Environmental Impact Statement for Muscle Shoals Reservation Redevelopment, 29017-29019 [E9-14414]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 116 / Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Notices usually meets immediately before the Treasury announces each mid-calendar quarter funding operation, although special meetings also may be held. Membership consists of up to 20 representative members, appointed by Treasury. The members are senior level officials who are employed by primary dealers, institutional investors, and other major participants in the government securities and financial markets. The Designated Federal Official for the Advisory Committee is the Director of the Office of Debt Management. The Treasury Department is filing copies of the Committee’s renewal charter with appropriate committees in Congress. Dated: June 1, 2009. Karthik Ramanathan, Acting Assistant Secretary, Financial Markets. [FR Doc. E9–14282 Filed 6–17–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–25–P DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Internal Revenue Service Proposed Collection; Comment Request for Form 5735 and Schedule P (Form 5735) AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). Currently, the IRS is soliciting comments concerning Form 5735, Possessions Corporation Tax Credit (Under Sections 936 and 30A), and Schedule P (Form 5735), Allocation of Income and Expenses Under Section 936(h)(5). DATES: Written comments should be received on or before August 17, 2009 to be assured of consideration. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to R. Joseph Durbala, Internal Revenue Service, room 6129, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the form and instructions should be directed to Dawn Bidne, at (202) 622–3933, or at Internal Revenue Service, Room 6129, 1111 Constitution VerDate Nov<24>2008 21:58 Jun 17, 2009 Jkt 217001 Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20224, or through the Internet at Dawn.E.Bidne@irs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Possessions Corporation Tax Credit (Under sections 936 and 30A), and Allocation of Income and Expenses Under Section 936(h)(5). OMB Number: 1545–0217. Form Number: Form 5735 and Schedule P (Form 5735). Abstract: Form 5735 is used to compute the possessions corporation tax credit under sections 936 and 30A. Schedule P (Form 5735) is used by corporations that elect to share their income or expenses with their affiliates. The forms provide the IRS with information to determine if the corporations have computed the tax credit and the cost-sharing or profit-split method of allocating income and expenses. Current Actions: There are no changes being made to the forms at this time. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10. Estimated Time per Respondent: 12 hours, 42 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 127. The following paragraph applies to all of the collections of information covered by this notice: An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB control number. Books or records relating to a collection of information must be retained as long as their contents may become material in the administration of any internal revenue law. Generally, tax returns and tax return information are confidential, as required by 26 U.S.C. 6103. Request for Comments: Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including PO 00000 Frm 00139 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29017 through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and (e) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide information. Approved: June 5, 2009. R. Joseph Durbala, IRS Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E9–14272 Filed 6–17–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4830–01–P TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Environmental Impact Statement for Muscle Shoals Reservation Redevelopment AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). ACTION: Notice of intent. SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing the impacts of the disposal and alternative future uses of approximately 1,380 contiguous acres of land on its Muscle Shoals Reservation (MSR) in Colbert County, Alabama. Public comment is invited concerning both the scope of the EIS and environmental issues that should be addressed in the EIS. DATES: Comments on the scope and environmental issues for the EIS should be received no later than Wednesday, August 5, 2009, to ensure consideration. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Stanford E. Davis, Senior NEPA Specialist, NEPA Resources, Environmental Services and Programs, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments may also be submitted via TVA’s Web site at https://www.tva.gov/environment/ reports/comments.htm or submitted by fax at 865/632–3451. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background This notice is provided in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508), TVA’s procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800). The MSR is geographically located in the center of the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. The Federal property that is the subject of this EIS includes the area bounded by Reservation Road on the E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM 18JNN1 29018 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 116 / Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Notices north, Hatch Boulevard on the west, Second Street on the south, and Wilson Dam Road on the east. Also included is an access corridor to the Tennessee River in the vicinity of the slag area, the Western Area Radiological Laboratory (WARL) property, and the Multipurpose Building (MPB) Complex, which includes the Multipurpose Building, the Office Service Warehouse Annex, and the Office Service Warehouse, all on the north side of Reservation Road. A small amount of land surrounding the International Fertilizer Development Center and the site of the Muscle Shoals TVA Employees Credit Union would not likely be included in the proposal. Except for the slag area, WARL, and MPB Complex, the TVA-managed land north of Reservation Road is not part of this land disposal action. It will continue to be used for public access and conservation with the possibility of enhancements to recreation related activities that are presently open to the public. The former United States Nitrate Plant No. 2 was built for the War Department during World War I on property that is now part of the MSR. Following the war, this plant was idle until the creation of TVA in 1933, when it became the nucleus of TVA’s National Fertilizer Development Center (NFDC). At its peak around 1980, the NFDC occupied about 475 acres of MSR land. Roughly 2,800 TVA employees worked in Muscle Shoals at that time, while approximately 600 to 700 people work there today. Over the years, NFDC developed many of the fertilizers and fertilizer production processes used in the world today. Fertilizer development and production operations began scaling back around 1990 and by 1998 had largely ceased. TVA began demolishing some unused buildings and other structures in 1983, and since then, 34 structures (36 percent of the structures present in 1983) have been removed. The MSR presently provides office space, laboratories, and support facilities for staff primarily involved in environmental services, research and technology; central support and repair; environmental stewardship; and power system operations and maintenance. The Muscle Shoals Historic District (MSHD) includes historic properties associated with five prehistoric and historic contexts, which include a prehistoric mortuary complex, the Civil War, the Wilson Dam, the New Deal, and TVA’s development of Muscle Shoals after the New Deal. Because a large number of buildings and structures, as a whole, demonstrate significant prehistoric and historic events associated with the area, the VerDate Nov<24>2008 21:58 Jun 17, 2009 Jkt 217001 MSHD was recognized as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the Alabama Historical Commission in October 2007. The boundaries of the MSHD include the 1,380 acres of the MSR subject to this EIS. Part of the MSR was contaminated by historic chemical production and disposal practices. This part of the MSR contains a number of solid waste management units (SWMUs), which have been cleaned, i.e., remediated, to industrial standards. Most of these SWMUs are part of the 1,380 acres proposed for disposal and may require additional remediation to allow uses other than industrial. Five SWMUs on the MSR property are subject to continuing monitoring requirements and likely will be retained by TVA. The redevelopment of unused parts of the MSR is consistent with TVA’s economic development mission. Due to its central location, flat terrain, highway access, and availability of utilities, the surrounding cities and counties have expressed interest in the redevelopment of the MSR for many years. In response to these requests, TVA has previously made a few areas on the periphery of the MSR available for commercial use. The currently proposed actions would make a much larger area available for a variety of redevelopment activities. Several surrounding cities and counties have been coordinating in the creation of a cooperative district under Alabama law. The district would then be eligible to be involved in the development of the MSR property proposed for disposal, perhaps through the creation of a comprehensive master development plan and/or the acquisition of the property. Potential Alternatives The EIS will analyze a range of alternatives for redeveloping the MSR site. Under Alternative A, No Action, TVA would continue to use the MSR for program purposes and regional economic development, as guided by the 1996 Muscle Shoals/Wilson Dam Reservation Land Use Plan. Under this plan, TVA identified MSR and Wilson Dam Reservation property for various potential governmental and nongovernmental uses including economic development opportunity. The remainder of MSR, largely north of Reservation Road, was allocated in the 1996 land plan for TVA program purposes, including public recreation and conservation. Under the action alternatives, TVA proposes to dispose of this MSR land without restrictions on the future use of the property, except as described below. PO 00000 Frm 00140 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The EIS will evaluate four action alternatives associated with different potential future land uses. Some elements common to all action alternatives include: 1. Requirements to protect or mitigate impacts to historic properties and endangered and threatened species; mitigate other potential environmental impacts; protect TVA’s statutory, programmatic, and other interests; and ensure continued ongoing operational requirements such as monitoring SWMUs. 2. The potential disposal of an access corridor to the Tennessee River, WARL, and MPB Complex north of Reservation Road; the corridor, in the vicinity of the slag pile, could be used for utilities or other supporting infrastructure development. 3. The encouragement of the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, including historic buildings. 4. The likely retention by TVA of five SWMUs that have long-term monitoring requirements and restrictions on use. The action alternatives presently under consideration by TVA include the following: Alternative B—Industrial Use; Alternative C—Commercial/Retail Use; Alternative D—Residential Use; and Alternative E—Mixed Use, a combination of industrial, commercial/ retail, and residential uses. TVA will use the results of the public scoping process and additional technical scoping studies to refine the range of alternatives that will be evaluated in detail in the EIS. Proposed Issues To Be Addressed The EIS will contain descriptions of the existing environmental and socioeconomic resources within the area that would be affected by the range of proposed actions. TVA’s evaluation of potential impacts to these resources will include, but not necessarily be limited to, historic and archaeological resources, socioeconomic resources, solid and hazardous wastes including existing SWMUs, floodplains management, land use, transportation, air quality, terrestrial and aquatic ecology including threatened and endangered species, wetlands, surface water and groundwater quality, and environmental justice. Scoping Process Scoping is an integral component of the NEPA process for soliciting public input to ensure that issues are identified early and properly studied. The range of alternatives and the issues to be addressed in the draft EIS will be determined, in part, from comments received during this scoping process. E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM 18JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 116 / Thursday, June 18, 2009 / Notices The preliminary identification of a reasonable range of alternatives and environmental issues in this notice is not meant to be exhaustive or final. The participation of affected Federal, State, and local agencies and Indian tribes, as well as other interested persons, is invited. Pursuant to the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, TVA also solicits comments on the potential of the proposed action to affect historic properties. As indicated above, TVA recognizes the presence of significant historic resources on the property and will consult with the Alabama Historical Commission regarding appropriate treatment in the event these resources are transferred to nonfederal ownership. This notice also provides an opportunity under Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 for early public review of the potential for TVA’s action to affect wetlands and floodplains, respectively. Comments on the scope of this EIS should be submitted no later than the date given under the DATES section of this notice. Any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and will be available for public inspection. TVA will hold a public scoping meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. The open-house style meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time at Muscle Shoals High School, 1900 Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35661. Upon consideration of the scoping comments, TVA will develop alternatives and identify environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. These will be described in a report that will be available to the public. Following analysis of the environmental consequences of each alternative, TVA will prepare a draft EIS for public review and comment. Notice of availability of the draft EIS will be published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register. TVA will solicit comments on the draft EIS in writing and at a public meeting to be held in the project area. TVA expects to release the draft EIS in the spring of 2010 and the final EIS in late summer of 2010. Dated: June 11, 2009. Anda A. Ray, Senior Vice President and Environmental Executive, Office of Environment and Research. [FR Doc. E9–14414 Filed 6–17–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8120–08–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 21:58 Jun 17, 2009 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ACTION: Notice of amendment to system of records. SUMMARY: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552(e)(4)) requires that all agencies publish in the Federal Register a notice of the existence and character of their systems of records. Notice is hereby given that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the system of records entitled ‘‘Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS) Vet Center Program—VA’’ (64VA15) as set forth in the Federal Register 46 FR 9844 and last amended May 31, 2001. VA is amending the system by revising Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses. VA is republishing the system notice in its entirety at this time. DATES: Comments on the amendment of this system of records must be received no later than July 20, 2009. If no public comment is received, the amended system will become effective July 20, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through https:// www.Regulations.gov; by mail or handdelivery to Director, Regulations Management (02REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026. Comments received will be available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 (this is not a toll-free number) for an appointment. In addition, during the comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at https:// www.Regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Privacy Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, telephone (704) 245–2492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The name and number of the system is changed from ‘‘Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Counseling Program—VA’’ (64VA116) to ‘‘Readjustment Counseling Service PO 00000 Frm 00141 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29019 (RCS) Vet Center Program—VA’’ (64VA15). The change in name will more accurately reflect the broader group of veterans receiving services and the environment in which the services are delivered. For purposes of this notice changes have been made to update the following sections: Addresses and Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System, Including Categories of Users and the Purposes of Such Uses. According to VA leadership, routine uses one through seven are mandatory new routine uses that are added to comply with new Federal policy and guidelines. Listed below are the mandatory routine uses that must be included in every System of Records according to VA leadership in order to comply with Federal regulations. A new Routine Use one (1) is added. The record of an individual who is covered by a system of records may be disclosed to a Member of Congress, or a staff person acting for the member, when the member or staff person requests the record on behalf of and at the written request of the individual. VA must be able to provide information about individuals to adequately respond to inquiries from Members of Congress at the request of constituents who have sought their assistance. A new Routine Use two (2) is added. Disclosure may be made to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) in records management inspections conducted under authority of Title 44, Chapter 29, of the United States Code (U.S.C.). NARA and GSA are responsible for management of old records no longer actively used, but which may be appropriate for preservation, and for the physical maintenance of the Federal government’s records. VA must be able to provide the records to NARA and GSA in order to determine the proper disposition of such records. A new Routine Use three (3) is added. Records from a system of records may be disclosed to the Department of Justice (DOJ) (including U.S. Attorneys) or in a proceeding before a court, adjudicative body, or other administrative body when litigation or the adjudicative or administrative process is likely to affect VA, its employees, or any of its components is a party to the litigation or process, or has an interest in the litigation or process, and the use of such records is deemed by VA to be relevant and necessary to the litigation or process, provided that the disclosure is E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM 18JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 116 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29017-29019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14414]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY


Environmental Impact Statement for Muscle Shoals Reservation 
Redevelopment

AGENCY: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will prepare an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing the impacts of the 
disposal and alternative future uses of approximately 1,380 contiguous 
acres of land on its Muscle Shoals Reservation (MSR) in Colbert County, 
Alabama. Public comment is invited concerning both the scope of the EIS 
and environmental issues that should be addressed in the EIS.

DATES: Comments on the scope and environmental issues for the EIS 
should be received no later than Wednesday, August 5, 2009, to ensure 
consideration.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Stanford E. Davis, Senior 
NEPA Specialist, NEPA Resources, Environmental Services and Programs, 
400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Comments may 
also be submitted via TVA's Web site at https://www.tva.gov/environment/reports/comments.htm or submitted by fax at 865/632-3451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This notice is provided in accordance with the Council on 
Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 to 1508), TVA's 
procedures implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 
and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and 
its implementing regulations (36 CFR part 800).
    The MSR is geographically located in the center of the cities of 
Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. The Federal property 
that is the subject of this EIS includes the area bounded by 
Reservation Road on the

[[Page 29018]]

north, Hatch Boulevard on the west, Second Street on the south, and 
Wilson Dam Road on the east. Also included is an access corridor to the 
Tennessee River in the vicinity of the slag area, the Western Area 
Radiological Laboratory (WARL) property, and the Multipurpose Building 
(MPB) Complex, which includes the Multipurpose Building, the Office 
Service Warehouse Annex, and the Office Service Warehouse, all on the 
north side of Reservation Road. A small amount of land surrounding the 
International Fertilizer Development Center and the site of the Muscle 
Shoals TVA Employees Credit Union would not likely be included in the 
proposal. Except for the slag area, WARL, and MPB Complex, the TVA-
managed land north of Reservation Road is not part of this land 
disposal action. It will continue to be used for public access and 
conservation with the possibility of enhancements to recreation related 
activities that are presently open to the public.
    The former United States Nitrate Plant No. 2 was built for the War 
Department during World War I on property that is now part of the MSR. 
Following the war, this plant was idle until the creation of TVA in 
1933, when it became the nucleus of TVA's National Fertilizer 
Development Center (NFDC). At its peak around 1980, the NFDC occupied 
about 475 acres of MSR land. Roughly 2,800 TVA employees worked in 
Muscle Shoals at that time, while approximately 600 to 700 people work 
there today. Over the years, NFDC developed many of the fertilizers and 
fertilizer production processes used in the world today. Fertilizer 
development and production operations began scaling back around 1990 
and by 1998 had largely ceased. TVA began demolishing some unused 
buildings and other structures in 1983, and since then, 34 structures 
(36 percent of the structures present in 1983) have been removed. The 
MSR presently provides office space, laboratories, and support 
facilities for staff primarily involved in environmental services, 
research and technology; central support and repair; environmental 
stewardship; and power system operations and maintenance.
    The Muscle Shoals Historic District (MSHD) includes historic 
properties associated with five prehistoric and historic contexts, 
which include a prehistoric mortuary complex, the Civil War, the Wilson 
Dam, the New Deal, and TVA's development of Muscle Shoals after the New 
Deal. Because a large number of buildings and structures, as a whole, 
demonstrate significant prehistoric and historic events associated with 
the area, the MSHD was recognized as eligible for listing on the 
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) by the Alabama Historical 
Commission in October 2007. The boundaries of the MSHD include the 
1,380 acres of the MSR subject to this EIS.
    Part of the MSR was contaminated by historic chemical production 
and disposal practices. This part of the MSR contains a number of solid 
waste management units (SWMUs), which have been cleaned, i.e., 
remediated, to industrial standards. Most of these SWMUs are part of 
the 1,380 acres proposed for disposal and may require additional 
remediation to allow uses other than industrial. Five SWMUs on the MSR 
property are subject to continuing monitoring requirements and likely 
will be retained by TVA.
    The redevelopment of unused parts of the MSR is consistent with 
TVA's economic development mission. Due to its central location, flat 
terrain, highway access, and availability of utilities, the surrounding 
cities and counties have expressed interest in the redevelopment of the 
MSR for many years. In response to these requests, TVA has previously 
made a few areas on the periphery of the MSR available for commercial 
use. The currently proposed actions would make a much larger area 
available for a variety of redevelopment activities.
    Several surrounding cities and counties have been coordinating in 
the creation of a cooperative district under Alabama law. The district 
would then be eligible to be involved in the development of the MSR 
property proposed for disposal, perhaps through the creation of a 
comprehensive master development plan and/or the acquisition of the 
property.

Potential Alternatives

    The EIS will analyze a range of alternatives for redeveloping the 
MSR site. Under Alternative A, No Action, TVA would continue to use the 
MSR for program purposes and regional economic development, as guided 
by the 1996 Muscle Shoals/Wilson Dam Reservation Land Use Plan. Under 
this plan, TVA identified MSR and Wilson Dam Reservation property for 
various potential governmental and nongovernmental uses including 
economic development opportunity. The remainder of MSR, largely north 
of Reservation Road, was allocated in the 1996 land plan for TVA 
program purposes, including public recreation and conservation.
    Under the action alternatives, TVA proposes to dispose of this MSR 
land without restrictions on the future use of the property, except as 
described below. The EIS will evaluate four action alternatives 
associated with different potential future land uses. Some elements 
common to all action alternatives include:
    1. Requirements to protect or mitigate impacts to historic 
properties and endangered and threatened species; mitigate other 
potential environmental impacts; protect TVA's statutory, programmatic, 
and other interests; and ensure continued ongoing operational 
requirements such as monitoring SWMUs.
    2. The potential disposal of an access corridor to the Tennessee 
River, WARL, and MPB Complex north of Reservation Road; the corridor, 
in the vicinity of the slag pile, could be used for utilities or other 
supporting infrastructure development.
    3. The encouragement of the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, 
including historic buildings.
    4. The likely retention by TVA of five SWMUs that have long-term 
monitoring requirements and restrictions on use.
    The action alternatives presently under consideration by TVA 
include the following: Alternative B--Industrial Use; Alternative C--
Commercial/Retail Use; Alternative D--Residential Use; and Alternative 
E--Mixed Use, a combination of industrial, commercial/retail, and 
residential uses.
    TVA will use the results of the public scoping process and 
additional technical scoping studies to refine the range of 
alternatives that will be evaluated in detail in the EIS.

Proposed Issues To Be Addressed

    The EIS will contain descriptions of the existing environmental and 
socioeconomic resources within the area that would be affected by the 
range of proposed actions. TVA's evaluation of potential impacts to 
these resources will include, but not necessarily be limited to, 
historic and archaeological resources, socioeconomic resources, solid 
and hazardous wastes including existing SWMUs, floodplains management, 
land use, transportation, air quality, terrestrial and aquatic ecology 
including threatened and endangered species, wetlands, surface water 
and groundwater quality, and environmental justice.

Scoping Process

    Scoping is an integral component of the NEPA process for soliciting 
public input to ensure that issues are identified early and properly 
studied. The range of alternatives and the issues to be addressed in 
the draft EIS will be determined, in part, from comments received 
during this scoping process.

[[Page 29019]]

The preliminary identification of a reasonable range of alternatives 
and environmental issues in this notice is not meant to be exhaustive 
or final.
    The participation of affected Federal, State, and local agencies 
and Indian tribes, as well as other interested persons, is invited. 
Pursuant to the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, TVA also solicits 
comments on the potential of the proposed action to affect historic 
properties. As indicated above, TVA recognizes the presence of 
significant historic resources on the property and will consult with 
the Alabama Historical Commission regarding appropriate treatment in 
the event these resources are transferred to nonfederal ownership. This 
notice also provides an opportunity under Executive Orders 11990 and 
11988 for early public review of the potential for TVA's action to 
affect wetlands and floodplains, respectively.
    Comments on the scope of this EIS should be submitted no later than 
the date given under the DATES section of this notice. Any comments 
received, including names and addresses, will become part of the 
administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
    TVA will hold a public scoping meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. 
The open-house style meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central 
Daylight Time at Muscle Shoals High School, 1900 Avalon Avenue, Muscle 
Shoals, Alabama 35661.
    Upon consideration of the scoping comments, TVA will develop 
alternatives and identify environmental issues to be addressed in the 
EIS. These will be described in a report that will be available to the 
public. Following analysis of the environmental consequences of each 
alternative, TVA will prepare a draft EIS for public review and 
comment. Notice of availability of the draft EIS will be published by 
the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register. TVA will 
solicit comments on the draft EIS in writing and at a public meeting to 
be held in the project area. TVA expects to release the draft EIS in 
the spring of 2010 and the final EIS in late summer of 2010.

    Dated: June 11, 2009.
Anda A. Ray,
Senior Vice President and Environmental Executive, Office of 
Environment and Research.
[FR Doc. E9-14414 Filed 6-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8120-08-P
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