Notice of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Construction and Operation of a Radiological Work and Storage Building, 41774-41776 [2012-17230]
Download as PDF
41774
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Notices
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Sunshine Act Meeting
Corporation for National and
Community Service.
ACTION: Notice of NCCC Advisory Board
Meeting; correction.
AGENCY:
The Corporation for National
and Community Service is correcting
the Notice regarding the call-in
information for the NCCC Advisory
Board meeting that appeared in the
Federal Register of July 6, 2012 (77 FR
40023). That document incorrectly
listed the call-in number as 888–455–
7057 and the conference call access
code number as 1876264. The meeting
leader, Kate Raftery, was also omitted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Erma Hodge, NCCC, Corporation for
National and Community Service, 9th
Floor, Room 9802B, 1201 New York
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525.
Phone (202) 606–6696. Fax (202) 606–
3459. TTY: (800) 833–3722. Email:
ehodge@cns.gov.
SUMMARY:
In the 77
FR 40023, beginning on page 40023 in
the Federal Register of Friday, July 6,
2012, make the following correction: On
page 40023, in the third column, revise
the call-in number 888–455–7057 and
conference call access code number
1876264 to read as follows: call-in
number 800–988–9402 and conference
call access number 1876264. Kate
Raftery will be the lead on the call.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: July 11, 2012.
Valerie E. Green,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2012–17298 Filed 7–12–12; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Privacy Act of 1974; System of
Records
Office of Management,
Department of Education.
ACTION: Notice of deletion of existing
system of records.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Privacy Act of 1974, as amended
(Privacy Act), the Department of
Education (Department) deletes one
system of records from its existing
inventory of systems of records subject
to the Privacy Act.
DATES: This deletion is effective July 16,
2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Winona H. Varnon, Principal Deputy
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:32 Jul 13, 2012
Jkt 226001
Assistant Secretary, Office of
Management, U.S. Department of
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW.,
Room 2W311, Washington, DC 20202–
4500. Telephone: (202) 401–1583.
If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) or a text
telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay
Service (FRS), toll free, at 1–800–877–
8339.
Individuals with disabilities may
obtain this document in an accessible
format (e.g., Braille, large print,
audiotape, or compact disc) on request
to the contact person listed in this
section.
The
Department deletes one system of
records from its inventory of record
systems subject to the Privacy Act of
1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended. The
deletion is not within the purview of
subsection (r) of the Privacy Act, which
requires submission of a report on a new
or altered system of records.
This system of records is no longer
needed because this system has been
decommissioned. Further, no records
have been retained; therefore the
following system of records is deleted:
(18–05–14) Human Capital Learning
and Performance Improvement System,
69 FR 19171–19176 (April 12, 2004).
Electronic Access to This Document:
The official version of this document is
the document published in the Federal
Register. Free Internet access to the
official edition of the Federal Register
and the Code of Federal Regulations is
available via the Federal Digital System
at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you
can view this document, as well as all
other documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
text or Adobe Portable Document
Format (PDF). To use PDF you must
have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
available free at the site.
You may also access documents of the
Department published in the Federal
Register by using the article search
feature at: www.federalregister.gov.
Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
your search to documents published by
the Department.
Delegation of Authority: The Secretary
of Education has delegated authority to
Winona H. Varnon, Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Management to
perform the functions and duties of the
Assistant Secretary for Management.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: July 11, 2012.
Winona H. Varnon,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Management, delegated the authority to
perform the functions and duties of the
Assistant Secretary for Management.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary of the Office of
Management deletes the following
system of records:
System No.
18–05–14 ....
System name
Human Capital Learning and
Performance Improvement
System.
[FR Doc. 2012–17310 Filed 7–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Final Environmental
Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Construction
and Operation of a Radiological Work
and Storage Building
Department of Energy.
Finding of no significant
AGENCY:
ACTION:
impact.
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of NEPA (40
CFR parts 1500–1508); and the
Department of Energy (DOE)
implementing procedures (10 CFR part
1021); the Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Program (NNPP) announces the
availability of a Final Environmental
Assessment (EA) for construction and
operation of a radiological work and
storage building at the Knolls Atomic
Power Laboratory Kesselring Site in
West Milton, New York. A modernized
facility is needed to streamline
radioactive material handling and
storage operations, permit demolition of
aging facilities, and accommodate
efficient maintenance of existing
nuclear reactors. The EA shows that the
potential effects on the human
environment associated with the
construction and operation of the
radiological work and storage building
are not significant. Therefore, the NNPP
has concluded that an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) is not required
to be prepared and is issuing a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
ADDRESSES: The Final EA and FONSI
may be viewed at the Saratoga Springs
Public Library in Saratoga Springs, NY,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Notices
the Schenectady County Public Library
(Niskayuna Branch) in Niskayuna, NY,
or online at https://www.NNPP-NEPA.us/
environmental_assessments/
kesselring_site/rwsb_ea.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NNPP
is responsible for all aspects of U.S.
Navy nuclear power and propulsion
pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 2406 and 2511.
These responsibilities include design,
maintenance, and safe operation of
nuclear propulsion systems throughout
their operational life cycles. Crucial
components of this mission are to
provide prospective Naval nuclear
propulsion plant operators and officers
with training and certification in the
actual hands-on operation of a nuclear
propulsion plant, and to test new Naval
nuclear propulsion plant technologies.
Two land-based training platforms are
located at the Knolls Atomic Power
Laboratory Kesselring Site near West
Milton, Saratoga County, New York.
Purpose and Need: The operation,
maintenance, refueling, overhaul, and
decommissioning of the prototype naval
nuclear reactors results in low-level
radioactive contamination of some
support equipment and the generation
of low-level radioactive waste. A
shortfall has been identified between
the radiological work and storage space
currently available at the Kesselring Site
and the space that is necessary to
support continued operation and
maintenance on the prototypes.
Radioactive materials must be handled
in facilities that are specifically
designed to contain radioactivity and
prevent the spread of radioactive
contamination to workers, the public,
and the environment. Additional
modernized radiological work and
storage space is needed to support
maintenance on the operational nuclear
prototypes at the Kesselring Site. No
spent nuclear fuel will be handled or
stored in the new Radiological Work
and Storage Building or any of the
alternatives being considered.
Alternatives Considered: The NNPP
identified three alternatives to address
the above need.
• Alternative 1—Construct a new
Radiological Work and Storage Building
(Proposed Action)
• Alternative 2—Construct a
Temporary Radiological Work Structure
• Alternative 3—Continue to use
existing facilities (No Action
Alternative)
Description of the Proposed Action:
The Proposed Action demolishes
Building 80C and constructs a
modernized Radiological Work and
Storage Building that would have a
footprint of approximately 670–1,270
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:32 Jul 13, 2012
Jkt 226001
square meters (7,200–13,600 square
feet). Demolition of Building 80C and
disposition of equipment inside of
Building 80C would be completed in
accordance with stringent NNPP
requirements. The new facility would be
used for the preparation of equipment
for maintenance operations, packaging
of radiological waste for shipment, and
temporary storage of radiologically
controlled material. The facility would
be built within an already developed
portion of the Kesselring Site. The
Radiological Work and Storage Building
would be designed and constructed to
meet stringent NNPP requirements to
contain radioactivity and prevent the
spread of radioactive contamination to
workers, the public, and the
environment. NNPP standards include
applicable Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) standards (ANSI–1999
and 40 CFR part 61). The proposed
location of the Radiological Work and
Storage Building allows for staging
equipment for maintenance in parallel
with moving equipment during
prototype maintenance evolutions. The
facility design would be a site-specific
adaptation of radiological work facilities
constructed at naval shipyards that
perform similar work on nuclearpowered ships. The facility would be
equipped with internal bridge cranes to
support movement of equipment and
material within the facility.
Environmental Impacts of Proposed
Action: The DOE evaluated the potential
environmental impacts of the
construction and operation of the
proposed new Radiological Work and
Storage Building, a Temporary
Radiological Work Structure, and a No
Action Alternative. The DOE considered
geology, topography and soils,
ecological resources, water resources,
noise, air quality, greenhouse gas
emissions, land use, cultural resources,
socioeconomics and environmental
justice, traffic and transportation,
aesthetic and scenic resources, utilities
and energy, non-hazardous waste,
radiological impacts, and cumulative
effects. The DOE determined that either
there would be no impacts or the
potential impacts would be
insignificant, short-term or both.
Geology, Topography, and Soils
The geology and topography at the
Kesselring Site would not be affected by
the construction and demolition
activities. Short-term soil impacts
would occur but would be minimized
through the use of erosion and
sedimentation control techniques such
as installing silt fencing and sediment
traps to stabilize soil.
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
41775
Ecological Resources
Ecological resources would not be
affected since the construction and
demolition activities are on previously
developed portions of the Kesselring
Site. The developed area of the
Kesselring Site is not a typical habitat
for endangered species and the wetlands
that exist outside of the developed area
would not be affected by any of the
alternatives. None of the alternatives
would change the existing conditions.
Water Resources
Demolition and construction activities
associated with the new modernized
storage facility would be in the
developed area of the Kesselring Site.
Activities would be done in accordance
with applicable federal, state, and local
requirements, including development
and implementation of an erosion and
sediment control plan for storm water
management. Radiological work areas in
the new modernized facility would be
built with impermeable floors, thus no
impact would be expected during
operations.
Noise
Noise during construction,
demolition, and operation of the new
modernized storage facility would not
be discernible beyond the site
boundaries which are nearly one mile
from the developed area of the site.
Air Quality
The emissions from the Kesselring
Site resulting from steam boilers would
not increase from the addition of a new
modernized facility. There would be
short-term, temporary impacts to air
quality during construction but would
not impact the designation of the area
with respect to National Ambient Air
Quality Standards. The new modernized
storage facility would be equipped with
high efficiency air particulate filters,
and emissions would be expected to be
well within EPA requirements (40 CFR
part 61). Building 80C would be
evaluated as a diffuse source of airborne
radioactivity and surveyed using
stringent NNPP standards prior to
demolition, with applicable monitoring
performed during demolition to ensure
compliance with EPA regulations in 40
CFR part 61. The impacts on air quality
would not be significant and would be
temporary during construction and
demolition.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Under any of the alternatives, there
would be minor emissions of carbon
dioxide due to construction traffic and
equipment; however, these actions
would not be significant.
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
41776
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 136 / Monday, July 16, 2012 / Notices
Land Use
The new modernized facility would
be located within the developed portion
of the Kesselring Site and would not
impact the land use; the land use would
be unchanged.
Cultural Resources
The alternatives have no impact on
historic properties or other cultural
resources.
Socioeconomics and Environmental
Justice
Implementation of the Proposed
Action would result in a temporary
increase in jobs during construction;
however, the increase would be small
compared to surrounding area
employment. There would be no
increase or decrease in long term
employment as a result of operations in
the new modernized storage facility.
Since no significant impacts are
expected, there would be no expected
disproportionately high and adverse
impacts to minority and low income
populations as a result of implementing
any of the alternatives.
Traffic and Transportation
Vehicular traffic to the Kesselring site
would increase by about 30 vehicles
compared to more than 2,000 vehicles a
day currently. During demolition,
radioactive waste shipments would
increase about 10 percent. The effect of
the Proposed Action on traffic and
transportation would be minimal and
temporary during the construction and
demolition activities.
Aesthetic and Scenic Resources
The developed area of the Kesselring
Site is not visible from off-site locations;
none of the alternatives would have an
impact on the aesthetic and scenic
resources.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Utilities and Energy
Existing site utility systems have
sufficient capacity to support the utility
requirements for the new modernized
storage facility. The operation of the
new modernized storage facility would
have little impact on the amount of
energy used by the Kesselring Site as
this facility would replace a less energy
efficient facility that would be
demolished.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Construction and operation of a new
Radiological Work and Storage Building
is expected to produce about 40 tons of
non-hazardous waste in addition to the
approximately 1,500 tons produced in a
typical year by the Kesselring Site. Solid
waste would continue to be contained,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:32 Jul 13, 2012
Jkt 226001
stored, transported, and disposed of in
accordance with state and federal
regulations. No significant impacts to
the environment would be expected.
Radiological Impact
Stringent NNPP radiological control
practices are utilized at the Kesselring
Site to contain radioactivity and to
ensure the protection of workers, the
public, and the environment. The new
modernized Radiological Work and
Storage Building would be designed and
operated to stringent NNPP standards
that would also ensure compliance with
applicable EPA requirements.
Building 80C would be surveyed
before demolition in accordance with
stringent NNPP standards, which
provide equivalent or better levels of
detection and assessment as the MultiAgency Radiation Survey and Site
Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) and
Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and
Assessment of Materials and Equipment
(MARSAME). Building 80C would be
evaluated as a diffuse source of airborne
radioactivity during demolition to
ensure compliance with EPA
regulations in 40 CFR part 61 and
consistent with the Memorandum of
Understanding between U.S. EPA and
U.S. DOE concerning the Clean Air Act
Emissions Standards for Radionuclides.
Radioactive low-level solid waste
from demolition of Building 80C and
operation of the new Radioactive Work
and Storage Building would be shipped
by authorized common carriers to
disposal sites outside of New York State
in accordance with applicable
Department of Transportation, DOE, and
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
requirements that have been previously
analyzed and shown to have no
significant impacts. These waste
shipments would be a small part of the
shipments of radioactive materials made
annually in the United States.
The Kesselring Site conducts
extensive monitoring of adjacent
streams, perimeter radiation levels, and
airborne discharges from radiological
facilities. No significant impacts to the
environment and no adverse impact on
the health and safety of the public
would be expected from the demolition
of Building 80C, and the construction
and operation of a modernized
Radiological Work and Storage
Building. This is consistent with the
conclusions from on-going
environmental monitoring.
occur in the previously developed
industrial area, no significant
cumulative impacts would be expected.
Conclusion
Because the Proposed Action meets
the needs of the NNPP and has no
significant impact on the quality of the
human environment, the NNPP
concludes that the Proposed Action to
construct a modernized Radiological
Work and Storage Building is the
preferred action to address the need for
streamlining radioactive material
handling and storage operations,
permitting demolition of aging facilities,
and accommodating efficient
maintenance of existing nuclear reactors
at the Kesselring Site.
Public Participation
The NNPP published a Notice of
Intent (NOI) to prepare this EA in the
Federal Register on August 31, 2011 to
solicit comments on the scope of the
EA. A notification was also published in
three newspapers in New York (The
Saratogian, The Times Union, and The
Daily Gazette). In addition, notifications
were sent to federal, state, and local
public officials. The NNPP published a
Notice of Availability (NOA) for the
Draft EA in the Federal Register on
March 8, 2012. The NOA was also
published in three newspapers in New
York. A summary of the comments
received is included in the Final EA.
Clarifications to the Draft EA have been
incorporated into the Final EA which
addressed all comments received.
Finding of No Significant Impact: On
the basis of the EA prepared in support
of the construction and operation of the
modernized Radiological Work and
Storage Building, the Department of
Energy Naval Nuclear Propulsion
Program has determined that the
Proposed Action will not significantly
affect the quality of the human
environment. Therefore, the Department
of Energy is not required to prepare an
EIS and is issuing this Finding of No
Significant Impact.
Signed in Washington, DC this 10th day of
July 2012.
Kirkland H. Donald,
Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2012–17230 Filed 7–13–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Cumulative Impacts
Since construction of the modernized
Radiological Work and Storage Building
and all projects currently being
considered at the Kesselring Site would
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
E:\FR\FM\16JYN1.SGM
16JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41774-41776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17230]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Notice of Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Construction and Operation of a Radiological
Work and Storage Building
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Finding of no significant impact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA
(40 CFR parts 1500-1508); and the Department of Energy (DOE)
implementing procedures (10 CFR part 1021); the Naval Nuclear
Propulsion Program (NNPP) announces the availability of a Final
Environmental Assessment (EA) for construction and operation of a
radiological work and storage building at the Knolls Atomic Power
Laboratory Kesselring Site in West Milton, New York. A modernized
facility is needed to streamline radioactive material handling and
storage operations, permit demolition of aging facilities, and
accommodate efficient maintenance of existing nuclear reactors. The EA
shows that the potential effects on the human environment associated
with the construction and operation of the radiological work and
storage building are not significant. Therefore, the NNPP has concluded
that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required to be
prepared and is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
ADDRESSES: The Final EA and FONSI may be viewed at the Saratoga Springs
Public Library in Saratoga Springs, NY,
[[Page 41775]]
the Schenectady County Public Library (Niskayuna Branch) in Niskayuna,
NY, or online at https://www.NNPP-NEPA.us/environmental_assessments/kesselring_site/rwsb_ea.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NNPP is responsible for all aspects of
U.S. Navy nuclear power and propulsion pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 2406 and
2511. These responsibilities include design, maintenance, and safe
operation of nuclear propulsion systems throughout their operational
life cycles. Crucial components of this mission are to provide
prospective Naval nuclear propulsion plant operators and officers with
training and certification in the actual hands-on operation of a
nuclear propulsion plant, and to test new Naval nuclear propulsion
plant technologies. Two land-based training platforms are located at
the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Kesselring Site near West Milton,
Saratoga County, New York.
Purpose and Need: The operation, maintenance, refueling, overhaul,
and decommissioning of the prototype naval nuclear reactors results in
low-level radioactive contamination of some support equipment and the
generation of low-level radioactive waste. A shortfall has been
identified between the radiological work and storage space currently
available at the Kesselring Site and the space that is necessary to
support continued operation and maintenance on the prototypes.
Radioactive materials must be handled in facilities that are
specifically designed to contain radioactivity and prevent the spread
of radioactive contamination to workers, the public, and the
environment. Additional modernized radiological work and storage space
is needed to support maintenance on the operational nuclear prototypes
at the Kesselring Site. No spent nuclear fuel will be handled or stored
in the new Radiological Work and Storage Building or any of the
alternatives being considered.
Alternatives Considered: The NNPP identified three alternatives to
address the above need.
Alternative 1--Construct a new Radiological Work and
Storage Building (Proposed Action)
Alternative 2--Construct a Temporary Radiological Work
Structure
Alternative 3--Continue to use existing facilities (No
Action Alternative)
Description of the Proposed Action: The Proposed Action demolishes
Building 80C and constructs a modernized Radiological Work and Storage
Building that would have a footprint of approximately 670-1,270 square
meters (7,200-13,600 square feet). Demolition of Building 80C and
disposition of equipment inside of Building 80C would be completed in
accordance with stringent NNPP requirements. The new facility would be
used for the preparation of equipment for maintenance operations,
packaging of radiological waste for shipment, and temporary storage of
radiologically controlled material. The facility would be built within
an already developed portion of the Kesselring Site. The Radiological
Work and Storage Building would be designed and constructed to meet
stringent NNPP requirements to contain radioactivity and prevent the
spread of radioactive contamination to workers, the public, and the
environment. NNPP standards include applicable Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) standards (ANSI-1999 and 40 CFR part 61). The proposed
location of the Radiological Work and Storage Building allows for
staging equipment for maintenance in parallel with moving equipment
during prototype maintenance evolutions. The facility design would be a
site-specific adaptation of radiological work facilities constructed at
naval shipyards that perform similar work on nuclear-powered ships. The
facility would be equipped with internal bridge cranes to support
movement of equipment and material within the facility.
Environmental Impacts of Proposed Action: The DOE evaluated the
potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of
the proposed new Radiological Work and Storage Building, a Temporary
Radiological Work Structure, and a No Action Alternative. The DOE
considered geology, topography and soils, ecological resources, water
resources, noise, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, land use,
cultural resources, socioeconomics and environmental justice, traffic
and transportation, aesthetic and scenic resources, utilities and
energy, non-hazardous waste, radiological impacts, and cumulative
effects. The DOE determined that either there would be no impacts or
the potential impacts would be insignificant, short-term or both.
Geology, Topography, and Soils
The geology and topography at the Kesselring Site would not be
affected by the construction and demolition activities. Short-term soil
impacts would occur but would be minimized through the use of erosion
and sedimentation control techniques such as installing silt fencing
and sediment traps to stabilize soil.
Ecological Resources
Ecological resources would not be affected since the construction
and demolition activities are on previously developed portions of the
Kesselring Site. The developed area of the Kesselring Site is not a
typical habitat for endangered species and the wetlands that exist
outside of the developed area would not be affected by any of the
alternatives. None of the alternatives would change the existing
conditions.
Water Resources
Demolition and construction activities associated with the new
modernized storage facility would be in the developed area of the
Kesselring Site. Activities would be done in accordance with applicable
federal, state, and local requirements, including development and
implementation of an erosion and sediment control plan for storm water
management. Radiological work areas in the new modernized facility
would be built with impermeable floors, thus no impact would be
expected during operations.
Noise
Noise during construction, demolition, and operation of the new
modernized storage facility would not be discernible beyond the site
boundaries which are nearly one mile from the developed area of the
site.
Air Quality
The emissions from the Kesselring Site resulting from steam boilers
would not increase from the addition of a new modernized facility.
There would be short-term, temporary impacts to air quality during
construction but would not impact the designation of the area with
respect to National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The new modernized
storage facility would be equipped with high efficiency air particulate
filters, and emissions would be expected to be well within EPA
requirements (40 CFR part 61). Building 80C would be evaluated as a
diffuse source of airborne radioactivity and surveyed using stringent
NNPP standards prior to demolition, with applicable monitoring
performed during demolition to ensure compliance with EPA regulations
in 40 CFR part 61. The impacts on air quality would not be significant
and would be temporary during construction and demolition.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Under any of the alternatives, there would be minor emissions of
carbon dioxide due to construction traffic and equipment; however,
these actions would not be significant.
[[Page 41776]]
Land Use
The new modernized facility would be located within the developed
portion of the Kesselring Site and would not impact the land use; the
land use would be unchanged.
Cultural Resources
The alternatives have no impact on historic properties or other
cultural resources.
Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice
Implementation of the Proposed Action would result in a temporary
increase in jobs during construction; however, the increase would be
small compared to surrounding area employment. There would be no
increase or decrease in long term employment as a result of operations
in the new modernized storage facility. Since no significant impacts
are expected, there would be no expected disproportionately high and
adverse impacts to minority and low income populations as a result of
implementing any of the alternatives.
Traffic and Transportation
Vehicular traffic to the Kesselring site would increase by about 30
vehicles compared to more than 2,000 vehicles a day currently. During
demolition, radioactive waste shipments would increase about 10
percent. The effect of the Proposed Action on traffic and
transportation would be minimal and temporary during the construction
and demolition activities.
Aesthetic and Scenic Resources
The developed area of the Kesselring Site is not visible from off-
site locations; none of the alternatives would have an impact on the
aesthetic and scenic resources.
Utilities and Energy
Existing site utility systems have sufficient capacity to support
the utility requirements for the new modernized storage facility. The
operation of the new modernized storage facility would have little
impact on the amount of energy used by the Kesselring Site as this
facility would replace a less energy efficient facility that would be
demolished.
Non-Hazardous Waste
Construction and operation of a new Radiological Work and Storage
Building is expected to produce about 40 tons of non-hazardous waste in
addition to the approximately 1,500 tons produced in a typical year by
the Kesselring Site. Solid waste would continue to be contained,
stored, transported, and disposed of in accordance with state and
federal regulations. No significant impacts to the environment would be
expected.
Radiological Impact
Stringent NNPP radiological control practices are utilized at the
Kesselring Site to contain radioactivity and to ensure the protection
of workers, the public, and the environment. The new modernized
Radiological Work and Storage Building would be designed and operated
to stringent NNPP standards that would also ensure compliance with
applicable EPA requirements.
Building 80C would be surveyed before demolition in accordance with
stringent NNPP standards, which provide equivalent or better levels of
detection and assessment as the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site
Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) and Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and
Assessment of Materials and Equipment (MARSAME). Building 80C would be
evaluated as a diffuse source of airborne radioactivity during
demolition to ensure compliance with EPA regulations in 40 CFR part 61
and consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding between U.S. EPA
and U.S. DOE concerning the Clean Air Act Emissions Standards for
Radionuclides.
Radioactive low-level solid waste from demolition of Building 80C
and operation of the new Radioactive Work and Storage Building would be
shipped by authorized common carriers to disposal sites outside of New
York State in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation,
DOE, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements that have been
previously analyzed and shown to have no significant impacts. These
waste shipments would be a small part of the shipments of radioactive
materials made annually in the United States.
The Kesselring Site conducts extensive monitoring of adjacent
streams, perimeter radiation levels, and airborne discharges from
radiological facilities. No significant impacts to the environment and
no adverse impact on the health and safety of the public would be
expected from the demolition of Building 80C, and the construction and
operation of a modernized Radiological Work and Storage Building. This
is consistent with the conclusions from on-going environmental
monitoring.
Cumulative Impacts
Since construction of the modernized Radiological Work and Storage
Building and all projects currently being considered at the Kesselring
Site would occur in the previously developed industrial area, no
significant cumulative impacts would be expected.
Conclusion
Because the Proposed Action meets the needs of the NNPP and has no
significant impact on the quality of the human environment, the NNPP
concludes that the Proposed Action to construct a modernized
Radiological Work and Storage Building is the preferred action to
address the need for streamlining radioactive material handling and
storage operations, permitting demolition of aging facilities, and
accommodating efficient maintenance of existing nuclear reactors at the
Kesselring Site.
Public Participation
The NNPP published a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare this EA in
the Federal Register on August 31, 2011 to solicit comments on the
scope of the EA. A notification was also published in three newspapers
in New York (The Saratogian, The Times Union, and The Daily Gazette).
In addition, notifications were sent to federal, state, and local
public officials. The NNPP published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for
the Draft EA in the Federal Register on March 8, 2012. The NOA was also
published in three newspapers in New York. A summary of the comments
received is included in the Final EA. Clarifications to the Draft EA
have been incorporated into the Final EA which addressed all comments
received.
Finding of No Significant Impact: On the basis of the EA prepared
in support of the construction and operation of the modernized
Radiological Work and Storage Building, the Department of Energy Naval
Nuclear Propulsion Program has determined that the Proposed Action will
not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
Therefore, the Department of Energy is not required to prepare an EIS
and is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact.
Signed in Washington, DC this 10th day of July 2012.
Kirkland H. Donald,
Deputy Administrator for Naval Reactors.
[FR Doc. 2012-17230 Filed 7-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P