80 FR 61502 - Expanded River Reconnaissance Paleoliquefaction Study Area

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 197 (October 13, 2015)

Page Range		61502-61503
FR Document		2015-25858

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that may arise as a result of additional geologic field work for a paleoliquefaction research project. The NRC has determined that there will be no adverse effects to any historic or cultural resources that may be located in the paleoliquefaction study's area of potential effects. The NRC has also concluded that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61502-61503]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25858]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0271]

Expanded River Reconnaissance Paleoliquefaction Study Area

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) has prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental
impacts that may arise as a result of additional geologic field work
for a paleoliquefaction research project. The NRC has determined that
there will be no adverse effects to any historic or cultural resources
that may be located in the paleoliquefaction study's area of potential
effects. The NRC has also concluded that a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) is appropriate.

DATES: October 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0271 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 Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0271. Address
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. 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 pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it available in
ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The EA
and the associated FONSI is publicly available in ADAMS under Accession
No. ML15275A424.
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: Thomas Weaver, Office of Nuclear
Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2383; email: Thomas.Weaver@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

On November 2, 2012, the NRC issued a FONSI for field work to
support paleoliquifaction studies along certain river segments located
in Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia.
The NRC provided notice of the FONSI and the supporting EA upon which
the FONSI was based, in a Federal Register notice dated November 7,
2012 (77 FR 66874). The NRC has identified additional river segments in
Missouri, Arkansas, and Mississippi where the NRC will conduct
additional field work of the same nature described in its 2012 EA. This
field work will study geologic features such as sand blows and sand
dikes that formed during historic and pre-historic earthquakes as a
result of soil liquefaction, which is the process of water pressure
increasing in the soil due to cyclic shaking with an associated
significant decrease in soil strength. The results from this research
will be used to update models implemented in probabilistic seismic
hazard analyses, which are used in evaluating sites for new nuclear
power reactors to characterize ground motions in accordance with
section 100.23(d)(1) of Title 10 of the Code of Federal

[[Page 61503]]

Regulations (10 CFR). These results may also be used for future seismic
hazard evaluations for existing nuclear power reactors.
The NRC has prepared an EA to evaluate the potential environmental
impacts that may arise as a result of this research project in
accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC's
regulations that implement Section 102(2) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Based on the EA, and in accordance with
10 CFR 51.31(a), the NRC has concluded that a FONSI is appropriate.
Field work for this project will commence following publication of this
Notice.

II. EA Summary

The NRC has prepared the EA to evaluate the potential environmental
impacts of the field work to be performed along select river segments
for this project. In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the NRC staff
requested informal consultation with the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service. No concerns were identified for Federally listed
species or designated critical habitat. This project is temporary,
minimally invasive, and will occur outside the critical nesting times
for migratory birds. Further, researchers will avoid mussel beds and
active nests, and will minimize disturbance to vegetation.
Similarly, the NRC determined that there will be no adverse effects
to any historic or cultural resources that may be located in the
paleoliquefaction study's area of potential effects within the states
of Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi. The Arkansas, Mississippi, and
Missouri State Historic Preservation Officers have concurred with this
finding.
Finally, the NRC has determined that there will be no significant
impacts to any other resource areas (e.g., surface water, groundwater,
air quality) as a result of the proposed field work.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

On the basis of the EA and as further described in the FONSI, the
NRC has concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts
from the proposed field work and has determined not to prepare an
environmental impact statement.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of October 2015.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John P. Burke,
Chief, Structural, Geotechnical, and Seismic Engineering Branch,
Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
[FR Doc. 2015-25858 Filed 10-9-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 197 / Tuesday, October 13, 2015 / Notices 61503

Regulations (10 CFR). These results may For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-
also be used for future seismic hazard John P. Burke, rm/doc-collections/acrs. Information
evaluations for existing nuclear power Chief, Structural, Geotechnical, and Seismic regarding topics to be discussed,
reactors. Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, changes to the agenda, whether the
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. meeting has been canceled or
The NRC has prepared an EA to
[FR Doc. 2015–25858 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am] rescheduled, and the time allotted to
evaluate the potential environmental
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P present oral statements can be obtained
impacts that may arise as a result of this
from the Web site cited above or by
research project in accordance with the contacting the identified DFO.
requirements of 10 CFR part 51, the NUCLEAR REGULATORY Moreover, in view of the possibility that
NRC’s regulations that implement COMMISSION the schedule for ACRS meetings may be
Section 102(2) of the National adjusted by the Chairman as necessary
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as Advisory Committee on Reactor to facilitate the conduct of the meeting,
amended. Based on the EA, and in Safeguards (ACRS) Meeting of the persons planning to attend should check
accordance with 10 CFR 51.31(a), the Acrs Subcommittee on Reliability and with these references if such
NRC has concluded that a FONSI is PRA; Notice of Meeting rescheduling would result in a major
appropriate. Field work for this project The ACRS Subcommittee on inconvenience.
will commence following publication of Reliability and PRA will hold a meeting If attending this meeting, please enter
this Notice. on October 19, 2015, Room T–2B1, through the One White Flint North
11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, building, 11555 Rockville Pike,
II. EA Summary
Maryland. Rockville, Maryland. After registering
The NRC has prepared the EA to The meeting will be open to public with security, please contact Mr. Theron
evaluate the potential environmental attendance. Brown (Telephone 240–888–9835) to be
The agenda for the subject meeting escorted to the meeting room.
impacts of the field work to be
shall be as follows: Dated: October 2, 2015.
performed along select river segments
for this project. In accordance with Monday, October 19, 2015–1:00 p.m. Mark L. Banks,
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act until 5:00 p.m. Chief, Technical Support Branch, Advisory
of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et The Subcommittee will discuss a draft Committee on Reactor Safeguards.
seq.), the NRC staff requested informal SECY Paper on possible implementation [FR Doc. 2015–25884 Filed 10–9–15; 8:45 am]
consultation with the United States Fish of a Risk Management Regulatory BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
and Wildlife Service. No concerns were Framework (RMRF). The Subcommittee
identified for Federally listed species or will hear presentations by and hold
designated critical habitat. This project discussions with the NRC staff and NUCLEAR REGULATORY
is temporary, minimally invasive, and other interested persons regarding this COMMISSION
will occur outside the critical nesting matter. The Subcommittee will gather [NRC–2015–0001]
times for migratory birds. Further, information, analyze relevant issues and
researchers will avoid mussel beds and facts, and formulate proposed positions Sunshine Act Meeting
active nests, and will minimize and actions, as appropriate, for
disturbance to vegetation. deliberation by the Full Committee. DATE: October 12, 19, 26, November 2,
Members of the public desiring to 9, 16, 2015.
Similarly, the NRC determined that provide oral statements and/or written PLACE: Commissioners’ Conference
there will be no adverse effects to any comments should notify the Designated Room, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville,
historic or cultural resources that may Federal Official (DFO), Mike Snodderly Maryland.
be located in the paleoliquefaction (Telephone 301–415–2241 or Email:
STATUS: Public and Closed.
study’s area of potential effects within Mike.Snodderly@nrc.gov) five days prior
the states of Arkansas, Missouri and to the meeting, if possible, so that Week of October 12, 2015
Mississippi. The Arkansas, Mississippi, appropriate arrangements can be made.
There are no meetings scheduled for
and Missouri State Historic Preservation Thirty-five hard copies of each
the week of October 12, 2015.
Officers have concurred with this presentation or handout should be
finding. provided to the DFO thirty minutes Week of October 19, 2015—Tentative
before the meeting. In addition, one
Finally, the NRC has determined that electronic copy of each presentation Monday, October 19, 2015
there will be no significant impacts to should be emailed to the DFO one day 9:30 a.m. Briefing on Security Issues
any other resource areas (e.g., surface before the meeting. If an electronic copy (Closed—Ex. 1)
water, groundwater, air quality) as a cannot be provided within this
result of the proposed field work. Wednesday, October 21, 2015
timeframe, presenters should provide
the DFO with a CD containing each 9:00 a.m. Joint Meeting of the Federal
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
presentation at least thirty minutes Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
On the basis of the EA and as further before the meeting. Electronic and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
described in the FONSI, the NRC has recordings will be permitted only (NRC) (Part 1) (Public Meeting)To be
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

concluded that there are no significant during those portions of the meeting held at FERC Headquarters, 888 First
environmental impacts from the that are open to the public. Detailed Street NE. Washington, DC. (Contact:
proposed field work and has determined procedures for the conduct of and Tania Martinez-Navedo: 301–415–6561).
not to prepare an environmental impact participation in ACRS meetings were This meeting will be webcast live at
statement. published in the Federal Register on the Web address—www.ferc.gov.
October 1, 2014 (79 FR 59307). 11:20 a.m. Joint Meeting of the
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day Detailed meeting agendas and meeting Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
of October 2015. transcripts are available on the NRC (FERC) and the Nuclear Regulatory

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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:48:07
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:48:07

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance.
Dates		October 13, 2015.
Contact		Thomas Weaver, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2383; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 61502