Document Type: EA-Administrative Record Index Field: Final Environmental Assessment Project Name: Beech Reservoir Grass Carp EA Project Number: 2017-2 TRIPLOID GRASS CARP STOCKING FOR AQUATIC VEGETATION MANAGEMENT IN BEECH RESERVOIR FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Henderson County, Tennessee Prepared by: TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Knoxville, Tennessee September 2017 To request further information, contact: Doug White NEPA Specialist Tennessee Valley Authority 400 West Summit Drive, WT 11D Knoxville, Tennessee 37902-1499 Phone: 865-632-2252 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 1.1.1 Beech Reservoir ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1.2 Aquatic Vegetation Management ...................................................................................... 2 1.2 Decision to be Made ................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ................................................................................ 3 1.4 Necessary Permits ................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Public Outreach ........................................................................................................................ 6 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Description of Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 No Action Alternative ......................................................................................................... 7 2.1.2 Proposed Action Alternative .............................................................................................. 7 2.2 Other Alternatives Evaluated, but Dismissed from Further Consideration .............................. 9 2.3 Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Identification of Mitigation Measures ...................................................................................... 11 2.5 The Preferred Alternative ....................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 3 - AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ................................................................................................................. 13 3.1 Aquatic Ecology ..................................................................................................................... 13 3.1.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 13 3.1.1.1 Physical and Chemical Characteristics ..................................................................... 13 3.1.1.2 Aquatic Animals ........................................................................................................ 14 3.1.1.3 Aquatic Vegetation .................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 17 3.1.1.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 17 3.1.1.2 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 20 3.2 Surface Water ........................................................................................................................ 21 3.2.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 21 3.2.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 22 3.2.2.1 The No Action Alternative ......................................................................................... 22 3.2.2.2 The Proposed Action Alternative .............................................................................. 23 3.3 Terrestrial Ecology - Wildlife .................................................................................................. 23 3.3.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 23 3.3.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 24 3.3.2.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 24 3.3.2.2 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 25 3.4 Threatened and Endangered Terrestrial Species .................................................................. 25 3.4.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 25 3.4.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 27 3.4.2.1 The No Action Alternative ......................................................................................... 27 3.4.2.2 The Proposed Action Alternative .............................................................................. 27 3.5 Wetlands ................................................................................................................................ 27 3.5.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 27 3.5.1 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 28 3.5.1.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 28 3.5.1.2 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 28 3.6 Recreation .............................................................................................................................. 30 Final Environmental Assessment i Grass Carp Stocking for Aquatic Vegetation Management in Beech Reservoir 3.6.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 30 3.6.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 30 3.6.2.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 30 3.6.2.2 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 30 3.7 Socioeconomic Conditions and Environmental Justice ......................................................... 31 3.7.1 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................... 31 3.7.2 Environmental Consequences......................................................................................... 31 3.7.2.1 No Action Alternative................................................................................................. 31 3.7.2.2 Proposed Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 31 3.8 Summary ................................................................................................................................ 32 CHAPTER 4 - LIST OF PREPARERS ............................................................................................... 33 CHAPTER 5 - ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RECIPIENTS (AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS) ................................................................................................................ 35 5.1 Federal Agencies ................................................................................................................... 35 5.2 State Agencies ....................................................................................................................... 35 5.3 Local Governments and Organizations.................................................................................. 35 CHAPTER 6 - LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................. 37 List of Tables Table 2-1 Comparison of Impacts of the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action Alternative ......................................................................................................................... 10 Table 3-1 Beech Forebay Water Quality Results 2012 ..................................................................... 13 Table 3-2 Uses for Streams in the Vicinity of the Proposed Beech Reservoir Triploid Grass Carp Stocking for Aquatic Vegetation Management .............................................. 22 Table 3-3 State and Federally Listed Terrestrial Animal Species Reported from Henderson County,