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

Application for New License Middle Fork American River Project (FERC Project No. 2079)
6.1.1.2 Existing Facility Modification and Construction of New
Facilities ............................................................................. 6-7
6.1.1.3 Routine Operations ............................................................ 6-7
6.1.2 Other Special-Status Plants ............................................................. 6-10
6.1.3 Additional Measures to Protect Plants .............................................. 6-10
6.2 Effects on Aquatic Species and Habitats ..................................................... 6-10
6.2.1 Routine Operations ........................................................................... 6-11
6.2.1.1 Riverine Physical Environment ........................................ 6-11
6.2.1.2 Riverine Aquatic Community ............................................ 6-21
6.2.1.3 Medium Reservoir Aquatic Environment .......................... 6-23
6.2.2 Additional Species-Specific Effects Analysis .................................... 6-23
6.2.2.1 Hardhead ......................................................................... 6-23
6.2.2.2 Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog ............................................ 6-26
6.2.2.3 California Red-Legged Frog ............................................. 6-28
6.2.3 Western Pond Turtle ......................................................................... 6-28
6.2.4 Existing Facility Modification and Construction of New Facilities ...... 6-30
6.2.5 Additional Measures to Protect Aquatic Species and Habitat ........... 6-31
6.3 Effects on Bald Eagle .................................................................................. 6-32
6.3.1 Electrocution on Project Powerlines or Removal of Nests ................ 6-32
6.3.2 Secondary Poisoning ........................................................................ 6-33
6.3.3 Routine Maintenance and Non-Routine Recreation Facility
Activities ........................................................................................... 6-33
6.3.4 Recreation Use ................................................................................. 6-34
6.3.5 Existing Facility Modification and Construction of New Facilities ...... 6-35
6.3.6 Routine Operations ........................................................................... 6-36
6.3.7 Routine Vegetation and Noxious Weed Management ...................... 6-36
6.3.8 Additional Measures to Protect Bald Eagles ..................................... 6-37
6.4 Effects on Northern Goshawk and California Spotted Owl .......................... 6-38
6.4.1 Electrocution on Project Powerlines ................................................. 6-38
6.4.2 Secondary Poisoning ........................................................................ 6-38
6.4.3 Disturbance of Raptor Nests............................................................. 6-38
6.4.3.1 Modification of Existing Facilities and Construction of
New Facilities ................................................................... 6-40
6.4.4 Loss or Degradation of Forest Habitat .............................................. 6-41
6.4.5 Additional Measures to Protect Northern Goshawk and California
Spotted Owl ..................................................................................... 6-41
6.5 Effects on Bats ............................................................................................ 6-41
6.5.1 Additional Measures to Protect Bats ................................................. 6-43
6.6 Effects on Mesocarnivores .......................................................................... 6-43
February 2011 v