ML11308A328

Grand Gulf, Applicant'S Environmental Report, Operating License Renewal Stage, Attachment B - Historic and Archaeological Properties Correspondence, Part 1 of 2

ML11308A328
Person / Time
Site:	Grand Gulf
Issue date:	10/28/2011
From:	Entergy Operations
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
GNRO-2011/00093
Download: ML11308A328 (18)

Text

Grand Gulf Nuclear StationApplicant's Environmental ReportOperating License Renewal Stage B-1Attachment B Historic and Archaeological Properties Correspondence*Thomas, J. A., Enercon Services, Inc., to H. T. Holmes, State Historic Preservation Office, Mississippi Department of Archives and History. February 3, 2011.*Williamson, G., Review and Compliance Officer, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, to J. A. Thomas, Enercon Services, Inc. February 25, 2011.*Thomas, J. A., Enercon Services, Inc., to P. Boggan, Office of Historic Preservation, Division of Historic Preservation. February 3, 2011.*Breaux, P., State Historic Preservation Office, to J.A. Thomas, Enercon Services, Inc. May 10, 2011.*Thomas, J. A., Enercon Services, Inc., to E. J. Barbry, Jr., Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Historic Preservation Office. February 4, 2011.*Thomas, J. A., Enercon Services, Inc., to B. Denson, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. February 4, 2011.

ENERCON Exc e l/ence-Every project Every day. Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Post Office Box 571 . Jackson, MS 39205

SUBJECT:

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station License Renewal Application

Dear Mr. Holmes February 3,

2011 In 2011 , Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for renewal of the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS), which is located in Claiborne County , Mississippi on the east bank of the Mississippi River at River Mile 406 , approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg, Mississippi and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez , Mississippi.

The existing licen'se for GGNS was issued for a 40-year term that expires in 2024. If the NRC approves the application, Entergy will then have the option to continue operating GGNS until 2044. The NRC requires that the license renewal application for GGNS incll,.lde an environmental report assessing potential environmental impacts from operation during the license renewal term. One of these potential environmental impacts would be the effect of license renewal on historic or archaeological resources located on the GGNS site 'and , its immediate environs (6-mile v i cinity) as shown in Figure 1. Accordingly , the NRC requires that the environmental report for each license renewal application assess such a potent i al effect (10 CFR 51.53). Later, during its review of the proposed l i cense renewal environmental report pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NRC may request information from your office to ens.ure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 , as amended (16 USC 470), and Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

'regulations (36 CFR 800). Entergy is contacting you now in order to obtain input regarding issues that may need to be addressed in the GGNS license renewal environmental report , and to assist Entergy in identifying any information your staff believes .would be helpful to expedite NRC's consultation. The 2 , 100 acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlands and former farms as well as two lakes , Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake (see Figure 1). Based on a review of information available and previous consultations , Entergy is providing the' information below for your office that was obtained from the April 2006 Environmental Impact Statement for an E arly. Site Permit (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Site , published by the NRC. Co r p o r o re Headq u arrers 5 7 00 E a st Sk e lly D rive S uire 450 Tu l sa, OK 74135 phone 918.6657693 fax 978.665.7232 enercon.com Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi. Department of Archives and History Page 2 of 10

• The area in and around GGNS has a rich history and has demonstrated the presence of significant prehistoric and historic cultural resources. Thirty-five sites in Claiborne County are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), sixteen of which are located within a 10-mile v i cinity of GGNS. These are mostly h i storic buildings , homes , churches , and cemeter i es. One site , the Grand Gulf Military Park , a 400-acre park listed in the NRHP , is located adjacent to GGNS. Within the park are archaeological deposits , standing structures , objects, and artifacts from the historic town of Grand Gulf and from Civil War events that occurred in the area. Files at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) indicate that a total of 13 archaeological sites , including those within the park site , are within 2 miles of GGNS, none of which are elig i ble for listing on the NRHP.

• During the GGNS Unit 3 combined operating licensing application (COLA) process and at the recommendation of the MDAH , a Phase I archaeological survey was conducted in 2007 on two onsite study areas totaling approximately 115 acres of a well dissected upland landform using a combination of shovel testing and pedestrian surveys. Eleven archaeological sites and eight isolated finds/small artifact scatters were identified during this survey. One archaeological site within the study area and located south of the plant in a wooded area , was identified as hav i ng the potential to be el i g i b l e for the NRHP. The remaining sites were determined to be ineligible for list i ng on the NRHP. The MDAH required no further actions from GGNS provided that no construction activities occurred in this specific area.

• Other areas on the GGNS property include the Grand Gulf Mound , the Callendar House and the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad. The Grand Gu l f Mound located on a terrace on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River has been excavated by the MDAH; and*therefore little remains of the mound. The Callendar House site was considered an unrecorded historic resource , as subsurface historic deposits probably exist. However , the site likely would not be considered elig i ble for listing on the NRHP because of a lack of integrity. Finally , a 300-feet segment of an i mportant 19th century historic railroad , known as the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Ra i lroad , still exists w i thin the site boundary. The steel rails are gone , but the railroad bed exists i n good condition. I n August 2010, a Phase 1A Literature Rev i ew and Archeological Sensitivity Assessment was conducted on the GGNS site. In conjunction with this assessment, pre-h i storic and historic review of documentary sources were reviewed at the Claiborne County and Tensas County H i storica l Societies and Libraries , Mississipp i and Louisiana H i stor i c Preservat i on Off i ces , M i ssissippi Department of Arch i ves and H i story , Lou i s i ana State Archeolog i ca l Survey , Western History Collection in Norman, Oklahoma and Arkansas Archeological Survey in Fayetteville , Arkansas. In addition , databases at the Mississippi and Lou i siana SHPO were reviewed for up-to-date information on prev i ously recorded h i storical propert i es and prehistoric sites with in a 10-mile radil!s of GGNS. As a result of this review , archaeo l ogica l and h i storical s i tes i dentified w i th in a 10-m i le radius of the GGNS site are summar i zed i n Tables 1 and 2. Entergy does not expect GGNS operat i ons during the license renewal term (an addit i onal 20 years) to adversely affect histor i c or archaeological resources at the station s i te because license renewal will not alter existing operations. There are no p l ans to alter Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 3 of 10 current operations during the 20-year license renewal period , and any maintenance activities necessary to support continued operation of GGNS will be limited to currently developed areas of the site. Although administrative procedural controls are in place for management of cultural resources ahead of any future ground-disturbing activities at the plant , none are planned or needed in support of license renewal. After your review of the information provided in this letter , I would appreciate your office sending a letter detailing any concerns yqu may have regarding historic or archaeological properties on the GGNS site and immediate environs, or alternatively, confirming our conclusion that operation of GGNS during the license renewal term would have no effect on known historical or archaeological properties. Entergy will include copies of this letter and your response in the environmentai reports that w i ll be submitted to the NRC as part of the GGNS license renewal application. Please do not hesitate to call me at 918-665-7693 x328 , or Rick Buckley at 601-368-5823 , if there are quest i ons or you need additional information to complete a review of the proposed action. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Thank you , J mes A. Thomas anager , Electric Utilities Environmental Services Attachment Mile Map cc: Rick Buckley (Entergy)

Mr.' H , T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 4 of 10 Table 1 Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB501 Claiborne Willows PE CB504 Claiborne Grand Gulf OR CB50? Claiborne Willows UNK CB508 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB519 Claiborne Willows PE CB520 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB522* Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB523 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB524 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB525 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB526 Claiborne . Grand Gulf UNK CB52? Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB528 Claiborne Grand Gulf PE CB529 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB530 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB530 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB531 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB532 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB534 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB535 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB537 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB538 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB539 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB540 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB541 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB542 Claiborne Willows PE CB543 C l aiborne Grand Gulf PE CB544 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB54? Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB548 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB549 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB551 Claiborne Willows UNK CB552 Claiborne Willows UNK CB558 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB559 Claiborne Willows PE CB560 Claiborne Willows UNK CB561 Claiborne Willows UNK CB562 Claiborne Willows UNK CB564 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississipp i Department of Archives and History Page 5 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish . Quad NRHP1 C8568 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB571 Claiborne Port Gibson PE C8573 Claiborne Willows NE C8575 Claiborne Port Gibson NE C8576 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8581 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB582 Claiborne Port Gibson PE C8583 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8584 Claiborne Port Gibson OR C8586 Claiborne Willows PE CB587 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK C8592 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK CB593 Claiborne Willows UNK CB594 Claiborne Willows UNK C8595 Claiborne Willows UNK C8596 Claiborne Willows UNK C8597 Claiborne Willows UNK C8598 Claiborne Willows UNK CB599 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK C8600 Cla i borne Port Gibson UNK CB601 Claiborne Widows Creek OR C8609 Claiborne Willows PE C8610 Claiborne Willows UNK CB611 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB612 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8615 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8618 Claiborne Grand Gulf UNK C8620 Claiborne Port. Gibson UNK CB621 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK C8622 Claiborne Port Gibson PE C8624 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8625 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8626 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8627 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8632 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK C8633 Claiborne Widows Creek NE? C8634 Claiborne Widows Creek NE C8635 Claiborne Widows Creek NE C8636 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK C8637 Claiborne Widows Creek PE C8638 Claiborne Widows Creek NE C8639 Claiborne Widows Creek NE C8640 Cla i borne Widows Creek UNK C8641 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK C8642 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 6 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB643 Claiborne Widows Creek NE? CB644 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB645 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB646 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB647 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB648 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB649 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB650 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB651 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB652 Claiborne Port Gibson PE CB653 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB654 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB655 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB656 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB673 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB674 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB675 Claiborne Willows UNK CB676 Claiborne Willows UNK CB677 Claiborne Willows UNK CB678 Claiborne Willows UNK CB679 Cla i borne W i llows UNK CB680 Claiborne W i llows UNK CB681 Claiborne Willows UNK CB682 Claiborne Willows UNK CB683 Claiborne W i llows UNK CB684 Claiborne W i llows UNK CB685 Claiborne Willows UNK CB686 Claiborne Willows UNK CB687 Claiborne W i llows UNK CB688 Claiborne Willows UNK CB689 Claiborne W i llows UNK CB690 Claiborne Willows UNK CB691 Claiborne Willows UNK CB692 Claiborne Willows UNK CB693 Claiborne Willows UNK CB694 Cla i borne Widows Creek UNK CB695 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB696 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB697 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB698 Claiborne W i dows Creek UNK CB699 Cla i borne Port Gibson UNK CB699 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB700 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB709 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB710 Claiborne W i dows Creek UNK Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 7 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB714 Claiborne Widows Creek PE CB715 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB716 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB717 Claiborne Widows Creek OR CB720 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB722 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB723 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB724 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB725 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB726 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB727 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB728 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB729 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB730 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB731 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB732 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB733 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB734 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB735 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB736 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB738 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB739 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB740 Claiborne* Port Gibson UNK CB741 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB742 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB743 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB749 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB750 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB751 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB752 . Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB753 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB759 Claiborne Willows UNK CB763 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB765 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB766 Claiborne Willows UNK CB768 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB773 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB775 Claiborne Port Gibson NE CB776 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB776 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB777 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB778 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB779 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB780 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB781 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 8 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archaeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad NRHP1 CB781 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB783 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB784 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB785 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB786 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB787 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB788 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB789 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB790 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB791 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB792 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB793 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB794 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB795 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB797 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB797 Claiborne Widows Creek UNK CB798 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB799 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB800 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB801 Claiborne Widows Creek E CB803 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB804 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB805 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB813 Claiborne . Widows Creek PE CB819 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK CB820 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB821 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB822 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB823 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB824 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB825 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB826 Claiborne Grand Gulf NE CB827 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB828 Claiborne Widows Creek NE CB829 Claiborne Carlisle UNK CB862 Claiborne Port Gibson UNK TE8 Tensas Newellton E TE119 Tensas Newellton UNK TE150 Tensas Newellton UNK TE151 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE152 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE153 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE154 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE155 Tensas Grand Gulf UNK TE156 Tensas Newellton UNK Mr. H. T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Office Mississippi Department of Archives and History Page 9 of 10 Table 1 (Continued)

Archeological Sites within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS Site County/Parish Quad TE157 Tensas Newellton UNK TE159 Tensas Grand Gulf PE TE160 Tensas Newellton UNK TE163 Tensas Newellton PE TE164 Tensas Newellton PE TE166 Tensas Newellton PE TE167 Tensas Newellton PE TE168 Tensas Newellton PE TE169 Tensas Newellton PE TE170 Tensas Newellton NE TE171 Tensas Newellton PE TE172 Tensas Newellton PE TE173 Tensas Newellton PE 1 Acronyms:

E = Eligible NE = Not Eligible PE = Potentially Eligible OR = On Register UNK = Unknown NRHP1 Mr. H. T. Holmes State Histor i c Preservat i on Off i ce Mississippi Department of Arch i ves and History Page 10 of 10 . Table , 2 Historical Resources within a 10-Mile Radius of GGNS State County/Parish Resource Name Quad NRHP State Listing MS C l a i borne Bayou Pierre S i te Port G i bson 1 978 Bethel Presbyterian MS C l aiborne Church St. Joseph 1978 1004 Buena Vista Cotton Gin MS Claiborne (Watson Steam Gin) Port Gibson 1 974 5003 Bu i ld i ng 801 Ch i nquep i n MS Claiborne Street Port Gibso n 19 7 9 MS Cla i borne Canemount St. J oseph 1982 1003 MS C l aiborne Catho li c Cemetery Port Gibson 1979 Catledge Archeolog i cal MS C l aiborne S i te St. Joseph 1974 MS Claiborne Canters Creek Mound Port Gibson 1973 MS Claiborne Civil War Earth Works Grand Gulf Elig i ble 2003 MS. Cla i borne Civil War Earth Works G r and Gu l f Elig i ble 2004 Chamberlain-Hunt MS Cla i borne Academy H i stor ic D i st ri ct Port Gibson 19 7 9 Cab i nwood House MS C l aiborne Plantation Port Gibson Eli gible 50 1 0 MS Claiborne C l aremont Port Gibson 1979 MS Claiborne Collin a Port Gibson 1979 MS Cla i borne Connor House Port Gibson El i gible 5014 MS Cla i borne Drake Hill Historic D i strict Port G i bson 1 979 MS Claiborne Go l den West Cemetery Port G i bson 1 979 Grand Gulf Milita r y State MS C l a i borne Park Port G i bson 19 7 2 MS C l a i borne Herm i tage House Willows Eli g i ble 5508 MS Claiborne Hollyrood Port Gibson 1979 ' Humphrey' Family MS Claiborne Cemetery Willows Elig i ble 5509 MS Cla i borne Idlewild Port Gibson 1979 MS C l a i borne Jew i sh Cemetery Port Gibson 19 7 9 Widow's MS C l a i borne M all e t-Brewer House Creek Eli g i ble 5009 Widow's MS Cla i borne Bayou Pierre Church Creek E ligible 5013 LA Tensas Lakewood St. Joseph 1983 St. Joseph Historic LA Tensas D i strict St. Joseph 1 980 Tensas Parish LA Tensas Courthouse St. J oseph 19 7 9 1 Delisted 1992.

Figure 1 Location of GGNS, 6-Mile Radius Map c[? Helicopter Pad B Urban Areas kINe Ra ilroads III Recreation Area Grand Gill Nuclear Sialion (ooNS , _ lakes atld P onds -t-Abandoned Ran r oiKh F'mdpal Histolical Silie C]6-Mie(I OkmlV ..... ity --Hig hways o County B ou otla ry _ GGNS Buildings

-Other P rirx:ipal Roads Slate Boundary I Y F Y.bcliuJ&. FebrlJa()'

4. 2010 _ E lisling T ransmission Corridor -Countyllocal Roads MISSISSIPPI DEPAR T M E N T o f ARCHIV E S A ND H ISTORY February 25, 2011 Mr. James A. Thomas, Manager -Environmental Services Enercon 5100 East Skelly Drive , Suite 450 Tulsa, OK 74135 PO Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571 601-576-6850

• Fax 60 1-576-6975 mdah.S[3re

.ms.u H. T. Holmer, Director RE: Proposed License Renewal for Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, 2 , 1 OO-Acre Site MDAH Project Log #02-053-11 , Claiborne County

Dear Mr. Thomas:

We have reviewed your request for comment, received on February 9 , 2011 , for the above referenced action in accordance with our responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 CFR Part 800. After reviewing the information provided, it is our determination that the proposed undertaking will have no . adverse effect on historic resources, as there is no construction, development, or demolition or other action proposed that would have an effect on cultural resources.

Therefore, we have no reservations with the license renewal. Should projects arise that involve construction, development, or demolition, we would be interested in review of those projects for impacts to cultural resources on a case by case basis. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (601) 576-6940. Sincerely, Greg Williamson Review and Compliance Officer FOR: H.T. Holmes State Historic Preservation Officer ENERCON E x cell e nce-Ever y proj e ct. E v ery d a y Mr. Phil Boggan Office of Histor i c Preservation D i vision of Historic Preservat i on Post Office Box 44247 Baton Rouge , LA 70804

SUBJECT:

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station License Renewal Application

Dear Mr. Boggan,

February 3 , 2011 In 2011 , Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for . renewal of the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS), which is located in C l aiborne County, Mississippi on the east bank of the Mississippi River at River Mile 406, approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg , Mississippi and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez , Mississipp

i. The existing license for GGNS was issued for a 40-year term that expires in 2024. If the NRC approves the application , Entergy will then have the option to cont i nue operating GGNS until 2044. The NRC requires that the license renewal application for GGNS include an env i ronmental report assessing potential environmental impacts from operation during the license renewal term. One of these potential environmental impacts would be the effect of license renewal on h i storic or archaeological resources located on the GGNS site and its immediate environs (6-mile vicinity) as shown in Figure 1. Accordingly , the NRC requires that the environmental report for each license renewal application assess such a potential effect (10 CFR 51.53). Later , during its review of the proposed license renewal environmental report pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NRC may request information from your office to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 , as amended (16 USC 470), and Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations (36 CFR 800). Although the GGNS property does not include property i n Louisiana , Entergy is contacting you as a courtesy in order to obtain input regarding any issues that may need to be addressed in the GGNS license renewal environmental report , and to assist Entergy in identifying any i nformation your staff believes would be helpful to expedite NRC's consultation. The 2 , 100 acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlands and former farms as well* as two lakes, Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake (see Figure 1). Based on a rev i ew of information available and prev i ous consultations, Entergy is provid i ng the information below for your office that was obtained from the April 2006 Environmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Permit (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Site , published by the NRC. Cor p orate Headquarters 5100 East Skelly Dri v e Suite 450 Tu l sa, OK 74135 phone 918.665.7693 fu. 918.665.7232 enercon.cam Mr. Phil Boggan Office of Historic Preservation Di v ision of Historic Preservation Page 2 of 3

• The area in and around GGNS has a rich history and has demonstrated the presence of significant prehistoric and historic cultural resources. Thirty-five sites in Claiborne County are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), sixteen of whic'h are located within a 10-mile vicinity of GGNS. These are mostly historic buildings , homes, churches, and One site, the Grand Gulf Military Park, a 400-acre park listed in the NRHP , is located adjacent to GGNS. Within the park are archaeological deposits , standing objects, and artifacts from the historic town of Grand Gulf and from Civil War events that occurred in the area. Files at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) indicate that a total of 13 archaeological sites, i ncluding those within the park site, are wifhin 2 miles of GGNS, none of which are eligible for listing on the NRHP.

• During the GGNS Unit 3 combined operating licensing application (COLA) process and at the recommendation of the MDAH, a Phase I archaeological survey was conducted in 2007 on two onsite study areas on the GGNS property totaling approximately 115 acres of a well dissected upland landform using a combination of shovel testing and pedestrian surveys. Eleven archaeological sites and eight isolated finds/small artifact scatters were identified during this survey. One historic site within the study area located south of the plant in a wooded area was identified as having the potential to be eligible for the NRHP. The remaining sites were determined to be ineligible for listing on the NRHP. The MDAH required no further actions from GGNS provided that no construction activities occurred in this specific area.

• Other areas on the GGNS property include the Grand Gulf Mound, the Callendar House and the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad. The Grand Gulf Mound located on a terrace on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River has been excavated by the MDAH; therefore little remains of the mound. The Callendar House site was considered an unrecorded historic resource, as subsurface cultural deposits probably exist. However, the site likely would not be considered eligible for listing on the NRHP because of a lack of integrity.

Finally, a 300-feet segment of an important 19th century historic railroad , known as the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad , still exists within the site boundary.

The steel rails are gone, but the railroad bed exists in good condition

.. Entergy does not expect GGNS operations during the license renewal term (an additional 20 years) to adversely affect historic or archaeological resources at the station site because license renewal will not alter existing operations. There are no plans to alter current operations during the 20-year license renewal period, and any maintenance activities necessary to support continued operation of GGNS will be limited to currently developed areas of the site. Although administrative procedural controls are in place for management of cultural resources ahead of any future ground-disturbing activities at the plant , none are planned or needed in support of license renewal. After your review of the information provided in this letter, I would appreciate your office sending a letter detailing any concerns you may have regarding historic or archaeological properties on the GGNS site and immediate environs, or alternatively , confirming our conclusion that operation of GGNS during the license renewal term would have no effect on known historical or archaeological properties in Louisiana. Entergy will Mr. Phil Boggan Office o f Historic Preserv ation Di vision of Historic Prese rvati on Page 3 of 3 include copies of this letter and your response in the environmental reports that will be submitted to the NRC as part of the GGNS license renewal application. P l ease do not hesitate to call me at 918-665-7693 x328 if there are questions or you need additional information to complete a review of the proposed action. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Thank yo , mes A. Thomas anager , Electric Utilities Environmental Services Attachment Mi l e Map cc: R i ck Buckley (Entergy)

Figure 1 Location of GGNS, 6-Mile Radius Map He6copler Pad rn Urnsn Areas -+-Active

., Recrea t ion Area t:::J Grand Gulf Nuclear Sta t ion (GGNS) _ Lakes and Ponds Abandoned Railroads

• Principal Historical SiCe c::J 6-Mile (10 km) V ic inity --Highways ----r--Nalural Ga s Line 0 County Boundary _ GGNS Bulklngt.

-OIher Pr i ncipal Roads State Boundary _ Exisling T r ansm issi on Cofridor -CountylLocal Roads ENERCON Excell en ce-Every projcCL EI'ery d a y. Mr. Phil Boggan Office of Historic Preservation Division of Historic Preservation Post Office Box 44247 Baton Rouge, LA 70804

SUBJECT:

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station License Renewal Application

Dear Mr. Boggan ,

February 3 , 2011 No knuwn hirHoric properties w i ll be affected by this undenokina.

Thi. cITe t determination could change should new mformallon come to our attention. r3reauh 5-/D*" Pam Breallx Date tale Hi-Ior i c Preservat i on Officer In 201 t, Entergy plans to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for renewal of the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS), which is located in Claiborne County, Mississippi on the east bank of the Mississippi River at River Mile 406 , approximately 25 miles south of Vicksburg , MississippI and 37 miles north-northeast of Natchez , Mississippi.

The existing license for GGNS was issued for a 40-year term that expires in 2024. If the NRC approves the application, Entergy will then have the option to continue operating GGNS until 2044. The NRC requires that the license renewal application for GGNS include an environmental report assessing potential environmental impacts from operation during the license renewal term. One of these potential environmental impacts would be the effect of license renewal on historic or archaeological resources located on the GGNS site and its immediate environs (6-mile vicinity) as shown i n Figure 1. Accordingly, the NRC requires that the environmental report for each license renewal application assess such a potential effect (10 CFR 51.53). Later, during its review of the proposed license renewal environmental report pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). the NRC may request information from your office to ensure compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (16 USC 470), and Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations (36 CFR 800). Although the GGNS property does not include property in Louisiana , Entergy is contacting you as a courtesy in order to obtain input regarding any issues that may need to be addressed in the GGNS license renewal env i ronmental report, and to assist Entergy in identifying any information your staff believes would be helpful to expedite NRC's consultation.

The 2,100 acre GGNS site consists primarily of woodlands and former farms as well as two lakes, Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake (see Figure 1). Based on a review of information available and previous consultations, Entergy is providing the information below for your office that was obtained from the April 2006 En-vironmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Permit (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Site , published by the NRC. Co,porote Headquarters 5100 East Skelly D, l ve Suire 450 Tulsa, OK 74135 918.665.7693 fa. 918.665.7232 en'fcan.co m