ML19282B555

Recommendations & Comments Re Er.In General,Rept Adequately Addresses Fish & Wildlife Resources.Description of Wetlands in & Near Plant Site & Transmission Corridor Should Be Included

ML19282B555
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	03/12/1979
From:	St Ores R INTERIOR, DEPT. OF, FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
To:	Julie Hughes COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
References
LWR, NUDOCS 7903150357
Download: ML19282B555 (2)

Text

s United States Department of the Interior FISil AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

'8' " ~~ i LWR u Federal Building, Fort Snelling Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111 MAR 121979 Mr. John H. Hughes, Director of Water Quality Commonwealth Edison Company P.O. Box 767 Chicago, Illinois 60690

Dear Mr. Hughes:

We have completed our review of the Environmental Report for the Byron Nuclear Generating Station, Ogle County, Illinois. In general, the document adequately addresses fish and wildlife resources and the en-vironment in the project's zone of influence. We submit the following additionatl recommendations and comments regarding our area of interest and responsibility.

Section 2.1.3.2.1 - Surface Water A description of all wetlands in and near the plant site and transmission line corridors should be included.

Section 2.2.1.10 - Fish Identify and describe fish spawning and nursery grounds proximate to the plant site.

Section 2.2.7 - Birds Use of the area by migratory birds in the proximity of project structures to major flight routes should be provided.

Section 5.1.3 - Biological Effects To provide for assessment of post-operational impingement and entrainment impacts on aquatic organisms we recommend that an appropriate study be developed. The results of this study will provide the basis for any changes in the plant or its operation that may be needed to reduce impinge-ment and entrainment losses. We intend to have this study be a condition f\ h CS v

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j.. 2 of the U.S. Army Section 10/404 permit that will be needed for the plant. We recommead that this Service, the U.S. Environmental Pro-tection Agency, and the Illinois Department of Conservation be con-tacted soon to discuss this study.

Section 5.1.4 - Effects of Heat Dissipation Facilities A discussion of possible impacts of cooling towers on birds should be provided. We suggest that strobe lights are less attractive to nocturnal migrants than conventional red aircraft warning lights.

Section 5.5 - Effects of Operation and Maintenance of Transmission System Transmission line methods of right-of-way clearing and maintenance, and pos-sible wildlife enhancement in these corridors should be discussed. Impacts of power lines to birds and possible mitigating measures should be addressed.

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the Byron proposal .

Sincerely yours, En,r rA L. St. Oron Antirc/malstant Ec31. ..is rector bcc: Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.

Illinois Department of Conservation, Springfield, IL U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago, IL Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield, IL Washington, D.C./0EC USDI, Regional Environmental Of ficer, Chicago, IL RIF0 TCAO