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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA4137I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I GENERAL CONFIDENTIAL; PRIViLEGED WORK PRODUCT PREPARED IN ANTICIPATION OF LITIGATION; REST~ICTEO DISTRIBUTION INVESTIGATION MEMORANDUM s . us~tna Hydroelectric Project Terrestrial Program Fiscal Year 1984 ---FINAL DRAFT--- Harz~·~ r.o,_ a ~uasco Susitna Joint Venture November 1983 l [ ~' I [ f. i. t i 1 ' l ' ! . f l i I ! '· i I , t • I I i l I I I I., l I r , i I l l ' 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..... . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 BACKGROUND. . . . . 1.2 GENERAL OBJECTIVES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 0 STUDY O:SJE CTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES . . . . . . . 11 • • • • • • • • • • 4.0 PREVIOUS STUDIES AND DATA AVAILABILITY . 4.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES. . • . . . . . . . • ~ • • • • • • e • . . . . . . . . 4.2 DATA AVAILABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0 DELI~EATION OF STUDY AREA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY ........ . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 PREVIOUS DATA AND REPORTS .. . . . . . . . . . . . 6. 2 GENERAL INVETIGATION MEMORANDUM AND PLAN OF STUDY . 6.3 STAFF MEETINGS AND PROGRESS REPORTS ....... . 6.4 SITE RECONNAISSANCE VISITS •. 6. 5 SUBCONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT. • ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • • • • 0 • 6.6 QUALITY ASSURANCE •. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7 COORDINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7.1 General • . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.7.2 Progress Review and Planning Meetings . 6.7.3 Workshops .•...........• 6.8 REVIEW OF ADF&G PLANS OF STUDY/ANNUAL REPORTS 6.9 TRP~SMISSION LINE INVESTIGATION ... . . . . . . . . 6.10 RF,GULATORY AGENCY AND PERMIT SUPPORT. . . . . . 6.11 FERC REQUESTS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION .... . . . 6.12 FERC SITE TOURS .•. , •.•..• . . . . . . . . . . 6.13 ENGINEERING DESIGN CHANGES/LICENSES APPLICATION UPDATE. • . , . . • . , . • . . . . . • . . . 6.14 AGENCY COMMENTS ON THE LICENSE APPLICATION •. 6.15 REVIEW DRAFT EIS ••..•..•.•.•.•. • . . . . . • • • . . . • • ;. ; Q PAGE 1-1 1-1 1-1 2-1 3-1 4-1 4-1 4-1 5-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-7 ! iJ r I 1 j I I j I l I l J I i j I l , I 1 f ! ' l I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) 6.16 FINALIZE FY' 85 WORKS COPES FOR SUBCONTRACTORS AND ADF&G • . • • . • • • . . . . . . . . . . . • • Co • 6.17 L~PACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION PLANNING . . . . . . . 6.ll.l Settlement Process ....•......• 6.17.2 Trackin6 and Documentation System ..... 6.17.3 Mitigation Plan Status Report •...... 6.17.4 FY 1984 Settlement Process Work Efforts •• . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.17.4.1 Upstream Moose .. . . . . . . . . . . . 6.17.4.2 Downscream Moose ......•.•. 6.17.4.3 Caribou •...•....•...... 6.17.4.4 Dall Sheep ....•.•..•....• 6.17.4.5 Black and Brown Bears •.. . . . . . 6.17.4.6 Wolf and Wolverine. 6.17.4.7 Belukha Whale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.17.4.8 Other Species . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0 STUDY COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT ......•.....• 7 .1 HARZA-EB.ASCO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . t 7. 2 INJ.'ERACTION WITH OTHER STUDY TEAMS. . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 SUBCONTRACTORS. • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . .. 7.4 COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SUBCONTRACTORS . . . . . 8.0 SCHEDULE AND DELIVERABLES ..•.............. 8 .1 SCHEDUlE. • • . • • • • . • . . . • . . . . . . • . . . 8. 2 DELIVERABLES. • . . • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .. . 9.0 BUDGET •...•...•••.........•...... 10.0 ATTACHMENTS .•....•. • • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A -AGENCY RAISED ISSUES. . . . . . . • • • • APPENDIX B -MAJOR SUSITNA PROJECT TERRESTRIAL STUDIES • • •, 'It"··' 6-7 6-8 6-8 6-9 6-10 6-11 6-11 6-19 6-23 6-25 6-27 6-31 6-32 6-32 7-1 7-1 7-1 7-2 7-3 8-1 8-1 8-1 9-1 lD-1 10-2 10-13 ' ,' <J'• ,' I I I I l ~} I t I) I 1 l i j I I I ' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND Harza-Ebasco Joint Venture (H-E) has been authorized by the Alaska Power Au thori.ty to manage the Environmental Program associated with the Susitna Hydroelectric Project. This General Investigation Memo- randum sets forth the objectives, methodology, organization and per- sonnel, schedule, deliverables and budget for accomplishing the wildlife and botanical resources studies needed to aupport the Fed- eral Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing of the Project. The activities and budget described in this memorandum are for Fis- cal Year (FY) 1984 (July 1983 through June 1984). The understanding for developing the activities described in this memrandum for the Terrestl'ial Program was gained through: review of previous study reports on the Susitna Project; review of the FERC License Application, particularly Exhibit E; an.d meetings with the Power Authority, terrestrial studies subcontractors, and agencies. 1.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVES Task 4 of the H-E Contract for the Susitna Project contains the En- vironmental Program for the Licensing and Design of the Project. ~he program is designed to meet the following general objectives: 1. to evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed Pro- ject in order to recommend modifications and other measures necessary to a:ssure compatibility of !:he Projec;t with the environment; 2. to ~nsure that the technical aspects of the environmental study program enable compliance with statutory and regula- tory ~equirements governing project development; 1-1 Doc. 0423B • I l· I ! . I I ! r . ! I j I f r ! ~ \) i . I., l l l' l . l . l 0 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3. to develop coordinated, effective data collection and an- alysis programs whic~ facilitate evaluation of project ef- fects and mitigation (if ac!11erse effects of the proposed Project; and 4. to assist and support engineering activities to ensure pro- per and effici~nt implementation of design features to com- ply with environmental constraints and objectiveso The specific study objectives for the Terrestrial Program are pre- sented in Section 2.0 of this memorandum. 1-2 Doc. 0423B .. j t I 1 /' r r 1 I, I< I ~ I I l . I ! I : t '·' I I , J I. }';j I \c. I:'· l l I l I I l I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 2. 0 STUDY OBJECTIVES Specific study objectives for the Ter.~.estrial Programs have been defined primarily from the Task 4 scope of work presented in the Susitna Project Contract. In addition, review of previous study reports on this Project and the FERC License Application, plus meet- ings with the Power Authority, agencies, and the terrestrial studies subcontractors have identified the specific st·1dy objectives. The specific study ~bjectives for the Terrestrial Program are iden- tified below. A list of Terrestrial Program activities designed to satisfy these objectives during FY 1984 are presented in Table 2-1. 1. In coordination with the H-E Licensing and Permitting Group, idc..:~.tify Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), agen.cy, and public concerns about wildlife and botanical resources as- sociated with the Susitna Project in need of resolution for ti·~ly licensing and permitting to the Project. 2. In coordination with Project engineers, review and evaluate the impacts of design modifications on wildlife and botanical re- sources and identify concerns in need of resolution for success- ful licensing and permitting of the Project. 3. Consolidate, as appropriate, identified concerns into specific issues to be addressed during the licensing process or later; 4. Develop in consultation with appropriate regulatory agencies and subcontractors, programs to resolve these issues. 5. Working with the Power Authority staff, manage or conduct these programs in a manner th.it will ensure that program results are effectively utilized to resolve issues and enhance the environ- mental compatibility of the Project in a cost-effective manner. 6. Assist and support engineering activities to ensure that project design is compatible with necessary environmental constraints and objectives. 2-1 Doc .. 0423B • t f f I,, l i I l I ,> f.' {~! l 1' I r t I l f ) ' ,;"' ; 1 l' I l i i l l i I I I I • t I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE 2-1 TERRESTRIAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR FY 1984 1. Review data collected t:o date and previous reports. 2. Prepare General Investigation l-:emorandum. 3~ Prepare Detailed Plan of Study. 4. Participate in weekly staff meetings. 5. Prepare monthly Terrestrial Pr(".grdm progress reports. 6. Conduct site reconnaissance vidits to familiarize Terrestrial Study Team staff with Project area. 7. Manage subcontractor field prograr.. _ and impact assessment/mi ti- gation pLanning efforts, including budget and schedule control, research design, and quality assurance. 8. Produce H-E Quality Assurance Ytanual and institute subcontractor quality assurance programs~/,~/. 9. Review and comment on ADF&G'~ big game plans of study and annual reports!/. 10. Coordinate the acti vi tie~ of the entire T~rres trial Study Team, including the subcontractors and ADF&G. 1!. Prepare a final report for the spring 1983 Terrestrial Modeling Workshop!./. 12. Conduct a spring 1984 Terrestrial Program Workshop and prepare a report~/. 13. Provide input to the Task 41 Transnussion Line Report regarding wtldlife and botanical resources impacts of alternate corridors. 2-2 Doc. 0423B I J I i !'! ~~ .j t l1 ~ /i !'· f l ! t", I . I". 1 f l 1); l I f } l l i I l ' I l l' 1 .. l 1 j I ) ! r I r I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE 2-1 (Continued) 14. Prepare information for non-FERC permit applications~/. 15. Prepare responses to remaining FERC supplemental information requests. 16. Prepare for and particpa te in FERC site tours and presenta- tion~/. 17. Evaluate the impacts of design changes a.nd the implications of changed assumptions and associated forecast revisions on terres- trial ecosystems. 18. Prepare update of License Application based on design refine- ments. 19. Prepare responses to formal agency comments on License Applica- tion!./. 20. Review Draft Eis~/. 21. Prepare final work scopes for the Terrestrial Program in .FY 1985~/, _£/' E_/. 22. Identify concerns related to the Projects's Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plan in need of resolution for successful licen- sing and permitting of the Project; consolidate identified con- cerns into specific issues; develop appropriate programs to re- solve these isr-w~s; and manage or conduct these programs in a manner that will ensure that program results are effectively utilized to resolve issues, comply with the FERC licensing pro- cess, and enhance environmental compatibility of the project~/' _£/, c/ 23. Establish and maintain a tracking and documentation system for Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plannin~/. 2-3 Doc. 0423B I I I II ! l I I Jo r F J 1 ' i j ' ?: ~~ f I l i r' l" I l i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I TABLE 2-1 (Continued) 24. Refine the Terrestrial Mitigation Plan and prepare a status re- port including long range plan of studies and other mile- stones!/. 25. Identify candidate lands for moose habitat enhancemen 1~/. 26. Review literature, unpublished data, and studies in progress to evaluate habitat enhancement t.:echniqv,es. 27 .. Conduct a browse inventory pilot study to determine the most efficient methods to conduct the extr;nsive browsF inventory in summer 198~/. 28. Conduct a limited moose food habits study to help design the extensive browse inventory (if funding is available)~/. 29. Complete a spring plant phenology study to determine the distri- bution, relative abundance, and time of occurrence of early spring moose and bear forage in the impoundment are~/. 30 .. Conduct a survey of beaver colonies between Devils Canyon and Talkeetna and downstream oi Talkeetna and collect information on beaver overwinter survival to support beaver impact assessment modeling effort~/. 31. Initiate the extensive browse inventory to be conducted during summer 1984 (if funding is available)~/. ~ 32. Prepare a p,~eliminary draft for age veg'ata tion map to provide a bas is for stratification for the extensive browse inventory (if funding is available).~./. ------a/ b/ -;; d/ -~ LGL will prc~ide inp~t or lead this effort. U of A Palmer will p ·:ovide input or lead this effort. U of A Fairbanks will provide input or lead this effort. Veg~cation mapping subcontractor will lead this effort. 2-4 Doc. 0423B .. ! I I I I I I I :1 I I I I I I I I I I I •••• ' ' 3. 0 IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES A k.ey step in preparing the General Investir;ation Hemorandum for the Terrestrial Program is the identification of specific issues which must be addressed during the licensing pro~ess. These issues pre- sent FERC, other agencies, and public concerns relative to wildlife and botanical resource impact information needs resulting from the Susitna Project. They have been identified through workshops, in- dividual agency meetings, and formal agency correspondence. A pre- l::!.lliinary list of these terrestrial issues is provided in Saction 10.0, Appendix A. The issues list also provides at least one source of the origin-ating concern and a preliminary summary of the status of resolution or planned work efforts for each issue. The complete process of issue identification and resolution is de- scribed in Section 6.17 .1. The tracking and documentation system for this process is defined in Section 6.17.2. A mitigation plan status report, which includes a long-range plan for restlution of remaining issues, is described in Section 6.17. 3 and the major FY 1984 issue resolution work efforts are described in Section 6.17.4. The specific issues each work effort is designed to address are also identified in Section 6.17.4. 3-1 Doc. 0423B .. I I I I .I .• ; ' I I I I ·I I I I I 4.0 PREV:~OUS STUDIES AND DATA AVAILABILITY 4.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES Terrestrial studies relating to hydroelectric development on the Susitna River have been conducted since the mid-1970s. A listing of major reports documenting previous studie~ on vegeta- tion and wildlife in the project area that were supported by Susitna Project funds is presented in Section 10.0, Appendix B . 4.2 DATA AVAILABILITY Although the references lis ted in Section 10.0, Appendix B t:epresent the majority of existing information on vegetation and wildlife in the Susitna River Basin, additional data sources do exist. ~~ny of these re-sulted from preliminary studies on wildlife impacts of Susitna River hydroelectic development. Another source of additional data are the many ADF&G re.search reports on big game mammals and their predators in Game Management Unit 13 that have been produced in recent years. Finally, additional data on big game are available through harvest reporting and standard field surv~ys and inventories. These latter data are published by ADF&G as Annual Reports of Survey-Inventory Activities. 4-1 Doc. 0423B • f' j . I. . ! I J I i I I I I I 5. 0 DELINEATION OF STUDY AREA The main terrestrial study area for. the Susltna Project consists of that portion of the Susitna R.i ver watershed between its confluences with the Tyone River and Indian River. The terrestrial study area also includes that portion of the Nenana River drainage between Deadman Mountain and the Denali Highway which will be traversed by the project access road. Downstream of the project area the primary study area is the river floodplain and immediately adjacent areas. For some studies, how- ever, such as downstream moose and black bears, t.he study area ex- tends far enough away from the river to include the home ranges of those animals that utilize floodplain habitats. For purposes of dcwnstream terrestrial studies, the downstream area is generally divided into the area between Devil Canyon and Tal-keetna and the area between Talkeetna and Cook Inlet • The transmission line intertie route betwen Healy and Willow is also part of the terrestrial study area. Broad areas between Willow and Anchorage and Healy and Fairbanks are also included for the purpose of alternative transmission line routa selection. Study area boundary maps for each major field study are provided in the Plan of Study. 5-1 Doc. 0423B ?· I ' I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I I I I 6. 0 STUDY METHODOLOGY 6.1 PREVIOUS DATA i\ND REPORTS ~ . The initial task of the Terrestrial Study Team is to review pre- viously collected data and reports, J.ncluding the FERC License Ap- plication and ADF&G and subcontractor reports dealing with wild- life/botanical resources. 6. 2 GENERAL INVESTIGATION MEMORANDUM AND PLAN OF STUDY ·------------<:~-------------------- After preparation of a General Investigation Memorandum, which de- scribes the objectives, methodology, organization and personnel, schedule, deli verables, and budget for conducting the FY 1984 Ter- restrial Program, a Plan of Study will be prepared. which presents the detailed methodology and schedule for' the FY 1984 ·rerrestrial Program. 6. 3 STAFF MEETINGS AND PROGRESS REPORTS Continuing activities of the H-E Terrestrial Staff are participation in weekly staff meetings and preparation of monthly rrogress re- ports. These are primarily the responsibility of the Group Leader. Staff meetings provide a standardized means for information transfer between and among the Environmental and Licensing Operations Manager and the Environmental Group Leaders and Licensing Task Leader. Mon- thly progress reports contain input from su~contractor progress re · ports:. and represent input to the Monthly Project Progress Report. As such~ they follow the format prescribed for the Project Progress Report. 6-1 Doc. 0423B • r l l l I, f l L l' ! ! r: I 1' l l ' f· I ! ) l l ' 1' l i I l l l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6. 4 SITE RECONNAISSANCE VISITS Another initial and continuing a,(:tj.vitY of the fi-E !er:re~trial Staff is to conduct site reconnaissance visits to familiarize staff both with the environmental attributes of the project area and the pro- ject layout. Reconnaissance visits will include both aerial and ground surveys. 6.5 SUBCONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT Four subcontracts to H-E will be consummated during FY 1984 for Ter- restrial study efforts. Subcontractors include LGL Alaska Research Associates (LGL), the University of Alaska Palmer Agricultural Ex- periment Station (U of A Palmer), the University of Alaska Coopera- tive Wildlife Research Unit (U of A Coop.), and the University of Alaska Museum (U of A Museum). These subcontractors and their areas of responsibility are shown in Section 7.3. The task of subcontractor management includes: assisting the sub- contractor in scope preparation; (1) review, negotiation, and ap- proval of subcontractor scope, b'.ldget, and schedule; ( 2) assisting i:: preparing and finalizing a contract; ( 3) monitoring of subcon- tractor progress while ensuri.ng that budgets and sclledules are being met; (4) coordinating subcontractor logistic requirements with H-E logistics personnel; ( 5) coordinating subcontractor activities with other Terrestrial Program activities; and (6) performing quality assurance audits or reviews of subcontractor activities and deliver- ables .. 6 • 6 _q_u ALI~X ASSURANCE All subcontractors will be required to apply a Quality Assurance (QA) Program to their studies. This will include quality assurance procedures for data collection, checking) and storage, analytical procedures, report preparation and review. H-E will develop a QA Manual to encompass any studies in which it directly participates 6-2 Doc. 0423B I I I l l I f I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I and to include an overview of QA procedures for all Task 4 subcontractors. 6.7 COORDINATION 6.7.1 General Terrestrial Program coordir.1tion is generally described in Section 7.0; specific coordination activities are described in this section. Coordination is primarily the responsibility of the H-E Terrestrial Group Leader but is also shared by the LGL Project M~aager. LGL coordination responsibility covers activities assoct.ated with ter- restrial model refinements as well as other activities related to impact/ assessment mitigation plan refinement as directed by H-E. The primary mechanism for communication and coordina.tion will be through frequent and open communication among H-E, subcontractors, and ADF&G staff. 6.7.2 Progress Review and Planning Me~~ings A systematic means of ensuring that good coordination occurs will be implemented through regular progress review anci planning meetings. These meet5.ngs will be attended by the H-E Group Leader, LGL Project Manager, ADF&G Research Coordinator, ADF&G Habitat Division re- viewer, and a USFWS project reviewer. In addition, it is expE!cted that Power Authority Staff will attend as time permits and addi- tional staff members from H-E, LGL, ADF&G, USFWS, U of A Palmer Ex- periment Station, U of A Museum and U of A Cooperative Wildlife Re- search Unit, will attend as necessary. Hembers of the Aqua tic, Hy- drology and Social Science Study Teams will also be reqt\ested to attend when appropriate to ensure that activities are coordinated with these groups and to obtain their technical expertise when the need arises. 6-3 Doc. 0423B .. 0' -,:·~.,~"" }'• ~,.,, t'!f-11<*2:..:.~ ,' I i 1: I I i . I i j I I } I \ ; I . J I ' l I t .. ;:~' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Progress review and planning meetings will be conducted monthly or more or less frequently as the need .arises. These meetings will provide a forum for each major entity of the Terrestrial Study Team to report on their activities for the previous month, including preliminary results of field studies, and to discuss their plann.ed activities and problem areas. The meetings will provide the oppor- tunity for Terrestrial Study Team members to modify their activities so that they pro·vide more useful input to other activities in a timely manner. General planning activities will also take place at these meetings relative to deciding priorities and defining work efforts necessary to support impact assessment and mitigation plan refinement. Minutes covering each of these meetings will be pre- pared and distributed to all Terrestrial Team members. 6.7.3 Workshops Another form of information transfer and coordination is through workshops. A large workshop centered on terrestrial modeling ef- forts was held in spring 1983. A draft report presented the status of terrestrial models, as refined at the workshop and associated technical meetings, and identifed information needs for further model refinement:. This report will he finalized in December 1983 following receipt of comm~nts from Terrestrial Study Team members. A 1984 Workshop is currently planned for spring 1984. This w0rkshop will inform all interested parties of Terrestrial Program, ter- restrial model, and issue resolution status, and will provide for critical review and input on further model refinements and issue resolution. 6.8 REVIEW OF ADF&G PLANS OF STUDY/ANNUAL REPOR~ Plans of Study and annual reports prepared by ADF&G will be re.viewed and comments submitted to the Power Authority. 6-4 Doc. 0423B • I I I I i ~ :!" l I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6. 9 TRANSMISSION LINE INVESTIGATION The goal of the Transmission Line Investigation is to have preferred routes for each project transmission line segment and substation locations agreed upon by the public, agencies, and serviced utili- ties during 1983~ Wildlife and botanical resources are a prime con- cern in transmission line routing and so the Terrestrial Study Team will provide support • 0 as requ~r>.!(L. This includes paL'ticipaton in field reconnaissance, agency interviews, public ~eetings, data col- lection, and report preparation. 6.10 REGULATORY AGENCY AND PERMIT SUPPORT St.'sitna Project licensing ~~ill require that ~.any regulatory require- ments be satisfied in addition to FERC requirements. Federal, state, and/or regulatory requirements in at least three areas will need major support from the Terrestrial Study Team. These areas include wetlands, eagles, and endangered species. Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, the Executive Order on Protection of Wetlands, the Bald Eagle Pro.tection Act, and the Endangered Species Act are the major federal regulations pertaining to activities affecting these resources. The Terrestrial Study Team will work closely with the H-E Licensing and Permitting Group to provide the necessary support required to ensure project compliance with pertinent non-FERC regulations. 6.11 FERC EQUESTS FOR SUPPL~ENTAL INFORMATION On April 12, 1983 FERC provided the Power Authority a list of sup- plemental information requests relative to the license application. This list included 32 questions pertaining to botanical and wildlife resources (Chapter 3). Additional questions on Socioeconomics (Chapter 5), Recreation (Chapter 7), Land Use (Chapter 9), and Al- ternatives (Chapter lO)J related heavily to wildlife, or botanical 6-5 Doc. 0423:8 .. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I resources. On November 3, 1983 FERC ll'.ade additional requests for supplemental information relative to terrestrial resou~ces. Members of the Terrestrial Study Team are working both directly and through subcontractors to prepare this information. 6 .. 12 FERC SITE TOURS The Terrestrial Study Team helped prepare itineraries for and parti- cipated in the extensive August 1983 FER.C site tours. An evening presentation wa.s also prepared. 6.13 ENGINEERING DESIGN CHANGES/LICENSE APPLICATION UPDATE A review of the engineering and project operation concepts will be performed so as to optimize the overall project concept. A major aspect of this process is to con.s ider the environmental implications of any proposed engineering design modifications. Ul tim.a tely thi.> process will lead to the preparation of various en\"ironmental re- ports on project design modifications which may be used as the basis for updating the FERC License Application. The process described below will be used for the development of the required environmental reports. After initial discussion concerning the nature of potential design modifications between engineering and environmental personnel, a "Disc.ussion Memrandum" will be prepared by the appropriate environ- mental scientist. The objectives of this memorandum will be to pro- mote communication and understanding of the problem between engi- neering and environmental personnel. When the engineering evaluation process is complete, a report will be prepared to accompany the engineering study report. The depth and detail of the environmental ceport will depend en the nature of the design modification and the affected project impacts. 6-6 Doc .. 0423B .. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I When a decision is made to officially modify Project design, the FERC License Application will need to be updated. Preparation of the terrestrial portions of this update will be performed by the Terrestrial Study Team in a format prescribed by the Project Licens- ing Group. The License Application update will build upon previous environmental reports prepared on engineering design modifications. 6.14 AGENCY COMMENTS ON THE LICENSE APPLICATION Formal agency comments on the License Application will be received dur.ing FY 1984. The Terrestrial Study Team, in conjunction with subcontractors, will prepare formal responses to the appropriate comments. 6.15 REVIEW DRAFT EIS The FERC Draft EIS on the Susitna Project will be available in Feb- ruary 1984. The Te~restrial Study Team will review this document on behalf of the Power Authority and prepare written comments for transmittal to FERC" 6.16 FINALIZE FY 1985 WORK SCOPES FOR SUBCONTRACTORS AND ADF&G - This task represents the finalization of FY 1985 work scopes and contracts or contract amendments with the terrestrial subcontractors. It also includes finalization of ADF&G's FY 1985 RSA. These ac~ivities will be conducted through an iterative pro- cess consisting of Terrestrial StLdy Team meetings to decide on pri- orities, proposal preparation, proposal review, and proposal revision. 6-7 Doc. 0423B " l j ! ! l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6.17 IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION PLAN REFL~EMENT --------------·------- 6.17.1 Settlement Process Refinement of the Terrestrial Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plan is an ongoing process that is necessary to support licensing of the Sus itna Project. This process has been organized into four over- lapping phases. The first phase involves identification of FERC, other agency, and public issues about wildlife and botanical resources assc~iated with the Susitna Project in need of resolution for licensing of the pro- ject. These issues have been identified through workshops, indivi- dual agency meetings, formal agency co~nts on the draft FERC License :-\pplica tion, and public meetings, such as the FERC seeping meeting. One of the major vehicles for identifying agency and sub- contractor concerns was the February 28 -March 2, 1983 Mitigation Planning Workshop. A table listing the issues identified to date along with the source of the originating concern is provided as Appendix A. The second phase of this process is the discussion of each issue with the appropriate agency in order to arrive at a final list of the issues to be addressed during the licensing process. Phase three involves the development, with appropriate agency and subcon- tractor personnel, of appropriate programs to resolve these issues. This phase will be conducted through a series of technical meet- ings. The programs can range from a simple written response 1 defin- ing why the issue does not justify further study, to extensive field programs. A Detailed Plan of Study will be preparet! for each extl~n­ sive field or office study. The programs tentatively identified to date for resolving the issues are provided along with the issues in the Appendix A tables. The. final phase of the process is the man·- agement or conduct of these programs in a manner that will ensure 6-8 Doc. 0423B I) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I that program results are effectively utilized to resolve the issues and enhance the environmental compatibility of the Project"' The u1 timate goal of this process is the development of an equitable settlement of issues. 6.17.2 Tracking and Documentation System It is important that a "bookkeeping" system be developed and applied to the Terrestrial Program issue settlement process so that the cur- rent status of impact assessment and mitigation planning for each impact mechanism can be documented and tracked through the process. This is necessary even though there is a broader tracking system for the entire settlement process (being maintained by the Licensing and Permitting group) because many agency-~aised issues are general (i.e., impacts not adequately qua.ntit:ifed--Issue T-20) and tracking and documentation of the resolution of these issues requires an ex- amination of each impact me-! chan ism. The tracking and documentation system to be implemented for the Ter- restrial Program consists of a table maintained on a word processing system that includes columns listing: (1) e lch species or other appropriate biological unit; ( 2) each impact mechanism potentially affecting each species/biological unit; ( 3) the status of impact assessment for each impact mechanism (i.e. , a brief description of how it was assessed, how adequate/inadequate and quantitative/qU&li- tative the assessment was, and a reference to the document(s) and page(s) where the assessment is located): and ( 4) a brief descrip- tion of how, and to what extent, the impac te resulting from each impact mechanism will be mitigated together with a reference to the detailed mitigation plan description. A first draft of the species/biological unit and impac.t mechanism portions of the table will be completed by the end of October 1983. This will be distributed among Terrestrial Study Team Members for 6-9 Doc. 0423B • j, !·. J l' l I l l ~ I ! ' ~' ! r f I r review; however, work will continue on the remaining portions of the table and a first draft of the en.tire tracking and documentation system will be available by the end of NoveUlber 1983. The table will be updated monthly and will be used at t . Terrestrial Program progress review and planning meetings as the basis for reporting progress and planning future activities. The table will provide a means for grasping the total scope of unresolved issues so that pri- oritiza.tion of work efforts can be clearly made. 6.17.3 The ultimate goal of the impact assessment/mitigation plan refine·- ment process is to develop a Terrestrial Mitigation Plan that is consistent with the Power Authority's Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Policy for the Susitna Project and that satisfies FERC, other agen- cies, and th~ public. Therefore, it is important to at least define the frameH~ork for the plan at an early stage so that resolution of the remaining issues can be focused at defining the specifics of the plan. The initial framework will be the plan provided in the license application. This framework will be reviewed informally with agencies, subcontractors, and the Power Authority in order to refine the plan and therefore, to refine field programs as much as possible. After receipt of agency comments, a more formal strategy will be pursued to define the mitigation plan framework. Because of certain data requirement~ that require long lead times, the mitiga- tion plan may not be fii1alized for several years. However, a report documenting the current status of the plan will be prepared by the Terrestrial Study Team at the end of FY 1984. This document will briefly describe the status of the plan as of that date, the refinements made during the previous year, the re- ports and other products dealing with impact assessment/mitigation plan. refinement produced during the year, the remaining terrestrial issues, and the long range plan for resolving these issues and fin- alizing the mitigation plan. 6-10 Doc. 0423B r l I I I 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6.17.4 FY 1984 Settlement Process Work Efforts A number of field studies and other tasks designed to resolve some of the remaining terrestrial issues are currently underway or planned for FY 1984. Budget limitations have necessitated delaying or reducing the scope of some work efforts. Therefore, the FY 1984 program represents only those work efforts considered to be of high- est t)riority. In the subsections provided below, the FY 1984 work efforts are described within the framework of the overall impact assessment and mitigation planning program for each species or spe- cies group. In addition, the specific issues (Appendix A) that are addressed by each work effort are identified. 6.17. 4.1 Upstream Mo~ Two approaches to refining the impact as- sessment for moose upstream of Devil Canyon are being followed. The first is based on the existing population and attempts to pre-diet how the population will respond to the project over time. The second is a habitat-based approach which attempts to estimate the potential of habitat that will be altered or lost to support moose. The population approach has the advantage of predicting actual changes in moose numbers. It allows estimation of impacts that are not habitat-based, such as accidents and human-induced mortality. The habitat-based approach is useful for estimating changes in po- tet;, tial carrying capacity when existing populations are not fully utilizing their habitat and for direct comparison of specific acre- ages and the benefits of habitat enhancement techniques. Each ap- proach will provide information necessary for evaluating the other and the integrated results of both are expected to provide the basis for mitigation planning. The linkages among the various work ef- forts designed to support these two approaches are shown in Figure 6-1. 6-11 Doc. 0423B I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Work efforts to be conducted during FY 1984 along with the re- sponsible organizations include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Zone of Impact Census -ADF&G Impact Area Habitat Use Monitoring -ADF&G Calf Predation Monitoring -ADF&G Severe Winter Studies (if severe winter occurs) -ADF&G Spring Plant Phenology Study-U of A Palmer Forage Vegetation Mapping -Unknown subcontractor Pilot Browse Sampling -U of A Palmer Moose Food Habits Study -U of A Palmer Browse Sampling -U of A Palmer Wolf Studies -ADF&G Bear Studies -ADF&G Bioenergetics Model Testing -ADI!'&G/USFWS Bear Population Model Refinement -ADF&G/LGL Moose Population Model Refinement -ADF&G/LGL Habitat Enhancement Studies (monitoring winter use of downstream disturbed sites) -ADF&G Habitat Enhancement Studies (literature review of habitat enhancement techniques)-H-E Mitigation plan refinement (identification of candi- date lands for habitat enhancement) -H-E/LGL/Agencies Brief scope descriptions of each of these work efforts along with the organizations with primary responsibility, deliverable due dates, and the specific issues each work effort is designed to ad- dress are provided below. 6-12 Doc. 0423B • 1: r ,, I' F ' I I I j i i' l I l t ' I i I I j r j, ! l f f I j r J j ' I l""' I ' I -D j I 1 I l f . \. . '. ~~' _____________ .,., _______ , .. _ Figure 6-l.. LIIIKAG&S .-,IIG OOIIPOIIIM'r·S OF UPSDKAM/HOOSH IMPAC'f ASS&SSKKIIT 6. KITIGATIO• Pl.AII I&PI&~U &WIODS (J\ I ~ w • \ I f.uad Habita Studlf Pilot Browse Saplina __ _j '"') Forl!g.e Vegetation Kappina ·- Spring Plant Pbenoloay StYdiee Zone Of l•pact Cenaua lt1a.bitat Use Mon i t u r in& Calf Predation Monitor ina ~ .. r'l' - Browse s .. pling ~~- I \ lioeneqcet ics Hodel Severe • Winter Studies ~ Wolf Studies i Beal" .. Studies I Moose Forage .. Availability ,---. --- Hoose Vegetation Carrying Success ion Capacity J Hodel ~'I Lost \ Daily Forag:-l .. ' Habitat 1 . t--· Requ1re•ents L..;j Enhancement .. Hoose Studies . Hit i gat ioc:• Plan T "'"' • Hoose " Hoose Po;Jula&rion -. Numbers .... Hodel Lost T " Bear Population Hodel ~I LL I 1 ' ' . ... ~-·~--··~~-·•--.,~-..,..--~·--"""'lw~"'__.,._I<.,.. __ ~~---..Ai_..•-~-...,___,_.,._,._~0~........_.. ......_ ....... ._ I I " I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. 2. Work Effort: Zone of ~pact ~ensus Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-17, T-20, T-39 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4./1/84 Scope: The zone of impact (defined as all areas within one home range length of any area whi~h will be altered by construction and operation of the project) will be censused in November 1983 using techniques described by Gasaway et al G 1981 to provide estimates of the number and sex. and age composition of moose that will be exposed to direct project impacts. The census area also will include all of composition Count Areas 7 and 14 to provide a comparison with the 1980 census and to check the ac- curacy of predictions of the moose submodel. Work Effort: ~p~ct ~rea Habitat Use __ Monitoring Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-17, T-20, T-33, T-39 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: The radio-collared moose known to inhabit the zone of impact will be relocated 2 to 4 times a month between September and February depending on moose movements and 6 to 8 times a month between March and June. Monitoring at other times of the year and monitoring of other radio-collared moose will be limit- ed to the level necsssary to maintain contact and identify sig- nificant changes in movement patterns. If new vegeta tioc maps are digitized, relocation data will be re-analyzed to determine habitat selectivity. 3. Work Effort: Calf Predation Monitoring Primary ResponsibilitY: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-17, T-20, T-39, T-44 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Forty newborn moose calves will be captured and fitted with mort all ty made radio collars in late May 1984. Signals will be monitored twice a day throl,gh June. (Monitoring will continue into FY'85 at a rate of once a day through July and 6-14 Doc. 0423B ) I I I J l ' I l ! l I. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I twice a month August through November.) When the radio signal indicates a calf is dead, the site will be visited on the grouna as soon as possible and the causes of mortality will be assessed (Ballard et al. 1979). Mortality rates by cause will be calcu- lated and used to correct the moose submodel. A sample of black bears will be intensely monitored to determine rates of preda- tion (see Food Resource Identification under Bear S~udies). ------- Primary Re.spons ibili ty: ADF&G Issues Addressed: Deliverable Due Dates: T-17, T-20, T-39, T-41 Draft Annual Report due 6/1/84 if severe winter occurs and funding is available Scope: Spatial and temporal varia~ion in snow accumulation pat- terns makes it difficult to define a "severe winter". Moose may respond differently to early accumulatit.>n of snow than they do to the same accumul3tion late in the winter. Therefore, a "~evere winter" will be defined largely by the movements of moose. The winter of 1982-83 will be used as a standard. Se- vere winter procedures will be initiated when radio-collared moose, whose movements were documented during 1982-83, move into areas subject to habitat loss or alteration in larger numbers than in 1982-83. If this condition occurs, the following acti- vities will be conducted. Radio-collared moose relocation flights will be intensified. The sample of 30 regular inhabitants of the primary zone of im- pact will be located twice a \Jeek. Other radio-collared moose will be relocated weekly to determine if their use of the zone of impact increases and to aid in identification of critical winter range that will not be impacted. Two aerial surveys ··1'111 be conducted to map moose distribution in January and February. 6-15 Doc. 0423B I ! I: ( I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I In March~ a census will be conducted to estimate the number of moose in and within 5 miles of the impoundments. Location and numbers of dead moose will be recorded. A sample of dead moose will be visit~u on the ground and the sex, age and cause of death will be assessed. Two wolf packs will be relocated daily for a period of 30 days. Wolvas will be backtracked and kills recorded to determine rates of predation. As many kills as possible will be visited and sex, age, and condition of each animal will be assessed. 5. Work Effort: Spring Plant Phenology Study Primary Responsibility: U of A -Palmer Issues Addtessed: T-20, T-38 Deliverabl~ Due Dates: i)f'aft Annual Report due 3/31/84 Scope: Data on moose and bear movements indicate that the im- poundment area is relatively heavily used in early springo The plant plenology study conducted in the 1983 field seas;on ad- dressed the questions of what, when, and where plant foods be- came available for use as early spring forage. Observations of ani~l browsing were also made. 6. Work Effort: Forage Vegetation Mapping --·-·--.---- Primary Responsibility: Unknown Subcontractor Issues Addressed: T-20 T-30 T-31 T-32 T-33 ' -' ' , . Deliverable ~ue Dates: Preliminary Draft Map due 6/15/84 if funding is available Scope: This effort is designed to provide more detailed vegeta- tion mapping to be used for quantification of habitat-based im- pacts in general, and specifically to provide a basis for stra- tification for moose carrying capacity estimation. The FY 1984 effort is designed to provide a product just sufficient to allow its use to improve the statistical efficiency of the browse inventory. 6-16 Doc. 0423B .. c I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 7. Work Effort: Pilot Browse Sam~ling Primary Respo~~ibility: U of A -Palmer 8. Issues Addressed: T-20, T-36 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Report due 1/31/84 Scope: This study is designed to refine methods for the exten- sive browse sampling program scheduled for summer 1984. It in- volves evaluation of. sample size, plot size, and sampling techniques. Work Effort: Moose Food Habits Studl, Primary Responsibility: U of A -Palmer Issues Addressed: T-20, T-37 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Report due 4/30/84 Scope: This study is designed to ass~~t in finalizing plans for the extensive browse sampling program by confirming or modifying the list of important forage species in the project area during each season. 9. Wcrk Effort: !£9._~~ Sampling_ Primary Responsibility: U of A -Palmer Issues Addressed: T-20, T-36 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Report due 6/30/84 Scope: This effort represent3 the planning and mobilization for the extensive browse inventory to be conducted during July-August 1984 in the middle Susitna Basin. 10. Work Effort: Wolf Studies (See Wolf studies) 11. Work Effort: Bear Studies (See Bear studies) 12. Work Effort: Bioenergetics Model Testing -·-Primary Responsibility: ADF&G/USFWS Issues Addressed: T-20, T-34 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Field validation of the bioenergetics model at the Kenai Moose Research Center will be conducted in FY 1984 and FY 1985. 6-17 Doc. 0423B " '. '.~ ~ { ' . ,. . I I I I' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I This phase will be conducted by ADF&G with partial support from USF&WS. ADF&G personnel partially funded by APA will partici- pate in the design, direction, and data analysis direction of this phase. All operating and most personnel costs will be borne by ADF&G and USF&WS. This effort will involve refining the model's capability of predicting energy and nitrogen re- quirements and generating forage intake values. 13. Work Effort: Bear Populatiotl Model Refinement (see Bear Studies) ..::;.;;;;;..;;......-::-•---~ 14. Work Effort: Moose Population Model Refinement Primary Responsibility: ADF&G/LGL Issues Addressed: Deliverable Due Dates: T-20, T-34 Final 1983 Terrestrial Model Report due 12/15/83, Draft 1984 Workshop Report (including terrestrial model status) due 6/30/84. Scope: Refinements to the moose population model will be made l:o the extent that budget and new data allow the moose carrying •:apaci ty model to be refined as described in Work Effort 12 above. 15. Work Effort: 16. Work Effort: ~.;_ta_L. Enhancement Studies (monitoring winter use of downstream disturbed sites) (See Downstream Moose studies) Habitat Enhancement Studies (literature review of habitat enhancement techniques) Primary Responsibility: H-E Issues Addressed: T-35 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Report due 3/15/84 Scope: All relevant information on habitat enhancement techni- ques for moose and bear will be reviewed and summarized. Sources will include published literature, unpublished data on 6-18 Doc. 0423B ,• j l l ! ! I I f t f j ·- (' I I .. ·1: I ·I· I' I I I I file, and information from current projects. All techniques will be evaluated with re.gard to their applicahili ty and efte~­ tiveness for the Susitna Basin. 17. Work Effort: Mitigatio~ Plan Refinement (identifica- tion of candidate lands for habitat enhancement) Primary Responsibility: H'-E/LGL/ ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-35 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Report due 1/15/84, Draft Mi tiga- tion Plan Status Report due on 6/15/84 Scope: Approximately 100 5 000 acres of land sui table for moose and bear habitat enhancement will be identified and mapped. The large area allows for maximum flexibility in oiting the approxi- mate 20,000 acres of landl that will eventually be selected for actual enhancement. Selection criteria and an implementation procedure for selection CJI"i teria will be developed in conjunc- tion with ADF&G moose c.:.::Ld bear investigators and Area Biolo- gists. A major data sour·ce for this effort will be the ADF&G Habitat Division data developed for the Susitna Area Plan. The report will address acquisition problems and management options. 6.17 .4. 2 Downstr~_MoE!l~ The impacts of the project on moose downstream of Devil Canyon ar.e being assessed by modeling the physi- cal processes (e.g., flooding, ice scouring) affecting downstream mo,ose habitat, modeling the changes in downstream moose habitat re- sulting from the modification of the hydrologic regime, and deter- mining the magnitude, distribution, habitat selection, and timing of moose use of these floodplain habitats. Potential habitat enhance- ment measures are being studied by closely monitoring moose winter use of disturbed sites known to be heavily used by moose in winter. Close coordination with the aquatic program is being conducted to assure consistency of inputs and outputs where practical. Figure 6-2 portrays the linkages among the various work efforts involved in this approach-. 6-19 Doc. '0423B • n ., ' 0 l ; . ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I .Figure 6-2. Linkages Among Components of Downstream Moose Impact Assessment and Mitigation Plan Refinement Efforts ,_ Downstream Downstream Changes in Hydrologic Vegetation ... Moose Habitat r Model i Model (Qualitative) ~~ Winter ,, ,, Floodplain .... Changes in ~ Moose Census Moose Numbers Mitigation Aquatic (Cualitative) Plan Program ·~ -f Fio.od plain Hydrologic and ~tribution and Hydraulic bitat Use Winter Use I Model nitoring ___ of Disturbed In'Q_uts/Outputs '.llr..f!f Site MonitorinlU severe Winter Studies All work efforts will be conducted at some level during FY 1984. A very weak link exists in the modeling efforts. This weakness is the lack of i..nformation on which to base the representation of the ef- fects of 'hysical processes on vegetation. This lack of information and the probable long-term nature of any studies that could be con- ducted to obtain the informatlon, significantly limits the ability of the vegetation model to make quantitative predictions with a rea- sonable degree of accuracy. For this reason, the modeling efforts will be reevaluated to assess their value and role in the overall effort. Brief riCope descriptions of each work effort alotig with the organi- zations with primary responsibility, deliverable due dates, and the specific issues each work effort is designed to address are provided below. 6-20 Doc. 0423B • l l l I 1 } l J I l 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. WorkEffort: _D_o_wn __ s_;_r_e_a_m __ ~~drol_o~g~i~c ____ a_n_d ___ Ve~~tati~--~~ Refinement Primary Responsibility: LGL/H-E/ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-1) T-20 Deliverable Due Dates: Final 1983 Terrestrial Model Report due 12/15/83,, Draft 1984 Workshop Report (including terrestrial model status) due 6/30/84 Scope: Refinements to the downstream hydrologic and vegetation· models will be made in coordination with the Aquatic and Hydro- logy Study Teams to the extent that budget and new data allow only following a reassessment of their value to the downstream assessment effort. In addition to or instead of tilOdel refine- ment, a refined assessment of downstream vegetation impacts will be conducted based on a review of published and unpublished in- formation and discussions with ice experts. 2. Work Effort: Flood~~~in Distrib~tion and Habitat ~e_Monitorin& Primary Responsibility: ADF&G 3. Issues Addressed: T-20, T-35, T-40 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Existing radio-collared moose will be relocated approxi- mately twice a month from November to May and weekly between mid-May and mid-June. Monitoring during summer and monitoring of moose away from areas that are likely to be impacted by the project or serve as mitigation lands will be at a minimum level to maintain contact. Work Effort: Winte .. r Floodplain -~ensuses Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-35, T-40 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Aerial censuses for moose in Susitna River floodplain habitats and disturbance subclir:ax vegetative sites from Cook Inlet to Devil Canyon will be conducted six times, through win- ter as long as snow cover conditions permit. 6-21 Doc. 0423B • I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4. Work Effort: Winter Use of Disturbed Site Monito~ing Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-35, T-40 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Samples of 12 mose will be radio-collared from each of 3 (Montana west, Montana middle and Kashwitna Lake north) ana 6 moose on one (Talkeetna west) of the previously studied "dis- turbed'" sites (Modafferi 1983). To distribute sampling inten- sity over the winter period, 4 moose will be captured and radio-collared at each of the former 3 sites during each of 3 sampling periods (mid-November, mid-January, and mid-March). Three moose will be captured and radio-collared during each of the later sampling periods at the Talkeetna west site. There is evidence that some moose use such areas only during periods of deep snow nccumulation. Consequently, tagging will be regulated by the changes in numbers of moose using the sites. If aerial censuses and observations made on radio track- ing flights indicate that additional moose are no longer moving to the area, tagging will be suspended. A sample of blood and an inciso.r tooth will be collected from each individual moose for determinatior, of physiological condi- tion and age. Radio-collared moose will be relocated every two weeks, weather permitting, except during the mid-May to mid-June calving period when they will be relocated each week. 6-22 Doc. 0423B • I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 5. Work Effort: Severe Winter Studies Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-40, T-41 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 6/1/83 if severe winter occurs and funding is available. Scope: Spatial and temporal variation in snow accumulati~n pat- terns makes it difficult to define a "severe w:tnter." Moose may respond differently to early accumulation of snow than they do to the same accumulation late in the winter. Therefore, a "severe winter" will be defined largely by the movements of moose. The winter of 1982-83 will be used as a standard. Severe winter procedures will be initiated when river censuses indicate larger numbers of moose in the downstream flood plain thm1 were observed in 1982-83. Four addi tiona! river censuses will be conducted. In conjunc- tion with one rive~ census, distribution of moose to either side of the. river will be mapped to determine the availability, loca- tion and habitat: type of critical winter range outside of the floodplain. 6. Work Effort: Mitigat~n Plan Refipement (see Upstreatu Moose Studies) 6.17. 4. 3 Caribou. The primary impacts of project development on caribou are likely to result from the potential movement barriers created by the access roads and the impoundments. The extent to which these features may affect movements is very difficult to pre- dict due to the variability exhibited by caribou in their reaction to other barriers reported in the literature and thelr unpredictable range use patterns relative to other large North American herbivores. 6-23 Doc. 0423B • I • . ,,. "'* ' "''"~· :\\-""":. ,, I ! t I. I t l ! I l; ~ I l I I j .· l ! l ! I 1 i . l '~ i .. I I 1 I 1 I t l I., I I , l I ' I I I I I I I I I ·I I I I I I I I ' ·~ The best approach to evaluate pt'<lject impacts appears to be through building up a large data base on pre-project movements and range use so that effective mitigation measures can be recommended and that the effects of the barriers after project devalo~ment can be ful!y ~valuated. Thus, the FY 1984 program includes monitoring the size, productivity, and movement patterns of caribou in the project area. The scope of work for these studies, the organizations with primary responsibility, deliverable due dates, and the specific issues each work effort is designed to address are provided below. 1. Work Effort.: Main Nelchina Herd Moni t•:>ring Primary R$ponsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: tained cated routes ments) A pool of about 25 radio-collared in the main Nelchina herd. These throughout the year often enough (parti.cular ly in the vicinity of and seaeonal range use; !~ surveys caribou will caribou will to document the proposed ia winter, be dl'.l..-·1- be relo- movement impound- 4 surveys during spring mig1:ation, 2 surveys during calving, 2 surveys during summert 2 during autumn dispersal and 1 during the rut. Estimates of population growth and herd productivity of the main Nelc.hina herd will be made ·chrough annual censuses and composition sampling. Work Effort: Upper Sus~tna-Nenana. Subher:_d Monitorin[ Primary Responsibility: ADF.&G Issues Addressed~ T-20 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: A sample of about 8 radio-~o]lared carib~u will be main- tained in the upper Susi tna-Nenana s:..bherd. They will be relo- cated aboot 10 times per year to determine seasonal range use and movement patterns. 6-24 Doc. 0423B ! I l l ' I ' I 1 l l I t ~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The dispersed nature of the upper Susitna-Nenana subherd make traditional census techniques impractical. A minimum population estimate will be made based on direct counts, during the rut. Observations of radio-collared caribou, tracks in snow and an analysis of seasonal habitat use will be used to ensure that major portions of the herd are not missed. 6.17. 4. 4 Dall Shee~ The major potsntial direct impact cf project development on Dall Sheep will be inundation of a portion of the Jay Creek mineral lick and human disturbance at or near the 1:ck. Therefore, additional studies are concentrating on quantifying sheep use of Jay Creek and other nearby licks, assessing and comparing the minera.l content of these licks, and monitoring seasonal habitat use of sheep range in the project area. FY 1984 studies will simply involve completing those efforts inititated in late FY 1983. These efforts are briefly described below. 1. Work Effort: _Dall She~ Lick Use P~~ Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20 T-42 , Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report Due 4/1/84 Scope: The following procedures are for the summer of 1983. Most work will be accomplished during FY 1983, however observa- tions will extend into early FY 1984. Tw~nty-one she:~p in the Wa tana Hills were color-marked by spe- cially adapted firearms shot from a helicopter in early April 1983. Ten sheep marked in the northern Watana Hills were marked red; 11 sheep in the southern Watana Hills were marked blue. An observtion blind was erected in early or mid-May to quantify use of various areas of the Jay Creek lick bluff and identify individual sheep (color-marked and others) using the main Jay Creek lick and the secondary lict. area on the opposite ridge. Observtions were made by 1 or 2 observers with the aid of bino- culars and spotting scopes. Most observatio~.s were made 6-25 Doc. 0423B • I" l' l ( ' ! ' I j j I I l ,, I , I ! I l l L I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I during the roost likely lick activity period ( 0440-2000 hours). The sex, a.~e, dye-markings, individual identity (if known), length of lick use, zone of lick use, date, time, weather condi- tions and other pertinent information will be recorded. Obser- vations will continue until late July or when a seasonal drop in use is evident. Similar observations were made at the East Fork lick from late May to mid-June and at other Watana Hills' licks~ 2. Work Effort: Mineral Li~k Elemental Analysis Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-42 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/l/84 Scope: Samples will be taken from various areas in the Jay Creek lick, nearby secondary licks (upstream and on opposite ridge), East Fork lick and any other licks found in the Watana. hills &"ld nearby areas outside the licks for comparison. The samples will l:e taken with plastic utensils and placed in plas- tic containers to avoid contamination from metal. Sampling will occur aftar lick observations have ascertained preferred licking zones. The samples will be analyzed for water soluable and to- tal elemental levels o.f Na, K, Ca, Mg, and 29 other elements by the inductively coupled argon plasma (ICAP) method. Analyses of the Jay Creek lick will be completed by fall 1983. One hundred foot ele7ation contours of various areas of the Jay Creek lick will be documented using a Wallace and Tiernan model FA181 altimeter, and visibly marked for use during sheep obser- vations. Project engineers and soils geologists will be con- sul ted to predict the physical effects of the impoundmen~ on the Jay Creek lick. 6-26 Doc. 0423B i )I I I I I i j ' I ! l j· I l l ' I ) I l l l l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6.17. 4 . .5 Black and Brown Bears 0 Direct project impacts on bears I will result primarily from loss of denning and foraging habitat. Bear habitat use, especially for foragi1g, exhibits considerable seasonal and annual variability. pre project distribution, habitat Therefol'e, a large data base on use, numbers, and food habits is preferred for impact assessment. Also, because of the suspected importance of brown bear pred~tion on moose calves in limiting moose populations, additional data on this phenomenon is desired as input to moose modeling efforts. Studies designed to collect these data are currently underway. They are identified along with the linkages among them in Figure 6-3. All studies are currently planned to be conducted in FY 1984. The responsible organizations for each work effort are listed below: 1. Impact Area Use Monitoring -ADF&G 2. Den Site Use Monitoring -ADF&G 3. Food Resource Identification -ADF&G 4. Spring Plant Phenology Stud¥ (progress report only) - U of A Palmer 5. Moose Population Model Refinement -ADF&G/LGL 6. Bear Population 2>1odel Refinement -ADF&G/LGL 7. Hoose Mitigation Plan Refinement -H-E/LGL/Agenc.i,es 8. Bear Mitigation Plan Refinement -H-E/LGL/Agencies 6-27 Doc. 0423B " r I I f I, l'. I, t I l . } I I . f\ 1~ L~) I r ) i ( f !. . ! ' f I • 'I I A j 1 ,. .·. I ; .. , ' ' -., I ·,"" I ~ ~ i .. I ' ~ 1 '"' .~ f U ,,.:;o{ . . --~---------------- 0\ I N 00 .. Figure 6-3. l•pact Are• Use Honi tor ina Den Site Uae Monitoring Food Resource Identificaiton Spring Plant Phenology St,udiea Vegetation Happing - LIIIOCBS ~ ~81'S OF IUJl DIPACT ASSISS-111' AltO NITICATIO. PLUI IIEFINBIIIarr !PPOUS Bear Bear Population .... Mitigation Hode.ls I • Plan ·~ _] ...Jt. Hoose Hooae Population Mitigation Hodel ' Plan i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I ' I I I I 1. Work Effort: Impact Area Use Monitoring_ Primary R.esponsibil1tyi ADF&G . 2. 3. Issues Addrassed: T-20, T-44 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Samples of approximately 20 brown bear~ and 20-25 black bears will be maintained. These bears will be relocated 6 times a month between late April and mid-June and 3-4 times a month the remainder of the active season. Wor.k Effort: Den Si~~ Use Monitori~£ Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues ~Adressed: T-20,'!-44 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Scope: Dens of radio-collared individuals will be marked anc! examined. Emphasis will be on black bear dens. This proced1-1re will establish the proportion of available denning habitat: that will be lost to the project. Examination of the dens will es- tablish the characteristics of den sites in the impact zone, these data w:i.ll permit evaluation of the degree o~ impact on bear populations when individuals are excluded from using cur- rent denning habitats. Work Effort: Food Resource Identification Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-44 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due 4/1/84 Sco·pe i Special emphasis will be placed on iden ti fica tion of the food resources utilizad by bears during the periods of seasonal concentrations believed to be motivated by food availability. The most important area of these investigations will be on foods utilized by bears during spring and early summer in the impound- ment i~undation area and vicinity. Emphasis will also be placed on food habits of bears that congregate around salmon spawning areas in order to evaluate the significance of salmon in the diets of these bears. 6-29 Doc. 0423B • I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I .I I I I IJ I 4. 5. 6. 7. Bear scats will be collected by extensive on-the-ground search- ing. Contents of scats will be determined through laboratory analysis. These data will be supplemented by direct observatio~ of bear feeding activity when possible. Observations of bears feeding on ungulates will be made during radio-tracking flights. A selected sample of bears will be re- located twice a day in conjunction with calf mortality studies to estimate the rates of predation on ungulates by both species of bear. Work Effort: Work Effort: Sprir:g Plant Phen_o_l_ogy St':!dz (s.:)e Upstream Moose Studies) Moose Population Model Refinement (see Upstream Moose Studies) Work Effort: Bear ~~~~ation Model Refinement Primary Responsibility: ADF&G/LGL Issues Addressed: T-20, T-44 Deliverable Due Dates: Final 1983 Terrestrial Model Report due 12/15/83, Draft 1984 Workshop Report (including terrestrial model status) due· 6/30/84 Scope: Refinements to the bear population model will be made to the extent that budget and new data allow. Work Effort: Moose Mitig_~tion ~la_D:.._~~~.!!! (see Upstream Moose Studies) 6-30 Doc. 04231) • I 'I ' ~ .. ~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 8. Work Effort: Bear Mitigation Plan Refinement (identification ---~ ---- of candidate lands for habitat enhancement) Primary Responsibility: H-E/LGL/ADF&G Issues Addressed: Deliverable Due Dates: T-44 Draft report due on 1/15/84, Draft MitigatiLn Plan Status Report due on 6/15/84 Scope: In general the bear mi tiga t:ion plan will be refined to the extent that the moose mitigation plan io refined. 6.17.4.6 Wolf and Wolverine. Wolves are likely to be affected by a variety of project impact mechanisms, among which, reductions in prey populations and distribution may be most severe. It is desire- able to have a large data base on the number and distribution of wolf packs and the size of each wolf pack using the upstream moose zone of impact in order to assess the project impact on wolves, as well as the irupact o.f wolves on moose. Studies to be conducted by ADF&G are planned for each of these areas in FY 1984. In addition, information on wolverine distribution, abundance, home range size, habitat selection, and food habits will be collected opportunistic- ally by relocating wolverine during wolf tracking flights. Brief descriptions of these work efforts are provided below. 1. Work Effoi:'t: !lol.J...!!_ck Territ~_ry and Food HC!_~its l!onitoring_ Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-43 Deliverable Du'~ Dates: Draft Annual Report due on 4/1/84 Scope: A sample of wolves will be radio-collared in each pack that is believed to make substantial use of the upstream moose zone of impact. Territory boundaries and areas of seasonal iru- portance such as den sites and rendezvous sites will be mapped by plotting of relocation. Food habitats, with emphasis on prey species likely to be influenced by the hydroelectric project will be documented through observations of kills made on reloca- tion flights and analysis of scats. 6-31 Doc. 0423B • I i t l i l l l i' I l j I I I I l l I J' I ;I i' ;· ; I I l j l ! ' l ' ·=-t·.-~-.. ·-·.· ......... ·' ' .. ..' ' . ' ' ' ~· li v .. ll. t' Relocation and food habitats data will be used to asses the de- pendence of each pack on moose in the moose zone of impact. 2. Work Effort: Wolf Numbe~~toring Primary Responsibility: ADF&G Issues Addressed: T-20, T-43 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due on 4/1/84 Scope: Number of wolves in each pac.k l·;ill be monitored through- out the year thr.ough observation of radio-collared wolves and wolves accompanying them. 3. Work Effort: Wolverine Monitoring .. ----~ -~- Primar-y Responsibility: .ADF&G Issues Addres$ed: T-20 Deliverable Due Dates: Draft Annual Report due on 4/1/84 Scope: Wolverine radio-collared during FY 1983 will be relo- cated oppt)rtunistically during wolf tracking flights. No speci·- fic expenditures of money will be directed at wolverine less new information suggesting s i~ifican t Jmpacts arise. 6.17.4.7 Belukha Whale. Because of the potential for project ef- fects on belukha whales near the mouth of the Susitna River, aerial surveys were flown in spring and summer 1982 and 1983o FY 1984 work will be limited to data anaJ.ysis and report writing (Appendix B). No additional field studies will be conducted unless ne.w information on the impacts of fish populations be:tif!ved to be important to belu- khas becomes available. 6.17. 4. 8 Other Spec~7s. The only other species for which special work. is planned during FY 1984 is the beaver. FY 1984 work w·i 11 be limited to refinement of the l,eaver carrying capacity model to the extent possible without additional beaver field work, and refinement of the downstream hydrologic and vegetation models and the furbeare~ mitigRtion plan. These efforts a.long with future field studies and the linkages among them are identified in Figure 6-4. Other species will be addressed through refinement of their mitigation plans. 6-32 Doc. 0423B • .;.;,,;,, a (· I 0 •' i l I ! ' . : ~ ! L-I '" A. -...... -------~ .. ... ~ Jil!!!l!!!l!!!l iltJW .. - Figure 6-4 • LI~GIIS A-.c ~ftS OP IIIIIIIISTuq ... VIla IIIP.&CT ASSI:SSIO!III' AMD IIITICATIOII PLU DPI ... III' 0\ I w w r-------------·~···------~--------~ Aquatie Pl'G&r•• ' -·-=---I Hydrologic .amd· Hydr,ulic Hodel l !nputa /Outputs • 1 Identification Of Forage Resources ,,_, ______ , "'' .. ._ '• ... --..·~ -:;· Cache Count Survey a Downstream Hydrologic Hodel I Downstream Vegetation Hodel Beaver Carrying Capacity Hodel Winter Survi•Jal Studies Furbearers Mitigation Pl~n Aquatic Program Fish Mitigation Plan -.. .. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II . I I I I I . 1. Work Effort: Beaver _Cache Count Survevs Primary Responsibility: U of A -Fairbanks Issues Addressed: T-20, r-46 Deliverables Due Date: Draft Report due 11/30/83 Scope: An aerial survey of the number of beaver caches ( repre- senting colonies attempting to csverwinter) will be conduc.ted in fall 1983 along the Susitna River between Por~age Creek and Cook Inlet. A complete count will be made between Portage Creek and Talkeetna and a representative area count will be made between Talkeetna and Cook Inlet. This information will allow assess- ment of annual variability in colony numbers between Portage Creek and Talkeetna and will allow a general estimate of beaver abundance downstream of Talkeetna to be made. 2. Work Effort: Bea.ver Winter Survival Studies 3. 4. Primary Responsibility: U of A -Fairbanks Issues Addressed: T-20, T-46 Deliverables Due Date: Draft Report due 5/30/84, if funding is . available Scope: These studies will involve returning to beaver colony loc~.tions (marked during the cache surveys) shortly before and after break-up for colony overwifiter survival determinations, to sample the quality of cache food, to determine if lodges or bank dens were destr~yed by break-up, and to measure certain et ·riron- mental parameters. This information will be used directly in refining the beaver model. Work Effort: Downs·tream Hydro_l.OJl!.£. and Ve~.tatio_l'!..,_:'!,_O~ Refinement (see Downstream Moose Studies) Work Effort: Beaver. Cel:Eryin_g Capato!ity l!.f)~ Primary Responsibility: LGL/U of A -Fairbanks Issues Addressed: Deliverables Due Date: T-20, T-4.5 Final 1983 Terrestrial Model Report due 11/30/83. Draft 1984 Workshop Rep~rt (including terrestrial model status) due 6/30/84. 6-34 Doc. 0.+23B " ) I l l r I ! ) I 1 I l ' I 1 I I I I I l " I I I I I I I I! ll ,,_.~ I ~~ I 5. Scope: Refine~nts to the beavt:'r carrying capacity model will be made to the extent that budget and new data allow. Work Effort: Furbearer Mitigation ?Ian Refinement ---------- Primary Responsibility: H-E/LGL/U of A -Fairbanks Issues Addre~sed: T-20, T-45j T-47, T-49 Deliverables Due Dati!: Draft Mitigation Plan, Status Report due on 6/15/84 Scope: Refinements to the furbearer mitigation plan will be made to the extent that budget and new data allow. 6. Work Effort: Bald Eagle _!!~~Impact_ Issue Primary Responsibility: H-E/LGL Issues Addressed: T-54 Deliverables Due Date: Status Report due 12/15/83 Scope: Because the Susitna Hydroelectric Project may be in con- flict with the Bald Eagle Protection Act, the options for reso- lution of this conflict will be investigated. The options with the highest probability of success will be pursued and status reports will be issued. 7. Work Effort: Other;_~ecies It!!.E.act As~essment~~~tigatio~ -~~a~ Refinement Primary Responsibility: H-E/LGL Issues Addressed: Many Deliverables Due Dates: Draft Mitigation Plan Status Report due on 6/15/84, other reports as appropriate. Scope: Impact assessment and mitigation pJ an refinement efforts will be conducted for ~pecies not addressed above where the need is identified i.n technical meetings and to the extent that bud- get allows. Brief report3 covering individual topics will be prepared and all refinements will be summarized in the Mitiga- tion Plan Status Report. Current status of these efforts will be updated in the Tracking ai1d Documentation System. 6-35 Doc. 0423B I I I I I I I ' ·, ! ~ ; . I 1;. 1 i i 1: I I I: I. I. I 7. 0 STUDY COORDINATION AND MANAGEZ4ENT 7.1 HARZA-EBASCO The Terrestrial Program will be performed by a study team under the overall guidance of the Harza-Ebasco Environmental and Regulatory Operations Manager, Dr. G. Lawley. Personnel participating in the Terrestrial Study Team under the di.rection of Dr. Lawley include: Group Leader R. Fairbanks Sr. Terrestrial Ecologist R. Densmore (part-time) ~upport Terrestrial Ecologist E. Dudley (part-time) Support Terrestrial Ecologist R. Lindsay (part-time) Staff Biologist A. Rivkin (part-time) 7. 2 lliTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDY TEAMS The Terrestrial Study Team will work closely with members of the Licensing and Permitting Group to provide necessary support in com- plying with FERC and other agency licensing and permitting require- ments and requests for additional information. The assessment of potential impacts and the effectiveness (and im- pacts) of mitigation measurus on aquatic and terrestrial habitats and organisms will be coordinated with the Aquatic and Hydrology Study Teams. Coordination will also take place be tween the Social Scl.ence and Terrestrial Study Teams especially relative to the im- pacts of and mitigation measures for wildlife users. Members of the Terrestrial Study Team will also provide support to the Transmission Line Investigation and other special investiga-· tions, as required, in all matters rel~ :,ing to wildlife and botan- ical resources. 7-1 Doc. 0423B • l i ; I j ·, l l f I i l ) ' I I I I I I I 1: I I: 1: 1: I I· I~ I. I I I Finally, the Terrestrial Study Team will work closely with the H-E Logistics Task in coordinating the logistic requirements of the Team. 7. 3 SUBCONTRACTORS At the present time the subcontractors for terrestial studies and their areas of responsibility for the Susitna Project include: SUBCONTRACTOR Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY -- Big game studies and moose and bear modeling LGL Alaska Research Associates (LGL) Impact assessment and mitigation plan- ning; raptor studies; bear modeling; responses to agency License Application University of Alaska Botanical resource studies Palmer (U of A) University of Alaska Furbearer studies P. Gipson (U of A) comments University of Alaska Small bird and mammal studies B. Kessel (U of A) on Environmental and Social MOdeling coordination; vegetation; Systems Analysts (ESSA) small bird and mammal, and beaver modeling US Fish & Wildlife Hydrologic and moose modeling Service -WELUT 7-2 Doc. 0423B • I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The AD.F&G contract is a Reimbursable Services Agreement (RSA) with the Power Authority. Similarly, the USFWS-WELUT contract is a Memo- randum of Agreement with the Power Authority. Subject to the ap- proval of the Power Authority, H-~ w·ill retain LGL, U of A-Palmer, and P. Gipson and B. Kessel of the U of A (as required) to conduct FY '84 work efforts. ESSA will remain a subcontractor to LGL. An organization chart for the Terrestrial Study tea:n is presented in Figure 7-1. 7. 4 COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SUBCON'l'RACTORS ---~----.....---..... In order to accomplish the Terrestrial Program Harza-Ebasco will enter into contractual agreements with the: subcontractors identified above. Section 6. 5 provides a description of the work activities involved with subcontractor coordination and management. 7-?, Doc. 0423B • --t---;--·-'"':'·-~·-""""~~,........, ........ ,_ .... __ , ~: ::r:~~~~, ... ;~~·.::,Y~~:·:~·~~:~~;~~ ""I., P· A'!~,,Jii/.r':·uj,.,_,~~,~lt~n·f ') . _... ' ~ ,, ~-'.tf. "_,..,,1. •. ' • I r I J l f I 1 L~ f,..,l r 1 j '. I : I t.,. f.{ l . L .. r l . I I I I I I I I I I I I I . I I I I I I Figure 7·-1. TERRES'l'!.IAL S1't1DY 1'EAM OR.GANIZAIION r- ' I I f Resource A&ency Input \ \ -- I '>---- Hatza-Ebaaco r erres tr ia1 . AD F & G Big Ga11e USIVS WILUT ~ I I Hydr ol~ 11 c: & Mooae ~ odelina Doea 04231 LGL/ESSA Modaliq, Iapa(!t Aa•••••nt, Mitig. I I I --L 7-4 Ala au Power Authority Harza-Ebaac:o Project Man.ageaen t 1-------- U of A P&laer , Plant Ecology I Har za-Ebuco Aquatic: Social Sc:ienc:ea Per11ittina Engineer in& U of A Gipaon Kesael Purbearers & Birds I .._----~ • I I~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 8. 0 SCHEDULE AND DELIVERAB!ES Deliverables - 1. general Investigation Memorandum 2. Plan of Study for FY 1984 3. Monthly Status Reports 4. Technical Meeting Minutes 5. Impact Ass~ssment/Mi tigation Plann.ing Tracking & Documentation System 6. Beaver Cache Survey Report 7. Spring 1983 Terrestrial Modeling Workshop Final Report 8. Transm.ission Line Investigation Report 9. Bald Eagle Nest Impact Status Report 10. Candidate Lands for Habitat Enhancement Report 11. Responses to Agency Comments on License Applica t.ion 12. Pilot Browse Sampling Report 13. FERC Supplemental Information Request Responses 14. Update License Applicat.ion 15. Habitat Enhancement Techniques Review 16. Spring Plan Phenology Study Report 17. ADF&G Plan of Study 18. ADF&G Annual Report Drafts 19. Final FY 1985 Work Scopes 20. Moose Food Hab.its Report Due Date 11/18/83 12/15/83 Monthly As required 11/30/83 11/30/83 12/15/84 12/15/84 12/15/83 1/15/84 1/19/84 1/31/84 2/9/84 3/15/84 3/15/84 3/31/84 3/31/84 4/1/84 4/30/84 4/30/84 (if funding is available) 21. ADF&G Annual Report and Reviews 6/15/84 22. Draft EIS Review Comments 5/30/84 23. Beaver Overwinter Survival Study Report 5/30/84 (if funding is available) 24~ Mitigation Plan Status Report 6/15/84 25. Draft Forage Vegetation Maps 6/15/84 (if funding is available) 26. Spring 1984 T1arrestrial Program Workshop Draft Report 6/30/84 27. Extensive Browse Inventory Progress Report 6/30/84 (if funding is available) 28. Other Settlement Process Input As required 8-1 Doc. 0423B • ·:+ ,}(' ' '•')9 ' ·=:=]~"'·-·.-.···.·· ·.·' . c· . ' ' I I I I I I I I I. I I I I I I I I I 9.0 BUDGET Table 9-1 below presents the FY'84 budget for the Terrestrial Program. This budget provides one person-year for management of the program and 1.5 person-ye.ars for management assistance and technical input from the Harza-Ebasco staff. TABLE 9-1 FY'84 TERRESTRIAL PROGRAM BUDGET ________ ._.,_ --------------------------------- Position Workhours Group Leader Z,l60 (one full-time person) Sr. Terrestrial Ecologist 1,100 (one half-time person) Support Terrestrial Ecoiogists 1,240 (two part-time person$) Staff Biologist 900 (one half-time person) 'IDTAL 5,400 ------------------------------------------------------- 9-1 Doc. 0423B I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I .I Doc. 0423B 10.0 ATTACHMENTS APPENDIX A -AGENCY RAISED ISSUES APPENDIX B -MAJOR SUSITNA PROJE,CT TERRESTRIAL STUDIES lD-1 • 1 j I 1 j ~ ! i I ) "" ! ·~I I l 1 ! o· ;1 -I " I I I ll/).:~ . l . ' l . - . l --.. ,... - Subtask: T~ccestci4l Resources ISSUE T-1 Down~tteam Effectu The assessment of the extent an~· .severity of downstream habitat. alteration neeas to be refined. NeeQ to continue hydrologic aPi vegetation succe.s.sion IIIOd·:eUing and additional field studies whF!Ce necessc,:ry, in order to refine impact asl>essment :.111~1: mitigation pl<l.Qning foe downstream e:ffects. ·Should use ge0111ocpholog ical c:coss-se.,~t ions info.lt'mation and possibly mon i toe these c t os!S-sect ion.to. T-2 Downstce~ Vegetation Hap~ Need to map floodplain vegetatii>n in downstream areas inc 1 udi n<J the Talkeetna .. t~) a.t leillst Delta Islands segml':nt :( 10 year floo<iplai n) in oc~~r to refine quantific.a.tion of flow cbam,ge impacts. T-3 ~i::t' hep:coach to SUffi:'>ld~. !Jll...E!,.<!Cts/~i.tiga t ton Me .. ts;uces Need to ev'.,aluate impacts and especia,ll!y Jllitiga t ior. .. 111easu:ces foe ec;ch spec les 11el at;. i ve -.;o all others using, a 11atcix format. corosJdec aquatic resource~ ic this aatr•~ analysis. T-4 Hap of Permafrost Areas Need Lo map and eva1uar3 permafrost areas to assess impacts due to erol,HI'n and v~r~et~tion C'l!moval. T-5 F.· ost lmpa~n \lagetat10o Need to study and qua.-lt.\fy tl1e ~ffects of f1cost htH ld-up on vegetation adjacent to the re~ecvoir • .. ---.. .. -.. -.. .. -PR£LIHINARY APPENDIX A SUS!TNA ll:tOROE.I..EC'J'RIC PROJECT: AGENCt-RAISED lSSIJES 4 October 198) Page ~ of _ljl_ AGENCY SOURCe S'rATUS YWS 1. Testimony before APA Board 4/16/62 p.l (FWS} Draft Ex. E Comments COHPLET!Ott DATE -------------------------·--------------------------------------------------------------------- ADI',.i FWS 2. fW.S 3. Ji.DFG fl'WS il. FHS 5. p. 34, 35. 37, 58 68, 69, 98 (FWS) Feb/Mac '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 155, 16:Z (PWS) Draft Ex. ~ Comments p .• B-6, B-7 (ADPG) Peb/Mar '83 Workshop Re,:ommt!ndation p. 155, 162 (ADFG) Draft Ex. E:: Comments p. 12, 34 Dcdft Ex. E Comsnents p. 18-19 (FWSl Feb/Hac '83 Workshop Recommendation p • .163 (MlFG} Dc~1ft P..x. f. Curniments p. 31', 90 DCGI(t EX. E Conunents p. 37 10.,..2 ,.--,·-·--::·-·,----·"•-:-:--·-"'\.' ,..t'"'"':".""'7':":~;;.-:""" ..... ,.._....__._ ....... ~,.,.~-- Had~ls have been developed; continue~ refinement includiny further technical meetings ace planned. New mapp&ng not currently planned. £xis,t&ng 1n,1pping consi&~s of McKendrick et aJ. (1982) mapping of the susitna floodplain downstream to Talkeetna at a scale of 1:24,000. 'l'he use of t·his. approach As being considered. The use of this appco,ach is betng considered. Stud1es ace not currently planned. Dec. 1985 Jan. 1984 - ·-~~ /l / .· ; .. · .. - • A ~ fiii!J!III W!M -•• - Subtaak: Terre~trial Resources ISS DE T-6 Reservoir Ice and nrawdown Zone Should evaluate information on the tiaing of for~tion, extent, thickness, and ti.e of breakup of reservoir ice and the co~po~ition and physical characted.stics of t)le reaervoir shoreline ana drawdown zones to assess wildlife impacts. T-7 Revege~ation Study Need to initiate revegetation test plot-s as part of continuing project studies to provide information on which succes'-'ful sit;{~ .restoration can be based. WildH·Ie food/cover p~~mts should be considered in developing restoration plans. T-8 H:.!>itat Loss due to Var ~.ous Dam Heiqht£(:; Should quantify the terrestrial· habitat tot~ be inundated due to the proposed darn height and att array of lower dam heights. T-9 Type and S1ting of construct~on ~amp/Village Avoidance of adverse impacts was not given ·nigh. enough priority in the siting a(id selection of type of construction camp and village. T-10 Scheduling of Construction and ~eservoH_ Pilling Avoidance of adverse i~pacts was not given high enough priority in the scheduling of construction and reservoir f~lling. T-11 Estimates of Project Area Recreational Ulse Heed better estimates of cu~rcent <lnd fH_-I:;.ure recreational use of the pco)ect area. .. ---.. ,. Rill .. .. .. ·-- PRELIHIN~~ 4 October 1983 SUS.ITNA ii¥DHOELECTRIC PROJEC'I'. AGEr•cY-RAISEO lSSOES AGENCY FWS FWS FW~ FWS PHS AUFG 6. 7. 8. 9. SOURCE Letter 10/5/S~·p.S Pcaft Ex. Ii;. Comments p. 18, Letter 10/S/82-p. 4 Lette& 10/5/82-p.6 Draft Ex. E Comments -p. 4 of letter 10. ~raft Ex. E Comments -p. 4 of letter Letter l0/5/82~p.6 11. Peb/Mar '83 Workshop Reco~nendation p. 154 10-3 S'fATUS No specif1c stud1es are planned; however re-vegetation experience in the proJeCt area was gathered this year and in pcev1ous rears. Under considerat1on Under consideration P.aqe '2-of jJ_ COHPH~TIOH 0'\TE ---.,._,._.__._,_.__. __ ~---~~.--............... --:_.~~-··· ~ ",_..,.... ·~ "!'.....,. •·:··~·:;"""..... ~--::~,..,--..., r·r ----. ..........., ... === -~-~---~ !'"'*} - ~ ,, '.:',..-\•;;. f Q ~:·>.~~>I ?'{)~ l l Ll','r-·:;J., .• l . . . ' ' .. --~ ---.. .. .. ----.. ---.. llRE'LlH INARlC 4 October 19S3 SUf;lTNA HlCll>l(lELECTHIC PROJECT: AG£NCY~RAISEO ISSUES Subtask: Teccest~ial Resources Page ~ of _Li_ lSSUt; AGENCl( SOURCE STA:L!!S COMPLETION DATE ·--~--~------------------------------------------------------------------~·~------------·--------------------------------------------------------------------------------·----------~--~------------ • A T-12 Project Recreation Development Avoidance of adverse i11pact:s \ias not given high enough priority in the design of project recreatiou development. T-13 Mode, Timing, and Routing of constructAon Access Avoidance of adverse impacts was not given high enough pclority in sele~tion of the .ode, tiaing and routing of cunstruction ~ccess. T-14 Identification of Construction Traffic Mode~ and Restrictions The spflciffic mode o~ construct~on trafftc and restricti-ons on worker use of access road;~ needs to be identified. T-15 Identificat1on o! Restrict io.c~ on PU·iJl ic use of Ac~ess Road The extent of restrictions on ~~b1ic use of access roads needs to be idJentified. T-16 TraE,ic-related Impa~ts Extent of and effects of increased tr~(fic on vacio.us road .tnd railroad sey.nents have not ~dequately been evaluated a~d relat~d to big ga!Ule disturbctnce and collision mortallty. T-17 .9_l!'!_ntification of ·Moose Jfilpacts Along .1\ccess Routes Need to quM,tify cuccent .tnt! ?Otent ial hunter de maud and hat vests 1 ar.4a moose popula tions 1 ,and ha' .tt:a,t guu~J tt fu~ ~ccess route areas in brder to f~lly assess i~pacts. ~---~···~:-c~:~-~ _.,,... e--'-""'"'"_ .......... _, __ ,_<~ ..... -............ --~ • ..-.,.-..._ ... PHS J.l'W!.I FWS FWS ADFG PWS 12. Draft ex. E Comments ~ p. 4 of letter 13. Draft Elt. e Comments -p. 4 of letter 1 IJ· (l 14. D.raft Ex. E Cumments -p. 41 15. Draft Ex. ~ com.'llent~ -p. 41 !6. Draft Ex. E Comments -p. 0-52 17. Deaf t Ex. £ Coiiunents p. 66 10-4 Under consideration. Under consideration. Under consideration. Under consideration. Under consider~tion. - ~ "'". I_/ J I:· I lMKi ::M:IiiN: ·~ ~ • A -2.~.2 --.. Ll - PRELUUNARY ~ ~ -.. .a ---.. -.... , OctObP.r 196) SUSITNA HYDHOt::.~1.:"1'R.lC PRO..IECT; A.Gt:NC:t'-RAIS£0 ISSUES Subtask: Terrest,d.al Resources ··----~--~- ISSUE T-18 Sec.ondary Eff~cts. of Improved Access Effects of secondary developaent an~ increased recreational use resulting fcoa iaproved access have not been fully evaluated. T-19 £!!!."!.lati ve Impacts Effects of cumulative impacts bave gen{!rally not b~n ad~quately addressed. T-20 Quantification of Impact$ In general, impacts have not been adequately quantified and determinations of sign:flcance have not been wel1-.:tocWllented. T-21 Impac~s_Based on Current Popclldtlons Impact evaluatio<lS should be based on 'the range of population levels that could reasonably be expected to occur during the life of the pro)ect rather than on cur(ent populat1on levels as is generally done. 'l'-22 Resource Cat~~~..!t':.te~'!!.!..'!.~J:Jrn for Evaluf ~5.~ecte'!_ The habitat of c· .bou, brown oear, ::.nd wolf 10 tte pro)ect area should be given a resource category ~eterainat1on of 2 for the purpose of defining mitigucion goals. T-23 Habitat Based Approach A habitat based approach should be used dS the primary means of assessing wildlife impacts. AGENCY AOPG PWS PWS ADPG ADFG FWS ADFG FWS PWS SOURCE 18. Draft Ex. E Comment~ -p. B-~ (ADFG) 19. Testimony ~efoce APA Board 4/16/82 p. , (FWS) Draft Ex. e comments -p. 19 (FWS} Draft Ex. e comments -p. 8-5, B-55 {ADPG) 20. Draft Ex. E Comments -p. B-l {ADPG) Draft Ex. ,E Comments -p. 17 (FWS} Testimony before APA B~ard 4/16/82 p. 1 (FWS) 21. O[aft Ex. E Comments -p. 8-3, B-{, 8-5 22. Letter 1/24/83 23. Testimony before APA Board UHi/82 p. 2 and 3 10-5 d ~fJ Page .....1__ of .lL_ :;T.ATUS COMPt.ETlON DATe Under consider•tioh. Under consideration. More quantificat1on and documentatlon was added to the final License ~P?~ication. Continuing studies will peovide for further quantification. ~he impact $ections of the f1nal L1cense Application have been largely rewritten to address this problem. Jan. 1986 .... •:;. ::) l . ·, _>~~--,_< ..... "-:-<yo,' "' J - • A ----f .. iL~. IRI -.. --i-' ---.. -.. SUbta~llc.: Terrestrial Resour~es ISSUE T-24 Access. Road li. T-Line Borrow Areas Should conduct a complete wildlife iapact assessment of borrow areas for the access road and transaission line and access to these sites. T-25 !-Line Buffer Around swan Nes~q Recoma.end mini111ua 150 m buffers between swan nests and any port~ons of the trans- mission corridor. T-26 T-Line Hoose Calving and Bear Denning Describe the presence/absenc~ of moos<. ~alving grounds and bear denning sites along the T-Line segment between Cook Inlet and Willow. T-27 Specific T-Line Erosion Control Plan An erosion contra) plan specific to T-Line project features and schedules should be developed. T-28 Snow Accumulation Data ~eed data on sn~· accumulation by eleYation in Lhe upper su~itna a~~i~~ T-l9 Wetlands Happing Need to delineate plant communities characteristic of wetlands (as defined by Cowat'din et al, 1979} to a level of detail that will usefuliy support facility siting and design, quantification of wetland impacts, and preparation of permit applications regc&ired oy Section ·104 of the Clean Water Act. PRELIMINARY 4 October 1983 SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT: AGENCY-~\ISfD ISSUES AGENCY PWS ~;iS PWS PWS ADPG f'WS SOURCE 24. Letter l0/5/82-p.6 25. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 42 26. Dt'aft Ev.. E ComiAents p. 61 27. D~:aft Ex. E Comments p. ? 28. Peb/Kar 'B3 Workshop Recon~endations p. 154 29. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 17 10-6 Page 5" of JL STATUS COMPLETION DATE Under consideration. AVailable data will be presented in upcoming transmission line report. This will be developed in the near future. Dec. 1983 1985 Prepare large-scale (1:24,000) wetland 1984 maps of the impoundment, access road, bot'row pit and other direct impact areas and ad)acent areas • - - ,.,.. .£' .,V. A 0 --.. -.. Subtask: Terrestrial Resources T-30 Hoose Browse Happing Need to provide a ~uantifiable data bas~ for prtacise type and areal extent of aoose browse ~ithin the direGt iapact area to support carrying capacity aodeling. T-31 General Vegetation Mapping Need to pcollide general mapping of vegetation types based on iaproved aerial imagery as a data base for refined impact assessment ancJ aitiga- tion p'lanning. Include the three T-Line stuos in this new ll.tpping. T-32 Assessment of Habitat Values Need to evaluate habitat values for steeles other than aoose, forbearers, and birds rather than relying on analysis o~ populations only. The habitat assessaent needs to be used in developing tiaely, comprehensive mitigation aeasures. ~-lJ Integration of Hoose ' Vegetation Data Heed to correlate moose relocation data with the revieed vegetation maAPing in order to under- stand habitat use and preferences. Also con- sider incorporating elevallon, slope, and other habitat param2ters into the analysis. 1111 --... .. ---.. -.. Iriill PRE!.IHINA.RY 4 October 1~83 SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT: AGENCY-RAISED ISSUES . -.............. ----- P'WS ADFG FWS FWS PWS .SOIJ'flCE 30. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 45 (P'WS) Peb/Har '33 Workshop Recolllliendations p. 160 (ADPG) 31. Draft Ex E. Comments p. 17 32. Draft £x. E Comments p. 17-16 Letter 10/5/82 Letter 1/5/82 Letter 6/23/80 Letter 11/l<!:i/79 Testimony 4/i6/S2 33. Draft Ex. E Comments p.4S 10-7 Page ~ of _ljL_ COH!lLETION DATE Prepare large-scale (1:24~000) aaps 1984 of the impoundment, access coad 1 borrow pit~ and other direct impact areas and adJacent areas de!!~c~ting shrub vegetation types in a ~etailed aanner. Prepare 1:63,360-scal~ vegetation maps 1984 of the Watana and Gold Creek watersheds using larger-scale photography than was used previously. Although the daJaB-to- Intertie segment is in9luded in this mapping (and the moose browse l'llapping above) the Willow to Anchorage and Healy to Fairbanks segments ace not currently included. Where habitat can be readily evaluated, it has been done. Further evaluation is under consideration. This analysis is planned to be cond~cted 1965 when new vegetation mapping is completed. ~-1• '••.-•··--~._,._.,~~f~L-:··-·•-·-----~-~-.----~·"·------·:-----------~~~C'~~----~·---·--~·--·-----·-------· ·------·-------------------·----··-· ,_ )> ~:" •. - - " "" / \ . . --- ·----~~ ----- subtask: Terresctial Resources ISSOE T-34 Moose carrying Capacity Hodel Need to conduct a habitat-based assessment of aoose habitat loss/~odification i•pacts aR the basis for i•pact prediction and •itigation planning. T-35 Hoose Habitat Enhancement Need to evaluate techniques for increasing moose ~arrying capacity through habitat enhancement and identify candidate areas for habitat enhancement in order to mitigate foe project-induced carrying capacity reductions. T-36 Hoose Browse Inventory Need to conduct a moose browse inventory in the 1mpoundment areas to support the moose carrying capacity modeling efforts. ., .... -·.f:.4:~"'· ,,.;.:~l·-~~. , .. ~ -~· :.'~~.<· ;,._,;·: .• q--~i ~c; ..,.-~~-lllit.iJ;a;.;:;~l .. . ··aq . I . """"'.-JL~ .... ""~! ~...2±-& 0. --·~"""""': 5" , • , ,...,m_,; a:mw.!!'!l!!!!!!!l!l. ~-~UI!!!li¥V'A -.. ---.. ... ~ .. --.. PRELIHINARY SUSITNA IIYDROELEC'l'RIC PROJECT: AGENCY-RAISED ISSUES AG£NCY PWS ADFG FWS ADFG FWS ADFG SOURCE 34. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 17, 18 52, 12 (FWS) Feb/Mar '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 161 (ADPG) 35. Draft Ex. ~· Com111ents p. 40, 72 (FWS) Letter 10/5/82 p. 4 (FWS) Feb/Mar 'BJ Workshop Recommendati('4ns p. 161, 162, 177 (AOPG) 36. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 34 (FHS) Feb/Mar '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 160 ( ADP.G) 10-8 ~ Ocl::.obec 1983 Page _L of jJ_ STATUS COHPLE'l'ION DATE Continue to model moose carrying Dec. 1985 capacity in direct impact areas using bio~nergetics, vegetation, and population models, modeling effort includes aodel validation and calibration under field conditions using four 1-m2 pens at Kenai Nat'l Hoose Range. Conduct Alphabet Hills burn, and document 1984? degree of and immediate effects of burn soon thereafter. Monitor plan succession and especially moose browse production in succeeding years in already-established permanent plot.s. Possibly conduct tests of other habitat 1985 enhancement techniques (e.g., crushing, chain1ng, logging). Monitoring of AOPG chaining area near Palmer could be con- ducted. Also sampling of browse produc- tion in disrupted ar~as along the lower susitna River should be conducted and the results correlated with the age of disturbance. Conduct a more complete evaluation of 1984 the potential size and locations of habitat enhancement areas in the project area. Conduct a survey of the potential size 1964 and location of habitat enhancement areas in the lower Susitna Basin. First, conduct a pilot study to develop 1985 efficient sampling methods (e.g., plot size, sample size, method of accounting for browse availability under variable snow depths) for an extensive browse !oventory. The fielct portion of this effort has been completed. The analysis is in progress. Then conduct an extens1ve brow~e inven- tory of the impoundment areas (stratified based on moose browse vegetatlon types) to esLimate standing crop biomass, nitro- gen content, and in VLtro digestibility of browse spec1es. .. -~----~--··--·-··-----~------~--c-·--·::,---·-,-.. ~---~-··--.·~---·~·------------·------·-----------------~---------_, ... , .... ____ , ....... _~--,,._-~.--...... ___ ~-------..., ·-~~~----·~~---· ---~--------- ' 'I -~ -~·- ,f +-,,. ~ - .. A - Subtask~ Terrestrial Resources ISSUE 'l'-37 Hoose Food Ha!~ Need to conduct a limited •oose food habits study to support the moose cArrying capaci~y modeling efforts. T-38 Spring Plant Phenology Need to determine the temporal and spatial pattern of spring plant green-up in and adjacent to the impoundment zones in order to assess the significance of this seasonal forage resource to •oose and bear reproduction and carrying capacity and to assess the portion of the resource to be lost due to impoundments. Also, need this information to refine the evalu~tion of aicrocli10ate changes, due to the reservoirs, on spring green-up. T-39 Upstre~m Hoose Field Studies Need more data 1[)n moose numbers, herd composi- tion, calf mortality and movements (especially during the critical winter and spring periods) relative to the impoundment areas to refine iMpact assessment and 11itigation planning. T-40 Downstream Hoose Field Studies Need mor2 data on moose use of downstream ri- parian areas during winter and apcing to refine impac~ assessment and aitigation planning, especially because of the annual variability in this use. Also need more data on moose popula- tion, sex, and age composition on the downstream disturbed sites. ~ ~ ~~-.. ~ --... --PRELIHlNt....llY 4 Octobec 1983 SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT: AGENCY-RAISEU ISSUES AGENCY FWS ADPG FWS ADPG ADFG FWS ADl'G SOURCE 37. Draft Ex. E comments p. 45 (PWSl Peb/Har '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 160 (ADPG) 38. OraH Ex. E Comments ~· 36, 53 (PWS) . feb/Hac '83 Workshop Reconuner,dation p. 159, 160 (ADfG) 39. Feb,'Har '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 175, 176 (ADPG) Draft EX. E Commer1ts p. 47 (PWS) 40. Peb/Har '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 177 10-9 Page 2_ of jJ_ STATUS COMPLETION DATE Conduct a limited moose food habits 1964 study through collection and laboratory analysis of fresh fecal pellets du!ing winter, spring, summer and fall (pellets have already been collected for aoae seasons). Conduct plant phenology study during 1984 late April through early June along 32 transects cunning from the beach above the river down to the river in the ia- poundment areas. These field studies have been conducted; data analysis remains. Conduct a census and herd composition 1984 survey of moose in the zone of impact for the impoundments; monitor the movements of a sample of moose in and ad)acent to the zone of impact, especially during winter and spring; correlate relocation data with new vegetation maps to determine seasonal habitat selectivity; correlate relocation data with phenology study results to assess the celationsh1ps between movements and spring green-up; determine calf mort~lity rates by cause through use of mortality-detecting radio collars in spring 1984 • Conduct periodic winter censuses along the river and in disturbed vegetation sites and maintain a ~inimal monitoring program foe moose ~ovem~nts relative to riparian habitats. Use existing radlo- collared moose primarily during winter and spring. 1984 C'-'Ttll .... -~-~"r~--.-~-----·---,--~.-..... ~ .... ·-~-----.--.--~~--.,.....--"L,r---·~-... ---~-.~-.-.::·.-.~~·..,....·--·-.......... _..._:;-~------~-· ~ ... '. ~-,.·-:--::----~ .. ~~-... · .~ _..,...,.;t_: ~~~0:t-:n. . ..r... , ... :p_ ..• ··:..~·.~~-,' • ....,_.,~._~,1;.~ .. -~. '.rr.~~E--.-.:.~4~...._mm ... ~·.'£·.~-i:. wa:m~4i.IJIILJw: . .............::~ 1: ·,._r:::; ~ \. ·¢ ~~ 5 j ~·~ fiRI " A i • • ..., I ..," Q --. • • ~............ "'~~~ .... ~;a: """ .-. .. ~~.4---~~ .... ..,.._.:.,;.....,;..,j~~'"' ,-,,-~~-- IIIII 1411 ------.. -.. .. .. .. --- PRELI11INAR'l! 4 Oct.ob~c 1983 SUSITNA UXDROELECTRIC PROJECT: AGENCY-RAISED ISSUES Subtask: Terrestrial Resources ISSUE T-tl Severe Winter Field Studies Need to gather intensive data on aoose distribu- tion, habitat selection and wolf ~redation during a severe winter. T-t2 Jay Creek Lick Enhancement A demonstration project should be conducted to verify that the lick can be enlarged by blasting or backup •itigation measures should be outlined. T-43 ~olf Field Studies Need to gather 1o1ore information on movements, territory locations, predation cates, etc., of wolves in upstream zone of impact to refine as$"essment and aitigation planning. T-U Black and erown Bea.c Field Studies Heed to gather core information on habH~at use (especially relative to the impoundmela"~'.s), denning habitats and availability of food habits to refine impact assessment and mitigation planning. Need to b~ttec evaluate importance of salaon to area bears. ~verall, need to better quantify &mpacts and d!~r~~s cumulative iapacts on brown bears. 1'-45 Beaver Carcyi ng Capacity Hodel Heed to continue beaver caccying capacity model development as the basis f,or tefining impact predictions and determin~ng miti9ation needs, if ~ny. AGENCY ADPG PWS ADFG ADFG FWS FWS SOURCE 41. Peb/Hac '83 Workshop Recommendation p. 177 42. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 19 43. Feb/Har '83 workshop R.ecommenda::ion p. 176 44. Feb/Hac '83 Work$hop Recommendation p. 171, 172, 179, 180, 161 (ADPG) Draft Ex. E Comments p. 57, 63 (FWS) 45. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 74 10-10 Page _j_ of _1L STATUS COHPLRTION DATE Intensify moose relocation efforts in 1984 upstream areas, map moose distribution, conduct a census during March within (5) miles of the impoundments, collect data on moose mor~alities, and intensively monitor wolf movements and ~oose preda- tion. In the downstream areas conduct additional censuses, map moose distribu- tion, radio collar additional moose on the river over the winter, and intensify relocation surveys. Under consideration. Conduct minimal relocation surveys and 1984 monitor numbers of wolves foe each pack using the upstream moose zone of 'mpact. Collect information on predation. Cond.uct relocation surveys to document 1984 habitat use and determine timing and magnitude of use of seasonal con- centration areas. Collect additional data on the location and characteristics of den sites. Collect and analyze bear scats and make direct observations to determine food habits especially during spring and near salmon spawn1ng streams. Continue development of a model of beaver 1965 carry1ng capacity for the Devil Canyon to Talkeetna portion of the f loodpl. in. Inputs to the model will include data on hydrology, slough morphology; and forage avail~b11ity; and the results of different flo~ releases and water temperatures on av~ilabil1ty of overwintering habitat wil! be tested. Continued monitoring of beaver populations will test the validity oi the mode\ and refine its accuracy. - ,. ~-.....-~,..,..,.-:--~~~---~~._. .... -~~-:'----------~ ....... -....... , ..... -,-....... ..... "'\' . .~"--~ (:: lll'll ,. • ·~, < \ ~(:. 4. ~ --.. .. -- Subtask: Terrestrial Resources ISSUE T-46 Beaver Field Studies Ne~d additional beaver field studies to fill data gaps to support •odel develop•ent and to monitor beaver qUQbeca for aodel testing. T-•7 Ma::ten !labitat Hod';.L Heed to continue marten habitat model development as the basis for refining impact -:~dictions ~nd determining mitigation needs. N~ed the ~ssistance of a marten expert. Need better informati~n on trapping intensity. ~-48 Harten Field Studies Need additional marten field studies to fill dt·ta ga~s to support model devi!lopment and to 110.nitor •arten nu11bers for motlel testing. T-49 ~ntification of Lynx, weasel, Mink, ' Other Densities ' · Ne1~d ,same quantification of the C"·•alitative teras in Ex. E • T-5C Peregrine Falcon Surveys Should conduct per~grine falcon su.rveys annually, in early July, through- out project studies and construction, or until there is s~fficient evidence that ~ecegrines do not inhabit the project area (i.e.i no aightaogs over several years of ~elicopter surveys by a reputable observer d.Jri:.g the proper time ot year). --1111 -.. .. ... -.. --PRELIMINARY 4 October 1981 SUSITNA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT: AGENCY-RAISED ISSUES AGENCY PWS FWS PWS FWS fWS SOURCE 46. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 4~, 74 Peb/Har '81 Workshop Recommendation p. 154, 165, 166, 167, 168 47. Draft ex. E Comments p. 74 Peb/Har 'B3 Workshop Recommendation p. 168, 169 48. Draft Ex~ E Comments p. 7 49. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 49, 64 50. Draft Ex. E Comments p. 50 10-11 J.>aga _lQ_ of _jJ_ STATUS COMPLETION DATE Conduct field studies to: (1) deteraine 1985 characteristics of successful and failed overwintering sites; (2) determine trapper harvest; (3) monitor the effects of break-up on known lodges and caches; (4) obtain data on forage vegetation near caches and near R'H cross-sections; (5) determine contents of one or aore caches; (6) obtain an accurate estimate of the number of individuals per colony; (7) continue annual monitoring of mainste• populations between Portage cr. and Talkeetna and in Prairie, Portage, and Deadman Creek areas; (8) monitor level of trapping. Also, FWS (p.48) recommended that the extent to which bank lodges are used downstream of Devil Canyon be investig.:.ted. Continue refinement of simple; marten habitat -loss model using cevined vegetation mapping. Additional studies not curreutly planned. Habitat loss is expected to support on the order of 100 martens or l~ss. Under consideration. Conduct helicopter surveys of proJect area 1ncidental to other captor work. 1985 1985 - -----~·-·"'~~ ... -----·~--_ _......._,.. ___ ..,_ . .,.,_.,,-~. =--"r-----~-:--:·---~· ~,J '"-' ·~ ,-;:.::,, ~:-.._f-·~;~~,o. "\:~ ')~,.;.:~~~~!/.~~·~h1{~•~~··.';f\~~~'.-~1~~r~:;~iJ!~1-*~>i.W."iAiiJili*A+ ~~ ·-~ •_! ·~ .. • " .. ---Lll -lllli1 -.. ----.. 181 -- Subtasl: Terrestrial ~esources l::iSUE T-51 Bnid Eagle Nest Sur•;c=ys-Downstre~m Need to obtain accurate locations for bald eagle nest sites downstreaa of Cold Creek due to existing discrepancies in order to adequately assess project i11pacts. T-52 Artificial Raptor ~~st Sites A d~nonstration project sho~ld be conducted to verify that drtificial ra~tor nest sites c~n be created satisfactorily or backup mitiga.tion mei\sures should ·ne outlined. A survey ~.'; necessary to locate trees, cliffs, etc. for nest site enhance~nt. T-53 Rapt~_Nest Surveys -Middle Ba.!Oin Heed to obtain accurate elevations of l~rge r.aptor nests in the impoundment areas due to existing .~iscrep·ancies. T-54 ProJect Impacts on Bdld Ea~lO! Nests Project development may be in conflict with the Bald Edgle Protection Act due to impacts on ba-l.j eagle nests. T-S5 Co~teelation of Bi cd ~ec ies & . Habitat C!langes Should correlate btcd spectes and their relat1~e abundance with postulated uegative and positive effects of habitat alteration • 1 1 HI::LHHNARY 4 October 198J St:Sl'l'NA 1JYDROl::LI::CTlUC PHOJECT: AGENCY-RAISED ISSUES AGENCY FWS PWS PWS 1>WS PWS Pa9e _1jl_ of ~ ________ , _________ _ SOURCE ----------~-------------- 51. Peb/Har '83 workshop R~commendat i.on .p·. 170 52, nrait Ex. E Comments p. 19 53. Pe')/Har '83 Workshop Recornmendat1on p. 169, 170 54. Lettet 6/9/83 55~ Draft EX. E Comments p. 61 10-12 S'£1\'I'US COHPLET ION DA'l'lc: ·---------------- Exc~pl foe thoue n~st dites that may be 1984 irnpdcted by T-Line clear1ng, this survey do~:; not appear lo be 1~e~ded. T-Line impact 11est sites should be surve~ed. Heli~opter surveys will be conducted to 1984 locate trees, cliffs, etc. for nest site enhancement. The remainder of the propus~d work is under consideration. Helicopter surveys Wtll be conduct~d to 1984 measure elevdtion~; and horizontal locations dccurately. Under considerdtlon. - ,,,,,---·,·-:""7~-,--,,·--"··--·-----------.. ------~~rc---~-------~ --:-,".:·<~~:::-~,·~·-,:~":,·1··rr~~"<i<"'':"~~,:.,ft~~:'-·<r;•;1!~~~---«~ailiSiill:!ili!il a;::•&-Jii&• r _._ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX B MAJOR SUSITNA PROJECT TERRESTRIAL STUDIES Steig;ers, WoD., D. Helm, J. G. ~cCracken, J.D. McKendrick and P. V. Mayer. 1983 Environmental StudJ..es-Subtask 7 .12, 1982 Plan\t Ecology Studies, Final Report. Alaska Power Authority 1 Susitna Hydroelectric Project. Prepared for LGL Alaska Rese~rch A$so- ciate~, Inc. University of Alaska Agriculture Expef.iment Sta- tion1 Palmer. McKendrick, J., Wo Collins, D. Helm, J. McMuller, and J. Koranda. 1982 Plant ecology studies, Phase I Report. Susitna Hydro- electric Project, Environmf~ntal Studies, Subtask 7.12. Sub- mitted to Terrestrial Environmental Sp,~c1alists, Inc. Prepared for Alaska Power Authority. University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station, Palmer. Moose Ballard, W. B., J.S. Whitman, N. G. Tanke~sley, L. D. Aumiller, and P. Hes;ing. 1983. Big Game Studies, Volume III, Moose-Up- stream. Susitna Hydrcelect'7ic Project, Phase II Progress Re- port. Su.bmi tted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Ball&rdt W.B., Co L. Gardn@r, J. H. Westlund, and J.R. Dau. 1982. Big Game Studies, Volume III, Moose-Upstream. Susitna Hydro- electx:"ic Project, Phase I Final Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. lD-13 Doc. 0423B • 't l l I. I I l I L l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ballard W. B., and K. P. Tayloe. 1980. Upper Susitna Valley moose population study. Alaska Department of Fish & Game P-R Proj. Final Rep., W-17-9, W-17-lOt and W-17-11. 102 p. Ballard W. B., and K. P. Taylor. 1978. Upper Susitna River moose population study. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Fed. Aid in Wildl. Rest. Proj. Final Rep W-17-9 and W-17-10, Job 1.20R. 61 p. Modafferi, R. D. 1983. Big game studies, Volume II, Moose-Downstream. Susi tna Hydroelectric Project, Phase II Pro- gress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Fish & Gaxa.e. Modafferi, R. D. 1982. Big game studies, Volume II, Moose--Downstream. Susi tna Hydroelectric Pro jE~ct, Phase I Final Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority, Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Caribou Pitcher, K.W. 1983. Big game studies, Volume IV, Caribou. Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Phase II Progress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Pitcher, K. W. 1982. Big game studies, Volume IV, Caribou~ Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Phase I Final Report. Sp.bmi tted to Alaska Power Authority, Alaska Deprtment of Fish & Game. Dall S.hee.E. Tankersley, N. G. 1983. Big game studies, Volun~ VIII, Dall Sheep. Susi tna Hydroele\':tric Project, Phase II Prc,gress Report. Sub- mitted t:o Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. 10-14 Doc. 0423B • ·,. c i\ ·' _.,·U. ~, \\ nr !,\ \1 '' I • I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Tobey, R.W. 1981. Big ga~ studies, Part VIII, Sheep. Susitna Hydroelectric P~o ject, Annual Progress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Black and Brown Bears Miller, S. D. 1983. Big game studies, Volume VI, Black bears and brown bears.. Susi tna Hydroelectric Project, Phase II Progress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Miller, S~ Do, J. S. Whitman, L. D. Aumiller, and P. Ne~sing. 1983. Big game studies, Volume V, Wolf. Susitne Hydroelectric Pro-· jact, Phase II Progress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Au- thority. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Wolf Ballard, W.B., J.S. Whitman, L.D. Aumiller, and P. Messing. 1983. Big game studies, Volume V, Wolf. Susitna Hydroelectric Pro- ject, Phase II Progress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Au- thority. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Ballard, W, B., C. L. Gardner, J. H. Westlund, and J. R. Dau. 1982 Big game studies, Volume V, Wolf. Susi tna Hydroelectric Pro- ject, Phase I Final Report. Subndtted to Alaska Power Author- ity. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Wolver.ine ---- Whitman, J. S., and Wa B. Ballard. 1983. Big game stu~ies, Volume VII, Wolverine. Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Phase II Pro- gress Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska De- partment of Fish and Game. 10-15 D.oc. 0423D • I fi I~ I, I! r: IJ ![ IJ I! I t [! ,[ IJ Gardner, C. L., and W. B. Ballard. 1982. Sig game studies, Volume VII, Wolverine. Susitna Hydroelectric Project Phase I Final Report. Submitted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Beluk..lta Whale Calkins, D. G. 1983. Big game studies, Volume IX, Belukha Whale. Susi tna Hydroelectric Project, Phase II Progress Report. Sub- mi,tted to Alaska Power Authority. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Other Wildlife Buskirk, S. W. 1983. The ecology of marten in southcentral Alaska. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Gipson, P. S., and J. D. Durst. 1982. Susitna beaver population survey. Progress Report. Submitted to LGL. Prepared for Alaska Power A'.lthority. Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Gipson, P. S., S. W. Buskirk, and T. W. Hobgood. 1982. Furbearer studies, Phase I Report. Susitna Hydroelectric Project, Envi- ronmental Studies, Subtask 7 .11. Submitted to Terrestrial En- vironmental Specialists, Inc. Prepared for Alaska Power Author- ity. Al~ska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 10-16 Doc, 0423B .. r I' t: I. '~ ~~ I~ l [ l 1: Other Wildlife (Continued) Kessel, B., S. 0. MacDonald, D. D. Gibson, B. A. Cooper, and B. A. Anderson. 1982. Birds and non-game mammals, Phase I Report. Susitna Rydroe1ectric Project, Environmental Studies, Subtask 7 .11. Submitted to Terrestrial Environmental Specialists, Inc. Prepared for Alaska Power Authority. University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks. Terrestrial Environmental Specialists, Inc. 1981. Environmental Studies Summuary Annual ~eport -1980. Submitted to Acres Ame- rican, Inc. Prepared fQ~ Alaska Power Authority. Terrestrial Environmental Specialists, Inc., Phoenix, N.Y. 10-17 Doc. 0423B ,. ' ' .. t ., ' 1 I· t·~ j, I l l