Copy of a letter sent by concerned citizens.

Great overview of issues

 

 

Below is a list of some the issues that have been identified for the North Eden Pump Storage proposal.

This list is intended to:

  • Be a BEGINNING point
  • Enable us as a group to expand the thought progression
  • Reduce the redundancy of individually repeating the same information.
    •
    1. Please review the list and ADD additional Issues, Questions and Study suggestions/requests.
    2. Click on thel "FERC Category" to add YOUR COMMENTS! The issues are listed by the FERC prescribed sections.
    3. Your input will be posted and will help build the basis for Bear Lake Watch’s comment and study requests.

     
    FROM BEAR LAKE WTCH AND PUBLIC COMMENT FROM SYMBIOTICS'S Pre-Application Document
     
    Issues
    Questions/Problem
    Possible Solutions/Studies Needed
    		   Symbiotics Proposed Studies
     
  • Earthquake potential
  • Dam Safety
  • Soils
  • Where’s the actual dam going and what’s the clay like there?
  • If the reservoirs are lined, what will be the effect of filling and empting the reservoirs on the ground underneath?
  • If the reservoirs are not lined, how much water will leak into the ground?
  • Mitigation/performance bond for homeowners & county below dam site
  • Insure reservoirs are lined for water quality downstream to lake.
    		• 4.2.1 Geotechnical Study A geotechnical study will be performed with the principal goal of ensuring a sound foundation for the proposed dams and reservoirs. This study will address 1) the suitability of the rock for mining activities;
    2) safety issues associated with proximate faults; and
    3) the need to locate and extract materials necessary for the construction of various project features.
    This study will be conducted by a qualified engineering firm.
     

    Water Quality

     

     

    Water rights

     

     

     

    Ability to fill reservoirs, maintain full reservoirs and provide proposed instream flows

  • Conflicts with Bear River Compact (if in regulation)
  • Conflict with downstream water users (when not in regulation)
  • Conflict with Bear Lake Settlement Agreement
  • Ability to maintain “full pool” of reservoirs with proposed water rights from ground water/natural flow.
  • Ability to sustain proposed minimum in-stream flow for BCT

    Injury to existing local water rights holders (damage to the aquifer)

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    Mitigation or performance bond for North Eden homeowners if their water system is impaired/compromised/impacted.

    		   4.2.2 Water-Quality Monitoring and Modeling Study North Eden Creek has been monitored intermittently for decades but with no consistency. Available studies are therefore incomplete. The objective of the applicant’s proposed study will be to quantify the amount and quality of water in North Eden Creek. The study will determine baseline conditions for monitoring changes during project construction and operation. In addition, the data will be used to build thermal and water-quality models for the proposed reservoirs. These models will be based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s CE-QUAL-W2 water-quality model. As many of the parameters necessary to build these models will require new data, its collection methodology will be included in the overall study design.
      Fisheries      

    4.2.3 North Eden Creek Habitat Assessment The objective of this field study will be to evaluate riparian and aquatic habitat in North Eden Creek within the project vicinity. The primary application will be to provide baseline data on habitat conditions below the proposed dam in and around the creek where rehabilitation is proposed. If a stream rehabilitation program were implemented, habitat changes would be monitored over a period of years to evaluate progress toward potential reintroduction of Bonneville cutthroat trout.

     

    4.2.4 Bonneville Cutthroat Trout Population Assessment The objective of this field study will be to evaluate the spatial distribution and abundance of Bonneville cutthroat in North Eden Creek within the project vicinity. This would include surveys above, below and within the boundaries of the proposed North Eden Reservoir. However, this study may not be necessary if recent data fulfilling those information needs can be obtained from the UDWR.
     

    Night Sky pollution

    Noise pollution

     

     

    Infrastructure

    		 

    Insure the lighting at the facilities and construction site comply with “dark-sky” ordinances so that there is no light pollution of the night skies in the Bear Lake valley.

     

    Roads on East side of Bear Lake cannot handle construction traffic

    		    

    4.1.3.1 Construction Issues

    4.1.3.2 Operations Issues

     
               

    4.1.4 Wildlife and Botanical Resources

    4.1.4.1 Wildlife issues

    4.1.4.2 Botanical Issues

    4.1.5 Wetlands, Riparian and Littoral Zone
                4.1.5 Wetlands, Riparian and Littoral Zone
             

    4.2.5 Surveys for Sensitive Wildlife The objective of this field study will be to document prospective habitat for sensitive wildlife within the project area. It will also be used to document wildlife usage within the project area. The study will target species that have the potential to occur within the project area or that may find suitable habitat within the project area. These species would include but not be limited to greater sage-grouse, pygmy rabbit, western burrowing owl, willow flycatcher, loggerhead shrike and western toad.
    This study includes two facets: 1) habitat delineation, and 2) diurnal wildlife observations. Habitat delineation will consist of examining the project area for habitats specifically related to sensitive wildlife. Targeted habitats include sagebrush steppe (for greater sage-grouse and pygmy rabbit), dense mixed shrubs (for loggerhead shrike), mammal burrows (for western burrowing owl), thick willow stands (for willow flycatcher) and still or slow-moving water with emergent vegetation (for western toad). Such habitats will be described and mapped. Observation will primarily target the aforementioned sensitive species, although incidental observations of other wildlife will also be recorded. Location and activity information will be included. Observations will include examination of any aquatic habitats deemed suitable for western toad breeding.

     

    4.2.6 Sensitive Plant Surveys
    The objective of this study is to identify the location of sensitive plant species within affected project areas.

    4.1.6 Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species

    4.1.6.1 Fisheries Resources

    4.1.6.2 Botanical Resources

    4.1.6.3 Wildlife Resources
      Safety of bicyclists &pedestrians

    Safety of normal traffic     		       

    4.1.7 Recreation and Land Use

     
              4.2.7 Visual Resource Study In cooperation with state and federal resource agencies, the applicant plans to undertake a comprehensive visual resources survey prior to project construction.
    The purpose of this survey will be to describe the current character of the project area landscape and if necessary, to propose measures or methods for reducing the project’s visual stamp. It will also seek to determine if significant visual impacts exist from viewpoints within the greater Bear Lake area.    		 4.1.8 Aesthetic Resources
              4.2.8 Cultural Resource Survey The applicant proposes to establish an area of potential effect (APE) for the proposed project. Once the proposed APE is agreed upon by interested parties, a local archaeologist will be consulted to complete an onsite comprehensive cultural resource assessment survey.
    The purpose of the survey and subsequent reporting will be to ensure that the project will not negatively impact any archaeological sites or traditional cultural properties.    		 4.1.9 Cultural Resources
                4.1.10 Socioeconomic Resources
                4.1.11 Tribal Resources
      OTHER ISSUES         OTHER