[Federal Register: May 8, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 88)]
[Notices]
[Page 21666-21667]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08my09-56]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Rescission of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed
Dam Powerhouse Rehabilitations and Possible Operational Changes at the
Wolf Creek, Center Hill, and Dale Hollow Dams, Kentucky and Tennessee
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
[[Page 21667]]
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Nashville District published its
intention to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement relating to
proposed dam powerhouse rehabilitations and possible operational
changes at the Wolf Creek, Center Hill, and Dale Hollow Dams in
Kentucky and Tennessee. Instead, the Corps has decided to evaluate
impacts associated with Center Hill Dam powerhouse rehabilitation with
an Environmental Assessment (EA). Separate EAs will also be prepared
for powerhouse rehabilitations at Wolf Creek and Dale Hollow Dams in
the future. Each of these rehabilitation projects are unconnected
stand-alone projects that will occur at different times and in
different geographic areas.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this
proposed project to Chip Hall, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville
District, P.O. Box 1070, Nashville, TN 37202-1070. Electronic mail:
hydropower.rehab@Lrn02.usace.army.miL. Requests to be placed on the
mailing list should also be sent to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chip Hall, Telephone: 615-736-7666.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. Background. The hydropower major rehabilitation evaluation study
for Center Hill Dam was conducted under the authorities of ER 1130-
2.500, December 27, 1996, Partners and Support (Work Management
Policies), Chapter 3--Major Rehabilitation Program; EP 1130-2.500,
December 27, 1996, Partners and Support (Work Management Policies),
Chapter 3--Major Rehabilitation Program; and EC 11-2-179, March 13,
2000, Corps of Engineers Civil Works Directorate Program, Program
Development Guidance, Fiscal Year 2000. Key proposed project features
or issues that were evaluated in the DEIS included the following:
a. Rehabilitation of turbines including installation of Auto
Venting Turbines to improve dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the
tailwaters.
b. Providing minimum releases to ensure continuous flows between
periods of generation.
c. Evaluating the effects of increased tailwater flows on
downstream resources, and changes to the hydraulics and hydrology of
the rivers.
d. Other alternatives to be studied included: No Action;
restoration to the ``original'' 1948 condition; refurbishing existing
units; oxygenating water in the dam forebays prior to release; and
releasing water through the sluice gates.
2. Public Participation. This study was originally initiated in
2003, at which time a Scoping Letter was issued to all known interested
individuals and a Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal
Register on September 25, 2003 (68 FR 55376). Due to funding
constraints the study was stopped in 2004 before a Draft EIS could be
prepared. The study was reinitiated in November 2007 and a second NOI
published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2007 (72 FR 65950). A
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was distributed to
pertinent federal and state agencies and a Notice of Availability was
placed in the Federal Register in April 11, 2008 (73 FR 19834).
3. Changes during the Environmental Review Process. Since the DEIS
was distributed to the public, it was determined that turbine
operations, post proposed power plant rehabilitations, would be subject
to the existing Water Control Manuals which govern how each Dam and
Reservoir Project and the Cumberland System as a whole is operated. The
turbines would be capable of discharging more water; however, turbine
gate settings will limit discharges under non-spilling operations to
previously existing rates. This significantly reduces the potential
impacts of the alternatives being evaluated as flows during normal
hydropower generation would be unchanged. However, during extreme flood
control situations, it is possible that water that was previously
spilled from the project could be passed through a turbine. At the
onset of the DEIS, potentially higher hydropower discharge rates were
being considered for normal post-rehab operations. The DEIS did not
take this limitation on flows into account.
It was also determined that because Dale Hollow Dam did not have
any specific recommendations or proposals for rehab, it is premature
for it to have been included with Center Hill and Wolf Creek projects.
Therefore, it was determined that the DEIS should be rescinded and that
an Environmental Assessment should be prepared to determine any
significant impacts related to Center Hill Hydropower Rehabilitation
Project.
4. Schedule. It is anticipated that an Environmental Assessment
will be prepared for the Center Hill Hydropower Rehabilitation Project
and will be available for Public Review by June 2009.
Bernard R. Lindstrom,
Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer.
[FR Doc. E9-10731 Filed 5-7-09; 8:45 am]
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