MIG 2 Water Quality and Quantity Study Plan

MIG 2 - Water Quality and Quantity Study Plan Review April 2, 2008

MIG 2 Agenda Ø Introductions Ø Comments Received Ø Summary of Revisions to the MIG 2 Draft Study Plans Ø Next Steps in the Process

MIG 2 Studies Ø Water Quality Ø Location of NPDES Permits Ø Erosion and Sedimentation Ø Water Quantity, Water Use, and Water Withdrawals

MIG 2 Study Plan Commenters Ø LM HOBO Ø ARA Ø WWF Ø USFWS Ø ADCNR Ø Will Denton

Study Plan 1 Water Quality Study Plan MIG 2 Water Quality and Quantity

Study Goals Ø Prepare an adequate baseline of water quality information for Lake Martin and the Project tailrace. Ø Develop a Plan to evaluate any proposed Project operation changes identified during relicensing.

Study Methodology Ø If review of the project operations and downstream flood analyses identifies a potential increase to the winter rule curve or change to the amount of time the summer rule curve is in effect at Lake Martin, the implementation of that change and any potential impacts to water quality of the project will need to be analyzed. Ø Continuation of Baseline Water Quality Sampling l APC will continue their collection of water quality sampling on the lake and tailrace to be used in development of the 401 water quality certification application. Ø Analysis of Nutrient Levels in Lake Martin l Nutrient levels in the lake may need to be addressed in relation to lake classifications. If so, APC will examine nutrient inputs into the lake in relation to observed lake productivity. This will be developed with ADEM and with the MIG 2 as deemed necessary.

Revisions to Study Methodology Ø APC will continue to collect water quality sampling on the lake and tailrace to be used in development of the 401 water quality certification application. Ø If necessary, nutrient levels in the lake may be reviewed in relation to lake classification.

Study Plan 2 Location of NPDES Permits on Lake Martin MIG 2 Water Quality and Quantity

Study Goal Ø Develop a list of all NPDES permits on Lake Martin and identify their location and pollutant load.

Study Methodology Data Collection Techniques Ø Existing information will be used to facilitate data collection for this study. First, a request for up to date NPDES data from the ADEM will be made. Ø Once a list of NPDES permit locations is complete and other existing literature has been complied and reviewed, a draft report will be issued to Martin Issue Group (MIG) 2 for their review and comment. The report will include a list of the NPDES locations, owners, and effluent limits. Comments received from MIG 2 will be incorporated into a final report. Data Analysis Ø Other than a literature review, there will be no data analysis associated with this study. The GIS overlays may be compared with areas of Lake Martin experiencing water quality problems to better understand the impacts of discharges.

Revisions to Study Methodology Ø The report will include a list of the NPDES locations, owners, and effluent.

Study Plan 3 Erosion & Sedimentation MIG 2 Water Quality and Quantity

Study Goals Ø Identify “hot spot” erosion areas on the lake or tailrace. Ø Investigate some tributaries for “headcutting”. Ø Identify areas that currently have or could potentially have nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Study Methodology Erosion Hotspot Data Collection and Analysis Ø Sedimentation Area Data Collection and Analysis Ø

Revisions to Study Methodology Tributary headcutting will be investigated on at least two of the larger tributaries of the lake. Ø Sedimentation areas will be identified with LIDAR and photography information on the lake. Ø Some verification through field observations. Ø Surveys for nuisance aquatic vegetation. Ø

Study Plan 4 Water Quantity, Water Use, and Water Withdrawals MIG 2 Water Quality and Quantity

Study Goals Ø Provide a list of current water withdrawals from Lake Martin. Ø Provide a description of the process used to permit water withdrawals.

Study Methodology Ø Data Collection Ø Data Analysis

Revisions to Study Methodology Ø There have been no substantive changes to the November 2007 Draft Study plan.

Next Steps in the Process Summary and FERC Process

Summary Ø Draft Study Plans filed with PAD & NOI - June 2008 Ø Comments due on PAD (including Study Plans) - September 2008 Ø Final Study Plans filed with FERC- November 2008 Ø Stakeholders have the opportunity to file their recommended changes to APC’s Final study plans - December 08 – February 09

FERC Study Plan Process APC files NOI & PAD (June 2008) 60 Days FERC Issues SD 1 30 FERC holds Scoping Meetings Comments on 30 PAD, SD 1 & Study Requests 45 APC Files Proposed Study Plan (November 2008) 90 Comments on Study Plan 60 FERC Study Plan Approval (April 2009) 90 Study Dispute Resolution (if necessary)