LOON FLOATING NEST PLATFORMS 2013 ANNUAL … Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report CONTENTS BAK SA 507 Annual Report 2013.Docx 30 January 2015 PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric

BAK SA 507 Annual Report 2013.Docx Baker River Hydroelectric Project PUGET SOUND ENERGY 30 January 2015

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ARTICLE 507

LOON FLOATING NEST PLATFORMS 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

REPORTING PERIOD JANUARY 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2013

BAKER RIVER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT FERC No. 2150

January 2015

Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report CONTENTS

BAK SA 507 Annual Report 2013.Docx 30 January 2015 PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page ii

CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................... 1 3.0 Activity Report .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2

3.1 Loon Surveys ................................................................................................................................................................... 2 3.2 Platform Maintenance Activities ..................................................................................................................................... 10

3.3 Design and Planning Activities ....................................................................................................................................... 13

3.4 Documents Submitted .................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.0 Accounting .............................................................................................................................................................................. 14

5.0 Agency Comments ................................................................................................................................................................. 14

5.1 Distribution List ............................................................................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Cover Message .............................................................................................................................................................. 15

5.3 Summary of Reviewer Replies ....................................................................................................................................... 15

List of Tables Table 1. Summary of Baker Lake and Lake Shannon loon observations in 2013. .......................................................................... 4

Table 2. Draft Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report reviewers. ............................................................................... 14

List of Figures Figure 1. Map of Baker Lake loon observations during 2013. ......................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations during 2013. .................................................................................................... 7

Figure 3. Map of Baker Lake loon observations, 2009-2013. ........................................................................................................... 8 Figure 4. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations, 2009-2013. ...................................................................................................... 9

Figure 5. Bear Creek loon nest platform, June 11, 2013. .............................................................................................................. 11

Figure 6. Anderson Creek loon nest platform April 25, 2013. ........................................................................................................ 12 Figure 7. Anderson Creek nest platform, June 25, 2013. .............................................................................................................. 12

Figure 8. Noisy Creek loon platform, June 25, 2013. ..................................................................................................................... 13

Figure 9. E-mail message from PSE accompanying the draft report. ............................................................................................ 15

BAK SA 507 Annual Report 2013.Docx 30 January 2015 PUGET SOUND ENERGY Baker River Hydroelectric Project Page 1

1.0 Executive Summary This Loon Floating Nest Platform annual report reviews Puget Sound Energy’s actions in 2013 to implement settlement agreement article 507, “Loon Floating Nest Platforms,” for the Baker River Hydroelectric Project License, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) No. 2150. This report is consistent with the SA 507 Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan prepared by Puget Sound Energy, and reviewed by the Terrestrial Resource Implementation Group (TRIG).

This report summarizes the activities conducted in 2013 in accordance with SA 507, which included:

• Installation of the Lake Shannon platform in its new location. • Maintenance of the Baker Lake platforms. • Twice-monthly monitoring of loon activity on both Project reservoirs during the

loon nesting season (April 1 – July 31). No loons were observed using the platforms, and no loon nesting attempts were observed during the reporting period.

• Twice-monthly monitoring of the access restriction devices during the loon nesting surveys.

• Planning activities for the replacement of the Noisy Creek platform. • Development and TRIG review of the SA 507 annual report for 2012. • Development and TRIG review of the SA 507 monitoring report for 2013.

Funding expenditures in 2013 pertaining to SA 507 activities listed above are outlined in section 4 of this report.

2.0 Introduction This report has been prepared for the Baker River Hydroelectric Project (the Project), and documents activities conducted in 2013 to implement settlement agreement article 507 (SA 507), “Floating Loon Nest Platforms,” consistent with the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan. The goal of SA 507 is to provide habitat features that will improve the potential for loon nesting on the Baker River Project reservoirs, with the hope of establishing nesting use and increasing the nesting loon population in western Washington.

The objectives of the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan are to:

• Install and maintain three floating nest platforms on Project reservoirs for at least 15 years, depending on the success of the platforms.

• Install and maintain informational and access restriction devices such as log booms, buoys, signs, or other devices.

• Monitor common loon activity on the Project reservoirs twice monthly during each annual nesting season (April 1 – July 31) for 15 years, and to continue annual monitoring if the nest platform program is continued past year 15.

Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report Activity Report


• Determine the program’s effectiveness after 15 years. • Install three additional nesting platforms if the TRIG verifies that common loons

have been nesting successfully.

This annual report summarizes the activities conducted under SA 507 in 2013, including monitoring activities, platform maintenance, design and planning activities, documents prepared, issues and resolution, and accounting. Monitoring activities were coordinated with the Terrestrial Resource Implementation Group (TRIG), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in particular. Regular monitoring updates were provided to the TRIG during the 2013 nesting season.

3.0 Activity Report This section describes the actions taken under SA 507 during the reporting period to implement the Loon Floating Nest Platform Plan. These activities include surveying the reservoirs during the loon nesting season, recording loon observation data, monitoring the effectiveness of the no-wake buoys in restricting boater activity in and around nest platform buffer areas, maintaining the platforms and access restriction devices, designing and planning activities, and documents submitted during the reporting period.

3.1 Loon Surveys This section describes the study area, methods, and results of the 2013 loon surveys, and provides a summary of the data recorded during the nesting season.

3.1.1 Study Area The study area monitored under SA 507 includes the two Baker River Project reservoirs, Lake Shannon and Baker Lake. Figures 1 and 2 show locations of loon observations recorded during the 2013 nesting season.

There is one platform located on Lake Shannon near the mouth of Bear Creek, and two platforms located on Baker Lake, at Anderson Creek and Noisy Creek. The Anderson Creek nest platform is located on the east side of Baker Lake across from the Kulshan boat launch, and the Noisy Creek platform is located on the southeastern shore at the north end of Baker Lake. Both Baker Lake platforms remain in place year-round. The Lake Shannon platform has been deployed each year prior to the beginning of the loon nesting season (April 1) and removed after the nesting season concludes (July 31). Starting in 2014, the platform will remain in place year-round.

3.1.2 Survey Methods Survey methods were developed in consultation with the TRIG. Surveys were conducted by boat twice monthly during the loon nesting season, April 1 through July 31. Each survey consisted of a broad boat circuit of each of the project reservoirs, alternating the order in which the reservoirs were surveyed when possible to try to survey both reservoirs equally in morning and afternoon. The two reservoirs were not equally surveyed in both morning and afternoon in 2012, in order to accommodate Lower Baker floating surface collector (FSC) construction activities at the Lake Shannon boat launch associated with SA 105, “Downstream Fish Passage Implementation Plan.” Baker Lake



was surveyed more frequently in the morning, and Lake Shannon was surveyed more often in the afternoon.

Typically, two surveyors conducted each survey, monitoring both reservoirs for loon activity and recording observations, which were also plotted on a map. Observation data included location, number of birds, age class, behavior, time of day, weather, and any additional information. The loon nest platforms were examined during each survey for signs of nesting activity or use by wildlife. The nest platforms and no-wake buffer zones were also monitored to determine the effectiveness of no-wake zone buoys in restricting boaters. Any observations of boating activity in or around the platform buffer zones were recorded. The data was recorded on forms developed by Puget Sound Energy and approved by the TRIG.

3.1.3 Results and Discussion Although no nesting attempts by loons on Project reservoirs have been documented, loons have been observed frequently during the nesting season. The results of the 2013 loon nesting season are consistent with this. The data recorded during the 2013 loon survey season is presented in table 1, and is mapped in section 3.1.5.

Eighteen loon observations were made on the project reservoirs during the 2013 loon nesting season, between April 9 and July 31. Twenty-two loons were sighted during the surveys, and four more were observed incidentally after the conclusion of the survey season. No loons were observed on the nest platforms, on the shore, or near shore, although one loon was observed near the Noisy Creek platform during the nesting season and a few were sighted near the Bear Creek platform after the nesting season.

In 2013, loon observations were spread more evenly throughout the season and between the two reservoirs than they were in 2012. In 2012, loons were not observed on Lake Shannon until after the beginning of the fishing season on Baker Lake. In 2013, loons were observed on both reservoirs throughout the season, with additional loons observed incidentally near the Bear Creek platform during an osprey nest survey on August 29, 2013.

Canada geese attempted to nest on the Lake Shannon platform at Bear Creek, but the nest failed. Cause of the nest failure is unknown. The Baker Lake loon platforms were not used by Canada geese for nesting during the 2013 season, although the Noisy Creek platform did show signs of use by geese.

The loon nest platform program began on Lake Shannon in 2007 with the installation of the platform and the first round of surveys. Platforms were installed on Baker Lake in 2009 after issuance of the license. To date, no loon nesting attempts have been recorded at any of the three platform locations, although Canada geese have attempted to nest on the Lake Shannon platform in 2010 and 2013, and on the Anderson Creek platform in 2010 and 2011.

The three platforms and the Project reservoirs will continue to be monitored for loon activity during the nesting season for a total of 15 consecutive years, or until 2023. At that time, the TRIG will evaluate the program and make a recommendation concerning the continuation of the program.



3.1.4 Observation Data This section provides a list of all loon observations during the 2013 survey season and maps of both project reservoirs for these observations. During the 2013 surveys, observations on Baker Lake were somewhat concentrated near the Kulshan boat launch, Panorama Point, Sandy Creek, and the Baker River at the northeast end of the lake. On Lake Shannon, the majority of observations occurred near Bear Creek and Thunder Creek, with several others scattered at the south end of the lake and near the northern dispersed camp site (figures 1 and 2).

Maps of all loon observations for both reservoirs from the 2009 survey season through the 2013 survey season are also included in this section. Observations on Baker Lake are consistent with the concentration areas for the 2013 survey season. On Lake Shannon, the observations are spread more evenly across the reservoir, with no obvious concentration areas (figures 3 and 4).

Table 1. Summary of Baker Lake and Lake Shannon loon observations in 2013.

Date Surveyor Lake No. Age Behavior Location Comments

4/9/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Baker 2 Adult Swimming

W of Panorama

Pt. Saw rings when bird dove underwater, 2nd loon observed

4/9/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Baker 1 Adult Swimming Kulshan

boat launch

4/25/2013 Haley Edwards,

Daniel Schooland

Baker 1 Adult Diving Near Kulshan BL Dove underwater


Daniel Schooland

Baker 1 Adult Swimming Panorama Pt.

5/10/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Baker 1 Adult Swimming Baker River

mouth Kept diving underwater


Daniel Schooland

Baker 1 Adult Swimming Baker River mouth

6/11/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 1 Adult Swimming Thunder

Creek Near mouth of Thunder Creek

6/11/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 1 Adult Swimming Thunder

Creek 2nd bird observed further up creek

6/11/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 2 Adult Swimming Across lake

from T-4 May be same birds as Thunder Creek

6/25/2013 Haley Edwards, Tony Fuchs Baker 1 Adult Diving Maple Grove Kept diving underwater

6/25/2013 Haley Edwards, Tony Fuchs Baker 1 Adult Swimming Baker River

mouth

6/25/2013 Haley Edwards, Tony Fuchs Baker 2 Adult Swimming Sandy

Creek Dove underwater when boat approached

6/25/2013 Haley Edwards, Tony Fuchs Baker 1 Adult Swimming Bayview May be same as Maple Grove



Date Surveyor Lake No. Age Behavior Location Comments

6/25/2013 Haley Edwards, Tony Fuchs Shannon 1 Juv/NB Swimming Near boat

launch Juvenile/non-breeding plumage

7/17/2013 Haley Edwards, Adam Elbrecht Shannon 2 Adult Swimming Near ONP 3 One was calling

7/17/2013 Haley Edwards, Adam Elbrecht Shannon 1 Adult Swimming

E side of lake from

ONP 5

7/31/2013 Haley Edwards, Adam Elbrecht Shannon 1 Adult Swimming Near ONP 8 Did not dive when boat

approached

7/31/2013 Haley Edwards, Adam Elbrecht Shannon 1 Adult Swimming S of ONP 1 Dove when boat approached

8/29/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 2 Adult Swimming Near Bear

Creek Saw two loons near the Bear Creek platform

8/29/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 1 Adult Swimming Near Bear

Creek Saw a third loon near Bear Creek

8/29/2013 Haley Edwards, Mel Walters Shannon 1 Adult Swimming Near ONP 8



3.1.5 Loon Location Maps

Figure 1. Map of Baker Lake loon observations during 2013.



Figure 2. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations during 2013.



Figure 3. Map of Baker Lake loon observations, 2009-2013.



Figure 4. Map of Lake Shannon loon observations, 2009-2013.



3.2 Platform Maintenance Activities Platform maintenance conducted in 2013 included replacement of the Noisy Creek platform, and inspection and re-vegetation of the Upper Baker platforms. The two platforms on Baker Lake remained in place throughout the winter season and were inspected prior to the beginning of the nesting season. The Lake Shannon platform, which was damaged during the 2012 season, was removed after the nesting season and replaced with a new platform prior to the 2013 nesting season. The Lake Shannon platform was removed from the mouth of Thunder Creek, where it had been regularly damaged by large woody debris, and was installed near Bear Creek.

3.2.1 Lake Shannon Platform The Lake Shannon platform was removed from the reservoir after the conclusion of the 2012 nesting season. Damage from logs and other woody debris had rendered the platform unsuitable for nesting by the end of the season. Due to the platform’s location near the mouth of Thunder Creek, logs and other woody debris became tangled in the floating anchor lines and the float rope used for access restriction. After the 2012 season, the TRIG decided to relocate the Lake Shannon platform and redesign the anchoring system to reduce the potential for damage from large woody debris on the reservoir.

A site visit was conducted in January 2013 to determine a more suitable location for the Lake Shannon loon platform, and a small inlet near the mouth of Bear Creek was selected for its year-round accessibility, protection from wind and waves, proximity to the shore, shoreline vegetation, and reservoir depth. A new platform was constructed and installed in March 2013. The new anchor system is similar to those on Baker Lake, with submerged lines attaching to ecology blocks. “No Wake” buoys were installed around the platform to deter boaters from disturbing the platform.

Vegetation, compost, and moss nesting material were added, along with a PVC frame and netting to provide cover and deter Canada geese from nesting on the platform. Canada geese did use the platform for nesting, but the nest was not successful. No adult geese were present during the May 22 survey, but there were still a few eggs in the nest and one chick carcass.

The Bear Creek platform will remain in place throughout the 2013 – 2014 winter season, and will be inspected for maintenance in March 2014, prior to the beginning of the loon nesting season.



Figure 5. Bear Creek loon nest platform, June 11, 2013.

3.2.2 Anderson Creek Platform The Anderson Creek platform was inspected on March 28, 2013. Some small logs and sticks were added to the platform to provide a larger dry area that could be used for nesting. Weed-free soil-building compost was used, then Carex flava plugs, ferns, and scirpus were planted on the platform, and moss was added to provide nest cover and substrate. Willow stakes were also added to the platform to provide additional cover.

Some of the plants, logs, and sticks washed away during the season. The design of this platform continues to be a challenge to keep dry and vegetated throughout the nesting season. Prior to the 2014 nesting season, flotation will be installed to help provide a more suitable nesting surface on the Anderson Creek platform.



Figure 6. Anderson Creek loon nest platform April 25, 2013.

Figure 7. Anderson Creek nest platform, June 25, 2013.

3.2.3 Noisy Creek Platform The Noisy Creek platform was inspected at the beginning of the 2013 nesting season, and no maintenance was required. The existing vegetation had filled in during the growing season, and no supplemental vegetation was needed. There were no observations of nesting attempts by loons or others on the Noisy Creek platform in 2013, although there were some signs of use by Canada geese (feathers and droppings).

The platform was missing during the July 17 loon survey, with no sign of either platform or ropes. We tried to locate the platform during both July loon surveys by surveying



Baker Lake and the shoreline; however, the platform has not been found to date. The platform will be replaced prior to the beginning of the 2014 loon nesting season.

Figure 8. Noisy Creek loon platform, June 25, 2013.

3.2.4 Access Restriction Devices The buoys around the Baker Lake loon platforms remained in place throughout the 2013 nesting season. The float rope around the Lake Shannon platform was removed in response to issues with large woody debris becoming tangled in the rope as well as the anchor lines. Four buoys were installed around the new Lake Shannon platform in its new location near Bear Creek.

No boats were observed inside the buffer no-wake areas around any of the platforms during the 2013 loon surveys.

3.3 Design and Planning Activities Design and planning activities in 2013 included replacing the Noisy Creek platform, which was missing at the end of the 2013 nesting season. The platform was replaced with a similar design, but will be secured to the anchors with cable instead of rope. The new platform will be in place prior to the 2014 nesting season.

3.4 Documents Submitted PSE submitted the Loon Floating Nest Platform Annual Report for 2012 to the TRIG for the 30-day review period in March of 2013. PSE also developed the Loon Nest Platform Monitoring Report for 2013 and submitted it to the TRIG.

Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report Accounting


4.0 Accounting Puget Sound Energy, pursuant to settlement agreement articles 102, 201, 301, 501, and 602, is required to provide an annual summary of expenditures made during the preceding year, as well as an accounting of funding expenditures, any interest earned, disbursements made as required by any article, and adjustments for inflation. This section provides an accounting of expenditures made between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. All disbursement adjustments and relevant calculations were determined using the guidelines provided in settlement agreement article 602.

SA 507 did not prescribe funding for the reporting period. Expenditures for SA 507 implementation are summarized in the SA 602 annual report for 2013.

5.0 Agency Comments 5.1 Distribution List

Table 2. Draft Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report reviewers.

Name Organization E-mail Address Brock Applegate Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [email protected] Len Barson The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Cathy Baker The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Bob Carey The Nature Conservancy [email protected] Mignonne Bivin National Park Service [email protected] Chris Danilson Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [email protected] Chris Madsen Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission [email protected] Lou Ellen Jones US Fish and Wildlife Service [email protected] Mike Schlafmann USDA Forest Service [email protected] Theresa Mathis USDA Forest Service [email protected] Shauna Hee USDA Forest Service [email protected] Carol Gladsjo USDA Forest Service [email protected] Bob Nelson Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation [email protected] Bill Richardson Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation [email protected] Scott Schuyler Upper Skagit Indian Tribe [email protected] Kara Symonds Skagit County [email protected] William Rogers Skagit County Noxious Weeds Control Board [email protected] Stan Walsh Swinomish Indian Tribe [email protected] Todd Wilbur Swinomish Indian Tribe [email protected] Peter McBride Swinomish Indian Tribe [email protected] Michael Wolten Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe [email protected] Emily Wirtz Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe [email protected] Laurel Baldwin Whatcom County Noxious Weeds Control Board [email protected]

Loon Floating Nest Platforms 2013 Annual Report Agency Comments


5.2 Cover Message From: Edwards, Haley Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:50 AM To: Fuchs, Anthony D -Tony; Carol Gladsjo; Garland, Pamela K; Jamie Riche; Lyn Wiltse; Mike Schlafmann; Ray Croswell; Salton, Lisa; Venard, Jacob A; Wetherbee, Paul K; Bill Richardson; Cathy Baker; Chris Danilson; Emily Wirtz; Flynn, Tom; Mignonne Bivin; Peter McBride ([email protected]); Shauna Hee ([email protected]); Stan Walsh; Applegate, Brock A (DFW); Bob Nelson; Heller, Scott W; Kara Symonds; Len Barson; [email protected]; Michael Wolten; Scott Schuyler; Theresa Mathis; Todd Wilbur; Walters, Melvin L -Mel; Bob Carey; Chris Madsen; [email protected]; Laurel Baldwin; ([email protected]); William Rogers Cc: Hackbart, Alice; OpenText ECM --mail— Subject: Baker River - SA 507 Loon Platforms Annual Report for 2013 Attachments: BAK SA 507 Annual Report 2013 - RevDraft.pdf TRIG members, PSE is forwarding the 2013 draft annual report for Settlement Agreement Article 507, Loon Floating Nest Platforms, for the 30-day review period. We are seeking comments and suggestions, and ask that they be sent to me via email by April 28, 2014. This review cycle was established per Settlement Agreement Article 501, Terrestrial Resource Management Plan. Thanks, Haley Doc ID: BAK.2014.0331.0666 Haley Edwards Natural Resource Scientist Puget Sound Energy 425.462.3305 | 206.419.4919 (m)

Figure 9. E-mail message from PSE accompanying the draft report.

5.3 Summary of Reviewer Replies No reviewer replies or comments were received.