6.3.1 Inventory of facilities and risk assessment
Hydroelectric project transmission lines can pose a collision hazard to birds (especially where lines cross water bodies), and distribution lines can pose an electrocution hazard (e.g., if birds roost or nest on the lines). The risk of birds colliding with or being electrocuted by hydroelectric project facilities can be assessed by documenting the characteristics and locations of facilities that could be hazardous, evaluating the risk based on guidelines in the scientific literature, and collecting information on past injuries or mortalities of birds.
Key sources of information on structural characteristics likely to cause collision and electrocution include:
APLIC (Avian Power Line Interaction Committee). 1994. Mitigating bird collisions with power lines: the state of the art in 1994. Edison Electric Institute, Washington D. C.
APLIC (Avian Power Line Interaction Committee). 1996. Suggested practices for raptor protection on power lines: the state of the art in 1996. Edison Electric Institute, Washington D. C. and Raptor Research Foundation.
CEC (California Energy Commission). 2002a. A roadmap for PIER research on avian power line electrocution in California. Commission Staff Report, P500-02-072F. Prepared by Kevin Hunting, Wildlife Consultant, Sacramento for California Energy Commission, Sacramento.
CEC (California Energy Commission). 2002b. A roadmap for PIER research on avian collisions with power lines in California. Commission Staff Report, P500-02-071F. Prepared by Kevin Hunting, Wildlife Consultant, Sacramento for California Energy Commission, Sacramento.
USFWS and APLIC (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Avian Power Line Interaction Committee). 2005. Avian Protection Plan (APP) Workshop. Portland, Oregon. 17-18 May.
Field surveys and review of available engineering drawings of project facilities associated with the production and transmission of electricity are necessary to document the locations and risk factors of project structures, transmission tower types, and transmission line water crossings. The level of hazard that project structures pose to birds can then be determined by comparing characteristics of project structures with information on hazardous conditions presented in scientific literature. In addition, previously recorded electrocution or collision events by the Licensee can provide indications of potential problem areas.
This method has been applied at the Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 2242), on the McKenzie River, Oregon; and on the North Umpqua Project (FERC Project No. 1927), on the North Umpqua River, Oregon.
