[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 58 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 16451]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7389]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Grand Junction Office; Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement 
for Ground Water Remediation Activities at Shiprock, New Mexico, 
Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Site

AGENCY: Grand Junction Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) hereby provides notice as 
required by 10 CFR part 1022, to conduct ground water remediation 
activities within the 100-year floodplain of the San Juan River at the 
Shiprock New Mexico Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Site, 
with possible impacts to wetlands. The site is located within the 
boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation. Activities are scheduled 
to commence in 2002, and consist of installation of extraction wells 
and pipeline to pump contaminated ground water from the alluvial 
aquifer to an evaporation pond on the terrace, in accordance with 40 
CFR part 192, ``Health and Environmental Protection Standards for 
Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings''. A floodplain/wetlands assessment 
has been prepared as an appendix to the environmental assessment (EA) 
that analyzes the potential environmental effects of this action.

DATES: Written comments are due to the address below no later than 
April 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Don Metzler, U.S. 
Department of Energy, Grand Junction Office, 2597 B\3/4\ Road, Grand 
Junction, Colorado, 81503; or transmitted by E-mail via Internet to 
[email protected]; or by facsimile to (970) 248-6040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Bergman-Tabbert, Manager, U.S. 
Department of Energy--Grand Junction Office, 2597 B \3/4\ Road, Grand 
Junction, Colorado 81503, Telephone 1-970-248-6001 or 1-800-399-5618, 
E-mail via Internet to [email protected], Facsimile to 1-
970-248-6023.
    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: Under E.O. 11988--Floodplain Management, E. 
O. 11990--Protection of Wetlands, and 10 CFR part 1022--Compliance with 
Floodplain/ Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements, notice is given 
that DOE is planning ground water remediation in the San Juan River 
100-year floodplain north and east of the Shiprock UMTRA site.
    Remediation activities include the installation of five extraction 
wells in the floodplain in the most contaminated part of the plume, 
pumping water via underground piping to a lined evaporation pond, and 
spray-evaporating the water. The evaporation pond will be located on 
the terrace above the floodplain. Water would be withdrawn from the 
floodplain alluvial aquifer at the rate of 80 gallons per minute. At 
this rate, modeling projects the floodplain contaminants to be reduced 
to acceptable levels within 14 years.
    The locations of the wells, piping, and pond will be determined in 
a ground water compliance action plan, and would avoid sensitive areas 
including wetlands, cultural resources, and those containing sensitive 
plant and animal species.
    A typical extraction well would be installed in two to three days 
and would disturb an area of approximately 30' X 30'. Access to the 
floodplain would utilize existing roads as much as possible. Because 
the activities are located within the Navajo Reservation, all 
activities will be coordinated through the Navajo Nation and other 
state and federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A floodplain/wetlands 
assessment has been prepared as an appendix to the Environmental 
Assessment of Ground Water Compliance at the Shiprock, New Mexico, 
Uranium Mill Tailings Site (March, 2001).
    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 Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 15, 2001.
Constance L. Soden,
Director, Environment, Safety, and Health Division, U.S. Department of 
Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 01-7389 Filed 3-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P