81 FR 62105 - Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Dam Safety Modification Report, Bluestone Dam, Hinton, Summers County, WV
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 174 (September 8, 2016)
| Page Range | 62105-62106 | |
| FR Document | 2016-21570 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 62105-62106] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-21570] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Dam Safety Modification Report, Bluestone Dam, Hinton, Summers County, WV AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement--public and agency comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), Huntington District prepared a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) to disclose potential impacts to the natural, physical, and human environment resulting from modifications to Bluestone Dam. The original EIS was published in 1998 and a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in 1999 concluding the NEPA process allowing the Corps to initiate implementation of the Bluestone Dam Safety Assurance (DSA) Project. When completed, the current modifications under construction will strengthen the dam's stability and allow for increased discharge capacity through the use of hydropower penstocks substantially reducing risk. However, physical modeling and expert analysis conducted during project construction indicated the downstream bedrock is vulnerable to an unacceptable degree of erosion during high flow events. The Corps has also recognized potential for unacceptable erosion associated with overtopping of areas of the dam not designed to be overtopped. After a full consideration of alternatives to achieve acceptable risk levels, this SDEIS recommends implementing modifications to the existing stilling basin to prevent scour that could result in spillway instability and thus dam failure. Modification may include alteration to the existing stilling basin to include installation of a concrete apron, larger baffles, and would also include non-structural risk management measures. This SDEIS also addresses the prolonged construction duration of modification features described in the original EIS and ROD. DATES: The review period will be open from September 1, 2016 to October 17, 2016. ADDRESSES: Send written comments and suggestions concerning this proposed project to Rebecca Rutherford, Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Planning Branch, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502 Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701-2070. Telephone: 304- 399-5924. Electronic mail: [email protected]. Requests to be placed on the mailing list should also be sent to this address. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Authority: Bluestone Dam and Reservoir was authorized by Executive [[Page 62106]] Order (E.O.) 7183 in 1935 and the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938 for the purposes of flood control, low flow augmentation, and hydroelectric power development. The purposes were later expanded to include recreational activities under the Flood Control Act of 1944 and fish and wildlife enhancement under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) of 1958. 2. Background: a. Guidance for this study is provided in USACE Engineer Regulation (ER) 1110-2-1156 (October 2011). This guidance details agency policy and procedures for the study and implementation process addressing dam safety issues. b. Bluestone Lake is a multipurpose component of the Kanawha River basin system which provides for flood control, recreation, power development, low flow augmentation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. The project began operation in 1949 and helps control a 4,565 square mile drainage area. c. The ROD, signed in 1999, completed the NEPA process for the DSA project permitting the Huntington District to begin detailed design and subsequent construction of the recommended alternative which included a 13 foot cantilever wall on top of the dam, an additional concrete monolith on the east abutment, a floodgate closure across WV Rt. 20, removable closures at each end of the spillway, high strength anchors placed into the dam itself, massive concrete blocks placed against the downstream face of the dam, and a pavement for scour protection downstream of the hydropower penstocks. The majority of the ongoing construction on these measures will continue through the year 2019. The ROD for this work anticipated construction would be completed 2005. d. Physical modeling and expert analysis conducted during project construction has shown the downstream bedrock is vulnerable to erosion during high flow events as a result of deficiencies with the current stilling basin configuration. This potential erosion creates an unacceptable level of risk according to guidelines established in ER 1110-2-1156, under which this study is being conducted. e. The SDEIS and Dam Safety Modification report (DSMR) will consider the structural integrity of the dam, its ability to accommodate flood waters as well as transportation, noise, terrestrial, aquatic, economic, environmental justice and cultural resource issues associated with the performance of the dam. The SDEIS and DSMR will recommend any modifications necessary to ensure the long-term safe performance of the structure as originally intended. f. Modifications to meet current acceptable risk guidelines per ER 1110-2-1156 may include, modification of the existing stilling basin, modification of other dam components, construction of an alternative/ auxiliary stilling basin, construction of an alternative/auxiliary spillway and non-structural measures or other actions to prevent overtopping. The No Action alternative will also be considered. As required by NEPA and Corps planning guidance, the No Action alternative will form a benchmark from which alternatives are evaluated and compared. 3. Public Participation: a. The SDEIS will be made available to the public in the affected area for forty-five (45) days for review and comment. A Notice of Availability will be advertised in affected area newspapers informing the general public about the SDEIS public review period. The SDEIS and draft ROD can be viewed at: http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/PublicReview.aspx. Copies of the SDEIS and draft ROD may be obtained by contacting the Huntington District Office of the Corps of Engineers at (304) 399-5924 (See ADDRESSES). All persons and organizations that have an interest in the Bluestone Dam Project are urged to participate in this SDEIS review and comment period. Upon the close of the comment period, USACE will consider all comments and if necessary conduct further analysis. Additionally, the Corps will conduct public meetings to gain input from interested agencies, organizations, and the general public concerning the content, issues, and impacts of the SDEIS, a separate Notice of Intent will be published in the Federal Register for this action. Prior to the meeting, a public notice will be distributed to agencies, organizations, and the general public, informing interested parties of the date and location for the public meeting. The Corps invites full public participation to promote open communication and better decision-making. 4. Schedule: The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be released for public review and comment on or about September 1, 2016. The Final Report and Final Supplemental EIS are tentatively scheduled to be completed in May 2017. Rebecca A. Rutherford, Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Planning Branch. [FR Doc. 2016-21570 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices 62105
Counsel the meeting date so that they may be ACTION: Supplemental Draft
—Air Force Defense Appellate made available to the Judicial Environmental Impact Statement—
Division Counsel Proceedings Panel for their public and agency comment period.
—Navy-Marine Corps Defense consideration prior to the meeting.
Appellate Division Counsel Written comments should be submitted SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
—Coast Guard Defense Appellate via email to the Judicial Proceedings Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Division Counsel U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps),
Panel at whs.pentagon.em.mbx.judicial-
—2:30–4:00 Service Government Huntington District prepared a
panel@mail.mil in the following
Appellate Divisions’ Perspectives on Supplemental Draft Environmental
formats: Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft
Victims’ Appellate Rights Impact Statement (SDEIS) to disclose
Word. Please note that since the Judicial potential impacts to the natural,
—Army Government Appellate Proceedings Panel operates under the
Division Counsel physical, and human environment
provisions of the Federal Advisory resulting from modifications to
—Air Force Government Appellate Committee Act, as amended, all written
Division Counsel Bluestone Dam. The original EIS was
comments will be treated as public published in 1998 and a Record of
—Navy-Marine Corps Government documents and will be made available
Appellate Division Counsel Decision (ROD) was signed in 1999
for public inspection. If members of the concluding the NEPA process allowing
—Coast Guard Government Appellate
public are interested in making an oral the Corps to initiate implementation of
Division Counsel
statement pertaining to the agenda for the Bluestone Dam Safety Assurance
—4:00–4:30 Public Comment
that public meeting, a written statement (DSA) Project. When completed, the
—4:30 Meeting Adjourned
must be submitted as above along with current modifications under
Availability of Materials for the a request to provide an oral statement. construction will strengthen the dam’s
Meeting: A copy of the September 23, After reviewing the written comments stability and allow for increased
2016 public meeting agenda and any and the oral statement, the Chairperson discharge capacity through the use of
updates or changes to the agenda,
and the Designated Federal Officer will hydropower penstocks substantially
including individual speakers not
determine who of the requesting reducing risk. However, physical
identified at the time of this notice, as
persons will be able to make an oral modeling and expert analysis conducted
well as other materials provided to
presentation of their issue during the during project construction indicated
Panel members for use at the public
public comment portion of this meeting. the downstream bedrock is vulnerable
meeting, may be obtained at the meeting
Determination of who will be making an to an unacceptable degree of erosion
or from the Panel’s Web site at http://
oral presentation is at the sole discretion during high flow events. The Corps has
jpp.whs.mil.
of the Committee Chair and the also recognized potential for
Public’s Accessibility to the Meeting:
Designated Federal Officer and will unacceptable erosion associated with
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b and 41 CFR
depend on time available and relevance overtopping of areas of the dam not
102–3.140 through 102–3.165, and the
to the Panel’s activities for that meeting, designed to be overtopped. After a full
availability of space, this meeting is
and on a first-come basis. When consideration of alternatives to achieve
open to the public. Seating is limited
approved in advance, oral presentations acceptable risk levels, this SDEIS
and is on a first-come basis. Visitors are
by members of the public will be recommends implementing
required to sign in at the One Liberty
permitted from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on modifications to the existing stilling
Center security desk and must leave a
September 23, 2016 in front of the Panel basin to prevent scour that could result
government-issued photo identification
members. in spillway instability and thus dam
on file while in the building.
failure. Modification may include
Department of Defense Common Access Committee’s Designated Federal alteration to the existing stilling basin to
Card (CAC) holders who do not have Officer: The Panel’s Designated Federal include installation of a concrete apron,
authorized access to One Liberty Center Officer is Ms. Maria Fried, Department larger baffles, and would also include
must provide an alternate form of of Defense, Office of the General non-structural risk management
government-issued photo identification Counsel, 1600 Defense Pentagon, Room measures. This SDEIS also addresses the
to leave on file with security while in 3B747, Washington, DC 20301–1600. prolonged construction duration of
the building. All visitors must pass
Dated: September 2, 2016. modification features described in the
through a metal detection security
original EIS and ROD.
screening. Aaron Siegel,
Special Accommodations: Individuals DATES: The review period will be open
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
requiring special accommodations to Officer, Department of Defense. from September 1, 2016 to October 17,
access the public meeting should 2016.
[FR Doc. 2016–21611 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am]
contact the Judicial Proceedings Panel at ADDRESSES: Send written comments and
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
whs.pentagon.em.mbx.judicial-panel@ suggestions concerning this proposed
mail.mil at least five (5) business days project to Rebecca Rutherford, Chief,
prior to the meeting so that appropriate DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Environmental Analysis Section,
arrangements can be made. Planning Branch, U.S. Army Corps of
Procedures for Providing Public Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, 502
Comments: Pursuant to 41 CFR 102– Engineers Eighth Street, Huntington, WV 25701–
3.140 and section 10(a)(3) of the Federal 2070. Telephone: 304–399–5924.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Draft Supplemental Environmental Electronic mail: BluestoneDamDSA@
public or interested organizations may Impact Statement for the Dam Safety usace.army.mil. Requests to be placed
submit written comments to the Panel Modification Report, Bluestone Dam, on the mailing list should also be sent
about its mission and topics pertaining Hinton, Summers County, WV to this address.
to this public session. Written SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
comments must be received by the JPP AGENCY:Department of the Army, U.S. 1. Authority: Bluestone Dam and
at least five (5) business days prior to Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. Reservoir was authorized by Executive
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![62106 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / Notices
Order (E.O.) 7183 in 1935 and the Flood long-term safe performance of the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Control Acts of 1936 and 1938 for the structure as originally intended.
purposes of flood control, low flow f. Modifications to meet current Department of the Army, Corps of
augmentation, and hydroelectric power acceptable risk guidelines per ER 1110– Engineers
development. The purposes were later 2–1156 may include, modification of the
expanded to include recreational existing stilling basin, modification of Notice of Intent To Prepare a Joint
activities under the Flood Control Act of other dam components, construction of Environmental Impact Statement/
1944 and fish and wildlife enhancement an alternative/auxiliary stilling basin, Environmental Impact Report for the
under the Fish and Wildlife construction of an alternative/auxiliary Proposed Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee
Coordination Act (FWCA) of 1958. spillway and non-structural measures or Setback Project, Yolo County, CA
2. Background: a. Guidance for this other actions to prevent overtopping. AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S.
study is provided in USACE Engineer The No Action alternative will also be Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
Regulation (ER) 1110–2–1156 (October considered. As required by NEPA and ACTION: Notice of intent.
2011). This guidance details agency Corps planning guidance, the No Action
policy and procedures for the study and alternative will form a benchmark from SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of
implementation process addressing dam which alternatives are evaluated and Engineers (USACE), Sacramento
safety issues. compared. District, as the lead agency under the
b. Bluestone Lake is a multipurpose 3. Public Participation: a. The SDEIS National Environmental Policy Act
component of the Kanawha River basin will be made available to the public in (NEPA), and the California Department
system which provides for flood control, the affected area for forty-five (45) days of Water Resources (DWR), as the lead
recreation, power development, low for review and comment. A Notice of agency under the California
flow augmentation, and fish and Availability will be advertised in Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), will
wildlife enhancement. The project affected area newspapers informing the prepare a joint Environmental Impact
began operation in 1949 and helps general public about the SDEIS public Statement/Environmental Impact Report
control a 4,565 square mile drainage review period. The SDEIS and draft (EIS/EIR) for the Lower Elkhorn Setback
area. ROD can be viewed at: http:// Levee Project. DWR is the project
c. The ROD, signed in 1999, www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/ proponent and may be referred to as the
completed the NEPA process for the PublicReview.aspx. Copies of the SDEIS Applicant or Requester.
DSA project permitting the Huntington and draft ROD may be obtained by The EIS/EIR will analyze DWR’s
District to begin detailed design and contacting the Huntington District proposed action to implement a flood
subsequent construction of the Office of the Corps of Engineers at (304) risk management project in the Lower
recommended alternative which 399–5924 (See ADDRESSES). All persons Elkhorn Basin in Yolo County,
included a 13 foot cantilever wall on top and organizations that have an interest California. Because the proposed action
of the dam, an additional concrete in the Bluestone Dam Project are urged would alter Federal levees, permission
monolith on the east abutment, a to participate in this SDEIS review and from USACE is required under Section
floodgate closure across WV Rt. 20, comment period. Upon the close of the 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act
removable closures at each end of the comment period, USACE will consider (Section 408) (33 U.S.C. 408). The
spillway, high strength anchors placed all comments and if necessary conduct proposed action would also affect
into the dam itself, massive concrete further analysis. waters of the United States and require
blocks placed against the downstream Additionally, the Corps will conduct a permit from USACE under Section 404
face of the dam, and a pavement for public meetings to gain input from of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344).
scour protection downstream of the interested agencies, organizations, and DATES: Submit written comments by
hydropower penstocks. The majority of the general public concerning the
the ongoing construction on these October 7, 2016.
content, issues, and impacts of the ADDRESSES: Written comments and
measures will continue through the year SDEIS, a separate Notice of Intent will
2019. The ROD for this work anticipated suggestions concerning the scope and
be published in the Federal Register for content of the environmental
construction would be completed 2005. this action. Prior to the meeting, a
d. Physical modeling and expert information may be submitted to Mr.
public notice will be distributed to Tyler Stalker, email at spk-pao@
analysis conducted during project agencies, organizations, and the general
construction has shown the downstream usace.army.mil; or surface mail at U.S.
public, informing interested parties of Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento
bedrock is vulnerable to erosion during the date and location for the public
high flow events as a result of District, Attn: Public Affairs Office
meeting. The Corps invites full public (CESPK–PAO), 1325 J Street,
deficiencies with the current stilling participation to promote open
basin configuration. This potential Sacramento, CA 95814–2922. Requests
communication and better decision- to be placed on the electronic or surface
erosion creates an unacceptable level of making.
risk according to guidelines established mail notification lists should also be
4. Schedule: The Draft Supplemental
in ER 1110–2–1156, under which this sent to this address.
Environmental Impact Statement is
study is being conducted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
scheduled to be released for public
e. The SDEIS and Dam Safety review and comment on or about Tanis Toland at (916) 557–6717, or by
Modification report (DSMR) will September 1, 2016. The Final Report email at tanis.j.toland@usace.army.mil.
consider the structural integrity of the and Final Supplemental EIS are SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
dam, its ability to accommodate flood 1. Proposed Action. The proposed
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
tentatively scheduled to be completed
waters as well as transportation, noise, in May 2017. Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback
terrestrial, aquatic, economic, Project would include levee setbacks to
environmental justice and cultural Rebecca A. Rutherford, widen portions of the Yolo and
resource issues associated with the Chief, Environmental Analysis Section, Sacramento Bypasses to increase
performance of the dam. The SDEIS and Planning Branch. conveyance capacity and reduce flood
DSMR will recommend any [FR Doc. 2016–21570 Filed 9–7–16; 8:45 am] risk. The project would be part of a
modifications necessary to ensure the BILLING CODE 3720–58–P series of proposed flood risk
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:12:18
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:12:18
| 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 | Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement--public and agency comment period. | |
| Dates | The review period will be open from September 1, 2016 to October 17, 2016. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 62105 |
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