20150759 Ver 2_USFWS Draft EA Comments_20160901

Burdette, Jennifer a
From: 'FERC eSubscription' <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 2:46 PM
Subject: Comment on Filing submitted in FERC P-9842-006 by USFWS,et al.
On 9/1/2016, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC),
Washington D.C.:
Filer: USFWS
No Organization Found (as Agent)
Docket(s): P-9842-006
Lead Applicant: CARDINAL ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
Filing Type: Comment on Filing
Description: Comment of USFWS on the Draft Environmental Assessment for Ward Mill Dam, Watauga River
under P-9842.
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http://elibra ry. FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_nu m=20160901-5178
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20160901-5178 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 9/1/2016 2:25:44 PM
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Asheville Field Office
160 Zillicoa Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
September 1, 2016
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Mail Code: PJ -12.3
888 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20426
Dear Ms. Bose:
Subject: COMMENTS on the Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for the
Ward Mill Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 9842-006, Watauga County, North
Carolina, (ER 16/0395)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission's (Commission) draft environmental assessment (EA) for the Ward Mill
Hydroelectric Project (Project) issued July 19, 2016, in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and Commission regulations (18 CFR Part 380).
Commission staff analyzed the probable environmental effects of implementing the Project and
concludes that approval of the Project, with appropriate staff -recommended environmental
measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the
human environment. The following comments are submitted in accordance with the provisions
of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 661-667e); section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) (Act); the Federal Power
Act (16 U.S.C. 803(a) and 0)); the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 1536, 1538); the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.
1251 et seq.); and the Electric Consumers Protection Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 1243).
The Proposed Project. The Project (P-9842) is located on the Watauga River in Watauga
County, North Carolina. The Project consists of: (1) a 4.6 -acre reservoir with an estimated gross
storage capacity of 16.3 acre-feet; (2) a 130 -foot -long by 20 -foot -high dam; (3) a 14 -foot -long,
5 -foot -wide, and 7.5 -foot -tall penstock made of rock, concrete, and reinforced steel; (4) a
powerhouse containing two generating units for a total installed capacity of 168 kilowatts; (5) an
interconnection with the utility at the meter point on the southwest exterior wall of the
powerhouse; and (6) appurtenant facilities. The Project is estimated to generate about 290,000
to about 599,000 kilowatt-hours annually.

20160901-5178 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 9/1/2016 2:25:44 PM
COMMENTS
Alternatives Considered. The draft EA includes three alternatives: (1) No action, meaning the
Project would continue to operate under the conditions of the existing license and no new
environmental protection, mitigation, or enhancement measures would be implemented; (2)
Applicant's Proposal; and (3) Applicants Proposal with staff modifications. Based on the
Commission's analysis of the alternatives, the Commission recommends relicensing the Project
as proposed by the applicant with some staff modifications and additional measures (Staff
Alternative). The Staff Alternative does not include the applicant's proposal to implement an
erosion control plan, or the applicant's proposal to install and operate a flow gage to record
inflow to the project if the USGS discontinues operation of gage number 03479000.
In general, we found the EA well-prepared. In general, the Service agrees with Commission
staff's recommendations and appreciates their consideration of prior agency recommendations
and thorough assessment of those requests. We believe that the selection of the Staff Alternative
is adequately protective of aquatic resources within and downstream of the Project area. Also,
we concur with the overall assessment that the Project will not significantly affect the quality of
the human environment; therefore, the development of an Environmental Impact Statement will
not be necessary.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and provide comments on the draft EA. If you have any
questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Mr. Bryan Tompkins of our staff at
828/258-3939, Ext. 240.
Sincerely,
- - original signed - -
Janet Mizzi
Field Supervisor
cc:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance (Attention:
Dr. Shawn Alam, ER 08/142), Mail Stop 2342, MIB, 1849 C Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20240
Regional Director, USFWS, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, GA (ES, Attention:
Ms. Christine Willis)
Dr. Wilson Laney, Regional Hydropower Coordinator, USFWS, Raleigh, NC

20160901-5178 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 9/1/2016 2:25:44 PM
Document Content(s)
USFWS Comments on Draft EA Ward Mill Dam P-9842-006.DOC...............1-2