[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41998-42003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16590]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-223; NRC-2018-0053]
University of Massachusetts Lowell; University of Massachusetts
Lowell Research Reactor
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
renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-125, held by the University
of Massachusetts Lowell (UML, the licensee), which would authorize
continued operation of the UML Research Reactor (UMLRR) at a maximum
steady-state thermal power of 1.0 megawatt (MW). The UMLRR is a plate-
type-fueled research reactor located on the campus of UML, in Lowell,
Middlesex County, Massachusetts. If approved, the renewed license would
authorize UML to continue to operate the UMLRR for an additional 20
years from the date of issuance of the renewed license. The NRC has
prepared this environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no
significant impact (FONSI) to consider the impacts associated with the
renewal of the operating license.
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this notice are available on
August 4, 2021.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2018-0053 when contacting the
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You
may obtain publicly available information related to this document
using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2018-0053. Address
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann;
telephone: 301-415-0624; email: [email protected]. For technical
questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this notice.
NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, 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]. For the convenience of the reader,
the ADAMS accession numbers are provided in a table in the
``Availability of Documents'' section of this notice.
Attention: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies
of public documents, is currently closed. You may submit your request
to the PDR via email at [email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or
302-415-4737, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Helvenston, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-4067; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The NRC is considering renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-
125, which authorizes the licensee to operate the UMLRR, located on the
campus of UML in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at a maximum
steady-state thermal power of 1.0 MW. The renewed license would
authorize continued operation of UMLRR for an additional 20 years from
the date of issuance of the renewed license. UML submitted its renewal
application by letter dated October 20, 2015. UML subsequently
supplemented its renewal application as described under
``Identification of the Proposed Action'' in Section II of this notice.
Therefore, as required by section 51.21 of title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Criteria for and identification of
licensing and regulatory actions requiring environmental assessments,''
the NRC prepared this EA. Based on the results of the EA, the NRC did
not identify any significant impacts from the proposed action (i.e.,
license renewal) and is, therefore, issuing a FONSI in accordance with
10 CFR 51.32, ``Finding of no significant impact.''
II. Environmental Assessment
Facility Site and Environs
The UMLRR is a heterogeneous open pool non-power reactor that has
been in operation since January 1975 for teaching and research
purposes. The reactor is licensed to operate at a thermal power of 1.0
MW, and is located on the North Campus of UML, which includes
classrooms, offices, and other facilities in an area just north of the
Middlesex River.
The UMLRR is housed in a steel-reinforced concrete building. The
reactor itself is situated in an open pool, which serves as part of the
primary coolant loop as well as moderator, coolant, and shielding. The
reactor will be fueled with uranium-silicide and uranium-aluminide low-
enriched uranium fuel elements. Waste heat is dissipated via forced-
convection cooling at full power, although the reactor can also be
cooled via natural convection at lower power levels. A double loop
coolant system transfers waste heat from the reactor to the atmosphere
via the primary coolant system, heat exchanger, a secondary cooling
system, and a cooling tower. Makeup water is provided through municipal
water supply (city of Lowell). An Area Radiation Monitoring System
continuously monitors gamma and beta radiation levels at locations in
the UMLRR facility. A Stack Radiation Monitoring System continuously
monitors air exiting the facility through the ventilation system
exhaust stack for
[[Page 41999]]
airborne radioactivity (gaseous and particulate). Airborne discharges
are limited by the UMLRR's technical specifications to ensure that
exposure to the general public will not exceed the limits of 10 CFR
part 20, ``Standards for Protection against Radiation.''
A detailed description of the reactor can be found in the UMLRR
safety analysis report (SAR) submitted by the UML with its renewal
application.
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would renew Facility Operating License No. R-
125 for a period of 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed
license. The proposed action is in accordance with UML's application
dated October 20, 2015, as supplemented by letters dated March 16,
2016, November 30, 2016, March 31, 2017, July 11, 2017, August 7, 2017,
September 13, 2017, January 6, 2018, February 1, 2018, March 5, 2019,
April 10, 2019, October 18, 2019, October 24, 2019, December 19, 2019,
December 20, 2019, February 24, 2020, September 30, 2020, January 30,
2021, February 16, 2021, April 5, 2021, and April 20, 2021
(collectively referred to as ``the renewal application''). In
accordance with 10 CFR 2.109, ``Effect of timely renewal application,''
the existing license remains in effect until the NRC takes final action
on the renewal application. As described in the renewal application,
UML has also requested NRC review and approval of certain facility
changes, and associated changes to the license, in conjunction with the
renewal of the license. These include the use of uranium-aluminide fuel
elements in addition to the similar uranium-silicide elements currently
in use, instrumentation and control upgrades, and re-designation of the
reactor containment building as a confinement building.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed to allow the continued operation of
the UMLRR, which is used for teaching and research to support the
mission of UML, for a period of 20 years from the date of issuance of
the renewed license.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
UML has requested approval of certain facility and license changes
in conjunction with license renewal, as previously discussed. However,
the proposed action will not require any major physical changes to the
facility, or any changes that would significantly affect the operation
of the facility, and the operational impacts would be similar to those
that have occurred during the current license term. As discussed
further, the proposed action will not have a significant environmental
impact.
Radiological Impacts
Environmental Effects of Reactor Operations
Gaseous radioactive effluents resulting from the routine operation
of the UMLRR are Argon-41 (Ar-41) and Nitrogen-16 (N-16). These
nuclides are released to the environment from the reactor building via
an exhaust stack on the roof that combines the ventilation exhausts
from both the reactor building interior and all attached systems. The
UMLRR stack discharge length is 100 feet (30.5 meters) and has an
airflow rate of 15,000 cubic feet (7.1 cubic meters) per minute.
Because the half-life of N-16 is approximately 7 seconds, the release
from the reactor stack is insignificant because most of the N-16
produced in the reactor coolant would decay before reaching the stack.
Ar-41 is by far the most significant radionuclide released as a gaseous
effluent during normal reactor operations. The maximum release of Ar-41
would occur from continuous operation at full power. UML measured the
Ar-41 concentration to be 2.28 x 10-\6\ microcuries per
milliliter exiting the exhaust stack under full power operations. The
annual release of Ar-41 under these conditions would be 495 curies (Ci)
per year. From this information, UML calculated the maximum annual dose
to a member of the public using the ARCON96 computer code to be 14.5
millirem (mrem). This meets the 100 mrem per year (mrem/yr) dose
equivalent to the maximally exposed individual in 10 CFR 20.1301,
``Dose limits for individual members of the public.'' UML's annual
reports for the 5 years of operation from 2015 through 2019 show that
the maximum actual recorded release of Ar-41 was 6.27 Ci in 2015, which
the report stated would result in a conservative estimated dose of 0.2
mrem/yr to a member of the public, which is well below the 100 mrem/yr
limit specified in 10 CFR 20.1301. This radiation dose of 0.2 mrem/yr
also demonstrates compliance with the as low as is reasonably
achievable (ALARA) air emissions dose constraint of 10 mrem specified
in 10 CFR 20.1101, ``Radiation protection programs,'' paragraph (d).
Liquid radioactive wastes produced as part of the normal operation
of the UMLRR are stored in the liquid radioactive waste storage room.
From there they are released to the environment via the city of Lowell
sanitary sewer system in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2003, ``Disposal by
release into sanitary sewerage.'' The water is treated at the Lowell
wastewater treatment facility, after which it is discharged to the
Merrimack River. The annual reports for the 5 years of operation from
2015 through 2019 show that UML properly disposed of liquid radioactive
waste by release into the sanitary sewer system. Based on information
presented in the annual reports, radionuclide releases were within the
allowable limits specified in 10 CFR part 20, Appendix B, ``Annual
Limits on Intake (ALIs) and Derived Air Concentrations (DACs) of
Radionuclides for Occupational Exposure; Effluent Concentrations;
Concentrations for Release to Sewerage,'' for liquid effluents.
Low-level solid radioactive waste generated from reactor operations
at the UMLRR are primarily demineralizer resins, paper, disposable
clothing, gloves, and other miscellaneous contaminated items. These
wastes are held to allow for decay and then released for disposal as
regular solid wastes if they do not exceed background activity.
Otherwise, the wastes are sent to a low-level radioactive waste broker
for proper disposal of the wastes containing long-lived radionuclides.
The last low-level radioactive waste shipment offsite discussed in the
UML annual reports was in May 2017; the shipment consisted of 106 cubic
feet (3 cubic meters) of contaminated materials from the reactor as
well as other UML campus labs. Once transferred, the low-level waste
broker ships and disposes of the waste in accordance with all
applicable regulations for radioactive materials. To comply with the
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, UML has entered into a contract with
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that provides that DOE retains
title to the fuel utilized at UMLRR and that DOE is obligated to take
the fuel from the site for final disposition.
As described in Chapter 11 of the UMLRR SAR, and verified through
NRC staff review of the UML annual reports for the 5 years of operation
from 2015 through 2019, personnel exposures are well within the limits
set by 10 CFR 20.1201, ``Occupational dose limits for adults,'' and are
ALARA in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1101(b). UML tracks exposures of
personnel monitored with dosimeters, and the annual reports for the 5
years of operation from 2015 through 2019 show that the personnel doses
were usually less than 10 percent of the occupational limit of 50
milliSieverts (5,000 mrem) per year.
[[Page 42000]]
Area thermo-luminescent dosimeter monitors mounted in the control room
and the reactor bay provide an additional monthly measurement of total
radiation exposures at those locations. No changes in reactor operation
that would lead to an increase in occupational dose are expected or
proposed as a result of the proposed action.
The radiation monitoring systems associated with reactor operations
at UMLRR are provided and maintained as a means of ensuring compliance
with radiation limits established under 10 CFR part 20. The UMLRR
radiation monitoring systems consist of area monitors, continuous air
monitors, portable radiation survey instruments, personnel monitors,
and stack particulate and gas monitors. The stack particulate and gas
monitoring systems measure the beta-gamma activity emitted by
radioactive particulates and the activity of gaseous radioactive
nuclides, respectively, that are exhausted through the UMLRR exhaust
stack. Perimeter monitoring at UMLRR consists of dosimeters that detect
X-ray and gamma radiation.
UML conducts an environmental monitoring program to record and
track the radiological impact of UMLRR operation on the surrounding
unrestricted area. The environment outside the reactor building is
monitored by passive optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters,
which are changed out quarterly. These dosimeters are located at
strategic locations in and around the Pinanski building, which is
attached to the reactor building. The UML Radiation Safety Office
analyzes the results to ensure that the reported doses are below 10 CFR
part 20 limits, and to monitor for trends that would indicate unusual
or elevated exposures. UML states that it has determined that the
numbers and placement of environmental dosimeters is sufficient based
upon historical data accumulated and analyzed from other dosimetry
locations that were part of a previous comprehensive background study
of areas around the UML campus. The renewal application provided total
annual environmental monitoring dose results from 2009 through 2013 for
dosimeters located in the first and third floor airlocks, and 2
locations within the Pinanski building. For each year and location, the
measured doses were below 10 mrem and well below the limits to the
public as required by 10 CFR part 20. Year-to-year trends in exposures
are consistent between monitoring locations. Also, no correlation
exists between total annual reactor operation and annual exposures
measured at the monitoring locations.
Based on its review of monitoring data in the renewal application,
the NRC staff concludes that operation of the UMLRR does not have any
significant radiological impact on the surrounding environment. No
changes in reactor operation that would affect normal off-site
radiation levels are expected or proposed as a result of the proposed
action. Therefore, the proposed action would not have a significant
radiological impact.
Environmental Effects of Accidents
Accident scenarios are discussed in Chapter 13 of the UMLRR SAR.
The accidents analyzed in Chapter 13 range from anticipated events to a
postulated fission product release with radiological consequences that
exceed those of any accident considered to be credible. This limiting
accident is referred to as the maximum hypothetical accident (MHA). UML
considers the uncontrolled release of the volatile gaseous fission
products to be the MHA for UMLRR. This accident would involve the
removal of the cladding from one side of one fuel plate while the fuel
is in the reactor pool. From there, the release would continue to the
reactor confinement building and into the environment. UML uses this
scenario to calculate the maximum concentration of fission products
that might be present in the reactor room air following the MHA. From
its calculations, UML concluded that individual worker exposures from
the MHA would not exceed 10 CFR part 20 dose limits and that all
effluent releases to the environment resulting from the MHA would also
meet 10 CFR part 20 dose limits.
Separate from this EA, the NRC staff is reviewing UML's MHA
analyses of the potential radiological consequences that may result
from the proposed license renewal. The results of the NRC staff's
safety review will be documented in a safety evaluation report that
will be made publicly available. If the NRC concludes that the
radiological consequences of the MHA are within 10 CFR part 20 dose
limits, then the MHA and the proposed action would not have a
significant impact with respect to the radiological consequences of the
MHA.
Conclusions
Because, in the renewal application, UML has not proposed any
physical changes to the reactor facility design, or changes to facility
operating conditions, that would significantly affect facility
operation, there would be no changes in the types or quantities of
routine effluents that may be released off site. UML has systems in
place for controlling the release of radiological effluents and
implements a radiation protection program to monitor personnel
exposures and releases of radioactive effluents. Accordingly, there
would be no increase in routine occupational or public radiation
exposure as a result of the proposed action. As previously discussed, a
separate safety evaluation is being conducted by the NRC staff to
determine the probability and consequences of accidents that could
result from the proposed action. If the safety evaluation finds that
the probability and consequences of accidents are within NRC regulatory
requirements, then the proposed action would have no significant
environmental impact with respect to accidents.
License renewal would not significantly change reactor operations.
As previously discussed, information in the renewal application and
data reported to the NRC by UML for the last 5 years of reactor
operations were evaluated to determine the radiological impact of
reactor operations. The NRC staff found that releases of radioactive
material and personnel exposures were all well within applicable
regulatory limits. Based on this evaluation, the proposed action would
have no significant radiological impacts.
Non-Radiological Impacts
The proposed action does not involve any significant change in the
operation of the reactor, change in the emissions or heat load
dissipated to the environment, or involve construction or other land
disturbance activities. The proposed action would not result in any
land use changes or increases in noise or air emissions and would not
have a significant impact on air quality, noise, or visual resources.
Water is supplied through the city water utility and UML proposes no
increase in water use or effluent discharge. Thus, the proposed action
would not incrementally affect surface water or groundwater resources.
There is no potential for the proposed action to affect aquatic or
terrestrial resources, or any other environmental resource conditions.
Therefore, the proposed action would have no significant non-
radiological impacts.
Other Applicable Environmental Laws
In addition to the National Environmental Policy Act, which
requires Federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of
proposed actions, the NRC has responsibilities that are derived from
other environmental laws and policy directives, which include the
[[Page 42001]]
Endangered Species Act (ESA), Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), Fish
and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), National Historic Preservation
Act (NHPA), and Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions To Address
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations'' (59 FR 7629). The following presents a summary of impacts
associated with resources protected by these laws and related
requirements.
Endangered Species Act
The ESA was enacted to prevent further decline of endangered and
threatened species and restore those species and their critical
habitat. Section 7 of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) regarding actions that may affect listed species or
designated critical habitats.
The NRC staff conducted a search of federally listed species and
critical habitats that have the potential to occur in the vicinity of
the UMLRR using the FWS's Environmental Conservation Online System.
Three federally listed species occur in Middlesex County,
Massachusetts: The red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), small whorled
pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis
septentrionalis). However, none of these species are likely to occur
near the UMLRR because it is located on the UML campus. The campus does
not provide suitable habitat for federally listed species because it
has been developed and in use for research and educational purposes for
many decades. Additionally, operation of the UMLRR has no direct nexus
to the natural environment that would otherwise affect federally listed
species. Accordingly, the proposed action would have no effect on
federally listed species or critical habitats. Federal agencies are not
required to consult with the FWS if they determine that an action will
not affect listed species or critical habitats. Thus, the ESA does not
require consultation for the proposed UMLRR license renewal, and the
NRC considers its obligations under ESA Section 7 to be fulfilled for
the proposed action.
Coastal Zone Management Act
The CZMA, in part, encourages States to preserve, protect, develop,
and restore coastal resources. Applicants for Federal licenses to
conduct an activity that affects any land or water use or natural
resource of the coastal zone of a State must provide a certification
stating that the proposed activity complies with the State's approved
coastal zone management program and that the applicant will conduct
activities consistent with that program.
Middlesex County, Massachusetts, does not contain any coastal
zones. Because the UMLRR is not located within or near any managed
coastal zones, the proposed action would not affect any coastal zones
and CZMA consistency certification does not apply. Therefore, UML does
not need to provide a certification under the CZMA.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
The FWCA requires Federal agencies that license water resource
development projects to consult with the FWS (or NMFS, when applicable)
and the State wildlife resource agencies regarding the potential
impacts of the project on fish and wildlife resources.
The proposed action does not involve any water resource development
projects, including any modifications relating to impounding a body of
water, damming, diverting a stream or river, deepening a channel,
irrigation, or altering a body of water for navigation or drainage.
Therefore, no coordination with other agencies pursuant to the FWCA is
required for the proposed action.
National Historic Preservation Act
The NHPA requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of their
undertakings on historic properties. As stated in the Act, historic
properties are any prehistoric or historic district, site, building,
structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in the
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NRHP lists several
historic properties in Middlesex County within 0.6 miles (1 kilometer)
of the UMLRR. Operation of the UMLRR has not likely had any impact on
any of these properties. The nearest historic property, which is
located about 0.3 miles (0.5 kilometers) from the UMLRR, is the St.
Joseph's Convent and School (National Register Listing No. 02000789).
The location of this historic property is completely surrounded by
development, and the view towards the UMLRR is obstructed by commercial
and industrial properties. Based on this information, the proposed
action would have no adverse effect on historic properties in the
vicinity of the UMLRR. By letter dated November 26, 2018, the NRC staff
contacted the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
and discussed the proposed action. On January 2, 2019, the SHPO
indicated concurrence with the NRC staff's determination that the
proposed action would have no adverse effect on historic properties.
Executive Order 12898--Environmental Justice
Executive Order 12898 directs Federal agencies to identify and
address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income
populations to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.
The environmental justice impact analysis evaluates the potential
for disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority and low-income populations that could result from
the proposed action. Such effects may include human health, biological,
cultural, economic, or social impacts. Minority and low-income
populations are subsets of the general public residing around the
UMLRR, and all are exposed to the same health and environmental effects
generated from activities at the UMLRR.
Minority Populations in the Vicinity of the UMLRR--According to the
U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Census, approximately 31 percent of the total
population (approximately 505,000 individuals) residing within a 10-
mile (16-kilometer) radius of the UMLRR identified themselves as
minorities. The largest minority populations were Hispanic, Latino, or
Spanish origin of any race (approximately 90,000 or 18 percent)
followed by Asian (approximately 43,000 or 8.5 percent). According to
the 2010 Census, 23.5 percent of the Middlesex County population
identified themselves as minorities, with persons of Asian and
Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin of any race comprising the largest
minority populations (9.3 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey 1-
year Estimates, the minority population of Middlesex County, as a
percent of the total population, had increased to about 30 percent.
Low-Income Populations in the Vicinity of the UMLRR--According to
the U.S. Census Bureau's 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year
Estimates, approximately 54,000 persons and 10,000 families
(approximately 10 and 7 percent, respectively) residing within a 10-
mile (16-kilometer) radius of the UMLRR were identified as living below
the Federal poverty threshold. The 2019 Federal poverty threshold was
$26,172 for a family of four.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Community
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Survey Census 1-Year Estimates, the median household income for
Massachusetts was $85,843 while approximately 6 percent of families and
9 percent of the State population were found to be living below the
Federal poverty threshold. Middlesex County had a higher median
household income average ($107,056) and a lower percentage of families
(4 percent) and persons (7 percent) living below the poverty level.
Impact Analysis--Potential impacts to minority and low-income
populations would mostly consist of radiological effects; however,
radiation doses from continued operations associated with the license
renewal are expected to continue at current levels and would be well
below regulatory limits.
Based on this information and the analysis of human health and
environmental impacts presented in this EA, the proposed license
renewal action would not have disproportionately high and adverse human
health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations
residing near the UMLRR.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
As an alternative to license renewal, the NRC considered denying
the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). If the NRC
denied the renewal application, reactor operations would cease, and
decommissioning would be required sooner than if a renewed license were
issued. The NRC notes that, even with a renewed license, UMLRR will
eventually be decommissioned, at which time the environmental effects
of decommissioning would occur. Decommissioning would be conducted in
accordance with an NRC-approved decommissioning plan, which would
require a separate environmental review under 10 CFR 51.21. Cessation
of reactor operations would reduce or eliminate radioactive effluents.
However, as previously discussed in this EA, radioactive effluents from
reactor operations constitute a small fraction of the applicable
regulatory limits. Therefore, the environmental impacts of license
renewal and the denial of the renewal application would be similar. In
addition, denying the renewal application would eliminate the benefits
of teaching, research, and services provided by the UMLRR.
Alternative Use of Resources
There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of
available resources under the proposed action. Further, the proposed
action does not involve the use of any different resources or
significant quantities of resources beyond those previously considered
in the renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-125 for the UMLRR in
November 1985, which previously renewed the UMLRR license for a period
of 30 years.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
As discussed previously, the NRC staff consulted with the
Massachusetts SHPO regarding the proposed action. Additionally, in
accordance with NRC policy, the NRC staff consulted with the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Liaison Officer on March 17 and March 26,
2021, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action, and
explained the environmental reviews and forwarded a draft of this EA.
On April 20, 2021, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts official
indicated, by electronic mail, that they had no comments regarding the
proposed action.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC is considering renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-
125, held by UML, which would authorize the continued operation of the
UMLRR for an additional 20 years from the date of issuance of the
renewed license.
On the basis of the EA included in Section II of this notice and
incorporated by reference in this finding, the NRC concludes that the
proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of
the human environment, and will not significantly affect the
environment surrounding the UMLRR. This is because the proposed action
will result in no significant radiological impacts from continued
operations as the types or quantities of effluents that may be released
off site would not change. No changes in land use would occur or
increases in noise or air emissions. Continued operations under the
proposed action would have no significant impacts on air quality,
noise, visual resources, surface water or groundwater resources,
terrestrial or aquatic resources, or on any other environmental
resource conditions. Additionally, the proposed action would have no
effect on federally listed species or designated critical habitats,
would not affect historic properties, and would not result in
environmental justice impacts. Therefore, the NRC concludes that the
proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of
the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to
prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
The NRC considered information provided in UML's application, as
supplemented, and the review of related environmental documents.
Section IV of this notice lists the documents related to the proposed
action and includes information on the availability of these documents.
IV. Availability of Documents
The following table identifies the references cited in this
document and related to the NRC's FONSI. Documents with an ADAMS
accession number are available for public inspection online through
ADAMS at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
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Document ADAMS Accession No.
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University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML16042A015 (Package).
Request for Renewal of Facility
Operating License R-125 and SAR, dated
October 20, 2015.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML16076A405 (Package).
Submittal of Revision 2 to Operator
Requalification Program, dated March
16, 2016.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML16335A327 (Package).
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information Regarding the Operator
Requalification Program for License
Renewal and Submittal of Revision 3 to
Operator Requalification Program,
dated November 30, 2016.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML17090A348 (Package).
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information for License Renewal, dated
March 31, 2017.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML17192A428 (Package).
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information Regarding Financial
Qualifications for License Renewal,
dated July 11, 2017.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML17222A071.
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information Regarding the Physical
Security Plan for License Renewal and
Submittal of Revision 8 to Physical
Security Plan, dated August 7, 2017.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML17261A211.
Submittal of Revision 9 to Physical
Security Plan, dated September 13,
2017.
[[Page 42003]]
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML18006A003 (Package).
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information for License Renewal, dated
January 6, 2018.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML18032A534 (Package).
Additional Clarifying Information for
License Renewal, dated February 1,
2018.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19064B373 (Package).
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information Primarily Related to
Technical Specifications, dated March
5, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19100A273.
Submittal of Revised SAR Section
7.4.1.2, dated April 10, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19291C293.
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information Primary Related to
Instrumentation and Controls, dated
October 18, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19297F433.
Supplement to October 18, 2019,
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information, dated October 24, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19353C523.
Second Supplement to October 18, 2019,
Response to NRC Request for Additional
Information, dated December 19, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19354A610.
Supplement to December 19, 2019,
Letter, dated December 20, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML20055F604.
Response to Items 7.4.c and 7.5.a from
NRC Request for Additional Information
Primarily Related to Instrumentation
and Controls, dated February 24, 2020.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML20274A248 (Package).
Supplemental Information Provided in
Response to Audit, dated September 30,
2020.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML21030A004 (Package).
Supplemental Information Provided in
Response to Audit, dated January 30,
2021.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML21047A245.
Supplemental Information Provided in
Response to Audit, dated February 16,
2021.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML21095A245.
Request for Additional Language in
Proposed License Conditions, dated
April 5, 2021.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML21110A053.
Review of Renewal License Conditions,
dated April 20, 2021.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML16224A326.
2015-2016 Annual Operating Report,
dated August 11, 2016.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML17209A491.
2016-2017 Annual Operating Report,
dated July 28, 2017.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML18227A980 (Package).
2017-2018 Annual Operating Report,
dated August 15, 2018.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML19248C113 (Package).
2018-2019 Annual Operating Report,
dated August 30, 2019.
University of Massachusetts Lowell, ML20238C002.
2019-2020 Annual Operating Report,
dated August 25, 2020.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ML16120A505.
Endangered Species Consultations
Frequently Asked Questions, dated July
15, 2013.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ML18320A135 (Package).
Letter to Massachusetts State Historic
Preservation Officer, dated November
26, 2018.
Massachusetts Historical Commission, ML19011A400.
Massachusetts State Historical
Preservation Officer Concurrence,
dated January 2, 2019.
Massachusetts Emergency Management ML21111A358.
Agency, Electronic Mail Indicating No
Comments, dated April 20, 2021.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: July 30, 2021.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Joshua M. Borromeo,
Chief, Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch,
Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power, Production and Utilization
Facilities, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2021-16590 Filed 8-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P