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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.30.20 1335 Email from FERC - Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. From:Schuman, Amy To:Alpert, Bruce;Bennett, Robin;Clerk of the Board;Connelly, Bill;Cook, Holly;Lambert, Steve;Lucero, Debra;McCracken, Shari;Ring, Brian;Ritter, Tami;Rodas, Amalia;Sweeney, Kathleen;Teeter, Doug Subject:FW: Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. Date:Monday, March 30, 2020 1:50:54 PM Good afternoon, Please see the email below from FERC. Amy Schuman Associate Clerk of the Board Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3308 | F: 530.538.7120 Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest -----Original Message----- From: 'FERC eSubscription' <eSubscription@ferc.gov> Sent: Monday, March 30, 2020 1:45 PM Subject: Project Safety Compliance Report submitted in FERC P-2107-000 by Pacific Gas and Electric Company,et al. .ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening attachments, clicking on links, or replying.. On 3/30/2020, the following Filing was submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Washington D.C.: Filer: Pacific Gas and Electric Company PGE (as Agent) Docket(s): P-2107-000 Lead Applicant: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Filing Type: Project Safety Compliance Report Description: Pacific Gas and Electric Company submits the Amphibian Monitoring Plan-Request for Approval for the Poe Project under P-2107. To view the document for this Filing, click here https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://elibrary.FERC.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20200330- 5319__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!UJxzG2ZoFeervoqTYzAagwqaRWuUevlo4VNTI7S_sQPX79VUTUm6W66Ich1B03VtzAzl-iJtF4c$ To modify your subscriptions, click here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eSubscription.aspx__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!UJxzG2ZoFeervoqTYzAagwqaRWuUevlo4VNTI7S_sQPX79VUTUm6W66Ich1B03VtzAzlFkN- muM$ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Please do not respond to this email. Online help is available here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ferc.gov/efiling-help.asp__;!!KNMwiTCp4spf!UJxzG2ZoFeervoqTYzAagwqaRWuUevlo4VNTI7S_sQPX79VUTUm6W66Ich1B03VtzAzlJZi8V6o$ or for phone support, call 866-208-3676. 245 Market Street Power Generation San Francisco, CA 94105 Mailing Address Mail Code N11D P.O. Box 770000 San Francisco, CA 94177 March 30, 2020 Via Electronic Submittal Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20426 Subject: Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107-CA Amphibian Monitoring Plan – Request for Approval Dear SecretaryBose: Attached for your review and approval is the Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan (Plan) (Enclosure 1) forPacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Poe Hydroelectric Project (FERC P-2107)(Project). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new license for the Project on December 17, 2018 (License). Subsection (a) of Article 401 of the License requires PG&E to submit the Plan for FERC approval within one year from License issuance, after the final Plan has been approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and by the Forest Supervisor of the Plumas National Forest (Forest Service). As background, the Plan is also required under Condition 9 (Condition 9) of the SWRCB Water Quality Certification and Condition No. 23, Part 6 (Condition No. 25) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Final 4(e)’s, which are both included inthe License as Appendix A and B, respectively. An initial draft Plan was submitted to the SWRCB, Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife staff (hereafter, “Agencies”) on October 8, 2019. Consultation continued and is further described in PG&E’s letter dated December 12, 2019 to FERC requesting a three- month extension of time. FERC approved the request on December 31, 2019, extending the deadline to submit the final Plan to March 31, 2020. On March 4, 2020, PG&E submitted the Plan for formal approval from the SWRCB and the Forest Service. The Forest Service approved the Plan byletter dated March 19, 2020, and approval from the SWRCB is pending. Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary March 30, 2020 Page 2 If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact PG&E’s Sr. License Coordinator, Mr. Matthew Joseph, at 530-889-3276 or at Matthew.Joseph@pge.com. Sincerely, Neil J. Wong Supervisor, Hydro Licensing Enclosures: 1 – Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan 2 – Forest Service approval letter dated March 19, 2020 and PG&E’s letter dated March 4, 2020 requesting approval Enclosure 1 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY Poe Hydroelectric Project FERC Project No. 2107 POE AMPHIBIAN MONITORING PLAN Prepared for: Pacific Gas & Electric Company 3401 Crow Canyon Road San Ramon, CA 94583 Prepared by: Garcia and Associates (GANDA) 2601 Mission Street, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94110 March 2020 © 2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan POE FERC PROJECT NO. 2107 DRAFT POE AMPHIBIAN MONITORING PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures................................................................................................................................ii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................ii List of Attachments.......................................................................................................................ii SECTION 1.0.................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................1 SECTION 2.0.................................................................................................................................4 Goals and Objectives....................................................................................................................4 SECTION 3.0.................................................................................................................................4 Study Area.....................................................................................................................................4 SECTION 4.0.................................................................................................................................5 Methods ..........................................................................................................................................5 4.1Habitat Assessment.................................................................................................5 4.1.1Habitat Assessment Methodology ..............................................................5 4.1.2Habitat Assessment Analysis ......................................................................6 4.2Annual Population Survey Methodology................................................................7 4.2.1Egg Mass Survey Methodology ..................................................................7 4.2.2Analysis of Adult Population Status and Distribution ..............................10 4.2.3Young-of-the-Year Reach-wide Survey Methodology .............................11 4.2.4Analysis of YOY Distribution and Abundance ........................................11 SECTION 5.0...............................................................................................................................11 Reporting and Plan Revisions ....................................................................................................11 5.1Reporting...............................................................................................................11 5.1.1Suitable Habitat Assessment .....................................................................12 5.1.2Reporting Schedule...................................................................................12 5.2PlanRevisions .......................................................................................................12 SECTION 6.0...............................................................................................................................13 Table of Contents Page i March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan References....................................................................................................................................13 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1-1. Map of the Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107..................................3 Figure 4-1. Reach-wide Survey Results for FYLF in the Poe Reach, 2007 to 2018. .....................8 LIST OF TABLES Table 4-1. Poe Reach FYLF population monitoring sites, descriptions, and global positioning system coordinates..............................................................................9 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1. FERC Article 401 –Commission Approval, Reporting, Notification, and Filing of Amendments Attachment 2. FERC Appendix A – SWRCB Water Quality Certification Condition 9 Attachment3. FERC Appendix B – Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. 25 Attachment 4. Standardized Approach for Habitat Assessments and Visual Encounter Surveys for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) (Seltenrich and Pool 2002) (with Addendum documenting recent updates, used in this Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan) Attachment 5. Habitat Assessment and Visual Encounter Survey Data Sheets – Updated from the Original Seltenrich and Pool 2002 Data Sheets Attachment 6. Rationale for Plan Variations from License Conditions Table of Contents Page ii March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan SECTION 1.0 Introduction On December 17, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a new license for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E or Licensee) Poe Project, FERC Number (No.) 2107 (Project)(FERC 2018). The new license incorporates State of California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC) Conditions into the license articles (SWRCB 2017; FERC 2018: AppendixA) and United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service) 4(e) Conditions (Forest Service 2018; FERC 2018: Appendix B). This document, Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan (Plan), presents the plan (“Plan”) to comply with amphibian population monitoring required by SWRCB WQC Condition 9 and Forest Service 4(e) Condition 25, elements of which were also incorporated into FERC License Article 401 (FERC 2018). The relevant FERC Article 401 requirements applicable to this plan are included in Attachment 1. Similarly, SWRCB Condition 9 and Forest Service 4(e) Condition 25 are summarized in Attachments 2 and 3, respectively. The attachments omit language in conditions pertaining to fish and benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring, since a separate plan addresses these portions of the requirements. The Plan was developed in consultation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Forest Service, and SWRCB staff (collectedly referred to as the Agencies). This Plan is intended to meet the requirements of SWRCB WQC Condition 9 and Forest Service 4(e) Condition 25 for monitoring foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii; FYLF) in the Poe Bypass Reach. The Feather River population of FYLF is currently a candidate species and was approved for listing as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act on December 11, 2019. In Section 4.0 Methods, and Section 5.2 Plan Revisions, there are provisions for consultation and changes to the monitoring locations, methods,and schedule. Any future modifications to the final Plan approved by FERC shall be approved by the SWRCB Deputy Director, the Plumas National Forest Forest Supervisor, and FERC before implementation. The Poe Project is located in the North Fork Feather River Basin, which contains extensive forested lands and is sparsely populated. The “Poe Reach” or “Poe Bypass Reach” is the section of the North Fork Feather River (NFFR) from Poe Dam downstream to Poe Powerhouse (Figure 1-1). Waters of the Poe Project include the Poe Reservoir, the 7.62-mile-long bypassed reach, and the Big Bend Reservoir, which serves as the after bay for the project. The Poe Powerhouse and Big Bend Reservoir are located just upstream of Lake Oroville, the primary storage reservoir for the Feather River Project, FERC No. 2100. Much is known about the current distribution and habitat use and preferences of FYLF in the Poe Reach, as PG&E has been researching and monitoring FYLF in the Poe Reach regularly since 2001, often as a control reach for studies in the upstream Rock Creek-Cresta Project (FERC No. 1962), resulting in numerous habitat assessment and monitoring reports (Garcia and Associates \[GANDA\] 2003a, 2003b, 2004a, 2004b, 2005, 2007, 2008a, 2008b, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019; PG&E 2003). Up to thirteen established subsites have been regularly monitored for breeding activity in the Poe Reach since 2001, representing river cobble Page 1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan bar, side channel, and boulder/sedge habitats. While these subsites have clearly delineated borders, breeding outside of the subsites has been confirmed by observations of young-of-the-year (YOY) FYLF during recurring full reach (reach-wide) surveys from Poe Dam to Poe Powerhouse. As such, FYLF breeding habitat preferences throughout the Poe Reach are well known, and provide an ample baseline for further assessment of suitable habitat planned under the new flow regime. During reach-wide surveys in 2018, the Licensee determined that the river segment between the Highway 70 Pulga Bridge and Bardee’s Bar was unsafe for pedestrian surveys, particularly because high flows in 2017 altered the streambed in this steep, two-mile section of the NFFR. Since reach-wide surveys began in 2007, only one breeding area, located near a spring seep tributary approximately one mile upstream of Bardee’s Bar, has been confirmed during YOY surveys in this section of the Poe Reach. Page 2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Figure 1-1. Map of the Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107. Page 3 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan SECTION 2.0 Goals and Objectives The goal of the Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan is to assess the response of the NFFR Poe Reach FYLF population to new license-required instream flows. Specific objectives are: 1.Identify, quantify, and assess suitable FYLF habitats in the Poe Reach of the North Fork Feather River (NFFR), and document habitats and sites that are occupied and unoccupied by documenting FYLF egg masses, tadpoles, and young-of-the-year (YOY). 2.Determine FYLF adult population status, distribution, viability, and reproductive success based on egg mass monitoring. 3. Determine distribution, relative abundance, and annual recruitment rates of FYLF through reach-wide young-of-the-year surveys. Certain license conditions concerning the implementation of FYLF monitoring have been modified in this Plan; the rationale for these changes are provided in Attachment 6. SECTION 3.0 Study Area The study area for FYLF monitoring includes the NFFR from Poe Dam downstream to Poe Powerhouse (Poe Reach). The Poe Reach of the NFFR is 7.62 river miles (RM) and extends from Poe Dam to Poe Powerhouse. From Poe Dam downstream, the upper section begins as a wide, low-gradient channel to a point immediately downstream from the mouth of Flea Valley Creek, covering an approximate distance of 1.01 RM (5,350 feet). At this location, the river enters a narrower, steeper canyon dominated by bedrock walls and large boulders; this middle section continues for an estimated 2.53 miles RM (13,360 feet) to Bardee’s Bar. The lower section, from Bardee’s Bar to Poe Powerhouse, opens to a wider, low-gradient channel with long pools, runs, and pocket-water habitats separated by short sections of riffles and/or cascades; this lower section is approximately 4.08 RM (21,540 feet). All three river sections are dominated by large pools, which tend to be shorter and deeper in the narrower, middle canyon section, and longer and wider in the upper and lower sections. The upper and lower sections contain numerous cobble/boulder bars and boulder/sedge complexes preferred by FYLF for breeding; while the middle canyon section has relatively little FYLF habitat. Page 4 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan SECTION 4.0 Methods Identification of suitable habitat via habitat assessment, shall be completed by the end of the second year of implementing new license streamflow conditions (License Year 2). During the fifth year of license implementation, the entire Poe Reach shall be assessed again for changes in suitable breeding habitat, based on the new license flow regime (License Year 5). During the first five years of license implementation, visual encounter surveys will be performed at sites already established including six historically surveyed sites (13 subsites) for the Rock Creek-Cresta Project and one new site at the confluence of Mill Creek. FYLF population monitoring will be conducted using methods currently used in the Rock Creek- Cresta Project. Where appropriate, modifications to the methodology are based on efficiencies gained from sampling in the Rock Creek-Cresta Project, and the associated Poe Reach sampling, and limited safe access to the Poe Reach. Habitat assessments and population monitoring will be conducted based on procedures described in PG&E’s monitoring protocol A Standardized Approach for Habitat Assessments and Visual Encounter Surveys for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) (Seltenrich and Pool 2002 \[Attachment 4\], as previously revised). Part of SWRCB 401 WQC Condition 9 requires the Licensee to provide a description of possible circumstances that may affect monitoring and if those circumstances are caused by Project operations. Circumstances that have affected the FYLF monitoring schedule in the past include high spring runoff flows delaying breeding and safe surveying, highway construction and repair, and area closures due to fire or smoke. In addition, there are other unpredictable circumstances beyond PG&E’s control that may affect the ability to monitor (e.g., extreme weather events, chemical spills, non-project anthropomorphic factors, etc.). Of those circumstances that may be caused by Project operations, the most common includes repairs to or construction of critical infrastructure, which may affect the ability to conduct surveys. 4.1 Habitat Assessment 4.1.1Habitat Assessment Methodology The planned completion time for identification of suitable habitat will be the end of the second year of implementing new license streamflow conditions (License Year 2). During the fifth year of implementation of the new license streamflow conditions, the entire Poe Reach will be assessed again to identify suitable FYLF egg-laying and tadpole rearing habitat (License Year 5). Surveys to identify suitable FYLF egg-laying and tadpole rearing habitats will be conducted by hiking, wading, and floating along the safely accessible portion of the Poe Reach. When compared with historical survey results and concurrent visual encounter and reach-wide surveys (see below), the habitat assessments will help identify breeding habitat used by FYLF. Page 5 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Suitable breeding habitat will be first identified using a general suite of metrics collected during surveys, including water temperatures, water depth and velocity, riparian vegetation establishment/encroachment, potential for desiccation and scouring, microhabitat conditions, and river bar formation/loss (at both site scale and reach scale). Additional characteristics of mainstem river habitat used to evaluate suitable breeding sites include the following parameters: 1) stream gradient and cross-sectional channel profile characteristics, 2) percent exposed cobble, 3) amount of cobble (area), 4) percent riffle habitat, 5) percent canopy, 6) presence of edgewater habitat, 7) presence of large stable boulders (under bankfull conditions), 8) proximity to tributary confluence, 9) presence of predators, 10) proximity to mining activity, 11) average depth of potential breeding and rearing habitat, and 12) instream cover. Each of these breeding site parameters will be individually evaluated in relation to adult, tadpole, and egg mass habitat requirements, with the focus on suitable egg laying conditions, since in this reach adults typically use the mainstem for reproduction (i.e., live most of the year in tributaries) and, once hatched, tadpoles develop in relative proximity to oviposition sites. Previous flow studies focused on FYLF breeding areas (GANDA 2003b, 2004b) may be usefulin assessing and predicting habitat changes under various flow rates. Once a site is judged by a qualified biologist to have the required suitable habitat parameters for egg laying and tadpole rearing, the following physical characteristics will be measured or estimated at each potential suitable breeding site: amphibian habitat types, aquatic substrate, average wetted width, bankfull width, site length and width, average edgewater depth and flow velocity (centimeters per second \[cm/s\]) range, turbidity, waterbody type (e.g., riffle, run, pool, side channel), river and bank gradient, percent canopy, and percent margin, emergent, and submerged vegetation. Photo-documentation will include pictures of each site from the downstream end looking upstream, from the upstream end looking downstream, and from the middle of the site looking both upstream and downstream. With the aid of aerial photos, a map of each site will be produced that identifies habitat features such as cover objects, vegetation, pools and riffles, edgewater and backwater pools, large boulders, downed wood, and substrate. Sites determined to be lacking suitable habitat parameters will be photographed only (using the same photo documentation methods described above for suitable sites), and thesephotographs will be included in the habitat assessment provided to Agencies following assessment. Site data and maps will be revised as necessary during subsequent surveys if habitat features change. Additional parameters that will be measured are detailed in PG&E’s monitoring protocol (Seltenrich and Pool 2002; and as revised – Attachment 4). Habitat assessment data sheets are provided in Attachment 5. 4.1.2 Habitat Assessment Analysis The analysis of FYLF habitat assessment data collected from the Poe Reachwill primarily be a qualitative evaluation of macro and micro habitat metrics collected at sites that appeared to be suitable habitat for FYLF egg mass oviposition. Facilitating this evaluation are the known conditions at multiple established subsites that have been regularly monitored for FYLF breeding activity in the Poe Reach since 2001 (see Section 1.0). For example, FYLF in the Poe Reach have typically oviposited in shallow edgewater areas relatively close to the wetted edge and under low Page 6 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan flow velocities, and preferences are generally considered to be areas <50 centimeters (cm)deep, <5 meters (m) from shore, and <20 cm/sec water velocity. Previous surveys for YOY in the entire Poe Reach offer additional evidence of suitable FYLF breeding habitat, at least for pre-license conditions, and annual YOY reach-wide surveys proposed in this plan (see Section 4.2) will also contribute to the overall habitat assessment analysis. Based on the number of YOY groupings documented during past reach-wide surveys, there were at least 10 habitat patches (i.e., river bars, boulder/sedge complexes) with regular evidence of FYLF breeding (i.e., YOY observed during late summer/fall) within the Poe Reach in addition to the 13 established subsites monitored during and prior to 2019 (Figure 4-1). Some of these additional breeding areas are in locations with logistically challenging access; however, a certain number could be added to the list of monitoring sites adjacent to access points that will be surveyed on a regular basis during the breeding season. In addition to logistics, habitat suitability under the new flows will be considered during the analysis decision to add new monitoring sites and whether to continue to monitor previously established sites. 4.2 Annual Population Survey Methodology 4.2.1Egg Mass Survey Methodology Visual encounter surveys (VES) for FYLF egg masses will be conducted annually during the first five years of the license. Surveys will be performed at all sites historically surveyed as part of the Rock Creek-Cresta Project, and one new site at the confluence with Mill Creek, in order to assess the population response to the new license-required flow schedule. These sites (Table 4.1) are safely accessible and consistent with procedures described in PG&E’s monitoring protocol (Seltenrich and Pool 2002; Attachment 4, with Addendum). Sites 1-6, geographically separated from each other along the reach, are further separated into multiple subsites that are delineated by habitat differences (e.g. bar, boulder sedge, side channel) and location (e.g., opposite sides of the river). After the initial five years of sampling, surveys will occur annually at suitable habitat sites identified during habitat assessments, and approved by Agencies, for the remaining license period and any extensions. Under this Plan, population monitoring will commence each year once the temperature of the NFFR at Gage 23 exceeds 10 degrees Celsius (°C)mean daily water temperature on two successive days or April 15 of each year, whichever occurs first. Surveys will be conducted every ten days thereafter until eggs have hatched or until no new egg masses are found for two consecutive survey rounds at sites identified during habitat assessment surveys (habitat assessments conducted separately; see Section 4.1). Additional egg mass monitoring will be performed in association with ramp-down test-phase events that occur during the typical FYLF breeding and rearing season in the Poe Bypass Reach. The details of such monitoring will be determined in the Long-Term Ramping Rate Plan and the purpose of the monitoring will be to confirm that the ramp-down operation is successful and beneficial to FYLF breeding. The anticipated scope of this monitoring is: 2 FYLF survey sites 3 multi-day ramping (stepdown) events Up to 7 days of additional surveys at each site, distributed throughout the event Page 7 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Figure 4-1. Reach-wide Survey Results for FYLF in the Poe Reach, 2007 to 2018. Page 8 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Table 4-1.Poe Reach FYLF population monitoring sites, descriptions, and global positioning system coordinates. Approximate Upstream Monitoring Start Site ID Site Description Location (UTM NAD 83, Zone 10S) 1b Poe Powerhouse Historical 630990 4398335 2a Poe (Swimmer’s) Beach Historical 631420 4398895 2c Upstream of Poe (Swimmer’s) Beach Historical 631275 4399280 2d Upstream of Poe (Swimmer’s) Beach Historical 631045 4399600 6c Below Tributary 6 Historical 630790 4400010 6dAbove Tributary 6Historical6307704400190 5a Upstream of Tributary 5 Historical 630910 4400590 5b-eAt Tributary 5Historical6308904400595 3a-b Bardee’s Bar Historical 632020 4403325 4a Below Flea Valley Creek Historical 632925 4406905 4b At Flea Valley Creek Historical 632955 4406935 4c Above Flea Valley Creek Historical 633115 4406975 4d Across from Flea Valley Creek Historical 633000 4406915 TBD Mill Creek 2020 633795 4407559 VES for egg masses at sites located on the Poe Reach will be conducted using PG&E’s standardized monitoring protocol and data sheets (Seltenrich and Pool 2002: Appendices D and E, respectively; Attachment 5) and performed with at least two surveyors. The survey protocol was modified in 2003 to include one snorkeler and one wading surveyor, as opposed to two wading surveyors, and included additional safety protocol requirements for snorkeling. Wading surveyors may use Plexiglas® viewing boxes and polarized sunglasses to enhance visibility, and will reach carefully into rock crevices to attempt detecting concealed egg masses. Surveys will be conducted from the downstream end of each subsite to the upstream end, with a single pass through each subsite. When an egg mass is located, a standard list of habitat parameters will be measured and recorded. These parameters include location of the egg mass within the site (i.e., distance from bottom of the site), attachment substrate, distance from shore, depth of egg mass and maximum stream depth at the egg mass, velocity at the egg mass, surface velocity, microhabitat, stream substrate, edgewater and mainstem water temperatures, egg mass shape, egg mass color and siltation, egg mass size, and Gosner developmental stage (to estimate the date of oviposition; Gosner 1960). Although surveys will be primarily focused on locating egg masses, all FYLF life stages encountered during VES will be documented and separate data sheets completed for each life stage (Attachment 5). Data collected on each FYLF captured during egg mass surveys will include location, snout-urostyle length (SUL), weight, sex, condition (i.e., gravid or spent), and a digital chin photograph, enabling comparisons of each individual’s unique pigmentation with those Page 9 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan previouslycaptured (Marlow et al. 2016), a methodology useful for information on longevity, site fidelity, and movement patterns. 4.2.2Analysis of Adult Population Status and Distribution Each adult female FYLF is assumed to lay only one egg mass each breeding season (Wheeler 2007, Wheeler and Welsh 2008), thus the number of egg masses counted annually provides an estimate of the population size and growth in a particular survey sample. Gosner staging of egg masses enables determination of the timing of the onset of breeding. Chin photos of FYLF can facilitate determination of age, site fidelity, and movements. Water temperature monitoring data, timing of breeding onset relative to the water temperature, and streamflow will help determine long-term trends and explain any changes in the Poe Reach FYLF population. Egg mass counts will be summarized for each survey site and associated subsites. For standardized comparisons between years, counts will be converted to densities and search effort. The number of egg masses per square meter will be computed by dividing the number of egg masses by the area surveyed, and the number of egg masses per survey hour (person-hours) will be computed by dividing the number of egg masses by the survey time, excluding time for data recording. Based on previous work evaluating rates of development (GANDA 2008b) and data from Zweifel (1955), oviposition dates will be approximated by backdating larval stages from Gosner’s (1960) table of anuran development as follows: four stages/day first two days, two stages/day the next four days, then one stage/day until hatching. Because rates of development may vary between sites based on water temperatures and exposure to sunlight, backdating with this method is an approximation of the status/viability), will be calculated by dividing the annual egg mass count by the previous year’s egg mass count. Lambda values equal to 1.0 indicate stable populations; values greater or less than 1.0 indicate increasing and decreasing populations, respectively. To incorporate data from monitoring sites that are added during the new license period (e.g., Mill Creek), evaluation of population trends will include separate analyses for: (1) data collected prior to new license issuance (i.e., implemented for the adjacent Rock Creek-Cresta Project License) up through the current monitoring/reporting year for sites with consistent data collection over that time period, and (2) data collected after new license issuance up through the current monitoring/reporting year for sites with consistent data collection during that time period. Occupied and unoccupied survey sites will be tracked to document the distribution of FYLF within the Poe Reach and document any changes over time. To obtain mainstem channel water temperatures, temperature loggers will be installed in two locations in the Poe Reach, one at the upstream end and one at the downstream end. Specific locations for temperature logger deployment will be determined in consultation with Agencies once monitoring sites are finalized. Temperature loggers will be set to record at 15-minute intervals; this will allow for calculations of hourly means in addition to daily means. During previous monitoring studies in the Poe Reach, the upstream logger was installed upstream of the Flea Valley Creek confluence above Subsite 4c, and the downstream logger was placed in the pool upstream of Poe Powerhouse and Subsite 1b. Mainstem flow data will be obtained each year from PG&E at gaging station NF23 located downstream of Poe Dam. Page 10 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan 4.2.3Young-of-the-Year Reach-wide Survey Methodology In addition to annual egg mass surveys, reach-wide YOY surveys will also be conducted annually during August, September, and October to contribute to the analysis of population distribution, viability, juvenile recruitment, and to contribute to the habitat suitability analysis (Section 4.1.2). Surveys for YOY will include all known, numbered, regularly surveyed breeding sites and all locations in between that are safely accessible. Surveys will be performed by teams of two surveyors working in the downstream direction to maximize access to all shoreline habitats. As surveyors move downstream, all suitable shoreline habitats will be surveyed by walking along the bank to flush YOY FYLF. Although surveys will focus on YOY, all life stages will be recorded. Data collection will include all parameters recorded for adult FYLF, plus Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates (measured using handheld global positioning system \[GPS\] units) for all observations (groupings of multiple YOY are recorded as an approximate range in meters from an initial GPS waypoint). Reach-wide surveys will be conducted from Poe Dam to Pulga Bridge and from Bardee’s Bar to Poe Powerhouse. Multiple, monthly surveys are necessary to bracket optimal YOY occurrence since metamorphosis is variable year to year due to different annual climatic conditions that affect the timing of oviposition and rate of development. 4.2.4Analysis of YOY Distribution and Abundance The YOY counts from reach-wide surveys will be used in conjunction with habitat assessment data (Section 4.1.1) to determine FYLF distribution, relative abundance, recruitment, and occupancy in habitats that appear suitable under the latter (Section 4.1.2). YOY counts per survey round, combined totals for all survey rounds, and an average YOY count across all survey rounds will be presented. After metamorphosis, YOY remain for a period in late summer and early fall near natal habitats and are therefore a good indicator of reproductive habitat suitability for this species. YOY counts are used as an index of successful breeding. SECTION 5.0 Reporting and Plan Revisions 5.1 Reporting The amphibian monitoring program will generate annual monitoring reports for each year monitoring occurs. Each annual report will summarize the results of the current monitoring period and include a comparison with previous study years’ results. Any trends in population status and distribution, life-history stage distribution, and breeding habitat changes that are observed will be discussed (e.g., declines/increases in number of egg masses, the number of sites/subsites used for breeding, and changes to suitable habitat). Reports will also include information on water temperatures and streamflows in relation to FYLF relative abundance and maps of FYLF distribution. The amphibian monitoring data will be used in conjunction with the results of the other resource studies (benthic macroinvertebrate, temperature, water quality, fish, riparian, Page 11 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan geomorphology, etc.) to determine the overall effect of the new license-required flow schedule on the environmental resources of the Poe Reach. 5.1.1Suitable Habitat Assessment The planned completion time for identification of suitable egg-laying and rearing habitat will be the end of License Year 2, and again by the end of License Year 5 unless otherwise approved by the SWRCB Deputy Director due to hydrologic conditions. 5.1.2 Reporting Schedule PG&E will submit a draft of the Poe Reach amphibian population monitoring report to the SWRCB, Forest Service, USFWS, and CDFW on or before March 15 following each monitoring year. PG&E will allow the Agencies at least 60 days to review and comment on the draft report and will set up a consultation meeting if requested by the Agencies. The final annual report will be filed with FERC by May 31. PG&E will include in the final report any comments and recommendations made by the agencies on the draft report. If PG&E does not adopt a recommendation, the filing shall include PG&E’s reasons based on project-specific information. 5.2 Plan Revisions The Licensee, in consultation with the Forest Service, SWRCB, USFWS, and CDFW, will review, update, and revise the Plan, as needed, when significant changes in the existing conditions occur. Sixty days will be allowed for the Forest Service, SWRCB, USFWS, and CDFW to provide written comments andrecommendations. After consultation and agreement with the Forest Service and SWRCB, the Licensee will work with the Forest Service and SWRCB to file the updated Plan with FERC. The Licensee will include all relevant documentation of coordination and consultation with the updated Plan filed with FERC. If the Licensee does not adopt a particular recommendation by USFWS or CDFW, the filing will include the reasons for not doing so. The Licensee will implement the revised Plan as approved by FERC. Page 12 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan SECTION 6.0 References Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 2018. Order Issuing New License. Project Nos. 2107-016. Prepared by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Office of Energy Projects, Division of Hydropower Licensing. Washington, DC. December 17, 2018. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2003a. Results of 2003 surveys for foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) within the Poe Project Area, North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2003b. Results of 2002 study for evaluating the availability, extent, and quality of foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) habitat within the Poe Reach at the existing flow level and at four higher flows. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2004a. Results of 2000-2002 surveys for foothill yellow- legged frog (Rana boylii) on the North Fork Feather River and selected tributaries within the Poe Project. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2004b. Results of the 2004 study evaluating impacts of elevated flows on foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) habitat in the Poe Reach, North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2005. Results of 2004 surveys and monitoring for foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) within the Rock Creek–Cresta project area, North Fork Feather River, and 2002 to 2004 recreation and pulse flow biological evaluation summary. Data Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2007. Summary of results for the 2006 Cresta and Poe Reach Amphibian Surveys. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2008a. Results of 2007 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2008b. Identifying Climatic and Water Flow Triggers Associated with the Onset of Breeding in a Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) Population in the North Fork Feather River, California: Final Report. Prepared for Pulsed Page 13 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Flow Program, Department of Animal Sciences, University of California, Davis, and the California Energy Commission. CEC-500-2007-041. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2009. Results of 2008 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2010. Results of 2009 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2011. Results of 2010 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2012. Results of 2011 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2013. Results of 2012 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2014. Results of 2013 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2015. Results of 2014 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2016. Results of 2015 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2017. Results of 2016 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2018. Results of 2017 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Garcia and Associates (GANDA). 2019. Results of 2018 Surveys for Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) on the Cresta and Poe Reaches of the North Fork Feather River. Report prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California. Page 14 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan Gosner, K. L. 1960. A simplified table for staging anuran embryos and larvae with notes on identification. Herpetologica 16:183-190. Marlow, K. R., K. D. Wiseman, C. A. Wheeler, J. E. Drennan, and R. E. Jackman. 2016. Identification of Individual Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs (Rana boylii) using Chin Pattern Photographs: A Non-Invasive and Effective Method for Small Population Studies. Herpetological Review 47(2):193-198. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). 2003. Poe Hydroelectric Project FERC No. 2107, Application for New License, Exhibit E. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, December 2003. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). 2019. Results of 2018 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Surveys for the Mokelumne River Project. Report prepared by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Ramon, California with technical assistance from Garcia and Associates (GANDA). Seltenrich, C. P. and A. C. Pool. 2002. A Standardized Approach for Habitat Assessments and Visual Encounter Surveys for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii). May 2002. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Technical and Ecological Services, unpublished report. State of California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 2017. In the Matter of Water Quality Certification for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project No. 2107. December 28, 2017. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Forest Service). 2018. Forest Service revised final license terms and conditions necessary for the protection and utilization of the Plumas National Forest in condition with the application for license Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC No. 2107, Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Pacific South West Region. July 6, 2018. Wheeler, C.A. 2007. Temporal breeding patterns and mating strategy of the foothill yellow- legged frog (Rana boylii). Arcata, CA: Humboldt State University. 42 p. M.S. thesis. Wheeler, C.A. and H.H. Welsh Jr. 2008. Mating strategy and breeding patterns of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 3:128-142. Zweifel, R.G. 1955. Ecology, distribution, and systematics of frogs of the Rana boyleigroup. University of California Publications in Zoology 54:207-292. Page 15 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 1 FERC Article 401 – Commission Approval, Reporting, Notification, and Filing of Amendments FERC Article 401 –Commission Approval, Reporting, Notification, and Filing of Amendments (FERC 2018) (a) Requirement to File Plans for Commission Approval The State Water Resources Control Board’s (Water Board) section 401 water quality certification (WQC) (Appendix A) and the U. S. Department of Agriculture – Forest Service’s (Forest Service) section 4(e) conditions (Appendix B) require the licensee to prepare plans in consultation with other entities for approval by the Water Board or Forest Service or for submittal to the Commission, and implement specific measures without prior Commission approval. The following plans must also be submitted to the Commission for approval by the deadlines specified below: Water Board WQC Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. Condition No. Plan Name Commission Due Date Poe bypass reach Within 1 year from license 9 25 biological monitoring issuance plan *excerpt from FERC 2018 Article 401 With each plan filed with the Commission, the licensee must include documentation that it developed the plan in consultation with the above-listed agencies and provide copies of any comments received, as well as its response to each comment. The Commission reserves the right to make changes to any plan filed. Upon Commission approval, the plan becomes a requirement of the license, and the licensee must implement the plan, including any changes required by the Commission. Any changes in the above scheduleor plans require approval by the Commission before implementing the proposed change. (b) Requirements to File Reports. Certain conditions of the Water Board WQC in Appendix A and the Forest Service’s section 4(e) conditions in Appendix B require the licensee to file reports with other entities. Because these reports relate to compliance with the requirements of this license, each such report must also be submitted to the Commission. These reports are listed in the following table: Water Board WQC Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. Condition No. Plan Name Commission Due Date Six months following each Biological monitoring sampling effort 9 - report *excerpt from FERC 2018 Article 401 With each report filed with the Commission, the licensee must include documentation of consultation with the agencies specified in the conditions noted above and provide copies of any Attachment 1 Page 1-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company comments received, as well as its response to each comment. The Commission reserves the right to require changes to project operation or facilities based on the information contained in the report and any other available information. Attachment 1 Page 1-2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 2 FERC Appendix A – SWRCB Water Quality Certification Condition 9 1 SWRCB 401 Water Quality Certification Condition 9–Poe Bypass Reach Biological Monitoring (text related to fish and BMI monitoring, which was included in the complete Condition 9, have been omitted) Within one year of license issuance, the Licensee shall submit a Poe Bypass Reach Biological Monitoring Plan (Biological Monitoring Plan) to the Deputy Director for review and approval. The Biological Monitoring Plan shall be developed in consultation with State Water Board staff, Forest Service, USFWS, and CDFW. The Biological Monitoring Plan shall describe the fish, BMI, and amphibian monitoring the Licensee will conduct in the Poe bypass reach over the term of the license and any extensions. At a minimum, the Biological Monitoring Plan shall include the following elements: (1) objectives and goals; (2) description of the methodology that will be used for monitoring; and (3) description of possible circumstances that may affect monitoring and whether those circumstances are caused by Project operations. The Licensee shall include documentation of consultation with the above agencies, copies of comments and recommendations made in connection with development of the Biological Monitoring Plan, and a description of how the Biological Monitoring Plan incorporates or addresses agency comments and recommendations. All monitoring shall be consistent with the methods used for upstream monitoring associated with the Rock Creek-Cresta Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 1962) unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Director. The Licensee shall allow a minimum of 30 days for the above agencies to comment and to make recommendations before submitting the Biological Monitoring Plan to the Deputy Director for review and approval. The Deputy Director may make modifications as part of any approval. The Licensee shall file the Deputy Director's approval, and any required modifications, with FERC. Amphibian. Following implementation of the new streamflows (Condition 1), the Licensee shall identify occupied and unoccupied FYLF egg-laying and rearing habitats in the Poe bypass reach. Metrics required to identify suitable habitat include but are not limited to: temperature, riparian vegetation establishment, scouring, water depths, water velocities, bank slope condition, and river bar formation/loss. Identification of suitable habitat shall be complete by the end of Year 2 of implementing new license streamflow conditions. Unless otherwise approved by the Deputy Director due to hydrologic conditions, during the fifth year of implementing the new license streamflow conditions, the entire Poe bypass reach shall be surveyed again to identify suitable FYLF egg-laying and rearing habitat. Monitoring for FYLF eggs shall be conducted annually on 100 percent of the identified suitable habitat for the remaining license period and any extensions. Monitoring shall commence once the temperature of the North Fork Feather River at Gage 23 exceeds 10°C mean daily water temperature on two successive days or April 15 of each year, whichever occurs first, and shall be conducted every seven days until 1 SWRCB (2017) Attachment 2 Page 2-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company eggs have hatched. The Licensee shall provide the RTRG (Condition 6) with the weekly FYLF monitoring data. Amphibian monitoring data shall include, but are not limited to, the following: A. FYLF population trends, distribution, and reproductive success; and B. Inventory of FYLF suitable habitat and relation to occupied habitat. Attachment 2 Page 2-2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 3 FERC Appendix B – Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. 25 2 Forest Service 4(e) Condition No. 25 – Poe Reach Biological Monitoring (text related to fish and BMI monitoring, which was included in the complete Condition No. 25, have been omitted) Within one year of license issuance, and after consultation with the Forest Service, and other interested governmental agencies, the Licensee shall file with the Commission fish population, benthic macroinvertebrate, and amphibian monitoring plans approved by the Forest Service. The plans shall describe monitoring to be conducted in the Poe bypass reach over the life of the license. At year 10 after implementation of the new flow regime, the licensee shall meet with the Forest Service, other interested governmental agencies, and interested parties to review the biological monitoring program. Modifications to the sampling timeframes and protocols may be modified if other methods or timeframes are jointly determined to be more appropriate by the Licensee, Forest Service, and other interested governmental agencies. The amphibian monitoring plan for the Poe bypass reach shall include targeted annual monitoring of Forest Service sensitive amphibians beginning no later than the first spring following license issuance and continuing for the term of the license. The Monitoring Plan shall include the following elements at a minimum: foothill yellow- legged frog (FYLF) population distribution and viability, reproductive success, verification of suitable habitat and an inventory of available habitat as compared to habitat that is actually used. Data may also be utilized from studies being conducted in the Rock Creek-Cresta relicensing adaptive management plan and/or studies provided for in this license. The new license streamflow conditions will alter flow levels and timing of flows relative to past project operations. Thus the following elements will need to be reestablished or re-verified following commencement of the new flow regime for typical oviposition (egg-laying) and rearing (tadpole) habitats for both occupied and non-occupied areas. The determination will include the new: temperature regimes, riparian vegetation establishment, encroachment and scouring, habitat conditions (water depths, velocities, bank slopes, etc.), and river bar formation/loss. Egg laying monitoring will be conducted on 100% of the project reach for the first five years following implementation of the new flow regimen according to procedures described in Pacific Gas and Electric’s monitoring protocol (2002) or as revised. Egg laying monitoring will be conducted annually on 100% of the identified suitable habitat for the remaining license period according to procedures described in Pacific Gas and Electric’s monitoring protocol (2002) or as revised. Monitoring will commence on April 15 of each year and shall be held every seven days until eggs have hatched. 2 Forest Service (2018) Attachment 3 Page 3-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 4 Standardized Approach for Habitat Assessments and Visual Encounter Surveys for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) (Seltenrich and Pool 2002) (with Addendum documenting recent updates, used in this Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan) A STANDARDIZED APPROACH FOR HABITAT ASSESSMENTS AND VISUAL ENCOUNTER SURVEYS FOR THE FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED FROG (Rana boylii) By Craig P. Seltenrich Senior Aquatic Biologist And Alicia C. Pool Aquatic Biologist Pacific Gas and Electric Company Technical and Ecological Services 3400 Crow Canyon Road San Ramon, CA 94583 This document should be cited as: Seltenrich, C. P. and A. C. Pool. 2002. A standardized approach for habitat assessments and visual encounter surveys for the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii). Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Attachment 4 Page 4-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Acknowledgements Wewouldliketoacknowledgetwofriendsandco-workerswhoassistedusinthedevelopmentand review of this document. First, we would like to thank Chris Herrala, Aquatic Biologist with PacificGas and Electric Company, who spent many long hours working under a tight time schedule to assistin developing the initial drafts of the standard operating procedures and the accompanying datasheets. Only with his diligence were we able to complete the first draft of this methodology in time (April 2001) to be used during extensive surveys on the Pit, North Fork Feather, North Fork Mokelumne, and Middle Fork Stanislaus rivers as part of hydroelectric relicensing projects. Second, this finalized document would not have been possible without the support and critical review by Paul Kubicek, Aquatic Biology Unit Supervisor. His enthusiasm never waned during review of the manyiterations of this methodology necessary to produce the final document. In addition, we would like tothankamphibian biologist, Sarah Kupferberg, for her critique and useful comments on the initial draft of the methodology. Last, but not least, we would like to thank Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s Hydro Department for providing the support necessary to produce this much needed standardized approach to surveying for foothill yellow-legged frogs. Legal Notice This report was preparedbyPacific Gas andElectricCompany (PG&E)for use by itsemployees andagents. Neither PG&E nor any of its employees and agents: 1) makes any written or oral warranty, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, those concerning merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose; 2) assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product,process, method, or policy contained herein; or 3) represents that its use would not infringe any privately owned rights, including, but not limited to,patents,trademarks, or copyrights. Attachment 4 Page 4-2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company ASTANDARDIZEDAPPROACHFOR HABITATASSESSMENTSAND VISUAL ENCOUNTER SURVEYS FOR THE FOOTHILL YELLOW-LEGGED FROG (Rana boylii) 1.0 Introduction The survey methods described in this document are designed to determine the presence, distribution, habitat utilization, and relative abundance of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) (FYLF). The FYLF is designated by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Species of Concern, a CaliforniaSpecies of Special Concern that is protected under the California Code of Regulations (5:41-42), and a Region 5 U. S. Forest Service Sensitive species. It occurs in the Coast Ranges of California from the Oregon border south to the Transverse Mountains in Los Angeles County, and in most of central and northern California along the west slopes of the Sierra/Cascade crest. The historical elevational range of this species in California extends from sea level to 6,000 ft (1,830 m). However, 5,000 ft. (1,525 m) is generally considered to be the current upper elevation limit of this species in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These survey methods were developed by biologists at Pacific Gas and Electric Company to evaluate amphibian populations associated with five hydroelectric projects in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They were partially derived from several currently applied published and unpublished amphibian survey methods. Modifications to existing survey methods were made based on available life historydata, information obtained from other amphibian biologists, and field observations made by the authors. The resulting standardized approach offers several benefits: it improves the efficiency and usefulness of field surveys; it yields uniform data; and it assists resource managers in evaluating FYLFs and their habitat. Additionally, information gained from these surveys can aid in developing environmental protection measures. This standardized approach for FYLF surveys involves three primary elements: preliminary field planning, visual encounter surveys (VESs), and site habitat assessments. A distinction in survey methods is made for two different classifications of streams (i.e., rivers and creeks). In general, rivers are considered to be large streams (i.e., primarily main stem or trunk streams) with relatively wide channels, and creeks are considered to be smaller streams (i.e., tributaries or branches to a river) with relatively narrow channels. Preliminary field planning is essential for determining data requirements and the level of effort necessary to meet study objectives. The important elements of this phase of the survey are the determination of study objectives, identification of survey sites with potentially suitable habitat for FYLFs, and the timing of surveys. The VES methods are designed to determine the presence, distribution, habitat utilization, and relative abundance of all life stages of FYLF including: egg masses, tadpoles, juveniles/subadults, and adults. Two different survey methods (tandem and separate) are described. Depending on site specific habitat characteristics (e.g., stream size, habitat complexity, length and width of habitat, etc.), surveyors choose the most appropriate method that provides the best approach for surveying a particular site. Different Attachment 4 Page 4-3 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company VES data sheets are used for egg masses, tadpoles, and juveniles/subadults and adults. Following the initial VES, a detailed site habitat assessment is conducted at each site. The parameters used during the site habitat assessment focus primarily on key habitat features. Additionally, other environmental information is collected to provide important data for evaluating factors that may influence each life stage of FYLF. Unless there is a significant change in habitat during the survey period (e.g., significant increases or decreases in flow, or vegetative growth), site habitat assessmentsneedonlybe completed once. Due to several distinctions in the types of data collected, different site habitat assessment data sheets are used for river and creek sites. Survey methods described by Lind (1997) and by Crump and Scott (1994) provided the basic framework for developing the VES and site habitat assessment methods for FYLFs. Extensive surveys conducted by the authors and their consultants in the Pit, North Fork Feather, North Fork Mokelumne, and Middle Fork Stanislaus river drainages in central and northern California (Spring Rivers2001;Pacific Gas and Electric Company 2001, 2002a, 2002b; Ibis Environmental, Inc. 2002), and information obtained from other amphibian biologists that have conducted FYLF surveys on other Sierra streams, provided an expanded base of information for evaluating survey methods. Based on a synthesis of these data, a standardized approach was developed for conducting preliminary field planning, VESs, and site habitat assessments that is applicable to a wide variety of study requirements. The major components of the survey methods are described in the following sections. 2.0 Preliminary Field Planning Preliminary field planning is a key phase in preparing a study design for surveying for FYLFs. Priorto initiating the VES, it is necessary for surveyors to clearly define study objectives and determine the timing of surveys that will best meet those objectives. Selection of survey sites will depend on identification of potentially suitable habitat in the study area, the results of preliminary habitat assessments, and existing data on FYLF in the study area. With this information, surveyors will be able to determine the number of sites to be surveyed, the number of site visits, the timing of site visits, and the data parameters to be measured and evaluated during the VES to achieve study objectives. 2.1 Study Objectives Study objectives should be clearly defined prior to conducting field surveys, since they will largely determine the level of effort and study design. If only basic information on FYLFs is needed (presence), the number of site visits and the extent of data collected would be substantially smaller than that necessary for studies designed to evaluate all life stages of FYLFs and habitat characteristics associated with each life stage. Site habitat assessment and VES data sheets have been designed to include all parameters and information required to thoroughly evaluate each life stage and habitat associated with FYLF breeding and oviposition, tadpole rearing, juveniles/subadults, and adults. For less intensive studies, various combinations of data parameters may be selected that would provide sufficient information to achieve the study objectives. If the primary objective of the study is to determine presence of FYLF, surveyors may choose to conduct one or two surveys. During the late summer survey period, juveniles, and occasionally subadultsand adults, are often easily observed along river margins, and subadult/adult frogs may also be observed in tributary streams. This survey period has the greatest probability of detecting FYLF. However, a minimum of two surveys is recommended to increase the probability of detection. These two site visits Attachment 4 Page 4-4 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company would include a tadpole survey in the late spring/early summer followed by a second surveyfor juveniles/subadults and adults in the late summer. If more detailed information is required regarding habitat utilization, identification of breeding sites, and microhabitat use, surveys for all life stages of FYLFs should be conducted. 2.2SiteSelection TheselectionofFYLFsurveysiteswithinthestudyareashouldbebasedoninformationobtained from all available resources including, but not limited to: literature on habitat requirements and life historyofFYLFs,historicalrecords,knowledgeablebiologists,USGStopographicmaps,aerial photographs, and habitat information obtained during helicopter reconnaissance flights and/or preliminary ground surveys. A helicopter reconnaissance flight, combined with some ground-truthing, provides extremely valuable information for site selection, especially when the study area is large. Such reconnaissance efforts should include at least the following elements at all potential survey sites: designation of a site number, the location indicated on a topographic map with GPS location (if possible), a minimum of two site photographs (looking upstream and downstream), and a preliminary habitat assessment. Sites identified for surveys during the initial selection process should include all moderate to high value habitats for FYLFs, based on species-specific habitat criteria. If a sub-sample of these sites isselected for surveying, the sites chosen should be representative of all suitable habitats and the rangeof elevations within the study area. Additional sites may be selected during follow-up surveys if FYLFs are found in other locations or habitats that were not identified during the initial site selection. These habitats may not have been chosen during the initial site selection due to their limited extent, orbecause the site may lack habitat features typically associated with FYLFs. For detailed information on preferred habitats and general life history of FYLFs, refer to Appendix A. 2.3 Timingof Surveys The general time periods recommended below for VESs are provided to increase the chances of obtaining information on breeding and oviposition of FYLFs, as well as document the presence of all life stages. The actual timing of VESs for FYLFs may vary depending primarily on watershed characteristics, regional snow pack, timing and rate of spring runoff, day length, average ambient air and water temperatures, local and seasonal weather conditions, and the study objectives. To identify the breeding period and/or oviposition, one to two VESs should be conducted from April through June. Based on data collected in California during FYLF surveys conducted on several largeriver systems in the Central Coast Ranges (Kupferberg 1996; and Lind et al. 1996) and Central SierraNevada Mountains (Pacific Gas and Electric Company 2001, 2002a, 2002b), egg laying is generally initiated on the descending limb of the spring hydrograph when water temperatures reach 12 to 15C. If during the initial breeding survey, no egg masses are documented at a given site, a second survey should be conducted two to four weeks later. Approximately four to eight weeks after completing thebreeding survey(s), a tadpole survey should be conducted (usually from June through early August).Surveys for juveniles/subadults should generally be conducted during the latter part of the summer or during early autumn, primarily from late August to early October. If abundant, juveniles are usually easy to detect. Surveys for adults, can be conducted from early spring through late summer. Surveys conducted during the spring breeding period usually provide the best opportunities for observing adults, with the added benefit of potentially locating egg masses. However, the timing can be tricky,and Attachment 4 Page 4-5 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company many adults do not remain for extended periods at breeding locations. If the number of site visits is an issue, surveying for adults at the same time juvenile/subadult surveys are conducted can accomplish two tasks at the same time. 3.0 Visual Encounter Surveys TheVESmethodsdescribedbelowprovideastandardizedapproachforevaluatingthepresence, distribution, habitat utilization, and relative abundance of all FYLF life stages. At the beginning of the initial sitevisit, surveyors conduct an overall evaluation of the site to assist in determining the habitat(s) that will be included in the VES. This evaluation should be conducted from a distance to ensure that amphibians that may be present are not disturbed. Specific habitat data (e.g., type of habitat present, spatial distribution of habitats, and extent of habitat) are included in the evaluation. This information in combination with the results of the preliminary field planning effort provides sufficient data to select the appropriate survey methods, and to establish preliminary site and subsite boundaries for the VES. Separate VESs are then conducted at each identified site and subsite. Final survey boundaries for each site or subsite (i.e., a distinct habitat unit) are established at the conclusion of the initialVES and are used in the site habitat assessment and subsequent VESs. The survey team normally consists of two individuals working in tandem or separately. 3.1 Selectingthe SurveyMethods Surveyors should select the most appropriate survey methods (river vs. creek, and tandem vs. separate/individual) for the VES based on stream size; the extent, distribution, and type of habitats at the site; and study objectives. Selection of survey methods involves two steps. Surveyors must first determine if the survey location is to be considered a river site or a creek site (as described in the introduction). The survey methods are generally similar for both river and creek sites; however, there are several important differences that warrant separate approaches. Amphibian habitats along rivers can usually be found in distinct habitat units (e.g., cobble/boulderbars, side channels, boulder/sedge habitats, etc.), which may occur in relatively small isolated areas,or may be present in several locations along both sides of the river. As a result, the designation of subsites is generally necessary to adequately describe each habitat unit and conduct a comprehensive VES. In such cases, separate VESs and site habitat assessments are conducted at each subsite within the site. In most creeks, FYLF habitat does not typically occur in distinct habitat units. Instead, suitable habitat usually occurs within reaches of the creek having a mix of habitat types (e.g., bedrock cascades, riffles, runs, pools, etc.). Since creek habitat types are often of limited extent, or intermixed, frogs may be observed in alternate habitats that are not generally considered to be suitable habitat. As a result, basic creek VESs are designed to evaluate the entire creek or selected reaches of the creek. However, depending on study objectives, study design, size of the study area, and potential monitoring requirements, subsites may be established on creeks (as described above for river sites) to obtain data on all FYLF life stages. The second step in the survey method selection process is to determine if the two-person survey team should conduct the VES in tandem or separately. In general, it is recommended that VESs at both river and creek sites be conducted in tandem. Two surveyors usually increase the probability of detecting FYLFs and ensure that all suitable habitats are adequately surveyed. In tandem surveys, each surveyor conducts specific tasks of the VES. However, on small creeks, where one surveyor can adequately cover all amphibian habitats, individuals may separate and search different areas at the sametime, or one Attachment 4 Page 4-6 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company individual may survey the entire site. If surveyors are alone or separate, each individual conducts all elements of the VES. However, it is important to clearly define the boundaries of thesearch areas to avoid disturbing amphibians that may be present in adjacent areas. The actual survey method that is selected for a site should be determined by a qualified biologist taking into consideration the approach that would be the most effective based on the extent and distribution of amphibian habitat and overall site visibility. The selected method (tandem or separate) shouldberecorded on the VES data sheet. To maintain consistency throughout the survey season and to facilitate interpretation of survey data, the VES method applied at a site during the first visit should beutilized when conducting subsequent surveys at the site. 3.2. Conductingthe Survey Priorto initiation of field surveys, all surveyors should carefully review the VES standard operating procedures (SOPs) and field data sheets, so that they are familiar with the data parameters to be used and the methods for data collection. VES SOPs and field data sheets are provided in Appendix B.The general approach for conducting the VES and the methods for establishing site boundaries are discussed below. General Approach The survey area (length x width) of each river and creek site will vary depending on the type andextent of suitable habitat. The VES should include all aquatic habitats that can be adequately surveyed within approximately 2 hours (2 hours per surveyor). Depending on specific study objectives, the survey areas at each site/subsite can be permanently marked and re-surveyed during subsequent site visits. When conducting tandem VESs, one surveyor searches for adult and juvenile/subadult frogs, and the other surveyor searches for egg masses and tadpoles. The individual searching for frogs is the lead surveyor and remains ahead of the individual searching for egg masses and tadpoles. VESs should begin along the bank. Surveyors should search the bank and adjacent aquatic habitat firstto avoid stepping on eggs, tadpoles, or juveniles that may be underneath substrate or along theriver or creek margin. After completing these observations, surveyors may sample suitableaquatic habitats away from the stream bank. For detailed information on search techniques for all FYLF lifestages, refer to Section 6.1. All observations made by the surveyors are recorded on the appropriate VES data sheets. Additionally, the location of egg masses and tadpoles and the general location of frogs are indicated on aerial photographs or site drawings (refer to Section 4.0 for more details). Establishing Site/Subsite Boundaries Establishing site boundaries at river and creek sites may vary due to differences in extent and type of aquatic habitats, and the study objectives. In general, river surveys do not include the entirelength of the river, but focus on reaches of the river within the study area that contain suitable habitat for FYLFs. These reaches are identified as individual sites, and the boundaries of the site will depend on the extent of suitable habitat present. On the other hand, surveys at creek sitesmay include the entire length of the creek, a section of the creek, or subsites, if detailed information (i.e., breeding and oviposition, or data on FYLF life stages) is required. If it is not feasible to survey the entire length of the study area, representative sections within the study area that contain suitable habitat should be identified as survey sites with the upstream and downstream ends marked as the site boundaries. Additional sites may also be selected if FYLFs are found in otherriver or creek habitats that were not identified during the initial site Attachment 4 Page 4-7 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company selection. These habitats maybe of limited extent, or lack the usual habitat features typically associated with FYLFs. Atriver sites, subsites may need to be established, if the site is extensive or has several distincthabitat types. Where more than one distinct habitat type is present at a river site, or where there are discontinuous sections of the same habitat type (e.g., lateral bars separated by bedrock outcrops), subsites should be designated. Subsites may also be based upon the occurrence of amphibians. If FYLFs are not observed at a site, subsites may be designated to include the mostsuitable habitat available at the site (e.g., cobble bars with edgewater habitat, boulder/sedge habitat, etc.). Site/subsite notations are numeric/alpha (e.g., 1a) and should be assigned beginningwiththedownstreamsubsite,sequentiallyworkingupstream (e.g., 1a, 1b, 1c). Designation ofsubsites and the collection of habitat-specific species information improve relative abundance estimates and assist surveyors in focusing sampling efforts on the best FYLF habitat available. A VES and a site habitat assessment data sheet should be completed for each designated subsite. Upon completion of the initial VES, the upstream and downstream ends of the site and subsites are marked with semi-permanent markers (flagging, etc.) for single season or short-term studies, or with permanent markers formultiple-year monitoring or long-term studies. Additionally, theseboundaries are indicated on aerial photographs or site drawings (refer to Section 4.0 for more details). 4.0 Site Habitat Assessments Site habitat assessments are an important part of the overall survey. Information obtained in the site habitat assessment provides essential data on site-specific habitat characteristics such as riparian vegetation, aquatic and terrestrial cover, substrate, water quality, aquatic habitat, and upland habitat. Documenting existing habitat conditions enables surveyors to establish baseline conditions at a siteand allow for monitoring of habitat changes. Also, this information, when combined with data collected during VESs, provides the data necessary for developing habitat suitability criteria for FYLFs. The site habitat assessment is the last step in the survey process and should be conducted immediately following the initial VES. The rationale for this is twofold: (1) the VES must be completed first to avoid disturbing the site and any amphibians that may be present; and (2) the final site/subsite boundaries cannot be designated until the VES is completed and the extent of the site/subsites has been determined. Site habitat assessment SOPs and field data sheets for both river and creek sites areprovided in Appendix C. Habitat parameters are measured or estimated, and then recorded on the appropriate site habitat assessment data sheet. Prominent habitat features, such as side channels, isolated pools, or fish barriers should be recorded on aerial photographs. If aerial photographs are not available, this information should be included in a site drawing on the back of the site habitat assessment data sheet. The location of egg masses and tadpoles, and general location of frogs, should also be included on aerial photographs and/or drawings of the site. Photographs should be taken to document general site habitat characteristics, as well as the microhabitat where eggs, tadpoles, juvenile/subadult, and adults are found. Instructions for taking and recording photographs are provided in Section 6.2. 5.0 Data Analysis Depending on study objectives and the level of data collected during the VESs and site habitat Attachment 4 Page 4-8 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company assessment, data analysis may include only a few field parameters or the full range. The data collected during the above surveys can readily be entered in a database and used to generate baseline information and monitor changes over time. 6.0 Information and Techniques to Assist in Field Surveys ThefollowinginformationregardingtechniquesforlocatingalllifestagesofFYLFisprovidedtohelp surveyors in identifying appropriate habitats and improve the likelihood of locating all life stages. Additionally, procedures for taking and recording photographs are provided to assist surveyors in fully documenting their findings. 6.1 Search Techniques andInformation for LocatingAll FYLF LifeStages The following information is based primarily on the experience and field observations made by the authorsduringintensivesurveysforFYLF. Egg masses Egg masses can be the most difficult life stage to detect if the surveyor has no previous field experience. It is highly recommended that prior to conducting VESs, surveyors should visit a known FYLF breeding location to become familiar with representative habitat, and to develop a search image for FYLF egg masses. This should be done with a qualified biologist or other knowledgeable individuals familiar with the breeding area. If juvenile/subadult frogs have previously been documented within the study area, there is a high probability that breeding habitat may be present in the general vicinity of these sightings; thus, such areas should be included as potential survey sites. If there are no previous records, the initial search should focus on areas that have been identified as having moderate to high qualityhabitat. In rivers, breeding areas are often associated with the confluences of tributary streams thatarepredominantly perennial. The macro and microhabitat utilized by FYLFs for breeding and egg laying depends largely on the availability of suitable habitat. In rivers, breeding habitats are typically located along point bars or lateral bars, in side channels, at pool tail-outs, and in side pools along river margins. In most creeks, FYLF breeding is usually associated with pools or slow runs within sections of thecreek having a mix of habitat types. In rivers, FYLF egg masses are typically attached to rocky substrate in calm, shallow edgewater habitat within 3 m of shore. Studies conducted on several major rivers in the Sierra Nevada, have shown that these calm, shallow breeding areas are typically <40 cm deep with velocities <10 cm/sec. However, depending on the habitat type and presence of aquatic predators, oviposition may also occur in deeper water and in faster currents (generally up to 20 cm/sec). Field surveys conducted by the authors have documented partial scouring of egg masses at velocities of cm/sec. Egg masses are usually laid in open areas along the stream where very little shading occurs. In general, egg masses exposed to the sun mature more quickly than those laid in partially shady conditions, regardless of water temperature. Depending on stream currents and substrate complexity, egg masses can be found on a variety of available substrates. FYLF egg masses can usually be found attached to the sides or undersides of large cobble and boulders, although they may also be attached to small cobble, gravel/pebble, or underwater woody debris. In edgewater habitat, egg masses are more commonly found closer to the bottom than the water Attachment 4 Page 4-9 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company surface. Egg masses are typically round and gelatinous, and areabout the size of a fist (3-4 inches in diameter), but can be smaller. For several days following oviposition, egg masses often appear bluish in color. As the egg mass matures, the blue color fades and becomes relatively clear. In areas with little or no flow, egg masses typically becomepartially or completely covered in detritus, silt, or other fine sediments, making detection moredifficult.Throughouttheentiredevelopmentalprocess,theovaremain distinctly black. The timing of breeding or oviposition surveys in the Sierra Nevada is highly dependent on elevation, particularly in reference to water temperature and the initiation of breeding activities. VESsconducted on several large river systems (the Pit, North Fork Feather, North Fork Mokelumne,and Middle Fork Stanislaus rivers) have documented breeding activities as early as mid-April at low elevations, with breeding occurring 1-3 weeks later at slightly higher elevations. Consequently, surveys should be initiated at the lowest elevation sites first, followed by higher elevation sites. Plexiglas viewing boxes are effective in eliminating glare on the surface of the water, as well as improving visibility in areas where there are surface ripples. In deeper water, viewing tubes allow better viewing of bottom substrate and/or underwater woody debris. Tadpoles As would be expected, tadpoles generally remain in the same locations and habitat as that used for oviposition. When tadpoles first emerge from the egg, they are about 7-8 mm in length and are entirely black, closely resembling tadpoles in the Bufonidae family. They usually remain close to the egg mass (which serves as food for the tiny tadpoles) for a period and slowly begin to disperse into adjacent suitable edgewater habitat as the gelatinous mass decomposes. However, they still tend to remain relatively close to the location where the egg mass was laid. When they initially begin to disperse, the small black tadpoles are usually easy to observe feedingon diatoms and other algae on the surface of the substrate. However, as they grow, tadpoles lose the black coloration and become a more camouflaged coloration that blends with the background substrate. In edgewater habitat where water temperatures are generally warmer than the mainstream temperature, tadpoles generally hide between cobble and boulders, often well hidden under a layer of detritus. Tadpoles have limited swimming abilities until they reach about 20-25 mm in length, which could take 4-5 weeks or more, depending on water temperature and foodavailability. From this stage of development until they reach metamorphosis, tadpoles are cryptic and usuallydifficult to spot just by looking in edgewater habitat. To locate tadpoles, surveyors should first walk slowly along the shoreline looking for quick darting movements. If nothing is readily observed, surveyors should slowly run their fingers through the cracks between cobble and boulders, and underneath detritus if present. This search technique is almost always successful in locating tadpoles; however, it can be time consuming if egg masses were not detected at the site, or if edgewater habitat is extensive. Juvenile/Subadult and Adult Frogs Juvenile/subadult and adult FYLFs can be observed throughout much of the year, if surveyors look in the right places at the right times. During the winter, subadults and adults may occasionally be observed along stream margins on sunny days. Prior to the breeding period, adult frogs begin to appear along stream margins, especially on sunny days. As flows diminish and water temperatures begin to increase, males are usually the first to begin moving back to breeding areas to establish calling stations. Females arrive later at breeding sites when average air temperatures begin to rise, flows decrease, and water Attachment 4 Page 4-10 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company temperatures increase to 12 15C. Breeding tends to take place in the same general area each year, unless stream conditions change and the habitat is no longer suitable for breeding. During the summer, some adults may remain in the vicinity of breeding sites if there are cool, partly shady areas with adequate cover. However, adults typically move to nearby tributary streams, where overhead riparian canopy provides areas of partial sun and shade throughout theday,andair temperatures are cooler than on the main river. Perennial streams appear to be the preferred summer habitat of adults; however, ephemeral streams with perennial pools may also provide suitable habitat. Surveyors should note that adult frogs are not usually found in sectionsof creek that have moderately high to high amounts of overhanging cover (shade). Following metamorphosis, juvenile frogs may congregate and are usually conspicuous alongstream margins. Juveniles will typically remain in the vicinity of breeding locations for the remainder of the summer and fall. When associated with river cobble bars, some juveniles may disperse to nearby isolated pools or side channels. By November or December, and through the remainder of winter, juvenile/subadult and adult frogs are typically absent from stream margins. However, depending on elevation and local weather conditions, juvenile/subadult and adult frogs may be occasionally observed on warmer winter days along streams when water temperatures areas low as 9.5° C. In some streams, adult frogs may remain close to the water all winter spendinga portion of the time underwater. 6.2 Taking and Recording Photographs The procedures described in this section provide a standardized method for taking and recording photographs while conducting amphibian surveys. These procedures are intended to provide surveyors with an approach for taking photographs that will best represent overall habitat conditions at a site, document microhabitat that is being utilized, and provide an alternative to collecting voucher specimens for species identification. Each field crew should carry at least one camera (standard 35mm or digital). Photographs are taken of representative habitat features within each survey site. When surveyors take photographs, it is often useful to provide a sense of scale in the picture using a stadia rod, a crew member, or some otherobject of known size. Photos should be taken from different angles to adequately document the feature. The camera should be set to record the correct date and time, if this feature is available on the camera. For each picture, the following information should be recorded in a photo logbook: (1) Date (2)Time (3)Roll number (4)Picture number (5)Stream name (6)Site or subsite number (7) Description of photo, including subject matter, direction of view (upstream or downstream), and location within the site/subsite For standard 35mm cameras, roll number(s) and picture number(s) for a given site/subsite should be recorded in the appropriate spaces on the VES and site habitat assessment data sheets. For digital cameras, the disc or card number and the picture number should be recorded in the appropriate space on the VES and site habitat assessment data sheets. Attachment 4 Page 4-11 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Eachfield crew begins a study with Roll #1 and Picture #1, and counts upwards as needed through the entire study period. After each roll is completed, both the film canister and the roll of film should be labeled with: (1) the roll number, (2) the crew leader's initials, and (3) the stream or project name/initials. For digital cameras, after the disc or card is full, label the disc or card by project and disc/cardnumber(e.g.,card#1,card#2,etc.).Photographsusedtodocumentsitecharacteristicsshould provide views of the site/subsite from: the top looking towards the bottom, the middle lookingtowards the top and towards the bottom, and the bottom looking towards the top. Throughout thesurveyseason, subsequent site/subsite photos should be taken from the same locations as the initial site/subsite photographs. At the end of the field week, 35mm film should be developed taking care to be sure that the roll number, team designation, and stream or project name are transferred to the film-processing envelope for later identification. The photos should be developed electronically and recorded on a CD. For digitalcameras, individual files should be established for each disc or card and appropriately named andstoredonthe computer hard drive, and on a floppy disc or CD. Individual site photographs can then be moved into permanent files for each survey site. All photos should be catalogued by stream andsite number. 7.0 References Crump, M.L. and N.J. Scott, Jr. 1994. Visual encounter surveys. Pages 84-92 in W.R. Heyer, M.A. Donnelly, R.W. McDiarmid, L.C. Hayek, and M.S. Foster, eds. Measuring and monitoringbiological diversity: standard methods for amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press. Ibis Environmental, Inc. 2002. Results of 2001 surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs within the Mokelumne River Project. Prepared for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Kupferberg, S.J. 1996. Hydrologic and geomorphic factors affecting conservation of a river breeding frog (Rana boylii). Ecological Applications 6(4): 1332-1344. Lind, A., Welsh, H.H., and R.A. Wilson. 1996. The effects of a dam on breeding habitat and eggsurvival of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) in northwestern California. Herpetological Review. Volume 27(2). 1996. Lind, A. 1997. Survey protocol for foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) in streams. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Arcata, CA. DG: S27L01A. Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 2001. Results of preliminary surveys for foothill yellow-leggedfrogs (Rana boylii), and an evaluation of the effects of test flows on foothill yellow-legged frogs and associated habitat, along the North Fork Feather River, within the Poe Project area.Appendix in Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 2001. Poe Project FERC No. 2107 draft application for new license (pending). Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 2002a. Results of 2001 surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) on the North Fork Feather River and selected tributaries, within the Poe Project area. In preparation. Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 2002b. Results of 2001 surveys for Yosemite toad, mountain yellow- legged frog, foothill yellow-legged frog, and western pond turtles within the Spring Gap Stanislaus Project area. In preparation. Attachment 4 Page 4-12 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Spring Rivers. 2001. River corridor habitat mapping and biota surveys, with emphasis on special status species, for Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s Pit 3, 4, and 5 Hydroelectric Project(FERC No. 233). Appendix E3.1-2, in Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 2001. Pit 3, 4, and 5 FERC No.233 draft application for new license. Attachment 4 Page 4-13 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Standard Operating Procedures for River and Creek Site Habitat Assessments The following standard operating procedures (SOPs) describe the parameters and data collection methods for completing river and creek site habitat assessments for foothill yellow-legged frogs (FYLFs). Site habitat assessments should be conducted at all sites with suitable habitat for FYLFs, regardless of the visual encounter survey (VES) results. General Habitat Parameters and Assessment Methods 1. All measurements should be recorded in metric units unless otherwise indicated. 2. For consistency, habitat assessments will be started and completed by the same crew members. 3. Where practicable, habitat assessments will start at the bottom of the site and work upstream. 4. If subsites were designated during the VES, a separate site habitat assessment data sheet should be completed for each subsite. 5. All observations and comments pertaining to amphibian habitat will be recorded on the site habitat assessment data sheet. A field notebook should be used to record additional observations and comments on amphibian habitat not included in the data sheet. 6. Right bank and left bank will be designated facing in a downstream direction. 7. Time entries should be recorded in military format (e.g., 4:00 PM is 1600). 8. Distance and length measurements should be taken with a hip chain, metric tape, or range finder. 9. Velocity measurements should be measured with a Marsh-McBurney (or similar) flow meter. Record velocity measurements to the nearest cm/sec. 10. Field data sheets will be QA/QC checked as each sheet is completed. The reviewer’s initials and the review date will be recorded at the bottom of the data sheet. 11. Weather conditions: Habitat assessments can generally be conducted on most days throughout the spring, summer, and fall. 12. Photographs of the site and subsites (if applicable) should include all amphibian habitats present, following the procedures outlined in Section 6.2 of the main text. For river sites and subsites, and creek subsites, photo documentation will include pictures from the bottom looking upstream, from the top looking downstream, and from the middle looking both upstream and downstream. If subsites are not designated on a creek, photographs should be representative of the types of habitat present (both macro and microhabitats) within the survey area. Photographs should be logged on field data sheets and additional notes recorded in the field notebook. 13. If available, copies of aerial photographs should be used to denote site and subsite boundaries, area surveyed, transect locations, and prominent habitat features. If not available, a site drawing should be included on the back of the habitat assessment data sheet. The general location of egg masses, tadpoles or groups of tadpoles, and the general location of frogs should be included on the aerial photograph or site drawing. Attachment 4 Page 4-14 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 14. Site/subsite habitat assessments are conducted on the initial site visit following the VES. On subsequent site visits, a site habitat assessment data sheet should be completed only if there are significant changes in the overall quality of the habitat (e.g., noticeable changes in the extent and/or distribution of amphibian habitat, the amount of vegetation, water depth and velocity). Upper Portion of Data Sheet Below are instructions for completing the river and creek site habitat assessment data sheets, beginning with the upper left corner. These two data sheets are similar, and any differences between them are noted. The instructions for each version of the data sheet are included below. Date – Record the date of the survey in the following format: month / day / year. Site # – Record the site number designated during the preliminary habitat assessment (e.g., 1, 2). Subsite # – If applicable, record the subsite number designated during the VES (e.g., 1a, 1b). River or Creek Name/Location – Record the river or creek name, if available, and describe the location of the site/subsite or use other identifying information (such as a local landmark or relative position). Provide the approximate survey location along the river or creek, and include a landmark or other indicator provided on the USGS topographic map. If site/subsite VESs have been conducted, use the same river or creek names and locations on the site habitat assessment data sheet. USGS Quad – Indicate the name(s) of the USGS 7.5’ topographic map(s) that cover(s) the location of the site/subsite. Township/Range – As indicated on the USGS topographic map, indicate the township and range that encompasses all or the largest portion of the site/subsite. Section – Refer to the USGS topographic map for the Section number containing the site/subsite. ¼ Section – Indicate the ¼ section(s) that contain(s) the site/subsite (e.g., NE ¼, SW ¼, etc.). Elevation – Record the elevation of the site/subsite as determined by a USGS topographic map or by GPS reading. GPS File Name – If a GPS point can be obtained, record the GPS file name for the site/subsite. Location data collected by GPS should be post-processed, and compatible for display in ArcView or other GIS format. Weather – Indicate current weather, including sky conditions and wind conditions, experienced during the VES. Use the following general guidelines: Sky conditions: • Overcast: > 60% cloud cover • Partly overcast: 20% – 60% cloud cover • Clear: < 20% cloud cover Attachment 4 Page 4-15 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Wind conditions: • Inclement: winds > 20 mph • Fair: winds 10 – 20 mph • Ideal: calm to winds < 10 mph Example: Weather that is Overcast/Fair = greater than 60% cloud cover and winds between 10 and 20 mph. Total Site Length – Record the total length of the site. If subsites have been designated, this measurement should include all subsites, including the areas between subsites (i.e., steep bedrock reaches, sand beaches, areas with dense overhanging vegetation, etc.) that are not considered suitable habitat. For rivers, include both banks if subsites have been designated on both sides of the river. For creeks, both banks are included as part of the total site length. River or Creek Aspect – Indicate the orientation of the river or creek drainage at the site/subsite as follows: Southerly, Northerly, Westerly, or Easterly. Example: A south flowing river or creek would have a "southerly" aspect. Discharge – Estimate the river or creek flow in cubic feet per second (cfs). Where available, use stream gage data. o Water Temperature – Water temperatures should be recorded in degrees Celsius (C). In small lentic habitats (side pools, scour pools, etc.), water temperatures should be representative of the habitat. River and creek water temperatures should be obtained along the shoreline in edgewater areas, and at a location further from shore that is representative of the main stream temperature. Observers – The initials of both crew members should appear in this space. The initials of the crew member filling out the data sheet should appear in the first space. Initial Site Visit – Check this box if this is the first site visit during the field season. Follow-up Visit – Check this box if the site has been visited previously during the field season. The site habitat assessment data sheet only needs to be completed during a return visit if there are significant changes in habitat features. Photograph # – Record the photograph number so that it can be indexed to the notes and description recorded in the field notebook. For detailed methods, refer to Section 6.2 of the main text. Roll/Disc/Card # – Record the film roll number or digital disc/card number. This should be a sequential number with the photographer or crew leader’s initials as a prefix (e.g., CWH1, CWH2, and so on). The roll number should be recorded on each film canister with indelible pen. Digital discs and cards should be labeled (if not too small) as directed above for 35 mm film. Digital cards should be placed in small sealed envelopes labeled with the same information. Amphibian Habitat Types – The river and creek SOPs differ, as follows. Attachment 4 Page 4-16 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company For rivers: Circle the habitat type(s) from the list provided on the data sheet that best characterize(s) the site/subsite. If more than one habitat type is present at a site/subsite, circle all that are applicable (i.e., side channel with a low gradient riffle). Boulder/Sedge Margin – Boulder and sedge habitat occurs in low relief areas along the margin of the river. It is characterized by exposed and submerged boulders with interspersed sedge clumps, slow-moving water, and small pools that may be isolated or connected to the river. Side Channel – A side channel is smaller than the main channel, and generally only receives a portion of the streamflow, and may dry up at low flows. Side channels may be separated from the main channel in locations where center islands or low gradient cobble/boulder bars (often with vegetation) occur, and are usually relatively close to the main river channel. Side channels may totally or partially dry out at lower summer flows. Main Channel Pool – Main channel pools typically occur in low gradient sections of rivers and characteristically occupy most of the wetted channel. Main channel pools are generally relatively deep with low velocities and variable substrates. Isolated/Scour Pool – An isolated or scour pool is typically a pool formed at higher flows, and normally receives surface flow only during higher outflow periods. Isolated pools and scour pools may be located in bedrock areas, river bars, or in side channels that have been disconnected from the main river flow. These types of pools may be maintained by subsurface feed from the river, or seeps/springs along the river channel. Pool Tail-Out/Pool Backwater – Pool tail-outs occur at the downstream end of main channel pools adjacent to the main outflow. These areas are often shallow with slow moving or still water, and cobble or boulder substrates. Backwater pools occur along the margins of rivers at the edge of the main flow, and are typically characterized by reverse flows. Backwater pools may occur at river bends, at the bottom of main channel pools, below channel obstructions, etc. Low Gradient Riffle –Low gradient riffles are characterized by moderate velocities (20 – 50 cm/sec) with little or no whitewater, and partially or totally submerged substrates. Run/Glide – Run habitats occur in low gradient sections of rivers, have swift water velocities but no water turbulence, with cobble and boulder substrates. Glides also occur in low gradient sections of rivers, have swift water velocities and substrates consisting of gravel and cobble. Runs occur over a definite thalweg; glides do not. Lateral Bar or Point Bar – Lateral bars are located along a relatively straight section of river, and point bars are located on the inside of a river bend. Both lateral and point bars may have side channels at higher flows that often become disconnected from the main river during the summer or early fall possibly forming isolated pools. These bars may also have isolated or scour pools. For these habitat types, visually estimate the overall bar gradient from the river channel margin to the edge of the upland habitat as follows: Low: < 10° slope Moderate: 10 – 20° slope High: > 20° slope Cobble/Boulder Island – Cobble/boulder islands tend to occur in wider reaches of the river where small substrates (cobble, boulders, and gravel) dominate the channel. Vegetation is typically present to some degree on these islands, which are generally relatively stable habitats. Other – This category includes any habitat type that is not described above. Provide a description of the area. For creeks: Circle the habitat type(s) from the list provided on the data sheet, that best characterize(s) the site/subsite. For a habitat type that is not listed on the data sheet, describe it in the space provided. Pool – Pools typically occur in lower gradient sections of the creek and characteristically occupy most of the wetted channel. Pools may be deep or shallow with low velocities. Attachment 4 Page 4-17 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Cascade/Pool – Cascade/pool habitat usually occurs in higher gradient sections of creeks and is dominated by a series of small falls or steps with pools. The substrate generally consists of boulders or bedrock, or a combination of the two. Isolated/Scour Pool – An isolated or scour pool is typically a pool formed at higher flows, and normally receives surface flow only during higher outflow periods. Isolated pools and scour pools may be located in bedrock areas, in side channels that have been disconnected from the main creek flow, or in wide low gradient areas with small substrates. These types of pools may be maintained by subsurface flow from the creek, or seeps and springs along the creek channel. Pool Tail-Out/Pool Backwater – Pool tail-outs normally occur at the downstream end of main channel pools. These areas are typically shallow, with slow moving water and cobble or boulder substrates. Backwater pools usually occur along the margins of creeks at the edge of the main flow, and often have reverse currents. Backwater pools may occur at creek bends, at the bottom of main channel pools, below channel obstructions, etc. Side Pool – Side pools are hydraulically isolated from the main creek channel and receive little or no surface flow. This type of pool may be fed by a seep or spring that discharges to the creek Bedrock Pool – Bedrock pools occur along moderate gradient stream channels consisting primarily of bedrock shelves, with depressions and scoured areas. These pools may be filled at different streamflow levels, and may become dry as summer progresses, or are sustained by normal creek flows or by seeps and springs. Side/Split Channel – A side channel is smaller than the main channel and generally receives only a portion of the creek flow. Split channels are usually similar in size and receive similar flows. Side or split channels are usually located in wider, lower gradient sections of creeks with cobble and smaller substrates. As the summer progresses and flows decrease, side channels often become isolated from the main creek flow and dry up, unless fed by subsurface flow or a seep or spring. Low Gradient Riffle – Low gradient riffles are characterized by moderate velocities (20 – 50 cm/sec), with little or no whitewater, and totally or partially submerged substrates. Run – Runs occur in low gradient sections of the creek. They have little water turbulence, swift velocities, and substrate compositions of gravel, cobble, and boulder. Other – This category includes any habitat type that is not described above. Provide a description of the area. Site/Subsite Location – For rivers, record on which bank the site/subsite occurs (bank designations are made facing downstream). Both banks are always included in creek VESs. Site/Subsite Length and Width –Record the length and average width of the surveyed amphibian habitat (e.g., lateral bar, boulder/sedge margin). The location of the top and bottom of the site/subsite should be marked with flagging (or other marker), and indicated on an aerial photograph, site drawing, or topographic map. Approximate Area of Site/Subsite – This is an indication of the amount of habitat available, which may be greater than the actual area surveyed. This is determined using the length and width measurements above. The area should also be delineated on an aerial photograph or site drawing. Area should be recorded in square meters. Habitat Features % Margin Vegetation – Indicate to the nearest 10% the length of stream bank with vegetation at the edge of the wetted channel within the site/subsite. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the Attachment 4 Page 4-18 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company dominant (Dom) vegetation type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. This parameter is specific to vegetation along the stream margin that may be used for cover by juvenile/subadult and adult frogs. For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent margin vegetation within the survey area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. % Emergent Vegetation – Indicate to the nearest 10% the total area of aquatic habitat within the site/subsite with emergent vegetation. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the dominant (Dom) vegetation type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent emergent vegetation within the surveyed area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. % Submerged Vegetation – Indicate to the nearest 10 % the area of aquatic habitat within the site/subsite that has submerged vegetation. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the dominant (Dom) vegetation type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. For creeks without subsites, estimate percent submerged vegetation within the surveyed area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. % Cover Aquatic – Indicate to the nearest 10% the total area of aquatic habitat within the site/subsite that provides cover for all life stages of FYLF. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the dominant (Dom) cover type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent aquatic cover within the surveyed area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. % Cover Terrestrial –Indicate to the nearest 10% the total amount of terrestrial habitat between the river margin and upland habitat within the site/subsite that provides cover for amphibians. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the dominant (Dom) cover type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent terrestrial habitat between the creek and upland habitat within the surveyed area that provides cover for amphibians; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. % Overhanging Vegetation – Indicate to the nearest 10% the length of stream within the site/subsite with overhanging vegetation. Circle or write in all types present and indicate the dominant (Dom) vegetation type(s), by checking one or more boxes on the data sheet. For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent overhanging vegetation within the surveyed area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. This parameter should only include vegetation that is directly overhanging river or creek habitats within 2 m of the water surface. Upper canopy vegetation should be included under % Riparian Canopy. % Riparian Canopy – Indicate to the nearest 10% the amount of riparian canopy within the site/subsite. Circle or write in all types of vegetation that provide shade along the margin of the stream, and indicate the dominant (Dom) type(s). For creeks without subsites, estimate the percent riparian canopy within the surveyed area; if this feature is not consistent within the site, record a range in percent. This measurement does not include overhanging vegetation (i.e., within 2 m of the water surface). Aquatic Substrate – Indicate to the nearest 10% the aquatic substrate types present in the site/subsite. Size classifications for substrate types follow the modified Wentworth (1922) scale. Attachment 4 Page 4-19 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Substrate Type Size Range (mm) Silt/Clay/Mud < 0.059 Sand 0.06 – 1 Gravel/Pebble 2 –63 Cobble 64 256 Boulder > 256 Bedrock – Substrate Embeddedness – Circle the category that best represents the embeddedness of the aquatic substrate in the site/subsite. Embeddedness is defined as the degree to which larger particles (large gravel, pebble, cobble, and boulder) are surrounded or covered by fine sediment such as sand, silt, or clay. Embeddedness categories for stream channel materials (Platts et al. 1983) are provided below. These categories identify fine sediment as material less than 2 mm in diameter. Percent of Gravel, Pebble, Cobble, and Level of Embeddedness Boulder Surfaces Surrounded by Fine Sediment Low < 25% Moderate 25-50% High > 50% Dominant Substrate Shape – Indicate the dominant shape of the substrates at the site/subsite. Classification of substrate shape includes: angular, sub-angular, and rounded. This parameter is relative to other substrate within the drainage. River or Creek Habitat – Indicate to the nearest 10% the river or creek habitats within the site/subsite. Descriptions of aquatic habitat features (Rosgen 1996) are provided below and should be used as a general guide when classifying aquatic habitat. Aquatic Habitat General Characteristics Little to considerable whitewater, moderate to fast velocities >20 cm/s, substrate of gravel Riffle and cobble to cobble and boulder totally submerged to exposed, shallow to moderately deep, < 4% 7% slope (low gradient to high gradient riffles) No water turbulence; swift velocity; substrate of gravel, cobble and boulder; low gradient; Run occurs over a definite thalweg No water turbulence; low to moderate even velocity; substrate of sand, gravel and cobble; 0- Glide 1% gradient; occurs over a wide channel lacking a definite thalweg Low velocity, usually large and deep occupying much of the channel, substrate variable, little Pool or no gradient Varying velocities, bedrock and boulder substrates, high gradient, pools separated by short Cascade/Pool cascades Varying velocities, boulder substrate, high gradient, pools separated by short riffles or Step-Pool cascades Sections of a swift flowing stream containing numerous boulders or other large obstructions Pocket Water that create eddies or scour holes (pockets) behind the obstructions River or Creek Gradient – Record the average stream gradient within the site/subsite. Stream gradient should be visually estimated as follows: • Low: < 2 % • Moderate: 2 – 4 % • High: > 4 – 10+ % Attachment 4 Page 4-20 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company River or Creek Gradient Change – Indicate if there is a significant change in gradient (e.g., low = riffle to high = bedrock cascade/pool) upstream of the site or between adjacent subsites. If there are several significant gradient breaks associated with adjacent subsites, describe them sequentially in the Comments section at the bottom of the data sheet. Use the categories provided under River or Creek Gradient above. Circle whether the gradient upstream of the site, or the adjacent upstream subsite, is higher or lower relative to the site/subsite being evaluated. Change in River or Creek Habitat – Describe the alteration in aquatic habitat associated with a change in gradient, using the habitat types listed above under River or Creek Habitat (e.g., the lower portion of the site is a slow glide that changes to a high gradient riffle upstream due to an increase in stream gradient). Rosgen Channel Type – Circle the appropriate channel type for the site/subsite, using the letter designations provided on the data sheet. Descriptions of the channel types (Rosgen 1996) are provided below: A: Cascading channels in a steeply sloped, ‘V-shaped’ drainage with a 4 – 10% gradient. B: Stream types that occur primarily on moderately steep to gently sloped terrain, with the predominant landform as a narrow and moderately sloping valley. “B” streams are moderately entrenched, moderate gradient (2 – 4%), riffle dominated channels, with infrequently spaced pools C: Stream types that are located in narrow to wide alluvial valleys with a well-developed, slightly entrenched floodplain. “C” stream types are low gradient (< 2%), meandering, alluvial channels dominated by riffle/pool habitat and point bars. D: Stream types that are located in broad valleys with alluvial and colluvial fans. “D” stream types are low gradient (< 2%), braided channels with longitudinal and transverse bars, and are characteristically wide channels with eroding banks. DA: Stream types that are located in broad, low-gradient valleys with fine alluvium and/or lacustrine soils, multiple channels, with an expansive well-vegetated floodplain and associated wetlands. “DA” stream types are riffle/pool, similar to stream types “C” and “E”, with well-vegetated, laterally stable bars, and very stable stream banks. E: Stream types that occur in broad valleys or floodplains with meadows and are composed of alluvial materials. “E” types are low gradient (< 2%), meandering riffle/pool channels with stable well- vegetated banks. F: Stream types that occur in meadows or other low gradient areas composed of unconsolidated materials. “F” types are entrenched meandering riffle/pool channels on low gradients (< 2%) with a high width/depth ratio typically associated with high bank erosion rates (meadow streams). G: Stream types that are entrenched “gully” step-pool channels with low to moderate gradient (2 – 4%), and high bank erosion rates. Wetted Channel Width – Measure and record the wetted channel width (that portion of channel with water) in meters, within a representative section of the site/subsite. Bankfull Width – Record the bankfull width (upper limit of high flows) of the channel in meters within a representative section of the site/subsite. This measurement should be based on indicators such as staining on rocks, and scour and debris lines. Many hydrologically controlled streams do not display good indicators, and bankfull widths may be approximations based upon available features. Water Turbidity – Visually estimate turbidity and circle Low, Medium, or High. Estimates should be based upon the following general guidelines: Attachment 4 Page 4-21 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company • Low able to see submerged substrate (including small gravels) clearly in 0.6 m (2 ft) of water • Medium unable to distinguish small gravels in 0.6 m (2 ft) of water • High unable to readily distinguish large gravels in 0.6 m (2 ft) of water Note: turbidity estimates should take into account lighting conditions (shading may affect ratings). Water Color – Circle Clear or Discolored (e.g., tannin staining). Bank Gradient – Circle the appropriate gradient and applicable stream bank (L/R). Record the average bank gradient within the site/subsite; if this feature is not relatively consistent within the surveyed area, indicate a range. For both rivers and creeks, use the categories below. • Low: < 15° • Moderate: 15 – 40° • High: > 40° Active Bank Erosion – Indicate whether active erosion is occurring within or adjacent to the site/subsite. Inundated River Bar – For river sites/subsites only, indicate whether inundated bars are present, and 2 record the Approximate Area (m) of the river bar that is inundated at the existing flow level. This area should include all potentially suitable habitats from the water line out to the point where there is a noticeable change either in slope or in substrate characteristics, or both. The inundated portion of the bar represents an extension of the existing shoreline amphibian habitat that would likely remain amphibian habitat at lower flows. Average Depth of the inundated area should be recorded to the nearest 5 cm. Estimate the Velocity Range (e.g., 0–5 cm/sec) within a representative portion of the inundated area using a flow meter, or if experienced, visually estimate. Edgewater – For river sites/subsites only, indicate if there are shallow water areas (typically < 45 cm deep) along the margin of the river with calm or slow moving water and primarily cobble and boulder 2 substrates. Record the Average Depth (cm), Approximate Area (m), and the Location in Site/Subsite of the edgewater habitat. Tributary Nearby – Indicate if there is a tributary confluence at or in close proximity to the site/subsite. Record the tributary Location in reference to the site (upstream (U/S) or downstream (D/S), and left bank (LB) or right bank (RB) facing downstream), the approximate Distance (m) from the site/subsite, and whether it is Perennial or Ephemeral. Note: if a tributary is not visible from the top or bottom of the site, consult a USGS 7.5' topographic map and estimate the distance from the site/subsite to the nearest tributary. Upland Habitat Type – Circle the appropriate upland habitat type adjacent to the site/subsite from the list provided or add an alternative habitat type if necessary. Fish Present – Record fish that are observed within or adjacent to the site/subsite. Indicate if fish are either suspected or known to occur, but were not observed. For Type, circle or write in the species groups that are present. The following are representative classifications: • Salmonids – trout and salmon • Centrarchids – bass and sunfish • Cyprinids – minnows Attachment 4 Page 4-22 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Herpetofauna and Life Stage – Circle or write in all that apply. Indicate the approximate number and the life stages present (A = adult, J = juvenile/subadult, T = tadpole, E = egg). Other Species Observed – Record other species observed at the site/subsite. Impacts to Amphibian Habitat – Indicate if there are existing activities within or adjacent to the site/subsite that could impact amphibians or their habitat. If possible, assess the potential level of impact (low, moderate, or high). Comments – Comments will be noted at the bottom of the site habitat assessment data sheet. Comments should include observations of conditions potentially affecting amphibians or their habitat that are not included on the data sheets. Such observations might include: a discharge entering the stream, logging and construction activities, recreation activities, notes on particularly good or particularly poor habitat, and other conditions that stand out or are relatively uncommon. QA/QC – Record the initials of the person who reviews the data sheet for completeness and the date it is reviewed. The reviewer should not be the person who completes the data sheet. The reviewer should complete the QA/QC review before leaving the site. References Platts, W.S., W.F. Megahan, and G.W. Minshall. 1983. Methods for evaluating stream, riparian, and biotic conditions. U.S. Forest Service. In: Bain, M.B., and N.J. Stevenson, editors. 1999. Aquatic habitat assessment: common methods. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied river morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO. Wentworth, C.K. 1922. A scale of grade and class for elastic sediments. Journal of Geology 30: 377-392. Attachment 4 Page 4-23 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog Standard Operating Procedures for River and Creek Visual Encounter Surveys The following standard operating procedures(SOPs) describe the parameters and data collection methods for completing river and creek visual encounter surveys (VESs) for foothill yellow- legged frogs (FYLFs). Depending on the level of information required, all or a portion of the parameters described in these SOPs may be used during the VESs. General Parameters and Methods 1. All measurements should be recorded in metric units unless otherwise indicated. 2. Many of the data sheet parameters will be recorded as a numerical code. A guide for these codes is included in the following SOPs, and most of the frequently used codes are also provided at the bottom of each VES data sheet. 3. For consistency in data collection, surveys will be started and completed by the same crew members. 4. Where practicable, surveyors will initiate the VES at the bottom of the site and work upstream. 5. All observations and comments on amphibians and aquatic habitat will be recorded on the VES data sheets. Each crew member will have a field notebook. Notebooks will be identified with the crew member’s name and initials (a three letter code from the first letter of the first, middle, and last name of the crew member) and numbered sequentially in the order used. The notebook will be used to record observations and comments on habitat conditions not included on the data sheet. Entries on all pages should be dated. 6. Right bank and left bank will be designated facing in a downstream direction. 7. Time entries should be recorded in military format (e.g., 4:00 PM is 1600). 8. Distance and length measurements should be taken with a hip chain, metric tape, or range finder. 9. Velocity measurements should be made with a Marsh-McBurney (or similar) flow meter. Record velocity measurements to the nearest cm/sec. 10. Weather conditions: VESs should generally be conducted on warm, sunny days with greatest. Surveys should be avoided on cold or very windy days (> 20 mph, depending on the exposure of the habitat). On extremely hot days, surveys should be conducted during the cooler portion of the day (i.e., morning and late afternoon to evening). Attachment 4 Page 4-24 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 11.Poor weather conditions may preclude conducting VESs during all or a portion of the day. If field conditions are safe, site habitat assessments may still be completed. 12. Amphibian surveys should be performed at the time of day the target species is most likely to be observed. In general, surveys should be conducted between about 0900 and 1900. However, this is dependent on the time of year and local weather conditions. If significant changes in weather occur during the survey (e.g., significant drop in temperature or increase in wind speed), the survey should be discontinued. 13. Polarized sunglasses are highly recommended to reduce glare and increase visibility at aquatic sites. 14. Photographs of FYLF microhabitats, egg masses, tadpoles, etc. should follow the methods outlined in Section 6.2 of the main text. Photographs should be logged on field data sheets and additional notes kept in the field notebook. 15. If available, copies of aerial photographs should be used to denote site boundaries, area surveyed, search pattern, transect locations, and prominent habitat features. If not available, a site drawing should be included on the back of the site habitat assessment data sheet. The location of egg masses, tadpoles, and the general location of frogs should also be indicated on the aerial photograph or drawing. 16. Care should always be exercised not to disturb amphibian habitat or amphibians any more than is necessary to conduct the surveys. Cover objects (e.g., bark, logs, rocks, vegetation) should be carefully lifted or tipped up and replaced in their original positions before replacing amphibians. 17. When capturing and handling amphibians, the surveyor’s hands should be clean (no sun protection products, insect repellent, or other lotions). In addition, the use of surgical gloves for handling frogs will reduce the likelihood of transmitting diseases. Surveyors should limit the time that amphibians are handled, and should release animals at the point of capture. If handling amphibians for an extended period is necessary for identification purposes or to take photographs, a clean plastic bag or jar partially filled with ambient water may be used for holding animals for a short period of time (< 5 min.). When conducting a formal VES, any time expended identifying or capturing animals should not be included as part of the total time spent surveying. 18. To decrease the possibility of transmission of infectious agents (chytrid fungus, or other fungal or bacterial infections) from handling potentially infected frogs, the following procedures developed by Speare, et al. (1998) and the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force should be utilized during all field surveys. The following protocols are also the accepted procedures being used by the U. S. Forest Service. With increasing focus on amphibians and field surveys to; identify and document the presence and distribution of special-status species (e.g., FYLF) and determine utilization of habitats, there is a high risk that field crews could spread disease among other amphibian populations. There is growing evidence that the occurrence of the chytrid fungus is increasing in the Sierra Nevada. Consequently, it is essential that field crews follow a standard protocol for cleaning equipment before conducting surveys in other drainages. It is not necessary to clean equipment between sites within drainages. Attachment 4 Page 4-25 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company In tadpoles, the chytrid fungus attacks the keratin tooth rows and horny beak. In frogs, the fungus is associated with the keratinized layers of the skin. In the field, signs of infection may be observed by examining the mouths of tadpoles. Infected individuals will typically have: tooth rows that are mostly or entirely missing; beaks that lack black pigment; and occasionally slight deformities in the soft, fleshy parts of the mouth in addition to the above conditions. When conducting surveys for FYLFs (or other amphibians), there are two methods for handling frogs that will significantly reduce the potential for transmitting infectious agents between frogs. These are: 1) the use of disposable gloves (e.g., Surgigloves), changing gloves after handling each animal; and 2) the capture and handling of frogs using new plastic bags for each animal. In both cases, the frogs do not come in contact with the surveyor’s skin or clothing. When frogs are difficult to catch, the surveyor’s skin or clothing may come in contact with the frog. If this occurs, all contact surfaces should be cleaned with an antiseptic solution. Used gloves, plastic bags, nets, and/or jars used to capture or hold frogs should not come in contact with clean equipment. Several nets, plastic bags, and gloves should be available for each site. When the survey is completed, dispose of all gloves and plastic bags, and clean other equipment, hands, and clothing with hospital grade disinfectant or 70% ethanol. To reduce the risk of spreading infections to other areas, clean hands, clothes, boots, and potentially vehicle tires if contact with aquatic habitats occurs. Bleach can be used to clean and disinfect equipment, but it loses effectiveness over time and should be replaced after a month or two. Before leaving a site, remove mud, organisms, algae, and other debris from nets, boots, vehicle tires, and other gear. Do not clean equipment in the immediate vicinity of aquatic habitats. Be sure to rinse all gearthoroughly with fresh water after cleaning. Refer to Speare, et al. (1998) for more information: www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/frogs/ampdis.htm or www.mpm.edu/collect/vertzo/herp/Daptf/code_e.html. 19. Voucher specimens may be collected if positive identification cannot be made in the field. Collect only as many specimens as needed to complete the identification. If fewer than four FYLFs are found at a site, they should not be collected, and no more than two specimens should be taken at any site. The specimens should be placed in a glass or Nalgene container with 10% isopropyl alcohol (or 10% ethanol) for temporary storage. The final storage solution should be 70% ethanol. 20. Field data sheets will be QA/QC checked as each sheet is completed. The reviewer’s initials and the review date will be recorded at the bottom of the data sheet. Upper Portion of Data Sheet Below are instructions for completing the river and creek VES data sheets, beginning with the upper left corner. Specific differences between rivers and creeks are so noted. Using the criteria provided in the main text for determining stream type, circle either River or Creek in the title of all data sheets completed for the site. There are specific data sheets for each major life stage: Attachment 4 Page 4-26 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company one for egg masses, one for tadpoles, and one for juveniles/subadults and adults. The instructions for each version are included below. Date – Record the date of the survey in the following format: month / day / year (e.g., 07/02/01). Site # – Record the site number designated during the preliminary habitat assessment (e.g., 1, 2, 3). Subsite # – The river and creek SOPs differ, as follows. For rivers: Subsites should be designated at river locations where more than one suitable habitat type is present, or where there are discontinuous sections of the same habitat type (e.g., lateral bars separated by bedrock outcrops). (Example: Within the site, there are two lateral cobble bars with suitable habitat located along the right bank of the river that are separated by a section of steep bedrock. FYLF are observed at the upper bar, but not at the lower one. The two bars should be designated as separate subsites and separate data sheets should be completed for each one.). Ideally, subsites should be based upon the occurrence of FYLFs. However, if monitoring is a project objective, suitable habitat in close proximity to known locations should be designated as subsites, and VESs should be conducted at each subsite. Site/subsite notations will be numeric/alpha (e.g., 1a, 1b) and should be assigned beginning with the downstream subsite and sequentially working upstream. For creeks: Since FYLFs are typically dispersed along creeks during the summer and may occupy several different habitats, the designation of subsites may not be necessary. However, subsites should be designated at creek locations where FYLFs and breeding habitat is present, or at locations where aggregations of frogs occur. Separate VESs should be conducted at each subsite. These habitat areas may be discontinuous and separated by other types of habitat (e.g., cascade/pool and riffle areas separated by steep bedrock cascades). Site/subsite notations will be numeric/alpha (e.g., 1a, 1b) and should be assigned beginning with the downstream subsite sequentially working upstream. River or Creek Name/Location – Record the river or creek name, if available, and describe the location of the site/subsite or use other identifying information (such as a local landmark or relative position). For creeks, also provide approximate survey location along the creek. Include a landmark or other indicator provided on the USGS topographic map. Observers – For tandem VESs, the initials of both team members should appear on the data sheet. The initials of the team member filling out the data sheet should be noted first. For a separate/individual VES, record only the initials of the biologist conducting the survey. Survey Method – Indicate the search method used for the VES – tandem or separate/individual. Start Time – Record the time the VES is started. End Time – Record the time the VES is completed. Attachment 4 Page 4-27 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Actual VES Time–Record the time actually spent conducting the VES. This represents the time spent between the start and end time that is exclusively expended searching for FYLFs. Time spent filling out VES data sheets, and capturing or identifying animals is included within the start and end times, but is not included in the actual VES time. Air Temp. – Measure and record starting and ending air temperatures. Readings should be taken in the shade at chest height and should be recorded in degrees Celsius. Water Temp. – Water temperatures should be recorded in degrees Celsius. River and creek water temperatures should be obtained along the shoreline in edgewater areas, and at a location further from shore that is representative of the main stream temperature. In lentic habitats (side pools, scour pools, etc.), water temperatures should be representative of the habitat. Discharge – Estimate the flow in cubic feet per second (cfs). Where available, use stream gage data. Total Site Length – Record the total length of the site. If subsites have been designated, this measurement should include all subsites, including the areas between subsites (e.g., steep bedrock walls, sand beaches, areas with dense overhanging vegetation, etc.) that are not considered suitable habitat. For rivers, include both banks if subsites have been designated on both sides of the river. For creeks, both banks are always included in the total site length. Subsite Length – The river and creek SOPs differ, as follows. For rivers: After finishing the VES, measure and record the subsite length on all completed VES data sheets. If the subsite includes both banks of the river, they should be measured separately and combined for the subsite length. For creeks: After completing the VES, measure and record the length of each subsite (both banks are included) on all VES data sheets, if applicable. Search Area Length – The river and creek SOPs differ, as follows: For rivers: Indicate the overall length of the area searched (survey area) for the site or subsite. If a site or subsite includes both sides of the river, the search area length will include both transect lengths. For creeks: Record the total length of the creek that is included in the VES. Search Area Width – The river and creek SOPs differ, as follows. For rivers: Record the average width of the area that is surveyed (amphibian habitat only). This should be measured from the river bank and extend into habitats that were included in the VES (e.g., edgewater, riffles, pools, etc.). This may be measured with a hip chain or tape. Attachment 4 Page 4-28 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company For creeks:Record the average width of the area that is surveyed. This should be an estimate of the average creek width that was included in the VES. Total Area Searched – This represents the survey area length times the average survey area width. Total area should be recorded in square meters. Site Visit – Indicate if this is the first, second, third, or fourth site visit during the course of the year. Weather – Indicate current weather, including sky conditions and wind conditions, experienced during the VES. Use the following general guidelines: Sky conditions: Overcast: > 60% cloud cover Partly overcast: 20% –60% cloud cover Clear: < 20% cloud cover Wind conditions: Inclement: winds > 20 mph Fair: winds 10–20 mph Ideal: calm to winds < 10 mph Example: weather that isOvercast/Fair = greater than 60% cloud cover and winds between 10 and 20 mph. Weather Past 24 Hours –Indicate what the weather conditions were over the last 24-hour period, per the criteria specified above. Photograph # – Record the photograph number, so it can be indexed to the notes and description recorded in the field notebook. For detailed methodsrefer to Section 6.2 in the main text. Roll/Disc/Card # – Record the film roll number or digital disc/card number. This should be a sequential number with the photographer or crew leader’s initials as a prefix (e.g., CWH1, CWH2, and so on). The roll number should be recorded on each film canister with indelible pen. Digital discs should be labeled as directed above for 35 mm film. Digital cards should be placed in small sealed envelopes, and the envelopes labeled with the same information. Middle Portion of Data Sheet Data Sheet Parameters Specific to Egg Masses Attachment 4 Page 4-29 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company On the data sheet for egg masses, use the following instructions for recording data in the 15 columns that appear in the center of the data sheet. For those data sheet parameters that have several potential categories from which to choose, record the number in parenthesis (#) that corresponds to the most appropriate answer. Egg Mass Letter – A letter should be assigned to each specific egg mass, or group of egg masses, that is observed at the site or subsite. These letters should be sequential from the downstream end of the site to the upstream end. If more than 26 egg masses or groups of egg masses are observed at a given site, continue to assign Egg Mass Letters as follows: egg mass 26 = Z, 27 = AA, 28 = BB, etc. Distance – Record the distance from the bottom of the site or subsite to the location of the egg mass or egg mass group. Number of Egg Masses – Record the number of egg masses at a given location. For a group of egg masses, indicate which egg mass pertains to the data being collected. For example: If three egg masses are found for “Group A”, record the number as 1 of 3, 2 of 3, and 3 of 3, starting at the downstream end of the egg mass group and continuing upstream. Egg Mass Attachment Substrate – Record the specific substrate category to which the egg mass is attached. Size classifications for substrate categories follow the modified Wentworth (1922) scale, and information on woody debris was obtained from CDFG (1994). Substrate Type Size Range (mm) (1) Sand 0.06 – 1 (2) Gravel/Pebble2 – 63 (3) Cobble 64 – 256 (4) Boulder> 256 (5) Bedrock– (6) Small Woody Debris < 307 diameter (7) Large Woody Debris > 307 diameter (8) Other – Distance From Shore – Measure the distance of each egg mass from the water's edge. The distance should be measured with a metric tape or ruler. Depth of Egg Mass –Record the water depth from the surface to the center of each egg mass. The water depth should be measured with a metric stick or ruler. % Silt on Egg Mass – Estimate the percentage of the egg mass surface area that is covered by silt as follows: (1)None (2) < 25% (3)25 –50% (4) 51 – 75% Attachment 4 Page 4-30 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (5) > 75% Egg Mass Orientation – Record the stream orientation of the egg mass on the attachment substrate, as follows: (1) Upstream side (2) Downstream side (3) Shore side (4) Stream side (5) On top of substrate (6) Underneath substrate Flow Orientation – Record the direction of streamflow relative to the location of the egg mass, as follows: (1) Oriented into flow (e.g., egg mass on upstream side of attachment substrate facing into the current) (2) Sheltered from flow by attachment substrate (3) Flow along side of egg mass (shear flow) (4) Located in eddy current from sheltering substrate (5) Flow over the top (6) No flow (egg mass in standing or still water) Velocity – Measure the water velocity (in cm/sec) in the water column as close to the egg mass as possible. The reading should be taken adjacent to the center of the egg mass. This measurement should represent the average flow velocity at the location of the egg mass at the time of the VES. River and Creek Habitat – Record the appropriate habitat types from the following choices: Habitat types were extracted from Rosgen (1996). (1) Low gradient riffle (little or no whitewater, moderate velocities 20-50 cm/s, substrate of gravel and cobble totally to partially submerged, <4% slope ) (2) High gradient riffle (considerable whitewater, fast velocities >50 cm/s, substrate of cobble and boulder exposed, 4-7% slope) (3)Run(no water turbulence; swift velocity; substrate of gravel, cobble, and boulder; low slope; occurs over a definite thalweg) (4)Glide (no water turbulence; low to moderate even velocity; substrate of sand, gravel and cobble; 0-1% slope; occurs over a wide channel lacking a definite thalweg) (5) Mainchannel pool (low velocities, usually large and deep and fills most of the channel, substrate variable, no slope) (6) Step-pool (varying velocities, boulder substrate, high-gradient, pools separated by short riffles or cascades) (7) Other Attachment 4 Page 4-31 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Microhabitat –Record the microhabitat type that characterizes the location where the egg mass is found, using the habitat categories provided below: (1) Isolated Side Pool – An isolated side pool is hydraulically isolated from the main channel or creek channel and receives little or no surface flow. This type of pool may be fed by a seep or spring that discharges to the river or creek. (2) Connected Side Pool – A connected side pool is located adjacent to and hydraulically connected with the main river or creek. In rivers, these pools are often located along cobble/boulder bars or in boulder/sedge habitat. (3) Scour Pool – A scour pool is an isolated pool formed at higher flows, and is normally filled during high flows. Scour pools are often located on bars or in bedrock areas. (4) Backwater Pool – Backwater pools occur along the margins of rivers or creeks at the edge of the main flow, and are usually characterized by reverse currents. Backwater pools may occur at river or creek bends, at the bottom of main channel pools, below channel obstructions, etc. (5) Side Channel – A side channel is smaller than the main channel, and generally only receives a portion of the streamflow, and may dry up at lower flows. Side channels are usually close to the main channel in wider sections of the river or creek. (6) Boulder/Sedge – Boulder and sedge habitat occurs in low relief areas along the margin of the river or creek. It is characterized by exposed and submerged boulders and cobble with interspersed sedge clumps, with slow-moving water and small pools (isolated and/or connected). (7) Edgewater – Edgewater habitat generally occurs in shallow, slow moving or calm water areas along margins of river bars or margins of creeks. Appropriate substrates consist primarily of cobble and boulders, often with some gravel. (8) Pool Tail-Out – Pool tail-outs normally occur at the downstream end of main channel pools adjacent to the main outflow. These areas are typically shallow with slow moving water. In rivers, pool tail-outs typically have cobble and/or boulder substrates. (9) Riffle – Riffles (both high and low gradient) normally occur in areas with cobble and boulder substrates, and are usually associated with changes in stream gradient. Riffles may occur in side channels as well as the main channel. (10) Other – This category includes any habitat type that is not described above. Provide a description of the area in the Comments portion of the data sheet. Note: if more than one microhabitat occurs where egg masses are observed (e.g., a riffle in a side channel or edgewater in a pool tail-out), indicate all such microhabitat types by recording the appropriate codes. 2 Substrate at Egg Mass – Indicate the dominant substrate types in a 1-m area surrounding the egg mass. Size classifications for substrate categories follow the modified Wentworth (1922) scale, and information on woody debris was obtained from CDFG (1994). Substrate Type Size Range (mm) (1) Silt/Clay/Mud < 0.059 (2) Sand 0.06 – 1 (3) Gravel/Pebble 2 –63 Attachment 4 Page 4-32 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (4) Cobble64 –256 (5) Boulder > 256 (6) Bedrock– (7) Small woody debris<307 Diameter (8) Large woody debris >307 Diameter Max. Water Depth – Record the total water depth where the egg mass is located. The water depth should be measured with a metric stick or ruler. Water Temperature – Record the water temperature in degrees Celsius where each egg mass is located. Attachment 4 Page 4-33 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Data Sheet Parameters Specific to Tadpoles On the data sheet for tadpoles, use the following instructions for recording data in the 14 columns that appear in the center of the data sheet. For those data sheet parameters that have several potential categories from which to choose, record the number in parenthesis (#) that corresponds to the most appropriate answer. Group Letter – A letter should be assigned to groups of tadpoles that are observed at a site or subsite. These letters should be sequential from the downstream end of the site or subsite to the upstream end. If several aggregations of tadpolesare observed together, they should be recorded as one group. If more than 26 groups of tadpoles are observed at a site or subsite, continue to assign Group Letters as follows: 26 = Z, 27 = AA, 28 = BB, etc. Distance – Record the distance from the bottom of the survey site or subsite to the location of the tadpoles. Approximate Number of Tadpoles – If the site is small, search the entire area and estimate the 2 total number of tadpoles present. If the site is large, estimate the number of tadpoles per m 2 based on several random counts (#/m) obtained within representative areas where tadpoles are observed. Use these data to estimate the total number of tadpoles for the site. Distance from Shore – Measure the distance the tadpoles are from the water's edge. For an aggregation of tadpoles take a measurement at the center of the group. If tadpoles are dispersed along the shoreline, record an average distance from the water’s edge. The distance should be measured with a metric tape or ruler. Velocity – Measure the water velocity (in cm/sec) where tadpoles are located. Tadpole Stage – Record the tadpole developmental stage based upon the following choices. Tadpoles include all tadpole stages (completely aquatic) from the day of hatching, through metamorphosis to the point where they move to terrestrial habitats (no vestiges of their tadpole form remain). The developmental stage should represent the dominant stage of tadpoles present, as individuals or in groups. (1) No legs (2) Rear legs (3) Rear legs and front nubs (4) Legs fully grown, but with tail (5) Mixed; use this code only if the group consists of tadpoles at various stages of development. Average TL (Total Length) – Estimate the average TL of the tadpoles, including those observed in groups. Estimates should periodically be verified by actual measurements of representative individuals. Attachment 4 Page 4-34 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company River and Creek Habitat –Record the appropriate habitat types from the following choices. Habitat types were extracted from Rosgen (1996): (1) low gradient riffle (little or no whitewater, moderate velocities 20-50 cm/s, substrate of gravel and cobble totally to partially submerged, <4% slope ) (2) high gradient riffle (considerable whitewater, fast velocities >50 cm/s, substrate of cobble and boulder exposed, 4-7% slope) (3) run (no water turbulence; swift velocity; substrate of gravel, cobble and boulder; low gradient slope; occurs over a definite thalweg) (4) glide (no water turbulence; low to moderate even velocity; substrate of sand, gravel and cobble; 0-1% slope; occurs over a wide channel lacking a definite thalweg) (5) main channel pool (low velocities, usually large and deep and fills most of the channel, substrate variable, no slope) (6) step-poo l (varying velocities, boulder substrate, high-gradient, pools separated by short riffles or cascades) (7) other Note: if more than one habitat type occurs within a site or subsite, record all appropriate habitat types. Microhabitat – Record the microhabitat type (from the habitat types provided below) that characterizes the location where the tadpoles are observed. (1) Isolated Side Pool – An isolated side pool is hydraulically isolated from the main channel or creek channel and receives little or no surface flow. This type of pool may be fed by a seep or spring that discharges to the river or creek. (2) Connected Side Pool – A connected side pool is located adjacent to and hydraulically connected with the main river or creek. In rivers, these pools are often located along cobble/boulder bars or in boulder/sedge habitat. (3) Scour Pool – A scour pool is an isolated pool formed at higher flows, and is normally filled during high flows. Scour pools are often located on bars or in bedrock areas. (4) Backwater Pool – Backwater pools occur along the margins of rivers or creeks at the edge of the main flow, and are usually characterized by reverse currents. Backwater pools may occur at river or creek bends, at the bottom of main channel pools, below channel obstructions, etc. (5) Side Channel – A side channel is smaller than the main channel, and generally only receives a portion of the streamflow, and may dry up at lower flows. Side channels are usually close to the main channel in wider sections of the river or creek. (6) Boulder/Sedge – Boulder and sedge habitat occurs in low relief areas along the margin of the river or creek. It is characterized by exposed and submerged boulders and cobble with interspersed sedge clumps, with slow-moving water and small pools (isolated and/or connected). (7) Edgewater – Edgewater habitat generally occurs in shallow, slow moving or calm water areas along margins of river bars or margins of creeks. Appropriate substrates consist primarily of cobble and boulders, often with some gravel. Attachment 4 Page 4-35 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (8)Pool Tail-Out–Pool tail-outs normally occur at the downstream end of main channel pools adjacent to the main outflow. These areas are typically shallow with slow moving water. In rivers, pool tail-outs typically have cobble and/or boulder substrates. (9) Riffle –Riffles (both high and low gradient) normally occur in areas with cobble and boulder substrates, and are usually associated with changes in stream gradient. Riffles may occur in side channels as well as the main channel. (10) Other – This category includes any habitat type that is not described above. Provide a description of the area in the Comments portion of the data sheet. – Note: If more than one microhabitat occurs where tadpoles are observed (e.g., edgewater in a pool tail-out), indicate all such microhabitat types by recording the appropriate codes. – 2 Dominant Substrate –Record the dominant substrate types in a 1-2 m area where tadpoles are observed. If tadpoles are distributed along the shoreline, indicate the dominant substrate types for the area where tadpoles are observed. Size classifications for substrate types follow the modified Wentworth (1922) scale, and information on woody debris was obtained from CDFG (1994). Substrate Type Size Range (mm) (1) Silt/Clay/Mud< 0.059 (2) Sand 0.06 – 1 (3) Gravel/Pebble2 – 63 (4) Cobble 64 – 256 (5) Boulder > 256 (6) Bedrock – (7) Small Woody Debris< 307 diameter (8) Large Woody Debris> 307 diameter (9) Aquatic Vegetation – % Algae – Estimate to the nearest 10% the amount of algae present where tadpoles are observed. % Detritus – Estimate to the nearest 10% the amount of detritus present on substrates where tadpoles are observed. Max. Water Depth – Record the maximum water depth where tadpoles are found. The water depth should be measured with a metric stick or ruler. Water Temp. – Record the water temperature in degrees Celsius where tadpoles occur. Data Sheet Parameters Specific to Juveniles/Subadults and Adults Attachment 4 Page 4-36 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company On a data sheet for juveniles/subadults and adults, use the following instructions for recording data in the 10 columns that appear in the center of the data sheet. For data sheet parameters that have several potential categories from which to choose, record the number in parenthesis (#) that corresponds to the most appropriate answer. Number of Frogs – Indicate the number of individuals observed within the site or subsite. If a large number of juveniles/subadults or adults is encountered, an estimateof the total number present may have to be sufficient. Distance – Record the distance from the bottom of the site or subsite to the location of the frog or aggregation of frogs. Sex (M/F) – When possible, determine the sex of captured frogs, and for those frogs that can usually be sexed without handling (e.g., during the breeding period, most males typically have enlarged forearms and thumb pads for grasping females). Do not record sex if a positive determination cannot be made. Age (J, A) – Indicate the approximate age of the frogs observed (when possible) using the following categories: Juvenile/Subadult –includes recently metamorphosed individuals that have no vestiges of their tadpole form, up to about 1 1/2 to two years old (generally 39 mm or less snout-vent length); Adult – includes all sexually mature frogs (generally two years old or older, with a 40 mm or greater snout-vent length). Note: Adult males are typically smaller (snout-vent length) than adult females for individuals from the same year-class. Snout-Vent Length – This represents the distance from the tip of the frog's snout to the vent, and should be recorded in millimeters. Activity – Record the individual's activity from the following choices: (1) sitting in shade, (2) basking, (3) hiding, (4) calling, (5) swimming, (6) foraging, (7) amplexus, (8) floating, (9) underwater, or (10) other. River and Creek Habitat – Record the appropriate habitat types from the following choices. River habitat types were extracted from Rosgen (1996). (1) low gradient riffle(little or no whitewater, moderate velocities 20-50 cm/s, substrate of gravel and cobble totally to partially submerged, <4% slope) (2) high gradient riffle(considerable whitewater, fast velocities >50 cm/s, substrate of cobble and boulder exposed, 4-7% slope) (3) run (no water turbulence; swift velocity; substrate of gravel, cobble and boulder; low gradient slope; occurs over a definite thalweg) (4) glide (no water turbulence; low to moderate even velocity; substrate of sand, gravel and cobble; 0-1% slope; occurs over a wide channel lacking a definite thalweg) (5) main channel pool (low velocities, usually large and deep and fills most of the channel, substrate variable, no slope) (6) step-pool (varying velocities, boulder substrate, high-gradient, pools separated by short riffles or cascades) Attachment 4 Page 4-37 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (7)other Note: if more than one habitat type occurs within a site or subsite, record all appropriate habitat types. Microhabitat – Record the microhabitat type that characterizes the location where frogs are observed from the habitat types provided below. (1) Isolated Side Pool – An isolated side pool is hydraulically isolated from the main channel or creek channel and receives little or no surface flow. This type of pool may be fed by a seep or spring that discharges to the river or creek. (2) Connected Side Pool – A connected side pool is located adjacent to and hydraulically connected with the main river or creek. In rivers, these pools are often located along cobble/boulder bars or in boulder/sedge habitat. (3) Scour Pool –A scour pool is an isolated pool formed at higher flows, and is normally filled during high flows. Scour pools are often located on bars or in bedrock areas. (4) Backwater Pool – Backwater pools occur along the margins of rivers or creeks at the edge of the main flow, and are usually characterized by reverse currents. Backwater pools may occur at river or creek bends, at the bottom of main channel pools, below channel obstructions, etc. (5) Side Channel – A side channel is smaller than the main channel, and generally only receives a portion of the streamflow, and may dry up at lower flows. Side channels are usually close to the main channel in wider sections of the river or creek. (6) Boulder/Sedge – Boulder and sedge habitat occurs in low relief areas along the margin of the river or creek. It is characterized by exposed and submerged boulders and cobble with interspersed sedge clumps, with slow-moving water and small pools (isolated and/or connected). (7) Edgewater – Edgewater habitat generally occurs in shallow, slow moving or calm water areas along margins of river bars or margins of creeks. Appropriate substrates consist primarily of cobble and boulders, often with some gravel. (8) Pool Tail-Out – Pool tail-outs normally occur at the downstream end of main channel pools adjacent to the main outflow. These areas are typically shallow with slow moving water. In rivers, pool tail-outs typically have cobble and/or boulder substrates. (9) Riffle – Riffles (both high and low gradient) normally occur in areas with cobble and boulder substrates, and are usually associated with changes in stream gradient. Riffles may occur in side channels as well as the main channel. (10) Exposed Bank – Exposed locations alongthe river margin (e.g., boulders, bedrock, sand or mud bank, etc.) (11) Protected Bank– Protected locations along the river margin (e.g., under an overhanging bank or boulder, large cracks between boulders, etc.) (12) Other – This category includes any habitat type that is not described above. Provide a description of the area in the Comments portion of the data sheet. Note: if more than one microhabitat characterizes the area where frogs are observed (e.g., riffle in a side channel), indicate both microhabitat types using the codes provided above. Attachment 4 Page 4-38 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Dominant Substrate–Record the dominant substrate types that are being utilized by frogs at the time of the observation. Size classifications for substrate types follow the modified Wentworth (1922) scale, and information on woody debris was obtained from CDFG (1994). Substrate TypeSize Range (mm) (1) Silt/Clay/Mud< 0.059 (2) Sand 0.06 – 1 (3) Gravel/Pebble2 –63 (4) Cobble64 –256 (5) Boulder > 256 (6) Bedrock – (7) Small Woody Debris < 307 diameter (8) Large Woody Debris > 307 diameter (9) Aquatic Vegetation – (10) Margin vegetation – (11) Other– Comments – Enter any comments about the foregoing data. Lower Portion of Data Sheet Fish Present – Indicate if fish are observed or otherwise known to occur in the river or creek. Type – Circle or write in the fish species group(s) present. Following are representative classifications: Salmonids–trout and salmon Centrarchids – bass and sunfish Cyprinids– minnows Herpetofauna & Life Stage – Record all amphibians or reptiles, other than the target species, that were observed during the VESs. Include the approximate number and the life stage(s) present (A – adult, J – juvenile/subadult, T – tadpole, E – egg). Other Species Observed – Record other species observed at the site/subsite during the VES. Comments – Additional comments will be noted at the bottom of the VES data sheet. Comments should include observations of conditions affecting amphibians that are not listed on the main data sheet such as road construction/maintenance, recreation, and other related issues that are notable or are relatively uncommon. Additional comments may include: observations of the average size of egg masses or evidence of fungus or predation; health of tadpoles, Attachment 4 Page 4-39 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company juveniles/subadults, and adults; or direct or suspected predation on FYLFs. If extra space is required for comments, the reverse side of the data sheet should be used. QA/QC – Record the initials of the person who reviews the data sheet, and indicate the date it was reviewed. The reviewer should not be the person who completes the data sheet. References CDFG (California Department of Fish and Game). 1994. California salmonid stream habitat restoration manual. Third Edition. State of California Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game, Inland Fisheries Division, Sacramento, CA. Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied river morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO. Speare, R., L. Berger, and H. Hines. 1998. How to reduce the risks of you transmitting an infectious agent between frogs and between sites. James Town University, Townsville, Australia. 9 pp. Wentworth, C.K. 1922. A scale of grade and class for elastic sediments. Journal of Geology 30: 377-392. Attachment 4 Page 4-40 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Addendum to A Standardized Approach for Habitat Assessments and Visual Encounter Surveys for the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (Rana boylii) January 2020 During review with agency groups (SWRCB, Forest Service, CDFW, and USFWS) of the Draft Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan, several items were identified in Seltenrich and Pool 2002 that are now outdated. Updates to these specific items are identified as follows: On December 11, 2019, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to list the genetic clade of foothill yellow-legged frogs (FYLF) in the Feather River drainage as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. The commission is scheduled to adopt the findings of its listing decision at the February 2020 commission meeting. Until listing is officially implemented, FYLF remain a candidate species, which are afforded the same legal protections provided to an endangered or threatened species (Fish & G. Code, § 2085). Egg laying is generally initiated on the descending limb of the spring hydrograph when the water temperatures reach 10C. Digital cameras are used to take photos. Photos are stored in computer files and photo logbooks are no longer created. There is an abundance of data and evidence documenting that Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is widespread throughout the Sierra Nevada. Bd is the pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease that has devastated numerous amphibian populations all over the world. Foothill yellow-legged frog in the North Fork of the Feather River have tested positive for Bd in samples analyzed in 2019. To address this issue we present the following: Decontamination Protocol. While conducting aquatic surveys, field biologists can transmit amphibian pathogens from one aquatic habitat to another and from one organism to another. All field survey personnel shall adhere to currently accepted decontamination protocols (see links below) for all field gear and equipment that will be in contact with water or FYLF. In general, before leaving a site, surveyors will remove mud, organisms, algae, and other debris from nets, boots, vehicle tires, and other gear. Prior to entering aquatic habitat at a new location, surveyors must disinfect any equipment that will come in contact with aquatic habitatsor amphibians. Details on current decontamination protocols that will be consulted are presented in Gray et al. (2017), and further resources for decontamination strategies are available from the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. In addition, the Licensee will annually access the most current disease issues and accepted decontamination methods prior to initiating annual surveys in the Poe Reach. https://parcplace.org/resources/herpetofaunal-disease-resources/ http://www.northeastparc.org/products/pdfs/NEPARC_Pub_2014-02_Disinfection_Protocol.pdf Voucher specimens will never be collected for identification of species. If any specimens are permitted for collectionto provide future DNA samples,and freezing in liquid nitrogen (followed by storage in a -80° C ultra freezer) is not an option, the specimen should be stored in 95% ethanol. Attachment 4 Page 4-41 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company DNA is more likely to degrade when the specimen is stored in 70% ethanol. Ethanol used to preserve specimen DNA should be changed out within a few days because the desiccation process dilutes the initial ethanol bath. The storage method for collected specimens depends on the planned use of the sample. High concentration ethanol preservation is not ideal for morphological sampling, in which fixing the specimen in 10% formalin and then storing in lower concentration ethanol may be better for reducing desiccation and increasing pliability of the specimen. However, preserving DNA using 95% ethanol is arguably more important for specimens that are not being collected specifically for morphological study. Snout-urostyle measurements are collected, not snout-vent measurements (Watters et al. 2016). Gray, M.J., A.L.J. Duffus, K.H. Haman, R.N. Harris, M.C. Allender, T.A. Thompson, M.R. Christman, A. Sacerdote-Velat, L.A. Sprague, J.M. Williams, And D.L. Miller. 2017. Pathogen Surveillance in Herpetofaunal Populations: Guidance on Study Design, Sample Collection, Biosecurity, and Intervention Strategies. Herpetological Review 48(2), 334– 351. Watters, J. L., S. T. Cummings, R. L. Flanagan, and C. D. Siler. 2016. Review of morphometric measurements used in anuran species descriptions and recommendations for a standardized approach. Zootaxa 4072:477–495. Attachment 4 Page 4-42 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 5 Habitat Assessment and Visual Encounter Survey Data Sheets – Updated from the Original Seltenrich and Pool 2002 Data Sheets Attachment 5 Page 5-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Attachment 5 Page 5-2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company 2020 March 3 - Page 5 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 5 Attachment 2020 March 4 - Page 5 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 5 Attachment 2020 March 5 - Page 5 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 5 Attachment Attachment 6 Rationale for Plan Variations from License Conditions This document, Poe Amphibian Monitoring Plan (Plan), presents a proposal to comply with amphibian population monitoring required by SWRCB WQC Condition 9 and Forest Service 4(e) Condition 25, elements of which were also incorporated into FERC License Article 401. SWRCB Condition 9 and Forest Service 4(e) Condition 25 are summarized in Attachments 2 and 3, respectively. Under this Plan there are three major differences between the above license conditions and what PG&E is proposing for the habitat suitability analysis and extent of, and interval of days between, egg mass surveys. The rationales for each of the proposed changes are described below. Egg Mass Survey Interval. The license conditions require that complete egg mass surveys be conducted at seven day intervals. In this Plan, PG&E proposes to conduct the surveys at 10-day intervals. This interval is consistent with the procedures followed during previous FYLF population monitoring in the Poe and Cresta reaches of the NFFR (implemented for the adjacent Rock Creek-Cresta Project License \[FERC No. 1962\]), and is expected to account for all egg masses with less overall effort. Additional egg mass monitoring will be performed in association with ramp-down test-phase events that occur during the typical FYLF breeding and rearing season in the Poe Bypass Reach. The details of such monitoring will be determined in the Long-Term Ramping Rate Plan and the purpose of the monitoring will be to confirm that the ramp-down operation is successful and beneficial to FYLF breeding. The anticipated scope of this monitoring is: 2 FYLF survey sites 3 multi-day ramping (stepdown) events Up to 7 days of additional surveys at each site, distributed throughout the event Specifically, PG&E believes this 10-day survey interval will allow for the detection of egg masses on the subsequent survey conducted 10 days later, even if they were laid immediately after the previous survey. For example in the table below (stage development of egg masses over time as derived from Zweifel \[1955\], and used to backdate egg masses - see Section 4.2.2), an egg mass laid on the day after a survey (i.e., Gosner stage 1-4) will still be developing and near hatching on day nine (Gosner stage 20), ten days after the survey. This was frequently confirmed during previous surveys in the Poe and Cresta reaches from egg masses laid on the day of the survey and still in place ten days later. GOSNER 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 910 1112 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 STAGE BACKDATE # 0 00 0 1 1 1 1 223 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 89 10 11 of DAYS Example Day EM Laid day 1 day old 2 d3d4d 5d 6d 7d 8d 9d 10d11d after survey Egg Mass Survey Site Selection. Following implementation of the new streamflows, license conditions require PG&E to monitor egg laying (egg masses) on 100% of the NFFR Poe Reach for the first five years, and on 100% of suitable habitat for the remainder of the license. To determine suitable habitat, PG&E must conduct an assessment of potential FYLF egg-laying and Attachment 6 Page 6-1 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company tadpole rearing habitats in the Reach. The required completion time foridentification of suitable egg-laying and rearing habitat—areas that meet FYLF egg-laying preferences—is the end of License Year 2; a second assessment is required by the end of License Year 5. In this Plan, PG&E proposes an alternative methodology, which initially focuses on egg mass monitoring at sites which have been previously surveyed (i.e., monitoring implemented for the adjacent Rock Creek- Cresta Project License), adds one new site (Mill Creek), and implements young-of-the-year (YOY) surveys at the reach-wide scale. PG&E believes this alternative methodology will better address the goal of the Plan, which is to assess the response of the Poe Reach FYLF population to new license-required instream flows. Rather than using only reach-wide egg mass surveys to assess the FYLF population, this approach combines egg mass information at targeted sites that have a long record of FYLF information, with reach-wide surveys of YOY FYLF (see below, “Focus of Reach-wide Surveys”). By assessing both the breeding effort (egg mass surveys) and YOY recruitment, this approach is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the FYLF population and the population response to new instream flows. In addition, it is apparent from previous reach-wide YOY surveys (implemented for the adjacent Rock Creek-Cresta Project License) that there were numerous areas of suitable breeding habitat in the Poe Reach outside of established survey sites/subsites prior to the new flow releases. Following the License Year 5 reassessment of habitat suitability and occupancy, PG&E will consult with the agencies to determine if additional egg monitoring sites should be added. Focus of Reach-wide Surveys. Under the new license conditions, PG&E is required to determine which suitable habitats are occupied by FYLF. To make this determination, egg mass monitoring is required to be conducted annually on 100% of the NFFR Poe Reach for the first five years, and then at 100% of suitable habitats for the remaining license period. In this Plan, PG&E proposes to use YOY counts from reach-wide surveys in conjunction with habitat assessment data (Section 4.1 of the Plan) to determine FYLF distribution, relative abundance, recruitment, and occupancy in habitats that are potentially suitable, as YOY counts are used as an index of successful breeding. PG&E believes that using the current egg monitoring protocol for the entire Poe Reach, which is designed to find all egg masses in often complex habitat, would be overly time consuming. In addition, some areas of the reach cannot be safely accessed during high spring flows when FYLF are laying eggs. FYLF monitoring along the North Fork Mokelumne River (NFMR, Mokelumne River Project, FERC No. 137) has demonstrated that reach-wide counts of YOY are representative of suitable egg laying/tadpole rearing habitat (PG&E 2019). Attachment 6 Page 6-2 March 2020 Poe Hydroelectric Project, FERC Project No. 2107 ©2020, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Enclosure 2 Forest Service Approval Letter dated March 19, 2020 PG&E Request Letter dated March 4, 2020