[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 33 (Friday, February 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6268-6269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3549]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-338 and 50-339]


Virginia Electric and Power Company, Old Dominion Electric 
Cooperative; North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2 Environmental 
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License Nos. 
50-338 and 50-339, issued to Virginia Electric and Power Company et 
al., (the licensee), for operation of the North Anna Power Station, 
Units 1 and 2, located in Louisa County. 

[[Page 6269]]


Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would change references to the National 
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to reflect the correct 
permit title, Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (VPDES), 
eliminate references to vegetation and aquatic biota studies that were 
previously completed, correct a reference to 10 CFR 51.60(b)(2), 
replace the existing reporting requirements for unusual or important 
environmental events with the reporting requirements currently 
identified in 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(vi), replace the reference to the 
current Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) audit program with a 
reference to the Audit Program established in accordance with 10 CFR 
50, Appendix B, revise the two year records retention requirement for 
erosion control inspection field logs to five years, change the 
reference to the State Water Control Board which is now the Department 
of Environmental Quality, identify the licensee's obligation to comply 
with Virginia regulations concerning erosion and sediment control 
within the transmission corridor rights-of-way to eliminate redundancy 
with previous EPP commitments, and recognize the Virginia Soil and 
Water Conservation Board as the regulatory authority concerning erosion 
within the transmission corridor rights-of-way.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application for amendment dated November 29, 1994.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to update each EPP to reflect current 
requirements, eliminate inconsistencies, and identify the proper 
regulatory agencies for certain environmental issues.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the amendment will correct inconsistencies, identify 
current requirements, and identify the proper regulatory agencies 
within the North Anna Units 1 and 2 EPPs. The majority of the changes 
are administrative in nature and only serve to update or clarify the 
information currently contained in the EPPs. The change to increase the 
annual inspection interval for the transmission line corridor rights-
of-way from once every 12 months to once every 3 to 5 years is being 
made to ensure uniformity with the licensee's other transmission 
corridor rights-of-way. In addition, the change is being made to 
identify current requirements imposed by the Virginia Soil and Water 
Conservation Board, which is responsible for reviewing and approving 
utility erosion and sediment control specifications.
    The change will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents, no changes are being made in the types 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 outside the restricted area as 
defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological plant 
effluents. There is the possibility of a potential environmental impact 
associated with the change to increase the annual inspection interval 
for the transmission corridor rights-of-way. There is the potential for 
erosion to undermine the bases of a transmission tower if left 
unchecked. However, the licensee has noted that the erosion identified 
to date has not been severe. In addition, severe erosion occurs over a 
period of time and would allow the licensee to take action to prevent 
any 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 are of a very low 
likelihood and therefore insignificant.

Alternative Use of Resources:

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on December 20, 1995, the 
staff consulted with the Virginia State official, L. Foldese, of the 
Virginia 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 November 29, 1994, which is 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 Alderman Library, Special Collections 
Department, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-
2498.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of February 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
David B. Matthews,
Director, Project Directorate II-1, Division of Reactor Projects - I/
II, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-3549 Filed 2-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P