Terrestrial Studies and Permitting for T-Line Maintenance on Federal Land

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1 Terrestrial Studies and Permitting for T-Line Maintenance on Federal Land 2018 Annual Conference February 21-23, 2018 Jeff Boyce Forest Ecologist Meridian Environmental

2 Evolution of a Project Project Location and Proposed Action T-Line Access Methods Regulatory Guidance / Requirements Terrestrial Issues Survey Protocol and Results Impacts Discussion Non-Project Issue Wetland Impact Monitoring Lessons Learned

3 Project Overview SEAPA (Southeast Alaska Power Agency) Serves communities of Ketchikan, Wrangell, & Petersburg Swan Lake and Tyee Lake Hydro Projects 175 miles of overhead T-Line and 14 miles of submarine cable Required by FERC to keep vegetation from interfering with the overhead lines Remote and difficult access to segments across a series of islands ROW easement on Tongass National Forest Access to sites and management of vegetation guided by Special Use Permit

4 Proposed Action Reduce helicopter costs for vegetation maintenance activities Feasibility study identified T-line segments that might be accessed by other methods Replace helicopter with boat access and ground transportation Prepare EA evaluating alternative access methods

5 Project Location Nine segments across four islands Green segments evaluated for alternative access Segment lengths range from 2-5 miles Alternative access to, and within segments

6 T-Line Access Methods Replace helicopter with more cost effective alternative Argo Off-Highway-Vehicle. Wide track, < 1 psi ground pressure Can cross rough terrain, and up to 30% slopes Includes trailer for field equipment Boat or vehicle trailer to T-line access points

7 Regulatory Guidance / Requirements Forest Service Access and Travel Management Rule 36 CFR 212, 251, 261, and 295 Requires the designation of roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicle use Prohibits the use of motorized vehicles outside of designated areas District s Access and Travel Management Plans NEPA Environmental Assessment Special Use Permit Amendment

8 Terrestrial Issues Rare / Sensitive Plants Weeds Wetlands Disturbance to Wildlife Cultural Resources Stream crossings Public Input

9 Survey Protocol Multi-disciplinary field team Botanist (sensitive plants and weeds) Terrestrial ecologist (wetlands and wildlife) Two fish biologists Two cultural / heritage specialists Forest ecologist / field coordinator Safety first Map critical resource information Rare plant / weed locations Streams Verify existing wetland mapping Identify proposed mitigation on-site

10 Survey Results No sensitive plant species found Weeds present at most all access points Wetlands present throughout Numerous wildlife observations Additional documentation for known cultural site Extensive updating of stream mapping

11 Impacts Discussion Wetland impacts expected Magnitude of wetland impacts uncertain No research / studies using similar vehicle on similar soils or landscapes Forest Plan Standards & Guidelines based on: impairment of soil properties resulting in reduced productivity of the land, and erosion and delivery of sediment to streams CWA Section 404 No dredge or fill No change in hydrology Biological issues easily addressed, but the Forest Service needed an unexpected amount of time to address a non-project social issue

12 Non-Project Issue Long-term and on-going unauthorized ATV use Known for years, but unmanaged and uncontrolled Forest Service Dilemma How to authorize OHV use for the utility, while enforcing unauthorized use Delayed the NEPA decision

13 Wetland Impacts Monitoring How to determine project impacts from unauthorized use impacts Before and after use photos Examples of unauthorized use impacts

14 Lessons Learned Existing regulatory parameters did not address wetland impacts The most significant terrestrial issue could be a social problem Simple solutions with relatively minor impacts can still encounter regulatory tank traps Vegetation management is a minor challenge compared to people management

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16 Questions? Jeff Boyce, Forest Ecologist Meridian Environmental