Document Type: EA-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Assessment Project Name: Pickwick Landing Dam Seismic Upgrade Project Number: 2016-3 Pickwick Landing Dam South Embankment Seismic Upgrade Hardin County, Tennessee FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Knoxville, Tennessee September 30, 2016 For more information, contact: Matthew Higdon NEPA Specialist Tennessee Valley Authority 400 West Summit Drive, WT 11D Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499 Phone: 865-632-8051 E-mail: [email protected] This page intentionally left blank Contents Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ......................................................................... 1 1.1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ................................................................................ 2 1.4 Necessary Permits and Consultation ....................................................................................... 4 1.4.1 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Construction Permit .......................................................................................................... 4 1.4.2 Individual Aquatic Resources Alteration Permit (ARAP) Section 401 Water Quality Certification ........................................................................................................... 4 1.4.3 Section 10 / Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit ............................................................. 5 1.4.4 Consultation Requirements ............................................................................................... 5 1.4.4.1 Endangered Species Act ............................................................................................ 5 1.4.4.2 National Historic Preservation Act .............................................................................. 5 1.4.4.3 Executive Order 11988 - Floodplain Management ..................................................... 5 1.5 Public Outreach ........................................................................................................................ 5 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Description of Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ................................................................................ 7 2.1.2 Alternative B – Proposed Action Alternative (Upstream and Downstream Berms with Extended Fill Areas)....................................................................................... 7 2.1.2.1 Proposed Downstream Activities ................................................................................ 7 2.1.2.2 Proposed Upstream Activities ..................................................................................... 8 2.1.2.3 Proposed Schedule of Activities ................................................................................. 8 2.1.2.4 Proposed Access ...................................................................................................... 11 2.1.2.5 Proposed Laydown Area ........................................................................................... 11 2.2 Other Alternatives Evaluated, but Dismissed from Further Consideration ............................ 11 2.3 Preferred Alternative .............................................................................................................. 13 2.4 Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 13 2.5 Identification of Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 17 2.6 Environmental Resources Not Carried Forward .................................................................... 18 CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................... 21 3.1 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................. 21 3.1.1 Geology ........................................................................................................................... 21 3.1.2 Soils ................................................................................................................................. 21 3.1.3 Floodplains ...................................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Water Resources ................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.1 General Setting ................................................................................................................ 23 3.2.2 Groundwater .................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.3 Water Supply ................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.4 Wetlands .......................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.5 Surface Water .................................................................................................................. 24 3.2.6 Surface Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 24 3.4 Terrestrial Ecology ................................................................................................................. 27 3.4.1 Terrestrial Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 27 3.4.2 Invasive Species .............................................................................................................. 28 3.4.3 Terrestrial Wildlife ............................................................................................................ 29 Final Environmental Assessment i Pickwick Landing Dam Seismic Upgrade 3.4.4 Migratory Birds ................................................................................................................ 29 3.5 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................... 30 3.5.1 Plants ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.5.2 Aquatic Animals ............................................................................................................... 32 3.5.3 Terrestrial Animals ........................................................................................................... 33 3.6 Natural Areas, Parks and Recreation .................................................................................... 35 3.7 Air Quality ............................................................................................................................... 35 3.8 Transportation ........................................................................................................................ 36 3.9 Navigation .............................................................................................................................. 36 3.10 Utilities .................................................................................................................................... 37 3.11 Solid Waste ............................................................................................................................ 37 3.12 Socioeconomic Conditions and Environmental Justice ......................................................... 38 3.13 Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................. 38 3.14 Noise Levels ........................................................................................................................... 40 CHAPTER 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ..................................................................... 41 4.1 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................. 41 4.1.1 Geology and Soils ........................................................................................................... 41 4.1.1.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 41 4.1.1.2 Action Alternative ...................................................................................................... 41 4.1.2 Floodplains ...................................................................................................................... 41 4.1.2.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 42 4.1.2.2 Action Alternative .....................................................................................................