ML18036B242

Environ Assessment & Finding of No Significant Impact Re Proposed Amends Revising Plant TS to Reflect Plant Mods Which Replace Existing Analog Radiation Monitoring Equipment W/Digital Components

ML18036B242
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	04/09/1993
From:	Ross T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Shared Package
ML18036B243	List: ML18036B242
References
NUDOCS 9304190120
Download: ML18036B242 (5)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT

'UNITS I

,2 AND 3 DOCKET NOS.

50-259 50-260 AND 50-296 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT 7590-01 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating Licenses DPR-33, DPR-52, and DPR-68 issued to. the Tennessee Valley Authority (the licensee) for operation of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1,

2, and 3.

The units are located at the licensee's site in Limestone County, Alabama.

, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Identification of Pro osed Action:

The proposed amendments would revise the Technical Specifications to reflect plant modifications which -replace existing, analog radiation monitoring equipment with digital components.

The amendments were requested by the

'licensee's letters dated July 23,

1992, and April 6, 1993, with additional information provided by letter dated March 16, 1993.

The Need for the Pro osed Action:

The proposed amendments are required to permit the licensee to replace outmoded components with modern equipment.

Environmental Im acts of the Pro osed Action:

The proposed amendments will not increase potential'adiological environmental effects.

Replacement of the existing analog radiation monitoring equipment.with more reliable digital components will improve overall system performance, ensuring accurate information is provided to the plant operators, and proper performance of safety equipment that relies upon 9304i90i20 9'30409 PDR ADOCK 05000259 P

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this monitoring equipment for its actuation.

The system is designed such that in the event of system failure, the system output defaults to a safe condition, ensuring safety equipment function is not compromised.

With regard to potential non-radiological environmental impact, the proposed amendment involves systems located within the restricted areas as defined in 10 CFR Part 20.

The proposed amendments do not affect,non-radiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact.

Therefore, the Commission concludes there is no significant non-radiological environmental impact associated with the proposed amendments.

Since it does not involve adverse radiological or other environmental

impacts, the Commission concludes the proposed amendments do not significantly change the conclusions of the licensee's "Final Environmental Statement, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2,

and 3", dated September 1,

1972.

Alternative to the Pro osed Action:

The principal alternative would be to deny the proposed amendments.

This would require the l.icensee to continue to operate the existing equipment, or replace it with similar analog equipment, Because the staff has,concluded that there is no significant environmental impact associated with the proposed amendments, these alternatives will have either no significantly different environmental impact, or greater environmental impact.

Alternative Use of Resources:

This action does not involve the use of resources not previously considered in connection with the "Final Environmental Statement, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Units 1, 2,

and 3", dated September 1,

1972.

A encies and Persons Contacted:

The NRC staff has reviewed the licensee's request for amendment dated July 23,

1992, as supplemented March. 16, 1993 and April 6, 1993.

The NRC staff did not consult. other agencies or persons.

'FINDING'F NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed amendments.

Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, we conclude that the proposed action wil,l not have.

a significant effect on the quali.ty of the human environment.

For details wi.th respect to this proposed

action, see the licensee's request for amendments dated July 23,

1992, as supplemented on March 16, 1993 and April 6,

1993, wh.ich are available for public inspection at the Commiss"ion's Public Document

Room, Gelman Building, 2120 L Street,

.N.W.,

Washington

'DC, and at the Athens 'Public Library, South Street,

Athens, Alabama, 35611.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 9th day of Apri.l 1993.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Thierry ~Ross, Acting Director Project Directorate II-4 Divis,ion of Reactor Projects - I/II Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

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