[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25753]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 18, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Notice of Wetland Involvement for the Site Integrated Parking 
Area/Access Road Project at the Fernald Environmental Management 
Project (FEMP)

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice Of Wetland Involvement.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to construct a 
570-meter (1870-foot) long and 8-meter (26-foot) wide gravel road 
within the non-radiologically contaminated area of the Fernald site 
located approximately 29 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of downtown 
Cincinnati, Ohio. The road will support site activities and provide 
access to the proposed parking area providing a capacity for 280 
vehicles.
    Construction of the proposed access road includes placement of a 
121-centimeter (48-inch) corrugated metal pipe in a .01 hectare (.04 
acre) section of an emergent wetland. The area will be backfilled with 
152 cubic meters (200 cubic yards) of clean soil to the proposed road 
elevation of 575 feet mean sea level (MSL). The maximum linear extent 
of the proposed fill within the wetland would extend 15 meters (50 
feet). Appropriate, erosion control devices (i.e., silt fences and 
straw bales) will be implemented to mitigate the potential impacts to 
wetland areas and other natural resources outside the project boundary.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below November 2, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments and requests for maps or further information 
about this project to: Mr. Wally Quaider, Acting Associate Director, 
Office of Safety, Operations and Technical Support, DOE Fernald Area 
Office, P.O. Box 538705, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8705, Fax: (513) 648-
3077.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Carol Borgstrom, Director, Office 
of NEPA Oversight, EH-25, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20585, (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed action will provide access to a 
new 91-meter (300-foot) by 131-meter (430-foot) gravel parking area 
supporting Operable Unit 1 activities, the Operable Unit 4 
Vitrification Pilot Plant Project, and future remedial activities for 
the Operable Unit 2 Lime Sludge Ponds. The access road and parking area 
will be equipped with fencing, lighting, and proper drainage devices. 
In addition, a security guard post will be installed equipped with 
accountability badge scanners.
    The proposed action will impact 0.01 hectares (0.04 acres) of a 
larger emergent wetland [0.25 hectares (0.62 acres)] associated with an 
unnamed tributary to Paddys Run Stream. The proposed road crossing has 
been designed to minimize the restriction of normal and expected high 
flows within the wetland channel. Impacts to the wetland area and other 
natural resources outside the boundary of the project will be minimized 
through the implementation of administrative and engineering controls 
(i.e., erosion and siltation prevention devices). Consequently, impacts 
resulting from the proposed action will be minimal.
    The wetland delineation for the project area was made during a 1993 
wetland delineation report for the entire Fernald site. The delineation 
was conducted using the Routine On-site Methodology, established in the 
U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and 
was subsequently approved by the ACOE in August 1993. All drainage 
ditches delineated as wetlands, within the FEMP site boundaries, occur 
in Fincastle or Henshaw soils and exhibit soil colors and chromas 
indicative of hydric situations. Furthermore, onsite drainage ditches 
and swales support shrub and/or emergent vegetation. Broad-leaf cattail 
(Tyoha latifolia) is the most common species found within site wetland 
areas. Other species include yellow nutgrass (Cyperus esculentus), 
green bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens), and swamp milkweed (Asclepias 
incarnata).
    In accordance with DOE wetlands review requirements (10 CFR part 
1022), DOE will prepare a wetlands assessment for this project.

    Issued this 30th day of September, 1994.
Jack R. Craig,
Acting Director, Fernald Area Office.
[FR Doc. 94-25753 Filed 10-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P