FERC Project No. 2079 - PCWA Middle Fork American River Project ...

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
activities and use of heavy equipment. Measures incorporated in BA/BE Appendix C
require implementation of USDA-FS Water Quality BMPs including (but not limited to)
development of an erosion control plan and a spill prevention, containment, and
countermeasure plan; timing construction activities to occur in the dry season;
implementation of slope stabilization measures; and minimization of in-channel
excavation. Implementation of these BMPs would protect water quality during
construction activities under the Proposed Action.
Under the Proposed Action, facility modification/construction activities will also result in
temporary loss of habitat during dewatering of small diversion pools (Duncan Creek,
North Fork Long Canyon Creek, South Fork Long Canyon Creek), and medium
reservoirs (Middle Fork Interbay, Ralston Afterbay). Implementation of measures
incorporated into BA/BE Appendix C will protect fish species during dewatering
activities. These measures will include capturing all fish prior to dewatering of diversion
pools or reservoirs and relocating them downstream of the construction area.
Appropriate data (e.g., records of fish rescued) will be obtained during the fish rescue
and provided to appropriate resource agencies following completion of the sediment
management or modification/construction activities.
Although the facility modification/construction activities will result in a temporary loss of
habitat for fish species, implementation of these activities under the Proposed Action
will enhance aquatic habitats over the license term by:
• Providing increased sediment supply (e.g., spawning gravels) in several bypass
stream reaches (Duncan Creek, North Fork Long Canyon Creek, South Fork
Long Canyon Creek, and Middle Fork American River below Middle Fork
Interbay) and in the peaking reach;
• Eliminating the need for periodic sediment removal activities at the small stream
diversions (Duncan Creek, North Fork Long Canyon Creek, South Fork Long
Canyon Creek)
• Providing the ability to implement new MIFs, new environmental pulse flows, and
the downramp of spill flows.
With implementation of the BMPs to protect water quality and measures to minimize
potential fish mortality, the Proposed Action facility modification and facility construction
activities will maintain or protect fish and aquatic species. Implementation of the
Proposed Action will be an overall enhancement to the fish and aquatic species and
their habitat compared to the No-Action Alternative.
6.2.5 Additional Measures to Protect Aquatic Species and Habitat
The Proposed Action also includes measures in the FPMP (PCWA 2011o; SD A),
FYLFMP (PCWA 2011p; SD A), WPTMP (PCWA 2011s; SD A), and WQMP (PCWA
2011t; SD A) to further protect aquatic resources as follows:
February 2011 6-31