[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 73 (Monday, April 17, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 19238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-9430]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Floodplain and Wetland Involvement for Operable Unit 5 
Remedial Action at the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP)

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Fernald Area Office.

ACTION: Notice of floodplain and wetland involvement.

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SUMMARY: This is to give notice of DOE's planned actions at the Fernald 
Environmental Management Project (FEMP), located approximately 18 miles 
(29 kilometers) northwest of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The subject of 
this Notice of Involvement is Operable Unit 5 which consists of soil 
and sediment, surface water, groundwater, flora and fauna. The proposed 
Remedial Action for Operable Unit 5 will reduce risks to human health 
and the environment through the excavation of soil and sediment, 
pumping and treating contaminated groundwater, consolidating excavated 
material in an on-property engineered disposal cell, and backfilling 
excavated areas. These activities will likely impact floodplain and 
wetland areas in Hamilton County, Ohio. In accordance with 10 CFR 1022, 
``Compliance with Floodplain/Wetland Environmental Review 
Requirements,'' DOE will prepare a Floodplain/Wetland Assessment for 
the proposed Remedial Action and the appropriate Statement of Findings. 
The proposed activities will be performed in such a manner to avoid or 
minimize potential harm to or within floodplain and wetland areas.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the DOE at the following 
address on or before May 2, 1995.

ADDRESSES: For further information on this proposed action, including a 
site map, contact: 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information on general DOE 
wetland and floodplain environmental review requirements, contact: Ms. 
Carol M. 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: Remedial activities associated with Operable 
Unit 5 would include excavation activities directly impacting the 100- 
and 500-year floodplain of Paddys Run. However, these areas would be 
backfilled and regraded to approximately original contours, thereby 
eliminating permanent impacts. Construction of a disposal cell 
stormwater control channel would result in some increase in flows to 
Paddys Run during rain events, however, these increased flow events 
would not result in significant direct or indirect impacts to the 
floodplain.
    Impacts to wetlands as a result of the proposed Remedial Action 
would be limited to less than 6 hectares (15 acres) of emergent and 
drainage ditch wetlands. Direct impacts would result from excavation 
and equipment operation, and indirect impacts would result from such 
things as soil runoff. Forested wetlands in the northern portion of the 
site are not expected to be impacted.
    Proposed actions affecting these areas are subject to substantive 
requirements of laws, regulations, and orders pertaining to wetlands 
and floodplains protection. Additionally, Executive Order (E.O.) 
11988--Floodplain Management--and E.O. 11990--Protection of Wetlands--
implemented by 10 CFR 1022, require federal agencies to consider the 
effects of proposed actions on floodplains and wetlands. These 
regulations require federal agencies to avoid, to the extent possible, 
adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of 
floodplains and the destruction and modification of wetlands, and to 
avoid direct or indirect support of floodplain and wetlands development 
where there is a practicable alternative. Where no practicable 
alternative exists, proposed actions must include all practicable 
measures to minimize harm. Best management practices will be utilized 
during the proposed Remedial Action in Operable Unit 5 to minimize 
impacts to wetland and floodplain areas.

    Issued in Miamisburg, Ohio on April 3, 1995.
J. Phil Hamric,
Manager, Ohio Field Office.
[FR Doc. 95-9430 Filed 4-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P