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The Corps of Engineers (Corps) proposes to implement an annual Avian Predation Deterrent (APD) program at eight of its hydroelectric dams on the lower Columbia and lower Snake Rivers during the juvenile salmonid outmigration season. These dams comprise part of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS). The Walla Walla District of the Corps would be responsible for implementing the program at Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite Dams on the lower Snake River and at McNary Dam on the lower Columbia River. The Portland District of the Corps would be responsible for implementing the program at Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day dams on the lower Columbia River.
The goal of the deterrent program is to implement the most practical and effective solutions for reducing piscivorous (fish-eating) bird usage in areas near the dams where juvenile salmonids are susceptible to predation. The purpose of the program is to implement Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) action 101 of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Final Biological Opinion on the Reinitiation of Consultation on Operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) (2000). RPA 101 states the Corps shall implement and maintain an effective means of discouraging avian predation at the FCRPS dams where avian predator activity is observed. The Corps has been using various avian deterrent methods at the dams for several years. However, because of RPA 101, the Corps decided to re-evaluate these activities and propose a more formalized program. The proposed program entails implementing and maintaining an effective means of discouraging piscivorous bird predation at all forebay, tailrace, and bypass outfall locations at the Corps’ dams on the lower Columbia and lower Snake Rivers. The Corps proposes to implement the program under the authority of the laws authorizing the construction and operation of the various Federal dams. For McNary, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite dams, the authority is the Flood Control Act of 1945 (Public Law 79-14). For Bonneville Dam, the authority is the Federal Emergency Administration Act of 1933, the River and Harbor Act of 1935, the Bonneville Project Act of 1937, and the Flood Control Act of 1950 (PL 81-516). For The Dalles and John Day dams, the authority is the Flood Control Act of 1950 (PL 81-516). The Corps prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential effects of the APD program on environmental resources in and near the project area. The EA was prepared for both Walla Walla and Portland District jurisdictions to provide a comprehensive analysis for the entire program. This EA is tiered off the 1995 Columbia River System Operation Review Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the 2002 Lower Snake River Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Report/EIS and these EISs are incorporated by reference. Other alternatives considered were Non-Lethal Tools Only, Exhaust all Non-Lethal Tools First, No Corps Program, Lethal Tools Only, and No Action (No Change). The proposed program was evaluated for its affect on threatened and endangered species. The determination was made that the program “may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect” bald eagles, bull trout, Snake River spring/summer and fall Chinook salmon, sockeye salmon and steelhead, Upper Columbia River spring Chinook salmon and steelhead, Lower Columbia River chum salmon, Chinook salmon, and steelhead and Mid-Columbia River steelhead. A “no effect” determination was made for the other listed species. The EA also evaluates the effects on birds that would be hazed or killed under the program. | ||||
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