[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1955]


[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Floodplain Statement of Findings for Proposed Installation of 
Bedrock and Unconsolidated Monitoring Wells at the K-25 Site, Oak 
Ridge, TN

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings for proposed 
installation of bedrock and unconsolidated monitoring wells on the Oak 
Ridge K-25 Site. DOE proposes to drill four monitoring wells in the 
Poplar Creek Floodplain, located in Roane County, Tennessee. DOE 
prepared a Floodplain Assessment describing the effects, alternatives, 
and measures designed to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within 
the affected floodplain. DOE will endeavor to allow 15 days of public 
review after publication of the Statement of Findings before 
implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information on the proposed action 
(including maps of potentially disturbed floodplain areas) is available 
from: Mr. Robert C. Sleeman, Director, Environmental Restoration 
Division, Oak Ridge Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Post 
Office Box 2001, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-8541, (615) 576-0715, (615) 
576-6074 (Fax).

FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL DOE FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL 
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS IS AVAILABLE FROM: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. Department of Energy, 
1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-4600 or 
(800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings 
for the Proposed Installation of Bedrock and Unconsolidated Monitoring 
Wells on the Oak Ridge K-25 Site, prepared in accordance with 10 CFR 
part 1022. A Notice of Floodplain Involvement was published in the 
Federal Register on October 4, 1993, and a floodplain assessment was 
prepared.
    To facilitate future remedial actions at the K-25 Site under the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
(CERCLA), DOE is proposing to drill four borings. Two borings would be 
into bedrock to depths ranging from approximately 30 to 150 feet, and 
the two other borings would be in the unconsolidated sediments 
overlying the bedrock to depths from approximately 15 to 50 feet. Two 
locations would be involved, with one bedrock and one unconsolidated 
monitoring well at each location. Each borehole would be converted to a 
monitoring well for the purpose of collecting hydrologic and water 
quality data. The wells are proposed to be located in the floodplain 
because the sites were selected to intersect and monitor subsurface 
flow paths near Poplar Creek.
    Alternatives to the proposed action included (1) No action, and (2) 
alternate sites. The no action alternative would result in DOE being 
unable to accurately measure possible contaminant releases to the local 
environment. Alternate sites away from Poplar Creek (outside of the 
floodplain) could not adequately monitor subsurface flow paths. The 
proposed action is necessary to enable DOE to pursue future remedial 
actions and meet the requirements of CERCLA. The assessment reveals 
that the installation of monitoring wells at the K-25 site would have 
no adverse impact on the 100-year floodplain of Poplar Creek, nor alter 
the existing normal channel cross section or storage capacity of Poplar 
Creek. No measures are needed to minimize potential harm to or within 
the affected floodplain. The proposed action would conform to 
applicable State or local floodplain protection standards. DOE will 
endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after publication of the 
Statement of Findings prior to implementing the proposed action.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 10, 1994.
James J. Fiore,
Director, Office of Eastern Area Programs, Office of Environmental 
Restoration.
[FR Doc. 94-1955 Filed 1-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P