ML25105A120
| ML25105A120 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99902049 |
| Issue date: | 04/15/2025 |
| From: | Holtec, SMR |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML25105A118 | List: |
| References | |
| 300-USNRC-106 | |
| Download: ML25105A120 (1) | |
Text
www.holtec.com www.smrllc.com Palisades Construction Permit Application:
Site Environmental Characterization Update April 23, 2025 Holtecs SMR-300 Technology Safe, Secure, Reliable, Flexible, Economical Clean Energy to Support the Worlds Energy Needs Holtec International Krishna P. Singh Technology Campus One Holtec Boulevard Camden, NJ 08104, USA
[Not Export Controlled]
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 2 Agenda Team Introductions Holtec International Application Support Team Project Overview Site Environmental Characterization Updates CPA Environmental Report Updates
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 3 Team Introductions Holtec International Justin Hawkins - SMR Executive Director Clark Shurtleff - Licensing Manager, PSAR Steven Mitchell - Licensing Manager, ER Benjamin Reynolds - Environmental Director JP Ohanessian - Project Manager, CPA ENERCON Gloria Guerra - Project Manager Tim Basham - Environmental Technical Lead Dane Watson - Subcontractor Coordination Lead Rachel Turney-Work - Environmental Licensing Director Aaron Holloway, P.E. - Engineering Director Holtec Internationals Palisades Nuclear Generating Station
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 4 SMR-300 at Palisades Light-water PWR Power output: 1050 MWth Traditional PWR fuel system Traditional PWR power cycle Two SMR-300 units onsite
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 5 SMR-300 at Palisades Part 50 application process Construction Permit Application (CPA)
Operating License Application (OLA)
Limited Work Authorization (LWA) as part one of a two-part CPA Comprehensive Environmental Report (ER) submitted with LWA Existing Palisades SMR-300s Property Line
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 6 Site Environmental Characterization Schedule Cultural Resource Field Surveys - Complete Offshore Bathymetry - Complete Critical Dune Delineation - Complete Terrestrial Ecological Resources - Complete at project site, In progress at offsite parcel*
Wetlands Delineations - Complete Surface Hydrology Reconnaissance - Complete Groundwater Monitoring - Ongoing, Fall 2025 Meteorology - Pending validation of site meteorology data Baseline Ambient Noise Surveys - Winter, 2024 complete, Pending Spring 2025 Transient Population Survey - Complete**
- Holtec is undertaking characterization activities at a potential offsite parcel to support construction activities such as laydown and concrete batching
- Completion of site work, reports documenting analysis and conclusions ongoing
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 7 CPA Characterization Activities: Cultural Resources Holtec, through ENERCON, partnered with SEARCH for cultural resources surveys An archaeological survey and work plan was developed for the 432-acre site SEARCH conducted an archaeological survey according to MSHPO recommended methodology in March 2024 Field method within the Critical Dune Area (CDA) -
pedestrian survey Field method outside of the CDA - surface inspections or walkovers along transects and areas with less than 20% slope and less than 25% ground surface visibility were subject to systematic shovel testing at 15.0 m (49.2 ft) intervals along transects
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 8 CPA Characterization Activities: Cultural Resources SEARCH conducted an architectural history survey of the Palisades Nuclear Plant (PNP) and the Palisades site in accordance with MSHPO survey guidance in June 2024 The resulting archaeological survey and architectural survey reports were provided to MSHPO for review and concurrence 3 archaeological sites were identified and determined as not eligible for NRHP listing and MSHPO concurred on Sept 18, 2024 The PNP Containment Building was considered for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listing under Criterion C (Architecture and Engineering);
however, MSHPO determined on Nov 6, 2024, that the building apart from PNP should not be considered for NRHP listing and the PNP as a whole does not meet the necessary criteria for NRHP listing
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 9 CPA Characterization Activities: Cultural Resources Bathymetry study to support intake and discharge design MSHPO files reveal no submerged resources NOAA records reveal no submerged resources Fugro bathymetry study revealed no submerged resources and developed lakebed topography
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 10 CPA Characterization Activities: Critical Dune Protection Barr Engineering Co. completed reconnaissance of the site and installed ground markings for EGLE critical dune delineations Barr prepared a guide on critical dune regulatory requirements and protections for project use from pre-construction through operations
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 11 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Site characterization activities included:
Seasonal surveys for presence/absence of federal and state listed species Raptor Nest Survey Avian Survey Acoustic Bat Survey
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 12 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Campaign Dates Tasks Completed March 18-21, 2024 Baseline terrestrial habitat characterization and incidental wildlife observations; Identification of bat potential roost trees; Identification of raptor nests May 6-8, 2024 Protected species surveys for whooping crane and eastern massasauga rattlesnake; Dominant seasonal flora observations and incidental wildlife observations; Identification of raptor nests June 18-22, 2024 Bat acoustic survey; Protected species surveys for piping plover, rufa red knot, Pitchers thistle, Mitchells satyr butterfly, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and monarch butterfly; Dominant seasonal flora observations; Incidental wildlife observations; Identification of raptor nests July 22-24, 2024 Protected species surveys for piping plover, rufa red knot, Pitchers thistle, Mitchells satyr butterfly, eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and monarch butterfly; Incidental wildlife observations; Identification of raptor nests September 18-20, 2024 Avian point-count survey; Dominant seasonal flora observations; Incidental wildlife observations; Identification of raptor nests
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 13 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Habitat (acres)
Listed Species Potentially Present Habitat 1 - Forested Areas (286.2)
Indiana bat, Northern long-eared bat, Tricolored bat Habitat 2 - Wetlands (4.0)
Whooping crane, Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Mitchells satyr butterfly Habitat 3 - Dune Slope/Dune Blowout (22.9)
Pitchers thistle Habitat 4 - Lake Shoreline (10.6)
Piping plover, Rufa red knot, Pitchers thistle Habitat 5 - Disturbed/
Maintained Areas Monarch butterfly
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 14 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Species observed during surveys for federal and state listed species were:
Federally threatened Pitchers thistle (Cirsium pitcheri)
Proposed federally threatened Monarch butterfly (Danaus Plexippus)
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 15 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Raptor Nest Survey One raptor nest was observed occupied by a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) during the May field survey near the southeastern project study area perimeter
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 16 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Avian Survey One Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was observed at Survey Point 21 over Lake Michigan outside of the project study area boundary One Bird of Conservation Concern species was observed onsite at Survey Points 3 and 8, Wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina).
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 17 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Michigan Natural Features Inventory and USFWSs IPaC tool indicated that habitat for the following bat species overlapped with the project site:
Note: The triangles in the figure depict the locations of acoustic detector equipment. Each Area had a dedicated detector that was moved daily for the 6-day survey.
Indiana bat Myotis sodalis FE/SE Northern Long-Eared Bat Myotis septentrionalis FE/SE Tri-colored Bat Perimyotis subflavus Proposed FE/ST Little Brown Bat Myotis lucifugus Under review for federal listing
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 18 CPA Characterization Activities: Terrestrial Ecological Resources Protected and under review bat species are unlikely to be present Bat acoustic survey - June 19-24, 2024 Followed the 2024 USFWS Range-wide Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines Automated identification results Manual vetting by ENERCONs bat biologist
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 19 CPA Characterization Activities: Wetlands Survey Wetland delineation survey conducted in accordance with the US Army Corps of Engineers manual March 2024 - Preliminary wetland location observation May 2024 - Wetland habitat boundary delineation 12 wetlands were identified and delineated for a total of 4.05 acres, the largest is 1.20 acres
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 20 CPA Characterization Activities: Surface Hydrology Onsite walking and windshield surveillance of surface waterbodies Confirmed existing surface hydrology features and did not record any new seeps, springs, or other onsite surface hydrology
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 21 CPA Characterization Activities: Subsurface Investigation Borings performed and monitoring wells installed in Fall 2024 Fugro - Geotechnical characterization lead ENERCON - Groundwater characterization and monitoring lead
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 22 CPA Characterization Activities: Groundwater Characterization and Monitoring Monthly/quarterly began Dec 2024 Groundwater levels, seasonal fluctuations Groundwater vertical and horizontal movement Groundwater quality PFAS, Alkalinity, BOD, pH, etc.
Aquifer testing for groundwater velocity and yield Pump test, Slug test, and Step test Groundwater - surface water interface characterization utilizing subsurface investigation and previous Palisades studies to develop a conceptual site model
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 23 CPA Characterization Activities: Meteorology The Palisades site has a meteorological tower that provides data for the existing plant Holtec intends to use data from this meteorological tower for SMR-300 Validation of data applicability is planned after SMR-300 plot plant and build location are finalized
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 24 CPA Characterization Activities: Baseline Noise Survey Sound-level readings were taken at multiple locations within the Palisades property Ambient noise survey along the Palisades site boundary was conducted and an additional survey is planned Results will inform the baseline noise condition
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 25 CPA Characterization Activities: Transient Population Study Field surveys and telephone interviews were used to collect transient population data which will be converted to peak daily visitor counts ENERCON conducted face-to-face interviews in Dec 2024 with area chambers of commerce, tourism departments, and local, city, and county agencies in the 10-mile radius ENERCON conducted phone interviews in Jan 2025 with identified transient population entities and events (e.g., parks, university stadiums, state fairs, etc.) in the 10- to 50-mile radius Sites and events that would potentially draw transient populations were identified for a transient population database Transient populations for 10-mile and 50-mile radii by directional sector are under development
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 26 Review of SMR-300 Licensing Plan Submit phased CP application [10 CFR 2.101(a)(9)]
Part 1: LWA application with comprehensive ER [10 CFR 50.10; 51.49]
ER addresses all impacts from construction and operation Part 2: CPA Part Two application
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 27 Integration of LWA into the CPA Environmental Report To address LWA activities in the CPA ER:
Section 1.3, Planned Activities and Schedules LWA scope and anticipated term Section 1.4, Status of Compliance Table of required authorizations will include LWA Section 3.3, Building Activities List and description of building activities
Pre-construction
Proposed to be conducted under an LWA
Construction activities after receipt of CP Chapter 4, Environmental Impacts from Construction of the Proposed Project Consistent with 10 CFR 51.49(f) will separately evaluate the environmental impacts attributable to activities conducted under an LWA Chapter 7, Cumulative Impacts Separately evaluate cumulative impacts for the projected LWA timeframe
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 28 CPA Redress Plan Holtecs CPA Part 1 submittal will include a Redress Plan Required by 10 CFR 50.10(d)(3)(iii) to accompany a request for LWA Will identify the steps to be taken by Holtec to restore the SMR-300 site to environmentally stable and aesthetically acceptable site in the event a CP is not granted by NRC
holtec.com l smrllc.com l Page 29 Questions