97-20213. Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Southeast Drainage at the Weldon Spring Site

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41029-41031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20213]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Southeast Drainage at 
the Weldon Spring Site

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, DOE.

ACTION: Floodplain Statement of Findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Southeast 
Drainage at the Weldon Spring Site, prepared in accordance with 10 CFR 
part 1022. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to remove 
contaminated sediment from the Southeast Drainage, an intermittent 
stream located in St. Charles County, Missouri (Fig.1). The lower 
portion of the drainage occurs within the 100-year floodplain of the 
Missouri River. DOE

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prepared a floodplain and wetlands assessment describing the effects, 
alternatives, and measures designed to avoid or minimize potential harm 
to or within the affected floodplain. The DOE will allow 15 days of 
public review after publication of the statement of findings before 
implementing the proposed action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Steve McCracken, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project, 7295 Highway 94 
South, St. Charles, MO 63304, [phone]

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, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 
586-4600 or [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for 
the Southeast Drainage at the Weldon Spring Site was prepared in 
accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022. A Notice of Floodplain and Wetlands 
Involvement was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, April 
16, 1997, FR Doc. 97-9805, and a floodplain and wetlands assessment was 
prepared. DOE is proposing to remove contaminated sediment from 
selected locations within the Southeast Drainage, an intermittent 
tributary of the Missouri River. Removal alternatives evaluated 
include:
     No Action.
     Conventional excavation of sediments at selected locations 
within the drainage using existing right-of-way routes.
     Conventional excavation of sediments at all targeted 
locations within the drainage using new off-road access and a haul 
route through the drainage.
    The proposed action would utilize conventional excavation 
technologies and existing disturbed areas for right-of-way routes. The 
objective of the proposed action is to reduce the levels of 
contamination thereby reducing health risk. The 100-year floodplain of 
the Missouri River extends into the Southeast Drainage approximately 
1,200 feet. The action is proposed to be located in the floodplain 
because the contaminated sediment to be removed occurs in scattered 
locations throughout the Southeast Drainage, including that portion 
which lies within the Missouri River 100-year floodplain. There are no 
practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain.
    The proposed action would conform to applicable federal, state, and 
local floodplain protection standards. Good engineering practices would 
be employed to control sedimentation and erosion to downstream surface 
waters and adjacent floodplain areas. Water quality within the channel 
would be protected during excavation to the extent practicable by 
several measures. Administrative controls would be used to stop work 
during major storm events. When excavations would remain exposed 
overnight, erosion controls would be installed to minimize the 
transport of silt downstream by stormwater flows. Additionally, silt 
dams will be constructed within the drainage in areas where the 
existing right-of-way route deviates significantly from the defined 
channel. Restoration of excavated areas within the drainage would 
include grading to avoid steep or vertical slopes, and to minimize 
ponding and backfilling. Areas of exposed soil outside the stream 
channel would be mulched and reseeded with an annual grass to minimize 
erosion and allow the natural seedbank to reestablish vegetative cover. 
Impacts to the floodplain would be minimized by the avoidance (to the 
extent practicable) of adjacent floodplain areas. No long-term impacts 
are anticipated to the 100-year floodplain of the Missouri River. The 
proposed removal action would not impact floodplain storage capacity. 
No permanent structures would be constructed as part of the proposed 
action.
    DOE will allow 15 days of public review after publication of the 
statement of findings prior to implementing the proposed action.
James L. Elmore,
Alternate NEPA Compliance Officer.

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN31JY97.005



[FR Doc. 97-20213 Filed 7-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-C