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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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weir to <strong>the</strong> mouth, with <strong>the</strong> majority of spawning occurring in <strong>the</strong>intertidal area. There are approximately 500 lineal feet of suitableintertidal spawning habitat. Prior to <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> weir byAlyesKa Pipeline Service Company <strong>for</strong> a water gallery, it is believed pinKsalmon spawning, in odd years when stronger runs occurred, existed above<strong>the</strong> weir. A fiSh passage facility was incorporated with <strong>the</strong> weirconstruction, however, it has proven unsuccessful.Escapement <strong>for</strong> Allison CreeK has been estimated by <strong>the</strong> AlasKa Departmentof Fish <strong>and</strong> Game <strong>and</strong> indicates a high of 750 spawning pink salmon in 1961<strong>and</strong> a high of 2,660 chum salmon in 1963 (Appendix E, Table 7). The AlaskaDepartment of Fish <strong>and</strong> Game attempted an escapement count in August of1980. Due to high turbidity, <strong>the</strong> count was unsuccessful.Dolly Varden char, <strong>and</strong> sculpin have also been identified as using AllisonCreek. Allison Lake has no known fishery population.e. Marine: The intertidal area at <strong>the</strong> mouth of Allison CreeK consistsof gravel, small cobble, <strong>and</strong> boulders. There is little saltwaterintrusion of Allison Creek because of <strong>the</strong> gradient of <strong>the</strong> creek near <strong>the</strong>mouth. Dense populations of rockweed <strong>and</strong> blue mussel (Mytilus edulis)are <strong>the</strong> most conspicuous species. Smaller populations of gastropods,arthropods, <strong>and</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r marine invertebrates typical of a rocky,semiprotected shoreline occur within <strong>the</strong> area which may be affected by<strong>the</strong> proposed project. Although no finfish were observed, <strong>the</strong> areaprobably supports those fish typical of <strong>the</strong> nearshore habitat.Port <strong>Valdez</strong> supports <strong>and</strong> is visited by several marine mammals which maybe affected by <strong>the</strong> proposed project. HIe shore area from 0.3 miles westof Allison Creek to 0.3 miles west of Dayville Flats Creek has beenidentified as a feeding area <strong>for</strong> sea otters <strong>and</strong> harbor seals.Species lists <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> marine environment in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Valdez</strong> area are includedin Appendix E, Table 5.f. Rdre <strong>and</strong> Endangered Species: No rare <strong>and</strong> endangered species wereidentified <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> proposed project area. Refer to U.S. Fish <strong>and</strong>Wildlife letter, Appendix E.3. Socio-economicsPrior to <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> Alaska Railroad, <strong>Valdez</strong> was <strong>the</strong> onlyall-season port of entry to <strong>the</strong> interior. The AlasKa Railroad established<strong>the</strong> rail system from Seward to Fairbanks through Anchorage whicheliminated <strong>Valdez</strong> as an important port of entry to <strong>the</strong> interior.During <strong>the</strong> perioo preceding <strong>the</strong> construction of <strong>the</strong> Trans-Alaskapipeline, government was HIe largest employer. Although its importancehas lessened, government is still <strong>the</strong> largest single employer today.The population of <strong>Valdez</strong> has fluctuated dramatically in <strong>the</strong> past decadebecause of <strong>the</strong> local construction boom associated with <strong>the</strong> Trans AlaskaEIS-7

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