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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA4100';r ..-1 J l J ] B J o ~ g 3 g ] J ] ] J J J. .. BIOLOGICAL PLAN OP STUDY FOR l!iE. SUSITNA HYDROPOWER FEASIBILITY AlIALYSIS red By ALASKA DEPARTIIDlT OF FISH AND GANE December 1,1977 , '. c'~c Alaska Department of Fish and Game Prepa1;ed by BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY FOR THE SUSITNA HYDROPOWER FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS Introduction The Susitna River drainage is locat~d north of Cook Inlet and encompasses a total of 19,400 square miles.The free-flowing Susitna River is approximately 275 miles long from its source in the Alaska MOuntain Range to its point of discharge into Cook Inlet.The mainstem Susitna River and its major tributaries originate in glaciers and carry a heavy silt load during the ice-free'months.There are also many smaller tributaries which are perennially silt-free. Background knowledge of the Susitna River basin is limited.The proposed hydroelectric development necessitates gaining a thorough knowledge of its natural characteristics and populations prior to ~inal dam design approval and construction authorization in order to protect the aquatic,and terrestrial populations from unnecessary losses.All engineering,hydrological,biological,and other Project Feasibility Study activities conducted by the various governmental and private ; agencies will also have to be monitored and regulated.to prevent ecological disturbances. -1- The two dams will inundate an estimated 50,550 acres of the Susitna River basin aquatic and terrestrial habitat upstream of Devils Canyon. Regulation of the mainstem.river will substantially alter the natural flow regime downstream.The transmission line corridor,substations, road corridor,and construction pad sites may also impact aquatic and terrestrial communities and their habitat.Historically,the long and short-term environmental impacts of hydroelectric dams have adversely altered the extremely delicate balance of ecosystems.' The u.S.Army Corps of Engineers is cu~rently evaluating the Susitna River for hydroelectric power development.A two dam system (Watana and,Devils Canyon dams)with transmission facilities to Anchorage and Fairbanks has been proposed.If the project is deemed feasible,the ,Watana dam will be the first project built.It will consist of an 810- foot high earth-fill structure located at river mile 165.The reservoir will extend 54 miles upstream and have a surface area of 43,000 acres. The Devils Canyon Dam will follow completion of Watana and will be a concrete thin-arch dam 635 feet high.This reservoir will inundate 7,550 acres and 28 miles of natural river.The transmission line will be approximately 400 miles in length and includes double towers and substations.Four corridor routes are under consideration.The access road to the proposed dam sites will be approximately 60 miles long. Construction pad sites will be located throughout the project area. .. ,.... oo l1) l1) ~ CI) 0'> coocoo C\I :..../.t ,,~'~ [ [ [ [ [ be C c' C [j B C r;g C C C· B l [ [ [. [ [ [ [- E [ [ [J E1 C L [ E L b l .. ... The complexrela~nshiPs within the aquatic ~ndC;~~~estrial communities and between their habitat must be defined.Adyerse impacts to populations will1J1ost .1ikely result from loss or alteration of hapttat.Where habitat will be totally lost to a populati:on through destruction,inundation,or blocking of migrations,it is necessary to know the importance of that particular habitat to the population and the crvailability of alternative habitats..Where habitat will be merely altered,it is necessary to know what elements within that habitat are important to the population and what changes will occur in th~se elements. The effects of impoundments and construction activities which alter natural flow regi:mes,water chemistry,.mass transport of materials,and quantity of wetted habitat areas are of primary concern.'These changes may disrupt the trophic structure and habitat composition and reduce or eliminate terrestrial and aquatic populations.These populations and vegetation in and around the free-flowing rivers have evolved to their current levels due to flow variations.Some spec.ies may.be present only because this particular hydrologic regime exists.Direct studies of aquatic and terrestrial species can delineate a population and indicate their distribution throughout the year and to a certain extent define why species are there..Seasonal life histqry studies must be accompanied by habitat studies if we are to determine the.full significanc.eof habitat alteration to the population. Five species of Pacific salmon (chinook,coho,chum,pink,and sockeye) inhabit the Susitna River drainage during their freshwater life history stages.The majority of chinook,coho,chum,and pink salmon production in Cook Inlet occurs within this drainage.Grayling,rainbow trout,Dolly VaIden,burbot,lake trout,and whitefish are some of the more common and i:mportant resident fish species.Moose,caribou,wolf,small fur bearers, and avian populations are among the terrestrial populations inhabiting the project area.Some of these species reside in the area year round.Others utilize the area on a seasonal basis.' The studies identified for the pre-authorization environmental assess- ment are necessary to predict the impacts of hydroelectric development on the ecosystem.The objectives of the biological investigations are based upon the assumption that the Devils Canyon and Watana two dam plan will be selected.It must be realized that as the plan evolves and new information becomes available,the program must be flexible enough to permit adjustments in study direction.If other basin development schemes are proposed,study time and costs will have to be re-evaluated.The studies must be funded as a whole and for at least five c.omplete years to achieve the best possible end product for the current plan.Capital requirements for each year were based upon FY-78 dollars.Therefore,inflation will necessitate annual supplemental allocations which represent revised cost estimates.The proposals are closely integrated and demonstrate the need for continuity. The design,timing,manpower requirements,and funding levels of the individual projects have been coordinated. -2- >. 3- No single project can stand alone without considerable change and probable increases in cost.The proposal is designed to assess the major components of the ecosystem in determining the effects of major dam construction. A team of resource specialists representing various scientific dis- ciplines will be required to carry out field investigations in habitat assessment.Adequate time will be required to,organize study personnel and procure equipment prior to the first field season.An untimely delay could prevent the initiation of the field studies one year. C~:c)... " [ [- [ [ [ [ [' t [ [ 6 6 L [ [ l [ E E 4- Seasonal fluctuations in the physiochemical composition of the aquatic habitat are apparently the major factors influencing distribution of fish within the upper drainage.Any alterations resulting from hydroelectric project activities which restrict or reduce quality or quantity of required habitat will also reduce fish populations.and associated members of the aquatic community. The interrelationships within the biol~gical communities and between their habitats must be clearly defined to protect the aquatic ecosystem from losses incurred by hydroelectric development.The effects on the anadromous and resident fish populations are of primary concern to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game fisheries divisions.Aquatic studies will,therefore,concentrate on the seasonal life histories and critical habitat requirements of fish species present. Baseline fisheries inventories were conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the upper Susitna River during the 1974-1977 field seasons.The Susitna Basin is the major coho,pink,chum,and chinook salmon production area within the Cook Inlet area.Although total escape- ment estimates have not been derived for this system,it is probably the second or third largest sockeye salmon production area within Cook Inlet. Grayling,rainbow trout,Dolly Varden,lake trout,whitefish,and burbot are among the important resident fish species present. C) _/ AQUATIC BIOLOGY STUDIESc/ Introduction Each aquatic community is dependent upon various river mechanics to provide the necessary habitat for its existence.Depth,Width,and velocity of the stream flow determine the quality and quantity of habitat available to aquatic organisms.High water discharge associated with spring and summer r~off results in important physical habitat alterations.·Unregulated flowing waters dilute and transport natural and man-generated pollutants. A flushing or scouring action occurs during periods of high flows and removes deposited sediments and fines,resulting in an annual cleansing of the river bottom.This is an important factor in rivers l~ke the Susitna The proposed Susitna River hydroelectric project will have various impacts on both the indigenous organisms and the natural conditions within the aquat~c environment.The fish populations are the most obvious aspects of the aquatic community where impacts will be evident due to their economic and recreational importance to the people of Alaska and the nation. .However,studies cannot be limited to the fishery resource alone due to the complex interrelationships between all biological components of,and within,the aquatic community and the associated habitat.The majority of the impacts on fish species will likely ;result from changes in the natural regimes of the river rather than direct impacts on the fish in the vicinity. Primary areas of concern are reduction of stream flow,increased turbidity levels during winter months,and ·thermal and chemical pollution.Alterations of the habitat may adversely affect the existing fish populations and render portions of the drainage either nonproductive or unavailable in \future years. ~ ., [ [ [ L [ [ [ E [ r~j 6 bb C fl-u [ E L r_-~~ E E ~ Il_.>i I' [ which transport largC.:inounts of glacial silt.Depo[~)ion of sedimeht without the annual scouring could change the overall productivity of the river,-eventually suffocating some of the aquatic organisms. Individual study proposals are designed to provide the necessary background information to enable proper evaluation of fmpacts.Six general objectives have been outlined: 1),,Determine the relative abundance and distribution of anadromous fish populations within the drainage. r-., 2)Determine the distribution and abundance of selected resident fish populations. l~ [ C' [ C D ~u l C [ C [ b [ 3}DeteDnine the seasonal habita~requirements of anadramous and resident fish species during each stage of their life histories. 4)DeteDnine the economic,recreational,social,and aesthetic values of the existing resident and anadromous fish stocks and habitat. 5}Determine the impact the Devils Canyon project will have on the aquatic ecosystems and any required mitigation prior to con- struction approval. 6)Determine a long ter.m,plan of study,if the project is authorized, to monitor the impacts during and after project completion. Fisheries and physiochemical sampling techniques and equipment for large rivers similar to the Susitna are in the early stages of development. Research and development must accompany the study to modify equipment and techniques to the habitat conditions of the specific environment to be evaluated. The large drainage areas encompassed by the project are divided and categorized by location and activity.The three major study areas are: 1)The Susitna River basin between Denali Highway and Cook Inlet. 2)The proposed transmission line corridor and construction road .drainage areas. 3)The Cook Inlet es tuarine area. All proposed studies are interrelated and have been coordinated to produce specific results.The elimination of any segment of a project will require revision of study plans.Investigations have been arbitrarily divided into anadromous and resident species studies.To insure precise and adequate aquatic data are collected each study is limited to a specific geographic area..A sufficient number of personnel must therefore .be distributed throughout the study areas to insure a cross-section of habitat conditions are examined and movements of fish populations are monitored. -5- Adults -6- Obj ectives:Determine the abundance and distributi'On of anadrOD1ous fish populations. Title:Impact of the Proposed Devils Canyon-WatanaHydropower Projects On Anadromous Fish Populations Within the Susitna River Drainage. c'C' _/ Determine the seasonal freshwater habitat requirements of adult and juvenile sahon,including spawning,incubation,rearing,and 'migration. Population,estimates of salmon species utilizing the Susitna River above the Chulitna River confluence were estimated during the 1974,1975,and 1977 field seasons based on tagging and subsequent recovery of fish.These studies indicate a portion of the salmon tagged are not destined to ,spawn above the tagging site,but rather below it.The importance and extent The Alaska.Depa~tment of Fish and Game has conducted fisheries investiga- tions in the area of proposed dam construction downstream since 1974. Emphasis has been on the inventory of adult and juvenile salmon stocks and habitat assessment.Current research investigations have concentrated on determining total escapement of salmOn'species into the Susitna drainage and intrasystem migrations of fry.Successful tag and recovery proj ects were operated in the lower river during 1975 and 1977 and the feasibility of sonar operation was tested in the mainstem Susitna River approximately 25 miles upstream from Cook Inlet during 1976. Only through complete stock assessment will it be possible to determine what portion of the Susitna River anadromous fish runs will be affected by the project and the level of mitigative measures which will ultimately be required.It is essential to know what portion the affected stocks contribute to the total Susitna River salmon escapement in order to determine potential losses of fish populations and numbers.Economic values and relative importance can be determined after establishing this. Pink,chum,and chinook salmon are the dominant species utilizing the upper reaches of the drainage although sockeye and coho salmon are also observed. The major hydroelectric project impacts on the anadrOD1ous fish species are expected to be due to changes in habitat.Alteration of the normal fl'ow regimes and the physical and chemical water characteristics will probably be the most critical impacts.It is difficult at this time to determine the distance downstream from the proposed dams that changes will occur. Studies conducted by Townsend (1975)in the Peace River demonstrate that effects were observed 730 miles downstream from the Bennett Dam. Background:The salmon stocks of the Susitna River drainage are major contributors to the Cook Inlet area fishery.Determining total escapement into this system is greatly complicated by the glacial conditions of the major streams and the enormity of the area.Management of the northern ,Cook Inlet salmon stocks has been diffi~lt due to the mixed stock commercial fishery in Cook Inlet and the lack of adequate tools to provide accurate in season escapement estimates for the drainage. \.f'" [ [ [ [ [ [ E [ C C ~ [ C "[ C [, L E Adults :Juveniles Data collected since 1974 provide only baseline information.Generaliza- tions may be made,but sufficient information is not available to determine specific impacts of dam construction and operation on incubating and rearing anadromous species. Observations of spawning areas between the Chulitna and Susitna river confluence upstream to Portage Cre~k during fall surveys indicate that a ~eduction in flow to proposed post-construction levels would prevent access to many important spawning areas. cc; Procedures:Emphasis should be on determining total salmon escapement into the drainage,stock separation,and habitat evaluation.Types of sampling gear which can be utilized in the upper area of the river and catchability .of adult salmon migrating upstream greatly affect the success of a tag and recovery program.Recent developments and improvements in sonar salmon counters are a viable option.A sonar counting system suitable for operation in-the upper Susitna River.would have to be designed and tested.Installation of weirs or counting towers to determine escapements would be feasible on most clearwater tributaries. Previous studies have defined important clearwater streams.and spring fed sloughs Within the'Susitna River drainage which support juvenile anadromous fish species.Investigations have,however,concentrated primarily on summer rearing areas.Surveys ~ndicate these populations are not static, but vary in abundance and distribution.Studies conducted during the winter of 1974-1975 revealed that juvenile anadromous species also utilize the mainstem Susitna River. The degree of impact of reduced flows will be dependent on the total area affected.The distance affected downstream would depend partially on the contribution of the natural Susitna River flow regimes to that of each major tributary and the drainage as a whole. Studies conducted during the late 1950's indicate that Cook Inlet salmon stocks are unable to ascend the SusitnaRiver beyond Devils Canyon,the latter being a natural water velocity barrier to migration (U.S.Department of the Interior,1957).Reports from local residents of salmon observations above Devils Canyon indicate that this should be investigated further. of this milling behavior in the upper river areas requires definition. The alterations in flow and water quality in the mainstem river after project completion could significantly affect this behavior and consequently spawning success.Behavior modifications and disorientation.of fish due to tagging and handling may have been a contributing factor. ·~ [ [ [ [ r [ L E [ [ E stj E C [ E r· 6 u c -7- Juveniles -8- Year-round studies are required to determine complete juvenile salmon distribution and habitat utilization... Water quality,quantity,and biological studies to predict the effects on spawning and migration habitat are described in the habitat study section. cc/ Surveys and escapement sampling .should be conducted in the proposed impoundment areas between the Denali Highway and Devils Canyon during periods of peak adult salmon abundan~e.Initial ob~ervations would be conducted by aerial surveys to document the presence or absence of adult salmon.Surveys would be done in conjunction with resident fish investi- gations.Data obtained would be utilized to determine necessary mitigation meas~res. Surveys of all rearing areas defined in previous studies should be con- tinued.The distribution,species composition,and growth characteristics of juvenile salmonids.should be monitored.Additional sampling equipment should be employed to assure representative samples are being collected. These include seines,minnow traps,small fyke traps,and dip nets.Fore- gut sample analysis should be continued and related to invertebrate studies. Winter sampling should be initiated on selected sloughs and clearwater tributaries that support significant populations of rearing fish during the summer and are also accessible during the winter months.Physi~­ chemical parameters of the aquatic habitat will be monitored during each survey. Evaluation of milling behavior of adult salmon in the upper Susitna River will require new sampling techniques.Obtaining escapement samples and marking them to determine migrational characteristics without causing some modification of normal behavior is difficult.Internal sonic transmitters may be utilized to evaluate this.The effectiveness of this type of tag· in heavily silt laden waters would have to be tested..Recently developed stock separation techniques based on salmon scale characteristics may eventually enable researchers to assign unknown stocks to specific areas. This technique is still in the developmental research stage,but preliminary data indicate that samples obtained from Cook Inlet can be assigned to one of.the three major salmon producing systems with +14 percent confi- dence.A large data base of scale characteristics from tributary systems would have to be established before analysis could be made. Commercial Fisheries Division will operate side-scanning sonar salmon counters in the lower Susitna River during 1978 as part of their ongoing studies.A salmon tag and recovery program to provide an aiternate escapement estimate could be funded through Devils Canyon studies to provide additional data.and supplement sonar escapement information.The duration of this project is dependent on correlation of population esti- mates and sonar counts.Data obtained from these studies would be correlated with population estimates in the upper Susitna River.Through these studies the importance of the Susitna River salmon stocks to the Cook Inlet area as a whole could be determined. [. [ [ [- [ [. [ E [ C C g..-lj l L [ [ [. E [ The fiscal years (FY)outlined encompass the period of July 1 through June 30. The quantity and quality of water within the mainstem Susitna River will be monitored year round.Data will be.obtained from U.S.G.S.gauging stations and at additional sites by field crews monitoring fry distribution. (See Habitat Section).. Schedule:Following is a preliminary s<:hedule of anadromous fish proj,ect activities.The initiation of some s~gments of the studies will be dependent on testing of sampling equipment and delivery time required for more complex equipment,i.e.,sonar counters. The timing of migration of juvenile fish from sloughs and tributaries to the mainstem river and the extent of mainstem utilization should bedocu- mented.Factors which trigger the outmigration will be determined through habitat monitoring.These will include water temperature,ice cover, relative water levels,dissolved oxygen,pH,and conductivity.Fish samples will be collected primarily by traps.Coded wire tags and/or pigment dye marking may be effective methods of determining intrasystem migrations after initial documentation of this phenomenon. <:~...-,/c; -9..- Evaluate milling behavior of adult salmon. Begin building data base for stock separation studies. Continue water quantity and quality monitoring. Continue stock separation studies and begin detailed' analysis. Continue fry and habitat studies. Continue salmon escapement estimates. Continue impoundlIlent surveys,if salmon are observed during FY 79.. Evaluate the feasibility of operation of various types of sampling gear for use in the upper river areas. Monitor physical,chemical and hydrological parameters of the mainstem Susitna River,sloughs,and clearwater tributaries.. Monitor abundance',distribution,characteristics,and habitat requirements of adult and juvenile salmonids. Determine total escapement in selected streams in the upper dra:i:nage. Determine total salmon escapement estimate for the Susitna River drainage. FY 80 FY·79 [ [ [ [ [ [~ [ [ [ [ 8 6 E L [ L [ U r -10- Literature Cited: -- Townsend,G.R.1975.Impact of the Bennett Dam on th!!Peace-Athabasca Delta.J.Fish.Res.Board Can.Vol.32 (1).pp.171-176. C~:c) Continue all FY 80 studies and revise programs as necessary. $909,800 $592,700 $592,700 $592,700 $592,700 Continue field monitoring and prepare final report. Continue ongoing field projects (FY 81)and begin final analysis of projects. FY 82 FY 81 FY 79 FY 83 FY 80- FY 82 FY 83 FY 81 U.S.Dept.of-the Interior.1957.(Unpublished).Progress Report 1956 field investigation Devils _Canyon Dam Site,Susitna River Basin. 15 pp. ~: [ r [ [ [ [ [ c [ C 6 5· ".-,• [ C r-L L [ C l t [ [ [ [ [ [ E [ C E .~ b C U [ G r b D l C,I; ,"---~~" Title:Impact of "the SU$itna Kydroelect;r1c Froj ect"on Resident Fish Species Objectives:DetenDine species-present and distributj,1)u. Detenrlne seasonal abundance of selected populations. Deter.mdne seasonal habitat zequi~ements necessary to sustain the species pzesent. Background:The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has conducted limited fishezies investigations in the Susitna Rive~and its tributa~ies,both upstZeaDl and downstream of the p~oposed dam sites and in lakes near the ~aundment area.The genua!distribution of resident species was monitored and basic seasonal life history and habitat observations were conducted during portions of the spr:iug,summer,fall,and winter seasons.Some resident species make major migrations from lake and tributary systems into the lIIai nstem Susitna for purposes of overwintering.The 11I!portance of this intrasystem migration and the role of the mainstem Susitna River is not understood at this time.Surveys conducted between 1974 and 1977 document that a high quality sport·fishery is provided by the Susitna R:tve~,its tTibutm=ies,and nearby lakes. Procedure:Seasonal life history,distribution,population abundance,"and habitat requirement investigations of-selected resident fish species will be continued and expanded.These studies will be closely coordinated with the·anad~omous fish studies.Special attention will be given to those .areas iJDportant to resident.fish which may not coincide with anadromous fish habitat.The study area for resident fish investigations may be considerably greater,extending along the SusitnaRiver from the mouth of the Tyone River to Cook Inlet,including tributaries bisected by transmission and road corridors. Of particular 11I!portauce in this study will be the determination of winter distribution,migrational and habitat requirements within areas subj ect to pzoj ect iJlrpact..Studies will be made of the tributaries where resident fish predominately spawn and reside during the summer 1IlOnths,and the mainstem.Susitna River where many of these same fish may winter.Emphasis will also be given to streams impacted by inundation.Human utilizatiOn of resident species will also be determined. This study will be conducted in two parts,with results of the first two yem=s of effort being compiled and analyzed for use in related studies and as a basis for determining areas where efforts should be concentrated during the remaining years of the study. Due to difficulty in capturing fish from the Susitna River through the winter ice cover,high velocities and turbid water conditions in the summer, cOnsiderable equipment and saJDPling technique adaptations will be necessary. Boom and backpack electrofishing,side scanning sonar,sonar,angling, radio tags,anchor tags,coded wire tags,fyke nets,seines,gill nets, fued traps,fish wheels,weirs,and ground surveys will be among the techniques to be employed. -11- Those elements of the physiochemical and trophic makeup of the existing natural habitat wiU.ch will be analyzed are discussed under the Habitat Studies Section. ·[ L c;c' C' L [ [ r [ E [ C § Sl:J t ~ [ E L b E Schedule: FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 FY 83 Organize Susitna River Basin study team and coordinate wQrk schedule with other study teams where necessary. Establish base camps and begin fisheries inventory,seasonal life history,and associated habitat investigations. Continue field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data which are generated.Areas of investigation include impoundment,transmission and road corridors,and _ downstream of Devils Canyon to Cook Inlet. Continue.field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data which are generated. Continue field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data which are generated. Initiate report writing process. Continue field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data which are generated,and integTate and summarize all,data collected into final report. -12- -13- Objectives:Identify the fisheries'resources of the lower Susitna River and the Cook Inlet estuary. Determlne the contribution and importance of the Susitna River to the Cook Inlet estuary. Determine the existing water quality and biological productivity of the 10werSusitna River and the Cook Inlet estuary. c'c· Investigations.of estuarine areas are more difficult than for river systems and will require elaborate equipment and use of large vessels. Estuaries generally have exceptional usefulness in support of fisheries as rearing areas.'It is generally a high food production area for pri1na.ry consumers such as c1.ams and other filter feeding organisms and the secondary and tertiary level consumers,including finfish and shellfish species. Migratory fishes such as salmon must pass through the estuarine area to reach their sp~ing.groUDds. Oceanographic data fram the Cook Inlet estuarine area is limited.The extent to which juvenile and adult salmon species utilize this estuarine area is unknown.If natural flow regimes and water quality are altered by the hydroelectric project,adverse effects would possibly be observed within ~he Inlet.Baseline studies to determine existing physiochemical habitat conditions and biological productivity should be conducted. Parameters which need to be eva1.uated include:temperature,salinity,pH, nutrients,sedimentation processes,water stage and velocity,and biological activities. The estuary is,in many ways,the most complicated and var·iable of the aquatic ecosystems.Current and salinity shape the life of the estuary where the enviromaent is neither fresh nor salt water.Estuarine currents result from the interaction of one-direction flow which varies with seasonal run-off,oscillating tides and the winds.The unique assemblages of organisms utilizing the estuarine'habitat have evolved to survive these rigorous conditions. Title:Investigations of the Cook Inlet Estuarine Area and Potential Ef£ects of Hydroelect;ic Development. Background:.Cook Inlet is approximately 170 miles long and 60 miles wide at its 1DOUth,.with a total volume of 1.7 x 1013 feet 3 •It can be divided into two natural regions·,a northern and southern portion,by a natural topographic feature,the East and West Forelands.The Susitna River and the major streams and rivers entering Knik AJ:m represent about 70-80 percent of the total freshwater entering the Inlet (Rosenberg,1967). .Procedures:Baseline aquatic biology,and habitat studies and a thorough investigat:i.on of existing data available on the Cook Inlet area will be conducted prior to init:i.at:i.on of any comprehensive field investigations. This environmental data will provide an adequate data base for deter:m:1ning the direction and level of future field studies necessary to project the effects of the hydroelectric project on the estuarine ecosystem. 'e [ [ [ c r [ [ 8 [ G g E u [ L L U C Literature Cited: Rosenberg,D.R.,S.C.Burrell,K.V.Matarajan,and D.W.Rook,1967. Oceanography of Cook Inlet with special reference to the effluent from the Collier Carbon and Chemical Plant.InStitute of Marine Science,University of Alaska.Report No.R67~5.80 pp. $75,000 -14- C"(','"--.--/ Open.Will depend on FY 79 results.Overall allocation may have to be amended. Conduct f~eld re~earch and analyze ~e data collected. Review and evaluate existing envi.--ronmental data of the Cook Inlet area. Develop .comprehensive study plan. Acti-vi.ties will depend on FY 79 findings.Ongoing monitoring and p-revious studies :may p-rovide sufficient data.If not,additional field in:vestigatious will have to be initiated• FY 80-83 FY 72. FY 80 FY 79 Schedule: ~: [ r [ r \~ .~ L r t~··.·~. J C C 8 h..•..·.·b' f~4 G [ E L h 1: n'---./[ [ [, c [ r~ [ E C G ~it:i " B e D C U L U [ Ci Title:Susitna River Basin Habitat Investigati011s Objecti:ves:.Identify seasonal habitat characteristics associated with the Susitna River Basin anadromous and resident fisheries. .Define the complex interrelationships between the various components of the habitat. Determine which habitat components are critical to the sustenance of the:existing fisheries,and why. Background:Maintenance of anadromaus and resident fish populations within the Susitna River Basin will require a thorough understanding of their life sustaining habitat.Impacts.by the hydroelectric project which alter or reduce the quantity or qual:ity of the crit:ical spawning,incubation,rearing, and migrat:ion hab:itat of these species will reduce or eJ im1nate their populat:ions.Major.changes may take place in the biotic community with only a subtle change in the habitat.. Baseline physiochemical and biological aquatic habitat data were collected between'1974 and 1977 by .the Alaska DepartJDent of Fish and-Game at selected sites within the'Susitna River drainage.The United States Geological Survey and other agendes have also monitored physiochemical parameters of the drainage. Literature on the physiochemical and biological composition of aquatic habitat in lot:ic and lentic environments and its relationships to aquat:ic cmmmtnities is also available. PrOcedure:Personnel conducting seasonal fisheries life history investi- gations within the Susitna River Bas:in will concurrently collect the maj ority of the associated physiochemical field habitat data.In situ water velocity, Width,depth,gradient,temperature,conductivity,pH and dissolved oxygen measurements will be collected with sophisticated electronic and mechanical instrumentation.Water samples will also be collected for laboratory analyses of.basic metals,dissolved solids,total suspended solids,alkalinity,. hardness,pH,conductivity,and total recoverable solids.Additional in- vestigations by fisheries personnel will include water surface and sedi- mentati011 profiles.The U.S.G.S.will be contracted to install stream gauging stations at selected sites. Biological habitat invest:igations will include primary productivity,benthos species composition and diversity,forage fish,pathological,and bioassay studies.Benthos,forage fish and fish pathology investigations will be integrated with fisheries life history studies.The remaining three will be conducted as individual studies. To define the complex interrelationships of the dynamic habitat conditions of the Susitna River Basin it will be necessary to collect data over an extended period of time.Because of the precise measurements required, equipment for this investigati011 will be costly. -15- -16- ~:Personnel and their associated expenses are included in the fisheries iuvestigations. FY 79 $191,,000 FYSO $149,000 FY 81 $149,000 FY 82 $149,000 FY83 $149,000 Continue field and office studies,analyze data,and write report. C)"i\,-> Continue field and office research. Continue field and office research. Continue field and office research.' Organize field staff and.procure equipment.Establish field camps,install equi.pment,and in1;tiate field and office research. FY 82 FY 81 FY 83 FY 80 FY 79 Schedule: [;, "l;..'" [ [ [ [ [ [ c [ b B B C C C C [ 6 L Identify the habitat associated with these species. Identify species present in these waters and determine seasonal presence. Title:Transmission Corridors,.Access Road Corridor,and Construction Pad Sites Fisheries Investigations Objectives:Identify all fishery resources within the four proposed trans- mission corridors,the access road corridor,and the construction pad sites. ·c)·c -17- Conduct concentrated studies if necessary_and integrate and summarize all data collected. Continue field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data and overall study findings. Continue field activities. Establish base camps and initiate fisheries resource identification,species identification,and seasonal presence and habitat investigations. Organize corridor and building site study teams,procure equipment,and coordinate schedules with other study teams where necessary. ~Coutinue field activities and relocate various personnel as dictated by data and overall study findings. FY 83 FY 82 FY 81 FY 80 FY 79 Schedule: Procedures:l!'ishery resources,their seasonal presence and associated habitat will be identified within these areas.Ground surveys,fish trapping,fish marking,benthic species collection andphysiochemic:al water quality measurement techniques will be conducted.Backpack electro- fishing.nets,traps,anchor and radio tags,electrophoresis instrumentation, weirs,benthic samplers,sophisticated water quality measurement devices, water quantity measurement equipment,and survey equipment are among the equipment which will he utilized. Background:Four transmission corridor routes,one access road corridor, gravel.and f;n sites,and numerous building site pads.are under considera- .tion.The corridors will provide human access to previously inaccessible areas.This access will concentrate sportsman efforts in certain areas .which may result in adverse impacts to aquatic 11£e.Uncontrolled removal of grave.!and fill for construction.activities wUl also adversely affect the aquatic habitat.No hydroelectric related fishery investigations of these areas have been conducted.Other sources of fisheries data in these drainages are insuf£icient •. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ c c ~ c c. [ E l 6 [ , [" [ [ L [ [ [ [ [ C C B t L [ L [ L C c ~: FY 79 $130,500 FY 80 $125,5"00 FY 81 $125,500 FY 82 $125~500 FY 83.$125,500 -18- c' DeterJDine the aesthetie values of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems~ DeterJDine the ~ociaJ.values of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Deter.mi.ne the recreational values of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.. Objectives:Deter.mi.ne the economic values of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Evaluations -19- $lOQ,OQO $100,000 Continue data collection and analyses and write report. $200,000 $20.0,000 $100,000 Continue literature searches,analyze data,and continue surveys. Continue literature searches,analyze data,and continue surVeys. Continue literature searches,analyze data,and begin surveys. Organize personnel,procure equipment,and begin literature searches,and develop survey approaches. C c: Existing Economic,Recreational,Social and Aesthetic of the Susitna River. FY 83 FY 82 FY 79. FY 81 FY 80 FY 81 FY 79 FYSO FY83 FY 82 Costs: Title: Schedule: Procedure:The four objectives will be accomplished through statistical surveys and analyses.Some of the methods employed will be literature searches,mail surveys,cree~surveys,personal interviews,and fish tag return data. Background:Economic.,recreational,social,and aesthetic values of the project drainages must be detenDined in order to project whether the project will enhance or diJDinisb these values.The close proximity of municipalities containi.ng half the human population of Alaska emphasizes the need to assess these values.The Susitna drainage is highly used and important to the sport and commercial fisherman,the recreational enthusiast, industry,and 1llUnicipalities.The popularity of Denali State Park and nearby Mt.McKinley National Park further attests to the high social, recreational,and aesthetic qualities of the area.Specific data on these subj ects i.n the hydroelectric.proj ect area watersheds are incomplete or lacldng.o ro ' c [ [ [ [ [ E [ [ Q g l C [ C L b E Literature searches and various project data will be continually analyzed to insure all sources of pertinent data are included. Objectives:DetenDine the direct.,indirect,and 1Jlagxlitude of effects the Devils Canyon}Watana p-roject rill nave on the Susitna Rinrer Rasin fisheries and other drainages prior to'const-ructton approvu. Background,:Susitna River Basin investigations to date have not generated SU£ficient data to predict the impacts of this project on the aquatic eco- syst~Scientific literature is available on the ecological effects of hydroelectric dams which have been const'rUcted in other areaS. Procedure:,This study culminates all previously outlined studies.An evaluati~of data obtained from the proposed fisheries related biologicu, habitat,socia-economic,and recreationu studies will be combined with other engineering and design studies.A predictive model of the aquatic ecosystem with and without the hydroelectric project will be constructed. Coucerns will not be l±mited to fisheries;secondary effects and how humans will be affected will also be addressed.Information required in this analysis includes seaSonal life Mstcry habitat requirements of the existing aquatic c CTln!1l11ni ty,a"thorough understanding of 'the interrelationships between physical,chemical,and biological components of the habitat,and recreational and socia-economic values.Project engineering and design models will also be required,especially those concerned with sedimentation,temperature, dissolved gasses,discharge,and other related physioche1Dical characteristics. cc' -20- $60,000 $5,000 $5,000 $20,000 $60,000 Literature research. Literature research,analyze data. Litera.ture research,analyze data. Literature research,analyze data· Literature 'research,analyze data,predict impacts. FY 83 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 FY 82 FY 83 FY 79 FY 80 :FY 79 .FY 81 Title:Predict Project Impacts Cost: Schedule: C" [ [ L [ [ [ E' [ C E 6 [ C [ [ [ U C Conduct preliJDinary site surveys which include reconnaissance and topographic analysis•.Detailed site surveys and analysis will begin in the last two years of this study. Objecti1Te:To identi£y and evaluate tha Devils Canyon!Watana Dam project fisheries Ddt~gation requirements and tmplementation costs prior to construction approval. Procedure:Analyze all project data collected which relate to the fisheries and aquatic habitat of the Susitna River Basin and other impacted dr~nages. Conduct special studies where necessary and analyze.Conduct literature research to obtain aquatic impact data relating to existing and proposed hydroelectric proj ects. Background:Critical habitat for various life history stages of aquatic species could be el j'lDinated or reduced in quality and quantity by the Sus1tna li.ydropower project.For exa:mple~regulation will result in decreased flows downstream of the dams during the SUIDIiler months which could elminate cn.tical rearing areas .for sal.:mon1d fry.The proposed aquatic and related habitat stud1es should quantify the losses and resulting impact on the fisheries.This activity is designed to provide information to assess the feasibility of m1tigation and to indicate long tE!1:m studies which would direct actual mitigation efforts.Evaluation of these studies .will go beyond phase I if the project is deemed feasible. F"-....~"---_/ -21- Report on findings. Continue detailed site surveys and literature search and review. Preliminary site surveys. Con.tinue literature search and review. Reconnaissance and topographic analysis Conduct literature research and review. Detailed site surveys. Anal.yze surveys. Continue literature search and review. Continue preliminary site surveys. Analyze data and identify potential areas for Ddtigation. Continue literature search and review. Report on findings. FY 83 FY 80 n 81 FY 82 FY 79 Title:Mitigative .Measures fo:r Lost Aquatic Habitat Schedule: C L [ [ [ L f~ C [ C C 6 C C [ f~ L [ [ r' r [ [ [ [ [ G [ C E 0.:~ U C [ E L L ~.•.L c Cost: FY 79 $26,000 FY 80 $10,000 FY 81*$60,000 FY 82 $50,000 FY 83 $60,000 *Assumes $10,000 per site survey. -22- F":."'--_., -23- ~:$50,000 Schedule:Complete plan within an additional 14 months after completion of the detailed feasibility studies. Objective:Develop a plan of study to monitor the effec.ts of the vroject to the aquatic ecosystems d~1ng and after camp,letion. c'c~ Title:Plan of Study During and After Completion Procedu1:e:This ongoing activity will be dependent on the feasibility results.The data generated from all of'the pre-authorization studies rill provide the ground work for this plan.Flexib1l1ty must be built into this ,plan until the results of the biological and detailed feasibility studies are available. [0. r [ e [ [~ [ E [ C E E L C [ [ L L; -- [ r'· [ [ L [ r~ [ E [ C C q[i u c [ r [ ~ c TECJSTRIAL WILDLIFE STUDIES C Introduction The proposed Susitna Hydropower Project will have impacts on several wildlife species which either reside in the project area,use the area for migration or other seasonal purposes or use habitat downstream which will be altered by the stabilization of water flow.The following individual proposals comprise an integrated program to provide information .needed to predict the impacts of ~he Project on wildlife and to provide a basis for making decisions which might minimize those impacts. This program will not answer all questions.It is designed to provide an acceptable basis of knowledge ina limited time period using presently available techniques.Emphasis has been placed on species which are likely to be most adversely affected by the project and are of greatest interest taman. The design,t:im.ing,manpower requirements and funding levels of the individual projects have been coordinated for efficiency.No single project can be conducted by itself without considerable change in design and 1itcrease in cost.For example the moose study is the core of the entire package.The wolf,wolverine,bear and caribou studies are dependent on the moose study for manpower equipment and logistic support. The moose,.habitat mapping and vegetation studies are also dependent on each other as each will influence the design of the others and their results must be compatible'for final data analysis,If one proj ect does not produce results at the proper time other projects will be delayed, reducing the quality of information and increasing the overall cost of the program •. Title:Habitat mapping and vegetation studies required for analysis of the effects of the Susitna Hydropower Project on wildlife. .Objectives:To prepare a vegetative type map of areas within and adjacent to proposed impoundments,along transmission corridors and along the downs~ream floodplain. To identify key moose browse species and determine the condition and trends of selected moose habitats. To determine the effects of 'altered water flow ·on key plant species and map areas where substantial vegetation changes will occur. Background:Most impacts of t~e Susitna Hydropower Project on wildlife will occur through loss or alteration of habitat.Where habitat is totally lost to a population thro~gh inundation or blocking of migrations it is necessary to know the importance of that particular habitat to the population and the availability of alternative habitats.Where habitat will be merely altered,it is also necessary to know what elements within that habitat are important to the population and what changes will occur in those elements.Direct studies of wildlife species can -24- Detailed studies of vegetation·in important moose wintering areas should be conducted to identify plant species used by moose and quantify their presence,use and trends.Study areas would be identified from data collected under the moose studies. This project is not.an actual proposal.Several of·the studies outlined here could be expanded to meet the needs of other disciplines.Therefore, this is a statement of information needed to evaluate the effects of the Susitna Project on wildlife.Actual study proposals should be developed to'provide this information on the schedule ot;ltlined. (Fdelineateapopulation"-.....hd tell us where various compo"nents of the population.are at different times and to a certain extent why they are there.However,wildlife studies must be accompanied by habitat studies if we are to determine the full significance of habitat alteration to the population. Studies of the effects of water table and influence of water level fluctuations on vegetation,particularly moose browse species,along the floodplain of the Susitna River should be initiated immediately.A map of areas where changes in flow caused by the dams will alter the vegetation, either through changes in soil moisture or by allowing plant succession to occur,should be prepared.Emphasis should be placed on areas of high moose use such as the lower Susitna River. Moose winter range studies Moose winter·range studies -25- Habitat-mapping,effects of water level studies Habitat mapping,effects of water level studies Map areas of expected plant composition changes. Detailed vegetation studies on moose winter range FY 82 FY 80 FY 81 FY 79 FY 78 ScheOlJle: Procedures:A habitat type map of the proposed impoundment areas,all drainages flowing into the impoundments,access and transmission corridors and the downstream floodplain should be·prepared during the first two .years of the study.This DlaP should be of sufficient detail to pe:pnit delineation of specific habitats favored by moose and .must be accompanied by sufficient ground truth data to identify the distribution and abundance of·moose browse species.In order to accomplish this it is essenital that the principal investigators of moose studies work directly with the habitat mappers. [0. r [ [ [ [ [ E [ C 6 E [j C [ E L ~ [ C' [ [ [ [ L [ E [ [ C ~ E 'w [ 6 l L [ Title:.Impact of theC~.sitna Hydropower Project on Cse Populations Objectives:To identify moose subpopulations using habitat subject to direct and indirect impact of the Susitna Hydropower Project. To determine the seasonal distribution,movement patterns,size and trends of those subpopu1ations. To determine the timing and degree of dependency of those subpopulations on habitat to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project. Background:Several subpopu1ations of moose occupy habitats that may be .inundated or substantially altered by the .proposed Susitna Hydropower Project.Limited studies conducted in 1977 identified one subpopu1ation which occupied the upper ends of tributaries north of the proposed . impoundment areas during spring,summer and fall,1;hen migrated to the Susitna River bottomlands during winter.Similar populations almost certainly occupy drainages to the south of the impoundments~There is also strong evidence that riparian habitat along the mainstem,which may be significantly altered by the stabilization of water flow,also serves as winter range for several sub populations of moose.These habitats may be critical to these populations in severe winters.Other subpopulations may be nonmigratory and use areas to be affected all year.Some migratory populations may not rely on the river bottoms for seasonal range but may migrate through them on their way between seasonal ranges. The degree of impact will vary depending on the subpopu1ations size, status and degree of dependence on altered habitat and the nature of the habitat alteration.Many factors must be considered including:the se..~ -and age composition of members o·f the subpopu1ation using the -habitat (often pregnant cows or cows with calves are more dependent on lowland areas than bulls),the overall range of the subpopulation (some members of a nearby subpo pulation migrate up to 60 miles indicating that reductions in moose densities could occur over-a vast area),the availability of alternative ranges particularly during severe winters (habitat alterations which may be relatively insignificant in normal or mild winters may be devastating when heavy snowfall,makes alternative ranges unavailable), etc. An adequate assessment of the potential impacts of the Susitna Project on moose requires a thorough understanding of moose populations using the area.This information must then be related to a knowledge of the habitat and the elements within that habitat that are necessary for moose.This study is designed to provide the necessary information on moose.It is essential that certain habitat studies be conducted concurrently. A habitat.map of sufficient detail to delineate types selected by moose, covering the impoundment area,surrounding drainages,transmission corridors and the floodplain of the Susitna River to its mouth,should be prepared at an early stage of the studies.Detailed browse studies should be conducted at sites selected on the basis of use by moose to .identif~important browse species,measure the degree of use and identify other elements of the habitats that are important to moose.The role of -26- Each radio collared moose will be relocated regularly.For each relocation the·exact location,habitat type,activity of the moose and association nth other animals will be recorded •. Additional moose will be radio collared in drainages along the south side of the proposed impoundment area'and in riparian habitats along the mainstembelow Devils Canyon. This moose study and the habitat studies outlined above should be closely coordinated as each will influence the final design of the other and all are necessary to relate habitat chang~s to moose. A random stratified census and seasonal sex and age composition counts will be conducted on subpopulations most likely to be affected by the S~sitna Hydropo~er Project.Concentrations of moose will be mapped throughout the area whenever the opportunity arises. -27- Tracking flights,composition count,start final analysis of·data. Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified counts •. Replace radios and radio collar new moose to fill identified data gaps,tracking flights,composition counts. Radio collar moose,tracking flights,composition counts Tracking flights,composition counts,random stratified count.Review habitat map and map of downstream areas to be impacted and identify data gaps.Identify areas for detailed'vegetation studies. FY 82 FY 81 FY 80 FY 78 lY 79 Schedule: These data will be used to identify subpopulations using areas to be impacted,to determine the seasonal ranges and migration routes of each subpopulation and to estimate the size and composition of those subpopulations most likely to be impacted.Locations of moose will be overlayed on habitat maps to determine the degree of use of certain habitat types as . well as specific habitats.This information will be analyzed by subpopulation, season,sex and age class and reproductive status..Areas likely to be altered by the project that are critical to a subpopulationwill be identified and recommended for more detailed vegetation studies. Procedures:During 1977,12 moose were radio collared and 14 others were collared with visually identifiable collars.These moose were tracked from March to December 197i.Under this study,tracking of those moose will be continued,to further delineate the ranges of that subpopulation. ~C the water table and spring flooding in maintaining moose habitat below . Devils Canyon should be determined ~nd maps delineating areas where the alteration of the flow will re$ult in vegetation changes should be prepared. [0. [ [ [ [ [ [ E [ C C 6·~_.:.- t C [ [ L L F ,. -28- Trac~g flights,complete analysis of impact of Susitna Hydropower Project on moose,write final report. [" [ [. [ [ [ [ E [ [ E ~ U C [ [ L L E c FY 83 Cost: FY 78 $220,000 FY 79 ·$210,000 FY 80 $180,000 FY 81 $210,000 FY 82 $175,000 FY 83 $85,000 C~ / [" r [ [ [ l~ [ E [ [ U G l C [ L L b C Title:~tigation met=~~es for lost moose habitat..c=~ Objectives:To identify and evaluate measures for enhancing moose habitat. To locate areas where moose habitat enhancement would effectively mitigate loss~or deter~oration of moose habitat resulting from the Susitna Hydropower Project.' Background:Important and perhaps critical moose habitat will be totally lost or reduced in quality by the Susitna Hydropower Project.The proposed moose and habitat studies should quantify this loss and its resulting impact on moose populations. Moose tend to favor subclimax ranges..In recent years several agencies have recognized a potential for enhancing habitat for moose by setting back plant succession through artificial means.The Alaska Department of Fish and Game,u.s.Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S.Forest Service have all experimented with such techniques as mechanical crushing, prescribed burning and fertilizing.At present these techniques have not been fully.evaluated. Such techniques are probably effective only in certain types of habitats. In some cases it might be possible to fully mitigate the impact on a particular subpopulation of moose.For example,if an effective technique can be found to maintain willow habitats on river bars without periodic flooding,impacts on subpopulations dependent on downstream habitat might be kept to a minimum. In other cases where critical habitat will be completely destroyed it might be possible to make alternative habitat available to the affected subpopulation of moose.However,there will likely be some subpopulations for which mitigation measures will not be possible.In these cases the loss to human users could be offset by enhancing the range of populations of moose away from the Project area. In order to assess these possibilities it is necessary to evaluate the various techniques and to delineate habitat where these techniques would have a positive effect on moose. This project 1s designed to provide information to assess the feasibility of mitigation and to initiate long term studies which would direct a.ctual mitigation efforts.Evaluation of these long term studies will take many years.The need to complete the long term studies will depend on the results of the feasibility study. Procedures:A complete review of potential moose habitat manipulation techniques will be made.Areas which have been experimentally manipulated in the past will be visited and the quantity and q~lity of potential moose browse produced will be assessed.Information gaps will be identified and if necessary further experimental manipulation will be recommended. -29- • Data from the habitatC=:lpping,v~getation and moose ~aies will be used to identify areas where habitat manipulation might offset adverse impacts on each of the subpopulations of moose that are identified. C,:· ----'" [ [ L [ [ [ C [ C L.-.---••.b E ~ C C E L L C Schedule: FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82. FY.83 Cost: FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 FY 83 Preliminary review of techniques and identification of areas of past experimentation. Evaluation of success of previous manipulation efforts. Identification of data gaps.Recommendations on future experimentation. Continue evaluation of manipulated areas.Initiate manipulation.experiments to fill data gaps. Evaluate techniques.Identify potential areas for mitigation. EvalUate techniques.Identify potential areas for mitigation. $5,000 $20,000 $275,000 (actual cost will·depend on results of FY 79 and 80 studies) $20,000 $20,000 -30- [" r [ [ C. L [ [. [ c r~ E E L [ L [ L l Title:Impact of the~sitna Hydropower Project on dC:~bou populations. Objectives:To identify subpopulations of caribou in the Nelchina Basin. To determine the seasonal ranges and migration routes of these subpopu1ations with emphasis on traditional migration routes across.proposed impoundment areas and potential alternative routes. To determine the availability of suitable alternative seasonal ranges to caribou'subpopulations that might be isolated fram traditional ranges by the proposed impoundments. Background:The Nelch1na basin has been the most important sport hunting .area for caribou in Alaska.Although caribou numbers were reduced from a ~ecordea high of 72,000 to a low of 10,000 the population is presently increasing and is now estimated to exceed 14,000 cario bu.Proposed management plans state that the population will be allowed to increase until it numbers 20,000 caribou. Caribou traditionally have used a variety of ranges on both sides of the SusitnaRiver and varying numbers have crossed the Susitna at least twice a year.Major crossing locations have been recorded in areas which would be affected by the proposed hydropower project.Because caribou frequently migrate long distances and may periodically overgraze one range and shift to another,it is necessary to examine the status of caribou ~nd identify alternative ranges ov~r a large area. Range studies conducted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have shown that the most desirable winter ranges remaining in the Nelchina basin are located'in the Clearwater Mountains,.Chunilna Hills,Susitna Uplands and Monahan Flats.Most of these ranges are north of the Susitna River while historical and recent calving and summer ranges exist south of the river.The preferred lichens south of the river have generally declined and have'not shown substantial recovery even with lowered caribou populations.Meanwhile,the Nelchina population has used this area to a greater extent than the other portions of its range.A portion of the winter r~nge exists east of the Richardson Highway in the Wrangell Mountains but movement into this range may be affected by the recent construction of the oil pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.All of these factors make it likely that the ability to cross the Susitna will remajn critical to the well being of the Nelchina caribou herd. To ,determine the extent that the impoundments will affect this movement is difficult.Other migration route~may be used in addition to those already shown in.the literature or sufficient range maybe available to the east to support the proposed population level.·It is also possible that a separate but smaller population exists north of the Susitna which may increase to fill the available range in that area even if the existing Nelchina population were confined to the area south of the proposed impoundments. -31- -32- Traditional migration routes'will be determined by mapping trails and will be compared with present routes. Potential alternative ranges will be identified and evaluated using the modified Rult Surlander method of range analysis.These ranges will be compared with Nelchina ranges that have been studied for a number of years. Procedures:Caribou oC1oth sides of the Susitna RiVe'wi1l be radio collared during the breeding season.Monitoring flights will be made at a relatively low intensity (approximately monthly)throughout most of the year to determine if more than one population exists in the area and to determine seasonal ranges of each population identified.More intensive monitoring flights will be made during the periods of precalving and postcalving movements and winter shift to determine present migration routes and the timing of migration.It will be necessary to repeat this procedure for several years to determine variation among years. $95,000 $95,000 $102,000 Monitor movements.Repeat range analysis to determine trends. $120,009 $95,000 Replace inoperative radios,monitor movements. Replace inoperative radios,monitor movements. Radio collar caribou,monitor movements.Conduct range analysis. Replace inoperative radios,monitor movements. Sched~: FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 -.FY 83 ~: FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 FY 83 [" r r L [ [ [ E C' [ 6 E l C C [ L L [ -33- To determine the dependence of each pack on prey populations that may be adversely affected by the Project. To determine the proportions of each pack's territory that lies within areas of impact. To determine the location of dens,rendezvous sites,hunting areas and the other essential activity areas of each pack in relation to proposed impoundments and construction activities. .'(', Effects of the~usitna Hydropower Project on wolves. Field activities and manpower for this study will be integrated with the moose study.Wolves frequently will be tagged and relocated at the same time as moose.Full funding of the moose study is required for the successful implementation of this study. Objectives:To determine the number of wolf packs and the number of wo~ves in each pack that inhabit areas to be directly affected by .the Susitna Hydropower Project. Background:Wolves are of considerable national concern as evidenced by recent newspaper and magazine articles.They are known to inhabit the entire project area and information on population size and movements is needed to.determine project impacts •. Studies in other'areas of southcentral Alaska have demonstrated that some wolves have home ranges as large as-2,000 square miles while many packs have territories ranging from 200 to 600 square miles •.It is . known that the inDnediate project area may contain five or more wolf packs.It appears that some of these packs use the Susitna River as a territory boundary,and inundation and associated development could have a dramatic influence on·them.These packs depend heavily on moose populations that use the impoundment areas.In addition other studies have shown that any human disturbance relatively close to a wolf den may cause abandonment of the traditional site and perhaps reproductive failure.. Title: Procedures:Two to four wolves will be radio collared in each pack whose territory is believed to include potential impoundment areas and construction sites.The numbers of wolves in each pack will be determined, each pack's territory will be delineated and the degree and nature of use of potential impact areas will be determined through repeated relocations and observation of activities.Specifically,all den sites,rendezvous sites and favored hunting areas will be mapped.These data will be used to determine the degree of dependence of wolves on various areas that will be impacted by the Proj ect. Dependency on various prey species will be determined by scat analysis and observation of hUnting behavior and kills.This information will be used in conjunction with data from the accompanying studies of prey species,particularly the moose study,to estimate indirect impacts on wolves caused by a reduction in prey availability. L [ I' "= [0. [. r c· [' r~ [' [ [ [ E ~u C L [ [ Radiocollar wolves,monitoring flights. Replace lost radios,monitoring flights. Replace lost radios,monitoring flights. Radiocollar new wolves to fill data gaps. Mouitoring flights. cc' $25,000 $13,000 . -34- Monitoring flights. Mo~toring flights. $55,000 $36,000 $29,000 $40,000 Schedule:. FY 7a IT 79 IT 80 FY 81 IT 82 FY83 Cost: FY 78 FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 82 FY 83 ·,co, r r~ L [ [ [' E [ C 6 ~ C, C [ [ L 6 E Objectives:To estimate the numbers of black and brown/grizzly bears using the area to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project. Title:Effects of th~~sitna Hydropower Project on C=1ck and brown/grizzly bears.-j To determine the dependency of these bears on areas to be impacted, with emphasis on identification of denning areas and seasonal feeding areas,. Field activities for this·study will be closely integrated with those for the moose and wolf studies.Full funding of the moose study is, required for the successful implementation of this study. -35- . $35,000 $57;000 $50,000 $95,000 MOnitoring flights. Radiocollar bears,monitoring flights composition counts. MOnitoring flights,composition counts. MOnitoring flights,composition counts. IT 81 IT 82 IT 80 FY 79 FY 82 FY 79 IT 80 FY 81 Schedule: A major problem with any large construction project is the attraction of bears to camps and construction sites.This usually results in threats to human safety,delays in construction and destruction of bears.If. areas of bear concentration can be identified and avoided during construction, these problems can be substantially reduced. Bear numbers will be estimated through marked/unmarked ratios observed during spring and ·fall composition counts and by recording all bears seen during tracking flights. Cost:- Background:Very little is known of either brown or black bear populations in the Susitna Basin except that brown bear densities appear to have been very high for several years.We do not know how many bears inhabit the area or how dependent they are on the impoundment areas.Studies should be conducted toest:imate bear numbers in and surrounding project area,determine.whether the same bears are resident or whether a larger number have a seasonal dependency on the area,and determine the location and extent of denning activities.· Procedures:Bears will be radioco11ared in the proj ect area.Movements !nand around the area will be monitored.Den sites and concentration areas will be mapped. ,-..,[I', e [ L f~ [ [ E [ C o ~Ei l r~u [ C L L l To determine movement patterns and identify habitats of seasonal importance to wolverines. A systematic aerial survey'of wolverines and their tracks will be made in conjunction with wolf studies to determine the distribution and numbers of wolverines using the area. These data will be used to estimate the number of wolverines using the impoundment areas,determine the degree of dependency of certain wolverines on those areas and identify specific areas of importance to wolverines. Procedures:A limited number of wolverines will be radiocollared and tracked in conjunction with other telemetry studies in the area.Home ranges,movement patterns,and seasonal habitat use will be determined by systematic relocation of radiocollared animals. -36- $10,000 $30,POO $25,000 Monitoring flights. Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census. Radiocollar,monitoring flights,census. FY 81 FY 79 FY 80 FY 81 FY 79 FY 80 Schedule: Cost:- The Talkeetna mountains on either side of the Susitna River between Gold Creek and the Maclaren River presently support a healthy population of wolverines.Although their density is not known at this time,it is probably as high or higher there than in any other portion of their range in Southcentral Alaska.Because the welfare of this species in Alaska is of both national and international concern,some intensive efforts to determine the status,distribution,and movement patterns of wolverine in the project area are warranted. Title:Effects of th~~~sitna Hydropower Project on C~verine. Objectives:To determine the population status of wolverines using areas to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project. Background:Less is known about the wolverine than any other big game species in Alaska.Threatened with extinction throughout most of its range in the Scandinavian countries,parts of Russia,the continental United St~tes and Eastern Canada,it is.still considered relatively abundant in Alaska.Studies in Idaho and Sweden indicate that wolverines have exceptionally large home ranges.Records of males moving 15 miles in a.24 hour period are not uncommon. • r" •J [ [ [ [. [ [ ,[ [ [ ~ fj [ 'L':-- [ [ L b l: To delineate the seasonal ranges of the sheep populat~on. Procedures:Aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the size of the .sheep populat~on and to delineate seasonal ranges. Objectives:To determine the numbers of Dall sheep inhabiting mountains adjacent to proposed dam sites. T~tle:D~stribution a~status of Dall sheep adjacen~p theSusitna Hydropower Project area• • -37- $3,000 $1,000 $3,000 Aerial surveys. Aerial surveys. Aerial surveys. FY 80 FY 79 FY 81 FY 80 FY 79 FY81 Schedule: ~: Background:A relat~vely isolated sheep population inhabits mountains adjacent to the proposed dam sites.While there will probably be little direct impact on this populat~on by the proposed project,there is a ·possibility of adverse impac~s from·human disturbance as a result of dam construction activities and increasea access. " .. o o B n 13 U o B [ b t o rc k, o 0· U o ,['. J [ [ Schedule: Trappers and residents of the area will be interviewed. Stabilization of water flow could substantially alter aquatic furbea~ers and waterfowl habitat downstream. To determine the dependence of furbearers and waterfowl on·downstream habitats which will be altered by changes in water flow. -38- $25;000 $25,000 $35,000 $35,000 Surveys in impoundment areas,interviews. Surveys in impoundment areas,interviews. Surveys downstream. Surveys downstream. FY 83 FY 82 FY 80 FY 79 FY 83 FY 82 FY 80 FY 79 Surveys of aquatic fur-bearers and waterfowl will be conducted in downstream areas of probable habitat alteration that will.be.identified by studies on the effects of water flow on habitat. Objectives:To determine the distribution and relative abundance of furbearers and small game in the proposed impoundment areas and determine the degree of use of those species by humans. Cqst:............... Title:Distri.bution C)abundance of furbearers and C~ll game in the proposed Susitna Hydropower Project impoundment areas. Procedures:Limited aerial surveys will be conducted to determine the presence,distribution and relative abundance df fox,otters,beavers, ptarmigan,waterfowl and raptors.On the ground observations will be made in conjunction with the nongame project. Background:Little is known about the distribution and abundance of .either furbearers or small game.In order to assess the potential impact of the project on small game it will be necessary to conduct a basic biological reconnaissance.It is known from data collected incidentally to other projects tha~the Susitna River Basin provides habitat for large numbers of fox,wolverine,and river otter.All three of these species are highly sought by trappers. " (> c' [~. [ C [ C 5 E [. 2 ~ l [ [ [ C..•.lj fcc;.... L rL 0" [' .,. ~. [ ~ .' $7,000 $8,000 Complete surveys. Literature search,initiate surveys. FY 80 FY 79 FY 79 .FY 80 ~-------'-------~~------- Objectives:To determine the occurrance,distribution and relative abundance of small mammals and passerine birds in the proposed impoundment areas. Schedule: Title:~'Distribution'~~abundance of nongame specie~f wildlife in the area to be impacted by the Susitna Hydropower Project. Procedures:A literature search will be conducted.Surveys from the ground will be made and limited trapping will be done.Portions of this study will be coordinated wi.th small game and furbearer studies. Background:Little is known about the occurrence,distribution or abundance of small mammals and both resident and migratory passerine birds in the Project impact area.A limited reconnaisance should be conducted. Cost:- G (Y. Q C"0., ..r [ [ [ l~ [ [ [ [ [3 B C [ r~ [ VL , L L -39- t~r';·'" rT~)~-J Lj~' .1 ( ,,1'.,c!~.. [ [ [ [. [ [ [ [ C C R.b C (J r13 E L U l Title:Administrative and Supportive Staff and Facilities Background:The complexity and magnitude o£the terrestrial and aquatic biological studies will require an efficient organization of staff.The Region II building does not have additional space for the numerous project personnel and their supportive equipment. Procedures:A separate building facility should be leased for the duration of the project.A Project Coordinator will be required to administrate the·hydroelectric ,related aquatic,and terrestrial wildlife studies. Responsibilities wili include: 1.Administrating and coordina~ing-aquatic and terrestrial wildlife project and administrative/staff..~~ 2.'Acting as liason between.the special project and Fish and Game projects. t:.., 3.Coordinating research w:Lth other agencies. 4.Insuring that project objec;tives and contractual agreements are met. The Project Coordinator should be supported by an aquatic and a terrestrial project leader and a supportive staff.The two project leaders would administrate aquatic and terrestrial research activities.A supportive staff will provide the necessary administrative,clerical,and maintenance J .support. Cost: FY 78 $516,000 :FY 79 $505,000 FY 80 $505,000 :FY 81 $505,000 FY 82 $505,000 FY 83 $505,000 • -40-