[Federal Register: December 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 247)]
[Notices]               
[Page 71317-71318]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24de98-103]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-397]

 
Washington Public Power Supply System; Nuclear Project No. 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 No. 
NPF-21, issued to the Washington Public Power Supply System (the 
licensee) for operation of the Nuclear Project No. 2 (WNP-2) located in 
Benton County, Washington.

Environmmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would change Facility Operating License No. 
NPF-21 to authorize the storage of byproduct, source, and special 
nuclear materials at the WNP-2 site which are specifically not intended 
for use at the site. The proposed action is in accordance with the 
licensee's application for amendment dated October 10, 1996, as 
supplemented by letter dated November 9, 1998.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is necessary because certain licensed materials 
previously acquired as part of the deferred WNP-1 and WNP-3 projects 
are being controlled at WNP-2, but are not required for use at the WNP-
2 site. The WNP-1 materials are under the scope of Materials License 
46-17694-02 and the WNP-3 materials are under the scope of Facility 
Operating License NPF-21. The licensee, however, has given notice that 
the WNP-1 and WNP-3 projects are being terminated and a formal request 
has been filed for termination of the WNP-3 Construction Permit.
    The licensee has determined that there is currently no market for 
the materials and has determined that permanent disposal is 
economically impractical. Storage under the WNP-2 Operating License 
which currently provides for possession and use of these types of 
materials as required for WNP-2, is the remaining option. This option 
does not present WNP-2 with any significant burden because operation of 
WNP-2 involves a continuing use and storage of these types of licensed 
materials.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed action 
and concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed amendment. The amendment would permit 
certain byproduct, source and special nuclear material already present 
at the site to be stored at the site.
    The proposed action will not increase the probability or 
consequences of accidents, no changes are being made in the types of 
any effluents that may be released off site, and there is no 
significant increase in 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 involve any historic sites. It does not affect 
nonradiological plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. 
Therefore, there are no significant nonradiological environmental 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant

[[Page 71318]]

environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). 
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 WNP-2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on December 17, 1998, the 
staff consulted with the Washington State official, Mr. R. Cowley of 
the Department of Health, State of Washington Energy Facility Site 
Evaluation Council, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed 
action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of 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 October 10, 1996, as supplemented by letter 
dated November 9, 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 Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Street, Richland, 
Washington 99352.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of December 1998.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Mel B. Fields,
Project Manager, Project Directorate IV-2, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 98-34124 Filed 12-23-98; 8:45 am]
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