Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Notification for Department of Energy (DOE) Permission for the Off-Loading and Transportation of Commercial Low Level Radioactive Waste Across the Savannah River Site (SRS)

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Notification for Department

of Energy (DOE) Permission for the Off-Loading and Transportation of

Commercial Low Level Radioactive Waste Across the Savannah River Site

(SRS)

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notification of floodplain and wetlands involvement.

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SUMMARY: DOE proposes to allow Chem-Nuclear Systems, L. L. C. (CNS) to

use SRS for landing transport barges at the existing SRS boat ramp and

off-loading trailered low-level radioactive waste packages for movement

across SRS to the nearby CNS facility. Project activities would include

modification of the aforementioned boat ramp on the Savannah River as

needed for off-loading activities, and construction of a bridge across

Lower Three Runs. These activities would necessitate temporary

construction access, excavation of soils to accomplish the widening,

and placement of fill material adjacent to the banks of Lower Three

Runs to create two bridge entrance ramps. In accordance with title 10

CFR part 1022, DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment

and will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or

minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain or

wetlands.

DATES: Comments on the proposed action due on or before September 2,

1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this assessment should be addressed to

Andrew R. Grainger, SRS National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, Savannah River

Operations Office, Building 773-42A, Room 212, Aiken, South Carolina

29802. The fax/phone number is (800) 881-7292. The e-mail address is

[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL

REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office

of NEPA Oversight (EH-42), 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 proposed action entails DOE granting

permission to CNS to off-load and transport two trailered low-level

radioactive waste packages across SRS to the nearby CNS facility in

Barnwell County, South Carolina. The packages consist of two oversize/

overweight steam generators from a Florida Power and Light Company

facility located in St. Lucie, Florida. A transport barge carrying a

single steam generator at a time would make a landing at the existing

SRS boat ramp. Transport dates of the two shipments would be scheduled

at least one month apart. Due to the size of the barge required to

transport the steam generators on the Savannah River, the ramp would be

modified prior to landing. Each steam generator would then be off-

loaded and shipped via SRS and state roads to the CNS Barnwell

facility. Additionally, in order to establish the most direct route

between the SRS boat ramp and the Barnwell facility for the shipment of

these steam generators, CNS desires to construct two bridge support

structures and associated access roads, adjacent to an existing

permanent SRS bridge on SRS Road B below the Par Pond dam.

The modifications to the SRS boat ramp would involve widening the

facility for a distance of approximately eight feet downstream and

stabilizing the upstream bank which forms the opposite side of the

ramp. The widening would involve removal of a small elevated, upland

bank bordering the entire downstream side of the boat ramp. The bank is

currently dominated by a canopy of mature loblolly pine (Pinus taeda),

and a midstory and understory of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua),

willow oak (Quercus phellos), water oak (Q. nigra), southern red oak

(Q. falcata), American holly (Ilex opaca) and scattered herbaceous

vegetation. This modification would make the available barge access at

the ramp approximately 60 feet wide. Merchantable timber would be

salvaged and other vegetative cover removed. The stabilization would

entail activities (e.g., removal of the overhanging bank and

stabilization with riprap) to arrest ongoing bank erosion present on

the upstream side of the ramp. Approximately 3,700 cubic yards of soil

would be removed to accomplish the widening and bank stabilization. The

entire area in question is located within the 100-year floodplain.

Permitting under both Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and

Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act would be required to implement

the proposed action.

The bridge construction across Lower Three Runs would be necessary

to enable use of the shorter transportation route from the off-loading

site to the CNS Barnwell facility. The existing bridges at that stream

crossing do not have sufficient load capacity to support the subject

trailered shipments. The proposed crossing structure would include

construction of graveled access roads and ramps on either side of the

stream corridor. These ramps would consist of pre-stressed concrete

piles, concrete caps, concrete retaining walls, and riprap. The bridge

span would consist of removable beams which would only be placed to

support transport of shipments along this proposed route. Placement of

fill materials within the existing SRS Road B right-of-way would be

necessary to develop the access roads on either side of the stream

crossing. Small wetland, drainage features exist within the proposed

new access road right-of-way and ramp locations on both sides of Lower

Three Runs stream corridor. The total wetland areas on the east and

west sides of the stream corridor are approximately 0.5 and 0.8 acres,

respectively. These wetlands are characterized by an emergent marsh

habitat dominated by cattail (Typha latifolia), sedge (Cyperus spp.),

bulrush (Scirpus spp.), rush (Juncus spp.), and pickerelweed

(Pontederia spp.). Hydrology is provided through channeled storm water

runoff from the roadway right-of-way and the area below the toe of the

Par Pond dam. The soils appear to be largely erosional sediment. Most

of the project area on the east side of the stream and approximately

one-quarter of the area on the west side are located within the 100-

year floodplain. This proposed action would be authorized by the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers under a CWA Section 404 Nationwide permit.

A number of mitigation activities would be implemented to minimize

potential impacts to the floodplain and wetlands. Operation of

construction equipment in the wetland and floodplain areas would be

minimized. Temporary access for construction vehicles and equipment

would entail the placement of mats on the wetland areas. Silt fences

and other erosion control structures as needed would be installed to

ensure there is no deposition in the downslope wetland areas. Wetland

acreage that is impacted as a result of the aforementioned fill

activities adjacent to Lower Three Runs will require permitted

mitigation.

Additionally, an erosion 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 will occur due to erosion and

[[Page 44001]]

sedimentation. Best management practices would be employed during

construction and maintenance activities associated with this proposed

action.

In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain

and wetland environmental review requirements (title 10 CFR part 1022),

DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment for this proposed

DOE action. The assessment will be included in the environmental

assessment (EA) being prepared for the proposed action in accordance

with the requirements of NEPA. A floodplain statement of findings will

be included in any finding of no significant impact that is issued

following the completion of the EA or may be issued separately.

Issued in Aiken, SC, on August 4, 1997.

Lowell E. Tripp,

Director, Engineering and Analysis Division, Savannah River Operations

Office.

[FR Doc. 97-21793 Filed 8-15-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-M