83 FR 19576 - Crow Butte Resources, Inc.; Marsland Expansion Area
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 86 (May 3, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 86 (May 3, 2018)
| Page Range | 19576-19577 | |
| FR Document | 2018-09382 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 86 (Thursday, May 3, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 19576-19577] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-09382] [[Page 19576]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 40-8943; NRC-2012-0281] Crow Butte Resources, Inc.; Marsland Expansion Area AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering issuance of an amendment to source materials license SUA-1534 that would authorize Crow Butte Resources, Inc., to construct and operate an in situ uranium recovery (ISR) expansion facility at the Marsland Expansion Area (MEA) site in Dawes County, Nebraska. The NRC staff has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for this licensing action. DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on May 3, 2018. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0281 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 http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0281. Address questions about NRC dockets to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301-287- 9127; 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 via email to [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that it is mentioned in this document. 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 staff is considering a request for an amendment to source materials license SUA-1534, issued to Crow Butte Resources, Inc. (CBR or the licensee), to authorize construction and operation of the MEA, an ISR expansion facility that would be located in Dawes County, Nebraska. In accordance with NRC's regulations in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions,'' that implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the NRC staff has prepared an EA documenting its environmental review of the license amendment application that included an environmental report (ADAMS Accession No. ML17325B322) and technical report, as amended (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML15328A422, ML16155A267, ML16155A268, and ML17193A314). On December 15, 2017 (82 FR 59665), the NRC issued the draft FONSI and draft EA for the proposed MEA license amendment for public review and comment. The NRC received 20 comments. Appendix A of the EA contains the NRC's responses to those comments. Based on the environmental review and consideration of comments received on the draft EA, the NRC staff has determined that the proposed action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required, and therefore a FONSI is appropriate. II. Summary of Environmental Assessment The EA is publicly available in ADAMS using ADAMS Accession No. ML18103A145. A summary description of the proposed action and expected environmental impacts is provided in this notice. Description of the Proposed Action The proposed Federal action is approval of CBR's license amendment application, which would authorize the expansion of CBR's commercial- scale uranium recovery operations to the MEA. Under the proposed action, the licensee would perform construction, uranium recovery operations, aquifer restoration, and decommissioning activities at the proposed MEA, which would encompass approximately 4,622 acres (1,870 hectares). The CBR has proposed eleven production units in the MEA, which is located 11.1 miles (17.9 kilometers) south-southeast of the central processing facility (CPF) at the existing CBR license area. Uranium recovery operations at the MEA would include injection of lixiviant into and pumping of water from the uranium-bearing aquifer, removal of uranium from the pumped water using ion exchange, and transport of loaded ion exchange resin to the CPF at the existing CBR license area for further processing into yellowcake. Approval of the proposed action would authorize CBR to conduct uranium recovery operations at the MEA in accordance with its license amendment application, source materials license SUA-1534, and the requirements in 10 CFR part 40, ``Domestic Licensing of Source Material.'' Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action In the EA, the NRC staff assessed the potential environmental impacts from the construction, operation, aquifer restoration, and decommissioning of the proposed MEA on the following resource areas: Land use; geology and soils; water resources; ecological resources; climatology, meteorology, and air quality; historic and cultural resources; demographics and socioeconomics; environmental justice; transportation; noise; scenic and visual resources; public and occupational health; and hazardous materials and waste management. The NRC staff also considered the cumulative impacts from past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions when combined with the proposed action. All long-term impacts were determined to be SMALL. The NRC staff concluded that approval of the proposed action would not result in a significant increase in short-term or long-term radiological risk to public health or the environment. The NRC staff identified a potential for MODERATE short-term impacts to a few resource areas, including noise (temporary impacts to the nearest resident to the MEA during construction), ecological resources (localized and temporary impacts resulting from the loss and slow recovery of forest habitat), and groundwater resources (short-term lowering of the potentiometric surface of the Basal Chadron Sandstone aquifer). While potential MODERATE impacts would be expected for specific aspects of these resource areas, the [[Page 19577]] impacts are short-term and temporary. Therefore, the NRC staff concluded that the overall impacts related to these resource areas would be SMALL. Furthermore, the NRC staff found that there would be no significant negative cumulative impact to any resource area from the MEA when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, and that a potential positive cumulative socioeconomic impact could result from additional tax revenue, employment, and local purchases. Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). Under the no-action alternative, the NRC would not authorize CBR to construct and operate the MEA. In situ uranium recovery activities would not occur within the MEA and the associated environmental impacts also would not occur. III. Finding of No Significant Impact In accordance with the NEPA and 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has conducted an environmental review of CBR's request for a license amendment to NRC source materials license SUA-1534 that would authorize construction and operation of the MEA. Based on its environmental review of the proposed action, as documented in the EA, the NRC staff has determined that granting the requested license amendment would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the NRC staff 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 30th day of April, 2018. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Craig G. Erlanger, Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental Review, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2018-09382 Filed 5-2-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jean restoration, and decommissioning
COMMISSION Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material activities at the proposed MEA, which
Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear would encompass approximately 4,622
[Docket No. 40–8943; NRC–2012–0281]
Regulatory Commission, Washington, acres (1,870 hectares). The CBR has
Crow Butte Resources, Inc.; Marsland DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– proposed eleven production units in the
Expansion Area 0867, email: Jean.Trefethen@nrc.gov. MEA, which is located 11.1 miles (17.9
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: kilometers) south-southeast of the
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory central processing facility (CPF) at the
Commission. I. Introduction existing CBR license area. Uranium
ACTION: Environmental assessment and The NRC staff is considering a request recovery operations at the MEA would
finding of no significant impact; for an amendment to source materials include injection of lixiviant into and
issuance. license SUA–1534, issued to Crow Butte pumping of water from the uranium-
Resources, Inc. (CBR or the licensee), to bearing aquifer, removal of uranium
SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory authorize construction and operation of from the pumped water using ion
Commission (NRC) is considering the MEA, an ISR expansion facility that exchange, and transport of loaded ion
issuance of an amendment to source would be located in Dawes County, exchange resin to the CPF at the existing
materials license SUA–1534 that would Nebraska. In accordance with NRC’s CBR license area for further processing
authorize Crow Butte Resources, Inc., to regulations in part 51 of title 10 of the into yellowcake. Approval of the
construct and operate an in situ Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), proposed action would authorize CBR to
uranium recovery (ISR) expansion ‘‘Environmental Protection Regulations conduct uranium recovery operations at
facility at the Marsland Expansion Area for Domestic Licensing and Related the MEA in accordance with its license
(MEA) site in Dawes County, Nebraska. Regulatory Functions,’’ that implement amendment application, source
The NRC staff has prepared an the National Environmental Policy Act materials license SUA–1534, and the
environmental assessment (EA) and of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. requirements in 10 CFR part 40,
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) 4321 et seq.), the NRC staff has prepared ‘‘Domestic Licensing of Source
for this licensing action. an EA documenting its environmental Material.’’
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in review of the license amendment
this document are available on May 3, Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
application that included an
2018. Action
environmental report (ADAMS
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID Accession No. ML17325B322) and In the EA, the NRC staff assessed the
NRC–2012–0281 when contacting the technical report, as amended (ADAMS potential environmental impacts from
NRC about the availability of Accession Nos. ML15328A422, the construction, operation, aquifer
information regarding this document. ML16155A267, ML16155A268, and restoration, and decommissioning of the
You may obtain publicly-available ML17193A314). proposed MEA on the following
information related to this document On December 15, 2017 (82 FR 59665), resource areas: Land use; geology and
using any of the following methods: the NRC issued the draft FONSI and soils; water resources; ecological
• Federal Rulemaking website: Go to draft EA for the proposed MEA license resources; climatology, meteorology,
http://www.regulations.gov and search amendment for public review and and air quality; historic and cultural
for Docket ID NRC–2012–0281. Address comment. The NRC received 20 resources; demographics and
questions about NRC dockets to Jennifer comments. Appendix A of the EA socioeconomics; environmental justice;
Borges; telephone: 301–287–9127; contains the NRC’s responses to those transportation; noise; scenic and visual
email: Jennifer.Borges@nrc.gov. For comments. Based on the environmental resources; public and occupational
technical questions, contact the review and consideration of comments health; and hazardous materials and
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER received on the draft EA, the NRC staff waste management. The NRC staff also
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this has determined that the proposed action considered the cumulative impacts from
document. will not significantly affect the quality past, present, and reasonably
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents of the human environment and foreseeable future actions when
Access and Management System preparation of an environmental impact combined with the proposed action.
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- statement is not required, and therefore All long-term impacts were
available documents online in the a FONSI is appropriate. determined to be SMALL. The NRC staff
ADAMS Public Documents collection at concluded that approval of the proposed
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ II. Summary of Environmental action would not result in a significant
adams.html. To begin the search, select Assessment increase in short-term or long-term
‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then The EA is publicly available in radiological risk to public health or the
select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS ADAMS using ADAMS Accession No. environment. The NRC staff identified a
Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, ML18103A145. A summary description potential for MODERATE short-term
please contact the NRC’s Public of the proposed action and expected impacts to a few resource areas,
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at environmental impacts is provided in including noise (temporary impacts to
1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or via this notice. the nearest resident to the MEA during
email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The construction), ecological resources
ADAMS accession number for each Description of the Proposed Action (localized and temporary impacts
The proposed Federal action is resulting from the loss and slow
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
document referenced (if it is available in
ADAMS) is provided the first time that approval of CBR’s license amendment recovery of forest habitat), and
it is mentioned in this document. application, which would authorize the groundwater resources (short-term
• NRC’s PDR: You may examine and expansion of CBR’s commercial-scale lowering of the potentiometric surface
purchase copies of public documents at uranium recovery operations to the of the Basal Chadron Sandstone
the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One MEA. Under the proposed action, the aquifer). While potential MODERATE
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville licensee would perform construction, impacts would be expected for specific
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. uranium recovery operations, aquifer aspects of these resource areas, the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 86 / Thursday, May 3, 2018 / Notices 19577
impacts are short-term and temporary. Notice and request for
ACTION: Abstract (Needs and Uses): The
Therefore, the NRC staff concluded that comments. information provided in the OPIC–129
the overall impacts related to these is used by OPIC as a part of the
resource areas would be SMALL. SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Character Risk Due Diligence/
Furthermore, the NRC staff found that Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. background check procedure (similar to
there would be no significant negative Chapter 35), agencies are required to a commercial bank’s Know Your
cumulative impact to any resource area publish a Notice in the Federal Register Customer procedure) that it performs on
from the MEA when added to other notifying the public that the agency is each party that has a significant
past, present, and reasonably modifying an existing previously relationship (10% or more beneficial
foreseeable future actions, and that a approved information collection for ownership, provision of significant
potential positive cumulative OMB review and approval and requests credit support, significant managerial
socioeconomic impact could result from public review and comment on the relationship) to the projects that OPIC
additional tax revenue, employment, submission. Comments are being finances or insures. OPIC has a robust
and local purchases. solicited on the need for the due diligence process that includes
information; the accuracy of OPIC’s access to electronic databases. Certain
Environmental Impacts of the burden estimate; the quality, practical questions that can be addressed through
Alternatives to the Proposed Action utility, and clarity of the information to such electronic databases have been
be collected; and ways to minimize removed from the OPIC–129 form to
As an alternative to the proposed
reporting the burden, including eliminate duplication. These search
action, the staff considered denial of the
automated collected techniques and tools provide immediate results, and
proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’
uses of other forms of technology. thus, the OPIC–129 form is only one
alternative). Under the no-action
alternative, the NRC would not DATES: Comments must be received aspect of the due diligence review. The
authorize CBR to construct and operate within sixty (60) calendar days of form has also been revised to update the
the MEA. In situ uranium recovery publication of this Notice. electronic input fields in a manner that
activities would not occur within the ADDRESSES: Mail all comments and is consistent with new programming at
MEA and the associated environmental requests for copies of the subject form OPIC. The form will include limited
impacts also would not occur. to OPIC’s Agency Submitting Officer: drop-down menus tailored to the
James Bobbitt, Overseas Private specific applicant and OPIC business
III. Finding of No Significant Impact Investment Corporation, 1100 New York line.
In accordance with the NEPA and 10 Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20527. Dated: April 30, 2018.
CFR part 51, the NRC staff has See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
Nichole Skoyles,
conducted an environmental review of other information about filing.
Administrative Counsel, Department of Legal
CBR’s request for a license amendment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Affairs.
to NRC source materials license SUA– OPIC Agency Submitting Officer: James
[FR Doc. 2018–09397 Filed 5–2–18; 8:45 am]
1534 that would authorize construction Bobbitt, (202) 336–8558.
BILLING CODE 3210–01–P
and operation of the MEA. Based on its SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: All mailed
environmental review of the proposed comments and requests for copies of the
action, as documented in the EA, the subject form should include form
number OPIC–129 on both the envelope POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
NRC staff has determined that granting
the requested license amendment would and in the subject line of the letter. [Docket Nos. CP2018–166, MC2018–147 and
not significantly affect the quality of the Electronic comments and requests for CP2018–211]
human environment. Therefore, the copies of the subject form may be sent
NRC staff has determined, pursuant to to James.Bobbitt@opic.gov, subject line New Postal Products
10 CFR 51.31, that preparation of an OPIC–129. AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
environmental impact statement is not Summary Form Under Review ACTION: Notice.
required for the proposed action and a
FONSI is appropriate. Type of Request: Revision of currently SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
approved information collection. recent Postal Service filing for the
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 30th day Title: Sponsor Disclosure Report.
of April, 2018. Commission’s consideration concerning
Form Number: OPIC–129.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Frequency of Use: One per investor negotiated service agreements. This
Craig G. Erlanger, per project. notice informs the public of the filing,
Type of Respondents: Business or invites public comment, and takes other
Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety,
Safeguards, and Environmental Review, other institution (except farms); administrative steps.
Office of Nuclear Material Safety and individuals. DATES: Comments are due: May 4, 2018.
Safeguards. Standard Industrial Classification ADDRESSES: Submit comments
[FR Doc. 2018–09382 Filed 5–2–18; 8:45 am] Codes: All. electronically via the Commission’s
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Description of Affected Public: U.S. Filing Online system at http://
companies or citizens investing www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
overseas. comments electronically should contact
Reporting Hours: 500 (1 hour per the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
OVERSEAS PRIVATE INVESTMENT form). INFORMATION CONTACT section by
CORPORATION Number of Responses: 500 per year. telephone for advice on filing
Federal Cost: $27,455 ($54.91 × alternatives.
Submission for OMB Review; 500 × 1).
Comments Request Authority for Information Collection: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sections 231, 234(a), 239(d), and 240A David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
AGENCY: Overseas Private Investment of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, 202–789–6820.
Corporation (OPIC). as amended. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Document Created: 2018-05-02 23:48:08
Document Modified: 2018-05-02 23:48:08
| 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 May 3, 2018. | |
| 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] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 19576 |
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