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Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

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u. s. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYREGION X1200 SIXTH AVENUESEATTlE. WASHINGTON 981013 DEC ~Colonel Lee R. NunGDistrict EnginEerAlaska District, Cerps of EngineersP. O. Box 7002Anchorage, Alaska Q9510RE: <strong>Electrical</strong> Po~er <strong>for</strong> <strong>Valdez</strong>, Draft Interim Feasibility Report<strong>and</strong> Environmer.tal Impact StatementDear Colonel Nunn:The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ccmpletea its reviewof <strong>the</strong> Draft Interim Feasibility Report <strong>and</strong> Environmental ImpactStatement on Electri:al <strong>Power</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Valdez</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Copper</strong> <strong>River</strong> <strong>Basin</strong>.1. We believe Jhat <strong>the</strong> two tailrace system below <strong>the</strong> powerhouse <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>plannea use: of <strong>the</strong> pressure reducing turbine are desirable aspectsof <strong>the</strong> plan.- We also appreciate <strong>the</strong> discussion of alternative powersources <strong>and</strong> :locaticr,s <strong>for</strong> nydropower. However, we believe that <strong>the</strong>[IS lacks adequate in<strong>for</strong>mation regard>-,g <strong>the</strong> impacts expected fromlake arawaO\'m, durr'ring of tunnel tailings, ana -..ater temperaturemodification by <strong>the</strong> tailrace section. We also believe that publicinvolvement <strong>and</strong> en=rgy conservation shiluld be exp<strong>and</strong>ed ana discussedin greater detail, ~nd that transmiss'on corridors <strong>and</strong> mitigationmeasures should be ;'inal izea. Our specific cCI1'rr:ents 01' <strong>the</strong>se issuesare enclosed as an attachment.We have rateo this oIS as ER-2 due to this lack af in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> project's potential impact on water quality. This ER-2 ratingwill be Dub"tished i~ <strong>the</strong> FedEral ReqistEr in accoroance 'Hith ourresDcnsiblity to in<strong>for</strong>m <strong>the</strong> public of our views as required inSection 309 of <strong>the</strong> Clean Air Act.If you have any questions regarding our C()OOlents or would 1 ike todiscuss <strong>the</strong>m, please feel free to contact ei<strong>the</strong>r me or Scott Berg ofmy staff at (206) 4~2-1285 or (FTS) 399-1285.Sincerely yours,~Lkrl;Gu~r--Elizabeth Coroyn, C~iefEnvironmental Evaluation Branch1. Report findings were based on available data including hydrologiC computeranalyses, recording <strong>the</strong>rmographs <strong>and</strong> a field check of <strong>the</strong> Allison Laketemperature profile. In<strong>for</strong>mation on fisheries resources was obtained from<strong>the</strong> Alaska Department of Fish <strong>and</strong> Game. In all cases where detailedin<strong>for</strong>mation was lacking, a worse case basis was assumed. The section onlake drawdown, disposal of tunnel tailings, <strong>and</strong> transmission corridorshave been revised <strong>for</strong> clarification. Data collecton measures are now inprogress <strong>and</strong> several more are proposed <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> near future. During <strong>the</strong>Advanced Engineering <strong>and</strong> Design (AE&D) phase, intensive ef<strong>for</strong>t by <strong>the</strong>Alaska District <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong> ~ildlife Service would beaccomplished to obtain detailed in<strong>for</strong>mation necessary prior to projectimplementation. During <strong>the</strong> AE&D phase, an environmental document will beprepared as appropriate. The Alaska District is looking <strong>for</strong>ward tocontinued close coordination with your agency as "'ell as o<strong>the</strong>r interestedresource agencies in assuring environmentally sound development whichwould preserve <strong>the</strong> fisn <strong>and</strong> wildlife resources <strong>and</strong> also providehydroelectrical generation to <strong>the</strong> project area.Attachment

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