Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statements for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, NV, 63463-63464 [E8-25407]

Download as PDF jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 207 / Friday, October 24, 2008 / Notices Central Library, 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105, Phone: (816) 701–3400. North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Road, Kansas City, MO 64123, Phone: (816) 701–3485. Kansas City Site Office, Mid-Continent Public Library, Blue Ridge Branch, 9253 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64138, Phone: (816) 761– 3382. NNSA Nevada Site Office, U.S. Department of Energy, Public Reading Room, 755 East Flamingo Road; Room 103, Las Vegas, NV 89119, Phone: (702) 784–5121. Office of Repository Development, Bechtel SAIC Company LLC, Reading Room, Science Center, 4101 B Meadows Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89107, Phone: (702) 295–1312. Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas, NV 89101, Phone: (702) 507–3500. Indian Springs Library, 715 Gretta Lane, Indian Springs, NV 89018, Phone: (702) 879–3845. 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Aiken County Public Library, 314 Chesterfield Street South, Aiken, SC 29801, Phone: (803) 642–2020. Barnwell County Public Library, 617 Hagood Avenue, Barnwell, SC 29812, Phone: (803) 259–3612. Oak Ridge Office, DOE Information Center, 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, Phone: (865) 241– 4780 or 1 (800) 328–6938, Option 6. VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Oct 23, 2008 Jkt 217001 Oak Ridge Public Library, Civic Center, 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, Phone: (865) 425–3455. Kingston Public Library, 1004 Bradford Way, Kingston, TN 37763, Phone: (865) 376–9905. Central Library, 413 E 4th Avenue; Amarillo, TX 79101, Phone: (806) 378–3054. North Branch, 1500 NE 24th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79107, Phone: (806) 381–7931. DOE Reading Room, Lynn Library/ Learning Center, Amarillo College, Washington Street Campus, 2201 South Washington Street, Amarillo, Texas, Phone: (806) 371–5400. Carson County Library, 401 Main Street, Panhandle, Texas 79068, Phone: (806) 537–3742. U.S. Department of Energy, Freedom of Information Act Reading Room, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., IE–190, Washington, DC 20585–0001, Phone: (202) 586–5955. Signed in Washington, DC, this 21st day of October 2008. Thomas P. D’Agostino, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration. [FR Doc. E8–25420 Filed 10–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statements for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, NV U.S. Department of Energy. Notice of Intent. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is announcing its intent to prepare a Supplement to the ‘‘Final Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada’’ (DOE/EIS–0250F, February 2002) (Yucca Mountain Final EIS), and the ‘‘Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada’’ (DOE/EIS–0250FS1, July 2008) (Repository SEIS). The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined, pursuant to Section 114(f)(4) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended (NWPA), that it is practicable to adopt, with further supplementation, DOE’s PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63463 environmental impact statements prepared in connection with the proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada. The NRC staff concluded that the Yucca Mountain Final EIS and Repository SEIS did not address adequately all of the repositoryrelated impacts on groundwater, or from surface discharges of groundwater, and therefore requested that DOE prepare a supplement to these environmental impact statements. Based on a review of the NRC staff evaluation, the Department has decided to prepare the requested supplement. DATES: The Department invites comments during a 30-day period, which starts with publication of this Notice of Intent and ends November 24, 2008. Comments received after this date will be considered to the extent practicable. Requests for additional information on the supplement or on the repository program in general, or to become a cooperating agency should be directed to: Dr. Jane Summerson, EIS Document Manager, Regulatory Authority Office, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1551 Hillshire Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89134, Telephone 1–800–967–3477. Written comments may be submitted to Dr. Jane Summerson at this address, or by facsimile to 1–888–767–0739, or via the Internet at https://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/ contact/comments.shtml. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information regarding the DOE National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process contact: Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20585, Telephone 202–586–4600, or leave a message at 1–800–472–2756. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Background The NWPA directs the Secretary of Energy, if the Secretary decides to recommend approval of the Yucca Mountain site for development of a repository, to submit a final environmental impact statement with any recommendation to the President. The Department prepared the Yucca Mountain Final EIS to fulfill that requirement. The Yucca Mountain Final EIS considered the potential environmental impacts of a repository design for surface and subsurface facilities, and plans for the construction, operation, monitoring, and eventual closure of the repository. E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 63464 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 207 / Friday, October 24, 2008 / Notices On February 14, 2002, the Secretary, in accordance with the NWPA, transmitted his recommendation (including the Yucca Mountain Final EIS) to the President for approval of the Yucca Mountain site for development of a geologic repository. The President considered the site qualified for application to the NRC for a construction authorization and recommended the site to the U.S. Congress. On July 23, 2002, the President signed into law a joint congressional resolution designating the Yucca Mountain site for development as a geologic repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. In 2006, DOE modified its approach to repository design and operational plans. On October 13, 2006, DOE announced that it would prepare a supplement to the Yucca Mountain Final EIS to evaluate potential environmental impacts of the modified repository design and operational plans. On June 3, 2008, the Department submitted an application to the NRC seeking authorization to construct a geologic repository at Yucca Mountain in Nye County, Nevada. DOE’s application was accompanied by the Yucca Mountain Final EIS. On June 16, 2008, DOE submitted the Repository SEIS to the NRC. On July 11, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency announced in the Federal Register the availability of the Repository SEIS (73 FR 39958). In accord with Section 114(f)(4) of the NWPA, the NRC shall adopt, to the extent practicable, any environmental impact statement prepared by DOE in connection with the proposed repository. The NRC staff reviewed DOE’s Yucca Mountain Final EIS and Repository SEIS, and found that it is practicable to adopt, with further supplementation, these environmental impact statements. The NRC staff concluded that these environmental impact statements did not address adequately all of the repository-related impacts on groundwater, or from surface discharges of groundwater, and therefore requested that DOE prepare a supplement to the Yucca Mountain Final EIS and the Repository SEIS. Based on a review of the NRC staff evaluation, the Department has decided to prepare the requested supplement. The requested supplement will analyze further the repository-related impacts on groundwater, and from surface discharges of groundwater. More specifically, the supplement will describe the extent of the volcanicalluvial aquifer, particularly those parts that could become contaminated, and VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:48 Oct 23, 2008 Jkt 217001 how water (and potential contaminants) can leave the flow system. In addition, the supplement will provide an analysis of the cumulative amount of radiological and non-radiological contaminants that can be reasonably expected to enter the aquifer from the repository, and the amount that could reasonably remain over time. This information will be used to estimate contamination in the groundwater, given potential accumulation of radiological and non-radiological contaminants. The supplement also will provide a discussion of the impacts on soils and surface materials from the processes involved in surface discharges of contaminated groundwater. A description of locations of potential natural discharge of contaminated groundwater for present and expected future wetter periods will be included, as will a description of the physical processes at surface discharge locations that can affect accumulation, concentration, and potential remobilization of groundwater-borne contaminants. This information will be used to develop estimates of the amount of contaminants that could be deposited at or near the surface, and potential environmental impacts. Schedule The Department intends to issue the Draft Supplement in the spring of 2009, at which time its availability will be announced in the Federal Register and in media in Nevada. A public comment period will start upon publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. DOE will hold a public hearing during the comment period. The Department will consider and respond to comments received on the draft supplement in preparing the final supplement. Public Reading Rooms Documents referenced in this Notice of Intent and related information are available at the following locations: Nye County Department of Natural Resources and Federal Facilities, 1210 E. Basin Road, Suite #6, Pahrump, NV 89060 (775) 727–7727; Pahrump Community Library, 701 East Street, Pahrump, NV 89041 (775) 727–5930; Beatty Library District, 400 N. 4th Street, Beatty, NV 89003 (775) 553– 2257; Amargosa Valley Library District, 829 East Farm Road, Amargosa, NV 89020 (775) 372–5340; University of Nevada, Reno, The University of Nevada Libraries, Business and Government Information Center, M/S 322, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, (775) PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 784–6500, Ext. 309; Yucca Mountain Repository Assessment Office, 135 South Jackson Street, Independence, CA 93526 (760) 878–0030; National Nuclear Agency Administration Nevada Site Office, Public Reading Room, Frank H. Rogers Building, 755 C East Flamingo Road, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 794–5117; and the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters Office Public Reading Room, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1E– 190 (ME–74) FORS, Washington, DC 20585, 202–586–3142. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 21, 2008. Edward F. Sproat, III, Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. [FR Doc. E8–25407 Filed 10–23–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 13102–000; Project No. 13105– 000] Birch Power Company; Brookfield Power Company; Notice of Preliminary Permit Applications Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comment, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications October 17, 2008. On February 1, 2008, Birch Power Company (Birch Power) and BPUS Generation Development LLC (BPUS) filed applications, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act, proposing to study the feasibility of the Demopolis Lock and Dam Hydroelectric Project, to be located at the existing U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ (Corps) Demopolis Lock and Dam on the Tombigbee River in Marengo County, Alabama. The proposed projects would use the existing Corps Demopolis Lock and Dam and consists of: For Birch Power—(1) A proposed powerhouse with two generating units having a total capacity of 23.7 MW; (2) two proposed 90-foot-long, 18-footdiameter steel penstocks; (3) a proposed one-mile-long transmission line; and (4) appurtenant facilities. The project would have an annual generation of 155 GWh, and would be sold to a local utility. For BPUS—(1) A proposed powerhouse with three generating units having a total capacity of 37.5 MW; (2) a proposed intake channel and tailrace channel; (3) a proposed 3.7-mile-long transmission line; and (4) appurtenant E:\FR\FM\24OCN1.SGM 24OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 207 (Friday, October 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63463-63464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25407]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statements for a Geologic 
Repository for the Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level 
Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, NV

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is 
announcing its intent to prepare a Supplement to the ``Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the 
Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at 
Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada'' (DOE/EIS-0250F, February 2002) 
(Yucca Mountain Final EIS), and the ``Final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for a Geologic Repository for the Disposal of Spent 
Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste at Yucca Mountain, Nye 
County, Nevada'' (DOE/EIS-0250F-S1, July 2008) (Repository SEIS). The 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined, pursuant to 
Section 114(f)(4) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended 
(NWPA), that it is practicable to adopt, with further supplementation, 
DOE's environmental impact statements prepared in connection with the 
proposed repository at Yucca Mountain, Nye County, Nevada. The NRC 
staff concluded that the Yucca Mountain Final EIS and Repository SEIS 
did not address adequately all of the repository-related impacts on 
groundwater, or from surface discharges of groundwater, and therefore 
requested that DOE prepare a supplement to these environmental impact 
statements. Based on a review of the NRC staff evaluation, the 
Department has decided to prepare the requested supplement.

DATES: The Department invites comments during a 30-day period, which 
starts with publication of this Notice of Intent and ends November 24, 
2008. Comments received after this date will be considered to the 
extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Requests for additional information on the supplement or on 
the repository program in general, or to become a cooperating agency 
should be directed to: Dr. Jane Summerson, EIS Document Manager, 
Regulatory Authority Office, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste 
Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1551 Hillshire Drive, Las Vegas, 
NV 89134, Telephone 1-800-967-3477. Written comments may be submitted 
to Dr. Jane Summerson at this address, or by facsimile to 1-888-767-
0739, or via the Internet at https://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/contact/
comments.shtml.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information regarding the 
DOE National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process contact: Ms. Carol 
M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 
20585, Telephone 202-586-4600, or leave a message at 1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The NWPA directs the Secretary of Energy, if the Secretary decides 
to recommend approval of the Yucca Mountain site for development of a 
repository, to submit a final environmental impact statement with any 
recommendation to the President. The Department prepared the Yucca 
Mountain Final EIS to fulfill that requirement. The Yucca Mountain 
Final EIS considered the potential environmental impacts of a 
repository design for surface and subsurface facilities, and plans for 
the construction, operation, monitoring, and eventual closure of the 
repository.

[[Page 63464]]

    On February 14, 2002, the Secretary, in accordance with the NWPA, 
transmitted his recommendation (including the Yucca Mountain Final EIS) 
to the President for approval of the Yucca Mountain site for 
development of a geologic repository. The President considered the site 
qualified for application to the NRC for a construction authorization 
and recommended the site to the U.S. Congress. On July 23, 2002, the 
President signed into law a joint congressional resolution designating 
the Yucca Mountain site for development as a geologic repository for 
the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
    In 2006, DOE modified its approach to repository design and 
operational plans. On October 13, 2006, DOE announced that it would 
prepare a supplement to the Yucca Mountain Final EIS to evaluate 
potential environmental impacts of the modified repository design and 
operational plans.
    On June 3, 2008, the Department submitted an application to the NRC 
seeking authorization to construct a geologic repository at Yucca 
Mountain in Nye County, Nevada. DOE's application was accompanied by 
the Yucca Mountain Final EIS. On June 16, 2008, DOE submitted the 
Repository SEIS to the NRC. On July 11, 2008, the Environmental 
Protection Agency announced in the Federal Register the availability of 
the Repository SEIS (73 FR 39958).
    In accord with Section 114(f)(4) of the NWPA, the NRC shall adopt, 
to the extent practicable, any environmental impact statement prepared 
by DOE in connection with the proposed repository. The NRC staff 
reviewed DOE's Yucca Mountain Final EIS and Repository SEIS, and found 
that it is practicable to adopt, with further supplementation, these 
environmental impact statements. The NRC staff concluded that these 
environmental impact statements did not address adequately all of the 
repository-related impacts on groundwater, or from surface discharges 
of groundwater, and therefore requested that DOE prepare a supplement 
to the Yucca Mountain Final EIS and the Repository SEIS. Based on a 
review of the NRC staff evaluation, the Department has decided to 
prepare the requested supplement.
    The requested supplement will analyze further the repository-
related impacts on groundwater, and from surface discharges of 
groundwater. More specifically, the supplement will describe the extent 
of the volcanic-alluvial aquifer, particularly those parts that could 
become contaminated, and how water (and potential contaminants) can 
leave the flow system. In addition, the supplement will provide an 
analysis of the cumulative amount of radiological and non-radiological 
contaminants that can be reasonably expected to enter the aquifer from 
the repository, and the amount that could reasonably remain over time. 
This information will be used to estimate contamination in the 
groundwater, given potential accumulation of radiological and non-
radiological contaminants.
    The supplement also will provide a discussion of the impacts on 
soils and surface materials from the processes involved in surface 
discharges of contaminated groundwater. A description of locations of 
potential natural discharge of contaminated groundwater for present and 
expected future wetter periods will be included, as will a description 
of the physical processes at surface discharge locations that can 
affect accumulation, concentration, and potential remobilization of 
groundwater-borne contaminants. This information will be used to 
develop estimates of the amount of contaminants that could be deposited 
at or near the surface, and potential environmental impacts.

Schedule

    The Department intends to issue the Draft Supplement in the spring 
of 2009, at which time its availability will be announced in the 
Federal Register and in media in Nevada. A public comment period will 
start upon publication of the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice 
of Availability in the Federal Register. DOE will hold a public hearing 
during the comment period. The Department will consider and respond to 
comments received on the draft supplement in preparing the final 
supplement.

Public Reading Rooms

    Documents referenced in this Notice of Intent and related 
information are available at the following locations: Nye County 
Department of Natural Resources and Federal Facilities, 1210 E. Basin 
Road, Suite 6, Pahrump, NV 89060 (775) 727-7727; Pahrump 
Community Library, 701 East Street, Pahrump, NV 89041 (775) 727-5930; 
Beatty Library District, 400 N. 4th Street, Beatty, NV 89003 (775) 553-
2257; Amargosa Valley Library District, 829 East Farm Road, Amargosa, 
NV 89020 (775) 372-5340; University of Nevada, Reno, The University of 
Nevada Libraries, Business and Government Information Center, M/S 322, 
1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, (775) 784-6500, Ext. 309; 
Yucca Mountain Repository Assessment Office, 135 South Jackson Street, 
Independence, CA 93526 (760) 878-0030; National Nuclear Agency 
Administration Nevada Site Office, Public Reading Room, Frank H. Rogers 
Building, 755 C East Flamingo Road, Suite 103, Las Vegas, NV 89119 
(702) 794-5117; and the U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters Office 
Public Reading Room, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 1E-190 (ME-74) 
FORS, Washington, DC 20585, 202-586-3142.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 21, 2008.
Edward F. Sproat, III,
Director, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.
 [FR Doc. E8-25407 Filed 10-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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