Text

Suppl 2 to Environ Rept - OL Stage
	ML18041A103
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point
Issue date:	06/30/1983
From:	; NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP.
To:	;
Shared Package
ML17053D849	List: ML17053D848; ML18041A103;
References
	ENVR-830630, NUDOCS 8306220107
	Download: ML18041A103 (262)
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a REGNLATOIINFORNATION DISTRISUTION OSTEN (RIDS)

AOCESSION NBR;8306220107 DOC ~ DATE: 83/06/30 NOTARIZED! NO DOCKET FACIL:50 010 Nine Mile Point Nuclear Stationi Uni;t 2i Niagara Hoha 05000010 AUTH,NAME AUTHOR AFFILIATION Niagara Hohawk Power Corp, RECIP ~ NAHE RECIPIENT AFFILIATION

SUBJECT:

Suppl 2 t environ r ept - Og stage, DISTRIBUTION CODE: C001S COPIES RECEIVED:LTR Licensing Submittali Environmental Rept

~Amdt ENCL I 8

SIZE Related Correspondence

~,'ITLE:

NOTES;PNL 1cy FSAR'S 8 AHDTS ONLY. 05000410 REC IP lENT COPIES RECIP IENT iCOPIES ID CODE/NAME LTTR ENCL- ID CODE/NAME LTTR ENCL NRR LB2 BC 18 1 NRR LB? LA 19 1 1 HAUGHEYgH 00 1 INTERNAL>> ELD/HDS3 1 0 NRR/DE/AEAB 08 NRR/DE/EEB 06 1 1 NRR/DE/FHEB 1 NRR/DE/SAB 07 1 1 NRR/DSI/METB 1 NRR/DSI/RAB 09 1 1 REG FILE -1 RGN1 1 1 EXTERNAI >> ACRS 20 6 6 LPDR 03 NRC PDR 0? 1 1 NSIC 05 NTIS 1 1 NOTES; 1 1 TOTAL NUMBER OF COP lES REQUIRED: L~TTR 23 ENCL '2

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Nine Mile Point'-Uni't "2 ER-OLS 1,840 vehicles on Route 1A, 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of the site. Within 10 km (6.2 mi) of the site -are and 2 state highways.

ll county roads The two state highways are Routes 104 and '104B, 6.2 km (3.9 mi) and 8 km (5 mi) southeast of the site, respectively. County Route 29 -connects with'Route:104 at approximately 6 km (3.7 mi)'outh-southeast of the site.

Daily traffic volume 'or Route 10$ was 5,841 vehicles in 1979 and 7,000 vehicles in 1976'~'. Table 2.2-5 provides daily traffic volumes of county roads within the vicinity of the site.'igure 2.2-4 identifies major transportation cor-ridors within,the*10-km (6.2-mi) radius of Unit 2,.

The nearest air field to the site is Lakeside Airstrip, a private facility which operates primarily as a maintenance s airstrip and is located east of Route 176, approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Unit 2.

Approximately 72 km (45 mi) of the New York State Barge Canal system are located within Oswego County. The Oswego Canal, which's composed of the Oswego River and the Oneida" River, flows north 38 km (24 mi) to Lake Ontario. The con-fluence of the Oswego River and Lake Ontario lies in the vicinity of the Nine Mile Point site.

The canal drops over 0.036 km (120 ft) from Oneida Lake to Lake Ontario through the use of seven locks, located at Brewer'ton, Phoenix, Fulton, Minetto, and Oswego. Lock 7 is located in the'city of Oswego and within the site vicinity.

The lock dimensions are 14 by 90 m (45 by 300 ft).

Commercial boats have priority'ver Oswego' pleasure boats .for pas-sage through the canal. No other restrictions, however, are imposed on pleasure boat travel on the- canal'. 'The average operating season begins in mid-April and extends to the first week in December:

l'ocated in the city of Terminals for freight handling are the 10-km (6.2-mi) radius of'nit 2 are four trans-

'ithin mission corridors. Three of the corridors lead from Unit 1 and the JAF plant. Running south from'nit 1 are two 115-kV and'wo 345-kV lines. From the JAF plant is one 115-kV -

line running in a southerly direction and one 345-kV line running in a sou'theasterly direction.

2.2.1.3 Local and Regional Land Use Plans for Site and Vicinity The site and its immediate area have been designated for continued expansion of the electric power generating indus-try by the Oswego County Planning Board and zoning regulations. Other industrial growth is anticipated by the Oswego County Planning Board for the Oswego River Corridor Supplement 5 2.2-3 December 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS and in the .vicinity,of the cities of Oswego and Fulton. Ac-cording to the 1985,,and 2000 Land Use Plans for Oswego County, the area in the site vicinity has been designated primarily for rural/agricultural land uses. Future residen-tial development in Oswego County has been designated along River Corridor the county's southern the Oswego and border.

According to the New York Statewide Comprehensive Recreation Plan, no state facilities are proposed, within 10 km (6.2 mi) of the power station. The only future recreational ac-tivities proposed for Oswego County Salmon are park expansions Reservoir at in Selkirk Shores State Park and at River the town of Orwell'he 10-km (6.2-mi) radius from -Unit 2 encompasses portions of the towns of Scriba and New Haven, and a small portion of the city of Oswego. The towns of Scriba and New Haven presently have no zoning restrictions. The only existing land use controls for the two towns are building .codes and floodplain regulations. The city of Oswego has zoning as well as building codes that apply to the use of city water and floodplain regulations.

As discussed in Section, 2.2.1.2, the towns of Scriba and New Haven are part of agricultural districts in which designated agricultural lands are eligible for tax incentives -if the land is kept in agricultural production.

2.2.2 Land Use: Transmission Corridors and Offsite Areas 2.2.2.1 Transmission Corridors The new transmission ,line will extend from Unit 2 to the existing 345-kV Volney Station, 15 km (9.4 mi) south-southeast of the power plant. The new transmission line will parallel four existing lines: two 115-kV and two 345-kV lines. Two other 115-kV lines run perpendicular to the new line 1 km (0.62 mi) south of State Hignway 104. The two transmission lines of the JAF plant are 'ew located ap-proximately 1 km (0. 62 mi.) east of the line.

Figure 2.2-7 identifies the location of the existing and proposed transmission lines.

The existing transmission corridor has a width of 152.4 m (500 ft). This right-of-way (ROW) is owned by NMPC. The centerline of the new transmission line is located 30.5 m Supplement 2 2. 2-4 June 1983

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NI28IOOO FIGURE 2.3-11 270 IOO YEAR FLOODPLAIN PRIOR TO S I T E TOP OG RA P H I C ALTERATIONS RAILROAD NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATiON NINE MlLE POINT- UNIT 2 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT - OLS 9'ccrc>~>i /0 7- 0p SUPPLEMENT 2 JUNE 1983

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LA i'NTARIO O.I I.p DYE DISCHARGE FAIR H VEN DYE CONCENTRATION (ppb ) AT I METER DEPTH 8-I3- 73 IS I055 I 5 I 5 IT IB IB 20 2I 22 23 24 OI CO 04 05 05 07 8 09 Qlo /II QIR QI5 QI4 QI5 QI6 024 NUMBER INDICATES HOUR-E.DT.; NUMBER ON ARROW INDICATES SPEED IN MPH.

ARROW DIRECTION REFERENCED TO MAGNETIC NORTH AS SHOWN ON MAP.

FIGURE 2.3-6 RESPONSE OF DYE PLUME TO OFFSHORE WINDS AT STERLING SITE NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION NINE MILE POINT-UNIT 2 ENVIRONMENTALREPORT-OLS SUPPLEMENT 2 JUNE 1983

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I 4

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS 2.4 ECOLOGY 2.4 ' Terrestrial Ecology 2.4.1.1 Site and Vicinity The following description of the existing terrestrial eco-systems in the vicinity of Unit 2 is derived primarily from

1) 1979 aerial photographs, 2) a 1979 terrestrial field sur-vey (see Section 6 5.1 for methodology), and 3) review of

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pertinent literature as referenced.

Stereoscopic false color infrared and true color aerial photographs of the Unit 2 site were taken in August 1979 to delineate areas of existing environmental stress and to facilitate vegetative mapping (Figures 2.4-1 and 2.4-2). In addition, a terrestrial field survey was conducted in Sep-tember 1979 to provide quantitative and qualitative descrip-tions of the floral and faunal communities within 1.6 km (1.0 mi) of the geographic center of the Unit 2 site (Figure 2.4-2). To provide information in the general vicinity of the site, up to 80 km (50 mi), data were obtained from the habitat and wildlife inventory of the Oswego County Coastal Zone, conducted in 1976, the Port Ontario Harbor terrestrial vertebrate study, conducted in 1977, the Napanee District Land Use Strategy Plan, and from communication with state and local wildlife personnel'.4.1.1.1 General Site Characteristics Unit 2 is located within the Oneida Plain physiographic region of Oswego County, NY'~'. The site also lies within the 93.8-sq km (36.2-sq mi) area defined by the St. Lawrence Eastern Ontario Commission as the Oswego County Coastal Zone'. The topography of the Oneida Plain, which extends south of Lake Ontario, is most appropriately described as a series of undulating hills. The lake plain rises from a minimum of 76.2 m (250 ft) above sea level in the numerous wetlands along the Lake Ontario shoreline to a maximum of 93 ' m (308 ft) above sea level at Derby Hill in the town of Mexico. The south shore of Lake Ontario is basically un-derlain by Oswego sandstone.

The closest state or federal wildlife management area is the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area, operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), located about 31 km (19 mi) east-southeast of the site. The closest area to the north is the Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area in Prince Edward County (Athol, Ontario) about, 69 km (43 mi) from the site'. The only

2. 4-1

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS other wildlife management area in the vicinity of the site is an Audubon bird sanctuary located 3 km (1.9 mi) from the site on the Lake Ontario shore, east of Nine Mile Point Road (Figure 2.4-3). This is the closest protected wildlife area to the site, and management consists primarily of the erection of nest boxes and the maintenance of visitor trails.

2.4.1.1.2 Terrestrial Communities and Their Interactions With Their Environment The coastal zone of Oswego County lies in a transitional area between boreal forest and northeastern hardwood forest'~'. The proximity of Lake Ontario appreciably modifies the climate, and thus has a significant effect on the floral and faunal associations of the region'. The climax community is a deciduous forest with an extensive herbaceous ground cover. The biota of the area are characteristic of a transitional zone with high species diversi ty' '

Two basic ecosystems are present in the coastal zone:

wetlands and upland areas. The wetlands generally result from disruption of drainage caused by the drumlin topography of the region'. They are generally transitional and include shallow ponds, shrub swamps, wood swamps, and intermittently wet bottomland-like forests.

Much of the original mature forest land of the Oneida Plain was cleared in the past for farming, but a great deal has since been abandoned'. As such, the uplands are mostly second-growth communities in a variety of successional stages. For this region, the mature climax hardwood community is composed of the beech-maple-hemlock association. Ironwood (~Car inus caroliniana), witch hazel the understory. Ground cover, although generally sparse due to the closed canopy, consists of false Solomon's seal 2

The vegetation in the vicinity of the site may be divided into a number of distinct community types (Figure F 4-2).

The forested cover types described in the following paragraphs were sampled quantitatively along three transects using a point-quarter sampling technique (Section 6.5.1) during the 1979 field survey. The remaining cover types are described qualitatively, based on observations made during Supplement 1 2.4-2 May 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OIS the 1979 survey. A phylogenetic species list of the flora recorded during the field investigation is provided in Table 2.4-1. A brief description of the major communities within a 1.6-km (1-mi) radius of Unit 2 is given in the fol-lowing paragraphs.

Earl Second-Growth Forest Cover T e Transect 1 White ash (Fraxinus americana) is the dominant overstory species along Transect 1 (Figure 6.5-1), with an Importance Value (IV = Relative Dominance + Relative Density + Relative Frequency) of 171.2 (Table 2.4-2). Dominance is reflected by the high density (224 stems/ha), high frequency of occur-rence (91), and basal area (5.49 sq m/ha) . Diameter at breast height (dbh) measurements range from 10.2 to 48.2 cm (4 to 19 in), with a mean of 17.7 cm (7 in).

Other components of the canopy include apple (Malus sp.),

sp.), with IVs of 62.8, 45.5, and 19.9, respectively. Crown cover along Transect 1 is estimated to be 50 to 75 percent.

The shrub stratum along Transect 1 is dominated by silky dogwood (Comus amomum), arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum),

hawthorn, juneberry (Amelanchier sp.), and grape (Vitis sp.). Generally, arrowwood dominates those areas where the canopy is mostly complete, while dogwcod and grape are abun-dant in open areas. Both dogwood and grape are charac-teristic of advanced old field communities. Additional un-derstory components include alder (Ainus sp.) in wetter areas and occasional saplings of quaking aspen and white

.ash.

West of the road leading to the meteorological tower, there is a distinct transition from forest to a shrub community.

This area . is characterized by a very dense, 1.8- to 2.4-m (6- to 8-ft) shrub layer, consisting of dogwood, alder, staghorn sumac (Rhus ~t hing), and apple.

Wild grape is also present, often replacing the sumac. The presence of large apple trees and also a scattering of maple and oak ((Luercus sp.) suggests that this community was for merly cropland or orchard and is again advancing toward a mature climax community.

Ground cover along Transect 1 consists primarily of poison ivy (Rhus radicans) and grasses (Graminea). In the wooded areas, poison ivy dominates, while grasses are more abundant in open areas.

2. 4-3

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Mixed Forest and Shrublands Cover T e Transect 2 White ash and black cherry (Prunus serotina) are codominant overstory species along Transect 2 with IVs of 76.2 and 66.0, respectively. White ash exhibits the highest density (155 stems/ha), while black cherry occurs with greater frequency (Table 2.4-3). Mean dbh of white ash and black cherry is 13.6 and 15.6 cm (5.4 and 6.1 in), respectively.

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is also an important component of the overstory by virtue of its large basal area (3.57 sq m/ha). Associates of the canopy also include apple, quaking aspen, hemlock (~sucSa canadensis), black oak RSL Mean dbh of sugar maple and eastern hemlock is 32.0 and 27.7 cm (12.6 and 10.9 in), respectively.

The shrub stratum consists primarily of species occurring in the overstory. Components include arrowwood, black cherry, quaking aspen, apple, maple, and in more open areas, cover is generally less abundant than that found along Transect 1, due to a fairly dense canopy. Poison ivy is abundant. Seedlings of the overstory species are also common.

As in the case of the vegetative communities along Transect 1, the presence of apple suggests that this com-munity was formerly cleared for orchard or pastureland and is presently advancing toward a northern hardwood climax forest. Fingers of northern hardwood forest extend into the shrublands from adjacent areas (Figure 2.4-2). Also, the dominance of overstory species in the understory suggests that the community is maturing and reproducing itself. Com-pared to the forested habitat along Transect 1, this appears to be a more successionally advanced community.

Mixed Hardwood Forest, Cover T e Transect 3 Sugar maple is the dominant overstory species in this com-munity (Transect 3), with an IV of 106.7 (Table 2.4-4).

Density for the species averages 373 stems/ha. It is also the most frequently occurring tree species, with a mean dbh of 37. 1 cm (14.6 in). Quaking aspen is an important com-ponent of the canopy with an IV of 66.4, primarily the result of its large basal area (8.2 sq m/ha). Other com-birch.

The IV of beech (25.8) was t "e'""

ponents of the overstory include white ,ash, yellow birch

' "i essentially the result of the large mean dbh (35.9 cm [ 14. 1 in]) which contributes to a moderately large basal area (25.8 sq m/ha).

2.4-4

Nine Mile Point Unit, 2 ER-OLS Mature black cherry and hemlock trees are also present along Transect 3. Portions of the transect are intermittently wet, and the hydric nature of these areas is reflected by the presence of black willow (Salix nicira) and red maple (Acer rubrum).

The understory is dominated by saplings of the overstory species. In addition, striped maple, hackberry, hophornbeam, ironwood, black cherry, and arrowwood are present.

Ground cover consists of partridgeberry (Mitchella ~re ens),

The mixed hardwood forest is the most advanced successional stage onsite. Nithin this community, subclimax areas are maintained by differences in edaphic conditions (e.g.,

low-lying wet areas support red maple and willow stands).

Dominance of the understory by saplings of overstory species suggests that this community is reproducing and continuing to mature.

Old Field Communit In terms of secondary ecological succession, the old field community typically is the first sere, or successional stage, to develop after abandonment of farmland or cleared land. One to three years after a field is abandoned, annual weeds such as ragweed (Ambrosia sp.) and crabgrass the annuals are replaced by more vigorous perennials such as aster (Aster spp.) and goldenrod (Solidacao spp.). The perennial weed stage, persisting from 3 to 7 yr after abandonment, eventually yields to a more advanced succes-sional stage, characterized by aggressive, adaptable peren-stages depend on edaphic conditions, such as moisture, fire, light availability, and soil characteristics as well as overall climate and regional physiognomy.

At the Unit 2 site, two distinct open field communities are present. The first consists of areas that are maintained by Unit 2 personnel. One such area is used annually for snow dumping from the plant area. This field is seeded each spring with a mixture of grasses. Another, a spoil area, is generally in grasses when not in use.

2. 4-5

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS The second type of. open field community consists of areas that are proceeding through natural succession after abandonment. Several open field communities are found near Unit 2. Grasses and forbs such as ragweed, wood-sorrel (Oxalis sp.), goldenrod, and asters dominate these communities, depending on their successional stage (i. e.,

sere).

Transmission Corridor Maintenance of the transmission corridor in accordance with right-of-way (ROW) specifications has resulted in a diver-sity of vegetation. As a consequence of cutting the cor-ridor (near Unit 2) through a mature forest community, species occurring in the bordering stands are expected to be found in addition to the early successional species normally associated with disturbed areas. The undulating topography along the ROW creates a variety of moisture levels, and thereby contributes to the diversity of plant species found along the ROW.

Among those species commonly occurring along the ROW within the site area are numerous grasses (Gramineae), sedgms (Cares spp.), and forbs such as mullein (Verbascum ~tha sus),

wild strawberry (Fracraria sp.), dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla (Linaria vulcuaris), blackberry (Rubus sp.), smartweed sensibilis), black cherry, and quaking aspen. Transmission corridor vegetation is discussed further in Section 2.4 '.2.

Management of the ROW (Section 5.6.1) will restrict its development to its present level of succession.

Im ortant S ecies No plant species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-vice as endangered or threatened have been .found at the site' '. Several plants classified by NYSDEC as protected have been identified at the site (Table 2.4-1). These plants are listed because they are attractive and are not considered rare or endangered in New York State'~'.

2.4.1.1.3 Fauna The fauna of the Oswego County Coastal Zone is typical of

=

that found throughout the northeastern United States.

2.4-6

Nine Mile Point Unit, 2 ER-OLS The proximity of Lake Ontario modifies the climate and tends to extend northward ranges of a number of species with southern affinities.

2. 4. 1. 1. 3. 1 Mammals Most of the mammalian species that occur in this coastal zone are wide-ranging species with no regional affinity

The remainder are primarily northern or northeastern species approaching the southern and western limits of their ranges in the area'. A few mammals are southern species ap-proaching the northernmost extension of their range in Oswego County.

Past clearing of land for agriculture and urban/industrial development has appreciably affected the species composition and abundance of mammals. Clearing of land has favored species such as opossum, eastern cottontail, and prairie deer mouse. However, reduction of forested habitat and in-creased hunting and trapping pressure have significantly reduced or eliminated populations of larger mammals such as black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, fisher, marten, wolf, coyote, and river otter.

Small Mammals The small-mammal trapping program conducted in September 1979,(Section 6.5.1) yielded five species of mammals col-lected from four locations on the Unit 2 site (Table 2.4-5).

The two most commonly collected species were the (P. maniculatus), accounting for 40 and 30 percent, respectively, of all small mammals captured. Other species captured included the meadow jumping mouse (~Za us hudsonius), meadow vole (Microtus enns lvanicus), and red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).

Habitat Utilization Habitat utilization for a given area is defined as the proportion of animals captured within each habitat type. To equalize trapping effort among communities, the number of mammals captured per 100 trap-nights was used to calculate habitat utilization rather than the actual number of organisms captured.

Data for the trapping period indicate that the mixed hard-wood forest (the most mature successional community onsite is Transect 3) receives the greatest habitat utilization:

50.0 percent. The early second-growth hardwood forest (along Transect 1) is also an important habitat, with 24.9 percent of the utilization. Habitat utilization is lowest 2.4-7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS in the transmission corridor (15.0 percent) and open field (9.9 percent) habitats (Table 2.4-5).

As previously stated, the white-footed mouse and deer mouse constitute the greatest percentage of small mammals captured. The white-footed mouse is found in a variety of habitats. It is a nocturnal mouse which nests in cavities such as stone walls and hollow trees'. Its breeding season extends from April to October. All captures of this species occurred in areas of preferred habitat (i.e.,

forested areas).

The deer mouse was captured most frequently from the mixed hardwood forest, indicative of its preference for coniferous and deciduous habitats.

. It nestsand inbuildings.

burrows in the ground, Its usual as well as in trees, stumps, breeding time is from February to November. Its home range is 0.2 to 1.2 ha (0.5 to 3.0 acres) or more'he meadow vole prefers low, moist areas of grasslands with rank growths of herbaceous vegetation' '. All specimens were taken in the old field community, where herbaceous vegetation is dominant.

The meadow jumping mouse prefers areas closely associated with moi:st shrub-herbaceous communities; however, Burt and Grossenheider indicate that, the meadow jumping mouse is un-restricted in various land habitats'. This species was collected from the transmission corridor. It is primarily nocturnal with a home range of 0 ' to 0.8 ha (0.5 to 2.0 acres)'~'. It hibernates in October or November, emerging in April or May.

One red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) was trapped in the early second-growth hardwood forest. Red squirrels in Oswego County are not as common as gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), because the red squirrel is a northern species approaching the southern limit of its range in this area. Within the coastal zone, they are most closely as-sociated with the beech-maple-hemlock forests.

In addition to those small mammals trapped at the Unit 2 site, a variety of other species are likely to occur.

Table 2.4-6 lists those small mammals that are most likely to occur in this area, based on the wildlife inventory of the coastal zone conducted in 1976'~'.

2. 4-8

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Medium- and Lar e-Sized Mammals Observations of medium- and large-sized mammals (carnivores, large rodents, lagomorphs, and even-toed ungulates) and/or their signs were made during the field investigations of the Unit 2 site in 1979, but few sightings were recorded.

However, two woodchucks (Marmota monax) were observed along the roadside. Tracks of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus one bedding area was noted along Transect 1 in the early second-growth hardwood forest.

Based on data collected during the wildlife inventory of the coastal zone in 1976, 14 species of medium to large mammals are expected to occur within the region (Table 2.4-6): red fox (V~ul es fulva), gray fox (proc on cinereoar enteus),

bobcat (~L nx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), river otter floridanus), varying hare (~Le us americanus), striped skunk

(~Me hitis ~me hitis), porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), muskrat (Castor canadensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus lists those species of mammals that are most likely to occur near the Unit 2 site, based on the availability of suitable habitat, data on habitat preference, geographic range, and historical records (huntinc;, trapping, scientific studies, etc).

Im ortant Mammalian S ecies Several mammalian species are considered important because:

1) they are endangered or threatened species protected by state and/or federal legislation, 2) they are valuable com-mercially or recreationally, 3) they exert a significant in-fluence on ecosystem dynamics, or 4) they are biological in-dicators of radionuclides' ~ Biological indicators of radionuclides are discussed in Section 5.4.

Endan ered or Threatened S ecies New York State lists the Indiana hat (~M otis sodalis) as endangered. This species is also protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, amended in 1978'he Indiana bat is a medium-sized bat closely resembling the little brown bat. It is associated with the major cavernous limestone areas of the midwest and eastern United States, where it roosts).

overwinters in hibernaculum (caves used as winter Little is known about the behavior of this bat in summer except that it disperses and has been found up to 2.4-9

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OIS 644 km (400 mi) away from its winter roosts' ' .

Populations are thought to be declining due to bio-accumulation of insecticides and to disruption of their hibernacula'~,~. There are two winter roosts within 80 km (50 mi) of the Unit 2 site: the Jefferson County hiber-naculum located approximately 69 km (43 mi) north of Unit 2 and the Syracuse hibernaculum located approximately 72 km (45 mi) south'. Although Indiana bat could occur at the site during the summer it is possible that the months, it was not recorded from the coastal zone during the habitat and wildlife inventory in 1976 or other recent studies,'. In addition, there are no known caves that would serve as winter roosting sites in the Unit 2 site area, and because of the Indiana bat's dispersed summer ranges, it is not particularly susceptible to the clearing of small land parcels.

Commerciall and Recreationall Im ortant S ecies Commer-cially and/or recreationally important. game species in floridanus), gray squirrel, varying hare (~Le us americana),

and white-tailed deer (Table 2.4-7)'~'. Furbearing species of importance include mink (Mustela vison), muskrat (Ondatra zibethica), beaver (Castor canadensis), raccoon (~Proc on lotor), skunk (M~ehitis ~me hitis), red fox (~vul es fulva),

and gray fox (Duroc on cinereoar enteus)'a'.

2 4 1.1.3.2

~ ~ Avifauna The coastal zone of Oswego County supports a large number of avian species. Numerous bird species breed in the area. In addition, there is a large influx of spring and fall mi-grants traveling through the region, since the area is part of the Atlantic Flyway'uring the winter, large numbers of waterfowl and waterbirds congregate along the coastal areas of Lake Ontario (Figure 2.4-3). The overwintering population from the Salmon River west of the city of Oswego consists primarily of diving ducks. Dominant birds include greater scaup (~A th a valisineria) and oldsquaw (Clanclula ~h emalis) are also found in this area' '. During years of heavy ice these water-fowl generally move out into deeper, ice-free of avian species were made primarily along water'bservations transect routes during vegetation sampling and small-mammal trapping. In addition, records were kept of incidental 2.4-10

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS sightings made in the vicinity of Unit 2 (in disturbed areas, along roadsides, ecotones, or the transmission ROW).

Ten species of birds were recorded at the Unit 2 site during the 1979 field investigations. These included black-capped (Sitta carolinensis), mourning dove (Zenaidura macroura),

tristis), and killdeer (Charadrius vociferus). In addition, transmission corridor.

In addition to those species observed during the field reconnaissance, numerous other species are likely to occur in the area. Table 2.4-8 provides 'a list of species recorded from the Oswego County Coastal Zone.

Tables 2.4-9 and 2.4-10 provide generalized habitat as-sociations for major breeding and nonbreeding species.

Table 2.4-11 lists the results of a roadside count and breeding bird strip census for areas adjacent to the Unit 2 site, conducted in 1976.

Im ortant Avian S ecies A number of avian species are considered "important" in ac-cordance with Regulatory Guides 4.2 and 4.11 because they:

1) are endangered or threatened species, 2) are valued com-mercially or recreationally as game species, or 3) exert a significant influence on ecosystem dynamics'ndan ered or Threatened S ecies The osprey (Pandion haliaetus), bald eagle (Haliacetus leucoce halus), and pere-New York State'. Both the bald eagle and peregrine falcon are also listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's list of endangered species'he osprey is a fairly common spring and fall migrant along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The breeding territory nearest to Unit 2 is the area along the St. Lawrence River (the Indian River Lakes region, encompassing portions of northeastern Jefferson and southwestern St. Lawrence Counties) about 100 km (62 mi) northeast of the site. The 1976 nesting season showed the largest increase in success-ful nesting for the osprey within the past 20 bald eagle was formerly a fairly common spring and fall yr'he migrant along the shores of Lake Ontario, nesting locally at 2.4-11

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Selkirk Shores in the past'~'. Presently, observations of this raptor are rare, and nesting at Selkirk Shores has not occurred since 1955. The nearest active nest is located at the south end of Hemlock Lake in Livingston County about 135 km (85 mi) southwest of the site'.

and Cornell University are participating in a cooperative At present, NYSDEC program to reestablish the bald eagle as a breeding raptor in New York. Forty-four bald eagles were hatched and released in western New York State between 1976 and 1981.

Release points included the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, 32 km (20 mi) southwest of the site, and the Oak Or-chard State Wildlife Refuge, 160 km (100 mi) west-southwest, of the site. Many of these birds have moved north to the Lake Ontario shore, and some have been sighted east and north of Oswego"

The peregrine falcon's a rare inland migrant, occasionally observed along the shores of Lake Ontario. Formerly a com-mon breeding species in New York State, the peregrine falcon has not nested in New York since 1961'. Its decline has been attributed to "pesticide toxicity. As in the case of the bald eagle, NYSDEC is cooperating with Cornell Univer-sity to reestablish the peregrine falcon as a breeding rap-tor in New Yoxk Recreationall Im ortant S ecies A large State'ommerciall and number of hawks, eagles, falcons, and ospreys migrate each spring along the shore of Lake Ontario and swing north along the eastern end of the lake. As many as 55,000 of these birds have been observed per season from Derby Hill, an ob-servation area north of Mexico, NY

Table 2.4-12 lists the bird of prey nesting locations for the Oswego County Coastal Zone.

Other commercially or recreationally important avian species in Oswego County include ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus),

woodcock (~Socio ax minor), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus (Rallus addition to

~ ~).

limicola),

28 Sora rail (Porzana species of waterfowl (Table 2.4-7).

carolina), gallinule

2. 4. 1. 1. 3. 3 Herpetof auna The reptilian and amphibian faunas of the coastal zone are sparse, with the majority of the species widely distributed throughout the area'~'. About, 40 species of reptiles and amphibians are believed to inhabit portions of Oswego

2. 4-12

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS County, but only 21 have been observed from the coastal zone(1)

During the 1979 ~

field investigation, two species of was recorded from the mixed hardwood forest community (Transect 3). This amphibian prefers moist, deciduous or coniferous woods; however, considerable distances from water' it may frequently be found Breeding occurs near the end of March, usually in small, shallow ponds. The tadpole stage lasts 2 to 3 months. In the fall, the wood frog begins hibernation under leaves, stones, stumps, or in swamps'umerous leopard frogs (Rana ~i iens) were observed in disturbed areas of the Unit 2 site. The frog is most commonly found in meadows and fields ' ' Eggs are laid in shallow water in the spring and hatch in 4 to 6 days. The northern leopard frog is less common than the green frog (R. clamitans) or bullfrog (R. catesbeiana) in Oswego wetlands; however, large numbers of juveniles have been found in the area in August.

One unidentified snake was observed at the Unit 2 site during the 1979 field reconnaissance.

Table 2.4-13 lists those species of herpetofauna which are most likely to occur onsite or in adjacent, areas'his list was compiled from available literature and takes into consideration factors such as availability of suitable habitat, geographic range, and historical records.

Im ortant Re tiles 'and Am hibians A number of herpetofauna are considered important vertebrate species based on their status as endangered or threatened species. With respect to amphibians, none are presently listed as endangered or threatened.

Of- the reptiles, the hog turtle (~Clemm s muhlenher ii) is listed as endangered by the state of New York . Its present status along Lake Ontario is unknown'. Records indicate that the bog turtle prefers sphagnaceous bogs, swamps, and wet meadows traversed by clear, slow-moving streams. Although the bog turtle has not been recorded from the Oswego County Coastal Zone, there is,a possibility that this species may occur in Deer Creek Marsh, a wetland associated with the Salmon River about 32 km (20 mi) southeast of the site'upplement 2 2.4-13 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS 2.4. 1 ..1. 4'ignificant Habitats Two areas within the Oswego County Coastal Zone near the Unit 2 site have been identified by NYSDEC as significant habitats (Figure 2.4-3) '. One area is the nearshore area of Lake Ontario between the Salmon River and the city of Oswego, including the area immediately offshore from the plant. This stretch of coastline is an important non-breeding waterfowl winter concentration area, as discussed in Section 2.4.1.1 3.2. The second significant habitat is deer yard (concentration area) northwest of Seneca Hill

~

a about 11 km (7 mi) southwest of the site (Figure 2.4-3). It has been estimated that approximately 50 deer use this area between December and March'.4.1.1.5 Environmental Stresses There are two major types'f vegetation stresses, natural and man-induced, which can affect species composition of a community. Natural environmental stresses to vegetation can result from diseases of numerous origins, insects, wind, fire, drought, ice, and snow. Man-induced stresses, such as farming, logging, quarrying, application of pesticides, and recreational'ctivities, generally alter habitat and thus may significantly affect floral and faunal communities.

No naturally occurring environmental stresses were noted during the 1979 site survey, nor did 'stereoscopic infrared aerial photographs taken in August 1979 reveal any major natural environmental stresses within the 1.6-km (1-mi) radius of Unit 2.

Discussion with the NYSDEC staff (Cortland Regional Office) revealed that there is no indication of stress to forest, vegetation or wildlife in the area of Unit 2 that could be attributed to pest or disease vectors (personal com-mun'ication with NYSDEC) .

With respect to man-induced environmental stresses, the clearing of land in the past, for agricultural uses has ap-preciably altered the structure of the vegetational com-munities within the region. Presently, much of the area is in varying stages of secondary succession following land use as cropland, pastureland, or orchards. Pioneer stages of succession (old field communities) are present, along with intermediate stages (early second-growth hardwood forests) and those seres approaching mature climax communities (beech-maple forests).

2.4-14

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OIS Management of the transmission line ROWs and grassed areas adjacent to the power plant complex will maintain them in early, suppressed stages of secondary succession. These managed areas are useful habitats for several wildlife species including deer, raptors and field-dwelling birds, small mammals, and herpetofauna.

2.4.1.1.6 Summary Several distinct biotic communities are present within the 1.6-km (1-mi) radius of Unit 2. These communities vary in successional stage, diversity, and role in the ecological relationships of the site.

In general, the forest communities in the area are productive, stable ecosystems characterized by complex food webs. The stability of forest ecosystems is attributed to the diversity of organisms, the relatively long life cycles of the dominant organisms, and tight nutrient the vicinity of Unit 2, several forest communities are cycles'n present, each representing different stages in secondary succession (early second-growth forest, intermediate second-growth forest, and mixed hardwood forest, each ap-proaching the mature climax community of the region).

The open field communities are typical examples of the an-nual weed stage in old field succession. Food chains in the open field community are generally simple, with most energy flow occurring through the herbivores'. Most of the dominant plants have short life cycles and produce abundant seed crops in the fall, making these communities valuable to wi ldlife.

Open field/shrub communities are more stratified than open fields and contain more plant forms (perennial herbs, vines, shrubs, and young trees). More specialized ecological niches are therefore available for wildlife. The open field/shrub communities, because of their more complex food webs, less pronounced seasonal fluctuations in community function, and the longer life cycles of the dominant organisms, are considered to be more ecologically stable'~.

There are numerous ecotones because of the patchy distribution in the vicinity of Unit 2 of vegetation. Often, the diversity of species is greater in ecotones than in sur-rounding communities'~ '. Thus, ecotones such as those found in this area are valuable to wildlife as habitat and food sources.

2.4-15

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS 2.4.1.2 Transmission Corridors and Offsite Areas Descriptions of the terrestrial ecosystem within the Unit 2-to-Volney transmission corridor are based on the Ar-ticle VII application, a literature review, aerial photographs, consultation with local specialists, a field survey in September 1979, and a site visit in October 1981'~~,~~'. A description of the methodologies used during the September 1979 site visit is included in Section 6.5 '.

2 '.1.2.1 General Corridor Characteristics The new 345-kV transmission line will extend from Unit 2:to the existing Volney substation, 15 km (9.4 mi) south-southeast of Unit 2 (Figures 3.7-1 and 3.7-4)'. The new transmission line will parallel the existing Nine Mile 1-Volney 345-kV transmission line, passing through the towns of Scriba and Volney, NY. The existing transmission ROW, south of Lake Road, is 152 m (500 ft) wide. The centerline of the new transmission line will be located 30 m (100 ft) east of the easternmost 345-kV line and will require clearing of an additional 23 m (75 ft) within the existing ROW.

2.4.1 2.2

~ Terrestrial Communities and Species Interactions Hardwood cover types dominate the areas to be cleared for the new line, interrupted with small areas of hardwood-conifer and conifer trees. The age class of these forested areas is principally sapling and pole timber, with isolated areas of mature merchantable timber. Other forested uplands include small portions of conifer plan-tations and abandoned apple and pear orchards. Scattered wooded and shrub wetlands and actively farmed bottomlands also occur along the proposed route.

Table 2.2-6 and Figure 2.4-4 present the results of the ROW vegetation analysis survey conducted prior to the proposed clearing. Tables 2.4-14 and 2.4-15 present the vegetative species traversed by the existing ROW.

The existing transmission corridor is in a successional process which is similar to that in the adjacent forest brushland, except that it has been maintained at an earlier stage. Immediately following clearing of the ROW, the vegetation present within the corridor would have been dependent on the original ecosystem. Forested stretches would have resembled areas clear-cut during a logging operation, whereas agricultural areas would be essentially unchanged. Since that time, maintenance procedures have 2.4-16

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS tended to create and hold all areas, except those actively farmed, at an advanced old field stage of succession.

The history of the transmission corridor is, in many respects, similar to that of the large stretches of surrounding vegetation presently in forest brushland that also have been previously cleared. Species composition is similar in many cases, with the greatest differences being the greater dominance of grasses and forbs in the transmission corridor versus tall-growing woody species (shrubs and trees) in the forest brushland.

Forested Communities The forest communities in the region crossed by the new 345-kV line include four major vegetation types (Table 2.2-6). The predominant vegetation is forest brushland, which is defined as areas with brush cover up to fully stocked poles less than 9.1 m (30 ft) high. This vegetation type includes approximately 3,939 ha (9,733 acres) in the vicinity (Table 2.2-7) of the ROW and covers approximately 19.3 ha (47.0 acres), or 59.0 percent of the new corridor. This vegetation type results from a variety of natural and manmade perturbations of what was originally a typical northeastern climax deciduous forest.

The greatest source of disturbance has been clearing for agricultural purposes, including orchards, pasture, and cropland. Other disturbances typical of this area include logging, clearing for residential use, fire, blowdown, and natural disease. All of these areas have succeeded, following their disturbance, to ecosystems partway between forest and old field and would be expected to continue until they reach a climax forest.

A second type of forested land, mature forest, is defined as containing natural stands where at least 50 percent of the trees are over 50 yr old and over 9. 1 m (30 ft) high. The largest area of mature forest along the corridor is located north of Miner Road and is known as Scriba Woods. The area east of the corridor has been described by Bieber, et al, and is representative of a typical climax community for this area'~'. Canopy cover is 80 to 90 percent and the trees reach 23 m (75 ft) in height. Dominant canopy species include American beech and sugar maple. Codominant species include hemlock, red maple, white ash, and yellow birch.

Approximately 9 percent of the ROW crosses mature forest.

The third vegetation type is forest wetland. Wetlands (forested and otherwise) in Oswego County have been surveyed by NYSDEC in accordance with the New York State Wetlands Supplement 2 2. 4-17 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Act' "'. An update of this survey with particular atten-tion paid to the transmission corridor has been, performed by the Oswego County Environmental Management Council. In the vicinity of the corridor, 1.6 km (1 mi) on each side, are 26 wetlands, each having a size of 5 ha (12.4 acres),

the minimum size recorded. A total of 1.0 ha (2.4 acres),

or 3 percent of the area to be cleared along the ROW, will cross this vegetation type.

The largest area of unmanaged (not farmed) wetlands that will be crossed by the new transmission line designated as Wetland WT-7 on the Oswego County Wetland maps is located between Lake Road and Miner Road south of Unit 2. This naturally developed area has apparently experienced a recent increase in water levels due to beaver activity, causing considerable mortality in trees and other vegetative cover over several acres'. As a result, the next successional stage for many parts of this area will probably be a shallow pond or a shrub swamp. Of this wetland, about 0.2 ha (0.4 acres) will be crossed by the new transmission line.

The fourth forest category is plantation, a forest area that is artificially stocked. Only 1.6 percent of the corridor crosses forest plantations.

Nonforested Communities The new 345-kV line will also cross two small sectors of cultivated land. The first area, which lies south of County Route 4, is an ll-ha (26-acre) field generally used for growing lettuce or onions. The remaining area, immediately north of State Highway 104, is a 4-ha (11-acre) hayfield.

The portions of these fields crossed by the new line total 2.0 ha (4.8 acres) and represent about 6 percent of the area to be cleared.

Endan ered or Threatened S ecies No federally listed endangered or threatened floral species are known to exist in Oswego County. Information concerning species listed as protected by NYSDEC is discussed in Section 2.4.1.1.

2.4.1.2.3 Fauna Vertebrate fauna that may be found in and along the trans-mission corridor are similar to those found onsite (Section 2.4.1.1.3). Natural history information on verte-brate fauna has been presented previously (Section 2.4 '.1 and Tables 2.4-6 through 2.4-13) . Approximately 26 mammals,

~ 3 including 1 marsupial, 6 insectivores (shrews and moles), 1 Supplement 6 2 '-18 March 1984

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS V

1agomorph, 8 rodents ( including 6 small mammals), 9 carnivores, and 1 even-toed ungulate, have ranges and habitat requirements .that are met by new and shrubby fields and thus may be found in the vegetative habitats provided by the ROW (Table 2.4-6). Many of these animals may also be found in the forest and forest shrub communities along the ROW. In addition, there are about 18 more mammals that are primarily woods dwellers. Similarly, there are many birds (Tables 2.4-9 and 2.4-10) and reptiles (Table 2.4-13) found near the site that may also occur in or along the transmis-sion corridor.

The recent history of the ROW and the nearby environs (Section 2.4.1 1.2), and the many ecotonal areas along the

~

the roadside, residences, and farmlands in the vicinity of the ROW, results in a general ecosystemgeneral

ROW, with diverse animal species. There is only limited represen-tation by species requiring larger tracts of mature forest, whereas those found in old fields, old field and forest shrub, and woodlots are common.

Im ortant Vertebrate Fauna Vertebrate fauna can be considered important because of their status as endangered or threatened, because of their commercial or recreational value, or because they support either of the preceding groups.

Endan ered or Threatened S ecies Except for occasional transient species, no federally listed endangered or threatened wildlife species are known to exist within the transmission ROW'. Information concerning possible transients is presented in Section 2.4.1.1.3.

Commerciall or Recreationall Si nificant S ecies Small game species that are likely to be found in the area of the 345-kV transmission corridor are similar to those using the site (Section 2 4. 1.1.3) . Important species in-

~

clude the gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, waterfowl, and possibly snowshoe hare. Ruffed grouse and woodcock use of the area is generally seasonal. Table 2.4-7 provides a list of important game and furbearer species occurring in Oswego County and an estimate of the numbers taken in the area each year'~,~~'. The possible distribution of species by habitat is presented in Table 2 '-6.

Zarger game species are also found along the ROW. Beaver use is prevalent in the Black Creek area, located about 2.4-19

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

9. 4 km (5. 9 mi ) south of the site. Signs of deer are also present. This species is the only large game species found in the area, but their concentration is considered to be low. The estimated density is 1 buck/sq mi'. Additional life history and habitat utilization information for impor-tant vertebrate species in the area is found in Sections 2.4.1.1.3.1 and 2.4.1.1.3.2.

Im ortant Invertebrate Fauna NYSDEC at Cortland, NY, indicates that there are no known occurrences of important invertebrate fauna along the 345-kV ROW from Unit 2 to the Volney substation'. This includes major endangered or threatened species, commercially or rec-reationally important species, and potentially limiting com-ponents of the food chain. There are also no pest or disease vectors affecting wildlife or vegetation that would classify as invertebrates of concern.

2.4.1.2.4 Special Habitats According to NYSDEC, no wildlife refuges or concentration areas are traversed by the ROW'~~'. The nearest significant terrestrial habitat is a deer concentration area located ap-proximately ll km (7 mi) west of the ROW (Figure 2.4-3)'~'.

There are no,other significant or irreplaceable terrestrial resources in the vicinity of the transmission corridor.

2.4.1.2.5 Stressed Areas There are no indications of environmental stresses to forest vegetation or wildlife along the ROW that could be at-tributed to pest or disease vectors, ice., naturally induced stresses'~ '. However, there are areas along the ROW that are currently managed for agricultural use and maintenance of the existing 345-kV ROW. Continued management of the existing ROW will maintain it in the early stages of secon-dary succession (e.g., old field and low-growing shrub communities) and will provide useful habitat for several forms of wildlife, including raptors, field-dwelling birds, small mammals, deer, and herpetof auna.

2. 4. 2 Aquatic Ecology 2.4.2.1 The Site and Vicinity Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC) has conducted yearly biological studies in the vicinity of Unit 1 since 1969. A comprehensive ecological survey of Lake Ontario was con-ducted in the Nine Mile Point vicinity during the years 1973 2.4-20

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS through 1978. A reduced program, reflecting modifications made in the Unit 1 technical specifications in 1978, was conducted from 1979 through 1981. During the 6-yr intensive study, the major t'rophic levels of the aquatic ecosystem were sampled extensively to determine any impacts of the operation of Unit 1 and the James A. Fitzpatrick (JAF)

~

plant, and to conduct preoperational studies for Unit 2.

Each trophic level (phytoplankton, microzooplankton,.

macrozooplankton, ichthyoplankton, benthos, and nekton) was examined for spatial and temporal trends in distribution and abundance. Populations in nature vary according to inherent life history characteristics and interactionand with other density-trophic levels, and with density-dependent independent factors. In Lake Ontario, overfishing and the introduction of exotic species have further disrupted the .

stability of the fish community. Therefore, to explain variations in population distribution and abundance, it is necessary to consider the natural factors as well as the ef-fect of power plant operations.

The sampling programs designed to evaluate the population distribution and abundance relative to plant operation are summarized in Section 6.5.2.1 and provided in detail in the annual interpretive reports for each of the sampling years(27 35) ~

The following sections present. summaries of study results by trophic category.

2.4.2.1.1 Phytoplankton The data collected between 1973 and 1978 have been examined for abundance, distribution, and productivity of 'he phytoplankton community in the Nine Mile Point vicinity. A total of 187 genera from seven divisions were identified during this period. The species assemblage remained con-sistent throughout the study period and was similar to that described in previous most abundant taxa studies'.

identified during The following are the the study:

Blue-Green Algae Diatoms Cyclotella sp.

Chroococcus sp. Melosira sp.

Coelos haerium sp. Ste hanodiscus sp.

Gom hos haeria sp. Asterionella sp.

Oscillatoria sp. Diatoma sp.

Anabaena sp.

A hanizomenon sp. Tabellaria sp.

2.4-21,

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Green Algae Others Eudorina sp. Ochromonas sp.

Rhodomonas sp.

Coelastrum stis sp.

sp.'Ooc Scenedesmus sp.

Phytoplankton abundance generally cycled two to four times each year, with the maximum abundances generally occurring during the summer'". These seasonal patterns reflect similar patterns previously reported in Lake (diatoms) bloomed in the spring, then de-Ontario'acillariophyta clined until late fall when they again became abundant.

Green algae were generall'y most abundant during the summer; blu'e-green algae, during late summer and early fall.

Analysis of spatial distribution showed that abundances were generally lower offshore than onshore',

supported by the results of other researchers an observation on Lake Ontario'~. Longshore trends indicated a generally higher phytoplankton standing crop west of Unit 1 compared to other transects, and this was attributed to the influence of the Oswego River, which affects this area more than the other stations'"

Since chlorophyll a is common to all phytoplankton taxa, it is regularly used as an indicator of phytoplankton standing crop'""'. Generally, values in the Nine Mile Point vicinity were higher during the spring and summer than during the fall, but within each year the number of peaks varied'".

Chlorophyll a was chosen for examination of long-term trends because the techniques used to collect and analyze the data did not change significantly over the 6-yr duration of the program; consequently, the trends exhibited should be related to changes in the community standing crop rather than to methodology.

The long-term trends, as indicated by chlorophyll a concentrations, denoted a cyclic pattern, with low values occurring during 1975 and 1978 and highest values during 1974' ' . The remaining 3 yr (1973, 1976, and 1977) demon-strated intermediate values. Annual temperature cycles, in combination with annual light cycles, have been reported as being responsible for the gross seasonal changes in phytoplankton communities ' ' No definite relationship between water temperature and chlorophyll a concentrations was found for the Nine Mile Point vicinity'~. Similar species and seasonal patterns were observed each year, and Supplement 2 2.4-22 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS no apparent changes in abundance or population structure were attributed to plant operations.

2.4.2.1.2 Microzooplankton Lake zooplankton are separated into two groups based on size, with microzooplankton ranging from 76 to 571 um and macrozooplankton larger than 571 um. A total of 51 genera were identified from the microzooplankton sampling program conducted from 1973 through 1978. Rotifers were the most numerous taxa. Many of the same species occurred each year, and the common genera reported near Nine Mile Point were also reported to be common in Lake Ontario and the Great Lakes in general'~ '. This section discusses the three major taxa present in the Nine Mile Point.

vicinity: rotifers, cladocerans, and copepods. The dominant genera of each group are as follows:

Rotifers Cladocerans Keratella sp.

Brachionus sp. ~Da hnia sp.

Trichocerca sp. Bosmina sp.

Pleosoma sp. ~Ch dorus sp.

Copepods Strong seasonal trends were evident in all studies, with the maximum microzooplankton total abundance occurring in June or July and secondary peaks either in the spring or fall'". Rotifers and, more specifically, Keratella sp. 2 were typically the dominant group, except during the fall when crustaceans (cladocerans and copepods) sometimes dominated.

Watson'" 'nd Microzooplankton abundances were lower at offshore stations than at nearshore Patalas'" 'escribed stations'.

similar results in their studies. No f I

consistent longshore trends were evident for the major groups; that is, over several years, no one transect showed either higher or lower abundance than any other.

The microzooplankton community observed each year was similar, with variations between years caused by a general reduction of all components of the community rather than a reduction of a specific component'". The mean mi-Supplement 2 2.4-23 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS crozooplankton abundance (indicative of the standing crop) increased throughout. the first four study years (1973-1976),

but dropped significantly in 1977 and 1978. This decrease corresponds to a general reduction in water temperature (increased cloud cover, less solar input). The reduced tem-perature during this period may have affected the mi-crozooplankton standing crop either directly, by causing a reduction in their reproduction and/or growth, or indirectly, by reducing their primary food source, the phytoplankton. No effect. of operation of the generating stations was observed in microzooplankton abundance or com-munity structure 2.4.2.1 ~ 3 Macrozooplankton Macrozooplankton, defined as invertebrate animal plankton larger than 571 um, community structure, and temporal/

spatial distribution in the Nine Mile Point vicinity were investigated during the 1973 through 1978 study period.

A total of 26 genera from the phyla Coelenterata, Platyhelminthes, Aschehelminthes, Mollusca, Annelida, and Arthropoda were represented, with the arthropod classes In-secta and Crustacea contributing the greatest number of genera'~. The dominant taxa are listed as follows:

Hydrozoa Crustacea Cord lo hora sp. ~Da hnia sp.

Insecta (Diptera)

Chaoborus sp. Limnocalanus sp.

Chironomidae ~Cclc s sp.

Gammarus sp.

~Nsis sp.

Quantitative evaluation of the macrozooplankton community is extremely difficult because of the behavior of the species involved and their normal temporal and spatial cycles'~.

Quantitative estimates are further affected by retention of specific organisms by the sampling gear and loss of many of the young through the collection net. Therefore, to evaluate the trends over the 6-yr period, three dominant Diptera) are discussed.

primary constituent of the macrozooplankton) was basically Supplement 2 2. 4-24 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS unimodal, with peak numbers occurring in late summer'".

Temporal variability was caused by diel trends and local hy-of the year, with copepods and amphipods contributing sub-stantial numbers during early spring and late summer/fall, respectively.

Concentrations of the selected taxa typically increased with depth and were more abundant in the nearshore stations than terans were more abundant at night than during the day( l2 l 3)

Although spatial distribution was variable, Gammarus abun-dance tended to increase from west to east in the study area, reflecting the substrate preferences of this toward the western end of the study area, but high concen-trations were also noted immediately to the east of Unit 1.

Dipterans, like Gammarus, tended to be more abundant at eastern than western transects.

On a long-term basis (1973 through 1978), Gammarus and dip-teran concentrations in the water column consistently de-creased from year to year at all depth contours; by 1977 Gammarus had essentially disappeared from the water column during the day'~. However, Gammarus abundance in benthic collections showed no consistent changes during the same time period (Section 2.4.2.1.5). Concentrations of ~Le todora consistently increased as Gammarus declined.

reduction in grazing pressure due to locally reduced fish stocks (Section 2.4.2.1.6). It is possible that local en-vironmental changes were selective against Gammarus, but benthic data showed no consistent reductions in their abundance. With reference to overall abundance of macrozooplankton, these data do not support any consistent long-term changes attributable to power plant operation.

2.4.F 1.4 Ichthyoplankton Ichthyoplankton represent the vertebrate portion of the macrozooplankton collection and include eggs, larvae, and juvenile fish. The species composition and spatial/temporal distribution of ichthyoplankton in the Nine Mile Point area were investigated from 1973 through 1978. A total of 31 species of ichthyoplankton (eggs and/or larvae) were identified, of which 11, including the bluegill, smallmouth bass, white bass, and walleye, were rare'~. The dominant Supplement 2 2.4-25 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit: 2 ER-OLS species in the area throughout the study period were alewife, rainbow smelt, and to a lesser degree threespine stickleback and yellow perch.

Alewife spawning takes place along gravelly or sandy shallow areas in Lake Ontario between April and June'~ '. Broadcast at random, the eggs are demersal and essentially non-adhesive. The rainbow smelt migrate inshore to spawn in streams or near the lake's shore during April or May. Eggs are demersal, adhesive, and,hatch in 2 to 3 weeks, after which growth is fairly rapid'~ '. Both the threespine stickleback and yellow perch prefer shallow waters. The yellow perch spawns during spring, usually near rooted aquatic vegetation to which the egg masses can adhere. The stickleback spawns later in shallow water, preferably over a sandy bottom'he seasonal pattern of ichthyoplankton involved the succes-sion of three groups of species: the early spring group group dominated by rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax); and the late spring/summer group dominated by alewife. Peak concen-trations of eggs and larvae coincided with the occurrence of the late spring/summer group and consisted primarily of alewife larvae'~

Analyses of selected dominant taxa (alewife and rainbow smelt,) indicated that alewife eggs were most abundant in bottom samples collected from nearshore waters at night.

Rainbow smelt eggs were rare in the study area and occurred primarily in surface waters. Since smelt spawning typically occurs at the bottom of streams or along the shoreline, the eggs collected within the area, particularly at the surface, most likely were dislodged from their natural habitat by strong currents or storms. Fertility of these eggs was not determined.

The larvae of rainbow smelt and alewife, predominantly post-yolk-sac phase, were more abundant at night than during the day. While alewife larvae were more abundant in surface waters, rainbow smelt larvae were more abundant in mid-depth and bottom waters. There was no consistent east/west pat-tern in the distribution of alewife or rainbow smelt larvae'patial variability for both the alewife and the rainbow smelt was minimal between the 6-m (20-ft), 12-m (40-ft), and offshore contours. Seasonal distribution of alewife and smelt remained similar in each of the 6 yr, with peak abun-dances in June and July, respectively.

Supplement 2 2. 4-26 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS The yearly mean larval concentration reported in the, Nine Mile Point vicinity from May through November increased throughout the study period'~ ' Except for a slight de-crease in smelt larval abundance in 1975, both the alewife and smelt larvae showed increasing abundances from 1974 through 1978. Thus, based on the maintenance of a diverse species inventory and an increasing stock of the two dominant larval species, the operation of the ,generating stations has no observable impact on the ichthyoplankton communi ty.

2.4.2.1.5 Benthic Organisms Periphyton and invertebrate populations inhabit the Lake On-tario bottom, residing either on (epifaunal/epifloral) or within (infaunal) the substratum. In Lake Ontario, seasonal environmental changes influence the deposition of bottom sediments which, in turn, affects the spatial distribution of the organisms that have specific substrate requirements for burrowing or feeding activities. The bottom in the study area is characteristically bedrock, with varying amount's of rubble, sand, and,silt. Sand and silt typically represented less than 10 percent of the bottom substrate of the NMPW and NMPP transects, while it often represented 80 to 90 percent of the substrate at the NMFE and FITZ tran-sects (See Section 6.5.2.1 for station locations).

A cumulative macroinvertebrate species inventory for the period 1973 through 1978 showed large diversity of benthic invertebrates, Oligochaete including worms and 124 dipteran a

genera larvae from were ll the phyla'~.

dominant forms. The studies show no changes in benthic taxa over the 6 yr period'~.

Spatial variability between transects differed by taxon.

Amphipoda and Platyhelminthes abundances were similar for each transect each year, while Nematoda, Gastropoda, and Felecypoda abundances were consistently highest and lowest at the NMPE and NMPP transects, respectively. Diptera, Polychaeta, and Oligochaeta showed variable spatial dis-tribution over the 6-yr study. The increased abundances, particularly of the Nematoda, Gastropoda, and Pelecypoda, at, the easternmost transect (NMPE) probably relate to the predominantly soft substrate, which is more suitable for supporting the infaunal forms than is the hard substrate, which is more characteristic of the NMPP transect'"

Taxon-specific, long-term (1973 through 1978) trends were demonstrated. Except for an increased abundance in 1974, Oligochaeta abundances remained similar throughout. the study Supplement 2 2.4-27 June 1983

Nine. Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS period. Amphipoda abundances also remained constant.

Gastropoda, Nematoda, Diptera, and Platyhelminthes varied, but demonstrated no singular trend or population shift.

Mean Pelecypoda abundance decreased throughout the study with the lowest abundances occurring at the NMPP transect; most likely attributable to the loss of suitable habitat for this infaunal taxon. The bottom substrate (predominantly bedrock) at, the NMPP transect was not capable of supporting the burrowing Pelecypoda. These benthic dynamics indicate viable and persistent communities, with no trend toward anomalous declines or increases in densities.

Sampling of the periphyton community was conducted from 1973 through 1978. Species assemblages attached to glass or Plexiglas substrates located near the surface and at the bottom were identified and enumerated.

The periphyton species inventory is extensive, indicating a diverse and viable assemblage of periphytic algae in the Nine Mile Point vicinity'". The periphyton community was composed primarily of diatoms in the spring, green and/or blue-green algae during the summer months, and diatoms again in the fall. While not identified and enumerated, protozoa, primarily ciliates and suctorians, were common components of the periphyton community, particularly at the greater depths where light intensity was lower.

The pattern of algal succession was similar for both the phytoperiphyton and the phytoplankton communities and typ-ical of conditions in temperate water bodies'"~'. The presence of a relatively large blue-green algal component is consistent with reports of increasing eutrophication of Lake Ontario, particularly in the nearshore waters'~ '. Seasonal growth patterns of the bottom periphyton community indicated peak biomass during July or August, depending on water tem-perature and depth. Bottom periphyton biomass and chloro-phyll a values decreased as the depth contours increased, but no consistent pattern was discernible among the four transects tested'~ '.. Increased biomass on artificial surface substrates at the NMPP and FITZ transects is most likely a result of a stimulatory effect of the Cooling water system discharge mixing zone'".

The species composition and standing crop (biomass and ch-lorophyll a) of the periphyton community have remained relatively constant over the 6-yr study period. The various groups of periphyton showed some spatial variability among the transects; however, the seasonal fluctuations far ex-ceeded the spatial variability and were typical of those described in other long-term studies Thus, the peri-Supplement 2 2.4-28 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS phyton community was composed of a diverse assemblage of or-ganisms with a dynamic seasonal variability that was much more extensive than the spatial or long-term temporal variability observed.

2.4.2.1.6 Fish The fish community of Lake Ontario has undergone major changes, beginning before 1850 and continuing to the present. The community can be described as unstable and dominated by exotic species that were either accidentally or purposely introduced. The commercially important deep-water assemblage of salmonids has been lost, and many other species are greatly reduced in abundance. Pesticides have entered the lake and produced unacceptably high concen-trations in a number of commercially and recreationally im-portant species. In recent years, large numbers of salmonids have been stocked in the lake to prey upon the abundant. alewives and produce a sport fishery.

A total of 82 species were collected from Lake Ontario during aquatic surveillance programs conducted from 1972 through 1981'" ~ The following information represents a summary of the results of fish sampling conducted during this period on eight of these species identified as re-presentative and important by the EPA: alewife, rainbow smelt, yellow perch, white perch, smallmouth bass, coho salmon, brown trout, and threespine stickleback. Limited data were obtained on threespine stickleback, brown trout, and coho salmon because few specimens of these species were collected. This summary concentrates on the relative abun-dance and temporal and spatial distribution of the aforemen-tioned species in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point. Site-specific life history information, including age and growth studies, fecundity, coefficient of maturity, and food habits, is available in the annual reports'lewife (Alosa seudoharen s)

Alewife in the Nine Mile Point area exhibited seasonal as well as diel variations in distribution and abundance.

Alewife wer'e more abundant during spring and summer than during the fall or winter. The bottom gill nets indicate that alewife remains inshore of this depth during its spring/early summer spawning period'~. Longshore dis-tribution 'ndicates that alewife utilize the entire shoreline during their spawning period and show no preference or dependence on any given area.

Supplement 2 2.4-29 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Gill net sampling at four transects in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point. provides a basis for examining the trend in relative abundance of alewife from 1973 through was a decline in alewife abundance at Nine Mile Point 1981'here after a peak in 1974. This decrease is reported to be a lakewide phenomenon as a result of heavy alewife mortality during the winter of 1974-1975. Gill net catches from 1980 and 1981 indicate that the population has recovered.

Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax)

The vast majority of adult rainbow smelt from the Nine Mile Point area were collected by surface and bottom gill nets'. Trawl and seine collections caught few rainbow smelt. The very low abundance of this species in seine col-lections suggests that spawning is not occurring in the lit-toral area near Nine Mile Point. Scott and Crossman reported that rainbow smelt in the Great Lakes spawn in streams or, under adverse weather conditions, in the off-shore areas on gravel shoals'" '. The predominance of bedrock and large cobble bottom substrate within the Nine Mile Point vicinity limit this area for smelt spawning.

There is no consistent pattern in the catch rate between depth contours or transects, indicating that the rainbow smelt move freely within the Nine Mile Point area.

The bottom gill nets fished consistently from 1973 through 1981 indicate peaks in abundance in 1974 and 1981, with low abundances in 1975 and 1980. The peaks in 1974 and 1981 coincide with the peaks in alewife abundance during this 9-yr period.

Yellow perch are able to tolerate a wide variety of environ-mental conditions and are a commercially valuable species in the Great Lakes and elsewhere'. They are generally found in water less than 9.2 m (30 ft) deep and aggregate in schools of 50-200 individuals of approximately the same size'ill net sampling in the Nine Mile Point vicinity indicated peaks in abundance of yellow perch in 1974 and 1981 and low abundance in 1977, except for the 5-m (16-ft) depth contour'~. The 5- and 9-m (16- and 30- ft) depth stations showed the greatest abundance of yellow perch, reflecting their preference for shallow water. There was no consistent pattern in the abundance of yellow perch among transects.

The vast majority of yellow perch collected in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point was obtained in bottom gill 2.4-30 June 1983 nets'upplement 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Yellow perch were obtained in July through September, not coincident with the timing of their reproductive behavior (April). This suggests that spawning does not, take place in the area; Between 1972 and 1976, 4,107 yellow perch were tagged in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point to determine their distribution and movements. Returns showed regular seasonal 2 movements between the Nine Mile Point area and the eastern end of Lake Ontario. During fall, yellow perch moved east-ward from Nine Mile Point, and concentrated in the area of Sandy Pond, where they overwintered and probably spawned the following spring. In spring, they moved westward along the south shore of the lake and were recaptured in the Nine Mile Point area in greatest numbers from June through October.

White Perch (Morone americana)

White perch are a common brackish-water species in the nor-theastern coastal area of North America. Not. a native of the Great Lakes, this species presumably gained access to Lake Ontario via the Oswego River, resulting from Hudson River populations moving northward and westward through the Mohawk River and Erie Barge Canal'"

White perch were generally more abundant at the 5- and 9-m (16- and 30-ft) stations than at the deeper stations. They were abundant in the east side of the study area, par-ticularly in 1973 and 1974 when overall abundance was high.

White perch were more abundant near the bottom than at the surface throughout a diel cycle. Although seasonal dis-tribution was exhibited in the day collections, summer night collections were larger than either spring or fall night collections. Gill net sampling from 1973 through 1981 showed a peak in abundance in 1974, with lower but stable abundance for the remaining 7 yr'~.

t Smallmouth bass are distributed in North America from southern Canada to Alabama and west to Oklahoma'.

an important sport fish and piscivore in the nearshore It is waters of Lake Ontario.

In the Nine Mile Point, area, smallmouth bass were collected almost exclusively with bottom gill nets. Compared to other abundant species, the catch rate of smallmouth bass has al-ways been quite low, although they were found in the near-shore area and in impingement collections. Catches at the 5-, 9-, and 12-m (16-, 30-, and 39-ft) contours were con-Supplement 2 2.4-31 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS sistently greater than at the 18-m (59-ft) contour, reflect-ing the nearshore distribution of this species. There was no consistent pattern in the catch rate when transects were compared. Gill net catches were consistently higher during the summer than during spring and fall'~. The sampling from 1973 through 1981 indicates a trend of decreasing abun-dance through 1979, with increasing abundances recorded for 1980 and 1981'~.

Threes ine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

The threesp'ine stickleback is widely distributed in fresh and marine waters of North America, ranging from Chesapeake Bay north to the Hudson Bay region. Although threespine stickleback are relatively abundant in impingement samples, they are not collected in large numbers with the fishing gear employed at Nine Mile Point; therefore, there are very limited data available for the Nine Mile Point vicinity.

The total numbers of threespine stickleback collected by various fishery gear at Nine Mile Point from 1973 through 1978 (sampling in 1979 through 1981 used only the bottom gill net which does not effectively collect this species) were highest during 1976 and 1978; however, there was no discernible trend in abundance over the years of sampling'~.

The coho salmon is an anadromous species occurring naturally in the Pacific Ocean and in rivers that drain northwestern North America. Attempts to establish this species in the Great Lakes were unsuccessful until the 1960s'. NYSDEC annually stocks coho salmon in New York State tributary streams of Lake Ontario.

Only 223 coho salmon were collected at Nine Mile Point with various fishery gear from 1973 through 1981'~. They were most abundant in 1975 and were not collected at all in 1977 through 1981. This is attributed to a reduction in the sam-pling effort starting in 1979 and a reduction in coho stock-ing by NYSDEC subsequent to 1975. Because of the small num-ber collected, no distributional or seasonal trends were determined.

Brown Trout '(Salmo trutta)

The total number of brown trout collected at Nine Mile Point by various fishery gear from 1973 through 1981 was 587.

Brown trout were most abundant in 1975, reflecting the Supplement 2 2.4-32 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 .ER-OLS stocking rate. There is no obvious trend in the abundance of brown trout over the years of study. The low catch in 1977 and 1979 through 1980 is the result of reduced sampling effort. Because of, the low numbers collected, no dis-tributional trends were demonstrated; however, they were typically present within the study area throughout the year<so)

Existing and Planned Man-Induced Manipulations Affectin Fish Po ulation-There are a number of factors that may significantly affect the aquatic biota of Lake Ontario through trophic interactions. Past species composition changes are at-tributed to the destabilize;ng influence of overfishing.

Commercial- fishing is now greatly reduced from past levels, but in conjunction with other factors it apparently has produced some effects. Although these changes have been oc-curring over a long period of time, there is no indication that the fish community has stabilized. A number of exotic species have been so successful that they now dominate the fish community.

The reintroduction of salmonids has produced a highly suc-cessful sport fishery and should help control alewife abundance, which has sometimes been a nuisance problem.

Ecological succession in the f'ish community of Lake Ontario has been altered by man. The water quality of Lake Ontario is generally good and apparently would be adequate to sup-port the original fish stocks if they were still abundant.

There are, however, localized areas of pollution; the discovery of unacceptably high levels of mirex in fish in-dicates that water quality may be influencing the fish com-munity in unknown ways.

Based on the long-term trends established over the 9 yr of study presented in the preceding sections, power plants re-present a minor influence on the lake aquatic community.

Thermal discharges are a highly localized effect that may affect localized seasonal fish distribution, but no con-sistent species-specific distribution was identified with the thermal discharges. Direct mortality as a result of impingement and entrainment has had no appreciable effect on the fish populations as demonstrated by long-term abundances. Naturally occurring seasonal and yearly cycles account for most'f the variability observed in the monitored aquatic communities.

Supplement 2 2.4-33 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Endan ered S ecies Table 2.4-16 provides a list of the fish species classified by the NYSDEC as endangered or threatened. Only three species (longjaw cisco, shortnose sturgeon, and blue pj.ke) reported at one time in New York State or the Great Lakes are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered or threatened. These three are also present on the New York State list. Of the 15 species listed on the N.Y. State list, eight are located in areas outside of Lake Ontario. The remaining seven species have been reported from Lake Ontario by various researchers over the years. However, their behavior or low numbers have precluded all hut the lake chuhsucker (~Erim zcn sucetta) from occurrence from the nine-year lake sampling program or the impingement sampling at Unit 1 or the JAF plant. A single lake chubsucker was collected during the summer of 1975 in a seine haul conducted at the mouth of the Salmon River (approximately 5 km (8 mi j from the Nine Mile Point vicinity). The preference of this species for a shallow weedy habitat precludes species entrapment at the proposed offshore velocity cap intake.

Supplement 6 2.4>>34 March 1984

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS Commercial and S ort Fisheries of Lake Ontario Commercial fishery and sportfishing in Lake Ontario have un-dergone major changes with the reduction in abundance (and, in some cases, extin'ction) of many important species and the introduction of exotic game species'. Species com-position changes have shifted the emphasis of the commercial fishery from one that =relied on relatively small numbers of large, valuable fish to a fishery that captures large num-bers of small, lower value fish.

A wide variety of species are taken in sportfishing at various times and locations around the lake. Centrarchids, especially the smallmouth bass, as well as yellow perch, catfish, bullheads, and white perch are probably taken by sportfishermen over a broad area. Rainbow trout, northern pike, and muskellunge are important in restricted areas.

The walleye was once an abundant and popular sport fish, especially in the 1950s; however, it decreased in abundance after 1959 and is just recently returning to its previous levels.

Recently, large numbers of salmonids, including lake trout, splake, coho salmon, chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon, steel-head trout, and brown trout have been stocked in the lake to take advantage of the food base provided by the alewife and to create recreational fisheries. The coho, chinook, and brown trout, have survived well, and an important sport fishery on these species has developed. New York State has recently constructed a large hatchery for salmon production on the Salmon River, and large numbers of coho, chinook, and steelhead trout will be stocked in- the future.

2.4.2.2 Transmission Corridors and Offsite Areas The following description of the aquatic ecology of the transmission corridor is based on the Article VII Ap-plication filed with the New York State Public Service Com-mission in 1982' and on a field reconnaissance survey conducted in October 1981. The only aquatic habitats poten-tially affected are those that abut or are crossed by the existing transmission corridor which will be utilized for the new transmission line from Unit 2 to the Volney Sub-station site (Section 3.7)'~~'. 2 While the transmission corridor crosses several wetland habitats, drainage ditches, and intermittent streams, there Supplement 2 2.4-35 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS are only two prominent aquatic habitats encountered: an un-named stream (and tributaries) designated Ontario 62 by NYSDEC, and tributaries of Black Creek (Ontario 66).

Figure 2.4-4 shows the locations of these streams in relation to the transmission corridor. All streams encoun-tered have been designated Class D by NYSDEC. Class D waters are not considered to be conducive to the propagation of fish; however, the waters must be suitable for fish survival'oving southward from Units 1 and 2 along the transmission route, the first stream encountered is the main channel of the unnamed stream designated Ontario 62 (Figure 2.4-4).

This stream, with several small branches originating near Hammond's Corner, drains the farm and pastureland to the south and flows into Lake Ontario at the end of Lakeview Road. The transmission route crosses the stream about 0.5 km (0.3 mi) north of Miner Road. At this location, the stream flows through existing double 1.2-m (48-in) culverts.

During the 1981 field reconnaissance performed by Stone Webster Engineering Corporation, it was noted that several acres were flooded upstream of the culverts. In April 1977, Sc stream through the culverts. NYSDEC has noted that, any small stream in this area may have rainbow trout in the

~ l spring and brown trout (S. trutta) in the fall'~~' A very small branch of the stream (Ontario 62-3) is crossed twice by the transmission line farther to the south, once about, 0.7 km (0.4 mi) south of Miner Road where it. flows through a culvert. In October 1981, this stream was very shallow (about 5 cm [2 in] deep) and less than 1 m (3 ft) across.

It is crossed again about O.l km (0.06 mi) north of Middle Road, at which point no flows are likely during dry periods.

No information is available about the biota of this branch of the stream.

The second area of aquatic habitat along the transmission route is one of the main tributaries of Black Creek (Ontario 66-2) . Black Creek, originating in Volney and South Scriba, flows into the Oswego River north of'usion:

At the point where it is crossed by the existing and future transmission lines (about 0.1 km [0.06 mi] north of O'Conner Road), the tributary flows through a dredged channel. When viewed in October 1981 (following a period of rain), the stream was about 2.4 m (8 ft) wide, 15 cm (6 in) deep, and flowed at a rate of about 30 to 60 cm/sec (1 to 2 fps). The bottom consisted of gravel and silt. Trout have been reported to occur in this section of Black Creek'~~'.

Supplement 2 2. 4-36 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OI'S South of O'Conner Road and north of Hall Road, another tributary of Black Creek (Ontario 66-2-6) flows through a ditch along the center of the ezisting transmission line corridor, providing drainage for surrounding farm and pastureland. In October 1981, this ditch (about 1.8 m

[6 ft] deep) contained a stream about 1.2 m (4 ft) wide and 13 cm (5 in) deep. No information is available on the biota of this tributary of Black Creek.

There are no other prominent aquatic habitats along the transmission route from Unit 2 to the Volney Substation.

All other areas that were observed to contain water were small intermittent wetlands, streams, and drainage ditches.

None of these are likely to support an eztensive fish community, but probably provide breeding and nursery areas for some amphibians,and insects. No aquatic species on the federal list of endangered and threatened species' are known to inhabit the aquatic habitats crossed by the trans-mission route'~~'.

Supplement 2 2.4-37 June 1983

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS 2.4.3 References Bieber, A.; Bollenbacker, M. K.; Brown, J. D.; Dillon, T. A.; Dosch, D.; Elliott, C. J.; Giordano, A.; Meier, P. T.; and Smith, G. A. Habitat and Wildlife Inventory:

Guide to Coastal Zone Lands, Oswego County, New York.

Rice Creek Biological Field Station, Bulletin No. 4, 1976.

2. Gotie, R. P. Port Ontario Harbor Terrestrial Vertebrate Study. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, Cortland Office, NY, 1977.

3. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Napanee District Land Use Strategy: Background Information, Ministry of Natural Resources, 1980.

Telephone communication between T. Humberstone, Wildlife Officer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and G. Jacob, Stone 6 Webster Engineering MA, August 4, 1981.

Corporation,'oston,

5. Fish and Wildlife Service. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Republication, U.S.

Department of Interior, 44FR3635-3654, January 17, 1979.

6. Letter from P. Hamilton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Department of Interior, Cortland, NY, Septem-ber 24, 1982.

7. Telephone communication between R. Mitchell, New York State Botanist and G. Jacob, Stone Ec Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA, October 13, 1982.

8. Burt, W. H. and Grossenheider, R. P. Field Guide to the Mammals. Houghton MifflinCompany, Boston, MA, 1964.

9. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Environmental Report, Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, Unit 2, Construction Permit Stage, 1972.

10. Telephone communication between A. Hicks, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Endangered Species Unit, Delmar, NY, and G. Jacob, Stone Sc Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA, December 2, 1981.

11. Mohr, C. ED The Status of Threatened Species of Cave-Dwelling Bats. Bulletin, National Speleological Society Vol. 34, No. 2, p 33-47

'.4-38

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

12. Fenton, B. and Downs, C. M. A Study of Summer Populations of the Endangered Indiana Bat, otis sodali s, near Watertown, New York. NYSDEC Wildlife

~M Resource Center, .Delmar, NY, 1980.

13. Personal communication between Gary Jacobs, Stone 6 Web-ster Engineering Corporation, and Jack Moser, Wildlife Resource Center, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Delmar, NY, December 21, 1982.

14. Telephone communication between P. Nye, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Endangered Species Unit, and G. Jacob, Stone 6 Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA, April 9, 1982.

15. Endangered Species Unit. New York's Bald Eagle Restoration Project. New York State Department of En-vironmental Conservation, Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Pamphlet FW-P137(7/80), 1980.

16. Telephone communication between P. Bague, Cornell University Peregrine Release Program, and G. Jacob, Stone Sc Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA.

17. Smith, G. A. and Muir, D. G. Derby Hill Spring Mi-gration Update, The Kingbird Vol. 28, No. 1,, 1978, p 5-25.

18. Conant, R. A. Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern Northern America. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 1958.

19. Division of Fish 6 Wildlife. Significant Wildlife Habitats in New York. New York State Department of En-vironmental Conservation. No date.

20. Odum, E. P. Fundamentals of Ecology, Third Edition.

W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA, 1971.

21. Article VII Application for Proposed Nine Mile 2-Volney 4

765-kV Transmission Facility, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, March 1978.

22. Amended Article VII Application for Proposed Nine Mile 2-Volney 345-kV Transmission Facility, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, April 1982.

2.4-39

Nine. Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

23. Telephone communication between R. P. Gotie, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Cortland Office, and G. Jacob, Stone 6 Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA, December 7, 1981.

24. Letter from V. Gannon and M. Corey, Oswego County En-vironmental Management, Council, Oswego, NY, December 8, 1981 Letter from R. P. Gotie, New York State Department of

'5.

Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, Cortland Office, NY, November 6, 1981 Telephone communication between J. Proud, New York State

'6.

Department of Environmental Conservation, Cortland Office, and G. Jacob, Stone Sc Webster Engineering Corporation, Boston, MA, December 3, 1979 Quirk, Lawler Sc Matusky Engineers. 1973 Nine Mile Point

'7.

Aquatic Ecology Studies Nine Mile Point Generating Station. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the, State of New York, 1974.

28. Lawler, Matusky 6 Skelly Engineers. 1974 Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1975.

29. Lawler, Matusky 6 Skelly Engineers. 1975 Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1976.

30. Lawler, Matusky 6 Skelly Engineers. 1976 Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies. 2 Vols. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1977.

31. Texas Instruments, Inc. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies 1977 Annual Report. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1978 Texas Instruments,

'2.

Inc. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies 1978 Annual Report. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1979.

2.4-40

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

33. Texas Instruments, Inc. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies 1979 Annual Report. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1980.

34. Texas Instruments, Inc. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies 1980 Annual Report. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1981.

35. Texas Instruments, Inc. Nine Mile Point, Aquatic Ecology Studies 1981 Annual Report. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Power Authority of the State of New York, 1982.

36. Reinwand, J. F. Planktonic Diatoms of Lake Ontario. In Limnological Survey of Lake Ontario, 1964. Great. Lakes Fish. Comm. Tech. Rept., 1969, Vol. 14, p 19-26.

37. Nalewajko, C. Composition of the Phytoplankton in Sur-face Waters of Lake Ontario. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can.,

1966, Vol. 23, p 1715-1725.

38. Nalewajko, C. Phytoplankton Distribution in Lake Ontario. Proc. 10th Conf. Great Lakes Res., 1967, p 63-69.

39. Munawar, M. and Nauwerck, A. The Composition and Horizontal Distribution of Phytoplankton in Lake Ontario During the Year 1970. Proc. 14th Conf. Great Lakes Res., 1971, p 69-78.

40. Lawler, Matusky 6 Skelly Engineers. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Study Summary (1973-1981). Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 1982.

41. Munawar, M.; Stadelman, P.; and Munawar, I. F.

Phytoplankton Biomass, Species Composition, and Primary Production at a Near-Shore and a Mid-Lake Station of Lake Ontario During IFYGL. Proc. 17th Conf. Great Lakes, 1974, p 629-652.

42. Lawler, Matusky Ec Skelly Engineers. 316(a) Demon-stration Submission: NPDES Permit NY 0001015: Nine Mile Point Unit 1 ~ Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 1975.

2.4-41

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

43. Lawler, Matusky Sc Skelly Engineers. James A.

FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant 316(a) Demonstration Submission: Permit, NY 0020109. Prepared for Power Authority of the State of New York, 1977.

Smith, G. M. The Fresh-Water Algae of the United States. 2nd Edition. McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, 1950.

45 'utchinson, G. E. A Treatise on Limnology. Chapter II.

Introduction to I ake Geology and Limnoplankton. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1967.

46. Watson, N. H. F. and Carpenter, G. F. Seasonal Abun-dance of Crustacean Zooplankton and Net Plankton Biomass of Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario. J. Fish. Res. Bd.

Can., 1974, Vol. 31(3),, p 309-317.

47. Patalas, K. Composition and Horizontal Distribution of Crustacean Plankton in Lake Ontario. J. Fish. Res. Bd.

Can., 1969, Vol. 26, p 2135-2146.

48. Scott, W. B. and Crossman, E. J. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. Bull., 1973, Vol. 184.

49. Stoermer, E. F.; Bowman, M. M.; Kingston, J. C.; and Schaedel, A. L. Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance in Lake Ontario During IFYGL. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Monitor Ser., 1975, Vol. 660/3-75-004.

50. Boesch, DE F.; Wass, M. L.; and Virnstein, R. W. The Dynamics of Estuarine Benthic Communities. In M. Wiley (ed.), Estuarine Processes. Vol. I. Uses, Stresses, and Adaptation to the Estuary. Academic Press, New York, 1976.

51. Storr, J. F. Lake Ontario Fish Tag Report Summary 1972-1976. Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, 1977.

52. Scott, W. B. and Christie, W. J. The Invasion of Lower Great Lakes by the White Perch 'occus americanus (Gmelin). J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 1963, Vol .20(5), ~

p 1189-1195.

53. Hubb s, C. L. and Lagler, K. F. Fishes of the Great Lakes Region. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, MI, 1958.

2.4-42

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS

54. Christie, W. J. A Review of the Changes in the Fish Species Composition of Lake Ontario. Great Lakes Fish Comm. Tech. Rept., 1973, No 23. ~

55. New York Classification and Standards, Part 701, Title 6, Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations; amended February 21, 1974; September 20, 1974. Copyright 1975, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.

56. Telephone Communication between R. Unsworth and Leigh Lenard. Oswego County Environment Management Council. October 25, '1983.

Supplement 6 2.4-43 March 1984

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-1 PHYLOGENETIC SPECIES LIST OF PLANTS RECORDED DURING 1979 FIELD SURVEY UNIT 2 SITE AND ENVIRONS'~'ycopodiaceae Polypodiaceae Onoclea m"

sensibilis

~

Sensitive fern P "" "

Pinaceae Tsucaa canadensis Canadian hemlock Gramineae Grasses Cyperaceae Carex spp. Sedges Araceae Juncaceae

~Scir us spp.' Rushes Liliaceae Smilacinca racemosa -'alse Solomon's seal Trillium sp. - Trillium'~'--

Salicaceae

~po ulus srremuloides Quaking aspen Salix nicira Black willow 1 of 4

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-1 (Cont)

Juglandaceae

~Car a spp. Hickory Corylaceae Ainus sp. Alder Betula alle heniensis Yellow birch IBP"

~Car inus caroliniana Ironwood (American hornbeam)

Fagaceae 9

guercus velutina Black oak Ulmaceae Celtis occidenta'is Hackberry Polygonaceae Rumex acetosella Sheep sorrel Hamamelidaceae Rosaceae Amelanchier sp. Shadbush Potentilla canadensis Dwarf cinquefoil Prunus serotina Black cherry Malus sp. Apple Rubus spp. Blackberry Oxalidaceae Oxalis sp. Wood sorrel 2 of 4

Nine Mile Point, Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-1 (Cont)

Anacardiaceae, Rhus radicans Poison ivy Rhus ~t hing Staghorn sumac Aceraceae Acer saccharum Sugar maple Acer enns lvanicum Striped maple Acer rubrum Red maple Acer saccharinum Silver maple Balsaminaceae Vitaceae Vitis sp. Grape Umbelliferae Dau~s carota Wild carrot (Queen Anne's lace)

Cornaceae Comus amomum Silky dogwood Oleaceae Fraxinus americana White ash Verbenaceae Verbena sp. Vervain Scrophulariaceae Linaria ~i@gris Toadflax (butter-and-eggs)

Verbascum ~tha sus Common mullein Veronica officinalis Common speedwell Rubiaceae Mitchel la ~re ens Partridgeberry e 3 of 4

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-1 (Cont)

Caprifoliaceae Viburnum acerifolium Maple-leaved viburnum Viburnum dentatum Arrowood Compositae Ambrosia artemisiifolia Ragweed Aster spp. Aster Erechtites hieracifolia Pilewort Chr santhemum leucanthemum Ox-eye daisy Solidacpo altissima Tall goldenrod

See also Reference 1, Table 2.

'~'Plant protected by New York State Environmental Conserva-tion Law, Section 9-1503. These plants may not be picked, plucked, severed, removed, or carried away without consent of the property owner (NMPC).

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2 4-2

SUMMARY

OF OVERSTORY VEGETATION EARLY SECOND-GROWTH FOREST COVER TYPE TRANSECT 1 Relative Relative Dominance Relative Tree S ecies Density Density Frequency (Basal Area) Dominance importance Mean dbh Scientific Name Common Name ~stems/ha prepueutut ~a~a/ha Value ~cm Fraxinus americana White ash 58. 1 224. 26 90. 9 50- 0 5. 49 63 1 171 2 17 66 Malus sp. Apple 18. 6 71 79 45 4 24 9 1 68 19 3 62. 8 17. 31

~po ulnas Quaking aspen 16. 2 62. 53 27. 2 14 9 1 26 14 4 45. 5 16. 05 tremuloides Crataecrus sp. Hawthorn 6 9 26 63 18. 1 9.9 0 27 3 1 19.9 11 43 Total 99 8 99 7 8 7 99 9 299.4

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2 4-3

SUMMARY

OF OVERSTORY VEGETATION MIXED FOREST AND SHRUBLANDS COVER TYPE TRANSECT 2 Relative Relative Dominance Relative Tree S ecies Density Density Frequency (Basal Area) Dominance Importance Mean dbh Scientific Name Common Name ~stems/ha Preguency m~/ha Value ~cm Fraxinus americana White ash 35. 0 155. 0 40 20 2.2 21 2 76. 2 13 58 prunus serotina Black cherry 22. 5 99 7 50 25 1 92 18 5 66.0 15 65 Acer saccharum Sugar maple 10 0 44 3 30 15 3 57 34 4 59 4 32. 03 Malus sp. Apple 12. 5 55.4 20 10 0.62 5 9 28 4 11 99

~PO ulna Quaking aspen 10. 0 44 3 20 10 0 72 6.9 26.9 14. 34 tremuloides

~Tsu a canadensis Eastern 2.5 11 08 10 0. 66 6.3 13. 8 27. 68 hemlock

~nereus velutina Black oak 2 5 11 08 10 0 44 2 11.7 22 60 Betula ~ouliyolia Gray birch 2.5 11. 08 10 0 13 1 2 8 7 12. 19 Unknown 2.5 11 08 10 0. 10 0.9 8 4 10 92 Total 100 0 100 10.36 99 5 299. 5

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2 4-4

SUMMARY

OF OVERSTORY VEGETATION MIXED HARDROOD FOREST COVER TYPE TRANSECT 3 Relative Relative Dominance Relative Tree S cies Density Density Frequency (Basal Area) Dominance Importance Mean dbh Scientific Name Common Name ~% ~stems/ha Preiueuoy m~/ha ~ Value ~cm Acer saccharum Sugar maple 47 7 373.0 90 9 34. 5 6.74 24 5 106.7 37 07

~Po ulus Quaking aspen 15.9 124.3 54.5 20 7 8 20 29 8 66.4 29 04 tremuloides Eraxinus white ash 136 106 0 27 2 10e 3 3. 29 11 9 35 8 19 91 americana Betula Yellow birch 6 8 53 1 27 2 10 3 2 80 10- 1 27 2 26 03 Eacaus Beech 4 5 35.2 18 2 6 9 3 98 14 4 25 8 35 94 Nrandifolia setula Gray birch 68 53 1 27. 2 10. 3 1 80 6.5 23 6 20 91 Nonuiisooliilaa Salix nicira Black willow 22 172 9 0 3 4 0 45 1 6 7 2 18. 28 Acer rubrum Red maple 2 2 17 2 9 0 3~ 4 0 20 0 7 6 3 12 19 Total 99. 7 99. 8 27.46 99 5 299 0

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-5 SHALL-MAHMALTRAPPING RESULTS Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3 Transec 4 No. /100 No. /100 No./100 No. /100 Percent Mammal No ~Tra ni hts No. ~Tra ni h s No, ~rra ni h s No ~Tra ni h s ~oom osition

~Parce acus ~ieuco <<s 2 0.83 4 1.66 30 (White-footed mouse)

~Parce acus ~mancuia us 0.83 2.50 40 (Deer mouse)

~Za us hudsonicus 1. 25 15 (Meadow jumping-mouse)

Hicrotus enns Ivanicus 0.83 10 (Meadow vole)

Tamiasclurus hudsonicus 0.41

( Red squirrel)

KEY TO TRANSECTS:

1 = Early second-growth forest (24.9g) 2 = Transmission line ( 15.0$ )

3 = Mixed hardwood forest (50.0'g) 4 = Open field (9.9g) 1 of 1

'l Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2. 0-6 MAMMALIANSPECIES AND MAJOR HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS IN OSWEGO COUNTY COASTAL ZONE, 1976<>>

Mature Intermediate Shrub- New Aquatic

~secies scads Woods lands Field ~eetlands Moles Hairjj tail mole<i,

Smoky shrew N. water shrew Thompson's pygmy shrew Least shrew Shorttail shrew<<t>>

Bats Silver-haired bat<<,>> X X X Keen' myotisc i> X X X Small-footed myotis X X E. Pipistrelle<> X X Big brown bat<> X X Indiana myotis X X Carnivores Shorttail weasel<<,~>

Longtail weasel<<,i>

Mink<

Gray fox<<i Bobcat Coyote River otter 1 of 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-6 (Cont)

Mature . Intermediate Shrub- New Aquatic

~secies Woods Woods lands Field dse~edacds S uirrels and Relatives Red squirrel<i,>> X X E. gray squirrel<<,~> X X E. chipmunk<<,~> X X S. flying squirrel<>> X X N. flying squirrel<

Prairie deermouseci) X X White-footed mouse<<,<> X X X Woodland jumping mouse<<t<> X X X Meadow jumping mouse<<,>> X X X Meadow vole<<,>> X X Boreal redback vole~i,~i X Pine vole X X House mouse and Norway Associated with human habitats rat<< ~

Miscellaneous E. cottontail<i,ii X X Snowshoe hare X X Striped skunk<<,i> X X Porcupine<i,~i X X Muskrat<~,>>

Virginia opossum<i,>>

Woodchuck<<,ii Beaver<

<<~Species likely to occur in 1.6-km (1-mi) radius of Unit 2.

<>>Designates species that were captured or observed during Oswego inventory.

SOURCE: Reference 1 2 of 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2. 4-7 GAME AND FURBEARER SPECIES OF IMPORTANCE IN OSWEGO COUNTY Estimated Harvest Common Name Scientific Name 1980-81 Game S ecies Eastern cottontail 69, 642 Ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus 57,970 Woodcock ~Socio ax minor 11,283 Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis 72,365 Varying hare ~Le us americanus 20,620 Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus 14,395 Raccoon ~Proc on inter 39,684 Red fox V~ul es fulva 2,334 Gray fox ~Uroc on cinereoar enteus 2,334 Coyote Canis latrans sp. 389 Common snipe Virginia rail Rallus limicola 2.723 Sora rail Porzana carolina Gallinule 0 Crow Corvus brach rh nchos 0 White-tailed deer (380)(2)

Canada goose Branta canadensis 31,903 (2,575)'3i Approximately 28 species 90, 262 of waterfowl (15,141)'3'urbearer S ecies Mink Mustela vison 2, 897 Muskrat Beaver Ondatra zibethica Castor canadensis ill, 435 (322) ( 2 )

River otter Lutra canadensis (8)(2)

Raccoon ~Proc on later 23,416 Striped skunk ~Me hitis ~me hitis 3,530 Red fox V~ul es fulva 4,307 Gray fox proc on cinereoar enteus 3 '71 1 of 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-7 (Cont)

Estimated Harvest Common Name Scientific Name 1980-81<~'oyote Canis latrans, sp. (26)<a>

Fisher Martea pennanti (19)<a>

Bobcat ~Lnx rufus (0)<2)

Opossum 5,703

'Game species survey area includes the Lake Plain physiographic region within Region 7 of NYSDEC.

Furbearer species survey area includes all of Region 7.

'Survey area includes licensed trappers in Oswego County only.

'Waterfowl harvested in Oswego County.

NOTE: Importance defined by protection through regu-lated hunting and trapping seasons established by NYSDEC.

SOURCES: References 2 and 25 2 of 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 CHECKLIST OF AVIAN SPECIES AND THEIR OCCURRENCE IN OSWEGO COUNTY COASTAL ZONE

~sec ice Common Name Sea sona I Status Gav a immer Common loon W H eau e ~s ella a Red-throated loon H

~Pod ce s ~rise ena Red-necked grebe H

~fod ce s auri tus Horned grebe W H

~Pod l mbus ~od i ca s Pied-billed grebe 8 W H Pulmarus Blacialis Northfulmar fulmar V Pelecanus occidental is Brown pel ican V Phalacrocorax carbo Great cormorant V phalacrocorax a~ul'i us Double-crested corm orant W H S Ardea herodias Great blue heron M S

~eu orides str atua Green heron 8 M Flor da caerulea Little blue heron V Bubu cus ibis Cattle egret H Casmerodius albus Great egret H S

~dretta thule Snowy egret V

~Hdramassa tricolor Louisiana heron V

~ll cticorax ~nc icorax Black-crowned night heron H S

~lxobr cus exl is Least bittern 8 H American bittern 8 M

~Ple adis rale nel los Glossy ibis V Canus otor Mute swan V Olo columbianus .Whistling swan M

~Bran a cansdensis Canada goose 8 W M Branta bernicla Brant H Chen caerulescens Snow goose H Ha I lard 8 W H Anas ~rubr es Black duck 8 W M Anas ~stre era Gadwall W M Anas acuta Pintail W H Anas crecca Green-winged teal H Anas discors Blue-winged teal 8 M Anas americana American widgeon H Anas c~l eats Northern shoveler H Aix s onsa Wood duck 8 H

~A~h americana Redhead W H

~Ash co I a ris Ring-necked duck H

~At~h va I sineria Canvasback W H

~Ash mar la Greater scaup W H

~At~h aff nis Lesser scaup W H A~t~ha ~fu i << la Tufted duck V

~ence naia ~clan uia Common g rack I e W H

~ence hale islandica Barrow's goldeneye W M 1 of 7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~eec ice Common Name Seasona I a us

~B<<ce hats a loco la Bufflehead W

~lan ula ~hams is Oldsquaw W Histrionicus h strionicus Harlequin duck V Somateria mol I ss ma Common eider V Somateria ~sectah i is King eider W Melan rta d~e land White-winged scoter W Melan tta ers ic I lata Surf scoter W Melan tta nicira Black scoter W

~ox ura jamaicensis Ruddy duck W

~to hod tes ~c<<cells us Hooded merganser W M~ar <<s ~mer sneer Common merganser W M~er <<s serrator Red-breasted merganser W Catha tes aura Turkey vulture 8 CoracrOps atra tus Black vulture V slane des ~rorfica <<s Swallow-tailed kite V A~co ter Gentii is Goshawk W M A~co ter ~stria us Sharp-shinned hawk 8 W H A~cc iter choo erii Cooper's hawk 8 W H

~eu eo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk 8 W M Buteo lineatus Red-shouldered hawk M a<<tao ~lac rerus Broad-winged hawk 8 H Buteo swa insoni Swainson's hawk V euteo ~ia o us Rough-legged hawk W H A~ui la c~hr saetos Golden eagle M Ha liaeetus leucoce halus Bald eagle W M S

<<i rcus c~aneus Ma rsh hawk 8 H Pandion ha I iaetus Osprey H S Fa leo rusticolus Gyrfa Icon V Fa co ~ere rinus Peregrine falcon M Fa co columba rius Meri in Fa co ~sar<<eries American kestrel 8 W H Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant Grus canadensis Sandhill crane V Ra llus limicola Virginia rail 8 H Porzana carol ina So ra 8 H Ga I I inula ~chl ore <<s Common gallinule 8 H Fulica americana American coot W M Cha radr us semi a Imatus Semipa lmated plover H Cha radr us melodus Piping plover H Cha radr us vociferus Killdeer 8 M Pul via I s dominica American golden plover H Pulvia I s ~sua arola Black-bellied plover M Arenaria ~inter res Ruddy turnstone M Philohela minor American woodcock 8 M 2of7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~aectes Common arne Seasonal atus

~Ca ella ~al I ina o Common snipe H Numenius ~haeo <<s Whimbre I H

~ear ramie ~Ion icauda Upland sandpiper H

~Ac is macularla Spotted sandpiper M

~Tr n a sol i teria Solitary sandpiper H

~Tr n a melanoleuca Greater yellowlegs H

~Tr n a ~f la<<i es Lesser yellowlegs H Willet V Ca ladr s canutus Red knot H Ca ladr s ~mari ima Purple sandpiper M Ca ladr s melanotos Pectora I sandpiper H Ca ladr s fuscicollis Wh i te- rump ed sandpiper H Ca ladr s bairdii Baird's sandpiper H Ca ladr s minutilla Least sandpiper H Ca lad r s ~al ina Ounlin H Ca I adr a p<<s I is Semipa Imated sandpiper H Ca ladr s mauri Western sandpiper H Caladr s alba Sander I ing H L mnodromus gr acus Short-billed dowitcher M L mnodromus ~sco le ace<<a Long-billed dowitcher H

~Nero slams ~<<mant<< <<s Stilt sandpiper H

~Tr n es subruficollis Buff-breasted sandpiper H Limosa fedoa Marbled godwit V Limosa ~haemas ica Hudsonian godwit H

~fhalaro <<s ful carius Red phalarope H

~Ste sno us tricolor Wilson's phalarope H

~Lob es I<<bat<<a Northern phalarope H Stercorar us gomarinus pomarine jaeger M Stercorar us paresis icus parasitic jaeger H Stercorar <<s ~ton casu<<a Long-tailed jaeger V Larus ~barbarous Glaucous gull W H Larus glee<<<<ides Iceland gull W M t.a rus ma r inus Great black-backed gull W M S Larus ~ar en a <<s Herrin~ gull W M S Larus ~tha eri Thayer s gull W La rus de I awa rens i s Ring-billed gull W H S Larus rid bundus Black-headed gull V Larus atr ci I la Laughing gull V La rue ~xcan Franklin's gull M S Bonapartes gull H S Larus minutus Little gull M R ssa ~tridact la Black-legged kittiwake H Sterna ~fors eri Forster's tern H Sterna hirundo Common tern H Sterna ~cas ia Caspian tern M 3of7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~secies Common Name Sea sona I Status Chlidonias ~ni er Black tern 8 M Columba livia Rock dove R Zenaida macroura Hourning dove 8 W M

~coco zes americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo 8 M

~Cocc zus e thro ha lmus Black-billed cuckoo 8 M Otus asio Screech owl Bubo ~vir inianus Great horned owl

~Hc ea scendiaca Snowy owl W M Strix varia Barred owl 8 W H As o otus Long-eared owl W M S As o f lammeus Short,-eared owl M A~callus funereus Boreal owl V A~eol ius acadicus Saw-whet owl W C~ar mul <<s vociferus Whippoorwill M Chor.eiles minor Common nighthawk 8 M Cnaetura ~eia ca Chimney swift 8 M Archilochus colubris Ruby-throated hummingbird 8 M Neceacer le ~ale on Belted kingfisher 8 W M

~Cola tes auratus Common flicker 8 M

~or oco us ~iles us Pileated woodpecker

~xelaner es carol inus Red-bellied woodpecker

~Melaner es er threes holus Red-headed woodpecker 8

~eh ra icus varius Yellow-bellied sapsucker P coides villosus Hairy woodpecker 8 W P co des Bubescens Downy woodpecker 8 W p co des a~re cus Black-backed three-toed V woodpecker T~ranncs ~trannus Eastern kingbird 8 M

~xiarchus crinitus Great crested flycatcher 8 M ornis phoebe Eastern phoebe 8 M Ye I I ow-be I I i ed f I yea tche r

~Sa

~Em idonax flaviventris M

~Em donax virescens Acadian flycatcher V

~Em idonax trail I i i Wi I low flycatcher 8 M

~Em idonax a lnorum Alder flycatcher 8 H

~Em idonax minimus Least flycatcher 8 M C~onto us v rene Eastern wood pewee 8 H Nuttal lornis borealis Olive-sided flycatcher M

~Eremo hi la ~al es ris Horned lark 8 W M

~Trido rocne bicolor Tree swa I low 8 M

~Rar a ~ri ar a Bank swa I low 8 M S el ido ter x ruficollis Rough-winged swa I low 8 M H rundo rustica Barn swa I low 8 M Petrochel don BErrhonota Cliff swallow M

~Pro ne subis Purple martin 8 M

~Canocitta cristata Blue jay 8 W M 4of7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~secies Common Name Seasonal Status Corvus corax Common raven V Corvus brach rh nchos Common crow B W H Parus atrica i I lus Black-capped chickadee B W H Parus hudsonicus Borea I chickadee W H Parus bicolor Tufted titmouse B W H

~SI a carol inensis White-breasted nuthatch B W M Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch B W H Certhia fami I iaris Brown creeper B W M

~Tro lod tes aedon House wren B M

~Too lod tes ~ro lod tes Winter wren B M

~fhr othorus ludovicianus Carolina wren B W H cistothorus palustris Long-billed marsh wren B H Himus gcollloottttuuss Mockingbird H Dumetella carolinensis Gray catbird B H Toxostoma rufum Brown thrasher B M Turdus ~mi ratorius Amer ican robin B W H

~Havoc chla ~mus el ina Wood thrush B H catharus gout<<sue Hermit thrush H oathares ~<<st<<la <<s Swainson's thrush M Catharus minimus Gray-cheeked thrush H Catharus fuscescens Vee ry B H Sial ia sial is Eastern bluebird B M

~relic t ia caerutea Blue-gray gnatcatcher B H Relllltus ~astra a Golden-crowned kinglet B W H Rereulus calendula Ruby-crowned kinglet H

~an hus ~sino letta Water pipit H B~omb cilia garrulus Bohemian waxwing W M

~Bomb ci I la cedrorum Cedar waxwing B W M Lan us ~excubi or Northern shrike W M Lanius Iudovicianus Loggerhead shrike H arum<<a ~vugg ar s Starl ing R H V reo flavifrons Yel low-throated vireo B H V reo sol itarius Sol itary vireo H V reo ol ivaceus Red-eyed vireo H V reo hi ladel hicus Philadelphia vireo H V reo g Ivus Warbl ing vireo H Hnioti I lta var Ia Black-and-white warbler M Protonotaria citrea Prothonotary warbler V

~Helm heros vermivorus Worm-eating warbler V Verm vora c~hr so tera Golden-winged warbler H Ve rm vora ~inus Blue-winged warbler M Ve rm vora ~ere rina Tennessee wa rb le r M Verm vora celata Orange-crowned warbler H Verm vora ~rufica illa Nashvi I le warbler M Parula americana Northern parula H 5of7

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~aecies Common Name Seasona I Status Oendroica petechia Yel low warbler Oendroica ~ma nolle Magnol ia warbler Dendroica ~i rina Cape May warbler Oendroica caerulescens Black-throated blue wa rb le r Oendroica ~corona a Yellow-rumped warbler W Oendroica virens Black-throated green 8 wa rb I er Oendro ca cerulea Cerulean warbler H Oendro ca fusca Blackburnian warbler M Oendro ca dominica Yellow-throated warbler V Oendro Chestnut-sided warbler M Oendro ca castanea Bay-breasted warbler Dendro ca ~sr ata Blackpol I warbler H Oendro ca prnus Pine warbler H Oendro ca discolor Prairie warbler V Oendro ca galmarum Palm warbler H Ovenbird M Se urus noveboracensis Northern waterthrush M Se urus motacilla Louisiana waterthrush V

~Goree s alt I is Connecticut warbler H

~corno s h ladel hia Mourning warbler H

~Geo th I is trichas Common yellowthroat H W I son a citrrna Hooded warbler H W Ison a pus I la Wilson's warbler M W Ison a canadensis Canada warbler H

~Se >~o>hara rutici I la American redstart H Passer domesticus House sparrow

~pc I i on x o~rzivorus Bobolink 8 M Sturne I I a ~arcana Eastern meadowlark 8 W H

~aurne I I a nece I acta Western meadowlark 8 V

~Ae la us phaeniceus Red-winged blackbird 8 W M Icterus ~surius Orchard oriole V

~lc erus ga ionia Northern oriole 8 M

~Eu ha <<s carol nus Rusty blackbird M guiscatus gulscula Common grackle 8 W Molothrus ater Brown-headed cowbird 8 W M

~Pil'an a olivacea Scarlet tanager 8 H Cardinalis cardinal is Cardina I

~pheon icos I idovicianus Rose-breasted grosbeak 8 Passerine c~anea Indigo bunting 8

~Siza americana Oickcissel V Evening grosbeak W

~Car odacus ~ur ursus Purple finch 8 W

~car odacus mexicanus House finch V 6of7

Nine Hi le Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-8 (Cont)

~zecies Common Name Seasonal S atus Pinicola enucleator Pine grosbeak W M Carduel s hornemannii Hoa ry redpo I I Carduel s flammea Common redpoll W H Ca rd uel s ginus Pine siskin W H Ca rd ue I s tristis American goldfinch B W H Lox a curvirostra Red crossbill W H Lox a ~leuco tera White-winged crossbill W H

~pi I o er thro h ha lmus Rufous-sided towhee B H Passerculus sandwichensis Savannah sparrow B M Ammodramus savanna rum Grasshopper sparrow B H Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's sparrow B M

~samos iza caudacuta Sharp-tailed sparrow V Pooecetes ramineus Vesper sparrow B H dunce ~hema I is Dark-eyed junco B W H

~ate l la aroo res Tree spa rrow W H

~stella passerine Chipping sparrow B H

~ate l la da I I ida Clay-colored sparrow

~Szet a pus i ta Field sparrow B M zonotr ch a pustule Harris's sparrow M Zonotr ch a ~leuco hr s White-crowned sparrow H Zonotr ch a albicol I is White-throated sparrow B W M Passerel la i I iaca Fox spa r row

~neios za I inco lni I Lincoln's sparrow H

~halos za ~ocr ana Swamp spa rrow B M

~helot za melod a Song spa rrow B W H Ca lear us ~la onicus Lapland longspur W H Plectro henax niva lis Snow bunting W KEY: R = Resident H = Migrant B = Breeder V = Vagrant W = Winterer S = Summering nonbreeder SOURCE: Reference 1 7of7

n Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2 0-9 GENERALIZED HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF MAJOR BREEDING SPECIES IN THE VICINITY OF UNIT 2 Lake Ontario Littoral and Shore Killdeer Belted kingfisher Rough-winged swallow Spotted sandpiper Bank swallow Barn swallow sasshes Pied-billed grebe Blue-winged teal Black tern Least bittern Marsh hawk Long-billed marsh wren American bittern Virginia rail Common yellowthroat Canada goose Sora Red-winged blackbird Mallard Common gallinule Swamp sparrow Black duck Common snipe Other Wetlands Pied-billed grebe Blue-winged teal American woodcock Green heron Wood duck Common snipe American bittern Turkey vulture Belted kingfisher Canada goose Marsh hawk Alder flycatcher Mallard Virginia rail Red-winged blackbird Black duck Common gallinule Swamp sparrow Swam Woodlands and Ve Wet Woods Wood duck Barred owl Northern waterthrust Screech owl Other Woodlands Sharp-shinned hawk<<> Least flycatcher Red-eyed vireo Cooperls hawk Eastern wood peewee Black-and-white warbler Red-tailed hawk Blue jay Black-throated green Broad-winged hawk Black-capped chickadee warbler<

Great horned owl Brown creeper Pine warbler Ruby-throated hummingbird Winter wren<< > Ovenbird Pileated woodpecker Wood thrush Hooded warbler Red-bellied woodpecker Veery canada warbler Red-headed woodpecker Blue-gray gnatcatcher American redstart Hairy woodpecker Golden-crowned Northern oriole Downy woodpecker kinglet<>> Scarlet tanager Great crested flycatcher Yellow-throated vireo Rose-breasted grosbeak 1 of 2

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-9 (Cont) shrublands Red-tailed hawk Willow flycatcher Chestnut-sided warbler American kestrel Blue jay Common yellowthroat Ring-necked pheasant House wren Cardinal American woodcock Gray catbird Indigo bunting Mourning dove Brown thrasher Rufous-sided towhee Yellow-billed cuckoo American robin Dark-eyed junco Black-billed cuckoo Cedar waxwing Chipping sparrow Ruby-throated hummingbird Golden-winged warbler White-throated sparrow Common flicker Blue-winged warbler Song sparrow Downy woodpecker Yellow warbler Active Farmlands and Associated Areas Red-tailed hawk Barn swallow Eastern meadowlark American kestrel Purple martin<>> Red-winged blackbird King-necked pheasant Common crow Common grackle Killdeer House wren Brown-headed cowbird Upland sandpiper American robin American goldfinch Mourning dove Eastern bluebird Savannah sparrow Common flicker Starling Grasshopper sparrow Eastern kingbird Warlling vireo Henslow's sparrow Eastern phoebe Yellow warbler Vesper sparrow Horned lark Common yellowthroat Chipping sparrow Tree swallow House sparrow Field sparrow Residential and Develo ed Areas Rock dove Eastern phoebe House sparrow Common nighthawk American robin Red-winged blackbird Chimney swift Starling Common grackle

<<~Present only in mixed areas with hemlock and/or other conifers present.

<<>Present only in mixed areas with pine present.

<>>Breeds only adjacent to water.

SOURCE: Reference 1 2 of 2

Nine Mile Point, Unit. 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-10 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS FOR AVIAN SPECIES OCCURRING DURING NONBREEDING SEASONS IN THE VICINITY OF UNIT 2 Lake Ontario Wet- Wood- Shrub- Farm- Developed

~seciee Shore Lands Lands Lands Lands Areas Common loon Red-throated loon Red-necked grebe X Horned grebe X Pied-billed grebe Double-crested comorant Great blue heron X X Green heron X X Cattle egret X X Great egret X Black-crowned night heron X Least bittern X American bittern Whistling swan X X Canada goose X X Brant X Snow goose X X Mallard X X Black duck X X Gadwall X X Pintail X X Green-winged teal Blue-winged teal American widgeon Northern shoveler X X Wood duck X X Redhead X X 1 oS 10

Nine Mile Point Unit 2 ER-OLS TABLE 2.4-10 (Cont)