The Sabine River Authority works with state and federal agencies to protect native species. Scientific data is the key to making informed decisions for the long-term health of any species. The studies, collaborations, and efforts to educate the public listed under this heading are just some of the ways the Sabine River Authority is making a positive impact for endangered, imperiled, and protected species in the Sabine Basin.
Lower Sabine River Water Quality and Aquatic Resources Study
This comprehensive study consisted of six specific resource studies including Numeric Water Quality Assessment, Lower Sabine River Fishery Study, Lower Sabine River Mussel Studies, Benthic Macro-Invertebrates, and Bottomland and Floodplain Connectivity Study. Those studies related to natural resources conservation within the Sabine River Basin are briefly described below.
Numeric Water Quality Assessment
This study component provided information necessary to characterize the current water quality conditions, verify current trends, and document the water quality characteristics of Project releases to the lower Sabine River. It involved both the review of existing water quality information and the conducting of additional water quality monitoring, data collection, and analysis.
Lower Sabine River Fishery Study
The goal of this assessment was to provide data on the fisheries communities of the lower Sabine River in order to develop an environmental assessment of the effects of the Toledo Bend Project, and to evaluate the Project’s compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)’s current Aquatic Life Use Subcategory classification of “High”. This study also provided data suitable for identifying potential aquatic life enhancement opportunities in the study area. This study involved intensive fish sampling at ten locations on the lower Sabine River below Toledo Bend Dam and resulted in capture of 37,478 individual fish representing 23 families and 74 species. As species of concern in Texas, Blue Suckers and American eels were specifically addressed in this assessment with 84 Blue Suckers and 53 American Eels documented in the associated surveys.
Lower Sabine River Mussel Study (2010)
The goal of this mussel study was to provide data on the downstream freshwater mussel communities of the lower Sabine River. This data was used to develop an environmental assessment of the effects of the Toledo Bend Project and then in turn it was used to support both the FERC’s assessment under NEPA and the Texas and Louisiana Section 401 Water Quality Certification processes. Ultimately this study was used to provide a comprehensive review of the existing freshwater mussel environment within the lower Sabine River downstream of the Toledo Bend Dam. This study allowed regulators to evaluate potential operational influences on the downstream environment and to identify, evaluate and assess the practicality and potential of Protection, Mitigation, and Enhancement (PM&E) measures or other opportunities to enhance downstream resources through operation alternatives. See also:
Benthic Macro-Invertebrates Assessment
The goal of this macroinvertebrate study was to provide the necessary data on the downstream benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the lower Sabine River to develop an environmental assessment of Project effects that in turn would support both the FERC’s assessment under NEPA and the Texas and Louisiana Section 401 Water Quality Certification processes. The objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive review of the existing macroinvertebrate environment within the lower Sabine River downstream of the Project, evaluate and assess the practicality and potential of PM&E measures or other opportunities to enhance downstream resources through operation alternatives.
Bottomland and Floodplain Connectivity Study
The Bottomland and Floodplain Connectivity Study was a supplement to the data presented in Appendix D of the Pre-Application Document (PAD). Riverine bottomland community characterization was conducted to determine the general composition and distribution of vegetation within the lateral area of overbank flooding. Vegetative species composition and structure were characterized and classified for the representative bottomland areas. The relationship between bottomland vegetation and Project operations were described, particularly in respect to on-peak power generation. The effects of hydropower operations on connectivity to representative bottomland areas were also assessed in this study.
Lower Sabine River Water Quality and Aquatic Resources Study
The goal of this study was to identify protected species, critical habitats, and sensitive natural communities within the study area that may be affected by Project operations. This study was conducted using a desktop approach that included an analysis of existing literature and the development of electronic datasets from geographic information systems (GIS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continued Project operation, maintenance, and other related activities on: federally threatened, endangered, or candidate species and associated critical habitat; state-listed or sensitive species; U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sensitive species; and other rare species (collectively known as “special-status species”) in the Project area.
Eagle Surveys
The bald eagle is no longer listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as of August 8, 2007, but the species remains protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940, as amended. In Texas, the bald eagle is listed as a threatened species. In Louisiana, the bald eagle is not listed under the state-level endangered species statute.
The terrestrial special-status species Phase 1 study documented 11 active bald eagle nests within 0.5 mile of the Toledo Bend Reservoir project boundary in Louisiana, and 20 (13 active) in Texas. During the Phase 2 study, a total of 19 eagle nest buffers overlapped the project boundary that included six bald eagle nests within the project boundary. Of those 19 eagle nest buffers, only 8 nest buffers were found to overlap eroding shorelines. In June 2011, the Authorities surveyed those eight nests (five in Texas and three in Louisiana) for updated location and usage and found that four of the five nests in Texas either have the nest or their buffer within the project boundary and that the remaining nest was not relocated at its previous location. Of the three nests in Louisiana, two could not be found at their previous observed location, and the remaining nest was found to be relocated outside the project boundary. Three active nests are located within 0.5 mile of project features, including one nest within 0.25 mile of the spillway.