[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8984-8985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5205]



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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-271]


Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation, Vermont Yankee Nuclear 
Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering approving disposal in place of slightly contaminated soil 
located beneath existing plant structures at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear 
Power Station (VYNPS), pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2002, as requested by the 
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (the licensee). VYNPS is 
located in Windham County, Vermont.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would approve disposal in place of slightly 
contaminated soil placed at its present location beneath existing plant 
structures during original plant construction.
    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated November 18, 1991, as supplemented by letter dated 
July 10, 1992.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    During plant operation, a leak from a chemistry sample sink drain 
released small amounts of radioactive contamination to soil located 
beneath existing plant structures. The licensee proposes to dispose of 
the contaminated soil in its present location.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that the proposed disposition of the soil in its current 
location will minimize the risk of unexpected exposure.
    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 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 for the 
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on December 21, 1995, the 
staff consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman 
of the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official 
questioned the impact of the proposed action on decommissioning of 
VYNPS. At the time of decommissioning, the licensee will be required to 
demonstrate that the activity levels on the site are sufficiently low 
to permit releasing the site for general use.

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. 

[[Page 8985]]

    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated November 18, 1991, as supplemented by letter 
dated July 10, 1992, 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 Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of February, 1996.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ledyard B. Marsh,
Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-5205 Filed 3-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P