Southern Nuclear Operating Company; Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1, 2, 3, and 4; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, 21286-21288 [2024-06491]

Download as PDF 21286 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 / Notices resolve identified disputes. 17 U.S.C. 119(b)(5)(C), 801(b)(3)(C). On March 12, 2024, representatives of all the Allocation Phase Parties claimant categories 1 filed with the Judges a motion pursuant to section 801(b)(3)(C) of the Copyright Act requesting a partial distribution amounting to 40% of the 2021 satellite royalty funds on deposit. That statutory section requires that, before ruling on the motion, the Judges publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking responses to the motion for partial distribution to ascertain whether any claimant entitled to receive the subject royalties has a reasonable objection to the requested distribution. 17 U.S.C. 801(b)(3)(C). Accordingly, this notice seeks comments from interested claimants on whether any reasonable objection exists that would preclude the distribution of the requested amounts of the 2021 satellite royalty funds to the Allocation Phase Parties. Parties objecting to the proposed partial distribution must advise the Judges of the existence and extent of all objections by the end of the comment period. The Judges will not consider any objections with respect to the partial distribution that come to their attention after the close of the comment period. Members of the public may read the motion by accessing the Copyright Royalty Board’s electronic filing and case management system at https:// app.crb.gov and searching for docket number 22–CRB–0006–SD (2021). Dated: March 22, 2024. David P. Shaw, Chief Copyright Royalty Judge. [FR Doc. 2024–06536 Filed 3–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1410–72–P LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Copyright Royalty Board [Docket No. 22–CRB–0005–CD (2021)] Distribution of Cable Royalty Funds Copyright Royalty Board, Library of Congress. ACTION: Notice requesting comments. AGENCY: The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on a motion of SUMMARY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 1 For the purpose of distribution of satellite royalty funds, the Allocation Phase Parties are Program Suppliers, Joint Sports Claimants, Commercial Television Claimants, Devotional Claimants, and the Music Claimants, who are comprised of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, SESAC Performing Rights, LLC, and Broadcast Music, Inc. The Judges have not determined, and do not by this notice determine, the universe of claimant categories for 2021 satellite retransmission royalties. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Mar 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 Allocation Phase Parties for partial distribution of 2021 cable royalty funds. DATES: Comments are due on or before April 26, 2024. ADDRESSES: Interested claimants must submit timely comments using eCRB, the Copyright Royalty Board’s online electronic filing application, at https:// app.crb.gov/. Instructions: All submissions must include a reference to the CRB and docket number 22–CRB–0005–CD (2021). All submissions will be posted without change to eCRB at https:// app.crb.gov/ including any personal information provided. Docket: For access to the docket to read submitted background documents or comments, go to eCRB, the Copyright Royalty Board’s online electronic filing and case management system, at https:// app.crb.gov/ and search for docket number 22–CRB–0005–CD (2021). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anita Brown, CRB Program Specialist, at (202) 707–7658 or crb@loc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each year cable systems must submit royalty payments to the Register of Copyrights as required by the statutory license detailed in section 111 of the Copyright Act for the retransmission to cable subscribers of over-the-air television and radio broadcast signals. See 17 U.S.C. 111(d). The Copyright Royalty Judges (Judges) oversee distribution of royalties to copyright owners whose works were included in a qualifying transmission and who file a timely claim for royalties. Allocation of the royalties collected occurs in one of two ways. In the first instance, the Judges may authorize distribution in accordance with a negotiated agreement among all claiming parties. 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(4)(A), 801(b)(3)(A). If all claimants do not reach agreement with respect to the royalties, the Judges must conduct a proceeding to determine the distribution of any royalties that remain in controversy. 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(4)(B), 801(b)(3)(B). Alternatively, the Judges may, on motion of claimants and on notice to all interested parties, authorize a partial distribution of royalties, reserving on deposit sufficient funds to resolve identified disputes. 17 U.S.C. 111(d)(4)(C), 801(b)(3)(C). On March 12, 2024, representatives of the Allocation Phase Parties claimant categories 1 filed with the Judges a motion pursuant to section 801(b)(3)(C) of the Copyright Act requesting a partial distribution of 40% of the 2021 cable royalty funds on deposit. That statutory section requires that, before ruling on the motion, the Judges publish a notice in the Federal Register seeking responses to the motion for partial distribution to ascertain whether any claimant entitled to receive the subject royalties has a reasonable objection to the requested distribution. 17 U.S.C. 801(b)(3)(C). Accordingly, this notice seeks comments from interested claimants on whether any reasonable objection exists that would preclude the distribution of the requested amounts of the 2021 cable royalty funds to the Allocation Phase Parties. Parties objecting to the proposed partial distribution must advise the Judges of the existence and extent of all objections by the end of the comment period. The Judges will not consider any objections with respect to the partial distribution that come to their attention after the close of the comment period. Members of the public may read the motion by accessing the Copyright Royalty Board’s electronic filing and case management system at https:// app.crb.gov and searching for docket number 22–CRB–0005–CD (2021). 1 For the purpose of distribution of cable royalty funds, the Allocation Phase Parties are Program Suppliers, Joint Sports Claimants, Public Television Claimants, Commercial Television Claimants, Devotional Claimants, Canadian Claimants Group, National Public Radio, and the Music Claimants, who are comprised of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, SESAC Performing Rights, LLC, and Broadcast Music, Inc. The Judges have not determined, and do not by this notice determine, the universe of claimant categories for 2021 cable retransmission royalties. PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: March 22, 2024. David P. Shaw, Chief Copyright Royalty Judge. [FR Doc. 2024–06533 Filed 3–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1410–72–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. 50–321, 50–366, 50–348, 50– 364, 50–424, 50–425, 52–025, and 52–026; NRC–2024–0038] Southern Nuclear Operating Company; Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, Units 1, 2, 3, and 4; Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice; issuance. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for a proposed issuance of exemptions to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 / Notices Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee), for Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant (Hatch), Units 1 and 2, Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant (Farley), Units 1 and 2, and Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (Vogtle), Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 (SNC Fleet), located in Appling County, Georgia, Houston County, Alabama, and Burke County, Georgia, respectively. The proposed action would grant the licensee partial exemption from the physical barrier requirements in the NRC’s regulations, to allow SNC to continue using vertical, rather than angled, barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited protected area sections onsite. The NRC is considering exemptions to Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR–57, and No. NPF–5, at Hatch, Units 1 and 2, issued on January 15, 2002, Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF–2, and No. NPF–8, at Farley, Units 1 and 2, issued on May 12, 2005, Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF–68, and No. NPF–81, at Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, issued on June 3, 2009, and Facility Combined License No. NPF–91, and NPF–92, at Vogtle, Units 3 and 4, issued on February 10, 2012, and held by SNC for the operation of the SNC Fleet. DATES: The environmental assessment referenced in this document is available on March 27, 2024. ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC–2024–0038 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 Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC–2024–0038. Address questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; telephone: 301–415–0624; email: Stacy.Schumann@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 ‘‘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, at 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. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Mar 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 • NRC’s PDR: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to PDR.Resource@nrc.gov or call 1–800–397–4209 or 301–415– 4737, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John G. Lamb, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555– 0001; telephone: 301–415–3100; email: John.Lamb@nrc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Introduction The NRC is considering issuance of partial exemptions, pursuant to section 73.5 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), ‘‘Specific exemptions,’’ from the physical barrier requirement of 10 CFR 73.2, specifically with respect to the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ‘‘Physical barrier,’’ paragraph 1, as it applies to the angular specification for brackets used to support the required barbed wire (or similar material) topper. These partial exemptions would be issued to SNC for Hatch, Units 1 and 2, Farley, Units 1 and 2, and Vogtle, Units 1, 2, 3, and 4, in Appling County, Georgia, Houston County, Alabama, and Burke County, Georgia, respectively. Prior environmental reviews include NUREG–1437, ‘‘Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,’’ Supplement 4— Final Report (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML011590310), regarding Hatch, Units 1 and 2, published in May 2001; NUREG–1437, ‘‘Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,’’ Supplement 18—Final Report (ADAMS Accession No. ML050680297), regarding Farley, Units 1 and 2, published in March 2005; NUREG–1437, ‘‘Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,’’ Supplement 34—Final Report (ADAMS Accession No. ML083380325), regarding Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, published in December 2008; and NUREG–1947, ‘‘Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Combined License (COLs) for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 3 and 4’’ Final Report (ADAMS Accession No. ML11076A010) published in March 2011. In accordance with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the environmental effects of the proposed action. Based on the results of the EA PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21287 and in accordance with 10 CFR 51.31(a), the NRC has prepared a FONSI for the proposed exemption. II. Environmental Assessment Description of the Proposed Action The proposed action would grant the licensee partial exemption from the physical barrier requirement of 10 CFR 73.2, specifically with respect to the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ‘‘Physical barrier,’’ paragraph 1, as it applies to the angular specification for brackets used to support the required barbed wire (or similar material) topper. As stated in 10 CFR 73.2, fences must be constructed of No. 11 American wire gauge, or heavier wire fabric, topped by three strands or more of barbed wire or similar material on brackets angled inward or outward between 30 and 45 degrees from the vertical, with an overall height of not less than eight feet, including the barbed topping. If approved, the partial exemption would allow the licensee to continue to use, without modification, the current configuration of vertical barbed wire fence toppings in limited protected area sections on-site, as specified on the maps submitted by the licensee in its exemption application dated July 7, 2023 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23188A163), as supplemented by letters dated February 5 and 12, 2024 (ML24036A292 and ML24043A186, respectively), to meet the regulatory requirements of 10 CFR part 73, ‘‘Physical protection of plants and materials.’’ Specifically, barbed wire on top of physical barrier fencing on gates, near gates, near interfaces with buildings, and on corners is oriented vertically. Need for the Proposed Action Physical protection consists of a variety of measures to protect nuclear facilities and material against sabotage, theft, diversion, and other malicious acts. The NRC and its licensees use a graded approach for physical protection, consistent with the significance of the facilities or material to be protected. In so doing, the NRC establishes the regulatory requirements and assesses compliance, and licensees are responsible for providing the protection. Since design criteria in 10 CFR 73.2 require the barbed wire fence toppings to be angled, the proposed action is needed to allow the licensee to continue to use, without modification, the current configuration of vertical barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited protected area sections on-site. Separate from this EA, the NRC staff is evaluating the licensee’s proposed E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1 21288 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 60 / Wednesday, March 27, 2024 / Notices action, which will be documented in staff evaluation reports for each site. The NRC staff’s review will determine whether there is reasonable assurance that the SNC Fleet maintains adequate protection with the current physical barriers in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR part 73. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action The NRC has completed its environmental evaluation of the proposed action. The proposed action would grant the licensee partial exemption from the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ‘‘Physical barrier,’’ paragraph 1, as it applies to the angular specification for brackets used to support the required barbed wire (or similar material) topper. This will allow the licensee to continue using vertical, rather than angled, barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited protected area sections at the SNC Fleet sites. The proposed action would have no direct impacts on land use or water resources. Impacts to terrestrial and aquatic biota would be negligible as the proposed action involves no new construction or modification of plant operational systems. There would be no changes to the quality or quantity of non-radiological effluents. No changes to the plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit are needed. In addition, there would be no noticeable effect on air pollutant emissions, socio-economic conditions in the region, no environment justice impacts, and no impacts to historic and cultural resources. Therefore, there would be no significant non-radiological impacts associated with the proposed action. The NRC has concluded that the proposed action would not have a significant adverse effect on the probability of an accident occurring. There would be no change to radioactive effluents that affect radiation exposures to plant workers and members of the public. No changes would be made to plant buildings or the site property. Therefore, implementing the proposed action would not result in a change to the radiation exposures to the public or radiation exposure to plant workers. Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC considered denial of the proposed action (i.e., the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative). Denial of the exemption request would result in the licensee having to replace the vertical barbed wire fence toppings with angled barbed VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Mar 26, 2024 Jkt 262001 wire that meets the definition of ‘‘Physical barrier’’ in 10 CFR 73.2. This could result in temporary, minor changes in vehicular traffic and associated air pollutant emissions due to any construction-related impacts of performing the necessary modifications, but no significant changes in ambient air quality would be expected. Alternative Use of Resources The Peace Corps will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. SUMMARY: There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources under the proposed action. DATES: Agencies and Persons Consulted ADDRESSES: Submit comments on or before May 28, 2024. The NRC staff did not enter into consultation with any other Federal agency or with the States of Georgia and Alabama regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. Comments should be addressed to James Olin, FOIA/Privacy Act Officer. James Olin can be contacted by telephone at 202–692–2507 or email at pcfr@peacecorps.gov. Email comments must be made in text and not in attachments. III. Finding of No Significant Impact FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The licensee has requested exemptions from the physical barrier requirement of 10 CFR 73.2, specifically with respect to the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ‘‘Physical barrier,’’ paragraph 1, to allow the licensee to continue using vertical, rather than angled, barbed wire fence toppings in limited protected area sections on site. The NRC is considering issuing the requested exemption. The proposed action would not have a significant adverse effect on the probability of an accident occurring and would not have any significant radiological and non-radiological impacts. This FONSI incorporates by reference the EA in Section II of this notice. Based on the EA, the NRC concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the proposed action. James Olin at Peace Corps address above or by phone at (202) 692–2507. Dated: March 22, 2024. For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. John Lamb, Senior Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch II–1, Division of Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. [FR Doc. 2024–06491 Filed 3–26–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P PEACE CORPS Information Collection Request; Submission for OMB Review Peace Corps. 60-Day notice and request for comments. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Campus Ambassadors Onboarding form. OMB Control Number: 0420–0566. Type of Request: Re-approve. Affected Public: Individuals. Respondents Obligation to Reply: Voluntary. Burden to the Public: Estimated burden (hours) of the collection of information: a. Number of respondents: 1,000. b. Frequency of response: one time. c. Completion time: 5 minutes. d. Annual burden hours: 83 hours. General Description of Collection: The information will be used by the Office of University Programs to collect key information including name, mailing address, school and t-shirt sizes to send out a promotional kit and resources to students that have accepted our offer to become a campus ambassador. Request for Comment: Peace Corps invites comments on whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for proper performance of the functions of the Peace Corps, including whether the information will have practical use; the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the information to be collected; and, ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology. E:\FR\FM\27MRN1.SGM 27MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21286-21288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06491]


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

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-321, 50-366, 50-348, 50-364, 50-424, 50-425, 52-025, 
and 52-026; NRC-2024-0038]


Southern Nuclear Operating Company; Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, 
Units 1 and 2; Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2; Vogtle 
Electric Generating Plant, Units 1, 2, 3, and 4; Environmental 
Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

AGENCY: Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice; issuance.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is making a 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for a proposed issuance of 
exemptions to

[[Page 21287]]

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC, the licensee), for Edwin I. 
Hatch Nuclear Power Plant (Hatch), Units 1 and 2, Joseph M. Farley 
Nuclear Plant (Farley), Units 1 and 2, and Vogtle Electric Generating 
Plant (Vogtle), Units 1, 2, 3, and 4 (SNC Fleet), located in Appling 
County, Georgia, Houston County, Alabama, and Burke County, Georgia, 
respectively. The proposed action would grant the licensee partial 
exemption from the physical barrier requirements in the NRC's 
regulations, to allow SNC to continue using vertical, rather than 
angled, barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited protected area 
sections onsite. The NRC is considering exemptions to Renewed Facility 
Operating License No. DPR-57, and No. NPF-5, at Hatch, Units 1 and 2, 
issued on January 15, 2002, Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-
2, and No. NPF-8, at Farley, Units 1 and 2, issued on May 12, 2005, 
Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-68, and No. NPF-81, at 
Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, issued on June 3, 2009, and Facility Combined 
License No. NPF-91, and NPF-92, at Vogtle, Units 3 and 4, issued on 
February 10, 2012, and held by SNC for the operation of the SNC Fleet.

DATES: The environmental assessment referenced in this document is 
available on March 27, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID NRC-2024-0038 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 Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NRC-2024-0038. Address 
questions about Docket IDs in Regulations.gov to Stacy Schumann; 
telephone: 301-415-0624; 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, at 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: The PDR, where you may examine and order copies 
of publicly available documents, is open by appointment. To make an 
appointment to visit the PDR, please send an email to 
[email protected] or call 1-800-397-4209 or 301-415-4737, between 8 
a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time (ET), Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John G. Lamb, Office of Nuclear 
Reactor Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 
20555-0001; telephone: 301-415-3100; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The NRC is considering issuance of partial exemptions, pursuant to 
section 73.5 of title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 
``Specific exemptions,'' from the physical barrier requirement of 10 
CFR 73.2, specifically with respect to the design criteria specified in 
10 CFR 73.2, ``Physical barrier,'' paragraph 1, as it applies to the 
angular specification for brackets used to support the required barbed 
wire (or similar material) topper. These partial exemptions would be 
issued to SNC for Hatch, Units 1 and 2, Farley, Units 1 and 2, and 
Vogtle, Units 1, 2, 3, and 4, in Appling County, Georgia, Houston 
County, Alabama, and Burke County, Georgia, respectively.
    Prior environmental reviews include NUREG-1437, ``Generic 
Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants,'' 
Supplement 4--Final Report (ADAMS Package Accession No. ML011590310), 
regarding Hatch, Units 1 and 2, published in May 2001; NUREG-1437, 
``Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear 
Plants,'' Supplement 18--Final Report (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML050680297), regarding Farley, Units 1 and 2, published in March 2005; 
NUREG-1437, ``Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License 
Renewal of Nuclear Plants,'' Supplement 34--Final Report (ADAMS 
Accession No. ML083380325), regarding Vogtle, Units 1 and 2, published 
in December 2008; and NUREG-1947, ``Final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for Combined License (COLs) for Vogtle Electric 
Generating Plant Unit 3 and 4'' Final Report (ADAMS Accession No. 
ML11076A010) published in March 2011.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 51.21, the NRC has prepared an 
environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the environmental effects 
of the proposed action. Based on the results of the EA and in 
accordance with 10 CFR 51.31(a), the NRC has prepared a FONSI for the 
proposed exemption.

II. Environmental Assessment

Description of the Proposed Action

    The proposed action would grant the licensee partial exemption from 
the physical barrier requirement of 10 CFR 73.2, specifically with 
respect to the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ``Physical 
barrier,'' paragraph 1, as it applies to the angular specification for 
brackets used to support the required barbed wire (or similar material) 
topper. As stated in 10 CFR 73.2, fences must be constructed of No. 11 
American wire gauge, or heavier wire fabric, topped by three strands or 
more of barbed wire or similar material on brackets angled inward or 
outward between 30 and 45 degrees from the vertical, with an overall 
height of not less than eight feet, including the barbed topping. If 
approved, the partial exemption would allow the licensee to continue to 
use, without modification, the current configuration of vertical barbed 
wire fence toppings in limited protected area sections on-site, as 
specified on the maps submitted by the licensee in its exemption 
application dated July 7, 2023 (ADAMS Accession No. ML23188A163), as 
supplemented by letters dated February 5 and 12, 2024 (ML24036A292 and 
ML24043A186, respectively), to meet the regulatory requirements of 10 
CFR part 73, ``Physical protection of plants and materials.'' 
Specifically, barbed wire on top of physical barrier fencing on gates, 
near gates, near interfaces with buildings, and on corners is oriented 
vertically.

Need for the Proposed Action

    Physical protection consists of a variety of measures to protect 
nuclear facilities and material against sabotage, theft, diversion, and 
other malicious acts. The NRC and its licensees use a graded approach 
for physical protection, consistent with the significance of the 
facilities or material to be protected. In so doing, the NRC 
establishes the regulatory requirements and assesses compliance, and 
licensees are responsible for providing the protection.
    Since design criteria in 10 CFR 73.2 require the barbed wire fence 
toppings to be angled, the proposed action is needed to allow the 
licensee to continue to use, without modification, the current 
configuration of vertical barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited 
protected area sections on-site.
    Separate from this EA, the NRC staff is evaluating the licensee's 
proposed

[[Page 21288]]

action, which will be documented in staff evaluation reports for each 
site. The NRC staff's review will determine whether there is reasonable 
assurance that the SNC Fleet maintains adequate protection with the 
current physical barriers in accordance with the requirements in 10 CFR 
part 73.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The NRC has completed its environmental evaluation of the proposed 
action. The proposed action would grant the licensee partial exemption 
from the design criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ``Physical 
barrier,'' paragraph 1, as it applies to the angular specification for 
brackets used to support the required barbed wire (or similar material) 
topper. This will allow the licensee to continue using vertical, rather 
than angled, barbed wire fence toppings in certain limited protected 
area sections at the SNC Fleet sites.
    The proposed action would have no direct impacts on land use or 
water resources. Impacts to terrestrial and aquatic biota would be 
negligible as the proposed action involves no new construction or 
modification of plant operational systems. There would be no changes to 
the quality or quantity of non-radiological effluents. No changes to 
the plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit are 
needed. In addition, there would be no noticeable effect on air 
pollutant emissions, socio-economic conditions in the region, no 
environment justice impacts, and no impacts to historic and cultural 
resources. Therefore, there would be no significant non-radiological 
impacts associated with the proposed action.
    The NRC has concluded that the proposed action would not have a 
significant adverse effect on the probability of an accident occurring. 
There would be no change to radioactive effluents that affect radiation 
exposures to plant workers and members of the public. No changes would 
be made to plant buildings or the site property. Therefore, 
implementing the proposed action would not result in a change to the 
radiation exposures to the public or radiation exposure to plant 
workers.

Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    As an alternative to the proposed action, the NRC considered denial 
of the proposed action (i.e., the ``no-action'' alternative). Denial of 
the exemption request would result in the licensee having to replace 
the vertical barbed wire fence toppings with angled barbed wire that 
meets the definition of ``Physical barrier'' in 10 CFR 73.2. This could 
result in temporary, minor changes in vehicular traffic and associated 
air pollutant emissions due to any construction-related impacts of 
performing the necessary modifications, but no significant changes in 
ambient air quality would be expected.

Alternative Use of Resources

    There are no unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of 
available resources under the proposed action.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    The NRC staff did not enter into consultation with any other 
Federal agency or with the States of Georgia and Alabama regarding the 
environmental impact of the proposed action.

III. Finding of No Significant Impact

    The licensee has requested exemptions from the physical barrier 
requirement of 10 CFR 73.2, specifically with respect to the design 
criteria specified in 10 CFR 73.2, ``Physical barrier,'' paragraph 1, 
to allow the licensee to continue using vertical, rather than angled, 
barbed wire fence toppings in limited protected area sections on site. 
The NRC is considering issuing the requested exemption. The proposed 
action would not have a significant adverse effect on the probability 
of an accident occurring and would not have any significant 
radiological and non-radiological impacts. This FONSI incorporates by 
reference the EA in Section II of this notice. Based on the EA, the NRC 
concludes that the proposed action will not have a significant effect 
on the quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the NRC has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.

    Dated: March 22, 2024.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
John Lamb,
Senior Project Manager, Plant Licensing Branch II-1, Division of 
Operating Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2024-06491 Filed 3-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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