[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51342-51343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-25688]



[[Page 51342]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Grand Junction Office; Floodplain/Wetlands Statement of Findings 
for Site Characterization Activities at the Uranium Mill Tailings Site 
Located Near Shiprock, NM

AGENCY: Grand Junction Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Floodplain/wetlands statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain/Wetlands Statement of Findings is prepared 
pursuant to Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 and 10 CFR Part 1022, 
Compliance with Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements. 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to conduct site 
characterization activities at the Uranium Mill Tailings Site near 
Shiprock, New Mexico. The purposes of the activities are to determine 
the extent of ground water contamination and to investigate flow 
patterns in the ground water system; this information will assist DOE 
in selecting a ground water remediation strategy for the site in 
accordance with 40 CFR 192, Health and Environmental Protection 
Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings. Portions of the 
proposed field activities would occur on the 100-year floodplain of the 
San Juan River and in a nearby wetland. Approximately 18,000 square 
feet (0.4 acre) of the 100-year floodplain and approximately 120 square 
feet (0.003 acre) of the wetland area would be temporarily disturbed by 
these field activities. A floodplain/wetlands assessment was prepared 
that described the effects, alternatives, and measures designed to 
avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain/
wetlands. The assessment found that the proposed action would have 
minimal temporary or long-term impacts on the floodplain and associated 
wetland.

DATES: Written comments are due to the address below no later than 
October 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Audrey Berry, U.S. 
Department of Energy-Grand Junction Office, 2597 B3/4 Road, Grand 
Junction, Colorado; or transmitted electronically by E-mail via 
Internet to Audrey.B[email protected]; or by facsimile at (970) 
248-6040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROPOSED ACTION, CONTACT: Don Metzler, 
Project Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, Grand Junction Office, 2597 
B3/4 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado 81503, Telephone 1-970-248-7612 or 
1-800-399-5618, E-mail Don.M[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL DOE FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS 
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department 
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 
586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement for the Shiprock site 
characterization activities was published in the Federal Register on 
June 23, 1998 (63 FR 34153). The Floodplain/Wetlands Assessment was 
completed in August 1998.

Project Description

    The Shiprock site is located on the Navajo Nation in northwestern 
New Mexico, approximately 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Shiprock, 
New Mexico, and about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Farmington, New 
Mexico. The proposed action would involve (1) installing monitoring 
wells to characterize ground water quality and other hydrologic 
properties, and (2) constructing a surface water distribution system 
consisting of a 30-foot-long, 4-foot-high, concrete intake structure on 
Bob Lee Wash; a connecting 6-inch diameter, 2,000-foot-long pipeline 
along the upper limit of the 100-year floodplain; and a 1- to 2-foot 
deep, gravel-filled infiltration trench underneath the last half of the 
pipeline. Most of the pipeline would be outside the wetlands, in 
higher-elevation areas. The intake structure would divert a portion of 
the flow in Bob Lee Wash into the pipeline and infiltration trench and 
increase ground water flow in the floodplain alluvial aquifer. The 
purpose of the surface water distribution system would be to flush 
ground water contaminants towards the San Juan River and decrease 
contaminant concentrations within the aquifer. Features of the surface 
water distribution system would be in place for two to three years. 
Because contaminated ground water is present in the floodplain alluvial 
aquifer, the monitoring wells and surface water distribution system 
must be located on the floodplain.

Alternatives

    No alternative sites or actions exist for the proposed 
characterization activities; the only other alternative would be no 
action. Under a no action alternative, no impact to the floodplain or 
wetland would occur. The ground water contamination, however, would 
remain in place, and no additional characterization would be performed.

Floodplain and Wetland Effects

    Installation of the monitoring wells, pipeline, and infiltration 
trench would directly affect approximately 18,000 square feet (0.4 
acre) of floodplain. Present vegetation consists primarily of inland 
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and salt cedar (Tamarix ramosissima). 
The areas disturbed by installation activities would be more 
susceptible to wind and water erosion until vegetation became 
reestablished. None of the proposed characterization activities would 
be expected to affect lives, property, or any natural and beneficial 
floodplain values. In addition, the construction of an intake structure 
across Bob Lee Wash would directly affect approximately 120 square feet 
(0.003 acre) of wetland. This construction within a wetland would 
require regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. 
Army, Corps of Engineers has been consulted and a Nationwide Permit 
will be required before construction begins.
    Diversion of water from Bob Lee Wash through the intake structure 
and into the pipeline could potentially affect the downstream emergent 
wetland over time by reducing the amount of water supplied by the wash. 
Temporary displacement of birds, small mammals, and other wildlife in 
adjacent areas may occur during installation of the intake structure 
and the associated pipeline and trench. Wildlife use of the wetland 
would be expected to return shortly after construction work is 
complete. No threatened or endangered species would be affected.

Floodplain and Wetland Mitigation Measures

    Potential adverse effects within floodplain and wetland areas would 
be mitigated by (1) installing monitoring wells only in higher-
elevation areas (2) reseeding floodplain areas where vegetation has 
been disturbed as a result of characterization activities (3) avoiding 
wetland areas whenever possible by constructing most of the pipeline 
and all of the infiltration trench outside wetlands (4) diverting a 
minimal amount of flow from Bob Lee Wash (5) using access routes that 
are well outside wetlands, and (6) monitoring emergent wetland 
boundaries annually for the duration of the proposed activities to 
ensure wetlands are not permanently reduced. With the implementation of 
these mitigation measures, the proposed action would be protective of 
the 100-

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year floodplain and associated wetland at the Shiprock site and would 
conform to the Navajo Nation's floodplain protection standards.

    Issued in Albuerque, N.M. on September 16, 1998.
Constance L. Soden,
Director, Environmental Protection Division, U.S. Department of Energy, 
Albuquerque Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 98-25688 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P