Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

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20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 project powerlines including northern goshawk, golden eagle, osprey, California spotted owl, flammulated owl, great gray owl, and American peregrine falcon. Protection of Newly Designated Special Status Plants and Wildlife Project effects have not been assessed for special-status species that may move into the project-affected area or for species that may become newly listed or receive a special status from California Fish and Game, FWS, or the Forest Service. PCWA proposes in its Sediment Management Plan, VIPMP, Bald Eagle Management Plan, Recreation Monitoring Plan, Transportation System Management Plan, and Historic Properties Management Plan to consult with the Forest Service, California Fish and Game, and FWS annually to discuss appropriate measures to protect new special status plants, wildlife nest, roost, or den sites; identify other resources to be protected during implementation of routine maintenance activities; and discuss the effectiveness of avoidance and protective measures. Special status plant and raptor nest and winter roost surveys would be conducted at 5 year intervals, which would include any newly designated special status plants and raptors. Prior to facility modification or construction activities, surveys would be conducted to determine if any active special status raptor nests occur in proximity of proposed construction activities. If active nests are found, construction would not occur within 500 feet of the next during the nesting season. Alternative 1 plans area either the same as the proposed plans or have the same provisions for annual agency consultation to discuss avoidance and protective measures. Forest Service condition no. 27 specifies that if new occurrences of Forest Service special-status species are detected prior to or during ongoing construction, operation, or maintenance of the project, PCWA would immediately notify the Forest Service and develop and implement protective measures as appropriate. In addition, PCWA would develop a study plan to assess project effects on newly listed special-status species if they are likely to occur on project-affected area. Forest Service condition no. 11 specifies that PCWA would prepare and submit a biological evaluation for Forest Service approval prior to taking actions to construct new project features on NFS lands that may affect Forest Service special-status species. NMFS and Interior make similar recommendations pertaining to federal and state special status species. Our Analysis The Alternative 1 supplemental filing does not directly address Forest Service conditions 11 and 27, but implementation of the annual consultation with California Fish and Game, Forest Service, and FWS, and monitoring specified in both the proposed and Alternative 1 plans would enable appropriate avoidance and protective measures to be taken in the event of new information regarding species presence in the project area or changes in the status of species that were previously not considered special status species. If a new species is to be addressed, identification of project-related effects and subsequent avoidance, protection, or minimization measures developed through a Forest Service biological evaluation (for species that may occur on NFS lands), FWS biological 182
20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012 assessment, and/or equivalent means of addressing effects on state and federal special status species would protect the resources. However, before construction of new project features not addressed in this EIS could occur, PCWA would first need to file with the Commission an application to amend its license. If appropriate, a biological evaluation or, if federally-listed species could be involved, a biological assessment for special status species would be developed as part of the license amendment proceeding. Bear-Human Interaction Management Interactions between bears and humans can increase at camp site areas where human food and trash has the potential to entice bears. Existing project recreation facilities include single camp units that typically include a bear-proof food storage locker and group camp units that typically include bear-proof garbage containers and bear-proof food storage lockers. PCWA proposes to include a bear-resistant garbage container when developing the Duncan Creek diversion primitive recreation site. Forest Service condition no. 28 specifies that within 1 year of license issuance, PCWA would, in consultation with Forest Service and California Fish and Game, prepare a bear management monitoring plan that is approved by the Forest Service and California Fish and Game. The Forest Service provides a rationale stating that this measure is needed to ensure that project facilities and associated recreational use do not result in bear-human interaction problems. Our Analysis Continuing to establish and maintain bear-proof garbage containers and bear-proof food storage lockers, as proposed by PCWA and also included in Alternative 1, would continue to minimize the potential for human and bear interactions. The Forest Service provides no information on why this plan may be needed and we are not aware of any reported problem interactions in the project area between bears and humans. In addition, no details are provided regarding what specifically would be included in the plan. No information as to what would be monitored (bear populations, effectiveness of bear-proof containers, or both) and what types of bear management actions beyond those already in use are envisioned. Given the paucity of information provided regarding the need for this plan, we have no basis to evaluate any benefits that may result from development and implementation of a bear management monitoring plan. Protection of Special-Status Wildlife Species during Routine Maintenance Activities, Modification of Existing Facilities, and Construction of New Facilities Habitat removal and modification, as a result of routine maintenance activities, modification of existing facilities, and construction of new facilities, has the potential to nesting riparian songbirds, raptors, and mammals. The analysis below is grouped by species that use similar habitat types (i.e., riparian, aquatic, forest). 183
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41 Table 3.3.1-1. Average number of
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43 Site/Release Location Gravel Ini
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45 a Q 1 - TSR, Table G-1 (PCWA, 20
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69 Table 3.3.2-3. Hydrology for sel
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71 Exceedances and Summary Statisti
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91 Figure 3.3.2-6. Fish passage bar
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105 Location American River below M
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253 Table 3.3.6-1. Archaeological a
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255 Resource Number Type a Descript
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275 Table 4-2. Summary of annual co
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279 Enhancement/Mitigation Measures
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303 c Base 2010 costs were provided
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307 Resource No-Action Alternative
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319 Table 5-2. Staff-recommended mi
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321 Location Middle Fork American R
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