INVENTORY OF VERNAL POOLS ALONG THE MASSACHUSETTS PORTION OF THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD RELIABILITY PROJECT

Transcription

1 INVENTORY OF VERNAL POOLS ALONG THE MASSACHUSETTS PORTION OF THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD RELIABILITY PROJECT Prepared For: Northeast Utilities Service Company P.O. Box 270 Hartford, Connecticut Prepared By: ENSR 11 Phelps Way Willington, Connecticut September 2008

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction Vernal Pool Determination and Identification Methods Results References...5 Index of Tables Table 1: Table 2: Table 3: Vernal Pool Habitats Associated with the GSRP in Massachusetts Vernal Pools Associated with the GSRP, by Municipality Vernal Pools Associated with the GSRP, by Route List of Appendices Appendix A: Project Map Sheet Index Depicting Locations of Vernal Pools Appendix B: Vernal Pool Field Data Forms Appendix C: Representative Site Photographs

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5 1.0 Introduction Vernal Pool and Amphibian Breeding Habitat Report Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component This report provides a summary of vernal pool investigations conducted along the Massachusetts portions of the proposed Greater Springfield Reliability Project (GSRP). The GSRP consists of a new proposed 345-kilovolt (kv) electric transmission line and associated improvements to existing 115-kV lines, as well as electric substation modifications. Most of these proposed facilities are located along existing transmission line rights-of-way (ROWs). The GSRP is proposed by the Western Massachusetts Electric Company ( WMECO ) and the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), which are owned and operated by Northeast Utilities Service Company ( NUSCO ). The project, whose purpose is to ensure continued reliable electric power in southern New England, would extend between WMECO s Ludlow Substation in Ludlow, Massachusetts and CL&P s North Bloomfield Substation in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Additional electric transmission facility activities are associated with the proposed Project, including improvements to existing 115-kV transmission lines, and the expansion and construction of switching and/or substations. Both preferred and alternative routes have been identified for the GSRP facilities. In Massachusetts, the Preferred ( Northern ) GSRP route will traverse the municipalities of Agawam, West Springfield, Springfield, Chicopee and Ludlow along existing transmission ROWs where overhead 115-kV transmission lines currently exist. In accordance with Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) requirements, WMECO evaluated an alternative route, known as the Noticed-Alternative ( Southern ) Route. The Massachusetts portion of the Noticed- Alternative Route would commence and terminate at the same locations in Massachusetts as the Preferred Route. However, the Noticed-Alternative Route would occupy an existing transmission ROW through the municipalities of Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Wilbraham, and Ludlow. On behalf of WMECO, ENSR conducted vernal pool surveys along the Preferred and Noticed- Alternative Routes. These field investigations were conducted in the spring of This report discusses the field methods used to identify vernal pools and summarizes the findings of the surveys. 3

6 Vernal Pool and Amphibian Breeding Habitat Report Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component 2.0 Vernal Pool Determination and Identification Methods The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.00) defines vernal pool habitat as confined basin depressions, which, at least in most years, hold water for a minimum of two continuous months during the spring and/or summer, and which are free of adult fish populations. These areas are essential breeding habitat, and provide other extremely important wildlife habitat functions during the non-breeding season as well, for a variety of amphibian species such as wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum,) and are important habitat for other wildlife species. Many amphibian species critically rely upon vernal pool habitat for reproductive success, and these species are referred to as obligate vernal pool species. Designated obligate vernal pool species include: Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Sacphiopus holbrookii holbrookii) Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Fairy Shrimp (Branchiopoda anostraca) Facultative vernal pool species utilize, but do not necessarily require, vernal pools for reproductive success. Examples of facultative species include the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), and red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens). All wetland areas associated with the Massachusetts GSRP ROWs were studied to identify the presence or absence of obligate vernal pool species. Special attention was given to those areas that had been identified by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) as being Certified or Potential Vernal Pools. Observed facultative species were noted on the Vernal Pool Data Forms (See Appendix B) but these species were not used to determine whether or not the area was a vernal pool. The publication A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools (Kenney and Burne, 2000) was referenced throughout the field surveys to aid in the identification of egg masses, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, snakes, turtles and invertebrates including fairy shrimp (Branchiopoda anostraca), fingernail clams (Mollusca bivalvis) and caddisfly (Order Trichoptera) larvae. ENSR conducted the vernal pool/amphibian breeding habitat surveys in March and April of The surveys were conducted during the optimum time to identify areas that function as vernal pools and/or amphibian breeding habitat, which is after the first significant rain events in the spring, when evening low temperatures remain in the 40s ( o Fahrenheit). Biologists conducted visual surveys and used dip nets to sweep the water column to determine the presence or absence of vernal pool species. Choruses of breeding frogs were also noted for each wetland. WMECO corresponded with the NHESP in 2007 to determine if any mapped habitat for state listed rare amphibian species was associated with the Project ROWs. NHESP indicated that at least two rare salamander species associated with vernal pools were known to occur within the GSRP area and directed WMECO to conduct quantitative field surveys through live trapping for these species. Such surveys were performed during March and April of As a result of these surveys, no species of concern were identified along the Preferred Route, but the 4

7 Vernal Pool and Amphibian Breeding Habitat Report Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component presence of such species was confirmed in certain wetlands associated with the Noticed- Alternative Route. The findings of these surveys have been sent directly to the MA NHESP under separate cover to protect the sensitivity of the confirmed rare species habitats. 3.0 Results As illustrated in Table 1, 38 wetlands in the Massachusetts GSRP study area were determined to function as vernal pools during the 2008 breeding season. The dominant obligate and facultative media identified throughout the surveys included wood frog eggs, spotted salamanders, spring peepers and caddis fly larvae. Twenty of the 38 vernal pools are characterized by a mixed vegetation cover type, with the majority of the wetlands exhibiting complete or partial scrub-shrub cover type, as is typical of most periodically maintained ROWs. Table 2 lists the vernal pools by municipality, and Table 3 identifies which vernal pools are associated with the Preferred Route versus the Noticed-Alternative Route. Appendix A provides a project map sheet index depicting the location of vernal pools; Appendix B includes the vernal pool field data sheets; and Appendix C provides representative site photographs of vernal pools. 4.0 Conclusion The Noticed-Alternative Route of the GSRP encompasses more than twice as many vernal pools as the Preferred Route (27 versus 13). The town with the greatest number of vernal pools is Wilbraham (13), which is on the Noticed-Alternative Route, and the municipality with the fewest is Springfield (0), which is along the Preferred Route. The town along the Preferred Route with the most vernal pools is Ludlow (9). 5.0 References Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. United States Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 79/31, Washington, D.C. Kenny, L.P. and M.R. Burne A Field Guide to the animals of Vernal Pools. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, Massachusetts. 5

8 Table 1 Vernal Pool Habitat Associated with the GSRP in Massachusetts Municipality ENSR Wetland # NU Wetland # Route Closest Tower Agawam W01HA109 W1-10 Preferred 2263 PFO / PSS Agawam W05HA014 W1-16A Preferred / Alternative Wetland Class 1 Species Observed 2275 PSS Agawam W05HA017 W1-18C Alternative PFO / PEM Agawam W05HA013 W2-17 Preferred / Alternative 2274 PEM / PFO Chicopee W06SP002 W3-65 Preferred PEM Chicopee W02HA002 W3-69 Preferred PSS Ludlow W02HA009 W3-75 Preferred PFO / PSS Ludlow W02HA017 W3-82 Preferred 27 / 43 PSS / PFO Ludlow W02HA021 W3-86 Preferred 38 / 35B PEM Ludlow W02HA035 W3-100 Preferred 61 / 19 PSS / PFO Ludlow W02HA038² W3-103² Preferred 70 / 12 PFO / PSS Wood frog egg masses; spring peeper breeding choruses; caddis fly cases/ larvae; aquatic worms Wood frog egg masses and adults; spotted salamander spermataphores and egg masses; water striders; green frog; bullfrog Wood frog breeding chorus and egg masses Wood frog egg masses and adults; spotted salamander egg masses and spermataphores; green frog; bullfrog; water strider Wood frog egg masses; spring peepers Wood frog egg masses; spotted salamander egg masses; fairy shrimp; spring peepers Wood frog adult; spotted salamander egg masses and spermataphores Wood frog egg masses; spotted salamander egg masses; spring peepers; caddis fly larvae/cases Wood frog egg masses; fairy shrimp; amphibious snails Fingernail clams; predacious diving beetles; amphibious snails; spring peepers; caddis fly cases/larvae Fingernail clams; spotted turtles; caddis fly cases/larvae; spring peepers

9 Table 1 Vernal Pool Habitat Associated with the GSRP in Massachusetts Municipality ENSR Wetland # NU Wetland # Route Closest Tower Ludlow W02HA039 W3-104 Preferred 70 / 12 PFO / PSS Ludlow W02HA040 W3-105 Preferred 71 / 11 PFO Ludlow W02HA041 W3-106 Preferred 72 / 10 PEM / PFO Agawam W05HA019 W8-135 Alternative PSS Wetland Class 1 Species Observed Wood frog breeding chorus, egg masses and adults; fingernail clams; fairy shrimp; spotted turtles; predacious diving beetles; caddis fly case/larvae Wood frog breeding chorus, egg masses and adults; fingernail clams; predacious diving beetles; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog breeding chorus and adults; predacious diving beetles; spring peepers; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog breeding chorus; spring peepers Agawam W04HA026 W8-142 Alternative PFO./ PSS Wood frog egg masses Longmeadow W04HD035 W8-151 Alternative PFO East Longmeadow East Longmeadow East Longmeadow W04HA059 W8-156 Alternative 54/38 PFO / PSS W04HA060 W8-157 Alternative 54/37 PFO Wood frog egg masses; spotted turtles; predacious diving beetles; amphibious snails; spring peepers Spring peepers; spotted salamander egg masses Wood frog egg masses and adults; spring peepers W04HA062 W8-160 Alternative 54/30 PFO / PSS Wood frog egg masses Hampden W04HA075 W8-173 Alternative / Hampden W04HA076 W8-174 Alternative / PEM PFO Wood frog tadpoles and egg masses; spotted salamander egg masses; painted turtles; amphibious snails; caddis fly case/larvae Wood frog tadpoles; spotted salamander egg masses; painted turtles; amphibious snails; spring peepers; caddis fly larvae/cases

10 Table 1 Vernal Pool Habitat Associated with the GSRP in Massachusetts Municipality ENSR Wetland # NU Wetland # Route Closest Tower Hampden W04HA077 W8-175 Alternative / Hampden W04HA079A W8-176A Alternative / Hampden W04HA079 W8-177 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA033 W8-180 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA032 W8-181 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA031 W8-182 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA023 W8-183 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA024 W8-184 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA026 W8-186 Alternative / Wetland Class 1 Species Observed PSS / PFO PEM / PSS/ PFO PSS / PFO PSS / PFO PSS PSS PSS / PFO PSS / PFO / PEM PSS / PFO Wood frog tadpoles; spotted salamander egg masses; painted turtles; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog egg masses and adults; spotted salamander egg masses; fairy shrimp; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog tadpoles, adults and egg masses; spotted salamander egg masses; fairy shrimp; caddis fly cases/larvae Spotted salamander adults; bluespotted salamander adults; predacious diving beetles Wood frog choruses, egg masses and adults; spotted salamander adults; fairy shrimp; predacious diving beetles; green frogs Wood frog chorus; spotted salamander egg masses and adults; red-spotted newt adults; painted turtles; predacious diving beetles; spring peepers; caddis fly larvae/cases Wood frog adults; predacious diving beetles Wood frog choruses and adults; spotted salamander adults; bluespotted salamander adults; spotted turtles; predacious diving beetles; spring peepers; caddis fly cases/larvae; pickerel frogs Wood frog egg masses and adults; spotted salamander egg masses and

11 Table 1 Vernal Pool Habitat Associated with the GSRP in Massachusetts Municipality ENSR Wetland # NU Wetland # Route Closest Tower Wilbraham W07HA027 W8-187 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA029 W8-189 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA030 W8-190 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA022 W8-191 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA021 W8-192 Alternative / Wilbraham W07HA017 W8-196 Alternative / Ludlow W07HA008 W8-205 Alternative Ludlow W07HA003 W8-210 Alternative Ludlow W07HA002 W8-211 Alternative / / / Wetland Class 1 Species Observed PSS / PFO PSS / PFO PSS / PFO PEM / PFO PFO / PSS PSS PEM / PFO PFO / PSS / PEM PFO / PSS adults; blue-spotted salamander adults; red-spotted newt adults; predacious diving beetles; caddis fly case/larvae Wood frog chorus and adults; spotted salamander egg masses and adults; blue- spotted salamander egg masses and adults; predacious diving beetles Wood frog adults; spotted salamander adults; predacious diving beetles; spring peepers Wood frog egg masses and adults; spotted salamander egg masses and adults; red spotted-newt adults; predacious diving beetles Wood frog egg masses and tadpoles; spotted salamander egg masses; caddis fly larvae/cases Wood frog egg masses; spotted salamander egg masses; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog egg masses; caddis fly cases/larvae Wood frog adults, tadpoles and egg masses; spotted salamander adults and egg masses; fairy shrimp Spotted salamander egg masses; damselfly larvae Spotted salamander egg masses; caddis fly cases/larvae 1: Wetlands were classified according to Cowardin et al. PEM = palustrine emergent wetland; PSS = palustrine scrub-shrub wetland; PFO = palustrine forested wetland; POW = open water 2: MassDEP designated certified vernal pool

12 Table 2 Vernal Pools Associated with the GSRP, by Municipality Municipality Number of Vernal Pools Agawam 6 Chicopee 2 Ludlow 9 Longmeadow 1 East Longmeadow 3 Hampden 5 Wilbraham 13 Grand Total* 38 * One vernal pool spans the border of two municipalities - Hampden and Wilbraham. This vernal pool has been included in the inventory for both municipalities but was counted only once in the Grand Total. Table 3 Vernal Pools Associated with the GSRP, by Route Route Number of Vernal Pools Preferred Route** 13 Alternative Route** 27 Grand Total 38 ** Two vernal pools overlap with the Preferred and Alternative Routes. These pools have been included in the totals for each of the Routes but were counted only once to derive the Grand Total.

13 Appendix A Project Map Sheet Index Depicting Locations of Vernal Pools

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15 College Hwy SOUTHAMPTON Main St Union St Holyoke St EASTHAMPTON Mountain Rd Easthampton Rd Northampton St 91 Hadley St SOUTH HADLEY Newton St College St Woodbridge St Lyman St W State St GRANBY Parker St E State St Main St State St BELCHERTOWN Turkey Hill Rd North Rd Westfield Rd 90 HOLYOKE Homestead Ave Cherry St Ingleside Ave Main St Dwight St Beech St Chicopee St 202 Prospect Substation CHICOPEE Appleton St Grattan St Bridge St Lamb St Granby Rd Fairmont Switching Station Memorial Dr Chicopee Substation Old Lyman Rd East Springfield Junction E Main St Cadwell Switching Station Page Blvd Exit 6 Junction Orchard Junction Shawinigan Switching Station Orchard Substation 21 LUDLOW Ludlow Substation WESTFIELD Piper Substation 291 East Springfield Substation Pasco Rd Main St Center St Center St Saint James Blvd Boston Rd E Main St WEST SPRINGFIELD Riverdale St Main St Carew St Armory St State St SPRINGFIELD WILBRAHAM Little River Rd Westfield St 5 Agawam Substation Memorial Ave Allen St Bicentennial Hwy 5 Belmont Ave Sumner Ave White St Springfield St Suffield St Columbus Ave SOUTHWICK N Westfield St Mill St N Main St Southwick St AGAWAM S Westfield St Silver Substation Longhill St Massachusetts EAST LONGMEADOW HAMPDEN Pine St South Agawam Substation South Agawam Junction Main St Longmeadow St LONGMEADOW Shaker Rd Prospect St Somers Rd Hampden Junction S West St Shaker Rd N Grand St Mapleton Ave Taylor Rd Hall Hill Rd North St E St N Shaker Rd Mapleton Ave Thompsonville Rd Elm St NJ NY S Grand St East Granby VT Mountain Rd Map Location CT MA NH RI SUFFIELD South St Windsor Locks ME S Main St N Main St E St S Electric Transmission Routes 345-kV Overhead Preferred Route 345-kV Overhead "Southern" Route Alternative 115-kV Improvements 115-kV Existing to Remain in Corridor 190 King St Depot Hill Rd Enfield St ENFIELD Substation Junction Miles 1:100,000 Hazard Ave 345-kV Existing to Remain in Corridor Vernal Pool Habitats Identified by ENSR Connecticut Data Source: Burns & Mac, CT DEP, ENSR 2007 N Maple St Broad Brook Rd East Windsor Main St Greater Springfield Reliability Project Vernal Pool Location Map Massachusetts Somers Springfield Rd South Rd Ellington Date: June 2008 Y:\Projects\NorthEast_Utilities\GSRP\MXD\Survey_Figures\Vernal_Pools\Vernal_Pools_Index_Map.mxd

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17 Appendix B Vernal Pool Field Data Forms

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93 Appendix C Representative Site Photographs

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95 Representative Site Photographs Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component East view of W01HA109 / W1-10 North view of W05HA013 / W2-17 1

96 Representative Site Photographs Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component Northeast view of W07HA033 / W-180 Spotted salamanders 2

97 Representative Site Photographs Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component W02HA002 / W3-69 W02HA021 / W3-86 3

98 Representative Site Photographs Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component W07HA008 / W8-205 Wood frog egg masses 4

99 Representative Site Photographs Greater Springfield Reliability Project Massachusetts Component W06SP002 / W3-65 Spotted salamander egg mass 5