[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11654]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. 50-317 AND 50-318]
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Environmental Assessment and
Finding of no Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating License Nos.
DPR-53 and DPR-69, issued to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (the
licensee) for operation of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit
Nos. 1 and 2, located at the licensee's site in Calvert County,
Maryland.
Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed amendments would revise Figure 5.1-1, Site Boundary
Map, and Figure 5.1-2, Low Population Zone Map, in the Technical
Specifications (TSs). The revisions are needed to correct the
discrepancy between the current site property lines and the property
lines as shown on TS Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2. This discrepancy
resulted from the purchase of land subsequent to issuance of the plant
operating licenses and the failure to update the TSs to reflect the
change in site property lines.
The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's
application for amendment dated September 29, 1992, as supplemented by
letters dated October 22, 1993, and November 11, 1993.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed changes to the TSs are required to correct the
discrepancy between the current site property lines and the property
lines as shown on Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2 in the TSs. This
discrepancy resulted from the purchase of six parcels of land
subsequent to issuance of the plant operating licenses and the failure
to update the TSs to reflect the change in property lines. The original
site covered 1135 acres. With the addition of the six new parcels of
land, the site now covers 2108 acres.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The 2108 acre Calvert Cliffs site includes forest and farmland
which surround the plant. The land's primary purpose is to serve as a
natural buffer between the plant and the local community. Over 1500
acres of the site are covered with woodlands. The remaining acreage is
made up of various open areas, a 50-acre recreational facility, and a
working farm of about 100 acres. The six parcels of land that were
acquired by the licensee subsequent to issuance of the plant operating
licenses are comprised of shoreline property, woodlands, and farmland.
The proposed revisions to TS Figure 5.1-1 and Figure 5.1-2 are
administrative in nature in that they will update the TSs to accurately
reflect the current site boundary. The proposed amendments will not
change plant equipment, operation or procedures, and do not adversely
affect the probability or the consequences of any accident at this
facility. The proposed amendments also do not affect radiological
effluents from the facility or the radiation levels at the facility.
Although the exclusion area as defined in 10 CFR part 100 has been
increased, the property addition does not change the licensee's offsite
dose calculations. Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are
no significant radiological impacts associated with the proposed
amendments.
There are no persons who reside on any of the new parcels and the
acquired property does not contain sites of historical, archaeological
or scenic significance. The licensee's Land Management Program
implements certain forestry and farming practices that are intended to
preserve the site's land resources and natural habitats. There are
three focal areas of the program; fire prevention, significant laws and
regulations, and wildlife considerations. Salient aspects of these
focal areas are summarized below.
In the area of fire prevention, the licensee has implemented a
program to replace large stands of Virginia Pine trees with better
quality trees to reduce the potential for fire. A system of fire roads
has also been developed throughout the property and firefighting
equipment has been strategically placed along these roads to assist
personnel in the event of a fire. A property grid system has been
established to determine the location and extent of a fire once
discovered.
With respect to significant laws and regulations, environmental
laws in the State of Maryland are focused on promoting good soil
conservation practices, improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay,
and preserving endangered species and other animals unique to the area.
To avoid erosion and keep land productive, the licensee uses practices
such as contour plowing, applying pesticides and fertilizer properly,
rotating crops, minimizing tilling, and growing a cover crop during the
winter for all farming operations.
The Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Law strictly governs the use of
land within 100 feet of, and all tributaries leading into, the
Chesapeake Bay. The law was enacted to prevent the continued
deterioration of the Bay by controlling future development and water
runoff containing harmful quantities of sediment, fertilizers,
pesticides, and toxic metals from agricultural fields and other
developed land adjacent to the Bay. The licensee complies with Calvert
County's Critical Area Plan. Four of the new parcels of land have land
which falls in the critical area.
The Calvert Cliffs site is regulated by the Federal ``Endangered
Species Act,'' 16 U.S.C. 1531. This act requires landowners to preserve
those areas inhabited by species protected by this act. At Calvert
Cliffs, the Tiger Beetle and Bald Eagle are protected. Two species of
the Tiger Beetle are found along the beach area at Calvert Cliffs; the
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle and the Puritan Tiger Beetle. A family
of Bald Eagles is located in the southern portion of the Calvert Cliffs
site.
The Calvert Cliffs site is home for a wide variety of wildlife,
including two animal species considered endangered. Their habitat is
largely preserved on more than three-fourths of the 2108 acres at
Calvert Cliffs. By implementing sound forestry practices the licensee
endeavors to ensure that the necessary food, nesting areas, and cover
are provided to support the animals that live at Calvert Cliffs. The
licensee has several plans in place to ensure that the habitats of the
various wildlife species are preserved.
The proposed revisions to the TSs will merely update the TSs to
reflect the current site boundary and will not affect the utilization
of the six new parcels of land or implementation of the licensee's Land
Management Program. The proposed amendments will also not affect
nonradiological plant effluents and have no other environmental impact.
Therefore, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
nonradiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed
amendments.
The Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment and
Opportunity for Prior Hearing in connection with this action was
published in the Federal Register on October 28, 1992 (57 FR 48813). No
request for hearing or petition for leave to intervene was filed
following this notice.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Since the Commission concluded that there are no significant
environmental effects that would result from the proposed action, any
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impacts need not be
evaluated. The principal alternative would be to deny the requested
amendments. Such action would not enhance the protection of the
environment.
Alternate Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the
Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, dated April
1973.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's request to modify the TSs.
The NRC staff consulted with the State of Maryland regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed action. The State of Maryland had
no comments regarding this proposed action.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The Commission has determined not to prepare an environmental
impact statement for the proposed license amendment.
Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission
concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect
on the quality of the human environment.
For further details with respect to this action, see the
application for amendment dated September 29, 1992 as supplemented by
letters dated October 22, 1993, and November 11, 1993. These letters
are available for public inspection at the Commission's Public Document
Room, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC 20555 and at the Local Public
Document room located at the Calvert County Library, Fourth Street,
Prince Frederick, Maryland, 20678.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 5th day of May 1994.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Robert A. Capra,
Director, Project Directorate I-1, Division of Reactor Projects I/II,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 94-11654 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-M
