Tennessee Valley Authority
Dam Safety Modifications at Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, Tellico, and Watts Bar Dams
Grainger, Jefferson, Loudon, Rhea, and Meigs Counties, Tennessee
To enhance flood protection, improve dam stability and meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements, TVA is evaluating permanent modifications to its Cherokee, Fort Loudoun, Tellico, and Watts Bar dams in Tennessee.
As part of TVA’s ongoing dam safety program and the application process for a new nuclear reactor at Bellefonte, Ala., the agency updated its modeling of maximum flood conditions based on extreme storm events. The river modeling indicates that the maximum floodwater elevations are higher than previously calculated. To minimize the potential effects of the predicted severe flooding, TVA took precautionary measures of raising dam elevations by 3 to 4 feet with temporary, sand-filled HESCO containers and strengthening the downstream embankment of Watts Bar Dam. The purpose of the proposed project is to ensure public safety and minimize potential effects of a severe flooding event predicted as a result of revised probable maximum flood calculation models by developing and implementing permanent modifications.
Update
TVA will publish a Scoping Report reflecting public comments received during the comment period that ended September 30, 2011. The Scoping Report will summarize the public comments, describe the proposed alternatives to be evaluated, and present a preliminary schedule for the remainder of the environmental review process. TVA will notify scoping participants of the availability of the scoping report.
Following additional analysis of alternatives and field studies, a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) will be prepared and issued for public review and comment. A notice of availability of the draft EIS will be published in the Federal Register, and announcements will be placed in local news media. TVA will also notify scoping participants of the availability of the draft EIS.
Alternatives
Currently, TVA is considering three potential alternatives for evaluation:
- Take no action and leave the temporary structures in place, maintaining them as necessary.
- Make permanent modifications to replace the temporary structures at the four dams. The sand-filled containers could be replaced by construction of concrete floodwalls or raising earthen embankments. Under this alternative, the potential for overtopping of the dams during a probable maximum flood event would be prevented.
- Remove the temporary structures and return the dams to the conditions that existed prior to the installation of the temporary sand-filled baskets. Under this alternative, overtopping of the dams would be possible during a very rare probable maximum flood event. The integrity of the dam and the public’s safety could be compromised.
Public Scoping
TVA published a notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS or an environmental assessment of the proposal in the Federal Register in June 2011; a copy of the NOI is available below. Public comments were invited on the scope of the project, including alternatives to meet the project need, and environmental issues that should be addressed, from June 14 to September 30, 2011. Public meetings were held by TVA in July and September 2011.
Mailing List
To be added to the project mailing list, please sign up here. This list will allow TVA to forward other information, such as the notification of availability of the scoping document, draft EIS, and/or final EIS, for review during the remainder of the environmental review process.
Please note that all comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
Document
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Notice of intent (PDF, 193 kb)
Submitting Comments
Your comments are invited on both the scope of the project, including alternatives to meet the project need, and environmental issues that should be addressed. Comments may be submitted online, mailed, or e-mailed no later than September 30, 2011, to Mr. Parr at the address below. Please note that any comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the project administrative record and will be available for public inspection.
If TVA decides to prepare an EIS, a notice of availability of the draft document will be published in the Federal Register, and announcements will be placed in local news media and this Web site. If TVA decides to prepare an EA, notice of availability of the draft document will be placed on this Web site and in other media.
Contact
For further information, contact:
Kelly R. Baxter, NEPA Specialist
Tennessee Valley Authority
400 W. Summit Hill Drive, WT 11D
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 632-2444