96-6839. Floodplain Statement of Findings For West Tributary Surface Water Monitoring Improvements

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 11622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6839]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Floodplain Statement of Findings For West Tributary Surface Water 
Monitoring Improvements

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for the West Tributary 
Surface Water Monitoring Improvements Project has been prepared in 
accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022. DOE proposes to replace an existing 
V-notched, contracted, weir that is located within the 100-year 
floodplain of White Oak Creek in Roane County, Tennessee with a 
complex-shaped critical flow flume. A Floodplain Assessment (available 
from the Oak Ridge address below) describing the potential effects of 
the action and alternatives to avoid or minimize potential harm to or 
within the affected floodplain was prepared. DOE will allow 15 days of 
public review after publication of this Statement of Findings before 
implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Westich, Waste Management 
Technology Development Division, U.S. Department of Energy, 3 Main 
Street, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, Telephone [phone], FAX (615) 
576-5333.

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, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20585, 
[phone] or [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings 
for the West Tributary Surface Water Monitoring Improvements Project 
prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022. A Notice of Involvement 
for the proposed action was published in the Federal Register on 
October 4, 1993. This action is part of the Surface Water Monitoring 
Program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to enhance the 
accuracy of flow measurement and contaminant mass flux monitoring by 
upgrading or replacing existing flow measurement structures or devices. 
One such flow measurement structure is located in a tributary (West 
Tributary) to White Oak Lake. The structure is also located within the 
100-year floodplain of White Oak Creek. The site is located in an area 
that is not accessible to the general public.
    DOE is proposing to replace an existing V-notched, contracted, weir 
with a complex-shaped critical flow flume which will facilitate a 
larger range of flow measurement. As part of this action it would be 
necessary to demolish the existing V-notched weir structure and 
recontour the streams side slopes and bed to accommodate the 
installation of the new flume. Stream flow would be diverted during 
demolition and construction activities.
    Three alternatives were considered in addition to the proposed 
action. The first was the no-action alternative. This alternative would 
not meet the program objective for enhanced accuracy of stream flow 
measurement and contaminant mass flux monitoring. The second 
alternative would be the restoration or upgrading of the existing weir 
structure. This action would not result in a significant increase in 
measurable flow range and would not meet the program objectives. The 
third alternative would be to replace the weir with a commercially 
available H-flume in lieu of the critical flow flume. The use of an H-
flume would result in a greater upstream water depth to accommodate the 
desired flow range. Additional topographic contouring would be required 
in the area of the H-flume. Therefore the use of the H-flume would be 
less practical than the use of the critical flow flume. There is no 
practicable alternative to the location of this action in the 
floodplain.
    The Floodplain Assessment concluded that the replacement of the V-
notched weir with the critical flow flume would have no significant 
effect on the 100-year floodplains of White Oak Creek, White Oak Lake, 
or the West Tributary. Risks to individuals, property, or the 
environment will not be increased as a result of this action. DOE will 
allow 15 days of public review after publication of the Statement of 
Findings before implementing the proposed action.

    Issued in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on March 11, 1996.
James L. Elmore,
Alternate NEPA Compliance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-6839 Filed 3-20-96; 8:45 am]
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