ML19312C569

Responds to AEC Ltr Forwarding Matls Re License Application. Recommends That Util Cooperate W/Appropriate Agencies to Conduct Surveys & Make Mods as Determined by Such Surveys

ML19312C569
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	11/24/1970
From:	Benjamin S INTERIOR, DEPT. OF, FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
To:	Price H US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
References
NUDOCS 7912170442
Download: ML19312C569 (3)

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$" BEE #l7EEE UNITED STATES **

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I h DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR J (M .

J FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE d$ '

D UREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE WAsmNGioN D.C. 20240 50-269/270/287

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Mr. Harold L. Price Director of Regulation U.S. Atomic Energy Core 11ssion Washington, D.C. 20545

Dear Mr. Price:

This is in response to Mr. Boyd's letter transmitting for our comments copies of materials related to the application by the Duke Power Ccapany for an operating license for the Oconee Nuclear Station, Units 1, 2, and 3, Oconee County, South Carolina, AEC Docket Nos. 50-269, 50-270, and 50-287 We have reviewed t.he Final Safety Analysis Report, i including its amendments, the company's draft environmental statement dated July 1970, and the company's letter of October 30, supplementing '

the statement. As a part of this review the comments of the Center for Estuarine and Menhaden Research, now a part of the National Parine Fisheries Service of the Department of Cocnerce, were obtained and are included herein.

The station site is adjacent to the ccupany's Keowee Dam and Hydro-electric Station now under construction on the Keowee River just up-stream from the existing federally-owned Hartwell Reservoir. Each unit of the nuclear station will use a pressurized water reactor with an output of about 2,584 Mwt (886 Ise). A radioactive waste disposal system, fuel handling system, auxiliary structures, and other onsite facilities required for a complete and operable nuclear powerplant I would be provided. Construction permits for au three units were issued by the AEC on November 6, 1967. Commercial operation is scheduled for Unit 1 in May 1971; Unit 2 in May 1972; and Unit 3 in June 1973 About 4,740 c.f.s. of water would be conveyed to the station frca the Little River am of Lake Keowee through an intake conduit to the station to cool the' condensers of all three units. Normal cooling water discharges would be into the Keowee River am of Lake Keowee about 3,700 feet frhm the hydroelectric station intake. Emergency dis-charge of cooling waters and normal discharge of liquid effluent from the waste treatment facilities would be into the Keowee Dam tailrace at the headwaters of Hartwell Reservoir.

Fishery resources of Hartwen Reservoir include largemouth bass, crappies, carp, and suckers. In addition, striped bass and walleye t

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have been stocked in the reservoir and trout in the tailvater area.

These recources support moderate sport fiching and a minor comercial fichery. Lake Keowce vill cupport fichery recources very similar to those of Hartwell Reservoir, and will provide additional sport fish-ing opportunity in this area.

The company indicates that (1) studies of the thermal effects of the Oconee station will be included in its ongoing monitoring program to determine the impact on the aquatic resources and the environment, (2) the condenner tubes will be cleaned by mechanical means without using chemicals, (3) the radioactive vasten vill be released in con-centrations as low as practicable and below the allowable limits, (4) the velocity of the water entering the station intake structure will be low enough to prevent a significant loss of fish through the structure into the plant, and (5) pre-operational environmental radio-logical monitoring studies will be continued and similar studies will be continued after plant operation.

We are concerned that the themal and radiological effluents may cause significant damage to fish life and the aquatic environment, and that a significant number of fish may be lost into the intake structure and destroyed. If the surveys establish that the heated or radioactive effluents discharged into Lake Keowee and its tailrace result in changes in Lake Keowee, its tailrace, or Hartwell Reservoir that are significantly detrimental to the fish and wildlife resources or the environment, corrective measures should be taken to reduce the temperature and the radionuclide content of the effluent. Should the studies show that significant numbers of fish are withdrawn with the cooling water, suitable fish protective devices should be installed at the intake structure to reduce the damaging effects to within acceptable limita.

In view of the importance of the sport fishery in Hartwell Reservoir and the fichery potential of Lake Keowee, it is imperative that every effort be made to protect these valuable resource from possible damage from radioactive contamination, heated water, and losses into the intake structure. Therefore, we recomend that the Commission require the company to:

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1. Continue to cooperate with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, other concerned Federal agencies, and the j appropriate State agencies in developing plans for radio-logical and environmental surveys.

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2. Continue to conduct stich surveys to determine the effects of the plant on the environment and prepare a report of the pre-operational surveys and provide copies of them to the Director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife for evaluation prior to reactor operation.

3 :, conduct post-operational ecological and radiological surveys following plans developed in cooperation with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and other Federal and State agencies, analyze the data, and prepare and sub-

. mit reports annually until it has been conclusively demon-strated that no significant adverse conditions exist.

Copies of these reports should be submitted to the Director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife for evaluation.

4. Make modifications in project structures and operations as may be detemined necessary to protect the fish and wild-life resources and the environment as a result of the radio-logical and environmental surveys.

The opportunity for providing our comments is appreciated.

Sincerely yours, O -

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pr,a Director i

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