[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 159 (Monday, August 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44000-44001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21793]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Notification for Department 
of Energy (DOE) Permission for the Off-Loading and Transportation of 
Commercial Low Level Radioactive Waste Across the Savannah River Site 
(SRS)

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notification of floodplain and wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: DOE proposes to allow Chem-Nuclear Systems, L. L. C. (CNS) to 
use SRS for landing transport barges at the existing SRS boat ramp and 
off-loading trailered low-level radioactive waste packages for movement 
across SRS to the nearby CNS facility. Project activities would include 
modification of the aforementioned boat ramp on the Savannah River as 
needed for off-loading activities, and construction of a bridge across 
Lower Three Runs. These activities would necessitate temporary 
construction access, excavation of soils to accomplish the widening, 
and placement of fill material adjacent to the banks of Lower Three 
Runs to create two bridge entrance ramps. In accordance with title 10 
CFR part 1022, DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment 
and will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain or 
wetlands.

DATES: Comments on the proposed action due on or before September 2, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this assessment should be addressed to 
Andrew R. Grainger, SRS National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River 
Operations Office, Building 773-42A, Room 212, Aiken, South Carolina 
29802. The fax/phone number is (800) 881-7292. The e-mail address is 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL 
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office 
of NEPA Oversight (EH-42), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 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: The proposed action entails DOE granting 
permission to CNS to off-load and transport two trailered low-level 
radioactive waste packages across SRS to the nearby CNS facility in 
Barnwell County, South Carolina. The packages consist of two oversize/
overweight steam generators from a Florida Power and Light Company 
facility located in St. Lucie, Florida. A transport barge carrying a 
single steam generator at a time would make a landing at the existing 
SRS boat ramp. Transport dates of the two shipments would be scheduled 
at least one month apart. Due to the size of the barge required to 
transport the steam generators on the Savannah River, the ramp would be 
modified prior to landing. Each steam generator would then be off-
loaded and shipped via SRS and state roads to the CNS Barnwell 
facility. Additionally, in order to establish the most direct route 
between the SRS boat ramp and the Barnwell facility for the shipment of 
these steam generators, CNS desires to construct two bridge support 
structures and associated access roads, adjacent to an existing 
permanent SRS bridge on SRS Road B below the Par Pond dam.
    The modifications to the SRS boat ramp would involve widening the 
facility for a distance of approximately eight feet downstream and 
stabilizing the upstream bank which forms the opposite side of the 
ramp. The widening would involve removal of a small elevated, upland 
bank bordering the entire downstream side of the boat ramp. The bank is 
currently dominated by a canopy of mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), 
and a midstory and understory of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), 
willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak (Q. nigra), southern red oak 
(Q. falcata), American holly (Ilex opaca) and scattered herbaceous 
vegetation. This modification would make the available barge access at 
the ramp approximately 60 feet wide. Merchantable timber would be 
salvaged and other vegetative cover removed. The stabilization would 
entail activities (e.g., removal of the overhanging bank and 
stabilization with riprap) to arrest ongoing bank erosion present on 
the upstream side of the ramp. Approximately 3,700 cubic yards of soil 
would be removed to accomplish the widening and bank stabilization. The 
entire area in question is located within the 100-year floodplain. 
Permitting under both Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and 
Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act would be required to implement 
the proposed action.
    The bridge construction across Lower Three Runs would be necessary 
to enable use of the shorter transportation route from the off-loading 
site to the CNS Barnwell facility. The existing bridges at that stream 
crossing do not have sufficient load capacity to support the subject 
trailered shipments. The proposed crossing structure would include 
construction of graveled access roads and ramps on either side of the 
stream corridor. These ramps would consist of pre-stressed concrete 
piles, concrete caps, concrete retaining walls, and riprap. The bridge 
span would consist of removable beams which would only be placed to 
support transport of shipments along this proposed route. Placement of 
fill materials within the existing SRS Road B right-of-way would be 
necessary to develop the access roads on either side of the stream 
crossing. Small wetland, drainage features exist within the proposed 
new access road right-of-way and ramp locations on both sides of Lower 
Three Runs stream corridor. The total wetland areas on the east and 
west sides of the stream corridor are approximately 0.5 and 0.8 acres, 
respectively. These wetlands are characterized by an emergent marsh 
habitat dominated by cattail (Typha latifolia), sedge (Cyperus spp.), 
bulrush (Scirpus spp.), rush (Juncus spp.), and pickerelweed 
(Pontederia spp.). Hydrology is provided through channeled storm water 
runoff from the roadway right-of-way and the area below the toe of the 
Par Pond dam. The soils appear to be largely erosional sediment. Most 
of the project area on the east side of the stream and approximately 
one-quarter of the area on the west side are located within the 100-
year floodplain. This proposed action would be authorized by the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers under a CWA Section 404 Nationwide permit.
    A number of mitigation activities would be implemented to minimize 
potential impacts to the floodplain and wetlands. Operation of 
construction equipment in the wetland and floodplain areas would be 
minimized. Temporary access for construction vehicles and equipment 
would entail the placement of mats on the wetland areas. Silt fences 
and other erosion control structures as needed would be installed to 
ensure there is no deposition in the downslope wetland areas. Wetland 
acreage that is impacted as a result of the aforementioned fill 
activities adjacent to Lower Three Runs will require permitted 
mitigation.
    Additionally, an erosion control plan would 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

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sedimentation. Best management practices would be employed during 
construction and maintenance activities associated with this proposed 
action.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetland environmental review requirements (title 10 CFR part 1022), 
DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment for this proposed 
DOE action. The assessment will be included in the environmental 
assessment (EA) being prepared for the proposed action in accordance 
with the requirements of NEPA. A floodplain statement of findings will 
be included in any finding of no significant impact that is issued 
following the completion of the EA or may be issued separately.

    Issued in Aiken, SC, on August 4, 1997.
Lowell E. Tripp,
Director, Engineering and Analysis Division, Savannah River Operations 
Office.
[FR Doc. 97-21793 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M