[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19157-19159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10008]
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Upper Ocoee River Corridor Recreational Development, Polk County,
TN, Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
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. As a cooperating agency, TVA's Board of
Directors has decided to adopt Alternative 5, the environmentally
preferred alternative, identified in the United States Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Cherokee National Forest's final
environmental impact statement (EIS), ``Upper Ocoee River Corridor
Recreational Development, Polk County, Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee
National Forest.'' The final EIS was made available to the public on
February 14, 1997. A Notice of Availability of the final EIS was
published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Federal
Register on February 21, 1997 (62 FR 8012-8013). The preferred
alternative proposes a maximum level of land-and water-based recreation
development to provide and meet the increasing demand for a variety of
recreation opportunities in the Upper Ocoee River Corridor.
In support of maximum recreation development in the Upper Ocoee
River Corridor, TVA has decided to release water from Ocoee No. 3 Dam
into the upper Ocoee River channel to accommodate special events and
commercial and recreation use of the river. TVA will make available
water releases for up to 20 days per year for special competitive
events associated with the Ocoee Whitewater Center and up to 54 days
per year for commercial rafting and recreational use. Water releases
will be consistent with TVA water management objectives and take into
account the existing TVA operations of Blue Ridge and Ocoee No. 2 and 3
dams. Water releases will require TVA be reimbursed for revenues
foregone by diverting water used for power generation to recreation
use. However, TVA has decided to ``sponsor'' without reimbursement up
to 10 days of the 20 days of water releases for special events annually
for a five year period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda B. Oxendine, Senior NEPA
Specialist, Environmental Management, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400
West Summit Hill Drive, Mailstop WT 8C, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-
1499, telephone (423) 632-3440 or e-mail lboxendine@tva.gov. Copies of
the final EIS may be obtained by writing to Dave Carroll, Cherokee
National Forest, USDA Forest Service, P. O. Box 2010, Cleveland,
Tennessee 37320, or by calling (423) 476-9700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 1995, TVA and the state of Tennessee
were invited by the Forest Service to participate as cooperating
agencies in an EIS on post Olympic recreation use of the Upper Ocoee
River Corridor. TVA agreed to participate in the EIS because it
controls water flows within the Ocoee River and its approval of water-
related structures would be needed under Section 26a of the TVA Act.
TVA must approve water releases for river based recreational
opportunities. TVA's actions are limited to those described above.
[[Page 19158]]
In 1994, both the Forest Service and TVA, as a cooperating agency,
issued Records of Decision (ROD) on the 1994 Olympics Whitewater Venue
Final Environmental Impact Statement. Both RODs recognized that the
Ocoee Whitewater Center, Olympic facilities, and water course could be
used for athletic training and future competitive events and general
recreational use to enhance economic development within the area;
however, both agencies recognized that any post-Olympic use of the site
would require further environmental analysis. The 1997 Upper Ocoee
River Corridor Recreational Development final EIS provides that further
environmental analysis.
The Ocoee River has a national and international reputation as a
premier whitewater river. Since the 1996 International Olympics Slalom
Competition and World Cup events, the Ocoee Whitewater Center and other
recreational facilities within the Upper Ocoee River Corridor have been
a focal point for enhanced visitation and associated increase in demand
for recreation opportunities within the area. The existing recreational
facilities within the lower Ocoee River corridor are approaching
maximum capacity. The growing demand for recreation areas by the public
requires the development of facilities that will provide quality
recreation experiences while protecting the natural beauty and
resources of the area. Development of recreational opportunities will
enhance economic development within the area.
New land-based or land-and water-based recreational opportunities
within and adjacent to the Upper Ocoee River Corridor are planned by
one or more of the involved agencies. These include horse, mountain
bike, and hiking trails; campground and day use areas; and improved
access to the upper Ocoee River for competitive, recreation, and
commercial use.
The proposed site is located within the Cherokee National Forest,
Ocoee Ranger District, Polk County, Tennessee, about 28 miles east of
Cleveland, Tennessee, along U.S. Highway 64. The upper Ocoee River as
defined in the proposal includes that portion of the river from river
mile 29.2 to river mile 24.2 or the area just below Ocoee No. 3 Dam
down to the Roger's Branch river put-in just above Ocoee No. 2 Dam.
This section of the Ocoee River has very low flow because of water
diversion at Dam No. 3 for power generation. Water present in the
channel is attributed mainly to small inflows from tributary drainages.
Based on comments received during the scoping process, five
alternatives were developed and evaluated in the draft EIS. A Notice of
Availability of the draft was published by EPA in the Federal Register
on October 25, 1996 (61 FR 55294), and copies of the draft EIS were
sent to over 300 individuals, organizations, and agencies. The public
was invited to submit comments on the draft or to attend a meeting at
the Ocoee Whitewater Center. No new information or issues were raised
in the process.
Alternatives Considered
The following five alternatives were considered by the Forest
Service and cooperating agencies and were evaluated in the final EIS.
These alternatives were designed to address significant issues raised
during scoping and to minimize adverse effects on potentially affected
resource categories. The No Action alternative assumed a continuation
of present management direction and practices and served as a basis for
evaluating both the beneficial and adverse impacts associated with the
other four alternatives.
Alternative 1. No Action. The proposed development would not occur
and baseline conditions would continue. Current management directions
and practices would continue.
Alternative 2. A moderate level of land-based recreational
development would occur. Forty two miles of multiple use trails would
be established. The Tumbling Creek campground would be reconditioned to
accommodate equestrian use. A trailhead would be developed on Chestnut
Ridge, and day use facilities at Boyd Gap would be developed. No
regularly scheduled water releases would be available from TVA Ocoee
Dam No. 3.
Alternative 3. A moderate level of land-based and minimum water-
based recreational development would occur. Development would include
23 miles of multiple use trails, a 25 to 30 site campground just north
of Ocoee Lake No. 3, a trailhead on Chestnut Ridge, day use facilities
at Boyd Gap and on the road leading to Ocoee Dam No. 3. The current
put-in at Ocoee Dam No. 2 would be expanded. There would be scheduled
water releases available from TVA Ocoee Dam No. 3 for 20 days to
accommodate special events associated with the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
Alternative 4. A moderate to high level of land- and water-based
recreation development would occur. Land-based development would
include 44 miles of multiple use trails; a 40 site campground north of
Ocoee Lake No. 3; a trailhead on Chestnut Ridge; day use facilities at
Boyd Gap, below and on the road leading to Ocoee Dam No. 3, and at
``Stumpfield.'' The current put-in at Ocoee Dam No. 2 would be
expanded. There would be scheduled water releases available from TVA
Ocoee Dam No. 3 to accommodate 20 days for special events associated
with the Ocoee Whitewater Center and 38 days for commercial and
recreational use.
Alternative 5. A maximum level of land- and water-based recreation
development would occur. Development is similar to Alternative 4, with
the exception of a slightly larger campground north of Ocoee No. 3 Lake
and an increase from 38 to 54 days for commercial and recreational use.
As in Alternatives 3 and 4, there would be 20 days of scheduled water
releases available for special events.
For commercial and recreation use, TVA considered flows for water
release in the range of 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for 8 hours
on weekends in March, April, and May; 1,400 cfs for 10 hours on
weekends in June, July, and August; and 8 hours for the days of July 4
and Labor Day. Flows for special events were in the range of 1400 cfs
for 9.25 hours, which will ensure 8 hours of optimal flow for the
event. Flows for commercial and recreational use would not occur during
special or competitive events. In providing scheduled water releases,
TVA operations at Blue Ridge Lake and Ocoee No. 2 and Ocoee No. 3
powerhouses will be carefully coordinated to ensure that sufficient
water is available at the scheduled times, and to avoid flow conditions
adverse to recreation whitewater activities associated with Ocoee No.
2. Because of the limited storage of Ocoee No. 3 Lake, TVA cannot
control high flows from the local drainage area between Blue Ridge Dam
and Ocoee No. 3 Dam during heavy rainfall events. If drought conditions
occur, TVA will use water from Blue Ridge to supply the competitive
course. Use of water stored in Blue Ridge Lake could potentially lower
the lake level; this effect would be negligible. However, TVA's
decision to release water is subject to the availability of water.
TVA concurs with the determination of the Forest Service and the
state of Tennessee that Alternative 5 is the environmentally preferred
alternative. This determination is based on the existing environment
and includes potential physical, biological, and socioeconomic impacts
of implementing the proposed actions as required by 40 CFR 1502. The
environmental impacts of Alternatives 2 through 5 are very similar.
Alternative 1 would have the
[[Page 19159]]
least impact on the physical and biological environment as no
disturbance would occur. Alternatives 2 through 5, with their
mitigation measures, have virtually the same environment effects. The
main difference between the alternatives is the economic impact to the
Ocoee region as a whole and the enhanced recreation opportunities
associated with the action alternatives. Alternative 5 provides the
greatest opportunity for public use and enjoyment of the Ocoee
Whitewater Center, and best meets the increasing demand and expectation
by the public for a variety of recreation opportunities and experiences
in the Upper Ocoee River Corridor.
Basis for the Decision
The TVA Board has decided to adopt Alternative 5 because it would
produce the most recreation and economic development benefits without
significantly impacting the environment. Economic development benefits
include approximately 500 additional new jobs and an estimated $25
million annually added to the economy of the area through direct
spending. Implementation of Alternative 5 by TVA and the other involved
agencies is also expected to increase recreation opportunities and the
quality of the recreation experience, increase national recognition of
the recreation resources of the southeast, and provide trails and other
physical improvements to the site and increase efforts to protect the
area.
Environmental Consequences and Commitments
The principal effect of TVA's water release decision is to provide
increased flows from Ocoee No. 3 Dam for competitive and special events
and recreational and commercial uses. Scheduled water releases are not
expected to impact water quality. The impact on Blue Ridge Lake level
was the main factor in determining the range of flows considered in the
analysis. Minor impacts on Blue Ridge would only be noticeable during
drought years, and would occur during the period when the seasonal
drawdown is already in progress. Operation of the TVA system to provide
water in the upper Ocoee River channel would result in power losses to
the TVA system. Most of the power losses result from bypassing Ocoee
No. 3 powerhouse. In addition, some power generation would be shifted
from peak to off-peak periods at Blue Ridge, Ocoee No. 2, and Ocoee No.
3 powerhouses. Also, additional spills at Ocoee No. 2 diversion dam
would result in lost power generation. The amount would depend on the
hours during the day releases are actually scheduled. The ``cost'' of
these changes in hydroelectric plants operation would range from
$660,000 to $830,000 per year. This cost includes 20 days for special
events and 54 days for recreation and commercial uses.
An additional potential cost in implementing Alternative 5 water
releases includes replacement of low-level sluice gates on Ocoee No. 3
Dam. To allow for water releases on a regular basis, the low-level
sluice gates on Ocoee No. 3 Dam would have to be replaced. The current
gates were designed to periodically release water from the bottom of
the reservoir for siltation removal. The life expectancy of these gates
average about 500 cycles before replacement is required. The estimated
cost of a gate design for long-term use is $350,000. This cost includes
design and installation of a gate that can be used for operation
releases without excess wear and tear on the components.
When TVA approval under Section 26a of the TVA Act of water use
facilities is sought in the future, it will require best management
practices to control erosion and sedimentation, as necessary, to
prevent adverse water quality impacts. The possible location of acid
bearing rock formations would be identified in any construction plans,
and their disturbance would be avoided to the extent possible.
Dated: April 3, 1997.
Mark O. Medford,
Executive Vice President, Customer Service and Marketing.
[FR Doc. 97-10008 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-01-P
