83 FR 4079 - Strata Energy, Inc.; Ross Uranium In Situ Recovery Facility; Source and Byproduct Materials License
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 19 (January 29, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 19 (January 29, 2018)
| Page Range | 4079-4080 | |
| FR Document | 2018-01522 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 4079-4080] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-01522] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 40-9091; NRC-2011-0148] Strata Energy, Inc.; Ross Uranium In Situ Recovery Facility; Source and Byproduct Materials License AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering an amendment of Source and Byproduct Materials License SUA-1601 to modify a License Condition for the Strata Energy, Inc. (Strata) Ross In Situ Recovery (ISR) Project. Specifically, Strata is requesting that NRC approve a modification to License Condition 11.3(C) for Mine Units Nos. 1 and 2 (MU1 and MU2) that would reduce the number of monitoring wells placed in the underlying aquifer. The NRC has prepared a final environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for this licensing action. [[Page 4080]] DATES: The final EA and FONSI referenced in this document were available on January 17, 2018. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2011-0148 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-2011-0148. 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 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: 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 considering amending License Condition 11.3(C) of License SUA-1601 issued to Strata. As required by part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), the NRC prepared a final EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML17360A222). Based on the results of the final EA, described as follows, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the amendment, and is issuing a FONSI. II. Environmental Assessment Description of the Proposed Action The proposed action would amend License Condition 11.3(C) of Strata's Ross license. Strata's amendment request (ADAMS Accession No. ML17103A262) would reduce the number of monitoring wells in the designated underlying aquifer. Need for the Proposed Action The proposed action would reduce Strata's burden of routine monitoring of low-yielding wells. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC assessed the environmental impacts to ground water as a result of amending License Condition 11.3 (C) and determined that there would be no significant impact to ground-water quality. The NRC determined the proposed changes to the License Condition--reduction in the number of monitoring wells in the underlying aquifer within MU1 and MU2--would still maintain Strata's ability to identify vertical exclusions into the underlying aquifer at MU2 where the unit has the potential to transmit water. Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). The No-Action Alternative would mean that the NRC would not approve the requested change to License Condition 11.3 (C). The No-Action alternative would result in Strata operating the Ross project as currently licensed, thus the impacts would be the same as those already considered in the Ross Supplemental EIS and the EA prepared for License Amendment No. 7 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML14056A096 and ML17191A371, respectively). Agencies and Persons Consulted On December 01, 2017, the NRC staff sent a copy of the draft EA to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for their review and comment (ADAMS Accession No. ML17335A567). The Wyoming DEQ responded on January 2, 2018, with no comments on the draft EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML18003A749). III. Finding of No Significant Impact Based on its review of the proposed action, and in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has determined that amending License Condition 11.3(C) for the Ross ISR project would not significantly affect ground-water quality. The NRC staff has determined that pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, preparation of an EIS is not required for the proposed action and, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, a FONSI is appropriate. On the basis of the final EA, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an EIS for the proposed action. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of January 2018. For the U.S. 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. 2018-01522 Filed 1-26-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Notices 4079
plant-specific Design Control Document Accession No. ML17283A313, the determination, and opportunity for a
Tier 2 information and involves changes Commission finds that: hearing in connection with these
to COL Appendix C. The proposed A. The exemption is authorized by law; actions, was published in the Federal
changes revise the COLs to remove the B. the exemption presents no undue risk to Register on August 8, 2017 (82 FR
west walls of containment air filtration public health and safety; 37128). No comments were received
exhaust rooms A and B in the annex C. the exemption is consistent with the during the 30-day comment period.
building to facilitate ease of access to common defense and security; The Commission has determined that
equipment in the room during D. special circumstances are present in that these amendments satisfy the criteria for
installation and maintenance. the application of the rule in this
circumstance is not necessary to serve the
categorical exclusion in accordance
Part of the justification for granting with 10 CFR 51.22. Therefore, pursuant
underlying purpose of the rule;
the exemption was provided by the E. the special circumstances outweigh any to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental
review of the amendment. Because the decrease in safety that may result from the impact statement or environmental
exemption is necessary in order to issue reduction in standardization caused by the assessment need be prepared for these
the requested license amendment, the exemption; and amendments.
NRC granted the exemption and issued F. the exemption will not result in a
the amendment concurrently, rather significant decrease in the level of safety IV. Conclusion
than in sequence. This included issuing otherwise provided by the design.
Using the reasons set forth in the
a combined safety evaluation containing 2. Accordingly, the licensee is granted combined safety evaluation, the staff
the NRC staff’s review of both the an exemption from the certified DCD granted the exemptions and issued the
exemption request and the license Tier 1 information, with corresponding amendments that the licensee requested
amendment. The exemption met all changes to Appendix C of the Facility on May 24, 2017, as supplemented by
applicable regulatory criteria set forth in Combined License as described in the letter dated August 31, 2017.
§§ 50.12, 52.7, and section VIII.A.4 of request dated May 24, 2017, as The exemptions and amendments
appendix D to 10 CFR part 52. The supplemented by letter dated August 31, were issued on November 14, 2017, as
license amendment was found to be 2017. This exemption is related to, and part of a combined package to the
acceptable as well. The combined safety necessary for the granting of License licensee (ADAMS Accession No.
evaluation is available in ADAMS under Amendment No. 98 (Unit 3) and 97 ML17283A312).
Accession No. ML17283A313. (Unit 4), which is being issued
Identical exemption documents Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd
concurrently with this exemption. day of January, 2018.
(except for referenced unit numbers and 3. As explained in Section 5.0 of the
license numbers) were issued to the For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation (ADAMS
licensee for VEGP Units 3 and 4 (COLs Accession No. ML17283A313), this Jennifer L. Dixon-Herrity,
NPF–91 and NPF–92). The exemption exemption meets the eligibility criteria Chief, Licensing Branch 4, Division of New
documents for VEGP Units 3 and 4 can for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 Reactor Licensing, Office of New Reactors.
be found in ADAMS under Accession CFR 51.22(c)(9). Therefore, pursuant to [FR Doc. 2018–01520 Filed 1–26–18; 8:45 am]
Nos. ML17283A316 and ML17283A317, 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
respectively. The exemption is impact statement or environmental
reproduced (with the exception of assessment needs to be prepared in
abbreviated titles and additional connection with the issuance of the NUCLEAR REGULATORY
citations) in Section II of this document. exemption. COMMISSION
The amendment documents for COLs 4. This exemption is effective as of the [Docket No. 40–9091; NRC–2011–0148]
NPF–91 and NPF–92 are available in date of its issuance.
ADAMS under Accession Nos. Strata Energy, Inc.; Ross Uranium In
III. License Amendment Request
ML17283A314 and ML17283A315, Situ Recovery Facility; Source and
respectively. A summary of the By letter dated May 24, 2017 (ADAMS Byproduct Materials License
amendment documents is provided in Accession No. ML17144A413), as
Section III of this document. supplemented by letter dated August 31, AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory
2017 (ADAMS Accession No. Commission.
II. Exemption ML17243A445), the licensee requested ACTION: Final environmental assessment
Reproduced below is the exemption that the NRC amend the COLs for VEGP, and finding of no significant impact;
document issued to VEGP Units 3 and Units 3 and 4, COLs NPF–91 and NPF– issuance.
Unit 4. It makes reference to the 92. The proposed amendment is
combined safety evaluation that described in Section I of this Federal SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
provides the reasoning for the findings Register notice. Commission (NRC) is considering an
made by the NRC (and listed under Item The Commission has determined for amendment of Source and Byproduct
(1) in order to grant the exemption: these amendments that the application Materials License SUA–1601 to modify
1. In a letter dated May 24, 2017, as complies with the standards and a License Condition for the Strata
supplemented by letter dated August 31, requirements of the Atomic Energy Act Energy, Inc. (Strata) Ross In Situ
2017, the licensee requested from the of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Recovery (ISR) Project. Specifically,
Commission an exemption to allow Commission’s rules and regulations. Strata is requesting that NRC approve a
departures from Tier 1 information in The Commission has made appropriate modification to License Condition
11.3(C) for Mine Units Nos. 1 and 2
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
the certified DCD incorporated by findings as required by the Act and the
reference in 10 CFR part 52, appendix Commission’s rules and regulations in (MU1 and MU2) that would reduce the
D, as part of license amendment request 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in number of monitoring wells placed in
17–017, ‘‘Containment Air Filtration the license amendment. the underlying aquifer. The NRC has
Exhaust Rooms West Walls Removal.’’ A notice of consideration of issuance prepared a final environmental
For the reasons set forth in Section 3.1 of amendment to facility operating assessment (EA) and finding of no
of the NRC staff’s Safety Evaluation, license or COL, as applicable, proposed significant impact (FONSI) for this
which can be found in ADAMS under no significant hazards consideration licensing action.
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![4080 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 19 / Monday, January 29, 2018 / Notices
DATES: The final EA and FONSI II. Environmental Assessment affect ground-water quality. The NRC
referenced in this document were staff has determined that pursuant to 10
Description of the Proposed Action
available on January 17, 2018. CFR 51.31, preparation of an EIS is not
The proposed action would amend required for the proposed action and,
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID License Condition 11.3(C) of Strata’s pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, a FONSI is
NRC–2011–0148 when contacting the Ross license. Strata’s amendment appropriate.
NRC about the availability of request (ADAMS Accession No. On the basis of the final EA, the NRC
information regarding this document. ML17103A262) would reduce the concludes that the proposed action will
You may obtain publicly-available number of monitoring wells in the not have a significant effect on the
information related to this document designated underlying aquifer. quality of the human environment.
using any of the following methods: Accordingly, the NRC has determined
Need for the Proposed Action
• Federal Rulemaking website: Go to not to prepare an EIS for the proposed
http://www.regulations.gov and search The proposed action would reduce action.
for Docket ID NRC–2011–0148. Address Strata’s burden of routine monitoring of Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day
questions about NRC dockets to Carol low-yielding wells. of January 2018.
Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; Environmental Impacts of the Proposed For the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For Action Commission.
technical questions, contact the Craig G. Erlanger,
individual listed in the FOR FURTHER The NRC assessed the environmental
Director, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety,
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
impacts to ground water as a result of Safeguards and Environmental Review, Office
document. amending License Condition 11.3 (C) of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
and determined that there would be no
• NRC’s Agencywide Documents significant impact to ground-water
[FR Doc. 2018–01522 Filed 1–26–18; 8:45 am]
Access and Management System quality. The NRC determined the
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly- proposed changes to the License
available documents online in the Condition—reduction in the number of
ADAMS Public Documents collection at monitoring wells in the underlying SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ aquifer within MU1 and MU2—would COMMISSION
adams.html. To begin the search, select still maintain Strata’s ability to identify [SEC File No. 270–126, OMB Control No.
‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then vertical exclusions into the underlying 3235–0287]
select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS aquifer at MU2 where the unit has the
Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, potential to transmit water. Proposed Collection; Comment
please contact the NRC’s Public Request
Document Room (PDR) reference staff at Environmental Impacts of the
Alternatives to the Proposed Action Upon Written Request Copies Available
1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or via
From: Securities and Exchange
email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The As an alternative to the proposed Commission, Office of FOIA Services,
ADAMS accession number for each action, the NRC staff considered denial 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
document referenced (if it is available in of the proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no- 20549–2736
ADAMS) is provided the first time that action’’ alternative). The No-Action
it is mentioned in this document. Alternative would mean that the NRC Extension:
Form 4.
• NRC’s PDR: You may examine and would not approve the requested change
purchase copies of public documents at to License Condition 11.3 (C). The No- Notice is hereby given that, pursuant
the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One Action alternative would result in Strata to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville operating the Ross project as currently (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Securities
Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. licensed, thus the impacts would be the and Exchange Commission
same as those already considered in the (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ross Supplemental EIS and the EA on the collection of information
Jessie Muir Quintero, Office of Nuclear prepared for License Amendment No. 7 summarized below. The Commission
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML14056A096 plans to submit this existing collection
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and ML17191A371, respectively). of information to the Office of
Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: Management and Budget for extension
301–415–7476; email: Jessie.Quintero@ Agencies and Persons Consulted and approval.
nrc.gov. On December 01, 2017, the NRC staff Under Section 16(a) of the Securities
sent a copy of the draft EA to the Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Exchange Act’’)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) every person who
Wyoming Department of Environmental
I. Introduction Quality (DEQ) for their review and is directly or indirectly the beneficial
comment (ADAMS Accession No. owner of more than 10 percent of any
The NRC is considering amending ML17335A567). The Wyoming DEQ class of any equity security (other than
License Condition 11.3(C) of License responded on January 2, 2018, with no an exempted security) which registered
SUA–1601 issued to Strata. As required comments on the draft EA (ADAMS under Section 12 of the Exchange Act
by part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Accession No. ML18003A749). (15 U.S.C. 78l), or who is a director or
Federal Regulations (10 CFR), the NRC an officer of the issuer of such security
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
prepared a final EA (ADAMS Accession III. Finding of No Significant Impact (collectively ‘‘insiders’’), must file a
No. ML17360A222). Based on the Based on its review of the proposed statement with the Commission
results of the final EA, described as action, and in accordance with the reporting their ownership. Form 4 is a
follows, the NRC has determined not to requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the statement to disclose changes in an
prepare an environmental impact NRC staff has determined that amending insider’s ownership of securities. The
statement (EIS) for the amendment, and License Condition 11.3(C) for the Ross information is used for the purpose of
is issuing a FONSI. ISR project would not significantly disclosing the equity holdings of
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Document Created: 2018-01-27 00:57:44
Document Modified: 2018-01-27 00:57:44
| 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 | Final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. | |
| Dates | The final EA and FONSI referenced in this document were available on January 17, 2018. | |
| 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 | 83 FR 4079 |
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