[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-7926]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Title Transfer of Parcel 
ED-1, Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

AGENCY: Oak Ridge Operations, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of floodplain statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a floodplain statement of findings prepared in 
accordance with 10 CFR part 1022, Compliance with floodplain/wetlands 
environmental review requirements. A floodplain assessment was 
conducted and incorporated in an environmental assessment (EA) addendum 
that evaluated the potential impacts of transferring title to the 
developable portions of Parcel ED-1 located on the Oak Ridge 
Reservation, Roane County, Tennessee. The floodplain assessment 
describes the possible effects, alternatives, and measures designed to 
avoid or minimize potential harm to the affected floodplain or its 
flood storage potential. DOE will endeavor to allow 15 days of public 
review after publication of the Statement of Findings before 
implementation of the Proposed Action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David R. Allen, NEPA Compliance 
Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Operations Office, P.O. 
Box 2001, MS-SE-30-1, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, (865) 576-0411.
    For Further Information On General DOE Floodplain/Wetlands 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: A Notice of Floodplain and Wetland 
Involvement was published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2002 (67 
FR 41970) and a floodplain assessment was incorporated in the EA 
Addendum. DOE is proposing to transfer title to the developable 
portions of Parcel ED-1 to Horizon Center LLC for the continued 
development of an industrial/business park. Parcel ED-1 contains 
approximately 287 acres of the 100-year floodplain of East Fork Poplar 
Creek (EFPC). The portion of the EFPC floodplain within Parcel ED-1 is 
outside of the limits of the existing City of Oak Ridge Flood Insurance 
Rate Maps. Limited encroachment into the 100-year floodplain, which was 
covered under a U.S. Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit (33 CFR part 
330), has already occurred during construction activities associated 
with the initial development of Parcel ED-1 under the lease. No 
additional adverse direct or indirect impacts to the floodplain are 
expected except for potential minor encroachments into two small areas 
of the floodplain in the developable areas. These encroachments would 
be for construction of a parking area and road and bridge improvements. 
Alternatives to the proposed action that were considered included no 
action and mitigation (avoidance and minimization). The proposed action 
will conform to all applicable floodplain protection standards 
including regulation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tennessee 
Department of Environment and Conservation, and if required, the 
Tennessee Valley Authority.
    Mitigation of adverse impacts to the floodplain include minimizing 
the potentially impacted areas to the smallest amount practicable and 
implementing best management practices, such as sediment controls to 
reduce or prevent soil erosion and runoff and minimum grading 
requirements that reduce land disturbance on steep slopes adjacent to 
the floodplain and stream. The appropriate engineering studies will be 
completed and the appropriate permits obtained prior to any action in 
the floodplain. The amount of fill material potentially needed should 
not adversely impact the floodway or affect flooding conditions. Also, 
no critical actions, as defined in 10 CFR part 1022 will occur as a 
result of the proposed action.

    Issued in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on March 24, 2003.
James L. Elmore,
Alternate National Environmental Policy Act Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-7926 Filed 4-1-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P