potential locations for the Unit 3 intake) while one tow was collected 

 at all other stations. This program continued through January 1975. 



In February 1975, NB was added to get a more representative sampling 

 of Niantic Bay. Duplicate hauls were made here and at TT, 10 and IN and 

 at one randomly chosen station. Sampling began at N2 in June of 1975 

 to obtain more information on the demersal finfish community in the 

 Niantic River. Through January, 1976, two tows were made at NB, TT, 10, 

 IN and one randomly chosen station, and single hauls were made at the 

 other stations. 



In February 1976, BR was added because the area was being considered 

 as another potential site for the Unit 3 intake. Since that time three 

 tows have been made at N2, NB, JC, TT, IN and BR. These 6 stations are 

 believed to be representative of the different demersal environs around 

 Millstone Point. Through the end of 1976, a single 15-minute tow was 

 completed at the remaining 5 stations. These stations (1, 3, 7, 9 and 

 10) were dropped for several reasons. Station 1 was dropped because the 

 bottom cover of algae and eelgrass had increased to the point where the 

 trawl was no longer efficient. Additionally, N2 was felt to better 

 represent the Niantic River system. Station 4 was dropped because it 

 was similar to NB. Station 7 and 10 were dropped because the bottom was 

 too rocky and the trawl efficiency was low. Station 9 was dropped 

 because it was very close to BR. 



In October 1977, the current sampling program was adopted. The 

 unit of effort was changed from 15min to 0.69km over the bottom. While 

 unit-effort for trawls is conventionally a unit of time, it was felt 

 that the demersal finfish population levels would be better estimated by 

 an area swept clear unit-effort. The distance of 0.69km was used because 



