Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, 85268-85274 [2016-28372]

Agencies

• NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85268-85274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28372]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 50-170; NRC-2012-0272]


Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is considering 
renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-84, held by the Armed 
Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI or the licensee) for the 
continued operation of its Training, Research, Isotope Production, 
General Atomics (GA) (TRIGA) research reactor. The NRC is issuing an 
environmental assessment (EA) and finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) associated with the renewal of the license.

DATES: The EA and FONSI are available as of November 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2012-0272 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-2012-0272. 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. For 
the convenience of the reader, the ADAMS accession numbers are provided 
in a table in the ``Availability of Documents'' section of this 
document.
     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: Cindy K. Montgomery, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Rockville, MD 
20852; telephone: 301-415-3398; email: Cindy.Montgomery@nrc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering issuance of a renewed Facility Operating 
License No. R-84, held by AFRRI, which would authorize continued 
operation of the AFRRI TRIGA research reactor, located in Bethesda, 
Montgomery County, Maryland. As required by section 51.21 of title 10 
of the Code of Federal

[[Page 85269]]

Regulations (10 CFR), ``Criteria for and identification of licensing 
and regulatory actions requiring environmental assessments,'' the NRC 
performed an EA. Based on the results of the EA that follows, the NRC 
has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed license renewal and is issuing a FONSI.

II. Environmental Assessment

Facility Site and Environs

    The AFRRI complex and TRIGA Mark-F research reactor is located on 
the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda Military 
Installation, Montgomery County, Maryland. The AFRRI lies 3 miles (4.8 
kilometers) north of the Washington, DC-Maryland line. The AFFRI site 
contains a moderate slope that declines northward towards a narrow 
creek valley, which feeds into Rock Creek. The nearest residence, 295 
feet (90 meters) away, is Fisher House, a temporary home for families 
of patients of the medical center.
    The AFRRI complex includes six separate primary buildings arranged 
in an interconnected complex. The principal radiation facilities housed 
within AFRRI are the TRIGA reactor facility, the linear accelerator 
facility, the Cobalt-60 facility, and the Low-Level Radiation Facility. 
In addition to these facilities, AFRRI also houses research 
laboratories, a hot cell, a radiochemistry lab, an animal clinical 
research facility, office space, and related support areas. The reactor 
facility, which includes the Mark-F reactor and its associated 
equipment, is housed in a single building of reinforced concrete. A mat 
foundation under the building distributes floor and shielding loads and 
also provides shielding against potential soil activation. The roof of 
the building is constructed of lightweight concrete poured over a 
corrugated steel form supported by steel roof trusses. Access to the 
AFRRI complex is controlled.
    The AFRRI TRIGA research reactor is used to study the effects of 
neutron and gamma radiation on living organisms and instruments and to 
produce radioisotopes. The reactor is an open pool-type light water 
reactor that can operate in either steady-state mode up to a power 
level of 1.1 megawatt (thermal) (MWt) or pulse mode with a step 
reactivity insertion of up to 2.45 percent [Delta]k/k. The reactor 
utilizes standard design GA fuel elements. The AFRRI TRIGA reactor has 
the capability of a horizontally movable core. The reactor pool 
contains approximately 15,000 gallons (56,800 liters) of light, 
demineralized water. The reactor tank is 19.5 feet (6 meters) deep and 
13 feet (4 meters) wide in a clover leaf shape. The reactor core is 
positioned in the reactor tank under approximately 16 feet (5 meters) 
of water. The reactor tank water serves as radiation shielding, a 
neutron moderator and reflector, and reactor coolant. The AFRRI TRIGA 
reactor tank is constructed of aluminum and is embedded in ordinary 
concrete with a protective coating between the aluminum and concrete. 
The core is shielded in the radial directions by the reactor tank water 
and a minimum of approximately 9 feet (2.75 meters) of ordinary 
concrete (with the exception of the exposure rooms). The reactor is 
fueled with special nuclear material enriched to less than 20 percent 
Uranium-235. A detailed description of the reactor can be found in the 
AFRRI Safety Analysis Report (SAR).
    The cooling systems for the AFRRI TRIGA research reactor are the 
primary cooling system, the secondary cooling system, the primary water 
purification system, and the makeup water system for the primary 
coolant. Natural convection of the water in the reactor pool dissipates 
the heat generated by the reactor core. Heated coolant rises out of the 
core and into the bulk pool water. The large heat sink provided by the 
volume of primary coolant allows several hours of full-power operation 
without any secondary cooling. During prolonged operations at the upper 
range of power levels, the secondary cooling system is activated and 
the waste heat is released to the atmosphere through the facility's 
mechanical draft wet cooling tower, which is located on the roof of the 
AFRRI complex. The heat removal system transfers heat from the reactor 
pool and primary piping system to the secondary system via a 1.5 
megawatt (MW) heat exchanger. The secondary system uses a cooling tower 
to discharge the heat directly to the atmosphere. Secondary coolant 
make-up water to the cooling tower is provided by municipal water and 
is automatically added as needed by a float-type valve. The addition of 
secondary coolant make-up water is based on the evaporative loss 
through the cooling tower and is minimal with respect to the total 
capacity of the municipal water system. The environmental effects of 
thermal effluents from the cooling tower at 1.1 MWt reactor power level 
are negligible. During operation, the secondary system is maintained at 
a higher pressure than the primary system to minimize the likelihood of 
primary system contamination entering the secondary system and 
ultimately the environment. The reactor pool water level is monitored 
by a float activated switch. A drop in the reactor pool water level of 
6 inches (15 centimeters) causes a reactor scram and activates several 
alarms. Instrumentation in the reactor tank, primary cooling water 
system, and primary water purification system permits the measurement 
of parameters important to the safe operation of the reactor and the 
associated cooling system. The licensee does not chemically treat the 
primary coolant.

Identification of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would renew Facility Operating License No. R-84 
for a period of 20 years from the date of issuance of the renewed 
license. The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated June 24, 2004, as supplemented by letters dated March 
4, August 13, September 27, October 21, and December 15, 2010; February 
7, June 20, September 6, October 20, and November 28, 2011; January 17, 
April 20, and September 21, 2012; June 28, and August 27, 2013; 
December 4, 2014; March 30, 2015; and February 9, February 27, August 
5, September 12, September 21, September 26, September 27, September 
30, and November 16, 2016 (collectively referred to as ``the renewal 
application''). In accordance with 10 CFR 2.109, ``Effect of timely 
renewal application,'' the existing license remains in effect until the 
NRC takes final action on the renewal application.

Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed to allow the continued operation of 
the AFRRI TRIGA research reactor to conduct radiobiology and related 
research, which relates to the mission of the armed forces of the 
United States in collaboration with other research entities, for a 
period of 20 years.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The environmental impacts of the proposed action are discussed 
below. As discuss below, the proposed action will not have a 
significant environmental impact. In addition, the proposed action will 
not require any physical changes to the facility and the impacts are 
similar to those occurring during past operations.
A. Radiological Impact

Environmental Effects of Reactor Operations

    Gaseous radioactive effluents resulting from the operation of the 
AFRRI TRIGA reactor released from the

[[Page 85270]]

facility are Nitrogen-16 (N-16) and Argon-41 (Ar-41). These nuclides 
are released to the environment from the reactor building ventilation 
system through the AFRRI stack, which has a normal air flow rate of 
approximately 31,000 cubic feet per minute (878 cubic meters per 
minute). Because the half-life of N-16 is approximately 7.4 seconds, 
the release from the reactor stack is insignificant considering the 
amount of time it would take for N-16 to reach the stack from its 
production point in the reactor core. Ar-41 is by far the most 
significant radionuclide released as a gaseous effluent during normal 
reactor operations. The maximum release of Ar-41 would occur from 
continuous operation at full power. Using the TS constraint of a 
maximum allowable 313.5 Ci release, the licensee calculated the dose to 
a member of the public using the Environmental Protection Agency COMPLY 
code to be 9.9 millirem/year (mrem/yr). The NRC staff reviewed these 
calculations and found them to be reasonable and conservative. The 
annual reports for the five years of operation from 2011 through 2015 
show that the highest calculated actual release due to Ar-41, 6.21 Ci 
in 2011, would result in a dose of 0.2 mrem/yr to a member of the 
public, which is less than 1 percent of the 100 mrem/yr limit specified 
in 10 CFR 20.1301, ``Dose limits for individual members of the 
public.'' Additionally, this potential radiation dose also demonstrates 
compliance with the as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) air 
emissions dose constraint of 10 mrem specified in 10 CFR 20.1101, 
``Radiation protection programs,'' paragraph (d).
    There are no liquid radioactive wastes generated as a result of 
normal reactor operations, however, a liquid waste disposal system is 
available as a means to control the release of radioactive liquid waste 
from the AFRRI complex to the sanitary sewer system.
    Low-level solid radioactive waste generated from reactor operations 
typically includes laboratory wastes such as glassware, paper, 
plastics, scintillation vials, disposable gloves, and radioactive 
biological samples. Low-level waste typically comprises a volume of one 
to five 55-gallon drums with less than 5 milliCuries per year, 
containing essentially all short-lived, radionuclides (i.e., Na-24, Mn-
56, Cu-64). Reactor demineralizer resins and particulate filters are 
typically changed at intervals of 6 to 18 months, and are disposed of 
as solid waste. Solid radioactive wastes are transferred to the AFRRI 
byproduct license and disposed of under the requirements of that 
license.
    Reactor staff members of the AFRRI TRIGA research reactor and other 
AFRRI personnel who work with radioactive materials are assigned 
personal dosimeters which assess whole body and extremity doses. 
Personnel exposures are well within the limits set forth by 10 CFR 
20.1201, ``Occupational dose limits for adults.'' There are no changes 
in reactor operation associated with license renewal that would lead to 
an increase in occupational dose expected as a result of the proposed 
action.
    The radiation monitoring systems associated with reactor operations 
at AFRRI are provided and maintained as a means of ensuring compliance 
with radiation limits established under 10 CFR part 20. ``Standards for 
Protection Against Radiation.'' The AFRRI monitoring systems consist of 
radiation area monitors (RAMs), continuous air monitors (CAMs), cooling 
water monitors, AFRRI perimeter monitors, personnel monitors, and stack 
gas and particulate monitors. The RAMs, placed in various areas of the 
reactor building, utilize scintillation detectors which measure gamma 
radiation. The CAMs, utilized in the reactor room, exposure rooms, and 
prep-area provide continuous air sampling and monitoring (gross beta-
gamma activity) primarily of airborne particulate matter. The stack 
particulate and gas monitoring systems measure the beta-gamma activity 
emitted by radioactive particulates and the activity of gaseous 
radioactive nuclides, respectively, that are exhausted through the 
AFRRI stack. Perimeter monitoring at AFRRI consists of several 
stations, each equipped with a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) which 
detects X-ray and gamma radiation. Even with uncertainties in 
individual TLDs of 10 mrem, readings have been well under 
the regulatory limit.
    The licensee takes environmental samples quarterly. Samples are 
taken of water, soil, and vegetation and have been below action levels 
specified in the AFRRI Health Physics Procedure. A review of licensee's 
annual reports for the five years of operation from 2011 through 2015 
indicate that samples are generally indistinguishable from normal 
environmental background activity levels. Based on the NRC staff's 
review of data from the annual reports over the years from 2011 through 
2015, the NRC staff concludes that operation of the AFRRI TRIGA 
research reactor does not have any significant radiological impact on 
the surrounding environment. The proposed renewal would not authorize 
any changes to reactor design or operation and thus would not change 
off-site radiation levels. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the 
proposed action would not have a significant radiological impact.

Environmental Effects of Accidents

    Accident scenarios are discussed in Chapter 13 of the AFRRI SAR. 
The accidents analyzed in Chapter 13 range from anticipated events to a 
postulated fission product release with radiological consequences that 
exceed those of any fission product accident considered to be credible. 
This limiting accident is referred to as the maximum hypothetical 
accident (MHA) and is the bounding, most significant radiological 
fission product release accident. The MHA analysis was supplemented by 
letter dated January 17, 2012 and NRC staff evaluated the analysis and 
performed confirmatory calculations. The MHA scenario for AFRRI is the 
failure of a fueled experiment in air. For the MHA analysis, the 
licensee assumed that all noble gasses and fission products that 
accumulated inside the experiment capsule would be directly released 
into the reactor room air without radioactive decay and be ultimately 
released to the unrestricted area. The licensee also assumed that the 
fueled experiment would contain one gram of 19.75 percent low enriched 
uranium (LEU) and be irradiated in the AFRRI reactor for 42 minutes at 
1 megawatt thermal (MWt). The 42-minute sample irradiation time was 
assumed because it is the time required to reach the TS limit of 1 
curie (Ci) for iodine isotopes--Iodine-131 through Iodine-135. Licensee 
calculations estimate the maximum concentration of fission products 
that might be present in the reactor room air following the MHA. This 
estimate is based on the actual percentage of fission product gases 
that escapes from the fuel and collects in the gap between the cladding 
and the fuel, as determined by experiments conducted by the reactor's 
designer, General Atomics. The licensee calculations show the Total 
Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE) is within regulatory limits at all 
distances downwind from the AFRRI facility. The maximum calculated TEDE 
for a member of the public is calculated to be 76 mrem and the maximum 
calculated TEDE for an AFRRI occupational worker was calculated to be 
508 mrem. The proposed license renewal would not significantly increase 
the probability or consequences of accidents. The NRC staff reviewed 
these calculations and found them to be performed using approved 
methods and are acceptable. The calculated public dose from an 
accidental release is less than the 10

[[Page 85271]]

CFR part 20 annual limit of 100 mrem and the occupational dose is a 
fraction of the 10 CFR part 20 annual limit of 5000 mrem.
    The licensee has systems in place for controlling the release of 
radiological effluents and implements a radiation protection program to 
monitor personnel exposures and releases of radioactive effluents. The 
systems and radiation protection program are appropriate for the types 
and quantities of effluents expected to be generated by continued 
operation of the reactor. The NRC staff evaluated information in the 
licensee's application and data the licensee reported to the NRC for 
the last 5 years of operation to determine the projected radiological 
impact of the facility on the environment during the period of the 
renewed license. The NRC staff found that releases of radioactive 
material and personnel exposures have been well within applicable 
regulatory limits. Because the licensee has not requested any changes 
to the facility design or operating conditions, and no changes are 
being made in the types or quantities of effluents, there would be no 
significant change in the types or significant increase in the 
quantities of effluents that may be released off site and there would 
be no significant increases in individual or cumulative radiation 
exposure. Therefore, the proposed license renewal would not increase 
routine occupational or public radiation exposure and would not change 
the environmental impact of facility operation. Based on its 
evaluation, the NRC staff concluded that continued operation of the 
reactor would not have a significant radiological impact.
B. Non-Radiological Impacts
    Given that the proposed action does not involve any change in the 
operation of the reactor, change in the emissions or heat load 
dissipated to the environment, or construction or other land 
disturbance activities, the proposed action would not have a 
significant impact on land use, visual resources, air quality, noise, 
or terrestrial or aquatic resources. Additionally, because the TRIGA 
reactor uses municipal water for its cooling system, the proposed 
action would have no effect on ground or surface waters. No release of 
potentially harmful chemical substances will occur during normal 
operations. No significant quantities of hazardous chemicals, toxins, 
or reactives are present at the facility. No significant quantities of 
strong acids or bases are used or stored at the facility. The facility 
does use small volumes (typically less than 50 milliliters) of standard 
laboratory-grade chemicals for experiments, but these chemicals have 
low toxicity, reactivity and corrosivity characteristics. These 
chemicals are disposed through an established procedure with the 
Uniformed Services University of the Health Science's Environment 
Health Office in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency and state of Maryland requirements. Small amounts of chemicals 
and/or high-solid content water may be released from the facility 
through the sanitary sewer during periodic blowdown of the cooling 
tower or from laboratory experiments. For the secondary coolant system, 
a commercial cooling water treatment system is used to control growth 
of organisms, keep the stainless steel heat exchanger surfaces clean, 
and prevent corrosion and scale. These chemicals are highly diluted and 
pose minimal hazards to the environment and operating staff. Chemicals 
are disposed through an established procedure with the Uniformed 
Services University of the Health Science's Environment Health Office 
in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state 
of Maryland requirements. Based on this information, the NRC staff 
concludes that the proposed action would not result in significant non-
radiological waste impacts. Given that the proposed action does not 
involve any change in the design or operation of the reactor, does not 
use ground or surface waters for its cooling system, and involves 
limited chemical usage and releases, the NRC concludes that the 
proposed action would have no significant non-radiological impacts.

Other Applicable Environmental Laws

    In addition to the National Environmental Policy Act, the NRC has 
responsibilities that are derived from other environmental laws, which 
include the Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, 
National Historic Preservation Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 
and Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice. The following 
presents a brief discussion of impacts associated with these laws and 
other requirements.
1. Endangered Species Act (ESA)
    The ESA was enacted to prevent further decline of endangered and 
threatened species and to restore those species and their critical 
habitat. Section 7 of the ESA requires Federal agencies to consult with 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's (FWS) or National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) regarding action that may affect listed species or designated 
critical habitats.
    The NRC staff conducted a search of Federally listed species and 
critical habitats that have the potential to occur in the vicinity of 
the AFFRI site using the FWS Environmental Conservation Online System 
(ECOS) Information for Planning and Conservation (IPaC) system. The 
IPaC system report states that no Federally endangered or threatened 
species or critical habitats occur in the vicinity of the AFFRI site 
(ADAMS Accession No. ML16218A224). Accordingly, the NRC concludes that 
the proposed license renewal of the TRIGA reactor would have no effect 
on Federally listed species or critical habitats. Federal agencies are 
not required to consult with the FWS if they determine that an action 
will not affect listed species or critical habitats (ADAMS Accession 
No. ML16120A505). Thus, the ESA does not require the NRC to engage in 
consultation for the proposed TRIGA reactor license renewal, and the 
NRC considers its obligations under ESA Section 7 to be fulfilled for 
the proposed action.
2. Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)
    The CZMA, in part, encourages states to preserve, protect, develop, 
or restore coastal resources. Applicants for Federal licenses to 
conduct an activity that affects any land or water use or natural 
resource of the coastal zone of a state must provide a certification 
that the proposed activity complies with the state's approved coastal 
zone management program and will be conducted consistent with that 
program. Montgomery County is not located within Maryland's coastal 
zone. Because the AFRRI reactor is not located within or near any 
managed coastal zones, the proposed action would not affect any coastal 
zones and a Coastal Zone Management Act consistency certification is 
not required.
3. National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
    The NHPA requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of their 
undertakings on historic properties. As stated in the Act, historic 
properties are any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, 
structure, or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in the 
National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The NHRP lists historic 
properties in the vicinity of the AFRRI and the National Naval Medical 
Center. The closest property is the Bethesda Naval Hospital Tower, 
(39[deg]00'06'' N. 77[deg]05'41'' W.), within 0.5 miles. Operation of 
the AFRRI reactor has not

[[Page 85272]]

likely had any impact on this property. The license renewal does not 
request any new construction or modifications to the facility. Based on 
this information, the NRC staff finds that the potential impacts of 
continued operation of AFRRI under the proposed license renewal would 
have no adverse effect on historic and archaeological resources at the 
National Naval Medical Center and AFRRI.
4. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA)
    The FWCA requires Federal agencies that license water development 
projects to consult with the FWS (or NMFS, when applicable) and state 
wildlife agencies regarding the potential impacts on fish and wildlife 
resources.
    The licensee is not planning any water resource development 
projects, including any modifications relating to impounding a body of 
water, damming, diverting a stream or river, deepening a channel, 
irrigation, or altering a body of water for navigation or drainage. 
Therefore, no coordination or consultation with FWS, pursuant to the 
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, is required for the proposed 
action.
5. Executive Order 12898--Environmental Justice
    Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,'' 59 FR 
7629 (February 16, 1994), directs agencies to identify and address the 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations, to the 
greatest extent practicable and permitted by law. The environmental 
justice impact analysis evaluates the potential for disproportionately 
high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and 
low-income populations that could result from the relicensing and the 
continued operation of the AFRRI. Such effects may include human 
health, biological, cultural, economic, or social impacts. Minority and 
low-income populations are subsets of the general public residing 
around the AFRRI, and all are exposed to the same health and 
environmental effects generated from activities at the AFRRI.
    Minority Populations in the Vicinity of the AFRRI--According to the 
U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 Census, approximately 52 percent of the total 
population (approximately 1.5 million individuals) residing within a 
10-mile radius of AFRRI identified themselves as minority. The largest 
minority populations were Black or African American (approximately 
355,000 persons or 23 percent) and persons of Hispanic, Latino, or 
Spanish origin of any race (approximately 261,000 persons or 17 
percent). According to the 2010 Census, about 51 percent of the 
Montgomery County population identified themselves as minorities, with 
persons of Black or African American and Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish 
origin of any race comprising the largest minority populations (17.2 
and 17 percent, respectively). According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 
2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, the minority 
population of Montgomery County, as a percent of the total population, 
had increased to about 55 percent.
    Low-income Populations in the Vicinity of the AFRRI--According to 
the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year 
Estimates, approximately 157,000 persons and 21,000 families 
(approximately 10 and 6 percent, respectively) residing within a 10-
mile radius of the AFRRI were identified as living below the Federal 
poverty threshold. The 2014 Federal poverty threshold was $24,230 for a 
family of four.
    According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2015 American Community 
Survey 1-Year Estimates, the median household income for Maryland was 
$75,847, while 6.7 percent of families and 9.7 percent of the state 
population were found to be living below the Federal poverty threshold. 
Montgomery County had a much higher median household income average 
($98,917) and a lower percent of families (5.2 percent) and individuals 
(7.5 percent) living below the poverty level, respectively.
    Impact Analysis--Potential impacts to minority and low-income 
populations would consist of radiological effects, however radiation 
doses from continued operations associated with the license renewal are 
expected to continue at current levels, and would be well below 
regulatory limits. No additional visual or noise impacts are expected 
to result from the proposed action.
    Based on this information and the analysis of human health and 
environmental impacts presented in this EA, the proposed license 
renewal would not have disproportionately high and adverse human health 
and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations 
residing in the vicinity of the AFRRI.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to license renewal, the NRC considered denying 
the proposed action. If the NRC denied the request for license renewal, 
reactor operations would cease and decommissioning would be required 
(sooner than if a renewed license were issued), and the environmental 
effects of decommissioning would occur. Decommissioning would be 
conducted in accordance with an NRC-approved decommissioning plan, 
which would require a separate environmental review under 10 CFR 51.21. 
Cessation of reactor operations would reduce or eliminate radioactive 
effluents and emissions associated with operations. However, as 
previously discussed in this EA, radioactive effluents and emissions 
from reactor operations are a small fraction of the applicable 
regulatory limits. Therefore, the environmental impacts of license 
renewal and the denial of the request for license renewal would be 
similar. In addition, denying the request for license renewal would 
eliminate the benefits of the research and services provided by the 
AFRRI TRIGA reactor.

Alternative Use of Resources

    The proposed action does not involve the use of any different 
resources or significant quantities of resources beyond those 
previously authorized in the issuance of License Amendment No. 18 to 
Facility Operating License No. R-84 for the AFRRI TRIGA research 
reactor dated August 1, 1984, as supplemented by Amendment No. 23, 
dated September 5, 2000, which renewed the Facility Operating License 
No. R-84 for a period of 20 years.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff did not enter into consultation with any other 
Federal agency or with the State of Maryland regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action. However, on October 28, 
2016, the NRC staff notified the Maryland State official, Tom Levering, 
Emergency Response Director, Maryland Department of the Environment, of 
the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The NRC is considering renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-
84, held by the AFFRI for the continued operation of its TRIGA research 
reactor. The NRC staff has prepared an EA as part of its review of the 
proposed action. On the basis of the EA included in Section II above 
and incorporated by reference in this finding, the NRC finds that there 
are the proposed action will

[[Page 85273]]

not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. 
The proposed action would result in no significant impacts on surface 
or groundwater resources, or the radiological environment. In addition, 
the proposed action will not affect Federally-protected species or 
affect any designated habitat. The NRC staff's evaluation considered 
information in the application, as supplemented, and the staff's review 
of other environmental documents. Section IV below lists the 
environmental documents related to the proposed action and includes 
information on the availability of these documents. Accordingly, the 
NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for 
the proposed action.

IV. Availability of Documents

    The following table identifies the environmental and other 
documents cited in this document and related to the NRC's FONSI. These 
documents are available for public inspection online through ADAMS at 
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html or in person at the NRC's PDR 
as described previously.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Document                        Adams accession No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute  ML041800067
 Renewal of Operating License R-84 for 1 MW
 TRIGA Research Reactor (June 24, 2004).
Reactor Operator Requalification Program for  ML041800071
 Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
 Institute (Financial Qualifications and
 Decommissioning Information for the AFRRI
 TRIGA Reactor Facility; July 2004 Changes)
 (June 24, 2004).
Environmental Report for Armed Forces         ML041800068
 Radiobiology Research Institute (June 24,
 2004).
Safety Analysis Report for Armed Forces       ML101650415
 Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI)
 (redacted) (June 24, 2004).
Safety Analysis Report Chapters 4 and 13 for  ML101650422
 Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
 Institute (AFRRI) (redacted) (March 4,
 2010).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML102310075
 Financial Qualifications for the License
 Renewal Review (August 13, 2010).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute  ML110260024
 Response to Request for Additional
 Information dated July 19, 2010 Re:
 Technical Specifications (redacted)
 (September 27, 2010).
Letter re: Armed Forces Radiobiology          ML103070121
 Research Institute--Request for Additional
 Information Regarding the Application for
 License Renewal (TAC No. ME1587) (October
 21, 2010).
Request for Additional Information Re:        ML103560456
 License Amendment, Separation of Byproduct
 Material. (December 15, 2010).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML110460687
 the Application for License Renewal
 (February 7, 2011).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML112232300
 Institute--Response to Request for
 Additional Information Regarding the
 Application for License Renewal (June 20,
 2011).
Response to Request for Additional            ML11269A030
 Information Regarding the Application for
 Renewal of License R-84. (September 6,
 2011).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML113410120
 Institute--Response to NRC Request for
 Additional Information Questions 14-41 and
 Resubmittal of Technical Specifications
 (redacted) (October 20, 2011).
Response to Request for Additional            ML11341A133
 Information Regarding the Application for
 License Renewal (TAC No. ME1587). (November
 28, 2011).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML113460085
 Institute, Technical Responses to NRC
 Request for Additional Information Re:
 License Renewal (TAC No. ME1587) (redacted)
 (November 28, 2011).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML12100A162
 Institute--2011 Annual Operating Report
 (March 30, 2012).
Request For Additional Information Regarding  ML12122A146
 The Application For License Renewal (TAC
 No. ME1587) (April 20, 2012).
Response to Request for Additional            ML12032A054
 Information Regarding the Application for
 License Renewal (TAC NO. ME1587) (January
 17, 2012).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML12272A303
 the Application for License Renewal
 (September 21, 2012).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML13092A107
 Institute--2012 Annual Operating Report
 (March 25, 2013).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML13182A084
 Institute--Response to Request for
 Additional Information Regarding the
 Application for License Renewal (TAC
 ME1587) (June 28, 2013).
U.S. Dept. of Defense, Uniformed Services     ML13254A064
 University of the Health Sciences--
 Submittal of revised Technical
 Specifications, Docket 50-170. (August 27,
 2013).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML14093A931
 Institute--2013 Annual Operating Report
 (March 25, 2014).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML14349A319
 the Renewal of Facility Operating License
 No. R-84 for the AFRRI TRIGA Reactor
 Facility (December 4, 2014).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML15091A256
 Institute--2014 Annual Operating Report
 (March 25, 2015).
Letter from Stephen L. Miller Enclosing       ML15093A099
 revision of the Technical Specifications
 for the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
 Institute reactor (License R-84, docket 50-
 170). (March 30, 2015).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML16040A310
 the Application for License Renewal.
 (February 9, 2016).
Submittal of Technical Specifications for     ML16060A210
 the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
 Institute Facility. (February 26, 2016).
Armed Forces Radiobiology Research            ML16089A373
 Institute--2015 Annual Operating Report
 (March 23, 2016).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Armed Forces  ML16218A224
 Radiobiology Research Institute TRIGA
 Research Reactor Proposed License Renewal,
 IPaC Trust Resources Report, (August 5,
 2016).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered    ML16120A505
 Species Consultations Frequently Asked
 Questions, (July 15, 2013).
Response to NRR Request for Additional        ML16232A177
 Information Regarding the Application for
 License Renewal for AFRRI Facility (August
 5, 2016).
U.S. Department of Defense, Armed Forces      ML16258A463
 Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI),
 Submittal of Request for Additional
 Information Regarding the Application for
 License Renewal (TAC No. ME1587) (September
 12, 2016).
Reactor Operator Requalification Program for  ML16258A464
 the AFRRI TRIGA Reactor Facility (September
 12, 2016).
Request for Additional Information Regarding  ML16267A447
 the Application for License Renewal (TAC
 No. ME1587) (September 21, 2016).
AFRRI Email Regarding License Renewal         ML16270A541
 Application (September 26, 2016).
AFRRI Email Response to Request for           ML16271A536
 Additional Information for License Renewal
 (September 27, 2016).
Letter from Stephen L. Miller Enclosing       ML16278A111
 Revision of the Technical Specifications
 for the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research
 Institute Reactor (September 30, 2016).

[[Page 85274]]

 
U.S. Armed Forces Radiobiology Research       ML16321A461
 Institute Letter Regarding Review of Draft
 License R-84 (November 16, 2016).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 18th day of November, 2016.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Alexander Adams, Jr.,
Chief, Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch, Division of Policy 
and Rulemaking, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2016-28372 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P