[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66995-66996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31300]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-285]


Omaha Public Power District Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1; 
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 
Part 50, Section IV.F.2.c of Appendix E regarding a biennial emergency 
preparedness exercise for Facility Operating License No. DRP-40, issued 
to Omaha Public Power District, (the licensee), for operation of the 
Fort Calhoun Station, Unit 1, located in Washington County, Nebraska.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would grant a schedular exemption from the 
requirement of Section IV.F.2.c of Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50, which 
requires that each licensee perform a biennial emergency preparedness 
exercise, including offsite plans with full participation by offsite 
State and local authorities. This action would allow the licensee to 
extend the biennial interval until the first quarter of 1996.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for exemption dated December 8, 1995, as supplemented by 
letter dated December 15, 1995.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed because the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) was not able to support the licensee's 
previously scheduled biennial full exercise as result of the federal 
impasse over the 1996 Federal Budget. Without the exemption, FEMA will 
not be able to complete its required biennial assessment of the 
licensee's ability to ensure adequate protection can and will be taken 
in the event of a radiological emergency.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The proposed exemption would not adversely affect the response 
capabilities of the licensee and State and local authorities. The 
Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and 
concludes that the intent of Appendix E, Section IV.F.2.c to ensure 
offsite emergency preparedness is maintained, has been met. Therefore, 
the change will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents, no changes are being made in the types or amounts of any 
effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant 
increase in the allowable individual or cumulative occupational 
radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there 
are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with 
the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted 
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological 
plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the 
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff 
considered denial of the proposed action. Denial of the application 
would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The 
environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action 
are similar.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement (FES) for 
the Fort Calhoun Station, Unit 1, dated August 1972. 

[[Page 66996]]


Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on December 19, 1995, the 
staff consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Cheryl Rodgers of 
the Department of Health, regarding the environmental impact of the 
proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated December 8, 1995, and supplemental letter dated 
December 15, 1995, which are available for public inspection at the 
Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, 
NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public document room located at 
the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 South 15th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 
68102.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of December 1995.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
L. Raynard Wharton,
Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-31300 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P