94-17538. Floodplain Statement of Findings K-705 Water Intake Structure Demolition at the Oak Ridge, TN K-25 Site

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17538]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Floodplain Statement of Findings K-705 Water Intake Structure 
Demolition at the Oak Ridge, TN K-25 Site

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain Statement of Findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings K-705 Water Intake 
Structure Demolition at the Oak Ridge K-25 Site, prepared in accordance 
with 10 CFR Part 1022. DOE proposes to remove out-of-service equipment 
and materials and demolish the K-705 water intake structure, a part of 
the K-700 Powerhouse Area. DOE prepared a floodplain assessment 
describing the effects, alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain. Portions 
of the K-705 structure are located within the 100-year floodplain of 
the Clinch River, located in Roane County, Tennessee. DOE will endeavor 
to allow 15 days of public review after publication of the statement of 
findings before implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Information on the proposed action, including maps of potentially 
disturbed floodplain area, is available from: Mr. Robert C. Sleeman, 
Director, Environmental Restoration Division, Oak Ridge Operations 
Office, U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 2001, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 
37831-8541, [phone].
    Further information on general DOE floodplain environmental review 
requirements is available from: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, 
Office of NEPA Oversight, (EH-25), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, [phone] or leave 
a message, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings 
for the K-705 Water Intake Structure Demolition at the Oak Ridge K-25 
Site, prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022. A Notice of 
Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement for Environmental Restoration and Waste 
Management Activities at the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation was published in 
the Federal Register and a floodplain assessment was prepared; no 
wetlands [58 FR 51624 (October 4, 1993)] are involved in the proposed 
action.
    DOE is proposing to characterize the facility, perform waste 
removal, and undertake demolition of the K-705 water intake structure. 
The K-705 water intake structure consists of the water intake filter 
wall, sidewalls, and a berm. The water intake filter wall is a metal 
filtration wall that extends approximately 100 feet into the main 
channel of the Clinch River and acts to screen water prior to intake. 
The sidewalls are constructed of solid sheet metal piles and are 
embedded into a berm. K-705 has been shutdown since the 1960s; it is 
not currently being used or maintained and has reached a state of 
significant deterioration. As a result, additional access control 
measures are required to ensure personnel safety around the structure.
    The purpose of the proposed action is to remove the potential for 
adverse environmental, health, and safety impacts, including potential 
hazards to navigation, that may result from the deteriorated facility. 
The proposed action would involve facility characterization, removal of 
all accessory materials, and demolition to grade level using the most 
cost-effective method. Removal of K-705 would be conducted in 
accordance with the removal methods described in the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers Nationwide Wetlands Permit. Temporary disturbance of the 
Floodplain may occur during the removal of the steel sidewalls of the 
water intake filter wall from the river bank sediment if this specific 
activity proved necessary. The temporary disturbance would last 
approximately 2-3 weeks. If removal of the berm of the structure 
protruding into the water was necessary, dust/debris-control procedures 
would be applied during demolition. Best management practices would be 
implemented to ensure that minimal disturbance to the 100-year 
Floodplain would occur as a result of taking the proposed action.
    The alternative to the proposed action is to take no action. The no 
action alternative would mean that DOE would be unable to remove this 
potentially adverse environmental, health, and safety impact.
    On the basis of the Floodplain Assessment, DOE has determined that 
the proposed action would not alter the storage capacity of the Clinch 
River Floodplain or increase risks to individuals, property, or the 
environment. The Floodplain Assessment was performed to assess the 
potential hydrologic impacts of the proposed action. The Floodplain 
Assessment addresses (1) the potential for alteration of the Clinch 
River Floodplain as a result of the proposed action, (2) the increase 
in water surface elevations during flood events, and (3) the potential 
impacts of the proposed action on adjacent properties and the 
environment. Results of the Floodplain Assessment indicate 
inconsequential hydrologic impacts. Therefore, the proposed 
characterization, waste removal, and demolition of the K-705 structure 
would not affect the existing normal channel or 100-year Floodplain of 
the Clinch River. The proposed action conforms to applicable State 
Floodplain standards. DOE will endeavor to allow 15 days of public 
review after publication of the Statement of Findings prior to 
implementing the proposed action.
Kimberly A. Chaney,
Acting Director, Office of Eastern Area Programs, Office of 
Environmental Restoration.
[FR Doc. 94-17538 Filed 7-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M