DOCSLIB.ORG

Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site NAC-0073_R3 Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site 23 June 2017 Prepared by NEPTUNE AND COMPANY, INC. 1435 Garrison St, Suite 201, Lakewood, CO 80215 Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site 1. Title: Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site 2. Filename: West Valley CSM R3.docx 3. Description: This report documents the Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site, New York. Name Date 4. Originators K. Crowell, A. Jordan, R. Lee, R. Perona, 28 Dec 2016 R. Ryti, M. Sully, J. Tauxe 5. Reviewers P. Black, A. Devlin, D. Levitt 6 Jan 2017 6. Remarks Version R3 released 25 June 2017. 23 June 2017 ii Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site CONTENTS CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... iii FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... vii TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ xi ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................... xii 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................1 1.1 Purpose ..............................................................................................................................2 1.2 Organization and Context .................................................................................................2 2.0 Regulatory Context .................................................................................................................3 2.1 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulations ..................................................................4 2.2 Department of Energy Radiation Protection .....................................................................6 2.3 Environmental Protection Agency Regulations ................................................................6 2.3.1 RCRA ..........................................................................................................................6 2.3.2 NESHAPS ...................................................................................................................6 2.4 New York State Regulations .............................................................................................7 3.0 Disposal Facility Characteristics ............................................................................................8 3.1 West Valley Site Facilities ................................................................................................8 3.1.1 Regions within the West Valley Site ...........................................................................8 3.1.1.1 Waste Management Areas .....................................................................................9 3.1.1.2 NDA ....................................................................................................................12 3.1.1.3 SDA .....................................................................................................................13 3.1.1.4 WTF .....................................................................................................................15 3.1.1.5 Off-Site Areas ......................................................................................................15 3.1.2 Engineered Structures ................................................................................................15 3.1.2.1 Reactive Barriers .................................................................................................15 3.1.2.2 Below-Grade Walls and Interceptor Trenches ....................................................16 3.1.2.3 Covers ..................................................................................................................17 3.2 Environmental Setting .....................................................................................................19 3.2.1 Physiography and Topography ..................................................................................19 3.2.2 Demography ..............................................................................................................22 3.2.3 Land Use ....................................................................................................................23 3.2.4 Natural Resources ......................................................................................................26 3.2.5 Meteorology and Climate ..........................................................................................27 3.2.5.1 Climate Classification .........................................................................................28 3.2.5.2 Influence of Atmospheric Circulation .................................................................28 3.2.5.3 Influence of Physiography ...................................................................................28 3.2.5.4 Meteorological Records.......................................................................................29 3.2.5.5 Severe Weather ....................................................................................................37 3.2.5.6 Air Dispersion .....................................................................................................38 3.2.6 Ecology ......................................................................................................................39 3.2.6.1 Plants ...................................................................................................................39 3.2.6.2 Mammals .............................................................................................................40 3.2.6.3 Birds ....................................................................................................................41 3.2.6.4 Other Animal Life ...............................................................................................41 3.2.6.5 Aquatic Environments .........................................................................................42 23 June 2017 iii Conceptual Site Model for the West Valley Site 3.2.6.6 Protected Species .................................................................................................43 3.2.7 Geology .....................................................................................................................43 3.2.7.1 Regional Geology and Tectonic Setting ..............................................................43 3.2.7.1.1 Precambrian Rocks and the Grenville Orogeny ............................................44 3.2.7.1.2 Paleozoic Rocks of New York State and the Eastern Coast of the North American Continent .......................................................................................44 3.2.7.1.3 Mesozoic and Cenozoic Geologic History of New York State .....................46 3.2.7.2 Geomorphology ...................................................................................................49 3.2.7.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................49 3.2.7.2.2 Erosion ...........................................................................................................51 3.2.7.3 Stratigraphy of the Site ........................................................................................65 3.2.7.3.1 Paleozoic Bedrock .........................................................................................65 3.2.7.3.2 Pleistocene Glacial Stratigraphy ....................................................................66 3.2.7.4 Faulting and Seismicity .......................................................................................73 3.2.7.4.1 Fault Systems—Western New York ..............................................................73 3.2.7.4.2 Seismic Hazard Analysis ...............................................................................75 3.2.7.5 Volcanic and Igneous Activity ............................................................................82 3.2.8 Hydrology ..................................................................................................................82 3.2.8.1 Surface Water Hydrology ....................................................................................82 3.2.8.1.1 Surface Water Occurrence .............................................................................82 3.2.8.1.2 Discharge .......................................................................................................89 3.2.8.1.3 Flooding .........................................................................................................93 3.2.8.2 Groundwater Hydrology ......................................................................................96 3.2.8.2.1 Regional Hydrogeologic Setting ....................................................................96 3.2.8.2.2 Hydrogeologic Properties of the Units ..........................................................97 3.2.8.2.3 Vadose Zone Flow .......................................................................................101 3.2.8.2.4 Groundwater Occurrence .............................................................................103 3.2.8.2.5 Groundwater Movement ..............................................................................108
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A New Vision for Outdoor Recreation Trails in Cattaraugus County, New York
    A New Vision for Outdoor Recreation Trails In Cattaraugus County, New York Volume 4 A Guidebook Published for Cattaraugus County’s Smart Development For Quality Communities Series Prepared For The Cattaraugus County Legislature’s Allegany State Park Perimeter Study (In Coordination with Cattaraugus County’s Planning Board, Municipalities, Allegany State Park Trails Study Group, Route 219 Development Committee, and Trail Stakeholders and Event Organizers) Prepared By Cattaraugus County Department of Economic Development, Planning and Tourism November 16, 2005 Cattaraugus County Smart Development for Quality Communities CATTARAUGUS COUNTY LEGISLATURE Gerard J. Fitzpatrick, Chairman* Jon K. Baker, Majority Leader Crystal J. Abers, Vice-Chairman* Dick L. Giardini, Jr., Minority Leader David J. Anastasia Michael F. McLaughlin James L. Boser Thomas M. Moser* Jerry Burrell* Michael T. O’Brien Elliott J. Ellis, Jr. Paul J. Schafer E. James Ellis* William E. Sprague* Gary M. Felton Carmen A. Vecchiarella Charles G. Krause* Linda I. Witte Norman L. Marsh Howard D. Zollinger* Kenneth W. McClune CATTARAUGUS COUNTY PLANNING BOARD William Sprague, Chairman* Ann Padlo, Secretary Paul Mager, Vice Chairman* Charles Couture, Assistant Secretary Tina Abrams Robert Keis Jack Berger David McCoy Kameron Brooks* James Rich Florence Fuller David Rivet Richard Fuller CATTARAUGUS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND TOURISM Thomas M. Livak, Director* Linda Exford, Senior Account Clerk Typist Terry H. Martin, Chief Planner** David P. Paoletta, Senior Planner*** Paul R. Bishop, Planner*** Deborah G. Maroney, Development Specialist Margaret E. Puszcz, Stenographic Secretary*** Debra Opferbeck, Tourism Specialist Becky Smith, Tourism Assistant*** Joseph Williams, Industrial Program Specialist*** Jeremy Knab, Web Technician Jackie Norton, Business & Operations Manager Laurie Andrews, Business Counselor Scott Miller, Business Counselor *Leadership for Allegany State Park Perimeter Study and this County Trails Initiative.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Cattaraugus Creek Fisheries Management Plan
    UPPER CATTARAUGUS CREEK FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN June 25, 2019 DATA COLLECTIONS THAT MADE THIS WORK POSSIBLE WERE SUPPORTED BY THE FEDERAL AID IN SPORT FISH RESTORATION PROGRAM Preface - New York’s Cattaraugus Creek provides important, unique and diverse trout fishing experiences in western New York State. The main stem of the lower reach extends from the mouth at Lake Erie upstream 34 miles to Springville Dam, and has long been regarded as one of the highest quality steelhead fisheries in New York State. The upper reach extends another 34 miles to its source, and along with its numerous tributaries offers excellent fishing opportunities for resident trout, abundant angler access, and high-quality spawning and nursery habitat. A long- planned fish passage project at Springville Dam will allow steelhead access to many miles of additional high-quality habitat and provide new fishing opportunities. This passage project may also result in some changes to the existing upstream fisheries and fish community. This Plan covers the period 2019-2030 (or approximately ten years following initiation of fish passage) and takes an adaptive management approach to provide a roadmap for fisheries management following fish passage, and lists the goals, objectives, and strategies for maintaining a high quality, year- round sport fishery. MANAGEMENT GOAL DEC will manage upper Cattaraugus Creek and its tributaries as a high quality, year-round sport fishery with opportunities to catch lake-run steelhead as well as resident trout. Prepared by: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish and Wildlife Bureau of Fisheries James Markham Jason Robinson Donald Einhouse Scott Cornett Michael Clancy Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit and Region 9 Fisheries Office Approved by ~/t.
    [Show full text]
  • Glacial Geology and Stratigraphy of Western New York Nuclear Service
    Glacial Geology and Stratigraphy of Center and Vicinity, Cattaraugus and Erie Counties, New York U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVE'f Open-file Report 79-989 Prepared under grant to the New York State Geological Survey, New York State Education Department 697 12 GLACIAL GEOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF WESTERN NEW YORK NUCLEAR SERVICE CENTER AND VICINITY, CATTARAUGUS AND ERIE COUNTIES, NEW YORK By Robert G. LaFleur U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open-file Report 79-989 Prepared under grant to the New York State Geological Survey, New York State Education Department Albany, New York 1979 CONTENTS Page Conversion facto;rs •..••..••.....•..•......•••..•.••........... · · · · · · iii Abstract ............................................................. 1 Introduction .••..................•..........•....................•.. 3 Geologic setting .......................................... ·.· · · 3 Scope and purpose of study..................................... 4 Acknowledgments.. 4 Previous work. • . • . • . 4 Geology of Buttermilk Creek Valley and waste-burial site............ 7 Stratigraphy and origin of glacial deposits.................... 7 Lavery till. • . • . • . .. • . 9 Hydrologic relationships between Lavery till and subjacent strata;................................................... • . 13 Pre-Lavery lithologies and stratigraphic relationships ........• 14 Summary . • . : . ; . .. 16 References cited................................................. 16 ILLUSTRATIONS Figure 1.--Map showing location and major geographic features of study area..............................................
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Great Lakes Fishing Tournaments Lake Erie / Lake Ontario
    2016 Great Lakes Fishing Tournaments (Lake Erie & Lake Ontario) Event Name Location Species Port Format Dates Cabela’s MWC Lake Erie / Detroit River Walleye Elizabeth Park 5 per day / 2 day April 14th & 15th Master Walleye Circuit Trenton, MI Masterswalleyecircuit.com King of the Lake – Spring Salmon Port Dalhousie, Ontario Salmon Port Pier Marina 5 per day / 2 day April 30,May 1 Email: [email protected] Canada 905.651.33.27 LOC Spring Derby All of Lake Ontario and Salmon/Trout Any Single Largest Fish May 6th – 15th www.loc.org Lower Niagara River Wilson Salmon Invitational Wilson Harbor Salmon Wilson Marina 5 per day / 1 day May 7th Email: [email protected] Wilson, New York Southtown’s Walleye Association All of Lake Erie and Perch Any 5 per day / 1 day May 21st www.southtownswalleye.org Upper Niagara River th st Lake Ontario PRO-AM Lake Ontario Salmon Wilson and Olcott Accumulation / 3 day May 20 , 21 , 22nd (Niagara) USA New York Email: [email protected] Cabela’s MWC Lake Erie Walleye Black River Warf 5 per day/ 2 day June 3rd and 4th Master Walleye Circuit Lorain, Ohio Boat Launch Masterswalleyecircuit.com Southtown’s Walleye Association All of Lake Erie and Walleye Any Single Largest Fish June 11th – 19th www.southtownswalleye.org Upper Niagara River 716.649.8202 – Club Office Bob Kessler – 716.462.9576 Tightline Salmon Shootout Bluffers Park Marina Salmon Bluffer Pk. Marina 6 per day / 1 day June 2016 www.tightlinesshootout.com Toronto, Canada (to be announced) Southtowns Walleye Association Walleye 5895 Southwestern
    [Show full text]
  • Searchable Abstract List
    WATER TENSION AND THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT Annin, Peter Ballroom ABC Monday, 18 May, 2015 09:15 - 10:00 This presentation delves into the long history of political maneuvers and water diversion schemes that have proposed sending Great Lakes water everywhere from Akron to Arizona. Through the prism of the past, this talk analyzes the future of Great Lakes water diversion management, which is now controlled by the Great Lakes Compact, a legal document released by the Council of Great Lakes Governors in December 2005. The Compact, which prohibits most Great Lakes water diversions, with limited exceptions, was adopted by the eight state legislatures in the Great Lakes region as well as the U.S. Congress before eventually being signed by the president in 2008. A similar agreement relating to Canadian water diversions was adopted by the province of Ontario in 2007 and Quebec in 2009. This presentation analyzes several noteworthy Great Lakes diversions that already exist, and sheds light on potential water diversions of the future, including the water diversion application submitted by Waukesha, Wisconsin in 2010. A decision on the Waukesha water diversion application is expected in late 2015 or early 2016. ALIEN ECOGEOMORPHOLOGY: IMPACTS OF AN INVADING ECOSYSTEM ENGINEER ON RIVER SEDIMENT DYNAMICS AND TROPHIC INTERACTIONS Rice, Stephen; Mathers, Kate; Johnson, Matthew; Wood, Paul; Reeds, Jake; Longstaff, Holly; Extence, Chris 101CD Monday, 18 May, 2015 10:30 - 10:45 Animals that dig burrows in river banks and beds are uncommon in the UK. The invasion of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a prolific ecosystem engineer, has changed that, with implications for geomorphology, sediment dynamics and benthic ecology that benefit the invader.
    [Show full text]
  • Village of Springville Comprehensive Plan
    VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADOPTED XXXX XX 2014 DRAFT THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Table of Contents IV. FUTURE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4.1 Land Use Plan 4.2 Economic Development Plan I. INTRODUCTION 4.3 Environmental Protection Plan 1.1 Background and Historical Context 4.4 Historic Preservation Plan 1.2 Prior Planning Efforts 4.5 Transportation Plan 1.3 Current Projects 4.6 Infrastructure Plan 4.7 Parks and Recreation Plan II. INVENTORY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS 2.1 Economy and Population V. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2.2 Existing Housing Resources and Future Housing Needs 2.3 Land Use and Urban Design 2.4 Environmental Resources 2.5 Historic Preservation APPENDIX 1: Community Participation Summary 2.6 Parks and Recreation 2.7 Community Services APPENDIX 2: 2002 Village of Springville Route 39 Traffic Study. 2.8 Transportation APPENDIX 3: 2008 GBNRTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 2.9 Infrastructure III. COMMUNITY VISION AND GOALS 3.1 Summary of Public Participation 3.2 Development Vision 3.3 Goals and Objectives VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Steering Committee Members: William Krebs Timothy Horner Michael Kaleta Alan Chamberlain Greg Keyser Sue Owen Debbie King Jill Sawyer, KHEOPS Angela Keppel, KHEOPS VILLAGE OF SPRINGVILLE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Springville is a rural Village located 45 minutes southeast of Buffalo, New York. It is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains with beautifully wooded hillsides, dramatic stream valleys and very productive farmland. The Village of Springville is the economic and social heart of the community, the only village in the Town of Concord, and a village center serving the surrounding nine-town area.
    [Show full text]
  • Flash Floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York
    Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flash Floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5259 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover. Cattaraugus Creek at New York State Thruway, August 10, 2009 (photo courtesy of The Buffalo News, Buffalo, N.Y.) Flash Floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York By Carolyn O. Szabo, William F. Coon, and Thomas A. Niziol Prepared in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5259 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior KEN SALAZAR, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Marcia K. McNutt, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2010 This and other USGS information products are available at http://store.usgs.gov/ U.S. Geological Survey Box 25286, Denver Federal Center Denver, CO 80225 To learn about the USGS and its information products visit http://www.usgs.gov/ 1-888-ASK-USGS Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report. Suggested citation: Szabo, C.O., Coon, W.F., and Niziol, T.A., 2010, Flash floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5259, 23 p.
    [Show full text]
  • The Real Costs of Cleaning up Nuclear Waste
    The Real Costs of Cleaning Up Nuclear Waste Appendix B: Radioactive Exposure from the West Valley Nuclear Site August, 2008 AUTHORS Emily Brown, MS Marvin Resnikoff, PhD Radioactive Waste Management Associates 526 West 26th Street, Room 517 New York, NY 10001 Introduction The West Valley Demonstration Project in West Valley, New York reprocessed spent fuel rods from military and civilian nuclear power plants for six years, from 1966 through 1972. The site was also the location of a commercial nuclear waste burial facility which was open from 1963 until 1975. West Valley Nuclear Waste Site was operated by the Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS), a subsidiary of Grace Chemical and then Getty Oil. In 27 campaigns, approximately 641 metric tons of uranium and 1,983 kilograms of plutonium were reprocessed at West Valley Nuclear Waste Site (Table 1).1 Poor operation practices occurred at the facility, with workers exposed to the highest doses of radiation to any nuclear workers in the United States. NFS routinely hired temporary workers with no prior radiation exposure to work in high radiation areas, exposing them to high levels of radiation that when combined with their time of no exposure would average to 5 rem/year. Some workers received radiation doses up to 12 rem in a single year. NFS elected in 1976 to not continue reprocessing due to the extensive costs of meeting heightened regulatory requirements. Opposition by the Coalition on West Valley Nuclear Wastes and the Sierra Club were also important in their closure. NFS departed the site following the expiration of their lease at the end of 1980.
    [Show full text]
  • Final EIS for Decommissioning And/Or Long-Term Stewardship at the WVDP and Western New York Nuclear Service Center
    CHAPTER 7 REFERENCES 7.0 REFERENCES ACDS (Agricultural and Community Development Services, LLC), 2007, Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, Columbia, Maryland, February. AFIS (American Forces Information Service), 2005, Commission Makes More BRAC Decisions, D. Miles, American Forces Press Service, Washington, DC, August 26. Arnett, E. B., W. K. Brown, W. P. Erickson, J. K. Fiedler, B. L. Hamilton, T. H. Henry, A. Jain, G. D. Johnson, J. Kerns, R. R. Koford, C. P. Nicholson, T. J. O’Connell, M. D. Piorkowski, R. D. Tankersley, Jr., 2006, “Patterns of Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities in North America,” Journal of Wildlife Management: 72(1):61-78. AWEA (American Wind Energy Association), 2007, U.S. Wind Energy Projects – New York (as of 12/31/2007) (accessed January 18, 2008, http://www.awea.org/projects/projects.aspx?s=New+York), Washington, DC, December 31. Barasch, G. E. and R. H. Beers, 1971, Aerial Radiological Measuring Surveys of the Nuclear Fuel Services Plant, West Valley, New York, 1968 and 1969, AEC Report No. ARMS-68.6.9, EG&G, Inc. Goleta, California, April. Bergeron, M. P. and E. F. Bugliosi, 1988, Ground-Water Flow Near Two Radioactive-Waste-Disposal Areas at the Western New York Nuclear Service Center, Cattaraugus County, New York—Results of Flow Simulation, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 86-4351, U.S. Geological Survey, Albany, New York. Blickwedehl, R. R., B. Beyer, D. Aloysius, M. W. Grant, T. Weiss, and W. Bridenbaker, 1989, Characterization of Solvent Leakage and Migration NRC Licensed Disposal Area Western New York Nuclear Service Center, West Valley, New York, Dames and Moore, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Seneca Nation of New York Indians
    University of Oklahoma College of Law University of Oklahoma College of Law Digital Commons American Indian and Alaskan Native Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899 9-4-1890 Seneca Nation of New York Indians Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.ou.edu/indianserialset Part of the Indian and Aboriginal Law Commons Recommended Citation S. Rep. No. 1680, 51st Cong., 1st Sess. (1890) This Senate Report is brought to you for free and open access by University of Oklahoma College of Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in American Indian and Alaskan Native Documents in the Congressional Serial Set: 1817-1899 by an authorized administrator of University of Oklahoma College of Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 51ST CoNGRESS, } SENATE. f REPORT 1st Session. ~ 1:S o. 1680. ================================================= ----.--~ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. SEPTEMBER 4, 1890.-0rdered to be printed. Mr. DAWES, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, submitted the fol­ lowing REPORT: [To accompany S. 4297.] The Committee on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred Senate bill No. 4297, to authorize the Seneca Nation of New York Indians to lease lands within the Cattaraugus and Allegany Reservations, and to con­ firm existing leases, have had the same under consideration and report as follows: · The following is a history of tt,.e subject-matter of this proposed leg­ islation, taken from a report submitted to the House of .Representatives at its present session (H. R . .Report No. 2786): The Seneca Nation of New York Indians now occupy the Cattarau­ gus and Allegany Reservations in western New York.
    [Show full text]
  • For Sale: Spectacular Zoar Valley Acreage
    N Marek Road For Sale: Spectacular Zoar Valley Acreage 9581 Marek Road, Town of Otto, Cattaraugus County, New York Exceptional Fishing, Hunting, and Timber Income on a Unique, Private Parcel Private and Quiet, with Neighboring Nature Preserves This offering is a rare opportunity to own a portion of one of the most magnificent and unspoiled natural areas in Western New York. Its possibilities are unlimited: primary or secondary home; nature retreat; secluded fishing and hunting enclave; working woodlot managed for sustained timber income and preservation—or all of the above . With almost 2,200 feet of frontage on the South Branch Gorge of Cattaraugus Creek, this 92.9-acre parcel shares a creek centerline boundary with two adjoining nature preserves to the west: the five-acre Rodger Sweetland Preserve, owned by the Nature Sanctuary Society of West- ern New York, Inc., and the 410-acre Deer Lick Conserva- tion Area, a National Natural Landmark owned and man- aged by The Nature Conservancy, Inc. Privacy truly defines this pastoral setting; birdcalls, cattle lowing, and the wind are often the only sounds heard. A Unique Natural Setting with Dramatic Topography The parcel offers waterfalls, deep ravines, and towering hemlocks and maples—all in an awe-inspiring and undis- turbed setting. Elevation varies by almost 500 feet—from the floor of the South Branch Gorge, at 970 feet above sea level, to a knoll near the northeast corner, at 1,460 feet. This knoll, one of many ideal building sites, even offers a seasonal glimpse of Lake Erie to the northwest. Spectacular plant and animal life abounds, and the eco- system sustains a vast array of wildlife species.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Independent External Peer Review Report Cattaraugus Creek
    Final Independent External Peer Review Report Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Ecosystem Restoration at Springville Dam, Draft Detailed Project Report/Environmental Assessment Prepared by Battelle Memorial Institute Prepared for Department of the Army U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Planning Center of Expertise for Ecosystem Restoration Mississippi Valley Division Contract No. W912HQ-10-D-0002 Task Order: 0055 April 18, 2014 Springville Dam IEPR | Final IEPR Report This page is intentionally left blank. BATTELLE | April 18, 2014 Springville Dam IEPR | Final IEPR Report CONTRACT NO. W912HQ-10-D-0002 Task Order: 0055 Final Independent External Peer Review Report Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Ecosystem Restoration at Springville Dam, Draft Detailed Project Report/Environmental Assessment Prepared by Battelle 505 King Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43201 for Department of the Army U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Planning Center of Expertise for Ecosystem Restoration Mississippi Valley Division April 18, 2014 BATTELLE | April 18, 2014 i Springville Dam IEPR | Final IEPR Report This page is intentionally left blank. BATTELLE | April 18, 2014 ii Springville Dam IEPR | Final IEPR Report Final Independent External Peer Review Report Cattaraugus Creek Watershed Ecosystem Restoration at Springville Dam, Draft Detailed Project Report/ Environmental Assessment Executive Summary PROJECT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The purpose of the Springville Dam Great Lakes Restoration Initiative project is to evaluate an array of measures which will provide fish passage above the dam to the upstream reaches of Cattaraugus Creek and its tributaries while at the same time prohibiting upstream migration of sea lampreys. The project is currently in the feasibility phase. The dam cannot just be breached as it is presently an effective barrier to invasive sea lamprey migration to upstream spawning habitat.
    [Show full text]