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FWLB 1155

BOTTOMFISH HARBOR STUDY. AKUTAN, ALASKA

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PLANNING AID REPORT

Bottomfish Harbor Study Akutan, A1aska

Prepared for

U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers A1aska District

u.s. FISH & WILDLIFE

SERVICE

Prepared by

U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service

Western Alaska Ecological Services Anchorage, Alaska

September 1983

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United States Department of the Interior

IN. REPLY REFER TO:

WAES

Colonel Neil E. Saling District Engineer Alaska District Corps of Engineers Pouch 898 Anchorage, Alaska 99506

Dear Colonel Saling:

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Western Alaska Ecological Services 605 W, 4th, Room G~81

Anchorage, Alaska 99501

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U.S. Fish & Wild/... S , . 7 0 rre erv!oo , . l 1 r: Tud R d ·-· or oa 4. 'lcl-.o ' '· ruc1·e A'=-ok 99 ·. , lu_, ,a 503

The enclosed correspondence transmits our Planning Aid Report, as it pertains to the environmental assessment of the proposed Bottomfish Harbor Project at Akutan, Alaska.

Fish and wildlife information presented in our report was obtained in coordination with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Marine Fisheries Service and members of your environmental staff. The report was prepared in accordance with the provision of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), but does not constitute the report of the Secretary of the Interior within the meaning of Section 2(b) of the Act, nor does it constitute consultation required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (87 Stat. 884, as amended).

Please review our report and provide us written comments within 30 days.

Enclosure

cc: ROES Sunberg, ADF&G, Anchorage Smith, NMFS, Anchorage Gross, City of Akutan Van Veldhuizen, Jones & Stokes

Sincerely,

Field Supervisor

Associates .....

AKUTAN, ALASKA BOTTONFISH HARBOR STUDY v

Feasibility Stage ,

PLANNING AID REPORT

Submitted to Alaska District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Anchorage, Alaska

// Prepared by: Wayne M. Crayton, Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Approved by: Robert G. Bowker, Field Supervisor

Western Alaska Ecological Services Field Office U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Anchorage, Alaska

September, 1983

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SU~IMARY

Six alternatives are presently being studied by the Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with facilitating construction of a bottomfish harbor at Akutan Harbor located on Akutan Island in the Aleutian Islands. The alternatives represent a variety of engineering designs in a variety of topographic areas. · Even though the environmental impacts for each alternative fall into similar categories, the extent and magnitude of concern will vary between them; therefore, we have preliminarily determined. that the Akutan Point alternative is the least environmentally acceptable site and should be avoided~ The Head of Bay alternative is also classified as least environmentally acceptable but to a lesser degree than Akutan Point. Those alternatives more environmentally acceptable for project construction include Salthouse Cove, South Beach, Whaling Station, and Mid-Harbor (North and South).

Akutan Point harbors diverse intertidal and subtidal habitats. Associated assemblages of marine organisms are equally diverse. Locally occurring kelp beds and rocky reefs support juvenile fish and clam beds which, in turn, support locally occurring seabirds and marine mammals. Juvenile pink salmon were found to be utilizing the shallow waters of the nearshore zone. Bald eagles and nesting puffin populations inhabit the north and east sides of the Point.

The Salthouse Cove, Whaling Station, and Mid-Harbor alternatives are anticipated to have few impacts to local occurring fish and wildlife resources primarily because these areas are presently being impacted by human disturbances (mooring vessels, fish processing wastes, garbage disposal, crab pot storage, oil and fuel spills).

Based on currently available information about the fish and wildlife resources of Akutan Harbor, the Fish and Wildlife Service has tentatively identified the following species and habitat types to assess the adverse environmental impacts of the project, and develop mitigation goals and a mitigation plan: 1) sea otter, 2) horned and tufted puffin, 3) bald eagle, 4) pink salmon, 5) coho salmon, 6) Alaria kelp beds, and 7) subtidal reefs. Criteria to be used to determine habitat value include existing water quality and littoral diversity, relative abundance and productivity.

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TABLE OF· CONTENTS'

List· of Tables and Figures •...• o•••••c····-······•••e••s•oca-•.c).C)Q·········

INTRODUCTION •••••••.• ~ •• ., ••••.•••• e • .,. 0·•·• •• o-•-· •••••••••••.• Cl c Cl •••••••••••••

FWS STUDY OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY ••••••• , •••••• ·~ ••••••••• o.o ••••••••••

ST UDV AREA • ••••••••••• o •• (I ••••••••••••.••••••• c ••• e ••••••••••••• ., •••••••

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ALTERNATIVES ••••••••••••••••••• u••·············· FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Vegetation, Mammals and Avians •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Marine Resources •••••••••••••••••••••••••• e••o••••o••co•••••••••••••

General Description ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••...... oe•••••••••o•

Akutan Point•••••••••••••••••o••o••••••••••o•••o•••••••••••••••••• Sa 1 thou s e Cove • o •• 11:1o ••• " •••••••••••• Q •••••• o ••••••• o •••••••.••••••••

Mid-Harbor (North and South) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Head of Bay • ••••••••• 0 ••••••••• G 0 •••••••• G • () •••• ~ e • 0 0 e ••• ~ e • ••••••

Whaling Station ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• & •••••••••••••••••••

South Beach •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

DISCUSSION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

RECOMMENDATIONS •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••e••eeaoaeoooee••••••••••

REFERENCES •••••••••••••.••••••••••••••• "' •••••••• I) •••• ., •• o •••••••••••••••

Appendix: compa~ative spec~es list of those marine organ1sms occurr1ng at each project alternative; Akutan Harbor, Alaska •. , •••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••.•.•

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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

Table Page.

1. Avifauna observed on the south and east coast of ' .. Akutan Is land e Cl 0 c c.. 6 • Cl· •••••••••• II ••••• 0 ••• (I • 0 ••• 0 .. 0 Q •••••• ·• • 7

Figures

1. Akutan, Alaska vicinity map.................................. 2

2. Alternative locations and biological sampling stations....... 4

3. General illustration of the major habitat and substrate . groups at Akutan Point •••••••• ~............................ 8

4. Horizontal schematic of the intertidal zones at Akutan Point, Akutan, Alaska (Transects A and B)......................... 10

5. Horizontal schematic of the intertidal zone at Akutan ·point, Akutan, Alaska (Transects C and 0) ••••••••••••••••• ~....... 11

6. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile at Salthouse Cove (Alternative 2) Akutan, Alaska... 13

7. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile at Mid-Harbor (Alternative 3-south end) Akutan, Alaska •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••.• ~~········ 14

8. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile at Mid-Harbor (Alternative 3-north end) Akutan, Alaska .•...•.•...•.••..••••• ., .•.•.•••••••••.....••••••..... 15

. 9. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect

profile at the Head of the Bay (Alternative 4) Akutan, Alaska •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ~.·...................... 16

10. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile of the Whaling Station (Alternative 5) Akutan, Alaska..................................................... 18

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the Alaska District, Corps of Engineers• (CE} bottomf.ish study is to survey and facilitate satisfaction of· the· needs of the domestic Alaskan bottomfish industry relative to navigation improvements •. Solutions and improvements considered by the CE include. the creation of new- harbors through the construction of breakwaters and/or the. dredging of entrance· channels and the improvement or enlargement of existing harbors and channels.

Formal coordination between the CE and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was initiated in May 1982 with the CE identifying 12 potential harbor locations for study. On 11 June 1982, the CE Environmental Section verbally informed the FWS that only eight sites would be investigated. A FWS Planning Aid (PA) Letter submitted to the CE on 26 July 1982, preliminarily assessed the fish and wildlife resources of the eight sites based on existing information and discussed the potential project-related impacts.

Future FWS efforts will be directed toward gathering site-specific information at each project location the CE carries into feasibility. Presently the CE is studying improvements at Akutan/Unalaska, False Pass, King Cove and Atka. This Planning Aid Report is limited to FWS•s field investigations conducted at Akutan during July, 1983, literature searches, and communication with local residents, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.

FWS STUDY OBJECTIVES AND . ~IETHODOLOGY

The primary field objective was to gather biological data from the following habitat types: 1) marine sub- ~nd intertidal zones; and 2) terrestrial-marine tundra.

Nearshore work was performed by diving biologists whose primary goal was to document at each alternative site, the assemblages of marine organisms and their associated substrata type. One hundred meter transects were used by the divers to document organism zonation. Spot dives were made to 1} determine transect locations; 2) assess the habitat and divin~ conditions; and 3) 11fi11-in-the-gaps 11 between adjacent transects. Underwater photographs were taken to document bottom types and assemblages of organisms. Beach seines were used to sample nearshore fish population. Seines were limited to those alternatives with a sandy shoreline relief.

Terrestrial field surveys were minimal and limited to areas adjacent to each project alternative. Migratory and marine birds, waterfowl and marine mammal sitings were recorded and/or quantified whenever· possible.

STUDY AREA

Akutan Island, approximately 18 by 12 miles in size, is one of the·Krenitzen Islands which in turn are a part of the Fox Island Group located near th~ eastern end of the Aleutian Island chain (Figure 1}. Akutan Harbor lies on the eastern end of the island· and measures three mi-les long by one and a quarter-mile wide at its mouth and one-half mile wide at the head of the bay. A narrow beach of relatively flat land. lies between the bay and the steep slopes ascending to a 1,700 foot mountain ridge; however, at the head of the bay, there are approximately 50 acres of lowlands.

Akutan Peak 4,275 Reef Bight +

+

AKUTAN ISLAND

Flat Top Peak 3,445

Figure 1. Akuta~,. Alaska vicinity map. (from AK. Department. of Community and Regional Affairs)

The physical oceanography of Akutan Harbor is not well documented. Wind and ·wave data are limited to personal communications with local villagers and with processing ship•s crew that anchor their vessel at the head of the harbor. Because Akutan is. located in the zone of North Pacific storm ·tracks, periods of strong wind frequently occur, particularly in winter. During a 1977 storm, the winds in Akutan are reported to have reached gusts of 115 mph (Cotten, 1982).

The majority of the harbor basin has depths in excess of 20 fathoms. Depths less than 10 feet are limited to narrow areas within 300 to 600 feet of shoreline; however, a 54-acre protected shelf with depths less than 10 feet exists west of Akutan Point (Figure 2).

Akutan lies in the maritime climate zone of Alaska, characterized by mild winters and cool summers. The historical mean of minimum temperatures for February is 25 degree Fahrenheit (F), while the mean of maximum temperature for August is 56 degrees F.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ALTERNATIVES

The following project descriptions are the basis on which the FWS will make its environmental assessment of a bottomfish harbor at Akutan, Alaska. Figure 2 is provided to illustrate the locations of the six alternatives currently under consideration by the Corps of Engineers. As each alternative is refined and/or dropped from consideration by the CE, our environmental assessments will become more site-specific.

All potential harbor sites at Akutan would be designed for a fleet size of 42 bottomfishing vessels and would require an entrance channel of -18 feet mean lower low water (MLLW) and a harbor depth of -16 feet MLLW. Most of the boats used for bottomfishing measure as.much as 125 feet long with drafts up to 15 feet. The total harbor area would be approximately 19 acres.

Akutan Point (Site 1) was not originally identified as an alternative in the CE reconnaissance report. Akutan Point was added for analysis after CE personnel met with Akutan city officials. This site is located at the northeastern-most segment of Akutan Harbor•s shoreline. Just west of the Point is a 54-acre·protected cove with depths less than 10 fathoms. It is anticipated that a rubblemound breakwater would be constructed directly south from the point with an arm extending west from its end, thus semi-enclosing the cove. It is not currently clear whether or not dredging will be required. Cost estimates are not currently available.

Salthouse Cove (Site 2) is located adjacent to the village of Akutan on the north side· of Akutan Harbor. -A floating breakwater protecting Site 2 would consist of two lengths joining at right angles, each about 800 feet. The section perpendicular to the shore would abut a short stretch of rubblemound breakwater that extends out to the 30-foot depth isobath. The width of the floating breakwater would be about 60 feet, the depth about 20 feet (with 2 feet of freeboard), and each individual module would be 200 feet long. These units would be made of reinforced concrete in an outer layer covering polystyrene foam for floatation. They would be anchored to the bottom with large anchors and heavy chain or cable (DOA, 1982).

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Figure 2. Alternative locations and biological sampling stations at Akutan Harbor, Alaska.

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ALTERNATIVES 1 Akutan Pt. 2 Salthouse Cove

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HARBOR

3 Mid-Harbor: (NORTH & SOUTH) 4 Head of Bay 5 Whaling Station 6 South Beach

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The estimated first costs for this site are $19,836,000 and annual costs {including operation and maintenance) are estimated at $1,958,000. With esti~ated annual benefits of $2,437,000, the benefit-cost ratio would be 1.2 -{DOA, 1982). ·

·.. ·The Mid-Harbor. {North and South) alternative (Site 3) was not originally identified as. an alternative in the CE Reconnaissance Report. Cost estimates and draft project designs are not available at this time. It is anticipated that a short stretch of rubblemound breakwater {stub) would extend out from shore, with a floating breakwater extending out beyond that.. The structure would be built at either end or from both ends of Site 3. The Mid-Harbor alternative would form a 425 acre mooring basin a smaller portion of which would be actually used to moor the boats.

The Head of the Bay {Site 4) and Whaling Station {Site 5) alternatives would both consist of floating breakwaters. Deepwater at each site precludes· economic construction of a rubblemound design. Existing floating breakwater designs can attenuate locally generated wind waves on the order of four feet high; however, floating breakwaters designed for larger waves are theoretically possibly. The CE has a conceptual design prepared for higher wave conditions at these sites, the details of which are not available at this time. ·

South Beach (Site 6} is located on the southeastern side of Akutan Harbor, across the bay from Akutan Village. It is situated in an exposed location on the bay with a relatively severe wave climate. However~ the 40-foot water depths are much less than the 100-foot or greater depths at the other sites, making a rubblemound breakwater possible at a more reasonable cost (DOA, 1982}.

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Provision of a protected harbor at Site 6 would involve the construction of three breakwaters, two on the· north and east sides at a crest height of +14 feet MLLW and the third on the west side with a crest height of +9.5 feet. The two higher breakwaters would be connected, one perpendicular to shore and one parallel to the shoreline, both 910 feet long. The west breakwater perpendicular to shore would be 710 feet long, extending from the shoreline to the entrance channel.

The estimated first costs for this site are $21,165,000 and estimated annual costs (including operation and maintenance) are $1,730,000. With estimated annual beenfits of $2,437,000, the benefit-cost ratio would be 1.4 (bOA, 1982).

FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

Vegetation, fvlamma ls and Avians

Vegetation in the Akutan Harbor area is primari·lY moist tundra and alpine tundra/barren ground. Commonly occurring plants include lupine, cow parsnip, monks hood, orchids, indian paint brush, chocolate lily, numerous types of asters, wild geranium, ferns, and several species of yrasses. Wetlands are limited to a large area at the head of the harbor and to a smaller area located near Site 6.

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Red fox is one of the few. terrestrial mamma.ls found on the island. Local villagers report that cattle· graze-at higher elevations at the head of the bay. ~lari ne mamma 1 s in coasta 1 waters inc 1 ude the harbor sea 1, sea otter, and sea lion. One sea lion rookery/hau-l out area is located on Akutan Island west of Hot Springs Bay. Three other sea lion rookeries are located on Akun Island, which is immediately east of Akutan Island •.

Akutan Island is used by nesting, molting, and wintering seabirds, and waterfowl. The results of FWS bird surveys during the summers of 1980 and 1981 produced a species list for the eastern shores of Akutan Island (Table 1). The major colony found on the east shore. of Akutan Island-was at Akutan Point (Figure 3). The Akutan Point colony contained 318 red-faced cormorant nests, two pelagic cormorant nests, and two double-crested cormorant nests ( Nysewander et a l. , 1982) • Even though the point is connected to the larger main island which has fox, up to 2,000 tufted puffin burrows were scattered over the most inaccessible slopes found above the cliff faces. Other small colonies on the eastern shore of Akutan Island are found on cliffs and seastacks located on the outer southern shore of the harbor. Kittiwakes, pigeon guillemots and murres were also observed to occur within the harbor.

Bald eagles were commonly observed throughout the harbor. Immature eagles were observed perching atop ·fish drying racks at the Trident fish processing plant. Akutan Point had eagles perching on rock outcrops and rocky pinnacles which jutted out into the locally occurring kelp beds. Local villagers report that a pair of eagles nest atop a s·eastack on the north side of the Point adjacent to the.puffin nesting colony.

Marine Resources

General Description:

The intertidal zone typical throughout Akutan Harbor, occupies a narrow band of the littoral zone between mean higher high water (MHHW) (+3.9 ft.) and extreme low water (ELW; -2.5 ft.), the general description of which follows. The uppermost shore and high tide horizon is dominated by barnacles (Balanus glandula and B. cariosus). Limpets and littorines inhabit the intersticses of the boulder/cobble beaches. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are occasionally found in small dense patches. Rockweek (Fucus sp.) and sea lettuce (Ulva/Monostroma) were the most abundant per1phytic algae found throughout the arei; The m1ddle intertidal zones are dominated by dense beds of sea lettuce, (Laminaria sp.), and/or sea colander (Agarum cribrosum). Beneath the canopy of algae is a sandy/gravel substrate with scattered aggregates of boulders. Nuttall's cockle (Clinocardium nutallii) and a soft shell clam (~~a truncata) are commonly found in the softer sed1ments beneath the algal canopy. Littorines and hermit crabs inhabit the surfaces of algae.. '

Low tide areas are often similar to the mid- intertidal zones, however, the substrate becomes more silty and the sea stars Pycnopodia and Evasterias, and the anemone Metridium senile become more abundant. ·Beyond the 1ntertidal zone and extending 1nto the subl1ttoral zone, the substrate becomes silty and the vertical slope becomes steep. Pycnocodia, flatfish and hermit crabs are the most abundant organisms inhabit1ng t e steep sloped subtidal zones.

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· Table 1. Avifauna observed on the south and east coast of Akutan Island • .!!

Common Name Numbers Observed

Fork-tailed storm petrel +

Double-crested cormorant 34C'

Pelagic cormorant 4C

Red-faced cormorant 936C

Harlequin duck 5.3+C

Common eider 35+C

Bald eagle 2C

Black oystercatcher 9+C

Glaucous-winged gu 6oc--

Common murre 22+C

Pigeon guillemot 208C

Brachyramphus murrelet 10+C

Whiskered Auklet +

Horned puffin 336C

Tufted puffin (burrows) 2520e

Tufted puffin {breeders) 327C

1/ Nysewander et al., 1982. Marine Bird and Mammal Survey of the Eastern Aleutian Island, Summers of 1980-81. USFWS, Alaska Regional Office, Anchorage. February, 134 pp.

+ = present unknown numbers C =actual count of·birds or nests e = estimate probably within 50 percent

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Figure 3. General illustration of the major habitat and substrate groups at Akutan Point, (Alternative 1) Akutan, Alaska. 8 July 1983 0945 HRS., High tide: 0757 HRS., -l.~ft.

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AKUTAN HARBOR

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AT B BS CB EN EP (F)

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K E't alpio1e tundra boulders bedrock shelf cobble/bqulder mix e11gle nest eagle perch Fucus/Ulva/ --n;;mrnstia algae grasses La~i~aria beds moist i:undr.a/grass

.puffin·nests rock outcrop sand tide pool Alaria ke~p beds water line

-. transects

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The shore·line topography at each alternative site differs considerably from each other, and to some degree, so do the assemblages of marine organisms; however, the general species compositions remain the same {Appendix A). Species. distribution is particular·ly qua 1 itative, as leve 1 of effort was not evenly distributed among sites. Factors that help to determine. species differences between sites revolve· around: 1) the degree of waveshock, 2) the type· of bottom, and 3) tidal exposure. The discussions that follow describe in detail the intertidal zonation and assemblages of organisms found at each alternative site.

Akutan Point:

Akutan Point has a variety of marine habitats and associated aggregations of intertidal and subtidal organisms {Figure 3 and Appendix A). Representative habitat types at Akutan Point include: 1) sandy and cobble beaches, 2') rocky/bedrock intertidal zones and outcroppings, 3) a subtidal rocky reef and associated kelp beds, and 4) a sand/silt subtidal basin •

. The nearshore area {within 200 feet of MHHW) has a boulder/bedrock strewed sandy beach and rocky intertidal area {Figures 3 and 4). Dense patches of Fucus, Ulva/Monostroma, Rhodomela, and Desmarestia cover most of the rockier substrates. Balanus glandulosa covers the highest intertidal reaches. Flotsam, deposited at the hlgh tide line, is heavily infested with amphipods and the rocky intertidal zone at Akutan Point is wider than at the other alternatives. Rock benches and tidepools are located at varying tide levels, consequently, associated marine assemblages vary {Figures 3 and 5). Predominate epifauna on these benches and in the tide pools include several species of limpets, littorines, and chitons {Mopalia, Tonisella, Cryptochiton, Katharina), sea stars, anenomes and hermit crabs. Most of the benches are heavily covered with Fucus; Ulva/Monostroma, Rhodomela, Desmarestia, Lithothamnium and encrust1ng sponges.

Observations made while SCUBA diving beyond the intertidal zone discovered that the area within the proposed alternative mooring basin has a flat sandy/silt bottom. Very few organisms were in this area. Laminaria, Pycnopodia and several species of hermit crabs were some of the more obvious flora and fauna seen. Little topographic relief in the mooring basin inhibited a diverse assemblage of organisms from becoming established. Siphons of unidentied clam species appeared to be more abundant.

rn contrast to the aforementioned area is the species and habitat diverse rocky/boulder reef which extends from the Point itself out beyond the rocky pinnacles, to a depth of approximately 40 feet (Figure 3). The FWS anticipates that the Corps will use the rocky reef as the foundation for building their rubblemound breakwater. The rocky reef acts as a point of attachment for numerous large brown algae, {Alaria,. Laminaria, ~ga(Fm, costaria). The entire Point is surrounded with dense Alaria be s 1gure 3). The beds extend south 500 feet, southwest 300 feet, west 150 feet, and west 400 feet from the point. SCUBA surveys made in the kelp bed revealed a diverse assemblage of epifaunal invertebrates and fish. Juvenile tomcod, greenling and sculpin were commonly seen. Sea urchin, sea stars, anemones and hermit crabs were the most obviously observed epifauna. Clam siphons (Mya truncata and several unidentified species) were very abundant, especial~in the sandy/gravel areas between the boulders.

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figure 4. Horizontal schematic of the intertidal zone at Akutan Point, Akutan, Alaska (Transects A and B; see Figure 3).

SUBSTRATE

COBBLE I BOULDER

SAND SUBSTRATE BEGINS W/ COBBLE

ROCK OUTCROPPinG

A

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ROCK I SAND INTERFACE

SAND SUBSTRATE DOMHIATE

ORGANISMS

0 FEET

'20' .•

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

~~~~ shells, kelp debris Acamea, kelp debrls w/ amphipods

~alanus, Ulva

Balanus, ~, ·ulva, polychaetes

Fucus, Desmarestia, Ul'"'a, ~~~~'' P~gurus, isopods, HaTOSaccion

LAminaria, Alaria, Evasterias, Balanus Acamea, Pagurus, tubeworms, amphipods encrusting sponp,es

Laminaria, Costaria, AlAria, and Agarum dDminate c~sulbsl:ratte

EliD OF TRANSECT

DATE• 8 JULY 1983 BEARING, Aprox; 180" TIME' 0845 !Irs.

TIDE• 0757 Hrs., -1.1 ft. 200 FEET

SUBSTRATE

~~ SMALL COBBLE-GRASS INTERFACE

COBBLE-BOULDER HIGHER-HIGH HATER

BOULDERS PATCHES

WATER Ll NE

BOUI.DER-SAN!.l INTERFACE

BOULDER BAND

SAND

B ORGANISMS

•· -~~-~Japed kP.1p detritus, amphipods

.. ~0 .... Acamea, Li ttorina, U.lva, Balanus, Fucus, Hytilns, Deg;;;a;:estia, Pagurus polychaetes, amphtpods

.QQ"" .• Balanus, Fucus .. Acarnea, Tonise1la Mopalia, ~re~Halosaccion, encrusting bryozoans, Kntharina. sponges Littorina

100

•••••• Laminaria, Agarum, Ulva and Alaria 120 dominate cover

140

160

-180

200 FEET

END OF TP.ANSEC'r

DATE: 8 JULY 1q33 BEARING• Aprox: 200•

TIME• 0920 lh:s. T IDE• 0757 Hrs., -1.1 ft.

......

......

Figure

. I

SUBSTRATE

COBBLE / BOULDER

BOULDERS WITH SANDY AND GRAVEL AREAS

TIDE POOL

WATER LINE

COBBLE AND BOULDERS MIXED WITH SAND AND GRAVEL

SAND AND SILT

5.

c

Horizontal schematic of the intertidal zone at Akutan Point, Akutan, Alaska (Transects C and D; see Figure 3) •

ORGANISMS

..••.. Heaped kelp detritus, amphipods

140

160

180

Kelp detritus, Littorina, amphipods

Fucus, Balanus, Littorina. Ulva

Laminaria, dense Fucus, Littorina, Ulva Balanus, Mytilus,isopods, Anthroplu-;=;-­~. polychaete

Anthroplura, encrusting algae and bryozoans, Mopalia, Tonisella, Katharin~ isopods. ~. Halosaccio~, Fucus, Desmarestia

Cucumaria, Desmarestia, Fucus, Pagurus, Ulva, Agarum --

Henrecia, ~. llalicbondria, Agaru_!!!, Laminaria, Ulva, ~. ~pd assorted red algae

DATE' 8 JULY 1983 BEARING Aprox. 200 TIME' 0950 Hrs. TIDE: 0757 llrs., -1.1 ft.

200 FEET END OF TRANSECT

SUBSTRATE

BEDROCK BLUFF

BEDROCK SHELF

COBBLE WITH SAND PATCHES

SAND

WATER LINE

BOULDERS WITH SAND PATCHES

SUBSTRATE DROPS OFF

ORGANISMS

~ I ?.~~~.T Fucus, Littorina, Desmarestia, Ulva,

20

40

GO

80

100

120

140

J60

180

Balanus, Acamaa, Thais/Nucella llalosaccion

Ulva, filamentous red and green algae, Llthothamnion

~ on scattered rocks

DATE' 8 JULY 1983 BEARING' 270 TIME' 1030 Hrs. TIDE' 0757 Hrs., -1.1 ft.

200 FEET

I i

I

Beach se.ines were made in sandy pockets between the rocky benches. Juvenile · pink salmon (numbers greater than 100} were collected in three of the four

seines. Pacific sand lance were very common in all seines and represented the largest percentage of caught fish. Pacific tomcod, greenling, and several species of sculpin constituted the remainer of the collection~

Salthouse Cove:

The beach along the east shoreline of Salthouse Cove consisted of clean cobble and gravel. Balanus occupies the highest portion of the intertidal zone and very little flotsam was found deposited along the high tide line. A·transect run offshore showed a intertidal community occuping a very steep gravel slope (Figure 6}. The intertidal·and subtidal community at this site differs slightly from the general description of marine resources for Akutan Harbor. Some exceptions from the general description included the presence of large aggregates of Metridum and sea urchins and the presence of a juvenile king crab found cling1ng to the underside of a Laminaria frond.

Mid-Harbor (North and South1 End}:

The intertidal zone of the south end and the north end differed slightly (Figures 7 and 8). Like the Salthouse Cove alternative, the south end of the Mid-Harbor alternative has an intertidal community occupying a narrow zone on a steep sloped littoral zone. Description of this site•s· intertidal and subtidal community is similar to the general description of the marine resources for Akutan Harbor except that the Mid-Harbor site had more observations of Telmessus cheiragonus (horse crab}.

The northern segment of the Mid-Harbor alternative has a cobble/gravel/sand mix beach. Like many of the floating breakwater sites, the intertidal zone occupies a narrow band along a steep-sloped profile; however, unlike the southern segment, there is a re·latively flat sublittoral bench located between one and two fathoms. The substrate at this segment is heavily littered with sea lettuce with nuttall 1 s cockle, horse crab, littorines, and amphipods abundantly found under its canopy. The steepest and deepest portions of the transect had a very silty substrate with no algae cover. Soft shell clams, nuttall's cockle shell fragments, hermit crabs, and flatfish were commonly observed on the steep sloped areas of the transect.

· Head of the Bay:

The intertidal zone at this alternative is wider than most of the other alternatives because the low sloping sandy beach extends further into the littoral zone (Figure 9). The most common assemblage of flora and fauna include dense patches of the, algae Ulva/Monostroma with Clinocardium, Telmessus, and Pagurus inhabiting its understory. At depths greater than 10

··feet, the substrate becomes extremely silty and observation beome. more difficult. Those organisms commonly seen below 30 feet included Lepidosetta, Pagurus and Evasterias.

Beach seines conducted at this site collected the second highest number of fish species next to Akutan Point. Pink salmon and sand lance were the most abundant fish caught. Coho salmon were caught in the vicinity of a stream. mouth located at the southern-most segment of the beach. Other species abundantly caught include silver spotted sculpin, Pacific tomcod and several species of flatfish. ·

12

... :.,,·'

.·

•·

Figure 6 . · Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profife at Salthouse Cove (Alternative 2) Akutan, Alaska. *

ORGANISMS: Balanus Strongylo-

centrotus Acmaea

'Natica Lamina ria Desmarestia Ulva Lit tor.ines Encrusting reds Metridium Agarum Mya truncata Paralithodes Tealia Evasterias Macoma Saxidomus debris Pagurus Pododesmus Cottidae

ft. 0

~ 10 ~

.......

('1'1 20 + I

Cll Cll 1- JO ~ ~ a.. C"'10,.C::,.C::

00!""'1 w 0"1 N 0 .!""'! 0 !""'! NN 40 •• ~co ~t,!lr-lr-1 0::: ....lz w ::::::> H •• •• 1-1-'J~r:<:~r:<:l <t 50 <:::O:'t=l Or:<:~HH $ r-1-~E-!·E-1

60

70

80

·--

-

m.

40

DISTRIBUTION ALONG TRANSECT

-

---

WATER SURFACE

CLEAN COBBLE AND GRAVEL

COBBLE, GRAVEL AND SILT

INCREASING SILT GRAVEL AND. SCATTERED. LARGE

COBBLE CLTNOCARDIUMAND MYA. FRAGMENTS

lOOm.

80 120 160 200 240 280 320ft

DISTANCE OF TRANSECT

· * Listed organisms are those most visually abundant. Appendix A. should be referred to for complete list of species occurring at each station.

41 Only a single individual seen in the vicinity·of the transect.

13

~/' .

.

•

Figure 7 Horizontal distribution .of marine organisms and transect profile at Mid~Harbor (Alternative 3 south end) Akutan, Alaska.*

ORGANISMS

Balanus Littorines Amphipods Lamina ria Ulva Acmaea Telmessus Polychaetes Macoma debris Mya truncata Clinocardium Evasterias Pycnopodia Saxidomus debris Metridium Cancer

.. t-ag_urus

ft 0

.u !0 14-1

I'

""" 20 + . . :c

Cll Cll t- JO $.; $.; D.. """

.c.c w 00 00.-1 0 a.

.-1 ON 40 •• ..;:t 00 a:: .t!.l .-1 .-1 :>-< z w ...:I :::> H •• •• t-..., .~ r:<.1 r:<.1 <f. 50 <.):: ~ 0 •I'El H H ~ .-1 •p:j ~ ~

50

m.

40

DIS!f.RTBUT:.IQN ALONG. TRANSECT

.,

WATER SURF ACE

COBBLE, GRAVEL AND SAND

SAND, SILT AND DETRITUS MYA, CLINOCARDIUM, SAXIDOMUS, ANDMACOMA SHELL DEBRI.S

90 lOOm.

8 0 120 1 6 0 2 00 2 4 0 280 320ft

0 IS T ANCE .OF TRANSECT * Listed organisms are those most visually abundant. Appendix A. should be referred

to for complete list of species occurring at each station. 4t0nly a single individual seen in the vicinity·of the transect.

14

•

Figure 8 • Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile at Mid-Harbor (Al:ternative 3 .north end) Aku~an, Alaska. *

. ORGANISMS

Balanus_ Saxidomus

fragments Fucus Mytilus: I.:ittorines Desmarestia Natica. Cottidae Laminaria Ulva A"garium Telmessus Clinocardium .My a trunca ta Pagurus Saxidomus Amphipods Hermissenda Polychaetes Evasterias

-1-J 4-1

..;t

..-1 I

I

ft. 0

10

20

(f.l (f.l 1-30 1-1 1-1 a.. ~·o ..c ..c

co co w C'\..-1011"1 0 ..-1 ..;t ..;t

40 u\OCO

>te!lr-10 0:::: ...:IZ w ~ H •• •• 1-IJP::~~ <{50 <~~ C'\~·HH ·~ OI=QE-IE-1

60

70

DISTRIBUTION ALONG TRANSECT

-·

• ••

m. WATER SURFACE

COBBLE AND

GRAVEL

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

40 80 120 160 200 240 280

DISTANCE OF TRANSECT

lOOm.

* Listed organisms are those most visually abundant. Appendix A. should be referred ·to for complete list of species occurring at each station •

•. Only a single individual seen in the vicinity·of the transect.

15

1.

I

I . I

..

< <

<0•"• ; -- ''~' -• • r' ~ o•-•

Figure 9 • Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile .at the Head of the Bay (Alternative 4) Akutan, Alaska.*

ORGANISMS

Fu.cus· Ulva

· Laiiiinaria Lepidosetta Polychaetes Clinocardium Cottidae

.Mya trun.cata Pagurus Macoma Cancer Telmessus

DISTRIBUTION ALONG TRANSECT

•••

-•• Evasteria:s -

+J 11-1

...... ("")

+

r:n r:n ~ ~

("") ..c:..c: <X:IO 0'\0'\0...-1 .-l C""lN

•• N CO :>-l~...-1...-1 HZ :=> ~ u e•

""' p::. r::l r::l <::a:·~.

Or::IHH ...-1· p:':l e-. e-.

ft 0

10

20

I 1- JO a.. w 0

40 0::: w 1-<(50

~·

60

m.

40

WATER SURFACE

SILT AND MUD WITH

DETRITUS

80 120. 150 200 240

0 IS T ANCE OF TRANSECT

-

PROTOTHECA CLINOCARDIUM

AND MYA -- ' FRAGMENTS

lOOm.

280 320ft.

* Listed organisms are those most visually abundant. Appendix A. should be referred to for complete list of species occurring at each station.

e Only a single individual seen in the vicin-ity· of the transect.

16

Of special interest at this site was the extremely polluted beacht Which was heavily laden with oil or diesel fuel. Beach seines brought to snore disturbed the sand layers and caused an oil slick to extrude from the sand.

Whaling Station:

The shoreline topography and intertidal zonation at this site is similar to the general type already presented in disc~:~ssions of the general description of the marine resources of Akutan Harbor (Figure 10). General reconnaissance dives away from the transect helped to the formulation of a complete species. list for the area. The general inter- and subtidal zones around the Whaling Station were covered with 11 man-made 11 debris (rope, pilings 5 machinery, tools) and whale and seafood processing tailings. The steepest areas nearest the existing docks were extremely silty; however, in this area a pod of juvenile king crab was found. The pod measured approximately six feet long, three feet wide, and ane and one-half feet thick. Sculpin, juvenile tomcod and flatfish were commonly seen throughout the littoral area.

South Beach:

SCUBA was not used at this site; however, beach seines were made. The beach consists primarily of sand and gravel. Benthic organisms were·not seen inhabiting the upper limits of the intertidal zone; possibly because the zone

. is subjected to high energy waves. The small vegetated bluffs above ~IHHW appeared to be eroding because of high waves. Pink salmon and Pacific sand lance were the dominate fish seined while Dolly Varden, tomcod, and silver spotted sculpin were caught in lesser amounts. A small stream enters Akutan Harbor through South Beach the mouth of which is partially dammed with debris deposited at the highest tides. Flow appears adequate to support pink salmon, although, no sampling was done to verify its anadromous fish use •

. DISCUSSION

The environmental impacts at all the alternatives fall into similar categories. However, the extent and magnitude of impacts will vary between each one because of different alternative designs and the extent of existing human disturbances. One of the greatest potential for adverse environmental impacts are related to those alternatives that include rubblemound breakwaters and dredging in their project design (Akutan Point and South Beach). Impacts · will occur because of the immediate destruction of bottom habitat both at the construction site and at dredge and dredge disposal sites. Those alternatives designed for floating breakwaters (Salthouse Cove, Head of Bay, Mid-Harbor and Whaling Station) would have a minimum amount of bottom disturbances because of minimal dredging during construction. A second source of adverse impacts are related to development of suitable land adjacent to the harbor site.

The CE states that constructing a typical rubblemound structure at Salthouse ·Cove, the Head of Bay, and at the Whaling Station would be impracticable

because the depth of water where a breakwater would need to be placed is too great. In addition, the more severe wave climates at the Head of Bay, and the Whaling Station also would render construction of a floating breakwater at those sites relatively impracticable (DOA, 1982) •. Further CE .ana lysis of the alternatives would appear then to be limited to Akutan Point, Salthouse Cove, Mid-Harbor (North and South) and South Beach; however, many of the inferences

17

Figure~·lO. Horizontal distribution of marine organisms and transect profile at the Whaling Station (Alternative 5) Akutan, Alaska. *

ORGANISMS

Balanus Littorines Fucus Ala ria Ulva

· · Strongylo-centrotus

Clinocardium Tealia Acmaea Pycnopodia Evasterias Pagurus Polychaetes Hermissenda Cottidae Telmessus

+J ~

..;t

...-l I

(J] (J]

C"l ~ ~

a) ,.c::,.c::

O'loC"lLI"' ...-l C"l..;t

•• C"l co :'>-IC,!)...-lO ,..::iz :;:l H •• •• 1-Jp::~~

0\<::<::~ ~HH

o!Xl~~

ft 0

I 0

20

I 1-30 a.. w 0

40 a:: w 1-<!50

~

50

70

80

m.

15

20

10

DISTRIBUTION ALONG TRANSECT

WATER SURFACE

MYA AND CLINOCARDIUM SHELL FRAGMENTS

40 80 120 150 200 240

_____ D I_S T ANCE OF TRANSECT

COBBLE

SAND AND SILT

lOOm.

280 320ft

* Listed organisms are those most visually abundant. Appendix A. should be referred to for complete list of species occurring at each station.

e Only a single individual seen in the vicinity of the transect.

18

-------,c---,----------,--------------------

the CE made about the efficacyof floating breakwaters in Akutan Harbor are • based on personal communications and/or weather condition reports around the

Akutan area •.

As more· site specific wind and wave data becomes available, the floating ' . breakwater alternatives may be proven to be more engineeringly feasible than

~ first believed. In light of this potential situation developing, FWS reports will address the environmental impacts of all the alternatives until such time that any one of the six are conclusively dropped by the CE.

Based on current project design and available env.ironmental information we have classified the six alternatives into two categories; 1) those more environmentally acceptable, and 2) those less environmentally acceptable; the reasoning for which follow.

MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE

Salthouse Cove South Beach Whaling Station

.Mid-Harbor (North and South)

LESS ENVIRONl\'IENTALLY ACCEPTABLE

Head of Bay Akutan Point

The impacts expected to occur at Salthouse Cove are extremely minimal. The eastern shore of the site exists on a small point that presently provides some natural protection from southwesterly winds and waves. The eastern shore of the site also has a very steep littoral zone and consequently a narrow band of intertidal organisms exists. The rocky substrate has a limited periphytic algae community and associated subtidal assemblage of organisms • .. Because depths in excess of 18 feet are common throughout the area, little dredging is expected to occur. However, should dredging be required, adjacent ~pland and/or intertidal disposal may be easily accommodated with minimal impacts because human disturbances to the immediate intertidal and upland areas already exists. The entire shoreline around the cove presently accommodates the City of Akutan•s developments. Water quality in the Salthouse Cove area would be degraded through subsequent vessel waste discharges, garbag~ disposal and oil/fuel spills. Measures will need to be established to help control the pollution of the mooring basin and adjacent waters.

The South Beach alternative would require the construction of a rubblemound . breakwater in a high wave energy area. Although no SCUBA transects were made, it is anticipated that the intertidal and subtidal zones are not diverse or abundant with organisms. The rocky/cobble shoreline exhibited no evidence of intertidal zonation. The entire beach was void of organisms and very little debris had been deposited at high tide; however, a creek located at the eastern end of the beach had its channel above MHHW clogged with debris and large debris which originated from the harbor. If dredging is required at this site, upland and/or intertidal fill would be possible with minimal effects on the environment. A rubblemound breakwater located at this site would also have minimal effects on the subtidal organisms. Future field efforts will help to substantiate or disprove this speculation.

19

Water quality impacts associated with enclosed ha·rbors made of rubblemound • breakwaters are more severe than with floating breakwaters. The lack of

circulation in the basin will accelerate and compound water quality problems~

The impacts associated with a bottomfish harbor at the Whaling Station or at Mid-Harbor are about as minimal as those occurring at Salthouse Cove.

; Floating breakwaters constructed at either site would also have minimal impacts on subtidal and intertidal organisms. Both sites are already heavily disturbed by human influences.

The Whaling Station had a history of accommodating whaling ships and presently serves as a mooring for fish processing vessels. The littoral zone is already polluted with debris and processing waste. The upland area adjacent to the shoreline is heavily used as a crab storage area and abandoned empty fuel tanks located here slowly leak their sludge. Sludge did not reach the harbor, instead it only pooled in the immediate area. Dredge spoil from this site would need to be tested for contaminates so that a proper disposal methods can be used.

The southern segment of the Mid-Harbor alternative is located near an area that is heavily used by Trident Seafoods. The shoreline and upland areas immediately adjacent to the project area have been altered and ·modified to accommodate mooring vess~ 1 s and crab- pO-Lstorage---Hea.v_y equipme-Rt· -tracks were found in the upper intertidal zone. Offshore subtidal areas are not species rich. The steep-sloped.portions of the littoral zone are void of algae and its substrate is very silty.

The northern segment of the Mid-Harbor alternative is located just west of the Trident Seafoods processing plant. The intertidal community in the vicinity of this project site covers a greater area of the littoral zone; therefore, the placement of a breakwater stub and/or dredging activities will disturb intertidal and subtidal communities. Project activities in the area will also destroy a favorite local clamming area.

Water quality impacts associated with the Mid-Harbor alternative would be minimal. Wate~ circulation behind the floating breakwater would not be impaired. Ships moored within the harbor would be anchored in the deeper waters, preventing ship wastes from being deposited in the intertidal zone.

A bottomfish harbor located at the head of Akutan Harbor could cause adverse environmental impacts to locally occurring anadromous fish stream (State Anadromous Fish Stream #302-16-10300). State fish and game biologists estimate between 6,000 to 2,000 pink salmon use the stream (Shaul, personel communication). Direct impacts may result by performing dredging near the stream•s mout~ and/or by placing short stubbed, rubblemound breakwaters (used to stablize floating breakwaters) across the path of longshore juvenile fish movements. Secondary impacts may result from upland developments occurring adjacent to the harbor site.

One of the possible environmental trade-offs of this alternative site is its ability to centralize impacts in an harbor area already disturbed by human influence, thereby avoiding impacts to other undisturbed areas of the harbor. The entire beach is presently spoiled by fuel spills and most probably by discharged bilge wastes. The beach ·berms just inland from the beach harbor garbage dumps and garbage burning pits. Discarded fuel barrels, some leaking, litter the beach and wetland areas.

20

Primary and secondary inland development adjacent to this harbor location would destroy locally ocurring wetlands. The magnitude and extent of damage is not known at this time; however, a recently completed Akutan Port Study (Peratrovich and Nottingham, Inc., 1981) identified areas proposed for development to support a boat harbor. Some of their plans require: 1) seven acres for industrial use, 2) two acre~ for cargo storage staging, 3) ~our acres for fisherman gear storage, 4) one acre for fuel storage,. 5) eleven acres for housing, and 6) 5,000 linear feet of road. In addition, the harbor plan includes measures to minimize- impacts to local fish and wildlife; these inc.lude:. 1) providing adequate greenbelts along anadromous streams, 2) providing space for future secondary sewage treatment, and 3) providing pollution - control devices for future tank farm operations. ·

The greatest potential for causing environmental damage to the fish and wildlife resources of Akutan Harbor lies in building the bottomfish harbor at Akutan Point. Rubblemound breakwater construction would destroy the species

_rich and productive (speculated epi~ and infauna biomass (gm/m2) + kelp standing crop) subtidal rocky reef and portions of the associated Alaria kelp beds. It is anticipated that the reef and beds help to maintain lower trophic levels of marine organisms which in turn support local raptors, marine birds and marine mammals. Infaunal assemblages of organisms at the reef include clam beds which help to support sea otters. Kelp beds are a place of refuge for a wide variety of juvenile marine fishes and invertebrates. Kelps and other algae have been shown to have a direct relationship to king crab in Alaska. Bright et al. (1959) analyzed stomach contents of Cook Inlet king crab and commonly found several species of algae, including Laminaria and Agarum. The herbivorous green urchin, Strongylocentrotus droebachlensis, which feeds primarily on the kelps, was abundant in crab stomachs and was the most abundant food in the stomachs of small (30 to 50 mm) crabs.

Some dredging is expected to occur at Akutan Point in order to create a mooring basin and/or to remove navigation hazards. Traditionally the CE prefers to dispose dredged wastes in those areas adjacent to the project site to create staging areas. Any disposal of dredge material along the shoreline at Akutan Point would result in destroying a species diverse assemblage of intertidal organisms. We also believe thatdestroying the intertidal zone at Akutan Point will adversely impact local occurring migrations of juvenile pink salmon. ·

Locally occurring puffin colonies could be adversely impacted by cons't;ruction­activities and by persistent human presence. The continual presence of moored vessels and human harassments to local wildlife could cause the puffin colony to abandon their nests and breeding grounds. For the same aforementioned reasons a locally occurring breeding pair of bald eagles may be also impacted.

l

Water quality in the vicinity of Akutan Point is expected to deteriorate if the boat harbor project were constructed as planned. Fuel spills and garbage disposal would destroy the intertidal and subtidal community within the mooring basin. Large oil spills could jeopardize feeding seabirds and marine mammals ·and destroy kelp beds.

Until such time that the CE planning process accelerates into a more detailed designing mode for Akutan Harbor, the FWS can not suggest a comprehensive plan to mitigate for the impacts expected to occur. However, the FWS can begin to

21

. formulate the basis from which a mitigation plan. can be developed. Based on. currently available information about the fish and wildlife. resources of Akutan Harbor, the Fish and Wildlife·Service has tentatively identified the following species and habitat types.toassess the adverse environmental impacts of the project, and develop mitigation. goals and a mitigation ·plan:· l) sea otter, 2) horned and tufted puffin, 3) bald eagle,. 4) pink salmon 5) coho salmon, 6) Alaria kelp beds. and 7) subtidal reefs~ Criteria to be used to determine hab1tat value include existing water quality and littoral diversity, relative abundance and product.ivity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

On the basis of a single reconnaissance level investigation of the project area, we make the following recommendations:

1. The Corps of Engineers should focus their planning activities on developing a bottomfish harbor at those alternatives with the least associated amount of environmental damage. These alter~atives includes Salthouse Cove, Whaling Station, Mid-Harbor and South Beach. The impacts expected to occur at the Akutan Point alternative are considerably greater and may not be able to be mitigated other than by avoidance. The Head of Bay alternative is also classified as least environmentally acceptable but to a lesser degree than Akutan Point.

· 2. The limited amount of fish and wildlife data should be supplemented in order to assess the. engineering designs of various project features as they becomes available. The following kinds of seasonal fish and wildlife

· information are sti 1l needed:

a. identification of pink and coho salmon rearing areas within Akutan Harbor. Standard sampling methods such as beach seines and trawls should be used;

b. quantify sea otter and·puffin populations and identify their habitat within Akutan Harbor; ·

c. document bald eagle nesting areas in the vicinity of Akutan Point;

d. quantify and compare the productivity of the epi- and infaunal assembleages of organisms at each alternative. Areas of particular concern to include intertidal zones and subtidal rocky reef/kelp bed communities;

e. delineate wetland fish and wildlife. resources at the .Head of Bay and at South.Beach.

3. ·Measures must be developed to prevent the potential degradation of water quality in Akutan Harbor as a result of increased. bottomfish activities.

22

I I I .

I

•

REFERENCES

Abbott, R.T. America.

. -..,.Nr.::e~w..,YT.:o~rr.k •

. -·· .. · .

1968. A Guide to Field Identification, Seashells of North Golden Press, Racine, Wisconsin. 280 pp.

1974. American Seashells. Van Nostrand Reinhold Ltd., New York, 663 pp •.

Braun, E. and V. Brown. 1966. Exploring Pacific Coast Tide Pools. · Naturegraph Company. 56 pp.

Bright, D.B., J.W. Krudsen, and F.E. Durham. 1959. Preliminary results.of the Cook Inlet king crab, Paralithodes camtschatica (Tilesius) investigations. Dept. Biology Alan Hancock Foundation, Univ. Southern California, Los Angeles. 88 pp.

Carl, G.C. 1971. Some Common Marine Fishes of British Columbia. British Columbia Provincial Museum. Handbook No. 23. 86 pp.

Coan, E.V. 1971. The Northwest American Tellinidae. The Veliger. Vol 14. July. 63 pp.

Cotten, L.J. 1982. City of Akutan, Alaska, 1982 Comprehensive Plan. State of Alaska, Department of .Community Planning. June. 40 pp.

Dawson, E.Y. 1956. The Seaweeds-How to Know. Wm. E. Brown Company Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa. 197 pp.

Emerson, W.K. and M.K. Jacobson. 1976. The American Museum of Natural History Guide to Shells •. Knopf, Inc. New York, New York. 482 pp •.

Evans, W.S. and J.Q. Word. 1973. Biological and Physical Survey of Trident Seafood Waste Discharge Site in Akutan Harbor; Alaska. April. 32 pp.

Fauchald, K. 1977. The Polychaete Worms: Definitions and Keys to the Orders, Fami 1 ies and Genera. Science Series 28: February. Natura 1 Hi story ~luseum of Los Angeles County. 188 pp.

Feder, H.M. and S.C. Jewett. 1977. The Distribution, Abundance, Biomass and Diversity of the Epifauna of Two Bays (Alitak and Ugak) of Kodiak Island, Alaska. Institute of Marine Science. University of Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska. IMS. Report R77-3, November. 74 pp.

Flora, C.J. and E. Fairbanks. 1977. The Sound and the.Sea. The Washington State Department of Printing, Olympia, Washington. 474 pp.

Furlong, ~1. and V. Pill. 1973. Starfish: Guides to Identification and Methods of Preserving. ERCO, Inc., Tacoma, Washington. 104 pp •.

· George, D. and J. George. 1979. ~Iarine Life:· An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Invertebrates in the Sea. Wiley-Interscience, New York, New York. 288 pp.

23

•

..

Guberlet, M.L. 1962. Animals of the Seashore. Binfords and Mort, Publishers, 'Portland, Oregon. 450 pp •

• 1974. Seaweeds at Ebb. Tide. Univers.ity of Washington Press, -...,.S~e-at.,...,t,...,l""'"e-, Washington. 182 pp. ·

Hart>~ J.L. 1973. Pacific Fishes o.f Canada Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Bulletin 180. Ottawa, Canada. 740 pp.

Hedgpeth, J.W. and S. Hinton. 1961. Common Seashore Life of Southern California. Naturegraph Company, Publishers. 65 pp.

Johnson, M.E. and H.J. Snook. 1955. Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast. Dover Publications, Inc., New York, New York. 659 pp.

Keen, A.M. and E. Coan. 1974. Marine Molluscan Genera of Western North America, An Illustrated Key. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California. 208 pp.

Keep, J. 1935. West Coast Shells. St~mford University Press •. Sanford, California. 350 pp.

Kozloff, E.N. 1974. Keys to the Marine Invertebrates of Puget Sound, The San Juan Archipelago, and Adjacent Regions. University of Washington Press, Seattle,. Washington. 226 pp.

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24

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Rehder, H.A. 1981. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Seashells. Knopf, Inc. New York, New York. 894 pp.

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l/ APPENDIX: Comparative species list of those marine organisms found at each project alternative. Akutan, Alaska

CLASSIFICATION COMJ.lON NANE AKUTAN SALTHOUS@ HEAD OF WHALINGY MID-HARBOR sour ttY POINT COVE BAY STATION SOUTHY NORTII BEACH

DIVISION: CHOROPHYTA

Chaetomorpha sp. X Ulva/Monostroma sea lettuce· - X X X X X X

DIVISION: PHAEOPHYTA

Alaria fistulosa Alaskan ribbon kelp X X 1\TiiFiii sp • X X X X X ~ga~um cribrosum sea colander X X X X X X

!'-) ia costata seersucker X X X X X 0\ Desmarest1a aculeata color changer X X X X X

Fucus sp. rockweed X X X X X X Heterochordaria abietina fir needle X [am1nar1a sacchar1na sugar wrack X X Laminaria sp. X X X X

DIVISION: RHODOPHYTA

Dossea sp. leaf corral X TfiiTiiSiiccion gland1forme sea sac X Lithothamn1on sp. red rock crust X X X X X Odonthal1a sp. · sea brush X Pteros1\hon1a sp. X Rhodome a larix black pine X Rhodymen1aSj):" X

PHYLUM: PORIFERA

CLASS: DENOSPONGIAE

Haliclona sp. encrusting sponge X Halisarca sp. encrusting sponge X Ficulina lata hermit crab sponge X Suberites f1cus X

,. "' "· •' .

APPENDIX: Comparative species list of those marine organisms 1./

found t each project alternative. Akutan, Alaska (cont.)

\ I

CLASSIFICATION CO~INON NANE AKUTAN SALTHOUS@ HEAD OF WHALINGY ~ID-HARBOR souTH.Y POINT COVE BAY STATION SOUTH~ NORTH BEACH

PHYLUM: CNIDARIA

CLASS: ANTHOZOA

Anthopleura artemisia burrowing anemone X Cr1br1nops1s sp. pink anemone X X X MetndlUm senile white plumed anemone X X X X Tealla craSSi'COrnis Christmas anemone X X X X

CLASS SCYPHOZOA

N Aurelia sp. moon jellyfish X X X X -....! Ra l1c lystus sp. stalked jellyfish X

PHYLUN: CTENOPHORA

Pleurobrachia sp. comb jelly X X X X X X

PHYLUM: NEMERTEA

Paranemertes peregrina restless worm X

PHYLUM: NOLLUSCA

CLASS: ANPHINEURA

Cryhtochiton stelleri giant chit on X kat ar1na tun1cata 1 eather chit on X X X Mopaha cillata hairy chiton X X Ton1cella l1neata 1 i ned chit on X X X

CLASS: GASTROPODA

Acmaea pelta shield limpet X X Acmaea persona mask limpet X Acmaea testudinolis---s-cutum Pacific plate limpet X

..

N co

•

• .. .. .. .

APPENDIX: (cont.)

1/ Comparative species list of those marine organisms found at each project alternative. Akutan, Alaska

CLASSIFICATION COMNON NAI•IE AKUTAN SAL TIIOUS@ HEAD OF l411ALINGY ~ID-IIARBOR SOUTII.Y POINT COVE BAY STATION SOUT~ NORTil BEACH

Fusitriton oregonensis Oregon fusitriton X X X Rerm1ssenda crassicornis long horned hermissenda X X X Littor1na sitkana sitka periwinkle X X X X X X L1ttor1na sp. periwinkle X X X X X X Marl antes pup ill us puppet margarite X Nat ca clausa arctic natica X X X X X Neptunea lyrata northwest neptune X X X Neptunea(?)

pribiloffensis Pribiloff neptune X X Nucella canal1culata channeled dogwinkle X X Nucella emarg1nata emarginate dogwinkle X X X Nucella lame11osa frilled dogwinkle X X Nucella llma file dogwinkle X Trichotropls cancellata ha iryshe 11 X Tr1o~ha carpenter1 carpenter's doris X Volu opsius sp. buccinum X

CLASS: BIVALVIA (* she11 only}

Clinocardium nuttali nuttall's cockle X X X X X X Hiatella arctica* arctic saxicave X X Lacuna sp. lacuna X Liocyma sp.* liocyma X Macoma inquinata macoma X Macoma lama* Grant and Gale rnacoma X M:Yatf'uncata soft-shelled clam X X X X M.Yfilus edulis blue mussel X X X X X Pododesmus macroschisma false Pacific jingle X X X Protothaca stam1nea Pacific littleneck X X X Saxidomus g1gantea butter c1am X X X X X serr1pes groenlandica* Green land cockle X S1Jiqua pa~ula* Pacific razor clam X Spisula po ynyma* Stimpson's surf clam X Tresus sp. horse clam X X

CLASS: CEPHALOPODA

Octopus sp • octopus X

. ; ' . .. • .. •"' .

1.1 APPENDIX: Comparative species list of those marine organisms found at each project alternative. Akutan, Alaska

{cont.)

CLASSIFICATION CONNON NANE AKUTAN SALTHOUS@ HEAD OF WI!ALINGY ~ID-HARBOR soum.Y POINT COVE BAY STATION SOUT~ NORTH DEACil

PI!YLUM: ANNELIDA

ClASS: POLYCHAETA

Nereis sp. sandworm X Sp1rofiis sp. calcareous tube worm X Owenia sp. X

PHYLUM: ARTHROPODA

ClASS: CRUSTACEA N Balanus cariosus horse barnacle X X X X X \0

Balanus glandula acorn barnacle X X :'

X X X Cancer magister dunyeness crab X X Exosphaeroma oregonenis pi 11bug · X Graman duns amphipods X X X X X X X Idotea stenops isopod X TdQiea montereyensis isopod X TdOffieca wosnesensk1 olive yreen isopod X Pagurus SP.· hermit crab X X X Pagurus hirsutiusculus hairy hermit crab X Elassoch1rus tenu1manus thin handed hermit crab X X X X Ellassochirus glllf Para l1thodes

X

camtschatica kiny crab X X Sphaeromat1d 1sopod isopod X Telmessus cheiragonus horse crab X X X X X

PI!YLUM: BRYOZOA

Membranipora membranacea encrusting bryozoan X X X

Microporina borealis. encrusting bryozoan X

PI!YlUM: ECHINODERMATA

·• r tJ • .. " . ; .

APPENDIX: (cont.)

)~./ Comparative species list of those marine organisms found at each project alternative. Akutan, Alaska

CLASSIFICATION COMI40N NAME AKUTAN SALTHOUS@ HEAD OF WHALINGY ~ID-HARBOR SOUTHY POINT COVE BAY STATION SOUT~ NORTH BEACH

CLASS: ASTEROIDEA

Evasterias troschelli mottled seastar X X X X X X Henr1c1a lev1uscula blood seastar X X Leptasterrn hexactis six-rayed seastar X Pycnopooia hel1ant~o1des sunflower seastar X X X X

CLASS: ECHINOIDEA

Dendraster sp. sand dollar X X Stron9ylocentrotus

w (lroe6acfiienSlS green sea urchin X X 0

CLASS HOLOTHUROIDEA

Cucumaria curata black cucumber X Eupentacta quinquesemita white sea cucu111ber X

PHYLUM CHORDATA

!:>~ cc Oncorhynchus ~orbuscha pink Salmon X X X X .J 0 . u coho Salmon X Ul., Oncorhynchus 1sutc~ ("!: • CJ Salvelinus malma Do Jly Varden X X X ::J- ..,

Gasterosteus-aEUleatus threespine stickleback X 0 -< .'!J

m Ammodytes hexapterus Pacific sand lance v X X X .. Cl M1crogadus prox1mus Pacific tomcod X X X X X X 'i) r.o Hexa~rammos octo9rammus masked greenliny X X 9 ~

Enop rys bison buffalo sculpin X o:Jj Ryoxoceph iiTi:iS 'f> 7,J 0- polyacantliocephalus great sculpin X X X X X

"' 0 Blepstas c1rrliosus silver spotted sculpin X X X X CJ Ql ---h

CL (]) CJ1nocottus acut1ceps sharpnose sculpin X -o (/) ~gonus ac1~enser1nus sturgeon poacher X ·{) (]) L1par1s ca lyodon spotted snailfish X U1 .... Leptdohsetta bil1neata rock sole X X X X 2 < _,, §' Platic thys stellatus starry flounder X

those organisms collected and/or identified from SCUBA, transects and/or beach seines; list includes input from National Marine Fisheries Service; taxonomic references included in References.

2/No beach seine made. !!No SCUBA transect made.

ro