ML25212A149

Usdoi, Fish and Wildlife Services Re Browns Ferry Continued Operation for Additional 20 Years

ML25212A149
Person / Time
Site:	05000256, Browns Ferry
Issue date:	07/30/2025
From:	Pearson W US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
To:	Doub J NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB1
References
2025-0062173
Download: ML25212A149 (1)

Text

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 2025-0062173 Mr. J. Peyton Doub U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C., 20555-0001

Dear Mr. Doub:

1208-B Main Street 5ut~i~~

Thank you for your letter dated July 3, 2025, requesting consultation on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) proposal to continue operation of Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant Units 1, 2, and 3 (Browns Ferry) for an additional 20 years. Our comments are provided in accordance with provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA).

Browns Ferry is a three-unit nuclear power plant, operated and maintained by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TV A) on the north shore of Wheeler Reservoir on an 880-acre site in Limestone County, Alabama at Tennessee River Mile (TRM) 294. The plant is approximately 10 miles northwest of Decatur, Alabama, and 10 miles southwest of Athens, Alabama. The current facility operating licenses from NRC to TVA for Units, 1, 2, and 3 expire at midnight on December 20, 2033; June 28, 2034; and July 2, 2036, respectively. The proposed action is for the NRC to determine whether to issue subsequent renewed operating licenses (SLRs) for Browns Ferry for an additional 20 years. If NRC renews the facility operating licenses, TVA would be authorized to operate Browns Ferry Unit 1 until December 20, 2053; Unit 2 until June 28, 2054; and Unit 3 until July 2, 2056.

We understand that TV A does not propose any construction, land clearing, or other ground-disturbing activities that would affect forest, wetland, or riparian habitats. The proposed action does not involve forest removal or management and generally would not disturb the existing forested habitat on the site. When necessary, TV A would continue to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in separate ESA Section 7 consultation for activities that are outside of TV A's bat programmatic consultation (Service Biological Opinion, Programmatic Strategy for Routine Actions that may Affect Endangered or Threatened Bats (2018), Service Log

1. 04ET 1000-20l8-F-0017, Tennessee Ecological Services Office, Cookeville, Tennessee), as occurred for tree removals around the meteorology tower.

We understand that you determined this project may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect the following federally listed species:

Mr. J. Peyton Doub 2

Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)-Endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalist)-Endangered Whooping crane (Grus americana)-Experimental Population, Non-Essential Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)-Proposed Threatened Slackwater darter (Etheostoma boschungi)-Threatened Pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta)-Endangered Spectaclecase and Proposed Critical Habitat (Cumberlandia monodonta)-

Endangered Tennessee pigtoe (Pleuronaia barnesiana)-Proposed Endangered Anthony's riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi)-Endangered Armored snail (Marstonia pachyta)-Endangered Slender campeloma ( Campeloma decampi)-Endangered Based upon a review of our records and the information provided in your letter, we concur with your determination that the project actions may affect but are not likely to adversely affect these federally listed species.

We also understand that NRC has determined this project will have no effect on the following federally listed species:

Northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)-Endangered Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus)-Proposed Endangered Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis)-

Proposed Endangered Spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma alabamae)-Threatened Birdwing pearlymussel (Lemiox rimosus)-Endangered Cracking pearlymussel (Hemistena lata)-Endangered Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens)-Endangered Dromedary pearlymussel (Dromus dromas)-Endangered Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentus)-Endangered Orangefoot pimpleback (Plethobasus cooperianus)-Endangered Ring pink ( Obovaria retusa )-Endangered Rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum)-Endangered Sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus)-Endangered While the ESA gives federal action agencies the authority to make a no effect determination without additional concurrence from the Service, we certainly appreciate you notifying us of your decision.

Based upon the above information, no further endangered species consultation will be required for this portion of the project unless: 1) the identified action is subsequently modified in a manner that causes an effect on a listed species or on proposed or designated critical habitat; 2) new information reveals the identified action may affect federally protected species or designated critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not previously considered; or 3) a new species is listed

Mr. J. Peyton Doub 3

or a critical habitat is designated under the ESA that may be affected by the identified action.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Erin Sasser of my staff at (251) 298-4226 or via email at erin_sasser@fws.gov for additional comments or discussions. Please refer to the reference number located at the top of this letter in future phone calls or written correspondence.

Sincerely, Field Supervisor Alabama Ecological Services Field Office