Effects of Heated Water on Aquatic Life-This project in the early stages of development is a joint investigation by TVA and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eight naturalistic concrete stream channels will be constructed and stocked with a representative selection of flora and fauna indigenous to the Tennessee River. Differing amounts of heated water from a TVA power plant will be directed through the channels to discover the effects of such heated water on the ecosystem.

Question 6.-How much of your environmental research is conducted at your own facilities? How much is done by contract to other institutions? Please indicate the proportion of contract work assigned to cach of various types of institutions (university, independent research firm, industry, etc.).

Answer. All of TVA's appropriation financed environmental research was carried out at its own facilities during fiscal year 1971. This is the general practice. Short-term projects may be carried out under contract with a university or private institution but such instances are infrequent and of minor financial concern.

Question 7.-What mechanism, if any, do you have for identifying and addressing large-scale environmental questions by interdisciplinary_teams? What mechanism do you have for coordinating your activities with the Environmental Protection Agency? Please include copies of any memoranda or letters of agreement which detail your coordination mechanism.

Answer.-TVA's coordinated management, planning, construction, operations and research organizations include in a single agency the expertise of many disciplines under unified direction, and long accustomed to working together on large-scale problems. As an example, T'VA's current research program of removal of sulfur from power plant stack gases (a major problem of national interest), embodies key staff from the TVA Divisions of Chemical Development (chemical engineers), Power Resource Planning (mechanical engineers, mathematicians, and physicists), Power Production (mechanical engineers, test engineers, and statisticians), Engineering Design (planning and design engineers), and Environmental Research and Development (air quality and water quality specialists). In the case of one SO2 removal project, that of planning, designing, installing, and operating a full-scale wet scrubber on a 550-MWe unit at the Widows Creek power plant, a special task force made up of representatives of each of the organizations above functions to coordinate and oversee details of that project.

Through informal discussions and joint participation in various working committees, TVA and EPA staff continually exchange information on environmental matters and activities in which there is mutual interest and concern, although no formal coordination mechanism has been established between the two agencies. TVA is presently working in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency in several important environmental fields where TVA has special expertise and experience, as well as naturally adaptable laboratories. These include (1) cooperative research with the Air Pollution Control Office on studies of atmospheric interactions of stack emissions from coal-fired power plants and extensive research on several promising processes for SO2 removal; (2) the development of a comprehensive plan for water quality management in the Tennessee River basin, currently under review in the Water Quality Office, EPA; and (3) a full-scale municipal refuse-sewage sludge composting project at Johnson City, Tennessee, in cooperation with the Solid Waste Office, EPA. Just recently TVA and EPA completed administrative arrangements for building and operating a $2.5 million experimental facility at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant to study the effects of heated water on aquatic life. This project, financed by the Water Quality Office, EPA, will be constructed and operated by TVA but will have overall technical direction from staff of both agencies.

All of these research and demonstration activities are handled by interagency letters of agreement, with clearly defined mechanisms for coordinating expenditures of funds, reporting of progress, and evaluating results. We believe that they provide good examples of how two agencies can jointly use their separate resources to best advantage in carrying out large environmental research projects. Question 8.-What important questions, if any, are you unable to research adequately within your existing research structure? What are the main hindrances to proceeding with such research?

Answer.-TVA's current environmental research and development work is directed primarily to major environmental problems associated with water resources projects, the generation and transmission of electric power, the develop

ment of new fertilizer technology, and expanding industrial and urban development in the Valley. Although TVA is doing the best it can within the limits of available resources, like many other agencies, TVA is limited in its research efforts by lack of appropriations for environmental research needs. Thus, some very pressing environmental problems do not fully receive the kind of comprehensive study and investigation needed to solve them, while others cannot be undertaken.

With adequate financial support, either directly or by cooperative arrangements with other agencies such as EPA, we believe breakthroughs of great benefit to the whole country might be achieved. Research and development projects could be planned and conducted on a comprehensive basis to include (1) fundamental research and field studies to define key environmental problems and identify possible approaches to control, (2) development of control technology, (3) field trials, (4) demonstration, (5) full-scale tests, and (6) application of control technology.

A listing follows of priority needs for environmental research and development that TVA is specially qualified and ideally suited to help meet.

Control of SO2 Emissions From Fossil Fuel Power Plants.-Drastic reduction in SO2 emissions from fossile fuel power plants will be required to meet more stringent air quality standards being promulgated nationwide. There is no prospect that the standards can be met by changeover to low-sulfur fuels alone for all power generating stations. Despite major research efforts throughout the world in recent years, SO2 control technology presently available or in prospect for the immediate future is inadequate to meet the needs for timely compliance with air quality standards. Expansion of research efforts is needed to solve problems that have been encountered in full-scale application of limestone scrubbing processes and to accelerate the development and application of processes which would recover sulfur in useful form from either the stack gases or the fuel before combustion.

Solid Waste Reclamation and Recycling.—The increasing production of solid wastes and the increasing demands for handling and disposal of these wastes is a problem of national concern. More research is needed in developing systematic plans for waste management, with emphasis on reclamation and reuse rather than disposal alone. TVA, the City of Memphis, Memphis-Shelby County Health Department, and the Tennessee State Health Department are exploring possibilities for a cooperative project to investigate the feasibility of a solid waste management plan that would involve use of the Allen Steam Plant for disposal of the combustible fraction of the solid waste from the City of Memphis. The system under consideration includes wet grinding (hydropulping), metal removal and salvage, glass removal and salvage, possibly separation of salvage of long paper fibers, and the burning (after some degree of wewatering) of the remaining combustible material. A sewage treatment plan is already under construction on a site adjacent to the steam plant, and the sludge from this plant may be combined with the solid wastes for burning, thereby eliminating the need for other sludge disposal methods.

Effects of Thermal Discharges-The environmental effects associated with disposal of waste heat from thermal power plants, both fossil fuel and nuclear, have received increased attentin in recent years. However, in relation to the qualities of waste heat involved and the costs associated with waste heat disposal systems for existing and future thermalelectric power generating stations, research to document and measure these effects has been limited. Additional research is needed on the effects of waste heat discharges to surface waters and to the atmosphere, and to develop beneficial uses of the waste heat. In cooperation with the Water Quality Office, EPA, TVA is planning a large-scale research facility at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant to study under controlled conditions the effects of water temperature on aquatic life. Research on the use of waste heat for greenhouse production of horticultural crops, warmwater irrigation, soil heating, and heating and cooling of poultry and swine houses, is planned in cooperation with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Atomic Energy Commission as a part of investigations to develop beneficial uses of waste heat. Under a contract with TVA, a commercial operator, at his own expense, is experimenting with the use of the warmwater condenser discharge from our Gallatin Steam Plant for catfish production.

Coal Strip Mining-TVA is demonstrating practical ways to minimize the environmental impact of strip mining and to restore strip mined areas to preductive uses. An expansion of this activity is needed to provide large-scale

demonstrations which hopefully would lead to converting to productive use the estimated 50,000 acres of unreclaimed coal strip mine areas and related roads in the affected 25 Tennessee Valley counties of Tennessee, Virginia, and Alabama. In the demonstrations, the reclaimed areas would be incorporated with adjacent lands to provide an adequate base for development of a management plan which would optimize balanced use of the land for timber, wildlife, and recreation. This would capitalize upon the potential of the disturbed areas and surrounding lands for development of wildlife food production and grazing areas, recreation development, and associated benefits.

Role of Agriculture in Eutrophication of Streams and Reservoirs-Eutrophication of streams and reservoirs is associated with enrichment of these waters with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and other nutrients which permit excessive growth of algae and other water plants. These nutrients come from many different sources: domestic sewage (including phosphate in detergents), processing wastes, industrial wastes, animal wastes, land runoff, and land drainage.

Of prime importance is researrh, both in the laboratory and in the field, involving interrelationships among physical, chemical, and biological variables which control eutrophication. National research efforts to date have been directed principally to improvement of methods for removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from industrial and municipal waste waters. (Legal restrictions have resulted in drastic reduction in phosphates in detergents.) Expanded research is needed to determine the extent to which agricultural and fertilizer practices and waste disposal from animal and poultry production contribute nutrients to surface and ground waters, and, in turn, their role in the eutrophication process.

Environmental Problems of Valley Industries-Research, development, and demonstration of improved industrial waste disposal systems are needed to accelerate application of environmental controls at many industrial plants in the region that are typical of plants in other parts of the Nation. In the Valley, this need relates especially to paper mills (color in hydrowastes and odor in atmospheric emissions) and to atmospheric emissions from electric arc furnace operations.

APPENDIX A

TVA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVEOLPMENT PROGRAM

PROGRAM PLANNING AND COORDINATION OFFICE OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

OFFICE OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

The Office of Health and Environmental Science formulates, recommends, and carries out plans, policies, and programs relating to the health and safety of employees and of the public affected by TVA activities: to TVA's interests in the conservation of environmental resources of the region; and to the development and administration of cooperative relations with other agencies in health, safety, and environmental science studies, demonstrations, and services. It conducts research and development activities in environmental quality control, administers

64-737-71-pt. 2—42

the TVA medical service program, and advises offices and divisions concerning accident prevention and hazard control techniques and principles.

Office of the manager

The Manager of Health and Environmental Science guides and coordinates the work of the office which includes the Division of Environmental Research and Development, the Safety Staff, and the Division of Medical Services. He is assisted by the heads of these organizations and by the Administrative Officer. The Administrative Officer assists the manager in coordinating personnel, training, budgeting, and other similar administrative matters; and coordinates information, reporting, and record services for the office.

SAFETY STAFF

The Safety Staff develops and recommends policies and plans for the prevention of accidents and control of hazards to persons and property in TVA's work. It provides advice and technical assistance to offices and divisions in their planning, development, and application of measures for the prevention and control of hazards for their operations. It recommends standards, devices, and techniques for hazard control. It reviews hazard control plans, monitors performance, appraises the effectiveness of TVA's safety activities, and recommends corrective action as necessary.

The staff provides safety services directly to certain TVA organizations. It collaborates with the Director of Medical Services, the Industrial and Radiological Hygiene Branch, and the Special Health Services Staff in planning and obtaining application of measures to prevent and control occupational disease and disability and is applying human factors engineering. It plans and develops cooperative relations with other agencies, services, and organizations concerned with safety. It maintains liaison with the U.S. Department of Labor on matters related to Federal Safety Standards.

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Division of Environnmental Research and Development develops, recommends, and carries out plans, policies, and programs pertaining to TVA's interests in the conservation of environmental resources of the region. It makes regional environmental quality studies and conducts approved environmental research and development activities. It provides technical guidance and assistance to other divisions and represents TVA with other governmental agencies with regard to environmental quality controls for TVA installations. It develops and administers relationships with other agencies in environmental science studies and

demonstrations.

Office of the Director

The division is under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Research and Development. The director is assisted by the Assistant to the Director (Administrative), Assistant to the Director (Program), the chiefs of the several branches of the division, the Research and Special rojects Staff, the Personnel Officer, and the Supervisor, Management Services.

Management Services, under the direction of the Supervisor, Management Services, coordinates divisional planning, programming, and budgeting and prepares and maintains budget documents for the division. It maintains budgetary control over division expenditures. It assists divisional management personnel n formulating general budget plans, program analysis, and administration of contracts in support of cooperative research projects and contracts for trial of equipment. It prepares fiscal reports and serves as liaison with TVA's Budget Staff, offices and divisions, and with outside agencies on division budgetary matters. It assists the director and the several organization units in formulation, coordination, and administration of divisional management services. It prepares administrative and special reports, develops informational and documentary materials, and receives and routes visitors.

The personel officer assists the Director of Environmental Research and Development in administering an effective and efficient personnel program. He coordinates personnel activities within the division and represents the division in activities with other offices and divisions.

The Research and Special Projects Staff coordinates research activities for the division, keeps informed of new developments and improvements in methods and

facilities relevant to the broad field of environmental science, recommends research projects which offer promise of yielding benefits to the TVA environmental research and development program, and formulates and recommends policies to encourage and facilitate environmental research activities. It serves as the principal point of contact in the division on research activities and represents the division in relationships with other TVA divisions, with contractors for research activities, and with other public agencies, manufacturers, and institutions engaged in cooperative research projects with TVA or conducting rleated research. It handles special assignments requiring coordination of the total program interests of the division with program interests of TVA organizations and with related program interests of Federal, state, and local agencies.

Industrial and Radiological Hygiene Branch

The Industrial and Radiological Hygiene Branch appraises and reports on potentially harmful factors in the work environment-radiation, fumes, gases, dusts, and other toxic agents as well as seeing conditions, noise, heat, ventilation, and air conditioning-all in relation to identified and approved standards. It recommends controls for hazards discovered and evaluates effectiveness of controls applied.

It provides specialized laboratory services in support of industrial hygiene and radiation protection activities. It is responsible for developing and applying the engineering and health physics aspects of radiological health services required in the planning or operation of facilities by TVA. It collaborates with the Safety Staff, the Special Health Services Staff, and the Chiefs, Area Medical Services, as necessary to ensure coordination of work.

Environmental Biology Branch

The Environmental Biology Branch plans and conducts biological studies and investigations as required to support vector control, aquatic plant control, air quality control, and water quality management programs of the division.

It plans, directs, and conducts biological and ecological studies and investigations including (a) entomological research and investigations related to the vector control program; (b) the botanical phases of aquatic plant studies and control; (c) investigations of aquatic plants affecting mosquito production and control; (d) studies to evaluate and monitor the effects of industrial, domestic, and agricultural wastes disposal on the biological productivity of receiving waters; (e) studies of changes in biological populations in streams and reservoirs related to pollution and other environmental stress factors; (f) studies of ecological relationships and their application in programs designed for water resource management; and (g) studies of effects of air emissions on vegetation. It provides specialized laboratory services and resources in support of its botanical, entomological, limnological, and ecological activities. It collaborates with and provides technical assistance to the Environmental Engineering Branch, the Air Quality Branch, and the Water Quality Branch as necessary to ensure coordination of work and to provide necessary program support.

Environmental Engineering Branch

The Environmental Engineering Branch plans TVA's vector control and aquatic plant control programs, provides technical supervision for and coordinates operational aspects of the programs, and evaluates their effectiveness.

It plans and carries out engineering investigations of reservoir environmental factors to identify their role in the propagation of disease vectors and their relationship to optimum utilization of TVA reservoirs. It develops special equipment and techniques for controlling disease vectors and obnoxious aquatic plants.

It provides advisory service and recommends approval for the sanitation aspects of planning and design of sanitary facilities at TVA installations.

It provides field public health engineering services to TVA organizations or concessions operating water supply and sewage disposal systems, recreation facilities, food-handling establishments, and housing.

It provides technical assistance in the administration of TVA landrights related to vector control and sanitation interests.

It mantains cooperative relationships with local, state, and Federal agencies concerned with vector control, aquatic weed control, and environmental sanitation.