83 FR 17541 - Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dam Safety Modification Study Report for Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County, Tennessee
DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 77 (April 20, 2018)
| Page Range | 17541-17542 | |
| FR Document | 2018-08291 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 17541-17542] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-08291] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Dam Safety Modification Study Report for Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County, Tennessee AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Intent. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District (USACE) is preparing a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support the Dam Safety Modification Study Report (DSMSR) for Center Hill Dam. The study would evaluate the main dam spillway gate operability, the saddle dam fuse plug operation, and spillway additions to the new Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) berm structure at the saddle dam, all for the purpose of lowering risk at Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County, Tennessee. DATES: Comments regarding the NOI must be received by USACE within 30 days of publication of the NOI on or before May 20, 2018. ADDRESSES: USACE-Nashville District, 110 9th Avenue South, RM 405A, Nashville, Tennessee 37203-3817. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please direct your comments to Joy Broach, Aquatic Biologist, (615) 736-7956; email: joy.i.broach@usace.army.mil. Written comments can be mailed to the address above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background Information. Center Hill Dam was designed in the 1930s, constructed in the 1940s, and impounded in the early 1950s. The dam was built on karst geology using accepted engineering practices of the day. Center Hill Dam consists of a 248' high by 1,400' long combination earthen embankment and concrete main dam, and a 125' high by 800' long earthen embankment auxiliary dam referred to as the saddle dam. The main dam has eight 34' x 57' spillway gates that rotate upward to safely pass flow during and after large rainfall events. To comply with updated design flood guidance, a self-eroding fuse plug section was retrofitted into the top of the saddle dam in 1992 to serve as an emergency spillway. The fuse plug operation almost doubles Center Hill's total spillway capacity to keep the main dam from overtopping during an extreme flood event. A Dam Safety Modification Study to reduce the risk of a foundation seepage dam failure was approved in late 2006 and consisted of three major construction contracts beginning in 2008. The first contract injected concrete grout into the foundation of the main dam embankment (soil portion of the dam) and was completed in 2010. The second contract installed a concrete barrier wall into the main dam embankment and was completed in 2015. This concrete barrier wall is the permanent seepage barrier protection for the main dam embankment. The third major contract for construction of a Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) berm below the saddle dam began in September 2016 and is on-going. The purpose of the RCC berm is to reduce the risk of saddle dam failure caused by under-seepage or overtopping during an extreme flood event. A Post Implementation Evaluation (PIE) was completed in 2017 to assess the effectiveness of the above construction [[Page 17542]] efforts to reduce the risk of dam failure. During the PIE, additional risk issues were noted concerning the 70-year old main dam spillway gates. Electrical, mechanical and structural operability issues affect the reliability of controlled spillway releases. If the spillway gates do not reliably operate during an extreme flood event, the reservoir would raise and potentially result in a premature fuse plug operation. The fuse plug is designed to discharge approximately 400,000 cubic feet per second within 30 minutes. The consequences of premature discharge of an enormous volume of flood water are estimated to be above the Corps of Engineer's tolerable risk limit. The draft EIS would address the findings of the PIE and assess effectiveness of potential alternatives to further reduce risk and increase dam safety. The dam seepage repair construction contracts noted previously, have increased dam safety and were covered under previous NEPA documents. 2. Potential Alternatives. The draft EIS would address an array of alternatives that could reduce the risk of life loss, extensive downstream damage, functional loss of the project, and the loss of project benefits. The nature and extent of the alternatives would be determined based on the results of on-going engineering studies, public and agency input during the scoping period, and preparation of the draft EIS. Alternatives, either individually or in combination, that have potential to affect structures or operations of the dam may include the following: a. Replacement of the current gate machinery with hydraulic machinery that can operate under water; b. Addition of equipment to the current spillway gates to keep them open if the operating machinery is underwater; c. Modification of the spillway gates or gate machinery to allow operation from the top of the dam; d. Relocation of the gate operating machinery to the road level, which would require raising or relocating Highway 96 which currently crosses over the dam; e. Removal of the existing fuse plug at the saddle dam and installation of spillway additions on top of the newly constructed RCC Berm to discharge flood water down the valley; f. Modification of the emergency operations plan in the water control manual that determines how to manage floods at Center Hill Dam; and g. Other alternatives as identified by on-going engineering studies, the public, and agencies. 3. Issues To Be Addressed. USACE is evaluating ways of raising, modifying, and/or replacing existing spillway gates and operating equipment to address spillway gate reliability for all range of possible flood events, especially large and more extreme flood events. The DSMSR and draft EIS would evaluate the Center Hill Dam Water Control Manual emergency operating procedures and potential alternative spillway options to determine if changes are warranted to minimize overall dam safety risk. The draft EIS would include, but is not limited to identification and evaluation of effects to aquatic and terrestrial habitats, cultural resources, state and federally listed species, socioeconomics, public safety, structures, hydrology and hydraulics, recreation, water supply, water quality, flood storage, hydropower production, land use, visual and aesthetic resources, and dam safety risk reduction at Center Hill Dam as a result of the proposed alternatives. 4. Public Involvement and Scoping. This NOI serves as the initial step to involve Federal and state agencies, Indian Tribes, local governments, and the public in an early and transparent process in accordance with NEPA requirements. The draft EIS would address impacts to the human environment due to the proposed alternatives. Concerns would be identified based on public and agency input during the scoping process and during preparation of the draft EIS. All interested parties are encouraged to submit their name and email address to the address noted above, to be placed on the project mailing list to receive fact sheets, newsletters and related public notices. All interested parties are invited to identify issues that should be addressed in the draft EIS. A scoping meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at The Buffalo Valley Community Center, 2717 Buffalo Valley School Road, Buffalo Valley, Tennessee. The purpose of the public scoping meeting is to present information to the public regarding potential alternatives that would be addressed in the draft EIS, receive public comments, and to solicit input regarding dam safety concerns, alternatives to consider, and environmental or social issues of concern to the public. 6. Availability of the Draft EIS. USACE intends to circulate the draft EIS in the late 2018/early 2019 time frame. USACE will announce availability of the draft EIS in the Federal Register and other media, and will provide interested parties an opportunity to submit comments to be addressed in the final EIS. Dated: April 13, 2018. Angela E. Dunn, Project Planning Branch Chief, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District. [FR Doc. 2018-08291 Filed 4-19-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices 17541
Annual Report to Congress on Future Authorization Change Report (PACR) is to the new Roller Compacted Concrete
Water Resources Development; and required to be completed to support (RCC) berm structure at the saddle dam,
• If the proposal was included in the potential modifications, updates to all for the purpose of lowering risk at
Annual Report table in a previous project costs, and an increase to the 902 Center Hill Dam, DeKalb County,
Report to Congress on Future Water limit. Authority to undertake a 902 Tennessee.
Resources Development, then the study is inherent in the project DATES: Comments regarding the NOI
proposal is not eligible to be included authority, so no authority is required to must be received by USACE within 30
in the Annual Report table. If a proposal proceed with the study. Since these days of publication of the NOI on or
was previously included in an appendix PACRs support project modifications, before May 20, 2018.
it may be re-submitted. they may be considered for inclusion in ADDRESSES: USACE-Nashville District,
5. If authorized, could be carried out the Annual Report if a report’s 110 9th Avenue South, RM 405A,
by the USACE. recommendation requires Congressional Nashville, Tennessee 37203–3817.
• Whether following the USACE authorization.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chief’s Report process or Section 7001 The Secretary shall include in the
Please direct your comments to Joy
of WRRDA 2014, a proposal for a project Annual Report to Congress on Future
Broach, Aquatic Biologist, (615) 736–
or a project modification would need a Water Resources Development a
7956; email: joy.i.broach@
current decision document to provide certification stating that each feasibility
usace.army.mil. Written comments can
updated information on the scope of the report, proposed feasibility study, and
be mailed to the address above.
potential project and demonstrate a proposed modification to an authorized
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1.
clear Federal interest. This water resources development project or
determination would include an feasibility study included in the Annual Background Information. Center Hill
assessment of whether the proposal is: Report meets the criteria established in Dam was designed in the 1930s,
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014. constructed in the 1940s, and
—Technically sound, economically impounded in the early 1950s. The dam
viable and environmentally Please contact the appropriate district
office or use the contact information was built on karst geology using
acceptable. accepted engineering practices of the
—Compliant with environmental and above for assistance in researching and
identifying existing authorizations and day. Center Hill Dam consists of a 248′
other laws including but not limited high by 1,400′ long combination earthen
to National Environmental Policy Act, existing USACE decision documents.
Those proposals that do not meet the embankment and concrete main dam,
Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone and a 125′ high by 800′ long earthen
Management Act, and the National criteria will be included in an appendix
table included in the Annual Report to embankment auxiliary dam referred to
Historic Preservation Act. as the saddle dam. The main dam has
—Compliant with statutes and Congress on Future Water Resources
Development. Proposals in the appendix eight 34′ x 57′ spillway gates that rotate
regulations related to water resources upward to safely pass flow during and
development including various water table will include a description of why
those proposals did not meet the after large rainfall events. To comply
resources provisions related to the with updated design flood guidance, a
authorized cost of projects, level of criteria.
self-eroding fuse plug section was
detail, separable elements, fish and Dated: April 13, 2018. retrofitted into the top of the saddle dam
wildlife mitigation, project James C. Dalton, in 1992 to serve as an emergency
justification, matters to be addressed Director of Civil Works. spillway. The fuse plug operation
in planning, and the 1958 Water [FR Doc. 2018–08292 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am] almost doubles Center Hill’s total
Supply Act. BILLING CODE 3720–58–P spillway capacity to keep the main dam
Feasibility study proposals submitted from overtopping during an extreme
by non-Federal interests are for the flood event. A Dam Safety Modification
study only. If Congressional DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE Study to reduce the risk of a foundation
authorization of a feasibility study seepage dam failure was approved in
results from inclusion in the Annual Department of the Army, Corps of late 2006 and consisted of three major
Report, it is anticipated that such Engineers construction contracts beginning in
authorization would be for the study, 2008. The first contract injected
not for construction. Once a decision Intent To Prepare a Draft concrete grout into the foundation of the
document is completed in accordance Environmental Impact Statement for main dam embankment (soil portion of
with Executive Branch policies and the Dam Safety Modification Study the dam) and was completed in 2010.
procedures, the Secretary will Report for Center Hill Dam, DeKalb The second contract installed a concrete
determine whether to recommend the County, Tennessee barrier wall into the main dam
project for authorization. AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, embankment and was completed in
All water resources development DoD. 2015. This concrete barrier wall is the
projects must meet certain requirements ACTION: Notice of Intent. permanent seepage barrier protection for
before proceeding to construction. the main dam embankment. The third
These requirements include: (1) That SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National major contract for construction of a
the project is authorized for Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) berm
construction by Congress; (2) that the 1969, as amended, the U.S. Army Corps below the saddle dam began in
Secretary, or other appropriate official, of Engineers, Nashville District (USACE) September 2016 and is on-going. The
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
has approved a current decision is preparing a draft Environmental purpose of the RCC berm is to reduce
document; and, (3) that the funds for Impact Statement (EIS) to support the the risk of saddle dam failure caused by
project construction have been Dam Safety Modification Study Report under-seepage or overtopping during an
appropriated and are available. (DSMSR) for Center Hill Dam. The study extreme flood event. A Post
Section 902 of WRDA 1986 would evaluate the main dam spillway Implementation Evaluation (PIE) was
establishes a maximum authorized cost gate operability, the saddle dam fuse completed in 2017 to assess the
for projects (902 limit). A Post plug operation, and spillway additions effectiveness of the above construction
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![17542 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 77 / Friday, April 20, 2018 / Notices
efforts to reduce the risk of dam failure. 3. Issues To Be Addressed. USACE is comments to be addressed in the final
During the PIE, additional risk issues evaluating ways of raising, modifying, EIS.
were noted concerning the 70-year old and/or replacing existing spillway gates Dated: April 13, 2018.
main dam spillway gates. Electrical, and operating equipment to address Angela E. Dunn,
mechanical and structural operability spillway gate reliability for all range of
Project Planning Branch Chief, U.S. Army
issues affect the reliability of controlled possible flood events, especially large Corps of Engineers, Nashville District.
spillway releases. If the spillway gates and more extreme flood events. The
[FR Doc. 2018–08291 Filed 4–19–18; 8:45 am]
do not reliably operate during an DSMSR and draft EIS would evaluate
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
extreme flood event, the reservoir would the Center Hill Dam Water Control
raise and potentially result in a Manual emergency operating
premature fuse plug operation. The fuse procedures and potential alternative
plug is designed to discharge spillway options to determine if changes DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
approximately 400,000 cubic feet per are warranted to minimize overall dam
Bonneville Power Administration
second within 30 minutes. The safety risk. The draft EIS would include,
consequences of premature discharge of but is not limited to identification and Melvin R. Sampson Hatchery, Yakima
an enormous volume of flood water are evaluation of effects to aquatic and Basin Coho Project
estimated to be above the Corps of terrestrial habitats, cultural resources,
Engineer’s tolerable risk limit. The draft state and federally listed species, AGENCY: Bonneville Power
EIS would address the findings of the socioeconomics, public safety, Administration (BPA), Department of
PIE and assess effectiveness of potential structures, hydrology and hydraulics, Energy (DOE).
alternatives to further reduce risk and recreation, water supply, water quality, ACTION: Record of Decision (ROD).
increase dam safety. The dam seepage flood storage, hydropower production,
repair construction contracts noted land use, visual and aesthetic resources, SUMMARY: The Bonneville Power
previously, have increased dam safety and dam safety risk reduction at Center Administration (BPA) has decided to
and were covered under previous NEPA Hill Dam as a result of the proposed implement the Proposed Action as
documents. alternatives. described in the Melvin R. Sampson
Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project
2. Potential Alternatives. The draft 4. Public Involvement and Scoping.
Final Environmental Impact Statement
EIS would address an array of This NOI serves as the initial step to
(EIS) (DOE/EIS–0522, November 27,
alternatives that could reduce the risk of involve Federal and state agencies,
2017). Under the Proposed Action, BPA
life loss, extensive downstream damage, Indian Tribes, local governments, and
will fund the construction and
functional loss of the project, and the the public in an early and transparent
operation of the Melvin R. Sampson
loss of project benefits. The nature and process in accordance with NEPA
Hatchery (MRS Hatchery) in the Yakima
extent of the alternatives would be requirements. The draft EIS would
Basin in central Washington. Operation
determined based on the results of on- address impacts to the human
of the MRS Hatchery will involve
going engineering studies, public and environment due to the proposed
production of up to 700,000 coho
agency input during the scoping period, alternatives. Concerns would be
salmon for release in the Yakima River
and preparation of the draft EIS. identified based on public and agency
and its subbasin, the Naches River. The
Alternatives, either individually or in input during the scoping process and
hatchery will be owned and operated by
combination, that have potential to during preparation of the draft EIS. All
the Confederated Tribes and Bands of
affect structures or operations of the interested parties are encouraged to
the Yakama Nation (Yakama Nation)
dam may include the following: submit their name and email address to
and will be constructed on land owned
a. Replacement of the current gate the address noted above, to be placed on
by the Yakama Nation northwest of
machinery with hydraulic machinery the project mailing list to receive fact
Ellensburg in Kittitas County,
that can operate under water; sheets, newsletters and related public
Washington.
b. Addition of equipment to the notices. All interested parties are
current spillway gates to keep them invited to identify issues that should be ADDRESSES: This ROD will be available
open if the operating machinery is addressed in the draft EIS. A scoping to all interested parties and affected
underwater; meeting is scheduled for May 3, 2018 persons and agencies. It is being sent to
c. Modification of the spillway gates from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at The Buffalo all stakeholders who requested a copy.
or gate machinery to allow operation Valley Community Center, 2717 Buffalo Copies of the Melvin R. Sampson
from the top of the dam; Valley School Road, Buffalo Valley, Hatchery, Yakima Basin Coho Project
d. Relocation of the gate operating Tennessee. The purpose of the public Draft and Final EISs and additional
machinery to the road level, which scoping meeting is to present copies of this ROD are available from
would require raising or relocating information to the public regarding BPA’s Public Information Center, P.O.
Highway 96 which currently crosses potential alternatives that would be Box 3621, Portland, Oregon 97208.
over the dam; addressed in the draft EIS, receive Copies of these documents may also be
e. Removal of the existing fuse plug at public comments, and to solicit input obtained by using BPA’s nationwide
the saddle dam and installation of regarding dam safety concerns, toll-free document request line: 1–800–
spillway additions on top of the newly alternatives to consider, and 622–4520, or by accessing the project
constructed RCC Berm to discharge environmental or social issues of website at www.bpa.gov/goto/Melvin
flood water down the valley; concern to the public. SampsonHatchery.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
f. Modification of the emergency 6. Availability of the Draft EIS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
operations plan in the water control USACE intends to circulate the draft EIS Dave Goodman, Bonneville Power
manual that determines how to manage in the late 2018/early 2019 time frame. Administration—ECF–4, P.O. Box 3621,
floods at Center Hill Dam; and USACE will announce availability of the Portland, Oregon, 97208–3621; toll-free
g. Other alternatives as identified by draft EIS in the Federal Register and telephone number 1–800–622–4519; fax
on-going engineering studies, the other media, and will provide interested number 503–230–5699; or email
public, and agencies. parties an opportunity to submit jdgoodman@bpa.gov.
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Document Created: 2018-04-20 00:02:46
Document Modified: 2018-04-20 00:02:46
| 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 regarding the NOI must be received by USACE within 30 days of publication of the NOI on or before May 20, 2018. | |
| Contact | Please direct your comments to Joy Broach, Aquatic Biologist, (615) 736-7956; email: [email protected] Written comments can be mailed to the | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 17541 |
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