[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21507-21508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10643]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 21508]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Floodplain Statement of Findings for Operable Unit 2 Removal 
Action No. 30 at the Fernald Environmental Management Project

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This is to give notice of DOE's planned actions for the 
Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), located approximately 
18 miles (29 kilometers) northwest of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
subject of this Floodplain Statement of Findings is Operable Unit 2 
Removal Action No. 30. DOE proposes to protect human health and the 
environment by excavating contaminated sediments and constructing a 
seepage collection system to prevent leaching and infiltration of 
contaminated sediments into the Great Miami Aquifer. Excavation and 
construction activities associated with implementation of this action 
would involve a small portion of the floodplain along Paddys Run in 
Hamilton County, Ohio. In accordance with Executive Order 11988 and 10 
CFR 1022, DOE prepared a floodplain assessment describing the effects, 
alternatives and measures designed to avoid or minimize potential harm 
to or within the affected floodplain. The assessment found that the 
proposed action would have minimal temporary or long-term impacts on 
the floodplain.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the DOE at the following 
address on or before May 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments and/or requests for further information, 
including a site map, to: Mr. Wally Quaider, Acting Associate Director, 
Office of Safety & Assessment, U.S. Department of Energy, Fernald Area 
Office, P.O. Box 538705, Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8705, Phone: (513) 648-
3137, Facsimile: (513) 648-3077.

FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information on general DOE floodplain 
and wetland environmental review requirements, contact: Ms. Carol 
Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance, EH-42, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 
20585, Phone: (202) 586-4600 or 1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for 
Operable Unit 2 Removal Action No. 30 at the FEMP has been prepared in 
accordance with Executive Order 11988, ``Floodplain Management,'' and 
10 CFR Part 1022, ``DOE Regulations for Compliance with Floodplain/
Wetland Environmental Review Requirements.'' A Notice of Floodplain 
Involvement was published in the Federal Register (FR) on April 13, 
1995 (60 FR 18805) and a Floodplain Assessment was incorporated in the 
Removal Action No. 30 Work Plan. DOE is proposing to protect human 
health and the environment by excavating contaminated sediments (in the 
low area in the southeast corner of the South Field) to prevent 
leaching of contaminated sediments into the Great Miami Aquifer, and by 
constructing a seepage collection system to prevent infiltration of 
contaminated sediments into the Great Miami Aquifer. In order to 
eliminate the threat of a release to Paddy's Run, limited excavation 
would occur in the floodplain. Direct physical impact to the floodplain 
would result from the operation of heavy equipment during excavation of 
contaminated sediments and construction of a sump/pump station and 
portion of a discharge line within the floodplain. Potential indirect 
impacts to the 100- and 500-year floodplain, as a result of removal 
activities involving the Inactive Flyash Pile and South Field, include 
surface water runoff and sedimentation loading into the floodplain. 
Several alternatives were considered and evaluated in making this 
determination, including no-action, removal of sediment/construction of 
a seepage interceptor system, and sediment removal/construction of a 
seepage collection system (i.e., the preferred alternative). Direct and 
indirect impacts would occur during the implementation of any action 
alternative considered. However, minimal or no change in flood 
elevations would be expected. The proposed removal action has been 
designed to conform to applicable Federal and State regulations, 
including floodplain protection standards. Before this action begins, 
approval would be obtained from the Federal and State agencies having 
jurisdiction.
    DOE has determined that there is no practicable alternative to the 
proposed removal action and that this action has been designed to 
minimize harm to the 100- and 500-year floodplain of Paddys Run. 
Engineering controls (e.g., silt fences, straw bales) will minimize any 
indirect impacts such as runoff and sediment deposition to the 
floodplain. Backfilling activities following the Operable Unit 2 
Removal Action will eliminate any long-term adverse impacts.

    Issued in Miamisburg, Ohio on April 19, 1995.
George R. Gartrell,
Acting Deputy Manager, Ohio Field Office.
[FR Doc. 95-10643 Filed 5-1-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M