Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for Amendment of a Materials Permit in Accordance With Byproduct Materials License No. 03-23853-01VA, for Unrestricted Release of a Department of Veterans Affair's Facility in Hampton, VA, 16325-16327 [E8-6230]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 60 / Thursday, March 27, 2008 / Notices
in the ADDRESSES section. The request
must state the amount of time requested
to speak, the interest represented (e.g.,
organization name), if any, and a brief
outline of the presentation. Requests to
address FACOSH may be granted as
time permits and at the discretion of the
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will provide all submissions to
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accommodations and wish to attend the
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pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
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You may submit comments and
requests to speak (1) electronically, (2)
by facsimile, or (3) by hard copy. All
submissions, including attachments and
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Therefore, OSHA cautions interested
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Although all submissions are listed in
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VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:08 Mar 26, 2008
Jkt 214001
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Authority and Signature
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health, directed the
preparation of this notice under the
authority granted by section 19 of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 668), 5 U.S.C.
7902, section 1–5 of Executive Order
12196, the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.2) and regulations
issued under FACA (41 CFR Part 102–
3), and Secretary of Labor’s Order No.
5–2007 (72 FR 31160).
Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of
March, 2008.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. E8–6244 Filed 3–26–08; 8:45 am]
16325
All
sessions with the exception of the
session listed below.
PORTIONS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC:
Executive session.
PORTIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen K. Wheeler, Executive Director,
130 South Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ
85701, (520) 901–8500.
Dated: March 20, 2008.
Ellen K. Wheeler.
Executive Director, Morris K. Udall
Scholarship and Excellence in National
Environmental Policy Foundation, and
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–6109 Filed 3–26–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820–FN–M
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 030–34325]
Notice of Availability of Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for Amendment of a
Materials Permit in Accordance With
Byproduct Materials License No. 03–
23853–01VA, for Unrestricted Release
of a Department of Veterans Affair’s
Facility in Hampton, VA
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Issuance of Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for License
Amendment.
AGENCY:
BILLING CODE 4510–26–P
MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIP
AND EXCELLENCE IN NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FOUNDATION
Sunshine Act Meetings
9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday,
April 11, 2008.
PLACE: The offices of the Morris K.
Udall Scholarship and Excellence in
National Environmental Policy
Foundation, 130 South Scott Avenue,
Tucson, AZ 85701.
STATUS: This meeting will be open to the
public, unless it is necessary for the
Board to consider items in executive
session.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (1) A report
on the U.S. Institute for Environmental
Conflict Resolution; (2) A report from
the Udall Center for Studies in Public
Policy; (3) A report on the Native
Nations Institute; (4) Program Reports;
and (5) A Report from the Management
Committee.
TIME AND DATE:
PO 00000
Frm 00081
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William Snell, Senior Health Physicist,
Decommissioning Branch, Division of
Nuclear Materials Safety, Region III,
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
2443 Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois
60532; telephone: (630) 829–9871; fax
number: (630) 515–1259; or by e-mail at
wgs@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is proposing to
amend a materials permit held under
Byproduct Materials License No. 03–
23853–01VA. The permit is held by the
Department of Veterans Affairs (the
Licensee), for its Hampton VA Medical
Center facilities, located at 100
Emancipation Drive, Hampton, Virginia
(the Facility). Issuance of the
amendment would authorize release of
Building 72 (described below) for
unrestricted use. The Licensee
requested this action in a letter dated
October 22, 2007. The NRC has
prepared an Environmental Assessment
E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM
27MRN1
16326
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 60 / Thursday, March 27, 2008 / Notices
(EA) in support of this proposed action
in accordance with the requirements of
Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Part 51 (10 CFR Part 51). Based
on the EA, the NRC has concluded that
a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) is appropriate with respect to
the proposed action. The amendment
will be issued to the Licensee following
the publication of this FONSI and EA in
the Federal Register.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
II. Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve
the Licensee’s October 22, 2007,
materials permit amendment request,
resulting in release of Building 72 for
unrestricted use. License No. 03–23853–
01VA was issued on March 17, 2003,
pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 30 and 35, and
has been amended periodically since
that time. This license authorizes the
Licensee to use byproduct materials at
several Licensee facilities around the
country, as authorized on a site-specific
basis by permits issued by the
Licensee’s National Radiation Safety
Committee. Under the license, the
permits authorize the use of by-product
materials for various medical and
veterinary purposes, and for use in
portable gauges.
The Facility is situated on an 85-acre
site and is located in a residential area
of Hampton, Virginia. Within the
Facility, Building 72 was constructed in
1908 and was originally used as a
dining room for soldiers. In 1974 the
10,600 square foot structure was
converted into a research facility.
Building 72 has a single floor, and is
made of brick with a wood frame attic.
Based on a Historical Site Assessment,
there was no evidence that radioactive
material was used in Building 72 prior
to the conversion of the building to a
research facility in 1974. Licensed
materials were used for both medical
diagnostic and treatment purposes, as
well as for research purposes, including
animal studies. The licensee ceased
using licensed materials in Building 72
in 2001, and conducted, but did not
complete, surveys and decontamination
of the building. In February 2007, the
licensee initiated additional surveys and
decontamination of the building. Based
on the Licensee’s historical knowledge
of the site and the conditions within
Building 72, the Licensee determined
that only routine decontamination
activities, in accordance with their NRCapproved operating radiation safety
procedures, were required. The Licensee
was not required to submit a
decommissioning plan to the NRC
because worker cleanup activities and
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:08 Mar 26, 2008
Jkt 214001
procedures are consistent with those
approved for routine operations. The
Licensee conducted final status surveys
of Building 72 on June 28, 2007. The
results of these surveys along with other
supporting information were provided
to the NRC to demonstrate that the
criteria in Subpart E of 10 CFR Part 20
for unrestricted release have been met.
Need for the Proposed Action
The Licensee has ceased conducting
licensed activities in Building 72, and
seeks the unrestricted use of Building
72.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed
Action
The historical review of licensed
activities conducted in Building 72
shows that such activities involved use
of the following radionuclides with halflives greater than 120 days: hydrogen-3
and carbon-14. Prior to performing the
final status survey, the Licensee
conducted decontamination activities,
as necessary, in the areas of Building 72
affected by these radionuclides.
The Licensee completed final status
surveys on Building 72 on June 28,
2007. The surveys covered the floor area
of Building 72, as well as sinks and
drains, laboratory counters, hoods,
refrigerators, and other horizontal
surfaces. The final status survey report
was attached to the Licensee’s
amendment request dated October 22,
2007. The Licensee elected to
demonstrate compliance with the
radiological criteria for unrestricted
release as specified in 10 CFR 20.1402
using release criteria for building
surfaces based on NRC Regulatory
Guide 1.86, ‘‘Termination of Operating
Licenses for Nuclear Reactors.’’ These
release criteria are much more
restrictive than the radionuclidespecific dose-based release criteria,
described in NUREG–1757,
‘‘Consolidated NMSS Decommissioning
Guidance,’’ Volume 2. These values
provide acceptable levels of surface
contamination to demonstrate
compliance with the NRC requirements
in Subpart E of 10 CFR Part 20 for
unrestricted release. The Licensee’s
final status survey results were below
the Regulatory Guide 1.86 values and
are in compliance with the As Low As
Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)
requirement of 10 CFR 20.1402. The
NRC thus finds that the Licensee’s final
status survey results are acceptable.
Based on its review, the staff has
determined that the affected
environment and any environmental
impacts associated with the proposed
action are bounded by the impacts
evaluated by the ‘‘Generic
PO 00000
Frm 00082
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Environmental Impact Statement in
Support of Rulemaking on Radiological
Criteria for License Termination of NRCLicensed Nuclear Facilities’’ (NUREG–
1496) Volumes 1–3 (ML042310492,
ML042320379, and ML042330385). The
staff finds there were no significant
environmental impacts from the use of
radioactive material in Building 72. The
NRC staff reviewed available docket file
records and the final status survey
report to identify any non-radiological
hazards that may have impacted the
environment surrounding Building 72.
No such hazards or impacts to the
environment were identified. The NRC
has identified no other radiological or
non-radiological activities in the area
that could result in cumulative
environmental impacts.
The NRC staff finds that issuance of
the proposed amendment authorizing
release of Building 72 for unrestricted
use is in compliance with 10 CFR Part
20. Based on its review, the staff
considered the impact of the residual
radioactivity from Building 72 and
concluded that the proposed action will
not have a significant effect on the
quality of the human environment.
Environmental Impacts of the
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Due to the largely administrative
nature of the proposed action, its
environmental impacts are small.
Therefore, the only alternative the staff
considered is the no-action alternative,
under which the staff would leave
things as they are by simply denying the
amendment request. This no-action
alternative is not feasible because it
conflicts with 10 CFR 30.36(d),
requiring that decommissioning of
byproduct material facilities be
completed and approved by the NRC
after licensed activities cease. The
NRC’s analysis of the Licensee’s final
status survey data confirmed that
Building 72 meets the requirements of
10 CFR 20.1402 for unrestricted release.
Additionally, denying the amendment
request would result in no change in
current environmental impacts. The
environmental impacts of the proposed
action and the no-action alternative are
therefore similar, and the no-action
alternative is accordingly not further
considered.
Conclusion
The NRC staff has concluded that the
proposed action is consistent with the
NRC’s unrestricted release criteria
specified in 10 CFR 20.1402. Because
the proposed action will not
significantly impact the quality of the
human environment, the NRC staff
E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM
27MRN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 60 / Thursday, March 27, 2008 / Notices
concludes that the proposed action is
the preferred alternative.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
NRC provided a draft of this
Environmental Assessment to the
Virginia Radioactive Materials Program
for review on February 25, 2008. The
State agreed with the conclusions of the
EA, and otherwise provided no
comments.
The NRC staff has determined that the
proposed action is of a procedural
nature, and will not affect listed species
or critical habitat. Therefore, no further
consultation is required under Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act. The
NRC staff has also determined that the
proposed action is not the type of
activity that has the potential to cause
effects on historic properties. Therefore,
no further consultation is required
under Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC staff has prepared this EA in
support of the proposed action. On the
basis of this EA, the NRC finds that
there are no significant environmental
impacts from the proposed action, and
that preparation of an environmental
impact statement is not warranted.
Accordingly, the NRC has determined
that a Finding of No Significant Impact
is appropriate.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
IV. Further Information
Documents related to this action,
including the application for license
amendment and supporting
documentation, are available
electronically at the NRC’s Electronic
Reading Room at https://www.nrc.gov/
reading-rm/adams.html. From this site,
you can access the NRC’s Agencywide
Document Access and Management
System (ADAMS), which provides text
and image files of NRC’s public
documents. The documents related to
this action are listed below, along with
their ADAMS accession numbers.
1. E. Lynn McGuire, Department of
Veterans Affairs, letter to Cassandra
Frazier, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Region III, dated October
22, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No.
ML072980830);
2. Regulatory Guide 1.86,
‘‘Termination of Operating Licenses for
Reactors;’’
3. Title 10 Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 20, Subpart E,
‘‘Radiological Criteria for License
Termination;’’
4. Title 10 Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 51, ‘‘Environmental
Protection Regulations for Domestic
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:08 Mar 26, 2008
Jkt 214001
Licensing and Related Regulatory
Functions;’’
5. NUREG–1496, ‘‘Generic
Environmental Impact Statement in
Support of Rulemaking on Radiological
Criteria for License Termination of NRCLicensed Nuclear Facilities;’’
6. NUREG–1757, ‘‘Consolidated
NMSS Decommissioning Guidance.’’
If you do not have access to ADAMS,
or if there are problems in accessing the
documents located in ADAMS, contact
the NRC Public Document Room (PDR)
Reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301–
415–4737, or by e-mail to pdr@nrc.gov.
These documents may also be viewed
electronically on the public computers
located at the NRC’s PDR, O 1 F21, One
White Flint North, 11555 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, MD 20852. The PDR
reproduction contractor will copy
documents for a fee.
Dated at Lisle, Illinois, this 17th day of
March 2008.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Patrick Louden,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of
Nuclear Materials Safety, Region III.
[FR Doc. E8–6230 Filed 3–26–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50–443]
Seabrook Station, Unit No. 1;
Correction to Notice of Consideration
of Issuance of Amendment to Facility
Operating License, Proposed No
Significant Hazards Consideration
Determination, and Opportunity for a
Hearing
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Notice of Issuance; correction.
AGENCY:
16327
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
G. Edward Miller,
Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch 1–
2, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing,
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. E8–6237 Filed 3–26–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
POSTAL SERVICE
Change in Rates of General
Applicability for Competitive Products:
Decision of the Governors of the
Postal Service
Postal Service.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth changes
in rates of general applicability for
competitive products.
DATES: Effective Date: May 12, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Daniel J. Foucheaux, Jr., 202–268–2989.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
3, 2008, pursuant to their authority
under 39 U.S.C. 3632, the Governors of
the Postal Service established prices and
classification changes for competitive
products. The Governors’ Decision and
the record of proceedings in connection
with such decision are reprinted below
in accordance with § 3632(b)(2).
Implementing regulations will be
published separately in the Federal
Register.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
Decision of the Governors of the United
States Postal Service on Changes in
Rates and Classes of General
Applicability for Competitive Products
(Governors’ Decision No. 08–3)
March 4, 2008.
SUMMARY:
Statement of Explanation and
Justification
Dated in Rockville, Maryland, this 20th
day of March 2008.
Pursuant to our authority under
section 3632 of title 39, as amended by
the Postal Accountability and
Enhancement Act of 2006 (‘‘PAEA’’), we
establish new prices of general
applicability for the Postal Service’s
competitive products, and such changes
in classifications as are necessary to
define the new prices. The prices and
classification changes are shown in
Attachment A and are described in
detail in the analysis provided by
management in Attachment B. We have
reviewed that analysis and have
evaluated the new prices and
classification changes in accordance
with 39 U.S.C. 3632–3633 and 39 CFR
3015.2. We approve the changes set
forth in Attachment A, finding that they
This document corrects a
notice appearing in the Federal Register
on March 19, 2008 (73 FR 14850), that
incorrectly referenced the date of the
submittal for the amendment request.
This action is necessary to correct an
erroneous date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: G.
Edward Miller, Office of Nuclear
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, Washington,
DC 20555–0001; telephone (301) 415–
2481, e-mail: GXM@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On page
14852, in the second column, in the
second complete paragraph, fourth line,
it is corrected to read from ‘‘February
16, 2007’’ to ‘‘March 7, 2008’’.
PO 00000
Frm 00083
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E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 60 (Thursday, March 27, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16325-16327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6230]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 030-34325]
Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and Finding of
No Significant Impact for Amendment of a Materials Permit in Accordance
With Byproduct Materials License No. 03-23853-01VA, for Unrestricted
Release of a Department of Veterans Affair's Facility in Hampton, VA
AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Issuance of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for License Amendment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Snell, Senior Health
Physicist, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Nuclear Materials
Safety, Region III, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2443
Warrenville Road, Lisle, Illinois 60532; telephone: (630) 829-9871; fax
number: (630) 515-1259; or by e-mail at wgs@nrc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing to amend
a materials permit held under Byproduct Materials License No. 03-23853-
01VA. The permit is held by the Department of Veterans Affairs (the
Licensee), for its Hampton VA Medical Center facilities, located at 100
Emancipation Drive, Hampton, Virginia (the Facility). Issuance of the
amendment would authorize release of Building 72 (described below) for
unrestricted use. The Licensee requested this action in a letter dated
October 22, 2007. The NRC has prepared an Environmental Assessment
[[Page 16326]]
(EA) in support of this proposed action in accordance with the
requirements of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 51
(10 CFR Part 51). Based on the EA, the NRC has concluded that a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate with respect to the
proposed action. The amendment will be issued to the Licensee following
the publication of this FONSI and EA in the Federal Register.
II. Environmental Assessment
Identification of Proposed Action
The proposed action would approve the Licensee's October 22, 2007,
materials permit amendment request, resulting in release of Building 72
for unrestricted use. License No. 03-23853-01VA was issued on March 17,
2003, pursuant to 10 CFR Parts 30 and 35, and has been amended
periodically since that time. This license authorizes the Licensee to
use byproduct materials at several Licensee facilities around the
country, as authorized on a site-specific basis by permits issued by
the Licensee's National Radiation Safety Committee. Under the license,
the permits authorize the use of by-product materials for various
medical and veterinary purposes, and for use in portable gauges.
The Facility is situated on an 85-acre site and is located in a
residential area of Hampton, Virginia. Within the Facility, Building 72
was constructed in 1908 and was originally used as a dining room for
soldiers. In 1974 the 10,600 square foot structure was converted into a
research facility. Building 72 has a single floor, and is made of brick
with a wood frame attic. Based on a Historical Site Assessment, there
was no evidence that radioactive material was used in Building 72 prior
to the conversion of the building to a research facility in 1974.
Licensed materials were used for both medical diagnostic and treatment
purposes, as well as for research purposes, including animal studies.
The licensee ceased using licensed materials in Building 72 in 2001,
and conducted, but did not complete, surveys and decontamination of the
building. In February 2007, the licensee initiated additional surveys
and decontamination of the building. Based on the Licensee's historical
knowledge of the site and the conditions within Building 72, the
Licensee determined that only routine decontamination activities, in
accordance with their NRC-approved operating radiation safety
procedures, were required. The Licensee was not required to submit a
decommissioning plan to the NRC because worker cleanup activities and
procedures are consistent with those approved for routine operations.
The Licensee conducted final status surveys of Building 72 on June 28,
2007. The results of these surveys along with other supporting
information were provided to the NRC to demonstrate that the criteria
in Subpart E of 10 CFR Part 20 for unrestricted release have been met.
Need for the Proposed Action
The Licensee has ceased conducting licensed activities in Building
72, and seeks the unrestricted use of Building 72.
Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action
The historical review of licensed activities conducted in Building
72 shows that such activities involved use of the following
radionuclides with half-lives greater than 120 days: hydrogen-3 and
carbon-14. Prior to performing the final status survey, the Licensee
conducted decontamination activities, as necessary, in the areas of
Building 72 affected by these radionuclides.
The Licensee completed final status surveys on Building 72 on June
28, 2007. The surveys covered the floor area of Building 72, as well as
sinks and drains, laboratory counters, hoods, refrigerators, and other
horizontal surfaces. The final status survey report was attached to the
Licensee's amendment request dated October 22, 2007. The Licensee
elected to demonstrate compliance with the radiological criteria for
unrestricted release as specified in 10 CFR 20.1402 using release
criteria for building surfaces based on NRC Regulatory Guide 1.86,
``Termination of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Reactors.'' These
release criteria are much more restrictive than the radionuclide-
specific dose-based release criteria, described in NUREG-1757,
``Consolidated NMSS Decommissioning Guidance,'' Volume 2. These values
provide acceptable levels of surface contamination to demonstrate
compliance with the NRC requirements in Subpart E of 10 CFR Part 20 for
unrestricted release. The Licensee's final status survey results were
below the Regulatory Guide 1.86 values and are in compliance with the
As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) requirement of 10 CFR 20.1402.
The NRC thus finds that the Licensee's final status survey results are
acceptable.
Based on its review, the staff has determined that the affected
environment and any environmental impacts associated with the proposed
action are bounded by the impacts evaluated by the ``Generic
Environmental Impact Statement in Support of Rulemaking on Radiological
Criteria for License Termination of NRC-Licensed Nuclear Facilities''
(NUREG-1496) Volumes 1-3 (ML042310492, ML042320379, and ML042330385).
The staff finds there were no significant environmental impacts from
the use of radioactive material in Building 72. The NRC staff reviewed
available docket file records and the final status survey report to
identify any non-radiological hazards that may have impacted the
environment surrounding Building 72. No such hazards or impacts to the
environment were identified. The NRC has identified no other
radiological or non-radiological activities in the area that could
result in cumulative environmental impacts.
The NRC staff finds that issuance of the proposed amendment
authorizing release of Building 72 for unrestricted use is in
compliance with 10 CFR Part 20. Based on its review, the staff
considered the impact of the residual radioactivity from Building 72
and concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant
effect on the quality of the human environment.
Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action
Due to the largely administrative nature of the proposed action,
its environmental impacts are small. Therefore, the only alternative
the staff considered is the no-action alternative, under which the
staff would leave things as they are by simply denying the amendment
request. This no-action alternative is not feasible because it
conflicts with 10 CFR 30.36(d), requiring that decommissioning of
byproduct material facilities be completed and approved by the NRC
after licensed activities cease. The NRC's analysis of the Licensee's
final status survey data confirmed that Building 72 meets the
requirements of 10 CFR 20.1402 for unrestricted release. Additionally,
denying the amendment request would result in no change in current
environmental impacts. The environmental impacts of the proposed action
and the no-action alternative are therefore similar, and the no-action
alternative is accordingly not further considered.
Conclusion
The NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action is consistent
with the NRC's unrestricted release criteria specified in 10 CFR
20.1402. Because the proposed action will not significantly impact the
quality of the human environment, the NRC staff
[[Page 16327]]
concludes that the proposed action is the preferred alternative.
Agencies and Persons Consulted
NRC provided a draft of this Environmental Assessment to the
Virginia Radioactive Materials Program for review on February 25, 2008.
The State agreed with the conclusions of the EA, and otherwise provided
no comments.
The NRC staff has determined that the proposed action is of a
procedural nature, and will not affect listed species or critical
habitat. Therefore, no further consultation is required under Section 7
of the Endangered Species Act. The NRC staff has also determined that
the proposed action is not the type of activity that has the potential
to cause effects on historic properties. Therefore, no further
consultation is required under Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
III. Finding of No Significant Impact
The NRC staff has prepared this EA in support of the proposed
action. On the basis of this EA, the NRC finds that there are no
significant environmental impacts from the proposed action, and that
preparation of an environmental impact statement is not warranted.
Accordingly, the NRC has determined that a Finding of No Significant
Impact is appropriate.
IV. Further Information
Documents related to this action, including the application for
license amendment and supporting documentation, are available
electronically at the NRC's Electronic Reading Room at https://
www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. From this site, you can access the
NRC's Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS), which
provides text and image files of NRC's public documents. The documents
related to this action are listed below, along with their ADAMS
accession numbers.
1. E. Lynn McGuire, Department of Veterans Affairs, letter to
Cassandra Frazier, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Region III,
dated October 22, 2007 (ADAMS Accession No. ML072980830);
2. Regulatory Guide 1.86, ``Termination of Operating Licenses for
Reactors;''
3. Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20, Subpart E,
``Radiological Criteria for License Termination;''
4. Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 51, ``Environmental
Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory
Functions;''
5. NUREG-1496, ``Generic Environmental Impact Statement in Support
of Rulemaking on Radiological Criteria for License Termination of NRC-
Licensed Nuclear Facilities;''
6. NUREG-1757, ``Consolidated NMSS Decommissioning Guidance.''
If you do not have access to ADAMS, or if there are problems in
accessing the documents located in ADAMS, contact the NRC Public
Document Room (PDR) Reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or
by e-mail to pdr@nrc.gov. These documents may also be viewed
electronically on the public computers located at the NRC's PDR, O 1
F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852.
The PDR reproduction contractor will copy documents for a fee.
Dated at Lisle, Illinois, this 17th day of March 2008.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission,
Patrick Louden,
Chief, Decommissioning Branch, Division of Nuclear Materials Safety,
Region III.
[FR Doc. E8-6230 Filed 3-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
