MIG 1 Fish and Wildlife Study Plan Review

1. MIG 1 Fish and WildlifeStudy Plan Review April 2, 2008

2. MIG 1 Agenda • Introductions • Comments Received • Summary of Revisions to the MIG 1 Draft Study Plans • Next Steps in the Process

3. MIG 1 Studies • Migratory Fish - Tallapoosa Basin Literature Review • Lake Martin - Assessment of Fish Density and Species Composition Associated with Various Shoreline Types • Evaluation of Minimum Flows downstream of Martin Dam • Fish Entrainment/Turbine Mortality • Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Surveys • Striped Bass Mortality Study • Lake Martin - Wildlife Management Plan

4. MIG 1 Study Plan Commenters • ADCNR • USFWS • ARA • WWF

5. Study Plan 1Migratory Fish- Tallapoosa Basin Literature Review MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

6. Study Goal • Develop a document that describes the migratory species (including American eel) that currently or historically used the Tallapoosa River including a summary of restoration plans for these species.

7. Revisions to Study Methodology • There have been no substantive changes to the November 2007 Draft Study plan.

8. Study Plan 2Lake Martin Assessment of Fish Density and Species Composition Associated with Various Shoreline Types MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

9. Study Goal • The goal of this study is to determine if various types of shoreline alterations influence fish distribution in the littoral zones.

10. Revisions to Study Methodology • Investigate four habitat types – natural undeveloped, traditional sea wall, sea wall/rip rap, and large stone or rock reinforced shorelines. • At least four sites for each type of habitat will be geo-referenced and photographed • Boat electrofishing will be performed at each site during the spring to sample fishes. • Additional water quality data will be collected at each site.

11. Study Plan 3Evaluation of Minimum Flows Downstream of Martin Dam MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

12. Study Goals • Understand the relationship of project operation and the potential impacts of hydro peaking on the aquatic fauna and aquatic habitat in the tailrace area downstream of the Martin Project and downstream in the Tallapoosa River below the Thurlow Dam • Explore the possibilities for flexibility in the Martin Dam operations that still includes peaking and could enhance aquatic habitats downstream of Martin Dam - Martin tailrace, Yates & Thurlow reservoirs, and the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam.

13. Revisions to Study Methodology • Examine operations data for the Martin Project to identify areas of flexibility in operation. • Examine existing environmental studies for the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. • Study area would include the immediate tailrace area downstream of the Martin Dam and to some extent the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam. • Include field surveys below Martin as needed to evaluate project impacts.

14. Study Plan 4Fish Entrainment and Turbine Mortality MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

15. Study Goals • To determine the potential impacts of project operations on entrainment and turbine mortality on Lake Martin fishery.

16. Revisions to Study Methodology • Perform entrainment estimates through the use of hydroacoustics (either split beam or DIDSON) in the penstock, trash rack, or forebay areas to gather information on the size and quantity of “fish” targets moving into the turbine intakes. • Hydroacoustic sampling will be performed on a seasonal basis (quarterly basis) and will collect data over a multiple day period encompassing both day and night periods. Estimates of entrainment will be determined through analysis of the collected data and compared to the results of the desktop analysis.

17. Study Plan 5Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Surveys MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

18. Study Goals • Determine if any Rare, Threatened, or Endangered species are present in the project. • Determine if the Martin Project operations impact those populations.

19. Revisions to Study Methodology • Field surveys will be performed by qualified investigators identified in coordination with the ADCNR and USFWS. • Fragmentation of any RTE populations by the project will be also be considered.

20. Study Plan 6Striped Bass Study MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

21. Study Goal • Determine if Martin Project operations are impacting the Gulf-strain striped bass fishery in Lake Martin.

22. Revisions to Study Methodology • Expert Panel members will be identified by APC, ADCNR, and USFWS. • Hydroacoustics and tagging may also be utilized as supplemental collection methods to gather field data on striped bass distributions.

23. Study Plan 7Lake Martin Wildlife Management Plan MIG 1 Fish & Wildlife

24. Study Goals • Provide habitat diversity on APC project lands to enhance native vegetation and wildlife species (such as Priority 1 and 2 species and rare, threatened, and endangered species). • This would include the conservation, restoration, and management of longleaf pine systems on project lands.

25. Next Steps in the Process Summary and FERC Process

26. Summary • Draft Study Plans filed with PAD & NOI - June 2008 • Comments due on PAD (including Study Plans) - September 2008 • Final Study Plans filed with FERC- November 2008 • Stakeholders have the opportunity to file their recommended changes to APC’s Final study plans - December 08 – February 09

27. FERC Study Plan Process APC files NOI & PAD (June 2008) FERC Issues SD1 FERC holds Scoping Meetings Comments on PAD, SD1 & Study Requests 60 30 30 Days 45 APC Files Proposed Study Plan (November 2008) Comments on Study Plan FERC Study Plan Approval (April 2009) Study Dispute Resolution (if necessary) 60 90 90