ML23345A012

Summary of Teleconference Between U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Xcel Energy, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office

ML23345A012
Person / Time
Issue date:	12/21/2023
From:	Martinez N NRC/NMSS/DREFS/ELRB
To:	Stephen Koenick, Tanya Smith NRC/NMSS/DREFS
References
Download: ML23345A012 (5)

Text

MEMORANDUM TO: Theodore Smith, Chief Technical Review Branch 2 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material, Safety, and Safeguards Stephen Koenick, Chief Environmental Project Management Branch 1 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material, Safety and Safeguards FROM: Nancy Martinez, Environmental Scientist Technical Review Branch 2 Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, And Financial Support Office of Nuclear Material, Safety, And Safeguards

SUMMARY

OF TELECONFERENCE BETWEEN U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, XCEL ENERGY, THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE, AND MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE On November 17, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff met with representatives from Xcel Energy (Xcel), the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe (Mille Lacs), and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (MN SHPO). The purpose of this meeting was for the NRC staff to meet with National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 consulting parties to the Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant, Unit 1 (Monticello) subsequent renewal application and to discuss Xcels cultural resources survey efforts for the Monticello site. The NRC staff provided a summary of the ongoing consultation and communication with the Mille Lacs and MN SHPO, comments and concerns raised by the consulting parties, and the request for additional information issued to Xcel requesting an archaeological and culturally important plant species survey of the Monticello site. December 21, 2023 Signed by Martinez, Nancy on 12/21/23

Xcel provided a summary of recent survey efforts of the Monticello site:

• Xcel is developing an archaeological study report that will include maps delineating areas of the Monticello site that are disturbed or undisturbed, and areas of high potential for archaeological resources. As part of this study report, during the week of October 23, 2023, Xcel conducted a site walkover with a representative of the Mille Lacs. The draft study report will be completed by the end of November 2023 and can be made available to the consulting parties for review by December 2023.

• Xcel will update fleet procedures to incorporate the maps generated from the report and the study report will inform actions that should be taken in areas labeled as high potential should ground disturbance occur.

• The survey to identify red cedar is expected to be conducted in December 2023. Due to wild rices growth season, the survey to identify wild rice will need to be conducted in the June/July 2024 timeframe. Xcel will continue to be in contact and update the Mille Lacs regarding these surveys.

In response to the site survey efforts that Xcel discussed, the Mille Lacs:

• Requested that the draft archaeological study report be provided for review and comment.

• Stated that even if there is no red cedar present at the site it is important to identify remnants of past growth of cedar and the Tribe may want restoration of trees for shoreline protection.

In response to the site survey efforts that Xcel discussed, the MN SHPO:

• Stated that they do not comment on draft surveys or reports and requested that once finalized, the survey be transmitted by the NRC to their office. The transmittal should include a determination if the report is sufficient for Section 106 purposes.

• Emphasized that in accordance with Section 106 requirements, the NRC is responsible to make a reasonable and good faith effort to carry out appropriate identification efforts for historic properties in consideration of the scope and nature of the undertaking (license renewal).

• Asked Xcel for clarification if as part of this study report all above ground structures within the entire area of potential effect (2,000-acre site) will be identified that may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

• Inquired how the NRC can ensure Xcels site procedures are implemented.

In response to the site survey efforts that Xcel discussed, the NRC staff asked Xcel:

• If additional information could be provided regarding the actions that will be detailed in site procedures for those areas the archaeological study report will identify as having a high potential for archaeological resources.

• If the scope of the archaeological study report will include ground truthing.

In response to questions during this meeting, Xcel:

• Stated that the archaeological study report will be provided to the Mille Lacs as a draft for review and comment.

• Confirmed that the study will address above ground structures within the area of potential effect.

• Clarified that the entire 2,000-acre site will not be shovel tested as part of the archaeological study report.

• Stated that at this time it is not known exactly how the procedures will be updated.

The NRC staff provided closing remarks and thanked all in attendance for the productive discussion. No members of the public were in attendance as this was a closed meeting (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System ML23305A349).

LIST OF ATTENDEES

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Allan Barker, Regional Governmental Liaison Officer Kimberly Conway, Environmental Project Manager Jessica Umana, Environmental Project Manager Nancy Martinez, Environmental Scientist Stephen Koenick, Branch Chief Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Adrian Bugg, THPO Assistant Charlie Lipper, Air Quality Specialist Xcel Energy Stephen Sollom, Senior Engineer, Subsequent License Renewal Paul Young, Manager Site Routine Projects Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office Lucy Harrington, Environmental Review Archaeologist Sarah Beimers, Environmental Review Program Manager Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (NRC contractor)

Cyler Conrad, Archaeologist Lindsey Renaud, Archaeologist Enercon (Xcel contractor)

Rachel Turney, Environmental Licensing Manager Tom Slavonic, Project Manager (Xcel contractor)Westwood Dean Sather Ryan Grohnke

SUMMARY

OF TELECONFERENCE BETWEEN U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, XCEL ENERGY, THE MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE, AND MINNESOTA STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE Dated:

DISTRIBUTION Public RidsNmssRefs RidsNmssRefsenrb RidsNmssRefselrb RidsAcrsAcnw_MailCTR RidsOgcMailCenter RidsOpaMail RidsOCAMailCenter ABarker HFrey BBallard ADAMS Accession No: ML23345A012 OFC NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NMSS/REFS NAME AWalker-Smith NMartinez JUmana SKoenick TSmith NMartinez DATE 12/11/2023 12/11/2023 12/12/2023 12/14/2023 12/18/2023 12/21/2023 OFFICIAL RECORD COPYDecember 21, 2023