[Federal Register: April 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 72)] [Notices] [Page 18391-18392] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr15ap98-60] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Floodplain and Wetlands Involvement Notification for Implementation of the Wetland Mitigation Bank at the Savannah River Site (SRS) AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE). ACTION: Notification of floodplain and wetlands involvement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: DOE proposes to implement a wetland mitigation bank program at SRS. A wetland mitigation bank is a regulatory accounting program which provides advanced compensation for unavoidable wetland losses due to development activities. The proposed action is needed to support future projects at SRS which would require wetland impact mitigation or compensation. The proposed action is embodied in an interagency Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DOE and several Federal and State environmental regulatory agencies. In accordance with title 10 CFR Part 1022, DOE will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment and will perform this proposed action in a manner so as to avoid or minimize potential harm to or within the affected floodplain or wetlands. DATES: Comments on the proposed action due on or before April 30, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this assessment should be addressed to Andrew R. Grainger, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Officer, Savannah River Operations Office, Building 773-42A, Room 212, Aiken, South Carolina 29808. The fax/phone number is (800) 881-7292. The e-mail address is nepa@srs.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON GENERAL FLOODPLAIN/WETLANDS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REQUIREMENTS, CONTACT: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance (EH-42), U. S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone (202) 586- 4600 or (800) 472-2756. A location map showing SRS and further information can be obtained from the Savannah River Operations Office (see ADDRESSES above). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed DOE action entails the implementation of a wetland mitigation bank program at SRS, located near Aiken, South Carolina. A wetland mitigation bank is a regulatory accounting program which provides advanced compensation for unavoidable wetland losses due to development activities. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide the DOE Savannah River Operations Office (SR) with a compensatory alternative for unavoidable wetland losses associated with future authorized construction and environmental restoration projects in SRS wetlands. In addition, the proposed action would enable DOE-SR to gain credit for wetland restoration work that would not otherwise be accomplished through alternative programs or means. Future projects such as the remediation of waste sites and the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges on SRS probably will impact some wetland areas. By establishing a wetland mitigation bank prior to such impacts, DOE-SR can incorporate mitigation efforts required for new projects in a more timely manner. For future remediation and construction projects that require compensatory wetland mitigation, the bank would save the time and money needed to locate a suitable wetland for restoration and to obtain approval for its use. This proposed action would encompass both the general mitigation activities on SRS wetlands and the overall management of the resulting site ``banking'' program. In all instances, wetland impact avoidance and minimization would be employed prior to being able to use compensatory mitigation. This wetland mitigation bank would be a dedicated bank, to be used for SRS project needs only. The proposed action would be implemented in conjunction with the landscape-scale land use planning effort that is currently being developed at SRS. The existence of degraded wetlands, channelized streams, and thermally- impacted swamp forests in proximity to a large tract of high-quality forested wetlands and old-age upland forest provide DOE-SR the opportunity to develop a bank with a high probability of success. A key advantage for establishing the bank at SRS is the presence of experienced land management and research groups on site. [[Page 18392]] The scope of the proposed action is detailed in an interagency MOA between DOE-SR; the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District; the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IV); the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control; and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service will continue to coordinate with SRS wetland impact and mitigation issues, but legally was prohibited from becoming a signatory party to this MOA. The MOA established the basic components and inner workings of the SRS wetland mitigation bank. The MOA also established the mitigation banking review team, an interagency group designated to review and consult with DOE-SR regarding compensation proposals. This team consists of representatives of the same agencies which signed the MOA and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The SRS wetland mitigation bank would involve the restoration and enhancement of small isolated wetlands, as well as major wetland systems scattered throughout the site's nonindustrialized area. The primary goal of the bank would be the restoration and enhancement of degraded Carolina bays and stream-side bottomland hardwood forest on SRS. Mitigation opportunities within the industrialized area may also be explored to provide mitigation sites where feasible. During implementation of the proposed action, potential activities that could take place in floodplain and wetland areas might include grading, timber harvest (e.g., removal of overstory upland trees in drained Carolina bays), placement of soils (e.g., plugging of drainage ditches or restoration of hydric soils), planting of hydrophytic vegetation, and monitoring and maintenance efforts. Some of these activities would require temporary construction access during certain restoration/enhancement projects. A number of mitigation activities would be implemented to minimize potential impacts to the floodplain and wetland areas. Operation of construction equipment in the wetland and floodplain areas would be minimized. Depending upon the type of mechanized construction equipment to be employed, the use of platform support mats may be required to minimize the impacts to the wetland soils in the project area. Silt fences and other erosion control structures as needed would be installed to ensure there is no deposition in the downslope wetland areas. Best management practices would be employed during construction and maintenance activities associated with this proposed action. In accordance with DOE regulations for compliance with floodplain and wetland environmental review requirements (title 10 CFR Part 1022), DOE-SR will prepare a floodplain and wetlands assessment for this proposed DOE action. The assessment will be included in the environmental assessment (EA) being prepared for the proposed action in accordance with the requirements of NEPA. 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 Aiken, SC, on April 2, 1998. Lowell E. Tripp, Director, Engineering and Analysis Division, Savannah River Operations Office. [FR Doc. 98-9953 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P