ML20055F640

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Responds to Re Adequacy of Cooling Water Supply to Facility in Light of Severe Shoaling of Forked River.Nrc Does Not Have Necessary Regulatory Authority to Address Adverse Recreational & Economic Effects on Local Residents
ML20055F640
Person / Time
Site: Oyster Creek
Issue date: 07/05/1990
From: Rogers K
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
To: Moran J
NEW JERSEY, STATE OF
References
NUDOCS 9007180251
Download: ML20055F640 (1)


Text

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{ ,I July 5,1990

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CHAIRMAN

'he Honorable Jeffrey W. Moran New Jersey Assemblyman 620 Lacey Road Forked River New Jersey 08731

Dear Mr. Moran:

I am responding to your letter of May 23, 1990, to former Chairman Lando W. Zech, Jr., concerning the adequacy of the cooling water supply to the Oyster Creek facility in light of severe shoaling of Forked River. You also requested our assistance in accomplish-ing a dredging project designed to resolv2 the shoaling problem.

I want to assure you that no safety hazard is posed by low water levels at 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 before a loss of intake sucticn regardless of the cause of the low water level.

The Oyster Creek design includes adeouate instrumentation, systems, and equipment to accomplish a safe shutdown. Therefore, the safe operation of the Oyster Creek facility will not be adversely affected by reduced water flow as a result of conditions attendant to shoaling.

With respect to the dredging project, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) does not have the necessary regulatory authority to address adverse recreational and economic effects on local residents caused by shoaling. Our responsibility is limited to protecting the public healch and safety by regulating the commercial uses of nuclerr materials and facilities.- The NRC's

_ Final Environmental Statement for the plant does not contain any requirements for GPU Nuclear Corporation (the Oyster Creek licensee) 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 Utilities to monitor the depth of the waterway and to dredge it if necessary.

I trust that this clarifies NRC's role in this matter.

Sincerely, 90071357D1 900703 FDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDC '

Kenneth C. Rogers (_ 0 Foz Acting Chairman sj , ,