ML24331A021
| ML24331A021 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vallecitos Nuclear Center |
| Issue date: | 04/08/2025 |
| From: | Jean Trefethen NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB1 |
| To: | Rome M NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB1 |
| References | |
| Download: ML24331A021 (1) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 MEMORANDUM TO:
Michelle R. Rome, Chief Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards FROM:
Jean Trefethen Environmental Project Manager}
Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF MEETING ON NOVEMBER 21, 2024, BETWEEN THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION STAFF, THE CALIFORNIA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE AND NORTHSTAR VALLECITOS, LLC REGARDING VALLECITOS NUCLEAR CENTER DECOMMISSIONING AND DEMOLITION On November 21, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff met with representatives from the California State Historic Preservation Office (CA SHPO) and NorthStar Vallecitos, LLC (NorthStar) via conference call. The CA SHPO is a consulting party pursuant to Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 800.2(c)(1) regarding the proposed license amendment request (LAR) for the decommissioning and demolition of Vallecitos Nuclear Center (VNC).
During the meeting, the participants discussed NorthStars LAR, environmental and cultural resources review processes, adverse effects determination, and anticipated next steps.
NorthStar staff provided a thorough overview of the site and planned decommissioning activities. The NRC staff indicated that the VNC review is at the beginning of the Section 106 process and stated there would be an adverse effects determination for the demolition of eligible structures. Additionally, a high-level timeline for various review activities was provided. The CA SHPO provided insights and suggested next steps regarding consultation.
CONTACT:
Jean Trefethen, NMSS/REFS 301-415-0867 April 8, 2025 Signed by Trefethen, Jean on 04/08/25
M. Rome 2
Participants discussed the results of the 2022 SEARCH survey (survey) of the VNC. The survey found that the VBWR and the GETR were eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under criterion Criteria A for their respective roles in the advancement of nuclear technology and Criterion C as leading engineering examples in the management of nuclear material and that there was not enough continuity for the area to be a district. The CA SHPO requested that a CA SHPO staff architectural historian review and confirm the surveys district determination. Confirming the district determination would allow consulting parties to propose, as necessary, mitigation measures appropriate for demolition of a district and include these in a memorandum of agreement (MOA).
CA SHPO also indicated that the NRC should contact the Native American Heritage Commission to request both Federal and State Tribes who might be interested in participating in the consultation process. Participants also discussed the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) History and Heritage landmarks programs formal recognition of the VBWR as the first privately owned and operated nuclear facility to deliver significant quantities of electricity to the public utility grid. Additionally discussed, was the NRCs 2016 commitment to the ASME (ML17279A870) to consult with the ASME during the review of the VBWR decommissioning plan. The CA SHPO indicated this was a good idea.
Participants agreed that next steps would include initiation of consultation with interested parties and requesting concurrence on an adverse effects determination from the CA SHPO.
Afterwards, the consulting parties would begin development of a MOA, which would describe how demolishing the VNC eligible structures would be an adverse effect and mitigated. In summary, near-term actions included the following:
The NRC will send a letter initiating consultation with the parties and request concurrence on the NRCs determination that the demolition of VNC would result in an adverse effect to properties eligible for listing on the NRHP.
In early 2025, the NRC and consulting parties will draft an MOA. The MOA will contain the actions and stipulations to be completed before NorthStar can start the demolition of the VBWR and GETR.
The NRC will provide the SEARCH 2022 survey for reviewed to the CA SHPOs office and ASME (if they would like to be a consulting party).
CA SHPO will review the SEARCH 2022 survey to confirm the surveys district determination
M. Rome 3
LIST OF ATTENDEES:
California State Historic Preservation Office Brendon Greenaway, Senior State Archaeologist NorthStar Tom Silko, Licensing Manager Nadia Glucksberg, Program Manager, Contractor for NorthStar Adam Ball, Site Superintendent Gage State, Work Planner U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Staff Chris Allen, Project Manager Jack Parrot, Senior Project Manager Jean Trefethen, Environmental Project Manager
Memo ML24331A021 OFFICE NMSS/REFS/ETRB1 NMSS/REFS
/EPMB2 NMSS/REFS
/ETRB1 NMSS/REFS/ETRB1 NAME JTrefethen AWalker-Smith JAyers for MRome JTrefethen DATE Nov 26, 2024 Dec 2, 2024 Apr 1, 2025 Apr 8, 2025