[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50424-50425]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19520]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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

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