[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 246 (Friday, December 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 67326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32327]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Floodplain Involvement for Proposed Upgrade and 
Modification of the Pantex Waste Water Treatment Facility

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE); Amarillo Area Office.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain involvement.

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SUMMARY: DOE proposes to upgrade the existing Pantex Plant waste water 
treatment facility (WWTF). The existing WWTF is located in a floodplain 
and discharges effluent, by permit, to a wetland located on the Pantex 
Plant in Carson County, 17 miles northeast of Amarillo, Texas. In 
accordance with 10 CFR part 1022, DOE will prepare a floodplain 
assessment and perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid 
or minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain.

DATES: Comments are due to the address below no later than January 6, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this Notice should be addressed to: 
Floodplain and Wetlands Comments, Tom Walton, Public Affairs Officer, 
Public Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Amarillo Area Office, 
P. O. Box 30030, Amarillo, Texas 79120, (806) 477-3120 or Fax (806) 
477-3185.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL DOE FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS 
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance, U.S. Department of 
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-
4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The existing WWTF is an aerated lagoon and 
an unaerated lagoon, providing treatment of effluent to meet or exceed 
required permit levels. The proposed project is intended to provide 
additional pollutant and contaminant removal from Pantex Plant waste 
water. Pantex waste water is and will continue to be composed of both 
sanitary and industrial waste water. Treated effluent from the present 
facility is redirected to Playa 1, the receiving water body, as 
authorized by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
Permit No. TX0107107 and the Texas Natural Resource Conservation 
Commission Waste Water Discharge Permit No. 02296. The project would 
include work at the existing treatment plant site, located in a 
floodplain. Diking would be included in the proposed action to prevent 
floodwaters from reaching the proposed facility, should sufficient 
water accumulate in the Playa 1 floodplain to reach the 100-year flood 
level.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
environmental review requirements (10 CFR part 1022), DOE will prepare 
a floodplain assessment for this proposed action. The assessment will 
be included in the environmental assessment (EA) being prepared for the 
proposed project in accordance with requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. Based on analysis in the EA, DOE will either 
prepare a Finding of No Significant Impact and proceed with the action, 
or prepare an Environmental Impact Statement if the EA reveals 
potential for significant environmental impact. In the preparation of 
this EA, DOE will assess the potential impacts to the involved 
floodplain and publish a Statement of Finding regarding the proposed 
project.

    Issued in Amarillo, Texas on December 11, 1996.
Vicki C. Battley,
Program Office Official, Amarillo Area Office NCO.
[FR Doc. 96-32327 Filed 12-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P