ML24254A454

RAI-holding Ponds

ML24254A454
Person / Time
Site:	Monticello
Issue date:	08/26/2024
From:	Jessica Umana NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB1
To:	Matthew Smith, Sollom S NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB1
References
Download: ML24254A454 (1)

Text

REQUIREMENT: 10 CFR 51.45(b) requires that an environmental report, in part, include a description of the environment affected. The requirements in 10 CFR 51.53(c)(2) requires that postconstruction environmental reports at the license renewal stage, describe in detail the affected environment around the plant, the modifications directly affecting the environment or any plant effluents, and any planned refurbishment activities.

ISSUE: In April 2024, the NRC issued for public comment the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), NUREG-1437, Supplement 26, Second Renewal, Site-Specific Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1, Draft Report for Comment.

The DEIS described a single storage pond being constructed for managing recovered groundwater with elevated tritium. Since issuance of the DEIS, NRC staff was made aware that Xcel Energy is in the process of constructing additional holding/storage ponds as part of the groundwater tritium remediation. Therefore, the DEISs description of the affected environment of the nuclear power plant site needs to be updated to include descriptions of these additional holding/storage ponds.

REQUEST: Please provide the following information so NRC staff can update the affected environment discussion in the site-specific EIS:

a.) (GEN) Identify the location of the holding/storage ponds and provide a descri ption of the ponds. Include in this description the number of ponds to be constructed, the construction technique for each pond, if they will be lined, overflow prevention/detection measures, size of each pond, when installation will be complete, duration the ponds will be in use, the source of water to be stored in the ponds, and any plans for decommissioning and environmental remediation when all or some ponds are no longer needed.

b.) (HCR) Were any cultural resource surveys conducted prior to construction of the ponds?

If so, provide a copy of the survey results, any information related to tribal monitoring, and other related tribal communications.

c.) (WM) Describe how the water will be reused in plant systems or evaporated from the pond(s). If pond evaporation is implemented, describe the changes that will be made to the licensing basis (e.g., O ffsite Dose Calculation Manual) to appropriately measure the effluent pathway. If pond evaporation is not implemented, please describe how tritium releases to the air from the pond(s) associated with groundwater remediation will be controlled.

d.) (ECO) Describe anticipated impacts of pond construction on terrestrial, aquatic, and federally protected ecological resources.

e.) (GW) Provide a discussion of why additional storage is needed, how the need for additional storage relates to progress on remediation of tritium in groundwater, how the rate of pumping tritiated groundwater has changed over time, and the effectiveness of the gradient control pumping and the sheet pile wall.