Master Water Control Manual Update Environmental Impact Statement for the Apalachicola – Chattahoochee – Flint River Basin

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On November 19, 2009, the USACE issued a Federal Register Notice of Intent to reopen public scoping based on a July 17, 2009 court ruling. The reopened scoping period will provide the public an opportunity to submit comments on the significant new information and circumstances introduced by the July 17, 2009 Order.

As a result of this ruling, the Corps is revising the scope of the EIS and water control manual updates in the following respects:

1. In updating the ACF water control plans and manuals, which are expected to be implemented in approximately three years, i.e., in 2012, the Corps will consider only operations that are within existing authority. The Corps previously announced its intent to update the plans and manuals "to reflect current operations." Because the court has held that the Corps lacks authority to continue to support present levels of water supply withdrawals at Lake Lanier or to reallocate storage to accommodate those or additional withdrawals, and because the court has ordered that most withdrawals from Lake Lanier must cease in 2012, the Corps will update the plans and manuals for operating the Lake Lanier project in a manner that reflects the court’s order.
   
   Thus, the Corps will not continue to accommodate the present level of withdrawals beyond July 2012, nor will the Corps consider a reallocation of storage for water supply at Lake Lanier as part of the process for updating the ACF water control plans and manuals. Should the States and other interested parties to In re Tri-State Water Rights Litigation reach an agreement that involves reallocation of storage for water supply, the Corps would be prepared to submit that agreement to the Army and higher Executive Branch authorities for consideration and possible referral to Congress. Should Congress enact legislation authorizing additional water supply at Lake Lanier, the Corps would update its operations, plans and manuals accordingly.
   
   
2. Pursuant to the court's order, as of July 17, 2012, the updated manuals will reflect that water supply withdrawals from Lake Lanier will be limited to the amounts authorized by relocation agreements with the Cities of Gainesville and Buford, Georgia. Those agreements, which were executed at the time of the reservoir's construction, authorize withdrawals of 8 million gallons per day (mgd) for Gainesville and 2 mgd for Buford, a combined 10 mgd.
   
   
3. Pursuant to the court's order, as of July 17, 2012, the updated manuals will reflect that "the required off-peak flow [at Buford Dam] will be 600 cfs." Currently, peak hydropower demand at Buford Dam typically occurs on weekdays from 0500-0900 and 1500-2200 between October 1 and March 31, and on weekdays from 1300-1900 between April 1 and September 30. When the Corps is not generating hydropower to meet this peak demand, the Corps will not release more than 600 cfs from Buford Dam to support water supply withdrawals.

All other aspects described in the notice of intent published in the Federal Register (73 FR 9780) on February 22, 2008 remain the same. To satisfy its obligations under NEPA, the Corps will evaluate present circumstances as part of its EIS, while acknowledging that it currently lacks authority to continue to accommodate present levels of water supply at Lake Lanier beyond July 17, 2012.

Individuals should submit scoping comments by January 2, 2010. Previously submitted comments will still be considered in the new scoping report. There is no need to re-submit comments from the previous scoping effort unless the new circumstances warrant new information.

The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin water management operations are described in a basin-wide Master Water Control Manual. Operations at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) federally managed reservoir are described in Water Control Manuals specific to each reservoir and included within the overall Master Water Control Manual.

Water Control Manuals outline the regulation schedules for each project and specifications for storage and releases from each reservoir. Water Control Manuals outline policies and data protocols for flood control operations and drought contingency operations. Updated Water Control Manuals are needed to enable managers to strike the best balance possible for the many purposes and demands. A complex set of factors is needed to determine appropriate water management at each lake. In addition to the authorized project purposes, power contract commitments, hydrologic and climatologic factors, downstream lake and basin-wide conditions, potential threats of flood and drought, and lake levels must all be considered. It is a tough balancing act.

The information contained herein is for general informational purposes only and is subject to change.

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