[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 69330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33252]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-272 and 50-311]
Public Service Electric and Gas Company, Salem Nuclear Generating
Station, Units 1 and 2; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an amendment to Facility Operating License Nos.
DPR-70 and DPR-75 issued to Public Service Electric and Gas Company
(PSE&G, the licensee) for operation of the Salem Nuclear Generating
Station, Units 1 and 2, located in Salem County, New Jersey.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would revise Technical Specification (TS)
Section 4.2.1, ``Aquatic Monitoring,'' of Appendix B, Environmental
Protection Plan (EPP), to require that PSE&G adhere to the Incidental
Take Statement issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
but removes the specific language of the Incidental Take Statement.
Removing the specific language from Section 4.2.1 enables PSE&G to use
relief granted by NMFS and the Commission on a case-by-case basis
without further action by the NRC staff.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for amendment dated August 1, 1997, as supplemented by
letters dated October 6, 1997, February 18 and July 7, 1998.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action would provide PSE&G with the flexibility to
utilize relief granted by the Commission and NMFS on a case-by-case
basis without further action by the NRC staff. The current wording of
Section 4.2.1 would require, in the event of changes to the Biological
Opinion or the Incidental Take Statement, that PSE&G continue to
maintain, for example, daily cleaning of the trash racks, from June 1
through October 15, 1998, even though granted relief by the NMFS, until
an amendment request could be submitted and approved by the Commission.
The revision would enable PSE&G to have the ability to use approvals
from the Commission and NMFS without requiring amendments to the TS.
Changes to the Incidental Take Statement must be proceeded by
consultation between the Commission, as the authorizing agency, and
NMFS.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that the proposed changes do not change the requirements
or intent of Section 4.2.1. PSE&G would continue to adhere to the
specific requirements within the Incidental Take Statement, to the
Biological Opinion. The change will not increase the probability or
consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in the types of
any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant
increase in the allowable occupational or public radiation exposure.
Therefore, there are no significant radiological environmental impacts
associated with the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action does not affect nonradiological plant effluents and has no other
nonradiological environmental impact.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no significant
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff
considered denial of the proposed action. Denial of the application
would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action
are similar.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the
Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on November 4, 1998, the
staff consulted with the New Jersey State official, Mr. R. Pinney of
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of
Nuclear Engineering, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed
action. The State official had no comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the
proposed action.
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's letter dated August 1, 1997, as supplemented by letters
dated October 6, 1997, February 18 and July 7, 1998, which are
available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document
Room, The Gelman Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at
the local public document room located at the Salem Free Public
Library, 112 West Broadway, Salem, NJ 08079.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 8th day of December 1998.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate I-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-33252 Filed 12-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
