May 2006 2-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.0 Description of Nuclear Power Plant and Site and Plant

Interaction with the Environment

The Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (Nine Mile Point) is located on the southeastern shore of

Lake Ontario in the Town of Scriba, New York. Nine Mile Point consists of two units. Both units

are boiling water reactors (BWRs), which produce steam that turns turbines to generate

electricity. The plant obtains cooling water from Lake Ontario. Unit 1 employs once-through

cooling. Unit 2 has closed-cycle cooling and utilizes a natural-draft cooling tower. Nine Mile

Point is operated by Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). The plant and its environs

are described in Section 2.1, and the environment in which the plant is located is presented in

Section 2.2.

2.1 Plant and Site Description and Proposed Plant Operation

During the Renewal Term

Nine Mile Point is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, approximately 8 km (5 mi)

northeast of Oswego, New York, and 60 km (36 mi) north-northwest of Syracuse, New York

(NMPNS 2004e). The area within 10 km (6 mi) of Nine Mile Point is entirely within Oswego

County, and is largely rural, characterized by farmland, woods, and small residential

communities.

Figure 2-1 is a map of the area surrounding Nine Mile Point. A more detailed map of the area

within a 10-km (6-mi) radius circle is shown in Figure 2-2. Figure 2-3 shows the site boundary

and the locations of the buildings on the site. The site consists of approximately 360 ha

(900 ac), with over 1.6 km (1 mi) of shoreline on Lake Ontario. The James A. FitzPatrick

Nuclear Power Plant, owned and operated by Entergy Nuclear, Inc., is located on the east side |

of the site. The Ontario Bible Conference Camp is located on the Lake Ontario shore to the

west of the site.

2.1.1 External Appearance and Setting

The area surrounding Nine Mile Point is rural in nature. The local terrain around the site

consists of gently rolling hills increasing in elevation to the south of the Lake Ontario shoreline.

The predominant land cover is woodlands consisting of forest and scrub brush. On the site, the

ground surface is generally flat with elevation of about 3 m (10 ft) above the record high lake

level. A shore protection dike composed of rock fill excavation separates the buildings from the

lake. The buildings associated with Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP) are situated in the |

northeastern part of the site. The total area occupied by the buildings, roads, parking lots and

other improvements on the site is approximately 80 ha (200 ac). The facility is enclosed by a

site security fence and access to the site is controlled by station security personnel. 

Transmission lines originate at the switchyards on the site, and generally run parallel towards

the south (see Section 2.1.7).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-2 May 2006

Figure 2-1. Location of Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, 80-km (50-mi) Region
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May 2006 2-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Figure 2-2. Location of Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, 10-km (6-mi) Region
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-4 May 2006

Figure 2-3. Nine Mile Point Site Layout
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May 2006 2-5 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of the site, there are seventeen state parks and one national

wildlife refuge, which is located about 71 km (44 mi) to the southwest. Approximately twenty

State Wildlife Management Areas are also located within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point, with

the closest one being approximately 31 km (19 mi) east-southeast of the site. The closest

public parks are Scriba Town Park, Sunset Bay Park, and Independence Park. Scriba Town

Park is located 8 km (5 mi) to the south of the Town of Scriba. The park offers a picnic area,

playground, and swimming facilities. Sunset Bay Park is located approximately 2 km (1 mi) east

of Nine Mile Point on the shore of Lake Ontario. It encompasses 19 ha (48 ac) of mostly woods

and brush land, and offers a boat launch, nature trail, and picnic area. Independence Park is

located approximately 3 km (2 mi) to the southwest on Lake Ontario. It is a 20-ha (50-ac)

wooded tract of land with walking trails and an observation deck.

2.1.2 Reactor Systems

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station consists of two General Electric BWRs. The layout of the site is |

shown in Figures 2-3 and 2-4. Unit 1 has a power rating of 1850 megawatts thermal [MW(t)]

and 615 megawatts electric [MW(e)]. The major interconnected structures associated with Unit

1 are the following: the reactor building, which encloses the reactor vessel and other

associated primary containment system structures, refueling and reactor servicing equipment,

and fresh and spent fuel storage facilities; the turbine building, which houses the turbine

generator, feedwater heaters, and main condensers; the radioactive waste building; the waste

storage building; the screen house and pumphouse; the offgas building; and the administration

building. Unit 1 uses once-through cooling from Lake Ontario.

Unit 2 has a power rating of 3467 MW(t) and 1144 MW(e). The major structures associated

with Unit 2 are the following: the reactor building, which encloses the reactor vessel and other

associated primary containment system structures, refueling and reactor servicing equipment,

fresh and spent fuel storage facilities; the turbine building, which houses the turbine generator,

condensers and moisture separator reheaters, condensate demineralizer system and feedwater

heaters; the radioactive waste building, which contains the tanks and equipment associated with

the liquid and solid radioactive waste system; the heater bays and screenwell building; the

condensate storage tank building; the control building; the normal switchgear building; and the

cooling tower. Unit 2 uses closed-cycle cooling with a natural-draft cooling tower, with makeup

water obtained from Lake Ontario.

Other major structures that serve both units are switchyards, the site services and engineering

services building, the warehouse, the Nuclear Learning Center, and the Energy Information

Center. The tallest structure on the site is the Unit 2 cooling tower with a height of 165 m

(541 ft), followed by the Unit 2 main exhaust stack with a height of 131 m (429 ft).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-6 May 2006

Figure 2-4. Nine Mile Point Building Layout
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May 2006 2-7 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.1.3 Cooling and Auxiliary Water Systems

Cooling water systems for each unit include a circulating water system (CWS) and a service

water system. For each unit, the CWS circulates cool water through the main condensers to

condense steam after it passes through the turbine. Each unit's service water system circulates

cooling water through heat exchangers that serve various plant components. Both the CWS

and the service water system for Unit 1 are once-through systems. The service water system

for Unit 2 is also a once-through system. However, the Unit 2 CWS is a closed-cycle system

that uses a cooling tower. Some of the discharge from the service water system is added to the

CWS to make up for losses due to evaporation from the cooling tower. 

Unit 1 and Unit 2 each have separate intake and discharge structures located offshore in Lake

Ontario. Onshore, each has a separate screenwell and pumphouse structure (see Figure 2-4). |

Details of these systems and structures are described in the following paragraphs. 

2.1.3.1 Unit 1 (Once-Through, No Cooling Tower)

The intake structure for Unit 1 is located approximately 260 m (850 ft) from the existing

shoreline. Water enters the intake tunnel through a bellmouth-shaped inlet. The inlet is

surrounded by a hexagonally shaped concrete guard structure, the top of which is about 1.8 m

(6 ft) above the lake bottom and 4.3 m (14 ft) below the lowest anticipated lake water level. The

structure is covered with a cap consisting of sheet piling supported on steel beams. Each of the

six sides has a water inlet about 1.5 m (5 ft) high by 3 m (10 ft) wide. Galvanized steel racks

with bars spaced at 25.4 cm (10 in.) guard each of the six inlets (NMPNS 2003c). The design

provides for water to be drawn equally from all horizontal directions with a minimum of

disturbance and no vortex at the surface. 

The average rate of inflow into the intake structure for Unit 1 during 2003, a year that is

representative of nominal operation, was 16.6 to 17.5 m3

/s (264,000 to 289,000 gpm)

(Constellation Energy Group 2004). The maximum design flow rate is 18.3 m3

/s (418 million

gpd). The water velocity at the intake is approximately 0.6 m/s (2 ft/s). From the intake

structure, the water flows at a maximum velocity of 2.4 m/s (8 ft/s) through a concrete-lined 3-m

(10-ft) diameter tunnel to the screen house and pumphouse adjacent to the turbine building. 

Two circulating pumps pump the water at a maximum velocity of 0.26 m/s (0.85 ft/s) from three

separate, interconnected bays in the screen house through the trash racks and traveling

screens to the condensers (AEC 1974, NMPNS 2003c). 

The trash racks remove large items, such as logs and other debris. A total of three traveling

screens, constructed of 9-mm (0.4-in.) mesh, collect smaller materials. Periodically, the

traveling screens are rotated and washed to remove any accumulation of impinged organisms

or other material into a sluiceway, which empties into an impingement collection basket during

impingement monitoring. Under normal operating conditions, wash water, fish, and debris are

discharged via the Unit 1 discharge tunnel back to Lake Ontario. The aquatic organisms
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-8 May 2006

impinged at Unit 1 have been monitored from 1972 through 1997 in order to estimate species

abundance and composition (EA 1998). 

The service water system for Unit 1 is intended to provide strained lake water to various critical

systems and to be available to supply the reactor building cooling water system under all

conditions of operation. Lake water from the intake tunnel passes through the trash racks and

traveling screens in the screen house and pumphouse and floods the service water pump well.

Two full-capacity 1.3 m3

/s (20,000 gpm) pumps take suction from the well. Each pump is

provided with a 0.08-cm (0.03-in.) mesh automatic self-cleaning strainer. Two emergency

0.2-m3

/s (3600-gpm) service water pumps provide backup if the primary pumps fail

(NMPNS 2003c). 

The Unit 1 discharge tunnel is 3 m (10 ft) in diameter, and is designed for a flow velocity of

approximately 2.4 m/s (8 ft/s) (NMPNS 2004e). The tunnel directs the heated water from the

screen house to a hexagonally shaped discharge structure located approximately 102 m (335 ft)

offshore. The discharge structure has six ports, each 0.9 m (3 ft) high by 2.2 m (7.3 ft) wide,

located on the sides. As the water exits the discharge structure, the effluent has an initial

velocity of approximately 1.2 m/s (4 ft/s) (AEC 1974).

2.1.3.2 Unit 2 (Closed-Cycle with Cooling Tower)

The closed-loop CWS for Unit 2 employs a single-cell, wet-evaporative, 165-m (541-ft) high

natural draft cooling tower with a counter-flow design. The CWS uses the service water system

as a makeup source (NMPNS 2002a). The lake intake system conveys required service and

cooling water from Lake Ontario through two identical submerged intake structures located

approximately 300 m (950 ft) and 320 m (1050 ft) from the existing shoreline, as shown in

Figure 2-4. During normal operation, an average total flow of 3.4 m3 | /s (53,600 gpm) is

withdrawn from the lake: 2.4 m3/s (38,675 gpm) for the service water system and makeup for

the CWS, and 0.9 m3

/s (14,925 gpm) for the fish diversion system. Each intake structure is

hexagonal, with a 2.3-m (7.5-ft) wide by 0.9-m (3-ft) high intake opening on each side, and a

0.5-m (1.6-ft) thick roof or velocity cap. The total area of the 12 openings is designed to provide

a maximum approach velocity of 0.15 m/s (0.5 ft/s) while drawing water through both structures. 

The 12 openings are equipped with vertical bar racks that have 0.25 m (10 in.) of clear spacing

between the bars to prevent large debris from entering the intake system. Each bar rack

consists of nine vertical bars for each opening, of which seven are electronically heated to

eliminate the potential for frazil ice adhesion. Each intake structure is independently connected

to the onshore screenwell by a 1.4-m (4.5-ft) diameter concrete intake tunnel. At the onshore

screenwell, each intake tunnel connects to a separate vertical shaft. Intake water travels at a

velocity of approximately 0.9 m/s (3 ft/s) in the intake tunnel and approximately 0.3 m/s (1 ft/s) in

the vertical shafts. After passing through the two vertical shafts, the water enters the onshore

screenwell building. Water from both vertical shafts merges into a common intake forebay,

which is divided at its downstream end into two 1.2-m (4-ft) wide screenbays. An angled,

flush-mounted traveling screen and two trash racks, one upstream and one downstream from

the traveling screen, are located in each screenbay. Unit 2 is equipped with a fish diversion
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(a) Tempering is the process of preheating the water to reduce the possibility of ice buildup.

May 2006 2-9 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

system. Fish entering the screenbays pass through the trash racks and are guided by the

angled, flush-mounted traveling screens into 15-cm (6-in.) wide bypass slots at the downstream

end of the screen. The two slots converge, and, at their junction, the fish are transported

through a funnel-shaped transition to two pipes that merge into a single pipe leading to a jet

pump. The bypass flow and fish are then transported by the jet pump through this pipe to a

vertical riser that discharges into the lake in an easterly direction, parallel to the lake bottom

(NMPNS 2002a). This fish diversion system reduces the number of fish that impinge upon the

traveling screens (NRC 1985). 

The trash racks upstream of the traveling screens are cleaned by a motorized rake. The

traveling screens are cleaned by a water spray wash system that is actuated either by a timer or

a high differential pressure across the screens. The debris washed from the screens is directed

into a trash trough that empties into a perforated trash basket. Water passes through the two

screenbays, which merge into a common bay (NMPNS 2002a). 

The Unit 2 service water system is a once-through system that provides cooling water to various

essential and nonessential components throughout the plant. Essential components are

serviced by two 100-percent redundant subsystems. The nonessential components are

automatically isolated in the event of a reactor loss of coolant accident. After passing through

the system, the discharge is returned to Lake Ontario and/or to the CWS as makeup

(NMPNS 2002a). 

The Unit 2 discharge system consists of an onshore discharge bay, a discharge tunnel, and a

two-port diffuser. The cooling water discharge consists of that portion of service water not used

for makeup to the CWS, plus a portion of the circulating water flow that is discharged to

maintain dissolved solids at an appropriate concentration in the cooling water blowdown. This

discharge is conveyed to the discharge bay, which is located on the west side of the two intake

shafts and is separated from them by a wall that acts as a weir. The discharge tunnel

terminates at a point approximately 457 m (1500 ft) from the existing shoreline, where the

discharge enters a 1.4-m (4.5-ft) diameter steel riser leading to a two-port diffuser located

approximately 0.9 m (3 ft) above the lake bottom. Water exits the diffuser nozzles at an

approximate velocity of 5.5 m/s (18 ft/s) (NMPNS 2002a). 

The CWS for Unit 2 is designed to convey 36.6 m3

/s (580,000 gpm) of cooling water between

the main condenser and the cooling tower. Makeup water for the closed-loop CWS is obtained

from the service water system; therefore, the only cooling water withdrawn from Lake Ontario is

for the service water requirements and fish diversion system. Makeup flow to the CWS

fluctuates due to meteorological conditions and CWS blowdown rates. The cooling tower

blowdown flow design rate ranges from 0.5 to 1.3 m3

/s (8445 to 20,440 gpm). During icing

conditions, the tempering rate(a) is approximately 0.2 m3

/s (3000 gpm). The rates are based on

copper concentrations present in the cooling water systems that increase with each cycle of |

concentration. The maximum copper concentration in the blowdown is limited by the State |
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-10 May 2006

| Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for Unit 2 (NYSDEC 2004h). Both the

cooling tower evaporation rate and the total plant discharge rate depend on meteorological

conditions. The estimated cooling tower evaporation rate ranges from 0.3 to 0.9 m3

/s (4560 to

13,800 gpm). The discharge flow from Unit 2 ranges from a minimum of 1.5 m3

/s (23,055 gpm)

to a maximum of 2.2 m3

/s (35,040 gpm) during normal operation. During normal shutdown, the

maximum plant discharge is approximately 3.1 m3

/s (48,800 gpm) (NMPC 1985).

2.1.4 Radioactive Waste Management Systems and Effluent Control Systems

Radioactive wastes resulting from plant operations are classified as liquid, gaseous, and solid

waste. Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 use liquid, gaseous, and solid radioactive waste

management systems to collect and process these wastes to maintain releases within

regulatory limits and to maintain levels as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) before they

are released to the environment. The waste disposal systems meet the design objectives and

release limits as set forth in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 20 and

10 CFR Part 50, Appendix I, "Numerical Guides for Design Objectives and Limiting Conditions

for Operation to Meet the Criterion 'As Low As is Reasonably Achievable' for Radioactive

Material in Light-Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor Effluents.”

| Liquid, solid, and gaseous wastes from NMP are routed to separate onsite radioactive waste

facilities for treatment, temporary storage, sampling, and discharge or offsite shipment for

further treatment and/or disposal as appropriate. The radioactive waste facilities in each unit

handle liquid waste on a batch basis. The batches are either solidified and stored until they can

be disposed, or if they meet the release limits, they are released to Lake Ontario with cooling

water discharges through the discharge bay of each unit. Packaged solid waste and reusable

radioactive material may be temporarily stored in the onsite radioactive waste storage facilities

before being shipped offsite. The gaseous waste system in each unit monitors the radiation

levels, recombines the radiolytically produced hydrogen and oxygen, removes moisture,

provides a holdup time to allow decay of short-lived radionuclides, and filters the

noncondensible gases. The gaseous waste (offgas) is then combined with a large volume of

ventilation air before it is released through the exhaust stack to the atmosphere. The liquid and

the gaseous radioactive waste systems are designed to reduce the activity levels in the liquid

and gaseous waste so that concentrations in routine discharges are less than the applicable

regulatory limits. Liquid and gaseous effluents are continuously monitored, and the discharge is

discontinued if the effluent concentrations exceed predetermined limits.

Radioactive fission products build up within the fuel as a consequence of the fission process. 

Although these fission products are for the most part contained in the sealed fuel rods, small

quantities escape from the fuel rods and contaminate the reactor coolant. Neutron activation of

the primary coolant system is also responsible for coolant contamination. Nonfuel solid waste

results from treating and separating radionuclides from gases and liquids and from removing

contaminated material from various reactor areas. Solid waste also consists of reactor

components, equipment, and tools removed from service as well as contaminated protective

clothing, paper, rags, and other trash generated from plant operations, during design
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May 2006 2-11 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

modification, and during routine maintenance activities. Solid waste may be shipped to a waste

processor for volume reduction before disposal, or it may be sent directly to a licensed burial

site. Spent resins and filters are stored or packaged for shipment to an offsite processing or

disposal facility (NMPNS 2002a, 2003c).

Fuel assemblies that have exhausted a certain percentage of their fuel and that are removed

from the reactor core for disposal are called spent fuel. Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 currently

operate on a staggered 24-month refueling cycle per unit, with one refueling at the site every

year. Spent fuel from each unit is stored onsite in that unit's spent fuel pool.

The Offsite Dose Calculation Manuals (ODCMs) for NMP (NMPNS 2003a,b) describe the |

methods and parameters used for calculating the concentration of radioactive material in the

environment and the estimated potential offsite doses resulting from radioactive gaseous and

liquid effluents. The ODCMs also specify controls for release of liquid and gaseous effluents

from NMP to ensure compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations. |

2.1.4.1 Liquid Waste Processing Systems and Effluent Controls

Potentially radioactive liquid waste is collected from various equipment drains, floor drains,

containment sumps, chemistry laboratory, laundry drain, and miscellaneous sources. The liquid

radioactive waste systems in each unit collect, process, store, monitor, and dispose of all

normal and potentially radioactive liquid wastes. Radioactive materials are removed from the

liquid waste streams and tested before they are reused in the plant or discharged to Lake

Ontario. Liquid waste is processed on a batch basis, and each batch is sampled to determine

that all discharge requirements are met prior to release from the waste system (NMPNS 2002a,

2003c). In addition, releases to Lake Ontario must meet the State of New York requirements for

liquid discharges to Lake Ontario. 

In Unit 1, the low-conductivity liquid wastes consisting of drains from the piping and equipment

are initially collected in sumps or tanks located in the drywell, reactor building, the turbine

building and the waste storage building. These liquids are pumped to the waste collector tank

which is located in the waste storage building. High-conductivity liquid wastes from floor drains

in the drywell, the reactor building, turbine building, the radioactive waste building, the offgas

building, and the waste storage building are collected in the building sumps and then pumped

into the floor drain collector, waste neutralization tank, or utility collector tank which are located

in the waste storage building. Other types of liquid wastes such as the chemical waste from the

laboratory sinks and equipment decontamination drains, and miscellaneous liquid wastes from

the shower facility, personnel decontamination, or other sources are also collected in one of the

tanks in the waste storage building.

In Unit 2, the liquid waste system is divided into the following four subsystems: the waste

collector subsystem, the floor drain collector subsystem, the regenerant waste subsystem, and

the phase separator subsystem. These subsystems permit wastes from various sources to be

combined according to similarity of conductivity and isotopic concentration for appropriate
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(a) Exclusive of tritium activity (which is given separately), activity of dissolved and entrained gases

(which is generally below levels of detection), and gross alpha radioactivity (which is negligibly small).

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-12 May 2006

processing. For example, the waste collector subsystem collects, monitors, and processes for

reuse or disposal of relatively low-conductivity waste from various equipment drains and

removes radioactivity from these liquids via filtration and ion exchange. Similarly, the floor drain

collector subsystem collects, monitors, and processes potentially high-conductivity waste from

various building drains. The processing equipment in this subsystem consists of the Thermex

system and a forced-circulation type evaporator for the concentration of soluble and insoluble

waste. 

The liquid waste system in Unit 2 is completely independent of the system in Unit 1 except for

laundry waste. There is no laundry waste processing in Unit 2. Laundry facilities at Unit 1 have

been used in the past for the decontamination of radiation protection apparel and breathing

apparatus from both units. Currently, the laundry is being sent offsite to be cleaned and

returned to the site by an approved contractor. 

All potentially radioactive liquid waste discharges from each unit are routed through a separate

line to the discharge bay. The lines have flow meters, an offline radiation monitor, and double

valves that are locked closed except when in use. 

| The liquid waste generated by NMP during 2004 (the most recent year for which data were

available at the time this supplemental environmental impact statement [SEIS] was written) is

reported in the annual Radioactive Effluent Release Reports (RERRs) for that year

(NMPNS 2005a,b). The total volume of liquid waste generated by Nine Mile Point Unit 1 during

2004 was 3.79 m3

 (1000 gal). After dilution, the volume of effluent released to Lake Ontario was

4.52 m3

 (1190 gal). In this effluent, there was a total fission and activation product activity(a) of

0.0681 MBq (1.84 x 10-6 Ci) and a total tritium activity of 1800 MBq (0.0486 Ci). In the same

year, the total volume of liquid waste generated by Nine Mile Point Unit 2 was 970 m3

 (256,000

gal). After dilution, the volume of effluent released to Lake Ontario was 207,000 m3

 (5.47 x 107

| gal). In this liquid effluent, there was a total fission and activation product activity of 792 MBq

(0.0214 Ci) and a total tritium activity of 2.15 x 105 MBq (5.8 Ci). The total activity released from

| both units combined in 2004 was approximately 792 MBq (0.0214 Ci) for fission and activation

products and 2.16 x 105 MBq (5.85 Ci) for tritium.

Based on the values reported in the annual and semiannual RERRs for the two units over the

five-year period from 2000 through 2004 (NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004 a,b: 2003d,e; 2002b,c;

| 2001a–c; 2000a,b), the average annual liquid releases from NMP are shown in Table 2-1. The

total activity of the average annual liquid releases from the two units combined over the same

| years was approximately 43,300 MBq (1.17 Ci) for fission and activation products and 

9.65 x 105 MBq (26.1 Ci) for tritium. The annual releases were within the regulatory limits as

specified in the ODCMs (NMPNS 2003a,b).
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May 2006 2-13 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

NMPNS does not anticipate any significant annual increases in liquid waste released during the

renewal period. See Section 2.2.7 for a discussion of the theoretical doses to the maximally

exposed individual as a result of these releases.

Table 2-1. Average Annual Liquid Releases from Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2

Over the Years 2000 Through 2004

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 Nine Mile Point Unit 2

Fission/activation products(a) 3.96 x 104

MBq (1.07 Ci) 3700 MBq (0.1 Ci)

Tritium 3.14 x 105

 MBq (8.49 Ci) 6.51 x 105 MBq (17.6 Ci)

(a) Exclusive of tritium activity (which is given separately), activity of dissolved and entrained gases (which is

generally below levels of detection), and gross alpha radioactivity (which is negligibly small).

Sources: NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004a,b; 2003d,e; 2002b,c; 2001a–c; 2000a,b |

2.1.4.2 Gaseous Waste Processing Systems and Effluent Controls

Nine Mile Point ventilation systems are designed to maintain gaseous effluents to ALARA

levels. Each reactor unit is provided with a separate and independent gaseous radioactive

waste/offgas system (NMPNS 2002a, 2003c). The gaseous waste system for Unit 1 consists of

the offgas system, the steam-packing exhauster system, ventilation systems from the turbine

building, reactor building, radioactive waste building, offgas building, waste storage building,

and the exhaust stack. The gaseous waste management system for Unit 2 includes the offgas

system, the standby gas treatment system, various building ventilation systems, and two

monitored release points, namely the main stack and the combined radioactive waste/reactor

building vent. 

The stack for Unit 1 is 110 m (350 ft) high and is located 30 m (100 ft) east of the northeast

corner of the reactor building. The main stack for Unit 2 is 131 m (429 ft) above grade. The

main stack releases exhaust air from the following plant areas and systems: turbine building,

containment purge, turbine generator gland seal and exhaust steam system, offgas system,

mechanical vacuum pump discharge, standby gas treatment system, condensate storage tanks

and sumps. The combined radioactive waste/reactor building vent is located 60 m (187 ft)

above ground level and releases exhaust air from the radioactive waste building equipment and

area exhaust, the auxiliary boiler building area exhaust, and the reactor building ventilation

exhaust. 

The offgas system in each unit collects, contains, and processes the radioactive gases

extracted from the steam condenser. The gases are exhausted by the steam jet air ejectors

and flow through a preheater to a catalytic recombiner, where the hydrogen is recombined with

oxygen to form steam. All steam from the offgas stream is condensed for return as condensate,
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-14 May 2006

and the noncondensible gases flow to a holdup pipe. The holdup pipe allows the short lived

radioisotopes such as nitrogen-16, nitrogen-17, and oxygen-19 to decay. The gas flow

continues through a cooler condenser, a moisture separator, electric reheaters, a prefilter,

activated charcoal adsorber vessels, and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Then,

along with dilution make-up air, it continues to each unit's respective stack for discharge to the

environment. Xenon and krypton isotopes are adsorbed on the charcoal, allowing them to

decay, thereby significantly reducing the offsite doses (NMPNS 2002a, 2003c).

Continuous stack radiation monitoring at sample points in the stack base provides an indication

of radioactive releases from the offgas system. The offgas effluent radiation monitor and control

system is used to monitor the condition of reactor fuel and alert operators if offgas activity levels

are increasing. The ODCM for each unit prescribes alarm/trip set points for the monitor and

control instrumentation to ensure that the alarm/trip will occur prior to exceeding the limits of 10

CFR Part 20 for gaseous effluents (NMPNS 2003a,b).

The actual gaseous effluents for the year 2004, the most recent year for which data were

available at the time this SEIS was written, were reported in the RERRs for Units 1 and 2

(NMPNS 2005a,b). A total of 57,000 MBq (1.54 Ci) of noble gases, 23.2 MBq (6.28 x 10-4 Ci) of

iodine-131, 262 MBq (0.00709 Ci) of beta-gamma emitters as airborne particulate matter, and

1.73 x 106

 MBq (46.8 Ci) of tritium were released to the environment from Unit 1. Similarly a

total of 2.30 x 106

 MBq (62.1 Ci) of noble gases, 8.44 MBq (2.28 x 10-4 Ci) of iodine-131,

47.7 MBq (0.00129 Ci) of beta-gamma emitters as airborne particulate matter, and 

2.61 x 106

 MBq (70.4 Ci) of tritium were released to the environment from Unit 2. The total

activity released from both units combined in 2004 was approximately 2.35 x 106

 MBq (63.6 Ci)

for noble gases, 31.7 MBq (8.56 x 10-4 Ci) for iodine-131, 310 MBq (0.00838 Ci) for particulate

matter, and 4.34 x 106

 MBq (117 Ci) for tritium.

Based on the values reported in the annual and semiannual RERRs for the two units over the

five year period from 2000 through 2004 (NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004a,b; 2003d,e; 2002b,c;

| 2001a–c; 2000a,b), the average annual gaseous releases from NMP are shown in Table 2-2. 

The total activity of the average annual gaseous releases from the two units combined over the

same years was approximately 3.03 x 106

 MBq (81.9 Ci) for noble gases, 59.7 MBq (1.61 x 10-3

Ci) for iodine-131, 1030 MBq (2.79 x 10-2 Ci) for particulate matter, and 6.18 x 106 MBq (167 Ci)

for tritium. The annual releases were within the regulatory limits as specified in the ODCMs

(NMPNS 2003a,b).
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May 2006 2-15 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 2-2. Average Annual Gaseous Releases from Nine Mile Point Units 1

and 2 Over the Years 2000 Through 2004

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 Nine Mile Point Unit 2

Noble gases 4.78 x 104

 MBq (1.29 Ci) 2.98 x 106 MBq (80.6 Ci)

Iodine-131 47.1 MBq (1.27 x 10-3 Ci) 12.6 MBq (3.40 x 10-4 Ci)

Particulate matter 916 MBq (2.48 x 10-2 Ci) 116 MBq (3.15 x 10-3 Ci)

Tritium 4.62 x 106

 MBq (125 Ci) 1.56 x 106 MBq (42.1 Ci)

Sources: NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004a,b; 2003d,e; 2002b,c; 2001a–c; 2000a,b |

NMPNS does not anticipate any significant increases in the radioactive gaseous releases during

the renewal period. See Section 2.2.7 for a discussion of the theoretical doses to the maximally

exposed individual as a result of these releases.

2.1.4.3 Solid-Waste Processing

Solid wastes from NMP include filter sludge, spent resin, radioactive tools and equipment, and |

miscellaneous trash from plant operations, laboratory, maintenance and cleanup operations. 

The solid wastes are collected, processed, and temporarily stored onsite before being shipped

offsite for disposal or further processing and disposal by an authorized third party. Radiation

levels of shipped containers are maintained within the standards set forth by the NRC and the

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) (NMPNS 2002a, 2003c).

The solid radioactive waste system in each unit consists of those systems and components that

are used to process and package wet and dry solid waste so that the waste is suitable for

transport and disposal. The system is not used for spent fuel storage and shipment. The spent

fuel from each unit is currently stored in that unit's spent fuel storage pool onsite.

High-activity reactor wastes other than the spent fuel are stored in the fuel storage pool to allow

radioactive decay, then packaged, and transferred in approved shipping containers for offsite

burial. Maintenance waste, such as contaminated clothing and tools, are packed in suitable

DOT-approved containers and may be stored prior to shipment. Process waste, such as filter

sludges and spent resins, is collected in tanks, processed, and stored prior to shipment.

Dry active waste (DAW), generated as a result of operation and maintenance activities, is

collected throughout the radiological-controlled areas of the facility. Typical DAW includes air

filters, cleaning rags, protective tape, paper and plastic coverings, discarded contaminated

clothing, tools, equipment parts, and solid laboratory wastes. Most DAW has relatively low

radioactive content and may be handled manually. The DAW is normally stored in various work

areas and then moved to the process area. DAW with radiation levels greater than 1 mSv/hr

(100 mrem/hr) is normally stored in the radioactive waste building container storage areas.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-16 May 2006

Wet solid radioactive waste results from the processing of spent demineralizer resins (both

bead and powdered) and spent filter material from the equipment drain and floor drain

subsystems, and from the water clean-up systems. The wet waste is solidified, dried, or

dewatered for acceptability for a disposal site. Contractor solidification or drying services are

also used at the station or performed offsite. Radioactive waste requiring solidification includes

concentrator waste, certain sludges, and ion-exchange resins. If storage is required for any of

these types of waste, the containers of waste may be temporarily stored onsite.

Disposal and transportation of solid radioactive waste are performed in accordance with the

applicable requirements of 10 CFR Part 61 and Part 71, respectively. There are no releases to

| the environment from solid radioactive wastes generated at NMP. In 2004, Nine Mile Point

Unit 1 made 18 shipments of solid radioactive waste with a volume for dewatered spent resins,

dry active waste consisting of compactible and non-compactible waste materials and

contaminated equipment, and sewage and torus sediment of 601 m3

 (21,200 ft3), and a total

activity of 1.48 x 106

 MBq (40 Ci) (NMPNS 2005a). In the same year, Nine Mile Point Unit 2

made 40 shipments of solid radioactive waste with a volume for dewatered spent resins, dry

active waste consisting of compactible and non-compactible waste materials and contaminated

equipment, and tank sediment of 987 m3

 (34,900 ft3) and a total activity of 1.21 x 107 | MBq

(326 Ci) (NMPNS 2005b). The total number of shipments made from the two units combined in

2004 was 58, with a total activity of approximately 1.36 x 107

 MBq (366 Ci). Based on the

values reported in the annual and semiannual RERRs for the two units over the five-year period

from 2000 through 2004 (NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004a,b; 2003d,e; 2002b,c; 2001a–c; 2000a–d), the

average number of solid radioactive waste shipments from Nine Mile Point Unit 1 was 20 per

year, with an average activity of 9.56 x 106

 MBq (259 Ci) per year. Over the same period, the

average number of shipments from Nine Mile Point Unit 2 was 36 per year, and the activity of

the solid waste was 3.45 x 108

 MBq (9310 Ci) per year. The average number of shipments from

the two units combined over the same years was 56 per year, with a total average activity of

approximately 3.55 x 108

 MBq (9570 Ci) per year. NMPNS does not anticipate any significant

increases in the solid radioactive waste generation rates during the renewal period. 

2.1.5 Nonradioactive Waste Systems

| The principal nonradioactive effluents from NMP consist of chemical and biocide wastes,

lubrication oil waste, resin regeneration waste, FreonTM filters, and sanitary waste. Nine Mile

Point stopped using chlorinated solvents and oils several years ago. The chemistry laboratory

may generate small quantities of expired chemicals. Other wastes could include laboratory

packs and mercury switches. Spent batteries and discarded fluorescent lights are recycled. 

| Sanitary waste is sent to the onsite sewage treatment plant, which is permitted for up to

454 m3/d (120,000 gpd) as a 30-day average. Daily flows range from 132 to 908 m3 | /d (35,000

| to 240,000 gpd) (NMPNS 2004e). The treated sanitary waste water is discharged to Lake

Ontario. Dried sewage residue from the treatment plant is sent offsite to a permitted landfill for

disposal.
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May 2006 2-17 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.1.6 Plant Operation and Maintenance

Routine maintenance performed on plant systems and components is necessary for the safe

and reliable operation of a nuclear power plant. Maintenance activities conducted at NMP |

include inspection, testing, and surveillance to maintain the current licensing basis of the units

and to ensure compliance with environmental and safety requirements. Certain activities can be

performed while the reactors are operating. Others require that the affected unit be shut down. 

Long-term outages are scheduled for refueling and for certain types of repairs or maintenance,

such as the replacement of a major component. Each of the two units is refueled on a

24-month staggered schedule, resulting in an average of one refueling every year for the site. 

An updated final safety analysis report (UFSAR) supplement (NMPNS 2004d) regarding the

effects of aging on systems, structures, and components was included in the application for

renewed operating license in accordance with 10 CFR Part 54. Chapter 3 and Appendix B of

the NMPNS License Renewal Application describe the programs and activities that will manage

the effects of aging during the license renewal period. NMPNS expects to conduct activities

related to the management of aging effects during plant operation or normal refueling and other

outages, but plans no outages specifically for the purpose of refurbishment. 

2.1.7 Power Transmission System

The electricity generated by Nine Mile Point is connected to the grid by three single-circuit

345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines (see Figure 2-5). Two of these lines connect to Unit 1's 345-

kV Switchyard (Clay Line 8 and Scriba Line 9) and one is connected to Unit 2's 345-kV

Switchyard (Scriba Line 23). At the other end, Lines 9 and 23 connect to the grid at the Scriba

Substation, located approximately 600 m (2000 ft) southeast of the Unit 1 and 2 Switchyards. 

Line 8 extends approximately 42 km (26 mi) southeast and connects to the grid at the Clay

Substation. The transmission line corridor for Line 8 is approximately 150 m (500 ft) wide and is

owned by Niagara Mohawk Co.

In addition to the two 345-kV switchyards for outgoing electricity, each unit at Nine Mile Point

has a 115-kV switchyard that brings in electricity from offsite sources. The switchyard for Unit 1

is next to the 345-kV Switchyard and is connected to two single-circuit 115 kV lines (South

Oswego Line 1 and FitzPatrick Line 4). The Switchyard for Unit 2 is also connected to two

incoming single-circuit 115 kV lines (Scriba Line 5 and Scriba Line 6).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-18 May 2006

Figure 2-5. Nine Mile Point Site Transmission Lines
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May 2006 2-19 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Between the Scriba Substation and the Volney Substation (about 14 km [9 mi] southeast of

Unit 1), four additional 345-kV lines share the 150-m (500-ft) corridor with Line 8 for all or part of

the distance. The maximum number of lines at any point along this approximately 14-km

(8.5-mi) stretch is four.

Line 8, which carries part of the electricity generated by Unit 1 to the Clay Substation, is

supported by lattice steel towers for the first 2.7 km (1.7 mi) and the final 0.5 km (0.3 mi) of its

length. The rest of the line is supported on wooden H-frame poles. South Oswego Line 1 and

another line that connects to Scriba Substation but not to Nine Mile Point switchyards

(Lighthouse Hill Line 2) occupy the western edge of the right-of-way for the transmission line

near the units. The 115-kV FitzPatrick Line 4 runs in the east-west direction between the Unit 1

115-kV switchyard and the James A. FitzPatrick Plant.

Line 23, which carries the electricity generated by Unit 2 to the Scriba Substation, is supported

by tubular steel poles. Scriba Line 5, which is used to bring in offsite power to Unit 2, runs

parallel to Line 23. Scriba Line 6, also used to bring in offsite power to Unit 2, runs

approximately 370 m (1200 ft) east of the Scriba Substation after leaving this substation and

then is routed north to Unit 2.

The ownership, as well as inspection and maintenance responsibilities for the transmission

lines, substations, and rights-of-way are shared by several companies. The Scriba Substation

is owned by Niagara Mohawk and New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). The

transmission corridor south of Lake Road is solely owned by Niagara Mohawk. The area

between the Unit 1 Switchyards and the Unit 2 Switchyards up to the northern boundary of Lake

Road is owned by NMPNS. All the transmission lines are owned by Niagara Mohawk with the

exception of Line 5, Line 6, and Line 23, which are owned by NMPNS. NMPNS owns

100 percent of the Unit 1 345-kV and 115-kV Switchyards and 82 percent of the Unit 2 345-kV

and 115-kV Switchyards (the remaining 18 percent is owned by the Long Island Lighting Power

Authority). NMPNS has easements for access, construction, operation, maintenance, repair,

alteration, and renovation for the three lines it owns that are located on the transmission corridor

owned by Niagara Mohawk. Niagara Mohawk has easements with NMPNS for the lines owned

by Niagara Mohawk that are located on property owned by NMPNS.

Niagara Mohawk has a New York State Public Service Commission approved long-range

vegetation management plan for the rights-of-way. This plan embodies the use of selected

management techniques to foster the goal of maintaining a low-growing vegetative community

and to keep the transmission facility free of interruptions from trees and tall-growing shrub

species. Additional information on right-of-way maintenance is presented in Section 2.2.6.

2.2 Plant Interaction with the Environment

Sections 2.2.1 through 2.2.8 provide general descriptions of the environment near Nine Mile

Point. They also provide detailed descriptions where needed to support the analysis of potential
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-20 May 2006

environmental impacts and operation during the renewal term, as discussed in Chapters 3 and

4. Section 2.2.9 describes the historic and archaeological resources in the area, and Section

2.2.10 describes possible impacts associated with other Federal project activities.

2.2.1 Land Use

Nine Mile Point nuclear generating station is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario

in the Town of Scriba, Oswego County, New York. The site is in a rural area approximately

8 km (5 mi) miles northeast of Oswego, 58 km (36 mi) north northwest of Syracuse, and 100 km

(65 mi) east of Rochester, New York. Syracuse is the largest city within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine

Mile Point. Lake Road (County Road 1A) provides road access to the site and transverses Nine

Mile Point property in an east-west direction just south of the main operational facilities. The

exclusion area for the plant is centered at Nine Mile Point and extends 1.6 km (1 mi) to the east,

1.4 km (0.87 mi) to the southwest, and 2 km (1.3 mi) to the southern site boundary (see

Figure 2-3) (NMPNS 2004e).

The site consists of approximately 360 ha (900 ac), with over 1.6 km (1 mi) of shoreline on Lake

Ontario. Approximately 76 ha (188 ac) are used for power generation and support facilities. 

The remaining acres are generally undeveloped, with the exception of the Energy Information

Center and adjacent picnic area, the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Learning Center (training facility),

a former construction and demolition landfill, and a firing range for security personnel training

(NMPNS 2004e).

Nine Mile Point is located in the Town of Scriba in Oswego County. There are no land-use or

zoning restrictions applicable to land within unincorporated portions of Oswego County. 

The local terrain consists of undulating hills reflecting a bedrock surface modified by repeated

glaciations that eroded weathered rock and deposited glacially derived sediments. The site,

however, does not have any of the prominent drumlins that are characteristic of the Erie-Ontario

| Lowlands (NMPNS 2002a). Onsite, the ground surface is generally flat and slopes gently north

toward Lake Ontario with elevations ranging from 75 m (246 ft) mean sea level (msl) at the

shoreline to approximately 84 m (276 ft) msl near the southern end of the developed portion of

the site (Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. 2000). The predominant land cover is woodlands,

consisting of forest and brushlands. Federal and State designated wetlands consisting of shrub

wetlands, bogs, marshes, and wooded wetlands, along with inactive agricultural land, occur

onsite (NMPC 1985). There are no major streams or rivers within the drainage area that

contains the site and no history of stream or river flooding at the site (NRC 2002). There are no

natural water courses onsite. A revetment ditch runs from the Unit 2 cooling tower area

westward and then northward to Lake Ontario. The revetment ditch receives site stormwater

runoff and monitored discharges from the wastewater treatment facility and oil retention pond.

Section 307(c)(3)(A) of the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 USC 1456[c][3][A]) requires that

applicants for Federal licenses that conduct an activity in a coastal zone provide a certification

that the proposed activity complies with the enforceable policies of the State's coastal zone
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May 2006 2-21 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

program. Both Nine Mile Point units are within the State of New York's coastal zone. The New |

York State Department of State determined that renewal of the operating licenses (OLs) for |

NMP is consistent with the New York Coastal Management Program. 

2.2.2 Water Use

Water use associated with the operation of NMP consists of fresh water withdrawn from Lake |

Ontario, which is used primarily for cooling. Water from Lake Ontario is used for the main |

condensers, auxiliary systems, and reactor shutdown heat removal. Municipal water obtained

from the Port of Oswego Authority is also withdrawn from the lake to be used as drinking water,

makeup for demineralized water, and other miscellaneous purposes. NMPNS holds a Great

Lakes Water Withdrawal Registration, issued by the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), that allows withdrawal of water from Lake Ontario

(NYSDEC 2001). Most of the water used for site operations is returned to Lake Ontario. Net

water consumption from the site includes evaporation losses (for example, from the cooling

tower), water in disposed solids or radioactive waste solutions, and other minor losses. 

Waste water flows by gravity, and where needed, is pumped via lift stations from the NMP |

facilities, the Energy Information Center, and the Nuclear Learning Center to the sewage

treatment plant, located east of the Energy Information Center. After preliminary treatment to

shred large solids, the flow is pumped via a dual-pipe force main consisting of a 10-cm (4-in.)

and a 15-cm (6-in.) pipe to the adjacent treatment units. Two pumps are normally used, with a

third acting as a standby. Waste water enters a flow distribution structure and is split evenly by

weirs to two extended aeration (activated sludge) units each 79 m3

 (2800 ft3) in volume. Only

one of the aeration units is required to handle current waste water volumes. From there, the

mix liquor is sent to a settling tank/clarifier, one for each aeration unit. The clarifiers are centerfed with radial outward flow to facilitate separation of the sludge. As a result of the biological

activity, scum forms on the water surface and is removed from the final settling tanks by a rotary

wiper arm and discharged to a scum trough. The scum is flushed to a scum well and air-lifted to

the aerated sludge holding tanks. Some of the sludge is recycled back to the head of the

aeration tanks to maintain constant mixed liquor, suspended solids, and solids retention time in

the aeration tanks. Excess sludge is concentrated in the aerated sludge holding tanks, then

dewatered by means of evaporation and drainage via an underground drainage system. Water

from the drainage system is periodically pumped to the influent of the treatment plant (NMPNS

2004e). 

Nine Mile Point is not a direct user of groundwater and there are no plans for direct groundwater

use in the future. There are no production wells on the site. The Unit 1 reactor building has a

peripheral drain for collecting any groundwater seepage which is then pumped to Lake Ontario. 

However, Unit 2 does have a permanent dewatering system, which consists of perimeter drains

and two sumps located below the reactor building. The Unit 2 dewatering system is designed to

maintain the water table below the reactor mat elevation of approximately 50 m (164 ft) National

Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). Submersible pumps are located in each of the sumps, which

together discharge groundwater at an estimated average of 0.01 m3

/s (200 gpm) to maintain the
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-22 May 2006

| cone of depression. The water is then discharged to Lake Ontario through a storm drain

system. Because the dewatering system has been operating for over fifteen years, the cone of

| depression is at equilibrium with the surrounding groundwater system.

| The cone of depression surrounding the Unit 2 reactor building estimated to result from this

| dewatering is steep; the groundwater table is estimated to reach 65.5 m (215 ft) NGVD within a

| radius of 61.0 to 68.6 m (200 to 225 ft) of the reactor building (NMPNS 2002a). Results of

| groundwater monitoring at Nine Mile Point, performed in 2002 to evaluate petroleum-impacted

| groundwater at the former vehicle maintenance area, indicate that the groundwater table

| reaches approximately 77.4 m (254 ft) NGVD within 183 m (600 ft) northeast of the reactor

| building, illustrating the limited radius of influence of the dewatering operation (Geomatrix

| Consultants, Inc. 2002). Lake Ontario establishes the base level for the regional water table

| regulated to fall no lower than approximately 74.2 m (243 ft) NGVD. This information

| demonstrates, the cited monitoring location is well outside the zone of influence of the

| dewatering cone of depression. The NRC concluded in the Unit 2 Final Environmental

| Statement (FES) that the cone of depression created by the dewatering system was small and

| would have no effect on offsite groundwater use (NRC 1985). 

| The area affected by petroleum compounds is approximately 18 m x 23 m (60 ft x 75 ft), as

| identified in a 2002 report (Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. 2002). Periodic monitoring conducted

| since that report and required by the State of New York shows no growth of the affected area

| and concentrations of petroleum compounds declining to near or below cleanup levels

(Constellation Energy Group 2006). The nearest edge of the area affected by petroleum

| compounds is over 150 m (500 ft) from the edge of the drawdown cone of depression

| (Constellation Energy Group 2006). Because concentrations within the affected area are very

| near the cleanup criteria and declining and geographically separated from the effects of the Unit

| 2 dewatering, monitoring of the dewatering effluent is not conducted. The State of New York

| Department of Environmental Conservation regulates and regularly evaluates the monitoring of

| all plant discharges through the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit currently in

| effect for the NMP. 

Due to the geologic conditions surrounding the Unit 1 reactor building, an active dewatering

system was deemed unnecessary for that unit. According to the Unit 1 Updated Final Safety

Analysis Report (NMPNS 2003c), very little groundwater seeps into the reactor building due to

the lack of open joints in the surrounding strata at depths more than 6.1 m (20 ft) below the rock

surface. Therefore, there is no need to maintain the groundwater table below normal levels

around the Unit 1 reactor. The exterior of the reactor building below grade is provided with a

peripheral drain for collecting any groundwater seepage. The drain discharges into a sump pit

with two 0.009 m3

/s (150 gpm) submersible pumps (NMPNS 2003c).

Potable water in the area is supplied to residents either through the Scriba Water District, which

receives water from the City of Oswego, or from private wells (Heritage Power 2000). Currently,

operation of private groundwater wells in Oswego County is not regulated, nor does any agency

keep a listing of all groundwater wells in the area. 
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May 2006 2-23 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Groundwater is available from the unconfined aquifer and deeper confined aquifers. The

unconfined aquifer is composed of non-lithified glacial deposits and fill material and the upper

portion of the Oswego Sandstone beneath the soil. The unconfined water table aquifer is

generally of sufficient yield capacity for domestic use only. Within 3.2 km (2 mi) of Nine Mile

Point, groundwater wells yield an estimated 0.3 to 0.5 L/s (5 to 8 gpm) from the unconsolidated

deposits, and up to 0.6 L/s (10 gpm) from the lower strata (NMPNS 2002a). 

A groundwater well census conducted in 1972 revealed the existence of approximately

102 domestic wells within 3.2 km (2 mi) of Nine Mile Point, but only 70 were in use. The

average pumping rate of the active wells in use was 0.03 L/s (650 gpd). The nearest domestic

well was approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the Unit 2 reactor building (NMPNS 2002a). A

review of aerial photographs taken in March 1995 did not reveal any residential or industrial

development within 1.6 km (1 mi) of Nine Mile Point. Currently, the nearest residence is

approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the site (NMPNS 2002a). The Town of Scriba has designated

the majority of the land within the 1.6-km (1-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point as either industrial

(including Nine Mile Point and James A. FitzPatrick plants) or as a valued natural resource,

limiting the potential for future residential growth in the area (Town of Scriba 2000). Therefore,

it is unlikely that any private groundwater supply wells have been installed significantly closer

than 1.6 km (1 mi) from the Nine Mile Point reactor buildings.

2.2.3 Water Quality

The site is located near the Erie-Ontario Lowlands subdivision of the Central Lowlands

Physiographic Province. 

Nine Mile Point is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario in Oswego County, New

York. Lake Ontario, an international body of water forming part of the border between the U.S.

and Canada, is the smallest and easternmost of the Great Lakes, with a surface area of

approximately 19,010 km2

 (7,340 mi2) and a total volume of 1,638 km3 (393 mi3). The lake is 310

km (193 mi) long and 85 km (53 mi) wide in its largest dimensions, and has an average and

maximum depth of 86 m (283 ft) and 244 m (802 ft), respectively (NRC 1985). 

The Nine Mile Point site is located on a slight promontory (also named Nine Mile Point) on the

southeastern shore of the lake. The offshore slope at the site is steep (5-percent to 10-percent

grade) at the beach, flattening to a 2-percent to 3-percent grade at the 4.6-m (15-ft) depth

contour, then increasing to a 4-percent slope lakeward. In general, bottom sediments in

nearshore areas are characterized by a greater predominance of coarser sands, pebbles,

cobbles, and boulders, while finer sediments occur further offshore (NRC 1985). 

Approximately 80 percent of the water flowing into Lake Ontario comes from Lake Erie through

the Niagara River near Buffalo, New York. The remaining water flow comes from Lake Ontario

basin tributaries and precipitation. Approximately 93 percent of the water in Lake Ontario flows

out to the St. Lawrence River (see Figure 2-1) and the remaining 7 percent disperses through

evaporation. Water retention time is estimated to be approximately eight years. Since Lake
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-24 May 2006

Ontario is the most downstream of the Great Lakes, it is impacted by human activities occurring

throughout the Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie basins (EPA et al. 1998). Lake

circulation is influenced by the prevailing west-northwest winds and the eastward flow of water

from the Niagara River, resulting in a counter-clockwise flow. Circulation of water generally

occurs along the eastern nearshore areas and within sub-basins of the main lake (EPA et al.

1998). Water currents typically move in an eastward direction along the south shore of Lake

Ontario in a relatively narrow band. However, circulation patterns at a specific time can be

affected by winds. Major shifts in wind distribution can alter currents in a matter of hours. Wind

speed frequency data collected during current measurement studies at Nine Mile Point and

reported by the NRC in the Unit 2 FES indicate that, over the year, winds in excess of 8.9 m/s

(20 mph) occur over 21 percent of the time based on readings averaged over a six-hour period. 

From June to September, winds in excess of 8.9 m/s (20 mph) occur 13 percent of the time. At

the 5.8-m (19-ft) depth contour, the measured current speed of six-hour duration exceeded with

comparable frequency is about 0.06 m/s (0.2 ft/s) (NRC 1985). 

Two other important examples of wind-induced effects on the general circulation pattern of Lake

Ontario are upwelling and internal oscillation of thermocline depth. Upwelling is characterized

by the rising of colder, heavier, bottom water toward the surface. As noted by the NRC in the

Unit 2 FES, a variety of theories have been proposed to account for the oscillations, which are a

common feature of Lake Ontario temperature records. The most direct explanation is that an

upwelling displaces the thermocline from equilibrium by converting the kinetic energy from wind

gusts into potential energy that alters the thermocline position. When the wind stress is

removed, internal waves are set in motion and contribute to the dissipation of this energy. 

Internal waves increase in amplitude after storms. In Lake Ontario, approximately three

complete oscillations occur every two days (NRC 1985). 

Lake Ontario is a large, temperate lake that exhibits a seasonally dependent pattern of thermal

stratification, which alters circulation patterns. Changes in stratification result from atmospheric

heat exchange and wind-induced mixing. In spring months, the shallow nearshore waters warm

more quickly than the deep offshore waters, setting up isotherms roughly parallel to shore. As

the lake temperature continues to warm, vertical stratification develops as a result of the

combined effects of the lake warming and advection of the warmer, near-shore waters. Most of

the lake is vertically stratified during the summer with the warm surface waters (epilimnion)

averaging nearly 21/C (70/F) and cool deeper waters (hypolimnion) ranging between 3.8 and

4/C (38.8 and 39.2/F). Mixing of these strata begins as the thermocline breaks down during

September as a result of surface water cooling, and continues until water temperatures are the

same throughout the water column (NRC 1985, EPA et al. 1998). 

The lake water temperatures begin to warm in mid-March, and by late June the offshore

ambient temperature stays above 3.9/C (39/F). Generally, vertical stratification is established

over the entire basin by this time (NRC 1985). During the warmest water temperature period

(June to September) at Nine Mile Point, the ambient temperature of Lake Ontario exceeds

21.7/C (71/F) approximately 10 percent of the time in the waters surrounding Nine Mile Point. 

The mean summer ambient temperature of Lake Ontario at Nine Mile Point is reportedly 19.4/C
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May 2006 2-25 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

(67/F), with a maximum surface temperature rise above ambient of approximately 6.9/C

(12.4/F) at capacity operation (NMPC 1976). In late September, the warming process ends, the

mean surface temperature drops rapidly below 17.2/C (63/F), and the thermocline breaks down,

marking the beginning of the winter season. The date of overturn varies each year due to

storms. After overturn and when the lake surface cools to below 3.9/C (39/F), isotherms tend to

be parallel to shore. During the winter months, nearshore areas of the lake freeze while the

deep offshore waters remain open (NRC 1985). 

Since 1960, Lake Ontario outflows have been regulated to control lake water levels, under the

supervisory authority of the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (ISLRBC), by a

series of dams on the St. Lawrence River. The ISLRBC was created in 1952 under the

Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 to help prevent and resolve disputes over the use of water

along the Canadian and U.S. boundary (ISLRBC 2004).

One requirement in the ISLRBC's order was to regulate Lake Ontario water levels within a

target range from 74.2 to 75.4 m (243 to 247 ft) International Great Lakes Datum (IGLD)

(ISLRBC 2002a). [Note: The only difference between IGLD (1985) and NGVD (1988) is that

the IGLD (1985) bench mark elevations are published as dynamic heights and the NGVD (1988)

elevations are published as Helmert orthometric heights (Zilkoski et al. 1992)]. The ISLRBC

aims to maintain levels above 74.2 (243 ft) IGLD from April 1 through November 30 annually. 

Under the most extreme dry conditions, all possible relief is provided to navigation and power

production facilities (ISLRBC 2002b). Data compiled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for

the period of record 1918 to 2001 indicate that average lake water levels range from

approximately 74.5 to 75.0 m (244.5 to 246.2 ft) IGLD; minimum and maximum lake water levels

during that period were approximately 73.7 and 75.8 m (241.9 ft and 248.6 ft) IGLD, respectively

(USACE 2002).

The water quality of Lake Ontario has changed dramatically since the mid-1960s, when work

began at Nine Mile Point. Historic changes in land uses and uncontrolled pollutant discharges

into all the Great Lakes had contributed to a general eutrophication of the entire lake system

(Stewart et al. 1999). These nutrient-rich waters were characterized by high phosphorus

concentrations and high turbidity up to the late 1970s (see 1972 data in Table 2-3). 

Changes in selected basic water quality parameters over the past thirty years are shown in

Table 2-3. These data were collected at the Nine Mile Point area in 1972 and 1978, the City of

Oswego water intake located about 13 km (8 mi) southwest of the project site in 1998 and 1999,

and at the Monroe County water intake in 2000, approximately 80 km (50 mi) west of Nine Mile

Point. General reductions in pollutants such as phosphorus and dissolved solids, and in

turbidity levels have been observed over the past thirty years. However, while some nutrients

have decreased, nitrogen input has increased (NYSDEC 2000).
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-26 May 2006

Table 2-3. Selected Water Quality Parameters of Lake Ontario

Year

Parameter 1972(a) 1978(b) 1998-99(c) 2000(e)

pH 8.0 8.4 7.96 7.6

Total Alkalinity (mg/L) 72–90 94.2 92 83

Total Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.01–0.28 0.027 0.006(d) 0.005(d)

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 107–186 202 N/A 160

Total Nitrates (mg/L) 0.04–0.40 < 0.18 N/A 0.34

Turbidity 2–6 (JTU) 3.0 (NTU) 0.5 (NTU) 0.09 (NTU)

(a) Source: AEC 1974

(b) Source: NMPC 1985

(c) Source (except total phosphorus): Heritage Power 2000

(d) Source: EPA 2005

(e) Source (except total phosphorus): MCWA 2001; pH and alkalinity data are from water distribution system

and not from ambient lake water.

JTU = Jackson Turbidity Unit(s)

mg/L = milligram(s) per liter

N/A = no data available

NTU = Nephelometric Turbidity Unit(s)

The gradual changes in Lake Ontario's water quality have also contributed to successive

changes in the biological communities of the lake. Nutrient supplies and other environmental

pressures (for example, toxic pollutants) have also caused direct effects upon all trophic levels

within the lake ecosystem (Stewart et al. 1999). 

The largest source of pollutants, including phosphorus, into Lake Ontario is Lake Erie, via the

Niagara River (Stewart et al. 1999). Additional phosphorus and nitrogen enter Lake Ontario

directly through runoff from agricultural lands, urban areas, and sewage outflows. The

eutrophication of Lake Ontario was recognized by Canada and the U.S. in the 1960s, and led to

the bi-national Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) in 1972. Since the

implementation of the U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA) and the GLWQA, phosphorus levels have

been significantly reduced (NYSDEC 2000). 

Nitrogen concentrations in Lake Ontario were not considered a major cause of eutrophication in

the 1960s and 1970s. However, since the 1970s, nitrogen has been increasing in Lake Ontario,

as well as in all of the other Great Lakes. The causal factors are not well understood, but

agricultural runoff and atmospheric deposition are considered the most likely sources (NYSDEC

2000). 
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May 2006 2-27 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic chemicals (PBTs), which include mirex, polychlorinated

biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and others, entered Lake Ontario via tributaries and historically were

accumulated in the sediments. Canada and the U.S. developed and implemented the "Lake |

Ontario Toxics Management Plan," in 1989, to address the PBTs through regulation of the toxic

chemicals' manufacture and use (NYSDEC 2000). Reductions in toxic chemical concentrations

in some Lake Ontario biota have been reported by NYSDEC from the 1960s to the 1980s. The

reductions have been generally attributed to restrictions placed on the manufacture and use of

those chemicals. The downward trend of toxic chemical concentrations has leveled off since

the 1980s and may be due, in part, to a sequestering of the toxics within the lake's benthic

sediments. Consumption advisories for numerous fish species continue to be issued by the

NYSDEC, based on concentrations of PBTs found in fish samples (NYSDEC 2000).

The configuration of the thermal plume from Unit 1 has been found to vary with wind-induced

currents, wave action, and upwelling (NMPC 1975). However, no relationship between the size

and the extent of the plume and either wind speed or station heat load has been demonstrated,

reflecting the stochastic nature of the plume as influenced by lake hydrodynamics.

The current SPDES permit allows a maximum daily discharge temperature of 46.1/C (115/F)

from Unit 1; the maximum allowable intake-discharge temperature difference is 19.4/C (35/F)

(NYSDEC 2004h). For Unit 2, the current SPDES permit allows a maximum daily discharge

temperature of 43.3/C (110/F), and a maximum allowable intake-discharge temperature

difference of 16.7/C (30/F) (NYSDEC 2004h). A review of the most recent SPDES annual

report show that the thermal discharges of both units are in compliance with SPDES permit

requirements (Constellation Energy Group 2004). 

The thermal data for the discharge of both units for the calendar year 2003 was reviewed. On

January 12, 2003, both units were operating at nominal electric output and the average lake

water temperature was -0.3/C (31.4/F), the lowest average temperature for the lake water

recorded during 2003. The maximum discharge water temperature for Unit 1 as measured

according to SPDES permit requirements was 18.7/C (65.7/F), a temperature difference of

19.1/C (34.3/F). For the same day, the maximum discharge water temperature for Unit 2 was

7.2/C (45.0/F), a temperature difference of 7.6/C (13.6/F). On August 21, 2003, the maximum

discharge water temperature for Unit 1 occurred at 42.8/C (109.1/F). The average lake water

temperature was 25.0/C (77.0/F) on that day, resulting in a temperature difference of 17.8/C

(32.1/F). On the previous day, the discharge from Unit 2 reached a maximum for the year at

29.6/C (85.3/F), and the average lake water temperature was 24.3/C (75.8/F), a difference of

5.3/C (9.5/F). Both units were operating at nominal electric output on those days (Constellation

Energy Group 2004). 

Cooling and service water systems are treated with sodium hypochlorite and other oxidants to

control biofouling. Until zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were discovered in the water |

intakes in 1989 (McMahan 1991), fouling was likely to be caused by microscopic organisms and

slimes, filamentous Cladophora algae, or the Asiatic clam (Corbicula sp). With the introduction
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-28 May 2006

of zebra mussels, additional measures have been taken to control colonization in the facility's

water systems. 

The site-specific SPDES permit (NYSDEC 2004h) specifies the molluscicides that may be used

at Nine Mile Point to control zebra mussels. An example is EVACTM, which has been used in

| recent years. A maximum limit of two treatments per year for each unit is conducted and the

applications are made in the warmer summer months when the organisms are certain to filter

water and be exposed to the chemical. Units 1 and 2 each receive up to two 48-hour

treatments. Unit 2 has one delivered at the submerged, offshore intake structure, and the other

is delivered at the onshore traveling screen inlets to the water systems. Unit 1 treatments are

delivered onshore. The SPDES permit Special Conditions (NYSDEC 2004h) require 48-hour

notification to the NYSDEC before EVACTM is applied and monitoring is performed to ensure the

effluent concentration does not exceed the SPDES limit.

Treated effluent from the sanitary waste water treatment system undergoes chlorination and

subsequent dechlorination before being discharged via a 30.5-cm (12-in.) pipe to a drainage

ditch eventually flowing to Lake Ontario (NMPNS 2002a, 2003c). The discharge is permitted as

Outfall 030. The effluent is monitored for flow, biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids,

settable solids, pH, and total residual chlorine. Maximum permitted flow is 0.005 m3

/s

(120,000 gpd) as 30-day average (NYSDEC 2004h). Daily flow ranges from 0.002 to 0.01 m3

/s

(35,000 to 240,000 gpd) (NMPNS 2003c). 

The plant operates in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal discharge limitations

(NMPNS 2002a). No notices of violation have been reported in the past five years, the length of

record reviewed.

Four hydrostratigraphic units exist below Nine Mile Point: non-lithified sediments, Oswego

Sandstone, Pulaski Formation, and Whetstone Gulf Formation, in descending order. 

Groundwater is available from an unconfined aquifer and deeper confined aquifers. The

unconfined aquifer is composed of non-lithified glacial deposits and fill material and the upper

portion of the Oswego Sandstone. The non-lithified deposits rest on a permeable fractured

zone at the top of the Oswego Sandstone. The Oswego Sandstone formation becomes

relatively impermeable within approximately 6.1 m (20 ft) of its upper surface (NMPNS 2002a).

Within a 3.2-km (2-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point, the local water table ranges in elevation from

91.4 m (300 ft) NGVD in the southeast to the lake water level, approximately 75.0 m (246 ft)

NGVD, with annual variations of approximately 0.6 m (2 ft) (NMPNS 2002a). The normal

groundwater table in the Nine Mile Point complex area is approximately 77.7 m (255 ft) NGVD. 

The average gradient is approximately 0.7 percent to the north-northwest (NMPNS 2002a). 

Water enters the groundwater system as a result of infiltration of precipitation and local seepage

from ponds and swamps through the non-lithified deposits and bedrock outcrops. This process

is known as groundwater recharge. Due to the low permeability of the surficial soils in the

vicinity of the site, most of the precipitation runs off toward the lake, leaving approximately 5 cm
Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-29 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

(2 in.) available for recharge annually. The Oswego Sandstone is recharged by seepage from

the non-lithified deposits and local outcrops located to the south and southeast of the site. 

Recharge of the lower zones of rock beneath the surface occurs through outcrops upgradient to

the site, or possibly through fractures. Groundwater flow velocities in the Nine Mile Point site

vicinity are slow due to low hydraulic conductivities. The maximum estimated regional velocity

of groundwater in the unconfined aquifer is no more than a few yards annually, based on a

gradient of 0.7 percent and an assumed average permeability of 1 x 10-5 cm/s (4 x 10-6 in./s)

(NMPNS 2002a).

2.2.4 Air Quality

The climate of New York state is broadly representative of the humid continental type, which

prevails in the northeastern U.S., but its diversity is not usually encountered within an area of

comparable size. Differences in latitude, character of the topography, and proximity to large

bodies of water, such as Lake Ontario, have pronounced effects on the climate. Nine Mile Point

is located in a moist continental climate (Cf) zone characterized by the dominance from tropical

air masses in summer and polar air masses in winter, and the presence of deciduous forest that

covers the eastern parts of the U.S. and southern Canada. Seasonal changes between

summer and winter are very large, with an average seasonal temperature change of 56°F

(31°C). Mean or normal daily minimum and maximum temperatures for the Oswego East NWS

station from 1971 through 2000 range from -8.9°C (16°F) in January to 16.7°C (62°F) in July

and August, and from -0.6°C (31°F) in January to 27.2°C (81°F) in July, respectively

(NOAA 2004a). Cold winters are caused by polar and arctic air masses moving south. 

Abundant local precipitation occurs throughout year, with a typical increase in summer rainfall

due to invading tropical air masses. Meteorological records for north central New York (Ithaca

area) are generally representative of the Nine Mile Point area. The data from this area indicate

that lowest precipitation amounts for the year generally last for about a month or two, typically in

January and/or February. Mean or normal monthly temperatures for north central New York

range from -10.6°C to -1.1°C (12.9°F to 30.1°F) in January to 14.0°C to 26.6°C (57.2°F to

79.8°F) in July and August (NOAA 2004b). The mean annual precipitation for the region is

90.2 cm (30.5 in.). Normal monthly precipitation ranges from 1.3 to 16.3 cm (0.5 to 6.4 in.) in

the dry season (January) to 2.5 to 33 cm (1 to 13 in.) in the wet season (July).

Onsite meteorological conditions are monitored from the 61-m (200-ft) main tower, and at a

secondary tower approximately 30 m (100 ft) in height. At the main tower, winds (speed and

direction) and temperature are measured at three levels, 9.1 m (30 ft), 30.5 m (100 ft) and 61 m

(200 ft), including horizontal wind direction variations. Atmospheric stability is determined using

the "delta T" method, with temperature differences between the 61-m (200-ft) and 9.1-m (30-ft)

levels and the 30.5-m (100-ft) and the 9.1-m (30-ft) level. Hourly data recorded from

measurements at the 61-m (200-ft) and 9.1-m (30-ft) levels over a five-year period (1999

through 2003) were used to generate seasonal wind roses. The data show that the

meteorological influence of Lake Ontario water temperature does not appear to have a

discernable influence on winds typical at shoreline locations, which tend to exhibit strong lake

and land breeze circulation patterns in the spring and fall. Winds during the winter season tend
Plant and the Environment

(a) Tornado wind speeds range from 17.9 to 32.2 m/s (40 to 72 mph) for F-0 and from 32.6 to 49.2 m/s

(73 to 110 mph) for F-1 category tornadoes (Fujita 1987).

(b) Wind power densities ranging from 0 to 100 m2

 at 10 m (33 ft) above ground and 0 to 200 m2 at 50 m

(164 ft) (RREDC 2004b).

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-30 May 2006

to be stronger, with mean winds exceeding 5 m/s (11 mph) predominately out of the west. 

During the spring and summer, winds are more often from the west-southwest, while in the fall,

they tend to come from the south to southeast about 30 percent of the time.

Severe thunderstorms with winds exceeding 26 m/s (58 mph) and/or with property damage

occur on average 2 to 3 days per year (NOAA 2004c). During June through August, the daily

occurrence of thunderstorms is approximately one day per month, with a total of 126

thunderstorm and wind damage reports filed for Oswego County from January 1, 1950 to

June 30, 2004. Through the last half of the last century, 1950 to 2004, a total of eight tornadoes

touched down in Oswego County (NOAA 2004c). Seven of these produced slight or moderate

property damage and were categorized as in the low intensity range of the Fujita Tornado

Scale, F-0 or F-1 category tornados.(a) The one tornado that did produce significant damage

was an F-3 storm in May 1983, which resulted in $250,000 in property damage (NOAA 2004c). 

Based on statistics for the 30 years from 1954 through 1983 (Ramsdell and Andrews 1986), the

probability of a tornado striking a point in a 1° latitude-longitude square at Nine Mile Point is

expected to be about 1.0 x 10-4 per year. Severe weather Procedure AG-108, Rev. 4 has been

| implemented at Nine Mile Point as a guideline to provide the station with items to be considered

in the event severe weather is forecasted to impact the area.

The wind resources are expressed in terms of wind power classes, ranging from class 1 to class

7 (Elliott et al. 1986). Each class represents a range of mean wind power density or

approximate mean wind speed at specified heights above the ground. The wind energy

resource for most of the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shoreline region of New York state,

including Oswego County, has good wind power potential. The annual average wind power for

this part of the state is rated class 3 (RREDC 2004a). Areas designated class 3 or greater are

suitable for most wind energy applications, whereas class 2 areas are marginal and class 1

areas are generally not wind-power suitable.(b)

Air quality in a given area is a function of the air pollutant emissions (type of pollutant, rate,

frequency, duration, exit conditions, and location of release), atmospheric conditions (climate

and meteorology), the area itself (size of airshed and topography of the area), and the pollutants

transported from outside the area. Air quality within a 50-km (31-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point is

generally considered good, with exceptions occurring within 25 km (16 mi) of designated ozone

nonattainment areas. Localized sources of emissions include man-made sources of

commercial, residential and transportation-related emissions. Natural sources of wind-blown

dust contribute to temporary increases in air pollution.
Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-31 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Nine Mile Point is located in Oswego County, New York, which is part of the Central Air Quality

Control Region (AQCR) covered by Region 7 of NYSDEC. With the exception of ozone, this

region is designated as being in attainment or unclassifiable for all criteria pollutants in 40 CFR

81.333. Jefferson County, north of Oswego County, is designated as a nonattainment area for

ozone, and classified moderate for the 8-hour and marginal for the 1-hour ozone National

Ambient Air Quality Standards. No Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class I areas are |

located within 100 km (62 mi) of Nine Mile Point. 

There are five emergency diesel generators at Nine Mile Point. The Nine Mile Point Unit 1

(NMP1) emergency diesel generator system consists of two identical, physically separate, and

electrically independent standby diesel generators. Each of the NMP1 generators have a

nominal rated capacity of approximately 2600 kW(e) (3500 hp). The Nine Mile Point Unit 2

(NMP2) emergency power supply system consists of three standby diesel generators . One of

the NMP2 generators has a nominal rated capacity of approximately 2600 kW(e) (3500 hp), 

while the other two Unit 2 generators are nominally rated at approximately 4500 kW(e)

(6100 hp). The diesel generators are used for emergency backup power, providing a standby

source of electric power for equipment required for mitigation of the consequences of an

accident, for safe shutdown, and for maintenance of the station in a safe condition under

postulated event and accident scenarios. The diesel generators are tested once per month for |

1- and 4.5-hour test burn durations for Units 1 and 2, respectively. Maintenance tests for each

generator—for example to replace pumps and test for leaks—lasting 10 to 30 hours are run as

needed. Twenty-four endurance burns are run for the large Unit 2 generators on a staggered

test schedule, once every other year. Under the air pollution rules and regulations of the

NYSDEC, Subpart 201-3, Exemptions and Trivial Activities, emergency diesel generators

meeting certain operating criteria are exempt from State operating permit requirements. The

rules define emergency power generating units as stationary internal combustion engines that

operate as a mechanical or electrical power source only when the usual supply of power is

unavailable. These sources are provided a permit exemption if they operate less than 500

hours per year for the engine, including operation during emergency situations, routine

maintenance, and routine exercising (for example, test firing the engine for one hour per week

to ensure reliability). During the site audit, the applicant stated that all the Nine Mile Point

emergency diesel generators operate for less than 400 hours per year, therefore, emissions

from these sources are not regulated under New York State's Permit Operating Program.

2.2.5 Aquatic Resources

As the most downstream of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario is impacted by human activities

occurring throughout the upstream water bodies including Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake

Huron, and the Lake Erie basins (NMPNS 2004e). Uses of Lake Ontario include navigation,

commercial fish harvesting, sport fishing, boating, swimming, and general recreation around the

lake (NMPC 1985). 

The lake is approximately 306 km (190 mi) long by 80 km (50 mi) wide, with a surface area of

about 19,000 km2

 (7340 mi2). The maximum depth is 244 m (802 ft) and the mean depth is
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-32 May 2006

86 m (283 ft), which is greater than the other Great Lakes, except Lake Superior. Depths of 12

to 30 m (40 to 100 ft) are within 0.6 to 1.2 km (1 to 2 mi) off the southern shore in the area of

Ginna. The major source of water for the lake is Lake Erie via the Niagara River. Water flows

from Lake Ontario via the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. The predominant surface

currents in front of the station are west to east, and the flows tend to swing toward the southern

shoreline (NRC 2004).

The lake depth in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point ranges from 0 to approximately 30.5 m (100 ft). 

The lake bottom is characterized by a series of distinct ridges, running northeast to southwest,

that are part of the Rochester Basin. There is a strong resemblance between the shape of the

ridges and the topography of onshore drumlin fields north of the lake. In the shallow inshore

areas, the combination of wind and wave energies prevents the deposition of silt and mud

except in sheltered areas. The shoreline of Lake Ontario in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point is

composed of low bluffs with slip faces of sand or cobbles, with larger stones deposited at the

bottom of the slope. The shoreline within Nine Mile Point's protected area has been shielded

from storm surge wave action by a dike between Unit 1 and the lake, and a revetment-ditch

system which extends in front of both Units 1 and 2. The front slope of the revetment-ditch

system is reinforced with dolos and concrete armor units in front of Unit 2, and with rock armor

in front of Unit 1. The backslope is constructed of rockfill, a layer of rock armor units, and

granular filters. The top of the revetment has an elevation of 80 m (263 ft). A ditch located

immediately south of the revetment collects rainfall runoff flowing north and conveys it to both

ends of the revetment, where it discharges to the lake (NMPNS 2004e).

Lake Ontario has two nearby tributaries: the Little Salmon River and the Oswego River. Little

Salmon River is located in the Village of Mexico, New York, approximately 16 km (10 mi) from

the site and is one of ten major tributaries of Lake Ontario. It empties into Lake Ontario at

Mexico Point. This river is a very productive fish spawning and nursery area. It supports large

populations of resident warmwater species including brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus),

white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), largemouth bass

(Micropterus salmoides), and northern pike (Esox lucius). The fish habitat extends

approximately 9.7 km (6 mi) upstream to the first dam in the Village of Mexico, New York

(NYSDEC 2004a).

| The mouth of the Oswego River is located in Oswego, New York, approximately 6.4 km (4 mi)

| west of the site. This is considered an historic spawning area of the state threatened lake

sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). The Oswego river area provides habitat for a variety of

warmwater fish species, including alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), gizzard shad (Dorsoma

cepedianum), brown bullhead, white perch (Morone americana), yellow perch (Perca

flaverscens), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), largemouth bass, walleye (Sander

vitreus), pumpkin seed (Lepomis gibbosus), and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). 

| Important fish and wildlife habitat includes the 2.4-km (1.5-mi) segment of river below Varick

Dam and approximately 182 ha (450 ac) of Lake Ontario at the river mouth (NYSDEC 2004). 

There are no natural watercourses onsite. A revetment ditch runs from the Nine Mile Point
Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-33 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Unit 2 cooling tower area westward and then northward to Lake Ontario. The revetment ditch

receives site stormwater runoff and monitored discharges from the wastewater treatment facility

and the oil retention pond.

Historically, the Lake Ontario fish community had abundant top predators offshore, such as

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and burbot (Lota lota). In the

warmer nearshore waters, predator species such as yellow perch, walleye, northern pike (Esox

lucius), and lake sturgeon were in abundance. Prey species included deepwater ciscoes

(Coregonus spp.) and deepwater and slimy sculpins (Myoxocephalus thompsoni and Cottus

cognatus, respectively) in the deeper offshore areas. The emerald shiner (Notropis |

atherinoides) and spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) were abundant as nearshore prey

species (NMPNS 2004e).

Notable changes to the fish community of Lake Ontario began over 100 years ago with the

arrival of several invasive fish species. Alewife, sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), and

rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) colonized Lake Ontario either by introduction or as a result of

migration through the New York State Canal System into the lake. Sea lampreys contributed to

the collapse of multiple native fish stocks, including lake trout (NYSDEC 2003c); control

measures (physical and chemical) were implemented. Alewife and rainbow smelt became

overabundant by the 1960s and served as important forage species in Lake Ontario. Alewife

populations decreased during the late 1990s, as the lake's water quality conditions changed to a

more oligotrophic state, causing changes in the algal community. The salmonid stocking

program also caused a decline in the alewife stocks (NMPNS 2004e, UWSGI 2001,

NYSDEC 2003c).

The combination of predation pressure from stocked salmon and the change in the trophic

structure of the lake resulted in marked declines of alewife and rainbow smelt by the early

1990s. The results of midwater trawls combined with acoustical transects conducted by

NYSDEC and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource (OMNR) in Lake Ontario revealed an 80-

percent reduction in the alewife population between October 1991 to 1994. The change in the

trophic structure of the lake toward a more benthic-oriented food web, that is, zebra mussels

(Dreissena spp.) colonization, and resultant decrease in open water plankton upon which

alewife feed also affect the alewife population. The population of alewife fluctuates and has

increased in some years; however, it remains lower in 2002 than in the 1980s (NMPNS 2004e).

A decline in the rainbow smelt population has also been documented, along with a more recent

shift in size distribution. The combination of mid-water trawls and acoustic transects resulted in

lower biomass estimates for rainbow smelt than for alewife through 1995, although a slight

increase in the smelt population was noted in 1996 to 1997. There was no indication of older

smelt; the population appeared to have only one spawning age-class. The year classes now

present in Lake Ontario also have much smaller age-length frequencies than in the past

(NMPNS 2004e).

More recent invasions of exotic fish species include the European river ruffe (Gymnocephalus

cernuus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), and the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus). 
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-34 May 2006

Blueback herring have not become as abundant as had been expected after their entry through

the New York State Canal System, although they have been found in the Oswego area. Round

goby, a natural predator of zebra mussels, has recently become established in all of the Great

Lakes including Lake Ontario. They are established in Rochester, New York, approximately

81 km (50 mi) to the west and have spread eastward to the Sodus, New York area,

approximately 48 km (30 mi) west of Nine Mile Point. Round goby have been collected from

northeastern Lake Ontario in the Bay of Quinte, and there was an unconfirmed report of a round

goby collected in eastern Lake Ontario. There are no reported occurrences near Nine Mile

Point (NMPNS 2004e).

In the mid-1970s, once the sea lamprey populations were under control, Canada and the

NYSDEC began lake trout restoration programs. The program was also designed to reduce the

| alewife population. During the mid-1970s, New York State and the Province of Ontario,

Canada, instituted a salmonid stocking program of up to 8 million fish per year aimed at using

the extensive forage base of alewife and smelt. For the next 20 years, this program was very

successful in both developing a world-class sport fishery on Lake Ontario as well as controlling

the forage fish population (NRC 2004). Atlantic salmon stocking was started in 1989 in another

attempt to re-establish an absent predator species in Lake Ontario. A variety of other salmonids

continue to be stocked and managed through efforts of the NYSDEC and the OMNR, including

rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and coho salmon (Oncorhyhnchus kisutch). 

Currently, the Lake Ontario fish community is in a dynamic state, affected by trophic changes

triggered by invasive species as well as through manipulation by agency stocking programs. An

imbalance of predators and prey has resulted, with the important forage species alewife and

rainbow smelt at low population levels. These lakewide fluctuations in fish populations are

reflected in the entrainment and impingement monitoring results for Unit 1 (NMPNS 2004e).

The phytoplankton communities have historically been diverse, while actual abundance of

phytoplankton species has varied seasonally. During the 1960s to 1970s, Lake Ontario became

significantly eutrophic, with a greatly heightened growth in the algal community, as a result of

phosphorus loadings (from wastewater treatment discharges, urban runoff, and agricultural

runoff); this productivity also increased the lake's turbidity. Federal and State water legislation

(that is, CWA and GLWQA) led to nutrient load reductions and have allowed Lake Ontario's

plankton to evolve back into a more balanced, oligotrophic community (NMPNS 2004e). 

Shifts in the phytoplankton community structure also indicate improvement in the lake's trophic

status and have closely resembled the changes in the available nutrients. However, recently

invading zebra mussels have caused a redistribution of a large portion of Lake Ontario's

available planktonic nutrients, from the water column to the benthic environment, and

contributed to the recent measurable decrease in turbidity throughout the lake (NMPNS 2004e).

| The introduced quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) and zebra mussel (D. polymorpha) were

first recorded in Lake Ontario in late 1991 and 1989, respectively (NYSDEC 2003c). These

mussels have amplified the effects of the reduced nutrient levels by filtering and clarifying the
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May 2006 2-35 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

water column throughout Lake Ontario (NMPNS 2004e). Quagga mussels widely occupy the

lake bottom from the edge of the water to a depth of 122 m (400 ft). Zebra mussels are now

primarily found in water less than 4.5 m (10 ft) deep (NYSDEC 2003c). The ability of these two

invasive species to filter large quantities of water, sometimes exceeding two liters (0.5 gal) per

day per individual mussel combined with aggregations of as many as 400,000 mussels/m2

(37,157 mussels/ft2), will continue to adversely impact the availability of nutrients to pelagic

organisms.

While D. spp. populations have caused a relocation of nutrients to the benthic zone of the lake,

depriving planktonic populations from these nutrients, the non-bivalve benthic invertebrate

populations have benefited. This sequestering of available nutrients from the water column and

from the lower food chain organisms has led to expected population shifts among the various

biota levels (NMPNS 2004e; NYSDEC 2003c).

The reduction in available nutrients over the past two decades, combined with the increased

penetration of light and extended, seasonal, warm water periods, have resulted in the return and

increased growth of submerged aquatic vegetation, primarily filamentous Cladophora spp. The

vegetation coverage provides protection and nursery areas for a number of invertebrate and fish

species. However, it is also capable of becoming a nuisance by forming large floating mats

when it is separated from the benthic substrate by turbulent currents and wave action. The

mats occasionally wash ashore and decay, causing odor and aesthetic problems. Additionally,

the increasing clarity of Lake Ontario water may cause a shift of some light-sensitive fish

species, such as the walleye, to relocate into deeper waters (NMPNS 2004e).

There are no aquatic species Federally listed as threatened or endangered under the

Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point. Through consultation with the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) (NRC 2004b; FWS 2004c), no aquatic species (fish,

molluscs, or aquatic plants) were identified as potentially occurring at the site or along the

associated transmission corridors.

A number of aquatic species have been designated as threatened, endangered, or species of

special concern by the State of New York that occur in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point. These

include four fish species (Table 2-4).
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Table 2-4. Aquatic Species Listed as Endangered or Threatened by New York

State Potentially Occurring in Oswego and Onondaga Counties

Scientific Name Common Name State Status(a)

FISH

Myoxocephalus thompsoni deepwater sculpin E

Acipenser fulvescens lake sturgeon T

Erimyzon sucetta lake chubsucker T

Lythrurus umbratilis redfin shiner SC

Prosopium cylindraceum round whitefish E

(a) E = endangered, T = threatened, SC = species of special concern

Source: NYSDEC 2003d

The deepwater sculpin (State endangered) inhabits deep, cool water (4.4°C [40°F] or less) of

mainland lakes in northern North America and historically occurred in Lake Ontario. Prior to

1980, the deepwater sculpin was abundant within Lake Ontario. It was considered extirpated

from the lake until it was caught in the years 1996, 1998 and 1999 (NYSDEC 2003f). Although

there is some potential for the sculpin to occur in the site vicinity, this species has not been

| found during lake sampling or entrainment and impingement studies for NMP (NMPNS 2004e). 

It spawns year round and its diet consists of small crustaceans and bottom aquatic insects. The

cause for the past decline of the deepwater sculpin is unknown; however, alewife and rainbow

smelt predation of deepwater sculpin eggs and larvae as well as their competition with the

sculpin for other food resources are possible causes (NYSDEC 2003f). 

The lake sturgeon (State threatened) primarily inhabits freshwater lakes and large rivers. It is

one of New York's largest freshwater fish, with mature adults averaging between 0.9 to 1.5 m

(3 to 5 ft) in length and 4.5 to 36 kg (10 to 80 lbs) in weight, and has been known to occur in

Lake Ontario (NYSDEC 2003g). This species has not been observed or collected during lake

sampling or entrainment and impingement studies for NMP (NMPNS 2004e). It spawns in the

spring to early summer months in areas of clean, large rubble, usually at depths of 5 to 9 m

| (16 to 30 ft) (FAO 2000-2004). The Oswego River is considered an historic spawning area of

| the lake sturgeon (NYSDEC undated). The NYSDEC currently identifies only four areas with

| distinct and reproducing lake sturgeon populations: the St. Lawrence River downstream of

| Massena, New York; the Niagra River above the falls; the Niagra River below the falls; and the

| Grasse River in St. Lawrence County (NYSDEC 2003j). As recently as 1993, the New York

| State Oneida Fish Hatchery released lake sturgeon into the Oswego River (Rathje 2000). The

lake sturgeon's diet includes leeches, snails, clams, other invertebrates, small fish, and algae. 

Reasons for the decline of the lake sturgeon may include impoundments, channelization,

pollution, and overfishing (NYSDEC 2003g). 

The lake chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta, State threatened) inhabits natural lakes and slow water

areas within large streams; the water is usually clear and vegetated with sandy or fine graveled
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May 2006 2-37 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

bottoms. It is intolerant of turbid and silty waters. It feeds on copepods, cladocerans, and

chironomid (aquatic insects) larvae from the water bottom. The lake chubsucker spawns in the

spring and lays eggs scattered over vegetation or gravel (NYSDEC 2003h). Although the

NYSDEC states that no lake chubsuckers have been caught in New York in over 60 years

(NYSDEC 2003h), one lake chubsucker was collected during Nine Mile Point lake sampling

efforts in 1975, obtained during the summer at the mouth of the Salmon River (13 km [8 mi]

east-northeast from the site) (NMPNS 2004e). 

The redfin shiner (Lythrurus umbratilis, State species of special concern) is a small fish (9 cm

[3.5 in.] in length) and inhabits lakes and small to medium-sized streams in a variety of

ecological settings, from a slow-flowing bay to high gradient upland reaches. It typically dwells

in pools but also prefers streams with a moderate or low gradient with somewhat vegetated

sand and gravel bottoms. The redfin shiner spawns in spring and summer. The most recent

catch of this species occurred in 1999 and 2000 in Johnson Creek (NYSDEC 2003i). This

creek is a tributary of Lake Ontario approximately 18 miles NE of Lockport, NY. The mouth of

Johnson Creek in Lake Ontario is over 100 miles west of NMP. The redfin shiner was collected

in aquatic monitoring studies associated with the NMP; this collection occurred in 1975 and is |

recorded only as collected (that is, no quantity is associated with the record) (LMS 1983).

The round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum, State endangered) is a medium-sized fish,

averaging 0.2-0.3 m (8-12 in) in length. The shape of the fish is long and tubular with a nearly

round midsection (hence its name). Round whitefish inhabit all the Great Lakes except Lake

Erie. Lake Ontario’s population provides a limited commercial fishery in Ontario, Canada

however the last catch in New York was in 1942. They feed at or near the bottom and eat a

variety of invertebrates, small fish, and fish eggs. Round whitefish spawn in the fall (NovemberDecember) over gravel shoals of lakes or at river mouths (NYSDEC 2003k). The round

whitefish is not know from the NMP site (Logan 2006). Impingement and lake sampling

conducted between 1973 and 1981 did not report the presence of this species (LMS 1983). 

2.2.6 Terrestrial Resources

Nine Mile Point and associated transmission line corridors are located within the Erie and

Ontario Lake Plain eco-region (USFS 1994), which is characterized by flat terrain and shallow

entrenchments of the primary drainage systems. The eco-region is a combination of level to

gently rolling till-plain and flat lake plain. There are a few areas with broad, low ridges (glacial

end moraines) that generally trend parallel to the Lake Ontario shoreline. Natural vegetation

communities that occupy this region develop as a function of soil conditions and slight variations

in drainage conditions and patterns. Potential vegetation communities include northern

hardwood forest, beech-maple forest, and elm-ash forest. Other, regionally defined, important

vegetation types include beech-maple forest, maple-basswood forest, hemlock-northern

hardwood forest, oak openings, and pitch pine-heath barrens.

Pre-settlement vegetation was most likely composed of upland forest communities and wetland

areas associated with riparian areas and soils with poor seasonal drainage. A tightly closed
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-38 May 2006

canopy and a thick layer of humus and leaf litter characterize forest cover on productive soils,

encouraging the growth of spring perennial herbs and discouraging bryophytes (Greller 1988). 

Forest species assemblages would have been highly influenced by the presence of sands or

clays in the soil. Natural disturbances produced forest gaps that allowed early succession plant

communities to form in what was generally a closed-canopy condition. Fire may have played a

role in natural disturbance, but was probably not a dominant factor in controlling vegetation

composition. Prior to the establishment of Nine Mile Point, extensive development and

alteration of land cover and soils occurred with the establishment of Camp Oswego U.S. Military

Reservation in the early 1940s (NMPNS 2004e). Prior to this major disturbance of the project

area, agricultural and related settlement activities resulted in the clearing of most forested areas

and the draining of wetlands for crop and forage production.

Much of the Nine Mile Point site not occupied by structures or roads consists of upland forest

with some small old field and shrub land areas. Plant species in these vegetation communities

include dominant trees, such as sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus

americana), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and American beech (Fagus grandifolia),

and a shrub layer composed of younger overstory species and woody species, such as

hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), juneberry (Amelanchier sp.), and silky dogwood (Cornus amomum)

(NMPC 1985).

As stated earlier, terrestrial communities had been impacted by past land clearing activities

associated with military construction and agricultural land use, such as cropland, pasture, and

orchards. With the development of Nine Mile Point, much of the area is now in varying stages

of plant community succession, reverting from the previous land cover to old field communities

and second-growth hardwood forest. Current conditions reflect continuing succession of old

fields to secondary forest (NMPC 1985).

Currently, vegetation control at Nine Mile Point consists of managed landscaping around

buildings and structures (lawn management, shrub and tree planting and selected removal, and

| fertilizer application). Based on discussions and observations conducted during the site audit,

| invasive and noxious plant species have not been identified as a problem on lands at Nine Mile

| Point.

Seven NYSDEC significant wetland and terrestrial habitats exist in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point

and its associated transmission lines. Teal Marsh is located approximately 5.6 km (3.5 mi) west

of the site on Lake Ontario. This 101-ha (250-ac) scrub-shrub and forested wetland, separated

from Lake Ontario by a narrow barrier beach, is the largest area of predominately scrub-shrub

wetland in the Oswego County coastal area. The number and diversity of wildlife species using

the area with its diversification of marsh and wooded uplands are unusual for Oswego county

(NYSDEC 2004c). This area contains interspersed marsh and wooded uplands; the number

and diversity of wildlife species sited in this area are unique to Oswego County. (NYSDEC

2004c).
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May 2006 2-39 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

The nearshore area of Lake Ontario between the Salmon River and the City of Oswego is also

considered significant habitat by the NYSDEC. This is an important non-breeding waterfowl

winter concentration area used primarily by diving ducks. Species observed include greater

scaup (Aythya marila), golden eye (Bucephala clangula), merganser (Mergus merganser), and,

in lesser numbers canvasback (Aythya valisineria) and oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis).

A Rare Natural Community (that is, a rich shrub fen) is located approximately 6.4 km (4 mi)

south of Nine Mile Point and approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi) west of the transmission corridor

(NMPNS 2004e).

Sage Creek Marsh is located in the Town of Mexico, New York, approximately 16 km (10 mi)

east of the site. This 14-ha (35-ac) streamside wetland and flood pond system developed at the

point where Sage Creek empties into Lake Ontario. Vegetation in the area is dominated by

narrow- and broad-leaved nonpersistent emergents, submergent aquatic beds, and wet

meadows (NYSDEC 2004d).

Derby Hill is located along the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, approximately 16 km (10 mi)

east of the site and 6.4 km (4 mi) north of Mexico, New York. It is a small drumlin, containing

abandoned fields, woodlots, and active agricultural lands. As the highest point of land along the

shoreline of eastern Oswego County, it is within the major corridor for spring hawk, as well as

other migratory birds, in New York.

Ramona Beach Marsh is located 8 km (5 mi) west of the Village of Pulaski (Richland), New

York, approximately 48 km (30 mi) east of the site. This 28-ha (70-ac) emergent wetland

developed at the point where the Snake Creek empties into Lake Ontario. It is dominated by

narrow-and broad-leaved persistent emergents; it also has scrub-scrub wetland and

submergent aquatic beds.

Butterfly Creek Wetlands is located approximately 6.4 km (4 mi) northwest of the Village of

Mexico (New Haven), New York, on the shoreline of Lake Ontario, approximately 9.7 km (6 mi)

east of the site. This 152-ha (375-ac) wetland, separated from Lake Ontario by a narrow barrier

beach, is the second largest wetland area within Oswego County’s coastal zone. The

concentrations of many wetland wildlife species are among the largest in this county and

represent an unusual concentration for Lake Ontario.

No formal wetland delineations or surveys have been conducted for the Nine Mile Point site. |

However, based on mapping conducted by the FWS (1982) under the National Wetland

Inventory (NWI) and surveys conducted by the State of New York, it has been estimated that

approximately seven percent of Nine Mile Point is occupied by wetlands (NMPNS 2004e). A

land use analysis conducted for the Unit 2 license application estimated that the site contained

approximately 24 ha (60 acres) of permanent wetlands (NMPC 1985). These wetland

communities are most likely an outcome of relatively impermeable glacial till soils that allow

perched groundwater to lie at or near ground surface seasonally or during years of above

average precipitation (NMPNS 2004e). 
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-40 May 2006

The NWI maps show that wetlands at Nine Mile Point occur as numerous small landscape

features with many existing independently of surface streams or drainage systems (FWS 1982). 

Both the isolated wetlands and those associated with intermittent drainages are located

primarily on the undeveloped portion of the site. The wetlands primarily occur within the

northern and western portion of the forested area north of Lake Road and in forested areas

south of Lake Road, with the exception of the area around and in the firing range. The

State-designated wetlands lie entirely south of Lake Road and are all designated Class II

wetlands in accordance with criteria set forth in the New York Code of Rules and Regulations

(NYCRR) in 6 NYCRR Part 664.5 (NMPNS 2004e).

The types of animal species found on Nine Mile Point are representative of those populations

found within the disturbed landscapes of the lower Great Lakes region. The most common

small mammals trapped in the 1979 survey of the site were the white-footed mouse

(Peromyscus leucopus) and the deer mouse (P. maniculatus) (NMPC 1985). Other mammals

confirmed to be present as a result of these field studies included woodchuck (Marmota monax),

meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius), meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), red

squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Of the 40

species of reptiles and amphibians believed to inhabit Oswego County, only 21 have been

observed in the coastal zone (NMPC 1985). During the 1979 survey, wood frogs (Rana

sylvatica) were observed in mixed hardwood forest, and northern leopard frogs (R. pipiens)

were observed in wetlands located in disturbed areas. Because no wetland delineation has

been conducted for Nine Mile Point, a site-specific species list or wetland characterization is not

available.

The array of different habitat types and conditions within the near-shore land and water areas of

southern Lake Ontario, including the coastal zone of Oswego County, supports a large number

of avian species. In addition, the region is part of the Atlantic Flyway, so avian species

abundance and diversity increase with the influx of spring and fall migrants. The diversity and

number of bird species in the region were reflected at Nine Mile Point when 69 bird species

were observed on and near the site during a roadside count and breeding bird census

| conducted in 1976 (NMPC 1985). During the winter, large numbers of waterfowl congregate

along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

The arrival of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Great Lakes, including Lake

Ontario, provided an excellent food source for over-wintering diving ducks, including greater

scaup (Aytha marila) and lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) (Custer and Custer 1996). For example,

Mitchell and Carlson (1993) reported that, of 19 of 21 lesser scaups (Aythya affinis) entrained

into a power plant in Michigan, nearly 100 percent contained zebra mussels. On

January 28, 2000, it was documented that Nine Mile Point Unit 1 had impinged approximately

100 greater and lesser scaup ducks in the screenwall building (NMPC 2000). At the time, it was

estimated that approximately 500 to 700 ducks were rafting in the vicinity of the Unit 1 intake

structure. The ducks had apparently been feeding on zebra mussels located on or near the

intake structures. At the time of the event, the plant had been placed on reverse flow condition

for deicing of the hexagonal intake structure. As a result of this incident, all intake structures
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May 2006 2-41 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

now undergo annual cleaning to remove zebra mussels (the food source), and reverse flow

conditions are scheduled during periods when diving duck feeding is limited (NMPC 2000).

The 42-km (26-mi) transmission corridor from the Scriba to Clay substations is primarily in

Oswego County, with a small portion extending into Onondaga County. Forest and brush land

are the major vegetation cover types that occur along the Scriba to Volney portion of the

corridor (NMPNS 2004e). Agriculture occupies a small percentage of the land along the

corridor. This contrasts with the Volney to Clay portion of the corridor where large areas of

active and abandoned agricultural land, forest, and wetlands occur. A detailed description of

the plant communities found along the Scriba to Clay corridor can be found in the Article VII

Application report prepared for the Independence Station-Clay 345 kV Transmission Line

Project (NMPC 1992). The Article VII Application report also includes an assessment of the

wildlife species found or that could occur in the habitats along the corridor (NMPC 1992).

Terrestrial species that are listed by the FWS and the State of New York and have the potential |

to occur in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point or along the transmission corridors are presented in

Table 2-5. Based on range and habitat information (Table 2-5), only the following Federally

listed terrestrial wildlife species have any reasonable potential to occur in Oswego or Onondaga

counties: Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus), both listed as

endangered; bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus),

both listed as threatened; and possibly the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus

catenatus catenatus), which is a candidate species. However, recent correspondence from the

FWS indicates that none of these species, with the exception of the Indiana bat and occasional

transient individuals of bald eagle and piping plover, are likely to occur on the Nine Mile Point

site or along the Nine Mile Point to Clay transmission corridor (NMPNS 2004e, FWS 2004c). 

This determination confirms previous findings for the Nine Mile Point site (NMPC 1985) and the

Scriba to Clay transmission corridor (NMPC 1992).
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Table 2-5. Terrestrial Species Listed as Endangered or Threatened by the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service and Species that are Candidates for

Listing as Threatened or Endangered that Occur or Potentially

Occur within Oswego and Onondaga Counties

Scientific Name Common Name Federal Status(a)

REPTILES

Clemmys muhlenbergii bog turtle T

Sistrurus catenatus catenatus massasauga rattlesnake C

BIRDS

Charadrius melodus piping plover E

Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle T

MAMMALS

Myotis sodalis Indiana bat E

PLANTS

Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum American Hart’s-tongue fern T

Isotria medeoloides small whorled pogonia T

(a) E = endangered, T = threatened, C = candidate for Federal listing

Source: NMPNS 2004e, FWS 2004d

The northern population of the bog turtle (Cemmys muhlenbergii) was listed as a threatened

species on November 4, 1997. This population is currently known to occur at 37 sites in New

York State (FWS 2001). The greatest threats to its survival include the loss, degradation, and

fragmentation of its habitat, compounded by the take of long-lived adult animals from wild

populations for illegal wildlife trade. Bog turtles usually occur in small, discrete populations,

generally occupying open-canopy, herbaceous sedge meadows and fens bordered by wooded

areas. These wetlands include micro-habitats of dry pockets, saturated areas, and areas that

are periodically flooded. Bog turtles depend upon this diversity of micro-habitats for foraging,

nesting, basking, hibernation, and shelter (FWS 2001). The bog turtle’s range in New York is

currently considered limited to the lower Hudson River and Housatonic River drainages in the

state’s southeastern corner, and to one site in the Finger Lakes area of western New York

(FWS 1997b). However, the NYSDEC notes that there are a series of bog turtle populations in

the Lake Ontario basin (NYSDEC 2003a). The New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas

(maps with 1990 to 1998 species occurrence data) notes an occurrence of the bog turtle in

southwestern Oswego County (NYSDEC 2003b). No bog turtles have been noted at Nine Mile

Point or within its vicinity or along its transmission lines (NMPNS 2004e).

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is currently a candidate for Federal listing. The central

New York region represents the eastern extent of its range in the U.S. Throughout much of its

range in the eastern U.S., massasauga rattlesnakes are found in wet prairies, sedge meadows,

and early successional fields. Preferred wetland habitats are marshes and fens. They avoid

open water and seem to prefer the cover of broad-leafed plants, emergents, and sedges. 

Natural succession of woody vegetation is a leading cause of recent habitat deterioration
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May 2006 2-43 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

throughout its range. Intensive management to retard woody vegetation growth is necessary to

maintain suitable habitat conditions. The massasauga is not a forest-dwelling species, and

forests impede their movements and dispersal (Ohio Department of Natural Resources 2004). 

Although Onondaga County is listed by the FWS as one of the eastern massasauga

rattlesnake’s current counties of occurrence, the FWS indicates that it is not likely to occur in the

vicinity of Nine Mile Point or within habitats associated with the transmission lines (FWS 2004c). 

The New York State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas notes an occurrence of the eastern

massasauga snake on the border of southeastern Oswego County and northeastern Onondaga

County (NYSDEC 2003b). This species has not been observed at Nine Mile Point nor along its

transmission line rights-of-way (NMPNS 2004e).

The piping plover is a small, stocky, sandy-colored bird resembling a sandpiper. The adult has

yellow-orange legs, a black band across the forehead from eye to eye, and a black ring around

the base of its neck. The piping plover breeds on coastal beaches from Newfoundland and

southeastern Quebec to North Carolina. These birds winter primarily on the Atlantic coast from

North Carolina to Florida, although some migrate to the Bahamas and West Indies. Piping

plovers return to their breeding grounds in late March or early April. Following establishment of

nesting territories and courtship rituals, the pair forms a depression in the sand somewhere on

the high beach close to the dunes. The nest is sometimes lined with small stones or fragments

of shell (FWS 2003). The piping plover is a transient species and not found in the vicinity of

Nine Mile Point or associated rights-of-way.

The bald eagle is a large, powerful, black bird with a white head and tail. Females generally

weigh up to 6.3 kg (14 lbs) and have a wingspan up to 2.4 m (8 ft). Males are smaller, weighing

3 to 4.5 kg (7 to 10 lbs) with a wingspan of 2.0 m (6.5 ft). Young bald eagles are mostly dark

brown until they reach four to six years of age and may be confused with the golden eagle. The

bird's life span in the wild can reach 30 years. Bald eagles mate for life and build huge nests in

the tops of large trees near rivers, lakes, and marshes. Nests, which are usually re-used and

enlarged every year, can reach 20 feet across and weigh up to 1800 kg (4000 lbs). The birds

travel over great distances, but normally return to nest within 160 km (100 mi) of where they

were originally raised. Nesting bald eagle pairs now number over 5700 in the continental U.S. |

(FWS 2004b). The bald eagle is a transient species and not found in the vicinity of Nine Mile

Point or associated rights-of-way.

The Indiana bat is a medium-sized myotis, closely resembling the little brown bat (Myotis

lucifugus) but differing in coloration. The fur of the Indiana bat is a dull, grayish chestnut, with

the basal portion back hairs a dull, lead color. The diet has not been well characterized beyond

the fact that it consists of insects. Females and juveniles forage in the airspace near the foliage

of riparian and flood plain trees. Males forage the densely wooded area at tree-top height. 

Suitable summer roosting or maternal habitat are dead or living trees greater than or equal to 13

cm (5 in.) diameter at breast height that have exfoliating or defoliating bark, cracks, crevices, or

holes. Forested wetland areas, including ponds and impoundments provide suitable foraging

areas. The Indiana bat occurs in the midwest and eastern U.S. from the western edge of the

Ozark region in Oklahoma, to southern Wisconsin, east to Vermont, and as far south as
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northern Florida (FWS 1991). The Indiana bat is known to occur at hibernacula in Onondaga

and Oswego counties, New York at distances of 29.8 km (18.5 mi) and 61.2 km (38 mi) from

Nine Mile Point, respectively (FWS 2004c). Based on the distance that Indiana bats normally

travel, it is possible that Indiana bats could reside at the facility, if suitable habitat is present. 

Hart's-tongue fern is found in close association with outcrops of dolomitic limestone, in coulees,

gorges, and cool limestone sinkholes in mature hardwood forests. It requires high humidity and

deep shade provided by mature forest canopies or overhanging rock cliffs. It prefers soils high

in magnesium (FWS 1997a). Even under undisturbed conditions, these habitat requirements

occur rarely and result, even under undisturbed conditions, in only small isolated populations of

| Hart's-tongue fern in the eastern U.S. Occurrences of this species at the Nine Mile Point site or

| associated transmission corridors has not been documented. 

Small whorled pogonia is a perennial with long, pubescent roots and a smooth, hollow stem

9.5 to 25 cm (3.7 to 9.9 in.) tall terminating in a whorl of five or six light green, elliptical leaves

that are somewhat pointed and measure up to 8 by 4 cm (3.2 by 1.6 in.). A flower, or

occasionally two flowers, is produced at the top of the stem. This species is generally found in

open, dry, deciduous woods with acidic soil. It occurs in habitat where there is relatively high

shrub coverage or high sapling density; flowering appears to be inhibited in dense shade. Most

Northern U.S. populations are centered in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in New

England and northern coastal Massachusetts (FWS 1996). Occurrence at the Nine Mile Point

site or associated rights-of-way has not been documented.

Based on site-specific information received from the FWS (NMPNS 2004e; FWS 2004c), there

are no Federally listed plant species in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point or the associated

transmission corridors. However, the Federally protected American Hart's-tongue fern

(Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum) is noted by the New York Natural Heritage

Program data base as having documented occurrence in Onondaga County (Young and Weldy

2004). The southern portion of the Scriba to Clay transmission corridor extends into Onondaga

County. However, no Federally listed plant species were noted as occurring along the Scriba to

Clay transmission corridor in the Article VII application for the Independence Station - Clay line,

which utilizes this corridor (NMPC 1992). In addition, the FWS did not indicate that this plant

was present on the project site, including the corridor portion of the project (NMPNS 2004e;

FWS 2004c). Table 2-6 lists State of New York listed species that may be found on or near the

vicinity of the Nine Mile Point site and associated rights-of-way.
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Table 2-6. Terrestrial Species Listed by the State of New York as Endangered,

Threatened, or of Special Concern that Have Been Reported to

Occur or Potentially to Occur within the Nine Mile Point Site or the

Associated Transmission Line Rights-of-Way

Scientific Name Common Name State Status(a)

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Crotalus horridus timber rattlesnake T

Ambystoma jeffersonianum Jefferson salamander SC

Ambystoma laterale blue-spotted salamander SC

Clemmys guttata spotted turtle SC

Clemmys insculpta wood turtle SC

BIRDS

Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle E

Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon E

Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike E

Chlidonias niger black tern E

Asio flammeus short-eared owl E

Podilymbus podiceps pied-billed grebe T

Ixobrychus exilis least bittern T

Circus cyaneus northern harrier T

Bartramia longicauda upland sandpiper T

Sterna hirundo common tern T

Cistothorus platensis sedge wren T

Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's sparrow T

Gavia immer common loon SC

Pandion haliaetus osprey SC

Buteo lineatus red-shouldered hawk SC

Accipiter striatus sharp-shinned hawk SC

Accipiter cooperii Cooper's hawk SC

Chordeiles minor common nighthawk SC

Melanerpes erythrocephalus red-headed woodpecker SC

Eremophila alpestris horned lark SC

Vermivora chrysoptera golden-winged warbler SC

Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler SC

Pooecetes gramineus vesper sparrow SC

Ammodramus savannarum grasshopper sparrow SC

MAMMALS

Myotis leibii small-footed bat SC

PLANTS

Lycopodium complanatum northern running pine E
Plant and the Environment

Scientific Name Common Name State Status(a)

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-46 May 2006

Trillium flexipes nodding trillium E

Trillium sessile toad-shade E

Eleocharis quadrangulata angled spikerush E

Eleocharis obtuse var. ovata blunt spikerush E

Scirpus heterochaetus slender bulrush E

Polygonum setaceum var. interjectum swamp smartweed E

Polystichum archostichoides Christmas fern SC

Thelypteris noveboracensis New York fern SC

Trillium spp. trillium SC

Carex chordorrhiza creeping sedge T

Cypripedium arietinum giant pine-drops E

Desmodium ciliare little-leaf tick-trefoil T

(a) E = endangered, T = threatened, SC = species of special concern in New York

Source: NMPNS 2004e, NYDFWMR 2004

The northern running-pine (Lycopodium complanatum) is listed as endangered by the State of

New York (Young and Weldy 2004), and it was recorded as occurring on the Unit 2 site or

environs during the 1979 field study (NMPC 1985). At the time of the 1979 survey, three other

plants found on or near the site were listed as protected: Christmas fern (Polystichum

arcrostichoides), New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), and trillum (Trillium spp.). 

Christmas fern, New York fern, and several species of trillium remain protected, but not listed as

threatened or endangered, because they are vulnerable to exploitation under the New York

State Environmental Conservation Law (Section 9-1503).

The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), a State-listed threatened species that was identified

as likely to occur on the Nine Mile Point site or surrounding area, has been found more recently

not to have reasonable occurrence potential (NMPNS 2004e). Timber rattlesnakes are active

from late April until mid-October, although they may not emerge until mid-May in northern New

York (Brown 1993). Timber rattlesnakes are generally found in deciduous forests in rugged

terrain. In the summer, pregnant females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where

temperatures are higher, while the males and non-gravid females seem to prefer cooler, thicker

woods where the forest canopy is more closed. This rattler feeds primarily on small mammals,

but occasionally takes small birds, amphibians, and other snakes.

Several species designated as species of special concern by New York State have some

potential to occur in the general vicinity of Nine Mile Point or associated transmission corridor

based on range information from previous assessments of Nine Mile Point (NMPNS 2004e). 

Included are three species likely to occur as transients: common loon (Gavia immer), osprey

(Pandion haliaetus), and small-footed bat (Myotis leibii). Amphibians and reptiles currently

listed by New York State as species of special concern noted as likely to occur in the vicinity of

Nine Mile Point include Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), blue-spotted
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May 2006 2-47 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

salamander (Ambystoma laterale), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), and wood turtle

(C. insculpta) (Table 2-5). Avian species of special concern that may breed in the general

vicinity of the site or transmission line corridor and noted in previous assessments of Nine Mile

Point include red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus),

cooper's hawk (A. cooperii), common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), red-headed woodpecker

(Melanerpes erythrocephalus), horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), golden-winged warbler

(Vermivora chrysoptera), cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea), vesper sparrow (Pooecetes

gramineus), and grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum).

The only state species of special concern terrestrial species observed at Nine Mile Point during

monitoring were the cerulean warbler and golden-winged warbler, both observed in the general

site area during 1979 field surveys (NMPC 1985). The cerulean warbler inhabits wet

woodlands, which occur on the Nine Mile Point site. The golden-winged warbler is a ground

nester found in overgrown pastures and briery woodland borders and would likely be expected

to occur on or near the transmission corridor.

2.2.7 Radiological Impacts

NMPNS conducts a radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) at Nine Mile Point. 

Through this program, radiological impacts to workers, the public, and the environment are

monitored, documented, and compared to the appropriate standards. The objectives of the

REMP are to:

C provide representative measurements of radiation and radioactive materials in the exposure

pathways and of the radionuclides that have the potential for significant radiation exposures

to the public.

C supplement the radiological effluent monitoring program by verifying that the measurable

concentrations of radioactive materials and levels of radiation are not higher than expected

on the basis of effluent measurements and the modeling of the environmental exposure

pathways.

Radiological releases are summarized in the Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Reports for |

Unit 1 (e.g., NMPNS 2005a, 2004a) and Unit 2 (e.g., NMPNS 2005b, 2004b). The limits for all

radiological releases are specified in the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station ODCMs (e.g., NMPNS

2003a,b), and these limits are designed to meet Federal standards and requirements. The

REMP includes monitoring of the aquatic environment (fish, invertebrates, and shoreline

sediment), atmospheric environment (airborne radioiodine, gross beta, and gamma), terrestrial

environment (vegetation), farm products (e.g., milk and vegetables) and direct radiation. The |

results of REMP are summarized in the Annual Radiological Environmental Operating Reports |

(e.g., NMPNS 2005c, 2004c) |

NMPNS's review of historical data on releases and the resultant dose calculations showed that

the doses to maximally exposed individuals in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point have been a small
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-48 May 2006

fraction of the limits specified in the ODCMs (NMPNS 2003a,b) to meet Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) radiation standards in 40 CFR Part 190. For 2004, dose estimates

were calculated based on actual liquid and gaseous effluent release data (NMPNS 2005a,b). 

Calculations were performed by NMPNS using the plant effluent release data, onsite

meteorological data, and appropriate pathways identified in the ODCMs (NMPNS 2003a,b).

An assessment of the radiation dose potentially received by a member of the public due to the

individual's activities both inside and outside of the Nine Mile Point site boundary was performed

by NMPNS. The individual's activities, locations and other exposure parameters were selected

in such a way that the estimated doses would be maximized; that is, the dose actually received

by a member of the public would most likely be less than the estimated dose.

Prior to September 11, 2001, the public had access to the Energy Information Center on the

Nine Mile Point site for purposes of observing the educational displays or for picnicking and

associated activities. In addition, fishing was an activity that occurred near the shoreline

adjacent to Nine Mile Point. This activity resulted in the potential maximum dose received by a

member of the public. Following September 11, 2001, public access to the Energy Information

Center has been restricted and fishing by members of the public at locations onsite is

prohibited. Although fishing was not conducted in 2004, the annual dose to a hypothetical

fisherman was still evaluated to provide continuity of data from prior years.

The maximum dose that could have been potentially received by a member of the public due to

his or her activities within the site boundary was estimated to be approximately 0.0036 mSv

(0.36 mrem) to the whole body in 2004. This dose includes the individual's exposure to both

| NMP as well as the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, which is located just to the east

of the Nine Mile Point units. Approximately 99 percent of this dose is due to direct radiation

pathway which consists of four components: direct radiation from the reactor facilities, direct

radiation from any possible overhead plume (gaseous releases), direct radiation from ground

| deposition, and direct radiation from plume submersion (gaseous releases). The individual’s

maximum organ dose (to the lungs), resulting mainly from the inhalation of gaseous effluents

| from the NMP, was estimated to be 0.000009 mSv (0.0009 mrem).

An assessment of the radiation dose potentially received by a member of the public living in the

vicinity of the Nine Mile Point reactors (outside of the site boundary) during 2004 was also

performed by NMPNS. The individual's location, meteorological conditions, and other exposure

parameters such as dietary habits were selected in such a way that the estimated doses would

be maximized, that is, would be greater than any actual doses potentially received by any

individual living near the plants. Liquid and gaseous releases from all three operating plants

| (NMP and James A. FitzPatrick) as well as direct radiation exposures to all three plants were

considered. Based on these considerations, the maximum annual dose potentially received by

the most likely exposed member of the public during 2004 was estimated to be 0.0018 mSv

(0.18 mrem) to the whole body. About 89 percent of this dose was due to direct radiation from

the reactor facilities, from any plumes of gaseous releases, and from any radionuclides

deposited on the ground. The individual's maximum organ dose resulting mainly from the
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May 2006 2-49 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

inhalation of gaseous effluents from the three plants was estimated to be 0.0011 mSv (0.11

mrem); this dose was to the thyroid. 

Based on the values reported in the annual and semiannual RERRs for the two units over the

five-year period from 2000 through 2004 (NMPNS 2005a,b; 2004a,b; 2003d,e; 2002b,c;

2001a–c; 2000a,b), the average of the maximum annual whole-body dose for a member of the |

public due to his or her activities inside the site boundary was calculated to be 0.0038 mSv

(0.38 mrem). The maximum organ dose for the same individual was estimated to be in the

range of 6.3 x 10–6 mSv (6.3 x 10–4 mrem) to 4.1 x 10–5 mSv (4.1 x 10–3 mrem), and the organ |

identified was either the lungs or the thyroid. Over the same period, the average annual

maximum whole-body dose received by a member of the public outside the site boundary was

estimated to be 0.0059 mSv (0.59 mrem). The average annual maximum organ dose was |

calculated to be 0.0023 mSv (0.23 mrem), and the organ identified was the thyroid. |

The NMPNS ODCMs (NMPNS 2003a,b) and 40 CFR Part 190 limit the total dose to members

of the public due to radiation and radioactivity from uranium fuel cycle sources to less than

0.25 mSv (25 mrem) to the whole body or any organ other than thyroid and to less than

0.75 mSv (75 mrem) to the thyroid for a calendar year. Therefore, doses from NMP are only a |

small fraction of the regulatory limits.

The applicant does not anticipate any significant changes to the radioactive effluent releases or

exposures from NMP operations during the renewal period; therefore, the radiological impacts |

to the environment are not expected to change.

2.2.8 Socioeconomic Factors

The staff reviewed the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station License Renewal Application

Environmental Report (ER) (NMPNS 2004e) and information received from meetings with local

and regional agencies. The following sections describe the housing market, public services,

(including water supply, education and transportation), land use, demographics, and the

economy in the region surrounding Nine Mile Point.

2.2.8.1 Housing

Nine Mile Point (NMPNS) employs a permanent workforce of approximately 1281 employees

(NMPNS 2004e). Approximately 73 percent of the permanent workforce lives in Oswego

County and 23 percent lives in Onondaga County (Table 2-7). Both counties are located within

the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which also includes Cayuga and Madison

counties. The remaining employees live in various other locations. Given the residential

locations of NMPNS employees, the most significant impacts of plant operations are likely to

occur in Oswego County and Onondaga County. The focus of the analysis in the SEIS is on the

impacts of NMPNS in these two counties.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-50 May 2006

Table 2-7. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Employee Residence Information by County

County

Number of

Personnel Percent of Total

Oswego 931 73

Onondaga 298 23

Other counties 52 4

Total 1281 100

Source: NMPNS 2004e

| NMPNS refuels each unit at 24-month intervals with one outage scheduled every 12 months. 

| During refueling outages, site employment increases by between 1000 and 1250 workers for

| 30 to 40 days. Most of these workers are assumed to be located in the same geographic areas

| as permanent site workers.

The number of housing units and housing vacancies for Oswego and Onondaga counties are

shown in Table 2-8. In Oswego County, the total number of housing units and the number of

| occupied units grew at an annual average rate of 0.8 percent and 0.7 percent, respectively, over

the period 1990 to 2000. With an annual average population growth rate of less than

| 0.1 percent during this period, the number of units available grew faster than housing demand,

| leading to an annual growth rate in the number of available vacant units of 1.8 percent. In

Onondaga County, the total number of housing units grew at an annual average rate of

| 0.3 percent over the period 1990 to 2000, while average annual growth in occupied units was

| slightly less at 0.2 percent. With an annual average population growth rate of -0.2 percent in

| the county over this period, vacant housing grew at an annual rate of 1.8 percent over this

| period. In Oswego County, the overall vacancy rate was 13.8 percent in 2000; in Onondaga

| County, the rate was lower at 7.9 percent.

Table 2-8. Housing Units and Housing Units Vacant (Available) by County

during 1990 and 2000

1990 2000 Percentage Change

OSWEGO COUNTY

Housing Units 48,548 52,831 +8.8

Occupied Units 42,434 45,522 +7.3

Vacant Units 6114 7309 +19.5

ONONDAGA COUNTY

Housing Units 190,878 196,633 +3.0

Occupied Units 177,898 181,153 +1.8

Vacant Units 12,980 15,480 +19.3

Source: USCB 2005a
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May 2006 2-51 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.2.8.2 Public Services

Discussion of public services includes water supply, education, and transportation.

C Water Supply

Since water resources in Oswego County would be most impacted by the re-licensing of |

NMPNS, the discussion on water supply is largely limited to this area. Slightly more than half of |

the county population receives potable water from one of Oswego County's 29 public water |

districts, with the remaining population receiving water from private groundwater wells |

(NMPNS 2004e). Public water districts in the county obtain their water from either Lake Ontario |

or through a variety of groundwater aquifers and springs and the Onondaga County Water |

Authority (OCWA) (OCDPCD 1997). Public water suppliers draw water from three principal |

groundwater aquifers (the Sand Ridge Aquifer, the Fulton Aquifer, and the Tug Hill Aquifer) with |

substantial groundwater resources available from other local or regional aquifers that have been |

largely unused (OCDPCD 1997). Table 2.9 summarizes the daily water consumption and areas |

served by each water system in Oswego County.

Table 2-9. Major Public Water Supply Systems in Oswego County

Water Supplier Average Daily Use 

million L/day (million gpd)

Maximum Daily Capacity

million L/day (million gpd)

Oswego Water System 30.2 (8.0) 76.0 (20.1)

City of Fulton 9.1 (2.4) 9.1 (2.4)

Metropolitan Water Board 94.5 (25) 236.2 (62.5)

Source: NMPNS 2004e

The Oswego Water System (OWS) provides water service to approximately 23,950 customers |

in Oswego, Minetto, Scriba, and Volney, and provides potable water to NMPNS (OCDPCD |

1997). Current plant usage averages 651,000 L/day (172,000 gpd) with no restrictions on |

supply (see Section 3.1.3.3). While OWS could potentially withdraw up to approximately |

237 million L/day (62.5 million gpd) from Lake Ontario, the design capacity of the water plant is |

only 76 million L/day (20.1 million gpd) (OCDPCD 1997). County planning officials estimate that |

the capacity of the OWS is adequate to meet the demands of an additional 4000 to 8000 |

residential customers (OCDPCD 1997).

The City of Fulton serves approximately 12,900 customers (OCDPCD 1997). The city has ten |

groundwater wells extracting up to 9.1 million L/day (2.4 million gpd). As average daily demand |

exceeds supply in the city, the City of Fulton has an agreement with the OCWA to obtain up to |

11 million L/day (3 million gpd) to cover the extra demand (OCDPCD 1997). The Metropolitan |

Water Board (MWB) functions as a potable water wholesaler to public water districts and water |
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-52 May 2006

| authorities in both Oswego and Onondaga counties. Most of the MWB's water is sold to the

| OCWA, with 25 percent of its pipeline capacity available to Oswego County. While the capacity

| of MWB is 230 million L/day (60 million gpd), the MWB withdrew an average of only 95 million

| L/day (25 million gpd) in 1998, of which 760,000 L/day (200,000 gpd) was provided to

| communities in Oswego County. The MWB therefore has large excess capacity to support

future growth in the county (OCDPCD 1997).

C Education

NMPNS is located in the City of Oswego School District, which had an enrollment of

4,974 students in 2003. Expenditures were $11,098 per student (USCB 2005c).

Including the Oswego City School District, Oswego County contains nine school districts. In

2003, there were 24,836 students enrolled in schools in the district with an average class size of

13.3 students. In 2003, the average expenditure per student was $10,817 (USCB 2005c). 

These numbers are comparable to Onondaga County where average class size was 13.5 in

2003 and the schools spent an average of $10,287 per student.

| The State University of New York (SUNY), Oswego is located west of the City of Oswego. The

280-ha (690-ac) campus houses approximately 8500 students and employs over 1000 full-time

faculty and staff.

C Transportation

Lake Road (County Route 1A) provides primary road access to Nine Mile Point. Lake Road is a

two-lane paved roadway that runs east of the intersection of County Route 1A and Lakeview

Road, approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the site. Lake Road connects with County Route 29

west of the site but through traffic is restricted. County Road 1 intersects with both County

Route 1A and Lakeview Road in the site vicinity (see Figure 2-3). These other access roads are

also two-lane paved roadways and Oswego County Public Works staff considers each of these

roads to be in good condition (Baldwin 2002). According to the Oswego County Planning and

Community Development Department, the average daily traffic count for County Route 1A from

County Route 1 to Lakeview Road was 4900 vehicles in 1995 (EarthTech 2000).

A capacity analysis of area intersections was performed as part of an application for a proposed

gas turbine power plant to be located on Lake Ontario, approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) west of

NMPNS. In the study area, intersections were found to exhibit acceptable operating conditions

with the exception of the Route 1 eastbound approach at Route1/Route 1A during the morning

peak conditions (EarthTech 2000). In addition to the study completed for the proposed plant,

the Oswego County Department of Public Works reviewed traffic patterns for the major roads

around the NMPNS as part of a reconstruction project for Route 1A. The County determined

that traffic counts were within acceptable levels (Baldwin 2004).
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May 2006 2-53 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.2.8.3 Offsite Land Use

The majority of Oswego County is rural in nature, with 55 percent of land classified as vacant, |

forested, or used for agriculture (Table 2-10). Residential uses account for 36 percent of all |

land in the county with industrial and commercial activities occupying only 3 percent of available |

land (OCPPCD 1997). Residential growth has been strongest in towns in southern Oswego |

County, and the Town of Scriba in northern Oswego County. Oswego county also contains one

of the largest areas of wetlands in the state (CNYRPDB 2003). Commercial and industrial land

uses have centered on the cities of Oswego and Fulton and their surrounding areas in adjoining

towns. The Town of Scriba is one of the industrial centers of Oswego County, particularly for

energy production. In addition to Nine Mile Point and the adjacent James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear

Power Plant, Sithe Industries operates Independence Station, a 1042-MW(e) natural gas fueled

power plant. The 77 ha (190 ac) site is located approximately 3 km (2 mi) from NMPNS

(NMPNS 2004e).

Onondaga County is more developed than Oswego County, as both residential and commercial |

land uses increase in towns and villages surrounding Syracuse (CNYRPDB 2003). Growth has |

been steady throughout Onondaga County, except in the county's southern towns, where the

lack of infrastructure and public water availability have limited growth. Agriculture remains a

significant land use in southern Onondaga County (Table 2-10) (NMPNS 2004e). Forests in the

southern portion of the county are mostly natural and reforested areas owned by the county or

state. 

Seventeen state parks and one national wildlife refuge are located within a 80-km (50-mi) radius

of NMPNS. The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is located north of Cayuga Lake in

Seneca County, approximately 71 km (44 mi) southwest of Nine Mile Point. Approximately

twenty State Wildlife Management Areas (SWMAs) are also located within a 80-km (50-mile)

radius of Nine Mile Point (NMPNS 2004e).

In order to accommodate and regulate growth and development, Onondaga and Oswego

counties have developed county-specific comprehensive growth management plans

characterizing current conditions and setting standards, regulations, and goals for land use and

development. Neither county implements growth control measures that limit residential housing

development. Land use planning and zoning regulations are primarily developed by the towns,

villages, and municipalities located within Oswego and Onondaga counties, meaning that land

use standards may vary across each county (NMPNS 2004e). |
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-54 May 2006

Table 2-10. Land Use in Oswego (1995) and Onondaga (2004) Counties, 

New York

Land Use Percent of Total

OSWEGO COUNTY

Agriculture, forested and vacant 55

Residential 36

Public 6

Commercial and Industrial 3

ONONDAGA COUNTY

Agriculture, forested and vacant 51

Residential 29

Public 10

Commercial and Industrial 10

| Source: OCPPCD 1997; Kitney 2004

2.2.8.4 Visual Aesthetics and Noise

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 and their supporting structures can be seen from the immediate

surrounding area, from County Road 1, and by recreational users on Lake Ontario. The steam

plume is visible from the Town of Scriba and Highway 104. The most visible features of Nine

| Mile Point are the cooling tower at 165 m (541 ft), exhaust stacks, auxillary buildings, the

containment structures, and the transmission lines connecting to the Nine Mile Point

substations. Onsite, the ground surface is generally flat and slopes gently to the north toward

Lake Ontario. The Nine Mile Point site is also visible from Lake Ontario, County Road 1, and

Highway 104 at night because of outside lighting used on the exhaust stacks, cooling tower,

| and the meteorological towers (NMPNS 2004b). 

Currently, there are no reports of noise complaints from the areas surrounding the Nine Mile

Point facility nor by recreational users of Lake Ontario. Additionally, noise concerns have not

been reported by residents of the nearby Bible Camp Retreat or the closest Lake Road

residence, located 1.6 km (1 mi) south-southeast of Nine Mile Point. EPA recommends that

noise levels for residential areas in the boundary of an industrial facility should not exceed an

annual equivalent sound level of 55 decibels. With the exception of the cooling tower, all other

significant noise producing equipment are located inside buildings. There is no expected

increase in cooling tower noise levels associated with the proposed license renewal activities. 
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May 2006 2-55 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.2.8.5 Demography

In 2000, there were 109,440 persons living within 32 km (20 mi) of NMPNS, with a population

density of 87 persons per square mile within 32 km (20 mi). There are 914,668 persons living

within 80 km (50 mi) of NMPNS. This equates to a population density of 117 persons per

square mile within 80 km (50 mi). The Syracuse MSA is the largest city within 80 km (50 mi) of

the site and had a total population in 2000 of 732,117. As such, NMPNS falls into Category 3

[one or more cities with 100,000 or more persons and fewer than 190 persons per square mile

within 80 km (50 mi)] of the NRC sparseness and proximity matrix. A Category 3 value

indicates that NMPNS is in a medium density population area (NMPNS 2004b). |

Table 2-11 shows population growth rates and projections in Oswego and Onondaga counties,

where the majority (96 percent) of NMPNS employees live, from 1970 to 2020. Average annual |

growth rates in Oswego County show relatively slow growth of 0.1 percent for the period 1990 to |

2000, while the average annual growth rate for New York for this period was 0.5 percent. Only

slight increases in population are expected for the period 2000 through 2020. In Onondaga

County, while there was slight growth during the 1980s, population steadily declined during the

1990s and the trend is expected to continue during the period 2000 to 2020.

The largest city in Oswego County is the City of Oswego, located approximately 8 km (5 mi)

southwest of NMPNS, with a population of 17,954 persons in 2000 (USCB 2005a). The second

largest municipality is the City of Fulton, located approximately 19 km (12 mi) south of NMPNS. 

The City of Fulton had 2000 population of 11,855 persons. In New York State, counties are

subdivided into towns, which have jurisdiction over all unincorporated lands within the county. 

In Oswego County, the NMPNS site is located within the Town of Scriba, which had an

estimated population of 7,331 persons in 2000. The U.S. Census Bureau lists 22 other towns in |

Oswego County, all of which have populations between 500 and 9000 persons (USCB 2005a). 

Most of the remaining portion of the county population lives in unincorporated, rural areas

(OCDPCD 1997). 

Along with the population of Onondaga County as a whole, the population of Syracuse declined

from a 1990 population of 163,860 persons to a population of 147,306 persons in 2000,

although some towns and municipalities surrounding Syracuse have experienced modest

growth. These include the northern towns of Clay (2000 population 58,805 persons), Cicero

(population 27,982 persons), and Lysander (population 19,285 persons), as well as the eastern

Town of Manluis (population 31,872 persons). The Onondaga Reservation in southern

Onondaga County had an estimated population of 1473 persons.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-56 May 2006

Table 2-11. Population Growth in Oswego and Onondaga Counties from 1970 to

2020

Oswego County Onondaga County

Year Population(a) Percent(b) Population(a) Percent(b)

1970 100,897 — 472,835 —

1980 113,901 +1.2 463,920 -0.2

1990 121,771 +0.7 468,973 +0.1

2000 122,377 +0.05 458,336 -0.2

2010 123,400 +0.08 442,531 -0.4

2020 123,591 +0.02 423,235 -0.4

(a) Population data for 1970 through 2000 are from U.S. Census Bureau (2005a); population data for

2010 through 2020 are from NMPNS (2004e).

(b) Annual percent growth rate calculated using the equation N(t) = N(o) (1+r)t

 where N is population, t is

time in years, and r is the annual growth rate expressed as a decimal.

Transient Population

Within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point, colleges and recreational opportunities attract daily and

seasonal visitors that create demand for temporary housing and services. In Oswego County,

6.6 percent of all housing units are considered temporary housing for seasonal, recreational, or

occasional use. By comparison, temporary housing accounts for only 1.0 percent and 3.1

percent of total housing units in Onondaga County and the state of New York, respectively

| (USCB 2005a). 

Migrant Farm Labor

Migrant farm workers are individuals whose employment requires travel to harvest agricultural

crops. These workers may or may not have a permanent residence. Some migrant workers

may follow the harvesting of crops, particularly fruit, throughout the northeastern U.S. rural

areas. Others may be permanent residents near Nine Mile Point who travel from farm to farm

harvesting crops.

Migrant workers can be members of minority or low-income populations. Because they travel

and can spend a significant amount of time in an area without being actual residents, migrant

workers may be unavailable for counting by census takers. If uncounted, these workers would

be "underrepresented" in USCB minority and low-income population counts.

Onondaga and Oswego counties host relatively small numbers of migrant workers. According

| to 1997 Census of Agriculture estimates, 749 temporary farm laborers (those working less than

| 150 days per year) were employed in Onondaga County, and 565 were employed in Oswego

| County (USDA 1997).
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May 2006 2-57 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.2.8.6 Economy

Discussion of the economy covers employment and income, unemployment, and taxes.

Employment and Income

This section focuses on Oswego and Onondaga counties because the majority of the NMPNS

workforce resides in these counties. 

Between 1990 and 2002, total employment in Oswego County increased 0.3 percent (24,396 to

24,469 persons) and decreased in Onondaga County by -0.2 percent (232,120 to 223,065

persons) (USCB 2005b). Service industry employment dominates overall employment in both

counties, with 57 percent (128,663 people employed) of total employment in Onondaga County |

and 43 percent (10,861 employees) of the total in Oswego County. The largest employer in |

Oswego County in 2004 was SUNY Oswego, with 1,736 employees (Table 2-12). 

Manufacturing also plays an important part in the local economy of the two counties, with more

than 12 percent (27,482) of all employment in Onondaga County, and 17 percent (4,292) of the |

total in Oswego County. Alcan Aluminum is the largest manufacturing employer (680 persons

employed) in Oswego County. Wholesale and retail trade is also an important part the economy |

of both counties, with 20 percent (44,746) of total employment in Onondaga County, and |

19percent (4,717) in Oswego County.

Table 2-12. Major Employers in Oswego County, New York, 2004

Activity Number of Employees

SUNY Oswego 1,736

County of Oswego 1,292

Constellation Energy Group 1,260

Central Square School District 1,080

Oswego Health 876

Oswego County BOCES 789

Entergy Nuclear Northeast 771

Oswego City School District 728

Alcan Aluminum 680

Wal-Mart 637

Source: Oswego County (2004) |

The majority of employment in Oswego County is located in the cities of Oswego and Fulton. 

The villages of Phoenix, Pulaski, and Central Square are also growing commercial centers. 

Additional commercial growth is occurring to the south of Oneida Lake (OCDPCD 1997). 
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-58 May 2006

Energy production and distribution is a large part of the local economy in Oswego County, with

| 2,110 (8 percent) of the county total, primarily employed at Constellation Energy Group

| (1,260 people), and Entergy Nuclear Northeast (771 people). In addition to Nine Mile Point, the

James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant, the fossil-fuel powered Oswego Steam Station, the

1042-MW natural gas-powered Sithe Energies Independence Station, two small co-generation

plants, the Oswego County Department of Public Works 1.8-MW waste-to-energy facility, and

nine hydroelectric plants are also located in Oswego County (OCDPCD 1997). 

Personal income in Oswego County totaled $3.0 billion in 2002 (in 2005 dollars), with a per

capita personal income of $24,808. In Onondaga County personal income totaled $15.3 billion,

with a per capita income of $33,697. Both are lower than the state's per capita personal income

in 2002, which was $39,586 (USDC 2005). 

Unemployment

The unemployment rate in Oswego and Onondaga counties was 4.9 and 4.2 percent,

respectively (December 2004) (USDOL 2005). The rates in both counties have decreased over

the past decade. The unemployment rate in Oswego County has been higher historically than

| in Onondaga County or New York State. The current rate for the state is 5.8 percent

(December 2004).

Taxes

NMPNS is assessed annual property taxes by Oswego County, the Town of Scriba, and the City

of Oswego School District. Property taxes paid to Oswego County and the Town of Scriba fund

such services as transportation, education, public health, and public safety.

Although the plant is a significant contributor to local tax revenues, property tax contributions for

| NMPNS to Oswego County between 1995 to 2001 have decreased by over 40 percent, from

$36 million (in 2005 dollars) to $15 million. The percentage of these contributions compared to

| total revenues has also decreased, from 21 percent to 9 percent. Property tax payments are

| expected to continue to decline by 2005, falling below $10 million, making up only 6 percent of

total County revenues. NMPNS property tax payments to the City of Oswego School District

have also declined, although less rapidly, from $38 million to $29 million between 1995 and

| 2001, from 56 percent of total revenues in 1995 to 43 percent in 2000 (Table 2-13). Property

tax payments to the School District are expected to continue to decline by 2005, falling to $23

| million, making up only 37 percent of total School District revenues.

NMPNS has entered into an agreement with Oswego County, the Town of Scriba, and the City

of Oswego regarding property taxes paid to those entities. Instead of calculating property taxes

for Nine Mile Point from the assessed value of the plant, NMPNS will make standardized in lieu

payments annually to the taxing entities. Beginning in 2002, the agreement set a base level of

payments to the taxing entities for each year until 2010 for Unit 1 and until 2011 for Unit 2. The

City of Oswego School District, Oswego County, and the Town of Scriba were to receive
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May 2006 2-59 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

57.8 percent, 37.2 percent, and 5.0 percent of the base payments, respectively. These figures

were derived from the historical property tax payments made to the taxing entities. The

agreement also sets "incentive payments" to be paid to each entity should megawatt production

for either Unit 1 or Unit 2 exceed certain annual benchmarks. Incentive payments will be

applicable to Unit 1 from 2005 through 2009, and to Unit 2 from 2006 through 2011

(NMPNS 2004e).

The energy market in the state of New York has been deregulated to encourage the

development of competition in the production and sale of electricity. A study performed by the

New York State Board of Real Property Services concluded that the value of many

power-generating plants is likely to decline in a deregulated market (NYSBRPS 1999). 

Therefore, NMPNS expects that any future property taxes assessed through the license renewal

term should be similar to or may be less than the estimated in lieu payments

Table 2-13. Property Taxes Paid by NMPNS; Tax Revenues of Oswego County,

Town of Scriba, and the City of Oswego School District, 1995 to 2005

Year Total Revenues 

($ millions 2005)

Property Tax Paid for Nine

Mile Point ($ millions 2005)b

Property Tax as Percent

of Total Revenues (%)

OSWEGO COUNTY

1995 169.2 35.6 21

2000 166.9 16.1 10

2005(a) 159.4 8.6 5

TOWN OF SCRIBA

1995 4.0 2.3 74

2000 4.2 2.4 65

2005(a) 7.9 2.0 25

CITY OF OSWEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT

1995 67.1 37.5 56

2000 64.7 27.7 43

2005(a) 61.9 22.8 37

Source: NMPNS 2004e; NRC estimates(a)

(a) Projected values based on annual average growth rates for the years 1995-2005.

(b) Data from Table 2.7-1 in MNPNS 2004b were converted from nominal to real dollars in the SEIS in order to

show the growth in tax revenues excluding the effects of inflation.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-60 May 2006

2.2.9 Historic and Archaeological Resources

This section discusses the cultural background and the known historic and archaeological

resources at the Nine Mile Point site and in the surrounding area.

2.2.9.1 Cultural Background

The region around Nine Mile Point contains prehistoric and historic Native American and EuroAmerican cultural resources. The NMPNS ER mentions 43 properties listed in the National

Register of Historic Places within approximately 16 km (10 mi) of Nine Mile Point

(NMPNS 2004e). These registered properties are all historic Euro-American places. The

nearest National Register site is the Riverside Cemetery in Scriba and none are located in areas

affected by operation of Nine Mile Point. 

Paleo-Indians occupied North America from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, living off the land and

subsisting on large game, such as mammoths, that have since become extinct. In the New

York area, people migrated into an environment that was adjusting after the retreat of glacial

ice. Paleo-Indians are typically considered to have been big game hunters. However, evidence

from archaeological work in the state suggests that small game and plants played a more

significant role in the lifeways of the populations living in this area in Paleo-Indian times than

perhaps populations of the same period did elsewhere. Stone tool styles show little variability

over wide areas of North and South America; nevertheless, raw material for these tools often

have sources far from where archaeologists find the tools. Paleo-Indian sites near Nine Mile

Point include the Potts Site located southeast of Scriba (Ritchie 1994). 

During the Archaic Period, from approximately 10,000 years ago until about 3500 years ago,

people underwent local changes to adapt to resources. In the New York area, as forests

evolved from spruce and pine to mixed deciduous communities, populations near present day

Nine Mile Point probably were initially low in density, but steadily increased in density through

time as both resource quality and the cultural means to access resources improved. By the end

of the Archaic Period, at a time when climate reached its modern condition, archaeologists find

evidence of more occupation. They interpret the settlement patterns they find as suggestive of

an increase in breadth of resources sought by prehistoric people as they lived in smaller

territories. Archaic people collected, hunted, and gathered most of what they needed for

survival in their home territory. Large base camps found near major water sources provided a

focal point for groups during the hard months. During other seasons, camps divided and people

engaged in more mobile foraging activities. Near Nine Mile Point, the Oberlander 1 site is a late

Archaic archaeological deposit in Oswego County on the Oneida River (Ritchie 1994).

The Transitional Period, from approximately 3500 years ago to about 1000 years ago, is viewed

by New York archaeologists as representing a continuum of change in adaptation by prehistoric

peoples. The central defining characteristic of the period is the introduction of stone (steatite)

vessels at the beginning, then the first production of pottery at the end (Ritchie and Funk 1973). 

Over the same period, burial treatment became more elaborate, and people once again

| obtained materials for making stone tools from distant sources (Ritchie and Funk 1973). 
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May 2006 2-61 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Finally there came the Woodland culture, which archaeologists find occupied the region

between 3000 years ago and the time of historical contact. In the Woodland culture, Native

Americans became regionally distinct cultural entities. Woodland people ultimately became

dependent on maize agriculture, lived in villages, used the bow and arrow in hunting, and began

to regularly make and use pottery. 

Known examples of older prehistoric sites are rare on the shore of Lake Ontario. 

Archaeological resources in Oswego County are concentrated along the Oswego River, Oneida

Lake, along the Salmon River, and at its mouth.

NRC staff reviewed archaeological site files and found no recorded prehistoric or historic

archaeological sites within 3.2 km (2 mi) of Nine Mile Point. The project area is situated within a

region bordered by Lake Ontario to the north and no major drainage occurs within 8 km (5 mi). 

In such settings, large prehistoric residential sites are most likely to be found along major

waterways and away from Nine Mile Point. Additionally, Nine Mile Point is not within the daily

foraging radius of any major river valley, so it is likely that groups that visited the area made

overnight camps along minor streams as they hunted and collected local resources. The types

of sites expected in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point would manifest themselves by small scatters

of stone tools and debris from making stone tools, associated with hearths.

The Native American societies in the region shared several important characteristics at the time

they were first contacted by Europeans. These included two primary characteristics. One

characteristic involved hunting and gathering along with growing domesticated plants, all of

which were used as an economic base. The other characteristic was an annual living cycle that

varied between population concentrations. There were large camps in the winter, semipermanent river-side villages in the summer, and population dispersal among scattered camps

in the fall and spring. 

The Nine Mile Point site is on the Onondaga Indian Nation's eighteenth-century lands. The

territorial boundaries between Native American groups were in flux throughout the historic

period until the mid-nineteenth century. By the mid-1600s several eastern tribes had already |

had been displaced to the west. Treaties of 1794 and 1838 between New York Indians and the

U.S. government eroded tribal territorial holdings in the state of New York.

In 1788, the state purchased large tracts of land from the Onondaga, Oneida, and Cayuga

nations; the lands, which were divided into parcels, included Scriba's Patent, and that included

Nine Mile Point. George Scriba, a resident of Holland, New York, took possession of nearly

0.2 million ha (0.5 million ac) of land in the patent. The patent was divided into sixteen

townships in Oswego County, and George Scriba began to sell portions to speculators and

settlers (Kozub and Carter 2003). 

The Town of Scriba was created in 1811, although settlers in the area arrived as early as 1798. 

The scene for the first non-Indian settlement was at "Scriba Corners." The earliest business at
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-62 May 2006

Scriba Corners was Heil Stone's log tavern, followed in 1819 by a store (Kozub and

Carter 2003).

| The early historic economy was based on timber harvesting and lumber production. As forests

were cut, residents moved to farming, especially dairy and fruit production (Churchill 1895). The

Oswego Canal opened in 1828 and the Syracuse & Oswego Railroad opened in 1848. The

canal and railroad precipitated surges in the lumber industry and in agriculture (Churchill 1895). 

By 1855, more than half of the county's workers were farmers (Wellman 1987). However, by

the late 1800s the shipping industry in Oswego collapsed, as did agriculture, and farmers began

to leave. It took Oswego County 90 years to return to the population level of 1870. By 1900, at

| least twelve residences were located in the Nine Mile Point area (USGS 1900). The number of

farms and homes remained relatively stable until 1955, when there were fourteen residences

(USGS 1955). Fourteen homes and farms were still shown on maps at the time the Nine Mile

Point plant construction started (USGS 1982).

2.2.9.2 Historic and Archaeological Resources at and near Nine Mile Point

The NMPNS ER states no historic or archaeological sites "have been identified on site grounds"

and "no known archaeological or historic sites have been identified along the transmission line

rights-of-way" (NMPNS 2004e). NRC staff reviewed historic and archaeological site files in New

York, where they confirmed archaeological and historic architectural sites have not been

recorded at Nine Mile Point. In August 2003, the New York State Historic Preservation Office

| (SHPO) wrote a letter to NMPNS concerning NMP license renewal. The letter confirmed that,

while there are no known archaeological sites within the project area, the Preservation Office

considers Nine Mile Point "sensitive for cultural resources because of its environmental setting"

(NYSOPRHP 2003).

A search of site files indicates that 39 historic period archaeological sites were recorded within

Scriba and New Haven districts—23 within Scriba and 16 within New Haven. Most of these

consist of foundations and associated artifact scatters. None are recorded within the current

boundaries of Nine Mile Point, but it is probable that historic archaeological sites exist in the

vicinity of the structure locations shown within the plant area on early maps. NRC staff

confirmed the presence of archaeological remains associated with several mapped historic

locations within the plant lands during a site visit in September 2004. 

The original environmental statement related to operation of Nine Mile Point Unit 1 (AEC 1974)

also concluded that there were no known archaeological materials in the area of potential effect,

after coordination with the New York SHPO. The Federal Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation had written to the Atomic Energy Commission’s Directorate of Licensing to indicate

that their review of the draft environmental statement for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1

concluded the statement was adequate (ACHP 1973). 
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May 2006 2-63 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

2.2.10 Related Federal Project Activities and Consultations

Staff reviewed the possibility that activities of other Federal agencies might impact the renewal

of the OLs for NMP. Any such activities could result in cumulative environmental impacts and |

the possible need for the Federal agency to become a cooperating agency for preparation of the

Nine Mile Point SEIS.

The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, located approximately 71 km (44 mi) southwest of

Nine Mile Point, is 2860 ha (7068 ac), and provides resting, feeding, and nesting habitat for

waterfowl and other migratory birds. This refuge is also situated in the middle of one of the

most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway (FWS 2004a).

The Onondaga Reservation, a 2409-ha (5953-ac) Indian reservation, is located in Onondaga

County. As of the 2000 census, the Indian reservation had a total population of 1473 (Campus

Program.com 2004). 

The James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant is a single-unit electricity-generating nuclear

power plant owned and operated by Entergy Nuclear, Inc. It shares an eastern boundary and a |

common visitor center with Nine Mile Point. There are also approximately twenty-five

hydropower electricity-generating facilities within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point.

The NRC is required under Section 102 of the NEPA to consult with and obtain the comments of

any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any

environmental impact involved. Federal agency comment correspondence is included in

Appendix E. 

2.3 References

10 CFR Part 20. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 20, “Standards for |

Protection Against Radiation.”

10 CFR Part 50. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 50, “Domestic Licensing of |

Production and Utilization Facilities.”

10 CFR Part 54. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 54, “Requirements for |

Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants.”

10 CFR Part 61. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 61, “Licensing |

Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste.”

10 CFR Part 71. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 71, “Packaging and |

Transportation of Radioactive Material.”
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-64 May 2006

| 40 CFR Part 81. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 81,

“Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes.”

| 40 CFR Part 190. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 190,

“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations.”

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). 1973. Letter from K. Tapman, Compliance

Officer, to Mr. Daniel R. Muller, Directorate of Licensing, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. 

Subject: Response to request for comments on environmental statement for Nine Mile Point

Nuclear Station Unit 1. September 4, 1973.

Baldwin, C. 2002. Oswego County Department of Public Works. Personal communication. 

April 29, 2002.

Baldwin, C. 2004. Oswego County Department of Public Works. Personal communication. 

August 23, 2004.

Brown, W. S. 1993. Biology, Status, and Management of the Timber Rattlesnake (Cerotalus

horridus): A Guide for Conservation. SSAR Herp. Circular No. 22.

Campus Program.com. 2004. Onondaga Reservation, New York. Accessed at: 

http://www.fact-index.com/o/on/onondaga_reservation_new_york_html on July 29, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940053)

Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB). 2003. Oneida

Lake State of the Lake and Watershed Report. Central New York Regional Planning and

Development Boards, Syracuse, New York. (Accession No. ML060940063)

Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB). 2004a. Oswego

County, General Demographic Characteristics (Select 1990 and 2000). Accessed at: 

http://www.cnyrpdb.org/data/dem/oswego.asp on August 16, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940079)

Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNYRPDB). 2004b. Onondaga

County, General Demographic Characteristics (Select 1990 and 2000). Accessed at: 

http://www.cnyrpdb.org/data/dem/onondaga.asp on August 16, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940094)

Churchill, J. C. (ed). 1895. Landmarks of Oswego County New York. C.D. Mason and

Company, Syracuse, New York.

| Coastal Zone Management Act. 16 USC 145(c)(3)(A).
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May 2006 2-65 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Constellation Energy Group. 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC. State Pollutant

Discharge Elimination System Permit No. NY 000 1015 Annual 401 Report for 2003. 

February 18, 2004.

Constellation Energy Group. 2006. Note to File: Email from Kent Stoffle (Constellation Energy |

Group) to Leslie Fields (NRC) and David Miller (Argonne National Laboratory). Subject: |

Comment/Response for Nine Mile Point ADAMS Accession No. ML060620591. |

Custer, C. M. and T. W. Custer. 1996. “Food Habits of Diving Ducks in the Great Lakes After

the Zebra Mussel Invasion.” J. Field Ornithology 67(1):86-99.

EA Engineering Science and Technology (EA). 1998. Final SPDES Annual Biological

Monitoring Report Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, 1997. EA Engineering, Science, and

Technology. Newburgh, New York. April 1998.

EarthTech. 2000. Heritage Station Application for Certification of a Major Generating Facility

Under Article X of the New York State Public Service Law. Heritage Power, LLC. Volume 1. 

February 2000.

Elliott, D. L., C. G. Holladay, W. R. Barchet, H. P. Foote, and W. F. Sandusky. 1986. Wind

Energy Resource Atlas of the United States. DOE/CH 10093-4, U.S. Department of Energy,

Washington, D.C.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2000-2004. Fisheries Global

Information System, Species Fact Sheet, Acipenser fulvescens. Accessed at: 

www.fao.org/figis/servlet/species?fid=10179 on February 8, 2005. (Accession No.

ML060940101)

Fujita, T. T. 1987. "U.S. Tornadoes Part 1 70-Year Statistics," Satellite and Mesometeorology

Research Project (SMRP) Research Paper Number 218, University of Chicago, 122 pp.

Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. 2000. “Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessment Report.” 

Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station.

Geomatrix Consultants, Inc. 2002. "First Groundwater Sampling Event Unit 2 Former Vehicle

Maintenance Area." NYSDEC Spill #004089.

Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce (GSCOC). 2001. “Syracuse New York Fact Sheet.” 

Syracuse, New York. June 2001.

Greller, A. M. 1988. “Deciduous Forest.” In M. G. Barbour and D. W. Billings (eds.) North

American Terrestrial Vegetation, p. 287-326. Cambridge University Press, N.Y.
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-66 May 2006

Heritage Power, LLC. 2000. Heritage Station Application for Certification of a Major Generating

Facility Under Article X of the New York State Public Service Law.

International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (ISLRBC). 2002a. Lake Ontario St.

Lawrence River Regulation. Accessed at: http://www.islrbc.org/new-Version/brochure.html on

November 7, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940107)

International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (ISLRBC). 2002b. FAQ. Accessed at: 

http://www.islrbc.org/new-Version/faqs.html on November 7, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940110)

International St. Lawrence River Board of Control (ISLRBC). 2004. Accessed at: 

http://www.ijc.org/en/home/main_accueil.htm on November 7, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940115)

Kitney, K. 2004. Land Use in Onondaga County. Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning

Agency. 

Kozub, A. Z. and C. C. Carter. 2003. Cultural Resource Management Program Report 2002

Highway Program PIN 23045.50.121 NY 104 Towns of Scriba and New Haven, Oswego

County, New York. Binghamton University, State University of New York; Binghamton,

New York.

Lawler, Matusky and Kelly Engineers (LMS). 1983. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Summary

(1973-1981). Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. LMSE-83/0151 and 191/065.

Logan 2006. E-mail sent by Carla Logan of Constellation to Leslie Fields of NRC providing

information related to fish species at Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station. (Accession No.

ML061090052)

McMahan, R. F. 1991. "Review of the Zebra Mussel Fouling Mitigation and Control Program at

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Nine Mile Point Units I and II Nuclear Power Stations." 

March 25, 1991.

Mitchell, C. M., and J. Carlson. 1993. “Lesser Scaup Forage on Zebra Mussels at Cook

Nuclear Plant, Michigan.” J. Field Ornithology, 64:219-222.

Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA). 2001. "2000 Water Quality Monitoring Program

Summary," MCWA 2000 Annual Water Quality Report. Rochester, New York.

National Grid. 2003a. Transmission Right-Of-Way Management Program. Environmental

Affairs and Transmission Forestry Department. October 1989. Revised November 2003.

National Grid. 2003b. Transmission IVM Field Manual. 
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May 2006 2-67 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004a. Climatography of the U.S.

#84—Daily Normals Online Individual Station, Oswego East, New York, NY306314. Accessed

at: http://www5.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/climatenormals/climatenormals.pl. (Accession No.

ML060940117)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004b. The Climate of Ithaca, NY, |

Northeast Regional Climate Center, NOAA, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Accessed at: |

http://www.nrcc.cornell.edu/climate/itaca/enanced.html on October 20, 2005. (Accession No. |

ML060940121)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004c. Storm Events, NCDC, |

NOAA. Accessed at: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms on |

October 18, 2005. (Accession No. ML060940123) |

New York State Board of Real Property Services (NYSBRPS). 1999. “Divestiture of Electricity

Generating Plants: Property Tax Implications.” December 31, 1999.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2000. New York State

Water Quality 2000—Submitted Pursuant to Section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act

Amendments of 1977 (PL 95-217). Albany, New York. October. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dow/305b00.pdf on November 7, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940126)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2001. Great Lakes

Water Withdrawal Registration Certificate 3811. Division of Water. November 20, 2001.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003. Public Fishing

Information for Oak Orchard River, Marsh Creek, and Johnson Creek Version 1 January 2003.

Accessed at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/pfr/oakorchmarchcrk.pdf on

April 10, 2006. (Accession No. ML061010210)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003a. The Historical

Distribution and Current Status of Clemmys in New York. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/herp/publications/clemmys.html on

August 24, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940135)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003b. New York

State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, 1990–1998 Data, Interim Report: Bog Turtle, Clemmys

muhlenbergii. Accessed at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/herp/bogturtl.gif

on August 27, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940150)
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003c. Fish

Community Objectives for Lake Ontario, 2003 Update. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/1kontfco03.html on February 9, 2005. (Accession

No. ML060940155)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003d. List of

Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Fish & Wildlife Species of New York. Accessed 

at: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/etsclist.html on August 24, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940159)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003e. New York

State Amphibian and Reptile Atlas, 1990–1998 Data, Interim Report: Eastern Massasauga

Rattlesnake, Sistrurus c. catenatus. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/herp/eastmass.gif on August 27, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940161)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003f. Deepwater

Sculpin Fact Sheet. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/dpwtscul.html on August 24, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940166)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003g. Lake Sturgeon

Fact Sheet. Accessed at:

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/lakestur.html on August 24, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940170)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003h. Lake

Chubsucker Fact Sheet. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/lakechub.html on August 27, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940176)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003i. Redfin Shiner

Fact Sheet. Accessed at: 

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/redfinshine.html on August 27, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940180)

| New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003j. Lake Sturgeon

| Restoration Looks Promising in North Country (September 25, 2003). Accessed at: 

| http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/reg6/press/2003/6r0322.html on January 27, 2006.

(Accession No. ML060940184)
Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-69 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2003k. Round

Whitefish Fact Sheet. Division of Environmental Permits Policy Documents, New York State

Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York. Assessed at:

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(Accession No. ML061090620)

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004a. Little Salmon |

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004b. Oswego River,

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004c. Teal Marsh,

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004d. Sage Creek

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004e. Derby Hill,

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004f. Ramona Beach

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(Accession No. ML060940188)

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Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-70 May 2006

| New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP). 2003. 

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| Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2001a. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station—

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Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2001c. Nine Mile Point Nuclear

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Docket Number 50-410, Lycoming, New York. 
Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-71 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2002a. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station—

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Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2002c. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station—

Unit 2 Radioactive Effluent Release Report, January–December 2001. Docket Number 50-410,

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(Included as Attachment 12 to the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC [NMPNS]. 2004a. Nine

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Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2003b. Nine Mile Point Nuclear

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as Attachment 12 to the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC [NMPNS]. 2004b. Nine Mile

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Docket Number 50-410, Lycoming, New York. [May 1, 2004])

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2003c. Nine Mile Point Nuclear

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Lycoming, New York. (October)

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2003d. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station—

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Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-72 May 2006

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Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2005c. 2004 Annual Radiological

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Plant and the Environment

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October 20, 2005. (Accession No. ML060940211) |

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http://factfinder.census.gov/ on March 22, 2005. (Accession No. ML060940218) |

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(Accession No. ML061010053)
Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-74 May 2006

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| Statistics. Accessed at: ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/ on March 21, 2005. (Accession No.

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Plant and the Environment

May 2006 2-75 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

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Updated Safety Analysis Report. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Docket No. 50-410 |

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Plant and the Environment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 2-76 May 2006

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the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. National Geodetic Survey.
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the GEIS include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 3-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

3.0 Environmental Impacts of Refurbishment

Environmental issues associated with refurbishment activities are discussed in the Generic

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437,

Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a) The GEIS includes a determination of whether the

analysis of the environmental issues could be applied to all plants and whether additional

mitigation measures would be warranted. Issues are then assigned a Category 1 or a

Category 2 designation. As set forth in the GEIS, Category 1 issues are those that meet all of

the following criteria:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) A single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) has been assigned

to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle

and from high-level waste and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are likely not to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

For issues that meet the three Category 1 criteria, no additional plant-specific analysis is

required in this SEIS unless new and significant information is identified.

Category 2 issues are those that do not meet one or more of the criteria for Category 1 and,

therefore, additional plant-specific review of these issues is required.

License renewal actions may require refurbishment activities for the extended plant life. These

actions may have an impact on the environment that requires evaluation, depending on the type

of action and the plant-specific design. Environmental issues associated with refurbishment

that were determined to be Category 1 issues are listed in Table 3-1.

Environmental issues related to refurbishment considered in the GEIS for which these

conclusions could not be reached for all plants, or for specific classes of plants, are Category 2

issues. These are listed in Table 3-2.

Appendix F lists Category 1 and Category 2 issues related to refurbishment that are not |

applicable to Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (NMPNS) because they are related to plant design

features or site characteristics not found at NMPNS. |
Environmental Impacts of Refurbishment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 3-2 May 2006

Table 3-1. Category 1 Issues for Refurbishment Evaluation

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

SURFACE WATER QUALITY, HYDROLOGY, AND USE (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Impacts of refurbishment on surface-water quality 3.4.1

Impacts of refurbishment on surface-water use 3.4.1

AQUATIC ECOLOGY (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Refurbishment 3.5

GROUNDWATER USE AND QUALITY

Impacts of refurbishment on groundwater use and quality 3.4.2

LAND USE

Onsite land use 3.2

HUMAN HEALTH

Radiation exposures to the public during refurbishment 3.8.1

Occupational radiation exposures during refurbishment 3.8.2

SOCIOECONOMICS

Public services: public safety social services, and tourism and recreation 3.7.4; 3.7.4.3;

3.7.4.4; 3.7.4.6

Aesthetic impacts (refurbishment) 3.7.8

The potential environmental effects of refurbishment actions would be identified, and the

analysis would be summarized within this section if such actions were planned. Nine Mile Point

Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) indicated that it has performed an evaluation of structures and

components pursuant to 10 CFR 54.21 to identify activities that are necessary to continue

| operation of Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP) during the requested 20-year period of

extended operation. These activities include replacement of certain components as well as new

inspection activities and are described in the Environmental Report (ER) (NMPNS 2004e).

However, NMPNS stated that the replacement of these components and the additional

inspection activities are within the bounds of normal plant component replacement and

inspections; therefore, they are not expected to affect the environment outside the bounds of

plant operations as evaluated in the final environmental statement (AEC 1974; NRC 1981). In

addition, NMPNS's evaluation of structures and components as required by 10 CFR 54.21 did

not identify any major plant refurbishment activities or modifications necessary to support the

| continued operation of NMP beyond the end of the existing operating licenses. Therefore,

refurbishment is not considered in this final supplemental environmental impact statement.
Environmental Impacts of Refurbishment

May 2006 3-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 3-2. Category 2 Issues for Refurbishment Evaluation

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A,

Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Section

10 CFR

51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES

Refurbishment impacts 3.6 E

THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Threatened or endangered species 3.9 E

AIR QUALITY

Air quality during refurbishment

(nonattainment and maintenance areas)

3.3 F

SOCIOECONOMICS

Housing impacts 3.7.2 I

Public services: public utilities 3.7.4.5 I

Public services: education (refurbishment) 3.7.4.1 I

Offsite land use (refurbishment) 3.7.5 I

Public services: transportation 3.7.4.2 J

Historic and archeological resources 3.7.7 K

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Environmental justice Not addressed(a) Not addressed(a)

(a) Guidance related to environmental justice was not in place at the time the GEIS and the

associated revision to 10 CFR Part 51 were prepared. Therefore, environmental justice is

to be addressed in the licensee’s environmental report and the staff’s environmental impact

statement.

3.1 References

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, “Environmental |

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

10 CFR Part 54. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 54, "Requirements for |

Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants."
Environmental Impacts of Refurbishment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 3-4 May 2006

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York. 

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). 1974. Final Environmental Statement Related to the

Operation of Nine Mile Nuclear Station Unit 1. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Docket

No. 50-220. Directorate of Licensing. Washington, D.C. January 1974.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Main Report, Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants, Final Report.

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the GEIS include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-1 May 2006

4.0 Environmental Impacts of Operation

Environmental issues associated with operation of a nuclear power plant during the renewal

term are discussed in the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of

Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a) The GEIS

includes a determination of whether the analysis of the environmental issues could be applied to

all plants and whether additional mitigation measures would be warranted. Issues are then

assigned a Category 1 or a Category 2 designation. As set forth in the GEIS, Category 1 issues

are those that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) A single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, OR LARGE) has been

assigned to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the

fuel cycle and from high-level waste and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are likely not to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

For issues that meet the three Category 1 criteria, no additional plant-specific analysis is

required unless new and significant information is identified.

Category 2 issues are those that do not meet one or more of the criteria for Category 1, and

therefore, additional plant-specific review of these issues is required.

This chapter addresses the issues related to operation during the renewal term that are listed in

Table B-1 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B

and are applicable to the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (Nine Mile Point). Section 4.1

addresses issues applicable to the Nine Mile Point cooling system. Section 4.2 addresses

issues related to transmission lines and onsite land use. Section 4.3 addresses the radiological

impacts of normal operation, and Section 4.4 addresses issues related to the socioeconomic

impacts of normal operation during the renewal term. Section 4.5 addresses issues related to

groundwater use and quality, while Section 4.6 discusses the impacts of renewal-term

operations on threatened and endangered species. Section 4.7 addresses potential new

information that was raised during the scoping period, and Section 4.8 discusses cumulative

impacts. The results of the evaluation of environmental issues related to operation during the

renewal term are summarized in Section 4.9. Finally, Section 4.10 lists the references for

Chapter 4. Category 1 and Category 2 issues that are not applicable to Nine Mile Point
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-2 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

because they are related to plant design features or site characteristics not found at Nine Mile

Point are listed in Appendix F.

4.1 Cooling System

| Category 1 issues in Table B-1 of 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, that are applicable to

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP) cooling system operation during the renewal term are listed

in Table 4-1. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) stated in its Environmental Report

(ER) (NMPNS 2004b) that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with

| the renewal of the NMP operating licenses (OLs). The staff has not identified any new and

| significant information during its independent review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff’s site

| visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on

the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts related to these issues

beyond those discussed in the GEIS. For all of the issues, the staff concluded in the GEIS that

the impacts are SMALL, and additional plant-specific mitigation measures are not likely to be

sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

Table 4-1. Category 1 Issues Applicable to the Operation of Nine Mile Point

Units 1 and 2 Cooling System during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

SURFACE WATER QUALITY, HYDROLOGY, AND USE (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Altered current patterns at intake and discharge structures 4.2.1.2.1

Altered thermal stratification of lakes 4.2.1.2.3

Temperature effects on sediment transport capacity 4.2.1.2.3

Scouring caused by discharged cooling water 4.2.1.2.3

Eutrophication 4.2.1.2.3

Discharge of chlorine or other biocides 4.2.1.2.4

Discharge of sanitary wastes and minor chemical spills 4.2.1.2.4

Discharge of other metals in wastewater 4.2.1.2.4

Water use conflicts (plants with once-through cooling systems) 4.2.1.3

AQUATIC ECOLOGY (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Accumulation of contaminants in sediments or biota 4.2.1.2.4

Entrainment of phytoplankton and zooplankton 4.2.2.1.1

Cold shock 4.2.2.1.5

Thermal plume barrier to migrating fish 4.2.2.1.6

Distribution of aquatic organisms 4.2.2.1.6

Premature emergence of aquatic insects 4.2.2.1.7
Environmental Impacts of Operation

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-3 May 2006

Gas supersaturation (gas bubble disease) 4.2.2.1.8

Low dissolved oxygen in the discharge 4.2.2.1.9

Losses from predation, parasitism, and disease among organisms

exposed to sublethal stresses

4.2.2.1.10

Stimulation of nuisance organisms 4.2.2.1.11

AQUATIC ECOLOGY (FOR PLANTS WITH COOLING-TOWER-BASED HEAT DISSIPATION SYSTEMS)

Entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life stages 4.3.3

Impingement of fish and shellfish 4.3.3

Heat shock 4.3.3

TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES

Cooling tower impacts on crops and ornamental vegetation 4.3.4

Cooling tower impacts on native plants 4.3.5.1

Bird collisions with cooling towers 4.3.5.2

HUMAN HEALTH

Microbial organisms (occupational health) 4.3.6

Noise 4.3.7

A brief description of the staff’s review and the GEIS conclusions, as codified in Table B-1, for

each of these issues follows:

• Altered current patterns at intake and discharge structures. Based on information in the

GEIS, the Commission found that

Altered current patterns have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power

plants and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of altered current patterns at intake and discharge structures during

the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Altered thermal stratification of lakes. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-4 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Generally, lake stratification has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear

power plants and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of

| monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the

| draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of altered thermal

stratification of lakes during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Temperature effects on sediment transport capacity. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

These effects have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of temperature effects on sediment transport capacity during the

renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Scouring caused by discharged cooling water. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Scouring has not been found to be a problem at most operating nuclear power plants

and has caused only localized effects at a few plants. It is not expected to be a problem

during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of

| monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the

| draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of scouring caused by

discharged cooling water during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Eutrophication. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Eutrophication has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of

| monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information including plant monitoring data

and technical reports, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-5 May 2006

that there are no impacts of eutrophication during the renewal term beyond those discussed in

the GEIS. 

• Discharge of chlorine or other biocides. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Effects are not a concern among regulatory and resource agencies, and are not

expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of |

monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information including the State Pollutant |

Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit for NMP, discussion with the SPDES |

compliance office, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that

there are no impacts of discharge of chlorine or other biocides during the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.

• Discharge of sanitary wastes and minor chemical spills. Based on information in the GEIS,

the Commission found that

Effects are readily controlled through SPDES permit and periodic modifications, if

needed, and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of |

monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information including the SPDES permit |

for NMP, discussion with the SPDES compliance office, and public comments on the draft SEIS. |

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of discharges of sanitary wastes and

minor chemical spills during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Discharge of other metals in wastewater. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

These discharges have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power

plants with cooling tower based heat dissipation systems and have been satisfactorily

mitigated at other plants. They are not expected to be a problem during the license

renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of |

monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information including the SPDES permit |

for NMP, discussion with the SPDES compliance office, and public comments on the draft SEIS. |
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-6 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of discharges of other metals in

wastewater during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Water-use conflicts (plants with once-through cooling systems). Based on information in the

GEIS, the Commission found that

These conflicts have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

with once-through heat dissipation systems.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of water-use conflicts for plants with once-through cooling systems

during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Accumulation of contaminants in sediments or biota. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Accumulation of contaminants has been a concern at a few nuclear power plants but has

been satisfactorily mitigated by replacing copper alloy condenser tubes with those of

another metal. It is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of accumulation of contaminants in sediments or biota during the

renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Entrainment of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Entrainment of phytoplankton and zooplankton has not been found to be a problem at

operating nuclear power plants and is not expected to be a problem during the license

renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of

| monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the

| draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of entrainment of

phytoplankton and zooplankton during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-7 May 2006

• Cold shock. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Cold shock has been satisfactorily mitigated at operating nuclear plants with

once-through cooling systems, has not endangered fish populations or been found to be

a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling towers or cooling ponds, and is

not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of cold shock during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the

GEIS.

• Thermal plume barrier to migrating fish. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Thermal plumes have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of thermal plume barriers to migrating fish during the renewal term

beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Distribution of aquatic organisms. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found

that

Thermal discharge may have localized effects but is not expected to effect the larger

geographical distribution of aquatic organisms.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of |

monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the |

draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts on distribution of aquatic |

organisms during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Premature emergence of aquatic insects. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Premature emergence has been found to be a localized effect at some operating nuclear

power plants but has not been a problem and is not expected to be a problem during the

license renewal term.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-8 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts on premature emergence of aquatic insects during the renewal term

beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Gas supersaturation (gas bubble disease). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Gas supersaturation was a concern at a small number of operating nuclear power plants

with once-through cooling systems but has been satisfactorily mitigated. It has not been

found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling towers or cooling

ponds and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of gas supersaturation during the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

• Low dissolved oxygen in the discharge. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Low dissolved oxygen has been a concern at one nuclear power plant with a

once-through cooling system but has been effectively mitigated. It has not been found to

be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling towers or cooling ponds and

is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its review of

| monitoring programs, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the

| draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of low dissolved oxygen

during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Losses from predation, parasitism, and disease among organisms exposed to sublethal

stresses. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

These types of losses have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power

plants and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-9 May 2006

that there are no impacts of losses from predation, parasitism, and disease among organisms

exposed to sub-lethal stresses during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Stimulation of nuisance organisms. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Stimulation of nuisance organisms has been satisfactorily mitigated at the single nuclear

power plant with a once-through cooling system where previously it was a problem. It

has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with cooling

towers or cooling ponds and is not expected to be a problem during the license renewal

term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of stimulation of nuisance organisms during the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.

• Entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life stages (cooling-tower-based systems). Based

on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Entrainment of fish has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power

plants with this type of cooling system and is not expected to be a problem during the

license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life stages for the Unit 2 |

cooling tower based system during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Impingement of fish and shellfish (cooling-tower-based systems). Based on information in

the GEIS, the Commission found that

The impingement has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

with this type of cooling system and is not expected to be a problem during the license

renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes |

that there are no impacts of impingement of fish and shellfish for the Unit 2 cooling tower based |

system during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-10 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

• Heat shock (cooling-tower-based systems). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Heat shock has not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants with

this type of cooling system and is not expected to be a problem during the license

renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

| available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

| that there are no impacts of heat shock for the Unit 2 cooling tower based system during the

renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS. 

• Cooling tower impacts on crops and ornamental vegetation. Based on information in the

GEIS, the Commission found that

Impacts from salt drift, icing, fogging, or increased humidity associated with cooling

tower operation have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts on crops and ornamental vegetation during the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.

• Cooling tower impacts on native plants. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Impacts from salt drift, icing, fogging, or increased humidity associated with cooling

tower operation have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

| review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no cooling tower impacts on native vegetation during the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-11 May 2006

• Bird collisions with cooling towers. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

These collisions have not been found to be a problem at operating nuclear power plants

and are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of bird collisions with cooling towers during the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.

• Microbiological organisms (occupational health). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Occupational health impacts are expected to be controlled by continued application of

accepted industrial hygiene practices to minimize worker exposures.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of microbiological organisms during the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

• Noise. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Noise has not been found to be a problem at operating plants and is not expected to be

a problem at any plant during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during the staff's independent

review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other |

available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no impacts of noise during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

The Category 2 issues related to cooling system operation during the renewal term that are

applicable to Nine Mile Point Unit 1 are discussed in the sections that follow, and are listed in |

Table 4-2. 
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May 2006 4-12 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 4-2. Category 2 Issues Applicable to the Operation of the Nine Mile Point

| Unit 1 Cooling System during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A,

Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

SEIS

Section

AQUATIC ECOLOGY (FOR PLANTS WITH ONCE-THROUGH AND COOLING POND HEAT-DISSIPATION SYSTEMS)

Entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life

stages

4.2.2.1.2 B 4.1.1

Impingement of fish and shellfish 4.2.2.1.3 B 4.1.2

Heat shock 4.2.2.1.4 B 4.1.3

4.1.1 Entrainment of Fish and Shellfish in Early Life Stages

For plants with once-through cooling systems, entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life

stages into cooling-water systems associated with nuclear power plants is considered a

Category 2 issue, requiring a site-specific assessment before license renewal. Nine Mile Point

Unit 1 uses a once-through cooling system while Unit 2 uses a closed-cycle cooling system that

includes a cooling tower. The NRC has determined that entrainment impacts are SMALL for all

plants using closed-cycle cooling systems and do not require site-specific analysis for purposes

of license renewal. Therefore, this section addresses entrainment only at Nine Mile Point

| Unit 1. To perform this evaluation, the staff reviewed the NMP ER (NMPNS 2004b), visited

Nine Mile Point, and reviewed the applicant's SPDES Permit, No. N.Y.-0001015, issued on

October 26, 1994, which is in force until December 01, 2009 (NYSDEC 2004).

Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that the location, design, construction,

and capacity of cooling-water intake structures reflect the best technology available for

minimizing adverse environmental impacts (33 USC 1326). Entrainment of fish and shellfish

into the cooling-water system is a potential adverse environmental impact that can be minimized

by use of the best available technology. 

On July 9, 2004, the EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register (EPA 2004b) addressing

cooling-water intake structures at existing power plants whose flow levels exceed a minimum

threshold value of 189 million L/day (50 million gpd). The rule is Phase II in the EPA's

development of 316(b) regulations that establish national requirements applicable to the

location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling-water intake structures at existing

facilities that exceed the threshold value for water withdrawals. The national requirements,

which are implemented through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

permits, minimize the adverse environmental impacts associated with the continued use of the

intake systems. Licensees are required to demonstrate compliance with the Phase II

performance standards at the time of renewal of their NPDES permit. Licensees may be

required as part of the NPDES renewal to alter the intake structure, redesign the cooling

system, modify station operation, or take other mitigative measures as a result of this regulation. 
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-13 May 2006

The new performance standards are designed to significantly reduce entrainment losses due to

plant operation. Any site-specific mitigation would result in less impact due to continued plant

operation. 

When Unit 1 is at maximum output, the water velocity at the intake structure is approximately

0.6 m/s (2 ft/s). Once the cooling water enters the intake, it flows through the intake tunnel at a

maximum rate of 2.4 m/s (8 ft/s). After traveling through the tunnel, the water is pumped

through the trash racks and traveling screens by two circulating pumps with a total capacity of

947 m3

/min (250,000 gpm) or 15.8 m3/s (4167 gps or 360 million gpd). The water travels from |

these screens to the condensers at a maximum velocity of 0.26 m/s (0.85 ft/s) (NMPNS 2004b). 

The estimated eastward flow along the south shore of Lake Ontario is 70,000 m3

/s 

(2.5 million ft3

/s), with a mean speed of 5 km/day (3.1 mi/day) in the belt of this eastward flow |

(EarthTech 2000). The flow through the plant (a maximum of 15.8 m3/s [4167 gps or 360 million |

gpd]) is 0.02 percent of the flow past the plant.

Initial entrainment studies at Nine Mile Point Unit 1 occurred from 1973 through 1978. Similarly

designed entrainment studies also were conducted at the James A. FitzPatrick Power Plant

from 1975 through 1979. Results of these studies were summarized in 1983. However, the

entrainment summary report focused on the 1976 data for Nine Mile Point. Samples were |

collected a minimum of twice a month during both daylight and nighttime. Prior to and

concurrent with the entrainment study, a baseline assessment of abundance and distribution of

Lake Ontario fish populations near the Nine Mile Point site was determined using a variety of

methods (LMS 1983).

Nearly all the fish species identified as present in the Nine Mile Point vicinity were also found in

the entrainment studies conducted at Nine Mile Point and the James A. FitzPatrick Power Plant. 

Species occurrence in entrainment samples followed species temporal occurrence in the lake. 

During the period of late spring and summer, peak concentrations of fish eggs and larvae

occurred in the lake (that is, alewife dominated). This pattern was similarly demonstrated during

the entrainment study, with peak entrainment occurring during this same period. Alewife and

rainbow smelt were the most abundant entrained species and also the most abundant in the

lake near the Nine Mile Point site. Entrainment collections in early spring contained burbot

(Lota lota) and Cisco and/or lake herring (Coregonus sp.), with rainbow smelt (Osmerus

mordax) present in mid spring, and alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) present in late spring and

summer (LMS 1983). 

Based on 1976 entrainment data, weekly average densities ranged from 0 to 34.4 eggs/m3

 and |

0 to 0.5 larvae/m3 for alewife. Corresponding densities for rainbow smelt were 0 to |

0.15 eggs/m3 and 0 to 0.02 larvae/m3. Extrapolating these weekly average entrainment |

densities with the maximum plant cooling water flow rate for 1976 (1014.5 m3/min

[268,000 gpm) provides estimates of maximum entrainment. Maximum weekly entrainment for

alewife would have been 350 million eggs and 4.9 million larvae. Maximum weekly entrainment
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-14 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

for rainbow smelt would have been 1.5 million eggs and 205,000 larvae (LMS 1983; NMPNS

2004b).

| Weekly entrainment losses were compared with the standing lake populations of fish. The

standing stock of alewife in Lake Ontario in 1976 was estimated at 12.56 billion. A 1:1 sex ratio

was assumed, resulting in 6.28 billion females, each with a fecundity of 26,272 eggs. With the

maximum weekly number of alewife eggs entrained at Unit 1 (350 million eggs) divided by this

fecundity, it is estimated that the number of eggs lost represents the number that could be

produced from 13,322 females; therefore it is estimated that the spawning loss is equivalent to

13,322 females. When this number is divided by the lake population of 6.28 billion alewife

| females, the estimated loss of the lake population of females equates to a weekly loss of 0.0002

percent. For alewife larvae, the peak weekly estimated number entrained of 4.9 million was

| compared to the estimated peak standing stock in the lake of 35 billion larvae. The entrainment

alewife larvae loss represented a weekly loss of 0.014 percent. Similar calculations for the

rainbow smelt yielded a loss of female standing stock due to egg entrainment of 0.00001

percent and a loss of larval standing stock of 0.025 percent. These calculations were based on

the peak weekly entrainment during 1976 (NMPNS 2004b). 

Additional entrainment monitoring for Nine Mile Point Unit 1 occurred in 1997. This monitoring

| program consisted of collecting samples from the screenhouse building’s discharge tunnel

associated with Nine Mile Point Unit 1 from April through August. Monitoring samples were

collected during daylight and nighttime one day per week, resulting in a total of 88 samples. 

This sampling resulted in the collection of nine distinct fish taxa (seven species and two

families). The SPDES permit (NY000 1015) identified species of concern and included white

perch (Morone americana), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), yellow perch (Perca

flavescens), alewife, rainbow smelt, white bass (Morone chrysops), and all members of the

family Salmonidae (EA 1998).

During this 1997 entrainment study, alewife accounted for 96 percent of all fish collected, while

alewife, threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and tessleated darter (Etheostoma

| olmstedi) comprised 99 percent of the total. The remaining one percent of species collected

| were carp (Cyprinus carpio), rainbow smelt, yellow perch, and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), as

well as minnows (Cyprinidae) and sunfishes (Centrarchidae). Based on life stage, juveniles and

eggs comprised one percent and 35 percent of life stages collected, respectively, with post

yolk-sac larvae the most commonly collected life stage (that is, 40 percent). While three

species identified as species of concern by the SPDES permit were entrained, two of the

species accounted for less than 1 percent of fish collected while alewives constituted the

| majority of all fishes entrained (EA 1998; EarthTech 2000). 

These 1997 entrainment sample densities and plant cooling water volumes were used to

extrapolate total entrainment estimates. This resulted in an estimate of 86.8 million

ichthyoplankton entrained at Nine Mile Point Unit 1 during the study period of April through

August. Estimates for entrainment of alewife, tessellated darter, and threespine stickleback

were 78.7 million, 3.6 million, and 2.4 million, respectively (EA 1998). Rainbow smelt entrained
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-15 May 2006

in 1997 accounted for only 0.1 percent of the total ichthyoplankton entrained, although it was

the second-most abundant fish entrained in the 1970s.

Entrainment levels of ichthyoplankton in 1997 was much reduced relative to the earlier

entrainment study. The principal reason for the difference in entrainment between 1976 and

1997 was the difference in lakewide abundance of adult alewife and rainbow smelt (i.e., late

1990s lake biomass was reduced by one-half compared to that documented in the early 1980s); |

this change in abundance is attributed to predation pressure from stocked salmon and changes

in nutrient cycling brought about by the invasive zebra and quagga mussels (NMPNS 2004b).

In summary, the primary factor influencing entrainment rates is the abundance of species in the

water near the intake. The entrainment losses incurred at Nine Mile Point, in comparison with

the standing stock of lake fish species, are very small and not likely to adversely affect the fish

community in the lake.

The staff reviewed the available information provided by NMPNS in the Nine Mile Points Units 1

and 2 ER (NMPNS 2004b) related to the CWA 316(b) permitting process. Based on the results

of past entrainment studies and the operating history of Nine Mile Point Unit 1's intake structure,

the staff concludes that the potential impacts of entrainment of fish and shellfish in the early life

stages into the cooling water intake system are SMALL.

The staff considered mitigation measures for the continued operation of Nine Mile Point Unit 1. 

Based on the assessment to date, the staff expects that the measures in place at Nine Mile

Point Unit 1 provide mitigation for impacts related to entrainment, and no new mitigation

measures are warranted.

4.1.2 Impingement of Fish and Shellfish

For plants with once-through cooling systems, impingement of fish and shellfish on debris

screens of cooling water system intakes is considered a Category 2 issue, requiring a

site-specific assessment before license renewal. Nine Mile Point Unit 1 uses a once-through

cooling system, while Unit 2 uses a closed-cycle cooling system that includes a cooling tower. 

The NRC has determined that impingement impacts are SMALL for all plants using closed-cycle

cooling systems and do not require site-specific analysis for purposes of license renewal. 

Therefore, this section addresses impingement only at Nine Mile Point Unit 1. To perform this |

evaluation, the staff reviewed the NMP ER (NMPNS 2004b); visited Nine Mile Point; and

reviewed the applicant's SPDES Permit , No. N.Y.-0001015, issued on October 26, 1994, and

expires in December 01, 2009 (NYSDEC 2004).

Section 316(b) of the CWA requires the location, design, construction, and capacity of coolingwater intake structures reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse

environmental impacts (33 USC 1326). Impingement of fish and shellfish on the debris screens
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May 2006 4-16 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

of the cooling-water intake system is a potential adverse environmental impact that can be

minimized by use of the best available technology.

On July 9, 2004, the EPA published a final rule in the Federal Register (EPA 2004b) addressing

cooling-water intake structures at existing power plants whose flow levels exceed a minimum

threshold value of 189 million L/day (50 million gpd). The rule is Phase II in the EPA’s

development of 316(b) regulations that establish national requirements applicable to the

location, design, construction, and capacity of cooling-water intake structures at existing

facilities that exceed the threshold value for water withdrawals. The national requirements,

which are implemented through NPDES permits, minimize the adverse environmental impacts

associated with the continued use of the intake systems. Licensees are required to

demonstrate compliance with the Phase II performance standards at the time of renewal of their

NPDES permit. Licensees may be required as part of the NPDES renewal to alter the intake

structure, redesign the cooling system, modify station operation, or take other mitigation

measures as a result of this regulation. The new performance standards are designed to

significantly reduce impingement losses due to plant operation. Any site-specific mitigation

would result in less impact due to continued plant operation.

Initial impingement studies at Nine Mile Point Unit 1 occurred from 1972 through 1981. 

Impingement studies also were conducted at the James A. FitzPatrick Power Plant from 1975

through 1981. Results of these studies were summarized in 1983. Samples at Nine Mile Point

Unit 1 were collected daily when impingement rates were high (that is, exceeded 20,000 fish in

a 24-hour period). When impingement fell below this rate, the number of sample days followed

a study design that varied by time of year and study year. Aquatic surveillance programs

conducted from 1972 to 1981 provided a baseline assessment of Lake Ontario fish populations

near the Nine Mile Point site (LMS 1983) (see Table 4-3).

| Following the initial impingement studies described above, impingement monitoring continued

| annually at Nine Mile Point Unit 1 until 1997. The studies were a requirement of the SPDES

| permit. With the exception of 1996, impingement monitoring at Unit 1 was conducted from 1972

| through 1997, providing a nearly continuous 25-year data set. Estimated annual impingement

| by species demonstrated a highly variable pattern over this study period (NMPNS 2004b). 

Previous studies for Nine Mile Point indicated that weather conditions affect impingement rates

| with subsequent studies supporting this observation (LMS 1983).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-17 May 2006

Table 4-3. List of Fish from Lake Ontario Impinged at the Nine Mile Point

Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, from 1973 through 1997

Fish Impingement Rate

Percent of

Individuals

Collected

Scientific Name Common Name

Total Number of

Fish Impinged,

1973-1997(a)

Annual Average

Number of Fish

Impinged, 1973-

1997(a)

Average over

24 Years,

1973-1997(a)

Alosa

pseudoharengus

alewife 13,891,754 578,823 60

Osmerus mordax rainbow smelt 1,038,041 43,252 20

Gasterosteus

aculeatus

threespine

stickleback

1,482,213 61,759 9

Dorsoma cepedianum gizzard shad 104,797 4367 2

Cottus sp. sculpin 54,967 2290 2

Morone americana white perch 50,741 2114 1 |

(a) No impingement data for 1996; totals represent 25 years of impingement data.

The alewife was the most common species taken during the entire impingement study period. |

Rainbow smelt were most abundant in three years (1979, 1982, and 1989). In 1978 and 1997, |

the threespine stickleback dominated the impingement catch. Although the threespine |

stickleback is also an inshore spawner, their infrequent dominance of impingement catches is |

also likely influenced by weather events. Rainbow smelt typically was the second most |

abundant species impinged each year (NMPNS 2004b). |

Highest impingement rates were usually observed during spring when alewife and rainbow |

smelt move inshore to spawn. These high levels of impingement were followed by a general |

reduction in fish taken as fish moved further offshore after the spawning season. Increased |

impingement rates occurred again in late summer and fall with the production of |

young-of-the-year (EAI 1984; NMPNS 2004b). |

The number of fish estimated impinged on an annual basis varied greatly due to a variety of

factors, including local abundance, weather-related factors, and plant operation. The lowest

estimated annual impingement catch (all species) was 3679 fish in 1988, when Unit 1 was

offline all year, with infrequent operation of circulating water pumps. The highest estimated

annual total impinged was over five million in 1973 due to high impingement for alewife. For the

period of 1972 to 1997, the number of species impinged annually ranged from 16 in 1988

(Unit 1 mainly offline) to 48 species in 1974. In addition to alewife and rainbow smelt, a variety

of other forage fishes have been reported impinged, including species of minnows (Cyprinidae),

sculpins (Cottus sp.), catfish (Ictaluridae), trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) and gizzard
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May 2006 4-18 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). Game fish such as smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu),

white bass (Morone chrysops), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), white perch (Morone

| americana), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and walleye (Sander vitreus) were also

impinged, but in relatively low numbers compared to alewife and rainbow smelt. Except for

walleye, these game fishes were among the "species of concern" designated for detailed

evaluation during 1997 at Unit 1 in the SPDES permit. Using data from 1973 to 1981, the staff

concluded that impingement of game species at Unit 1 represented a negligible impact based

on zero to very low tag returns and comparisons to commercial catches, where available. 

Tagging studies were conducted from 1972 through 1976; the low tag returns noted during the

study indicated that the number impinged is a small proportion of the population (NMPNS

2004b).

Impinged fish have been collected at the James A. FitzPatrick plant since 1975. Total monthly

impingement estimates for Nine Mile Point Unit 1 and James A. FitzPatrick (1976 to 1997, all

years combined for each month) demonstrate a lower total number of fish impinged for Nine

Mile Point (33 percent less overall). Monthly averages generally follow a similar pattern

between the two plants, although differences in numbers impinged do exist between the two

plants (for example, the monthly average for April is 22.5 percent for Nine Mile Point and 9.9

percent for James A. FitzPatrick; the monthly average for June is 4.2 percent for Nine Mile Point

and 9.5 percent for James A. FitzPatrick). However, for both plants, impingement abundance is

highest in the spring and peaks in May, with an impingement rate of 37 percent for Nine Mile

Point and 35 percent for James A. FitzPatrick. This highest abundance coincides with the

movement of fish to nearshore areas for spawning (Earth Tech 2000).

A variety of factors may affect the composition and rates of species impinged. Species

abundance in near shore area of Nine Mile Point Unit 1 largely influences the dominant species

impinged. Natural fluctuations in concentrations of alewife have been shown to widely vary from

| year to year, possibly due to periodic large die-offs of alewives during the winter.

Although a variety of factors can affect impingement rates, the overriding factor is the

abundance of species in the water body near the intake. Lake-wide fluctuations in abundance

of alewife may be the primary influence on impingement of alewife at Nine Mile Point Unit 1. 

Using average annual impingement catch for the period of 1973 to 1981, the impact of

impingement at Unit 1 was compared to the standing lake stocks of alewife and rainbow smelt;

| impingement for this time period was found to be 0.01 percent of these lake-wide standing

stocks for both species. A similar assessment was performed for 1982 to 1997 using lake-wide

population estimates of alewife and rainbow smelt. The proportions impinged were found to be

low in all years and similar to result from the previous period. The greatest proportional

| impingement of the lake-wide stock in any year was just under 0.05 percent in 1985 for the

alewife, and just under 0.02 percent in 1984 for the rainbow smelt. The ER for the R.E. Ginna

Nuclear Power Plant also reported reduced impingement catches of alewife and smelt in recent

years, concurrent with reduced numbers in the Eastern Basin of Lake Ontario (NRC 2004a). 
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-19 May 2006

The staff has reviewed the available information. Based on the results of past impingement

studies and the operating history of the Nine Mile Point Unit 1 intake structure, the staff

concludes that the potential impacts of impingement of fish and shellfish are SMALL.

The staff considered mitigation measures for the continued operation of Nine Mile Point Unit 1. 

Based on the assessment to date, the staff expects that the measures in place at Nine Mile

Point Unit 1 provide mitigation for impacts related to impingement, and no new mitigation

measures are warranted.

4.1.3 Heat Shock

For plants with once-through cooling systems, the effects of heat shock are listed as a

Category 2 issue, requiring a site-specific assessment before licensing renewal. Nine Mile

Point Unit 1 uses a once-through cooling system while Unit 2 uses a closed-cycle cooling

system with a cooling tower. The NRC has determined that heat shock impacts are SMALL at

all plants using closed-cycle cooling systems and do not require a site-specific analysis for

purposes of license renewal. Therefore, this section addresses heat shock only for Nine Mile

Point Unit 1. The NRC made impacts on fish and shellfish resources resulting from heat shock

a Category 2 issue for once-through plants because of continuing concerns about

thermal-discharge effects and the possible need to modify thermal discharges in the future in

response to changing environmental conditions (NRC 1996). Information to be considered

includes (1) the type of cooling system (whether once-through or cooling pond) and (2) evidence

of a CWA Section 316(a) variance or equivalent State documentation. To perform this |

evaluation, the staff did the following: reviewed the NMP ER (NMPNS 2004b); visited Nine Mile

Point; reviewed the facilities 316(a) demonstration report dated December 8, 1975 and 

submitted the report to the EPA, Region II; and reviewed the applicant's SPDES Permit, No.

N.Y.-0001015, issued on October 26, 1994, which is in force until December 01, 2009

(NYSDEC 2004).

Nine Mile Point Unit 1 has a once-through heat dissipation system. Heat shock is caused by

high temperatures in the discharge water adversely affecting aquatic biota. Section 316(a) of

the CWA establishes a process whereby the applicant can obtain facility-specific thermal

discharge limits. The Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation submitted a CWA 316(a)

Demonstration in 1975 that evaluated thermal discharges at the Nine Mile Point plant with

respect to its impact on aquatic biota and proposed alternate thermal discharge limitations. 

Supplemental information was submitted in 1976 in response to the EPA's request for additional

information. This demonstration was approved by the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in 1983 (NMPNS 2004b).

The nature of the discharge plume and its potential impact on the aquatic community were

studied during the first five fully operational years of Unit 1 (1970 to 1975) and included 25

plume measurement surveys. The configuration of the thermal plume from Unit 1 has been

found to vary with wind-induced currents, wave action, and upwelling. However, no relationship
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May 2006 4-20 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

between the size and the extent of the plume and either wind speed or station heat load has

been demonstrated, reflecting the stochastic nature of the plume as influenced by lake

hydrodynamics. In 25 surveys, the size of the plume, defined as the area or volume within the

2°C (3.6°F) above ambient isotherm, has varied between 14 and 150 surface ha (34 and 370

surface ac) and 66,610 and 1,516,000 m3

 (54 and 1229 ac-ft). A frequency analysis identified

the median plume size as approximately 49 surface ha (120 surface ac). The plume exceeded

65 ha (160 ac) 30 percent of the time. The 65 surface ha (160 surface ac) extends

approximately 572 m (1875 ft) on each side of the discharge point along the shore, and a

maximum distance of nearly 732 m (2400 ft) offshore. As is typical of heated discharges, the

warmer water in the plume is buoyant and thus largely a surface phenomenon. The 65 surface

ha (160 surface ac) plume had a volume of 431,700 m3

 (350 ac-ft), and a calculated depth from

the surface of 0.68 m (2.19 ft) (NMPNS 2004b). 

The current SPDES permit allows a maximum daily discharge temperature of 46°C (115°F) from

Unit 1. The maximum allowable intake-discharge temperature difference is 19°C (35°F). The

maximum daily flow is 1580 million L/day (418 million gpd). The areal extent of the permitted

mixing zone is 172 surface ha (425 surface ac) in Lake Ontario, from the point of discharge, and

outside of this mixing zone a temperature increase of no more than 1.7°C (3°F) may occur. The

compliance history of Nine Mile Point Unit 1 demonstrates that they routinely and consistently

meet the thermal limitations in their SPDES permit. There have been no heat shock incidents

(elevated receiving water temperatures) during station operation resulting in the immediate

distress or acute mortality of fish.

In parallel with the physical plume studies, extensive biological studies were carried out in the

vicinity of Unit 1. These data are summarized in the applicant’s 316(a) demonstration report. 

Surveys included phytoplankton, zooplankton, ichthyoplankton, benthos, and fish. These

studies were conducted during early spring through December and sampled various depths and

locations near Unit 1 during 1969 to 1974. With the approval of the EPA, Region II, emphasis

was placed on several "Representative Important Species (RIS)," including macroalgae

(Cladophora sp.), macroinvertebrates (Gammarus sp.), and fish (alewife [Alosa

pseudoharengus], coho salmon [Oncorhynchus kisutch], brown trout [Salmo trutta], rainbow

smelt [Osmerus mordax], threespine stickleback [Gasterosteus aculeatus], smallmouth bass

[Micropterus dolomieu], and yellow perch [Perca flavescens]). The results of these studies

demonstrated that no aspect of the biotic community was influenced or impacted by the heated

discharge of Unit 1 (NMPNS 2004b).

The staff has reviewed the available information, including that provided by the applicant, the

staff's site visit, the applicant’s 316(a) demonstration, and other public sources. The staff

evaluated the potential impacts to aquatic resources due to heat shock during continued

operation. It is the staff's conclusion that the potential impacts to fish and shellfish due to heat

shock during the renewal term are SMALL.

The staff considered mitigation measures for the continued operation of Nine Mile Point Unit 1

during the license renewal period. Based on the staff's assessment, measures in place at Nine
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-21 May 2006

Mile Point provide mitigation of impacts related to heat shock, and no new mitigation measures

are warranted. 

4.2 Transmission Lines

Nine Mile Point has three transmission lines that connect NMP to the national grid system. The |

transmission lines as well as their ownership and shared responsibilities for their maintenance

are described in Section 2.1.7. The transmission line rights-of-way covers approximately

638 ha (1576 ac) over a total length of approximately 42 km (26 mi). Niagara Mohawk, the |

company that owns most of the transmission corridor, has a New York State Public Service

Commission-approved long-range vegetation management plan for its transmission line rightsof-way (NMPNS 2004b). Following this plan, selected management techniques are used to |

maintain a low-growing vegetative community and to keep the transmission lines free of |

interruptions from trees and tall-growing shrub species. Niagara Mohawk performs routine and |

emergency helicopter and foot patrols to inspect the transmission corridor and facilities. In |

addition to these routine patrols, Niagara Mohawk performs an annual assessment of each |

rights-of-way in the spring and mid-summer to ensure the continued operation of the |

transmission system.

Category 1 issues in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1, that are applicable to

transmission lines from NMP are listed in Table 4-4. In the Nine Mile Point ER, NMPNS stated |

that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with the renewal of the

NMP OLs. The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its |

independent review of the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station ER. No information was identified |

during the staff’s site audit, the scoping process, consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (FWS) and NYSDEC, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments

on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts related to these

issues beyond those discussed in the GEIS. For all of these issues, the staff concluded in the

GEIS that the impacts are SMALL, and additional plant-specific mitigation measures are not

likely to be sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.
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May 2006 4-22 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 4-4. Category 1 Issues Applicable to the Nine Mile Point Transmission

Lines during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES

Power line right-of-way management (cutting and herbicide application) 4.5.6.1

Bird collision with power lines 4.5.6.2

Impacts of electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna (plants, agricultural crops,

honeybees, wildlife, livestock)

4.5.6.3

Floodplains and wetland on power line right-of-way 4.5.7

AIR QUALITY

Air quality effects of transmission lines 4.5.2

LAND USE

Onsite land use 4.5.3

Power line right-of-way 4.5.3

A brief description of the staff’s review and GEIS conclusions, as codified in 10 CFR Part 51,

Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1, for each of these issues follows.

• Power line right-of-way management (cutting and herbicide application). Based on

information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

The impacts of right-of-way maintenance on wildlife are expected to be of small

significance at all sites.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and

| the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of power line right-of-way maintenance

during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Bird collision with power lines. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found

that

Impacts are expected to be of small significance at all sites.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and

| the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. 
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-23 May 2006

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of bird collision with power lines during

the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Impacts of electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna (plants, agricultural crops, honeybees,

wildlife, livestock). Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

No significant impacts of electromagnetic fields on terrestrial flora and fauna have been

identified. Such effects are not expected to be a problem during the license renewal

term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and |

the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. |

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of electromagnetic fields on flora and

fauna during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Floodplains and wetlands on power line right-of-way. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Periodic vegetation control is necessary in forested wetlands underneath power lines

and can be achieved with minimal damage to the wetland. No significant impact is

expected at any nuclear power plant during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and |

the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. |

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of power line right-of-way on floodplains

and wetlands during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Air quality effects of transmission lines. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

Production of ozone and oxides of nitrogen is insignificant and does not contribute

measurably to ambient levels of these gases.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and |

the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. |

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no air quality impacts of transmission lines during

the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.
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May 2006 4-24 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

• Onsite land use. Based on the information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Projected onsite land use changes required during [...] the renewal period would be a

small fraction of any nuclear power plant site and would involve land that is controlled by

the applicant.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and

| the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no onsite land use impacts during the renewal term

beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Power line right-of-way. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Ongoing use of power line right of ways would continue with no change in restrictions. 

The effects of these restrictions are of small significance.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, consultation with the FWS and

| the NYSDEC, its evaluation of other information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts of power line right-of-way on land use

during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

There is one Category 2 issue related to transmission lines, and another issue related to

transmission lines is being treated as a Category 2 issue. These issues are listed in Table 4-5

and are discussed in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2.

Table 4-5. Category 2 and Uncategorized Issues Applicable to the Nine Mile

Point Transmission Lines during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B,

Table B-1

GEIS

Section

10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

SEIS

Section

HUMAN HEALTH

Electromagnetic fields, acute effects (electric shock) 4.5.4.1 H 4.2.1

Electromagnetic fields, chronic effects 4.5.4.2 N/A 4.2.2

4.2.1 Electromagnetic Fields—Acute Effects

Based on the GEIS, the Commission found that electric shock resulting from direct access to

energized conductors or from induced charges in metallic structures have not been found to be

a problem at most operating plants, and generally are not expected to be a problem during the
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-25 May 2006

license renewal term. However, a site-specific review is required to determine the significance

of the electric shock potential of the site.

In the GEIS (NRC 1996), the staff found that without a review of the conformance of each

nuclear plant transmission line with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) criteria (IEEE

1997), it was not possible to determine the significance of the electric shock potential. 

Evaluation of individual plant transmission lines is necessary because the issue of electric

shock safety was not addressed in the licensing process for some plants. For other plants, land

use in the vicinity of transmission lines may have changed, or power distribution companies may

have chosen to upgrade line voltage. To comply with 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(H), the applicant

must provide an assessment of the impact of the proposed action on the potential shock hazard

from the transmission lines if the transmission lines that were constructed for the specific

purpose of connecting the plant to the transmission system do not meet the recommendations

of the NESC for preventing electric shock from induced currents. 

To support its conclusion that the three single-circuit 345-kV transmission lines at Nine Mile

Point are in compliance with the NESC 5-mA, electric-field induced current limit, NMPNS

performed field measurements and computer analyses. These measurements and analyses |

demonstrated that the electric-field-induced current from these transmission lines at Nine Mile |

Point is below the 5-mA limit and that the transmission lines meet the NESC recommendations |

for preventing electric shock from induced currents (NMPNS 2004b).

The staff has reviewed the available information, including that provided by the applicant, the

staff's site visit, the scoping process, and other public sources. Using this information, the staff

evaluated the potential impacts for electric shock resulting from operation of NMP and |

associated transmission lines. It is the staff's conclusion that the potential impacts for electric

shock during the renewal term are SMALL. During the course of its evaluation, the staff

considered mitigation measures for the continued operation of NMP. Based on the assessment |

to date, the staff expects that the measures in place at Nine Mile Point (e.g., transmission lines

in compliance with the NESC) are appropriate, and no additional mitigation measures are

warranted.

4.2.2 Electromagnetic Fields—Chronic Effects

In the GEIS, the chronic effects of 60-Hz electromagnetic fields from power lines were not

designated as Category 1 or Category 2, and will not be until a scientific consensus is reached

on the health implications of these fields.

The potential for chronic effects from these fields continues to be studied and is not known at

this time. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) directs related

research through the U.S. Department of Energy. A recent report (NIEHS 1999) contains the

following conclusion:
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May 2006 4-26 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

The NIEHS concludes that ELF-EMF [extremely low frequency-electromagnetic field]

exposure cannot be recognized as entirely safe because of weak scientific evidence that

exposure may pose a leukemia hazard. In our opinion, this finding is insufficient to

warrant aggressive regulatory concern. However, because virtually everyone in the

United States uses electricity and therefore is routinely exposed to ELF-EMF, passive

regulatory action is warranted such as a continued emphasis on educating both the

public and the regulated community on means aimed at reducing exposures. The

NIEHS does not believe that other cancers or non-cancer health outcomes provide

sufficient evidence of a risk to currently warrant concern.

This statement is not sufficient to cause the staff to change its position with respect to the

chronic effects of electromagnetic fields. Footnote 5 to Table B-1 states: 

If, in the future, the Commission finds that, contrary to current indications, a consensus

has been reached by appropriate Federal health agencies that there are adverse health

effects from electromagnetic fields, the Commission will require applicants to submit

plant-specific reviews of these health effects as part of their license renewal

applications. Until such time, applicants for license renewal are not required to submit

information on this issue.

The staff considers the GEIS finding of “not applicable” still appropriate and will continue to

follow developments on this issue.

4.3 Radiological Impacts of Normal Operations

Category 1 issues in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 that are applicable to

| NMP in regard to radiological impacts are listed in Table 4-6. NMPNS stated in its ER (NMPNS

2004b) that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with the renewal of

| the NMP OLs. The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its

independent review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, or its

evaluation of other available information. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no

impacts related to these issues beyond those discussed in the GEIS. For these issues, the staff

concluded in the GEIS that the impacts are SMALL, and additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

Table 4-6. Category 1 Issues Applicable to Radiological Impacts of Normal

Operations during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

HUMAN HEALTH

Radiation exposures to public (license renewal term) 4.6.2

Occupational radiation exposures (license renewal term) 4.6.3
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-27 May 2006

A brief description of the staff’s review and the GEIS conclusions, as codified in 10 CFR

Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1, for each of these issues follows:

• Radiation exposures to public (license renewal term). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that 

Radiation doses to the public will continue at current levels associated with normal

operations.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts of radiation exposures to the public during the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

• Occupational radiation exposures (license renewal term). Based on information in the

GEIS, the Commission found that

Projected maximum occupational doses during the license renewal term are within the

range of doses experienced during normal operations and normal maintenance outages,

and would be well below regulatory limits.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts of occupational radiation exposures during the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

There are no Category 2 issues related to radiological impacts of routine operations. 

4.4 Socioeconomic Impacts of Plant Operations During

the License Renewal Period

Category 1 issues in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 that are applicable to

socioeconomic impacts during the renewal term are listed in Table 4-7. NMPNS stated in its ER

(NMPNS 2004b) that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with the

renewal of the Nine Mile Point OLs. The staff has not identified any new and significant

information during its independent review of the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the

scoping process, or its evaluation of other information. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no impacts related to these issues beyond those discussed in the GEIS (NRC 1996). For all

of those issues, the GEIS concluded that the impacts are SMALL, and plant-specific mitigation

measures are not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.
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May 2006 4-28 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 4-7. Category 1 Issues Applicable to Socioeconomics during the

Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

SOCIOECONOMICS

Public services: public safety, social services, and tourism and

recreation

4.7.3; 4.7.3.3; 4.7.3.4; 4.7.3.6

Public services: education (license renewal term) 4.7.3.1

Aesthetic impacts (license renewal term) 4.7.6

Aesthetic impacts of transmission lines (license renewal term) 4.5.8

A brief description of the staff's review and the GEIS conclusions, as codified in Table B-1, for

each of these issues follows:

• Public services: public safety, social services, and tourism and recreation. Based on

information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Impacts to public safety, social services, and tourism and recreation are expected to be

of small significance at all sites.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no impacts on public safety, social services, and tourism and recreation during the renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Public services: education (license renewal term). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

Only impacts of small significance are expected.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no impacts on education during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Aesthetic impacts (license renewal term). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that

No significant impacts are expected during the license renewal term.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-29 May 2006

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no aesthetic impacts during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

• Aesthetic impacts of transmission lines (license renewal term). Based on information in the

GEIS, the Commission found that

No significant impacts are expected during the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER, the staff's site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no aesthetic impacts during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

Table 4-8 lists the Category 2 socioeconomic issues, which require plant-specific analysis, and

environmental justice, which was not addressed in the GEIS.

Table 4-8. Environmental Justice and GEIS Category 2 Issues Applicable to

Socioeconomics during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A,

Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Section

10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph SEIS Section

SOCIOECONOMICS

Housing impacts 4.7.1 I 4.4.1

Public services: public utilities 4.7.3.5 I 4.4.2

Offsite land use (license renewal term) 4.7.4 I 4.4.3

Public services: public transportation 4.7.3.2 J 4.4.4

Historic and archaeological resources 4.7.7 K 4.4.5

Environmental justice Not addressed(a) Not addressed(a) 4.4.6

(a) Guidance related to environmental justice was not in place at the time the GEIS and the associated revision to

10 CFR Part 51 were prepared. Therefore, environmental justice is to be addressed in the licensee’s

environmental report and the staff’s environmental impact statement.

4.4.1 Housing Impacts During Operations

In determining housing impacts, the applicant chose to follow Appendix C of the GEIS

(NRC 1996), which presents a population characterization method that is based on two factors,

"sparseness" and "proximity" (GEIS Section C.1.4 [NRC 1996]). Sparseness measures

population density within 32 km (20 mi) of the site, and proximity measures population density

and city size within 80 km (50 mi). Each factor has categories of density and size (GEIS
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(a) Category 3 is defined as having 23 to 46 persons/km2 (60 to 120/persons/mi2), or having fewer than

23 persons/km2

 (60 persons/mi2) with at least one community with 25,000 or more persons within

32 km (20 mi).

May 2006 4-30 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table C.1), and a matrix is used to rank the population category as low, medium, or high (GEIS

Figure C.1).

| In 2000, 109,440 persons were living within 32 km (20 mi) of Nine Mile Point, which equals a

population density of 87 persons per square mile within 32 km (20 mi). Based on this data, Nine

Mile Point falls into Category 3 of the NRC's GEIS sparseness classification.(a) There are an

estimated 914,668 persons living within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point, which equates 

to a population density of 117 persons per square mile within 80 km (50 mi). Since Syracuse 

is the largest city within 80 km (50 mi) of the site and has a total population well over

100,000 persons, Nine Mile Point falls into Category 3 of the GEIS proximity classification. 

According to the NRC's GEIS sparseness and proximity matrix, Nine Mile Point's sparseness

Category 3 and proximity Category 3 indicate that Nine Mile Point is in a medium density

| population area (NMNPS 2004b).

Refurbishment activities and continued operations could result in housing impacts due to

increased staffing. However, NMPNS does not plan to perform refurbishment and concluded

that there would be no refurbishment-related impacts to area housing. Accordingly, the

following discussion focuses on impacts of continued operations on local housing availability. 

The maximum impact to area housing is calculated using the following assumptions: (1) all

direct and indirect jobs would be filled by in-migrating residents; (2) the residential distribution of

new residents would be similar to current employee distribution; and (3) each new job created

(direct and indirect) represents on housing unit. As described in Section 2.2.8.1, approximately

95 percent of employees live in Oswego and Onondaga counties. Therefore, the focus of the

housing impact analysis is on these areas in Section 2.2.8.1.

10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 states that impacts on housing availability

are expected to be of small significance at plants located in a medium-population area where

growth-control measures are not in effect. This conclusion is supported by the following

site-specific housing analysis. The GEIS assumes that an additional staff of 60 permanent

NMPNS employees per unit might be needed during the license renewal period to perform

routine maintenance and other activities. Section 3.4 of the Nine Mile Point ER (NMPNS

2004b) states that a total of 60 new direct jobs and 143 indirect jobs would be created for a total

of 203 new workers needed. If it is assumed that each of the 203 new workers would located in

the Onondaga and Oswego combined-county area, an additional 203 new housing units would

be needed. This would not create a discernible change in housing availability, change rental

rates and housing values, or spur housing construction or conversion. The Year 2000 Census

estimated the population at 580,713 persons, and estimated housing vacancy rates in

Onondaga and Oswego counties at 7.9 and 13.8 percent, respectively (NMPNS 2004b). 
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-31 May 2006

The staff reviewed the available information relative to housing impacts and NMPNS's

conclusions. Based on this review, the staff concludes that the impact on housing during the

license renewal period would be SMALL, and additional mitigation measures are not warranted.

4.4.2 Public Services: Public Utility Impacts During Operations

Impacts on public utility services are considered SMALL if there is little or no change in the

ability of the system to respond to the level of demand, and thus there is no need to add capital

facilities. Impacts are considered MODERATE if overtaxing of service capabilities occurs during

periods of peak demand. Impacts are considered LARGE if existing levels of service (e.g.,

water or sewer services) are substantially degraded and additional capacity is needed to meet

ongoing demands for services. The GEIS indicates that, in the absence of new and significant

information to the contrary, the only impacts on public utilities that could be significant are

impacts on public water supplies (NRC 1996).

Analysis of impacts on the public water supply system considered plant demand and

plant-related population growth. Section 2.1.3 describes the Nine Mile Point permitted

withdrawal rate and actual use of water. Nine Mile Point acquires potable water through the

Oswego Water System, the largest public water supply provider in Oswego County. Current

plant usage averages 651,000 L/day (172,000 gpd), with no restrictions on supply (see

Section 3.1.3.3). The Oswego Water System serves approximately 23,950 customers in the

City of Oswego and in portions of the towns of Oswego, Minetto, Scriba, and Volney. The water

plant obtains its water from Lake Ontario, and its allowable withdrawal allocation is

approximately 237 million L/day (62.5 million gpd), well in excess of its needs. The full design

capacity of the water plant is 76 million L/day (20.1 million gpd), though 30 million L

(8 million gal) is reserved for Sithe Energies, Inc., with the remaining 46 million L (12 million gal)

available for other industrial, residential, and commercial customers (NMPNS 2004b). In 2001,

consumptive daily demand averaged 30 million L/day (8 million gpd), and peak demand was

approximately 38 million L/day (10 million gpd) (NMPNS 2004b). Since NMPNS is planning no

major refurbishment, the plant demand is not expected to change.

In Section 3.4 of the ER (NMPNS 2004b), the applicant assumes that a maximum of 203

additional jobs are created during the license renewal period (60 direct jobs and 143 indirect

jobs). It is also assumed that these new employees would primarily live in Oswego and

Onondaga counties. Using a mulitplier of 2.61 (the average number of persons per household),

it can be assumed that the 203 jobs would lead to a population increase of 530 people in the

two counties. The increase in population in Oswego or Onondaga Counties resulting from

license renewal would not create shortages in capacity of the water supply systems in either of

the counties, because the largest suppliers of water to communities in each county are likely to

be operating below capacity during the license renewal period.

The staff has reviewed the available information and the analysis discussed above. Because

the increase in water use is a small percentage of available capacity in the region, the staff
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-32 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

concludes that the impact of the increase in water use is SMALL, requiring no additional

mitigation.

4.4.3 Offsite Land Use During Operations

| Offsite land use during the license renewal term is a Category 2 issue (10 CFR Part 51, Subpart

A, Appendix B, Table B-1). Table B-1 of 10 CFR Part 51 Subpart A, Appendix B notes that

"significant changes in land use may be associated with population and tax revenue changes

resulting from license renewal."

Section 4.7.4 of the GEIS defines the magnitude of land use changes as a result of plant

operation during the license renewal term as follows:

SMALL—Little new development and minimal changes to an area's land use pattern.

MODERATE—Considerable new development and some changes to the land use

pattern.

LARGE—Large-scale new development and major changes in the land use pattern.

Tax revenue can affect land use because it enables local jurisdictions to be able to provide the

public services (e.g., transportation and utilities) necessary to support development. 

Section 4.7.4.1 of the GEIS states that the assessment of tax-driven land use impacts during

the license renewal term should consider (1) the size of the plant's payments relative to the

community's total revenues, (2) the nature of the community's existing land use pattern, and

(3) the extent to which the community already has public services in place to support and guide

development.

NMPNS is assessed annual property taxes for Nine Mile Point by Oswego County, the Town of

Scriba, and the City of Oswego School District. Property taxes paid to Oswego County and the

Town of Scriba fund such services as transportation, education, public health, and public safety. 

From 1995 to 2001, NMPNS property tax contributions for Nine Mile Point to Oswego County

| have decreased from 21 percent to 9 percent of total revenues. By comparison, Nine Mile Point

| property tax payments to the City of Oswego School District have also fallen from 56 percent to

| 43 percent of total revenues during the time period of 1995 to 2000. Property tax payments

from Nine Mile Point have historically constituted a significant portion of Town of Scriba

revenues, although the percentage of the contributions compared to total revenues has

| decreased from 74 percent to 39 percent (NMPNS 2004b).

NMPNS has entered into an agreement with Oswego County, the Town of Scriba, and the City

of Oswego school district regarding property taxes paid to those entities for Nine Mile Point. 

The agreement stipulates that NMPNS, instead of paying property taxes for Nine Mile Point

based on the assessed value of the plant, will make standardized annual payments in lieu of

taxes to the taxing entities (Section 2.2.8.6).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-33 May 2006

Because (1) NMPNS only proposes to employ a small number of additional personnel during

the license renewal period, and (2) NMPNS does not anticipate major refurbishment or

construction during this period, and therefore, does not anticipate any increase in the assessed

value of Nine Mile Point during the license renewal period, the staff concludes that the net

impact of plant-related population increases is likely to be SMALL. 

4.4.4 Public Services: Transportation Impacts During Operations

Although no major refurbishment is planned at NMPNS, an additional 60 employees may be

added during the license renewal term, representing a five-percent increase in the current

number of permanent employees. NMPNS has staggered starting times for workers at Nine

Mile Point, which minimizes the impact on local transportation conditions caused by plant

workers currently entering and leaving the site.

As described in Section 2.2.8.2, road access to Nine Mile Point is via Lake Road (County

Road 1A). This roadway, County Road 1, and Lakeview Road are considered to be in good

condition by Oswego County Public Works. The annual average daily traffic count for the

segment of County Road 1A from County Road 1 to Lakeview Road was 4900 in 1995. The

level of service (LOS) rating of the approaches for the two intersections closest to Nine Mile

Point along County Road 1A for peak use hours ranged from "A" to "C" with one approach

having an "F" rating; however the majority of approaches carried an "A" or "B" rating. The

60 additional employees associated with license renewal for Nine Mile Point would represent a

4.7 percent increase in the current number of permanent employees and an even smaller

percentage of employees present onsite during a typical refueling outage.

Given the employment projections and the staggered shifts used at Nine Mile Point, the staff

concludes the impacts of license renewal on traffic conditions would be SMALL and additional

mitigative measures would be unwarranted.

4.4.5 Historic and Archaeological Resources

The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA 1966), as amended through 2000, requires

Federal agencies to take into account the potential effects of their undertakings on historic

properties. The historic-review process mandated by Section 106 of the NHPA is outlined in

regulations issued by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) at 36 CFR Part

800. Renewal of an OL for a nuclear power plant is an undertaking that could possibly affect

either known or potential historic properties that may be located at the plant. Therefore, in

accordance with the provisions of the NHPA, the NRC is required to make a reasonable effort to

identify historic properties in the areas of potential effects. If no historic properties are present

or affected, the NRC is required to notify the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) before

proceeding. If it is determined that historic properties are present, the NRC is required to

assess and resolve possible adverse effects of the undertaking. In general, lands within the

boundaries of a nuclear-plant site fall into one of the following categories:
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May 2006 4-34 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

(1) Areas with no potential for archaeological resources. These areas include lands

where past disturbances related to the construction of the power station and

appurtenant facilities have taken place to such an extent that once-extant cultural

resources are no longer present. No further archaeological investigations would be

recommended for these areas.

(2) Areas with low potential for archaeological resources. Lands within the plant site

that fall into this category are those that are relatively undisturbed but that possess

characteristics that would normally indicate a low possibility for most types of cultural

resources to occur. For most of these areas, further archaeological work would not

be necessary, although there could be smaller areas within the larger zone where

specific ground conditions could require investigation.

(3) Areas with moderate to high potential for archaeological resources. These areas are

classified as those that are relatively undisturbed by past activities and have a

likelihood for prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, according to local models

of prehistoric and historic land use and settlement patterning. Archaeological

investigation would be recommended prior to undertaking any ground-disturbing

activities in these areas.

Nine Mile Point is primarily made up of areas of no and low potential for archaeological

resources. Limited portions of the Nine Mile Point site represent areas of moderate to high

potential for archaeological sites. No archaeological sites, either historic or prehistoric in age,

are recorded at Nine Mile Point or the transmission corridor that transits south and east from

Nine Mile Point to the Clay Substation in Onondaga County. However, early maps of the project

area indicate that a suite of residences, mostly of nineteenth century origin, existed in the Nine

Mile Point site land area. These occupations produced historic archaeological deposits; the

NRC staff verified that such deposits are present on Nine Mile Point property during a

September 2004 site visit. 

Nine Mile Point has not been investigated by professional archaeologists at a level that would

conclusively determine current presence or absence of archaeological sites at locations where

maps show houses and outbuildings were located in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, or

to define the significance of any such resources that exist on these lands. However, the Nine

Mile Point license renewal application for continued operations does not include proposals for

future land-disturbing activities or structural modifications beyond routine maintenance at the

plant. Such disturbances may occur over the term of the license, but they are unlikely to occur 

without additional review. 

Constellation Nuclear Services initiated communication with the New York SHPO about the

re-licensing in a letter dated December 13, 2002, and Constellation Energy Group followed up

with a similar letter on February 28, 2004 (NMPNS 2002, 2004a). The letters express

Constellation's desire to assess the effects of the license renewal on historic properties, as

required by the NRC of applicants for operating license renewal. The letters include the Nine
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-35 May 2006

Mile Point site itself and a transmission corridor that extends approximately 42 km (26 mi)

southeast to the Clay Substation within the purview of the undertaking. The applicant notes in

its letters that it does not expect the operation of Nine Mile Point, including maintenance of the

identified transmission line, through the license renewal term to adversely affect cultural or

historical resources. The 2002 letter (NMPNS 2002) states that "there are no planned

operational or land disturbing activities associated with the period of extended operation that

would impact previously undisturbed areas of the site." Both letters request information of any

kind that might alter a conclusion that operations in the license renewal period would not impact

cultural resources. A response by the SHPO states there are no known archaeological sites

within the Nine Mile Point site or in the transmission corridor (NYSOPRHP 2003). 

The NRC has forwarded its own letter to the New York SHPO. The area of potential effect

(APE) for the license renewal action is defined as the area of the power plant site and its

immediate environs that may be impacted by post-license renewal land-disturbing operations or

projected refurbishment activities associated with the proposed action. The letter includes

notification, in accordance with 36 CFR Part 800.8, that the NRC will review impacts to historic

and archaeological resources in a SEIS (NRC 2004c). A similar notification was sent to the

ACHP (NRC 2004b).

The staff reviewed the applicant's assumptions and resulting conclusions as they relate to

historical and archaeological resources and determined that unrecorded and archaeological

resources could be present on the site. The setting of Nine Mile Point, adjacent to Lake Ontario

in an area settled by non-Native Americans in the nineteenth century, indicates a moderate to

high potential for discovery of significant archaeological resources of historic age. However,

that potential occurs in limited areas of sensitivity. Specifically, those areas are locations within

152 m (500 ft) of historic roads, except for those places heavily disturbed already by plant and

building construction, and previously little-disturbed areas within 152 m (500 ft) of permanent

water sources on or flowing through the lands controlled by the applicant at Nine Mile Point. 

These considerations require adequate plans to protect archaeological sites from inadvertent

disturbance or destruction. 

No historic properties would be affected by a decision to renew the licenses for operation of |

Nine Mile Point. Considering (1) the applicant’s understanding that portions of the Nine Mile

Point site have moderate to high potential for discovery of archaeological sites, (2) the

procedure the applicant has in place to evaluate proposed actions that could significantly affect

the environment, and (3) the applicant has initiated a new procedure to assist employees in

recognizing and protecting cultural resources, the staff determines that the impact of license

renewal on historical and archaeological resources is SMALL and additional mitigation is not

warranted. The staff notes that the New York SHPO office requires archeological investigations |

for all areas potentially affected by individual actions. |
Environmental Impacts of Operation

(a) The NRC guidance for performing environmental justice reviews defines “minority” as American Indian

| or Alaskan Native; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; or Black races; or Hispanic ethnicity. 

| “Other” races and multiracial individuals may be considered a separate minority category (NRC

| 2004e).

(b) A census block group is a combination of census blocks, which are statistical subdivisions of a census

tract. A census block is the smallest geographic entity for which the Census Bureau collects and

tabulates decennial census information. A census tract is a small, relatively permanent statistical

subdivision of counties delineated by local committees of census data users in accordance with

Census Bureau guidelines for the purpose of collecting and presenting decennial census data. 

Census block groups are subsets of census tracts.

May 2006 4-36 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

4.4.6 Environmental Justice

Environmental justice refers to a Federal policy that Federal agencies identify and address, as

appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its

actions on minority(a) or low-income populations. The memorandum accompanying Executive

Order 12898 (59 FR 7629) directs Federal executive agencies to consider environmental justice

under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Council on Environmental 

Quality (CEQ) has provided guidance for addressing environmental justice (CEQ 1997). On

August 24, 2004, the Commission published a Final Policy Statement in the Federal Register on

the treatment of environmental justice matters in the NRC regulatory and licensing actions (NRC

2004c). The Final Policy Statement reaffirms that the Commission is committed to full

compliance with the requirements of NEPA. Although the Executive Order is not mandatory for

independent agencies, the NRC has voluntarily committed to undertake environmental justice

reviews. Specific guidance is provided in NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office

Instruction LIC-203 Rev 1, Procedural Guidance for Preparing Environmental Assessments and

| Considering Environmental Issues (NRC 2004e). In 2004 the Commission issued a Final Policy

Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice Matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing

Actions (NRC 2004f).

The scope of the review as defined in NRC guidance (NRC 2004) includes identification of

impacts on minority and low-income populations, the location and significance of any

environmental impacts during operations on these populations and any additional information

pertaining to mitigation. It also includes an evaluation of whether these impacts are likely to be

disproportionately high and adverse.

The staff identifies minority and low-income populations within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of the

site. For the staff’s review, a minority population exists in a census block group(b) if the

percentage of each minority and aggregated minority category within the census block group

exceeds the percentage of minorities in the state of which it is a part by 20 percentage points, or

the percentage of minorities within the census block group is at least 50 percent. A low-income

population exists if the percentage of low-income population within a census block groups

exceeds the percentage of low-income population in the state of which it is a part by
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-37 May 2006

20 percentage points, or if the percentage of low-income population within a census block group

is at least 50 percent.

For the Nine Mile Point review, the staff examined the geographic distribution of minority and

low-income populations within 80-km (50-mi) from the center of the site, using data from the

2000 Census (NMPNS 2004b). Figures 4.1 and 4.2 show the distribution of census block |

groups for the minority and low-income populations, respectively, in the vicinity of the NMPNS

site.

There were a total of 50 census block groups that exceeded the CEQ thresholds defining

minority population. Onondaga County has 45 block groups with a Black or African American

minority population and Cayuga County has one block group with a Black or African American

minority population. Onondaga County is the only county within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of

Nine Mile Point to have a block group with a Native American and Alaska Native minority

population (one block group). There were no census block groups identified in any of the

counties within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point to have an Hispanic or Latino

minority population. Forty-six of the 48 census blocks groups with an aggregate minority

population were located in Onondaga County. Cayuga and Oneida counties each had one

census block group with an aggregate minority population (NRC 2006).

Onondaga County is home to both the Onondaga Indian Reservation and the City of Syracuse. 

The only block group within the Nine Mile Point 80-km (50-mi) radius with a Native American

and Alaska Native minority population is located on the Onondaga Indian Reservation. Many of

the other block groups with minority populations within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile

Point are located within Syracuse, typical for an urban center with a high population density.
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May 2006 4-38 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Figure 4-1. Geographic Distribution of Minority Populations (Shown in Shaded

Areas) Within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 Based

on Census Block Group Data
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-39 May 2006

Figure 4-2. Geographic Distribution of Low-Income Populations (Shown in

Shaded Areas) Within 80 km (50 mi) of Nine Mile Point Units 1

and 2 Based on Census Block Group Data
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May 2006 4-40 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

A total of 54 census block groups within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point meet the

criteria for low-income populations. The majority of the census block groups with a low-income

population were located in Onondaga County (46 block groups with a low income population) in

the City of Syracuse. Three other counties—Cayuga, Jefferson, and Oswego—each had less

than three census blocks with a low-income population (NRC 2006a).

With the locations of minority and low-income populations identified, the staff proceeded to

evaluate whether any of the environmental impacts of the proposed action could affect these

populations in a disproportionately high or adverse manner. Based on staff guidance (NRC

2004), air, land, and water resources within about 80 km (50 mi) of the Nine Mile Point Plant

were examined. Within that area, a few potential environmental impacts could affect human

populations; all of these were considered SMALL for the general population.

The pathways through which the environmental impacts associated with NMPNS license

renewal can affect human populations are discussed throughout this SEIS. The staff evaluated

whether minority or low-income populations could be disproportionately affected by these

impacts. The staff found no unusual resource dependencies or practices, such as subsistence

agriculture, hunting or fishing, through which the populations could be affected in a

disproportionately high and adverse way. In addition, the staff did not identify any

location-dependant disproportionately high and adverse impacts affecting these minority and

low-income populations. The staff concludes that offsite impacts from Nine Mile Point to

minority and low-income populations would be SMALL, and, therefore, no mitigation is

warranted.

4.5 Groundwater Use and Quality

No Category 1 issues in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 are potentially

applicable to Nine Mile Point groundwater use and quality during the renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the Nine Mile Point ER (NMPNS 2004b), the staff's site visit, the scoping process, or staff’s

evaluation of other available information. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no

impacts related to these issues that are beyond those discussed in the GEIS. For these issues,

the staff concluded in the GEIS that the impacts are SMALL, and additional plant-specific

mitigation is not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

Category 2 issues related to groundwater use and quality during the renewal term that are

applicable to Nine Mile Point are discussed in the sections that follow. The issue that requires

plant-specific analysis is listed in Table 4-9.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-41 May 2006

Table 4-9. Category 2 Issue Applicable to Groundwater Use and Quality during

the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B,

Table B-1

GEIS

Section

10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

SEIS

Section

GROUNDWATER USE AND QUALITY

Groundwater use conflicts (plants using more than

100 gpm of groundwater)

4.8.1.1 C 4.5.1

4.5.1 Groundwater Use Conflicts (Plants That Use More Than 100 gpm of

Groundwater)

The NRC made groundwater use conflicts a Category 2 issue because, at a withdrawal rate of

more than 6.3 L/s (100 gpm), the magnitude of potential impacts the resulting cone of

depression has on offsite wells could not be determined generically. The staff evaluated the

following site-specific information to assess the potential for groundwater use conflicts: (1) Nine

Mile Point groundwater withdrawal rate, (2) size of the cone of depression, (3) location of

neighboring wells, and (4) description of wetlands in the vicinity that might be impacted by a

lowered water table.

The only ongoing or planned withdrawal of groundwater at Nine Mile Point is the permanent

dewatering system that is operated to maintain a cone of depression around the Unit 2 reactor

building. Two submersible pumps draw groundwater at an estimated average combined rate of

12.6 L/s (200 gpm) to maintain the cone of depression.

The Unit 2 dewatering system is designed to maintain the water table below the reactor mat

elevation of approximately 50 m (164 ft) National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). The cone

of depression created by dewatering activities is steep, as evidenced by studies showing that

the water table reaches approximately 77.4 m (254 ft) NGVD within 183 m (600 ft) of the Unit 2

reactor building. The normal groundwater table in the Nine Mile Point plant complex area is

approximately 77.7 m (255 ft) NGVD. Therefore, through the current operating period,

dewatering activities at Unit 2 have resulted in a groundwater table drawdown of approximately

0.3 m (1 ft) or less beyond 183 m (600 ft) of the reactor building. 

This comparison indicates that dewatering results in little or no lowering of the groundwater

table offsite. The staff concludes that continued dewatering activities would not impact offsite

wells, none of which are nearer than approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from the Unit 2 reactor. All

onsite wetlands are outside the zone of influence and are upgradient of dewatering operations. 

Considering the evidence presented herein, no noticeable groundwater use conflicts are posed

by Nine Mile Point groundwater withdrawals. The staff concludes that impacts to the aquifer in
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May 2006 4-42 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

the area would be SMALL over the license renewal period, and mitigation would not be

warranted.

4.6 Threatened or Endangered Species

Threatened or endangered species are listed as a Category 2 issue in 10 CFR Part 51,

Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1. This issue is listed in Table 4-10.

This issue of threatened or endangered species present at Nine Mile Point requires consultation

with appropriate agencies to determine whether any such species are present and whether they

would be adversely affected by continued operation of the nuclear plant during the license

renewal term. The staff consulted with the FWS under provisions of Section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act (ESA) concerning the potential impacts of an additional 20 years of

| operation and maintenance activities at NMP on Federally listed species. The staff initiated

consultation by requesting a list of threatened and endangered species (NRC 2004d). The

| FWS responded (FWS 2004) with a determination that, while the Indiana bat may be found at

the proposed project site if suitable habitat is present, the potentially suitable habitat is not going

to be disturbed by the proposed action. Therefore, the FSW determined that with the exception

for the potential for the Indiana bat and occasional transient piping plover and bald eagle

individuals, no Federally listed or proposed endangered or threatened species are known to

exist in the project area, and no biological assessment (BA) or further Section 7 consultation

under the ESA is required with the FWS (2004). This consultation correspondence is in

Appendix E.

Therefore, the staff's concludes that the potential impacts on threatened and endangered

aquatic and terrestrial species from 20 additional years of operation of Nine Mile Point would be

SMALL.

Table 4-10. Category 2 Issue Applicable to Threatened or Endangered Species

during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A,

Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Section

10 CFR

51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

SEIS

Section

THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES (FOR ALL PLANTS)

Threatened or endangered species 4.1 E 4.6
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-43 May 2006

4.6.1 Aquatic Species

No Federally listed or proposed threatened and endangered aquatic species, with the exception

of transient individuals, are known to exist in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point or the aquatic

habitats crossed by the transmission line associated with NMP (FWS 2003, 2004). There are |

no plans to conduct refurbishment or construction at NMP during the period covered by the |

relicensing (NMPNS 2004b). The staff's conclusion is that the potential impacts on threatened

and endangered aquatic species from reactor operation for an additional 20 years at Nine Mile

Point would be SMALL, and, therefore, mitigation is not warranted.

4.6.2 Terrestrial Species

Federally listed terrestrial species potentially occurring in Oswego and Onondaga counties

include Hart's-tongue fern, small whorled pogonia, Indiana bat, bog turtle, piping plover, and

bald eagle. Based on consultation with the FWS (2004), only the Indiana bat has the possibility

of using the Nine Mile Point or associated transmission line corridors. However, the FWS

concluded that the nature of the proposed action would not adversely affect the Indiana bat

(FWS 2004). The FWS also stated that the bald eagle and piping plover may be occasional

transients to the site and corridor. Therefore, the staff's conclusion is that the potential impacts

at Nine Mile Point on threatened and endangered terrestrial species due to reactor operation for

an additional 20 years would be SMALL, and therefore, mitigation is not warranted. 

4.7 Evaluation of Potential New and Significant Information

on Impacts of Operations During the Renewal Term

The staff reviewed the discussion of environmental impacts associated with operation during the

renewal term in the GEIS, reviewed a separate report by NMPNS, and conducted its own

independent review, including public scoping meetings, to identify issues with new and

significant information. The staff has not identified new and significant information on

environmental issues listed in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1, related to

operation during the renewal term. Processes for identification and evaluation of new

information are described in Section 1.2.2.

4.8 Cumulative Impacts

The staff considered potential cumulative impacts during the evaluation of information

applicable to each of the potential impacts of operations of Nine Mile Point during the renewal

term. The impacts of the proposed license renewal are combined with other past, present, and

reasonably foreseeable actions to determine whether cumulative impacts exist. For the

purposes of this analysis, past actions were those related to the resources at the time of the

plant licensing and construction, present actions are those related to the resources at the time
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May 2006 4-44 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

of current operation of the power plant, and future actions are considered to be those that are

reasonably foreseeable through the end of the plant operation. Therefore, the analysis

considers potential impacts through the end of the current license term, and through the 20-year

| license renewal term. The geographical area over which past, present, and future actions that

could contribute to cumulative impacts is dependent on the type of action considered. The

| geographical area is described below for each cumulative impact.

The impacts of the proposed action, as described in Section 4, are combined with the impacts

of other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, regardless of what agency

(Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes such other actions. These combined impacts

are defined as "cumulative" in 40 CFR 1508.7 and include individually minor but collectively

significant actions taking place over a period of time. It is possible an impact that may be

SMALL by itself could result in a MODERATE or LARGE impact when considered in

combination with the impacts of other actions on the affected resource. Likewise, if a resource

is regionally declining or imperiled, even a SMALL individual impact could be important if it

contributes to or accelerates the overall resource decline.

4.8.1 Cumulative Impacts Resulting from the Operation of the Plant Cooling

System

For the purposes of this analysis, the geographic area considered for cumulative impacts

resulting from operation of the Nine Mile Point cooling system is primarily the eastern

portion of Lake Ontario within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point. As described

in Section 4.1, the staff found no new and significant information indicating that the

conclusions regarding any of the cooling system-related Category 1 issues as related to

| NMP are inconsistent with the conclusions in the GEIS. Additionally, the staff determined

that none of the cooling system-related Category 2 issues were likely to have greater

than a SMALL impact on local water quality or aquatic resources. 

In general, the overall water quality of Lake Ontario and the status of the fishery and

other aquatic resources have greatly improved since Nine Mile Point started operations. 

| Therefore, there is no basis to conclude that the continuing SMALL impacts of Nine Mile

Point operations, including entrainment of fish and shellfish, impingement of fish and

shellfish, heat shock, or any of the cooling system-related Category 1 issues are

contributing to an overall decline in water quality or in the status of the fishery or other

| aquatic resources. In addition, the staff has determined that the combined effects of

| entrainment and impingement, given current information, on fish and shellfish are minor,

| and together are not noticeably affecting local or lake-wide populations.

During 1987, the governments of Canada and the United States made a commitment, as

part of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, to develop a Lakewide Management

Plan for each of the five Great Lakes. According to the 1987 Agreement, the plans

embody a systematic and comprehensive ecosystem approach to restoring and

protecting beneficial uses in the lakes. The plans address sources of lake-wide critical
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-45 May 2006

pollutants. The plans are coordinated with other efforts that are best suited to address

issues of local concern. In addition, the plans use linkages to other natural resource

management activities, such as the development of Lake Ontario fish community

objectives by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Lake Ontario Committee of

fisheries managers. The plans address impairments found in open waters of the lake and

nearshore areas. Tributaries, including the Niagara River, are treated as inputs to the

lake. The St. Lawrence River is treated as an output from the lake (EPA 2004a). Given

the lake-wide management plans in place to protect Lake Ontario and its environs, the

staff concludes that potential cumulative effects will be carefully assessed and managed

over time. 

In addition to NMP, three other nearby power-producing facilities withdraw from and |

discharge water to Lake Ontario. These include the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power

Plant (adjacent to the east), the gas-powered Sithe Energies Independence Station

(5.6 km) [3.5 mi]) southwest, and the fossil-fuel-powered Oswego Steam Station (12 km |

[7.5mi]) southwest. Withdrawals and discharges from these facilities are also regulated |

by the State of New York under the SPDES permitting process. |

As described in Section 2.2.8.2, local water utilities in Oswego and Onondaga counties

withdraw potable water from a variety of groundwater and surface water sources. The

average daily water demand by the communities in the area is about 134 million liters

(35.4 million gallons). The current capacity of the water supplies in the area is well in

excess of the current demand, and withdrawal is regulated and controlled by New York

State and other governmental agencies. 

The staff, while preparing this document, assumed that other industrial, commercial, or

public installations will be located in the general vicinity of Nine Mile Point prior to the end

of the Nine Mile Point operation. The intake of water from and the discharge of water to

Lake Ontario for these facilities would be regulated by the NYSDEC and other agencies,

just as the Nine Mile Point plant is currently regulated. The intake and discharge limits for |

each installation would be set by the SPDES process considering the overall or

cumulative impact of all of the other regulated activities in the area. Therefore, the staff

concludes that the potential cumulative impacts of continued operation of Nine Mile Point

will be SMALL, and that no additional mitigation measures are warranted. 

4.8.2 Cumulative Impacts Resulting from Continued Operation of Transmission

Lines

The continued operation of the electrical transmission facilities associated with relicensing of

NMP was evaluated to determine if there is a potential for interactions with other past, present, |

and future actions that could result in adverse cumulative impacts to terrestrial resources (e.g.,

wildlife populations and the size and distribution of habitat areas), wetlands, floodplains, or

aquatic resources. For the purposes of this analysis, the geographic area that encompasses
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May 2006 4-46 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

the past, present, and foreseeable future actions that could contribute to adverse cumulative

effects is the area within an 80 km (50 mi) radius of the Nine Mile Point site as depicted in

Figure 2-1.

As described in Section 4.2, the staff found no new and significant information indicating that

| the conclusions regarding any of the transmission line-related Category 1 issues related to NMP

are inconsistent with the conclusions in the GEIS. The applicant uses vegetation management

practices that are protective of wildlife and habitat resources, including floodplains and

wetlands, to maintain its rights-of-way. Transmission line maintenance activities are not

expected to alter wetland or floodplain hydrology or adversely affect vegetation characteristics

of these habitats. Therefore, continued operation and maintenance of these rights-of-way is not

likely to contribute to a regional decline in wetland or floodplain resources. The maintenance

procedures ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife and may improve the habitat within the rightsof-way relative to many of the surrounding land uses. 

Therefore, the staff has determined that the cumulative impacts of the continued operation of

| the transmission lines associated with NMP will be SMALL, and that no further mitigation is

warranted.

4.8.3 Cumulative Radiological Impacts

The EPA and the NRC established radiological dose limits for protection of the public and

workers from both instantaneous and cumulative effects of exposure to radiation and radioactive

materials. These dose limits are codified in 40 CFR Part 190 and 10 CFR Part 20. For the

| purpose of this analysis, the area within a 80-km (50-mi) radius of the Nine Mile Point site was

included. As stated in Section 2.2.7, NMPNS and previous owners of NMP have conducted a

radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) around the Nine Mile Point site since

| 1969. The REMP measures radiation and radioactive materials from all sources, including NMP

and the James A. FitzPatrick plant. Additionally, in Sections 2.2.7 and 4.3, the staff concluded

| that impacts of radiation exposure to the public and workers (occupational) from operation of

NMP during the renewal term are SMALL. Hence, the monitoring program and the staff’s

conclusion address cumulative impacts. The NRC and the State of New York would regulate

any reasonably foreseeable future actions in the vicinity of Nine Mile Point site that could

contribute to cumulative radiological impacts. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that cumulative radiological impacts of continued operations of

| NMP would be SMALL, and that no further mitigation measures are warranted.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-47 May 2006

4.8.4 Cumulative Socioeconomic Impacts

Much of the analysis of socioeconomic impacts presented in Section 4.4 of this SEIS already

incorporates cumulative impact analysis because of the metrics used for quantification only

make sense when placed in the total or cumulative context. For instance, the number of

additional housing units that may be needed can only be evaluated with respect to the total

number that will be available in the impacted area. Therefore, the geographical area of the

cumulative analysis varies, depending on the particular impact considered, and may be distance

related, as in the case of environmental justice.

The continued operation of Nine Mile Point is not likely to add to any cumulative socioeconomic

impacts beyond those already evaluated in Section 4.4. In other words, the impacts of issues,

such as transportation or offsite land use, are likely to be undetectable beyond the regions

previously evaluated and will quickly decrease with increasing distance from the site. The staff

determined that the impacts on housing, public utilities, public services, and environmental

justice would all be SMALL. The staff determined that the impact on offsite land use would be

SMALL because no refurbishment actions are planned at Nine Mile Point, and no incremental

sources of plant-related tax payments are expected that could influence land use by fostering

considerable growth. There are no reasonably foreseeable scenarios that would alter these

conclusions in regard to cumulative impacts. Therefore, the staff concludes that the cumulative

socioeconomic impacts of continued operation at Nine Mile Point would be SMALL, and

additional mitigation is not warranted.

4.8.5 Cumulative Impacts on Groundwater Use and Quality

Groundwater is withdrawn only for dewatering at Nine Mile Point Unit 2 (Section 4.5). 

Dewatering activities at Unit 2 have resulted in a groundwater table drawdown of approximately

one foot or less beyond 183 m (600 ft) of the reactor building, and in little or no lowering of the

groundwater table offsite.

The plant imports potable water withdrawn from Lake Ontario from the Oswego Water System

for plant use. The impact of current water usage has been determined in Section 4.5 to be

SMALL. Because there are no groundwater withdrawals other than for dewatering at Nine Mile

Point Unit 2 and there are no additional withdrawals anticipated in the future, the Nine Mile Point

site is not causing a detectable change in the regional groundwater usage. Therefore, the

cumulative impact is SMALL and no mitigation measures are warranted.

4.8.6 Cumulative Impacts on Threatened or Endangered Species 

The geographic area considered in the analysis of potential cumulative impacts to threatened or

endangered species includes those counties that contain Nine Mile Point and its associated

transmission line rights-of-way (Oswego and Onondago counties) and the waters of Lake

Ontario. As discussed in Sections 2.2.5 and 2.2.6, the Indiana bat is known to exist in the
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-48 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

vicinity of the project area, yet is not likely to be adversely affected by the proposed project

(FWS 2004). Except for occasional transient bald eagles and piping plovers, no other Federally

listed or proposed threatened or endangered species are known to exist in the project area, and

no critical habitat, as designated by the ESA, occurs in areas affected by Nine Mile Point

(FWS 2003, 2004). The staff's determination, presented in Section 4.6, is that continued

| operation of the NMP would have a SMALL impact on Federally listed species.

4.8.6.1 Aquatic Species

No Federally listed aquatic species (Table 2-2) occur in the area of Nine Mile Point or within

aquatic habitats traversed by the plant's transmission lines (FWS 2003, 2004). The staff, as a

result, determined in Section 4.6 that continued operation of Nine Mile Points Units 1 and 2

would have no effect on any Federally listed species. Therefore, the continued operation of the

plant is not expected to contribute to adverse cumulative impacts on any Federally listed

species.

The staff has determined that the cumulative impacts to aquatic threatened or endangered

| species due to continued operation of NMP and associated transmission lines would be SMALL,

and that no further mitigation measures are warranted.

4.8.6.2 Terrestrial Species

Based on consultation with the FWS (2004), only the Indiana bat, a Federally listed species, has

the possibility to occur within the Nine Mile Point facility and associated transmission line

corridors. The FWS also concluded that the proposed action was not likely to adversely affect

the Indiana bat. Except for occasional transient bald eagles and piping plovers, no other

Federally listed terrestrial species (see Table 2-3) are known to occur in the area of Nine Mile

Point or within terrestrial habitats traversed by the plant's transmission lines (FWS 2003). The

staff, as a result, determined in Section 4.6 that continued operation of Nine Mile Points Units 1

and 2 would not contribute to adverse cumulative impacts to these species.

The staff has determined that the cumulative impacts to terrestrial threatened or endangered

| species due to continued operation of NMP and associated transmission lines would be SMALL,

and that no further mitigation measures are warranted. 

4.9 Summary of Impacts of Operation During the Renewal

Term

Neither NMPNS nor the staff is aware of information that is both new and significant related to

any of the applicable Category 1 issues associated with the Nine Mile Point operation during the

renewal term. Consequently, the staff concludes that the environmental impacts associated

with these issues are bounded by the impacts described in the GEIS. For each of these issues,
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-49 May 2006

the GEIS concluded that the impacts would be SMALL and that additional plant-specific

mitigation measures are not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

Plant-specific environmental evaluations were conducted for 12 Category 2 issues applicable to

Nine Mile Point operation during the renewal term and for environmental justice and chronic

effects of electromagnetic fields. For 11 issues and environmental justice, the staff concluded

that the potential environmental impact of renewal term operations of Nine Mile Point would be

of SMALL significance in the context of the standards set forth in the GEIS and that additional

mitigation would not be warranted. For threatened and endangered species, the staff's

conclusion is that the impact resulting from license renewal would be SMALL and further

investigation is not warranted. In addition, the staff determined that a consensus has not been

reached by appropriate Federal health agencies regarding chronic adverse effects from

electromagnetic fields. Therefore, the staff did not conduct an evaluation of this issue.

4.10 References

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, "Environmental |

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

36 CFR Part 800. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 36, Parks, Forest and Public Property, |

Part 800, "Protection of Historic and Cultural Resources.”

40 CFR Part 190. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 190, |

“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations.”

40 CFR Part 1508. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part |

1508, "Terminology and Index."

Clean Water Act of 1977 (CWA). 33 USC 1326 et seq. (common name of the Federal Water

Pollution Control Act of 1977).

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). 1997. Environmental Justice: Guidance Under the

National Environmental Policy Act. Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C.

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology (EA). 1998. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation,

Final Entrainment Abundance Report. Nine Mile Nuclear Station, Unit 1, 1997. April 1998.

EarthTech. 2000. Heritage Station: Application for Certification of a Major Generating Facility

Under Article X of the New York State Public Service Law, Volume 1. Prepared for Heritage

Power, LLC. February 2000.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-50 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Ecological Analysts, Inc. (EAI). 1984. 1983 Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Studies. Prepared

for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and New York Power Authority. March 1984.

Endangered Species Act (ESA). 16 USC 1531, et seq.

Executive Order 12898. 1994. "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority

Populations and Low-Income Populations." Federal Register. Vol 59, No 32, p. 7629. 

Washington, DC. February 16, 1994.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). 1997. National Electrical Safety Code. 

New York, New York.

Lawler, Matusky and Kelly Engineers (LMS). 1983. Nine Mile Point Aquatic Ecology Summary

(1973-1981). Prepared for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. LMSE-83/0151 and 191/065.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. 42 USC 4321, et seq.

| National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended through 2000 16 USC 470,

et seq.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). 1999. NIEHS Report on Health

Effects from Exposure to Power Line Frequency and Electrical and Magnetic Fields. Publication

No. 99-4493, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 2004. State Pollutant

Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit No. NY-000 1015. Division of Environmental

Permits, Region 7. June 8, 2004.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYSOPRHP). 2003. 

Letter from N. Herter, Historic Preservation Program Specialist, to C. M. Logan, Environmental

Review Lead, Constellation Nuclear Services. Subject: Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, License

Renewal, Town of Scriba, Oswego County. August 1, 2003.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2002. Letter from C. M. Logan, Environmental

Review Lead, to Bernadette Castro, State Historic Preservation Officer. Subject: Nine Mile

Point Units 1 & 2, License Renewal Project, NRC Informal Consultation Preparation. 

December 13, 2002.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004a. Letter from W. C. Holston, Manager,

Engineering Services, to Bernadette Castro, Commissioner, New York State Office of Parks,

Recreation and Historic Preservation. Subject: Environmental Review for Nine Mile Point

Nuclear Station License Renewal Project. February 28, 2004.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 4-51 May 2006

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004b. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2004a. Lakewide Management Plan for 

Lake Ontario. Accessed at: http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lakeont/summary.html on 

December 21, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940262) 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2004b. “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

System—Final Regulations to Establish Requirements for Cooling Water Intake Structures at

Phase II Existing Facilities.” Federal Register. Vol 69, No. 131, pp. 41576–41693. 

Washington, D.C. July 9, 2004.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2003. Letter from D. A. Stilwell, Field Supervisor,

Cortland, New York, to C.M. Logan, Environmental Review Lead, Constellation Nuclear

Services, Crofton, Maryland. No Subject. January 9, 2003.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2004. Letter from D. A. Stilwell, Field Supervisor,

Cortland, N.Y, to P. T. Kuo, Program Director, License Renewal and Environmental Impacts

Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs, NRC. No Subject. November 3, 2004.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Main Report, Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants, Final Report.

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004a. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Supplement 14, Regarding R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power

Plant—Final Report. January 2004.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004b. Letter from P. T. Kuo, Program Director,

License Renewal and Environmental Impacts Program, NRC, to Don Klima, Director, Office of

Federal Agency Programs Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Subject: Nine Mile Point,

Units 1 and 2, License Renewal Review. July 29, 2004.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004c. Letter from P. T. Kuo, License Renewal

and Environmental Impacts Program, NRC, to Bernadette Castro, Commissioner, New York

State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Subject: Nine Mile Point Units 1

and 2 License Renewal Review (Project Review OPRHP No. 03PR0532). August 11, 2004.
Environmental Impacts of Operation

May 2006 4-52 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004d. Letter from P. T. Kuo, License Renewal

and Environmental Impact Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs, Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation, NRC, to D. A. Stilwell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No Subject. 

August 24, 2004.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004e. Procedural Guidance for Preparing

Environmental Assessments and Considering Environmental Issues. LIC-203 Revision 1. NRC

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office Instruction. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004f. “Treatment of Environmental Justice

matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing Actions.” Federal Register, Vol. 69, No. 163,

pp. 52040-52049. Washington, D.C. August 24, 2004.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2006. “GEn&SIS, Census Environmental Justice

minorities records found within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point.” (Accession No.

ML061180032)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2006a. “GEn&SIS, Census Environmental

Justice low income population records found within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of Nine Mile Point.” 

(Accession No. ML061180485)
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the GEIS include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 5-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

5.0 Environmental Impacts of Postulated Accidents

Environmental issues associated with postulated accidents are discussed in the Generic

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437,

Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a) The GEIS includes a determination of whether the

analysis of the environmental issue could be applied to all plants and whether additional

mitigation measures would be warranted. Issues are then assigned a Category 1 or a

Category 2 designation. As set forth in the GEIS, Category 1 issues are those that meet all of

the following criteria:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) Single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) has been assigned

to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle

and from high level waste and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are likely not to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

For issues that meet the three Category 1 criteria, no additional plant-specific analysis is

required unless new and significant information is identified.

Category 2 issues are those that do not meet one or more of the criteria for Category 1, and

therefore, additional plant-specific review of these issues is required.

This chapter describes the environmental impacts from postulated accidents that might occur

during the license renewal term.

5.1 Postulated Plant Accidents

Two classes of accidents are evaluated in the GEIS. These are design-basis accidents (DBAs)

and severe accidents, as discussed below. 

5.1.1 Design-Basis Accidents

In order to receive NRC approval to operate a nuclear power facility, an applicant for an initial

operating license must submit a safety analysis report (SAR) as part of its application. The SAR
Environmental Impacts of Postulated Accidents

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-2 May 2006

presents the design criteria and design information for the proposed reactor and comprehensive

data on the proposed site. The SAR also discusses various hypothetical accident situations

and the safety features that are provided to prevent and mitigate accidents. The NRC staff

reviews the application to determine whether the plant design meets the Commission's

regulations and requirements and includes, in part, the nuclear plant design and its anticipated

response to an accident.

DBAs are those accidents that both the licensee and the NRC staff evaluate to ensure that the

plant can withstand normal and abnormal transients, and a broad spectrum of postulated

accidents, without undue hazard to the health and safety of the public. A number of these

postulated accidents are not expected to occur during the life of the plant, but are evaluated to

establish the design basis for the preventive and mitigative safety systems of the facility. The

acceptance criteria for DBAs are described in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR) Part 50 and 10 CFR Part 100. 

The environmental impacts of DBAs are evaluated during the initial licensing process, and the

ability of the plant to withstand these accidents is demonstrated to be acceptable before

issuance of the operating licenses (OLs). The results of these evaluations are found in license

documentation such as the applicant's final safety analysis report (FSAR), the staff's safety

evaluation report (SER), the final environmental statement (FES), and Section 5.1 of this final

supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS). A licensee is required to maintain the

acceptable design and performance criteria throughout the life of the plant, including any

extended-life operation. The consequences for these events are evaluated for the hypothetical

maximum exposed individual; as such, changes in the plant environment will not affect these

evaluations. Because of the requirements that continuous acceptability of the consequences

and aging management programs be in effect for license renewal, the environmental impacts as

calculated for DBAs should not differ significantly from initial licensing assessments over the life

of the plant, including the license renewal period. Accordingly, the design of the plant relative to

DBAs during the extended period is considered to remain acceptable and the environmental

impacts of those accidents were not examined further in the GEIS.

The Commission has determined that the environmental impacts of DBAs are of SMALL

significance for all plants because the plants were designed to successfully withstand these

accidents. Therefore, for the purposes of license renewal, DBAs are designated as a Category

1 issue in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1. The early resolution of the DBAs

makes them a part of the current licensing basis of the plant; the current licensing basis of the

plant is to be maintained by the licensee under its current license and, therefore, under the

provisions of 10 CFR 54.30, is not subject to review under license renewal. This issue,

| applicable to Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP), is listed in Table 5-1. 
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May 2006 5-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 5-1. Category 1 Issue Applicable to Postulated Accidents during the

Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

POSTULATED ACCIDENTS

Design basis accidents 5.3.2; 5.5.1

Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that:

The NRC staff has concluded that the environmental impacts of design basis accidents

are of small significance for all plants.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) stated in its Environmental Report (ER)

(NMPNS 2004) that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with the

renewal of the Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 OLs. The staff has not identified any new and

significant information during its independent review of the NMPNS ER, the staff's site visit, the |

scoping process, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the draft |

SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts related to design basis accidents |

beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

5.1.2 Severe Accidents

Severe nuclear accidents are those that are more severe than DBAs because they could result

in substantial damage to the reactor core, whether or not there are serious offsite

consequences. In the GEIS, the staff assessed the impacts of severe accidents during the

license renewal period, using the results of existing analyses and site-specific information to

conservatively predict the environmental impacts of severe accidents for each plant during the

renewal period.

Severe accidents initiated by external phenomena such as tornadoes, floods, earthquakes,

fires, and sabotage have not traditionally been discussed in quantitative terms in FESs and

were not specifically considered for the Nine Mile Point site in the GEIS (NRC 1996). However,

in the GEIS the staff did evaluate existing impact assessments performed by NRC and by the

industry at 44 nuclear plants in the United States and concluded that the risk from sabotage and

beyond design basis earthquakes at existing nuclear power plants is SMALL. Additionally, the

staff concluded that the risks from other external events are adequately addressed by a generic

consideration of internally initiated severe accidents. 

Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that:

The probability weighted consequences of atmospheric releases, fallout onto open

bodies of water, releases to groundwater, and societal and economic impacts from
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-4 May 2006

severe accidents are small for all plants. However, alternatives to mitigate severe

accidents must be considered for all plants that have not considered such alternatives.

| Therefore, the Commission has designated mitigation of severe accidents as a Category 2 issue

in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1. This issue, applicable to NMP, is listed in

Table 5-2.

Table 5-2. Category 2 Issue Applicable to Postulated Accidents during the

Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart

A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)

Subparagraph

SEIS

Section

POSTULATED ACCIDENTS

Severe accidents 5.3.3; 5.3.3.2; 5.3.3.3;

5.3.3.4; 5.3.3.5; 5.4; 5.5.2

L 5.2

The staff has not identified any new and significant information with regard to the consequences

from severe accidents during its independent review of the NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004), the

staff's site visit, the scoping process, or its evaluation of other available information. Therefore,

the staff concludes that there are no impacts of severe accidents beyond those discussed in the

| GEIS. However, in accordance with 10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(L), the staff has reviewed severe

accident mitigation alternatives (SAMAs) for NMP. The results of its review are discussed in

Section 5.2.

5.2 Severe Accident Mitigation Alternatives

Section 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(L) requires that license renewal applicants consider alternatives to

mitigate severe accidents if the staff has not previously evaluated SAMAs for the applicant's

plant in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or related supplement or in an environmental

assessment. The purpose of this consideration is to ensure that plant changes (i.e., hardware,

procedures, and training) with the potential for improving severe accident safety performance

are identified and evaluated. SAMAs have not been previously considered for Nine Mile Point;

therefore, the remainder of Chapter 5 addresses those alternatives.

5.2.1 Introduction

This section presents a summary of the SAMA evaluations for Nine Mile Point conducted by

NMPNS and described in the ER and the NRC's review of those evaluations. The details of the

review are described in the NRC staff evaluations that were prepared with contract assistance

from Information Systems Laboratories, Inc. The entire evaluation for Nine Mile Point is

presented in Appendix G.
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May 2006 5-5 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

The SAMA evaluations for Nine Mile Point were conducted with a four-step approach. In the

first step NMPNS quantified the level of risk associated with potential reactor accidents using

plant-specific probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) and other risk models. 

In the second step NMPNS examined the major risk contributors and identified possible ways

(SAMAs) of reducing that risk. Common ways of reducing risk are changes to components,

systems, procedures, and training. NMPNS initially identified 220 potential SAMAs for NMP. |

For each unit, NMPNS performed an initial, qualitative screening in which they eliminated

SAMAs that were not applicable to Nine Mile Point, had already been implemented at Nine Mile

Point, had associated costs that exceed the maximum attainable benefit, or do not provide a

significant benefit. This screening reduced the list of potential SAMAs to 13 for Unit 1 and 20

for Unit 2. 

In the third step NMPNS estimated the benefits and the costs associated with each of the

remaining SAMAs. Estimates were made of how much each SAMA could reduce risk. Those

estimates were developed in terms of dollars in accordance with NRC guidance for performing

regulatory analyses (NRC 1997). The cost of implementing the proposed SAMAs was also

estimated.

Finally, in the fourth step, the costs and benefits of each of the remaining SAMAs were

compared to determine whether the SAMA was cost-beneficial, meaning the benefits of the

SAMA were greater than the cost (a positive cost-benefit). NMPNS concluded in its ER that

four of the SAMAs evaluated for Unit 1 and 11 of the SAMAs evaluated for Unit 2 would be

potentially cost-beneficial (NMPNS 2004).

None of these SAMAs relate to adequately managing the effects of aging during the period of

extended operation; therefore, they need not be implemented as part of license renewal

pursuant to 10 CFR Part 54. NMPNS's SAMA analyses and the NRC's review are discussed in

more detail below.

5.2.2 Estimate of Risk

NMPNS submitted an assessment of SAMAs for Nine Mile Point as part of the ER (NMPNS

2004). This assessment was based on the most recent NMP PRA available for each unit at that

time, a plant-specific offsite consequence analysis performed using the MELCOR Accident

Consequence Code System 2 (MACCS2) computer program, and insights from the Nine Mile

Point Individual Plant Examinations (IPE) for Unit 1 (NMPC 1993) and for Unit 2 (NMPC 1992)

and Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEE) for Unit 1 (NMPC 1996) and for

Unit 2 (NMPC 1995).

The baseline core damage frequency (CDF) for the purpose of the SAMA evaluation is

approximately 2.7 x 10-5 per year for Unit 1 and approximately 6.2 x 10-5 per year for Unit 2. 

These CDFs are based on the risk assessment for both internally and externally initiated events. 

The breakdown of CDF by initiating event for Units 1 and 2 is provided in Table 5-3.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-6 May 2006

| Loss of injection due to fires and station blackout (SBO) are dominant contributors to the CDF

for Unit 1. At Unit 2, SBO, loss of injection due to internal events, and loss of heat removal are

dominant contributors to CDF. For Unit 1, fires contribute 49 percent and seismic events

contribute five percent to the total CDF. Internal flooding events were screened from further

consideration. For Unit 2, fires contribute six percent, internal floods contribute two percent,

and seismic events contribute one percent to the total CDF.

Table 5-3. Core Damage Frequency

Unit 1 Unit 2

Initiator or Accident Class

CDF 

(Per Year)

Percent

Contribution

to CDF

CDF 

(Per Year)

Percent

Contribution

to CDF

Loss of support systems 7.8 x 10-6 29 4.7 x 10-5 75

Transients 4.1 x 10-6 15 8.1 x 10-6 13

Loss of coolant accidents (LOCAs) 5.4 x 10-7 2 1.2 x 10-6 2

Internal floods NR(a) NR(a) 1.2 x 10-6 2

Internal Events CDF 1.3 x 10-5 46 5.8 x 10-5 93

Fires 1.3 x 10-5 49 3.7 x 10-6 6

Seismic activity 1.3 x 10-6 5 6.2 x 10-7 1

External Events CDF 1.4 x 10-5 54 4.3 x 10-6 7

Total CDF 2.7 x 10-5 100 6.2 x 10-5 100

(a) NR not reported; was screened from analysis

In the ER, NMPNS estimated the dose to the population within 80 km (50 mi) of the Nine Mile

Point site to be approximately 0.225 person-Sv (22.5 person-rem) per year for Unit 1, and

0.509 person-Sv (50.9 person-rem) per year for Unit 2. The breakdown of the total population

dose by containment release mode is summarized in Table 5-4. Containment failures within the

intermediate time frame (6 to 24 hours following event initiation) and late time frame (greater

than 24 hours following event initiation) dominate the population dose risk at Nine Mile Point.
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May 2006 5-7 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 5-4. Breakdown of Population Dose by Containment Release Mode

Unit 1 Unit 2

Containment Release Mode

Population

Dose

(PersonRem(a) Per

Year)

Percent

Contribution

Population

Dose

(PersonRem(a) Per

Year)

Percent

Contribution

Early containment failure 5.0 22 5.9 12

Intermediate containment failure 10.0 44 12.2 24

Late containment failure 7.5 34 32.7 64 |

No containment failure (leakage) 0.01 <1 0.1 <1

Total Population Dose 22.5 100 50.9 100

(a) 1 person-Rem = 0.01 person-Sv

The NRC staff has reviewed NMPNS's data and evaluation methods and concludes that the

quality of the risk analyses is adequate to support an assessment of the risk reduction potential

for candidate SAMAs. Accordingly, the staff based its assessment of offsite risk on the CDFs

and offsite doses reported by NMPNS.

5.2.3 Potential Plant Improvements

Once the dominant contributors to plant risk were identified, NMPNS searched for ways to

reduce that risk. In identifying and evaluating potential SAMAs, NMPNS considered insights

from the plant-specific PRA, SAMA analyses performed for other operating plants that have

submitted license renewal applications, as well as industry and NRC documents that discuss

potential plant improvements. NMPNS identified 220 potential risk-reducing improvements

(SAMAs) to plant components, systems, procedures and training for Units 1 and 2.

For Unit 1, all but 13 of the the SAMAs were removed from further consideration because they

were not applicable to Nine Mile Point, had already been implemented at Nine Mile Point, had

associated costs that exceed the maximum attainable benefit, or do not provide a significant

benefit. For Unit 2, all but 20 of the SAMAs were removed from further consideration based on

the same criteria.

The staff concludes that NMPNS used a systematic and comprehensive process for identifying

potential plant improvements for Nine Mile Point, and that the set of potential plant

improvements identified by NMPNS is reasonably comprehensive and, therefore, acceptable. 
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-8 May 2006

5.2.4 Evaluation of Risk Reduction and Costs of Improvements

NMPNS evaluated the risk-reduction potential of the remaining 13 SAMAs that were applicable

to Unit 1 and the remaining 20 SAMAs that were applicable to Unit 2. Many of the SAMA

evaluations were performed in a bounding fashion in that the SAMA was assumed to completely

eliminate the risk associated with the proposed enhancement. Such bounding calculations

overestimate the benefit of the risk reduction and are conservative.

NMPNS estimated the costs of implementing the 13 (Unit 1) and 20 (Unit 2) candidate SAMAs. 

For some of SAMAs considered, the cost estimates were sufficiently greater than the benefits

calculated such that it was not necessary to perform a detailed cost estimate. The cost

estimates conservatively did not include the cost of replacement power during extended

outages required to implement the modifications, nor did they include contingency costs

associated with unforeseen implementation obstacles.

The staff has reviewed NMPNS's bases for calculating the risk reduction for the various plant

improvements and concludes that the rationale and assumptions for estimating risk reduction

are reasonable and generally conservative (i.e., the estimated risk reduction is higher than what

would actually be realized). Accordingly, the staff based its estimates of averted risk for the

various SAMAs on NMPNS's risk reduction estimates.

The staff reviewed the bases for the applicant's cost estimates. For certain improvements, the

staff also compared the cost estimates to estimates developed elsewhere for similar

improvements, including estimates developed as part of other licensees' analyses of SAMAs for

operating reactors and advanced light-water reactors. The staff found the cost estimates to be

reasonable and generally consistent with estimates provided in support of other plants'

analyses.

The staff concludes that the risk reduction and the cost estimates provided by NMPNS are

sufficient and adequate for use in the SAMA evaluation.

5.2.5 Cost-Benefit Comparison

The cost-benefit analysis performed by NMPNS was based primarily on NUREG/BR-0184 (NRC

1997) and was executed consistent with this guidance. NUREG/BR-0058 has recently been

revised to reflect the agency's revised policy on discount rates. Revision 4 of NUREG/BR-0058

states that two sets of base case estimates should be developed, one at three percent and one

at seven percent (NRC 2004). NMPNS provided both sets of estimates and stated that it would

consider for further evaluation any SAMA that was cost-beneficial using a three percent

discount rate.
Environmental Impacts of Postulated Accidents

May 2006 5-9 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

For Unit 1, NMPNS identified four potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs:

C SAMA U1-209—Improve Procedure SOP-14 and provide training: This SAMA involves a

procedure revision to prevent the loss of power assuming operators are able to maintain

control of the plant.

C SAMA U1-210—Protect critical fire targets: This SAMA would protect critical fire targets

from dominant fire sources by moving some of the targets or sources to improve separation

and/or providing cable tray protection (e.g., barrier board).

C SAMA U1-212—Add capability to manually operate containment venting: This SAMA

involves adding the capability to manually operate the valve that vents primary containment

by adding a hand wheel or local air tank (cost-beneficial at three percent discount rate).

C SAMA U1-215—Add a portable charger: This SAMA involves the use of a portable charger

for charging the batteries to extend the coping time when AC power has been lost.

For Unit 2, NMPNS identified 11 potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs:

C SAMA U2-23a—Provide redundant ventilation for residual heat removal (RHR) pump rooms: 

This SAMA involves a revision of the operating procedure to provide additional space

cooling via the use of portable equipment or blocking doors open.

C SAMA U2-23b—Provide redundant ventilation for high pressure core spray (HPCS) pump

room: This SAMA is similar to SAMA U2-23a.

C SAMA U2-23c—Provide redundant ventilation for reactor core isolation cooling (RCIC) pump

room: This SAMA is similar to SAMA U2-23a.

C SAMA U2-213—Enhance loss of service water procedure: This SAMA involves a procedure

enhancement of the Unit 2 loss of service water procedure (SOP-11) to provide more

specific guidance for events involving loss of service water.

C SAMA U2-214—Enhance SBO procedures: This SAMA involves a procedure enhancement

of the SBO procedure to provide entry conditions into SOP-3 and SOP-1 for some of the

important failure modes during certain electrical configurations.

C SAMA U2-215—Use of a portable charger for the batteries: This SAMA would provide an

additional capability for maintaining the 125V DC battery charged given loss of emergency

AC power combined with the capability to align the ADS and containment venting related

solenoid-operated valves to DC power (via the uninterruptable power supply).
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-10 May 2006

C SAMA U2-216—Hard pipe diesel fire pump to the reactor pressure vessel: This SAMA

involves a hardware modification to allow the diesel fire pump to provide injection to the

reactor pressure vessel (RPV).

C SAMA U2-221a—Reduce unit cooler contribution to emergency diesel generator (EDG)

unavailability increase testing frequency: This SAMA would provide a more reliable means

of cooling the EDG control panel rooms by testing the unit coolers during every cycle.

C SAMA U2-221b—Reduce unit cooler contribution to EDG unavailability provide redundant

means of cooling: This SAMA would also provide a more reliable means of cooling the EDG

control panel rooms by providing guidance for operators to open the EDG control panel

room doors.

C SAMA U2-222—Improve procedure for loss of instrument air: This SAMA involves an

enhancement to loss of instrument air procedure N2-SOP-19 to provide a better means of

responding to loss of instrument air. 

C SAMA U2-223—Improve control building flooding scenarios: This SAMA may involve

structural modifications such as a water-tight door or piping modifications (to move firewater

header) in order to eliminate the flood source (cost-beneficial at three percent discount

rate).

Sensitivity calculations were conducted to examine the potential impact of uncertainties and

several parameters and assumptions involved in the severe accident dose calculations. None

of these sensitivity calculations altered the results of the cost-benefit comparisons.

It is noted that several of the SAMAs are not independent; that is, implementation of one SAMA

could achieve a portion of the benefit of the others. For example, implementing SAMA U1-215

would significantly reduce the benefit of SAMA U1-209. Similarly, implementation of SAMAs

U2-23a, -23b, -23c, and -213 can be considered as a combination since loss of service water

(SAMA U2-213) is an important contributor and cause of room cooling failure (SAMA U2-23). 

NMPNS indicated that relationships between the SAMAs have not yet been modeled.

As stated in the ER, NMPNS plans to continue to refine the evaluations for the set of potentially

cost-beneficial SAMAs, and consider implementation of the potentially cost-beneficial

modifications through the current plant change process as voluntary plant enhancements.

The staff concludes that, with the exception of the four potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs for

Unit 1 and the 11 potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs for Unit 2, the costs of the SAMAs would be

higher than the associated benefits. This conclusion is supported by uncertainty assessment

and sensitivity analysis.
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May 2006 5-11 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

5.2.6 Conclusions

The staff reviewed the NMPNS analyses and concluded that the methods used and the

implementation of those methods were sound. The treatment of SAMA benefits and costs, the

generally large negative net benefits, and the inherently small baseline risks support the general

conclusion that the SAMA evaluations performed by NMPNS are reasonable and sufficient for

the license renewal submittal. The inclusion of external events afforded the quantitative

evaluation of SAMAs specifically aimed at reducing risk from external events. 

Based on its review of the NMPNS SAMA analysis, the staff concurs with NMPNS's

identification of areas in which risk can be further reduced in a cost-beneficial manner through

the implementation of all or a subset of the identified, potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs. Given

the potential for cost-beneficial risk reduction, the staff agrees that further evaluation of these

SAMAs by NMPNS is warranted. However, none of the potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs relate

to adequately managing the effects of aging during the period of extended operation. 

Therefore, they need not be implemented as part of the license renewal pursuant to 10 CFR

Part 54.

5.3 References

10 CFR Part 50. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 50, "Domestic Licensing |

of Production and Utilization Facilities."

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, "Environmental |

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions."

10 CFR Part 54. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 54, "Requirements for |

Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants."

10 CFR Part 100. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 100, "Reactor Site |

Criteria."

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC). 1992. Letter from J. F. Firlit, NMPC, to U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk. Subject: Nine Mile Point Unit 2,

Docket No. 50-410, NPF-69, Individual Plant Examination (IPE) Final Report. July 30, 1992.

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC). 1993. Letter from C. D. Terry, NMPC, to U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk. Subject: Nine Mile Point Unit 1,

Docket No. 50-220, DPR-63, Individual Plant Examination, Generic Letter 88-20. July 27, 1993.

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC). 1995. Letter from C. D. Terry, NMPC, to U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk. Subject: Nine Mile Point Unit 2,

Docket No. 50-410, NPF-69, Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEEs) Severe
Environmental Impacts of Postulated Accidents

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 5-12 May 2006

Accident Vulnerabilities—10CFR50.54(f) (Generic Letter No. 88-20, Supplement 4). 

June 30, 1995.

Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation (NMPC). 1996. Letter from C. D. Terry, NMPC, to U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk. Subject: Nine Mile Point Unit 1,

Docket No. 50-220, DPR-63, Individual Plant Examination of External Events (IPEEEs) Severe

Accident Vulnerabilities—10CFR50.54(f) (Generic Letter No. 88-20, Supplement 4). 

August 29, 1996

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1997. Regulatory Analysis Technical Evaluation

Handbook. NUREG/BR-0184, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Main Report, Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants. 

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004. Regulatory Analysis Guidelines of the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NUREG/BR-0058, Rev. 4, Washington, D.C. 
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the “GEIS” include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 6-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

6.0 Environmental Impacts of the Uranium

Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

Environmental issues associated with the uranium fuel cycle and solid waste management are

discussed in the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear

Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a) The GEIS includes a

determination of whether the analysis of the environmental issue could be applied to all plants

and whether additional mitigation measures would be warranted. Issues are then assigned a

Category 1 or a Category 2 designation. As set forth in the GEIS, Category 1 issues are those

that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) A single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) has been assigned

to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle

and from high-level waste and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

For issues that meet the three Category 1 criteria, no additional plant-specific analysis is

required unless new and significant information is identified.

Category 2 issues are those that do not meet one or more of the criteria for Category 1, and

therefore, additional plant-specific review of these issues is required.

This chapter addresses the issues that are related to the uranium fuel cycle and solid waste

management during the license renewal term that are listed in Table B-1 of Title 10 of the Code

of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, and are applicable to the Nine

Mile Point Nuclear Station (Nine Mile Point) Units 1 and 2. The generic potential impacts of the

radiological and nonradiological environmental impacts of the uranium fuel cycle and

transportation of nuclear fuel and wastes are described in detail in the GEIS based, in part, on

the generic impacts provided in 10 CFR 51.51(b), Table S-3, “Table of Uranium Fuel Cycle

Environmental Data,” and in 10 CFR 51.52(c), Table S-4, “Environmental Impact of

Transportation of Fuel and Waste to and from One Light-Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor.” 

The GEIS also addresses the impacts from radon-222 and technetium-99.
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NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 6-2 May 2006

6.1 The Uranium Fuel Cycle

Category 1 issues in 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 that are applicable to

| Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP) from the uranium fuel cycle and solid waste management

are listed in Table 6-1. 

Table 6-1. Category 1 Issues Applicable to the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid

Waste Management during the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

URANIUM FUEL CYCLE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Offsite radiological impacts (individual effects from other than

the disposal of spent fuel and high-level waste)

6.1; 6.2.1; 6.2.2.1; 6.2.2.3; 6.2.3;

6.2.4; 6.6

Offsite radiological impacts (collective effects) 6.1; 6.2.2.1; 6.2.3; 6.2.4; 6.6

Offsite radiological impacts (spent fuel and high-level waste

disposal)

6.1; 6.2.2.1; 6.2.3; 6.2.4; 6.6

Nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle 6.1; 6.2.2.6; 6.2.2.7; 6.2.2.8; 6.2.2.9;

6.2.3; 6.2.4; 6.6

Low-level waste storage and disposal 6.1; 6.2.2.2; 6.4.2; 6.4.3; 6.4.3.1;

6.4.3.2; 6.4.3.3; 6.4.4; 6.4.4.1;

6.4.4.2; 6.4.4.3; 6.4.4.4; 6.4.4.5;

6.4.4.5.1; 6.4.4.5.2; 6.4.4.5.3;

6.4.4.5.4; 6.4.4.6; 6.6

Mixed waste storage and disposal 6.4.5.1; 6.4.5.2; 6.4.5.3; 6.4.5.4;

6.4.5.5; 6.4.5.6; 6.4.5.6.1; 6.4.5.6.2;

6.4.5.6.3; 6.4.5.6.4; 6.6

Onsite spent fuel 6.1; 6.4.6; 6.4.6.1; 6.4.6.2; 6.4.6.3;

6.4.6.4; 6.4.6.5; 6.4.6.6; 6.4.6.7; 6.6

Nonradiological waste 6.1; 6.5; 6.5.1; 6.5.2; 6.5.3; 6.6

Transportation 6.1; 6.3.1; 6.3.2.3; 6.3.3; 6.3.4; 6.6,

Addendum 1

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) stated in its Environmental Report (ER)

(NMPNS 2004) that it is not aware of any new and significant information associated with the

| renewal of the NMP operating licenses. The staff has not identified any new and significant

| information during its independent review of the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping

| process, staff evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts related to these issues beyond those

discussed in the GEIS. For these issues, the staff concluded in the GEIS that the impacts are

SMALL except for the collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle and from high-
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

May 2006 6-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

level waste and spent fuel disposal, as discussed below, and that additional plant-specific

mitigation measures are not likely to be sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

A brief description of the staff review and the GEIS conclusions, as codified in Table B-1,

10 CFR Part 51, for each of these issues follows:

C Offsite radiological impacts (individual effects from other than the disposal of spent fuel and

high-level waste). Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that 

Offsite impacts of the uranium fuel cycle have been considered by the Commission in

Table S-3 of 10 CFR 51.51(b). Based on information in the GEIS, impacts on individuals

from radioactive gaseous and liquid releases including radon-222 and technetium-99 are

small.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information on this issue during its

independent review of the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, the staff’s |

evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, |

the staff concludes that there are no offsite radiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle during

the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Offsite radiological impacts (collective effects). Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that 

The 100 year environmental dose commitment to the U.S. population from the fuel cycle,

high level waste and spent fuel disposal excepted, is calculated to be about 14,800

person rem, or 12 cancer fatalities, for each additional 20-year power reactor operating

term. Much of this, especially the contribution of radon releases from mines and tailing

piles, consists of tiny doses summed over large populations. This same dose

calculation can theoretically be extended to include many tiny doses over additional

thousands of years as well as doses outside the U.S. The result of such a calculation

would be thousands of cancer fatalities from the fuel cycle, but this result assumes that

even tiny doses have some statistical adverse health effect which will not ever be

mitigated (for example no cancer cure in the next thousand years), and that these doses

projected over thousands of years are meaningful. However, these assumptions are

questionable. In particular, science cannot rule out the possibility that there will be no

cancer fatalities from these tiny doses. For perspective, the doses are very small

fractions of regulatory limits, and even smaller fractions of natural background exposure

to the same populations.

Nevertheless, despite all the uncertainty, some judgement as to the regulatory NEPA

[National Environmental Policy Act] implications of these matters should be made and it

makes no sense to repeat the same judgement in every case. Even taking the

uncertainties into account, the Commission concludes that these impacts are acceptable

in that these impacts would not be sufficiently large to require the NEPA conclusion, for
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 6-4 May 2006

any plant, that the option of extended operation under 10 CFR Part 54 should be

eliminated. Accordingly, while the Commission has not assigned a single level of

significance for the collective effects of the fuel cycle, this issue is considered

Category 1.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, the staff’s evaluation of other

| available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes

that there are no offsite radiological impacts (collective effects) from the uranium fuel cycle

during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Offsite radiological impacts (spent fuel and high level waste disposal). Based on information

in the GEIS, the Commission found that

For the high level waste and spent fuel disposal component of the fuel cycle, there are

no current regulatory limits for offsite releases of radionuclides for the current candidate

repository site. However, if we assume that limits are developed along the lines of the

1995 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report, “Technical Bases for Yucca Mountain

Standards,” and that in accordance with the Commission’s Waste Confidence Decision,

10 CFR 51.23, a repository can and likely will be developed at some site which will

comply with such limits, peak doses to virtually all individuals will be 100 millirem per

year or less. However, while the Commission has reasonable confidence that these

assumptions will prove correct, there is considerable uncertainty since the limits are yet

to be developed, no repository application has been completed or reviewed, and

uncertainty is inherent in the models used to evaluate possible pathways to the human

environment. The NAS report indicated that 100 millirem per year should be considered

as a starting point for limits for individual doses, but notes that some measure of

consensus exists among national and international bodies that the limits should be a

fraction of the 100 millirem per year. The lifetime individual risk from 100 millirem annual

dose limit is about 3 x 10-3.

Estimating cumulative doses to populations over thousands of years is more

problematic. The likelihood and consequences of events that could seriously

compromise the integrity of a deep geologic repository were evaluated by the

Department of Energy in the “Final Environmental Impact Statement: Management of

Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste,” October 1980. The evaluation estimated

the 70-year whole-body dose commitment to the maximum individual and to the regional

population resulting from several modes of breaching a reference repository in the year

of closure, after 1000 years, after 100,000 years, and after 100,000,000 years. 

Subsequently, the NRC and other federal agencies have expended considerable effort

to develop models for the design and for the licensing of a high level waste repository,

especially for the candidate repository at Yucca Mountain. More meaningful estimates

of doses to population may be possible in the future as more is understood about the

performance of the proposed Yucca Mountain repository. Such estimates would involve
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

May 2006 6-5 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

very great uncertainty, especially with respect to cumulative population doses over

thousands of years. The standard proposed by the NAS is a limit on maximum

individual dose. The relationship of potential new regulatory requirements, based on the

NAS report, and cumulative population impacts has not been determined, although the

report articulates the view that protection of individuals will adequately protect the

population for a repository at Yucca Mountain. However, EPA’s generic repository

standards in 40 CFR Part 191 generally provide an indication of the order of magnitude

of cumulative risk to population that could result from the licensing of a Yucca Mountain

repository, assuming the ultimate standards will be within the range of standards now

under consideration. The standards in 40 CFR Part 191 protect the population by

imposing “containment requirements” that limit the cumulative amount of radioactive

material released over 10,000 years. Reporting performance standards that will be

required by EPA are expected to result in releases and associated health consequences

in the range between 10 and 100 premature cancer deaths with an upper limit of 1000

premature cancer deaths worldwide for a 100,000 metric tonne (MTHM) repository.

Nevertheless, despite all the uncertainty, some judgement as to the regulatory NEPA

implications of these matters should be made and it makes no sense to repeat the same

judgement in every case. Even taking the uncertainties into account, the Commission

concludes that these impacts are acceptable in that these impacts would not be

sufficiently large to require the NEPA conclusion, for any plant, that the option of

extended operation under 10 CFR Part 54 should be eliminated. Accordingly, while the

Commission has not assigned a single level of significance for the impacts of spent fuel

and high level waste disposal, this issue is considered Category 1.

On February 15, 2002, based on a recommendation by the Secretary of the Department of

Energy, the President recommended the Yucca Mountain site for the development of a

repository for the geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste. The U.S.

Congress approved this recommendation on July 9, 2002, in Joint Resolution 87, which

designated Yucca Mountain as the repository for spent nuclear waste. On July 23, 2002, the

President signed Joint Resolution 87 into law; Public Law 107-200, 116 Stat. 735 (2002)

designates Yucca Mountain as the repository for spent nuclear waste. This development does

not represent new and significant information with respect to the offsite radiological impacts

from license renewal related to disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level nuclear waste.

EPA developed Yucca Mountain-specific repository standards, which were subsequently

adopted by the NRC in 10 CFR Part 63. In an opinion, issued July 9, 2004, the U.S. Court of

Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the Court) vacated EPA’s radiation protection

standards for the candidate repository, which required compliance with certain dose limits over

a 10,000-year period. The Court’s decision also vacated the compliance period in NRC’s

licensing criteria for the candidate repository in 10 CFR Part 63. In response to the Court’s

decision, EPA issued its proposed revised standards on August 22, 2005 (70 FR 49014). In

order to be consistent with EPA’s revised standards, NRC proposed revisions to 10 CFR Part

63 on September 8, 2005 (70 FR 53313). 
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 6-6 May 2006

Therefore, for the high-level waste and spent-fuel disposal component of the fuel cycle, there is

some uncertainty with respect to regulatory limits for offsite releases of radioactive nuclides for

the current candidate repository site. However, prior to promulgation of the affected provisions

of the Commission’s regulations, we assumed that limits would be developed along the lines of

the 1995 National Academy of Sciences report, "Technical Bases for Yucca Mountain

Standards," and that in accordance with the Commission’s Waste Confidence Decision, 10 CFR

51.23, a repository that would comply with such limits could and likely would be developed at

some site.

Despite the current uncertainty with respect to these rules, some judgment as to the regulatory

NEPA implications of offsite radiological impacts of spent fuel and high-level waste disposal

should be made. The staff concludes that these impacts are acceptable in that the impacts

would not be sufficiently large to require the NEPA conclusion that the option of extended

operation under 10 CFR Part 54 should be eliminated.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

| information and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no offsite radiological impacts related to spent fuel and high-level waste disposal during the

renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle. Based on information in the GEIS, the

Commission found that 

The nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle resulting from the renewal of an

operating license for any plant are found to be small.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff evaluation of other available

| information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no nonradiological impacts of the uranium fuel cycle during the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

C Low-level waste storage and disposal. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

The comprehensive regulatory controls that are in place and the low public doses being

achieved at reactors ensure that the radiological impacts to the environment will remain

small during the term of a renewed license. The maximum additional on-site land that

may be required for low-level waste storage during the term of a renewed license and

associated impacts will be small. Nonradiological impacts on air and water will be

negligible. The radiological and nonradiological environmental impacts of long-term

disposal of low-level waste from any individual plant at licensed sites are small. In

addition, the Commission concludes that there is reasonable assurance that sufficient
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

May 2006 6-7 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

low-level waste disposal capacity will be made available when needed for facilities to be

decommissioned consistent with NRC decommissioning requirements.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts of LLW storage and disposal associated with the renewal term beyond those

discussed in the GEIS.

C Mixed waste storage and disposal. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission

found that

The comprehensive regulatory controls and the facilities and procedures that are in

place ensure proper handling and storage, as well as negligible doses and exposure to

toxic materials for the public and the environment at all plants. License renewal will not

increase the small, continuing risk to human health and the environment posed by mixed

waste at all plants. The radiological and nonradiological environmental impacts of longterm disposal of mixed waste from any individual plant at licensed sites are small. In

addition, the Commission concludes that there is reasonable assurance that sufficient

mixed waste disposal capacity will be made available when needed for facilities to be

decommissioned consistent with NRC decommissioning requirements.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts of mixed waste storage and disposal associated with the renewal term beyond

those discussed in the GEIS.

C Onsite spent fuel. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

The expected increase in the volume of spent fuel from an additional 20 years of

operation can be safely accommodated on site with small environmental effects through

dry or pool storage at all plants if a permanent repository or monitored retrievable

storage is not available.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts of onsite spent fuel associated with license renewal beyond those discussed in

the GEIS.

C Nonradiological waste. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 6-8 May 2006

No changes to generating systems are anticipated for license renewal. Facilities and

procedures are in place to ensure continued proper handling and disposal at all plants.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff evaluation of other available

| information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no nonradiological waste impacts during the renewal term beyond those discussed in the

GEIS.

C Transportation. Based on information contained in the GEIS, the Commission found that

The impacts of transporting spent fuel enriched up to 5 percent uranium-235 with

average burnup for the peak rod to current levels approved by NRC up to

62,000 MWd/MTU [metric tons uranium] and the cumulative impacts of transporting

high-level waste to a single repository, such as Yucca Mountain, Nevada, are found to

be consistent with the impact values contained in 10 CFR 51.52(c), Summary

Table S-4—Environmental Impact of Transportation of Fuel and Waste to and from One

Light-Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor. If fuel enrichment or burnup conditions are

not met, the applicant must submit an assessment of the implications for the

environmental impact values reported in § 51.52.

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 meet the fuel enrichment and burnup conditions set forth in

Addendum 1 to the GEIS. The staff has not identified any new and significant information

| during its independent review of the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, staff

| evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore,

the staff concludes that there are no impacts of transportation associated with license renewal

beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

There are no Category 2 issues for the uranium fuel cycle and solid waste management.

6.2 References

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, “Environmental

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

10 CFR Part 54. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 54, “Requirements for

Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants.”

10 CFR Part 63. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 63, “Disposal of HighLevel Radioactive Wastes in a Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.” 
Environmental Impacts of the Uranium Fuel Cycle and Solid Waste Management

May 2006 6-9 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

40 CFR Part 191. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 191,

“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear

Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Waste.”

Joint Resolution approving the site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, for the development of a

repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, pursuant to the

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. 2002. Public Law 107-200. 116 Stat. 735.

National Academy of Sciences (NAS). 1995. Technical Bases for Yucca Mountain Standards. 

Washington, D.C.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. 42 USC 4321, et seq.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 1980. Final Environmental Impact Statement: 

Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste. DOE/EIS-0046F. 

Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2. Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Main Report. Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants, Final Report.

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the “GEIS” include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 7-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

7.0 Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning

Environmental impacts from the activities associated with the decommissioning of any reactor

before or at the end of an initial or renewed license are evaluated in the Generic Environmental

Impact Statement for Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, NUREG-0586, Supplement 1

(NRC 2002). The staff’s evaluation of the environmental impacts of decommissioning presented

in Supplement 1 resulted in a range of impacts for each environmental issue. These results

may be used by licensees as a starting point for a plant-specific evaluation of the

decommissioning impacts at their facilities.

The incremental environmental impacts associated with decommissioning activities resulting

from continued plant operation during the renewal term are evaluated in the Generic

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437,

Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a) The evaluation in NUREG-1437 includes a

determination of whether the analysis of the environmental issue could be applied to all plants

and whether additional mitigation measures would be warranted. Issues are then assigned a

Category 1 or a Category 2 designation. As set forth in the GEIS, Category 1 issues are those

that meet all of the following criteria:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) A single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) has been assigned

to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle

and from high level waste and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are likely not to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

For issues that meet the three Category 1 criteria, no additional plant-specific analysis is

required unless new and significant information is identified.

Category 2 issues are those that do not meet one of more of the criteria for Category 1, and

therefore, additional plant-specific review of these issues is required. There are no Category 2

issues related to decommissioning.
Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 7-2 May 2006

7.1 Decommissioning

Category 1 issues in Table B-1 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51,

Subpart A, Appendix B that are applicable to Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station (Nine Mile Point)

Units 1 and 2 decommissioning following the renewal term are listed in Table 7-1. Nine Mile

Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) stated in its Environmental Report (ER) (NMPNS 2004)

that it is aware of no new and significant information regarding the environmental impacts of

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 license renewal. The staff has not identified any new and

| significant information during its independent review of the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the

| scoping process, its evaluation of other available information, and public comments on the draft

| SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there are no impacts related to these issues beyond

those discussed in the GEIS. For all of these issues, the staff concluded in the GEIS that the

impacts are SMALL, and additional plant-specific mitigation measures are not likely to be

sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

Table 7-1. Category 1 Issues Applicable to the Decommissioning of Nine Mile

Point Units 1 and 2 following the Renewal Term

ISSUE—10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B, Table B-1 GEIS Sections

DECOMMISSIONING

Radiation doses 7.3.1; 7.4

Waste management 7.3.2; 7.4

Air quality 7.3.3; 7.4

Water quality 7.3.4; 7.4

Ecological resources 7.3.5; 7.4

Socioeconomic impacts 7.3.7; 7.4

A brief description of the staff’s review and the GEIS conclusions, as codified in Table B-1, for

each of the issues follows:

C Radiation doses. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Doses to the public will be well below applicable regulatory standards regardless of

which decommissioning method is used. Occupational doses would increase no more

than 1 man-rem caused by buildup of long-lived radionuclides during the license renewal

term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

| information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there
Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning

May 2006 7-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

are no radiation dose impacts associated with decommissioning following the license renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Waste management. Based on information in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Decommissioning at the end of a 20-year license renewal period would generate no

more solid wastes than at the end of the current license term. No increase in the

quantities of Class C or greater than Class C wastes would be expected.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts from solid waste associated with decommissioning following the license renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Air quality. Based on information found in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Air quality impacts of decommissioning are expected to be negligible either at the end of

the current operating term or at the end of the license renewal term.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts on air quality associated with decommissioning following the license renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Water quality. Based on information found in the GEIS, the Commission found that

The potential for significant water quality impacts from erosion or spills is no greater

whether decommissioning occurs after a 20-year license renewal period or after the

original 40-year operation period, and measures are readily available to avoid such

impacts.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available |

information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there |

are no impacts on water quality associated with decommissioning following the license renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.
Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 7-4 May 2006

C Ecological resources. Based on information found in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Decommissioning either after the initial operating period or after a 20-year license

renewal period is not expected to have any direct ecological impacts.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

| information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no impacts on ecological resources associated with decommissioning following the license

renewal term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

C Socioeconomic impacts. Based on information found in the GEIS, the Commission found that

Decommissioning would have some short-term socioeconomic impacts. The impacts

would not be increased by delaying decommissioning until the end of a 20-year relicense

period, but they might be decreased by population and economic growth.

The staff has not identified any new and significant information during its independent review of

| the NMPNS ER, the staff’s site visit, the scoping process, its evaluation of other available

| information, and public comments on the draft SEIS. Therefore, the staff concludes that there

are no socioeconomic impacts associated with decommissioning following the license renewal

term beyond those discussed in the GEIS.

7.2 References

| 10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, “Environmental

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants, Main Report, Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of Findings on NEPA Issues for License Renewal of Nuclear Power Plants, Final

Report. NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2002. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, Supplement 1, Regarding the Decommissioning of

Nuclear Power Reactors. NUREG-0586, Supplement 1, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the “GEIS” include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 8-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

8.0 Environmental Impacts of Alternatives to

Operating License Renewal

This chapter examines the potential environmental impacts associated with the following:

denying the application for the renewal of the operating licenses (OLs) for Nine Mile Point

Nuclear Station (Nine Mile Point) Units 1 and 2 (the no-action alternative); the potential

environmental impacts from electric generating sources other than Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 |

(NMP); the possibility of purchasing electric power from other sources to replace power

generated by NMP and the associated environmental impacts; the potential environmental |

impacts from a combination of generating and conservation measures; and other generation

alternatives that were deemed unsuitable for replacement of power generated by NMP. The |

environmental impacts are evaluated using the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC's)

three-level standard of significance—SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE—developed using the

Council on Environmental Quality guidelines and set forth in the footnotes to Table B-1 of Title

10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B:

SMALL—Environmental effects are not detectable or are so minor that they will neither

destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource.

MODERATE—Environmental effects are sufficient to alter noticeably, but not to

destabilize important attributes of the resource.

LARGE—Environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize

important attributes of the resource.

The impact categories evaluated in this chapter are the same as those used in the Generic

Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS), NUREG-1437,

Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999)(a) with the additional impact category of environmental

justice.

8.1 No-Action Alternative

The NRC’s regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969,

10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix A(4), specify that the no-action alternative be discussed

in an NRC environmental impact statement (EIS). For license renewal, the no-action alternative

refers to a scenario in which the NRC would not renew the Nine Mile Point OLs, and Nine Mile

Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS) would then cease plant operations by the end of the

current licenses and initiate the decommissioning of the plants.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

(a) Appendix J of NUREG-0586 Supplement 1 discusses the socioeconomic impacts of plant closure, but

the results of the analysis in Appendix J are not incorporated in the analysis presented in the main

body of the NUREG.

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-2 May 2006

NMPNS will be required to shut down Nine Mile Point and to comply with NRC

decommissioning requirements in 10 CFR 50.82 whether or not the OLs are renewed. If the

Nine Mile Point OLs are renewed, shutdown of the units and decommissioning activities will not

be avoided, but will be postponed for up to an additional 20 years.

The environmental impacts associated with decommissioning following a license renewal period

of up to 20 years or following the no-action alternative would be bounded by the discussion of

impacts in Chapter 7 of the license renewal GEIS (NRC 1996), Chapter 7 of this supplemental

environmental impact statement (SEIS), and the Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement

on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, NUREG-0586, Supplement 1 (NRC 2002). The

impacts of decommissioning after 60 years of operation are not expected to be significantly

different from those occurring after 40 years of operation.

Impacts from the decision to permanently cease operations are not considered in NUREG-0586,

Supplement 1.(a) Therefore, immediate impacts that occur between plant shutdown and the

beginning of decommissioning are considered here. These impacts will occur when the units

shut down regardless of whether the licenses are renewed or not, which are discussed below,

with the results presented in Table 8-1. Plant shutdown will result in a net reduction in power

production capacity. The power not generated by Nine Mile Point during the license renewal

term would likely be replaced by (1) power purchased from other electricity providers, (2)

generating alternatives other than Nine Mile Point, (3) demand-side management (DSM) and

energy conservation, or (4) some combination of these options. The environmental impacts of

these options are discussed in Section 8.2. 

C Land Use

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that the impacts of continued plant operation on land use

would be SMALL. Onsite land use will not be affected immediately by the cessation of

operations. Plant structures and other facilities are likely to remain in place until

decommissioning. The transmission lines associated with the project would be expected to

remain in service after the plants stop operating. As a result, maintenance of the rights-of-way

will continue as before. Therefore, the staff concludes that the impacts on land use from plant

shutdown would be SMALL.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 8-1. Summary of Environmental Impacts of the No-Action Alternative

Impact Category Impact Comment

Land Use SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because plant shutdown is not

expected to result in changes onsite or offsite land use.

Ecology SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because current aquatic

impacts are SMALL. Terrestrial impacts are not expected because

there will not be any land use changes.

Water Use and

Quality—Surface

Water

SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because surface water intake

and discharges will decrease.

Water Use and

Quality—

Groundwater

SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because groundwater use will

decrease.

Air Quality SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because discharges related to

plant operation and worker transportation will decrease. 

Waste SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because generation of

high-level waste will stop, and generation of low-level and mixed

waste will decrease.

Human Health SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because radiological doses to

workers and members of the public, which are within regulatory

limits, will be reduced.

Socioeconomics MODERATE

to LARGE

Impacts are expected to be MODERATE to LARGE because of a

decrease in employment and tax revenues.

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because the decrease in

employment would reduce traffic.

Aesthetics SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because plant structures will

remain in place. 

Historic and

Archaeological

Resources

SMALL Impacts are expected to be SMALL because shutdown of the plant

will not change land use.

Environmental

Justice

SMALL to

LARGE 

Impacts are expected to be SMALL to LARGE because loss of

employment opportunities is expected.

C Ecology

In Chapter 4 of this SEIS, the NRC staff concluded that the ecological impacts of continued

plant operation were SMALL. Plant closure and cessation of operations will be accompanied by

a reduction in cooling-water flow and the thermal plume from the plant. The impact of plant |

closure on the terrestrial ecosystem will be negligible because the transmission lines to the
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-4 May 2006

plant will remain in use. Therefore, the staff concludes that ecological impacts from shutdown

of the plant would be SMALL.

C Water Use and Quality—Surface Water

In Chapter 4 of this SEIS the NRC staff concluded that impacts of continued plant operation on

surface water use and quality were SMALL. When the plant stops operating there will be an

immediate reduction in the consumptive use of water because of reduction in cooling-water flow

and in the amount of heat rejected to Lake Ontario. Therefore, the staff concludes that the

impacts on surface water use and quality from plant shutdown would be SMALL.

C Water Use and Quality—Groundwater

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that impacts of plant groundwater use on groundwater

availability and quality were SMALL. When the plant stops operating, there will be an

immediate reduction in groundwater dewatering for Unit 2. Therefore, the staff concludes that

groundwater use and quality impacts from shutdown of the plant would be SMALL.

C Air Quality

In Chapter 4, the staff found the impacts of plant operation on air quality to be SMALL. When

the plant stops operating, there will be a reduction in emissions from activities related to plant

operation such as use of diesel generators and workers’ transportation. Therefore, the staff

concludes that the impact on air quality from shutdown of the plant would be SMALL.

C Waste

The impacts of waste generated by plant operation are discussed in Chapter 6. The impacts of

low-level and mixed waste from plant operation are characterized as SMALL. When the plant

stops operating, the plant will stop generating high-level waste, and generation of low-level and

mixed waste associated with plant operation and maintenance will be reduced. Therefore, the

staff concludes that the impact of waste generated after shutdown of the plant would be SMALL.

C Human Health

In Chapter 4 of this SEIS the NRC staff concluded that the impacts of plant operation on human

health were SMALL. After the cessation of operations the amount of radioactive material

released to the environment in gaseous and liquid forms will be reduced. Therefore, the staff

concludes that the impact of shutdown of the plant on human health will be SMALL. In addition,

the variety of potential accidents at the plant will be reduced to a limited set associated with

shutdown events and fuel handling. In Chapter 5 of this SEIS the NRC staff concluded that the
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-5 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

impacts of accidents during operation were SMALL. Therefore, the staff concludes that the

impacts of potential accidents following shutdown of the plant would be SMALL.

C Socioeconomics

In Chapter 4, the NRC staff concluded that the socioeconomic impacts of continued plant

operation would be SMALL. There would be immediate socioeconomic impacts associated with

the shutdown of the plant because of the reduction in the staff at the plant. Localized

employment impacts might be moderated somewhat by the proximity to the Syracuse

metropolitan area job market. There may also be an immediate reduction in property tax

revenues for Oswego County, which would mean that property tax rates would likely be

increased in order to produce sufficient revenue to maintain the existing level of public

infrastructure and services provided in the county. The NRC staff concludes that the

socioeconomic impacts of plant shutdown would range from MODERATE to LARGE. Some of

these impacts could be offset if new power generating facilities are built at or near the current

site. See Appendix J to NUREG-0586, Supplement 1 (NRC 2002), for additional discussion of

the potential impacts of plant shutdown.

C Socioeconomics (Transportation)

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that the impacts of continued plant operation on transportation

would be SMALL. Cessation of operations will be accompanied by reduction in traffic in the

vicinity of the plant. Most traffic reduction will be associated with a reduction in the plant

workforce, but there will also be a reduction in shipment of material to and from the plant. 

Therefore, the staff concludes that the impact of plant closure on transportation would be

SMALL.

C Aesthetics

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that the aesthetic impacts of continued plant operation would

be SMALL. Cessation of operations will be accompanied by reduction in visible plumes from

the cooling towers. Plant structures and other facilities are likely to remain in place until

decommissioning. Therefore, the staff concludes that the aesthetic impacts of plant closure

would be SMALL.

C Historic and Archaeological Resources

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that the impacts of continued plant operation on historic and

archaeological resources would be SMALL. Onsite land use will not be affected immediately by

the cessation of operations. Plant structures and other facilities are likely to remain in place

until decommissioning. The transmission lines associated with the project are expected to

remain in service after the plant stops operating. As a result, maintenance of transmission line

rights-of-way will continue as before. Therefore, the staff concludes that the impacts on historic

and archaeological resources from plant shutdown would be SMALL.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

(a) A greenfield site is assumed to be an undeveloped site with no previous construction.

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-6 May 2006

C Environmental Justice

In Chapter 4, the staff concluded that the environmental justice impact of continued operation of

the plant would be SMALL because continued operation of the plant would not have a

disproportionately high and adverse impact on minority and low-income populations. Shutdown

of the plant could have disproportionately high and adverse impacts on minority and low-income

populations because of secondary socioeconomic impacts. The staff concludes that the

environmental justice impacts of plant shutdown could range from SMALL to LARGE. Some of

these impacts could be offset if new power generating facilities are built at or near the current

site. See Appendix J to NUREG-0586, Supplement 1 (NRC 2002), for additional discussion of

these impacts.

8.2 Alternative Energy Sources

This section discusses the environmental impacts associated with alternative sources of

| electricity to replace the electricity generated by NMP, assuming that the OLs for Units 1 and 2

are not renewed. The order of presentation of alternative energy sources in Section 8.2 does

not imply which alternative would be most likely to occur or to have the least environmental

impacts.

The following generation alternatives are considered in detail:

C Coal-fired generation at an alternate greenfield site(a) (Section 8.2.1)

C Natural gas-fired generation at the Nine Mile Point site and at an alternate site

(Section 8.2.2)

C Nuclear generation at the Nine Mile Point site and at an alternate site (Section 8.2.3).

| The alternative of purchasing power from other sources to replace power generated at NMP is

discussed in Section 8.2.4. Other power generation alternatives and conservation alternatives

| considered by the staff and found not to be reasonable replacements for NMP are discussed in

Section 8.2.5. Section 8.2.6 discusses the environmental impacts of a combination of

generation and conservation alternatives.

Each year the Energy Information Administration (EIA), a component of the U.S. Department of

Energy (DOE), issues an Annual Energy Outlook. In its Annual Energy Outlook 2005 with
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

(a) In a combined cycle unit, hot combustion gas in a combustion turbine rotates the turbine to generate electricity. 

The hot exhaust from the combustion turbine is routed through a heat-recovery boiler to make steam to generate

electricity.

(b) A baseload plant normally operates to supply all or part of the minimum continuous load of a system and

consequently produces electricity at an essentially constant rate. Nuclear power plants are commonly used for

baseload generation; i.e., these units generally run near full load.

May 2006 8-7 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Projections to 2025, EIA projects that combined-cycle(a) or combustion turbine technology fueled

by natural gas is likely to account for approximately 60 percent of new electric generating

capacity between the years 2005 and 2025 (DOE/EIA 2005). Coal-fired plants are projected by

EIA to account for approximately 35 percent of new capacity during this period (DOE/EIA 2005).

Both technologies are designed primarily to supply peak and intermediate capacity, but

combined-cycle technology can also be used to meet baseload(b) requirements. Coal-fired

plants are generally used to meet baseload requirements. Renewable energy sources, primarily

wind, biomass gasification, and municipal solid waste units, are projected by EIA to account for

the remaining 5 percent of capacity additions. EIA’s projections are based on the assumption

that providers of new generating capacity will seek to minimize cost while meeting applicable

environmental requirements. Combined-cycle plants are projected by EIA to have the lowest

generation cost in 2005 and 2020 followed by coal-fired plants and then wind generation

(DOE/EIA 2005).

EIA projects that oil-fired generation will decrease in the U.S. through 2025 because of rising

fuel costs and lower efficiencies. EIA's projections are based on the assumption that providers

of new generating capacity will seek to minimize cost while meeting applicable environmental

requirements. The cost of new oil-fired generation is not expected to be competitive with that of

coal and natural gas. EIA also projects that new nuclear power plants will not account for any

new generation capacity in the United States during the 2005 to 2025 time period because

natural gas and coal-fired plants are projected to be more economical (DOE/EIA 2005). In spite

of this projection, since 1997, the NRC has certified three new standard designs for nuclear

power plants under the procedures in 10 CFR Part 52 Subpart B. Therefore, a new nuclear

plant alternative for replacing power generated by NMP is considered in Section 8.2.3. The |

submission to the NRC of these three applications for certification indicates continuing interest

in the possibility of licensing new nuclear power plants. 

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 have a combined net rating of 1759 megawatts electric (MW[e]). 

For the coal alternative, the staff assumed construction of an 1800-MW(e) plant. For the

natural-gas alternative, the staff assumed construction of a 1620-MW(e) plant. These

assumptions are consistent with the NMPNS Environmental Report (ER) (NMPNS 2004). For

the new nuclear alternative, the staff assumed construction of two1000-MW(e) plants. This

assumption will overstate the environmental impacts of replacing the 1759-MW(e) from NMP by |

roughly 13.5 percent.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

(a) Heat rate is a measure of generating station thermal efficiency. In English units, it is generally expressed in

British Thermal Units (BTUs) per net kilowatt-hour (kWh). It is computed by dividing the total BTU content of the

fuel burned for electric generation by the resulting kWh generation. The corresponding metric unit for energy is

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-8 May 2006

8.2.1 Coal-Fired Generation

The staff believes that the Nine Mile Point site would not be a viable location for a

representative coal-fired plant. Considerations pertinent to this determination include the fact

| that undeveloped parts of the site amount to only approximately 202 ha (500 ac), substantially

less than the estimated 300 ha (740 ac) required, and configuration of the site property does not

lend itself to efficient arrangement of associated facilities. Use of the site would necessitate

offsite disposal of combustion waste. In addition, an essential buffer with respect to surrounding

| areas, including the Ontario Bible Conference Camp immediately west, would be jeopardized. 

Finally, the numerous wetlands on the site would be eliminated, and similar elimination of

wetlands would likely occur from disposal of ash on adjacent land if it could be acquired. 

Therefore, the staff assumes that the representative coal-fired plant would be located at a

greenfield site in upstate New York.

Development of the representative coal-fired plant would require approximately 300 ha (740 ac),

of which up to approximately 226 ha (560 ac) would be used for flyash waste disposal,

assuming a 40-year plant life. Additional land would be necessary to allow for onsite and

peripheral buffers; the NRC estimates that 688 ha (1700 ac) would be required for a

1000-MW(e) plant. Depending on the specific location of the plant, additional land could be

required for offsite infrastructure, in particular transmission lines to connect the plant to the grid

and facilities for coal and limestone delivery, most likely including a rail spur and possibly some

upgrades to existing or recently abandoned rail lines. Construction of a barge terminal could

also be a reasonable option for a plant located on Lake Ontario.

Consistent with NMPNS's ER (NMPNS 2004), the staff assumes construction of three

| 600-MW(e) units, for a combined capacity of 1800 MW(e), as potential replacements for NMP. 

The assumption of 1800 MW(e) is slightly more generating capacity than Nine Mile Point's

capacity of 1759 MW(e), but the staff concludes that the differences are not significant and

would not change the standard of significance (SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) of any

impacts. 

Unless otherwise indicated, the assumptions and numerical values used in Section 8.2.1 are

from the NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004). The staff reviewed this information and compared it to

environmental impact information in the GEIS. Although the OL renewal period is only 20 years,

the impact of operating the coal-fired alternative for 40 years is considered (as a reasonable

projection of the operating life of a coal-fired plant).

The coal-fired plant would consume approximately 4.63 million metric tons (MT) (5.11 million

tons) per year of pulverized bituminous coal with an ash content of approximately seven percent

(NMPNS 2004). NMPNS assumes a heat rate(a) of 9.6 MJ/kWh (9100 BTU/kWh) and a capacity
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

the joule (J).

(a) The capacity factor is the ratio of electricity generated, for the period of time considered, to the energy that could

have been generated at continuous full-power operation during the same period.

May 2006 8-9 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

factor(a) of 0.85 in its ER (NMPNS 2004). After combustion, 99.9 percent of the ash would be

collected and disposed of at the plant site. In addition, approximately 292,000 MT (322,000

tons) of scrubber sludge would be disposed of at the plant site based on annual limestone

usage of approximately 181,400 MT (200,000 tons). Limestone is used in the scrubbing

process for control of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.

For purposes of this section, the staff assumed that a coal-fired plant located at an alternate site

would use a closed-cycle cooling system. The overall impacts of the coal-fired generating

system are discussed in the following sections and summarized in Table 8-2. The extent of

impacts at an alternate greenfield site will depend on the location of the particular site selected.

C Land Use

Land use impacts from development of the plant at a greenfield site are conjectural. However,

the staff assumes that the location and design of the facilities would be subject to substantial

regulatory scrutiny and that a reasonable potential exists that disposal areas eventually could

be restored and developed for compatible uses that would not affect landfill integrity (e.g.,

recreation). Under these assumptions, the staff expects that land use impacts would be clearly

noticeable, but would not affect essential land use characteristics in the vicinity of the plant. 

Depending particularly on transmission line and rail line routing, this alternative would result in

MODERATE to LARGE land-use impacts. 

C Ecology

Potential impact on ecological resources from construction and operation of the representative

coal-fired plant are highly site-specific. However, as much as 300 ha (740 ac) of terrestrial

habitat could be displaced by the plant and onsite flyash waste disposal site, and additional

terrestrial habitat could be adversely affected from development of offsite infrastructure (e.g.,

transmission line connection, rail spur construction). 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-10 May 2006

Table 8-2. Summary of Environmental Impacts of Coal-Fired Generation at an

Alternate Site Using Closed-Cycle Cooling

Impact

Category

Impact at

Alternate Site Comments

Land Use MODERATE to

LARGE

Uses approximately 300 ha (740 ac) for roads, parking areas, office

buildings, cooling system, and transmission line. There would be

additional land impacts for coal and limestone mining. The total impact

would depend on whether the alternate site has been previously disturbed

or has existing infrastructure.

Ecology SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts depend on whether the site has been previously disturbed. 

Factors to consider include location and ecology of the site, transmission

line route, and rail spur route. In total, impacts could include habitat

degradation, fragmentation, or loss as a result of construction activities and

conversion of land to industrial use. Ecological communities might

experience reduced productivity and biological diversity from disturbing

previously intact land.

Water Use and

Quality—

Surface Water

SMALL Impact will depend on the volume of water withdrawn and discharged and

the characteristics of the surface water body.

Water Use and

Quality—

Groundwater

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impact will depend on the volume of water withdrawn and discharged and

the characteristics of the aquifers.

| Air Quality MODERATE Sulfur oxides: 4934 MT/yr (5440 tons/yr). National and regional impacts

would be minimal because of emissions offsets through the SO2 trading

program. 

Nitrogen oxides: 1161 MT/yr (1280 tons/yr).

Particulates: 37 MT/yr (41 tons/yr) of PM10 (particulate matter having an

aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 microns).

Carbon monoxide: 1161 MT/yr (1280 tons/yr).

Small amounts of mercury, other hazardous air pollutants, and naturally

occurring radioactive materials—mainly uranium and thorium.

Waste MODERATE Total waste volume would be approximately 621,000 MT/yr

(685,000 tons/yr) of ash and scrubber sludge requiring approximately

226 ha (560 ac) for disposal during the 40-year life of the plant.

Human Health SMALL Impacts are uncertain, but considered SMALL in the absence of more

quantitative data.

Socioeconomics SMALL to

LARGE

Construction impacts depend on location, but could be LARGE if plant is

located in an area that is more rural than the Nine Mile Point site. Oswego

County would experience loss of tax base and employment, potentially

offset by projected economic growth.

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

SMALL to

LARGE

Transportation impacts associated with construction workers could be

MODERATE to LARGE. Transportation impacts related to commuting of

plant operating personnel would also be site-dependent, but can be

characterized as SMALL to MODERATE. For rail transportation of coal

and lime, the impact is considered MODERATE to LARGE. For barge

transportation, the impact is considered SMALL.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact

Category

Impact at

Alternate Site Comments

May 2006 8-11 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Aesthetics SMALL to

LARGE

Impacts could include visual impairment, development of new transmission

lines, and infrastructure for delivery of coal and limestone. The severity of

impacts is highly dependent on location but could be reduced by locating

the plant in an industrial area. 

Historic and

Archaeological

Resources

SMALL Alternate location would necessitate cultural resource studies.

Environmental

Justice

SMALL to

LARGE

Impacts will vary depending on population distribution and makeup at the

site. 

Impact to aquatic communities as a result of construction could include some permanent

alteration of habitat, particularly in the event a barge terminal would be developed for delivery of

coal and limestone. Fish and benthic communities would be initially disrupted, but would be

expected to reestablish with accompanying localized changes in species composition and

distribution in response to changes in bottom substrate availability, water depth, and other

factors. Potential for some adverse impact on aquatic communities would persist through the

operational period as a result of large-boat traffic, periodic maintenance dredging, and potential

for spills of coal, petroleum products, or other materials. However, construction and

maintenance dredging would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of applicable

permits from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the New York State

Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Similarly, spill prevention measures

would be in effect during the operational period. 

Operation of the cooling-water system for the plant is also a potential source of impact to

aquatic communities. However, the system would be designed and operated in compliance with

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act [CWA]), including

State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) limitations for physical and chemical

parameters of potential concern and provisions of CWA Sections 316(a) and 316(b), which are

respectively established to ensure appropriate protection of aquatic communities from thermal

discharges and cooling-water intakes. The cooling-water intake and discharge flows would be

comparable to or less than that of Nine Mile Point, from which the impact is considered to be

SMALL. 

Given this information, the staff concludes that development of the representative coal-fired

plant at a greenfield site in upstate New York would have a SMALL to MODERATE impact on

ecological communities. 

C Water Use and Quality—Surface Water

Construction phase impacts on water quality of greatest potential concern at a greenfield site

include (1) erosion and sedimentation associated with land-clearing operations, and (2)

suspension of bottom sediments during construction of cooling-water intake and discharge

structures, and from construction of barge delivery facilities in the event that option is chosen. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-12 May 2006

However, land-clearing activities subject to storm water protections in accordance with the

SPDES program and work in waterways would be regulated by the USACE under the CWA

Section 404 and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, by the NYSDEC via permits,

and by the New York Department of State under the State's Coastal Zone Management

program (if located within the coastal zone). In addition, these adverse effects would be

localized and temporary. The staff concludes that impacts on surface water quality associated

with construction of the representative plant would be SMALL. 

Potential impacts on water quality and use associated with operation of the representative plant

would be to some extent site-specific. Cooling water and other wastewater discharges would be

regulated by a SPDES permit, regardless of location. Cooling-water intake and discharge flows

for the representative coal-fired plant, assumed to use a closed-cycle cooling system, would be

substantially lower than those for Nine Mile Point Unit 1, which uses a once-through cooling

system that results in SMALL impacts. Therefore, a representative plant located at a site

comparable to Nine Mile Point on Lake Ontario would be expected to also result in SMALL

impacts. The staff concludes that the impacts of surface water use and quality from operation

of a representative plant located at a greenfield site would be SMALL. 

C Water Use and Quality—Groundwater

Use of groundwater for a coal-fired plant at an alternate site is possible. Groundwater

withdrawal could require a permit. Overall, the impact to groundwater at an alternate site is

considered SMALL to MODERATE, and would depend on the volume of water withdrawn and

discharged, and the characteristics of the aquifers.

C Air Quality

The air-quality impacts of coal-fired generation vary considerably from those of nuclear

generation due to emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulates, carbon

monoxide, hazardous air pollutants such as mercury, and naturally occurring radioactive

materials.

Oswego County is designated as unclassifiable or in attainment for all criteria pollutants. The

nearest area of non-attainment is Jefferson County, which is classified as marginal for ozone. 

Onondaga County, where Syracuse is located, is a maintenance area for carbon monoxide and

classified as moderate, i.e., less than or equal to 12.7 parts per million. 

A new coal-fired generating plant located in upstate New York would likely need a prevention of

significant deterioration (PSD) permit and an operating permit under the Clean Air Act. The

plant would need to comply with the new source performance standards for such plants set forth

in 40 CFR 60 Subpart D(a). The standards establish limits for particulate matter and opacity (40

CFR 60.42[a]), SO2 (40 CFR 60.43[a]), and NOx | (40 CFR 60.44[a]). The facility would be

| designed to meet best available control technology or lowest achievable emissions rate

standards, as applicable, for control of criteria pollutants. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-13 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has various regulatory requirements for

visibility protection in 40 CFR 51, Subpart P, including a specific requirement for review of any

new major stationary source in an area designated as in attainment or unclassified under the

Clean Air Act. 

Section 169A of the Clean Air Act (42 USC 7491) establishes a national goal of preventing

future and remedying existing impairment of visibility in mandatory Class I Federal areas when

impairment results from man-made air pollution. The EPA issued a new regional haze rule in

1999 (EPA 1999). The rule specifies that for each mandatory Class I Federal area located

within a state, the State must establish goals that provide for reasonable progress towards

achieving natural visibility conditions. The reasonable progress goals must provide for an

improvement in visibility for the most-impaired days over the period of the implementation plan

and ensure no degradation in visibility for the least-impaired days over the same period [40 CFR

51.308(d)(1)]. If a coal-fired power plant were located close to a mandatory Class I area,

additional air pollution control requirements could be imposed. It is assumed that an alternate

site would not be chosen near a mandatory Class I area. 

In 1998, the EPA issued a rule requiring 22 eastern states, including New York, to revise their

state implementation plans to reduce NOx emissions. NOx emissions contribute to violations of

the national ambient air quality standard for ozone. The total amount of NOx that can be emitted

by each of the 22 states in the year 2007 ozone season (May 1 to September 30) is set out at

40 CFR 51.121(e). For New York, the amount is 172,660 MT (190,360 tons).

Impacts for particular pollutants are as follows:

Sulfur oxides emissions. A new coal-fired power plant would be subject to the requirements

in Title IV of the Clean Air Act. Title IV was enacted to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx, the

two principal precursors of acid rain, by restricting emissions of these pollutants from power

plants. Title IV caps aggregate annual power plant SO2 emissions and imposes controls on SO2

emissions through a system of marketable allowances. The EPA issues one allowance for each

ton of SO2 that a unit is allowed to emit. New units do not receive allowances, but are required

to have allowances to cover their SO2 emissions. Owners of new units must therefore acquire

allowances from owners of other power plants by purchase or reduce SO2 emissions at other

power plants they own. Allowances can be banked for use in future years. Thus, a new

coal-fired power plant would not add to net regional SO2 emissions, although it might do so

locally. Regardless, SO2 emissions would be greater for the coal alternative than the OL

renewal alternative, because a nuclear power plant releases almost no SO2 during normal

operations.

Constellation Energy estimates that by using the best available control technology to minimize

SOx emissions, the total annual stack emissions would be approximately 4934 MT (5440 tons)

of SOx (NMPNS 2004).
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-14 May 2006

Nitrogen oxides emissions. Section 407 of the Clean Air Act establishes technology-based

emission limitations for NOx emissions. The market-based allowance system used for SO2

emissions is not used for NOx emissions. A new coal-fired power plant would be subject to the

new source performance standards for such plants at 40 CFR 60.44a(d)(1). This regulation,

issued on September 16, 1998 (EPA 1998), limits the discharge of any gases that contain NOx

(expressed as NO2) in excess of 200 nanograms per joule (ng/J) of gross energy output (1.6

pound per megawatt-hour [lb/MWh]), based on a 30-day rolling average.

Constellation Energy estimates that by using NOx burners with overfire air and selective

catalytic reduction (SCR), the total annual NOx emissions for a new coal-fired power plant would

be approximately 1161 MT (1280 tons). Regardless of the control technology, this level of NOx

emissions would be greater than the OL renewal alternative, because a nuclear power plant

releases almost no NOx during normal operations. 

Particulate emissions. Constellation Energy estimates that the total annual stack emissions

would include 37 MT (41 tons) PM10 | (particulate matter having an aerodynamic diameter less

than or equal to ten microns). Fabric filters or electrostatic precipitators would be used for

control. In addition, coal-handling equipment would introduce fugitive particulate emissions. 

Particulate emissions would be greater under the coal alternative than the OL renewal

alternative since a nuclear plant releases few particles during normal operations.

During the construction of a coal-fired plant, fugitive dust would be generated. In addition,

exhaust emissions would come from vehicles and motorized equipment used during the

construction process.

Carbon monoxide emissions. Constellation Energy estimates that the total carbon monoxide

emissions would be approximately 1161 MT (1280 tons) per year. This level of emissions would

be greater than the OL renewal alternative.

Hazardous air pollutants including mercury. In December 2000, the EPA issued regulatory

findings on emissions of hazardous air pollutants from electric utility steam-generating units

(EPA 2000b). The EPA determined that coal- and oil-fired electric utility steam-generating units

are significant emitters of hazardous air pollutants. Coal-fired power plants were found by the

EPA to emit arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, dioxins, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen

fluoride, lead, manganese, and mercury (EPA 2000b). The EPA concluded that mercury is the

hazardous air pollutant of greatest concern. The EPA found that (1) there is a link between coal

consumption and mercury emissions; (2) electric utility steam-generating units are the largest

domestic source of mercury emissions; and (3) certain segments of the U.S. population (e.g.,

the developing fetus and subsistence fish-eating populations) are believed to be at potential risk

of adverse health effects due to mercury exposures resulting from consumption of contaminated

fish (EPA 2000b). Accordingly, the EPA added coal- and oil-fired electric utility

steam-generating units to the list of source categories under Section 112(c) of the Clean Air Act

for which emission standards for hazardous air pollutants will be issued (EPA 2000b).
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-15 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Uranium and thorium. Coal contains uranium and thorium. Uranium concentrations are

generally in the range of one to ten parts per million. Thorium concentrations are generally

about 2.5 times greater than uranium concentrations (Gabbard 1993). One estimate is that a

typical coal-fired plant released roughly 4.7 MT (5.2 tons) of uranium and 11.6 MT (12.8 tons) of

thorium in 1982 (Gabbard 1993). The population dose equivalent from the uranium and thorium

releases and daughter products produced by the decay of these isotopes has been calculated

to be significantly higher than that from nuclear power plants (Gabbard 1993).

Carbon dioxide. A coal-fired plant would also have unregulated carbon dioxide emissions that

could contribute to global warming. The level of emissions from a coal-fired plant would be

greater than the OL renewal alternative.

Summary. The GEIS analysis did not quantify emissions from coal-fired power plants, but

implied that air impacts would be substantial. The GEIS also mentioned global warming from

unregulated carbon dioxide emissions and acid rain from SOx and NOx emissions as potential

impacts (NRC 1996). Adverse human health effects, such as cancer and emphysema, have

been associated with the products of coal combustion. 

The staff concludes that the overall impact on air quality from a coal-fired plant, located at a

greenfield site in upstate New York, would be MODERATE. The impacts would be clearly

noticeable, but would not destabilize air quality.

C Waste

Coal combustion generates waste in the form of ash, and equipment for controlling air pollution

generates additional ash and scrubber sludge. The representative coal-fired plant would

generate approximately 621,000 MT (685,000 tons) of this waste annually for 40 years. The

waste would be disposed of onsite, accounting for approximately 226 ha (560 ac) of land area

over the 40-year plant life. Waste impacts to groundwater and surface water could extend

beyond the operating life of the plant if leachate and runoff from the waste storage area occur. 

Disposal of the waste could noticeably affect land use and groundwater quality, but with

appropriate management and monitoring, it would not destabilize any resources. After closure

of the waste site and revegetation, the land could be available for other uses. Debris would be

generated during construction activities.

In May 2000 the EPA issued a "Notice of Regulatory Determination on Wastes From the

Combustion of Fossil Fuels" (EPA 2000a). The EPA concluded that some form of national

regulation is warranted to address coal combustion waste products because: (1) the

composition of these wastes could present danger to human health and the environment under

certain conditions; (2) the EPA has identified 11 documented cases of proven damages to

human health and the environment by improper management of these wastes in landfills and

surface impoundments; (3) present disposal practices are such that, in 1995, these wastes were

being managed in 40 percent to 70 percent of landfills and surface impoundments without

reasonable controls in place, particularly in the area of groundwater monitoring; and (4) the EPA
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-16 May 2006

identified gaps in state oversight of coal combustion wastes. Accordingly, the EPA announced

its intention to issue regulations for disposal of coal combustion waste under subtitle D of the

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

For all of the preceding reasons, the appropriate characterization of impacts from waste

generated from burning coal is MODERATE; the impacts would be clearly noticeable, but would

not destabilize any important resource.

C Human Health

Coal-fired power generation introduces worker risks from fuel and limestone mining, from fuel

and lime/limestone transportation, and from disposal of coal combustion waste. In addition

there are public risks from inhalation of stack emissions. Emission impacts can be widespread

and health risks difficult to quantify. The coal alternative also introduces the risk of coal-pile

fires and attendant inhalation risks.

In the GEIS, the staff stated that there could be human health impacts (cancer and emphysema)

from inhalation of toxins and particulates, but it did not identify the significance of these impacts

(NRC 1996). In addition, the discharges of uranium and thorium from coal-fired plants can

potentially produce radiological doses in excess of those arising from nuclear power plant

operations (Gabbard 1993). 

Regulatory agencies, including the EPA and State agencies, set air emission standards and

requirements based on human health impacts. These agencies also impose site-specific

emission limits as needed to protect human health. As discussed previously, the EPA has

recently concluded that certain segments of the U.S. population (e.g., the developing fetus and

subsistence fish-eating populations) are believed to be at potential risk of adverse health effects

due to mercury exposures from sources such as coal-fired power plants. However, in the

absence of more quantitative data, human health impacts from radiological doses and inhaling

toxins and particulates generated by burning coal are characterized as SMALL.

C Socioeconomics

As stated in the NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004), it is assumed that the representative coal-fired

alternative would be constructed at a greenfield site as two projects timed to coincide with

expiration dates of the Nine Mile Point licenses. It is estimated that a one-unit project, due for

completion in 2009, would be constructed in approximately three years and the two-unit project,

assumed to be completed in 2026, would be constructed in approximately four years. The work

force would be expected to vary between 1750 and 3000 workers during the construction period

(NMPNS 2004). 

Potential impacts from construction of the coal-fired alternative at a greenfield site would be

highly location-dependent. As the NRC notes in the GEIS, socioeconomic impacts are

expected to be larger at a rural site than at an urban site, because more of the peak
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-17 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

construction work force would need to move to the area to work. Not considering impacts of

terminating Nine Mile Point operations, socioeconomic impacts at a remote rural site could be

LARGE, while impacts at a site in the vicinity of a more populated metropolitan area (e.g. 

Syracuse), could be SMALL to MODERATE. Communities in Oswego County in particular

would experience losses in both employment and tax revenues due to the Nine Mile Point

closure, assuming the plant is constructed outside the area. This impact could be MODERATE

to LARGE.

Overall, the socioeconomic impacts of a coal-fired plant at an alternate greenfield site would be

SMALL to LARGE depending on the alternate site location. 

C Socioeconomics (Transportation)

Transportation-related impacts associated with commuting construction workers at an alternate

greenfield site are site-dependent, but could be MODERATE to LARGE. Transportation

impacts related to commuting of plant personnel would also be site-dependent, but can be

characterized as SMALL to MODERATE.

At an alternate greenfield site, coal and lime would likely be delivered by rail or barge. 

Transportation impacts would depend upon the site location. For rail transportation of coal and

lime, the impact is considered MODERATE to LARGE. For barge transportation, the impact is

considered SMALL.

C Aesthetics

Potential aesthetic impacts of construction and operation of the representative coal-fired plant at

an alternate greenfield site include visual impairment resulting from the presence of a large

industrial facility including the following: a building housing the boilers; turbine generators;

emission control equipment; 152-m (500-ft) high stacks; fuel, limestone, and

waste-receiving/handling and storage facilities; stormwater runoff control basins; and

mechanical-draft cooling towers, approximately 30 m (100 ft) high. The stacks and condensate

plumes from the mechanical-draft cooling towers could be visible some distance from the plant. 

There would be a significant, negative aesthetic impact associated with construction of a new

transmission line to connect to other lines to enable delivery of electricity to the area. Noise and

light from the plant would be detectable offsite. Aesthetic impacts at the plant site would be

mitigated if the plant were located in an industrial area adjacent to other power plants. Noise

impacts from a rail spur, if required, would be most significant for residents living in the vicinity

of the facility and along the rail route. Although noise from passing trains significantly raises

noise levels near the rail corridor, the short duration of the noise ensures that the impact would

be SMALL. 

These impacts are highly site-specific. Therefore, the staff concludes that aesthetic impacts

associated with development and operation of a coal-fired plant at an alternate site could range

from SMALL to LARGE, depending on location. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-18 May 2006

C Historic and Archaeological Resources

Before construction at an alternate greenfield site, studies would likely be needed to identify,

evaluate, and address mitigation of the potential impacts of new plant construction on cultural

resources. The studies would likely be needed for all areas of potential disturbance at the

proposed plant site and along associated corridors where new construction would occur (e.g.,

roads, transmission corridors, rail lines, or other rights-of-way). Historic and archaeological

resource impacts can generally be effectively managed and, as such, are considered SMALL.

C Environmental Justice

Environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations associated with a replacement

coal-fired plant built at an alternate site in New York state would depend upon the site chosen

and the nearby population distribution. Some impacts on housing availability and prices during

construction might occur, and this could disproportionately affect minority and low-income

populations. Closure of Nine Mile Point would result in the loss of approximately 1280 operating

jobs. Resulting economic conditions could reduce employment prospects for minority or

low-income populations. Overall, the impacts could vary between SMALL and LARGE.

Coal-fired generation would introduce mechanical sources of noise, including noise both from

plant operation and from rail delivery of coal and limestone. The noise sources are both

continuous and intermittent. Continuous sources include the mechanical equipment associated

with normal plant operations. Intermittent sources include the equipment related to coal

handling, solid-waste disposal, transportation related to coal and limestone delivery, use of

outside loudspeakers, and the commuting of plant employees. At an alternate site, these noise

impacts would be SMALL to LARGE, depending on the site. 

8.2.2 Natural Gas-Fired Generation

The environmental impacts of the natural gas-fired alternative are examined in this section.

Unless otherwise indicated, the assumptions and numerical values used in Section 8.2.2 are

from the NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004). The staff reviewed this information and compared it to

environmental impact information in the GEIS. Although the OL renewal period is only 20 years,

| the impact of operating the natural gas-fired alternative for 40 years is considered (as a

reasonable projection of the operating life of a natural gas-fired plant).

The staff assumed that a replacement natural gas-fired plant would use combined-cycle

technology (NMPNS 2004). In a combined-cycle unit, hot combustion gases in a combustion

turbine rotate the turbine to generate electricity. Waste-combustion heat from the combustion

turbine is routed through a heat-recovery boiler to make steam to generate additional electricity.

For operation of a natural gas-fired facility at the existing Nine Mile Point site, an additional

40 km (25 mi) of pipeline for gas supply would need to be constructed. Offsite infrastructure

needed to locate the plant at an alternate greenfield site is conjectural, but could reasonably
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-19 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

include a natural gas supply pipeline, transmission line, and makeup water and discharge

pipelines. The extent to which such infrastructure would be required is location specific;

however, such needs would be considered in siting the facility and would be subject to

regulatory scrutiny under Articles VII and X of New York's Public Service Law or comparable

process (NMPNS 2004). 

The natural gas-fired alternative is analyzed for both the existing Nine Mile Point site and for an

unnamed alternate greenfield site. Siting a new natural gas-fired plant at the site of an existing

nuclear plant would reduce environmental impacts by allowing the new facility to take advantage

of existing infrastructure at the Nine Mile Point site, including transmission facilities, roads,

parking areas, office buildings, and the existing cooling system (to the extent needed). 

Approximately 45 ha (110 ac) would be required to locate the natural gas-fired plant at an |

alternative greenfield site. Although the staff considered an unnamed alternate site, it is unlikely

that it would be beneficial to place a new natural gas-fired facility at an alternate site based

purely on environmental considerations. 

The staff assumed that construction of the natural gas-fired units would be implemented as two

projects timed to coincide with expiration dates of the Nine Mile Point OLs. Consistent with the

NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004), the staff assumed a combined-cycle natural gas facility based on

three 540-MW combined-cycle units, for a total facility size of 1620 MW (NMPNS 2004). This

assumption understates the environmental impacts of replacing the 1759-MW from NMP. As a

rough estimate, if a natural gas-fired plant of exactly 1759 MW were to be built, any numerical |

impacts in this section, for example, quantities of air pollutants, might simply be adjusted

upward accordingly. However, given these adjustments, the staff has determined that the

differences in impacts between 1620 MW and 1759 MW of natural gas-fired generation would

not be significant and would not change the standard of significance (SMALL, MODERATE, or

LARGE) of any impacts. 

The staff assumed that the plant would use closed-cycle cooling using mechanical-draft cooling

towers, which are assumed to range in height from approximately 11 m (37 ft) to 18 m (60 ft). In

Section 8.2.2.2, the staff also evaluated the impacts of using the existing open-cycle cooling

system at Nine Mile Point. 

8.2.2.1 Closed-Cycle Cooling System

The overall impacts of the natural gas-generating system are discussed in the following sections

and summarized in Table 8-3. The extent of impacts at an alternate greenfield site will depend

on the location of the particular site selected.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-20 May 2006

Table 8-3. Summary of Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas-Fired

Generation at the Nine Mile Point Site and an Alternate Site Using

Closed-Cycle Cooling

Impact Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Category Impact Comment Impact Comment

Land Use SMALL to

MODERATE

The natural gas-fired alternative

would use undeveloped portions

of the Nine Mile Point site. It

would require upwards of 45 ha

(110 ac) for power block, offices,

roads, and parking areas. It

would use existing infrastructure,

minimizing new land

requirements. There would be

additional land impacts for

construction of an underground

gas pipeline. 

SMALL to

LARGE

Land-use requirements would

be larger at the alternate site

than at the Nine Mile Point site

because of the need for

infrastructure such as

transmission facilities, roads,

parking areas, office buildings,

and cooling system. The total

impact would depend on

whether the alternate site is

previously disturbed. 

Ecology SMALL The natural gas-fired alternative

would result in the displacement

of up to approximately 36 ha (90

ac) of natural vegetation,

consisting primarily of forest with

some advanced shrub land

formerly in agricultural use. 

Some wetland habitats within

this area (estimated to be 1.2 to

2.0 ha [3 to 5 ac]) could also be

lost, and require mitigation.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts would depend on

whether the alternate site is

previously disturbed. Factors to

consider include location and

ecology of site and

transmission line route. In total,

impacts could include habitat

degradation, fragmentation, or

loss as a result of construction

activities and conversion of land

to industrial use. Ecological

communities might experience

reduced productivity and

biological diversity from

disturbing previously intact

land.

Water Use

and

Quality—

Surface

Water

SMALL Combined-cycle units have

lower water requirements than

nuclear and coal-fired power

plants. The natural gas-fired

alternative would use

closed-cycle cooling system to

the degree necessary. 

SMALL to

MODERATE

Combined-cycle units have

lower water requirements than

nuclear and coal-fired power

plants. The natural gas-fired

alternative would use

closed-cycle cooling system to

the degree necessary. Total

impacts would depend on the

volume of water withdrawal, the

constituents of the discharge

water, the characteristics of

surface water, and the new

intake structures required.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Category Impact Comment Impact Comment

May 2006 8-21 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Water Use

and

Quality—

Groundwater

SMALL Nine Mile Point uses little

groundwater.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impact depends on volume of

water withdrawal.

Air Quality MODERATE Sulfur oxides: 91 MT/yr 

(100 tons/yr)

Nitrogen oxides: 291 MT/yr 

(321 tons/yr)

Carbon monoxide: 177 MT/yr

(195 tons/yr)

PM10 particulates: 336 MT/yr

(371 tons/yr)

Other: (1) hazardous air

pollutants, including arsenic,

formaldehyde, and nickel and (2)

carbon dioxide emissions, which

contribute to global warming.

MODERATE The impacts at an unnamed

alternate site would be the

same as those for the Nine Mile

Point site. 

Waste SMALL Minimal waste product from fuel

combination.

SMALL The impacts at an unnamed

alternate site would be the

same as those for the Nine Mile

Point site.

Human

Health

SMALL Impacts are considered to be

minor.

SMALL The impacts at an unnamed

alternate site would be the

same as those for the Nine Mile

Point site.

SocioeconomicsMODERATE During construction, impacts

would be MODERATE. Up to

1200 additional workers would

be required during the peak of

the two-year construction period,

followed by reduction from

current NMP workforce of 1280

to 50. Impacts during operation

would be MODERATE.

MODERATE

to LARGE

During construction, impacts

would be MODERATE to

LARGE. Up to 1200 additional

workers would be required

during the peak of the two-year

construction period. Oswego

County would experience loss

of tax base and employment. 

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

MODERATE Transportation impacts

associated with construction

workers would be MODERATE.

MODERATE Transportation impacts

associated with construction

workers would be MODERATE.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Category Impact Comment Impact Comment

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-22 May 2006

Aesthetics SMALL The natural gas-fired plant

represents an incremental

addition to the existing plant with

similar characteristics.

MODERATE

to LARGE

The structures and operation

would be similar to the Nine

Mile Point site, but the

significance of impacts would

depend on the characteristics of

the alternate site. The natural

gas-fired alternative at an

alternate site could require

transmission lines, with

attendant aesthetic impacts.

Historic

and

Archaeological

Resources

SMALL Any potential impacts can likely

be effectively managed.

SMALL Same as Nine Mile Point; any

potential impacts can likely be

effectively managed.

Environmental

Justice

SMALL to

MODERATE

No environmental pathways or

locations have been identified

that would result in

disproportionately high and

adverse environmental impacts

on minority and low-income

populations. Impacts on

minority and low-income

communities should be similar to

those experienced by the

population as a whole.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts would vary depending

on population distribution and

characteristics at the new site.

C Land Use

For siting at Nine Mile Point, existing facilities and infrastructure would be used to the extent

practicable, limiting the amount of new construction that would be required. Specifically, the

staff assumed that the natural gas-fired replacement plant alternative would make use of

transmission facilities, roads, parking areas, office buildings, and the existing cooling system (to

the extent needed). The GEIS assumes that approximately 45 ha (110 ac) would be needed for

a 1000-MW natural gas facility (NRC 1996). Scaling up for the 1600-MW facility considered by

NMPNS would indicate a proportionally larger land requirement. Operation of a new

combined-cycle facility at the Nine Mile Point site would require the construction of

approximately 40 km (25 mi) of pipeline. It is estimated that this pipeline would require

approximately 93 ha (230 ac) for an easement. The likely route for the pipeline would be the

existing route from the Empire Pipeline to the Independence Station or the transmission line

corridor that extends southward from the site to within three miles of Phoenix, New York. The

onsite facilities would represent expansion of an existing industrial land use, and NMPNS

expects there would be little or no adverse impact on land uses adjacent to the site. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-23 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

For construction at an alternate site, the full land requirement of 45 ha (110 ac) for a natural

gas-fired facility would be necessary because no existing infrastructure would be available. 

Additional land could be impacted by construction of a transmission line and natural gas

pipelines to serve the plant. The gas line requirements at an alternate site would depend on the

characteristics and location of the alternate site. 

Regardless of where the natural gas-fired plant is built, additional land would be required for

natural gas wells and collection stations. Partially offsetting these offsite land requirements

would be the elimination of the need for uranium mining to supply fuel for NMP. In the GEIS |

(NRC 1996), the staff estimated that approximately 400 ha (1000 ac) would be affected for

mining the uranium and processing it during the operating life of a nuclear power plant.

Overall, the land-use impacts of constructing the natural gas-fired alternative at the Nine Mile

Point site are considered SMALL to MODERATE. The land-use impacts of siting the natural

gas-fired alternative at an alternate site would depend on the chosen site, but are characterized

as SMALL to LARGE. 

C Ecology

NMPNS expects that development of the natural gas-fired alternative plant at the Nine Mile

Point site would result in the displacement of up to approximately 36 ha (90 ac) of natural

vegetation, consisting primarily of forest with some advanced shrub land formerly in agricultural

use. Some wetland habitats within this area (estimated to be 1.2 to 2.0 ha [3 to 5 ac]) could

also be lost, and require mitigation. To accommodate a natural gas-fired plant at the Nine Mile

Point site, a 40-km (25-mi) gas supply line would need to be constructed, which, assuming a

construction right-of-way of 22 m (75 ft), could disrupt up to 93 ha (230 ac) of terrestrial habitat. 

However, the permanent right-of-way would be reduced to 15 m (50 ft) and is assumed to be

located on or near an existing transmission or pipeline corridor for most of its length. Ecological

impacts to the plant site and utility easements could include impacts on threatened or

endangered species, wildlife habitat loss and reduced productivity, habitat fragmentation, and a

local reduction in biological diversity. 

The most significant potential impacts to aquatic communities relate to operation of the coolingwater system. However, the cooling-water intake and discharge flows for the natural gas-fired

plant would be less than currently used by Nine Mile Point.

Considering the quantity and quality of habitat permanently displaced by the plant, mitigation

available to replace wetland values lost, and assumed environmental protections that would be

afforded in routing the natural gas pipeline, the staff concludes that development of the natural

gas-fired plant at the Nine Mile Point site would have little noticeable impact on ecological

resources of the area, and impacts, therefore, would be SMALL.

Impact on ecological resources from construction and operation of the representative natural

gas-fired plant and associated offsite infrastructure at a greenfield site is conjectural. However,
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-24 May 2006

ecological resources throughout much of the area would be similar to those for the Nine Mile

Point site alternative. The staff concludes that the associated impact on ecological resources

would be SMALL to MODERATE.

C Water Use and Quality—Surface Water

Overall, water requirements for combined-cycle generation are much less than for conventional

generators such as nuclear-fired generators and coal-fired generators. The natural-gas fired

alternative at the existing site or at an alternate site would use a closed-cycle cooling system

with cooling towers. Plant discharges would consist mostly of cooling tower blowdown

characterized primarily by increased temperature, increased concentration of dissolved solids

relative to the receiving body of water, and intermittent low concentrations of biocides (e.g.,

chlorine). Treated process waste streams and sanitary wastewater may also be discharged. All

discharges would be regulated by NYSDEC through an SPDES permit. Some erosion and

sedimentation probably would occur during construction (NRC 1996). Water-quality impacts

from sedimentation during construction were characterized in the GEIS as SMALL. The staff

also noted in the GEIS that operational water quality impacts would be similar to, or less than,

those from other generating technologies.

A natural gas-fired plant at an alternate greenfield site is assumed to use a closed-cycle cooling

system with cooling towers. The staff assumed that surface water would be used for cooling

makeup water and discharge. Intake and discharge would involve relatively small quantities of

water compared to the coal alternative. The impact on the surface water would depend on the

volume of water needed for makeup water, the discharge volume, and the characteristics of the

receiving body of water. Intake from and discharge to any surface body of water would be

regulated by the State of New York. The impacts would be SMALL to MODERATE.

C Water Use and Quality—Groundwater

Use of groundwater at the Nine Mile Point site is unlikely, but is possible for a natural gas-fired

plant at an alternate site. Any groundwater withdrawal would require a permit from the local

permitting authority. Overall, impacts to groundwater use and quality of a new natural gas-fired

plant with a closed-cycle cooling system at the Nine Mile Point site are considered SMALL, and

the impacts to groundwater use and quality of such a plant at an alternate site are considered

SMALL to MODERATE, depending on the volume of groundwater withdrawn.

C Air Quality

Natural gas is a relatively clean-burning fuel. The natural gas-fired alternative would release

similar types of emissions, but in lesser quantities than the coal-fired alternative. Hence, it

would be subject to the same type of air quality regulations as a coal-fired plant, discussed in

Section 8.2.1. The greatest concerns from combined-cycle facilities are the emissions of NOx,

VOCs, and other ozone precursors.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-25 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

NMPNS projects the following emissions for the natural gas-fired alterative (NMPNS 2004):

C Sulfur oxides: 91 MT/yr (100 tons/yr)

C Nitrogen oxides: 291 MT/yr (321 tons/yr)

C Carbon monoxide: 177 MT/yr (195 tons/yr)

C PM10 particulates: 336 MT/yr (371 tons/yr)

A natural gas-fired plant would also have unregulated carbon dioxide emissions that could

contribute to global warming. While these emissions have not traditionally been an important

environmental concern, they are becoming increasingly relevant on both a national and an

international level. 

In December 2000, the EPA issued regulatory findings on emissions of hazardous air pollutants

from electric utility steam-generating units. Natural gas-fired power plants were found by the

EPA to emit arsenic, formaldehyde, and nickel (EPA 2000b). Unlike coal and oil-fired plants,

the EPA did not determine that emissions of hazardous air pollutants from natural gas-fired

power plants should be regulated under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.

Construction activities would cause temporary fugitive dust. Exhaust emissions would also

come from vehicles and motorized equipment used during the construction process and by

employee and delivery vehicles during operations.

The preceding emissions would likely be the same at Nine Mile Point or at an alternate

greenfield site. Impacts from the above emissions would be clearly noticeable but would not be

sufficient to destabilize air resources as a whole. The overall air-quality impact for a new

natural gas-fired plant sited at Nine Mile Point or at an alternate greenfield site is considered

MODERATE.

C Waste

There will be spent SCR catalyst from NOx emissions control and small amounts of solid-waste

products (i.e., ash) from burning natural gas fuel. In the GEIS, the staff concluded that waste

generation from natural gas-fired technology would be minimal (NRC 1996). Natural gas firing

results in very few combustion by-products because of the clean nature of the fuel. 

Waste-generation impacts would be so minor that they would not noticeably alter any important

resource attribute. Construction-related debris would be generated during construction

activities.

In the winter it may become necessary for a replacement base-load natural gas-fired plant to

operate on fuel oil due to lack of gas supply. Oil combustion generates waste in the form of

ash, and equipment for controlling air pollution generates additional ash and scrubber sludge. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-26 May 2006

The amount of ash and sludge generated would depend on the type and quantity of fuel oil

combusted; Number 2 fuel oil produces no appreciable ash.

Overall, the waste impacts would be SMALL for a natural gas-fired plant sited at Nine Mile Point

or at an alternate greenfield site.

C Human Health

In Table 8-2 of the GEIS, the staff identifies cancer and emphysema as potential health risks

from natural gas-fired plants (NRC 1996). The risk may be attributable to NOx emissions that

contribute to ozone formation, which in turn contribute to health risks. NOx emissions from any

natural gas-fired plant would be regulated. For a plant sited in New York, NOx emissions would

be regulated by the NYSDEC. Human health effects would not be detectable or would be

sufficiently minor that they would neither destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute

of the resource. Overall, the impacts on human health of the natural gas-fired alternative sited

at Nine Mile Point or at an alternate greenfield site are considered SMALL.

C Socioeconomics

Construction of a natural gas-fired plant would take approximately two years. Peak employment

| would be approximately 1200 workers (NRC 1996). The staff assumed that construction would

take place while NMP continue operation and would be completed by the time they permanently

cease operations. During construction, the communities surrounding the Nine Mile Point site

would experience demands on housing and public services that could have SMALL impacts. 

These impacts would be tempered by construction workers commuting to the site from other

parts of Oswego and Onondaga counties. After construction, the communities would be

| impacted by job loss. The current NMP work force (1280 workers) would decline through a

decommissioning period to a minimal maintenance size. The natural gas-fired plant would

introduce a replacement tax base at Nine Mile Point or an alternate greenfield site and

approximately 50 new permanent jobs. Impacts in Oswego and Onondaga counties resulting

| from decommissioning of NMP may be offset by potential job opportunities in the Syracuse

area.

In the GEIS (NRC 1996), the staff concluded that socioeconomic impacts from constructing a

natural gas-fired plant would not be very noticeable and that the small operational work force

would have the smallest socioeconomic impacts of any nonrenewable technology. Compared

to the coal-fired and nuclear alternatives, the smaller size of the construction work force, the

shorter construction time frame, and the smaller size of the operations work force would mitigate

socioeconomic impacts. For these reasons, natural gas-fired generation socioeconomic

impacts associated with construction and operation of a natural gas-fired power plant would be

MODERATE for siting at Nine Mile Point. Depending on other growth in the area,

socioeconomic effects could be noticed, but they would not destabilize any important

socioeconomic attribute.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-27 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Socioeconomic impacts of constructing and operating the representative natural gas-fired

alternative at a greenfield site in upstate New York would be highly location-dependent. Not

considering impacts from terminating Nine Mile Point operations, community impacts resulting

from location of the representative natural gas-fired plant in areas within reasonable distance to

large population centers (i.e., Syracuse), would likely be small, with moderate impacts possible

in more rural areas (NMPNS 2004). However, communities in Oswego County in particular

would experience losses in both employment and tax revenues due to Nine Mile Point closure,

assuming the natural gas-fired alternative plant is constructed outside the area. Considered in

combination with Nine Mile Point closure, overall socioeconomic impacts of the natural gas-fired

alternative at a greenfield site would likely range from MODERATE to LARGE.

C Socioeconomics (Transportation)

Transportation impacts associated with construction and operating personnel commuting to the

plant site would depend on the population density and transportation infrastructure in the vicinity

of the site. The impacts can be classified as MODERATE for siting at Nine Mile Point or at an

alternate greenfield site.

C Aesthetics

The turbine buildings (approximately 32 m [106 ft] tall) and exhaust stacks (approximately 69 m

[225 ft] tall) would be visible during daylight hours from offsite. The gas pipeline compressors

would also be visible. However, development of the representative natural gas-fired plant at the

Nine Mile Point site would represent an incremental addition to an existing plant with similar

characteristics, and a forest buffer provides a visual screen to residential developments

bordering the site. Overall, the staff concludes that aesthetic impacts from development of a

natural gas-fired plant at the Nine Mile Point site would be SMALL.

At an alternate greenfield site, the buildings, cooling towers, cooling tower plumes, and the

associated transmission line and gas pipeline compressors would be visible offsite. The visual

impact of a new transmission line would be especially significant. Aesthetic impacts would be

mitigated if the plant were located in an industrial area adjacent to other power plants. Overall,

the aesthetic impacts associated with an alternate greenfield site are categorized as

MODERATE to LARGE. The greatest contributor to this categorization is the aesthetic impact

of the new transmission line.

Natural gas generation would introduce mechanical sources of noise that would be audible

offsite. Sources contributing to total noise produced by plant operation are classified as

continuous or intermittent. Continuous sources include the mechanical equipment associated

with normal plant operations. Intermittent sources include the use of outside loudspeaker and

the commuting of plant employees. Based on noise impact studies conducted for the proposed

Heritage Station two miles west of the Nine Mile Point site, which considered impacts to nearby

residences as close as approximately 304 m (1000ft), and assuming use of comparable noise

abatement design provisions, staff expects that the representative plant would comply with all
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-28 May 2006

applicable noise ordinances and standards. Therefore, the noise impacts of a natural gas-fired

plant at the Nine Mile Point site are considered to be SMALL. 

At an alternate site, these noise impacts would be SMALL to LARGE depending on the site. 

Historic and Archaeological Resources 

At both Nine Mile Point and an alternate greenfield site, a cultural resource inventory would

likely be needed for any onsite property that has not been previously surveyed. Other lands, if

any, that are acquired to support the plant would also likely need an inventory of field cultural

resources, identification and recording of existing historic and archaeological resources, and

possible mitigation of adverse effects from subsequent ground-disturbing actions related to

physical expansion of the plant site.

Before construction at Nine Mile Point or an alternate greenfield site, studies would likely be

needed to identify, evaluate, and address mitigation of the potential impacts of new plant

construction on cultural resources. The studies would likely be needed for all areas of potential

disturbance at the proposed plant site and along associated corridors where new construction

would occur (e.g., roads, transmission and pipeline corridors, or other rights-of-way). Impacts to

cultural resources can be effectively managed under current laws and regulations and kept

SMALL.

C Environmental Justice

No environmental pathways or locations have been identified that would result in

disproportionately high and adverse environmental impacts on minority and low-income

populations if a replacement natural gas-fired plant were built at the Nine Mile Point site. Some

impacts on housing availability and prices during construction might occur, and this could

| disproportionately affect minority and low-income populations. Closure of NMP would result in a

decrease in employment of approximately 1230 operating employees, which would possibly be

offset by employment opportunities in the Syracuse area. Following construction of the natural

gas plant, it is possible that the reduction in employment opportunities at the plant and in the

surrounding community could reduce local government tax revenues and consequently reduce

local government funding for social services. Overall, impacts are expected to be SMALL to

MODERATE. The ability of minority and low-income populations to commute to other jobs

outside Oswego and Onondaga counties could mitigate any adverse effects.

Impacts at an alternate greenfield site would depend upon the site chosen and the nearby

population distribution, but are likely to also be SMALL to MODERATE.

8.2.2.2 Once-Through Cooling System

The environmental impacts (SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) of constructing a natural

gas-fired generation system at the Nine Mile Point site using once-through cooling are the same
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-29 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

as the impacts for a natural gas-fired plant using the closed-cycle system. However, there are

minor environmental differences between the closed-cycle and once-through cooling systems. 

Table 8-4 summarizes the incremental differences.

Table 8-4. Summary of Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas-Fired

Generation at the Nine Mile Point Site and an Alternate Site Using

Once-Through Cooling

Impact Category Comparison with Closed-Cycle Cooling System

Land Use Impacts may be less (e.g., through elimination of cooling towers) or

greater (e.g., if a reservoir is required).

Ecology Impact would depend on ecology at the site. Potential impacts are

associated with entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life stages,

impingement of fish and shellfish, and heat shock.

Water Use and Quality—

Surface Water

Increased water withdrawal leading to possible water-use conflicts;

thermal load higher than with closed-cycle cooling.

Water Use and Quality—

Groundwater

No change.

Air Quality No change.

Waste No change.

Human Health No change.

Socioeconomics No change.

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

No change.

Aesthetics Elimination of cooling towers.

Historic and Archaeological

Resources

No change.

Environmental Justice No change.

8.2.3 Nuclear Power Generation

Since 1997 the NRC has certified three new standard designs for nuclear power plants under

10 CFR 52, Subpart B. These designs are the 1300-MW(e) U.S. Advanced Boiling Water

Reactor (10 CFR 52, Appendix A), the 1300-MW(e) System 80+ Design (10 CFR 52,

Appendix B), and the 600-MW(e) AP600 Design (10 CFR 52, Appendix C). All of these plants

are light-water reactors. Although no applications for a construction permit or a combined

license based on these certified designs have been submitted to the NRC, the submission of

the design certification applications indicates continuing interest in the possibility of licensing

new nuclear power plants. Recent escalation in prices of natural gas and electricity has made

new nuclear power plant construction more attractive from a cost standpoint. Additionally,
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-30 May 2006

System Energy Resources, Inc., Exelon Generation Company, LLC, and Dominion Nuclear

North Anna, LLC, have recently submitted applications for early site permits for new advanced

nuclear power plants under the procedures in 10 CFR Part 52, Subpart A (SERI 2003; Exelon

2003; Dominion 2003). 

Consequently, construction of a new nuclear power plant at both the Nine Mile Point site and

alternate greenfield is considered in this section. The staff assumed that the new nuclear plant

| would have a 40-year lifetime. Consideration of a new nuclear generating plant to replace NMP

was not included in the NMPNS ER (NMPNS 2004).

The NRC has summarized environmental data associated with the uranium fuel cycle in Table

S-3 of 10 CFR 51.51. The impacts shown in Table S-3 are representative of the impacts that

would be associated with a replacement nuclear power plant built to one of the certified designs,

sited at Nine Mile Point or an alternate greenfield site. The impacts shown in Table S-3 are for

a 1000-MW(e) reactor and would need to be adjusted to reflect impacts of 1759-MW(e) of new

nuclear power. The environmental impacts associated with transporting fuel and waste to and

from a light-water cooled nuclear power reactor are summarized in Table S-4 of 10 CFR 51.52. 

The summary of the NRC's findings on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) issues for

license renewal of nuclear power plants in Table B-1 of 10 CFR 51 Subpart A, Appendix B, is

also relevant, although not directly applicable, for consideration of environmental impacts

associated with the operation of a replacement nuclear power plant. Additional environmental

impact information for a replacement nuclear power plant using closed-cycle cooling is

presented in Section 8.2.3.1 and using open-cycle cooling in Section 8.2.3.2.

8.2.3.1 Closed-Cycle Cooling System

The overall impacts of the nuclear generating system are discussed in the following sections. 

The impacts are summarized in Table 8-5. The extent of impacts at an alternate greenfield site

will depend on the location of the particular site selected.

C Land Use

The existing facilities and infrastructure at the Nine Mile Point site would be used to the extent

practicable, limiting the amount of new construction that would be required. Specifically, the

staff assumed that a replacement nuclear power plant would use the existing transmission

facilities, roads, parking areas, office buildings, and the existing cooling system. According to

the GEIS, a light-water reactor requires approximately 200 to 400 ha (500 to 1000 ac) excluding

transmission lines (these estimates are not scaled to any particular facility size). Much of the

land that would be used has been previously disturbed. The Nine Mile Point site consists of

approximately 364 ha (900 ac) and should be adequate to support a new nuclear facility. There

would be no net change in land needed for uranium mining because land needed to supply the

new nuclear plant would offset the land needed to supply uranium for fueling the existing

| reactors at NMP. Overall, the impact of a replacement nuclear generating plant on land use at
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-31 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

the existing Nine Mile Point site is characterized as MODERATE. The impact would be greater

than the OL renewal alternative.

Table 8-5. Summary of Environmental Impacts of New Nuclear Power Generation at the Nine

Mile Point Site and an Alternate Site Using Closed-Cycle Cooling

Impact Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Category Impact Comments Impact Comments

Land Use MODERATE Requires approximately 200 to

400 ha (500 to 1000 ac) for the

plant and 400 ha (1000 ac) for

uranium mining.

MODERATE

to LARGE

Same as Nine Mile Point site

plus potential need for land for

transmission line. Overall, the

impacts would depend on

whether the alternate site is

previously disturbed. 

Ecology SMALL to

MODERATE

Uses undeveloped areas at

current Nine Mile Point site. 

Potential habitat loss and

fragmentation; reduced

productivity and biological

diversity.

MODERATE

to LARGE

Impact depends on location and

ecology of the site, surface

water body used for intake and

discharge, and transmission

line route; potential habitat loss

and fragmentation; reduced

productivity and biological

diversity.

Water Use

and

Quality—

Surface

Water

SMALL The nuclear alternative would

use the existing closed-cycle

system.

SMALL to

MODERATE

The nuclear alternative would

use closed-cycle cooling.

Impacts would depend on the

volume of water withdrawn and

discharged and the

characteristics of the surface

water sources.

Water Use

and

Quality—

Groundwater

SMALL The nuclear alternative would

use the existing closed-cycle

system.

SMALL to

MODERATE

The nuclear alternative would

use closed-cycle cooling. 

Impacts would depend on the

volume of water withdrawn and

discharged, and the

characteristics of the

groundwater source.

Air Quality SMALL Fugitive emissions and

emissions from vehicles and

equipment during construction. 

Small amount of emissions from

diesel generators and possibly

other sources during operation.

SMALL Same impacts as Nine Mile

Point site.

Waste SMALL Waste impacts for an operating

nuclear power plant are set out

in 10 CFR 51, Appendix B,

Table B-1. Debris would be

generated and removed during

construction.

SMALL Same impacts as Nine Mile

Point site.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Category Impact Comments Impact Comments

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-32 May 2006

Human

Health

SMALL Human health impacts for an

operating nuclear power plant

are set out in 10 CFR 51,

Appendix B, Table B-1.

SMALL Same impacts as Nine Mile

Point site.

SocioeconomicsSMALL to

MODERATE

During construction, impacts

would be MODERATE, with up

to 2500 workers during peak

period of the five-year

construction period. During

operation, employment levels

would be similar to those for

NMP. Overall, socioeconomic

impacts from operation are

SMALL.

SMALL to

LARGE

The characteristics of the

construction period and

operation at an alternate site

would be similar to those at

Nine Mile Point. 

Socioeconomic impacts to the

local community would depend

on the characteristics of the

alternate site and might vary

from SMALL to LARGE. 

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

SMALL to

LARGE

Transportation impacts

associated with construction

workers could be MODERATE

to LARGE. Transportation

impacts of commuting personnel

would be SMALL.

SMALL to

LARGE

Transportation impacts

associated with construction

workers could be MODERATE

to LARGE. Transportation

impacts of commuting

personnel could be SMALL to

MODERATE.

Aesthetics MODERATE There would be visual aesthetic

impacts associated with plant

buildings and structures, along

with cooling tower plumes. 

There would be both intermittent

and continuous noise impacts

from plant operation.

SMALL to

LARGE

The structures and operation

would be similar to the Nine

Mile Point site, but the

significance of the impacts

would depend on the

characteristics of the alternate

site. The nuclear alternative at

an alternate site could require

transmission lines, with

attendant aesthetic impacts. 

Historic

and

Archaeological

Resources

SMALL Any potential impacts can likely

be effectively managed.

SMALL Same impacts as Nine Mile

Point site.

Environmental

Justice

SMALL No environmental pathways or

locations have been identified

that would result in

disproportionately high and

adverse environmental impacts

on minority and low-income

populations. Impacts on

minority and low-income

communities should be similar

to those experienced by the

population as a whole.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts will vary depending on

population distribution and

makeup at the site. Impacts to

minority and low-income

residents of Oswego and

Onondaga counties associated

with closure of NMP could be

significant, but could be offset

by potential job opportunities in

the Syracuse metropolitan area.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-33 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Land-use requirements at an alternate greenfield site would be similar to siting at Nine Mile

Point plus the possible need for land for a new transmission line. In addition, it may be

necessary to construct a rail spur to an alternate site to bring in equipment during construction. 

Depending particularly on transmission line routing, siting a new nuclear plant at an alternate

greenfield site would result in MODERATE to LARGE land-use impacts.

C Ecology

Locating a replacement nuclear power plant at the Nine Mile Point site would alter ecological

resources because of construction, and because of the need to convert currently unused land to

industrial use. In total, impacts could include habitat degradation, fragmentation, or loss as a

result of construction activities and conversion of land to industrial use. Ecological communities

may experience reduced productivity and biological diversity from disturbing previously intact

land. Overall, the ecological impacts of the nuclear alternative at the Nine Mile Point site are

considered SMALL to MODERATE. The impact would be greater than the OL renewal

alternative. 

At an alternate site, there would be construction impacts and new incremental operational

impacts. Even assuming siting at a previously disturbed area, the impacts may alter the

ecology. Impacts could include: (1) habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, or habitat loss, 

(2) reduced ecosystem productivity, and (3) reduced biological diversity. Construction and

maintenance of transmission lines, a rail spur, or a barge offloading facility could result in the

same types of ecological impacts. Use of makeup cooling water from a nearby surface water

body could have adverse aquatic resource impacts. Overall, the impacts of the nuclear

alternative at an alternate site would be MODERATE to LARGE.

C Water Use and Quality—Surface Water

The replacement nuclear plant alternative at the Nine Mile Point site is assumed to use the

existing closed-cycle cooling system, which would minimize incremental water-use and quality

impacts. Surface-water impacts are expected to remain SMALL; the impacts would be

sufficiently minor that they would not noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource.

Cooling towers would likely be used at the alternate site. For an alternate site, the impact on

the surface water would depend on the volume of water needed for makeup water, the

discharge volume, and the characteristics of the receiving body of water. Intake from and

discharge to any surface body of water would be regulated by the State of New York. The

impacts would be SMALL to MODERATE.

C Water Use and Quality—Groundwater

There is a permanent dewatering system in Unit 2 that is operated to maintain the water table |

below the reactor mat elevation. Dewatering results in little or no lowering of the groundwater |

table offsite. It is unlikely that groundwater would be used for an alternative nuclear power plant
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-34 May 2006

sited at Nine Mile Point. Use of groundwater for a nuclear power plant sited at an alternate site

is a possibility. Any groundwater withdrawal would require a permit from the local permitting

authority. Overall, the impacts of the nuclear alternative at the Nine Mile Point site would be

SMALL. The impacts of the nuclear alternative at an alternate site would be SMALL to

MODERATE.

C Air Quality

Construction of a new nuclear plant sited at Nine Mile Point or an alternate site would result in

fugitive emissions during the construction process. Exhaust emissions would also come from

vehicles and motorized equipment used during the construction process. An operating nuclear

plant would have minor air emissions associated with diesel generators and other minor

intermittent sources. These emissions would be regulated by NYSDEC. Overall, emissions and

associated impacts to air quality of a nuclear plant at either the Nine Mile Point site or an

alternate site are considered SMALL.

C Waste

The waste impacts associated with operation of a nuclear power plant are set out in Table B-1

of 10 CFR 51, Subpart A, Appendix B. Construction-related debris would be generated during

construction activities and removed to an appropriate disposal site. Overall, waste impacts of a

new nuclear plant at either the Nine Mile Point site or an alternate site are considered SMALL.

C Human Health

Human health impacts for an operating nuclear power plant are set out in 10 CFR 51 Subpart A,

Appendix B, Table B-1. Overall, human health impacts of a new nuclear power plant at either

the Nine Mile Point site or an alternate site are considered SMALL.

C Socioeconomics

The construction period and the peak work force associated with construction of a new nuclear

power plant are currently unquantified (NRC 1996). In the absence of quantitative data, staff

assumed a construction period of five years and a peak work force of 2500. The staff assumed

that construction would take place while the existing nuclear units continues operation and

| would be completed by the time NMP permanently cease operations. 

If the facility were constructed at the Nine Mile Point site, these construction workers would be

in addition to the employees that currently work at the site. Surrounding communities would

experience significant, but not destabilizing, demands on housing and public services. After

construction, the communities would be impacted by the loss of the construction jobs. In total,

the socioeconomic impacts during the construction period for the nuclear-fired alternative at the

Nine Mile Point site are considered MODERATE. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-35 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

At an unnamed alternate site, the construction impacts could be smaller or larger than those at

the Nine Mile Point site, depending on how close the site is to a vital economic center. These

impacts are considered to be SMALL to LARGE depending on the site. 

The replacement nuclear unit(s) are assumed to have an operating work force comparable to

the 1280 workers currently working at NMP. The replacement nuclear unit(s) would provide a |

new tax base to offset the loss of tax base associated with decommissioning of NMP. For all of |

these reasons, the appropriate characterization of socioeconomic impacts for operating a new

nuclear power plant constructed at Nine Mile Point is considered SMALL. 

The impacts of operating the nuclear alternative at an unnamed alternate site could be smaller

or larger than those at the Nine Mile Point site, depending on how close the alternate site is to

an economic center. These impacts are considered SMALL to LARGE, depending on the site.

C Socioeconomics (Transportation)

During the five-year construction period, up to 2500 construction workers would be working at

the Nine Mile Point site, in addition to the 1280 workers at Units 1 and 2. The addition of the

construction workers could place significant traffic loads on existing highways. Such impacts

would be MODERATE to LARGE. Transportation impacts associated with operation of Units 1

and 2 are considered SMALL.

Transportation-related impacts associated with commuting construction workers at an alternate

greenfield site are site-dependent, but could be MODERATE to LARGE. Transportation

impacts related to commuting of plant operating personnel would also be site-dependent, but

can be characterized as SMALL to MODERATE.

C Aesthetics

The nuclear alternative would result in aesthetic impacts, both visual and auditory. Visual

impacts would result from several structures, including, most prominently, the containment

buildings and the cooling towers. Cooling tower plumes are visible from greater distances than

the towers themselves. The replacement nuclear units would also likely be visible at night

because of outside lighting. Visual impact at night could be mitigated by reduced use of lighting

and appropriate use of shielding. Overall, the visual aesthetic impacts of the nuclear-fired

alternative at the Nine Mile Point site are considered MODERATE. 

At an alternate greenfield site, there would be an aesthetic impact from the buildings, cooling

towers, and the plume associated with the cooling towers. There could also be a significant,

negative aesthetic impact associated with the potential need for significant transmission line

infrastructure. Noise and light from the plant would be detectable offsite. The impact of noise

and light would be mitigated if the plant is located in an industrial area adjacent to other power

plants. Overall the aesthetic impacts associated with locating at an alternative site can be
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-36 May 2006

categorized as MODERATE to LARGE. The greatest contributor to this categorization is the

aesthetic impact of the new transmission line, if needed.

Nuclear generation would introduce mechanical sources of noise from plant operation. The

noise sources are both continuous and intermittent. Continuous sources include the mechanical

equipment associated with normal plant operations. Intermittent sources include the use of

outside loudspeakers and the commuting of plant employees. At the Nine Mile Point site, the

plant operation noises would be similar to existing noise levels from operating Units 1 and 2.

The noise impacts of the nuclear alternative at Nine Mile Point are considered to be SMALL. 

At an alternate site, these noise impacts would be SMALL to LARGE, depending on the site. 

C Historic and Archaeological Resources

At both Nine Mile Point and an alternate greenfield site, a cultural resource inventory would

likely be needed for any onsite property that has not been previously surveyed. Other lands, if

any, that are acquired to support the plant would also likely need an inventory of field cultural

resources, identification and recording of existing historic and archaeological resources, and

possible mitigation of adverse effects from subsequent ground-disturbing actions related to

physical expansion of the plant site.

Before construction at Nine Mile Point or another site, studies would likely be needed to identify,

evaluate, and address mitigation of the potential impacts of new plant construction on cultural

resources. The studies would likely be needed for all areas of potential disturbance at the

proposed plant site and along associated corridors where new construction would occur (e.g.,

roads, transmission corridors, rail lines, or other rights-of-way). Historic and archaeological

resource impacts can generally be effectively managed and as such are considered SMALL.

C Environmental Justice

No environmental pathways or locations have been identified that would result in

disproportionately high and adverse environmental impacts on minority and low-income

populations if a replacement nuclear plant were built at the Nine Mile Point site. Some impacts

on housing availability and prices during construction might occur, and this could

disproportionately affect the minority and low-income populations. After completion of

construction of the new nuclear plant, it is possible that the reduction in employment

opportunities at the plant and in the surrounding community could reduce local government tax

revenues and, consequently, reduce local government funding for social services. Overall,

impacts are expected to be SMALL. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-37 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Impacts at other sites would depend upon the site chosen and the nearby population

distribution, but are likely to be SMALL to MODERATE. Impacts to minority and low-income

residents of Oswego and Onondaga counties associated with closure of NMP could be |

significant, but could also be offset by potential job opportunities in the Syracuse metropolitan

area.

8.2.3.2 Once-Through Cooling System

The environmental impacts (SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) of constructing a nuclear power

plant at the Nine Mile Point site using once-through cooling are relatively the same as the

impacts for a nuclear power plant using a closed-cycle system. However, there are minor

environmental differences between the closed-cycle and once-through cooling systems. 

Table 8-6 summarizes the incremental differences.

Table 8-6. Summary of Environmental Impacts of a New Nuclear Power Plant

Sited at the Nine Mile Point Site with Once-Through Cooling

Impact Category Comparison with Closed-Cycle Cooling System

Land Use Impacts may be less (e.g., through elimination of cooling towers) or

greater (e.g., if a reservoir is required).

Ecology Impacts would depend on ecology at the site. Potential impacts are

associated with entrainment of fish and shellfish in early life stages,

impingement of fish and shellfish, and heat shock.

Water Use and Quality—

Surface Water

Increased water withdrawal leading to possible water-use conflicts;

thermal load higher than with closed-cycle cooling.

Water Use and Quality—

Groundwater

No change.

Air Quality No change.

Waste No change.

Human Health No change.

Socioeconomics No change.

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

No change.

Aesthetics Elimination of cooling towers.

Historic and Archaeological

Resources

No change.

Environmental Justice No change.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-38 May 2006

8.2.4 Purchased Electrical Power

If available, purchased power from other sources could potentially obviate the need to renew the

Nine Mile Point OLs. The New York State Energy Plan is designed to promote competition in

energy supply markets by facilitating participation by non-utility suppliers. A regulatory structure

is in place to appropriately anticipate and meet electricity demands, and the New York

Independent System Operator (NYISO) anticipates that adequate supplies of electricity will be

available to meet anticipated future demands through at least 2021. In view of these conditions,

NMPNS assumed in the ER that adequate supplies of electricity would be available, and that

purchased power would be a reasonable alternative to meet its load requirements in the event

the OLs for Nine Mile Point are not renewed. 

The source of the purchase power that would potentially replace Nine Mile Point's power is

speculative, but may reasonably include new generating facilities developed elsewhere in the

state, from neighboring U.S. power pool jurisdictions, or from Canada. The technologies that

would be used to generate this purchased power are similarly conjectural. However,

considering the current projected development of additional generating capabilities in New York

state noted above, natural gas-fired, combined-cycle units, such as those described in

Section 8.2, would be the most likely candidate. 

NMPNS does not anticipate that any additional transmission infrastructure would be needed to

facilitate transfer of this purchased power to replace Nine Mile Point capacity. Upstate New

York has sufficient capacity to meet local loads, and Constellation Energy anticipates that the

Nine Mile Point to Clay transmission line and transmission lines from Scriba Substation would

remain in service in the event the Nine Mile Point plants cease operation; therefore, no local

load pocket would be created requiring construction of new transmission lines. The traditional

strain on the New York state transmission system is west-to-east as a result of relatively

low-cost generation in western upstate New York and higher demand in the east and downstate. 

As noted by a recent study sponsored by the NYISO (Sanford et al. 2001), power imports from

New England in the next few years are expected to relieve this strain in the near term, and the

addition of new generation within the state is expected to reduce the frequency of encountering

transmission constraints in the future. 

| If power to replace NMP capacity were to be purchased from sources within the U.S. or a

foreign country, the generating technology would likely be one of those described in this SEIS

and in the GEIS (probably coal, natural gas, or nuclear). The description of the environmental

impacts of other technologies in Chapter 8 of the GEIS is representative of the purchased

| electrical power alternative to renewal of the NMP OLs. Thus, the environmental impacts of

imported power would still occur but would be located elsewhere within the region, nation, or

another country. For these reasons, the staff does not believe that purchasing power to make

| up for the generation at NMP is a meaningful alternative that requires independent analysis. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-39 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

8.2.5 Other Alternatives

Other generation technologies considered by the NRC are discussed in the following

paragraphs.

8.2.5.1 Oil-Fired Generation

EIA projects that oil-fired plants will account for very little of the new generation capacity in the

U.S. through the year 2020 because of higher fuel costs and lower efficiencies (DOE/EIA 2000). 

Oil-fired operation is more expensive than nuclear or coal-fired operation. Future increases in

oil prices are expected to make oil-fired generation increasingly more expensive than coal-fired

generation. The high cost of oil has prompted a steady decline in its use for electricity

generation. Increasing domestic concerns over oil security will only exacerbate the move away

from oil-fired electricity generation. Therefore, the staff does not consider oil-fired generation, |

by itself, a feasible alternative to NMP.

8.2.5.2 Wind Power

Wind power, by itself, is not suitable for large base-load capacity. As discussed in Section 8.3.1

of the GEIS, wind has a high degree of intermittency, and average annual capacity factors for

wind plants are relatively low (less than 30 percent). Wind power, in conjunction with energy

storage mechanisms, might serve as a means of providing base-load power. However, current

energy storage technologies are too expensive for wind power to serve as a large base-load

generator.

Most of western New York is in wind power Class 2 or 3 regions (average wind speeds at 9-m

[30-ft] elevation of 4.4 to 5.6 meters per second [m/s] [9.8 to 12.5 miles per hour (mph)]) (Elliott

et al. 1986; DOE 2002) with a narrow band of Class 3 or 4 along the shore of Lake Ontario. 

Wind turbines are economical in wind power Classes 4 through 7 (average wind speeds of 7.0

to > 8.8 m/s [16 to 20 mph] [DOE 2001]). Wind turbines typically operate at a 25- to 35-percent

capacity factor, compared to 80 to 95 percent for a base-load plant (NWPPC 2000). The largest

commercially available wind turbines are in the range of 1 to 3 MW (e); therefore, at least 586 to

1759 units would be required to replace the Nine Mile Point generating capacity. Given the

intermittent nature of the wind resource (perhaps 30 to 35 percent availability), approximately

three times this number would be required to replace the amount of electricty generated by Nine

Mile Point.

As of January 2003, there were approximately 48 MW of grid-connected wind power facilities in

New York State, with an additional 637 MW of additional capacity in various stages of planning

(AWEA 2004). Statewide, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

(NYSERDA) estimates that there is a potential for approximately 17,000 MW of installed

capacity, of which approximately 3200 MW would be available for the peak summer load

(NYSERDA 2002). Access to many of the best wind power sites would require extensive road

building, as well as clearing (for towers and blades) and leveling (for the tower bases and
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-40 May 2006

associated facilities) in steep terrain. Also, many of the best-quality wind sites are on ridges

and hilltops that could have greater archeological sensitivity than surrounding areas. For these

reasons development of large-scale, land-based wind-power facilities are likely to not only be

costly, but could have MODERATE to LARGE impacts on aesthetics, archaeological resources,

land use, and terrestrial ecology. 

The offshore wind speeds in Lake Ontario are higher than those onshore, and could thus

support greater energy production than onshore facilities. Ten offshore wind power projects are

currently operating in Europe, but none have been developed in the U.S. The European plants

together provide approximately 260 MW, which is significantly less than the electrical output of

Nine Mile Point (BWEA 2003). Development of an offshore wind-power facility could impact

shipping lanes, may disrupt the aquatic ecology, and would be visible for many miles, resulting

in considerable aesthetic impacts. These impacts could be MODERATE to LARGE. 

For these reasons, the staff concludes that wind power alone is not a feasible substitute at this

| time for the base-load generation from NMP. However, the staff recognizes that wind power

projects are being developed in areas with significant wind potential. Therefore, it is reasonable

to include wind power in a combination of alternatives that could replace the generation from

| NMP. Combined alternatives are discussed in Section 8.2.6.

8.2.5.3 Solar Power

Solar technologies use the sun's energy and light to provide heat, cooling, light, hot water, and

electricity for homes, businesses, and industry. Solar-power technologies, both photovoltaic

(PV) and thermal, cannot currently compete with conventional fossil-fueled technologies in

grid-connected applications due to higher capital costs per kilowatt of capacity. The average

capacity factor of PV cells is about 25 percent, and the capacity factor for solar thermal systems

| is about 25 to 40 percent. These capacity factors are low because solar power is an intermittent

| resource, providing power when the sun is strong, whereas NMP provide constant base-load

power. Solar technologies simply cannot make up for the capacity from NMP during the night

and in overcast conditions. 

There can be substantial impacts to natural resources (wildlife habitat, land use, and aesthetic

impacts) from construction of solar-generating facilities. As stated in the GEIS, land

requirements are high—140 km2

 (55 mi2) per 1000 MW for PV and approximately 57 km2

(22 mi2) per 1000 MW for solar thermal systems (NRC 1996). Neither type of solar electric

system would fit at the Nine Mile Point site, and both would have large environmental impacts at

a greenfield site. 

Currently available PV cell conversion efficiencies range from approximately 7 to 17 percent. 

The average annual solar energy flux throughout the year falling in New York is approximately

2.8 kWh/m2

 per day (NMPNS 2004). Assuming a conversion efficiency of ten percent, PV cells

would yield an annual electricity production of approximately 102 kWh(e)/m2

 per year in the New

York area. This assumed rate of generation, replacing the 12.8 million MWh(e) generated by
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-41 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 in 2003 (DOE/EIA 2003) would require approximately 125 million

m2

 or 125 km2 (78 mi2) of PV arrays. 

Installations of solar panels on residential and commercial rooftops are referred to as

"distributed solar power." Based on an average house size of 139 m2

 (1500 ft2) with a useable

roof space of 70 m2

 (753 ft2) and a higher conversion efficiency of 15 percent, over one million

new or existing homes would have to be fitted with solar panels to replace the generation from

NMP. Without significant government or utility incentives, installation of distributed solar panels |

on this scale is unlikely. However, distributed solar power could be included in a combination of

alternatives to replace NMP. Distributed solar power would result in fewer construction-related |

impacts because solar panels would usually be placed on existing buildings, eliminating the

need for land clearing or transmission lines. Negative aesthetic impacts would be only

marginally greater than those already created by the existing or new buildings. 

Because of the area’s relatively low rate of solar radiation, the natural resource impacts (land,

ecological, and aesthetic), and high technology costs, solar power is not deemed a feasible

base-load alternative to license renewal of NMP. However, the staff recognizes that distributed |

solar power does provide generation and that during the license renewal period generation from

solar power could continue to grow. Therefore, it is reasonable to include solar power in

combinations of alternatives to replace the generation from NMP. Combined alternatives are |

discussed in Section 8.2.6.

8.2.5.4 Hydropower

New York state has a technical potential for 2527 MW of additional installed hydroelectric

capacity by 2022, only 909 MW of which represents summer peak capacity. If all this capacity

were developed, it would be enough to replace the 1759 MW generating capacity of NMP. |

However, as stated in Section 8.3.4 of the GEIS, the staff points out hydropower's percentage of

U.S. generating capacity is expected to decline because hydroelectric facilities have become

difficult to site as a result of public concern about flooding, destruction of natural habitat, and

alteration of natural river courses. DOE/EIA states that potential sites for hydroelectric dams

have already been largely established in the U.S., and environmental concerns are expected to

prevent the development of any new sites in the future (DOE/EIA 2002). 

The staff estimated in the GEIS that land requirements for hydroelectric power are

approximately 400,000 ha (1 million ac) per 1000 MW(e). Replacement of NMP generating |

capacity would require flooding substantially more than this amount of land. Due to the large

land-use and related environmental and ecological resource impacts associated with siting

hydroelectric facilities large enough to replace NMP, the staff concludes that local hydropower |

alone is not a feasible alternative to NMP OL renewal on its own. Any attempts to site |

hydroelectric facilities large enough to replace NMP would result in LARGE environmental |

impacts. However, the staff recognizes that hydropower does provide generation and that

during the license renewal period generation from hydropower could continue to grow. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-42 May 2006

Therefore, it is reasonable to include hydropower in combinations of alternatives to replace the

| generation from NMP. Combined alternatives are discussed in Section 8.2.6.

8.2.5.5 Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy has an average capacity factor of 90 percent and can be used for base-load

power where available. However, geothermal technology is not widely used as base-load

generation due to the limited geographical availability of the resource and immature status of

the technology (NRC 1996). As illustrated by Figure 8.4 in the GEIS, geothermal plants are

most likely to be sited in the western continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii where hydrothermal

reservoirs are prevalent. A study commissioned by NYSERDA and the DOE, completed in

1996, found that there is some potential for geothermal electric power production in western

upstate New York, but high cost inhibits its development (NMPNS 2004). Therefore, the staff

| concludes that geothermal energy is not a feasible alternative to renewal of the NMP OLs.

8.2.5.6 Wood Waste

The use of wood waste to generate electricity is largely limited to those states with significant

wood resources, such as California, Maine, Georgia, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and

Michigan. Electric power is generated in these states by the pulp, paper, and paperboard

industries, which consume wood and wood waste for energy, benefitting from the use of waste

materials that could otherwise represent a disposal problem.

A wood-burning facility can provide base-load power and operate with an average annual

capacity factor of around 70 to 80 percent and with 20 to 25 percent efficiency (NRC 1996). 

The fuels required are variable and site-specific. A significant barrier to the use of wood waste

to generate electricity is the high delivered-fuel cost and high construction cost per MW of

generating capacity. The larger wood-waste power plants are only 40 to 50 MW(e) in capacity. 

Estimates in the GEIS suggest that the overall level of construction impact per megawatt of

installed capacity should be approximately the same as that for a coal-fired plant, although

facilities using wood waste for fuel would be built at smaller scales. Like coal-fired plants,

wood-waste plants require large areas for fuel storage and processing and involve the same

type of combustion equipment.

Due to uncertainties associated with obtaining sufficient wood and wood waste to fuel a baseload generating facility, ecological impacts of large-scale timber cutting (e.g., soil erosion and

loss of wildlife habitat), and high inefficiency, the staff has determined that wood waste is not a

| feasible alternative to renewing the NMP OLs.

8.2.5.7 Municipal Solid Waste

Municipal waste combustors incinerate the waste and use the resultant heat to generate steam,

hot water, or electricity. The combustion process can reduce the volume of waste by up to

90 percent and the weight of the waste by up to 75 percent (EPA 2001). Municipal waste
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-43 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

combustors use three basic types of technologies: mass burn, modular, and refuse-derived fuel

(DOE/EIA 2001). Mass-burning technologies are most commonly used in the U.S. This group

of technologies process raw municipal solid waste "as is," with little or no sizing, shredding, or

separation before combustion. 

Growth in the municipal waste-combustion industry slowed dramatically during the 1990s after

rapid growth during the 1980s. The slower growth was due to three primary factors: (1) the Tax

Reform Act of 1986, which made capital-intensive projects such as municipal waste-combustion

facilities more expensive relative to less capital-intensive waste disposal alternative such as

landfills; (2) the 1994 Supreme Court decision (C&A Carbone, Inc. v. Town of Clarkstown),

which struck down local flow control ordinances that required waste to be delivered to specific

municipal waste-combustion facilities rather than landfills that may have had lower fees; and (3)

increasingly stringent environmental regulations that increased the capital cost necessary to

construct and maintain municipal waste-combustion facilities (DOE/EIA 2001).

The decision to burn municipal waste to generate energy is usually driven by the need for an

alternative to landfills rather than by energy considerations. The use of landfills as a waste

disposal option is likely to increase in the near term; however, it is unlikely that many landfills

will begin converting waste to energy because of unfavorable economics, particularly with

electricity prices declining.

Municipal solid-waste combustors generate an ash residue that is buried in landfills. The ash

residue is composed of bottom ash and fly ash. Bottom ash refers to that portion of the

unburned waste that falls to the bottom of the grate or furnace. Fly ash represents the small

particles that rise from the furnace during the combustion process. Fly ash is generally

removed from flue-gases using fabric filters and/or scrubbers (DOE/EIA 2001).

Currently there are approximately 89 waste-to-energy plants operating in the U.S. These plants

generate approximately 2500 MW(e), or an average of approximately 28 MW(e) per plant

(IWSA 2004), much smaller than needed to replace the 1759 MW(e) of NMP. |

The initial capital costs for municipal solid-waste plants are greater than for comparable

steam-turbine technology at wood-waste facilities. This is due to the need for specialized

waste-separation and handling equipment for municipal solid waste (NRC 1996). Furthermore,

estimates in the GEIS suggest that the overall level of construction impact from a waste-fired

plant should be approximately the same as that for a coal-fired plant. Additionally, waste-fired

plants have the same or greater operational impacts (including impacts on the aquatic

environment, air, and waste disposal). Some of these impacts would be moderate, but still

larger than the environmental effects of license renewal of Nine Mile Point. Therefore,

municipal solid-waste combustors would not be a feasible alternative to renewal of the NMP |

OLs, particularly at the scale required.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-44 May 2006

8.2.5.8 Other Biomass-Derived Fuels

In addition to wood and municipal solid-waste fuels, there are several other concepts for fueling

electric generators, including burning crops, converting crops to a liquid fuel such as ethanol,

and gasifying crops (including wood waste). In the GEIS, the staff points out that none of these

technologies has progressed to the point of being competitive on a large scale or of being

| reliable enough to replace a base-load plant such as NMP. For these reasons, such fuels do

| not offer a feasible alternative to renewal of the NMP OLs.

8.2.5.9 Fuel Cells

Fuel cells work without combustion and its environmental side effects. Power is produced

electrochemically by passing a hydrogen-rich fuel over an anode, passing air over a cathode,

and separating the two by an electrolyte. The only by-products are heat, water, and carbon

dioxide. Hydrogen fuel can come from a variety of hydrocarbon resources by subjecting them to

steam under pressure. Natural gas is typically used as the source of hydrogen.

Phosphoric acid fuel cells are generally considered first-generation technology. These fuel cells

are commercially available at cost of approximately $4500 per kW of installed capacity

(DOE 2004). Higher-temperature second-generation fuel cells achieve higher fuel-to-electricity

and thermal efficiencies. The higher temperatures contribute to improved efficiencies and give

the second-generation fuel cells the capability to generate steam for cogeneration and

combined-cycle operations.

The U.S. Department of Energy has launched a major initiative, the Solid State Energy

Conversion Alliance, to bring about dramatic reductions in fuel cell costs. The goal is to cut

costs to as low as $400 per kilowatt by 2010, which would make fuel cells competitive for

virtually every type of power application (DOE 2004). For comparison, the installed capacity

cost for a natural gas-fired, combined-cycle plant is about $456 per kW (DOE/EIA 2000). 

However, at the present time, fuel cells are not economically or technologically competitive with

other alternatives for base-load electricity generation. Fuels cells are, consequently, not a

| feasible alternative to renewal of the NMP OLs.

8.2.5.10 Delayed Retirement

As noted in the GEIS, extending the lives of existing non-nuclear generating plants beyond the

time they were originally scheduled to be retired represents another potential alternative to

license renewal. Current generating capability in New York other than Nine Mile Point that is

directly controlled by Nine Mile Point’s owners consists of 2800 MW of generation from generic

types often used for base-load service. This capability, located mostly downstate, is composed

of numerous, mostly small units, including 16 non-nuclear steam turbine plants firing oil or

natural gas and one natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit. Although some of this capability may

be suitable for base-load service, most (approximately 1855 MW) is represented by units with
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-45 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

in-service dates prior to 1970 (NMPNS 2004) and therefore would be at or beyond the normal

design life of 40 years when the Nine Mile Point OLs expire. 

Older plants, such as those noted above, that may be candidates for retirement tend to use

less-efficient generation and pollution control technologies than modern plants. Therefore,

substantial upgrades are typically required to achieve efficiencies necessary to cost-effectively

extend their operations and meet applicable environmental standards. Considering only the

plants noted above, upgrades would be necessary for numerous units to achieve capacity

equivalent to that of Nine Mile Point. 

New York Independent System Operator load and capacity projections assume that nuclear |

generating units in the state will cease operation upon expiration of their current operating

licenses, but do not acknowledge retirement of any non-nuclear generating units in the State

from 2005 through 2021 (NMPNS 2004). Therefore, any such retirements that do occur in this

period would merely act to further increase projected demand. 

Based on this information, the staff concluded that delayed retirement of other generating units |

directly controlled by owners of Nine Mile Point would not be a feasible alternative to renewal of |

NMP OLs. |

8.2.5.11 Utility-Sponsored Conservation

The utility-sponsored conservation alternative refers to a situation in which NMP cease to |

operate, no new generation is brought online to meet the lost generation, and the lost

generation is instead replaced by more efficient use of electricity. More efficient use would arise

from utility-sponsored conservation programs, potentially including energy audits, incentives to

install energy-efficient equipment, and informational programs to inform electricity consumers of

the benefits of, and possibilities for, electricity conservation. 

Since the 1980s, Niagara Mohawk has participated in residential, commercial, and industrial

programs to reduce both peak demands and daily energy consumption. These programs are

commonly referred to as demand-side management (DSM). Statewide, these DSM programs

through 2001 have resulted in a cumulative summer peak reduction of approximately 1600 MW

between 1999 and 2000, and additional peak demand reductions on the order of 900 to

1300 MW are projected in the 2004 to 2006 time frame (NMPNS 2004). These DSM-induced

load reductions are acknowledged in load forecasts; therefore they cannot be used as credits to

offset the power generated by Nine Mile Point. As a practical matter, it would be impossible to

increase those energy savings by an additional 1759 MW to replace the Nine Mile Point

generating capability, particularly in upstate New York, which represents a relatively small

fraction of electrical load in the State. 

Therefore, the staff does not consider energy efficiency, by itself, as a feasible alternative to

license renewal. However, the staff recognizes that energy conservation is promoted and

increases in energy efficiency occur as a normal result of replacing older equipment with
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-46 May 2006

modern equipment. It is reasonable to include conservation in a combination of generation

sources that could replace the Nine Mile Point Unites 1 and 2. Combined alternatives are

discussed in Section 8.2.6.

8.2.6 Combination of Alternatives

| Even though individual alternatives to NMP might not be sufficient on their own to replace NMP

capacity due to the small size of the resource or lack of cost effective opportunities, it is

conceivable that a combination of alternatives might be cost-effective. 

There are many possible combinations of alternatives. As discussed previously, these

combinations could include base-load natural gas-fired or coal-fired plants, purchased power,

alternative and renewable technologies, and conservation. For the purpose of this discussion,

one combination of alternatives has been assumed: 1200 MW(e) of generation from a

combined-cycle facility at the Nine Mile Point site, 300 MW(e) of energy conservation, and

259 MW(e) purchased from other generators. The impacts of other combinations, such as

those from combinations that include wind or solar power, would be different and possibly less

than the assumed combination. In some areas, such as the aesthetic impact of solar panel or

wind turbines, the impacts would be at least as large as the impact of the assumed combination

of alternatives. In other areas, such as waste, impacts would be smaller for these alternative

technologies. 

Table 8-7 contains a summary of the environmental impacts of an assumed combination. The

impacts associated with the combined-cycle, natural gas-fired units are based on the natural

gas-fired generation impact assumptions discussed in Section 8.2.2, adjusted for the reduced

generation capacity. While the DSM measures would have few environmental impacts,

operation of the new natural gas-fired plant would result in increased emissions and

environmental impacts. The environmental impacts associated with power purchased from

other generators would still occur but would be located elsewhere, as discussed in

Section 8.2.4. The impacts of purchased power are not shown in Table 8-7. The staff

concludes that it is very unlikely that the environmental impacts of any reasonable combination

of generating and conservation options could be reduced to the level of impacts associated with

| renewal of the NMP Ols.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-47 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Table 8-7. Summary of Environmental Impacts of an Assumed Combination of

Generation and Acquisition Alternatives—Does Not Include Impacts

from Purchased Generation

Impact

Nine Mile Point Site

Alternate Site

Category Impact Comments Impact Comments

Land Use SMALL to

MODERATE

The natural gas-fired alternative

would use undeveloped portions

of the Nine Mile Point site. It

would require upwards of 45 ha

(110 ac) for power block, offices,

roads, and parking areas. It

would use existing

infrastructure, minimizing new

land requirements. There would

be additional land impacts for

construction of an underground

gas pipeline.

SMALL to

LARGE

Land-use requirements would

be larger at an alternate site

than at the Nine Mile Point site

because of the need for

infrastructure such as

transmission facilities, roads,

parking areas, office buildings,

and cooling system. The total

impact would depend on

whether the alternate site is

previously disturbed. 

Ecology SMALL to |

MODERATE

The natural gas-fired alternative

would use undeveloped areas at

the Nine Mile Point site. There

would be potential for significant

habitat loss, habitat

fragmentation, and reduced

productivity and biological

diversity.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts would depend on

whether the alternate site is

previously disturbed. Factors to

consider include location and

ecology of site and

transmission line route. In total,

impacts could include habitat

degradation, fragmentation, or

loss as a result of construction

activities and conversion of land

to industrial use. Ecological

communities might experience

reduced productivity and

biological diversity from

disturbing previously intact

land.

Water Use

and

Quality—

Surface

Water

SMALL Combined-cycle units have

lower water requirements than

nuclear and coal-fired power

plants. The natural gas-fired

alternative would use

closed-cycle cooling to the

degree necessary.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Combined-cycle units have

lower water requirements than

nuclear and coal-fired power

plants. The natural gas-fired

alternative would use

closed-cycle cooling to the

degree necessary. Total

impacts would depend on the

volume of water withdrawal, the

constituents of the discharge

water, the characteristics of the

surface water source, and the

new intake structures required. 
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact

Nine Mile Point Site

Alternate Site

Category Impact Comments Impact Comments

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-48 May 2006

Water Use

and

Quality—

Groundwater

SMALL Use of groundwater is very

unlikely.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impact depends on volume of

water withdrawal and

discharge.

Air Quality MODERATE Sulfur oxides: 62 MT/yr 

(68 tons/yr)

Nitrogen oxides: 198 MT/yr 

(218 tons/yr)

Carbon monoxide: 121 MT/yr

(133 tons/yr)

PM10 particulates: 229 MT/yr

(252 tons/yr)

Other: (1) hazardous air

pollutants, including arsenic,

formaldehyde, and nickel and

(2) carbon dioxide emissions,

which contribute to global

warming.

MODERATE Same impacts as the Nine Mile

Point site.

Waste SMALL Minimal waste product from fuel

combination.

SMALL Same impacts as the Nine Mile

Point site.

Human

Health

SMALL Impacts are considered to be

minor.

SMALL Same impacts as the Nine Mile

Point site.

SocioeconomicsSMALL to

MODERATE

During construction, impacts

would be MODERATE. 

Construction workers could

place noticeable burdens on

existing infrastructure, including

housing and transportation.

During operation, employment

would decrease from 1280

permanent workers to

approximately 50, reducing

impacts on transportation.

Impacts on housing and vitality

of the local economy would be

negative. Overall,

socioeconomic impacts from

operation are SMALL.

SMALL to

LARGE

The characteristics of the

construction period at an

alternate site would be similar

to those at the Nine Mile Point

site. Socioeconomic impacts to

the local community would

depend on the characteristics of

the alternate site, and might

vary from SMALL to

MODERATE.

The characteristics of the

operation of the natural

gas-fired alternative at an

alternate site would be similar

to those at the Nine Mile Point

site. Socioeconomic impacts to

the local community would

depend on the characteristics of

the alternate site, and might

vary from SMALL to LARGE.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

Impact

Nine Mile Point Site

Alternate Site

Category Impact Comments Impact Comments

May 2006 8-49 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

Socioeconomics

(Transportation)

MODERATE Transportation impacts

associated with construction

workers would be MODERATE.

MODERATE Same impacts as the Nine Mile

Point site.

Aesthetics SMALL There would be visual aesthetic |

impacts associated with plant

buildings and structures. There

would be both continuous and

intermittent noise impacts from

plant operation.

MODERATE

to LARGE

The structures and operation

would be similar to the Nine

Mile Point site, but the

significance of the impacts

would depend on the

characteristics of the alternate

site. The natural gas-fired

alternative at an alternate site

could require transmission

lines, with attendant aesthetic

impacts. 

Historic

and

Archaeological

Resources

SMALL Studies would likely be needed

to identify, evaluate, and

address mitigation of the

potential cultural resource

impacts from construction of a

new plant. Any potential

impacts can likely be effectively

managed.

SMALL Same impacts as the Nine Mile

Point site.

Environmental

Justice

SMALL No environmental pathways or

locations have been identified

that would result in

disproportionately high and

adverse environmental impacts

on minority and low-income

populations. Impacts on

minority and low-income

communities should be similar

to those experienced by the

population as a whole.

SMALL to

MODERATE

Impacts would vary depending

on population distribution and

characteristics at the new site.

8.3 Summary of Alternatives Considered

The environmental impacts of the proposed action, license renewal, are SMALL for all impact

categories (except collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle and from high-level

waste and spent fuel disposal, for which a single significance level was not assigned). The

alternative actions, i.e., no-action alternative (discussed in Section 8.1), new generation

alternatives (from coal, natural gas, and nuclear discussed in Sections 8.2.1 through 8.2.3,

respectively), purchased electrical power (discussed in Section 8.2.4), alternative technologies
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-50 May 2006

(discussed in Section 8.2.5), and the combination of alternatives (discussed in Section 8.2.6)

were considered.

The no-action alternative would require the replacement of electrical generating capacity by (1)

DSM and energy conservation, (2) power purchased from other electricity providers,

| (3) generating alternatives other than NMP, or (4) some combination of these options. For each

new generation alternative (coal, natural gas, and nuclear), the environmental impacts would

not be less than the impacts of license renewal. For example, the land-disturbance impacts

resulting from construction of any new facility would be greater than the impacts of continued

| operation of NMP. The impacts of purchased electrical power (imported power) would still

occur, but would occur elsewhere. Alternative technologies are not considered feasible at this

time, and it is very unlikely that the environmental impacts of any reasonable combination of

generation and conservation options could be reduced to the level of impacts associated with

| renewal of the NMP OLs.

The staff concludes that the alternative actions, including the no-action alternative, may have

environmental effects in at least some impact categories that reach MODERATE or LARGE

significance.

8.4 References

| 10 CFR Part 50. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 50, "Domestic Licensing

of Production and Utilization Facilities."

| 10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, "Environmental

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Functions."

| 10 CFR Part 52. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 52, "Early Site Permits;

Standard Design Certifications; and Combined Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants."

| 40 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 51,

"Requirements for Preparation, Adoption, and Submittal of Implementation Plans."

| 40 CFR Part 60. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 60,

"Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources."

American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). 2004. Wind Project Data Base. Accessed at: 

http://ww.awea.org/projects/newyork.html on October 18, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940373)

British Wind Energy Association (BWEA). 2003. Accessed at: 

http://www.offshorewindfarms.co.uk/else.html on October 18, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940379)

Clean Air Act. 42 USC. 7401, et seq.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-51 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

C&A Carbone, Inc. v. Town of Clarkstown, New York, 511 U.S. 383, (U.S. Supreme Court

1994).

Dominion Nuclear North Anna, LLC (Dominion). 2003. Letter from D. A. Christian, Dominion, to

J. E. Dyer, NRC. Subject: "North Anna Early Site Permit Application." September 25, 2003.

Elliott, D. L., C. G. Holladay, W. R. Barchet, H. P. Foote, and W. F. Sandusky. 1986. Wind

Energy Resource Atlas of the United States. DOE/CH 10093-4, U.S. Department of Energy,

Washington, D.C. Accessed at: http://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas on October 18, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940383)

Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon). 2003. Letter from M. C. Kray, Exelon, to NRC. -

Subject: "Early Site Permit Application." September 25, 2003.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1977, as amended. 33 USC 1251, et seq. (Also known

as the Clean Water Act).

Gabbard, Alex. 1993. Coal Combustion: Nuclear Resource or Danger, Oak Ridge National

Laboratory Review. Oak Ridge National Laboratory: Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Summer/Fall

1993. Accessed at: http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/rev26-34/text/colmain.html on

October 18, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940387)

Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA). 2004. About Waste to Energy. Accessed at: 

http://www.wte.org/waste.html on October 18, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940392)

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). 42 USC 4321, et seq.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). 2002. 2002 State

Energy Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement. Accessed at: 

http://www.nyserda.org/sep.html on October 18, 2004. (Accession No. ML060940495)

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station License |

Renewal Application, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming, New York. |

Northwest Power Planning Council (NWPPC). 2000. Northwest Power Supply

Adequacy/Reliability Study Phase I Report. Accessed at: 

http://www.nwcouncil.org/library/2000/2000-4.pdf on October 18, 2004. (Accession No.

ML060940393)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. 42 USC 6901, et seq., as amended.

Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899. 33 USC 403, et seq.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 8-52 May 2006

Sanford, M. V., V. Banunarayanan, and K. Wirgau. 2001. Implications of Capacity Additions in

New York on Transmission System Adequacy. Maps performed for the New York Independent

System Operator. March 2, 2001, Rev. 2.

System Energy Resources , Inc. (SERI). 2003. Letter from W. A. Eaton, SERI, to NRC.

Subject: “Early Site Permit Application.” October 16, 2003.

U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA). 2000. Annual

Energy Outlook 2001 With Projections to 2020. DOE/EIA-0383(2001). Washington, D.C.

Accessed at: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ftproot/forecasting/0383(2001).pdf on October 18, 2004.

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U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA). 2001. Renewable

Energy 2000: Issues and Trends. DOE/EIA-0628 (2000). Washington, D.C. Accessed at: 

http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ftproot/renewables/06282000.pdf on October 14, 2004. (Accession No.

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U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA). 2002. International

Energy Outlook 2002. DOE/EIA-0484 (2002). Washington, D.C. Accessed at: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/pdf/international/0484(2002).pdf on October 18, 2004. (Accession

No. ML060940450)

U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA). 2003. U.S. Nuclear

Reactors: Nine Mile Point. Accessed at: 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/reactors/nine_mile.html on

January 20, 2005. (Accession No. ML060940456)

U.S. Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration (DOE/EIA). 2004. Annual

Energy Outlook 2004. Washington, D.C., January, 2004. 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 2001. U.S. Wind Energy Resource Map. Accessed at: 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhyrdo/wind_potential.html on October 18, 2004. 

(Accession No. ML060940467)

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 2004. Future Fuel Cells R&D. Accessed at: 

http://www.fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/fuelcells on October 18, 2004.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1998. "Revision of Standards of Performance for

Nitrogen Oxide Emissions From New Fossil-Fuel Fired Steam Generating Units; Revisions to

Reporting Requirements for Standards of Performance for New Fossil-Fuel Fired Steam

Generating Units, Final Rule." Federal Register, Vol. 63, No. 179, pp. 49442–49455. 

Washington, D.C. September 16, 1998.
Environmental Impacts of Alternatives

May 2006 8-53 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1999. "Regional Haze Regulations, Final Rule."

Federal Register, Vol. 64, No. 126, pp. 35714–3577. Washington, D.C. July 1, 1999.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2000a. "Notice of Regulatory Determination on

Wastes From the Combustion of Fossil Fuels." Federal Register, Vol. 65, No. 99, pp.

32214–32237. Washington, D.C. May 22, 2000.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2000b. "Regulatory Finding on the Emissions of

Hazardous Air Pollutants from Electric Utility Steam Generating Units." Federal Register,

Vol. 65, No. 245, pp. 79825–79831. Washington, D.C. December 20, 2000.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2001. Municipal Solid Waste Disposal.

Accessed at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/disposal.htm on October 18, 2004.

(Accession No. ML060940477)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Main Report, Section 6.3—Transportation, Table 9.1

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants, Final Report.

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2002. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, Supplement 1, Regarding the Decommissioning of

Nuclear Power Reactors. NUREG-0586, Supplement 1, Vols. 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

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Energy Outlook 2005” Accessed at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/electricity.html on

July 14, 2005. (Accession No. ML060940480)
(a) The GEIS was originally issued in 1996. Addendum 1 to the GEIS was issued in 1999. Hereafter, all

references to the GEIS include the GEIS and its Addendum 1.

May 2006 9-1 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

9.0 Summary and Conclusions

By letter dated May 26, 2004, the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS), submitted an

application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to renew the operating licenses

(OLs) for Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2 (NMP) for an additional 20-year period (NMPNS 2004). |

The application was supplemented by letters dated March 3, 2005, and July 14, 2005. If the

OLs are renewed, State regulatory agencies and NMPNS will ultimately decide whether the

plant will continue to operate based on factors such as the need for power or other matters

within the State’s jurisdiction or the purview of the owners. If the OLs are not renewed, then the

plants must be shut down at or before the expiration of the current OLs, which expire on August

22, 2009, for Unit 1, and October 31, 2026, for Unit 2.

Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [USC]

4321) directs that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for major Federal actions

that significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The NRC has implemented

Section 102 of the NEPA in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51. Part 51

identifies licensing and regulatory actions that require an EIS. In 10 CFR 51.20(b)(2), the

Commission requires preparation of an EIS or a supplement to an EIS for renewal of a reactor

OL; 10 CFR 51.95(c) states that the EIS prepared at the OL renewal stage will be a supplement

to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants (GEIS),

NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2 (NRC 1996, 1999).(a)

Upon acceptance of the NMPNS application, the NRC began the environmental review process

described in 10 CFR Part 51 by publishing a notice of intent to prepare an EIS and conduct

scoping (NRC 2004a) on August 11, 2004. The staff held public scoping meetings on

September 21, 2004, in Oswego, New York and visited the Nine Mile Point site on

September 22, 2004 (NRC 2004b). The staff has reviewed the NMPNS Environmental Report

(ER) (NMPNS 2004) and compared it to the GEIS, consulted with other agencies, and

conducted an independent review of the issues following the guidance set forth in

NUREG-1555, Supplement 1, the Standard Review Plans for Environmental Reviews for

Nuclear Power Plants, Supplement 1: Operating License Renewal (NRC 2000). The staff also

considered the public comments received during the scoping process for preparation of this

draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for NMP. The public comments |

received during the scoping process that were considered to be within the scope of the |

environmental review are provided in Appendix A, Part 1, of this SEIS. 

The staff held two public meetings in Oswego, New York, in November 2005, to describe the |

preliminary results of the NRC environmental review and to answer questions to provide

members of the public with information to assist them in formulating their comments on the draft |

SEIS. The staff considered and addressed all of the comments received on the draft SEIS. |

These comments are recorded and addressed in Appendix A, Part 2, of this SEIS.
Summary and Conclusions

(a) The title of 10 CFR 51.23 is “Temporary Storage of Spent Fuel After Cessation of Reactor

Operations—Generic Determination of No Significant Environmental Impact.”

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 9-2 May 2006

| This SEIS includes the NRC staff’s analysis that considers and weighs the cumulative impacts

| of the action, the environmental effects of the proposed action, the environmental impacts of

alternatives to the proposed action, and mitigation measures available for reducing or avoiding

| adverse effects. It also includes the staff’s recommendation regarding the proposed action.

The NRC has adopted the following statement of purpose and need for license renewal from the

GEIS:

The purpose and need for the proposed action (renewal of an operating license) is to

provide an option that allows for power generation capability beyond the term of a

current nuclear power plant operating license to meet future system generating needs,

as such needs may be determined by State, utility, and, where authorized, Federal

(other than NRC) decisionmakers.

The evaluation criterion for the staff’s environmental review, as defined in 10 CFR 51.95(c)(4)

and the GEIS, is to determine:

... whether or not the adverse environmental impacts of license renewal are so great that

preserving the option of license renewal for energy planning decisionmakers would be

unreasonable.

Both the statement of purpose and need and the evaluation criterion implicitly acknowledge that

there are factors, in addition to license renewal, that will ultimately determine whether an

existing nuclear power plant continues to operate beyond the period of the current OLs.

NRC regulations (10 CFR 51.95[c][2]) contain the following statement regarding the content of

SEISs prepared at the license renewal stage:

The supplemental environmental impact statement for license renewal is not required to

include discussion of need for power or the economic costs and economic benefits of

the proposed action or of alternatives to the proposed action except insofar as such

benefits and costs are either essential for a determination regarding the inclusion of an

alternative in the range of alternatives considered or relevant to mitigation. In addition,

the supplemental environmental impact statement prepared at the license renewal stage

need not discuss other issues not related to the environmental effects of the proposed

action and the alternatives, or any aspect of the storage of spent fuel for the facility

within the scope of the generic determination in § 51.23(a) and in accordance with

§ 51.23(b).(a)

The GEIS contains the results of a systematic evaluation of the consequences of renewing an

OL and operating a nuclear power plant for an additional 20 years. It evaluates
Summary and Conclusions

May 2006 9-3 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

92 environmental issues using NRC’s three-level standard of significance—SMALL,

MODERATE, or LARGE—developed using the Council on Environmental Quality guidelines. 

The following definitions of the three significance levels are set forth in the footnotes to

Table B-1 of 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B:

SMALL—Environmental effects are not detectable or are so minor that they will neither

destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource.

MODERATE—Environmental effects are sufficient to alter noticeably, but not to

destabilize, important attributes of the resource.

LARGE—Environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize

important attributes of the resource.

For 69 of the 92 issues considered in the GEIS, the staff analysis in the GEIS shows the

following:

(1) The environmental impacts associated with the issue have been determined to apply

either to all plants or, for some issues, to plants having a specific type of cooling

system or other specified plant or site characteristics.

(2) A single significance level (i.e., SMALL, MODERATE, or LARGE) has been assigned

to the impacts (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle

and from high-level waste [HLW] and spent fuel disposal).

(3) Mitigation of adverse impacts associated with the issue has been considered in the

analysis, and it has been determined that additional plant-specific mitigation

measures are likely not to be sufficiently beneficial to warrant implementation.

These 69 issues were identified in the GEIS as Category 1 issues. In the absence of new and

significant information, the staff relied on conclusions as amplified by supporting information in

the GEIS for issues designated Category 1 in Table B-1 of 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A,

Appendix B.

Of the 23 issues that do not meet the criteria set forth above, 21 are classified as Category 2

issues requiring analysis in a plant-specific supplement to the GEIS. The remaining two issues,

environmental justice and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields, were not categorized. 

Environmental justice was not evaluated on a generic basis and must also be addressed in a

plant-specific supplement to the GEIS. Information on the chronic effects of electromagnetic

fields was not conclusive at the time the GEIS was prepared.

This SEIS documents the staff’s consideration of all 92 environmental issues identified in the |

GEIS. The staff considered the environmental impacts associated with alternatives to license

renewal and compared the environmental impacts of license renewal and the alternatives. The
Summary and Conclusions

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 9-4 May 2006

alternatives to license renewal that were considered include the no-action alternative (not

| renewing the OLs for NMP) and alternative methods of power generation. These alternatives

were evaluated assuming that the replacement power generation plant is located at either the

Nine Mile Point site or some other unspecified location.

9.1 Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action—

License Renewal

NMPNS and the staff have established independent processes for identifying and evaluating the

significance of any new information on the environmental impacts of license renewal. Neither

NMPNS nor the staff has identified information that is both new and significant related to

| Category 1 issues that would call into question the conclusions in the GEIS. Similarly, neither

| the public comments, NMPNS, nor the staff has identified any new issue applicable to NMP,

that has a significant environmental impact. Therefore, the staff relies upon the conclusions of

the GEIS for all Category 1 issues that are applicable to Nine Mile Point.

NMPNS’s license renewal application presents an analysis of the Category 2 issues that are

applicable to Nine Mile Point, plus environmental justice and chronic effects from

electromagnetic fields. The staff has reviewed the NMPNS analysis for each issue and has

conducted an independent review of each issue plus environmental justice and chronic effects

from electromagnetic fields. Five Category 2 issues are not applicable because they are related

| to plant design features or site characteristics not found at Nine Mile Point. Four Category 2

issues are not discussed in this SEIS because they are specifically related to refurbishment. 

NMPNS has stated that its evaluation of structures and components, as required by

| 10 CFR 54.21, did not identify any major plant refurbishment activities or modifications as

necessary to support the continued operation of NMP, for the license renewal period. In

addition, any replacement of components or additional inspection activities are within the

bounds of normal plant component replacement and, therefore, are not expected to affect the

environment outside of the bounds of the plant operations evaluated in the Final Environmental

Statement Related to the Operation of Nine Mile Nuclear Station Unit 1 (AEC 1974).

Twelve Category 2 issues related to operational impacts and postulated accidents during the

renewal term, as well as environmental justice and chronic effects of electromagnetic fields, are

| discussed in detail in this SEIS. Five of the Category 2 issues and environmental justice apply

to both refurbishment and to operation during the renewal term and are only discussed in this

| SEIS in relation to operation during the renewal term. For all 12 Category 2 issues and

environmental justice, the staff concludes that the potential environmental effects are of SMALL

significance in the context of the standards set forth in the GEIS. In addition, the staff

determined that appropriate Federal health agencies have not reached a consensus on the

existence of chronic adverse effects from electromagnetic fields. Therefore, no further

evaluation of this issue is required.
Summary and Conclusions

May 2006 9-5 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

For severe accident mitigation alternatives (SAMAs), the staff concludes that a reasonable,

comprehensive effort was made to identify and evaluate SAMAs. Based on its review of the

NMPNS SAMA analysis, the staff concurs with NMPNS's identification of areas in which risk can

be further reduced in a cost-beneficial manner through the implementation of all or a subset of

the identified, potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs. Given the potential for cost-beneficial risk

reduction, the staff agrees that further evaluation of these SAMAs by NMPNS is warranted. 

However, none of the potentially cost-beneficial SAMAs relate to adequately managing the

effects of aging during the period of extended operation. Therefore, they need not be

implemented as part of the license renewal pursuant to 10 CFR Part 54.

Mitigation measures were considered for each Category 2 issue. Current measures to mitigate

the environmental impacts of plant operation were found to be adequate, and no additional

mitigation measures were deemed sufficiently beneficial to be warranted.

The following sections discuss unavoidable adverse impacts, irreversible or irretrievable

commitments of resources, and the relationship between local short-term use of the

environment and long-term productivity.

9.1.1 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts

An environmental review conducted at the license renewal stage differs from the review

conducted in support of a construction permit because the facility is in existence at the license

renewal stage and has operated for a number of years. As a result, adverse impacts associated

with the initial construction have been avoided, have been mitigated, or have already occurred. 

The environmental impacts to be evaluated for license renewal are those associated with

refurbishment and continued operation during the renewal term.

The adverse impacts of continued operation identified are considered to be of SMALL

significance, and none warrants implementation of additional mitigation measures. The adverse |

impacts of likely alternatives if NMP cease operation at or before the expiration of the current

OLs will not be smaller than those associated with continued operation of these units, and the

adverse impacts may be greater for some impact categories in some locations.

9.1.2 Irreversible or Irretrievable Resource Commitments

The commitment of resources related to construction and operation of NMP during the current |

license period was made when the facility was built. The resource commitments to be

considered in this SEIS are associated with continued operation of the plant for an additional 20 |

years. These resources include materials and equipment required for plant maintenance and

operation, the nuclear fuel used by the reactors, and ultimately, permanent offsite storage space

for the spent fuel assemblies.

The most significant resource commitments related to operation during the renewal term are the

fuel and the permanent HLW storage space. Approximately one-third of the fuel assemblies in
Summary and Conclusions

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 9-6 May 2006

each of the two Nine Mile Point units is replaced during every refueling outage, which occurs on

a staggered 24-month cycle.

The likely power generation alternatives if Nine Mile Point ceases operation on or before the

expiration of the current OLs will require a commitment of resources for construction of the

replacement plants as well as for fuel to run the plants.

9.1.3 Short-Term Use Versus Long-Term Productivity

An initial balance between short-term use and long-term productivity of the environment at the

Nine Mile Point site was set when the plants were approved and construction began. That

| balance is now well established. Renewal of the OLs for NMP and continued operation of the

plant will not alter the existing balance, but may postpone the availability of the site for other

uses. Denial of the application to renew the OLs will lead to shutdown of the plant and will alter

the balance in a manner that depends on subsequent uses of the site. For example, the

environmental consequences of turning the Nine Mile Point site into a park or an industrial

facility are quite different.

9.2 Relative Significance of the Environmental Impacts of

License Renewal and Alternatives

| The proposed action is renewal of the OLs for NMP. Chapter 2 describes the site, power plant,

and interactions of the plant with the environment. As noted in Chapter 3, no refurbishment and

| no refurbishment impacts are expected at NMP. Chapters 4 through 7 discuss environmental

issues associated with renewal of the OLs. Environmental issues associated with the no-action

alternative and alternatives involving power generation and use reduction are discussed in

Chapter 8.

The significance of the environmental impacts from the proposed action (approval of the

application for renewal of the OLs); the no-action alternative (denial of the application),

alternatives involving nuclear, coal-, or gas-fired generation of power at the Nine Mile Point site

and an unspecified alternate site, and a combination of alternatives are compared in Table 9-1. 

The use of closed-cycle cooling systems for both the Nine Mile Point site and an alternate site is

assumed for Table 9-1.

Substitution of once-through cooling for the recirculating cooling system in the evaluation of the

nuclear, coal-, and gas-fired generation alternatives would result in somewhat greater

environmental impacts in some impact categories.

Table 9-1 shows that the significance of the environmental effects of the proposed action is

SMALL for all impact categories (except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel

cycle and from HLW and spent fuel disposal, for which a single significance level was not

assigned [see Chapter 6]). The alternative actions, including the no-action alternative, may
Summary and Conclusions

May 2006 9-7 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

have environmental effects in at least some impact categories that reach MODERATE or

LARGE significance.

9.3 Staff Conclusions and Recommendations

Based on (1) the analysis and findings in the GEIS (NRC 1996; 1999), (2) the ER submitted by

NMPNS (NMPNS 2004), (3) consultation with Federal, State, and local agencies, (4) the staff’s

own independent review, and (5) the staff’s consideration of public comments, the |

recommendation of the staff is that the Commission determine the adverse environmental

impacts of license renewal for NMP are not so great that preserving the option of license |

renewal for energy-planning decisionmakers would be unreasonable.
Table 9-1. Summary of Environmental Significance of Proposed Action, the No-Action Alternative, and Alternative 

Methods of Generation Using Closed-Cycle Cooling

Proposed Action

No-Action

Alternative

Coal-Fired

Generation

Natural Gas-Fired

Generation

New Nuclear

Generation

Combination of

Alternatives

ImpactCategory License Renewal Denial of Renewal Alternate Site Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site Nine Mile Point Site Alternate Site

Land Use SMALL SMALL

MODERATE toLARGE

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL to LARGE MODERATE

MODERATE toLARGE

SMALL toMODERATE

SMALL toLARGE

Ecology | SMALL SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE

SMALL toMODERATE

MODERATE toLARGE

SMALL toMODERATE

SMALL toMODERATE

Water Use andQuality—Surface Water SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE

Water Use andQuality—Groundwater SMALL SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE

Air Quality SMALL SMALL MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE SMALL SMALL MODERATE MODERATEWaste SMALL SMALL MODERATE SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALLHuman Health SMALL(a) SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL

Socioeconomics SMALL MODERATE to LARGE SMALL to LARGE MODERATE MODERATE to LARGE SMALL to MODERATE SMALL to LARGE SMALL to MODERATE SMALL to LARGE

Socioeconomics(Transportation) SMALL SMALL SMALL to LARGE MODERATE MODERATE SMALL to LARGE SMALL to LARGE MODERATE MODERATEAesthetics | SMALL SMALL SMALL to LARGE SMALL

MODERATE toLARGE MODERATE SMALL to LARGE SMALL

MODERATE toLARGE

Historic andArchaeologicalResources SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALL SMALLEnvironmentalJustice SMALL SMALL to LARGE SMALL to LARGE

SMALL toMODERATE

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE SMALL

SMALL toMODERATE

(a) Except for collective offsite radiological impacts from the fuel cycle and from HLW and spent-fuel disposal, for which a significance level was not assigned. See Section 6 for details.

NUREG-1437, Supplement 24 9-8 May 2006
Summary and Conclusions

May 2006 9-9 NUREG-1437, Supplement 24

9.4 References

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, “Environmental |

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

10 CFR Part 54. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 54, “Requirements for |

Renewal of Operating Licenses for Nuclear Power Plants.”

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). 42 USC 4321, et seq.

Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station, LLC (NMPNS). 2004. Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

Application for License Renewal, Appendix E—Applicant’s Environmental Report. Lycoming,

New York. 

U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). 1974. Final Environmental Statement Related to the

Operation of Nine Mile Nuclear Station Unit 1. Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Docket

No. 50-220. Directorate of Licensing. Washington, D.C. January 1974.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1996. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants. NUREG-1437, Volumes 1 and 2, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1999. Generic Environmental Impact Statement

for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants: Main Report, Section 6.3, Transportation, Table 9.1,

Summary of findings on NEPA issues for license renewal of nuclear power plants, Final Report.

NUREG-1437, Volume 1, Addendum 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2000. Standard Review Plans for Environmental

Reviews for Nuclear Power Plants, Supplement 1: “Operating License Renewal.” NUREG1555, Supplement 1, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004a. “Notice of Intent to Prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement and Conduct Scoping Process.” Federal Register, Vol. 69,

No. 154, pp. 48900–48901. Washington, D.C. August 11, 2004. 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2004b. Environmental Impact Statement Scoping

Process: Summary Report—Nine Mile Point Units 1 and 2, Oswego, New York. Washington,

D.C.