2 August 2002
Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html

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[Federal Register: August 2, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 149)]
[Notices]
[Page 50424-50425]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02au02-42]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Floodplain and Wetlands Statement of Findings for the Proposed
Deactivation and Demolition of the Zone 13 Sewage Treatment Plant at
the Pantex Plant, Amarillo, TX

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain and wetlands statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This is a Floodplain and Wetlands Statement of Findings for
the demolition of a decommissioned sewage

[[Page 50425]]

treatment plant located on the Pantex Plant in Carson County, 17 miles
northeast of Amarillo, Texas, in accordance with 10 CFR part 1022,
Compliance with Floodplain/Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements.
A floodplain and wetlands assessment was conducted that evaluated the
potential impacts of this project. The floodplain and wetlands
assessment describes the possible effects, alternatives, and measures
designed to avoid or minimize potential harm to the floodplain and
wetlands or their flood storage potential. DOE will allow 15 days of
public review after publication of the Statement of Findings before
implementation of the Proposed Action.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda G. Finley, Public Affairs
Officer, U.S. DOE/NNSA, Office of Amarillo Site Operations, P.O. Box
30020, Amarillo, Texas 79120-0020, (806) 477-3120, (806) 477-6641
(FAX).
    For Further Information on General DOE Floodplain/Wetlands
Environmental Review Requirements, Contact: Carol M. Borgstrom,
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of
Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-
4600, (800) 472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A notice of Floodplain and Wetlands
Involvement for the Proposed Deactivation and Demolition of the Zone 13
Sewage Treatment Plant at the Pantex Plant was published in the Federal
Register on April 15, 2002 (67 FR 18182); and, subsequently, a
floodplain and wetlands assessment was prepared. The floodplain and
wetlands assessment documented the floodplain and wetlands communities
that have the potential to be affected by the demolition of the Zone 13
Sewage Treatment Plant. Alternatives considered include: (1) removing
and disposing of abandoned equipment and piping; razing the buildings,
roads, and associated structures; disposing of all waste; returning the
land to the original grade, and re-establishing vegetation (the
Preferred Alternative), and (2) no action.
    With the Preferred Alternative, some minor short-term impacts could
occur during demolition and grading, which would be associated with
stormwater runoff and erosion of soil particles. To mitigate these
potential effects, erosion control measures will be installed during
demolition and grading activities; and will remain in place until
vegetative cover is established on 75 percent of the disturbed area.
Potential long-term impacts to the wetland are associated with
contaminants of concern entrained in building materials or sediments
confined to below grade sumps. Because these materials are currently
confined, and can be well controlled during demolition, the potential
for being transported to the wetlands is limited to receding
floodwaters that could inundate the area during demolition. To mitigate
this potential negative effect, the existing tailwater pit will be used
to control rising waters; and may have a pump installed to keep water
from building up in the tailwater pit. The tailwater pit has enough
volume to contain 1.26 acre feet of stormwater. The controls on the
tailwater pit will remain operational until demolition activities are
completed. Equipment and materials used during demolition and grading
will be staged in an area outside the floodplain. This proposed action
complies with State and local floodplain requirements.

    Issued in Amarillo, Texas, on July 10, 2002.
Jerry S. Johnson,
Associate Director for Environmental & Site Engineering Programs.
[FR Doc. 02-19520 Filed 8-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P