ML14260A454
| ML14260A454 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Seabrook  |
| Issue date: | 08/03/2015 |
| From: | David Wrona Division of License Renewal |
| To: | Chiarella L, Colligan M US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service |
| Briana Grange 301-415-1042 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML14260A456 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML14260A454 (4) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 August 3, 2015 Ms. Mary A. Colligan Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Services Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 Mr. Lou Chiarella Assistant Regional Administrator for Habitat Conservation National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276
SUBJECT:
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REGARDING SEABROOK STATION LICENSE RENEWAL
Dear Ms. Colligan and Mr. Chiarella:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has completed the enclosed final Supplement 46 to NUREG-1437, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (SEIS), regarding the license renewal of Seabrook Station (Seabrook) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). With this letter, I am forwarding you a copy of the final SEIS.
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 Seabrook during the license renewal term is not likely to adversely affect any Federally listed or proposed species under the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)'s jurisdiction, including Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus), shortnose sturgeon (A. brevirostrum), loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempii), leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Northern right whales (Eubalaena glacialis), humpback whales (Megatera novaeangliae), and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). The NRC forwarded a copy of the draft SEIS, which documented the staffs ESA findings, to NMFS for review in a letter dated December 29, 2011. Subsequently, in a letter dated October 10, 2012, the NMFS concurred with NRCs not likely to adversely affect determinations. In preparing the final SEIS, the NRC staff did not identify any new information that would change the staffs findings or that would otherwise require reinitiation of section 7 consultation.
M. Colligan and The NRC also considered effects to essential fish habitat (EFH) protected under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended. During its review, the NRC staff identified 23 species with designated EFH in the vicinity of Seabrook. The NRCs EFH Assessment, which was included in Appendix D of the draft SEIS, concluded that license renewal is not likely to have an effect or may have a minimal adverse effect on EFH for most species and life stages. The assessment concluded that Seabrook operations may have an adverse effect on EFH for all life stages of silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) and for winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) larvae, juveniles, and adults. The NRC forwarded the EFH Assessment to NMFS for review and requested EFH consultation in a letter dated August 2, 2011. Subsequently, in a letter dated October 26, 2011, the NMFS provided the NRC with several EFH Conservation Recommendations. The NRC responded to the recommendations in a letter to NMFS dated November 17, 2011. This letter concluded EFH Consultation for Seabrook license renewal.
I have enclosed a copy of the final SEIS for your records. I look forward to future coordination with your offices to ensure the continued protection of Federally listed species and designated critical habitats at Seabrook and other NRC-licensed operating nuclear plants in your region.
If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Ms. Michelle Moser, Biologist, of my staff at 301-415-6509 or michelle.moser@nrc.gov, or Ms. Briana Grange, Biologist, of my staff at 301-415-1042 or by e-mail at briana.grange@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA William Ford for/
David J. Wrona, Chief Environmental Review and Guidance Update Branch Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-443
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/encl: Listserv
ML14260A456 (package), ML14260A454 (letter)
Enclosure:
ML15209A575 and ML15209A870 (final SEIS) *concurred via email OFFICE LA:DLR*
AB:RERB:DLR AB:RERB:DLR BC:RPB2:DLR BC:RERB:DLR NAME IKing BGrange MMoser JDanna DWrona DATE 9/23/2014 6/30/2015 7/01/2015 7/29/15 8/3/15
Letter to M. Colligan and L. Chiarella from D. Wrona dated August 3, 2015
SUBJECT:
AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REGARDING SEABROOK STATION LICENSE RENEWAL DISTRIBUTION:
HARD COPY:
Julie Crocker National Marine Fisheries Services Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 Karen Greene National Marine Fisheries Services Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 E-MAIL:
PUBLIC RidsNrrDlr Resource RidsNrrDlrRerb Resource RidsNrrDlrRpb2 Resource EndangeredSpecies Resource RidsNrrPMSeabrook Resource BGrange MMoser LJames JDanna DWrona Julie Crocker, NMFS (julie.crocker@fws.gov)
Karen Greene, NMFS (karen.greene@noaa.gov)