Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #3

August 27, 2003

Covering February 2, 2003 through August 2, 2003 Reporting Period -

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 submitted the first report on August 2, 2002 on. One report is

submitted on behalf of all the operating companies that signed the MOU every six

months.

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

(APP)

EDM International, Inc. continues to gather data for the development of the APP for

PSCo and CLFP. Approximately 90% of the surveys are complete and a draft APP is

expected to be completed by the end of 2003. Xcel Energy staff will be reviewing the

draft report this fall to develop the Company's plans for implementing the approved

EDM recommendations.

)

As reported previous, Xcel Energy will start development of the APP's for the remainder

of the service companies in 2003, 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. We plan to go out for bid on the rest of the APP work this winter.

Regardless of the completion date of the APP's, Xcel Energy has implemented a

training program for all electric delivery field personnel that may encounter birds. In

addition, the final stages of the development of a bird poster is underway for additional

education for Xcel Energy employees. Xcel Energy is working on these issues and is

in compliance with Section 4.A. of the other MOUs.

2. Status of Special Purpose Permit

Xcel Energy has filed applications for special purpose permits for all of the operating

companies. Special Purpose permits have been issued by Region 3 for Northern States

Power Company - Minnesota (Permit MB074020-0) and Northern States Power
Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #3

August 27, 2003

Company - Wisconsin (Permit MB074019-0) The other applications are currently under

review by the respective USFWS Migratory Bird Offices.

3. Summary of Avian Injuries

None reported

4. Summary of Avian Deaths

The following table summarizes avian deaths that have occurred since August 2, 2002.

Specific details of an incident can be provided upon request.

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

SPS Two dead Great 02/17/03 The structure was modified on 02/20/03 and included:

Homed Owls,

electrocuted on a 1. Replacing 8' crossarms with 12' crossanms.

pole containing three 2. Installation of new arresters with animal guard protection. transformers, near 3. Installation of insulating tubing on all primary risers.

Dumas, Texas. 4. Installation of one animal guard on each transformer.

SPS Dead eagle at 02118/03 USFW initially notified on 02/18. On 03/07/03, a line crew

structure near replaced the 8' arm on the structure where the raptor was

Stinnett TX. found with a 10' arm and installed Bird Spikes as per G-19 &

G-25 of Xcel Energy's Design And Construction Standards.

SPS Red Tailed Hawk 03/11/03 USFW initially notified on 03/12. Modifications, performed in

electrocution on utility May, included adding two animal guards on the bushings and

pole in Chaves insulation tape to the primary risers. Cost of the project was

County, near Roswell, estimated to be $200

New Mexico.

SPS Great Homed owl 03/27/03 USFW initially notified on 03/28. Modifications, performed in

near Borger, Texas. May, included replacing the primary jumpers on the OCR with

insulated jumpers. Animal guards were also installed on all

primary bushings. It was unknown exactly where the owl

made contact at the time of discovery, but it did appear the

only animal guard on the center phase was blackened.

Cost of the project was estimated to be $538. 35.

SPS A juvenile Great 06/01/03 USFW initially notified on 06/06. It was discovered that there

Homed Owl was was a Great Homed Owl nesting three juveniles, on the

discovered ground, at the substation. The remaining owls have since left

electrocuted at the the substation. No further actions performed.

Potash Junction

Substation, 20 miles

east of Carlsbad, New

Mexico.

SPS Crow at substation 06/12103 Electrocution resulted in a 28-minute outage affecting 2,400 near Clovis, New I _ I customers. The cause was a crow that came in contact with

Page 2 of 4
Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #3

August 27, 2003

Operating Description Date Comments

Company ; .

Mexico. energized equipment in a 23-kilovolt substation; after the

crow carcass was removed, station was re-energized. No

further actions performed.

SPS Great Horned Owl at 07/30/03 Probable source of electrocution is 25 kva transformer.

TUCO Interchange Modifications of the structure are pending.

near Abernathy,

Texas.

PSCo Bald Eagle at Rifle 01/15/03 Appears to have been electrocuted. Seven structures within

Falls Hatchery the Hatchery were retrofitted. No outage reported.

PSCo Bald Eagle at Rifle 02/28/03 Appears to have been hit by vehicle. Seven structures within

Falls Hatchery the Hatchery were retrofitted. No outage reported.

PSCo Crow at 86n' and 04/21/03 Electrocuted on pole mounted switch. Structure was

Roslyn retrofitted to prevent future takings. No outage reported.

PSCo Red Tailed Hawk at 05/09/03 Appears that electrocution occurred when hawk landed to

Ennis Substation roost. Required retrofits are being determined. No outage

reported.

PSCo Golden Eagle near 05/11/03 Electrocution occurred on modified 69kV line. Investigation

Rifle Colorado being performed. One and one half hour outage reported.

NSPMN Bald Eagle near 6/3/03 Electrocution occurred when bird tried to fly through

Monticello, MN distribution line while carrying mallard. Bird made phase-tophase contact. Unknown person removed carcass. No plans

to modify line since it appears to be unusual occurrence.

. USFWS and MDNR notified.

NSPM Red Tail Hawk at 8/1/03 Hawk electrocuted on pole. Xcel pursuing measures to

Sherco Power plant insulate wires. USFWS notified.

5. Summary of Migratory Bird Nest Removals

A. Active Migratorv Bird Nests Non-Emeroency Removals

None have been reported.

B. Active Nests Of Non-Endangered/Threatened. Non-eagle MigratorV Birds-Emergency Removals

Operating Description Date Comments

Comrany

PSCo Relocated osprey 5/02/03 Depredation permit acquired from USFWS prior to

nest near Debeque, relocation.

Colorado water

treatment plant. II

Page 3 of 4
. I;

drsn)

Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #3

August 27, 2003

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

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

PSCo Removed inactive 06/16/03 Contacted USFWS prior to removal. Retrofit

osprey nest located performed to eliminate future nesting attempts.

on transmission

structure near

Dillon Reservoir in

Colorado.

NSPM Removed inactive 4/23/03, All nests were removed as they were being built--prior

osprey nest located 5/2103, to eggs being laid. Local crews and designers working.

on transmission 5/20/03, with Three Rivers Park District to put up a platform to

structure located in 5/27/03 attract pair to different location. Local Xcel Energy

Orono, MN engineer will continue to monitor situation. This is the

same nest that was discussed in the last report.

NSPW Removed inactive 3/27/03 Nest was unoccupied.

raven's nest from

substation in Ino, WI

D. Endangered/Threatened Migratory Bird Nest Removals

No removals have been reported

6. Eagle Permits

No requests have been filed.

7. Summary of Record-Keeping Procedures

Xcel Energy is currently developing record keeping procedures. Each contact for the

operating companies is coordinating contacts and reports. 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

March 3, 2004.)

Page 4 of 4