The Bureau of Reclamation has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact on a proposal to add Zequanox to the cooling water system of Davis Dam to help address the impacts of quagga mussels on facility operations.
Zequanox is a commercial quagga and zebra mussel treatment product developed by Marrone Bio Innovations of Davis, Calif. It contains natural compounds including the dead Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria that, when ingested, destroy the invasive mussels' digestive systems.
Under the proposed action, Zequanox would be added to the Davis Dam cooling water system, which provides water to cool generator bearings, heat exchangers, air compressors and other equipment throughout the powerplant. Zequanox degrades within 24 hours, and it is not expected to accumulate in the Colorado River or near the cities of Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona, located on the river about 2 miles downstream of the dam.
The draft Environmental Assessment was released in April. After considering public comments, Reclamation has determined that the proposed quagga mussel control project will not significantly impact the natural and human environment. Initial treatments at the dam are expected to begin in late June 2011.
Questions may be directed to Ms. Dana Anat of Reclamation's Lower Colorado Regional Resources Management Office at (702) 293-8055 or danat@usbr.gov. The final Environmental Assessment and FONSI are available on-line at: "http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g2000/envdocs.html">www.usbr.gov/lc/region/g2000/envdocs.html.
Quagga mussels pose serious threats to Reclamation's infrastructure and operations at Hoover, Davis, and Parker Dams' hydroelectric generation facilities. Intakes, pipes, and strainers are becoming clogged with these creatures, reducing the abilities of these structures to pump and deliver water and generate hydropower. Reclamation is actively researching effective monitoring and control solutions that can be applied at facilities throughout the West.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
