Interim General Recreation Use Report

Via Electronic Filing

September 15, 2010

Honorable Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426

Subject: Loup River Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 1256 Interim General Recreation Use Report

Dear Secretary Bose:

Loup River Public Power District (Loup Power District or District) herein electronically files the Interim General Recreation Use Report for relicensing the Loup River Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 1256 (Project). The District is the owner, operator, and original licensee of the Project. The existing license was effective on December 1, 1982, for a term ending April 15, 2014. Loup Power District is utilizing the Integrated Licensing Process (ILP) for this relicensing effort.

This Interim General Recreation Use Report is being filed per FERC’s ILP Study Plan Determination issued on August 26, 2009. Electronic copies of the Interim General Recreation Use Report are available on the District’s relicensing website: www.loup.com/relicense, as well as on the Commission’s eLibrary. Notice of the availability of this document is being provided to all relicensing participants, including federal and state resource agencies, local governments, and Native American tribes. A distribution list of those parties is attached. Additionally, copies of the report will be available at the District’s office in Columbus, Nebraska.

If you have any questions regarding the Interim General Recreation Use Report or any information provided by the District, please contact me at (402) 564-3171 ext. 268.

Respectfully submitted,

Neal D. Suess President/CEO Loup Power District

Attachments: Distribution List Interim General Recreation Use Report

Distribution List

Federal Government / Representatives

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Federal Emergency Management Agency Reid Nelson Regional Office Attn: John Eddins Ken Sessa Old Post Office Building Environmental and Historic Preservation 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 803 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 300 Washington DC 20004 Kansas City, MO 64114‐3372 [email protected] [email protected]

Bureau of Land Management Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Don Simpson Regional Office State Director Peggy Harding PO Box 1828 Regional Engineer Cheyenne, WY 82003 230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3130 [email protected] Chicago, IL 60604 [email protected] Bureau of Reclamation Mike Ferguson Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Great Plains Regional Office Lee Emery P.O. Box 36900 Project Coordinator Billings, MT 59107‐6900 888 1st Street NE Room 61‐01 [email protected] Washington, DC 20426 [email protected] Department of Interior Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Robert F. Stewart Janet Hutzel Regional Environmental Officer 888 1st Street NE Room 61‐01 Denver Federal Center Washington, DC 20426 P.O. Box 25007, D‐108 [email protected] Denver, CO 80225‐0007 [email protected] Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Isis Johnson Department of Interior 888 1st Street NE Room 61‐01 Office of Environmental Affairs Washington, DC 20426 Attn: Shawn Alam [email protected] Willie R. Taylor Director Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 1849 C St. NW ROOM 2353 Paul Makowski Washington, DC 20240 888 1st Street NE Room 61‐01 [email protected] Washington, DC 20426 [email protected] Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Joe Cothern NEPA Team Leader 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 [email protected]

1 September 15, 2010 Distribution List

Fish and Wildife Service U.S. House of Representatives Robert Harms Jeff Fortenberry Biologist First District, Nebraska Federal Building c/o Louis Pofahl 203 West Second Street P.O. Box 377 Grand Island, NE 68801 629 Broad Street [email protected] Fremont, NE 68026 louis‐[email protected] Fish and Wildife Service Jeff Runge U.S. House of Representatives Biologist Adrian Smith Federal Building Third District, Nebraska 203 West Second Street c/o Todd Crawford/ Deb VanMatre Grand Island, NE 68801 1811 West Second Street [email protected] Suite 105 Grand Island, NE 68803 National Marine Fisheries [email protected] Prescott Brownell [email protected] Regional FERC Coordinator 219 Fort Johnson Rd U.S. Senate Charleston, NC 29412 Mike Johanns [email protected] c/o Emily Brummond 4111 Fourth Ave National Park Service Field Office Suite 26 Randy Thoreson Kearney, NE 68845 Midwest Region / Outdoor Recreation Planner [email protected] 111 E. Kellog Blvd, Suite 105 St. Paul, MN 55101 U.S. Senate [email protected] Ben Nelson c/o Zach Nelson U.S. Army Corps of Engineers PO Box 791 Barb Friskopp South Sioux City, NE 68776 1430 Central Avenue [email protected] Kearney, NE 68847 [email protected]

U.S. Geological Survey Jason Alexander, Hydrologist 5231 South 19th Lincoln, NE 68512 [email protected]

State Government

Conservation and Survey Division Geological Natural Resources Conservation Service Survey Steve Chick Mark Kuzila, Director State Conservationist Hardin Hall, 3310 Holdrege Street Federal Building, Room 152 University of Nebraska‐Lincoln 100 Centennial Mall North Lincoln, NE 68583 Lincoln, NE 68508 [email protected] [email protected]

2 September 15, 2010 Distribution List

Nebraska Attorney General’s Office Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Agriculture, Environmental and Natural Resources Frank Albrecht Justin Lavene Assistant Director of Administration Special Counsel to the Attorney General 2200 N. 33rd 2115 State Capitol Drive Lincoln, NE 68503 Lincoln, NE 68509 [email protected] [email protected] Nebraska State Historical Preservation Office Nebraska Department of Agriculture Robert Puschendorf Bobbie Kriz‐Wickman Deputy State Historical Preservation Officer Public/Government Relations 1500 R Street 301 Centennial Mall South P.O. Box 82554 PO Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68501 Lincoln, NE 68509 [email protected] [email protected] Nebraska State Historical Preservation Office Nebraska Department of Environmental Jill Dolberg Quality Review and Compliance Coordinator John Bender 1500 R Street Water Quality Standards Coordinator P.O. Box 82554 PO Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68501 Lincoln, NE 68509 [email protected] [email protected] Nebraska Unicameral Nebraska Department of Health and Human District #34 Services Annette Dubas Northeast Regional Office 54906 N. 180th Ave David Jundt Fullerton, NE 68634 Water Supply Specialist [email protected] 304 North 5th St. Suite C Norfolk, NE 68701 Nebraska Unicameral [email protected] District #23 Chris Langemeier Nebraska Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 192 Brian Dunnigan Schuyler, NE 68661 Director [email protected] State Office Building, 4th Floor 300 Centennial Mall South; P.O. Box 4676 Nebraska Unicameral Lincoln, NE 68509 District #41 [email protected] Kate Sullivan Room 1019 ‐ State Capitol Nebraska Emergency Management Agency P.O. Box 94604 Al Berndt Lincoln, NE 68509 1300 Military Road [email protected] Lincoln, NE 68508 [email protected] Nebraska Unicameral District #22 Arnie Stuthman 24160 310th Street Platte Center, NE 68653 [email protected]

3 September 15, 2010 Distribution List

Local Government

City of Columbus Nance County Joseph Mangiamelli Board of Supervisors Administrator Dennis Jarecke City Hall ~ First Floor 2424 14th Street Chairman P.O. Box 1677 53836 S. 320th Ave. Columbus, NE 68602 Fullerton, NE 68638 [email protected] [email protected]

City of Fullerton Nance County James Kramer Planning and Zoning Commission City Administrator Mary Los 903 Broadway Street PO Box 821 PO Box 670 Fullerton, NE 68638 Fullerton, NE 68638 [email protected] [email protected] Platte County City of Genoa Board of Supervisors Lacie Andreasen Bob Lloyd City Administrator / Clerk President P.O. Box 279 2610 14th Street Genoa, NE 68640 Columbus, NE 68601 [email protected] [email protected]

City of Monroe Connie Kramer, City Clerk 122 Gerrard Avenue P.O. Box 103 Monroe, NE 68647 [email protected]

Public Agency

Central Platte Natural Resource District Lower Loup Natural Resource District Ron Bishop Robert Mohler General Manager District Engineer 215 N Kaufman Avenue 2620 Airport Dr Grand Island, NE 68803 P.O. Box 210 [email protected] Ord, NE 68862 [email protected] Lower Loup Natural Resource District Leon Koehlmoos Lower Platte North Natural Resource District Manager John Miyoshi 2620 Airport Dr Manager P.O. Box 210 511 Commercial Park Ord, NE 68862 P.O. Box 126 [email protected] Wahoo, NE 68066 [email protected]

4 September 15, 2010 Distribution List

Lower Platte South Natural Resource District Nebraska Public Power District Glenn Johnson Jon Sunneberg General Manager NPPD Resource Planning and Risk Manager 3125 Portia Street 1414 15th Street PO Box 83581 PO Box 499 Lincoln, NE 68501 Columbus, NE 68602 [email protected] [email protected]

Papio‐Missouri Natural Resource District Lower Platte River Corridor Alliance John Winkler Meghan Sittler General Manager Coordinator 8901 S. 154th St. 3125 Portia Street Omaha, NE 68138 P.O. Box 83581 [email protected] Lincoln, NE 68501 [email protected] Upper Loup Natural Resource District Anna Baum Platte River Recovery Implementation Program General Manager Jerry Kenny 39252 Highway 2 Executive Director Thedford, NE 69166 3710 Central Avenue, Suite E [email protected] Kearney, NE 68847 [email protected] Nebraska Public Power District John Shadle Water Resource Advisor 1414 15th Street PO Box 499 Columbus, NE 68602 [email protected]

Native American Tribes

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pawnee Tribal Business Council Great Plains Regional Office George Howell Michael Black President 115 4th Avenue SE P.O. Box 470 Aberdeen, SD 57401 Pawnee, OK 74058 [email protected] [email protected]

Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Amen Sheridan Larry Wright, Jr. Chairman Chairperson PO Box 368 607 Georgia Ave Macy, NE 68039 Norfolk, NE 68701 [email protected] [email protected]

5 September 15, 2010 Distribution List

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma Winnebago Tribal Council Douglas Rhodd John Blackhawk Chairman Chairman 20 White Eagle Drive PO Box 687 Ponca City, OK 74601 100 Bluff Street [email protected] Winnebago, NE 68071 [email protected] Santee Sioux Tribal Council Roger Trudell Chairman 425 Frazier Avenue N, Suite 2 Niobrara, NE 68760 [email protected]

Non‐Governmental Organizations

Columbus Area Recreation and Trails (C.A.R.T.) NOHVA Marv Peterson Dan Nitzel President 2231 W 10th Street 2717 33rd Street Grand Island, NE 68831 Columbus, NE 68601 [email protected] [email protected] Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership Columbus Area Recreation and Trails (C.A.R.T.) Mary Bomberger‐Brown Curt Alms Program Coordinator Treasurer 3310 Holdrege Street 2717 33rd Street 153 Hardin Hall P.O. Box 515 Lincoln, NE 68583 Columbus, NE 68601 [email protected] [email protected]

6 September 15, 2010 Interim General Recreation Use

September 15, 2010

Study 8.0 - Recreation Use

Loup River Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 1256

Study 8.0 Recreation Use Interim General Recreation Use Report

September 15, 2010

Prepared by: Loup Power District 2404 15th Street Columbus, NE 68602

With assistance by: HDR Engineering, Inc. 8404 Indian Hills Drive Omaha, NE 68114 Study 8.0 – Recreation Use Interim General Recreation Use Report

STUDY 8.0 INTERIM GENERAL RECREATION USE REPORT ...... 1 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY ...... 2 3. STUDY AREA ...... 3 4. METHODOLOGY ...... 3 5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 5 5.1 In-person Survey Results and Field Observations ...... 5 5.2 Telephone Survey ...... 14 5.3 Trail Counts ...... 14 5.4 Survey Respondent Demographics ...... 15 6. STUDY VARIANCE...... 16 7. REFERENCES ...... 16

List of Tables Table 8-1. Recreation Surveys and User Counts ...... 6 Table 8-2. Frequency of Recreation Site Visitation (Survey Question No. 7) ...... 7 Table 8-3. Loup Power Canal Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 8) ...... 9 Table 8-4. Loup Power Canal Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 10) ...... 10 Table 8-5. Loup River Bypass Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 5) ...... 11 Table 8-6. Loup River Bypass Reach Observed Recreation Users ...... 13 Table 8-7. Trail Counts ...... 15 Table 8-8. Survey Respondent Racial/Ethnic Demographics ...... 15

List of Attachments Attachment A In-person Recreation Survey Form, Loup Power Canal Attachment B In-person Recreation Survey Form, Loup River Bypass Reach Attachment C Excerpts from the Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results

STUDY 8.0 INTERIM GENERAL RECREATION USE REPORT

1. INTRODUCTION The Loup River Hydroelectric Project (Project) is located in Nance and Platte counties, Nebraska, where water is diverted from the Loup River and routed through the 35-mile-long Loup Power Canal, which empties into the Platte River near Columbus. The Project includes various hydraulic structures, two powerhouses, and two regulating reservoirs. The portion of the Loup River from the Diversion Weir to the confluence with the Platte River is referred to as the Loup River bypass reach. The Loup River Public Power District (Loup Power District or the District) has an established policy of providing public access and recreational opportunities at the Project. This includes the Loup Power Canal, the two regulating reservoirs (Lake Babcock and Lake North), five developed recreation areas, three multi-use trails, and the 485-acre Loup Lands Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The only areas within the 5,200-acre Project Boundary that are not accessible to the public are those that present safety or security concerns and those that have had significant vandalism issues. The District estimates that the Project attracts 150,000 visitors annually. District recreation areas are open to the public between May 1 and October 31 and at other times, weather permitting. The District’s formal recreation areas are generally considered adequate for current demands, although some facilities approach or reach their carrying capacity during the peak holiday weekends of Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. The District is conducting a recreation use study, which includes components of both a recreation user survey and a creel survey, to gather data regarding existing recreation use, including that of anglers, of Project facilities. The data collected from this recreation use study and Study 10.0, Land Use Inventory, will be used in the development of a Recreation Management Plan for District facilities. The Recreation Management Plan will outline District plans for enhancing existing recreation facilities and meeting future recreation demands as well as will identify mitigation measures for any conflicting land uses and activities. During development of the Recreation Use Study Plan, the need for year-round surveys was discussed with the participating agencies. The District noted that recreation areas are not officially open between November 1 and April 30, when restrooms and some access roads are closed. The District further noted that the limited amount of recreation that may occur during the winter months does not warrant extension of the recreation use survey; thus, the District proposed a recreation use survey schedule for the Loup Power Canal from May 1 to October 31, 2010. To address the question of recreation use between November 1 and April 30, the District

© 2010 Loup River Public Power District 1 September 2010 FERC Project No. 1256 Study 8.0 – Recreation Use Interim General Recreation Use Report tailored the recreation use survey to determine if significant recreation use occurs during this time by including questions about year-round usage in both the in-person and telephone survey instruments. In its August 26, 2009, Study Plan Determination, FERC tentatively agreed to the District’s proposed survey schedule, but FERC added the requirement for two interim recreation reports—Interim General Recreation Use Report and Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results—to determine if the survey period should be extended. The Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results report was filed on August 26, 2010, as part of the District’s Initial Study Report (Loup Power District, August 26, 2010). This Interim General Recreation Use Report was prepared in accordance with FERC’s Study Plan Determination. In addition to providing limited results from other data collection activities conducted to date, this report focuses on data collection pertinent to recreation use outside of the District’s existing survey schedule and incorporates the relevant findings of the Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results.

2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY The goal of the recreation use study is to determine the public awareness, usage, perception, and demand of both the Project’s existing recreation facilities (including fisheries) and the Loup River bypass reach (including the Loup Lands WMA), to determine if potential improvements are needed, and to develop a Recreation Management Plan to address existing and future recreation needs. The objectives of the recreation use study are as follows: 1. To measure recreation usage of Project recreation facilities (including fisheries) and the Loup River bypass reach (including the Loup Lands WMA). 2. To document the types of recreation use occurring at Project recreation facilities and along the Loup River bypass reach. 3. To determine whether Project recreation facilities meet current demand. 4. To determine the public’s perception and awareness of Project recreation facilities, including fisheries, and to identify the impact of Project operations on recreation experiences. 5. To determine what species anglers are targeting and catching, including catch rates. 6. To collect data for use in the preparation of a Recreation Management Plan for the District’s facilities.

3. STUDY AREA Almost all of the 5,200 acres within the Project Boundary are open and accessible for public recreation. Although non-angling recreation use is being documented along the entire Loup Power Canal and Loup River bypass reach, special emphasis has been applied to the following recreation areas: Headworks Park – parking areas, camp sites, picnic areas, identified fishing sites, and Headworks OHV Park Lake Babcock Park (aka Loup Park) – parking areas, camp sites, picnic areas, shoreline, and in Lake Babcock Lake North Park – parking areas, camp sites, picnic shelters, shoreline, and in Lake North Columbus Powerhouse Park – parking area, picnic area, and identified fishing sites Tailrace Park – parking area, identified fishing sites, and playground Loup Lands WMA – all three tracts (Tracts G, H, and D) in accordance with FERC’s Study Plan Determination (FERC, August 26, 2009) The creel survey spans the length of the Loup Power Canal and includes Lake Babcock and Lake North. In addition, a recreation use/creel survey is being conducted on the Loup River bypass reach, which includes the Loup River from the Headworks to the confluence with the Platte River and the Platte River from the confluence to the Outlet Weir.

4. METHODOLOGY The progress on specific tasks being conducted for the recreation use study is provided below, and activities that are pending additional data collection or analysis are noted as such.

Task 1 Pre-Survey Activities The pre-survey activities have been completed, as follows: Loup River Bypass Reach Survey – In response to the Study Plan Determination requirement to survey the Loup River bypass reach for recreation use, the District initiated a separate study plan to detail this effort. The District provided the study plan to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), the National Park Service (NPS), and FERC for review. Following incorporation of provided comments, the study plan was finalized.

Creel Survey Proctor Training – District staff and District representatives attended NGPC creel survey proctor training on February 11, 2010. Also during this training, final survey schedules were established in accordance with NGPC protocols for randomizing survey efforts. Outreach – To encourage public participation in the recreation use in-person and telephone surveys, the District prepared press releases, paid newspaper advertisements, and website updates to announce the surveys. In addition, signs notifying recreation users of the in-person survey were posted at multiple entry points to the District’s recreation facilities.

Task 2 Data Collection Data collection is ongoing via in-person and windshield mail-back surveys (recreation use and creel surveys) and field observations. Consistent with the NGPC-produced survey schedule, surveys began on May 4, 2010, and included Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. The surveys are scheduled to conclude on October 30, 2010. Three infrared trail counters were installed and began collecting user data, including data on both pedestrians and bicyclists, on April 30, 2010. One trail counter was installed at an approximate midpoint of each the District’s three trails: 1) Two Lakes Trail, 2) Bob Lake Trail, and 3) Robert White Trail. Trail counts will continue through October 2010. A telephone survey of residents in Nance and Platte counties was conducted by a professional market research firm between May 26 and June 9, 2010. The survey sampled 400 randomly identified households with zip codes in Nance or Platte County to determine the public’s general awareness and perception of the Project’s recreational opportunities. Detailed methods of the telephone survey are provided in the District’s Initial Study Report (Loup Power District, August 26, 2010).

Task 3 Data Analysis Because field surveys and observations are ongoing, data analysis is pending. However, periodic data analysis is underway to ensure that existing survey methods are collecting sufficient data. Once all data collection is complete, annual usage, average weekday usage, average weekend usage, and peak weekend usage for each recreation facility will be determined. From these numbers, the percent of capacity at which all Project recreation facilities are operating will be estimated. With regard to the creel survey, angler effort, catch, and angler success will be determined. Descriptions of the user experiences with recreation facilities included in survey responses will be used to determine whether Project recreation facilities meet user needs and to what degree. Narrative explanations of findings will accompany quantitative analyses.

Task 4 Recreation Management Plan Recreation Management Plan development is pending completion of both the data collection and data analysis tasks.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION As most facets of data collection are ongoing, final results and analysis are not provided in this Interim General Recreation Use Report but will be included in the Updated Initial Study Report on January 6, 2011. The following includes summaries of collected data and notable observations to date, and it specifically focuses on data collection pertinent to recreation use outside of the District’s existing survey schedule.

5.1 In-person Survey Results and Field Observations General and detailed findings of the in-person recreation surveys conducted to date are provided in the following subsections. The survey forms used by survey proctors along the Loup Power Canal and Loup River bypass reach are provided as Attachments A and B, respectively.

5.1.1 General Information and Findings Table 8-1 indicates the number of survey days, surveys conducted, and recreation users observed during data collection activities spanning May 1 to August 31, 2010. Table 8-1 also states the percentage of observed recreation users that were surveyed. As shown, this percentage is generally around 15 percent.

Table 8-1. Recreation Surveys and User Counts

Loup Power Canal Loup River Bypass Reach

May June July August Totals May June July August Totals

Survey Days 10 10 11 10 41 3 6 3 4 16 Rec Use Surveys 190 173 243 150 756 17 20 19 21 77 Conducted Rec Users 1,293 1,093 1,627 1,098 5,111 202 138 142 97 579 Observed1 Percentage of Observed 14.69 15.83 14.94 13.66 14.79 8.42 14.49 13.38 21.65 13.30 Users Surveyed Creel Surveys 90 67 85 71 313 Not Applicable Conducted Notes: 1 The monthly values entered for ―Rec Users Observed‖ are accurate, but not consistent with the values entered for this same metric in the District’s Initial Study Report. The values presented for June and July in the Initial Study Report were incorrectly shown as the sum of the total ―Rec Users Observed‖ throughout the entire survey period.

Table 8-2 generally shows user visitation by recreation site and presents the responses to the following survey question (responses collected from in-person surveys conducted along the Loup Power Canal between May 1 and August 31, 2010): Question No. 7: Over the last 12 months, how often have you visited this Loup Power District recreation site?

Table 8-2. Frequency of Recreation Site Visitation (Survey Question No. 7)

Several Times 2 to 3 Times Not Answered Weekly Once per Month Have Not Used per Month per Year Recreation Site Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent Count Percent

Headworks Park 1 0.14 62 8.44 65 8.84 95 12.93 160 21.77 352 47.89 Headworks OHV Park 2 0.27 21 2.86 29 3.95 52 7.07 78 10.61 553 75.24 Lake Babcock Park 4 0.54 50 6.80 42 5.71 49 6.67 60 8.16 530 72.11 (Loup Park) Lake North Park 1 0.14 99 13.47 68 9.25 76 10.34 121 16.46 370 50.34 Columbus Powerhouse 5 0.68 58 7.89 36 4.90 37 5.03 48 6.53 551 74.97 Park Tailrace Park 1 0.14 77 10.48 49 6.67 36 4.90 53 7.21 519 70.61

The following notable and general observations have resulted from data collection activities conducted to date: Recreation users are generally very receptive to the survey. It is estimated that 95 percent of the users who are invited to complete the survey accept the invitation and do, in fact, complete the survey. Headworks Park and Lake North Park experience substantially more recreation use than other developed recreation areas. The Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association (NOHVA) Spring Jamboree did not occur due to flooding at the Headworks OHV Park. A large sandbar exists just upstream of the U.S. Highway 81 bridge crossing of the Loup River bypass reach, near Pawnee Park. The sandbar is frequented by OHV users and people generally recreating. In accordance with FERC guidance, this use is being documented regardless of legality (related to state trespass laws).

5.1.2 Recreation Use Outside of Loup Power Canal Survey Schedule Specific to the amount of recreation use that occurs outside of the District’s existing survey schedule (May 1 to October 31, 2010), Tables 8-3 and 8-4 quantify survey responses pertinent to this concern. As depicted in the following tables, use of District recreation sites outside of the existing survey schedule is limited and does not warrant extension of the recreation survey schedule beyond October 31, 2010.

Table 8-3 presents the responses to the following survey question (responses collected from in-person surveys conducted along the Loup Power Canal between May 1 and August 31, 2010): Question No. 8: What months do you typically use this Loup Power District recreation site? [Mark all that apply.]

Table 8-3. Loup Power Canal Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 8)

Survey Responses Month the Percentage (by month of collection) Total Recreation of Total Responses Site is Used Responses May June July August

January 8 19 16 14 57 1.52 February 9 18 15 14 56 1.49 March 24 41 45 33 143 3.81 April 65 74 67 50 256 6.83 May 169 185 176 107 637 16.99 June 165 201 197 123 686 18.29 July 159 191 218 132 700 18.67 August 157 189 200 143 689 18.37 September 62 66 58 59 245 6.53 October 20 41 43 38 142 3.79 November 12 24 23 16 75 2.00 December 10 20 19 15 64 1.71 Total 860 1,069 1,077 744 3,750 NA Note: The monthly values are the summation of all responses collected from all District recreation areas along the Loup Power Canal in a given month.

Table 8-4 presents the responses to the following survey question (responses collected from in-person surveys conducted along the Loup Power Canal between May 1 and August 31, 2010): Question No. 10: What months do you typically use other Loup Power District recreation sites? [Mark all that apply.]

Table 8-4. Loup Power Canal Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 10)

Survey Responses Month the Percentage (by month of collection) Total Recreation of Total Responses Site is Used Responses May June July August

January 6 19 15 15 55 1.53 February 7 18 14 15 54 1.50 March 21 44 43 34 142 3.95 April 58 77 70 48 253 7.04 May 146 184 181 98 609 16.94 June 144 200 200 109 653 18.16 July 138 191 218 116 663 18.44 August 137 189 203 121 650 18.08 September 52 70 61 55 238 6.62 October 19 43 47 32 141 3.92 November 7 25 25 19 76 2.11 December 6 19 21 16 62 1.72 Total 741 1,079 1,098 678 3,596 NA Note: The monthly values are the summation of all responses collected from all District recreation areas along the Loup Power Canal in a given month.

5.1.3 Recreation Use Outside of Loup River Bypass Reach Survey Schedule Consistent with the data provided in Section 5.1.2 (for the Loup Power Canal), this section presents the recreation usage along the Loup River bypass reach. Table 8-5 presents the responses to the following survey question (responses collected from in- person surveys conducted along the Loup River bypass reach between May 1 and August 31, 2010): Question No. 5: During what months do you typically visit this reach of the Loup River? [Mark all that apply.]

Table 8-5. Loup River Bypass Survey Responses (Survey Question No. 5)

Month this Survey Responses Percentage Reach of the (by month of collection) Total of Total Loup River Responses Responses is Used May June July August

January 1 1 3 2 7 1.60 February 0 1 3 3 7 1.60 March 1 2 9 7 19 4.35 April 10 5 9 11 35 8.01 May 16 22 14 16 68 15.56 June 13 24 14 20 71 16.25 July 13 23 14 22 72 16.48 August 13 22 14 24 73 16.70 September 7 7 9 12 35 8.01 October 3 6 9 9 27 6.18 November 1 2 4 6 13 2.97 December 1 1 3 5 10 2.29 Total 79 116 105 137 437 NA Note: The monthly values are the summation of all responses collected from all specified survey locations along the Loup River bypass reach in a given month.

In the District’s Recreation Use Survey Plan for the Loup River bypass reach, the District stated that if notable recreation use was observed during the low-flow periods of July and August, then the Loup River bypass reach survey could be extended through October (―notable‖ was defined as a mean count of 15 people recreating within the Loup River bypass reach on weekdays and 30 people recreating within the Loup River bypass reach on weekend days). The Loup River bypass reach was

© 2010 Loup River Public Power District 11 September 2010 FERC Project No. 1256 Study 8.0 – Recreation Use Interim General Recreation Use Report surveyed on a total of 4 weekdays and 3 weekend days during July and August, this corresponds to a ―notable‖ use threshold of 150 total observed recreation users. Table 8-6 shows that 238 users were observed in July and August, which exceeds the ―notable‖ use threshold of 150. However, more detailed analysis shows that the majority of observed recreation use was noted at two general locations: The Headworks (including Headworks Park and the area south of the Diversion Weir) Pawnee Park (including the U.S. Highway 81 bridge). Excluding these two locations, a total of 13 people were observed recreating within the Loup River bypass reach during July and August. Further, a substantial portion of the observations at the Headworks and Pawnee Park: 1) include recreation users that could be surveyed in coordination with the ongoing recreation survey along the Loup Power Canal; 2) include recreation use along City of Columbus recreation facilities that are in no way affected by, or associated with, the Project (that is, hikers and bicyclists observed along the paved bike path at Pawnee Park); or 3) include recreation use that is not anticipated to occur in October (that is, swimming or wading). Because the recreation use observed to date, and that expected to occur beyond September, could be captured via the existing and ongoing recreation use survey along the Loup Power Canal, and because negligible recreation use has been observed at all survey locations between Headworks Park and Pawnee Park, the District proposes that the Loup River bypass reach recreation survey, in its current scope, not be extended through October. Instead, the District proposes to instruct survey proctors to broaden the survey scope at Headworks Park only. The broadened scope would include the survey of recreation users accessing the Loup River bypass reach at this location.

Table 8-6. Loup River Bypass Reach Observed Recreation Users

District Looking Property Loup Don Loup River George D. Loup River Loup River Headworks Glass Pawnee South of Lands Dworak Bridge, Syas Bridge, Bridge, Total Park Creek Park Diversion WMA WMA NE Hwy 39 WMA 370th Ave U.S.Hwy 81 WMA Weir

Hikers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 0 26 Bicyclists 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 1 9 Shore 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 11 Anglers Boat Anglers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hunters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Swimmers/ 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 3 41 Waders Motorized 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Boaters Non- Motorized 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 6 Boaters Off-Highway Vehicle 7 1 53 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 72 Riders People Relaxing/ 21 0 47 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 73 Hanging Out Total 44 1 100 0 0 0 4 8 74 7 238 Note: The provided values are the summation of observed recreation users during the months of July and August (irrigation season) only.

5.2 Telephone Survey Consistent with the findings of the in-person survey discussed in Section 5.1, one of the most notable findings of the recreation telephone survey is the lack of District recreation area use during the winter months. The following data suggest that the existing survey schedule is sufficient to obtain necessary recreation user data for incorporation into the District’s pending Recreation Management Plan. Of the respondents who mentioned that they are aware of the following recreation sites, the percentage ranges provided indicate the percentage of respondents stating that no one from their household visited the specified recreation site between November 1, 2009, and February 28, 2010 (provided in descending order of non- visitation): Lake North Park – 94.8 to 96.7 percent Headworks OHV Park – 92.9 to 97.6 percent Lake Babcock Park – 92.8 to 96.2 percent Tailrace Park – 91.4 to 94.3 percent Columbus Powerhouse Park – 90.0 to 96.0 percent Headworks Park – 89.9 to 96.6 percent Trails – 88.0 to 100.0 percent To put the above information into context, an average of greater than 50 percent of the respondents who are aware of the District’s recreation areas indicate that they visited the areas during July 2009. Additional results from the telephone survey are provided in the Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results included in the District’s Initial Study Report (Loup Power District, August 26, 2010). Excerpts from the Interim Recreation Use Telephone Survey Results specific to individual recreation site usage by month are provided here as Attachment C.

5.3 Trail Counts Based on pre-study assumptions regarding trail use, the data collected by the three infrared trail counters appear to be logical and accurate. Table 8-7 quantifies the total trail counts collected between May 1 and August 31, 2010. Trail counts will continue through October 2010. Additional detail and analysis specific to use during specific times of day and weekday as opposed to weekend use will be analyzed and presented in the updated Initial Study Report on January 6, 2011.

Table 8-7. Trail Counts

Total Percentage May June July August Counts of Total

Two Lakes Trail 2,658 2,345 2,304 2,355 9,662 62.3 Bob Lake Trail 960 837 922 894 3,613 23.3 Robert White Trail 640 562 510 526 2,238 14.4 Total 4,258 3,793 3,906 3,775 15,513 NA

5.4 Survey Respondent Demographics At the Initial Study Results meeting held on September 9, 2010, a question was raised regarding the need for a bilingual survey (English and Spanish). The District’s response at the meeting noted that although a Spanish language survey is not being administered, survey proctors are able to effectively survey Spanish speaking recreation users. Analysis of survey responses to date confirms the District’s response on September 9. Table 8-8 presents the race and ethnicity of survey respondents, as determined by the following survey question, compared to the race and ethnicity makeup of Nance County, Platte County, and the City of Columbus: Canal Survey Question No. 19 and Bypass Survey Question No. 15: How Would You Describe Your Race?

Table 8-8. Survey Respondent Racial/Ethnic Demographics

Loup Power Loup River Nance Platte City of Canal1 Bypass Reach2 County3 County3 Columbus4 Race/Ethnicity Count Percent Count Percent Percent Percent Percent

White (non-Hispanic, 634 88.42 73 92.41 98.8 97.2 94.7 Latino, or Spanish) Black, African 1 0.14 0 0.00 0.0 0.7 0.3 American, or Negro White (Hispanic, 73 10.18 4 5.06 1.8 12.0 12.4 Latino, or Spanish) American Indian or 3 0.42 0 0.00 0.5 0.5 1.0 Alaska Native Not Answered 6 0.84 2 2.53 NA NA NA Notes: 1 Responses collected from in-person surveys conducted along the Loup Power Canal between May 1 and August 31, 2010.

2 Responses collected from in-person surveys conducted along the Loup River bypass reach between May 1 and August 31, 2010. 3 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, July 2009, ―2009 Population Estimates,‖ American FactFinder, retrieved on September 14, 2010, http://factfinder.census.gov. 4 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009, ―2006-2008 American Community Survey,‖ American FactFinder, retrieved on September 14, 2010, http://factfinder.census.gov.

6. STUDY VARIANCE This study has been conducted consistent with the methods outlined in the District’s Revised Study Plan (Loup Power District, July 27, 2009) and as modified via FERC’s Study Plan Determination (FERC, August 26, 2009). No discernable study variance occurred.

7. REFERENCES FERC. August 26, 2009. Letter from Jeff C. Wright, Director, Office of Energy Projects, FERC, to Neal D. Suess, President/CEO, Loup Power District, regarding Study Plan Determination for the Loup River Hydroelectric Project. Loup Power District. July 27, 2009. Revised Study Plan. Loup River Hydroelectric Project. FERC Project No. 1256. Loup Power District. August 26, 2010. Initial Study Report. Loup River Hydroelectric Project. FERC Project No. 1256. U.S. Census Bureau. 2009. ―2006-2008 American Community Survey.‖ American FactFinder. Retrieved on September 14, 2010. http://factfinder.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. July 2009. ―2009 Population Estimates.‖ American FactFinder. Retrieved on September 14, 2010. http://factfinder.census.gov.

ATTACHMENT A IN-PERSON RECREATION SURVEY FORM, LOUP POWER CANAL

In-Person Recreation Use Survey

Survey Location: Date: Time:

1. How many people are in your party today? 2. What are the ages of the people in your party today? 3. How many miles did you travel from your home to this location today? 4. What is your zip code? 5. Why do you choose to use Loup Power District recreation sites? Choose all that apply.  Location – close to home  Provide the facilities we need  Don’t know where other facilities are located  Facilities are safe  Facilities are well maintained  Facilities are free  Other ______

6. If you plan to or have stayed overnight, how many nights will/did you stay? Where will/did you stay?  Not an overnight visit  Tent at developed campground # of nights ____  Tent at undeveloped campground # of nights ____  RV/Trailer # of nights ____  Other ______# of nights ____

7. Over the last 12 months, how often have you visited this Loup Power District recreation site? ____ Weekly ____ Several times a month ____ Once a month ____ 2 to 3 times per year

Loup River Public Power District Revised per 8/26/2009 Study Plan Determination FERC Project #1256 8. What months do you typically use this Loup Power District recreation site? [Mark all that apply.] January May September February June October March July November April August December

9. Over the last 12 months, how often have you used other Loup Power District recreation sites?

Weekly Several times Once a month 2 to 3 times a month per year

Headworks Park     Headworks OHV Park     Lake Babcock Park     (Sometimes called Loup Park) Lake North Park     Columbus Powerhouse Park     Tailrace Park     Two Lakes Trail     Bob Lake Trail     Robert White Trail     Loup Canal    

10. What months do you typically use other Loup Power District recreation sites? [Mark all that apply.] January May September February June October March July November April August December

11. Do you use recreation sites in the area that are not owned and operated by Loup Power District?  Yes  No If yes, which one(s)?

Loup River Public Power District Revised per 8/26/2009 Study Plan Determination FERC Project #1256 12. Please indicate the activities that you have participated in or plan to participate in during your visit to this Loup Power District site. [Mark all that apply.]

 Camping  Jet Skiing  Hiking  Water Skiing  Biking  Non-Motorized Boating Which trail?______ Wildlife/Scenic Viewing  Walking/Running  Organized Event Which trail?______ Picnicking  Hunting  Relaxing/Hanging Out  Fishing from Shore  Children’s Playground  Fishing from Boat  Off-Highway Vehicles  Swimming  Other______

13. What recreation activities have you participated in during the past 12 months at this Loup Power District site? [Mark all that apply.]

Loup River Public Power District Revised per 8/26/2009 Study Plan Determination FERC Project #1256 14. Please give a general rating for the facilities you have used at this Loup Power District recreation area.

Excellent Above Average Below Poor Not Average Average Applicable

Campgrounds       Trails       Shoreline Fishing Area       Swimming Beach       Boat Ramps       Picnic Area       Children’s Playground       Off-Highway Vehicle Park       Restroom Facilities       Parking Lot      

If you indicated any facility as “Below Average or Poor,” please explain:

15. Did anything interfere with your recreation activities today?  Yes  No

If yes, please explain:

16. Do you have any access needs related to physical disabilities?  Yes  No

If yes, did you find site access to be adequate?

Loup River Public Power District Revised per 8/26/2009 Study Plan Determination FERC Project #1256 17. Please indicate how important the following outdoor recreational opportunities are to you.

Very Very Important Neutral Important Unimportant Unimportant

Camping      Hiking      Biking      Walking/Running      Trails      Hunting      Fishing      Swimming      Motorized Boating      Jet Skiing      Water Skiing      Non-Motorized Boating      Wildlife/Scenic Viewing      Picnicking      Relaxing/Hanging Out      Children’s Playground      Off-Highway Vehicles     

18. Please0B identify any other recreation activities or facilities that are not currently available at Loup Power District sites that the public would be interested in using. 19. How would you describe your race?  White (non-Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish)  White (Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish)  Black, African American, or Negro  American Indian or Alaska Native  Asian or Pacific Islander  Other (Explain) ______20. Which of the following ranges includes your yearly household income?  $0 – $25K  $26K - $50K  $51K - $75K  $76K - $100K  Over $100K

Thank you for your participation!

Loup River Public Power District Revised per 8/26/2009 Study Plan Determination FERC Project #1256

ATTACHMENT B IN-PERSON RECREATION SURVEY FORM, LOUP RIVER BYPASS REACH

Code:______

Loup River and Loup Lands Wildlife Management Area Recreation Survey Loup Power District (the District) is applying to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to relicense its hydroelectric project, including all associated facilities. The District is conducting the following survey to learn more about recreation use of the Loup River between Headworks Park and Columbus and the Loup Lands Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and return it to Loup Power District in the envelope provided. Your input will help with decisions about future recreation access in this area. Survey Location: Date:

1. How many people are in your group today?

2. How many miles did you to travel from your home to this location today?

3. If you plan to or have stayed overnight, how many nights will/did you stay? Where will/did you stay?  Not an overnight visit  Tent at developed campground # of nights ____  Tent at undeveloped campground # of nights ____  RV/Trailer # of nights ____  Other ______# of nights ____

4. Over the last 12 months, how frequently did you recreate on the Loup River (between Headworks Park and Columbus and not including the Loup Power Canal)? ____ Weekly ____ Several times a month ____ Monthly ____ Annually

Loup Power District FERC Project #1256 Code:______

5. During what months do you typically visit this reach of the Loup River? [Mark all that apply.] January May September February June October March July November April August December 6. Please indicate the activities that you have participated in or plan to participate in during your visit to this reach of the Loup River. [Mark all that apply.]  Camping  Swimming / Wading  Hiking  Non-Motorized Boating  Biking  Wildlife/Scenic Viewing  Hunting  Relaxing/Hanging Out  Fishing from Shore  Tubing  Fishing from Boat  Other______

7. Did anything decrease your enjoyment during your visit to the Loup River today?  Yes  No If yes, please explain:

8. Over the last 12 months how often have you used the following sites to access the Loup River (not the Loup Power Canal)?

Never Weekly Several times Monthly Annually a month

Headworks Park      Area South of Diversion      Loup Lands WMA      Don Dworak WMA      NE Hwy 39 Bridge      George D. Syas WMA      370th Ave Bridge      Looking Glass Creek WMA      Pawnee Park      US Hwy 81 Bridge     

Loup Power District FERC Project #1256 Code:______

9. Over the last 12 months, how often have you visited the Loup Lands WMA? ____ Never (SKIP TO QUESTION 13) ____ Weekly ____ Several times a month ____ Monthly ____ Annually

10. During what months do you typically visit the Loup Lands WMA? [Mark all that apply.] January May September February June October March July November April August December

11. Please indicate the activities that you have participated in or plan to participate in during your visit to the Loup Lands WMA. [Mark all that apply.]  Camping  Swimming  Hiking  Non-Motorized Boating  Biking  Wildlife/Scenic Viewing  Hunting  Relaxing/Hanging Out  Fishing from Shore  Other______ Fishing from Boat

12. Did anything decrease your enjoyment during your visit to the Loup Lands WMA?  Yes  No If yes, please explain:

13. What is your zip code?

14. What are the ages, and corresponding gender, of the people in your party today?

Loup Power District FERC Project #1256 Code:______

15. How would you describe your race?  White (non-Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish)  White (Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish)  Black, African American, or Negro  American Indian or Alaska Native  Asian or Pacific Islander  Other (Explain) ______

16. Which of the following ranges includes your yearly household income?  $0 – $25K  $26K - $50K  $51K - $75K  $76K - $100K  Over $100K

If you have questions or comments regarding this survey, please contact: Loup Power District 2404 15th Street PO Box 988 Columbus, NE 68602 (402) 564-3171 ext. 254 or 255 Thank you for your participation!

Loup Power District FERC Project #1256

ATTACHMENT C EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERIM RECREATION USE TELEPHONE SURVEY RESULTS

In which months did someone from your household visit Headworks Park during the previous 12 months? (n=89)

56.2%

50.6%

40.4% 38.2%

29.2%

21.3% 19.1% 10.1% 9.0% 15.7% 3.4%

10.1%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Headworks OHV Park during the previous 12 months? (n=42)

61.9%

33.3% 28.6% 33.3% 33.3%

14.3% 19.0% 19.0%

7.1% 7.1% 4.8% 2.4%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Lake Babcock Park during the previous 12 months? (n=209)

53.1%

47.4%

38.3% 34.9%

26.3%

21.1%

11.5% 16.3% 7.2% 5.3% 3.8% 4.3%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Lake North Park during the previous 12 months? (n=213)

63.4%

50.2%

43.2%

37.6%

22.5% 19.7% 11.7% 8.0% 5.2% 3.8% 3.3% 4.2%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Columbus Powerhouse Park during the previous 12 months? (n=100)

40.0%

34.0% 25.0%

25.0%

15.0% 19.0% 11.0% 10.0%

6.0% 5.0% 5.0% 4.0%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Tailrace Park during the previous 12 months? (n=70)

44.3%

34.3% 27.1% 31.4%

20.0% 12.9% 11.4% 8.6% 7.1% 12.9% 5.7% 5.7%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Two Lakes Trail during the previous 12 months? (n=50)

60.0% 56.0%

46.0% 38.0% 40.0%

28.0%

20.0% 12.0% 12.0%

4.0% 4.0% 2.0%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Bob Lake Trail during the previous 12 months? (n=60)

53.3%

48.3% 48.3%

40.0% 41.7% 38.3%

16.7%

6.7% 6.7% 5.0% 3.3% 3.3%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec In which months did someone from your household visit Robert White Trail during the previous 12 months? (n=37)

48.6%

45.9%

40.5% 37.8%

29.7% 27.0%

8.1% 13.5% 8.1%

2.7% 0.0% 0.0%

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec