81_FR_9037 81 FR 9002 - Fort St. Vrain Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

81 FR 9002 - Fort St. Vrain Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 35 (February 23, 2016)

Page Range9002-9003
FR Document2016-03810

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering a license amendment request for the Special Nuclear Materials License SNM-2504 for the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) located in Weld County, Colorado. The NRC staff is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed action.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9002-9003]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03810]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 72-09; NRC-2016-0036]


Fort St. Vrain Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation

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 a 
license amendment request for the Special Nuclear Materials License 
SNM-2504 for the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) independent spent fuel storage 
installation (ISFSI) located in Weld County, Colorado. The NRC staff is 
issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant 
impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed action.

DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on 
February 23, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2016-0036 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-2016-0036. 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 that document 
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: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0867, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering a license amendment request for Special 
Nuclear Materials License Number SNM-2504 for the FSV ISFSI located in 
Weld County, Colorado (ADAMS Accession Nos.: ML15069A007, ML15084A014, 
and ML15331A359, respectively). The applicant, the U.S. Department of 
Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office, is proposing to amend Technical 
Specifications (TS) 3.3.1, ``Seal Leak Rate,'' to revise the response 
time to complete some of the corrective actions in TS 3.3.1 if the leak 
rate limit is exceeded. Also proposed is: (i) Addition of Section 
5.5.5, ``Aging Management Program,'' to the TS Table of Contents of 
Appendix A to license SNM-2504, (ii) clarification to language in Item 
6 of Section 5.5.2, ``Essential Programs Control Program,'' and (iii) 
addition of a notation that the license was renewed. The NRC staff has 
prepared a final EA as part of its review of this proposed license 
amendment in accordance with the requirements in part 51 of title 10 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR). Based on the final EA, the 
NRC has determined that a FONSI is appropriate. The NRC is also 
conducting a safety evaluation of the proposed license amendment 
pursuant to 10 CFR part 72, ``Licensing Requirements for the 
Independent Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level Radioactive 
Waste, and Reactor-Related Greater-Than-Class C Waste,'' and the 
results will be documented in a separate Safety Evaluation Report 
(SER). If DOE's request is approved, the NRC will issue the license 
amendment following publication of this final EA and FONSI and 
completion of the SER.

II. Final Environmental Assessment Summary

    The irradiated fuel in the ISFSI is contained in fuel storage 
containers (FSC), which are sealed with double metal O-ring seals 
between the FSC body and the lid. TS 3.3.1 in Appendix A of license 
SNM-2504 requires that the FSC or storage well seal leakage rate not 
exceed 1 x 10\3\ reference cubic centimeters per second (ref-cm\3\/s). 
The TS requires the licensee to test the leak rate of one FSC from each 
vault every 5 years. The TS also calls for specific corrective actions 
to be performed within a specified amount of time if the leak rate 
limit is exceeded for one or two seals on FSCs or storage wells. If 
approved, the proposed license amendment would allow DOE to revise the 
response time to complete the following corrective actions in TS 3.3.1 
if the leak rate limit is exceeded: (i) Lengthen the response time for 
completing corrective actions A.1.1, A.1.2.1, and A.1.2.2 from seven 
days to 21 days, and (ii) lengthen the response time for completing 
corrective action A.2 from 30 days to 45 days. In addition, the 
amendment would include the following changes that are administrative 
in nature: (i) addition of Section 5.5.5, ``Aging Management Program,'' 
to the TS Table of Contents of Appendix A to license SNM-2504, (ii) 
clarification to language in item 6 of section 5.5.2, ``Essential 
Programs Control Program,'' and (iii) addition of a notation that the 
license was renewed. As documented in the EA, this portion of the 
proposed action that includes changes that are administrative in nature 
meets the categorical exclusion provision in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11).
    The NRC has assessed the potential environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed action of amending SNM-2504 TS 3.3.1, as well as the 
no-action alternative, and has documented the results in the final EA 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16028A407). The NRC staff performed its 
environmental review in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 
51. In conducting the environmental review, the NRC considered 
information in the license amendment application; information in the 
responses to the NRC's requests for additional information (RAIs); and 
communications with DOE, the Colorado State Historic Preservation 
Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Colorado Department 
of Public Health and Environment.

[[Page 9003]]

    As documented in the EA, the NRC staff concluded that the proposed 
action will not authorize or result in changes to licensed operations, 
land-disturbing activities, or changes in the types, characteristics, 
or quantities of radiological or non-radiological effluents released 
into the environment from the ISFSI. The staff also concluded that the 
radiological or non-radiological impacts from approval of the license 
amendment request would be small, and the proposed action would not 
significantly contribute to cumulative impacts. In addition, the staff 
does not expect that the proposed action would adversely affect any 
offsite population and, thus, no special circumstances were identified. 
The Colorado State Historic Preservation Office concurred with the 
NRC's determination that the proposed action would not affect historic 
properties, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the 
NRC's determination that the proposed action would not affect listed 
species or critical habitats. Furthermore, the NRC determined that the 
proposed action is more favorable than the no-action alternative 
(denial of the license amendment request), which would require DOE to 
complete the required corrective actions within the currently specified 
response times. Therefore, the NRC concluded that the proposed action 
will not result in a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based on its review of the proposed action, in accordance with the 
requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC has concluded that the proposed 
action, amendment of NRC Special Nuclear Materials License No. SNM-2504 
for the FSV ISFSI located in Weld County, Colorado, will not 
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, 
the NRC has determined, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, that preparation of 
an environmental impact statement is not required for the proposed 
action and a FONSI is appropriate.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day of February 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. 2016-03810 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P

9002 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2016 / Notices financial and commercial information ADAMS Public Documents collection at the license amendment following given in confidence to the agency by http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ publication of this final EA and FONSI grant applicants, the meetings will be adams.html. To begin the search, select and completion of the SER. closed to the public pursuant to sections ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then II. Final Environmental Assessment 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) of Title 5, select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Summary U.S.C., as amended. I have made this Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, determination pursuant to the authority please contact the NRC’s Public The irradiated fuel in the ISFSI is granted me by the Chairman’s Document Room (PDR) reference staff contained in fuel storage containers Delegation of Authority to Close at: 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or (FSC), which are sealed with double Advisory Committee Meetings dated by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The metal O-ring seals between the FSC July 19, 1993. ADAMS accession number for each body and the lid. TS 3.3.1 in Appendix document referenced (if that document A of license SNM–2504 requires that the Dated: February 17, 2016. is available in ADAMS) is provided the FSC or storage well seal leakage rate not Elizabeth Voyatzis, first time that a document is referenced. exceed 1 × 103 reference cubic Committee Management Officer. centimeters per second (ref-cm3/s). The • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and [FR Doc. 2016–03688 Filed 2–22–16; 8:45 am] purchase copies of public documents at TS requires the licensee to test the leak BILLING CODE 7536–01–P the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One rate of one FSC from each vault every White Flint North, 11555 Rockville 5 years. The TS also calls for specific Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. corrective actions to be performed NUCLEAR REGULATORY within a specified amount of time if the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean COMMISSION leak rate limit is exceeded for one or Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material two seals on FSCs or storage wells. If [Docket No. 72–09; NRC–2016–0036] Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear approved, the proposed license Regulatory Commission, Washington, amendment would allow DOE to revise Fort St. Vrain Independent Spent Fuel DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– the response time to complete the Storage Installation 0867, email: Jean.Trefethen@nrc.gov. following corrective actions in TS 3.3.1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: if the leak rate limit is exceeded: (i) AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I. Introduction Lengthen the response time for completing corrective actions A.1.1, ACTION: Environmental assessment and The NRC is considering a license A.1.2.1, and A.1.2.2 from seven days to finding of no significant impact; amendment request for Special Nuclear 21 days, and (ii) lengthen the response issuance. Materials License Number SNM–2504 time for completing corrective action for the FSV ISFSI located in Weld A.2 from 30 days to 45 days. In SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory County, Colorado (ADAMS Accession Commission (NRC) is considering a addition, the amendment would include Nos.: ML15069A007, ML15084A014, the following changes that are license amendment request for the and ML15331A359, respectively). The Special Nuclear Materials License administrative in nature: (i) addition of applicant, the U.S. Department of Section 5.5.5, ‘‘Aging Management SNM–2504 for the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office, independent spent fuel storage Program,’’ to the TS Table of Contents is proposing to amend Technical of Appendix A to license SNM–2504, installation (ISFSI) located in Weld Specifications (TS) 3.3.1, ‘‘Seal Leak County, Colorado. The NRC staff is (ii) clarification to language in item 6 of Rate,’’ to revise the response time to section 5.5.2, ‘‘Essential Programs issuing an environmental assessment complete some of the corrective actions (EA) and finding of no significant Control Program,’’ and (iii) addition of in TS 3.3.1 if the leak rate limit is a notation that the license was renewed. impact (FONSI) associated with the exceeded. Also proposed is: (i) Addition proposed action. As documented in the EA, this portion of Section 5.5.5, ‘‘Aging Management of the proposed action that includes DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in Program,’’ to the TS Table of Contents changes that are administrative in this document are available on February of Appendix A to license SNM–2504, nature meets the categorical exclusion 23, 2016. (ii) clarification to language in Item 6 of provision in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11). ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID Section 5.5.2, ‘‘Essential Programs The NRC has assessed the potential NRC–2016–0036 when contacting the Control Program,’’ and (iii) addition of environmental impacts associated with NRC about the availability of a notation that the license was renewed. the proposed action of amending SNM– information regarding this document. The NRC staff has prepared a final EA 2504 TS 3.3.1, as well as the no-action You may obtain publicly-available as part of its review of this proposed alternative, and has documented the information related to this document license amendment in accordance with results in the final EA (ADAMS using any of the following methods: the requirements in part 51 of title 10 of Accession No. ML16028A407). The NRC • Federal Rulemaking Web Site: Go to the Code of Federal Regulations (10 staff performed its environmental http://www.regulations.gov and search CFR). Based on the final EA, the NRC review in accordance with the for Docket ID NRC–2016–0036. Address has determined that a FONSI is requirements in 10 CFR part 51. In questions about NRC dockets to Carol appropriate. The NRC is also conducting conducting the environmental review, Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; a safety evaluation of the proposed the NRC considered information in the email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For license amendment pursuant to 10 CFR license amendment application; mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES technical questions, contact the part 72, ‘‘Licensing Requirements for the information in the responses to the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER Independent Storage of Spent Nuclear NRC’s requests for additional INFORMATION CONTACT section of this Fuel, High-Level Radioactive Waste, and information (RAIs); and document. Reactor-Related Greater-Than-Class C communications with DOE, the • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Waste,’’ and the results will be Colorado State Historic Preservation Access and Management System documented in a separate Safety Office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- Evaluation Report (SER). If DOE’s Service, and the Colorado Department of available documents online in the request is approved, the NRC will issue Public Health and Environment. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Feb 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2016 / Notices 9003 As documented in the EA, the NRC NUCLEAR REGULATORY local intense precipitation or probable staff concluded that the proposed action COMMISSION maximum precipitation events. will not authorize or result in changes As the basis for this request, the [Docket No. 50–293; NRC–2016–0035] to licensed operations, land-disturbing petitioners referred to Pilgrim’s flood activities, or changes in the types, Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., reevaluation report provided by Entergy characteristics, or quantities of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Nuclear Operations, Inc. (Entergy, the radiological or non-radiological licensee) to the NRC in a letter dated effluents released into the environment AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. March 12, 2015 (ADAMS Accession No. from the ISFSI. The staff also concluded ML15075A082). The petitioners state that the radiological or non-radiological ACTION: Petition request; receipt. that Pilgrim’s reevaluations indicate that impacts from approval of the license SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory the site could experience flood levels amendment request would be small, and Commission (NRC) is giving notice that from heavy rainfall events nearly ten the proposed action would not by petition dated June 24, 2015, as feet higher than anticipated when the significantly contribute to cumulative supplemented, David Lochbaum of the plant was originally licensed. Although impacts. In addition, the staff does not Union of Concerned Scientists and existing doors protect important expect that the proposed action would others (the petitioners) requested that equipment from being submerged and adversely affect any offsite population the NRC take action with regard to the damaged, the petitioners assert that and, thus, no special circumstances Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (Pilgrim). neither regulatory requirements nor were identified. The Colorado State The petitioner’s requests are included in enforceable commitments exist that Historic Preservation Office concurred the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section ensure the continued reliability of flood with the NRC’s determination that the of this document. protection features that are currently proposed action would not affect ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID installed at the site to protect important historic properties, and the U.S. Fish NRC–2016–0035 when contacting the equipment from being submerged and and Wildlife Service concurred with the NRC about the availability of damaged. The petition states in relevant NRC’s determination that the proposed information regarding this document. part ‘‘the petitioners seek to rectify action would not affect listed species or You may obtain publicly-available safety shortcoming by revising the critical habitats. Furthermore, the NRC information related to this document current licensing basis to include determined that the proposed action is using any of the following methods: flooding caused by heavy rainfall more favorable than the no-action • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to events.’’ alternative (denial of the license http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2016–0035. Address The request is being treated pursuant amendment request), which would questions about NRC dockets to Carol to Section 2.206 of title 10 of the Code require DOE to complete the required Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) of the corrective actions within the currently email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. NRC’s regulations. A conference call specified response times. Therefore, the NRC concluded that the proposed action • NRC’s Agencywide Documents was held between the petitioner and the Access and Management System Petition Review Board (PRB) on August will not result in a significant effect on (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- 5, 2015, to discuss the petition; the the quality of the human environment. available documents online in the transcript of that teleconference is an III. Finding of No Significant Impact ADAMS Public Documents collection at additional supplement to the petition http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ (ADAMS Accession No. ML15230A017). Based on its review of the proposed adams.html. To begin the search, select The PRB has reviewed the petition, and action, in accordance with the ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then its supplement, and referred the request requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS to the Director of the Office of Nuclear NRC has concluded that the proposed Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, Reactor Regulation. The Director action, amendment of NRC Special please contact the NRC’s Public partially granted for review the Nuclear Materials License No. SNM– Document Room (PDR) reference staff at petitioners’ concerns that the current 2504 for the FSV ISFSI located in Weld 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by licensing basis be revised to include County, Colorado, will not significantly email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The specific beyond-design-basis flood affect the quality of the human ADAMS accession number for each events at Pilgrim. The parts of the environment. Therefore, the NRC has document referenced (if that document petitioners’ concerns not granted for determined, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, is available in ADAMS) is provided the review are the impact of precipitation that preparation of an environmental first time that a document is referenced. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and events on safety-related submerged impact statement is not required for the cables as this was previously reviewed proposed action and a FONSI is purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One and resolved in a prior 10 CFR 2.206 appropriate. Director’s Decision (ADAMS Accession White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 16th day Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. No. ML13255A191), and the request for of February 2016. an updated site plan of Pilgrim, because SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. this request is outside of the scope of 24, 2015, the petitioners requested that Craig G. Erlanger, the 10 CFR 2.206 process. The NRC staff mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES the NRC take enforcement action with Acting Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, regard to Pilgrim concerning the current will hold the petition until a resolution Safeguards, and Environmental Review, licensing basis on flooding (ADAMS of ongoing reviews associated with the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Accession No. ML16029A407). The subject of the petitioners’ concerns is Safeguards. petitioners requested that the NRC take achieved. [FR Doc. 2016–03810 Filed 2–22–16; 8:45 am] enforcement action to require that the Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 11th day BILLING CODE 7590–01–P current licensing basis for Pilgrim of February 2016. explicitly include flooding caused by VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:06 Feb 22, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:33:19
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:33:19
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionEnvironmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance.
DatesThe EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on February 23, 2016.
ContactJean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0867, email: [email protected]
FR Citation81 FR 9002 
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