Notice of Intent To Operate Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell County, KY at Below Normal Pool Levels Due to Emergency Conditions and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 5020-5021 [E7-1721]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 22 / Friday, February 2, 2007 / Notices
the development of methods to prevent
disease, injury, and disability.
The Department of Defense ‘Blanket
Routine Uses’ published at the
beginning of the Air Force’s compilation
of systems of records notices also apply
to this system.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING,
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND
DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
Paper records and on electronic
storage media.
RETRIEVABILITY:
By individual’s name, Social Security
Number or service number.
SAFEGUARDS:
Authorized medical personnel and
scientists are properly screened and
cleared for need-to-know; computer
patient records retrievable from remote
terminals are protected from
unauthorized access or alteration by a
data management system requiring a
password for access to an authorized
subset of data; database management
system permits scientists to examine
patient records without revealing the
unique patient identifiers; records are
stored in locked rooms and cabinets;
records maintained in computer storage
devices are protected by computer
system software in accordance with
Federal, Department of Defense, and Air
Force policy.
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
Paper, microfilm, and electronic files
will be destroyed when no longer
needed. Paper and microfilm records are
destroyed by tearing into pieces,
shredding, pulping, macerating or
burning.
current address, and telephone number
in a notarized document.
For personal visits, the hours of
operation are 0800–1500. Individuals
should provide current and valid photo
identification.
RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Individuals seeking access to records
about themselves should address
written inquiries to the Chief,
Biomechanics Branch, Biosciences and
Protection Division, Human
Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force
Research Laboratory, Headquarters Air
Force Material Command (AFMC), 2800
Q Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, OH 45433–7947.
For written inquiries, individuals
should provide their full name, Social
Security Number or service number,
current address, and telephone number
in a notarized document.
For personal visits, the hours of
operation are 0800–1500. Individuals
should provide current and valid photo
identification.
CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
The Air Force rules for accessing
records, and for contesting contents and
appealing initial agency determinations
are published in Air Force Instruction
33–332, Privacy Act Program; 32 CFR
part 806b; or may be obtained from the
system manager.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
Information is obtained from the
subject of the record, military personnel
records, and other medical records.
EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
[FR Doc. E7–1722 Filed 2–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS:
Chief, Biomechanics Branch, Air
Force Research Laboratory,
Headquarters Air Force Material
Command (AFMC), 2800 Q Street,
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
45433–7947.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
Individuals seeking to determine
whether this system of records contains
information about themselves should
address written inquiries to the Chief,
Biomechanics Branch, Biosciences and
Protection Division, Human
Effectiveness Directorate, Air Force
Research Laboratory, Headquarters Air
Force Material Command (AFMC), 2800
Q Street, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, OH 45433–7947.
For written inquiries, individuals
should provide their full name, Social
Security Number or service number,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Feb 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
Notice of Intent To Operate Wolf Creek
Dam, Lake Cumberland, Russell
County, KY at Below Normal Pool
Levels Due to Emergency Conditions
and Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 30 CFR 230.8, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is
issuing this Notice to document
emergency actions and set forth the
steps to be taken in the future to comply
with the National Environmental Policy
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Act (NEPA). Wolf Creek Dam impounds
Lake Cumberland in south central
Kentucky. Several engineering studies
have identified a high level of risk at
Wolf Creek Dam. Accordingly, on
January 19, 2007, the Corps made the
decision to take emergency action and
begin lowering the lake level to ease the
stress on the dam’s foundation until
repairs can be effected. This action has
been taken to reduce risk to the public’s
safety and welfare. The temporary target
elevation will be 680 feet above mean
sea level (msl) at Wolf Creek Dam. This
elevation was selected because it
provides the greatest reduction in stress
to the dam without creating other public
health and safety concerns. This
operation will be in effect until repair of
the dam or new information allows the
pool elevation to be raised. This pool
elevation may also drop if worsening
conditions create the need for even
further lowering of the pool.
The Corps believes that the need for
action regarding the Wolf Creek Dam is
so urgent and compelling that there is
no time to follow the usual NEPA
procedures before the Corps makes
decisions and begins to implement
them. The Corps is, therefore, invoking
its authority ‘‘Emergency Actions’’
under 33 CFR 230.8 and declaring an
emergency, making decisions, and
taking necessary actions accordingly.
The Corps has consulted the President’s
Council on Environmental Quality
(CEQ) regarding alternative
arrangements under NEPA pursuant to
40 CFR 1506.11. This notice serves to
initiate the NEPA process. The Corps
plans to prepare and circulate an EIS
which serves to cover any actions it
deems necessary during the repair of the
dam’s foundation.
DATES: Written comments, concerning
issues to be considered in preparing the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS), must be received by the Corps of
Engineers on or before March 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues
to be considered in the DEIS shall be
mailed to: Chip Hall, Project Planning
Branch, Nashville District Corps of
Engineers, P.O. Box 1070 (PM–P),
Nashville, TN 37202–1070. Comments
may also be e-mailed to: Lake.
Modification@lrn02.usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
additional information concerning the
notice, please contact Chip Hall,
Environmental Analysis Team, (615)
736–7666, David Hendrix, Wolf Creek
Dam Seepage Major Rehabilitation
Project Manager, (615) 736–7841, or
Public Affairs Office, (615) 736–7161.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 22 / Friday, February 2, 2007 / Notices
1. Wolf Creek Dam was designed in
the 1930s, constructed in the 1940s, and
completed in the early 1950s. The dam
was built on a karst geology using
accepted engineering practices of the
day. Since the 1960s seepage through
the dam’s foundation has been a
concern. Repairs have been
implemented at various times including
grout injection into the foundation and
installing a diaphragm wall through
about two-thirds of the earthen
embankment. Those repairs are credited
with saving the dam; however, some
faults remained. Over the last three
decades problems have increased and
the dam is now classed as being in
active failure mode.
2. A comprehensive plan for repairs
has been approved; however, these
repairs will take a number of years to
implement. Until the repairs are
sufficiently completed, the Corps has
determined that it is in the public’s
interest to lower the lake levels to
reduce pressure on the weakened
foundations. This is necessary to ensure
the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
The Corps recognizes, however, that
doing so will have significant
environmental and economic
consequences in the following areas:
(1) The cold water fisheries both in
the lake and tailwater;
(2) water quality throughout the
Cumberland River;
(3) federally listed threatened and
endangered species;
(4) designated uses of the waterway
including fish and aquatic life, livestock
watering and wildlife, irrigation;
(5) and economics including electric
power production, municipal and
industrial water supply, recreation,
navigation, flood damage reduction, and
disruption to communities, jobs, and
other related factors.
3. Current Actions to Reduce Risk.
Several actions have already been taken
to reduce the risk. Prior to 2005, spring
rains were captured in the reservoir to
maximize downstream flood protection
and hydropower generation. Beginning
in 2005 the pool was managed more
aggressively to reduce the peaks and
adhere more closely to the prescribed
guide curves. Recently 24-hour
surveillance was initiated at the dam.
This involves providing patrols of the
dam, known wet and trouble spots, and
downstream areas. Currently, the Corps
is aggressively grouting the most crucial
areas of the embankment to further
reduce seepage under the dam.
Additional coordination and exercises
have been held with state and local
emergency management agencies. These
agencies have been provided with flood
inundation maps to help coordinate
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:13 Feb 01, 2007
Jkt 211001
emergency evacuations if needed. The
Corps has improved its emergency
notification procedures, increased
instrumentation in and on the dam, and
conducted numerous public meetings to
advise the public of problems with the
dam.
4. An Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) will be undertaken to
review emergency actions taken and to
consider other possible alternatives.
Alternatives that will be considered
include but are not limited to new dam
construction, lowering the lake levels or
otherwise altering the operational
procedures, and investigating methods
to increase discharge capacity.
5. This notice serves to solicit
comments from the public; Federal,
State and local agencies and officials;
Indian tribes; and other interested
parties in order to consider and evaluate
impacts of these proposed activities.
Any comments received by us will be
considered in determining future
operations. To make these decisions,
comments are used to assess impacts on
public health and safety, endangered
species, historic properties, water
quality, water supply and conservation,
economics, aesthetics, wetlands, flood
hazards, floodplain values, land use,
navigation, shore erosion and accretion,
recreation, energy needs, food and fiber
production, mineral needs,
considerations of property ownership,
general environmental effects, and in
general, the needs and welfare of the
people.
6. Activities proposed that require a
review under the guidelines
promulgated by the Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), under authority of Section
404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40
CFR Part 230) may include fill
placement for water intake extensions,
and other mitigation actions.
7. Other Federal, State and local
approvals that may be required for
proposed work are as follows:
a. Water quality certifications from
the Kentucky Division of Water and the
Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation.
b. Coordination with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service for the Endangered
Species Act and Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act.
c. Coordination with the Kentucky
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources and the Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency.
d. Coordination with the State
Historic Preservation Officer and
President’s Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation.
8. Significant issues to be analyzed in
the DEIS include impacts to fisheries,
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
5021
tailwater mussel resources, water
quality, recreation, navigation,
economics, water supply, electric power
production, economics, and community
development. The U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service has agreed to be a
Cooperating Agency on the DEIS and
will be responsible for preparing much
of the evaluations of significant natural
resources. A DEIS should be available in
May 2007.
9. Public Meetings: At present, no
public meetings have been scheduled to
scope for potential issues to be
evaluated in the DEIS. Requests for
public meetings should be directed to
Mr. William Peoples, Chief, Public
Affairs Office, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Nashville District, Nashville,
TN 37202–1070. Mr. Peoples may be
reached by telephone at (615) 736–7834.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E7–1721 Filed 2–1–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710–GF–P
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Navy
Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) for the Programmatic
Environmental Assessment/Overseas
Environmental Assessment (EA/OEA)
for the Undersea Warfare Exercise
(USWEX) Within the Hawaii Range
Complex
Department of the Navy, DoD.
Notice of Finding of No
Significant Impact.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Council on
Environmental Quality regulations (40
CFR parts 1500–1508), implementing
procedural provisions of NEPA, the
Department of the Navy (DON) gives
notice that a Programmatic EA/OE has
been prepared and a Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) has been
issued for the implementation of
Alternative 1, which allows for up to six
future Undersea Warfare Exercises
(USWEXs) annually within the Hawaii
Range Complex from January 2007
through January 2009.
DATES: The FONSI was signed on
January 24, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The Final Programmatic
EA/OEA and FONSI are available for
public review at the following locations:
1. Wailuku Public Library, 251 High
Street, Wailuku, HI 96793 (Maui).
2. Hilo Public Library, 300
Waianaenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
(Hawaii).
E:\FR\FM\02FEN1.SGM
02FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 22 (Friday, February 2, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5020-5021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1721]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers
Notice of Intent To Operate Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland,
Russell County, KY at Below Normal Pool Levels Due to Emergency
Conditions and Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 30 CFR 230.8, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) is issuing this Notice to document emergency actions and set
forth the steps to be taken in the future to comply with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Wolf Creek Dam impounds Lake
Cumberland in south central Kentucky. Several engineering studies have
identified a high level of risk at Wolf Creek Dam. Accordingly, on
January 19, 2007, the Corps made the decision to take emergency action
and begin lowering the lake level to ease the stress on the dam's
foundation until repairs can be effected. This action has been taken to
reduce risk to the public's safety and welfare. The temporary target
elevation will be 680 feet above mean sea level (msl) at Wolf Creek
Dam. This elevation was selected because it provides the greatest
reduction in stress to the dam without creating other public health and
safety concerns. This operation will be in effect until repair of the
dam or new information allows the pool elevation to be raised. This
pool elevation may also drop if worsening conditions create the need
for even further lowering of the pool.
The Corps believes that the need for action regarding the Wolf
Creek Dam is so urgent and compelling that there is no time to follow
the usual NEPA procedures before the Corps makes decisions and begins
to implement them. The Corps is, therefore, invoking its authority
``Emergency Actions'' under 33 CFR 230.8 and declaring an emergency,
making decisions, and taking necessary actions accordingly. The Corps
has consulted the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regarding alternative arrangements under NEPA pursuant to 40 CFR
1506.11. This notice serves to initiate the NEPA process. The Corps
plans to prepare and circulate an EIS which serves to cover any actions
it deems necessary during the repair of the dam's foundation.
DATES: Written comments, concerning issues to be considered in
preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), must be
received by the Corps of Engineers on or before March 5, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Written comments on issues to be considered in the DEIS
shall be mailed to: Chip Hall, Project Planning Branch, Nashville
District Corps of Engineers, P.O. Box 1070 (PM-P), Nashville, TN 37202-
1070. Comments may also be e-mailed to:
Lake.Modification@lrn02.usace.army.mil.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information concerning
the notice, please contact Chip Hall, Environmental Analysis Team,
(615) 736-7666, David Hendrix, Wolf Creek Dam Seepage Major
Rehabilitation Project Manager, (615) 736-7841, or Public Affairs
Office, (615) 736-7161.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 5021]]
1. Wolf Creek Dam was designed in the 1930s, constructed in the
1940s, and completed in the early 1950s. The dam was built on a karst
geology using accepted engineering practices of the day. Since the
1960s seepage through the dam's foundation has been a concern. Repairs
have been implemented at various times including grout injection into
the foundation and installing a diaphragm wall through about two-thirds
of the earthen embankment. Those repairs are credited with saving the
dam; however, some faults remained. Over the last three decades
problems have increased and the dam is now classed as being in active
failure mode.
2. A comprehensive plan for repairs has been approved; however,
these repairs will take a number of years to implement. Until the
repairs are sufficiently completed, the Corps has determined that it is
in the public's interest to lower the lake levels to reduce pressure on
the weakened foundations. This is necessary to ensure the public's
health, safety, and welfare. The Corps recognizes, however, that doing
so will have significant environmental and economic consequences in the
following areas:
(1) The cold water fisheries both in the lake and tailwater;
(2) water quality throughout the Cumberland River;
(3) federally listed threatened and endangered species;
(4) designated uses of the waterway including fish and aquatic
life, livestock watering and wildlife, irrigation;
(5) and economics including electric power production, municipal
and industrial water supply, recreation, navigation, flood damage
reduction, and disruption to communities, jobs, and other related
factors.
3. Current Actions to Reduce Risk. Several actions have already
been taken to reduce the risk. Prior to 2005, spring rains were
captured in the reservoir to maximize downstream flood protection and
hydropower generation. Beginning in 2005 the pool was managed more
aggressively to reduce the peaks and adhere more closely to the
prescribed guide curves. Recently 24-hour surveillance was initiated at
the dam. This involves providing patrols of the dam, known wet and
trouble spots, and downstream areas. Currently, the Corps is
aggressively grouting the most crucial areas of the embankment to
further reduce seepage under the dam. Additional coordination and
exercises have been held with state and local emergency management
agencies. These agencies have been provided with flood inundation maps
to help coordinate emergency evacuations if needed. The Corps has
improved its emergency notification procedures, increased
instrumentation in and on the dam, and conducted numerous public
meetings to advise the public of problems with the dam.
4. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be undertaken to
review emergency actions taken and to consider other possible
alternatives. Alternatives that will be considered include but are not
limited to new dam construction, lowering the lake levels or otherwise
altering the operational procedures, and investigating methods to
increase discharge capacity.
5. This notice serves to solicit comments from the public; Federal,
State and local agencies and officials; Indian tribes; and other
interested parties in order to consider and evaluate impacts of these
proposed activities. Any comments received by us will be considered in
determining future operations. To make these decisions, comments are
used to assess impacts on public health and safety, endangered species,
historic properties, water quality, water supply and conservation,
economics, aesthetics, wetlands, flood hazards, floodplain values, land
use, navigation, shore erosion and accretion, recreation, energy needs,
food and fiber production, mineral needs, considerations of property
ownership, general environmental effects, and in general, the needs and
welfare of the people.
6. Activities proposed that require a review under the guidelines
promulgated by the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), under authority of Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act (40
CFR Part 230) may include fill placement for water intake extensions,
and other mitigation actions.
7. Other Federal, State and local approvals that may be required
for proposed work are as follows:
a. Water quality certifications from the Kentucky Division of Water
and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
b. Coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the
Endangered Species Act and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
c. Coordination with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
d. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation Officer and
President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
8. Significant issues to be analyzed in the DEIS include impacts to
fisheries, tailwater mussel resources, water quality, recreation,
navigation, economics, water supply, electric power production,
economics, and community development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service has agreed to be a Cooperating Agency on the DEIS and will be
responsible for preparing much of the evaluations of significant
natural resources. A DEIS should be available in May 2007.
9. Public Meetings: At present, no public meetings have been
scheduled to scope for potential issues to be evaluated in the DEIS.
Requests for public meetings should be directed to Mr. William Peoples,
Chief, Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville
District, Nashville, TN 37202-1070. Mr. Peoples may be reached by
telephone at (615) 736-7834.
Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E7-1721 Filed 2-1-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-GF-P
