ML13134A134
| ML13134A134 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Limerick  |
| Issue date: | 05/11/2013 |
| From: | Colligan M US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service |
| To: | Melanie Wong Division of License Renewal |
| References | |
| Download: ML13134A134 (2) | |
Text
Melanie C. Wong, Chief UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE NORTHEAST REGION 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 I j 2013 Environmental Review and Guidance Update Branch Division of License Renewal Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Re: Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, Limerick Units 1 and 2
Dear Ms. Wong,
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to your Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants for Exelon's Limerick Units 1 and 2. The draft SEIS evaluates the environmental impacts of Limerick operating for an additional 20 years beyond the current operating licenses which expire in 2024 (Unit 1) and 2029 (Unit 2). Both units operate with a closed cooling water system (cooling towers). The facility withdraws makeup water from the Schuylkill River, Perkiomen Creek, Wadesville Mine Pool and Merrill Creek Reservoir.
Threatened and Endangered Species As noted in previous correspondence, no species listed by NMFS as threatened or endangered occur in the action area. You have determined that the proposed continued operation of Limerick will have no effect on listed shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon. Because these species do not occur in the action area, we agree that no section 7 consultation is necessary to consider effects of the proposed action on these species.
Candidate Species Candidate species are those petitioned species that we are actively considering for listing as endangered or threatened under the ESA, as well as those species for which we have initiated an ESA status review that has been announced in the Federal Register. "Candidate" status does not carry any procedural or substantive protections under the ESA. As noted in previous correspondence, two candidate species, alewife and blueback herring, occur in the project area.
To date, we have not published a listing determination in the Federal Register. As you note in the draft SEIS, if either species is listed under the ESA in the future, NRC will likely be required to initiate a conference or consultation.
Conclusions As noted above, because no species listed as threatened or endangered by NMFS occur in the action area, no section 7 consultation is necessary at this time. Should the listing status of
alewife or blueback herring change in the future, we expect that you will request a conference or section 7 consultation, as appropriate. Should you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please contact Julie Crocker of my staff (978-282-8480 or Julie.Crocker@noaa.gov). It is my understanding that you have initiated consultation with our Habitat Conservation Division regarding impacts of continued operations on Essential Fish Habitat and resources protected under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.
EC:
Greene, Boelke-F/NER4 Crocker, F /NER3 Grange, NRC PRD File Code: Sec 7 NRC Limerick relicensing Sincerely,
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Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources 2