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

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
statement of the environmental benefits that would accrue from the proposed hardhead
monitoring, we are unable to justify the potential environment adverse effects on the
monitored population and any benefits that would occur from such monitoring.
Therefore, we are unable to conclude that the benefits of this propose plan would be
worth the associated estimated levelized annual cost of $6,900 for this component of the
proposed Fish Population Monitoring Plan.
Bear Management Monitoring Plan
Forest Service condition no. 28 specifies that, within 1 year of license issuance,
PCWA would, in consultation with the 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 rationale for is that this measure is
needed to ensure that project facilities and associated recreational use do not result in
bear-human interaction problems.
Continuing to establish and maintain bear-proof garbage containers and bearproof
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 or
associated costs. Consequently, we do not recommend inclusion of this measure in a
new license for this project.
Preparation of a Biological Evaluation or Biological Assessment for Future
Construction of Project Facilities
Forest Service condition no. 11 specifies that PCWA would prepare and submit a
biological evaluation to the Forest Service for approval prior to taking actions to
construct new project facilities on NFS lands that may affect Forest Service specialstatus
species. NMFS and Interior make similar recommendations pertaining to federal
and state special-status species. However, before construction of any new project
feature 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.
Consequently, we find that there is no need to include this measure as a condition of a
new license for this project.
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