ML063260338

Renewal Application Review

ML063260338
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee
Issue date:	09/15/2006
From:	Chiarella L US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Dept of Commerce, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
To:	Rani Franovich NRC/NRR/ADRO/DLR/REBB
References
Download: ML063260338 (2)

Text

pa Of UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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• NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE NORTHEAST REGION One Blackburn Drive 4ris of Glouceste, MA 01930-2298 SEP 15 2006 Rani Franovich, Branch Chief Environmental Branch B Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 RE: Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station Renewal Application Review

Dear Mr. Franovich:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reviewed the letter dated May 5, 2006 pertaining to the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VYNPS) license renewal application.

VYNPS is located on the Connecticut River in Vernon, Vt. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is preparing a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) as part

,of the license renewal application. As part of thedevelopment of the SEIS, the NRC is seeking comment's from NMFS pertaining to the Enidaigefed Species Act (ESA), Fish and Wildlife' CoordinationAct, and Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). Therefore, NMFS has the following comments.

Endangered Species While a population of the federally endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenserbrevirostrum) occurs in the Connecticut River, this species does not occur upstream of the dam at Turners Falls.

As such, no federally listed or proposed threatened or endangered species and/or designated critical habitat for listed species under the jurisdiction of NMFS are known to exist in the project area. Therefore, no further consultation pursuant to section 7 of the ESA is required. If project plans change or new information becomes available that changes the basis for this determination, then consultation should be reinitiated.

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA) requires federal agencies to consult with federal and state natural resource agencies regarding activities or licensing that impact fish and wildlife resources. The Connecticut River supports a diverse array of aquatic species that help maintain a healthy ecosystem. American shad and sea lamprey, for instance, pass above the Vernon dam. Impacts on anadromous fish resources from facility operations should be fully evaluated in the SEIS.

EssentialFish Habitat' TheEFHt pMrovisions of theMSA require fejderal agencies to consuilt with NMFS on project s5lý

as this which may adversely affect EFH. The consultation process is guided by the requirements of our EFH regulation at 50 CFR 600.905, which mandates the preparation of EFH assessments and generally outlines each agency's obligations in this consultation procedure. The Connecticut River and tributaries are designated EFH for Atlantic salmon. Impacts on Atlantic salmon and their habitat occurring from facility operations should be fully evaluated in the SEIS.

Should you have any questions about this matter, please contact Sean McDermott at 978-28 1-9113.

Sincerely, Louis A. Chiarella New England Field Office Supervisor for Habitat Conservation