996 PLANNING FOR NEW PROCESSES: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
For the operational phase, the various aqueous discharges
from the plant are inventoried and evaluated. Results of
plume analyses, if appropriate, are critiqued with respect
to compliance with applicable water quality criteria and
standards. Recommendations concerning the potential opti-
mization of the plant water management plan are made to
reduce or eliminate environmentally objectionable dis-
charges. Consumptive water use for the plant is identified
to determine the effects of plant operation on intake waters
and downstream users. Recommendations concerning opti-
mization of the plant water management plan and the use
of alternate or supplemental sources of water are made, if
warranted.EcologyThe ecological studies are designed to generate and assemble
pertinent data to determine the status of threatened and
endangered species, and commercially or recreationally
important wildlife species, and to identify and locate sen-
sitive, unique, and critical aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial
habitat areas in the site area. Additionally, the status of com-
mercially or recreationally important fish in any site intake
and discharge waters is determined. The biological setting is
then analyzed in light of the proposed plant construction and
operational characteristics to arrive at assessments of impact
potential.Terrestrial EcologyIn evaluating the impact of the project on the terrestrial
environment, the work objective is to assess both construc-
tion and operation of the facility utilizing “baseline” data
developed and secured from field programs, literature, and
agency contacts. Animal species, occurrence, abundance,
distribution, and preferred habitat associations and principal
ecological interactions are determined. Habitats are identi-
fied and described as natural plant communities within the
site. Additionally, discussions and data gathering activities
focus on vertebrates and prominent otherwise important
plant community components.
Construction-related effects largely result from veg-
etation and habitat removal, which often constitutes the
major impact of a major industrial facility on terrestrial
communities.
Assessment of vegetation loss due to land clearing is
based on previous identification and mapping of regionally
productive rare, or otherwise important vegetation types.
In this regard, the role of plants in soil stability warrants
detailed consideration. Effects of facility construction on
wildlife is also evaluated in terms of important habitat areas.
Attention is focused on those species which appear sensitive
to habitat loss (e.g., species already limited by factors relat-
ing to habitat availability), which function as critical compo-
nents of a community, or which are considered “important.”
The latter category refers to wildlife designated uncommon,
threatened or endangered, or wildlife of recreational or eco-
nomic value.An assessment of project operation including existing
and proposed effects on vegetation must consider stack and
cooling tower emissions. Predicted ground-level concentra-
tions of stack emissions and cooling tower salt are compared
to exposure levels considered thresholds for possible injury
or damage, and to exposure levels documented as injurious
under filed conditions.
Potential effects of facility operation (existing and pro-
posed units) on wildlife from stack emissions, dust, increased
human activities, and noise are evaluated. Additionally, the
potential for bird collisions with plant components is evalu-
ated. The magnitude of a potential bird-collision problem is
evaluated from data compiled during field studies. Included
in the impact assessment analysis is the use of the plant
site by wildlife during station operation. Collecting ponds
and other waste bodies provide habitat for waterfowl and
amphibians, while areas cleared during construction and
allowed to revegetate (or which are replanted) potentially
provide habitat for a variety of species.Aquatic EcologyThe aquatic ecology of the site intake and discharge waters
as well as habitat removal associated with barge facilities is
addressed, habitat and food web relationships of the system
characterized and potential impacts to the system estimated.
Data requirements are met by literature review, interviews,
and discussions with local fishermen and scientists and field
collections. While data gathering focuses on fish species,
particularly the commercially or recreationally important
species, other biotic elements of the lotic and lentic environ-
ments are identified.
Evaluation of potential impacts of the construction and
operation of the proposed facility consist of projecting the
effects of the various activities on the description of existing
environmental conditions developed as a result of the field
program, literature review and agency contacts described
above.
The primary construction impacts likely to affect the
aquatic habitat are those associated with the construction
of the intake facility and secondarily increased erosion due
to construction. Impact assessment of construction activi-
ties centers primarily on habitat lost or denied due to actual
physical placement of structures and habitat degradation.
Attention is focused on those species which appear sensi-
tive to habitat loss; which function as critical components of
the aquatic community; or are considered “important” (rate,
threatened or endangered, or of commercial or recreational
value).
Assessment of operational impacts centers on the effects of
water withdrawal and the associated losses to the fish commu-
nity due to entrainment and impingement. Potential changes
in the population structure all addressed. Losses are estimated
from population densities and from the field sampling program.
Entrainment losses are expressed as “adult-equivalents” if war-
ranted for important species. Potential discharge effects (ther-
mal and chemical) are based on information developed from
the literature review and input of engineering parameters.C016_007_r03.indd 996C016_007_r03.indd 996 11/18/2005 11:01:29 AM11/18/2005 11:01:29 AM