ML052010516

Xcel Energy/Usfws Avian Protection Memorandum of Understanding, Semi-Annual Report #3: Covering February 2, 2003 Through August 2, 2003 Reporting Period

ML052010516
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	08/27/2003
From:	Xcel Energy
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Davis J, NRR/DRIP/RLEP, 415-3835
References
Download: ML052010516 (2)

Text

Xcel Energy/USFWS Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding Semi-Annual Report #3 August 27, 2003 Covering February 2, 2003 through August 2, 2003 Reporting Period -

On April 19, 2002, Xcel Energy and the USFWS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish procedures and policies to be employed by the Company's operating companies and the Service in dealing with migratory birds that may be present, injured or killed on the Company's property during the period of this MOU.

As part of the agreement, Xcel Energy agreed to file a report three months and two weeks after the date of the execution of this MOU to the Service compiling the information described above in the MOU, which occurred during the initial three-month period. The Company submitted the first report on August 2, 2002 on. One report is submitted on behalf of all the operating companies that signed the MOU every six months.

1. Status of the Development and Implementation of an Avian Protection Plan (APP)

EDM International, Inc. continues to gather data for the development of the APP for PSCo and CLFP. Approximately 90% of the surveys are complete and a draft APP is expected to be completed by the end of 2003. Xcel Energy staff will be reviewing the draft report this fall to develop the Company's plans for implementing the approved EDM recommendations.

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As reported previous, Xcel Energy will start development of the APP's for the remainder of the service companies in 2003, but have proposed to the Service that those APP's will not be fully developed until the PSCo APP is finalized. This will allow us to develop.

one APP, work out issues and have the format available to promptly complete the remaining APP's. We plan to go out for bid on the rest of the APP work this winter.

Regardless of the completion date of the APP's, Xcel Energy has implemented a training program for all electric delivery field personnel that may encounter birds. In addition, the final stages of the development of a bird poster is underway for additional education for Xcel Energy employees. Xcel Energy is working on these issues and is in compliance with Section 4.A. of the other MOUs.

2. Status of Special Purpose Permit Xcel Energy has filed applications for special purpose permits for all of the operating companies. Special Purpose permits have been issued by Region 3 for Northern States Power Company - Minnesota (Permit MB074020-0) and Northern States Power

Xcel Energy/USFWS Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding Semi-Annual Report #3 August 27, 2003 Company - Wisconsin (Permit MB074019-0) The other applications are currently under review by the respective USFWS Migratory Bird Offices.

3. Summary of Avian Injuries None reported

4. Summary of Avian Deaths The following table summarizes avian deaths that have occurred since August 2, 2002.

Specific details of an incident can be provided upon request.

Operating Description Date Comments Company SPS Two dead Great 02/17/03 The structure was modified on 02/20/03 and included:

Homed Owls, electrocuted on a 1. Replacing 8' crossarms with 12' crossanms.

pole containing three 2. Installation of new arresters with animal guard protection.

transformers, near 3. Installation of insulating tubing on all primary risers.

Dumas, Texas. 4. Installation of one animal guard on each transformer.

SPS Dead eagle at 02118/03 USFW initially notified on 02/18. On 03/07/03, a line crew structure near replaced the 8' arm on the structure where the raptor was Stinnett TX. found with a 10' arm and installed Bird Spikes as per G-19 &

G-25 of Xcel Energy's Design And Construction Standards.

SPS Red Tailed Hawk 03/11/03 USFW initially notified on 03/12. Modifications, performed in electrocution on utility May, included adding two animal guards on the bushings and pole in Chaves insulation tape to the primary risers. Cost of the project was County, near Roswell, estimated to be $200 New Mexico.

SPS Great Homed owl 03/27/03 USFW initially notified on 03/28. Modifications, performed in near Borger, Texas. May, included replacing the primary jumpers on the OCR with insulated jumpers. Animal guards were also installed on all primary bushings. It was unknown exactly where the owl made contact at the time of discovery, but it did appear the only animal guard on the center phase was blackened.

Cost of the project was estimated to be $538. 35.

SPS A juvenile Great 06/01/03 USFW initially notified on 06/06. It was discovered that there Homed Owl was was a Great Homed Owl nesting three juveniles, on the discovered ground, at the substation. The remaining owls have since left electrocuted at the the substation. No further actions performed.

Potash Junction Substation, 20 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

SPS Crow at substation 06/12103 Electrocution resulted in a 28-minute outage affecting 2,400 near Clovis, New I _ I customers. The cause was a crow that came in contact with Page 2 of 4

Xcel Energy/USFWS Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding Semi-Annual Report #3 August 27, 2003 Operating Description Date Comments Company  ;.

Mexico. energized equipment in a 23-kilovolt substation; after the crow carcass was removed, station was re-energized. No further actions performed.

SPS Great Horned Owl at 07/30/03 Probable source of electrocution is 25 kva transformer.

TUCO Interchange Modifications of the structure are pending.

near Abernathy, Texas.

PSCo Bald Eagle at Rifle 01/15/03 Appears to have been electrocuted. Seven structures within Falls Hatchery the Hatchery were retrofitted. No outage reported.

PSCo Bald Eagle at Rifle 02/28/03 Appears to have been hit by vehicle. Seven structures within Falls Hatchery the Hatchery were retrofitted. No outage reported.

PSCo Crow at 86n' and 04/21/03 Electrocuted on pole mounted switch. Structure was Roslyn retrofitted to prevent future takings. No outage reported.

PSCo Red Tailed Hawk at 05/09/03 Appears that electrocution occurred when hawk landed to Ennis Substation roost. Required retrofits are being determined. No outage reported.

PSCo Golden Eagle near 05/11/03 Electrocution occurred on modified 69kV line. Investigation Rifle Colorado being performed. One and one half hour outage reported.

NSPMN Bald Eagle near 6/3/03 Electrocution occurred when bird tried to fly through Monticello, MN distribution line while carrying mallard. Bird made phase-to-phase contact. Unknown person removed carcass. No plans to modify line since it appears to be unusual occurrence.

. USFWS and MDNR notified.

NSPM Red Tail Hawk at 8/1/03 Hawk electrocuted on pole. Xcel pursuing measures to Sherco Power plant insulate wires. USFWS notified.

5. Summary of Migratory Bird Nest Removals A. Active Migratorv Bird Nests Non-Emeroency Removals None have been reported.

B. Active Nests Of Non-Endangered/Threatened. Non-eagle MigratorV Birds-Emergency Removals Operating Description Date Comments Comrany PSCo Relocated osprey 5/02/03 Depredation permit acquired from USFWS prior to nest near Debeque, relocation.

Colorado water treatment plant. II Page 3 of 4

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Xcel Energy/USFWS Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding Semi-Annual Report #3 August 27, 2003 C. Inactive Nests of Non-listed. Non-eagle Migratory Birds -Emergency Removal Operating Description Date Comments Company PSCo Removed inactive 06/16/03 Contacted USFWS prior to removal. Retrofit osprey nest located performed to eliminate future nesting attempts.

on transmission structure near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado.

NSPM Removed inactive 4/23/03, All nests were removed as they were being built--prior osprey nest located 5/2103, to eggs being laid. Local crews and designers working.

on transmission 5/20/03, with Three Rivers Park District to put up a platform to structure located in 5/27/03 attract pair to different location. Local Xcel Energy Orono, MN engineer will continue to monitor situation. This is the same nest that was discussed in the last report.

NSPW Removed inactive 3/27/03 Nest was unoccupied.

raven's nest from substation in Ino, WI D. Endangered/Threatened Migratory Bird Nest Removals No removals have been reported

6. Eagle Permits No requests have been filed.

7. Summary of Record-Keeping Procedures Xcel Energy is currently developing record keeping procedures. Each contact for the operating companies is coordinating contacts and reports. Once the special purpose permits are acquired, final procedures will be completed.

The next report will be submitted to the Service in six months (within 30 days following March 3, 2004.)

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