Appendix F 

Key Early Site Permit Consultation Correspondence 

Regarding the VEGP Early Site Permit 
August 2008 F-1 NUREG-1872 

Appendix F 

Key Early Site Permit Consultation Correspondence 

Regarding the VEGP Early Site Permit 

Correspondence received during the evaluation process of the early site permit application for 

the siting of two new nuclear units (Units 3 and 4) at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant 

(VEGP) in Burke County, Georgia, is identified in Table F-1. Copies of the correspondence are 

included at the end of this appendix. 

Table F-1. Key Early Site Permit Consultation Correspondence Regarding the VEGP Early 

Site Permit 

Source Recipient Date of Letter

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC) (Christopher 

Nolan) 

Poarch Band of Creek Indians 

(Stephanie Rolin) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) United Keetoowah Band of 

Cherokee Indians (Emma Sue 

Holland) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Poarch Band of Creek Indians 

(Eddie Tullis) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

(Kathy McCoy) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana 

(John Zachary) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Kialegee Tribal Town 

(Evelyn Bucktrot) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of 

Florida (Steven Terry) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Poarch Band of Creek Indians 

(Gale Thrower) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Thlopthlocco Tribal Town 

(Louis McGertt) 

October 12, 2006 
Appendix F 

NUREG-1872 F-2 August 2008 

Source Recipient Date of Letter

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Muscogee (Creek) Nation 

(A.D. Ellis) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma 

(Richard Allen) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Chickasaw Nation 

(Gingy [Virginia] Nail) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma 

(Bill Anoatubby) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee 

(Charles Thurmond) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town 

(Tarpie Yargee) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) National Marine Fisheries Service 

(David Bernhart) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Daphne Ecological Services 

(Elaine Snyder-Conn) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Georgia Ecological Services 

(Strant Colwell) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (Don Klima) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Seminole Nation of Oklahoma 

(Pare Bowlegs) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

(Michell Hicks) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Georgia State Historic Preservation 

Officer (Ray Luce) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Alabama Historical Commission 

(Ed Bridges) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) United Keetoowah Band of 

Cherokee Indians (Dallas Proctor) 

October 12, 2006 
Appendix F 

August 2008 F-3 NUREG-1872 

Source Recipient Date of Letter

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma (Karen Kaniatobe) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas 

(Debbie Thomas) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Muscogee (Creek) Nation of 

Oklahoma(Joyce A. Bear) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma 

(Chadwick Smith) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Catawba Indian Tribe 

(Gilbert Blue) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Seminole Tribe of Florida 

(Willard Steele) 

October 12, 2006 

NRC (Christopher Nolan) Mississippi Band of Choctaw 

Indians (Kenneth H. Carleton) 

October 12, 2006 

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of 

Florida (Steven Terry) 

NRC (e-mail) October 16, 2006 

Alabama Historical Commission 

(Colonel [Ret.] John A. 

Neubauer) 

NRC (Mark Notich) October 20, 2006 

Walt Wilson, National Marine 

Fisheries Service (Walt Wilson) 

NRC October 24, 2006 

NRC (Mark Notich) Georgia State Historic Preservation 

Officer (Ray Luce) 

September 4, 2007 

Georgia State Historic 

Preservation Division (Karen 

Anderson-Cordova) 

NRC (Mark Notich) December 27, 2007 

NRC (William Burton) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 

Georgia Ecological Services 

(Sandra Tucker) 

January 25, 2008 

NRC (William Burton) National Marine Fisheries Service 

(David Bernhart) 

January 25, 2008 

NRC (William Burton) South Carolina Department of 

Natural Resources (Robert Perry) 

February 20, 2008 
Appendix F 

NUREG-1872 F-4 August 2008 

Source Recipient Date of Letter

Georgia Department of Natural 

Resources (Karen AndersonCordova) 

NRC (Mark Notich) July 3, 2008 
October 12, 2006

Ms. Stephanie Rolin, NAGPRA Contact

Poarch Band of Creek Indians

5811 Jack Springs Road

Atmore, AL 36502

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Rolin:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-5 NUREG-1872
Ms. S. Rolin - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-6 August 2008
Ms. S. Rolin - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-7 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Emma Sue Holland, NAGPRA Contact

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

P.O. Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Holland:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. We want

to ensure that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b),

the NRC invites the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to provide input to the

scoping process relating to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is

a description of the application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-8 August 2008
Ms. E. Holland - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to consult with

the staff in this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on

the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties

identified; and developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or

mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to

describe such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to

historical and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will

forward the draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in

the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-9 NUREG-1872
Ms. E. Holland - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-10 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Eddie Tullis, Chairperson

Poarch Band of Creek Indians

5811 Jack Springs Road

Atmore, AL 36502

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Tullis:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-11 NUREG-1872
Mr. E. Tullis - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-12 August 2008
Mr. E. Tullis - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-13 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Kathy McCoy, NAGPRA Contact

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian

P.O. Box 455

Cherokee, NC 28719

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. McCoy:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian. We want to ensure

that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian to provide input to the scoping process relating to

the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-14 August 2008
K. McCoy - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian to consult with the staff in

this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle

ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-15 NUREG-1872
K. McCoy - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-16 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. John Zachary, Attorney at Law

c/o Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana

P.O. Box 12730

Alexandria, LA 71315-2730

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Zachary:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff invites

the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to consult with the staff in this regard by participating in the

scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects of

the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and developing alternatives and

Appendix F

August 2008 F-17 NUREG-1872
Mr. J. Zachary 2

proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed

action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such alternatives and proposed

measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and cultural resources. To

complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to you for your

review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-18 August 2008
Mr. J. Zachary 3

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-19 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Evelyn Bucktrot, Town King

Kialegee Tribal Town

P.O. Box 332

Wetumka, OK 74883

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Bucktrot:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Kialegee Tribal Town. We want to ensure that you are

aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites the

Kialegee Tribal Town to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s

environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application and

the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-20 August 2008
Ms. E. Bucktrot - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Kialegee Tribal Town to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-21 NUREG-1872
Ms. E. Bucktrot - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-22 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Steven Terry

Land Resources Manager

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Real Estate Services

Mile Marker 70

US 41 at Admin. Bldg.

Miami, FL 33194

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Terry:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. We want to

ensure that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b),

the NRC invites the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to provide input to the scoping

process relating to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a

description of the application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Appendix F

August 2008 F-23 NUREG-1872
Mr. S. Terry 2

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff invites

the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to consult with the staff in this regard by participating

in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the

effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and developing alternatives

and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the

proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such alternatives and

proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and cultural resources. 

To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to you for your

review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-24 August 2008
Mr. S. Terry 3

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-25 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Gale Thrower, NAGPRA Contact

Poarch Band of Creek Indians

5811 Jack Springs Road

Atmore, AL 36502

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Thrower:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-26 August 2008
Ms. G. Thrower - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-27 NUREG-1872
Ms. G. Thrower - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-28 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Louis McGertt, Town King

Thlopthlocco Tribal Town

P.O. Box 188

Okema, OK 74859

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. McGertt:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town. We want to ensure that you

are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites

the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s

environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application and

the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-29 NUREG-1872
Mr. L. McGertt - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Thlopthlocco Tribal Town to consult with the staff in this regard

by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site;

assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-30 August 2008
Mr. L. McGertt - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-31 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. A.D. Ellis, Principal Chief

Muscogee (Creek) Nation

P.O. Box 580

Okmulgee, OK 74447

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Principal Chief Ellis :

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. We want to ensure that you

are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites

the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s

environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application and

the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-32 August 2008
Principal Chief A.D. Ellis - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Muscogee (Creek) Nation to consult with the staff in this regard

by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site;

assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-33 NUREG-1872
Principal Chief A.D. Ellis - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-34 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Richard L. Allen, NAGPRA Contact

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

P.O. Box 948

Tahlequa, OK 74465-0948

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Allen:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-35 NUREG-1872
Mr. R. Allen - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-36 August 2008
Mr. R. Allen - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-37 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Gingy (Virginia) Nail, NAGPRA Contact

Chickasaw Nation

P.O. Box 1548

Ada, OK 74821-1548

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Nail:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Chickasaw Nation. We want to ensure that you are aware

of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites the

Chickasaw Nation to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s environmental

review of the application. The following is a description of the application and the

environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-38 August 2008
Ms. G. Nail - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Chickasaw Nation to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-39 NUREG-1872
Ms. G. Nail - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-40 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Bill Anoatubby, Governor

Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma

P.O. Box 1548

Ada, OK 74821-1548

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Anoatubby:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping process relating to

the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-41 NUREG-1872
Mr. B. Anoatubby - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-42 August 2008
Mr. B. Anoatubby - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-43 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Charles Thurmond, NAGPRA Contact

Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee

P.O. Box 1324

Clayton, GA 30525

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Thurmond:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee. We want to ensure

that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee to provide input to the scoping process relating

to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-44 August 2008
Mr. C. Thurmond - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee to consult with the staff in

this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle

ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-45 NUREG-1872
Mr. C. Thurmond - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Sincerely,

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-46 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Tarpie Yargee, Chief

Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town

P.O. Box 187

Wetumka, OK 74883

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Chief Yargee:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town to provide input to the scoping process relating to

the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Accordingly, the staff invites the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town to consult with the staff in this

Appendix F

August 2008 F-47 NUREG-1872
Chief T. Yargee - 2 -

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-48 August 2008
Chief T. Yargee - 2 -

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-49 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. David Bernhart

Assistant Regional Administrator

National Marine Fisheries Service

Southeast Regional Office

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR AN EARLY SITE PERMIT FOR THE VOGTLE ESP SITE

Dear Mr. Bernhart:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application submitted by

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern) for an early site permit (ESP) for the potential

future construction of one or more new nuclear power plants. As part of the review of this

application the NRC is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). The impact

analyses in the EIS will include the potential impacts of the construction and operation of one or

more new nuclear power plants at the applicant’s preferred site or at one of three alternate

sites, including the potential impacts to fish and wildlife and threatened and endangered

species.

The applicant’s preferred location for the new unit(s), if built, would be adjacent to the existing

Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), located on a Coastal Plain bluff on the southwest side

of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. Southern also has identified three

alternate sites that will be evaluated in the EIS. The three alternate sites owned by Southern: 

Barton Site (greenfield), in Chilton and Elmore Counties, Alabama, Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear

Plant, Appling and Toombs Counties, Georgia, and Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant, in Houston

County, Alabama.

Southern submitted the application for an ESP was on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 52. The applicant

supplemented the application by letters dated August 17, 2006, September 6, 2006, (two

letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for docketing on September

19, 2006, and is available through the web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents

Access and Management System, which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/readingrm/adams.html. The application is listed under accession number ML062290248. If approved,

the ESP will document the NRC staff’s determination regarding the suitability of the proposed

site for the construction and operation of one or more new nuclear plants. The ESP would not

authorize the applicant to begin construction of the new unit(s). However, in its review the NRC

staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of construction and operation and will also

consider alternatives, including the above alternative sites.

To support the EIS preparation process and to ensure compliance with Section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, the NRC requests a list of endangered, threatened,

candidate, and proposed species, and designated and proposed critical habitat under the

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-50 August 2008
D. Bernhart - 2 -

jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheries, that may be in the vicinity of the VEGP site and its transmission

line corridors (Burke County, Jefferson County, Warren County, and McDuffie County ), and the

three alternate sites listed above. In addition, please provide any information you consider

appropriate under the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. 

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. You and your staff are invited to attend. Your

office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for comments after it is issued. 

The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental

Project Manager for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero

at 301-415-2981. You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-51 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Elaine Snyder-Conn, Acting Field Supervisor

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Daphne Ecological Services Field Office

1208-B Main Street

Daphne, AL 36526

SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR AN EARLY SITE PERMIT FOR THE VOGTLE ESP SITE

Dear Ms. Conn:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application submitted by

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern) for an early site permit (ESP) for the potential

future construction of one or more new nuclear power plants. As part of the review of this

application the NRC is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). The impact

analysis in the EIS includes the potential impacts of the construction and operation of one or

more new nuclear power plants at the applicant’s preferred or at one of three alternate sites,

including the potential impacts to fish and wildlife and threatened and endangered species.

The applicant’s preferred location for the new unit(s), if built, would be adjacent to the existing

Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site, which is located on a Coastal Plain bluff on the

southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. The three alternate

sites that will be evaluated in the EIS at the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Appling and Toombs

Counties, Georgia, the Barton Site, in Chilton and Elmore Counties, Alabama and Joseph M.

Farley Nuclear Plant, in Houston County, Alabama located within the area serviced by your

office. 

Southern submitted the application for an ESP on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 52. The applicant

supplemented the application by letters dated August 17, 2006, September 6, 2006 (two

letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for docketing on 

September 19, 2006. If approved, the ESP will document the NRC staff’s determination

regarding the suitability of the proposed site for the construction and operation of one or more

new nuclear plants. The ESP would not authorize the applicant to begin construction of the

new unit(s). However, in its review the NRC staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of

construction and operation and will also consider alternatives, including the above alternative

sites. The application is available through the web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide

Documents Access and Management System which can be found at

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed under accession number

ML062290248.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-52 August 2008
E. Conn - 2 -

To support the EIS preparation process and to ensure compliance with Section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, the NRC requests a list of endangered, threatened,

candidate, and proposed species, and designated and proposed critical habitat, that may be in

the vicinity of the three alternate sites. In addition, please provide any information you consider

appropriate under the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. 

If you have any questions concerning the VEGP ESP application or other aspects of this

project, please contact Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-53 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Strant Colwell

Assistant Field Supervisor

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Georgia Ecological Services

Coastal Georgia Sub-Office

4270 Norwich St. Ext.

Brunswick, GA 31520

SUBJECT: APPLICATION FOR AN EARLY SITE PERMIT FOR THE VOGTLE ESP SITE

Dear Mr. Colwell:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application submitted by

Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern) for an early site permit (ESP) for the potential

future construction of one or more new nuclear power plants. As part of the review of this

application the NRC is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS). The impact analysis

in the EIS includes the potential impacts of the construction and operation of one or more new

nuclear power plants at the applicant’s preferred or at one of three alternate sites, including the

potential impacts to fish and wildlife and threatened and endangered species.

The applicant’s preferred location for the new unit(s), if built, would be adjacent to the existing

Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site, which is located on a Coastal Plain bluff on the

southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. The three alternate

sites that will be evaluated in the EIS at the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Appling and Toombs

Counties, Georgia, the Barton Site, in Chilton and Elmore Counties, Alabama and Joseph M.

Farley Nuclear Plant, in Houston County, Alabama located within the area serviced by your

office. 

Southern submitted the application for an ESP on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 52. The applicant

supplemented the application by letters dated August 17, 2006, September 6, 2006 (two

letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for docketing on 

September 19, 2006. If approved, the ESP will document the NRC staff’s determination

regarding the suitability of the proposed site for the construction and operation of one or more

new nuclear plants. The ESP would not authorize the applicant to begin construction of the new

unit(s). However, in its review the NRC staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of

construction and operation and will also consider alternatives, including the above alternative

sites. The application is available through the web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide

Documents Access and Management System which can be found at

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed under accession number

ML062290248.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-54 August 2008
S. Colwell - 2 -

To support the EIS preparation process and to ensure compliance with Section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, the NRC requests a list of endangered, threatened,

candidate, and proposed species, and designated and proposed critical habitat, that may be in

the vicinity of the three alternate sites. In addition, please provide any information you consider

appropriate under the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. 

If you have any questions concerning the VEGP ESP application or other aspects of this

project, please contact Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-55 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Don Klima, Director

Office of Federal Agency Programs

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Old Post Office Building

1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 809

Washington, DC 20004 

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE

Dear Mr. Klima:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern) on 

August 15, 2006. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated August 17, 2006,

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. An ESP allows an applicant to set aside a site for potential

future construction of one or more new nuclear power plants, and provides the opportunity to

resolve site safety and environmental issues before construction begins. An ESP does not

allow actual construction of a nuclear plant, which must be requested through another

application. The ESP site proposed by Southern is adjacent to the existing Vogtle Electric

Generating Plant on a Coastal Plain bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in

eastern Burke County, Georgia. The application was submitted by Southern pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52.

Southern has also included a site redress plan in its application in accordance with

10 CFR 52.17(c) and 52.25. If a site redress plan is included in an ESP approved by the NRC,

the applicant may carry out certain site preparation and limited construction activities. Southern

would still be required to obtain the appropriate local, State, and other Federal permits required

for these activities prior to starting work. The application is available through the web-based

version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System which can be

found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed under accession

number ML062290248.

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) pursuant to 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC regulations that implement the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8, the NRC staff is using the

NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under §106 of the National Historic

Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. Accordingly, the staff has identified parties who may

wish to consult with the staff in this regard and invited them to consult with the NRC staff on this

matter. Consultation will include participation in the scoping process; identification of historic

properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessment of the effects of the proposed action on any 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-56 August 2008
D. Klima - 2 -

historic properties identified; and development of alternatives and proposed measures that

might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed action on historic

properties.

The NRC intends to describe such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of

potential impacts to historical and cultural resources. To complete consultation under §800.8,

the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to consulting parties for review and comment, and will

address the comments in the final EIS. A draft EIS is scheduled for publication in June 2007,

and will also be provided to you for review and comment.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental

Project Manager for the Vogtle ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero

at 301-415-2981. You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-57 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Pare Bowlegs

Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

PO Box 1498

Wewoka, OK 74884

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Bowlegs:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff invites

the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma to consult with the staff in this regard by participating in the

scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects of

the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and developing alternatives and

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-58 August 2008
Mr. P. Bowlegs 2

proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed

action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such alternatives and proposed

measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and cultural resources. To

complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to you for your

review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-59 NUREG-1872
Mr. P. Bowlegs 3

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-60 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Michell Hicks, Principal Chief

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

P.O. Box 455

Qualla Boundary

Cherokee, NC 28719

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Principal Chief Hicks:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. We want to ensure

that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to provide input to the scoping process relating to

the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-61 NUREG-1872
Mr. M. Hicks - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to consult with the staff in

this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle

ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-62 August 2008
Mr. M. Hicks - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-63 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Dr. W. Ray Luce, Division Director and Deputy SHPO

State Historic Preservation Officer

Historic Preservation Division

Department of Natural Resources

34 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 1600

Atlanta, GA 30303-2316

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE ESP SITE

Dear Dr. Luce:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The NRC staff is currently seeking information from consulting parties,

and other individuals and organizations likely to have knowledge of, or concerns with, historic

properties in the area, to identify issues relating to the proposed undertaking’s potential effects

on historic properties.

If built, the new unit(s) would be located adjacent to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating

Plant (VEGP) site, which is located on a Coastal Plain bluff on the southwest side of the

Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. The application for an ESP was submitted

by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern), on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The application

is available through the web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and

Management System which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The

application is listed under accession number ML062290248.

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, which sets forth the NRC rules that

implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8,

the NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under §106 of

the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff has

identified parties who may wish to consult with the staff in this regard and invited them to

consult with the NRC staff on this matter. Consultation will include participation in the scoping

process; identification of historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessment of the effects of

the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and development of alternatives and

proposed measures that might avoid , minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the

proposed action on historic properties. As set forth more fully below, you are invited to consult

with the NRC staff regarding the proposed action.

If approved, the ESP would not authorize the applicant to begin construction of the unit(s). 

However, in its review the NRC staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of construction and

operation and will also consider alternatives, including alternative sites.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-64 August 2008
W. Luce 2

Southern has also included a site redress plan in its application in accordance with

10 CFR 52.17(c) and 52.25. If a site redress plan is incorporated in an ESP approved by the

NRC, the applicant may carry out certain site preparation and limited construction activities. 

Southern would still be required to obtain the appropriate local, State, and other Federal permits

required for these activities prior to starting work.

In the context of the NHPA, the NRC staff has determined that the area of potential effect for

this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs, which may be

impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and operation of the new

unit(s), and construction and operation of new transmission lines that may parallel some of the

existing transmission line systems now serving VEGP. The new units would utilize the new line

or some combination of new and existing lines. The probable route of the new line will be to an

existing substation. The specific route of a proposed line has not been determined; however, it

will be routed northwest from the VEGP site, passing west of Fort Gordon, a U.S. Army facility

west of Augusta, Georgia, then north to an existing substation. The power plant site is located

in Burke County, Georgia, and the transmission line corridors traverse Jefferson County,

Warren County, McDuffie County, and has not identified any conflicts, zoning or otherwise, that

would preclude construction of a transmission line.

In its application, Southern refers to a comprehensive cultural resource and historic property

investigation that was performed prior to the construction of VEGP. Southern further states that

any issues that were raised were resolved through removal of these historic and cultural

resources. No historic standing structures have been identified within the Southern ESP power

block footprint, cooling tower footprint, or within the immediate vicinity of VEGP. The applicant

has committed to perform further evaluation to determine if additional archaeological review is

required if additional area within the ESP site is developed.

We invite you and your staff to participate in the review of the VEGP ESP application. We will

also be contacting any Native American Tribes that may have a potential interest in the

proposed undertaking, affording them the opportunity to participate in this process and identify

issues of concern to them. These tribes are being identified by records research with the

Bureau of Indian Affairs, State and local governments, tribal organizations, and through other

historical documentation.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. You and your staff are invited to attend. To

complete consultation under §800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to the consulting

parties for review and comment, and will address the comments in the final EIS. Your office will

receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for comments after it is issued. This draft

EIS will include identification of historic properties, assessment of impacts, and our preliminary

determination. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-65 NUREG-1872
W. Luce 3

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental

Project Manager for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero

at 301-415-2981. You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-66 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Dr. Ed Bridges, Interim SHPO

State Historic Preservation Officer

Alabama Historical Commission

468 South Perry Street

Montgomery, AL 36130-0900

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE ESP SITE

Dear Dr. Bridges:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The NRC staff is currently seeking information from consulting parties,

and other individuals and organizations likely to have knowledge of, or concerns with, historic

properties in the area, to identify issues relating to the proposed undertaking’s potential effects

on historic properties.

If built, the new unit(s) would be located adjacent to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating

Plant (VEGP) site, which is located on a Coastal Plain bluff on the southwest side of the

Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. The application for an ESP was submitted

by Southern Nuclear Operating Company (Southern), on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC

requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The application

is available through the web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and

Management System which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The

application is listed under accession number ML062290248.

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8. The NRC staff

is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under §106 of the National

Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff has identified

parties who may wish to consult with the staff in this regard and invited them to consult with the

NRC staff on this matter. Consultation will include participation in the scoping process;

identification of historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessment of the effects of the

proposed action on any historic properties identified; and development of alternatives and

proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed

action on historic properties. As set forth more fully below, you are invited to consult with the

NRC staff regarding the proposed action. The EIS will include analyses of potential impacts to

historic properties, and will document the NRC staff’s determination regarding the suitability of

the proposed site for the construction and operation of one or more new nuclear plants. If

approved, the ESP would not authorize the applicant to begin construction of the unit(s). 

However, in its review the NRC staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of construction and

operation and will also consider alternatives, including alternative sites.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-67 NUREG-1872
E. Bridges - 2 - 

In accordance with 40 CFR 1502.14, alternatives including the proposed action, Southern has

selected Plant Farley in Dothan, Alabama and the Barton Site in Clanton, Alabama as alternate

sites. This selection was made in order to determine if any alternate sites are obviously

superior to the Plant Vogtle site. There are no ground breaking or construction activities

planned for either Plant Farley or the Barton Site under this action.

We invite you and your staff to participate in the review of the VEGP ESP application. We will

also be contacting any Native American Tribes that may have a potential interest in the

proposed undertaking, affording them the opportunity to participate in this process and identify

issues of concern to them. These tribes are being identified by records research with the

Bureau of Indian Affairs, State and local governments, tribal organizations, and through other

historical documentation.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. You and your staff are invited to attend. To

complete consultation under §800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to the consulting

parties for review and comment, and will address the comments in the final EIS. Your office will

receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for comments after it is issued. This draft

EIS will include identification of historic properties, assessment of impacts, and our preliminary

determination. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental

Project Manager for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero

at 301-415-2981. You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-68 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Dallas Proctor, Chief

United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

P.O. Box 746

Tahlequah, OK 74465

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Chief Proctor:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians. We want

to ensure that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b),

the NRC invites the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to provide input to the

scoping process relating to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is

a description of the application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-69 NUREG-1872
Chief D. Proctor - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians to consult with

the staff in this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on

the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties

identified; and developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or

mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to

describe such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to

historical and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will

forward the draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in

the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-70 August 2008
Chief D. Proctor - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-71 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Ms. Karen Kaniatobe

Director of the Cultural/Historical Preservation Department

Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma

2025 S. Gordon Cooper Drive

Shawnee, OK 74801

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Kaniatobe:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. We want to

ensure that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b),

the NRC invites the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping

process relating to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a

description of the application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff invites

the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to consult with the staff in this regard by

participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site;

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-72 August 2008
Ms. K. Kaniatobe 2

assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe

such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical

and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the

draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-73 NUREG-1872
Ms. K. Kaniatobe 3

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-74 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Ms. Debbie Thomas

Tribal Historic Preservation Officer

NAGPRA Coordinator

Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas

571 State Park Road, 56

Livingston, TX 77351

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Ms. Thomas:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. We want to ensure

that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to provide input to the scoping process relating to

the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Accordingly, the staff invites the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to consult with the staff in

Appendix F

August 2008 F-75 NUREG-1872
Ms. D. Thomas 2

this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle

ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe

such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical

and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the

draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-76 August 2008
Ms. D. Thomas 3

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-77 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mrs. Joyce A. Bear, NAGPRA Contact

Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma 

P.O. Box 580

Okmulgee, OK 74447

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mrs. Bear:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma . We want to

ensure that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b),

the NRC invites the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping

process relating to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a

description of the application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-78 August 2008
Mrs. J. A. Bear - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma to consult with the staff

in this regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the

Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties

identified; and developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or

mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to

describe such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to

historical and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will

forward the draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in

the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-79 NUREG-1872
Mrs. J. A. Bear - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-80 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Chadwick Smith, Principal Chief

Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma

P.O. Box 948

Tahlequa, OK 74465

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Principal Chief Smith:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. We want to ensure that

you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to provide input to the scoping process relating to the

NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application

and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-81 NUREG-1872
Principal Chief C. Smith - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-82 August 2008
Principal Chief C. Smith - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-83 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Gilbert Blue, Chairperson

Catawba Indian Tribe

P.O. Box 188

Catawba, SC 29704

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT (ESP) REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Chairperson Blue:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Catawba Indian Tribe. We want to ensure that you are

aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites the

Catawba Indian Tribe to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s

environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application and

the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-84 August 2008
Chairperson G. Blue - 2 -

Accordingly, the staff invites the Catawba Indian Tribe to consult with the staff in this

regard by participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP

site; assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such

alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and

cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft

EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-85 NUREG-1872
Chairperson G. Blue - 2 - --

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-86 August 2008
October 12, 2006

Mr. Willard Steele, Deputy THPO

Seminole Tribe of Florida

Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

HC 61, Box 21A

Clewiston, FL 33440

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Steele:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Seminole Tribe of Florida. We want to ensure that you

are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC invites

the Seminole Tribe of Florida to provide input to the scoping process relating to the NRC’s

environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the application and

the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). Accordingly, the staff invites

the Seminole Tribe of Florida to consult with the staff in this regard by

participating in the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site;

assessing the effects of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and

Appendix F

August 2008 F-87 NUREG-1872
Mr. W. Steele 2

developing alternatives and proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any

adverse effects of the proposed action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe

such alternatives and proposed measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical

and cultural resources. To complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the

draft EIS to you for your review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-88 August 2008
Mr. W. Steele 3

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

August 2008 F-89 NUREG-1872
October 12, 2006

Mr. Kenneth H. Carleton

THPO/Tribal Archaeologist

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians

P.O. Box 6257/ 101 Industrial Road

Choctaw, MS 39350

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE SITE 

Dear Mr. Carleton:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing an application for an early

site permit (ESP) to set aside a site for the potential future construction of one or more new

nuclear power plants. The application was submitted by Southern Nuclear Operating Company,

on August 15, 2006, pursuant to NRC requirements at Title 10 of the Code of Federal

Regulations (10 CFR) Part 52. The applicant supplemented the application by letters dated

September 6, 2006 (two letters), and September 13, 2006. The application was accepted for

docketing on September 19, 2006. If built, the new unit(s) would be located on a site adjacent

to the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site which is located on a Coastal Plain

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

As part of its review of the application, the NRC staff will prepare an environmental impact

statement (EIS) under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 51, the NRC rules that implement the

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The NRC environmental review process includes an

opportunity for public participation in the environmental review. The VEGP ESP site is located

on land that may be of interest to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. We want to ensure

that you are aware of our efforts and, pursuant to our regulations at 10 CFR 51.28(b), the NRC

invites the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to provide input to the scoping process relating

to the NRC’s environmental review of the application. The following is a description of the

application and the environmental review process.

The EIS will document the NRC staff’s evaluation of the impacts of construction and operation

of one or more new nuclear plants at the Vogtle ESP site. In addition, the staff will also

consider alternatives to the proposed action, including alternative sites. The EIS will contain the

results of the review of the environmental impacts on the area surrounding the VEGP ESP site

that are related to terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, hydrology, socioeconomic issues, and

historic properties (among others), and will contain a recommendation on whether the

requested ESP should be granted or denied. If granted, the ESP would not authorize the

applicant to begin construction of the unit(s).

Therefore, as part of this review, and in accordance with the provisions in 36 CFR § 800.8, the

NRC staff is using the NEPA process to comply with the obligations imposed under § 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended). Accordingly, the staff invites the

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians to consult with the staff in this regard by participating in

the scoping process; identifying historic properties on the Vogtle ESP site; assessing the effects

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-90 August 2008
Mr. K. Carleton 2

of the proposed action on any historic properties identified; and developing alternatives and

proposed measures that might avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects of the proposed

action on historic properties. The NRC intends to describe such alternatives and proposed

measures in the EIS analyses of potential impacts to historical and cultural resources. To

complete consultation under § 800.8, the NRC staff will forward the draft EIS to you for your

review and comment, and will address your comments in the final EIS. 

Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.28 and 36 CFR 800.2(c), the NRC wishes to ensure that Indian tribes

that might have an interest in any potential historic properties in the area of potential effect

(APE) are afforded the opportunity to identify their concerns, provide advice on the identification

and evaluation of historic properties, including those of traditional religious and cultural

importance, and, if necessary, participate in the resolution of any adverse effects to such

properties.

The APE for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs,

which may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and

operation of the new unit(s). The application, which describes the APE, is available through the

web-based version of the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System

which can be found at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. The application is listed

under accession number ML062290248.

On October 19, 2006, the NRC will conduct a public environmental scoping meeting from 

7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., at the Augusta Technical College, Waynesboro Campus Auditorium,

216 Hwy 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Representatives of your tribe are invited to attend. 

The meeting will be preceded by a two-hour open house during which members of the public

may meet and talk with NRC staff members on an informal basis.

Please submit any written comments your tribe may have to offer on the scope of the

environmental review by December 4, 2006. Comments should be submitted either by mail to

the Chief, Rules and Directives Branch, Division of Administrative Services, Mail Stop T-6D59,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, or by e-mail to

Vogtle_EIS@nrc.gov.

Appendix F

August 2008 F-91 NUREG-1872
Mr. K. Carleton 3

At the conclusion of the scoping process, the NRC staff will prepare a summary of the

significant issues identified and the conclusions reached, and will send a copy to you. In

addition, after it is issued, your office will receive a copy of the draft EIS along with a request for

comments. The anticipated publication date for the draft EIS is July 2007. If you have any

questions or require additional information, please contact the Environmental Project Manager

for the VEGP ESP project, Mark Notich at 301-415-3053 or Cristina Guerrero at 301-415-2981. 

You may also e-mail us at mdn@nrc.gov or cxg3@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely,

/RA/

Christopher Nolan, Branch Chief

Division of New Reactor Licensing

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Project No. 737

cc: See next page

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-92 August 2008
Appendix F

August 2008 F-93 NUREG-1872
Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-94 August 2008
Appendix F

August 2008 F-95 NUREG-1872
Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-96 August 2008
Appendix F

August 2008 F-97 NUREG-1872
Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-98 August 2008
Appendix F

August 2008 F-99 NUREG-1872
Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-100 August 2008
Appendix F

August 2008 F-101 NUREG-1872
Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-102 August 2008
 

September 4, 2007 

Dr. W. Ray Luce, Division Director and Deputy SHPO 

State Historic Preservation Officer 

Historic Preservation Division 

Department of Natural Resources 

34 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 1600 

Atlanta, GA 0303-2316 

SUBJECT: EARLY SITE PERMIT REVIEW FOR THE VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING 

PLANT (VEGP) SITE 

Dear Dr. Luce: 

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff contacted you by letter dated October 12, 

2006, in regard to an application for an early site permit (ESP) for the potential future 

construction of one or more new nuclear power plants. If built, the new unit(s) would be located 

at the existing Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) site, which is located on a Coastal Plain 

bluff on the southwest side of the Savannah River in eastern Burke County, Georgia. 

The NRC staff prepared its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) under the provisions of 

Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 51 (10 CFR Part 51), the NRC rules that 

implement the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA). In addition, as 

outlined in 36 CFR 800.8, Coordination with the National Environmental Policy Act,” the NRC 

plans to coordinate compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 

1966, as amended (NHPA) in meeting the requirements of NEPA. In accordance with our letter 

to you dated October 12, 2006, a copy of the draft EIS is enclosed. We are requesting your 

comments on the draft EIS and on our preliminary conclusions regarding historic properties. 

If approved, the ESP will document the NRC staff’s determination regarding the suitability of the 

proposed site for the construction and operation of one or more new nuclear plants. The ESP 

would not authorize the applicant to begin construction of the unit(s). However, in its review, the 

NRC staff will evaluate the environmental impacts of construction and operation and will also 

consider alternatives, including alternative sites. 

Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc. (Southern) has also included a site redress plan in 

its application in accordance with 10 CFR 52.17(c) and 52.25. If a site redress plan is included 

in an ESP approved by the NRC, the applicant may carry out certain site preparation and limited 

construction activities. See Part 4 of the application for the associated site redress plan. 

Southern would still be required to obtain the appropriate local, State, and other Federal permits 

required for these activities prior to starting work. 

In the context of the NHPA, the NRC staff has determined that the area of potential effects 

(APE) for this ESP review is the area at the power plant site and its immediate environs which 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-103 NUREG-1872
Dr. W. Ray Luce -2- 

may be impacted by land-disturbing activities associated with the construction and operation of 

the new unit(s). 

The APE may extend beyond the immediate environs in those instances where these landdisturbing activities may potentially have an effect on known or proposed historic sites. This 

determination is made irrespective of ownership or control of the lands of interest. 

In its application, Southern has stated that, prior to any activities that would disturb existing 

ground conditions, it would assess the need, in coordination with the Georgia Historic 

Preservation Division, to undertake subsurface investigations for the identification of potentially 

significant historic or cultural resources in the area(s) to be disturbed. In addition, Southern has 

stated that it would implement the necessary administrative steps to make proper notifications in 

the event of an unanticipated discovery (including human remains). 

Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(c)(2)(ii), the NRC staff has conducted an environmental audit at the 

site and has reviewed historic and archaeological records. The NRC staff also contacted 

twenty-five Native American Tribes identified as having potential interest in the proposed 

undertaking. To date, no comments have been received. 

In the context of the NEPA, under which the draft environmental impact statement was 

prepared, the NRC staff’s preliminary determination is that the impact granting the ESP on 

historical and archaeological resources is moderate, and additional mitigation might be 

warranted. Under the provisions of the NHPA, the NRC staff’s preliminary determination is that 

no historic properties will be affected by the proposed action. 

Please note that the period for public comment expires on November 28, 2007. If your office 

requires additional time, or if there are any other questions regarding this correspondence, 

please have your representative contact me at 301-415-3053 or by email at MDN@nrc.gov. 

 Sincerely, 

/RA/

 Mark D. Notich, Environmental Project Manager 

Division of Site and Environmental Review 

Office of New Reactors 

Docket No.: 52-011 

Enclosure: As stated 

cc w/o encl: See next page 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-104 August 2008
 

January 25, 2008 

Ms. Sandra Tucker 

Field Supervisor 

Georgia Ecological Services 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

105 West Park Drive 

Athens, GA. 30607 

SUBJECT: BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THREATENED AND ENDANGERED 

SPECIES AND DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THE VOGTLE 

ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT EARLY SITE PERMIT APPLICATION 

Dear Ms. Tucker: 

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared the enclosed biological 

assessment (BA) to evaluate whether the proposed action of the Vogtle Electric Generating 

Plant (VEGP) Early Site Permit (ESP) would have adverse effects on threatened and 

endangered species and designated critical habitat at the VEGP Site. The VEGP ESP Site is 

located in Burke County, Georgia, within the existing boundaries of VEGP and adjacent to the 

Savannah River. The proposed Federal action is the issuance under provisions of Title 10, Part 

52 of the Code of Federal Regulations of an ESP for the VEGP ESP Site for postulated 

additional nuclear power facilities and to conduct site preparation and limited construction 

activities. The site preparation and limited construction activities allowed by 10 CFR 52.25 

include clearing, grading, and constructing non-safety-related facilities. The proposed action 

does not include approval to construct and operate new units; therefore, only impacts to 

protected species resulting from site-preparation activities are considered in this BA. Impacts 

associated with actual facility construction and operation will be assessed during the NRC staff’s 

review of an application for a combined license or construction permit should the applicant 

choose to go forward with the project. 

In a letter dated October 12, 2006, the NRC requested that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services 

(FWS) Field Office in Brunswick, GA., provide information regarding federally listed species at 

the proposed VEGP Site. This BA examines the impacts of the proposed action on seven 

federally listed species (Table 1-1) that could occur in the vicinity of the VEGP Site. 

The federally listed species considered in this BA include: 

• three plants: smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata), Canby’s dropwort (Oxypolis 

canbyi), and relict trillium (Trillium reliquum), 

• two birds: the wood stork (Mycteria americana) and red-cockaded woodpecker 

Picoides borealis), 

• one reptile: American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and 

• one amphibian: flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum).

Appendix F

August 2008 F-105 NUREG-1872
 

S.Tucker 2 

We are placing this BA in our project files and are requesting your concurrence with our 

determination. In reaching this conclusion, the NRC staff relied on information provided by the 

applicant on research performed by NRC staff and information from FWS (i.e., current listings 

of species provided by the FWS, Field Office, Brunswick, GA.). 

If you have any questions regarding this BA or the staff’s request, please contact 

Mr. Mark D. Notich, Environmental Project Manager at 301-415-3053 or by e-mail at 

mdn@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely, 

/RA/ 

William Burton, Branch Chief 

Environmental Projects Branch 1 

Division of Site and Environmental Reviews 

Office of New Reactors 

Docket No. 52-011 

Enclosure: As stated 

cc w/encl: See next page 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-106 August 2008
 

 January 25, 2008 

Mr. David Bernhart 

Assistant Regional Administrator 

 for Protected Resources 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

263 13th Avenue South 

St. Petersburg, FL 33701 

SUBJECT: BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE SHORTNOSE STURGEON FOR THE 

VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANT EARLY SITE PERMIT 

APPLICATION 

Dear Mr. Bernhart: 

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has prepared the enclosed biological 

assessment (BA) to evaluate whether the proposed action of the Vogtle Electric Generating 

Plant (VEGP) Early Site Permit (ESP) would have adverse effects on the shortnose sturgeon. 

The Plant Vogtle ESP Site is located in Burke County, GA., within the existing boundaries of the 

current Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) and adjacent to the Savannah River. The 

proposed Federal action is the issuance under provisions of Title 10, Part 52 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations of an ESP for the Plant Vogtle ESP Site for postulated additional nuclear 

power facilities and to conduct site preparation and limited construction activities. The site 

preparation and limited construction activities allowed by 10 CFR 52.25 include clearing, 

grading, and constructing non-safety-related facilities. The proposed action does not include 

approval to construct and operate new units; therefore, only impacts to protected species 

resulting from site-preparation activities are considered in this BA. Impacts associated with 

actual facility construction and operation will be assessed during the NRC staff’s review of an 

application for a combined license or construction permit should the applicant choose to go 

forward with the project. 

In a letter dated October 12, 2006, the NRC requested that the National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office provide information regarding federally listed 

species at the proposed Vogtle ESP Site and along the route of the proposed new 500-kilovolt 

(kV) transmission lines. The NMFS responded with a list of federally protected species under 

the jurisdiction of the NMFS for the State of GA. This list included six species of whales, five 

marine turtles, and the small-tooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), none of which would be expected 

to be affected by the construction and operation of the two additional units at the VEGP Site. 

The only listed species indicated that occurs in the Savannah River that may be affected by the 

proposed action is the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). No designated or 

proposed critical habitats were identified in the vicinity of the VEGP Site. There were no 

candidate species or species proposed for listing. There were seven species of concern, six of 

which occur in coastal areas but not in the Savannah River. The seventh species of concern is 

the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), which also occurs in the Savannah River and 

resembles the shortnose sturgeon. Species of concern are not protected under the Endangered 

Species Act. 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-107 NUREG-1872
 

D. Bernhart 2 

We are placing this BA in our project files and are requesting your concurrence with our 

determinations. In reaching this conclusion, the NRC staff relied on information provided by the 

applicant on research performed by NRC staff and information from NFWS (i.e., current listings 

of species provided by the NFWS, Field Office, St. Petersburg, FL). 

If you have any questions regarding this BA or the staff’s request, please contact 

Mr. Mark D. Notich, Environmental Project Manager at 301-415-3053 or by e-mail at 

mdn@nrc.gov. 

Sincerely, 

/RA/ 

William Burton, Branch Chief 

Environmental Projects Branch 1 

Division of Site and Environmental Reviews 

Office of New Reactors 

Docket No.: 52-011 

Enclosure: As stated 

cc w/encl: See next page 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-108 August 2008
 

 February 20, 2008 

Mr. Robert D. Perry 

Special Projects Manager 

Office of Environmental Programs 

South Carolina Department of 

 Natural Resources 

1000 Assembly Street Room 310A 

PO Box 167 

Columbia, SC 29202 

SUBJECT: SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COMMENTS 

CONCERNING THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR 

AN EARLY SITE PERMIT FOR THE VOGTLE ELECTRIC GENERATING 

PLANT 

Dear Mr. Perry: 

We have received your letter of December 28, 2007, providing comments on the Draft 

Environmental Impact Statement for an Early Site Permit (ESP) for the Vogtle Electric 

Generating Plant Site. We appreciate your comments contained in your letter and we will 

consider them during our preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). 

Your letter references coordination and consultation under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination 

Act (FWCA) between the Federal agency and the state or states in which the modification to the 

watercourse is to occur. Although the facility will be located wholly in the State of Georgia, the 

facility withdraws and discharges water from the Savannah River which is, as you point out in 

your letter, the shared border for much of its length between Georgia and South Carolina. We 

recognize the State of South Carolina’s concerns over potential for damage to wildlife resources 

that could result from the construction and operation of new nuclear units at the Vogtle Electric 

Generating Plant (VEGP) site. We would like to consult with the South Carolina Department of 

Natural Resources (SCDNR) consistent with the provisions of the FWCA to solicit any additional 

comments and recommendations you might have on the wildlife aspects of the proposed ESP. 

Any additional comments, recommendations or reports provided will be afforded full 

consideration during our review. 

We would be happy to meet with you in Columbia, South Carolina, to discuss the proposed 

project and discuss any concerns you might have related to the Savannah River. If you have 

any specific reports or recommendations directed to conserving fish and wildlife by preventing 

loss of and damage to resources or improving habitat related to this activity at this time please 

do not hesitate to forward them to us. 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-109 NUREG-1872
Again we would give them full consideration during the preparation of the FEIS. The point of 

contact for this review is Mr. Mark D. Notich, Environmental Project Manager, mdn@nrc.gov, 

301-415-3053. Please contact Mr. Notich if you believe a meeting to discuss the project would 

be helpful to the consultation. 

 Sincerely, 

 /RA/ 

 William F. Burton 

 Branch Chief, Environmental Projects Branch 1 

 Division of Site and Environmental Reviews 

 Office of New Reactors 

Docket No.: 52-011 

cc: see next page 

Appendix F

NUREG-1872 F-110 August 2008
 

Appendix F

August 2008 F-111 NUREG-1872