ML25192A077
| ML25192A077 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch  |
| Issue date: | 07/22/2025 |
| From: | Jeffrey Rikhoff NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB1 |
| To: | Yargee W Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town |
| References | |
| Download: ML25192A077 (1) | |
Text
Wilson Yargee, Chief Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town P.O. Box 187 Wetumka, OK 74883
SUBJECT:
INITIATION OF SECTION 106 CONSULTATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE HATCH NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 SUBSEQUENT LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (DOCKET NUMBERS: 50-321 AND 50-366)
Dear Chief Wilson Yargee:
The purpose of this letter is to initiate Section 106 consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA) for a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) environmental review. Specifically, the NRC is conducting a review of the environmental effects of the proposed subsequent renewal of the renewed facility operating licenses for the Hatch Nuclear Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 (Hatch) for an additional 20 years of operation. Hatch is operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Co., Inc. (SNC) and is located in Appling County, Georgia. SNC submitted an application for subsequent license renewal (SLR) by letter dated May 15, 2025, pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 54, Requirements for Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants. The application is available through the NRCs Agencywide Documents Access and Management System, which is accessible online at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html, under Package Accession No. ML25135A390.
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, authorizes the NRC to issue initial operating licenses for up to 40 years for nuclear power reactors. Upon application and approval, such licenses may be renewed for terms of up to an additional 20 years for each renewal. SLR is defined as the term consisting of the period of extended operation from 60 to 80 years. The NRC makes the decision to approve or deny an SLR application based on whether the applicant has demonstrated that the safety and environmental requirements in the agencys regulations can be met during the period of extended operation. The NRC issued the initial operating licenses for Hatch on August 6, 1974 (Unit No. 1) and June 13, 1978 (Unit No. 2). The NRC renewed these licenses in 2002. The licenses currently expire on August 6, 2034 (Unit No. 1) and June 13, 2038 (Unit No. 2). If approved, the requested SLR would extend the expiration dates to August 6, 2054 (Unit No. 1) and June 13, 2058 (Unit No. 2).
As part of its environmental review of the Hatch SLR application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will be used to determine whether an environmental impact statement is necessary, or a finding of no significant impact is warranted to satisfy the NRCs obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), as July 22, 2025
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implemented by the NRCs regulations at 10 CFR Part 51, Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.
In accordance with Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR) Section 800.8(c), the NRC intends to comply with Section 106 of the NHPA through the NEPA process in lieu of the procedures set forth in 36 CFR 800.3 through 800.6. Therefore, the EA will include the identification of historic properties and historic and cultural resources, an assessment of impacts, and a determination. During the preparation of the EA, the NRC will follow the procedural requirements and standards set out in 36 CFR 800.8(c).
In the context of the NHPA, the NRC has determined that the area of potential effects (APE) for the Hatch SLR includes lands within the nuclear power plant site boundary and the transmission lines up to the first substation that may be directly or indirectly affected by land-disturbing or other operational activities associated with continued operations and maintenance and/or refurbishment activities. The APE may extend beyond the site if such activities affect offsite historic properties. This determination is made irrespective of land ownership or control.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8, the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian Tribes that might attach religious and cultural significance to historic properties in the APE are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such properties.
Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.8, the NRC invites you to submit any comments or concerns that you may have regarding NHPA Section 106 consultation for the Hatch SLR application within 30 days. The NRC will forward the draft historic and cultural resources section of the EA to you for your review and comment. After consideration of public comments and comments received from consulting parties, the NRC plans to issue the EA in March 2026.
Please note that future correspondence will be sent via electronic format. If you would prefer to receive hard copy correspondence, please contact the points of contact listed below.
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If you have any questions concerning the NRCs NHPA Section 106 consultation, please contact Beau Goldstein, Staff Archaeologist, by phone at 301-415-1765 or via email at Beau.Goldstein@nrc.gov or Ashley Waldron, Project Manager, by phone at 301-415-7317 or via email at Ashley.Waldron@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Desiree Davis, Acting Chief Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 Division of Rulemaking, Environment, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Docket Nos. 50-321 and 50-366 cc: Listserv Brina Williams, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer brina.williams@alabama-quassarte.org Signed by Davis, Desiree on 07/22/25
- concurred via email OFFICE NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS OGC NMSS/REFS NAME BGoldstein AWalker-Smith AWaldron JWachutka DDavis DATE 07/11/2025 07/11/2025 07/14/2025 07/18/2025 07/22/2025