Bucks Creek Relicensing Project FERC Project No. 619

Transcription

1 Bucks Creek Relicensing Project FERC Project No. 619 Updated Study Report (USR) Meeting October 5, 2016

2 Agenda 9:30 9:45 am Introductions and Agenda review 9:45 11:30 pm Presentation of Updated Study Report Summary of Study Progress 11:30 12:30 pm Bald Eagle and Osprey Study Results and PM&Es 12:30 1:00 pm Wrap-up 2

3 Safety Moment 3

4 Meeting Purpose and Objective Present status and study results for USR consistent with 18 CFR

5 Updated Study Report Overview Must be filed no later than two years following FERC approval of Study Plan Study Plan progress and schedule Variances from the Study Descriptions Modifications or new studies proposed by the Applicant Filed USR with FERC September 23,

6 Updated Study Report Overview Summary of Status Progress on 29 Study Descriptions Study Objective and Goal Summary of findings (if work performed since ISR) TM status Variances or modifications, if any 6 Technical Memoranda (TMs) included in USR 6

7 Study Results Overview 7 Studies still in progress or under analysis WR-S1 Water Temperature Monitoring RTE-S1 Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles RR-S2 Whitewater Boating and Fishing Flow Assessment FA-S2 Fish Entrainment Risk Assessment FA-S3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study FA-S4 Stream Habitat and Passage Barrier Assessment CR-S1 Assess Archaeological and Historic-Era Properties 7

8 Study Results Overview TMs for in-progress studies will be available in fall or winter 2016 Current plan is to include nearly all TMs and associated information with FLA in December TMs that may slip to January o RR-S2 Whitewater Boating and Fishing Flow o WR-S1 Water Temperature Monitoring 2016 o CR-S1 Archeological Properties 8

9 Updated Study Report Review Schedule 18 CFR 5.15(f) Lead Action Date Licensees Relicensing Participants File Updated Study Report (USR) with FERC 9/23/16 Conduct USR Meeting 10/5/16 Licensees File USR Meeting Summary 10/20/16 (expected) Relicensing Participants Relicensing Participants FERC File Comments on meeting summary and USR with FERC including study disputes/requests to modify Study Plan 11/21/16 (expected) File response to comments 12/21/16 Issues Determination on Disputes/Amendments 1/20/17 9

10 FERC Process Status Update Draft License Application Filed July 28, 2016 FERC and Agency Review Comments due October 26, 2016 Final License Application Aiming to be ready for filing December 9, 2016 Due December 31, 2016 FERC Ready for Environmental Analysis Earliest date February 21,

11 Summary of Study Progress Licensee Proposed Study Description Modifications or Additions Four modifications previously discussed with Relicensing Participants FA-S6 Special-status Mollusks FA-S5 Stream Fish Population FA-S3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study FA-S4 Bucks, Grizzly, and Milk Ranch Creeks Stream Habitat and Passage Barrier Assessment No additions 11

12 Criteria for Modification of Approved Study 18 CFR 5.15 (d) Any proposal to modify an ongoing study must be accompanied by a showing of good cause why the proposal should be approved, and must include, as appropriate that Approved studies were not conducted as provided in the Study Plan; or Study was conducted under anomalous environmental conditions or that environmental conditions have changed in a material way 12

13 Criteria for New Study 18 CFR 5.15 (e) Any proposal for new information gathering or a new study must be accompanied by a showing of good cause why the proposal should be approved, and must include, as appropriate that Any material changes in the law or regulations applicable to the information request; Why the goals and objectives of any approved study could not be met with the approved study methodology; Why the request was not made earlier; Significant changes in the project proposal or that significant new information material to the study objectives have become available; and Why the new study request satisfies the seven study criteria in 18 CFR 5.9(b) 13

14 Criteria for New Study, cont. 18 CFR 5.15 (f) Updated Study Report: Any proposal for new information gathering or studies is subject to paragraph (e) of this section except that the proponent must demonstrate extraordinary circumstances warranting approval. 14

15 Summary of Study Progress 15

16 GS-S1 Erosion and Sedimentation Objective: Inventory and map active and past erosion and sedimentation sites Study completed in 2015; no additional data collected since ISR filing Technical Memorandum (TM-17) issued January 13,

17 GS-S2 Channel Morphology & Fluvial Geomorphic Processes Objectives: Assess potential geomorphic effects of altered sediment supply and transport Provide information to assess ecological effects of any geomorphic changes and to develop PM&E measures Study completed in 2015; no additional data collected since ISR filing TM-22 issued January 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 17

18 WR-S1 Water Temperature Monitoring Objective: Increase understanding of Project effect on water temperature 2015 Monitoring Period Results: Daily average water temperatures: 6.0ºC 23.2ºC Lowest temperatures below Project reservoirs Two variances during the 2015 monitoring period: Wind speed data not collected from May 1 to July 16 due to equipment malfunction Newer temperature logger model used in place of the model specified in the Study Plan TM-26 issued February 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA Additional year of monitoring (2016) to be summarized in new TM 18

19 WR-S2 Water Quality Assessment Objective: Determine level of consistency of reservoirs and Project-affected stream reaches with water quality standards 2015 Monitoring Period Results: Data collected were typically within published limits for surface water quality objectives in the CVRWQCB Basin Plan One variance during the 2015 monitoring period: Turbidity data were not recorded at 4 monitoring stations during May 2015 due to equipment malfunction TM-10 issued February 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 19

20 WR-S3 Develop Unimpaired & Regulated Hydrology for Project- Affected Stream Reaches & Evaluate with IHA Model Objective: Work with Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop unimpaired flow regimes for Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration analysis and for WR-S4 Study No additional data collected this period One variance: Discussion on water year types delayed because operation alternatives are still in development TM issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 20

21 WR-S4 Develop Project Operations Model Objective: Work with TWG to develop Project Operations Model using unimpaired flow records developed in WR- S3 Study No additional data collected this period; no variances TM issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 21

22 WR-S5 Water Temperature Modeling Objective: Characterize water temperature and stream flow relationship in Grizzly Creek, and assess potential Project effects on water temperatures in NFFR Data used in the model was collected in WR-S1 Study One variance: TM-36 issuance delayed until September 2016 and the TM was issued with the USR. 22

23 FA-S1 Reservoir Fish Species Composition Objective: Collect additional information about the condition of fisheries in Project reservoirs 2015 Sampling Results: 667 fish caught in Project reservoirs One variance: boat electrofisher timer malfunctioned, but CPUE was calculated using survey area and total time fished TM-02 issued February 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA Lake trout: Bucks Lake 23

24 FA-S2 Fish Entrainment Risk Assessment Objective: Assess potential for fish entrainment into Project facilities using data from FA-S1 and intake flow data Results: Fish observed near intake structures at Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay were large trout capable of escaping entrainment Golden shiner were entrained at Three Lakes when the lake was completely drawn down. No trout species were entrained No variances Entrainment sampling at Three Lakes Dam to be completed in September 2016; the TM will be issued in Fall 2016 and will be included in the FLA 24

25 FA-S3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study Objective: Assess BMI assemblages Results: Most samples indicated average to good quality BMI assemblages Two variances: Addition of 4 sampling sites 7 sample sites had shorter reaches than specified in the Study Plan TM-35 issued May 19, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA Results for second-year study for site MRC-2 will be analyzed and issued in an updated TM in winter , and hopefully included in FLA 25

26 FA-S4 Bucks, Grizzly, & Milk Ranch Creeks Stream Habitat & Passage Assessment Objective: Map stream habitats and assess fish passage barriers Results: Stream habitat typing results similar to prior mapping Demonstration flow surveys at Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion No. 3 completed August 2016 Two variances: Velocity profiles were not included at all transects and flows during demonstration flow surveys (in consultation with resource agencies) Milk Ranch Conduit Diversion No. 3 surveys conducted during natural flows due to construction delays TM-25 issued February 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA; updated TM with Milk Ranch Conduit Demonstration Flow surveys will be issued in Fall 2016 with FLA TM with Bucks and Grizzly Creek Demonstration Flow survey results will be issued in Fall with the FLA 26

27 FA-S5 Stream Fish Population Study Objective: Assess stream fish populations Results: Trout populations in good condition; predominantly a rainbow trout fishery with brown and potentially brook trout in upper elevations Fry emergence timing indicates spawning in late January through April No variances TM-11 issued February 18, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA; Updated TM with 2016 fry emergence results included in USR 27

28 FA-S6 Special-Status Mollusks Study Objective: Gather information on special-status mollusks that may occur in Project-affected stream reaches Study completed in 2015; no additional data collected since ISR filing Updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 28

29 RTE-S1 Special-Status Amphibian & Aquatic Reptiles Objective: Survey to gather information on presence, distribution, and abundance of special-status amphibians and aquatic reptiles that may occur in Project-affected reaches Objective in 2016 was to complete secondyear western pond turtle study protocol Results (2016): No western pond turtles observed in 2016 One variance identified since ISR filing: federal 10(a)1(A) Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog recovery permit was not issued by USFWS during the 2015 survey year. Therefore, dip-netting in shallow littoral and riparian zones for tadpoles and small individuals was not conducted. TM-13 issued November 19, 2015; Updated TM with 2016 results will be issued fall 2016 with the FLA 29

30 RTE-S2 Bald Eagle and Osprey Objective: Gather information on bald eagles and osprey to assess for potential effects of Project operations 2016 Survey Results: 2 bald eagle young produced at both Bucks Lake and Grizzly Forebay territories Bucks Lake bald eagle pair relocated nesting site from Rainbow Point to southern lakeshore 1 osprey nest and 1 bald eagle nest located within 0.25 mile of active helipads No human use-bald eagle conflicts identified One variance: 4 additional helipads included in the survey area TM issued July 28, 2016 with DLA; updated TM included in USR 30

31 RTE-S3 Willow Flycatcher Objectives: Monitor habitat conditions at Haskins Valley and conduct protocol nesting surveys for willow flycatcher Results: 2015 Haskins Valley willow flycatcher habitat condition consistent with previous 10 years No evidence of nesting willow flycatchers in 2016 in study area No variances TM issued January 12, 2016; updated TM included in USR 31

32 RTE-S4 Special-Status Bat Species Objective: Assess whether special-status bat species are roosting in or on Project facilities and determine any Project effects Results (2015): No special-status bat species were documented roosting in or on Project structures Acoustic detectors recorded calls of 17 bat species, including 6 special-status species Two variances since the ISR: Acoustic data was not collected at 3 locations during some months due to equipment malfunction; however, data collection requirements were met Fall mist netting locations at 2 sites were slightly adjusted in comparison to summer efforts, and 1 site was not resampled due to inclement weather TM-32 issued on May 5, 2016 Silver-haired bat 32

33 RTE-S5 Special-Status, Elderberry Shrub, and Culturally Significant Plants Objective: Conduct comprehensive floristic study in study area and around Project features Results (2016): Yosemite moonwort was not found at the previously documented Bucks Penstock Road location Yosemite moonwort was found at the previously documented Mill Creek Road location TM-12 issued October 27, 2015; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA; second updated TM with moonwort data included in USR 33

34 RTE-S6 Goshawk Distribution and Nest Locations Objective: Determine if northern goshawk occupies or nests in Project Affected Area, and collect relevant information No additional data collected since ISR filing Two variances identified since ISR filing: 4 additional helipads were included in the survey area Broadcast stations were placed farther apart (300 m) than outlined in Study Plan (200 m) TM-15 issued January 12, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 34

35 RTE-S7 Spotted Owl Distribution and Nest Locations Objective: Determine if California spotted owl occupies or nests in Project Affected Area, and collect relevant information No additional data collected since ISR filing One variance identified since ISR filing: 4 additional helipads included in the survey area TM-14 issued November 20, 2015; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 35

36 RWL-S1 Riparian and Wetlands Survey Objectives: Assess linkages between stream flow and riparian habitat, and between reservoir levels/recreation and wetland habitats Address questions regarding Project O&M and recreation effects on riparian and wetland habitats Study completed in 2015; no additional data collected since ISR filing TM-09 issued September 25, 2015 with ISR; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 36

37 BR-S1 Vegetation Community Mapping Objective: Determine effects of the Project on vegetation communities Study completed in 2015; no additional data collected since ISR filing TM-08 issued September 25, 2015 with ISR; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 37

38 RR-S1 Recreational Facilities and Use Objective: Assess Project-related recreation use Significant Results since the ISR: Haskins Valley Boat Launch, Hutchins Group Campground, and Mill Creek Campground should be reconstructed, and some other facilities need repairs or maintenance None of the recreation facilities were in complete compliance with accessibility guidelines, although some of this is due to site constraints Weekday shoreline use was approximately half that of weekend use 38

39 RR-S1 Recreational Facilities and Use, cont. Significant Results, cont.: Highest shoreline use at Bucks Lake, followed by Lower Bucks Lake, Grizzly Forebay, and Three Lakes The number of boats-at-one-time on Bucks Lake is below the carrying capacity standard Visitor questionnaires provided insight into preferred recreation activities, condition of facilities, etc. Two variances: Grizzly Powerhouse Fishing Access was included during facilities assessments Water surface use was determined from the shore rather than by boat in October

40 RR-S1 Recreational Facilities and Use, cont. 5 TMs (TM-27 through TM-31) all issued on April 21, 2016 TM-27, TM-30, and TM-31 updated to address comments and issued again on July 28, 2016 with DLA 40

41 RR-S2 Whitewater Boating and Fishing Flow Assessment Objective: Characterize existing and potential opportunities for whitewater boating and fishing use by assessing Project bypassed reaches Result: Grizzly Creek potentially navigable by highly skilled boaters Two variances: A Phase 2 ground-based site visit was not conducted Phase 3 will consist of a single controlled spill event TM-04 issued September 25, 2015 Phase 3 will occur in fall Updated TM in fall-winter 2016 and will hopefully be included in FLA 41

42 RR-S2 Whitewater Boating and Fishing Flow Assessment, cont. Trail assessments required in FERC study determination in response to ISR. Objective: Describe general trail conditions, landownership, road access, and improvements necessary to re-establish trail and parking at trailheads Wildcat Creek Trail (access to Grizzly Creek) Assessment completed 9/7/2016 Tobin Trail (access to Bucks Creek) Assessment completed 9/20/2016 The TM will be prepared in fall-winter 2016 and will hopefully be included in FLA 42

43 RR-S3 Reservoir Level Assessment Objective: Assess how Project operations influence Bucks Lake water surface elevations and potential effects on recreation No additional data collected since ISR filing No variances identified since ISR filing TM-16 issued November 16, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 43

44 LU-S1 Maintenance of Project-Related Roads Objective: Assess potential maintenance needs of Project-related roads No additional data collected since ISR filing No variances identified since ISR filing TM issued November 16, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on July 28, 2016 with DLA 44

45 CR-S1 Assess Archaeological and Historic-Era Properties Objective: Assess Project effects on prehistoric and historic cultural resources and properties. Built Environment: Inventoried and evaluated for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) 21 historic period resources, some multicomponent. Identified an NRHP eligible district: Bucks Creek Hydroelectric System Historic District. Archeological Resources: Surveyed 1,986 acres of the 2,154 acres APE. Identified 21 new sites, updated 43 previously recorded sites, and identified 13 isolates. Evaluated 30 of the sites for the NRHP based on analysis of potential project effects at sites and found 10 sites eligible for NRHP. 45

46 CR-S1 Assess Archaeological and Historic-Era Properties, cont. Study included development of two TMs: TM 20: Assess Historic-Era Properties. Issued January 7, 2016 and updated April 11, TM 24: Assess Archaeological Properties. Issued March 10, 2016 with final TM-24 to be issued Fall One variance: TM-24 was issued later than anticipated Draft HPMP will be issued in October 2016 and included in the FLA. 46

47 TI-S1 Assess Traditional Cultural Properties Objective: Supplement existing information to assess potential effects of the Project on traditional/tribal spiritual areas No additional data collected since ISR filing One variance identified since ISR filing: resources known to exist below the current water line have not been evaluated for the NRHP TM issued January 7, 2016; updated TM addressing comments issued on May 18, 2016 Updated TM addressing SHPO comments included in USR Draft HPMP will be issued in October 2016 and included in the FLA Portrait of the Wagner girls. Photo courtesy of the Meriam Library Dorothy Hill Collection, CSU, Chico. Photograph SC

48 VQ-S1 Visual Quality Assessment Objective: Assess potential maintenance needs of Project-related roads No additional data collected since ISR filing No variances identified since ISR filing TM issued September 25, 2015 with ISR 48

49 Summary of Study Progress 7 studies still in progress and/or have data currently being analyzed, and TMs will be provided after USR is filed, with results incorporated into the FLA WR-S1 Water Temperature Monitoring* RTE-S1 Special-Status Amphibians and Aquatic Reptiles RR-S2 Whitewater Boating and Fishing Flow Assessment* FA-S2 Fish Entrainment Risk Assessment FA-S3 Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study FA-S4 Stream Habitat and Passage Barrier Assessment CR-S1 Assess Archaeological and Historic-Era Properties* 49

50 Questions/Discussion 50

51 Project Overview 51