ML12004A167

Fws# 12-CPA-0081, Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Biological Assessment for Section 7 Consultation Related to the Operating License Application, Rhea County, Tennessee

ML12004A167
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	12/20/2011
From:	Jennings M E US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
To:	Campbell S J Watts Bar Special Projects Branch
References
Download: ML12004A167 (2)

Text

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE I P 446 Neal Street Cookeville, TN 38501 December 20, 2011 Mr. Stephen J. Campbell Chief, Watts Bar Special Projects Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001

Subject:

FWS# 12-CPA-008

1. Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 -.Biological Assessment for section 7 Consultation Related to the Operating License'Application, Rhea County, Tennessee.

Dear Mr. Campbell:

Thank you for the letter received November 8, 2011, transmitting a Biological Assessment (BA)within the draft Supplement 2 to NUREG-0498, "final Environmental Statement Related to the Operation of Watts Bar Nuclear Plant [WBN], Unit 2 -Draft Report for Comment (DSEIS), in Rhea County, Tennessee.

Watts Bar Unit 1 has been in operation since 1996 and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) have conducted numerous studies and water quality monitoring associated with this TVA nuclear facility.Based on a variety of information and data generated by TVA and TDEC, as well as research by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff, the NRC has determined that operation of Watts Bar Unit 2 "may affect, not likely to adversely affect" the federally endangered gray bat (Myotis grisescens) and pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta);

and will have "no effect" on the endangered rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum), fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria), dromedary pearly mussel (Dromus dromas), orangefoot pimpleback (Plethobasus cooperianus), and the threatened snail darter (Percina tanasi). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) biologists have reviewed the information provided and bffei the f6llowing comments-

_Due to the utilization of the supplemental condenser cooling water system and the existing mitigative and monitoring measures in place for the Watts Bar nuclear plant, we concur with your_determination of "may affect, not likely to adversely affectU for the gray bat -and pinkmhucket.

Weýalso agree with the "no effect" determinations for the rough pigtoe, fanshell, dromedary pearlyj fiussel,_orangefoot pimpleback, and snail darter.9 Therefore, based on the best information available at this time, we believe that the requirements of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act 1f 973, as AoI

,amended, are fulfilledj Obligations under the Act must be reconsidered if (1) new information reveals impacts of the proposed action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a manner not previously considered, (2) the proposed action is subsequently modified to include activities which were not considered during this consultation, or (3) new species are listed or critical habitat designated that might be affected by the proposed action.If you have any questions regarding our comments, please contact Steve Alexander of my staff at 931/528-6481 (ext. 210) or by email at stevenalexander@fws.gov.

Sincerely,Mary E. Jennings Field Supervisor