Geologic Trench Excavation for Paleoliquefaction Study at Garner and Stiles Sites, 63845-63846 [2015-26741]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 203 / Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / Notices AGENCY: features for a paleoliquefaction research project at two sites located in northeastern Arkansas. The NRC has concluded that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate. DATES: October 21, 2015. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2012–0271 when contacting the NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this document using any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2012–0271. Address questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301–415–3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document. • NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS): You may obtain publiclyavailable documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ adams.html. To begin the search, select ‘‘ADAMS Public Documents’’ and then select ‘‘Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.’’ For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 1–800–397–4209, 301–415–4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The EA and the associated FONSI are publicly available in ADAMS under Accession No. ML15287A224. • NRC’s PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public documents at the NRC’s PDR, Room O1–F21, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Weaver, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 2383; email: Thomas.Weaver@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that may arise as a result of excavating trenches to observe geologic I. Introduction The NRC is performing a paleoliquefaction research project to characterize past earthquakes in the Central and Eastern United States. Geologic observations of paleoliquefaction, defined as historic or pre-historic liquefaction, in excavated trenches are planned at two sites in northeastern Arkansas. Liquefaction applicable here—protect current or future applicants. Applicants and potential applicants are not, with certain exceptions, protected by the backfitting provisions in 10 CFR 72.62 or 10 CFR 50.109, or any issue finality provisions under part 52. This is because neither the backfitting provisions nor the issue finality provisions under part 52—with certain exclusions discussed below— were intended to apply to every NRC action which substantially changes the expectations of current and future applicants. The exceptions to the general principle are applicable whenever an applicant references a part 52 license (e.g., an early site permit) and/or NRC regulatory approval (e.g., a design certification rule) with specified issue finality provisions. However, the matters covered in this ISG are not subject matters or issues for which issue finality protection is provided. 3. The NRC has no intention to impose the ISG on existing ISFSI or nuclear power plant licenses either now or in the future (absent a voluntary request for change from the licensee). The NRC staff does not intend to impose or apply the positions described in the ISG to existing (already issued) licenses (e.g., ISFSI licenses, operating licenses and combined licenses) absent a voluntary request for a change from the licensee. Hence, the ISG need not be evaluated as if it were a backfit. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 14th day of October, 2015. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Mark Lombard, Director, Division of Spent Fuel Management, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2015–26743 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [NRC–2012–0271] tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Geologic Trench Excavation for Paleoliquefaction Study at Garner and Stiles Sites Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:39 Oct 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00109 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63845 features are geologic features such as sand blows and sand dikes formed during earthquakes as a result of ground shaking and water pressure developed in the ground during shaking. The results from this research will be used to update models implemented in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses to characterize ground motion at new nuclear power plant sites in accordance with the NRC’s regulation in section 100.23(d)(1) of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR). The results of this research may also implemented to re-evaluate seismic hazards at existing nuclear power plant sites. The NRC has prepared an EA to evaluate the potential environmental impacts that may arise as a result of this research project in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC’s regulations that implement Section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Based on the EA, and in accordance with 10 CFR 51.31(a), the NRC has concluded that a FONSI is appropriate. The excavation of the trenches at the two sites in northeastern Arkansas will commence following publication of this Notice. II. EA Summary The NRC has prepared the EA to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the excavation of the trenches at two sites in northeastern Arkansas, described in the EA as the Garner and Stiles sites. In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the NRC staff requested informal consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. No concerns were identified for Federally-listed species or designated critical habitat. This project is temporary, minimally invasive, and will occur outside the critical nesting times for migratory birds. The NRC determined that the proposed excavation of the trenches will result in no adverse effects to any historic or cultural resources that may be located at the Garner or Stiles sites. The NRC’s evaluation of archeologic artifacts discovered at the Garner site concludes that the site is ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP). The Arkansas State Historic Preservation Officer stated in a September 3, 2014, letter to the NRC that NHRP eligibility for the Garner site is undetermined and noted that the proposed excavation of the trenches is similar to NRHP significance testing. If significant archeological material data is uncovered at the Garner site, the NRC E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM 21OCN1 63846 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 203 / Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / Notices will complete the appropriate NRHPeligibility testing. Portions of the NRC contractor prepared site evaluation report, referenced in the EA, have been redacted and are being withheld from public review for the purpose of protecting potential archaeological and cultural resources in accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 307103). In its September 3, 2014 letter, the Arkansas State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) was supportive of the proposed excavation of the trenches at both sites. The Arkansas SHPO concurred with the NRC regarding no adverse effects at the Stiles site. The Quapaw Tribe has concurred with the Arkansas SHPO findings. The NRC has determined that there will be no significant impacts to any other resource areas (e.g., surface water, groundwater, air quality) as a result of the proposed excavation of the trenches. III. Finding of No Significant Impact On the basis of the EA and as further described in the FONSI, the NRC has concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts from the proposed excavation of the trenches and has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement. Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 14th day of October, 2015. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John P. Burke, Chief, Structural, Geotechnical, and Seismic Engineering Branch, Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. [FR Doc. 2015–26741 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS); Meeting of the ACRS Subcommittee on Digital I&C; Notice of Meeting The ACRS Subcommittee on Digital I&C will hold a briefing on November 19, 2015, Room T–2B1, 11545 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The meeting will be open to public attendance with the exception of portions that may be closed to protect information that is proprietary pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4). The agenda for the subject meeting shall be as follows: Thursday, November 19, 2015—1:00 p.m. Until 5:00 p.m. The Subcommittee will review the Cyber Security SECY paper on Control of Access. The Subcommittee will hear VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:39 Oct 20, 2015 Jkt 238001 presentations by and hold discussions with the NRC staff, and other interested persons regarding this matter. The Subcommittee will gather information, analyze relevant issues and facts, and formulate proposed positions and actions, as appropriate, for deliberation by the Full Committee. Members of the public desiring to provide oral statements and/or written comments should notify the Designated Federal Official (DFO), Christina Antonescu (Telephone 301–415–6792 or Email: Christina.Antonescu@nrc.gov) five days prior to the meeting, if possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Thirty-five hard copies of each presentation or handout should be provided to the DFO thirty minutes before the meeting. In addition, one electronic copy of each presentation should be emailed to the DFO one day before the meeting. If an electronic copy cannot be provided within this timeframe, presenters should provide the DFO with a CD containing each presentation at least thirty minutes before the meeting. Electronic recordings will be permitted only during those portions of the meeting that are open to the public. Detailed procedures for the conduct of and participation in ACRS meetings were published in the Federal Register on October 1, 2014 (79 FR 59307). Detailed meeting agendas and meeting transcripts are available on the NRC Web site at https://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/doc-collections/acrs. Information regarding topics to be discussed, changes to the agenda, whether the meeting has been canceled or rescheduled, and the time allotted to present oral statements can be obtained from the Web site cited above or by contacting the identified DFO. Moreover, in view of the possibility that the schedule for ACRS meetings may be adjusted by the Chairman as necessary to facilitate the conduct of the meeting, persons planning to attend should check with these references if such rescheduling would result in a major inconvenience. If attending this meeting, please enter through the One White Flint North building, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. After registering with security, please contact Mr. Theron Brown (Telephone 240–888–9835) to be escorted to the meeting room. Dated: October 15, 2015. Peter Wen, Acting Chief, Technical Support Branch, Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2015–26736 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards Procedures for Meetings Background This notice describes procedures to be followed with respect to meetings conducted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). These procedures are set forth so that they may be incorporated by reference in future notices for individual meetings. The ACRS is a statutory advisory Committee established by Congress to review and report on nuclear safety matters and applications for the licensing of nuclear facilities. The Committee’s reports become a part of the public record. The ACRS meetings are conducted in accordance with FACA; they are normally open to the public and provide opportunities for oral or written statements from members of the public to be considered as part of the Committee’s information gathering process. ACRS reviews do not normally encompass matters pertaining to environmental impacts other than those related to radiological safety. The ACRS meetings are not adjudicatory hearings such as those conducted by the NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel as part of the Commission’s licensing process. General Rules Regarding ACRS Full Committee Meetings An agenda will be published in the Federal Register for each full Committee meeting. There may be a need to make changes to the agenda to facilitate the conduct of the meeting. The Chairman of the Committee is empowered to conduct the meeting in a manner that, in his/her judgment will facilitate the orderly conduct of business, including making provisions to continue the discussion of matters not completed on the scheduled day on another day of the same meeting. Persons planning to attend the meeting may contact the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) specified in the Federal Register Notice prior to the meeting to be advised of any changes to the agenda that may have occurred. The following requirements shall apply to public participation in ACRS Full Committee meetings: E:\FR\FM\21OCN1.SGM 21OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63845-63846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26741]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[NRC-2012-0271]


Geologic Trench Excavation for Paleoliquefaction Study at Garner 
and Stiles Sites

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; 
issuance.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential environmental 
impacts that may arise as a result of excavating trenches to observe 
geologic features for a paleoliquefaction research project at two sites 
located in northeastern Arkansas. The NRC has concluded that a Finding 
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate.

DATES: October 21, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0271 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of information regarding this document. You 
may obtain publicly-available information related to this document 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Web site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2012-0271. Address 
questions about NRC dockets to Carol Gallagher; telephone: 301-415-
3463; email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov. For technical questions, contact 
the individual listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of 
this document.
     NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System 
(ADAMS): You may obtain publicly-available documents online in the 
ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To begin the search, select ``ADAMS Public Documents'' and 
then select ``Begin Web-based ADAMS Search.'' For problems with ADAMS, 
please contact the NRC's Public Document Room (PDR) reference staff at 
1-800-397-4209, 301-415-4737, or by email to pdr.resource@nrc.gov. The 
ADAMS accession number for each document referenced (if it available in 
ADAMS) is provided the first time that a document is referenced. The EA 
and the associated FONSI are publicly available in ADAMS under 
Accession No. ML15287A224.
     NRC's PDR: You may examine and purchase copies of public 
documents at the NRC's PDR, Room O1-F21, One White Flint North, 11555 
Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Weaver, Office of Nuclear 
Regulatory Research, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-2383; email: Thomas.Weaver@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is performing a paleoliquefaction research project to 
characterize past earthquakes in the Central and Eastern United States. 
Geologic observations of paleoliquefaction, defined as historic or pre-
historic liquefaction, in excavated trenches are planned at two sites 
in northeastern Arkansas. Liquefaction features are geologic features 
such as sand blows and sand dikes formed during earthquakes as a result 
of ground shaking and water pressure developed in the ground during 
shaking. The results from this research will be used to update models 
implemented in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses to characterize 
ground motion at new nuclear power plant sites in accordance with the 
NRC's regulation in section 100.23(d)(1) of title 10 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (10 CFR). The results of this research may also 
implemented to re-evaluate seismic hazards at existing nuclear power 
plant sites.
    The NRC has prepared an EA to evaluate the potential environmental 
impacts that may arise as a result of this research project in 
accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR part 51, the NRC's 
regulations that implement Section 102(2) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as amended. Based on the EA, and in accordance with 
10 CFR 51.31(a), the NRC has concluded that a FONSI is appropriate. The 
excavation of the trenches at the two sites in northeastern Arkansas 
will commence following publication of this Notice.

II. EA Summary

    The NRC has prepared the EA to evaluate the potential environmental 
impacts of the excavation of the trenches at two sites in northeastern 
Arkansas, described in the EA as the Garner and Stiles sites. In 
accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the NRC staff requested informal 
consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. No 
concerns were identified for Federally-listed species or designated 
critical habitat. This project is temporary, minimally invasive, and 
will occur outside the critical nesting times for migratory birds.
    The NRC determined that the proposed excavation of the trenches 
will result in no adverse effects to any historic or cultural resources 
that may be located at the Garner or Stiles sites. The NRC's evaluation 
of archeologic artifacts discovered at the Garner site concludes that 
the site is ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places 
(NHRP). The Arkansas State Historic Preservation Officer stated in a 
September 3, 2014, letter to the NRC that NHRP eligibility for the 
Garner site is undetermined and noted that the proposed excavation of 
the trenches is similar to NRHP significance testing. If significant 
archeological material data is uncovered at the Garner site, the NRC

[[Page 63846]]

will complete the appropriate NRHP-eligibility testing. Portions of the 
NRC contractor prepared site evaluation report, referenced in the EA, 
have been redacted and are being withheld from public review for the 
purpose of protecting potential archaeological and cultural resources 
in accordance with Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act of 1966, as amended (54 U.S.C. 307103).
    In its September 3, 2014 letter, the Arkansas State Historic 
Preservation Officer (SHPO) was supportive of the proposed excavation 
of the trenches at both sites. The Arkansas SHPO concurred with the NRC 
regarding no adverse effects at the Stiles site. The Quapaw Tribe has 
concurred with the Arkansas SHPO findings.
    The NRC has determined that there will be no significant impacts to 
any other resource areas (e.g., surface water, groundwater, air 
quality) as a result of the proposed excavation of the trenches.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    On the basis of the EA and as further described in the FONSI, the 
NRC has concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts 
from the proposed excavation of the trenches and has determined not to 
prepare an environmental impact statement.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland this 14th day of October, 2015.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John P. Burke,
Chief, Structural, Geotechnical, and Seismic Engineering Branch, 
Division of Engineering, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.
[FR Doc. 2015-26741 Filed 10-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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