[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11654]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-317 AND 50-318]

 

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Environmental Assessment and 
Finding of no Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating License Nos. 
DPR-53 and DPR-69, issued to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (the 
licensee) for operation of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 
Nos. 1 and 2, located at the licensee's site in Calvert County, 
Maryland.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed amendments would revise Figure 5.1-1, Site Boundary 
Map, and Figure 5.1-2, Low Population Zone Map, in the Technical 
Specifications (TSs). The revisions are needed to correct the 
discrepancy between the current site property lines and the property 
lines as shown on TS Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2. This discrepancy 
resulted from the purchase of land subsequent to issuance of the plant 
operating licenses and the failure to update the TSs to reflect the 
change in site property lines.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated September 29, 1992, as supplemented by 
letters dated October 22, 1993, and November 11, 1993.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed changes to the TSs are required to correct the 
discrepancy between the current site property lines and the property 
lines as shown on Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2 in the TSs. This 
discrepancy resulted from the purchase of six parcels of land 
subsequent to issuance of the plant operating licenses and the failure 
to update the TSs to reflect the change in property lines. The original 
site covered 1135 acres. With the addition of the six new parcels of 
land, the site now covers 2108 acres.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The 2108 acre Calvert Cliffs site includes forest and farmland 
which surround the plant. The land's primary purpose is to serve as a 
natural buffer between the plant and the local community. Over 1500 
acres of the site are covered with woodlands. The remaining acreage is 
made up of various open areas, a 50-acre recreational facility, and a 
working farm of about 100 acres. The six parcels of land that were 
acquired by the licensee subsequent to issuance of the plant operating 
licenses are comprised of shoreline property, woodlands, and farmland.
    The proposed revisions to TS Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2 are 
administrative in nature in that they will update the TSs to accurately 
reflect the current site boundary. The proposed amendments will not 
change plant equipment, operation or procedures, and do not adversely 
affect the probability or the consequences of any accident at this 
facility. The proposed amendments also do not affect radiological 
effluents from the facility or the radiation levels at the facility. 
Although the exclusion area as defined in 10 CFR part 100 has been 
increased, the property addition does not change the licensee's offsite 
dose calculations. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are 
no significant radiological impacts associated with the proposed 
amendments.
    There are no persons who reside on any of the new parcels and the 
acquired property does not contain sites of historical, archaeological 
or scenic significance. The licensee's Land Management Program 
implements certain forestry and farming practices that are intended to 
preserve the site's land resources and natural habitats. There are 
three focal areas of the program; fire prevention, significant laws and 
regulations, and wildlife considerations. Salient aspects of these 
focal areas are summarized below.
    In the area of fire prevention, the licensee has implemented a 
program to replace large stands of Virginia Pine trees with better 
quality trees to reduce the potential for fire. A system of fire roads 
has also been developed throughout the property and firefighting 
equipment has been strategically placed along these roads to assist 
personnel in the event of a fire. A property grid system has been 
established to determine the location and extent of a fire once 
discovered.
    With respect to significant laws and regulations, environmental 
laws in the State of Maryland are focused on promoting good soil 
conservation practices, improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay, 
and preserving endangered species and other animals unique to the area. 
To avoid erosion and keep land productive, the licensee uses practices 
such as contour plowing, applying pesticides and fertilizer properly, 
rotating crops, minimizing tilling, and growing a cover crop during the 
winter for all farming operations.
    The Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Law strictly governs the use of 
land within 100 feet of, and all tributaries leading into, the 
Chesapeake Bay. The law was enacted to prevent the continued 
deterioration of the Bay by controlling future development and water 
runoff containing harmful quantities of sediment, fertilizers, 
pesticides, and toxic metals from agricultural fields and other 
developed land adjacent to the Bay. The licensee complies with Calvert 
County's Critical Area Plan. Four of the new parcels of land have land 
which falls in the critical area.
    The Calvert Cliffs site is regulated by the Federal ``Endangered 
Species Act,'' 16 U.S.C. 1531. This act requires landowners to preserve 
those areas inhabited by species protected by this act. At Calvert 
Cliffs, the Tiger Beetle and Bald Eagle are protected. Two species of 
the Tiger Beetle are found along the beach area at Calvert Cliffs; the 
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle and the Puritan Tiger Beetle. A family 
of Bald Eagles is located in the southern portion of the Calvert Cliffs 
site.
    The Calvert Cliffs site is home for a wide variety of wildlife, 
including two animal species considered endangered. Their habitat is 
largely preserved on more than three-fourths of the 2108 acres at 
Calvert Cliffs. By implementing sound forestry practices the licensee 
endeavors to ensure that the necessary food, nesting areas, and cover 
are provided to support the animals that live at Calvert Cliffs. The 
licensee has several plans in place to ensure that the habitats of the 
various wildlife species are preserved.
    The proposed revisions to the TSs will merely update the TSs to 
reflect the current site boundary and will not affect the utilization 
of the six new parcels of land or implementation of the licensee's Land 
Management Program. The proposed amendments will also not affect 
nonradiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant 
nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed 
amendments.
    The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment and 
Opportunity for Prior Hearing in connection with this action was 
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 1992 (57 FR 48813). No 
request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was filed 
following this notice.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant 
environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be 
evaluated. The principal alternative would be to deny the requested 
amendments. Such action would not enhance the protection of the 
environment.

Alternate Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, dated April 
1973.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request to modify the TSs. 
The NRC staff consulted with the State of Maryland regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State of Maryland had 
no comments regarding this proposed action.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental 
impact statement for the proposed license amendment.
    Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission 
concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect 
on the quality of the human environment.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the 
application for amendment dated September 29, 1992 as supplemented by 
letters dated October 22, 1993, and November 11, 1993. These letters 
are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document 
Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the Local Public 
Document room located at the Calvert County Library, Fourth Street, 
Prince Frederick, Maryland, 20678.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of May 1994.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor Projects I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-11654 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M