ML18017A251

Forwards Comments on Suppl 2 to Des.Analysis Makes Several Assumptions Which Overstate Impacts of Events Being Considered

ML18017A251
Person / Time
Site:	Susquehanna
Issue date:	05/26/1981
From:	CURTIS N W PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO.
To:	YOUNGBLOOD B J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RTR-NUREG-0564, RTR-NUREG-564 PLA-818, NUDOCS 8105280266
Download: ML18017A251 (184)

Text

TWONORTHNINTHSTREET,ALLENTOWN, PA.18101PHONE:(21$)82I.$151NORMANW.CURTISVicePresident Entpneereg 8ConsrrUcten 821-SSSIMay26,1981rMr.B.J.Youngblood, ChiefLicensing BranchNo.1U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission Washington, D.C.20555SUSQUEf&NNA STEAMELECTRICSTATIONCOMMENTSONSUPPLEMENT 2OFDRAFTENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT ER100450FILE991-2PLA-818

DearMr.Youngblood:

AttachedarePP6LtscommentsonSupplement 2oftheDraftEnvironmental Statement.

Verytrulyyours,g,vdWCurtN..xsVicePresident-Engineering 6Construction-Nuclear DPM/mjm6-81Sgg448yosgsQPENNSYLVANIA POWER4'IOHTCOIAPANY Applicants havereviewedSupplement No.2totheDraftEnvironmental Statement relatedtotheoperation oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStationUnits1and2(NUREG-0564) andingeneralconcurwiththeStaff'sanalyses, evaluations, andconclusions.

Applicants believetheSupplement meetstheintent'oftheCommis-sion'sstatement ofinterimpolicyregarding accidentconsiderations andagreewiththeStaff'sconclusion thatwhiletheenvironmental impactsofthe.accidents considered maybesevere,thelikelihood oftheiroccurrence isremote.Therefore, theconclusions reachedintheDraftEnvironmental Statement shouldremainunchanged.

Applicants

-dohavethefollowing specificcommentsonSupplement No.2.A)TheStaff'sanalysismakesseveralassumptions whichtendtooverstate theimpactsoftheeventsbeingconsidered.

l.7-DayGroundDoseAssumption Page6-12ofSupplement No.2containsthefollowing statement:

TheRSSconsequence modelalsocontainsaprovision forincorporating theconsequence reduction benefitsofevacuation andotherprotective actions.Exceptasotherwise indicated below,theresultsshownforSusquehanna donotincludethisprovision.

Withrespecttothisaspectofthecalcula-tions,therefore, theresultsare"worstcase"estimates.

Themodeldoes,however,provideforrelocation ofpersonstoavoidprolonged exposuretogroundcontamination.

Unlessotherwise specified, thecalculations forSusquehanna incorporate thisprovision fogre-locationfollowing sevendaysofexposure.

.This"sevendaysofexposure" referstoirradiation fromfissionproductsdeposited onthegroundfollowing apos-tulatedcore-melt accident.

Itisextremely conservative toassumethepopulation wouldremaininplaceandbeexposedtothisradiation foraslongassevendays.Thisover-conservatism isparticularly greatforearlyhealtheffects,suchasacutefatalities.

TheresultsoftheReactorSafetyStudy(RSS)~)showthatinthehighlyunlikelyeventofaccidental releasesoflargeamountsofradioactivity, theincidence ofacute.gatalities in,thepopulation isdominated bytheradiation dosefromdeposited gamma-emitters.~

)It"istherefore particularly important totrytomakeamore6-82 realistic estimateofthemagnitude ofthisdose,takingintoaccountwhatcanreasonably beexpectedbywayofprotective actionssuchasevacuation.

TheStaffrecognizes this,sinceitreferstotheresultsasbeing"worstcase"andincludescalculations whichincorporate amodelforearlyevacuation asindicated inTable6.1.4-5.Theuseoftheseven-day grounddoseinSupplement No.2resultsintheprediction ofunwarra'ntedly largeconsequences andconveysanincorrect impression oftheriskofreactoraccidents.

Realistic valuesshouldbepresented asthemainre-sultsofthereport.Table6.1.4-5showsthattheuseofrealistic protective actionsreducesthepredicted.

annualaveragevaluesof.'public riskduetopopulation exposureortolatentcancerfatalities byafactorofbetweenfiveandtwelve.Theriskdueto,early-fatalities issimilarly reducedby,,afactor~ofaboutthirty.Figure6.1.4-4shows'hemarkedreduction inacutefatalities whichresultswhenrealistic protective meansareassumed.However,mostofthedatainSupplement No.2doesnotreflectrealistic protective actions'andistherefore overlyconservative.

(Seefigures6.1.4-2,6.1.4-3,6.1.4-5,6.1.4-7,6.1.4-8.)

Theplotofisopleths inFig.6.1.4-7andFig.6-1.4-8byincorporating the7-daygrounddoseassumption givesamisleading impression ofhowfardownwindacutefatalities mightbeexpectedtooccurfollowing areactoraccident.*

2~CommentsontheUseofCRACItisApplicants'nderstanding thattheversionoftheCRAG(Calculation ofReactorAccidentConsequences) computercodeusedinthepreparation ofSupplement No.2wasessen-tiallythesameasthatusedforthepreparation oftheRSS.Asignificant difference wastheincorporation ofanevacuation model,recentlydeveloped atSandiaLabora-tories(3).

Although, thismodelrepresents animprovement overthatusedintheRSS,thereareothermodifications whichcouldbeincorporated intoCRAG.Thesehavebeen~AgL'escribed inrecentstudiessuchasthatoftheLimerick.BWR(4).Applicants believetheomissionofthesemodifi-cationsisanothersignificant sourceofconservatism-Examplesoftheseconservative elementsinclude:Applicants al'sohavereservations aboutthemeaningfulness ofisopleths ofindividual riskatthe1010or101peryearlevel.Atthisvanishingly smallprobability level(onein10billionoronein100billionperyear),thesevalueshavelittlemeaning.6-83 (a)PlumeWidthThewidthoftheplumeinthedispersion modelusedintheRSSandinSupplement No.2ishxseduponreleasesofradioactive materialforonlythreeminutesduration; thatis,theformulaeusedforcalculating theplumewidtharephenomen-ologicalfits.todatatakeninexperiments inwhichthedurationofreleasewasaboutthreeminutes.Inpractice, theshortestreleasedurationconsidered intheRSSandSupplement No.2wasthirtyminutes.Itisawell-known characteristic ofdispersing plumesthat,roughlyspeaking, theiraveragewidthisanincreasing functionofthedurationofcloudpassage.(l)

Ifplumewidthsforathirty-minute releaseareused,predicted plumecenterlineconcentrations arereducedbyafactorofabouttwo.Radiation dosesarealsoreducedbythesamefactor.'he pre-dictedeffectonthenumberofacutefatalities dependsuponthepopulation distribution aroundthereactor,butshouldbeareduction byat'leastafactoroftwo.(b)Shielding FactorsTheCRAGanalysisincorporates shielding factorsforpeopleassumedtobesheltered fromgamma-rays emittedbydeposited fissionproducts.

IntheRSSandpresumably Supplement No.2,ashielding factorof0.3wasused.IntheLimerickStudy(theshielding factorwasestimated byconsidering the.shielding providedbytypicalhousesfoundinPennsylvania.

Sincebrickhouseswithbasements arecommonthere,withexcellent shielding charac-teristics, amorerealistic shielding factorof0.15wasdeduced.Sincetheaccumulated grounddoseisthedominantcontributor totheradiation dosethatisusedincalculations ofearlyfatalities, thisshielding factorcanleadtoasubstantial reduction inthatdose.'-84 Takentogetherwiththefactoroftwoduetothechangefroma3-minutetoa30-minute plumewidth,areduction byafactorof3-4inpredicted dosesispossible.

Thecorresponding reduction inthepredicted numberofearlydeathsmaybeevengreaterbecauseofthethresholds intheearlyfatalitydose-risk relationships.

Theseconsid-erationswouldsuggestthataconsiderable reduction oftheacutefatalityprobability distdibutions shownonFigure6.1.4-4ispossiblewithappropriate changesinCRAG.Consequently, theresultsasshownareconservative andover-statetherisk.B)Table6.1.4-1providesalistofsomeDesignBasisAccidents.

Theindicated frequency categories fortheseaccidents arenotconsistent withpreviousNRCdocuments.

Thistableimpliesthattheseaccidents wereincludedinthedesignbasisasInfrequent Accidents, wheninfacttheyhavebeenconsidered asLimitingFaultsbasedontheacceptance criteriacontained intheStandardReviewPlan.C)Onpages6-8inSection6.1.3.2,thefourthparagraph statesthatonlyoneindustrial plant,theLuzerneOuterwear Company,islocatedwithintheLPZ.Lastsummer,CAR-MARmovedintoanindustrial parkwhichisalsowithintheLPR.CAR-MARemploysPg'L(~approximately 70people.Thisindustrial parkislocatedinSector10approximately 1.7milesfromthesite.D)Onpage6-16,thesecondparagraph inSection6.1.4e5statesthattherearenowellsbetweentheplantandtheriverviathenorthernbedrockvalleypathway.Whilethisstatement iscorrectPPAL)intermsofpathwaysforexposure to'hepublic,therearefivewellslocatedonApplicants'roperty intheareainquestion.

Intheunlikelyeventofanaccidentinvolving releasestogroundwater, thesewellswouldnotbeused.6-85

REFERENCES:

1.ReactorSafetyStudy,WASH-1400 (NUREG75/014),1975.2.Wall,I.B.Yaniv,S'.S.,Blond,R.M.,etal,"Overview oftheReactorSafetyStudy."Paperpresented attheInternational Conference ofNuclearSystemsReliability Engineering andRiskAssessment, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, June19-25,(1977).3.Aldrich,D.C.,Blond,R.M.andJones,R.B.,"AModelofPublic'Evacuation forAtmospheric Radiological Releases",

SandiaLaboratories ReportSAND,78-0092(1978).4.Probabilistic RiskAssessment,'imerick Generating Station,Philadelphia ElectricCompany,DocketNos.50-352and50-353,(March,1981).6-86

-PPKL(Al)

Analysesandtextnowpresented inFESaredifferent fromthoseintheDESSupp.No.2.Regarding useofindividual riskat100or10-"1levelsperreactor-year intheisopleths, theselevelsarenotmeaningless whentherewouldbedistribution ofseveralmillionper'sonsintheregio'nsspannedbytheseisopleths.

Societalriskfromthoseregionswouldbeintherangeof10-4<<10casesperreactoryear-asdirectlyderivedbymultiplying theindividual risksandthenumberofpersonsintheregions.-PPKL(A2)

Thestaffhasnotcompleted thereviewoftheaccidentconsequence calculati'ons intheLimerickRiskAnalysisStudyreferenced inthecomment.However,thelicensing staffisintheprocessofreviewing therecentchangesmadetotheCRACcodeusedattheSandiaNationalLaboratories andthestaffwillincorporate anyappropriate andqualified changesintotheversionofCRAGcurrently usedinlicensing actions.-PPKL(B)Seeminortextchangeinthese'condparagraph ofSection6.1.4.1DesicenBasisAccidents.

-PP&L(C)Thestaffhasrecentlylearnedofthisindustrial activitynearthesite.Thestaffisrequesting additional information fromtheapplicant regarding CAR-MARactivities, aswellasanticipated plansfortheindustrial park,andwillprovideanevaluation inaforthcoming supplement totheSafetyEvaluation Report.-PP/LID)Thestaffhascorrected thestatmenttoindicatethattherearenooffsitewellsthatcouldbeencountered viathenorthernbedrockvalleypathway.6-87 0

7.NEEDFORPLANTANDALTERNATIVES TOTHEPROPOSEDACTION7.1RfSUMPWhentheFES-CPwasissuedinJune1973,theapplicant, Pennsylvania Power&LightCo.,sched-uledoperation oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,Units1and2,tobeginoperation in1981and1982,respectively.

In1973,needfortheplantwasprojected tooccurbetween1978and1982inordertomeettheprojected annualenergydemandincreaseof7.2X.Since1973,theoilembargoandrisingelectricity costshaveledtoadeclineingrowthofelectrical energyandpeakdemandsinthenationandinthePP&Lservicearea.ThePP&Lserviceareademandforpowerdidnotcontinuetogrowatthehistorical ratesoccurring priortothe1973Araboilembargo.PP&Lhadprojected

'a1980winterpeakdemandof4970MW,withoutUGI(LuzerneElectricDivisionofUGICorp.),a255reduction fromthe1973forecastof6600MW.Construction hasproceeded approximately onschedulewithoperation ofSusquehanna Units1and2nowscheduled forthesecondquarterof1982andthesecondquarterof1983,respectively.

Since1973,Pp&Lhasagreedtosella10KshareofbothunitstotheAllegheny ElectricCooperative.

Duringtheconstruction-permit stage,thestaffanalyzedalternative sites,plantdesigns,andmethodsofpowergeneration, including thealternative ofnotaddingproduction capacity.

Thestaffconcluded, basedonitsanalysisofthesealternatives, aswellasonacost-benefit

analysis, thatadditional capacitywasneeded,thatanuclear-fueled plantwouldbeanenviron-mentallyacceptable meansofproviding thecapacity, andthatSSES,Units1and2,ataspecified siteandofas'pecified design,wereacceptable frombotheconomicandenvironmental perspectives.

Sincethattime,construction ofSSEShasbeennearlycompleted; andmanyoftheeconomicandenvironmental costsassociated withtheconstruction ofthestationhavealreadybeenincurredandmustbeviewedas"sunkcosts"inanyprospective assessment.

7.2APPLICANT'S SERVICEAREAANDREGIONALRELATIONSHIPS ThePP&LserviceregionisshowninFigure8.1oftheFES-CP.Theapplicant supplieselectric'powertoabout26,000kmzineastcentralPennsylvania (225oftheareaofthestate}.In1973,thepopulation oftheserviceareawasabout2.3million(20Ãofthestatetotal},MajorcitiesservedbyPP&LincludeAllentown, Bethlehem, Harrisburg,

Hazelton, Lancaster,

Scranton, Wilkes-Barre,andWilliamsport.

Alongwiththefollowing utilities, PP&LisasigneetothePennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM)Interconnection Agreement:

PublicServiceElectricandGasCo.(PS);Philadelphia Elec-tricCompany(PE);Baltimore GasandElectricCompany(BC);GeneralPublicUtility(GPU),whichconsistsofJerseyCentralPower&LightCo'mpany(JC),Metropolitan EdisonCompany(ME),andPennsylvania ElectricCompany(PN);PotomacElectricPowerCompany(PEPCO);AtlanticCityElectricCompany(AE);DelmarvaPower&LightCompany(DPL);andLuzerneElectricDivisionofUGICorporation (UGI).Theseelevencompanies, operating theirtransmission andgeneration facilities asasinglesystemwithfree-flowing powerinterchange betweencompanies, account'orenergyflowbetweencompanies anduseafter-the-fact accounting procedures.

Theagreement withPJMrequiresthatPP&Lmeetitsgeneration capacityobligation asapartofthePJM,interconnection.

7.3BENEFITSOFOPERATING THEPLANTSSES-1and-2areb'eingconstructed forthepurposeofassuringanadequatelowcostsupplyofelectrical energyfortheneedsofthePP&LandPJMserviceareaneeds.Attheoperating licensestage,consideration ofalternatives involvesonlythedecisionastowhethertheplantshouldoperateornot.Thisdecisionisbasedonaweighingofthebenefitsofoperation againstenvironmental impacts(including production costs).Potential benefitsofoperating Susquehanna 1and2includereliability, diversity, andeconomicadvantage.

7.3.10erationofthePJMInterchan eOneofthemostimportant conceptsofthePJMinterconnection isitseconomicoperation asasinglesystemwithcentralized dispatchofgeneration andfree-flowing powerexchanges between7-1 7-2membercompanies.

Transmission linesconnecting thevariousPJMcompanies provideforthetransferofenergyfromonecompanytoanotherasrequiredtomeettheloadsofeachcompany.Thisallowsforthefullutilization oftheresources ofallcompanies tomeetthecustomerloadsofallcompanies mosteconomically.

Coordination isnotrestricted tothegeneration phase;itisalsoimplemented incapacity, maintenance, andtransmission planning.

CentraldispatchofallPJHgenerating unitsisaccomplished byproviding theInterconnection Office,locatedatValleyForge,PA,withthenecessary data,controlequipment, andcomputers toeconomically loadallPJHunitsatlevelsneededtomeetthePJHload.TheInterconnection Office,acentralcoordinating office,isconnected toallcompanydispatchcenters(i.e.,applicant's Allentown PowerControlCenter)viavoice,digitalandanalogcomputers, andtele-typewriter circuits.

InordertomeetaspecificPJMloadtheInterconnection Officetransmits toallcompanies theincremental cost,takenfromthecombinedloadingschedule, neededtoprovidegeneration attherequiredlevel.AsthePJMloadincreases, higherincremental costvaluesaretransmitted tothevariouscompanies andthelevelofgeneration isincreased.

Eachcompanywillraiseorlowergeneration onitsunitsaccording tothePJHincremental costsignalregardless ofitsownloadrequirement.

Occasionally, duetounitoperating constraints, transmission limitations, orreliability con-siderations, unitsareoperatedatabovetheincremental costlevelateitherthecompany's orPJH'srequest,depending uponthecircumstances.

Sincesomecompanies havealargeramountoflessexpensive generation, suchasnuclearorcoal-fireduni,ts,.thesecompanies maybegenerating atlevelsabovetheirownloadandassuchmaybesupplying energytoothercompanies overtheinterconnected transmission lines.Toprovideameansofcompensating forthisexchangeofenergybetweenmembercompanies, anaccounting pro-cedure,basedonthesplit-savings principle, isused.Theinterchange accounting procedure usedonPJHprovidesboththesupplying companies (sellers) andthereceiving companies (buyers)withasavingsasaresultoftheenergytransactions betweenthem.Thebillingforeachtransaction ishalfwaybetweenthecostincurredbythesuppl'ying companies andthecostthatwouldhavebeenincurredbythereceiving companies hadtheyusedtheirownhigher-cost generation tomeettheirloads(split-savings principle).

7.3.2Minimization ofProduction CostsInordertodetermine thepotential economicadvantage ofoperating SSES,thestaffstudiedthecostassociated withoperation ofSSESUnits1and2andtheprojected costofreplacement electricity.

Theunitcostsforfuel,operation andmaintenance, andtheprojected sourceanditsshareofsupplyofreplacement electricity providedbytheapplicant areshowninTable7.1.Itappearsthat75%ofthereplacement electricity wouldcomefromothermembersofthePJHinterchange.

Comparedtoothersources,thecostprojections providedbytheapplicant arereasonable (Table7.2).Basedontheapplicant's 90%shareofSSES-1andtheunit'sprojected operation at70K,thesavings(infuelandoperation andmaintenance costs)fortheinitialyearofoperation areestimated tobe$64.5million($1980).Kowever,theapplicant's assump-tionastothecapacityfactoroftheSusquehanna unitsduringtheirinitialyearsofoperation isprobablyhigh(basedontheexperience ofnuclearunitsingeneral).>

Ifalowercapacityfactor'were assumed,e.g.,50Kto60K,thesavingsperunitperyearwouldbeabout$46millionto$55million.However,thecostsavingswouldnotbeconfinedonlytotheinitialyearofoperation; theapplicant wouldcontinuetosaveaslongasSSESUnits1and2werecapableofoperating, aperiodofabout30years.In1980,thefuelcostforgenerating electricity fromanoil-fired unitwas43.1mills/kWh, whichishigherthantheapplicant's projection (madein1978)of25mills/kWh.z Thisisduetotherapidriseinthepricethatelectricutilities paidforoilfrom1978to1980.Kence,thesavingstotheapplicant, usingcurrentcostofoil-fired generated electricity, wouldbe$100millionand$118millionperunitperyear,respectively (assuming theunitswereoperating at605and70Kcapacityfactor).Ifitisassumedthatthereplacement costofelectricity toAllegheny ElectricCooperative, Inc.,whichowns10Kundivided interestinSSESUnits1and2,isthesame,thetotalsavingsfromtheoperation ofSSESwouldbe$112millionperunitperyear(assuming theunitswereoperating at60%capacity).

Incalculating thesavings,itwasassumedthatthequantityofelectricity demandedwouldremainthesameregardless ofwhetherornotSSESwereoperated.

'IThestaffviewstheapplicant's assessment ofpotential savingsasreasonable toconservative (ER-OL,p.1.1-4).Theresultscouldnotbesignificantly alteredifthedemandforelectricity grewatalowerratethanassumed;thisisbecausetheapplicant's marginalenergysourcewouldcontinuetobeoil.Thus,thestaffconcludes thateconomicconsiderations justifyaddingtheSusquehanna facilityinthescheduled timeperiod.

Table7.1.Projected Type/Cost ofReplacement EnergyAssociated withApplicant's ShareofSusquehanna Unit1bSusquehanna NuclearAlicantPJHlessalicantCombustion Combustion CoalOilTurbinecCoalOilTurbinecPercentorreplacement energygenerated 15103040Fuelcost(mills/kWh)

OEMcosts(mills/kWh)

Totaloperating cost(mills/kWh) 41214252116265010601427211628451055Partialcosts(milliondollars)7313.915.027.864.915.9Totalcosts(milliondollars)73137.51980dollars.Witha70%unitcapacityfactor,applicant's 90$share(945HW)ofSusquehanna Unit1wouldprovideapproximatelv 5794GWh.Doesnotreflectpriceincreases duetoeventsintheHideastduring1979.Duetoroundingerrors,columndoesnotaddup.

7-4Table7.2.ARelativeComparison ofProjected CostbyPP&L,Comnonwealth Edison,andNRC(mills/kWh)

NuclearCoalOilPP&L(inprojected

$1980)CE(in$1977)NRC(inprojected

$1980)1310161716,2627FromTable7.1,in1980dollars.bIn1977dollars.SeeReference 3.cLow-sulfur coalwithoutscrubbers.

dBasedon1980asfirstyearofoperation.

SeeReference 4.7.3.3DiversitofSu1Source0Regardless oftherelativeeconomicadvantage ofnuclearorcoal,itistotheadvantage ofapublicutilitytohavediversesourcesofpoweravailable.

Intheeventoftheunavailability ofimportedoil,majorstrikes,frozencoalpiles,enrichment facilityshortages, orregulatory uncertainties, arelianceupononeprimaryfuel,especially forbaseloadoperation, couldcausecutbacksinpowertothegrid.Currently, allofPP&L'sbaseloadunitsutilizecoaloroil.AsnotedinTable7.1,nobaseloadnuclearisavailable toPP&L'sreplacement power.WiththeSusquehanna nuclearstationinoperation, PP&Lwillbebetterpreparedtomeetunexpected changesinthesupplyofcoalandoil.Thefactthatoperation ofSSESUnits1and2willimprovethediversity ofgeneration supplyfortheapplicant isanimportant factorinsupportofissuinganoperating license.7.3.4Reliabilit Analsis7.3.4.1PP&LProjections Table7.3presentstheapplicant's historical winterpeakloadandenergybetween1966and1977andtheprojected winterpeakloadandenergysalesbetween1978and'1990.Thegrowthratesforwinterpeakandenergysalesforthe'period 1966to1977were7.1%and6.8%,respectively.

Theratesofincreaseofpeakloadandenergysalesthroughtheprojected period1978to1990are2.7Xand3.1$,respectively.

7.3.4.2PP&LReserveMarginThePP&Lreservemargin,withandwithouttheSusquehanna

facility, ispresented inTable7.4fortheperiod1978through1985.Adjustedpeakisdefinedtobe"peakloadplussalesminuspurchases."

Reserveisdefinedas"capacity minusadjustedpeak,"andreservemarginas"reservedividedbyadjustedpeak."Therateofgrowthofpeakdemandandenergyhasbeenmuchsmallerthananticipated duringtheplanningforconstruction ofSusquehanna.

Consequently, the,reservemarginforPP&L,evenwithouttheSusquehanna

facility, ismuchlargerthanthe5%requiredbytheinterchange agree-mentorthe15to25Krecommended bytheFederalEconomic, Regulatory Commission (formerly FederalPowerAdministration).*

Atthetimeconstruction wasplanned(early1970s),thereserverequirement was205(not5lasnow).Thereis,however,thepossibility thatthisreserverequirement couldincreasetowardthecurrentPJHreserverequirement of205.IfPJMsummer-peaking companies tendtowardwinterpeakingasmoreelectricheatingloadsaresub-stitutedforgasandoil,theapplicant's creditforpeakloaddiversity willbereducedanditscapacityobligation couldapproachthe20Krequirement ofPJM.IfthePJMreserverequirement increases asaresultofsuchconditions, itisexpectedthatanequivalent anddirectchange*PP&L's5Xreservemarginisduetodiversity onthePJMsystem;i.e.,withtheexception ofPP&L,allutilities belonging toPJMaresummerpeaking.PP&LcanrelyuponthecapacityofotherPJMutilities tosupportitswinterpeakload.

7-5Table7.3.Applicant's PeakLoadandEnergySales:PastandProjecteda EnerSalesWinterPeakYearHistorical 1966196719681969~19701971197219731974197519761977~Pro'ected 1978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990kWhx1010,15710,967'12,08113,53114,68315,68517,01318,86518,96319,11320,35420,92621,65022,40023,4002435025,25126,11026,91927,67328,37929,06929,75430,43931,124Increase8.010.112.08.56.88.510.90.50.86.50.33.53.54'4.03.73.43.12.82.62.42.42.32.2MW2,0852,3262,5142,8503,2383,2943,5983,6623.7724,1224,5144,4314,6504,7904,9705,1405,310'5,4805,6305,7705,9106,0306,1606,2906,4205Increase13.38.113.413.61.79.21.83.09.3.9.5-1.84.93.03.73.43.33.22.72.52.42.02.12.12.1Source:ER-OL,Table1.1-9.Table7.4.1977Projection ofApplicant's Loads,Capacity, andReservesforthe1978-1985 Period(mid-range loadprojection)a WinterPeak(MWe)197819794,6504,79019804,97019815514019825,3101983198419955,4805,6305,770Totalcapacities (MWe)Fossil(coal)Fossil(oil)CT5DieselHydroNuclearFirmpurchaseCapacityTransactions Total(MWe)4,1451,64053914676~41)6,5054,1451,64053914676~50)6,4964,1451,64053914676~110)6,436"4,1451,64053914676~65)6,4814,1451,64053914694576~31)7,4604,145',6405391461,89076~62)8,3744,1451,6405391461,89076~93)8,3434,1451,6405392091,89076~125)8,374Adjustedpeak4,6504,7904,9705,1405,3105,4805,6305,770WithSusquehanna Reserve(MWe)Reservemargin(N)2,150402,8942,7132,6045348,45WithoutSusquehanna Reserve(MWe)Reservemargin(X)1,8551,70640361,466291,341261,205231,004I88237141512DatafromER-OL,Answerto,Cost-Benefit questions Table1.1-4.January1979,TableCAB-11.1; ER-OL, 7-6intheapplicant's capacityobligation willoccur.Thestaffalsorecognizes thatadditional reservecapacityabove20%maybedesirable forasystemwithunitsthatarelargeinrelationtosystemsize(aswillbethecasewiththeSusquehanna facilityinservice).

7.3.4.3PJMReserveMarginInTable7.5,thestaffpresentsthereserveandreserve-margin calculations forPJMwithandwithouttheSusquehanna facilitythrough1985.Sincetherearenofirmpurchases orsalesoutsidePJHandsinceallPJMutilities exceptPP&Laresumerpeaking,thereservemarginisdefinedas"capacity minussummerpeakload,dividedbysumerpeakload."WithouttheSusque-hannafacility, thereservemarginofPJHcouldbeaslowas23Kin1983and1984.Inaninterchange suchas,PJM,withabout7000MWormorethan20Knuclearbaseloadoperation, a23%reservemarginmightnotbeadequatetomeetminimumreliability standards.

WiththeSusquehanna

facility, thereservemarginforPJHwillbeanacceptable 28Kin1983and1984.Table7,5.Projection ofPJHLoads,Capacities, andReservesSummerpeak(HWe)1978197919801981198219831984198531,68633,67034,87036,20037,63039,000.40,31041,650Totalcapacities (HWe)Fossil(coal)Fossil(oil)Nuclear'CTanddieselHydroTotal(HWe)b15,50112,1326,1977,926~223643,99215,48712,1328,1927,960~223646,00715,887'2,132831927,960~223646,40715,87012,1328,1927,959~226746,42015,88413,1649,1827,972~226748,46915,79113,38310,2428,247~226749,93015,79113,99311,362',246~226751,65916,19113,52513,4848,132~226753,599Reserveoversummerpeak:WithSusquehanna Reserve(MWe)Reservemargin(l)WithoutSusquehanna Reserve(HWe)Reservemargin(5)10,83910,93011,34911,9492928282912s30612'371135371032209s849869609639910s0193937332826232324Actual1978summerpeak;occurredon16August1978.-Capacity asshownin"LoadandCapacityForecast,"

PJMInterconnection, 1June1978.7.4ALTERNATIVES Thestaffbelievesthattheonlyreasonable alternative totheproposedactionofgrantinganoperating licenseforSSESavailable forconsideration attheoperating licensestageisdenyingthelicenseforoperation ofthefacilityandtherebynotpermitting theconstructed nuclearfacilitytobeaddedtotheapplicant's generating system.Alternatives suchasconstruction atalternative sites,extensive stationmodification, orconstruction offacilities utilizing different energysourceswouldeachrequireadditional construction activitywithitsaccompany-ingeconomicandenvironmental costs,whereasoperation ofthealreadyconstructed plantwouldnotcreatethesecosts.Therefore, unlessmajorsafetyorenvironmental concernsresulting fromoperating theplantthatwerenotevidentandconsidered duringtheconstruction-permit reviewarerevealed, thesealternatives areunreasonable ascomparedtooperating thealreadyconstructed plant.Nosuchconcernshavebeenrevealedwithregardtooperation ofSSES.Withrespect,to theproposedactionofoperating thefacility, itwasshownthattheadditionofSSEStothePJMsystemisexpectedtoresultinsavingsinsystemproduction costsofabout$112millionperyearforeachofthetwounitsofSSES.Further,asstated,ope'ration ofthese 7-7unitswillprovidediversity offuelsources,therebydecreasing dependence onfuelsuppliesofuncertain availability (gas,oil,andlignite)andwillcontribute toincreased systemreli-ability.Theenvironmental impactsofoperation arereassessed inSection4ofthisStatement.

Asdiscussed inSection4,asaresultofthisreassessment, thestaffhasbeenabletoforecastmoreaccurately theeffectsofoperation ofSSESandhasdetermined thatthestationwilloperatewithacceptable environmental impact.Thealternative ofnotoperating thefacilitywillrequiretheutilitytosubstitute approxi-mately11billionkWhperyearofelectrical energythatwouldhavebeenprovidedbySSESwithothersourcesofenergythathaveagreatereconomiccostandanequalorgreaterenvironmental cost.Asindicated, theadditional economiccosthasbeenestimated atapproximately

$112millionperyearforeachofthetwounits.Afterweighingthedescribed options,thestaffconcludes thatthepreferable choiceisopera-tionofSSES.References l.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission, "Licensed Operating ReactorStatusReport,"Vol.5,No.2,NUREG-0020, February1981.*2."EnergyReview,"Vol.5,No.2,Spring'l981.3.A.D.RossinandT.A.Rieck,"Economics ofPower,"Science{201}582-589, 18August1978.4.J.0.Roberts,S.M.Davis,andD.A.Nash,"CoalandNuclear:AComparison oftheCostofGenerating BaseloadElectricity byRegion,"NUREG-0480, December1978.**varaeorpureasefromtheNRC/GPOSalesProgram,U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission, Washington, DC20555,and/ortheNationalTechnical Information Service,Springfie'id, VA22161.*"Available forpurchasefromtheNationalTechnical Information Service,Springfield, VA22161.

8.EVALUATION OFTHEPROPOSEDACTION8.1ADVERSEEFFECTSTHATCANNOTBEAVOIDEDThestaffhasre-assessed thephysical, social,biological, andeconomicimpactsthatcanbeattributed totheoperation ofSSES.Inasmuchastheunitsarecurrently underconstruction, manyofthepredicted andexpectedadverseimpactsoftheconstruction phaseareevident.Thestaffhasnotidentified anyadditional adverseeffectsfromthosepresented intheFES-CPthatwillbecausedbytheoperation oftheunits.Theapplicant iscoranitted toaprogramofresto-rationandredressofthestationsitethatwillbeginattheendoftheconstruction period.8.2SHORT-TERM USESANDLONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY (herehavebeennosignificant changesinthestaff'sevaluation oftheuseoflandfortheSusquehanna SteamElectricStationsincethepreconstruction environmental review.Therehavebeenmajorchangesinthelocationofsomeofthetransmission corridors sincetheFES-CPwasissued;however,thestaff'sevaluation oftheenvironmental impactsofthetransmission linesremainsessentially asbefore.ThepresenceofthestationinLuzerneCountywillcontinuetoinfluence thefutureuseofotherlandinitsiamediate environsaswellasthecontinued removalofcountylandfromagricultural andtimberuseastheresultofanyincreased industrialization.

8.3IRREVERSIBLE ANDIRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENTS OFRESOURCES Therehasbeennochangeinthestaff'sassessment ofthisimpactsincetheearlierreviewexceptthatthecontinuing escalation ofcostshasincreased thedollarvaluesofthematerials usedforconstruction andfuelingoftheplant,Thestaffhas'xpanded andupdated'the discussion ofuraniumfuelavailability inSection8.5.8.4COMPARISON OFNUCLEARANDCOAL-FIRED POWERPLANTS8.4.1HealthEffectsInadditiontotheenvironmental costsattributable tocoalandnuclearfuels(Table8.1),thediffering healtheffectsfromusingcoala'ndnuclearfuelshavebeenconsidered intheenviron-mentalassessment o'feachalternative.

Inmakingtheseassessments, theentirefue'1cycleratherthanjustthepower-generation phasewasconsidered tocomparethetotalimpactsofeachcycle.'orcoal,thecycleconsistsofmining,processing, fueltransportation, powergeneration, andwastedisposal.

Thenuclearfuelcycleincludesmining,milling,uranium.enrichment, fuelprep-aration,fueltransportation, powergeneration, irradiated fueltransportation andreprocessing, andwastedisposal.

Inpreparing thisassessment itwasrecognized thattherearegreatuncertainties duetothelackofanadequatedatabaseincertainareasofeachfuel-cycle alternative.

Theoveralluncer-'aintyinthenuclearfuelcycleisprobablyaboutanorderofmagnitude (increased ordecreased byafactorof10)over100yearsandabouttwoormoreordersofmagnitude'over 1000years.Theuncertainty associated withthecoalfuelcycletendstobemuchlargerbecauseoftheinability toestimatetotalhealthimpactsfromallthepollutants releasedtotheenvironment fromthatcycle.However,ifoneassumesmostofthepublicimpactoveraperiodofseveraldecadesiscausedbyinhalation ofsulfurcompounds andassociated pollutants, thereisasmuchasatwo-order-of-magnitude uncertainty intheassessment ofthecoalfuelcycle.Themuchgreateruncertainty associated withthecoalfuelcycleresultsfromthere'latively sparseandequivocal data'egarding cause-effect relationships formostoftheprinci'pal pollutants inthecoalfuelcycle,theeffectoffederallawsonthefutureperformance ofcoal-fired powerplants,minesafety,andculm-bank stabilization, andthelong-term impactsofcoalashandfluegasdesulfur-izationsludges."Healtheffects,"

asthetermisusedhere,isintendedtomeanexcessmortality, morbidity (diseaseandillness),

andinjuryamongoccupational workersandthegeneralpublic("excess" referstomeaneffectsoccurring atahigher-than-normal rate;inthecaseofdeath,"excess"is8-1 8-2Table8.1.Comparative Environmental Costsforan1800-MWeCoalPlantandSSESatFullOutputImpactLanduse,haStationproperandassociated ponds;fuelandwastestorageareasReleasetoairDust,kg/daySulfurdioxide,kg/dayNitrogenoxides,kg/dayRadioactivity, Ci/yrReleasestosurfacewaterChemicals dissolved inblowdown, kg/dayRadioactivity, Ci/yrWaterconsumed, ms/minFuelConsumed, kg/dayAsh,kg/dayCoal20,000230,000132,000SmallgbNone+55I*20,000,000

~2,000,000 Nuclear470NoneNoneNone21,000160106186SocialEstheticModerateModerateBothrequirelargeindustrial-type structures andcoolingtowersCoalyard,ashpit,tallstackrequiredaCoal-fired plantemissions estimated onthebasisthattheplantjustmeetsapplicable EPAstandards.

Information notavailable.

OfUsOa.usedsynonymously with"premature mortality"

).Themostrecentanddetailedassessments ofhealtheffectsofthecoalfuelcyclehavebeenpreparedbytheBrookhaven andArgonnenationallaboratories.~

Themostcompleteandrecentassessment oftheradiological healtheffectsoftheuraniumfuelcyclefornormaloperations waspreparedforthe"FinalGenericEnvironmental Statement ontheUseofRecyclePlutonium inMixedOxideFuelinLightWaterCooledReactors(GESMOI)"7However,inaccordance with10,CFRPart51.20(e),

thecurrentimpactoftheuraniumfuelcycle(excluding reactorsandmines)isdefinedbythe14Harch1977revisionofTableS-3,10CFRPart51.[Consistent withtheCommission's announced intention toreexamine theruleperiodic-

'llytoaccormodate newinformation (39FR14188,22April1974,and42FR13803,14March1977),staffstudies,areunderwaytodetermine whatareas,inadditiontowastemanagement andreprocessing, mayrequireupdatinginTableS-3(NoticeofProposedRulemaking, DocketNo.RM50-3,Environmental EffectsoftheUraniumFuelCycle,41FR45849,18October1976).]UsingtheTableS-3effluents andthemodelsdeveloped forGESMOI,itwaspossibletoestimatethe.impactoftheuraniumfuelcycleonthe.generalpublicforroutineoperations.

ThesevaluesareshowninTables8.2-8.7andsomecriticalassumptions relatedtoestimates areshowninAppendixH.BecauseTableS-3(Table4.16)excludesradonreleasesfromuraniummines,thehealtheffectsofsuchreleasesonthegeneralpublicarenotincludedinTables8.2-8.7.Theeffectsofsuchreleaseswouldresultinsomesmallincreases inthetotalrisksofmortality andmorbidity asdiscussed furtherunder"OtherConsiderations."

'1' Table8.2.SuranaryofCurrentEnergySourceExcessMortality perYearper0.8GWy(e)FuelCycleOccuationalGeneralPublicAccidentDiseaseAccidentDiseaseTotalNuclear(U.S.population)

AllnuclearWith1005ofelectricity usedinthefuelcycleproducedbycoalpower0.22a0.14b0.24-0.25

'.14-0.46

'.050.10'.18-1.30.59-1~7(1~0)bd0.77-6.31.2-6.8(2')Coal(regional population)

Ratioofcoaltonuclear(range):(geometric means)0.35-0.65 0-7eh42(allnuclear)14(withcoalpower)1.213-110915-120(42)Primarily fatalnonradiological accidents, suchasfallsor'explosions.

bPrimarily fatalradiogenic cancersandleukemias fromnormaloperations atmines,mills,powerplants,andreprocessing plants.Primarily fataltransportation accidents (TableS-4,10CFRPart51)andseriousnuclearaccidents.

Valuesinparentheses arethegeometric meansoftheranges(~aPrimarily fatalminingaccidents, suchascave-ins, fires,andexplosions.

Primarily membersofthegeneralpublickilledatrailcrossings bycoaltrains.Primarily respiratory failureamongthesickandelderlyfromcombustion productsfrompowerplants,butincludesdeathsfromwaste-coal-bank fires.Primarily coalworkerspneumoconiosis (CWP)andrelatedrespiratory diseasesleadingtorespiratory failure.With100Kofallelectricity consumedbythenuclearfuelcycleproducedbycoalpower;amountsto45MWeper0.8GWy(e).AlthoughTableS-3nolongerincludesreleaseestimates forRn-222fromuraniumandmillingoperations,*

thestaffhasreevaluated thequestionandpreparednewestimates whichwereusedinthisassessment.

Thesenewestimates indicatethatRn-222releasesaccountformostofthepotential premature mortality fromtheuraniumfuelcycle.Inaddition, Tab'leS-3doesnotgenerically addressreleasesfor'light-water-cooled powerreactors.

Theestimated totalbodypopulation dosecommitments forgothoccupational workersandthegeneralpublicweretakenfromGESMOI(uraniumrecycleonlyoption).Inaddition, theoccupa-tionaldosecorrmitments toworkersinuraniummines,mills,uraniumhexafluoride plants,uraniumfuelplants,anduraniumenrichment plantsweretakenfromGESMOI,becausetheyarenotconsid-eredinTableS-3.However,thesedosecoranitments arecomparable tothosethatwouldresult'rom theradiological releasesdescribed'n NUREG-0216, whichprovidesbackground supportforTableS-3.Thedosecommitments tothepublicandoccupational workersintheMarch1977TableS-3wereusedforestimating healtheffectsfromthereprocessing andwaste-management aspectsoftheuraniumfuelcycle.Theriskestimator susedtoestimatehealtheffectsfromradiation dosecommitments weretakenfromGESMOIandWASH-1400.e

• Effective 14April1978[Fed.Reg.43(15613)

(llApril1978)j,NRCdirectedthestafftodeletethe74.5-CiRn-222sourcetermfromTableS-3(10CFRPart51),andconsidersuchhealtheffectsasmightresultfromradonreleasesfromminingandmillingoneRRYofuraniumonacase-by-case basis.

8-4Table8.3.ExcessMortality per0.8GMy(e)--NuclearOccuationalGeneralPublicFuel-cycle Component AccidentDisease'Accident'iseasegTotalResourcerecovery(mining,drilling,'tc.)

Processing Powergeneration FuelstorageTransportation Reprocessing Wastemanagement Total0.20.0050.01J/aOj/j/0.220.0420.061sQ=00.003~00.14j/~0.04J/0.01J/3/0.050.026-1.18 0.016-0.20 aQeO0.054-0.062 O.OQl0.18-1.30.038sO0.0850.59;1.7Breakdown ofTable8.2.L.D.Hamilton, ed.,"TheHealthandEnvironmental EffectsofElectricity Generation:

APre-liminaryReport,"Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, July1974..U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comnission, "FinalGenericEnvironmental Statement ontheUseofRecyclePlutonium inNixedOxideFuelinLightMaterCooledReactors,"

NUREG-0002 (August1976).d10CFRPart51.TableS-3.10CFRPart51,TableS-4.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission, "ReactorSafetyStudy,"MASH-1400 (NUREG-75-014),

October1975.Long-tenn effectsfromRn-222releasesfrommillsandtailingspilesaccountforallbutQ.001healtheffects.hIncludesmilling,uraniumhexafluoride production, uraniumenrichment, andfuelfabrication.

Corrected forfactorof10errorbasedonreferenced value(reportWASH-1250).

JTheeffectsassociated withtheseactivities arenotknownatthistime.Althoughsucheffectsaregenerally believedtobesmall,theywouldincreasethetotalinthecolumn.Table8.4.ExcessMortality per0.8GWy(e)--CoalFuel-cycle Component AccidentDiseaseOccuationalGeneralPublicAccidentDiseaseTotalResourcerecovery(mining,drilling, etc.)Processing Powergeneration FuelstorageTransportation Wastemanagement Total0.040.01b/b/b/0.35-0.65 b/b/b/b/b/0-70.3-0.60-7b/b/b/b/1.2b/1.2b/103-100b/b/b/13-11015-120Breakdown ofTable8.2.SeealsoL.D.Hamilton, ed.,"TheHealthandEnvironmental EffectsofElectricity Generation:

APreliminary Report,"Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, July1974.bTheeffectsassociated withtheseactivities arenotknownatthistime.Although.

sucheffectsaregenerally believedtobesmall,theywouldincreasethetotalinthecolumn.

8-5Table8.5.SumnaryofCurrentEnergySourceExcessHorbidity andInjuryper0.8GWy(e)PowerPlantFuelCycleOccuationalMorbidityInjuryGeneralPublicHorbidity InjuryTotalNuclear(U.S.population)

Al1nuclearWith1005ofelectricity usedbythefuelcycleproducedbycoalpowerCoal(regional population)

Ratioofcoaltonuclear(range):(geometric means)0.841-.7-4.1f12b13-141.0-3.11,5-7.6g20-7017-3410-10097.3(allnuclear)5.2(withcoalpower)0ld0.5510h14-16(15)17-24(21)57-210(109)Primarily nonfatalcancersandthyroidnodules.bPrimarily nonfatalinjuriesassociated withaccidents inuraniummines,suchasrockfallsorexplosions.

Primarily nonfatalcancers,thyroidnodules,genetically relateddiseases, andnonfatalill-'esses (suchasradiation thyroiditis, prodromal

vomiting, andtemporary sterility) following highradiation doses.dTransportation-related injuriesfromTableS-4,10CFRPart51.Valuesinparentheses arethegeometric meansoftheranges(~afPrimarily nonfataldiseasesassociated withcoalminingsuchasCWP,bronchitis, andemphysema.

gPrimarily respiratory diseasesamongadultsandchildrencausedbysulfuremissions fromcoal-firedpowerplantsandwaste-coal bankfires,Primarily nonfatalinjuriesamongmembersofthegeneralpublicfromcollisions withcoaltrainsatrailroadcrossings.

Coaleffectsarebasedonaregionalpopulation of3.8millionpeoplewithin80kmofthecoalplant.3Primarily injuriestocoalminers.fromcave-ins, fires,andexplosions.

With100$ofalle'lectricity consumedbythenuclearfuelcycleproducedbycoalpower;amountsto45HWeper0.8GWy(e).Theimpactofaccidents infuel-cycle facilitiess andreactorsa generally doesnotmarkedlyincreasetheimpactofnormaloperations fortheuraniumfuelcycle,buthasbeenincludedinthisassessment forcompleteness.

Nocomparab'Ie analysisofhealtheffectsresulting fromaccidents incoal-fired plantsisavailable atthistime.Estimates ofdeath,diseaseandinjuryfromnonradiological causesfortheuraniumfuelcyclearefromtheBrookhaven evaluations,>

swiththeexception oftransportation-accident-related deaths,whichweretakenfromTableS-4,10CFRPart51.Theresultsoftheseassessments areshown.inTables8.2-8.7.Itshouldbenotedthattherearetwolinesunderthenuclearfuelcycle:thefirstassumesalloftheelectricity usedwithintheuraniumfuelcycleisgenerated bynuclearpower(i.e.,all-nuclear economy);

thesecondlineassumes,asshowninTableS-3(10CFRPart51),that100Koftheelectricity usedwithinthenuclearfuelcyclecomesfromcoalpower.Thisisequivalent toa.45-HWecoal-fired, plant,or4.5Xofthepowerproduced.

8.4.2TheUraniumFuelCcleCurrently theNRCestimates thattheexcessdeathsper0.8gigawatt-year electric(.GWy(e)1 wil'1beabout0.47foranall-nuclear economy.Thisisprobablysomewhathighduetotheconservatism requiredinevaluations ofgenericp'lantsandsites("Conservatism" isusedtomeanthatassump-tionsregarding atmospheric dispersion, deposition ofparticulates, bioaccumulation, etc.,generally 8-6Table8.6.Morbidity andInjuryper0.8GWy(e)--NuclearOccuationalGeneralPublicFuel-cycle Component'orbidi tyInjuryMorbidity InjuryTotalResourcerecovery(mininganddrilling)

Processing

-Powergeneration'uel storageTransportation Reprocessing Wastemanagement Totald/d/d/d/d/d/d/0.84100.61.3g/<1(L/g/12e/e/e/e/e/e/e/1.0-3.1ccpapap0.1(L/~00.114-16Breakdown ofTable8.5..L.0.Hamilton, ed.,"TheHealthandEnvironmental EffectsofElectricity Generation:

APre-liminaryReport,"Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, July1974.TableS-4,10CFRPart51.dNonfatalcancers<fatalcancers(excluding thyroid)or0.14.Nonfatalthyroidcancersandbenignnodules~3xfatalcancersor0.42.Geneticdefects~2xfatalcancersor~0.28.Reactoraccidents:

10xfatalities or~0.40nonfatalcases.Normaloperations:

Nonfatalcancers<fatalcancersor~0.18-1.3.

Nonfatalthyroidcancersandnodules~3xfatalcancers(fromtotalbodydoses)or~0.26-0.84.

Geneticeffects~2xfatalcancers(fromtotalbodydoses)or0.17-0.56.

fIncludesmilling,uraniumhexafluoride production, uraniumenrichment, andfuelfabrication.

Theeffectsassociated withtheseactivities arenotknownatthistime.Althoughsucheffectsaregenerally believedtobesmall,theywouldincreasethetotalinthecolumn.Table8.7.Morbidity andInjuryper0.8gWy(e)--CoalOccuationalGeneralPublicFuel-cycle Component Resourcerecovery(mininganddrilling) hProcessing Powergeneration FuelstorageTransportation Wastemanagement TotalMorbidity20-70b/gbgbb/b/20-70Injury13-3031.2b/gbb/17-34b/b/b/10-100Jbb/b/'0-100b/b/'b10b/10~MorbidityInjuryTotal57-210Breakdown ofTable8.5.SeealsoL.0.Hamilton, ed.,"TheHealthandEnvironmental EffectsofElectricity Generation:

APreliminary Report,"Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, July1974.Theeffectsassociated withtheseactivities arenotknownatthistime.Althoughsucheffectsaregenerally believedtobesmall,theywouldincreasethetotalinthecolumn.

8-7resultinestimates ofimpactthataretypically upperboundestimates.

Inmostcases,theestimates wouldbelowerforrealplants).However,itisnotgreatlydifferent fromestimates byotherssuchasComarandSagan~o(0.11to1.0),Hamilton'0.7 to1.6),andRoseetal.~~(0.50).Theuncertainty intheestimateisaboutanorderofmagnitude forperiodsuptoabout100years,andprobablytwoormoreordersofmagnitude forestimates asfarintothefutureas1000y'ears.If,asshowninTableS-3,100Koftheelectrical powerusedbytheuraniumfuelcyclecomesfromcoal-fired powerplants,NRCestimates therewouldbeaboutl,lto5.4excessdeathsper0.8GWy(e).Ofthistotal,about0.62to4.9excessdeathsper0.8GWy(e)wouldbeattributable tocoalpower(Table8.6).Theuncertainty intheestimateisaboutoneorderofmagnitude.

ThetotalnumberofinjuriesanddiseasesthatmightoccuramongworkersandtheentireU.S.population asaresultofnormaloperations andaccidents intheuraniumfuelcyclewasestimated tobeabout14per0.8GWy(e)foranall-nuclear economy.Injuriesamonguraniumminersfromaccidents accountfor.10ofthe14cases(Table8.5).If100Ãoftheelectrical powerusedbytheuraniumfuelcyclecomesfromcoal-fired powerplants,NRCestimates therewouldbeabout17to24injuriesanddiseasesper0.8GWy(e).Ofthistotal,about3to10excesseventsper0.8GMy(e)wouldbeattributable tocoalpower(Table8.6).Theuncertainty intheestimateisalsoaboutoneorderofmagnitude.

Althoughanticipated somatic(nongenetic) effectsassociated withnormalreleasesofradioactive effluents fromthenuclearfuelcyclearelimitedtopotential cancersandleukemias, forthehigherdosesassociated withseriousnuclearaccidents thereissomesmallriskofvariousnon-fatalsomaticeffects(Table8.5,Footnotec).Atthistimeonlylight-water-cooled powerreactorshavebeenthoroughly evaluated.a However,itshouldbenotedthatpowerreactorsprobabl~accountformostofthepotential healtheffectsassociated withnuclearaccidents intheuraniumfuelcycle.Thisresultsfromthefactthatpowerreactorsrepresent 80Kofallfuel-cycle facilities expec-tedtobeoperating forthebalanceofthiscentury~andaccountforthemajorityofoccupa-tionallyexposedindividuals.

Inaddition, althoughtheprobability ofseriousaccidents isextremely small,ifoneweretooccur,thehealtheffectswouldbelargerthanforanyothertypeoffuel-cycle facility.

Seriousnuclearaccidents inpowerreactorsmightalsocontribute about0.04excessdeathsper0.8GWy(e),whereastransportation-related accidents areestimated tocontribute about0.01:excessdeathsper0.8GMy(e)(Table8.2,Footnotec).Earlyandlatentnonfatalsomaticeffectsthatmightbeexpectedafterhighradiation dosesincludeavarietyofeffects(Table8',Footnotec).Itispossiblethatnonfatalsomaticeffectscouldbeanorderofmagnitude greaterthanexcessdeathsresulting fromaccidents; thus,thetotalnumberper0.8GWy(e)wouldbeabout0.4.Thisaccountsforaboutonethirdofthemorbidity shownforthegeneralpublicandanall-nuclear economyinTable8.5.Thenumberofnonfatalthyroidcancers(5-10$'mortality rate)andbenignthyroidnoduleswouldbeabout0.6per0.8GWy(e)fromroutinereleasestothepublicandoccupationa'}

exposures (primarily externalirradiation),

whereas.othernonfatalcancerswouldbelessthanorequalinnumbertofatalcancers[about0.2per0.8GWy(e)](Table8.5,Footnotec).Itisbelievedthatgenetically relateddiseases(e.g.,cysticfibrosis, hemophilia, certainanemias,andcongenital abnormalities suchasmentalretardation, short-limbed

dwarfism, andextradigits),andabnormalities fnthedescendants ofworkersandthegeneralpublicfrombothnormaloperations andaccidents wouldbeperhapstwicethenumberofexcessdeaths'duetocancerfromtotalbodyirradiation;

• 'thiscouldaddanother0.3healtheffectsper0.8GWy(e)amongworkersand0.2healtheffectsper0.8GWy(e)amongthegeneralpublic(Tables8.5and8.6,Footnotec).Inassessing theimpactofcoalpowerusedintheuraniumfuelcycle,TableS-3(10CFRPartSl)wasthebasisfortheassumption that1005oftheelectricity usedintheuraniumfuelcycle,primarily foruraniumenrichment andreactoroperation, camefromcoal-fired plants.Adding4.55ofthehealtheffectsper0.8GWy(e)fromthecoalfuelcyclesignificantly increases thehealtheffectspower0.8GWy(e)fromtheuraniumfuelcycle,asshownonthesecondlinesofTables8.2and8.7.8.4.3TheCoalFuelCcle*Currentestimates ofmortality andmorbidity resulting fromthecoalfuelcyclearequiteuncer-tain;thisistheprincipal reasonforthewiderangeofvaluesreportedintheliterature.

Theseuncertainties resultfromthelimitednumberofepidemiological studiesanddifferences in*Seealso"Activities, Effects,andImpactsoftheCoalFuelCyclefora1,000NWeElectricPowerGenerating Plant,"NUREG/CR-1060, U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comnission, February1980, 8-8interpretation oftheresultsofsuchstudies.Thereisadditional uncertainty regarding theeffectsofnewfederallawsoncoalcyclefacilities inthenextdecade.Currentestimates ofexcessdeathsfortheentirecoalcyclerangefrom15to120per0.8GWy(e),whereasdiseaseand.injuryestimates rangefrom57to210per0.8GWy(e).Inthecaseofoccupational effects,thereisconsiderable uncertainty becauseofant'icipated reductions inhealtheffectsresulting fromtheimplementation oftheFederalCoalMineHealthandSafetyActof1969(PL91-173).The'provisions ofthisactshouldresultinsignificant improvement ofthe'underground workenvironment, particularly regarding coaldust.Coaldustisbothacauseofunderground explosions andfiresandacauseofcoalworkerspneumoconiosis (CWP),comenlycalledblacklungdisease,andsubsequent progressive massivefibrosis(PMF).>sInaddition, morecoalintheyearsaheadisexpectedtobeproducedbystripmining,whichresultsinlowermortality rates.>Asaresult,thefrequencies ofbothtypesofeventsareanticipated todeclineintheyearsahead,onaperGWy(e)basis.Ontheotherhand,statistics shownewcoalminersexperience highermortality andinjuryratesthanegperienced miners.sAsaresultofexpectedincreases incoalproduction, aninfluxofinexperienced minerswilltendtoincreasethemortality, andinjuryratesforminersasagroup.Forthegeneralpublic,there isalsoconsiderable uncertainty intheestimation ofhealtheffects.(Inthecaseofcoal-plant effluents, consideration ofhealtheffects,was limitedtothepopulation within80kmofsuchplants.)Forexample,althoughthereareestimates ofhealtheffectsrelatedtoburningculmbanks(wastebanksfromcoalscreening),

recenteffortsbymineoperators havegreatlyreducedsuchfires,andfutureprocessing activities areexpectedtoavoidfiresasaresultofnewmethodsofstabilizing thebankstopreventslides.>~

Currentestimates ofexcessdeathsinthepublicfromsulfatesfromsuchfiresrangefromonetotenper0.8GWy(e)(Table8.2,Footnotef).Powergeneration isestimated toresultin3to100excessdeathsper0.8GWy(e)(Table8.2,Footnotef),whereasexcessmorbidity rangesfromabout10-100per0.8GWy(e)(Table8.5,Footnotee).tTheuncertainties areevengreaterinthepower-generation phaseofthecoalcycle,whereesti-matesofhealtheffectsrangeoverseveralordersofmagnitude.~o

'Thisislargelyduetothelackofareliabledatabaseforpredicting healtheffectsfromthevariouspollutants emittedfromcoalplants,andtheeffectoftheEPANewSourcePerformance Standards forcoalplantsregarding particulate andsulfuremissions infutureyearsonalong-term

'basis.Thereissomeuncertainty astowhetherthesestandards canbemetinlargecoal-fired powerplantsoverthelifeoftheplant.Themajorpollutants emittedinclude:1.Particulates:

Containlargeamountsoftoxictracemetalsinrespirable particlesize~"suchasarsenic,antimony, cadmium,lead,selenium, manganese, andthallium;s significant quantities ofberyllium,

chromium, nickel,titanium, zinc,molybdenum, andcobalt;>>andtracesofRa-226and-228andTh-228and-232>~2.Hydrocarbons:

Includeverypotentcarcinogens (cancer-causing substances) suchasbenzo(a)pyrene 3.Sulfuroxi'des4.Nitrogenoxides45.Othergases:Includeozone,carbonmonoxide, carbondioxide,mercuryvapor,andRn-222Regarding thepreceding list*ofpollutants, therearenowell-established epidemiologic cause-effectrelationships thatcanbeusedtoestimatetotalhealtheffectsaccurately, eitherfromacuteexposures duringair-pollution episodesorfromchroniclong-term exposures.

Althoughdefinitive cause-effect relationships arelacking,tentative cause-effect relationships forsulfuremissions havebeenusedbynumerousgroupstoestimatehealtheffects,fromsulfuremissions fromcoalplantstheyaredescribed bytheNationalAcademyofSciencesinarecentreporttotheU.S.Senate.7ThemostwidelyquotedstudiesarethosebyLaveand'Seskin,>a Winkelstein etal.,'sandanunpublished studybyEPAthatwasusedintheNAS/NRCstudyfortheU.S.Senate.>>

Ingeneral,theeffectsrangefromexcessdeathsfromcardiovascular failureandincreases inasthmaattacksduringsevereairpollution toexcessrespiratory diseasefromlong-term chronicexposures, Mostoftheacutedeathsareamongtheelderlyandtheseverelyill,whereasmor-bidityfromlong-term exposurealsoincludeschildren.

Althoughwidelyacceptedcause-effect relationships werenotderivedfromstudiesofacuteair-pollution episodesinLondonin1952;zoDonora,Pennsylvania, 1948;z~andNewYork,thesestudiesdefinitely supporttheconclusions regarding excessdeathanddiseaseassociated withemissions fromcombustion ofcoal.ATherearenoestimates ofpossiblelong-term carcinogenic effectsbysulfuroxidesorpssociated pollutants.

Inaddition, thelarge-scale EPAConmunity HealthandEnvironmental Surveillance System(CHESS)study(completed in1976)failedtoprovideanynewordefinitive cause-effect relationships foranyofthepollutants fromcoal-fired plantsthatcouldbeusedtoprovidebetter 8-9estimates ofhealtheffectsthanarecurrently available.

sThe$22millionCHESSstudyattempted tocorrelate air-pollution datacollected frysixU,S.citieswithavarietyofhealthproblems.

Assumingthatnewcoal-fired plantsinthe1980scanmeetEPANewSourcePerformance Standards (whichcouldrequire905sulfurremovalforhigh-sulfur coalandabout99$particulate removal)andotherfederallawsregarding minesafetyandculm-bank stabilization, thenumberofdeathsshouldbereduced.Thus,currentestimates of15to120per0.8GWy(e),duelargelytosulfatesfromcombustion ofcoal,maybereducedbyabouthalf.IArgonneNationalLaboratory recentlydeveloped apredictive modelfordeathsfromemissionofbenzo(a)pyrene, whichindicates about1to4deaths.per0'GWy(e)depending onuseofconven-tionalcombustion orfluidized-bed combustion.<

Sucheffects,althoughgreaterthantheexpecteddeathsfromtheentireuraniumfuelcycle(all-nuclear economy),

donotsignificantly changethetotalimpactofthecoalfuelcycleandwerenotincludedintheeffectslistedinTable8.2.Probablythemostreliableestimates ofdeathsassociated withthecoalfuelcyclearethoseassociated withtransportation accidents.

Becausea1000-HWecoal-fired plantconsumesabout2.7milliontonnes(threemilliontons)ofcoalperyear,thereareliterally thousands ofcarloadsofcoalbeingtransported byrailfromminestoplants.Ithasbeenestimated thataboutoneoutofeverytentrainsintheU.S.isacoaltraingoingtoacoal-fired powerplant.z4Thesetrainsareestimated totravelanaveragedistanceofabout480kmfromtheminetotheplants.~s Asaresult,thereareabout1.2deathsper0.8GWy(e)amongworkersandthegeneralpublic.Further,becausemostofthesedeathsoccuratrailroad, crossings, thenumberscanbeexpectedtoincreaseasmoreautomobiles areoperatedanddrivengreaterdistances, andasrail-transportation distances increasewhenhaulinglow-sulfur westerncoalstoeasternmarkets.Sicknessamongcoalminersandthegeneralpublicaccountsfor,mostofthenonfataloccurrences inthecoalfuelcycle,withmostoftheremainder duetoinjuriesamongcoalminers.Asaresultofimplementation offederallaws,itisprobablethatfutureratesamongunderground minerswillbesubstantially reduced.Itisnotunreasonable toassumethatcurrentestimates ofabout57to210casesofsicknessandinjuryamongworkersandthegeneralpubliccouldbereducedintheyearsahead,inasmuchasoccupational sicknessandinjurycurrently accountforabouthalfofthetotalnonfatalhealtheffects.Theoveralluncertainty intheestimates ofhealtheffectsforthecoalfuelcycleinthisassess-mentisprobablyaboutonetotwoordersofmagnitude.

Althoughthebreakdown estimates generally fallwithintherangeofestimates intheliterature, suchestimates represent onlytheimpactsoccurring overaperiodofafewdecades(e.g.,whileapowerplantisoperating) anddonotincludepotential long-tenn healtheffectsrgsulting fromRn-222andtoxicheavymetalswhichmaybereleasedtothebiosphere fromcoalashandfluegasdesulfurization sludgewastepits.Suchreleases, whichmayoccurovercenturies ormillenia, couldsubstantially increasetheestimated healthimpactspresented inthisassessment.

Therefore, thesepotential long-term impactssubstantially increasetheuncertainty inthehealthimpactsjustdiscussed.

8.4.4OtherConsiderations AlthoughtheReactorSafetyStudyahashelpedprovideaperspective oftheriskofmortality ormorbidity frompotential power-reactor accidents (thecurrentexperience forseriousaccidents iszero),*thereistheadditional problemassociated withindividual perception ofrisk.Thus,*InJuly1977,NRCorganized theindependent RiskAssessment ReviewGroupto:1)clarifytheachievements andlimitations oftheReactorSafetyStudy(RSS);2)assesspeercoranents thereonandresponses tothosecoranents; 3)studythepresentstateofsuchriskassessment methodology; and4)recoranend howandwhethersuchmethodology canbeusedintheregulatory andlicensing process.TheresultsofthisstudywereissuedinSeptember 1978(NRC,"RiskAssessment ReviewGroupReport,"NUREG/CR-0400, September 1978).WhilepraisingtheRSS'sgeneralmethodology andrecbgnizing itscontribution toassessing therisksofnuclearpower,theReviewGroupfoundthatitwasunabletodetermine whethertheabsoluteprobabilities ofaccidentsequences inreportWASH-1400 arehighorlow;itdidconcludethattheerrorboundsonthose.estimates are,ingeneral,greatlyunderstated.

On19January1979,NRCissuedastatement ofpolicyconcerning theRSSandReviewGroupReport.NRCacceptedthefindingsoftheReviewGroupandconcluded thattheRSS'snumerical estimates oftheoverallrisksofreactoraccidents shouldnotberegardedasreliable.

Theimportance ofthisuncertainty canbebetterperceived byconsidering theeffectsofanincreaseintherisks,ofreactoraccidents ontheestimated overallmortality rateasso-ciatedwiththenuclearfuelcycle.Assumingthereactoraccidentrisktobe100timesthatestimated intheRSS,theupperboundoftherangeofmortality perreference reactoryearpresented inthisdocumentfromthenuclearfuelcyclecouldincreasefrom1.7to3.7.If,however,theriskofsuchaccidents werelowerthanestimated intheRSS,thelowerboundoftherangeofmortality wouldnotchangeappreciably.

8-10althoughthestudyconcluded that"Allnon-nuclear accidents examinedinthisstudy,including fires,explosions, toxicchemicalreleases, damfailures, airplanecrashes,earthquakes, hurri-canesandtornadoes, aremuchmorelikelytooccurandcanhaveconsequences comparable toorlargerthan,thoseofnuclearaccidents,"

uncertainty willcontinuetobeassociated withsuchevaluations.

Furthermore, theremaybeaproblemofpublicacceptance ofpotential accidents, becausetheconsequences canbesevere.Infact,itappearsthatsomepeoplezsmorereadilyaccept,forexample,having,55,000 peopleactuallykilledeachyearinviolenthighwayacci-dents,oneortwoatatime,thantheydotheunlikelyoccurrence ofperhapsseveralthousandpossibledeathsfromasinglecatastrophic accidentduringtheirli'fetime.

/AsnotedinFootnote5totheMarch1977revisionofTableS-3theGESMOIRn-222releaseincreases from74.5Citoabout4800Ciwhenreleasesfromminesareincluded.

ThiswouldresultinasmallincreaseinthetotalnumberofexcessdeathsshowninTable8.2,althoughthemortal-ityper0.8GWy(e)forthegeneralpublicwouldincreasebyabout304.Withregardtothecoalfuelcycle,itisawell-established factthattheuseofcdalresu'itsinnumerousothercoststosocietythathavenotyetbeenadequately quantified.

Theseinclude1.Theshort-andlong-term impactsofsulfurandnitrogenoxidesonbiotaandmaterials.

Acidrain,forexample,isknowntobeseverelydamagingtoterrestrial andaquatichabitats.

ArgonneNationalLaboratory providesadetaileddiscussion oftheseandothereffectsofsulfurandnitrogenoxideemissions.s However,asmorecoalplantscomeonline,theseeffectscanbeexpectedtoexpandtosurrounding areas.2.Damagetomaterials, suchaspaints,buildingsurfaces,

statuary, andmetals,causedbyemissions ofsulfuroxides,ozone,andnitrogenoxides.A1976reviewofsucheffectsindicates thatthecostscouldrangeintobillionsofdollarsperyearintheUnitedStatesalone.zs3.'ontamination ofsoilandvegetation totoxiclevelsbysuchmechanisms asdeposition andbioaccumulation oftraceelementspresentingaseousemissions.

4.Destruction ofentireecosystems instreamsandriversbyacid-mine

drainage, andthepotential forpublic-health effectsfromdownstream useofsuchwaterfordomesticoragricultural purposes.

5.Inadditiontotheoccurrence ofexcessmortalities,

injuries, andmorbidities, thecoststosocietyintermsofmedicalcosts,lostproductivity, andothersociallosses,represent asignificant consideration thathasnotbeencompletely evaluated atthistime.Tworecentstudies,whichdealtwiththeseextremely complexissues,z~

>>aconcluded thatsocialcostsfromonecoal-fired plantmaycurrently beabout$50millionperyear,notconsiderin'g therestofthecostsforthecoalfuelcycle.6.Thepossibility oftheso-called "greenhouse effect,"a phenomenon expectedtooccursometimeearlyin'h'enextcenturyas-aresultofthepresentandfutureanticipated production ratesofcarbondioxidefromthecombustion offossilfuels.sBecauseeach1000-MWecoalplantproducesabout7.5to10.5milliontonsofcarbondioxideperyear,>itisbelievedthattheseemissions fromhundredsoffossil-fueled powerplantsmayresultingreaterreleasesofcarbondioxidethantheatmosphere andoceanscancycle.Asaresult,thecarbondioxideconcentrations wouldbeexpectedtoincreaseintheatmosphere.

Becausecarbondioxidestronglyabsorbsinfrared, itispostulated that'themeanatmospheric temperature willriseseveraldegrees.Thismaycauseallorpartofthepolaricecapstomelt,resulting ininundation ofmanyinhabited areasoftheworld.'Atthesame'ime, droughtwouldbeexpectedtoprevailinmanyoftheagricultural areasofthetemperate zones,resulting inhugecroplosses.Itispossiblethattheparticulates emittedbyfossilplantswillcounteract someofthegreenhouse effectbyreducingtheamountofsunlightreachingthesurfaceoftheearth.However,anothereffectfromcarbondioxidereleasedbycoalcombustion occu'rsbecausecoalhasessentially nocarbon-14.

Ineffect,thestablecarbondilutesthecarbon-14 inthebiosphere, resultin'g inareduction intheradiological'mpact ofbothnaturally occurring andmanufactured carbon-14.

7.Anadditional consideration thathasnotbeenevaluated forthecoalcycleistheradio-logicalimpactofminingandburningcoal".Ofinterestisthereleaseofradon-222 fromthedecayofradium-226 incoal:Notonlyistheradonreleasedduringminingandcombustion, butitwillcontinuetoemanatefromflyashformillioris ofyearsafterthecoalhasbeenburned.AlthoughPohlhasshownthatthisisnotaproblemwithmosteasterncoal(generally ofhighsulfurcontentbutwith1-3ppmuraniumcontent),

theaverageuraniumandradiumcontentofsomereservesoflow-sulfur westerncoalisasmuchas50timeshigherthanthatofmosteasterncoal.>~isz Combustion ofthecoalanddisposaloftheremaining ashleadstoaboutthesamehealtheffectsfromradon-222 emissions asdouranium-mill-tailings piles.Thesereleaseswouldaccountforlessthanoneexcessdeathper0.8GWy(e)duetofuel-cycle activities duringtherestofthiscentury.Asaresult,suchreleasesdonotsignificantly affecttheconclusions reachedwithregard=toacomparison ofthetwoalternative fuelcycles.Inaddition, somet 8-11believess thatifthephysicalandbiological properties oftheradiumreleasedfrom,conventional coal-powered plants(burningcoalwith1-2ppmU-238andTh'-232)arecon-sidered,suchplantsdischarge relatively greaterquantities ofradioactive materials intotheatmosphere thandonuclearplantsofcorn(arable size.TheEnvironmental Protection Agencyhasestimated radiation dosesfromcoalandnuclearplantsofearlydesignsandreachedsimilarconclusions.>>

8.4.5SugarandConclusions Forthereasonsdiscussed, itisextremely difficult toprovideprecisequantitative valuesforexcessmortality andmorbidity, particularly forthecoalfuelcycle.Nevertheless, anumberofestimates ofmortality andmorbidity havebeenpreparedbasedonpresent-day knowledge ofhealtheffects,andpresent-day.

plantdesignandanticipated emissionrates,occupational experience andotherdata.Thesearesumarized inTables8.2and8.5(seeFootnotek,Table8.5),withsomeimportant assumptions inherentinthecalculations ofhealtheffectslistedinAppendixH.Althoughfuturetechnological improvements inbothfuelcyclesmayresultinsignificant reduc-tionsinhealtheffects,basedoncurrentestimates forpresent-day technology, itmustbeconcluded thatthenuclearfuelcycleisconsiderably lessharmfultomanthanthecoalfuelcycle.~-s.>o~>>~z>~

e~ssssAsshowninTables8.2-8.7,thecoalfuel-cycle alternative maybemoreharmfultohumansbyfactorsof7to42depending ontheeffectbeingconsidered,

'foranall-nuclear economy,orfactorsof6to14withtheassumption thatalloftheelectricity usedbytheuraniumfuelcyclecomesfromcoal-powered plants.Althoughtherearelargeuncertainties intheestimates ofmostofthepotential healtheffectsofthecoalcycle,itshouldbenotedthattheimpactoftransportation ofcoalisbasedonfirmstatistics; thisimpactaloneisgreaterthantheconservative estimates ofhealtheffectsfortheentireuraniumfuelcycle(all-nuclear economy)andcanreasonably beexpectedtoworsenasmorecoalisshippedovergreaterdistances.

Inthecasewherecoal-generated electricity isusedinthenuclearfuelcycle,primarily foruraniumenrichment andauxiliary reactorsystems;theimpactofthecoalpoweraccountsforessentially alloftheimpactoftheuraniumfuelcycle.However,lesttheresultsofthisbemisun'derstood, itshouldbeemphasized thattheincreased riskofhealtheffectsforeitherfuelcyclerepresents averysmallincremental risktotheaveragepublicindividual.

Forexample,ComarandSagan~ohaveshownthatsuchincreases inriskofhealtheffectsrepresent minuteincreases inthenormalexpectation ofmortality fromothercauses.Amorecomprehensive assessment ofthesetwoalternatives andothersisanticipated in1979fromtheNationalResearchCouncilCoranittee onNuclearandAlternative EnergySystems.Thisstudymayassistsubstantially inreducingmuchoftheuncertainty intheanalysispresented.

8.5URANIUMRESOURCEAVAILABILITY Thfssectionreviewsinformation available fromtheDepartment ofEnergy(DOE)onthedomesticuraniumresourcesituation andtheoutlookfordevelopment ofadditional domesticsupplies, availability offoreignuranium,andtherelationship ofuraniumsupplytoplannednucleargenerating capacity.

Analysisofuraniumresources andtheiravailability hasbeencarriedoutbythegovernment sincethelate1940s.Theworkwascarriedoutformanyyearsby,theAtomicEnergyCoranission (AEC).TheactivitywasmadepartoftheEnergyRe'search andDevelopment Administration (ERDA)whentheagencywascreatedinearly1975s~andwassubsequently transferred toDOEwhenthedepartment wasformed1October1977.8.5.1U.S.ResourcePositionToestablish somebasicterminology, areviewofresourceconceptsandnomenclature wouldbeworthwhile.

Figure8.1definesresourcecategories basedonvaryinggeologicknowledge.

Resources designated asorereserveshavethehighestassurance regarding theirmagnitude andeconomicavailability.

Estimates ofreservesarebasedondetailedsamplingdata,primarily fromgalenaraylogsofdrillholes.DOEobtainsbasicdatafromindustryfromitsexploration effortandestimates thereservesinindividual deposits.

Inestimating orereserves, detailedstudiesoffeasiblemining,transportation, andmillingtechniques apdcostsaremade.Consis-tentengineering,

geologic, andeconomiccriteriaareemployed.

Themethodsusedaretheresultofmorethanthirtyyearsofeffortinuraniumresourceevaluation.

8-12URANIUMRESOURCES RESERVES-DefinedbydirectsamplingPOTENTIAL RESOURCES-Incompletely de(inedorundiscovered ProbablePossibleSpeculalive DECREASING KNOWLEDGE ANDASSURANCE Fig.8.1.DOEUraniumResourceCategories.

Resources thatdonotmeetthestringent requirements ofreservesareclassedaspotential resources.

Foritsstudyofresources, DOEsubdivides potential resources intothreecate-gories:probable,

possible, andspeculative.sII Probablepotential resources arethosecon-tainedwithinfavorable trends,largelydelineated bydrilling, withinproductive uraniumdistricts, i.e.,thosehavingmorethan10tonsofUsOsproduction andreserves.

guantitative estimates ofpotential resources aremadebyconsidering theextentoftheidentified favorable areasandbycomparing certaingeologiccharacteristics withthoseassociated withknownoredeposits.

Possiblepotential resources areoutsideofidentified mineraltrendsbutareingeologicprovinces andformations thathavebeenproductive.

Speculative resources arethoseestimated tooccurinformations orgeologicprovinces thathavenotbeenproductive butwhich,basedontheevaluation ofavailable geologicdata,areconsidered tobefavorable fortheoccurrence ofuraniumdeposits.

8ecauseanyevaluation ofresources isdependent upontheavailability ofinformation, theestimates themselves are,toalargedegree,ascorecard onthestateofdevelopment ofinfor-mation.Thus.appraisal ofU.S.uraniumresources isheavilydependent onthecompleteness ofexploration effortsandontheavailability ofsubsurface geologicdata.SincethegeologyoftheUnitedStatesasitrelatestomineraldepositscanneverbecompletely knownindetail,itisnotpossibletoproduceatrulycompleteappraisal ofdomesticuraniumresources.

Itislikelythatthetotalresourcepicturewilleventually provelargerthancurrently estimated, giventhenatureandstatusofestimation methodology.

Thekeyfactormaybethetimeliness withwhichresources areidentified, developed, andproduced.

Conceptually,"

aresource, whetheruraniumorothermineralcommodity, wouldinitially beinthepotential category.

Development ofadditional dataandclarification ofproduction techniques andeconomics wouldberequiredtodelineate andunderstand specificoredepositstoadegreethattheycouldbecategorized asreserves.

Wecanexpectadynamicbalancebetweenanticipated marketsandpricesandtheextenttowhichexploration andreservedelineation willbedone.Thereisnoeconomicincentive forindustry'oexpandreservesiftheadditional uraniumwillnotbeneededformanyyears,andespecially ifthelong-term marketoutlookisuncertain.

Thishasbeentrueforuranium.Theminingcompanies areconcentrating onmarketsforthenextfivetofifteenyears.Theutilities andgovernment areconcerned withtheoutlookforthenextthirtytofortyyears.Conversion ofthecurrently estimated potential resources intoorereserveswilltakemanyyearsandwillcostseveralbilliondollars.Itwouldbedifficult toeconomically justifyacceler-atingsuchanefforttodelineate orereservelevelsequaltolifetimerequirements ofallplannedreactorscoveringsomethirtyto-fortyyearsinthefuturesimplytosatisfyplanners.

Supplyassurance throughcontinued timelyadditions toreservesandmaintenance ofaresourcebaseadequatetosupportproduction demands,coupledwithcarefully, developed information onpotential resources, isconsidered tobeadequateandamorerealistic andeconomicapproach.

8-13eTheconversion ofpotential resources toorereservesandexpansion ofproduction facilities canbeaccomplished whenneededasmarketsexpandandproduction isneeded.All'ranium resourceestimates madebyDOEanditspredecessor agenciesbefore1979weresingleestimates oftonsoforeandgradeforvariouscostcategories.

Theestimtesweremadebyexperienced geologists andengineers according tostandardprocedures, andrepresented areason-ablemeasureofresources.'he currentprocedures forestimating uraniumresources providebothmeanvaluesanddistributions tocharacterize thereliability oftheestimates atspecificconfidence levels.Allavailable geologicinformation andtheexpertise oftheestimators arefullyutilized.

Theseprocedures arestandardized anddocumented tominimizepersonalbiasesandtofacilitate reviewsandrevisions asnewinformation isacquired.

Theestimates ofresources intheUnitedStatesaredeveloped fromadatabaseaccumulated duringthepastthreedecadesofgovernment andindustryactivities andenhancedbyNationalUraniumResourceEvaluation programinvestigations ofthepastfiveyears.Dataacquiredtosupportresourceassessment havebeenextensive andvaried.Theassessment includestheevalu-ationofseveralhundredthousandindustry-drilled holes;aerialradiometric surveys;samplingandgeochemical analysesofgroundwater, streamwater,andstreamsediment; selective drillingtofillvoidsinsubsurface information; andextensive geologicfieldexaminations.

Thesedatahavebeenevaluated todetermine thoseareasfavorable foruraniumoccurrences.

Evaluation criteriahavebeendeveloped fromstudiesofuraniumdepositsthroughout theworld.Infavor-ableareas,theuraniumendowment, materialgreaterthan0.01percentUsOa,isestimated, andsubsequently economicfactorsareappliedtoassessthepotential resources available atselectedcosts'.Thecostsusedtocalculate uraniumresources areforwardcosts.thatconsiderbothoperating andcapitalcosts(incurrentdollars)thatwouldbeincurredinproducing theuranium.Thesecostsincludepower,labor,materials, royalties, payroll,severance andadvaloremtaxes,insurance, andapplicable generalandadministrative costs.Allpreviousexpenditures (beforethetimeoftheestimate) forsuch.itemsaspropertyacquisition, exploration, minedevelopment, andmillconstruction areexcluded.

Alsoexcludedareincometaxes,profit,andthecostofmoney.Theresources assignedtothevariouscostcategories areindependent ofthemarketpriceatwhichtheuraniummightbesold.Therearetwomajormethodologies inuraniumassessment:

oneisusedfortheestimation ofreservesbasedonsampleresultsfromdrillholesonspecificproperties, thesecondinvolvestheuseofavarietyofgeologicinformation tosubjectively estimatepotential resources.

Reservesarecalculated, individually forproperties throughout theUnitedStatesusingdatavoluntarily providedbytheuraniumcompanies toDOE.Thedataconsistprimarily ofradiometric drillholelogsandmaps.Parameters evaluated includethickness andtenorofmineralized rock;depthandspatialrelationships, miningmethods,oredilution, andrecovery; andamenability oforestoprocessing.

Theamountsofuranium'that*could,beexploited attheforwardcostlevelsarecalculated according toconventional engineering practices utilizing available engineering,

geologic, andeconomicdata.Aregionalreservesdistribution estimateisobtainedbymathematically combining theestimates ofindividual distributions foreachproperty.

Theseregionaldistributions arethencombinedtoprovideatotalfortheUnitedStates.Estimates includeallmaterialoveraselectedmini-mumthickness withauraniumcontentabove0.01%UsOa.Arecoveryfactorisapplied,afterrateprocedures areusedforproperties onwhichsolutionminingisinprogressorisplanned.Potential resourceestimates arebasedongeologicanalogy.Geologiccharacteristics relatedtouraniumpotential intheareabeinginvestigated arecomparedwiththoseinanareawithsimilarcharacteristics, thatis,acontrolareathatcontainsuraniumdepositsforwhichthefrequency distribution ofgradesandtonnagesinthedepositshasbeendeveloped.

Theanalogy-based methodology ismadefeasiblebyDOE'sextensive databasefromwhichdetailedcharacterizations ofthedistribution ofuraniumhavebeendeveloped.

Fromsystematic comparison withanappro-priatecontrolarea,anestimateisdeveloped ofthetotalamountofuranium,above0.01%Us0a,thatmightbepresentinanareabeingevaluated.

Uraniumendowment factors,suchassurfacearea,fractionunderlain byendowment, grade,andtonnageareestimated atthreeconfidence levels,i.e.,amodalvaluethatisconsidered asmostlikely,andalowandhighestimatecorresponding respectively toa95and5%probability thatthefactorisatleastthatlarge.Theendowment estimateisanalyzedtodetermine theportionsthatareproducible atvariouscostcategories withinstatedconfidence levels.Table8.8providesthemeanreserveandpotential resourceestimates foreachcostcategory, aswellasestimates atthe95th'and5thpercentile.

The95thpercentile valueprovidesanesti-mateforwhichthereisa95%confidence thatatleastthatamountexists.The5thpercentile providesanestimateforwhichthereisa5Xprobability thatitwillbeexceeded.

Due.tothecorrelation oftheindividual estimates thatareaggregated togeneratetheregionalandnationaltotals,theestimates atthe95thand5thpercentile arenotdirectlyadditive; however,themeanvaluesareadditive.

8-14Table8.8.UraniumResources oftheUnitedStatesForward-cost CategoryAt$15perpoundufUs0aReservesProbablePossibleSpeculative TotalsAt$30perpoundofUsOa'eservesProbablePossibleSpeculative TotalsAt$50perpoundofUsOa'eservesProbablePossibleSpeculative TotalsAt$100perpoundofUsOa'eservesProbablePossibleSpeculative TotalsMean225,000295,00087,00074,000681,000645,000885,000346,000311,0002,187,000 936,0001,426,000 641,000482,0003,485,000 1,122,000 2,080,000 1,005,000 696,0004,903,000 95thPercentile 190,000185,00042,00030,000447',000.567,000659,000194,000155,0001,731,000 821,0001,102,000 346,000251,0002,771,000 971,0001,646,000 521,000'78,000.3,875,000 5thPercentile 260,000448,000156,000162,0001,026,000 729,0001,161,000 530,000600,0002,748,000 1,060,000 1,802,000 973,000890,0004,313,000 1,291,000 2,573,000 1,526,000 1,225,000 6,056,000 Uraniumresources areestimated quantities recoverable bymining.Reservesshownasof1January1980;otherresources asof7October1980.TonsUsOaprobability distribution values.$6.80/kg.Includeslowercost'esource categories.

$13.60/kg.

$22.65/kg.

$45.30/kg..-

Conversion Factors:toconvertlbtokg,multiplyby0.454.toconverttonstotonnes,multiplyby0.907..Hostoftheuraniumresources arelocatedinafewareasintheColoradoPlateauofNewMexico,Arizona,Colorado, andUtah,intheWyomingBasins,andintheTexasGulfCoastalPlain(Figs.8.2and8.3).Itshouldbenotedthatthereserveestimates inTable8.8wereasof1January1980,andthelowercostreserveshaveundoubtedly decreased sincethatdatebecauseofcontinuing risingcosts.

8-15FACSFscCollll0CoolOIVAOAIC0Colossil00IO100rslAOCCIII01OCCOI00000PllllloSI1OS)10SMIOOAISS400S.TIIOl~sRrass~sssssaCsssl107SollCOIATFIAIOSlorSOsSIllosOnCSSIOSAOSssslloClollll1001MIOS00IIFFFllloSOSOIOSIILAOOS 00IOSAIA5SA2osCOllllLPLlso111011TOTALSITSSOUSANOS OPTONSUSOSIPAOSAOL!lss?0~OSSIOLSSl1SPECVLATIVE SSTAlolIOI00Fig.8.2.Potential UraniumResources byRegion($22.65/kg;

$50/lbofUBOG);SPOKAY/YOMINGBASINSPOIVOEARIVE<<SSIIALETBASINCROOKSGAPy+BIGINO.~PFRONTRANGEIURAVANMINERALBELTCAATT>>OOG" SHA<<GRANTS'sL~MINERALBELTCOLORAOOPPPLATEAOTEXASCOASTALPLAINGEOLOGICPAOVINCEQURANIUMAAEAKAANES~gg

.C,4>,LIVEOAKFLOBIOAQPIIOSPHATES Fig.8.3.UraniumAreasoftheUnitedStates.

8-168.5.2UraniumExlorationActivities Uraniumexploration intheUnitedStatesreacheditsall-timehighin1978asmeasuredbytheprincipal exploration indicator, surfacedrilling.

DataprovidedtoDOEbytheexploration companies indicated atotalof14.6millionmetersofdrillingin1978.In1979,however,drillingdeclinedto12.5millionmetersandthedownwardtrendsteepened during1980withdrillingestimated tobeapproximately 8.5millionmetersfortheyear(Fig.8.4).~ACTUALmmaPLANNED1979~~~tt~~PLANNcO19601960ESTIMATEEtwnditt(n TtttlOUI'Qt.R6~ttt200~3160cnZO720>IlQg80ZO20(tt~OIYtlOphlttl ttOLRIt9Eti&NlbnONVQ019661968197019721976197619761980YEAR0Fig.8.4.U.S.Exploration ActivityandPlans.(Toconvertft.tom,multiplyby0.3048.)Annualgrossadditions toreserves, ameasureofexploration success,havebeenathighlevelsforthehighercost,i.e.,$13.60to$22.65perkilogramUsOacategories, buthavebeendecreasing forlowercostlevels.Costshaveincreased significantly inrecentyearsraisingthequality~ofresources neededtoproduceatagivencostlevelandreducingthequantities available atthatlevel.Forexample,in1979only907tonnes(1000tons)wereaddedto$6.80($15)costrevenues, but47,164tonnes(52,000tons)wereremoved,largelybecauseofinflation, andanadditional 12,698tonnes(14,000tons)weredepletedbyproduction.

Hence,in1979,$6.80($15)reservesdecreased from263,030to204.075tonnes(290,000to225,000tons).Thistrendcontinued in1980.Ontheotherhand,in1979some84,351tonnes(93,000tons)wereaddedto$22.65($50)reservesand69,839tonnes(77,000tons)removedforanetincreaseof14,512tonnes(16,000tons)U30a~Thus,whileexploration hasbeensuccessful, thecostsofproducing theresound'ces foundarehighincomparison withcurrentpricesandconcurrently thecostofproducing previously foundresources hasalsoincreased.

Thesharpriseinexploration resultedfromtheincreaseinpricesinthe1974to1976period,theactiveprocurement activityofutilities, andtheoptimistic progections offuturegrowthinuraniumdemand.Manynewcompanies becameacti.veinexploration.

Morethan150comp'anies wereinvolvedinexploration in1979.,Considering thedropinrequirement projections, thelevelofactivityreachedprobablywasinexcessofrealneeds.Therefore, somereduction ofeffortmoreinlinewithfutureneedsisnotdetrimental.

8-17Domesticuraniumproduction in1980was19,573tonnes(21,850tons)UsOainconcentrate.

Thisrepresents a15Kincreaseover1979andisthehighestU.S.production levelforanysingleyear.Production inrecentmonthshasbeenatrecordrates;theequivalent ofmorethan19,954tonnes(22,000tons)UsOaperyear.Thisproduction comesfromconventional mine-mill operations aswellasfromsuchnonconventional sourcesassolutionminingandbyproduct recoveryfromprocessing ofotherminerals.

Thehighproduction levelsareinresponsetopriorsalescontracts.

Buyersareactuallyreceiving uraniuminexcessoftheircurrently scheduled needs.Severalnewuraniumprocessing facilities areunderconstruction orplanned,whichcouldbringthetotalnational, capacity'o around27,000tonnes(30,000tons)peryearbythemid-1980s.

Despitetheincreases inorethroughput anduraniumproduction in1980,awidespread curtailment ofuraniumminingandmillingactivities isunderway.

Production atsomeoperating mineshasbeenreducedandsomeplannedmillexpansions andconstruction arebeingpostponed.

Thereduc-tioninmineoutputwillnotbereflected indecreased uraniumproduction untilmineandmillorestockpiles arereduced.Studieshavebeenconducted onattainable uraniumproduction levelsfromuraniumreservesintheUnitedStatesandrelatedcosts.Theuraniumproduction capability projections shouldnotbeconstrued asbeingestimates ofactualfuturesupply,butsimplyaspotential production thatmaybeavailable tomeetwhateverdemandeventually exists.Usingthe"production center"concept,U.S.uraniumproduction capability hasbeenprojected fromorereservesestimated asofJanuary1980,tobeavailable atforwardcostsof$13.60to$22.65perkilogramUsOaorless.Theproduction centersconsistofoperating (Class1),committed (Class2),planned(Class3)uraniumextraction andprocessing facilities, andpro-jected(Class4)facilities basedonprobablepotential resources.

Thestudyincludedconven-tionalmillssuppliedbyopen-pitand/orunderground mines;solutionminingandheap-leach operations; andoperations whereuranium'is recovered asabyproduct ofphosphate, copper,orberyllium miningandprocessing.

activities.

Projections arebasedprimarily on.operating conditions

-averageoregrades,millrecoveries, andoperating andcapitalcosts--similar tothosecurrently prevalent intheuraniumminingandmillingindustry.

Specificinformation on'companyplans,costs,'and'operating methodshasbeenconsidered.,

Figure8.5showsthetotalprojected'production capability for$13.60($30)resources byresourcecategory.

Figure8.6showsthecapability for$22.65($50)resources.

Projected uraniumdemandandcurrentsalesconeitments arealsoshown.DomesticdemandisbasedontheDOE'sOfficeofUraniumResources andEnrichment (URE)1980nuclear-power growthprojections, assumingnorepro-cessinganda0.20%U-235enrichment tailsassay.8.5.4DomesticReactorReuirements Theoutlookforuraniumrequirements iscloselyrelatedtothegrowthofnuclearpower.On1December1980,75nuclearpowerreactorswerelicensedtooperateintheUnitedStates,concentrated mostlyintheEastandMidwest.Theseplantshaveanelectrical genera'ting capa-cityof55GMe.Inadditiontooperating plants,86plantsareunderconstruction withatotalratedcapacityof95GWe.Someoftheplantsareatsuchanearlyconstruction stagethattheymaybedeferredorcanceledcompletely.

Anadditional 17reactorswith20GWecapacityareonorder.Togetherthegroupaggregates 170GWeofcapacity.

Mowever,thefutureforsomeoftheorderedreactorsisquestionable.

Latestprojections ofnuclear-power growthbyUREandtheEnergyInformation Administration (EIA)(Table8.9)showanincreaseinnuclearpowerlicensedtooperatefrom55GWeattheendof1980to96GWein1985,129GWein1990,155GWein1995,and180GWein2000.EIAalsoprojected alowcaseof160GWeandahighcaseof200GWefortheyear2000.Therearealternative viewsonU.S.powergrowth.TheDOE'sOfficeofPlanningandAnalysishasprojected nucleargrowthtotheyear1990at125GMeandtotheyear2000at150GWe,basedonhistoricdelaystonuclearpowergrowth.TheDOEOfficeoftheAssistant Secretary ofNuclearEnergyhasprojected 400GWe,basedonenergydemand,growth,nuclearcompetitiveness, andindustryconstruction capability.

Allofthesevaluesaresharplyreducedfromtheprojected growthofthenuclearindustryofjustafewyearsago.Forexample,in1976UPS.nuclearcapacityintheyear2000hadbeenprojected tobe500GWe,andin1978ithadbeenprojected tobe320GMe.

8-187060n50XD"n40Z0+302010~CiasEG!'"..',::Class4s1-3,withoutexpansions andClasses1-3expansions

/otr.c"~o~'cPProbable'otential'eserves 80828486889092949698000204060809YEARFig.8,5.Estimated AnnualNear-term Production Capability fromResources Available at$13.60/kgof.Us0aorLesswithClass1,2,and3Expansions andClass4.120Uraniumrequirements basedonUREenrichment planningcasesat0.20%tailsassay'100180I-ZOZ600VZ4008thZ200Isibl'eeresFrospecrnposulativanouFromprobabpotentle~rFromreserveseoa1gj)6~ntao~~;.:.

,~A.~4r198019902000YEAR20102019Fig.8.6.AnnualProduction Capability fromResources Available at$22.65/kgofUs06orLessProjected toNeetNuclear-Power GrowthOemand.

8-19Table8.9.U.S.Nuclear-Power GrowthProjections, June1980EndofYearLowPowerRaneGWeMid'igh19851990199520008512514216096129155180105140165200Evenatthemoreconservative estimates, nuclearcapacitystillisexpectedtoexpandsubstan-tiallyandtoprovideasignificant portionoffuturedomesticelectriccapacity.

Currentmethodsofproiecting nucleargrowthanduraniumrequirements arebasedonestimates ofreactorstartupdatesconsidering construction andlicensing times,andsystemspowerrequirements.

Accurateforecasts haveproventobedifficult.

Theuraniumneededtobedelivered byuraniumconcentrate-producing plantsasfuelforthenuclearplantswillalsoincreaseovertime;fortheUREmid-case, from12,063tonnes(13,300tons)U30ain1981to21,405(23,600)in1985,26,212(28,900)in1990,31,745tonnes(35,000tons)in1995,and36,280tonnes(40,000tons)in2000,iftheenrichment plantsareoperatedat0.20%U-235tailsassay.Cumulative uraniumrequirements throughtheyear2000rangefrom462,570to562,340tonnes(510,000to620,000tons)UaOawith516,990tonnes(570,000tons)UsOaforthemid-case.

Uraniumrequirements arebasedonnormalleadtimesforfuel-cycle stepsandcurrenttechnology forenrichment andforreactordesignandoperation.

Therearepossibleimprovements inenrich-mentthatwouldallowuseoflowertailsassays,which,wouldreduceuraniumrequirements.

1'herearealsopossibleimprovements toreactordesignandoperation thatcouldreduceuraniumrequire-ments.Thesefactorsarenotlikelytohaveasignificant impactonuraniumdemandsuntilatleastwellintothe1990s.8.5.5UraniumInventories Buyers'nventories ofuraniumhavebeenincreasing forseveralyearsasactualdeliveries havebeeninexcessofneeds.Inventories atthebeginning of1980totalled.32,742tonnes(36,100tons)ofnaturaluranium(Table8.10),with.25,033tonnes(27,600tons)heldbyutilities.

In1980,U.S.utilities sentanequivalent of15,691tonnes(17,300tons)UsOatotheDOEgaseousdif-fusionplantsforenrichment.

Thus,the25,033tonnes(27,600tons)inventory levelamountedto1.6yearsofU.S.utilities'eeds.

OfthoseUPS.utilities thatresponded toquestions oninventory levels,mostindicated thattheydesirealevelamounting toaboutoneyear'sneeds,althoughsomereportedinventory levelsassmallasthreemonth'sneeds,whileothersdesireinventories asgreatastwoyear'sneeds.Producers alsohadinventories ofabout2,177tonnes(2,400tons)UsOaatthebeginning of1980,whichisaboutanormalworkinginventory.

Theoutlook,isforacontinuing buildupofbuyers'nventories, ascurrentcontracted deliveries areinexcessofactualneeds.Table8.10.Buyers'nventories ofNaturalUraniuminTonsUsOaBeginning ofYearDomesticOriginForeignOriginTotal1976197719781979198022,60025,80025,10028,00030,8001,1003,5003,6005,2005,30023,70029,30028,70033,20036,100Conversion Factor:toconverttonstotonnes,multiplyby0.907.

8-208.5.6AnalsisofProduction CaabilitandReactorCaacitStudyofattainable production capability fromcurrently estimated

$13.60($30)U.S.orereservesandprobablepotential resourceindicates thatproduction levelsof40,815tonnes(45,000tons)U30Qperyear.canbeachievedwithaggressive resourcedevelopment andexploitation, including bothminingandmilling.Althoughthelevelmaybeachievedbyuseofdomestic$13.60($30)orereservesandprobableresources alone,development andutilization of$30possibleandspecu-lativecategories anduseof$22.65($50)orereservesandpotential resources wouldprovideaddedassurance thatthelevelscouldbeattainedandsustained.

Considering theuseof$22.65($50)resource, alevelof54,240tonnes(60,000-tons) peryearsupplyisachievable fromcurrently estimated resources.

Suchalevelcouldbereachedbytheearly1990s.Importeduraniumandinventories wouldaddtothesupplyfromtheseprojections.

Thelevelofnucleargenerating capacitysupportable with54,240tonnes(60,000tons)peryearofuranium,willvarywithenrichment tailsassayandrecycleassumptions.

Withoutrecycleofuraniumorplutonium andwitha0.30KU-235enrichment tailsassay,about260,000HWecouldbesupported.

Withoutrecycleandat0.20$tailsassay,about310,000HWecouldbesupported.

Withrecycleofuraniumandplutonium anda0.20%tailsassay,about520,000HWecouldbesupported.

Allthelevelsofsupportable capacityareabovethe170,000HWeofcapacityinoperation(55,000HWe),underconstruction (95,000MWe),andonorder(20,000HWe),asoflate1980.Thus,currently estimated resources canprovide'dequate uraniumsuppliesforasizableexpan-siontoU.S.nucleargenerating capacity.

Thecumulative lifetime(30years)uraniumrequirements foralloftheabovereactors(170,000HWe)wouldbeabout0.907milliontonnes(1.0milliontons)UsOaat0.20%enrichment tailswithnorecycle,comparedtothe1.45milliontonnes(1~6milliontons)meanvaluein$13.60[($30)orthe2.27milliontonnesat$22.65(2.5milliontonsat$50)]orereserves, by-product, andprobablepotential resources.

Evaluation oflong-term fuelcomnitments onthebasisoforereservesandprobablepotential resources isconsidered aprudentcourseforplanning.

Thelifetimecommitment wouldbelessthanonethirdofcurrently estimated

$22.65($50)domesticresources, including thepossibleandspeculative categories (seeTable8.8).8'.7UraniumResourceRecoverInregardtotheavailability ofestimated uraniumresources considering recoveries inminingandoreprocessing, estimates ofU.S.uraniumresources represent thequantityofuraniumesti-matedtobeminableexpressed astonsofUsOa'oforeintheground,Theseestimates areareflection oftheinformation available toDOEatthetimeoftheestimate; thus,theyaredependent ontheextentofexploration.

Inviewoftheconsiderations involvedinpreparing theresourceestimates andtheuraniumresourceoutlook,noadjustment forlossesiswarranted.

U.S.miningpracticeresultsinrecoveryofhighpercentages oftheuraniumcontained inadeposit.DOEresourceestimation procedures considerthecapabilities andrequirements ofminingsystemscurrently inusesothattheestimates arearealistic appraisal ofwhatisminable.Becausedepositsfrequently arenotfullydelineated beforetheyaredeveloped, itisnotunusualformoreuraniumtoberecovered fromdepositsthanwasincludedinorereservesbeforesuchdepositswereputintoproduction.

Miningcompanypracticeseekstorecoverasmuchofthecontained mineralcontentaspossiblebeforeabandoning amine.Astrongincentive forsuchpracticeis'theincreaseinfinancial returns.Intheprocessing ofuraniumores,recoveries generally areover90%;in1980,millrecoveryaveragedabout93K.Higherrecoveries areusuallypossibleifeconomically justified.

8.5.8HihCostResources, Analternative

'toidentification ofadditional low-costresources istheutilization ofhighercostresources.

ThehighestcutoffcostcategoryincludedinDOEresources inTable8.8is$45.30/kgofUsOa.Thislevelisanupperrangeofwhatmightbeofinterestforutilization inlightwaterreactorsoverthenextfewdecades.Theincreased priceofoilandcoal,inthelastfewyearshasbeenacontributing factortotheincreased priceofuraniumeconomically acceptable inlightwaterreactors.

Thisimpactresultsfromtherelativeinsensitivity ofnuclearelectricpowercoststoincreases inuraniumprices.Thecostoffuelisaverysmallfractionofthecostofpowerfromanuclearplant.Inturn,,thecostofnaturaluraniumisonlyasmallfractionofthefuelcost;enrichment,,fabrication, reprocessing, andcarryingchargesmakeupthebalance.Asaresult,largeincreases inuraniumpricesresultincomparatively smallincreases inpowercosts.AspointedoutinSection8.5.6,nuclearcapacitycurrently inoperation, undercon'struction, andonorderisexpectedtohaveadequatesuppliesofUsOaatpricesmuchlowerthan$45.30/kgin1980dollars.

8-21IKnowledge ofU.S.resources intheabove$22.65($50)categoryismeager,largelybecauseofthelackofpasteconomicinterest.

Therehasbeenvirtually noindustryactivitytosearchforortodevelopsuchresources.

Prospects fordiscovery ofhighercostresources intheUnitedStatesareconsidered promising atthisstageofU.S.exploration.

Theprincipal large,verylow-grade depositsthathavebeenstudiedinsomedetailinthepastaretheshalesandphos-phates~TheChattanooga shaleinTennessee isofparticular interestbecauseofitslargesize.Thisdepositwasextensively drilled,sampled,andstudiedinthe1950s.ThehighergradepartoftheChattanooga shalehasanaverageuraniumcontentofabout60to80ppmcomparedto1500ppminpresent-day ores.Itcontainsinexcessof4'milliontonnes(5milliontons)ofUsOathatmaybeproducible atacostof$45.30ormoreperkilogramofUsOa.Additional worktodevelopproduction technology willbeneeded.IfChattanooga shalewereminedtofuelan1150-NWereactor,assumingrecycleofuranium(butnotofplutonium) anda0.3Xenrichment tail,about11,428tonnes(12,600tons)ofshalewouldhavetobeprocessed.

eachday;withuraniumandplutonium recycle(shouldthatbepracticed) and0.20Kenrichment tails,about7,710tonnes(8500,tons) perdaywouldhavetobeprocessed.

Anaverageofabout10,250tonnes(11,300tons)ofcoalwouldhavetobeburnedeachdayif20HJ/kgofcoalwereusedtop'roducepowerequivalent tothatproducedbya1150-NWereactor.Utilization oftheverylow-grade resources suchasChattanooga shalewould,ofcourse,involveminingandprocessing verymuchlargerquantities oforethaniscurrently minedtoproducethesameamountofuranium.Fromanenvironmental aswellasfromaneconomicpointofview,identification andutilization ofadditional highergradeoreswouldbepreferable.

However,theshalesareavailable iftheiruseshouldbecomenecessary.

8.5'PricesDuringtheperiod1973-1979, theaveragedeliverypriceperkilogramofUsOaforsalesfromdomesticproducers todomesticbuyers,inyear-of-delivery dollars,increased from$3.22'o$10.80,asshowninTableF11.ITable8.11.Historical TrendofAverageUraniumPricesYear1973197419751976197719781979FinalPrice3.223.584.767.308.959.7810.80Indollars/kg inyear-of-delivery dollars.Futurepricesformaterialundercontractasof1July1980,asreportedtoDOE,isshowninTable8.12.Alsoshownarethepercentages ofmaterialundercontractpricearrangements coveringthepricepresented.

Theremainder isinmarketpricecontracts orincaptiveproduction.

8.5.10ForeinUraniumResourcePositionThemostreliablesourceofinformation onworlduraniumresources isthatcompiledbytheWorkingPartyonUraniumResources sponsored jointlybytheNuclearEnergyAgency(NEA)andtheInternational AtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA).Thisgrouphas'eengathering andpublishing uraniumresourceestimates since1965andincludesmostofthesignificant uraniumresourcecountries.

Incompiling itsestimates, thisgroupclassifies resources as"reasonably assured"resources 8-224Table8.12.AverageContractPricesandSettledMarketPriceContracts forUranium,1July1980Year19801981198219831984198519861987198819891990pricea11.7813.0015.7618.7519.6819.6821.2219'319.34'3.4924.12Percentages ofProcurement underContractPriceContracts 6655474335321618'22316Indollars/kg inyear-of-delivery dollars.Theseyearsincludesettledmarketpricecontracts.

Marketpricecontractpricesaredetermined sometimebeforedelivery, basedonprevailing marketprices.(roughlycomparable toorereservesintheusualminingindustrysense)and"estimated addi-tional"resources (roughlycomparable toDOE'sprobablepotential resources).

Resources intheworldoutside'f thecentrally plannedeconomies area(WOCA)aretabulated bycontinents andmajorcountries inTable8.13.Almost80%oftheseresources areconcentrated inthreecontinents:

NorthAmerica,Africa,andAustralia.

Sixcountries, withinthosecontinents

-theUnitedStates,Canada,SouthAfrica,Namibia,Niger,andAustralia--have aboutthreequartersofthereasonably assuredresources.

Thisgeographic concentration isareflection ofthegeologicfavorability oftheseareasaswellastheextentofexploration andresourceappraisal effortstodate.8.5.11ForeinProduction CaacitandPlansStudiesbytheNEAandtheIAEAhavealsoprovidedreliableinformation onworldproduction capacity.

Thecurrentproduction capacityofexistingnon-U.S.plants(Class1)isabout34,466tonnes(38,000tons)UsOaannually, asshowninTable8.14..Thisproduction isprimarily inCanada,France,Namibia,Niger,andSouthAfrica.Construction ofnewplants,(Class2)withacapacityofabout7,256additional tonnes(8,000tons)istakingplace,primarily inAustralia andCanada.Plantsthatareplanned(Class3),couldincreasetotalannualproduction byanother32,652tonnes(36,000tons)UsOaforatotalof76,188tonnes(84,000tons)UsOaby1990.Sinceneedsforuraniumarewellbelowattainable production capacitylevels,andpriceswouldnotjustifyalloperations, itislikelythatmanyoftheprojected plantswillbebuiltonadeferredschedule.

Itisalsopossiblethatsomenewplantswillreplaceexistingoperations.

Countries ofparticular significance infuturepro-ductionexpansion areAustralia andCanada,whichhave82Kofcapacityunderconstruction and70Koftheplannedadditional capacity.

8.5.12ForeinReactorReuireme'nts Theuraniumrequirements innon-Communist foreigncountries havebeenprojected bytheEnergyInformation Administration basedonthereactorsplannedandtimingofconstruction.

Table8.15showsthreecasesofpowerplantgrowthwhich,bytheyear2000,rangefrom300to400GWeof 8-23Table8.13.WorldUraniumResources byContinent Reasonabl AssuredEstimated Additional Continent NorthAmerica$30/lb$50/lb$30/lb$50/lbUnitedStatesCanadaOtherTotal6452809930940305441gg90885480441,4101,430945652,440AfricaSouthAfricaNigerNamibiaOtherTotal3202101521097905082101731151,0007069392180180696922340Australia Total380390165180~EuroeFranceSpainSwedenOtherTotal51131229072133903151034ll019-6060ll453130AsiaIndiaOtherTotal39135039216010031030SouthAmericaBrazilArgentina OtherTotal963001309636013011757130117128140Worldwide total(rounded) 2,4003,4001,9003,300Modifiedfrom"UraniumResources, Production andDemand"OECD,NuclearEnergyAgency(NEA),andtheInternational AtomicEnergyAgency(IAEA),December1979."World"referstoworldoutsidecentrally.

plannedeconomicarea.Resources givenin1000tonsUsOa.bIncludesresources at$30perpoundofUsOa.Conversion Factors:toconverttonstotonnes,multiplyby0.907toconvert$/lbto$/kg,multiplyby0.453.a Table8;14.ForeignUraniumProduction Capability Canada123FranceNamiMa~NierS.Africa1231231231231231231980'.30019811811019821.83.3019831.83.3019841833019851.83.36.519861.23.311.519871.23.311.519881.23.311.519891.23.311.519901.23.311.5Total9.809.81.49.81.910.51.911.02.912.02.912.02.912.02.912.02.912.02.912.02.90002.04.05.07.27.27.27.27.245-004.50.2-04.50.504.50.7=04.50.704.50.704.51.404.51.404.51.404.51.404.51.405.3005.3005.3005.301.25.301.25.301.25.301.25.301.25.301.25.30.1.25.301.25.25.25.25.25.25.25.25.25.25.25.2008.3008.30083008.300.78.302.58.305.28.305.28.305.2830528305.28.30001.202.90.4.605.205.505.605.605.505.505.24.10038.5004.100.8=39.02.72.04.103.039.05.75.94.104.139.75.911.94.1.04.440.26.915.54.105.141.26.925.84.105.140.67.635.84.105.240.67.635.94.105.340.67.635.94.105.440.67.636.04.105.540.67.635.884.0InthousandtonsUsOaperyear.Class:1.Currently operating plants2.Plantsunderconstruction 3.PlannedplantsIncludesArgentina, Brazil,CAR,Gabon.India,Italy,Hexico,Portugal, Spain,Yugoslavia.

Basedon"UraniumResources, Producti'on andDemand,"December1979.Conversion Factor:toconverttonstotonnes,multiplyby0.907.

8-25Table8.15.ForeignNuclearCapacityandUraniumRequirements CapacityRequirements tonsU0YearLowHidHigh'owHidHigh1980198519901995200066681171241651812292523003507712820128040017,30024;00027,50034,60042,70018,40026,20031060041,50054,10019,80029520032,70047,80064,3000.20ÃU-235tailsassay.Conversion Factor:toconverttonstotonnes,multiplyby0.907.nuclearpowerinoperation.

Themid-caseistakenasthemostlikelyone.However,nuclearpowergrowthprojections havebeensubjecttocontinual downwardrevisioninthelastseveralyears.Inor'dertosupplythesenuclearplants,EIAhasestimated theamountofuraniumrequiredassuming0.205U-235enrichment planttailsandnorecycleofuraniumorplutonium.

Table8.15givestheannualtonsUsOafrom1980to2000forhigh-,mid-,andlow-cases.

Forthemid-caseforeignrequirements increasefrom16,689tonnes(18,400tons)UsOain1980to23,763tonnes(26,200tons)UsOain1985,andto49,069tonnes(54,100tons)UsOaintheyear2000.Cumulative requirements throughtheyear2000total650,319tonnes(717,000tons)UsOa.Ifalltheplannedforeignmine-mill production cameon-stream ascurrently projected, therewouldbeconsiderable excesscapacity.

Ifonlyoperating millsorthoseunderconstruction wereavailable bythelate1980s,production capacitywouldcoverannualdemandsthroughthelate1990s.Additional projections ofWOCAnucleargrowthanduraniumrequirements weredeveloped duringtheInternational NuclearFuelCycleEvaluation (INFCE).Whiletheprojections arenowconsidered ashighbymany,theydoprovideanadditional, moreoptimistic, vfewpoint onfuturenuclearrowth.TheINFCElowcase-modifiedtoexcludetheUnitedStates--indicated agrowthinforeignWOCA)nuclearcapacity, from82GWeattheendof1980to217GWein1990andto580GWeintheyear2000,Corresponding foreignuraniumrequirements wouldbe19,047tonnes(21,000tons)in1980,45,350tonnes(50,000tons)in1990,and108,840tonnes(120,000tons)in2000.Suchprojections indicateamuchlargerpossiblegrowthinfutureuraniumdemands.8.5.13ForeinCometitionandtheDomesticIndustrTheconcentration ofworlduraniumresources andproduction has,inpastperiodsoflowpricesandoreproduction, fosteredattemptstoformcartel-like organizations seekingtorestrictthe,freemovementofuraniumandinfluence pricing.Theconcentration ofuraniumproduction inafewcountries willcontinuefor,sometime,thoughthereisanincreasing diversity ofsupplysources.Theopportunity forfutureforeigncartel-like activities willcontinue, particularly ifuraniumproducercountrygovernments areinvolved, whichhasbeenthecaseinthepast.How-ever,theseverecriticism ofsuchpracticeandthelegalactionsthathaveresultedintheUnitedStatesmightoperatetodiscourage suchactivities inthefuture.SincetheUnitedStateshasthecapability ofproducing alargeportion,orall,ofitsuraniumneeds,andsinceUnitedStatesuraniumbuyershistorically haveshownastrongpreference fordomesticuranium,theUnitedStatesisnotexpectedtodevelopalargedependence onforeignuranium.Thesefac-torswouldtendtoreducethesusceptibil.ity oftheUnitedStatestodirectimpactsofanycartel-like activity.

8.5.14Conclusions Inconclusion, DOEassessment ofuraniumresources indicates'hat currently estimated orereservesandprobablepotential resources atforwardcostsupto$13.60/kgUsOatotalmorethan1.36mil-liontonnes(1.5milliontons),andatforwardcostsupto$22.65/kgUs0atotalalmost2.17million 8-26tonnes(2.4milliontons).The2.17milliontonnes(2.4milliontons)U30awillsupport390GWeofnuclearpowergenerating

capacity, assuminga30-yearlifeforthereactors, nospentfuelreprocessing andanenrichment planttailsassayof0:20%U-235.UnderthelatestDOEforecastfornucleargenerating capacityinthepost-2000 period,theseresources shouldsupportU.S..nuclearpowergrowth,including SSES1and2,wellintothenextcentury.However,meetingtheuraniumrequirements foranexpanding U.S.nuclearpowerindustrywillrequireextensive indus-tryeffortstosustainexploration, andsuccessindiscovering anddeveloping thepotential uraniumresources.

Foreignuraniumresources aresubstantial andhavebeengrowing.Someofthemorerecentlydiscovered

.deposits, especially inCanadaandAustralia, willhavecomparatively low-costuraniumproduction.

Thestaff,therefore, concludes thattherewillbesufficient nuclearfuelavailable forSSES1and2.8.6DECOMMISSIONING Termination ofanuclearlicenseisrequiredattheendoffacilitylife.Suchtermination requiresdecontamination ofthefacilitysothatthelevelofanyresidualradioactivity remaining atthesiteislowenoughtoalloweitherunrestricted useofthesitefornuclearornonnuclear purposes.

Theobjective ofNRCregulatory policyindecoranissioning nuclearfacilities istoensurethatproperandexplicitprocedures arefollowedtomitigateanypoten-tialforadverseimpactonpublichealthandsafetyorontheenvironment.

Threealternative methodscanbeandhavebeenusedtodecomnission reactors.~s DECONmeanstoremoveinmediately allradioactive materials downtolevelsthatwouldpermittttepropertytobereleasedforunrestricted use.SAFSTORisdefinedasthoseactivities requiredtoplace.andmaintainaradioactive facilityinsucascondition that1)therisktosafetyiswithinaccep-tableboundsand2)thefacilitycanbesafelystoredforaslongatimeasdesiredandsubse-quentlydecontaminated tolevelsthatwouldpermitreleaseofthefacilityforunrestricted use.ENTOMBmeanstoencaseandmaintainpropertyinastrongandstructurally long-lived materi~atoensureretention untilradioactivity decaystoalevelacceptable forreleasing thefacilityforunrestricted use.ForalargeBWR,DECONisestimated tocost$43.6million(in1978dollars);

SAFSTORisestimated tocost$59.9millionwitha30-yrs'afe-storage periodand$55.6millionwitha100-yrsafe-.storageperiod.ENTOMBisestimated tocost$35.0millionwiththepressurevesselanditsinternals retainedand$41.7millionwiththepressurevesselandinternals removed;a$40,000annualmaintenance andsurveillance costwouldbeaddedinbothcases.EitherENTOMBoptionrequiresindefinite dedication ofthesiteasaradioactive wasteburialground.Thesecurityofthesitecouldnotbeassuredforthousands of'yearsnecessary forradioactive decaysothisoptionwillprobably,not be.viable.AlthoughDECONislesscostly,thanSAFSTOR,itresultsinslightlyhigherradiation exposures tothedecommissioning workersandtothepublic.Theperson-rem ofoccupational exposureisestimated at1955forDECONascomparedto442for30-yearSAFSTORand1624forENTOMB(inter-nalsretained).

Theperson-rem exposuretothepublicisminimalforanyofthealternatives:

10forDECON,2for30-yearSAFSTOR,or5forENTOMB.Radiation dosestothepublicasaresultofdecomnissioning activities shouldbeverysmallandwouldcomeprimarily fromthetransportation ofdecorenissioning Hastetowasteburialgrounds.Radiation dosestodecoranissioning workersshouldbeasmallfractionoftheexposuretheyexperience overtheoperating lifetimeofthefacility; thesedoseswillusuallybewellwithintheoccupational exposurelimitsimposedbyregulatory requirements.

Decoranissioning ofnuclearfacilities isnotaninIIinent health'nd safetyproblem.However,-

planningfordecoranissioning canhaveanimpactonhealthandsafetyaswellascost.Essen-tialtosuchplanningactivityisthedeconmissioning alternative tobeusedandthetiming.Alsotobeconsidered are1)acceptable residualradioactivity levelsforunrestricted useofthefacility, 2)financial assurance thatfundswillbeavailable forperforming requireddeconmissioning activities attheendofthefacilityoperation (including permature closure),

and3)thefacilitation ofdecoranissioning.

VDecoranissioning ofanuclearfacilitygenerally hasapositiveenvironmental'impact.

Comparedtooperational requirements, thecomnitment ofresources fordecoranissioning isgenerally small.Themajorenvironmental impa'ctofdecoranissioning isthecomnitment ofsmallamountsoflandfortheburialofwaste.Thisisinexchangeforbeingabletoreusethefacilityandsiteforothernuclearornonnuclear purposes.

Becausethelandhasvaluableresourcecapability, inmanyinstances (suchasatareactorfacility) thereturnofthislandtothecoamercial orpublicsectorishighlydesirable.

~8.7ENERGENCY PLANNING8-27Inconnection withthepromulgation oftheCoamission's upgradedemergency planningrequire-ments,thestaff(OfficeofStandards Development) issuedNUREG-0685, "Environmental Assessment forEffective Changesto10CFRPart50andAppendixEto10CFRPart50;Emergency PlanningRequirements forNuclearPowerPlants,"(August1980).Atthistime,how'ever, thestaffdoesnothavesufficient information todetermine whetheranyenvironmental impactswillresultfromimplementation bytheapplicant oftheupgradedemergency planningrequirements in10CFRPart50,AppendixE,suchasconstruction ofanear-site emergency operations facilityandtheconductofemergency preparedness exercises.

Uponreceiptofallcomponents oftheapplicant's emergency planandimplementing procedures, thestaffwillbeinapositiontodetermine whetherornotsuchplanandimplementing procedures willresultinsignificant environmental impacts.TheNRCstaffwilldiscussemergency planninginaSupplement totheSafetyEvaluation Report.References 1.L.D.Hamilton, ed.,"TheHealthandEnvironmental EffectsofElectricity Generation:

APreliminary Report,"Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, Upton,NY,July1974.2.L.D.HamiltonandS.C.Morris,"HealthEffectsofFossilFuelPowerPlants,"InPopula-tionExposures:

Proceedings oftheEighthMidyearTopicalSymposium oftheHealthPhysicsSociety,"

October1974.3.L.D.Hamilton, "EnergyandHealth,"InProceedings oftheConnecticut Conference onEnergy,December1975.4.S.C.MorrisandK.M.Novak,"Handbook forthet)uantification ofHealthEffectsfromCoalEnergySystems'(Draft),"

Brookhaven NationalLaboratory, Upton,NY,December1976.5.A.J.Dvoraketal.,"HealthandEcological EffectsofCoalUtilization (Draft),"

ArgonneNationalLaboratory, Argonne,IL,November1976.6."AnAssessment oftheHealthandEnvironmental ImpactsofFluidized-Bed Combustion CoalasAppliedtoElectrical UtilitySystems(Draft),"

ArgonneNationalLaboratory, Argonne,IL,January1977.7.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comission, "FinalGenericEnvironmental Statement ontheUseofRecyclePlutonium inMixedOxideFuelinLightWaterCooledReactors,"

NUREG-0002, August1976.*8.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comnission, "ReactorSafetyStudy,"WASH-1400 (NUREG-75/014),

October1975.**9.U.S.AtomicEnergyComnission, "TheSafetyofNuclearPowerReactors(LightHater-Cooled) andRelatedFacilities,"

WASH-1250, July1973.10.C.L.ComarandL.A.Sagan,"HealthEffectsofEnergyProduction andConversion,"

pp.581-600InJ.M.Hollander, ed.,AnnualReviewofEnergy,vol.1,1976.ll.D.J.Rose,P.W.Walsh,andL.L.Leskovjan, "NuclearPower--Compared toWhatf"Am.Sci.64:291-299,1976.12.D.Grahn,"Cost-Benefit asWeighedonGeneticScales,"InR.A.Karan.andK.Z.Morgan,eds.,EnergyandtheEnvironment:

Cost-Benefit

Analysis, Pergamon:

NY,pp.371-386.1976.13.CouncilonEnvironmental guality,"EnergyandtheEnvironment,"

August1973,p.43.14.D.F.S.Natusch,J.R.Wallace,andC.A.Evans,"ToxicTraceElements:

Preferential Concentration inRespirable Particles,"

Science183:202-204,1974.15.S.T.CuffeandR.W.Gerstle,"Emissions fromCoal-Fired PowerPlants:AComprehensive Suranary,"

U.S.Department ofHealth,Education, andWelfare,PublicHealthService,PHS-999-AP-35, 1967.

8-2816.J.E.Martin,E.D.Harward,andD.T.Oakley,"Radiation DosesfromFossilFuelandNuclearPowerPlants,"InD.A.Berkowits andA.M.Squires,eds.,PowerGeneration andEnvironmen-talChange,MITPress:Cambridge, MA,1971.17.Comnittee onNaturalResources, NationalAcademyofSciences, NationalResearchCouncil,"AirQualityandStationary, SourceEmissionControl,"

preparedfortheU.S.SenateCommittee onPublicWorks,SerialNo.94.4,March19?5,pp.599-610.18.L.B.LaveandE.P.Seskin,"AnAnalysisoftheAssociation BetweenU.S.Mortality andAirPollution,"

J.Am.Stat.Assoc.68:284-290,1970.19.W.Winkelstein, Jr.,etal.,"TheRelationship ofAirPollution andEconomicStatustoTotalMortality andSelectedRespiratory SystemMortality,"

InMen:I.Suspended Parti-culates,Arch.Environ.Health14:162-171,1967.20.MinistryofHealth,"Mortality andMorbidity duringtheLondonFogofDecember1952,"ReportNo.95;London,HerMajesty's Stationery Office,1954.21.H.HESchrenk,etal.,"AirPollution inDonora:Epidemiology oftheUnusualSmogEpisodeofOctober1948,"Preliminary Report,PublicHealthBulletinNo.306,1959.22.H.SchimmelandL.Greensburg, "AStudyoftheRelationofPollution toMortality; NewYorkCity,1963-1968,"

J.AmPolit.Contr.Assoc.22(8):607-616,1972..23.C.Normal,"CastlesintheAir,"Nature264:394,1976.24.L.A.Sagan,"HealthCostsAssociated withtheMining,Transport andCombustion ofCoalintheSteam-Electric Industry,"

Nature250:107-111,1974.25.B.Coneoner, ThePovertyofPower,AlfredA.Knopf:NY,May1976.26.J.E.YoconandN.Grappone, "EffectsofPowerPlantEmissiononMaterials."

ResearchCorporation ofNewEnglandfortheElectricPowerResearchInstitute, July1976.27.S.M.Barrager, B.R.Jedd,andD.W.North,"TheEconomicandSocialCostsofCoalandNuclearElectricGeneration,"

StanfordResearchInstitute, March1976.,28.D,W.NorthandM.W.Merkhofer, "AMethodology forAnalyzing EmissionControlStrategies,"

Comput.Oper.Res.3:187-207,1976.29.C.F.Baes,Jr.,etal.,"TheGlobalCarbonDioxideProblem,"

ORNL-5194, OakRidgeNationalLaboratory, OakRidge,TN,August1976.30.R.O.Pohl,"HealthEffectsofRadon-222 fromUraniumMining,"Search7(5):345-3501976.t'31.N.W.Denson,etal.,"UraniuminCoalintheWesternUnitedStates,"U.S.Geological SurveyBulletin1055,1959.32.R.F.Abernethy andF.H.Gibson,"RareElementsinCoal,"Information Circular8163,U.S.Department oftheInterior, BureauofMines,1963.33.M.EisenbudandH.G.Petrow,"Radioactivity intheAtmospheric Effluents ofPowerPlantsthatUseFossilFuels,"Science148:288-289,1964.34.L.B.LaveandL.C.Freeburg, "HealthEffectsofElectricity Generation fromCoal,OilandNuclearFuel,"Nucl..Saf.14(5):409-428,1973.35.U.S.AtomicEnergyComnission, "Comparative Risk-Cost BenefitStudyofAlternative SourcesofElectricEnergy,"HASH-1224, December1974.36.K.A.HubandR.A.Schlenker, "HealthEffectsofAlternative MeansofElectrical Generation,"

InPopulation DoseEvaluation andStandards forManandHisEnvironment, International AtomicEnergyAgency,Vienna,19?4.37.U.S.Department oftheInterior, BureauofMines,"MineralFactsandProblems,"

1970,p.230.38.U.S.AtomicEnergyCoranission, "UraniumIndustrySeminar,"

GrandJunction, CO,Office,GJ0-108(74),

October1974.39.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission, "DraftGenericEnvironmental ImpactStatement onDecommissioning ofNuclearFacilities,"

NUREG-0586, January1981P**valaeorpureasefromtheNationalTechnical Information Service,Springfield, VA22161.*+Available freeuponwrittenrequesttotheDivisionofTechnical Information andDocumentControl,U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comnission, Washington, DC20555.

9.BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS' 9.1RESUME.Thefollowing sectionssuranarize theeconomic; environmental, andsocialbenefitsandcost'sassociated withtheoperation ofSusquehanna Units1and2.Table9.1suamarizes allbenefitsandcostsofplantoperation.

Reducedgenerating costsarepresented fortheexpectedenergydemandsituation.

Theenvironmental costsarecalcu'lated foranassumedworst-case situation.

9.2BENEFITSThedirectbenefits, oftheplanttothePJHinterchange includetheapproximately 11.0to12.9billionkWhofelectrical powertheplantwillbeabletoproduceonanannualbasis(assuming aplantcapacityfactorofbetween60%and705),theincreaseinsystemreliability broughtaboutbytheadditionof1890HWofgenerating capacityto'thePJMinterchange and210HWtotheCooperative, andthesavingof$112millioninproduction costsperunitperyear($1980).'f"river-following" weretobeundertaken bytheapplicant (seeAppendixA,Sec.A.5.1),thestaffhasdetermined thatoccasional low-flowconditions resulting inforcedoutageswould'auselessthana2Cdecreaseinthedirectenergybenefit.9.3SOCIETALCOSTSNosignificant socioeconomic costsareexpectedfromeitherstationo'peration orstationpersonnel andtheirfamilies'livinginthearea.9.4ECONOMICCOSTSThecapitalcostforcompletion ofSusquehanna Units1and2ispresently estimated tobe$1833million.Fuelandoperation andmaintenance costsforthefirstful'1yearofoperation ofUnit1areestimated tobe$51and$22milliondollars,respectively; Decomnissioning costsforthecompleterestoration ofthesiteareestimated at$78.5million($1980).9.5ENVIRONHENTAL COSTSTheenvironmental costsofmostland-use, water-use, andbiological effectspreviously evaluated havenotincreased orotherwise adversely changed.Thestaffreviewofthewater-intake struc-turerevealedthattheremaybeanincreaseinfishkillsduetoimpingement andentrainment.

Chemicalusagewillresultinamaximumdischarge of.1.4x10skgofchemicals peryearintotheSusquehanna River.Thisdischarge shouldnotresultinanyadverseeffectstotheenvironment.

Theheatdischarge systemwillresultinanaveragewaterconsumption of1.4ms/sfromevapora-tionandotheruses.Amaximumof3.4x10>>J/hrwillberejectedfromthereactorsintotheSusquehanna Riverasheat.Noadverseimpactsareexpectedasaresultofthisdischarge.

Thedesignoftheradioactive wastesystemshasbeenfinalized.

Undernormaloperation, eachreactorwillbeinconformance withAppendixIto'l0CFR50anddischarge atotalof17curiesoftritiumand0.46curiesofallotherradionuclides totheSusquehanna Riverannually.

Eachreactorwillalsodischarge approximately 19,000curiesofnoblegases,0.52curfesofradio-iodines,0.004curiesofradioactive particulates, 9.5curiesofcarbon-l4, and69curiesoftritiumintotheatmosphere surrounding theSusquehanna SteamElectricStationfacilityannually.

Theseeffluents willresultinatotalbodydosecomnitment of40person-rem peryeartothegeneralpublicoftheU.S,population intheunrestricted area.Thisdoseconeitment willhavenodiscernible effectonthepopulation.

Theoperation oftheSusquehanna

facility, evenforabriefperiodoftime,willproducearadioactive structure requiring decommissioning andlong-term protective storage.However,the9-1 9-2Table9.1.Benefit-Cost SummaryPrimaryImpactandPopulation orResourceAffectedEnergyCapacityReducedgenerating costsOperating:

FuelOperation

&maintenance Decommissioning UnitHeasureDirectBenefitskWh/yrx10skwx10s$(1980)/yr EconomicCosts$(1980)/yr perunit$(1980)/yr perunit$(1980)Environmental CostsHagnitude ofImpact11,0002,100About$224,000,000 5ls000s000 22,000,000 78,500,000 1.Impa1.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.81.8.2Fisheries 1.9Naturalwaterdrainage1.9.1Floodcontrol1.9.2ErosioncontrolctonwaterConsumption (average)

Heatdischarge tonaturalwaterbody1.2.1Coolingcapacityofwaterbody1.2.2Aquaticbiota1.2.3Higratory fish-Chemicaldischarge tonaturalwaterbody1:3.1People1.3'.2Aquaticbiota1.3.3Waterquality1.3.4Chemicaldischarge Radionuclide contamination ofnaturalsurfacewaterbody1.4.1Allexcepttritium1.4'TritiumChemicalcontamination ofgroundwater 1.5.1People1.5.2PlantsRadionuclide contamination ofgroundwater 1.6.1People1.6.2Plantsandanimals Raising/lowering ofgroundwater levels1.7.1People1.7.2PlantsEffectsonnaturalwaterbodyofintakestructure andcondenser coolingsystems1.8.1Primaryproducers andconsumers m>/sJ/hrkg/yr1.43.4~10~~(maximum)

Hinor,acceptable Minor,acceptable Notdiscernible 001,400,000 Notdiscernible Notdiscernible Chemicaldischarges discernible butmostlikelyofacceptable concentration Hinimalunlessin-creasedproductivity causedbyintakeNodamageInsignificant Ci/yrperreactor0.46Ci/yrperreactor17.0Notdiscernible Notdiscernible 9-3Table9.1.(Cont'd)PrimaryImpactandPopulation orResourceAffectedUnitHeasureHagnitude ofImpactEnvironmental Costs(cont'd)2.Impactonair2.1ChemicalDischarge toambientair2.1.1Airquality,chemical2.1.1.1,CO2.1.1.2SOz2.1.1.3NOx2.1.1.4Particulates 2.1.1.5HC2.1.2Airquality,odor2.2Radionuclides discharged toambientair2.2.1Noblegases2.2.2Radioiodines 2.2.3Particulates 2.2.4Carbon-14 2.2.5Tritium2.3Foggingandicing2.3.1Groundtransportation 2.3.2Airtransportation 2.3.3Watertransportation 2.3.4Plants2.3.4.1Coolingtoweremissions 2.3.4.2Spraypondemissions 2.4Saltdischarge fromcoolingsystem2.4.1People2.4.2Plantsandsoil2.4.3Property3.Impactsonterrestrial systems3.1Stationarea3.1.1Proposedpost-construction recla-mationofstationarea(e.g.,landscaping, erosioncontrol)3.2Birdimpingements onstationfacilities (e.g.,coolingtowers)4.Transmission linecorridors 4.1Right-of-way maintenance andinspection 4.2Production ofozone,othergaseous.pollutants 4.3Audiblenoise4.4RadioandTVingerference kg/yrkg/yrkg/yrkg/yrkg/yrCi/yrperreactorCi/yrperreactorCi/yrperreactorCi/yrperreactorCi/yrperreactorkg/haperyrkg/hapermoIndividual impingements Individual complaints 4.5Electrical fieldeffects5.Totalbodydosecoomitments toU.S.popula-person-rem/yr tiongeneralpublic,.unrestricted areaSocietalCosts2,900Negligible 8,700Negligible 130Negligible 19,0000.520.0049.569.0NoneNegligible NoneNegligib'le Notdiscernible Potential localice-loadingoffsiteNegligible 28.0(maximum),

staffestimate0.88(maximum),

appli-cant'sestimateNotdiscernible Acceptable Unknown(tobemonitored)

Acceptable Inconsequential HinimalReception problemsresolvedbyapplicant asnecessary Acceptable 65l.Operational fueldisposition 1.1Fueltransport (new)1,2Fuelstorage1.3Wasteproducts(spentfuel)2.Plantlaborforce3.Historical andarcheological sites4.Stationoperational noise5.Esthetics 5.1Visualimpactstostationstructures, 5.2Visualimpactstocoolingtowerplumes5.3Visualimpactsoftransmission corridors Trucks/yr Railshipments/yr peopleSoundlevel,dBA10200Acceptable Acceptable withpropermitigation; tobemonitored.

Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable 9-4nuclearwasteassociated withdecemnissioning oftheSusquehanna facilitywillbeasmallquan-'titycomparedtothatalreadygenerated bycoamercial andmilitarynuclearapplications.

9.6ENVIRONMENTAL COSTSOFTHEURANIUMFUELCYCLEThecontribution ofenvironmental effectsassociated withtheuraniumfuelcycleisindicated inTable4.16anddescribed inSection4.5.6.Thestaffhasevaluated theenvironmental impactsofthefuel-cycle releasespresented inTable4.16andhasfoundtheseimpactstobesufficiently smallsothat,whentheyaresuperimposed upontheotherenvironmental impactsassessedwithrespecttotheconstruction andoperation oftheplant,theydonotaffectthe-benefit-cost balance.9.7ENVIRONMENTAL COSTSOFURANIUMFUELTRANSPORTATION Thecontr'ibution ofenvironmental effectsassociated withthetransportation offuelandwastetoandfromthefacilityaresummarized inSection4.5.2andTable4.13.Theseeffectsaresufficiently smallsoasnottoaffectthebenefit-cost balance.9.8SUMMARYOFBENEFIT-COST Asaresultoftheanalysisandreviewofpotential environmenta'i, technical,

economic, andsocialimpacts,thestaffhasbeenabletoforecastmoreaccurately theeffectsofthestation's operation.

Nonewinformation hasbeenacquiredthatwouldaltertheoverallbalancing ofthebenefitsofthisstationversustheenvironmental costs.-Consequently, thestaffhasdetermined thatitwouldbepossibletooperatethestationwithonlyminimalenvironmental impacts.Thestaffbelievesthattheprimarybenefits'of providing 2100MWofelectrical energy,minimizing systemproduction costs,andincreasing systemreliability throughtheadditionof2100MWbaseloadcapacitywillgreatlyoutweightheenvironmental, social,technical, andeconomiccosts.Benefit-costs aresunmarized inTable9,1,whichisexplained inAppendixE.Reference 1."Technology, Safety,andCostofOecoranissioning aReference BoilingWaterReactorPowerStation,"

Vol.IenpreparedfortheU.S.NuclearRegulatory Coamission byPacificNorth-westLaboratory,

Richmond, WA,NUREG/CR-0672, June1980.Available forpurchasefromtheNRC/GPOSalesProgram,U.S.NuclearRegulatory Cornnission, Washington, OC20555,and/ortheNationalTechnical Information Service,Springfield, VA22161.

10.DISCUSSION OFCONMENTSRECEIVEDONTHEDRAFTENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT 0PursuanttoParagraph A.6ofAppendixDto10CFRPart50,theDraftEnvironmental Statement fortheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,Units1and2,wastransmitted, with'arequestforcom-ments,toAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservation Department ofAgriculture Department oftheArmy,CorpsofEngineers Department ofCommerceDepartment ofHealth,Education, andWelfareDepartment of,HousingandUrbanDevelopment Department oftheInteriorIIDepartment ofTransportation Department ofEnergyEnvironmental Protection AgencyFederalEnergyRegulatory Administt ationPennsylvania StateClearinghouse Pennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources LuzerneCountyPlanningComnfssion EconomicDevelopment CouncilofNortheastern Pennsylvania BoardofSupervisors, BerwickTheDraftSupplement totheDraftEnvironmental'Statement RelatedtoOperation ofSusquehanna SteamE'lectric Station,Units1and2,wastransmitted, witharequestforcomnents, tothesamefederal,state,andlocalagencies.

TheDraftSupplement wasalsotransmitted to:Susquehanna RiverBasinCommission Inaddition, theNRCrequested commentsontheDraftEnvironmental Statement frominterested personsbyanoticepublished; intheFederalReisteron24June1979.Inresponsetotherequestsreferredtoabove,comnentswerereceverom'epartment ofAgriculture, ForestService(DA-FS)Department ofAgriculture, SoilConservation Service(DA-SCS}Department ofCommerce(DOC)Department ofHealth,Education, andWelfare(HEW)Department ofHousingandUrbanDevelopment

{HUD)Department oftheInterior(DOI)Department ofTransportation (DOT)T.R.DuckEconomicDevelopment Council(EDC)Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)FederalEnergyRegulatory Comnission (FERC)T.J.HalliganH.L.HersheyN.J.Huntington H.C.JeppsenS.Laughland W.A.LochstetLuzerneCountyPlanningComoission (LUZ)M.H.Holesevich L.HosesD.OberstPennsylvania Power&LightCompany(PP&L)Pennsylvania StateClearinghouse, Department ofEnvironmental Resources (PDER)W.L.Prelesnik 4iSEDA-Council,ofGovernments (SEDA)F.L.ShellyS.Shortz10-1 10-2SierraClub,Pennsylvania Chapter(Sierra)Susquehanna Alliance(SA)Susquehanna RiverBasinCommission (SRBC)F.ThompsonL.E.WatsonThecommentsarereproduced inthisStatement asAppendixB.Thestaff'sconsideration ofthecomentsreceivedanditsdisposition oftheissuesinvolvedarereflected inpartbyrevisedtextinthepertinent sectionsofthisFinalEnvironmental Statement andinpartbythefollowing discussion.

Thecommentsarereferenced byuseoftheabbreviations indicated above;also,thepagesinAppendixBonwhichcopiesofthecommentsappearareindicated.

10.1SUMMARYANDCONCLUSIONS,

FOREWORD, INTRODUCTION a10.1.1SumnarandConclusions (SRBC8/30/79:8-68; HUD:B-6)Thestaffagreesthattheestimateofthe7-day,10-yearlowflowbaseduponthelongerrecordshouldbeused.Theyconcurinthevalueof22.7ms/s.However,thecontrolling discharge shouldbeconsidered fixedat22.7m/stoprecludeannualchangesduetonewdataaffecting the7-day,10-yearflow.'10.1.2Foeewoed(SA8/17/79:8-62; T.J.Balllgao:8-26)

TheAtomicSafetyandLicensing BoardforSusquehanna hasconsidered thequestionof"piece-mealing"theNEPAreviewandhasfoundnomerittothisargument.

Itisthestaff'sconclusion thattheFinalEnvironmental Statement represents acomprehensive environmental assessment.

TheNRChaspublished draftproposedprocedures forimplementing NEPAregulations.

Publicandagencycoranents havebeenreceivedonthedraftproposedprocedures, andproposedfinalregu-lationsarenowbeforetheCotmoissioners forapproval.

Thefinalregulations providethatactionsundertaken priortopublication ofthefinalrulewillnotrequireadherence tothenewprocedures.

10.1.3Introduction (PP&L9/4/79:B-42; PDER8/20/79:B-50)

NationalPollution Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)PermitNo.PA-0047325, effective 31July1979,wasissuedtocovertheblowdownandotherlesserdischarges.

Thispermitprohibited thedischarge offloatingdebris,visiblefoam,andpolychlorinated biphenylcompounds (PCBs);italsosetlimitsforthedischarge offreeavailable

chlorine, totaliron,totalsuspended solids,oilandgrease,butdidnotspecifylimitsforsulfateinthedischarge.

Thestaffnotesthatthispermitexpiredon30September 1980andwasadministratively extendedbyPDER,Uponreceiptofanewpermitapplication fromPP&LundertheEPA'sConsolidated PermitRe9u-lationProgram(45FR33425,19Hay1980),thepermitwillberenewed.ThisisexpectedtooccurbyMarch1982.10.2THESITE10.2.1ResumeNocomments.

10.2.2Sociocultural Profile(EDC9/26/79:B-14) 10.2.2.1Introduction Nocoraaents.

10.2.2.2Demography Nocomments.

10.2.2,3Settlement Pattern(H.H.Holesevich:B-39)

Figure2.1hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthesecoments.10-310.2.2.4SocialOrganization (M.M.Molesevich:8-39, EDC8/27/79:8-13) tThestateandlocalevacuation planswillbereviewedbyNRC.andthe'Federal'Emergency Manage-mentAgency(FEMA)beforeth'eoperating licensecanbeissued.FEHArequiresthattheplansincludeal'Ihospitals andinstitutions withintheSusquehanna plantplumeexposure.

10.2.2'.5 Political Organization 1Nocomments.

10.2.2.6LandUse(M.H.Holesevich:8-39)

Thetexthasbeenrevisedtoreflectthecormentsonland-usecategories.

1D.2.2.7ChangesintheLocalEconomyNoconments.

10.2.3WaterUse(EPA8/17/79:8-17; EDC9/26/79:8-14)

Thethirdparagraph ofComment8-17isnotclear:ifitisintendedtoindicatethepossibi'Iity ofinteractive effects,anysucheffectsshouldbereflected inappropriate standards.

Regard-ingstoichiometry, itispointedoutinSection10.3.2.4thatthe"maximum" conditions assumedinestimating chemica'I discharges areinconsistent andcouldnotoccurinpractice.

Thisinconsistency islargelyresponsible for'heapparently highsulfatedischarges estimated intheDES.Theapplicant gavethefollowing responsetothiscornnent(applicant's responses 13November1979):TheNPDESpermitfortheSusquehanna SEShasspecified noaveragelimitation onironbutadailymaximumof7mg/L.Theiron.contentintheSusquehanna RivernormallydoesnotmeetPennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources, Chapter93,WaterI)ualityCriteria, OnDESpages4-4through4-7andTable4-3,thediscussion ofthedischarge fromthestationdoesnotindicatethesettlingrateofsuspended solidsinthecoolingtowerbasins.Theratioofsuspended solidsofthewaterinthecoolingtowerbasinstothewaterinthedischarge isabout3to1whichapproximately offsetstheconcentration factorslistedinTable4-3.Iftheconcentration ofironintheriverexceedsDERcriteria, thestationwil'Idischarge approximately thesameconcentration.

ThisisnotedintheNPDESpermitwhichstatesthattheeffluentqualityneednotexceedthequalityoftherawwatersupply.SincetheDESwaspublished, theapplicant hasindicated thattheparking-lot pondhasbeendeleted.Figure2.3has,beenamendedaccordingly.

Theonlywaterdischarged totheriverthroughthedrainageditchwillberainfall-genera'ted waterandtreatedwastewaterfromsumpsanddrainsinnon-radioactive plantareas(e'.g.condenser, pumphouse, dieselgenerator andelectrical equipment areas),estimated as9.1L/s.Oilwillbeseparated andrecovered wherenecessary.

Thewastewaterfromrawwatertreatment (essentially clarified water)willberecycledtothecondenser coolingsystemtogetherwithneutralized andfiltereddemineralizer waste.Thetotalwatersorecycledisestimated as3.15L/s.Theaveragedemineralizer wasteflowwasestimated intheER-CPas0.21L/s.Theapplicant hasprovidedthefollowing additional information onotherinternalstationflowrates(applicant's responses datedNovember13,1979):FlowPathRawWaterTreatment PlanttoRadioactive AreaWasteUsesRawWaterTreatment PlanttoDemineralizer

,Demineralizer toRadioactive AreaWaterUsesDemineralizer toGeneralPlantUsesRawWaterTreatment PlanttoGeneralPlantUsesguua~tttr0-12.6I./s7.6L/s(batch)1-'I2.6L/s0-F1L/s,0-9.1L/s 10-4"Becausetheseflowratesarevariableorintermittent, aprecisewaterbalanceisnotpossible, buttheaverage.ratesaresosmallthattheeffectontheoverallplantwaterbalancewillbenegligible.

Inestimating thechemicaldischarges, thestaffdidnotfinditnecessary toestablish aprecisewaterbalanceforeachoftheseunitprocesses'll waterrecycledtothecondenser coolingsystemwillbefiltered.

Thesolidsfromthewaterrecoveryfilterwillbetruckedoffsiteanddisposedofinalicensedlandfill.

Thestaffhasanalyzedtheconstruction anduseofPondHillReservoir inAppendixA.Responsibility forregulating downstream usesandusersofwaterisassignedtotheU.S.Environmental Protection Agency,theSusquehanna RiverBasinCoamission, andthePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources.

Thelocationoftheplantrelativetothefloodplain oftheSusquehanna Riverisdiscussed inSection4.3.2.2.Themajorplantstructures arewellabovethefloodplain; onlytheintakestructure, itsaccessroad,andsomerecreational facilities areinthefloodpl,ain.

TheTioga-Hamond Damisprimarily afloodcontrolproject.Ananalysisoftheeffectsof.its(hypothetical) suddencatastrophic failureshowedthatresulti,ng waterlevelsontheSusquehanna Riverneartheplantsitewouldbelowerthanthelevelofthefloodforwhichtheplantisdesigned.

10.2.3.1RegionalWaterUseNocoments.10.2.3.2Hydrology Nocorments.

10.2.3.3MaterSources(PPEL9/4/79:8-42)

Figure2.3hasbeenmodifiedasaresultofthedesignchange.10.2'.4MaterOuality(EPA8/17/79:B-17; PPIIL9/4/79:B-42)

Table2.8hasbeenupdatedto,showtherevisedStateMaterCriteriapublished inJuly1979,andapplicable totheNorthBranchSusquehanna RiverfromtheLackawanna RivertotheWestBranchconfluence, including thewatersinthevicinityofthesite,whichare'lassified WWF(protec-tionofwarmwaterfishery).

Thecriteriaincludethestate-wide listplusdissolved oxygen,temperature, andmanganese, butsulfateandchloridearenotincluded.

Althoughcriteriaforsulfateandchloridedonotcurrently applytothisstretchoftheriver,criteriaforthemdoexistinthestate.Theselimitations couldbeappliedinthefutureifdeemednecessary bythestate.Section2.3.4.1hasbeenrevisedtorespondtotheco+ventsmade.10.2.4~Meteorolo (PPSL9/4/79:6-42)

Therecoveryrateofapproximately 70Kforonsitemeteorological datacollected duringcalendaryear1973cited~"intheSusquehanna DESisforwindspeedandwinddirection measurements atthe9.6mlevelandontemperature differential measuredbetween91.7mand9.6m.Thestaffagreesthatthedatarecoverability ofjointwindspeed,winddirection, andtemperature differential maybeenhancedbyusingtemperature differences measuredbetween30.5mand9.6mwhenthe91.7mto9.6marenotavailable, However,becauseofthelargedifference inthedeothsofthetwolayersoverwhichthetemperature differences weremeasured(62.1mand20.9m)andparticularly theshallowdepthofthelowerlayer(20.9m),thestaffquestions theresultofdirectsubstitution ofthelowertemperature differential measurement whenthe91,7mto9,6mdataaremissing.Thestaffacknowledges thattheunusually highoccurrence ofunstableatmospheric conditions recordedattheSusquehanna sitemayrepresent themeteorological conditions thatoccurredin1974and1975.However,inthestaff'sopinion,thisperioddoesnotadequately represent averageconditions expectedtooccurduringthelifetimeoftheplant.Sincethesedatawouldrepresent asubstantial partofthemeteorological databaseiftheywereusedintheevalu-ation,theycoulddeceptively weighttheresultant dispersion estimates.

Therefore, thestaffdidnotincludethemeteorological datacollected duringthe1974and1975calendaryearsinitsatmospheric dispersion evaluation.

10-5Thestaffagreesthatthewindfromthewest-southwest andwestdirections asrecordedatthe9,6-mleveloccurredwithfrequencies of13.5%aridabout12.0%,respectively, duringcalendaryear1976.Therecordedfrequency ofcalmwas1.5%.Thesecorrections havebeenmadeintheappropriate sectionofthetext.10.2.5~StteEcole10.2.5.1Terrestrial Ecology{PPSL9/4/79:8-42)

Section2.5.1.3hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthecogentmade.10.2.5.2AquaticEcologyNocontents.

10.2.6CulturalResources (Sierra:8-61; SA8/17/79:8-62; PDER8/20/79:B-50; DOI9/10/79:SeeSection10.4.7.10.3THEPLANT10.3.1ResumeNocomments.

10.3.2DesinandOtherSinificantChanes10.3.2.1WaterUse(SRBC8/30/79:8-68; EDC8/27/79:8-13 and9/26/79:B-14)

Section3,2.1hasbeenrevisedtoreflecttheapplicable comments.

Table3.1hasalsobeenrevised.Theapplicant hascalculated that,unde'rtheworstmeteorological condition, whichruns1%ofthetime(adrybulbtemperature of-29.4'Gor85'Fandawetbulbof23.9'Cor75'F)andamaximumplantload,themaximumevaporation ratewillbe1.81ms/s.AppendixAaddresses thecompensation reservoir proposedbytheapplicant tomeettheSusquehanna RiverBasinComnission's regulations withrespecttoconsumptive wateruseduringperiodsoflowriverflow.Theplantriverintakestructure isdesignedtobeoperational duringtheStandardProjectFlood(SPF),whichisthemostseverefloodreasonably characteristic oftheregion.Thecalculated riverleveloftheSPFattheintakelocationismorethan2.4mabovethemaximumrecordedlevel,whichresultedfromTropicalStormAgnes.IntheSPFanalysis, nocreditwastakenforanyprotection theproposedTioga-Haneond Damwouldprovide.Inaddition, itmustbeemphasized thattheplantcanbesafelyshutdownwithoutusingtheSusquehanna Riverintake.Forfurtherdiscussion ofthesafety-related aspectsofplantwatersupply,seetheSafetyEvaluation Report(SER).TheeffectsoffloodsonSSESarediscussed indetailintheSER,Section2.4.Theplantiswellabovethelevelofanycredib'le floodontheSusquehanna River.Theabilityoftheplanttosafely'hut downusingtheonsitespraypondintheeventthattheriverintakestructure isfloodedisalsoaddressed in'theSER,Section2.4.10.3HeatDissipation System(EPA8/17/79:8-17; SRBC8/30/79:8-68)

ThestaffisfamiliarwithEPADocument660/2-73-016.

Construction oftheintakewas'essentially completeatthetimeofthesitevisit(September 1978).Determination ofcompliance withSection316(b)oftheCleanWaterActistheresponsibility ofEPA,nottheNRC.Approvaloftheapplicant's impingement/entrainment study,eitherunderSectibn402or316(b)oftheCleanWaterAct,isinterpreted byNRCtomeanthatthedesignofagivenintakeisEPAapproved.

PDER(Pennsylvania beinganagreement state)approvedtheapplicant's impingement/entrainment studyon29April1980.~Shouldtheapplicant's entrainment studyindicatethatmitigative measuresarenecessary, appropriate modifications willbemade.Section5.3.4hasalsobeenupdatedtoreflectthisinformation.

Construction oftheintakeisessentially complete.

Determination ofcompliance withSec-tion316{b)oftheCleanWaterActistheresponsibility ofEPA.Pennsylvania isanEPA 10-6agreement statewiththePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources responsible fordetermining compliance withSection316(b).PDERhasacceptedtheapplicant's proposedimpingement/entrainment study.~~z Adetermination oftheenvironmental acceptability oftheintakewillbemadebyPDERafterthe316(b)studyiscomplete.

Section5,3.4hasalsobeenupdatedtoreflectthisinformation.

10.3.2.3Radioactive WasteSystemsNocomments.

10.3.2.4Chemical,

Sanitary, andOtherWasteTreatment (EPA8/17/79:B-17; DOI9/10/79:8-?)

SulfateTheNPDESpermitdoesnotlimitthesulfateconcentration inthedischarge.

Theonlycurrently applicable standards forriverwaterqualityarethoseshowninTable2.8.Thestatecriteriaforprotection ofaquaticlifeinthestretchoftheriveradjacenttotheplantsitedonotcurrently includealimitonsulfateconcentration, althoughalimitof250mg/Lfordrinkingwaterisincludedinthelistofspecificcriteria, whichcouldbeappliedifdeemeddesirable toanystreaminthestate.Therecoat.'nded drinkingwaterstandardisbasedontastepercep-tion;adverse(laxative) effectsar'enotnoticeable atsulfateconcentrations below400mg/L,Underthemostadverseconditions, thestaffestimates thatthesulfateconcentration intheriverwillnotexceed250mg/L(Table4.3)aftercompletemixingoftheblowdownwiththeminimumriverflow.AsstatedinSection4.3.3.2,impurities notaddedintheplantwillbeconcentrated by-afactorof1.06to1.08byevaporation inthecoolingtowers.Withamaximumobservedsulfateconcentration of222.5mg/L,themaximumfinalconcentration wouldbeabout241mg/Lifnosulfuricacidwereadded;thus,themaximumsulfateadditionwouldproduceanincreaseofonly6mg/Lundertheseunlikelyconditions.

AsshowninSection3.2.4.2,itmaybepossibletoreducethissmallcontribution evenfurtherbyoperating withamorepositivesaturation index,whichwouldalsoimprovecorrosion protection.

OtherSulfuricacidadditionisthemosteffective andeconomical methodofscalecontrol;itisusedinvirtually alllargegenerating

stations, nuclearandfossil-fueled, wherewaterqualitydemandsscalecontrol.Itsactiondependsonwell-known physicochemical principles andthedosagecanbecalculated quiteaccurately forgivenwaterqualityandplantconditions.

Sulfateionispresentinmostnaturalwaters;itsenvironmental effectshavebeenwellstudied,andarereflected inwaterqualitycriteria.

Thestaff'sevaluation showsthatsulfuricacidcanbeusedatSSESwithoutviolating thesecriteria, althoughcarefulanalytical controlwillbenecessary becauseofthehighandvariableambientsulfatelevel.TheAmertapsystemofmechan-icalcleaningmayretardthebuildupofcalciumcarbonate scale,shouldscalingconditions prevailforprolonged periods.Controlled sulfuricacidadditionshouldavoidtheseconditions.

Theoretically, hydrochloric acidcouldbeusedtoreducealkalinity andcontrolscale,butitisneverusedfotthispurpose;corrosion isamajorobjection.

EPAhasalreadyexpressed concernregarding thechloride" concentration inthedischarge (seeEPA8/17/79,p.8-ll);thiswouldbegreatlyincreased by:theuseofhydrochloric acid.Organicscalecontrolagents(tannins, lignins,polyacrylates, polyphosphonates) areknowntobeeffective.

Theyinhibitcrystalgrowthratherthanincreasesolubility.

Theseagentsarenotincommonuseinlargecoolingsystems,andtheirenvironmental effectsarenotwellknown.Thephosphonates appeartobethemosteffective, butthereleaseofphosphorus compounds onalargescaleappearshighlyundesirable.

Inanyevent,thepurposeoftheEnvironmental ImpactStatement attheOperating LicenseStageistoassesstheimpactsofthestationasdesigned; alternatives arenotnormallyconsidered atthisstage,unlesstheimpactoftheproposedsystemorprocedure isassessedasbeingunaccept-able.Thatisnotthesituation inthiscircumstance.

Amoredetailedanalysisistherefore notwarranted.

10.3.2.5Transmission Systems(Sierra:8-61)

Thestaffinterprets thecogentasbeingrelatedtothePennsylvania,.Scenic RiversActof1972,whichauthorizes establishment ofascenicriverssystem.Accordingly, thePennsylvania Depart-mentofEnvironmental Resources conductsriverstudiesandreportstothegovernorandgeneralassemblyregarding designation andmanagement ofcandidate waterways.

Theapplicant indicates thatthetransmission linecrossingattheLehighRiverGorgewasspecif-icallyselectedtominimizethevisibility oftheline.ThePDER.reviewedandconcurred withplansforthecrossing(ER-CP,Amendment 5).ThestaffalsonotesthatthePDERgrantedtheapplicant apermitforcrossingthegorge(ER-OL,Sec.12.1.2).

10-7Thestaffhasalsocontacted theDepartment oftheInteriorHeritageConservation andRecrea-tionService(HCRS)concerning thestatusoftheLehighRiverGorgeareaforconsideration intheNationalWf'IdandScenicRiversSystem.ANationwide RiverInventory hasrecentlybeendeveloped byHCRSandtheLehighRiverGorgeareaislistedashavingpotential forinclusion fntheNationwide RiverSystem.However,itisthestaff'sunderstaridirig that,becausetheexcavation, construction, anderectionofthetowersatthegorgecrossingbeganinthefallof1978,priortopublication oftheNationwide RiverInventory list,theSusquehanna 500-kvline,wouldnotimpactthefuturestatusofthisriversegmentforinclusion intotheNationalMildandScenicRiverSystem.10.4ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTSOFSTATIONOPERATION 10.4.1ResumeNocomnents.

10.4.2ImactsonLandUse(H.H.Holesevich:B-39) 0Thestateaydlocalevacuation planswillbereviewedbyNRCandtheFederalEmergency Manage-mentAgency(FEHA)beforetheoperating licensecanbeissued.FEHArequiresthattheplansincludeallhospitals andinstitutions withintheSusquehanna plantplumeexposure.

10.4.3ImactsonWaterUse(T.R.Duck:8-11)

ThePondHillReservoir isbeingplannedtosupplement riverflowduringperiodsoflowriverflow.TheSusquehanna RiverBasinCommission hasdirectedthatthereservoir beconstructed by1July1984.ThePondHillReservoir fsnotrequiredforthesafeoperation ofthenuclearplant.Therefore, theEnvironmental Statement reviewdealtonlywiththeeffectoftheconstruc-tionandoperation ofthePondHillReservoir ontheenvironment.

10.4.3.1ThermalImpactsinWaterUse(PP&L9/4/79:B-42; L.E.Matson:B-75)

Section4.3.1hasbeenrevisedtoreflecttheconditions specified intheNPDESpermit.Table4.1hasalsobeenrevised.Thestaffassumesthat"additional destruction ofhabitat"referstowildlifehabitat.Thiswasdiscussed inSection4.3.1ofAppendixA.10.4.3.2Hydrological Alterations andPlantMaterSupplyNocomments.

10.4.3.3Industrial ChemicalWastes(EPA8/17/79:B-17; PP&L9/4/79:B-42; PDER8/20/79:B-50)

Theincreaseinchlorideionisdueprimarily toevaporative concentration oftheambientchloridecontent,butthechlorineaddedasabiocidealsocontributes significantly.

Theapplicant hasdemonstrated tothestaff'ssatisfaction thattheproposedchlorineusagedoesnotexceedthequantityrequiredtomaintainanadequatebiocidalconcentration (Response toStaffguestfonCHE-1inER-OL,Rev.'I,1/79).Evenso,theestimated chlorideconcentrations attheedgeofthemixingzone(Table4.3)donotexceedtheproposedcriteria.

Theapplicant states'thatinhibitors containing chromiumwillbeusedinclosedcoolingloops.Thetext(Section4.3.3.3)hasbeenamendedaccordingly.

Thefrequency ofdischarge, ifany,fromtheseloopshasnotbeens'pecified by'heapplicant.

However,reviewoftheapplicant's NPDESpermitapplication indicates thatnoneofthewastestreamsfromtheplantwillcontainchromium.

Thisisconsistent withtherecentlyproposedEPAEffluentLimitations Guidelines fortheSteamElectricPowerGenerating PointSourceCategory, whichwouldprohibitdischarge ofpowerp'lantwastestreamscontaining chromium.

1'hecooeentonsulfateconcentration wasaddressed inSection10.3.2.4.

10.4.3.4EPAEffluentGuidelines andLimitations (EPA8/17/79:8-17; DOI9/10/79:B-7, EDC9/26/79:8-14)

Section4.3.4hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthecommentsmade.FAnentrainment studywillbeconducted aspartoftheapplicant's NPDESrequirements.>

TheFEStexthasbeenmodifiedtoreflectthisnewinformation.10-810.4.3'EffectsonWaterUsersthroughChangesinWaterI)ualityNocomments.

10.4.3.6SanitaryWastes(EPA8/17/79:B-17)

Thetreatedsanitaryeffluentisdischarged totheriverataseparateoutfall(seeFESFig.2.3).Thetreatment plantusestheactivated sludge,extendedaereation process.'Therearethreeindependent aereation tanksandclarifiers, eachdesignedfor15,000gal/day.Duringconstruc-tion,allthreeunitswereused,buttheapplicant expectstouseonlytwounitsduringoper-ation,withthethirdasastandbyforpeakemployment periodssuchasmaintenance orrefueling.

Themodulardesignshouldpermittheeffective handlingofreducedloadswithoutseriousunder-loading.-10.4.4Environmental Imacts10.4.4.1; Terrestrial Environment (DA-FS:B-4; DA-SCS:B-4; DOI9/10/79:B-7; EOC9/26/79:8-14; W.L.Prelesnik:B-55)

Coranitments bytheapplicant includeastipulation that"anychemicals usedtocontrolvegeta-tionwillbeapprovedbystateandfederalauthorities andappliedasdirectedbysaidauthor-ities"(ER-CP,Amendment 4,p.5.5-4andAmendment 5,p.5.5-4).Thiscoranitment wasacon-sideration inthestaff'sassessment, as,indicated onpageC-6,AppendixCofthisStatement.

Recentinformation indicates the"applicants presently.

anticipate usingprimarily DicambraandFosamine.">

Ammoniumsulfamate mayalsobeusedinwatershed areastoalimitedextent.Thestaffdifferentiates betweenconstruction andoperation impacts;thelatterbeingtheprincipal focusofthisStatement.

Thestaffdoesnotforeseeinstances inwhichroutineopera-tionofthestationandtransmission facilities willresultinappreciable impactsonadditional important farmlands.

Theenvironmental impactsofconstruction anduseofthePondHillReservoir arediscussed in.AppendixA;impactsrelatedtotheoperation ofthecoolingtowersareaddressed inSection4.4.3.Impactsonterrestrial wildlifehabitatandaquaticorganisms resulting fromtheproposeddevel-opmentandoperation ofthePondHillReservoir arediscussed-in SectionA.4.3.1.Thestaffisnotawareofanyinstanceinwhichtheplannedoperation ofSSESwillresultinatemporary lossofhabitatthat"wouldkillallfishandwildlifecurrently livingnearthesite."Thestaffdoesnotforeseehowoperational impactsonaquaticcomaunities wouldresultinkillingalllocalwildlife.

0Thestaffoffers,thefollowing observations.

Asindicated inSection4.4.1.1,theanticipated operational noiselevelsreferredtoareestimates basedoncalculations andvariousassump-tions.Thus,theextenttowhichoperational noisemaywarrantmitigation isnotclearatthistime.Thestaffalsowishestopointoutthattheapplicant willberequiredtomonitorlocalnoiselevelsfollowing initialoperation ofthestation(seeSection5.3.5).Comparisons betweenpreconstruction surveysandoperational monitoring datawillenabletheestimation ofincreased noiselevelsattributable tostationoperation.

Ifneedformitigation isindicated, theoperational monitoring datawillprovideabasisforselecting betweenalternative methods,structures, and/orequipment tobeusedinreducingnoiseemissions fromthestati'on.

10.4.4.2AquaticEnvironment (EPA8/17/79:B-17; PP&L9/4/79:B-42; PDER8/20/79:B-50; SRBC8/30/79:B-68; EDC9/26/79:B-14)

Thestaffagreesthatthepracticability ofreintroducing shadtotheSusquehanna Riverisquestionable; however,thestaffisalsoawarethatvariousstateandregionalagenciesareconsidering suchapossibility.

Therefore,

)hediscussion iswarranted.

Withrespecttothe'adultshad,theadultsgenerally remaininthemainchanneloftheriverduringtheirupstreammigration.

Operation oftheexistingintakewouldhaveapotential impactonthoseadultsusingtheintakepoolforresting.Thestafffeelsthatthegreatestimpacttomigrating shadwouldbeduringthefallwhenyoung-of-the-year areusingthepoolsandshallower portionsoftheriverduringthedownstream migration; Theentrainment studytobeconducted aspartoftheapplicant's NPDESpermitrequirements willindicatewhat,ifany,mitigative measuresarenecessary.

TheEPAhastheauthority torequirefuturestudiesifconditions warrantthem.Section5.3.4hasalsobeenupdatedtoreflectthisinformation.

Thestaffstillbelievesthat"theintakedesignatSSESascurrently sitedanddesignedwilladversely affecttheaquaticcormunity withintheimaediate vicinityofthewingwallsand 10-9associated riprap"(DESp.4-9).Also,thestaffstands,byitsstatement relativetoembayment-typeintakeshavingagreaterpotential for"attracting" fishthanotherintakes.AtthetimetheDESwaswritten,thePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources hadnot'accepted orrejectedtheintakedesignatSSES.Withtheacceptance oftheapplicant's impingement/entrain-mentstudy,~thePDERrulestheintakedesignasenvironmentally acceptable.

Theentrainment studywillindicateifmitigative measuresarerequiredtobeincompliance withSection316(b)oftheCleanWaterAct.Thestaffdoesnothavetheauthority torequireimpingement/entrainment studies.Thestaffagreeswiththecommentthattheintakesitedoesnotnecessarily occupyaparticularly uniqueareaoftheriver.Thefirstparagraph ofSection4.4.2.1oftheFEShasbeenmodifiedtoreflectthisopinion.Thestafffeelstheterm"pool"isproperlydefinedandusedintheFES.Page4-10hasbeenmodifie'd-toreflectnewinformation ontheimpingement/entrainment study;however,thestaffisstillnotconvinced thatimpingement impactscanbeaccurately predicted basedonresultsatanotherpowerplant.Thestaffstilldoesnotbelievethatmonitoring ofthebenthiccoranunity inthevicinityofthedischarge isnecessary.

Asstatedonpage4-10oftheDES,"thevicinityofthedischarge isnotparticularly uniquetotheriverandanylossofhabitatshouldnothaveasignificant impactonthevariouspopulations."

Theapplicant willbeoperating thePondHillReservoir.

tocompensate forwaterconsumedduringperiodsoflowflows;therefore, thestaffconcludes thatimpactsduetooperation ofSSESduringlow-flowperiodswillnotbesignificant.

10.4.4.3Atmospheric EffectsofCooling-Tower Operation (PDER8/20/79:B-50; H.H.Holesevich:

B-39)TheuseofSSESinitsplannedbaseloadmodewillprobablyresultintheconversion ofoneormoreoil-orcoal-fired powerplantstoload-following or'eaking duty.,Sincetheoperation ofSSESwillresultinessentially zeroemissions ofparticulates, SOz,NOxandotherpollutants characteristic offossilunits,thestaffexpectsanimprovement intheregion'sairqualityasaresultoftheuseofSSES.TestplantsobservedintheChalkPointstudiesreferenced inSection4.4.1.1includecorn(Zeamays),soybeans(G7ycinemax)tobacco(Nicotiana tobaccum),

dogwood(Comusflorida),

blacklocust(Bobiniapseudo-acaciaI, Virginiapine(Pinusvizginiana),

andsassafras (Sassafras aIbidum).

Additional testspeciesobservedinotherrelatedstudiesincludetulippoplar(Siriodenchon tulipifeva);

privet(triquetrum spp.);Amurandredmaples(AcerginnaIa,A.rubicon);

andScotch,white,andlobbollypines(PinuseySvestTia, P.etrobus,P.taeda).4Distributions ofthesespeciesarenotlimitedtoHarylandnortocoastalareasaffectedbysaltdepositions ofoceanicorigin.Inviewoftheextensive occurrence ofthesespeciesinPennsylvania, thestaffbelievesthattheChalkPointvegetation studiesarerelevanttothefutureoperation oftheSusquehanna station.Soilinvestigations arealsoconsidered pertinent; thestaffisuncertain astotheintendedmeaningofstatements implyingthatsomesoilsare,tolerantofor"accustomed to"saltdepositions.

Asreportedin1978,investigations (1975-1977) oftestplantspeciesandlocalsoilsatChalkPointfailedtorevealeffectsthatcouldbeattributed tocooling-tower, operation.

Conclusions presented byinvestigators includedvariouscaveatssuchastheneed'forfuturestudiestodocumentlong-term effects.However,simulated salt-drift studiesareindicative oflevelsofsaltdepositions beinginvestigated.

Forexample,"applications ofsaltupto3.6kg/haperweekfailedtoinducestatistically significant reductions inyieldsforcornandsoybeans" (Section.

4,Reference 7)."Oftheagricultural speciesinvestigated thusfar,"cornexhibitsthehighestsensitivity tosaltdrift..Inothersimulated driftstudiesatChalkPointinvol-vinganestimated saltdeposition rateof7.46kg/hapermonth,thereporting investigators

.concluded that"someinjurymayoccurtoasensitive speciessuchasdogwoodundercertaincoolingtoweroperating conditions."s Theinvestigators alsocautioned againstassumingthatthereporteddeposition ratewas"ageneralindicator ofanysaltdriftinjury."However,thestaffbelievesageneralcomparison iswarranted sincethereporteddeposition rate(7.4kg/ha'ermonth)isalmostninetimesgreaterthanthemaximumdeposition rate(880g/hapermonth)estimated tooccurduringSSESoperation.

Postoperational surveysofvegetation inthevicinityoftheThreeHileIslandNuclearStationarealsoofinterestsincetheSusquehanna Riveristhesourceofthatstation's coolingwater.Reportedresultsof1975plantpathology surveysandquantitative vegetation studiesdidnotindicateanyeffectsthatcouldbeattributed tosaltdriftfromstationcoolingtowers.7Norwereanyeffectsdetectedin1974.

10-10Thestaffexpectsnoadverseeffectsfromthemineraldriftfromtheplant'scoolingtowersduetothelowsaltdeposition rates,thenatureofthematerialdeposited (primarily calciumsul-fatevssodiumchloridetypicalofcoastalareas),andthenaturalrainfallthatisexpectedtodiluteandwashawaythesaltdeposits.

Thisconclusion issupported bystudiesmadeatfresh-watercoolingtowers(Refs.22-25and29ofChapter4;alsoarecentstudyforUSEPA:G.A.Englesson andM.C.Hu,NonwatergualityImpactsofClosed-Cycle CoolingSystemsandtheInter-actionofStackGasandCoolingTowerPlumes,EPA-600/7-79-090, Industrial Environmental ResearchLaboratory, ResearchTrianglePark,N.Cfh1979,214pp.).Observations ofplumefromnatural-draft coolingtowers,including severalinPennsylvania andKentucky, showthattheplumesdonotreachtothegroundandcausegroundfogandicingbecauseoftheirheightandplumeriseduetobuoyancyandmomentum.

Thisisdiscussed intheDESandthereferences citedabove.10.4.5RadioloicalImactsfromRoutine0eration(SA8/17/79:B-62; W.A.Lochstet:8-32; atson:-;..reesne:B-;8/27/79:8-13; EPA8/17/79:8-17; F.L.Shelly:8-57)RisksfromLow-Level Radiation TheNRCstaffisnotawareofanystudiesthathaveestablished thatthereisnosafelevelofradiation.

However,asaconservative andprudentassumption, ithasbeenassumedthatnoamountofradiation issafe.Formorethanfourdecades,theeffectofaradiation onhumansandanimalshasbeenthoroughly studied.Numerousmajorbiological researchprogramshavebeenwelldocumented andmaybefoundintheopenliterature.

TheUnitedStateshasbeenthefore-runnerinradiation

research, butmanyothercountries alsohavepursuedsimilarprogramsandhavecontributed substantially tocurrentknowledge.

Whiletherelationship betweenionizingradiation doseandbiological effectsamonghumansisnotErrecisel knownforalllevelsofradiation, theprincipal uncertainty existsatverylowdoselevelswherenaturalsourcesofradiation (cosmicandterrestrial) andthevariations inthesesourcesarecomparable tothedosesbeingevaluated.

Themostimportant biological effectsfromradiation aresomaticdiseases(principally cancer),hereditary

diseases, abortions, andcongenital anomalies.

Theseeffectsareidentical tothosethatoccurnormallyamonghumansfromothercauses.Itisthislastpoint,incombination withotherconfounding factors,e.gfhmagnitude andvariations 1)innormalincidence ofdiseases, 2)indosesfromnaturalradiation sources,3)inradiation dosesfromhuman-made sourcesotherthanthenuclearindustry, and4)inexposures toother(non-nuclear)carcinogens, thatisresponsible formuchoftheuncertainty inthedose-risk relation-shipatlowdoselevels.Datafromstudiesofanimalsandhumansarereviewedcontinuously byteamsofscientific expertswhoevaluateradiological information andproviderecomendations.

IntheUnitedStates,theprincipal expertise inradiological matterslieswiththeNationalCouncilonRadiological Protection andMeasurements andtheNationalAcademyofScience/National ResearchCouncil(NAS/NRC).Federalagericies alsoretainexpertise intheradiologic disciplines inordertofulfilltheirresponsibilities; theseagencies, however,relyheavilyonrecomnendations ofthepre-viouslymentioned advisoryorganizations.

Othercountries havenationaladvisoryorganizations similartothoseoftheUnitedStates.Therearealsocooperative international organizations thatevaluatedatafromallsourcesandpresentrecormendations andconclusions; forexample,theUnitedNationsScientific Committee ontheEffectsofAtomicRadiation (UNSCEAR) andtheInternational Commission onRadiological Protection (ICRP).Insummary,notonlyhavetheradiological databeenascertained bytheworld'soutstanding biologists andepidemiologists, butthedatahavebeenevaluated independently bytheirpeers'Inlieuofpreciseknowledge oftherelationship betweenlow-level radiation andbiological effects,alinearnon-threshold extrapolation fromhighradiation levelstothelowerlevelsisassumedforradiation protection purposes.

Thismeansthatitisassumedthatanydoseof~radation,nomatterhowlow,maybehamnful.Severalfederalagencies, principally'SPA, theOccupational SafetyandHealthAdministration (OSHA),andNRChaveresponsibilities forregula-tingexposures toradiation orradioactive material.

Inallcases,thestaffsoftheseagenciesarewellawareofthepotential healtheffectsandhaveexpertise inbiologyandtheotherdisciplines neededeitherwithinthestafforavailable tothem.0Thebasisfortheriskestimators onp.4-27ofNUREG-0564 ismorefullydescribed inChapter4,SectionJ,Appendix8,"HealthRisksfromIrradiation,"

oftheFinalEnvironmental Statement ontheUseofRecyclePlutonium inMixedOxideFuelinLightWaterCooledReactors(NUREG-0002).

AsstatedinNUREG-0002, "Thoughtheseriskestimates aretheupperboundestimates givenintheRasmussen Report,>higherestimates canbedeveloped byuseofthe'relative risk',model alongwiththeassumption thatriskprevailsforthedurationoflife.Thiswouldproduceriskvaluesuptosevenfold greaterthanthoseusedinGESMO."Consequently, theriskestimators inNUREG-0511 areconsistent withthoseusedinNUREG-0002.10-11tSeveralofthegeneralstatements inWEL.Prelesnik's commentreflect'some misunderstandings regardjng NRCpolicyandpositions.

Therefore, thestaffhasattempted toprovidemoredetailonsomeoftheseconcerns.

First,itisstatedthat"anylow-level radiation releasesaresignificant ashasbeenadmittedandproven,evenbytheoldAECandtheNRC'sownstudies.Thereisnosafelevelofradiation levelofradiation.

However,asaconservative andprudentassumption, thestaffassumesthatnoamountofradiation issafe(seeSection5.5.5oftheFESforadditional inform~ation

.Secondly, itisstatedthat"Thecurrentstandards, wereinitially setinordertojustifyatomicbombtesting.Thosestandards.

werekeptinordertojustifynuclearpowerplantsbecausethenuclearindustryandour'government recognizes thatnoplantoperateswithout'normal'eleases ofradiation."

Generalinformation aboutradiation standards isprovidedintheNRC's"Radia-tionStandards FactSheet"(acopyhasbeensenttoW.L.Prelesnik inaletterdated18October1979,however,itistoolengthytorepeathere).As,notedinthisfactsheetandinSec-tion10.4.5,theradiation protection standards werebasedonthebestscientific judgmentavailable intheworld.Inaddition, seeSection4.5.5oftheFESandresponses tocommentsinSection10.6.2.ImactsfromtheFuelCcleiDr.Lochstet's basiccontention isthat"thehealthconsequences ofradon-222 emissions fromtheuraniumfuelcycleareimproperly evaluated" intheSusquehanna DraftEnvironmental State-ment(DES,NUREG-0564).

ThebasisforLochstet's contention isthatthestaff"has arbitrarily evaluated thehealthimpactsofradon-222 releasesfromthewastesgenerated inthefuelcyclefor1000yearsorless,'ather thanfor"theentiretoxiclifeofthewastes."Lochstetthenestimates thatradon-222 emissions fromthewastesfromeachannualreactorfuelre-quirement willcauseabout600,000to12milliondeathsoveraperiodofmorethan1billionyears'Themajordifference betweenthestaff'sestimated numberofhealtheffectsfromradon-222 emissions andLochstet's estimated valuesistheissueofthetimeperiodoverwhichdosecom-mitmentsandhealtheffectsfromlong-lived radioactive effluents shouldbeevaluated.

Lochstethasintegrated dosecommitments andhealtheffectsoverwhatamountstoaninfinitetimeinverval, whereasthestaffhasintegrated dosecoomitments fromradon-222 releasesovera100-yearperiod,a500-yearperiod,anda1000-year period.Thestaffhasnotestimated health'effectsfromradon-222 emissions beyond1000yearsforthefollowing reasons.Predictions overtimeperiodsgreaterthan100yearsaresubjecttogr'eatuncertainties.

Theseuncertainties resultfrom,butarenotlimitedto,political andsocialconsiderations, population size,healthcharacteristics, and,fortimeperiodsontheorderofthousands ofyears,geologicandclimatologic effects.IncontrasttoLochstet's conclusion, someauthorsaestimatethatthelong-term (thousands ofyears)impactsfromtheuraniumusedinreactorswillbelessthanthelong-term impactsfromanequivalent amountofuraniumleftundisturbed intheground.Consequently>>

thestaffhaslimiteditsperiod'ofconsideration to1,000yearsorlessfordecision-mak'ing andimpact-calculational purposes.

WithregardtoDr.Kepford's testimony regarding useof$1,000perperson-rem forenvironmental healthcosts,thestaffwouldliketomakethefollowing points.The$1,000perperson-rem valuewasselectedbythecoranissioners astheupperboundofallthenumerical estimates intheliterature.

Thepurposewastoestimatethepotential monetarycostsofhealtheffectsduringthelifetimes ofpersonslivingwithin80kmofanuclearpowerplant(nootherfacilit)sothatthosepotential costscouldbecomparedwiththerealcostsofaddingationaraoogicalwastetreatment systemstoeachproposednuclearpowerplanttodetermine iftheoperation oftheplantwouldresultinmeetingthe10CFRPart50,AppendixI"aslowasreasonably achievable" rule.Itwasnev'ertheintentofthecomnissioners tousethatmonetaryvalueforanyotherpurpose,suchasestimating themonetarycosts'ffuturehealtheffectsfromothersourcesontoday'spopulations orfuturepopulations.

Theabsurdity offuturemonetary.

costscanbedemonstrated verysimply,~assuminhumaninstitutions andthehumanracepersistintothefutureinthesamemannerastoday.Ignoringtherealpossibility thatradonhealtheffectsmaynotoccurinthefutureduetotechnological

advances, inthe,cureand'prevention ofsucheffects,itispossibletocalculate howmuchmoneywouldhavetobe'eposited inasavingsaccountnowtomeet"futuremonetarycosts"of$10billionperreference reactoryear.Asaconservative

estimate, itwasassumedthata5percentsimpleinterestratewoulddemonstrate themeaninglessness ofsuchcalculations.

Conservative staffestimates indicatethatonlyafewhealtheffectsmightoccurwithin1000years.Itisobviousthatessentially allofDr.Kepford's "healtheffects"wouldoccuroverperiodsoftimethatexceedtheprobablelifeexpectancy ofthehumanraceandoursolarsystem.Nevertheless, tongue-in-cheek, itcanbeshownthat,if 10-12theutilityweretodepositonecentinaperpetual savingsaccounttopayforanyfuturehealthcoststhatmightoccur,thatfundwouldcontainnearly$16million-trillion afteronly1000years.Clearly,onecentwouldnotsignificantly modifythefuturecostsofelectrical powergenerated today.WithregardtoDr.Kepford's estimates ofmillionsoffuturedeathsfromradon-222 perreference reactoryear,seealsoSection10.4.5.3.

Thecontention that'-'theNRCitselfhasbeenunabletodisagreewithDr.Kepford's findingsthat1.2millionpeopleper.yearwilldieinthefuturefromtheeffectsofradongasemittedfromthetailingsproducedjusttofuelTHI,"isincorrect.

Thestaffhasrefutedsuchclaimsinseveralhearingsasmeaningless formanyreasons.Someofthemoreimportant reasonswerediscussed earlier.Itistheresponsibility ofNRCtoprotectthehealthandsafetyofthepublicastheyrelatetonuclearplantoperations.

NRCrequiresthatthedesignandoperations ofnuclearfacilities considerandprotectthehealthandsafetyofthepublic.NRCreviewseachnuclearfacilityanddetermines ifitwillendangerthehealthandsafetyofthepublic.NRCwillonlypermitopera-tionofafacilityifitfindsthefacilitycanbesafelyoperated.

Sinificance ofRadioloicalImactW.L.Prelesnik's contentsaskedthefollowing questions (responses followeachquestion};

I}uestion 1:Response:

I}uestion 2:Response:

Whatisyourdefinition ofsignificant, andhowwasitarrivedat7NRCcurrently evaluates theradiological impacttothreeindividuals:

1)ahypothetical maximally exposedindividual, 2}anaverageindividual within80kmofthesite,and3)anaverageindividual intheUnitedStates.Therisktothefirsttwotypesofindividuals fromradio-activeeffluents fromoneyearofreactoroperations isquantified inTable4.17oftheFES.,Forexample,theriskofpremature deathtothehypothetical maximumexposedindividual fromgaseouseffluents fromoneyearofreactoroperations islessthanonechanceinamillion.(Theriskfromliquidandgaseouseffluents hasnotbeenaddedbecause'itisveryunlikelythatanyrealindividual wouldbeexposedatthemaximumlevelfrombothsources.)

Thisriskismuch'lessthansimilarly calculated risksfrommanyothertypesofradiation exposure(e.g.,medicalradiation

exposure, naturalbackground radiation, andairtravel.)Therisktothemaximumindividual iswithintherangeofmanyothercommonsourcesofradiation (e.g.,airlinetravel,naturalgasheating,andtelevision viewing;}

Therisktotheaverageindividual within80kmofthesite,andtherisktotheaverageindividual intheUnitedStatesfromoneyearofreactoroperations islessthan1/100oftherisktothemaximumhypothetical individual.

Sincetheriskfromradioactive effluents fromnuclearpowerplantsissolowcomparedwithmanyothertypesofrisk(radiation relatedorotherwise}

andsincetheradiation-related risksarebasedonconservative assumptions, thestaffconsiders therisktorealindividuals inthevicinityofnuclearpowerstationsfromnormaloperations tobeinsignificant.

SeeSec<<tion4.5.5oftheFESforadditional infomation comparing theriskfromannualoperation ofthereactor(s}

withtheriskfromothersourcesofradiation, andtheriskfromthecurrentincidence ofcancerfatalities andgeneticabnormalities.

Onwhatbasisdoyoucalculate the"anticiated"occurrences'he Rasmussen Reporthasalreadybeenproventoeincorrect.

Theanticipated occurrences towhichthe'corments referarebasedonoperational occurrencesandnotonaccidentconsiderations.

TheRasmussen Reportisnotusedtocalculate theimpactsfromopera-tionaloccurrences, Furthermore, theRasmussen reporthas'notbeenproventobeincorrect, butasaresultoftheLewisComnittee 10-13Question3:Response:

Question4:Response:

Question5:Response:

Question6:Response:

report,ithasbeensuggested thatthenumerical resultsmayhaveawiderrangeofuncertainty thanassuggested bytheRasmussen Report.Howdoyoudefine"normal"?Normaloperation levels,-of radiation emissionarequitedifferent andseparatefromnormalbackground levelsofradiation alreadyexistingintheenvironment.

Also,becauseofbombtestingandpowerplants,the"normal"levelsofbackground radiation haveincreased overthepast30years.NRCregulations (10CFRPart50)requirethelight-water-cooled nuclearpowerstationsbedesignedandoperatedinamannerthatwilllimitradiation exposures toanyindividual jnthegeneralpopulation toasmallfractionofthegeneralradiation standards duringnormaloperation.

Anextensive rule-making proceeding (DocketNo.RH-2)wasconducted overaseveral-year period(December 1970toHay1975)toquantifythenumerical guidesforkeepinglevelsofradioactive materialintheeffluents oflight-water-cooled nuclearpowerreactorsaslowasisreasonably achievable duringnormaloperating

.conditions (Appendix Iof10CFRPart50).Thenormaloperating conditions forthesereactorswerecharacterized byNRCduringthecourseoftherule-making, basedprimarily upondataobtainedduringoperations.

Considerable moredatahavebeenobtainedsince1975.Theprocedures usedbythestafftocharacterize theradioactive materialintheeffluents aregiveninRegulatory Guide1.112,"Calculation ofReleasesofRadio-activeHaterialinGaseousandLiquidEffluents fromLight-Water-CooledPowerReactors."

Thisguideisusedinconjunction within-formation inNUREG-0016 andNUREG-0017 forboiling-Hater reactorsandpressurized-water

reactors, respectively (copiesmaybeobtainedfromNRC).Anarrative explanation ofthepopulation dosefortheentireuraniumfuelcycleforlightwaterreactorswaspublished on4Harch1981>>N.Theestimated U.S.population dosefromradioactive effluents fromoneyear'soperation ofSusquehanna, Units1and2,isabout50person-rem (Table4.10).Thisestimateisbasedupona15-yearbuildupofactivityinsedimentandsoil(i.e.,thenomimalmid-pointofthereactor's life).Thisdoseisaverysmallfraction(lessthan0.0002%)oftheannualU.S.population dosefromnaturalbackground radiation (i.e.,26,800,000 person-rem).

Whatindividuals, byname,setthese"normal"levels?The"normal"levelsofradiation fromradioactive releasesfromnuclearreactorsreferredtoarecontained inTitle10Code'ofFederalRegulations,

.Part50,AppendixI(10CFR50,App.I},Theannualdosedesignobjectives setin10CFR50,App.I,weresetinarule-making hearingbyNRC,Althoughmanypeopleparticipated intherule-making hearing,Comnissioners Anders,Rowden,Hason,Gilinsky, andKennedymadethefinaldecisiontoadoptthelimitssetin10CFR50,App.I.AcopyoftheCoomission opinioninthematterof10CFR50,App.I,hasbeensenttoW.L.Prelesnik.

Howmuch"normal"radiation willbeexpectedtobereleasedinBerwick?Thecalculated releasesofradioactive materials inliquideffluents areprovidedinTable4.11oftheFES,andthecalculated releasesofradio-activematerials ingaseouseffluents areprovidedinTable4.4.Thesetwocalculated sourcetermsrepresent annualreleasesperreactorfromnormaloperation, including anticipated operational occurrences, whenaveragedoverthe30-yearoperating lifeoftheplant.Thesesourcetermswereusedtocalculate exposures duetoreleases(Table4,8oftheFES).Doseestimates andlifetimeriskestimates fromthesereleasesaregiveninSection4.5oftheFES.What.aretheNRC'srecorded, documented levelsof"normal"radiation releasesfromtheoperating plants'in theUnitedStates?Thequantityofradioactive materials releasedfromnuclearpowerplantsintheyear1977iscontained inadocumententitled, "Radioactive Haterials ReleasedfromNuclearPowerPlants-AnnualReport1977,"(NUREG-0521).

NUREG-0521 containsanuclide-by-nuclide summaryof'heradioactive effluents releasedfromoperating reactorsintheyear1977,aswellasacategorical suraaary(i.e.,noblegases,I-131and 10-14particulates, tritium,mixedfissionandactivation products) for.earlieryears.ExcerptsfromNUREG-0521 are,toolengthytorepeathere,buthavebeensenttoW.L.Prelesnik.

Population dosecommitments fortheyear1975forabout50reactorsaregiveninadocumententitled, "Population DoseCommitments DuetoRadioactive ReleasesfromNuclearPowerPlantSitesin1975";D.A.Baker,J.K.Soldat,andE.C.Watson;BattellePacificNorthwest Laboratories; PNL-2439; pp.3-4;October1977.Population dosecomnitments werecalculated forthepopulation.

between2and80kmofeachreactorsite.Theaverageindividual dosecommitment tothatpopulation (about0.02mrem)represents abouta0.02Kannualincreaseoverbackground

,radiation.

Thedosetothehypothetical maximumindividual wouldbehigher.10.4.5.1ExposurePathwaysNocomnents.

10.4.5.2DoseCommitments (PDER8/20/79:B-50; EPA8/17/79:8-17)

TheSafetyEvaluation Reportwaspublished inApril1981.Modifications anddesignchangestotheradwastetreatment systemssincetheFES/CPwereconsid-eredincalculating thesourceterms.Thestaff'sdetailedevaluation ofthesesystemsandthecapability ofthesesystemstomeettherequirements ofAppendix'Iwillbepresented inChap-terIIoftheSafetyEvaluation Report.However,fortheFES,thequantities ofradioactive materials ineffluents usedtoassessradiological impactsaregiveninTables4.4and4.11.IThecalculated valueforthedirectradiation dose(20mrem/yratatypicalsiteboundary0.6kmfromtheturbinebuilding) givenintheBraunSafetyAnalysisReportisforastandardBMRplantdesign..Thedirectradiation doseof2.7mrad/yrinNUREG-0564 isanestimated doseforthespecificdesignincorporated intheSusquehanna plant.Sincethedirectradiation doseisdependent ontheshielding incorporated inthespecificplantdesign,theabovevaluesarenotdirectlycomparable.

Nonetheless",

sincetheactualdirectradiation dosecouldbehigher(orlower)than2.7mrad/yr,asurveywillberequiredatthetimeofplantoperation.

Ifthesurveyindicates thatthelimitsof40CFR190couldbeexceeded, stepswillbetakentoreducethedose.Annualdosespersitefromliquid'ffluents weregiveninTable4.9.Theestimated dosetothetotalbodyoranyorganofthehypothetical maximumindividual fromallpathwayswasabout1.0mrem/yrforthesite.Thisdoseincludesthedosefromingestion offishaswellascon-sumptionofwater.Thedosetotheaverageindividual usingthenearestcoimunity watersystemwouldbelessthan1.0mrem/yr.TheEnvironmental Protection Agency's"National InterimPrimaryDrinkingWaterRegulation" statesthat"theaverageannualconcentration ofbetaparticleandphotonradioactivity fromman-maderadionuclides indrinkingwatershallnotproduceanannualdoseequivalent tothetotalbodyoranyinternalorgangreaterthan4millirem/year" (Sec.141.16).Theannualdosesfromliquideffluents fromSusquehanna, Unitsl,and2,arebelowtheabovelimits.10.4.5.3Radiological ImpactsonHumans(H.L.Hershey:B-27; EPA8/17/79:B-17; T,R,Duck:B-ll; PPSL9/4/79:B-42' SA6/10/80:B-64)

Aformalprogramforthemanagement oflow-level radioactive wastesdisposedofin,comaercial burialgroundsisprovidedin"TheNRCLow-Level Radioactive WasteHanagement Progiam,"

NUREG-0240,September 1977,available atthePublicDocumentRoom,NRC,1717HStreetNW,Washington, DC,20555.Theprogramrecoranended newregulations andrequirements fortheDisposalofLow-LevelRadioactive WasteandLow-Activity BulkSolidWaste(Draft,Regulation 10CFRPart61);thesearepresently beingdeveloped.

Thestaffdoesnotbelievethatpresently available worldwide dosemodelsarecapableofmaking,suchprojections withmeaningful results.Thestaffhasdetermined thatpresentmodelsfortheUnitedStatessufficiently represent thepopulation exposureduetooperation ofthisplant.uEnvironmental impactsfromuraniumminingandmillingareaddressed inSection4.5.6,"UraniumFuelCycleImpacts,"

ofNUREG-0564.

TheFESincludescreditfortheleakoffcollection systemfortheturbinebuildingreleases.

Theoff-gassystemreleaseswerebasedonambientoperation conditions of77'F(dewpoint45'F)fortheadsorption unitinreasonable agreement withtheapplicant's proposalof60to65'F(dewpoint40'F).10-15t,Table4.12providesestimates oftransittimeforeffluents fromvariouslocations.

Asindicated inthis'table; itisassumedthatsportfishermen mayusetheareaneartheplantdischarge area.Thisisconsidered the"nearestsportfishinglocation" forpurposesofanupperlimitestimate.

RadioloicalModelsThestaffhasreviewedareportknownformallyasthe"Radioecological Assessment oftheWyhlNuclearPowerPlant,"andinfor'mally asthe"Heidelberg Report."Thereportwaswrittenbyaprivategroupofindividuals attheUniversity ofHeidelberg, WestGermany,concerned withenergyandenvironmental issues.Theauthorsofthisreportareaffiliated withagroupcalledInstitute forEnergyandEnvironmental Research(IFEU),andhavenotbeenauthorized tousethenameoftheUniversity ofHeidelberg.

Hence,theirreportisnowreferredtoastheIFEUReport,althoughithasbeenreferredtoasthe"Heidelberg Report"inthepast.TheIFEUReportpre-sentsanassessment oftheenvironmental radiological impactofaproposedpressurized-water reactortobebuiltnearWyhl,WestGermany.HTheassessment isbasedlargely'on mathematical modelsusedtocalculate dosestohumansintheareasurrounding areactorsiteandto"describe themovementofradioactive materials intheenvironment.

Thesearethesamemathematical modelsusedbyNRCtocalculate dosestoensurethatanyradiation exposureresulting fromreactor,operations isfarbelownationalandinternational recommended "safe"levels.ThestaffreviewedtheIFEUReportbecausethereportimpliedthatNRCmaybesubstantially underestimating dosestoindividuals livingneatnuclearpowerplantsbyusingincorrect valuesforparameters inmathematical models.AlthoughtheIFEUReportassessment isbasedlargelyonenvironmental modelsdescribed infourNRCRegulatory Guides,thestaff'sreviewofthereportindicates thattheIFEUauthors-used valuesforsomemodel,parameters thataretoohigh.Asaresult,theIFEUReportestimated dosestothepublicbysomepathwaysthatareupto10,000timeshigherthanthedosescalculated us.ingtheNRC'svaluesforthoseparameters.

Thestaff'sreviewconcluded thattheIFEUReportdoesnotprovideanysubstantial evidencethatNRCsignificantly underestimates doses.Thisconclusion isbasedon:1)measuredeffluentreleasesatreactorsoperating intheUnitedStates,whicharemuchlessthanthoseusedintheIFEUReport;2)measuredenvironmental concentrations nearreactorsoperating intheUnitedStates,whicharemuchlowerthanthosecalcualted intheIFEUReport;and3)adetailedreviewoftheliterature regarding criticalparameters employedinthemodelsinquestion, whichdoesnotsupportthevaluesusedintheIFEUReport.Theresultsofthestaffreviewhavebeenpublished indraftformforpubliccoranent, bothasamainreportforthetechnical coranunity (NUREG-0668) andasasuranaryreportforgeneralpublicinformation.

Thefinalreportisexpectedin1981.Inresponsetothecontention thatthe"oldAEC...deliberately riggedtheexperiments,"

whileNRCacknowledges thatsomeoftheAECexperiments doneforsomeradionuclides inthe1950s'ould bedonebettertodayinlightofadvancements intechnology, thestaffhasnevercharacterized thesestudiesasfraudulent andknowsofnoevidencetosupportsuchaclaim.Thecogentalsostatesthatthe"Heidelberg Reportisthefirsttimethatindependent scien-tistshaveexaminedtheNRC'ssafetyassurances aboutroutineemissions fromoperating plants,"thusimplyingthatthevalidityofNRCradionuclide transport anddosemodelshavenotbeenreviewedandassessedbyscientists outsideNRC.Thisisabsolutely incorrect.

TheEnviron-mentalProtection Agency,ArgonneNationalLaboratory, OakRidgeNationalLaboratory, BattelleNorthwest Laboratory, privately ownedtechnical consulting companies, andnumerousnationalandinternational scientific organizations allhaveradionuclide transport anddosemodelsbasedonfieldmeasurements thatyieldresultsconsistent withtheNRCcalculations.

InSeptember 1977,aworkshopof"TheEvaluation ofModelsUsedfortheEnvironmental Assessment ofRadionuclide Releases" washeldinGatlinburg, TN,andtheresultswerepublished asCONF-770901.

Partici-pantsinthisworkshopwereselectedtoensureanappropriate combination ofindividuals repre-sentingaspectrumofscientific andadministrative expertise, Theworkinggrouponterrestrial food-chain transport atthismeeting,whosememberswerepredominantly fromorganizations otherthanNRC,concluded thattransport models,asgiveninNRCRegulatory Guide1.109,areveryadequatefor'emonstrating compliance withNRC'sregulations (asgiveninAppendixIof10CFRPart50).10.4.5.4Radiological ImpactsonBiotaOtherThanHumansNocoranents.

10-1610.4.5.5TheUraniumFuelCycle(Sierra:8-61; EPA8/17/79:8-17; SA8/17/79:8-62; F.Thompson:

8-74;M.J~Huntington:8-27; S.Laughland:8-32; PDER8/20/79:8-50)

Section4.5.5,"The UraniumFuelCycle,"(nowSec.4.5.6)hasbeenrevisedtoreflecttheCom-mission's finalrulepublished totheFederalReisteron2August1979(44FR45362).Anexplanatory narrative ofthesignificance oreeasenTable4-14wasalsopublished intheFederalRegister(46FR15154-15175, 4March1981).Sincetherewillbenoradioactive wastedisposalattheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,wastedisposaltechniques arenotpartofthefacilityFESbutwillbeconsidered intheformu-lationofregulations andthelicensing ofdisposalfacilities.

Themodelsusedinestimating dosesintheenvironmental statement fortheoperating licensearestate-of-the-art models.Thesource-term, meteorological dosimetry modelshavebeenimprovedsincetheissuanceoftheconstruction permit.ThesemodelshavebeenreviewedbyEPAinregardtoimplementing theUraniumFuelCycleStandard(40CFR190).Thedosescalculated byusingthesemodelsarethoughttobeconservative (i.e.;themodelsprobablyoverestimate actualdoses).Inaddition, newinformation sincethepublication oftheDESconcerning thereceptorlocationat0.7milesNWhasresultedinachangeinthemaximumreceptorlocationforiodinesandparticulates from0.7milesNWto2.2milesE.SentFuelStoraeThestorageofspentfuelisaddressed inanNRCdocumententitled"FinalGenericEnvironmental ImpactStatement onHandlingandStorageofSpentLightWat'erPowerReactorFuel"(NUREG-0575).

Thestorageofspentfueladdressed inNUREG-0575 isconsidered tobeaninterimaction,notafinalsolution.

Thecommission hasclearlydistinguished betweenpermanent disposalandinterimstorage.a OneofthefindingsofNUREG-0575 isthatthestorageoflightwaterreactor(LWR)spentfuelsinwaterpoolshasaninsignificant impactontheenvironment, whetherstoredatareactororawayfromareactor.Primarily thisisbecauseofthephysicalformofthematerial, sinteredceramicoxidefuelpelletshermetically sealedinZircaloycladdingtubes.Zircaloyisazirconium-tin alloywhichwasdeveloped fornuclearpowerapplications becauseofitshighresistance towatercorrosion inadditiontoitsfavorable nuclearproperties.

Evenincaseswheredefective tubesexposethefuelmaterial,to thewaterenvironment, thereislittleattackontheceramicfuel./Thetechnology ofwaterpoolstorageiswelldeveloped; radioactivity levelsareroutinely main-tainedatabout5x10"uCi/mL.Maintenance ofthispurityrequirestreatment (filtration andionexchange) ofthepoolwater.Radioactive wastethatisgenerated isreadilyconfinedandrepresents littlepotential hazardtothehealthandsafetyofthepublic.Theremaybesmallquantities ofsKrreleasedtotheenvironment fromdefective fuelelements.

However,forthefuelinvolved(fuelatleastoneyearafterdischarge},

experience hasshownthistobenotdetectable beyondtheiranediate environsofastoragepool.Therewillbenosignificant discharge ofradioactive liquideffluents fromaspentfuelstorageoperation aswasteswillbeinsolidform.Thisstatement supportsthefindingthatthestorageofspentfuelinaway-from-reactor facilities iseconomically andenvironmentally acceptable.

j10.4.6Socioeconomic Imacts(EDC9/26/79:8-14; S.Shortz:8-60)

Thestaffisunawareofanyspecificlandusechangesthathavenotbeenevaluated eitherinconnection withtheplantorreservoir.

Unlessthecontextoflandusechangeismademorespecific, monitoring effortwouldbeanexercisewithoutanobjective.

10.4.6.1Demography Nocoranents.

10.4.6.2Settlement PatternNocomments.

10.4.6.3SocialOrganization Nocomments.

10-17~~10.4.6.4SocialServices(DOT8/9/79:8-10)

Thetransportation impactshavebeenadequately addressed tothesatisfaction ofDOT,withtheexception ofsufficient coordination.

Itisthestaff'sviewthattheapplicant andDOTshouldworktogethertoconsideradequatedesignoftheaccessroadtothereservoir aswe'llasatten-dantimpacts.NRCwillnotpreemptDOTexpertise inmattersofdesignandtrafficcoordination.

Thecomnentattributes manyofthechangesinthepastyearstoconstruction ofSSES.Manyofthesechangesareduetootherprojects, including pasthighwayconstruction, andtourban-izationtrendsindependent ofSSES.Therecordshowsthattheblastingduringconstruction didadversely affectresidents, butthisshouldnotbeconsidered inadecisionastowhetherornottheplantshouldbeoperated.

Thecommentcorrectly statesthatthelandusedbySSESisanirrevocable loss,buttheopinionthatitsformerusewasthebestusecannotbedemon-stratedoneconomicgrounds.TheEISmentionstheeffectofhurricane Agnesaspartoftherecenthistoryandisnotmeanttocharacterize thelocalareasurrounding theplant,10.4.6.5Political Organization (EDC9/26/79:8-14)

Thedistribution oftaxesgenerated bySSESisprimarily astateandlocalgovernment responsi-bility.Foradiscussion oftaxes,seeSection4.6.6.2.10.4.6,6EconomicImpacts(EDC9/26/79:B-14)

Thecommentonanticipated noiselevelswasaddressed inSection10.4.4.PPSLhasundertaken aprogramofhiringlocalworkersasdiscussed inSection4.6.6.1.10.4.6.7SeminaryandConclusions Nocomnents.

10.4.7ImactstoCulturalResources (DOI'/29/80:B-9; Sierra:B-61; EDC9/26/79:8-14;

B-an:B-64PDER8/20/79:B-50)

IntheJune1973FES-CP,thestaffreviewedtheeffectsofconstruction andaspectsofoperation onthetotalplantsiteplusthetransmission linecorridors.

Inthatdocument, thestaffidentified thosesiteslistedintheNationalRegisterthatwerewithin32kmofthefacility.

TheAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservation foundthestaff'sstatement procedurally adequateandsuggested contactwiththeStateLiaisonOfficerforHistoricPreservation.

TheStateLiaisonOfficerforHistoricPreservation indicated thattheprojectwouldnotaffectaknownarcheological orhistorical siteorhistorical structure, andthatitappearedtobecon-sistentwiththeplansandobjectives ofthePennsylvania Historical andMuseumComnlssion.

In1975,inAppendix8totheDES-OL(June1979),thestaffreviewedtheapplicants'roposed alternate transmission linecorridors anddetermined thatneitherofthelinesunderreviewcrossedorpassedinthevicinityofanyregistered historicsite.IntheDES-OL,thestaffrequested thatasurveybedoneoftherecreation area.Thestafflaterrequested asurveyofthePondHillReservoir.

Thesesurveysresultedintheidentification ofthreesignificant sitesandonepotentially significant siteintherecreation area,whichthestaff,aftercon-sultation withthePennsylvania HistoricPreservation Officer,willsubmittotheKeeperoftheNationalRegisterforadetermination ofeligibility.

10.5ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 10.5.1ResumeNocorments.

10.5'Preperational Monitorin Proram10.5,2.1OnsiteMeteorological ProgramNocomments.

10.5.2.2WaterIlualityMonitoring Nocoranents.

10-1810.5.2.3Groundwater Monitoring (DOI9/10/79:B-7)

Theapplicant statesthat"Ingeneral,groundwater inthePaleozoic rockformations oftheAppalachian Highlands flowsfromthetopographically higherareas(recharge areas)tothevalleys.Thisgroundwater, itisbelieved, discharges tospringsandtothestreamsandriversoftheregion,exceptatfloodstage"(ER-OL,p.2.4-12).Consequently.

thedosesfrominges-,tionofgroundwater shouldbenogreaterthanthedosesfromingestion ofwaterfromtheriver.Anyuseofgroundwater asadrinkingwatersupplyshouldbebalancedbyadecreaseinriverwaterasadrinkingwatersupply.10.5.2.4AquaticBiologyNocoranents.

10.5.2.5Terrestrial Monitoring ProgramNocorenents.

10.5.2.6Radiological Monitoring (PPSL9/4/79:B-42)

Therevisions discussed inPP8L'scornnentwillbeusedinestablishing thattheenvironmental radiation monitoring programmeetsthestaff's"positiononenvironmental monitoring.

Lowerlimitsofdetection willbeincorporated intheapplicant's technical specifications.

10.5.30erational Honitorin (SRBC8/30/79:B-68; L.E.Watson:B-75; EDC9/26/79:B-14)

Asdiscussed inSectionA.3.2.2,consumptive waterusewillbedetermined bymeasuring thedifference involumebetweentheintakeflowsforSSESandblowdowntotheriver.Resultsofradiological monitoring programsatnuclearpowerreactorsareroutinely madeavail-abletothepublic.Foranexampleofr'adiological effluentmonitoring seeanNRCdocumententitled"Radioactive Materials ReleasedfromNuclearPowerPlants,AnnualReport1977"(NUREG-0521).

Individual licenseereportsonradiological environmental monitoring areavail-ableintheNRCPublicDocumentRoom,1717NStreetNW,Washington, DC20555,andinlocaldocumentroomslocatedneareachlicensedfacility.

NRChasfactoredtheimpactoftheThreeMileIslandaccident, intothereviewoftheSusquehanna application.

Specifically, theEnvironmental Statement hasbeensupplemented toevaluatethesite;,specific environmental impactsattributable toplant-specific accidentsequences thatleadtoreleasesofradiation and/orradioactive materials, including sequences thatcanresultin,inadequate coolingofreactorfuelandmeltingofthereactorcore(seeSec.6),10.5.3.1OnsiteMeteorological ProgramNocorments.

10.5.3.2WaterI}ualityMonitoring Nocoranents.

10.5.3.3Groundwater Monitoring Nocorments.

10.5.3.4AquaticBiological Monitoring Nocoranents.

10.5.3.5Terrestrial Monitoring ProgramNocomments.

10.5.3.6Radiological Monitoring (H.H.Molesevich;B-39)

Radiological environmental monitoring isnottheonlytypeofradiological monitoring requiredattheSusquehanna Station.NRCrequirestwotypesofradiological monitoring atnuclearpowerreactorstoensurethatradioactive effluents arewithinacceptable limits;1)radiological effluentmonitoring and2)radiological environmental monitoring.

Radiological effluentmoni<<torsarerequiredtomonitorandcontrol,asapplicable, thereleasesofradioactive'aterials inliquidandgaseouseffluents duringactualorpotential releases.

Theradiological effluentmonitorsoperatecontinuously.

Inaddition, NRCrequiresthatthelicenseeoperatorofa 10-19nuclearpowerreactorconductradiological environmental monitoring toconfirmthatmeasuredreleasesof,radioactivity (i.e.,radiological effluentmonitoring) fromtheplantdonotresultinunanticipated buildupsintheenvironment.

Therequirements foranacceptable radiological environmental monitoring programfornuclearpowerreactorsarecontained intheNRC's"BranchTechnical Position" (Revision 1,Nov.1979;copiesareavailable fromNRC'sRadiological Assessment Branch).TheBranchTechnical Positionwasdeveloped byexpertsinthefieldof-radiological environmental monitoring.

Thestaffdoesnotrequiremorefrequentsamplecollections forseveralreasons.First,baseduponthestaffsestimateofdosestomaximumindividuals (e.g.,seeTable4.8),thestaffdoesnotanticipate asignificant buildupofradioactivity intheenvironment dueto,normal operation ofSusquehanna, Units1and2.Second,hundredsofreactor-years ofenvironmental monitoring experienced atnuclearpowerplantshaveshownthattheconcentrations ofradioactive materials inenviron-mentalsamplesareatorverynearbackground levelsduetonaturalsourcesandpreviousatmos-phericweaponstests.Inaddition, whileitistruethatthemostfrequentcollection ofenvironmental samplesisonaweeklybasis,thisdoesnotmeanthatenvironmental monitorsarerequiredtobeinplacecontinuously inordertoobtainanintegrated dose.TheSusquehanna Stationradiological monitoring programmeetsthebasicrequirements oftheNRC's"BranchTechnical Position" inregardstocollection frequency.

Theradiological environmental monitoring programisnotdescribed morefullyinthefinalEnvironmental ImpactStatement becausetheimpactsofthemonitoring programarenegligible, However,individual licenseemonitoring reportsareavailable intheNRCPublicDocumentRoom,1717HStreetNW,Washington, DC20555andinlocaldocumentrooms.locatedneareachlicensedfaci1ity.10.6ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTOFPOSTULATED ACCIDENTS 10.6.1ResumeNocomnents.

10.6.2Postulated Accidents InvolvinRadioactive Materials (D.Oberst:8-41; H,C,Jeppsen;B-3;:8-8;L.oses:B-;Serra:8-;/79:8-17; SA8/17/79:8-62 and6/10/80:8-64; F.L.Shelly:8-57; S.Shortz;8-60; H.J,Huntington:8-27; PPSL9/4/79:B-42; PDER8/20/79:8-50; T.R.Duck:B-ll; L.E.Watson:8-75; DOI9/10/79:8

.7;EDC9/26/79:8-14; SEDA:8-56; M.H.Molesevich:B-39)

NRChasfactoredtheimpactoftheThreeMileIslandaccidentintothereviewoftheSusquehanna application.

Specifically, theEnvironmental Statement hasbeensupplemented to'valuate thesite-specific environmental impactsattributable toplant-specific accidentsequences thatleadtoreleasesofradiation and/orradioactive materials, including sequences thatcanresultininadequate coolingofreactorfuelandmeltingofthereactorcore(seeSec,6).Emergency ResponsePlansarerequired'by theAtomicEnergyAct.Underthisact,theNRCandtheFederalEmergency Management Agency(FEHA)areresponsible forreviewing evacuation plans.Stateandlocalevacuation planswillbegenerated andreviewedbytheNRCandtheFederalEmergency Management Agency(FEMA)beforeanoperating licenseisissued.The28Harch1979accidentatTMI-2resultedingreateramountsofradioactive waterandwastethancouldbeprocessed bytheinstalled radwastetreatment systemsinashorttime.Thesolu-tiontotheproblemwastocontainthesewastessoastopermittimeforradioactive decayandforinstalling additional treatment equipment.

Thenewequipment hasbeeninstalled andcleanupisunderwayasplanned.Foradiscussion oftheresponsibility ofNRCtoprotectthehealthandsafetyofthepublicastheyrelatetonuclearplants,seeSection10.4.5.NRChasincludedanevaluation ofClass9accidents intheFES.Theradiation monitorsdescrib-edinTable5.1areforpreoperational purposesonly.TheTechnical Specifications willrequireadditional monitorsforoperation.

Stateandlocalevacuation planswillbereviewedbytheFederalEmergency Management Agencybeforeanoperating licenseisissued.Animalandfood-crop samplesweretakenpriortothestartupoftheplant;thebackground activ-ityinthesesamplesisdetermined bydestructive means.Similardestructive testingofhumanswouldnotbepossible.

Althoughwhole-body counting(anon-destructive test)couldbedoneofhumansnearthesite,thiswouldnotbeeffective becauseofthemobilityofthehumanpopula-tionandthecostofwhole-body counting.

10-20NRChasstudiedpostulated accidents associated withthestorageofspentfuelattheSusque-hannasite.Thespentfuelstorageareawasevaluated bypostulating theeffectsoffloods,missiles, pipebreaks,andseismic'vents.

TheresultsoftheNRCevaluation aredocumented inNUREG0776,Section9.1.2.NRChasafull-time residentinspector attheSusquehanna site.Asaresult,thereporting ofanyaccidents byPP&Lwillbesupplemented withanindependent NRCreportandassessment.

10.6.3TransortationAccidents Nocomments.

10.7NEEDFORPLANT10.7.1Resume(LEMoses:8-41; PP&L9/4/79:8-42)

Section7.1hasbeenmodifiedtoincorporate thelatestinformation onstartupdates.10.7.2Alicant'sServiceAreaandReionalRelationshi sNocomments.

10.7.3Benefitsof0eratinthePlant(SA8/17/79:8-62; F.Thompson:8-74; H.J.Huntington:

8-;..Duck:B-ll; EDC9/26/79:8-14; H.M.Holesevich:8-39)

Thebasisforoperating SSESdoesnotdependsolelyonreservemarginconsiderations.

Inthenear-term, theeconomicbasisisthelowercostofelectricity production.

Inafewyears,thestaffexpectsthatreservemarginrequirements willnolongerbeadequate, andthatSSESwillbeneededforpeak-load aswellasbaseloadenergy.Afurtherconsideration isthatthereservemarginswerecalculated asifbothunitsoftheThreeMileIslandnuclearplantwereinopera-tion;theEIShastherefore overstated theactualenergyavailable intheregion,atleastuntildecisions onoperation oftheTHIUnits1and/or2aremadeandtheunit(s)arebackonline.Asdiscussed inthecomparison ofcoalandnuclearfuelcosts,theneedforSSESintheirnne-diatefuturedependsonlowerproduction costsofSSEScomparedtootherunitsinthesystem.ThecoranentpointsoutthatSSEScouldhelpreplaceenergylossduetoTHI;thisfactorwasnotevaluated intheEIS.Inthelongrun,reservemarginswillnotbeadequatewithoutSSES.SSESoperation asscheduled andplannedmakeseconomicsensebecauseoflowerproduction costsandbecauseofitscontribution tomeetpeakenergyneeds.ThePriceAndersonActandgovernment subsidies forresearchofwastedisposaltechnology dorepresent costadvantages tonuclearenergythatareavailable totheindustryasawhole.Removaloftheseadvantages wouldnotmakethecostofpowerfromSSESprohibitive asyoustate.Allinsurance premiumsarehowpaidbynuclearplantoperators.

Federally fundedresearchinwastedisposalquitelikelywillbeasmallpartofthecostofwastedisposal, whichinturnisasmallpartofthecostoffuel.Wastedisposalcostsarealreadyincludedinestimated fuelcostsforSSES.Operation ofSSESwouldproveeconomical evenifthe'PriceAndersonActwererepealedandgovernment-sponsored researchstopped.Reasonsforoperating theplantwerediscussed andevaluated anddonotconsistsolelyofreservemarginconsiderations.

Seesummaryandconclusions (p.iv).Alsonoteresponses tosimilarquestions inCoalvs.NuclearandBenefit-Cost Analysissections.

AlthoughstaffnotesthatEDCconcursthattheplantisneeded,reservemarginconsideration isonlyoneofseveralreasonsforoperating theplantasscheduled.

Anthracite isdiscussed inresponsetoothercomnentsonthesubject(seeSec.10.8.4).10.7.3.1Operation ofthePJHInterchange Nocomnents.

10.7.3.2Minimization ofProduction Costs(PP&L9/4/79:8-42)

Thetexthasbeenrevisedtoreflectthesecomnents.

10-2110.7.3.3Diversity ofSupplySourceNocomments.

10.7.3.4Reliability ofAnalysis(H.H.Holesevich:B-39)

Asdiscussed inSection7.3.4.2oftheFES,areservecapacitylargerthan20Kmaybedesirable forasystemwithunitsthatarelargeinrelationtothesizeofthesystem(aswillbethecasewithSSESinservice).

Table7.4hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthecomnents.

10.8EVALUATION OFTHEPROPOSEDACTION10.8.1AdverseEffectsThatCannotBeAvoidedNocomments.

10.8.2Short-Term UsesandLon-TermProductivit Nocomments.

10.8.3Irreversible andIrretrievable Commitments ofResources Nocomments.

10.8.4ComarisonofNuclearandCoal-Fired PowerPlants(H,C.Jeppsen:B-31; DOT8/9/79;B-0;D-S:8-;Sierra:B-61; SA/179:B-62and6/10/80;8-64; S,Shortz:B-60; H.J.Huntington:B-27; EDC9/26/79:B-14)

Thebenefitsofrevitalizing theanthracite-coal-producing areasisaseparateissueandnotrelatedtotheoperation

'of,SSES.

Verysmallamountsofanthracite areusedforsteamproduction bytheutilityindustryprimarily duetothehighpriceofanthracite coal.Thenewsourceper-formancestandards (NSPS)wererewritten toencourage theuseofEastern'oal.

.Thesestandards requireremovalofatleast70ÃoftheSOzinthefluegasifanemissionrateof0.6lb.ofSOzpermillionBtuscanbeachieved.

NinetypercentremovalofSOzisrequiredif,thelimitcannotbemet.fAlthoughthesenewrulesdoencourage theuseofEasternratherthanlow-sulfur.

Westerncoalbecausesomescrubbing isrequired, thereisplentyofEasternbituminous coalthatcanmeettheserequirements.

MuchofthiscoalcanbeobtainedinPennsylvania.

Itisnotlikelythatanthracite coalcaneconomically competeassteam-market coal.Anthracite coalrevitalization dependsmoreonthesteelindustry; increased demandisalsomorelikelytocomefromexportsratherthandomesticuses.Theeconomic'argument foroperating SSESratherthanacoalplantisbasedontheloweroper-atingcostofSSEScomparedtocoal-fired plants.Thecostofcoalistwotothreetimesthecostofcomparable nuclearfuel.Nuclearfuelcostshaveceasedtheirrapidpriceescalation, whilerealcoalpricesareforecasttoincreaseat2.2Xperyearthrough1990andat1.7%per1980,Lexington, HA).Thelong-rundifferepces betweennuclearandcoalpricesarenotexpectedtodiminish.

Currently negotiated uraniumpricesareattheleveltheywereinlate1975;i.e..about

$28/lbUsOa,Primarily becauseofthedifference infuelcosts,delayofoperation ofSSESmakesnoeconomicsense,,even ifmoreenergycouldbeobtainedfromexistingcoal-fired plants.Construction ofanewcoal-fired planttoreplaceSSESwouldbeeconomically unwisesinceSSEShasalreadybeenconstructed.

',Comparison ofcoalvs.nuclearusinganthracite coalasareference casewouldnotimprovetheeconomics ofburningcoal.SinceSSEShasalreadybeenconstructed, theuseofcoalcanonlybeevaluated foruseinexistingplants,Notonlyisanthracite moreexpensive thanbituminous atthemine,butboilersandauxiliary equipment wouldhavetoberefurbished touseadifferent coaltype.Deratingmayalsobeinvolved.

AsstatedinNUREG-0564, thereisaconsiderable amountofuncertainty inestimating healtheffectsoverlongperiodsoftime(greaterthan100years).Theoveralluncertainty inthe 10-22nuclearfuelcycleisprobablyaboutanorderofmagnitude (increased ordecreased byafactorof10)over100yearsandabouttwoormoreordersofmagnitude over1000years.Theuncer-taintyassociated withthecoalfuelcycletendsto,bemuchlargerbecauseoftheinability toestimatetotalhealthimpactsfromallthepollutants releasedtotheenvironment fromthatcycle.However,ifoneassumesthatmostofthepublicimpactoveraperiodofseveraldecadesiscausedbyinhalation of,sulfurcompounds andassociated pollutants, thereisasmuchasatwo-order-of-magnitude uncertainty intheassessment ofthecoalfuelcycle.Inviewofthe,.largeuncertainties inanycomparison ofthehealtheffectsofcoalversusnuclearpowerplants,asite-specific comparison isnotwarranted.

Increased useofcoalandsolarpowerareexpected, buttheseshouldnotbeconsidered asalter-nativestotheoperation ofSSES.Nuclearpowermaybeassafeorsaferthancoalwithrespecttoreleaseofharmfulemissions (Sec.8.4).Solarpowerforelectrical generation hasnotbeendeveloped tothestagethatbaseloadelectrical generation needscanbesatisfied evenwithincreased conservation.

Thestaffdoesnotconsidersolarenergy,biomass,cogeneration, andconservation tobeadequatesubstitutes foramountsofpowerthatwillbegenerated bySSES,norwouldthecostofgenera-tionfromSSESbenearlyashighasfrombuildingandoperating thesealternatives.

Foradiscussion ofthetransportation effects,seeSection10.4.6.Impactsassociated withboththecoalanduraniumfuelcycleshavebeenaddressed withinagenericframework involving thedevelopment anduseofvariousmodels(i.e.modelminesandminingmethods,modelpowerplants,etc.).Discussion ofthelandrequirements forsupporting theuraniumfuelcycleofamodel1000-mWeLWRispresented inSection4.5.5.Incontrast, Dvoraket.al.characterized thecoalfuelcyclewithinselectedsourceareas,therebyfactoring inregionaldifferences incoalquality,bedthickness, miningconditions, etc:sAccordingly, landdisturbance resulting fromsurfaceminingtosupplytheannualfuelrequirement ofamodelpowerplant(1000HWe)fromthevarioussourceareaswasestimated asfollows;Wyoming-12.1 ha,Arizona-40.5 ha,Pennsylvania 66.8ha,Illinois76.9ha,andeasternKentucky78.9ha,However,thelistedareas(inhectares) pertainonlytolandsoverlyingthecoaltobeextracted.

Thetotalaffectedareawouldbedependent onthedisposition ofexcavated overburden and,insomecases,maybetwiceormoretimestheareaslisted.Thestaffagreesthatageneraltrendexistswherebycontinued extraction ofagivenunitofcoaloruraniumresultsinincreasingly greateradverseimpactsonthelandscape, However,itshouldalsobenotedthatcontemporary requirements, standards, andreclamation programsim-plemented tolimitsuchimpactsarealsobecomingincreasingly morestringent.

TheSurfaceMiningControlandReclamation Act(SHCRA)of1977exemplifies theincreasing publicawareness oftheneedtoprevent,control,and/ormitigatemining-related impacts.Oneprovision oftheactmandatestheestablishment ofenvironmental andothercriteriawhereby'some coalresourceareasareorwillbedesignated asunsuitable forsurfacemining.Someofthereclamation requirements oftheactincludespecifications relativetorestoring naturallandcontours, topsoilmanagement andreplacement, restoring land-usepotentials tolevelscomparable toorexceeding thoseexistingpriortomining,andrevegetation standards.

Theindirectimpactsofthecoalandnuclearfuelcycleshavebeentreated.indepthinotherdocuments.

Consideration ofthecoalfuelcycleisbeyondthescopeofthisproposedaction;however,nuclearpowerdoescomparefavorably when"indirect effectofminingonthelandscape" areexamined.

Acomprehensive evaluation ofuraniumminingandmillingispresented inthe"GenericEnvironmental ImpactStatement onUraniumHilling,"

April1979,NUREG-0511 (twovolumes).

Ifutilities choosetobuildcoal-fired plantsratherthannuclearplantsinthefuture,itisnotnecessarily truethatthecheapestcoalwillcomefromtheareaneartheplant.Itisiunlikelythatanthracite coalwillbeusedbecauseofthepremiumthatthattypeofcoalcorn<<mandsonthemarket.Thestaffdoesnotseeanyrelationbetweentheissuingofapermitfortheconstruction ofPondHillReservoir andtheimpactof'renewedanthracite industryontheregion.Atthispoint,thecostofbuildinganewcoalplantandtherecoverycostofSSESwouldbeverylargeascomparedtothebenefitderivedfromtherenewedanthracite industry.

r10.8.4.1HealthEffects(PP&L9/4/79:8-42)

Table8.1hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthiscomnent.10.8.4.2TheUraniumFuelCycleNocomoents~

10-2310.8.4.3TheCoalFuelCycleNocomments.

10.8.4.4OtherConsiderations (T.R.Duck:B-ll)

NRChasfactoredtheimpactoftheThreeNileIslandaccidentintothereviewoftheSusquehanna application.

Specifically, theEnvironmental Statement hasbeensupplemented toevaluatethesite-specific environmental impactsattributable toplant-specific accidentsequences thatleadtoreleasesofradiation and/orradioactive materials, including sequences thatcanresultininadequate coolingofreactorfuelandmeltingofthereactorcore.10.8.4.5SummaryandConclusions Noco+vents.

10.8.5Uranium-Resource Availabilit (T.R.Duck:B-11)

Section8.5hasbeenrevisedtoreflectrecentchangesintheoutlookforfutureuranium-fuel supplies.

Thediscussion inSection8.6hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthecurrentstaffpositionrelativetothedecommissioning ofnuclearfacilities.

Theserevisions sumnarize amoreextensive treatment ofthissubjectpublished inthe"DraftGenericEnvironmental InputStatement onDecommissioning ofNuclearFacilities" (NUREG-0586, January1981,U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission).

Thedecommissioning alternatives foranuclearreactorarediscussed indetailinNUREG-0586.

Thedollaramountindicated inthebenefit-cost sectionreferstooneofseveraldeconmissioning methods;nospecificmethodofdecommissioning forSSEShasbeenselectedatthistime.Allreasonable methodsofdecommissioning canbeplannedforwithrespecttoengineering andfinan-cialconsiderations.

Thecomparison toThreeNileIslandisnotappropriate, because'PIIinvolvesproblemsofcriticality, theextentofthecontamination atUnittwo,andextraordinary precautions necessary tominimizeoccupational exposure.

10.9BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS10.9.1Resume(F.L.Shelly:B-57; F.Thompson:8-74; H.J.Huntington:B-27; S.Laughland:B-32}

Theassertion thatnuclearpowerisnotcompetitive withothersourcesofelectrical energyproduction isincorrect.

SSEShasalreadybeenconstructed and,becausethisisatleasthalfoftheelectricity production cost,thereisnoneedtoevaluatethecoalvs.nuclearvs.alter-nativesourcesissue.Theoverallenergysourcecomparison isusefulonlyattheconstruction stage,whenallcostsarevariableandeconomicchoicesofinterestarethewidestpossible.

Attheconstruction stage,SSESisacompetitive option;attheoperation stage,itistheonlylogicaleconomicchoice.Theuseof60to705capacityfactorisrealistic fornewnuclearplants;averagecapacityfornuclearunitsin1979was65.2%.In1979,withTMIincludedinthedataforthefirsttenmonths,theaveragecapacityfactorwas58.95(NUREG0020.~0cretinUnitsStatusReort,Vol.4,No.9,September 1980,p.1-3).Theavailability ofelectrical energyaffectsthedemandforusethroughtheprice.Within-creasingelectrical energyprices,theadditional powerprovidedbySSESisnotgoingtoen-courageincreased usage.Thesubsidies tonuclearpowermentioned inthecormnentcannotbeattributed totheconstruction andoperation ofSSES.Nosubsidies wereprovidedfor'thiscormercial plant.Wastedisposalcostshavebeenincludedinstudiesofnuclearpowereconomics.

Plantcapacityfactorsof60to70%andnoaccidents thatreleasesignificant levelsofradioactivity totheatmosphere aretheexpectedfutureofSSES;therefore, theseassumptions aretheproperbasisforthebenefit-cost assessment.

Thestresstosomeresidents nearTHIisreal.Thestressonthoseresidents cannotbecomparedtothatonpeoplewholivewithinafewmilesofplantsthathaveoperatedsuccessfully withoutaccident.

Thecomparative relativecostofnuclearpoweroperation wasusedasthebasisforassessing SSES;theabsolutecostswillchange.

10-24ThecapacityfactorscitedinM.J.Huntington's comnentdonotreflectcurrentdata.Itistruethat,overthelifeofa'nuclearplant,capacityfactorsriseandthenfallinthelatteryears.However,thisistrueofcoalplantsaswell;thisdoesnotrepresent adisadvantage ofnuclearplants.Theneedfortheplantintheproposedoperating timeframeisbasedprimarily onthesavingsinfuelcosts.SSESisalsoneededinthelongerruntoreplaceenergyduetolossof'generating capability, andtomeetfuturedemandforenergy.i0.9.2BenefitsNocomments.

10.9.3SocietalCostsNocomments.

10.9.4EconomicCosts(M.M.Molesevich:8-39)

Decoranissioning plansarepreparedforplantsthathavecompleted theirusefullives.InthecaseofTMIoranyotheraccident, wheredecomoissioning isconsidered priortocompletion ofausefuloperating lifeoffrom30to40years,aspecialinvestigation andstudywouldbere-quired.Anyattempttospeculate inadvanceonadecomoissioning planundersuchextraordinary circumstances wouldbeusefulonlyinagenericassessment andcouldnotbespecifically appliedtoSSES.Thedecoranissioning costisestimated in1978dollarsandrepresents onlyonemodeofdecommissioning.

Nodeconeissioning alternative basedonreasonable costrangeswouldaffecttheconclusion thattheplantshouldoperate.10.9.5Environmental CostsNocomments.

10;9.6Environmental CostsoftheUraniumFuelCcleNocoranents.

10.9.7Environmental CostsofUraniumFuelTransortationNocomnents.

10.9.8SummarofBenefit-Cost (SA8/17/79:8-62; PP&L9/4/79:8-42; EDC9/26/79:8-14; oesevic:8-Thetexthasbeenrevisedtoreflectapplicable coranents.

Thestaffhasfoundnoevidencethatemployees intheareawouldquittheirjobsifSSES.wereallowedtooperate.Thecost/benefit analysisforPondHillisgiveninSectionA.5.3.10.AAPPENDIXA:FINALSUPPLEMENT TOTHEEISFORSSES10.A.lSuranarandConclusions ForewordIntroduction 10.A.l.lSunmaryandConclusions andForeward(LUZ:8-38; PDER5/20/80:8-54; HEW:8-6;DOI5/29/80:8-9; PP&L5/29/80:8-47) kThetextoftheSummaryandConclusion hasbeenchangedtoreflectapplicable comments.

Theapplicant hasproposedtheconstruction ofacompensation reservoir atPondHillCreekinordertomeetrequirements oftheSusquehanna RiverBasinConmission duringperiodsoflowflow.Discussion oftheproposedPondHillReservoir iscontained inAppendixA.

10-25IItem3.0hasbeenaddedtotheSummaryandConclusions sectionofAppendixA.Theoperation ofPondHillReservoir forcompensation releaseswillhaveaminimalimpactondownstream portionsoftheSusquehanna River(Sec.4).TheSRBChasestablished 1July1984asthedeadlineforcompliance withitsconsumptive watermakeuprequirements (SRBCRegulation 1,Section803.61).ThePennsylvania FishCommission hasbeenaddedtothedistribution listfortheFinalEnviron-mentalImpactStatement.

10.A.1.2Introduction (PP&L5/29/80:B-47)

ThetextoftheIntroduction hasbeenchangedtoreflecttheapplicable coranents.

10.A.2TheSiteandItsEnvirons(DOC:B-5)

Theapplicant willberequiredtodetermine ifanyUSGSmarkersarelocatedintheproposedconstruction area.Ifanymarkersareinthisarea,theapplicant willnotifytheNationalOceanSurveyoftheNationalOceanicandAtmospheric Administration (NOAA)andtakeappropriate stepstorelocatethemarkers.10.A.2.1PlantLocation(PP&L5/29/80:B-47)

FiguresA.2.2,A.2.3,andA.2.4havebeenreplacedwithrevisedfigures.10.A.2.2LandUseNocoranents.

10.A.2.3Heteorology andHydrology (PP&L5/29/80:B-47)

SectionA.2.3.3hasbeenrevisedtoincludeadiscussion ofthespringwithintheprojectboun-dary.10.A.2.4GeologyandSeismology INoco~ents.10.A.2.5SiteEcology(PP&L5/29/80:8-47)

Thereferences havebeencorrected.

10.A.2.6Socioeconomic ProfileoftheLocalAreaNocomnents.

10.A.2.7CulturalResources (SA6/10/80:B-64)

Foradiscussion ofculturalresources, seerevisedSectionA.2.7.10.A.3Reservoir DescritionThetext.ofSectionA.3hasbeenchangedtoreflectapplicable comments.

10.A.3.1Introduction (PP&L5/29/80:B-47; SRBC4/30/80:8-69)

FiguresA.3.1andA.3.2havebeenreplacedwithrevisedfigures.RevisedP'latesA-l,2,5,6,17,and19,suppliedbyPP&L,wereusedtocorrectthefigures.10.A.3.2NodeofOperation (EPA5/30/80:8-23; PP&L5/29/80:B-47; SRBC4/30/80:B-69}

Thestaffhasestimated theprobability, ofoccurrence ofdifferent periods(numberofdays)oflowriverflowthatwouldinterrupt theoperation ofthepowerstationbasedonhistorical river-flowmeasurement.

Replacement andstartingenergycostsassociated witheachshutdownhavealsobeencalculated (TableA.5.3).Becausefutureoccurrences oflowriverflowareimpossible toforecast, thestaffhas,simply providedthecostassociated withprobab'le different lowriverflow periods.Thedecisiontoacceptorrejecttheriverflow alternative willdependuponone'sconfidence thatfutureriverflowwi'llfollowthehistoricpattern.Atpresent,theSusquehanna Riverhasagreaterdegreeofflowcontrolthanithadinthepast.Theanalysisshowsthat,ifthereisanaverageoffourdaysperyearoflowriverflowoveraperiodof30years,thecostofthePondHillprojectwillbemorethanthereplacement energycost.

10-26C10.A.3.3Recreation Area(EDC9/26/79:B-'l4)

IPP8Lhasproposedarecreational programforthePondHillReservoir.

ThedetailsofthisprogramareprovidedintheEnvironmental Statement inSectionA.3.3.10.A.3.4Esthetics Nocomments.

10.A.4Environmental EffectsofConstruction and0eration10.A.4.1ImpactsonLandUse(DOT4/28/80:B-ll)

Thetransportation impactshavebeenadequately addressed tothesatisfaction ofDOT,withtheexception ofsufficient coordination.

Itisthestaff',sviewthattheapplicant andDOTshouldworktogethertoconsideradequatedesignoftheaccessroadtothereservoir aswellasatten-dantimpacts.NRCwillnotpreemptDOTexpertise inmattersofdesignandtrafficcoordination.

Thecommentattributes manyofthechangesinthepastyearstoconstruction ofSSES.Manyofthesechangesareduetootherprojects, including pasthighwayconstruction, andtourban-izationtrendsindependent of,SSES.Therecordshowsthattheblastingduringconstruction didadversely affectresidents, butthisshouldnotbeconsidered inadecisionastowhetherornottheplantshouldbeoperated.

Thecogentcorrectly statesthatthelandusedbySSESisanirrevocable loss,buttheopinionthatitsformerusewasthebestusecannotbedemonstrated oneconomicgrounds.TheEISmentionstheeffectofHurricane Agnesaspartoftherecenthistoryandisnotmeanttocharacterize thelocalareasurrounding theplant.10.A.4.2ImpactsonWaterUse(EPA5/30/80:B-23; SRBC4/30/80:B-69; SA6/10/80:B-64) llEvaporation fromandprecipitation intothereservoir wereincludedinthesimulation ofthedroughtofrecord.Thetexthasbeenchanged'o reflectthesecomments.

10.A.4.3Environmental Impacts(PP&L5/29/80:8-47; EPA5/30/80:B-23; DOI5/29/80:B-9; SRBC4/30/80:B-69)

ThetextandFigureA.4.1havebeenrevisedtoreflectapplicable comments.

Thestatemen'ts inthetextdonotsupportthecomnentpertainingto'significantly negativeimpactonwaterquality."

Withrespecttophosphorous levels,thetextstatesthatambientphosphorous levelexceedscriteria.

Theexpression "approximate originalcontours" (Appendix A,Sec.A.4.3.1)isingeneralaccordwiththeapplicant's commitment:

"Theborrowareaswillberestoredascloselyaspossibletotheiroriginalcondition" (ER-OL,AppendixH,Sec.4.2.2.4).

Theextenttowhichoriginalcontourscanberestoredwillvary;however,thestaffexpectstheapplicant toreestablish originalonsitedrainagetotheextentpossible, therebyavoidingunduedisruption ofoffsitedrainagepatterns.

PPSL'scoranitment ondrainagefeaturesisingeneralagreement withastaffrecommendation presented intheSectionA.4.3.1,paragraph 6.Thestaffacknowledges EPA'scorwenttotheeffectthat"discussion onwildliferesources isacceptable."

However,therationale wherebythestaff'sstatement concerning therelatively lowdensityofeasterncottontail atthePondHillprojectsitehasbeeninterpreted asasserting thatthecottontail isof"minorimportance" isnotreadilyapparent, nordoesthestaffclearlyunderstand theintendedmeaningof"minorimportance."

Giventhatpopulations ofcottontail exhibitcyclicfluctuations innorthernstates(asdothoseofruffedgrouseandsnowshoehare},thelocaldensities ofcottontails generally paralleltheavailability ofproperfoodandcoverhabitat.Theextensive second-growth forestvegetation oftheprojectsiteisapproaching

maturity, andtheincreasing closureoftheoverheadcanopyhasinhibited, andcontinues toinhibit,theproduction ofshrubbyandherbaceous vegetation thatservesasfoodandcoverforthecottontails.

Thisprincipal consideration underlyingthestaff'scontention isingeneralagreement withacitation(pageA.2-12)totheeffectthatthecottontail population atthepro-posedreservoir site"ismuchlowerdueinparttotherelatively sparseopenfieldandmeadowacreageandtohighpredation bygreathornedowl,easternredandeasterngrayfoxes,andwilddogs."Theimplementation ofthefishandwildlifemanagement planisastateresponsibility andisnotnormallyhandledbytheNRC.ThePennsylvania StateFishCoranission andthePennsylvania Game 10-27Commission, withtheaidoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,willdesignastatefishandwildlifemanagement plan.ThetextofSectionA.4.3.2.3

("Operational ImpactsofDischarge System".)

hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthisnewinformation aswellasthechangeinthedesignoftheinlet-outlet structure.

Asaresultofthedesignchange,mostcompensation releasesfromthereservoir willbefromtheepilimnion layer,minimizing thepotential forcoldshockintheriver.Severalpointsneedtobeconsidered.

First,thestaffagreesthatnutrients mayberesuspended duringturnover.

Waterqualitydatapresented inTableA.4.1oftheDESindicated

.pHvaluesforPondHillCreekandtheSusquehanna River.Thestaff,feelsthepHofthereservoir willbesuchthatnutrients suspended duringturnoverwillquicklyprecipitate andreturntothebottomsediments.

Asecondpointisthathighlevelsofphosphorous arealreadypresentintheriver.,Itistherefore incorrect toimplythatphosphorous levelsassociated witheutrophic conditions inthereservoir willadversely effecttheSusquehanna attimesofcompensation.'he thirdpointisthatinformation presented inTable1.3.2-1ofVolumeIVoftheER-OLsuggeststhatcompensation releaseswillprimarily occurinearlyfallandtherefore precedefallturnover.

Table1~3.2-1hasbeenaddedtoSection4.3.2.2ofthetext.IIronlevelsarealreadyhighintheriverandhavebeenshownnottohavereducedprimarypro-ductivity.

10.A.4.4Hydrologic Impacts(DOI5/29/80:8-9; EPA5/30/80:8-23; SRBC4/30/80:8-69; SA6/10/80:8-64;PP8IL5/20/80:8-47)

Theapplicant hasrevisedthespillwaydesign.SeeSectionA.4.4.2.3.

AsstatedinSectionA.2.3.3',

thereisnoinformation onhistoricfloodflowsinPondHillCreekbecausethereisnogagingstationonthestream.Thefiguresshowingthefloodplains oftheSusquehanna RiverandPondHi'llCreekhavebeenrevised.SeeFiguresA.2.5andA.2.6.Changesinthefloodplain duetotheconstruction andoperation oftheprojectarediscussed inSectionAD4"Environmental EffectsofConstruction andOperation."

Thedifference betweenEPA'sestimate.

of986ranandNRC'sestimateof973ranforthe6-hrPHFisinsignificant andwouldnotaltertheconclusions reachedinSectionA.4.4.2.3.

Thedesignprecipitation seriesischosentorepresent anupperbound.Thereservoir isdesignedtobeabletoaccomnodate thisprecipitation serieswithoutbeingovertopped.

Lessintensestormswillresultinlowermaximumreservoir e'levations.

Thesaddlereferredtohasaminimumelevation of302.1mHSL,0.3mabovethedamcresteleva-tionof301.8mHSLand2.7mabovetheemergency spillwayweirelevation of299.4mHSL.Theapplicant isconsidering theconstruction ofanimpervious cutoffacrossthissaddle,asshowninFigureA.3.2.Theminimumelevation betweenLilyLakeandthereservoir is311mHSL,morethan9mabovetheelevation ofthedamcrest.Therefore, thepossibility ofeitheroftheselocations becomingspillways duringafloodisprecluded.

Theapplicant calculated thedischarge temperatures fromthelargerreservoir usingtherevisedinlet-outlet structure (SectionA.3.1.3andFigureA.4.1),thelargerreservoir areaandvolume,andboth1964and1975temperature data(seePP&L5/29/80,p.8-47).Thecalculated tempera-turesfortheeffluentstreamflow,basedonreleasesof2.89m>/saregiveninthecitedcomnent.Thestaff'sassessment ofthethermalimpactofreleasesfromPondHillReservoir hasnotchangedasaresultofthisdesignchangeandthemodelingstudiesarebasedon1975meteoro-logicaldata.Thereservoir iswellabovethelevelofanycrediblefloodeventontheSusquehanna River.Thedownstream toeofthedamis'morethan70mabovethenormalriverlevelandmorethan65mabovethehistorical maximumSusquehanna Riverstage(Tropical StormAgnes,'l972).SeeSec-tionA.4.4.2.3 foradiscussion ofthehydrologic designofthedamwiththeproposedrevisedspillway.

Table1.3.2-1ofVolumeIVoftheER-OLpresentspasthistorydataontheSusquehanna River.Thistableindicates thatwithdrawal fromthereservoir canbeexpectedtobeinfrequent.

ThistablehasbeenincludedinSectionA.4.3.2.2 ofthetextandshouldaidinclarifying thediscussion.

10-28Theresponsibility forrequiring monitoring isthefunctionoftheEPA(seeEPA5/30/80,p.8-23),nottheNRC.NRCcannotrequiremonitoring ofwaterquality.EPAisresponsible forwaterqualitymonitoring andwaterquality.,~SectionA.4.4.2.1 hasbeenrevisedtoreflecttheseconments.

Thelargerreservoir hasbeenplannedtomeetSRBC'srequirements andnotspecifically forthepurposeofsupplying additional storagecapacityforotherusersoruses,suchassalestootherutilities orindustries on.theSusquehanna River.Althoughtheseotherusesarepossible, thestaffhasnotattempted to"evaluatethem.10.A.4.5Socioeconomic Impacts(EPA5/30/80:B-23)

Thesectionhasbeenrevisedtoreflectthesecoranents.

10.A.4.6ImpactstoCulturalResources (DOI5/29/80:B-9)

Foradiscussion ofculturalresources, seerevisedSectionA.2.7.10.A.5Alternatives, NeedforFacilitandBenefit-Cost AnalsisSectionA.5hasbeenrevisedtoincorporate applicable coranents.

10.A.5.1Alternatives toConstructing aWaterStorageReservoir (EPA5/30/80:8-23; PP&L5/29/80:8-47 SRBC4/30/80:B-69; FERC:B-25; SA6/10/80:B-64)

ThePondHillReservoir isbeingplannedtosupplement riverflow duringperiodsoflowriver-flow.TheSusquehanna RiverBasinConmission hasdirectedthatthereservoir beconstructed by1July1984.ThePondHillReservoir isnotrequiredforthesafeoperation ofthenuclearplant.Therefore, theEnvironmental Statement reviewdealtonlywiththeeffectofthecon-struction andoperation ofthePondHillReservoir ontheenvironment.

Thestaffdoesnotseeanyrelationbetweentheissuingofapermitfortheconstruction ofPondKillReservoir andtheimpactofarenewedanthracite industryontheregion.Atthispoint,thecostofbuildinganewcoalplant,andtherecoverycostofnuclearportionsofSSESwouldbeverylargeascomparedtothebenefitderivedfromtherenewedanthracite industry.

SRBChasfailedtoindicateinitscommentstheeffectitbelieveditsrecooeendation wouldhaveontheavailability ofaback-upwatersupplycontemporaneous withconstruction andoperation ofSSES.Thestaffnotes,however,thattheconclusions reachedintheFESdonotrestontheavailability ofaback-upwatersupply.Instead,thestaffassumedcompliance withtheSRBCruleswithoutsuchasystem.TheFES(seeSec.A.5.1.2)hasbeenrevisedtoreflecttheSRBC'spositionontheCowanesque Reservoir.

10.A.5.2Alternative Sites(SRBC4/30/80:B-69)

ThetextofParagraph 1ofSectionA.5.2iscorrect.AsstatedinReferences 24and29ofSection2ofthisAppendix, theinitialdesigncriteriaforthewaterstoragereservoir werebasedonaI)710riverflowof21.8ms/s;thealternative siteanalyseswere'conducted onthisbasis,including the96-daycompensation flowrequirement.

Later,theg7~0valuewaschanged'o22.7m>/s.ThedamdesigngivenintheER-OL,,Appendix H,andinthisEnvironmental State-mentisbasedonthehigherg710value.10.A.5.3Benefit-Cost Analysis(FERC:B-25; PP&L5/29/80:B-47; SRBC4/30/80:B-69)

Thestaffdisagrees withthechangesuggested byPP&L(5/29/80, p.B-47}.IfPP&LmeetsPJH'sreserverequirements, PJKcouldstillbuytheneededamountofelectricity fromPP&Landwouldnotsufferthelossofsale.Kowever,theabilityofPP&Ltosupplypowertotherestofthenetworkwouldbere'ducediftheriver-following modeofoperation wereutilized.

Theprobability ofashutdownoflessthanorequalto14daysis94.1X.SectionA.5.3.1hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthiscomment.Amathematical averageoffour-dayshutdowndoesnotmeanthattheplantwillbeclosed,everyyearforfourdays.Likeanyaverage,itsimplymeansthattheplantmaybeclosedformorethanfourdaysinsomeyearsandforlessthanfourdaysinothers.Overtheperiodofobserva-tion,thesumofdeviation fromthemeanisexpectedtobezero,Thecalculation ofthepresentvalueofthereplacement energycostgivesanestimateofthecostincurredbytheapplicant ifthefutureriverflow followsasimilarhistorical pattern.Table5.3doespresentthecostassociated withdifferent expectedvaluesofnumberofdaysofplantshutdown.10-29Aspertheapplicant's

response, theaverageannualenergyrequirement, including thepurchaseofreplacement energyduringthefour-dayshutdownandtheenergyneededto,starttheplantarebetween160,000and170,000HWh,depending onthelengthoftimeassociated withcoldorhotreactorshutdownconditions.

Thestaffassumedthattheincremental amountofelectricity requiredtostartuptheplantfromcoldvs.hotreactionshutdowncondition tobe10,000HWh.Asthereisnodefiniteknowledge atthispointoftheplantshutdowncondition, thestaffassumeda50/50chanceofhotorcoldshutdownoverthelifeoftheproject.Underthisassump-tion,theyearlyaverageamountofelectricity requirement comesto165,000HWh.Thestaffassumesthattheenergyrequiremen't is146,000HWh(2100HWx4daysx24hr/dayx0.70cap.factor+5000HMh).Thestaffagreesthattheremaynotbeasubstantial savingsintheoperating variablecostduringtheshutdownperiod.Theamountofsavingsrealized(ifany)wouldnotalterthefind-ingsoftheanalysis.

Thestaffdoesnotfindanycostdifference betweenthereportbasedontheapplicant's responseandtheonebythecogent.Pleasenotethatthepresentvalueofthecostreportedhereincludesthecostoftheproject($65million)andtheyearlyoperating costof,$100,700over30years.Thestaffagreesthatsuchasituation mayarise(seePP&L5/29/80,p.8-47},butitishighlyunlikelythatlowriverflowandfuel-oilcurtailment wouldoccuratthesametime.TableA.5.4hasbeenrevisedtoreflectthiscogent.10.A.5.4Evaluation ofUnavoidable AdverseEnvironmental ImpactsoftheProposedActionNocorments.

10.8COHHEATSONDESNocoraaents.

10.CENVIRONHENTAL ASSESSMENT BYTHEDIVISIONOFSITESAFETYANDENVIRONHENTAL,ANALYSIS FORPROPOSEDHODIFICATIONS TOTHETRANSMISSION LINESYSTEH(DA-SCS:8-4; DOI9/10/79:8-7; H.H.Holesevich:8-39)

Information presented bytheapplicant indicates thattheysoughtandreceivedan"erosioncontrolprogramandpermit"fromthePDER(ER-OL,Sec.12.1.2).Similarinformation indicates that.,theapplicant periodically consulted withtheSoilandMaterConservation Districts re-gardingmethodstocontrolsoilerosion(ER-OL;Sec.4.5).Furthermore, thestaffevaluated theapplicant's proposedplansforcontrol1ing erosionduringtransmission-line construction; suchplanswerefoundacceptable (seeAppendixC,p.C-6andSec.5.3.5}.Thestaffwouldalsoliketopointoutthatlanddisturbance attheplantsiteandwithintransmission-line rights-of-way resultsprimarily fromconstruction activities; whereasthefocusofthisstatement isonimpactsassociated withoperation ofthestationandtransmission facilities.

Thestaffforeseesnoinstances inwhichroutineoperation ofthefacilities willresultinsignificant landdisturbance.

Thestaffhaselectedtoaddressthe"possibility" referredtointhecommentasfollows.Theapplicant statesthateasements areusuallyacquiredfortransmission-line rights-of-way (ROM}.Theseeasements allowtheownerscontinued useoftheROWconsistent withsafeandefficient operation andmaintenance ofthetransmission linesandstructures (ER-CP,Section3.2.6).Thus,thefutureuseofclearedROMwillbesubjecttoindividual agreements betweentheownersandtheapplicant, andmayormaynotinvolveplantings forwildlifefoodorcover.Asindicated inAppendix8(p.8-6),woodyvegetation willberemovedfromtheROWby"selec-tive"or"tailored" methodsofclearing.

Accordingly, completeremova'1oftreesandunderbrush willoccuronlyinlimitedareas,suchastower-construction sitesandserviceroads.Ingeneral,onlytalltreesandthoseofgrowthhabits.thatcouldinterfere withenergytrans-missionwillberemovedfromtheROM.Certaintreesoflimited-height growthpotential, shrubs,herbs,andgrasseswillbepreserved "tothegreatestextentpractical" (ER-CP,Amendment 5,Exhibit8),therebylimitingtheareaofdisturbance anderosionpotential.

Inmanyinstances, theresidualvegetation isexpectedtobesufficiently beneficial forwildlifesothatplantings for,foodandcoverwillbe'unnecessary.

Thestaffencourages theestablishment ofwildlifehabitatinareaswheresuchmanagement iscompatible withotherland-usepriorities.

However,"usingplantings recoranended bythe 10-30Pennsylvania GameConmission forallforestedareasclearedduringtransmission lineconstruc-Figureshavebeenchangedinresponsetothecommentmade.References 1.LetterfromH.R.Buring(PP&L)toJ.T.Ulanowski (PDER),9April1980.2.LetterfromJ.T.Ulanowski (PDER)toH.R.Buring(PP8L),29April1980.3.LetterfromN.M..Cuntis(PPQ.)toO.E.Sells(NRC),13November1979.4.G.W.Patterson, C.R.Curtis,T.L.Lauves,andG.Hosokaiva, "ChalkPointCoolingTowerProject,NativeVegetation Study,FinalReport,FY'78,"ReportNo.PPSP-CPCTP-24, WRRCSpecialReportNo.10,Water.Resources ResearchCenter,University ofHaryland, CollegePark,HD,June1978.5.C.L.Hulchi,D.C.Wolfe,andJ.A.Armbruster, "CoolingTowerEffectsonCropsandSoils,Postoperational ReportNo.3,FinalReport,FY-78,"PPSP-CPCTP-23, WRRCSpecialReportNo.11,MaterResources ResearchCenter,University ofHaryland, CollegePark,HD,1978.6.C.RECurtis,B.A.Francis,andT.L.Lauver,"DogwoodasaBioindicator SpeciesforSalineDrift,"pp.I-65throughI-77,InProceedings ofaSymposium onEnvironmental EffectsofCoolingTowerEmissions, Hay2-W1978,University ofMaryland, CollegePark,HD,1978.7."AnEcological StudyoftheSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityoftheThreeHileIslandNuclearStation,AnnualReportfor1975,"~BM.A.Potter,ProjectLeader,andAssociates, forHetropolitan EdisonCompany,Ichthyological Associates, Inc.,Ithaca,NY,February1976.8.BEL.Cohen,"Radon:Characteristics, NaturalOccurrence, Technological Enhancement, andHealthEffects."

Vol.4,ProressinNuclearEner,1979.9.A.J.Dvoraketal.,"TheEnvironmental EffectsofUsingCoalforGenerating Electricity,"

NUREG-0252, preparedbyArgonneNationalLaboratory fortheU.S.NuclearRegulatory Com-mission,1977.*10.NaturalResources DefenseCouncil,"DenialofPetitionforRulemaking,"

42FR34391,5July1977,Available intheNRCPublicDocumentRoom.11.U.S.Department oftheInterior, FishandWildlifeService,"Hanagement ofTransmission LineRights-of-Way forFishandWildlife,"

Vol.I,Chapter3;Section14,FMS/OBS-79/22, 1979.vaaeor,pureasefromtheNatiogalTechnical Information Service,Springfield, VA22161.

NUREG-1981APPENDIXAFINALSUPPLEMENT TOTHEENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BYTHEU.S.NUCLEARREGULATORY COMMISSION FORSUSQUEHANNA STEAMELECTRICSTATION,UNITS1AND2proposedbyPENNSYLVANIA POWERANDLIGHTCOMPANYALLEGHENY ELECTRICCOOPERATIVE, INC.DocketNos.50-38750-388

SUMMARYANDCONCLUSIONS

ThisAppendixtotheFinalEnvironmental Statement waspreparedbytheU.S.NuclearRegulatory Comtssloo (NRC),Off(caofNuclearReactorRegulatloo (thestaff).1.Theactionisadministrative.

2.Theproposedactionistheissuanceofconstruction permitsbylocal,state,andfederalagencies(including theSusquehanna RiverBasinCo()I)ission, SRBC)fortheconstruction ofawaterstoragereservoir inthePondHillCreekdrainagebasin.Theproposedsiteis'locatedonasmalltributary oftheSusquehanna RiverinConyngham

Township, LuzerneCounty,Pennsylvania.

Thesiteisapproximately llkmnortheast oftheboroughofBerwick,Penn-sylvania, andabout3.7kmnortheast oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation(SSES),nowunderconstruction.

Thepurposeoftheproposedreservoir istosupplywatertotheSusquehanna Riverduringperiodsoflowriverflowtoreplacethewaterconsumptively usedbySSES.ActionbytheNRCisnotrequiredfortheissuanceofconstruction permitsforthisreser-voirsThisEnvironmental Statement hasbeenpreparedbytheNuclearRegulatory Co)naission todescribetheenvironmental impactsofconstruction andoperation ofthePondHillReser-voirsincethefacilityisassociated withtheoperation oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation.3.Thefacilitywillconsistofanearthandrockfilldamconstructed acrossthevalley,about1.3kmeastoftheSusquehanna River,aspillway, aninlet-outlet structure, apipeline, andapumpingstation.Thedamwouldbeabout730minlengthatcrestlevel;themaximumheightabovethestreambed willbeabout67m.Normalwaterstoragecapacityofthereservoir wouldbeabout30)c106ms(24,100acre-feet),

ofwhichabout905(5x106m),willbeavailable forcompensation flow.Thewaterareaofthereservoir willbeabout128haatthedesignnormalwaterlevelof299mMSL.Theinformation inthisstatement represents anassessment oftheenvironmental impactsassociated withtheconstruction ofthePondHillReservoir, pursuanttotheguidelines oftheNationalEnvironmental PolicyActof1969(NEPA)and10CFRSloftheCo)mnission's regulations.

Thestaffhasreviewedtheimpactsthatwouldoccurduetotheconstruction andoperation ofthereservoir.

Thestaff'sanalysisisbasedonareviewofmaterialsuppliedbytheapplicant, Pennsylvania Power8LightCo.(PP8L);areviewofothermate-rialsecuredindependently; avisittotheproposedandfourofthealternate sites;anddiscussions withvariousstate,local,andfederalofficials.

Thepotential impacts,bothbeneficial andadverse,aresu)n))arized asfol'iows:

a.ThevalleyandPondHillCreekwillbepermanently altered.b.Approximately 525haoflandwillbededicated tothereservoir forthelifeofthefaci1ity.c.About2.3kmofPondHillCreekwillbeconverted fromafree-flowing streamtoareservoir; the1.3-kmsectionofthecreekbelowthedamwillbeconverted fromafree-flowing, sometimes intermittent, streamtoapartially regulated streamwithaminimumflowmaintained byreleasesfromthereservoir.

d.Asmuchas195haofterrestrial environment maybedirectlyaffectedandvariously alteredduetodevelopment ofthePondHillReservoir.

About128haofforestedareawillbeinundated.

Impoundment structures willoccupyabout16ha.Mostoftheremaining disturbed areawillbereclaimed andlandscaped following construction.

e.Vegetation in,.theareascoveredbywaterandstructures willbeconverted intohabitatforaquaticbiota.f.Somewildlifemortality wil'1occurastheresultofconstruction activities andtheinitialfillingofthereservoir; inaddition, someanimalswillbedisplaced fromaffectedareas.Adverseeffectsonterrestrial wildlifewillbevariously offsetbyreclamation ofdisturbed areas,creationofaquatichabitat,andtheimplementation ofawildlifehabitat-improvement program.A.i goLand-clearing andconstruction activities willtemporarily causelocallyincreased levelsofnoiseaswellasemissions ofsmokeanddust.Somesoilerosionwilloccurdespitetheimplementation ofcontrolmeasures.

Also,topsoilmaterials usedinreclamation willhaveundergone adversephysicalandchemicalchangesthatmaybereflected byreducedfutureproductivity oftheaffectedareas.h.Fluctuating waterlevels,totheextenttheprojectisusedforlow-flowcompensation, willresultinexposedareasandwillaltersomeoftheaquatichabitatcreatedbythedamfortheperiodofdrawdownandrefill.Therewillbeatemporary increaseinhighwaytrafficduetoworkerscomnuting toandfromtheareaduringconstruction andtotrucksbringinginconstruction materials andsuppliesandremovingrefuse.ThewaterqualityofPondHillCreekbelowthereservoir willgenerally belowerthanthatpriortoreservoir establishment.

k.Basedonthedroughtsofrecord,the,discharge andstoragecapacities ofthereservoir aregreaterthanthoserequiredtoprovidecompensation watertotheSusquehanna RiverasaresultofSSESoperation.

l.About145haoflandwillbeconverted fromtheirpresentusetocertainrecreational uses,suchashuntingandhiking.Thereservoir maybedeveloped forcertainwaterrecreational activities, suchasnon-power boatingandfishing.m.Asaresultofreservoir development, anincreaseinwaterfowl andaquaticandshore-linewildlifemayoccur.n.Hino'rchangesinlocaldemography, settlement

patterns, andsociocultural structures willresultfromtheconstruction andoperation ofthereservoir.

Eo.Theoperation ofPondHillReservoir willhaveaminimalimpactonwaterqualityandaquaticecologyinthedownstream portionsoftheSusquehanna River,Onthebasisoftheanalysisandevaluation setforthinthisStatement, andafterweighingtheenvironmental,

economic, technical, andotherbenefitsagainstenvironmental costsandafterconsidering available alternatives itisconcluded thattheconstruction ofthePondHillReservoir isanacceptable methodforcomplying withthelow-flowwateruserequire-mentsoftheSusquehanna RiverBasinComnission.

Thestaff'sassessment indicates thattheenvironmental andotherimpactsofthereservoir willbeminimal' CONTENTS'i/Inl.SUNHARYANDCONCLUSIONS

.LISTOFFIGURES.LISTOFTABLES........~~FOREWORDA.l.INTRODUCTION A.l.lHistoryA.l.2PermitsandLicenses.qll~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~PaeA.iA.vA.viA.viiA.l-lA.l-lA.l-lA.2.THESITEANDITSENVIRONS.A.2.1PlantLocation.~.....A.2.2LandUse.A,2.3Meteorology andHydrology

,A.2.3.1Meteorology A.2.3.2Hydrology A.2.3.3MaterSourcesA,2.4GeologyandSeismology

~..A.2.4.1GeologyA.2.4.2Seismo'logy

.A.2.5SiteEcology.A.2.5.1Terrestrial EcologyA.2.5.2AquaticEcologyA.2.6Socioeconomic ProfileoftheA.2'.1Demography

......A.2.6.2Settlement Pattern..A.2.6.3SocialOrganization A.2.6.4SocialServicesA.2.6.5Political Organization A.2.6.6EconomicOrganization A.2.6.7Sociocultural Character A.2.7CulturalResources

..A.2.7.1Region.A.2.7.2PondHillSite,...References

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LocalArea~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*I~~~~~~~~istics~~~A.3.RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION

.A.3.1Introduction

.A.3.1.1Embankment Dam......'..A.3.1.2Spillway.............A.3.1.3Inlet-Outlet Structure

.A.3.1.4WaterConduitA.3.1.5PumpingPlantandIntakeStructure A.3,1.6AccessRoadA,3.2NodeofOperation A.3..2.1InitialFillingofReservoir

.A.3.2.2Compensation ReleasesA.3.2.3Conservation ReleasesA.3,2.4Refilling theReservoir A.3'Recreation AreaA.3.4Esthetics A.3.4.1Construction

..........,A.3.4.2Operation Reference.A.2-1A.2-1A.2-1A.2-1A.2-1A.2-5A.2-5A.2-9A.2-9A.2-9A.2-9A.2-9A.2-14A.2-20A.2-20A.2-20A.2-20A.2-20A.2-21A.2-21A.2-21A.2-21A.2-21A.2-21A.2-22"A.3-1A.3-1A.3-1A.3-1A.3-1A.3-5A.3-5A.3-5A.3-5A.3-5A.3-5A.3-7A.3-7A.3-7A.3-7A.3-7A.3-7A.3-7A.4.ENVIRONNENTAL EFFECTSOFCONSTRUCTION ANDOPERATION A.4.1ImpactsonLandUseA.4.2ImpactsonMaterUse.............

A.4~3Environmental Impacts~~A.4-1A.4-1,A.4-1A.4-1 CONTENTS~~0~~~~\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A.4.3.1Terrestrial A.4.3.2AquaticA.4.3.3Atmospheric A.4.4Hydrologic Impacts...A.4.4.1Construction A.4.4.2Operation A.4.5Socioeconomic ImpactsA.4.5.1Demography

.A.4.5.2Settlement Pattern.A.4.5.3ImpactstotheSocialSystem..........A.4.5'SocialServicesA.4.5.5ImpactstothePolitical SystemA.4.5.6ImpactstotheEconomicSystem......A.4.6ImpactstoCulturalResources References A.5.ALTERNATIVES, NEEDFORFACILITY, ANDBENEFIT-COST ANALYSISA.F1Alternatives toConstructing aWaterStorageReservoir

.A.5.1.1NoActionAlternative

--"RiverFollowing"

'.A.5.1.2,UseofExistingReservoirs

....A.5.1.3SummaryA.5.2Alternative SitesA.5.3Benefit-Cost AnalysisA.5.3.1NoActionAlternative

-,-"RiverFollowing"

...A.5.3.2UseofExistingReservoirs A.5.3.3PondHillReservoir A.5.3.4Discussion andConclusions A.5.4Evaluation ofUnavoidable AdverseEnvironmental ImpactsoftheProposedAction..~,,..~.....,~..A.5.4'Land..~...........~.....,,.A.5.4.2WaterA.5.4.3AirA.5.4.4Terrestrial EcologyA.5.4.5AquaticEcologyReference

.....~PaeA.4-1A.4-4A.4-10A.4-10A.4-10A.4-11A.4-12A.4-12A.4-13A.4-14A.4-14A.4-14'.4-14A.4-14A.4-14A.5-1A.5-1A.5-1A.5-1A.5-2A.5-2A.5-2"A.5-2A.5-4A.5-4A.5-4AD5-4A,5-4A.5-5A.5-5A.5-5A.5-6A.5-6APPENDIX1.LETTERFROMU.S.FISHANDWILDLIFESERVICErefederalendangered andthreatened speciesinPennsylvania lyproposedA.App.1-1APPENDIX2.ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEYPLANFORTHEPONDHILLRESERVOIR SITEPREPAREDFORPP&LBYCURTISE.LARSEN,ARCHEOLOGIST, COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATES, INC,JACKSON,MICHIGAN, 31OCTOBER1979.A.App.2-1 FIGURES~FtuleA.2.1A.2.2A.2.3'.2'A.2.5A.2.6A.3.1A.3.2A.3.3A.3.4A.4.1PondHillReservoir SiteLocation.GeneralPlanofthePondHillReserVoir Project.....LandRequirements forthePondHillReservoir Project.WaterequalityandAquaticLifeSamplingStationsatPondHillCreek....'loodplain ofPondHillCreek......Floodplain oftheSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityoftPePondHillSite.PondHillReservoir Construction AreasGeneralProjectPlanforPondHillReservoir withAlignment ofAlternatives DetailedSchematic ofSpillwayStructure forPondHillReservoir ProposedIntakeforPondHillReservoir

.Inlet-Outlet Structure

~PaeA.2-2A.2-3A.2-4A.2-6A.2-7A.2-8A.3-2A.3-3A.3-4A,3-6A.4-9A.v TABLESTableA.2.1A.2.2A.2.3A.2.4A.2.5Principal PlantSpeciesofTerrestrial Vegetation TypesOccurring atthePondHillSite.WaterIlualityCriteriaforPondHillCreek.WaterIlualityDatafromtheUpperSectionofPondHillCreek........

WaterIiualityDatafromtheLowerSectionofPondHillCreek.WaterIlualityin'theSusquehanna RiverneartheProposedIntakeSite....~PaeA.'2-11A.2-15A.2-'16A.2-17A.2-18A.4.1Comparisons ofWatergualityofSusquehanna RiverandPondHillCreekA.4.2SummaryofReservoir Operation BasedonHistorical FlowRecordsoftheSusquehanna RiveratWilkes-Barre A.4.3Anticipated Evaporation RatedonaMonthlyBasisfo'rthePondHillReservoir A.5.1Thirty-year PresentWorthoftheAverageAnnualReplacement EnergyCost...A.5.2StaffEstimates ofReplacement EnergyCostattheIncremental PriceA.5.3ShutdownProbabilities

....~.......A.5.4EffectofShutdownonReserveHargin..................,.A.4-5A.4-6A-4-8A,5-3A.5-3A.5-3A.5-5A.vi FOREWORDThisAppendixtotheFinalEnvironmental Statement waspreparedbytheU.S.NuclearRegulatory Coranission, OfficeofNuclearReactorRegulation (thestaff),inaccordance withtheComnission's regulation, 10CFR51,whichimplements therequirements ofthe'National Environmental PolicyActof1969(NEPA).NEPAstates,amongotherthings,thatitisthecontinuing responsibility ofthefederalgovern-menttouseallpracticable means,consistent withotheressential considerations ofnationalpolicy,toimproveandcoordinate federalplans,functions,

programs, andresources totheendthatthenationmay:Fulfilltheresponsibilities ofeachgeneration astrusteeoftheenvironment forsucceeding generations.

AssureforallAmericans safe,healthful, productive, andesthetically andculturally pleasingsurroundings.

Attainthewidestrangeofbeneficial usesoftheenvironment withoutdegradation, risktohealthorsafety,orotherundesirable andunintended consequences.

~Preserveimportant

historic, cultural, andnaturalaspectsofthenationalheritage, andmaintain, whereverpossible, anenvironment thatsupportsdiversity andvarietyofindividual choice.~Achieveabalancebetweenpopulation andresourceusethatwillpermithighstandards oflivingandawidesharingoflife'samenities.

4~Enhancethequalityofrenewable resources andapproachthemaximumattainable recycling ofdepletable resources.

Further,withrespecttomajorfederalactionssignificantly affecting thequalityofthehumanenvironment, Section102{2){C) ofNEPAcallsforpreparation ofadetailedstatement on:(i)theenvironmental impactoftheproposedaction(ii)anyadverseenvironmental effectsthatcannotbeavoidedshouldtheproposalbeimplemented (iii)alternatives totheproposedaction(iv)therelationship betweenlocalshort-term usesofthehumanenvironment andthemain-tenanceandenhancement oflong-term productivity (v)anyitreversible andirretrievable commitments ofresources thatwouldbeinvolvedintheproposedaction,shoulditbeimplemented Anenvironmental repottaccompanies eachapplication foraconstruction permit.Apublican-nouncement oftheavai'lability ofthe,reportismade.Anycoaeentsonthereportbyinterested personsareconsidered bythestaff.Inconducting therequiredNEPAreview,thestaffmeetswiththeapplicant todiscussitemsofinformation intheenvironmental report,toseeknewinformation fromtheapp'licant thatmightbeneededforanadequateassessment; andgenerally toensurethatthestaffhasathoroughunderstanding oftheproposedproject.Inaddition, thestaffseeksinformation fromothersourcesthatwillassistintheevaluation andvisitsandinspectstheprojectsiteandsurrounding vicinity.

Hembersofthestaffmaymeetwithstateandlocalofficials chargedwithprotecting stateandlocalinterests.

Onthebasisofalltheforegoing andothersuchactivities orinquiries asaredeemedusefulandappropriate, thestaffmakesanindependent assessment oftheconsiderations specified inSection102(2){c) ofNEPAand10CFR51.Thisevaluation leadstothepublication ofadraftenvironmental statement, preparedbytheOfficeofNuclearReactorRegulation, whichisthencirculated tofederal,state,andlocalgovernmental agenciesfotcomment.Asummarynoticeoftheavai'lability oftheapplicant's A,vii environmental reportandthedraftenvironmental statement ispublished intheFederalReister.Interested personsarealsoinvitedto-cogent ontheproposedactionandthedratstatement.

Commentsshouldbeaddressed totheDirector, DivisionofLicensing, attheaddressshownbelow.AAfterreceiptandconsideration ofcontentsonthedraftstatement, thestaffpreparesafinalenvironmental statement,.

whichincludesadiscussion ofquestions andobjections raisedbythecornnents andthedisposition thereof;afinalbenefit-cost

analysis, whichconsiders andbalancestheenvironmental effectsofthefacilityandthealternatives available forreducingoravoid-ingadverseenvironmental effectswiththeenvironmental,

economic, technical, andotherbene-fitsofthefacility.

Thisenvironmental reviewdealswiththeimpact'of construction andoperation ofthePondHillReservoir ontheenvironment.

Thisevaluation isbasedoninformation suppliedbytheapplicant, Pennsylvania Power8LightCompany,inAppendixHtotheEnvironmental ReportfortheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation(May1979)andotherdocuments, avisittothesiteoftheproposedreservoir (andfourofthealternate sites),andmeetingswithstateandlocaloff5cials.

NoNRCactionisrequiredpriortothestartofconstruction oroperation ofthisfacility,

~sincethenuclearpowerplantcanbegrantedanoperating licensewithoutthereservoir.

Priortostartofconstruction, theapplicant willobtainthenecessary permitsfromstate,localandfederalagencies, suchastheSusquehanna RiverBasinCommission (SRBC),U.S.CorpsofEngineers (COE),andtheU.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).Copiesofthisstatement areavailable forinspection attheCommission's PublicDocumentRoom,1717HStreetNW,Washington, DC,andattheOusterhout FreeLibrary,Reference Department, 71SouthFranklinStreet,WilkesBarre,PA.Singlecopiesofthisstatement maybeobtainedbywritingto:Director, DivisionofLicensing OfficeofNuclearReactorRegulation U.S.NuclearRegulatory Comnissioni Washington, DC20555Mr.RichardM.StarkistheNRCProjectManagerforthisproject.Mr.Starkmaybecontacted attheaboveaddressorat301/492-7238.

A.l.INTRODUCTION A:1.1HISTORYMakeupwaterforthetwonuclearreactorsoftheSusquehanna SteamElectr'ic Station(SSES)willbewithdrawn fromtheSusquehanna River.Whenconstruction permitsCPPR-101andCPPR-102wereissuedon2November1973,there>>erenorestrictions ontheamountofwaterthatcouldbeconsumptive1y usedbySSES.Waterusesandwithdrawals intheSusquehanna RiverBasinarecontrolled bytheSusquehanna River.BasinComnission (SRBC).Thiscommission, formedbyacompactbetweenthestatesofNewYork,Pennsylvania, andMarylandandth'efederalgovernment, issuednewrulesin1976prohibiting largewaterusers,suchastheapplicant, fromwithdrawing waterfromtheriverandusingitconsumptively duringperiodsoflowriverflowwithoutreturn-ingtotheriver,fromoffstream storagereservoirs, wateratarateequaltoactualconsumptive losses.Thecutoffpointforlimitingwithdrawals hasbeensetbytheSRBCastheconsecutive seven-day lowflowto'beexpectedeverytenyears(calledtheI)7-10flowrate).InFebruary1980,SRBCestablished 1July1984asthedeadlineforcompliance withitswatermake-uprequire-ments(SRBCRegulations, Sec.803.61).TheSRBChasdetermined that,basedon80,yearsofriverflow data,theg7-10valueapplicable toSSESis22.7m/s,asmeasuredattheWilkes-Barre gauge(letterfromR.J.Bielo,SRBC,toW.H.Regan,Jr.,NRC,30August1979).Theapplicant hasconsidered threealternatives formeetingthelow-flowcompensation require-mentsofSRBC:1.NottooperatetheplantwheneverriverflowisatorbelowtheI)7-10valueplusconsump-tiveuse.2.Topurchasetherequiredwaterfromanexistingreservoir.

3.Toconstruct itsownwaterstoragereservoir.

Option1,called"riverfollowing,'.-'ould requirereplacement electrical-generating

capacity, eitherfromotherPennsylvania Power&Lightfacilities orfromthePJM*grid.Theapplicant hasexaminedtherelativemeritsofthesethreealternatives andhasconcluded thatthemosteconomically desirable andmostreliablemeansofmeetingthelow-flowcompensa-tionrequirement wouldbebytheconstruction ofanewreservoir ownedandcontrolled byPPSL.Afterexamining thirteensitesalongtheSusquehanna River,theapplicant selectedasmallunnamedvalleyontheeastbankoftheriverabout3.7kmupstreamofSSESasthesitefortheproposedreservoir.

Thevalleycontainsasmallcreekthatflowsintermittently andisnearthesettlement ofPondHill.Thecompanyhasnamedtheproposedfacility"PondHillReservoir."

A.1.2PERMITSANDLICENSESTheNRChasnolegalauthority fortheissuanceordenialofanypermittoconstruct oroperateawaterstoragereservoir, sinceSSEScanbegrantedanoperating licensewithoutsuchafacility.

TheNRChasreviewedtheapplicant's requesttobuildanoffstream waterstoragereservoir andhaspreparedthisAppendixtotheFinalEnvironmental Statement todescribetheenvironmental impactsoftheproposedfacilityaswellasalternatives totheproposedaction.InMarch1979theapplicant submitted anapplication totheSRBCtobuildthePondHillReservoir; todatetheCoaeission hasnotcompleted itsreviewoftheapplication.

Theapplicant willobtainthenecessary permitsfromtheCorpsofEngineers, U.S.Department ofCommerceNationalOceanSurvey,andotherfederal,state,andlocalofficials.

TheproposedfacilityisinConyngham

Township, LuzerneCounty,Pennsylvania.

• Interconnection GrouplocatedinPennsylvania, NewJersey,andMaryland.

2A.2.THESITEANDITSENVIRONSA.2.1PLANTLOCATIONThesiteoftheproposedPondHillReservoir isasmallvalleydrainedbyasmalltributary oftheSusquehanna River,about3.7kmupstreamofSSES(Fig.A.2.1).Thesiteisabout24kmsouthwest ofthecityofWilkes-Barr eandllkmnortheast oftheBoroughofBerwick,PA.Thesiteisabout32riverkilometers downstream ofWilkes-Bar re.ThecreekdrainingthisvalleyisnotnamedondetailedU.S.Geological Surveymaps(Nanticoke 7.5minuteU.S.G.S.quadrangle),

butisknownlocallyasCatfishCreek.FigureA.2.2isaplanviewoftheproposedproject;showingthelocationofvariousstructuresaswellashighandlowwaterlevelsintheproposedreservoir.

ThesiteoftheproposedfacilityisinConyngham TownshipofLuzerneCounty.Sincethecreekandvalleyarelocated-justnorthofthesettlement ofPondHill,theapplicant hasused.thetermsPondHillReservoir forthewaterstoragefacilityandPondHillCreekforthetributary.

Thecoordinates ofthesiteare40'8'N,76'7'W.Presentaccesstothesiteisoversecondary roadsthroughthesettlement ofPondHill.Thenorthslopeofthevalleyissteep,witharidgerisingfromabout215to245mabovethevalleyfloor(seeFigs.A.2.2andA.2.3).ThesouthslopeofthePondHillCreekdrainageareaisflatter,witharidgelineabout60to90mabovestreambed.

StateHighway239parallels theSusquehanna RiverjusttothewestofthesiteandconnectsthevillagesofWapwallopen andHocanaqua.

ThePennsylvania Department ofTransportation estimated thattheaveragedailytrafficonthisstretchofRoute239was1550cars/dayin1978.LocalRoad40120istheprimaryaccessroadfromRoute239,thePondHillReservoir site,thesettle-mentofPondHill,andtheLily'akeco~unitybordering thelake;estimated usagein1978was750cars/day.

TheDelawareandHudsonRailroadrunsasingle-track, north-south lineparalleltotheriverjusttothewestofStateRoute239.Naximumdailyuseofthislineisfourtrainsperday.A.2.2LANDUSEAlthoughtheexactsiteboundaries (and,therefore, thesitearea)havenotyetbeenestablished, theareaofthesiteisexpectedtobeabout525ha.Thetentative siteboundaries areshowninFigureA.2.3;thisfigurealsoshowslocalroads,localtopography, andthesettlements ofPondHillandLilyLake.Oneunoccupied structure lieswithintheproposedsitearea.Therearenoinhabited structures.

About93%ofthesiteispresently coveredwithsecond-growth forestsandabout7$consistsofoldfieldsandcroplands.

Lessthanlloftheareaisclassified aswetlands.

Recreational useofthesiteincludeswalking,hiking,naturestudy,andhunting.Fishingisnotnowpossiblesincethestreamdoesnotsupportaviablegamefishpopulation.

A.2'METEOROLOGY ANDHYDROLOGY A.2.3.1~Neteorolo Sincethesiteoftheproposedreservoir sslessthan4kmnortheast ofthesiteofSSES,meteor-ologicalandclimatological conditions ofthesitearethesameasthosegiveninSection2.4ofthisEnvironmental Statement.

ELMIRA~SAYREPltBINGHAMTON NY.PAe00<<SKISHCKSH14YY CL4<<LTO<<MANSFIELOTROYTOWANOA@BIs4<<0020a00PONDHILLSITEg0e0<<0HIL'4CAR:":.IU Q)sSCRANTON@84N.FPORtJERVIS118LOCKHAVENWILLIAMSPORT QBOWILKESBARRE NANTICOKE

+11~PONDHILLSITELSUSQUEHANNA SES~BERWICK0tQBOIOBQISSUNBURYPBIBLOOMSBURG

@BI~HA?LETONe4S<<8SCAL4SS0S~e~HeiSHAMOKIN~POTTSVILLEFig.A.2.1.PondHillReservoir SiteLocation.

LLYLAKE/c.!.ItR,4/~1SUREOPIPELSIE/(.~rII"Fa8&ELiNE-':l,"',!-

.---INLETOUTLE'TSTRUCTURE ir-/INACTIVESTORAGELEVELEL.888OAM~~PROFCUTOFFSPILLWAYMAXIMUMWATERSUPPLYEL.88lTTRR+.'RTURE'9-PENNSYLVANIA POWER8LIGHTCOMPANYOENERALPLAN~LAIRIKK2TPPE~RRRTl4laCANNT~T10%

~SQ4AWIKllWWW%Fig.A.2.2.GeneralPlanofthePondHillReservoir Project Irb1!>>',gl/~lI/;T(.kfIfap~ILIlg~/r.ger'/IIIJN~~l'.'(.'.)+y@p-(/INNIMUMPOOLELEVATION tTERARESERVORMAXIMUMWATERSUPPLYELEVATION APERZUR-SITEPERIMETER CARO~lNsevlvuaa vomicaaveer~unwKaaMeaavvv~Nice~OICIIOkISNStCMlANDREOVtREMENTS

~saraaanFig.A.2.3.LandRequirements forthePondHillReservoir Pro)ect A.2-5A.2.3.2~HdroloPondHf'llCreekisasmallstreamwithheadwaters approximately 1.3kmnorthofthetownofPondHill.Thestreamflowswesterlyfor3.5kmtoftsconfluence withtheSusquehanna River,3.7kmupstreamfromtheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation.Therearenosignfffcant tributaries toPondHillCreek.Duringdryperiods,thestreamflow decreases andsomesectionsbecomeessen-tiallyintermittent, withwaterremaining onlyinthestreambed interstices.

Theproposedreservoir, willinundatea2.3-km(64%)upstreamsectionofthestream,leaving1.3kmfromthedamtotheSusquehanna River.Forpurposesofthisdiscussion, thefloodedstreamandlower,unflooded sectionarereferredtoasthe"upper"and"lower"portionsofPondHillCreek,respectively.

TheuppersectionofPondHillCreekhasanaveragellm/kmstreamgradient.

Throughout mostofthissection,thestreamalternates betweensmall-pool andrifflehabftats, withasubstrate ofboulders, rubble,andsomebedrock.Thispatternisinterrupted fntwoareas,whichwerepre-viouslyinundated asaresultofbeaverdams.Intheseareas,thestreambed ismostlysilt,mud,andgravel.Thus,theresultant streamhabitatbecomesalong,continuous run.Theupperstreamhasa2.1-maveragewidth,withmeasurements rangingfrom0.8to3'mthroughout theyear.Theaveragedepthisapproximately 0.1m,withatotalrangeoffrom0.03to0.39m.Currentvelocities average0.005m/s,rangingfrom0.003to0.02m/s.ThelowersectionofPondHillCreekhasamuchsteepergradient; theaveragestreamgradientinthissectionisabout70m/km,The2.6-maveragestreamwidthrangesfrom0'to4.2m,andtheaveragedepthisapproximately 0.1m,withaminimumof0.03andamaxfmumof0.39m.Currentvelocities averageroughly0.007m/s,rangingfrom0.003to0.02m/s."Characteristically, thestreamsubstrate isbedrockandbouldersalongwithsomerubbleandisolatedpatchesofgravel.Becauseofthesharpgradient, streamhabitatsaretypical'ly shallow,fast-flowing rffflesinterspersed withsmallpools.Thereareseveralsmall,andonerelatively large,waterfalls inthispartofthestream.Inaddition, atRoute239,thestreampassesthroughaculvertandfallsabout1.5mfromtheelevatedculvertbackintothestreamchannel.Sincethereareneitherextensive noraccessib'le pub'fished dataconcerning theaquaticecologyofPondHillC~eek,information presented inthefollowing sectionswasgatheredfromfieldsurveysconducted bytheapplfcant fromSeptember 1977toAugust1978(ER-OL,Section3'.3.1.1).

Thelocations ofthewaterqualityandbiological samplingstationsusedatPondHillCreekarepresented fnFigureA.2.4.Waterqualitysamplesweretakenmonthlyatthesite,andbiological sampleswereco11ected quarterly.

Inaddition, afishsamplewastakenfromthreesmallfarmponds,whicharelocatedatthesiteanddrainintoPondHillCreek.Thedrainageareaofthestream*above theproposedsiteofthedamis329ha.Becausethereisnogaugingstationonthestream,noinformation onhistoricflowsisavailable.

Theapplicant did,however,estimatefloodflowsusingstandardhydrologic methods.Theestimated 4Xchance(25-yearrecurrence) floodflowis39.3m>/s,the1$chance(100-year) floodflowis49.7ms/s,andtheestimated probablemaximumfloodflowis202m/s.Inaddition, themethodology utilizedbythePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources (DER)toestimatetheseven-day, ten-yearlowflowresultsinaflowof0.005ma/s.It.isprobable, however,thatthestreamdoesnotflowatallduringdroughtperiods.Thehydrology oftheSusquehanna Riverwasdiscussed earlier.Thefloodplain ofPonaHillCreekbelowtheproposedsiteofthedamisverynarrow(Ffg.A.2.5).Thefloodplain oftheSusquehanna RiverfnthevicinityoftheproposedlocationofthepumpingstationisshowninFigureA.2.6.Datafromboringsandwellsindicatethatthegroundwater contoursfnthevicinityofthepro-posedreservoir generally followthesurfacecontours.

Ontheridgesnorthandsouthofthestreamchannel,groundwater wasusuallyencountered between4and15mbelowthesurfa'ce.

Thestreamvalleycontainsseveralmarshes,springs,andfarmponds.A.2.3'WaterSourcesAtpresenttherearenousersofPondHillCreekwater.Aspringwithintheproposedprojectboundaryisusedasawatersupplyduringpartoftheyear.Itsusewouldhavetobeabandoned.

Mostofthenearbyresidences obtainwaterfromindividual wells.Therearenowellswithintheproposedprojectboundary.

OeeeDAM.I'.IIPI.v"".,

---

~--AT.Ii;AI.2eee*eSl,I-IgmewllSPILLWIW~SEL>-..~r~~~r~~'1*e~ee/SO<me)2tr~eagy~e-.44Se<<Sm:~~SA~TERAAPERTURECARPWATERCHEMISTRY OPHI-PONOHILLCREEKSAMPLEOPH2-PONOHN.LCREEKSAIIPLEOLS-LOWERSUSOUEHAHHA RIVERSAMPLEAQUATICINVERTEBRATES OAT-IOAT-2OAT-S(UICLUOES ZOOPLANKTON)

RESERVOIR 4IAXIMUMWATERSUPPLYELEVATIOH FISHSAMPLINSAREA0~I~CN@IVLVAINA POSSCR4ISOIITCOMPANY~Noe&eeeeee

~Neecleee4 velovWATERQUALITYANDAQUATICLIFESAMPLINQSTATIONSseCeeeeC41Fig.A.2.4.MatergualityandAquaticLifeSamplingStationsatPondHillCreek(Source:Tippetts-Abbett-HCCarthy-Stratton/Engineering andArchitects).

t'IVPy(('.-"!P'bl.THE-/(r.trI//~/rj-11.Ii'~/rM/'iiibutdom I'.:/!//Ei(ElijEISII(-=.-~VT11Ufl//rgE'RO~IS~SlIET0."~~~ES~~~~ES~RTS~~~ES~O'IiV/r'.,"(~/-Ar~'~i(/r}Ir;,./y('&(),Q~~

MINIMUMPOOLELEVATION RESERVOMMAXIMUMWATERSUPPLYELEVATION SITEPERIMETER I/tERAEAMFig.A.2.5.Floodplain ofPondHillCreek CO/joCHrtw'CEFlceDPLR/h'I aSS+I'vrtrIOtrIIO(~tc'~nohIIIf)IIIIRII'ERQN~ll5~(jSQuCORPORATE I.ISIITS~~LIMITS~%ORTi/Wp+V0IIr4rd~csrPc~ro'tfrIr

~~+Co~enodOrrari~)Fig.A.2.6.Floodplain oftheSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityofthePondHillSite.

A.2.4GEOLOGYANDSEISMOLOGY A.2.4.'I~GeoloTheproposedPondHillReservoir siteislocatedinthePenobscot Mounta1n.

areainthenorthernportionoftheValleyandR1dgePhysiographic Province.

Theprovinceischaracter izedbyintensely faultedanddeeplyerodedsedimentary rocksofPaleozoic age.Topographically, erosion-resistant sandstone formations formlongnarrowridges;valleyswereformedinthe1'essresistant lime-stonesandshales.DuringthePaleozoic Era,theAppalachian Mountainregionwasadepositional basincollecting thicksediments.

Sedimentation wasinterrupted severaltimesbymountain-building activities "climaxing intheAppalachian Mountains towardtheendoftheera.Sincethattime,theprimaryongoihggeologicprocesshasbeenerosion.The,reservoir siteisinanareathatwasglaciated duringthelasticeage,thePleistocene Epoch.Asaresult,thehighlyweathered rocks(parentmaterial)andoriginalsoilwereremoved;thepresentsoilsaretypicalofthoseformedinglaciated regions.Bed'rockinthereservoir areaconsistsofsandstone, siltstone, andshaleoftheCatskillfor-mationofDevonianage.Tothenorth,theCatskillformation isoverlainbyyoungerMississippian andPennsylvanian formations including anthracite coalbeds.Tothesouth,theCatskillforma-tion1sunderlain byoldersedimentary rocks.Thestrikeoftheformations isN68degreesE,anddipisnorthwesterly atanglesfromabout40to60degrees,averaging about45degrees.Jointingisevidentandprimarily parallels thebedding,althoughafewlowandhighanglejointsarealsopresent.Jointsintheweathered

.zonearefilledwithclay.Belowtheweatherbedzone,thejointsaregenerally tight;somehavebeenhealedwithcalcite.eA.2.4.2~SGIemolo ThesiteislocatedinZoneI(minordamage)ontheSeismicRiskMapoftheConterminous UnitedStates.>Thesiteisabout160kmfromthenearestZone2(moderate damage)boundaryand210kmfromthenearestZone3(majordamage)boundary.

Recordsofearthquake h1story1nthesiteregionwereexaminedtogetherwithanevaluation ofregionalandlocalgeologicstructures toestimatetheseismicriskatthesite.Thisanalysisresultedinarecommended designbasisseismiccoefficient of0.025.SeveralIntensity VI(Mod1fied MercalliScale)earthquakes havebeenrecordedwithin160kmofthesite.Manyofthesewerenotfeltatthes1te;otherswerefeltatthesitewithintensit1es equaltoorlessthanIV.Noknownfaultshavebeen1dentified inthevicinityofthesite.AlthoughlowanglethrustfaultsaboundinthispartoftheValleyandRidgeProv1nce, theyordinarily, cannotbeidenti-,fiedexceptthroughdetailedmapping.Thrustfaults,however,arenotgenerally associated withrecurring seismicactivity.

Reservoir-induced earthquakes arenotanticipated astheproposedreservoir issmallandtherearenoknownsubsurface structural weaknesses.

Onthebasisofthisassessment, theseismiccoefficient of0.05thathasbeenusedinthedesignofprojectfeaturesisconsidered bythestaffasconservative.

A.2.5SITEECOLOGYA;2.5.1Terrestrial EcoloThenorthandsouthboundaries ofthePondHillsitegenerally paralleltheupperridgesofasmall,steep-walled valley;thustheenvironmental conditions atgivenlocations withinthesitestronglyreflecttheinfluence ofthelocaltopography (seeFig.A.2.3).Theoccurrence ofaquaticenvironments isessentially limitedtothenarrowvalleybottomtraversed byPondHillCreek,asmalldrainageway thatconvergeswiththeSusquehanna Rivernearthewestboundaryofthesite.Ingeneral,soilmoisturelevelsinterrestrial environments decreaseatincreasing distances normaltoPondH111Creek.However,thetopographic influence onlocalsoilmoisturegradients ismostpronoun'ced inthenorthernportionofthesite,wherethevalleywall1shigher,theslopesareuniformly steeper,andthepredominately south-facing slopesareexposed togreaterinsolation.

Accordingly, plantcommunities occurr1ngonthemiddleanduppervalleyslopestendtobedominated byspeciestolerantofrelatively lowsoilmoisturelevels,whilelowlandvegetation istypically dominated byspecieswithrelatively highmoisturerequirements.

A.2.5.1.1 Vegetation ThePondHillsiteislocatedintheextremenorthernportionoftheRidgeandValleySection,asubdivision oftheOak-Chestnut Regiondelineated byBraun.zAlthoughhardwoodcommunities wereconsideredcharacteristic vegetation forthispartofthesection,Braunalsonotedthepresenceofhemlockandhemlock-white pinecommunities, referredtoasthe"mostmesic"communities ofthehighervalleys.Theoccurrence ofhemlockandwhitepinewasconsidered indicative oftransition tothemorenortherly Hemlock-White Pine-Northern Hardwoods Region.Theforegoing andotherreportedobservations aregenerally consistent withtheapplicant's characterization offorestvegetation occurring atthe,PondHillsite.Theapplicant differentiated vegetation ofthesiteintotwo-foresttypes,twowetlandcommunties, andundifferentiated oldfieldsandcropland(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3-1).About92Ãofthetotalsite(525ha)isclassified asforestland,about7Xasoldfieldsandcropland, andlessthan1%aswetlands.

Principal speciesofeachvegetation typeareindicated inTableA.2.1.Essentially allforestvegetation issecondgrowthhavingdeveloped subsequent tologgingbelievedtohaveoccurredduringtheearly1900s(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section3.2.2.2).

Hostoftheforeststandshavenotbeendisturbed forthelast30to40years.TheMixedDeciduous isthemostextensive ofthetwoforesttypes,occurring onabout74Kofthesite;theMixedConiferous-Deciduous typeonabout19K.Thelattertypeispresentinrelatively narrow,irregular beltsparalleling allbuttheextremelowerportionofPondHillCreek'where thestreamgradientisparticularly steep.Thistypealsooccursasscattered standsonthelowerslopesadjacenttotheSusquehanna River,andasrelatively smalloutliersonuplandportionsofthesouthvalleyslopewherethemorefavorable soilmoistureconditions prevail.TheHixedDeciduous typegenerally occursonthedrieruplands,thusflankingdistributions oftheHixedConiferous-Deciduous type.StandsoftheMixedDeciduous typedo,however,occuradjacenttoPondHillCreekinlimitedareas.Wetlands, oldfieldsandcroplandoccursontheremaining 7Xofthesite.SmallwetlandsarelocatedinthevalleybottomadjacenttoPondHillCreek.TheType3wetland,aninlandshallowfreshmarsh,s'resulting fromtheunionofseveralseepsandsoils'are saturated throughout theyear.ThepresenceofatleastfivesmallareasofType2wetlands, inlandfreshmeadows,isattributed topreviousbeaveractivities; thebeaverdamsarepresently indisrepair

.Oldfieldandcroplandvegetation occursasvariously scattered blocksadjacentto,ornear,thesouthboundaryofthePondHillsite,Thedistribution ofthisvegetation typegenerally cor-respondswithrelatively levelareasofuplandterrainwherefarmmachinery canbeoperatedwithrelativeease.Asobservedbythestaffduringsiteinspection, mostoftheseareaswerebeingmanagedforhayproduction.

Inadditiontoageneralsitesurvey,theapplicant sampledsystematically selectedforeststandsthatwouldbeinundated orotherwise disturbed duringcompletion oftheproposedproject.Theapplicant's analysisinvolvedpoolingdataandcalculating overallimportance valuesforindividual species(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.2-3).

Accordingly, theprincipal overstory speciesincludethefollowing, indecreasing orderofimportance:

redmaple,Americanelm,whiteoak,easternwhitepine,easternhemlock,andshagbarkhickory.Asimilarlistingofunderstory speciesincludes:

Americanelm,redmaple,flowering dogwood,witch-hazel,

hawthorn, andround-leaved dogwood.A.2.5.1.2 WildlifeResources Arelatively broadal'rayofwildlifehabitattypesexistswithinthePondHillsite.However,as1ndicated inSectionA.2.5.1.1, fopesthabitatsprevailthroughout mostofthesite.Thepredominance andthedistribut1on offorestvegetation occurringonsitetendstolimittheoccurrence oflessmobileanimalsthatareatleastpartially dependent onresources ofotherhab1tattypes.Ingeneral,transit1ons orecotonesbetweendiverse,adjoining plantcommunities areutilizedbyanimalscommontobothcomnunities, aswellasadditional speciesvariously dependent onhabitatconditions existingonlyintheecotone.Thedensityofanimalsassociated withtheecotonealsofrequently exceedsthatforeitheroftheadjoining communities.4 Thusthediyersity anddensityofwfldlifeanimalsassociated withextensive, uniformforestvegeta-tiontendtobelowerthanforpopulations frequenting anequalareainwh1chforestapdotherplantcommunities arevariously interspersed.

Inviewofthegreaterinterspersion ofhabitats(foresttypes,oldf1elds,cropland, andwetlands) inthesouthernuplandsandvalleyfloorofthePondHillsite,theabundance anddiversity ofwildl1fepopulations isexpectedtoberela-tivelyhighcomparedtothatfornorthernportionsofthesite,wherethevegetation consistsprimarily ofuniformdeciduous forest.

'TableA.2.1.Principal PlantSpeciesofTerrestrial Vegetation TypesOccurring atthePondHillSiteVegetation TypesHixedConiferous-Deciduous Overstory:-

Associate species:Understory andgroundflora:HixedDeciduous Overstory:

-Associate species:Understory andgroundflora:Type2wetland:Overstory:

Understory andgroundflora:Type3wetland:Overstory:Understory andgroundflora:Old-fields andcroplandGroundflora:Principal SpeciesAmericanelm(VlmusAmericana),

easternhemlock(Tsugacanadensis},

redmaple(Acerrubrum),easternwhitepine(Pinusstrobus),

whiteash(Fmrinusamericana)

Blackash(Fr~nusnigra),whiteoak(quercusalba).round-leaved dogwood(Comusrugosa),flowering dogwood(C.florida),

hawthorn(Cretaegus sp.),shagbarkhickory(Caryaovata)Chestnutoak(Quercusprinus),swampwhiteoak(q.bicolor),

Americanbeech(PagusgzenChfoHa),

witch-hazel (Pamamelis virginiana),

hawthorn, Virginiacreeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia),

ladyfern(Athyrium fili'-femina),

Christmas fern(Polystichum acrostichoides) poisonivy(thuszedicans)

Americanelm,redmaple,whiteoak,shagbarkhickory,sassafrass (Sassafras albidum)Chestnutoak,flowering dogwood,easternwhitepine,easternhemlock,graybirch(Betulapopulifolia)Flowering andround-leaved dogwood,witch-hazel, Americanelm,redmaple,whiteoak,graybirch,sassafrass, Americanchestnut(Castanea dentata),

mountainlaurel(Kalmialatifolia),

groundcedar(lycopodium tristachyum),

treeclubmoss(Eycopodium obscurum)

DeadtreesHad-dogskullcap(Scutellaria laterifolia),

goldenrods (So'Lidago sp.),sphagnum(Sphagnum sp.),skunk-cabbage (Symplocarpus foeHdus}EasternhemlockSphagnum, skunk-cabbage, cinnamonfern(Osmundacinnamomea),

commoncattail(TyphalatifoNa),

shiningclubmoss(Eycopodium lucidulum),

mayapple(Podophyllum peltatum)

Whiteandredclover(Trifolium repens,T.pratense),

cowensorrel(Burne~acetosella),

oxeyedaisy(Chrisanthemum leucanthemum),

comoonandEnglishplantains (Plarttago maJor,P.lanceolata),

timothy(Phelumpratense),

junegrass (Koelria~stata),sweetvernalgrass(Anthoxanthum ocbratum)

Source:ER-OL,AppendixH,Section3.2.2.2.

A.2-12MammalsPublished distribut1on mapsindicatethatthePondHillsite1swithintherangesofabout55mammals,s however,habitatrequirements formanyofthesespeciesislackingorpoorlyrepre-sentedatthesite.Theapplicant hasidentified 15speciesasbeing"fieldchecked"duringsitesurveys;anadditional species,porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum),

wassubsequently observedatthesite(ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCg.l3,28September 1979).Thewhitetail deer(Odocoileus virginianus) andblackbear(Ursusamericanus) arethelargestofthegamespeciesoccurring inthearea.Easterngraysquirrels (Sciuruscarolinensis) areabundant, butthedensityofeasterncottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus),

apopulargamespecies,isrelatively lowcomparedtothatofotherareas(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section3.2.2.3).

Otherspeciesthatmaybelegallyhuntedwithfirearmsandareknownorlikelytooccurintheareainclude:easternfoxs'quirrel (Sciurusnigez),redsquirrel(Tamkrsciurus hudsonicus),

raccoon(Procyonlotoz),woodchuck (Marmotamonaz:).andsnowshoehare(Lepusamericanus).

Locallytrappedspeciesoffur-bearing animalsinclude:raccoon,stripedskunk(Mephitis mephitis),

shorttail andlongtailweasels(Mustelaerminea,M.frenata),

opossum(Ndelphis marsupial'is},

mink(Mustelavison),redfox(Vulpesfulva),grayfox(thocyoncinezeoargenteus),

muskrat(Ondatrazibethica),

andbeaver(Castorcanadensis).

Theapplicant conducted small-mammal trapp1ngstudiesatthesite,resulting inthecaptureofshorttail shrew(Blarinabrevicauda),

borealredbackvole(OZethrionomys gapperi),

andwhite-footedmouse(Peromyscus leucopus).

Thepinevole(Pitymyspinetorum),

easternchipmunk(Tamiasstriatus),

anddeermouse(Peromyscus maniculatus) werealsoobserved(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.2.6).

Noneofthetenbatspeciesreportedtooccurintheregionzwereobservedduringsitesurveys;however,allarevariously associated withfdrestorwoodlandhabit'ats.

Somespec1esprobablyfrequentthesite,atle'astonoccasion.

Otherlikelyinhabitants ofthesitearenotedasfollows.Meadow)umpingmouse(Zapushudsonius)Iand meadowvole(Microtus pennsylvanicus) arefrequently occurring speciesofmoistmeadows,oldfields,andcropland.6 Maskedandsmokyshrews(Sorercinereus, S.fumeus)arealsotypicalinhabitants; theformerinhabitsawiderangeofhab1tats, thelatterinhabitshemlockforest.BirdsInformation presented bytheappliantindicates that"thelistofbirdsfortheregion"includes135species,andthatrecentseasonalsurveysverifiedtheoccurrence of75residentandmigra-toryspeciesatthePondHillsite.Alsonoted,"60speciesnotfieldcheckedmayalsobeusingthearea"(ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCg.ll,28September 1979).However,atotalof210birdspecieswereidentified duringsurveysconducted inthevicinityoftheSusquehanna SteamElec-tricStationlocatedabout4kmdownstream fromthePondHillsite.7Allspeciesidentified atPondHillareincludedintheinventory compiledfromsurveysattheSSESsite.Theinventories forthetwositesarealsosimilarinthatbotharecomprised ofahighproportion ofspeciesrepresentative ofthefamil1esParulidae (woodwarblers) andFringillidae (grosbeaks, finches,sparrows).

Incombination, speciesofthenamedfamiliescomprise35.8X(21.1and14.7%,respectively) ofthePondHillspeciesinventory.

Asderivedfrom1978surveysattheSSESsite,comparable percentages forthetwofamilieswere15.1and13.5,respectively.

Thema)ordifference betweentheSSESandPondHillinventories isapparentinthatthelatterdoesnotincludewaterfowl andotherspeciesvariously-associated withaquatichabitats.

However,the1978SSESsurveysentailedcensusing theSusquehanna River,including thatportionofthe"riverad)acenttothePondHillsite.Thespeciesmostfrequently observedduringthespringmigration periodincluded, indecreasing drderofoccurrence:

Canadagoose(Brantacanadeneis),

mallard(Anasplatyrhynchos),

woodduck(Aixsponsa),commonmerganser (Mergusmerganser),

ring-neckedduck(AythyacoZZaris),

andblackduck(Anasrubripes).

Someofthesespecies,especially woodduckandmallard,probablyinhabitthePondHills1teatvar1oustimes.Otherrecordedspeciesthatvariously usehabitatssimilartothoseonsiteinclude:killdeer(Oharadrius vociferus),

spottedsandpiper (Actitismacularia),

greaterandlesseryellowlegs (Tongamelanoleucus, T.flavipes).

beltedkingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon),andgreatblueheron(Ardeaherodius).

Uplandgamebirdsident1fied duri.ngsurveysatthePondHillsiteincludeonlyruffedgrouse(Bonasaumbellus) andwildturkey(Meleagris gallopavo)

(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.2-6).

Easternportionsofthesite'are'eriodically stockedwithturkeyandr1ng-necked pheasants (Phasianus coZchicus);

thelatterspecieswasnotobservedduringsurveys.TypicalhabitatoftheAmericanwoodcock(PhiZohela minor)existsonsite,and,althoughnotobserved, thespeciesisexpectedtobepresent(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section3.2'.3).Thebobwhite(C'oZinus virginianus) isalsoknowntooccurinthePondHillarea.zRuffedgrousewastheonlycommonlyobservedgamebirdspeciesdur1ngsite,survey.

A.2-13Information concerning therelativeabundance ofnongamebirdsthatfrequentthePondHillsite,isnotavailable, butotherstudiesservetocharacterize localbirdpopulations.

~sAccord-ingly,thecharacteristic speciesofforesthabitatsinclude:black-capped chickadee'(Parus atricapiZZub),

slate-colored junco(Juncohyemalis),

white-breasted nuthatch(Sittacarolinensis),

golden-crowned kinglet(Regulussatrapa),

anddownywoodpecker (Dendrocopus pubescens).

Otherspeciesabundantduringtwoormoreseasonsinclude:bluejay(Gyanositta cristata),

ovenbird(SeirusaurocapiZlus),

andwoodthrush(Hylocichla mustelina).

Birdpopulations ofopen-field habitats,tend tobedominated byfieldsparrows(SpizeZla pueilla),

songsparrows(Melospiza meZodia),

starling(Sturnusvulgaris),

andAmericangoldfinch (Spinistrietis).

Otherseasonally abundantspeciesinclude:yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas),

slate-coloredjunco,andindigobunting(Passerina cyanea).Characteristic speciesofwetlandhabitatsinclude:swampsparrows(Helospiza georgiana),

songsparrows, red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus),

cardinal(Richmondena cardinalis),

andAmericangoldfinch.

Otherspecieswellrepresented dur1ngtwoormoreseasorisinclude:robin(Turdusmigratorius),

yellowwarbler(Dendroica petechia).

graycatbird(Dumetella carolinensis),

yellowthroat, andstarling.

RetilesandAmhibiansInventories ofreptilesandamphibians'reported occurring inPennsylvania consistof48and38speciesandsubspecies, respectively.9 Basedonpublished species-distribution maps,only20amphibians and19reptilesarelikelytoinhabitthePondH111area.oInventories compiledfromsurveysofthePondHillsiteconsistof5reptilesand17amph1bians (ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.2-6).

Reptilesreportedasoccurring onsiteinclude3snakesand2turtles.Thevenomousnortherncopperhead (Agkistrodon contort~mokasen)isassociated withforesthabitat;thenorthernwatersnake'(Rat~

sipedonsipedon)withallaquatichabitats, andtheeasterngartersnake(Thamnophis sirtalissirtaZis) withallterrestrial andaquatichabitats.

Hidlandpaintedturtles(Chrysemys pictamarginata) wereobservedinthemarshes;theeasternboxturtle(Terrapene carolinacmelina)occurredinallterrestrial habitats(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.2-6).

Anurans(frogsandtoads)reportedasoccurring inforesthabitatsnearwaterinclude:,

Amer1cantoad(Bufoamericanus),

spr1ngpeeper(Hylacrucif'er),

andgraytreefrog(Hylaversicolor)

~Woodfrog(Ranasylvatica) wereobservedinmoistwoods,aswellasstreamside.

Northernleopardfrog(Ranapipiens)wasobservedtofrequentmeadowhabitats, Otheranurans(3frogs)identified duringsurveyswereassociated withthelimitedstreamandmarshhabitatsoccurring onsite.Similarly, mostsalamanders, aswellasthered-spotted newt(Hotopthalmus viridescens viridescens) wereobservedinstreamside habitats.

Theexceptions, red-backed andslimysalamander s(Plethodon cinereuscinereus, Plethodon glutinosus glutinosus),

wereassociated withforestandrockywoodlandhabitats.

Mountainduskysalamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) andnorthernspringsalamanders (Gyrinophilus porphayriticus) werereportedtofrequentwetwoodsaswellasstreamside hab1tats.

A.2.5.1.3 Endangered andThreatened SpeciesNoneofthecurrentfederally designated plantspecies(including varieties) ofendangered orthreatened statusoccurinPennsylvania.

~'iveplantsthatwereproposedforfederallistingin1976~zarereportedtooccurinthestate;knowndistributions ofthesefivespecies,however,donotincludeLuzerneCounty,withinwhichthePondHillsiteNslocated(seeAppendixA).Agrassspecies(Poapaludigina) proposedforfederallistingin1975>>hasbeencollected inLuzerneCounty;however,thespecieswasnotobservedin1979sitesurveys(ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCI).9,28September 1979).ThePondHillsiteiswithinthereportedd1stributional rangeoftwomamaalsandthreeb1rds1ncludedinthefederallistofthreatened ande'ndangered species;>>namely,theeastern.cougar(FeZisconcolorcougar),Indianabat(Hyotissodalis),

baldeagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus),

andAmericanandarcticperegr1ne falcons(Paleoperegrinus anatum,F.p,tundrius).

Noneoftheseanimalswasobservedduringsurveys,ofthePondHillsite(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section3.2,2,3),

althoughrecentlocalsightings ofbaldeagleandAmericanperegrine falconhavebeenreported.>~~

Thenatureofthesesightings isconsistent withinformation receivedbythestaffthatindicates federally listedorproposedendangered orthreatened animalsunderthejuris-dictionoftheU.S.FishandWildlifeService(including thosementioned) arenotknowntofrequentthePondHillareaotherthanasoccasional transient 1ndividuals (seeAppendixA).Noneoftherept1lesandamphibians designated asthreatened orendangered speciesbythePennsylvania FishComnissjon~4 wereobservedduringsurveysofthePondHillsite(ER-OL,Appen-A.2-14d'ixH.Section3.2.2.3).

Comparable statedesignat'iona ofendangered orthreatened naossaisand~birdshavenotbeenmadeatthistime(ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoHRCO.TER-6.1).A.2.5.1.4 SoilsAnestimated 84%ofthePondHillsitesoilsareofCapability ClassesVthroughVIIIasdefinedbytheOeS.SoilConservat1on Service(ER-OL,AppendixH,Table3.2.6-4)andareunsu1tedfornormaltillageofagricultural crops.Theseonsitesoilsarecharacterized byexcessive stoni-ness,wetn'ess, shallowness, and/orerosionhazard.Capability ClassIIsoils(including primefarmland) arepresentonabout9.6lofthesite,andoccurasscattered, irregular tractsnearoradjacenttothesouthboundaryofthesite.Thedistribution ofClassIIsoilsislimitedtothemorerlevelareasofuplandterrain.Theremaining soilsofthesitearedesignated asClassIIIandIVsoils(ER-OL,AppendixH,Fig.3-13),thusindicating suitability fortheproduction ofcultivated crops.However,therespective severeandveryseverelimitations ofClassIIIandIVsoilsrestrictcroplandman-agementalternatives,suchaschoiceofcropplantsand/orsoilmanagement practices requiredtoconservethesoilresource.

Somescattered patchesofClassIIIandIVsoilsoccurinthevalleybottomandadjacenttotheSusquehanna River;mostofthesesoils,however,arecon-tiguouswithClassIIsoilsinuplandsofthesouthernportionofthesite.Theforegoing groupings ofonsitesoilsarebasedonrelativepotentials foragricultural pro-ductivity.

Inviewofthehighproportion offorestvegetation occurring onsite,soil-woodland siteindexcorrelations arealsoindicative ofonsitesoilproductivity.

Withoneexception, woodlandproductivity ratingsforthemajorgroupingofonsitesoilsarehigh(ER-OL,AppendixH,'able3.2.6-5).

iA.2.5.2.1 WatergualityA.2.5.2.1.1 PONDHIIICREEK.ThePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources hasrecentlypromulgated arevisedsetofwaterqualityregulations forthestate'ssurfacewaters.ThewaterqualitycriteriathatapplytoPondHillCreekundertheseregulations arepresented inTableA.2.2.Inthissystem,PondHillCreekisclassified withtheunnamedtributaries totheNorthBranchoftheSusquehanna River,andhasadesignated protected wateruseforthemaintenance and/orpropagation ofcoldwater fishes,specifically theSalmonidae (trout);however,fishsamplingfailedtorevealthepresenceoftroutinthestream(ER-OL,Section3,2,3.1,2).

Honthlywatersampleswerecollected fromboththeupperandlowersectionsofPondHillCreek.Resultsoftheanalysesofthesesamplesarepresented inTablesA.2'andA.2.4.Ingeneral,PondHillCreek'isaclear,highlyoxygenated, coldwater stream.Ithassoftwaterandisweaklybuffered.

ThewaterqualityofPondHillCreekmeetsboththecriteriaproposedbyDERandthoserecommended forfishandotheraquaticlifebyEPA.Afewparameters, specifically fecalcoliforms andammonia,occasionally exceededDERcriteria, butthemagnitude bywhich'the standards weresurpassed wasnotexcessive.

A.2.5.2.1,2 SUSQUEHANNA RIVERATRESERVOIR PUMPSTATIONSITE.WaterqualitycriteriaandanalysesfortheSusquehanna Riverwerediscussed inthemainbodyofthisStatement.

Additional sam'pleswerecollected fromtheriverattheproposedintakelocation; resultsoftheanalysesaretabulated inTableA.2.5.Samplingwasconducted fromHarchtoAugust1978.Thedat'aindicatethatallparameters excepttotalironandfecalcoliformbacter1acomplywiththeDERrecommended criteriafortheriver.A.2.5.2.2 AquaticLifeA.2.5.2.2.1 PONDHItICREEK;'gualitative samplesofplankton, periphyton, andmacrophytes werecollected inPondHillCreek.guantitative samplingwasconducted forbenthicmacroinver tebrates(ER-OL,Section3.2.3.1.3) andfishes.rVeryfeworganisms werefoundinanyoftheplanktonsamplestakenatPondHillCreek.Vir-tuallyalloftheplankton1c speciescollected werewashedoutordetachedfromtheperiphyton community.

Theseincludedthed1atoms(Syne&a,Nitzeohuz,

NavicuEa, andStauroneie) alongwithfragments ofthef1lamentous greenalgae(Spriogyra).

Zooplankton samplesrevealedthepresenceofafewrotifers, ostracods, cladocerans,

copepods, andsomedriftinginsectlarvae.Ingeneral,theplanktonofPondHillCreekistypicalofmostsmallstreams,wheretheconstantturbulent A.2-15TableA.2.2.WaterequalityCriteriaforPondHillCreekaStreamUnnamedTributaries oftheSusquehanna River(NorthBranch)Protected waterusesDissolved oxygenpH'IronZoneBasins,Lackawanna RivertoWestBranchSusquehanna RiverColdwater fishes;maintenance and/orpropagation offishspeciesincluding thefamilySalmonidae andadditional floraandfaunaindigenous toacoldwater habitat.Minimumdaily~average 6.0mg/L;novaluelessthan5.0mg/L.Forlakesandimpoundments only,novaluelessthan5.0mg/Latanypoint.Notlessthan6.0andnotmorethan9.0.IHottoexceed1.5mg/Lastotaliron;nottoexceed0.3mg/Lasdissolved iron.Temperature Nomeasurable risewhenambienttemperature is14'rabove;notmorethana2.84Criseaboveambienttemperature untilstreamtemperature reaches144C;nottobechangedbymorethan1.134Cduringanyone-hourperiod.Totalfilterable residueat1054CHotmorethan500mg/Lasamonthlyaveragevalue;notmore'than750mg/Latanytime.Bacteria(fecalcolifdrm)Alkalinity Totalmanganese FlourideCyanideSulfatePhenolCopperZincAluminumArsenicChromiumLeadNitriteplusnitrateasnitrogenAmmonianitrogenDuringtheswimmingseason(May1-September 30),thefecalcoliformlevelshallnotexceedageometric meanof200per100mLbasedonfiveconsecutive samplescollected ondif-ferentdays;fortheremainder oftheyear,thefecalcoliformlevelshallnotexceedageometric meanof2000per100mLbasedonfiveconsecutive samplescollected ondif-ferentdays.Alkalinity shallbe20mg/LormoreasCaCOsfonfreshwater aquaticlife,exceptwherenaturalconditions areless.Hottoexceed1.0mg/L.Nottoexceed2.0mg/L.Nottoexceed0.005mg/Lasfreecyanide.Nottoexceed250mg/L.Nottoexc'eed0.005mg/L.Nottoexceed0.1ofthe96-hourLC50forrepresentative important species.Nottoexceed0.01ofthe96-hourLC50forrepresentative important species.HottoexceedO.lofthe96-hourLC50forrepresentative important species.Hottoexceed0.05mg/L.Hottoexceed0.05mg/Lashexavalent chromium.

Nottoexceed0.05mg/L.Nottoexceed0.01ofthe96-hourLC50forrepresentative important species.Nottoexceed10mg/Lasnitratenitrogen.

Notmorethan0.5mg/L.Source:ER-OL,Vol.IV,AppendixH,Table3.2.3-1.

TableA.2.3WaterequalityDatafromtheUpperSectionofPondHillCreekParaneter 19771978Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Har.Apr.HaytunedulyAu9.NHeanS.D.dHax.Hin.Teuperature, water(<C)Dissolved oxy9en(pp)BODCODpH(s.u.)Alkalinity asCaCDsTotalhardnessasCaCosTotaldissolved solids1'otalsuspended solidsTurbidity (JTU)Specificconductance (thos)Color(CPU)Sulphateas5Orthophosphate asPTotalphosphate asPNitrateasNChlorideTotalcopperTotaliron'Totalnan9anese ColiforntotalHPN/100nLColiformfecalHPN/100uLfecalstreptococci HPN/100ni.17.09.37.010.17.005.5.24.089.4150.0551113.70.020.010.011.6.O.O20.470.05110093<19.011.23.08.06.302.817.044.8<0.51.048<I-11.00.010.020.053.4<0.020.490.03110093<16.011.32.13.67.252.320.08.4516.02.542312.00.010.020.10r2.3<0.020.210.03110015053.5-0.50.012.513.012.40.5<0.5<I4.0<57.36.706.807.256.417.53.715.0'15.016.0<0.599.437.83.411.313.10.62.26.046484845611.016.010.50.020.010.040.080.010.040.030.270.204.35.5.3.10.03<0.020.050.26,0.290.39<0.020.020.022104324064+<3<<325<1<15.0<1<<56.451.817.53.06.12.348<IIf.30.010.060.24<0.50.020.400.04240240<1B.D12.3<I<57.208.330.045.56.32.052712.0<0.020.030.200.50.020.35<0.02>>2400460<110.011.62.0<54.014.037.62.51.952101'1.00.030.090.431.7<0.020.800.05210232012.09.9<1.017.07.3014.018.056.59.65.549226.00.02<0.020.130.4<0.020.870.05>240011003514.08.4<1.09.06.6017.082.047.46.37.0231.00.050.050.121.7<0.021.400.071100231017.58.21.023.06.8017.020.0S0.440.710.05328<'I.o<0.011.110.160.6<0.021.640.022400110030121112121112121212llll1212121212121212121212128.510.91.88.56.888.424.043.463.83.749.210.19.70.020.130.16r2.10.020.630.051045.3279.310.92.923.301.332.922.6222.894.906.597.991.937.'103.183.120.1440.3580.4021.4610.1530.7940.22432.3316.713.30'17.513.07.023.07.3017.582.099.4516.010.0552816.00.05.1.110.435.50.051.640.20>>2400110035-0.58.2<0.53.66.301.814.0<0.50.50.64210.010.010.010.4<0.020.21<0.0243<3<1Source:ER-OL~Vol.IV,AppendixH,Table3.2.3-2.Unitsu9/Lunlessstatedotherutse.

N~nunberofsanples.S.D.standarddeviation.

TableA.2.4.WatergualityDatafrom.theLowerSectionofPondHillCreek19771978Paraneterb Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Her.Apr.HayJuneJulyAug.NHeanS.D.cdNax.Hin.Teoperature, water(4C)Dissolved oxygen(ppu)BODCODpH(s.u.)A)ta)in)ty asCaCOsTotalhardnessasCaCOsTotaldissolved solidsTotalsuspended solidsTurbidity (JIU)Specificconductance (yahos)-Color(CPU)Sulphateas5Orthophosphate asPTotalphosphate asPNitrateasNChlorideTotalcopper.TotalironTotalnanganese Co))ferntotalHPN/100nLCo))fernfecalHPN/100nLFecalstreptococci HPN/100nL16.09.06.59.511.812.08.04.01.211.17.43.47.106.657.607.411;02.324.023.019.0108.0.49.615.4120.0<0.51.40.73.059454810<1313.2'12.011.80.0<0.010.020.0)<0.010.02<0.010.07<<0.050.72.69.5<<0.02<0.02<0.020.600.460.220.030.040.0246024015024092310<1<13.513.00.59.07.101.815.0<0.53.10.8484)2.5<0,01<0.010.03<0.50.030.200.0415023<10.01.04.013.913.1<0.5<136.8<5.0<5.07.007.307.3023.01.8<1.016.017.015.5102.056.014.28.96.15.21.65.50.646456854<1)6.813.61\.90.02<<0.020.020.010.050.100.330.21.0.122.911.1<0.50.030.060.020.250.390.340.020.02<<0.0243434604<343<1<1<16.58.013.313.2<12.0<5.0<5.07.5511.05.021.022.0133.043.34.98.31.32.5495031511.09.0<0.020.04<0.020.08<0.100.08<0.52.1<<0.02<0.020.250.41<0.020.034602104343<11010.012.4<1.07.07.1011.014.052.38.23.6501212.00.060.040.270.40.021.080.04>2400932014.58.9<118.06.7019.020.044.422.45.2106.00.020.020.241.08<0.023.110.212409<119.08.01.012.06.8016.021.056.28.03.85522.7.0<0.010.470.2111<0.020.650.10>240093<1128.21111.7122.0127.9117.11129.21219.01256.21216.4112.61)51128121).4120.02120.07120.14122.7120.03120.66120.051260912521242.863.431.422.812.6663.034.357.504.051.617.22.73,380.1500.2650.3791.660.1580.8140.22224.77.22.016.013.98.018.07.6023.024.0133.0)20.05.5682216.80.060.470.3311.10.063.110.21>2400240200.08.0<0.53.46.65<1.014.0<0.5<0.50.74516.0<0.01<0.010.010.4<0.020.20<0.0243<3<1Source:SN-OL.Yo),IV,AppendixH,Table3.2.3-3.Unitsng/Lunlessstatedotherwise.

N~nuuberofsauples.dS.O.~standarddeviation.

TableA.2.5.WatergualityintheSusquehanna RiverneartheProposedIntakeSiteaParameterb Har.1978Apr.HayJuneJulyAug.NHeanSD.Hax.Min.cd'emperature, water('C)Dissolved oxygen(ppm)BODCODpH(s.u.)Alkalinity asCaC03TotalhardnessasCaCOaTotaldissolved solidsTotalsuspended solidsTurbidity (JTU)Specificconductance (thos)Color(CPU)SulphateasSOrthophosphate asPTotalphosphate asPNitrateasNChlorideTotalcopperTotalironTotalmanganese

Coliform, totalHPN/100mLColiform, fecalHPN/100mLFecalstreptococci HPN/100mL3.01.07.07.2523.066.167.29.1161602628.80.060.070.9712.8<0.022.110.29>2400240107.012.6<124.07.6041.484.0122.021.77.5190730.00.040.051.0011.0<0.021.960.19433<113.510.73.05.019.073.0138.0'.55.12002546.00.060.120.736.2<0.021.630.32>24002103516.014'<17.08.6046.0109.0196.019.99.82306897.00.020.100.6111.5<0.022'30.49>24004608522.08.92.010.07.2066.0167.0290.09.511.065180.0<0.010.4318'<0.022.340.66>24004601025.09.0'.025.07.2060.0136.0215.036.5'2.033080148.00.100.840.5514.5<0.024.700.90>24001100656566566666,566666666666614.411.22213.07.5742.6105.9171.417.410.22224588.30.050.200.7212.4<0.022.530.482007412343.803.351.473.612.7516.5210.2913.094.173.2014.96.729.400.220.450.8463.52'0.1411.5900.68944.820.35.925.014.95.025.0.8.6066.0167.0290.0'36.516.033080180.00.100.841.0018.4<0.024.700.90>24001100853.03.35<15.07.2019.066.167.29.15.1160728.8<0.010.040.436.2<0.021.630.19433<1Source:ER-OL,Vol.IV.AppendixH,Table3.2.3-7.Unitsmg/Lunlessstatedotherwise.

N=numberofsamples.S.D.=standarddeviation.

tandfast-flowing waterusuallyinhibitsthedevelopment ofatrueself-reproducing driftcommunity.

Instead,anormallysparsemake-'shift planktoncoaraunfty isderivedfromorganisms washedoutofsmallpondsandquietbackwaters ordislodged fromthestreambed andperiphyton.

Theperfphyton coaraunfty fnPondH111Creekfsdominated byfilamentous algaeandattacheddfa-toms.Themostabundantdiatomswerethoselistedintheprevfousparagraph.

Otherrelatively commondiatomsincludedMeZcsirvr andOymbsZZa.

Themostcommonlyobservedfilamentous algaewasthegreenalgaeSpizcgym.

Collectively, filaments ofSpricgyva oftenformednoticeable tuftsuponrocks,sticks,andotherdebrisinthestream.Otherfilamentous algaepresentintheperiphyton includedgr'eenalgae(Oedogcnium andDesmidium),

redalgae(Batrvrchcspsvmrrm),

andblue-green algae(OsciZZatc&a).

Nfcrofauna foundinthe,periphyton consisted primarily ofprotozoans, part1cularly theciliateOoZpidium androtffersfromthefamilyBrachfonidae.

Themostcommonfloweving plantsfoundfnthestreamincludedcattails(Typha),pondweed(Pctcmcgeton),

bushpondweed(NaJ'as)',

waterweed (EZodsa),

iris(Iris),andwatercress (Nasturtium).

Cattails, pondweeds, andwaterweeds wererelatively abundantintheuppersectionofPondHillCreekinareaspreviously inundated bybeaverdams.However,themostnoticeable macrophytes fnthestreamwerewatermoss(PontirraZis) andleafyliverwort (OhiZcscyphus),

bothofwhichformeddensegrowthsonmostofthestonesandbouldersinthestreambed.

Watermossandliverwort aregenerally considered typicalinhabitants ofhard-bottomed, coldwater streams.>>1Atota'1of12,435macrofnvertebrate specimens werecollected fromseasonalvisitstoeachofthreesamplingstationsatPondHillCreek.Theaveragedensityofthesemacroinvertebrates was3,844organisms/m2, rangingfromalowof1,789toahighof10,411.Thedominantinsectsfoundinthemacroinvertebrate coraaunity ofPondHillCreekwereflylarvae(Diptera) andmayflynymph(Ephemeroptera).

Thesetwogroupsofinsectlarvaecomprised 44.2and28.3X,respectively, ofallorganisms collected.

ThemostabundantDipteranlarvaeweremidgelarvaeofthefamilyChironomidae.

Ircrropsis andEphsmsreZZa werethemostnumerousmayfliesobserved.

Otherwell-represented macroinvertebrates includedstoneflylarvae(10.3%ofthetotalspecimens),

caddfsfly larvae(8.8X),beetles(2.3X),clams(2.1%),andworms(1.9Ã).Collectively, thesemacrofnvertebrates aretypicalofstony-bottomed, smallstreams.Diversityindicescalculated forallofthemacroinvertebrate samplescollected fnPondHillCreekrangedfrom2.87to4.18.Onlytwoofthetwelve1ndfceswevebelow3.0.Theoverallaverageindexwas3'6.TheseveryhighvaluesindicatethatPondHillCreeksupportsawell-balancedcommunity ofmacroinvertebrates.

Thestreamsupportsaverylimitedfishcosrnunfty.

Seasonalfishsamplescollected fntheupperandlowersectionsofthestreamrevealedonlyfivespecies.Theprimaryfactorlimitingthefishcommunity fnPondHillCreekisapparently theintermittent natureofthestream.Also,sincefishareprevented frommovingupintothestreamfromtheSusquehanna Riverbyanelevatedculvertnearthestream'smouth',therearenomigratory species'presentinthestream.Fishsampling1nPondHillCreekcoveredadistanceofabout250mofthelowersectfonandapproximately 830moftheuppersection.Sampleswerecollected withanelectrical shockerandminnowseines.Ofthefivespeciesfound,onlytheblacknose dace(Rhirrichthys atvatuZus),

acommonminnowspecfesinPennsylvania andotherpartsofthenortheastern UnitedStates,wasabundant.

Othercmmonmfnnowspeciesfoundincluded:

goldenshiners(Notemigonus cvyscZsucas),

fatheadminnows(PimephaZes promeZas),

andcreekchub(SsmctiZus atrcmacuZatus).

However,only9,10,and01specimens, respectively, ofthesethreespecieswerecollected.

Theremafning ffshspecieswasrepresented byasinglespecimenoflargemouth bass(Micvcptevus saZmcides) caughtinthelowersectionofthestreaminDecember1977.Sinceonlythisoneindividual wasfoundfnallthefishsamples,ftfsclearthatPondHillCreekdoesnotsupportalargeresidentpopulation ofthisspecies.Furthermore, it1sprobablethatthesinglebassJuvenileorig1nated fromoneofthesmallfarmpondslocatednearthestream.Thesepondsareconnected toPondHillCreeknear1tssourcebyasmallrivulet.1NoneofthespeciesfoundinPondHil}CreekisincludedoneithertheU:S.FishandWildlifeService's listofEndangered andThreatened WildlifeandPlantsorthePennsylvania FishCom-mission's listofEndangered, Threatened orIndeterminate Fishes,Amphibians orReptilesofPennsylvania.

ThestreamhasneverbeenstockedbythePennsylvania FishCommission, andnofishermen wereobservedonthestreamduringthesamplingprogram.A.2.5.2.2.2 SUSQUEHANNA RIVERATRESERVOIR PUMPSTATIONSITE.Biological datagatherednearSSESprovidethemostadequaterepresentation ofthenatureoftheaquaticbiotainthevicinityoftheproposedreservoir intakesite.

A.2-20Thereaderisreferredtothe'applicant's annualreportsandtothemainbodyofthisEnvironmental Statement foradditional information aboutthesite.>e-zo A.2.6SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILEOFTHELOCALAREAThesocioeconomic profilefortheareasurrounding theproposedPondHillreservoir willfocusonConyngham

Township, LuzetneCounty.This"area hasbeenselectedbecausetheproposedreser-voirsiteiscentrally locatedinthistownship, andthemostdirectimpactsofconstruction andoperation areexpectedtooccurhere.A.2.6.1~DemorahIn1970,thetotalpopulation ofLuzerneCountywas342,301,a22.5%decreasefrom1940(ER-OL,Table3.1-1).Between1970and1977,population declinedatarateof1%peryear.z~Incom-parison,Conyngham Township's populations totaled1,693in1970andwaspro)ected tohaveincreased to1,788in1976,anincreaseof5.6l.zComparedtonationaltrends,theagestructure ofthecountyandtownshipcanbecharacterized asanolderpopulation becauseoftheproportion ofpeopleover65yearsofage.zz6zs In1970,theproportion ofpeopleover65was13.0Xforthecountyand13.1%forthetownship, ascomparedto10.8Xforthestate.z4A.2.6.2Settlement PatternPopulation concentrations arelocatedinfourareasofConyngham Township:

Mocanaqua, Wapwall-open,PondHill,andLilyLake.z"Scattered housesandsmallfarmswereobservedsurrounding thesesmallpopulation centersandintheareasbetweenthem.~HooeeoIngeneral,thetownshiphousingstockischaracterized asold;about83%ofthecurrentstruc-tureswerebuiltbefore1939.z4However,thecondition oftheavailable 1976housingwasstillratedasfairtogood,andthedemandfornewhousesisexpectedtoincreaseby1980,zsRepairandrenovation ofolderhomesandsummerhomeswasobservedbythestaff,particularly inthePondHillandLilyLakeareas.Recreation (Aseriesofrecreational facilities arelocatedinConyngham Township; thesehavebeenlistedinacountyrecreational studyandpresented asTable3.8.3ofReference 24.Inadditiontotheselistedfacilities, troutfishingisavailable inLittleWapwallopen Creek,fishingandboatingopportunities atLilyLake,andhuntingandhikinginseveralofthestategamelands,z"

'etailedinformation oncurrentrecreational.

needsandplansforthetownshiparenotavailable.

However,aneedforadditional recreational facilities ofdifferent typeshasbeenidentified forallofLuzerneCounty,whichwouldincludeConyngham Township(seeSection2.2.3.3).

A.2.6.3SocialOranization Anestimated 80Ãofthe1970households inthetownshipwerecomposedoffamilies.

Thesocio-culturalcharacteristics ofthetownshiphavebeendescribed asruralintermsofitspopulation density,atmosphere, andavailable services.

However,thepopulation concentrated inthe'settle-mentofMocanaqua, whichhasbeenhistorically associated withthecoal-mining

industry, isnowdistinctively agricultural andmorediversethanthattypically associated withruralareas.>".A.'2.6.4SocialServicesSewae'andWaterPublicwaterservicesarecurrently available inMocana~ua andWapwallopen.z4 Mocanaqua hassomepublicsewage,butneedsrenovation ofitssystem.~Sewagetreatment isplannedforWapwallopen andLilyLake.><FireandPoliceProtection Thetownshiphasapart-time policeforcemadeupoffourpersonsandisalsoservedbythestatepolice.z4 Volunteer firecompanies providefireprotection.z" A.2-21A.2.6.5Political Oranization Conyngham isdefinedasasecond-class townshipbecauseithasfewerthan300residents persquaremile.zz'hetownshipisgovernedbyaboardofthreesupervisors e'iectedat-"large forsix-yearterms.zzTheboardexercises generalgovernmental functions, including maintenance ofapoliceforce,theroadsystem,andthelevyandcollection oftaxes.z"A.2.6.6EconomicOranization Bythe1920s,anthracite miningwasthechiefsourceofemployment andtheeconomicbaseofLuzerneCounty.Ascoalproduction begantodeclineinthe1930s,theeconomicbasewasdiversified tocounteract seriousincomeandjoblosses.z~

Todaytheeconomyisbroad-based andhasastrongapparel-industry orientation.z?~

aIn1976,theDepartment ofCommercelistedonlyfourestablishments forthistownshi~employing atotalof154employees.,za Onebusinessisasawmill,anothera,footwear firm;z4~z twobusi-nesseswereundefined.

Additional retailandservicefacilities arelocatedwithinthetown-ship,primarily inHocanaqua, Mapwallopen, andPondHill.z"A.2.6.7Sociocultural Characteristics Thestaffobservednoresidentpopulation livingontheproposedsite.Theapplicant statesthatthepropertydoesnotcontainanyfacilities orstructures usedbytheloca'1communities nordoesitsupportanycoranercial'r industrial activities.z4 Theapplicant alsoreportsthatthereisnoresidential activitybelowthedamsite.z"Recreation Theapplicant statedthatthissiteisusedforwalking,hiking,hunting,andnaturestudyb~thepeoplelivinginthenearbyvicinity.z4 Sincethisinformation hasnotbeenquantified, 4neitherthenumberofindividuals usingthissitenortheperson-days ofusagecanbedetermined.

Theapplicant identified andcharacterized estheticqualities ofthesite.>"Duringthesitevisit,thestaffobservedthatthesite,areawasesthetically pleasingbecauseofthesteeptopography, rockoutcrops.

waterfalls, anddense,butvariable, forestcover.Therefore, itisreasonable thatpeoplewouldbeattracted tothesiteto,hikeandenjoythekindof,naturalenvironment presentontheproperty.

Inadditiontorecreational.use ofthenaturalarea,thestaffobservedthatapondhasbeenconstructed onthesite.Theapplicant statedthatthepondwasusedforfishingandswimmingbyseverallocalresidents.

Theextentofthepond'susagecannotbequantified atthistime.A.2.7CULTURALRESOURCES A.2.7.1~ReionAregionalculturehistoryforLuzerneandColumbiacountyareasisprovidedinSection2.6.]ofthisEnvironmental Statement.

A.2.7.2PondHillSiteAprehistoric culturalsurveyhasbeenmadeintwoareasofthePondHillSite:1)onthepropertydesignated forthereservoir andwithinthehighwatermarkand2)onasectionofthefloodplain.

Fifty-meter intervals andwalkoverwasutilizedfortheuplands,whilecloserspacedtransects andtesttrenching wereusedinthefloodplain.z~

A.2-22References 1.S.T.Algermissen, "SeismicRiskStudiesintheUnitedStates,"Presented attheFourthWorkConference onEarthquake Engineering,

Santiago, Chile,14January1969.2.5.6.7.8.10.11.12.13.1415.16.E.L.Braun,Deciduous ForestsofEasternNorthAmerica,NewYork:HafnerPublishing Company,1972.S.P."ShawandC.G.Fredine,"Wetlands oftheUnitedStates,"Circular39,U.S.Depart-mentoftheInterior, FishandWildlifeService,Washington, DC,1971,67pages.R,L.SmithEcoloandFieldBiolo,NewYork:Harper&Row,1966.W.H.BurtandR.P.Grossenheider, AFieldGuidetotheMammals,Boston:HoughtonMifflinCompany,1976.J.K.Doutt,C.A.Heppenstall, andJ.E.Guilday,"MammalsofPennsylvania,"

Pennsylvania GameComaission, Harrisburg, PA,1973,280pages.R.M.RuheandJ.D.Montgomery, "Birds,"pages250-283in"Ecological StudiesoftheSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityoftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,"

T.V.Jacobsen(ed.),AnnualReportfor1978,Ichthyological Associates, Inc.,Berwick,PA,1978.R.M.Rube,"Birds,",

Pages311-342,in"Ecological StudiesoftheSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityoftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,"

T.V.Jacobsen(ed.),AnnualReportfor1977,Ichthyological Associates, Inc.,Ithica,NY,1978.C.J.McCoy,"ListoftheAmphibians andReptilesofPennsylvania,"

SectionofAmphibians andReptiles, CarnegieMuseumofNaturalHistory,Pittsburgh, PA,1974.R.Conant,AFieldGuidetoRetilesandAmhibiansofEasternandCentralNorthAmerica,Boston:HougtonMffnompany,"ListofEndangered andThreatened WildlifeandPlants,"FederalReister,Vol.44,No.117,Department oftheInterior, FishandWildlifeService,Washington, DC,17January1979,pp.3636-3654.

"Endanger edandThreatened Species,"

FederalReister,Vol.41,No.117,Department oftheInterior, FishandWildlifeService,Washington, DC,16June1976,pp.24524-24572.

"Threatened orEndangered FaunaorFlora,"FederalReister,Vol.40,No.127,Department oftheInterior, FishandWildlifeService,Wasngton,DC,1July1975,pp.27825-27924.

"Pennsylvania's Endangered Species,ReptilesandAmphibians",

Reference Information, Pennsylvania FishCommission, Harrisburg, PA,revisedApril1978.H.B.N.Hynes,TheEcoloofRunninWaters,Toronto:University ofTorontoPress,1972.T.V.Jacobsen(ed.),"Ecological StudiesoftheNorthBranchSusquehanna RiverintheVicinityoftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,"

AnnualReportfor1974,Pennsylvania Power&Light,Berwick,PA,May1976.17.18.19.20.,AnnualReportfor1975,,AnnualReportfor1976,,AnnualReportfor1977,,AnnualReportfor1978,,August1976.,October1977.,April1978.,July1979.21.22.23.24.Pennsylvania Projection Series,July1977,"Estimates ofCountyPopulation byAge,SexandRace,"OfficeofStatePlanningandDevelopment, October1978.Population Estimates andProjections:

SeriesP.25,No.777,U.S.Department ofCommerce, BureauoftheCensus,January1979;"Planning andDevelopment Considerations, TheWyomingValley,Pennieslvania,"WilburSmithandAssociates, 8December1973.Tippetts-Abbett-McCar thy-Stratton/Engineers andArchitects, "Environmental Report:PondHillReservoir,"

preparedforPennsylvania Power&LightCompany,February1979.

A.2-23t25.Hous)ngSectionoftheLuzerneCountyComprehensive Plan;LuzerneCountyPlanningComnission, 1978.26.LandUsePlanofLuzerneCountyfortheYear2000,LuzerneCountyPlanningComnission',

June1976.27."ThisisLuzerneCounty,"LeagueofVotersofWilkes-Barre Area,1976.28."Pennsylvania CountyIndustryReport,"Department ofCommerce, BureauofStatistics, ResearchandPlanning, 1976.29.Cotggonyeal thAssociates, "Archeological Investigations attheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation:thePondHillReservoir Site,"preparedforPP8L,1981.

AD3.RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION A.

3.1INTRODUCTION

Inordertoprovidethedesiredwaterstorage,adamwillbeconstructed acrossPondHillCreek1.3kmupstreamfromitsconfluence withtheSusquehanna River.Thereservoir willhaveallofthefeaturestypicalofthistypeofproject,including aspillwayandaninlet-outlet structure.

Sincethedrainageareaabovethedamistoosmalltofillandrefillthereservoir andalsokeepitfullbetweenuses,anintakestructure andpumpingplantnearthebankoftheSusquehanna Riverandawaterconduitfromthepumpingstationtotheinlet-outlet structure onthenorthshoreofthereservoir willbeconstructed.

Apermanent accessroadwillbeprovided.

Duringconstruction, aconcretebatchplantandborrowpitswillbeused.The'location ofthebatchplantandborrowpitsareshownonFfg.A.3.1.Theapplicant hassupplieddetaileddesignfnformation foradamwithanormalwaterlevelof287mHSLandanactivestoragevolumeof12.53210smsandatotalwaterstoragevolumeof16.032106ms(ER-OL,AppendixH).InresponsetocommentsbyPDERandSRBCregarding thedesirability ofoptionaldevelopment ofthesitetomeetwatersupplyneedsinadditiontothoseofSSES,theapplicant submitted designinformation onalargerdam,oneutilizing 85%ofthevalley'smaximumcapacity.

Thehigher,largerdam(normalwaterlevel299mHSL'),willhaveastoragevolumeofabout27.13106m~andatotalvolumeof29.7x106ms(responses toNRCquestions, lettersfromN.W.Curtis,PP&L,toD.E.Sells,NRC,12October,13November, and17December1979).Theminimumwaterleve'lforthelargerreservoir fs264.6mHSL.Thefollowing analysesareforthelarger(299-mnormalwaterlevel)damandreservoir andthe010-7riverflow valueof22.7ms/s.FiguresA.2.2andA.2.3showlocaltopography, thelayoutofthehigherdamandtheotherstructures, andtheareatobecoveredbywateratmaximumandminimumwaterelevations.

FigureA.3.2isadetailedplanviewofthehigherdamandrelatedstructures.

A.3.1.1Embankment DamThedamwillbeofearthandrockfillconstruction usingmaterials obtainedmostlyfromtheareatobeinundated.

Thecrestofthedamwillbeabout730mlongat302mHSL.Themaximumheightofthecrestofthedamabovetheexistingcreekbedwillbeabout67m.Theapplicant's engineering studieshaveshownthatsufficient corematerials areavailable fromonsiteborrowareas.Becauseoflowtopography alongthesouthernedgeofthereservoir, construction oftwo,addi-tionalwaterretention barrierswillberequired(seefig.A.3.2).Inthesaddlearea,itewdi-atelysoutheast ofthemaindam,ashallowdike(about150mlongand2.4mhigh)willbeconstructed.

About800meastofthedamanimpervious subsurface cutoff(about380mlongand6mdeep)willberequiredtopreventseepagethroughthesaddle.A.3.1.2~AillwaAnoverflow-type ofspillwaylocatedonthesouthabutmentofthedamwf'llbeprovidedtoreleasefloodwaters whenwaterlevelsexceedthe299-mHSLcrestofthespillway(seeFig.A.3.2).FigureA.3.3isadetailedschematic ofthisspillway.

A425-mconcrete-lined chutewillcarrytheoverflowwaterfromthespillwaytotheexistingriverbed.

Aconcretestructure willbeusedtodissipate mostofthekineticenergyoftheflow.A.3.1.3.Inlet-Outlet Structure Thisstructure willbeusedtobothcontrolreleasesfromthereservoir forconservation andcompensation

purposes, andtodischarge pumpedinflowsintothereservoir.

Thisstructure hasbeenredesigned sincetheDESwas-issued inHarch1980(letterfromH.N.W.Curtis,PP&LtoHr.B.J.Youngblood, NRC,29Hay1980:thisletterisonpageB-47ofAppen-dix8).Thenewstructure isshownschematically inFigureA.4.1;itslocationisgiveninFigureA.2.3).Thenewdesigncallsforaverticalstructure insidethereservoir, withexitports7.6,17.0and39.9mbelowthenormalwatersurface.A.3-1 10/iALTTI;(WEr,Nllll~Ilf1~tjIIr,llMUIIMUMPOOLELEVATION

~TFF/3PRINARYSORROWAREASRESERVOTI MAXIMUMWATERSUPPLTELEVATION ItRECVIREOAIXXTIONAL SORROWAREA0SITEPERIMETER CONSTRUC'TION STACINGARGLttNNATLYAWA tOtltRALLCILTC/Ntttttl

~tlat<<<<<<litNEMsKWtlatNt<<l<<L%tlat<<ttCONSTRUCTION AREAS~liltWkN%fly<<TI<<<<<<<<<<<<M<<t<<

<<<<<<wAPERTURECARDFig.A.3.1.PondHillReservoir Construction Areas.(Source:Reference

1) ttatItjus'.NORTHTUNNELAI.TERMATIVE 0',/~a5'dt'ORTHPIPKUNEALTERNATIVE

'lRLETOVTLKTSTRUCTURE

'TERAO'ERASURE CARDAXIMUMWATERSUPPLYEL.SdDES@Rf,PORT'LTERNATIVE A/rfLSVRIKDPIPELIMEi)/~A.IP'Nr'OJfTOPOfDAMEL.990/dDIACTIVESTORAG-EELEL,888~.PUMPINGPLANTIdPUMPHOUSPIIELUIEALONGROADALTERNATIVE 8,I~SPILLWY'd.*+;ATOPOfSADDLE.7(zJ~'adPENNSYLVANIA POWER8LIGHTCOMPANY~dIIddlIfpNd\,tttadatdaa adMaadlttat~aatwkad\tatt aataaa~<<taatlddladAtlatttMtdtOttd StatCOMPARATIVE.

WATERCONOUITSTUDY'GENERALPROJECTPLANALIGNMENT OFALTERNATIVES ttkttaMtAtTFetIT&Aaaa tt~aatddt+taattOa majeareaaaaoadaata wwaaaaTFig.A.3.2.GeneralProjectPlanforPondHi'llReservoir withAlignment ofAlternatives.

(Source:Reference

1) i5b~Southfd6~ySpill~yI'kkSpittrioy Sp>//nCFy 55'rIIIIIIIIbrOO7iOO,G/OOSiOOWFOOOiOO2iOOliOO0OOSECTIONA-AJASPILLWAYPLANIOIO/0004<48)0.Cc880<5702~OCO560rExistingGroundotonggofdpillnioy Chonnclfr'scOcto//SectionBBPropos6dProfi'lc, Ic/TocA/inc cF/ong<~~2/.dd2SECTION8'8co666CALKINFECTf/ddtO'OO0iOOycOO0rOCFS000iOOSi002'OO/iOO=0'00SPILLWAYPROFILE~CNNSYLYANIA POWER6UONTCONFANYSPILLWAY~llll6ciccccicccccconccccnolccccoc

~~Mcocccccc

~lowFig.A.3.3.DetailedSchematic ofSpillwayStructure forPondHillReservoir.

A.3-5Theconcretestructure willbeconnected tothepumpingplantbyanunderground pipeline(Fig.A.3.2,Alternative B).Pumpedinflowwillenterthereservoir atthebaseofthestructure.

Threeoutletports,eachatadifferent level,willbeusedforcompensation andconservation flows.Theoutletport{orports)usedforagivenreleasewillbetheoneatwhichthetem-peratureofthewaterinthereservoir mostcloselymatchesthatoftheSusquehanna River.A.3.1.4WaterConduitAsteelpipelinewillbeusedtotransportwaterbetweenthepumpingplantandtheinlet-outlet structure (seeFig.A.3.2,Alternative B).Thepipewillbecapableofcarrying3.8ms/sofwaterfromthepumpstothereservoir, andanaverageflowof3.0ms/sforcompensation releases.

Themaximumreleaseflowwillbe8.5ms/s.Thepipefromtheinlet-outlet structure tothepumpingplantwillhaveadiameterof1.22m.Thepipelinewillbeconstructed inacut-and-covertrenchalongtheproposedaccessroad(seeFig.A.3.2).A0.61-mpipe'line withacontrolvalvewi'ilbranchfromthepipe'line, nearthedownstream toeofthedam,toallowreleasestoPondHillCreek.Thesystemwillbeabletoreleasewateratarateofupto0.57ms/s,aflowapproximately equaltothecapacityofthecreekchannelto,carrywaterwithoutflooding.

A.3.1.5PuminPlantandIntakeStructure Theproposedpumpstationwillbebuiltadjacenttotherailroadinanareaoutsidetheflood-plain(seeFigs.A.3'andA.3.4).Theproposedintakewillconsistoftwoparallelsteelpipesextending about30mintotheriver(seeFig.A.3.4).Althoughthefinaldesignoftheintakestructure hasnotbeenselected, screenssimilartothosemanufactured byJohnsonScreen'Company orslottedsteelpipessimilartothosemanufactured byRanneyCo.,approximately 60mof0.6-mdiameterscreens,willbeprovided.

Themaximumapproachvelocitywillbe'about0.12m/s.Thepipeandscreenlowpointswillbeabout0.6maboveriverbottom;pipetopswillbeabout1.2mbelowwaterlevelatminimumpumpingflows.FigureA.3.4showsthecontemplated configuration oftheproposedpumpstation,intakestructure, andtheburledpipelinefromthepumpingplanttotheintakescreens.Compensation releasestotheriverwouldbethroughthescreens.Three1.25-ms/s electrical drivenpumpswillbeusedtopumpwaterintothereservoir.

A.3.1.6AccessRoadAnewpavedaccessroadwillbeconstructed fromStateRoute239totheconstruction areas.Theroadwillparallelthepipeline.

Theroadwillbeapproximately 1220mlongand9mwide;theareaimpactedbytheconstruction oftheroadandpipelinewillbeabout2ha.Theuseofthisroadwillminimizeconstruction trafficthroughthevillagesofPondHillandLilyLake.A.3.2HOOEOFOPERATION A.3.2.1InitialFillinofReservoir Hostofthewaterrequiredtofillthereservoir willcomefromtheSusquehanna River,theremainder fromdrainageandprecipitation.

Theapplicant iscoranitted topumpingonlywhenriverflowisgreaterthan85.4m'/s.Thethreepumpsinthepumpingplantarecapableofdelivering upto3.8ms/stothereservoir.

Pumpingatthisrate,itwou'Idtake84daystofil1thereservoir.

A.3.2.2ComensationReleasesDuringperiodsoflowriverflow,definedastheI)7-10valueof22.7ms/splustheactualcon-sumptiveusebySSESanddedicated compensation flGCFR803.61(c')(7)(i)],

theapplicant willberequiredtodischarge waterfromthereservoir attheactualconsumptive userate.Consumptive wateruseofSSESwillbedetermined bymeasuring thedifference betweenthevolumeofwaterwithdrawn fromtheriver(primari'lytoreplacethatevaporated intheplant'scoolingtowers)andblowdowntotheriver.Theaveragerateofdischarge fromthereservoir willbe3.0m/s;theactivestoragecapacityofthedamwillbesuchthatthisflowcouldbemaintained for106days.Theapplicant esti-matespeakwaterconsumptive useatabout1.8ms/s,andaverageuseat1.4m/s.Compensation waterwillbetakenfromoneof,thethreeoutletportsintheinlet-outlet struc-ture,passthroughtheconduit,andbedischarged intotheSusquehanna Riverviathemulti-slottedpipes.Theoutletportselectedwouldbetheoneatwhjch.the temperature inthereservoir mostcloselymatchesthatoftheriver.

~~~~IIII~~INIg~~4~~~~'biJ4IIg~~~~~~~~fAVLOn~otueOECTNllamoFig.A.3.4.ProposedIntakeforPondHillReservoir (pumpingstationconceptwithouttraveling screens).

(Source:Reference 1.)

'A.3-7A.3.2.3Conservation ReleasesThePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources requiresthatallnewreservoirs provideaminimumreleasetomaintaindownstream flows.Onstreamswithoutwater-flow data,'avalueof1.64L/spersquarekilometer, ofupstreamdrainageareaisnormallyutilizedbyDER,Sincetheareaupriverfromtheproposeddamisabout4.4kmz,theapplicant proposesaconservation releaseofatleast5.7L/s.Thereleasepointforthisdischarge wouldbejustwestofthetoeofthedam(seeFig.A.3.2).Precipitation onthelakeanddrainageinexcessofthatrequiredtokeepthewaterlevelat299mwouldbedischarged intoPondHillCreekthroughtheconservation-flow outlet(upto0.57ms/s),overthespillway, ordirectlyintotheSusquehanna Riverviatheconduitandthepumpingplant.A.3.2.4RefillintheReservoir Additional waterwillbepumpedintothereservoir wheneverprecipitation anddrainageareinsufficient tokeepthepondfullandreplacelossesduetoseepage,evaporation, compensa-tion,andconservation flows.Asstatedearlier,pumpingwillbepermitted onlywithriverflowsinexcessof85.4ms/s.A.3.3~RECREATION AREATheapplicant proposestoconstruct arecreation areasothattherecreational potential ofthereservoir maybeutilized.

Theproposedfacilities includea30-to50-carparkinglot,alaunching rampfornon-combustion-engine boats,andasystemoftrailsforhikingandnaturestudy{ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.2.8).Huntingwillbepermitted inseasonfnthebufferareasaroundthereservoir.

ThePennsylvania FishCommission willbeaskedtostockthereser-voirforsportfishing;thenewaquatichabitatwillbesuitableforwarmwater fishing.A.3.4ESTHETICS A.3.4.1Construction Theappearance of,approximately 146haoflandwillbealteredbyconstruction andoperation ofthePondHillReservoir.

Onehundredtwenty-eight hectare's offorestedlandwillbeinundated.

Impoundment

'structures willconvertabout16hafromnaturalcovertobuilt-upstructures.

A.3.4.2~eerattee Sincemostofthebufferareasurrounding thesitewillnotbealteredduringconstruction, noappreciable changesintheestheticqualityoftheseareaswilloccur.Theprimarychangefnestheticvalueswillbetheconversion offorestedlandstoalake.Noneofthefacilities willbevisiblefromthesettlements ofLillyLakeandPondHill,orfromtheroadsleadingtothesecommunities.

,Sincetopographic featureswillscreenthedamfromview,thepumphouse willbetheonlystructure visiblefromStateRoute239.Reference 1.Tippetts-Abbett-HcCarthy-Stratton/Engineers andArchitects, "DesignReport:PondHillReservoir,"

preparedforPennsylvania Power8LightCompany,February1979.I A.4.ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTSOFCONSTRUCTION ANDOPERATION A.4.1IMPACTSONLANDUSEApproximately 525haoflandwillbeconverted frompresentusestolanddedicated toawaterstorageproject.PondHillCreekandmostofthevalleyitdrains'ill bepermanently altered.About146haofthesitewillbepermanently alteredbyconstruction andoperation ofthereser-voir;about128haofpresently wooded'Iandswillbeinundated andanother16hacoveredbyimpoundment structures, suchasthedam,spillway, andinlet-outlet structure.

Theaccessroad-pipelinecorridors willoccupyanadditional 2ha.Mostoftheareasdisturbed byconstruction activities (aboutSlha)willbereclaimed andlandscaped following construction; therewillbeonlyminorchangesinlanduseintheremaining undisturbed areasofthesite.Farmingonacontrolled basiswillbepermitted tocontinuewithinthebufferareaofthe,site.Theimpactsofreservoir construction andoperation ontheterrestrial environment arediscussed inSectionA.4.F1,thoseontheaquaticenvironment arediscussed inSectionA.4.3.2.A.4.2IMPACTSONWATERUSEConstruction-Alleffluents generated duringtheconcretebatchplantoperation willbecollected inaholdingpond.Afterthesolidshavesettledout,thesupernatant willbeeitherrecycledordischarged viaapipelinetoPondHillCreek.,Withthistreatment, thestaffbelievesthatthewasteeffluentdisposalwillmeetPDERrequirements fordisposalofsuchwaste.A.4.3ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSA.4.3.1Terrestrial Construction ImactsConstruction plansfortheproposedprojecthavenotyetbeencompletely finalized.

Ascurrently reportedbytheapplicant, theprincipal areastobedirectlyaffectedbyconstruction activities areindicated inFiguresA.2.2,A.2.3,A.3.1,andA.3.2;however,theuseofsomedesignated impactareasisqualified asfollows.Thelocationoftheconstruction stagingarea,aswellasfacilities withinthestagingarea,willbedependent"on needsandrequirements oftheappli-cant'sconstruction contractor.

Also,borrowareas3and4,locatedwithintheproposedimpound-mentarea(seeFig.A.3.1),willbetheprincipal sourcesoffillmaterials usedindamconstruc-tion(ER-OL,Supp.ResponsetoNRCI).17,28September 1979).Totheextentthatsuitablecorematerials available atborrowarea3areinsufficient tocompletethedamembankment, therequiredmaterials willberemovedfromeitherorbothborrowareas1and2.Althoughtheneedforadditional materials, is"notanticipated,"

theapplicant hasalsoidentified borrowarea5asapossibleoffsitesourceofcorematerials (ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCI).17,28September 1979).Thusatotalofabout45haoflocallandoutsidetheimpoundment area(borrowareas1,2,and5)maybedisturbed toacquirematerials fordamconstruction (ER-OL,Supp.ResponsetoNRCI),5",28September 1979).Themostobviousandextensive oftheadverseconstruction impacts,ontheterrestrial environ-mentwillresultfromthedestruction oralteration oflocalvegetation.

Mostofthevegetation tobeaffectedduringconstruction consistsofforestandwoodland.

Merchantable woodproductswillbesalvagedtotheextentpracticable (ER-OL,AppendixH,Sec.4.3.2.5);

however,thegrowthandgrowthpotential oftreesthathavenot'yetattainedmerchantable sizerepresent alossofforestresources.

Themostsignificant lossofforestvegetation willoccurwithintheproposedimpoundment areaandwithinthedamembankment andspillwaysites(seeFigs.A.2.2andA.3.2),about144haoftotallandarea(ER-OL,Supp.ResponsetoNRCI).1,28September 1979).Virtually allofthisareawillbeclearedofwoodyvegetation priortoorduringcon-struction (ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.2.5,2);

nearly140haofmixeddeciduous andconiferous-A.4-2deciduous forestwillbedestroyed.

Severalsmalltractsofforestvegetation insidetheperim-eteroftheimpoundment areawillbeleftintacttoprovidehabitatforfish(ER-OL,AppendixH,-Section4.2.2.2).

Thelevelofuseandactivitywithintheonsiteconstruction stagingareawillberelatively

'intense,'everely affecting thelocalvegetation.

Asnotedpreviously, thesizeandlocationofthestagingareaarenotyetresolved.

However,giventheareaasindicated inFigureA.3.1,about8haofforestand6haofhaylandandoldfieldvegetation willbedestroyed ordisturbed.

Also,theextenttowhichuplandborrowareas(areas1,2,and5;Fig.A.3.1)willbedisturbed toacquirefillmaterials fordamconstruction hasnotbeenestablished (ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCO.17,28September 1979).Assumingtotalutilization ofalldesignated borrowareas,about22haofforestandwoodland, andasimilarareaofherbaceous vegetation willbedestroyed.

Someadditional vegetation, primarily forest,willbedisturbed inthevicinityofsmallcon-struction sites,including thoseidentified inFigureA.3.2;namely,thesaddledikeandcutoff,structure adjacenttotheproposedimpoundment, thepumping-plant site,andthenarrowcorridor(18,mwide)clearedforconstruction ofwaterpipelines andtheprimaryaccessroad(Alterna-tive8).About2haofvegetation willbeclearedfromthecoranonright-of-way requiredforpipelineandaccess-road construction; lesserareaswillbeaffectedattheothersmallconstruc-ttionsites.Theintensity andpatternofsoildisturbance resulting fromconstruction willcloselycorres-pondtoimpactsonthelocalvegetation asdiscussed.

Soilsoftheproposedimpoundment anddamsiteswillbecomnitted, eithertotallydisrupted duringconstruction orinundated following construction.

Landwithintheseareasisunsuitable forcultivation, withtheexception ofisolatedsmalltractsofCapability ClassIVsoils(seeSec.A.2.5.1.4).

About29haofClassIIsoils(including primefarmland) occurwithintheconstruction staginganduplandborrowareas(seeFig.A.3.1);theremaining landincludessmalltractsofClassIIIandIVsoilsandmoreextensive so'ilsunsuitedforcultivation (ER-OL,AppendixH,Fig.3-13).Thesesoilswillbevariously disturbed duringconstruction; however,soilimpactswillbemitigated asfollows.Theapplicant willrequirethattheconstruction contractor scheduleprojectactivities soastominimizeerosionpotential.

Further,workareaswillbestrippedoftopsoilthat,inturn,willbestockpiled andstabilized byestablishing atemporary vegetative cover(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.3.2.1).

Reclamation ofdisturbed areaswillentailestab-lishingtheapproximate originalcontours, replacing topsoil,andproviding suitablelandscaping.

Theapplicant willalsorequirethecontractor todevelopandsubmitanerosionandsedimentcontrolplanfortheprojectsite;thisplanwillbesubjecttoreviewbyappropriate

agencies, including thePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources (ER-OL,AppendixH,Sec-tion4.3.2.1).

Theplanwillincludedetailsconcerning practices tobeemployed, designspecifications ofcontrolstructure(s),

andmaintenance schedules toensureeffective erosioncontrol.Giventhattherelatively marginalsoilswithintheimpoundment anddamsiteswillbedisrupted orotherwise committed, thestaffconsiders theforegoing provisions andrequirements tobeadequateprecautions forconserving soilresources, providedthatsuchmeasuresareproperlyimplemented.

Inviewofthegenerally steepgradientoftheproposedaccessroad(seeFig.A.3.2),thestaffrecoranends thatculvertsandwater-spreader structures beinstalled atappropriate intervals tocontrolthevolumeand.velocity ofrunofffromthepavedaccessroadaswellasrunoffintercepted bytheroadbed.Theapplicant's comnitment tolandscaping certaindisturbed areaswillvariously offsettheadverseconstruction impactsonthelocalvegetation.

Additionally, theestablished vegetation willpartially offsetlossesofwildlifehabitatincurredduringland-clearing andconstruction activities.

However,development ofthedamandimpoundment siteswillprecludereclamation, thusmorethantwothirds(144ha)ofthetotalaffectedwildlifehabitatwillbeseverelyalteredduringconstruction andwillbeunavailable forusebyterrestrial wildlifeduringreservoir operations Theextentandtypesofwildlifehabitatsaffectedduringconstruction areimplicitinthepre-cedingdiscussion ofimpactsonthevegetation.

Accordingly, theprincipal typestobeaffectedwillbeforestandwoodlandhabitats.

Wildlifespeciesstronglydependent onresources ofthesehabitatsincludelocallyimportant gamespeciessuchaswhitetail deer,blackbear,easternredandgraysquirrels, wildturkey,ruffedgrouse,andAmericanwoodcock.

Hostofthelocallyoccurring maranals.utilize foresthabitatstovaryingdegrees.Forexample,thehabitatprefer-encesoftheeasterncottontail includesbrushyareastypicalofforest-oldfieldecotones.

However,representative areasofallmajorhabitattypesoccurring onsitewillbeaffectedduringconstruction; thuspopulations ofallmammalsidentified inSectionA.2.5.1.2 willprob-ablybedeprivedofhabitattosomeextent.Characteristic habitattypesofnongamebirdsaswellasreportedhabitatsoflocallyobservedreptilesandamphibians arealsoindicated inSectionA.2.5.1.2.

A.4-3Thealteration ofhabitatswillbeaccompanied byageneralmigration ofanima'Isfromtheaffectedareas.Thedisplaced animals-will causeincreased competition forhabitatresources andspaceinadjacenthabitats; theeffectsofthisincreased competition willbelocalandgenerally ofshortdurationsincehabitattypessimilartothoseonsiteoccurextensively throughout thesurrounding area.However,allanimalswillnotescapetheimpactedareas.Someofthelessmobileanimals,aswellasjuveniles ofotherspecies,willbeimpinged, buried,orotherwise destroyed duringland-clearing andearth-moving activities.

,Anyremaining animalswillbesubjecttoincreased predation duetotheremovalofvegetative coverandtodestruction ofunderground refuges.Someadditional mortality willoccurastheresultofcollisions withproject-related traffic.Construction noiseandactivitywillalsoaffectanimalpopulations inareasnotaffectedbyconstruction.

Theapplicant willrequirethatnoiseemissions fromconstruction equipment beincompliance withfederalguidelines (OSHA,EPA)(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.3:2.4).

Theintensity ofblastingvibrations willalsobecontrolled totheextentthatlocalstructures willnotbeaffected.

However,someofthemorewaryspecies,suchasthewildturkey,willprobablyvacatethesiteduringtheconstruction period.Asnoted,disturbed construction areas(withtheexception oftheproposedimpoundment anddamsites)willbereclaimed iffeasible, thusmitigating projectimpactsonwildlife.

Theappli-canthasfurthercomnitted toimproving wildlifehabitatoftheprojectsite(seeSec.A.4.4.'1).

Pendingfinalestablishment ofsitebbundaries, theapplicant, inconsultation withthePennsyl-vaniaFishandGameCommissions, willprepareamanagement planforthesite(ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCO.15,28September 1979).Givenproperimplementation ofasoundhabitatmanagement program,thestaffbelievestheadverseconstruction impactsonwildlifecanbeoffsettoasubstantial extent.Theproposedreservoir willprovidemanagement opportunities notcurrently available.

Otherconstruction impactsontheterrestrial environment includedustemissions fromworkareasanddisturbed surfaces; however,theapplicant willrequirethecontractor toimplement suitabledustcontrolmeasures(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.3.2.4).

Slashmaterials andothercom-bustib'le construction wasteswillbeburnedinaccordwithapplicable federal,state,andlocalregulations (ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.3.2.5)'The disposition ofwasteeffluents generated duringbatchplantoperation willbeincompliance withrequirements ofthePennsylvania Oepart-mentofEnvironmental Resources (ER-OL,Supp.,ResponsetoNRCO.6,28September 1979).,Thestaffbelievesthatadherence totheforegoing precautions willlimittheanticipated impactstoacceptable levels.0erational ImactsThemostsignificant operational impactswilloccurwiththeinitialfillingofthereservoir, i.e.,conversion, ofterrestrial habitatstoanaquaticenvironment.

Anyresidualsoilsandvegetation withintheimpoundment areawillbeinundated.

Residentanimalswilleitherperishorbeforcedtomigrateasthewaterlevelwithinthereservoir rises.Ihrtality willoccurasanimalsseektemporary refugeonisolatedislandscreatedduringinitialfillingofthereser-voir,andastheseislandsaresubsequently inundated.

Thenumberandkindsofanimalsthatescapewillbeinfluenced bytheswiamingabilityofthevariousspecies.Thenumberofaffectedindividuals willberelatively lowsincemost'willhavebeendestroyed ordisplaced duringland-clealingandconstruction activities.

Terrestrial habitatadjacenttotheperimeter ofthefilledreservoir willbesubjecttodis-turbanceduetowaveaction.However,theapplicant proposesthat"suitable groundcoveroftheslopesinthevicinityofthewaterlinewillbeprovidedatallareaswheresloughing maybeaproblem"(ER-OL,Supp.ResponsetoNRCl}.14,28September 1979).Thus,theonsiteterrestrial habitatavailable towildlifewillbedecreased byabout127haduetofillingandoperation ofthereservoir.

Thislossofterrestria1 habitatwilltosomeextentbeoffsetbythecreationofasimilarareaofaquaticenvironment thatwillbeusedbybothterrestrial andaquaticorganisms.

Thefutureuseofthereservoir bywild'life cannotbereadilyquantified.

However,giventheapplicant's cornnitment toundertake awildlifehabitatimprovement program,thestaffdoesnotbelievethatprojectrelatedimpactswillcauseanunacceptable diminution intheoverallwildlifeproductivity ofthePondHillsite.Otherimpactsontheterrestrial environment directlyattributable toreservoir operation willbeofminorconsequence.

Forexample,vegetation withintheutilityright-of-way extending fromthepumping-plant sitetothereservoir (about1.2km)willbecontrolled.

Theapplicant indicates thatonlychemicals approvedbyEPAwillbeusedtocontrolvegetation (ER-OL,Supp.ResponsetoNRCO.15,28September 1979).Otherhumanactivities associated withroutineoperation andmaintenance willgenerally resultinnegligible impactsonvegetation, soils,andterrestrial wildliferesources ofthesite.Operational noiselevelswillberelatively low;powerunitsusedforperiodicrefilling ofthereservoir willconsistofelectricmotors.

A.4-4Theapplicant planstoallowpublicuseofthesiteforspecific'recreational activities (ER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.2.2.3).

Suchusewill,however,becontrolled topreventdegradation ofthesiteresources,(ER-OL, AppendixH,Section4.3.3).A.4.3.2~AceticA.4.3.2.1 PumpHouseandIntakeScreensConstruction Aspresently

proposed, theconstruction ofthepumphousewillhaveminimal,ifany,impact'on eitherthewaterqualityorthebiotaoftheSusquehanna River.Theapplicant iscommitted toconstruction practices thatminimizeerosionandcontrolsedimentation.

Thestaffconcludes thattherewillbenoaquaticimpactstothetwounnamedcreeksbordering theproposedpumphouseonthenorthandsouth(seeFig.A.2.4).Installation oftheslotted-pipe orwedge-wire screentypeofintake(seeSec.A.3.1.5)willresultinlossofhabitat,increased turbidity, andsiltation.

Thestaffconcludes thatthelossofhabitatwillbeinsignificant andthatincreases inturbidity andsiltation willbetemporary.

~0eration Operation ofeitheraslotted-pipe orwedge-wire screentypeofintakeisexpectedtohavemini-malimpactontheaquaticcomunityoftheSusquehanna River.Theapplicant didnotindicatewhattheslotwidthwouldbe;however,slotwidthsassmallas0.25ranaresuggested asameansofscreening finedebrisandpreventing theentrainment ofichthyoplankton.'mpingement ispurportedly minimized bytheabsenceofaconfining screenwell, whichmayentrapfish,andbytheflushingactionofambientcurrentsflowingaroundthecylindrical screen.Tominimizeimpingement mortalities andtoenhancetheescapepotential oforganisms inthezoneofinfluence oftheintakeflow,theentrance-slot velocityforcylindrical wedge-wire screendesignsisgenerally takenas12.2cm/sorless.AstheproposedmaximumapproachvelocityforthePond.Hillintakeis11.6cm/s,thestaffconcludes thatapproachvelocities shouldposenoproblems.

A.4.3.2.2 Inundation andOperational ImpactsTherocky,shallow,fast-flowing stretchofPondHillCreektobeinundated willbecomeasoft-bottomed, deep,slow-moving bodyofwater.Asaresult,theaquaticbiotawillchangefromalotictoalenticcomunity, Theeffectsofthereservoir onthewaterqualityoflowerPondHillCreekcanbe,projected bycomparing thewaterqualityoftheSusquehanna RiverwiththatofPondHillCreek.Acomparison oftherespective maximum,minimum,andaveragewater-quality parameters isshownonTableA.4.1.Thecomparison showsthatalthoughsomeamelioration willtakeplaceinthereservoir, thewaterqualityoflowerPondHillCreekwillbesubstantially loweredbythereservoir discharge.

Thealgaecoranunity inPondHillCreekconsistsofperiphytic algaeanddiatomsthatbecomefree-floating onlywhendetachedduringhighflow.Afterinundation, conditions inthereser-voirwillpermittheestablishment ofphytoplankton andzooplankton populations that.willbecometheprincipal sourceofprimaryproduction.,

Thereservoir willrepresent asignificant ecosystem changefromthepresentstreamhabitat,whichreliesupontheinputoforganicmatterfromthesurrounding areaasthechiefsourceofprimaryproduction.,

Productivity levelsinPondHillReservoir willdepend,toalargeextent,ontheamountofnutrients available forthegrowthofphytoplankton.

TheSusquehanna River,whichwillbethemainsourceofinflowing waterforthereservoir, containshighputrientconcentrations yearround(ER-OL,Section4,2.3.2.2).

Topreventthedevelopment ofalgalbloomsandtocontroleutrophication, EPAhasrecomnended thattotalphosphates asphosphorous shouldnotexceed0.050mg/Linanystreamatthepointwhereitentersanylakeorreservoir, nor0.025mg/Lwithinthelakeorreservoir.s.

Datagatheredfrom1972to1976indicatethatnearlyallmonthlyandannualmeansoftotalphosphate levelsintherivernearSSESconsiderably exceededthesecriteria(ER-OL,,Section 4.2.3.2.2).

Consequently, basedonthetotalphosphate levelsthatwouldbeexpectedintheinflowing water,thepotential thateutrophic conditions willoccurinPondHillReservoir isrelatively high.Thepotential forhighproductivity (i.e.,eutrophic conditions) duringthefirstfewyearsofimpoundment willbeenhanced, sincetherecentlyinundated terrestrial vegetation andsoilswillprovideanadditional largesourceofnutrients (ER-OL,Section4.2.3.2.2).

Areservoir becomeslessproductive overaperiodoftimeduetoadeclineinthequantities ofland-supplied A.4-5ITableA.F1.Comparisons ofWaterI)ualityofSusquehanna RiverandPondHillCreekparametera PondHillCreekHeanHax.Hin.SusuehannaRiverHeanHax.Hin.Temperature

('C)Dissolved oxygenBODCODpH(units)Alkalinity asCaCOaTotalhardnessasCaC03Totaldissolved solidsTotalsuspended solidsTurbidity (dTU)Specificconductance (umhos)Color(CPU)SulphateasSOrthophosphate asPTotalphosphate asPNitrateasNChlorideTotalcopperTotalironTotalmanganese ColiformtotalHPN/100mLColiformfecalHPN/100mLFecalstreptococci HPN/100mL8.211,72.08.97,19.219.056.216.42.651.08.011.40.020.070.142.70.030.660.05609.052.04.016.013.98.018.07.623.024.0133.0120.05.568.022.016.80.060.470.3311.10.063.110.21>2400.0240.020.00.08.0<0.53.46.65<1.014.0<0'<0.50.745'1.06.0<0.01<0.010.010.4<0.020.20<0.0243.0<314.411.22.213.07.642.6105.9171.417.41.2222.045.088.00'50.20.7212.4<0.022.50.482007.0412.034.025.014'5.025.08.666.0167.0290.036.616.0.330.080.0180.00.108.841.018.40.024.70.972400.01100.085.03.03.35<0.15.07.219.066.167.29.15.1160.07.028.0<0.010.040.436.2<0.021.630.1943.03.0<1Unitsmg/Lunlessstatedother'wise.

nutrients andorganicmatterandthelossofnutrients tobottomsediments.>~4

~sReservoirs actastrapsforthenutrients, whichadheretoclayparticles andsettletothebottom.Onceremoved,nutrients arelesslikelytoreachsurfacewatersbecausethermalstratification andchemicalconditions inthesedimenthinderresuspension ordissolution.

Duringspringandfallcirculation ofwaterinthereservoir, someofthenutrients arerecycledtothesurfaceforusebyphytoplankton.

However,oncephosphorus reachesthebottomsediments, verylittleofitusuallyreturnstotheepilimnion (ER-OL,Section4.2.3.2.2).

Withincreasing age,productivity levelsinthereservoir will,toalargeextent,dependuponnutrients introduced byinflowing watersandbroughttothesurfaceduringoverturns.

PWheneverwatermustbepumpedfromtherivertomeetstoragerequirements, nutrients inhigh'concentrations willenterPondHillReservoir.

Consequently.

althoughnutrients maybesomewhatdepletedinthereservoir astimepasses,anadditional supplywillbeprovidedduringrefilling operations.

DataonTableA.4.2indicatethatverylittlepumpingwillberequiredduringmostyears.Ingeneral,PondHillReservoir appearstohavearelatively highpotential forinitialeutro-phication, followedbyagradualdeclineinproductivity levelsasnutrients arelosttobottomsediments,

-Thiscyclicpatternmayberepeatedfollowing periodsofpumpingtofillthereservoir.

'hElevatedconcentrations ofironwillenterthereservoir fromtheSusquehanna River(ER-OL,Section3.2.3.2.2).

Heanmonthlylevelsofironintheriverrangedfrom2.2to7.3mg/Lfrom1972to1976.Hostoftheironenteringtheproposedreservoir willbeoxidized, formingprecipitates thatwillsubsequently settletothebottom.Someofthisironwillappearinthewatercolumnduringspringandfallcirculation, andinthehypolimnion ifitbecomesanaerobic; A.4-6'TableA..4.2.SummaryofReservoir Operation BasedonHistorical FlowRecordsoftheSusquehanna RiveratWilkes-Barrea DrawdownYearPeriodMinimumNumberLevelbAcresofdays(ft.)ExposedRefillPeriodNumberofdays1905-1907 19081909-1910 1911191219131914-1938 1939194019411942-1952 1953195419551956-195819591960-1961 19621963196419651966-1975 NoOperation Sept.17-28NoOperation Aug.17-19NoOperation Sept.12Sept.16-17Sept.20NoOperation Aug.26-31Sept.1-7Sept.10-24NoOperation Sept.26-30Oct.1-9NoOperation Sept.1Oct.3-5NoOperation July31Aug.1Aug.3-10NoOperation Sept.24-30NoOperation Aug.3-6Aug.25-27Aug.31Sept.1-15Sept.20-27Oct.12-18Oct.20-31Nov.1-6-Critical Drought-Aug.8-11Aug.15-18Aug.20-21Aug.28-29Sept.3-30Oct.1-31Nov.1-25July30-31'oOperation 12671543115871264222831252935.0939.0938.5937.5927.5938.0,934.0939.8938.5939.8936.0937.0938.5937.0936.6930.0926.0937.0931.5928.5937.5936.3935.3933.091.9.0900.0878.0939'12Jan.6-14103Sept.1-34Oct.21-235Nov.9-1314Dec.24-291224Nov.23-259Aug.14-218Oct.9-1448,82332Oct.1-2482026Nov.29-Dec.17262158,111545831272Dec.28,1964-Jan.18,1965Feb.7-Apr.12Sept.26-2786228Oct.29-Nov.1924aDoesnotincludeoperations formaintenance purposes.

Source:ER-OL,Vol.IV.bToconvertfeettometers,multiplyby0,305.

A.4-7but,withtheexception ofironchelatedwithorganicmatter,mostofitwillbeoxidizedandreturnedtothesediments asinsoluble compounds.

Sincetheironwillprobablyremainoxidizedinbottomsediments, thedissolved ironconcentration inthewatercolumnwillbelessthanthe1.0and1.5mg/Lrecomnended fortheprotection ofaquaticlife.Iron(bycombination andprecipitation) doesnotappeartohavereducedphosphate levelsnorseverelylimitedphytoplankton productivity nearSSES.Becauseironconcentrations inthePondHillReservoir willdecrease, andthelevelsrecordedintheriveratpresentdonotappeartohaveseriously reducedprimaryproduction, theeffectsofirononproductivity inthePondHillReservoir isnotexpectedtobegreat.Impactsonwaterqualityfromothersubstances enteringthereservoir fromtherivershouldbeinsignificant, sincetheremaining parameters havebeenfoundtomeetcriteriarecommended byDERandEPA.Fecalcoliformlevelsintheriverusuallyexceedstandards acceptable forbathingwaters.However,fecalpathogenic bacteriawillsurviveforonlyafewdaysinthereservoir.4 Sincethereservoir willbeeutrophic, largegrowthsorbloomsofdiatoms,greenalgae,andblue-green algaemayseasonally occurinsomeyears.However,extensive algalbloomswouldnotbeanticipated everyyear,sincetherewillbeanetlossofnutrientsaltstothebottomsediments.

Hacrophytes, suchascattailsandpondweeds, shouldappearintheshallow,inshorewaters,buttheamountofgrowthofmacrophytes andperiphytic algaeinPondHillReservoir willbelimited,sincemuchoftheshoreline willbesteep-sided.

Mossesandliverworts, whichareabundantinPondHillCreek,willbeeliminated following inundation, sincetheyrequirehard,unsiltedsubstrates andcontinuously flowingwaterforsurvival.s Otherperiphyton willgener-allybeconfinedtothelittoralorinshoreareasofthenewreservoir, sincegrowingconditions inthefloodedstreamchannelwillnolongerbesuitable.

Irondepositsmayalsoinhibitmacrophyte development.

Following reservoir

-poolformation, athinlayerofsiltwillaccumulate onthebottom,andafairlyuniformbenthichabitatwillresultthroughout thenewreservoir.

Consequently, sincequietandrifflewaterhabitatsandavarietyofsubstrates willbeeliminated orcoveredoverbysilt,thediversity ofbenthicmacroinvertebrates intheproposedreservoir shouldbelessthanthatobservedinPondHillCreek.Speciescomposition willalsochangesignificantly.

ThePondHillCreekmacroinvertebrates, whichrequirearunning-water habitat(stoneflies, caddisflies, andmostmayflies),

willnotsurviveintheimpoundment; thosecapableofadjusting toquieterwatersand/orpreferring softsubstrates (oligochaete worms,snails,dragonflies, andmidgelarvae)willbecomemoreabundantinthereservoir.

However,benthicmacroinver tebrates-maybefurtherlimitedbyirondepositsonthebottomand/orlowdissolved oxygenlevelsinthehypolimnion.

Thus,onlythemoretolerantmacroinvertebrate formswouldbeexpectedtoinhabitthebottomofthe:lake.

Midgelarvae(Chironomidae) willprobablydominatethereservoir benthos,sincetheysurviveatverylowoxygenlevelsandwerefoundtobeabundantinsectionsoftheSusquehanna Riverinwhichheavyirondepositswereobserved.,

PondHillCreekisverysmallandpresently supportsalimitedfishpopulation comprised chieflyofminnows.Hoendangered orrarefishspeciesinhabitthestream,norarethereanypermanent gamefishpopulations present.Anumberoffactorswillaffectthetypeoffishcommunity thatwilldevelopinthereservoir.

Thefishspeciespresently foundinPondHillCreek,whichpreferand/orrequirerunning-water

habitats, arenotexpectedtooccurintheproposedreservoir.

Theseincludeblacknose daceandcreekchubs.Ontheotherhand,goldenshinerandfatheadminnows,alongwithbluegills, largemouth bass,andotherspeciesinhabiting thesmallpondsadjacenttothestreammaybecomeabundantinthenewreservoir.

Lowdissolved oxygenandchemically-reduced substances releasedfrombottomsediments maycreateanunfavorable habitatinthehypolimnion duringlatesuranerformanyfishspecies.However,oxygenlevelsintheepilimnion shouldremainsufficiently hightosupportwarmwater fishes(ER-OL,Section4.2.3,3.2).

Ironlevels,neartheintakesitehave.beenconsistently higherthanthe1,0and1.5mg/Lcrite-ria.However,atotalofforty-two fishspecieshavebeenfoundtoinhabitthissectionoftheriver.Apparently theambientironconcentrations intheriverarenotdirectlytoxictothesespecies.Nordogrowthorspawningsuccessseemtohavebeenadversely affected.

Consequently, mostofthefishspecies,including anumberofgamefish,inhabiting theSusquehanna Riverneartheintakesitewouldberelatively unaffected bytheironlevelsinthereservoir.

Possibledetrimental effectsofirononthefishinthereservoir shouldbefurtherreducedbythefactthatironconcentrations willbelowerthanthoseusuallyfoundintheriver.Periodicdrawdowns shouldhavenomajordetrimental effectsonfishorotheraquaticlifeinthereservoir.

Orawdowns generally willbeinfrequent andwillexposearelatively smallamountof A.4-8thelakebottom;anextensive drawdownofthereservoir wouldbeanticipated onlyonceinabout71years.Alldrawdowns wouldbeexpectedtooccurduringthelatesuranerandfallmonths.Thestaffalsoconcludes thatevaporation rateswillhaveinsignificant effectsonspawninghabitat.Theapplicant's anticipated evaporation ratesarepresented inTableA.4.3.Ingeneral,theproposedreservoir wouldbeasuitablehabitatformanywarmwater gamefish;thesecouldincludepickerel, muskellunge, catfish,bluegill(andothersunfish),

crappie,smallmouth bass,largemouth bass,yellowperch,andwalleye,allofwhichpresently occurintheSusquehanna Riverneartheintakesite.Thesefishwillbeintroduced andmaintained byafisherymanagement program(ER-OL,Section4.2.3.3.2).

Anumberofthesespecieswouldprobablyestablish permanent populations inthereservoir.

TableA.4.3.Anticipated Evaporation, RatedonaMonthlyBasisforthePondHillReservoira MonthEvaporation (cm)MonthEvaporation (cm)JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune0.00.00.01.31.71.8JulyAugustSeptember OctoberNovemberDecember1.91.71.20.80.60'Source:ResponsetoNRCI)uestion 23,12October1979.A.4.3.2.3 Dischaege SystemConstruction ImactsSincethedischarge system,aspresently

proposed, willbecontained withinthesamestructure astheintake(seeFig.A.3.3),impactsassociated withconstruction.

ofthedischarge willbethesameasthosediscussed fortheintakesystem(seeSec.A.4.4.2.1.1).

0erational ImactsTheapplicant indicates thatthequalityandtemperature ofwaterdischarged fromthereservoir intothedownstream sectionofPondHillCreekandtheSusquehanna Riverwillbecontrolled bythemultilevel inlet-outlet structure (ER-OL,Sec.4.3.1).Theoutletportsforcompensation releasesintherevisedinlet-outlet structure (Fig.A.4.1)willbeatthe291.4,282.0,and259.1mlevels.Theapplicant hasperformed newthermalmodelinganalysesforthereservoir, usingthescheduleofcompensation releasesthatwouldberequired, for,1964droughtconditions andthetwosetsofmeteorological data,1964and1975(PP8LConmentletter,29May1980;Letter17ofAppendixB).Theresultsofthesecalculations aregivenintheabovecommentletter.Thestaffhasnotverifiedtheapplicant's calculations butdoesagreewiththeirconclusion that,undermostconditions, thecompensation releaseswillbefromtheepilimnion layer,mini-mizingthepotential forcoldshockintheSusquehanna River.However,intheunusualeventthatthewaterlevelinthereservoir isbelowthatofOutletNo.2(282.0m}(theminimumpoollevelis264.4m),compensation waterwouldbepumpedthroughtheoutletat259.1mandwou'ldbehypolimnetic water.Thus,apotential forcoldshockremains.However,thestaffbelievesthatthemulti-slotted discharge willenhancedilutionandthusmitigatetheeffecttosomedegree.Inadditiontoextremetemperature changes,nutrientconcentrations inthedischarge maybehigherthanpresently

expected, depending onfromwhatportionofthehypolimnion thewateriswithdrawn.

Thedeeperthewater,thehighertheconcentrations.

Anexception wouldbeduringturnover, whentheconcentrations wouldbemoreuniformly distributed.

Ironlevelsinthedischarge watermaybehigh,especially ifreleasecoincides withoverturns.

Inaddition, sincethereservoir maybeeutrophic, largeamountsoforganicmattermayappearindischarges.

Highironandorganic-matter concentr'ations inthedischarges shouldhavelittleimpactontheSusquehanna River,sincecompensation releaseswillbeinfrequent andusuallysmallinvolume.

II5CIrrrr///'l'5>>NI0SSCAiJ/r/TO>>CDANDSNIDSCCLCVATKWw/arr>>rSCCTIONCO5CCTIONC.CrrrrII>>>>tWAIti'".INNwrr>>W>>I>>'LT+w/arirrSCOT@>>ID.DSCCTNNIAArr'1>>SCCSION~D~W>>N>>nrr>>11>>>>wwN WNFig.A.4.1.Inlet-Outlet Structure; A.4-10Dissolved oxygenconcentrations varyinversely withreservoir depth.Anoxicconditions mayexistinthedeeperpartsofthehypolimnion.

Obviously thedischarge ofanoxicwatertoeitherPondHillCreekortheSusquehanna Riverwouldbeadverse,withtheeffectsbeinglocalized.

Aconservation releaseof5.7L/swillbemaintained fortheremaining sec'tionofPondHillCreekbelowthedam.Hostofthetime,however,thedownstream releaseswillexceedthisrateduetonaturalrunoffinthewatershed.

Althoughthereshouldbeasufficient quantityofwatertosupporttheexistingaquaticlifeinthestream,thequalityofthedownstream releasewatermaybedetrimental tosomeofthestreamorganisms.

Butironlevelsinthereleasewatermayexceedtherecormended

criteria, particularly duringreservoir overturns.

Thiscouldresultinthedeposition orironprecipitates onthestreamsubstrate, whichinturn,couldlimitperi-phytonandmacroinvertebrate comaunities toiron-tolerant species.Theaveragereleasevelocitythroughthescreenswillbeabout0.4ft.persecond(0.9cm/s)(measured 1footfromthescreens)andthescreenswillbeabout2ft.(0.6m)abovetheriver-bed.Anyscourthatmayresultfromcompensation releaseswillbelocalized andtemporary.

Thestaffconcludes thatmonitoring benthosinthevicinityofthedischarge isnotnecessary.

A.A.3.3~AtmoshericConverting 128haofmixedwoodland/field vegetative covertowaterwillhaveminimalimpactontheatmosphere.

Thethermalinertiaofthestoredwaterwillmoderateairtemperatures slightly.

Infallandearlywinter,lightsteamfogwilloccasionally formoverthewaterand'moveafewtensofmetersinlandbeforeevaporating.

Sincethereisnoheatloadonthereservoir, thefrequency anddensityofthesteamfogwillbesimilartothatofothersmalllakesinthearea.Equipment usedinconstruction willcomplywiththecriteriaestablished byOSHAandEPAfornoiseandexhaustemissions.

Theapplicant willrequirethecontractor toemploydustcontrolmeasures(ER-OL,AppendixH,pp.4-87).A.4.4HYDROLOGIC IHPACTSA.4.4.1Construction Stripping ofvegetation fromtheareatobeinundated andfromotherareaswillincreasetherunoffcoefficient, resulting inhigherpeakflowsinPondHillCreek.However,sincethiseffectwillbetemporary (thedam,whencomplete, willprovidefloodcontrolfortheremaining sectionofthestream)andsincetherearenoresidences thatcanbeaffectedbythehigherstreamflows, thestaffconcludes thattheimpactwillbeminimal.Themajorhydrologic impactoftheconstruction ofthedamwillbetoconvertanaturalstream,PondHillCreek,intoareservoir andastreamwhosemaximumandminimumflowswillbecon-trolled.Thehydrologic aspectsofthestreambeforeconstruction arediscussed'in Sec-tionA.2'.2.Theupperportionofthatstreamwillbereplacedbyareservoir withanormal,orfull-pool, elevation of299mNSL.Thisreservoir wouldcover128haandcontainapproxi-mately30ht10mofwater.Themaximumdepthduringnormalpooloperation wouldbeabout67m;theaveragedepthwouldbe23.3m.Theapplicant usedtheHydrologic Engineering Center(HEC)MatergualityModeltosimulatethethermalbehaviorofthereservoir.

Themodelresultsaresensitive tocalibration constants thatcanonlybedetermined byfieldmeasurements.

forthePondHillthermal,simulation, theverticaleddydiffusion coefficients wereestimated bycomparison withsimilarlakesandreser-voirs.Althoughtheanalysiswasperformed forthesmallerreservoir originally proposedbytheapplicant, theresultsareusefulinthattheyprovideageneraldescription thatshouldberepresentative oftheproposedreservoir's thermalcharacteristics.

TheHECmodelpredicted thattheproposedreservoir wouldbethermally stratified duringthesumnerwithturnovers andmixinginearlyspringandlatefall-.Arelatively stablethermocline waspredicted toforminlateAprilandremainthroughout therestofthespring,suraner,andearlyfall(throughOctober).

Themodelpredicted anepilimnion (upperlayer)approximately 4.6to6.1mthickwithsurfertemperatures between20'nd25'C.Temperatures inthehypolimnion (lowerlayer)werepredicted torangefrom5'o10'C.Theproposedlocationofthepumpingstationisadjacenttotherailroadinanareaoutsidethe1Ãchance(100-year) floodplain asshowninFigureA.2,5.Pipelines connecting thepumpingplanttothesubmerged intakeanddischarge willbeburiedinthefloodplain.

Theapplicant iscom-mittedtorestorethelandsurfaceinthefloodplain aftercompletion ofconstruction.

Thestaffconcludes thatthereisnopracticable alternative totheconstruction ofthissectionofpipelineinthefloodplain andthatthehydrologic impactswouldbeminimal.

A.4.4.2.~0erat)onA.4.4.2.1 WaterSupplyThePondHillReservoir wasproposedtoprovidereplacement forSusquehanna Riverwaterconsumedby.theSusquehanna SteamElectricStationduringperiodsoflowflowasdefinedin18CFR803'helow-flowcriterion istheseven-year, ten-day(g7-10)lowflowoftheSusquehanna Riverplustheconsumptive wateruseofthepowerplant.AtWilkes-Barre, theg7-10isestimated tobe22.7m3/s.Thus,therequirement forreplacement ofconsumedwaterbecomeseffective whenevertheriverflowatWilkes-Barre isbelow,22.7 m~/splustheplant'sactualmeasuredconsumptive use.Averageplantconsumptive useisestimated tobe1.4m3/s,withthemaximumestimated tobe1.8ms/s.Therefore, waterreplacement mayberequiredwhenflowatWilkes-Barre is,below24.5ms/s.Thereservoir wasdesignedtobeabletosupplytherequiredreplacement watertotheSusquehanna Riverduringarecurrence ofthedroughtofrecord,AugusttoNovember1964.Theeffectsofprecipitation ontoandevaporation fromthereservoir duringthedrought,althoughminor,wereincluded.

Duringthisdrought,flowatWilkes-Barre wasbelow24.1m~/son106days,including oneperiodof84continuous days.Therewasonlyoneadditional day,whentheflowwasbelow24.5ms/s.Ifitwereassumedthatthemaximumconsumptive useoccurredonthatday,theconclu-sionswouldnotchangesignificantly.

Atnormalfullpool,thereservoir willcontainapprbx-imately29.724106msofwaterwithapproximately 27.1x106m>available forrelease.Ifreleasedatanaveragerateof1.4ms/s,theestimated averageplantconsumptive use,therewillbeenoughwaterformorethan220dayswithoutrefilling thereservoir.

Theapplicant hasassumedahigherreleaserateofabout2.9ms/s.Atthisrate,thereservoir's available storagewould,beusedupinabout106days,thenumberofdaysforwhichreplacement waterwould,berequiredduringarepeatofthedroughtofrecord.Attheassumedaveragereleaserateof2.9ms/s,anaverageof1.4m>/swouldbeneededforreplacement ofplantwaterconsumption and1.5m>/swouldbeavailable forotherusessuchassalestootherwateruserstosupplycompensation releases.

Duringtimesofgreaterplantwaterconsumption, thewateravailable forotherpurposeswouldbereduced.Atthemaximumestimated plantconsumption rateof1.8ms/s,approximately 1.1m>/swouldbeavailable forotherusesasdescribed above.Thedesignrateatwhichthereservoir couldberefilledwithwaterfromtheSusquehanna Riveris3.7ms/s.Atthisrate,itwouldtakeapproximately 84daystorefillthereservoir.

However,theapplicant hasstatedthatrefilling willnotoccurattimeswhentheflowintheSusquehanna Riverisbelow85.0ms/s.Evenwiththisrestriction, itisalmostcertainthatthereservoir wouldberefilledpriortothenextlowflow.A.4.4.2.2 PondHillCreekTheoperation ofthePondHilieReservoir willchangethecharacter oftheremaining portionofPondHillCreek,primarily duringperiodsofhighandlowflow.Hostofthetime,withthereservoir full,surfaceflowinto,orrainfallonto,thereservoir willbereleasedthroughthespillway.

Thisflowwillbedirectedtotheremaining lowerportionofPondHillCreek.Thereplacement ofapproximately 39Koftheupperdrainageareaofthestreamwithareservoir willincreasetheflowatthespillwayduringmoderatestorms.However,duringseverestorms,thedischarge willbelimitedbythecross-sectional areaofthespillway.

Theexcessinflowtothereservoir willbeaccommodated byariseinwaterlevel'.Theapplicant analyzedthesystemresponseduringalXchanceflood.'(100-year recurrence flood).Theanalysisindicated thatundernaturalconditions thepeakstreamdischarge wouldbeabout49.7ms/s.Thecalculated peakinflow(overland flowintoandrainfallonto)tothereservoir wasestimated tobeabout60.8m3/s.However,thepeakdischarge throughthespillwaywascal-culatedtobeonly0.84ms/s.Thereservoir,~therefore, willservetoconsiderably attenuate theeffectsofthefloodonthedownstream portionofthestream.Normally, withthereservoir atfull-pool elevation of299mHSL,allinflowtotheupperpor-tionofthewatershed willpasstothelowerportionofthes'treamviathespillway.

Theappli-canthasstated,however,thataminimumflowof5.7L/swillbemaintained.

Asectionof'pipeline, connected tothereservoir-to-pumping plantpipelineimediately downstream ofthedamwillbeusedforthispurpose.Thereleasepointwillbebetweenthetoeofthedamandthespillwaydischarge location.

Thechoiceof5L/sfortheminimumflowisbaseduponthemethod-ologyusedbyDERtoestimatetheseven-day, ten-yearlowflowonungaugedstreams.Sincethenaturalstreamflow probablyceasesduringdroughtperiods,theproposedconserva'tion releaserepresents achangeinthehydrology ofthedownstream portionofthestream.

A.4-12A.4.4.2.3 Hydrologic DesignofDamSincefailureofthedamwouldnotresultinradioactive releasesnoreffectthereactorsite,thestaffdidnotperformadetailedevaluation ofthedam'shydrologic design.Thestaffdid,however,reviewthehydrologic criteriausedandcomparedthesewithcriteriausedfor(rat)io-logically) safety-related dams.Theapplicant's hydrologic designcriteriaisafloodseriesconsisting ofthe6-hrProbableMaximumFlood(PHF)followed, 48hrlater,byalesser"Recurrent Flood."Staff'scriteriarequireaPHFprecededby40percentofthePMF.Inaddition, thecriteriaresultinaPMFmoreseverethanthatcalculated bytheapplicant.

However,theapplicant's designfloodseries,'hilenotassevereasthestaff's,isanextremely severefloodevent.4Theapplicant originally proposeda3-mwidespillway, withacrestelevation at299mHSL.Themaximumreservoir levelresulting fromthisdesignfloodwascalculated bytheapplicant as300.19mHSL,1.18mabovethespillwaycrestand1.56mbelowthecrestofthedam.Thestaffconcluded, however,thatitsmoreseveredesignfloodwouldresultinovertopping ofthedam.Thiswasdueprimarily tothefactthattherelatively narrowspillwaywasincapable ofpassingmorethanasmallfractionofthepostulated inflowtothereservoir.

Theapplicant hasrecentlyrevisedtheproposeddesignofthespillway.

Thenewdesigncallsforthespillwaytobe25.91mwidewithacrestelevation at299.31mHSL.The0.30-mdifference betweenthecrestelevation andthenormalfull-pool reservoir elevation willprovideadditional floodstorage.Theapplicant routeditsdesignfloodthroughthereservoir withtherevisedspillway, assumingtheinitialwaterlevelto.beatthespillwaycrest;i.e.,nofloodstoragebelowthecrestavailable.

Themaximumreservoir levelcalculated was300.21mHSL,0.9mabovethespillwaycrestand1.54mbelowthedamcrest.Theapplicant alsoroutedthestaff'smoreseveredesignfloodseriesthroughthereservoir.

Thecalculated maximumreservoir levelwas300.42mHSL,1.11mabovethespillwaycrestandl.'33mbelowthecrestofthedam.Theapplicant's calculations

indicate, therefore, thatthedamcanmeetthehydrologic designcriteriastaffrequiresfor(radiologically) safety-related dams..A.4.4Groundwater EffectsFillingofthe1reservoir willalterthegroundwater conditions withinthedrainageareaoftheupperportionofPondHillCreek.Thegroundwater levelshouldrisetoatleastthelevelofthereservoir atitspeIlmeter.Since.groundwater levelsintheridgenorthofthereservoir areclearlywellabovethereservoir level,thereshouldbenoeffectonthegroundwater regimenorthofthePondHillCreekdrainagearea.Thelimitedinformation available ontheground-waterconditions ontheridgesouthofthereservoir indicatethatgroundwater levelsarealsoabovetheproposedwaterlevelinthereservoir.

Inaddition, theapplicant hasproposedasaddledamandanimpervious cutoffsectionalongthetwolowestsectionsofthatridge.Thestaff,therefore, concludes thatgroundwater levelssouthoftheridgeshouldnotbeaffectedbythereservoir.

4A.4.5SOCIOECONOHI CIMPACTSThefollowing isanassessment ofthepotential socioeconomic impactsoftheconstruction andoperation ofthePondHillReservoir onlocalcommunities inLuzerneCounty.Directandin-directchangestothesociocultural systemsoflocalcomnunities areexpectedtobearesultoftheconstruction workforceandrelatedactivities andofthepresenceofalakeinapreviously wooded,ruralarea.A.4.5.1~DemoraaThepeakconstruction workforcewillcontain125individuals with85%(106)oftheworkersexpectedtobeconmuters and15K(19)in-migra'ting workers(Response toNRCOuestion26).Theapplicant estimates

.thatfewerthanfiveofthe.expectedin-migrants willbringtheirfamilies; assumingtwochildrenperfamily,anadditional tenschool-aged childrenareexpectedasaresultofthisproject(Response toNRCQ.26).Becauseoftheshortduration(twoyears)ofconstruction andconcurrent phasedown ofconstruc-tionattheSusquehanna Plant,thestaffbelievesthati'nducedservicepersonnel willnotresulth A.4-13fromthenineteenadditional workersand'their familiesmovingintothelocalarea.Ifthesein-migrants aredispersed throughout theimpactarea,theiradditional servicedemandsshouldbemetbycurrentstaffandfacilities.

A.4.5.2Settlement PatternA.4.5.2.1 HousingSpecificinformation onthehousingtypeandlocationpreferred bythein-migrants isnotavail-able.Theapplicant statesthatworkersatthePondHillsiteareexpectedtomakearrangements fortemporary housing-motels,boardinghouses-andreturnhomeonweekends(Response toNRCQ.26).Available housingincomnunities closetotheprojectarea,suchasPondHill,Hocanaqua, andShickshinny, isvirtually nonexistent.

However,theapplicant believesthatsometransient housingwouldbeavailable inWilkes-Barre, orNanticoke andadditional housingisexpectedtobecomeavailable intheBerwick-Bloomsburg areaastheSSESworkforceisreduced.However,factorssuchaslocalscenicqualities, recreational opportunities, gasolineprices,costofliving,etc.,mayattractmorethantheprojected numberofin-migrants.

Theyandtheirfamiliesmightchoosetoseekhousingintheimnediate areaduringsomepartsoftheyearratherthantocomnutefromlargerservicecenters.Insuchanevent,housingcompetition mayoccur.Operation ofthisprojectmayalsoproduceasecondary effectonlocalhousingpatternsbecauseoftheland-usechangesbroughtaboutbythereservoir.

Someresidential development maytakeplaceintheareassurrounding thereservoir andbufferarea.Theapplicant hasprovidedesti-matesofthemaximumandminimumnumberofresidential development unitsthatmaybeconstructed, 35and140units,respectively.s However,futuredevelopment willdependonacombination ofsociocultural factors,including theperceived attractiveness ofthearea,goalsandvaluesoftheindividuals wantingtobuild,localplanninggoals,availability ofprivateland,andattitudes oflocallandowners.

A.4.5.2.2 Transportation Theconstruction andoperation ofthePondHillreservoir willimpactlocaltransportation systems.Duringconstruction, Route239and,toalesserextent,LR40120willbeaffected'yincreased usefortransport ofconstruction-related equipment andmaterials andcorrmuting workers.<

Inordertominimize, trafficimpactsinPondHill,theapplicant willbuildanewaccessroadtothereservoir site(Response toNRCQ.8,partb).Inaddition, Route239willbeaffectedbytheconstruction ofthepumpstation,whentrafficwilltemporarily bereducedtoonelane.Theapplicant hasstudiedthecumulative effectofthePondHillandSSESprojectsandconcludes thatanadditional policeofficerwillbeneededtofacilitate trafficflowsoastoavoidmajortransportation impacts.Duringoperation, increased trafficvolumesareanticipated ontownshiproadsbecauseoftherecreational facilities thatwillbeavailable atthereservoir.e And,althoughtheconstruc-tionofanewaccessroadtothesitewilllessensomeoftheimpacts,thespecificmagnitude oftheseincreases andtheirspecificlocations arenotknownatthistime.Theapplicant iscomnitted tocooperation withthelocaltownships torepairroadsdamagedduetoreservoir construction activities.

A.4.5.2.3 Recreation Theapplicant hassumnarized theoutdoorrecreational areasbyownerandacreageforthegeneralregionandConyngham Township(Reference 6,Tables3.2.8-1through3.2.8-3).

Forecasts ofstaterecreational demandsshowaneedformorefacilities inalmostalloutdoorrecreational activi-ties.Thestaffbelievesthatsomeoftheprojected recreational needswillbemetbythePondHillReservoir andassociated facilities described inSection3.3.ThePennsylvania FishCom-missionwillbeaskedtostockthelakeforwarmwater sportfishing.Therecreational potential createdbythesefacilities isestimated tobefrom7,300to10,000visitor-days peryear,notincluding visitations relatedtohuntingorwintersports.eTheapplicant hasdefinedfiverecreational development objectives inordertomaintaintheecological characteristics andremotesettingofthesiteandtominimizeimpactsofoperation onthelocalcomnunities whileproviding facilities thatmeettheirperceived needs.Thestaffnotesthattheseobjectives wereconsidered inthedesignsforrecreational useandprojectmaintenance particularly toavoidgreateruseofthesitethanitsintendeddesigncapacity.

A.4-14A.4.5.3Imactsto,theSocialSstemTheapplicant statesthatshort-andlong-term impacts'tothecohesionoflocalcomnunities nearthereservoir sitearenotexpected(Reference 6,Sec.4.2.4.7).

Thestaffbelievesthatdirectimpactstosocialinstitutions orcohesionwillnotbeseverebecauseofthesmallworkforceandprojected numberofin-migrants andbecausetheprojectareadoesnotphysically divideacomaunity orseparatecoomunities.

Potential effectsonlifestyle; values;beliefs;andsolidar-ityoflocalgroups,neighborhoods, andcomnunities wouldbeduetoindirectoperational impactsofinduceddevelopment.

Suchimpactscouldbeginduringconstruction.

Thepotential fordevelopmental impacts.to thelocalsettlement systemwerediscussed inSection4.6'.1ofReference 6~A.4.5.4SocialServicesBecauseofthesmallworkforce,shortdurationoftheproject,andexpectation offew.in-migrants, impactstomostkindsofsocialservicesarenotexpected.

However,impactsasso-ciatedwithincreased trafficmayrequiretraffic-control personnel insomelocalareas.A.4.5.5ImactstothePolitical SstemDirectimpactstothepolitical organization oflocalcormunities arenotexpected.

Shouldindirectimpactsoccur,suchasinduceddevelopment, planningdecisions,:increased personnel, financing andzoning,consideration mayberequired.

A.4'.6Imactsto.theEconomicSstemAlthoughtheeconomicimpactsoftheconstruction phaseoftheprojectwillbesmall,theyareexpectedtobebeneficial totheregionandtosomelocalbusinesses.

Theapplicant statesthatconstruction cost(50Kinmaterials) willhaveamultiplier effecton'theregionaleconomy.<

Moreover, manyconstruction materials andequipment maybepurchased withinLuzerneCounty;additional spendingmayresultastheseindustries increasetheirpurchases fromotherindustries andhiremorelabor.<A.4.6IMPACTSTOCULTURALRESOURCES Archeological investigations atthePondHillReservoir site,limitedtotheareawithinthehighwatermarkofthereservoir andanearbysectionoftheSusquehanna floodplain, disclosed negligible archeological materials.z References 1."JohnsonScreensinSurfaceWaterIntakeSystems,"

Bulletin1S577.JohnsonDivisionofUnitedOilProducts, Inc.'t.Paul,MN,1977.2.J.B.Canonetal.,"FishProtection atSteam-Electric PowerPlants:Alternative Screening Devices,"

PreparedforUSNRC,DivisionofSiteSafetyandEnvironmental

Analysis, underInteragency Agreement DOE.40-544-75 andtheUSEPA,RegionII,WaterFacilities, Branch-Energy8ThermalWastesSection,WaterDivision, July1979.3."QualityCriteriafor,Water,"U.S.Environmental Protection Agency,Washington, D.C.,1976..4.E.T.Chanlett, Environmental Protection, NewYork:McGraw-Hill, 1973.5.H.B.N.Hynes,TheEcoloofRunninWater,Toronto:University ofTorontoPress,1972.6.Tippetts-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratten(Engin'eers andArchitects, "DesignReport:PondHillReservoir,"

preparedforPennsylvania Power5LightCompany,1979.7.Commonwealth Associates, "Archeological Investigations attheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation:thePondHillReservoir Site,"preparedforPP&L,1981.

A.5.ALTERNATIVES, NEEDFORFACILITY, ANDBENEFIT-COST ANALYSISA.5.1ALTERNATIVES TOCONSTRUCTING AWATERSTORAGERESERVOIR Theapplicant hasgivenconsideration totwoalternative procedures, thatwouldnotrequiretheconstruction ofanoffstream waterstoragereservoir andwouldcomplywiththerequirements oftheSusquehanna RiverBasinComnission:

1.NotoperatetheSusquehanna SteamElectricStationwheneverflowintheSusquehanna Riverfellbelowtheconsecutive seven-day lowflowexpectedtooccureverytenyears(theg7-10value).2.Purchasemakeupwaterfromexistingreservoirs.

Theapplicant hassubmitted thefollowing documents insupportofanalysisofalternatives:

l.AppendixH,Section2totheEnvironmental ReportforSSES,2.3."Assessment ofSitesforanAugmentation Reservoir fortheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,"

Tippetts-Abbett-HcCarthy-Stratton, August1977.LettersfromN.W.Curtis,PP&L,to,D.E.Sells,NRC,12Octoberand13November, 1979.Item3containstheapplicant's responsetostaffquestions onalternatives.

A.5.1.1NoActionAlternative--"River Followin"Theapplicant couldmeetSRBCrequirements bychoosingnottooperateSSESduringspecificper-iodsoflowriverflow.Thismodeofoperation, called"riverfollowing,"

wouldrequirethegeneration ofreplacement electrical powerfromotherunitswithinthePP&LorPJHpowersystem,orthepurchaseofpowerfromotherutilities.

Basedonthecriticalflowvalue,24,1ms/s,theriver-following modeofoperation wouldhaverequiredtheshutdownofSSESfor106daysin1964,theyearofrecordlowflowintheriver.Theuseoftheriver-following optionwould,insomeyears,requireseveraladditional shutdowns andstartupsoftheSSESreactors, andalsoofthegenerating unitsproviding thereplacement electrical power.Thiscyclingofunitswouldaddtomaintenance costsandeffortsandwouldprobablydecreaseplantandsystemreliability.

A.5.1.2UseofExistinReservoirs Theapplicant hasexaminedthepotential forpurchasing therequiredvolumeof,replacement waterfromanexisting(orunder-construction) reservoir.

including thoseownedbythePennsylvania GasandWaterCompany{PGW),theU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers (COE),andtheSoilConservation Service.Expansion ofPGW'sNesbitt,Reservoir toholdtherequiredvolumeofwaterwouldentailtheconstruction ofanew64-mhighdamandalongrefilling pipelinefromeithertheLackawanna orSusquehanna River.Estimated costsofexpanding theNesbittDamwouldbegreaterthanthatofconstructing thePondHillReservoir.

Thestaffagreeswiththeapplicant that,duetohighercostsandpotential fordelays.theuseofPGW'swaterstoragefacilities isnottobepreferred overthePondHillReservoir.

COEhastwddamsunderconstruction inTiogaCounty,Pennsylvania.

Theapplicant hassenttoCOEarequesttopurchasecompensation waterflowfromtheCowanesque Reservoir, scheduled forcompletion in1982(ER-OL,AppendixH).COEhasalsoindicated thatcongressional actionmayberequiredtomakewaterstorageanauthorized useofthewaterinCowanesque Lake(PP&LresponsetoNRCquestions).

NofirmcostvaluescanbeassignedtotheuseofCOE-stored water.A.5-1 A.5-2A.S!1.3~SuamarThestaffagreeswiththeapplicant thattheriver-following alternative, whileaviableone,islessdesirable thantheconstruction ofPondHillReservoir.

Thestaffalsoagreeswith'theapplicant thatthereisthepotential forlongdelaysinobtaining therequiredcompensation releasesfromCowanesque Lake,makingthesecondoptionlessdesirable thantheconstruction ofPondHillReservoir.

A.5.2ALTERNATIVE SITESTheapplicant hasidentified twelvepotential alternate locations forthePondHillReservoir (ER-OL,AppendixH,Section2.4).Thisanalysisisbasedonausablewaterstoragerequirement of11.7x10sms,thevolumeofwaterthatwouldberequiredforacompensation flowof1.42m/sfor96days.IThethirteensites(selected and12alternates) wereselectedinpartfroma1.970Susquehanna RiverBasinStudyCoordinating Committee study.In1977,anengineering consulting firmiden-tifiedandinvestigated thetechnical,

economic, andenvironmental characteristics ofeachsite(Reference 1andER-OL,AppendixH,Section4.2).TANS'sanalysisofthe12alternate siteswasbasedprimarily onreconnaissance-level information.,

Theapplicant subjectively ratedeachsiteonthebasisofelevenenvironmental engineering factors:numberofresidential unitswithinthesite;numberofresidential unitsbelowtheproposeddamsite;amountandtypeofagricultural activityaffected; agricultural capability classification ofsoilswithinsite;lengthofstreaminundated; qualityoftheaffectedstream'sfishery;waterqualityofthereservoir's watersource(thiswoulddirectlyaffectthereser-voir'spotential waterquality);

potential impactonpumpingsource(withparticular emphasisonproportion oftotalflowtobepumpedandonfisheryquality);

aqualitative judgmentofthewildlifehabitatwithinthesiterelativetotheothersitesstudied;lengthandtypeofwaterconduit(i.e.,pipelineortunnel)andcharacter ofareathatwouldbetraversed byapipeline; andareaexposedbymaximumdrawdown(directly relatedtothesizeandshapeofthereservoir

).Factorssuchastopography, hydrology, geology,andestimated costofconstruction werealsoevolved.Construction impacts,exceptforthewaterconduitpipeandroute,wereconsidered tobesimilarforallsites.ThisanalysisshowedthatthePondHillsitewouldbethepreferred site.Thestaffhasreviewedtheapplicant's siteselection procedures andconcludes thatthemethod-ologyusedbytheapplicant issatisfactory andthatnoneofthealternate sitesisenviron-mentallyobviously superiortoPondHillCreek.Thestaff'sjudgmentisbasedinpartonvisitstothePondHillareaandtofouralternate sites.A.5.3BENEFIT-COST ANALYSISA.5.3.1NoActionAlternative--"River Followin"Basedonhistorical riverflow,theriverflowwillbelowerthanthecriticallevelonanaverageof3.3daysperyear(ER-OL,AppendixH,Section1).Undertheriver-following alternative, theapplicant wouldhavetobuyreplacement energytomakeupforthelossofgeneration duetotheshutdownofSSES.Theapplicant estimated theaverageannualenergyrequirement forfourdaysofshutdown(including thatforstart-uptime)tobebetween160,000MWhand170,000HWh(response toNRCI).33,12October1979).Theenergyrangeisduetothedifference inlengthofstart-uptimeassociated withcoldorhotreactorshutdownconditions.

Ifanequalprobability ofhotorcoldshutdowncondition isassumed,theaverageannualenergyrequirement, aspertheapplicant's

.estimate, wouldbe165,000HWh.Staff'sestimateofenergylossduringthefour-dayperiod,assuming70Kcapacityfactor,is146,000HWh.Theapplicant's andthestaff'sthirty-year presentworthoftheaverageannualreplacement energycostare117.8and104.2milliondollars,respectively (TableA.5.1).Inordertomakeafairercomparison forbenefit-cost

Purposes, itisimportant tosubtractthecostofoperating SSESfromthereplacement energycost.Itshouldbenoted,however,thatthereare.someadvantages (suchasimprov'ed systemsreliability) ofoperating SSESoverandabovethedifference betweenreplacement energycostsandSSESoperating cost.Theapplicant's andstaff'sthirty-year estimateofpresentworthoftheaverageannualreplace-mentenergycostattheincremental priceare64.3and56.9milliondollars,respectively (TablesA.5.1andA.5.2).Thestaff'sestimateofpresentvalueofaverageannualreplacement energycostfallsbetween$41millionforthebest-case (averageannualshutdownofthreedays)-and$192millionfortheworst-case (averageannualshutdownoffourteendays).Theprobability ofshutdownoflessthanorequalto3daysand14daysare86.1and99.1$,respectively (TableA.5.3).

A'.5-3TableA.5.1.Thirty-year PresentWorthoftheAverageAnnualReplacement EnergyCostApplicant PondHillReservoir CostStaff"w/otaxw/taxAnnual4-dayenergy'oss(MWh)30-yearpresentworthatincremental price(M$)30-yeanpresent'worthatreplacement price(MS)165,00064.3117.8146,00056.9104.248.749.562.363.1ResponsetoNRCI)uestion 33,12October1979.bLetterfromL.E.Schroder, PP8L,toR.Prasad,ANL,19November1979.TableA.5.2.,StaffEstimates ofReplacement EnergyCostattheIncremental PriceYearReplacement NuclearPricePriceGen.PriceGrowth(mills/kWh)

(mills/kWh)

(X)Incremental Price(mil1s/kWh)}978198019831985199019951995-over 35406510015.9018.2029.545.5253513~06.966,910.198.995.019.121.835.554.6TableA.5.3.ShutdownProbabilities PresentWorth$millionOays<3<4<7<14<3196Probability ofGeneration Loss83.0086.0089.0090,0094.0099.01.0AnnualAverageOayLoss347143196AtReplacement Prfce75.6100.7176.3352.6780.82418.1AtIncremental Price41.255,096.2192.4426.11319.8Source:ER-OL,Vol.4,pp.1-4,Table1.3.2-1, A.5-4A.5.3.2UseofExistinReservoirs Theapplicant hasexploredthepotential forusingwatersupplystorage.inanexistingstoragefacilitytoaugmenttheriverflowduringthelowriverflow periodtokeepSSESoperating.,

Amongtheprojectsconsidered, theapplicant, inconsultation withCOE,foundtheCowanesque projecttobethemostsuitablefromthepointofviewoftimeliness andavailability ofwatersupplystorage.Butintheir'recent responsetheyhavepointedoutmanyuncertainties regarding theavailability ofwaterstorageduetocongressional approvalrequirements andtheSusquehanna RiverBasinCommission's coranentthat:Cowanesque Lakecannotpresently beconsidered asatimely.alternative forsupplying makeupwaterforSSES(applicant's responsetoNRCI).39,12October1979).Theapplicant estimates theapproximate costofthisalternative tobe$12millionovera30-yearperiod.Thestaffdoesnothavesufficient information tosubstantiate thecost.A.5.3.3PondHillReservoir Thethirdalternative considered wasthebuildingofareservoir; thiswouldassureasourceoflow-flowcompensation.,

Theapplicant hasproposedtobuildPondHillReservoir forwatersupplystorage.Theoverallcostoftheprojectisestimated bytheapplicant as$47million'in1983dollars).

Theapplicant hasassumedthattheonlycostassociated withthePondHillReservoir willbetheelectricity costofpumpingwaterintothereservoir.

Theyestimateayearlycapacitycostof$40,300and2417MWh(3357kWhx30daysx24hoursofelectricity)

(personal communication, L.E.Schroder, PAL,toR.Prasad,ANL,19November1979).Thepresentvaluesofthisalternative, over30years,are$48.7and$49.5million,including incre-mentalandreplacement priceofelectricity.

Onapurelyeconomicbenefit-cost analysis,.which treatsthetaxcostasthetransferpayment,thesewouldbethecostsoftheproject.Ifthepropertytax(inPennsylvania thepublicutilityrealtytaxis3Ãofvalue)weretreatedasanaddedprojectcost,thestaff'sestimateof$63millionpresentvalueoftheprojectwouldbeveryclosetothereplacement energycostundertheriver-following alternative.

Onecanalsolookatthepropertytaxof$1.41millionasacompensation (benefit}

fortheenvironmental cost(undetermined) totheconmunity.

A.5.3.4Discussion andConclusions Thecostoftheriver-following alternative isverydependent upontheprobability oftheoccur-renceofperiodlength(numberofdays)oflowriverflow.Fromtheanalysis, itappearsthat,iflowriverflowweretooccuratanannualaverageoffourdays,thecostofthePondHillReservoir alternative wouldbeveryclosetothereplacement costofelectricity underthe'river-following alternative.

But,iftheannualaverageperiodoflowriverflowwere25days(4Xprobability),

theenergyreplacement costcouldbeashighas$344million.Thebesteconomicalternative wouldappeartobetheuse-an-existing-reservoir alternative.

Basedontheinformation available, Cowanesque appearstobethemosteconomicamongallalterna-tivereservoirs, giventhatconcerned authorities granttheuseofwaterforflowcompensation.

Theriver-following alternative tookintoaccountonlythecostofreplacement energy;itdidnotconsidertheeffectofSSESshutdownonsystemreliability.

TheeffectofshutdownonreservemarginisshowninTableA.5.4.PP&L'sprojected reservemarginwithoutSusquehanna afteryear1985issignificantly lowerthanitshistorical marginsince1973'.PJM'sreservemarginwithoutSSESisprojected tobeapproximately 25%,whichisacceptable forthereliableopera-tionoftheinterchange.

PPSL,beingawinter-peaking system,isabletooperatewithareservemarginof5%.PPSLcouldprovidereliableservicetoitscustomers evenduringashortintervalofshutdownofSSES.,A.5.4EVALUATION OFUNAVOIDABLE ADVERSEENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTSOFTHEPROPOSEDACTIONA.5'.1LandThe525-hasitewillberemovedfromcurrentusesanddedicated toreservoir usesforthelifeoftheproject.Thedevelopment ofthePondHilldamandimpoundment siteswillresultinalong-term commitment ofabout146haoflandarea.About16haofthisareawillbealteredduringconstruction ofthedamembankment, thespillway, andtheoverflowchannel;128hawillbeinundated following construction.

About2hawillbeusedforthedevelopment ofancillary impoundment structures, waterpipelines, pumpingplant,servicefacilities, andhighwayaccess.Virtually alloftheareastobecomnitted arepresently forestedland:

A.5-5TableA.5.4.EffectofShutdownonReserveMarginProjected PJMPPSLReserveMarin1980198119821983198419851986198719881989WithSusuehannaPJMPP&LWithoutSusuehannaPJMPPSL3433343030313031292729445853484642353330373029252527262725232926231815131042,1Historical 1970197119721973197419751976197719781979PJMPPSL13212216.,283942384035161434303927483935ResponsetoNRCguestion35,12October1979.Otherprincipal landareasthatwillbedisrupted orotherwise adversely affectedduringprojectconstruction includeaconstruction stagingsiteanduplandtractsexcavated toacquirecoretmaterialfordamconstruction.

Anestimated 14haoflandwillbeusedforconstruction staging.Theareas,affectedbyborrowing activities willbedependent ontheamountofcorematerials available atthevarioussites;atotalofabout45haofuplandterrainhasbeendesignated asprimaryandreservesourceareasforborrowmaterials.

Therewillbe,lesslandavailable forhuntingandhiking.A.5.4.2WaterA128-halakewillbecreatedinanareanowforested.

About2.3kmofPondHillCreekwillbedestroyed andinundated.

Thelower1.3-kmstretchofPondHillCreekwillbeconverted fromafree-flowing streamtoaregulated onewithaminimumflowof5.7L/s.Waterqualityinthelowerreacheswillbedegradedduringconstruction (erosion) andoperation ofthereservoir.

A.5.4.3AirOncethereservoir hasbeencompleted, therewillbeaveryminorincreaseinthefrequency ofsteamfoginthearea.Airqualityintheconstruction areaswillbedecreased duringtheconstruction periodduetofugitivedustandemissions fromconstruction equipment.

A.5.4.4Terrestrial EcoloConstruction Assumingtotalutilization ofalldesignated borrowareas,about195haofvegetation and,therefore, wildlifehabitatwillbedestroyed ordisturbed duringland-clearing andconstruction activities.

Morethan805ofthevegetation tobeaffectedconsistsofforestcomounities.

Sitereclamation willentaillandscaping about25Kofthedenudedarea,partially mitigating lossesofvegetation andwildlifehabitat.Someindividuals ofthelessmobilewildlifespecieswillbedestroyed duringconstruction; otherspecieswillvacatethedisturbed areas.Thedisplaced animalswillcauseincreased c'ompetition forhabitatresources inadjacentareas;however,theconsequences willprobablybeminorinnatureandofshortdurationsincehabitatconditions similartothoseonsiteoccurextensively inthesurrounding area.

A.5-6~0eratteaal Theprincipal impactsresulting fromprojectoperation willoccurwiththeinitialfillingofthereservoir.

Residualvegetation willbeinundated.

Someadditional wildlifewillperishbydrowningorbedisplaced fromtheimpoundment site.Theendeffectofreservoir fillingwillbetheconversion ofabout128haofterrestrial habitatintoanaquaticenvironment.

About2.3kmofaquatichabitatalongPondHillCreek,ahealthy,unpolluted, naturalstream,willbeconverted fromthatofafree-flowing smallstreamtothatofastagnantreservoir.

Thereservoir willsupportamuchlargerfishpopulation thantheareapresently supports.

TherewillbesomelossoffishandotheraquaticlifeintheSusquehanna Riverduetoimpingement andentrainment duringperiodswhenwaterispumpedintothereservoir; theselossesareexpectedtobeminimal.Reference 1.Tippetts-Abbett-HcCarthy-Stratton/Engineers andArchitests, "DesignReport:PondHillReservoir,"

preparedforPennsylvania Power8LightCompany,February1979.

APPENDIX1LetterfromU.S.FishandWildlifeServicerefederally proposedendangered andthreatened speciesfnPennsylvania A,App.1-1 A.App.l-2 hI~ttNiletslttiTO:UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENT OFTHEINTERIORFISHANDWILDLIFESERYIGEOneGe:may~+i.SttteT00NEWTONCOANFA,MASSACHUSETTS lQ$5SQilliaaE.Eagan,Jr,Chiefll.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission Environmental ProjectsBranch2DivisionofSitaSafetyandEnvironmental AnalysisWashington, D.C20555

DearMr.Regan'.ThisrespondstoyourMay23,

1979,requestforinformation onthepresenceofFederally listed.orproposedendangered orthreatened speciesvfthintheimpactareaoftheproposed230acr~reservoir tobeoperatedinconjunction withtheSusquehanna SteanElectricStationnearBervick,Pennsylvania.

Exceptforoccasional transient individuals, noFederally listedorproposedspeciesunderourjurisdiction areknowntoexistintheprojectimpactarea.Therefore, noBiological hssessment orfurtherSection7consultation isrequiredMithtbeFishandWildlifeService(FWS)~Shouldprojectplanschange,orifadditional information onlistedorproposedspeciesbecomesavaQable, thisdetermination maybereconsidered.

Thwresponserelatesonlytoendangered speciesunderourjurisdiction.

Itdoesnotaddressanyother85concernorconcernsoftheNationalttaraaitshartes harrietOhtrt).isthashorteose storieoo~tetasserbrevirostrum) isunderNMFSjurisdiction andmayinhabittheprojectimpactarea,contactshouldbemadewithMr.RobertLippson,NationalMarinaFisheries Service,OxfordLaboratory, Railroadhvenue,Oxford,Maryland21654~Telephone No.(301)226-5771.

ListsofFederally listedandproposedendangered andthreatened speciesinPennsylvania areenclosedforyourinformation.

Thankyouforyourinterestinendangered species.Pleasecontactusifvecanbeoffurtherassistance.

Sincerely yours,R~ReiiooalDirectorEnclosure A.App.1-3.ALLYPROFOSiXI BCANCEPD)

LoQ~MTBfEDSPECIESZtPKÃNSZLVAHIA Co.sonhtameScientitic liameProposedStatusDistribution PisheselloneBeet'es.:

lionsBfrdsehoneY~cnals:llonel.e--catt'l llanool-a~sseacz4ccd)Schl)cknei

='sZlodcsschvcinitzii Northampton(Bethlehem Area)County"ullrvsh(B'nnamed)

~3ciusancfstrochcctv!

ELscksl)sm~)

Jehigh)Cliaton,BlairCountiesPv.vnfa)smallMaori&lsotrfamcdcoloidcs Creen)Cent)c)Moaroe,MootScsse?y)

Philadelphia)

BertsChesterCou!Sties

"~:sc-ear-"h:-hBCW,(".nnsced)

SeeatttIs-esveeeeess.B51115515~IsletChester,lancaster Couaties~::'seDarer).:".<ding rolliusnexusCentre,~e)BucksImvrence)Mon?Oc)lforthamptoa)

Xeh5ghCountiesPe@ion5T/li/79 A.App.1-4 EtVDANGERED ANDTHREATENED SPEClESINPE:PISZLYAVIA CJcssonNeseScientific NaneStatusDistribution FISHES:Ciscoion+auPike,blueSturgconF sbortoosee

~C~LSticostedion vitreun$1t~dtLt1tHHLakeErie-probablyextinccDeepuqterofLakeErieprobablyextinctDelauareRiverandotherAtlanticcbascalriverHH.TL"H:iionvgiRDSEagle,baldFalcon,Anericanperegrine Falcon,Arcticperegr'ne Hllt~tt1F1~tt*tF1~ttdlEntirestateEntirestate-re-establishncnt colernerbreedingrangeinprogressEntirestatenigracory-nonestingt'A.du~tdLLS tgac,IndianaCougarieasternYvotissodalisFallsconcolor~couarEEntirestateEEnrirescace-probablyexcinctHOLI.VHTH:

HotPLANTS:None*Principal responsibility forthisspeciesisvestedvichcheNacienalNarineFisheries Service.

APPENDIX2ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEYPLANFORTHEPONDMILLRESERVOIR SITEPreparedforPENNSYLVANIA POMER5LIGHTbyCurtisE.Larsen,Archeolog)st, Commonwealth Associates, Inc.Jackson,Hlchhgan31October1979A.App.2-1 A.App.2-2 INTRODUCTION ThePondHillReservoir Siteisaprojectalliedtotheconstruction oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStationnearBerwick,Pennsylvania.

Thepurposeofthereservoir istocompensate forwa"erwhichwillbewith-drawnfromtheSusquehanna Riverbythecoolingprocessforthepower'lant'.

Becauseofdifferential coolingrates,approximately two-thirds ofthevaterwillbelostbyevap-oration.PP&LisrequiredtoaugentwaterlostbytheSusquehanna River,especially duringlowflowperiods.Theproposedreservoir willmeettheserequirements bystoringriverwateri'nthereservoir whichcanbereleasedtotheriverduringperiodsoflowflow.Thereservoir willbelocatedonasmalltribu-tarystreamontheeastbankoftheSusquehanna, ThisstreamislocallyreferredtoasCatfishCreek,butisunnamedontheNanticoke 7.5minuteUSGSquadrangle.

Thesiteisapproximately sevenmiles'northeast oftheBoroughofBerwickandonemilesouthofthevillageofMocanaqua.

ThevalleyofCatfishCreekisorientedeast-west.Thereservoir willbecreatedbyconstructing adamacrossthemouthofthevalleyaboutonemile'upstream fromtheconfluence ofCatfishCreekwiththeSusquehanna.

Thevalleyisundeveloped andinplacesisheavilywooded.Theentireareatobeincludedwithin,thereservoir.is approxi-mately150acres,howevertheentreareatobeaffectedbythePP&Lprojectis1300acres.nistotalincludesbothofthevalleysidesandtheuplan"surfacesoftheadjacentridges.Inadditiontothereservoir, someofthese.ad-jacentareaswillprovideborrow=aterialforvariouscon-struction activities otherswillbeusedasstagingareasforheavyequipment.

Becausemuchoftheentire1300acreswillbedisturbed insomeway,itwillbenecessary totakeaninventory o'fanyhistoricorarcheological resources whichmaybeimpactedbytheproposedconstruction.

Suchassessments aretobemadepursuantto36CFR800, Section106oftheNationalHiStoric'Preservation Actof1966asamended(16USC470),

hyExecutive.

Order11>93,May13,1971"Protec-tionandEnhancement oftheCulturalEnvironment,"

andbythePresident's Memorandum onEnvironmental QualityandhaterResources Management, July12,'978.Thislegisla-tionoutlinesFederalAgencyresponsibilities withregardto"National Registerelibibleproperties and"provides fortheprotection andenhancement ofsuchproperties.

A.App.2-3 Tomeetthese.directives, itisnecessary toinventory theculturalresources oftheprojectareapriortoconstruction'.

activities'.

Thiswillrequireanadequateliterature searchtodetermine, pasthistoricusesoftheareaaswellastoascertain thepresenceof.previously recordedarcheological siteswithintheprojectboundaries.

Inaddition, anongroundsurveymustbeconducted toinsurethatarcheological resources arenotendangered bytheproposedproject.Tosatisfytheserequirements, a.planforsurvey'nd literature searchmustbedevisedwhichsatisfies thelicensing requirements oftheNuclearRegulatory Commission withtheparticipation oftheStateHistoricPreservation OfficeractingthroughthePennsylvania Archeological Commission.

Thefollowing planissubmitted toassistPP&Lwiththeserequirements.

CulturalResourceInventorPlanTheculturalresourceinventory ofthePondHillReservoir Sitewillconsistoftwoconcurrent investigations.

Thefirstofthesewillinvolvealiteratuxe andarchivalsearchtodetermine whetherprevioushistoricorpxehi:storic

'iteshavebeenrecordedfortheprojectarea.Thiswillin-volveacanvassoftherecordsoftheStateHistoricPreser-vationOfficeraswellasavisittotheLuzerneCountyCourthouse inWilkes-Barre.

Shouldthisresearchidentifyanypreviously recordedsites,eachofthesewillbere-locatedinthefieldforfuturetesting,ifnecessary.

Inadditiontorecords'earches orpublished references, ourstaffwillinvestigate theoralnistories oftheprojectareathroughinterviews inthecommunities ofPondHill,Mocanaqua, andMapwallopen.

Onthegroundarcheological surveywillconsistofathoroughcanvassoftheprojectarea.Atthepresenttime,atleastseventy-five percentofthevalleyofCatfishCreeki.swooded.Areasofexposedsoilsareonlypresentalongclearedroadsinstalled duringtestboringoperations.

Onlyafe~~cultivated fieldsexistwithintheaxea.ThesearelocatedonuplandsurfacesnearthevillageofPondHill.Thesetooareovergrown.

Becauseofdi.fficulties insuxfacevisibility, itwillbenecessary to'shoveltesttheentireareatoverifythepresenceorabsenceofarcheological evidence.

Oursurveyprogramwillcombinethenecessary shoveltestingwithsurfaceexamination where,possible, alongaseriesofwalkedtransects acrosstheprojectarea.Thesitewillbecanvassed bywalkingcompass-orientedtransects at30mintervals acrossthesite.At30mintervals, alongthetransect,*

ashoveltestpitwill A.App.2-4 IIbeexcavated toexaminethesoilbeneaththesurfacedebrisorvegetation.

Eachpitwillbenolargerthan25cmx25cmnordeeperthan25cm."Thesoilsremovedfromeachpitwillbecarefully disaggregated andexaminedforartifacts.

Shouldanyindication ofanarcheological sitebeencountered, theareawillbeflaggedwithsurveytapeandlabeledina'odingsystemwhichwillallowasitetobeidentified onlybypersonswithdirectresponsibilities forarcheological resources.

Thiswillpreventunauthorized persorsfromdamagingsites.Anysitesdiscovered will'henbelocatedonexistingbasemaps.Thesewillsupplytheclientwiththenecessary siteinformation toplanfortheprotection ormitigation ofculturalresources thatmaybethreatened bytheprojectconstruction.

Thepotential incidence ofrock-shelters isamajorconcernforarcheological investigation alongtheSusquehanna River.Morespecifically, theseareoverhanging rockledgeswhichmayhaveofferedsheltertopasthumangroups.At-thePondHillSite,thenorthernvalleyslopesdisplaythebedrockconfiguration forrock-shelter formation.

Becauseofthispotential forrock-shelters, thenorthernvalleyslopesmustbegivenspecialattention.

Thebestmethodforapproaching thisproblemistolocatetheoutcroppatternsofthepertinent resistant sandstone bedsalongthevalleysides.Then,lineartraverses willbemadealongthebaseofanysuchoutcrops.

Shouldcharacteristic over-hangingledgesbefound,shoveltestpitswillbeexcavated belowthemtocheckforarcheological evidence.

Onceagain,ifevidenceisfound,eachsitewi'.1beflaggedandlocatedonbasemaps.AnalsisandReorthFollowing fieldsurveyandliterature search,anyarcheological collections willbeanalyzedanddescribed.

Theresultsofoursurveywillthenbepresented inawrittenreportsettingforthourresearchstrategy, metho-dologyandthe'esults ofourfieldwork.

Shouldarcheological sitesbeencountered duringthissurvey,recommendations willbemaderegarding thetestingoftheses'itestoascertain theireligibility forinclusion ontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlaces.Theserecommendations willconsistofaPhaseIItestingprogramwithman-hourestimates forinvestigating thepertinent sitesbyhandexcavation.

Adraftreportfortheon-ground surveyworkpresented here,willbesubmitted toPP&Linthespringof1980.Following clientcomments, ifany,,Commonwealth willprepareafinalreportintherequirednumberofcopiesforagencyreviewandPP&Lrecordpurposes.

APPENDIXB.COMMENTSONTHEDRAFTENVRIONMENTAL STATEMENTS (June1979andMarch1980)*5>>~:*CommentsonSupplement No.2totheDraftEnvironmental Statement published inMarch1981arecontained inSection6.1.6ofthisFinalEnvironmental Statement.

8-2COMHENTSONTHEDRAFTENVIRONHENTAL STATEHENT

~PaeDepartment ofAgriculture, ForestService;August14,1979..Department ofAgriculture, SoilConservation Service;August20,1979Department ofComerce;Hay13,1980.............B-4B-4B-5Department ofMealth,Education, andWelfare;Hay20,1980......~........B-6Department ofMousingandUrbanDevelopment; July31,1979.......~........B-6Department oftheInterior, receivedSeptember 10,1979...~........B-7Department oftheInterior; receivedHay29,1980...........~........B-9Department ofTransportation; August9,1979Department ofTransportation; April28,1980.....T.R.Duck;August29,1979.EconomicDevelopment CouncilofNortheastern Pennsylvania; August27,1979..~.....EconomicDevelopment CouncilofNortheastern Pennsylvania; September 26,1979B-10B-11B-11B-138-14Environmental Protection Agency;receivedAugust17,1979...,.......,,...B-17Environmental Protection Agency;receivedHay30,1980FederalEnergyRegulatory Comission; receivedJune10,1980T.J.Malligan; August18,1979..........H.L.Mershey;Augustll,1979H.J~Muntington; August19,1979M.C.Jeppsen;August8,1979...........S.Laughland W.A.Lochstet; August19,1979.LuzerneCountyPlanningConeission; August10,1979H.H.Holesevich; October25,1979B-238-25B-26B-27B-27B-31B-32B-328-38B-39~~~~e~~~~~~~~~~~'41L.Hoses;August14,1979D.Oberst;July28,1979...............jB-41,2-424IB-46~~~~~~0~~~Pennsylvania Power8LightCompany;September 4,1979Pennsylvania Power8LightCompany;September 10,1979,.

8-3PacaePennsylvania Power8LightCompany;Hay29,1980...............,......8-47Pennsylvania Power&LightCompany;January7,1980....,...,....,,....8-50Pennsylvania StateClearinghouse, Department ofEnvironmental August20'979~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Resources:

8-50Pennsylvania StateClearinghouse, Department ofEnvironmental Resources; Hay20,1980......

M.L.Prelesnik; August30,1979SEDA-Council ofGovernments; September 26,1979F.L.Shelly;August18,19798-548-558-568-57,S.Shortz;August20,1979..............,.............,...8-60SierraClub,Pennsylvania Chapter;August15,1979.........

Susquehanna Alliance; August17,1979Susquehanna Alliance; June10,1980Susquehanna RiverBasinCoomission; August30,1979Susquehanna RiverBasinCommission; April30,1980.8-618-62~~8-64~~~~~~~~~868~~~~~~869F.Thompson; August20,1979.~~~~00~~8-74L.E.Matson~s~~~~~~~~~~~~B75 LbllvsnSvATssOsrAnv%lsnv orA<<uoa.vues vonasvsanvla(21)59818721950August14,1979IQOeorHr.ReganlOurHllvaukeeOfficehasforverded thisStateaent tousforravleeand~asNationalForestlandsaranotInvolvedi Theproposeduseof2,4,5-Tasaacedccntrolagentlnrlghts-of-vaylsIllegalfollovingthe<<osrgency orderbySPAsuspen4-Inguseof2,4,5-Tonforestsrlghtsmf-vay) andpastures(FederalRegisterVol44,page15874,Hatch15v19791~Webellevea4tscusslon ofalternative seed-control aethodsshouldbeIncludedIntheFinalStets>>eat Fotutllatlons of<<wonlu>>su!fnsata,dlcnnbaorbrcnac(lcoul4beconsidered.

Discuss(on atthecoalandaran(lssfuelcyclesshouldIncludetheIndirecteffectofalnlngonthelandscape Thisetfectlsbeccwlngnoresevereasthenoreproductive alterareachaustedslv(acredlgglnglsneededforeverytcnoffuel.71>>nkyoufortheopportunity toravlevand~onthisStatenent rHr.Will(ns}IRegan;JrEnvlronoental Pro)actsSmnch2OlvlslonofSituSafetyandElivlronsental AnalysisU.S.HuclearRegulatoly OrnaIastonLWashington, 0C20555RefertolDocketHo..50-587, 50-588DraftEnvlrctu>>ntsl Statenent Operation ofSuslplehsnna SteanElectricStat(on,PAUNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENT OFAGRICULTURE SO(LCONSERVA77CN SERVICEBox985PedezalSquareStstfon,Esrrmburg, Pounsylv~

17108Aufust20,197908SuoleapSultory~stoaWsstnttoni D.C.20555Attenttoiv DirectorDivisionofSiteSafetysndDlvtroaontsl AnalysfsThisistoconsentontheDraftEZSfortheSustuehsona SteanElectricStation,Cnits1snd2,Peoasylvsats.

Thedocuoonthasbeenrevtevedforfteasvithtutheerpertfse oftheSoilConservation Service~Wefeelthattvotressshouldbeaddedcotheststonent.

l.Sedtuontsuderosioacontrolforthelsn4disturbed atrheplanesiteendtrsnsatsston ltnalocationshouldbediscussed tnretsr4tothererulscious tuplaentfns Section102ofthePeonsytv<<L'A CleanStraussActsn4thePennsylvsata Deparaont ofEnviroaentsl Resources r<<(ofroaents.

2.Thepro)ect's tnpsctsonpriseagricultural laudsendfsrnlsods ofsratevtde tnporraute shouldbe4tspleye4 111otherits=aofconcerntotheSoilConservsttou Servtcehavebeenade(uataly addsessed.?.N~CrshatT.Hndotttriok StateCocsamsttontst StaffOlrechorEnvlrota>>ntaICueI1tyEvslustIon79082lChq(hqPABoon537WestTover,20480(5copies)QiPq)IOv~79082T0gIO co'HDO&MAdsttnistrstorSCSWsshtutton DCCletusJ.Cttfssn,Director,

ÃTSC,SCS,Brooasll, DirectorOfficeofPoderslActtvties0S~EPJQatarsfde 1&1,401WStreetSg,Vsshtuttou, DC~lONO Nay13~f900eekP8oo5"00l/p7UNiTEDSTATESDEPARTQEVT OFCOMMERCETheAssistsnt Secretsrv lerProdvctivitv, Techneloey, endInnovation wernnpotOCaotSO~srr+vllt e335~r/PP/~Ca0APRIBBOUnilTEDSTATESDEPARTMENT OFCOIVIMEACE tuetionel OcesnicendAtmospheric Administretion nsc'e4.cashs'nrsrnota~ee.Yc,a4ARRa;-3OR/C52x6l JLRHr.DonaldE.SellsActfngBranchChfef,Envfronnental PiojectsBranch2Q.S.NuclearRegulatory Connfssfon Washington, DC20555DearHr.SellsThisfslnreference toyourdraftenvfro~ntal fnpactstatenent

entitled, Susquehanna SteanElectricStation,Units1and2,Pennsylvania PowerandLfghtConpany,Allegheny ElectrfcCooperative, Inc.'heenclosedconnentfrontheNatfonalOceanicandAtnospherfc Adnfnfstratfon fsforwarded foryourconsfderatfon.

Thankyouforgivingusanopportunity toprovidethfsconnent,whichwehopewillbeof'ssfstance toyou.tiewouldapprecfate receiving tencopiesofthefinalstatenent.

Sincerely, Q~R.@~@BruceR.BarrettActingDirector, OfficeofEnvironmental AffairsEnclosure NanofrontRobertB.RollfnsNationalOceanSurveyNCAATOlPP/EC-JoyceN.MoodFRONlOA/C5-RobertB.Rollins

SUBJECT:

OEIS98004.01-Susquehanna SteanElectr1cStat1onUnitsIand2(Supplenent)

Thesubjectstatenent hasbeenrev1ewedwith1ntheareasoftheNationalOceanSurvey's(NOS)responsibility andexpertise.

andintelosoftheinpactoftheproposedactiononNOSactiv1t1es andprojects; Geodeticcontrolsurveynonirents naybelocatedintheproposedprojectarea.Ifthereisanyplannedact1vitywhichwilldistu*ordestroytheseromtntnts, NOSrequiresnotlessthan90days'otifica-tioninadvanceofsuchact1vity1nordertoplan.fortheirrelocation.

NOSrecocnends thatfundingforthisprojectincludesthecostofanyrelocation requiredforNOSnoixnents.

i'iygORAib DPItcatscIIEALTsssthLzcttOODMDDECOADSSDI(SZSLATSO.'C ToIOirectorDATE:iiay20,1980Oivis1onofSiteSafetyandEnvirolvsental AnalysisU.S.HuclearRegulatory Cosnission Hashington, O.C.20555~gqeSCIONIhCenoe~W,MetiamfsNII~talos~I~ISSCCFAISTSSK'I CFIICVSINGAIIQLlnSANCCVSLCFLICRT

~IeLAosmAAeeeertIcs czletlseuLsIee.MSALeutstesetANLAetLfWA, ISIeovLVJAILISISSchly31.LstgwaseLVeettateIrhossIConsultant (NFL)SureauofRadiological HealthgraftSupplenent toOraftEnviroleental Statenent, NVREG-0564, Harch1980TheOraftSupplcsent totheDraftEnvirolvsental Statenent, HUREG-0564, Harch1980hasbeenrevtesedbytheBureauofRadiological Health,FoodandOrugAdsinistration.

'Neprev1ously clznsented onHarch9,1973(copy~ttached)ontheradiolog1cal healthandsafetyaspectsoftheOraftEnvirolvsental lnpactstatenent (ofls)relatedtotheoperations-Susquehaew SteanElectricStat1on,Unitsland2.Thisdraftsupplenent totheOEISislin1tedtoadescription oftheenvirorv-ental ispactsofconstruct1on andoperat1on of~waterstoragereservoir lnthePondH1llCreekdrainagebasin.Xehavenoappl1cable cocssents.

Thankyoufortheopportunity ofrev~iingthisdraftstatenent.

I-II+LL-X~CharlesL.HeaverEnclosure CC:Or.K.Taylor(HFY-2)SSz.PealLeechEavtzcszsenchl pzo]eccHeheeezEhtizonoenchl pzojectSzanch.3Divisionof51.zeSafetyendEnvizoonenzal anal~C.S..SSucleez Seuolaenzy Cosssission uhs~rD.C3OSSSDeerHz.Leechs-~Svst)aces DzsfcEhvizonsenzal EspeccszatAsenc shsguehasha 5zecs~station~chits1and3Mhavecseyleted oozevaluation cd!thesohieccDrestEnvizosssencal lhpeccstaceoent, datedJoselstg,andhavenosubstantive coessencs tooffezzelecivetomLsuhleccpzoposeL.

hastofcuzhooiedeo, thepzopoeedpzoiecedoesnot.dizecclyefecoenypsosecarpohsssod bythis~cytS3ICSIJseesE.TzeedvelL Cf~

79/632UnitedStatesDepartment of'theInteriorOFFICEOPTHESECRETARY WASHL>GTON>

D.O.20240SppL0STS-2HC~tortePreservation Officer(SHPO)fosPannsylvanta, EdvardWefatraub, Executive

Director, Historical NuseuaCouatsston, P.O.Rox1026,Nasrisburg, PA17120>ResultofthesurveyshouldbafacludedCachefinaldocuaent.

Alsoincoasultacion vichtheSHPOtheNRCshoulddctexaiae ifanyofthoseproperties identified CathasurveyaxceligiblefosltstiagCashaNationalRegCscer.

Iftheyaxedeteraiaed tobc~ICgCble,theprocedures andproces~of36CFR600>4and5ausebefollowedtocoapletfon.

Nr.MtllfaaH.Regan,Jr.Chief,EavCxoaaeatal ProjectsSraach2DivCsionofSCtaSafetyandEaviroaaeatal AnalysisNuclearRegul~coryConafsston NashCagton, D.C.20555DearNr..Regaal Thedraftcnvironaeatal

~tateaentforSusquchaaaa SteanElectricStation(SEES)SuitsIaad2hasbeenravtcvedbythisDepartaaae eadwehareehcfolloviag coaaeatsThccoaaeatsaseorgaaixed bypagendaberfnthadocuaene.

Pa~228andPse433Vearaconcerned thatthedraftstateaent doesnotadequately addressarcheological andhistoriccoacernsThereappeasetobeaneedforfurtherCavescigatioa of~igaCffcaaC properties Cachcareaaa4i4entC{icatioa oftheirrelationship totheyroject.ThisappliescopropcrcCcs alreadyontheNaCLoaalRegisteraadanypotentCal yroperties intheareabutnotyatevaluated Oapage4-33,thadrafcstatesthee"giventh>>presentinadequacies regardtag culturalresourceCavcntory anddate>chestaffcsnnoCasks~detaraiaacion totheeffecttheethaplant'operation wCIIhavenoadrersaeffectsoaculturalresources thataayba~ICgCbleforCaclusion intheNacLonalRegister.

Hovevcx,Ctisualikelythatthaplant'soperatioa villeffeteresources chat~racorrectly listedCatheNstioaalRcgi~ter(locatedLnexcessof16kafroatheplantproperty)

.."Thcdraftisunclearregardfng thcCapactthaplantaadtraasai~~ioncorridors vCIIhaveoayroperties closetotheprojectsiteOfpartCcular concernasaMcClintock Hell,thcDeaisonHouse,andCaclfnHall>VeurgethaNRCtoundertake acoapletcarcheological aadhistoricsurveyoftheerasLaaccordcacc vftbcberequLrcaeats of36CFR600andExecutive Order11593.Nenesofpersonsqualified toundertake thissurveyaaybeobtainedbycontacting theState~3~->SulfuricacLdvillbeusedtoconerolseal~fosastioa.

AsnotedCathcstataaenc thesysteavCIIbeoperate4ataposi.tive satura-tioaCadextoainiaCscthsaddCeionofacid.Withoutthiscontxolonacidusage,ehedLscharge.

couldcarryoverfourtineschesulfateconcentration ofthexaceCviag vacers.Thiscouldaggravate

.analreadystresse4~CtuatioasincethcSusquehanna

~xhibttshighaadvariablesulfateconceatratioas Iathasaneaana<<rthataltarnacLve levelsofacidadditioahavebcsa4iscussed, vesuggestthatalternate aecbo4~ofscaleandcorrosion coatrolshouldbalookedat.Thefiaal~cateaaatshouldpreseaeanenvCroaaental evaluatioa ofsuchaethodsasorganteorhydrochloric acidsoraacbanical aeans~~>->hSincetheintakescruceurcs forthispleathavebacaconstructed, thefinalscateaeat shoulddiscussvhatsaaplCagyrograaCsproposedeadvheaCtvou14bsLaplsaentsd codeteraiae levelsof~acrainaent aadCapfngeaeat, duringallexpecta4flovcondCtCons, ofSusquehaaoa RCverfishandaquacicinvertebrates.

Further,thefinalstateaeat shouldincludeadiscussion ofthepossibleactionstheltcen~eesvCIIcaketoaodCfythaprojecttoproccccsuchaquattcresources inchaeveacsCgaificaat adrersciapactsoccurfroaeneraiaaenc, iapingeaeae, orstrcaaflov diversioa forcoosuaptire use(50cfsavercga)>->2~Thestaffcoaoludes thataoadvexseenvCroaacatal iapacts>othertheaataosyherfc planesaa4snovfall, vCIIoccurasaresultoftheoperatCon ofthe<<ooliagtowersattheSEESTheIfcensaasp proposetoconstruct aresesvoCr (PoadRill)Coprovfdeaalcupwaterduringlovflovconditions CatbeSusquehanaa RiverThefinal~tsCeaentshouldbercrisedeoindicsC~soaeadverseeavfronaeatalCayactvilloccurvit'htheoperation ofthecoolingcoversCXIs

-3andrelatedraservoCr, Construction ofthedanandreservoir villd<<scroyterrestrial vkldlkfehabitatandreservoir fillingopera<<fons villCnpactSu<<bin<<hanna RiveraquatCcinvert<<brac<<

andfishpopulations throughinpingcnent, entraknnsntb'treanflow regulation, and<<onsunptkve useofsu<<hflovs~bb-6We'agreeviththestaffthattheapplicant shouldnonitorgroundvatsr bothupgradienc anddovngradkent onanonthlybasks.Wenotethdcthspotencfal-Cor radL<<nuclide contaninatLon ofgroundvater isknpliedonpageD-IofAppendfzD~(iten1.6);hovever,fLgure4I(p413)doesnotindicategroun4vater asansup<<surepathvaytohunans.~b~6-4Th>><<oncluiionchat"theenvironnental risks4<<etoradiological accidents arcezceedkngly

<<nellandneednotbeconsidered further"ignorestheprobabClity andthaconsebluen<<es of<<<<remeltaccidents (p.6-4,par.I).Asvas-szplafned knthaenvirons<<ntal

~tac<<n<<ntforchePaloVerd~NuclearScatfon(NUREC-0522, 1979)~this"realistic<<analysis" isbasedonprocedures CnthsProposed-Annez toAppendkzD,10CPRPart50,vhichspecifically

<<zcludcthe<<valuation ofcore~altaccidents.

Environnsntal dan<<gasresulting frona<<ore~altaccidentcanbsdevastatCngly severeand<<onclu<<Cons concerning envkronnental risksthatignorethesea<<<<ident<<

austbe6Cuestfon<<4.

Wabeliav<<thatsite-specific evaluations ofthefullrangeofpotential ac<<ident<<

shouldbeapartofthesiteselection processfornuclearpoverstations~ThssectiononPostulated Accfd<<nts Involving Radioactive Materials

~nunerates ger<<telofthano'rasignifics'nt fkn4kngsoftheI<<visReport(p.6-3).ThethreefkndCngssunnariscd szcludethefinalfin4kngofthatreport:Therehavebeeninstances LnwhichWASH-IAOO hasbessuk<<usedasavehicletojudgetheacceptability ofrea<<torrisks.Inothereasesitnayhavebeenusedprenaturaly asanestknaceofthsabsoluteriskofr<<actoraccidents vkthoutfullreali-sationofthevideban4ofuncertainties involved.

Suchusashouldbediscouraged.

(NDREC/CR 0400,pz)Afootnotetotable62statesthat"Thesecal<<<<la<<fons donottaheinto<<on<<L4<<ratfon chcszperkcnce gainidfrontheaccidentactheThreeMileIsland<<CtconMarch28,1979"(p.6-3,fobtnoteA)Row<<ver,thisprovidesnoguLdanceonthepossiblenagnCtude oreventhedirection ofcheerrorsthatnayeris<<inthera4kologkcal cons<<6luances thatereshovninthetable.Thelargestactivated dosetopopulation kn~50mfleradiusironanyac<<identshovninthetableis37nan-r<<n.UntLIsuchtineasthetablecanbsrevised,itnkghcbehelpfultonotatheethe<<<<tins<<ed dosetothepopulation vithkna50-nileradiusofthaThreeMileIslandsit>>vascalculated tobe3,300nan-ren(NVREC-05SS)

~p2~par.2).Thepopulations vkthknthatradiusarenotgreatlydiffer<<nt forthstvosites,being2,164F000peopleknthacaseoftheThreeMLI<<Island<<Ctea<<4projected tobeIF51'23peoplevithkn50nClesofSu<<6Cuehanna SteanElecCricStationknth<<year1980(ER,table2Ib)e~h~66Tableg~2(pageR-4)shovechat1,236acresofforestandfarnlandvillberegukredasrights-of~ay forconstruction ofansvtran<<uk<<sion linecyst<<a.Theforest<<dareacouldbenanag<<4~ffectivsly forvkldlkfsifpreferred vsgetatfon and<<overforgracingvC141CC~speciesvereplancedTheirfeedingactivities vou14helpcontrolrevegetation ofnuisancevoodyvegetation andreducetheneedforclearingandherbicide applications, Were<<ounsnd thatAppsndizRdfscussthepossibility ofusingplantings reconnended bythaPennsylvania CiusConnLs~Conforallforestedareasclear<<4duringcransnksskon lineconstruction.

Wehopetheseconnectsvillassistthspreparation ofthsfinalneerEMcicrotto 6~~As<<I<<cunt SECRETART

g+'~IER80/UnitedStatesDepartment oftheInteriorOFFICEOFTHESECRETARY WASHLWGTON

~D.C.20240284gAY281%0Nr.DonaldEDSellsAcciaggranchChiefEnvironocacal Pro3aetsStanch2DivfsionofSiteSafecyaadEavLroaaeatal AnalysisUPS.NuclearRegulatoty Coaaission Washington, D~C~205SS

DearNr~Sells:

TheDepartacnt oftheZatcriorhasrevicvadchedraft~upplea<<nc cotheenvitonacntal Lapaetstateacnt relatedcotheoperation ofcheSusquahaoaa SteaaEleccrLeScacion,UaitsIaad2~LuteraeCouary,Pcansylvaaia.

Wehavethefollovfag coaaents.

Wafindchatchasupplcaeat adequately describes existingfishandvildlffaresources an4Lapaetsonthoseresources

.!toeconstruction oftheproposediapoundacnc

~ProvidedtheethePenasylvanfa PovaraadLightCoapanyLapleaents thcaanagcacat pleastobasubaittcd bytheapplicant Laeonsultatfoa vLththcPeansylvaaia FfshandCancCoaaissions (page43o!thedraftsuppleoent)

~vehaveaoobjection toeoastruetioa oftheproIeetasproposed.

TheproposedspillvaycapacityvasfouadbytheNRCstaffcobaInsufficient toyassaprobableaaxiauafloodsThedaavouldbeovertopyed Lnsuchafloodandaighcfail(p.4-11'ten44.23)~Theapplicant's syillvaydesignflood,basedonthe6hourprobablaaaxiauapraeiyitatfon,

~ppareacly vasealculaced vithoutcoasideratfoa oftha~ffeecsofpotcorial antecedent scornrunoff.AlchoughthedrainageareaabovethedaaLssoall,thaaoountofvoterWerccoaacad chattheCollovfag bestipulaccd Laaayoperacing I!ceaseissuedbytheNuclearRegulatory Coaaissfon forthispro)cot."ThatchaLicenseeiapleaeats thcfishaadvfldlffcaaaageaeat plancobedeveloped iaeoasultation viththePennsylvania PishCoaafssfon>

chePennsylvania CaaeCoaafssion) andtheU.S.FLshandWildlifeService."

tobastoredasvaliaschedaa'sheightaresigaificant and,a>>Lndicaced, failurecouldleadtolossoflife{p.4-11,yar.8)~Thespillvaydesigafloodshouldbereevaluated Itea3(1)onpagefioftheSuaaaryandConclusions seccionseatestheecares!aleadsvillbeconverted corecreational uses.Nodfscussfoa Lsgivea,hovever,tothcpossfble~avirooaeatal effectsofchicproposedactLon.Also,thereLsaoaeatfonofaneedtosurveythislandtoi)entifyandevaluateculcuralresources theeaaybefapaccad.

AteherequestoftheNRC,theZnceragcney Archcologieal ServiceAtlantaOC(iecpreparedasarveyplanaadcostostinatoforaproposedr<<creacioaal arcsalongtheSusquehanna River.ThisvasprovidedtoNRConDeceuber19,1929.Th>>NRCshouldreference cherequfrcoeac tosurveytheproyosedrecreational areasasvaliastheproposedPon4HillReservoir Site.Thediscus~LoaofZayaccstoCulcuralResources (p.4-14),shouldtecooacad anappropriate aanageaeat prograatobedeveloped onlyforchosesitesthatacctNationalRegisterofHL~corfcPlacescriteria.

ZdeutiEfcation andevaluacioo studiesaadaanageacat yrograasausebadeveloped Lnaccordance vfth36CFR800,Lacluding consultatioa viththaStateHistoricPresarvacioa Officer(SHPO).Forpcansylvania, theSHPOfsEdvardWeiatraub, Exeeucive

Director, Hiscorical NuseuaCoa-aission,F.O.Sox1026,Harrisburg, peaasylvania 12120'heArcheological SurveyPlanforthePondHillReservoir SLte(Appendix 8)doesaotclearlyfadicatevhechcrthcacreagetobesurveyedundertheCoaaoavealth Assocfate, Zne.proposalLscheapproxiaacely 150acresvfchiachereservoir, orvouldcovertheapptoxiaately 1300acresofeheentirepro3eccarea.Allareastobaaffected, Laelu4ing traasafssioa liaecorridors, borrovareas,aodrccreacfoa facilities, shouldbesurveyedtoinsurethatallculturalresources theeaaybeaffceeedbychaundertaking areLdentLCLed Coaaoavealth Associates proposesthatttansects space4ar.30aeterintervals villbavalked,butdoesnotIuscifyvhy~30aeterfotarvalvaschosen.Thisosybcsufffeieac foruplandsandslopesbutnotsufficicnr.

Lnotherareassuchasterraces.

Thereisaoiadication ofvhacthaiatervalforshovelcastingvillbealongthetraaseets.

Also,restingcoa4epthof25cant!actors aaybeInadequate depeudiug oathedepthoftheplowRoueorfili'esuggestThatshoveltestsbetateutoadepthapproxiaately 20eeutiaeters belowtheplowRoueorfill,audtosearchbelowculturaldeposits.

le~<$4~uS.OCIARTMCNT OsTRANCRORTAUON RMCNALRCPRCCCNTATIYI OSTWICCCCITARV oarwertwuoIINAOllMA, P$04tLYAMAHANOIAugust9~1929Qehopetheseconnectswillbeofassistance toyou.Sincerely,

~CTEHURAWDUX TUCU.S.NuclearRegulatory Connission Washington, D.C.20555AttnlDirecror, Division'of SiteSafetyandEnvironnental Analysis

SUBJECT:

DraftEnvironnentai lnpactStatenent-Susguehanna SteanElectricStation,Units.102Wehavereviewedthesub)ectdraft.Elgandofferthefollowing comments.

pronatransportation pointofview,thestatenent dtdnotdiscusstheinpactstoexistinghighwaysintheareabyTraffictraveling toandfrontheplant.Thetransporta-tionofnuclearfuelsandthe.crossingofhighwayswithpowertransnission lineshasbeennentioned.

Whilethereshouldbenosignlficanr.

lnpscts,thestatenent couldanswerthefollowing questionsl l.Eavetheaccesspointsbeendesignated andcoordinated withthepennsylvania Departnent ofTransportation2 2.Wouldthetraveltripsbythe400enployees affecttheleveloftrafficserviceontheexistinghighways2 Weappreciate theopportunity toconnentonthisdocunent.

SallyH.CooperRegionalRepresentative oftheSecretary 800507(7><>DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION bREGIONAI.

REFRESENTATIVE OFTHESECRETARY A%4WAIIIUTSTIICCTFHILAMPHIA, TCHHSYI,YAH IAIIIISApril28,1980Hr.DanielHuller.DirectorDivisionofSiteSaftcyandEnvirormental AnalysisNuclearRegulatory CceEIIssion Mashington, D.C.20555

DearHr.Huller:

R.O.i1,Box4Xinfie1d.

Pa.17889August291979DonaldE.SellsActingBranchChiefEnvironmental Pro)ectsBranch2DivisonofSiteSafety8Environmental Analysis.U.S.NuclearRegulatory Commission Nashington, D.C.20555REIDraftSupplement tothcDEISrelatedtotheoperation oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,Units182DocketNos.I50-387-and50-388Thedraftsupplement totheDEIScoveringtheproposedcon-struction ofthePondHillCreekstoragereservoir fortheSus-quehannaSteamElectricStationhasadequately addressed theprobableimpactstohighwayfacilities.

However,thesupplement stilllacksevidenceofcoordination withthePennsylvania Department ofTransportation.

Sincethepumpstationconstruction willaffectRoute239(pg.4-12)andanaccessroadwillbeaddedforthereservoir construction, werepeatourcommentofAugust9,1979,recommending coordination withPADOT.SallyH.CooperRegionalRepresentative oftheSecretary Thankyoufortheopportunity tocorIsentonthe'DraftEnvironmental Statement relatedtoOperation ofSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,Units1and2Perm-sylvaniaPoserandLightCompany.Allegheny ElectricCooperative.

Inc.'ockets Nos,50-387.and50-388,June1979.Sincenosvspensedatewasmentioned inthedocument, itcanbcassumedthatcccmcntsarestillbeingaccepted.

Hycxmmcntswillbeverybriefdvetothclimitedamountoftimeavailable toreviewthedocument.

'cspitcbeingpublished inJune,TmtallofthePIfslicintheareaaffectedbytheplantweremadeawareofthcdocuucnt.

Effortsbylocalenvirormcntal groupstoalertthepublic,suchasmyself,weresuccessful.

butthatdidnotoccvrNItilmidAugvst.TheapparenteffortsoftheNRCweretheminIImssthatisrequiredtodoinordertoseekInput.!Thissymbolizes NRC'sattitudeintheentire'publicinput'rocess-dotheminisxsarequired3usttosatisfyasectionoftheIaw.Thepublicbcdamnedfortheconvenience oftheNRCandutilitics.

Hopefully thisattitudewillnotcarryoverintotheoperation andregulation ofanuclearpowerplant.Reguarding thcdocumentitself,itisunconscionable thatanenvironmental inpactstatement onanuclearpowerplantpublished afteIApril1979,doesnotincludespecificanalysisofthepotential similarproblemsasoccuredattheThreeHileIslandnuclearfacility.

Plantdesigndifferencps aside,therearesmnygenericissuessuchascmergencySprcpardness thatshouldbefactoredintotheimpactofSESS.Emcrgcn<<y prepardness foran80kmradiusareacostsalotofmoneyandtime.andsuchcostsshouldbefactoredintoanycost/bcnifit discussion ofSESS.ThcImpactontheresidents ofthcTNIarea(16km.not JusttheBkmunderstudy)ofradiation exposure.

stressanditsrelatedeffects,andotherhealthconse-qucnccsshouldbecarefully evaluated beforeSESSispermitted tocontinueinthelicensing procedure.

generalcosucntsonspecificsectionsofthcdocImcntareasfollows.Onpage4-2,thepossibleeffectsoflowriverfloIandexcessriverfloI(floods)makeoneconcerned abouttheassIEOtions usedtodrawtheconclusion thattheplang~ovidneedtobeshutdamonlyfourdaysperyear.Anadequatewatersupplyiscrucialtoreactorsaftey,therefore theassumptions shouldbemorefullyex-plained.SPIISLa%I~55'S~HNSWO~SASOWA.

Huller,8/29/79Page2Table4.12onpage4-21indicates thatthcnearestsportfishinglocationts24hr.transitttc>>away.Fishers>>n canbefoundaCnostpointsalongtheriverfrosO.lhr.awayontoCheChesepeak.

Perhapstheprobfeslsdeftnltlonal.

Thestateoents lnSection4whichstateChatradfoactlve

releases, bothoc<<vpat-tonallyandenvtronc>>ntally, willhavenosignificant envtronnental tcpactare-ntsleadtng whenoneconsiders:

thattheeffectsoflowlevelradtation areunknown.6roupssuchastheNattonalAcadenyofScienceshesitatetoplaceaccept-ablelowdose1iattsonbmochealtheffects.Table6.2shouldberevisedtoreflectthcexperfenccs gafnelfrcaTHI.Class9postvlated accfdents shouldbeconsidered fncalculating thecostsandbenffitsoftheplanttothepeoplefnthcarea.Theirchancenaybesnaf1intheNRC'sopfnlon.but,theconsequences arerealandtheprtcecastbepaidffaclass8or9accfdentoccurs.HulIer,8(29/79Page3Section8.6'Occaatsstontng's treatedlightlyconsfderlng thetree>>ndous tnpactanonfunctioning radioactive plantcanhaveontheenvirons>>nt.

Storageforthousands ofyearswfthunproventechnologies deservesa>>reconsMcration inancnvtronncncal tnpactstatcncnt.

Alongwithdcconfssfontng, wastestorageanddisposaldeservecoredetailedanalysisasthehaveadirecttcpachtothehealthofthepeopletnthearea.Inconclusion, theneedfortheplantversusthetnpactoftheplantdoesnot=justifythatanyfurtherworkbedoneatSESS.tthcnneedlsdocuncntcd, andChealternatives fornortheast Pennsylvania bcCtcrexanined(conservation.

solarprojects, btonass.~llhydroprojects.

ctc.)thenabetterandcoreconpleteenvtronnentat fcpactstaten>>nt shouldbeprepared.

Atthatpofntfntine,andnotbefore.nuclearpowershouldbeconsidered asanalternattve.

Thankyou.Section7'NeedforPlant'alls todocumenttheneedfortheplantotherthantoprovideexcesscapacity.

Thereserverargtnfarexceedsrecocc>>ndcd levels.Theprojections probablyfalltoconsfderrecentshiftstoconservation andselectedsolarhotwaterprojectsduetothehighcostsofelectrtctty.

SuchCrends,including residential wfntcrlzation, willcontlnveasthecostsofelectrfctty increase.

Therefore.

buildingaplantCoprovfdefncreastng excesscapacityescapeslogtc.Theneedfortheplantisnotdocumented bythfsanalysfs'.

Section8.4I'HealthEffects',

cocpartng nuclearandcoalfiredplantsfailedtoinclude.aspreviously a>>nctoncd, theeffectsofaclass9accident.

NenowrealizeafterTHI.thatscrtousaccidents aretnfactapossibility andshouldbeconsidered.

ThetablesinSection8dealingwfththeeffectsofcoalversusnuclearplantsprcsunably usedcoalinthegeneralsense.TheSESSlslocatedneartheheartoftheanthracite coalregion.Anthracfte.

becauseltisacleanerburningcoal,hasbeenexcnptedfrow>>anyEPAairpollution regulatfons.

SincethfsisthecoalthatshouldbeusedatSESS.it.lsthecoalthatshouldbeusedlnanycocparattvestudies.Section8.4.4mentionsthattherehavebeennoserlovsaccidents lnanuclear..plantwithwhichtostudyno*ibttyandc>>rtality.

Asa>>nttoncd prevtously, THIhastakenthefirstpainfulsteptowardsthisexperience.

Thatexperfencc shouldbecarefully studiedbeforethenuclearprocesscontinues.

Sectfon8.5fallstotaketntoconsideratton areportedrecentGAOstudyindfcat-ingthatOOEnaybeoffbyassuchastwentypercentfntheircstfcctes because.ofproductfon lossesandthedeclining qualityoftheorcwerenotconsMercd.

ThfssectionshouldberevisedlnlightoftheGAOreport;cc:SenatorSchwetkcr SenatorHeinzRepresentative FloodRepresentative ErtclStnccre1g ThooasR.Ouck cigaSetose27,1979FsCJCV3%eDurPealsW.PealStessct,Eaoste-~5~t7L~~aPeoospl~PoserSLIShcCo344SoochPoplarS~cEsslatoo, Pesosplvscfa 15201m.Pso1.SteosrcSorest27,1979Pate2shototha100Pes~04plsfoICIFaLooo14.also basyyr~ffsechsos17sfshesbeooseto=~3ThaDrsf-Zovf~~rsl Ststuaotcottasp~coos~~stoa fo-theZersfchZosyLWTheP&cyso4Zgacac'va

~~beLcvatheeotherbosytulssbooI4beLtrolre4Ltevscca~~oresezSeoc7 plotsso4voo14sypreofste so74e~Pooofthtbaabletosoyy17conte~~plotsIovohhghasp'.Qdt'~~ethos~~SarrAc~WC0CJCJU~~tCCJLtthemscreceacoeetfoSof~PolfopCuoftteeofZDCSP,aroc~~Resos40co4aferso~oothe$1clurZetolstorp Cou4ssfoo'

~tL-.V~oeotslStsteoeot ralste4tooy~oftheSosgoehscos StuoZlec~Sts~~ColtsIac42epablfshe4 Jose1979~y~tharacefytofarasyotsetoM~letter.MKxacocva~m.coof~4thfssc~ar.thalottsc23,1979oeadJgels7oohoor,M~PXLSCuo-ueWsaBspeccoostfaable Meralos~the~4'fthaDraft2~~telStstoosot, scLusr.msasec~~tba~eltsooa~etsoc7coroe~so4co~-Hth~eattoM~et4amass,m~Coo=c"'sPo~~=teau4ZxacodvaCooxltmzepxastss445~~bec~cAmlstascstsww-eyerootha0s~elueocs~~ra=acots4<<mthaDrsf2~~telStatue=t:

IRCrespecttoeaterofM~oow~Sos~2verorrespectcoaces'aterralsts4pro3eetsochasc~t=m-mofaraservof-,

please~~shetsc~~vLGeeuhaotssetaILvates~te4cee4srale~ratotha5~P~Pac'"~a-Zersfsh.~Corot"asAscot'va~~Is@~7cctcs~MCasate~~pcotcatcfsS Aoyeu&aofcheSoclasrPoser~~beoo~actha~~aa~~of~al-'7opeoe4.Za~MDraftZtr'~csLStat%etctates~"-o4y~c=WMMt=bubeescakes~~suooctar.loutufaasWW7urPwo4p~wIscotcsste4 5&weca@PeoorplRLADeya~of~74.~bucots4~~c~o4y~espy~os7uobe~4'ersrsec~AofwgcsrslsuLfk+retswsS~osooePsc~chCoed'elfeyychatsah-utho.s~be'=5a7:e4b7PPSLutter~~~~~actofec7pots=~~5lc~vbtth~7sou~oc~7~4y~stol~s-~~scbsut~74.ThaDraftZor'~alStsteoao-coresu~taQ~atpZ~Zeyor(SQ)Ishtheprocessofb~preyare4, i>Coact'ooI4ILcathespy~~ofoh~~~4o~toheo~laat4oool4alsoappreciate 7oorco~~5thasche4oleforeagle~ThaCctc!dlhuocAfeleoeotslf!LchftIooI4IlhetoW~toWettso~ofthaXoclas-Zatolscotp CcosfssMcotta-~ec.~aseatsoftheSos~StaesE!eczScsua,CtftsIei2,bocehs'eaoo=alasoareyraseot

~of~~os3orfscursfor~4~~Po~.st4ExacodveC~tteueooI4sppr~tearasyocse.

PleasefeelfreetococcsctoeLfPootee4u7~be~utter~tLsretreat.Toorfacserye4ftemZormet4C~tprocess,ltmx14be~MyfoLto~avasowt7yaof~ab7Seytsober LS~1579.Toom~7IMJ.CrosusovaDtmtorvtvlstsa57wksottlcsDcYfNOwAtoL~CKUTtvlomcMs t)~~~4jctg~CIV)asCJC..((F)Cl-Cnbe0.C0VEC0CP~~E0(0Clp.iiJSeptuber26>1979.DonaldE.Sells,AetiagSranehCbtc!Eavtroescstal Pro)cetsEraneh2Dfvtsfoao!SiteSafecyandEnvfronscatal AnalystsU.S.NuclearRcgulatoty Ccalstssioa Vashfnjtoa, D.C.20555DearNr.SellstIhtslattertsbefngscattoyoutoforsatlynotifyyouchaccheEzecuttvc Cooaictee 0!theEcoaosLCDcvelopacnt CouncilofNortheastern Pennsylvania (EDCIP),atttsregularly sehadula4 seatingonSepceabcr 20,1979,affLtaattvely ravievedcheNuclearRegulatory Cocscisstoa's drafcenviroosaatalstatcnent relactvetotheoperation o!cheSusquehanna SteasElectroatc Station,OnttsIaad2.Attachedyouvillfindseveralactaehneacs vhfehoutlinetheCouncil's A-95r<<vicvprocess,ttsaa)oracescence oathfsdraftcaviroanantaf staceacat, aadocherrelatedcorrespondence clhfehtheCounciluctltte4taarrivingat'ttsconclusion oathisproposal.

Th<<Coucetl trustschaattachedaaccrtalvflf.helpyou!LnsltraadectsioaoachfsaattertIfadditional e4rtfteatfoa tsdcstr<<d,plcuecoatee.aaacyourcarlicsceoutcatcaee.

Tours'trHovardJ.CrossaaaEzccnctva DtreecorAttaehsants CCCRLekHates,A-95ScareClearinghouse InterneColsctyPleasingCoosfsstoa Zaekaltaana CouaC7P14nnfngCoustsstoa 5IDA~IPaulStcvar,PFLLFilePHRSFZVZKHOFTHEDRATKHPZEONHZNTAZ ST~IRZLlTEDTO'BESDSQCEHANNA SIEA?fEIZCTRZCSTlTZON,CÃZTSI62STTHEECQ(OHZCDEPKLO~COONCZLOFSORBEASTKRN FESSSTLVATIA (EDCSP)~SackoundOaJane28,1979,theEDCÃPreceivedacopyofthaDraftEnvtrouscntal Scatcsaat (KZS)oatheSusquehanna ScaasKleet&eStation,CnitsI62froathcU.S.NuclearRajulatoryCosstssfoa.

Eposreceiving thfsEIS,thaEDCSFnoctfLO4thafollovtag agenciesthattchadcha'teporctheycouldtevfsvchereputeLntcsofficesduringregularuurktnjhours;andtheyha4untilAugusc12,1979,tofotvardCbcLrco~caonchareportcoCheEDCK?Laekavacna CauseyFlaaafsgCoctafsstoa 2.Sehaylkill CountyPlanatajCocsatsston 3.NoaroeCauseyPleasingCotcatsstea AoSusquehalsta Ecccloaic DavalOpscnc Auoeiatio'n Council0!Covercnaats (S~)ThaKDC(F'sDeputyDirectororallyto14thaEzaeuttva Dirae'tor oftheLutatua-Lackavanaa Kavtrounaatal Council(LuLac)theetheEDCSPha4cbareportsndtheetccou14bcravteve4tnouroffice,TheCouncildtdaocaocifythaLuaeraaCountyPleasingCoaatsstoa sinceft.vasttsunderstanding, base4uponchacoverletterLtrace'vadfroatheNRC,thattheLataraaCouatyP4aaiagCoostutoa tecetvedacopy0!Cherepo'rtLacheaatL."poareeetv~chercport,chaCounetl's stat!imdtacely begancorcvtevthetcporc.'AL4chfsrcvtavvascakingplace,thastaffalsorevtevedvariousA-95reportsan4efreulars toueertatahovsuchasKISshouldbaravtcvedaadtupurvtvvsunderchaA-95hocus.Theace!!,also,eoacaccc4 cheScaceClearinghouse andchaNational, Assoefacfoa 0!RajioaalCoun~et(NARC)coascertain t'ayotherajcaeccshadperforaed sfsflarravievs:aada4o.toalerttheaofoarproposedacetose.Theybothto14asthattheybelievedvavereoaco!chafirstrajfoaalageactas, cochebaseoftheirknovledje,csrevtcvaaeavtrooscatsl fspaccscaccacac foraunclearFeverpleatunderthaA-95Syscesan4beltcva4veveragoingabouttttnaraspousibla vay.Theseat.,raaltc'ag chicrevtcvvasoaapotesttal coatroverstsl project~broughtchanatterbeforechaCouncil'PolicyCooatttae forpoLicyguidance.

M'?oitcyComttceatoldtheDaeucfveDirectorthatthastaf!Shou14haa44thepro]eetliaeanyotherfsportant FNRspro)eecjeacraced tschatejfon.suebythescaffyiaadlftrioscorcvtcvtnjthedrafcZIS~alsoru4orbackgroundQdormcfcn, chafollov.'ag pubLicatfoas taad4tcioatotheDrafcKZ51clvlavt.cowAaottlccetwHowAao1esocIAIAIctttccvnt ocatetoctllsotOTIAVOCA.tA 1ICClltn:Oatt CQI (1)~FinalRezcaScudrochEfecLessofProcedures Sad~'dnfnfs4iancReardtoZCDProans,date4Sarah1979byPeat,Bszvfck~Hftcbsll4Co.(2)'EffectsotSuclearPovezPIRntsanCazenmft0ravtendResida1b1$.b~l,mL~~,~O.E.I l~4ete4Saveaber15,1978,forCheU.SNuclearRegulatory 0mmfssfan.

(I)ARevievandStudyottheEnvfzzumental LwsctaudSocio-Zcaaonic eatOfthePzaaosedPhilsdelhiaElectricCmasnvLfnezfckCeuerscfu Station04LCS1and2bytheWnfversfty CityScienceCenterforthe~~tgo~ryCountyPlanningCcomfssfan, datedv~h14,1974.(A)AreasAroundSueXeerFacilities ShouldReSetterPreparedforRsdioloicalZnezaciesARepotttoCongressby.theConpcroller Generalfdece4torch30>1979,444severalothernsvspapsr articlesandspeechesonchisandrelatedsub]eats.

InSddiciontorevieving thesedecussate, thestaffalsotalkedcoJaneZenney,theExecutive Direcco'r ofch4SouchEssc4111Ã4vEsnpshfra Regio1141 Planning0aanfssfon onicsinvalvenenc Lncbesicfng,licensing, Sndnonftorfng ofthe"Seabrook NuclearPaverPlane."Thafollouing comsentsonthisEISarea4ireccoutgravth oftheseravievsandconversaCicus1 TheCouncil4st4ff414nocb41LSTOLchsdsufficient cfuenarthabrea4th444levelofezpertfse torevievan4ccmaaconmayolchecechnical aspeccsoftheEISandLtsattawents.

Eovever,theCouncil'4 staffbelievedLths4sufficfenc ezpettise sndtinetocannencancheolloufngitemvhfchliarsdiscussed vichcheCouncil'4 PXRSCoanfttee, LcsPolicyCacnfcree~ftsZzecutfva

~creegosr4ofDf~tozs.SmmsrvofZDCTP'4CazneutsceaerslcounentsonziscazvofchePraect(chapcerI)ThisEIS'isan'update afpreviousreportsfiledufththeZuclesrRegulatory Comsfssfon.ASafecyZvaluatiaa R<<porc(SZR)villbeIssuedaftertharevfevsn4approvalofthisEISan4PPLL'4FinalSafetyAnalysisReporc(PSAR).hezefoze, nanyoftheconcernsvhichtheCouncilac4othercLitengroupsmyhaveonsafetyrelatedissuesassociated vithchisplane(especia'ly LnlighcofcheThreeKeIsland(~Q)AccLden)villbeevaluated sndcemteduponscalacerdaceiftheCouncilisinvolvedLnchacSEXrevieu.CenerelCauaeucsontheSi~(ChapterII)TheEDCSPstaffbelieves4considerable anountofdatahssbeenassenbled andadequacely analyzedrelscivecochasite,thegeneralenvirons(LuserneCounty),andthevariouspublicfacilities aadutilitfas inthearea.Eoveverychere4'zasanerecencreporcs~OTenca~an4'nevinstitutional relationships vhfchnighcbeevalu4t44 priortoth4UnitscaningonlineTheseLnclad41(1)Severalscarehospitals (Ssntfcoke,

Eszletan, Pittscon, etc.)nsybe~icherphasedoutornergedunderthaRPWproposal.

Itnightbeprudenttofnitiateprogrsnssinilartotheonacurrently beingundertaken becueenFPAEsndthaberufckgospital vftkotherhospitals inchaarea(fozexsnple,Ceisi"-ger ortheneulyproposedNPWa~laintheWLIkas-Rarreareavhichiscurrently underconstruction).

Furtheznore, noredetailedevscuatfon plansshouldprobablybeuarkedautufthchevariousIacalCountyandStateCLTLIDefenseandEaergeacy

?fedfcslSezvices(EfS)Agencies.

TherecencreportissuedbycheOfficeoftheController encitledAReorctoCauress-AreasAroundRucleaz'Facilities ShouldZeSetter'reaazed forRadialaicalP11erencesxszch1979,should54revfevedtaascertain potencial rolesan4responsibilities ofvariouspublicandprivateagenciesLnchessefforts.Fuzthernore, theED0SPbelLeveschazmscrecentSection208Caaprehensfva Water0ualltyBsnsgenent Progrsn(00WA:9)reportsfortheLoverSusquehanna RiverResinshouldbeevaluace4 inLightofsnypatencial inpactcheplaneandirsancillary facilities ufllhaveoncurrentasteran4severagefacflftias andothervaterSetters.Also,chaCouncilbelievesnoreLnforwtfon oacheplant'4locationzelstivatochafloo4plainshouldbeezplained innoredetail.ZcLsdiffim1lctoascertain Lfanyofthapropose4fscLILWSazaLnche100yearfloo4plainsndlorLfthe<<onscruction efcheTiogaBazaoa4DensvillaffectthesiteandfscLILCLOS Lnquestion(L.e.Chafncskeandsavagetreacnent plane)~Thestaffrealizeschistopicisdiscussed innozedecaflinChapter4;butbelfeves, thisitcsshouldbathoroughly coardinace4 viththeSusquehanna RivergssfnCamefssfan.

(SZS0).Anochezfteavhichneedsattention fscbaprepar4Cion of~syscsnstfc suzT47ofhistoric, ethnabiscoric, andprehistoric culcuzalresources accheplantsiteea4alongchaproposedtrsnsafssfon corridors.

ThaCouncilbelievesa)ointState-County-0CLILzyscu4yofChesspocential resources shouldbeundertaken assoonsspossible.

Potencial sourcesaffundingnfghtinclada1thePennsylvania Efstorfcal 8:ameunCosssfssfon, thePennsylvania Endaunenc fortheArts,theRationalEndavaant oftheArts,cheAppalachian Progran,en4possiblyotherlocalfoundations.

Thisprogzanandanyfindingscouldconceivably beccmeaparr.Ofthepropose4recreation areasndlorpartoftheprogrsnsaflocalcolleges(WLIkes,luer~Co@styCamsanftyCollege,Rloonsbuzg SciceCollege,sndSuckn411.

• 2 Cenersl~eatsonthePlant(ChapterIII)Easeduponche4scapresented fncheEfg>icappearscheSusquehanna RiverRssLnCocssfssfon vLIIuocpernfcPPLLcovfchdrswthenecessaz7 voiuneofvacerftoachsriverduringperiodsoi'owflow.ipparantly Pygmyisconsidering tbaconstruction ofareservoir orsaalternate waterSource.The0ouncLItrustschatthLSreservoir wLIIbecapableofnotonlysupplying thaeaterneedsecthapeqesedplant,butalsobeofsufffcfent sizetoaugssnctheflowottherivertoinsuresnadequatewateriupplyforchewecsrLncskesontheriverfortheCiciesofDsnvflle>

gezwfck>sndRloonsbuzg.

TheCouncilwouldappreciate receiving acopyofchiszeportoatbapzopose4reservoit aeeithertheutilityorRRCIt,also,appearstheetheproposedri~eriatskastructure willonlybe.3ofsnecer(approninscaly.l foot)abovetheStandardPro)eccPloo4(SPP).Theplacenant ofchLOfscflic7shouldboclose17evaluste4 Lnlightofcheregionsexperience in19724urfngTropicalgtocnLgnessndchesaouncofpzocsction, ifsny,whichtheproposedTfogaEsnnondDanwillhaveonanareathfsfardownstresn froathaabovenencione4 dsa.also,theconstruccfon ottheriprapatthissiceshou14becsrefu117 avaluace4 fnternaofcbepocencial forceofthofloo4waya100yearorgreataflood.0eneralCo>wantsontheEnvfzo<<sental>Effects ofStationzscioo(ChsptozD)

ThsCouncilsscsffbelievesnorescu47Lnnecessszy onche+actofthLOfscLILtyonpublfcozpeudfzuzes fotpolice,fire,andotherspecialenezgency equf~twhichasybeneede4noconlyLnt5eLnne4fate areasbucalsoforbackupsincheeventofaseriousradiological accfdencQso>cheRRCstaffnotestherenightbeadditional Iaafuse+sotssndthat.PMshouldcaketheseLt~incoconsideration initssocio-econonfc nonitoring pro~,buccheRRCstaffdoesnocpoincoutwhowillhavet5eresponsibility to~lenenttheenc'cipecs4 pzogrm,which

~tbenecessary coA'gaeacheeffectszelscivetoadverselandusesThe~>encourages PPLLtoffnsILCOitsrsplsc<<sant waterplansassooaaspossiblesn4coord~tochoseplansw>AhcheInzerMCountyPlanning~sion>tho,EDCRP

~chePecnsylvanfa Depeztnsnc ofEnvfzo~tsl Resources (DER)sndtheSRRC.TheCouncf1alsostronglyencourages PPCItoperfozntheappropriate scudiesoncheoperation ofthsLntkkeascurrently style4an4designed, sinceLcappearsLtOLIIhavesnadverseeffectonChescquatfclifewithinthevicinicyofwingwallssndriprap,Thesesracrucial~sinceshadns7bereinczoduced LnzheloverreachesofcheSusquehanna RLversndvariousfishLaddersarebeiagcontmlsted onsowofthedens4ownscreenfronthisproposedfacility.

Llso>Lcappearstherearesonsincousiscencies LntheevaluacLons onwhethertheshedwLIIrenafninthensLachannelorusethepoolareasforrsstfng.Ifthe~hsd4scLdeto'zescLnchepoolnearcheincske,thisns7havesignificant negsciverasulcsast5eynigrsteupan4douutheriver.Inessence,theCouncil's stat'elLeves thepotentfal shadpzoblenshoul4bestudiedinnoredetailsndsol~tions foundsssoonsspossiblecoassistfnthereintroduction ofshs4inthegusquehauns River.TheCouncilapplaudsPPLIforLtspzoposed.recrestioa centerssroun4theplants,however>LtwondersifPMalsoplanscopeznftpublicreczescfsnal useazor4icspropose4louflowsugsentsc&ll ressvofrTheCouncilagainbelievesLcLs~ztsnttoscresschatthelocal~tiesshouldreceivesufficient tatesozpaysentsLnlie'uofCarestocopewiC5Cheincreased levelofservicessndasnpower(police>fLre,etc.)vhichwillberequire4duetotbainpeccofchisfscfifty.

TheCouncilbelievestheIuzerneCountyPlanningCoco>Lesion orgalenTownshipshouldsubaiz.Snapplication coIKDorFR0tonorefu117ascertain thesefiscal~tsandalsocodevelopspp'zopzisca Lnpleaentstfon strategies.

also,thaCouncilbelLevesasurveyofculturalresources (IS4Lsnrelics,etc.)incbavicinityofcheplantshouldbensdeassoonaspossibleinordertoquantifycheeztentsndvalueofchessresources Lncheareaofcheplant.TheCouncilscsf>alsoo>nditLncerescing theesppronfnsteiy g0percencofopera-tionalworkforcewhichwashire4byKovanbez, 197gvereLa~grants ratherthenlocalworkers.TheCouncilbelievesPNIshouldinvestfgate the4evelopoant ofCzsfnfnglenpioyaent progzm(for~ie,underPICorOJT)wichLocalQAagenciessuchutheIu-ezeCo>szcyEunsnResources Agencyinozdercoencourage chebitingofnore"local"people.simurghchecoralcsnbLIIforthezmgusquehaaa unitswillbesbouc$5.5CL>>fcnverylittleofthisvilLbedistributed locally.(955,000toLuzetneCountysnd910,000toColusbfaC<<>Styduatocuz.encscare4w.>>eCouncil's scaMbelievessonsnoreequitable fondlesboul4bepursued,evenifLCnssnspossibleanendnents cochePe~ivaufs PublicRealtyTaxIaw.TheCouncilalsobelievescheInterneCountyPlanning~sionshoulds~canapplication tocheU.S.Envfronnsntal Protection Agencyunderue0ufetCcmaCCLOS Pzogzsntosecurechenacessaty f~tobuythenoisenonftoz>ing equi~>Candcoacquirethenecessary ezpertise todevelopshistoryofchenoiselevelgenerated acsndneartheplant.genera'ow sonzbevov'rou-entsl wenftoziotthe?IsncSite(Chapter9)heCoecfl'sstaffconcurswithQCfindingsszdreccwndstfons LnchisChapterendstronglyuzgesPPQ.toezpeditensnyofc5en(i.~.,chenoisenonitor>ing pzogrsnnentione4 earlier).

CeoerslCoanantsonCl~Envtroccmatal Iectof?ostulated Accidents (ChapterVI)TheCouacQcsscsftbalLevasthecurreatEISisdeficient taChatitdtdaotaotethe2Kaccidaat.

ThaCouncilstattbelieveschatsincesaaccidentsuchuTNZtspossible, ttbe1iavesicvouldbaprudenttorP?4LaadlorthaSECCodevelopaplantoraClass9failurestchistacQtty,esyactally sinceanacctdeatotchtsaagottude vaaaocconsidered tachioEZS.Again,thaCouacQ'4scstfrecccmads theeSECandPP4LravtevtheOfficeottheCoaczoller's reporaa4theotherpublications aotadurlieronthissu)fact.UNITEDSTATESENVIRONMEIITAL PROTECTION AGENCYREGIONIllScvANOWAINUTSTREETSPHIIACELPHCA PENNSYLVANIA lsc04Al!817>79CeoersiComeotsontheSeedforthe?lant(ChapterVZZ)TheO(uncQ'sscafttomdt)tsChapterverytutor~tive aadgeaarally concursc5scCheretsaneedtortheplsnCeventhoughscÃstayQuestionthaaeeltCohavethaylsacsincePP4Lvouldscillhavea24perceacreserveaarontaches~rvtthouctcia1985;sada30?arcanereservenszgfn'atbeviatorvitbouttt~lit)oughc)aaazgtmarasignificantly shovethe5'percentresezvenargtuusignedcoP?4Lasttsresyoastbiltty in-thaPJEtacarcoanacctoa; ttappearsP?4Lactedtngoodfaithiathelate1960'sanduzly1970'4vheattAethedecfstoacogoahudvtththatactlLty, sinceir.vasusigneda20percentreserveaargtnacthar.Ctup.Qso,'PP4L an?ectedconsiderably noregrovthiattsserviceareaandthaiatercoanecttoa stthat.Ctm.Fuzz)ernore, tcaovappearsthaStateandthatntercocnect areindeedfortunate theeP?4Lis~viatorpeakingutilityaadbasthisreserveaargintnlightotthayocaactsl closingdovao!CPD'sThreeHtlaIslandplant,sndalso,thatacraasiag needforeaergyLatheDottedStatesduetochaOPECoQcrisistn1973-74sa4197879'uzchermre, chaCocsccQ's scottbelieveschLsresezveaargtatsaplusinthsregion'sstteaptstorevitalize theacoconyoftharegionvhi<<5co4atahasazpezteacad highcaenployauct ratesan4littleecoaontcgzovthaaddtverstttcatton.

Zaessence,chaComcQ,'4staffbaIievescheaddtt~alreserveaargtavhtcht5eSusq>>)sama pleatvillprovide(47percentreservemzgtntnvtaterand29percentresezvenargtntnscat>>r)by1985isapluscocheecoaoayo!t5eguteacdourregion.-.CeneralCcxaeuouthaEvslusttea o!CHs?reposed Action(C)ayCerVIII)Ant)ratite dt4aoi.ay?eartobecmsLdare4 asaaaltansciva.

Zcnaybeanore-.vtk)4flleltnthe.tutun tathatittsemnyctront5amstteceac802relIuiramats yromlgatad byEPLOther4stsvasverytechnical an4our.o!theCouncQ'4smtfazperttse oraoc4Lrectlyrelsta4cotheEISstatueat.

GeneralComentsoathegel.a!itCoer.Analysts(Chapter0)TheCouacQ4~CsftgeaeraQyconcursvtthC)e"bottoaQaaotthtsChsyterandtheCouncil'4 stat!believesthatttvoucctbepossibletooyeratethascsttoavtthoalyatntnsleavtzocnenta1 4~actstfcheapyltcsac (PP4LaadAllegheny EISCMCCooperative, Iac.)tollovthroughvie)cheracomandsttoas aote4)ytheSECscat!inAIISaadthcornea4o!thsIDCf?vh'charenotedtachtszavtev.Nr,Voss4.boozeAsstscsac DirectorEavirocmatsl PzojactsSuclearEegulstory Cocsctsstoa T-518.Vashtogcoa, DC20555DearHr.EooracV<<havecon?lated ourrevievoftheDrafcEavtroumatst LspactState-teatcaoceraiag tbeSuscy>>haec>>

SteanEleccrtcStation,gaitsIaadI,LuseraaCountycPennsylvania

~Oachebasisotourzavievandconcernsvehaveclssstffe4 t5edocu-saotsndpropoulEE2.Thismansvehaveeavtroaaentsl reservsttoas coacenLag cheyro]actandvedoootbelievethein?actstaceaeut hsssufi'icienc Lntolusttoa coassesstullythe<<avtzonmatsl in?actoftheaction.Vehaveeaoloeedourcocoaaats TheE?4classification aadchedateo!ourcomeatsvillbspublished LathetederalRegisterLaaccordsaca vtchournsyoastbtltty toto-temchapublicotouzrevtevonproposa4acetousuaderSection309o!theCiunAirJccETS4'Jettsads EevievSectioaCOI6-RadialicalTssuesrDrsfcEnrlronaental

~setScaceneat Susgusbsnna SteanElecCricChiCs162LnserneCounty,pennsylvania WereCuestCheRROtoexplainthechsaSesvhichellowdafirecose>enfo14increasefnprojecced Ssseousfod(nereleases.(found byconperisoa ofCheStsteaeats of1973snd1979)sndcoexplainvhytheincreases 4idnocresultinanysubstantial cheese(nthesssociate4 dosescoachi14sch7roid(pordecsils>seeCheDrefcScsteaenc>

pate616versuspeSe056~and6-1Sversus075,77.)lasupportofthisrequest>icnaybenotedthatour1973ccmnntson~projected Ssseousiodinereleasessndassociated dosesveresharplycritical, sndverecur>>ended theuseofeaSineere4 iodinecontrolsyn-tonesndo>herdisiSauodiffcatfons toreduceiodinereleasesuchchsctheoffsitedoseto~child'thyroiddidaocexceed5nQlkrenperyear.Ourcosauncsarereproduced fncheDrsfcStaten>at, psS<<s0151,152,The1973rsspoasetoChoseco>ssenCs>

shoveonpete0123>iten11.13,stipulated useofdesiSnnodiflcscions, sndreferenced arevisedrsdioloS(csl fnpectas4escribed onpsfe077,section5.4.1.Ewnthcuthsection5.4.1notedtheexistence ofuncertainties iathecalculscionsl nodal>andchedose(upsethssnovbacarecslculsce4 usinSaevsourceterncslculat(oos>

perpace61>buccheStaten>ac 4oesnotcontainsnyspecific4(scusskon oflesseaed(upsetperunitofiodinerelease.Thisdiscussion oflessene4(apaceperunitofiodinereleaseausebeincorporated inthepinalEavirosnsntsl TnpsctSCate>antReactorAccidents TheEpkhssexsn(nedCheKRO'sessessnent ofsccidencs sndtheirpotential rfshs.Theasses>mats wredeveloped byNRCiathecoarseoficsenS(neerinS erslustkon ofructorsafetyfnchedes(EnofnaclearplsntsoSlatetheseissuesareco>anntosllcuclesrplantsofaSirencype,ZPAconcursvithNRC'sSenericapproachtoaccideacriske>slant(on, TheIC(serpects4cocontinuetoensuressfecythrcuthsicinS>planedes(Ensndaccidentasses>vents incbelicensinS processonac~~ssebasisln1972,theAECinitiated snefforttoexsaineresccorwfetysn4theresultsnc en>(ronwntal cense>(osnces sadrishsonenoreqaancits&e beefs.ThefinalreportofthiseffortvasissuedinOctober1975bycheU.S,SuclesrReSulscory Oosadss(on ascheReactorSefscySeedy,WCSE1400(ÃJREO/75/014)

~TheEpd'revievofche'eedyincludediahouseaadcontractual efforts>sndourcocnnntsserereleasedfn~reportinJune1976~

InJaly1977theRRCchartered theRis'kAss<<sea<<at Revi<<vCrouptoprovideadvicesadLnfora<<cion totheRZConVASRIA00inre<<possetolettersfaaCougr<<ssasn Mallezprsssing aisgiv(ngs

<<bouctherap<<reaadinparti<<ala abouttheRr<<curie<<

Sun<<stypublished viththere-port,TbeRLstAsses<<vent RevievCroupLssu<<4itsf(nd(ngsLnS<<pt<<nber1978sn4theRRCaccepa4thefindiagsduringJanuary1979~TheRRCalsovlthdrevsnyezplicitorLaplicicpisa<<odors<<vent oftheZzscutive Sussssrys gengotherspecificactionsZPAagreesvithth>>RZC'positioninthisascterWealsocones@vlththeSRC'scontiresdsupposefortheuseofprob<<bill<<tin r(sbsss<<<<seance Lnregu-latoryd<<<<i<<iona<<kings withtb<<sdnonisbaent thatsuchdecisions b<<bss<<4onseveral!secor<<scca<<passing social,technical sndecon<<<<inissuesLnsd4itiontoscold<<acr(shsss<<ssaents Thereactorscold<<ncacCteThreeHLI<<Island-2reactoronKetch28,1979hssfocus<<4art<<ation oathegreetne<<dforathoroughr<<<<zsnins tioaofreactorsafetyVeareoonc<<tn<<4 aboutth~effectiv<<n<<ss oftheprocedures bywhichreactoropsrsting

<<zp<<ri<<nce iscrsaslst<<d intoLaprovedreactord<<signsorop<<rat(on<<I practices.

W<<believe icLncuab<<nt ontheRRCcocarefully tevi<<witscurtestprocedures forLd<<ntffy(ng, ass<<ssing andectingonpotential scci4<<ncsequences asoperating ezp<<riant<<with reactorsLucre<<s<<s

~Con<<id<<rat(on ofoccidentscenarios sbou14ofcourseincla4<<Class9ac<<id<<ntss b<<causetheirezist<<nc<<was 4<<non<<czar<<d etTVITheSSZSststcmntdoesaoccoasidersuchet<<ideate AsSSZSisontheSu<<pahsnnagupstrssnfr<<aThre<<RLI<<L<<lands snd75nil<<a<<waysthe<<cate~aatsho<<14re<<i<<vtbepossibleemulative effectsofasecon4Class9accidentLa<<estralp<<nnsylvsnia posulstlon DoseCow<<its<<ncs Weare<<neo<<raged thattheRRCisnowcalcalsring snaaslpopulation 4osecosssicsnts totheV.Spopulation, wb(chisapartial<<valuation ofthetoC<<lpot<<atisl env(roun<<at<<i dos~<<sess(tn<<nts (ZDC)ofR-3,~5~CI4<<io4in<<sand$<<rciculstes ThisLsabigsteptowardevsL<<sting theZDC,vhichvahaveurgedforseveralyearsSow<<ver,Lcsho<<14berecogn(sad thatseveralofthesersd(onsciides (particulerlyc-14sndzt-85)villcontribuce coIong<<t<<rapopulation dose(upsetsonaaridly<<basis,ratherchanjustLncheU.STothe,~zc<<acthatchisdrstcstaten<<nt (I)bssLin(tsdtheZDCtocheannualdischarge ofthesersdions<<LL4<<s, (2)Lsb<<sedontheusuapcfon of~population o!coascsacsite,snd(3)us<<seesche4osesduring50yearsonlyfolloving eachrelease,Ltdoesaotfullyprov(dethetoc<<L~arizona<<acsl Lap<<etAsses<<a<<or ofthetotalLnpsccvo<<14(I)incorporstetheprojected releaseeovertheI(f<<tisNofchefacility(rath-erthanjuscthe<<annalrelease),.(2) eztendtoseveralgeo<<tati<<as b<<yondtheperio4ofrelease,(3)'onsider, scleucqmlitatively org<<ner(cally, thewori&4lein!la<<acsonthetotal<<nv(robot<<I inpsccorsp<<cifytheIinitatfons oftheand<<ius<<4.yu<<lC1<<sndIonT<<rsDoseAss<<ssn<<nts ZPAisresponsible forescsblishing generally spplicabL<<

environs<<nt<<I radiation protection standards toLinitusa<<<<<<ss<<ry radiac(on

<<zposuressndradioactive asteri<<L<<

inthegen<<raL<<nvirona<<at resulting

!ronnota<<iopsrscions offscilici<<s theeareparr.oftheuranianfu<<LcycleiTheZpAhsscoaclud<<4 chatenv(roe<<sat<<1 rsdf<<cion standards fornuclearpov<<rindustryopsrsrioas shouldtateintosccouacchetotalrsdiscLon dosecotbepopulations thensziauaLndfvidu<<I dose,Seriskofhealtheff<<ctsattributable tothesedos<<s(Including th~futurerisks<<ridingfroatherel<<sseoflongILv<<dts4(onuclldss totheecv(roc<<nut),

sndtheeffectiv<<n<<ss sndcostsofeffluentcontroLtechnology.

ZFA'sDr<<ninaTuelCycl:standards sreezpr<<sse4 internaofdoseliaicstoindividuals a<<nb<<rso!thegeneralpublicandILiitsonWssncities ofcertainIongLivedradioactive asterisls reless<<4tothegeneralenviron<<mat Ado<<un<<nc<<acicl<<4"Zavirnunental S.~yoftheCraniunteelCycle"(VASR12lg)vssi<<su<<4byAZCLncocionction vithar<<gal<<cion (10C)R50,AppendizD)torsppllcatioa inco<<pl<<ting thecost-benefit scalys(sforin4(vidual Light-voter re<<teereaviroaantai rev(evs(39S.R.14188)~Thisdo<<On<<ncLsusedbyZRCLndrefc<<nvironaentai state~aacstoassesstheincr<<sacral

<<nv(roamntal inp<<ctstbsc<<snbeeccributed tofeelcyclecoupon<<nts whichsupportnuclearpoverpl<<ats,Re<<encljtheSZCd<<cid<<4toupdatetheWASR-1248 surv<<yWeb<<IL<<vethisisaprod<<ntstepsndcoaendtheSRConLnltisting thisupdsceIaproviding coanencstochemConthissubject,dst<<4Soveab<<r14,1978,weeacoarsg<<d ZRCtoezpressenv(recant<<i Lap<<et<<Lnternaofpotenti<<I con<<ego<<nc<<s cohuacab<<<<14,sinceforradioactive neceri-<<Issa4i<<airingradiation thenoseLsrporrsnt inpectsarethoseuiti-nstelyeffsccLng huacahealthV>>believethar.pres<<at<<cion ofen<<iroc<<ant<<I LapserinterraothamnhealthLap<<ct!oscarsabarterunderstand(ng oftheradiation prot<<<<cion afford<<4chepublicAsecondnsjorcoaceraofZyA4<<slswiththe4ischsrge sn4dispersal ofloaglivedradio<<<<elide<<

tacothegeneralenv(rona<<at.

Iatheareas<<4dress<<d LnVASE-IZAS, therearesever<<Icasesinwhichradioectiveass<<rial<<

oi'ongpersistence arereleasedintotheenviron nant.Iheresulcing

<<one<<>(oaa<<es aayent<<adoveraanygee<<rations an4cacscitata irreversible yublichealth<<omkznants.

Ibislongterapoteazial knpcctshouldbeconsider<<4 iaanyass<<sea<<at oahealthLayactZPAhascoasistently toun4Load<<>ysato theSZC'sastinates ofpopulation dosestorchosepersisceat rsdLoactbe net<<rial<<

Zaparticular>

theERChasgenerally liaitedtheiranalysescothepopu-latioavithia50okla<<otafacility, oriatarscases,tocheD.Spopulation andcodoses<<oaakttod fora50y<<arperio4byaaaaaualrelease.ThoseLknktatkons produ<<ekn<<<<apl<<to estknatas ofaariron-saatalkapactsaa4voder<<szkaazo theLap<<etiasoaecases,suchastzoareleasesottrick>ss>

krypton85>carbon14>t<<chaotkM9 andiodine-129 ThetotaLkapactofthesepersistent radioouclkdas ihouldbeus<<so<<d,>psakktykag such<<<<tinct<<<<

uappropriate toreflecttheuacertakntku.

Zathisregard,veaotetheet5<<Nu<<L<<arEnergyAgencyisadd<<<<<<slag thLsapproachiaa<<bingasses<<nants aadthatthdSRCisrept<<seat<<4 inthiseffort.Anocheraajor<<on<<id<<ration iaupdatingWASR-1248 isthohealthkapa<<tfrasradon222tr<<asheuranianaiakagandaillkagindustry.

Esci-aaccscadebyZPAsnoagotherskndk<<atethatradon-222 contributes thepeat<<stfra<<tkoaofthetotalhealthLnpaccfzoasssckoaryovorgener<<cion~Znpreparing aaupdatedWASR1248>veb<<LL<<vcERCshou14aIncludetheradoa-222

<<ontrkbutkoa Creaboththeuzaaiunnkn-iagcadakkkkngindustries 5,Dot<<raine thehealthiayacttoLarg<<rpopulations thanoaly<<5<<localpopulation.

c,Re<<ognkaa thepes'sist<<at natureotthezadoa222pre<<ursozs

(~>2$0an4Ra-228)byestkaatkag thehealthknyectforaperiodr<<Clccckag oak<<i~aeration tbas.Ri5~<<1Waste'NsnsanentIhecechak>ps<<a andyzo<<<<dure<<

usedtoasaagehighlevelradioactive vast<<avillhaveaaiayactoatheenrico>nant.

Toacettaia<<at<<ac,theseknpactscanbedkte<<clyrelatedtotheindkvidusL prof<<<<tsbecauseCS<<reprocessing otspentfueltr>saeachaevfacilityvillcontribute tothececalvast<<ThoAEC>oaSept<<aber 10>1974>iuuedCoz<<<<>nantadraftst<<tauntentitled"TheNsaag<<nant ofCo<<>sar<<i<<1 Rkgh1<<velcndTzsasuzaak~tsaknatad Radkoactbe

'Waste"(WASR-15$9),Inthisregard,ZPApzoridedcnteasive

<<os>seats oaWASR1559oaEar<<aber21,1974.Oura<<$<<r<<rick<<isa vastheethodrafcstate-snntLa<<bad~psogrsaforarrivingacaeacL<<factory ae<<5<<4of"ultisate"highlevelvestadisposal, DOEbaaedadraftELS,San<<Scout ofCow<<r<<kakky C<<oersted Radio~ctiveWaste,"daringAprilot1979ZPAks<<onducting acoaprehea-

~berevL<<vofchisEZS,aadvillsub>sitcoca<<atetoDOEupon<<onylczionofshercrievEPAbcooperatiag richbothmCaa4DOEtod<<velopaaenrkronoeatally acceptable prograaforradioactLve vast<<snnag<<neat.

Lat5ksregard>EPAhaspublished proposed<<arizona<<at<<1 radiac(on protectioa criteriaCorthaaanagcaeat ofallradioactive vast<<aadvillestablish aavk-rocaeataL rsdiatioa prot<<ctioa standards forhighlevelvast<<in1979Wehaveconclud<<4 theethecontinued 4<<v<<lope<<at ottheNation'snuclearpowrindustryisacceycabl

~franaaeavirocnantal pointduringtheperio4requiredcosatisfactorily resolvethevast<<aanageaeat

>(<<<<scion.

Trsasooztatioo Zaitsearlierreek<<vsoft5<<cavkromnt<<L kupa<<ts<<Ctransportation ofradioactbe ass<<rial, EPAagz<<<<4vithAEC<<5ataaayaspectsoft5ispzogzsa<<ouldbestbetrutedoaagenericbasks.TheSRChascodk-tiedthisgenericsyproach(40FR,100$)byaddingatabletoktsregulations (10CFRPart51)vhichs>us<<rises theenvkrocaantak Lap<<<<toresultiag frcathetraasporcatioa otradioactive asterisks co~ndtrnalight~ter reactorsTbeknpactraineforroutinetraasporcat(oa oCradioaccive aaterials hube<<asecacal<<v<<Lvhich<<overs90porc<<atotthezeactozscuzrcntlyoperating orund<<rcon<<auction Thebasistorchcknpa<<t>orrisk,ottracsyortacion ac<<id<<nts ksaotasclearlydefined.Acyrescat,EPA>DOEaadSRCareeachact<<opting tonazetuLIyasses<<thersdkologi<<al iapactottraasportatioa rksbs.TheEPAvillnakebaconitsrlevsoaanyenvkrocnentalky una<<capt<<5k

~coaditioas relacedcocranspsrtatioa.

Oathebasbotpro<<oneknfoznatkoa, EPAbelievestheethereLsaouaduerkstottransportation accidents asso<<iat<<d vishsheSSES~TbeERChaspublished aproposedrul<<asking oCDe<<osssksskoakng Cri-\>*>l>d>>~>>ll>1978EPA<<omaentsvereseattoSRConJuly5,1978,d<<slingvkth<<5<<d<<c<<essks

~konkogisaac<<aIns>snsary>

vebelievethatoneofcbonosekayo<<tant issueknthe4<<<<<<sssksskonkag otnuclearfacilities kst5<<devel<<pa<<ac otscaadards torrsdiseloa cryo<<oreIfnfcstornctcrials, fs<<fifties sn4sitescobereleasedforunrestricted use,Wehc>>iacludcdchedevel<<poco<<

of~uchstsadsrds cnoogourylcnnedpsojeccs.

Theatrevillretufsecthor<<ughstu4yeoprovidethenc<<em<<cry hfonsathn, in<<lu4ing c<<esc-affectfv<<ness analysistozvariousLevelsotde<<on<<ash<<Cion.

Thcdcvalopocnc otccsodcrds for4<<<<onsissbning ouse~of<<our<<ofLn<<I<<4<<coaslderacion oftheaanyconcurs<<at activities inrsdfocctLve vestasnaegcasat cn4radlologi<<sl proc<<<<tbn gp4hssd<<<<eloped propos<<4CriterbforRadios<<cLve wastefosa<<nag<<nant ofsllrsdfos<<cise vs<<teevhhhvillprovideguidanceforde<<osaisshnfng standards yraethed<<co<<saissioning vievprobablytheoustLap<<reset criterion isthatlinitiagrelianceoohstftutbncl coact<<iscoatfnitaperiod.RPJbelievesthattheuseofLasticutioasl coatroLtoprotectchcp<<bif<<trasretirednuclearfc<<LILCL<<s, untilthey<<cnbedecant<<uf-o<<cadsa44<<co<<aissioned, shooldbeIhftedcccheaostco100yearscn4psefessbly lessthan50years~Thisinclu4<<sea<<I<<srreactors~hutdovnsndos<<hall<<4 oscut<<abedforaperiodottineunderpro-tecti>>storage4ftsrtheciiovabie Lnseitutbnsl

<<srcyerio4isov<<r,thesic<<villhavetoacctr<<4iosccfve protection levels<<ac<<b-ibbedforCalcu<<torunrestricted use.Web<<IL<<vcgyvesproposed<<thesisvouldb<<4isecely cpplf<<able, sscbov<<,co4<<coaabsiooing ofsn<<I<<crfs<<ilLcfcs cadshouldbegi>>aserious<<onsiderstfon bytheSuc'I<<srRsgulacosy Coon(scion

(ÃRC).Thesvellsbilicy otcd<<pc<<tofundsMnthccfaccodeco<<abel<<a arrivesbalsooostLap<<stan<<I Lcsbou14beth<<re<<possibility oftheRRCCoassurethatsuchpro<<i<<Laos cresade.W<<re<<ognbe thegeeseco<<pi<<atty otproviding fundsforsuchc<<tfvftfes atseascheinchefuture,petti<<ulsrly vh<<reutflief<<acrcLovel>>d4uetothecontrolsLopes<<4byScscccndlocalutLlity<<o<<ate<<fons.

Sou<<versifLtcsnbetlzalyest<<bibbed char.Chetotalcostofdc<<oaxbsfoohg hcurrent4ollsrsbeverysacl'Itrs<<thnofhftfilcsphsl<<osu,provisioa ot<<s<<zovfundingneynotbcnccuuzy.Therefore, vsurgecheBRCtoconducetheoe<<csurystodiessndca<<<<sac<<ate todetcznheun<<gat-v<<<<siiyAecostsotdecoaeL<<cbeing'sn4 to<<asperasechcostscoLofti<<Icspical<<oscsZcLsonlythroughedefhielve cnslysb,cndperhapsthroughrcalbci<<dcsooscrsefon, chatthisbsuc<<cobescsolvedoDisc<<tRadiation pronDier<<n16Thecase<<as<<at otthedire<<r.radiation fzooth<<nitzog<<n 16isnoc4b<<assedinsutficienc detailco<<11<<vaesningfol hccryretccbn (seepays416to4-21).porcasopb,hisstatedchatthecyplicsnc

<<slculcted a4hectrs4iscion doseof27vr<<nip<<sr psrunitsc0.55bnsouthofthepl<<acItisalsoseatedtheeWont<<Carlote<<hnfeucs

>>reusedco<<clculcrc dfzc<<crsdiccioo

<<ndshyshhedoseratesoatheorderof20orealyesr perunityatatypksl~it<<boundarydfsesn<<eof0.6bnttastheturbhcbufldhgItisnocsdthatthedizeccradiaciondoseisnoelistedonTables4.9aul4.10,chatthereareresi-dencesct610ncn4156ntrnathcplane,endtheetheSgsc<<tosvichtberesides<<c ct610nalsohesagardenan4acscanhsist644nThesebc<<ore<<ould<<<<evetoosnfnixedoseshthesesectorscndcher<<tore sbIdbnorefullydfs~s<<4inchetinilRIS.WealthRfstConversiou pe<<tossThehealthrisk<<<<user<<Leo fscC<<rslistedoapage42ysypesrIovcndareio<<on<<bc<<ac vfththafs<<toreusedhtheCcneri<<RIS onUzanf<<aMfllhg(SCRtCr0511).

Thesevaluesshouldbeoaf<<<<os<<be<<at vlchthosus<<4hacegm511.

Coon<<ategelatintoWsccrslitvPeg<<212,Eigure2.3yfger<<23depictstheWaterUseDiegranforSusquehanna Daft<<Icn42)bove>>r,avatesbalance<<annotbe<<elculsted fornsnyoftheunitpro<<<<secs shoveoaChedbgrasduetolnsufficienc Lnfornctfon.

yor~ssnpI<<,icbhpossible todeceznine theask<<upofthevest<<creat-ocnCdischarge sincetheflovratesof.thedhhersifzer en4rsvvstcrtrecesant pl<<acdlschsrgu areoochdicatcd.

porpurposesof<<Icrftyendfutureyesnfttfng, areviseddbgrasshouldbesubnitt<<4 vbf<<hclearlyshoveell4bchargepohtssndhclodcsacoaplcccvscerbalance.Thistee<<en<<at

<<chas<<<<ouldalsobebccterucilbcdlfLtvereLn<<ludedinSectLon3<<24eneitlcdChcnl<<<<1, Ssnhsry,cndOtherWest<<Treeca<<nt.

yet<<graph 2.34relatesehsctheSusquehanna cethepl<<ncsiteacesvse<<rqualitystan!cede forcllpara<<<<ters exc<<yciron.In4<<scribing thedb<<berg<<,

onpages4.4sndthepagesfoll<<vine, theiapresshn Lsgivenchatthedischarge vtlldcgr<<4<<eheriverbeyon4vatesqualityIfnftsforseveral<<ontanfnsncs.

Table4-3shovecher.thechlorideioobcstrcordhsrfly hLgh.ThequantityofCheLonLsnoc.thensjor<<one<<rabuticsoccur<<b,particularly ebenyouconsiderthestol<<bias<<try otthcvariousLonetheecseonthelbcoftheState'vsccrqoalftyper<<net<<re, choseachinguytheeffIn<<acofchcplcnccn4choseLonesnd<<<<op<<unde nocLn<<iud<<4butnsybeysesencintheliceofvates@<siltyp<<rsn<<ters.

tedIpo Pig<<re2-3doesoocclearlyillustracc vhetherthc.savageere<<exeat pleateff>luaac fsdis<<barged intotheSusquehanna Riwr.Thepleatisaocdes<<ribed insufffcfcac detailTbelackoCdesignorop<<reef<<a ss>dedocsaocgivetheae<<<<sueysssuraa<<e theeicvilloperateefff<<fenclyat.1/Scape<<ityvlthoucadversefapa<<tsupoacheriver.Manytreatnaac sysecastaLL>d>cntheyareaocoyeratedac<<spacicy.

tale2-17,Table2.8TabL<<2.8LisesspecificVatarQualityCriteriaapplf<<able cote<<alcoliCoas, totaLiron,as<<ganesa, dissolved oxygen>pR,aadcecal4fisolved solidsbur.hasaotincludedeheapplfcablc

<<rfteriafortaspsracure.

Spc<<fff<<t<<sparse<<re criteriatoraoae03.010>Northgran<<hSus>luchanna River>crcufollovs>0Rotarechana5<<priseabovesnbfcaccusp<<rat<<re oranaxfauxot87<

vhf<<haver isLe>elnoctobe<<hangedbyaorsthea2<<Pduringaayoaehoarperiod.Thfsfaforaatfoa caabcfoundinPeansylvania's VaccrQual.tyCrlecrfa> Psonsylvaafa Code,Titl~25,PartI,Envfroaxcattl Re>our<<cs> Chapter9S,VstcrQualityCrfterfaAve<<dadSap<<saber 16,1976;Effective 0<<caberll,1976.3Page3-3,.32.2.2Sc<<cion3.2.2.2dcs<<ribes theiatakestra<<tare vhi<<h,vill bccnploye4atChcpleatA<<<<nyarfsoa o!thisintakeandiatakedufgnsLLLus-cratcdinZPADo<<uncut660/2-73<16 Revicvlngnvfrooaeotal ZaoaceStatceeaes powrplantCo<<lanCyst<<usEoinsert<<Ase<<tsshowthe~slgaothepaacsacaxeasgeneralyun>actsa<<tory.>hedo<<u-ncutstateschactravelling screensvith<<oacfauous-aovesaat arcprafurredeothosevfthfntcrafttcat aovcaantZaad4itfoa, ftfsre<<o>a-ccededchatscatioaary l<<uvcrstorfishbypassor<<oLle<<cfoa aadrcs>ovalta<<ilitfes shouldbeprovid<<4fathe$<<rceavcLL. Thesecvoaodftfcacfoas cotheproposediatakcstructure acSSZSshouldbs<<oasidercdfacheffn<<Ldcsfga,esp<<<<ially inlightofchcSRCstaCC'scon<<erao!adversea!is<<catotheaqsacf<<<<o>csunfty vichfathefs>udfatevf<<laityoftheviagvali'nda>so<<fated rip-rap.ItshouldalsobenoccdthatSe<<tfoa316(b)oftheCleanVaterAccof1977rs>p>free chelo<<a<<foedesign<<<<astra<<tfoa snd<<ayacfcyof<<oolfagvatsrfatakescruccurcs re!le<<tSescAvailable Te<<ha<<logy forainfnfafag adverseeavfroaaeatal faye<<ebyJulyI>1984.TableS-Irv>eelstheeChaaveragecasuali<<caketrnathetivcrcr-<<eedstheaaxinunaoachlyintake.Thesefiguresareconf<<cfog aad~houl4beclarified. 4.Page38,Section3.2.4,1Tbcfirstparagraph of$<<ctfoa3.2.4.L,Zadustrfal Vastas,statesthatsulturf<<a<<f4 addedcothc<<freulatfag vacarsysc<<afstheacjoesour<<eotfadustrfaL <<bcafcaLvestaa<<4otyoteatial faye<<tcothe.a>L<<atf<<cnvfronnsat. Thissectiondoesaotdfi<<ass>4>ateau<<resorerect>>eat theapplf<<aat has<<aployedcoelfain<<Caorafafnfeethis:inya<<tThissectionah<<aidbcexpandedtoaddressthispoint.Thesc<<oadparagraph <<CChicse<<tfoasesCesChatvas'CssfroaravvatarCreen>cue villbedis<<barged vfthrooC4rains,et<<.cotheholdupyondfatbeparkingloc.Rofadfcstioa isnade,hovcver,ifaayadditional treaeaeac villCakeplacefaChicpoadIfso>aayproposedtree<<scat shouldbeoutlined. Zfaot,Cheapplf<<sne vfILnoselikelyhaveto<<leanouttheyondasaresultoCchebuildayofseep><<dad solidsZa.thiscase,thedfsyosaLoCthesesolidssboul4bsaddressed 5.Page46,Section4.3.4Sc<<cfoa4>3>4>ZFAgffluancCold<<lines aadLfnftacfoas statesthesta-tionshalla<<hicveefflusnclfaitacf<<ns re>y>frfag theapplf<<atioa ofSPTCAa<<<<ordfag coP.L92-500'tshouldalsobcaote4chatan<<adsnacstothislsv(CleanVatcrA<<tof1977,P.l95-217)villre>y>frethestationtoa<<hfcveef!LucaeLfnftatfoas vhf<<hra>y>frethefastall-acfoaotgestConventional Te<<baology aolaterthanJulyI,19841gcscAvailable Te<<ha<<logy toraoa-<<oavcatfoaaL pollutaats byJulyI,1984orthreeyearsafterlinita'Clone arcucabffshcd> vhi<<hevu'r fs1'ar>buc.never laterthanJuly1,L987laadgestAvailable Te<<haoLogy torthose129toxf<<pollutants vhf<<happearedac43PederalRegiscer410SaolatertheaJuly1,1984,uayplf<<able. 6Page~Zcfs>y>astfoaable astothepractlcsbLlfty ofrcfacroducing sha4eotherive.Duccothe>n>aberotdansbetvceaCoaovingo aadch<<gusca<<hannaSt<<catlc<<ericsita,itdoesaocappearcbccthisaaadroaous fishcouldsur>ive.The<<ost<<CgettiagCheafgratfng fishoverthedanswuldbeexorbftaat aa44lfff<<ult cojustify. cUNITEDSTATESENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCYREGIONllld>>>ANDWALNUTSTREETSPNILAOCLPNIA. PENNSYLVANIA 19105MAY30~caDirector, DivisionofSiteSafccy6Eavf~talAaalysisAtcalPw.5~SiaghSalvaOfficeofHuclearReactor'cgulatioa U.S.HuclesrReyalatory Connissfcn Vashington, D.C.20SSSDearHr.Rajva>Thankyouforgrantingusashortaxteasioa ontbedeadliaeEorsub-nirtingc<rzxatsontheDrafcSupplencnt rotheDraftEISrelatc4tooperation ofSSES,Dbfts1and2,specifically thePoadHillCreekReservoir. Ourcoaocatsareattachedandifaayquestioas ariseinrelaciontothenpleasecontaccusonPTS597-2188. Sincerely yours,RobertS.DavisAttacILeatl<<lovsreco>s>cats onDrafcSupplcacac EISSSESforchepondHillReservoir punpcdstorageCacility. UcbelieveaaER2ratingisjustified relativetothisdocuncac. Pleasefiedattachedacopyofooray>tenCorconsenting onEIS's,TheERstaodsCorEnvironsental Reservations andthe2indicates lasufficleat Infornatioa. Infmnatioa regarding floodsaadfloodiagissparse.Iiaddition, thcnapoapage2-7docsaocadequately depictthePoadHillCreekfloodplaia aortheSasqushaaaa RiverPloodplain. Hodoubtsoaechangesvilltakeplaceintheseareasasaresultoftheprojeccandsuchchangesshouldbcaddressed. Withregardtofloodiag, ourinfornatioa doesaotagreevitheicberthe~pplicsnt's orthcIIC's.Calcalatioas basedupoathenaxfn>sastoneofreseatyears,i.~.hurricanes Agaes>iadicates a686>ssprecipitatioa eveat.Itisourbeliefchatthisfnpouadaeat vouldbecoppediasucha>toraaad,dcpeadiag upondcncoastructioa, nayvashoutsndcoapouadt'edovnstrea> ~dsnagcsduetofloodiag. Iaaddition, thoroughiafornatioa shouldbepreseated regardiag other~CCectsofstoresoflesserintensity sothat~coupletecaalysiscaabenade.ThcfloodingInpactpotentials asvaliastbefloodplain effectsnayiathenselvcs iadicatethattheInpoundnent shouldaotbebuiltlhovcvcr,oaeotherpointshouldbenorethoroughly presented. Thisisthefrequency ~aalyslsoflovClovechatvopldiaterrupt theoperation ofthepoversta-cion.Iathiscontext>theusaofsuchterniooiogy as".~.iasonsyeats,~,an4"...requireseveralshutdovns. ~,IstooIaspeciTte forade-quateevaluatioa. Theress~oneoraotusingthcriverfollovalternative, thea,baseduponinfo>nation herc>areinadequate, Aroundthesad4lefrauthe"topoCtheridge"vhereadikeistobeplace4issaochsrsaddle.Thissecondsaddleappearscobevithiathesanecoatourlinesascbe"saddle"tobedikedyctaoneationissadoeitherofitspoteatial asca"accidental" spillvayiatinesOCseverefloodiagorofthenecessity ofadikeiathiscrea<Rc.Cig.3.2,p3-3)Purthcrvore> nonentionissadeoftheseverefloodingpoteatial associated vitbtheLilyLater~verylovsaddlebetveeathesetvositesiadicstas apossiblespilloverintoPoodRuavs'tetched duringseverestot!speriods>The4iscussioas onvildliferesources isacceptable> butshovesonsdefl-cicnciesvithregardtopcriodiclcies exhibited bysc>><<iaI>sale. Porexsn-ple>itisstatedvithfarcoonuchassurance thatthecascaracottontail isofvisorfnportance. Hovevcr>thissainaliscurrently nearoratthelovpointiaitssevenyearcycle.(p2ll),Asthccottoncall isansjorcoa-poaeatoCtheEoodvsbfurtherdecreases iaitspopulation naybesignifi-cant~Tbeopcracional parsnctars discussed oapages3-4and4104llfailtodes-cribeadsquacely thefrequeacy ofiatakcsaadreleasesaadchaircffcctsoathereservoir itselfandupontheSusquehanna River.Por<<xanple,this zzrIISctIISIIJLJCT105$Iztsats'az tzvIznaaz IIQPIIAStzffszATICS lzfR7TALlansISIIIKTIOS otcaeuatscsItzaatJCTIezsreservoir ssyhavesultipleusescnongtheabeingtecrestion Thevorstpossibleeas~shouldbsdescribed vhcnthclevelisdroppedtosncztrasecheresuchactivities atecurtailed. ACSO,duringtheselovlevelschatvilltheeffectsbeuponthagusfuohanna stthepointvherereducedflorainthotheraresugacnted bythesaintensnee frosthcressrvoirf Duringlovflovperiods,vhcnthereservoir intakecannotbeused,ondthcriveraustbeaugncntcd byfloveftosthcCnpoundncntI villcvaporstCve lossesbssjgnC!Ccantj Evaporative lossesduringhotvutherarelarge.Theselossescoupledvithdravdovnsayindicateashorterusefulstoragecapacitythanisindicated inthedocuscutZasua,thissupplcncntary docussntdoesnotadequately discasealternstire scssuresotherthaIproviding flovefrastherireritselforotherreservoCrs,Alternative ~Ctestoth<<onepresented heraaregivenonlycursoryattentioa. UnderthcnevCZQguidelines, suchdocusents ssthisaresupposedtodescribethoCCCCSConsshing processsndnotsorelyrepresent thesootfarorable agusentsforchoosingthCSalternstivo. ElrtzoTJOSCSI IrooctoftIoActialIOLackofCbjoctions SPAhssnoob'joctions tothoptopssodectionssCosct1bod intheCzaftinpoctststenont orsucfostsoalysinorchucosintho'propoudacticuXntnritonaontsl Reservations ZPAhssreservations concetnino thoonvtzonaontal effectsofce~aspectsofthoproposo4action.ZSAbelievesM~t.Sztbetstudyofsucsosted alternatives orsodificstisuisrecujcdondhssaskedthooriflastingyocozsl<<fancytozeusossthosiaspects.su-fnvtzcnsutaDy Cautlsfsetozy SSAbelievesthatthepzoposo4actioa1$unsstisfsctoxy becauseofitspotcncially hsznfuloffsetontheenvtzcu-ssnt.yuzthotnote, theAfoneybelievesthstthopotential ~sf<<fssrds vbichnicheboutilizedssynotsdotestely pro-tecttheenvironaont froshazardsuisincfrasthisactionTheAconcy'roeosaonds thatalternatives totheactiIuIbeonolyzc4further(inclu41SC tbcpos$1bilityofnoactionatall1oftboInesctStotosoat Catstury1AC<<faataThoCraftispsctststesont aeoeustely sotsforththcenvizonsontaI inpoctofthepzoposo4projectorsctiuassveilualternatives reuensbly avs1lsble totheprojeccetactioncatosozyIInsufIisiontcnfoznatcon zsAbelievesthatthoCraftinpcctststosont doesnotcontainsufficient iaferastion toauoufullythourizennentsl ispsetoftheproposedprojectoriction.Eoveroz,fzastheiaforsotioa subaittod. theAconcyisabletosokeaprslininary Cetetninotion ofthoiapsetentheonviroassat. SSAbsszoqeostod thatthooricinstor pzoridotha1nfozsstion thscvasnotlnclc4o4inWCtaftstatossnt fpAbelievesthattbo4zoftinpsetstatossat Coosnotsdoqcotely ossossthoonvironnontal iapoetofthepro-posedprojectoroerion.orthatthsststoaoet Inseoeeotoly ualyzestossoasbly avsiloblo oltornstivos. .heAceneyhssz<<pIosted soreInfoznstion saianalysiseoncerni<<I thepotential envirouontsl hszudsan4hussko4thatsubrstsntislrevisionbesadetothedraftststossnt Ifadraftinpoctststesent isusicsod~cstosozyS,~jnarDynotstincvillbsnodeoftheprojectotaction~~inesabasisdocsnotfourallyexistonvnichtoaskssackaCotozsinstion rleuteII~no'siricstlon OfSPA'sClsssificstlaiofCosaeata~sfefofI FEDERALENEROYRECUCATORY COMMlsslaw WAxw<<<ave<<. O.C.Ca<ReInReplyReferTo:DEPRESSCooperative StudiesOraf.SupplanttaDEISSusquehanna Stean-Efcctrfc StationUnitsIand2OarrclG.Dscnhut,DirectorDarrelG.Ktsenhut, OfrectarOfvfstanofLicensfng HuclearRegulatory Carr<tssion Hashtngcan, O.C.20555

DearHr.Etscnhut:

Thislstnresponsetoycurrecentrequestforcarrentsonthedraftsupplcaent tothedraftenvfro<ncntaf f-pactstate.-ant fortheSusquehanna Steaa-Klcctrfc station(ssEs)UnitsIand2,Pennsylvania.

Thedraftsupplantaddrcsscs thcsubjectoflowflowaugaentatton requiredtosupplywatertotheSusquehanna Rtvertoreplacewatercansmpcfvely usedbytheSSKSduringperiodsofverylowstreanflcw.

Thcaveragecons<~tive useattheSSKSwouldbeabout1.4cubicnetcrSPersecondorapproxiaately 6percentofthcsevenconsecutive day,10-yearfrequency lawflowoi'2.7cubfcnccerspetsecondattheHtlkes-Barre gage.1'henthedischarge atthegageisbelcwthislevel,Pennsylvania lawprahtbtcs waterwfchdrawals frc<athcriver.ThtswouldresultlnSSESbeingshutdownfarthedurationofthcstrcanflcw deffcfency.

Theapplicants, Pennsylvania

?owerandLightCaxpanyandthcAllegheny OectrfcCcopcratlve, Inc.,havestudiedtwoalternatfves forproviding lcwflc>>auycntacfcn

-cne,anewsfngIc-purpose rescrvofr andanother,whfchwouldutilizestoragefrcaanexistingrcscrvolr.

Anotheroptionwouldbetoriverfallow'racceptandaccccradace thecccastcnal shutdowns necessary duringlcwstrcanflaw.

Theapplicants haverecccrended constructlan ofthe?andHilllowflowau~ntattan reservoir.

Theprcposedsingle-pumse reservoir wouldbC1CCatedOnaheadwater tributary tatheSuSCuehanna RtVer,WithlnSuffiCfent naturalStreanflaW farttSfntendCdPurvOSe;CanSequently, P<Pingenergyccounting toabout2,417~awatt-hours pcryearwouldberequiredtaoatntafnltSrequiredfnflaw.Thisfsequivalent totheacauntafelectricity thatcauldbegenerated franusingchan4,000barrelsofofl.T<herepor.'ccagntzes thatthecaseccan<xxtc alternative toaugaantlcwflcwswouldbetheaadtffedoperation ofancx!stfngupstreaareservoir.

However<>>ebelievethatthedraftsupplantdidnatadequately explorethatcppar.untty, whfchappearstauscobeCLcestpractfcataltcrnatlve.

TheprfoaryproJec.ccnstdered tsthcU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers'awanesquc project,presently underconstruction andscheduled forcoaptation tnJunc1981.ThcreportstatesthattheCorpsofEngtneers pointedoutuncertalnt1es regarding theavaf)abtltty ofstorageduetotheneedforCongressional approvalforreallo-cationofstaragecapactty, andaccording tatheSusquehanna RiverBasinCoa-<etsstan, theCawanesque projectcannotbeconsidered asatfnclyalternattve.

TherepartfnpltesthatChePondHillprojectcouldbedcsfgned, constructed, andplacedtnopcratton fnlessttaeChanthcCongresscauldeffcc.changestntheCcwanesque projcc.cperattons.

VequcsCtonChfstopffcatton.

Accordfng totheCorpsofEngineers, thepreconstruction planningoftheCowancsque projectincludedapproxtatcly 31,000acre-feet'f storagefarwatersupplybutftwasnotincludedasaprojectpurposeduetolackoflocalsupportatthettoe.However,>>ehavebeentnfo~dbytheCorpsthatadctafledS600,000plusstudylscurrently underwayCodeterxfnc heavailability ofstoragelntheCowanesque projcc.forsupplynake-upwaterfartheSusquehanna Stean-Electrfc Station.Th1sextensive study,initiated fnHarch1979,fsscheduled farcaopletfon tncarly1552.BasedonourreviewofthedrafsuppIcaent reortandcansultatton wtththeCorpsofKngfncers, ftappearsthattheuseoftheCawanesque proJect,nawundercanstruc.ton, insteadofthcproposedPandHillprojectwould:saveanequivalent of4,00Dbarrelsofoilannually, avotdthecnvfror,cental cffccCsnor=allyassociated withdaRCOnttruC:lon, eltatnatc possibleobjections frc<cIccalresidents orproper.'y owners,increasebcnefftstorecreation andfishandwildliferesources duringlowflowccndftfans, andperhapsprovidehclcwflowregulatfon soonerthanPondHill.Therefore, ltappearstobetnboththeratepayers'nd taxpayers'nterests tofrcludestorage<ncheCorpsafKnglneers'roject (underccnstructlan) ratherthanbuildancwreservoir.

Sincerely, OfficeofElectricPowerPeguiattan TbonasB.ZalliganFO+Box5Soranton.

Pa.18501August18,1979DirectorDivSitesafet?4Envirocnental Anal?sisU.S:BuclearRegulator?

Ccnnissioh Vashington, D,C.20555

DearD2rector:

Reference

-DraftBnvircnnental Statenent BUBm-0564, A'une,1979Relate4totbeoperation oftheBer>>ickAtonioPo>>erPlant(Susquehanna UnitsI42)BRCDocketBos.50-587/588 Thefolio>>ing coaentsaresubnitted onbehalfoftheCit'secsAcainstBuclearDangers,Ber>>ick,Penna?lvauia, interveners beforetbeBRCAtonicSafet?andidcensing Boardintheaboveproceedings.

TheAyplicants,

>>hoareresponsible fortbepreparation oftheDraftRnrironnental Statenent (DAS),havefailedtosatisfycertainrequirenents oftheRationaluvirounentai Polio?Act(~)an4thereb?p2scein)eoyard?thevaI242tFoftbeDBSinitspresentfern.heAyplicants ereattenyting tocirawentBBPAbeyiecenealing theirassessnent oftheBer>>ickatonicplant'soverallinyactonthebc=anenvircnnent.

TheAyylicsnts arepreparing aseparateDBSfortbeso-called PondHillFlo>>Augneutation Peservoir,

>>hichisatransparent attenyttocircunvent B&A.Thesubnission ofaseparateHbFAlleghen?

BlectriconsectionsofheWtrsnsnissicn linesfronBer>>ickisanotherexsnyleofyieceneaiing.

TheApplicants

>>211kno>>doubt,atsaneIatterda~,prepareotherIL5's,yiecensal'ng suchintegralprospects astbeursniunfuelc?cle,am-a:~t:,a<<m'.XSaattlta.-1t.=a*or(?P'(U'7908o30/pPRecentdecisions oftheFederalCourtshaveheldthattbeyiecenealing ofanalorpro)ec4suchasBer>>icgforpurposesofenvironnental assessnent, isnotyernissible underBBPA.Youareadvise4thattheDES(BURDS-0564) cannotbeconsidere4

~conyrehensive assessnent ofBer>>ickunlessau4until'ttakesintoaccountthe~ulativeeffectsofallrelate4actions.Znor4ertobeacceytable, BURBS-0564nustaddresstheinyactsoftheyreZesed?Io>>Augsentation Reservoir andallotherpro)acts2nextricablF linkedtothe3er>>ickatonioyo>>erplant,but>>bichhavenotbeeninclude4intbeAyylicsnts

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gnclosedarenyconnentsontheDraftEnrironnental Stateaent fortheSuscuebanna SteanElebtricStationUn'ts1and2,.HUR3'564 (DocketNos.50-3S7and50-38S)~Pleasenotethattheinformtion presented ishyoenandnotnecessarily thepositionofThePennsylvania StateUnirersity, whichaffiliation isgivenforidentification purposesonly.Ãyconnentsconsistofonepageofnaintext(beyondthispage)andtenpagesofappendix,

~chI~dliketehaveconsidered inentiretySincerely, 4n.L~Lochstet TheLongTermHealthConsequences ofSusquehanna SteamElectricStationby'lliamJLLochstetThePennsylvania StateUniversitye ingest1979TheHuclearRegulatory Ccmmission hasattempted toevaluatethehealthconsequences ofoperation oftheSusquehanna SteamElectricStation,Units1and2initsdraftenvirecmental statczent RKK-05@Thehealthconsequences ofra4on-222 re)easesfromtheuraniumfuelchicleareestimated forthefirst1000yearsinsectiong.5.5.Xnevaluating theradon-222 omissions frcmthecoalfuelcycleinsection.8eoLoL~(itemSz7onpage8-10)>thestaffrecognises thattheemissions continueforemillions ofyears"eHeithezaPProachiscorrect.Pootnote12ofHRDCv.USHRC,5t7F.2d633(1976)requiresthatthewastesbeconsidered fortheira~tiretoxiclife.Thus,theonlyproperevaluation iswithnetemporalcutoff.Suchanevaluation isattachedasanappendixtothisstatement

("Comments onHUREG-0332")Thisevaluation showsthattheStaffhasunderestimate4 thehealthconsequences efboththecoalanduraniumfuelcycles.TheHRCapparently Justifies itsallowingofhealthconsequences bycomparison withbackground (P.4-'27to428)~Thisistotallyirrblevant andcontrarytoHEPTA,HEPLrequizasanevaluation ofthebenefitsandallofthecostsofthePederalactionunderconsideration (Susquehanna 142)~Badcground ra4iation isnota)ustified federalaction.Thetermcausedbybacbground cannot,'uscify otherhara.Thisimprepercomparison'f.

coststobadc~undiscontrarytethedecisioninCalvertCliffsCoo~tingCommittee v.USiv",449P.241109,%15(1971)~Theopinionsandcalculations presented herearemyown,andnotnecessarQy thoseofThePennsylvan'a StateUniversity.

ÃyaffQiation isgivenhereferidentification purposesonlyC~entsonHUH&-0332 Dr.Hilliami.LochstetThePennsylvania StateUnivezsity November1977JInthedocumentNM-0332(Draft),theHRCestimates theexcess-deaths per0.8gigawatt-year electric(GVy(e))tobmabout0.5foranallnucleareconomyandabout15to120fortheuseofcoal(Ref.

1)~TheseestMesaremuchtooemailbecausethey'gnore thehealtheffectsduetotheslowreleaseofradon-222 resulting.from thedecayofradioactive components ofthecoal,uraniummilltailings, andofthetailingsfromtheuraniuenrid='ent processIf'hehealtheffectsareest~tedby'heprocedure usedbytheERG'hentheexcessdeathsareabout600,000inthenuclearcaseand.twentythousand forcoalTheestimates presented hereareallbasedontheproduction of0,8GHy(e)~RadonProducedbtheUraniumFuelCleTheprod~ction of0.8GWyof'lectricity byaDHRwQ1requireabout29metrictonsofenricheduraniumforfuseVithuraniumenrichment plantsooerating witha0,24tailsassay,146metrictonsofnaturaluraniumw~berequired.

IntheabsenceoftheQ~zR,117metrictonsofdepletedursuswouldbeleft,over,ViithauraniummiQwhichextracts96/of theuraniumfrontheore(Ref.2),atotalof90,0COzzetrictonsoforeisnined,containing 152netMctonsofuraniun,Theuraniunzd11tailingswillcontain2.6kiho~ofthoriun230and6metrictonsofuraniun.AsPohlhaspointedoun(Ref3)thethoriuzz-'230'decays toradiun-226,whichinturndecaystoradon<<222'hisprocessresultsinthegeneration of39x10cariesofradon-222v withchettuescaledeternined 8bythe,8x10yearhalflifeofthoriun-230'the6zzetrictonsofuraniuncontained inthenil1tailingsdecayby'everal stepstoradon-222thruchorion-230,Thisorocessoccuzsonatimescalegovernedbythe4.5x109yearhalflifeofuraniun-238zthena5orisotopepresent(99.3g.Thetotalanountofradon-222whichvillresultfronthisdecayisS.6x10curies..The117zzetrictonsofdepleated uraniunEZuntheenrichnent processisalsouainlyuraniuzz-238whichalsodecays.Thedecayoftheseenrichnent tailingstesultsinatotalof1,7xlOcariesofradon<<222ThisislistedinTable1,alongwiththeotherradonyields1Ztisinstructive tocozzparethesequantities ofactivitytotheactivityofthefissionoroductswhichresultfron-theuseofthefuelwhichtheyareassociated withThetotalfissionproductinventory z'esulting fronO.SGby(e) withhalfLivesof25yearsornoreisabout10curies,Thisisnuch7lessthananyofthenumbersinTable1,Veshouldbenozecarefulwiththesetailings, Radon?roduced bytheCoalFuelCycleZten2iofAppendixAofRURBG-0332 (Ref1)assunesa75)(capacityfactor,whichfoza1000Kfeplantwouldproduceonvy075GWy(e)~AcapacityfactorofSZyfwillbe.usedhere,Theproduction of0.8G'iy(e)byacoalplantoperating at40)(efficiency, using12,000BTUpezpoundcoalwouldrequire2,5nillionshorttonsofcoal.Thisisclosetothevalueof3nilliontonssuggested onpage9ofHUREG-0332 (Ref1)Thereisgreatvariability intheanountofuraniuncontained incoal.AnanalysisofcoalsanplesatoneT'FAplantreportedbytheBPA(Ref.4)indicates arangeofaixostafactorofteninuraniuzzcontentEXsenbudandPetrow(Ref.5)reportavalueofabout1partpernillion.ArecentsurveybytheUSGSbasedonseveralhundred'san?lessuggeststhatintheUnitedStatescoalcontainsanaverageof1.Spartpernillionofuranizuz(

Ref6)~Bothvaluesof1.0and1,8p?czwQZbeusedhereThus25ullliontonsofcoalwillcontainthousandbetween23and4,lgkilogzaus ofuraniunUsingtheassunption ofHURBG-0332 (Ref,1)thatthereis99)(zarticulate rcoovalErozzplanteaissions, 1Cofthisuraniuzzwillbe:dispersed intotheairandtherenainder cartedawayasashesforlandburialTable1indicates thatwith10ppucoaltheuraniunintheresulting ashwilldecaytoatotalof32x10curiae ofradon-222,whilethestackcmfsslons willleadto3.2x109curiae+yor1.8pyncoalthevaluesare5igxlO~curfes fromashand5.8x10curiaefromenfasians9Evaluation oftheHealthEffectsItisnecessary toevaluatethenumberofdeathswhichresultfromthereleaseofonecurieofradon-222.Foz,theouryoseofthisevaluation thepopulation andpopulation distributions araassumedtoremainatthepresentvalues,Thisshouldprovideagoodfirstestimatei NUR15-0332 (Ref.1)suggeststhatareleaseof4i800curiosofradon-222fro".thsnines(page114wouldresultin0.023excessdeaths(Tuolela,page18).Thisorovidesaratioof4,8x10deathspe:curie,DatafromchapterIvofogsNO(Ref,7)suggestsavalueof17xlOdeathspcrnateasalowerXfnftThsvalueof48x10deathspercuriewillbeusedhereastheNRCestfmatai Itisunderstood thatthisisveryayproxlnate.

'TheEPAhase'blunted thehealtheffectsofamodeluraniummilltailingspileTheyestimateatotalof2COhealtheffects(Ref.8,page73)fozayflewhichemitsatmost.20,CCO curfesofradon-222for100years.Theresultfng estimateis1.0x10deathspcrcurieandwillbeusedhereastheEPAestfmateo Evaluation ofHealthEffects-NuclearAtpresent,some recenturaniummilltailingspileshave2feetofdirtcovering.

XnthiscasetheEPAestimate(Ref.8)isthatabout1/20oftheradonproducedescapesintotheair.Thisfactorof20islfstedinTable1andisuse'dtoffndtheeffective releases.

Thusthe3.9x10curfcsofradonwhichresults8fromthoriuminthenilltailingsresultsinareleaseof1.9xl07curiaeintotheatmosphere, whichwiththsNRCestimateof4.8xl0deathsparcurieresultsin90deaths.WiththeEPAestimate1900deathsresultAsimilartreatment aopliedto86xlOcuriaeofradonfromtheuraniuminthemilltailingsresultsin200,000deadfortheNRCestimateand4.3millionfortheEPAestimate.

Itishere'ssumed thatnofuturegeneration willscafittotakeanybettercareofthenilltailingsthanispresently practiced.

Theuraniumenrichment tailingsarepresently locatedintheeasternoartofthecountry.Itisassumedthattheseaz'eburiedneartheirpresentlocations.

Radonwillnotescapesoeasilythroughwetsoil.Preduction factorof100isusedtoestimatethiseffect.Theaccuracyofthisestimatedependsontheparticulars ofthsburialwhich<<anonlybepro5ectcd.

An"additional factorof2isusedtoreducetheeffectduetoths.factthatmuch~ofthisradonwoulddecayovertheoceanratherthanpopulated laadareas.Hocoaoensation istakenforthegreaterpopulation densitynearchepoiatofreleaseascoaparedtocheuranfuuailltailfagspQ.esofthewesternstatesHfththiscotalreductfon factorof200theHRCestfaateis400,000deadwhiletheEPAvalueis8afllfonEvaluation ofHealthEffects-CoalItisassuaedthattheashesfroathecoalplantswillbeburiediaananaersiailartothetailingsfroutheuranian~arichnent process,Thusareduction factorof200isusedfachiscasealso.Lgafathehigherpopulation densityisignored.Theparticulate whichisreleasediatotheairbytbspcoalpleatistakencocontain1$ofthecontained uranfuaSiaceaostsuchplantsareintheeasterapartofthecountryitis~stfaatedthathalfwillfallintocheoceanratherchanoato?andAsecondfactorof2isusedtoreducetheeffectoftheresulting radonduecothefactthatsoaeofthisradonwilldecayoveroceanaswiththeradonfrontheuranianiache~nrLchaent tailings.

Lgafanocoapensatioa istakenforthegreaterpopulation deas'cynearthepointofreleaseThisgivesthetotalreduction factorof4showaLntablel.Piththesereduction factorsappliedtocheradoareleasedbytheashesandeafssfons, inthetwocasesof1.0ppaaad1.8ppauraniccoateatcoal,thehealtheffacesarecalculated.

Theseareshowaintable1,aadrangefros7,700deadfroaashesand3~800additioaal deadfroaairboraeafssfoas for1.0puscoalintheHRCestimateto290,000dead fronashesaad140,000deadfroaairborareleasesinthecaseof1.8ppacoaliatheEpfest~te.IKcllSiItisobviously verydifficult coestatewithaayorecisioa hovaaaybeseecheffectsresultfrcachereleaseofagfveacurieofradon-222fransoaespecificsiteinthewestTheest~teepresented heredifferbyafactorof20.ThisaigatbestbeusedasarangeofexpecteddeathsThereduction factorsusedhereare~eestfaates insoaecases,aadcouldbeiaprovedupoa.Changesiapublicpolfcycouldalsoc)~gecheaaanerinwhichthisaaterialisdisposed, thusgreatlychaagingthesefactors.Inparticular deepburialcouldpractically elfafaace theescapeofradontotheataosphere (Ref.8)~ItisLaportant cocoapareTable1herewithTable1ofHUM-0332tRefl)ewhichshows0.47deadfortbenuclearcaseshdataost120deadforcoals'hese lastnuaberstotallyignorethe~fectsoflongteraradoneaissioas, whfohresultinacleast100cfaeshigheraorcalfty Theselongcsraeffectsareaotoalysigafg.canc, butdoaiaatetheeffect,Itisfuportaat touseTable1tocoupuretherelati,ve riskoftheauclearaadcoalootfoaintheirpresentfocusInthkscasedeathsduetoallcausesconsidered iaHUREG-0332 caabeignor<<iasinsignificant, sincetheyaresosaaU.~.Theabsoluteau=barofdeathspercuriereleasedisir"elevant sinceitentersinbothcases.Therelatfvsriskisdeterained solelybytheqsatfcies ofradon-222generated ardthereductfon factors.Unlesstherefsacleardecisiontotreatscoalashesdffferealyfroauraniuaearichaeat

tailings, thehealtheffectstheathetailiagswillbe50tinesgreatersincetherefs 50tinesroreuraniunthere.Thenuclearoptionrenainsnorehatardous thancoalunlessthereleasesfronallofthetailingspilescanbtreducedbelowthereleasesfrontheairbornparticulates ofth<<oalolant.ThisisnotthepresentpolicyTable1EnergySourceExcessHortality perO.SGNy(~)duetoRadon-222enissions Additional CogentThereisatypographical erroronpage25ofNUREG-0332

~Peference p33islistedthereasbeinginvoluneASofScinnce,whereasitappearsinvolune144.Acknowledgnent Theaboveco=antswereinspiredbythe5July1977testinony ofDrChaunceyR.KepfordinthenatteroftheThreeFileIslandUnit2(DocketNo50-320)operating licenseentitled:

"YealtheffectsConparison forCoalandNuclearPower"~OriginofRadonUraniuninEnrichneut TailsCoal10ppsUAshesParticulate RadonGenerated Curiae3.9xlOSS.F1117xlO3+2xlO3o2x109Reduction DeathsPactorNRC20.90200,0007>7003,SCO1900I.3xlO1,6xl05Coal1SppnUAshes5,Sx10ILL1A,,OOOL2e9xlOAirea95,Sx10Particulate 6,SCO1,4x10 10References LUZERNECOUNTYPLANNINGCOMMISSION CNTCR5TATC HICNWAYSYSTCM~<<<<<<<<<<NHealthEffectsAttributable toCoaland.Nuclear FueLCycleAlcernativese HUREG-0332,DraftF U.S.NuclearReguiahory Cocnission (September 1977)2NEnvironnental AnalysisofTheUranflznFuelCycle,PartI-FuelSupply"EPA-520/9-73-003-BF U.S.Environnental Protection Agency,(October1973)~JOHNLI<<OONAuccl<<LNOCLnCAVCALYJONNO<<FNNOOSCANAAOJALLAONCNSFAIASYLSSIOSALLANNAJONSTSIFSAAVLOVCNJONNWALOILLVJC<<ACCOVIIWSO<<LITJaguar10,1979OONALOJ.NVMANSFSmFNN<<YecslL<<nzF<<NScess<<FYcouszNovaeVFSXCS.SAAAL FCNNSVLVAFCA FQllAFA<<ICIc<<F,lnCFFR.O.Pohl,"HealthEffectsofRadon-222fronUraniunIFdJlinga Search,7(5)~3L5-350(August1976)P.IJ.Bedrosian, D.G.Easterly, andS.L.CunningsFNRgdiological SurveyAroundPowerPlantsUsingFossilFuel"HERL71-3;U.S.SEnvironnontal protection Agency,(July1970)5H.Eisenbud, andH.G.Petrow,"Radioactivity intheAtzsospheric Effluents ofPowerPlantsthatUseFossilFuels,Science~LLSC288289(1964)6V.E.Swansonetal,"Collection, ChcnkcalAnalysis, andEvaluation ofCoalSanplesin1975",Open-file resort76-L68,U.S.Department oftheInerior,Geological Survey,(1976)7FinalGenericEnvironnental Statenent ontheUseofRecyclePlutoniun inHixedOxideFuelinLightA'sterCooledReactors,"

NUR5D-0002.

U.S.NuclearRegulatory Corzmissionl (August1976)8SeeRef,2UnitedSzaCeaXuclurEagulazozy Commission uashfngcon, D.C.20555kccancionc

Dizeccor, DfvfsfonofSleeSaiacyandEnvfronnencal inalysfs.

Cenclenen cTheSustuehsnna SceanElectricStationislocace4inLuceznaCounty.ThaDraftEnvironmental Scacemanc (ECEEC-O544) oitheD.S.EOOLaarEagelacory Cozndufon eureviavedbycheLuzeznaCountytlanningConaiasion cnlAugur9~1979,acicszegularnonchlynearingatWhicha<<Dslrcneaapresent<<Airerduaconsideration, anotionvassade,ascended, an4unanfnously carria4comateLvo(2)zecocsnndacfons cochsU.5,NuclearEagulacozy coonfs~loni1~TharanEmergency Evacuation Planbeconyleced bychsLusaznaCouncyCivilDefenseAgencybeforechaSustua-hannaSceanElectricSessiongoesintooyeracfonC and