ML14002A262
| ML14002A262 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 12/17/2013 |
| From: | Rich Smith Environmental Protection Agency |
| To: | Cindy Bladey Rules, Announcements, and Directives Branch |
| References | |
| 78FR70588 00001 | |
| Download: ML14002A262 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 144 Region 6 01445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 4,,L PROO#'-
Dallas, TX 75202-2733 December 17, 2013 Cindy Bladey
/
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop: TWB-05-BOIM
".L-rr Washington, DC 20555-0001 Ms. Bladey, In accordance with our responsibilities under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (CAA),
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Region 6 office in Dallas, Texas, has completed its review of the Supplement 48 Final Report to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) prepared by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the License Renewal of South Texas Units 1 and 2. The purpose of the proposed action is to provide an option that allows power generation capability beyond the term of the current nuclear power plant operating license to meet future system generating needs.
EPA provided comments for the Draft Report in a letter dated February 20, 2013. EPA rated the DEIS as "EC-2" i.e., EPA has "Environmental Concerns and Requests Additional Information. The rating was due to concerns over potential degradation of natural resources, such as, threatened and endangered species and groundwater.
The response to comments in the Final Report includes updated information regarding threatened and endangered species, and discusses ongoing consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding the Endangered Species Act (ESA). At this time, informal Section 7 consultation between NRC and USFWS has not been finalized. Please finalize Section 7 consultation and include the USFWS concurrence in the Record of Decision (ROD). EPA requests the NRC not issue the ROD until Section 7 consultation is complete.
EPA appreciates the opportunity to review the Final Report. Please send a copy of the ROD to my attention. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this letter, please contact me at 214-665-8006, or Keith Hayden of my staff at hayden.keith Qcepa.gov or 214-665-2133 for assistance.
incer y, Rhonda *mith SUNSI Review Complete fhoa mh c
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