[Federal Register: March 26, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 58)]
[Notices]
[Page 16451]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26mr01-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Grand Junction Office; Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement
for Ground Water Remediation Activities at Shiprock, New Mexico,
Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action Site
AGENCY: Grand Junction Office, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of Floodplain/Wetlands Involvement.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) hereby provides notice as
required by 10 CFR part 1022, to conduct ground water remediation
activities within the 100-year floodplain of the San Juan River at the
Shiprock New Mexico Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) Site,
with possible impacts to wetlands. The site is located within the
boundaries of the Navajo Indian Reservation. Activities are scheduled
to commence in 2002, and consist of installation of extraction wells
and pipeline to pump contaminated ground water from the alluvial
aquifer to an evaporation pond on the terrace, in accordance with 40
CFR part 192, ``Health and Environmental Protection Standards for
Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings''. A floodplain/wetlands assessment
has been prepared as an appendix to the environmental assessment (EA)
that analyzes the potential environmental effects of this action.
DATES: Written comments are due to the address below no later than
April 25, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Don Metzler, U.S.
Department of Energy, Grand Junction Office, 2597 B\3/4\ Road, Grand
Junction, Colorado, 81503; or transmitted by E-mail via Internet to
dmetzler@doegjpo.com; or by facsimile to (970) 248-6040.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Bergman-Tabbert, Manager, U.S.
Department of Energy--Grand Junction Office, 2597 B \3/4\ Road, Grand
Junction, Colorado 81503, Telephone 1-970-248-6001 or 1-800-399-5618,
E-mail via Internet to dbergman-tabbert@doegjpo.com, Facsimile to 1-
970-248-6023.
For Further Information on General DOE Floodplain/Wetlands
Environmental Review Requirements, Contact: Carol M. Borgstrom,
Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U.S. Department
of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)
586-4600 or (800) 472-2756.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under E.O. 11988--Floodplain Management, E.
O. 11990--Protection of Wetlands, and 10 CFR part 1022--Compliance with
Floodplain/ Wetlands Environmental Review Requirements, notice is given
that DOE is planning ground water remediation in the San Juan River
100-year floodplain north and east of the Shiprock UMTRA site.
Remediation activities include the installation of five extraction
wells in the floodplain in the most contaminated part of the plume,
pumping water via underground piping to a lined evaporation pond, and
spray-evaporating the water. The evaporation pond will be located on
the terrace above the floodplain. Water would be withdrawn from the
floodplain alluvial aquifer at the rate of 80 gallons per minute. At
this rate, modeling projects the floodplain contaminants to be reduced
to acceptable levels within 14 years.
The locations of the wells, piping, and pond will be determined in
a ground water compliance action plan, and would avoid sensitive areas
including wetlands, cultural resources, and those containing sensitive
plant and animal species.
A typical extraction well would be installed in two to three days
and would disturb an area of approximately 30' X 30'. Access to the
floodplain would utilize existing roads as much as possible. Because
the activities are located within the Navajo Reservation, all
activities will be coordinated through the Navajo Nation and other
state and federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A floodplain/wetlands
assessment has been prepared as an appendix to the Environmental
Assessment of Ground Water Compliance at the Shiprock, New Mexico,
Uranium Mill Tailings Site (March, 2001).
A floodplain statement of findings will be included in any finding
of no significant impact that is issued following the completion of the
EA or may be issued separately.
Issued in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 15, 2001.
Constance L. Soden,
Director, Environment, Safety, and Health Division, U.S. Department of
Energy, Albuquerque Operations Office.
[FR Doc. 01-7389 Filed 3-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P