Text

NRR E-mail Capture - Section 7 for the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, Proposed License Renewal
	ML16145A311
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	05/24/2016
From:	Briana Grange; Division of License Renewal
To:	Fuller D; US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
References
	Download: ML16145A311 (28)
	v • d • e

1 NRR-PMDAPEm Resource From:

Grange, Briana Sent:

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:19 AM To:

'deborah_fuller@fws.gov'

Subject:

Section 7 for the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, proposed license renewal Attachments:

2015-05-28_Entergy to FWS.pdf; 2015-06-01_FWS to Entergy.pdf; 2016-05-20_Official Species List.pdf; Draft FRN for Waterford NEPA Scoping.pdf Good morning Deborah, I am reaching out to you today regarding the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (WF 3) proposed license renewal. In March, my agency, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), received an application from Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy) for renewal of WF3 in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. I am the staff person responsible for conducting the Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultation. In its application, Entergy included letters between your office and Rick Buckley of Entergy. I have attached those letters for your reference. Since you are listed on your field offices website as the Endangered Species Coordinator, I thought you would be a good person to reach out to first.

Id like to touch base with you about 3 things today: (1) the official ESA section 7 species list that NRC received from FWS, (2) the opportunity for FWS to participate in the NRCs National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process, and (3) the NRC staffs environmental site visit in July.

ESA Section 7 Species List I used the FWSs Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) to obtain an official species list for the purposes of ESA section 7. I have attached that list for your reference. The list includes two species under FWSs jurisdiction: the pallid sturgeon and West Indian manatee. During my review, I will be evaluating potential impacts to these species and may either request concurrence with your office on a not likely to adversely affect (NLAA) determination or request to initiate formal consultation in the event that the NRC cannot make an NLAA determination. Please let me know if you have any specific comments or information pertinent to these species in the project area or if you believe the NRC should evaluate any additional species as part of its review.

NEPA Scoping Participation NRC is conducting its NEPA scoping period for the proposed WF3 license renewal beginning in June. NRC will also be holding a scoping meeting June 8, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operation Center, 15026 River Road, Hahnville, Louisiana, 10057. You or a representative from your office is welcome to attend that meeting. You can also submit written comments through Regulations.gov. I included the draft Federal Register Notice (FRN), which provides details on how to view Entergys application and how to submit NEPA comments. If you think you would like to attend the meeting, let me know, and I can put you in touch with the license renewal project manager, who can give you more details.

NRC Environmental Site Visit Finally, NRC staff will be visiting the WF3 site during the week of July 18, 2016. If you or a representative from your office would like to attend all or a portion of that site visit, please let me know. The site visit can be a good time for us to speak face-to-face with Entergy about any concerns FWS has with the proposed license renewal, and it is also a good opportunity to tour the intake and discharge structures and generally gain a better understanding of plant operations, which can facilitate a smoother section 7 process down the road. I have found that FWSs participation in site visits has been most advantageous in projects where we anticipate formal section 7 may be required.

2 Thanks so much for taking the time to read this long email! Please dont hesitate to reach out with any questions. My contact information is in my email signature. Thank you, Briana Briana A. Grange Biologist Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 301-415-1042 briana.grange@nrc.gov

Hearing Identifier:

NRR_PMDA Email Number:

2862 Mail Envelope Properties (a9d1ad63d9e944709a6ede02e47aa732)

Subject:

Section 7 for the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, proposed license renewal Sent Date:

5/24/2016 11:19:26 AM Received Date:

5/24/2016 11:19:00 AM From:

Grange, Briana Created By:

Briana.Grange@nrc.gov Recipients:

"'deborah_fuller@fws.gov'" <deborah_fuller@fws.gov>

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

HQPWMSMRS03.nrc.gov Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3784 5/24/2016 11:19:00 AM 2015-05-28_Entergy to FWS.pdf 778006 2015-06-01_FWS to Entergy.pdf 2039621 2016-05-20_Official Species List.pdf 105136 Draft FRN for Waterford NEPA Scoping.pdf 595557 Options Priority:

Standard Return Notification:

No Reply Requested:

No Sensitivity:

Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received:

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B-7

B-8

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B-10

B-19

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United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office 646 CAJUNDOME BOULEVARD, SUITE 400 LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 PHONE: (337)291-3100 FAX: (337)291-3139 Consultation Code: 04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334 May 20, 2016 Event Code: 04EL1000-2016-E-00255 Project Name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

Subject:

List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern:

The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered and candidate species, as well as designated and proposed critical habitat that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and may be affected by your proposed project. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is providing this list under section 7 (c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531

). Changes in this species list may occur due to new et seq.

information from updated surveys, changes in species habitat, new listed species and other factors. Because of these possible changes, feel free to contact our office (337/291-3126) for more information or assistance regarding impacts to federally listed species. The Service recommends visiting the ECOS-IPaC site or the Louisiana Ecological Services website (www.fws.gov/lafayette) at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updated species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.

The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the habitats upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402

), Federal agencies are required to et seq.

utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of Federal trust resources and to determine whether projects may affect Federally listed species and/or designated critical habitat.

A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)

(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological

evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.

If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected (e.g. adverse, beneficial, insignificant or discountable) by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the Endangered Species Consultation Handbook at or by contacting our office at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF the number above.

Bald eagles have recovered and were removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species as of August 8, 2007. Although no longer listed, please be aware that bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 U.S.C. 668

).

et seq.

The Service developed the National Bald Eagle Management (NBEM) Guidelines to provide landowners, land managers, and others with information and recommendations to minimize potential project impacts to bald eagles, particularly where such impacts may constitute disturbance, which is prohibited by the BGEPA. A copy of the NBEM Guidelines is available at:

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle/NationalBaldEagleManagementGuidelines.pdf Those guidelines recommend: (1) maintaining a specified distance between the activity and the nest (buffer area); (2) maintaining natural areas (preferably forested) between the activity and nest trees (landscape buffers); and (3) avoiding certain activities during the breeding season.

On-site personnel should be informed of the possible presence of nesting bald eagles within the project boundary, and should identify, avoid, and immediately report any such nests to this office. If a bald eagle nest occurs or is discovered within or adjacent to the proposed project area, then an evaluation must be performed to determine whether the project is likely to disturb nesting bald eagles. That evaluation may be conducted on-line at:

. Following completion of the evaluation, that http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle website will provide a determination of whether additional consultation is necessary. The Division of Migratory Birds for the Southeast Region of the Service (phone: 404/679-7051, e-mail: SEmigratorybirds@fws.gov) has the lead role in conducting any necessary consultation.

Should you need further assistance interpreting the guidelines or performing an on-line project evaluation, please contact this office.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g. cellular, digital television, radio and emergency broadcast) can be found at:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm

and http://www.towerkill.com http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/comtow.html Activities that involve State-designated scenic streams and/or wetlands are regulated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, respectively. We, therefore, recommend that you contact those agencies to determine their interest in proposed projects in these areas.

2

Activities that would be located within a National Wildlife Refuge are regulated by the refuge staff. We, therefore, recommend that you contact them to determine their interest in proposed projects in these areas.

Additional information on Federal trust species in Louisiana can be obtained from the Louisiana Ecological Services website at:

or by calling 337/291-3100.

www.fws.gov/lafayette We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.

Attachment 3

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/20/2016 11:37 AM 1

Official Species List Provided by:

Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office 646 CAJUNDOME BOULEVARD, SUITE 400 LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 (337) 291-3100 Consultation Code: 04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334 Event Code: 04EL1000-2016-E-00255 Project Type: POWER GENERATION Project Name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal Project

Description:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing an application from Entergy Operations, Inc., to allow Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, to operate for an additional 20 years.

Please Note: The FWS office may have modified the Project Name and/or Project Description, so it may be different from what was submitted in your previous request. If the Consultation Code matches, the FWS considers this to be the same project. Contact the office in the 'Provided by' section of your previous Official Species list if you have any questions or concerns.

United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Project name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/20/2016 11:37 AM 2

Project Location Map:

Project Coordinates: MULTIPOLYGON (((-90.51979064941406 29.971293566815902, -

90.50073623657227 29.958504019413528, -90.4885482788086 29.954785818968286, -

90.47704696655273 29.95270356597624, -90.46314239501953 29.951662423127154, -

90.44906616210936 29.95225736323297, -90.43739318847656 29.95419089399186, -

90.42984008789062 29.959247642814265, -90.42314529418945 29.964006700844646, -

90.41662216186523 29.971442272802303, -90.40992736816405 29.980215532021614, -

90.41061401367188 29.992110238973307, -90.41370391845703 30.001327656702326, -

90.41919708251953 30.011436098225726, -90.43087005615234 30.02213803127762, -

90.44254302978516 30.027488564694334, -90.45799255371094 30.0316498910357, -

90.47309875488281 30.032541581093586, -90.48477172851562 30.03075819295543, -

90.49884796142578 30.027488564694334, -90.51292419433594 30.02243529070962, -

90.52082061767578 30.018868118707402, -90.52665710449217 30.013517120097877, -

90.52906036376953 30.004895459546216, -90.5331802368164 29.994191666185216, -

90.52940368652344 29.979620759272258, -90.51979064941406 29.971293566815902)))

United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Project name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/20/2016 11:37 AM 3

Project Counties: St. Charles, LA l St. John the Baptist, LA United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Project name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/20/2016 11:37 AM 4

Endangered Species Act Species List There are a total of 3 threatened or endangered species on your species list. Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species. Critical habitats listed under the Has Critical Habitat column may or may not lie within your project area. See the Critical habitats within your project area section further below for critical habitat that lies within your project. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.

Fishes Status Has Critical Habitat Condition(s)

Atlantic sturgeon (Gulf subspecies)

(Acipenser oxyrinchus

(=oxyrhynchus) desotoi)

Population: Entire Threatened Final designated Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Population: Entire Endangered Mammals West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)

Population: Entire Endangered Final designated United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Project name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac, 05/20/2016 11:37 AM 5

Critical habitats that lie within your project area There are no critical habitats within your project area.

United States Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Project name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

[7590-01-P]

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Docket No. 50-382; NRC-2016-0078 Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Intent to prepare environmental impact statement and conduct scoping process; public meeting and request for comment.

SUMMARY

Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy) has submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) an application for renewal of Facility Operating License NPF-38 for an additional 20 years of operation at Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, (Waterford).

Waterford is located in Killona, LA. The current operating license for Waterford Steam Electric Station expires on expires on December 18, 2024.

DATES: Submit comments by July, 22, 2016. Comments received after these dates will be considered if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be given to comments received after this date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods (unless this document describes a different method for submitting comments on a specific subject):

DRAFT t statement and conduct scoping tatement and con Inc. (Entergy) has submitted to th rgy) has submitted to cation for renewal cation for re of Facility Oper of Fac peration at Waterford Steam Elec peration at Waterford Steam ed in Killona, LA. The current ope Killona, LA. The current ope es on expires on December 18, 2 es on expires on Dece Submit comments by July Submit comments by it is practical to d it is practical to d d after d after x

Federal rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2016-0078. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-3463; e-mail: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document.

x Mail comments to: Cindy Bladey, Office of Administration, Mail Stop OWFN-12 H08, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001.

For additional direction on obtaining information and submitting comments, see Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elaine Keegan, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001; telephone:

301-415-8517, e-mail: Elaine.Keegan@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Obtaining Information and Submitting Comments A. Obtaining Information Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2016-0078 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publically available information related to this document by any of the following methods:

x Federal rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2016-0078.

x NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may access publicly available documents online in the NRC Library at DRAFT

, Mail Stop

, Mail 555-0001.

555-0001.

submitting comments, see submitting comments he he SUPPLEMENTARY INFORM SUPPLEMENTARY INFORM TACT:

ACT: Elaine Keegan, Office of Elaine Keegan, Office ory Commission, Washington, D.

ission, Washington, D e.Keegan@nrc.gov.

e.Keegan@nrc.gov.

RY INFORMATION:

FORMATION:

Information and Submitting Co Information and Sub aining Information aining Information Please refer to Docket ID N Please refer to Docket information rega information rega d to this d to this http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ADAMS Public Documents and then select Begin Web-based ADAMS Search. For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRCs Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced in this notice (if that document is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The application for renewal of the Waterford license can be found in ADAMS under Accession Package No. ML16088A324.

x NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRCs PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

B. Submitting Comments Please include Docket ID NRC-2016-0078 in the subject line of your comment submission in order to ensure that the NRC is able to make your comment submission available to the public in this docket.

The NRC cautions you not to include identifying or contact information that you do not want to be publicly disclosed in your comment submission. The NRC will post all comment submissions at http://www.regulations.gov as well as enter the comment submissions into ADAMS. The NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove identifying or contact information.

If you are requesting or aggregating comments from other persons for submission to the NRC, then you should inform those persons not to include identifying or contact information that they do not want publicly disclosed in their comment submission. Your request should state that the NRC does not routinely edit comment submissions to remove such information before DRAFT DAMS) is pr AMS) of the Waterford licen of the Wate 324.

324.

ase copies of public documents a ase copies of public documents th, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockvill 11555 Rockville NRC-2016-0078 in the subject lin 6-0078 in the subject l e that the NRC is abl e that the NRC is able to make y e t cket.

cket.

cautions you not to include identif ns you not to include identif ublicly disclosed in your comm ublicly disclosed in you en sions at sions http://www.regulations.go ww.regulations.g DR

. The NRC does not routin

. The NRC does not ro mation.

mation eques eques making the comment submissions available to the public or entering the comments submissions into ADAMS.

II. Discussion The application for renewal, dated March 23, 2016, was submitted pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 54, which included an environmental report (ER). A separate notice of receipt and availability of the application was published in the Federal Register on April 14, 2016 (81 FR 22128). A notice of acceptance for docketing of the application and opportunity for hearing regarding renewal of the facility operating license is also being published in the Federal Register. The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) related to the review of the license renewal application and to provide the public an opportunity to participate in the environmental scoping process, as defined in 10 CFR 51.29.

As outlined in 36 CFR 800.8, Coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act, the NRC plans to coordinate compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NRC intends to use its process and documentation for the preparation of the EIS on the proposed action to comply with Section 106 of the NHPA in lieu of the procedures set forth at 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6.

In accordance with 10 CFR 51.53(c) and 10 CFR 54.23, Entergy submitted the ER as part of the application. The ER was prepared pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51 and is publicly available in ADAMS under Accession Package No. ML16088A324. The ER may also be viewed on the Internet at DRAFT tted pursua tted pu ed an environmental r ed an enviro plication was published in the plication was publishe notice of acceptance for docketing notice of acceptance for docketi renewal newal of the facility operating l of the facil e purpose of this notice is to infor this no on (NRC)

(NRC) will be preparing an en will be preparing an iew of the license renewal applica license renewal applic in the environmental scoping pro in the environmental sc 36 CFR 800.8, Coordination wit 36 CFR 800.8, Coordination ns to coordinate compliance with coordinate compliance with Act (NHPA) in meeting the requi Act (NHPA) in meetin (NEPA). Pursuant to 36 CFR 80 (NEPA). Pursuant to 36 CFR 8 ntation for the preparation o ntation for the preparat in lieu of the proc in lieu of the pro nce wit nce wit http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/licensing/renewal/applications.html. In addition, paper copies of the ER are available to the public near the site at the.

This document advises the public that the NRC intends to gather the information necessary to prepare a plant-specific supplement to the NRCs Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, (NUREG-1437) related to the review of the application for renewal of the Waterford operating license for an additional 20 years.

Possible alternatives to the proposed action (license renewal) include no action and reasonable alternative energy sources. The NRC is required by 10 CFR 51.95 to prepare a supplement to the GEIS in connection with the renewal of an operating license. This notice is being published in accordance with NEPA and the NRCs regulations found at 10 CFR Part 51.

The NRC will first conduct a scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS and, as soon as practicable thereafter, will prepare a draft supplement to the GEIS for public comment.

Participation in the scoping process by members of the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal government agencies is encouraged. The scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS will be used to accomplish the following:

a. Define the proposed action, which is to be the subject of the supplement to the GEIS;

b. Determine the scope of the supplement to the GEIS and identify the significant issues to be analyzed in depth;

c. Identify and eliminate from detailed study those issues that are peripheral or that are not significant;

d. Identify any environmental assessments and other ElSs that are being or will be prepared that are related to, but are not part of, the scope of the supplement to the GEIS being considered;

e. Identify other environmental review and consultation requirements related to the DRAFT 437) relate 437) r for an additional 20 ye for an addit renewal) include no action and renewal) include no a equired by 10 CFR 51.95 to prepa equired by 10 CFR 51.95 to prep newal of an operating license. T ewal of an operati nd the NRCs regulations found a s regul oping process for the supplement ng process for the supplem ll prepare a draft supplement to th a draft supplement to process by members of the public process by members of gencies is encouraged. The scop gencies is encouraged. The s to accomplish the following:

ccomplish the following:

e the proposed action, which is to e the proposed action, Determine the scope of the supp Determine the scope of the sup be analyzed in depth; be analyzed in depth; fy and eliminate f fy and eliminate proposed action;

f.

Indicate the relationship between the timing of the preparation of the environmental analyses and the Commission's tentative planning and decision-making schedule;

g. Identify any cooperating agencies and, as appropriate, allocate assignments for preparation and schedules for completing the supplement to the GEIS to the NRC and any cooperating agencies; and

h. Describe how the supplement to the GEIS will be prepared and include any contractor assistance to be used.

The NRC invites the following entities to participate in scoping:

a. The applicant, Entergy;

b. Any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved or that is authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards;

c. Affected State and local government agencies, including those authorized to develop and enforce relevant environmental standards;

d. Any affected Indian tribe;

e. Any person who requests or has requested an opportunity to participate in the scoping process; and

f.

Any person who has petitioned or intends to petition for leave to intervene.

III. Public Scoping Meeting In accordance with 10 CFR 51.26, the scoping process for an EIS may include a public scoping meeting to help identify significant issues related to a proposed activity and to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in an EIS. The NRC has decided to hold one DRAFT e GEIS to e GEI epared and include any contrac epared and include an te in scoping:

in scoping:

s jurisdiction by law or special ex urisdiction by law or specia pact involved or that is authorized ed or that is authorize mental standards; mental stand ate and local government agencie ate and local government agen force relevant environmental stan relevant environmental sta ny affected Indian tribe; ny affected Indian tribe

e. Any person who requests or h

e. Any person who requests or scoping process; and scoping process; an ny person who ha ny person who h public meeting for the Waterford license renewal supplement to the GEIS. The scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. The meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operation Center, 15026 River Road, Hahnville, Louisiana, 10057. There will be a registration period from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for members of the public to sign in to speak.

The meeting will be transcribed and will include: (1) an overview by the NRC staff of the NEPA environmental review process, the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS, and the proposed review schedule; and (2) the opportunity for interested government agencies, organizations, and individuals to submit comments or suggestions on the environmental issues or the proposed scope of the supplement to the GEIS. To be considered, comments must be provided either at the transcribed public meetings or in writing, as discussed below.

Persons may register to attend or present oral comments at the meetings on the scope of the NEPA review by contacting the NRC Project Manager, Ms. Elaine Keegan, by telephone at 800-368-5642, extension 8517, or by e-mail at Elaine.Keegan@nrc.gov no later than June 3, 2016. Members of the public may also register to speak during the registration period prior to the start of meeting. Individual oral comments may be limited by the time available, depending on the number of persons who register. Members of the public who have not registered may also have an opportunity to speak if time permits. Public comments will be considered in the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS. Ms. Keegan will need to be contacted no later than June 3, 2016, if special equipment or accommodations are needed to attend or present information at the public meeting so that the NRC staff can determine whether the request can be accommodated.

DRAFT verview by the NRC s verview by of the supplement to the GEIS, a of the supplement to th for interested government agenc for interested government agen ts or suggestions on the environm or suggestions o the GEIS. To be considered, co To be c c meetings or in writing, as discus meetings or in writing, as dis ttend or present oral comments a esent oral comments acting the NRC Project Manager, acting the NRC Project M nsion 8517, or by e-mail at nsion 8517, or by e-mail at Elaine Ela RA embers of the public may also reg s of the public may also reg tart of meeting. Individual oral co tart of meeting. Individ ing on the number of persons wh ing on the number of persons w ed may also have an opport ed may also have an o the scoping proc the scoping pro than J than J Participation in the scoping process for the supplement to the GEIS does not entitle participants to become parties to the proceeding to which the supplement to the GEIS relates.

Matters related to participation in any hearing are outside the scope of matters to be discussed at this public meeting.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this ddth day of MONTH, YYYY.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION James G. Danna, Chief Environmental Review and Project Management Branch Division of License Renewal, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation RY COMMISSION RY COMM w and Project Management Branc w and Project Management Branc

Renewal, enewa r Reactor Regulation or Regulatio

1 NRR-PMDAPEm Resource From:

Grange, Briana Sent:

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:19 AM To:

'deborah_fuller@fws.gov'

Subject:

Section 7 for the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, proposed license renewal Attachments:

2015-05-28_Entergy to FWS.pdf; 2015-06-01_FWS to Entergy.pdf; 2016-05-20_Official Species List.pdf; Draft FRN for Waterford NEPA Scoping.pdf Good morning Deborah, I am reaching out to you today regarding the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3 (WF 3) proposed license renewal. In March, my agency, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), received an application from Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy) for renewal of WF3 in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. I am the staff person responsible for conducting the Endangered Species Act (ESA) section 7 consultation. In its application, Entergy included letters between your office and Rick Buckley of Entergy. I have attached those letters for your reference. Since you are listed on your field offices website as the Endangered Species Coordinator, I thought you would be a good person to reach out to first.

Id like to touch base with you about 3 things today: (1) the official ESA section 7 species list that NRC received from FWS, (2) the opportunity for FWS to participate in the NRCs National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process, and (3) the NRC staffs environmental site visit in July.

ESA Section 7 Species List I used the FWSs Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) to obtain an official species list for the purposes of ESA section 7. I have attached that list for your reference. The list includes two species under FWSs jurisdiction: the pallid sturgeon and West Indian manatee. During my review, I will be evaluating potential impacts to these species and may either request concurrence with your office on a not likely to adversely affect (NLAA) determination or request to initiate formal consultation in the event that the NRC cannot make an NLAA determination. Please let me know if you have any specific comments or information pertinent to these species in the project area or if you believe the NRC should evaluate any additional species as part of its review.

NEPA Scoping Participation NRC is conducting its NEPA scoping period for the proposed WF3 license renewal beginning in June. NRC will also be holding a scoping meeting June 8, 2016 from 7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operation Center, 15026 River Road, Hahnville, Louisiana, 10057. You or a representative from your office is welcome to attend that meeting. You can also submit written comments through Regulations.gov. I included the draft Federal Register Notice (FRN), which provides details on how to view Entergys application and how to submit NEPA comments. If you think you would like to attend the meeting, let me know, and I can put you in touch with the license renewal project manager, who can give you more details.

NRC Environmental Site Visit Finally, NRC staff will be visiting the WF3 site during the week of July 18, 2016. If you or a representative from your office would like to attend all or a portion of that site visit, please let me know. The site visit can be a good time for us to speak face-to-face with Entergy about any concerns FWS has with the proposed license renewal, and it is also a good opportunity to tour the intake and discharge structures and generally gain a better understanding of plant operations, which can facilitate a smoother section 7 process down the road. I have found that FWSs participation in site visits has been most advantageous in projects where we anticipate formal section 7 may be required.

2 Thanks so much for taking the time to read this long email! Please dont hesitate to reach out with any questions. My contact information is in my email signature. Thank you, Briana Briana A. Grange Biologist Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 301-415-1042 briana.grange@nrc.gov

Hearing Identifier:

NRR_PMDA Email Number:

2862 Mail Envelope Properties (a9d1ad63d9e944709a6ede02e47aa732)

Subject:

Section 7 for the Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, proposed license renewal Sent Date:

5/24/2016 11:19:26 AM Received Date:

5/24/2016 11:19:00 AM From:

Grange, Briana Created By:

Briana.Grange@nrc.gov Recipients:

"'deborah_fuller@fws.gov'" <deborah_fuller@fws.gov>

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

HQPWMSMRS03.nrc.gov Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3784 5/24/2016 11:19:00 AM 2015-05-28_Entergy to FWS.pdf 778006 2015-06-01_FWS to Entergy.pdf 2039621 2016-05-20_Official Species List.pdf 105136 Draft FRN for Waterford NEPA Scoping.pdf 595557 Options Priority:

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United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Louisiana Ecological Services Field Office 646 CAJUNDOME BOULEVARD, SUITE 400 LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 PHONE: (337)291-3100 FAX: (337)291-3139 Consultation Code: 04EL1000-2016-SLI-0334 May 20, 2016 Event Code: 04EL1000-2016-E-00255 Project Name: Waterford Steam Electric Station, Unit 3, License Renewal

Subject:

List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern:

The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered and candidate species, as well as designated and proposed critical habitat that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and may be affected by your proposed project. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is providing this list under section 7 (c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531

). Changes in this species list may occur due to new et seq.

information from updated surveys, changes in species habitat, new listed species and other factors. Because of these possible changes, feel free to contact our office (337/291-3126) for more information or assistance regarding impacts to federally listed species. The Service recommends visiting the ECOS-IPaC site or the Louisiana Ecological Services website (www.fws.gov/lafayette) at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updated species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.

The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the habitats upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402

), Federal agencies are required to et seq.

utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of Federal trust resources and to determine whether projects may affect Federally listed species and/or designated critical habitat.

A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)

(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological

evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.

If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected (e.g. adverse, beneficial, insignificant or discountable) by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the Endangered Species Consultation Handbook at or by contacting our office at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF the number above.

Bald eagles have recovered and were removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species as of August 8, 2007. Although no longer listed, please be aware that bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 U.S.C. 668

).

et seq.

The Service developed the National Bald Eagle Management (NBEM) Guidelines to provide landowners, land managers, and others with information and recommendations to minimize potential project impacts to bald eagles, particularly where such impacts may constitute disturbance, which is prohibited by the BGEPA. A copy of the NBEM Guidelines is available at:

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle/NationalBaldEagleManagementGuidelines.pdf Those guidelines recommend: (1) maintaining a specified distance between the activity and the nest (buffer area); (2) maintaining natural areas (preferably forested) between the activity and nest trees (landscape buffers); and (3) avoiding certain activities during the breeding season.

On-site personnel should be informed of the possible presence of nesting bald eagles within the project boundary, and should identify, avoid, and immediately report any such nests to this office. If a bald eagle nest occurs or is discovered within or adjacent to the proposed project area, then an evaluation must be performed to determine whether the project is likely to disturb nesting bald eagles. That evaluation may be conducted on-line at:

. Following completion of the evaluation, that http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/baldeagle website will provide a determination of whether additional consultation is necessary. The Division of Migratory Birds for the Southeast Region of the Service (phone: 404/679-7051, e-mail: SEmigratorybirds@fws.gov) has the lead role in conducting any necessary consultation.

Should you need further assistance interpreting the guidelines or performing an on-line project evaluation, please contact this office.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g. cellular, digital television, radio and emergency broadcast) can be found at:

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm

and http://www.towerkill.com http://fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/comtow.html Activities that involve State-designated scenic streams and/or wetlands are regulated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, respectively. We, therefore, recommend that you contact those agencies to determine their interest in proposed projects in these areas.