofmodifyingPMPestimatesmadepre~~;slyfor·otherAlaskadrainages,andPMPestimatesfromthe1oleste::n:~itedStatesforareaswithsimilarterrain.868TheestimatesareforthemonthsofAugust~September-theseasonofgreatestrainfallpotential.Forthesn~~ltseason,multiplytheestimatesby70percent.Theestimatestakeintoaccountnumerouscocsi~erationsincludingseveralmethodsofmodifyingPMPestimatesmadepre~~;slyfor·otherAlaskadrainages,andPMPestimatesfromthe1oleste::n:~itedStatesforareaswithsimilarterrain.868
TemperaturesandDewPobtsforSnowmelt.A.DuringPMPStorm1.DewpointforPMPcenteredonJune15•56°F(assumemaximuml-dayPMPinmiddleof3-daystorm).2.ForPMPplacementpriortoJune15~~tractO.Sopforeach3-dayperiodpriortoJune15(e.g.the~dewpointforJune12willbe55.2°p).This·O.SoFper3-daysmaybeappliedtoobtainthemaximumI-daydewpointduringthePMPbacktoasearlyasMay15.3.ForfirstdayofPMPstorm,subtractlOrfromcriteriaof~for3rddayofPMPstormsubtract2°F.4.Add2°ptoeachofthethreedailyC~pointstogetdailytemperaturesforthe3-dayPMPperiod.B.TemperaturesandDewPointsPriorto3-~yPMPStorm(Highdewpointease)DaypriortoPMP1st2d3rd4thAdjustmenttotel!lperatureanddewpointondayofmax1mc2p~~Temperature(OF),-2-1o+1869DewpointCeF)-2-4-5TemperaturesandDewPobtsforSnowmelt.A.DuringPMPStorm1.DewpointforPMPcenteredonJune15•56°F(assumemaximuml-dayPMPinmiddleof3-daystorm).2.ForPMPplacementpriortoJune15~~tractO.Sopforeach3-dayperiodpriortoJune15(e.g.the~dewpointforJune12willbe55.2°p).This·O.SoFper3-daysmaybeappliedtoobtainthemaximumI-daydewpointduringthePMPbacktoasearlyasMay15.3.ForfirstdayofPMPstorm,subtractlOrfromcriteriaof~for3rddayofPMPstormsubtract2°F.4.Add2°ptoeachofthethreedailyC~pointstogetdailytemperaturesforthe3-dayPMPperiod.B.TemperaturesandDewPointsPriorto3-~yPMPStorm(Highdewpointease)DaypriortoPMP1st2d3rd4thAdjustmenttotel!lperatureanddewpointondayofmax1mc2p~~Temperature(OF),-2-1o+1869DewpointCeF)-2-4-5
c.Temperatures,DewPointsPriorto3-:dayPMP(Hightemperatu=ecase)Adjustmentoftemperatureanddewpointondayofmaximu:aPMPDaypriortoPMP1st2d3rd4thTt(OF)emperaure_+1+2+4+7Dewpoint(OF)-12- 9- 7- 6ElevationAdjustmentC,-1~t!-Forthe3daysofPMPandforthehighdevpointr,applya-3°Fper1000fttothetemperaturesanddewpoints.Thebasiccriteriaareconsideredapplicableto1000mborzeroelevation.Forthehightemperaturecriteriaapplya-4DFper1000ftincreaseinelevation.Half-dayValuesIfhalf-dayvaluesaredesiredforte~eraturesanddewpoints,the'followingrulesshouldbefollowed:1.Forthehi~h-temperaturesequence,applyanlSoF'spreadfortemperaturesanda6°Fspreadfordewpoint.Forexample,forameandailydewpointof50°F,thehalf-dayvalueswoulebe47°Fand53°F.2.Forthehighdewpointcase,applya12°Fspreadfortemperatureanda4°Fspreadfordewpoint.870c.Temperatures,DewPointsPriorto3-:dayPMP(Hightemperatu=ecase)Adjustmentoftemperatureanddewpointondayofmaximu:aPMPDaypriortoPMP1st2d3rd4thTt(OF)emperaure_+1+2+4+7Dewpoint(OF)-12- 9- 7- 6ElevationAdjustmentC,-1~t!-Forthe3daysofPMPandforthehighdevpointr,applya-3°Fper1000fttothetemperaturesanddewpoints.Thebasiccriteriaareconsideredapplicableto1000mborzeroelevation.Forthehightemperaturecriteriaapplya-4DFper1000ftincreaseinelevation.Half-dayValuesIfhalf-dayvaluesaredesiredforte~eraturesanddewpoints,the'followingrulesshouldbefollowed:1.Forthehi~h-temperaturesequence,applyanlSoF'spreadfortemperaturesanda6°Fspreadfordewpoint.Forexample,forameandailydewpointof50°F,thehalf-dayvalueswoulebe47°Fand53°F.2.Forthehighdewpointcase,applya12°Fspreadfortemperatureanda4°Fspreadfordewpoint.870
3.Innocase.however.shoulda~-==d~.pointbeusedthatexceedstheI-dayvalueforthatdate.Forexample,thevaluenottobeexceededforJune15is56°F.forJune3(four3-ca~?eriodsbeforeJune15)is52.8·F.8713.Innocase.however.shoulda~-==d~.pointbeusedthatexceedstheI-dayvalueforthatdate.Forexample,thevaluenottobeexceededforJune15is56°F.forJune3(four3-ca~?eriodsbeforeJune15)is52.8·F.871
.'IndCriteriaforSnowmeltSincetwosetsofcriteria(oneemphasizinghightemperatureandtheotherhighdewpointsequences)aregivenforsnowmeltpriortoPMP.twosetsof.windcriteriaarealsonecessarysincethepre-PMPsynopticsituationfavoringhightemperaturesdiffersfromthecriteriafavoringhighdewpoints.Therecommendedwinds.tables2and3.aregivenbyelevationbands.Inthehighdew-pointcase.table2.(wheresynopticexistconditionsAfavoringmaritimeinfluencesprior!£PMP).thesamewindfor4-dayspriortoPMPisappropriate.Allofthewindspresentedintables2and3havebeenadjustedforapplicabilityoverasnowsurface.Althoughaseasonalvariationinthehighdewpointwindcriteriaisrealisticforthepresenttentativecriteria.theyareconsideredapplicabletoMayandJune.SnowmeltWindsDuringthePMPWindcriteriaforthe3-dayPMParethesameforboththehightemperatureandhighdewpointsequences.Theyareshownintable4.872.'IndCriteriaforSnowmeltSincetwosetsofcriteria(oneemphasizinghightemperatureandtheotherhighdewpointsequences)aregivenforsnowmeltpriortoPMP.twosetsof.windcriteriaarealsonecessarysincethepre-PMPsynopticsituationfavoringhightemperaturesdiffersfromthecriteriafavoringhighdewpoints.Therecommendedwinds.tables2and3.aregivenbyelevationbands.Inthehighdew-pointcase.table2.(wheresynopticexistconditionsAfavoringmaritimeinfluencesprior!£PMP).thesamewindfor4-dayspriortoPMPisappropriate.Allofthewindspresentedintables2and3havebeenadjustedforapplicabilityoverasnowsurface.Althoughaseasonalvariationinthehighdewpointwindcriteriaisrealisticforthepresenttentativecriteria.theyareconsideredapplicabletoMayandJune.SnowmeltWindsDuringthePMPWindcriteriaforthe3-dayPMParethesameforboththehightemperatureandhighdewpointsequences.Theyareshownintable4.872
SnowPackAvailableforMeltSomeworkwasdoneindeterminingthemeanandmaximumOctober-Aprilprecipitationofrecordfortheavailableprecipitationstations.Thesestationsandotherdataaretabulatedintable5.Thedrainagesandavailablestationsareshowninfigure1.Table5alsoshowstheyearsofrecordavailableforOctober-Aprilprecipitation,aswellasacolumnlabeled"syntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitation."ThisgivesthesumofthegreatestOctober,greatestNovember,etc.,tothegreatestAprilpree1?itationtotalfromtheavailablerecord.ThesesyntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitationvaluesandthemeansareplottedonfigure1.Approximately9yearsofsnowcoursedataareavailablefor14locationsinandsurroundingtheSusitnadrainage.Fromtheserecords,thegreatestwaterequivalentswereplottedonamap.T~esevariedfromalowof6inchesatOshet~aLake(elevation2950ft)toanextremeof94.5inchesatGulkanaGlacier,stationC(elevation6360ft).Asmoothplotofallmaximaagainstelevationgaveamethodofdeterminingdepthsatotherelevations.Figure2showsresultingsmoothwaterequivalentsbasedonsmoothedelevationcontoursandthisrelation.Someadditionalguidancecouldbeobtained==oameanannualprecipitationmaps.Onesuchmapavailabletousisin~\OAATechnicalMemorandumNWSAR-lO,"MeanMonthlyandAnnualPrecipitat:L..""Il,Alaska."ThemeanannualofthisreportcoveringtheSusitnadrainageisshowninfigureJ.873SnowPackAvailableforMeltSomeworkwasdoneindeterminingthemeanandmaximumOctober-Aprilprecipitationofrecordfortheavailableprecipitationstations.Thesestationsandotherdataaretabulatedintable5.Thedrainagesandavailablestationsareshowninfigure1.Table5alsoshowstheyearsofrecordavailableforOctober-Aprilprecipitation,aswellasacolumnlabeled"syntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitation."ThisgivesthesumofthegreatestOctober,greatestNovember,etc.,tothegreatestAprilpree1?itationtotalfromtheavailablerecord.ThesesyntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitationvaluesandthemeansareplottedonfigure1.Approximately9yearsofsnowcoursedataareavailablefor14locationsinandsurroundingtheSusitnadrainage.Fromtheserecords,thegreatestwaterequivalentswereplottedonamap.T~esevariedfromalowof6inchesatOshet~aLake(elevation2950ft)toanextremeof94.5inchesatGulkanaGlacier,stationC(elevation6360ft).Asmoothplotofallmaximaagainstelevationgaveamethodofdeterminingdepthsatotherelevations.Figure2showsresultingsmoothwaterequivalentsbasedonsmoothedelevationcontoursandthisrelation.Someadditionalguidancecouldbeobtained==oameanannualprecipitationmaps.Onesuchmapavailabletousisin~\OAATechnicalMemorandumNWSAR-lO,"MeanMonthlyandAnnualPrecipitat:L..""Il,Alaska."ThemeanannualofthisreportcoveringtheSusitnadrainageisshowninfigureJ.873
Alsoonthisfigureisshownthemeanruno!!forthreeportionsoftheSusitnaRiverdrainagebasedontheyearsofrecordshown.Noadjustmenthasbeenmadeforevapotranspira~onoranyotherlosses.Thisindicatesthattheactualmeanannualprec~?itati~nisprobablygreaterthanthatgivenbyNWSAR-IO.Conclusion.Timehasn'tallowedchecks,evaluation,andcomparisonoftheseveraltypesofdatasummarizedhere.Itappearsthe"syntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitation"generally1s::"esstCa.!lthemaximumdepthsoverthedrainagesbasedonsnowcourseoeasur~ts.Theredepths,orfigure2,wouldbeconsideredtheleastthatcoulibeavailableformeltinthespring.FurtherStudiesThevariationofprecipitationwithterrai~feat~~esinAlaskaisimportantbutyetmostlyunknownandunstudied.Mor~effor:shouldbeplacedonattemptstodevelopmeanannualormeanseasonal?recipitationmaps;atleastfortheregionoftheSusitnaRiver.So~e10yearsofdataataboutadozenorsosnowcoursescouldbeused~thisattempt,aswellasstreamrunoffvalues.Someworkhasbeendonetowardestimating~cepth-area-durationvaluesintheAugust1967storm;animporta::ltin~ttothepresentestimates.Attemptsshouldbemadetocar=youtacompletePartIandPartIIforthisstorm,althoughdataareS?arse~demphasizingtheuseofstreamflowasadatasource.874Alsoonthisfigureisshownthemeanruno!!forthreeportionsoftheSusitnaRiverdrainagebasedontheyearsofrecordshown.Noadjustmenthasbeenmadeforevapotranspira~onoranyotherlosses.Thisindicatesthattheactualmeanannualprec~?itati~nisprobablygreaterthanthatgivenbyNWSAR-IO.Conclusion.Timehasn'tallowedchecks,evaluation,andcomparisonoftheseveraltypesofdatasummarizedhere.Itappearsthe"syntheticOctober-Aprilprecipitation"generally1s::"esstCa.!lthemaximumdepthsoverthedrainagesbasedonsnowcourseoeasur~ts.Theredepths,orfigure2,wouldbeconsideredtheleastthatcoulibeavailableformeltinthespring.FurtherStudiesThevariationofprecipitationwithterrai~feat~~esinAlaskaisimportantbutyetmostlyunknownandunstudied.Mor~effor:shouldbeplacedonattemptstodevelopmeanannualormeanseasonal?recipitationmaps;atleastfortheregionoftheSusitnaRiver.So~e10yearsofdataataboutadozenorsosnowcoursescouldbeused~thisattempt,aswellasstreamrunoffvalues.Someworkhasbeendonetowardestimating~cepth-area-durationvaluesintheAugust1967storm;animporta::ltin~ttothepresentestimates.Attemptsshouldbemadetocar=youtacompletePartIandPartIIforthisstorm,althoughdataareS?arse~demphasizingtheuseofstreamflowasadatasource.874
TheobjectiveofthesetwostudieswithregardtotheSusitnadrainagesistoattemptabetterevaluationoft~aphiceffects,andtomakeabetterevaluationofsnowpackavai~!eformelt.Studyofadditionalstormscouldgive~~importantconclusionsandguidanceonhowmoistureisbroughtu?~eCookInlettotheTalkeetnaMountainsandhowthesemountainseffectthemoisture.Snowmeltcriteriainthisquickstudyislicitedto7days.Considerablymoreworkneedstobedonetoextendtb43toalongerperiod.Thenwewouldneedtoemphasizecompatability0=alargesnowcoverandhightemperatures.Moreknownperiodsofbig:snowmeltrunoffneedtobestudiedtodeterminethesynopticvaluesofthemeteoroloRicalparameters.875TheobjectiveofthesetwostudieswithregardtotheSusitnadrainagesistoattemptabetterevaluationoft~aphiceffects,andtomakeabetterevaluationofsnowpackavai~!eformelt.Studyofadditionalstormscouldgive~~importantconclusionsandguidanceonhowmoistureisbroughtu?~eCookInlettotheTalkeetnaMountainsandhowthesemountainseffectthemoisture.Snowmeltcriteriainthisquickstudyislicitedto7days.Considerablymoreworkneedstobedonetoextendtb43toalongerperiod.Thenwewouldneedtoemphasizecompatability0=alargesnowcoverandhightemperatures.Moreknownperiodsofbig:snowmeltrunoffneedtobestudiedtodeterminethesynopticvaluesofthemeteoroloRicalparameters.875
For24-hrPMP.multiply72-hrvalueby0.60.For6-hrPMP.multiply72-hrvalueby0.30.PMPforintermediatedurationsmaybeobt~edfromaplottedsmoothcurvethroughtheoriginandthe3values~cified.Table2Snowmeltl·.TindsprecedingPMPforSusit:l.aBasinsforhighdewpointsequenceElevation(ft)sfc10002000300040005000600070008000900010.000Dally,,"i!1dspeed.(~h)89121823343637394042*Foreachofthe4daysprecedingthe3-eay~.876For24-hrPMP.multiply72-hrvalueby0.60.For6-hrPMP.multiply72-hrvalueby0.30.PMPforintermediatedurationsmaybeobt~edfromaplottedsmoothcurvethroughtheoriginandthe3values~cified.Table2Snowmeltl·.TindsprecedingPMPforSusit:l.aBasinsforhighdewpointsequenceElevation(ft)sfc10002000300040005000600070008000900010.000Dally,,"i!1dspeed.(~h)89121823343637394042*Foreachofthe4daysprecedingthe3-eay~.876
,Table3Snowmeltwindspreceding~<forSusitnaBasinsforhightemperaturesequenceDailyvindspeed(mph)Elevation(ft)Daypriorto3-dayPMP1st2nd3rd4thsfc10134 4100010134420001114553000121655400013166 6500013176 660001418667000152066800016207 7900016207 710,00017217 7Table4Windsdurin~3-dayPMP'Windspeed(mph),iDayofDayof2ndDayof3rdElevation(ft)maximumP~highestPMPhighestPMPsfc12981000141092000191412300029211840004231275000564236600058443870006246408000644841900068514410,000705245877,Table3Snowmeltwindspreceding~<forSusitnaBasinsforhightemperaturesequenceDailyvindspeed(mph)Elevation(ft)Daypriorto3-dayPMP1st2nd3rd4thsfc10134 4100010134420001114553000121655400013166 6500013176 660001418667000152066800016207 7900016207 710,00017217 7Table4Windsdurin~3-dayPMP'Windspeed(mph),iDayofDayof2ndDayof3rdElevation(ft)maximumP~highestPMPhighestPMPsfc12981000141092000191412300029211840004231275000564236600058443870006246408000644841900068514410,000705245877
Table 5
Stations with Precipitation Records in and surrounding the
Susitna Drainage
Mean Number
Yrs of record for Maximum of months for S)"tlthetic Mean
complete Oct.-Apr.obs.Oct-Yr of synthetic Oct.-Oct.-Apr.Oct.-Apr.
Station Elevation precipitation Apr.prec.Maximum Apr.season precip.Precip.
(ft.)(in.)(in.)(in.)
co Susitna Meadows 750 4 17.18 70-71 4 23.18 13.77
'Ico
Gu1kana 1572 18 6.77 56-57 18 12.68 4.19
Paxson 2697 2 8.42 43-44 6 14.25 7.64
Trims Camp 2408 3 23.26 59-60 5 35.82 15.3
Summit 2401 19 14.09 51-52 20 26.59 7.93
Tolkoctnn 3',5 35 21.17 29-30 37 40.59 12.26
Sheep Mountain 2316 13 11.91 59-60 12 18.42 4.78
41
Table 5
Stations with Precipitation Records in and surrounding the
Susitna Drainage
Mean Number
Yrs of record for Maximum of months for S)"tlthetic Mean
complete Oct.-Apr.obs.Oct-Yr of synthetic Oct.-Oct.-Apr.Oct.-Apr.
Station Elevation precipitation Apr.prec.Maximum Apr.season precip.Predp.
(ft.)(in.)(in.)(in.)
co Susitna Meadows 750 4 17.18 70-71 4 23.18 13.77
'Ico
Gulkana 1572 18 6.77 56-57 18 12.68 4.19
Paxson 2697 2 8.42 43-44 6 14.25 7.64
Trims Camp 2408 3 23.26 59-60 5 35.82 15.3
Summit 2401 19 14.09 51-52 20 26.59 7.93
Tolkoctnn 345 35 21.17 29-30 37 40.59 12.26
Sheep Mountain 2316 13 11.91 59-60 12 18.42 4.78
"!III
Figure l.--Drainage outlines and October-April precipitation in inches.
(Upper values •synthetic October~April precipi~ation;
Lower •mean October-April precipitation.)
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Figure l.--Drainage outlines and October-April precipitation in inches.
(Upper values •synthetic October~April precipi~ation;
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Figure 3.--Mean annual precipitation and stream runoff (in inches).
TENNOSTSEVERESTOR."1SINUPPERSUSITNABASINSINCE1961Year196219631964196519671971DateofStormJune13-15July16-18*June10i·June20-27*June26-28*Ju1y12-15July18-22Aug9-16June29-30July12-17Aug1-10DateofFlowsOver35,000cisatGageJune11toJune24July7to18June1to22June1to22June28toJune29July13toJuly14July20to22Aug13to19June23toJuly1July15to16Aug8to15NOTES:(1)WeatherStationsTheGr:lc.louSHouseSUlflmltFAAHc:KinelyParkTrimsCnlUp(3)*=UsedSumrilitFAAonly882(2)U.S.G.S.GageSusitnaRiveratGoldCreekTENNOSTSEVERESTOR."1SINUPPERSUSITNABASINSINCE1961Year196219631964196519671971DateofStormJune13-15July16-18*June10i·June20-27*June26-28*Ju1y12-15July18-22Aug9-16June29-30July12-17Aug1-10DateofFlowsOver35,000cisatGageJune11toJune24July7to18June1to22June1to22June28toJune29July13toJuly14July20to22Aug13to19June23toJuly1July15to16Aug8to15NOTES:(1)WeatherStationsTheGr:lc.louSHouseSUlflmltFAAHc:KinelyParkTrimsCnlUp(3)*=UsedSumrilitFAAonly882(2)U.S.G.S.GageSusitnaRiveratGoldCreek
ALASKAENERGYOFFICE6October,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersGentlemen:JAYS.HAMMOND,SOVERNOR338DENALISTREET-ANCHORAGE9950'PHONE:907·272·0527TheAlaskaStateEnergyOffice,withintheOfficeoftheGovernor,appreciatestheimportanceofthepossibledevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydro-electricpotential.Wealsoappreciatetheopportunitytoexpressapointortwoconcerningthismatter.Beforefinalapprovalofthetwodamsnowbeingconsidered,theDevil'sCanyonandtheWatana,ismadewefeelquitestronglythatanet-energy-benefitanalysisshouldbepreparedandcirculatedforstudyandcomment.Howmuchenergywillbecbnsumedinthecon-struction,operation,andmaintenanceofthesedams,includingtheentiresystemandothercostssuchasreroutinghighways?Howdoesthatcomparewiththeenergyitwillproduce?Isthatratioworthattaining?Thesequestionsneedtobeaddressedandanswered.SincerelywA..(.In..e~Wi11iamC.McConkey?DirectorWMc/mgf883ALASKAENERGYOFFICE6October,1975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersGentlemen:JAYS.HAMMOND,SOVERNOR338DENALISTREET-ANCHORAGE9950'PHONE:907·272·0527TheAlaskaStateEnergyOffice,withintheOfficeoftheGovernor,appreciatestheimportanceofthepossibledevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydro-electricpotential.Wealsoappreciatetheopportunitytoexpressapointortwoconcerningthismatter.Beforefinalapprovalofthetwodamsnowbeingconsidered,theDevil'sCanyonandtheWatana,ismadewefeelquitestronglythatanet-energy-benefitanalysisshouldbepreparedandcirculatedforstudyandcomment.Howmuchenergywillbecbnsumedinthecon-struction,operation,andmaintenanceofthesedams,includingtheentiresystemandothercostssuchasreroutinghighways?Howdoesthatcomparewiththeenergyitwillproduce?Isthatratioworthattaining?Thesequestionsneedtobeaddressedandanswered.SincerelywA..(.In..e~Wi11iamC.McConkey?DirectorWMc/mgf883
323E.4THAVENUEANOIORAGE99501DEPAIlTME~T0."N,,'\.TUIIAL11ESOlJIlCESDIVISIONOFPARKSApril4,1975RE:2425ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Al{99510DearColonelDebelius:/JAY1I1AMMOND.'OYERNORReferenceismadetoyourletterofMarch18,1975andourresponsedatedMarch19,1975concernin3thecooperativeaspectsoftheplanninganddevelopmentofarecreationprogramfortheproposedDevil'sCanyonHydroelectricProjectandrelatedimpoundments.Thislettertvillserveasadeclarationofintentonourparttoprovidethenecessarylocalparticipationatsaidproject,asrequiredunderthe,Federal'~aterProjectRecreationAct,PublicLaw89-72,totheextentsetforthhereafter:TheStateofAlaskawould:1.Administerprojectlandandwaterareasforrecreationalpurposes.2.Withlegislativeapproval,contributeinkind,pay,orrepaywithinterest,1/2oftheseparablecostforrecreationfacilitiesandspecificrecreationlands,inaccordancewiththeFederalWaterProjectRecreationActof1965.3.Operateandmaintainsaidrecreationfacilities.Atthis'verypreliminarystageofplanning,werecognizethattheproposedprojectshavethepotentialforfulfillingaportionofthesignificantdeficitsofrecreationfacilitieswithintheSouthcentralandInteriorregionsofAlaska.Furthermore,werecognizetheverygeneraland.tentativenatureoftherecreationprogramidentifiedherewithrespecttocongressionalauthorizationforfurtherstudyandfunding,andthecapabilityoffuturestatebudgetstosupportsuchendeavors.Itisourunderstandingt~tmoredefinitiverecreationa~eaandsiteplanningwouldfollowprojectauthorizationbycongress,andbasedonthis,formalcontractagreementcouldbecomepossiblebetweenour884323E.4THAVENUEANOIORAGE99501DEPAIlTME~T0."N,,'\.TUIIAL11ESOlJIlCESDIVISIONOFPARKSApril4,1975RE:2425ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Al{99510DearColonelDebelius:/JAY1I1AMMOND.'OYERNORReferenceismadetoyourletterofMarch18,1975andourresponsedatedMarch19,1975concernin3thecooperativeaspectsoftheplanninganddevelopmentofarecreationprogramfortheproposedDevil'sCanyonHydroelectricProjectandrelatedimpoundments.Thislettertvillserveasadeclarationofintentonourparttoprovidethenecessarylocalparticipationatsaidproject,asrequiredunderthe,Federal'~aterProjectRecreationAct,PublicLaw89-72,totheextentsetforthhereafter:TheStateofAlaskawould:1.Administerprojectlandandwaterareasforrecreationalpurposes.2.Withlegislativeapproval,contributeinkind,pay,orrepaywithinterest,1/2oftheseparablecostforrecreationfacilitiesandspecificrecreationlands,inaccordancewiththeFederalWaterProjectRecreationActof1965.3.Operateandmaintainsaidrecreationfacilities.Atthis'verypreliminarystageofplanning,werecognizethattheproposedprojectshavethepotentialforfulfillingaportionofthesignificantdeficitsofrecreationfacilitieswithintheSouthcentralandInteriorregionsofAlaska.Furthermore,werecognizetheverygeneraland.tentativenatureoftherecreationprogramidentifiedherewithrespecttocongressionalauthorizationforfurtherstudyandfunding,andthecapabilityoffuturestatebudgetstosupportsuchendeavors.Itisourunderstandingt~tmoredefinitiverecreationa~eaandsiteplanningwouldfollowprojectauthorizationbycongress,andbasedonthis,formalcontractagreementcouldbecomepossiblebetweenour884
respectiveagencies.Furthermore,itisourunderstandingthatthisletterofintentdoesnotbindtheStateofAlaskatoanyfutureformalcontractagreement"withtheCorpsofEngineers.DuetotheverylimitedstaffoftheDivisionofParks,wecanprovideonlylimitedcommentandinputduringthispre-authorizationstageofplanning.However.ifauthorized,theprojectwillbeofgreatinteresttothestateandatthattimewewouldwishtodiscussaformalrecreationcontractagreement.Sincerely,f~WiliamA.SacheckDirectorcc:GuyR.r~rtin,CommissionerDepartmentofNaturalResourcesNCJ:krm885respectiveagencies.Furthermore,itisourunderstandingthatthisletterofintentdoesnotbindtheStateofAlaskatoanyfutureformalcontractagreement"withtheCorpsofEngineers.DuetotheverylimitedstaffoftheDivisionofParks,wecanprovideonlylimitedcommentandinputduringthispre-authorizationstageofplanning.However.ifauthorized,theprojectwillbeofgreatinteresttothestateandatthattimewewouldwishtodiscussaformalrecreationcontractagreement.Sincerely,f~WiliamA.SacheckDirectorcc:GuyR.r~rtin,CommissionerDepartmentofNaturalResourcesNCJ:krm885
DE'•.:\IlT~IEXT."c'~.:\TI;Il.\I~1l":SOIJlU~I~SDWiSIDNOFPARKSJune4,1975Re:2425ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:JArs.HAMMOND.BOVERNOR323£4THAVENUE-ANCHORAGE99501.c'TheDivisionofParkshasreviewedtheApril1975draftcopyofthe"RecreationResourceAppendixforDevil'sCanyonInterimFeasbilityStudy",byDonGeil,andweofferthefollowingcomments.Generally,thereportappearsadequate;however,itshouldbepointedoutthatSection5.01(BasicAssumptions)isnotanaccuratestatementoftheintentoftheDivisionofParks.AlthoughtheDivisionofParksisinterestedinoperatingtherecreationalaspectsoftheDevi1'sCanyonProject,wedonotconsidertheareaas"anextensionofDenaliStatePark".WeseeDevil'sCanyonmoreasanindependentlyoperatedStateRecreationArea.UndoubtedlytherewillbeacloserelationshipbetweenDenaliStateParkandDevi1'sCanyon,butthepurposesofastateparkaredifferentfromthoseofaRecreationArea.ItisourfeelingthatsinceDevi1'sCanyonwillbesubjecttosignificantman-madedisturbancethattheclassificationofRecreationAreaistheonlydefinitionwhichcanbeappliedtothisproject.Theprojectedvisitoruseandrecommendeddevelopmentplanforthepro-ject,althoughinaveryconceptualstage,appearreasonable.WeappreciatetheopportunitytoreviewthisdraftdocumentandlookforwardtocontinuingcommunicationwiththeCorpsofEngineersonthisproject.Sincerely,II..I,,:'f.(.l1-·-t'.RUSSELLW.CAHILL°!r{c;\tor\ {.\\~.:\:..~\ry-\\..(\\\:I~~.• .~:.•--~~-L,vv\..'\--~./V~~.""\:1--<~V__...._••._By:Nei1::C.JohannsenParkPlanner886DE'•.:\IlT~IEXT."c'~.:\TI;Il.\I~1l":SOIJlU~I~SDWiSIDNOFPARKSJune4,1975Re:2425ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:JArs.HAMMOND.BOVERNOR323£4THAVENUE-ANCHORAGE99501.c'TheDivisionofParkshasreviewedtheApril1975draftcopyofthe"RecreationResourceAppendixforDevil'sCanyonInterimFeasbilityStudy",byDonGeil,andweofferthefollowingcomments.Generally,thereportappearsadequate;however,itshouldbepointedoutthatSection5.01(BasicAssumptions)isnotanaccuratestatementoftheintentoftheDivisionofParks.AlthoughtheDivisionofParksisinterestedinoperatingtherecreationalaspectsoftheDevi1'sCanyonProject,wedonotconsidertheareaas"anextensionofDenaliStatePark".WeseeDevil'sCanyonmoreasanindependentlyoperatedStateRecreationArea.UndoubtedlytherewillbeacloserelationshipbetweenDenaliStateParkandDevi1'sCanyon,butthepurposesofastateparkaredifferentfromthoseofaRecreationArea.ItisourfeelingthatsinceDevi1'sCanyonwillbesubjecttosignificantman-madedisturbancethattheclassificationofRecreationAreaistheonlydefinitionwhichcanbeappliedtothisproject.Theprojectedvisitoruseandrecommendeddevelopmentplanforthepro-ject,althoughinaveryconceptualstage,appearreasonable.WeappreciatetheopportunitytoreviewthisdraftdocumentandlookforwardtocontinuingcommunicationwiththeCorpsofEngineersonthisproject.Sincerely,II..I,,:'f.(.l1-·-t'.RUSSELLW.CAHILL°!r{c;\tor\{.\\~.:\:..~\ry-\\..(\\\:I~~.•.~:.•--~~-L,vv\..'\--~./V~~.""\:1--<~V__...._••._By:Nei1::C.JohannsenParkPlanner886
lAYlI1AMMOND.COvr.NO'~~~~[@~[k~~~~~/OF.'ICE0.'TilEGO'-EIlXOn/STArrPOliCYDEVELOPMCNTANDPLANNING/POUCHAD-JUNCAU9981/June9,1915I'fIIIIr•••mH.W.HollidayChief,EngineeringDivisionDepartmentoftheAI"myAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Subject:-SouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudyStateI.D.No.75041804DearMr.Holliday:TheAlaskaStateClearinghousehascompletedreviewonthesubjectproject.Thefollowingagencieswereinvitedtoreviewandcomment:StateofAlaskaDepartmentofCommunity&RegionalAffairsDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofFish&GameDepartmentofHighwaysDepartmentofLawDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDivisionofLandsDivisionofParksDepartmentofPublicWorksAlaskaEnergyOfficeOfficeofComprehensiveHealthPlanningSevenoftheaboveagenciesresponded.TheDepartmentofCommunity&RegionalAffairsstated:Inshort,thebrochureisdesignedtobeapublicopinionquestionnaireandanannouncementthatastudyisinprogress.Theinformation-presentedismsufficienttowarranCcommentsonthequalityofthestudyorontheeffectstheproposedUpperSusitnaRiverhydroprojectwillhaveonthisDepartment'soperations.Wedohavesomestudycontentrecommendations.TheCorpshasconductedan"inventoryandevaluationoftheenvironmental,estheticandrecreationalresourcesoftheSusitnaRiver".HowclVer,thisInformationisonlyavailableforreviewattheAnchorageoffice:.Ataskteam887lAYlI1AMMOND.COvr.NO'~~~~[@~[k~~~~~/OF.'ICE0.'TilEGO'-EIlXOn/STArrPOliCYDEVELOPMCNTANDPLANNING/POUCHAD-JUNCAU9981/June9,1915I'fIIIIr•••mH.W.HollidayChief,EngineeringDivisionDepartmentoftheAI"myAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Subject:-SouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudyStateI.D.No.75041804DearMr.Holliday:TheAlaskaStateClearinghousehascompletedreviewonthesubjectproject.Thefollowingagencieswereinvitedtoreviewandcomment:StateofAlaskaDepartmentofCommunity&RegionalAffairsDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofFish&GameDepartmentofHighwaysDepartmentofLawDepartmentofNaturalResourcesDivisionofLandsDivisionofParksDepartmentofPublicWorksAlaskaEnergyOfficeOfficeofComprehensiveHealthPlanningSevenoftheaboveagenciesresponded.TheDepartmentofCommunity&RegionalAffairsstated:Inshort,thebrochureisdesignedtobeapublicopinionquestionnaireandanannouncementthatastudyisinprogress.Theinformation-presentedismsufficienttowarranCcommentsonthequalityofthestudyorontheeffectstheproposedUpperSusitnaRiverhydroprojectwillhaveonthisDepartment'soperations.Wedohavesomestudycontentrecommendations.TheCorpshasconductedan"inventoryandevaluationoftheenvironmental,estheticandrecreationalresourcesoftheSusitnaRiver".HowclVer,thisInformationisonlyavailableforreviewattheAnchorageoffice:.Ataskteam887
hasalsobeenorganizedto"evaluateenvironmental,economic,engineeringandsocialaspectsofhydropowerdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiveraswellaspossiblealternatives".Thisteamisresponsivetoquestions,butthereislittlepublishedinformationforreviewandcomment.Wewelcome,indeedI'equest,anopportunitytoreviewandcommentonadl'aftandfinalcopyofthestudy.ForthisDepartmenttodeterminethequalityofthestudyandthepossibleeffectsoftheproposedhydropl'ojectsonouroperations,atleastthefollowingconcernsmustbeaddressedindetaiI:I.EffectonCommunityGI"owthandDevelopment:Developmentornondevelopmentofadditionalelectricgenerationcapacityisapolicyissuewhichmustberesolvedatalllevelsofgovernment.Adecisionnottoexpandgenerationcapacitywilltendtoslowpopulationgrowthandcommunitydevelopment.Whereastheamountofpowerdevelopedandconstructionschedulecanbevariedtomeetexistingandanticipatedneedsortoserveasacatalystforincreasedpopulationandindustrygrowth.Informationontheimpactsofthevariouspowerdevelopmentandconstructionschedulealternativesshouldbeavailabletodecision-makers.Directimpactssuchaspopulationchangesandincreasedtrafficassociatedwithprojectconstructionaswellassecondaryimpactssuchashousingshortages,demandformunicipalservicesandchangesinthenaturalenvironmentduetocommunitygrowth(orlackofgrowth).2.AlternativestotheDeviICany-")jects:j!TheU.S.SenatePublicWorksCommitteeresolutionspecificallyrequestedthestudyontheDevilCanyonandassociatedprojects.Thus,thereisaninherentpm-hydroelectl-icbiaswhichmayovershadowotheralternatives.Thisbiascanbeseeninthebrochure.TheonlydetailedinformationpresentedisrelatedtotheDevilCanyonprojects.Thequalityofthefinalstudywilldependonhowmuchconsiderationisgiventoalternatives.ToadequatelycommentontheDevilCanyonprojects,weneedtoseemoreinformationonthealternatives.TheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentstated:Hydropowel'isoneofseveralenergyresourcesavailabletotheSouthcentralregion.Ifdeveloped,itcanfreefossilfuelsforexportorfortheirpetro-chemicalvalues.Thetotalenergyequivalentofcapitalcostsandmaterialsfordamconstl'uctionshouldbeevaluated.Netenergyproductionshouldbepositiveandprefereblyhigh.Southcentl'alAlaskahasboththeenergypotentialandthedevelopedframeworkforsurfacetransportationtomarket.Thethreatofoverproductionofenergyseemshighlyunlikely,especiallyifhydropowerandfossilfuelenergycanbeinterfacedtoprovideforbothindustrialandresidentialneeds.Theregioncompareswellwithmanyindustrialnations.888hasalsobeenorganizedto"evaluateenvironmental,economic,engineeringandsocialaspectsofhydropowerdevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiveraswellaspossiblealternatives".Thisteamisresponsivetoquestions,butthereislittlepublishedinformationforreviewandcomment.Wewelcome,indeedI'equest,anopportunitytoreviewandcommentonadl'aftandfinalcopyofthestudy.ForthisDepartmenttodeterminethequalityofthestudyandthepossibleeffectsoftheproposedhydropl'ojectsonouroperations,atleastthefollowingconcernsmustbeaddressedindetaiI:I.EffectonCommunityGI"owthandDevelopment:Developmentornondevelopmentofadditionalelectricgenerationcapacityisapolicyissuewhichmustberesolvedatalllevelsofgovernment.Adecisionnottoexpandgenerationcapacitywilltendtoslowpopulationgrowthandcommunitydevelopment.Whereastheamountofpowerdevelopedandconstructionschedulecanbevariedtomeetexistingandanticipatedneedsortoserveasacatalystforincreasedpopulationandindustrygrowth.Informationontheimpactsofthevariouspowerdevelopmentandconstructionschedulealternativesshouldbeavailabletodecision-makers.Directimpactssuchaspopulationchangesandincreasedtrafficassociatedwithprojectconstructionaswellassecondaryimpactssuchashousingshortages,demandformunicipalservicesandchangesinthenaturalenvironmentduetocommunitygrowth(orlackofgrowth).2.AlternativestotheDeviICany-")jects:j!TheU.S.SenatePublicWorksCommitteeresolutionspecificallyrequestedthestudyontheDevilCanyonandassociatedprojects.Thus,thereisaninherentpm-hydroelectl-icbiaswhichmayovershadowotheralternatives.Thisbiascanbeseeninthebrochure.TheonlydetailedinformationpresentedisrelatedtotheDevilCanyonprojects.Thequalityofthefinalstudywilldependonhowmuchconsiderationisgiventoalternatives.ToadequatelycommentontheDevilCanyonprojects,weneedtoseemoreinformationonthealternatives.TheDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentstated:Hydropowel'isoneofseveralenergyresourcesavailabletotheSouthcentralregion.Ifdeveloped,itcanfreefossilfuelsforexportorfortheirpetro-chemicalvalues.Thetotalenergyequivalentofcapitalcostsandmaterialsfordamconstl'uctionshouldbeevaluated.Netenergyproductionshouldbepositiveandprefereblyhigh.Southcentl'alAlaskahasboththeenergypotentialandthedevelopedframeworkforsurfacetransportationtomarket.Thethreatofoverproductionofenergyseemshighlyunlikely,especiallyifhydropowerandfossilfuelenergycanbeinterfacedtoprovideforbothindustrialandresidentialneeds.Theregioncompareswellwithmanyindustrialnations.888
Thefinaldecisionshoulddependoncal-efulstudyofthetotalenergyequivalentoftheinvestmentincapitalandmaterials.Theproposalareaappearstobefavorablewithconsidel-ationforgamecrossingandphasedconstruction.Anoptimumenergy-enviI-onmentalmixshouldbefeasible.Aseriesoflowdamsmayyieldabettel-balancewithlowerdrawdownre-quirementsandmoremodestconstructioncosts.Thesequencecoulddevelopovertimetogt"OWwithrequirementsandmarket--withtheplanwiththebesttotalbalance.Costestimatesshouldbesuppliedtogivethepublicabetterideaofthefundingproblemandacompal"isonofthisbetweenplanningchoices.(AsagainstBtuequivalentsofthepowerpotential.)TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationstated:Wehavenocommentsonthereiteratedinfol-mationinthisstudy.TheDepartmentofLawstated:Thecorpsshouldbecommendedfordevelopingandusingthismeansofincorporatingpublicandoutsideopinionsintoitsplanningatanearlydate.TheDepartmentofPublicWorksstated:Wearefirmlyonrecordinfavorofthisprojectanditsimpactonpublicworks.TheAlaskaEnergyOfficestated:TheAlaskaEnergyOfficefullysupportstheSouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudynowbeingconductedbytheArmyCOI'pSofEngineers.FocusingonthehydropowerpotentialoftheUpperSusitnaRiver,thisfeasibilitystudyalsoprovidesanexcellentopportunitytoinvestigateotherenergyresourcealternativesinthearea.In1985,theestimateddemandforpowerintherailbeltarea,whichcontainsover75%ofthestate'spopulationwillbearound7,000millionkilowatthoursperyear.Existingpowerplantsarenotcapableofmeetingthisdemand;therefore,inorderforthesefutureneedstobemet,itisimperativethatconsiderationandadvanceplanningtakeplacenow.Thefeasibilitystudybythe.Corpsprovidesanexcellentoppourtunitytoevaluatenotonlyhydropowerbutotherenergyresourceoptionsavailableintheregionaswell.TheAlaskaEnergyOfficeisfirmlycommittedtothepremisethatthepolicyofcontinuedAlaskandependenceon"non-renewable"fossilfuelsmustbereevaluated.Thisisbecausethepresenttraditionalenergyresources(coal,oil,andnatut-algas)arenotunlimitE:dandwemustlearntousethemwiselyandinthemostefficientwai.-;:;ossibleiftheUnitedStatesistoeverachieve"energyindependence".889Thefinaldecisionshoulddependoncal-efulstudyofthetotalenergyequivalentoftheinvestmentincapitalandmaterials.Theproposalareaappearstobefavorablewithconsidet-ationforgamecrossingandphasedconstruction.Anoptimumenergy-enviI-onmentalmixshouldbefeasible.Aseriesoflowdamsmayyieldabettel-balancewithlowerdrawdownre-quirementsandmoremodestconstructioncosts.Thesequencecoulddevelopovertimetogt"OWwithrequirementsandmarket--withtheplanwiththebesttotalbalance.Costestimatesshouldbesuppliedtogivethepublicabetterideaofthefundingproblemandacompal"isonofthisbetweenplanningchoices.(AsagainstBtuequivalentsofthepowerpotential.)TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationstated:Wehavenocommentsonthereiteratedinfol-mationinthisstudy.TheDepartmentofLawstated:Thecorpsshouldbecommendedfordevelopingandusingthismeansofincorporatingpublicandoutsideopinionsintoitsplanningatanearlydate.TheDepartmentofPublicWorksstated:Wearefirmlyonrecordinfavorofthisprojectanditsimpactonpublicworks.TheAlaskaEnergyOfficestated:TheAlaskaEnergyOfficefullysupportstheSouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudynowbeingconductedbytheArmyCOI'pSofEngineers.FocusingonthehydropowerpotentialoftheUpperSusitnaRiver,thisfeasibilitystudyalsoprovidesanexcellentopportunitytoinvestigateotherenergyresourcealternativesinthearea.In1985,theestimateddemandforpowerintherailbeltarea,whichcontainsover75%ofthestate'spopulationwillbearound7,000millionkilowatthoursperyear.Existingpowerplantsarenotcapableofmeetingthisdemand;therefore,inorderforthesefutureneedstobemet,itisimperativethatconsiderationandadvanceplanningtakeplacenow.Thefeasibilitystudybythe.Corpsprovidesanexcellentoppourtunitytoevaluatenotonlyhydropowerbutotherenergyresourceoptionsavailableintheregionaswell.TheAlaskaEnergyOfficeisfirmlycommittedtothepremisethatthepolicyofcontinuedAlaskandependenceon"non-renewable"fossilfuelsmustbereevaluated.Thisisbecausethepresenttraditionalenergyresources(coal,oil,andnatut-algas)arenotunlimitE:dandwemustlearntousethemwiselyandinthemostefficientwai.-;:;ossibleiftheUnitedStatesistoeverachieve"energyindependence".889
Althoughthestate'sfossilfuelsremainvirtuallyuntouched,weAlaskansmustalsorealizethatthedemandforliseofthesefuelsoutsidewillbecomemoreandmoreintenseastheseenergyreSOUt-cesintheLower48becomedepleted.Todayhydropoweristhemostattractive"renewable"resourceavailableinthestate.Aproventechnologyandeconomicpracticabilitymakeitcommerciallycompetitivewiththefossilfuelswhengeneratinglargeblocksofelectricity.Perhapsthegreatesthindrancetohydropowerdevelopmentisthepotentialnegativeimpactupontheland,fisheries,andwildlifeofthearea.Un-fortunately,littledetailedinformationonthesepossibleconsequencesisavailable.BeforeconstructionofanyhydroelectricsitesontheUpperSusitnaRivercanbeendorsedbytheAlaskaEnergyOffice,athoroughenvironmentalimpactevaluationoftheregionmustbecompleted.Atthepresenttimegeothermal,wind,solar,andtidalpowerarenotpracticalenelogyalternativesforlargescalepowerplants.Futuretechnologicaladvancesandchangingeconomics,however,mayhelptheseenergysourcesplayaninstrumentalroleinAlaska'slongrangeenergypicture.Nuclearpowermayalsohaveasignificantimpactintheyearsahead,butatthistimelittleisknownaboutthestate'suraniumreserves.Wedorecommendthatadetailedinventoryofthesealternativesourcesbetakenfortheregionnow.Thisvaluableinformationwouldthenbeonhandwhenevaluationofthelongrangepowerneedsoftheareatakesplace.Ofcourse,attentionmustalsobegiventopossibleuseofour"non-renew-able"fossilfuels.ContinueduseofnaturalgasfromCookInlet,tappingoffanaturalgaspipelinefromtheNorthSlope,constructionofadditionalrefineriestoprocessAlaskanoilandbuildingproductionfacilitiesattheSusitnaandNenanaCoalFieldsareallpossibleshorttermoptionswhichmustbeconsidered.Furtherdepletionofcoal,oiI,andgasreservesintheLower48,thepossiblederegulationofnaturalgas,andthevolatileMiddleEastsituationmakethefutureuseofthesefuelsforpowergenerationquestionable.Therearemanyothermoreefficientandrequiredusesfortheseresources.Asalwaysallenvironmentalconsiderationsmustbeanalyzedbeforenewprojectscanbecondorsedbythisoffice.Inconclusion,theSouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudyisanImportantfirststeptowardwhat,wehope,willbecomeacoordinatedandsystematicstateandfederaleffortaimedatmeetingAlaska'sfutureenergyneeds.TheOfficeofComprehensiveHealthPlanningstated:Thisofficehasnocomment.890Althoughthestate'sfossilfuelsremainvirtuallyuntouched,weAlaskansmustalsorealizethatthedemandforliseofthesefuelsoutsidewillbecomemoreandmoreintenseastheseenergyreSOUt-cesintheLower48becomedepleted.Todayhydropoweristhemostattractive"renewable"resourceavailableinthestate.Aproventechnologyandeconomicpracticabilitymakeitcommerciallycompetitivewiththefossilfuelswhengeneratinglargeblocksofelectricity.Perhapsthegreatesthindrancetohydropowerdevelopmentisthepotentialnegativeimpactupontheland,fisheries,andwildlifeofthearea.Un-fortunately,littledetailedinformationonthesepossibleconsequencesisavailable.BeforeconstructionofanyhydroelectricsitesontheUpperSusitnaRivercanbeendorsedbytheAlaskaEnergyOffice,athoroughenvironmentalimpactevaluationoftheregionmustbecompleted.Atthepresenttimegeothermal,wind,solar,andtidalpowerarenotpracticalenelogyalternativesforlargescalepowerplants.Futuretechnologicaladvancesandchangingeconomics,however,mayhelptheseenergysourcesplayaninstrumentalroleinAlaska'slongrangeenergypicture.Nuclearpowermayalsohaveasignificantimpactintheyearsahead,butatthistimelittleisknownaboutthestate'suraniumreserves.Wedorecommendthatadetailedinventoryofthesealternativesourcesbetakenfortheregionnow.Thisvaluableinformationwouldthenbeonhandwhenevaluationofthelongrangepowerneedsoftheareatakesplace.Ofcourse,attentionmustalsobegiventopossibleuseofour"non-renew-able"fossilfuels.ContinueduseofnaturalgasfromCookInlet,tappingoffanaturalgaspipelinefromtheNorthSlope,constructionofadditionalrefineriestoprocessAlaskanoilandbuildingproductionfacilitiesattheSusitnaandNenanaCoalFieldsareallpossibleshorttermoptionswhichmustbeconsidered.Furtherdepletionofcoal,oiI,andgasreservesintheLower48,thepossiblederegulationofnaturalgas,andthevolatileMiddleEastsituationmakethefutureuseofthesefuelsforpowergenerationquestionable.Therearemanyothermoreefficientandrequiredusesfortheseresources.Asalwaysallenvironmentalconsiderationsmustbeanalyzedbeforenewprojectscanbecondorsedbythisoffice.Inconclusion,theSouthcentralRailbeltHydroelectricPowerStudyisanImportantfirststeptowardwhat,wehope,willbecomeacoordinatedandsystematicstateandfederaleffortaimedatmeetingAlaska'sfutureenergyneeds.TheOfficeofComprehensiveHealthPlanningstated:Thisofficehasnocomment.890
Inreviewingthecommentsreceived,andfromconversationswiththoseagenciesnotrespondingtothispublicbrochure,thereisnotenoughinformationinthisdocumenttofOI"manysortofstatepositiononthisprojectatthistime.However,wehopethesecommentswillbeofsomeassistancetoyouinthedevelopmentofthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatement.Sincerely,'-j,/'I.'',,//''''.,.'f':'--<.-:;:;...-/('~.'"..-.',/.'../RaXl]'londW.EstessState-FederalCoordinatorcc:RobertWeeden,DPDPRobertLeResche,F&G89169-7370 -81-57Inreviewingthecommentsreceived,andfromconversationswiththoseagenciesnotrespondingtothispublicbrochure,thereisnotenoughinformationinthisdocumenttofOI"manysortofstatepositiononthisprojectatthistime.However,wehopethesecommentswillbeofsomeassistancetoyouinthedevelopmentofthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatement.Sincerely,'-j'/'I.'',,//''''.,.'f':'--<.-:;:;...-/('~.'"..-.',/.'../RaXl]'londW.EstessState-FederalCoordinatorcc:RobertWeeden,DPDPRobertLeResche,F&G89169-7370 -81-57
OFFICEOFTilEGOVEI1NORSTATEPOLicrDEVELOPMENTANDPLANNINSJArlNAMMOIIO,SOVIlM.POUCHAD-JUNEAU19111'HOltE.fS5.3512September12,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:InresponsetoyouAugust28,1975lettertheStateofAlaskadefinitelyseesaneedtoreservelandsforpublicrecreationandfishandwildlifepurposeswithintheproposedDevilCanyon-Watanapowerproject,ifconcernedagenciesandCongressapprovetheproject.MoreextensivestudiesshouldbeconductedbytheStateandFederalagenciesonlanduseintheupperSusitnaRiverareabeforeanydecisionismadeontheboundariesoftheproposedpowerproject.Wewouldliketobeinvolvedinanyfuturestudiesonlanduseinthisarea.Ifwecanbeoffurtherassistance,pleaseadvise.Sincerely,~n#/J$~andW.EstessStae-Federa1Coordinator892OFFICEOFTilEGOVEI1NORSTATEPOLicrDEVELOPMENTANDPLANNINSJArlNAMMOIIO,SOVIlM.POUCHAD-JUNEAU19111'HOltE.fS5.3512September12,1975ColonelCharlesA.Debe1iusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersAlaskaDistrictP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebe1ius:InresponsetoyouAugust28,1975lettertheStateofAlaskadefinitelyseesaneedtoreservelandsforpublicrecreationandfishandwildlifepurposeswithintheproposedDevilCanyon-Watanapowerproject,ifconcernedagenciesandCongressapprovetheproject.MoreextensivestudiesshouldbeconductedbytheStateandFederalagenciesonlanduseintheupperSusitnaRiverareabeforeanydecisionismadeontheboundariesoftheproposedpowerproject.Wewouldliketobeinvolvedinanyfuturestudiesonlanduseinthisarea.Ifwecanbeoffurtherassistance,pleaseadvise.Sincerely,~n#/J$~andW.EstessStae-Federa1Coordinator892
UNIVERSITYOFALASKACOLLEGE.ALASKA9970129May1975Southcentra1Rai1be1tTaskTeamCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearSirs:ThecommentsImakeherearemyownanddon'tnecessarilyrepresenttheopinionsoftheInstituteofWaterResources.TheSusitnaRiverHydro-electricprojectstirsmixedreactionswithme.Itiseasytorecommendtheprojectonit'smeritofsavingoil,butwillthatreallyhappenorwillitattractindustrialdevelopmentandleavethedomesticmarketstillreliantonoilfiredgenerators?BeforeIwouldsupportthisprojectIwouldhavetobeconvincedthatthepowerwillbeusedbyAlaskanhomeownersandnotforstimulationofindustrialdevelopment.Ifeeltherearebettersolutionstoourenergyproblemwhichshouldbetriedbeforebuildinghydroprojects.Energyconservationmeasurescouldbeusedtodecreasedemand.Thisshouldbetriedthroughacombina-tionof1)publicawarenesscampaigns,2)raisingfuelprices,and3)givingtaxincentivesforinsulatingandotherenergysavingmeasures.DevelopmentofalternateenergysourcesshouldalsobegivenprioritytodamconstructionontheSusitnaRiver.Solar,wind,tidalandrefuseburn-ingareallviableenergysourceswhichcouldeasilybedeveloped.AnotherareathatIamconcernedaboutiswaterqualityandforthelastyearIhavestudiedtheeffectofreservoirsonwaterqualityextensively.Thefollowingistheconclusionofmymastersspecialtopicspaper,acopyofwhichisincluded."Inareservoirtheprocessesofstratification,eutrophicatioh,evaporation,sedimentation,icecoverandleachingallcausechangesinwaterqualitytooccur.Examinationoftheprocessesandtheirinter-relationsisessentialtoacompleteunderstand-ingofwhatchangeswilltakeplaceinimpoundmentwaterquality.Theresultsmaybeanimprovementinwaterqualityalthoughoftentimesthewaterisdegraded.Ingeneral,reservoirsaredocumentedtocauseincreasesintheconcentrationsofcolor,totaldissolvedsolids,electricalcon-ductivity,alkalinity,hardness,iron,manganese,chlorides,nit-rogen,phosphorus,andcarbon.Theconcentrationsofsuspendedmatter,dissolvedoxygenandbacteriausuallydecreaseaswaterpassesthroughareservoir.893UNIVERSITYOFALASKACOLLEGE.ALASKA9970129May1975Southcentra1Rai1be1tTaskTeamCorpsofEngineers,AlaskaDistrictBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearSirs:ThecommentsImakeherearemyownanddon'tnecessarilyrepresenttheopinionsoftheInstituteofWaterResources.TheSusitnaRiverHydro-electricprojectstirsmixedreactionswithme.Itiseasytorecommendtheprojectonit'smeritofsavingoil,butwillthatreallyhappenorwillitattractindustrialdevelopmentandleavethedomesticmarketstillreliantonoilfiredgenerators?BeforeIwouldsupportthisprojectIwouldhavetobeconvincedthatthepowerwillbeusedbyAlaskanhomeownersandnotforstimulationofindustrialdevelopment.Ifeeltherearebettersolutionstoourenergyproblemwhichshouldbetriedbeforebuildinghydroprojects.Energyconservationmeasurescouldbeusedtodecreasedemand.Thisshouldbetriedthroughacombina-tionof1)publicawarenesscampaigns,2)raisingfuelprices,and3)givingtaxincentivesforinsulatingandotherenergysavingmeasures.DevelopmentofalternateenergysourcesshouldalsobegivenprioritytodamconstructionontheSusitnaRiver.Solar,wind,tidalandrefuseburn-ingareallviableenergysourceswhichcouldeasilybedeveloped.AnotherareathatIamconcernedaboutiswaterqualityandforthelastyearIhavestudiedtheeffectofreservoirsonwaterqualityextensively.Thefollowingistheconclusionofmymastersspecialtopicspaper,acopyofwhichisincluded."Inareservoirtheprocessesofstratification,eutrophicatioh,evaporation,sedimentation,icecoverandleachingallcausechangesinwaterqualitytooccur.Examinationoftheprocessesandtheirinter-relationsisessentialtoacompleteunderstand-ingofwhatchangeswilltakeplaceinimpoundmentwaterquality.Theresultsmaybeanimprovementinwaterqualityalthoughoftentimesthewaterisdegraded.Ingeneral,reservoirsaredocumentedtocauseincreasesintheconcentrationsofcolor,totaldissolvedsolids,electricalcon-ductivity,alkalinity,hardness,iron,manganese,chlorides,nit-rogen,phosphorus,andcarbon.Theconcentrationsofsuspendedmatter,dissolvedoxygenandbacteriausuallydecreaseaswaterpassesthroughareservoir.893
Theliteratureshowsthatremovaloforganicmaterialpriortoreservoirsiteinundationresultsinimprovedwaterqualitycharacteristics.Thevariousmethodsofaeratingthehypolimnion,withdrawingonlyselectedlayersofwaterandapplyingchemicalshaveallmetwithsomedegreeofsuccessinalleviatingreser-voirproblems.1IIrecommend,iftheprojectisbuilt,thatitincludethefollowingoperationalanddesignfeatures.1)Thereservoirsitesshouldbeclearedofalltreesandbrush.Areasofdeeporganicmaterialshouldeitherbecoveredwithinorganicmaterialorremoved.~~.>2)Thedamshouldbedesignedwithmultipleoutletsatdifferenteleva-tionssoastoallowforthecontrolledreleaseofspecificwaterlayers.3)Aerationdevicesshouldbeinstalledforuseincontrollingstrati-ficationandlowdissolvedoxygen.4)Asoundwaterqualitymanagementplanshouldbedevelopedtoprotectdownstreamfisheriesandwateruses.InclosingIeinphasizemypointthattheprojectshouldbeforreplacementofoilandgasuseandnotforstimulationofindustrialdevelopmentwithcheappower.Sincerely,StanJusticeEnvironmentalEngineer894Theliteratureshowsthatremovaloforganicmaterialpriortoreservoirsiteinundationresultsinimprovedwaterqualitycharacteristics.Thevariousmethodsofaeratingthehypolimnion,withdrawingonlyselectedlayersofwaterandapplyingchemicalshaveallmetwithsomedegreeofsuccessinalleviatingreser-voirproblems.1IIrecommend,iftheprojectisbuilt,thatitincludethefollowingoperationalanddesignfeatures.1)Thereservoirsitesshouldbeclearedofalltreesandbrush.Areasofdeeporganicmaterialshouldeitherbecoveredwithinorganicmaterialorremoved.~~.>2)Thedamshouldbedesignedwithmultipleoutletsatdifferenteleva-tionssoastoallowforthecontrolledreleaseofspecificwaterlayers.3)Aerationdevicesshouldbeinstalledforuseincontrollingstrati-ficationandlowdissolvedoxygen.4)Asoundwaterqualitymanagementplanshouldbedevelopedtoprotectdownstreamfisheriesandwateruses.InclosingIeinphasizemypointthattheprojectshouldbeforreplacementofoilandgasuseandnotforstimulationofindustrialdevelopmentwithcheappower.Sincerely,StanJusticeEnvironmentalEngineer894
MATANUSKAELECTRICASSOCIATION,INC.P.O.Box"G"PALMER,ALASKA99645TELEPHONE(907)145-3231June10,1975DistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510TheBoardofDirectorsandt'1anagementofMatanuskaElectricAssociation,Inc.",ishtogoonrecordasbeinginfullsupportofthefulldevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpotentialtobebroughtonlineona"schedulethatwillbepacedtotheneedsoftherailbeltarea.MEAlsserviceareaextendsfromEagleRivernortherlytoincludetheKnikRiver,MatanuskaRiver.andmuchoftheSusitnaRivervalleys.ItisourfirmbeliefthatthedevelopmentofSusitnahydroisthemostrealisticsolutionto theareas'growingneeds.MEAlsprojectionsindicatethatitssystemrequirementscouldeasilyexceed100megawattsbythetimethefirstDevilCanyonunitscouldcomeontheline.Wearemuchinfavorofthedevelopmentofthisrenewableresourcewhich,inamoderateway.canhelptoconservefossilfuelsforotherthanboilerfueltogenerateneededelectricity.TheSouthCentralRailbeltAreacontinuestogrowatarapidratewithitsdemandforelectricenergysteadilyrising.Theneedcannotbemetbysuchinterestingsourcesofenergysuchaswind.solar,tidal,orgeothermalonanykindofrealisticschedule.Gasandoilshouldbeconserved.Coalcouldbeusedasitisinabundanceinthisarea;however.weseesomeseriousenviron-mentalobjectionstolargescaleminingandcoalburningelectricgenerationplants.WeseenoreasontoconsiderdevelopmentofnuclearenergywhenwehavetheSusitnapotentialatourdoorstepwithitsminimalenvironmentalimpact.Oftheseveralalternateplansitwouldbeouropinionthatthefinaldecisionshouldrestonthecombinationthatwillmostefficientlyharnessthefullpotentialoftheriversystemfortheproductionofhydroelectricenergy.Wepredictthattheconstructionoftheprojectandtheavailabilityofanabundanceofelectricenergywillimpacttherailbeltareaandhastenits895MATANUSKAELECTRICASSOCIATION,INC.P.O.Box"G"PALMER,ALASKA99645TELEPHONE(907)145-3231June10,1975DistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrict.CorpsofEngineersBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510TheBoardofDirectorsandt'1anagementofMatanuskaElectricAssociation,Inc.",ishtogoonrecordasbeinginfullsupportofthefulldevelopmentoftheUpperSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpotentialtobebroughtonlineona"schedulethatwillbepacedtotheneedsoftherailbeltarea.MEAlsserviceareaextendsfromEagleRivernortherlytoincludetheKnikRiver,MatanuskaRiver.andmuchoftheSusitnaRivervalleys.ItisourfirmbeliefthatthedevelopmentofSusitnahydroisthemostrealisticsolutionto theareas'growingneeds.MEAlsprojectionsindicatethatitssystemrequirementscouldeasilyexceed100megawattsbythetimethefirstDevilCanyonunitscouldcomeontheline.Wearemuchinfavorofthedevelopmentofthisrenewableresourcewhich,inamoderateway.canhelptoconservefossilfuelsforotherthanboilerfueltogenerateneededelectricity.TheSouthCentralRailbeltAreacontinuestogrowatarapidratewithitsdemandforelectricenergysteadilyrising.Theneedcannotbemetbysuchinterestingsourcesofenergysuchaswind.solar,tidal,orgeothermalonanykindofrealisticschedule.Gasandoilshouldbeconserved.Coalcouldbeusedasitisinabundanceinthisarea;however.weseesomeseriousenviron-mentalobjectionstolargescaleminingandcoalburningelectricgenerationplants.WeseenoreasontoconsiderdevelopmentofnuclearenergywhenwehavetheSusitnapotentialatourdoorstepwithitsminimalenvironmentalimpact.Oftheseveralalternateplansitwouldbeouropinionthatthefinaldecisionshouldrestonthecombinationthatwillmostefficientlyharnessthefullpotentialoftheriversystemfortheproductionofhydroelectricenergy.Wepredictthattheconstructionoftheprojectandtheavailabilityofanabundanceofelectricenergywillimpacttherailbeltareaandhastenits895
occupationanddevelopmentinmanyways,suchasfarming,mining,commercial,industrial,andresidentialactivities.It'sourfearthatwithouttheearliestpossibleavailabilityofSusitnahydroenergyintherailbeltareawewillseeutilities,ofnecessity,turningtolessefficient,lessdesirableenvironmentally,andmorecostlyalternatesthatwillnotbetothemaximumbenefitoftheregionanditspeople.~,I./;;~!tW~~WillardH.~hnson,P.E.GeneralManagercn896occupationanddevelopmentinmanyways,suchasfarming,mining,commercial,industrial,andresidentialactivities.It'sourfearthatwithouttheearliestpossibleavailabilityofSusitnahydroenergyintherailbeltareawewillseeutilities,ofnecessity,turningtolessefficient,lessdesirableenvironmentally,andmorecostlyalternatesthatwillnotbetothemaximumbenefitoftheregionanditspeople.~,I./;;~!tW~~WillardH.~hnson,P.E.GeneralManagercn896
f\::\,,'t'st'5th~\'f\n\.Anchl')r:t~~,."l~\a~)~S(nCol.CharlesADehelius,AlaskaDistrictrngin~~ru.S.Army,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Sir:Yourpresentation,yesterday,oftheDevilsCanyonhydro-electriccomplex,totheAnchorageChapteroftheAlaskaSocietyofProfessionalEngineers,wasmostinteresting.Ihaveonecomplaint.YoustatedthattheBenefit/Costratio'vasslightlybetterthantmity,andthatithadbeendevelopedwithalternativethennalsystemsfiredbyfossilfuels.Further,asIaskedyou,thebasisforcom-paringthecostofelectricitygeneratedfromusingnaturalgasdidnotin-cludetheobviousescalation.inthecostofthisfuel.Inaddition,Iliouldventuretosaythatnaturalgaslii11becomesocostlyasafuelbytheendofthecenturyitsuseforsuchpurposes\\'illbecOJ!1eprohibitivelycost-ly.Infact,atourpresentrateofconsumption,Iw'OuldexpecttheknowngasfieldsinAlaskatobedepletedl...ithint\vOorthreedecades.Thus,comparisonofcostshac;eduponpresentpricesofafuelwhichwillincreaseinpriceconC'Ol":ll!litantlywitharisingdemandforelectricity,and,inalllikelihood,,,illnotevenbeavailableatthehalfwaypointinthe"fiftyyear"lifeoftheproject,ispatentlyabsurd.AIthoug.'tAlaskahasvastdepositsofcoal,thecostsforthisfuelalsomustheexpectedtoriseduringtherestofthecentury.Ihad.notaskedifcostescalationhadheentakenintoaccotmt.Iassumethat,asfotgas,ithadn'tbeen.Sincethesupplyofcoalissolarge,thereisnoreasontoquestionitsavailability\llellheyondtheendofthecentury,and,according"ly,thecostshouldnotincreaseassharplyasforgas.TIieplethoranOMth....standing,thecrucialnecessityforenvironmentalconservationwillhavetopayforrestorationofminedlands,removalofsulfurandotheratmosphericcontaminants,disposalofashes,anddispersalofwasteheat-allsubjecttoinflationarypressures-iftheB/CratiQistobelogical.Waterisarenewableresource;fossilfuelsarenot.Verytrulyyours,~t-f:#897f\::\,,'t'st'5th~\'f\n\.Anchl')r:t~~,."l~\a~)~S(nCol.CharlesADehelius,AlaskaDistrictrngin~~ru.S.Army,CorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510Sir:Yourpresentation,yesterday,oftheDevilsCanyonhydro-electriccomplex,totheAnchorageChapteroftheAlaskaSocietyofProfessionalEngineers,wasmostinteresting.Ihaveonecomplaint.YoustatedthattheBenefit/Costratio'vasslightlybetterthanmity,andthatithadbeendevelopedwithalternativethennalsystemsfiredbyfossilfuels.Further,asIaskedyou,thebasisforcom-paringthecostofelectricitygeneratedfromusingnaturalgasdidnotin-cludetheobviousescalation.inthecostofthisfuel.Inaddition,Iliouldventuretosaythatnaturalgaslii11becomesocostlyasafuelbytheendofthecenturyitsuseforsuchpurposes\\'illbecOJ!1eprohibitivelycost-ly.Infact,atourpresentrateofconsumption,Iw'OuldexpecttheknowngasfieldsinAlaskatobedepletedl...ithint\voorthreedecades.Thus,comparisonofcostshac;eduponpresentpricesofafuelwhichwillincreaseinpriceconC'Ol":ll!litantlywitharisingdemandforelectricity,and,inalllikelihood,,,illnotevenbeavailableatthehalfwaypointinthe"fiftyyear"lifeoftheproject,ispatentlyabsurd.AIthoug.'tAlaskahasvastdepositsofcoal,thecostsforthisfuelalsomustheexpectedtoriseduringtherestofthecentury.Ihad.notaskedifcostescalationhadheentakenintoaccomt.Iassumethat,asfotgas,ithadn'tbeen.Sincethesupplyofcoalissolarge,thereisnoreasontoquestionitsavailability\llellheyondtheendofthecentury,and,according"ly,thecostshouldnotincreaseassharplyasforgas.TIieplethoranOMth....standing,thecrucialnecessityforenvironmentalconservationwillhavetopayforrestorationofminedlands,removalofsulfurandotheratmosphericcontaminants,disposalofashes,anddispersalofwasteheat-allsubjecttoinflationarypressures-iftheB/CratiQistobelogical.Waterisarenewableresource;fossilfuelsarenot.Verytrulyyours,~t-f:#897
410S1·~arlandRaIlUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,Alasl\.a99701Oct7,1975AlaskaJintrict~orps.of~n~inA0raP.O.~C'x7002Anchora::e,Alas~:a9951(',J~ar3ir:Iatt0ndAdyourl:ca:~:..in~:sceLlh::rsinFa.irl:an'\.sinOctober,"'iith~reatintcr:'sta::.:~conccrnforthefuturedcvn10:::-:":'.cntofth8proposedr;a.~:1Sonth,.~~i".3usitnaC?i'lpr.I':ras30!ii~'::Jl<lt:s'lr"'riscd·.·!hcnColonel~ob'C:lius":rcntionedthattheremi:htstillh~a~os::;ibi1ity8:ac:.0.itiona1da'".constructionsuchasthe]a~~nar:'.·'i::8ntheCor''''striE'storesurrectsuchs~:o18tonsofthismacnit,y::-·('f~iolo,::icalblunder,it;!la~:csoncv:onc1erabouts'Yf.'of!~~FrcC33:!li::..'c0.hind!,rescntstur!.ic's.~lthou~hI~0ul't:t~sfirsttcad~itthattheJ~vil'sCanyonarea"'ro1r7b't~,-"'.....~~,..,'\.-"'1••tl,r.res'-lecat'011LOOp'"'~8--~"'l·..."'(:0~"atI"'JU..'c...:z:::...:.._"~"~.J.~••-••~ll.-....,'.'.'.''-"v8In<-D.••;>1"e,fe,:,J.thatIt.is:..·::c::ssarytoevalua:'')allef':'las'.:a'sr'cs0urccs,anr"-::iaclan6112:~lan!1in=-,'::itl:thebestand',7if"ostus€-ofresourceslnstc:::l.'.:ofrJ.C""~':-::~i!l::':ina.:9i:'c':'!!10alstylo.If~~lthatt~~~l~s~ionshouldberaisGdastothe~2ccssityofar~a""+'''r1..,!r~~'~_~"r'~-:-""'l'f'"'o''''0'ta-!-""'l'C::!-l'"'C"~_'''!1t:;....._~:r>_'''('n~..1_':::.c,,(:_·_n7-.1v.........v :tv_"._ _....,_.....~_..,•.:.'.-.'"-,'"~...-.....JA'--~...:,~\,~......v"an~'C-llfr:'j"rr.2":·),!.'Sr:sb'::·ln.:.::'::.S:'C·-:.In:~1as.::.a..:!larL'l':ofliatural-a.shasb((':~,:,:?.~~~ic::.cu.~-:-cr'J'!cra:·"lcca:~..-inCco~.-.Inlet.ilsastu,lcn~:QnGD..::'-".1.23-:theUniversityof.\las1::.aatS'J118~"c.,I':ritnsss·:-ntiro£'100:'8'.E:::r:s(.·ssari1ycurni"l~clcc~rir:i~~~r2/;hoursa613.y,and~.:nsU::l)tic:lisata::-:a:·i~:nm.'~hrfactthat-':.h::.Cor::s0:::::n.-inc:::rsis:rIan:lin~'t~is~rcj(ctat':.:dsti"~c,:;ricrts~:n()':llc(1-::8of-:hr:'routethe:-:0.3:::,i)clinc':l~_llt?~:'),;.nr:'.sc..tr:::;anatt:i.tudr;of":>:vs10pr:l8ntfer:-ic·Yc1o:;:,:,,,:·n-;;'sS8'·:0"t·'):9CrllaI1Gq~10~.ca';:c11~:nC';in'.:'"las~:03.ninvers-:ly.Ifi.nfactthe:iorth310pc~D.S1."l.9'J1inedoes~:othr01.l~·hAlasl~a,it~ou1da~p~arts~ctobocztro~clyshortsiChtcdatthisti~fto~oahc'ac1':Iithr~onstructlon:!,JIans,as':.'011ascncoura;::in:::'·'.ore'::astcr::fA1asl:a'srer.o·::ab1candnonrcnc\':ablcrcsour~cs.Yourssincorely,L1...."/~"Jt.t-1r~~;'7&rbara'.!intdeycc:GovernorHa:':u:o;ond898410S1·~arlandRaIlUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,Alasl\.a99701Oct7,1975AlaskaJintrict~orps.of~n~inA0raP.O.~C'x7002Anchora::e,Alas~:a9951(',J~ar3ir:Iatt0ndAdyourl:ca:~:..in~:sceLlh::rsinFa.irl:an'\.sinOctober,"'iith~reatintcr:'sta::.:~conccrnforthefuturedcvn10:::-:":'.cntofth8proposedr;a.~:1Sonth,.~~i".3usitnaC?i'lpr.I':ras30!ii~'::Jl<lt:s'lr"'riscd·.·!hcnColonel~ob'C:lius":rcntionedthattheremi:htstillh~a~os::;ibi1ity8:ac:.0.itiona1da'".constructionsuchasthe]a~~nar:'.·'i::8ntheCor''''striE'storesurrectsuchs~:o18tonsofthismacnit,y::-·('f~iolo,::icalblunder,it;!la~:csoncv:onc1erabouts'Yf.'of!~~FrcC33:!li::..'c0.hind!,rescntstur!.ic's.~lthou~hI~0ul't:t~sfirsttcad~itthattheJ~vil'sCanyonarea"'ro1r7b't~,-"'.....~~,..,'\.-"'1••tl,r.res'-lecat'011LOOp'"'~8--~"'l·..."'(:0~"atI"'JU..'c...:z:::...:.._"~"~.J.~••-••~ll.-....,'.'.'.''-"v8In<-D.••;>1"e,fe,:,J.thatIt.is:..·::c::ssarytoevalua:'')allef':'las'.:a'sr'cs0urccs,anr"-::iaclan6112:~lan!1in=-,'::itl:thebestand',7if"ostus€-ofresourceslnstc:::l.'.:ofrJ.C""~':-::~i!l::':ina.:9i:'c':'!!10alstylo.If~~lthatt~~~l~s~ionshouldberaisGdastothe~2ccssityofar~a""+'''r1..,!r~~'~_~"r'~-:-""'l'f'"'o''''0'ta-!-""'l'C::!-l'"'C"~_'''!1t:;....._~:r>_'''('n~..1_':::.c,,(:_·_n7-.1v.........v:tv_".__....,_.....~_..,•.:.'.-.'"-,'"~...-.....JA'--~...:,~\,~......v"an~'C-llfr:'j"rr.2":·),!.'Sr:sb'::·ln.:.::'::.S:'C·-:.In:~1as.::.a..:!larL'l':ofliatural-a.shasb((':~,:,:?.~~~ic::.cu.~-:-cr'J'!cra:·"lcca:~..-inCco~.-.Inlet.ilsastu,lcn~:QnGD..::'-".1.23-:theUniversityof.\las1::.aatS'J118~"c.,I':ritnsss·:-ntiro£'100:'8'.E:::r:s(.·ssari1ycurni"l~clcc~rir:i~~~r2/;hoursa613.y,and~.:nsU::l)tic:lisata::-:a:·i~:nm.'~hrfactthat-':.h::.Cor::s0:::::n.-inc:::rsis:rIan:lin~'t~is~rcj(ctat':.:dsti"~c,:;ricrts~:n()':llc(1-::8of-:hr:'routethe:-:0.3:::,i)clinc':l~_llt?~:'),;.nr:'.sc..tr:::;anatt:i.tudr;of":>:vs10pr:l8ntfer:-ic·Yc1o:;:,:,,,:·n-;;'sS8'·:0"t·'):9CrllaI1Gq~10~.ca';:c11~:nC';in'.:'"las~:03.ninvers-:ly.Ifi.nfactthe:iorth310pc~D.S1."l.9'J1inedoes~:othr01.l~·hAlasl~a,it~ou1da~p~arts~ctobocztro~clyshortsiChtcdatthisti~fto~oahc'ac1':Iithr~onstructlon:!,JIans,as':.'011ascncoura;::in:::'·'.ore'::astcr::fA1asl:a'srer.o·::ab1candnonrcnc\':ablcrcsour~cs.Yourssincorely,L1...."/~"Jt.t-1r~~;'7&rbara'.!intdeycc:GovernorHa:':u:o;ond898
Col.CharlesADebeliusDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:BOX2037ANCHORAGE,ALASKAOctober7,1975TheMountaineeringClubofAlaskaisarecreationalorganizationlocatedinAnchorage,Alaskaandhasapproximatelytwohundredfiftymambershipsrepresentingaslightlylargernumberofindividuals.Twoprimaryinterestsoftheclubaremountaineeringandwildernessbackpackingandexploration.WeopposetheproposedconstructionoftheUpperSusitnaHydroelectricProjectbecauseofitsintrusionintoanareaofwildernessclosetoAnchorage.Weareconcernednotonlywiththeinundationofascenir.white-waterriverbutalsowiththeestablishmentofapermanentaccessroadandotherrecreationalprojectswhichwouldencouragemotorized. . h\recreat~on~nt earea.TheMountaineeringClubsupportscreationoftheTalkeetnaMountainStateParktothesouthoftheareainquestionandisconcernedthatthedamsprojectandrelatedrecreationaldevelopmentintheadjoiningregionwoulddetractfromthewildernessaspectofthenorthernportionsoftheTalkeetnaMountainStatePark.Weareparticularlyconcernedwiththepotentialforheavyoffroadvehicle(ORV)useintheimmediateareaoftheaccessroadandperhapsspillingintoevenfurtherreachesofthiswilderness.InthisregardweareremindedoftheORVproblemalongtheDenaliHighwayduringhuntingseason.I'Thankyouforthisopportunitytoexpressourconcerns.Yourstruly,Pr::;jegtf~President899Col.CharlesADebeliusDepartmentoftheArmyAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:BOX2037ANCHORAGE,ALASKAOctober7,1975TheMountaineeringClubofAlaskaisarecreationalorganizationlocatedinAnchorage,Alaskaandhasapproximatelytwohundredfiftymambershipsrepresentingaslightlylargernumberofindividuals.Twoprimaryinterestsoftheclubaremountaineeringandwildernessbackpackingandexploration.WeopposetheproposedconstructionoftheUpperSusitnaHydroelectricProjectbecauseofitsintrusionintoanareaofwildernessclosetoAnchorage.Weareconcernednotonlywiththeinundationofascenir.white-waterriverbutalsowiththeestablishmentofapermanentaccessroadandotherrecreationalprojectswhichwouldencouragemotorized. . h\recreat~on~nt earea.TheMountaineeringClubsupportscreationoftheTalkeetnaMountainStateParktothesouthoftheareainquestionandisconcernedthatthedamsprojectandrelatedrecreationaldevelopmentintheadjoiningregionwoulddetractfromthewildernessaspectofthenorthernportionsoftheTalkeetnaMountainStatePark.Weareparticularlyconcernedwiththepotentialforheavyoffroadvehicle(ORV)useintheimmediateareaoftheaccessroadandperhapsspillingintoevenfurtherreachesofthiswilderness.InthisregardweareremindedoftheORVproblemalongtheDenaliHighwayduringhuntingseason.I'Thankyouforthisopportunitytoexpressourconcerns.Yourstruly,Pr::;jegtf~President899
FAIRBANK,80October13,1975Col.CharlesA.Debe1iusCol.CorpsofEngineersDistrictEngineerBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearCol.Debe1ius:AsstatedatthepublichearingheldonOctober8th,theFairbanksNbrthStarBoroughissupportingdevelopmentofthehydro-electricpotentialoftheUpperSusitnaRiverasameansofmeetingfutureneedsfbrenergyinInteriorAlaska.Onlythroughutilizationofanaturalrenewableresourcetanwebestuseournon-renewableresource.InteriorAlaskaiswellalongisitsdevelopmentasaserviceareaforpetroleumandgasfieldstothenorth.Theneedforelectricpoweriscriticalnowandwillbecomemorecriticalasindustrialandtommercialdevelopmenttakesplace.longrangeplanningisnecessary,buttimeisslippingbyandtheenergyneedswillsoonbeuponus.Itisimportantthatfundsbemadeavailableforthepre-constructionplanningforhydro-electricpower.Wewilladdwhateversupportwecan.Verytrulyyours,!UJt!~/!o~;;;,.CARLSON.BoroughMayorJAC:1sacc:U.S.SenatorTedStevensU.S.SenatorMikeGravelU.S.RepresentativeDonYoung900'FAIRBANK,80October13,1975Col.CharlesA.Debe1iusCol.CorpsofEngineersDistrictEngineerBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearCol.Debe1ius:AsstatedatthepublichearingheldonOctober8th,theFairbanksNbrthStarBoroughissupportingdevelopmentofthehydro-electricpotentialoftheUpperSusitnaRiverasameansofmeetingfutureneedsfbrenergyinInteriorAlaska.Onlythroughutilizationofanaturalrenewableresourcetanwebestuseournon-renewableresource.InteriorAlaskaiswellalongisitsdevelopmentasaserviceareaforpetroleumandgasfieldstothenorth.Theneedforelectricpoweriscriticalnowandwillbecomemorecriticalasindustrialandtommercialdevelopmenttakesplace.longrangeplanningisnecessary,buttimeisslippingbyandtheenergyneedswillsoonbeuponus.Itisimportantthatfundsbemadeavailableforthepre-constructionplanningforhydro-electricpower.Wewilladdwhateversupportwecan.Verytrulyyours,!UJt!~/!o~;;;,.CARLSON.BoroughMayorJAC:1sacc:U.S.SenatorTedStevensU.S.SenatorMikeGravelU.S.RepresentativeDonYoung900'
By:JohnA.CarlsonIntroduced:10/9/75Adopted:10/9/75RESOLUTIONNO.75-40ARESOLUTIONURGINGTHATTHECORPSOFENGINEERSCONTINUETHEUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINPRE-CONSTRUCTIONPLANNING.WHEREAS.theCorpsofEngineershasbeendoingpreliminarystudiesoftheSusitnaRiverHydro-Electricpowerpotential.andWHEREAS.reportsindicatethisasafeasiblesourceofenergytogenerateelectricity,andWHEREAS,useofhydropowerwouldconservenaturalnon-renewableresourcessuchaspetroleum,naturalgasandcoal.andWHEREAS,energydemandsareincreasingasInteriorAlaskadevelops.andWHEREAS.itisimportantthatasourceofdependable,reliable.economicalpowerbeprovidedforInteriorAlaska:NOW.THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDbytheassemblyoftheFairbanksNorthStarBoroughthattheCorpsofEngineerscontinuetheUpperSusitnaRiverBasi~(Southcentralrailbeltarea),Alaskapre-constructionplanning.PASSEDANDAPPROVEDTHIS....,Iillll/ll",..·····).1,.:1~"'"«.,'::···'''''''';~tl;"",.ot·,I'...',~~: "•I.• )...f('I,i"~d. tJI ,.1I .JI.i~TJEST,:._,}.,.:,'.~"/.').'.'.:)'1",'~'••,1.,,,\),,'.~I"/~":":'1"/111.\(#;,.iI'~"0,I1\"'"'~'.~\\\I\\'"~rl-...1,.I I....1\•19thDAYOFOctober1975.------.,..-------901By:JohnA.CarlsonIntroduced:10/9/75Adopted:10/9/75RESOLUTIONNO.75-40ARESOLUTIONURGINGTHATTHECORPSOFENGINEERSCONTINUETHEUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINPRE-CONSTRUCTIONPLANNING.WHEREAS.theCorpsofEngineershasbeendoingpreliminarystudiesoftheSusitnaRiverHydro-Electricpowerpotential.andWHEREAS.reportsindicatethisasafeasiblesourceofenergytogenerateelectricity,andWHEREAS,useofhydropowerwouldconservenaturalnon-renewableresourcessuchaspetroleum,naturalgasandcoal.andWHEREAS,energydemandsareincreasingasInteriorAlaskadevelops.andWHEREAS.itisimportantthatasourceofdependable,reliable.economicalpowerbeprovidedforInteriorAlaska:NOW.THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDbytheassemblyoftheFairbanksNorthStarBoroughthattheCorpsofEngineerscontinuetheUpperSusitnaRiverBasi~(Southcentralrailbeltarea),Alaskapre-constructionplanning.PASSEDANDAPPROVEDTHIS....,Iillll/ll",..·····).1,.:1~"'"«.,'::···'''''''';~tl;"",.ot·,I'...',~~:"•I.•)...f('I,i"~d. tJI ,.1I .JI.i~TJEST,:._,}.,.:,'.~"/.').'.'.:)'1",'~'••,1.,,,\),,'.~I"/~',:":'1"/111.\(#;,.iI'~"0,I1\"'"'~'.~\\\I\\'"~rl-...1,.I I....1\•19thDAYOFOctober1975.------.,..-------901
10/;5-/75""~,,~~])~902.10/;5-/75""~,,~~])~902.
STIL.LWATERCLINICBOX8COLUMBUS,MONTANAOctober21,1975AlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersAnchorage,Alaska99.500Re:UpperSusitna&sinHydro-ElectricPowerDeveloplltent.DearSirs:ItcomestomyattentionthatapowerdevelopmentincludingadamorseveraldamsintheupperSusitnaandDevil'sCanyonisstillbeingproposed.Itismyfeelingthatverylittlethoughthasbeengiventotheenvironmentalimpactthatsuchaprojectwouldhave,andthepermanentlossofsometremendousriverfloatingandboatinginthefutureyears.Thisparticularstretchofriverisasmagnificent,asfarasriversgo,asMcKinleyiswhenoneconsiders~tsrelationshiptoothermountains.Ifeelthatanymeasuretochangeordefacethisrivershouldbeascarefullyconsideredaswouldaproposaltochangeorde£aceMountMcKinley.IwishyouwouldenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordasevidencethatthereisstrongoppositiontotheDevil'sCanyonDamthatwillpermanentlydestroythemarvelsofthiscanyon.Sincerelyyourself£V7IA41A,-AJ~C.H.SwansonJr••M.D.V4CHS/ch903STIL.LWATERCLINICBOX8COLUMBUS,MONTANAOctober21,1975AlaskaDistrictCorpofEngineersAnchorage,Alaska99.500Re:UpperSusitna&sinHydro-ElectricPowerDeveloplltent.DearSirs:ItcomestomyattentionthatapowerdevelopmentincludingadamorseveraldamsintheupperSusitnaandDevil'sCanyonisstillbeingproposed.Itismyfeelingthatverylittlethoughthasbeengiventotheenvironmentalimpactthatsuchaprojectwouldhave,andthepermanentlossofsometremendousriverfloatingandboatinginthefutureyears.Thisparticularstretchofriverisasmagnificent,asfarasriversgo,asMcKinleyiswhenoneconsiders~tsrelationshiptoothermountains.Ifeelthatanymeasuretochangeordefacethisrivershouldbeascarefullyconsideredaswouldaproposaltochangeorde£aceMountMcKinley.IwishyouwouldenterthisstatementinthehearingrecordasevidencethatthereisstrongoppositiontotheDevil'sCanyonDamthatwillpermanentlydestroythemarvelsofthiscanyon.Sincerelyyourself£V7IA41A,-AJ~C.H.SwansonJr••M.D.V4CHS/ch903
GreaterAnchorageCHAMBERofCOMMERCEOctober22,1975CrossroadsoftileAirWColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectorsandmembershipoftheAnchorageChamberofCommerce,Iwisht.oexpressourtotalsupportforthedevelopmentofhydro-electricpoweriri'theUpperSusitnaRiverarea.TheChamberwouldliketoofferitsservicesinhelpingtopromotethecon-structionoftheDevil'sCanyonandWatanadarnsassoonaspossible.Pleasecallonusforanyfurtherhelpwemayprovide.Sincerelyyours,~d~v/J.~~U.LorenH.LounsburyPresidentsww904GreaterAnchorageCHAMBERofCOMMERCEOctober22,1975CrossroadsoftileAirWColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerCorpsofEngineersP.O.Box7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectorsandmembershipoftheAnchorageChamberofCommerce,Iwisht.oexpressourtotalsupportforthedevelopmentofhydro-electricpoweriri'theUpperSusitnaRiverarea.TheChamberwouldliketoofferitsservicesinhelpingtopromotethecon-structionoftheDevil'sCanyonandWatanadarnsassoonaspossible.Pleasecallonusforanyfurtherhelpwemayprovide.Sincerelyyours,~d~v/J.~~U.LorenH.LounsburyPresidentsww904
KnikKanoers&Kayakers,Inc.3014ColumbiaAnchorage,Alaska9950417November,1975Col.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerAlaslmDistrict,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchora~e,Ala3ka99510DearCol.Debelius:TheKnik1~noer3&,KayakerswishtogoonrecordasopposingtheconstructionofanydamsontheSusitnaRiver.Suchdevelopmentwoulddestroyamajorwildernesswhitewaterriver,termed"thebiggestinNorthAmerica"byitsfirstpaddler,Dr.HalterBlackadar.Inthe'fiftiesand'sixtiestheCorpsdammedanumberofthenation'sfinestwhitetmterriversinthenameof"progress."Yeteachnewdamservedonlytospuronfurtherprofligateuseofenergy.Inotherwords,the3ebeautifulriversweresacrificedtonousefulpurpose.Nowadays3ucheconomicboondog~leswouldneverwinapproval,yettheCorpsisattempt-inetostartthesamedestructive,wastefulprocessherewithoneofthecountry'smostspectacular,wildest,loveliestrivers.TheSusitnamustbelefttorunfreeforfuturegenerations.Sincerelyyours,EdSwansonPresident905KnikKanoers&Kayakers,Inc.3014ColumbiaAnchorage,Alaska9950417November,1975Col.CharlesA.Debelius,DistrictEngineerAlaslmDistrict,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentoftheArmyP.O.Box7002Anchora~e,Ala3ka99510DearCol.Debelius:TheKnik1~noer3&,KayakerswishtogoonrecordasopposingtheconstructionofanydamsontheSusitnaRiver.Suchdevelopmentwoulddestroyamajorwildernesswhitewaterriver,termed"thebiggestinNorthAmerica"byitsfirstpaddler,Dr.HalterBlackadar.Inthe'fiftiesand'sixtiestheCorpsdammedanumberofthenation'sfinestwhitetmterriversinthenameof"progress."Yeteachnewdamservedonlytospuronfurtherprofligateuseofenergy.Inotherwords,the3ebeautifulriversweresacrificedtonousefulpurpose.Nowadays3ucheconomicboondog~leswouldneverwinapproval,yettheCorpsisattempt-inetostartthesamedestructive,wastefulprocessherewithoneofthecountry'smostspectacular,wildest,loveliestrivers.TheSusitnamustbelefttorunfreeforfuturegenerations.Sincerelyyours,EdSwansonPresident905
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORFISHANDWILDLIFESERVICEAnchorage,AlaskaSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREAUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINHYDROELECTRICPROJECTTWODAMPLANOctober1975906UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORFISHANDWILDLIFESERVICEAnchorage,AlaskaSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREAUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINHYDROELECTRICPROJECTTWODAMPLANOctober1975906
UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorFISHANDWiLDLIFESERVICEALASKAAREAOFFICE8130STREETANCHORAGE,ALASKA99501OCT101975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersPOBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:InresponsetoyourletterofMarch10,1975,thisisourdetailedreportonportionsoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricprojectsassociatedwiththeSouthcentralRailbeltAreainvestigation.Thisreporthasbeenpreparedin.accordancewiththeFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct,48Stat.401,asamended:16U.S.C.661etseq.,andtheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(P.L. 90-190;83Stat.652-856).Thisreportislimitedtotheselectedtwo-damplan,i.e.,DevilCanyonandWatanaDamsitesontheSusitnaRiver.TheDenalidamsitewasdeletedforseveralreasons,e.g.,anticipatedsevereenvironmentalproblems,andthelateplanningschedule(1995).Further,thereisnottimewithintheallottedtimeframetoconductadetailedevaluationandprepareafishandwildlifeplanforallthreesites.ShouldtheDenaliproposalbecomeaviableandimminentalternativetheService,incooperationwiththeAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,willprepareadetailedreportonthatprojectatalaterdate.This·reporthasbeenpreparedincooperationwiththeAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameasindicatedbytheappendedletterofOctober8,1975~fromCommissionerJamesW.Brooks,andbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceasindicatedbytheirletterofOctober8,1975,fromRegionalDirectorHarryRietze.90769-7370 -81-58UnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorFISHANDWiLDLIFESERVICEALASKAAREAOFFICE8130STREETANCHORAGE,ALASKA99501OCT101975ColonelCharlesA.DebeliusDistrictEngineerAlaskaDistrictCorpsofEngineersPOBox7002Anchorage,Alaska99510DearColonelDebelius:InresponsetoyourletterofMarch10,1975,thisisourdetailedreportonportionsoftheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricprojectsassociatedwiththeSouthcentralRailbeltAreainvestigation.Thisreporthasbeenpreparedin.accordancewiththeFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct,48Stat.401,asamended:16U.S.C.661etseq.,andtheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(P.L. 90-190;83Stat.652-856).Thisreportislimitedtotheselectedtwo-damplan,i.e.,DevilCanyonandWatanaDamsitesontheSusitnaRiver.TheDenalidamsitewasdeletedforseveralreasons,e.g.,anticipatedsevereenvironmentalproblems,andthelateplanningschedule(1995).Further,thereisnottimewithintheallottedtimeframetoconductadetailedevaluationandprepareafishandwildlifeplanforallthreesites.ShouldtheDenaliproposalbecomeaviableandimminentalternativetheService,incooperationwiththeAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,willprepareadetailedreportonthatprojectatalaterdate.This·reporthasbeenpreparedincooperationwiththeAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameasindicatedbytheappendedletterofOctober8,1975~fromCommissionerJamesW.Brooks,andbytheNationalMarineFisheriesServiceasindicatedbytheirletterofOctober8,1975,fromRegionalDirectorHarryRietze.90769-7370 -81-58
DESCRIPTIONOFTHEAREATheSusitnaRiverBasinliesinsouthcentralAlaskanorthofthefarthestinlandprojectionofCookInletbetweenlatitudes61°-64°northandlongitudes1460-153°west.Totaldrainageofthebasincomprisesabout19,300squaremilesofrelativelyuninhabitedlands.ThebasinisborderedonthesouthbythewatersofCookInletandtheTalkeetnaMountains,ontheeastbytheTalkeetnaMountainsandtheCopperRiverplateau,andonthewestandnorthbytheAlaskaRange.ThemainstemoftheSusitnaRiverfromitssourceintheAlaskaRangetoitspointofdischargeintoCookInletisabout275mileslong.ItflowssouthwardfromtheAlaskaRangeforabout60miles;thence,inageneralwesterlydirectionthroughtheTalkeetnaMountainsforabout100miles,andthensouthfortheremaining115milestoitsmouthattheheadofCookInlet.Principaltributariesofthelowerbasinhaveastheiroriginglaciershighinthesurroundingmountainranges.Thesestreamsareforthemostpartturbulentintheupperreachesandslowerflowinginthelowerregions.Mostofthetributariescarryaheavyloadofglacialsilt.TheYentnaRiver,oneofthelargesttributaries,beginsinthemountainsoftheAlaskaRange,flowsinageneralsoutheasterlydirectionforapproximately95miles,andentersthe.SusitnaRiver24milesupstreamfromtidewater.AlexanderCreek,DeshkaRiver,Montana,Goose,.Sheep,Caswell,LittleWillow,andWillowCreeksaremajorclearwatertribu-tariesontheSusitnaRiver.TheTalkeetnaRiverhasitsoriginintheTalkeetnaMountains.ItflowsinawesterlydirectionanddischargesintotheSusitnaRiver80mil7jupstreamfromtidewater.TheChulitnaRiverheadsintheAlaskarangeandflowsinasoutherlydirection,joiningtheSusitnaRiveroppositetheTalkeetnaconfluence.PrincipaltributariesoftheupperSusitnadrainagearetheOshetna,Tyone,andMaclarenRivers.TheOshetnaandMaclarenRiversareusuallyturbid,buthavenumerousfeederstreamsthatdrainmanyclear-waterlakes.908DESCRIPTIONOFTHEAREATheSusitnaRiverBasinliesinsouthcentralAlaskanorthofthefarthestinlandprojectionofCookInletbetweenlatitudes61°-64°northandlongitudes1460-153°west.Totaldrainageofthebasincomprisesabout19,300squaremilesofrelativelyuninhabitedlands.ThebasinisborderedonthesouthbythewatersofCookInletandtheTalkeetnaMountains,ontheeastbytheTalkeetnaMountainsandtheCopperRiverplateau,andonthewestandnorthbytheAlaskaRange.ThemainstemoftheSusitnaRiverfromitssourceintheAlaskaRangetoitspointofdischargeintoCookInletisabout275mileslong.ItflowssouthwardfromtheAlaskaRangeforabout60miles;thence,inageneralwesterlydirectionthroughtheTalkeetnaMountainsforabout100miles,andthensouthfortheremaining115milestoitsmouthattheheadofCookInlet.Principaltributariesofthelowerbasinhaveastheiroriginglaciershighinthesurroundingmountainranges.Thesestreamsareforthemostpartturbulentintheupperreachesandslowerflowinginthelowerregions.Mostofthetributariescarryaheavyloadofglacialsilt.TheYentnaRiver,oneofthelargesttributaries,beginsinthemountainsoftheAlaskaRange,flowsinageneralsoutheasterlydirectionforapproximately95miles,andentersthe.SusitnaRiver24milesupstreamfromtidewater.AlexanderCreek,DeshkaRiver,Montana,Goose,.Sheep,Caswell,LittleWillow,andWillowCreeksaremajorclearwatertribu-tariesontheSusitnaRiver.TheTalkeetnaRiverhasitsoriginintheTalkeetnaMountains.ItflowsinawesterlydirectionanddischargesintotheSusitnaRiver80mil7jupstreamfromtidewater.TheChulitnaRiverheadsintheAlaskarangeandflowsinasoutherlydirection,joiningtheSusitnaRiveroppositetheTalkeetnaconfluence.PrincipaltributariesoftheupperSusitnadrainagearetheOshetna,Tyone,andMaclarenRivers.TheOshetnaandMaclarenRiversareusuallyturbid,buthavenumerousfeederstreamsthatdrainmanyclear-waterlakes.908
StreamflowintheSusitnaBasinischaracterizedbyahighrateofdis-chargefromMaythroughSeptemberandbylowflowsfromOctoberthroughApril.Highdischargesarecausedbysnowmelt,rainfall,andglacialmelt.Streamscarryaheavyloadofglacialsiltduringthesummer.Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesretardwaterflows,st~eamsarerelativelysiltfree.TheAlaskaRangetothewestandnorth,andtheTalkeetnaRangetotheeastmakeupthehighperimeterofthelowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TheAlaskaRangeismadeupofsedimentaryrocks,someofwhichhavebeenmetamorphosedandintrudedbygraniticmasses.TheTalkeetnaMountainsareprimarilygranitic.Thefloorofthelowerbasin·islargelycoveredwithglacialstreamdeposits.Theupperbasin,predominantlymountainous,isborderedonthewestbytheTalkeetnaMountains,onthenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andonthesouthandeastbytheflatCopperRiverplateau.Valleysareflooredwithathic~fillofglacialmorainesandgravels.ClimateoftheSusitnaBasinisratherdiversified.Latitudeoftheregiongivesitlongwintersandshortsummerswithgreatvariationinthelengthofthedaylightbetweenwinterandsummer.ThelowerSusitnaBasinowesitsrelativelymoderateclimate-tothewarmwatersofthePacificonthesouthandthebarriersofsurroundingmountains.Summersarecharacterizedbymoderatetemperatures,cloudydays,andgentlerains;wintersarecoldandthesnowfallisfairlyheavy.Talkeetna,representativeofthelowerbasin,hasanannualmeantemperatureof33.2°F.,andanaverageannualprecipitationof28.85inches.ITheupperSusitnaBasin,separatedfromthecoastbyhighmountains,hasasomewhatmoresevereclimatethanthelowerbasin.ThenearestweatherstationatMountMcKinleyParkhasanannualmeantemperatureof27.5°F.,andannualprecipitationof14.44inches.Spruce,birch,aspen,cottonwood,willow,andalderarefoundthrough-outthelowerbasinuptoabout2,000feet.Theseareinterspersedwithlowmuskegvegetationonthefloorofthebasinandgrassymeadowsonhigherbenches.Und~rstoryoftimberedareasconsistsofmoss,ferns,highandlowbushcranberry,devil'sclub,wildrose,blueberry,currants,grass,andwildflowers.Abovetimbetline,thicketsofalderandwillowoccurinterspersedwithgrassymeadows.Abovethiszonevegetationconsistsofmoss,lichens,andwildflowers.909StreamflowintheSusitnaBasinischaracterizedbyahighrateofdis-chargefromMaythroughSeptemberandbylowflowsfromOctoberthroughApril.Highdischargesarecausedbysnowmelt,rainfall,andglacialmelt.Streamscarryaheavyloadofglacialsiltduringthesummer.Duringthewinterwhenlowtemperaturesretardwaterflows,st~eamsarerelativelysiltfree.TheAlaskaRangetothewestandnorth,andtheTalkeetnaRangetotheeastmakeupthehighperimeterofthelowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TheAlaskaRangeismadeupofsedimentaryrocks,someofwhichhavebeenmetamorphosedandintrudedbygraniticmasses.TheTalkeetnaMountainsareprimarilygranitic.Thefloorofthelowerbasin·islargelycoveredwithglacialstreamdeposits.Theupperbasin,predominantlymountainous,isborderedonthewestbytheTalkeetnaMountains,onthenorthbytheAlaskaRange,andonthesouthandeastbytheflatCopperRiverplateau.Valleysareflooredwithathic~fillofglacialmorainesandgravels.ClimateoftheSusitnaBasinisratherdiversified.Latitudeoftheregiongivesitlongwintersandshortsummerswithgreatvariationinthelengthofthedaylightbetweenwinterandsummer.ThelowerSusitnaBasinowesitsrelativelymoderateclimate-tothewarmwatersofthePacificonthesouthandthebarriersofsurroundingmountains.Summersarecharacterizedbymoderatetemperatures,cloudydays,andgentlerains;wintersarecoldandthesnowfallisfairlyheavy.Talkeetna,representativeofthelowerbasin,hasanannualmeantemperatureof33.2°F.,andanaverageannualprecipitationof28.85inches.ITheupperSusitnaBasin,separatedfromthecoastbyhighmountains,hasasomewhatmoresevereclimatethanthelowerbasin.ThenearestweatherstationatMountMcKinleyParkhasanannualmeantemperatureof27.5°F.,andannualprecipitationof14.44inches.Spruce,birch,aspen,cottonwood,willow,andalderarefoundthrough-outthelowerbasinuptoabout2,000feet.Theseareinterspersedwithlowmuskegvegetationonthefloorofthebasinandgrassymeadowsonhigherbenches.Und~rstoryoftimberedareasconsistsofmoss,ferns,highandlowbushcranberry,devil'sclub,wildrose,blueberry,currants,grass,andwildflowers.Abovetimbetline,thicketsofalderandwillowoccurinterspersedwithgrassymeadows.Abovethiszonevegetationconsistsofmoss,lichens,andwildflowers.909
Spruceoccursthroughouttheupperbasinuptothe2,500to3,000foottimberline.Low,scrubby,blacksprucegrowsonthepoorlydrainedbottomland,whilethelargerwhitespruceisfoundonbetterdrainedsites.Dwarfbirchisdistributedthroughouttheupperbasin,andwillowoccursalongwaterbodies.Whitebirchandalderoccurinlimitedamounts.Theunderstoryincludesblueberry,low-bushcranberry,Labradortea,crowberry,fireweed,mosses,andlichens.Muskegisinterspersedthroughoutthebottomlandandtundraispresentthrough-outbetterdrainedareas.WithintheprojectareaofinfluenceisMountMcKinleyNationalPark,whichliessome50milestothenorthwestofDevilCanyon.TheParkcontainsabout3,030squaremilesandisthesecondlargestparkinthenationalparksystem,exceededinsizeonlybyYellowstoneNationalPark.ItwascreatedbyanactofCongressin1917andhasasoneofitsob-jectivestheprotectionofthegreatherdsofmountainsheepandcaribouinthisportionoftheAlaskaRange.MountMcKinley,thehighestmountaininNorthAmerica,istheprincipalscenicfeatureofthepark.Thisloftypeakrises20,320feetabovesealevel,andsoarssome17,000feetabovethesurroundingforestedplateau;itistheonlymountainintheworldtorisesohighfromitsownbase.Humanpopulationofthebasinischieflyconcentratedalongtherai1be1twithtrappersandminersutilizingtheentirebasin.Theproposedpro-jectislocatedapproximatelymidwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks,thetwolargestcitiesintheState.Itisestimatedthatthesetwoareascontainabout226,500peopleorapproximately75percentoftheentireState'spopulation.Until1971,theAlaskaRailroadwastheonlyoverlandmeansoftransportationthroughthelowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TherecentlyconstructedParksHighwaynowparallelstherailroad.TheDenaliHighwaypassesthroughtheheadwaterportionoftheupperSusitnaBasin.Althoughothersecondaryroadsarebeingdeveloped,accesstoremoteareasisstillpossibleonlybyairandboattravel.Economicactivitiesarechieflycenteredinthelower100milesofthebasinalongtherailbelt.Thecommercialfisher~utilizingtheSusitnasalmonrunsislocatedinCookInlet.Placerandlodegol~,tungsten,andconstructionmaterialsareproducedinthislowerarea,butonlyinlimitedquantities.Coalandothermineralsarepresentandarereceivingmoreattentionasdemandincreases.Muchofthebasinisunderleasebyoilinterests.Portionsofthelowerbasinaresuitedforagricu1tureandforestindustr.ies,whichsti11awaitfulldevelopment.910Spruceoccursthroughouttheupperbasinuptothe2,500to3,000foottimberline.Low,scrubby,blacksprucegrowsonthepoorlydrainedbottomland,whilethelargerwhitespruceisfoundonbetterdrainedsites.Dwarfbirchisdistributedthroughouttheupperbasin,andwillowoccursalongwaterbodies.Whitebirchandalderoccurinlimitedamounts.Theunderstoryincludesblueberry,low-bushcranberry,Labradortea,crowberry,fireweed,mosses,andlichens.Muskegisinterspersedthroughoutthebottomlandandtundraispresentthrough-outbetterdrainedareas.WithintheprojectareaofinfluenceisMountMcKinleyNationalPark,whichliessome50milestothenorthwestofDevilCanyon.TheParkcontainsabout3,030squaremilesandisthesecondlargestparkinthenationalparksystem,exceededinsizeonlybyYellowstoneNationalPark.ItwascreatedbyanactofCongressin1917andhasasoneofitsob-jectivestheprotectionofthegreatherdsofmountainsheepandcaribouinthisportionoftheAlaskaRange.MountMcKinley,thehighestmountaininNorthAmerica,istheprincipalscenicfeatureofthepark.Thisloftypeakrises20,320feetabovesealevel,andsoarssome17,000feetabovethesurroundingforestedplateau;itistheonlymountainintheworldtorisesohighfromitsownbase.Humanpopulationofthebasinischieflyconcentratedalongtherai1be1twithtrappersandminersutilizingtheentirebasin.Theproposedpro-jectislocatedapproximatelymidwaybetweenAnchorageandFairbanks,thetwolargestcitiesintheState.Itisestimatedthatthesetwoareascontainabout226,500peopleorapproximately75percentoftheentireState'spopulation.Until1971,theAlaskaRailroadwastheonlyoverlandmeansoftransportationthroughthelowerSusitnaRiverBasin.TherecentlyconstructedParksHighwaynowparallelstherailroad.TheDenaliHighwaypassesthroughtheheadwaterportionoftheupperSusitnaBasin.Althoughothersecondaryroadsarebeingdeveloped,accesstoremoteareasisstillpossibleonlybyairandboattravel.Economicactivitiesarechieflycenteredinthelower100milesofthebasinalongtherailbelt.Thecommercialfisher~utilizingtheSusitnasalmonrunsislocatedinCookInlet.Placerandlodegol~,tungsten,andconstructionmaterialsareproducedinthislowerarea,butonlyinlimitedquantities.Coalandothermineralsarepresentandarereceivingmoreattentionasdemandincreases.Muchofthebasinisunderleasebyoilinterests.Portionsofthelowerbasinaresuitedforagricu1tureandforestindustr.ies,whichsti11awaitfulldevelopment.910
DESCRIPTIONOFTHEPROJECTDevilCanyon:Thedam,rising635feetaboveitsfoundationand565feetabovethenormalwatersurfaceoftheriver,willbeofaconcrete-archdesignatrivermile134.Itwillhaveacrestlengthof2,475feet.Thereservoircreatedbythedamwillhaveasurfaceareaof7,550acresandinundatetheSusitnaRiverbed28milesupstreamtoneartheWatanadamsite.Watana:TheWatanastructurewouldbearockfilldamrising810feetatrivermile165andwouldhavea~crestlengthof3,450feet,atanelevationof2,200feetm.s.l.Thestructurewouldcreateareservoirwithasurfaceareaof43,000acresandwillinundateabout54milesoftheSusitnaRiver.PreliminaryreservoirdataareshowninTable1.Table1.PertinentDamandReservoirDatal!Norm.PoolMilesofTypeofCrestStruct.elevationSurfaceStorageriverConst.LengthHeight.m.s.1.acres(ac/ft.)inundatedDevilconcrete2,4756351,4507,5501,050,00028Canyonthin-archWatanarockfill3,4508102,20043,0009,400,00054l!Bothstructuresaredesignedtowithstandanearthquakeof8.5ontheRichterscalewithanepicenterfactorof40miles.DistributionofthepowerwouldrequireatransmissionlinefromWatanatoGoldCreekwhereitwouldbesplit.TheAnchorageroutewouldparalleltheSusitnaRivertotheNancyLakesarea,thenceduesouthtoPointMacKenzie.TheFairbankscorridorwouldrunnorthfromGoldCreektoChulitnaatwhichpointitwouldgenerallyfollowtheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroadtotheeXistingsubstationatEster.Thetransmissioncorridorwouldbeabout334milesinlength.Averagewidthwouldbe125feetandtotalrequiredright-of-waywouldbeabout5,100acres.(TransmissioncorridordataissetforthinTable2).911DESCRIPTIONOFTHEPROJECTDevilCanyon:Thedam,rising635feetaboveitsfoundationand565feetabovethenormalwatersurfaceoftheriver,willbeofaconcrete-archdesignatrivermile134.Itwillhaveacrestlengthof2,475feet.Thereservoircreatedbythedamwillhaveasurfaceareaof7,550acresandinundatetheSusitnaRiverbed28milesupstreamtoneartheWatanadamsite.Watana:TheWatanastructurewouldbearockfilldamrising810feetatrivermile165andwouldhavea~crestlengthof3,450feet,atanelevationof2,200feetm.s.l.Thestructurewouldcreateareservoirwithasurfaceareaof43,000acresandwillinundateabout54milesoftheSusitnaRiver.PreliminaryreservoirdataareshowninTable1.Table1.PertinentDamandReservoirDatal!Norm.PoolMilesofTypeofCrestStruct.elevationSurfaceStorageriverConst.LengthHeight.m.s.1.acres(ac/ft.)inundatedDevilconcrete2,4756351,4507,5501,050,00028Canyonthin-archWatanarockfill3,4508102,20043,0009,400,00054l!Bothstructuresaredesignedtowithstandanearthquakeof8.5ontheRichterscalewithanepicenterfactorof40miles.DistributionofthepowerwouldrequireatransmissionlinefromWatanatoGoldCreekwhereitwouldbesplit.TheAnchorageroutewouldparalleltheSusitnaRivertotheNancyLakesarea,thenceduesouthtoPointMacKenzie.TheFairbankscorridorwouldrunnorthfromGoldCreektoChulitnaatwhichpointitwouldgenerallyfollowtheParksHighwayandAlaskaRailroadtotheexistingsubstationatEster.Thetransmissioncorridorwouldbeabout334milesinlength.Averagewidthwouldbe125feetandtotalrequiredright-of-waywouldbeabout5,100acres.(TransmissioncorridordataissetforthinTable2).911
Table2.TransmissionCorridorSystemDoubleCircuitRouteLengthClearedright-of-.wayToAnchorage136miles345kvSouthernPowerhouse-GoldCreek-SWalongSusitnaR.,ARR-Ta1keetna-E.bankSusit.naR.-NancyLakearea-S.toPt.MacKenzie.DevilCanyon-MacKenzie140mi.DevilCanyon-MacKenzie140feetToFairbanks198miles230kvNorthernGoldCreekN.toChulitnaalongParksHighway,ARRthruBroadPass,NenanaCanyon-Healy,thenalongexistingline-GoldHill-Ester.DevilCanyon-Ester200mi.DevilCanyon-Ester140feetTowersSteeloraluminumCombinedelectricalproductionofbothdamswouldbe6.1billionkilowatthoursoffirmenergyannually.Thetwo-damsystemwouldalsobecapableofprovidinganadditional.7billionkilowatthoursofsecondaryelectricalenergy.912Table2.TransmissionCorridorSystemDoubleCircuitRouteLengthClearedright-of-.wayToAnchorage136miles345kvSouthernPowerhouse-GoldCreek-SWalongSusitnaR.,ARR-Ta1keetna-E.bankSusit.naR.-NancyLakearea-S.toPt.MacKenzie.DevilCanyon-MacKenzie140mi.DevilCanyon-MacKenzie140feetToFairbanks198miles230kvNorthernGoldCreekN.toChulitnaalongParksHighway,ARRthruBroadPass,NenanaCanyon-Healy,thenalongexistingline-GoldHill-Ester.DevilCanyon-Ester200mi.DevilCanyon-Ester140feetTowersSteeloraluminumCombinedelectricalproductionofbothdamswouldbe6.1billionkilowatthoursoffirmenergyannually.Thetwo-damsystemwouldalsobecapableofprovidinganadditional.7billionkilowatthoursofsecondaryelectricalenergy.912
FISHANDWIlDLIFERESOURCESFisherySport:Duringthewarmermonthsoftheyear,theSusitnaRiverissilt-ladenthroughoutitsentirecourseduetoitsglacialorigin.Sportfishingistherebylimitedtotheclear-watertributaries,sloughs,andareasinthemainSusitnaRivernearthemouthsofthesetributaries.Principalfreshwatersportfishi~gspeciesaresalmon,rainbowandlaketrout,DollyVarden,andgrayling.Other.speciesoflesserimportanceareburbotandwhitefish.Thelongnosesucker,sculpin,three~spineandnine-spinesticklebacksarepresentintheriverbutaregenerallynotconsideredasimportantsportfishes.SportfishingpressureintheSusitnaBasinimmediatelyabovetheDevilCanyonsiteisrelativelylight,withtheprimarylimitationbeingthatofaccess.Manylakesandriversaffordlandingsitesforfloat-equippedaircraft,andfishermenusingthismethodoftransportationarefre-quentlyrewardedwithgoodcatches.TheAlaskaRailroadandtheParksHighwayaretheprimarymeansofaccesstothelowerbasin.Duringthesummerseason,trainssometimesmakeunscheduledstopsatstreamsalongthewaytoaccommodatephotographersandfishermen.CompletionoftheDenaliHighwayin1957openedasmallportionoftheupperSusitnaBasintofishermen.TheTyoneRiver,originatingatLakeLouiseandflowingnorthwesttotheSusitnaRiver,hasincreasedinpopularitywithboatfishermenduringthelasttenyearsandisbelievedtosupportthelargestwinterburbotfisheryinthestate.ThatsectionoftheSusitnaRiverdownstreamfromDevilCanyontoitsconfluencewiththeTalkeetnaandChulitnaRiversisfedbyafewcleartributarystreamswhichfurnishhabitatforsalmon,rainbowtrout,grayling,DollyVarden;andburbot.ItisnotknownhowextensivelythemainstemSusitnabelowtheDevilCanyondamsiteisutilizedforspawningbythesefish,butsuchusageisprobablylightduetothesilt-ladenwaterandtherelativelymuddy,sandynatureofthechannel.Sport'fishingbetweenthedamsiteandconfluenceoftheSusitna,Talkeetna,andChulitnaRiversislimitedtothemouthsofthefewclear-watertributaries.Laketroutarepresentincertainparts ofthetributarydrainageswhichcontaindeeplakesabovetheDevilCanyonsite.TheDevilCanyonimpoundmentareaisarugged,narrowcanyonwithsev.eralrapidsandafewclear-watertributaries,thelargestbeingFogCreekandDevilCreek.Grayling,whitefish,burbot,suckers,andcottidsoccurinthesetributariesandinthemainriver.913FISHANDWIlDLIFERESOURCESFisherySport:Duringthewarmermonthsoftheyear,theSusitnaRiverissilt-ladenthroughoutitsentirecourseduetoitsglacialorigin.Sportfishingistherebylimitedtotheclear-watertributaries,sloughs,andareasinthemainSusitnaRivernearthemouthsofthesetributaries.Principalfreshwatersportfishi~gspeciesaresalmon,rainbowandlaketrout,DollyVarden,andgrayling.Other.speciesoflesserimportanceareburbotandwhitefish.Thelongnosesucker,sculpin,three~spineandnine-spinesticklebacksarepresentintheriverbutaregenerallynotconsideredasimportantsportfishes.SportfishingpressureintheSusitnaBasinimmediatelyabovetheDevilCanyonsiteisrelativelylight,withtheprimarylimitationbeingthatofaccess.Manylakesandriversaffordlandingsitesforfloat-equippedaircraft,andfishermenusingthismethodoftransportationarefre-quentlyrewardedwithgoodcatches.TheAlaskaRailroadandtheParksHighwayaretheprimarymeansofaccesstothelowerbasin.Duringthesummerseason,trainssometimesmakeunscheduledstopsatstreamsalongthewaytoaccommodatephotographersandfishermen.CompletionoftheDenaliHighwayin1957openedasmallportionoftheupperSusitnaBasintofishermen.TheTyoneRiver,originatingatLakeLouiseandflowingnorthwesttotheSusitnaRiver,hasincreasedinpopularitywithboatfishermenduringthelasttenyearsandisbelievedtosupportthelargestwinterburbotfisheryinthestate.ThatsectionoftheSusitnaRiverdownstreamfromDevilCanyontoitsconfluencewiththeTalkeetnaandChulitnaRiversisfedbyafewcleartributarystreamswhichfurnishhabitatforsalmon,rainbowtrout,grayling,DollyVarden;andburbot.ItisnotknownhowextensivelythemainstemSusitnabelowtheDevilCanyondamsiteisutilizedforspawningbythesefish,butsuchusageisprobablylightduetothesilt-ladenwaterandtherelativelymuddy,sandynatureofthechannel.Sport'fishingbetweenthedamsiteandconfluenceoftheSusitna,Talkeetna,andChulitnaRiversislimitedtothemouthsofthefewclear-watertributaries.LaketroutarepresentincertainpartsofthetributarydrainageswhichcontaindeeplakesabovetheDevilCanyonsite.TheDevilCanyonimpoundmentareaisarugged,narrowcanyonwithsev.eralrapidsandafewclear-watertributaries,thelargestbeingFogCreekandDevilCreek.Grayling,whitefish,burbot,suckers,andcottidsoccurinthesetributariesandinthemainriver.913
AneconomicsurveyconductedbySportFishpersonneloftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameonnineSusitnatributariesfromWillowtoTalkeetnaindicated21,153anglersexpended$255,092intheMatanuska-SusitnaandGreaterAnchorageBoroughsduringabrief35-daysalmonfishery.Thesefiguresandvaluesarenowseveralyearsold.Anglingintensityhasrisensharplysincethattimeandthedemandforrecreationalsalmonanglingisatanunprecedentedlevel.Thesefiguresmighteasilydoubleifasimilarstudywereconductedatthistime.Commercial:ThatsectionoftheSusitnaRiverdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyondamsitetoitsconfluencewiththeTalkeetnaandChulitnaRiversisfedbyafewcleartributarystreamswhichfurnishspawningandrearinggroundsforfivespeciesofPacificsalmon:sockeye(red);coho(silver);chinook(king);pink(humpback);andchum(dog).PortageCreek,threemilesbelowtheDevilCanyondamsite,istheuppermosttributaryontheSusitnaRiverwheresignificantnumbersofspawningsalmonhavebeennoted.InvestigationsconductedbytheFishandWildlifeServiceintermittentlyfrom1952to1975failedtorevealthepresenceofadultoryoungsalmonabovetheproposedDevilCanyondamsite.NoactualwaterfallsorphysicalbarriershavebeenobservedinorabovetheDevilCanyonareawhichwouldprecludesalmonfromutilizingthedrainageareaabovethedamsite.Themostlogicalreasonfortheabsenceofsalmonfromthearea,however,istheprobabilityofahydraulicblockresultingfromhighwatervelocitiesforseveralrivermileswithinDevilCanyon.Twenty-sevenspringfedsloughareasadjacenttothemainstreamSusitnaRiverbetweentheDevilCanyondamsiteandtheconfluenceoftheChulitnaRiverhaverecentlybeenidentifiedasbeingimportant-forfishrearing.Adultspawningsalmonhavebeenrecordedin9ofthe27sloughs.Rearingsalmonfryhavebeenobservedin17ofthesloughs.Additionalsloughareasareprobablypresentinthesamereachorfurtherdownstream.Adultspawningsalmonhavealsobeenobservedinnine-clear-watercreeks.StudiesconcerningbothsportandcommercialfisheriesarecurrentlybeingconductedundercontractbetweentheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Unfortunately,studyre-sultsarenotavailableforthisreportbecauseoftimerestraintsim-posedonbothagencies.914AneconomicsurveyconductedbySportFishpersonneloftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameonnineSusitnatributariesfromWillowtoTalkeetnaindicated21,153anglersexpended$255,092intheMatanuska-SusitnaandGreaterAnchorageBoroughsduringabrief35-daysalmonfishery.Thesefiguresandvaluesarenowseveralyearsold.Anglingintensityhasrisensharplysincethattimeandthedemandforrecreationalsalmonanglingisatanunprecedentedlevel.Thesefiguresmighteasilydoubleifasimilarstudywereconductedatthistime.Commercial:ThatsectionoftheSusitnaRiverdownstreamfromtheDevilCanyondamsitetoitsconfluencewiththeTalkeetnaandChulitnaRiversisfedbyafewcleartributarystreamswhichfurnishspawningandrearinggroundsforfivespeciesofPacificsalmon:sockeye(red);coho(silver);chinook(king);pink(humpback);andchum(dog).PortageCreek,threemilesbelowtheDevilCanyondamsite,istheuppermosttributaryontheSusitnaRiverwheresignificantnumbersofspawningsalmonhavebeennoted.InvestigationsconductedbytheFishandWildlifeServiceintermittentlyfrom1952to1975failedtorevealthepresenceofadultoryoungsalmonabovetheproposedDevilCanyondamsite.NoactualwaterfallsorphysicalbarriershavebeenobservedinorabovetheDevilCanyonareawhichwouldprecludesalmonfromutilizingthedrainageareaabovethedamsite.Themostlogicalreasonfortheabsenceofsalmonfromthearea,however,istheprobabilityofahydraulicblockresultingfromhighwatervelocitiesforseveralrivermileswithinDevilCanyon.Twenty-sevenspringfedsloughareasadjacenttothemainstreamSusitnaRiverbetweentheDevilCanyondamsiteandtheconfluenceoftheChulitnaRiverhaverecentlybeenidentifiedasbeingimportant-forfishrearing.Adultspawningsalmonhavebeenrecordedin9ofthe27sloughs.Rearingsalmonfryhavebeenobservedin17ofthesloughs.Additionalsloughareasareprobablypresentinthesamereachorfurtherdownstream.Adultspawningsalmonhavealsobeenobservedinnine-clear-watercreeks.StudiesconcerningbothsportandcommercialfisheriesarecurrentlybeingconductedundercontractbetweentheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService.Unfortunately,studyre-sultsarenotavailableforthisreportbecauseoftimerestraintsim-posedonbothagencies.914
TheCommercialFisheriesDivisionoftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameprovidedthefollowingestimatesinTable3ofmaximumsustainedyields(MSY)basedonhistoricalcatchtrendsforsalmonproducedinthegillnetdistrictsofCookInlet,i.e.theareanorthofthelatitudeofAnchorPoint.ItshouldbenotedthefiguresshowninTable3andthosefollowingreflectonlyminimalestimatesofvaluetocommercialfishermenanddonotincludetheequallyimportantadditionalvaluesrelatedto1)licenserevenues,2)taxationofsalmoncasepack,3)contributiontosupportiveservicesdependentuponcommericalfishingindustry,4)investmentsinfishinggear,vessels,fishingsites,etc.OfsignificantimportanceinthefollowinginformationisthetotalomissionofrecreationalorsportfishingvaluesassociatedwiththeSusitnaRiversalmonresource,whichisofcriticalimportanceinthemostdenselypopulatedareaofthestate.Thesamevaluesforlicenserevenue,taxationonsportingequipment,investmentinfishingequipment,etc.,applytotherecreationalfishingindustry,andcouldbeaddedtothefigurespresented.Table3.Species(salmon)SockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoEstimatedMaximumAnnualSustainedYield(MSY)EstimatedMaximumSustainedYield!I1,700,00066,0001,800,000700,000300,000TotalMSY4,566,0001/ItshouldbeemphasizedthattheMSYfiguresarethebestestimates-availableatthistime.BasedontheabovelIestimatesllitisanticipatedthatthetotalspresentedinTable4areproducedannuallyintheSusitnaRiverbasin.915TheCommercialFisheriesDivisionoftheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameprovidedthefollowingestimatesinTable3ofmaximumsustainedyields(MSY)basedonhistoricalcatchtrendsforsalmonproducedinthegillnetdistrictsofCookInlet,i.e.theareanorthofthelatitudeofAnchorPoint.ItshouldbenotedthefiguresshowninTable3andthosefollowingreflectonlyminimalestimatesofvaluetocommercialfishermenanddonotincludetheequallyimportantadditionalvaluesrelatedto1)licenserevenues,2)taxationofsalmoncasepack,3)contributiontosupportiveservicesdependentuponcommericalfishingindustry,4)investmentsinfishinggear,vessels,fishingsites,etc.OfsignificantimportanceinthefollowinginformationisthetotalomissionofrecreationalorsportfishingvaluesassociatedwiththeSusitnaRiversalmonresource,whichisofcriticalimportanceinthemostdenselypopulatedareaofthestate.Thesamevaluesforlicenserevenue,taxationonsportingequipment,investmentinfishingequipment,etc.,applytotherecreationalfishingindustry,andcouldbeaddedtothefigurespresented.Table3.Species(salmon)SockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoEstimatedMaximumAnnualSustainedYield(MSY)EstimatedMaximumSustainedYield!I1,700,00066,0001,800,000700,000300,000TotalMSY4,566,0001/ItshouldbeemphasizedthattheMSYfiguresarethebestestimates-availableatthistime.BasedontheabovelIestimatesllitisanticipatedthatthetotalspresentedinTable4areproducedannuallyintheSusitnaRiverbasin.915
Table4.Species(salmon)SockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoSalmonProducedfor'theCommercialCatchinSusitnaRiverBasinEstimatedNumberofFishProducedAnnuallyll__850,00059,4001,530,000630;000210,000Total3.279,4001/Again,itshouldbeemphasizedthatthetotalisthebestestimate-available.Usingaveragepricespaidtocon~ercialfishermenin1975,thevaluestofishermenfortheircatchonanannualbasisarepresentedinTable5,Averagepricesperpoundpaidin1975forsockeye,chinook,pink,chum,andcohosalmonwere.63,,62, ,36,.43,and.47respectively.Table5.AverageAnnualValuetoFishermenll'SpeciesAverageAverage(salmon)ProductionWeightPrice/lb.Sockeye850,0006.1.63Chinook59,40025.0.62Pink1,530,0003.9.36Chum630,0007A.43Coho210,0006.1.47TotalAnnualValuetoFishermen11Basedonaveragepriceperpoundtofishermenin1975.916valueto--Fishermen$3,26.6,550920,7002,148,1202,004,660602,070$8,942,100Table4.Species(salmon)SockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoSalmonProducedfor'theCommercialCatchinSusitnaRiverBasinEstimatedNumberofFishProducedAnnuallyll__850,00059,4001,530,000630;000210,000Total3.279,4001/Again,itshouldbeemphasizedthatthetotalisthebestestimate-available.Usingaveragepricespaidtocon~ercialfishermenin1975,thevaluestofishermenfortheircatchonanannualbasisarepresentedinTable5,Averagepricesperpoundpaidin1975forsockeye,chinook,pink,chum,andcohosalmonwere.63,,62, ,36,.43,and.47respectively.Table5.AverageAnnualValuetoFishermenll'SpeciesAverageAverage(salmon)ProductionWeightPrice/lb.Sockeye850,0006.1.63Chinook59,40025.0.62Pink1,530,0003.9.36Chum630,0007A.43Coho210,0006.1.47TotalAnnualValuetoFishermen11Basedonaveragepriceperpoundtofishermenin1975.916valueto--Fishermen$3,26.6,550920,7002,148,1202,004,660602,070$8,942,100
Theabove~aluedoesnotinclude,ofcourse,thevalueofsalmonittakestoproducetheestir.latedcatchproducedintheSusitnaBasin.Therefore\'Ie\·Jilladdressthisproblembyusingestimatedreturnbyspavlnerbyspeciesusin<)the1975priceperpoundpaidtofishermenaspresentedinTable6.3.0:11:13.8:12.2:12.2:1Table6.ValueofSalmonSpa\'mingStock;::.SJ.;.pe.=.c;:..i;..;;e:.;;:s-,R.;..;;e...;.t~urnlSpawnerSockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoSpawners17283,33359,4·1)1)402,632318,182136,364TotalAverageAnnualValueofSpawnersSDeciesSockeyeChinookPinkChumCoho'/\vg.~4t.6.125.03.9.7.46.1ValueofSpawnersAvo.Price,.63.62.36.43.47Spa\'lners136,36459,400283,333·402,63231.8,182Valu2524,04;:;935,550143,20')1,OJ2,t15,~~11..!..227$3,527,477]jSpal-mers-neededtoproduceannualcatchesshm'lllinTable4.HILDLIFEGeneralThedominantwildlHeverwtativccoverthroughouttheDevilCanyonandWatanaimpoundmentareaisspruce.LowbottomlandalongtheSusitna.Riverandthetributariessupportsblackspruce-aspenstands.Whitespruceoccursonthesteepsidehillsinconjunctionwithoaperbirch,black.spruce,andoccasionalstandsofasoen'andcottom·lOod.D\'larfbirchispresentinthBrollingcountryoneachsideofthesites,whilewillowoccursinfrequentlythroughouttheentirearea.Theunderstoryincludesblueberry,lov/bushcranberry,narrow-leavedLabradortea,cranberry,fire\'leed,mossesandlichens.917Theabove~aluedoesnotinclude,ofcourse,thevalueofsalmonittakestoproducetheestir.latedcatchproducedintheSusitnaBasin.Therefore\'Ie\·Jilladdressthisproblembyusingestimatedreturnbyspavlnerbyspeciesusin<)the1975priceperpoundpaidtofishermenaspresentedinTable6.3.0:11:13.8:12.2:12.2:1Table6.ValueofSalmonSpa\'mingStock;::.SJ.;.pe.=.c;:..i;..;;e:.;;:s-,R.;..;;e...;.t~urnlSpawnerSockeyeChinookPinkChumCohoSpawners17283,33359,4·1)1)402,632318,182136,364TotalAverageAnnualValueofSpawnersSDeciesSockeyeChinookPinkChumCoho'/\vg.~4t.6.125.03.9.7.46.1ValueofSpawnersAvo.Price,.63.62.36.43.47Spa\'lners136,36459,400283,333·402,63231.8,182Valu2524,04;:;935,550143,20')1,OJ2,t15,~~11..!..227$3,527,477]jSpal-mers-neededtoproduceannualcatchesshm'lllinTable4.HILDLIFEGeneralThedominantwildlHeverwtativccoverthroughouttheDevilCanyonandWatanaimpoundmentareaisspruce.LowbottomlandalongtheSusitna.Riverandthetributariessupportsblackspruce-aspenstands.Whitespruceoccursonthesteepsidehillsinconjunctionwithoaperbirch,black.spruce,andoccasionalstandsofasoen'andcottom·lOod.D\'larfbirchispresentinthBrollingcountryoneachsideofthesites,whilewillowoccursinfrequentlythroughouttheentirearea.Theunderstoryincludesblueberry,lov/bushcranberry,narrow-leavedLabradortea,cranberry,fire\'leed,mossesandlichens.917
GamepopulationsarelimitedinnumberalongthesteepwallsofDevilCanyonwhichcomprisemostoftheareatobefloodedatthatsite.Afewmoose,blackandgrizzlybearsarepresent.SegmentsoftheNe1chinacaribouherdperiodicallyrangethroughouttheimpoundmentareas;par-ticularlytheWatanasite.Beaver,presentinsloughsalongtheSusitnaRiver,areprobablythemostabundantfurbearers.Otherspeciesoffuranimalspresentincludelandotter,mink,wolf,lynx,marten,wolverine,andmuskrat.Huntingandtrappingintheimpoundmentareasarevirtuallynonexistentduetoinaccessib1ityandroughterrain.Thissituationmaychangeastheuseofsnowmobilesandallterraintypevehiclesincreases.ThesteepterrainandturbulentflowmakecrossingtheSusitnaRiverdifficultforhunters.Da11sheepfrequenttheWatanaHillsareabutnonewereobservedduringtheperiodNovember1974toApril1975whensurveysformoosewereconducted.WithinthetransmissioncorridorsystemtheareaofgreatestconcernistheareawhichbasicallyparallelsthehighwayandTananaRiverfromFairbankstoBigDelta.ThereareseveralhistoricalPeregrinefalconnestingsitesalongtheTananaandSalchaRivers.Thegyrfalconisalsofoundinlimitednumbersinthisgeneralarea.SeveralnestingpairsofgyrfalconshavebeenrecordedfromtheSummitLakeregionalongtheDena1iHighwaytotheCantwell-HealyareaoftheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.Twospeciesofbig-game,i.e.,mooseandcaribou,needtobeaddressedindetail.TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,undercontractwiththeFishandWildlifeService,conductedmonthlygamesurveysalongtheSusitnaRiverdrainagefromNovemberof1974untilApril1975.Moose:Monthlymoosedistributiondataindicatethatmovementsoccuronamajorscale(Fig.1).DuringtheNovembersurveyamajorityofmooseobservedwerefoundathigherelevationsnearthetimber1ine.BylateJanuarytheyhadbecomeconcentratedinthelowerportionsofdrainages,includingtheSusitnaRiver,andreliedheavilyonbrowseadjacenttotheriver(Fig.2).TheyremainedalongthesedrainagesatlowerelevationsuntillateAprilwhentheybegandispersing,somemovingbacktohigherelevationswiththerecedingsnowline.918GamepopulationsarelimitedinnumberalongthesteepwallsofDevilCanyonwhichcomprisemostoftheareatobefloodedatthatsite.Afewmoose,blackandgrizzlybearsarepresent.SegmentsoftheNe1chinacaribouherdperiodicallyrangethroughouttheimpoundmentareas;par-ticularlytheWatanasite.Beaver,presentinsloughsalongtheSusitnaRiver,areprobablythemostabundantfurbearers.Otherspeciesoffuranimalspresentincludelandotter,mink,wolf,lynx,marten,wolverine,andmuskrat.Huntingandtrappingintheimpoundmentareasarevirtuallynonexistentduetoinaccessib1ityandroughterrain.Thissituationmaychangeastheuseofsnowmobilesandallterraintypevehiclesincreases.ThesteepterrainandturbulentflowmakecrossingtheSusitnaRiverdifficultforhunters.Da11sheepfrequenttheWatanaHillsareabutnonewereobservedduringtheperiodNovember1974toApril1975whensurveysformoosewereconducted.WithinthetransmissioncorridorsystemtheareaofgreatestconcernistheareawhichbasicallyparallelsthehighwayandTananaRiverfromFairbankstoBigDelta.ThereareseveralhistoricalPeregrinefalconnestingsitesalongtheTananaandSalchaRivers.Thegyrfalconisalsofoundinlimitednumbersinthisgeneralarea.SeveralnestingpairsofgyrfalconshavebeenrecordedfromtheSummitLakeregionalongtheDena1iHighwaytotheCantwell-HealyareaoftheAnchorage-FairbanksHighway.Twospeciesofbig-game,i.e.,mooseandcaribou,needtobeaddressedindetail.TheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,undercontractwiththeFishandWildlifeService,conductedmonthlygamesurveysalongtheSusitnaRiverdrainagefromNovemberof1974untilApril1975.Moose:Monthlymoosedistributiondataindicatethatmovementsoccuronamajorscale(Fig.1).DuringtheNovembersurveyamajorityofmooseobservedwerefoundathigherelevationsnearthetimber1ine.BylateJanuarytheyhadbecomeconcentratedinthelowerportionsofdrainages,includingtheSusitnaRiver,andreliedheavilyonbrowseadjacenttotheriver(Fig.2).TheyremainedalongthesedrainagesatlowerelevationsuntillateAprilwhentheybegandispersing,somemovingbacktohigherelevationswiththerecedingsnowline.918
AreasofpreferredorcriticalwinterrangeweredelineatedatboththeDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirsites(Table7).Classificationofeachareaandboundariesforeachareaweredeterminedbytherelativedensityofcumulativemoosetracksobservedfromearlywinterof1974untilApril23,1975.Theclassificationcategorieswere:(1)Lightuse-occasionaltrackswithlittlecratering,i.e.,areaswheresnowhasbeenpawedasidetoobtainforage,(2)Moderateuse-tracksandcrateringbutnotdense,and(3)Heavyuse-tracksdenseandcrateringextensive(Figs.3and4).Table7.PreferredorCriticalMooseWinterRangeCategoryof·UseDevilCanyon-uptoelevation1,450m.s.l.LightModerateHeavyWatana-uptoelevation2,045m.s.l.LightModerateHeavy919AcresInundated7,0405,760oo15,36018,560AreasofpreferredorcriticalwinterrangeweredelineatedatboththeDevilCanyonandWatanareservoirsites(Table7).Classificationofeachareaandboundariesforeachareaweredeterminedbytherelativedensityofcumulativemoosetracksobservedfromearlywinterof1974untilApril23,1975.Theclassificationcategorieswere:(1)Lightuse-occasionaltrackswithlittlecratering,i.e.,areaswheresnowhasbeenpawedasidetoobtainforage,(2)Moderateuse-tracksandcrateringbutnotdense,and(3)Heavyuse-tracksdenseandcrateringextensive(Figs.3and4).Table7.PreferredorCriticalMooseWinterRangeCategoryof·UseDevilCanyon-uptoelevation1,450m.s.l.LightModerateHeavyWatana-uptoelevation2,045m.s.l.LightModerateHeavy919AcresInundated7,0405,760oo15,36018,560
PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure1.Moose~ovementonamajorscaleresultedintheconcentrationof43moosea10ngtheSusitnaRivernearValdezCreek.Similarcriticalwint~rhabitatexistsintheWatanaReservoirsite.920PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure1.Moose~ovementonamajorscaleresultedintheconcentrationof43moosea10ngtheSusitnaRivernearValdezCreek.Similarcriticalwint~rhabitatexistsintheWatanaReservoirsite.920
PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure2.NoteheavyuseofbrowsematerialalongtheleftbankoftheSusitnaRiver.921PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure2.NoteheavyuseofbrowsematerialalongtheleftbankoftheSusitnaRiver.921
PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure3.Closeupviewofmoose"cratering",i.e.,areaswheresnowhasbeenpawedasideforforage.922PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure3.Closeupviewofmoose"cratering",i.e.,areaswheresnowhasbeenpawedasideforforage.922
'-I.,,t,.PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure4.ViewoftypicalareareceivingheavyusebymoosealongtheSusitnaRiver.Notethattracksaredenseandcrateringisextensive.92369-7370 -81-59'-I.,,t,.PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure4.ViewoftypicalareareceivingheavyusebymoosealongtheSusitnaRiver.Notethattracksaredenseandcrateringisextensive.92369-7370 -81-59
Wildlife:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillinundatemoosehabitatconsistingof7,040acreswhichreceivelightuse,21,120acresofhabitatwhichreceivemoderateuse,and18,560acresofhabitatwhichreceiveheavyuse.Themoderateandheavyuseareasarecon-sideredpreferredorcriticalhabitat.Associatedwithlossofmooseriparianbrowsesitesthroughflooding,islessofthepassagewaysbetweenpreferredareasifthewateroricelevelisfluctuated.ThisproblembecameapparentbymidwinterobservationofmoosetracksalongtheSusitnaRiverwhereanimalstraveledfromonetributarytoanother(Fig.5).LocationsofmooseconcentrationremainedthesamethroughoutthemidwintersurveY$,but.trailsindicatedthatindividualsmovedTromoneconcentrationtoanotherfrequentlyduringthewinter(Fig.5).Fi~ure6showsmoose-movingalongtheSusitnaRiverneartheconfluenceoftheOshetnaRiver;PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure5.MoosetracksacrossSusitnaRiverindicatemovementfromoneareatoanother.Noteheavilybrowsedareaonrightbank.924Wildlife:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillinundatemoosehabitatconsistingof7,040acreswhichreceivelightuse,21,120acresofhabitatwhichreceivemoderateuse,and18,560acresofhabitatwhichreceiveheavyuse.Themoderateandheavyuseareasarecon-sideredpreferredorcriticalhabitat.Associatedwithlossofmooseriparianbrowsesitesthroughflooding,islessofthepassagewaysbetweenpreferredareasifthewateroricelevelisfluctuated.ThisproblembecameapparentbymidwinterobservationofmoosetracksalongtheSusitnaRiverwhereanimalstraveledfromonetributarytoanother(Fig.5).LocationsofmooseconcentrationremainedthesamethroughoutthemidwintersurveY$,but.trailsindicatedthatindividualsmovedTromoneconcentrationtoanotherfrequentlyduringthewinter(Fig.5).Fi~ure6showsmoose-movingalongtheSusitnaRiverneartheconfluenceoftheOshetnaRiver;PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure5.MoosetracksacrossSusitnaRiverindicatemovementfromoneareatoanother.Noteheavilybrowsedareaonrightbank.924
PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure6.MoosemovementalongtheSusitnaRiverneartheconfluenceoftheOshetnaRiver.ThishabitatareawillbeinundatedbytheWatanaReservoir.925PhotobyTedSpraker,ADF&GWinter1974-75Figure6.MoosemovementalongtheSusitnaRiverneartheconfluenceoftheOshetnaRiver.ThishabitatareawillbeinundatedbytheWatanaReservoir.925
Thetotalacreagesofmoosewinterrangebelowelevationsshownin_Table2attheDevilCanyonandWatanasitesbylight,moderate,andheavyusecategoriesare7,040;21,120;and18,560respectively.Caribou:UseoftheWatanaReservoirsitebyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.Deeplyruttedcariboutrailscrossingthe£usitnaRivernorthofWatanaMountainwereobserved.CaribouobservedwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovemberi974surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.IfobservationshadbeenmadeinMay,June,JulyandAugust,itislikelyanentirelydifferentmigrationalpatternofmajorcariboucrossingsmayhavebeenindicated.TheuseoftheSusitnaRiverinthevicinityofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesbyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.DeeplyruttedtrailsofhistoriccrossingsitesalongtheSusitnaRiverwereobserved,however.CaribouseenwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovember1974,surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.FluctuatingwateroricelevelsassociatedwithWatanaDamcoulddisruptmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiverwithunpredictableeffects.TheWatanaHillsDallsheepherdwasnotobservedclosetoareasthatwouldbeinundatedbyWatanareservoir.Nodirecteffectsonthesesheepare~xpected,althoughindirecteffectsduetoimprovedhunteraccessmaywelloccur.Increasedhuntingpressureonbiggamethroughcreationofaccesscorridorsisamajoreffectforeseenbyconstructionofthesedams.MooseinthevicinityoftheDevilCanyonandWatanaCreekDamsarelightlyhuntednowbecauseofpooraccess.Lossofthesanctuaryarea(theuninhabited,lightly-huntedcore)oftheNelchinacaribou'srangemayresultindisp1acementoftheherdfromsomeofitsessentialhabitatduetoincreasedhumanactivityonthathabitat.HuntingregulationsmaybemodifiedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.TheroadcorridorpluslimitedrivercrossingareamaypreventmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiver.Improvedaccesswillresultinincreasedharvestpotentialandtheneedformoreintensivemanagement.Lossofwinterrangeformoose,lossoftherivercorridorformoosemovementduringthewinter,disruptionofcariboumovementsbyfluctuationofwater/icelevelsortransportationcorridors,increasedhuntingpressureonallbiggame,andincreasedhumanactivityonkeycaribourangearesomeoftheproblemsthatmayresultfromconstructionofdamsontheSusitnaRiver.TheWatanaDamandanyotherdamsupstreamwillhavesubstantialeffects,whiletheDevilCanyonDamwillprobablybemildinitsimpactonbiggame.926Thetotalacreagesofmoosewinterrangebelowelevationsshownin_Table2attheDevilCanyonandWatanasitesbylight,moderate,andheavyusecategoriesare7,040;21,120;and18,560respectively.Caribou:UseoftheWatanaReservoirsitebyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.Deeplyruttedcariboutrailscrossingthe£usitnaRivernorthofWatanaMountainwereobserved.CaribouobservedwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovemberi974surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.IfobservationshadbeenmadeinMay,June,JulyandAugust,itislikelyanentirelydifferentmigrationalpatternofmajorcariboucrossingsmayhavebeenindicated.TheuseoftheSusitnaRiverinthevicinityofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesbyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.DeeplyruttedtrailsofhistoriccrossingsitesalongtheSusitnaRiverwereobserved,however.CaribouseenwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovember1974,surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.FluctuatingwateroricelevelsassociatedwithWatanaDamcoulddisruptmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiverwithunpredictableeffects.TheWatanaHillsDallsheepherdwasnotobservedclosetoareasthatwouldbeinundatedbyWatanareservoir.Nodirecteffectsonthesesheepare~xpected,althoughindirecteffectsduetoimprovedhunteraccessmaywelloccur.Increasedhuntingpressureonbiggamethroughcreationofaccesscorridorsisamajoreffectforeseenbyconstructionofthesedams.MooseinthevicinityoftheDevilCanyonandWatanaCreekDamsarelightlyhuntednowbecauseofpooraccess.Lossofthesanctuaryarea(theuninhabited,lightly-huntedcore)oftheNelchinacaribou'srangemayresultindisp1acementoftheherdfromsomeofitsessentialhabitatduetoincreasedhumanactivityonthathabitat.HuntingregulationsmaybemodifiedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.TheroadcorridorpluslimitedrivercrossingareamaypreventmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiver.Improvedaccesswillresultinincreasedharvestpotentialandtheneedformoreintensivemanagement.Lossofwinterrangeformoose,lossoftherivercorridorformoosemovementduringthewinter,disruptionofcariboumovementsbyfluctuationofwater/icelevelsortransportationcorridors,increasedhuntingpressureonallbiggame,andincreasedhumanactivityonkeycaribourangearesomeoftheproblemsthatmayresultfromconstructionofdamsontheSusitnaRiver.TheWatanaDamandanyotherdamsupstreamwillhavesubstantialeffects,whiletheDevilCanyonDamwillprobablybemildinitsimpactonbiggame.926
EFFECTSOFTHEPROJECTONFISHANDWILDLIFERESOURCESFish:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirwillinundateabout82milesoftheSusitnaRiverandtributarystreamswhichsupportexistingpopulationsofgrayling,DollyVarden,whitefish,burbot,suckers,andcottids.GraylingandDollyVardenarefoundprimarilyinclearwaterftreaswheretributariesjointheSusitnaRiver.ItisanticipatedthatbothDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillbeturbid.Streamfishingpotentialandproductiononinundatedportionsofthesetributarieswillbeeliminated.ItisunknownatthistimeifsignificantfisheriescanbedevelopedinthereservoirsbecauseoftheanticipatedturbidityandglacialcharacteristicsofthewaterintheUpperSusitnaBasin.DevilCanyonReservoiraffordsthebestopportunityforthedevelopmentofasportfisheryasitwillbelessturbidandmorestablethantheWatanaReservoir.AsignificantportionofthesalmonfoundinCookInletutjlizetheSusitnaRiveranditstributariesbelowtheDevilCanyondamsiteforspawningandrearing.AtthepresenttimetheSusitnaisrelativelyclearinthewinterandturbidinthesummer.Withtheprojectinoperation,theriverisexpectedtobemoreturbidinthewinterandlessturbidinthesummer.Otherchangesexpectedwiththeprojectwhichmayhaveanadverseimpactonfishresourcesincludingmortalityare:.(1)alteringthenaturalseasonalflow(reducedsummerflowsandincreasedwinterflows),(2)changesinnaturalseasonalwaterquality(thepossibilityofsupersaturationofcertaindissolvedgasessuchasnitrogenasaresultofspillage),(3)dewateringoftheclearwatersloughsadjacenttotheriver),(4)thermalchanges,and(5)increasedwinterturbiditywithattendantadverseimpactsonresidentandanadromousfishmovementintothemainstemoftheSusitnaRiver.ItisanticipatedthatwiththeprojectinoperationfishingpressureontheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonDammayincrease.Sufficientoperationaldataarenotavailableatthistimetodeterminethemagni-tudeofreleases,andtheresultingfluctuationsinriverflows.Con-ceivably,largerreleasescouldcreateahazardforfishermenandhaveanadverseimpactonfishproduction.Iflaterstudiesrevealsuchapossibility,theneedforadownstreamregulatingfacilityshouldbeconsidered.TheSusitnaRiversalmonresourcehasbeenofeconomicvaluetoacom-lmercialfisherysincethelate1800s.Inmorerecentyears,ithasplayedlanimportantadditiona1'.roleinprovidingexterisiverecreationalfishinglopportunityinSouthcentralAlaska.I.~[~.I!I~[!t927tEFFECTSOFTHEPROJECTONFISHANDWILDLIFERESOURCESFish:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirwillinundateabout82milesoftheSusitnaRiverandtributarystreamswhichsupporteXistingpopulationsofgrayling,DollyVarden,whitefish,burbot,suckers,andcottids.GraylingandDollyVardenarefoundprimarilyinclearwaterftreaswheretributariesjointheSusitnaRiver.ItisanticipatedthatbothDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillbeturbid.Streamfishingpotentialandproductiononinundatedportionsofthesetributarieswillbeeliminated.ItisunknownatthistimeifsignificantfisheriescanbedevelopedinthereservoirsbecauseoftheanticipatedturbidityandglacialcharacteristicsofthewaterintheUpperSusitnaBasin.DevilCanyonReservoiraffordsthebestopportunityforthedevelopmentofasportfisheryasitwillbelessturbidandmorestablethantheWatanaReservoir.AsignificantportionofthesalmonfoundinCookInletutjlizetheSusitnaRiveranditstributariesbelowtheDevilCanyondamsiteforspawningandrearing.AtthepresenttimetheSusitnaisrelativelyclearinthewinterandturbidinthesummer.Withtheprojectinoperation,theriverisexpectedtobemoreturbidinthewinterandlessturbidinthesummer.Otherchangesexpectedwiththeprojectwhichmayhaveanadverseimpactonfishresourcesincludingmortalityare:.(1)alteringthenaturalseasonalflow(reducedsummerflowsandincreasedwinterflows),(2)changesinnaturalseasonalwaterquality(thepossibilityofsupersaturationofcertaindissolvedgasessuchasnitrogenasaresultofspillage),(3)dewateringoftheclearwatersloughsadjacenttotheriver),(4)thermalchanges,and(5)increasedwinterturbiditywithattendantadverseimpactsonresidentandanadromousfishmovementintothemainstemoftheSusitnaRiver.ItisanticipatedthatwiththeprojectinoperationfishingpressureontheSusitnaRiverbelowDevilCanyonDammayincrease.Sufficientoperationaldataarenotavailableatthistimetodeterminethemagni-tudeofreleases,andtheresultingfluctuationsinriverflows.Con-ceivably,largerreleasescouldcreateahazardforfishermenandhaveanadverseimpactonfishproduction.Iflaterstudiesrevealsuchapossibility,theneedforadownstreamregulatingfacilityshouldbeconsidered.TheSusitnaRiversalmonresourcehasbeenofeconomicvaluetoacom-lmercialfisherysincethelate1800s.Inmorerecentyears,ithasplayedlanimportantadditiona1'.roleinprovidingexterisiverecreationalfishinglopportunityinSouthcentralAlaska.I.~[~.I!I~[!t927t
Thedegreetowhichtheseimportantindustriescanbeaffectedistotallyrelatedtothepossibledegreeoflosswhichmaybeincurredasaresultofthisproject.Thepossibilityexiststhatsome:losstothefisheryresourcecouldoccurasaresultoftheproject.LossofSusitnaRiversalmonstockscouldcontributetolossesof(1)taxesandlicenserevenues,(2)economichardshiporlossoffishprocessingplants,(3)economic·losstofisher-ment,(4)lossofrevenuesbysupportiveservicesand.businesses,(5)lossofcapitalinvestmentsasfisheriesarerestrictedorclosed,etc~Mostoftheseeffectswouldbefeltbyboththesportandcommercialindustries.ThepotentiallosstotheeconomyofSouthcentr~lAlaskathroughconstructionofthisprojectcouldbemanytimesgreaterthantheestimatedfiguresdepictedonpages10and11.Wildlife:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillinundatemoosehabitatconsistingof7,040acreswhichreceivelightuse,21,120acresof.habitatwhichreceivemoderateuse,and18,560acresofhabitatwhich.receiveheavyuse.Themoderateandheavyuseareasareconsideredpreferredorcriticalwinterhabitat.Associatedwithlossofmooseriparianbrowsesitesthroughflooding,islossofthepassagewaysbetweenpreferredareasifthewateroricelevelisfluctuated.ThisproblembecameapparentbymidwinterobservationofmoosetracksalongtheSusitnaRiverwhereanimalstraveledfromonetributarytoanother.Locationsofmooseconcentrationremainedthesamethroughoutthemidwintersurveys,buttrailsindicatethatindividualsmovedfromoneconcentrationareatoanotherfrequentlyduringthewinter.FlowregulationbelowDevilCanyonDammaycreatesuccessionalchangesintheriparianbrowseareaswithadverseeffectstomoose.TheuseoftheSusitnaRiverinthevicinityofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesbyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.DeeplyruttedtrailsofhistoriccrossingsitesalongtheSusitnaRiverwereobserved,however.CaribouseenwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovember1974,surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.Aswepointedoutearlier,ifobser-vationshadbeenmadeinMay,June,JulyandAugust,itislikelyanentirelydifferentmigrationalpatternmayhavebeenobserved.FluctuatingwateroricelevelsassociatedwithWatanaDamcoulddisruptmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiverwithunpredictableeffects.928Thedegreetowhichtheseimportantindustriescanbeaffectedistotallyrelatedtothepossibledegreeoflosswhichmaybeincurredasaresultofthisproject.Thepossibilityexiststhatsome:losstothefisheryresourcecouldoccurasaresultoftheproject.LossofSusitnaRiversalmonstockscouldcontributetolossesof(1)taxesandlicenserevenues,(2)economichardshiporlossoffishprocessingplants,(3)economic·losstofisher-ment,(4)lossofrevenuesbysupportiveservicesand.businesses,(5)lossofcapitalinvestmentsasfisheriesarerestrictedorclosed,etc~Mostoftheseeffectswouldbefeltbyboththesportandcommercialindustries.ThepotentiallosstotheeconomyofSouthcentr~lAlaskathroughconstructionofthisprojectcouldbemanytimesgreaterthantheestimatedfiguresdepictedonpages10and11.Wildlife:DevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswillinundatemoosehabitatconsistingof7,040acreswhichreceivelightuse,21,120acresof.habitatwhichreceivemoderateuse,and18,560acresofhabitatwhich.receiveheavyuse.Themoderateandheavyuseareasareconsideredpreferredorcriticalwinterhabitat.Associatedwithlossofmooseriparianbrowsesitesthroughflooding,islossofthepassagewaysbetweenpreferredareasifthewateroricelevelisfluctuated.ThisproblembecameapparentbymidwinterobservationofmoosetracksalongtheSusitnaRiverwhereanimalstraveledfromonetributarytoanother.Locationsofmooseconcentrationremainedthesamethroughoutthemidwintersurveys,buttrailsindicatethatindividualsmovedfromoneconcentrationareatoanotherfrequentlyduringthewinter.FlowregulationbelowDevilCanyonDammaycreatesuccessionalchangesintheriparianbrowseareaswithadverseeffectstomoose.TheuseoftheSusitnaRiverinthevicinityofDevilCanyonandWatanadamsitesbyNelchinacaribouforgrazingandcrossingwasminimalduringtheperiodNovember1974throughApril1975.DeeplyruttedtrailsofhistoriccrossingsitesalongtheSusitnaRiverwereobserved,however.CaribouseenwinteringnorthoftheSusitnaRiverduringtheNovember1974,surveymayhavecrossedtheSusitnaRivertoreachtheirtraditionalcalvinggroundsnearKosinaCreek.Aswepointedoutearlier,ifobser-vationshadbeenmadeinMay,June,JulyandAugust,itislikelyanentirelydifferentmigrationalpatternmayhavebeenobserved.FluctuatingwateroricelevelsassociatedwithWatanaDamcoulddisruptmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiverwithunpredictableeffects.928
TheWatanaHillsDa11sheepherdwasnotobservedclosetoareasthatwouldbeinundatedbyWatanaDam.Nodirecteffectsonthesesheepareexpected,.althoughindirecteffectsduetoimprovedhunteraccessmaywelloccur.Increasedpotentialhuntingpressureonbiggamethroughcreationofaccesscorridorsisamajoreffectforeseenbyconstructionofthesedams.MooseinthevicinityoftheDevilCanyonandWatanaCreekDamsarelightlyhuntednowbecauseofpooraccess.Lossofthesanctuaryarea(theuninhabited,lightly-huntedcore)oftheNelchinacaribou·srangemayresultinstricterhuntingregulationsinordertoproperlymanagetheresource.Theroadcorridorpluslimitedrivercrossing areamaypreventmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiver.Lossofwinterrangeformoose,lossoftherivercorridorformoosemovementduringthewinter,disruptionofcariboumovementsbyfluctuationofwater/icelevelsortransportationcorridors,increasedhuntingpressureonallbiggame,andincreasedhumanactivityonkeycaribourangearesomeoftheproblemsthatmayresultfromconstructionofdamsontheSusitnaRiver.TheWatanaCreekDamandanyotherdamsupstreamwillhavesubstantialeffects,whiletheDevilCanyonDamwillprobablybemildinitsimpactonbiggame.Birds:Baldeagles,goldeneagles,owls,falcons,andvariousspeciesofhawksarefoundthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasin.TheFishandWildlifeServiceconductedasurveyinJuneof1974andfoundthatthepopulationdensitiesofcliff-nestingraptorswerelowbetweentheDevilCanyonsiteandtheOshetnaRiver.SeveralnestingpairsofgyrfalconsandbaldeagleswereobservedinornearthecanyonsoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Noendangeredspeciesofperegrinefalcons,arcticorAmerican,areknowntonestalongtheupperSusitnaRiver,althoughperegrineshavebeensightedduringmigrationperiodsintheBroadPassandChulitnaRiverareas.Unknownnumbersofsprucegrouse,willowptarmigan,androckptarmiganarefoundwithintheprojectarea.Songbirds,shorebirds,andothersmallbirdsarefoundthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasin,buttheprojectisnotexpectedtohaveaserlousimpactontheseresources.WaterfowlofvariousspeciesarefoundinsmallnumbersalongtheSusitnaRiverduringthenestingseason.TheSusitnaRiverdrainagesprovideamigratorycorridor.ImpoundmentscreatedbyDevilCanyonandWatanadamsmayprovideconcentrationorrestingareasforbirdspriortotheirmigrationsouth.929TheWatanaHillsDa11sheepherdwasnotobservedclosetoareasthatwouldbeinundatedbyWatanaDam.Nodirecteffectsonthesesheepareexpected,.althoughindirecteffectsduetoimprovedhunteraccessmaywelloccur.Increasedpotentialhuntingpressureonbiggamethroughcreationofaccesscorridorsisamajoreffectforeseenbyconstructionofthesedams.MooseinthevicinityoftheDevilCanyonandWatanaCreekDamsarelightlyhuntednowbecauseofpooraccess.Lossofthesanctuaryarea(theuninhabited,lightly-huntedcore)oftheNelchinacaribou·srangemayresultinstricterhuntingregulationsinordertoproperlymanagetheresource.Theroadcorridorpluslimitedrivercrossing areamaypreventmovementsacrosstheSusitnaRiver.Lossofwinterrangeformoose,lossoftherivercorridorformoosemovementduringthewinter,disruptionofcariboumovementsbyfluctuationofwater/icelevelsortransportationcorridors,increasedhuntingpressureonallbiggame,andincreasedhumanactivityonkeycaribourangearesomeoftheproblemsthatmayresultfromconstructionofdamsontheSusitnaRiver.TheWatanaCreekDamandanyotherdamsupstreamwillhavesubstantialeffects,whiletheDevilCanyonDamwillprobablybemildinitsimpactonbiggame.Birds:Baldeagles,goldeneagles,owls,falcons,andvariousspeciesofhawksarefoundthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasin.TheFishandWildlifeServiceconductedasurveyinJuneof1974andfoundthatthepopulationdensitiesofcliff-nestingraptorswerelowbetweentheDevilCanyonsiteandtheOshetnaRiver.SeveralnestingpairsofgyrfalconsandbaldeagleswereobservedinornearthecanyonsoftheupperSusitnaRiver.Noendangeredspeciesofperegrinefalcons,arcticorAmerican,areknowntonestalongtheupperSusitnaRiver,althoughperegrineshavebeensightedduringmigrationperiodsintheBroadPassandChulitnaRiverareas.Unknownnumbersofsprucegrouse,willowptarmigan,androckptarmiganarefoundwithintheprojectarea.Songbirds,shorebirds,andothersmallbirdsarefoundthroughouttheentireSusitnaRiverbasin,buttheprojectisnotexpectedtohaveaserlousimpactontheseresources.WaterfowlofvariousspeciesarefoundinsmallnumbersalongtheSusitnaRiverduringthenestingseason.TheSusitnaRiverdrainagesprovideamigratorycorridor.ImpoundmentscreatedbyDevilCanyonandWatanadamsmayprovideconcentrationorrestingareasforbirdspriortotheirmigrationsouth.929
PLANOFDEVELOPMENTFORFISH&WILDLIFERESOURCESRecommendations:1.Theprojectbedesigned,constructedandoperatedinsuchamannerastoprovidewaterreleasesoraflowregimebelowWatanaandDevilCanyonDamsofsuitabletemperatureandwaterquality,topreserveexistingdownstreamfishresources.Sufficientdetailedhydraulicandbiologicalinformationisnotavailableatthistimetodetenninetheaboverequirements.ShouldtheflowrequirementsandwaterqualityneededtopreservetheeXistingdownstreamfishresourcesnotbeobtain-ableorthatthefishresourcesarelostasaresultoftheprojectconstructionoroperation,artificialpropagationfacilitieswillberequiredatprojectcost..Intheeventthatadequatenaturalreproductionfailstooccurinthetributarystreamstothereservoirareas,astockingprogramwillberequiredatprojectexpense.Costsofapprop-riatestudies,design,construction,operationandmaintenanceofthefacilitiesshouldbeauthorizedasaprojectcost.ThedesignandlocationoftheartificialpropagationfacilitiesshouldbedevelopedcooperativelywiththeFishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,NationalMarineFisheriesServiceandtheCorpsofEngineers.ThefacilitywouldbeoperatedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.2.IffluctuationsofdischargeflowsbelowWatanaandDevilCanyonDamscreateapublichazardoraredetrimentaltothemaintenanceofdownstreamfishresources,aregulatingdamandreservoirwillberequired.3.Providesafeandconvenientaccessforfishennentoprojectfacilitiesforrecreationalpurposes.4.ThereportoftheDistrictEngineerincludethepreservation,prop-agationandmanagementoffishandwildliferesourcesamongthepurposesforwhichtheprojectwillbeauthorized.5.ProjectlandsbeacquiredinaccordancewithJointArmy-InteriorLandAcquisitionPolicyforWaterResourceProjects.6.LeasesofFederallandintheprojectareasreservetherightoffreepublicaccessforhuntingandfishing.7.AllprojectlandsandwatersattheDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswhicharenotdesignatedforrecreation,safety,andefficientoperationbededicatedtouseforfishandwildlifemanagementinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofaGeneralPlanpreparedpursuanttoSection3oftheFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.TheselandsandwatersshouldbemadeavailabletotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameformanagement.930PLANOFDEVELOPMENTFORFISH&WILDLIFERESOURCESRecommendations:1.Theprojectbedesigned,constructedandoperatedinsuchamannerastoprovidewaterreleasesoraflowregimebelowWatanaandDevilCanyonDamsofsuitabletemperatureandwaterquality,topreserveexistingdownstreamfishresources.Sufficientdetailedhydraulicandbiologicalinformationisnotavailableatthistimetodetenninetheaboverequirements.ShouldtheflowrequirementsandwaterqualityneededtopreservetheeXistingdownstreamfishresourcesnotbeobtain-ableorthatthefishresourcesarelostasaresultoftheprojectconstructionoroperation,artificialpropagationfacilitieswillberequiredatprojectcost..Intheeventthatadequatenaturalreproductionfailstooccurinthetributarystreamstothereservoirareas,astockingprogramwillberequiredatprojectexpense.Costsofapprop-riatestudies,design,construction,operationandmaintenanceofthefacilitiesshouldbeauthorizedasaprojectcost.ThedesignandlocationoftheartificialpropagationfacilitiesshouldbedevelopedcooperativelywiththeFishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,NationalMarineFisheriesServiceandtheCorpsofEngineers.ThefacilitywouldbeoperatedbytheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame.2.IffluctuationsofdischargeflowsbelowWatanaandDevilCanyonDamscreateapublichazardoraredetrimentaltothemaintenanceofdownstreamfishresources,aregulatingdamandreservoirwillberequired.3.Providesafeandconvenientaccessforfishennentoprojectfacilitiesforrecreationalpurposes.4.ThereportoftheDistrictEngineerincludethepreservation,prop-agationandmanagementoffishandwildliferesourcesamongthepurposesforwhichtheprojectwillbeauthorized.5.ProjectlandsbeacquiredinaccordancewithJointArmy-InteriorLandAcquisitionPolicyforWaterResourceProjects.6.LeasesofFederallandintheprojectareasreservetherightoffreepublicaccessforhuntingandfishing.7.AllprojectlandsandwatersattheDevilCanyonandWatanaReservoirswhicharenotdesignatedforrecreation,safety,andefficientoperationbededicatedtouseforfishandwildlifemanagementinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofaGeneralPlanpreparedpursuanttoSection3oftheFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.TheselandsandwatersshouldbemadeavailabletotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameformanagement.930
8.Detailedbiologicalstudiesoffishandwildliferesourcesaffectedbytheprojectbeconductedjointlyduringpre-andpost-authorizationperiodsbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,NationalMarineFisheriesService,andtheCorpsofEngineers.Thesestudiesshallbeallocatedasajointcostamongprojectpurposes.9.TheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinvestigateportionsoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinandotherareasasreplacementhabitatforlossescausedbytheproposedproject.TheareasdelineatedshouldbecoveredbyaGeneralPlanpreparedpursuanttoSection30ftheFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.Operation,main-tenanceandreplacementcostsshallbeauthorizedasaprojectcost.10.Areservoirclearingplanandareservoirrecreationalzoningplanbedeveloped,asnecessary,toinsurethatcertainareas,orcertainperiods,areavailableforfishing,hunting,andotherfishandwildlifepurposeswithoutconflictinguses.TheseplansshallbedevelopedcooperativelybytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,CorpsofEngineers,andBureauofOutdoorRecreation.11.Toproducetheleastpotentialadverseimpactonraptors,thetrans-missionlinesshouldbeplacedalongthewestsideoftheParksHighway.12.Sectionofroadright-of-ways,borrowareas,andrelatedconstructionoperationsbeplannedincooperationwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,BureauofOutdoorRecreation,andtheCorpsofEngineers,soastominimizedamagetofishandwildlifeandotherrecreationalresources.Werequestthattherecommendationsinthisreportbeincludedinyourreportforauthorization.Weappreciatetheopportunitytocommentonthisprojectandshouldliketobenotifiedofchangesinprojectplansastheyoccur.Sincerely,'J.----;\.(J//....··V(<.,'l4'-'.?t'c,)':":l.lli!AreaDirec1;()r....../.y""9318.Detailedbiologicalstudiesoffishandwildliferesourcesaffectedbytheprojectbeconductedjointlyduringpre-andpost-authorizationperiodsbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,NationalMarineFisheriesService,andtheCorpsofEngineers.Thesestudiesshallbeallocatedasajointcostamongprojectpurposes.9.TheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameinvestigateportionsoftheUpperSusitnaRiverBasinandotherareasasreplacementhabitatforlossescausedbytheproposedproject.TheareasdelineatedshouldbecoveredbyaGeneralPlanpreparedpursuanttoSection30ftheFishandWildlifeCoordinationAct.Operation,main-tenanceandreplacementcostsshallbeauthorizedasaprojectcost.10.Areservoirclearingplanandareservoirrecreationalzoningplanbedeveloped,asnecessary,toinsurethatcertainareas,orcertainperiods,areavailableforfishing,hunting,andotherfishandwildlifepurposeswithoutconflictinguses.TheseplansshallbedevelopedcooperativelybytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,CorpsofEngineers,andBureauofOutdoorRecreation.11.Toproducetheleastpotentialadverseimpactonraptors,thetrans-missionlinesshouldbeplacedalongthewestsideoftheParksHighway.12.Sectionofroadright-of-ways,borrowareas,andrelatedconstructionoperationsbeplannedincooperationwiththeU.S.FishandWildlifeService,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame,BureauofOutdoorRecreation,andtheCorpsofEngineers,soastominimizedamagetofishandwildlifeandotherrecreationalresources.Werequestthattherecommendationsinthisreportbeincludedinyourreportforauthorization.Weappreciatetheopportunitytocommentonthisprojectandshouldliketobenotifiedofchangesinprojectplansastheyoccur.Sincerely,'J.----;\.(J//....··V(<.,'l4'-'.?t'c,)':":l.lli!AreaDirec1;()r....../.y""931
DEPARTMENTOFFISHANDGAMEJAYS.HAMMOIID,GOVERNOR333·RASPBERRYROADANCHORAGE!195D2October8,1975'GordonWatson,AreaDirectorFish&WildlifeServiceU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior813DStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501.Dear~tr.Watson:TheSouthcentralRailbelt,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricReportpreparedbyyouragencyhasbeenreviewedbythisdepartment.TheAlaskaDepartmentof,FishandGameconcurswiththecontentsofthereport,withminorexceptions.WehavecOTIlpiledalistofsuggestedchangesand/orcorrectionsandsubmittedthemdirectlytoMr.IvanHarjehausenofyourofficethroughourAnchorageSusitnaRiverprojectcoordinator.Yourattentiontothesecommentsisrequested.TIlisdepartmentwouldonceagainliketoemphasizetheverygreatneedforcontinuationofexisting,andinitiationofnewstudies,tofurtherdefinetheimpactstofishandwildlife.Ifwelnaybeoffurtherassistanceinfinalizationofyourreport,feelfreetocontactus.Sincerely,JanlesBrooks,CommissionerDepart::~tofFis~an~.G~e,-/(X.,.<i4'-v~-<-/J,l~tU"rBy:LarryJ.HeckartADF&GCoordinatorDepartmentoffishandGameL.JH:mk932DEPARTMENTOFFISHANDGAMEJAYS.HAMMOIID,GOVERNOR333·RASPBERRYROADANCHORAGE!195D2October8,1975'GordonWatson,AreaDirectorFish&WildlifeServiceU.S.DepartmentoftheInterior813DStreetAnchorage,Alaska99501.Dear~tr.Watson:TheSouthcentralRailbelt,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricReportpreparedbyyouragencyhasbeenreviewedbythisdepartment.TheAlaskaDepartmentof,FishandGameconcurswiththecontentsofthereport,withminorexceptions.WehavecOTIlpiledalistofsuggestedchangesand/orcorrectionsandsubmittedthemdirectlytoMr.IvanHarjehausenofyourofficethroughourAnchorageSusitnaRiverprojectcoordinator.Yourattentiontothesecommentsisrequested.TIlisdepartmentwouldonceagainliketoemphasizetheverygreatneedforcontinuationofexisting,andinitiationofnewstudies,tofurtherdefinetheimpactstofishandwildlife.Ifwelnaybeoffurtherassistanceinfinalizationofyourreport,feelfreetocontactus.Sincerely,JanlesBrooks,CommissionerDepart::~tofFis~an~.G~e,-/(X.,.<i4'-v~-<-/J,l~tU"rBy:LarryJ.HeckartADF&GCoordinatorDepartmentoffishandGameL.JH:mk932
u.s.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCEN8tion8'OC88nic8ndAtmosphericAdministr8tionNATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEP.O.BOX1668-JUNEAU,ALASKA99801October8,1975Mr.GordonW.WatsonDirector,AlaskaRegionFishandWildlifeService813DStreetAnchorage,AK99501DearMr.Watson:TheNationalMarineFisheriesServicehasreceivedyourdraftfinalreport"SouthCentralRailbeltArea,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricProject,TwoDamPlan"forreviewandcomment.Weconcurwiththerecommendationsasoutlinedinthe"PlanofDevelopmentforFishandWildlifeResources."Wenote,however,thatresultsofcurrentstudiesconcerningsportandcommercialfisheriesarenotavailableforthisreport.We,therefore,expecttomakelatercommentsandofferfurtherrecommendationspendingconclusionofthesestudies.933u.s.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCEN8tion8'OC88nic8ndAtmosphericAdministr8tionNATIONALMARINEFISHERIESSERVICEP.O.BOX1668-JUNEAU,ALASKA99801October8,1975Mr.GordonW.WatsonDirector,AlaskaRegionFishandWildlifeService813DStreetAnchorage,AK99501DearMr.Watson:TheNationalMarineFisheriesServicehasreceivedyourdraftfinalreport"SouthCentralRailbeltArea,UpperSusitnaRiverBasinHydroelectricProject,TwoDamPlan"forreviewandcomment.Weconcurwiththerecommendationsasoutlinedinthe"PlanofDevelopmentforFishandWildlifeResources."Wenote,however,thatresultsofcurrentstudiesconcerningsportandcommercialfisheriesarenotavailableforthisreport.We,therefore,expecttomakelatercommentsandofferfurtherrecommendationspendingconclusionofthesestudies.933
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STATEMENTOFFINDINGSSTATEMENTOFFINDINGSHYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOPMENTUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREA.ALASKA1.AsDistrictEngineer.AlaskaDistrict1U.S.AnnyCorps.,ofEngineers.Ihavereviewedandevaluated,inlightOTtheoverallpUblicinterest,thedocumentsconcerningtheproposedaction,aswellasthestatedviewsofotherinterestedagenciesandtheconcernedpUblic.MyreviewandevaluationofalternativeshavebeeninaccordancewitharesolutionoftheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senateadoptedon18January1972directingthatastudybemade".••withparticularreferencetotheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentsystem,includingtheDevilCanyonProjectandanycompetitivealternativesthereto,fortheprovisionofpowertotheSouthcentralRailbeltAreaofAlaska."2.Thepossibleconsequencesofthesealternativeshavebeenstudiedforenvironmental,socialwell-being,andeconomiceffectsandforengi-neeringfeasibility.Thealternativeswereassessedandevaluatedinlightofnationalobjectivesrelatedtoregionalandnationaleconomicdevelopment,andpreservationandenhancementofenvironmentalquality,inaccordancewiththeWaterResourcesCouncil'sPrinciplesandStandardsforwaterandrelatedlandresourcesplanning.3.Inevaluationoftheselectedplanandotheralternatives,thefollowingpointswereconsideredpertinent:a.Planselectioncriteria.Abasicpremiseutilizedintheassessmentandevaluationofalternativeelectricalgeneratingfacil-itiesisthatgrowthinelectricalpowerdemandwillbeasprojectedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Theirproj~ctedgrowthratesafter1980aresubstantiallybelowexistingtrends,andtheyalsoreflectanassumedsubstantialsavi'ngthroughincreasedefficiencyinuseofenergyandimplementationofelectricalenergyconservationprograms;thustheyarejudgedtobeconservative.AnotherassumptionisthatrequiredelectricalpowergenerationdevelopmentfrC)lllwhat-eversourceorsourceswillproceedtosatisfytheprojectedneeds.Alsoconsideredintheweighingofalternativesisthataplanmustbetechnicallyfeasibleatthepresenttimetobeconsideredforinitialdevelopment.Afterconsideringnumerousalternativesourcesofpower,thoseadjudgedtobemostcompetitivetohydropowerwerecoalandgasoroilthennalgeneratingfacilities.Mychoiceoftheselectedplanisbasedontheidentificationandevaluationofsignificantenvirorvnental,social,andeconomiceffectsassociatedwiththeseandotheralternatives,includingthatofnoCorpsaction.Thesefactors,plusengineeringfeasibility,wereconsideredinarrivingattheselectedplaninpreferenceto·otheralternatives.AfinalconsiderationinmychoiceoftheselectedplanisPublicLaw93-577,passedbyCongresson31December1974,whichestablishes935STATEMENTOFFINDINGSSTATEMENTOFFINDINGSHYDROELECTRICPOWERDEVELOPMENTUPPERSUSITNARIVERBASINSOUTHCENTRALRAILBELTAREA.ALASKA1.AsDistrictEngineer.AlaskaDistrict1U.S.AnnyCorps.,ofEngineers.Ihavereviewedandevaluated,inlightOTtheoverallpUblicinterest,thedocumentsconcerningtheproposedaction,aswellasthestatedviewsofotherinterestedagenciesandtheconcernedpUblic.MyreviewandevaluationofalternativeshavebeeninaccordancewitharesolutionoftheCommitteeonPublicWorksoftheU.S.Senateadoptedon18January1972directingthatastudybemade".••withparticularreferencetotheSusitnaRiverhydroelectricpowerdevelopmentsystem,includingtheDevilCanyonProjectandanycompetitivealternativesthereto,fortheprovisionofpowertotheSouthcentralRailbeltAreaofAlaska."2.Thepossibleconsequencesofthesealternativeshavebeenstudiedforenvironmental,socialwell-being,andeconomiceffectsandforengi-neeringfeasibility.Thealternativeswereassessedandevaluatedinlightofnationalobjectivesrelatedtoregionalandnationaleconomicdevelopment,andpreservationandenhancementofenvironmentalquality,inaccordancewiththeWaterResourcesCouncil'sPrinciplesandStandardsforwaterandrelatedlandresourcesplanning.3.Inevaluationoftheselectedplanandotheralternatives,thefollowingpointswereconsideredpertinent:a.Planselectioncriteria.Abasicpremiseutilizedintheassessmentandevaluationofalternativeelectricalgeneratingfacil-itiesisthatgrowthinelectricalpowerdemandwillbeasprojectedbytheAlaskaPowerAdministration.Theirproj~ctedgrowthratesafter1980aresubstantiallybelowexistingtrends,andtheyalsoreflectanassumedsubstantialsavi'ngthroughincreasedefficiencyinuseofenergyandimplementationofelectricalenergyconservationprograms;thustheyarejudgedtobeconservative.AnotherassumptionisthatrequiredelectricalpowergenerationdevelopmentfrC)lllwhat-eversourceorsourceswillproceedtosatisfytheprojectedneeds.Alsoconsideredintheweighingofalternativesisthataplanmustbetechnicallyfeasibleatthepresenttimetobeconsideredforinitialdevelopment.Afterconsideringnumerousalternativesourcesofpower,thoseadjudgedtobemostcompetitivetohydropowerwerecoalandgasoroilthennalgeneratingfacilities.Mychoiceoftheselectedplanisbasedontheidentificationandevaluationofsignificantenvirorvnental,social,andeconomiceffectsassociatedwiththeseandotheralternatives,includingthatofnoCorpsaction.Thesefactors,plusengineeringfeasibility,wereconsideredinarrivingattheselectedplaninpreferenceto·otheralternatives.AfinalconsiderationinmychoiceoftheselectedplanisPublicLaw93-577,passedbyCongresson31December1974,whichestablishes935
asnationalpolicytheconservationofnon-renewableresourcesthroughtheutilizationofrenewableresources,wherepossible.b.Environmentalconsiderations.Allviablealternatives(thosehavingexistingtechnicalfeasibility,whichprovidelong-termsourcesofpower,andwhichwouldprovideapproximatelyequivalentamountsofelectricalenergyastheselectedplan)wouldhavesomeadverseimpactsonthetotalhumanenvironment.Althoughadverseimpactsrelatedtocoalwouldbeofadifferentnaturethanthosecausedbyhydropower,theywouldbesignificant,andinsomerespects,belessamenabletoameliorationormitigativeefforts.However,theselectionofahydropoweralternativedoesnotprecludethepossi-bility,orlikelihood,thatcoalwillbeminedandutilizedforexportati.onorasasupplementalsourceofpowerwithin theRail-beltareaitself.Gasoroilwouldhavelessoveralladverseenvi-ronmentalimpactthancoalandhydropower.However,long-rangeoutlooksforavailabilityandcostsofoilandgas,andthepossi-bilitythathigherandbetterfutureusescanandprobablywillbemadeoftheseresources,makesthemeconomicallyandsociallylessdesirablethancoalorhydropower.Thisalternativewasrejectedlargelyonthebasisofthenationaleffortstodevelopenergysourcesthatlimittheuseofoilandgasforpowergeneration.Significantimpactsdirectlyrelatedtotheselectedplanincludeinundationofsome50,550acresoflandand82milesofnaturalstream(including9milesofauniqueII-milereachofwhitewaterrapids)andassociatedwildlifeandfisheryhabitat,creationofreservoirsperpendiculartocariboumigrationrouteswhichleadbetweencalvinggroundsandsummerranges,andchangesindownstreamflowregimenandwaterqualitycharacteristics.Theselectedplanisdeterminedtobeenvironmentallyacceptableinthatitprovides,fromalltheviablealternatives,themostfavorablebalanceinthetrade-offsbetweenresourcesirretrievablylostandlong-termbenefitsderived.c.Socia]well-beingconsi.derations.AmajorconsiderationisthefulfillmentofprojectedenergyneedsofamoderatelygrowingpopulationintheSouthcentralRailbe1tArea.Reliabilityand10ng-termbenefits.areconsideredtobeess"entialtoanyplanofdevelop-ment.Theseconditionsaremoreassuredwithcoalandhydropowerthantheyarewithgasandoil.Withoutanintertie,acoalalter-nativewouldbelessreliablethanhydropower.Conservationofnon-renewableresourcesisalsoviewedasagrowingsocialconcern.Nootheralternativeconsideredwouldlikelyhavelessdirectimpactonexistingmanmaderesourcesordevelopmentsthantheselectedplan.Theremote,essentiallyuninhabitatedprojectsiteandthelackofdevelopedprivatepropertyprecludesthesocialdisruptionassociatedwithdisplacementofpeople'shomes,businesses,andinstitutions.Adversesocialeffectsresultingfromtheplanincludedrasticmodificationoftheexistingnaturalvisualqualityofthearea,physicaldisturbanceofanessentiallywildernesssetting,changesintraditional936asnationalpolicytheconservationofnon-renewableresourcesthroughtheutilizationofrenewableresources,wherepossible.b.Environmentalconsiderations.Allviablealternatives(thosehavingexistingtechnicalfeasibility,whichprovidelong-termsourcesofpower,andwhichwouldprovideapproximatelyequivalentamountsofelectricalenergyastheselectedplan)wouldhavesomeadverseimpactsonthetotalhumanenvironment.Althoughadverseimpactsrelatedtocoalwouldbeofadifferentnaturethanthosecausedbyhydropower,theywouldbesignificant,andinsomerespects,belessamenabletoameliorationormitigativeefforts.However,theselectionofahydropoweralternativedoesnotprecludethepossi-bility,orlikelihood,thatcoalwillbeminedandutilizedforexportati.onorasasupplementalsourceofpowerwithin theRail-beltareaitself.Gasoroilwouldhavelessoveralladverseenvi-ronmentalimpactthancoalandhydropower.However,long-rangeoutlooksforavailabilityandcostsofoilandgas,andthepossi-bilitythathigherandbetterfutureusescanandprobablywillbemadeoftheseresources,makesthemeconomicallyandsociallylessdesirablethancoalorhydropower.Thisalternativewasrejectedlargelyonthebasisofthenationaleffortstodevelopenergysourcesthatlimittheuseofoilandgasforpowergeneration.Significantimpactsdirectlyrelatedtotheselectedplanincludeinundationofsome50,550acresoflandand82milesofnaturalstream(including9milesofauniqueII-milereachofwhitewaterrapids)andassociatedwildlifeandfisheryhabitat,creationofreservoirsperpendiculartocariboumigrationrouteswhichleadbetweencalvinggroundsandsummerranges,andchangesindownstreamflowregimenandwaterqualitycharacteristics.Theselectedplanisdeterminedtobeenvironmentallyacceptableinthatitprovides,fromalltheviablealternatives,themostfavorablebalanceinthetrade-offsbetweenresourcesirretrievablylostandlong-termbenefitsderived.c.Socia]well-beingconsi.derations.AmajorconsiderationisthefulfillmentofprojectedenergyneedsofamoderatelygrowingpopulationintheSouthcentralRailbe1tArea.Reliabilityand10ng-termbenefits.areconsideredtobeess"entialtoanyplanofdevelop-ment.Theseconditionsaremoreassuredwithcoalandhydropowerthantheyarewithgasandoil.Withoutanintertie,acoalalter-nativewouldbelessreliablethanhydropower.Conservationofnon-renewableresourcesisalsoviewedasagrowingsocialconcern.Nootheralternativeconsideredwouldlikelyhavelessdirectimpactonexistingmanmaderesourcesordevelopmentsthantheselectedplan.Theremote,essentiallyuninhabitatedprojectsiteandthelackofdevelopedprivatepropertyprecludesthesocialdisruptionassociatedwithdisplacementofpeople'shomes,businesses,andinstitutions.Adversesocialeffectsresultingfromtheplanincludedrasticmodificationoftheexistingnaturalvisualqualityofthearea,physicaldisturbanceofanessentiallywildernesssetting,changesintraditional936
recreationalusageoftheprojectareaandsurroundinglands,andinfluxoftemporaryconstructionworkersonsmallcommunitiesneartheconstructionsites..d.Economicconsiderations.Fromaneconomicstandpoint,theselectedplanisestimatedtoprovidethegreatestnetadditiontonationaleconomicdevelopmentofallalternativesstudied.Addi-tionally,theregionaleconomywillbebenefitedduringtheconstruc-tionperiodthroughtheemploymentofasignificantnumberofotherwiseunemployedindividuals.e.Engineeringconsiderations.Allmajoralternativesconsideredaretechnicallyfeasible,involvingonlyexistingtechnology,methods,andequipmenttoconstructandoperate.Ofthehydroelectricalter-natives,theselectedplanutilizesthetwodamsiteswiththemostfavorablefoundationconditions.Bothdamsarelarge,theWatanastructureexceedingtheheightofthehighestpresentearthfillstructureintheWesternHemisphere.Majorconsiderationsinthedesignofthestructuresincludethepossibleeffectsofhighin-tensityearthquakesbecausetheprojectsiteisinazoneofhighseismicactivity,outletworkstoallowrapidandsafedrainingoftheimpoundmentsif,inspiteofalldesignefforts,oneorbothofthestructuresisseverelydamagedtothepointofimminentfailure,andmultiplelevelintakeworksprovidingforselectivewithdrawalofwaterstoallowcontrolofdownstreamwaterqualityintheinterestofconservingorenhancingdownstreamfisheryvalues.f.Otherpublicinterestconsiderations.Closecoordinationhasbeenmaintainedwithotheragencies,groups,andthegeneralpublicthroughoutthestudyperiod.Resultsofaseriesofpublicmeetingsindicategeneralpublicsupportfortheselectedplan.However,vocaloppositioninresponsetopublicreviewoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementha.sbeenexpressedbysomeenvironmentalgroupsandindividuals.NotableamongthesearetheSierraClub,theUpperCookInletandCollegeChaptersoftheAlaskaConservationSociety,KnikKanoersandKayakers,Inc.,andindividualwhitewaterboatingenthusiasts.SeveralFederalagencies,particularlytheBureauofLandManagement,theU.S.GeologicalSurvey,andtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicehaveexpressedviewsconcerningtheneedfordetailedenvironmentalandgeologicalstudiespriortofinaldeterminationsregardingprojectconstruction.4.Ifindthattheactionproposed,asdevelopedinaccordance withthePrinciplesandStandardsestablishedbytheWaterResources·CouncilandstatedintherecommendationsoftheInterimFeasibilityReport,isbasedonathoroughanalysisandevaluationofvariouspracticablealternativeswhichwouldachievethestatedobjectives;thatwhereveradverseeffectsarefound-tobeinvolvedwhichcannotbeavoidedbyfollowingreasonablealternativecoursesofactiontoachievethecongressionallyspecifiedpurpose,theycaneitherbeameliorated,oraresubstantiallyoutweighedbyotherconsiderations937recreationalusageoftheprojectareaandsurroundinglands,andinfluxoftemporaryconstructionworkersonsmallcommunitiesneartheconstructionsites..d.Economicconsiderations.Fromaneconomicstandpoint,theselectedplanisestimatedtoprovidethegreatestnetadditiontonationaleconomicdevelopmentofallalternativesstudied.Addi-tionally,theregionaleconomywillbebenefitedduringtheconstruc-tionperiodthroughtheemploymentofasignificantnumberofotherwiseunemployedindividuals.e.Engineeringconsiderations.Allmajoralternativesconsideredaretechnicallyfeasible,involvingonlyexistingtechnology,methods,andequipmenttoconstructandoperate.Ofthehydroelectricalter-natives,theselectedplanutilizesthetwodamsiteswiththemostfavorablefoundationconditions.Bothdamsarelarge,theWatanastructureexceedingtheheightofthehighestpresentearthfillstructureintheWesternHemisphere.Majorconsiderationsinthedesignofthestructuresincludethepossibleeffectsofhighin-tensityearthquakesbecausetheprojectsiteisinazoneofhighseismicactivity,outletworkstoallowrapidandsafedrainingoftheimpoundmentsif,inspiteofalldesignefforts,oneorbothofthestructuresisseverelydamagedtothepointofimminentfailure,andmultiplelevelintakeworksprovidingforselectivewithdrawalofwaterstoallowcontrolofdownstreamwaterqualityintheinterestofconservingorenhancingdownstreamfisheryvalues.f.Otherpublicinterestconsiderations.Closecoordinationhasbeenmaintainedwithotheragencies,groups,andthegeneralpublicthroughoutthestudyperiod.Resultsofaseriesofpublicmeetingsindicategeneralpublicsupportfortheselectedplan.However,vocaloppositioninresponsetopublicreviewoftheDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatementha.sbeenexpressedbysomeenvironmentalgroupsandindividuals.NotableamongthesearetheSierraClub,theUpperCookInletandCollegeChaptersoftheAlaskaConservationSociety,KnikKanoersandKayakers,Inc.,andindividualwhitewaterboatingenthusiasts.SeveralFederalagencies,particularlytheBureauofLandManagement,theU.S.GeologicalSurvey,andtheU.S.FishandWildlifeServicehaveexpressedviewsconcerningtheneedfordetailedenvironmentalandgeologicalstudiespriortofinaldeterminationsregardingprojectconstruction.4.Ifindthattheactionproposed,asdevelopedinaccordance withthePrinciplesandStandardsestablishedbytheWaterResources·CouncilandstatedintherecommendationsoftheInterimFeasibilityReport,isbasedonathoroughanalysisandevaluationofvariouspracticablealternativeswhichwouldachievethestatedobjectives;thatwhereveradverseeffectsarefound-tobeinvolvedwhichcannotbeavoidedbyfollowingreasonablealternativecoursesofactiontoachievethecongressionallyspecifiedpurpose,theycaneitherbeameliorated,oraresubstantiallyoutweighedbyotherconsiderations937
ofnationalpolicYithatthe·recorrmendedactionisconsonantwithnationalpolicy,statutes,andadministrativedirectivesiandthatonbalancethetotalpublicinterestshouldbestbeservedbyimplementationoftherecommendedplan.\..1975IhavereviewedtheStatementofFindingsandconcurwiththerecommendationsoftheDistrictEngineer.ZtlO«;'?SDateIconcurintheprecedingStatementofFindings.~.fl::-::-:=::,.,~L~_£:-_r---.;:.7_~41?7?DRAKEWILSONDATEBrigadierGeneral,USADeputyDirectorofCivilWorkso938ofnationalpolicYithatthe·recorrmendedactionisconsonantwithnationalpolicy,statutes,andadministrativedirectivesiandthatonbalancethetotalpublicinterestshouldbestbeservedbyimplementationoftherecommendedplan.\..1975IhavereviewedtheStatementofFindingsandconcurwiththerecommendationsoftheDistrictEngineer.ZtlO«;'?SDateIconcurintheprecedingStatementofFindings.~.fl::-::-:=::,.,~L~_£:-_r---.;:.7_~41?7?DRAKEWILSONDATEBrigadierGeneral,USADeputyDirectorofCivilWorkso938