81 FR 32349 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for Proposed Changes to Arecibo Observatory Operations, Arecibo, Puerto Rico and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Comment Period
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 99 (May 23, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 99 (May 23, 2016)
| Page Range | 32349-32350 | |
| FR Document | 2016-12036 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 32349-32350] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-12036] [[Page 32349]] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for Proposed Changes to Arecibo Observatory Operations, Arecibo, Puerto Rico and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Comment Period AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and initiate Section 106 consultation for proposed changes to Arecibo Observatory operations, Arecibo, Puerto Rico and notice of public scoping meetings and comment period. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate potential environmental effects of proposed changes to operations at Arecibo Observatory, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. (See supplementary information below for more detail.) By this notice, NSF is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues to be analyzed in the EIS. NSF also intends to initiate consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act to evaluate potential effects to the Arecibo Observatory, which is a historic property listed in the National Register of Historic Places. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and the initiation of public involvement under Section 106 per 36 CFR 800.2(d). Comments on issues may be submitted verbally during scoping meetings scheduled for June 7, 2016 (see details below) or in writing until June 23, 2016. To be eligible for inclusion in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period. NSF will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to this proposal by either of the following methods:Email to: [email protected], with subject line ``Arecibo Observatory.'' Mail to: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Arecibo Observatory, National Science Foundation, Suite 1045, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230. Scoping Meetings: NSF will host two public scoping meetings. Daytime meeting: June 7, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, 105 Avenida De Diego, San Juan, PR, Phone: (787) 721-6500. Evening meeting: June 7, 2016, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico/Puerto Rico Professional College of Engineers and Land Surveyors (Arecibo Chapter), Ave. Manuel T. Guill[aacute]n Urd[aacute]z, Conector 129 Carr. 10, Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Phone: (787) 758-2250. Comments will be transcribed by a court reporter. Spanish language translation will be provided for simultaneous translation of presentations. Please contact NSF at least one week in advance of the meeting if you would like to request special accommodations (i.e., sign language interpretation, etc.). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the EIS process or Section 106 consultation, please contact: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite 1045, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230; telephone: (703) 292-4907; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Arecibo Observatory is an NSF-owned scientific research and education facility located in Puerto Rico. In 2011, NSF awarded a five-year Cooperative Agreement to SRI International (SRI), which together with Universities Space Research Association (USRA) and Universidad Metropolitana (UMET) have formed the Arecibo Management Team to operate and maintain the Arecibo Observatory for the benefit of research communities. Arecibo Observatory enables research in three scientific disciplines: Space and atmospheric sciences, radio astronomy, and solar system radar studies; the last of these is largely funded through a research award to USRA from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. An education and public outreach program complements the Arecibo Observatory scientific program. A key component of the Arecibo Observatory research facility is a 305-meter diameter, fixed, spherical reflector. Arecibo Observatory infrastructure includes instrumentation for radio and radar astronomy, ionospheric physics, office and laboratory buildings, a heavily utilized visitor and education facility, and lodging facilities for visiting scientists. Through a series of academic community-based reviews, NSF has identified the need to divest several facilities from its portfolio in order to retain the balance of capabilities needed to deliver the best performance on the key science of the present decade and beyond. In 2012, NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences' (AST's) portfolio review committee recommended that ``continued AST involvement in Arecibo . . . be re-evaluated later in the decade in light of the science opportunities and budget forecasts at that time.'' In 2016, NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences' (AGS') portfolio review committee recommended significantly decreasing funding for the Space and Atmospheric Sciences portion of the Arecibo mission. In response to these evolving recommendations, in 2016, NSF completed a feasibility study to inform and define options for the observatory's future disposition that would involve significantly decreasing or eliminating NSF funding of Arecibo. Concurrently, NSF sought viable concepts of operations from the scientific community via a Dear Colleague Letter NSF 16-005 (see www.nsf.gov/AST), with responses due by January 15, 2016. Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS will be refined through continued public input, with preliminary alternatives that include the following: Continued NSF investment for science-focused operations (No- Action Alternative) Collaboration with interested parties for continued science- focused operations Collaboration with interested parties for transition to education-focused operations Mothballing of facilities (suspension of operations in a manner such that operations could resume efficiently at some future date) Deconstruction and site restoration The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including identification of viable alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, NSF has identified the following preliminary resource areas for analysis of potential impacts: Air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geological resources, solid waste generation, health and safety, socioeconomics, traffic, and groundwater resources. NSF will consult under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act in coordination with this EIS process, as appropriate. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by NSF's decision on this proposal are invited to participate in the scoping [[Page 32350]] process and, if eligible, may request to participate as a cooperating agency. Proposal Information: Information will be posted, throughout the EIS process, at www.nsf.gov/AST. Dated: May 18, 2016. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2016-12036 Filed 5-20-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
![32350 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 99 / Monday, May 23, 2016 / Notices
process and, if eligible, may request to INFORMATION CONTACT section of this II.
participate as a cooperating agency. document. Pursuant to Section 184 of the Atomic
Proposal Information: Information • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act),
will be posted, throughout the EIS Access and Management System and Title 10 of the Code of Federal
process, at www.nsf.gov/AST. (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly Regulations (10 CFR), Section 50.80,
‘‘Transfer of licenses,’’ Luminant Generation
Dated: May 18, 2016. available documents online in the
Company LLC (Luminant Power) requested
Suzanne H. Plimpton, ADAMS Public Documents collection at that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ (NRC) consent to the transfer of the FOL Nos.
Foundation. adams.html. To begin the search, select NPF–87 and NPF–89 for CPNPP, and the
[FR Doc. 2016–12036 Filed 5–20–16; 8:45 am]
‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then general license for the ISFSI facility (Docket
select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS No. 72–74) from the current holder,
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P Luminant Power, to as-yet unnamed
Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
please contact the NRC’s Public companies, herein identified as Comanche
Peak LLC (CP LLC), as owner, and Operating
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at Company LLC (OpCo LLC), as operator
NUCLEAR REGULATORY 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
COMMISSION (together these entities are referred to as ‘‘the
email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The licensees’’). Luminant Power submitted the
[Docket Nos. 50–445, 50–446, and 72–74; ADAMS accession number for each request by application dated November 12,
License Nos. NPF–87 and NPF–89; NRC– document referenced in this document 2015 (Agencywide Documents Access and
2016–0020] (if that document is available in Management System (ADAMS) Accession
ADAMS) is provided the first time that No. ML15320A093), as supplemented by
In the Matter of Luminant Generation letters dated December 9, 2015, and March
a document is referenced. The Order 14, March 29, April 7, and April 20, 2016
Company LLC; Comanche Peak was issued to the licensee in a letter
Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML15345A048,
dated May 6, 2016 (ADAMS Accession ML16076A162, ML16091A121,
2, and Independent Spent Fuel Storage No. ML16096A266). ML16099A291, and ML16112A396,
Installation Facility • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and respectively).
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory purchase copies of public documents at Luminant Power is acting on behalf of
the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One itself and the future to-be-formed companies.
Commission. These future to-be-formed companies include
ACTION: Direct and indirect transfer of White Flint North, 11555 Rockville the ultimate parent of CP LLC and OpCo LLC,
license; order. Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Reorganized Texas Competitive Electric
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Holdings Corporation (Reorganized TCEH),
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Margaret Watford, Office of Nuclear and the intermediate parents, Intermediate
Commission (NRC) is issuing an order Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Holding Company LLC, Asset Company LLC,
approving the direct transfer of Regulatory Commission, Washington, and Preferred Stock Company Corporation
ownership and indirect transfer of (together with Luminant Power these entities
DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– are referred to as the ‘‘Applicants’’). Entity
control of Facility Operating License 1233, email: Margaret.Watford@nrc.gov. names in the licensee’s application and
(FOL) Nos. NPF–87 and NPF–89 and the supplements are placeholders.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of
general license for the independent On April 29, 2014, Luminant Power
the Order is attached.
spent fuel storage installation facility notified the NRC of its filing of a bankruptcy
from the current holder, Luminant Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day (ADAMS Accession No. ML14120A212).
Generation Company LLC, to as-yet of May 2016. Luminant Power is owned by Energy Future
unnamed companies, herein identified For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Competitive Holdings Company LLC (EFCH),
as Comanche Peak LLC, as owner, and Margaret M. Watford, through its wholly owned subsidiaries. The
EFCH is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of
Operating Company LLC, as operator. Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch
Energy Future Holdings Corporation (EFH).
The NRC will issue conforming IV–1, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing,
The current and intended ownership
amendments to the FOLs for Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. structure of the facility is depicted in the
administrative purposes to reflect the Attachment—Order Approving simplified organizational charts provided in
proposed license transfer. No physical Transfer of Licenses and Approving Exhibits A and B of Enclosure 1 in the
changes to the facility or operational submittal dated November 12, 2015. As a
Conforming Amendments result of the proposed transactions and
changes were proposed in the
application. The Order is effective upon United States of America consistent with Exhibit B, EFH and EFCH
will no longer ultimately own CPNPP. The
issuance. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses will be transferred from Luminant
DATES: The Order was issued on May 6, In the Matter of Luminant Generation Power to CP LLC, responsible for ownership
2016, and is effective for 1 year. Company LLC; Comanche Peak Nuclear of the facility, and OpCo LLC, responsible for
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 the operation and maintenance of CPNPP. At
NRC–2016–0020 when contacting the Dockets Nos. 50–445 and 50–446 the emergence from bankruptcy, Reorganized
License Nos. NPF–87 and NPF–89 TCEH, the ultimate parent company of CP
NRC about the availability of LLC, will be owned by a numerous and
information regarding this document. Order Approving the Transfer of Licenses diverse set of independent and unaffiliated
You may obtain publicly-available and Approving Conforming Amendments stockholders. No single entity is expected to
information related to this document own a majority of, or exercise control over
I.
using any of the following methods: Reorganized TCEH or its Board of Directors.
• Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to Luminant Generation Company LLC Current Luminant Power nuclear
sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
http://www.regulations.gov and search (Luminant Power, the licensee) is the holder management and technical personnel will be
for Docket ID NRC–2016–0020. Address of the Facility Operating License (FOL) Nos. employed by OpCo LLC. Accordingly, there
NPF–87 and NPF–89 of the Comanche Peak will be no change in management or
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 technical qualification, and OpCo LLC will
Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; (CPNPP), and the holder of the general continue to be technically qualified to
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For license for the independent spent fuel storage operate the facility. No physical changes to
technical questions, contact the installation (ISFSI) facility. CPNPP is located the CPNPP and ISFSI facility or operational
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER in Somervell County, Texas. changes are proposed in the application.
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Document Created: 2018-02-07 15:07:10
Document Modified: 2018-02-07 15:07:10
| 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 | Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and initiate Section 106 consultation for proposed changes to Arecibo Observatory operations, Arecibo, Puerto Rico and notice of public scoping meetings and comment period. | |
| Dates | This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and the initiation of public involvement under Section 106 per 36 CFR 800.2(d). Comments on issues may be submitted verbally during scoping meetings scheduled for June 7, 2016 (see details below) or in writing until June 23, 2016. To be eligible for inclusion in the Draft EIS, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period. NSF will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS. | |
| Contact | For further information regarding the EIS process or Section 106 consultation, please contact: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite 1045, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230; telephone: (703) 292-4907; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 32349 |
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