Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutKodiak Brown Bear Trust Annual Meeting 1998Bradley Lake Office Filing System (BLOFI)MASTER BLOFI LOG Year |Code |Date Key Word From Description 1995 }13-02 |10/25/95 {Meeting Locher Agency Annual Meeting Minutes 1998 13-02 03/08/98 Meeting Kodiak Trust Draft Minutes of 1998 Annual Meeting -Kodiak Brown Bear Trust Master BLOFI Log.xlsBLOFI tof!3/12/2003 JEGRIVE i MAR 14 1853 March 8,1998 Alaska Industrial Deveiopment end Export Authority Dear Fellow Trustee: This is to provide you with "draft”minutes of our 1998 annual meeting and a revised "Contents”section to our planned book.If you wish to suggest any corrections or additions please get back to me ASAP.Tim Richardson and I would like to proceed in preparing our 1997 annual report by month's end. Best personal regards and thanks much for your help. Sincerely, David R.Cline Chairman cc:Tim Richardson MEETING MINUTES KODIAK BROWN BEAR TRUST 26 January 1998 The meeting was called to order at 10:15 am by Chairman Dave Cline at his home office, 11930 Circle Drive,Anchorage,AK.A quorum was declared although Dan Beardsley was missed due to his being in travel status. Trustees present:Jay Bellinger,John Merrick and Dave Cline. Staff present:Tim Richardson. Invited guests present:Michael Walton,National Bank of Alaska and Brad Meikeljohn, The Conservation Fund. PERFORMANCE OF THE TRUST ACCOUNT NBA trust officer Mr.Michael Walton provided the trustees with a detailed report of account activity during 1997.Beginning market value on January 1,1997 was $677,398 with a year end balance of $638,300 on December 31,1997,resulting in a net reduction of $39,098. Expenses for the year totaled $181,647.The major expense item was $40,771 in support of the "Terror Lake Quartet”cooperative brown bear research projects on the Kodiak NWR. A $25,000 matching grant was made to The Conservation Fund in support of small parcel acquisition in the Kodiak NWR.A second matching grant of $25,511 was made to Wildlife Forever in support of the cooperative brown bear research projects. Salary for Executive Director Tim Richardson totaled $48,000 with expenses $9,469. Major expense categories included air fares to the Trust's annual meeting,field trips to Kodiak and Afognak islands to showcase the Trust's conservation priorities,air fares and associated travel expenses for attending three conferences (North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference,Safari Club International,and Outdoor Writers Association of America),telephone and postage.Salary for Chairman Dave Cline totaled $15,996 with expenses $2,053.His major expenses were for two trips to Kodiak and Afognak islands to participate in Trust sponsored field trips. A second year grant of $50,000 to Dave Cline from the Pew Fellowship Program in Conservation and the Environment was deposited in a subaccount to the Trust's master account.Fellowship funds defrayed most of Dave's expenses administering the Trust Account and speaking on the Trust's behalf at key meetings and conferences. The majority of Trust investments remain in U.S.treasury notes,and government and corporate bonds at interest rates ranging from 5%to 7.25%. On the recommendation of Michael Walton and Dan Beardsley,the trustees agreed to improve the Trust's portfolio mix by moving money from U.S.treasury notes to corporate bonds in order to achieve anticipated higher earnings. The portfolio target mix for the Trust's $500,000 original principal agreed to last year as compared to the changes decided upon are as follows: Old New Treasuries 57.3%50% Government Agency Bonds 20.57%20% Corporate Bonds 23.3%30% To achieve the desired portfolio mix,it was agreed to sell $50,000 of $210,000 in a U.S. treasury note prior to its maturity date and invest in a corporate bond at a bit higher interest rate. An upper end maturity range of 5 years was agreed to for investments since there is not much difference in earnings between 5 and 7 years,and extending maturities beyond 7 years exposes the investments to greater market volatility. The balance of funds in the Trust Account will be kept liquid in a money market account and available to cover Trust expenses. 1997 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Research Jay Bellinger provided each trustee with a copy of Vic Barne's report on the impacts of bear viewing on the Thumb River population.The data suggest that bear use of the 1997 Thumb River salmon run was down from previous years due to an abundant salmon berry crop.The presence of people therefore appeared to have had a minimal effect on the area's bears. A second study focused on bears in the Terror Lake watershed.It failed to detect any significant change in the population since the Trust's inaugural Terror Lake survey ten years ago.Dave Cline requested,however,that the Kodiak NWR staff provide the trustees with a summary of all known human -bear incidents related to operation of the Terror Lake Hydroelectric Project. Other research work involved the removal of radio collars from study bears on the Aliulik and Spiridon peninsulas,and the final year of determining bear population dynamics, including cub survival rates,in the Aliulik study. Vic Barnes is in the process of completing reports on all research projects to which the Trust contributed funds in 1997.Copies will be provided the trustees as soon as they become available. HABITAT PROTECTION The biggest job for the Trust and its partners remains to get refuge inholdings back. Although no large parcel acquisitions were made in 1997,the trust continued to lobby for its three top priorities:1)Karluk -Sturgeon river watersheds in the Kodiak NWR;2) Afognak Joint Venture (AJV)holdings adjacent to the refuge's Red Peak Unit on the northwest end of Afognak Island;and 3)conservation easement for the Afognak Lake watershed.Tim Richardson brought the trustees up to date on the status of the negotiations and provided additional details in a package of handouts. Although the Karluk -Sturgeon negotiations appear to be stalled,good progress was made in negotiations with AJV for valuable brown bear habitat on Afognak Island.Tim Richardson and Dave Cline maintained ongoing communication with conservation allies, the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council staff,and Afognak landowners and helped all parties come close to agreement on a $70-$77 million acquisition package in the Paul's and Laura lakes,and Red Fox -Blue Fox tracts on the north end of the island.We anticipate this high priority Trust acquisition will come to closure by spring 1998. Meanwhile,Tim and Dave continued to explore purchasing a conservation easement for Afognak Lake.Tim was successful in bringing Afognak Native Corporation leaders together with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with the aim of convincing elk hunters to contribute a substantial amount of private dollars to help make the acquisition happen The biggest accomplishment of the year was acquisition of 34 small parcel inholdings in the Kodiak NWR by The Conservation Fund (TCF).The Trust participated in this important habitat protection effort by contributing $25,000 to the $1.5 million acquisition package.Tim Richardson was successful in raising this contribution through his fundraising efforts.TCF further benefited from its partnership with the Trust by having our previous $100,000 contribution to the 1996 Humpy Creek acquisition counted in two of its successful grant requests. The Trust's habitat protection priorities got an additional boost when Tim Richardson and other of our conservation allies persuaded the 105 th.Congress to designate $1 million in FY °98 Land &Water Conservation Fund monies to small parcel acquisition in the Kodiak NWR.The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council committed an additional $950,000.When combined with TCF's aforementioned $1.5 million acquisition package, total refuge small parcel funding came to $3,450,000 -a record! 1998 GOALS Research Out of concern that too many bears may be getting taken by hunters in the Sturgeon River watershed,Jay Bellinger is planning to have recently retired researcher Vic Barnes return to conduct a thorough population survey there.Jay is also concerned that a weir study on the Sturgeon indicated that the run of chum salmon was down dramatically thus affecting the amount of fish taken by bears.The only costs associated with the bear population survey will be for aircraft services.On Jay's request,the trustees agreed to contribute a modest $3,000 toward this effort with Tim Richardson to seek a matching grant from Wildlife Forever.The information obtained will prove valuable to more effective management of the Sturgeon River bear population ,and to ongoing negotiations to acquire the Trust's top priority refuge inholding (the Karluk -Sturgeon large parcel). Jay is also planning to develop an updated Brown Bear Management Plan for the Kodiak NWR,and have it expanded to cover state lands in the Kodiak Archipelago as well.State plans to radio-collar bears in the Afognak Lake watershed is deemed vital to the success of this work.No action is requested of the Trust at this time. Jay also wants to initiate a study of the impact of introduced wildlife on the refuge's native flora and fauna.For example,do high deer populations result in damage to berry bushes and reduce the availability of an important food source for brown bears?And what are the real affects of beaver dams on salmon spawning streams?Preliminary evidence indicates that some salmon runs (pinks and chums)are blocked and others not silvers).The beaver ponds created definitely result in increased waterfowl use of the refuge. Other questions to be addressed in the study include:is the increase in carrion the main reason that the number of bald eagle nests on the refuge has risen from 250 to 460?And are single bears staying out of dens all winter because of an increase in deer remains left by growing numbers of hunters? Other planned refuge studies will include an intensive aerial survey of bears in Uyak Bay, and monitoring of disturbance to bears by commercial wildlife viewing operations. The trustees expressed their common concern that recently retired bear biologist Vic Barnes and state area manager Roger Smith be replaced with topnotch professionals.Jay has been encouraged to hear that Larry Van Daele from Dillingham may well replace Roger,but is concerned that the USGS apparently has no money to replace Vic.The option of having a refuge bear biologist stationed in Anchorage is not acceptable to Jay. He feels it essential that the FWS have brown bear research expertise at the Kodiak NWR and is recommending that the FWS open its personnel register outside Alaska to insure that a highly qualified supervisory wildlife biologist is recruited to serve on the refuge staff.The trustees agree with Jay,and will lend support to his position in ways deemed most appropriate. Habitat Protection The trustees agreed to maintain our large parcel acquisition priorities for 1998 as follows; 1)Karluk and Sturgeon river watersheds in the Kodiak NWR;2)AJV bear habitats on the north and west sides of Afognak Island adjacent to the Red Peaks Unit of the Kodiak NWR;and 3)conservation easement for the Afognak Lake watershed. Tim Richardson stressed that a lose -lose situation would be for the Karluk -Sturgeon negotiations to fail and no Restoration Reserve funds made available for Afognak acquisitions.The win -win that he identified for the Trust would be to intensify our efforts to help get Karluk -Sturgeon negotiators back to the table before the five years remaining in the conservation easement that is in place run out.While there is strong sportsmen group support for Karluk -Sturgeon,most environmental groups appear to have Afognak timberlands as their priority (Brad Meikeljohn stressed that TCF is strongly supportive of Karluk -Sturgeon however). Furthermore,there appears to be a strong political campaign being mounted to shift EVOS funding away from additional large parcel acquisitions in favor of marine research and fisheries development.To a lesser extent,the success of land acquisitions throughout the oil spill region has led to greater public support for research as well.This is being reflected in the Trustee Council's reluctance to enter into further large parcel negotiations.The Council may choose instead to fund about $1 million per year in small parcel acquisitions from earnings on the Restoration Reserve.The trustees agreed to have Tim and Dave develop recommendations on future use of The Restoration Reserve for review and approval by all trustees before submitting them during the Trustee Council's upcoming public review process in the spring. Tim Richardson reported that 34 native allotments in the Kodiak NWR will require new funds.The trustees agreed with his recommendation to continue educating Congress and the Department of the Interior to insure that the $1 million earmarked for Kodiak from the Land &Water Conservation Fund actually get allocated,and to cosponsor a June trip to the Karluk River and Karluk Reservation with the U.S.fish &Wildlife Service and Koniag,Inc.with the aim of increasing the level of awareness among all parties of the high stakes involved in the Karluk EVOS negotiations. Brad Meikeljohn informed the trustees that TCF does not intend to acquire additional small parcels in 1998,but instead will work at transferring to public ownership those they acquired last year.TCF's priority on Kodiak for 1998 will be to work with the FWS in negotiating a conservation easement for Sitkalidak Island with the Old Harbor Native Corporation.TCF is also willing to help respond to the Karluk Tribal Council's offer to sell a conservation easement along the lower Karluk River.TCF responded to the council's request for legal help to enter into meaningful negotiations by offering attorney Walt Ebell $10,000 to get them underway.Unfortunately,Mr.Ebell apparently wants closer to $100,000 for this work although he has agreed to discuss the matter with TCF president,John Turner.Brad further commented that TCF may also be willing to trade 80 acres of land that they own near the Karluk Village airstrip for the critical 3 acres of tribal land at the Karluk River weir site. OTHER BUSINESS Tenth Anniversary Book The trustees agreed with Tim Richardson's great idea that the Trust publish a book on the Kodiak conservation success story for the 10"anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The publication will be edited by Tim and Dave Cline and highlight the Trust's many contributions to the conservation of Kodiak brown bears and their wilderness habitats.A revised "Contents”section is attached.Cost estimates for publishing the book range from $35 -$70 thousand.Tim agreed to obtain an accurate estimate from several publishers and get final approval from the trustees before proceeding. Annual Report Although our 1996 annual report was judged a great success and well worth the time and effort required to produce it,the trustees decided to publish a much scaled down version for the 1997 edition.The substantial savings of some $10,000 will be committed instead to publication of our planned book.Tim and Dave will again team up to write the 1997 report with the goal of having it ready for distribution by the end of March. Awards The trustees agreed that numerous of its partners deserve special recognition and thanks for their fine efforts in support of brown bear research and habitat protection in the Kodiak Archipelago.It was therefore decided that the Trust will make two annual awards. One award will be given to an individual and the second to an organization or business for outstanding contributions to the conservation of Kodiak brown bears.The trustees agreed that for 1998,recently retired bear researcher Vic Barnes will receive the individual award,and The Conservation Fund the organization award.Dave Cline agreed to have the award plaques designed and made and letters drafted.The best timing options for making the award presentations will be studied by Tim and Dave. Cline and Richardson Contracts The trustees agreed to extend the Dave Cline and Tim Richardson contracts for another year under the same terms and conditions. Viet Nam Veterans Allotment Act Legislation being sponsored by the Alaska congressional delegation would allow native veterans to apply for allotments on the Kodiak NWR if its proven they were denied land selection rights because of being on military duty during the Viet Nam War.Jay Bellinger warns that if the legislation is passed into law,it could result in an open season grab bag of native allotment applications.This issues deserves close watching by the Trust. Old Harbor Science Camp Jay Bellinger reported that he and his staff are panning to involve village elders in planning a science camp for young people in the village of Old Harbor.The camp's principal aim will be to provide hands on experiences in science activities related to protection and management of natural resources in the Kodiak Archipelago.Dave Cline agreed to contribute $5,000 of his fellowship to this effort. The 1998 annual meeting was adjourned by Chairman Dave Cline at 3:45 p.m. 1998 BUDGET PROJECTED EXPENSES Education (book project)$35,000 ($70,000) Tim Richardson contract fees 48,000 Dave Cline contract fees 15,996 Research support 3,000 Habitat acquisition -0- Old Harbor Science Camp 5,000 Operations expense account 8,000 Annual report publication 3,000 NBA administration fee 3,000 CPA audit fee 1,500 TOTAL $122,496 1998 BUDGET PROJECTED INCOME Earnings on Trust Account $35,000 Safari Club International 30,000 Norcross Foundation 10,000 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 2,500 National Rifle Association 1,000 Pew Fellowship 50,000 Wildlife Forever 5,000 The Conservation Fund 5,000 Koniag,Inc.6,500 US.Fish &Wildlife Service 20,000 Other Foundations 20,000 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council 5,000 TOTAL $190,000 KODIAK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SAVING A NATIONAL TREASURE Dave Cline and Tim Richardson,Editors Kodiak Brown Bear Trust CONTENTS FOrward.........csccccccccceccccccsccccccevccccccccccnccensesscoees Robert Putz Acknowledgments........scccscccecceacccccscccccecccccecceccece Editors Kodiak's First People:The Alutiiq............sccsccsceesees Emil Christiansen Island Biodiversity.........ccccscccccsccccccccccccsccscccccceace David Duffy The Kodiak Brown Bear............ccsccescsscccescseccceccees Vic Barnes A Refuge For Bears..........csccccscccccsesccccccecccscscescens Jay Bellinger Sportsman's Paradise.........cccccssscssccscscvacsscccnsscecees Scott Stouder A Trust Fund For Bears............ccccsecsssceccsccesccesssece David Cline Restoring Oiled Shores...........sccccscscsscescccscccvsccssceves Molly McCammon Sustaining A World Class Fishery.............scccsscesscssess Eddie Christiansen A Future For Wildlife .............cccecceccecsecccccsecccccececs Douglas Grann For Further Reading FUE ALAMTCCUTEDSandlegLakeLLOCHERINTERESTS LTD.(3-2 406 WEST FIREWEED LANE,SUITE 101 ANCHORAGE,ALASKA 99503-2649 TELEPHONE (907)258-2200 FAX (907)258-5842 * October 25,1995 9425-0079 Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson &Skeritt 225 S.W.Columbia,Suite 1800 Portland,Oregon 97021-6618 ATTN:Peter Haller REF:Agency Annual Meeting Minutes Dear Mr.Haller. Enclosed are the meeting minutes of the October 6,1995 Alaska Energy Authority Agency Annual Meeting.If you have any comments or additions,please call Jim Thrall at Locher Interests LTD.,at 258- 2200. Sincerely, LOCHER INTERESTS LTD. AAS Rey Gaps-Linda Perry Dwight Consultant LPD:cjp Attachment:Meeting Minutes Distribution List copy:_Stan Sieczkowski,Alaska Energy Authority Dan Beardsley,Alaska Energy Authority Jim Thrall,Locher Interests LTD. John Morsell,Northern Ecological Services Remy Williams,P.E. RJ Vossar,Shannon &Wilson File SS TbM IKME:/a ORGAN /ZETY a -JELEP howe on bibda Marry Dung ht.Conse lank BN CATE. .;Kun Rickman _........USGS 78 PBI ns Rem Vv.Wiriays......CONSULTANT.oo 376-2035.:thn.MM erse{{Grulteet 0 BYTE VIN _Raw Wall Pe qian ete cde ee)G23-4LB.Lh pboadreQe a of Ersinc@$nce BIB TRIAL|Hostophen tes _.AOEKFC REFTAMAEH...RS esse SW SEL M129 De Sead fA BBS 388. -Sas.Se wo -_NYVES ___2@FI-500GGreg5.Taokexchs DVE(DnT pesi 2b2-2570 Comet: Gany LeneeceR WS,PS BPA.|FiebreaAGA -5G f-Yoso Tim Rumfelt Deric Marcorelle Don McKay Christopher Estes Lana Shea Rob Bentz Rick Thompson Gary Prokosch Kellie Litzen John Dunker Stanley McGrorty Dave Cline Brad Smith Dave Cobb Bill Abadie Phillip North Gary Wheeler Jay Bellinger Tony Chatto Nevin Holmberg Patricia Grantham Keene Kohrt Jim Deherrera Ron Rickman Rick McClure Michael Easley Don Stead Tom Waggoner Bill Beaty Lowell Highbargin Dennis Lewis DISTRIBUTION LIST -Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation -Alaska Department of Fish and Game -Alaska Department of Natural Resources -Homer Fish and Game Advisory Board -National Audobon Society -National Marine Fisheries Service -Valdez Fisheries Development -U.S.Army Corps of Engineers -U.S.Environmental Protection Agency -U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service -U.S.Forest Service -U.S.Geological Survey -U.S.Soil Conservation Service -Copper Valley Electric Association -Homer Electric Association -Ketchikan Public Utilities -Kodiak Electric Association -Thomas Bay Power Authority -Petersburg Municipal Power &Light Larry Barnes Tom Stahr Dave Calvert Eugene Bjornstad Mike Kelly James Woodcock Ron Saxton Peter Haller -City of Wrangell -Anchorage Municipal Light and Power -City of Seward -Chugach Electric Association -Golden Valley Electric Association -Matanuska Electric Association -Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson &Skerritt =IL LOCHER INTERESTS LTD. 406 WEST FIREWEED LANE,SUITE 101 ANCHORAGE,ALASKA 99503-2649 TELEPHONE (907)258-2200 FAX (907)258-5842 October 26,1995 9425-0077 MEETING MINUTES ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION MEETING MEETING DATE/TIME:October 6,1995 1:30 p.m. LOCATION:Alaska Energy Authority Office ATTENDEES:Dan Beardsley,Alaska Energy Authority Christopher Estes,Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game Gary Prokosch,Alaska Div.of Mining and Water Mngmt. Brad Smith,National Marine Fisheries Service Bill Abadie,U.S.Army Corps of Engineers Gary Wheeler,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service Ron Rickman,U.S.Geological Survey Don Stead,Homer Electric Association,Inc. Peter Haller,Ater Wynne Hewitt Dodson &Skerritt,P.C. John Morsell,Northern Ecological Services R.J.Vassar,Shannon and Wilson Remy G.Williams,P.E. Jim Thrall,Locher Interests LTD.MW)Linda Perry Dwight,Consultant ACTION DISCUSSION ITEMS REQUIRED BY The purpose of this meeting was to discuss: 1.INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF FY 1995:Mr.Beardsley - introduced the consultants to the agencies.The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA)has been satisfied with having consultants Linda Perry Dwight and Jim Thrall maintain permitting and licensing functions on AEA's behalf,and has received positive feedback from agencies thus far.Consultant Remy Williams is providing engineering services and coordinating with utilities on technical matters on AEA's behalf. 2.PROJECT REVIEW: . - a.Bradley Lake: 1)Fisheries and Water Resource Studies -Completion -_- of FERC License Studies:Mr.Morsell,Northern 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 2 DISCUSSION ITEMS Ecological Services,is preparing the final report for AEA on the fisheries studies that is required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)license. Baseline and project impact studies have been conducted since 1986.He distributed a handout (Attachment 1)with five figures. The fish use a one-mile stretch of the lower Bradley River (Figure 1).The downstream area is silty,due to tidal influence,and the upstream area has steep terrain. Figure 2 shows the trap net locations and seine sites that have been used _since 1986.Weekly mark/recapture data from the trap nets,supplemented by seine net data,provide an index of annual abundance.The nine-week field study covers mid-July through mid-September to coincide with the pink salmon spawning period,and the nets are fished four days a week. Figure 3 graphs ten years of escapement data (1995 data is preliminary)for pink salmon,the primary salmon species selected for impact analysis.Since the project began operating,escapements have gradually increased.The 1995 numbers may represent optimal escapement,aS spawning areas may become overcrowded.In 1989,no pink salmon were harvested due to the Exxon Valdez oil spill.Even-year escapement has been gradually increasing since 1986, when a fall flood changed the channel configuration in the Bradley River and wiped out most of the eggs. Figure 4 graphs ten years of trap net catch data for chinook (king)salmon,a stable resident species with a high population,considering the short stretch of river available.This may be the only run in Katchemak Bay. The trap net catch is estimated to represent one-third of the total catch.The 1995 catch was the highest recorded,and these fish are probably four years old,so they were spawned and hatched in the first year of regulated flow.Figure 5 graphs 10 years of escapement data for chum salmon.This species has a three to four year return,and the numbers are more_irregular. Sockeye and silver salmon are also present,but the study period is not long enough to provide accurate data.With regulated flows,the Bradley River has become more stable,and fish habitat use has expanded upstream. ACTION REQUIRED BY 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 3 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2) In response to questions,Mr.Morsell explained that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) examined scales in 1988 to determine age,and that three,four,and five-year-old fish were present.Scales were collected this year but have not yet been examined.Mr.Morsell agreed to examine any harvest or sport fish data that ADF&G has for chinook or other species in the Bradley River.The area receives minimal sport fishing use.His draft report will be submitted to AEA on November 1,and then distributed for agency review.His final report is due to AEA on December 15. At that time,it will be sent to FERC,who will also request comments. Mr.Rickman,U.S.Geological Survey (USGS), described the investigations that USGS is undertaking for AEA to determine if winter minimum flows of less than 40 cubic feet per second (cfs)will adequately protect salmon egg incubation habitat in the lower Bradley River.The 40 cfs winter release specified in the FERC license was based on an open water instream flow model that did not consider ice cover,which provides more wetted perimeter.He examined three years of flows ranging from 43 to 75 cfs.Attachment 2 contains a summary of findings to date.Under the flows examined,stream depths were sufficient for a surface water/intergravel water oxygen exchange to occur. There was limited reduction in the area of wetted perimeter as flows decreased from 50 to 40 cfs.USGS is preparing a water resources investigative report for release in November,and agencies may request to participate as colleague reviewers by contacting Mr. Rickman at (907)786-7131. In response to questions,Mr.Rickman described the intergravel temperature and dissolved oxygen recording methods.In cold temperatures,the probes continue to function,but the operational range of the dissolved oxygen meters is exceeded. Future Work:Mr.Beardsley explained that AEA would like to operate the project closer to the licensed flow regime (40 cfs in winter),and would eventually like to modify the flow regime.Mr.Morsell's and Mr. Rickman's studies will be continued for three years,and Homer Electric Association (HEA)has a contract with Shannon and Wilson to examine project operation.The ACTION REQUIRED BY 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 4 DISCUSSION ITEMS 3) 4) 5) salmon escapement study will be conducted over an eight-week period instead of a nine-week period.USGS will obtain data on streambed characteristics important to egg survival for flows in the 40 to 45 cfs range. In response to questions,Dr.Thrall explained that FERC considers the licensed instream flows to be instantaneous measurements,but that in winter,USGS estimates mean daily flows during ice conditions,unless someone is on-site.Open water measurements are instantaneous.Ice and tides affect stage/discharge calculations.Recently,there was concern about a possible flow violation,but when USGS checked the gage,scouring had occurred,and there was plenty of water. Waterfowl Monitoring:Waterfowl monitoring is a license requirement,and Dr.Thrall described this summer's activities.Dave Erikson,Dames and Moore, conducted a waterfowl monitoring study for AEA,and copies of the report are available from Dr.Thrall.For the first time since the nesting islands were established, successful nesting and fledging occurred.The species observed were green-wing teal and mallard.By modifying the water release structure,less leakage has occurred,and there has been better control of the water level in the pond around the nesting islands.Nancy Moore,Plant Materials Research Center,Gary Wheeler,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,and Dr.Thrall fertilized the islands in June.Some improvement has already occurred,and the increase in vegetation should be more noticeable next year. Moose Mitigation:Mr.Beardsley explained that AEA is providing land (approximately 600 acres near Fritz Creek)and funding ($150,000)to a _non-profit corporation for moose research and __habitat improvement.The authorization to create the corporation has been reviewed by AEA and the Attorney General's office,and has been sent to ADF&G for review.The Fish and Game Advisory Board will participate. Auxiliary Airstrip:Dr.Thrall and Ms.Dwight prepared a permit application package,including a FERC non- capacity license amendment to re-establish the access road to the Martin River airstrip.The purpose is to ACTION REQUIRED BY 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 5 DISCUSSION ITEMS provide a secondary airstrip for times when severe cross winds affect the safety of the primary airstrip.Less than 30 landings per year are anticipated,so the access road will have low-water crossings,rather than culverts (which were removed following project construction). The application package will be reviewed by the O&D Subcommittee of the Bradley Lake Project Management Committee on October 25 prior to submittal to the agencies. Terror Lake: 1) 2) Instream Flow/Flow Ramping:Dr.Thrall reviewed the Status since last year's meeting.A preliminary agency meeting was held in November of 1994 to examine flow ramping (the gradual reduction or increase of required flow releases to mimic natural flow variability). Permission will be requested from FERC to ramp, without changing minimum flows.A schedule for pursuing a ramping amendment will be proposed and reviewed in an agency meeting prior to submission to FERC. Emergency Bank Stabilization:Ms.Dwight submitted a permit application package earlier in the day requesting permission for emergency bank stabilization. Due to storm events in September 1995,high flows in the Kizhuyak River created a new channel,which has the potential to undercut facilities associated with the Terror Lake project,and which may enter the project landfill and cut into the project tailrace.AEA proposes to restabilize the bank and divert the flow by blocking water from entering the new channel with a berm.The berm will provide a temporary solution,and as Soon as a more permanent solution has been designed,it will be presented for agency approval. c.Tyee Lake: 1)Tailrace Spawning Gravel Analysis:Dr.Thrall explained that spawning gravels were placed in a 1,000- foot section of the tailrace to mitigate for habitat loss from reduced flows in Tyee Creek.National Marine Fisheries Service and USFWS were concerned that fines were accumulating and reducing the effectiveness of the gravels.A study conducted this summer determined that there is no evidence of buildup of fines ACTION REQUIRED BY 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 6 DISCUSSION ITEMS or problems with embeddedness.The original gravels were large.The operator will continue to report on pink salmon use of the tailrace for spawning.Copies of the report are available from Dr.Thrall. 2)Tyee Transmission Line Upgrade:Ms.Dwight 'reported that AEA has awarded a contract for Power Engineers to identify and prepare construction documents for the portions of the transmission line requiring upgrade.She and Dr.Thrall will be assisting Power Engineers by contacting agencies to discuss construction stipulations and obtain permits.She provided copies of the existing FERC license and U.S. Forest Service (USFS)special use permit to the study team. d.Solomon Gulch -Hiking Trail:Dr.Thrall described progress on resolving this issue.During an inspection last year,FERC expressed concern about the condition of the steps and ladders associated with the hiking trail.Rather than reconstruct these facilities,AEA has requested permission from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company to establish a new trail along the road adjacent to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.As soon as written approval is received,AEA will submit a non- capacity related license amendment to FERC to update the recreation plan. e.Swan Lake -Dock Removal:Dr.Thrall explained that at the request of USFS,a dock was constructed in the reservoir,and a launch with oars was provided.There is normally a 20-foot drop between the dock and the water level,and it has received no use since the project began operation.AEA will submit a license amendment to remove the dock,and agencies will be contacted.USFS has indicated no objection. 3.WATER USE REVIEW:Ms.Dwight provided an update on water use and instream flow releases for each project.Several projects are utilizing the permitted amounts,and others appear not to be.However, summer water use data has not yet been tabulated.Mr.Prokosch stated that submittals were up to date. 4.FY 1996 ACTIVITIES:Mr.Beardsley described AEA's preliminary discussions with the utilities regarding divestiture of the Four Dam Pool projects (Terror Lake,Tyee Lake,Solomon Gulch,and Swan Lake).A decision on whether to proceed will be made by the end of 1995.On behalf of the legal firm representing the Four Dam Pool,Mr.Haller will ACTION REQUIRED BY 9425-0077 Meeting Minutes October 26,1995 Page 7 ACTION DISCUSSION ITEMS REQUIRED BY be examining existing permits.Mr.Beardsley will be contacting agencies to determine any concerns.The legislature directed AEA to privatize operations to the extent possible,and capital is needed for project repairs. 5.ADDITIONAL AGENCY ISSUES: a.Transfer of Federal Power Projects:Mr.Beardsley _ provided an update on the status of the transfer.The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority will acquire the Snettisham project in southeast Alaska,and will sell power to Alaska Electric Light and Power in Juneau.The Eklutna project will be operated by Matanuska Electric Association, Chugach Electric Association,and Municipal Light and Power (Anchorage).These projects will be exempt from FERC licensing requirements. b.State Agency Oversite of Power Projects:Agencies were _ concemed that there would be no single state agency to oversee FERC concerns.More small FERC-licensed projects may come on-line,and individual state agencies do not have sufficient resources to respond to licensing requests.Mr. Beardsley explained that AEA and the Alaska Division of Energy have been tasked with forming a statewide energy plan. The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. The foregoing report represents our understanding of items discussed and decisions made during the meeting.We will consider these minutes to be correct unless notice to the contrary is brought to our attention within seven (7)days of the date of this report. LPD:cjp Attachments: 1-Fisheries Data 2-U.S.Geological Survey Data copy:Attendees File ATTACHMENT 1 FIGURE 1 BEAR ISLAND fgSLOUGHag iyoeg HOOLIGAN SLOUGH FOX FARM CREEK 3.0 etc.»RIVER MAKES ©teet §00 SCALE / LOWER BRADLEY RIVER WITH | SALMON ESCAPEMENT STUDY AREA Y Key TrapNets <9 Seine Sites 0 300 Sene| Scale in Feet Trap Net Locations and FIGURE 2 Seine Sites FIGURE 3 ESTIMATED ESCAPEMENT-1986 THROUGH 1995 PINK SALMON REGULATED FLOW |- YjYY,einestisheYjaYjSongunYjoe seoneoRETee Eoauirneunniegent iecoeigee ctr PE eneanen eae eee een EeEO Re EE EEE SoD etal tehttonSite rtainttten aeititt ottateSeth (spuesnou]) STUDY YEAR FIGURE 4 TRAP NET CATCH -1986 THROUGH 1995 CHINOOK SALMON REGULATED FLOW 120- HSId4O YHAEWNN STUDY YEAR FIGURE 5 CHUM SALMON Regulated Flow a ESTIMATED ESCAPEMENT-1986 THROUGH 1995 1600- 1400-5 HSIddO YAgWNNn ATTACHMENT'2°* EFFECT OF ICE FORMATION AND STREAMFLOW ON SALMON INCUBATION HABITAT IN THE LOWER BRADLEY RIVER,ALASKA U.S.Geological Survey Water Resources Division in Cooperation with the Alaska Energy Authority Study Location:Lower Bradley River from Bear Island to Lower Riffle Reach. Six transects were established within the study area. Study Period:March 1993 to April 1995 (winters only). Minimum allowable discharge:40 ft/s Measured Discharge during field visits:Average 57 ft?/s,Range 43 to 75 ft?/s Ice conditions:Ranged from <10%to 100%ice cover Results and Observations: *¢surface-water velocities appear to be adequate for discharges encountered. *velocity distribution within each transect varies greatly for each icing episode. *stream-water depths are adequate for discharges encountered,with the possible exception of the lower riffle reach transect. ¢stream-water depth is not a function of percent ice cover for a given discharge. *wetted perimeter did not vary significantly within the range of discharges encountered. ¢there is no apparent relationship between percent ice cover and wetted perimeter fora given discharge. ¢Intragravel-water temperature was generally 0.5 to 1.0 °C warmer than surface-water temperature.Changes in temperature were not a function of discharge,except for periods of warm winter rain. ¢Intragravel dissolved oxygen concentrations were excellent for all discharges and ice conditions encountered. ¢Dissolved oxygen interchange between surface and intragravel-water was consistently excellent.This is a good indicator that siltation of the spawning beds is not a problem for the discharges encountered. *Specific conductance measurements show that there is not salt-water intrusion during high tide cycles. ¢Analysis of stage hydrograph and gravel bar slopes indicated that stranding potential during rapid stage drop,is low.Stage drop rate largest during out going tide. ¢Discharge contributions from the North Fork and lower Middle Fork Bradley River show a seasonal trend.Measured flow did not drop below7 ft?/s. Future Activities:A Water resources Investigative report for the work done to date,will be released sometime in November.This study will continue through the winter of 1998.Stream velocity,depth,wetted perimeter,as well as surface and intragravel-water temperature and dissolved oxygen data will be collected and analyzed for discharges close to the allowed minimum of 40 ft?/s.Data collected to date were for much higher discharges,and results cannot be extrapolated down to lesser flows.Siltation of spawning beds will be monitored using approved methods.Additional discharge measurements will be made on the Middle Fork below North Fork Bradley River for statistical analysis of trends. Please refer any question or comments to: Ron Rickman U.S.Geological Survey 1209 Orca Street Anchorage,Alaska 99501 phone:(907)786-7100 Study Ar S_Homer . 151°00'150°SO'150°3S'5§9°51'T 'T qT *EXPLANATION (7watt (}S AEA ..Y 9 Middle Fork A USGS Stream-gaging station Rs Bradley River below ;)ft .°North Fork Bradley River 4"5 4 AEA Stream-gaging station5239070&&,Ls c dy(/Bradley River Fo Alley River ¥v jm ,[\near tidewater North 5A -- Dam 4]\Px.S<4 ve €7 cL >n 'y rey euaMasoSiteJceaN as ae 2 oNKACHEMAKPowerpease15239001&River (.y BAY Ro hee Bradley River 1 $239050 l-- %by Pou, .below dam {Middle Fork ne >Cr 0". w) weet ant x Me Bradley River_gE\Y ys Creck -*\oc5co)\-\c W3:Dace”Bradley Lake -"-2 1 paws59°45'L ...a 15238985 g _--Ut ws }#5:_-b>Battle Creek atte Cre '<4 7 'i near tidewater Z ch 5 Sra :TS s )7 > 5 S y (a? _ 15238984"Battle Creek :.[SS "Te C "4ome.South Fork =3 diversion dam »6 os "ND 4 Cantey,Battle Creek =\®ao 18238978 4.LS \Sree o.Y Battle Creek diversion 4 e &Xa --.Ayks\above GradieyLake =""%Chemag CG is ie)Q,NOON iN "'S reek KacySeeNOMAOD15238990 *Chae,tsosaoaa Naas Bradley River near ffamuey "\NALS NukaGlacier $49)7 \3J \Battle Creek i Nuka River NAS C A, 7 " below glacier."«4 'y diversion dam 15238648 c ro)NS rane |a -'- tt4-Upper Nuka River near NNeAWSLSZS7xyy=Park boundary Vy n . ar Cia 1 WS S Cc .vee"'¢/f G f Q Pee td Ns ¢on 7 -=--_\'ie 7 A :S$aes ora -Ny59°40'i \Sr.eo A/S s AAalee We05MILES {4 1s 1 J !qv v a Lj i 0 5 KILOMETERS Figure 1.Location of the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project area. o-7*©500 FEET 1 1 AEA Middle Fork Bradley Riverf4,RN RYAN '<4Kyei€ip A x 0 hoa"a4 .Widen, Bradley River below i 15239070 North Fork Bradley RiverotFradey Riverf(near tidewater North y oY Ri 2%™=(7 =}; 15239001 &|&*rivetBradleyRivergBradley N a -below dam RY arma!mel Middle Fork "i.diversion dam cr /}U- LOWER RIFFLE Bey Oy TREE BAR Figg,UPPER RIFFLE v,Fish i l | 'q LEO of fies4soeeo? 100 METERS Figure 2.Lower Bradley River study cross section locations (modified from Morsell,1994,fig.1) Stream-gaging station »\! TIDEWATER