ML23032A501

Letter to S. Alexander Re TRISO-X Fws Section 7 Consulation

ML23032A501
Person / Time
Site:	Triso-X
Issue date:	02/02/2023
From:	Robert Sun NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ERMB
To:	Alexander S US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, TN Ecological Services Field Office
References
Download: ML23032A501 (1)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 February 2, 2023 Steve Alexander U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Tennessee Ecological Services Field Office 446 Neal Street Cookeville, TN 38501

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR SECTION 7 CONSULTATION FOR ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE A SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL LICENSE APPLICATION FOR THE TRISO-X FUEL FABRICATION FACILITY IN OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE (DOCKET NUMBER:

70-7027)

Dear Steve Alexander:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received an application from TRISO-X, LLC (TRISO) for a special nuclear material license for a fuel fabrication facility (FFF). The proposed location is in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the Horizon Industrial Park. The proposed site is a 110-acre site situated on Renovare Blvd (see enclosure 1). As part of the environmental review, the NRC is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EIS will be prepared in accordance with the regulatory provisions in title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) part 51. These regulations implement the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the EIS will include an analysis of potential impacts to endangered or threatened species or critical habitat in the proposed project area. In support the environmental review, the NRC is requesting information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to facilitate the identification of endangered or threatened species or critical habitat that may potentially be affected by the proposed TRISO-X FFF project.

In advance of the licensing, TRISO-X is planning to perform certain site preparation activities which would include removal of several trees that were identified as bat habitat. The trees will be removed in the designated window of removal for minimal impact to the habitat. The appropriate time to perform removal activities was indicated in the application to be prior to March 31st. Preferred bat roosting trees were identified on and around the site. Figure 3.5-1 (Enclosure 2) identifies the bat roosting trees. TRISO-X has stated in its application that a total of seven potentially suitable bat roost trees fall within the HCS. The trees identified as BRT-001 through BRT-007 would be removed. The remaining trees are not within the project area and would remain unaffected. The details of the review can be found in the applications environmental report located at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2226/ML22266A269.html. If after you have reviewed the information, you have additional question, the staff would be happy to meet with you.

S. Alexander 2 The NRC staff would appreciate your input on the proposed project within thirty days of this letter. Any information you provide would be used to enhance the scope and quality of NRC staffs review in accordance with 10 CFR part 51 and title 50 of the CFR part 402.

If you have questions, concerns or would like to schedule a meeting, please feel free to reach out to the NRCs environmental project manager, Jill Caverly at 301-415-7674 or by email at Jill.Caverly@nrc.gov.

Sincerely Signed by Sun, Robert on 02/02/23 Robert Sun, Acting Chief Environmental Review Materials Branch Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards Docket No. 70-7027

Enclosures:

1. Project location

2. Trees Suitable for Bat Habitat cc: Robbie Sykes, USFWS

Proposed Project Location Enclosure 1

Trees Suitable for Bat Habitat Enclosure 2

5 Letter to S. Alexander re: Section 7 FWS consultation DATE February 2, 2023 OFFICE NMSS/MSST/MSEB NAME RSun RS DATE Feb 2, 2023 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY