Homestake Mining Company of California; Grants Reclamation Project, 67480-67482 [2019-26493]

Download as PDF 67480 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES associated with a transformation effort for your pro bono program: • The estimated total cost and a clear description of what the grant will fund. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the major expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project expenses, contracts or subgrants, etc., and how each expense supports the transformation effort to improve your pro bono program. • For expenses related to personnel, please indicate how many and which positions will be fully or partially funded by the proposed grant. • For contracts, please describe whether you intend to use consultants, implement new technology systems, conduct business process analysis, etc. and how this supports improvements to you pro bono program. 3. Sustainability Grants The LOI Narrative for Sustainability Grants should respond to the following questions. a. Justification for Sustaining the Pro Bono Innovation Project. Please describe why you are seeking a Sustainability Grant. In your response, please discuss the following: • The impact of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund project to date, supported by data and analysis as to whether the goals of the project were achieved. • Evidence of ongoing client need and how you intend to make the project part of your core legal services. • The level of engagement of pro bono volunteers/private bar and the best practices in pro bono delivery that can be replicated by others. • How ongoing program evaluation and data collection will be incorporated into the project. b. Project Staff and Management Support. Please briefly identify and describe the project team and project partners. In your response, please include the following: • The project staff that will be responsible for the sustainability phase of the project. Please include any additional staff, descriptions of new responsibilities for existing project staff and/or organizational changes that will be made. • The role of your organization’s executive management in the decision to seek this Sustainability Grant and recent examples of your organization’s track record turning ‘‘new’’ or special projects into core legal services. c. Budget and Strategy to Reduce PBIF Funding. Please describe what you would like the Sustainability Grant to fund. In your response, please be sure to provide the following information: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 • Estimated total project cost. This includes the estimate for the Pro Bono Innovation Fund requested amount and other in-kind or cash contributions to support the project. Your narrative should provide a breakdown of the major project expenses including, but not limited to, personnel, project expenses, etc., and how each expense supports the project design. • A narrative proposing how you plan to reduce the Pro Bono Innovation Fund contribution to the project for the grant term. LSC is not setting a specific percentage of required match for Sustainability Grant applicants, but will assess the two-year budget from the applicant’s previously funded project with the grant amount proposed in the Sustainability LOI. LSC’s expectation is that applicants will propose a meaningful shift from Pro Bono Innovation Fund support to other sources of support during the grant term. • A narrative discussing the potential sources of funding that have been or will be cultivated. If the project has already received new financial support, please provide the source and amount committed and further describe the plans for ensuring continued financial support. Dated: December 4, 2019. Stefanie Davis, Senior Assistant General Counsel. National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314; Telephone: 703–292–4910. Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice and recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on issues within the field of astronomy and astrophysics that are of mutual interest and concern to the agencies. Agenda: To hear presentations of current programming by representatives from NSF, NASA, DOE and other agencies relevant to astronomy and astrophysics; to discuss current and potential areas of cooperation between the agencies; to formulate recommendations for continued and new areas of cooperation and mechanisms for achieving them. Discuss the Committee’s draft annual report due 15 March 2020. Dated: December 5, 2019. Crystal Robinson, Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2019–26585 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket No. 040–08903; NRC–2019–0186] [FR Doc. 2019–26499 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7050–01–P Homestake Mining Company of California; Grants Reclamation Project Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact; issuance. AGENCY: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, as amended), the National Science Foundation (NSF) announces the following meeting: Name and Committee Code: Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (#13883). Date and Time: January 23, 2020; 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. January 24, 2020; 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Place: National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, Room E2020. Type of Meeting: Open. Attendance information for the meeting will be forthcoming on the website: https://www.nsf.gov/mps/ast/ aaac.jsp. Contact Person: Dr. Christopher Davis, Program Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite W 9136, PO 00000 Frm 00058 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) regarding a request from Homestake Mining Company (HMC) of California for approval of an amendment to HMC Radioactive Materials License SUA– 1471 to add zeolite water treatment systems. HMC is authorized to manage a groundwater restoration program to restore the concentrations of the constituents of concern to the acceptable groundwater standards at its Grants Reclamation Project site in Milan, New Mexico, under NRC License SUA–1471, issued originally in 1988. DATES: The EA referenced in this document is available on December 10, 2019. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2019–0186 when contacting the NRC about the availability of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available information related to this document using any of the following methods: • Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2019–0186. Address questions about NRC dockets IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301–287–9127; email: Jennifer.Borges@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 ‘‘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 is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that it is mentioned in 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: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 0867, email: Jean.Trefethen@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES I. Introduction By letter dated December 11, 2017 (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML17361A006), Homestake Mining Company of California (HMC or the licensee) requested NRC approval of HMC’s license amendment to modify its License No. SUA–1471, Condition 35. The request includes the addition of a zeolite water treatment system for the removal of low levels of uranium from contaminated groundwater as part of the approved groundwater corrective action program (CAP) at the Grants Reclamation Projects site. The CAP is authorized under NRC License No. SUA–1471, Condition 35.C and is implemented using an adaptive, ongoing strategy that includes monitoring, water management, water treatment, and source control. The Grants Reclamation Project site is located near Milan, New Mexico and is owned and operated by HMC. The NRC VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 staff has prepared an EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19263C623) as part of its review of this proposed action in accordance with the requirements in part 51 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ‘‘Environmental Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions’’ and associated staff guidance. The NRC has concluded that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. II. Summary of the Environmental Assessment Description of the Proposed Action The proposed action is to review and approve the request for modification of the CAP by amending License No. SUA– 1471, Condition 35, to add the 300 gpm and 1200 gpm zeolite water treatment systems to increase the water treatment capacity. Pilot testing of the zeolite water treatment systems was performed by the licensee to verify the effectiveness of the treatment system in order to accelerate the groundwater restoration. As part of the pilot test, the 300 gpm and 1200 gpm zeolite treatment systems were installed and are currently in use. Need for the Proposed Action By letter dated December 11, 2017, the licensee notified the NRC of its proposal to formally add zeolite groundwater treatment systems to its CAP. Expanded groundwater treatment capacity is needed to accelerate groundwater restoration at the Grants site. Use of the zeolite water treatment system, in addition to reverse osmosis, will allow HMC to meet its NRCmandated water remediation goals. Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC staff evaluated the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed action and has performed its environmental review in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51 and associated staff guidance. As detailed in the EA, the staff reviewed relevant information submitted by the licensee and consulted with the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office (NMSHPO), the Hopi of Arizona, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Laguna, and Pueblo of Zuni. The NRC staff, with the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) project planning tool, determined that the listed species and/or critical habitat would not be adversely affected by the PO 00000 Frm 00059 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67481 proposed action. Additionally, a draft EA was shared with New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). During the pilot study, HMC constructed the 300 gpm and 1200 gpm zeolite systems in a previously and highly disturbed area within the licensed site boundary, and no further activities involving land disturbance are planned. Therefore, the NRC staff considers that there would be no impacts on the following resources areas: land use, geology and soils, water resources, ecology, meteorology, climate, air quality, noise, transportation, waste management, visual and scenic resources, and socioeconomic resources. The NRC staff evaluated the radiological impacts on workers and the public. The staff found that the radiological doses to workers would be within the dose limits specified in 10 CFR 20.1201, ‘‘Occupational dose limits to adults,’’ and that radiological doses to the public would be indistinguishable when compared to background radiation. The NRC staff also evaluated the cumulative impacts by identifying past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions at the Grants site, and the incremental impacts of HMC’s proposed action. The staff determined that the proposed action would not significantly contribute to cumulative impacts. The staff also determined that the proposed action would not affect federally listed endangered or threatened species or their critical habitats, if present. Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action The NRC staff considered a no-action alternative for this EA. Under the noaction alternative, the NRC staff could deny HMC’s request to add the zeolite water system at its Grants site. However, because HMC is using the zeolite system under a pilot test, the NRC considers the environmental impacts of this alternative to be similar to those of the proposed action. Therefore, staff concluded that denying the addition of the zeolite systems to HMC’s license is not a reasonable alternative. Agencies and Persons Consulted In August 2018, the NRC staff accessed the USFWS IPaC online project planning tool and determined that, while there was potential for some threatened or endangered species to be present in the general area, there is no critical habitat at the project location. Therefore, the NRC has determined that no further consultation with the USFWS is required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. By letter dated E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 67482 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 237 / Tuesday, December 10, 2019 / Notices October 31, 2018 (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML18267A257), the staff consulted with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and asked them to concur with the determination that the proposed action was not the type to affect threatened or endangered species or their critical habitats, assuming they were present. The NMDGF replied by letter dated December 3, 2018 and indicated that, in 2016, a dozen migratory bird fatalities occurred at one of the evaporation ponds on the Grants site. As a followup to their response the NRC staff called the NMDGF to clarify that the pond in question is not part of the current licensing action and that the NRC would on their recommendation contact the USFWS. In March 2019, the NRC spoke with the USFWS to better understand whether their concerns extended to threatened and endangered species. During that call, the USFWS indicated that in 2016 they contacted HMC and provided suggestions for preventing migratory bird deaths. The contact at USFWS Region 2 is unaware of additional migratory bird deaths or whether threatened or endangered species were included among the dead birds at the Grants site. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. The NRC’s approval of this license amendment request constitutes a federal undertaking. However, the NRC staff has determined that the scope of activities described in this license amendment request do not have the potential to cause effects on historic properties, assuming those were present, because the NRC’s approval of this license request will not result in construction or land disturbance activities. The NRC staff also consulted with the NMSHPO by letter dated September 21, 2018 (ADAMS Accession No. ML18232A151). The NMSHPO responded by email dated October 16, 2018, stating that they agreed with a finding of no adverse effect for the proposed action and also recommended by letter dated November 13, 2018, that the NRC consult six Tribes: Hopi of Arizona, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of Laguna, and Pueblo of Zuni (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML18233A143). By letter dated November 13, 2018, the NRC sent a consultation letter to the six Tribes explaining the activities involved in the proposed action and the preliminary determination of no potential to effect historic properties, assuming they were present. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Dec 09, 2019 Jkt 250001 In July 2019, the NRC provided the NMED with the opportunity to review the draft EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19196A071) and requested NMED input. On August 12, 2019 the NMED responded by email (ADAMS Accession No. ML19225B308) that they had reviewed the draft EA with one comment and no other concerns with the NRC’s EA findings. The NRC addressed NMED’s comment in the final EA (ADAMS Accession Number ML19263C623). III. Finding of No Significant Impact In accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC staff has concluded that the proposed action will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the staff finds, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, that preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required for the proposed action, and that a FONSI is appropriate. Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of December 2019. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Cinthya I. Roman-Cuevas, Chief, Environmental Review Materials Branch Division of Fuel Cycle Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental Review Office of Nuclear Material Safety, and Safeguards. [FR Doc. 2019–26493 Filed 12–9–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50–250 and 50–251; NRC– 2018–0101] Florida Power & Light Company; Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 3 and 4 Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Subsequent License Renewal and record of decision. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–31 and DPR–41 to Florida Power & Light Company (FPL or licensee), operator of the Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 3 and 4 (Turkey Point). The NRC has prepared a record of decision (ROD) that supports the NRC’s decision to issue Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–31 and DPR–41. DATES: The Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–31 and DPR–41 were issued on December 4, 2019. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2018–0101 when contacting the SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov/ and search for Docket ID NRC–2018–0101. Address questions about NRC dockets to Jennifer Borges; telephone: 301–287–9127; email: Jennifer.Borges@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 access publiclyavailable documents online in the ADAMS Public Documents collection at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ adams.html. To begin the search, 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 is available in ADAMS) is provided the first time that it is mentioned in 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: William Burton, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555–0001; telephone: 301–415– 6332, email: William.Burton@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that the NRC has issued Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–31 and DPR–41 to Florida Power & Light Company (FPL or licensee), the operator of Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 3 and 4 (Turkey Point). Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR–31 authorizes operation of Turkey Point Unit 3 through July 19, 2052, by the licensee at reactor core power levels not in excess of 2,644 megawatts thermal, in accordance with the provisions of the Turkey Point 3 operating license and technical specifications. Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR–41 authorizes operation of Turkey Point Unit 4 through April 10, 2053, by the licensee at reactor core power levels not in excess of 2,644 megawatts thermal, in accordance with the provisions of the Turkey Point 4 operating license and technical specifications. The NRC’s ROD that E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67480-67482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26493]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. 040-08903; NRC-2019-0186]


Homestake Mining Company of California; Grants Reclamation 
Project

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing an 
environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) regarding a request from Homestake Mining Company (HMC) of 
California for approval of an amendment to HMC Radioactive Materials 
License SUA-1471 to add zeolite water treatment systems. HMC is 
authorized to manage a groundwater restoration program to restore the 
concentrations of the constituents of concern to the acceptable 
groundwater standards at its Grants Reclamation Project site in Milan, 
New Mexico, under NRC License SUA-1471, issued originally in 1988.

DATES: The EA referenced in this document is available on December 10, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2019-0186 when contacting the 
NRC about the availability of

[[Page 67481]]

information regarding this document. You may obtain publicly-available 
information related to this document using any of the following 
methods:
     Federal Rulemaking website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2019-0186. Address 
questions about NRC dockets IDs in Regulations.gov to Jennifer Borges; 
telephone: 301-287-9127; email: [email protected]. 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 ``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 [email protected]. The ADAMS accession number for each 
document referenced (if it is available in ADAMS) is provided the first 
time that it is mentioned in 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: Jean Trefethen, Office of Nuclear 
Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 
Washington, DC 20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-0867, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    By letter dated December 11, 2017 (ADAMS Package Accession No. 
ML17361A006), Homestake Mining Company of California (HMC or the 
licensee) requested NRC approval of HMC's license amendment to modify 
its License No. SUA-1471, Condition 35. The request includes the 
addition of a zeolite water treatment system for the removal of low 
levels of uranium from contaminated groundwater as part of the approved 
groundwater corrective action program (CAP) at the Grants Reclamation 
Projects site. The CAP is authorized under NRC License No. SUA-1471, 
Condition 35.C and is implemented using an adaptive, ongoing strategy 
that includes monitoring, water management, water treatment, and source 
control. The Grants Reclamation Project site is located near Milan, New 
Mexico and is owned and operated by HMC. The NRC staff has prepared an 
EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19263C623) as part of its review of this 
proposed action in accordance with the requirements in part 51 of title 
10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ``Environmental 
Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory 
Functions'' and associated staff guidance. The NRC has concluded that 
the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality 
of the human environment.

II. Summary of the Environmental Assessment

Description of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is to review and approve the request for 
modification of the CAP by amending License No. SUA-1471, Condition 35, 
to add the 300 gpm and 1200 gpm zeolite water treatment systems to 
increase the water treatment capacity. Pilot testing of the zeolite 
water treatment systems was performed by the licensee to verify the 
effectiveness of the treatment system in order to accelerate the 
groundwater restoration. As part of the pilot test, the 300 gpm and 
1200 gpm zeolite treatment systems were installed and are currently in 
use.

Need for the Proposed Action

    By letter dated December 11, 2017, the licensee notified the NRC of 
its proposal to formally add zeolite groundwater treatment systems to 
its CAP. Expanded groundwater treatment capacity is needed to 
accelerate groundwater restoration at the Grants site. Use of the 
zeolite water treatment system, in addition to reverse osmosis, will 
allow HMC to meet its NRC-mandated water remediation goals.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC staff evaluated the potential environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed action and has performed its environmental 
review in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51 and 
associated staff guidance. As detailed in the EA, the staff reviewed 
relevant information submitted by the licensee and consulted with the 
New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office (NMSHPO), the Hopi of 
Arizona, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Isleta, Pueblo of 
Laguna, and Pueblo of Zuni. The NRC staff, with the assistance of the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and 
Consultation (IPaC) project planning tool, determined that the listed 
species and/or critical habitat would not be adversely affected by the 
proposed action. Additionally, a draft EA was shared with New Mexico 
Environment Department (NMED).
    During the pilot study, HMC constructed the 300 gpm and 1200 gpm 
zeolite systems in a previously and highly disturbed area within the 
licensed site boundary, and no further activities involving land 
disturbance are planned. Therefore, the NRC staff considers that there 
would be no impacts on the following resources areas: land use, geology 
and soils, water resources, ecology, meteorology, climate, air quality, 
noise, transportation, waste management, visual and scenic resources, 
and socioeconomic resources.
    The NRC staff evaluated the radiological impacts on workers and the 
public. The staff found that the radiological doses to workers would be 
within the dose limits specified in 10 CFR 20.1201, ``Occupational dose 
limits to adults,'' and that radiological doses to the public would be 
indistinguishable when compared to background radiation.
    The NRC staff also evaluated the cumulative impacts by identifying 
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions at the Grants 
site, and the incremental impacts of HMC's proposed action. The staff 
determined that the proposed action would not significantly contribute 
to cumulative impacts. The staff also determined that the proposed 
action would not affect federally listed endangered or threatened 
species or their critical habitats, if present.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    The NRC staff considered a no-action alternative for this EA. Under 
the no-action alternative, the NRC staff could deny HMC's request to 
add the zeolite water system at its Grants site. However, because HMC 
is using the zeolite system under a pilot test, the NRC considers the 
environmental impacts of this alternative to be similar to those of the 
proposed action. Therefore, staff concluded that denying the addition 
of the zeolite systems to HMC's license is not a reasonable 
alternative.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In August 2018, the NRC staff accessed the USFWS IPaC online 
project planning tool and determined that, while there was potential 
for some threatened or endangered species to be present in the general 
area, there is no critical habitat at the project location. Therefore, 
the NRC has determined that no further consultation with the USFWS is 
required under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. By letter dated

[[Page 67482]]

October 31, 2018 (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML18267A257), the staff 
consulted with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) and 
asked them to concur with the determination that the proposed action 
was not the type to affect threatened or endangered species or their 
critical habitats, assuming they were present. The NMDGF replied by 
letter dated December 3, 2018 and indicated that, in 2016, a dozen 
migratory bird fatalities occurred at one of the evaporation ponds on 
the Grants site. As a follow-up to their response the NRC staff called 
the NMDGF to clarify that the pond in question is not part of the 
current licensing action and that the NRC would on their recommendation 
contact the USFWS. In March 2019, the NRC spoke with the USFWS to 
better understand whether their concerns extended to threatened and 
endangered species. During that call, the USFWS indicated that in 2016 
they contacted HMC and provided suggestions for preventing migratory 
bird deaths. The contact at USFWS Region 2 is unaware of additional 
migratory bird deaths or whether threatened or endangered species were 
included among the dead birds at the Grants site.
    Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as 
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their 
undertakings on historic properties. The NRC's approval of this license 
amendment request constitutes a federal undertaking. However, the NRC 
staff has determined that the scope of activities described in this 
license amendment request do not have the potential to cause effects on 
historic properties, assuming those were present, because the NRC's 
approval of this license request will not result in construction or 
land disturbance activities.
    The NRC staff also consulted with the NMSHPO by letter dated 
September 21, 2018 (ADAMS Accession No. ML18232A151). The NMSHPO 
responded by email dated October 16, 2018, stating that they agreed 
with a finding of no adverse effect for the proposed action and also 
recommended by letter dated November 13, 2018, that the NRC consult six 
Tribes: Hopi of Arizona, Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of 
Isleta, Pueblo of Laguna, and Pueblo of Zuni (ADAMS Package Accession 
No. ML18233A143). By letter dated November 13, 2018, the NRC sent a 
consultation letter to the six Tribes explaining the activities 
involved in the proposed action and the preliminary determination of no 
potential to effect historic properties, assuming they were present.
    In July 2019, the NRC provided the NMED with the opportunity to 
review the draft EA (ADAMS Accession No. ML19196A071) and requested 
NMED input. On August 12, 2019 the NMED responded by email (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML19225B308) that they had reviewed the draft EA with one 
comment and no other concerns with the NRC's EA findings. The NRC 
addressed NMED's comment in the final EA (ADAMS Accession Number 
ML19263C623).

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    In accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 51, the NRC 
staff has concluded that the proposed action will not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the staff 
finds, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.31, that preparation of an environmental 
impact statement is not required for the proposed action, and that a 
FONSI is appropriate.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 4th day of December 2019.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Cinthya I. Roman-Cuevas,
Chief, Environmental Review Materials Branch Division of Fuel Cycle 
Safety, Safeguards, and Environmental Review Office of Nuclear Material 
Safety, and Safeguards.
[FR Doc. 2019-26493 Filed 12-9-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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