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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #2

March 3, 2003

Covering August 2, 2002 through February 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 with the Service three months and two

weeks after the date of the execution of this MOU and every six months thereafter. The Company

submitted the first report, compiling information described in the MOU, which occurred during the

initial three-month period, on August 2, 2002. One report is submitted on behalf of all the Xcel

Energy operating companies that signed the MOU.

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

EDM International continues to gather data for the development of the APP for PSCo and CLFP,

Xcel Energy expects that APP will be complete by the end of 2003. Fieldwork began in 2002 and

will be completed in 2003. During the field reviews, bird mortalities may be documented. In 2002,

those mortalities found were documented and measures to modify the structures will be developed

and reported as part of the final APP. In 2003, the same measures will be in place; however, the

USFWS will also be notified of any mortalities found during these field surveys.

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

operating companies in 2003, but have proposed to the Service that those APP's will not be fully

developed until after 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 4A. 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.

Those applications are currently under review by the respective USFWS Migratory Bird Offices.

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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #2

March 1, 2003

3. Summary of Avian Injuries

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

SPS Cattle Egret injured at 10/09/2002 Transported by company official to South Plains Wildlife

Jones Station, Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock.

Lubbock Texas. The

egret had a broken

wing.

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

NSP-MN Three trumpeter 12/10/2002 Xcel was notified that three young swans were found dead by

swans found dead in hunters near powerlines near Monticello, IvIN. Two of the lines

Monticello, MN. are owned by Xcel Energy and one by Great River Energy.

Xcel reported deaths to Regional USFWS MEBO.

NSP-MN One trumpeter swan 1/4/2003 Another immature trumpeter swan found under same lines as

found dead in reported on 12/10/2002. Xcel Energy included this

Monticello, MN. information in discussions with USFWS, and Great River

Energy. Xcel will be working to develop a plan to mark lines

._ in 2003 before next winter.

NSP-MN Cormorant found 10/25/02 USFWS notified on 10/25/02. DNR also notified.

dead near powerlines Cormorants are common in the area. This is the first reported

by Prairie Island collision. Xcel will continue to monitor to determine if any

Generating Plant mitigative measures are needed.

substation

PSCo Owl, unknown type, 8/5/2002 The carcass was found by a lineman and reported to Larry

found electrocuted at Claxton. A voice mail message was left with USFWS Special

the base of a Agent Leo Suazo. The Lineman left the carcass where found

distribution pole near and was gone upon his return. The suspected distribution pole

. Evergreen, CO. will be retrofitted within a month.

PSCo Hawk, unknown type, 8/5/2002 The carcass was found by lineman and reported to Larry

found electrocuted at Claxton. A voice mail message was left with USFWS Special

the base of a Agent Leo Suazo. Lineman had transported carcass to a

distribution pole near nearby veterinary clinic prior to reporting. Clinic had disposed

Evergreen, CO. of carcass in a dumpster before being contacted by Mr.

Claxton. The suspected distribution pole will be retrofitted

within a month.

PSCo Red Tailed Hawk 9/17/2002 Lineman found carcass and contacted the Colorado Division of

carcass was found at Wildlife who took possession. PSCo Transmission

the base of a Engineering investigated and determined the hawk was sitting

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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #2

March 1, 2003

Operating Description Date Comments

'Company

transmission pole near on structure #115 when lightning hit structure #114. A

Palisade CO. resultant current was sent via the static wire to structure #115,

which had a broken insulator, and flashed over to the hawk.

The insulator was replaced to prevent future problems.

SPS American Kestrel 08/26/2002 Found under unit #3 baghouse. No electrical structures were

found dead at in the immediate vicinity. USFWS was notified. No other

Harrington Station, action was performed.

Amarillo Texas.

SPS Hawk electrocution 10/09/2002 USFWS was notified. Modifications performed were:

on utility pole in * One triangle anti-perching device was installed.

Chaves County, near * Insulation was installed on the electrical cables.

Roswell, New Mexico.

SPS Red Tailed Hawk 10/11/2002 Rob Lee, USFWS agent, notified Xcel Energy of the

electrocution on utility electrocution, and also requested several other poles near the

pole near Seagraves, vicinity be modified. Modifications performed were:

Texas. The bird was * The transformer bank that feeds Meter #49328400 was

found alive, reworked and bird guards were installed on 10/14/2002.

transported to the * The single transformer was checked and bird guards were

Wildlife Center in installed on 10/15/2002.

Lubbock, TX where it * The jumpers on three other transformer banks, in the

was euthanized. vicinity, were checked and bird guards were installed on

10/15/2002.

SPS Red Tailed Hawk 10/30/2002 USFWS was notified. Modifications made on 01 /22/2003

electrocution on were:

transformer structure * Lightning arresters were replaced by new poly-type

near Stinnett, Texas material lightning arresters

* Primary leads were replaced with leads containing

electrocution prevention insulation material

* Installed bird guards on the primary risers

SPS Hawk electrocution 12/30/2002 USFWS was notified. Modifications to the structure consisted

on transformer pole in of two wildlife bird guards were installed on 12/30/02.

Floyd County, near

Lockney TX.

5. Summaryof Migratory Bird Nest Removals

A. Active Migratorv Bird Nests Non-Emergency Removals

None have been reported.

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Xcel Energy/USFWS

Avian Protection Memorandum Of Understanding

Semi-Annual Report #2

March 1, 2003

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

Removals

None have been reported.

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

Operating Description Date Comments

Company

NSP- Removed osprey nest 12/10/02 The USFWS office in SL Paul and MDNR contacted prior to

Minnesota located on distribution removal.

line in Orono, MN.

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 8/2/2003.)

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