Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

in the fall at the upper end of the lake by FWS personnel. Also,molting geese were observed in the Allison Lake Basin by FWS personnelduring 1979.Extensive waterfowl use is made of the intertidal area around upperPort Valdez and the Lowe River Delta. Numerous seabirds inhabitthat area also. Waterfowl present in the Valdez area year-roundinclude scoters, goldeneye, common and red-breasted mergansers,mallards, buffleheads, harlequins, and Canada geese. Others seasonallypresent in the Valdez area include pintails, teals, wigeons,oldsquaws, and shovelers.Northern bald eagles are common in the Valdez area. Personnel ofthe FWS conducted a survey in 1976, locating 23 eagles and 10 nestswithin Port Valdez (includes all of the shoreline inside of MiddleRock except for the Lowe River flats south of old Valdez). Twonests were identified within three miles on the mouth of AllisonCreek, one on each side of the stream (see Figure 5). Congregationsof eagles are attracted by salmon to mouths of stream which flowinto Port Valdez. The carcasses of salmon are an important additionto the diet of both resident and migratory eagles. Other raptorsfound in the Valdez area include the osprey, red-tailed hawk, sharpshinnedhawk, goshawk, and Peale's peregine falcon.No terrestrial threatened or endangered species are known to occurin the Valdez area. The endangered finback and humpback whales havebeen sited in Port Valdez. Peale's peregrine falcon is not listedas an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.Hunting, hiking, and overnight recreational use in the Allison Lakearea appear to be limited, due to the rugged terrain. However, arough hiking trail to the lake is presently used by local residents.Port Valdez is used, or occasionally visited, by the followingmarine mammals: northern fur seal, harbor seal, sea otter, northernsea lion, killer whale, humpback whale, Dall's porpoise, and harborporpoise. The nearshore area from 0.3 mile west of Allison Creek to0.3 mile west of Dayville Flats Creek has been identified as afeeding area for sea otters and harbor seals.The flow regime of Allison Creek varies from high flow in earlysummer and fall to low flow in the late winter and early spring.Specific data are lacking and that data available is given in TableIV.PROJECT IMPACTSImpacts which would result from the project are discussed in twocategories: construction, and operation and maintenance.Construction: At present, no access road is planned to AllisonLake. This considerably reduces the possible impacts of the projecton the upland area. The road and rock dump associated with thetunnel construction will cover existing vegetation, as well ascreate a scar visible from Valdez. Weathering of the rock will