ML25226A140
| ML25226A140 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000615 |
| Issue date: | 08/07/2025 |
| From: | John Frost US Dept of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Nashville District |
| To: | Daniel Barnhurst, Nagel M NRC/NMSS/DREFS/EPMB3 |
| References | |
| Download: ML25226A140 (1) | |
Text
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY NASHVILLE DISTRICT, CORPS OF ENGINEERS REGULATORY DIVISION 3701 BELL ROAD NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37214 August 7, 2025 Mr. Daniel Barnhurst United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Dear Mr. Daniel Barnhurst:
It is our understanding that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has received a request for a construction permit (CP) from Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to build one small modular reactor at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Roane County, Tennessee. It is further understood that NRC will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, to evaluate potential environmental effects of the proposed project. Your NEPA implementing regulations (10 CFR Parts 51 and 52) provide for the invitation of those federal agencies having jurisdictional by law (permitting and land transfer authority), to be designated as Cooperating Agencies in the preparation of an EIS.
In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and NRC on Environmental Reviews Related to Requests to Construct and Operate New Nuclear Power Plants dated September 12, 2008, and pursuant to Section 107(a)(3) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, NRC invited USACE, Nashville District to serve as Cooperating Agency in the preparation of the EIS. As a Cooperating Agency, USACE will participate in the environmental evaluation process with NRC acting as Lead Federal Agency.
USACE involvement will entail aspects of the EIS under our jurisdiction. Though no direct writing analysis may be required from our agency in the preparation of the EIS, we will be providing comments, as appropriate. We expect to be actively involved in the NEPA process as well as the contents of the document in order for the EIS to meet our regulatory needs under NEPA, the Clean Water Act (CWA) and 33 CFR Parts 330-332.
We look forward to cooperating with NRC in the NEPA/EIS process. Though we anticipate our mutual participation will help facilitate the federal environmental permit process, it cannot be interpreted as a guarantee of permit issuance.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Cara Beverly by telephone (865) 304-1413 or email cara.c.beverly@usace.army.mil.
Sincerely, Joshua W. Frost Chief, Regulatory Division Nashville District cc Madelyn.Nagel@nrc.gov