Document Type: EIS-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Impact Statement Project Name: Ash Impoundment Closure EIS Project Number: 2015-31 FINAL ASH IMPOUNDMENT CLOSURE PROGRAMMATIC EIS PART II – SITE-SPECIFIC NEPA REVIEW: BULL RUN FOSSIL PLANT Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Chattanooga, TN June 2016 Ashley R. Farless, PE, AICP NEPA Compliance Tennessee Valley Authority 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 Phone: 423-751-2361 Fax: 423.751.7011 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 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 1 1.4 Summary of Proposed Action .................................................................................................. 4 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Existing Impoundment Operations ........................................................................................... 5 2.2 Project Alternatives .................................................................................................................. 5 2.2.1 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Consideration .......................................................... 9 2.2.1.1 Alternative A – No Action Alternative .......................................................................... 9 2.2.1.2 Alternative C – Closure-by-Removal ........................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Reasonable Alternatives Retained for Further Analysis .................................................. 11 2.3 EPRI Relative Impact Framework .......................................................................................... 13 2.4 Summary of Alternative Impacts ............................................................................................ 13 2.5 Identification of Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 15 2.6 The Preferred Alternative ....................................................................................................... 15 2.7 Necessary Permits or Licenses ............................................................................................. 15 CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................................................................................. 17 3.1 Groundwater .......................................................................................................................... 17 3.1.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 17 3.1.1.1 Pysiographic Setting and Regional Aquifer .............................................................. 17 3.1.1.2 Groundwater Use ...................................................................................................... 18 3.1.1.3 Groundwater Quality ................................................................................................. 19 3.1.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 20 3.1.2.1 Alternative B – Closure-in-Place ............................................................................... 20 3.2 Surface Water ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.2.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 21 3.2.1.1 Regional Surface Water Systems ............................................................................. 21 3.2.1.2 Surface Water Relating to BRF Ash Impoundments ................................................ 25 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 26 3.2.2.1 Alternative B – Closure-in-Place ............................................................................... 26 3.3 Floodplains ............................................................................................................................. 28 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 28 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 28 3.3.2.1 Alternative B – Closure-in-Place ............................................................................... 28 3.4 Vegetation .............................................................................................................................. 30 3.4.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 30 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 31 3.5 Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 32 3.5.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 32 3.5.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 32 3.6 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 33 3.6.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 33 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 34 3.7 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................... 35 3.7.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 35 Part II – BRF Site-Specific NEPA Review i Bull Run Fossil Plant Ash Impoundment Closure 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 37 3.8 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 37 3.8.1 Affected Environmental ................................................................................................... 37 3.8.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 38 3.9 Environmental Justice ............................................................................................................ 39 3.9.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 39 3.9.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 39 3.10 Natural Areas, Parks and Recreation .................................................................................... 41 3.10.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 41 3.10.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 41 3.11 Transportation ........................................................................................................................ 43 3.11.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 43 3.11.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 43 3.12 Cultural and Historic Resources ............................................................................................ 45 3.12.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 45 3.12.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 45 3.13 Noise ...................................................................................................................................... 46 3.13.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 46 3.13.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 46 3.14 Cumulative Effects ................................................................................................................. 47 3.14.1 Identification of “Other Actions” ....................................................................................... 47 3.14.1.1 Mechanical Dewatering Facility ................................................................................ 47 3.14.1.2 House Demolition .....................................................................................................