[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12131]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

 

Floodplain/Wetland Involvement for the Upgrades and Consolidation 
of the Domestic Water Supply System Located on the Savannah River Site

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain and Wetland Involvement.

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SUMMARY: DOE proposes to upgrade and consolidate the site domestic 
water supply distribution and treatment systems located on the Savannah 
River Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. Project activities would 
involve crossing of the floodplain and wetlands of Upper Three Runs 
Creek, Fourmile Branch, and Tims Branch. These activities would 
necessitate temporary construction access, as well as disruptions 
caused by burying pipelines, and placing pipelines and support pillars 
into stream channels associated with SRS floodplains and wetlands. In 
accordance with Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1022 (10 
CFR 1022), DOE will prepare a floodplain/wetland assessment and will 
perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize 
potential harm to or within the affected floodplains and wetlands.

DATES: Comments on the proposed actions are due on or before June 2, 
1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Floodplain/Wetlands 
Comments, Stephen R. Wright, Director, Environmental and Laboratory 
Programs Division, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations 
Office, P.O. Box A, Aiken, South Carolina 29802. The phone number is 
(803) 725-3957. Fax comments to: (803) 725-7688.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL 
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office 
of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20585, Telephone: (202) 586-4600 or (800) 
472-2756. A location map showing the project sites and further 
information can be obtained from the Savannah River Operations Office 
(see ADDRESSES above).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE proposes to upgrade and consolidate 
existing SRS domestic water supply treatment and distribution systems 
into two new improved systems. This upgrade and consolidation activity 
will enable SRS to comply cost effectively with the requirements of the 
Safe Drinking Water Act and South Carolina Department of Health and 
Environmental Control (SCDHEC) Drinking Water Regulations R61-58 and 
correct all drinking water discrepancies in accordance with commitments 
made to SCDHEC. The proposed action includes replacing most of the 
aging SRS treatment facilities with a new central domestic water 
treatment facility and consolidating the existing supply systems into a 
24-mile loop system and a 2-mile system connecting D- and T-Area 
systems. The consolidation piping would include five stream pipeline 
crossings. The first crossing will occur at Upper Three Runs Creek 
along SRS Road C. This crossing would be accomplished by utilizing an 
abandoned field road about 400 to 800 feet south southwest of SRS Road 
C. The pipeline would cross about 3,000 feet of floodplains and about 
300 feet of wetlands along this route. The pipeline would be buried 
along the abandoned right-of-way and then would cross the wetlands and 
floodplains aboveground. The crossing of the stream channel would be 
aboveground with the pipeline suspended on pillars. Temporary 
construction access and some clearing of timber would be required to 
place the pipeline in wetlands adjacent to Road C. The approximate area 
of potential impacts from construction of this first crossing would be 
less than 1 acre of wetlands and less than 2 acres of floodplain.
    The second crossing would occur at Upper Three Runs Creek along the 
shoulder of SRS Road F. At this location, the floodplain includes about 
4,000 feet of wetlands. However, placing the pipeline on the shoulder 
will avoid any impact to the wetlands. At about 325 feet northwest from 
the bridge, the pipeline will turn away from the road and continue 
aboveground toward a upland forest, running through the floodplain 
parallel to the road about 70 feet west of the bridge. The floodplain 
contains loblolly pine, and the pipeline would be suspended aboveground 
on concrete pillars. Plans are to install the pipeline on pillars in 
the stream and then to angle back up to the shoulder of Road F some 325 
feet southeast of the bridge. An approximately 20-foot right-of-way 
would be cleared through the loblolly pine in the floodplain at this 
location, and two or three pillars would be placed in the stream to 
support the pipeline. The potential area of impact to the floodplain 
would involve replacement of less than 0.3 acres of loblolly pines with 
grass and briars.
    The third stream crossing would occur at Tims Branch along a 
transmission line right-of-way east of the 700 Area. Plans are for the 
buried pipeline to run from the 700 Area along Steed Pond Road, and 
other right-of-ways, until it intersects with a 115-KV electrical power 
transmission line. From this point, the pipeline will travel down the 
right-of-way that is maintained beneath the power lines until it 
intersected with SRS Road 2. The pipeline will likely beplaced on 
pillars to cross the stream channel. Wetlands along this route extend 
about 200 feet west of Tims Branch and about 400 feet east of Tims 
Branch. The floodplain is about 600 feet wide and includes all of the 
wetlands. There is expected to be no long-term impact to wetlands or 
floodplains.
    The fourth stream crossing would occur at Fourmile Branch along SRS 
Road. The buried pipeline will come from H-Area and is planned to 
travel along the side of SRS Road 4 where it will cross Fourmile Branch 
and continue on to SRS Road C. There will be about 100 feet of wetlands 
to cross at the channel. The pipeline will likely be placed on pillars 
to cross the stream channel. Wetland impact will involve the 
installation of two pillars in the wetlands. Removal of some trees 
along the 100 feet of the route through the wetlands will be required. 
There is expected to be no long-term impact to wetlands or floodplains.
    The fifth stream crossing will occur at Fourmile Branch along a 
utilities right-of-way south of F-Area. Coming from C-Area, the buried 
pipeline will travel along the utilities right-of-way (SRS Road C-4) 
where it will cross Fourmile Branch and continue on to F-Area. The 
pipeline will be placed on pillars to cross the stream. The pipeline 
will travel 300 feet through the floodplain at this crossing. There is 
expected to be no long-term impact to wetlands or floodplains.
    DOE intends to investigate alternatives to placing concrete pillars 
in stream channels and a number of mitigation activities will be 
implemented to minimize potential impacts to the floodplain and 
wetlands. Operation of construction equipment in wetland and floodplain 
areas will be minimized. Silt fences and other erosion control 
structures as needed will be installed to ensure there is no deposition 
in downslope wetland areas. Long-term construction impacts in the 
floodplain and wetland areas will be minimized through the removal of 
excess excavated sidefill and restoration to the original contours 
following completion of construction. The wetland soils will require 
platform support mats in order to install the support pillars that will 
anchor the line over the stream and floodplain. This construction 
material will be removed when the line is completed. Additionally, an 
erosion control plan will be developed so that the proposed action 
complies with applicable State and local floodplain protection 
standards and further, to ensure that no additional impacts to wetlands 
will occur due to erosion and sedimentation. Best management practices 
will be employed during construction and maintenance activities 
associated with this proposed action. In accordance with DOE 
regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental 
review requirements (10 CFR 1022), DOE will prepare a floodplain/
wetlands assessment for this proposed DOE action. The assessment will 
be included in the environmental assessment (EA) being prepared for the 
proposed project in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. A floodplain Statement of Findings will be 
included in any Finding of No Significant Impact that is issued 
following the completion of the EA.
William L. Barker,
Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Facility Transition, and 
Technical Support, Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-12131 Filed 5-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P