[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19157-19159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10008]


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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Upper Ocoee River Corridor Recreational Development, Polk County, 
TN, Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.

ACTION: Issuance of record of decision.

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SUMMARY: This notice is provided in accordance with the Council on 
Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508) and TVA's 
implementing procedures. As a cooperating agency, TVA's Board of 
Directors has decided to adopt Alternative 5, the environmentally 
preferred alternative, identified in the United States Department of 
Agriculture, Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest's final 
environmental impact statement (EIS), ``Upper Ocoee River Corridor 
Recreational Development, Polk County, Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee 
National Forest.'' The final EIS was made available to the public on 
February 14, 1997. A Notice of Availability of the final EIS was 
published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Federal 
Register on February 21, 1997 (62 FR 8012-8013). The preferred 
alternative proposes a maximum level of land-and water-based recreation 
development to provide and meet the increasing demand for a variety of 
recreation opportunities in the Upper Ocoee River Corridor.
    In support of maximum recreation development in the Upper Ocoee 
River Corridor, TVA has decided to release water from Ocoee No. 3 Dam 
into the upper Ocoee River channel to accommodate special events and 
commercial and recreation use of the river. TVA will make available 
water releases for up to 20 days per year for special competitive 
events associated with the Ocoee Whitewater Center and up to 54 days 
per year for commercial rafting and recreational use. Water releases 
will be consistent with TVA water management objectives and take into 
account the existing TVA operations of Blue Ridge and Ocoee No. 2 and 3 
dams. Water releases will require TVA be reimbursed for revenues 
foregone by diverting water used for power generation to recreation 
use. However, TVA has decided to ``sponsor'' without reimbursement up 
to 10 days of the 20 days of water releases for special events annually 
for a five year period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda B. Oxendine, Senior NEPA 
Specialist, Environmental Management, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 
West Summit Hill Drive, Mailstop WT 8C, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-
1499, telephone (423) 632-3440 or e-mail [email protected]. Copies of 
the final EIS may be obtained by writing to Dave Carroll, Cherokee 
National Forest, USDA Forest Service, P. O. Box 2010, Cleveland, 
Tennessee 37320, or by calling (423) 476-9700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 1995, TVA and the state of Tennessee 
were invited by the Forest Service to participate as cooperating 
agencies in an EIS on post Olympic recreation use of the Upper Ocoee 
River Corridor. TVA agreed to participate in the EIS because it 
controls water flows within the Ocoee River and its approval of water-
related structures would be needed under Section 26a of the TVA Act. 
TVA must approve water releases for river based recreational 
opportunities. TVA's actions are limited to those described above.

[[Page 19158]]

    In 1994, both the Forest Service and TVA, as a cooperating agency, 
issued Records of Decision (ROD) on the 1994 Olympics Whitewater Venue 
Final Environmental Impact Statement. Both RODs recognized that the 
Ocoee Whitewater Center, Olympic facilities, and water course could be 
used for athletic training and future competitive events and general 
recreational use to enhance economic development within the area; 
however, both agencies recognized that any post-Olympic use of the site 
would require further environmental analysis. The 1997 Upper Ocoee 
River Corridor Recreational Development final EIS provides that further 
environmental analysis.
    The Ocoee River has a national and international reputation as a 
premier whitewater river. Since the 1996 International Olympics Slalom 
Competition and World Cup events, the Ocoee Whitewater Center and other 
recreational facilities within the Upper Ocoee River Corridor have been 
a focal point for enhanced visitation and associated increase in demand 
for recreation opportunities within the area. The existing recreational 
facilities within the lower Ocoee River corridor are approaching 
maximum capacity. The growing demand for recreation areas by the public 
requires the development of facilities that will provide quality 
recreation experiences while protecting the natural beauty and 
resources of the area. Development of recreational opportunities will 
enhance economic development within the area.
    New land-based or land-and water-based recreational opportunities 
within and adjacent to the Upper Ocoee River Corridor are planned by 
one or more of the involved agencies. These include horse, mountain 
bike, and hiking trails; campground and day use areas; and improved 
access to the upper Ocoee River for competitive, recreation, and 
commercial use.
    The proposed site is located within the Cherokee National Forest, 
Ocoee Ranger District, Polk County, Tennessee, about 28 miles east of 
Cleveland, Tennessee, along U.S. Highway 64. The upper Ocoee River as 
defined in the proposal includes that portion of the river from river 
mile 29.2 to river mile 24.2 or the area just below Ocoee No. 3 Dam 
down to the Roger's Branch river put-in just above Ocoee No. 2 Dam. 
This section of the Ocoee River has very low flow because of water 
diversion at Dam No. 3 for power generation. Water present in the 
channel is attributed mainly to small inflows from tributary drainages.
    Based on comments received during the scoping process, five 
alternatives were developed and evaluated in the draft EIS. A Notice of 
Availability of the draft was published by EPA in the Federal Register 
on October 25, 1996 (61 FR 55294), and copies of the draft EIS were 
sent to over 300 individuals, organizations, and agencies. The public 
was invited to submit comments on the draft or to attend a meeting at 
the Ocoee Whitewater Center. No new information or issues were raised 
in the process.

Alternatives Considered

    The following five alternatives were considered by the Forest 
Service and cooperating agencies and were evaluated in the final EIS. 
These alternatives were designed to address significant issues raised 
during scoping and to minimize adverse effects on potentially affected 
resource categories. The No Action alternative assumed a continuation 
of present management direction and practices and served as a basis for 
evaluating both the beneficial and adverse impacts associated with the 
other four alternatives.
    Alternative 1. No Action. The proposed development would not occur 
and baseline conditions would continue. Current management directions 
and practices would continue.
    Alternative 2. A moderate level of land-based recreational 
development would occur. Forty two miles of multiple use trails would 
be established. The Tumbling Creek campground would be reconditioned to 
accommodate equestrian use. A trailhead would be developed on Chestnut 
Ridge, and day use facilities at Boyd Gap would be developed. No 
regularly scheduled water releases would be available from TVA Ocoee 
Dam No. 3.
    Alternative 3. A moderate level of land-based and minimum water-
based recreational development would occur. Development would include 
23 miles of multiple use trails, a 25 to 30 site campground just north 
of Ocoee Lake No. 3, a trailhead on Chestnut Ridge, day use facilities 
at Boyd Gap and on the road leading to Ocoee Dam No. 3. The current 
put-in at Ocoee Dam No. 2 would be expanded. There would be scheduled 
water releases available from TVA Ocoee Dam No. 3 for 20 days to 
accommodate special events associated with the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
    Alternative 4. A moderate to high level of land- and water-based 
recreation development would occur. Land-based development would 
include 44 miles of multiple use trails; a 40 site campground north of 
Ocoee Lake No. 3; a trailhead on Chestnut Ridge; day use facilities at 
Boyd Gap, below and on the road leading to Ocoee Dam No. 3, and at 
``Stumpfield.'' The current put-in at Ocoee Dam No. 2 would be 
expanded. There would be scheduled water releases available from TVA 
Ocoee Dam No. 3 to accommodate 20 days for special events associated 
with the Ocoee Whitewater Center and 38 days for commercial and 
recreational use.
    Alternative 5. A maximum level of land- and water-based recreation 
development would occur. Development is similar to Alternative 4, with 
the exception of a slightly larger campground north of Ocoee No. 3 Lake 
and an increase from 38 to 54 days for commercial and recreational use. 
As in Alternatives 3 and 4, there would be 20 days of scheduled water 
releases available for special events.
    For commercial and recreation use, TVA considered flows for water 
release in the range of 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for 8 hours 
on weekends in March, April, and May; 1,400 cfs for 10 hours on 
weekends in June, July, and August; and 8 hours for the days of July 4 
and Labor Day. Flows for special events were in the range of 1400 cfs 
for 9.25 hours, which will ensure 8 hours of optimal flow for the 
event. Flows for commercial and recreational use would not occur during 
special or competitive events. In providing scheduled water releases, 
TVA operations at Blue Ridge Lake and Ocoee No. 2 and Ocoee No. 3 
powerhouses will be carefully coordinated to ensure that sufficient 
water is available at the scheduled times, and to avoid flow conditions 
adverse to recreation whitewater activities associated with Ocoee No. 
2. Because of the limited storage of Ocoee No. 3 Lake, TVA cannot 
control high flows from the local drainage area between Blue Ridge Dam 
and Ocoee No. 3 Dam during heavy rainfall events. If drought conditions 
occur, TVA will use water from Blue Ridge to supply the competitive 
course. Use of water stored in Blue Ridge Lake could potentially lower 
the lake level; this effect would be negligible. However, TVA's 
decision to release water is subject to the availability of water.
    TVA concurs with the determination of the Forest Service and the 
state of Tennessee that Alternative 5 is the environmentally preferred 
alternative. This determination is based on the existing environment 
and includes potential physical, biological, and socioeconomic impacts 
of implementing the proposed actions as required by 40 CFR 1502. The 
environmental impacts of Alternatives 2 through 5 are very similar. 
Alternative 1 would have the

[[Page 19159]]

least impact on the physical and biological environment as no 
disturbance would occur. Alternatives 2 through 5, with their 
mitigation measures, have virtually the same environment effects. The 
main difference between the alternatives is the economic impact to the 
Ocoee region as a whole and the enhanced recreation opportunities 
associated with the action alternatives. Alternative 5 provides the 
greatest opportunity for public use and enjoyment of the Ocoee 
Whitewater Center, and best meets the increasing demand and expectation 
by the public for a variety of recreation opportunities and experiences 
in the Upper Ocoee River Corridor.

Basis for the Decision

    The TVA Board has decided to adopt Alternative 5 because it would 
produce the most recreation and economic development benefits without 
significantly impacting the environment. Economic development benefits 
include approximately 500 additional new jobs and an estimated $25 
million annually added to the economy of the area through direct 
spending. Implementation of Alternative 5 by TVA and the other involved 
agencies is also expected to increase recreation opportunities and the 
quality of the recreation experience, increase national recognition of 
the recreation resources of the southeast, and provide trails and other 
physical improvements to the site and increase efforts to protect the 
area.

Environmental Consequences and Commitments

    The principal effect of TVA's water release decision is to provide 
increased flows from Ocoee No. 3 Dam for competitive and special events 
and recreational and commercial uses. Scheduled water releases are not 
expected to impact water quality. The impact on Blue Ridge Lake level 
was the main factor in determining the range of flows considered in the 
analysis. Minor impacts on Blue Ridge would only be noticeable during 
drought years, and would occur during the period when the seasonal 
drawdown is already in progress. Operation of the TVA system to provide 
water in the upper Ocoee River channel would result in power losses to 
the TVA system. Most of the power losses result from bypassing Ocoee 
No. 3 powerhouse. In addition, some power generation would be shifted 
from peak to off-peak periods at Blue Ridge, Ocoee No. 2, and Ocoee No. 
3 powerhouses. Also, additional spills at Ocoee No. 2 diversion dam 
would result in lost power generation. The amount would depend on the 
hours during the day releases are actually scheduled. The ``cost'' of 
these changes in hydroelectric plants operation would range from 
$660,000 to $830,000 per year. This cost includes 20 days for special 
events and 54 days for recreation and commercial uses.
    An additional potential cost in implementing Alternative 5 water 
releases includes replacement of low-level sluice gates on Ocoee No. 3 
Dam. To allow for water releases on a regular basis, the low-level 
sluice gates on Ocoee No. 3 Dam would have to be replaced. The current 
gates were designed to periodically release water from the bottom of 
the reservoir for siltation removal. The life expectancy of these gates 
average about 500 cycles before replacement is required. The estimated 
cost of a gate design for long-term use is $350,000. This cost includes 
design and installation of a gate that can be used for operation 
releases without excess wear and tear on the components.
    When TVA approval under Section 26a of the TVA Act of water use 
facilities is sought in the future, it will require best management 
practices to control erosion and sedimentation, as necessary, to 
prevent adverse water quality impacts. The possible location of acid 
bearing rock formations would be identified in any construction plans, 
and their disturbance would be avoided to the extent possible.

    Dated: April 3, 1997.
Mark O. Medford,
Executive Vice President, Customer Service and Marketing.
[FR Doc. 97-10008 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-01-P