ML19208B243

Responds to NRC 790905 Request Re Endangered Species Info for Proposed Plant.Site Not within Known or Historic Range of Threatened,Endangered or Proposed Species

ML19208B243
Person / Time
Site:	05000502
Issue date:	09/14/1979
From:	Rasmussen D INTERIOR, DEPT. OF
To:	Ballard B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
AFA-SE, NUDOCS 7909190399
Download: ML19208B243 (2)

Text

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c ~" . United States Department of the Interior

- FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Federal Building, Fort Snelling AFA-SE Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111 SEP 141979 Mr. Ronald L. Ballard, Chief Environmental Projects Branch Division of Site Safety & Environmental Analysis United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Ballard:

This is in response to your letter of September 5, 1979 (Docket No. 50-502) requesting endangered species information for a proposed nuclear power plant in Wise (psin. This plant will be a cooperative venture of the Wisconsin Electric Power Company, the Wisconsin Power and Light Company, and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation.

Based upos information currently available, the Haven (Sheboygan County),

Kenosha (Kenosha County), and Koshkoncng (Jef ferson County) sites are not within the known or historic range of any threatened (T), endangered (E), ,

or proposed (P) species. The Wood and Grant sites, however, are within  ;

the known or historic range of the following species: i Wood Site, Wood County Karner Blue Butterfly (P) (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)

Grant Site, Grant County Indiana Bat (E) (Myotis sodalis)

Peregrine Falcon (E) (Falco peregrinus)

Bald Eagle (T) (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Mead's Milkweed (P) (Asclecias meadii)

There is nt itical habitat currently designated in the vicinity of the project.

In accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, the Federal agency responsible for actions authorized, funded, or carried out in furtherance of the project is required to conduct a biological assess-ment for the purpose of identifying endangered, threatened, or proposed species likely to be af fected by the action. If the biological assessment indicates the presence of such species the formal consultation process should be initiated. This can be done by writing to the Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Building, Fort Snelling, Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111.

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The biological assessment is to be completed within 180 days of initiation and before contracts are entered into or construction begun.

The assessment should address the Wood and Grant sites and ine.lude the following information:

1. The results of the comprehensive survey of the area.  ;

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The results of any studies undertaken to determine the nature and extent of any impacts on identified species.

3. The agency's consideration of cumulative effects on the species or its critical habitat.

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4. The study methods used.

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5. Difficulties encountered in obtaining data and completing the proposed study.

6. Conclusions of the agency including recommendations as to further studies.

7. Any other relevant inf o rma tio n.

This letter provides comment only on the endangered species aspect of the project. Comments on other aspects of the project under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.) may be sent under separate cover. i l

If there are any questions regarding the biological assessment or how it l applies to the consultation process, please contact the Region 3 Endangered Species Office at 612-725-3596.

Sincerely yours,

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D. H. Raarussen ss s

Acting Recional DireetcY O ,

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