Document Type: EA-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Assessment Project Name: Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting Agreement Project Number: 2016-30 OCOEE RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING AGREEMENT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Polk County, Tennessee Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Knoxville, Tennessee Cooperating Agency: U.S. Forest Service Cherokee National Forest May 2018 To request further information, contact: Matthew Higdon NEPA Project Manager Tennessee Valley Authority 400 West Summit Hill Drive, WT11D Knoxville, Tennessee 37902 Phone: 865.632.8051 [email protected] This page intentionally left blank Contents Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 – PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ......................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction and Background ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Current Release Schedules and Reimbursement for Lost Power Costs ................................. 6 1.2.1 Middle Ocoee River ........................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Upper Ocoee River ............................................................................................................ 7 1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................ 8 1.5 Related Environmental Reviews .............................................................................................. 8 1.6 Scope of the Environmental Assessment and Summary of the Proposed Action ................. 10 1.7 Public and Agency Involvement ............................................................................................. 12 1.7.1 The Scoping Process ...................................................................................................... 12 1.7.2 Public Review of the Draft EA ......................................................................................... 13 1.8 Necessary Federal Permits or Licenses ................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 2 – ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................ 15 2.1 TVA Water Release Framework ............................................................................................ 15 2.2 Description of Alternatives ..................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative .............................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements ............................................................................ 17 2.2.2.1 Water Releases ......................................................................................................... 17 2.2.2.2 Recreation Management ........................................................................................... 18 2.2.3 Alternative C – Current Management Regime ................................................................ 19 2.2.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Discussion ................................... 19 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 20 2.4 TVA’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................................................... 22 2.5 Summary of Mitigation Measures .......................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................................................................................. 23 3.1 Recreation and Economics .................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1.1 Economic Impact of Recreation ................................................................................ 23 3.1.1.2 Economic Setting ...................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1.3 Economic Benefits and Impacts of Rafting ............................................................... 25 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 30 3.1.2.1 Alternative A – No Action .......................................................................................... 31 3.1.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements ...................................................................... 32 3.1.2.3 Alternative C – Current Management Regime .......................................................... 34 3.1.2.4 Summary of Environmental Consequences ............................................................. 35 3.2 Demographics and Environmental Justice............................................................................. 37 3.2.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 37 3.2.1.1 Demographics and Housing ...................................................................................... 37 3.2.1.2 Environmental Justice ............................................................................................... 40 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 41 3.2.2.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ........................................................................ 41 3.2.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements ...................................................................... 41 3.2.2.3 Alternative C – Current Management Regime .......................................................... 41 3.3 Traffic and Transportation ...................................................................................................... 41 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 41 Environmental Assessment i Ocoee River Whitewater Rafting Agreement EA 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 44 3.3.2.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ........................................................................ 44 3.3.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements ...................................................................... 44 3.3.2.3 Alternative C – Current Management Regime .......................................................... 45 3.4 Surface Water Resources ...................................................................................................... 45 3.4.1 Hydrology ......................................................................................................................... 45 3.4.1.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................................ 45 3.4.1.2 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................. 54 3.4.2 Water Quality ................................................................................................................... 55 3.4.2.1 Affected Environment ................................................................................................ 55 3.4.2.2 Environmental Consequences .................................................................................. 56 3.5 Vegetation and Wildlife .......................................................................................................... 57 3.5.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 57 3.5.1.1 Vegetation ................................................................................................................. 57 3.5.1.2 Wildlife ....................................................................................................................... 58 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 59 3.5.2.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ........................................................................ 59 3.5.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements ...................................................................... 60 3.5.2.3 Alternative C – Current Management Regime .......................................................... 61 3.6 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 61 3.6.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 61 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 63 3.6.2.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative ........................................................................ 63 3.6.2.2 Alternative B – Proposed Agreements .....................................................................