better descriptions of natural fluctuations. With these bases, 

 ecological changes can be interpreted relative to power plant impact, 



CONCLUSIONS 



The patterns of abundance of nine finfishes (American sand lance, 

 anchovies, sticklebacks, silversides, Atlantic tomcod, grubby, 

 windowpane, tautog and cunner) were described with harmonic regression 

 models that had been fit to historical data through 1982. The 1983 

 patterns of abundance were compared to those forecasted for 1983 by the 

 models. None of the observed 1983 fluctuations could be attributed to 

 the operations of the power plants at MNPS . The models will continue to 

 provide the basis for impact assessment in the future. 



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