Biological Assessment and Mussel Salvage Plan
PowerSouth planned reservoir drawdowns to perform dam modifications at the adjacent Gantt and Point A Reservoirs. Because drawdowns might impact five species of listed endangered and threatened mussels present in both reservoirs, PowerSouth needed a biological assessment in order to receive approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for a mussel salvage plan (that would coincide with the dewatering) that would ensure protection of the mussels.
Kleinschmidt conducted a number of federal and state agency meetings and collaborated with a subcontractor to assess mussel assemblage presence and distribution in both reservoirs and to assess the potential impacts during sequential dewatering of the two reservoirs. Kleinschmidt then developed a unique mussel relocation plan to minimize mussel mortality. By moving the mussels during reservoir dewatering to the adjacent full reservoir, the mussels could be placed at optimal depth and in ideal habitat. Kleinschmidt worked closely with the USFWS to draft and finalize the biological assessment and the appended salvage plan prior to submittal to ensure USFWS approval in the form of their biological opinion.
The productive consultations with state and federal agencies facilitated by Kleinschmidt enhanced PowerSouth’s relationship with regulatory personnel. The proposed plan eliminates the need for more costly alternative measures and should provide lower mussel mortality than other alternatives. By successfully negotiating the mitigation plan, PowerSouth can move forward with their dam modifications without delay.