[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71317-71318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34124]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-397]
Washington Public Power Supply System; Nuclear Project No. 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 No.
NPF-21, issued to the Washington Public Power Supply System (the
licensee) for operation of the Nuclear Project No. 2 (WNP-2) located in
Benton County, Washington.
Environmmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would change Facility Operating License No.
NPF-21 to authorize the storage of byproduct, source, and special
nuclear materials at the WNP-2 site which are specifically not intended
for use at the site. The proposed action is in accordance with the
licensee's application for amendment dated October 10, 1996, as
supplemented by letter dated November 9, 1998.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is necessary because certain licensed materials
previously acquired as part of the deferred WNP-1 and WNP-3 projects
are being controlled at WNP-2, but are not required for use at the WNP-
2 site. The WNP-1 materials are under the scope of Materials License
46-17694-02 and the WNP-3 materials are under the scope of Facility
Operating License NPF-21. The licensee, however, has given notice that
the WNP-1 and WNP-3 projects are being terminated and a formal request
has been filed for termination of the WNP-3 Construction Permit.
The licensee has determined that there is currently no market for
the materials and has determined that permanent disposal is
economically impractical. Storage under the WNP-2 Operating License
which currently provides for possession and use of these types of
materials as required for WNP-2, is the remaining option. This option
does not present WNP-2 with any significant burden because operation of
WNP-2 involves a continuing use and storage of these types of licensed
materials.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts
associated with the proposed amendment. The amendment would permit
certain byproduct, source and special nuclear material already present
at the site to be stored at the site.
The proposed action will not increase the probability or
consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in the types of
any effluents that may be released off site, and there is no
significant increase in occupational or public radiation exposure.
Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts
associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect
nonradiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact.
Therefore, there are no significant nonradiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed action.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
[[Page 71318]]
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative).
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 WNP-2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on December 17, 1998, the
staff consulted with the Washington State official, Mr. R. Cowley of
the Department of Health, State of Washington Energy Facility Site
Evaluation Council, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed
action. The State official had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
On the basis of 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 October 10, 1996, as supplemented by letter
dated November 9, 1998, 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 Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Street, Richland,
Washington 99352.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of December 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Mel B. Fields,
Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-34124 Filed 12-23-98; 8:45 am]
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