[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58407-58409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-23465]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Los Alamos
Site Operations; Floodplain Statement of Findings for the Proposed
Access Control and Traffic Improvements at Los Alamos National
Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
AGENCY: National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Los Alamos
Site Operations, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Floodplain Statement of Findings.
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SUMMARY: This Floodplain Statement of Findings is for the construction
and operation of proposed access control and traffic improvements at
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Construction actions could occur
near and over the floodplains of Mortandad and Los Alamos Canyons;
there would be no action within established wetland areas (see Figure
1). In accordance with 10 CFR Part 1022, the Department of Energy
(DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Los
Alamos Site Operations has prepared a floodplain/wetland assessment and
will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or
minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplains.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Withers, U.S. Department of
Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Office of Los Alamos
Site Operations, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Telephone (505)
667-8690; facsimile (505) 667-9998; or electronic address:
[email protected]. For Further Information on General DOE Floodplain
Environmental Review Requirements, contact: Carol M. Borgstrom,
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, EH-42, Department of
Energy, 100 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington DC 20585-0119.
Telephone (202) 586-4600 or (800) 472-2756, facsimile (202) 586-7031.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with DOE regulations for
compliance with floodplain and wetlands environmental review
requirements (10 CFR part 1022), NNSA prepared a floodplain/wetland
assessment for this action. The NNSA included the floodplain/wetland
assessment document as part of an Environmental Assessment issued on
July 23, 2002 by the NNSA. No comments were received on the proposed
floodplain action.
Project Description: NNSA considered a proposal for the
construction of various access control and traffic improvements to be
installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). One of the elements
of the proposed action would be the construction of a short road around
the east side of Technical Area 3 at LANL along the mesa tops. Bridges
would be constructed from either side of the road to span over
floodplains located at the heads of Mortandad and Sandia Canyons. No
actions would be taken directly in the floodplains nearby. This project
is estimated to occur over the next three years from 2003 through 2005.
Alternatives: The No Action Alternative was considered. Under the
No Action Alternative access control into LANL would continue to be
provided by the implementation of temporary measures as needed. No
safety improvements of the intersections would be undertaken.
Floodplain Impacts: The proposed action would have the potential
for minimal impacts on the floodplains. Should a rain event occur
during construction activities, there may be some sediment movement
down canyon because of the loosened condition of the soil from the
clearing and construction activities.
Floodplain Mitigation: Placement of Best Management Practices (such
as silt fences, straw bales or wattles, or wooden or rock structures to
slow down water runoff and run-on at cleared sites) at the construction
areas and post-construction reseeding and re-vegetation of the
construction sites will minimize soil disturbance and reduce or prevent
the potential for soil erosion. Upon completion of the construction
activities the downstream flow and function of the floodplain will not
be impeded. No debris will be left at the work site. No vehicle
maintenance or fueling within 100 feet of the floodplain would occur.
Any sediment movement from the sites would be short term and temporary.
Issued in Los Alamos, NM on September 9, 2002.
E. Dennis Martinez,
Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security
Administration, Los Alamos Site Office.
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[FR Doc. 02-23465 Filed 9-13-02; 8:45 am]
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