Upper Ocoee River Corridor Recreational Development, Polk County, TN, Ocoee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest

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 [email protected]. 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