ML092930182

Department of Interior Response to Request of List of Protected Species, Rhea County, Tennessee

ML092930182
Person / Time
Site:	Watts Bar
Issue date:	10/09/2009
From:	Jennings M US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
To:	Joel Wiebe Watts Bar Special Projects Branch
Wiebe, Joel NRR/DORL/WBSP, 415-6606
References
2009-SL-0885
Download: ML092930182 (2)

Text

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 446 Neal Street Cookeville, TN 38501 October 9,2009 Mr. Joel Wiebe Watts Bar Special Project Branch Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Subject:

FWS #2009-SL-0885. Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 2 - Request for list of Protected Species, Rhea County, Tennessee.

Dear Mr. Wiebe:

Thank you for your letter and enclosures of September 2, 2009, regarding the Tennessee Valley Authority application for an operating license for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 2, located in Rhea County, Tennessee. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) personnel have reviewed the information submitted and we offer the following comments.

Information available to the Service does not indicate that wetlands exist in the vicinity of the proposed project. However, our wetland determination has been made in the absence of a field inspection and does not constitute a wetland delineation for the purposes of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation should be contacted if other evidence, particularly that obtained during an on-site inspection, indicates the potential presence of wetlands.

According to our records, the following federally listed or proposed endangered or threatened species may occur near the project impact area:

pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta)

Eastern fanshell pearlymussel (Cyprogenia stegaria) rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum) dromendary pearlymussel (Dromus dromas) orangefoot pimpleback (Plethobasus cooperianus) snail darter (Percina tanasi) gray bat (Myotis grisescens)

You should assess potential impacts and determine if the proposed project may affect these species. A finding of "may affect" could require initiation of formal consultation. Please submit a copy of your assessment and findings to this office for review and concurrence.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed action. If you have any questions regarding the information which we have provided, please contact Robbie Sykes of my staff at 931/528-6481, extension 209.

Sincerely, fX~)~

rNll/ Mary E. Jennings

~Vv Field Supervisor