3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
Consultation with NOAA Fisheries and ADF&G confirmed that the following three
groundfish, one forage fish, and five Pacific salmon species have designated EFH within the
Study Area. 49
Groundfish
• Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)
• Sculpin (Cottidae spp.)
• Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)
Forage fish
• Eulachon (Thaleichtys pacificus)
Pacific salmon
• Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
• Chum salmon (O. keta)
• Coho salmon (O. kisutch)
• Pink salmon (O. gorbuscha)
• Sockeye salmon (O. nerka)
The Mat-Su
No anadromous fish streams, and thus no EFH-designated waters, are located within the
Mat-Su portion of the Study Area (Figure 3.56). However, there are numerous anadromous
fish streams within the Mat-Su, but outside of the study area that contribute to anadromous
fish populations within Knik Arm. These streams and rivers include Goose Creek, Fish
Creek, Willow Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Wasilla Creek, the Matanuska River, and the Knik
River (ADF&G 2005a).
Knik Arm
Life stages of the EFH species present within Knik Arm are given in Table 3-29. Detailed
life cycle and habitat information for all of these fishes is provided in the Essential Fish
Habitat Assessment (Appendix F) conducted for the proposed KAC project. A summary of
the Assessment findings is provided below.
49 Personal communication, Larry Peltz, Fisheries Scientist, NOAA Fisheries, phone conversation with John
Burnett, September 19, 2005
3-196 12/18/07