[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 20102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10020]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Los Alamos 
Site Operations; Floodplain Statement of Finding for the Connector Road 
Between Technical Areas 22 and 8 at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los 
Alamos, New Mexico

AGENCY: National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Los Alamos 
Site Operations, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Floodplain Statement of Finding.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain Statement of Findings is for the construction 
of a connector road about one mile in length between Technical Areas 
(TAs) 22 and 8 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). A short 
segment, less than 200 feet in length, of the road will cross a 
floodplain area within Pajarito Canyon, located within the western 
portion of LANL. In accordance with 10 CFR part 1022, the Department of 
Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of 
Los Alamos Site Operations has prepared a floodplain/wetland assessment 
and will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Withers, U.S. Department of 
Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Los Alamos 
Site Operations, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Telephone (505) 
667-8690, of facsimile (505) 667-9998; or electronic address: 
[email protected]. For Further Information on General DOE Floodplain 
Environmental Review Requirements, contact: Carol M. Borgstrom, 
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH-42, Department of 
Energy, 100 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington DC 20585-0119. 
Telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756, facsimile (202) 586-7031.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with DOE regulations for 
compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental review 
requirements (10 CFR part 1022), NNSA prepared a floodplain/wetland 
assessment for this action. The NNSA published a Notice of Floodplain 
Involve (Volume 67, Number 63). This Notice announced that the 
floodplain/wetland assessment document was available for a 15-day 
review period and that copies of the document could be obtained by 
contacting Ms. Withers at the above address or were available for 
review at two public DOE reading rooms in Los Alamos and Albuquerque, 
New Mexico. No comments were received from the Federal Register notice 
on the proposed floodplain action.
    Project Description: In March 2002, NNSA considered a proposal for 
constructing about a mile-long, two lane paved road that would link TA-
22 with an existing road, Anchor Ranch Road, within TA-8. This new road 
will provide a second means for access to facilities located at TA-22; 
the existing TA-22 access road will be restricted to emergency use. The 
new road will correct traffic safety hazards associated with use of the 
existing TA-22 access road. The area surrounding TA-22 and TA-8 is 
forested and having a secondary access road to the TA-22 facilities is 
an important fire safety measure. Construction of the road will 
commence in fiscal year 2003 and be completed in less than 12 months.
    Alternatives: Alternative routes for the road were considered but 
eliminated from future consideration. A combination of site factors 
were considered that lead to the identification of the proposed route 
as being the least disruptive to existing environmental resources in 
the area. The location of the road will also serve as a appropriately 
placed fuel break for enhancing the protection of TA-22 facilities in 
the event of a wildfire.
    Floodplain Impacts: The proposed action would have the potential 
for minimal impacts the floodplain. Should a rain event occur during 
this activity, there may be some sediment movement down canyon because 
of the loosened condition of the soil from the clearing and 
construction activities.
    Floodplain Mitigation: Placement of Best Management Practices (such 
as silt fences, straw bales or wattles, or wooden or rock structures to 
slow down water runoff and run-on at cleared sites) at the construction 
area and post-construction reseeding and revegetation along the sides 
of the roadway will minimize soil disturbance and reduce or prevent the 
potential for soil erosion. The road design will include an 
appropriately culvert so that downstream flow and function of the 
floodplain will not be impeded. No debris will be left at the work 
site. No vehicle maintenance or fueling within 100 feet of the 
floodplain would occur. Any sediment movement from the site would be 
short term and temporary.

    Issued in Los Alamos, New Mexico on April 16, 2002.
Joseph Vozella,
Acting Director, Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security 
Administration, Office of Los Alamos Site Operations.
[FR Doc. 02-10020 Filed 4-23-02; 8:45 am]
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