[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8984-8985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5205]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-271]
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation, Vermont Yankee Nuclear
Power Station; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant
Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering approving disposal in place of slightly contaminated soil
located beneath existing plant structures at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear
Power Station (VYNPS), pursuant to 10 CFR 20.2002, as requested by the
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation (the licensee). VYNPS is
located in Windham County, Vermont.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve disposal in place of slightly
contaminated soil placed at its present location beneath existing plant
structures during original plant construction.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application dated November 18, 1991, as supplemented by letter dated
July 10, 1992.
The Need for the Proposed Action
During plant operation, a leak from a chemistry sample sink drain
released small amounts of radioactive contamination to soil located
beneath existing plant structures. The licensee proposes to dispose of
the contaminated soil in its present location.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action
and concludes that the proposed disposition of the soil in its current
location will minimize the risk of unexpected exposure.
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 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 for the
Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
In accordance with its stated policy, on December 21, 1995, the
staff consulted with the Vermont State official, Mr. William K. Sherman
of the Vermont Department of Public Service, regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State official
questioned the impact of the proposed action on decommissioning of
VYNPS. At the time of decommissioning, the licensee will be required to
demonstrate that the activity levels on the site are sufficiently low
to permit releasing the site for general use.
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.
[[Page 8985]]
For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the
licensee's letter dated November 18, 1991, as supplemented by letter
dated July 10, 1992, 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 Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 27th day of February, 1996.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ledyard B. Marsh,
Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 96-5205 Filed 3-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
