The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Nashville District, announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review and comment regarding proposed revisions to the 1998 Water Control Manual for J. Percy Priest Dam and Reservoir.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
J. Percy Priest Dam and Reservoir is located on the Stones River in the Cumberland River Basin, approximately 15 miles upstream from Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee. The facility was authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1938 and serves multiple purposes including flood control, hydropower generation, recreation, water quality, fish and wildlife conservation, and water supply.
PROPOSED REVISIONS
The Draft EA evaluates two alternatives:
Alternative 1 - No Action: Administrative update to the Water Control Manual with no changes to current water management operations.
Alternative 2 - 30-Day Winter Drawdown Delay (Tentatively Selected Plan): This alternative proposes the option of delaying the start of the annual winter drawdown from October 5 to as late as November 12. The completion of the drawdown would still be targeted between December 1 and December 15.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The analysis found that Alternative 2 would have no significant adverse impacts on the human environment and offers several minor, long-term benefits:
• Hydropower: Potential to extend the hydropower generation season into the fall after lake turnover improves water quality, providing economic benefits.
• Recreation: May extend the summer pool for enhanced on-water recreation, benefiting boaters and anglers.
• Wildlife: The delay may provide additional wetted habitat for early-arriving migratory waterfowl during fall migration.
Based on these findings, USACE has determined that implementation of the selected alternative does not warrant preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is included with the EA.
REGULATORY CONTEXT
This EA was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate potential impacts across multiple resource categories including recreation, aquatic resources, water quality, floodplains, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, and socioeconomics.
HOW TO COMMENT
The Draft EA is available for review at https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/29272
Submit comments by
Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Nashville District ATTN: Planning Division 110 9th Avenue South, Room A-405 Nashville, Tennessee 37202-1070
Email: CorpsLRNPlanningPublicCom@usace.army.mil