Notes
Letter dated April 9, 1998 from Fisheries Consultants (Brier, WA) to Jonathan Freedman, Project Manager, Regulatory Branch, Seattle District Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, regarding Section 404 permit application for the Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan Third Runway. AR024336. Assesses overall neutral effect on aquatic habitat and fish populations in Miller Creek, with minor benefits from storm flow detention facilities (5%-20% peak flow reduction), 100-foot wide by 3/4-mile long riparian buffer corridor, and removal of residential structures. Adverse impacts include re-location of 1/4-mile of Miller Creek from existing excavated channel to new excavated channel, and approximately 8% reduction in low summer stream flows due to reduced watershed permeability, filling of approximately 12 acres of wetlands, and reduced groundwater recharge. Discusses coho salmon, chum salmon, steelhead, sea-run cutthroat trout, sculpin, Endangered Species Act listing considerations, Lora Lake, HSPF hydrologic model, JARPA application, and 61 acre-feet detention basin capacity. Author hired by Port Of Seattle; 18 years experience as Certified Fisheries Scientist and Registered Professional Engineer.