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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #1

August 2, 2002

On April 19, 2002, Xcel Energy and the USFWS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) to establish procedures and policies to be employed by the Company's operating companies

and the Service in dealing with migratory birds that may be present, injured or killed on the

Company's property during the period of this MOU.

As part of the agreement, Xcel Energy agreed to file a report three months and two weeks after the

date of the execution of this MOU to the Service compiling the information described above in the

MOU, which occurred during the initial three-month period. The Company is submitting one

report on behalf of all the operating companies that signed the MOU. The filing date is based upon

the signing date of the Public Service of Colorado (April 19, 2002).

1. Status of the Development and Implementation of an Avian Protection Plan (APP)

Xcel Energy has contracted with EDM International in April, 2002 to develop the APP for the

PSCo service territory, which complies with of Section 4.A. of the MOU. It is expected that APP

will be complete by the end of 2003. Xcel Energy will start development of the APP's for the

remainder of the service companies, but have proposed to the Service that those APP's will not be

fully developed until the PSCo APP is finalized. This will allow us to develop one APP, work out

issues and have the format available to promptly complete the remaining APP's. Regardless of the

completion date of the APP's, Xcel Energy is moving forward with employee training and

continuing to address issues. Therefore, Xcel Energy is in compliance with Section 4.A. of the other

MOUs.

2. Status of Special Purpose Permit

Xcel Energy is coordinating the acquisition of the "Special Purpose Permit" from the Service and

expects to have an application filed by September 15, 2002.

3. Summary of Avian Injuries

There have been no avian injuries during this period.

4. Summary of Avian Deaths

The following table summarizes avian deaths that have occurred since April 19, 2002. Specific

details of an incident can be provided upon request.
Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Sermi-Annual Report #1

August 2, 2002

Operating Description Date Comments

Company ______________________

SPS Two Golden Eagles 5/03/02 A call was received from USFW agent Rob Lee, out of

electrocuted on a Lubbock, TX informing Xcel Energy of the electrocutions

utility pole in and inquired if this could have been one of SPS poles,

Midland County and if not, did we know whose pole it was.

Texas. It was determined by Mr. Lee that the pole belonged to

BP Arco. No further action was performed.

SPS Decaying Golden Discovered USFW agent Rob Lee in Lubbock, TX was notified. Mr.

Eagle at Harrington on 6/18/02 Lee bagged and picked up the carcass. A necroscopy

Station, near was to be performed if decay was not too severe. It is

Amarillo, TX. uncertain if electrocution was cause of death. There

are no immediate plans for structure modifications,

though Mr. Lee did make some suggestions for

possible nearby structure modifications in the future.

SPS Harris Hawk 6/20/02 Modifications of the pole were performed on July 03,

electrocution on - 2002. The modifications were:

utility pole at . The old cross arm was replaced, along with going to

Carlsbad, New 60-inch braces verses 110's.

Mexico. . Replaced the pole ground with 600 volt #4 TW from

below the tank ground on the transformer, to the top

of the pole.

. Replaced the 10 kV arrester with a new wildlife

protected one.

. Installed bird guards on the transformer jumper.

. Replaced all primary jumpers with 600 volt #4 TW.

. Lashed molding to all three phases on each side of

the structure.

Photos are available. The total cost for labor, vehicles,

and materials came to $344.30. A report was sent to

USFW agent Brian Lakes in Albuquerque.

NSP- Crows electrocuted 6/24/02 Two adult crows found dead in substation. Appeared to

Wisconsin in Blair substation, have been attacking fake owl and possibly contacted

Blair, WI bus work. Reported to Pam R. in July and to Robin

Flaherty on 811/02. Since information provided late and

electrocution not confirmed, Xcel will monitor situation

for further incidents and will correct if occur again.

NSPWisconsin

1 mourning dove

(not confirmed), 16

immature starlings

in Bugle Lake

substation,

Independence, WI

7/17/02 &

7/30/02

Lineman reported on 7/17/02 that several dead birds

had been found in substation. Site was reviewed on

7/17/02 and 7 dead starlings found in various stages of

decomposition. Lineman reported that he had seen a

mouming dove on previous visit earlier in week, but no

dove was found on this visit. General review of site did

not find an area where contact may have occurred.

Reported to local Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist that

day. Reported to substation maintenance who planned

to review site and perform a more detailed analysis of

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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Mvierorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #1

August 2, 2002

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

possible problem areas in substation. On 7/30/02 9

additional birds found. Reported to WDNR and also

USFWS (Robin Flaherty). Substation maintenance will

review on 8/5/02. Birds have decomposed quickly due

to hot weather. No signs of electrocution apparent.

Will continue to monitor site and try to get birds freshly

killed to send to WDNR lab. Will follow up with status in

next report.

5. Summary of Migratory Bird Nest Removals

A. Active Migratory Bird Nests Non-Emergency Removals

None have been reported.

B. Active Nests Of Non-Endangered/Threatened. Non-eagle Migratory Birds-EmergencY

Removals

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

NSP- Removed osprey 5/22/02 The nest was directly on the conductors and the

Wisconsin nest under lineman was concerned about the possibility of fire.

construction on The nest was under construction, there were no eggs.

distribution line in The USFWS office in St. Paul was contacted the next

Eau Claire, WI day Robin Flaherty

SPS Hawk nest with 6/13/02 Informed USFW Service agent Rob Lee on June 13. It

juveniles caused was subsequently determined that the pole did not

outage. belong to Xcel Energy. The pole was energized by

June 21. It is unknown what became of the nest and

juvenile hawks. Rob Lee was notified by phone of the

situation.

SPS Company personnel 7/17/02 Informed USFW Service agent Rob Lee on July 17. He

were trimming trees stated the proper approach for such incidents is to wait

at Bones Hook until the nest becomes inactive before trimming the

Park, located in branch(s) containing the nest. Once the nest is

Amarillo, TX and . inactive, it can be destroyed (Texas, Oklahoma,

found an occupied Arizona, New Mexico). He also mentioned that during

hawk nest. future similar circumstances, when trimming the tree,

try not to leave an isolated branch. Keeping several

branches in place surrounding the nest would decrease

the chance of juvenile raptors being electrocuted. The

information was relayed to appropriate personnel.

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Xcel Energy/USFWS 0

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Serni-Annual Report #1

August 2, 2002

C. Inactive Nests of Non-listed. Non-eagle Migratorv Birds -Emergency Removal

Operating Company Description Date Comments

NSP-Wisconsin Removed crow nest on Ino 5/23/02 The nest was close to conductors.

Pump substation near Iron Informed USFWS prior to removal

River, WI (Robin Flaherty) and also worked

with USDA animal control division.

Wisconsin Law allows removal of

crow nests that pose a risk to

property.

D. Endangered/Threatened Migratory Bird Nest Removals

No removals have been reported

6. Eagle Permits

None have been applied for.

7. Summary of Record-Keeping Procedures

Xcel Energy is currently developing record keeping procedures. Once the special purpose permits

are acquired, final procedures will be completed.

The next report will be submitted to the Service in six months (within 30 days following that date.)

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