Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project FERC PROJECT No. 13392
Transcription
Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project FERC PROJECT No. 13392
PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT (PAD) Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project FERC PROJ ECT No. 13392 © Lock +TM Hydro Friends Fund II, LLC Prepared by: 141 Main Street Pittsfield, ME 04967 www.KleinschmidtUSA.com August 2011 LOCK AND DAM 9 HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 13392 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ........................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1-1 2.0 PROCESS PLAN AND SCHEDULE [§ 5.6 (D)(1)] ...................................................... 2-1 2.1 TIME FRAMES FOR PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION, INFORMATION GATHERING, AND STUDIES ..................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 PROPOSED PROCESS MILESTONES ......................................................................... 2-2 2.3 PROPOSED LOCATION AND DATE FOR JOINT AGENCY MEETING AND FOR THE SITE VISIT [§ 5.8 (B)(3)(VIII)] ................................................................................ 2-2 3.0 PROJECT LOCATION, FACILITIES, AND OPERATIONS [§ 5.6 (D)(2)] ................ 3-1 3.1 CONTACT INFORMATION OF EACH PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS AGENT FOR APPLICANT (EXACT NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER) ........... 3-1 3.2 MAPS OF LAND USE WITHIN PROJECT BOUNDARIES (TOWNSHIP, RANGE AND SECTION, STATE, COUNTY, RIVER, RIVER MILE, AND CLOSEST TOWN) AND, IF APPLICABLE, FEDERAL AND TRIBAL LANDS, AND LOCATION OF PROPOSED FACILITIES ............................................................................................................. 3-1 3.3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED FACILITIES ................................................ 3-2 3.3.1 COMPOSITION, DIMENSIONS, AND CONFIGURATION OF DAMS, SPILLWAYS, PENSTOCKS, POWERHOUSES, TAILRACES, ETC. PROPOSED 3.4 3.5 TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROJECT OR CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO IT.......................................................................................................... 3-2 3.3.2 RESERVOIR NORMAL MAXIMUM WATER SURFACE AREA AND ELEVATION AND GROSS STORAGE CAPACITY ............................................. 3-2 3.3.3 NUMBER, TYPE AND CAPACITIES OF TURBINES AND GENERATORS, AND INSTALLED (RATED) CAPACITY OF PROPOSED TURBINES OR GENERATORS............................................................................................. 3-3 3.3.4 NUMBER, LENGTH, VOLTAGE, AND INTERCONNECTIONS OF ANY PRIMARY TRANSMISSION LINES PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROJECT ........................................................................................ 3-3 3.3.5 ENERGY PRODUCTION ............................................................................... 3-4 PROPOSED PROJECT OPERATION, INCLUDING ANY DAILY OR SEASONAL RAMPING RATES, FLUSHING FLOWS, RESERVOIR OPERATIONS, AND FLOOD CONTROL OPERATIONS .......................................................................................... 3-5 A DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW FACILITIES OR COMPONENTS TO BE CONSTRUCTED, PLANS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OR REHABILITATION OF THE PROJECT, AND CHANGES IN PROJECT OPERATION. ...................................... 3-5 3.5.1 REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 3-5 i TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D) 4.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE IMPACTS [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(I)] ............ 4-1 4.1 GEOLOGY AND SOILS [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(II)] ................................................................. 4-1 4.1.1 DESCRIPTION OF GEOLOGICAL FEATURES, INCLUDING BEDROCK LITHOLOGY, STRATIGRAPHY, STRUCTURAL FEATURES, GLACIAL FEATURES, UNCONSOLIDATED DEPOSITS, AND MINERAL RESOURCES ........ 4-1 4.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF SOIL TYPES, OCCURRENCE, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, ERODABILITY AND POTENTIAL FOR MASS SOIL MOVEMENT, AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS ................................ 4-2 4.1.3 DESCRIPTION OF RESERVOIR SHORELINES AND STREAMBANKS, INCLUDING: ............................................................................................... 4-6 4.1.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS AND ISSUES .............................................. 4-7 4.1.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ......................... 4-7 4.1.6 REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 4-7 4.2 WATER RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(III)] ................................................................... 4-8 4.2.1 DRAINAGE AREA ....................................................................................... 4-8 4.2.2 THE MONTHLY MINIMUM, MEAN, AND MAXIMUM RECORDED FLOWS 4.3 IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND OF THE STREAM AT THE POWERPLANT INTAKE, SPECIFYING ANY ADJUSTMENTS MADE FOR EVAPORATION, LEAKAGE, MINIMUM FLOW RELEASES, OR OTHER REDUCTIONS IN AVAILABLE FLOW ...................................................................................... 4-8 4.2.3 A MONTHLY FLOW DURATION CURVE INDICATING THE PERIOD OF RECORD AND THE LOCATION OF GAUGING STATION, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, USED IN DERIVING THE CURVE; AND A SPECIFICATION OF THE CRITICAL STREAMFLOW USED TO DETERMINE THE PROJECT'S DEPENDABLE CAPACITY................................................... 4-10 4.2.4 EXISTING AND PROPOSED USES OF PROJECT WATERS FOR IRRIGATION, DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY, INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PURPOSES ................................................................................................ 4-11 4.2.5 EXISTING INSTREAM FLOW USES OF STREAMS IN THE PROJECT AREA THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION; INFORMATION ON EXISTING WATER RIGHTS AND WATER RIGHTS APPLICATIONS POTENTIALLY AFFECTING OR AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT ........................................................................................... 4-11 4.2.6 RELEVANT FEDERALLY-APPROVED WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO PROJECT WATERS ........................................................... 4-11 4.2.7 PROJECT EFFECTS ON SEASONAL VARIATION OF WATER QUALITY DATA ....................................................................................................... 4-13 4.2.8 RESERVOIR SURFACE AREA, VOLUME, MAXIMUM DEPTH, MEAN DEPTH, FLUSHING RATE, SHORELINE LENGTH, SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION .......................................................................................... 4-21 4.2.9 GRADIENT FOR AFFECTED DOWNSTREAM REACHES ................................ 4-21 4.2.10 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-21 4.2.11 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-22 4.2.12 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-23 FISH AND AQUATIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(IV)] ............................................... 4-25 4.3.1 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................. 4-25 4.3.2 IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING FISH AND AQUATIC COMMUNITIES ............ 4-25 4.3.3 IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT AS DEFINED UNDER THE MAGNUSON-STEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D) 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 MANAGEMENT ACT AND ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE ................................................................................. 4-28 4.3.4 TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND AQUATIC COMMUNITIES AND TRENDS: ................................................................... 4-28 4.3.5 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-34 4.3.6 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-35 4.3.7 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-35 WILDLIFE AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(V)] ................................... 4-38 4.4.1 UPLAND HABITAT IN THE PROJECT VICINITY, INCLUDING THE PROJECT'S TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR OR RIGHT-OF-WAY AND A LISTING OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES THAT USE THE HABITAT............ 4-38 4.4.2 TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR – UPLAND HABITAT ............................. 4-39 4.4.3 TEMPORAL OR SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION OF COMMERCIALLY, RECREATIONALLY, OR CULTURALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES....................... 4-39 4.4.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-39 4.4.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-40 4.4.6 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-40 FLOODPLAINS, WETLANDS, RIPARIAN, AND LITTORAL HABITAT [§ 5.6(D)(3)(VI)]...................................................................................................... 4-41 4.5.1 MAP OF WETLANDS, RIPARIAN AND LITTORAL HABITAT.......................... 4-41 4.5.2 A LIST OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, INCLUDING INVASIVE SPECIES, THAT USE THE WETLAND, LITTORAL, AND RIPARIAN HABITAT .................................................................................................. 4-43 4.5.3 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-45 4.5.4 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-45 4.5.5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-45 RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(VII)] ................. 4-46 4.6.1 DESCRIPTION OF LISTED RARE, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED, CANDIDATE, OR SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES IN THE PROJECT VICINITY. ...... 4-46 4.6.2 IDENTIFICATION OF HABITAT REQUIREMENTS ......................................... 4-47 4.6.3 REFERENCES TO KNOWN BIOLOGICAL OPINION, STATUS REPORTS, OR RECOVERY PLANS PERTAINING TO A LISTED SPECIES ............................... 4-47 4.6.4 EXTENT AND LOCATION OF FEDERALLY-DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT OR OTHER HABITAT FOR LISTED SPECIES IN THE PROJECT AREA ....................................................................................................... 4-49 4.6.5 TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE LISTED SPECIES WITHIN THE PROJECT VICINITY ................................................................ 4-49 4.6.6 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-50 4.6.7 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-51 4.6.8 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-52 RECREATION AND LAND USE [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(VIII)] ................................................ 4-54 4.7.1 EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, TYPE OF ACTIVITY SUPPORTED, LOCATION, CAPACITY, OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT .......................... 4-54 4.7.2 RECREATIONAL USE OF LANDS AND WATERS COMPARED TO FACILITY OR RESOURCE CAPACITY ......................................................................... 4-55 4.7.3 EXISTING SHORELINE BUFFER ZONES WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY.............................................................................................. 4-55 4.7.4 CURRENT AND FUTURE RECREATION NEEDS FROM EXISTING STATE OR REGIONAL PLANS ............................................................................... 4-56 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D) 4.7.5 4.7.6 4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 CURRENT SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN OR POLICY ............................ 4-56 A DISCUSSION OF WHETHER THE PROJECT IS LOCATED WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO A: ...................................................................................... 4-56 4.7.7 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LANDS UNDER STUDY FOR INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM OR AS A WILDERNESS AREA ................. 4-57 4.7.8 REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY IMPORTANT RECREATION AREAS ............. 4-57 4.7.9 NON-RECREATIONAL LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY ............................................................................... 4-58 4.7.10 RECREATIONAL AND NON-RECREATIONAL LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT BOUNDARY ........................... 4-59 4.7.11 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-61 4.7.12 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-61 4.7.13 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-61 AESTHETIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(IX)] .......................................................... 4-62 4.8.1 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-62 4.8.2 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-63 4.8.3 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-63 CULTURAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(X)] ............................................................ 4-63 4.9.1 IDENTIFICATION OF ANY HISTORIC OR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN THE PROPOSED PROJECT VICINITY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON SITES OR PROPERTIES EITHER LISTED IN, OR RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER OR TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER FOR INCLUSION IN, THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES .............. 4-65 4.9.2 EXISTING DISCOVERY MEASURES, SUCH AS SURVEYS, INVENTORIES, AND LIMITED SUBSURFACE TESTING WORK, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOCATING, IDENTIFYING, AND ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT BOUNDARY .................................................. 4-65 4.9.3 IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN TRIBES THAT MAY ATTACH RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY OR IN THE PROJECT VICINITY; AS WELL AS AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON INDIAN TRADITIONAL CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROPERTIES, WHETHER ON OR OFF OF ANY FEDERALLYRECOGNIZED INDIAN RESERVATION. ....................................................... 4-66 4.9.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-66 4.9.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ....................... 4-67 4.9.6 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-67 SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XI)] ................................................ 4-67 4.10.1 POPULATION PATTERNS .......................................................................... 4-67 4.10.2 HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY DISTRIBUTION AND INCOME ................................. 4-69 4.10.3 PROJECT VICINITY EMPLOYMENT SOURCES ........................................... 4-69 4.10.4 THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR’S REGIONAL ECONOMY ........ 4-70 4.10.5 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES ............................................ 4-70 4.10.6 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-71 TRIBAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XII)] ............................................................... 4-71 4.11.1 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-72 RIVER BASIN DESCRIPTION [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XIII)] ................................................... 4-72 4.12.1 AREA OF RIVER BASIN AND SUB-BASIN AND LENGTH OF STREAM REACHES ................................................................................................. 4-72 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D) 4.12.2 MAJOR LAND AND WATER USE IN PROJECT AREA .................................... 4-72 4.12.3 ALL DAMS AND DIVERSION STRUCTURES IN THE BASIN OR SUBBASIN, REGARDLESS OF FUNCTION .......................................................... 4-74 4.12.4 TRIBUTARY RIVERS AND STREAMS, THE RESOURCES OF WHICH ARE OR MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROJECT OPERATIONS ..................................... 4-76 4.12.5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 4-77 5.0 PRELIMINARY ISSUES AND STUDIES LIST FOR EACH RESOURCE AREA [§ 5.6 (D)(4)] ........................................................................................................ 5-1 5.1 ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE IDENTIFIED RESOURCES ............................................. 5-1 5.2 POTENTIAL STUDIES AND INFORMATION GATHERING REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IDENTIFIED ISSUES; ........................................................... 5-1 5.3 RELEVANT QUALIFYING FEDERAL AND STATE OR TRIBAL COMPREHENSIVE WATERWAY PLANS ................................................................................................ 5-4 5.4 RELEVANT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS ........................................................ 5-6 5.4.1 REFERENCES ............................................................................................. 5-7 6.0 SUMMARY OF CONTACTS [§ 5.6 (D)(5)] .................................................................. 6-1 7.0 PURPA BENEFITS [§ 5.6 (E)] ....................................................................................... 7-1 LIST OF TABLES TABLE 4-1. TABLE 4-2. TABLE 4-3. TABLE 4-4. TABLE 4-5. TABLE 4-6. TABLE 4-7. TABLE 4-8. TABLE 5-1. TABLE 5-2. RIVER FLOW DATA AT LOCK AND DAM 9 ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND 14 MILES DOWNSTREAM AT USGS GAGE 05389500 ............................................................ 4-9 IOWA AND WISCONSIN WATER QUALITY STANDARDS ....................................... 4-12 IOWA TEMPERATURE CRITERIA MAXIMUM LIMITS............................................. 4-13 ESTIMATES OF PROJECT VICINITY WETLAND AND RIPARIAN ACREAGES. ............. 4-42 NOTABLE STATE MANAGEMENT AREAS ............................................................. 4-60 POPULATION STATISTICS FOR WINONA AND HOUSTON COUNTIES AND MINNESOTA . ............................................................................................................................ 4-68 LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTORS AS OF 2002 .................................................... 4-69 MAJOR TRIBUTARIES TO THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ..................................... 4-76 LIST OF QUALIFYING FEDERAL AND STATE COMPREHENSIVE WATERWAY PLANS POTENTIALLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCK AND DAM 9 PROJECT.............................. 5-4 LIST OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS POTENTIALLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCK AND DAM 9 PROJECT ............................................................................................ 5-6 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 3-1. FIGURE 4-1. FIGURE 4-2. FIGURE 4-3. FIGURE 4-4. FIGURE 4-5. FIGURE 4-6. PRELIMINARY INTERCONNECTION MAP ................................................................ 3-4 SOIL MAP OF THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ................... 4-3 POOL ELEVATIONS FOR 2010 AT USACE LOCK AND DAM 9 ................................ 4-9 TAILWATER ELEVATIONS FOR 2010 AS RECORDED AT USACE LOCK AND DAM 9 .... ............................................................................................................................ 4-10 DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) ...................................... 4-14 TEMPERATURES AT LOCK AND DAM 9 (2000-2010) ........................................... 4-15 TEMPERATURES AT LOCK AND DAM 9 (2010)..................................................... 4-16 v TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT’D) FIGURE 4-7. FIGURE 4-8. FIGURE 4-9. FIGURE 4-10. FIGURE 4-11. FIGURE 4-12. FIGURE 4-13. PH IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) ............................................................................... 4-17 TOTAL NITROGEN IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996)........................................................ 4-18 TOTAL PHOSPHOROUS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) ................................................. 4-19 TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) ......................................... 4-20 PROJECT VICINITY WETLAND AND RIPARIAN HABITAT. ....................................... 4-42 LAND USE OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN ........................................... 4-73 LOCKS AND DAMS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER ......................................... 4-75 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A: APPENDIX B: APPENDIX C: APPENDIX D: APPENDIX E: APPENDIX F: APPENDIX G: APPENDIX H: APPENDIX I: APPENDIX J: Maps Flow Duration Curves Distribution List Agency Consultation and Correspondence Fish Species of Pools 9 and 10 List of Reptile and Amphibian Species List of Native Mussel Species in the Upper Mississippi River List of Upland Habitat Plants and Wildlife Common to the Region List of Wetland Habitat Botanical and Wildlife Species Common to the Region List of Threatened, Endangered, and Special Status Species by State and County J:\1535\006\Docs\Set One PADS (MM and Gumby)\Gumby \FINAL PAD NOI and COVER LETTER\001-Gumby FINAL PAD (8-22-11).doc vi DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS af APE Applicant BIA BLM CADD CFR cfs Commission CWA DLA DO DOE DOI EA EAP EFH EIS EL ESA FEA FERC FLA FPA FWCA GIS GWh Hp Hz IDNR ILP InstalledCapacity Interested Parties kW kWh kV License Application Licensee Licensing Licensing Participants acre-foot, the amount of water needed to cover one acre to a depth of one foot. Area of Potential Effect as pertaining to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Lock +TM Hydro Friends Fund II, LLC Bureau of Indian Affairs, an agency of the DOI Bureau of Land Management, an agency of the DOI computer aided drafting and design Code of Federal Regulations cubic feet per second Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Clean Water Act Draft License Application dissolved oxygen, generally expressed in units of parts per million (ppm) US Department of Energy US Department of Interior Environmental Assessment Emergency Action Plan Essential Fish Habitat Environmental Impact Statement elevation Federal Endangered Species Act Final Environmental Assessment Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Final License Application Federal Power Act Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act Geographic Information Systems gigawatt-hour (equals one million kilowatt-hours) horsepower hertz (cycles per second) Iowa Department of Natural Resources Integrated Licensing Process The nameplate MW rating of a generator or group of generators. The broad group of individuals and entities that have an interest in a proceeding. kilowatt kilowatt-hour kilovolts Application for an Original License submitted to FERC. See DLA and FLA. Lock +TM Hydro Friends Fund II, LLC The process of acquiring an original FERC license for a new proposed hydropower project. Individuals and entities that are actively participating in the licensing proceeding. 1 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS MW MWh NEPA NGO NMFS NOAA NPDES NPS NOI Normal Operating Capacity NWI PAD PDF PLP PM&E PMF Project Project Area Project Boundary Project Vicinity Resource Affected Area RM RTE Species SD Service List SHPO Tailrace TLP UMR UMR NWFR USACE USDA EPA megawatt megawatt-hour National Environmental Policy Act Non-governmental organization National Marine Fisheries Services, also known as NOAA Fisheries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including NMFS National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System National Park Service Notice of intent to file an application for license The maximum MW output of a generator or group of generators under normal maximum head and flow conditions National Wetlands Inventory Pre-Application Document Portable Document Format Preliminary Licensing Proposal Protection, Mitigation and Enhancement Measures Probable Maximum Flood Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 13392) Zone of potential, reasonably direct project impacts. The Project Area is located within the FERC project boundary. The boundary line defined in the project license issued by FERC that surrounds those areas needed for operation of the Project. The general geographic area in which the Project is located. For this PAD, the project vicinity is the counties of Crawford, Wisconsin and Allamakke, Iowa and the town of Lynxville, Wisconsin. The geographic area in which a specific resource is potentially affected by the Project. river mile Rare, threatened, endangered, and special status species, which for purposes of this PAD is defined to include (1) all species (plant and animal) listed, proposed for listing, or candidates for listing under the Federal and state Endangered Species Acts and those listed by the USFWS or state agencies as sensitive, special status or watch list. Scoping Document A list maintained by FERC of parties who have formally intervened in a proceeding. There is no Service List until the license application is filed and accepted by FERC. Once FERC establishes a Service List, any documents filed with FERC must also be sent to those entities on the Service List. State Historic Preservation Officer Channel through which water is discharged from the turbines Traditional Licensing Process Upper Mississippi River Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge US Army Corps of Engineers US Department of Agriculture US Environmental Protection Agency 2 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS USFS USFWS USGS WIBFM WIBFL WIDF WDNR WIDOT WIGNHS WISP WQC US Forest Service, an agency of the USDA US Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the DOI US Geological Survey Wisconsin Bureau of Fisheries Management, part of the WDNR Wisconsin Bureau of Facilities and Lands, part of the WDNR Wisconsin Division of Forestry, part of the WDNR Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Tourism Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Wisconsin State Parks, part of the WDNR Water Quality Certification, issued under Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act 3 LOCK AND DAM 9 HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC PROJECT NO. 13392 PRE-APPLICATION DOCUMENT 1.0 INTRODUCTION Lock +TM Hydro Friends Fund II, LLC (HFF II or Applicant) prepared this Preliminary Application Document (PAD) and the accompanying Notice of Intent (NOI) for the licensing of the proposed Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 13392 (Project). The proposed Project is located at Lock and Dam 9 on the Mississippi River near the town of Lynxville, WI, in the counties of Allamakee, IA and Crawford, WI. As determined by the Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) administers hydroelectric licensing. The Commission issued HFF II a 3-year Preliminary Permit for the proposed Project on December 22, 2009. HFF II intends to file a license application in early to mid 2012. HFF II is a project specific development entity owned wholly by Hydro Green Energy, LLC (HGE), a privately-held renewable energy development company which maintains headquarters in Westmont, IL. HFF II proposes to utilize technology provided by HGE. HGE possesses proprietary hydropower technology and is focused on the development of new hydropower generation at existing nonpowered dams in an environmentally responsible and cost-competitive fashion. The technology for deployment at Lock and Dam 9 is known as Lock +TM and is based on over 130 years of hydropower production in the United States, as well as methods and designs commonly used for fabrication and installation of modular offshore oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas systems. The Lock +TM power generating system is comprised almost entirely of components that are “offthe-shelf,” dramatically reducing product development time and increasing operational integrity. The systems are modular in nature, which simplifies installation and maintenance. More specifically, the proposed Project will deploy hydropower turbines within a “Large Frame Module” (LFM) that will be deployed immediately downstream from the existing incomplete auxiliary lock at Lock and Dam 9. This technology eliminates the need for a traditional powerhouse and provides for the development of hydropower generation in a manner that minimizes the civil work, costly installation processes, and potentially significant environmental 1-1 effects of conventional hydropower. The proposed Project footprint is small, with the Project structures located entirely within the USACE security zone found at the dam and immediately downstream from the existing unused lock. Furthermore, the proposed technology is designed to be installed and operated without interfering with USACE’s navigational mission or placing direct loading on the USACE infrastructure. HGE’s hydrokinetic power project in Hastings, MN (FERC P-4306) successfully demonstrated this modular hydropower technology. This PAD was prepared in accordance with §5.5 and §16.8 of the Commission’s regulations at 18 CFR. In accordance with regulations, the Applicant exercised due diligence in preparation of this PAD by contacting appropriate governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Native American tribes, and others potentially having relevant information by distributing a PAD Questionnaire designed specifically to identify existing, relevant, and reasonably available information related to the Project. The Applicant developed and distributed the questionnaire on May 23, 2011 (See Appendix D for Agency Consultation). In addition to contacting agencies and stakeholders, the Applicant also conducted its own due diligence, including a site visit and meeting with USACE officials. The Applicant researched other FERC jurisdictional hydroelectric projects at USACE projects and contacted specific organizations and agencies to find relevant studies conducted in the Upper Mississippi River watershed. This PAD provides existing, relevant, and reasonably available information to the Commission and interested stakeholders to enable these entities to identify issues and related information needs, develop study requests and study plans (to the extent they are necessary and related to direct project impacts), and prepare documents analyzing any license application that may be filed with the Commission. 1-2 2.0 PROCESS PLAN AND SCHEDULE [§ 5.6 (D)(1)] 2.1 TIME FRAMES FOR PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION, INFORMATION GATHERING, AND STUDIES Concurrent with the filing of this PAD, HFF II is requesting use of a Traditional Licensing Process (TLP) with enhanced scoping in accordance with the Commission’s regulations at 18 CFR § 5.3. Customarily, the TLP has 3 stages (18 CFR 4.38). The first stage involves coordination between the Applicant, resource agencies, affected Indian tribes, and the public. It includes the sharing of project information, notification of interested parties, and study planning and implementation using the PAD. The second stage involves study implementation (to the extent pre-filing studies are necessary) and additional data gathering, as well as development of a draft license application (DLA) and review of the application by resource agencies and, optionally, FERC. The third stage commences with filing the final license application (FLA), whereby FERC initiates its own review and public comment process, ultimately issuing a license for the Project. HFF II is requesting that elements of the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) be incorporated into the traditional 3-stage process; more specifically, the up-front scoping of issues by FERC. HFF II has outlined a schedule below that takes this into account. HFF II is requesting the use of the TLP with enhanced scoping for several reasons: the proposed Project is small and located at an existing USACE Lock and Dam with a substantially limited project area within the project boundary of 1 to 2 acres (as this Project is still in the design phase, the project boundaries may adjust slightly). Given the use of previously existing structures, a proposed “run of river” operation, and an extremely limited footprint, the Applicant anticipates only minor issues related to installation and operation of the Project. The Applicant also believes that using a TLP with enhanced scoping will assist FERC in issuing a timely license for this small, low impact hydropower project, which is aiming to take advantage of expiring Federal tax credits for new hydropower capacity at existing non-powered dams. Although the Applicant has requested the TLP with enhanced scoping as a preferred licensing approach, the Applicant intends to provide adequate opportunities to involve all interested parties, as in an ILP. The Applicant will carefully document the entire licensing process, including any information received from the interested parties, as well as records of communications (Appendix D). The Applicant will maintain records of licensing and other 2-1 information that will be publicly available at the clerk’s offices in Crawford, Wisconsin, Lynxville, Wisconsin, and Allamakee, Iowa as well as on its licensing website at: http://hgenergy.com/mississippi_river_lock_and_dam_9.html. The Process Plan and Schedule anticipates actions by FERC, the Applicant, and other participants in the licensing process through the License Application filing. The Applicant plans early and frequent coordination with state and federal resource agencies to identify potential issues and possible field studies early in the licensing process. The Applicant wishes to begin project operations in 2013 so that it qualifies for federal renewable energy incentives, which will improve the terms of the Project’s debt financing package. To meet this timeline, the Applicant must adopt an aggressive schedule for document production and consultation with the agencies. However, given the low-impact and small nature of the Project, the Applicant believes this schedule is certainly achievable. Comments on the request to use a TLP are due within 30 days, making them due on or before September 22, 2011. The Commission will act on the request to use a TLP on or before October 24, 2011. 2.2 PROPOSED PROCESS MILESTONES • • • • • • • • 2.3 Submit PAD and NOI to FERC and agencies – August 2011 Begin traditional licensing process with combined Joint Agency Meeting and FERC Scoping Meeting – September 2011 Initial consultation with agencies – October 2011 Receive agency study requirements – December 2011 Conduct any required studies – January 2012 Submit draft license application to agencies for comment – Jan 2012 Receive agency comments on draft license – March2012 Submit final license application to FERC – April 2012 (at the latest) PROPOSED LOCATION AND DATE FOR JOINT AGENCY MEETING AND FOR THE SITE VISIT [§ 5.8 (B)(3)(VIII)] If FERC approves the use of the TLP with enhanced scoping, HFF II will host a joint agency and public meeting (JAM) and site visit of the Lock and Dam 9 Project per 18 CFR § 16.8 (b)(A) within 30 days of the TLP approval. HFF II will also invite FERC to begin early up-front scoping of issues at this meeting, as well. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the 2-2 opportunity for stakeholders to visit the Project and discuss information presented in the PAD, as well as to identify project-related issues. The exact meeting date and location will be determined in consultation with jurisdictional agencies and interested licensing participants following FERC’s decision on approval for the Applicant’s use of a TLP process with enhanced scoping. 2-3 3.0 PROJECT LOCATION, FACILITIES, AND OPERATIONS [§ 5.6 (D)(2)] 3.1 CONTACT INFORMATION OF EACH PERSON AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS AGENT FOR APPLICANT (EXACT NAME, BUSINESS ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER) Wayne F. Krouse Managing Partner Lock+ TM Hydro Friends Fund II 5090 Richmond Avenue #390 Houston, TX 77056 Mark R. Stover Designated Representative Lock+ TM Hydro Friends Fund II Vice President of Corporate Affairs Hydro Green Energy, LLC 900 Oakmont Lane, Suite 310 Westmont, IL 60559 877-556-6566 x 711 mark@hgenergy.com 3.2 MAPS OF LAND USE WITHIN PROJECT BOUNDARIES (TOWNSHIP, RANGE AND SECTION, STATE, COUNTY, RIVER, RIVER MILE, AND CLOSEST TOWN) AND, IF APPLICABLE, FEDERAL AND TRIBAL LANDS, AND LOCATION OF PROPOSED FACILITIES The proposed Project is located on the Mississippi River mile 647.9 at USACE Lock and Dam 9, about 3 miles south of Lynxville, Wisconsin, bordering the counties of Allamakee, Iowa and Crawford, Wisconsin. The project boundary encompasses the auxiliary lock from the upstream to the downstream side, certain land for the provisioning of the switchyard and control room, and transmission line. The Applicant anticipates entering into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the USACE to obtain sufficient rights to construct the Project and to maintain project structures and facilities for project operation. Appendix A to this PAD contains the following maps of the proposed Project: (1) A Topographic Map of the Project Vicinity and (2) An Aerial Map of the Project Vicinity. 3-1 3.3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED FACILITIES 3.3.1 COMPOSITION, DIMENSIONS, AND CONFIGURATION OF DAMS, SPILLWAYS, PENSTOCKS, POWERHOUSES, TAILRACES, ETC. PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROJECT OR CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO IT With the exception of minor infrastructure to deliver power to the local electrical grid, the proposed Project will have limited to no effect on any structures or facilities at Lock and Dam 9 other than the incomplete auxiliary lock. Accordingly, the following description of the Lock and Dam are for reference purposes only. Lock and Dam 9 consists of a dam with moveable gates, an earth dike, and overflow spillway; an active navigational lock; and an unused bay originally designed as an auxiliary lock, which is currently inoperable. The dam is an 811-foot-long concrete structure with 5 roller gates measuring 80 feet wide by 20 feet high and 8 tainter gates measuring 35 feet wide and 15 feet high. In addition, there is a 9,800-foot-long earth embankment with a 1,350-foot-long grouted overflow spillway. The 600-foot-long by 100-footwide active lock consists of walls and floors of reinforced concrete that are founded on wood pilings in sand, gravel, and broken rock. The auxiliary lock measures 360 feet long by 110 feet wide, but does not form a complete chamber because, though upper gates are installed, there are no lower gates (FFP, 2011). The Project will consist of one horizontal array of 10 hydropower turbines, installed in a single row in a new door immediately downstream from the incomplete auxiliary lock. The system includes two sets of moveable panels that can open and close off flow to the units during an event requiring the suspension of generation. After passing through the turbines in the auxiliary lock, the water will flow directly back into the Mississippi River. 3.3.2 RESERVOIR NORMAL MAXIMUM WATER SURFACE AREA AND ELEVATION AND GROSS STORAGE CAPACITY The existing Lock and Dam 9 forms Pool 9; however, there is no useable storage capacity at the site for hydro generation, and the USACE will continue to control reservoir levels. As the Project will use existing facilities at the Lock and Dam and operate in a run-of-river mode, it will not impound additional water or result in additional storage capacity. 3-2 3.3.3 NUMBER, TYPE AND CAPACITIES OF TURBINES AND GENERATORS, AND INSTALLED (RATED) CAPACITY OF PROPOSED TURBINES OR GENERATORS The Project will utilize a ten-turbine LFM deployed in the downstream portion of the incomplete auxiliary lock. The turbines will be designed and manufactured by Hydro Green Energy. Each of the 7.8-foot-diameter turbines will have a nameplate capacity of 358 kW, for a total of 3.58 MW. Given that the HGE turbine is undergoing additional design work at the present time, the capacity may change. The final nameplate capacity will be known during the preparation of the license application. Additionally, HGE is exploring the use of OEM turbines, the use of which may also result in slight changes to nameplate capacity. 3.3.4 NUMBER, LENGTH, VOLTAGE, AND INTERCONNECTIONS OF ANY PRIMARY TRANSMISSION LINES PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROJECT The generated power will connect to the electric grid with the installation of a new transformer in a new switchyard. Currently, the proposed transmission line corridor is under review; however, the Applicant has conducted a preliminary interconnection survey. A 69 kV line has been identified approximately 4.25 miles from the dam on the east side of the river. The line runs approximately 8 miles north to the Seneca substation as shown in Figure 3-1. Though a potential connection has been found, the Project is still in the design phase and transmission alternatives are still being considered; therefore, future licensing documents will provide additional detail. 3-3 FIGURE 3-1. 3.3.5 PRELIMINARY INTERCONNECTION MAP ENERGY PRODUCTION The Applicant developed an energy model to estimate potential Project production. The model assumed downtime during a portion of the year for station service and outages in the spring due to high water (loss of head), and approximately 95% power train efficiency. Based on this modeling, the expected net average annual generation for the proposed Project is 22,164 MWh. The expected net average monthly energy production is as follows: MONTH Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec MWH 2465.45 1571.71 824.06 631.30 824.42 1376.92 2384.55 2761.07 2247.58 2318.47 2272.33 2476.01 3-4 3.4 PROPOSED PROJECT OPERATION, INCLUDING ANY DAILY OR SEASONAL RAMPING RATES, FLUSHING FLOWS, RESERVOIR OPERATIONS, AND FLOOD CONTROL OPERATIONS The proposed Project will operate in run-of-river mode, generating power using the head differential of the USACE’s dam without affecting the USACE locking and flood control operations. A computerized operating system will assure a consistent run-of-river operation. It is anticipated that HGE staff will be on site daily. The Applicant intends to provide USACE with operational override capabilities in the event of emergencies or flow control issues. 3.5 A DESCRIPTION OF ANY NEW FACILITIES OR COMPONENTS TO BE CONSTRUCTED, PLANS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OR REHABILITATION OF THE PROJECT, AND CHANGES IN PROJECT OPERATION. The proposed Project will include the LFM and appurtenant transmission and substation facilities, described above. The Applicant has no plans for future development or installation at the auxiliary lock area beyond that associated with the proposed development described above at this time. 3.5.1 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. 3-5 4.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE IMPACTS [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(I)] While the Project presents a minimal footprint and no modifications to water levels or flow regimes, there is a potential for limited Project installation and operational effects. Accordingly, the Applicant has reviewed available information related to potentially affected resources, as required by FERC. The following sections provide a discussion of the existing environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic resources of the project vicinity. The “project vicinity” is considered to be the general geographic area in which the Project is located for the purposes of establishing an environmental baseline within licensing documents. For this PAD, the project vicinity has been assumed to be a radius of 10 miles surrounding the Project. However, due to the limited size and environmental footprint of the Project, the area potentially affected by project construction and operations is substantially smaller. Each resource section discusses potential Project effects and proposed protection, mitigation, and enhancement (PM&E) measures. 4.1 GEOLOGY AND SOILS [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(II)] 4.1.1 DESCRIPTION OF GEOLOGICAL FEATURES, INCLUDING BEDROCK LITHOLOGY, STRATIGRAPHY, STRUCTURAL FEATURES, GLACIAL FEATURES, UNCONSOLIDATED DEPOSITS, AND MINERAL RESOURCES The proposed Project is located within the Driftless Area of the Upper Mississippi River Basin (UMR). This area is a prehistorically non-glaciated portion of central North America with minimal amounts of glacial deposits or “drift.” This area includes parts of southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and northwest Illinois. The lands within this region are also termed “Blufflands” or the “Paleozoic Plateau” due to the sedimentary rock formations containing dolomite, sandstone, and shale, accumulated under inland seas approximately 400 to 600 million years ago. The scouring and sediment deposition that occurred in the UMR basin following periods of glaciation helped to shape the river valley. The sand terraces bordering the Mississippi are remnants of these events. Further prehistoric natural events aided in the formation of other landscape features, including a combination of steep, exposed bluffs flanking eroded ravines (USFWS, 2006). Bedrock within the project area primarily consists of Cambrian period quatzose and glauconitic sandstone, along with lesser amounts of dolomite shale (FFP, 2011). 4-1 4.1.2 DESCRIPTION OF SOIL TYPES, OCCURRENCE, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, ERODABILITY AND POTENTIAL FOR MASS SOIL MOVEMENT, AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS The Project is located in the Northern Mississippi Valley Loess Hills. Glacial wind scour contributed to the basin’s loess soils (FFP, 2011). The soils and resulting topography of the immediate project vicinity consist of steep, stony and rocky lands, also termed Fayette-DubuqueStonyland. The Fayette Dubuque-Stonyland series is susceptible to erosion due to its generally steep slopes and high percentage of shallow limestone. These areas are bordered by moderately eroded Fayette silt loam uplands with 12 to 30 percent slopes (Figure 4-1) (USFWS, 2006a; NRCS, 2011). Siltation is characteristic of the USACE project’s upper pool (Pool 9). Sediment is delivered to the system from the Upper Iowa River and results in the siltation of surrounding channels and backwaters (USFWS 2006). 4-2 FIGURE 4-1. SOIL MAP OF THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT 4-3 4-4 4-5 4.1.3 4.1.3.1 DESCRIPTION OF RESERVOIR SHORELINES AND STREAMBANKS, INCLUDING: STEEPNESS, COMPOSITION (BEDROCK AND UNCONSOLIDATED DEPOSITS), AND VEGETATIVE COVER Udorthents and Brodale cobbly loam primarily comprise the shorelines bordering the USACE Lock and Dam 9. These areas support a community of wetland and terrestrial vegetation. Levees, both man-made and natural, are present between floodplain and upland areas, thus increasing bank steepness in those areas. Furthermore, shorelines within the project vicinity are subject to anthropogenic disturbances. These include roadways near the waterline, structures to support recreational and commercial boating, and agricultural influences (FFP, 2010; USGS, 2011). River shorelines are armored with concrete embankments supporting other USACE structures necessary for operation of the navigational locks within the project area. Steep slopes of stone and rock, transitioning into Fayette silt loams of 12-30% slope surround Lock and Dam 9. The proposed Project itself will not affect the riverbanks of the existing Pool 9 impoundment shoreline or streambank conditions. 4.1.3.2 EXISTING EROSION, MASS SOIL MOVEMENT, SLUMPING, OR OTHER FORMS OF INSTABILITY, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF PROJECT FACILITIES OR OPERATIONS THAT ARE KNOWN TO OR MAY CAUSE THESE CONDITIONS The soils within the project area, Fayette Dubuque-Stonyland, are susceptible to erosion; however, the proposed run-of-river Project is located at an existing man-made structure and will have no effect on water level, flow, or adjacent shorelines. Operation of the Project will have no effect on erosion or soil instability and the Applicant has no ability to control the degree of erosion that is currently occurring or may take place along the shore of the upper pool subsequent to installation. Furthermore, the Upper Iowa River largely delivers sediment to the system, contributing backwater and channel siltation in the project vicinity (FFP 2011; USFWS 2006). Because the proposed Project will re-route a approximately 25 percent of discharges from the dam to the auxiliary lock when running at full capacity, there is a potential for limited, temporary river bottom scour directly downstream of the tailrace. 4-6 4.1.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS AND ISSUES Construction of the existing USACE Lock and Dam 9 and access roads disturbed the land surrounding the proposed Project. Site preparation and installation activities would use existing road surfaces, previously developed staging areas, and barges for in-river installation. Project installation and operation pose no or very minimal and temporary effect to soils in the Project area. Proposed installation activities have the potential to include limited dredging of material within the auxiliary lock. Initial operations may cause limited scour immediately downstream of the proposed Project. Sediment removal from within the auxiliary lock may also cause some minor sediment disturbance, temporarily increasing turbidity downstream of the proposed Project. These effects are likely to be less than occurs under normal spring run-off conditions. Because the proposed Project will re-route some discharges from the dam through the auxiliary lock, there is a potential for limited changes in the scour basin established below the dam directly downstream of the tailrace. There may also be limited silt movement from upstream of the auxiliary lock until equilibrium conditions are reestablished. 4.1.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES In order to measure and evaluate proposed Project effects on scouring and deposition of sediments within the project area, the Applicant proposes conducting a Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study. Section 5.2 includes further details regarding this as well as other proposed studies. The Applicant and its contractors would undertake site preparation and installation in accordance with plans developed in consultation with the USACE and local, state, and federal agencies. The Applicant will remove or relocate dredge spoils in a USACE approved manner. The Applicant will also install concrete mats and rip-rap in the tailrace to reduce scour and sediment transport as warranted. 4.1.6 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. 4-7 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2011. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2011. Web Soil Survey. [Online] URL: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx. Accessed May 20, 2011. 4.2 WATER RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(III)] Water resources of the UMR are designated for the purposes of commercial and recreational fishing, industrial cooling and water supply, boating, hunting, commercial shipping and waste assimilation uses. The water quality standards designated within the Project area, and discussed in the following sections, have been put in place to meet these designated uses (WDNR 2004). 4.2.1 DRAINAGE AREA The UMR basin serves as the major contributor to the Mississippi and extends from Minnesota to Illinois. In total, the UMR basin includes approximately 800 river miles, covering approximately 189,189 square miles (USFWS, 2006). The drainage area at USGS Gage No. 05389500, Mississippi River at McGregor Iowa (about 15 miles downstream of Lock and Dam 9) is approximately 67,500 square miles (USGS, 2011). At the proposed Project, the drainage area is approximately 66,695 square miles (calculated using GIS with the USGS National Hydrography Dataset). 4.2.2 THE MONTHLY MINIMUM, MEAN, AND MAXIMUM RECORDED FLOWS IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND OF THE STREAM AT THE POWERPLANT INTAKE, SPECIFYING ANY ADJUSTMENTS MADE FOR EVAPORATION, LEAKAGE, MINIMUM FLOW RELEASES, OR OTHER REDUCTIONS IN AVAILABLE FLOW In addition to USGS data, the USACE St. Paul District collects discharge, pool elevations, and tailwater elevations, among other variables, at Lock and Dam 9. Table 4-1, below, presents discharge data as collected at both the USGS gage 05389500 and the USACE Lock and Dam 9. The period of record for this analysis is October 1, 2000, through September 30 2010. The period of record utilized is based upon the availability of verified data from USGS. Provisional data was not utilized for this analysis. (USGS, 2011; USACE, 2011b). 4-8 TABLE 4-1. RIVER FLOW DATA AT LOCK AND DAM 9 ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND 14 MILES DOWNSTREAM AT USGS GAGE 05389500 DATA COLLECTION RIVER MEAN MINIMUM MAXIMUM LOCATION MILE RECORDED RECORDED RECORDED FLOW (CFS) FLOW FLOW USACE Water Control Center 648 38,999 3,900 242,800 Data at Lock and Dam 9 USGS Gage 05389500 633 37,829 2,970 248,000 The Pool 9 impoundment is 52,166 acres in surface area and extends approximately 32.5 miles upstream near Reno, Minnesota (USACE, 2004a). The tailwater elevation averages 617 feet msl (USACE, 2011b). These elevations are depicted in Figure 4-2 and Figure 4-3, below. FIGURE 4-2. POOL ELEVATIONS FOR 2010 AT USACE LOCK AND DAM 9 Source: USACE 2011b 4-9 FIGURE 4-3. TAILWATER ELEVATIONS FOR 2010 AS RECORDED AT USACE LOCK AND DAM 9 Source: USACE 2011b 4.2.3 A MONTHLY FLOW DURATION CURVE INDICATING THE PERIOD OF RECORD AND THE LOCATION OF GAUGING STATION, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, USED IN DERIVING THE CURVE; AND A SPECIFICATION OF THE CRITICAL STREAMFLOW USED TO DETERMINE THE PROJECT'S DEPENDABLE CAPACITY Appendix B contains Flow Duration Curves. Development of these curves used data collected at USGS Gage No. 05389500, Mississippi River at McGregor Iowa, along with data collected by the USACE at Lock and Dam 9. Data indicates that the period of critical streamflow occurs in August (USGS, 2011). 4-10 4.2.4 EXISTING AND PROPOSED USES OF PROJECT WATERS FOR IRRIGATION, DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY, INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER PURPOSES The primary role of the USACE Lock and Dam 9 and Pool 9 is for commercial navigation. The USACE operates the facility in a run-of-river mode, and the navigational pool provides no storage (USACE, 2004b). The proposed Project will have no water uses other than for generating electricity from excess water supply from USACE and any generation would take a secondary role to navigation. 4.2.5 EXISTING INSTREAM FLOW USES OF STREAMS IN THE PROJECT AREA THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY PROJECT CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION; INFORMATION ON EXISTING WATER RIGHTS AND WATER RIGHTS APPLICATIONS POTENTIALLY AFFECTING OR AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT The Mississippi River is used for commercial and recreational fishing, industrial and cooling water supply, boating, hunting, commercial shipping and waste assimilation (WDNR, 2004). Waters of Pool 9 also provide habitat as part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (UMR NWFR). There are no streams in the project area, other than the mainstem of the Mississippi River that would be affected by Project operation. The proposed Project has no potential to affect other existing water rights or uses. 4.2.6 RELEVANT FEDERALLY-APPROVED WATER QUALITY STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO PROJECT WATERS As the proposed Project is bounded by two states, Iowa and Wisconsin, both the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) exercise the responsibility of enacting water quality standards for the their respective stretches of the Mississippi. However, because the proposed Project is located on the Wisconsin side of the river, WDNR will be the entity issuing the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC).The WDNR designates the waters of the project area as Recreation and Fish and Aquatic Life Uses (WDNR, 2004). Similarly, IDNR designates the reach of the Mississippi within the Project area for Warm-water Aquatic Life Use, Primary Contact Recreation and Human Health. Table 4-2 provides water quality standards for both states. 4-11 TABLE 4-2. IOWA AND WISCONSIN WATER QUALITY STANDARDS WATER WISCONSIN WATER QUALITY IOWA WATER QUALITY QUALITY STANDARDS STANDARDS PARAMETER Dissolved Not less than 5 mg/l at any time. Not less than 5 mg/l at any time Oxygen (DO) Fecal coliform Shall not exceed a geometric mean The membrane filter fecal coliform (E. coli) value of 126 organisms/100 ml or a count may not exceed 200 per 100 sample maximum value of 235 ml as a geometric mean based on organisms/100 ml. not less than 5 samples per month, nor exceed 400 per 100 ml in more than 10% of all samples during any month. pH Shall not be less than 6.5 nor No values below 6.0 nor above 9.0, greater than 9.0. The maximum with no change greater than 0.5 change permitted as a result of a units outside the estimated natural waste discharge shall not exceed seasonal maximum and minimum. 0.5 pH units. Temperature No heat shall be added to the No more than 5°F above natural Mississippi River that would cause temperature at the mixing zone; not an increase of more than 3°C. The to exceed 89°F at any time, not to rate of temperature change shall not exceed 84 °F from June through exceed 1°C per hour. The water August. temperature within the project area shall not exceed the maximum limits in the table below during more than 1 percent of the hours in the 12-month period ending with any month. Moreover, at no time shall the water temperature at such locations exceed the maximum limits in the table below by more than 2°C. Turbidity The turbidity of the receiving water While no standard for turbidity is shall not be increased by more than specified, Total Suspended Solids 25 Nephelometric are not to exceed a daily maximum of 30 mg/L for aquatic life uses. turbidity units by any point source discharge. Mercury The acute toxicity critiera for warm The acute toxicity criteria for cold water aquatic life is 1.64 ug/L. The water, warm water sportfish, warm chronic toxicity criteria for this water forage, and limited forage designation is 0.90 ug/L. Because fish is 0.83 ug/L of recoverable it is designated as Aquatic Life Use mercury. The chronic toxicity and Human Health there is a limit criteria for the same organisms is of 0.15 ug/L. 0.44 ug/L. Source: WDNR, 2008a; WDNR, 2008b; IAC, 2011 4-12 TABLE 4-3. MONTH IOWA TEMPERATURE CRITERIA MAXIMUM LIMITS MAXIMUM LIMIT THAT SHALL NOT BE EXCEEDED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE January 4°C February 4°C March 12°C April 18°C May 24°C June 29°C July 29°C August 29°C September 28°C October 23°C November 14°C December 9°C Source: IAC, 2011 In addition to the specific criteria listed above, the IDNR and the WDNR employ antidegradation standards in state waters. Both states have allowances that take into account the social or economic results regarding adverse effects to water quality (WDNR, 1997; IAC 2011). 4.2.7 4.2.7.1 PROJECT EFFECTS ON SEASONAL VARIATION OF WATER QUALITY DATA EXISTING WATER QUALITY WITHIN THE PROJECT VICINITY The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as the USGS and respective Iowa and Wisconsin State monitoring programs, monitor water quality within the UMR. Among these programs the USGS’ Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) (1999), and Upper Mississippi River Water Quality Assessment Reports, published by the USGS (2000) and the EPA (2002), provide the most appropriate data regarding water quality in the project vicinity. Pool 8, located at river mile 679.2, approximately 32 miles upstream of the proposed Project, is among the list of representative pools that have been historically monitored for various parameters as part of the LTRMP. In addition to LTRMP efforts, the data used to characterize conditions upstream of the proposed Project in the EPA’s Upper Mississippi River Water Quality Assessment Reports were collected from RM 698, within Pool 8. Data was collected from 1958 to 1996, with fewer than 5% of the points collected prior to 1974 (EPA, 2002). 4-13 DISSOLVED OXYGEN Results of the previous monitoring efforts indicate summer DO concentrations generally range from about 5 to 12 mg/L in the UMR (Figure 4-4). In the 1990s, DO concentrations in this reach improved noticeably, primarily because of advanced wastewater treatment technology (Johnson and Aasen, 1989; EPA, 2000, as referenced in EPA, 2002). DO concentrations exceeding 15 mg/L were apparent upstream of the proposed Project in Pool 8 between 1990 and1994. This likely reflects periods of high photosynthetic activity. DO concentrations in the open river reaches were generally lower and less variable. This may indicate higher, water temperatures (lower DO saturation), increased biochemical oxygen demand and decreased photosynthetic activity (EPA, 2002). The LTRMP data for 1988-93 show oxygen concentrations upstream of St. Louis to be close to saturation (USGS, 1999). FIGURE 4-4. DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) Source: EPA, 2002 4-14 WATER TEMPERATURE The USACE collects water temperature data at Lock and Dam 9. For the period of record from January 2001 through December 2010, water temperatures typically ranged from approximately 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) during the summer season (Figure 4-5). Figure 4-6 depicts water temperatures experienced in 2010. Temperatures increase about 9 °F from the upper to the lower reaches of the UMR, consistent with climatic differences along this longitudinal gradient (EPA, 2002). FIGURE 4-5. TEMPERATURES AT LOCK AND DAM 9 (2000-2010) Source: USACE, 2011b 4-15 FIGURE 4-6. TEMPERATURES AT LOCK AND DAM 9 (2010) Source: USACE, 2011b PH Most summer pH values in the UMR ranged from 7 to 9 units, normally supporting full fish and aquatic life standards (Figure 4-7). During several periods of record, summer pH values exceeded 9.0 in the UMR, including in Pool 8. These elevated pH values were likely the result of high levels of photosynthetic activity (EPA, 2002). 4-16 FIGURE 4-7. PH IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) Source: EPA, 2002 NITROGEN Total nitrogen concentrations in the UMR increase markedly upstream of the proposed Project in Pool 2 (RM 847.5 to RM 815) as a result of agricultural inputs from the Minnesota River Basin and point source contributions from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Studies found that concentrations decreased downstream due to dilution from tributaries with lower nitrogen levels, nutrient assimilation by aquatic plants, denitrification, and sedimentation of particulate organic nitrogen. Concentrations upstream of the proposed Project ranged from 0.6 mg/L to 5.5 mg/L (Figure 4-8). Based on Pool 2 data collected over a 20-year period, total nitrogen levels were higher in the 1990s than in the 1980s (EPA, 2002). Nitrogen inputs are generally implicated in causing algal blooms and hypoxic conditions in the lower Mississippi River (EPA, 2002). 4-17 FIGURE 4-8. TOTAL NITROGEN IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) Source: EPA, 2002 PHOSPHOROUS Total phosphorus concentrations are high throughout the entire UMR, with values greater that 0.5 mg/L at many sites; although on average, values were below 0.5 mg/L (Figure 4-9). In general, wastewater treatment plant discharges and urban and agricultural nonpoint source inputs are major sources of phosphorus. In particular, agricultural watersheds contributing high concentrations of sediment are especially important, since phosphorus is commonly bound to sediment particles. Maximum phosphorus concentrations exceeded 1 mg/L at many sites during the most recent period (1995 to 1999) as compared to the previous monitoring periods, which had lower concentrations. 4-18 FIGURE 4-9. TOTAL PHOSPHOROUS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) Source: EPA, 2002 SEDIMENT Sediment sources for the UMR main stem include both the sediment carried by runoff from the landscape and in-stream sources. These runoff and in-stream processes also contribute sediment to UMR tributaries, which in turn carry the sediment to the river’s main stem (UMRBA, 2011). The Upper Iowa River, specifically, delivers sediment to Pool 9, upstream of the proposed Project, subsequently causing siltation in the pool’s backwaters and channels (USFWS, 2006). Agricultural practices elevate sedimentation as a result of runoff and erosion of the soils; however, the implementation of better land management practices has made significant strides to reduce sedimentation (USGS, 1999). EPA studies have shown that within the UMR, Lake Pepin (RM 764.5), a 25-mile long natural riverine lake located in Minnesota and Wisconsin in Pool 4, acts as an effective sediment trap for the basin. Subsequently, the total suspended solids (TSS) at the sampling station at Lock and Dam 8 were relatively low during the period of record (Figure 4-10). However, this lake is rapidly losing depth due to increased sediment deposition at a rate about ten times faster than 4-19 pre-cultural conditions (Engstrom and Almendinger, 1998 as cited in EPA, 2002). Large flood events, such as that as is occurring currently in 2011, can reverse previously documented depositional patterns. FIGURE 4-10. TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN POOL 8 (1958 – 1996) Source: EPA, 2002 Sediment is a water quality concern as chemical pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury bond to sediment particles, bioaccumulating in the tissues of fish. As a result, there are presently fish consumption advisories within the UMR in the reach of the proposed Project (WDNR, 2011). River sediments may also carry nutrients such as phosphorus, increasing productivity within river reaches where sediment accumulates and potentially resulting in the non-attainment of water quality parameters (FFP, 2010). The USACE routinely removes sediment within navigation channels at Lock and Dam facilities. Typically, the USACE maintains a 9-foot navigation channel by removing material that settles in the channel area. The USACE places this material in designated areas along the river. Some of these areas are beneficial use placement areas. Beneficial use of dredged material is the 4-20 productive use of the material by the public or private sectors such as upland habitat development, wetland creation, aquatic habitat enhancement, creation of areas for bird nesting, beach nourishment, winter road maintenance, levee repair and improvement, aggregate for concrete, lining fly ash pits, bank protection and general purpose fill (USACE, 2011b). 4.2.7.2 EFFECTS OF PROJECT OPERATIONS ON EXISTING WATER QUALITY The proposed Project will not affect water quantity and quality in Pool 9, as it will not change Project operations at Lock and Dam 9. However, the proposed Project has the potential to temporarily, albeit minimally, affect water quality immediately downstream. Section 4.2.10 contains a discussion of these potential effects. 4.2.8 RESERVOIR SURFACE AREA, VOLUME, MAXIMUM DEPTH, MEAN DEPTH, FLUSHING RATE, SHORELINE LENGTH, SUBSTRATE COMPOSITION There is no reservoir associated with the proposed Project. However, Pool 9, created by the USACE project, extends directly upstream approximately 32 miles and encompasses 52,166 acres in surface area. 4.2.9 GRADIENT FOR AFFECTED DOWNSTREAM REACHES The USACE typically maintains water level elevations of the Pool at USACE Lock and Dam 10 at 611 feet msl, approximately 9 feet lower than Pool 9. The average gradient from the tailwater of Lock and Dam 9 (approximately 620 feet msl) to the tailwater of Lock and Dam 10 (approximately 609 feet msl; roughly 32 miles downstream) is approximately 0.34 feet/mi (USACE, 1998; USACE 2011b; USACE 2011e). 4.2.10 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES WATER QUANTITY The proposed Project will not affect water quantity in Pool 9; as the Project will be operated in run-of-river mode ( i.e., the volume of incoming water will equal the outgoing water), and will not affect the water surface elevation in Pool 9. Accordingly, it would have no effect on the occurrence or extent of flooding in the project vicinity. The Project will pass flows through the new turbines below the auxiliary lock in a range of 1,000 and 10.000 cfs. River flows will exceed the hydraulic capacity of the Project approximately 98 percent of the time annually on average 4-21 (see Flow Duration Curves in Appendix B). This redistribution of flows will result in higher water velocities directly downstream of the auxiliary lock and lower velocities downstream of the existing gates under lower flow conditions. To reduce problems related to scour and sedimentation, the Applicant will deploy scour mats, and/or rip-rap, immediately downstream of the Project. WATER QUALITY During initial consultation, the IA DNR identified potential issues pertaining to water quality impacts in the tailwaters below the dam. Available data indicate that water quality standards are currently met in the project vicinity (EPA, 2002). Project operation is not expected to degrade water quality below the existing standards. As a portion of incoming flows will be divereted through the new turbines in the auxillary lock, spill over the Lock and Dam under current operating conditions may be lessened. Spillway flows may provide limited increases in DO concentrations by aerating the water downstream; however, as the data show that the river is often near saturation, little change is expected. The Applicant expects that existing DO levels of incoming flows augmented by the aeration provided by the low-RPM turbines will maintain DO concentrations above the state standards downstream of the dam. The Applicant does not have any ability to control DO concentrations in Pool 9. Installation-related activities including possible minor dredging in the immediate vicinity of the auxiliary lock may temporarily increase turbidity downstream of the Project. There may also be temporary and minimal sediment redistribution from upstream to downstream associated with initial Project operation. Furthermore, increased turbidity and sediment redistribution in the Mississippi River as a result of the installation and operation of the proposed Project is anticipated to be temporary and generally less than that experienced under normal operation of the Lock and Dam 9 tainter gates and under USACE dredging operations. 4.2.11 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES To address potential concerns regarding erosion, scour, and possible pollutants in the sediments within the project area, the Applicant proposes to conduct a Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study and a Sediment Quality and Quantity Study to determine the effects of 4-22 a new flow pattern on sedimentation rates and potential water quality issues associated with sediment disturbance. Desktop models are sufficient to determine the Project’s effects. In addition, as discussed in Section 5.0, the Applicant proposes to conduct a desktop analysis of existing water quality data to characterize trends in DO, water temperature, and turbidity. The Applicant will develop protocols and Best Management Practices (BMPs), in consultation with agencies, related to the removal, use, transport, and disposal of all dredged materials to minimize the release of sediments. The Applicant will address details regarding the volume, composition, location, and BMPs related to the required dredging and spoil disposal in the federal and state required construction permits. The Applicant will also undertake those measures required by the Section 401 Water Quality Certificate issued for the proposed Project. The Applicant anticipates developing operational guidelines to minimize and avoid any effects to navigation during low flow conditions in consultation with the USACE. The Applicant plans to develop these protocols as part of its anticipated MOA with the USACE. Furthermore, the Applicant anticipates consultation with resource agency regarding potential minimum flows for other resource areas. 4.2.12 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. Iowa Administrative Code (IAC). 2011. Chapter 61 Water Quality Standards. [Online]. URL: http://www.legis.state.ia.us/aspx/ACODOCS/DOCS/567.61.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA). 2011. Publications and Policies. [Online]. URL: http://www.umrba.org/publications.htm. Accessed May 31, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011a. St. Paul District Water Control Center: Real Time Water Resources Data. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/dcp/. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011b. Mississippi River at Lynxville Dam 9, DCP Real Time Data. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/dcp/LYNW3.html. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011c. St Paul District Water Control Center District Projects. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/projects/. Accessed May 27, 2011. 4-23 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011d. St Paul District Mississippi Locks and Dams. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigation/default.asp?pageid=145. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011e. Mississippi River at Guttenberg Dam 10, DCP Real Time Data. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/dcp/GTTI4.html. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2004a. Environmental Pool Plans. Mississippi River Pools 1-10. Fish and Wildlife Work Group River Resources Forum. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/rrf/eppfinal.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2004b. Mississippi Locks and dams. [Online] URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigation/default.asp?pageid=145. Updated December 16, 2004. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1998. St Paul District Water Control Center Mississippi River Locks and dams Elevation Information. [Online] URL: http://www.mvpwc.usace.army.mil/projects/general/ld_elev_data.html. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. July, 2006. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/planning/uppermiss/CCP/CCP.pdf. Accessed May 25, 2011. US Geological Survey (USGS). 2011. USGS 05389500 Mississippi River at McGregor, IA. [Online] URL: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/dvstat/?referred_module=sw&site_no=05389500&por _05389500_2=776163,00060,2,1936-08-16,2010-09-30&start_dt=2001-0901&end_dt=2010-08-31&format=html_table&stat_cds=mean_va&date_format=YYYYMM-DD&rdb_compression=file&submitted_form=parameter_selection_list. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Geological Survey (USGS). 1999. Ecological status and trends of the Upper Mississippi River System 1998: A report of the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 1999. LTRMP 99-T001. 236 pp. [Online] URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/documents/reports/1999/status_and_trends/99t001_frntmatlr. pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. Western Iowa River Basin Index. 2011. [Online]. URL: http://www.iowadnr.gov/water/standards/files/swcdoc2.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011. Fish Consumption Advisories. [Online]. URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/consumption/. Accessed May 27, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2004. Uses and Designated Standards. Chapter 104. Register, February 2004, No. 578. [Online] URL: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/nr/nr104.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. 4-24 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1997. Water Quality Antidegradation. Chapter 207. Register, August 1997. [Online] URL: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/wqs/codes/nr207.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. 4.3 FISH AND AQUATIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(IV)] 4.3.1 OVERVIEW Generally, the navigation pools of the UMR system have been delineated into three distinct ecologic zones. The lower reach of the pools closest to the dams (formerly marshes with high ground islands) are generally impounded areas containing the deepest waters of the pool. The middle zones of the pools contain extensive backwater marshes and shallow lakes interspersed with tree stump fields where former forests, wet meadows and marshes occurred within the floodplain. The upper pool zones extend downstream of the upstream dams and are generally comprised of braided channels and forested islands (USFWS, 2006). Pool 9 is a lotic system with a main channel used primarily for navigation extending upstream 32.5 miles, near Reno, Minnesota (USACE 2004). 4.3.2 4.3.2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING FISH AND AQUATIC COMMUNITIES FISH SPECIES The UMR provides habitat for up to 125 fish species, including northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, buffalos, crappie, bluegill, bullheads, sauger and walleye (USGS, 1999). The physical complexities of Pool 9 provide a wide range of aquatic areas (i.e., channels, backwater lakes) and an array of habitats for fishes in the UMR system (USFWS, 2006). Please refer to Appendix E Fish Species of Pools 9 and 10, for a complete list of fish species that may occur upstream (Pool 9) and downstream (Pool 10) of the proposed Project. 4-25 A federally sponsored Pool 9 Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project has been implemented with the help of state and federal resources agencies upstream of Lock and Dam 9 to restore habitat conditions within portions of Lake Winneshiek, along with other segments of the UMR within Pool 9. As a result, approximately 400 acres of Lake Winneshiek are protected from wave action, providing for increases in aquatic vegetation. Plans for continued renewal of Pool 9 include strategies to reverse the impacts of sedimentation in backwater lakes and channels, island formation, and subsequent reductions in wave action (USACE, 2004). The Harper’s Slough Area of Pool 9 (river mile 648-655) is in the immediately adjacent to the proposed Project. This area includes several islands and vegetation beds. A submerged secondary channel is evident on bathymetric maps and provides fishery resources. This area is also known to support significant freshwater mussel populations; however, the introduction of the non-native zebra mussel is threatening mussel populations throughout Pool 9. Significant Habitat/Island Forming improvement projects are being considered and/or implemented within this area of Pool 9 by resource agencies (EPP, 2004). 4.3.2.2 HERPTILE SPECIES AND HABITATS Approximately 35 species of reptiles and amphibians have been recorded along the UMR. Please refer to Appendix F, for a list of reptile and amphibian species found in the UMR. Section 4.6, Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species [§ 5.6 (d)(3)(vii)]discusses threatened and endangered reptiles and amphibians, if they occur in the project vicinity. 4.3.2.3 MACROINVERTEBRATE SPECIES AND HABITATS The UMR, particularly in the northern section, has historically supported a diverse assemblage of benthic macroinvertebrates: however, municipal and industrial wastes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area have severely stressed the benthic macroinvertebrate communities downstream (Elstad, 1986). The effects of upstream pollution from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is ameliorated at the navigation pools upstream of the Project. During previous studies, benthic production and macroinvertebrate density was generally greater in the more eutrophic areas, though these areas supported fewer taxa overall. Eutrophic areas generally supported more pollution-tolerant organisms capable of burrowing into depositional-type 4-26 substrates. More taxa and greater numbers of EPT (caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies), were collected from less eutrophic areas (Elstad, 1986). Most macroinvertebrate surveys to date on the UMR have focused on mayflies, fingernail clams, and freshwater mussels. The USFWS’ Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) has focused on six study reaches, one of which is Pool 8 immediately upstream of the Project, and Pool 13, downstream of the Project. Data was collected at 6 study areas, including pools 8 and 13, over the course of 10 years. The survey found that mayflies and fingernail clams were most prevalent within the upper-most pools of the study area (pools 4, 8, and 13). Most study areas exhibited high occurrences of midges and aquatic worms and leeches (SAUER, 2004). Further studies of macroinvertebrates within Pool 9 were performed by James Eckbald of Luther College in Decorah Iowa. Results from his sampling efforts depicted that fingernail clam densities have increased since previous studies. This is also supported by the observations of UMR Wildlife Refuge staff members (SAUER, 2004). Historically, 53 freshwater mussel species have been documented in the UMR, but only 44 mussel species have recently been documented. Decline in populations are likely caused by habitat alteration, commercial navigation, overharvest and invasion of the zebra mussel (USFWS, 2006). Some species are rare either because of naturally small populations or population decline in the area (SAUER, 2004; Wilcox, et. al., 2004). Common and relatively abundant mussels species include: Amblema plicata (threeridge), Fusconaia flava (wabash pigtoe), Quadrula pustulosa (pimpleback), Lampsilis cardium (plain pocketbook), Obliquaria reflexa (threehorn wartyback), Obovaria olivaria (hickorynut), Potamilus alatus (pink heelsplitter), and Truncilla truncate (deertoe) (Wilcox, et. al., 2004). Please refer to Appendix G for a list of native mussel species likely to occur within the project area and their corresponding fish host. 4.3.2.4 INVASIVE AQUATIC SPECIES An "invasive species" is one that is non-native to the ecosystem and that causes or is likely to cause environmental harm. Although often overlooked as an invasive species, carp species are 4-27 not indigenous to United States waters. The common carp reportedly inhabit the Mississippi River upstream and downstream of the Lock and Dam 9 Project (USFWS, 2008). The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, was first reported in the United States in 1988 in Lake St. Clair, and established populations in the Mississippi River were reported in 1992. This species of mussels is highly prolific and can dominate native mussel populations (USFWS, 2008). USGS reports (1997) that densities of over 25,000 per square yard have been reported within Pool 9 (USGS, 1998). 4.3.3 IDENTIFICATION OF ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT AS DEFINED UNDER THE MAGNUSONSTEVENS FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT ACT AND ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE Pursuant to the amended Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Congress mandated that habitats essential to federally managed commercial fish species be identified, and that measures be taken to conserve and enhance habitat. Essential fish habitat is only applicable to federally managed commercial fish species that live out at least one component of their lifecycle in marine waters (USC, 2006). All fish in Pool 9 are freshwater species that are not federally managed; therefore, there is no designated essential fish habitat in Pool 9 of the project area. 4.3.4 4.3.4.1 TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH AND AQUATIC COMMUNITIES AND TRENDS: FISH SPECIES TEMPORAL/LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION Pool 9 and Pool 10 provide both lotic and lentic habitats. Fish species adapted to lotic habitats in the UMR system include walleye, paddlefish, sturgeon, and catfish. Species that require lentic, slack-water habitats in the system include bass, northern pike and sunfish. Sport fish of the UMR include walleye; sauger; bluegill; white, largemouth, and smallmouth bass; northern pike; crappies; catfish; and buffalo (USFWS, 2006). Sauger and walleye are two popular sport fish that are likely widely distributed in the main channel of the river and in the backwaters of Pool 9. Specifically, walleye are likely abundant in the main stem of Pool 9 as they are less tolerant to turbidity whereas sauger are likely abundant in the flowing channels of Pool 9, particularly along the side of dam walls and in the tailwaters 4-28 of Lock and Dam 9. Walleye spawning occurs from mid-April to early May in shallow, silt substrate flats and may typically be found throughout the backwater complexes of Lake Winneshiek (Mecozzi, 1989). Sauger typically spawns in April to early May in rocky tailwater areas (WDNR, 2004). During summer, autumn and winter, walleye and sauger are likely limited to the habitat in Lake Winneshiek. Other sport fish such as bluegill, crappie, yellow perch and black bass are present in Pool 9, typically in the backwaters (USFWS, 2006). Largemouth bass prefer shallow backwater lakes and sloughs that feature an abundance of aquatic vegetation and wood debris. Black crappies likewise prefer backwater lakes and sloughs and white crappies are generally found in slowmoving side channels and running sloughs. White crappies are more tolerant of turbid waters and both species prefer sunken trees and stump fields. Bluegills congregate in the aquatic vegetation and woody debris of shallow backwater bays, lakes and moderately running sloughs (WDNR, 2004). Northern pike are another popular sport fish in the UMR. The northern pike fishery is considered strong but small in the UMR (MNDNR, 2009). Catfish support a recreational fishery in the UMR. The most abundant ictalurid species occurring in the UMR is the channel catfish (USGS, 1999). The channel, blue and flathead catfish prefer clear, slow-moving waters and likely occur in channels and backwaters of Pool 9. These species of catfish are found on substrates of gravel, rubble or sand, but prefer mud bottoms (WDNR, 2004). These species feed on snails, crayfish and aquatic invertebrates. In general, catfish will spawn over submerged log jams and root wads in quiet, slow moving waters (WDNR, 2004). Unlike flathead catfish, channel catfish prefer to move upstream during summer months into smaller tributaries (MNDNR, 2009c). Smallmouth buffalo are found in low velocity areas, such as pools and backwater areas of Pool 9. Smallmouth buffalo typically spawn during April-May in shallow waters with moderate flow over aquatic weeds and gravel bottoms. Becker (1983) suggests this species may require flooded terrestrial areas for spawning. Buffalo species are one of the most abundant fish in the Project vicinity because they are resistant to the partial and often severe winter kills that occur regularly (USGS, 1999). 4-29 The paddlefish was historically an abundant fish species in the UMR in the early 1900’s, but over harvesting and the construction of dams has caused populations to decline. Iowa and Wisconsin list the paddlefish as threatened (see Section 4.6.1, (A) Description of listed rare, threatened and endangered, candidate, or special status species in the project vicinity.). The northern limit of this species’ distribution along the UMR occurs along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border (USFWS, 2006). During the spring, paddlefish will migrate into tributaries or concentrate below dams in search of spawning habitat, which includes moderate flowing water over gravel and/or rock substrate (USGS, 2007). Paddlefish have been documented to move both upstream and downstream of the locks and dams of the UMR. According to Steuck et al. (2010), paddlefish were uncommon in Pools 9 and 10. Paddlefish may move through Lock and Dam 9 during spring months. Zigler et. al (2004) documented 53 passages through dams on the Mississippi River, specifically during the spring flood pulses, when gates are raised allowing the river to flow freely. Historically, the shovelnose sturgeon was abundant in the Mississippi River, but the construction of navigational dams and overharvesting has caused a decline in population. Presently, the shovelnose sturgeon is commercially harvested on the UMR, where commercial fisherman use trammel nets, setlines, buffalo nets, and baitlines to catch large numbers of this species (WDNR, 2008). The shovelnose sturgeon frequently inhabits flowing water over sandy bottoms or near rocky points or bars. Spawning generally occurs in the spring at temperatures between 17-21˚C in channels of strong current over rocky and gravel bottoms. This species does not have a restricted home range and is capable of rapid, long-distance movements. Hurley et. al (1987) reported greatest movements rates to be in May in the UMR. Shovelnose sturgeon are reported to inhabit Pool 9. Koch et. al (2009) reports that lengths, weights and ages of shovelnose sturgeon in the upper pools (Pools 4, 7, 9, and 11) are generally greater than downstream pools. The American eel is the only catadromous fish species known to occur in Pool 9; however, it is considered “rare”. WDNR lists the American eel as a state species of concern (WDNR, 2011) (see Section 4.6.1). The American eel is able to tolerate a range of habitats, which include warm freshwater rivers and reservoirs, coastal brackish waters and cold water streams (FishBase, 2006). The American eel has a catadramous life cycle that involves several migrations and metamorphosis. Although, little is known about their specific spawning habitat, the American eel migrates to the Sargasso Sea where it spawns and then dies. 4-30 There have been no anadromous fish species reported in Pool 9. The construction of 29 locks and dams on the Mississippi River has restricted fish movement since the early 1900’s; however, operation of the locks at the dams allows fish to move both upstream and downstream. Most upriver fish passage occurs through the gated sections of the dam, where as downriver passage likely occurs through the locks, through the gated section of the dams and over spillways (USGS, 1999). 4.3.4.2 HERPTILE SPECIES TEMPORAL/LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION FROGS AND TOADS Frogs and toads (anurans) require a variety of habitats for breeding, egg deposition, larval development and life as an adult. Anurans generally occur in wetland areas, however toads are less restricted to permanent wetlands. Habitat preferences vary among species, ranging from permanent bodies of water to more open semi-permanent wetlands (USGS, 2006). Some require permanent bodies of water, including ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams (HerpNet, 2011). SALAMANDERS Salamanders, like frogs and toads, also undergo a complex life cycle from egg to larvae to adult. Salamanders generally remain underground in burrows, or under rotting logs. Typically, salamanders require landscapes with moist soils and water-filled depressions, however some species like the Tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) can occur in more developed habitat including open fields, prairies, cultivated fields, pastures, and open forest. The Common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is the only salamander in the project vicinity that retains its external gills into adulthood, restricting the species to a permanent aquatic environment. These fully aquatic salamanders, are found in medium to large rivers and lakes with all bottom types (HerpNet, 2011). Breeding typically takes place during the spring; however mudpuppies breed during the fall (WDNR, 2006). TURTLES Most turtles require an aquatic environment, such as the Common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) which prefers lakes and oxbows or slow moving rivers. However, some species may occur in shallow marshes, ponds, or similar wetlands with lots of emergent vegetation and little to no current. Turtles typically breed and lay eggs between April and late-June as water 4-31 levels rise and stabilize. Turtles typically nest in riparian sites but may nest up to ½ mile away from shore, preferring gravel/sand substrate near water but high above water level. Turtles also require areas of partially submerged logs and rocks for basking and temperature regulation (Degraaf and Rudis, 1986; HerpNet, 2011). 4.3.4.3 MACROINVERTEBRATE SPECIES TEMPORAL/LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION Burrowing mayflies are indicators of good water quality simply because of their relatively long life cycles. Mayfly distribution indicates what water quality conditions have been like for prolonged periods of time. Three species of burrowing mayfly may be found along much of the Mississippi River: Haxagenia bilineata, Hexagenia limbata, and Pentagenia vittigera. The H. bilineata are considered abundant in the majority of the navigational pools of the UMR, while large populations of H. limbata may be present in early spring. H. bilineata and H. limbata do well in silted impoundments and prefer tributary rivers, streams and lakes in which there are sufficient oxygenated waters, while nymphs of P. vittigera apparently inhabit swift waters (Fremling, 1964). Sphaeriids or fingernail clams occur in lakes, ponds creeks and rivers, including ephemeral ponds and intermittent streams through most of the U.S. Fingernail clams are widely distributed along the Mississippi River, but diversity and distribution are not well known (Williams et al 2008). The majority of fingernail clams prefer soft bottoms that consist of silt and detritus. They prefer slow current velocities or standing waters. Other fingernail clams prefer greater water velocities and attach to hard substrates such as concrete, stone or gravel (Bodis et. al. 2006). UNIONIDS Wabash pigtoe, pimpleback, threehorn wartyback, hickorynut, pink heelsplitter, and deertoe are fairly common within the UMR (Wilcox, et. al., n 2004; USFWS, 2003). These species prefer moderate to slow velocities with a substrate of mud, gravel and/or sand (Kelner, 2002). The wabash pigtoe is a reservoir tolerant species. There are no known fish hosts for this species (Williams et al, 2008). Pimpleback species prefer large creeks to large rivers, particularly, in shoals, runs and pools in substrates ranging from clean gravel to sand and gravel with a silt layer (Williams et. al 2008). 4-32 Host fish species for the pimpleback include shovelnose sturgeon, channel catfish and flathead catfish (Wilcox et. al 2004). The threehorn wartyback may occur in large rivers, reservoirs and medium to large tributaries. It usually colonizes along overbanks and prefers a variety of substrates, ranging from gravel to sand to mud. Similarly, the hickorynut species also prefer large to medium rivers and may occur in reservoir systems. These species prefer sand and gravel substrates in depths usually exceeding two meters (William et. al, 2008). Fish host for this species includes shovelnose sturgeon (Wilcox et. al, 2004). The pink heelsplitter occur primarily in slack water habitats of creeks and rivers, which may include overbank areas of reservoirs. This species may also be found in shoals and sometimes tailwaters of dams. It prefers a variety of substrates, including gravel, sand and mud and is considered to be tolerant to silted areas (Williams et. al, 2008). Host fish species include freshwater drum (Wilcox et. al, 2004). The deertoe occur in flowing water of creeks and small to medium rivers. The deertoe may also be found in large rivers, specifically, in the tailwaters of dams. It may be found in overbank habitats of reservoirs in areas with firm substrates, which include sand, gravel and sometimes firm mud (Williams et. al, 2008). Host fish species for deertoe include sauger and freshwater drum (Wilcox et. al, 2004). Threeridge mussel is one of the most widespread and abundant species that occurs in the Mississippi River and its tributaries (USFWS, 2003). The threeridge uses several species of fish to complete its life cycle, which include black and golden redhorse, northern hogsucker, largemouth bass, northern pike, flathead and channel catfish, white bass, sauger and freshwater drum. The threeridge mussel prefer habitat of shallow runs with moderate current (Wilcox, et. al., 2004; Kelner 2002). The plain pocketbook occurs in large creeks to large rivers, which include tailwaters of dams. It may be found in flowing water or pools but is particularly found in overbank habitats of reservoirs. This species may occur in riffles with strong current with substrates consisting of large stones, loosely piled over each other, with fine material packing the stones together. In 4-33 tailwaters, it usually occurs in mixtures of sand and gravel, in which it is likely, buried (Williams et. al, 2008). Host fish species include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, sauger and walleye (Wilcox et. al, 2004). 4.3.5 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES The proposed Project will have minimal to no net effect on aquatic resources in the project vicinity. As discussed in the above Sections, the proposed Project will operate in run-of-river mode and will have no effect on elevations in Pool 9. Likewise, the Project will not affect flow rates at Lock and Dam 9. Accordingly, effects to downstream aquatic resources and habitats are limited to minor of flow re-routing immediately downstream of the auxiliary lock. Project installation and operation in the existing auxiliary lock may have temporary effects to habitats in the immediate tailrace area in Pool 10, downstream of the auxiliary lock. Initially Project operation may temporarily increase turbidity of the water downstream of the dam. The resulting change in water quality may affect macroinvertebrate communities. The Applicant expects these temporary effects will be less than the turbidity that occurs during high water events and that macroinvertebrates will reestablish themselves post installation. The Applicant proposes to dredge the soft, fine sediments in the auxiliary lock that have settled on the top of the existing concrete floor of the lock. The species expected to use this sediment are the sludgeworms and bloodworms that are characteristic of poor water quality and species diversity. The result would be some temporary impacts to habitat in the auxiliary lock. During initial consultation, the IA DNR identified potential issues regarding fish entrainment and mortality. As with other hydropower projects, the Project may potentially entrain and/or impingement fish. The Applicant proposes to install trash racks at the Project to exclude a significant number of fish. Study measures to address this potential issue are discussed below. Additionally, the IA DNR indicated concern about project impacts to fish migration. The Project will be located at an already existing USACE dam structure and will cause no additional impacts to fish migration. 4-34 4.3.6 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES To better assess the above describe potential impacts with regards to fishery resources, the Applicant proposes to implement a Desktop Entrainment/Impingement Study, a Desktop Sediment Quality and Quantity Study, a Desktop Water Quality Study, a Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study, and a Mussel Survey. Section 5.2 summarizes Applicant proposed studies for potentially affected resources areas. 4.3.7 REFERENCES Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 1052 pp. Boides, E. & Oertel, N. (2006): Mussel fauna (Corbiculidae, Dreissendae, Sphaeriidae) in the water-System of Hungarian Danube. – Hungarian Danube Research Station of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, H-2131 Göd, Jávorka S. u. 14, Hungary, (in Hungarian). Degraaf, R.M. and D.D. Rudis. 1986. New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History, and Distribution. General Technical Report NE-108. US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service (USFS). Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Broomall, PA. 491 pp. Elstad, Catherine, A. 1986. Macrobenthic distribution and community structure in the upper navigation pools of the Upper Mississippi River. Journal Hydrobiologia. Volume 136, No. 1. June 1986. Pp 85 – 100. FishBase. 2006. Species Summary: Anguilla rostrata. [Online] URL: http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=296. Updated May 2, 2006. Accessed June 1, 2011. Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. Fremling, C. R. 1964. Mayfly distribution indicates water quality on the Upper Mississippi River. Science 146:1164–1166. HerpNet. 2011. Field Guide to Iowa Reptiles and Amphibians. [Online]. URL: http://herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/. Accessed June 1, 2011. Johnson, B. L., and K. H. Hagerty, editors. 2008. Status and trends of selected resources of the Upper Mississippi River System. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, December 2008. Technical Report LTRMP 2008-T002. 102 pp + Appendixes A–B. [Online] URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/mis/LTRMP2008-T002/. Accessed June 1, 2011. 4-35 Kelner, D.. 2002. Final Report: Mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidia) survey of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Corridor, 2000-01. Prepared for the National Park ServiceMississippi National River and Recreation Area. [Online] URL: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/eco/nongame/projects/consgrant_reports/2002/2002_kelner_da vis.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Koch, J. D., and M. C. Quist. 2009. Effects of Commercial Harvest on Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Upper Mississippi River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 29:84– 100. Malcom H.L., A.J.K. Calhoun, and M. McCollough. 1999. Maine Amphibians and Reptiles. The University of Maine Press, Orono, Maine. 251 pp. Mecozzi, Maureen. 1989. Walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum. 6pgs. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/pubs/walleye.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). 2009a. Nature Snapshots/Fish/Northern Pike. [Online] URL: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/fish/northernpike.html. Accessed June 1, 2011. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). 2009b. Nature Snapshots/Fish/Channel Catfish. [Online] URL:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/fish/channelcatfish.html. Accessed June 1, 2011. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). 2009c. Nature Snapshots/Fish/Flathead Catfish. [Online] URL:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snapshots/fish/flatheadcatfish.html. Accessed June 1, 2011. Minnesota Herpetology. 2009. On-line Field Guide to Minnesota’s Amphibians and Reptiles. [Online] URL: http://herpnet.net/Minnesota-Herpetology/. Accessed June 1, 2011. Sauer, J. 2004. Multiyear synthesis of the macroinvertebrate component from 1992 to 2002 for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program. 2004. Final report submitted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environment Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, December 2004. Technical Report LTRMP 2004-T005. 31 pp. + Appendixes A–C. Schmidt. K. P. 2004. Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) Survey Results in the Mississippi River from St. Paul to Red Wing. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Steuck, M.J., S. Yess, J. Pitlo, A. Van Vooren, and J. Rasmussen. 2010. Distribution and relative abundance of Upper Mississippi River Fishes. Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, Onalaska, WI. United States Code (USC). 2006. 16 USC Chapter 38 – Fishery Conservation and Management. [Online]. URL: http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/16C38.txt. Accessed June 2, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2004. Environmental Pool Plans. Mississippi River Pools 1-10. Fish and Wildlife Work Group River Resources Forum. [Online]. URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/rrf/eppfinal.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. 4-36 US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2008. National Invasive Species Information Center: What is an Invasive Species? [Online] URL: http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/whatis.shtml. Updated December 2, 2008. Accessed June 1, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2008. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/planning/Trempealeau/index.html. Accessed June 1, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. July, 2006. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/planning/uppermiss/CCP/CCP.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1980. Reptiles & Amphibians of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Unpaginated. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.govupmsrept.htm (Version 22MAY98). US Geological Survey (USGS). 2007. Paddlefish Study Project. October, 2007. [Online] URL http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic/fish/paddlefish/main.html:. Accessed June 1, 2011. US Geological Survey. 1999. Ecological status and trends of the Upper Mississippi River System 1998: A report of the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 1999. LTRMP 99-T001. 236 pp. [Online] URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/documents/reports/1999/status_and_trends/99t001_frntmatlr. pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Wilcox, D.B., E.L. Stefanik, D.E. Kelner, M.A. Cornish, D.J. Johnson, I.J. Hodgins, and S.J. Zigler. 2004. Improving fish passage through navigation dams on the Upper Mississippi River System. Interim Report for the Upper Mississippi River - Illinois Waterway Navigation Study ENV Report 54. Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Illinois. Williams, J. D., A. E. Bogan, Garner, J.T. 2008. Freshwater mussels of Alabama and the mobile basin in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The University Alabama Press, Alabama. 816 pages. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011. Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and Animals and Native Natural Communities in Crawford County. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/nhi/CountyElements/pdfs/Crawford.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2008. Wisconsin’s Sturgeon. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/sturgeon/ssturgeon_illustration.html. Updated February 2008. Accessed June 1, 2011. 4-37 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2006. Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin’s Lakes. [Online] URL: http://vilaslandandwater.org/land_resources_pages/land_resources_wildlife/insects_n_am phibians/wi%20lakes%20convention%202006%20herps.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection (WDNR). 2004. Fishing and Boating on the Mississippi River. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/gmu/mississippi/pdf%20files/Mississippi_%20book.pdf. Accessed June 1, 2011. Zigler, S. J., M. R. Dewey, B. C. Knights, A. L. Runstrom, and M. T. Steingraeber. 2004. Hydrologic and hydraulic factors affecting passage of paddlefish through dams in the upper Mississippi River. Transactions of the American Fisheries 133: 160-172. 4.4 WILDLIFE AND BOTANICAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(V)] 4.4.1 UPLAND HABITAT IN THE PROJECT VICINITY, INCLUDING THE PROJECT'S TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR OR RIGHT-OF-WAY AND A LISTING OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES THAT USE THE HABITAT The Project occurs is the Western Coulees and Ridges ecological region (WDNR, 2011a). The Western Coulees and Ridges region is characterized by gentle slopes and hills with well drained soils (Omernik et al., 2008). Land use in the region is predominantly mixed agriculture/woodland, with most of the agriculture occurring on the lowlands and more level hilltops. The upland habitats of the Western Coulees and Ridges region is dominated by broadleaved deciduous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forest, and interspersed with areas of shrubland and grassland (Omernik et al., 2008). The broad-leaved deciduous forest is the most dominant upland habitat in the project vicinity (WDNR, 2011b). This forest type can be further classified as oak-hickory or maple-basswood, based on the dominant cover species present. The mixed deciduous-coniferous forest is the second most dominant upland habitat in the project vicinity (WDNR, 2011b). The hardwood canopy species of this forest type are similar to the broad-leaved deciduous forest, but also include birch species (Betual sp.). Shrublands are not widespread in the project vicinity, and occur on a more transitional gradient from upland areas to wetland areas (WDNR, 20011b). These areas are dominated by persistent woody vegetation that do not exceed 20 feet in height. In addition, there is less than 10 percent of tree cover interspersed in the shrublands (WDNR, 2011b). 4-38 Grassland habitat, which also includes pastures and idle agriculture lands is the least dominant upland habitat in the project vicinity and only occurs as small patches (WDNR, 2011b). Please refer to Appendix H for a list of upland habitat botanical and wildlife species common to the region. 4.4.2 TRANSMISSION LINE CORRIDOR – UPLAND HABITAT The Applicant has conducted a preliminary interconnection survey. A 69 kV line has been identified approximately 4.25 miles from the dam on the east side of the river. The line runs approximately 8 miles north to the Seneca substation. This 4.25 mile connection would be made with the use of an overhead distribution line through terrain that may be rough. As this alternative is still under investigation, upland habitat effects will be analyzed within future licensing documents. 4.4.3 TEMPORAL OR SPECIAL DISTRIBUTION OF COMMERCIALLY, RECREATIONALLY, OR CULTURALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES Many of the species that have the potential to occur within the project vicinity may only inhabit those lands at certain times of the year. As the Project will occupy no upland habitats there are no effects to species within these areas. 4.4.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES The Applicant does not expect Project installation or operation to affect potentially occurring wildlife that may use the upland habitats in the project vicinity due to the limited Project footprint. In addition, as a run-of-river operation, the Project will not affect USACE operations of the navigational lock or the dam, and will not change pool elevations or tailwater flows from existing conditions. The Project infrastructure will be located on currently developed sites that are already devoid of vegetative cover. During initial consultation, the IA DNR identified potential issues pertaining to transmission line impacts to migrating birds. As transmission line alternatives are still being considered, the need for transmission line surveys will be determined through consultation once a final transmission route has been determined. 4-39 4.4.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES The Applicant will consult with resource agencies regarding the need for native vegetation restoration related to project installation disturbance. The Applicant proposes no additional PM&E measures at this time. 4.4.6 REFERENCES eBird. Common bird species of Crawford County Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://ebird.org/ebird/wi/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=counties&parentStat e=USWI&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2011&reportType=location&count ies=US-WI-023&continue.x=75&continue.y=9. Accessed on May 26, 2011. Hoffman, Randy. 2002. Wisconsin’s Natural Communities: How to Recognize Them, Where to Find Them. The University of Wisconsin press. Madison, Wisconsin. Omernik, James M., Shannen S. Chapman, Richard A. Lillie, and Robert T. Dumke. Ecoregions of Wisconsin. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/swims/datasets/omernik_eco/index.htm. Accessed on May 27, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011a. Wisconsin DNR WebView – Ecological Landscapes layer. [Online] URL: http://dnrmaps.wi.gov/imf/imf.jsp?site=webview. Accessed on May 27, 2011. WDNR. 2011b. Wisconsin DNR WebView – WISCLAND Landcover layer. [Online] http://dnrmaps.wi.gov/imf/imf.jsp?site=webview. Accessed on May 27, 2011. URL: WDNR. 2009. Feasibility Study, Master Plan, and Environmental Impact Statement for the Southwest Wisconsin Grassland & Stream Conservation Area. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/SWGrassland/documents/SWGSCA.pdf. Accessed on May 27, 2011. WDNR. 2003. Wisconsin Forest Management Guidelines. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/publications/guidelines/toc.htm. Accessed on May 27, 2011. 4-40 Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory (WNHI). 2011. Recognized Natural Communities. [Online] URL: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/communities/pdfs/communities.pdf. Accessed on May 27, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011a. Lower Pool 9 Restricted Hunting Areas. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/uppermississippiriver/Documents/LP92010.pdf. Accessed on May 26, 2011. USFWS. 2011b. Upper Mississippi River Refuge Wildlife Spectacles by Season and Location. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver/Wildlife.html. Accessed on May 27, 2011. USFWS. 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed on May 26, 2011. USFWS. 1924. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Established 1924 Compatibility Determination. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/cd/Hunting%20Migratory%20Birds.pd f. Accessed on May 27, 2011. US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2011. Upland botanical species of Crawford County Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://plants.usda.gov/checklist.html. Accessed on May 26, 2011. 4.5 FLOODPLAINS, WETLANDS, RIPARIAN, AND LITTORAL HABITAT [§ 5.6(D)(3)(VI)] 4.5.1 MAP OF WETLANDS, RIPARIAN AND LITTORAL HABITAT The USFWS maintains the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) that provides reconnaissance level information on the location, type, and size of wetlands and deepwater habitats (USFWS, 2011). The NWI indicates that a variety of wetland and deepwater habitats occur in the Project vicinity (Figure 4-11). These wetland types include freshwater emergent, forested and shrub wetlands, freshwater ponds and lakes, and riverine habitat. 4-41 FIGURE 4-11. PROJECT VICINITY WETLAND AND RIPARIAN HABITAT. Source: (USFWS, 2011) The most abundant wetland habitats in the project vicinity are lakes totaling approximately 53, 647 acres and riverinie habitat which accounts for approximately 53, 292 acres of wetland habitat (Table 4-4). Freshwater ponds and scrub shrub wetlands make up the least amount of wetland habitat in the project vicinity, 322 and 168 acres, respectively. TABLE 4-4. ESTIMATES OF PROJECT VICINITY WETLAND AND RIPARIAN ACREAGES. WETLAND TYPE ACRES PERCENT OF TOTAL WETLAND HABITAT 53,647 47% Freshwater Lake 53,292 47% Riverine 3,889 3% Forested Wetland 2% Freshwater Emergent Wetland 2,144 322 0% Freshwater Pond 168 0% Scrub Shrub 113,462 Total Source: (USFWS, 2011a) 4-42 4.5.1.1 LAKES The freshwater lake habitat in the project vicinity is mostly comprised of sloughs and riverine lakes created by the USACE Lock and Dam system on the Mississippi River. Pool 9 located upstream of the Project includes Harpers Slough, Capoli Slough, Lafayette Slough, Winneshiek Slough, and Lake Winneshiek. Downstream of the Project is Pool 10, which includes McGregor Lake. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) constitutes the greatest plant biomass in the lakes and slough habitat. Please refer to Appendix I for a list of wetland habitat botanical and wildlife species common to the region. 4.5.2 A LIST OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, INCLUDING INVASIVE SPECIES, THAT USE THE WETLAND, LITTORAL, AND RIPARIAN HABITAT Please refer to Appendix I for a complete list of wetland botanical and wildlife species, including invasive species, common to the region. 4.5.2.1 RIVERINE The UMR primarily represents the riverine habitat in the project vicinity. The riverine system in the project vicinity is characterized by a low gradient and slow water velocity. There is no tidal influence in the riverine system, and the substrate consists mainly of sand and mud (USFWS, 2011b). The vegetation cover in the riverine habitat is less than 30 percent. Vegetation is limited to submergent, floating, and floating-leaved aquatic macrophytes and does not include terrestrial shoreline vegetation (Table 4-4). The water depth in the riverine portions of Pool 9 is approximately 9 feet, which does not allow for the accumulation of emergent species. Appendix I includes species occurring within the riverine system. 4.5.2.2 FORESTED WETLAND Forested wetlands make up a significantly lower portion (approximately 3,889 acres) of the project vicinity wetland habitats (Table 4-4). Forested wetlands are characterized by woody vegetation that is 6 meters tall or taller (USFWS, 2011b). In addition, surface water is present for brief periods during the growing season, but the water table usually lies well below the soil 4-43 surface for most of the growing season. Plants that grow in both uplands and wetlands may be characteristic of this water regime (USFWS, 2011b). In the project vicinity, forested wetlands mostly occur in floodplains that have developed along Pool 9 especially where major tributaries enter. Appendix I includes wetland species and wildlife species that may occur in this habitat. 4.5.2.3 FRESHWATER EMERGENT WETLAND Freshwater emergent wetlands make up approximately 2 percent of the wetland habitat in the project vicinity (Table 4-4). In general, freshwater emergent wetlands are closely associated with the shorelines of major tributaries to Pool 9 such as Rush Creek. This wetland type includes littoral fringes, wet meadows, and marshes (USFWS, 2011a). Erect, rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes, excluding mosses and lichens characterize freshwater emergent wetlands. This vegetation is present for most of the growing season in most years. Perennial plants usually dominate these wetlands (USFWS, 2011b). Emergent wetlands typically occur as a transition from riverine habitat to forested or scrub shrub wetland habitat. In the most inundated zone of some emergent wetlands, an aquatic bed may occur that is dominated by submerged aquatic plants. Appendix I includes plant and wildlife species potentially occurring within this habitat. 4.5.2.4 FRESHWATER POND Approximately 322 acres of wetland habitat in the project vicinity is classified as freshwater pond (Table 4-5). Freshwater ponds include all wetlands and deepwater habitats with a substrate of at least 25% cover of particles smaller than stones (less than 6-7 cm), and a vegetative cover of less than 30% (USFWS, 2011b). In general, freshwater ponds mostly occur sporadically throughout the upland areas of the project vicinity. The distribution of these ponds appears to correlate with agricultural areas in the project vicinity, which most likely indicates they are manmade and likely used for irrigation purposes. It is unlikely that these ponds function as a significant source of habitat to wildlife or native plants, although some species such as mallards and Canada geese may occur. 4-44 4.5.2.5 SCRUB SHRUB WETLAND Approximately 168 acres of wetland habitat in the project vicinity is classified as scrub shrub (Table 4-5.). Scrub shrub wetlands include areas dominated by woody vegetation less than 6 m (20 feet) tall (USFWS, 2011b). These wetlands are closely associated with the forested wetlands in the project vicinity, occurring along transitional gradients. Appendix I includes plant species and wildlife species that may occur within this habitat. 4.5.3 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES The vast majority of the project infrastructure will be located on previously developed facilities that are already devoid of vegetative cover and wetlands. The Applicant does not anticipate any potential adverse impacts or issues to floodplains, wetlands, riparian, and littoral habitat due to installation activities or operation of the proposed Project. 4.5.4 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES The Applicant will consult with agency representatives regarding the need to restore native vegetation or wetlands disturbed by the installation process. 4.5.5 REFERENCES Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI). 2011. Wisconsin All-Bird Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.wisconsinbirds.org/plan/habitats/InlandWater.htm. Accessed on June 1, 2011. eBird. Common bird species of Crawford County Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://ebird.org/ebird/wi/GuideMe?step=saveChoices&getLocations=counties&parentStat e=USWI&bMonth=01&bYear=1900&eMonth=12&eYear=2011&reportType=location&count ies=US-WI-023&continue.x=75&continue.y=9. Accessed on May 26, 2011. Mossman, Michael J. 1988. Birds of Southern Wisconsin Floodplain Forests. [Online] URL: http://images.library.wisc.edu/EcoNatRes/EFacs/PassPigeon/ppv50no04/reference/econat res.pp50n04.mmossman2.pdf. Accessed on June 1, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011a. National Wetlands Inventory Mapper – Crawford County Wisconsin, and Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://137.227.242.85/wetland/. Accessed on May 31, 2011. USFWS. 2011b. National Wetlands Inventory Wetland Decoder. [Online] URL: http://137.227.242.85/Data/interpreters/wetlands.aspx. Accessed on May 31, 2011. 4-45 USFWS. 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed on May 26, 2011. US Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2011. Wetland botanical species of Crawford County Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://plants.usda.gov/checklist.html. Accessed on May 26, 2011. 4.6 RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(VII)] The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) grants particular botanical and wildlife species threatened or endangered status, providing species protection and habitat conservation under the law. In addition, states provide listing and management objectives for species that are considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern within the context of presence and habitat availability within the state. 4.6.1 DESCRIPTION OF LISTED RARE, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED, CANDIDATE, OR SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES IN THE PROJECT VICINITY. The Applicant requested an RTE species review from both Wisconsin and Iowa to determine whether federally and/or state-listed species occur in the project vicinity. The July 11, 2011 results from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) identify that the federally-endangered Higgins eye mussel (Lampsilis higginsii) is known to occur within the project site. Additionally, the WDNR reports that 23 state-listed species are known to occur within the project site; five species are known to occur in the surrounding 1-mile buffer, and three species are found in the surrounding 5-mile buffer (see Appendix J). During initial consultation in May 2011, the IA DNR identified potential issues pertaining to Project impacts to RTE species. However, in an August 18, 2011 letter, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IA DNR) indicated that its record search for rare species and significant natural areas in the project area found no site-specific records that would be impacted by this Project. While no longer federally listed, the bald eagle is monitored under the 2010 Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan for Bald Eagle and protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection and the Migratory Bird Treaty Acts (USFWS, 2009). 4-46 4.6.2 4.6.2.1 IDENTIFICATION OF HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AQUATIC HIGGINS’EYE PEARLYMUSSEL This is a large river species that occupies stable, sandy substrates varying from sand to boulders, and correlates with a firm, coarse sand substrate. They prefer a swift moving current and occur most often in the main channel border or an open flowing side channel. Higgins’ eye usually occurs in large, stable mussel beds with relatively high species density and age diversity. Known host fish species include walleye. Sauger, large and smallmouth bass, white bass, freshwater drum, black crappie, northern pike, green sunfish, bluegill, and yellow perch (USFWS, 2004; FFP, 2011). 4.6.2.2 WILDLIFE BALD EAGLE While no longer federally listed, both Iowa and Wisconsin consider bald eagles a species of concern. Bald eagles typically nest within 0.25 to one mile of large bodies of open water such as lakes and large rivers. Eagles nest in large, super-canopy trees or snags often in late-successional forest. They prefer a nest site at the edge of the forest, near foraging areas, unobstructed views, and little human disturbance (McGarigal, et al. 1991). In Iowa, eagles most often select red pines (Pinus resinosa), white pines (Pinus strobes), large eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides), and aspen (Populus spp.) for nesting. Most eagles forage primarily on fish, with lesser quantities of waterfowl, carrion, and small mammals (Gough, et al. 1998). 4.6.3 REFERENCES TO KNOWN BIOLOGICAL OPINION, STATUS REPORTS, OR RECOVERY PLANS PERTAINING TO A LISTED SPECIES The UMR NWFR, in which Lock and Dam 9 is located, is managed by a Comprehensive Conservation Plan, which is designed to guide the management and administration of the refuge in relation to the overall mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This plan is also designed to protect and enhance federally listed threatened, endangered, and candidate species and their habitats (USFWS, 2006). 4-47 In 2000, the USFWS presented a Biological Opinion for the Operation and Maintenance of the 9Foot Navigation Channel on the UMR System. The opinion determined that continued operation of the 9-foot Navigation Channel project would jeopardize the continued existence of the Higgins’ Eye Pearlymussel and other threatened and endangered species in the UMR system. The opinion also provides alternatives to offsetting the adverse impacts to the Higgins’ Eye while providing for the continued operation of the navigation channel, including the Mussel Relocation Plan discussed below (USFWS, 2000). 4.6.3.1 SPECIES-SPECIFIC PLANS Higgins’ Eye Pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii) is managed under a federal recovery plan, which was revised in May 2004 (USFWS, 2004). The Higgins Eye Pearlymussel Recovery Team prepared the plan. Its focus is on conservation of the species in identified essential habitat areas. The plan also recommends developing a protocol for collection of information about the species. Of highest priority is addressing the impacts and threats posed by zebra mussels on the Higgins’ Eye species (USFWS, 2004). The Higgins’ Eye Mussel Relocation Plan aims to establish five new populations of the Higgins’ eye, and stems from the 2000 USFWS Biological Opinion (discussed above), which indicated that continued operation of the 9-foot Navigation Channel project on the UMR would jeopardize the continued existence of the Higgins’ eye (USACE, 2002). The plan involves relocating the species from areas that are heavily infested by zebra mussels and moving them to locations with low zebra mussel infestation (USACE, 2002). In addition to this relocation plan, the USACE is studying the long-term feasibility of measures to control zebra mussel populations in the UMR system. A Mussel Coordination Team (MCT) made up of nine federal and state government agencies and one non-profit, is working to implement the relocation plan in addition to other mussel-related activities (USACE 2002). On July 9, 2007 the Bald eagle was removed from protection under the ESA, but is still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (72 FR 3734537372). Following this change in status, the USFWS wrote the National Bald eagle Management Guidelines to provide recommendations to landowners about how to avoid disturbing bald eagle and therefore avoid legal prosecution for violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and 4-48 the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (USFWS, 2007). Additionally, the 2009 Post-delisting Monitoring Plan will monitor the status of the bald eagle over a 20-year period by collecting data about occupied nests every 5 years (USFWS, 2009). 4.6.4 EXTENT AND LOCATION OF FEDERALLY-DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT OR OTHER HABITAT FOR LISTED SPECIES IN THE PROJECT AREA There are no known federally designated critical habitat areas for the RTE species described herein; however, the USFWS has designated portions of Pools 9 and 10 as essential habitat for the Higgins’ eye mussel. The five relevant areas to the Project are listed below. In addition, the UMR NWFR (also referred to as the Refuge) provides wildlife management and refuge near Pools 4-14 as one of several management entities on the Mississippi River. The Refuge provides a stronghold for bottomland forests and wetlands that are vital to breeding migrating fish and wildlife (USFWS, 2006; FFP, 2011). The Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program of the WDNR has designated two State Natural Areas in the project vicinity, the Great River Trail Prairies and the Holland Sand Prairie. The rare poppy mallow (Callirhoe triangulate) occurs in the Great River Trail Prairies State Natural Area and the state-threatened Hill’s thistle (Cirsium hillii) can be found in the Holland Sand Prairie (WDNR, 2011b). Neither of these locations is adjacent to or within the project area. 4.6.5 TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE LISTED SPECIES WITHIN THE PROJECT VICINITY Below is a discussion of the federally-listed species that are known to, or have potential to, occur within the Project. In addition to the following federally-listed species, the WDNR identified 21 state-listed aquatic species as known to occur within and surrounding the Project (see Appendix J). 4.6.5.1 AQUATIC SPECIES HIGGIN’S EYE MUSSEL Lampsilis higginsii, also known as the Higgins eye pearlymussel, was federally listed as endangered in 1976 (USFWS, 2004). This species historically occurred in the UMR from below St. Anthony Falls to Pool 24 and its major tributaries. This species was historically abundant in 4-49 the Mississippi River, but changes in habitat such as water flow patterns, substrate characteristics and host fish habitat has caused a decline in this species population (USFWS, 2006). The zebra mussel poses a great threat to the survival of the Higgins’ eye mussel. Most of the remaining habitat is on the UMR within the 9-foot Navigation Project. Five of the ten identified essential habitat areas that are believed to contain viable reproducing populations are found within the UMR NWFR, in which the proposed Project is located. Those specific locations include sections of Pool 9 and Pool 10. In its RTE review results, the WDNR identified the Higgins’ eye as occurring within the Project. The five essential habitat areas within the Refuge are (USFWS, 2006): • • • • • 4.6.5.2 Wisconsin River (River Mile 0 - 0.2) Upper Mississippi River at Whiskey Rock, Ferryville, Wisconsin, Pool 9 (River Mile 655.8 -658.4) Upper Mississippi River at Harpers Slough, Pool 10 (River Mile 639.0 - 641.4); Upper Mississippi River Main and East Channels at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Marquette, Iowa, Pool 10 (River Mile 633.4 - 637) Upper Mississippi River at McMillan Island, Pool 10 (River Mile 616.4 - 619.1) Upper Mississippi River at Cordova, Illinois, Pool 14 (River Mile 503.0 - 505.5) WILDLIFE BALD EAGLE Though the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species, it is currently listed as a state species of concern in Iowa. It has been present in the Refuge since 1972. As of 2005, 167 active territories produced an estimated 279 young, 98 more than in 2004. Nesting territories occur throughout the length of the Refuge and are most numerous in the McGregor District where the proposed Project is located. Over a 19-year period, there has been a 31fold increase in bald eagle reproduction (USFWS, 2006). In 1997, the American Bird Conservancy designated the Refuge a Globally-Important Bird Area due to the number of Bald eagle breeding pairs and other avian species. Peak numbers of bald eagle are common during the month of March when ice-out exposes an abundance of carcasses from the most recent winter fish kill (USFWS, 2006). 4.6.6 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES Given the small and limited footprint of the proposed Project, the Applicant does 4-50 not anticipate any significant issues concerning wildlife or plant RTE species within the project boundary. As previously mentioned, the Applicant has conducted a preliminary interconnection survey; however, alternatives are still being contemplated. As transmission line alternatives are still being considered, the need for transmission line surveys will be determined through consultation once a final transmission route has been determined. The IA DNR expressed additional concern about potential impacts to bald eagle nesting areas during May 2011 consultation. The Applicant will follow USFWS National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, which provide recommendations about how to avoid disturbing bald eagle nesting sites during installation and operation. The proposed action will have minimal, and perhaps no, long-term effect on aquatic RTE resources in the project vicinity. As discussed previously, the proposed Project will operate in run-of-river mode and will have no effects on elevations in Pool 9. Likewise, flows passing at Lock and Dam 9 will continue at the same rate. Accordingly, effects to aquatic resources and habitats are limited to the minor effects of flow re-routing through the conduit adjacent to the dam. Installation and initial operation of the LFM at the existing auxiliary lock may have temporary effects to RTE resources in the immediate areas above and below the dam through increased water turbidity although the effects are expected to be minor and less than high water events experienced during the spring. This determination is pending additional resource agency information. Furthermore, as with other hydropower projects, there is the potential for the entrainment and impingement of fish species at the Project. The Applicant also understands that Pools 9 and 10 in the project vicinity are designated as essential habitat for the endangered Higgins’ eye mussel. Measures to address these potential issues are discussed below. 4.6.7 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES The Applicant is proposing to operate the Project using existing flows, which provide existing baseline downstream water quality and aquatic habitat. As discussed in Section 5.2 Potential Studies and Information Gathering Requirements Associated with the Identified issues, the Applicant is proposing several studies to assess potential impacts resulting from Project installation and/or operation. 4-51 The LFM will be equipped with upstream trashracks spaced appropriately to prevent and mitigate impingement and entrainment as much as possible. As discussed further in Section 5.2, the Applicant will conduct a desktop entrainment/impingement study to determine potential risk to the state-listed RTE fish species by identifying whether they are potentially subject to impingement and entrainment, and then by assessing likelihood of mortality based on the design parameters of the turbine array with respect to intake profiles and approach velocities. The Applicant will undertake this work in consultation with USFWS, WDNR, and IA DNR. Although the Applicant does not anticipate that Project installation or operation will have an adverse effect on this species, the Applicant will consult with resource agencies to determine if existing information is available to address mussels within the project area, and if a mussel survey is necessary. Further discussion on this is included within Section 5.2. Standard Terms and Conditions Article 11 provides for the construction and development of facilities for the conservation of fish and wildlife resources, as may be prescribed by the Commission or upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior. Additionally, the Applicant shall undertake the construction of the switchyard under the conditions specified in the Standard Terms and Conditions Article 15 and shall consult with USACE and other agencies to minimize environmental and social effects from any clearing and installation activities. The Applicant proposes no additional PM&E measures. 4.6.8 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. Gough, G.A., J.R. Sauer, and M. Iliff. 1998. Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Laurel, Maryland. [Online] URL: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html. Accessed May 22, 2009. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. (IDNR). 2011. Natural Areas Inventory Allamakee County Summary of Species Report. [Online] URL: https://programs.iowadnr.gov/naturalareasinventory/pages/RepDistinctSpeciesByCounty. aspx?CountyID=3. Accessed May 26, 2011. McGarigal, K., R.G. Anthony and F.B. Isaacs. 1991. Interactions of Humans and Bald eagles on the Columbia River Estuary. Wildl. Monogr. V:115. 47 pp. 4-52 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St Paul District. 2002. Final July 2002 Definite Project Report and Environmental Assessment for Relocation Plan for the Endangered Higgins’ Eye Pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii). Upper Mississippi River and Tributaries Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Prepared in Cooperation with the Mussel Relocation Team. 122 pp. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011a. Endangered Species Program Species By County Report, Crawford, Wisconsin. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/countySearch!speciesByCountyReport.action?fips=55023 Updated May 26, 2011. Accessed May 26, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011b. Endangered Species Program Species By County Report, Allamakee, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/countySearch!speciesByCountyReport.action?fips=19005 Updated May 26, 2011. Accessed May 26, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2009. Post-delisting Monitoring Plan for the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in the Continguous 48 States. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Divisions of Endangered Species and Migratory Birds and State Programs, Midwest Regional Office, Twin Cities, Minnesota. 75 pp. United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2008a. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau/index.html. Accessed May 20, 2009. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. National bald eagle management guidelines. Washington, D.C. pp. 23. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2004. Higgins Eye Pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii) Recovery Plan: First Revision. Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. 126 pp. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/040714.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2002. Status Report for the Sheepnose, Plethobasus cyphus, Occurring in the Mississippi River System (US Fish and Wildlife Service Regions 3,4, and 5). [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/clams/pdf/sheepnose-sa.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2000. Final Biological Opinion for the Operation and Maintenance of the 9-foot Navigation Channel on the Upper Mississippi River System. April 2000. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region 3, Fort Snelling, MN. 240pp. 4-53 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1996. Platanthera praeclara (Western Prairie Fringed Orchid) Recovery Plan. Us Fish and Wildlife Service, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. Vi+101pp. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/960930a.pdf. Accessed May 27, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1988. Lespedeza leptostachya Recovery Plan. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin cities, Minnesota. 41 pp. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/881006.pdf. Accessed May 26, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1983. Recovery Plan for the Northern Monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense). Prepared by R.H. Read and J.B. Hale, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Madison, WI. 83 pp. [Online] URL: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/830923.pdf. Accessed May 26, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011. Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plants and Animals and Native Natural Communities in Crawford County. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/nhi/CountyElements/pdfs/Crawford.pdf. Accessed May 26, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011b. State Natural Areas Program Information. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/sna/info.htm. Accessed May 27, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2006. Wisconsin Whooping Crane Management Plan. [Online] URL: http://dnr.wi.gov/ORG/LAND/ER/birds/wcrane/pdfs/WC_Mgmt_Plan.pdf. (Accessed May 27, 2011). 4.7 RECREATION AND LAND USE [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(VIII)] 4.7.1 EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, TYPE OF ACTIVITY SUPPORTED, LOCATION, CAPACITY, OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT The Project will be wholly within a secure area maintained by the USACE. The site will remain owned by the USACE and will be leased to the Applicant. Given the limited project boundary for the proposed Project, there will be absolutely no recreation sites or commercial, residential, or municipal developments associated with or affected by the Project. The USACE Lock and Dam 9 impounds Pool 9 containing Lake Winneshiek. The navigation season runs from mid-March to mid-December, during which time various vessels use the lock to navigate the river. The 9-foot vertical lift provides passage for vessels ranging from canoes to barges, and allows over 18 million tons of cargo to pass through each year. In addition to 4-54 commercial transportation, the locks accommodate recreational use, with over 7,000 recreational crafts utilizing the lock annually (FFP, 2011). The USACE maintains an observation platform and restrooms open to the public from April to November at Lock and Dam No, 9. In addition, the USACE manages a public use area at the site and other sites such as Bad Axe Landing, Blackhawk Park, and Millstone Landing. These sites offer a variety of opportunities for recreation including boat ramps, picnic areas, camping facilities, fishing facilities, and swimming areas (FFP, 2011). Other opportunities in the project vicinity are: • • • • • • • • • • • • • Heytman’s Landing Cold Spring’s Landing Lynxville Landing Blackhawk Boat Harbor Hoothchie II Gordon’s Bay Landing Harper’s Ferry Landing Babe’s Boat Landing Boardman’s Marina Delphey Brother’s Landing End of the Line Marina Yellow River State Forest, and Waukon Junction Wildlife Management Area The UMR NFWR, discussed in further detail below, also provides recreational facilities both above and below Lock and Dam 9, such as resorts, marinas and facilities for fishing and hunting (FFP, 2011). 4.7.2 RECREATIONAL USE OF LANDS AND WATERS COMPARED TO FACILITY OR RESOURCE CAPACITY There are no recreational facilities or opportunities associated with the proposed Project. The proposed Project will not affect or alter recreational uses of lands or nearby waters. 4.7.3 EXISTING SHORELINE BUFFER ZONES WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY The proposed Project does not include an impoundment and thus no shoreline buffer zones exist within the proposed project boundary. 4-55 4.7.4 CURRENT AND FUTURE RECREATION NEEDS FROM EXISTING STATE OR REGIONAL PLANS As discussed above, there are no recreation facilities associated with the proposed Project, and there will be no additional facilities or changes to existing conditions of Pool 9 or Pool 10, Lake Winneshiek, or the Mississippi River. None of the following plans identifies any planning issues or related recommendations that would bear relevance to the proposed Project lands or the installation or operation of the proposed Project. • • • • 4.7.5 Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), 2011-2016 Iowa Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), 2006 Crawford County, Wisconsin Comprehensive Plan, 2010 Allamakee County, Iowa Comprehensive Plan, 2001 CURRENT SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PLAN OR POLICY The proposed Project will not utilize or create a reservoir, and therefore, will not have any effect on current shoreline uses or management. While there are no state shoreline management plans, states manage the recreational and shoreline resources of the UMR, including Pool 9 associated with Lock and Dam 9, through their Departments of Natural Resources. In addition, the USACE and organizations such as the UMR NWFR and the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Commission (UMRCC) direct and manage shoreline and recreation issues in proximity to the Project. 4.7.6 4.7.6.1 A DISCUSSION OF WHETHER THE PROJECT IS LOCATED WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO A: DESIGNATED OR UNDER STUDY FOR INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SYSTEM No designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers are located within or adjacent to the project area. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway joins the Mississippi River below Lock and Dam 2. That designation ends at the confluence of the St. Croix and the Mississippi well outside the project vicinity. The UMR is designated an American Heritage River through Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. American Heritage Rivers Initiative is a relatively new program to 4-56 help communities develop and implement plans for restoring and protecting the environmental, economic, and cultural values of rivers and riverfronts (EPA, 2009). 4.7.6.2 A STATE-PROTECTED RIVER SEGMENT No state-protected river segments are in or affected by the proposed Project. 4.7.7 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LANDS UNDER STUDY FOR INCLUSION IN THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM OR AS A WILDERNESS AREA No project lands are under study for inclusion in the National Trails System or as a Wilderness Areas. 4.7.8 REGIONALLY OR NATIONALLY IMPORTANT RECREATION AREAS THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE AND FISH REFUGE The UMR NWFR is the largest river refuge in the continental United States, encompassing approximately 240,000 acres of the Mississippi River floodplain in an almost continuous stretch of 261 river miles from Wabash, Minnesota to near Rock Island, Illinois (USFWS, 2006). The Refuge contains Pools 4 through 14, which includes the proposed Project site. Lock and Dam 9 is in the McGregor District of the UMR NWFR, which is generally located in the middle of the Refuge (USFWS, 2011). The Refuge provides a multitude of recreational opportunities including hunting, wildlife observation and photography, fishing and boating, swimming and sunbathing, picnicking, hiking, and camping. Waterfowl hunting makes up approximately 87 percent of recreational hunting, while fishing brings over a million visitors each year to the Refuge. Hunting opportunities in the vicinity of the Project are located primarily in Lake Onalaska, directly northeast of the Lock and Dam facilities. The Refuge is located within a larger area called the Mississippi Flyway. Many species of birds use this flyway twice a year during their migrations, drawing bird watchers to the area year-round. Throughout the refuge, there are 15 observation decks for wildlife observation and photography. Approximately 275,000 visitors frequent the Refuge annually for waterfowl hunting and over a million visitors fish the Refuge throughout the year (USFWS, 2006). There are 26 USFWS managed boat landings with 700 parking spaces throughout the Refuge (USFWS, 2006). The landings can generally accommodate flat-bottom boats, v-bottom 4-57 fishing boats, runabouts, powerboats, pontoon boats, canoes, and kayaks. Walk-in sites and roadside pull-off areas also provide access to the Refuge (USFWS, 2006). EFFIGY MOUNDS NATIONAL MONUMENT The Effigy Mounds National Monument (Monument), established in 1949, is located approximately 6 miles south of the proposed Project in Iowa, between Allamakee and Clayton Counties. The National Park Service (NPS) governs the area, which encompasses 2,526 acres (FFP, 2011). The site is listed in the Iowa National Register sites of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (Iowa, 2011). Woodland-period Indians built the mounds starting at about 500 B.C and lasting until the early European contact period, though many of the mound sites were lost when European settlers plowed the fields for agriculture (FFP, 2011, NPS, 2011). THE GREAT RIVER ROAD A 3,000-mile network of federal, state, and county roads makes up the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, which parallels the Mississippi River on both sides from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico (FFP, 2011). The Great River Road runs through 10 states, providing access to a variety of recreational options as well as the chance to learn about the river’s history and the blending of cultures along the waterway (FFP, 2011). MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL SYSTEM The Mississippi River Trail, Inc., a non-governmental entity that works with local, state, and federal agencies to find the funding to complete trail projects managed the Mississippi River Trail (MRT). The MRT follows along the Mississippi River, providing approximately 3,000 miles of on-road bikeways and pedestrian and bicycle paths from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The MRT is completing the system of trails and greenways that link together 17 National Parks and other trails (FFP, 2011). The proposed Project would not affect this effort. 4.7.9 NON-RECREATIONAL LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY Because of the small footprint of the Project, all non-recreational land use and management is expected to remain within USACE jurisdiction. The proposed project boundary will encompass the entire auxiliary navigational lock from the upstream to the downstream side as well as certain land on the westerly side of the navigational locks for the provisioning of the switchyard and 4-58 control room. The USACE owns, operates, and securely maintains the facilities and property in accordance with operations of its navigational locks. The Applicant proposes to develop the Project in coordination with the USACE, which controls access to, and facilities of, Lock and Dam 9. The Applicant will lease lands within the project boundary from the USACE, enter into a formal MOA with the USACE, and develop an Operation Plan in coordination with the USACE for the proposed Project. Several laws, such as the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, the Clean Water Act, and the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, contain provisions for USACE regulation and management of shoreline development and navigable waters alterations. Per USACE’s Regulatory Program Regulations (33 CFR 320-331), permits are issued by the USACE for any activities on the Mississippi River involving dredging, wetlands, or waterway structures such as docks or piers (USACE, 2011). The USACE has the authority to issue regional General Permits, and sanction specific activities without an individual permit requirement. A number of permits will be required for this project. Under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, a USACE permit is required to do any work in, over or under a Navigable Water of the U.S. or to do any work that affects the course, location or condition of the waterbody in such a manner as to impact on its navigable capacity (USACE, 2011). Under Section 404, a Corps permit is required for the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S., which include wetlands (USACE, 2011). Section 408 of the Rivers and Harbors Act requires the USACE Chief of Engineers approve any modification of a USACE structure. The Applicant will pursue both of these permits and others that may be required as part of the Project. 4.7.10 RECREATIONAL AND NON-RECREATIONAL LAND USE AND MANAGEMENT ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT BOUNDARY The USACE’s Lock and Dam 9 spans the Mississippi between the counties of Crawford in Wisconsin and Allamakee in Iowa, which are approximately 573 and 640 square miles, respectively (US Census, 2011a; US Census 2011b). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources includes Crawford County in what is known as Region 8. In comparison to the state of Wisconsin overall, Region 8 is largely more agricultural, with a lot less residential and 4-59 commercial property. Forestland is also dominant in the region, but there is very little conservation land (WDNR, 2010). Likewise, Allamakee County is largely rural with the majority of land use being agricultural or recreational. In general, urban development takes a secondary role to agriculture and recreation (Allamakee, 2001). Both Crawford and Allamakee Counties have comprehensive management plans to guide planning, development, and land use (Crawford, 2010; Allamakee, 2001). The USACE is primarily responsible for managing the UMR navigation channel, including the locks and dams and adjacent recreational areas. Adjacent to the proposed Project site, some state, federal, and local agencies have managing authority. The UMR NWFR manages recreational land adjacent to the site and the states manage some parks and forests in addition to some wildlife management areas both along the UMR and within the project vicinity. Table 4-5 provides notable management throughout the states of Wisconsin and Iowa. TABLE 4-5. NOTABLE STATE MANAGEMENT AREAS LOCATION AREA (ACRES) Wisconsin Tiffany Bottoms Wildlife Area 12,740 Whitman Dam Wildlife Area 2,173 Merrick State Park 320 Perrot State Park 1,270 Van Loon Wildlife Area 3,981 Rush Creek State Natural Area 2,265 Wyalusing State Park 2,628 Wyalusing Unit Lower Wisconsin State Riverway 690 Total for Wisconsin 26,067 Great River State Trail 24 miles Iowa Pool Slough Wildlife Management Area 555 Fish Farm Mounds Wildlife Management Area 576 Village Creek Area 52 Yellow River State Forest 8,503 Pike’s Peak State Park 970 Mines of Spain State Recreation Area 1,387 Bellevue State Park 770 Green Island Wildlife Management Area 3,722 Princeton Wildlife Management Area 1,208 Total for Iowa 17,743 Source: USFWS, 2006 4-60 4.7.11 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES During initial consultation, the IA DNR identified potential issues pertaining to Project impacts to tailwater recreation use. However, the Applicant proposes to operate the Project in a run-ofriver mode with no affect to USACE operations of the navigational lock or the dam, and no change to pool elevations or tailwater flows from existing conditions. Additionally, the proposed Project’s limited footprint will not affect existing recreation access near the Lock and Dam. A Draft Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study Plan will provide necessary information to determine how the proposed Project may alter flow patterns and eddying and, if there is altered habitat, where it is likely to reestablish. 4.7.12 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES Several standard license articles outline PM&E measures required by the project license. Standard Terms and Conditions Article 13 provides for public access to project lands and waters for recreation. The proposed Project will not occupy any shoreline areas and will be located on USACE lands and waters, which are fully restricted from public access. Recreation facilities are not appropriate within these secured areas. The Applicant will file a public safety plan for the Project with the Commission and the USACE. 4.7.13 REFERENCES Allamakee County Planning and Zoning Commission. 2001. Allamakee County Comprehensive Plan. Crawford County. 2010. Crawford County Comprehensive Plan 2009-2029. Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. National Park Service (NPS). 2011. Effigy Mounds. [Online] URL: http://www.nps.gov/efmo/planyourvisit/index.htm. Accessed May 20, 2011. State Historical Society of Iowa (Iowa). 2011. National Register Sites in Iowa. [Online] URL: http://www.iowahistory.org/historic-preservation/national-register-of-historicplaces/properties-in-iowa.html. Accessed May 23, 2011. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), St. Paul District. 2011. Overview of Corps’ Permit Programs. [Online] URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/regulatory/default.asp?pageid=740. Accessed May 17, 2011. 4-61 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006a. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed May 17, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006b. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/feis/FinalEIS.pdf. Accessed May 17, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Maps. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/UpperMississippiRiver/maps.html. Updated December 28, 2010. Accessed May, 18, 2011. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2010. Regional Profile: Region 8, Buffalo County, Crawford County, Grant County, La Crosse County. Monroe County, Richland County, Trempealeau County, Vernon County. July 2010. 4.8 AESTHETIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(IX)] In July 1937, construction was complete on Lock and Dam 9, and it went into operation. Between 1989 and 2006, it underwent a major rehabilitation. The normal pool elevation behind the dam is 620 feet, and the dam forms Pool 9. The dam consists of an 811-foot-long concrete structure, five roller gates and eight tainter gates. The structures also include an earth embankment with a secondary spillway. No part of the proposed Project will change visible aspects of the existing USACE facilities. Along the river, immediately downstream and upstream of the dam are a large number of uninhabited and verdant islands without bridge access to the shore. These mostly finger-shaped islands dominate the landscape making the backwaters of the dam aesthetically pleasing. The landscape in the vicinity of the Project is dominated by small farms, forests, and steep terrain, and most areas directly adjacent to the river on both sides are largely uninhabited (FFP, 2011). 4.8.1 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES Overhead transmission lines could possibly be a potential aesthetic effect. As discussed above, the Applicant has conducted a preliminary interconnection survey. Though a potential connection has been identified, transmission line alternatives are still being considered, and as such, the need for transmission line surveys will be determined through consultation once a final transmission route has been determined. 4-62 4.8.2 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES The Applicant’s proposed facilities will be located immediately downstream and within the existing auxiliary lock. The switchyard will be constructed and maintained in a manner appropriate to the nature of the existing USACE structures. 4.8.3 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 0 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. 4.9 CULTURAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(X)] Human occupation within the UMR Basin likely began more than 12,000 years ago. Archaeological records include the earliest evidence in the project vicinity dating to the Paleoindian period (12,000 Before Present (B.P.) to 7500 B.P). Paleoindians are characterized as small family groups of nomadic hunter/gatherers that depended heavily upon Pleistocene mammals such as mammoth, mastodon, bison, and caribou. Undisturbed sites from this culture are very rare and much of what is known about this period is derived from kill sites and through surface finds of fluted spear points. Several sites within the project vicinity are reported to contain Paleoindian components (USFWS, 2006; USFWS, 2008). The Archaic period (9000 B.P. to 3000 B.P.) followed the Paleoindian period. People of this tradition adapted their subsistence practices to changing environmental and habitat resources associated with a warming climate by incorporating small game species and a broader range of plant species into their diets. Extensive trade routes brought in exotic materials. Sites within the project vicinity have components from late in the Archaic period, although none with human remains (USFWS, 2006; USFWS, 2008). The Woodland tradition began approximately 3,000 years ago (3000 B.P. to 700 B.P.). Hunter/gatherers still dominated the subsistence strategy but people lived in larger, semipermanent villages, practiced horticulture, and participated in long distance trade. Archeological sites from this period in the project vicinity usually include ceramics/pottery, arrowheads, and earthen mounds used for human burials and for other purposes. Human remains have also been 4-63 excavated from non-mound sites. Europeans coming into the UMR valley encountered people of the Woodland culture (USFWS, 2006; USFWS, 2008). The Middle Mississippian (1000 to 500 B.P.) tradition started in the Saint Louis area moved up the Mississippi River and its tributaries. There are few documented cultural sites in the project vicinity from the Middle Mississippian period. There is more recorded cultural evidence of the Oneota, a related cultural likely to have developed from the Late Woodland culture, as a result of the arrival of corn and interaction with Middle Mississippian cultures. The Oneota were farmers who cultivated corn and supplemented their diets by fishing and hunting. The present day Winnebago are believed to be descendants of the Oneota (USFWS, 2006; USFWS, 2008). The Mississippi River was the major route of European exploration and subsequent Western culture population growth and development. The fur trade was first established the fur trade in the UMR Valley by the French who maintained it from about 1610 through the early 1760s. The British took control of the fur trade in the 1760s and dominated it until the War of 1812. Subsequent to the war, Americans controlled the regional trade until it collapsed in the late 1840s and early 1850s (USFWS, 2008). Between 1830 and 1890, the Mississippi River served as a transportation route for logs to St. Louis from the forestry operations of northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Until the introduction of the railroads during the late 19th century, steamboats were primary means of shipping goods in the river valley (USFWS, 2008). During the late 19th century, several improvements were made to the Mississippi River to improve navigation. The USACE constructed several dams on lakes in the headwaters area beginning in the 1880s to help maintain channel depth by releasing stored spring run-off during period of low flow. Beginning in 1878, Congress authorized several channel projects on the river. The first project authorized a 4.5-foot deep channel and wing dams, the second authorized a 6-foot channel and the current 9-foot deep channel project was authorized in 1930 under the Rivers and Harbors Act. The Act authorized the 9-foot navigation channel and a series of 23 locks and dams, including Lock and Dam 9 (USACE, 1985). 4-64 4.9.1 IDENTIFICATION OF ANY HISTORIC OR ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN THE PROPOSED PROJECT VICINITY, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON SITES OR PROPERTIES EITHER LISTED IN, OR RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER OR TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICER FOR INCLUSION IN, THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES There are no properties listed on the NRHP for Crawford County by the Wisconsin SHPO (Wisconsin, 2011). One property, the Effigy Mounds National Monument, has been identified as NRHP listed for Allamakee County, Iowa (Iowa, 2011). Additional information about the Monument, which is located 6 miles from Lock and Dam 9, is provided under Recreational Resources. In 1986, Lock and Dams 3 through 10 in USACE’s St. Paul District, which includes Lock and Dam 9, were determined eligible for inclusion in the NRHP listing. At the time, the locks and dams were less than 50 years old; however, they were deemed eligible despite the 50-year rule because of the importance of the 9-foot channel navigation project and its representation of the two presidential administrations who shared credit for its construction (USACE, 1983). 4.9.2 EXISTING DISCOVERY MEASURES, SUCH AS SURVEYS, INVENTORIES, AND LIMITED SUBSURFACE TESTING WORK, FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOCATING, IDENTIFYING, AND ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN WITHIN OR ADJACENT TO THE PROJECT BOUNDARY The Applicant is unaware of any surveys or testing performed within the project boundary, and given the extensive history of development and previous disturbance at the site would not expect such surveys to show any resources of significance. The proposed Project footprint is extremely limited, and the proposed Project occurs on existing and disturbed facilities and land at that USACE facilities. However, the Applicant has requested a site file search from the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist. The structural integrity, scenic character, and historic significance of Lock and Dam 9 will remain unchanged under the proposed action. Nevertheless, the Applicant will conduct installation and operation in consultation, to the extent it is desired, with the Wisconsin SHPO, Iowa SHPO, and Indian tribes. 4-65 4.9.3 IDENTIFICATION OF INDIAN TRIBES THAT MAY ATTACH RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE TO HISTORIC PROPERTIES WITHIN THE PROJECT BOUNDARY OR IN THE PROJECT VICINITY; AS WELL AS AVAILABLE INFORMATION ON INDIAN TRADITIONAL CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PROPERTIES, WHETHER ON OR OFF OF ANY FEDERALLYRECOGNIZED INDIAN RESERVATION. The Applicant is not aware of any Indian tribes that have an active interest within the project boundary or vicinity. However, consultation and outreach will continue to occur under the FERC licensing process. 4.9.4 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES In a June 14, 2011 letter, the Wisconsin Historical Society recommended that the project area undergo an archeological survey. However, based on refinement of the project boundary, the Applicant believes that the Project is limited to an area that has been previously heavily disturbed and dredged. Therefore, the Applicant is requesting further consultation to determine the scope and need for additional investigations. In addition, as mentioned above, the Applicant has requested an archeological site record search of the project area from the Office of the State Archeologist in Iowa. Given the limited footprint of the Project, the Applicant believes that these results and further consultation with the Wisconsin SHPO will adequately determine the presence of cultural resources in the area. The Applicant is not proposing any structural modifications to the USACE facilities. The proposed Project will utilize existing river flows at the Lock and Dam 9 and will have no effect on pool elevations. USACE will continue to control elevations in Pool 9 through coordinated operations of the Lock and Dam system on the Mississippi River and the proposed Project will have no effect on these operations. Therefore, the proposed Project will have no effect on cultural resources if they exist in the project vicinity. The Applicant will consult with the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) of both states and with the USACE. The Applicant is not proposing any additional cultural resource surveys. 4-66 4.9.5 PROPOSED MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES Prior to construction, the Applicant will notify and consult with the Wisconsin and Iowa SHPOs regarding any new construction or ground disturbing activities. The Applicant proposes no additional PM&E measures. 4.9.6 REFERENCES State Historical Society of Iowa (Iowa). 2011. National Register Sites in Iowa, Allamakee County. [Online] URL: http://www.iowahistory.org/historic-preservation/nationalregister-of-historic-places/properties-in-iowa.html. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1985. Mississippi River Navigation. [Online] URL: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/history/MISSRNAV/index.asp. Accessed May 25, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 1983. Overview and Cultural Resources Compliance Report with a Programmatic Memorandum of Agreement. Major Rehabilitation Program Mississippi River Locks and Dams 3 – 10 in the St. Paul District. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2008. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau/ccp/CCP.pdf. Accessed September 11, 2009. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP). [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html. Accessed May 25, 2011. Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS). 2011. Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places, Crawford County. [Online] URL: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/hp/register/summary.asp#nav. Accessed May 23, 2011. 4.10 SOCIO-ECONOMIC RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XI)] The following is a summary of selected socioeconomic variables for the project vicinity, including Crawford County, Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa, as well as the UMR Corridor in general. The nearest town to the proposed Project is Lynxville, Wisconsin. 4.10.1 POPULATION PATTERNS In 2009, an estimated 16,731 people were living in Crawford County, Wisconsin (Table 4-6). 14,407 people were living in Allamakee County, Iowa in 2009. From 2000 to 2009, the 4-67 populations of the counties changed by -3.0 percent and -1.8 percent, respectively. The population changes for Crawford County were below the growth experienced statewide in Wisconsin during that time (5.4 percent). Similarly, the population changes for Allamakee County were below the growth experienced statewide in Iowa during that time (2.8 percent). Population densities are significantly lower in each county compared to statewide densities. Crawford County had 30.1 persons per square mile per square mile compared to 98.8 persons per square mile in Wisconsin, while Allamakee County had a population density of 22.9 persons per square mile compared with 52.4 persons per square mile for the state of Iowa (US Census, 2011a; US Census, 2011b). TABLE 4-6. POPULATION STATISTICS FOR WINONA AND HOUSTON COUNTIES AND MINNESOTA CRAWFORD ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, COUNTY, WISCONSIN IOWA Population Population (2009 estimate) 16,731 Population (2000) 17,245 Population Growth (2000 to 2009) -3.0% Geography (2000) Land area in square miles 572.69 Population Density (ppl/sq mi) 30.1 Gender (2009) Male 51.2% Female 48.8% Age (2009) Persons under 5 years old 5.8% Persons under 18 years old 22.7% Persons 18 to 64 years old 54.3% Persons 65 years old and over 17.2% Race (2009) Caucasian 96.4% Black 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native 0.3% Asian 0.3% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific -Islander Hispanic or Latino 1.1% Two or more races 0.8% Source: US Census, 2011a; US Census, 2011b 4-68 14,407 14,675 -1.8% 639.56 22.9 51.4% 48.6% 6.9% 23.8% 50.8% 18.5% 98.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% -9.1% 0.8% 4.10.2 HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY DISTRIBUTION AND INCOME In 2000, there were 6,677 households in Crawford County. There were 5,722 households in Allamakee County. Both counties had slightly fewer than 2.5 persons per household, which is approximately the national average. The median household income in 2008 was $41,646 for Crawford County and $39,049 for Allamakee, with both counties falling below the median average for their respective states. About 12 percent of the population in Crawford County and 12.6 percent of the population in Allamakee County is below the poverty level (US Census, 2011a; US Census, 2011b). 4.10.3 PROJECT VICINITY EMPLOYMENT SOURCES The largest employment sectors are the same in both Crawford County, Wisconsin and Allamakee County, Iowa. The majority of the workforce in both counties is employed in the manufacturing industry, with the retail trade and health care and social assistance sectors following (US Census, 2011a; US Census, 2011b). Agriculture is also important in each county. Farms in Crawford County average approximately 199 acres and sell approximately $32,649 in products annually. In Allamakee County, agriculture is even more important with farms averaging 301 acres with an average of $84,049 in sales annually. Families or individuals own and operate most of the farms in both counties. Livestock, poultry, and their products account for a majority of the sales (FFP, 2011). TABLE 4-7. LARGEST EMPLOYMENT SECTORS AS OF 2002 CRAWFORD ALLAMAKEEC COUNTY, OUNTY, WISCONSIN IOWA Manufacturing Employees Annual Payroll Value of Sales, Shipments, or Receipts Retail Trade Employees Annual Payroll Value of Sales, Shipments, or Receipts Health Care and Social Assistance Employees Annual Payroll Value of Sales, Shipments, or Receipts Accommodation & Food Service Employees 1,767 $51,179,000 $558,820,000 1,630 $43,253,000 $358,273,000 1,357 $19,629,000 $180,451,000 599 $10,024,000 $112,879,000 1,213 $25,986,000 $51,766,000 759 $14,401,000 $29,296,000 689 277 4-69 CRAWFORD COUNTY, WISCONSIN $5,746,000 $19,442,000 ALLAMAKEEC OUNTY, IOWA $1,690,000 $6,958,000 Annual Payroll Value of Sales, Shipments, or Receipts Wholesale Trade Employees 205 414 Annual Payroll $5,507,000 $9,864,000 Value of Sales, Shipments, or Receipts $55,918,000 $148,221,000 Source: US Census, 2011a; US Census, 2011b; FFP, 2011 4.10.4 THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR’S REGIONAL ECONOMY Many of the socioeconomic resources in the region have a relationship to the Mississippi River, whether directly or indirectly. Three of the ten dominant sectors (harvest of natural resources; recreation; and minerals and mining) rely directly on the River. Indirectly, the tourism and cultural resources sector along with the natural resources service sector rely on the River. The last five sectors rely on the River for transportation or water source, including water supply; agriculture; energy; commercial navigation; and manufacturing (FFP, 2011). The proposed Project will fall within the economic profile of the region in the energy sector by providing a source of renewable energy and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. 4.10.5 POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS AND ISSUES The proposed Project is likely to have a significant positive effect on the local economy. These effects will stem directly from the Project installation and operation as they create local jobs and indirectly through the fabrication and manufacture of the Project components. The proposed Project will also provide low cost and renewable energy, supplying the energy needs of the region without contributing to water or air pollution. Though the Project will be operated remotely, operations and maintenance at the Project will be periodically necessary and will support employment, as will installation of the Project. The Applicant believes that sufficient socioeconomic data are available for the project vicinity to assess potential effects of Project installation and operation in the region, and therefore, proposes no additional studies. 4-70 4.10.6 REFERENCES Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. US Census. 2011a. QuickFacts: Crawford County, Wisconsin. [Online] URL: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55/55023.html. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Census. 2011b. QuickFacts: Allamakee County, Iowa. [Online] URL: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/19/19005.html. Accessed May 23, 2011. 4.11 TRIBAL RESOURCES [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XII)] Primarily 12 historical Native American groups utilized or inhabited the UMR Valley Region within the project vicinity. Several of these groups originated in the region, while others immigrated. The tribes of the project vicinity include (USFWS, 2008): • • • • • • • • • • • • Ioway, Ho-Chunk, Ottawa, Huron, Miami, Eastern Dakota, Menominee, Mascouten, Kickapoo, Sauk, Meshwaki, and Potowatomi. The Applicant contacted tribes as indicated on FERC’s Initial Consultation Contact List for the states of Iowa and Wisconsin regarding the proposed Project. They will receive this PAD (FERC, 2001a; FERC, 2011b). In addition, the Applicant has engaged in outreach with the BIA’s Midwest Regional Division. The BIA will issue a formal determination regarding the proposed Project and its impact on tribal interests. Through the course of outreach to date, the Applicant has not identified any Indian tribes, tribal lands, and interests that the Project may affect; therefore, there are no anticipated required or voluntary PM&E measures for this resource. 4-71 4.11.1 REFERENCES Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 2011a. Initial Consultation Contact List: Wisconsin Tribes. [Online] URL: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/Results.aspx. Accessed May 23, 2011. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 2011b. Initial Consultation Contact List: Iowa Tribes. [Online] URL: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/enviro/Results.aspx. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2008. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau/ccp/CCP.pdf. Accessed May 23, 2011. 4.12 RIVER BASIN DESCRIPTION [§ 5.6 (D)(3)(XIII)] 4.12.1 AREA OF RIVER BASIN AND SUB-BASIN AND LENGTH OF STREAM REACHES The Mississippi River flows for 2,340 miles from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. The basin is comprised of 6 sub-basins and drains over 40 percent of the continental United States in the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains (NPS, 2010; EPA, 2009). The USACE Lock and Dam 9 and the proposed Project are located in the UMR Basin. The UMR Basin is a major sub-basin of the entire Mississippi River, covering approximately 189,190 square miles - about 15 percent of the entire Mississippi River drainage basin. Over 1,300 tributaries covering over 800 miles of river and approximately 30,700 miles of stream flow through the UMR Basin (USFWS, 2006). 4.12.2 MAJOR LAND AND WATER USE IN PROJECT AREA 4.12.2.1 LAND USE Since the 19th century, agriculture has been the primary land use of the UMR basin (NPS, 2010). More than 60 percent of the land area in the UMR sub-basin is devoted to cropland or pasture (Figure 4-12) (USFWS, 2006). Forestlands border the northern reaches and southern tip of the basin. The cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and St. Louis, Missouri limit and dominate urban lands (USGS, 2003). 4-72 FIGURE 4-12. LAND USE OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN Source: USGS, 2003 WATER USE The Mississippi River provides drinking water to millions of people, is a major transportation route and a warm water habitat for aquatic life, provides numerous recreational opportunities, and is a source of water for manufacturing and power generation. Agriculture, urban development, precipitation, and water retention and diversion structures installed throughout the Mississippi River basin influence water flow within the entire basin. Periods of high flow are a result of increased precipitation and runoff from the basin's tributary streams and can contribute to water quality issues associated with non-point source pollution. Periods of low flow resulting from drought can affect water quality by amplifying the effects of point source discharges, as there is less river water available for the dilution of wastewater inputs (EPA, 2002). Millions of people visit the UMR every year to participate in boating, fishing, swimming, and other on-water activities. Annual recreational expenditures on the UMR System exceed $1.2 billion (USGS, 2007). 4-73 4.12.3 ALL DAMS AND DIVERSION STRUCTURES IN THE BASIN OR SUB-BASIN, REGARDLESS OF FUNCTION From its source at Lake Itsaca to St. Louis, Missouri, 43 dams on the Mississippi River regulate flow. Fourteen dams are located on the UMR between Lake Itsaca and Minneapolis, Minnesota and serve multiple purposes including power generation and recreation. 29 Lock and Dams have been constructed between Minneapolis and St. Louis, Missouri for the purposes of navigation (USACE, 2004a; USACE, 2004b). There are no dams located on the Lower Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River. The majority of dams and diversion structures on the UMR were constructed for the purposes of improving navigation. Structural changes to enhance navigation on the Mississippi River began in the 1830s with the blasting of the 5-foot navigation channel through Des Moines Rapids. From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, other channels were dredged on the river and wing dams were installed to direct river current to the main channel for the purposes of navigation and to prevent bank erosion (USFWS, 2006). In 1930, Congress authorized the Mississippi River and Tributaries project, which consisted of a system of levees, floodways, channel improvements, and stabilization measures. In addition, the project called for USACE construction, operation, and maintenance of a 9-foot navigation channel on the UMR system. This reach of the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to St. Louis stretches 670 miles and has a 400-foot elevation gradient. The navigation dams create a series of stair-stepped navigation pools allowing through navigation for boats and barges (Figure 4-13) (USFWS, 2006; USGS, 2007). 4-74 FIGURE 4-13. LOCKS AND DAMS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER Source: USGS, 1998 4-75 USACE’s St. Paul District operates and maintains 13 locks and dams, one of which is the Lock and Dam 9, the site of the proposed Project (USACE, 2004a). Lock and Dam 9 impounds Pool 9, the lower portion of which is also known as Lake Winneshiek, a 6,000 acre backwater lake on the Wisconsin side of the River. In the spring of 2011, the USACE will be planning for a proposed project to create two 8,000-foot-islands in the center if the lake to help to reduce wave action to minimize the associated turbidity and habitat loss (USACE, 2011). 4.12.4 TRIBUTARY RIVERS AND STREAMS, THE RESOURCES OF WHICH ARE OR MAY BE AFFECTED BY PROJECT OPERATIONS The UMR runs approximately 800 miles from its headwaters to the confluence with the Ohio River at Cairo, MO. The basin has 12 major tributaries, with drainage areas greater than 4, 000 sq miles (Table 4-8). The total mapped length of basin streams is approximately 30,700 miles (USGS, 1998). TABLE 4-8. MAJOR TRIBUTARIES TO THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER Source: USGS, 1998 4-76 Sixteen minor tributaries enter upstream of Pool 9 (FFP, 2011): • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Hayshore Lake (River right) Mud Lake (River right) Winnebago Creek (River right) Bad Axe River (River left) Upper Iowa River (River right) Big Lake (River right) Clear Creek (River right) Columbus Lake (River left) Village Creek (River right) Rush Creek (River left) Lake Winneshiek (River left) Sugar Creek (River left) Buck Creek (River left) Copper Creek (River left) Wexford Creek (River right) Leitner Creek (River left) Project operations will not affect any major tributaries of the UMR or minor tributaries of Pool 9. 4.12.5 REFERENCES Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2009. Mississippi River Sub-basin. [Online] URL: http://www.epa.gov/msbasin/subbasin.htm. Accessed May 14, 2009. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2002. Upper Mississippi River Water Quality Assessment Report. [Online] URL: http://www.epa.gov/r5water/pdf/umr_wqa_full.pdf. Prepared March 2002. Accessed May 13, 2011. Free Flow Power (FFP). 2011. Pre-Application Document: Mississippi River Lock and Dam 9 – Auxiliary Lock Water Power Project. March 25, 2011. National Park Service (NPS). 2010. Mississippi River Facts. [Online] URL: http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm. Updated December 2, 2010. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2004a. Mississippi Locks and dams. [Online] URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigation/default.asp?pageid=145. Updated December 16, 2004. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2004b. History of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. [Online] URL: www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/bro/misstrib.htm. Updated May 19, 2004. Accessed May 23, 2011. 4-77 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2011. Lake Winneshiek Habitat Project. [Online] URL: http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/environment/default.asp?pageid=82#. Accessed May 23, 2011. US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. July, 2006. [Online] URL: http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/planning/uppermiss/CCP/CCP.pdf. Accessed May 14, 2009. US Geological Survey (USGS). 2007. Upper Mississippi River System. [Online] URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/umesc_about/about_umrs.html. Accessed May 14, 2009. US Geological Survey (USGS). 2003. Nutrients in the Upper Mississippi River: Scientific Information to Support Management Decisions. Fact Sheet 105-03. [Online] URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2003/fs-105-03/. Accessed May 14, 2009. US Geological Survey (USGS). 1998. Ecological Status and Trends of the Upper Mississippi River System: A Report of the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program. [Online] URL: http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/reports_publications/status_and_trends.html. Accessed May 14, 2009. 4-78 5.0 PRELIMINARY ISSUES AND STUDIES LIST FOR EACH RESOURCE AREA [§ 5.6 (D)(4)] 5.1 ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE IDENTIFIED RESOURCES A primary purpose of this PAD is to identify potential environmental issues associated with Project installation or operation and to determine if additional information is necessary to understand potential Project effects on those resources. To assist in early identification of any issues, the Applicant distributed a PAD questionnaire to a comprehensive distribution list (including state, federal, and local resources agencies, and local and national NGOs) to determine if these stakeholders had existing information about resources at or near the proposed Project. The Applicant used the information provided by the agencies and stakeholders, in addition to its own research, to develop baseline descriptions of the resources described above in Section 4.0. Additionally in Section 4.0, the Applicant discusses preliminary issues for potentially affected resources. The Applicant does not anticipate any issues pertaining to the identified resources beyond those described above, and provides more detail on proposed study plans below. 5.2 POTENTIAL STUDIES AND INFORMATION GATHERING REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IDENTIFIED ISSUES; Applicant proposed studies proposed to address identified potential issues are discussed below. The Applicant believes that additional studies will not be necessary beyond the following: • Desktop Entrainment/Impingement Study • Desktop Sediment Quality and Quantity Study, • Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study, • Desktop Water Quality Study, and • Mussel Survey, if existing studies are not sufficient Desktop Entr ainment/Impingement Study The Applicant proposes a Desktop Entrainment/Impingement Study to assess potential project effects on fish mortality and injury using existing literature and site-specific information. The FERC routinely accepts this approach, including similar studies at recent hydropower projects in 5-1 the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. (MISO) territory. Due to the exceedingly positive results of the fish mortality and entrainment study conducted by HGE at its Hastings, MN project and the overly-conservative estimates by the Desktop Study conducted prior to installation, the Applicant has hard and tested data showing that Desktop Studies are more than adequate to represent what may be expected at the Project. Not all fish species occurring above and below Lock and Dam 9 may be susceptible to entrainment based on habitat use, behavior and swimming abilities relative to the placement of the project turbines in the water column. Accordingly, the Applicant will determine potential risk first by identifying fish species that are potentially subject to impingement and entrainment, and then by assessing likelihood of mortality based on the design parameters of the turbine array with respect to intake profiles and approach velocities. Desktop Sediment Quality and Quantity Study and Desktop Hydr aulic Modeling and Sediment Tr anspor t Study The Applicant proposes to conduct a Desktop Hydraulic Modeling and Sediment Transport Study and a Desktop Sediment Quality and Quantity Study to determine the effects of a new flow pattern on sedimentation rates and potential water quality issues associated with sedimentation and erosion in the new tailwater. Proposed study measures include gathering bathymetric data and sediment data from a small pontoon boat using hand-operated sampling equipment. Sediment core sampling at seven distinct locations in areas above, in and below the auxiliary lock would be collected for chemical analysis of the EPA priority pollutant list (129 analytes), polybrominates, organic carbon, and water content. Desktop Water Quality Study As part of the licensing process, the Applicant proposes to conduct a literature review and synthesis of existing data to describe the baseline water quality conditions in the vicinity of the proposed Project. The objective of this effort will be to characterize the trends in dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperature, and turbidity occurring immediately upstream and downstream of the existing dam, as well as overall spatial and temporal trends in the UMR. Particular focus will be places on characterization of the late summer months when water quality conditions are typically at their most critical levels. To the extent practicable, the best and most recent data for 5-2 the project area will be used to characterize baseline conditions. For instance, effort to characterize pools upstream of the dam will utilize vertical profile data whenever possible in order to capture chemical and thermal stratification patterns typical of impoundments. The Applicant proposes the literature review/data synthesis approach based on an initial review, which revealed that significant pertinent data already exists for the UMR. Furthermore, it has been identified that sampling is continuing to presently take place along the UMR through longterm monitoring programs. As such, every effort will be made to utilize contemporary data within the analysis. Known databases that will be reviewed include: 1. USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center – Upper Mississippi Long Term Resource Monitoring Program ; 2. USEPA - Environmental Monitoring and Assessment of Great River Ecosystems (EMAP-GRE); 3. USEPA Upper Mississippi River Water Quality Assessment Report (2002) with data supplements through 2005; and 4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers On-Site Data. Pertinent data will be synthesized into a draft Desktop Water Quality Report, which will be distributed to resource agencies and other interested stakeholders for review. Following review by licensing stakeholders, a final report will be filed with the Commission. MUSSEL SURVEY Unless existing data is adequate, the Applicant proposes conducting a mussel survey of the project area to determine the presence or absence of freshwater mussel species and/or mussel habitat above, below, and in the auxiliary lock. The Applicant will consult with resource agencies to determine if existing information is available to address mussels within the project area. If mussel surveys are deemed necessary through agency consultation, the Applicant will work with resources agencies regarding the timing of the surveys, as they may be seasonally dependant. 5-3 5.3 RELEVANT QUALIFYING FEDERAL AND STATE OR TRIBAL COMPREHENSIVE WATERWAY PLANS Section 10(a) of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16 U.S.C. § 803(a)(2)(A), requires FERC to consider the extent to which a project is consistent with Federal or state comprehensive plans for improving, developing, or conserving a waterway or waterways affected by the Project. On April 27, 1988, FERC issued Order No. 481—A revising Order No. 481, issued October 26, 1987, establishing that FERC will accord FPA Section 10(a)(2)(A) comprehensive plan status to any Federal or state plan that: • • • is a comprehensive study of one or more of the beneficial uses of a waterway or waterways; specifies the standards, the data, and the methodology used; and is filed with the Secretary of the Commission. FERC currently lists 72 comprehensive plans for the state of Wisconsin and nine comprehensive plans for the state of Iowa. Table 5-1 lists potentially relevant plans that may be useful in the licensing proceeding for characterizing desired conditions. TABLE 5-1. LIST OF QUALIFYING FEDERAL AND STATE COMPREHENSIVE WATERWAY PLANS POTENTIALLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCK AND DAM 9 PROJECT RESOURCE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Water Resources, National Park Service (NPS). 1982. The nationwide rivers Recreation, and inventory. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. January Aesthetics 1982 Water Resources Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR). 1983. Statewide outstanding rivers inventory. St. Paul, Minnesota. April 1979. 45 pp. Water Resources National Park Service (NPS). 1982. The nationwide rivers inventory. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. January. 1982. Water, Wildlife, Cultural Mississippi Headwaters Board. 1981. A management plan for the Resources, and Upper Mississippi River. Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 1981. 120 pp. Aesthetics Wildlife Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). 1986. North American waterfowl management plan. Department of the Interior. Environment Canada. May 1986. Wildlife Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1993. Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes region joint venture implementation plan: A component of the North American waterfowl management plan. March 1993. 5-4 RESOURCE Aquatic Resources Recreation Recreation Water, Wildlife, and Botanical Resources Water Resources Water Resources Water Resources Wildlife Resources Wildlife Resources Wildlife Resources Wildlife Resources Aquatic Resources Wildlife, Aquatic, and Botanical Resources Wildlife Resources COMPREHENSIVE PLAN U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1983. Higgins Eye (Lampsilis higginsi) mussel recovery plan. Prepared by the Higgins Eye Mussel Recovery Team. Twin Cities, Minnesota. July 29, 1983. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1991. Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 1991-96. Madison Wisconsin. October 1991. Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). 1986. Iowa State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Des Moines, Iowa. Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission (UMRBC). 1981. Comprehensive master plan for the management of the Upper Mississippi River system- environmental report. Minneapolis, Minnesota. September 1981. 340 pp. Upper Mississippi River Basin Commission (UMRBC). 1982. Comprehensive master plan for the management of the Upper Mississippi River system. Minneapolis, Minnesota. January 1, 1982. 193 pp. Iowa Conservation Commission. 1981. Iowa Protected Water Areas General Plan. Des Moines, Iowa. March 1981. 201 pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1992. Wisconsin Water Quality Assessment Report to Congress. Madison, Wisconsin. April 1992. 220 pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1988. Wisconsin Red-necked Grebe Recovery Plan. Madison, Wisconsin. June 1988. pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1988. Wisconsin Common Tern Recovery Plan. Madison, Wisconsin. June 1988. 74 pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1988. Wisconsin Forster’s Tern Recovery Plan. Madison, Wisconsin. June 1988. 102 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1993. Upper Mississippi River & Great Lakes region joint venture implementation plan: A component of the North American waterfowl management plan. March 1993. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Undated. Fisheries USA: the recreational fisheries policy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1995. Wisconsin’s biodiversity as a management issue. Madison, Wisconsin. May 1995. 240 pp. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1987. Wisconsin Peregrine Falcon recovery plan. Madison, Wisconsin. January 1987. 38 pp. 5-5 RESOURCE Wildlife Resources COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 1995. Wisconsin’s forestry best management practices for water quality. Madison, Wisconsin. 18 pp. Source: FERC Revised List of Comprehensive Plans, January, 2011 5.4 RELEVANT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS In addition to the qualifying federal, state, and tribal comprehensive waterway plans listed in above, some resource agencies have developed resource management plans to help guide their actions regarding specific resources of jurisdiction. The resource management plans listed in Table 5-2 may be relevant to the Project and may be useful in the licensing proceeding for characterizing desired conditions. These plans may include updated versions of plans previously identified by the FERC as comprehensive waterway plans but that FERC has not yet reviewed and listed. TABLE 5-2. LIST OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS POTENTIALLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCK AND DAM 9 PROJECT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS Water, Wildlife, *Mississippi Headwaters Board. 2002. A management plan for the Cultural Resources, Upper Mississippi River. Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 2002. 105 pp. and Aesthetics Wildlife Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). 1998. North American waterfowl management plan- update to the 1986 and, 1994 plans. Department of the Interior. Environment Canada. May 1998. Aquatic Resources U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2004. Higgins Eye Pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsi) recovery plan: first revision. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. 126 pp. Recreation Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2011. Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) for 2011-2016. Madison Wisconsin. 2011. Recreation Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). 2006. Iowa State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). Des Moines, Iowa. 2006. Wildlife, Aquatic, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2006. Upper Recreation, Resources Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. Wildlife, Aquatic, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2008. Recreation Resources Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. 5-6 RESOURCE Land Use Resources Land Use Resources Water, Wildlife, Aquatic, Botanical, and Recreation Resources Water Resources Wildlife Resources 5.4.1 MANAGEMENT PLANS Crawford County. 2010. Crawford County Comprehensive Plan 2009-2029. Allamakee County Planning and Zoning Commission. 2001. Allamakee County Comprehensive Plan. US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Work Group River Resources Forum (USACE). 2004. Environmental Pool Plans. United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2008. Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). 2006. Wisconsin Whooping Crane Management Plan. REFERENCES Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 2011. List of Comprehensive Plans. January, 2011. [Online] URL: http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/geninfo/licensing/complan.pdf. Accessed May 17, 2011. 5-7 6.0 SUMMARY OF CONTACTS [§ 5.6 (D)(5)] The Applicant distributed this PAD and accompanying NOI simultaneously to FERC, federal and state resource agencies, local governments, Native American tribes, NGOs, and others potentially interested in the licensing proceeding. Appendix C details the distribution list for the PAD and NOI. This PAD appropriately references all information sources cited and Appendix D contains a record of all contacts made with agencies and other organizations to date to obtain Project resource data and information. 6-1 7.0 PURPA BENEFITS [§ 5.6 (E)] The Applicant is not currently seeking PURPA benefits for the proposed Project. 7-1 APPENDIX A MAPS ² Wisconsin Minnesota Mississippi River Project Location Iowa Illinois Missouri Iowa Allamakee County Lock and Dam 9 Project ! ( Harpers Ferry Crawford County Wisconsin 27 U V Legend ! ( Dam Locations Major Highways State Lines County Lines Scale: AS SHOWN Project No: Filename: 0 0.5 1 2 Miles 1535-006 LD9 Drawn By: Date Drawn: JJP 5-11-2011 LOCK + HYDRO FRIENDS FUND II LOCK AND DAM 9 PROJECT LOCATION 14 1 M a i n St . , P O B o x 6 5 0 P i t t sf i e l d , M a i n e 0 4 96 7 Te l e p h on e : (2 0 7 ) 4 8 7- 3 3 28 F ax : ( 20 7 ) 4 8 7 -3 1 2 4 ww w . K l e i ns c h mi d t U SA .c o m MSRMaps: Print Send To Printer Page 1 of 1 Back To MSR Maps Change to 11x17 Print Size Show Grid Lines Change to Landscape 5 km E of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, United States 01 Jul 1983 Proposed Project Location Image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey © 2010 Microsoft Corporation. Terms of Use Privacy Statement http://msrmaps.com/PrintImage.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=818&Y=5982&W=2&qs=%7... 6/9/2011 APPENDIX B FLOW DURATION CURVES USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, January 1959-October 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, January 1959-January 2009 300000 280000 260000 240000 220000 200000 180000 160000 140000 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, February 1959-February 2009 300000 280000 260000 240000 220000 200000 180000 160000 140000 120000 100000 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, March 1959-March 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, April 1959-April 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, May 1959-May 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, June 1959-June 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, July 1959-July 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, August 1959-August 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, September 1959-September 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, October 1959-October 2009 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, November 1959-November 2008 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% USACE L&D 9 Flow Duration Curve, MS River, December 1959-December 2008 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Exceedence Probability (% Equalled or Exceeded) 70% 80% 90% 100% APPENDIX C DISTRIBUTION LIST HFF II P-13392 Lock and Dam 9 Nanette M. Bischoff FERC Coordinator US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District 180 5th Street East Suite 700 St. Paul, MN 55101-1638 Mark Storzer Field Manager US Bureau of Land Management -Eastern States 626 E. Wisconsin Avenue Suite 200 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0631 Chief, Eastern Division Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 809 Washington, DC 20004 Terry Dukerschein Team Leader US Geological Survey 2630 Fanta Reed Road La Crosse, WI 54603 Peggy A. Harding Regional Engineer Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chicago Region 230 South Dearborn Street Room 3130 Chicago, IL 60604 Dave Bierman Team Leader US Geological Survey 206 Rose Street Bellevue, IA 52031 John Fornek Project Engineer Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chicago Region 230 South Dearborn Street Room 3130 Chicago, IL 60604 Vince Yearick Chief, OEP Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Hydro East Branch 1, Room 61-27 888 First Street, NE; PJ-14.1 Washington, DC 20426 Janet Hutzel Environmental Protection Federal energy Regulatory Commission Hydro East Branch 1 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 Diane Rosen Regional Director Bureau of Indian Affairs, Midwest Region BWH Federal Building One Federal Drive, Room 550 Ft. Snelling, MN 55111 Bureau of Indian Affairs 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Tom Melius Regional Director US Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Regional Office BWH Federal Building 1 Federal Drive Ft. Snelling, MN 55111 Tony Sullins Field Supervisor US Fish and Wildlife Service Twin Cities Field Office 4101 American Boulevard East Bloomington, MN 55425 Phil Delphy US Fish and Wildlife Service Twin Cities Field Office 4101 American Boulevard East Bloomington, MN 55425 Jeff Gosse FERC Coordinator US Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Office Ecological Services 1 Federal Drive Ft. Snelling, MN 55111 Tim Yager McGregor District Manager Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge 460 Business Hughway 18 McGregor, IA 52157 HFF II P-13392 Lock and Dam 9 Pam Thiel La Crosse District Leader La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office 555 Lester Avenue Onalaska, WI 54650 Patricia Kurkul Regional Adimistrator NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 Louise Clemency Field Supervisor US Fish and Wildlife Service Green Bay Field Office 2661 Scott Toweer Drive New Franken, WI 54229 Miles Croom Habitat Conservation NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Amber Andress Fish and Wildlife Biologist US Fish and Wildlife Service Rock Island Field Office 1511 47th Avenue Moline, IL 61265 Wayne A. Babcock Field Solicitor US Department of the Interior Three Parkway Center Suite 385 Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Randy Thoreson National Park Service, RTCA Program 111 Kellogg Boulevard East Suite 105 St. Paul, MN 55101 Diane Banta National Park Service 25 E. Washington Street Suite 1650 Chicago, IL 60602 Susan Hedman Administrator US EPA, Region 5, Resources Management Division 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60604 Karl Brooks Administrator US EPA, Region 7, Environmental Services Division 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region 9 626 East Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202 Amanda Ratliff Environment and Preservation Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region V 536 South Clark St. 6th Floor Chicago, IL 60605 Ken Sessa Environment and Preservation Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VII 9221 Ward Parkway Suite 300 Kansas City, MO 64114-3372 Midwest Regional Coordinator American Whitewater PO Box 1540 Cullowhee, NC 28723 Sara Strassman Director, River Restoration American Rivers, Great Lakes Region 1845 N. Farwell Avenue Suite 100 Milwaukee, WI 53202 Regional Director American Rivers, Midwest Region 1225 S. 15th Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Jim Fischer Mississippi River Planner Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 3550 Mormon Coulee Road La Crosse, WI 54601 Dan Baumann Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PO Box 4001 Eau Claire, WI 54702-4001 HFF II P-13392 Lock and Dam 9 Byron Dale Simon Chief Biologist Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 South Webster Street PO Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921 David Coon Supervisor Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company 2301 3rd Street Wasau Winona, 54403 Sherman Banker Compliance Architect Wisconsin Historical Society 816 State Street Room 306 Madison, WI 53706-1482 Robert Bohmann Chair Wisconsin Conservation Congress 1105 Melvin Avenue Racine, WI 53402 Kathleen Angel Wisconsin Coastal Management Program 101 East Wilson Street 10th Floor Madison, WI 53703 Martin Konrad Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Central Office 502 E. 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0034 J.B. Van Hollen Attorney General Wisconsin Department of Justice PO Box 7857 Madison, WI 53707 Dave Bierman Natural Resources Biologist Iowa Department of Natural Resources 206 Rose Street Bellevue, IA 52031 Scott Walker Governor Wisconsin Office of the Governor 115 East Capitol Madison, WI 53702 Scott Gritters Natural Resources Biologist Iowa Department of Natural Resources 331 S. River Park Drive Guttenberg, IA 52052 Janet Geisler County Clerk County of Crawford Wisconsin 225 North Beaumont Road Suite 210 Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Brennan Dolan Archaeologist State Historical Society of Iowa 600 East Locust Des Moines, IA 50319 Carol Crusan City Clerk City of Lynxville Wisconsin 362 Spring Street Lynxville, WI 54626 Denny Caneff Executive Director Wisconsin River Alliance 306 East Wilson Street Suite #2W Madison, WI 53703 Gloria Jackson Allamakee County Historic Preservation Commission 121 Allamakee Street PO Box 95 Waukon, IA 52712 Julie Smith Regulatory Counsel Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities 1735 NE 70th Ave Ankeny, IA 50021 Anne Kimber Director of Energy Services Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities 1735 NE 70th Ave Ankeny, IA 50021 HFF II P-13392 Lock and Dam 9 Secretary Iowa Department of Commerce Utilities Division 350 Maple Street Des Moines, IA 50319 Tom Miller Attorney General Iowa Department of Justice 1305 E. Walnut Street Des Moines, IA 50319 Terry Branstad Governor Iowa Office of the Governor State Capitol Des Moines, IA 50319 County Clerk County of Allamakee Iowa 110 Allamakee Street Waukon, IA 52172 Dr. Bob Fields Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma RR 1 Box 721 Perkins, OK 74059 Allen Kelley Acting Chairman Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska 3345 B. Thrasher Road White Cloud, KS 66094 Chairperson Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri 305 N. Main Street Reserve, KS 66434 Principal Chief Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma Rt. 2 Box 246 Stroud, OK 74079 Chairman Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississipi in Iowa 349 Meskwaki Road Tama, IA 52339-9629 John R. Shotton Chairman Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians 8151 Highway 177 Red Rock, OK 74651 Donald Moore Chairman Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians PO Box 39 Odahan, WI 54861 Chairman Brule River Sportsmens Club PO Box 100 Brule, WI 54820 Chairman Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin PO Box 340 Crandon, WI 54520 President Ho-Chunk Nation PO Box 667 Black River Falls, WI 54615 Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 13394 W. Trepania Road Hayward, WI 54843 Chairman Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of Wis 13394 W. Trepania Road Bldg 1 Hayward, WI 54843 President Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of Wis PO Box 67 Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538 Chairman Lake Superior Chippewa PO Box 67 Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538 Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin PO Box 910 Keshena, WI 54135 Chairman Mole Lake Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of the Chippewa Indians - Sokaogon Chippewa Community PO Box 625 Crandon, WI 54520 HFF II P-13392 Lock and Dam 9 Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Oneida Nation of Wisconsin PO Box 365 Oneida, WI 54155 Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas 88385 Pike Road HWY 13 Bayfield, WI 54814 Chairwoman Sokaogon Chippewa Community 3051 Sand Lake Road Crandon, WI 54520 Tribal Historic Preservation Officer St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin 24663 Angeline Avenue Webster, WI 54893 President Stockbridge Munsee Community of Wisconsin N8476 Mo He con Nuck Road Bowler, WI 54416 Gina M. Lemon Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe 115 Sixth Street NW Suite E Cass Lake, MN 56633 APPENDIX D AGENCY CONSULTATION AND CORRESPONDENCE Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I - Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391) Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II - Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392) Pre-Application Document Information Questionnaire for FERC Licensing Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I and Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II (collectively referred to as “HFF” or “HFFs” within this Questionnaire) are domestic corporations currently holding the preliminary permits for the development of low-impact hydroelectric facilities at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mississippi River Locks and Dams 5a and 9, respectively. Correspondingly, these proposed hydroelectric projects are named the Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391 at LD 5a) and the Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392 at LD 9). Both HFFs are wholly-owned development subsidiaries of Hydro Green Energy, LLC (HGE), a renewable energy development company headquartered in the Chicago, IL area. Both HFFs have proposed to utilize proprietary hydropower technology provided by HGE. This technology is described in more detail in the following paragraphs. As noted above, HGE possesses proprietary hydropower technology focused on the development of new hydropower generation at existing non-powered dams in an environmentally-responsible and cost-competitive fashion. More specifically, the proposed Projects will deploy low-RPM hydropower turbines within a “Lock Frame Module (LFM)” that will utilize a portion of the existing incomplete auxiliary locks at the respective USACE Locks and Dams. This technology provides for the development of hydropower generation in a manner that minimizes the civil work, costly installation processes, and potentially significant environmental impacts of conventional hydropower. The footprint associated with these proposed Projects is small, with each Project being located entirely within the USACE security zone found at the dams. Furthermore, they are designed to be installed and operated without interfering with USACE’s navigational mission or placing direct loading on the USACE infrastructure. HGE’s technology is based on over 130 years of hydropower production in the United States, as well as proven and widely used methods and designs commonly used for fabrication and installation of modular offshore oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas systems. Furthermore, the foundation of this innovative technology was successfully demonstrated at HGE’s hydrokinetic power project in Hastings, MN (FERC P-4306). With respect to the Projects themselves, the Mighty Mouse Project is located at USACE Lock and Dam 5a on the Mississippi River near Fountain City, MN, and bordering the counties of Winona, MN, and Buffalo, WI. The Gumby Project is located downstream of the Mighty Mouse Project at USACE Lock and Dam 9 on the Mississippi River. The Gumby Project is located near Lynxville, WI, bordering the counties of Allamakee, IA, and Crawford, WI. The hydropower developments will each consist of one horizontal array of 10 hydropower turbines, which will be installed in a single row, in a new LFM that will be installed in the downstream portion of the auxiliary lock itself, along with movable panels that can close off flow to the units if conditions dictate. The approximate capacity of the Mighty Mouse Project is 3.5 MW, while the approximate capacity of the Gumby Project is 4 MW. These details are further illustrated on Figure 1, attached, and in Table 1, below. Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I - Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391) Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II - Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392) Pre-Application Document Information Questionnaire for FERC Licensing TABLE 1. PROJECT DETAILS Project Name/FERC No Applicant Name L&D State(s) Counties number Mighty Mouse (P-13391) HFF I LD 5a Gumby (P13392) HFF II LD 9 MN;WI Winona County, MN Buffalo County, WI IA; WI Allamakee, IA Crawford, WI Township Capacity or Nearby Town Fountain 3.5 MW City, MN Lynxville, 4 MW WI The project boundary for the Mighty Mouse Project will encompass the entire auxiliary navigational lock from the upstream to the downstream side and certain lands on the westerly side of the navigational locks for the provisioning of the switchyard and control room. The project boundary for the Gumby Project will encompass the entire auxiliary navigational lock from the upstream to the downstream side and certain lands on the eastern side of the navigational locks for the provisioning of the switchyard and control room. The proposed Projects would be developed in coordination with the USACE, who control the access to, and facilities of, the respective Locks and Dams. The Projects will operate in a strictly run-of-river mode. As part of the licensing process for the Projects, HFF must prepare Pre-Application Documents (PAD)s for filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that present all “existing engineering, economic, and environmental information relevant to licensing each project that is reasonably available, or can reasonably be obtained with due diligence. The PADs serve as the foundation for issue identification, study plan development, and the Commission’s environmental analysis.” This questionnaire will assist HFF with the collection of any relevant existing resource information pertinent to the Projects and help to identify any data collection needs or potential resource issues early in the licensing process. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. 2/5 Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I - Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391) Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II - Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392) Pre-Application Document Information Questionnaire for FERC Licensing 1. Contact Information for person completing the questionnaire: Name & Title: Organization: Address: Phone: Email Address: 2. Do you know of any reasonably available materials or information related to either or both of the Projects or the Projects’ environments? Yes (If yes, please complete 2a thru 2f.) 2(a) Please indicate the specific resource area(s) for which you have information: Geology and soils Water resources Fish and aquatic resources Wildlife and botanical resources Wetlands, riparian, and littoral habitat Rare, threatened & endangered species 2(b) No (If no, please go to 3.) Recreation and land use Aesthetic resources Cultural resources Socio-economic resources Tribal resources Other resource information Please briefly describe the information or list available documents, specifying which of the Projects the information is relevant to: (Additional information may be provided on a separate page.) 3/5 Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I - Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391) Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II - Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392) Pre-Application Document Information Questionnaire for FERC Licensing 2(c) Where and how can HFF obtain this information? 2(d) Please provide the names of other persons in your organization whom you wish to designate for a potential follow-up contact by HFF’s representative for the resource area(s) checked above. If you know of others who are not part of your organization but who may have relevant information, please provide their name(s) and contact information as well. (Additional contacts may be provided on a separate page.) Representative Contact Information Name: Address: Phone: Email Address: Other Contact Information Name: Address: Phone: Email Address: 2(e) Based on the resources listed in 2a, are you aware of any specific issues pertaining to the identified resource area(s) such as water quality, wildlife habitat, endangered species or cultural resources that may be affected by the Projects’ operations? Please be sure to specify the Project. (Additional information may be provided on a separate page.) Yes (Please list specific issues below.) 4/5 No Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund I - Mighty Mouse Project (FERC No. 13391) Lock + TM Hydro Friends Fund II - Gumby Project (FERC No. 13392) Pre-Application Document Information Questionnaire for FERC Licensing Resource Area 3. Do you or does your organization plan to participate in the licensing process? Yes 4. Project Specific Issue No We are interested in your comments. If you have comments and/or questions regarding the Projects, the Pre-Application Documents, or FERC licensing, please note them below, specifying the relevant Project: Please return this Questionnaire to Carrie Hall in the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope or by FAX to (207) 487.3124 within 30 days of receipt. Comments and/or questions may be emailed to Carrie.Hall@kleinschmidtusa.com. 5/5 ² Buffalo County Wabasha County Jackson County (5) Mighty Mouse Project Trempealeau County ( ! Monroe County Winona Winona County La Crosse County Onalaska La Crosse Minnesota Wisconsin MI s si ss Fillmore County Houston County p i pi R iv Winneshiek County (9) Gumby Project 0 Dam Locations Cities Scale: AS SHOWN County Lines Project No: Major Highways Filename: State Lines Drawn By: Fayette County r Allamakee County Iowa Legend ( ! e Vernon County 5 Date Drawn: JJP 5-11-2011 Crawford County 20 30 Miles LOCK + HYDRO FRIENDS FUND I AND II Clayton County 1535-006 MightyMouse_Gumby.mxd 10 ( ! Grant County MIGHTY MOUSE AND GUMBY PROJECT LOCATIONS 14 1 M a in S t . , PO B o x 6 5 0 Pi tt sfi e ld , Ma in e 0 4 9 6 7 Te l e p h o n e : ( 2 0 7 ) 4 8 7 -3 3 2 8 Fa x : (2 0 7 ) 4 8 7 - 3 1 2 4 ww w.K lei nschm idt USA .com PAD Questionnaire Agency Distribution List for Mighty Mouse and Gumby Projects Nanette M. Bischoff US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District Louise Clemency US Fish and Wildlife Service Peggy A. Harding Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chicago Region Amber Andress US Fish and Wildlife Service John Fornek Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Chicago Region Vince Yearick Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Janet Hutzel Federal energy Regulatory Commission Diane Rosen Bureau of Indian Affairs, Midwest Region Bureau of Indian Affairs DC Mark Storzer US Bureau of Land Management -Eastern States Terry Dukerschein US Geological Survey Walter Popp US Geological Survey Dave Bierman US Geological Survey Tom Melius US Fish and Wildlife Service, Midwest Regional Office Tony Sullins US Fish and Wildlife Service Phil Delphy US Fish and Wildlife Service Jeff Gosse US Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Office Mary Stefanski Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Tim Yager Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Pam Thiel La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Wayne A. Babcock US Department of the Interior Randy Thoreson National Park Service, RTCA Program Angie Tornes National Park Service, RTCA Program Brian Leaders National Park Service, RTCA Program Susan Hedman US EPA, Region 5, Resources Management Division Karl Brooks US EPA, Region 7, Environmental Services Division USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region 9 Milwaukee Patricia Kurkul NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office Miles Croom NOAA Fisheries Southest Regional Office Amanda Ratliff Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region V Ken Sessa Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VII American Whitewater Cullowhee, NC Sara Strassman American Rivers, Great Lakes Region American Rivers, Midwest Region La Crosse, WI Charlotte Cohn Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Judy Mader Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Kevin Molloy Minnesota Pollution Control Agency PAD Questionnaire Agency Distribution List for Mighty Mouse and Gumby Projects Britta Bloomberg Minnesota Historical Society Janet Geisler County of Crawford Wisconsin John Jaschke Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources Carol Crusan City of Lynxville Wisconsin Glenn Wilson Minnesota Department of Commerce Joe Sanfilippo Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Field Office Burl Haar Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Roger Lande Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Central Office Kirsten Mickelson Upper Mississippi River Basin Association Brennan Dolan State Historical Society of Iowa Mississippi Headwaters Board Lori Swanson Minnesota Office of Attorney General Mark Dayton Minnesota Office of the Governor County Clerk County of Winona Minnesota City Clerk City of Fountain Mennesota Jim Fischer Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Dan Baumann Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Byron Dale Simon Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Sherman Banker Wisconsin Historical Society Kathleen Angel Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Denny Caneff Wisconsin River Alliance David Coon Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company J.B. Van Hollen Wisconsin Department of Justice Scott Walker Wisconsin Office of the Governor Roxann Halverson County of Buffalo Wisconsin Julie Smith Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Anne Kimber Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Secretary Iowa Department of Commerce Tom Miller Iowa Department of Justice Terry Branstad Iowa Office of the Governor County Clerk County of Allamakee Iowa Dr. Bob Fields Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Allen Kelley Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Chairperson Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri Principal in Chief Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma Chairman Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississipi in Iowa John R. Shotton Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians Donald Moore Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians PAD Questionnaire Agency Distribution List for Mighty Mouse and Gumby Projects Chairman Brule River Sportsmens Club THPO Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Chairman Forest County Potawatomi Community of Wisconsin President Minnesota Chippewa Tribe President Ho-Chunk Nation President Prairie Islan Indian Community of Minnesota Chairman Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota THPO Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of Wis Chairman Santee Sioux Tribal Council President Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of Wis Chairman Lake Superior Chippewa THPO Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin Chairman Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota Chairwoman Upper Sioux Community of Minnesota Chairman White Earth Reservation Business Committee Chairman Mole Lake Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of the Chippewa Indians - Sokaogon Chippewa Community THPO Oneida Nation of Wisconsin THPO Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewas Chairwoman Sokaogon Chippewa Community THPO St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin President Stockbridge Munsee Community of Wisconsin Cultural Resources Specialist Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Chairman Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee THPO Leech Lake Band of Chippewa Indians President Lower Sioux Indian Community of Minnesota J:\1535\006\Docs\Correspondence\Set one mailing lists\DIRECTORY NAME AND ORG ONLY (SET ONE MM and GUMBY).doc State of Wisconsin DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 101 S. Webster Street Box 7921 Madison WI 53707-7921 Scott Walker, Governor Cathy Stepp, Secretary Telephone 608-266-2621 FAX 608-267-3579 TTY Access via relay - 711 July 11, 2011 Carrie Hall Kleinschmidt Associates 141 Main St. PO Box 650 Pittsfield, ME 04967 SUBJECT: Endangered Resources Review (ERR Log # 11-250) Lock and Dam 9 Hydroelectric Project, Crawford County, WI Dear Ms. Hall: The Bureau of Endangered Resources has reviewed the proposed project described in your Endangered Resources (ER) Review Request received June 13, 2011. The ER Review for the project is attached. Please keep in mind that the ER Review for the project does not exempt you from the requirements of state and federal endangered species laws. Rather, it is a tool to help you comply with state and federal endangered species laws. Additional consultation with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and/or US Fish and Wildlife Service may be necessary if follow-up actions are indicated. The following page contains important information to help you better understand this ER Review. The ER Review itself is divided into four sections: A) Brief description of the proposed project, B) Endangered resources known or likely to occur in the proposed project area, C) Follow-up actions, including those that need to be taken to comply with state and federal endangered species laws, and D) Next steps. This ER Review may contain Natural Heritage Inventory data (including specific locations of endangered resources) which are considered sensitive and are not subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law. As a result, please remember that you may share information contained in the ER Review only with individuals who need this information to carry out specific roles in planning and implementation of the proposed project. Specific locations of endangered resources should not be released or reproduced in any publicly disseminated documents. To improve coordination regarding endangered resources issues for the proposed project, we are copying the ER Review to individuals and DNR staff who may be involved in permitting, licensing, or approval of the proposed project. The attached ER Review is for informational purposes and only addresses endangered resources issues. This ER Review does not constitute DNR authorization of the proposed project and does not exempt the project from securing necessary permits and approvals from the DNR. Please contact me at (608)264-6057 or via email at lori.steckervetz@wisconsin.gov if you have any questions about this ER Review. Sincerely, Lori Steckervetz Endangered Resources Program uthd_11-250 dnr.wi.gov wisconsin.gov Printed on Recycled Paper National Heritage Inventory Data (Considered Sensitive and, therefore, Omitted) APPENDIX E FISH SPECIES OF POOLS 9 AND 10 NATIVE RESIDENT SPECIES THAT OCCUR IN POOLS 9 AND 10 OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER. COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) POOL 9 POOL 10 COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) A A Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) Bullhead minnow (Pimephales vigilax) A A Bullhead minnow (Pimephales vigilax) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) A A Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) A A Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) Emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) A A Emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) A A Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) A A Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) Mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus) A A Mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus) River shiner (Notropis blennius) A A River shiner (Notropis blennius) Spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) A A Spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) White bass (Morone chrysops) A A White bass (Morone chrysops) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) C C Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) Bowfin (Amia calva) C C Bowfin (Amia calva) Brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) C C Brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) C C Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) C C Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) Logperch (Percina caprodes) C C Logperch (Percina caprodes) Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) C C Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) C C Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) Northern pike (Esox lucius) C C Northern pike (Esox lucius) Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) C C Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) C C River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) C C Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) Sauger (Sander canadensis) C C Sauger (Sander canadensis) Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) C C macrolepidotum) Shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) C C Shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) C C platorynchus) Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) C C Silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) C C Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) E-1 COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) Spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) Walleye (Sander vitreus) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) Golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) Golden shiner ( Notemigonus crysoleucas) Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum) Mud darter (Etheostoma asprigene) Orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) River darter (Percina shumardi) Silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) Tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Chestnut lamprey (Ichthyomyzon castaneus) Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer) Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis) Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) POOL 9 C C C C C O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O U U U U U U U U POOL 10 C C C C C O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O U U U U U U U U U U U U U U E-2 COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) Spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) Walleye (Sander vitreus) Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) Golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) Golden shiner ( Notemigonus crysoleucas) Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum) Mud darter (Etheostoma asprigene) Orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) River darter (Percina shumardi) Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) Tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Chestnut lamprey (Ichthyomyzon castaneus) Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer) Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis) Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) Sand shiner (Notropis stramineus) COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Sand shiner (Notropis stramineus) Shoal chub (Macrhybopsis hyostoma) Slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala) Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) Western sand darter (Ammocrypta clara) White sucker (Catostomus commersonii) Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis) American eel (Anguilla rostrata) Banded darter (Etheostoma zonale) Black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) Blackside darter (Percina maculata) Brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) Burbot (Lota lota) Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) Pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) Stonecat (Noturus flavus) Trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) Bigmouth shiner (Notropis dorsalis) Blacknose shiner (Notropis heterolepis) Blackstripe topminnow (Fundulus notatus) Bluntnose darter (Etheostoma chlorosoma) Carmine shiner (Notropis percobromus) Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) Greater redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi) Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile) Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) Pallid shiner (Hybopsis amnis) POOL 9 U U U U U U U R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R H H H H H H H H H H POOL 10 U U U U U U R R R R R R R R R R R R R R H H H H H H H H H H H X E-3 COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Shoal chub (Macrhybopsis hyostoma) Slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala) Stonecat (Noturus flavus) Western sand darter (Ammocrypta clara) White sucker (Catostomus commersonii) Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis) American eel (Anguilla rostrata) Banded darter (Etheostoma zonale) Black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) Brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) Burbot (Lota lota) Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Northern hog sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) Trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) Bigmouth shiner (Notropis dorsalis) Blackside darter (Percina maculata) Blackstripe topminnow (Fundulus notatus) Bluntnose darter (Etheostoma chlorosoma) Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) Greater redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi) Iowa darter (Etheostoma exile) Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) Pallid shiner (Hybopsis amnis) Pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) Skipjack herring (Alosa chrysochloris) Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Skipjack herring (Alosa chrysochloris) American brook lamprey (Lampetra appendix) Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Brown trout (Salmo trutta) Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) Common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) Fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) POOL 9 H X X X X X X X X X X X X X POOL 10 X X X X X X X X X X X COMMON NAME (SCIENTIFIC NAME) Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Brown trout (Salmo trutta) Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) Common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) Fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Southern redbelly dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) American brook lamprey (Lampetra appendix) Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) Source: FFP, 2010, adapted from Steuck et al. 2010 Relative Abundance Key: X - Probably occurs only as a stray from a tributory or inland stocking. H - Records of occurrence are available, but no collections have been documented in the last ten years. R - Considered to be rare. Some species in this category may be on the verge of extirpation. U - Uncommon, does not usually appear in sample collections, populations are small, but the species in this category do not appear to be on the verge of extirpation. O - Occasionally collected, not generally distributed, but local concentrations may occur. C - Commonly taken in most sample collections; can make up a large portion of some samples. A - Abundantly taken in all river surveys. E-4 APPENDIX F LIST OF REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SPECIES REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SPECIES FOUND IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER REPTILES Snakes Coluber constrictor foxi Blue racer Elaphe obsoleta Rat snake Elaphe vulpina Fox snake Lampropeltis t. triangulum Eastern Milk snake Nerodia s. sipedon Northern Water snake Opheodrys vernalis Smooth Green snake Pituophis melanoleucus Gopher Bull snake Regina grahamii Graham's Crayfish snake Storeria dekayi Dekay's Brown snake Storeria o. occipitomaculata Northern Red-bellied snake Thamnophis sirtalis Common Garter snake Tropidoclonian lineatum Prairie lined snake Turtles Apalone spinifera Eastern Spiny Softshell turtle Chelydra serpentina Common Snapping turtle Chrysemys picta belli Western Painted turtle Chrysemys picta marginata Midland Painted turtle Graptemys geographica Common Map turtle Graptemys ouachitensis Ouachita Map turtle Sternotherus odoratus Common Musk turtle Amphibians Ambystoma tigrinum Eastern tiger salamander Bufo americanus American toad Hyla chrysoscelis Cope's gary treefrog Hyla versicolor Gray treefrog Pseudacris crucifer Spring peeper Pseudacris triseriata Western chorus frog Rana clamitans Green frog Rana pipiens Northern leopard frog Rana sylvatica Wood frog Source: USFWS, 2006. F-1 APPENDIX G LIST OF NATIVE MUSSEL SPECIES IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSSELS NATIVE TO THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI LIKELY TO OCCUR WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA COMMON NAME SPECIES FISH HOST Washboard Megalonmaias nervosa American Eel, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Longnose Gar, White Bass, Freshwater Drum Sheepnose Plethobasus cyphyus Sauger Higgins Eye Lampsilis higginsii Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sauger, Walleye, Freshwater Drum Slough Sandshell Lampsilis teres Shovelnose Sturgeon, Largemouth Bass, or Yellow Sandshell Longnose Gar Black Sandshell Ligumia recta Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Walleye Wartyback Quadrula nodulata Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Pistolgrip Tritogonia verrucosa Flathead Catfish Flatfloater Anodonta suborbiculata Largemouth Bass Giant Floater Pyganodon grandis White Sucker, Laremouth Bass, Skipjack Herring, Longnose Gar, White Bass, Freshwater Drum Mucket Actinonaias ligamentina American Eel, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Whiye Bass, Sauger Butterfly Ellipsaria lineolata Sauger, Freshwater Drum Fatmucket Lampsilis siliquoidea White Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Sauger, Walleye Fragile Papershell Leptodea fragilis Freshwater Drum Threeridge Amblema plicata Black Redhorse, Golden Redhorse, Northern Hogsucker, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Sauger, Feshwater Drum Wabash Pigtoe Fusconaia flava No Migratory Fish Strange Floater Strophitus undulatus Largemouth Bass, Walleye Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Sauger, Walleye Threehorn wartyback Obliquaria reflexa No Migratory Fish Hickorynut Obovaria olivaria Shovelnose Sturgeon Pink Heelsplitter Potamilus alatus Freshwater Drum Pink Papershell Potamilus ohiensis Freshwater Drum Lilliput Toxolasma parvus No Migratory Fish Fawnsfoot Trincilla donaciformis Sauger, Freshwater Drum Deertoe Truncilla truncata Sauger, Freshwater Drum Pimpleback Quadrula pustulosa Shovelnose Sturgeon, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish Source: (Wilcox, et. al., 2004; USFWS, 2003) G-1 APPENDIX H LIST OF UPLAND HABITAT PLANTS AND WILDLIFE COMMON TO THE REGION LIST OF COMMON PLANTS OF THE REGION. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Acer rubrum Red maple Acer saccharaum Sugar maple Agrimonia gryposepala tall hairy agrimony Allium tricoccum Ramp Amaranthus retroflexus redroot amaranth Aralia nudicaulis Wild sarsaparilla Artemisia ludoviciana white sagebrush Aster pilosus NA Athyrium filix-femina Common ladyfern Betula sp. Birch species Carya ovata Shagbark hickory Corylus americana American hazlenut Cornus racemosa Gray dogwood Cyperus schweinitzii Schweinitz's flatsedge Eragrostis spectabilis purple lovegrass Festuca arundinacea NA Festuca obtusa NA Galium triflorum fragrant bedstraw Geranium maculatum Wild geranium Helianthus stumosus Woodland sunflower Impatens capensis Jewelweed Juglans cinerea Butternut Lactuca canadensis Canada lettuce Mitella diphylla twoleaf miterwort Monarda punctata spotted beebalm Pedicularis canadensis Canadian lousewort Phleum pretense Timothy Physalis ixocarpa NA Pinus resinosa Red pine Pinus strobus White pine Podophyllum pelatum Mayapple Polygala verticillata whorled milkwort Prunus americana American plum Rhamnus sp. Buckthorn species Rhus sp. Sumac species Ribes sp. Gooseberry species Rubus allegheniensis Allegheny blackberry Rubus enslenii NA Rudbeckia subtomentosa sweet coneflower H-1 SCIENTIFIC NAME Quercus rubra Sanicula canadensis Secale cereal Smilacnia racemosa Sorghastrum nutans Sporobolus asper Sporobolus neglectus Sporobolus vaginiflorus Stellaria graminea Tillia sp. Tradescantia ohiensis Trillium sp. Trifolium pratense Trifolium repens Viola sp. Viola pedata SOURCE: (USDA, 2011) COMMON NAME Red oak Canadian blacksnakeroot Rye False Solomon’s seal Indiangrass NA puffsheath dropseed poverty dropseed grass-like starwort Basswood Bluejacket Trillium species red clover white clover Violet species birdfoot violet LIST OF COMMON WILDLIFE OF THE REGION. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Birds Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk Ruby-throated Archilochus colubris Hummingbird Bonasa umbellus Ruffed Grouse Cardinalis cardinalis Northern Cardinal Carduelis tristis American Goldfinch Carpodacus mexicanus House Finch Carpodacus purpureus Purple Finch Cathartes aura Turkey Vulture Chaetura pelagica Chimney Swift Colaptes auratus Northern Flicker Columba livia Rock Pigeon Contopus virens Eastern Wood-Pewee Corvus brachyrhynchos American Crow Cyanocitta cristata Blue Jay Dryocopus pileatus Pileated Woodpecker Dumetella carolinensis Gray Catbird Icterus galbula Baltimore Oriole Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed Junco H-2 SCIENTIFIC NAME Melanerpes carolinus Meleagris gallopavo Melospiza melodia Molothrus ater Parus atricapillus Parus bicolor Passer domesticus Passerina cyanea Pheucticus ludovicianus Picoides pubescens Picoides villosus Quiscalus quiscula Sayornis phoebe Sialia sialis Sitta carolinensis Spizella arborea Spizella passerina Spizella pusilla Sturnus vulgaris Troglodytes aedon Turdus migratorius Zenaida macroura Mammals Blarina brevicauda Canis latrans Didelphis virginiana Eptesicus fuscus Geomys bursarius Glaucomys volans Lasionycteris noctivagans Lasiurus borealis Lasiurus cinereus Marmota monax Mephitis mephitis Microtus pennsylvanicus Mustela erminea Mustela frenata Mustela nivalis COMMON NAME Red-bellied Woodpecker Wild Turkey Song Sparrow Brown-headed Cowbird Black-capped Chickadee Tufted Titmouse House Sparrow Indigo Bunting Rose-breasted Grosbeak Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Common Grackle Eastern Phoebe Eastern Bluebird White-breasted Nuthatch American Tree Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Field Sparrow European Starling House Wren American Robin Mourning Dove Northern short-tailed shrew Coyote Virginia opossum Big brown bat Plains pocket gopher Southern flying squirrel Silver-haired bat Red bat Hoary bat Woodchuck Striped skunk Meadow vole Ermine Long-tailed weasel Least weasel H-3 SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Mustela vison American Mink Myotis lucifugus Little brown bat Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed deer Peromyscus leucopus White-footed mouse Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse Scalopus aquaticus Eastern mole Sciurus carolinensis Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus niger Eastern fox squirrel Spermophilus Thirteen-lined ground tridecemlineatus squirrel Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern cottontail Synaptomys cooperi Southern bog lemming Tamias striatus Eastern chipmunk Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Red squirrel Taxidea taxus American badger Urocyon cinereoargenteus Common gray fox Vulpes vulpes Red fox Zapus hudsonius Meadow jumping mouse SOURCE(S): (USFWS, 2006; eBird 2011) H-4 APPENDIX I LIST OF WETLAND HABITAT BOTANICAL AND WILDLIFE SPECIES COMMON TO THE REGION LIST OF TYPICAL WETLAND BOTANICAL SPECIES COMMON TO THE REGION. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Acorus calamus Calamus Agrostis alba NA Agrostis gigantea Redtop Alisma subcordatum American water plantain Althaea officinalis common marshmallow Amaranthus tuberculatus roughfruit amaranth Amorpha fruticosa desert false indigo Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweed Aster lateriflorus NA Azolla caroliniana Carolina mosquitofern Azolla mexicana Mexican mosquitofern Betula nigra river birch Bidens cernua nodding beggartick Bidens frondosa devil's beggartick Boehmeria cylindrica smallspike false nettle Boltonia asteroides white doll's daisy Bromus latiglumis earlyleaf brome Calamagrostis canadensis Bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis var. canadensis Bluejoint Calamagrostis scribneri NA Callitriche palustris vernal water-starwort Callitriche verna NA Caltha palustris yellow marsh marigold Calystegia sepium hedge false bindweed Cardamine bulbosa bulbous bittercress Cardamine pensylvanica Pennsylvania bittercress Carex alopecoidea foxtail sedge Carex brevior shortbeak sedge Carex canescens silvery sedge Carex cephalophora oval-leaf sedge Carex cristatella crested sedge Carex grayi Gray's sedge Carex hystericina bottlebrush sedge Carex intumescens greater bladder sedge Carex laeviconica smoothcone sedge Carex lupulina hop sedge Carex muskingumensis Muskingum sedge Carex normalis greater straw sedge Carex rhynchophysa NA I-1 Carex rostrata var. utriculata Carex stipata Carex stricta Carex tribuloides Carex trichocarpa Carex typhina Carex utriculata Carex vulpinoidea Cephalanthus occidentalis Ceratophyllum demersum Chelone glabra Cicuta maculata Cinna arundinacea Cornus sp. Cyperus aristatus Cyperus diandrus Cyperus engelmannii Cyperus ferruginescens Cyperus odoratus Cyperus squarrosus Cyperus stenolepis Cyperus strigosus Digitaria ischaemum Dioscorea hirticaulis Dioscorea villosa Echinochloa crus-galli Echinochloa muricata Echinochloa walteri Eclipta alba Eclipta prostrata Eleocharis acicularis Eleocharis calva Eleocharis erythropoda Eleocharis obtusa Eleocharis palustris Elodea brandegeeae Elodea canadensis Elodea linearis Epilobium coloratum Epilobium leptophyllum Equisetum ×litorale NA awlfruit sedge upright sedge blunt broom sedge hairyfruit sedge cattail sedge Northwest Territory sedge fox sedge common buttonbush coon's tail white turtlehead spotted water hemlock sweet woodreed dogwood sp. NA umbrella flatsedge NA NA fragrant flatsedge bearded flatsedge NA strawcolored flatsedge smooth crabgrass NA wild yam Barnyardgrass rough barnyardgrass coast cockspur grass NA false daisy needle spikerush NA bald spikerush blunt spikerush common spikerush NA Canadian waterweed NA purpleleaf willowherb bog willowherb NA I-2 Equisetum fluviatile Eragrostis hypnoides Eupatoriadelphus maculatus Eupatorium perfoliatum Fraxinus nigra Galium tinctorium Gentiana andrewsii Glyceria elata Glyceria septentrionalis Glyceria striata Gratiola neglecta Hasteola suaveolens Helenium autumnale Hemicarpha drummondii Heteranthera dubia Heteranthera liebmannii Hibiscus laevis Hypericum mutilum Impatiens capensis Iris shrevei Iris virginica Iris virginica var. shrevei Juncus nodosus Juncus tenuis Leersia lenticularis Leersia oryzoides Lemna minima Lemna minor Lemna trisulca Lindernia dubia Lipocarpha drummondii Lobelia cardinalis Lobelia siphilitica Ludwigia palustris Ludwigia polycarpa Lycopus americanus Lysimachia ciliata Lysimachia hybrida Lysimachia nummularia Lysimachia terrestris Lythrum alatum water horsetail teal lovegrass spotted trumpetweed common boneset black ash stiff marsh bedstraw closed bottle gentian NA floating mannagrass fowl mannagrass clammy hedgehyssop false Indian plantain common sneezeweed NA grassleaf mudplantain NA halberdleaf rosemallow dwarf St. Johnswort Jewelweed NA Virginia iris Shreve's iris knotted rush poverty rush catchfly grass rice cutgrass NA common duckweed star duckweed yellowseed false pimpernel Drummond's halfchaff sedge Cardinalflower great blue lobelia marsh seedbox manyfruit primrose-willow American water horehound fringed loosestrife lowland yellow loosestrife creeping jenny earth loosestrife winged lythrum I-3 Mimulus ringens Muhlenbergia glomerata Myosoton aquaticum Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx. Myriophyllum pinnatum (Walt.) BSP. Najas flexilis Najas guadalupensis Nasturtium officinale Nelumbo lutea Nuphar lutea Nymphaea odorata Nymphaea tuberosa Packera paupercula Parnassia glauca Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch Pedicularis lanceolata Penthorum sedoides Phyla lanceolata Physostegia virginiana Polygonum hydropiper Polygonum hydropiperoides Polygonum lapathifolium Polygonum opelousanum Polygonum pensylvanicum Polygonum persicaria Polygonum punctatum Potamogeton foliosus Potamogeton nodosus Potamogeton pectinatus Potamogeton pusillus Pycnanthemum virginianum Quercus bicolor Rorippa palustris Rorippa sessiliflora Rudbeckia laciniata Rumex altissimus Rumex fascicularis Rumex orbiculatus Rumex salicifolius Rumex verticillatus Sagittaria brevirostra Allegheny monkeyflower spiked muhly Giantchickweed Milfoil Milfoil floating waternymph southern waternymph Watercress American lotus yellow pond-lily American white waterlily NA balsam groundsel fen grass of Parnassus Virginia creeper swamp lousewort ditch stonecrop lanceleaf fogfruit obedient plant marshpepper knotweed swamp smartweed curlytop knotweed NA Pennsylvania smartweed spotted ladysthumb dotted smartweed leafy pondweed longleaf pondweed NA small pondweed Virginia mountainmint swamp white oak bog yellowcress stalkless yellowcress cutleaf coneflower pale dock NA greater water dock willow dock swamp dock shortbeak arrowhead I-4 Sagittaria cuneata Sagittaria latifolia Salix sp. Schoenoplectus fluviatilis Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Scirpus atrovirens Scirpus cyperinus Scirpus fluviatilis Scirpus validus Scutellaria galericulata Scutellaria lateriflora Senecio pauperculus Sium floridanum Sium suave Sparganium eurycarpum Spartina pectinata Spiraea alba Spiranthes cernua Spirodela polyrhiza Spirodela polyrrhiza Stachys hispida Stachys tenuifolia Stellaria longifolia Stuckenia pectinata Symphyotrichum lateriflorum var. lateriflorum Triphora trianthophora Typha latifolia Utricularia macrorhiza Vallisneria americana Verbena hastata Veronica peregrina Veronica serpyllifolia Vitis sp. Wolffia borealis Wolffia columbiana Wolffia punctata Zannichellia palustris Zosterella dubia arumleaf arrowhead broadleaf arrowhead willow sp. river bulrush softstem bulrush green bulrush Woolgrass river bulrush NA marsh skullcap blue skullcap NA NA hemlock waterparsnip broadfruit bur-reed prairie cordgrass white meadowsweet nodding lady's tresses NA common duckmeat NA smooth hedgenettle longleaf starwort sago pondweed calico aster Threebirds Cattail common bladderwort wild celery swamp verbena Neckweed thymeleaf speedwell wild grape sp. northern watermeal Columbian watermeal NA horned pondweed NA Source: (USDA, 2011; USFWS, 2006) I-5 LIST OF WETLAND WILDLIFE SPECIES COMMONLY OCCURRING IN THE REGION. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Birds Agelaius phoeniceus Red-Winged Blackbird Aix sponsa Wood Duck Anas americana American Wigeon Anas carolinensis Green-winged Teal Anas clypeata Northern Shoveler Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Anas strepera Gadwall Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron Aythya affinis Lesser Scaup Aythya collaris Ring-necked Duck Aythya valisineria Canvasback Branta canadensis Canada Goose Bucephala albeola Bufflehead Butorides virescens Green Heron Cardinalis cardinalis Northern Cardinal Fulica americana American Coot Gcaruelis tristis American Goldfinch Geothlypis trichas Common Yellowthroat Grus canadensis Sandhill Crane Larus argentatus Herring Gull Larus delawarensis Ring-billed Gull Lophodytes cucullatus Hooded Merganser Megaceryle alcyon Belted Kingfisher Mergus merganser Common Merganser Molothrus ater Brown-Headed Cowbird Passerina cyanea Indigo Bunting Phalacrocorax auritus Double-crested Cormorant Pheucticus ludovicianus Rose-Breasted Grosbeak Podilymbus podiceps Pied-Billed Grebe Riparia riparia Bank Swallow Scolopax minor American Woodcock Stelgidopteryx serripennis Northern Rough-Winged Swallow Vireo olivaceus Red-eyed Vireo Mammals Castor canadensis American beaver Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat Procyon lotor Northern raccoon Lontra canadensis River otter I-6 SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Sorex cinereus Cinereus shrew SOURCE(S): (USFWS, 2006; eBird 2011; Mossman, 1988) LIST OF POTENTIAL INVASIVE AQUATIC AND WETLAND BOTANICAL SPECIES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE PROJECT VICINITY. SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligator Weed Centaurea maculosa Spotted Knapweed Coronilla varia Crown Vetch Eichhornia crassipes Water Hyacinth Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla Ludwigia peploides Floating primrosewillow Ludwigia uruguayensis Uruguayan primrosewillow Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot Feather Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian Watermilfoil Najas minor Brittle Naiad Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass Phragmites sp. Phragmites sp. Potamogeton crispus Curly-leaf Pondweed Salvinia sp. Salvinia sp. Triadica sebifera Chinese Tallow Tree Source: (USFWS, 2006) I-7 APPENDIX J LIST OF THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES BY STATE AND COUNTY TABLE 1. STATE THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES KNOWN TO OCCUR WITHIN THE PROJECT SITE AS INDICATED BY WDNR RTE SPECIES REVIEW COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS FED FISH American Eel Anguilla rostrata SC Black Buffalo Ictiobus niger T Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus T Bluntnose Darter Etheostoma chlorosoma E Goldeye Hiodon alosoides E Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens SC Longear Sunfish Lepomis megalotis T Mud Darter Etheostoma asprigene SC Paddlefish Polyodon spathula T Pallid Shiner Notropis amnis E Pirate Perch Aphredoderus sayanus SC Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae SC Shoal Chub Macrhybopsis aestivalis T Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana SC Skipjack Herring Alosa chrysochloris E Weed Shiner Notropis texanus SC Western Sand Darter Etheostoma clarum S INVERTEBRATE AND INSECTS Higgins' Eye Lampsilis higginsii E E Rock Pocketbook Arcidens confragosus T Wartyback Quadrula nodulata T Washboard Megalonaias nervosa SC REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS Gray Ratsnake Pantherophis spiloides SC PLANTS Nodding Rattlesnake-root Prenanthes crepidinea E Yerba-de-tajo Eclipta prostrate SC TABLE 2. STATE THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THE SURROUNDING 1-MILE BUFFER OF THE PROJECT SITE AS INDICATED BY WDNR RTE SPECIES REVIEW COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS FED BIRD Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus E REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus SC/P INVERTEBRATE AND INSECTS J-1 Smooth Coil Wing Snaggletooth Dragon Wormwood Helicodiscus singleyanus Gastrocopta procera PLANTS Artemisia dracunculus SC T SC TABLE 3. STATE THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES KNOWN TO OCCUR IN THE SURROUNDING 5-MILE BUFFER OF THE PROJECT SITE AS INDICATED BY WDNR RTE SPECIES REVIEW COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS FED BIRD Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea T Acadian Fycatcher Empidonax virescens T INVERTEBRATE AND INSECTS A Common Burrowing Mayfly Hexagenia rigida SC TABLE 4. THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES POTENTIALLY OCCURRING IN ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, IOWA COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS FED BIRD Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus SC P Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii T King Rail Rallus elegans E Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus T Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus E REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS Blanding'sTurtle Emydoidea blandingii T Bullsnake Pituophis catenifer sayi SC Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus E C Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer SC Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus T North American Racer Coluber constrictor SC Northern Cricket Frog Acris crepitans E Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica SC Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus T Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta T FISH American Brook Lamprey Lampetra appendix T Black Buffalo Ictiobus niger SC Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei T Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus SC Bluntnose Darter Etheostoma chlorosoma E Burbot Lota lota T Chestnut Lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus T J-2 COMMON NAME Lake Sturgeon Paddlefish Pallid Shiner Pirate Perch Pugnose Minnow Weed Shiner SCIENTIFIC NAME Acipenser fulvescens Polyodon spathula Notropis amnis Aphredoderus sayanus Opsopoeodus emiliae Notropis texanus INVERTEBRATE AND INSECTS Baltimore Euphydryas phaeton Bluff Vertigo Vertigo meramecensis Briarton Pleistoscene Vertigo Vertigo brierensis Butterfly Ellipsaria lineolata Columbine Dusky Wing Erynnis lucilius Creeper Strophitus undulatus Dusted Skipper Atrytonopsis hianna Ebony Shell Fusconaia ebena Edwards' Hairstreak Satyrium edwardsii Elktoe Alasmidonta marginata Frigid Ambersnail Catinella gelida Hickory Hairstreak Satyrium caryaevorum Higgins' Eye Lampsilis higginsii Iowa Pleistocene Vertigo Vertigo iowaensis Midwest Pleistocene Vertigo Vertigo hubrichti hubrichti Monkeyface Quadrula metanevra Olympia Marble Euchloe olympia Rock Pocketbook Arcidens confragosus Round Pigtoe Pleurobema coccineum Salt And Pepper Skipper Amblyscirtes hegon Sheepnose or Bullhead Plethobasus cyphyus Silvery Blue Glaucopsyche lygdamus Sleepy Dusky Wing Erynnis brizo Variable Pleistocene Vertigo Vertigo hubrichti variabilis Washboard Megalonaias nervosa Wild Indigo Dusky Wing Erynnis baptisiae Yellow Sandshell Lampsilis teres PLANT Alderleaf Buckthorn Rhamnus alnifolia American Fever-few Parthenium integrifolium American Speedwell Veronica americana Arrow-headed Rattle-box Crotalaria sagittalis Balsam Fir Abies balsamea Beak Grass Diarrhena obovata Bigroot Prickly-pear Opuntia macrorhiza J-3 STATUS FED E T SC SC SC E T E E T SC T SC E SC T E SC E E T T SC E E SC E T SC T T SC E SC T SC SC SC E E E C COMMON NAME Black Huckleberry Bog Bedstraw Bog Birch Bog Bluegrass Bog Willow Broad Beech Fern Buckbean Bunchberry Canada Plum Carey Sedge Chinquapin Oak Christmas Fern Clammy False Foxglove Clustered Broomrape Creeping Juniper Crowfoot Clubmoss Daisy-leaved Moonwort Douglas Knotweed Dragon Wormwood Drooping Bluegrass Dwarf Scouring-rush Eastern Jointweed Engelmann’s Spike Rush Glade Fern Glade Mallow Glomerate Sedge Golden Corydalis Golden Saxifrage Glandular Wood Fern Grape-stemmed Clematis Great Plains Ladies'-tresses Great Water-leaf Green Violet Ground Pine Hairy-jointed Meadow-parsnip Hairy Wild-petunia Hill's Thistle Hoary Tick-trefoil Hook-spurred Violet Hooker's Orchid Jeweled Shooting Star Kidney-leaf White Violet SCIENTIFIC NAME Gaylussacia baccata Galium labradoricum Betula pumila Poa paludigena Salix pedicellaris Phegopteris hexagonoptera Menyanthes trifoliata Cornus canadensis Prunus nigra Carex careyana Quercus muehlenbergil Polystichum acrostichoides Aureolaria pedicularia Orobanche fasciculata Juniperus horizontalis Lycopodium digitatum Botrychium matricariifolium Polygonum douglasii Artemisia dracunculus Poa languida Equisetum scirpoides Polygonella articulata Eleocharis engelmannii Diplazium pycnocarpon Napaea dioica Carex aggregata Corydalis aurea Chrysosplenium iowense Dryopteris intermedia Clematis occidentalis Spiranthes magnicamporum Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Hybanthus concolor Lycopodium clavatum Thaspium barbinode Ruelia humilis Cirsium hillii Desmodium canescens Viola adunca Platanthera hookeri Dodecatheon amethystinum Viola renifolia J-4 STATUS FED T E T SC T SC T T E SC SC SC E E T SC E E SC SC SC E SC SC SC SC T T T S SC SC T E E E SC SC SC T T T COMMON NAME Kentucky Coffee-tree Lanced-leaved Buckthorn Large-leaf White Violet Leathery Grape Fern Ledge Spikemoss Limestone Oak Fern Long Beechfern Low Bindweed Low Sweet Blueberry Lupine Mapleleaf Viburnum Marginal Shield Fern Meadow Bluegrass Missouri Rockcress Mountain Maple Mountain Ricegrass Muskroot Narrowleaf Pinweed Nodding Pogonia Nodding Rattlesnake-root Northern Black Currant Northern Lungwort Northern Monkshood Oak Fern One-flowered Broomrape One-sided Pyrola Oregon Woodsia Pale Corydalis Pale False Foxglove Pinesap Pin Oak Pink Milkwort Pink Shinleaf Poppy Mallow Prairie Indian-Plantain Prairie Ragwort Prickly Rose Prince's Pine Purple Cliff-brake fern Purple Fringed Orchid Purple Milkweed SCIENTIFIC NAME Gymnocladus dioicus Rhamnus lanceolata ssp.glabrata Viola incognita Botrychium multifidum Selaginella rupestris Gymnocarpium robertianum Thelypteris phegopteris Calystegia spithamaea Vaccinium angustifolium Lupinus perennis Viburnum acerifolium Dryopteris marginalis Poa wolfii Arabis missouriensis Acer spicatum Oryzopsis asperifolia Adoxa moschatellina Lechea intermedia Triphoria trianthophora Prenanthes crepidinea Ribes hudsonianum Mertensia paniculata Aconitum noveboracense Gymnocarpium dryopteris Orobanche uniflora Pyrola secunda Woodsia oregana Corydalis sempervirens Agalinis skinneriana Monotropa hypopithys Quercus palustris Polygala incarnata Pyrola asarifolia Callirhoe triangulata Cacalia tuberose Senecio plattensis Rosa acicularis Chimaphila umbellata Pellaea atropurpurea Platanthera psycodes Asclepias purpurascens J-5 STATUS FED SC SC E T SC SC E Sc T T SC T SC SC SC SC S T SC E T E T T SC T T T E T SC T E E T SC E T E T E COMMON NAME Purple Sand-grass Putty Root Racemed Milkwort Rock Clubmoss Rock Sandwort Rosy Twisted Stalk Rough Bedstraw Rough-seeded Fame Flower Royal Fern Rusty Woodsia Roundstem Foxglove Sage Willow Sand Cherry Shadbush Shining Willow Short’s Rock-cress Showy Lady's-slipper Shrubby Cinquefoil Slender Ladies'-tresses Slender Mountain-ricegrass Slender Sedge Slim-leaved Panic Grass Small White Lady's Slipper Snowberry Soft Rush Solomon's Seal Spring Avens Spotted Coralroot Squaw Root Summer Grape Swamp Goldenrod Sweet Indian Plantain Tall Cotton Grass Tall Millet-grass Three-toothed Cinquefoil Tree Clubmoss Twinflower Twinleaf Upland Boneset Valerian Velvet Leaf Blueberry Violet SCIENTIFIC NAME Triplasis purpurea Aplectrum Polygala polygama Lycopodium porophilum Minuartia michauxii Streptopus roseus Galium asprellum Talinum rugospermum Osmunda regalis Woodsia ilvensis Agalinis gattingeri Salix candida Prunus pumila Amelanchier sanguinea Salix lucida Arabis shortii Cypripedium reginae Potentilla fruticosa Spiranthes lacera Oryzopsis pungens Carex tenera Dichanthelium linearifolium Cypripedium candidum Symphoricarpos albus Juncus effusus Polygonatum pubescens Geum vernum Corallorhiza maculata Conopholis americana Vitis aestivalis Solidago uliginosa Cacalia suaveolens Eriophorum angustifolium Milium effusum Potentilla tridentata Lycopodium dendroideum Linnaea borealis Jeffersonia diphylla Eupatorium sessilifolium Valeriana edulis Vaccinium myrtilloides Viola macloskeyi J-6 STATUS FED SC SC E T SC T SC E T E T SC SC SC T SC T T T E SC T SC SC SC SC SC T SC SC E T SC SC E T T T SC SC T SC COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Water Shield Brasenia schreberi Water Starwort Callitriche heterophylla Waterwillow Decodon verticillatus Winterberry Ilex verticillata Wooly Milkweed Asclepias lanuginosa Yellow Gentian Gentiana alba Yellow Giant Hyssop Agastache nepetoides Yellow Trout-lily Erythronium americanum Yellow-lipped Ladies-tresses Spiranthes lucida Yerba-de-tajo Eclipta prostrate Source (IDNR, 20011; USFWS, 2011b) STATUS FED SC SC E E T T T T E SC Abbreviations: T = threatened; E = Endangered; SC = Special Concern; P = Protected; C = Candidate.* Non-Essential Experimental Population J-7