ML20044A807
| ML20044A807 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 07/05/1990 |
| From: | Rogers K NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Connors C NEW JERSEY, STATE OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9007110064 | |
| Download: ML20044A807 (1) | |
Text
J [~ g'o, UNITED sTATESL 8
4 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION h;
WASHINGTON, D. C,20656 k.m,[
July 5,1990 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Christopher J. Connors New Jcrsey Assemblyman
-620-Lacey Road i
Forked River, New Jersey 08731
Dear Mr. Connors:
I'am-responding to your letter of May 23, 1990, to former CLairman Lando W. Zech, Jr., concerning the adequacy of the cooling water supply to the Oyster Creek facility in light of severe shoaling of Forkea River.
You also requested our assistacec in accomplish-ing a dredging project designed to resolve th
- aling probleu.
.I want to assure you that no safety hazard is gt W by low water levels 6t the Oyster Creek plant.
Procedures in place for Oyster Creek require monitoring of the water level at the cooling water intake and shutdown of the plant if the water falls below a specified level.
This required shutdown would occur oefore a loss
,0f intake suction, regardless of the cause of the low water level.
The Oyster Creek' design includes adequate instrumentation, systems, and equipment to accomplish a safe shutdown.
Therefore, the safe operation of the Oyster Creek facility will not be adve sely affected by reduced water flow as a result of conditions attendant to shoaling.
With respect to the dredging project, the Nuclear Regulatory Com. mission-(NRC) does not have the necessary regulatory authority to address adverse recreational and economic effects en local residents caused by shoaling.
Our responsibility is limited to
. protecting the public health and safety by regulating the commercial uses of nuclear materials'and facilities.
The NRC's Final Environmental Statement for the plar.t does not contain any requirements for GPU Nuclear Corporation (the Oyster Creek liMnsee) to take -actions to dredge the waterway to ameliorate shoaling.
However, it is the licensee's responsibility to take any action necessary to ensure safe operation of the facility.
This could include expenditure of resources for such projects as dredging if adequate safety margins do not exist.
Although no-safety hazard has been identified, the licensee has advised us that it has made a commitment to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilitiee to.ionitor the depth of the waterway and to dredge it if necessri-I tru-t tha. this clarifies HRC's role in this matter.
Sincerely.
('1(97/1004 cf
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t-
-y-Kenneth C. Rogers OD a
Acting Chairman
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