[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 33276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15868]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Kirtland Area Office; Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement 
for Embankment and Streambed Restoration in the Arroyo Seco, Sandia 
National Laboratories, California

AGENCY: Kirtland Area Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain/wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to remove debris 
and repair erosional damage to streambanks at two channel structures 
located in the Arroyo Seco, Sandia National Laboratories, California. 
An existing earthfill crossing that traverses Arroyo Seco and two 
associated culverts would also be removed as a feature of the proposal. 
These actions are necessary to restore the runoff carrying capacity of 
the stream channel, to restore and protect the function of the channel 
structures, and to restore the integrity of security fencing. 
Restoration activities associated with the three project features would 
occur within the 100-year-flood frequency elevation. Two of the three 
project features are located within channel wetlands. Approximately 
2,100 square feet of wetland would be affected. A restoration plan 
would be prepared to mitigate the loss of wetlands and riparian 
vegetation.

DATES: Written comments are due to the address below no later than July 
7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and requests for additional information on 
this proposed action should be addressed to: Susan Lacy, NEPA 
Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Kirtland Area Office, 
P.O. Box 5400, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-5400, PHONE (505) 845-5542 
FAX (505) 845-4710.

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:

1. Project Description

    DOE proposes to implement restorative measures in the channel of 
Arroyo Seco, Sandia National Laboratories, California. These measures 
are necessary to restore the runoff capacity of the channel, to restore 
and protect the function of channel structures, and to restore the 
integrity of security fencing. Restorative measures would be 
accomplished at three existing channel structures: (1) The East Buffer 
Zone Fence Crossing which consists of a concrete hinged grate structure 
with wingwalls and crossing security fence, (2) a trash rack located 
upstream of the East Buffer Zone Fence Crossing, and (3) an earthfill 
channel crossing located south of Building 928. Measures proposed at 
the hinged grate structure and the trash rack consist of removing 
accumulated channel debris, filling of eroded channel embankments 
caused by debris blocking flows through the structures and consequent 
erosion of structure abutments, restoration of streambed elevations, 
placement of rock (riprap) for scour protection, and repair of 
associated security fencing. Approximately 100 cubic yards of earth and 
two, 48-inch diameter culverts would be removed from the channel 
crossing. The channel at the crossing would be restored to its original 
configuration. The removal of the crossing would assist in restoring 
the original channel capacity.

2. Wetlands and Floodplains

    Restoration activities associated with the three project features 
would occur within the 100-year-flood frequency elevation. Measures 
associated with the concrete hinged grate structure and the trash rack 
would involve channel wetlands. Approximately 300 square feet of 
wetland soils and vegetation would be covered with riprap at the hinged 
grate structure and about 1,800 square feet of wetland and riparian 
vegetation would be removed at the trash rack. A restoration plan would 
be prepared and implemented to mitigate the loss of wetland and 
riparian vegetation. The restoration plan would be coordinated with the 
California Department of Fish and Game.
    In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain 
and wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 1022), DOE 
will prepare a floodplain/wetlands assessment for this proposed action. 
After DOE issues the assessment, a floodplain statement of findings 
will be published in the Federal Register.

    Issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 10, 1999.
George K. Laskar,
Assistant Area Manager, Laboratory Operations, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Kirtland Area Office.
[FR Doc. 99-15868 Filed 6-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P