ML20058L256

Forwards Environ Impact Statement Comments Re Operation of Facility.Consideration Should Be Given to Operating Cooling Towers All Yr Round Unless Certain That Limited Operation Will Not Be Significantly Detrimental to Aquatic Life

ML20058L256
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	07/10/1972
From:	Meyers S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
To:	Muntzing L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML20058L261	List: ML20058L256 ML20058L262
References
NUDOCS 9105130421
Download: ML20058L256 (2)

Text

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50-263 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 JA 1 0 M" ADM ffitST RA ?OR i

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Mr. L. Manning Muntzing , ._

Director of Regulation W M,. .

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Washington, D.C. 20545

Dear Mr. Muntzing:

The Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed the draft environmental statement for the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, and we are pleased to provide our comments to you.

Operation of Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant during 1971 resulted in the discharge of radioactive gases at levels that were small percentages of 10 CFR Part 20 limits. Based on 1971 experience, continued operation until the modified off-gas system becomes operational can be expected to have only a miner environmental impact. However, current operating data should be examined and presented in the final  ;

statement to determine if they corroborate this conclusion.

The potential radiation dose to a child, as estimated by the AEC, appears to be excessive. Our comments suggest means for reducing the discharge of radiciodines, and we recommend that these or comparable '

methods be applied at Monticello.

In our opinion, the proposed operation of the plant does not assure that water quality standards will be met at all times. For example, it is indicated that the mixing zone will occupy 50% of the river's width and maximum temperatures will be as high as 90*F. We be-lieve that, in order to comply with the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Interior and to pro-vide adequate protection for aquatic organisms, the mixing zone should be restricted to 25% of the river's width and temperatures should be i maintained below 80*F.

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i Serious consideration should be given to operating the cooling j towers all year unless it can be shown that limited operation will not i be significantly detrimental to aquatic life. Until the plant is fully l converted to a closed-cycle system, a specific operational plan should be developed to meet water quality criteria on a continuous basis. The final statement should discuss the proposed plan. i Sincerely yours, ,

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Sheldo Meyers ,

Director  !

Office of Federal Activities Enclosure '

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