[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 162 (Friday, August 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44944-44947]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22471]


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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Red Hills Power Project

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 parts 1500 to 1508) and 
TVA's procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. 
TVA has decided to adopt the preferred alternative identified in its 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Proposed Purchase of 
Electricity Generated by the Red Hills Power Project (RHPP). The Final 
EIS was made available to the public on July 3, 1998. A notice of 
Availability of the Final EIS was published in the Federal Register on 
July 10, 1998. Under the preferred alternative, TVA would commit to 
purchase all of the electricity generated by the Red Hills Power 
Project in Choctaw County, Mississippi. This would result in the 
construction and operation of a 440-megawatt (MW) lignite-fueled 
generation facility by Choctaw Generation Limited

[[Page 44945]]

Partnership and an adjacent surface lignite mine by Mississippi Lignite 
Mining Company. TVA would also construct a transmission line connecting 
the generation facility to the TVA power distribution system; this 
transmission line would be constructed within Corridor A (the preferred 
alternative corridor).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles P. Nicholson, NEPA Specialist, 
Environmental Management, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit 
Hill Drive, WT 8C, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499; telephone (423) 
632-3582 or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In December 1995, TVA issued its ``Energy 
Vision 2020 Integrated Resource Plan and Final EIS.'' This document 
projected demands for electricity in the TVA power service area through 
the year 2020 and evaluated different ways of meeting these projected 
increases. Under the load forecast adopted by TVA, the demand for 
electricity was projected to exceed TVA's 1996 generating capacity of 
28,000 MW by 6,250 MW in 2005. TVA plans to meet this demand through a 
combination of supply-side options, customer service options, and 
environmental control options. One of the supply-side options is 
purchasing power from independent power producers. An independent power 
producer, Tractebel Power, Inc., parent company of Choctaw Generation 
Limited Partnership, and Phillips Coal Company, parent company (along 
with The North American Coal Company) of Mississippi Lignite Mining 
Company, joint venture partners in the RHPP, submitted a proposal to 
TVA for the sale of the total electric power output from the RHPP.
    TVA provided public notice of its intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement on its proposed purchase of power from 
the RHPP on October 16, 1996. A public meeting on the proposal was held 
on November 15, 1996. TVA released its draft EIS on February 13, 1998, 
and held a public meeting to receive comments on the document on March 
12, 1998. Comments were received from two federal and four state 
agencies, two corporations, one university institute, seven 
representatives of local governments or development corporations, and 
seven individuals. After considering all comments, TVA revised the EIS 
appropriately. The Final EIS was distributed to commenting agencies and 
the public on July 2, 1998.

Alternatives Considered

    Alternative methods of meeting TVA's future electrical generation 
capacity requirements were evaluated in ``Energy Vision 2020.'' One of 
the selected methods was the purchase of power from independent power 
producers such as Tractebel. Tiering from ``Energy Vision 2020,'' the 
RHPP Final EIS evaluates a No Action Alternative and an Action 
Alternative.
    Under the No Action Alternative, TVA would not purchase the 
electricity generated by the RHPP. TVA would also not construct a 
transmission line connecting the generation facility to the TVA power 
distribution system. The environmental impacts associated with TVA's 
purchase of this electrical power would not occur, and TVA would 
consider other options for meeting its future electrical demands. This 
would not necessarily preclude eventual development of the generation 
facility and/or mine, with the electricity sold to another purchaser.
    Under the Action Alternative, TVA would commit to purchasing the 
electricity generated by the RHPP and would construct a transmission 
line connecting the generation facility to the TVA power distribution 
system. The generation facility would be built near the town of 
Ackerman, Choctaw County, Mississippi. It would use two circulating 
fluidized bed boilers with limestone injection, feeding a single steam 
turbine with a net output of 440 MW of electricity. The facility would 
consume about 3 million tons per year of lignite from the adjacent 
lignite mine. To control sulfur emissions, the lignite would be burned 
with about 235,000 tons per year of limestone from existing quarries in 
central Mississippi. Other air emissions would be controlled by use of 
the circulating fluidized bed boilers, combustion controls, and a 
fabric filter baghouse. The facility would also be capable of cofiring 
up to 245,000 tons per year of wood waste. Both limestone and wood 
waste would be transported to the facility by truck. The generation 
facility would produce about 677,000 tons per year of ash, which would 
be trucked from the facility to an adjacent ash management unit.
    The generation facility would use a wet mechanical draft cooling 
tower system. With the anticipated maximum reuse of cooling water, a 
continuous source of about 6.33 million gallons per day of blowdown 
makeup water would be required. This would be supplied by three nearby 
wells pumping water from the Massive Sands of the Tuscaloosa Aquifer 
System at depths of about 3,000 feet. Blowdown from the cooling tower 
would be processed for removal of silica and other dissolved solids and 
recycled to the cooling system. Reject water from the silica removal 
process would be used to wet the ash to control dust. There would be no 
discharges of wastewater from generation facility systems.
    The lignite mine would be located between the generation facility 
and the Natchez Trace Parkway. Mine development would begin in late 
1998, and consist of construction of access roads, mine support 
facilities, a lignite handling facility, temporary stream diversions, a 
stormwater runoff control pond, and sedimentation control ponds. 
Overburden removal would begin in 1999 and actual lignite mining 
operations would begin in 2000, concurrent with the completion of the 
generation facility.
    Mining would begin near the generation facility, progress towards 
the northwest, and disturb about 110 acres per year. Over the 30-year 
life of the mine, about 4,700 acres would be disturbed, 1,400 acres by 
mine development activities and 3,300 by lignite removal operations. 
Lignite would be mined from six seams. Overburden would be removed by a 
combination of electric or diesel-powered shovels, trucks, dozers, and 
a dragline. Lignite would be loaded by front-end loaders and hydraulic 
backhoes, and transported from the mine pit to the lignite handling 
facility by high capacity dump trucks. The lignite would be crushed at 
the lignite handling facility and transported by conveyor to the 
generation facility.
    Reclamation would be concurrent with mining. Following removal of 
the final lignite seam, the mine pit would be filled with overburden 
spoil from the adjacent active mine pit. Spoil would be regraded to 
approximate the original contours and drainage patterns. A topsoil 
substitute consisting of selected, oxidized overburden materials would 
then be spread over the graded mine spoil. Soil amendments would be 
added as necessary. A cover crop would be planted or mulch spread over 
the area being reclaimed. The plant species used in establishing the 
permanent vegetative cover would vary with the postmining land use, 
which would be dependent on premining land use and surface landowner 
preferences. Most of the mined areas would likely be reclaimed as 
commercial forest planted with loblolly pine.
    Two potential routes for the transmission line connecting the 
generation facility to the TVA power distribution system were 
evaluated, Corridor A and Corridor B. Corridor A

[[Page 44946]]

is 10.3 miles long. About 5.4 miles of Corridor A would parallel an 
existing transmission line; the remainder would be on new right-of-way. 
Corridor B is 10.9 miles long and all on new right-of-way. The cleared 
right-of-way for each corridor would vary from 100 to 175 ft wide. The 
transmission line would be a double-circuit, 161-kV line using steel 
double pole structures with horizontal cross arms. TVA would also 
expand the switchyard facilities at its Sturgis substation to 
accommodate the new line.
    Choctaw County and the state of Mississippi plan to develop the Red 
Hills EcoPlex industrial park near the generation facility. Targeted 
industries would use steam and other generation facility byproducts. 
Initial EcoPlex development would occupy about 500 acres and, when 
fully occupied, about 1,000 acres would be developed. The Final EIS 
describes cumulative impacts of EcoPlex development and operation, 
which are not TVA actions.

Decision

    TVA has decided to purchase the electricity generated by the RHPP, 
and to construct the associated transmission line within Corridor A. 
Purchasing power from the RHPP will help TVA meet the demand for 
electricity in its service area and maintain reliable service to its 
customers. TVA's actions were identified as both the Action Alternative 
and the Preferred Alternative in the Final EIS.

Environmentally Preferable Alternative

    Because the No Action Alternative would make the construction and 
operation of the generation facility, lignite mine, and transmission 
line less likely, it could be characterized as the environmentally 
preferable alternative. It would not, however, accomplish TVA's goal of 
securing additional electrical generation capacity, and would not 
provide the significant local socioeconomic benefits forecast under the 
Action Alternative. TVA would have to choose another source of 
electrical generation capacity. Other potential sources, described in 
``Energy Vision 2020,'' would result in their own impacts which would 
likely be equal to or less than those resulting from the Action 
Alternative. However, none of these other generation alternatives would 
produce the local socioeconomic benefits that would result from the 
RHPP.

Environmental Consequences and Commitments

    TVA, Choctaw Generation Limited Partnership, and Mississippi 
Lignite Mining Company have adopted many mitigation measures to avoid 
or minimize environmental harm. TVA has adopted the following 
mitigation measures pertaining to its construction and operation of the 
transmission line:
     All construction and maintenance activities will utilize 
applicable Best Management Practices. Construction activities will also 
adhere to the Right-of-Way Clearing Specifications and Environmental 
Quality Protection Specifications for Transmission Line Construction 
listed in Appendix B-2 of the Final EIS. These list requirements for 
protecting sensitive areas, water and air quality, reducing noise, and 
disposing of wastes.
     Wetlands will be avoided to the extent practicable. 
Identified wetlands, streams, and drainage ways will not be modified so 
as to alter their natural hydrological patterns during transmission 
line clearing, construction, and maintenance. Hydric soils will not be 
disturbed or modified in any way that would alter their hydrological 
properties.
     Initial right-of-way clearing within forested wetlands 
will be accomplished using accepted silvicultural practices for timber/
vegetation harvesting within wetlands.
     Within streams, riparian zones, and wetlands, trees will 
be above ground level and stumps will not be uprooted or removed.
     Transmission line maintenance using mechanical means in 
areas surrounding or adjacent to identified wetlands will only be 
conducted during seasonal dry periods, usually late summer or early 
fall, and will be accomplished without the use of heavy equipment.
     Potential impacts to the two historic properties will be 
minimized by maintaining existing trees between the churches and the 
transmission line, and by placing transmission line poles in locations 
where they will not be visible from the properties.
     Any herbicide applications would be by licensed personnel 
and use EPA-registered herbicides.
    Many mitigation measures are required as conditions of permits 
issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) 
and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These include the following:
     Air emissions will comply with limits set in the PSD 
permit to be issued by MDEQ.
     During all construction activities and mine operations, 
open burning will only be conducted in accordance with applicable 
regulations and Mississippi Forestry Commission guidelines. Fugitive 
dust will also be controlled as necessary.
     Best Management Practices for silt control will be 
utilized during all construction activities and during mine operations. 
These practices include use of filter fabric fences, hay bale dikes, 
sedimentation ponds and revegetation.
     Discharges to surface waters will comply with limits set 
in NPDES permits to be issued by MDEQ. Stormwater will be managed in 
accordance with Storm Water Pollution Prevention plans and accidental 
spills will be managed in accordance with Spill Prevention Control and 
Countermeasure plans.
     Well operations will comply with MDEQ water supply permit 
limitations. Alternative water supplies will be provided to residents 
whose supplies are disrupted by project operations.
     Streams impacted by mining will be restored to their 
premining locations and approximate drainage patterns. Streambanks will 
be revegetated and approximate premining drainage patterns will be 
restored.
     Special handling techniques will be used for unoxidized 
mine overburden containing acid-or toxic-forming materials. Anoxic 
limestone drains or other techniques will be used to neutralize acidic 
seeps if they appear following mine reclamation.
     Liquid fuels, oils, and other chemicals will be stored in 
curbed or diked areas. Pollution Prevention Plans will be implemented.
     The generation facility and mine will register with EPA as 
Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators or Small Quantity 
Generators. Hazardous wastes will be managed in accordance with 
applicable RCRA regulations.
     The ash management facility will be built and operated in 
accordance with conditions of the MDEQ Special/Industrial Solid Waste 
Permit.
     Wetlands eliminated by mining activities will be mitigated 
to a minimum mitigation ratio of 2:1 in compliance with U.S. Corps of 
Engineers permit requirements. Wetland mitigation for the generation 
facility will consist of creation of 8.8 acres of wetlands and purchase 
and preservation of 19 acres of forested wetlands, which also meets 
Corps requirements. All wetland mitigation for mining activities will 
occur on the mine site or elsewhere in affected watersheds. Only native 
plant species will be used in creating or restoring wetlands. All 
wetland mitigation projects will include multi-year monitoring plans 
and success determination criteria.

[[Page 44947]]

     Backfilling and grading of mined areas will be 
contemporaneous with mining.
     Mined areas will be reclaimed to have a soil productivity 
at least as high as existed before mining.
     Native plant species, in combination with approved 
introduced species, will be used in establishing permanent vegetative 
cover during mine reclamation. The survival of permanent plantings will 
be monitored for at least five years and additional plantings made as 
necessary to meet reclamation requirements.
     Hardwood trees will be planted in buffer strips at least 
50 feet wide on each side of reclaimed streams. Mast and fruit-bearing 
trees and shrubs will be planted in clumps throughout the reclaimed 
mine area.
     Except for the populations of swamp hickory and pin oak, 
the populations of state-listed plants within the mine area will be 
either avoided or transplanted to protected areas.
     The cactus community and spring-head seepage area located 
near the northwest corner of the mine will either be avoided or 
mitigated by transplantation or other means.
     Mining impacts to historic and archaeological resources 
will be mitigated in accordance with the June, 1998 Memorandum of 
Understanding among the Mississippi Lignite Mining Company, MDEQ, 
Mississippi State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation. No mining will occur within 100 feet 
of the Tullos Cemetery.
     Road closure and relocation plans will be approved by the 
Choctaw County Board of Supervisors. All public roads will be rebuilt 
to meet or exceed existing standards in their original locations or 
more suitable, approved locations. Access by surface landowners to 
lands not being mined will be maintained throughout mine operations.
    Following are additional mitigation measures which Choctaw 
Generation Limited Partnership and Mississippi Lignite Mining Company 
have committed to carrying out, as described in an agreement with TVA:
     No mining construction activities, such as construction of 
sedimentation ponds, will occur within 500 feet of National Park 
Service lands, and no lignite removal will occur within 2,000 feet of 
the Natchez Trace Parkway centerline or within 1,000 feet of the 
property line around the Little Mountain Overlook.
     Tree buffers will be maintained or planted around the edge 
of the generation facility site.
     Lighting techniques designed to reduce impacts to the 
darkness of the night sky will be used by the generation facility and 
mine. Replacement ``dark sky'' lighting equipment will be provided by 
the generation facility for existing commercial facilities at the 
entrance to the Jeff Busby developed area.
     Choctaw Generation Limited Partnership and Mississippi 
Lignite Mining Company will instruct their vendors that the vendors' 
trucks are not to use the Natchez Trace Parkway when delivering 
materials and supplies to the RHPP. Employees will be discouraged from 
commuting on the Parkway.
     Project facilities and operations will be designed to 
minimize noise levels. Mississippi Lignite Mining Company and the 
National Park Service will cooperatively monitor noise at Little 
Mountain Overlook using the L90 noise metric.
     Generation facility and mine employees will receive fire 
and safety training. Mine employees will receive emergency medical 
training. Emergency services will be coordinated with local providers.

    Dated: August 10, 1998.
William J. Museler,
Executive Vice President, Transmission/Power Supply Group.
[FR Doc. 98-22471 Filed 8-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P