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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Our Analysis
Although some riparian habitat would be removed as a result of the proposed and
Alternative 1 actions, we find that increased minimum instream flows, pulse flows with
recession rates (in the bypassed reaches only), and down-ramping of spills below French
Meadows and Hell Hole reservoir would enhance riparian resources along 79 miles of
bypassed reaches and would maintain riparian resources along 28 miles along the peaking
reach. In addition, implementation of minimum reservoir pool requirements, installation
of the Hell Hole spillway gates, and small diversion modifications would maintain
riparian resources at project reservoirs and diversion pools. Implementing measures
incorporated in the Alternative 1 VIPMP, which include vegetation removal outside of
the bird breeding season, would protect nesting birds using riparian habitat, including
species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and reduce the risk of effects on other
breeding special-status species, should they occur in riparian habitat. Although the bird
breeding season does not completely encompass the maternity season for bats, the
riparian-roosting western red bat is not a colonial nester; therefore, it is unlikely that a
large roost would be disturbed.
Aquatic Dependent Wildlife
Proposed actions may affect wildlife species that either forage or breed along or
near aquatic habitat. Project actions that have the potential to affect aquatic dependent
wildlife (such as invertebrate or fish that provide a prey base for special-status wildlife)
include use of pesticides as part of routine vegetation and noxious weed management,
fluctuation of water elevations at small and medium diversions, increasing instream flows
in the bypassed and peaking reaches, reducing flow fluctuations in the peaking reach,
changing reservoir volume, modification of diversion pools, and continued stocking of
fish in French Meadows and Hell Hole reservoirs. In addition to foothill yellow-legged
frog, western pond turtle, bald eagle, and osprey (discussed previously), other specialstatus
bird species and mammals have been documented foraging at project-affected
streams and reservoirs (e.g., American white pelican, Vaux’s swift, pallid bat,
Townsend’s big-eared bat, and western red bat) and could potentially breed near project
waterbodies (e.g., harlequin duck).
PCWA’s proposed and Alternative 1 sediment management activities and
modification of minimum instream flows, spill flows, and pulse flows are described
previously in this section in the discussion of the foothill yellow-legged frog and in more
detail in sections 3.3.1.2, Geologic and Soils Resources, and 3.3.2.2, Aquatic Resources.
Fluctuation of impoundment water surface elevations as a result of sediment management
activities is described previously in the discussion of the western pond turtle. PCWA’s
proposed and the Alternative 1 VIPMPs are discussed in detail in section 3.3.3.2.1,
Vegetation.
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