ML11348A088

License Renewal Environmental Review

ML11348A088
Person / Time
Site:	Grand Gulf
Issue date:	01/19/2012
From:	David Wrona License Renewal Projects Branch 2
To:	Nelson R US Advisory Council On Historic Preservation
Drucker D, 415-6223
References
Download: ML11348A088 (21)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 January 19, 2012 Mr. Reid Nelson Office of Federal Agency Programs Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Old Post Office Building 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 803 Washington, DC 20004

SUBJECT:

GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION LICENSE RENEWAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Dear Mr. Nelson:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the staff) is conducting an environmental review of the effects of renewing the operating license for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1 (Grand Gulf). Grand Gulf is located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg, Mississippi and is operated by Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy). The application for renewal was submitted by Entergy in a letter dated October 28, 2011, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 54.

The NRC has established that, as part of the staffs review of any nuclear power plant license renewal action, a site*-specific Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to its

'Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants:'

NUREG-1437, will be prepared under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRCs regulation that implements the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NRC staff is using the process required by NEPA for the preparation of the SEIS to comply with the obligations required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA), in lieu of the procedures se:t forth in 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6. Accordingly, the NRC staff is Identifying parties who may wish to consult with the staff on the proposed action and is inviting them to do so. Consultation will include participation in the scoping process, identification of historic properties at the Grand Gulf plant site, assessment of the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified, and development of alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties The SEIS will include analyses of potential impacts to histonc properties and will document the NRC staffs determination regarding potential Impacts to historic properties as a result of license renewal.

Through this letter. the NRC is initiating consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, regarding the Grand Gulf license renewal application.

Similar letters will be sent to the Mississippi State Historic Preservation Office (MS SHPO) and the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (LA SHPO). In the context of NHPA, the NRC staff has determined that the area of potential effects (APE) for a license renewal action is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs that may be impacted by post-license renewal land-disturbing operations or projected refurbishment activities associated with the proposed action. The APE may extend beyond the immediate environs in those instances where post-license renewal land-disturbing operations or proJectE:d refurbishment activities specifically related to license renewal

R. Nelson

- 2 may potentially have an effect on known or proposed historic sites. This determination is made irrespective of ownership or control of the lands of interest.

The applicant corresponded with the MS SHPO by letter dated February 3, 2011. MS SHPO replied by letter dated February 25, 2011, that the proposed action will have no effect on historic resources. The applicant also corresponded with the LA SHPO by letter dated February 3, 2011. LA SHPO replied by letter dated May 10, 2011, that no known historic properties will be affected by the proposed action. The MS and LA SHPOs have been asked to confirm this information with the NRC staff. Please provide any other information you consider appropriate under the provisions of Section 106 of the NHPA The February letters from Entergy and the response letters from the MS and LA SHPOs are enclosed for your reference.

To complete consultation under 36 CFR 800.8(c), the staff will forward the draft SEIS to consulting parties for review and comment, and will address the comments in the final SEIS.

Your office will receive a copy of the draft SEIS along with a request for comments after it is issued. This draft SEIS will include identification of historic properties, assessment of impacts, and our preliminary determination of their suitability for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The anticipated publication date for the draft SEIS is December 2012.

The NRC plans to hold two public license renewal overview and environmental scoping meetings on January 31, 2012. The first session will be held in the afternoon, and an identical session will be held later that evening. Both sessions will be held at the Port Gibson City Hall, 1005 College Street, Port Gibson, MS 39150. The afternoon session will be from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM, and the evening session will be from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. In addition, the NRC plans to hold a one hour open house prior to each meeting to answer public questions. You and your staff are invited to attend the public meetings and open houses.

The Grand Gulf license renewal application is available on the internet at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications/gg1.html.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Mr. David Drucker, License Renewal Project Manager, by phone at 301-415-6223 or bye-mail at David.Drucker@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/\\

r 0 IV___

vey r David J. Wrona, Chief Projects Branch 2 Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-416

Enclosure:

As stated cc: Listserv

(J ENERCON February 3, 2011 Mr H. T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office MISSISSIPPI Department of Archives and History Post Office Box 571 Jackson MS 39205 SUBJECT Grand Gulf Nuclear Station License Renewal Application Dear Mr Holmes In 2011. Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for renewal of the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS). which IS located In Claiborne County, MississippI on the east bank of the Mississippi River a, River Mile 406, approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg, Mississippi and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez. Mississippi. The eXisting license for GGNS was issued for a 40-year term that expires In 2024. If the NRC approves the application. Entergy will then have the option to continue operating GGNS until 2044 The NRC requires that the license renewal application for GGNS include an enVIronmental report assessing potential enVIronmental impacts from operation dur ng the license renewal term. One of these potential environmental impacts would be the effect of license renewal on hlstonc or archaeological resources located on the GGNS site and. its Immediate environs (6-mile Vicinity) as shown In Figure 1 Accordingly the NRC requires that the environmental report for each license renewal application assess such a potential effect (10 CFR 51 53). Later. dunng its review of the proposed license renewal environmental report pursuant to the NatIonal EnVironmental PoliCY Act (NEPAl ttle NRC may request Information from your office to ensure compliance With Sectlcn 106 of t'le National Histonc Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 470) and Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations (36 CFR 800)

Entergy is contacting you now in order to obtam input regarding issues that may need to be addressed in the GGNS license renewal environmental report, and to assist Entergy in IdentifYing any information your staff believes would be nelpful to expedite NRC's consultation.

The 2.100 acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlands and former farms as well as two lakes. Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake (see Figure 1) Based on a review of Information available and previous consultations. Entergy is providing the Information below for your office that was obtained from the April 2006 Environmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Penmt (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Slfe, published by the NRC

Mr. H T. Holmes State Histonc Preservation Office MississippI Department of Archives and History Page 2 of 10

• The area In and around GGNS has a rich history and has demonstrated the presence of significant prehistoric and historic cUltural resources Thirty-five s tes In Claiborne County are eligible for listing on the National Register of Histonc Places (NRHP), sixteen of which are located Within a 10-mile vicinity of GGNS. These are mostly hlstonc buildings, homes, churches. and cemeteries. One site, the Grand Gulf Military Park, a 400-acre park listed in the NRHP, is located adjacent to GGNS.

Within the park are archaeological deposits, standing structures, objects, and artifacts from the historic town of Grand Gulf and from Civil War events that occurred in the area.

Files at the MissiSSippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH)

Indicate that a total of 13 archaeological sites, including those within the park site.

are within 2 miles of GGNS, none of which are eligible for listing on the NRHP During the GGNS Unit 3 combined operating licensing application (COLA) process and at the recommendation of the MDAH. a Phase I archaeological survey was conducted In 2007 on two onslte study areas totaling approximately 115 acres of a well dissected upland landform using a combination of shovel testing and pedestrian surveys. Eleven archaeological sites and eight Isolated fmds/small artifact scatters were Identified during thiS survey One archaeological site within the study area and located south of the plant Ifl a wooded area was Identified as having the potential to be eligible for the NRHP The remaining sites were determined to be Ineligible for listing on the NRHP The MDAH reqUired no further actions from GGNS provided that no construction activities occurred In this specific area

• Other areas on the GGNS property Include the Grand Gulf Mound, the CaJlendar House and the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad The Grand Gulf Mound located on a terrace on the bluffs overlooking the MissiSSIPPI River has been excavated by the MDAH: and therefore little remains of the mound The Callendar House site was considered an unrecorded histOriC resource, as subsurface historic deposits probably eXist However. the site likely would not be considered eligible for listing on the NRHP because of a lack of Integrity Finally, a 300-feet segment of an important 19th century hlstonc railroad, known as the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad, still eXists Within the site boundary The steel rails are gone. but the railroa,j bed exists in good condition In August 2010, a Phase 1A Literature ReView and Archeological Sensitivity Assessment was conducted on the GGNS site. In conjunction with thiS assessment, prehistoric and hlstonc review of documentary sources were reViewed at the Claiborne County and T ensas County Hlstoncal Societies and libraries, MiSSissippI and Louisiana HistoriC Preservation Offices, MissiSSippi Department of Archives and History, Louisiana State Archeological Survey, Western History Collection In Norman, Oklahoma and Arkansas Archeological Survey in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In addition, databases at the MissiSSippi and LOUisiana SHPO were reviewed for up-tO-date Information on preViously recorded historical properties and prehistoric sites within a 10-mile radiUS of GGNS. As a result of thiS review. archaeological and histOrical sites identified within a 10-mile radius of the GGNS site are summanzed in Tables 1 and 2 Entergy does not expect GGNS operations during the license renewal term (an additIOnal 20 years) to adversely affect hlstonc or archaeological resources at the station site because license renewal will not alter existing operations There are no plans to alter

Mr. H. T. Holmes State HIstoric Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page30f10 current operations during the 20-year license renewal period. and any maintenance activitIes necessary to support continued operation of GGNS will be limited to currently developed areas of the site. Although administrative procedural controls are In place for management of cultural resources ahead of any future ground-disturbing activities at the plant. none are planned or needed In support of license renewal After your review of the Information provided In thiS letter, I would appreciate your office sending a letter detailing any concerns you may have regarding historic or archaeological properties on the GGNS site and immediate environs, or alternatively.

confirming our conclusion that operation of GGNS during the license renewal term would have no effect on known historical or archaeological properties. Entergy will include copies of this letter and your response in the environmental reports that will be submitted to the NRC as part of the GGNS license renewal application Please do not hesitate to call me at 918-665-7693 x328. or Rick Buckley at 601-368 5823, if there are questions or you need additional information to complete a review of the proposed action Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Thank you,

. James A Thomas

,Manager. Electric Utilities Environmental Services -Mlle Map cc.

Rick Buckley (Entergy)

Mr H T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 4 of 10 Table 1 Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB501 Claiborne Willows PE CB504 Claiborne Grand Gulf OR CB507 Claiborne Willows UNK CB508 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB519 Claiborne Willows PE CB520 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB522*

Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB523 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB524 Claiborne Grana Gulf NE CB525 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB526 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB527 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB528 Claiborne Grand Gulf PE CB529 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB530 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB530 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB531 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB532 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB534 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB535 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB537 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB538 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB539 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB540 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CBS41 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB542 Claiborne Willows PE CBS43 ClaIborne Grand Gulf PE CB544 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB547 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB548 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB549 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB551 Claiborne Willows UNK CB552 Claiborne Willows LINK CB558 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB559 Claiborne Willows PE CB560 Claiborne Willows UNK CB561 Claiborne Willows UNK CB562 Claiborne Willows UNK CB564 ClaIborne Widows Creek UNK

Mr H T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office MissisSIPPI Department of Archives and History Page 5 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB568 ClaIborne Widows Creek PE CB571 Claiborne Port GIbson PE CB573 Claiborne Willows NE C8575 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB576 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB581 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB582 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB583 Claiborne WIdows Creek PE CB584 Claiborne Port Gibson OR CB586 Claiborne Willows PE CB587 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB592 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB593 Claiborne Willows UNK CB594 Claiborne Willows UNK C8595 Claiborne Willows UNK CB596 Claiborne Willows UNK CB597 ClaIborne Willows UNK CB598 Claiborne Willows UNK CB599 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB600 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB601 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB609 ClaIborne Willows PE CB610 Claiborne Willows UNK CB611 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB612 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB615 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB618 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB620 Claiborne Port Glbsof"'l UNK CB621 Claiborne Por1 Gibson UNK CB622 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB624 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB625 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB626 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB627 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB632 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB633 Claiborne Widows Creek NE?

CB634 Claiborne WIdows Creek NE CB635 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB636 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB637 Claiborne Widows Creek CB638 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB639 Claiborne Widows Creek NE C8640 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB641 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB642 Claiborne Wldcws Creek UNK

Mr H T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 6 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB643 Claiborne Widows Creek NE?

CB644 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB645 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB646 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB647 Claiborne Port Gibsor PE CB64S Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB649 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB650 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB651 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB652 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB653 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB654 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB655 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB656 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB673 Claiborne Port Glbsor, UNK CB674 Claiborne Port Glbsor UNK CB67S Claiborne Willows UNK CB676 Clc:uborne Willows UNK CB677 Claiborne Willows UNK CB67S Claiborne Willows UNK CB679 Claiborne Willows UNK CB6S0 Claiborne Willows UNK CB681 Claiborne Willows UNK CB6S2 Claiborne Willows UNK CB6S3 Claiborne Willows UNK CB684 Claiborne Willows UNK CB685 Claiborne Willows UNK CB68G Claiborne Willows UNK CBG87 Claiborne Willows UNK CBGS8 Claiborne Willows UNK CB689 Claiborne Willows UNK CB690 Claiborne Willows UNK CB691 Claiborne Willows LINK CB692 Claiborne Willows UNK CB693 Claiborne Willows UNK CB694 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB695 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB696 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB697 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB698 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB699 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB699 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB700 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB709 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK C8710 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK

Mr H T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississ:ppi Department of Archives and History Page 7 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10*Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHp 1 CB714 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB7i5 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB716 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB7i7 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB720 Claiborne Port Glbsor LINK CB722 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB723 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB724 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB725 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB726 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB727 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB728 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB729 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB730 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB731 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB732 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB733 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB734 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB735 Claiborne Port Glbsof1 LINK CB736 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB738 Claiborne Port Gibsor LINK CB739 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB740 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB741 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB742 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB743 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB749 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB750 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB751 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB752 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB753 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB759 Claiborne Willows LINK CB763 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB765 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB766 Claiborne Willows LINK CB768 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB773 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CBn5 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB776 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB776 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB777 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB778 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB779 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB780 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK CB781 Claiborne Port Gibson LINK

Mr H T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 8 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10w Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB781 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8783 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8784 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8785 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8786 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8787 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB788 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8789 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB790 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB791 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8792 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8793 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8794 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB795 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB797 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8797 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB798 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB799 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8800 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB801 Claiborne Widows Creek E

CB803 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB804 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB805 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB813 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB819 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB820 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB821 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB822 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB823 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE C8824 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB825 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB826 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB827 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB828 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB829 Claiborne Carlisle UNK CB862 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK TE8 Tensas Newellton E

TE119 Tensas Newellton UNK TE150 Tensas Newellton UNK TE151 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK 152 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE153 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE154 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE155 Tensas Grand Guif UNK TE156 Tensas Newellton UNK

Mr H T Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 9 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archeological Sites within a 1D-Mile Radius of GGNS Site 157 159 TE160 TE163 164 TE166 TE167 TE168 TE169 170 TE171 TE172 173 1 Acronyms:

E =Eligible NE Not Eligible PE Potentially Eligible OR = On Register UNK = Unknown County/Parish Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Tensas Quad NRHP 1 Newellton UNK Grand Gulf PE Newellton UNK Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton NE Newellton PE Newellton PE Newellton PE

Mr H T Holmes State Histone Preservation Office MississipPI Department of Archives and History Page 10 of 10 Table 2 Historical Resources within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS State County/Parish Resource Name Quad NRHP MS Claiborne Bayou Pierre Site Port Gibson 19-;8 Bethel Presbyterian MS Claiborne Church St Joseph 1978 Buena Vista Cotton Gin MS Claiborne (Watson Steam Gin)

Port Gibson 1974 BUilding 801 Chinquepin MS Claiborne Street Port Gibson 1979 MS Claiborne Canemount St Joseph 1982 MS Claiborne Catholic Cemetery Port Gibson 1979 Catledge Archeological MS Claiborne Site St Joseph 1974 MS Claiborne Canters Creek Mound Port Gibson 1973 MS Claiborne Civil War Earth Works Grand Gulf Eligible MS Claiborne CIvil War Earth Works Grand Gulf Eligible Chamberlain-Hunt MS Claiborne Academy Hlstonc District Port Gibson

'1979 Cabmwood House MS Claiborne Plantation Port Gibson Eligible MS Claiborne Claremont Port Gibson 1919 MS Claiborne Coliina Par! Gibson 1979 MS Claiborne Connor House Port Gibson Eligible MS Claiborne Drake Hili Histone District POl1 Gibson 1919 MS Claiborne Golden West Cemetery Port Gibson 1979 Grand Gulf Military State MS Claiborne Park Port Gibson 1972 MS MS Claiborne Claiborne Hermitage House Hollyrood Willows Port Gibson Eligible 1979 1

Humphrey' Family MS ClaIborne Cemetery Willows Eligible MS Claiborne Idlewild Port Gibson 1979 MS Claiborne Jewish Cemetery Port Gibson 1979 Widow's MS Claiborne Mallet-Brewer House Creek Eligible Widow's MS Claiborne Bayou Pierre Church Creek Eligible LA Tensas Lakewood St Joseph 1983 St Joseph Histonc LA Tensas District St Joseph 1980 Tensas Pansh LA Tensas Courttlouse St Joseph 1979 1 Dalisted 1992.

State Listing 1004 5003 1003 2003 2004 5010 5014 5508 5509 5009 5013

Figure 1 Location of GGNS. 6-Mile Radius Map

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February 25. 2011 Mr. James A Thomas, Manager Environmental Services Enercon 5100 East Skelly Drive, Suite 450 Tulsa, OK 74135 F{E Proposed license Renewal for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. 2.1

• f\\cre Site MDAH Project

1. 02-053-11 Claiborne Count'l

Dear MI' Thomas:

We have reviewed your request for comment. received on February 9, 2011, fer the above referenced action in accordance with our responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 eFR Part 800. After reviewing tile Information provided, it is our determination that the proposed uncJertakmg will t18Vf.; flU adverse effect on historic resources, as there IS no construction, development. or demolition or other action proposed that would have an effect on cultural resources.

Therefore. we have no reservations with the license renewal Should projects anse Ulat involve construction, development, or demolition, we would interested 111 review of those projects for impacts to cultural resources on a case by case baSIS If yOU have any questions, please feEl to call me at (601)

Sincerely.

/'

(~

Greg Williamson Review and Compliance Officer FOR H,T Holmes State Historic Preservation Officer

~.'3 ENERCON February 3, 2011 Mr. Phil Boggan Office of Historic Preservation Division of Histonc Preservation Post Office Box 44247 Baton Rouge, LA 70804 SUBJECT Grand Gulf Nuclear Station license Renewal Application

Dear Mr Boggan,

In 2011, Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for renewal of the operating license :or the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS), which IS located In Claiborne County, Mississippi on the east bank of the Mississippi River at River Mile 406, approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg, MisSissippI and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez, MississippI, The existing license for GGNS was Issued for a 40-year term that expIres In 2024, If the NRC approves the application, Entergy will then have the option to continue operating GGNS until 2044, The NRC requires that the license renewal application for GGNS include an environmental report assessing potential environmental impacts from operation dUring the license renewal term, One of these potential environmental impacts would be the effect of license renewal on hIstoric or archaeological resources located on the GGI\\IS site and its immediate enVIrons (6-mile vicinity) as shown In Figure 1, Accordingly, the NRC requires that the environmental report for each license renewal application assess such a potential effect (10 CFR 51,53), Later, during its review of the proposed license renewal environmental report pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

the NRC may request informatIOn from your office to ensure compliance with Section 106 of tne National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 470), and Federal AdVisory CounCil on Historic Preservation regulations (36 CFR 800)

Although the GGNS property does not include property In LOUisiana, Entergy IS contacting you as a courtesy in order to obtain input regarding any issues that may need to be addressed In the GGNS license renewal environmental report and to assist Entergy In identifying any information your staff believes would be helpful to expedite NRC's consultation.

The 2,100 acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlands and former farms as well as two lakes. Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake (see Figure 1). Based on a review of information available and prevIous consultations, Entergy is prOViding the information below for your office that was obtained from the April 2006 Environmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Permit (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Site, published by the NRC, t r d

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Mr Phil Boggan Oflin; or Ilistoric Preservation Di\\ision of Historic Preservation Page 2 of 3

• The area In and around GGNS has a rich history and has demonstrated the presence of significant prehistonc and historic cultural resources. Thirty-five sites In Claiborne County are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), sixteen of which are located within a 10-mile vicinity of GGNS These are mostly historic buildings, homes, churches, and cemetenes Or.e site. the Grand Gulf Military Park, a 400-acre park listed In the NRHP, IS located adjacent to GGNS.

Within the park are archaeological deposits, standing structures, objects, and artifacts from the historic town of Grand Gulf and from Civil War events that occurred in the area. Files at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) indicate that a total of 13 archaeological sites, including those within the park site.

are within 2 miles of GGNS, none of which are eligible for listing on the NRHP.

Dur:ng the GGNS Unit 3 combined operating licensing application (COLA) process and at the recommendation of the MDAH, a Phase I archaeological survey was conducted in 2007 on two onsite study areas on the GGNS property totaling approximately 115 acres of a well dissected upland landform using a combination of shovel testing and pedestrian surveys. Eleven archaeological sites and eight isolated finds/small artifact scatters were identified during this survey. One historic site within the study area located south of the plant in a wooded area was identified as haVing the potential to be eligible for the NRHP. The remaining sites were determined to be meligible for listing on the NRHP The MDAH required no further actions from GGNS provided that no construction activities occurred in thiS specific area Other areas on the GGNS property Include the Grand Gulf Mound the Callendar House and the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad. The Grand Gulf Mound located on a terrace on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River has been excavated by the MDAH, therefore little remains of the mound The Callendar House site was considered an unreoorded historic resource, as subsurface cultural deposits probably exist. However, the site likely would not be considered eligible for listing en the NRHP because of a lack of integrity. Finally, a 300-feet segment of an important 19th century historic railroad, known as the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad. still eXists within the site boundary. The steel rails are gone, but the railroad bed exists in good condition Entergy does not expect GGNS operations during the license renewal term (an additional 20 years) to adversely affect historic or archaeological resources at the station site because license renewal will not alter existing operations There are no plans to alter current operations during the 20*year license renewal period, and any maintenance actiVities necessary to support continued operation of GGNS Will be limited to currently developed areas of the site. Although admmlstrative procedural controls are in place for management of cultural resources ahead of any futlJre ground-disturbinG activities at the plant none are planned or needed in support of license renewal After your review of the information provided in this letter, I would appreciate your office sending a letter detailing any concerns you may have regarding historic or archaeological properties on the GGNS site and Immediate enVIrons, or alternatively, confirmlng our conclusion that operation of GGI\\IS during the license renewal term would have no effect on known historical or archaeological properties in Louisiana Entergy will

Mr Phi Boggan Office ofllistoric Preservation Division of Ilistoric Preservation Page 3 of 3 Include copies of this letter and your response in the environmental reports that will be submitted to the NRC as part of the GGNS license renewal application.

Please do not hesitate to call me at 918-665-7693 x328 if there are questions or you need additional information to complete a review of the proposed action. Thank you In advance for your assistance.

Thank YOI).

/

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,James A Thomas

.,_/Manager. Electric Utilities Environmental Services -Mile Map cc Rick Buckley (Entergy)

Figure 1 Location of GGNS. 6"Mile Radius Map

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t~~ ENERCON Feoruary 3, 2011 Mr PhIl Boggan Office of Historic Preservation DIvision of Historic Preservation Post Office Box 44247 Baton Rouge. LA 70804 SUBJECT Grand Gulf Nuclear Station License Renewal Application Dear MI' Boggan In 2011 Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulator:,.' Curnrnrsson 1;::;1 I

renewal of the ope'Cltlng hcens01 for the Grand Gulf NLclear Station (GGNS

,vtllCtl is located In Claiborne County, MissisSIPPI on the east bank of the MISSISSiPP' River at River Mile 406, approximately 25 miles SDutt'! of Vicksburg MISSISSIPPI and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez. MissisSIPPI The eXisting license tor GGNS was Issued for i:l 40-year term that expires In 2024, If the NRC approves the application. Entergy WII! then have the opt!on to continue operating GGNS until 2044 The NRC requires that the license renewal apollcatlon for GGNS Include an enV1ronmenta! report assessing potential environmental Impacts from operalion dunny the license renewal term One of these potential enVlronf:lsntal Impacts would be ttle effect of license renewal on histOriC or archaeological resources located on tll(~ GGNS Slt"

.:mel Jts immediate environs (6-mlle vlc'nlty) as shown,n Figure 1 Accordingly, the

~~RC reqUIres that tt1e environmental report tor each license renewal application assess such a potential effect (10 CFR 5153) Later. dUring lts review of the proposed license rem*}wal enVlfonmental report pursuant to tne National EnVironmental Policy Act (NEPAl

~he NRC may request IFlforn;ahor from your office 10 ensure compliance with Section 1(16 of tne National Histone Preservation Act 01 196t5. as arr1\\~r:Ge(i 1.16 USC 4

. and t.\\.ilnuuq!*) till' GGN S u: ODe: Iy :I::h;;:;, ncr ![lciude proPerty I: I LUUlSldna cntecg y IS contacting yOl, as a COJrtesy In oroer to obtain Input regarcltng any Issues that n1C1j neerj to De addressed 1/, :he GGNS license renewal environmental report, and to assist Entergy In Identifying any H1fonnatlon youl staff believes would be helpful tc expedltp.

NRCs consultation The 2. iOO acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlar.ds and former farms as well as two lakes. Hamilton Lake and Gin lake Figure 1) Based on a review of mforn18\\lon aV81!ab,e and prevIous consu!tatJons, Entergy IS prOViding the Information beiow for your

'Jfflce tha: was obtained from the Apnl 2006 EnVironmental Impact Statemenl for ali Ecllfy Site POI'7J1t (ESP) at tile Grano C~ulf ESP Site pubished by the NRC

, "', ) I ~

'.. ML11348A088 OFFICE LA:DLR:RPB2 PM: DLR:RPB2 GS: DLR:RPB2 BC:DLR:RPB2 NAME IKing DDrucker ELarson DWrona JI DATE 12/15111 12121/11 12/22111 1119112

Letter to R Nelson from D. Wrona dated January 19,2012

SUBJECT:

GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION LICENSE RENEWAL ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DISTRIBUTION:

HARDCOPY:

D. Drucker E-MAIL:

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RidsOgcMailCenter NFerrer AWang BMizuno, OGC ICouret, OPA RSmith, RIV BRice, RIV VGaddy, RIV GMiller, RIV VDricks, RIV BMaier, RIV