Environmental Consequences

Under both alternatives, due to the complexity of the undertaking, and pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.14(b), TVA would execute a Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Tennessee SHPO that stipulates how the anticipated adverse effects of the alternative would be resolved and

establishes a process for phased identification, evaluation, and treatment of historic properties for unanticipated adverse effects.

3.9.2.1 No Action Alternative Archaeological Sites

The No Action Alternative may adversely affect archaeological sites within the I-APE. Anticipated adverse effects include an increase in the frequency of artifact looting and the accelerated erosion of intact archaeological deposits and/or features. Over time, as the reservoir remains at the current levels indefinitely, looting and/or erosion may result in the total loss of some archaeological resources (see Table 3-14).

TVA would execute a PA pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.14(b) allowing for phased identification and evaluation of archaeological sites within I-APE and stipulating a process for monitoring and mitigating adverse effects (Table 3-13). TVA proposes to complete the archaeological inventory on the remaining ~500 acres of TVA land so that all sites in the APE can be identified. For all sites in the I-APE that TVA and SHPO agree are NRHP-eligible or potentially NRHP-eligible, Under the No Action Alternative, TVA would implement the same avoidance measures as it would under the Proposed Action. during the 5 to 7 year drawdown duration. TVA would:

> Increase TVA Police patrols on TVA land, with a focus on the NRHP-eligible and potentially eligible sites;

> Monitor eligible/potentially eligible archaeological sites on both TVA land and private property so that increases in looting frequency and/or accelerated erosion can be noted and appropriate actions can be taken; and

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> Hydro-seed archaeological sites (for erosion control) where looting and/or erosion are found to be an adverse effect.

Since the TVA cannot feasibly prevent all instances of looting and erosion, the TVA would fund an academic institution’s and/or Federally recognized Indian tribe’s archaeological research at sites within the I-APE as the mitigation measure for this adverse effect.

Historic Buildings and Structures

The No Action Alternative is not expected to affect historic properties within the D-APE or V- APE. TVA would determine whether it would be necessary to restore the height of the

embankment (that is being lowered 10 feet for exploratory grouting); if deemed necessary, TVA would use in kind materials that would not detract from the dam’s historic integrity.

3.9.2.2 Proposed Action Archaeological Sites

The Proposed Action is not expected to affect archaeological sites within the D-APE due to the absence of NRHP-listed, eligible, or potentially eligible sites, or within the V-APE because the visual parameters of archaeological sites are not normally considered when assessing their significance. During the 5 to 7 year drawdown, adverse effects may occur within the I-APE due to an increase in the frequency of artifact looting and the accelerated erosion of intact

archaeological deposits and/or features, which could result in loss or harm to some resources. Since the TVA cannot feasibly prevent all instances of looting and erosion, the TVA shall fund an academic institution’s and/or Federally recognized Indian tribe’s archaeological research at sites within the I-APE as the mitigation measure for this adverse effect.

TVA proposes to complete the archaeological inventory on the remaining ~500 acres of TVA land so that all sites in the APE can be identified. For all sites in the I-APE that TVA and SHPO agree are NRHP-eligible or potentially NRHP-eligible, TVA proposes to implement the following avoidance measures during the 5 to 7 year drawdown duration:

> Increase TVA Police patrols on TVA land, with a focus on the NRHP-eligible and potentially eligible sites;

> Monitor eligible/potentially eligible archaeological sites on both TVA land and private property so that increases in looting frequency and/or accelerated erosion can be noted and appropriate actions can be taken; and

> Hydro-seed archaeological sites (for erosion control) where looting and/or erosion are found to be an adverse effect.

TVA also proposes to establish a volunteer monitoring program to obtain assistance from members of the public in monitoring previously recorded archaeological sites around the

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reservoir, and to conduct outreach to the public and to property owners adjacent to the reservoir about laws protecting archaeological sites on TVA-owned and private property.

Historic Buildings and Structures

Within the D-APE, the undertaking will result in no visible change in the appearance of the dam and therefore will have no adverse effect. However, currently unforeseeable modifications to the undertaking may require immediate actions which preclude the steps outlined in 36 CFR Part 800.4 through 800.13. Therefore TVA will mitigate adverse effects to the “Boone Hydroelectric Project”, including all ten contributing resources, by preparing documentation required for the HABS/Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) and submitting that documentation to the National Park Service. Although the crest of the earthen embankment that was lowered 10 feet would be restored after the seepage barrier is constructed, this alteration of the crest height would not be an adverse effect because that portion of the embankment is not original and thus, not historic.

The distance, topography, and vegetation of project activities will obstruct visual impacts of project activities to buildings which may be NRHP-eligible. Moreover the temporary nature of project activities will result in no permanent, adverse effects to these buildings. The Proposed Action is not expected to affect historic properties within the I-APE.