ML15217A573

Nhpa Continuing Paleoliquefaction Work Arkansas Shpo Ltr OGC Rmr July 20, 2015

ML15217A573
Person / Time
Site:	Arkansas Nuclear
Issue date:	08/07/2015
From:	Bernard Thomas NRC/RES/DE
To:	Gillilad E State of AR, Dept of Arkansas Heritage
Thomas Weaver, 301-415-2383
References
Download: ML15217A573 (5)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 August 7, 2015 Mr. Eric Gilliland 106 Review Coordinator The Department of Arkansas Heritage Arkansas Historic Preservation Program 323 Center Street, Suite 1500 Little Rock, AR 72201

SUBJECT:

AHPP TRACKING NUMBER 78798: US NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, CONTINUING PALEOLIQUEFACTION FIELD WORK ALONG SELECTED RIVER SEGMENTS IN ARKANSAS

Dear Gilliland:

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has performed the field work described in our Section 106 consultation letter sent to your office, dated August 23, 2012 (enclosed). The field work identified various paleoliquefaction features in Arkansas for the purpose of assessing seismic hazards to commercial nuclear power plants. The NRCs contractor conducted this field work along various river segments in Arkansas (please see Figure 1 below for the location of the work conducted previously) during September - December 2013 and 2014. On September 6, 2012, your office indicated its determination that the field work described in our August 23, 2012 letter would have no adverse effect on historic properties (enclosed).

The NRC plans to continue the field work described in our August 23, 2012 letter during the months of September through December 2015. Figure 2 shows the approximate river segments that will be the subject of this future work. Due to the limited scope and minor disturbance of this field work, the NRC has determined that the proposed field work in the river segments identified in Figure 2 will have no adverse effect on any historic properties located along or in these river segments, assuming such properties are present.

In the event that the NRC considers any particular site along any of the subject river segments to be a candidate site for a paleoliquefaction study, which may involve the excavation of a trench, the NRC will determine the area of potential effects and then initiate consultation with your office and other interested consulting parties, including Native American tribes. The NRC considers such paleoliquefaction study, if pursued, to be a separate undertaking than the field work described in our August 23, 2012 letter.1 1

By letter dated July 29, 2014, the NRC initiated Section 106 consultation with your office for proposed excavation work at two sites in Arkansas. In a letter dated September 3, 2014, your office determined that any impacts to historic properties arising from the proposed excavation work would be minimal and is in accord with NRHP significance testing (AHPP Tracking Number 78798.1). The NRC intends to begin the excavation work described in its July 29, 2014 letter in October or November 2015.

E. Gillaland Please provide your comments on our determination of no adverse effect for the proposed field work at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Thomas Weaver by phone at (301) 415-2383 or by email at Thomas.Weaver@nrc.gov. All written correspondence should be sent to the NRC at the following address with attention to the Document Control Desk. We look forward to your feedback.

ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 Sincerely,

/RA Kathryn M. Brock for/

Brian E. Thomas, Director Division of Engineering Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

Enclosure:

Letter from NRC to the Department of Arkansas Heritage dated August 23, 2012 Response from the Department of Arkansas Heritage dated September 6, 2012

ML15217A573 RES No:

OFFICE RES/DE/SGSEB RES/DE/SGSEB OGC (via email) D: RES/DE NAME JPB for T. Weaver J. Burke A. Pessin KMB for B. Thomas DATE 08/06/15 08/06/15 7/23/15 08/07/15 Figure 1 Map of paleoliquefaction study area in the Central U.S. River segments where the NRC conducted previous field work is delineated in purple. River segments where the NRC proposes to conduct additional field work is delineated in green.

Figure 2 Map of paleoliquefaction study area in northern Arkansas. River segments where the NRC conducted previous field work is delineated in purple. River segments where the NRC proposes to conduct additional field work is delineated in green.