[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10320]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 2, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 

Statement of Findings for Bridge Restoration and Preservation at 
Savannah River Site (603-03G)

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This is a Statement of Findings prepared pursuant to Executive 
Order 11988 and title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 1022 (10 
CFR part 1022), ``Compliance with Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental 
Review Requirements.'' DOE has determined that activities (as specified 
in this Notice) associated with the restoration and preservation of 
Bridge 603-03G will be conducted within floodplains of Upper Three Runs 
Creek on Road F at the Savannah River Site (SRS). DOE proposes to 
repair all deteriorated, decayed, or rotten timber piles associated 
with Bridge 603-03G having a section loss greater than 55 percent and 
to increase the load capacity to support truck and emergency vehicle 
traffic. Road F is one of the primary traffic routes to the Z-,   F-, 
S-, and H-Areas of the site and supports 35 percent of the daily 
automobile traffic at SRS.
    DOE prepared a Floodplain/Wetlands Assessment describing the 
effects, alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or minimize 
potential harm to or within the affected floodplain. On the basis of 
this assessment, DOE has determined that there is no practicable 
alternative to the proposed action and that the proposed action has 
been designed to avoid or minimize impacts on floodplains/wetlands. The 
Notice of Floodplain and Wetland Involvement was published in the 
Federal Register (59 FR 47 (March 10, 1994)). No comments were 
received. The action is categorically excluded under DOE's National 
Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information and maps are available 
from Stephen R. Wright, Savannah River NEPA Compliance Officer, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations Office, P.O. Box A, 
Aiken, South Carolina 29802, Phone Number (803) 725-3957, Fax Number 
(803) 725-7688.
    For further information on general DOE Floodplain/Wetlands 
Environmental Review Requirements, contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, Phone Number (202) 586-
4600, or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Bridge 603-03G supports to be repaired are 
in a floodplain of Upper Three Runs Creek. This floodplain is, at 
present, and should remain a relatively unimpacted floodplain. Repairs 
to approximately six deteriorating pile sections will be performed 
using a pile jacking system constructed of fiberglass, concrete, or 
steel set in place around the timber piles with reinforcing steel if 
necessary. Cofferdams (watertight temporary structures for keeping 
water from an enclosed area) will be required for each pile identified 
for restoration and may consist of sandbags, precast concrete sections, 
or steel. In the case of precast concrete or steel, the sections may be 
driven or jacked into the streambed to a depth below the mudline 
sufficient to perform the restoration process. The cofferdams will act 
as a primary barrier for the restoration activity by preventing 
sediment, grout, concrete, and debris from discharging to the stream. 
Water infiltrating into the cofferdams will be pumped to a sediment 
basin tank or approved discharge point. A small amount of sediment can 
be expected to go into the stream where work is performed close to the 
adjoining channel. This should have no significant impact on the 
floodplain. There may be riprap placed on each abutment below the 
roadway to prevent scouring of the abutment and soil erosion. The lower 
part of the slopes of these abutments is in the floodplain.
    Most of the work will be accomplished from the present roadbed 
using cranes to repair or replace the bridge supports. Platforms will 
be lowered from the bridge structure to support equipment and to serve 
as a work base. These will be removed when the project is completed. 
There would be no impacts to wetlands or floodplains as a result of 
this work.
    DOE will endeavor to allow 15 days of public review after 
publication of this Statement of Findings prior to implementing the 
action.
William L. Barker,
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Facility Transition and 
Technical Support, Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-10320 Filed 4-29-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P