[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 134 (Thursday, July 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17137]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: July 14, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Floodplain/Wetland Involvement for the Replacement of
Four Bridges on the Savannah River Site
AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of floodplain and wetland involvement.
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SUMMARY: DOE proposes to replace four bridges on the Savannah River
Site (SRS) near Aiken, South Carolina. The proposed action would
involve construction activity to replace bridges in the floodplain and
wetlands of Upper Three Runs Creek and Tinker Creek. The scope of this
project is intended to immediately replace three of these bridges
because of deteriorated, decayed, or rotten timber piles. A fourth
bridge would be scheduled for a later replacement. These impacted areas
would include:
Replacement of Bridge 603-13G at the intersection of Upper
Three Runs Creek and SRS Road 8-1.
Replacement of Bridge 603-14G at the intersection of
Tinker Creek and SRS Road 8-1.
Replacement of Bridge 603-15G at the intersection of Upper
Three Runs Creek and SRS Road 2-1.
Replacement of Bridge 603-39G at the intersection of
Tinker Creek and SRS Road 2-1.
These activities would necessitate temporary access for purposes of
construction, as well as disruptions caused by driving new pilings in
areas considered floodplains and wetlands of the SRS. In accordance
with Title 10, CFR, Part 1022, DOE will prepare 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 floodplains
and wetlands.
DATES: Comments on the proposed actions are due on or before July 29,
1994.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Floodplain/Wetlands
Comments, Stephen R. Wright, Director, Environmental and Laboratory
Programs Division, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River Operations
Office, P.O. Box A, Aiken, South Carolina 29802. The phone number is
(803) 725-3957. Fax comments to: (803) 725-7688.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director,
Office of NEPA Oversight (EH-25), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone (202) 586-
4600 or (800) 472-2756.
A location map showing the project sites and further information
can be obtained from the Savannah River Operations Office (see
ADDRESSES above).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The bridges on SRS Road 8-1 (603-13G and
603-14G) which cross Upper Three Runs Creek and Tinker Creek will be
replaced with minimal short-term impact and no long-term impact to
wetlands or floodplains. This is because sufficient shoulder exists to
allow abutment build-up without soil moving into the wetlands. A storm
water and sediment control plan will be required prior to bridge
replacements in order to minimize sediments eroding into the adjacent
wetlands and floodplain. The wetlands and floodplains along Bridge 603-
13G & Road 8-1 is located within an area set aside for research.
However, there is sufficient shoulder on each side of the stream to
allow the replacement work to occur without impacts to the set aside
area.
The bridge (603-15G) that spans Upper Three Runs Creek on SRS Road
2-1 will be replaced with minimal short-term impact and no long-term
impact to wetlands or floodplains. The bridge (603-39G) that spans
Tinker Creek on SRS Road 2-1 would be scheduled for replacement in the
future as funding becomes available.
The work required to replace these bridges would be accomplished
from the existing roadbeds using a crane for pile driving, erection,
and demolition. The only disturbance to the stream is anticipated to
result from the installation of two piles to support the center span of
the bridges. Prestressed, precast concrete beams will be used to
construct longer spans in order to minimize pile installation in the
stream. A small amount of sediment would be expected to go into the
stream where the work is in the channel and temporarily increase the
stream's sediment load level. These increased sediment loads would be
less than that encountered after a heavy rainstorm. The old bridge
supports would be cut off at the stream bed which may affect the flow
of the stream. The bridges would be replaced at their present
locations; there should be no loss or long-term impact to SRS
floodplains or wetlands.
DOE intends to investigate alternatives to placing pilings in
stream channels and mitigation measures to minimize potential impacts
to the floodplain and wetlands. There would be no operation of
construction equipment or storage of equipment or materials in wetland
areas. The existing unpaved roadways would be used for operation of
construction equipment and as a material laydown area. There would be
no excavation or deposition of fill material in wetlands. The only
impact to wetlands would be from the installation of the pilings in
stream channels and pilings cut off at stream beds. It is expected that
no hazardous wastes or materials would be released in accomplishing the
proposed action. Other erosion control measures, such as riprap berms
along existing roadway, temporary and permanent seeding, and increasing
the gravel thickness of the existing roadway may also be implemented to
ensure there is no deposition in downslope wetland areas. The new
abutments would be set on pilings placed outside the existing wetland
limits on the existing roadway preventing any impacts to the stream and
wetlands. Sediment from installation of the pilings in the stream
channels could cause a short term impact to the downstream aquatic
system. This impact would be very minor compared to the regular
sediment load of Upper Three Runs and Tinker Creeks resulting from a
rainstorm and should not last more than a few days following completion
of the work. The amount of sediment created by the initial driving of
each pile is expected to be measured in ounces. A portable U-shaped
silt fence would be placed downstream during pile installation to
collect any sediment displaced. Long-term construction impacts in
floodplain and wetland areas should not be a factor, since the bridges
are to be replaced at their present locations.
A storm water and sediment control plan would be developed so that
the proposed action complies with applicable State and local floodplain
protection standards and further, to ensure that no additional impacts
to wetlands would occur due to erosion and sedimentation. Best
management practices would be employed during construction and
maintenance activities associated with these proposed actions. In
accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and
wetlands environmental review requirements (10 CFR Part 1022), DOE will
prepare a Floodplain/Wetlands Assessment for this proposed DOE action.
Issued in Washington, DC, on this 8th day of July 1994.
Donald F. Knuth,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Facility Transition and
Technical Support Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 94-17137 Filed 7-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
