Before the FERC Application for New License for the Annex Creek ...

E-20
5.0 REPORT ON RECREATIONAL RESOURCES
The continued operation of the Annex Creek and Salmon Creek Hydroelectric
Project (Project) will not alter conditions with respect to recreational
resources since neither new construction nor changes in operation are
proposed. The App 1 i cant began 1 ts assessllent of recreationa 1 resources in
January 1985 by contact; ng appropri ate agenci es inc 1 udi ng the Alaska Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest
Service (USFS), and Clty and Borough of Juneau (CBJ). Many of these agencies
sent representatives to a scoplng meeting held in Juneau on January 17, 1985
to discuss agency interests with respect to the license application. (Copies
of information submitted to agencies during the scoping process are included
in Appendix E-1.) Consultation with these agencies has continued throughout
the preparation of this application.
The Project consi sts of two separate components t one located at
Annex Creek, a remote site above Taku Inlet, and the other at Salmon Creek,
located 2.5 miles outside of downtown Juneau. Slnce each is a completely
separate component, each will be discussed separately.
5.1 ANNEX CREEK COMPONENT
5.1.1 Existing Recreational Facilities
The Annex Creek Project area has no developed recreational facilities.
The Project reservoir can only be reached by hlking along the penstock
or by float plane. The nearest recreational faci 1 ity is Sheep Creek Trail
which begins east of Thane and extends approximately 3 miles to the base of
Power1ine Ridge. The USFS classification of Sheep Creek Trail changes from
Level I to Level II as it continues to the Carlson Creek watershed, located
approximately 2.5 miles southwest of Annex Lakes. Recreational facilities in
the vicinity of Annex Creek are shown in Exhibit E-5.
5.1.2 Existing Recreational Use
Since no developed public recreational facilities exist, no recreation
participation data haye been collected at the Annex Creek site.
According to AELP employees, very few people use the area for recreational
purposes. During spring, which is typically a popular outdoor recreation
season in the Juneau area, vis i bl1 i ty at the Annex Creek site is often very
poor, which precludes flying to Upper Annex Lake Reservoir. During the
wi nter, when the reservoi r ; s frozen, the area often experi ences MTaku" wi nds
which can reach velocities of oyer 100 mph; these conditions also make it too
hazardous to fly into the area