[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21487-21493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08639]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-321 and 50-366; NRC-2012-0106]
Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact;
issuance.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering
issuance of amendments to Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-
57 and NPF-5, issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the
licensee), for operation of the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant (HNP),
Units 1 and 2, located in Appling County, Georgia. The proposed
amendments would revise the minimum water level for the plant service
water system and ultimate heat sink. The NRC staff is issuing a final
Environmental Assessment (EA) and final Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed license amendments.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0106 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may access publicly available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0106. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-287-
3422; email: [email protected]. For technical questions, contact
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of
this document.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS,
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to [email protected]. The
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this notice (if
that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a
document is referenced. The application for amendment, dated July 5,
2012, is available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML13015A089.
NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert E. Martin, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-1493; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
As required by Sec. 51.21 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (10 CFR), the NRC staff performed an environmental
assessment to document its findings. SNC previously submitted its
license amendment request by letter dated December 15, 2011 (ADAMS
Accession No. ML113500108) and subsequently withdrew it by letter dated
April 20, 2012 (ADAMS Accession No. ML12122A113). Based on information
provided in SNC's resubmittal dated July 5, 2012 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML13015A089), SNC's response to NRC's request for additional
information dated October 10, 2012 (ADAMS Accession No. ML12284A299),
and the NRC staff's independent review of references, the NRC did not
identify any significant environmental impacts associated with the
proposed license amendment.
Based on the results of the environmental assessment documented
herein, the NRC is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI), in accordance with 10 CFR 51.32, for the proposed license
amendment.
II. Environmental Assessment
Plant Site and Environs
The HNP is located in Appling County, Georgia, southeast of where
U.S. Highway 1 crosses the Altamaha River, in a rural part of the
state. It is located approximately 11 miles (mi) (18
[[Page 21488]]
kilometers [km]) north of Baxley, Georgia; 20 mi (32 km) south of
Vidalia, Georgia; 98 mi (160 km) southeast of Macon, Georgia; 73 mi
(120 km) northwest of Brunswick, Georgia; and 67 mi (107 km) southwest
of Savannah, Georgia. The HNP site totals approximately 2,240 acres
(ac) (910 hectares [ha]). The plant has two boiling-water reactors with
steam-electric turbines manufactured by General Electric Company.
Following the approval and completion of the latest extended power
uprate in 2003, HPN, Units 1 and 2, have an electrical power output of
935 and 950 megawatts-electric (MW[e]), respectively (ADAMS Accession
Nos. ML032671231 and ML032691360). HNP uses a closed-loop, cooling
tower system for main condenser cooling that withdraws makeup water
from and discharges to the Altamaha River via shoreline intake and
offshore discharge structures.
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would amend Appendix A of HNP's Renewed
Facility Operating Licenses in order to revise the minimum water level
referenced in Technical Specification (TS) Surveillance Requirement
(SR) 3.7.2.1 associated with the Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO)
for the plant service water (PSW) system and ultimate heat sink (UHS).
Specifically, SNC proposes a TS change to revise the minimum water
level in the PSW pump well, as required by SR 3.7.2.1, from 60.7 feet
(ft) (18.5 meters [m]) to 60.5 ft (18.4 m) mean sea level. As stated by
SNC, the proposed TS change does not result in or require any physical
changes to HNP systems, structures, and components, including those
intended for the prevention of accidents. The license amendment would
allow the licensee to avoid the potential for plant shutdown due to low
river levels by demonstrating that sufficient water levels exist at the
revised level to operate the plant safely. The licensee proposes to
implement the proposed operational changes within 60 days of NRC's
issuing the requested amendment.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to provide SNC with additional
operational flexibility during periods of low river levels to avoid a
plant shutdown, while providing sufficient availability of water to
support post-accident cooling requirements for a 30-day period.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
As part of the original licensing process for HNP, Units 1 and 2,
the NRC published a Final Environmental Statements (FES) for Hatch,
Units 1 and 2, in October 1972, and a separate FES for Unit 2 in March
1978. The FESs project potential environmental impacts associated with
the operation of HNP over its initial operating period. In 2001, the
NRC evaluated the environmental impacts of operating HNP for an
additional 20 years beyond the original operating license and predicted
that the environmental impacts of license renewal were small. The NRC's
evaluation of ongoing operational impacts under the renewed license is
presented in the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License
Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Regarding Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant,
Units 1 and 2--Final Report (NUREG-1437, Supplement 4) dated May 2001
(ADAMS Accession No. ML011420018). This document is the primary source
of information presented in this environmental assessment, unless
otherwise referenced.
The NRC staff considered information from SNC's license amendment
request, the licensee's response to NRC staff's request for additional
information, and NUREG-1437, Supplement 4 in preparing this
environmental assessment. In its license amendment application, SNC
states that the proposed TS change would not result in or require any
physical changes to HNP systems, structures, and components, including
those intended for the prevention of accidents. Further, the proposed
license amendment involves a TS change that would only result in
changes in procedural and operational aspects undertaken by HNP
personnel for monitoring and maintaining the minimum water level in the
PSW pump well. Thus, HNP's workforce would not change, and the regular
operations workforce would otherwise be unaffected by the proposed
action. Based on the above and the available information reviewed by
the staff, the NRC concludes that no significant impact on land use and
visual resources, geologic environment, air quality and noise, historic
and cultural resources, socioeconomic conditions including
environmental justice, or waste generation and management activities
would occur near HNP from granting the proposed license amendment.
Therefore, operational impacts on these resources are not further
discussed in this environmental assessment for the purposes of
evaluating SNC's proposed license amendment. NUREG-1437, Supplement 4
previously assessed the environmental impacts of continued operations
of HNP, Units 1 and 2.
As identified in the evaluation performed by the licensee in
support of its application, implementation of the TS change in the
minimum water level in the PSW pump well to 60.5 ft (18.4 m) mean sea
level for normal cooling water withdrawals would result in associated
operational and receiving water changes. These include the following:
(1) An altered discharge plume mixing zone, (2) altered discharge
dilution for liquid radwaste discharges, and (3) an increased through-
screen velocity at the river intake traveling screens, with an
increased percentage of the river diverted through the plant. With
regard to the proposed lowering of the minimum water level in the PSW
pump well and associated receiving water changes, the sections below
evaluate and describe the aspects and potential impacts on the
environment and on specific resource conditions that could result from
implementation of the proposed license amendment.
The details of the NRC staff's safety evaluation will be separately
provided in the license amendment package issued to approve the license
amendment, if granted.
Non-Radiological Impacts
Surface Water Resources:
The Altamaha River is the major source of water for HNP. The
Altamaha River is approximately 500 ft (150 m) wide and a maximum of 30
ft (9 m) deep at HNP. The shoreline of the Altamaha River near HNP and
immediately downstream for several miles is characterized by steep
bluffs, floodplain forests, and sandbars. The river remains relatively
undisturbed and has no major channelization, dredging, or major
reservoirs. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains a stream gaging
station (Number 02225000, Altamaha River near Baxley, GA) on the right
bank of the river about 400 ft (121 m) downstream from the U.S. Highway
1 bridge, approximately 530 ft (160 m) upstream from HNP. Based on 63
years of record, the average annual flow rate at this station is 10,820
cubic feet per second (cfs) (305.6 cubic meters per second [m\3\/s]).
Highest monthly flows normally occur in March and lowest monthly flows
normally occur in September. The single day low flow (minimum daily
mean flow) recorded to date at this gage occurred on September 19,
2011, with a discharge of 1,140 cfs (32.2 m\3\/s).
[[Page 21489]]
Water is withdrawn from the river to provide cooling for certain
once-through loads and makeup water to the cooling towers. SNC is
permitted (Georgia Department of Natural Resources [GADNR] Permit 001-
0690-01, expiration date April 7, 2020) to withdraw a monthly average
of up to 85 million gallons per day (mgd) (322,000 cubic meters per day
[m\3\/d]), with a maximum 24-hour rate of up to 103.6 mgd (392,200
m\3\/d). As a condition of this permit, SNC is required to monitor and
report withdrawals. As documented in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4, HNP
reported surface water withdraws averaging 57 mgd (216,000 m\3\/d).
Based on the most recent reported withdrawals for the period 2007 to
2011, HNP withdraws an annual average of 56.7 mgd (214,600 m\3\/d) of
water), an equivalent withdraw rate of 87.7 cfs (2.48 m\3\/s). HNP's
annual average withdrawal rate is approximately 0.8 percent of the
annual average flow of the Altamaha River and about 7.7 percent of the
historic single day low flow, as discussed above. As also documented in
NUREG-1437, Supplement 4, approximately 58 percent of the water
withdrawn by HNP for all uses is consumptively used in HNP's cooling
towers and by other processes, with the balance (about 42 percent)
discharged back to the river.
Additionally, as part of its application for the proposed TS
change, SNC submitted a discharge rating calculation and rating table,
which shows the discharge of the Altamaha River at specific river
elevations as adjusted for the water elevation at the PSW pump well
(inside the HNP intake). The analysis performed by SNC indicates that
continued surface water withdrawals at the proposed PSW well minimum
water level of 60.5 ft (18.4 m), and equating to a river low flow of
718 cfs (20.3 m\3\/s), would provide sufficient water supply to meet
HNP's 30-day TS requirements for safe-shutdown cooling under extended
low river flow conditions. SNC's analysis further shows that sufficient
water would be available at a minimum water level of 60.0 ft (18.3 m),
reflecting a river low flow of 517 cfs (14.6 m\3\/s). As also
documented in the licensee's application (ADAMS Accession No.
ML13015A089), SNC enlisted the USGS to perform an independent review of
SNC's flow rating calculation. As documented in correspondence to SNC
dated March 2, 2009, the USGS found SNC's calculations and methods to
predict stream flow over extended low flow conditions on the Altamaha
River to be ``conservative and satisfactory'' to address SNC's
objective of verifying sufficient water supply at low river flows. USGS
performed a low-flow probability analysis of the river stage-discharge
relationship for the referenced gaging station, as adjusted for the
elevation drop between USGS gage elevation and the HNP intake. Using a
calculated low flow with a 0.002 non-exceedance probability (a flow
with an annual probability of about 1 in 500) which is equivalent to
1,104 cfs (31.2 m\3\/s), the USGS analysis yielded a conservative
(bounding-case) surface water level elevation at HNP's intake of 61.02
ft (18.6 m). This level would be above the proposed PSW well minimum
water level of 60.5 ft (18.4 m). It is noted that USGS calculated its
500-year recurrence low flow value using daily low flow statistics for
the period of 1972 to 2008. Up to that time, the minimum daily mean
flow observed was 1,330 cfs (37.6 m\3\/s) on September 29, 2008, until
the observed record daily mean low flow on September 19, 2011, at 1,140
cfs (32.2 m\3\/s).
Nevertheless, SNC's analyses for its license amendment request
demonstrate that the proposed operational change could support
continued surface water withdrawals with sufficient margin, under low
flow conditions, at a river level that is 0.2 ft (0.06 m) lower than
evaluated in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4. The staff's analysis presented
in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4 documented average annual surface water
elevation fluctuations of about 9 ft (2.7 m) for the same one-month
period over a period of 22 years and further concluded that surface
water use conflicts from HNP's consumptive water use were small. While
the proposed TS change would lower the minimum water level in the PSW
pump well at which surface water would continue to be withdrawn for HNP
operations, no increase in the volume of surface water withdrawn would
occur, and no modification to HNP's state-issued surface water
withdrawal permit is required (ADAMS Accession No. ML12284A299). Based
on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the impacts of this
operational change would have no significant incremental impact on the
surface water hydrology of the Altamaha River.
HNP is operated under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit (No. GA0004120), issued by the Georgia
Environmental Protection Division, which permits the discharge of
combined process wastewaters including cooling tower blowdown to the
Altamaha River. The NPDES permit expired on June 30, 2012, but has been
administratively continued by the State and remains valid and in
effect, since SNC submitted an NPDES renewal application over 180 days
before permit expiration (ADAMS Accession No. ML12284A299).
As described in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4, HNP's combined discharge
structure consists of two, submerged discharge lines that extend
approximately 120 ft (37 m) out from the south shore at an elevation of
54 ft (17 m) mean sea level. The point of discharge is 1,260 ft (380 m)
downriver from the intake structure and approximately 4 ft (1.2 m)
below the surface when the river is at low water (see NUREG-1437,
Supplement 4). The permit sets effluent limits for several other
parameters (e.g., oil and grease, total suspended solids, and metals)
but the point of compliance is specified at internal outfalls and prior
to mixing and discharge through the combined discharge structure. The
permit does not impose a maximum temperature limit on the combined
river discharge but does require weekly temperature monitoring at the
point of mixing and quarterly reporting of discharge temperatures to
the State of Georgia. The permit further stipulates compliance with NRC
requirements relative to radiological constituents. The water quality
of the Altamaha River on which the HNP is located is also subject to
regulation in accordance with Georgia's Water Use Classifications and
Water Quality Standards (Chapter 391-3-6-.03 of the State's Rules and
Regulations). For all waters in the State of Georgia, except where more
stringent criteria apply, receiving water temperatures are not to
exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F) (32 degrees Centigrade [[deg]C])
and the temperature of receiving waters is not to be increased more
than 5[emsp14][deg]F (2.8 [deg]C) above the intake temperature.
In support of its application, SNC performed a computer modeling
study using CORMIX (version 5.0) and associated river bottom survey to
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of operating HNP at the
proposed minimum water level of 60.5 ft (18.4 m). In summary, this
modeling incorporated ambient river temperature conditions for summer
and winter and utilized historical river and HNP discharge flow rates.
Based on the modeling performed including incorporation of an assumed
ambient river temperature of 97 [deg]F (36 [deg]C), the projected
discharge plume temperature difference from ambient was calculated to
be 2.5 [deg]F (1.4 [deg]C) or less at a distance of 140 ft (42.7 m)
downstream from the point of discharge. The modeling results obtained
by SNC indicate that State and
[[Page 21490]]
Federal ambient water quality criteria and discharge standards would
continue to be satisfied with respect to HNP's discharges to the
Altamaha River. Consequently, the NRC staff concludes that the impacts
of this operational change would have no significant incremental impact
on the surface water quality and thermal characteristics of the
Altamaha River. Granting the proposed license amendment is not expected
to cause impacts significantly greater than current operations.
Therefore, there would be no significant adverse surface water resource
impacts following implementation of the proposed operational change.
Groundwater Resources:
The alluvial (unconfined) aquifer at the site is primarily south of
the Altamaha River within the facility boundary, and consists of
approximately 55 ft (17 m) of poorly sorted sand, gravel, and clay. The
alluvial aquifer contains groundwater under water table conditions.
Clayey soils dominate in the upper portion of the aquifer. These high-
clay-content soils locally form a discontinuous, relatively impermeable
zone. Recharge to the alluvial aquifer is by the infiltration of
precipitation through and around the leaky clay zones. Limited recharge
is also provided by the Altamaha River during high stages and by the
minor confined aquifer of the Hawthorn Formation, to which the alluvium
is hydraulically connected. The upper, alluvial aquifer and the minor
confined aquifer are hydraulically separated from the underlying
artesian (Floridan) aquifer from which HNP's supply wells withdraw
groundwater for plant use. Within the immediate vicinity of the site,
the primary use of groundwater is for domestic needs, with a limited
amount for livestock. Most domestic wells are screened within the
unconfined aquifer. As evaluated in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4, the staff
determined that the consumptive use of surface water by HNP operations
is estimated to lower the river elevation by 0.08 ft (0.02 m) during
low-flow conditions. It was concluded that the consumptive use would
not appreciably alter the potentiometric gradient in the alluvial
aquifer and that the resulting impact on groundwater is small.
The withdrawal of surface water at a river level that is 0.2 ft
(0.06 m) lower than the current minimum water level in the PSW pump
well would have a negligible impact on groundwater resources. This is
because the proposed change would not be expected to substantially
affect the contribution of groundwater base flow from the alluvial
aquifer to the Altamaha River, or the availability of groundwater for
other users. Granting the proposed license amendment is not expected to
cause impacts significantly greater than current operations. Therefore,
there would be no significant adverse groundwater resource impacts from
lowering the minimum water level in the PSW pump well as proposed by
SNC.
Aquatic Resources:
The Altamaha River is formed by the confluence of the Ocmulgee and
Oconee Rivers, which drain the Piedmont Region, and flows about 153 mi
(246 km) to the Atlantic Ocean near Darien, Georgia. The drainage area
is about 2,850 mi\2\ (7,380 km\2\), and lies entirely in the State of
Georgia. The main stem of the river is confined to the Coastal Plain
Physiographic Province, has no dams, and supports a healthy aquatic
ecosystem.
The fish fauna is diverse and includes 93 species belonging to 25
different families. Common resident taxa include members of the catfish
family (Ictaluridae), such as channel catfish and flathead catfish; and
members of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae), including redbreast
sunfish (Lepomis auritus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), redear sunfish
(L. microlophus), black crappie (Pomixis nigromaculatus), and
largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides); minnows (Cyprinidae); and
suckers (Catostomidae). Flathead catfish are not endemic, but where
introduced in the 1970s, and their increase has resulted in a decrease
in populations of some native species, such as bullhead catfishes
(Ictalurus spp.) and redbreast sunfish. The fish community seasonally
includes anadromous herring (Clupeidae) and sturgeon (Acipenseridae)
species that ascend rivers from the sea to breed, including American
shad (Alosa sapidissima), hickory shad (A. mediocris), blueback herring
(A. aestivalis), and both shortnose (Acipenser brevirostum) and
Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrhynchus).
Other aquatic invertebrates include cottonmouth or water moccasin
(Agkistrodon piscivorus); water snakes (Nerodia spp.); turtles,
including softshell turtles (Apalone spp.) and river cooter (Pseudemys
concinna); American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis); frogs;
salamanders; and mammals, such as West Indian manatee (Trichechus
manatus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), river otter (Lontra
canadensis), and beaver (Castor canadensis). Common aquatic
invertebrates include the aquatic life stages of insects such as
caddisflies, mayflies, stoneflies, dragonflies, damselflies,
hellgrammites, beetles, midges, and black flies. Aquatic invertebrates
also include freshwater mussels (Elliptio spp.) and the Asian clam
corbicula (Corbicula fluminea), which is an invasive, non-native
species. In addition to Federally protected species, which are also
protected by Georgia and are addressed below, Appling County has one
State-protected aquatic species: a freshwater mussel (Alasmidonta
arcula, Altamaha arcmussel). Asian clam populations have been
increasing and may adversely affect the rare, native freshwater mussels
by ingestion and displacement of juveniles.
HNP has two nuclear units that use a closed-loop evaporative
cooling system that withdraws from and discharges to the Altamaha River
through a shoreline intake and offshore discharge structures at river
mile [RM] 112 (river kilometer (RKm) 180), slightly southeast of the
U.S. Highway 1 crossing of the Altamaha River. Water withdrawn for the
river at the single intake structure is used to replace evaporation and
to dilute the buildup of dissolved solids in the closed cycle system.
Trash racks remove large debris, and vertical traveling screens with a
\3/8\-in. (1-cm) mesh remove smaller material.
The proposed license amendment would not affect the rate of water
withdrawal or discharge, but would slightly affect the intake velocity,
and would also affect the ratio of water withdrawn and discharged in
relation to the river flow. The change in HNP's use of Altamaha River
water for cooling and other purposes can affect aquatic resources
through impingement of fish on intake screens, entrainment of smaller
fish and invertebrates with the intake water, and discharge of heated
wastewater. Only these effects are addressed here as specific to the
proposed license amendment; other operational effects are addressed in
NRC's NUREG-1437, Supplement 4.
Fish impingement rates are low, and SNC estimated that from 1975
through 1980, total fish impingement ranged from 146 to 438 fish per
year. Entrainment rates of small fish and invertebrates are also low.
SNC estimates that the hydraulic entrainment would be about 11 percent
of the river flow passing the plant under minimum flow conditions
without the proposed license amendment and about 11.5 percent with the
license amendment. With much of the heat produced by SNC transferred to
the atmosphere through evaporation by the closed-loop cooling system,
the discharge of heated wastewater in minimal. In support of its
discharge permit for the State of Georgia, SNC modeled the thermal
[[Page 21491]]
discharge under ambient river temperature conditions for summer and
winter and historical river and HNP discharge flow rates. The
calculated temperature difference between the discharge plume and
ambient river temperature was 2.5[emsp14][deg]F (1.4 [deg]C) or less at
a distance of 140 ft (42.7 m) downstream from the point of discharge,
with a plume surface area of 0.05 ac (0.02 ha) and a plume cross-
sectional area 3 percent of the river cross-section. The State of
Georgia, not the NRC, regulates the effects of the cooling water intake
and discharge, and the NRC relies on the State to protect aquatic
resources. Considering the above information, the NRC staff concludes
that proposed license amendment would have no significant effects on
aquatic resources.
Terrestrial Resources:
Like other Coastal Plain rivers and streams, the Altamaha River
meanders across a broad floodplain that has both steep bluff-like
features and wide swampy regions. Most of the river flows through mixed
forest where evergreen oaks, laurel species, and magnolia are common.
Riparian plants found along the river and in forested wetlands include
swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), water tupelo (N. aquatica), bald
cypress (Taxodium distichum), water hickory (Carya aquatica), red maple
(Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and oaks (Querca
spp.). The lower reaches flow through interior swamps and coastal
marshes.
In addition to Federally protected species, which are also
protected by Georgia and are addressed below, Appling County has
several State-protected terrestrial species. Georgia-protected animals
include three birds (Aimophila aestivalis, Bachman's sparrow; Elanoides
forficatus, swallow-tailed kite; and Haliaeetus leucocephalus, bald
eagle) and a mammal (Corynorhinus rafinesquii, Rafinesque's big-eared
bat). Six Georgia-protected plant species also occur in Appling County:
Carex dasycarpa, velvet sedge; Marshallia ramosa, pineland Barbara
buttons; Penstemon dissectus, cutleaf beardtongue; Sarracenia flava,
yellow flytrap; Sarracenia minor var. minor, hooded pitcherplant; and
Sideroxylon macrocarpum, Ohoopee bumelia.
The proposed license amendment will not affect terrestrial habitats
and so will have no adverse effects on terrestrial species or habitats.
Federally Protected Species
Under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(ESA), Federal agencies, in consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
(as appropriate), must insure that any action the agency authorizes,
funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of any listed species or result in the destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. On August 31, 2000, the NRC submitted
a biological assessment to NMFS regarding the effects of SNC's then-
proposed license renewal for HNP on the shortnose sturgeon and
concluded that license renewal may affect, but is not likely to
adversely affect, the shortnose sturgeon (ADAMS Accession No.
ML003746456). The NRC and NMFS then began consultation under ESA
Section 7. The NMFS requested that NRC modify the biological assessment
to include the effects of periodic maintenance dredging near the intake
structure. In July 2004, NRC submitted to NMFS a revised biological
assessment that included more recent information and examined the
effects of periodic dredging and that concluded that the HNP may
affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the shortnose sturgeon
and that the effects would be discountable (ADAMS Accession No.
ML041910254). In August 2005, NMFS concurred with the conclusion of the
biological assessment (ADAMS Accession No. ML052640354). Detailed
information on the effects of HNP operations on shortnose sturgeon can
be found in the referenced biological assessment and concurrence
documents.
In February 2012, the NRC asked the FWS to identify Federally
listed species near HNP as part of reviewing SNC's proposed license
amendment. The FWS identified the four species shown in the following
table as potentially occurring near HNP.
Table of Federally Listed Species Occurring in Toombs County, Georgia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common name Scientific name ESA Status\(a)\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aquatic Invertebrates
Altamaha spinymussel...... Elliptio spinosa...... E, H
Reptiles
eastern indigo snake...... Drymarchon corais T
couperi.
gopher tortoise........... Gopherus polyphemus... C
Fish
shortnose sturgeon........ Acipenser brevirostrum E
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\(a)\ C = Candidate, E = Endangered, T = Threatened, H = Critical
Habitat designated.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (ADAMS Accession No.
ML13063A517).
Two of the four listed species, the gopher tortoise and eastern
indigo snake, are terrestrial, and the proposed license amendment would
have no adverse effect on these species because SNC proposes no
modifications to the terrestrial environment.
The mechanisms by which HNP might adversely affect shortnose
sturgeon include entraining eggs and early larvae, impinging juveniles
and adults, discharging heated effluent that results in physiological
or behavioral changes, and affecting prey and other biotic or abiotic
constituents of the habitat. Regarding entrainment, the 2004 revised
biological assessment found that ``[b]oth the design of the plant
(location, shoreline intake, closed cycle cooling) and the behavioral
characteristics of juvenile and adult shortnose sturgeon lead to the
conclusion that impingement of healthy adult and juvenile fish
unlikely.'' For impingement, it found that ``[t]he design and location
of the plant (shoreline intake on the opposite side of the thalweg,
closed cycle cooling, and the plant not located in any known spawning
areas) and the lack of a confirmed upstream spawning grounds leads the
staff to conclude that the site has a very low potential for
entrainment of shortnose sturgeon larvae.'' Regarding the thermal
effluent, it found that ``. . . thermal modeling of the discharge
demonstrated that thermal blockage of the river will not occur'' and
that ``[t]he area of temperature rise in the river of a few degrees is
limited to a small area just below the outfall even during low flow
conditions'' so that ``. . . thermal
[[Page 21492]]
discharges from the plant will not adversely affect the migration of
shortnose sturgeon in the Altamaha River.'' The relatively small and
infrequent increase in intake velocity that may result from the
proposed change in the minimum water level in the PSW pump well should
not alter the conclusions regarding entrainment or impingement. The
characteristics of the thermal effluent during extreme low river flow
would change, but SNC reports that the effluent should still comply
with the NPDES-permitted limits authorized and monitored by the State
of Georgia to protect aquatic resources, including shortnose sturgeon.
Because the license amendment would not change the effects of HNP
on shortnose sturgeon, the NRC's 2004 biological assessment conclusion,
with which FWS concurred in 2005, would not change: the operation of
HNP may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect, the shortnose
sturgeon and any effects would be discountable.
The FWS also identified one aquatic invertebrate as listed and
possibly occurring near the plant: the endangered Altamaha spinymussel,
for which FWS also designated critical habitat in the Altamaha River.
The FWS listed the Altamaha spinymussel on October 11, 2011 (76 FR
62939), well after the NRC's 2000 biological assessment for license
renewal and its subsequent consultation with NMFS regarding the
shortnose sturgeon. The NRC had not considered the potential effects of
operation of HNP on the mussel prior to this license amendment request.
In August 2013, the NRC sent a biological assessment for the
Altamaha spinymussel to FWS and requested concurrence with its findings
(ADAMS Accession No. ML13193A366). The biological assessment made the
following conclusions. The Altamaha spinymussel has historically been
found in the main stem of the Altamaha River and its larger
tributaries. HNP lies close to the center of its present range.
Although FWS has designated critical habitat above and below HNP,
critical habitat does not include the Altamaha River near HNP. The NRC
staff examined several sources of stress associated with the operation
of HNP that the FWS listing announcement suggested might affect the
species. The staff found that the potential effects of dredging and
sediment contamination, entrainment and impingement of host fish
species, trophic interactions, and habitat fragmentation are
insignificant or discountable. The staff also found no adverse effects
to critical habitat. The staff concluded that the present and future
operation of HNP may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect,
Altamaha spinymussel and that the present and future operation of HNP
would have no effect on Altamaha spinymussel critical habitat. On
December 10, 2013, the FWS concurred with NRC's biological assessment
and stated that the requirements of Section 7 of the ESA have been
satisfied (ADAMS Accession No. ML14006A295).
Radiological Impacts
In its license amendment application, SNC states that the proposed
TS change would not result in or require any physical changes to HNP
systems, structures, and components, including those intended for the
prevention of accidents. The proposed action to revise the minimum
water level in the PSW pump well would not have a significant adverse
effect on the probability of an accident occurring or result in an
increased radiological hazard beyond those analyzed in the licensee's
Updated Final Safety Analysis Report. There will be no change to
radiation levels or the types or quantities of radioactive effluents
(gaseous or liquid) that affect radiation exposures to plant workers
and members of the public. No changes or different types of
radiological impacts are expected as a result of the proposed action.
Therefore, the radiological impacts of granting the license amendment
would be negligible and would not have a significant adverse effect on
the environment.
Cumulative Impacts
The NRC considered potential cumulative impacts on the environment
resulting from the incremental impact of the proposed license amendment
when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future
actions. For the purposes of this analysis, past actions are related to
the resource conditions when HNP, Units 1 and 2, and were licensed and
constructed. Present actions are related to the resource conditions
during current operations, and future actions are those that are
reasonably foreseeable through the end of HNP's current license renewal
term and which may be likely to affect the same resources as those
considered for the proposed license amendment.
The NRC has not identified any reasonably foreseeable actions
within the context of the scope of this environmental assessment.
Nevertheless, the proposed operational change to lower the minimum
water level in the PSW pump well for normal cooling water withdrawals
does not result in or require any physical changes to HNP systems,
structures, and components. For the resource areas potentially affected
by the proposed operational changes (i.e., surface water and
groundwater resources, aquatic resources, terrestrial resources, and
threatened and endangered species), the contributions of ongoing
actions within a region to cumulative impacts are regulated and
monitored through a permitting or other regulatory consultation or
certification processes (e.g., 401 certification, and NPDES and 404
permits under the Clean Water Act) under State or Federal authority. In
these cases, the cumulative impacts are managed as long as the actions
are in compliance with their respective permits and conditions of
certification. The proposed license amendment entails no increase in
water use or effluents requiring modification of HNP's state-issued
surface water withdrawal permit or its NPDES permit that regulates the
discharge of combined process wastewaters to the Altamaha River and
their potential nonradiological and radiological effects on water
quality and aquatic resources. Thus, there are no incremental
contributions to cumulative impacts with respect to these attributes of
the proposed action.
The staff also conducted a review of terrestrial and aquatic
resources, including threatened and endangered species, that could be
impacted by the proposed license amendment. NRC staff prepared a
biological assessment for the Federally endangered Altamaha
spinymussel, as previously described. The staff found that proposed
operational changes at HNP may affect, but are not likely to adversely
affect the species. The biological assessment was submitted to the U.S.
FWS in accordance with consultation requirements under Section 7 of the
ESA. In December 2013, the FWS concurred with the staff's biological
assessment and findings and concluded that the requirements of Section
7 of the ESA had been satisfied, thus concluding Section 7 informal
consultation.
Based on the above, the staff concludes that cumulative impacts
would not be significant from implementation of the proposed license
amendment.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered
denial of the proposed license amendment (i.e., the ``no-action''
alternative). Denial of the application would result in no change in
current environmental impacts. However, denial would result in reduced
operational flexibility.
[[Page 21493]]
Alternative Use of Resources
The action does not involve the use of any different resources than
those previously considered in NUREG-1437, Supplement 4 prepared for
license renewal of HNP.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on February 19, 2014, the
staff notified the Georgia State official, Mr. Chuck Mueller, of the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, regarding the environmental
impact of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.
Additionally, the staff contacted the FWS in August 2013 as part of
soliciting comments and obtaining concurrence on the staff's biological
assessment for the Altamaha spinymussel, as part of informal Section 7
consultation under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS's comments and
findings with respect to the proposed action have been noted and are
further discussed under the sections for Federally Protected Species
and Cumulative Impacts in this environmental assessment.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC is considering issuing an amendment for Renewed Facility
Operating License Nos. DPR-57 and NPF-5, issued to Southern Nuclear
Operating Company (SNC) for operation of the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear
Plant (HNP), Units 1 and 2, to revise the minimum water level
referenced in the Technical Specification (TS) associated with the
Limiting Condition for Operation for the plant service water (PSW)
system and ultimate heat sink. The TS change would revise the minimum
water level in the PSW pump well from 60.7 feet (ft) (18.5 meters [m])
to 60.5 ft (18.4 m) mean sea level.
On the basis of the environmental assessment included in Section II
above and incorporated by reference in this finding, the NRC concludes
that the proposed action will not have significant effects on the
quality of the human environment. The proposed action has no
significant impacts on surface water or ground water resources, no
significant effect on aquatic resources, and no adverse effects on
terrestrial species or habitat. In addition, the action is not likely
to adversely affect any endangered species or affect a critical
habitat, and the radiological and cumulative impacts are either
negligible or are not significant. Accordingly, the NRC decided not to
prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
The environmental documents related to this finding and listed
below are available for public inspection and may be inspected online
through the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS) at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. You may also
inspect these documents at the NRC's Public Document Room as described
previously.
Related documents include the following: SNC's December 15, 2011
license amendment request (ADAMS Accession No. ML113500108); SNC's
subsequent withdrawal of the request by letter dated April 20, 2012
(ADAMS Accession No. ML12122A113); SNC's resubmittal of the amendment
request dated July 5, 2012 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13015A089); SNC's
response to NRC's request for additional information dated October 10,
2012 (ADAMS Accession No. ML12284A299); the NRC's May 2001 evaluation
of ongoing operational impacts under the renewed license presented in
the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of
Nuclear Plants: Regarding Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2--
Final Report (NUREG-1437, Supplement 4; ADAMS Accession No.
ML011420018); NRC's August 31, 2000 biological assessment regarding the
effects of SNC's then-proposed license renewal for HNP on the shortnose
sturgeon (ADAMS Accession No. ML003746456); NRC's revised biological
assessment of July 2004 (ADAMS Accession No. ML041910254); NMFS's
concurrence with the conclusion of that biological assessment in August
2005 (ADAMS Accession No. ML052640354); the NRC's August 2013
biological assessment for the Altamaha spinymussel (ADAMS Accession No.
ML13193A366); and FWS's concurrence with the conclusion in that
biological assessment (ADAMS Accession No. ML14006A295).
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's application letters dated July 5 and October 10, 2012 (ADAMS
Accession Nos. ML13015A089 and ML12284A299).
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 9th day of April 2014.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert Pascarelli,
Chief, Plant Licensing Branch II-1, Division of Operating Reactor
Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2014-08639 Filed 4-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P