[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 102 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28856-28857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13534]
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Stabilization of Unfinished Dam Structure of The Columbia Dam and
Reservoir Project
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
ACTION: Issuance of record of decision.
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SUMMARY: This notice is provided in accordance with the Council on
Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR 1500 to 1508) and TVA's
implementing procedures. TVA has decided to implement the dam site
stabilization Option 2 identified in its Final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS), Use Of Lands Acquired For The Columbia Dam Component
Of The Duck River Project. The Final EIS was made available to the
public in April 1999. A Notice of Availability of the Final EIS was
published in the Federal Register on April 16, 1999.
The Final EIS also analyzed various uses of the property acquired
for the Columbia Project. TVA has not yet made a final decision on the
use of these properties, but expects to decide this soon. When the land
use decision is made, another Record of Decision will be issued.
Although the dam structure is located on project property, stabilizing
the existing dam structure will have no effect on the land use
decision. TVA has determined that the two actions are independent of
each other.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda B. Oxendine, Senior NEPA
Specialist, Environmental Management, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400
West Summit Hill Drive, WT 8C, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499;
telephone (423) 632-3440 or e-mail [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1968, TVA proposed the Duck River Project
that involved the construction of two dams and reservoirs on the Duck
River in middle Tennessee, south of Nashville. As proposed, one dam was
to be built at River Mile 248 near Normandy and the other at River Mile
136 near Columbia. Congress began appropriating money for the Duck
River Project in December 1969. Construction of Normandy Dam and
Reservoir began in June 1972 and was completed in 1976. Construction of
the Columbia Dam and Reservoir was begun in August 1973 but was halted
in 1983 because of the potential to jeopardize the continued existence
of several endangered mussel species within the Duck River.
In 1995, after efforts to transplant endangered mussels to other
stream reaches failed, TVA decided the Columbia Dam Project could not
be completed. Accordingly, TVA proposed to address future use of the
lands acquired for the project and what should be done about the
unfinished dam structure.
The Columbia Project lands are located in the Duck River watershed
between the city of Columbia (on the west) and U.S. Route 431,
Lewisburg-Franklin Pike (on the east), in Maury County, Tennessee. The
reach of the Duck River included in this study extends from
approximately River Mile 130, in Columbia, upstream to River Mile 165,
at Carpenters Bridge, 3 kilometers (2 air miles) west of U.S. Route
431.
When construction of Columbia Dam was halted in 1983, the Columbia
Project was about 45 percent complete. The concrete portion of the dam
was about 90 percent complete and the earth-filled section was about 60
percent complete. The river had been diverted through a 600-meter
(2000-foot) long constructed channel located along the east side of the
work site (the diversion channel) and a dike had been built to keep
normal stream flow out of the construction site. Approximately 46
percent of the land required for the reservoir (5200 of 11,140 hectares
[12,800 of 27,500 acres]) had been acquired, and approximately half of
the 72 kilometers (45 miles) of roads affected by the reservoir had
been relocated.
On February 25, 1995, TVA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an
EIS on alternatives for use of lands acquired for the Columbia Project.
The Tennessee Duck River Development Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decided to cooperate
in the preparation of this EIS. A public scoping meeting was held at
Culleoka School near the Project site on April 18, 1995. The Notice of
Availability of the Draft EIS was published on January 6, 1997. The
public and interested agencies were invited to submit written comments
on the draft or to attend a public meeting on January 27, 1997 at
Columbia Senior High School.
TVA received a total of 2,890 separate sets of comments which
included input from over 4,600 individuals, three federal agencies,
four state agencies, six identified county and local governmental
agencies, and over 20 other organizations. The comments indicated that
most people and agencies want the Columbia Project lands to be
available for a variety of public uses and little or none of this land
used for industrial, commercial, or residential development. Only 43
comments were received about the existing dam structure and what should
be done about it. Comments were mixed, but most supported
implementation of Option 2, stabilization of the dam with a lower
profile. The Notice of Availability of the Final EIS was published on
April 16, 1999.
[[Page 28857]]
Alternatives Considered
To address the effects of the existing dam structure, construction
dike, and diversion channel on the river and its flow, three dam site
stabilization options were evaluated. Under Option 1--Maintain Current
Status of the Dam Structures, TVA would remove or minimize possible
safety and environmental hazards on and around the dam and diversion
channel site. Under Option 2--Stabilize Existing Flood Profile, TVA
would modify the existing concrete and earthen components of the dam to
stabilize the present control on flood flows. The concrete and earthen
portions of the dam would be demolished and reshaped at a lower
elevation to maintain existing upstream flood elevations and preserve
downstream flood benefits. Under Option 3--Restore Original Hydraulic
Conditions, TVA would remove enough of the concrete and earthen
structures at the dam site to reestablish pre-construction hydraulic
conditions along this part of the river. Option 2 was identified as
TVA's preferred alternative.
Decision
TVA has decided to implement Option 2 because this would stabilize
flood elevations at their current levels, address public safety
concerns, and avoid substantial additional construction in the river.
Option 1 would not address public safety concerns as effectively as
Option 2. Under Option 1, the existing dam structure would be left
largely intact and in place and have a continuing effect on the visual
setting of the area. Option 3 would fully address public safety
concerns and return the river to its pre-construction hydraulic level,
but completely removing the dam structure would increase downstream
flood elevations and have required considerable more work in the river
with associated environmental impacts.
Environmentally Preferable Alternative
Except for aesthetic impacts, TVA has concluded that Option 1 is
the environmentally preferred alternative because it would minimize
potential adverse impacts to the pond and fringe wetlands which exist
adjacent to the concrete part of the dam. However, Option 2 would more
effectively address public safety concerns at the dam site. Under
Option 2, the shape and height of the modified dam would also have less
of a visual impact on the landscape. Although Option 2 could involve
some work in the river, TVA has determined that the potential
environmental impacts of Option 2 will be insignificant.
Environmental Mitigation
Standard construction, demolition, and best management practices
would be followed in all aspects of the dam stabilization project to
minimize noise, erosion, dust, and other potential impacts. Disturbed
areas will be seeded and planted with native vegetation to help
stabilize the site and to promote the re-establishment of the natural
ecosystem.
Dated: May 17, 1999.
Ruben O. Hernandez,
Acting Executive Vice President, River System Operations and
Environment.
[FR Doc. 99-13534 Filed 5-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-U