81 FR 11344 - Environmental Impact Statement-Multiple Reservoirs Land Management Plans

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 42 (March 3, 2016)

Page Range		11344-11346
FR Document		2016-04745

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing the impacts of alternative plans for managing public lands on eight TVA reservoirs in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee: Chickamauga, Fort Loudoun, Great Falls, Kentucky, Nickajack, Normandy, Wheeler and Wilson. TVA also proposes to use the information included in these eight reservoir land management plans (RLMP) to revise its Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan. Public comment is invited concerning the scope of the EIS, including the appropriate uses for TVA-managed public lands on these reservoirs and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part of this EIS.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11344-11346]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04745]


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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Environmental Impact Statement--Multiple Reservoirs Land 
Management Plans

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) intends to prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing the impacts of 
alternative plans for managing public lands on eight TVA reservoirs in 
Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee: Chickamauga, Fort Loudoun, Great 
Falls, Kentucky, Nickajack, Normandy, Wheeler and Wilson. TVA also 
proposes to use the information included in these eight reservoir land 
management plans (RLMP) to revise its Comprehensive Valleywide Land 
Plan. Public comment is invited concerning the scope of the EIS, 
including the appropriate uses for TVA-managed public lands on these 
reservoirs and environmental issues that should be addressed as a part 
of this EIS.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Matthew Higdon, Tennessee 
Valley Authority, 400 West Summit Hill Drive (WT11D), Knoxville, 
Tennessee 37902. Comments may also be emailed to [email protected] or 
submitted on the TVA Web site at: https://www.tva.com/Environment/Environmental-Stewardship/Environmental-Reviews.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the EIS process, 
contact Matthew Higdon, NEPA Specialist, by email at [email protected], 
or by phone at (865) 632-8051. For information about the reservoir land 
plans, contact Heather Montgomery by email at [email protected] or by 
phone at (256) 386-3803.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice is provided in accordance with 
the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 
to 1508) and TVA's procedures for implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 
800).
    TVA is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States, 
established by an act of Congress in 1933, to foster the social and 
economic welfare of the people of the Tennessee Valley region and to 
promote the proper use and conservation of the region's natural 
resources. Shortly after its creation, TVA began a dam and reservoir 
construction program that required the purchase of approximately 1.3 
million acres of land for the creation of 46 reservoirs within the 
Tennessee Valley region. Most of these lands are located underneath the 
water of the reservoir system or have since been sold by TVA or 
transferred to other state or federal agencies. Today, approximately 
293,000 acres of land along TVA reservoirs are managed by TVA for the 
benefit of the public.

Reservoir Land Management Plans

    TVA's eight RLMPs will address management of approximately 138,222 
acres of TVA-managed public lands surrounding the following reservoirs: 
Chickamauga, Fort Loudon, Great Falls, Nickajack and Normandy in 
Tennessee; Wheeler and Wilson in Alabama; and Kentucky in Tennessee and 
Kentucky. In the EIS, TVA will consider the potential environmental 
impacts of the eight RLMPs and the allocation of

[[Page 11345]]

reservoir parcels to one of seven land use zones: Non-TVA Shoreland, 
Project Operations, Sensitive Resource Management, Natural Resource 
Conservation, Industrial, Developed Recreation and Shoreline Access. 
These allocations will then be used to guide the types of activities 
that will be considered on each parcel of land. Proposed allocations 
will take into account past land use allocations, current land uses, 
existing land rights (easements, leases, etc.), public needs, the 
presence of sensitive environmental resources, and TVA policies. The 
RLMPs and parcel allocations would establish clear blueprints for 
future management of the public land TVA manages on these reservoirs.
    TVA has developed a proposed RLMP for each reservoir and made 
initial land use zone allocations for each reservoir parcel. These 
proposed RLMPs are the result of TVA's initial review of the suitable 
uses of parcels at each reservoir and will be considered as an Action 
Alternative in the EIS. TVA invites the public to review the proposed 
plans and parcel allocations on the TVA Web site during the scoping 
period and to submit comments, questions or suggestions on its 
proposal. Additional Action Alternative(s) may be developed based on 
public input submitted to TVA during the scoping period. If multiple 
Action Alternatives are considered, the primary difference between 
alternatives would be the amount of land allocated to each of these 
zones. Typically, lands currently committed to a specific use would be 
allocated in the RLMP to that current use; however, changes that 
support TVA goals and objectives will be considered. Committed lands 
include those subject to existing long-term easements, leases, licenses 
and contracts; lands with outstanding land rights; and lands that are 
necessary for TVA project operations.
    In the EIS, TVA will also consider a No Action alternative, under 
which TVA would continue to rely on previous land planning designations 
or current management of parcels. Of the eight reservoirs, seven have 
land use plans that were developed using different methodology and land 
use categories. Two reservoirs (Fort Loudoun and Normandy) were planned 
using TVA's Forecast System in the 1960s or 1970s; four reservoirs 
(Chickamauga, Kentucky, Nickajack, and Wheeler) were planned in the 
1980s and 1990s under the Multiple-Use Tract Allocation Methodology. A 
land plan has never been developed for Great Falls Reservoir, and only 
a portion of Wilson Reservoir has been planned previously. TVA will 
apply the single-use allocation methodology in developing new RLMPs for 
the eight reservoirs. Once completed, all TVA land plans will be based 
on the same methodology, ensuring that future management policies can 
be consistently applied across the region, as intended under TVA's 2011 
Natural Resource Plan.

Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan

    In its Natural Resource Plan, TVA established a Comprehensive 
Valleywide Land Plan (CVLP) to guide uses of the 293,000 acres of TVA-
managed property on 46 reservoirs. The CVLP identifies target ranges 
for different types of land use allocations for the region. When 
establishing the CVLP in 2011, TVA based these ranges on parcel 
allocations from existing plans as well as ``rapid assessments,'' which 
were initial allocation designations of reservoir parcels conducted in 
order to establish an initial CVLP target range. Since 2011, TVA has 
conducted more thorough assessments of parcels on the eight reservoirs 
and found in many cases that the initial allocations do not accurately 
reflect actual uses of parcels, the presence of sensitive resources, or 
existing land rights or restrictions for parcels. Incorporating these 
corrections into the proposed RLMPs would necessitate minor revisions 
to the CVLP target ranges. Therefore, as part of this planning effort, 
TVA proposes to revise the CVLP ranges accordingly to the zone 
allocations proposed in the Action Alternative(s). The proposed 
revisions to the CVLP target ranges do not reflect a change to any 
other decisions made by TVA in its Natural Resource Plan. TVA remains 
committed to implementing its Natural Resource Plan and meeting the 
goals and objectives of the CVLP.
    In addition to the Natural Resource Plan, this planning process is 
necessary to comply with TVA's Land Policy (2006), which governs the 
planning, retention and disposal of land under TVA's stewardship. The 
reservoir land planning process provides a consistent method of 
evaluating suitable uses of TVA public land in a manner that 
systematically incorporates information, analyses, and input from the 
public, stakeholders, partners and TVA specialists, and protects 
significant resources (including threatened and endangered species, 
cultural resources, wetlands, unique habitats, natural areas, water 
quality and the visual character of the reservoir). This planning 
effort is also consistent with TVA's Shoreline Management Initiative 
(SMI). The EIS will tier from the Final EIS for the SMI (1998), which 
evaluated alternative policies for managing residential shoreline 
development on TVA reservoirs. Residential shoreline properties occur 
on the eight reservoirs, and the proposed RLMPs will not affect the 
policies for their management.

Scoping Process

    Public scoping is integral to the process for implementing NEPA and 
ensures that issues are identified early and properly studied; issues 
of little significance do not consume substantial time and effort; and 
analysis is thorough and balanced. TVA's NEPA procedures require that 
the scoping process commence soon after a decision has been reached to 
prepare an EIS to ensure an early and open process for determining the 
scope and for identifying the significant issues related to a proposed 
action. TVA anticipates that the major issues addressed in the EIS 
include water quality, water supply, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, 
endangered and threatened species, wetlands, prime farmlands, 
floodplains, recreation, aesthetics including visual resources, land 
use, historic and archaeological resources and socioeconomic resources.
    TVA invites members of the public as well as Federal, state, and 
local agencies and Native American tribes to comment on the scope of 
the EIS. Comments on the scope should be submitted no later than the 
date given under the DATES section of this notice. Pursuant to the 
regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, TVA also solicits comments on the 
potential of the proposed Plan to affect historic properties. This 
notice also provides an opportunity under Executive Orders 11990 and 
11988 for early public review of the potential for TVA's Plan to affect 
wetlands and floodplains, respectively. Please note, any comments 
received, including names and addresses, will become part of the 
administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
    After consideration of the public's input and analyzing the 
environmental consequences of each alternative, TVA will issue a draft 
EIS for public review and comment. TVA will notify the public of the 
draft EIS' availability and plans to hold public meetings during the 
review period. TVA expects to release the draft EIS and associated 
RLMPs in late 2016 and the final EIS and RLMPs in 2017. Once the NEPA 
review is completed, the final RLMPs and revised CVLP allocations will 
be submitted to the TVA Board of Directors for approval and adopted as 
guidelines for management of TVA public land consistent with the 
agency's

[[Page 11346]]

responsibilities under the TVA Act of 1933.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

Wilbourne (Skip) C. Markham,
Director, Environmental Permitting and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2016-04745 Filed 3-2-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2016 / Notices 11345

reservoir parcels to one of seven land methodology in developing new RLMPs reservoirs. Residential shoreline
use zones: Non-TVA Shoreland, Project for the eight reservoirs. Once completed, properties occur on the eight reservoirs,
Operations, Sensitive Resource all TVA land plans will be based on the and the proposed RLMPs will not affect
Management, Natural Resource same methodology, ensuring that future the policies for their management.
Conservation, Industrial, Developed management policies can be
Scoping Process
Recreation and Shoreline Access. These consistently applied across the region,
allocations will then be used to guide as intended under TVA’s 2011 Natural Public scoping is integral to the
the types of activities that will be Resource Plan. process for implementing NEPA and
considered on each parcel of land. ensures that issues are identified early
Comprehensive Valleywide Land Plan
Proposed allocations will take into and properly studied; issues of little
account past land use allocations, In its Natural Resource Plan, TVA significance do not consume substantial
current land uses, existing land rights established a Comprehensive time and effort; and analysis is thorough
(easements, leases, etc.), public needs, Valleywide Land Plan (CVLP) to guide and balanced. TVA’s NEPA procedures
the presence of sensitive environmental uses of the 293,000 acres of TVA- require that the scoping process
resources, and TVA policies. The managed property on 46 reservoirs. The commence soon after a decision has
RLMPs and parcel allocations would CVLP identifies target ranges for been reached to prepare an EIS to
establish clear blueprints for future different types of land use allocations ensure an early and open process for
management of the public land TVA for the region. When establishing the determining the scope and for
manages on these reservoirs. CVLP in 2011, TVA based these ranges identifying the significant issues related
TVA has developed a proposed RLMP on parcel allocations from existing plans to a proposed action. TVA anticipates
for each reservoir and made initial land as well as ‘‘rapid assessments,’’ which that the major issues addressed in the
use zone allocations for each reservoir were initial allocation designations of EIS include water quality, water supply,
parcel. These proposed RLMPs are the reservoir parcels conducted in order to aquatic and terrestrial ecology,
result of TVA’s initial review of the establish an initial CVLP target range. endangered and threatened species,
suitable uses of parcels at each reservoir Since 2011, TVA has conducted more wetlands, prime farmlands, floodplains,
and will be considered as an Action thorough assessments of parcels on the recreation, aesthetics including visual
Alternative in the EIS. TVA invites the eight reservoirs and found in many resources, land use, historic and
public to review the proposed plans and cases that the initial allocations do not archaeological resources and
parcel allocations on the TVA Web site accurately reflect actual uses of parcels, socioeconomic resources.
during the scoping period and to submit the presence of sensitive resources, or
existing land rights or restrictions for TVA invites members of the public as
comments, questions or suggestions on
parcels. Incorporating these corrections well as Federal, state, and local agencies
its proposal. Additional Action
into the proposed RLMPs would and Native American tribes to comment
Alternative(s) may be developed based
necessitate minor revisions to the CVLP on the scope of the EIS. Comments on
on public input submitted to TVA
target ranges. Therefore, as part of this the scope should be submitted no later
during the scoping period. If multiple
planning effort, TVA proposes to revise than the date given under the DATES
Action Alternatives are considered, the
the CVLP ranges accordingly to the zone section of this notice. Pursuant to the
primary difference between alternatives
allocations proposed in the Action regulations of the Advisory Council on
would be the amount of land allocated
Alternative(s). The proposed revisions Historic Preservation implementing
to each of these zones. Typically, lands
currently committed to a specific use to the CVLP target ranges do not reflect Section 106 of the NHPA, TVA also
would be allocated in the RLMP to that a change to any other decisions made by solicits comments on the potential of
current use; however, changes that TVA in its Natural Resource Plan. TVA the proposed Plan to affect historic
support TVA goals and objectives will remains committed to implementing its properties. This notice also provides an
be considered. Committed lands include Natural Resource Plan and meeting the opportunity under Executive Orders
those subject to existing long-term goals and objectives of the CVLP. 11990 and 11988 for early public review
easements, leases, licenses and In addition to the Natural Resource of the potential for TVA’s Plan to affect
contracts; lands with outstanding land Plan, this planning process is necessary wetlands and floodplains, respectively.
rights; and lands that are necessary for to comply with TVA’s Land Policy Please note, any comments received,
TVA project operations. (2006), which governs the planning, including names and addresses, will
In the EIS, TVA will also consider a retention and disposal of land under become part of the administrative record
No Action alternative, under which TVA’s stewardship. The reservoir land and will be available for public
TVA would continue to rely on previous planning process provides a consistent inspection.
land planning designations or current method of evaluating suitable uses of After consideration of the public’s
management of parcels. Of the eight TVA public land in a manner that input and analyzing the environmental
reservoirs, seven have land use plans systematically incorporates information, consequences of each alternative, TVA
that were developed using different analyses, and input from the public, will issue a draft EIS for public review
methodology and land use categories. stakeholders, partners and TVA and comment. TVA will notify the
Two reservoirs (Fort Loudoun and specialists, and protects significant public of the draft EIS’ availability and
Normandy) were planned using TVA’s resources (including threatened and plans to hold public meetings during
Forecast System in the 1960s or 1970s; endangered species, cultural resources, the review period. TVA expects to
four reservoirs (Chickamauga, Kentucky, wetlands, unique habitats, natural areas, release the draft EIS and associated
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Nickajack, and Wheeler) were planned water quality and the visual character of RLMPs in late 2016 and the final EIS
in the 1980s and 1990s under the the reservoir). This planning effort is and RLMPs in 2017. Once the NEPA
Multiple-Use Tract Allocation also consistent with TVA’s Shoreline review is completed, the final RLMPs
Methodology. A land plan has never Management Initiative (SMI). The EIS and revised CVLP allocations will be
been developed for Great Falls will tier from the Final EIS for the SMI submitted to the TVA Board of Directors
Reservoir, and only a portion of Wilson (1998), which evaluated alternative for approval and adopted as guidelines
Reservoir has been planned previously. policies for managing residential for management of TVA public land
TVA will apply the single-use allocation shoreline development on TVA consistent with the agency’s

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11346 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2016 / Notices

responsibilities under the TVA Act of ADDRESSES: Send comments on this Specialist, ASW–640D, 10101 Hillwood
1933. document to Mr. Cameron Bryan, Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76177.
Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7. Federal Aviation Administration, Acting Telephone (817) 222–5644.
Manager, Texas Airports Development SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
Wilbourne (Skip) C. Markham, Office, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort notice announces that the FAA has
Director, Environmental Permitting and Worth, TX 76177. given its overall approval to the noise
Compliance. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. compatibility program for Lafayette
[FR Doc. 2016–04745 Filed 3–2–16; 8:45 am] Bill Welstead, Aviation Director, City of Regional Airport, effective November
BILLING CODE 8120–01–P Fort Worth, 4201 N. Main St. Suite 200, 23, 2015.
Fort Worth, TX 76106, telephone (817) Under section 47504 of the Act, an
392–5400, or Mr. Anthony Mekhail, airport operator who has previously
Federal Aviation Administration, Texas submitted a noise exposure map may
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Airports Development Program submit to the FAA a noise compatibility
Manager, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Fort program which sets forth the measures
Federal Aviation Administration taken or proposed by the airport
Worth, TX 76177, telephone (817) 222–
5663, FAX (817) 222–5989. Documents operator for the reduction of existing
Public Notice for Waiver for non-compatible land uses and
Aeronautical Land-Use Assurance at reflecting this FAA action may be
reviewed at the above locations. prevention of additional non-compatible
Fort Worth Spinks Airport, Fort Worth, land uses within the area covered by the
TX Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on 15 January, noise exposure maps. The Act requires
2016.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation such programs to be developed in
Ignacio Flores, consultation with interested and
Administration, DOT.
Manager, Airports Division, FAA, Southwest affected parties including local
ACTION: Notice of intent for Waiver of Region.
Aeronautical Land-Use. communities, government agencies,
[FR Doc. 2016–04737 Filed 3–2–16; 8:45 am] airport users, and FAA personnel.
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation BILLING CODE P Each airport noise compatibility
Administration (FAA) is considering a program developed in accordance with
proposal to change a portion of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 150 is a local program, not a Federal
airport from aeronautical use to
nonaeronautical use and to authorize program. The FAA does not substitute
Federal Aviation Administration its judgment for that of the airport
the conversion of the airport property.
The proposal consists of one parcel of Noise Compatibility Program Notice, proprietor with respect to which
land containing a total of approximately measures should be recommended for
Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette,
2.583. action. The FAA’s approval or
Louisiana
The property was acquired using City disapproval of FAR Part 150 program
and FAA funds through the AIP AGENCY: Federal Aviation recommendations is measured
Program from 1983–1987. The land Administration, DOT. according to the standards expressed in
comprising this parcel is outside the ACTION: Notice. Part 150 and the Act and is limited to
forecasted need for aviation the following determinations:
SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation a. The noise compatibility program
development and, thus, is no longer
Administration (FAA) announces its was developed in accordance with the
needed for indirect or direct
findings on the noise compatibility provisions and procedures of FAR Part
aeronautical use. The airport wishes to
program submitted by Lafayette Airport 150;
develop this land for compatible b. Program measures are reasonably
commercial, nonaeronautical use. The Commission under the provisions of 49
U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise consistent with achieving the goals of
income from the conversion of this reducing existing non-compatible land
parcel will benefit the aviation Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to
as ‘‘the Act’’) and 14 CFR part 150. uses around the airport and preventing
community by reinvestment in the the introduction of additional non-
airport. These findings are made in recognition
of the description of Federal and compatible land uses;
Approval does not constitute a c. Program measures would not create
commitment by the FAA to financially nonfederal responsibilities in Senate
Report No. 96–52 (1980). On April 4, an undue burden on interstate or foreign
assist in the conversion of the subject commerce, unjustly discriminate against
airport property nor a determination of 2012, the FAA determined that the
noise exposure maps submitted by types or classes of aeronautical uses,
eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from violate the terms of airport grant
the FAA. The disposition of proceeds Lafayette Airport Commission under
Part 150 were in compliance with agreements, or intrude into areas
from the conversion of the airport preempted by the Federal Government;
property will be in accordance with applicable requirements. On November
23, 2015, the FAA approved the and
FAA’s Policy and Procedures d. Program measures relating to the
Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, Lafayette Regional Airport noise
compatibility program. Both of the use of flight procedures can be
published in the Federal Register on implemented within the period covered
February 16, 1999. In accordance with recommendations of the program were
approved. by the program without derogating
Section 47107(h) of Title 49, United
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

safety, adversely affecting the efficient
States Code, this notice is required to be DATES: The effective date of the FAA’s use and management of the navigable
published in the Federal Register 30 approval of the Lafayette Regional airspace and air traffic control systems,
days before modifying the land-use Airport noise compatibility program is or adversely affecting other powers and
assurance that requires the property to November 23, 2015. responsibilities of the Administrator
be used for an aeronautical purpose. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: prescribed by law.
DATES: Comments must be received on DOT/FAA Southwest Region, Tim Specific limitations with respect to
or before April 4, 2016. Tandy, Environmental Protection FAA’s approval of an airport noise

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Document Created: 2016-03-03 03:51:33
Document Modified: 2016-03-03 03:51:33

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of intent.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before April 4, 2016.
Contact		For information on the EIS process, contact Matthew Higdon, NEPA Specialist, by email at [email protected], or by phone at (865) 632-8051. For information about the reservoir land plans, contact Heather Montgomery by email at [email protected] or by phone at (256) 386-3803.
FR Citation		81 FR 11344