[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 188 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24096]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 29, 1994]
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Patton Island Bridge and Approaches Crossing the Tennessee River
and Connecting the Cities of Florence and Muscle Shoals, Colbert and
Lauderdale Counties, AL
AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.
ACTION: Issuance of Record of Decision.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act and Section 5.4.9 of TVA's implementing
procedures, 45 FR 54, 111-115 (1980), that TVA has decided to adopt the
``build'' alternative identified in the ``Final Environmental Impact
Statement and Section 4(f) Determination'' prepared by the U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration and
Alabama Highway Department in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and TVA, dated August 6, 1991. TVA has
decided to: (1) Provide a permanent easement over 63.7 acres of TVA
land for construction, operation, and maintenance of a new highway and
bridge approaches on the Muscle Shoals Reservation, Patton Island
(Tract XPR-82PT), and Pickwick Reservoir (Tract XPR-81PT), and (2)
provide Section 26a approval of the bridge over the Tennessee River at
Tennessee River Mile 258.0.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dale V. Wilhelm, Manager, National Environmental Policy Act Department,
Environmental Management, Tennessee Valley Authority, 400 West Summit
Hill Drive, WT 8C, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499; telephone (615)
632-6693.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: From 1987 to 1991, TVA cooperated with the
Alabama Highway Department in evaluating bridge routings, navigational
impacts, impacts on TVA's Rockpile National Recreation Trail, and other
environmental impact analyses necessary to support the EIS. TVA has now
received a request for a permanent easement which would allow the
Department to build the project. The proposed bridge and multi-lane
highway project would connect Muscle Shoals with Florence and
eventually with the proposed Memphis to Atlanta Interstate Highway.
Upon receipt of the permanent easement and 26a permit, construction
work would likely begin on the project.
Alternatives Considered
The following alternative corridors were considered by the Alabama
Highway Department and cooperating agencies and were evaluated in the
final EIS.
1. Corridor East of Wilson Dam
2. Corridor from Wilson Dam Road Near TVA to Wilson Dam Road near the
Corps of Engineers Lock System
3. Seven Mile Island Corridor
4. O'Neal Corridor
5. Patton Island Corridor
Based upon comparison of the corridors, the Patton Island and
O'Neal Corridors were chosen for detailed review, and the Patton Island
Corridor was chosen as the preferred routing.
The following Alternatives for the Patton Island Corridor were
evaluated in the EIS:
1A. Build along a corridor designated ``Alternative A.'' South of
the Tennessee River on the Muscle Shoals Reservation, this route is to
the east of Pond Creek.
1B. Build along a corridor designated ``Alternative B.'' South of
the Tennessee River on the Muscle Shoals Reservation, this route is
along Pond Creek.
2. The No Action Alternative, in which the bridge, approaches, and
highway project would not be built.
The EIS discussed but did not consider in detail two other
alternatives for the Patton Island Corridor: alternate modes of
transportation and postponing the action. Alternate transportation
systems such as mass transit do not currently exist in the area, and
postponing the action would increase the impacts associated with
building the project when action is taken.
TVA concurs with the determination that the Patton Island corridor
offers the most benefits, and that the Alternative A route is the
appropriate build alternative across TVA lands south of the Tennessee
River. The Alternative B route north of the river in the city of
Florence is the appropriate build alternative.
BASIS FOR DECISION: Alternative A across TVA lands is chosen because it
would minimize the need to relocate several miles of Pond Creek, allow
improved transportation and economic growth, and enhance safety. The
major recreational impact would be the relocation of 800 feet of the
Rockpile National Recreation Trail. Alternative A would require 29
acres of upland habitat out of the 1,200 acres on Muscle Shoals
Reservation.
The O'Neal corridor across TVA land would result in greater upland
habitat loss, more impacts on potential archaeological sites, greater
impacts on TVA recreational facilities, and would require 75 acres of
upland habitat.
Alternative B would require the relocation of several miles of Pond
Creek on the Muscle Shoals Reservation and has not been chosen as the
preferred alternative across TVA land. However, north of TVA land in
Florence, Alternative B was found to be more practical given the
topography of the Florence area, and the fact that it would create less
traffic congestion on Florence Boulevard. Also, Alternative A north of
the river would require a retaining wall at the Cherry Hills Housing
Project playground, which representatives of the project have said is
not desirable. The No Action alternative is not desirable because it
would result in increasing traffic congestion as the area grows.
Environmental Consequences and Commitments
Implementation of the proposed project is not expected to have
substantial land use impacts and would not result in substantial loss
of prime farmland. It would not disrupt neighborhoods or communities,
but would change travel patterns in the area and relocate part of a low
income housing project. Many of the displaced residences are low
income; however, there would be financial assistance available to those
who would be required to relocate.
The proposed project would generate 350-375 full-time construction
jobs, resulting in some need for temporary housing for workers brought
in from outside the area, and increased job opportunities for area
residents. By improving the transportation network in the area, local
businesses would be able to serve regional markets rather than just
local ones.
Environmental analysis on the proposed project suggests that there
would not be substantial air emissions, noise, or water quality impacts
on the proposed project. Two endangered mussels inhabiting the
Tennessee River in the vicinity of the bridge would be relocated to a
suitable area prior to placement of bridge piers. As part of its
approval, TVA would require best management practices to control
erosion and sedimentation to prevent adverse aquatic impacts. These
conditions include:
1. Removal of vegetation will be minimized.
2. All disturbed areas will be stabilized as soon as possible. In
slow germination conditions and on steep slopes, erosion control
netting will be utilized to facilitate revegetation.
3. Both temporary (fast germinating) and permanent ground cover
will be established.
4. Native woody vegetation, to include trees, will be used (versus
riprap) wherever practicable as permanent stabilization.
5. Silt fences will be used around material stockpile areas.
6. Any riprap needed (e.g., at immediate streambank/water
interface) will be applied in such a manner as to avoid stream
sedimentation or disturbance.
7. Cement and other pollutants will not be spilled into streams.
8. Equipment will be kept off of streambanks to the degree
practicable.
Soils within the corridor could contain some toxic materials;
however, no environmental impacts are expected to result from the
minute amounts of existing toxics.
Although construction of the bridge would occur within the
floodplain of the Tennessee River, it would not constrict or impede the
flow of the Tennessee River and no unacceptable increases in flood
elevations are expected. One archaeological site could possibly be
impacted by bridge piers. Data recovery will take place at this site if
it is necessary to disturb it.
Dated: September 20, 1994.
Ralph H. Brooks,
Acting Senior Vice President, Resource Group, Tennessee Valley
Authority.
[FR Doc. 94-24096 Filed 9-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-01-M
