Proposed Rehabilitation of Allison Lake, Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Jones County

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposes to rehabilitate Allison Lake, a 33-acre impoundment on Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in Jones County (Figs. 1 & 2). The lake's earthen dam, spillway/outlet structure, and concrete emergency spillway are dilapidated; portions of which have been undermined by storm events in 2006, 2007, and 2008 (Figs. 3 & 4). Over the past 20 years, large amounts of silt have been deposited in the upstream portion lake following high water storm events. This sedimentation creates vegetated sand/silt bars that further reduces the lake's surface area by three to five acres. During the summer, large mats of submergent vegetation, such as waterweed, water-milfoil, and hydrilla, covers approximately 80% of the lake's surface. To rehabilitate the lake and associated infrastructure, the Refuge will 1) drain the lake; 2) replace and/or rebuild the earthen dam, the concrete emergency spillway, boat ramp, and wood fishing pier; and 3) remove accumulated silt deposits from lake bed (Figs. 5 & 6). A 2-acre fallow agricultural field, located just northeast of the lake, will be used as a source of clay required for the rehabilitation of the earthen dam. The proposed borrow pit will be excavated to a depth of 10 to 12 feet. Silt removed from the lakebed will be placed in the borrow area and then covered with topsoil. This area will be revegetated with native grasses. Periodic use of herbicide, mowing, and prescribed bums will eradicate invasive flora and promote optimal conditions for the native grasses. The Refuge intends to keep the lakebed dry for at least two years to kill any submergent vegetation's rootstock. Upon completion of the work, the lake will be allowed to re-fill and subsequently restocked with fish. Based upon the project description, past land use patterns, reviews of the FWS's Regional Site Files and the available technical literature, and field inspection, the proposed rehabilitation of Allison Lake will have "no effect" upon any of the Refuge's significant historic properties. Further archaeological investigations are not warranted nor recommended.