ML18036A930
| ML18036A930 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Clinch River |
| Issue date: | 02/05/2018 |
| From: | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| To: | Office of New Reactors |
| Fetter A | |
| References | |
| Download: ML18036A930 (4) | |
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Tennessee Valley Authority Transmission Construction Guidelines Near Streams Even the most carefully designed transmission line project eventually will affect one or more creeks, rivers, or other type of water body. These streams and other water areas are protected by state and federal law, generally support some amount of fishing and recreation, and, occasionally, are homes for important and/or endangered species. These habitats occur in the stream and on strips of land along both sides (the streamside management zone [SMZ]) where disturbance of the water, land, or vegetation could have an adverse effect on the water or stream life. The following guidelines have been prepared to help Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Transmission Construction staff and their contractors avoid impacts to streams and stream life as they work in and near SMZs.
These guidelines expand on information presented in A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Construction and Maintenance Activities (Muncy 2012).
Three Levels of Protection During the preconstruction review of a proposed transmission line, the TVA Environmental Biological Compliance staff will have studied each possible stream impact site and will have identified it as falling into one of three categories: (A) standard streamside management protection, (B) protection of important permanent streams, springs, and sinkholes, or (C) protection of unique habitats. These category designations are based on the variety of species and habitats that exist in the stream, as well as federal requirements to avoid harming certain species.
As early as possible after field surveys are completed by the TVA Biological Compliance Staff, any streams that have been designated as either Category B or C will be discussed with the TVA Environmental Energy Delivery staff. The purpose of these discussions will be to minimize the number of crossings and their impact on the important resources in the streams during design and construction. The category designation for each stream site will then be marked on the transmission line plan and profile sheets. Construction crews are required to protect streams and other identified water habitats using the following pertinent set(s) of guidelines:
(A) Standard Stream Protection This is the standard (basic) level of protection for streams, springs, sinkholes, and the habitats around them. The purpose of the following guidelines is to minimize the amount and length of disturbance to the water bodies without causing adverse impacts on the construction work.
Guidelines:
- 1. All construction work around streams, springs, and sinkholes will be done using pertinent best management practices (BMPs) such as those described in A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Construction and Maintenance Activities, especially Chapter 5, Structural Controls Standards and Specifications (Muncy 2012).
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- 2. All equipment crossings of streams and shorelines must comply with appropriate state permitting requirements. Crossings of all drainage channels, intermittent streams, and permanent streams must be done in ways that avoid erosion problems and long-term changes in water flow. Crossings of any permanent streams must allow for natural movement of fish and other aquatic life.
- 3. Cutting of trees within SMZs must be accomplished by using either hand-held equipment or other appropriate clearing equipment (e.g., a feller-buncher) that would result in minimal soil disturbance and damage to low-lying vegetation. The method will be selected based on site-specific conditions and topography to minimize soil disturbance and impacts to the SMZ and surrounding area. Stumps can be cut close to ground level, but must not be removed or uprooted.
- 4. Other vegetation near streams must be disturbed as little as possible during construction. Soil displacement as a result of clearing operations by the actions of plowing, disking, blading, or other tillage or grading equipment will be minimized in SMZs. Shorelines that have to be disturbed must be stabilized as soon as feasible.
(B) Protection of Important Permanent Streams, Springs, and Sinkholes This category will be used when there is one or more specific reason(s) why a permanent (always-flowing) stream, spring, or sinkhole requires protection beyond that provided by standard BMPs. Reasons for requiring this additional protection include high potential for occupancy by federally listed or significant state-listed species, federally designated critical habitat, or areas designated as special use classification (e.g., trout waters). The purpose of the following guidelines is to minimize the disturbance of the banks and water in the flowing stream(s) where this level of protection is required.
Guidelines:
- 1. Except as modified by Guidelines 2-4 below, all construction work around streams will be done using pertinent BMPs, such as those described in A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Construction and Maintenance Activities, especially Chapter 5, Structural Controls Standards and Specifications (Muncy 2012).
- 2. All equipment crossings of streams must comply with appropriate state (and, at times, federal) permitting requirements. Crossings of drainage channels and intermittent streams must be done in ways that avoid erosion problems and long-term changes in water flow. Category B designations will be discussed with the TVA Environmental Energy Delivery staff as early as possible in the process, to allow time to discuss possible avoidance or minimization of impacts with design and construction.
- 3. Cutting of trees within SMZs must be accomplished by using either hand-held equipment or other appropriate clearing equipment (e.g., a feller-buncher) that would result in minimal soil disturbance and damage to low-lying vegetation. The method will be selected based on site-specific conditions and topography to minimize soil disturbance and impacts to the SMZ and surrounding area. Cutting of trees near permanent streams must be limited to those required to meet National 2
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Electrical Safety Code and danger tree requirements. Stumps can be cut close to ground level, but must not be removed or uprooted.
- 4. Other vegetation near streams must be disturbed as little as possible during construction. Soil displacement by the actions of plowing, disking, blading, or other tillage or grading equipment will be minimized in SMZs. Shorelines that have to be disturbed must be stabilized as soon as possible and revegetated as soon as feasible.
(C) Protection of Unique Habitats This category will be used when, for one or more specific reasons, a temporary or permanent aquatic habitat requires special protection. This relatively uncommon level of protection will be appropriate and required when a unique habitat requiring special protection is present (for example, the spawning area of a rare species), the stream is known to be occupied by a federally listed or significant state-listed species, or when required as a special condition resulting from consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to avoid project effects on a listed species or designated critical habitat.
The purpose of the following guidelines is to avoid or minimize any disturbance of the unique aquatic habitat.
Guidelines:
- 1. Except as modified by Guidelines 2-4 below, all construction work around the unique habitat will be done using pertinent BMPs, such as those described in A Guide for Environmental Protection and Best Management Practices for Tennessee Valley Authority Construction and Maintenance Activities, especially Chapter 5, Structural Controls Standards and Specifications (Muncy 2012).
- 2. Category C designations would be discussed with the TVA Environmental Energy Delivery staff as early as possible following field surveys to allow time to discuss possible avoidance or minimization of impacts with design and construction.
Environmental Energy Delivery staff would discuss construction activities to take place in the SMZ with the Environmental Biological Compliance staff. On-site planning sessions would be conducted as needed. All crossings of streams also must comply with appropriate state (and, at times, federal) permitting requirements.
- 3. Cutting of trees within SMZs must be accomplished by using either hand-held equipment or other appropriate clearing equipment (e.g., a feller-buncher) that would result in minimal soil disturbance and damage to low-lying vegetation. The method will be selected based on site-specific conditions and topography to minimize soil disturbance and impacts to the SMZ and surrounding area. Cutting of trees near permanent streams should be limited to those required to meet National Electrical Safety Code, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission standards, and danger tree requirements. Stumps can be cut close to ground level, but must not be removed or uprooted.
- 4. Other vegetation near the unique habitat must be disturbed as little as possible during construction. Soil disturbance by plowing, disking, blading, or grading must be kept at a minimum. Areas that have to be disturbed must be stabilized as soon as possible and revegetated as soon as feasible.
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- 5. Special SMZ requirements will be coordinated with Environmental Biological Compliance staff.
Maintenance During ongoing operations, SMZs will be inspected frequently; and during inactive periods, occasionally. Damaging or failing situations that may cause unacceptable water quality impacts will be corrected as soon as practical.
Revision 2.1 - June 2012 4