Electric Powerlines: Design and Construction to Minimize Hazards to Raptors

1. Electric Powerlines: Design and Construction to Minimize Hazards to Raptors Tonya Buckmaster (OSM-WRCC), Pete Hess (DOGM), Howard Strand (OSM-WRCC), and Susan White* (DOGM)

2. Others Assisting in Evaluation: JimBurruss (PacifiCorp), Sherry Liguori (HawkWatch International), Leroy Mead (DWR), Mike Glasson (Andalex), Kerry Larsen (Energy West), Gary Gray (Andalex)

3. Section 516(b)(11) of SMCRA requires that each permit issued under any approved State or Federal program require the operator to the extent possible using the best technology currently available, minimize disturbances and adverse impacts of the operation on fish, wildlife, and related environmental values, and achieve enhancement of such resources. R645-301-358.510 Ensure that electric powerlines and other transmission facilities used for, or incidental to, coal mining and reclamation operations on the permit area are designed and constructed to minimize electrocution hazards to raptors, except where the Division determines that such requirements are unnecessary. Goals of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 and the Utah COAL MINING RULES

4. Evaluation Focus: Ensure that offsite impacts are prevented.

5. Planned Review: • Training • Evaluate active mine sites. • Inform operators of needed modifications.

6. Planned Review: • Use HawkWatch International Raptor Electrocution Reduction Program Data Sheet. • Inform mine operators of any potential modifications to the electrical distribution system.

7. Findings:Training • PacifiCorp and HawkWatch International provided training on June 10, 2002 • Discussed types of power lines, distribution structures, and raptor identification. • Reviewed The Raptor Electrocution Reduction Program (RERP) Training Manual by PacifiCorp and HawkWatch International

8. Paul Baker OGM Gary Taylor ArchCoal Chuck Semborski Pacificorp Tonya Buckmaster OSM Howard Strand OSM Kerry Larsen Pacificorp Peter Hess OGM Mike Glasson Andalex Tim Faircloth BLM Steve Madsen BLM Diana Whittington USFWS Sherry Liguori HawkWatch Mark Reynolds Co-Op Mining Vicky Miller ArchCoal Stephen Demczak OGM Stephanie Dunlap OGM Susan White OGM Attendees:

10. Training: • Raptor types: those with large wing spans such as goldens, redtails, ferruginous and great horned owls.

11. Training: • Habitat: hunt and perch in open-country habitats such as sagebrush, salt desert, grasslands, and agricultural areas.

12. Training: • Electrocution occurs when the bird touches 2 energized parts or an energized part and a ground part.

13. 5’ 5’ 5’ Insulator carries energized line or phase Insulator Crossarm 5’ Neutral (grounded) insulator (carries netral (grounded wire) 5’

14. Training: • Risk analysis • Does the pole pose a risk to raptors? • Look at: • Habitat, prey base and use • Retrofitting is necessary only if the structure poses a risk.

15. Evaluation: • HawkWatch’s Raptor Electrocution Reduction Program Data Sheet 2002 was used to assess each pole.

18. Evaluation: • Substations were not evaluated • Looked at the distribution lines controlled by the mine, originating at the mine’s substation. • Photo’s were taken at each site.

19. Wildcat Loadout • two safe • five unsafe Five feet between phases

20. Phase to phase contact possible

21. Deer Creek Mine • six safe • five unsafe

22. Savage Loadout • One safe • Seven unsafe Past attempt to make pole raptor safe

23. West Ridge Mine • No above ground lines

24. Evaluation Results:

25. Conclusions and Recommendations: • No changes to the existing power structures were recommended. • The risk to raptors of electrocution is low because of the mine activity and no habitat causing no prey base. • The risk should be reassessed when a mine goes into temporary cessation. • New power structures should be designed and constructed to be raptor safe.

26. Long Term Evaluation of Seeding Plans on Plant Succession and Regeneration on Reclaimed Sites