81 FR 35387 - Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 106 (June 2, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 106 (June 2, 2016)
| Page Range | 35387-35388 | |
| FR Document | 2016-13014 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 35387-35388] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-13014] [[Page 35387]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 071-9305; NRC-2016-0106] Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for an exemption request from the Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC, (NWP) for the one-time shipment of transuranic waste in two TRUPACT-III packages from the Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, South Carolina, to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), Carlsbad, New Mexico. DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on June 2, 2016. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2016-0106 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-2016-0106. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415- 3463; 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 (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. 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: Jessie Muir Quintero, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-7476; email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is reviewing a request from NWP (or applicant), dated January 28, 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. ML14035A106), for an exemption-- in accordance with section 71.12 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR)-- for the one-time transport of two Standard Large Box 2 (SLB2) waste boxes, each in a Model No. TRUPACT-III package. Specifically, NWP requested an exemption from the requirements in 10 CFR 71.61, ``Special requirements for Type B packages containing more than 10\5\A 2 ,'' (i.e., deep water immersion test). The applicant requested an exemption from the deep water immersion test because the design of a TRUPACT-III package containing more than 10\5\A2 has not been demonstrated to meet the deep water immersion requirements of 10 CFR 71.61, i.e., the package's undamaged containment system has not been shown that it can withstand an external water pressure of 2 MegaPascal for a period of not less than 1 hour without collapse, buckling, or in-leakage of water. Along with the exemption request, NWP also requested approval from the NRC for an increase in: (1) The A2 limit from less than 10\5\A2 to 2.1 x 10\5\A2 and (2) the authorized decay heat limit from 80 watts (W) to 190W. The A2 and decay heat limits are established in the TRUPACT-III Certificate of Compliance No. 9305, Revision No. 9 (ADAMS Accession No. ML15201A571). The TRUPACT-III is a shipping container used to transport transuranic (TRU) waste within an SLB2. The TRUPACT-III packages are front loaded in a horizontal position on custom-designed trailers for truck transport. The two TRUPACT-III packages will be transported by truck from the SRS in South Carolina, to the U.S. Department of Energy WIPP, Carlsbad, New Mexico. The SLB2 waste boxes have not been loaded into the TRUPACT-III packages yet and are currently sitting on a storage pad at SRS. The contents of each SLB2 waste box is primarily one half of a decommissioned tank used to process Plutonium-238. II. Environmental Assessment Summary Under the requirements of 10 CFR 51.21 and 51.30(a), the NRC staff developed an EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML16119A075) to evaluate the proposed federal action, which is for the NRC to grant an exemption to NWP from the deep water immersion test requirements for the one-time transport of two TRUPACT-III packages from SRS to WIPP. The EA defines the NRC's proposed action (i.e., to grant NWP's exemption request from 10 CFR 71.61) and the purpose of and need for the proposed action. Evaluations of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed action were presented, followed by the NRC's conclusion. Alternatives to the proposed action considered included: The no-action alternative (i.e., not granting the exemption); further segmenting the waste; using a different type of package; and storing the waste until the activity decays below 10\5\A2 . None of the alternatives are preferable to the proposed action because either the impacts are greater than the proposed action or they do not meet the purpose and need of the proposed action. Therefore, the proposed action is the preferred alternative. The EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts of granting the exemption of the two subject TRUPACT-III packages from the deep water immersion test. The only potential impacts from granting the exemption would be radiological impacts associated with an accident scenario. However, the analysis in the EA shows that there would be no radiological impacts as a result of exempting these two packages from the deep water immersion test since the packages will not cross bodies of water with depths greater than 15 meters (m) (50 feet [ft]). Any nonradiological impacts would be no greater than those for the transport of any other TRUPACT-III package and would be bounded by previous environmental analysis (NUREG-0170, ADAMS Accession No. ML12192A283). Therefore, the environmental impacts of transporting these two TRUPACT-III packages from SRS to WIPP are still bounded by those impacts documented in NUREG-0170. III. Finding of No Significant Impact The NRC staff has prepared an EA and FONSI in support of the proposed action. The EA is available at ADAMS Accession No. ML16119A075. The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action, for the NRC to grant an exemption to NWP from the deep water immersion test for the transport of two SLB2 waste boxes in Model No. TRUPACT-III packages from SRS to WIPP, will not significantly impact the [[Page 35388]] quality of the human environment, and that the proposed action is the preferred alternative. The environmental impacts of the two packages are bounded by previous NRC environmental analysis since the packages will not cross bodies of water greater than 15 m (50 ft) in depth. The NRC provided the States of South Carolina and New Mexico a draft copy of this EA for a 30-day review on April 14, 2016 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML16032A178 and ML16032A175, respectively). The NRC did not receive any comments on the draft EA (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML16134A603 and ML16144A079, respectively). The NRC staff has determined that the exemption from the deep water immersion test for the two subject packages would have no impact on historic and cultural resources or ecological resources and, therefore, no consultations are necessary under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act respectively. The NRC finds that there are no significant environmental impacts from the proposed action, and that preparation of an environmental impact statement is not warranted. Accordingly, the NRC has determined that a FONSI is appropriate. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day of May, 2016. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Craig G. Erlanger, Acting Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental Review, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2016-13014 Filed 6-1-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices 35387
NUCLEAR REGULATORY Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. No. ML16119A075) to evaluate the
COMMISSION Nuclear Regulatory Commission, proposed federal action, which is for the
Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: NRC to grant an exemption to NWP
[Docket No. 071–9305; NRC–2016–0106]
301–415–7476; email: Jessie.Muir- from the deep water immersion test
Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC Quintero@nrc.gov. requirements for the one-time transport
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: of two TRUPACT–III packages from SRS
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory to WIPP.
Commission. I. Introduction The EA defines the NRC’s proposed
ACTION: Environmental assessment and The NRC is reviewing a request from action (i.e., to grant NWP’s exemption
finding of no significant impact; NWP (or applicant), dated January 28, request from 10 CFR 71.61) and the
issuance. 2014 (ADAMS Accession No. purpose of and need for the proposed
ML14035A106), for an exemption—in action. Evaluations of the potential
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory accordance with section 71.12 of title 10 environmental impacts of the proposed
Commission (NRC) is issuing an of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 action and alternatives to the proposed
environmental assessment (EA) and CFR)— for the one-time transport of two action were presented, followed by the
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) Standard Large Box 2 (SLB2) waste NRC’s conclusion. Alternatives to the
for an exemption request from the boxes, each in a Model No. TRUPACT– proposed action considered included:
Nuclear Waste Partnerships, LLC, III package. The no-action alternative (i.e., not
(NWP) for the one-time shipment of Specifically, NWP requested an granting the exemption); further
transuranic waste in two TRUPACT–III exemption from the requirements in 10 segmenting the waste; using a different
packages from the Savannah River Site CFR 71.61, ‘‘Special requirements for type of package; and storing the waste
(SRS), Aiken, South Carolina, to the Type B packages containing more than until the activity decays below 105A2.
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), 105A2,’’ (i.e., deep water immersion None of the alternatives are preferable to
Carlsbad, New Mexico. test). The applicant requested an the proposed action because either the
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in exemption from the deep water impacts are greater than the proposed
this document are available on June 2, immersion test because the design of a action or they do not meet the purpose
2016. TRUPACT–III package containing more and need of the proposed action.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID than 105A2 has not been demonstrated Therefore, the proposed action is the
NRC–2016–0106 when contacting the to meet the deep water immersion preferred alternative.
NRC about the availability of requirements of 10 CFR 71.61, i.e., the The EA evaluates the potential
information regarding this document. package’s undamaged containment environmental impacts of granting the
You may obtain publicly-available system has not been shown that it can exemption of the two subject
information related to this document withstand an external water pressure of TRUPACT–III packages from the deep
using any of the following methods: 2 MegaPascal for a period of not less water immersion test. The only
• Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to than 1 hour without collapse, buckling, potential impacts from granting the
http://www.regulations.gov and search or in-leakage of water. exemption would be radiological
for Docket ID NRC–2016–0106. Address Along with the exemption request, impacts associated with an accident
questions about NRC dockets to Carol NWP also requested approval from the scenario. However, the analysis in the
Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; NRC for an increase in: (1) The A2 limit EA shows that there would be no
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For from less than 105A2 to 2.1 × 105A2 and radiological impacts as a result of
technical questions, contact the (2) the authorized decay heat limit from exempting these two packages from the
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER 80 watts (W) to 190W. The A2 and decay deep water immersion test since the
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this heat limits are established in the packages will not cross bodies of water
document. TRUPACT–III Certificate of Compliance with depths greater than 15 meters (m)
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents No. 9305, Revision No. 9 (ADAMS (50 feet [ft]). Any nonradiological
Access and Management System Accession No. ML15201A571). impacts would be no greater than those
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- The TRUPACT–III is a shipping for the transport of any other
available documents online in the container used to transport transuranic TRUPACT–III package and would be
ADAMS Public Documents collection at (TRU) waste within an SLB2. The bounded by previous environmental
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ TRUPACT–III packages are front loaded analysis (NUREG–0170, ADAMS
adams.html. To begin the search, select in a horizontal position on custom- Accession No. ML12192A283).
‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then designed trailers for truck transport. The Therefore, the environmental impacts of
select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS two TRUPACT–III packages will be transporting these two TRUPACT–III
Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, transported by truck from the SRS in packages from SRS to WIPP are still
please contact the NRC’s Public South Carolina, to the U.S. Department bounded by those impacts documented
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at of Energy WIPP, Carlsbad, New Mexico. in NUREG–0170.
1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by The SLB2 waste boxes have not been
email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The III. Finding of No Significant Impact
loaded into the TRUPACT–III packages
ADAMS accession number for each yet and are currently sitting on a storage The NRC staff has prepared an EA and
document referenced (if it is available in pad at SRS. The contents of each SLB2 FONSI in support of the proposed
ADAMS) is provided the first time that action. The EA is available at ADAMS
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
waste box is primarily one half of a
a document is referenced. decommissioned tank used to process Accession No. ML16119A075. The NRC
• NRC’s PDR: You may examine and Plutonium-238. staff has concluded that the proposed
purchase copies of public documents at action, for the NRC to grant an
the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One II. Environmental Assessment exemption to NWP from the deep water
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Summary immersion test for the transport of two
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Under the requirements of 10 CFR SLB2 waste boxes in Model No.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 51.21 and 51.30(a), the NRC staff TRUPACT–III packages from SRS to
Jessie Muir Quintero, Office of Nuclear developed an EA (ADAMS Accession WIPP, will not significantly impact the
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![35388 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices
quality of the human environment, and includes physical protection of (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-
that the proposed action is the preferred agreement material.1 available documents online in the
alternative. The environmental impacts DATES: Submit comments by August 16, ADAMS Public Documents collection at
of the two packages are bounded by 2016. Comments received after this date http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/
previous NRC environmental analysis will be considered if it is practical to do adams.html. To begin the search, select
since the packages will not cross bodies so, but the NRC is able to assure ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then
of water greater than 15 m (50 ft) in consideration only for comments select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS
depth. received on or before this date. Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS,
The NRC provided the States of South ADDRESSES: You may submit comments please contact the NRC’s Public
Carolina and New Mexico a draft copy by any of the following methods (unless Document Room (PDR) reference staff at
of this EA for a 30-day review on April this document describes a different 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by
14, 2016 (ADAMS Accession Nos. method for submitting comments on a email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The
ML16032A178 and ML16032A175, specific subject): ADAMS accession number for each
respectively). The NRC did not receive • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to document referenced (if it is publicly
any comments on the draft EA (ADAMS http://www.regulations.gov and search available in ADAMS) is provided the
Accession Nos. ML16134A603 and for Docket ID NRC–2016–0094. Address first time that it is mentioned in the
ML16144A079, respectively). questions about NRC dockets to Carol SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
The NRC staff has determined that the • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and
Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463;
exemption from the deep water purchase copies of public documents at
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For
immersion test for the two subject the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One
technical questions, contact the
packages would have no impact on White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER
historic and cultural resources or Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
ecological resources and, therefore, no
document. B. Submitting Comments
consultations are necessary under • Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey,
Section 106 of the National Historic Office of Administration, Mail Stop: Please include Docket ID NRC–2016–
Preservation Act and Section 7 of the OWFN 12–H08, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 0094 in your comment submission.
Endangered Species Act respectively. Commission, Washington, DC 20555– The NRC cautions you not to include
The NRC finds that there are no identifying or contact information that
0001.
significant environmental impacts from For additional direction on obtaining you do not want to be publicly
the proposed action, and that information and submitting comments, disclosed in your comment submission.
preparation of an environmental impact see ‘‘Obtaining Information and The NRC will post all comment
statement is not warranted. Submitting Comments’’ in the submissions at http://
Accordingly, the NRC has determined SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of www.regulations.gov as well as enter the
that a FONSI is appropriate. this document. comment submissions into ADAMS.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 26th day FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa The NRC does not routinely edit
of May, 2016. Dimmick, Office of Nuclear Material comment submissions to remove
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear identifying or contact information.
Craig G. Erlanger, Regulatory Commission, Washington, If you are requesting or aggregating
Acting Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– comments from other persons for
Safeguards, and Environmental Review, 0694, email: Lisa.Dimmick@nrc.gov. submission to the NRC, then you should
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
inform those persons not to include
Safeguards. identifying or contact information that
[FR Doc. 2016–13014 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] Table of Contents they do not want to be publicly
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P I. Obtaining Information and Submitting disclosed in their comment submission.
Comments Your request should state that the NRC
II. Background does not routinely edit comment
NUCLEAR REGULATORY III. Discussion of Proposed Changes submissions to remove such information
COMMISSION IV. Proposed Policy Statement for the before making the comment
Agreement State Program submissions available to the public or
[NRC–2016–0094]
I. Obtaining Information and entering the comment into ADAMS.
Policy Statement for the Agreement Submitting Comments II. Background
State Program
A. Obtaining Information The ‘‘Adequacy and Compatibility of
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Agreement State Programs’’ (62 FR
Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2016–
Commission. 46517; September 3, 1997) presents the
0094 when contacting the NRC about
ACTION: Proposed policy statement; NRC’s policy for determining the
the availability of information for this
request for comment. action. You may obtain publicly- adequacy and compatibility of
available information related to this Agreement State programs. The
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
action by any of the following methods: ‘‘Statement of Principles and Policy for
Commission (NRC) has revised and
consolidated two policy statements on • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to the Agreement State Program’’ (62 FR
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
http://www.regulations.gov and search 46517; September 3, 1997) describes the
NRC’s Agreement State Programs: the
for Docket ID NRC–2016–0094. respective roles and responsibilities of
‘‘Policy Statement on Adequacy and
Compatibility of Agreement State • NRC’s Agencywide Documents the NRC and the States in the
Access and Management System administration of programs carried out
Programs’’ and the ‘‘Statement of
under the 274b. State Agreement.2 The
Principles and Policy for the Agreement 1 The term ‘agreement material’ means the
State Program.’’ The resulting proposed materials listed in Subsection 274b. of the Atomic 2 Section 274 of the AEA provides a statutory
single policy statement has been revised Energy Act of 1954, as amended (AEA), over which basis under which the NRC discontinues portions
to add that public health and safety the States may receive regulatory authority. of its regulatory authority to license and regulate
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Document Created: 2016-06-02 01:22:44
Document Modified: 2016-06-02 01:22:44
| 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 | The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on June 2, 2016. | |
| Contact | Jessie Muir Quintero, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-7476; email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 35387 |
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