Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

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Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro Sensitive Species Hawaii has the highest number of federally-listed endangered and threatened species in the United States. There are 317 threatened and endangered species in the state, of which 44 are animals and 273 are plants. 102 Plant and animal species that rely on perennial or intermittent streams are most impacted by hydropower projects which derive their energy source from streams. Many parts of Kauai have been designated critical habitat meaning that they are considered essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species. Projects proposed within these habitat areas require special consideration when a federal permit, such as a FERC license or Corps 404 permit, are involved. In general, all water projects, including hydropower, will involve careful assessment of affected animal and plant species. Some pertinent examples for Kauai are discussed below. Birds Many of the animals listed as endangered for Hawaii are birds. Some endangered species are specific to Kauai including those in the thrush and honeycreeper families. These native birds are especially found in the higher elevation of the islands where hydropower development is more likely. One report on the Large Kauai Thrush lists the construction for an un-named dam for hydropower and irrigation as a threat to this bird. 103 Goby One species of needed study for hydropower projects is the native goby ('o'opu) fish. Five species of native goby occur in streams in the Hawaiian Islands. 104 Although the goby are not listed as endangered, one species was listed as a Candidate species on the Federal Register, and was considered 'threatened' by the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Two other species were considered to be species of special concern by the AFS. 102 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/TESSWebpageUsaLists?state=HI 103 Virginia Tech Conservation Management Institute, http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e101023.htm 104 Hawaii Biological Survey website, http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/. 21 March 2005 8-24 Black & Veatch
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 8.0 Hydro Figure 8-13. Native Goby (‘O’opu) (Source: Hawaii Biological Survey). 'O'opu have an amphidromous life cycle; they migrate to and from the sea but do not use the ocean for reproduction. 'O'opu spend their entire adult lives in freshwater streams. They reproduce in the stream, laying their eggs on the upper surfaces of rocks and hatch within 48 hours. Larvae then drift out to the ocean and spend up to 160 days in a planktonic state. Returning post-larval 'o'opu may ascend randomly to streams and at times in great numbers. Some species are capable of climbing waterfalls and areas of rapids as high as 1000 feet. One species is known to migrate downstream to spawn on riffles located just upstream of the ocean. Downstream spawning runs are believed to be triggered by the first large rainstorm in the fall. However, postlarvae have been found throughout the year, indicating that some degree of spawning occurs throughout the year. A major ecological requirement for 'o'opu is the need to pass through a stream mouth at two times during the individual's life. The most important factor for the existence of endemic 'o'opu in streams is that access to and from the ocean is maintained. Stream channelization and diversions can significantly impact native fish populations within a stream. Newcomb’s Snail Newcomb’s Snail is a federally and state-listed endangered species known to inhabit streams on Kauai. A recent federal rule established critical habitat area for this snail. 105 Significantly, this designation does not conflict with the two proposed run-ofriver projects. The Wainiha River was excluded from the Critical Habitat Area for the 105 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Newcomb’s Snail; Final Rule, 50 CFR, Part 17, August 20, 2002. 21 March 2005 8-25 Black & Veatch
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