ML18192A187

Forwards Programs for Construction-Phase Groundwater and Ecological Monitoring as Required for Final Environmental Statement Related to Construction

ML18192A187
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	04/05/1976
From:	Van Brunt E Arizona Public Service Co
To:	Gilbert R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
ANPP-4233
Download: ML18192A187 (32)

Text

NRC FoRM 195 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER I2-7SI AJ 5 2 NRC DISTRIBUTION FoR rART 50 DOCKET IVIATERIAL FI L~ UM 0E R Dv7 Li l.v.

FROM: DATE OF DOCUMENT TO:

Mr Gilbert Arizona Public'vc Co 4-5-76 Phoenix; Kz DATE RECEIVED 4-e-76 IIIILETTER HNOTORIZED PROP INPUT FORM NUMBER OF COPIES RECEIVED

, gtoR I G INAL CIUNC LASS IF I E D Ocopv one signed DESCRIPTION 'ENCLOSURE Ltr trans the following: Ecological monitoring progr'am including' description an location of addi soil 6 biotic sampling st'ations........(13 cys encl re'c'd) ~

Il A 1%TOT RE)~O~

Palo Verde 1-3 'ACKNOvtILEDG'EDii

.SAFETY 'FOR ACTION/INFORMATION ENVIRO ASSXGNED AD: ASSIGNED AD:

BRANCH CHXEF:

PROJECT MANAGER; LIC ~ ASST+ '.

Rb i Son BRANCH CHIEF ~

PROJECT MANAGER LIC ~ ASST,: fll

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'v INTERNAL D IST R I BUTION REG FXL S E.

NRC PDR ERNS I &E BENAROYA ALLARD N SPANGLER GOSS CK & STAFF .ENG NEER N IPPOLITO SXTE TECH KNIGHT OPERATING REACTORS GAMMXLL SIINEIL STELLO STEPP PAVLICKI HlJLMAN OPERATING TECH PROJECT MANAGEMENT REACTOR SAFETY EISENHUT SITE ANALYSIS BOYD ROSS SHAD VOLI2IER P. COLLINS NOVAK BAER BUNCH HOUSTOil ROSZTOCZY SCHIPENCER J, COLLINS PETERSON CHECK GRIMES KREGER MELTZ HELTEMES AT&X SITE SAFETY & ENV R SKOVHOLT SALTZ>IAN ANALYSIS RUTBERG DFNTON & MULLER EXTERNAL DISTRIBU ION CONTROL NUMBER LPDR ~ AoenI.N NATL LA BROOKHAVEN NATL LAB TIC REGS V"IE UILRIKSON(ORNL)

NS ASLB LA PDR CONSULTANTS gH%1 CXS ~iQLIG SE NRC FORM 195 (2-76)

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<mrna QA ~GZPECIX (QEBB~'P P. O. BOX 2I666 PHOENIX, ARIZONA 65036 April 5, 1976 ANPP-4 O~

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~1'R 4 2 8 tg~G u.s.'CIGAR Kgp Mr. Robert A. Gilbert, Project M a CDMISSK JHcgI g fgjp~

Environmental Projects Branch 3 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555 I ~ IP+

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l+PK Re: Docket Nos. STN 50-528/529/530 Cn Final Environmental Statement related to Construction of Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

Dear Mr. Gilbert:

Tn accordance with the requirements stated in paragraphs 6.1.1.2, 6.1.3.1 and 6.1.3.2 of the subject Final Environmental Statement, we are submitting programs for construction-phase groundwater and ecological monitoring. The ecological monitoring program includes a description and the location of additional soil and biotic sampling stations.

Attached are three (3) signed originals and ten (10) additional copies of this letter and the programs.

Very truly yours, F-E. E. Van Brunt, Jr.

Vice President, Nuclear Services ANPP Project Director EEVBJr/JRM/pk Subscribed and swo to before me this 8W day April, 1976.

No ry Pu ic My Commission Expires L.~~ /f7/

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CONSTRUCTION-PHASE GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM This construction-phase groundwater monitoring program has been developed pursuant to the requirement stated in Section 6.1 1.2 of the Final Envi-

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ronmental Statement (FES) related -to the construction of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Units 1, 2 and 3.

INTRODUCTION The Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is designed to minimize t'e disturbance to the natural resources at, the site. In the arid southwest water resources are severely limited; thus, attention has been focused on the protection of water resources. There are no perennial surface flows near the site; hbwever, there are two groundw'ater regimes close to the land surface, the regional aquifer and the perched mound.

The regional aquifer (over 400 square miles) extends beyond the site area and is bounded by the mountain masses which encompass the Lower Hassayampa Centennial area; at the site the aquifer is confined below the Palo Verde clay layer. Anisotropic conditions prevail within the aquifer, as highly permeable volcanic conglomerate layers are interbedded with low-permeable tuffaceous sands and clays, and basalt flows. The quality of the re-gional aquifer is generally good (TDS less than 1000 mg/1) and is the source of domestic and irrigation water. The depth to water in the area ranges from about 100 to 250 feet below the ground.

Infiltration of irrigation water has 'built a,perched water mound on the Palo Verde clay; the boundaries of the. perched water are essentially con-terminous with the boundaries of the irrigated area. The depths from ground surface to the perched water presently range from 10 feet to 70 feet. Water quality of the perched mound is poor (TDS of approximately 6000 mg/1). It is not a significant source of water for either domestic or agricultural use.

i~ 0 r Construction-Phas roundwa ter Monitoring Program Page 2 The plant facilities and construction procedures are designed to minimize groundwater degradation. The groundwater monitoring program herein has been designed to make timely detection of deviations from de-'cribed the'rerlicted conditions during construction so that corrective action can be taken. It is'expected that any contamination would be detected

. first in the 'perched mound.

There are three activities during construction'f, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station which are expected to affect the groundwater; these are identified and discussed below:

1. Dewatering of'excavations (perched mound).

2. Construction Water Production: Water for various construction purposes will be obtained from two existing wells which extend into the 'regional aquifer.

3. Wastewater Disposal: Sanitary sewage and industrial wastes will be transported offsite and/or lost to evaporation. This water is originally produced from the wells and, will not be returned to the groundwater system.

MONITORING PROGRAM .FOR PERCHED MOUND Because contaminants will be observed first in the perched mound, the density of monitoring points will be greater in this aquifer than for the regional aquifer. Measurements proposed for the monitoring stations in the perched mound (shown in Figure 1) are described below.

Water Levels Table 1 lists the boreholes'that will be used to monitor perched water elevation and the frequency at which they will be monitored. These data will be plotted graphically and trends followed to discover anomalous changes.

il ll Construction-Phase Groundwater Monito'ring Program Page 3 Wate'r, Quality Boreholes to be used for water quality sampling are shown in Table 1.

Table 2 lists the analyses to be done. This list was developed after careful consideration of the major chemical constituents related to perched and regional groundwater, construction materials, construction activities likely to affect the water, the U. S. Public Health Service

,Drinking Water Standards and the EPA National Interim Primary Drinking Water Standards. The analyses will be done for those parameters listed in. Table 2; however, if the TDS value varies by 15 percent or more from one measurement to the next at any well, a more complete analysis will be conducted to identiZy the source of the variation.

MONITORING PROGRAM FOR REGIONAL AQUIFER While chemical and water level changes aie 'expected to appear first in the perched mound, in order to maintain continuity of measured data, the regional aquifer will be monitored as well. The proposed monitoring program will survey the regional aquifer water levels and water quality at the locations shown in Figure 2.

Water Levels The wells to be used for water level measurement and the frequency of sampling are listed in Table l.

Water Quality A testing program for the two wells which will be sampled on-site was established in June, 1975. Samples were analyzed in September, 1975, to establish the water quality baseline. Additional samples are to be analyzed prior to construction. The wells and sampling frequence are listed in Table 1. Table 2 lists the parameters to be measured. This list was developed after careful consideration of'he major chemical content of the existing perched and regional aquifers. The analyses ~

Construction-Phasi roundwater Monitoring System Page 4 will'e done for those parameters listed in Table 2; however, if the TDS concentration changes by more than 15 percent from one measurement to the'ext at any well, a 'more complete analysis will be performed to identify the source of the 'change.

PROCEDURE P

Protect'ion from construction activities will be provided as required for wells identified in Table 1. Selection of monitoring wells was based on the following criteria; use of existing wells with established histories where possible, nearness to construction activities expected to affect groundwater, penetration to the groundwater system, proximity to major cones of groundwater depression, and location with .respect to plant and construction facilities.

The depth to the water will be, measured'sing a field scale accurate to

+0.1 foot. Riser pipe elevations will be determined by surveying. The water table elevation measurements will be recorded and 'compiled in tabular form and plotted as hydrographs and groundwater contours to aid visual interpretation of water table variations.

The effects of construction wat'er use will be distinguished from effects of nearby irrigation by comparing the onsite regional aquifer water levels with the water levels surrounding the site. Changes in the re-gional aquifer water level on the order of two feet per year at the e

onsite wells will be considered significant enough to justify further evaluation as,to the cause of the change. This evaluation will be based on the relative changes between the onsite and offsite wells.

Water quality samples will be collected at a .frequency defined in Table 1.

Water quality parameters are provided in Table 2. Specific conductance and temperature data of samples will be compiled in tabular form for each monitor well. These data will be compared with past data in order to ensure that changes in water quality are detected.

0 E Table 1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE GROUNDWATER MONITORING Regime'and Measurement Existing Well Number New Wells Frequency Perched Groundwater Onsite PV-14H PV-28H Ql Semiannual Levels and Quality 'V-21H PV-29H Q5 PV-30H PV-31H Regional Groundwater Onsite 27 ddc Semiannual Levels and Quality 34 abb Regional Groundwater Offsite 20 dbb* Annual Levels and Quality 26 baa 14 dbb 21 cbb 17 abb PV-7 *

• levels only

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Table 2 WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS

. PARAMETER Arsenic Boron Cadmium Chloride .

Total Cyanide Fluoride Phenol Specific Conductance TDS Lead Zinc Sodium Chromium (Hexavalent)

Nitrate (NO3) pH gadioactivity Laboratory analyses will be performed according to appropriate techniques described in the following .publications:

American Public Health Association (APHA), Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, 13th ed. APHA, New York 1971.

American Petroleum Institute (API), undated, Manual on disposal of refinery wastes; Methods for samplin'g and analysis.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),.Annual book of American Society for Testing Materials Standards, Part 23, ASTM, Baltimore, Maryland 1972.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Methods for the Chemical A'nalysis of Water and Wastes, Water Quality Control Office, Analytical Quality Control Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio 1971.

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WS 930 AVE BP 916 EP=S r> 14H SITE BOUNOARY I PERCHEO MOUND CONTOURS (SEPTEMBER 1875)

Arizona Nuclear Power Project Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Units 1,2 & 3 LOCATION OF MONITORING NELLS-PERCHED MOUND

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0 C' CONSTRUCTION-PHASE ECOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGKQf 1

U This construction-phase ecological monitoring program has.been developed pursuant to the requirement'stated in Section 6,1,3.2 of the Final Envi-ronmental Statement (FES) related'o the construction of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station (PVNGS), Units 1, 2 and 3 ~

'INTRODUCTION Construction activities are highly visible and can potentially cause environmental impacts. The predicted .ecological impacts from the con-struction of PVNGS have been detailed in Sections 4.1 and 4.3 of the PVNGS ER and several mitigation measures, or controls, to lessen the potential construction impacts have been listed in the PVNGS ER and FES.

These environmental controls directly relate to the major causal links between constru'ction activities and potential ecological degradation including habitat alteration, noise, dust, and chemical pollution of the air, land, drainage areas and water. Since the likelihood of any "substantial adverse damage to the stability and structure of the biotic communi'ties in the region of the PVNGS site due to construction, activi-ties, other than direct habitat alteration is low, this program has b'een directed towards an overall field and aerial reconnaissance of habitat alteration and environmental education of construction personnel. It has been designed with the intent of:

e Increasing environmental awareness among construction personnel.

~ Providing the opportunity of early detection of previously unforeseen adverse environmental impacts.

~ Allowing for mitigation measures to be considered promptly.

once an adverse impact is noted.

~ Documenting env'ironmental changes which actually occur during plant construction and the mitigation measures taken to lessen these impacts.

Ik 0 f Construction-Phase Ecological Monitoring Program

'age 2 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PRESENTATIONS The. cumulative effect of minor and major decisions made by construction II personnel will probably be the most. important factor determining the ecological condition of the site after construction. Consequently., an integral part of the pre-construction conferences to be held with the various subcontractors under the..general supervision of the Field Con-

.struction Manager will be a session on environmental awareness. The

~ objectives of these conferences will be to (1) indicate to construction personnel how their work affects the environment and (2) provide guide-lines to minimize the adverse environmental impacts where practical.

The presentations have'een designed to include:

e A 12-15 minute videotape describing the ecologically sensitive habitats and other areas of specific eco-logical concern at the PVNGS site..

~ An explanation and distribution of an illustrated Environmental Construction Handbook prepared for construction personnel.

The Handbook J

will be prepared for distribution to field. supervisors and foremen and will present suggestions about environmental practices that can .be applied by individuals during construction at PVNGS. The Handbook will provide a mechanism to aid in explaining the "how" and "why" of the environmental controls found in the contract specifications.

Pertinent ecological information will be presented in terms of the kinds of construction activity at PVNGS which significantly impact the environ-ment. Information concerning the natural history of important plants and animals at and near the site will be discussed in the context of practical suggestions as to how to reduce to a minimum the adverse impact of the construction activities. The Handbook will be written using unsophisticated terminology and will be amply illustrated.

ll 0 ~ +C Cons true ti on-Phas~cologica1 Monitoring Program Page 3'ERIAL RECONNAISSANGE SURVEYS In order to help document ecological impacts of construction and to obtain information useful in making mitigation suggestions, aerial photography (.1"- = 2000') will be flown and interpreted before and after major construction activities, at least once per year. The

~ aerial reconnaissance surveys weal provide a regional overview of the impacts of construction activities on and near the PVNGS site.

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The photography will be interpreted immediately after it is developed and printed in order to aid in developing mitigation plans which will be responsive to actual environmental conditions at the site. The number of acres di.sturbed and levels of disturbance will be identified and evaluated.

FIELD SURVEYS A general ecological field survey will be conducted in order to (1) provide,gound verification'f photo-interpretation studies, (2) identify, from ground-level, ecological impacts which are imminent or which have occurred and .can be mitigated'nd (3) document the actual ecological impacts of construction ac'tivity.

The general ecological observations will be made by trained plant and animal ecologists. Included in the survey will be a check on the salt monitoring study plots which have already been established. These fenced plots will remain as undisturbed as possible during construction activity and'ill serve a dual purpose of operational experimental pl'ots and "control" construction monitoring plots.

CONSTRUCTION-PHASE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL PROGRAM E

As required by the FES, Summary and Conclusions Paragraph 7.b, a all control'rogram including written procedures and instructions to control

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%e Construction-Phase cological Monitoring Program Page 4 I

construction .activities has been developed, It provides for periodic management audits to determine the adequacy of implementation of en-,

vironmental requirements. Sufficient "records to furnish evidence of compliance with all FES commitments will be maintained.

SALT MONITORING 'STUDY PLOTS The FES requires the establishment of additional soil,and biotic sampling stations which will not be disturbed by constructi'on activi-ties. These plots "are to be used as reference plots for future 4

studies concerned with'ooling-tower drift salt deposition", (page 6-5). :Six plots have been established (see Figure 1). Descriptions of these plots are'as follows:,

Plot //1 100 meters. x 100 meters. 'Creosotebush Cacti

'Hill and'ajada. Contains Barrel and'edge-hog Cacti.

Plot //2 200. meters x 100 meters. Saltbush Plain merging into Creosotebush Plain.. Contains a small .wash.

Pl'ot //3, 100 meters x 100 meters. Creosotebush Plain with Cholla and

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scattered Mesquite, trees along a small wash.

Plot f14 1'00 meters x 100 meters. Creosotebush Plain-Bajada with many Cacti including Cholla, Barrel and Hedgehog.

W Plot 85 100 meters x 100 meters. Mesquite Wash with Saltbush. Very dense, although i recent fire 1

has cleared out some undergrowth. Part o'

,plot goes into adjacent old field.

Pl'ot //6 100 meters x 100 meters. Creosotebush Cacti Hill with Hedgehog and Cholla.

lj p Construction-Phase Ecological Monitoring Program Page 5 The criteria used in selection of these plots were:

a. Predicated salt 'isopleths o'f on-site solids. ground

. deposition and total and annual mean airborne con-centrations of dry salt particles from round multi-fan cooling towers, based on a 0.01% drift rate.

b. Existing vegetation types.

c. Construction plans.

A wide diversity of habitat types were selected which are not anticipated to be directly disturbed by construction activities. The three northern plots are expected to receive the heaviest salt deposition of up to 12 lbs/acre-year; and the three southern plots, only 2 lbs/acre-year".

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' Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station ssss RSW Units 1,2 & 3 VEGETATIONAL AND LAND USE MAP OF PVNGS REGION WITH ECOLOGICAL SAttPLING LOCATIONS Figure 1

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