What has been done in terms of studying and mitigating karst features?
• Geotechnical investigations and soil borings from 1985 resulted in a recommendation for a limited void investigation of karst features during construction. • During the Preliminary Site Assessment in 2002, karst features were identified and mapped on the existing site. • Ten known surface karst features within the 102 acres designated for the plant were evaluated. • Three of the 10 were found to be significant; a 150-foot setback from the three was required during planning. Current standards require a 300-foot setback; this will be accommodated and plant layout/footprint will be reassessed during the preliminary engineering phase. • The preliminary engineering phase will include further investigation of the subsurface karst geology. • Tunneling for WTP 4 and the pipes to and from the plant will be beneath the geological formation in which karst features occur.
