ML23222A126
| ML23222A126 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/30/2023 |
| From: | Martinez N NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ELRB |
| To: | Tanya Smith NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ELRB |
| References | |
| Download: ML23222A126 (4) | |
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August 30, 2023 MEMORANDUM TO: Theodore B. Smith, Chief Environmental Review License Renewal Branch Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Signed by Martinez, N FROM: Nancy Martinez, Environmental Scientist on 08/30/23 Environmental Review License Renewal Branch Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
TELECONFERENCE
SUMMARY
BETWEEN U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION AND THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE On July 25, 2023, a teleconference was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The purpose of the teleconference was to continue dialogue and consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) related to NRCs environmental review of Xcel Energys application for the subsequent renewal of the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1 (Monticello) operating license. In a letter dated March 13, 2023, the NRC informed the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that in accordance with 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NRC intends to comply with Section 106 of the NHPA through the National Environmental Policy Act process (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) ML23069A280). The purpose of that letter was to initiate consultation with the Tribe. NRCs letter also requested that any comments that the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe may have on the proposed undertaking be provided within 30 days of the letter. On April 12, 2023, the NRC received a response from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that provided comments on the applicants (Xcel Energy) environmental report submitted to the NRC (ADAMS ML23117A313). During the teleconference, the NRC staff asked for additional information and clarification related to statements made in the April 12, 2023, letter. Specifically, the NRC staff:
Requested additional information regarding subsistence practices.
Inquired about recommended publications or references that can be used to inform the prehistoric and historic era discussions that will be included in the environmental impact statement.
Requested clarification regarding the consideration of cultural resources.
T. Smith Representatives from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe discussed that the Tribe considers the Mississippi River, natural resources such as cedar and fish, and the general surrounding Monticello site as part of their traditional cultural resources. The Tribe discussed their concerns regarding impacts to water resources (e.g., pollutant discharges and impacts to water levels) and ecological resources (e.g., impacts to the repopulation of cedar) from continued operations of Monticello. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe expressed concern that the Monticello site has not been subject to a cultural resources survey, particularly given the potential for burial mounds along the Mississippi River. A representative from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe agreed to provide via email to the NRC recommended publications and additional contacts to obtain information on subsistence practices.
No members of the public were in attendance as this was a government-to-government meeting.
T. Smith LIST OF ATTENDEES MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE Kelly Applegate, Commissioner Charlie Lippert, Air Quality Specialist PACIFIC NORTHWEST NATIONAL LABORATORY Lindsey Renaud, Archaeologist U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Nancy Martinez, Environmental Scientist
ML23222A126 OFFICE NMSS/REFS/EMRB NMSS/REFS/ELRB NMSS/REFS/ELRB NMSS/REFS/EL NMSS/REFS/ELRB NAME AWalker-Smith NMartinez JUmana RB TSmith NMartinez DATE 08/18/2023 08/18/2023 08/22/2023 08/25/2023 08/30/2023