Download Biodiversity of Original Habitat and Mitigation Lands

Biodiversity of Original Habitat and Mitigation Lands
Hydroelectric Generation
The primary operating subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc., Idaho Power, believes sound
environmental policy and sound business practice go hand in hand. Because Idaho Power relies
on natural resources and activities that impact the natural environment to conduct business,
it takes its role as a steward of the environment seriously. Therefore, Idaho Power makes
extensive efforts to operate and manage its hydroelectric projects in an environmentally sound
manner. Most of Idaho Power’s hydroelectric projects either received new Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) licenses relatively recently or are in the process of being
relicensed. Extensive multiple-year studies were conducted to evaluate impacts on terrestrial,
aquatic, and cultural resources, as well as the physical environment (water quality, sediments,
etc.). Upon issuance of a new license, Idaho Power has promptly implemented required
mitigation measures, including land acquisition, resource management, and general land
stewardship. Most of the habitat managed by Idaho Power was acquired to replace riparian and
upland habitats impacted by ongoing hydroelectric operations. Generally, lands used for
mitigation are in close proximity to impacted lands and habitats. Furthermore, habitats impacted
by operations are replaced at a minimum on a one-to-one basis.
Lands along the middle Snake River have been developed for farming or used for livestock
grazing over the past 100 years. Both upland and riparian habitats were degraded when hydro
projects were built after the 1930s. Large areas in southern Idaho along the Snake River were
homesteaded and used for irrigated agriculture. Natural habitat was fragmented and further
degraded over time due to overuse by livestock grazing, exotic plant invasions, increased fire
frequency, and a general loss of biodiversity in plant communities. The original shrub-steppe
vegetation in southern Idaho has largely been converted to annual grasslands or impoverished
sagebrush communities dominated by exotic annual grasses, noxious weeds, and exotic forbs.
Likewise, riparian habitats are largely composed of exotic invasive plant species.
Mitigation (protected) lands owned and managed by Idaho Power for the middle Snake River
projects comprise some of the few remaining natural habitats left in the area. In some instances,
such as spring habitats, these lands are unique, exemplified by the presence of endemic species,
such as the Banbury Springs limpet. Riparian habitats lining the Snake River or along tributaries
to the Snake River were generally in a degraded condition when acquired but had a high
potential to improve habitat conditions and increase biodiversity. Idaho Power has made
concentrated efforts to improve the habitat conditions of all mitigation lands, thereby increasing
biodiversity of these lands. Idaho Power has implemented restoration and enhancement measures
on mitigation parcels by reseeding and replanting upland and riparian habitats, conducting
extensive and ongoing noxious-weed and invasive woody species control measures,
excluding livestock grazing, and controlling vehicular access to these parcels. The ultimate
objective is to emulate natural historic conditions as closely as possible. However, the presence
of pervasive invasive species, such as cheatgrass, has changed ecosystem functions, making the
attainment of historic conditions unlikely. The management activities implemented by
Idaho Power have improved habitat conditions beyond those of habitats impacted by project
operations. Idaho Power is required to file quantitative information on habitat conditions to
regulatory agencies and has met obligations as set forth in the issued license orders.
Relatively small acreages of protected lands are managed at the middle Snake River reach
(4,837 acres) compared to lands to mitigate the ongoing impacts of the Hells Canyon
hydroelectric projects (22,541 acres). Idaho Power acquired several large ranches along
Brownlee Reservoir as mitigation property. These ranches were operated since the late 1890s as
either cattle or sheep ranches, impacting range conditions over time as livestock overgrazed the
once species-diverse riparian habitats in this arid system. When Idaho Power acquired these
lands, management actions were immediately undertaken to manage livestock grazing on these
lands. Lands were fenced and riparian habitats enhanced or restored by controlling noxious
weeds, planting desirable woody species, and excluding livestock grazing. The riparian habitats
have quickly responded. Efforts have also been made to restore and enhance upland habitats,
mainly by controlling noxious weeds and managing livestock grazing. These efforts are
increasing plant diversity in both upland and riparian habitats, improving habitat conditions for
animal species. For example, at Daly Creek, the largest parcel of land managed by Idaho Power
in Hells Canyon, big-game populations (elk, deer, and pronghorn antelope) flourish, bald eagles
nest successfully, and neotropical migrants have expanded riparian habitats to nest. Idaho Power
has also acquired approximately 160 acres of land on the upper portion of the Indian Creek basin
in Idaho that supports critical bull trout spawning and rearing habitats. Compared to conditions
and biodiversity prior to acquiring these parcels, considerable progress has been made to increase
habitat conditions and biodiversity.
Thermal Generation
There has been no ground disturbance to protected areas at or near the three co-owned coal-fired
power plants or the gas-fired plants built by Idaho Power over the past decade. Idaho Power
owns very limited lands beyond the footprint of these fossil fuel plants. Thus, impacts to
biodiversity are limited to industrial lands associated with these power plants.
Wind Generation
Idaho Power purchases power from wind-generating facilities, but the company does not own or
operate any wind facilities. Therefore, Idaho Power is not involved in mitigation measures
related to wind-generation facilities.
Transmission and Distribution Facilities
Idaho Power has right-of-way (ROW) agreements and easements with private-property owners
and state and federal agencies for lands crossed by Idaho Power’s transmission and distribution
system. Stipulations for ROW agreements and easements do not require the company to acquire
lands to mitigate for lands affected by distribution or transmission-line facilities. There are,
however, often standard stipulations concerning noxious-weed control, erosion-control measures,
and public access to minimize ongoing impacts of operations of these facilities. Idaho Power
applies best-management practices (BMP) as part of standard operating procedures (SOP)
for operation and maintenance activities. Idaho Power adheres to all stipulations issued
by land-management agencies and state and federal rules and regulations regarding
distribution- and transmission-line facilities. The ongoing maintenance of transmission and
distribution lines is generally considered to have minor environmental impacts because these
lines pass through sagebrush-steppe environments that require minimal vegetation management
manipulation. Furthermore, in southern Idaho, much of the native vegetation has been
extensively altered or otherwise impacted by anthropogenic factors, such as habitat conversion
due to agricultural development or reoccurring wildfire regimes. However, there is existing and
increasing concern about the health of sagebrush ecosystems and impacts to listed species.
Idaho Power is proactive in addressing these concerns by circumnavigating high-quality habitat
during the siting and routing of new projects whenever possible. Idaho Power further minimizes
impacts by controlling the time and manner of project activities, including implementing
protection measures and restoring disturbed areas post-construction. A small number of
distribution and transmission lines pass through forested environments that require more
extensive vegetation management.