[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66995-66996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-31300]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-285]
Omaha Public Power District Fort Calhoun Station, Unit No. 1;
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR
Part 50, Section IV.F.2.c of Appendix E regarding a biennial emergency
preparedness exercise for Facility Operating License No. DRP-40, issued
to Omaha Public Power District, (the licensee), for operation of the
Fort Calhoun Station, Unit 1, located in Washington County, Nebraska.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would grant a schedular exemption from the
requirement of Section IV.F.2.c of Appendix E to 10 CFR Part 50, which
requires that each licensee perform a biennial emergency preparedness
exercise, including offsite plans with full participation by offsite
State and local authorities. This action would allow the licensee to
extend the biennial interval until the first quarter of 1996.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for exemption dated December 8, 1995, as supplemented by
letter dated December 15, 1995.
The Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is needed because the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) was not able to support the licensee's
previously scheduled biennial full exercise as result of the federal
impasse over the 1996 Federal Budget. Without the exemption, FEMA will
not be able to complete its required biennial assessment of the
licensee's ability to ensure adequate protection can and will be taken
in the event of a radiological emergency.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The proposed exemption would not adversely affect the response
capabilities of the licensee and State and local authorities. The
Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action and
concludes that the intent of Appendix E, Section IV.F.2.c to ensure
offsite emergency preparedness is maintained, has been met. Therefore,
the change will not increase the probability or consequences of
accidents, no changes are being made in the types or amounts of any
effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant
increase in the allowable individual or cumulative occupational
radiation exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there
are no significant radiological environmental impacts associated with
the proposed action.
With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted
area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. It does not affect nonradiological
plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable
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 (FES) for
the Fort Calhoun Station, Unit 1, dated August 1972.
[[Page 66996]]
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on December 19, 1995, the
staff consulted with the Nebraska State official, Ms. Cheryl Rodgers of
the Department of Health, 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 December 8, 1995, and supplemental letter dated
December 15, 1995, 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 W. Dale Clark Library, 215 South 15th Street, Omaha, Nebraska
68102.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 20th day of December 1995.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
L. Raynard Wharton,
Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 95-31300 Filed 12-26-95; 8:45 am]
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