BWX Technologies, Inc.; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to Proposed Issuance of an Exemption From 10 CFR 70.24 Requirements, 69234-69236 [E7-23784]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 69234 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2007 / Notices individual-level treatment and control groups for future third-party study); (2) project implementation characteristics (also necessary for future use to identify well-matched comparison groups) and (3) project outputs (necessary to measure baseline for pre- and postNSF-funding-level impacts.) Use of the Information: This information is required for effective administration, communication, program and project monitoring and evaluation, and for measuring attainment of NSF’s program, project and strategic goals, as required by the President’s Management agenda as represented by the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART); the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–171) which established the Academic Competitiveness Council (ACC), and the NSF’s Strategic Plan. The Foundation’s FY 2006–2011 Strategic Plan describes four strategic outcome goals of Discovery, Learning, Research Infrastructure, and Stewardship. NSF’s complete strategic plan may be found at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/ pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf0648. The work of the multi-agency ACC employed a methodological framework to determine STEM education program effectiveness. The ACC was chaired by the Department of Education, and other agencies that participated included the NSF and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The ACC suggested cross-agency STEM education goals and metrics and developed a framework or ‘‘Hierarchy of Study Designs’’ under three scientific categories: (1) Experimental (often called randomized controlled trials— RCT) (2) quasi-experimental (such as well-matched comparison group studies) and (3) other (such as pre- and post-test and multiple methodologies). Further details on the participating agencies and the ACC’s recommendations are available at: https://www.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/ competitiveness/acc-mathscience/ index.html. Since the EHR Generic Clearance research is primarily used for accountability purposes, including responding to queries from Committees of Visitors and other scientific experts, a census rather than sampling design typically is necessary. At the individual project level, funding can be adjusted based on individual project’s responses to some of the surveys. Some data collected under the EHR Clearance serve as baseline data for separate research and evaluation studies. The EHR Generic Clearance may be used to clear VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:30 Dec 06, 2007 Jkt 214001 data collections for other ACC agencies, such as NASA. In February 2007 NASA and NSF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate efforts promoting STEM education, the participation of individuals underrepresented in STEM, and evaluation of STEM education projects and programs in formal and informal settings. Additional information on the NSF–NASA MOU can be found at: https://education.nasa.gov/divisions/ higher/overview/F_One_Giant_Step_ STEM_Education.html. In order to conduct program or portfolio level evaluations, however, both experimental and quasiexperimental evaluation research studies on STEM education interventions require researchers to identify individual-level and organizational or project-level control and treatment groups or comparison groups. NSF-funded contract or grantee researchers and evaluators in part may identify control, comparison, or treatment groups for NSF’s E&T portfolio using some of the descriptive data gathered through OMB 3145–0136 to conduct well-designed, rigorous research and portfolio evaluation studies. In accordance with the 2001 and 2005 OMB terms of clearance, NSF requests separate stand-alone clearance (and separately announces for comment in the Federal Register) any program or portfolio research or evaluation. Two examples of third-party evaluations that used EHR OMB 3145–0136 data to inform study design are: OMB 3145– 0190 (Expired: 5/2005) Evaluation of NSF’s Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program conducted by the Urban Institute and OMB No. 3145–0182 (Expired 7/2005) Evaluation of the Initial Impacts of the Integrative Graduate Education Research and Traineeship (IGERT) program conducted by Abt Associates. For more information on these and other NSF-funded evaluations, please see the NSF’s FY 2006 Full Performance and Accountability Report: Appendix 4B: Table of External Evaluations at: https:// www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf0701/pdf/ 19.pdf. Respondents: Individuals or households, not-for-profit institutions, business or other for profit, and Federal, State, local or tribal government. Number of Respondents: 27,000. Burden on the Public: The total estimate for this collection is 60,000 annual burden hours. This figure is based on the previous 3 years of collecting information under this PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 clearance and anticipated collections. The average annual reporting burden is between .5 and 50 hours per ‘respondent’ depending on whether a respondent is a direct participant who is self-reporting, or representing a project and reporting on behalf of many project participants. Dated: December 4, 2007. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 07–5975 Filed 12–6–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–M NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No.: 70–27] BWX Technologies, Inc.; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Related to Proposed Issuance of an Exemption From 10 CFR 70.24 Requirements Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI). AGENCY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy M. Snyder, Fuel Manufacturing Branch, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mail Stop EBB–2C40M, Washington, DC 20555–0001, telephone (301) 492–3225 and e-mail ams3@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction Under U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license SNM–42 and the provisions of 10 CFR Part 70, Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material, BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT or the licensee) is authorized to receive and possess special nuclear material for the research, fabrication and assembly of nuclear fuel and related components at its facility, located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Under this license, BWXT is also allowed to receive, acquire, and transfer irradiated fuel (spent nuclear fuel) at its facility. The NRC staff is considering the issuance of an exemption to requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 70.24, under a certain condition, for the spent nuclear fuel storage areas at the BWXT site. If the NRC decides to grant the exemption, then the license will be amended to incorporate a license condition to reflect E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2007 / Notices the exemption. These actions would then allow BWXT to implement its proposed method to meet the January 16, 2007, NRC Order (EA–07–011) requiring BWXT to implement additional security measures at the BWXT site. The licensee found that if these measures are taken, it would not be in full compliance with the criticality monitoring requirements of 10 CFR 70.24. Granting this exemption would also allow BWXT to continue to store, in a safe configuration, spent nuclear fuel. The NRC has prepared an EA in support of granting an exemption and amending the license. Based on this EA, the NRC has concluded that a FONSI is appropriate and, therefore, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is not warranted. The NRC is also conducting a safety review of the BWXT request for exemption. The results of the safety review will be documented in a separate Safety Evaluation Report. II. Environmental Assessment Background By letter, dated May 2, 2007, BWXT submitted its exemption request. On May 14, 2007, BWXT submitted, via email, a clarification that stated its current Environmental Report (ER), dated March 10, 2004, addresses the areas where spent nuclear fuel, previously used for research, is stored at the site. The documents that were evaluated in preparing this EA included the NRC’s EA for Renewal of License SNM–42, dated August 2005, the current BWXT ER for Renewal of License SNM–42, dated March 10, 2004, and the e-mail from BWXT (Leah Morrell, May 14, 2007) stating, with respect to this exemption request, that the BWXT’s ER, dated March 10, 2004, is the current ER. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Review Scope The purpose of this EA is to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed exemption and associated license amendment. It does not approve the request. This EA is limited to the proposed exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 in spent nuclear fuel storage areas, and any cumulative impacts on existing plant operations. The existing conditions and operations at the BWXT facility were evaluated, by the NRC, for environmental impacts in an EA for the renewal of the BWXT license. This assessment presents the information and analysis of the proposed actions for determining whether issuance of a FONSI is appropriate. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:30 Dec 06, 2007 Jkt 214001 Need for the Proposed Action As a result of the events of September 11, 2001, the NRC has required heightened security measures for facilities that are authorized to possess special nuclear material. BWXT is one such facility. Following an evaluation, by BWXT, of ways to meet these required security measures, BWXT concluded that the best method to meet those measures would affect the current criticality monitoring system. Specifically, the implementation of BWXT’s proposed method to implement the NRC Security Order (EA–07–011) would make the detection of a criticality challenging for the criticality monitoring systems located in each spent nuclear fuel storage area when the additional security measures imposed by EA–07–011 are in place. The additional security measures are not currently in place. The Proposed Actions The proposed actions are: (1) The NRC granting an exemption to the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 in the spent fuel storage areas during the period of time the licensee does not need to access the spent nuclear fuel; and (2) the NRC issuing an amendment to the license reflecting such an exemption. These actions would allow BWXT to continue to safely store spent nuclear fuel in storage systems. This exemption would not apply during the short and very infrequent periods during which access to the stored material is required, or if BWXT no longer has spent nuclear fuel at its licensed site. The proposed actions are in accordance with the licensee’s application dated May 2, 2007. Alternative to the Proposed Actions The actions available to the NRC are: 1. Approve the exemption and associated license amendment as described; or 2. No action (i.e., deny the request and do not amend the license—the noaction alternative.) Affected Environment The affected environment for the proposed action and the alternative is the BWXT site. The affected environment is identical to the affected environment assessed in the EA, dated August 2005. A full description of the site and its characteristics is given in the NRC’s 2005 EA. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative The NRC staff has completed its evaluation of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and concludes PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 69235 granting the licensee an exemption to the criticality monitoring requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 for the spent nuclear fuel storage system during periods when access to the spent nuclear fuel is not required; and would not increase the probability or consequences of accidents previously analyzed and would not affect facility radiation levels or facility radiological effluents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may be released off-site. There is no significant increase in the amount of any effluent released off-site. 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 have a potential to affect any historic sites because no previously undisturbed area will be affected by the proposed actions. The proposed action does not affect non-radiological plant effluents and has no other effect on the environment. Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated with the proposed action. Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the proposed action and, thus, concludes that the proposed action will not have any significant impact to the human environment. The proposed action does not alter the previous National Environmental Protection Act findings made in approving the license renewal. Environmental Impacts of the Alternative to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the noaction alternative). Denial of the exemption request would result in: (1) No associated license amendment: and (2) no change to current environmental impacts, as the denial would result in the criticality monitoring requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 continuing to be fully applicable. Thus, the environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are identical because the present or absence of a criticality monitor and alarm for the spent nuclear fuel that is safety stored has no impact on the environment. Agencies and Persons Consulted In accordance with NUREG 1748, ‘‘Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs,’’ the NRC staff consulted with other agencies regarding E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1 69236 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 235 / Friday, December 7, 2007 / Notices the proposed actions. These consultations were intended to provide other agencies an opportunity to comment on the proposed actions, and to ensure that the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act were met with respect to the proposed actions. Commonwealth of Virginia The staff, on October 10, 2007, consulted with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The VDEQ reviewed the draft and agreed with NRC’s conclusion that no significant environmental impacts would result from this proposed action, if implemented. The VDH had technical questions regarding the criticality monitoring systems. Fish and Wildlife The staff has determined that consultation for Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act is not required because the proposed action does not involve construction or any other change in physical environment, therefore, will not affect listed species or critical habitat. Virginia Department of Historic Resources The staff has determined that the proposed action does not have the potential to effect on historic properties because it does not involve construction or any other change in physical environment. Therefore, no further consultation is required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. CFR 70.24, Letter (May 2, 2007) to Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Lynchburg, Virginia: BWXT, Nuclear Products Division (confidential) 2. NRC. NUREG 1748, Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs—Final Report. (August 2003) Washington, DC: NRC (ML032450279) 3. BWXT. Environmental Report for Renewal of License SNM–42, March 10, 2004 (nonpublic) 4. BWXT. E-mail to NRC, Criticality Exemption, dated May 14, 2007 (ML073180015) 5. NRC. Environmental Assessment Related to the Renewal of License No. SNM–42. Docket 70–027 (August 2005) Washington, DC: NRC. (ML071300450) 6. NRC. E-mail to VDEQ, Pre-decisional EA, dated October 9, 2007, (ML073180022) 7. NRC. E-mail to VDH, Pre-decisional EA, dated October 10, 2007, (ML073180034) 8. VDH. Letter to NRC, Response to Predecisional EA, dated October 24, 2007 (ML73180017) 9. NRC. E-mail to VDH, Additional Comments on Pre-decisional EA, dated October 31, 2007 (ML073180027) 10. VDH. E-mail to NRC, Response to Additional Comments on Pre-decisional EA, dated October 31, 2007 (ML073180029) 11. VEQ. Letter to NRC, Response to Predecisional EA, dated October 17, 2007 (ML073230756) Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 30th day of November, 2007. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kevin M. Ramsey, Acting Chief, Fuel Manufacturing Branch, Fuel Facility Licensing Directorate, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. E7–23784 Filed 12–6–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P Conclusion On the basis of the EA, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment and that preparation of an EIS is not warranted. III. Finding of No Significant Impact Office of Management and Budget, Office of Federal Financial Management. ACTION: Comment request; final notice. pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Preparers J. Wiebe, Project Manager, All Sections A. Snyder, Project Manager, Sections 1.0, 4.0 and 5.0. 1. BWXT. Request for Exemption from 10 VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:30 Dec 06, 2007 Jkt 214001 Financial Reporting for Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Federal Financial Report (FFR) AGENCY: On the basis of this assessment, the Commission has concluded that environmental impacts that are associated with the proposed action would not be significant and the Commission is making a finding of no significant impact. List of References OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET SUMMARY: The Office of Management and Budget is consolidating and replacing four existing financial reporting forms (SF–269, SF–269A, SF– 272, and SF–272A) with a single Federal Financial Report (FFR). The purpose of the FFR is to give recipients of grants and cooperative agreements a standard format for reporting the financial status of their grants and cooperative agreements (hereby referred to PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 collectively as awards). Federal awarding agencies developed the FFR as part of their implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106–107). DATES: Comments must be received by January 7, 2008. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Marguerite Pridgen, Office of Federal Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503; telephone 202–395–7844; fax 202–395–3952; e-mail mpridgen@omb.eop.gov. Due to potential delays in OMB’s receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage respondents to submit comments electronically to ensure timely receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be received before the comment closing date. Please include ‘‘FFR comments’’ in the subject line of the e-mail message; please also include the full body of your comments in the text of the message and as an attachment. Include your name, title, organization, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address in your message. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marguerite Pridgen at the addresses noted above. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background On April 8, 2003, OMB announced in the Federal Register its intent to establish a new Federal Financial Report (FFR) (68 FR 17097). This new report would consolidate into a single report the current Financial Status Report (SF–269 and SF–269A) and the Federal Cash Transactions Report (SF– 272 and SF–272A). This consolidation, consistent with government-wide grant streamlining efforts being carried out under the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106–107), is intended to streamline and simplify award-reporting requirements. This form was an undertaking of the interagency Post Award Workgroup that supports the Federal Grants Streamlining Initiative. Additional information on the Federal Grants Streamlining Initiative, which focuses on implementing Public Law 106–107, was announced in the Federal Register on September 13, 2006 (71 FR 54098). An overview of the FFR and five other report forms being developed under the Initiative was provided during a webcast of the Grants Policy Committee of the U.S. Chief Financial E:\FR\FM\07DEN1.SGM 07DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 235 (Friday, December 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69234-69236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23784]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No.: 70-27]


BWX Technologies, Inc.; Environmental Assessment and Finding of 
No Significant Impact Related to Proposed Issuance of an Exemption From 
10 CFR 70.24 Requirements

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant 
impact (FONSI).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy M. Snyder, Fuel Manufacturing 
Branch, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Mail Stop EBB-2C40M, Washington, DC 20555-0001, telephone (301) 492-
3225 and e-mail ams3@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license SNM-42 and 
the provisions of 10 CFR Part 70, Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear 
Material, BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT or the licensee) is authorized 
to receive and possess special nuclear material for the research, 
fabrication and assembly of nuclear fuel and related components at its 
facility, located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Under this license, BWXT is 
also allowed to receive, acquire, and transfer irradiated fuel (spent 
nuclear fuel) at its facility. The NRC staff is considering the 
issuance of an exemption to requirements of Title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 70.24, under a certain condition, 
for the spent nuclear fuel storage areas at the BWXT site. If the NRC 
decides to grant the exemption, then the license will be amended to 
incorporate a license condition to reflect

[[Page 69235]]

the exemption. These actions would then allow BWXT to implement its 
proposed method to meet the January 16, 2007, NRC Order (EA-07-011) 
requiring BWXT to implement additional security measures at the BWXT 
site. The licensee found that if these measures are taken, it would not 
be in full compliance with the criticality monitoring requirements of 
10 CFR 70.24. Granting this exemption would also allow BWXT to continue 
to store, in a safe configuration, spent nuclear fuel.
    The NRC has prepared an EA in support of granting an exemption and 
amending the license. Based on this EA, the NRC has concluded that a 
FONSI is appropriate and, therefore, an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) is not warranted. The NRC is also conducting a safety review of 
the BWXT request for exemption. The results of the safety review will 
be documented in a separate Safety Evaluation Report.

II. Environmental Assessment

Background

    By letter, dated May 2, 2007, BWXT submitted its exemption request. 
On May 14, 2007, BWXT submitted, via email, a clarification that stated 
its current Environmental Report (ER), dated March 10, 2004, addresses 
the areas where spent nuclear fuel, previously used for research, is 
stored at the site.
    The documents that were evaluated in preparing this EA included the 
NRC's EA for Renewal of License SNM-42, dated August 2005, the current 
BWXT ER for Renewal of License SNM-42, dated March 10, 2004, and the e-
mail from BWXT (Leah Morrell, May 14, 2007) stating, with respect to 
this exemption request, that the BWXT's ER, dated March 10, 2004, is 
the current ER.

Review Scope

    The purpose of this EA is to assess the environmental impacts of 
the proposed exemption and associated license amendment. It does not 
approve the request. This EA is limited to the proposed exemption from 
the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 in spent nuclear fuel storage areas, 
and any cumulative impacts on existing plant operations. The existing 
conditions and operations at the BWXT facility were evaluated, by the 
NRC, for environmental impacts in an EA for the renewal of the BWXT 
license. This assessment presents the information and analysis of the 
proposed actions for determining whether issuance of a FONSI is 
appropriate.

Need for the Proposed Action

    As a result of the events of September 11, 2001, the NRC has 
required heightened security measures for facilities that are 
authorized to possess special nuclear material. BWXT is one such 
facility. Following an evaluation, by BWXT, of ways to meet these 
required security measures, BWXT concluded that the best method to meet 
those measures would affect the current criticality monitoring system. 
Specifically, the implementation of BWXT's proposed method to implement 
the NRC Security Order (EA-07-011) would make the detection of a 
criticality challenging for the criticality monitoring systems located 
in each spent nuclear fuel storage area when the additional security 
measures imposed by EA-07-011 are in place. The additional security 
measures are not currently in place.

The Proposed Actions

    The proposed actions are: (1) The NRC granting an exemption to the 
requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 in the spent fuel storage areas during the 
period of time the licensee does not need to access the spent nuclear 
fuel; and (2) the NRC issuing an amendment to the license reflecting 
such an exemption. These actions would allow BWXT to continue to safely 
store spent nuclear fuel in storage systems. This exemption would not 
apply during the short and very infrequent periods during which access 
to the stored material is required, or if BWXT no longer has spent 
nuclear fuel at its licensed site. The proposed actions are in 
accordance with the licensee's application dated May 2, 2007.

Alternative to the Proposed Actions

    The actions available to the NRC are:
    1. Approve the exemption and associated license amendment as 
described; or
    2. No action (i.e., deny the request and do not amend the license--
the no-action alternative.)

Affected Environment

    The affected environment for the proposed action and the 
alternative is the BWXT site. The affected environment is identical to 
the affected environment assessed in the EA, dated August 2005. A full 
description of the site and its characteristics is given in the NRC's 
2005 EA.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action and the No Action 
Alternative

    The NRC staff has completed its evaluation of the environmental 
impacts of the proposed action and concludes granting the licensee an 
exemption to the criticality monitoring requirements of 10 CFR 70.24 
for the spent nuclear fuel storage system during periods when access to 
the spent nuclear fuel is not required; and would not increase the 
probability or consequences of accidents previously analyzed and would 
not affect facility radiation levels or facility radiological 
effluents. No changes are being made in the types of effluents that may 
be released off-site. There is no significant increase in the amount of 
any effluent released off-site. 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 non-radiological impacts, the proposed 
action does not have a potential to affect any historic sites because 
no previously undisturbed area will be affected by the proposed 
actions. The proposed action does not affect non-radiological plant 
effluents and has no other effect on the environment. Therefore, there 
are no significant non-radiological environmental impacts associated 
with the proposed action.
    Accordingly, the NRC staff concludes that there are no significant 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action and, thus, 
concludes that the proposed action will not have any significant impact 
to the human environment. The proposed action does not alter the 
previous National Environmental Protection Act findings made in 
approving the license renewal.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternative to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC staff considered 
denial of the proposed action (i.e., the no-action alternative). Denial 
of the exemption request would result in: (1) No associated license 
amendment: and (2) no change to current environmental impacts, as the 
denial would result in the criticality monitoring requirements of 10 
CFR 70.24 continuing to be fully applicable. Thus, the environmental 
impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action are identical 
because the present or absence of a criticality monitor and alarm for 
the spent nuclear fuel that is safety stored has no impact on the 
environment.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with NUREG 1748, ``Environmental Review Guidance for 
Licensing Actions Associated with NMSS Programs,'' the NRC staff 
consulted with other agencies regarding

[[Page 69236]]

the proposed actions. These consultations were intended to provide 
other agencies an opportunity to comment on the proposed actions, and 
to ensure that the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act were met 
with respect to the proposed actions.
Commonwealth of Virginia
    The staff, on October 10, 2007, consulted with the Virginia 
Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) and the Virginia Department 
of Health (VDH). The VDEQ reviewed the draft and agreed with NRC's 
conclusion that no significant environmental impacts would result from 
this proposed action, if implemented. The VDH had technical questions 
regarding the criticality monitoring systems.
Fish and Wildlife
    The staff has determined that consultation for Section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act is not required because the proposed action does 
not involve construction or any other change in physical environment, 
therefore, will not affect listed species or critical habitat.
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
    The staff has determined that the proposed action does not have the 
potential to effect on historic properties because it does not involve 
construction or any other change in physical environment. Therefore, no 
further consultation is required under Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act.
Conclusion
    On the basis of the EA, the NRC concludes that the proposed action 
will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment and that preparation of an EIS is not warranted.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of this assessment, the Commission has concluded that 
environmental impacts that are associated with the proposed action 
would not be significant and the Commission is making a finding of no 
significant impact.

Preparers

J. Wiebe, Project Manager, All Sections
A. Snyder, Project Manager, Sections 1.0, 4.0 and 5.0.

List of References

1. BWXT. Request for Exemption from 10 CFR 70.24, Letter (May 2, 
2007) to Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Lynchburg, Virginia: BWXT, 
Nuclear Products Division (confidential)
2. NRC. NUREG 1748, Environmental Review Guidance for Licensing 
Actions Associated with NMSS Programs--Final Report. (August 2003) 
Washington, DC: NRC (ML032450279)
3. BWXT. Environmental Report for Renewal of License SNM-42, March 
10, 2004 (nonpublic)
4. BWXT. E-mail to NRC, Criticality Exemption, dated May 14, 2007 
(ML073180015)
5. NRC. Environmental Assessment Related to the Renewal of License 
No. SNM-42. Docket 70-027 (August 2005) Washington, DC: NRC. 
(ML071300450)
6. NRC. E-mail to VDEQ, Pre-decisional EA, dated October 9, 2007, 
(ML073180022)
7. NRC. E-mail to VDH, Pre-decisional EA, dated October 10, 2007, 
(ML073180034)
8. VDH. Letter to NRC, Response to Pre-decisional EA, dated October 
24, 2007 (ML73180017)
9. NRC. E-mail to VDH, Additional Comments on Pre-decisional EA, 
dated October 31, 2007 (ML073180027)
10. VDH. E-mail to NRC, Response to Additional Comments on Pre-
decisional EA, dated October 31, 2007 (ML073180029)
11. VEQ. Letter to NRC, Response to Pre-decisional EA, dated October 
17, 2007 (ML073230756)

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 30th day of November, 2007.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kevin M. Ramsey,
Acting Chief, Fuel Manufacturing Branch, Fuel Facility Licensing 
Directorate, Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, Office of 
Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. E7-23784 Filed 12-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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