ML25006A152
| ML25006A152 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Monticello  |
| Issue date: | 01/16/2025 |
| From: | Tanya Smith NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB2 |
| To: | Chris Miller Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of Minnesota |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25006A147 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML25006A152 (1) | |
Text
Cole Miller, Chairman Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community 2330 Sioux Trail NW Prior Lake, MN 55372
SUBJECT:
SECTION 106 OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT CONSULTATION REGARDING THE MONTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT, UNIT 1 SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL (DOCKET NUMBER: 50-263)
Dear Chairman Cole Miller:
On March 13, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) initiated consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community regarding the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1 (Monticello) subsequent license renewal application (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML23069A280). In accordance with Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR) Section 800.8(c), the NRC staff elected to use the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, process to comply with its obligations under Section 106 of the NHPA of 1966, as amended. In accordance with the Commission Memorandum and Order in CLI-22-3, as part of the NRC staffs review of the Monticello subsequent license renewal application, a site-specific environmental impact statement (EIS) was prepared. The EIS was prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51, the NRCs environmental protection regulations. These regulations also implement Section 102(2) of the NEPA.
By letter dated April 25, 2024 (ML24115A297), the NRC staff notified the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of the availability of the draft EIS, Site-Specific Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants Supplement 26, Second Renewal Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1, Draft Report for Comment (ML24102A276). Following consideration of comments received on the draft EIS, by letter dated November 18, 2024 (ML24318C524), the NRC staff notified the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community of the issuance of the final EIS (FEIS), NUREG-1437 Site-Specific Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants Supplement 26, Second Renewal Regarding Subsequent License Renewal for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1, Final Report (ML24309A221). The FEIS evaluated the environmental impacts of the proposed action (subsequent license renewal of Monticello) and alternatives to the proposed action. As discussed in the FEIS, the NRC staff determined that the adverse environmental impacts of the subsequent license renewal are not so great that preserving the option of license renewal for energy-planning decision-makers would be unreasonable. The NRC staff also determined that the undertaking will result in no historic properties affected, as defined in 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1).
January 16, 2025
C. Miller Over the course of the Section 106 consultation, our offices held meetings to discuss this undertaking. On October 24, 2024, the NRC staff held a teleconference with staff from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Communitys Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO). During the October 24, 2024, teleconference, THPO staff requested a site visit and requested that Xcel Energys procedures include notification and invitation to monitor ground disturbing activities.
On November 25, 2024, the NRC staff conducted a limited walkthrough with the Lower Sioux Indian Community and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community THPO staff through a portion of the 2,000-acre Monticello site. As part of the November 25, 2024, site visit, the NRC staff, THPO staff, and Xcel Energy staff discussed updates to Xcel Energys fleet procedure to include notifications to the Lower Sioux Indian Community and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community should ground disturbing activities occur and an invitation to monitor the activities. In correspondence dated December 5, 2024, Xcel Energy notified the NRC that the update to its fleet procedure to notify and invite the interested consulting Tribes to monitor ground disturbing activities was finalized (ML24346A095).
On December 30, 2024, the NRC issued Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License No.
DPR-22 to Northern States Power CompanyMinnesota (a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, Inc.) for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Unit 1. The NRC has prepared a record of decision (ML24324A212) that supports the decision to operate Monticello for an additional 20 years (90 FR 339).
Thank you for your time, assistance, and cooperation in the NHPA Section 106 consultation process for the Monticello subsequent license renewal application. The NRC staff appreciates your interest and assistance in this matter.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact Nancy Martinez, by phone at 630-829-9734 or via email at Nancy.Martinez@nrc.gov, or Jessica Umana, by phone at 301-415-5207 or via email at Jessica.Umana@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Theodore Smith, Acting Deputy Director Division of Rulemaking, Environmental and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket No. 50-263 cc: Leonard Wabasha, THPO Signed by Smith, Theodore on 01/16/25
ML25006A152 OFFICE SME:REFS LR:REFS PM:REFS BC: REFS OGC DEP.DIR:REFS NAME NMartinez MCampestrin JUmana MRome STurk TSmith DATE 01/06/2025 01/07/2025 01/07/2025 01/08/2025 01/14/2025 01/16/2025