ML22004A185
| ML22004A185 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia  |
| Issue date: | 03/11/2022 |
| From: | Mahesh Chawla Plant Licensing Branch IV |
| To: | Schuetz R Energy Northwest |
| Chawla M | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2020-LLL-0131 | |
| Download: ML22004A185 (35) | |
Text
March 11, 2022 Mr. Robert Schuetz Chief Executive Officer Energy Northwest 76 North Power Plant Loop P.O. Box 968 (Mail Drop 1023)
Richland, WA 99352-0968
SUBJECT:
COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION - APPROVAL FOR ALTERNATE DISPOSAL PROCEDURES FOR THE CONTINUED ONSITE DISPOSAL OF COOLING TOWER AND SPRAY POND SLUDGE IN THE EXISTING SEDIMENT DISPOSAL AREA (EPID L-2020-LLL-0031)
Dear Mr. Schuetz:
By letter dated December 21, 2020 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20356A172), as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21174A151), Energy Northwest (EN, the licensee) requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approve an alternate disposal request (ADR),
in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 20.2002, Method for obtaining approval of proposed disposal procedures, for the onsite disposal of specified sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials in designated disposal cells at the Columbia Generating Station (Columbia).
The NRCs approval of the 10 CFR 20.2002 request would allow Columbia to dispose of an additional 1,116 cubic meters (m3) (1,460 cubic yards (yd3)) of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials from the circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds into an authorized onsite disposal area.
EN submitted its request for approval as a corrective action in response to a minor violation issued by the NRC during a radiation protection inspection. During a November 2019 inspection, it was determined that Columbia was disposing of the sediments without first obtaining approval from the NRC. The licensee submitted this request for approval as a corrective action in response to that minor violation and to permit the continuation of these disposal actions.
To obtain approval for 10 CFR 20.2002 alternate disposal, the NRC requires that the licensee demonstrate that doses will be maintained as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) and within the applicable public and occupational dose limits. NRC guidance has determined that the ALARA standard is met when a licensee demonstrates that the dose to a member of the public (including all exposure groups) is no more than a few millirem per year per NUREG-1757, Volume 1, Revision 2 Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance -
Decommissioning Process for Materials Licensees (ADAMS Accession No. ML063000243).
The NRC has evaluated the potential doses associated with waste handling and disposal as a part of its review of ENs 10 CFR 20.2002 request and determined that the projected doses to
R. Schuetz individuals involved in the disposal actions have been appropriately estimated and meet the NRCs guidance of not more than a few millirem per year.
With this letter, the NRC is approving the licensees 10 CFR 20.2002 request to allow EN to dispose of an additional 1,116 m3 (1,460 yd3) of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials from Columbias circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds into an authorized onsite disposal area in accordance with the proposed procedures in the ADR, as supplemented. The safety evaluation (Enclosure 1) documents the basis for the acceptability of the 10 CFR 20.2002 ADR. The NRC staff also evaluated the environmental impacts of the approval and exemption and determined that granting them would not result in any significant environmental impacts. For this action, an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact were prepared (Enclosure 2) and published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2022 (87 FR 13768).
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, of the NRCs Agency Rules of Practice and Procedure, a copy of this letter will be available electronically for public inspection from the Publicly Available Records component of NRCs ADAMS. ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, I may be reached at (301) 415-8371 or via e-mail at Mahesh.Chawla@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Mahesh L. Chawla, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-397
Enclosures:
- 1. Safety Evaluation
- 2. Environmental Assessment cc: Listserv
ENCLOSURE 1 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION ENERGY NORTHWEST COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION DOCKET NO. 50-397
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION ENERGY NORTHWEST COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION DOCKET NO. 50-397
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated December 21, 2020 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML20356A172), as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21174A151), Energy Northwest (EN, the licensee) requested that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approve an alternate disposal request (ADR) in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 20.2002, Method for obtaining approval of proposed disposal procedures, for the onsite disposal of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials in designated disposal cells at the Columbia Generating Station (Columbia). The NRCs approval of the 10 CFR 20.2002 request would allow EN to dispose of an additional 1,116 cubic meters (m3) (1,460 cubic yards (yd3)) of these sediments in a designated soil disposal area on the reactor site in accordance with the proposed procedures in the ADR, as supplemented, an action which EN has declared would be both safe and cost-effective.
EN submitted its request for approval as a corrective action in response to a minor violation issued by NRC during a radiation protection inspection. During a November 2019 inspection, it was determined that Columbia was disposing of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials without first obtaining approval from the NRC. The licensee is proposing to resolve the minor violation by gaining NRC approval to continue disposal actions within the designated sediment disposal area.
2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION
Approval of the proposed action would allow EN to continue to dispose of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials from the circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds into an authorized onsite disposal area in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2002.
NUREG-1757, Volume 1, Revision 2, Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance, Decommissioning Process for Materials Licensees, dated September 2006 (ADAMS Accession No. ML063000243), provides guidance on the approach used by NRC staff to evaluate requests for onsite disposal in accordance with NRC regulations. Dose calculations and conclusions made by EN in the submittal are based on a current dose limit of 0.15 millisieverts per year
(mSv/yr), which corresponds to 15 millirem per year (mrem/yr). As noted in Section 15.12, Onsite Disposal of Radioactive Materials Under 10 CFR 20.2002, of NUREG-1757, Volume 1, Revision 2, the NRCs current practice is to approve requests for onsite disposals using a more restrictive criteria, requiring doses not to exceed a few millirem per year, generally considered to encompass a range of 0 - 0.05 mSv (0 - 5 mrem) per year. Thus, conclusions made for this review will be based on a more restrictive limit with the goal of satisfying the requirements in 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection Against Radiation, Subpart E, Radiological Criteria for License Termination, ensuring that additional remediation will not be needed at the time of license termination and preventing the creation of future legacy sites.
Columbia is located within the Hanford site, a major U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site.
Oversight of the Hanford facility is through the Hanford Facility Agreement and Consent Order, commonly referred to as the Tri-Party Agreement. The three agencies involved are the Washington State Department of Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the DOE. Although Columbia is a commercial facility independent of the DOE and not subject to Tri-Party Agreement, the active environmental monitoring program established for the Hanford site overlaps Columbias Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program (REMP). The Columbia site will revert to the DOE after final decommissioning and removal of spent fuel, with final transfer of the land to the State of Washington after Hanford reduces its size, per DOEs long-term stewardship plan for the Hanford site.
3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION
The licensee proposes to continue disposing of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials that is periodically collected from the circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds and disposed of in the onsite sediment disposal area. The request includes the use of the remaining space in the disposal cells previously used for these disposal actions as well as a newly constructed disposal cell identified as the future use disposal cell in the submittal which has yet to be used. This technical evaluation considers the request against the four subparts of 10 CFR 20.2002.
3.1 10 CFR 20.2002(a) - A Description of the Waste Containing Licensed Material to be Disposed of, Including the Physical and Chemical Properties Important to Risk Evaluation, and the Proposed Manner and Conditions of Waste Disposal Details provided to address the requirements in 10 CFR 20.2002(a) are provided in the subsections below.
3.1.1 Description of Waste Waste being considered in this request includes sediments from the circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds. Table 1 provides a summary of the volumes of waste being considered with this request. This approval considers the estimated 2,179 m3 (2,850 yd3) of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials already disposed of in the sediment disposal cells as well as the 1,116 m3 (1,460 yd3) of sediments that could still be disposed of going forward.
Table 1: Summary of Waste Volumes Being Considered m3 ft3 yd3 Initial estimated total volume of waste to be disposed 2,179 76,950 2,8501 over 30 years Annual volume of cooling tower sediment 46 1,620 60 Annual volume of spray pond sediment 27 945 35 10-year average of actual disposal volumes per year 151 5,346 198 Estimated future average disposal volumes per year 153 5,400 200 for the life of the plant Total estimated volume of sediments in the sediment 3,295 116,370 4,310 disposal area when disposal cells are filled Currently in existing disposal cells 2,179 76,950 2,850 To be added to active disposal cells 153 5,400 200 To be added to future use disposal cell 963 34,020 1,260 1 2850 yd3 = (60 yd3 of cooling tower sediment per year + 35 yd3 of spray pond sediment per year) X 30 years Values in bold are the values provided to the NRC Cooling Tower Sediments The design of the Columbia cooling towers concentrates material that is either mixed with the water brought in from the Columbia River or is scrubbed from the air drawn into the towers by the circulating fans during normal site operations. These sediments collect in the low-flow regions of the tower decks and the large basin below each cooling tower. The material is periodically removed from these areas and transported for disposal in the onsite sediment disposal area.
Standby Service Water System Spray Pond Sediments Columbia maintains a system of interconnected concrete ponds on site. These ponds are required for the safe shutdown of the reactor following a design basis accident as well as to provide cooling water for use in the removal of heat from various systems on the site during normal shutdown activities. Water lost from both use and evaporation is replaced with water from the Columbia River. Periodic buildup of sediments in the spray ponds must be removed to ensure that the required water storage volume is maintained. Upon removal, these dredged sediments are transported and disposed in the onsite sediment disposal area.
3.1.2 Radionuclides of Concern As noted in the submittal, Columbia limits the onsite disposals to sediments meeting the conditions established in the Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Councils (EFSEC) Resolution No. 299, which includes the radionuclides and concentrations provided in Table 2. Sum of fractions of the maximum concentrations of the radionuclides are considered to ensure additional conservatism. A review of the range of radionuclide concentrations measured in samples associated with disposals between 2010 and 2019 showed concentrations well below the approved limits. NRC staff finds the continued use of the EFSEC Resolution No. 299 radionuclide concentration limits acceptable since they are based on a dose limit of 0.15 mSv/yr
(15 mrem/yr), which is more restrictive than the NRCs 0.25 mSv/yr (25 mrem/yr) dose limit used for determining whether a site is acceptable for unrestricted use. Based on the procedures and processes discussed by EN in the submittal, NRC staff does not anticipate future disposals to include sediments with radionuclide concentrations that are significantly different.
Table 2: Comparison of the Range of Concentration for Each Radionuclide to the Concentration Limits Equivalent to an Annual Dose Limit of 15 mrem/yr to an Occupational Worker (Maximum Dose Above Background)
Radionuclide Concentration Limit Range of Measured Concentrations1 pCi/g pCi/g Cobalt-60 (Co-60) 5 0.013 - 2.72 (0.42)
Manganese 54 (Mn-54) 30 < MDA Zinc-65 (Zn-65) 50 < MDA Cesium-134 (Cs-134) 10 0.072 - 0.12 (0.11)
Cesium-137 (Cs-137) 20 0.043 - 0.36 (0.19) 1 Mean concentration included in parentheses pCi/g = picocuries per gram
< MDA = below minimum detectable activity 3.1.3 Proposed Manner and Conditions of Waste Disposal The proposed process for onsite disposal includes the use of a designated disposal area, referred to as the sediment disposal area, containing separate disposal cells and surrounded by a fence with posted signs and a locked gate. Workers involved with these sediment disposal actions include EN radiation workers and members of the public contracted specifically for each disposal action. Only EN radiation workers enter the sediment disposal area.
The general process for disposing of the cooling tower sediments is to collect the material using a vacuum truck and dispose of it directly into a disposal cell. The truck is filled and emptied multiple times to move all the sediment. To minimize impacts to the workers involved, the truck is parked outside the radiologically controlled area (RCA) and a hose is used to spray the sediments into a disposal cell. Once finished, the truck is rinsed with water, which is then drained into a disposal cell. The process for removing sediments from the spray ponds is determined by the sites operating status. Typically, the sediments are removed when the plant is offline and the ponds can be drained, enabling a vacuum truck to remove the sediments and dispose of them using the same approach described above. In cases when the plant is operating and the ponds cannot be drained, divers have been used to vacuum the sediments into the vacuum truck in order to maintain the required water levels.
The sediment disposal cells are not waste-specific; sediment from both the cooling towers and the spray ponds are disposed in a single disposal cell until the level of sediment approaches the top of the berm. Once placed in the disposal cells, the sediment is allowed to dry, forming a consolidated mud-cake surface that has a low susceptibility to wind erosion. As a result, cover material is not needed. If erosion is found to become an issue in the future, local sand will be placed over the material.
3.1.4 Conditions of Waste Disposal Individual radionuclide concentrations in the sediments being placed in the sediment disposal area are limited to the concentration limits listed in Table 2. Combined concentrations of radionuclides associated with each disposal action are limited to the sum of fractions based on the maximum radionuclide concentration measured in the specific waste.
Predisposal sampling is performed to confirm that the concentrations in wet composite samples collected from the material are less than 20 percent of the disposal limits and that no other man-made radionuclides are found. In cases when wet samples are equal to or exceed 20 percent of the disposal limits, the sample is dried and reanalyzed to confirm that radionuclide concentrations do not exceed the disposal limits and no other man-made radionuclides are present. Material satisfying these requirements will be disposed in the sediment disposal area.
Dried composite material exceeding the disposal limits will be held on site for decay in storage or disposed of at a licensed low-level radioactive waste disposal facility.
3.1.5 Disposal Area The current onsite disposal area was established through a series of requests from EN, and approvals by the State of Washington. In March 1995, EN requested approval from the State of Washington to dispose of contaminated cooling tower sediments onsite. EFSEC adopted Resolution No. 278 in May 1995, approving the onsite disposal of slightly contaminated cooling tower sediments in a designated disposal area. EN submitted a second application in December 1995 requesting approval for the onsite disposal of sediments removed from the onsite spray ponds and EFSEC approved the relocation of the spray pond sediments to the onsite disposal area in August 1996. In response to additional requests, EFSEC issued Resolution No. 299 in August 2001, superseding Resolution No. 278 and authorizing the disposal of circulating water system cooling towers sediments and spray pond sediments in a single monitored disposal location. In April 2019, EN received approval from EFSEC to expand the previously approved sediment disposal area to include an additional disposal cell. Work to expand the disposal area was completed in November 2020.
The current sediment disposal area being evaluated by the NRC is approximately 4,459 square meters (m2) (48,000 square feet (ft2)), including a recently constructed 1,121 m2 (12,064 ft2) disposal cell that has not yet been used for disposal activities. Over the past 10 years, an average of 151 m3 (5,346 ft3) of material was disposed of in the sediment disposal area annually and it is anticipated that Columbia will continue to dispose of approximately 153 m3 (200 yd3) per year for the remaining life of the plant. Based on these estimates, EN anticipates one more disposal in the disposal cells previously used and subsequent disposals in the future use cell.
Table 3. Disposal Area Dimensions m2 ft2 yd2 Total area of sediment disposal area 4,459 48,000 5,333 Total area of the sediment disposal area currently 3,345 36,000 4,000 being used (120 ft X 300 ft)
Total area of future use cell not yet used (116 ft X 1,121 12,064 1,340 104 ft)
Values in bold are the values provided to the NRC
3.2 10 CFR 20.2002(b) - An Analysis and Evaluation of Pertinent Information on the Nature of the Environment Details provided to address the requirements in 10 CFR 20.2002(b) are provided below.
The submittal provides specific details related to the sediment disposal area intended to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 20.2002(b). Table 3, which was developed from details provided in the submittal and the response to a request for additional information (RAI), describes the area currently being used for onsite disposal activities. Section 3 of the submittal includes a discussion of topographical, geological, and hydrological characteristics of the area. This includes a discussion of current onsite monitoring activities associated with the Columbia REMP. Results from the 2019 REMP report, the most recent version available at the time of the submittal, identify no impacts from direct radiation, airborne, ingestion, or waterborne exposure pathways outside the Columbia controlled area.
Low concentrations of tritium and other radionuclides have been identified in the cooling tower and spray pond sediments due to recapture and from site operations. Columbia does note that water associated with sediment disposal activities may reach the groundwater below the sediment disposal area and that the groundwater is monitored as part of the sites REMP.
Columbia also notes the groundwater below the entire site is already known to be contaminated with tritium from past activities on the Hanford site and that a tritium source is located immediately west of the site.
3.3 10 CFR 20.2002(c) - The Nature and Location of Other Potentially Affected Licensed and Unlicensed Facilities Columbia is a commercial nuclear power reactor located within the boundaries of the DOE Hanford site. As proposed, the cooling tower and spray pond sediments will be disposed in a fenced area within the Columbia owner-controlled area located approximately 2 miles from the nearest Hanford facility. Columbia is surrounded by desert with the Columbia River located approximately 3 miles from the site. The nearest privately owned land is approximately 4 miles from the site, on the other side of the Columbia River; the nearest large population area is the Tri-Cities area, which includes the cities of Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick. These are more than 10 miles away.
The Hanford site has restricted public access and is currently focused on environmental restoration-related activities, including the remediation of contaminated areas, decontamination and decommissioning, waste management, and related scientific and environmental research and development. Columbia, being located on the Hanford site, has the unique situation of having multiple sources of radionuclides associated with nuclear industry in the same area. As a result, Columbia monitors radionuclide activities in the vicinity of the site to assess its contributions to the background levels in the area. The NRC staff does not expect the proposed onsite disposal actions, even when considered in combination with past licensee disposal actions, to have an impact to any areas on the Columbia site or the surrounding Hanford site.
3.4 10 CFR 20.2002(d) - Analyses and Procedures to Ensure that Doses are Maintained as Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and Within the Dose Limits in this Part This section documents the processes, procedures, and monitoring practices implemented at Columbia to ensure that doses are maintained within the limits established by the NRC and are maintained ALARA. This includes steps taken to minimize exposures to individuals associated with the current disposal actions as well as future disposals that may occur once site operations have been completed, following decommissioning and license termination.
3.4.1 Dose Assessment As noted in the submittal and response to RAIs, EN performed a dose assessment using both MicroShield and RESRAD computer codes in its request to EFSEC for approval to perform the onsite disposal actions. As noted in EFSEC Resolution No. 299, the approval was based on concentrations being in compliance with the State of Washingtons waste acceptance criteria and doses meeting the State of Washingtons total effective dose limit of 0.15 mSv/yr (15 mrem/yr). The NRCs current practice is to use a more restrictive criteria when considering doses related to ADRs for onsite disposals. As outlined in Section 15.12.2.1, Current Practice of a Few Millirem Per Year, of NUREG-1757, Volume 1, Revision 2, the practice of approving onsite disposals includes constraining doses to a few mrem per year, generally considered to be less than 0.05 mSv/yr (5 mrem/yr).
As outlined in ENs response to the RAIs, there are four groups of workers associated with these disposal activities for which doses were considered. EN support contractor staff and off-site contractor laborers collect the sediments from the cooling towers and spray ponds and place the sediment in the active disposal cells. As noted in the response to the RAIs, these laborers are only scheduled for 50 and 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> of work per disposal action, respectively, and there are generally two to three disposals per year. Since the vacuum truck is parked outside the RCA and the material is transferred to the disposal cells using a hose, these workers do not enter the RCA, and would therefore not be expected to receive any significant doses associated with these activities. In addition to the laborers performing the disposal actions, workers from the Environmental Services Laboratory are responsible for collecting environmental samples and performing monitoring activities associated with the disposal actions while health physics technicians provide the dosimetry and a frisker for any staff that may need to enter the sediment disposal area. Workers from the Environmental Services Laboratory are the only workers that routinely enter the sediment disposal area as they collect a sediment sample several weeks after each disposal action to confirm radionuclide contents.
Microshield, Version 4, was used to assess exposure rates at 1 meter above the ground surface and the corresponding dose rates, thus, calculating the maximum disposal concentrations for each radionuclide of concern. The maximum disposal concentrations for these radionuclides, summarized in Table 2 in Section 3.1.2, were adopted as the disposal concentration limits in EFSEC Resolution No. 299 and are equivalent to a worker receiving a dose of 0.15 mSv/yr (15 mrem/yr) annually from these disposal actions.
RESRAD dose calculations included with ENs original request to the State of Washington considered a range of exposure pathways when assessing doses to workers associated with the disposal actions as well as future exposures following closure of the sediment disposal area out to 1000 years. Internal exposure pathways such as ingestion of food grown on the sediment disposal area or the consumption of groundwater were considered not to be plausible since no food is grown on the site or in the immediate surrounding area and there are no wells drawing
groundwater, which is known to be contaminated with tritium, in the vicinity of the sediment disposal site. The location of Columbia, within the boundaries of the Hanford site, and the use of the Columbia River as the primary water source for the area further supports the exclusion of these exposure pathways. Although inhalation of resuspended radionuclides is a known exposure pathway, doses calculated using RESRAD, Version 5.19, using the maximum disposal concentrations confirm that it is not a significant risk. The licensee also used RESRAD, Version 5.19, to confirm that doses to the maximally exposed individual will decline following closure of the sediment disposal area.
In addition to the analyses provided by EN, NRC staff also considered prospective doses to average members of the public who may come into contact with the sediment disposal area in the future. Although the area immediately surrounding Columbia is currently considered industrial and there are public access restrictions due to Hanford related activities, agriculture was a primary activity in the area prior to the establishment of the Hanford site and is still a prominent activity in the area. NRC staff also noted that many areas along the Columbia River in the vicinity of Columbia and the Hanford site are being redeveloped into residential neighborhoods. Considering these land uses, NRC staff performed a bounding dose analysis using RESRAD-ONSITE, Version 7.2, to assess the dose to an individual residing and farming on the sediment disposal area in the future. This conservative land-use scenario considered the exposure pathways associated with a residential farmer scenario, the average radionuclide concentrations measured in samples collected from 2010 through 2019, and a contaminated area of 45,000 m2, the total area of the sediment disposal area. NRC staff did not consider any radioactive decay that may occur prior to the area being released for unrestricted use, adding additional conservatism to the analysis. The resulting dose was calculated to be less than 0.05 mSv/yr (5 mrem/yr).
3.4.2 Sediment Disposal Area and Monitoring of Disposal Actions The physical structure and the established processes for accessing the sediment disposal area ensure minimum access to the area is kept to an as-needed basis and ensures minimal exposure to radiological material in the area. These include:
Marking the boundaries of the sediment disposal area with posts and signs indicating the dedicated purpose of the enclosed area.
Being designated an RCA, which requires workers to contact the Health Physics Department prior to entering.
Allowing occupancy to the area only when disposing of the sediments, performing sampling activities, performing thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) changeouts, and other related activities.
As outlined in the discussion above regarding the disposal process, a sampling and waste management plan is prepared and reviewed by Columbia personnel prior to initiating each disposal action to ensure that radionuclide concentrations in the material being disposed are less than 20 percent of the disposal concentration limits listed in Table 2 of this document.
Columbia also analyzes a composite sample collected from the disposal cell within thirty days of the disposal action to ensure that the disposal criteria have not been exceeded.
Workers are required to notify the Health Physics Department prior to entering the sediment disposal area, wear dosimetry while in the area, and be scanned when leaving the area. In
addition to monitoring individual workers, Columbia also collects direct radiation data using a TLD located in the sediment disposal area, identified as TLD 119B. Worker doses are calculated by comparing the TLD measurements with TLDs placed in the vicinity of the site to measure background radiation. As discussed in the response to RAI SHH-9, doses calculated for 2020 for the Columbia laborers and the contractor vendors, the workers most actively involved with putting the sludge into the disposal cells, were 7.24 x 10-4 mSv (7.24 x 10-2 mrem) per disposal and 1.04 x 10-3 mSv (1.04 x 10-1 mrem) per disposal, respectively. Assuming three disposal actions per year, annual doses would be 2.17 x 10-4 mSv/yr (2.17 x 10-2 mrem/yr) for the Columbia laborers and 3.12 x 10-3 mSv/yr (3.12 x 10-1 mrem/yr) for the contractor vendors.
Since sediments are being disposed of in the same cells as previous disposals, these doses reflect exposures from past disposals.
4.0 REGULATORY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION As noted above, approval of this request also reflects consideration of past disposals previously approved by the EFSEC.
The NRC staff reviewed the information provided by EN to support its 10 CFR 20.2002 ADR.
As documented above and consistent with 10 CFR 20.2002(a), the NRC staff concludes that EN provided an adequate description of the materials and the proposed manner and conditions of waste disposal. Consistent with 10 CFR 20.2002(b), the NRC also concludes that the environment in which the material is and will be disposed is acceptable. Specific site features, including its location relative to the Hanford site, access restrictions, and other administrative controls associated with the disposal actions satisfy the requirements in 10 CFR 20.2002(c).
The NRC staff also concludes, consistent with 10 CFR 20.2002(d), that established processes in place for performing these disposal actions, in combination with radiation measurements and annual doses associated with past disposals, ensure that doses related to current and future disposal actions are not more than a few millirem per year to any member of the public and are maintained ALARA.
Based on these findings, the NRC staff concludes that the ADR is acceptable under 10 CFR 20.2002. Therefore, the NRC approves the licensees 10 CFR 20.2002 request to dispose of an additional 1,116 m3 (1,460 yd3) of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive materials from Columbias circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds into an authorized onsite disposal area in accordance with the proposed procedures in the ADR, as supplemented.
Principal Contributor: A. Schwartzman, NMSS Date: March 11, 2022
ENCLOSURE 2 Federal Register Notice Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Energy Northwest Columbia Generating Station
[7590-01-P]
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-397; NRC-2022-0062]
Energy Northwest; Columbia Generating Station AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance.
SUMMARY
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering approval of the continued onsite disposal of sediments containing very low levels of radioactive materials at the Columbia Generating Station (Columbia), located in Benton County, Washington for Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-21, held by Energy Northwest (EN, the licensee). The NRC is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI) associated with the proposed action.
DATES: The EA and FONSI referenced in this document are available on March 10, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2022-0062 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly available information related to this document using any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2022-0062. Address questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; telephone: 301-415-0624; email:
Stacy.Schumann@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the For Further Information Contact section of this document.
NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may obtain publicly available documents online in the ADAMS Public
Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select Begin Web-based ADAMS Search. For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRCs Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov. For the convenience of the reader, instructions about obtaining materials referenced in this document are provided in the Availability of Documents section.
NRCs PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents, by appointment, at the NRCs PDR, Room P1 B35, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. To make an appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mahesh Chawla, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone: 301-415-8371, email: Mahesh.Chawla@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction The NRC is considering approval of a request dated December 21, 2020, as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 2021, from EN for continued onsite disposal of sediments containing very low levels of radioactive material at Columbia, located in Benton County, Washington. Columbia is a single unit boiling water reactor. The cooling system consists of the circulating water system and standby service water system, including spray ponds and cooling towers. The sediments are generated from periodic cleaning of cooling towers and standby service water system spray ponds at the site. The licensee is requesting approval in accordance with Section 20.2002 of title 2
10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Method for obtaining approval of proposed disposal procedures, to dispose of approximately 1,116 cubic meters (m3)
(1,460 cubic yards (yd3)) of sediment onsite within an existing disposal area. Based on the results of the EA that follows, the NRC has determined that the proposed action will not have significant environmental impacts and is issuing a FONSI.
Under 10 CFR 20.2002, a licensee may seek NRC authorization to dispose of licensed material using procedures not otherwise authorized by the NRC's regulations.
A licensee's supporting analysis must satisfy the requirements associated with the four parts of the regulation, including demonstrating that the radiological doses arising from the proposed disposal will be within the dose limits of 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection Against Radiation, and will be as low as reasonably achievable.
II. Environmental Assessment.
Description of the Proposed Action The proposed action would permit the disposal of up to 1,116 m3 (1,460 yd3) of sediment containing very low levels of radioactive material from the circulating water system cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds into sediment disposal cells in an existing sediment disposal area on the Columbia site. This material results from the accumulation of sediment in the cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds and is removed from these systems, as needed, to prevent build-up.
Since 1995, the licensee has disposed of sediment containing very low concentrations of radioactive material from cooling towers and the standby service water system spray ponds within disposal cells located approximately 250 feet south of the cooling towers. Currently, the sediment disposal area totals approximately 4,459 square meters (m2) (48,000 square feet (ft2) and consists of five disposal cells. Two of the 3
disposal cells no longer have capacity for future sediment disposal. The three remaining disposal cells, including two active disposal cells and one newly established cell for future disposal, have a combined capacity of approximately 1,116 m3 (39,420 ft3). The corners of the disposal area are marked with posts and signs indicating its dedicated purpose, and a fence with a locked gate encloses the disposal area to prevent inadvertent access. Sediments collected from the cooling towers and the spray ponds consist of sand and silt-sized particles, with up to 25 percent of organic material by weight. The sediments are shown to have low levels of metals, with concentrations of lead and chromium detected above background levels. Removal and transfer of the sediment from the cooling towers will be via a vacuum truck or other mechanical means.
The vacuum truck will be filled with sediment and emptied into the disposal cell during a cooling tower cleaning event. Removal and transfer of sediment from the standby service water system spray ponds will be determined by Columbias operating status.
When the plant is offline and water drained from the ponds, a vacuum truck will be used to remove and transfer the sediment. During plant operations when the spray ponds cannot be drained, the sediment will be vacuumed by divers into the vacuum truck and then discharged to the disposal cells. Pumping of the sediment from the spray ponds to large filter bags may also be used to remove the sediment from the spray ponds. The filter bags are used to separate the water from the sediment. Once dewatered, the sediment is moved to the disposal cells and the water that was collected from the laydown area is pumped back to the spray ponds. Each disposal cell will continue to be filled until the level reaches the top of the berm. Transportation of the sediments from the cooling towers and spray ponds to the disposal cells occurs within the boundaries of the Columbia property.
4
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensees application dated December 21, 2020, as supplemented by letter dated June 23, 2021.
Need for the Proposed Action The proposed action is needed to allow onsite disposal of sediments containing very low levels of radioactive material removed from Columbias cooling towers and spray ponds.
Benefits of the licensee's proposed action include significantly reduced transportation distances and costs incurred as a result of offsite disposal, while maintaining protection of public health and safety and the environment. This request provides the licensee with an alternative to the usage of offsite shallow land burial waste repositories consistent with a previously released NRC Information Notice (IN) 83-05, Obtaining Approval for Disposal of Very-Low-Level Radioactive Waste, dated February 24, 1983.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action This section addresses the radiological and non-radiological (resource-specific) impacts of the proposed action. The NRC considered the potential impacts of the proposed sediment disposal activities as well as the potential cumulative impacts associated with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable activities including consideration of recent disposal cell construction on the Columbia site that was completed in November 2020.
Radiological Impacts and Human Health Occupational Dose The proposed request for onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediment will not require any physical changes to the plant or plant operations; therefore, there will be no change to any in-plant radiation sources. In addition, the NRCs review of the processes and procedures for disposing of the material found that doses to different 5
individuals involved with these disposal actions would be less than the NRCs public dose limit of 25 millirem per year (mrem/yr). NRC staff also confirmed that the established maximum radionuclide concentration limits ensure that sum of fractions calculations for sediments containing a mixture of radionuclides will not exceed one.
The licensee applies pre-disposal screening criteria to contaminated sediment samples in accordance with Washington States Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) Resolution No. 299 to ensure that disposal limits are met.1 Routine disposal cell monitoring is performed to determine the direct dose rates using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) placed in close proximity to disposal cells as well as a control TLD located farther away. Specifically, TLD 119B is located at the disposal cells while TLD 119 Ctrl is located 200 yards east of the sediment disposal area and is used for determining background radiation levels.
The NRC staff reviewed the licensees summary report of radionuclide concentrations for each onsite disposal event from 2010 through 2019. The measured concentrations for each of the radionuclides were much lower than the corresponding disposal limits. Additionally, the mean quarterly TLD results were provided for each monitoring station for each year and were documented in the summary report. The staff confirmed, using the measured exposure rate, that the dose estimated to workers would be much lower than the licensees established limit of 15 mrem/yr. Thus, the proposed Columbia onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediment containing very low concentrations of radioactive material within an existing disposal cell will have no 1 The NRC clarified the jurisdiction of these requests and their related disposal actions in Regulatory Issue Summary (RIS)-2016-11, Requests to Dispose of Very Low-Level Radioactive Waste Pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2002. As reflected in that document, the NRC has jurisdiction over both the 20.2002 request for alternative disposal procedures and the on-site disposal of this material. This EA provides the NRCs analysis of the environmental impacts of approval of the disposal procedures under 20.2002; no separate NRC action is necessary regarding on-site disposal because the licensee already has authority to possess the radioactive materials.
6
significant radiological impact to the workers. Additionally, the licensees established limit of 15 mrem/yr is below the radiological criteria of 25 mrem/yr for unrestricted use after license termination in accordance with 10 CFR 20.1402, Radiological criteria for unrestricted use.
Offsite Dose This request is for approval for the onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediment within the sediment disposal area on the Columbia site. As such, members of the public will not have access to the disposal area. Therefore, there is no direct radiation exposure to the public. In addition, the proposed action does not require any physical changes to the plant or plant operation. Therefore, there will be no change to the types and quantities of radioactive effluents or to the operation of the radioactive gaseous and liquid waste management systems to perform their intended functions.
Once deposited in the sediment disposal cell, the consolidated, mud-cake consistency of the dried sediment is not readily erodible, including by precipitation in the semiarid climate. Should erosion become a concern, site personnel will cover the deposited material with locally sourced sand to minimize fugitive dust emissions. The proposed onsite disposal would not contribute any additional groundwater contamination and associated radiological exposure to the public. For these reasons, the offsite radiation dose to members of the public would not change and would continue to be within regulatory limits and therefore would not be significant. Finally, as previously noted, the potential onsite radiological dose would be below the radiological criteria for unrestricted use after license termination. Therefore, the proposed action would not be expected to have a significant radiological impact to the public.
Radiological Impacts Summary 7
Based on the radiological evaluations previously discussed, the NRC staff has determined the proposed action would not result in any adverse or significant radiological impacts. The proposed action would have no or a negligible contribution to cumulative radiological doses to workers and the public.
Land Use Current land uses would not be affected by the proposed onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediment at Columbia. The designated disposal site is a previously disturbed area adjacent to the Columbia cooling towers. Therefore, the disposal area is industrial in nature, and the NRC staff has determined that there would be no significant land use impacts associated with the proposed action. The recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area under the proposed action would not affect existing land uses and would not contribute to regional cumulative land use trends.
Water Resources The proposed sediment disposal location includes existing disposal cells and a newly established disposal cell within a designated sediment disposal area. As with past disposals, site personnel would transport the dewatered but saturated sediment removed from the cooling tower structures and deposit the material in a disposal cell.
These activities would have no or negligible impact on surface water hydrology or quality because no surface water drainages exist in or near the sediment disposal area. The closest surface water feature is the Columbia River, which is located approximately 3.5 miles to the east of the disposal area.
Once deposited in the cell, the consolidated, mud-cake consistency of the dried sediment is not readily erodible, including by precipitation in the semiarid climate. When necessary, site personnel will cover the deposited material with locally sourced sand 8
should erosion become a concern. In addition, the licensees cooling system sediment disposal activities are subject to Columbias National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit (number WA-002515-1) (EFSEC 2014, 2019). Special Condition 10 of the site NPDES permit requires the licensee to develop, implement, and maintain a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. This plan prescribes best management practices for soil erosion and sediment control, stormwater pollution prevention, waste management, and spill response across the Columbia site.
The NPDES permit requires that the licensee manage all solid waste material so that it does not enter either surface waters or groundwater. The permit also requires that the discharge of leachate be managed to prevent a violation of State water quality standards for surface water and groundwater. Further, the NPDES permit specifically references site cooling water system sediment disposal operations and requires that the licensee follow the prescribed procedures for sediment handling and disposal set forth in the latest resolutions (i.e., Resolution No. 299) issued by the State of Washington EFSEC.
In accordance with EFSEC Resolution No. 299, EN personnel must conduct environmental and radiological monitoring of the sediment and the disposal site in accordance with the licensees standard environmental monitoring procedures and practices. This monitoring includes ensuring that sediments placed in the disposal cells comply with specified disposal concentration limits for listed radionuclides. The licensee provides an updated summary of sediment disposal activities and associated sediment monitoring results in its publicly available annual radiological environmental operating reports. The NRC staffs review of the latest available report dated May 13, 2020, shows that the radionuclide concentrations in sediments placed in the disposal cells were well below the prescribed concentration limits, with overall activity levels (i.e., for cobalt-60 9
and cesium-137) within the range historically observed for cooling tower sediment. The licensees adherence to the measures previously described and associated regulatory requirements would prevent or minimize any surface water quality or groundwater quality impacts during sediment disposal operations.
The potential exists for some water from the saturated sediment to infiltrate through the unlined disposal cells and reach groundwater. Groundwater occurs at a depth of approximately 50 feet below land surface at the disposal area. The underlying groundwater is contaminated with tritium and other contaminants associated with legacy activities at the U.S. Department of Energys Hanford Reservation. Nevertheless, ENs adherence to sediment disposal procedures and disposal concentration limits for specified radiological constituents would ensure that disposal activities would not further contribute to groundwater contamination and associated radiological exposure to the public.
Long term, management and monitoring activities would ensure that there are no inadvertent offsite impacts to surface water or groundwater quality from continued disposal site operations. Based on the previously mentioned information, the NRC staff has determined the impacts to water resources would not be significant.
With the work practices, management, and monitoring measures in place as previously described, the recent disposal cell construction and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would result in a negligible contribution to cumulative water quality impacts, either in the underlying groundwater system or in the Columbia River.
Air Resources With regards to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for criteria pollutants (ozone, carbon monoxide, lead, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide),
Benton County is designated in attainment for all criteria pollutants (EPA 2021). Air 10
emissions would be predominantly from the transfer of the sediment and equipment used in transporting the sediment (e.g., vacuum truck). The removal and disposal of sediment can result in fugitive dust emissions; fugitive dust is particulate matter suspended in the air. The use of vacuum trucks or filter bags to remove and transfer the sediment minimizes the potential for fugitive emissions. Similarly, soil erosion, and therefore fugitive dust, from the disposal cells is minimal since the sediment in the disposal cells dries as mud-cake. Air emissions from equipment exhaust would be intermittent and localized.
Based on the previously provided information, the NRC staff has determined that there would be no significant air quality impacts associated with the proposed action.
With the best management practices (water application and placement of sand or gravel) that have been implemented to control fugitive dust, the recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would result in a negligible contribution to cumulative air quality impacts in Benton County.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Resources The designated disposal site is a previously disturbed area within the industrial-use portion of the Columbia site. The area where the disposal cells are located were originally disturbed during construction of Columbia and currently contain sediments from previous cleaning operations. To the west of the disposal cells, the borrow pit is used as a construction landfill. All areas of the disposal site are largely devoid of vegetation, although some sparse grasses and shrubs have repopulated the area.
Topography is generally flat with some gentle slopes. Some animals may frequent the disposal site. Mammals common to the Columbia property include mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), coyote (Canis latrans), cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus nuttalli), and black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) (NRC 2012). Columbia is within the Pacific 11
Flyway, and over 145 species of birds have been reported from the site. Some of the most commonly sighted birds include western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), bank swallow (Riparia riparia), brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), California gull (Larus californicus), Bullocks oriole (Icterus bullockii), killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis), and barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). No aquatic resources, such as wetlands, streams, or ponds occur within the disposal site.
No terrestrial or aquatic habitat would be altered, modified, or destroyed as a result of the proposed action. The licensee anticipates no surface water or storm water runoff as a result of disposal activities. Some limited wind erosion and fugitive dust may occur during movement of heavy equipment during use of the disposal cells. Wind erosion after placement of the sediment is not expected because of its tendency to dry as mud-cake. Noise associated with grading, transportation, or other related activities may temporarily disturb wildlife. However, most wildlife on or near the disposal site is likely relatively tolerant of human activity given that the disposal site is part of a larger operating power plant site. Disposal activities would not require additional lighting. The recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would not affect terrestrial or aquatic habitats, and no cumulative effects to ecological resources would result.
As previously described, the only potential impact on ecological resources is temporary noise-related disturbance; however, this does not pose a significant impact on surrounding wildlife due to their relative tolerance to human activity. Therefore, the NRC concludes that the impacts to aquatic and terrestrial resources resulting from the proposed action would not be significant.
Threatened and Endangered Species 12
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted to prevent further decline of endangered and threatened species and to restore those species and their critical habitat. Section 7 of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding actions that may affect listed species or designated critical habitats. The NRC staff conducted a search of Federally listed species and critical habitats that have the potential to occur in the action area using the FWSs Environmental Conservation Online System Information for Planning and Conservation system. The FWS-generated report from this system (FWS 2021) identifies two Federally listed species that occur or potentially occur within the vicinity of the action area: western yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) and bull trout (Salvenlinus confluentus). Additionally, the upper Columbia River spring chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and upper Columbia River steelhead (O. mykiss), which are under the jurisdiction of NMFS, occur in the Columbia River, which lies approximately 3.5 miles east of the Columbia site. No critical habitats occur in the action area. The designated disposal site lacks suitable aquatic features for the three fish species. Therefore, these species do not occur in the action area and would not be affected by the proposed action.
The western yellow-billed cuckoo is associated with riparian habitats, especially cottonwood-willow forests. When migrating, the species may inhabit coastal scrub, second-growth forests, and forest edges. Although this species has been recorded within Benton County, it has not been observed on the Columbia site. Based on the lack of suitable habitat and sightings, the NRC staff concludes that this species does not occur within the action area and would, therefore, not be affected by the proposed action.
For these reasons, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed action would have 13
no effect on Federally listed species or designated critical habitats. Federal agencies are not required to consult with NMFS or the FWS if they determine that an action will not affect listed species or critical habitats. Thus, the ESA does not require consultation for the proposed action, and the NRC staff considers its obligations under the ESA Section 7 to be fulfilled for the proposed action.
Historic and Cultural Resources Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. Historic properties are defined as resources included in, or eligible for inclusion, in the National Register of Historic Places. There are no historic properties within the Columbia site.
The designated disposal site is a previously disturbed area adjacent to the Columbia cooling towers, which is not considered a culturally sensitive area. The only known culturally sensitive area at Columbia is approximately 3 miles to the east of the sediment disposal area, along the Columbia River. EN has been disposing sediment from the cooling towers and spray ponds in disposal cells within this area since 1995 (Energy Northwest 2020). Based on the information previously mentioned, the NRC staff concludes 1) there would be no significant historic and cultural resources impacts associated with continued disposal of sediment within the existing disposal cells, and
- 2) continued disposal of sediment within the existing disposal cells does not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties.
Given that the disposal site is in a previously disturbed area and not near culturally sensitive areas, the recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would not have a cumulative impact on historic and cultural resources.
Socioeconomics 14
Current socioeconomic conditions would be unaffected by the proposed onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediment at Columbia. The licensee would use existing resources including onsite workforce or local contractors to conduct the disposal; therefore, there would be no significant socioeconomic impacts. Similarly, the recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would result in a negligible contribution to cumulative socioeconomic impacts.
Noise Noise emissions would occur as a result of equipment used onsite to remove and transfer the sediment. Noise levels from the proposed action would not be beyond those generated from operation of Columbia. Furthermore, the nearest resident is approximately 4.5 miles from Columbia, and noise levels from equipment and activities are not expected to be noticeable at this distance.
Based on the information previously mentioned, the NRC staff has determined that there would be no significant noise impacts associated with the proposed action.
Environmental Justice The environmental justice impact analysis evaluates the potential for disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations that could result from the proposed disposal of slightly contaminated sediment at Columbia. Such effects may include human health, biological, cultural, economic, or socioeconomic impacts.
According to the 2010 Census, approximately 27 percent of the total population residing within a 10-mile radius of Columbia identified themselves as minority (MCDCCAPS 2021). The largest minority populations were people of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin of any race (18 percent). Minority populations within Benton County 15
comprise 30 percent of the total population with the largest minority populations being Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin of any race (23 percent).
According to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates using the University of Missouris Circular Area Profiling System (MCDCCAPS 2021), approximately 9 percent of individuals and 6.5 percent of families residing within a 10-mile radius of Columbia were identified as living below the Federal poverty threshold. The 2019 Federal poverty threshold was $26,172 for a family of four (USCB 2021).
According to the U.S. Census Bureaus 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates (USCB 2021), the median household income for Washington was
$78,687, while 10 percent of the state population and 6 percent of families were found to be living below the Federal poverty threshold. Benton County had a lower median household income average ($72,084) with 11 percent of individuals and 9 percent of families living below the poverty level, respectively.
Potential impacts to minority and low-income populations would mostly consist of radiological and environmental effects (e.g., noise and dust impacts). Radiation doses are expected to remain well within regulatory limits and noise and dust impacts would be temporary and limited to onsite activities.
Based on this information and the analysis of human health and environmental impacts presented in this EA, minority and low-income populations near Columbia are not expected to experience disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects from the proposed action.
Similarly, the contributory effects of the recent construction of the disposal cell and the continued use of the sediment disposal area would also not have 16
disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental cumulative effects on minority and low-income populations residing in the vicinity of the Columbia site.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered denial of the proposed request (i.e., the no-action alternative). Denial of the application would result in no change in current environmental conditions or impacts. However, if the request for continued onsite disposal of slightly contaminated sediments were not approved, the licensee would have to pursue other means of managing materials removed from the Columbia cooling system. The no-action alternative would not satisfy the purpose and need for efficient and cost-effective disposal of routinely generated sediments from the Columbia cooling system.
As an alternative to the proposed action and no-action alternative, the NRC staff considered other options for disposing contaminated sediments. The most reasonable alternative would involve disposal at an offsite location. The chosen site would have to be licensed to accept low-level waste (LLW) including the slightly contaminated sediments from Columbia. In considering this alternative, the potential environmental impacts of loading and transporting the contaminated sediments from Columbia to any licensed, offsite disposal facility would be greater than those associated with the proposed action. As discussed in IN 83-05, the NRC has recognized that onsite disposal of LLW can minimize the quantity of waste shipped to radioactive waste disposal facilities and can provide a reasonable alternative to the high costs associated with disposal at radioactive waste disposal facilities. Therefore, disposal at an offsite location would not result in a compensating improvement in the environmental impacts, as there would be additional transportation related impacts associated with transporting the contaminated sediments offsite.
17
Alternative Use of Resources The proposed action does not involve the use of any different resources or significant quantities of resources beyond those previously considered and associated with past onsite disposals of sediments from Columbias cooling system. Further, the proposed disposal activities are consistent with the proposed action (Columbia license renewal and 20 years of continued operations) considered in NUREG-1437, Supplement 47.
Agencies and Persons Consulted The NRC notified the representative from the State of Washington on October 28, 2021, of the EA and FONSI, and was informed on February 4, 2022, that the State of Washington does not have any comments on this action. No additional agencies or persons were consulted regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. The NRC staff determined that the proposed action would have no effect on Federally listed threatened and endangered species that could occur on or near the proposed disposal area. As well, the proposed action would have no potential to cause effects on historic properties. Therefore, consultation was not required under Section 7 of the ESA or under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact Energy Northwest has requested onsite disposal of up to 1,116 m3 (39,420 ft3) of sediments containing very low levels of radioactive materials at Columbia in accordance with 10 CFR 20.2002. Based on the EA, included in Section II of this document, the NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Consistent with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC conducted an environmental review of the proposed action, and this FONSI incorporates 18
by reference the EA in Section II. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action.
IV. Availability of Documents The documents identified in the following table are available to interested persons through one or more of the following methods, as indicated.
DOCUMENT ADAMS ACCESSION NO. /
WEB LINK Energy Northwest, Columbia Generating ADAMS Accession No. ML20356A172 Station, Docket No. 50-397 On-Site Cooling System Sediment Disposal, dated December 21, 2020 Energy Northwest, Columbia Generating ADAMS Accession No. ML21174A151 Station, Docket No. 50-397 Response to Request for Additional Information Related to On-Site Cooling System Sediment Disposal, dated June 23, 2021 State of Washington, Energy Facility Site https://www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-Evaluation Council (EFSEC 2014). facilities/columbia-generating-National Pollutant Discharge Elimination station/columbia-generating-station-System Waste Discharge Permit No. permits (date accessed August 17, 2021)
WA0002515-1, Energy Northwests Columbia Generating Station, dated September 30, 2014 Energy Northwest, Columbia Generating ADAMS Accession No. ML20134J113 Station, Docket No. 50-397 Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation, Docket No. 72-35 2019 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Report, dated May 13, 2020 State of Washington Energy Facility Site https://www.efsec.wa.gov/energy-Evaluation Council (EFSEC 2019). Letter facilities/columbia-generating-from Sonia Bumpus, EFSEC, to station/columbia-generating-station-S. Khounnala, Energy Northwest permits (accessed January 19, 2022)
Environmental and Regulatory Programs Manager.
Subject:
Columbia Generating Station, Energy Northwest (EN) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. WA002515-1 Extension of NPDES Permit, dated September 13, 2019 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency https://www3.epa.gov/airquality/greenbook (EPA 2021). Washington /anayo_wa.html (date accessed August Nonattainment/Maintenance Status for 16, 2021)
Each County by Year for All Criteria 19
Pollutants, data is current as of January 31, 2022 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1126 Fish and Wildlife Office. (FWS 2021).
Pygmy Rabbit (Columbia Basin DPS).
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq amended U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia ADAMS Accession No. ML21229A180 Onsite Disposal 20.2002 Exemption Request, List of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location or may be affected by your proposed project, dated August 17, 2021 National Historic Preservation Act, as 54 U.S.C. § 300101 et seq amended Missouri Census Data Center Circular Summary Report, U.S. Census 2010 Area Profiling System (MCDCCAPS Summary File 1:
2021). Summary Report, U.S. Census https://mcdc.missouri.edu/cgi-2010 Summary File 1 (SF1) and bin/broker?_PROGRAM=apps.caps2010.s Aggregated 2015-2019 American as&_debug=&latitude=46.471111&longitud Community Survey Data Estimates in a e=-
10-mile radius around the proposed 119.333889&radii=10&sitename=&units=b disposal site at Columbia (46.471111 Lat., gs (accessed January 19, 2022)
-119.333889 Long.)
Aggregated 2015-2019 American Community Survey Data Estimates:
https://mcdc.missouri.edu/cgi-bin/broker?_PROGRAM=apps.capsACS.s as&_SERVICE=MCDC_long&_debug=&lat itude=46.471111&longitude=-
119.333889&radii=10&sitename=&dprofile
=on&eprofile=on&sprofile=on&hprofile=on
&units= (accessed January 19, 2022)
U.S. Census Bureau (USCB 2021). 2019 Table S1701:
American Community Survey 1-Year https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S1 Estimates, Table S1701Poverty Status 701%3A%20POVERTY%20STATUS%20I in the Past 12 Months, Table S1702 N%20THE%20PAST%2012%20MONTHS Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months of &tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1701 (accessed Families, and Table S1901 Income in the January 19, 2022)
Past 12 Months (in 2019 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars) for Benton County and the State Table S1702:
of Washington https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=s1 702&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1702 (accessed January 19, 2022)
Table S1901:
20
https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S1 901&g=0400000US53_0500000US53005 (accessed January 19, 2022)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ADAMS Accession No. ML12096A334 (NRC 2012). NUREG-1437, Supplement 47, Vol.1, Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants Supplement 47 Regarding Columbia Station, dated April 2012.
Dated: March 7, 2022.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
/RA/
Mahesh L. Chawla, Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch IV, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
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ML22004A185 *via email OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM* NRR/DORL/LPL4/LA* NMSS/REFS/ERNRB/BC* NMSS/DUWP/RTAB/BC*
NAME MChawla PBlechman KErwin (KFolk for) CMcKenney DATE 1/3/2022 1/6/2022 2/28/2022 2/28/2022 OFFICE OGC - NLO* NRR/DORL/LPL4/BC* NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM*
NAME CKreuzberger JDixon-Herrity MChawla DATE 2/24/2022 03/11/2022 3/11/2022