ML25259A002
| ML25259A002 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Kemmerer File:TerraPower icon.png |
| Issue date: | 03/26/2025 |
| From: | La Franier G Northern Cheyenne Tribe |
| To: | Sarah Lopas NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ETRB1 |
| References | |
| Download: ML25259A002 (1) | |
Text
From:
gary.lafranier@cheyennenation.com To:
Subject:
[External_Sender] RE: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Request to Consult on Archaeological Testing at Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 (Lincoln County, WY)
Date:
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 5:15:57 PM Importance:
High Good Afternoon,
After reviewing the email, Northern Cheyenne concurs that there should be a mitigation plan.
Northern Cheyenne recommends NRC or agency to re design construction plan that can reduce and avoid the adverse effect.
Thank You,
Gary LaFranier FCC/ Section 106 Coordinator (406) 477-8113 Lame Deer, MT. 59043
From: Sarah Lopas <Sarah.Lopas@nrc.gov>
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2025 6:40 PM To: teanna.limpy@cheyennenation.com; gary.lafranier@cheyennenation.com
<gary.lafranier@cheyennenation.com>
Subject:
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Request to Consult on Archaeological Testing at Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 (Lincoln County, WY)
Dear Ms. Limpy and Mr. LaFranier,
In February 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a letter notifying Tribes of potential adverse effects to two historic sites due to the proposed construction of the Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1. The NRC also held a Tribal Workshop on February 25, 2025, to further discuss these potential adverse effects. The project applicant, TerraPower, is now seeking to avoid impacts to both sites (see letter from TerraPower at ML25064A005).
As part of the avoidance process, TerraPower would like to conduct additional archaeological testing at each site. Please see the attached letter and Testing Plan from TerraPowers archaeological contractor, Tetra Tech, for sites 48LN740 and 48LN8940, which the NRC is transmitting for review and consultation. The Testing Plan is non-public because it contains sensitive archaeological information. The Testing Plan is password-protected. You will receive the PDF password in a separate email titled, FOLLOW-UP
Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 Testing Plan.
Opportunity for Site Visit and to Monitor Archaeological Testing
In an email sent on March 12, 2025, the NRC invited Tribes to participate in a visit to the proposed Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1 site the week of April 28, 2025. Additionally, TerraPower plans to begin the attached archaeological testing this same week, immediately following the site visit. I will be following up with you via email in the next two weeks with details regarding the site visit and tentative schedule for archaeological testing. Please reach out if you have any questions/comments/concerns about the attached testing plan in the meanwhile. I look forward to meeting you in Wyoming and continuing to work with you!
Preliminary Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
In the adverse effects letter and during the February 25 workshop, the NRC stated that we planned to develop an MOA to mitigate potential adverse effects and would share a preliminary draft of the MOA with Tribes in late March. Because TerraPower is now seeking to avoid adverse effects to both sites, and given that Tribes inquired about avoidance during the Tribal workshop, we are now pausing further development of the MOA until the results of archaeological testing are finalized for further consultation.
Thank you for your time, and please reach out to me at any time with any questions or concerns.
Sarah L. Lopas Senior Environmental Project Manager Environmental Technical Review Branch 1 Environmental Center of Expertise Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Sarah.Lopas@nrc.gov 301-415-6360