[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 37 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10422-10423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-4558]



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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Environmental Impact Statement: Use of Lands Acquired for the 
Columbia Dam Component of the Duck River Project

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), in cooperation with 
the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency, will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on alternative uses of lands 
acquired as part of the Columbia Dam component of the Duck River 
Project. The project cannot be completed as a dam and reservoir due to 
the presence of endangered species. The EIS will consider the 
environmental impacts of a range of alternative uses of TVA-owned 
project lands, including the protection of resident endangered species 
and potential development of a recreational waterway between Iron 
Bridge Road boat ramp to Carpenter's Bridge (River Mile 137 to River 
Mile 165). With this notice, TVA is inviting comments on the scope of 
the EIS.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 22, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to Dale V. Wilhelm, NEPA Liaison, 
Tennessee Valley Authority, WT 8C, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, 
Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jack L. Davis, Manager, Water Resource Projects, Tennessee Valley 
Authority, WT 10C, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 
37902-1499, phone 615/632-4678.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: TVA and local entities began a cooperative 
effort in 1964 to advance economic growth and provide an adequate and 
dependable water supply in the Duck River watershed (in Maury, 
Marshall, Bedford, and Coffee Counties, middle Tennessee). While the 
state-chartered Tennessee Duck River Development Agency worked to 
develop a water supply system to connect the five largest cities in the 
watershed, TVA was requested to investigate water resource development. 
In 1965, TVA concluded that multipurpose reservoir development on the 
Duck River mainstem offered the best potential for meeting the area's 
needs. The construction of dams on the river would control flooding, 
create water supply sources, and provide opportunities for water-based 
recreation. Eventually, two dam sites were identified: a downstream dam 
proposed to be built at Duck River Mile 136.7, near Columbia, and an 
upstream dam to be built at River Mile 248.6, near Normandy. After 
further study, these two dam and reservoir projects were presented in a 
1968 planning report as components of a combined Duck River Project.
    Following the enactment of NEPA, TVA issued a draft EIS on the 
project in June 1971. A public hearing on the proposed project was held 
in August 1971 and a final EIS on the Duck River Project (TVA-OHES-EIS-
72-5) was issued in April 1972. This EIS was supplemented in June 1974 
to correct identified deficiencies. Construction of the 3,230-acre 
Normandy Dam and Reservoir component was completed in 1976 and is 
currently in operation.
    Construction of the 12,600-acre Columbia Dam and Reservoir 
component of the project began in 1973. Completion of this component 
was slowed and, in 1983, halted because consultation with the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service indicated that the reservoir could jeopardize the 
continued existence of two endangered species. These two species, the 
birdwing pearly mussel and the Cumberland monkeyface pearly mussel, had 
been listed as endangered in 1975 under provisions of the 1973 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). Subsequent fieldwork and ESA listings 
have indicated that two additional endangered mussel species (tan 
riffleshell and pale lilliput pearly mussel) and an endangered plant 
(leafy prairie clover) also occur in the project area. Other species 
known to occur in the area have been proposed for endangered status or 
are identified [[Page 10423]] candidates for possible ESA listing. 
Under the ESA, the presence of several endangered species in the 
project reach of the Duck River will prevent TVA from being able to 
complete this component of the project as a dam and reservoir.
    The purpose of this Notice is to solicit comments on the scope of 
the EIS. TVA anticipates the range of alternatives will include no 
action (retaining project lands in their current condition and use) and 
one or more options using some project lands for protective corridor 
and recreational development along the river accompanied by the 
disposal of other land tracts. Potentially important issues likely to 
be discussed in the EIS include:

1. Impacts on terrestrial and aquatic life, including endangered and 
threatened species;
2. Impacts on recreation and other land uses;
3. Impacts on water quality and quantity;
4. Impacts on public water supplies;
5. Impacts on floodplains, wetlands, and prime farm land;
6. Impacts on archaeological and historical resources;
7. Socioeconomic and cultural effects.

    This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, nor is it intended 
to be a predetermination of impacts. As preparation of the EIS 
proceeds, other issues may be revealed which will warrant detailed 
analysis.
    The Tennessee Duck River Development Agency has agreed to 
participate in this EIS as a cooperating agency. Other agencies, such 
as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, also may become cooperating agencies.
    TVA invites interested persons and agencies to comment on the scope 
of this EIS. TVA also requests comments on environmental issues which 
should not be viewed as important and which should not be discussed in 
detail in the EIS. A public meeting will be held in the Duck River area 
on April 18, 1995 at 7:00 CDT at the Culleoka School, Culleoka, 
Tennessee to receive oral comments about the scope of this EIS. Details 
about this meeting will be announced later in area newspapers. Comments 
received at the meeting will be accorded the same weight as written 
comments.
    After the scoping process and the initial environmental analysis 
are completed, TVA will prepare a draft EIS on this proposed action. A 
Notice of Availability of this draft will be published in the Federal 
Register and area newspapers. Public comments on the draft EIS will be 
solicited. Those persons who choose not to comment on the scope of the 
EIS but wish to receive a copy of the draft for their review and 
comment should send their names and addresses to Dale V. Wilhelm at the 
address presented above. TVA anticipates releasing a final EIS on this 
project in August 1996.

    Dated: February 17, 1995.
Kathryn J. Jackson,
Senior Vice President, Resource Group.
[FR Doc. 95-4558 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-01-M