Decision Memo. Cabin #5 Electric, Water, Septic Improvements

Transcription

1 Decision Memo Cabin #5 Electric, Water, Septic Improvements USDA Forest Service Ocoee/ Hiwassee Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest Polk County, Tennessee Section 18, Township 2, Range 3 East; Lot #5 of the Block 18-A Tract Decision I have decided to authorize Matthew Brown (holder of special use permit OCOHIW455) to install a buried electric line, buried water line, and buried septic system at Recreation Residence Cabin #5 of the Block 18-A tract. The electric line will be approximately 80 feet long from the power pole adjacent the driveway to the house. The line will be buried in a trench 24 inches deep by 12 inches wide. The water line will be a ¾ inch PVC pipe approximately 280 feet in length from Ocoee Utility District s water meter adjacent to Hwy 64 along the driveway to the house. The water line will be buried in a trench 24 inches deep by 12 inches wide. Backfill for both electric and water lines will be dirt with the exception of when they cross the driveway, which will be gravel. The septic system will consist of one 1,000 gallon septic tank buried approximately 8 feet from the residence connected by a buried wastewater line and one 1,000 gallon pump tank with alarms. The pump tank will be buried 3 feet from the septic tank and both tanks will be 5 feet long by 9 feet wide. The septic field will be approximately 30 feet wide by 120 feet long with 330 linear feet of septic line in 3 or more trenches 36 inches wide and inches deep. Approximately 4 stumps will be excavated and backfilled to accommodate the project. All work will be performed by licensed and insured contractors in accordance with state and local laws and codes. This decision will be implemented through an amendment to special use permit OCOHIW455 that meets the requirements of the decision and Forest Service regulations. In addition, Forest Service regulations require the applicant to secure any local, state, or federal permits or authorizations required by law. Background Matthew Brown submitted a general proposal in April 2008 to improve Cabin #5, including bringing the electrical and plumbing up to code. A site specific proposal was submitted to the Ocoee/ Hiwassee Ranger District in July 2010 for review, which was subsequently screened and accepted as a formal application for a permit amendment. This decision includes those ground disturbing activities identified in the July 2010 proposal, which is the electric, water, and septic improvements. Purpose and Need The purpose of this project is to enhance safety and reliability of electricity and create a sanitary water delivery and disposal system. This project is needed in order to meet health and safety standards for the residence as well as enhance its functionality. Page 1 of 3

2 Reasons for Categorical Exclusion I have concluded that this action can be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment as it is a routine activity within an approved category of exclusion under 36 CFR 220.6(e)(3) Approval, modification, or continuation of minor special uses of National Forest System lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land and there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the decision that may result in a significant individual or cumulative effect on the quality of the human environment. The following resource conditions were considered as part of this analysis: Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species. Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national recreation areas; Inventoried roadless area or potential wilderness area; Research natural areas; American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites; and Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas. Review of this project by Forest Service specialists have concluded that the above resource conditions are either not present or will have no effect on the project area. The project file includes supporting comments from specialists that were scoped on the project. Public Involvement This project was internally scoped and there were no extraordinary circumstances identified within the project area that warrant further documentation in an EA or EIS. As required by 36 CFR (see Federal Register, December 18, 2009) I have considered the best available science in making this decision The project record demonstrates a thorough review of relevant scientific information, consideration of responsible opposing views, and where appropriate, the acknowledgement of incomplete or unavailable information, scientific uncertainty, and risk. Findings Required by Other Laws This decision is consistent with the 2004 Revised Cherokee National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) as required by the National Forest Management Act. The project was designed in conformance with forest plan standards and incorporates appropriate Forest Plan guidelines for Management Area 3 and Management Prescription 5.A. The project is consistent with the purposes for which the Management Area and Management Prescriptions are managed. Page 2 of 4

3 This decision is compliant with the Endangered Species Act. The project was scoped to Forest Service biologists and concluded that there are no threatened or endangered species located in the project area and therefore the project will have no effect on such species. This decision is compliant with Forest Service Sensitive Species (Forest Service Manual 2670). This Manual direction requires analysis of potential impacts to sensitive species, those species for which the Regional Forester has identified population viability is a concern. There were no sensitive species identified within the project area and therefore the project will have no effect on such species. This decision is compliant with the National Historic Preservation Act. The proposed action is categorically excluded from the terms and conditions of the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act as defined in 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1). Documentation of this categorical exclusion is located in the project file. This decision is compliant with the Clean Water Act. This Act is to restore and maintain the integrity of waters. Matthew Brown has received a permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Division of Ground Water Protection for construction of subsurface sewage disposal system. The permit requires the septic system to be constructed a minimum of 25 feet from Parksville Lake. Administrative Review or Appeal Opportunities This decision is not subject to administrative appeal pursuant to 36 CFR Part (f) Implementation Date This project may be implemented immediately pursuant to 36 CFR Contact Person For additional information concerning this decision, contact Alex Faught, Realty Specialist, Ocoee/ Hiwassee Ranger District, 3171 Highway 64, Benton, TN, 37307, afaught@fs.fed.us or (423) /s/ H Thomas Speaks, Jr. 08/25/2010 H. Thomas Speaks, Jr. Date Forest Supervisor Page 3 of 4

4 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC or call (202) (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Page 4 of 4

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