ML14231B008
| ML14231B008 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Grand Gulf  |
| Issue date: | 12/01/2014 |
| From: | David Wrona Division of License Renewal |
| To: | Dohner C, Ricks S US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service |
| Briana Grange 301-415-1042 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML14231B008 (4) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 December 1, 2014 Ms. Cindy Dohner Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region 1875 Century Blvd., Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30345-3319 Mr. Stephen M. Ricks Field Office Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mississippi Field Office 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Suite A Jackson, MS 39213
SUBJECT:
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REGARDING GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 1, LICENSE RENEWAL
Dear Ms. Dohner and Mr. Ricks:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed the enclosed final Supplement 50 to NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (SEIS), regarding the license renewal of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1 (GGNS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). With this letter, I have enclosed a copy of the final SEIS for your records.
As part of its NEPA review, the NRC considered effects to species and habitats protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The NRC determined that continued operation of GGNS during the license renewal term is not likely to adversely affect the American black bear (Ursus americana), Louisiana black bear (U. americana luteolus), bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum), or pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and would have no effect on several other listed species and designated critical habitats identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as occurring within Claiborne County. The NRC forwarded a copy of the draft SEIS, which documented its ESA determinations, to FWS for review in a letter dated December 11, 2013. Subsequently, in a letter dated January 2, 2014, the FWS concurred with the NRCs effect determinations and indicated that no further consultation between the FWS and NRC pursuant to ESA section 7 is required unless there are changes in the scope or location of the project.
The GGNS license renewal project scope and location remain the same as described in the draft SEIS, and in preparing the final SEIS, the NRC staff did not identify any new information that would affect the NRCs conclusions regarding Federally listed species. Thus, the NRC has fulfilled its obligations under section 7 of the ESA for species and habitats under the FWSs jurisdiction that could be affected by the proposed GGNS license renewal.
Ms. Dohner and Mr. Ricks I look forward to future coordination with your offices to ensure the continued protection of Federally listed species and designated critical habitats at GGNS and other NRC-licensed operating nuclear plants in your respective regions. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Ms. Briana Grange, Biologist, of my staff at 301-415-1042 or by e-mail at briana.grange@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
David J. Wrona, Chief Environmental Review and Guidance Update Branch Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-416
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/encl: Listserv
ML14231B013 (package), ML14231B008 (letter)
Enclosure:
ML14328A171 (final SEIS) *concurred via email OFFICE LA:DLR*
AB:RERB:DLR AB:RERB:DLR BC:RPB2:DLR BC:RERB:DLR NAME IKing BGrange MMoser BWittick DWrona DATE 8/26/14*
9/4/14 9/4/14 11/25/14 12/1/14
Letter to Ms. Dohner and Mr. Ricks from D. Wrona dated December 1, 2014
SUBJECT:
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REGARDING GRAND GULF NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 1, LICENSE RENEWAL DISTRIBUTION:
HARD COPY:
Mr. Jeffrey Weller Louisiana Ecological Services Office Supervisor U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 646 Cajundome Blvd., Suite 400 Lafayette, LA 70506 E-MAIL:
PUBLIC RidsNrrDlr Resource RidsNrrDlrRerb Resource RidsNrrDlrRpb2 Resource EndangeredSpecies Resource RidsNrrPMGrandGulf Resource BGrange MMoser DDrucker BWittick DWrona BMizuno, OGC stephen_ricks@fws.gov (Stephen Ricks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) jeff_weller@fws.gov (Jeffrey Weller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)