ML101340270
| ML101340270 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Washington State University |
| Issue date: | 05/13/2010 |
| From: | Dwyer J NRC/RGN-I/DNMS/CRDB |
| To: | Griffith G State of WA, Dept of Archaeology & Historic Preservation |
| References | |
| Download: ML101340270 (3) | |
Text
May 13, 2010 Greg Griffith Office of Archeology & Historic Preservation P.O. Box 48343 Olympia, WA 98504-8343
SUBJECT:
REQUEST FOR A SECTION 106 REVIEW UNDER THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH REACTOR IN PULLMAN, WASHINGTON
Dear Mr. Griffith:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering issuance of a renewed Facility Operating License No. R-76, which would authorize continued operation of the Washington State University (WSU) Modified TRIGA Nuclear Radiation Center Reactor (NRCR). NRCR is a 1 MegaWatt (thermal) research reactor located in Pullman, Whitman County, Washington. The proposed action would renew Facility Operating License No. R-76 for a period of 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed license.
The NRCR is located within the Dodgen Research Facility (DRF) on the WSU campus in Whitman County, Pullman, Washington. The DRF has research and teaching laboratories, classrooms, offices, and workshops, and is located at the eastern terminus of Roundtop Road.
The DRF is surrounded by a golf course and some prairie land. WSU took possession of the original structure with the reactor in 1958 and the Facility Operating License was issued on March 6, 1961. Construction of additional offices and laboratories was completed on September 29, 1970.
The proposed action would allow the NRCR to continue operations as it has been for the past 49 years. The licensee has not requested any changes to the facility design or operating conditions as part of this renewal request. The proposed action will not increase the probability or consequences of accidents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may be released off site. There should be no increase in occupational or public radiation exposure.
Therefore, renewal of the license should not change the environmental impact of facility operation.
The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The National Register of Historic Places lists nine historical sites in the Pullman, Washington area. Eight of the sites are located in the City of Pullman and one site is to the south of the NRCR. None of the sites are closer than 0.5 miles to the NRCR.
Given the distance between the facility and the historic sites, continued operation of the WSU NRCR will not impact any historical sites. Based on this information, the NRC finds that the potential impacts of license renewal would have no adverse effect on historic and archaeological resources.
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION I 475 ALLENDALE ROAD KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19406-1415
G. Griffith 2
We request your Offices concurrence with this assessment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Steven R. Courtemanche of my staff at (610) 337-5075 or at steven.courtemanche@nrc.gov.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely, Original signed by James P. Dwyer James P. Dwyer, Chief Commercial and R&D Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
G. Griffith 2
We request your Offices concurrence with this assessment. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Steven R. Courtemanche of my staff at (610) 337-5075 or at steven.courtemanche@nrc.gov.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely, Original signed by James P. Dwyer James P. Dwyer, Chief Commercial and R&D Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\WordDocs\\Current\\Misc Letter\\LOffice of Archeolog.doc SUNSI Review Complete: SCourtemanche After declaring this document AAn Official Agency Record@ it will be released to the Public.
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DNMS/RI DNMS/RI NAME SCourtemanche/src JDwyer JDP DATE 04/29/2010 5/13/10 ML101340270 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY