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
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.