Electrical Power for Valdez and the Copper River Basin-1981

slopes surrounding Allisorl Lake are almost exclusively covered by alpinetundra. At the head of Allison Lake is a small vegetated wetland area.Detailed information and vegetative species lists concerning this wetlandarea are lacking as well as the significance to the wildlife species ofthis area.The affected marine vegetation, which may oe impacted by the proposedproject, visually consists mainly of rockweed (Fucus distichus) andcoraline algae (Lithothamnion sp.). Tnese two algal representives areabundant in the intertidal area around the mouth of Allison Creek.The PRT site is located in a spruce-hardwood forest. Tne hardwoodsconsist of birch and cottonwood with an understory primarily of alders,salmonberry, blueberry, and devils club.b. Wildlife: Wildlife species known to occur in the project areainclude brown Dear, black Dear, mountain goat, wolf, wolverine, marten,porcupine, and snowshoe hare. Moose are also present in small numbersalong the Lowe River delta. The densities of the respective populationsare unknown. Very little information is available on small mammals inthe project area. A list of known species living in or around Valdez isin Appendix E, Table 5.The most conmlOn ly observed mammal near the proposed All i son site areblack bear. Both black and brown bear have been observed near the PRTsite with the highest concentrations occurring during the salmon runs.c. Birds: Approximately 150 species of birds have been observedwitnin the Port Valdez area. Waterfowl are numerous seasonally, withsome seabirds residing year-round.Waterfowl utilize Allison Lake to some extent. Canada geese and dabblerducks have been observed on the lake, however, not in large numbers. Thelake appears to support waterfowl for resting, possiole feeding, andmolting. Tne intertidal area probably supports waterfowl and waterrelated biras year-rouna, mainly for feeding.The Port Valdez area contains most of the major bird habitat groups foundin Alaska (see Appendix E, Table 6 for species list).Northern bald eagles are commonly observed in the Port Valdez area.Several eagle nests have been documented in the area of the proposedsites by the joint State/Federal Fish and Wildlife Advisory Team and theU.S. Fish and Wilalife Service. Refer to Figure 6 for the locations ofthe nests.d. F1Sh: Allisun Creek is a high gradient creek wnich restrictsfish movement to the lower reaches, approximately the lower quartermile. Spawning habitat for pink and chum salmon occurs from the existingE1S-5