posted Aug 11, 2009 6:50 AM by Site Administrator
As detailed below, the Staff Alternative includes modifications to Appalachian Power’s proposed plans. The additional staff measures include the following: - modifying the proposed Erosion Monitoring Plan to (a) add monitoring locations along the shorelines of Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes, (b) specify quantitative method(s) for monitoring erosion downstream from Leesville (e.g., bank pins), and (c) require erosion monitoring along the Roanoke River for more than 1 year and cover the reach from the Leesville dam downstream to Altavista, VA;
- modifying the proposed Sedimentation Monitoring Plan to (a) include a requirement that Appalachian Power identify the types of actions it would implement and under what conditions it would propose dredging at a recreation site, and (b) add Craddock Creek, Mitchells Cove, and areas near Mariners Landing to the list of areas to be monitored because public use of these areas is affected by sedimentation;
- modifying the proposed Water Management Plan to include (a) the provisions of Conditions D (Instream Flow Conditions), E (Adaptive Management),7 and G (Instream Flow Monitoring and Reporting Conditions)8 of the Certification, (b) a revised study plan for Part I, Condition D.3 of the Certification (Study of Auto-Cycling versus Continuous Release) that modifies the study design (i.e., a study duration of 3 years, unless data collected in year 1 indicates that monitoring in years 2 and 3 is not needed) to address effects on the Roanoke River from Leesville downstream to Altavista, a level-logger study on the lower reaches of Goose Creek, and fieldwork (empirical data collection) in years 2 and 3 of the study), and (c) a requirement to consult with appropriate entities regarding how the forecast model would be updated between the 5-year review cycles;
- modifying the proposed Water Quality Monitoring Plan to include (a) the provisions of Conditions F.1 (Water Quality Enhancement Measures) and F.4 (Feasibility of Measures to Enhance DO) of the Certification, (b) a more frequent reporting procedure, and (c) developing a plan to monitor water quality in Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes;
- modifying the proposed Habitat Management Plan to include (a) certain Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries-recommended editorial revisions, (b) a stipulation that proposed habitat projects not be limited to certain areas, (c) photographic documentation as part of the monitoring program, (d) marking large habitat projects as “fish attractors,” and (e) development of educational material;
- modifying the proposed Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan to include (a) a procedure for notifying adjacent landowners regarding the treatment to take place prior to its implementation, with the notification period to be worked out by the Aquatic Vegeation Technical Review Committee, (b) a requirement that the report filed by the Licensed Applicator identify the type of herbicide used in any treatment, and (c) a provision for Appalachian Power to control invasive aquatic vegetation at public boat ramps and other public areas, where determined appropriate;
- modifying the proposed Roanoke Logperch Enhancement Plan to stipulate that the implementation funds ($50,000) be adjusted annually by the Consumer Price Index;
- revising the proposed Recreation Management Plan (and filing it for Commission approval) to include (a) ensuring access at public boat ramps that are project facilities and that are the responsibility of Appalachian Power (including those sites maintained by the Virginia DGIF) by lengthening the ramps, dredging, or some combination thereof, (b) installing permanent toilets at all public recreation sites that are the responsibility of Appalachian Power, (c) assessing the appropriateness of providing picnic pavilions at three public recreation sites, (d) providing between 63 and 70 parking spaces at the Hardy Ford Public Boat Launch, (e) a procedure to determine the need for additional recreation facilities, in addition to the three facilities proposed by Appalachian Power, that includes conducting an assessment of the feasibility of providing amenities at five sites around the project, (f) developing procedures for managing recreational use of the islands on Smith Mountain Lake, (g) surveying recreation use on weekend days
- modifying the Certification’s required study of auto-cycling versus continuous releases to account for the influence of altered fish populations on fishing effort and success;
- modifying the proposed Aids to Navigation Management Plan to include (a) installing and maintaining a lighted navigation system on Leesville Lake, and (b) coordinating the plan with the Aquatic Vegetation, Recreation, and Debris Management Plans;
- modifying the proposed Debris Management Plan to include (a) consultation with the Debris Technical Review Committee, and (b) development of procedures for monitoring and controlling debris, from Memorial to Labor Day, at public swimming beaches, the public recreation areas maintained by the Virginia DGIF and Appalachian Power, and other areas, as appropriate; and
- implementing the PA, executed on July 23, 2009, that requires Appalachian Power to develop an HPMP to protect historical properties and other resources affected by, or potentially affected by, the continued operation of the Project.
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Ċ ď Site Administrator, Aug 11, 2009 6:53 AM
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