ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, AL WARRIOR RIVER PROJECT LEWIS SMITH AND BANKHEAD DEVELOPMENTS FERC PROJECT NO. 2165 APPLICANT PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT JULY 2005 Prepared by: ALABAMA POWER COMPANY BIRMINGHAM, AL WARRIOR RIVER PROJECT LEWIS SMITH AND BANKHEAD DEVELOPMENTS FERC PROJECT NO. 2165 APPLICANT PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT JULY 2005 Prepared by: APPLICANT-PREPARED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WARRIOR RIVER PROJECT LEWIS SMITH AND BANKHEAD DEVELOPMENTS FERC PROJECT NO. 2165 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................ES-1 1.0 APPLICATION ............................................................................................................... 1-1 2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION.......................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Need for Power .................................................................................................... 2-2 2.2 Scope of the Environmental Assessment............................................................. 2-3 2.2.1 Geographic Scope .................................................................................... 2-3 2.2.2 Temporal Scope ....................................................................................... 2-3 3.0 PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ............................................................ 3-1 3.1 Project Description............................................................................................... 3-1 3.1.1 Smith Development ................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 Bankhead Development........................................................................... 3-6 3.2 Description of Current Project Operations .......................................................... 3-8 3.2.1 Smith Development ................................................................................. 3-8 3.2.1.1 Typical Operations................................................................. 3-8 3.2.1.2 Flood Control Operations .................................................... 3-11 3.2.1.3 Low Water Operations......................................................... 3-13 3.2.1.4 Description of Non-Power Operations................................. 3-14 3.2.2 Bankhead Development......................................................................... 3-15 3.2.2.1 Typical Power Operations.................................................... 3-15 3.2.2.2 Flood Control Operations .................................................... 3-16 3.2.2.3 Low Water Operations......................................................... 3-16 3.2.2.4 Description of Non-Power Operations................................. 3-16 3.3 Proposed Action................................................................................................. 3-17 3.3.1 USFS and APC Settlement .................................................................... 3-17 3.3.2 APC Enhancement Proposal.................................................................. 3-19 3.3.3 Smith Development ............................................................................... 3-19 3.3.4 Bankhead Development......................................................................... 3-21 3.4 Alternatives to the Proposed Action .................................................................. 3-22 3.4.1 Alabama Rivers Alliance, American Rivers and World Wildlife Fund 3-22 3.5 No-Action Alternative ....................................................................................... 3-23 3.5.1 Smith and Bankhead Developments ...................................................... 3-23 3.6 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study .......................... 3-24 3.6.1 Termination of License and Project Decommissioning......................... 3-24 3.6.2 Federal Takeover ................................................................................... 3-24 3.6.3 Non-Power License................................................................................ 3-25 3.6.4 Alternative to Maximize Energy Production ......................................... 3-25 3.6.5 Alternative to Maximize Environmental Resources.............................. 3-25 3.7 Alternatives Summary Table ............................................................................. 3-25 3.8 Economic Comparison of Alternatives.............................................................. 3-32 i Table of Contents (Con’t) 4.0 CONSULTATION AND COMPLIANCE...................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Relicensing Team Consultation ........................................................................... 4-1 4.2 NEPA Scoping..................................................................................................... 4-2 4.3 Agency Consultation............................................................................................ 4-3 4.4 Mandatory Requirements, Prescriptions and Conditions..................................... 4-4 4.4.1 Section 18 – Fish Passage........................................................................ 4-4 4.4.2 Section 401 Water Quality Certification.................................................. 4-4 4.4.3 Coastal Zone Management Act................................................................ 4-7 4.4.4 Endangered Species Act .......................................................................... 4-7 4.4.5 Section 106 Consultation ......................................................................... 4-8 4.4.6 FPA Section 4(e) Conditions ................................................................... 4-8 5.0 EXISTING RESOURCES AND ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS................................... 5-1 5.1 General Description of the Warrior River Basin ................................................. 5-1 5.2 Analysis of Site Specific Resources .................................................................... 5-2 5.2.1 Geological and Soil Resources ................................................................ 5-2 5.2.1.1 Affected Environment............................................................ 5-2 5.2.1.1.1 Smith Development ................................................... 5-2 5.2.1.1.2 Bankhead Development............................................. 5-4 5.2.1.2 Analysis of Environmental Effects and Alternatives............. 5-5 5.2.1.2.1 APC Enhancement Proposal...................................... 5-6 5.2.1.2.2 ARA/AR/WWF Alternative....................................... 5-8 5.2.1.2.3 No Action Alternative................................................ 5-8 5.2.1.2.4 Unavoidable Adverse Effects .................................... 5-8 5.2.2 Water Resources ...................................................................................... 5-9 5.2.2.1 Affected Environment............................................................ 5-9 5.2.2.1.1 Smith Development ................................................. 5-13 5.2.2.1.2 Bankhead Development........................................... 5-20 5.2.2.2 Analysis of Environmental Effects and Alternatives........... 5-26 5.2.2.2.1 APC Enhancement Proposal.................................... 5-27 5.2.2.2.2 ARA/AR/WWF Alternative..................................... 5-30 5.2.2.2.3 No Action Alternative.............................................. 5-33 5.2.2.2.4 Unavoidable Adverse Effects .................................. 5-33 5.2.3 USACE Issues - Flood Control.............................................................. 5-33 5.2.4 Aquatic and Fisheries Resources ........................................................... 5-34 5.2.4.1 Affected Environment.......................................................... 5-34 5.2.4.1.1 Smith Development ................................................. 5-34 5.2.4.1.2 Bankhead Development........................................... 5-36 5.2.4.1.3 Migratory Fish Species ............................................ 5-37 5.2.4.2 Analysis of Environmental Effects and Alternatives........... 5-38 5.2.4.2.1 APC Enhancement Proposal.................................... 5-42 5.2.4.2.2 ARA/AR/WWF Alternative..................................... 5-47 5.2.4.2.3 No Action Alternative.............................................. 5-49 5.2.4.2.4 Unavoidable Adverse Effects .................................. 5-50 5.2.5 Terrestrial Resources ............................................................................. 5-50 5.2.5.1 Affected Environment.......................................................... 5-50 5.2.5.1.1 Smith Development ................................................. 5-50 5.2.5.1.2 Bankhead Development........................................... 5-54 5.2.5.2 Analysis of Environmental Effects and Alternatives........... 5-56 ii Table of Contents (Con’t) 5.2.5.2.1 APC Enhancement Proposal.................................... 5-59 5.2.5.2.2 ARA/AR/WWF Alternative..................................... 5-61 5.2.5.2.3 No Action Alternative.............................................. 5-61 5.2.5.2.4 Unavoidable Adverse Effects .................................. 5-61 5.2.6 Threatened and Endangered Species ..................................................... 5-62 5.2.6.1 Affected Environment.......................................................... 5-62 5.2.6.2 Analysis of Environmental Effects and Alternatives........... 5-64 5.2.6.2.1 APC/Agency