LOON FLOATING NEST PLATFORMS 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ARTICLE 507 LOON FLOATING NEST PLATFORMS 2014 ANNUAL REPORT REPORTING PERIOD JANUARY 1 DECEMBER 31, 2014 BAKER RIVER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC No September 2015 PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project

2 CONTENTS CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary Introduction Loon Surveys Platform Maintenance Activities Design and Planning Activities Documents Submitted Accounting List of Tables Table 1. Summary of Baker Lake and Lake Shannon loon observations in List of Figures Figure 1. Map of Baker Lake loon observations, Figure 2. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations, Figure 3. Bear loon nesting platform Figure 4. Anderson loon nesting platform Figure 5. Noisy loon nesting platform PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page ii

3 1.0 Executive Summary This Loon Floating Nest Platform annual report reviews Puget Sound Energy s actions in 2014 to implement settlement agreement article 507 (SA 507), Loon Floating Nest Platforms, for the Baker River Hydroelectric Project License, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Project No This report is consistent with the SA 507 Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan prepared by Puget Sound Energy, and was reviewed by the Terrestrial Resource Implementation Group (TRIG). This report summarizes the activities conducted in 2014 in accordance with SA 507, which included: Re-installation of the Lake Shannon platform prior to the loon nesting season. Maintenance of the Baker Lake platforms. Twice-monthly monitoring of loon activity on both Project reservoirs during the nesting season (April 1 July 31). No loon nesting attempts were observed during the reporting period. Twice-monthly monitoring of the access restriction devices during the loon nesting surveys. Development and TRIG review of the SA 507 annual report for Development of the SA 507 monitoring report for 2014 and submittal to the TRIG. Funding expenditures in 2014 pertaining to SA 507 activities listed above are outlined in section 4 of this report. 2.0 Introduction This report has been prepared for the Baker River Hydroelectric Project (the Project), and documents activities conducted in 2014 to implement settlement agreement article 507 (SA 507), Loon Floating Nest Platforms, consistent with the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan. This report was reviewed by the Terrestrial Resource Implementation Group (TRIG). The list of TRIG members who reviewed this report, along with a table of reviewer comments and PSE responses, is provided in the SA 501 Terrestrial Resource Management Plan (TRMP) annual report for The goal of SA 507 is to provide habitat features that will improve the potential for loon nesting on the Baker River Project reservoirs, with the hope of establishing nesting use and increasing the nesting loon population in western Washington. The objectives of the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan are to: Install and maintain three floating nest platforms on Project reservoirs for at least 15 years, depending on the success of the platforms. Install and maintain informational and access restriction devices such as log booms, buoys, signs, or other devices. PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 1

4 Monitor loon activity on the Project reservoirs twice monthly during each annual nesting season (April 1 July 31) for 15 years, and to continue annual monitoring if the nest platform program is continued past year 15. Determine the program s effectiveness after 15 years. Install three additional nesting platforms if the TRIG verifies that common loons have been nesting successfully. This annual report summarizes the activities conducted under SA 507 in 2014, including monitoring activities, design and planning activities, documents prepared, issues and resolution, and accounting. Monitoring activities were coordinated with the TRIG. Regular monitoring updates were provided to the TRIG during the 2014 nesting season. 3.0 This section describes the actions taken under SA 507 during the reporting period to implement the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan. These activities included surveying the Project reservoirs during the loon nesting season, recording loon observation data, monitoring the effectiveness of the no-wake buoys in restricting boater activity in and around nest platform buffer areas, maintaining the platforms and access restriction devices, and submitting reports to the TRIG and the FERC. 3.1 Loon Surveys This section describes the study area, survey methods, and results for the 2014 loon surveys, and provides a summary of the data recorded during the nesting season Study Area The study area monitored under SA 507 includes the two Baker River Project reservoirs, Lake Shannon and Baker Lake. Figures 1 and 2 show locations of loon observations recorded during the 2014 nesting season. One platform is located on Lake Shannon near the mouth of Bear, and two more are located on Baker Lake, one near Anderson and the other near Noisy. The Anderson nest platform is on the east side of Baker Lake across from the Kulshan boat launch, and the Noisy platform is near the southern shore at the far upstream end of Baker Lake (figure 1). Both Baker Lake platforms remain in place yearround. The Lake Shannon platform has been deployed each year prior to the beginning of the loon nesting season (April 1) and removed after the nesting season concludes (July 31). After the conclusion of the 2014 nesting season, the Lake Shannon platform will not be removed, and will remain in place year-round Survey Methods Survey methods were developed in consultation with the TRIG. Surveys were conducted by boat twice monthly during the loon nesting season, April 1 through July 31. Each survey consisted of a broad boat circuit of each of the project reservoirs, alternating the order in which the reservoirs were surveyed when possible to try to survey both reservoirs equally in morning and afternoon. PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 2

5 Two surveyors typically conducted each survey, except for the May 5 survey which had three surveyors (PSE); and the July 9 survey which included Theresa Mathis (USDA-FS) and Doug Couvalier (Upper Skagit Tribe). Surveyors monitored both reservoirs for loon activity and recorded observations, which were then plotted on a map. Observation data included location, number of loons, plumage (adult or juvenile/non-breeding), behavior, time of day, weather conditions, and any additional information. The loon nest platforms were examined during each survey for signs of nesting activity or use by wildlife. The nest platforms and buffer zones were also monitored to determine the effectiveness of the no-wake buoys in restricting boaters in close proximity to the platforms. Any observations of boating activity in or around the platform buffer zones were recorded. The data was recorded on forms developed by Puget Sound Energy and approved by the TRIG Results and Discussion Although no nesting attempts by loons on Project reservoirs have been documented, loons have been observed frequently during the nesting season. The results for the 2014 nesting surveys are consistent with this. The data recorded during the 2014 loon nesting season is presented in table 1, and is mapped in section Thirty-two separate loon observations were made on the Project reservoirs during the 2014 loon nesting season, between April 16 and July 25. All 32 loon observations were sighted during the surveys, and one was observed incidentally after the conclusion of the nesting season. Unusually high numbers of loons were observed on Baker Lake during the May 5 survey. No loons were observed on the nest platforms, on the shore, or near the shore, although some loons were observed near the platforms, particularly the Noisy platform. Loon observations were more frequent on Baker Lake than Lake Shannon in 2014, and during the May 5 survey the larger groups of loons observed were recorded at the north end of Baker Lake. In 2013, loon observations were spread somewhat evenly between the two reservoirs, and across each of the reservoirs. The loon nest platform program began on Lake Shannon in 2007 with the installation of the platform and the first round of surveys. Platforms were installed on Baker Lake in 2009 after the issuance of the license. To date, no loon nesting attempts have been recorded at any of the three platform locations, although Canada geese attempted to nest on the Lake Shannon platform in 2010 and 2013, and on the Anderson platform in 2010 and No nesting attempts by Canada geese were observed in 2014 on any of the platforms, although the two Baker Lake platforms did show signs of use by geese and cormorants. The three platforms and the Project reservoirs will continue to be monitored for loon activity during the nesting season for a total of 15 consecutive years, or until At that time, the TRIG will evaluate the program and make a recommendation concerning the continuation of the program Data This section provides a list of all loon observations during the 2014 survey season (table 1). During the 2014 surveys, observations on Baker Lake were somewhat concentrated at PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 3

6 the north end of the lake, near the mouth of the Baker River, near Noisy, near Panorama Point, and also near Sandy in the central portion of the reservoir (figure 1). On Lake Shannon, observations were spread more evenly between the area around the boat launch, the center of the reservoir near Thunder, and the far north end of the lake (figure 2). Table 1. Summary of Baker Lake and Lake Shannon loon observations in Adult/Breeding Plumage Behavior Location Comments Date Surveyor Lake No. Baker 1 Y Swimming, TF,, TF,, TF,, TF,, TF,, TF,, TF, Baker 2 Y Swimming Baker 1 Y Flyover Baker 1 Y Swimming Maple Grove Panorama Pt B/t Panorama Pt & Boulder Panorama Pt Baker 12 Y Swimming Noisy Baker 1 Y Swimming Baker River Baker 1 Y Swimming Swift Baker 2 Y Swimming Shannon 1 Y Swimming Baker 42 Baker 1 Diving Little Sandy N Lk Shannon b/t T-11 & T-12 E side of Lake from Swift NW of Noisy Baker 96 Noisy Baker 12 Floating, diving Baker 6 Floating Baker 1 Floating Shannon 3 Floating Shannon Little Sandy Sandy Mid-lake S of Thunder 5/20/2014 BW Baker 1 Swimming Baker River 5/20/2014 BW Baker 1 Swimming Baker River PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 4

7 Date Surveyor Lake No. 5/20/2014 BW Baker 1 Adult/Breeding Plumage Behavior Location Comments Floating, diving 5/20/2014 BW Shannon 1 Swimming 6/11/2014 Baker 2 1 Y, 1 N Diving B/t Boulder Crk & Little Sandy Crk Far N end near T-13 South of Sandy 6/23/2014 TF, NN Baker 1 Y Feeding Mouth of Anderson 6/23/2014 TF, NN Baker 1 Y Swimming Mid-lake near Silver 6/23/2014 TF, NN Baker 1 Y Swimming Across lake from Noisy 6/23/2014 TF, NN Shannon 1 Y Swimming Boat ramp 6/23/2014 TF, NN Shannon 1 Y Swimming N of boat ramp along E shore 6/23/2014 TF, NN Shannon 1 N Swimming Near osprey platform #10 (S of Thunder ) 6/23/2014 TF, NN Shannon 1 Y Swimming Near osprey platform #3 on W side of lake 7/9/2014 7/25/2014 7/25/2014 7/25/2014 HE, NN, TM, DC Shannon 1 Y Swimming Shannon 2 Y Swimming Shannon 1 Y Swimming Baker 1 Y Swimming Thunder Near osprey platform #3 N end of lake Kulshan boat ramp 1 in nonbreeding plumage kept diving PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 5

8 3.1.5 Loon Location Maps This section provides maps of all loon observations recorded on both Project reservoirs during the 2014 surveys. Figure 1. Map of Baker Lake loon observations, PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 6

9 Figure 2. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations, Platform Maintenance Activities Platform maintenance conducted in 2014 included the re-installation and re-vegetation of the Bear platform on Lake Shannon, the inspection and re-vegetation of the Anderson platform on Baker Lake, and the construction and installation of a new platform at the Noisy location on Baker Lake. The Anderson platform remained in place throughout the winter season, and was inspected prior to the beginning of the nesting season. The Bear platform was removed after the PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 7

10 conclusion of the 2013 nesting season, was redeployed in March 2014, and remained in place after the 2014 nesting season. The Noisy creek platform was missing at the end of the 2013 season, and was replaced prior to the 2014 season. All three nest platforms will be inspected prior to the beginning of the 2015 nesting season Bear Platform Lake Shannon The Bear platform was removed from the reservoir after the conclusion of the 2013 nesting season, and was re-deployed prior to the 2014 nesting season. No additional vegetation was needed; the vegetation from the previous year survived the remainder of the year and filled in again in the spring of The platform was not removed from the reservoir after the 2014 nesting season, and will remain in place yearround. The platform will be inspected prior to April 2015, and any necessary modifications will be made to prepare the platform for the upcoming nesting season. Figure 3. Bear loon nesting platform Anderson Platform Baker Lake The Anderson platform was inspected at the beginning of the nesting season. Some locally collected plants were added to the platform to provide nesting substrate and cover. While some of the vegetation filled in during the season, some of it washed away due to wave action and the fact that the platform sits low in the water. After the conclusion of the nesting season, the ecology block that had been suspended from the platform was removed. The ecology block was intended to keep the platform from moving around during the nesting season, particularly if the water level was low, as the resulting slack in the anchor line would allow extra platform movement. However, the water level typically remains high during the nesting season in conjunction with the recreation season. Removing the weight will likely increase the freeboard, allowing vegetation to become better established on the platform, providing a more suitable and attractive nesting location for loons. PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 8

11 Figure 4. Anderson loon nesting platform Noisy Platform Baker Lake The Noisy platform was missing during the July 17, 2013 survey, and was rebuilt prior to the 2014 nesting season. The new platform was installed on February 11, Weed-free soil-building compost and native, locally adapted vegetation were placed on the platform. However, because the platform was installed so early in the season and needed some adjustments as it was installed, the vegetation did not get established. During the first loon survey, the vegetation was no longer on the platform and had to be replaced. Figure 5. Noisy loon nesting platform. PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 9

12 Accounting Access Restriction Devices The buoys around all three platforms remained in place throughout the 2014 season. No boats were observed inside the no-wake buffer areas around the three platforms during the 2014 loon surveys. 3.3 Design and Planning Activities No design or planning activities occurred in 2014 related to SA Documents Submitted PSE submitted the Loon Floating Nest Platform annual report for 2013 to the TRIG for the 30-day review period in March PSE also developed the Loon Nest Floating Platform Monitoring Report for 2014 and submitted it to the TRIG. 4.0 Accounting Puget Sound Energy, pursuant to settlement agreement articles 102, 201, 301, 501, and 602, is required to provide an annual summary of expenditures made during the preceding year, as well as an accounting of funding expenditures, any interest earned, disbursements made as required by any article, and adjustments for inflation. This section provides an accounting of expenditures made between January 1, 2014 and December 31, All disbursement adjustments and relevant calculations were determined using the guidelines provided in settlement agreement article 602. SA 507 did not prescribe funding for the reporting period. Expenditures for SA 507 implementation are summarized in the SA 602 annual report for PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 10