ML18283B746

Technical Specifications Changes Response Dated 7/15/1977. TS 2.1 in Appendix B to Licenses. Temporarily Increase the Maximum Temperature Measured at the 5 Foot Depth of the Downstream Control Point Fro 86 F to 90 F

ML18283B746
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	08/18/1977
From:	Schwencer A Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Gerald Williams Tennessee Valley Authority
References
Download: ML18283B746 (38)

Text

Docket Hos.

-25 0-260 and 5-These amendments revise the Environmental Technical Specification 2.1 contained in Appendix B to the licenses.

The change would temporarily increase the maximum temperature measured at the 5 foot depth of the downstream control point from 86 F to 90 F.

The amendments do not involve significant new safety information of a type not considered by a previous Cohrmission safety review of th>> facility They do not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident, do not involve a significant decrease in a safety margin, and therefore do not involve a significant hazards consideration.

Me have also concluded that there fs reasonable assurance that the health and safety qf the public will not, be endangered by this action.

Copies of, the Environmental Impact Appraisal and the Notice of Issuance/

Negative Declaration are also enclosed.

Sincerely,

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A. Schwencer, Chief Operating Reactors Branch 81 Division of Operating Reactors r7 ~~

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'>UG 1-8 1977 Dock BHarless PDRs DEisenhut'OCAL PDR ACRS(16)

ORBtl Reaedng

CNiles, OPA KRGol 1er DRoss ASchwencer TBAbernathy

, Sl5heppard JRBuchaan TVl1ambach VStell'o OELD Tennessee Valley Authority OISE(5)

ATTN:

Hr. Godwin Ni lliariis, Jr.

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Nanager of Powar BScharf(10) 818 Power Building Chattanooga, Tennessee 37201 JSaltzman AESteen Gentlemen:

1JPasciak T e Cormission has issued the enclosed Aalendment tlos. 3t, Q~ and to Facility,License Nos.

DPR-33, DPR-52 and DPR-68 for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit Hos. 1, 2 and 3.

These amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications in response to your request of July 15, ]977.

You were previously notified of these changes by telephone and telecopy on July 15, 1977.

Enclosures and cc; See next page P Lo gaol > Zg4 oFRIOS~

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AUG 18 1977

Enclosures:

Amendment f<o.

S~ to DPR-33 2.

Amondment Ho, $8 to DPR-52 3.

Amendment Ho.

0 to DPR-68 4,

Environmental Impact Appratsal 5.

Notice of Issuance / Negative Declaration cc w/encl:

H. S. Sanger, Jr., Esquire General Counsel Tennessee Valley Authority 400 Commeme AVenue E 118 33 C

Knoxville, Tennessee 37M2 Hr. D. IIcCloud Tennessee Val'tey Authority 303 Po;>or Building Chattanooge, Tennessea 37401 Nr. William E, Garner Route 4, Box 3N Scottsboro, Alabama 36768 Athens Publ 'Ic Library So.uth and Forrest Athens,'labama 35611 Nr. Charles R. Christopher Chairman'imestone Coun+ CoF80'fsS'ton Post Office Box 188 Athens, Alabama 36611 Ira L. fpers, H.D..

State Health Officer State Departm nt of Pub'tie Health State Office Budding tlontgomery, A1abaha 36104 Hr. C. S. Ualker Tennessee Valley Authority 400 COHvi.erce AYenue H 9D'f99 C Yeoxville, Tennessee 37902 DISTRIBUTION TBAbernathy JRBuchahan NRC P8R LOCAL PDR ORB81 Reaidng VStello KRGoller SI5heppar d TVItlamIIach

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CNiles, OPA DRoss Chief, Energy Systems Analysis Branch (AMWS9)

Office of Radiation Programs U 5 Environmental Protect'ton Agency Room 645, East Tober 401 tl S~ree~,

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Hashington, D.C.

20460 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Office ATTN; EIS COORDINATOR 346 Courtland Street Atlanta, Georgia 30308

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~o UNITEDSTATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 h

4 August 18, 1977 Docket Nos.

50-259 50-260 and 50-296 Tennessee Valley Authority ATTN:

Mr. Godwin Williams, Jr.

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Manager *of Power 818 Power Building Chattanooga, Tennessee 37201

'I Gentlemen:

The Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment Nos.

31 28 arid

.6-to Facility License Nos.

DPR-33, DPR-52 and DPR-68 for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

These amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications in response to your request of July 15, 1977.

You were previously notified of these changes'by telephone and telecopy on July 15, 1977 These amendments revise the Environmental Technical Specification 2.1 contained in Appendix B to the licenses.

The change would tempojatily increase the maximum temperature measured at the 5 foot depth of.the downstream control point from 86 F to 90 F.

The amendments do not involve significant new safety information of a type not considered by a previous Commission safety review of the facility.

They do not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident, do not involve a significant decrease in a safety margin, and therefore do not involve a significant hazards consideration.

We have also concluded that there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by this action.

Copies of the Environmental Impact Appraisal and the Notice of Issuance/

Negative Declaration are also enclosed.

Sincerely, A. Schwencer, Chief Operating Reactors Branch IItl Division of Operating Reactors Enclosures and cc:

See next page

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Tennessee Vail ey Authority August 18,,1977

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Enclosures:

1.

Amendment No, 31 to DPR-33 2.

Amendment No. 28 to DPR-52 3.

Amendm'ent No.

6 to DPR-68 4.

Environmental Impact Appraisal 5.

Notice of Issuance/Negative Declaration cc w/encl:

H; S.'Sanger, Jr.,

Esquire General Counsel Tennessee Valley Authority 400 Commerce AVenue E llB 33 C

Knoxville, Tennessee 37902 I

Mr.

D. McCloud Tennessee Valley Authority 303 Power Building Chattanooge, Tennessee 37401 Mr. William E. Garner Route 4, Box 354 Scottsboro, Alabama 35768 Athens Pub1ic Library South and Forrest

Athens, Alabama 35611 Mr. Charles R. Christopher

Chairman, Limestone County Commission Post Office Box 188

Athens, Alabama, 35611

-Ira L. Qers, M.D.

State Health Officer..

State Department of Public Health State Office Building Montgomery, Alabama 36104 Mr, C. S. Walker Tennessee Valley Authority 400 Coraaerce Avenue

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Knoxville, Tennessee 37902

. Chief, Energy Systems Analysis Branch (AW-459)

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Office of Radiation Programs U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency Room 645, East Tower'01 M Street, SW.

~ Washington, D.C.

20460 U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency Region IV Office ATTN:

E IS COORDINATOR 345 Courtland Street Atlanta, Georgia 30308

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~O kp*~4 UNITEDSTATES, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20666 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

~ DOCKET NO. 50-259 BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT UNIT NO:1 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 31

'icense No.

DPR-33 X

1..

The Nuclear Regulatory Comission (the Comission) has found that:

",. A.

The application for amendment by Tennessee Valley Authority (the licensee) dated July 15, 1977, complies with the standards, and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as -amended (the Act), and the Comission,'s rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B.

The faciilty will operate in conformity with the applicatio'n, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the CoImission; C.

There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the pIblic, and (ii).that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations;

.,'D.

The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to* the common defense and security or to the health and safety of

,the public; and E.

The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with, 10 'CFR Part'1 of the ComIission's regulations'nd all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2;, 'Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of Facility License No.

DPR-33 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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"(2)

Technical S ecifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A

and B, as revised through Amendment No.

31

, are hereby incorporated in the license.

The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications."

3.

This license amendment is effective as of July 15, 1977.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical

- Specifications Date of Issuance:

August 1B, lg77 A. Schwencer, Chief Opera ti ng Rear tors Branch ¹1 Division of Operating Reactors It

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. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY DOCKET NO. 50-260 BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT NO.

2 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 28 License No.

DPR-52 1.

'The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:

A.'

,B.

The application for amendment by Tennessee Valley Authority (the licensee) dated July 15, 1977, complies with the stand'ards.

and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Comission's rul'es and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; The faciilty will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Comission; There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the ptIblic, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations; D.

The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and

'; E.

The issuance of this amendment is i.n accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the "Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements

. have been satisfied.

2".

- Accordingly, the license is amended by'hanges to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of Facility License No.

DPR-52 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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"(2)

Technical S ecifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A

and B, as revised through Amendment No.

28

, are hereby incorporated in the license.

The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications."

3.

This license amendment is effective as of July 15, 1977.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Attachment:

Cha'nges to the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance:

August 18, 1977 A. Schwencer, Chief Operating Reactors Branch Pl Division of Operating

.".eactors

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UNITEDSTATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20666 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY DOCKET NO. 50-296 BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT UNIT NO. 3 AMENDMENT TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No.

6 License No.

DPR-68 1.

The Nuclear Regulatory COIIIIission (the COIImission) has found that:

A.

The application for amendment by Tennessee Valley Authority (the licensee) d'ated July 15, 1977, complies with the standards and requi rements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Conmission's rules and regI:Iations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I;

.B.

The faciilty will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Comission; C.

There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the pIblic, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the COIImission's regulations; D.

The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E.

The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the COIImission's'regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

2.

Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment and paragraph 2.C.(2) of Facility License No.

DPR-68 is hereby amended to read as follows:

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"(2)

Technical S ecifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendices A

and B,

as revised'through Amendment No. 6

, are hereby incorporated in the license.

The licensee shall operate the facility in accor'dance with the Technical Specifications."

3. 'his ]icense amendment is effective as of July 15, 1977.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Attachment:

Changes to the Technical Sp'ecifications Date of Issuance:

August 18, 1977 A. Schwencer, Chief Operating Reactors Branch 01 Division of Operating Reactors

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", ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. 3l TO FACILITY LICENSE NO.

DPR-33 AMENDMENT NO. 28 TO FACILITY LICENSE NO.

DPR-52 AMENDMENT NO.

6 TO FACILITY LICENSE NO.

DPR-68 DOCKET NOS. 50-259 50-260 AND 50-296 Revise Appendix 8 as follows:

Remove pages 2 and 3 and replace with identically numbered

.pages.

0 2.0 LX.'cZTIt!G CO'.QITIO'IS FO'.t 0- "AXVIOH 2.3.. ~i:"B.'RL DISCHABG" LL'!ITS Ob.)ective The purpose of this specification is to limit the thermal, stress on aou tic,life in t"heeler Reservoir by operating

'Brogans 1

Ferry Iluclear Plant so a.s to m et-the pplic bl 'ater quQity temperature standards of th State of IZabama Snecification

'Ti e plant;induced reservoir mter tempexa-ture at the 5-f'oot d pth at.th downstream contxol point sh 1" not ex eeQ. the >~ter teaoerature measurec't the t5-foot,depth of the upstream control monito by mre than the applicable maximum temp xa ure rise (cuxrently 5oF) n'or shall the xeser-voix water temper ture m asurecL at the 5-foot d.epth a.t the downstream control poi.nt exceed. the applicable maximum water tem-p rature (currently 86 Z <<t)due to the dischmge of'he condenser cooling eater.

Xf this limiting condition is exceeded,,

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the p"ant operator shall initiate contro3.

me ures.

The control measures shall be (3) to reduce the waste he t disc'harged. to th x'eservoix and/or (2) to requ st modifica-tions'n Mp releases from TVA'.s

. Guntersrille and/or Wheeler Dams to

. increase the streamflom 'by the Brows.

Ferry plant;

• During a special diffuser performance study during the summer of 1977 (anti-cipated completion in June 1977),

a mezimum temperatuxe rise of 10 F

and a maximum'ater temperature of 90 P, both recorded at the 5-foot depth, will be permitted for a time not to exceed a

cumulative total of 7 days.

tDuring the int'crim util August 31, 1977 the maximum watez'emperature allowed shall be 90 F.

1!onitorin Requirement The water temperature data coHecteQ. by th" therr>1 moni.toring network is tele-metered to the Brooms Ferry meteoro-3ogical station Th'meteorological station wil3. receive the data and auto-matically record. the readings eve~ 60 minutes.

A11 temperature data are xecord.ed. on p per tap

~d r intained for record:keepi.ng pu poses.

Th depth teuneratu=e data vhich me used. to

'revent exceeding the 3.initing condition wwH. be transnuttecX to the'ontro3. room and. vi.U. be visually displ yed fox moni-toring purposes.

Tiie accu acy of'he-system and. the s nsiti~wty of th=

th rmistor sensors. are designed. to be

+ 0.3 P and 0.03. F, respectively-

.Three thexmal y.onitors spaced across the reservoir in the vicinity of xivex. aMe 292.5 sbaU. serve as the,downstream con-tro1..

Nxw monitors located. above the plant, on loc ted at about river mile 297.6, and. a second, located. in this vicinityvillprovide the upstream water

. temperature data.

The system is designee, so that the do~mstream control monitors serve'as backup for one anothex and.

. similarly for the two upstream monitors.

The locations of existing terperature monitors are displayecL in Figure 2.1-1.

Xn th event the system described i's out of'exvice, an a3ternate method. Mil3.,'b

'mp3.oyed.

thx ee times 'a day (once 'ach

'hift) to measure the river temperature at the 5-foot depth in th vicinity, of

the upstream and. downstream control monitors and. thus determine the tem'-

perature ris= and. the naxumm river vater teaoerature be3.ow the plant.

Hh"n such a method wouM x.esu3.t in an ~nant and substantia3.

endanger@ nt to the safety. of personnel, thi par" graph stroll not ap~-.

Amendments 31, 28

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, 2.1 Continued Bases TVA, as a Federal agency, is required by Section 313 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Anendments of 1972, (P.L.92-500) and by Executive

.-Order 11507, "Prevention, Control and Abatement of Air and Water Pollution at.

Federal Facilities," to meet applicable Federal, state, and local water quality. standards.

On July 17, 1972, the State of Alabama adopted and on September 19, 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency approved thermal, criteria for surface waters in the State'f Alabama.

The current" applicable

, thermal.standards are to limit the maximum temperature rise above natural.

temperature before the addition of artificial heat to 5 F and. the maximum water temperature to -86 F.

In the application of this temperature'riter'a the temperature 'shall 'be measured, in the case of Wheeler Reservoir, at a depth of' feet.

The higher temperature limits during the special.

diffuser performance study during the summer of 1977 will be for brief periods and, will not adversely affect the environment;

'he Tennessee Valley Authority has taken action to comply with applicable thermal water quality standards of the State of Alabama in 'the operation of the 3-unit Browns.Ferry facility by insta1ling mechanical draft.cooling towers.

However, inadequate cooling tower performance. has resulted. in drastic curtailment of'ower generation during summer periods when p'eak,

.load demands are critical on the TVA system to meet thermal standards.

The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Environmental Statement analyzed the

- e'nvironmental effects of operating the plant with a 10'F rise and 93'F maximum temperature limitation.

This 'evaluation concluded that the 10'F and 93'F limitations would be adequate to protect aquatic life except for coldwater fishes.

To protect the spawning habitats of the coldwater fish species, limits of 5'F rise,and 86 F maximum temperature'ere imposed.

Recent data indicate that the spawning grounds of these

,. fishes are,not located in areas influenced by the therm'al plume, thus

'a 90'F maximum temperature limit is allowed until August 31, 1977.

A

'full review will be made to determine what permanent limits wil.l be imposed.

TYA has requested from EPA and the State of Alabama that the maximum temperature limitation be increased.to 90'F.

The EPA has granted a stay of the 86' limit pending their decision on whether to grant or deny an adjudicatory hearing in this matter.

In discussions with the Alabama Water Improvement Commission, State water quality officials also indicated concurrence with the stay of the 86'F limit.

I All systems described for thermal discharge limits will be operational prior to any significant discharge of'aste heat.

The placement of the temperature monitoring instruments shall be such that compliance with water quality criteria will be demonstrated.

The placement of the temperature sensors at the 5-foot depth in the waters of wheeler Reservoir is in accordance with the requirements, of the water quality criteria of the

, State of Alabama.

The temperature data is converted to digital data at the station on the reservoir.

The transmission, computer storage, and monitoring system is being used at other facilities and has performed accurately and reliably.

Amendments 31, 28 8

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UNITEDSTATES NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT APPRAISAL BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NOS.

31

, 28 AND 6

TO FACILITY LICENSE NOS.

DPR-33, DPR-52 AND DPR-68 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT, UNITS 1, 2 AND 3 DOCKET NOS. 50-259, 50-260 AND 50-296 Descri tion of Pro osed Action By letter dated July 15, 1977, telecopied to NRC headquarters, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) requested changes to the thermal discharge limits (Section 2.1) in Appendix B to Facility Operating Licenses DPR-33, DPR-52 and DPR-68 for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2 and 3.

This request was further supported by information telecopied on July 15, 1977, which related to the location of spawning areas of certain cold water species and the amount of egg and larva samples collected in field monitoring programs for these species.

Their proposed change would allow an increase in the downstream control point maximum water temperature from 86'F to 90'F.

The licensee has had problems meeting the 86'F limit because of poor cooling tower. performance.

This higher temperature will cause slightly larger thermal plumes downstream of the plant and upstream at the plant under low stream flow conditions.

Also, during low flow conditions, it is likely that a 90'F or greater thermal blockage will be formed when the discharge, temperature control

'point measures 90'F.

The Browns Ferry Nuclear Station National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit also contains a

maximum discharge temperature limitation of 86'F.;

TVA requested relief from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the

. NPDES permit 86'F limit by asking that an adjudicatory hearing be granted which would stay this contested provision.

By letter dated July 15, 1977,1/

EPA granted a stay to the maximum discharge temperature but did not grant or deny the request for adjudicatory hearing.

The EPA letter further required that when the ambient upstream temperature exceeds 81'F the maximum discharge temperature shall not exceed 90'F as measured at the downstream control point.

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Evaluation Wheeler Reservoir, on which the Drowns Ferry Units are located, contains primarily warm water fish fauna considered typical of southeastern U.S.

reservoirs. It also contains three typically coldwater species,

namely, walleye, sauger, and smallmouth bass.ZI These cold water species have been the focus of previous reviews and because of this, thermal limits were established after preparation of the draft environmental impact statement to assure protection of these species.

The most critical period for each of these species is during spawning periods.

High temperature is known to inhibit spawning of cold water fishes of some species.

Furthermore, all states of growth (from eggs through juveni1e) of most coldwaterspecies have been shown to be sensitive to abnormally high temperatures.

The July 15, 1977 information telecopied from TVA describes the location of Wheeler Reservoir spawning areas of the above three species.

The data indicate that no significant spawning activity occurs in the vicinity of the plant or in 'the area of the influence of the thermal plume, nor are significant densities of fish eggs and larvae found in these areas.

The data indicate that the smallmouth bass spawn in other areas scattered throughout the reservoir, that the sauger spawn mainly 'in the tailraces, of dams in the winter, and that no substantial presence of walleye spawning has been observed.

On this basis, ue judge that there will be no significant impact to these species in Wheeler Reservoir over the time proposed for the specification change.

Other forms of biota in the reservoir, including warm waterfishes, were evaluated in the FES for a maximum discharge temperature of 93'F.

That evaluation found that the impact was acceptable.

We conclude that that finding is still valid.

On the basis of the above analysis, and on the basis that TYA provide detailed written supporting information as soon as possible we conclude that the information provided by TYA is adeq'uate to support an interim increase in the maximum temperature limit at the downstream control point to 90'F until August 31, 1977.

This information was received July 26,

1977, and our examination of it confirms the acceptability of the i'nterim increase.

An NRC license condition provides that the water'uality standards of the State of Alabama must be observed by the licensee.

In this regard, the State of Alabama orally on July 15,

1977, and by letter dated July 19,

1977, informed the licensee that the temperature increase to 90'F for an interim period was acceptable.

Since EPA will also be evaluating the long term impacts of operation at temperatures above 86'F as stated in their July 15, 1977 letter to TYA, we will coordinate our review with EPA.

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Conclusion and Basis for Ne ative Declaration On the basis of the foregoing analysis, it is concluded that there will be no significant environmental impact attributable to the proposed action.

Haying made this conclusion the Commission has further concluded that no environmental impact statement for the proposed action need be prepared and that a negative declaration to this effect is appropriate.

Date: 'ugust 18, 1977

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REFERENCES 1.

Letter from Howard Zeller of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Herbert S.

Sanger of Tennessee Valley Authority dated July 15, 1977.

1 2.

Letter from Tennessee Valley Authority to Mr. Howard Zeller of the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency dated April 19, 1973.

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UNIT TATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMM ON DOCKET NOS. 50-259 50-260 AND 50-296 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSES AND NEGATIVE DECLARATION The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has issued Amendment No. 31 to Facility Operating License No. DPR-33, Amendment No.

28 to Facility Operating License No. DPR-52, and Amendment No.

6 to Facility Operating License No.

DPR-68 issued to'ennessee

.Valley Authority (the licensee),

which revised Technical Specifications for operation of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos.

1, 2

8 3 (the facility), located in Limestone County, Alabama.

The amendments were effective as of July 15,

1977, because of the circumstances involved in plant operation as a consequence of cooling tower operation.

Formal issuance of the license amendments occurred on August 18, 1977.

These amendments revise the Environmental Technical Specification 2.1 contained in Appendix B to the licenses.

The change would temporarily increase the maximum temperature measured at the 5 foot depth of the I

downstream control point from 86'F to 90'F.

The application for the amendments complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations.

The Commission has made appropriate findings as required by the Act and the Commission's rules and regulations in 10 CFR Chapter I, which are set forth in the license amendments.

Prior public notice of these amendments was not required since the amendments do not involve a significant hazards consideration.

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s" C The Coneission has prepared an Environmental Impact Appraisal for the revised Technical Specifications and has concluded that an environmental impact statement for this particular action is not warranted because there wi,ll be no significant environmental impact attributable to the action.

For further details with respect to this action, see (1) the application for amendments dated July 15, 1977, (2) Amendment No.

31 to License No.

DPR-33, Amendment No. 28 to License, No. DPR-52, and Amendmeht No.

6 to License No. DPR-68, and (3) the Commission's Environmental Impact Appraisal.

All of these items are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document

Room, 1717 H Street, NW., Washington, D.C. and at the Athens Public Library, South and Forrest,

Athens, Alabama 35611.

A copy of items (2) and (3) may be obtained upon request addressed to the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Coranission, Washington, D.C.

20555, Attention:

Director, Divisi'on'of Operating Reactors.

Dated at Bethesda, Marylarid, this 18th day of August 1977.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Thomas V. Wambach, Acting Chief Operating Reactors

'Branch 4'1 Division of Operating Reactors

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