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Proposed Angoon Hydroelectric Project

Issue

The City of Angoon is located within Admiralty Island National Monument and has some of the highest electric rates in Alaska due to the use of diesel generated power. Kootznoowoo, Inc., the Native village corporation for Angoon, proposes to develop a hydroelectric facility on Thayer Creek to replace the use of diesel generators. Thayer Creek drains from Thayer Lake and is within the Admiralty Island National Monument and Kootznoowoo Wilderness. The Forest Service is completing an environmental impact statement to disclose the effects of the proposed project. A draft EIS is expected to be released October 2006.

Background

Kootznoowoo, Inc. has the right to develop the hydropower project

The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), Section 506(a)3(B) gives Kootznoowoo, Inc., the right to develop hydroelectric resources on Admiralty Island at Thayer Creek, subject to such conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe for the protection of water, fishery, wildlife, recreational and scenic values of Admiralty Island.

FERC has no jurisdiction

January 2001, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) filed an order finding that no FERC license was required for the Angoon Hydroelectric Project. Even though the project is exempt from needing a FERC license, the Forest Service guidelines for implementing a hydropower project in wilderness still apply. The Forest Service would authorize the Angoon Hydroelectric Project through a special use authorization.

Forest Service responsible for NEPA requirements

Kootznoowoo, Inc., requested that the Forest Service begin the NEPA work for the Angoon Hydroelectric Project, and requested Forest Service authorization for the project.

The NEPA decision to be made is to determine conditions (mitigation measures) in the authorization to protect water, fishery, wildlife, recreational and scenic values. In August 2004, the regional forester delegated the authority to sign the record of decision and special use authorization to the Tongass National Forest supervisor.

Other Laws continue to apply

ANILCA Title XI, Section 1103, says that existing laws, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), ANILCA, NEPA and other applicable federal law would apply, unless Title XI otherwise specifies. For this reason, the Forest Service will review the proposed action and amend the Angoon Hydroelectric Project plans, as needed, based on analysis of effects in the EIS on protected resources. Some measures under consideration include standards and guidelines in the Forest Plan such as beach and stream buffers, and scenic and heritage resources.

Key Aspects of Project

The Forest Service proposed action is to evaluate a run of river, 1,000-kilowatt hydroelectric facility. The project area includes the lower 8,500 feet of Thayer Creek and the area between Thayer Creek and the City of Angoon, located approximately 6 miles to the south. In addition, the project includes an underwater crossing of Kootznoowoo Inlet for a transmission line. All project facilities, except the underwater transmission line crossing and related facilities in Kootznoowoo Inlet, and the terminus in Angoon, would be located on National Forest System lands.

Project facilities would include a 10-foot high diversion dam, a pipeline approximately 1.2 miles long, a penstock 510 feet in length, and a 30-foot by 68-foot, 25-foot high powerhouse with two generating units. Three access roads would include a 1.9-mile road from the port facilities to the power plant, a 1.4-mile road from near the powerhouse to the diversion dam/intake structure, and a road from the port facilities to Kootznoowoo Inlet. A transmission line would consist of two overhead segments, 1.9 miles and 4.2 miles, and one submarine crossing, approximately 0.9 mile. The three segments would extend from the powerhouse to the port facilities, from the port facilities to Kootznoowoo Inlet, and from the northern shore of Kootznoowoo Inlet to the City of Angoon, on the opposite shore.

The proposed action also includes Forest Service standard best management practices for road building, soil erosion prevention and control measures, revegetation specifications, invasive weed prevention and control measures, and other resource protection measures.

Issues

Alternative driving issues were not identified in scoping. However, there were scoping comments on visual resources, changes to roadless character, changes toWilderness character, and general resource protection.

Current Situation

Parametrix, Inc., based in Bellevue, Wash., is contracted to prepare the EIS. Public scoping meetings were held in Angoon and Juneau during October 2004. Scoping has been completed and the environmental analysis is currently being drafted. Field work for the project was completed in September 2005. The draft EIS is expected to be released for public comment in October 2006. A contract for Final EIS will be solicited after the public comment period for the DEIS.

More Information

Erik Spillman, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Tongass National Forest Supervisor Office (907) 747-4231

Roger Birk, Regional Hydropower Team Leader; Recreation, Lands, and Minerals (907) 586-8843

Current as of June 2006