NUREG-1817 

 

Environmental Impact

Statement for an

Early Site Permit (ESP) at

the Grand Gulf ESP Site

Final Report 

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Washington, DC 20555-0001
 

 

 NUREG-1817 

Environmental Impact

Statement for an

Early Site Permit (ESP) at

the Grand Gulf ESP Site

Final Report 

Manuscript Completed: March 2006

Date Published: April 2006 

Division of License Renewal

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Washington, DC 20555-0001
April 2006 iii NUREG-1817

Abstract

This environmental impact statement (EIS) has been prepared in response to an application

submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) by System Energy Resources,

Inc. (SERI) for an early site permit (ESP). The proposed action requested in SERI’s application

is for the NRC to (1) approve a site within the existing Grand Gulf site boundaries as suitable |

for the construction and operation of a new nuclear power generating facility, and (2) issue an

ESP for the proposed site identified as the Grand Gulf ESP site co-located with the existing

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. This EIS includes the NRC staff’s analysis that considers and

weighs the environmental impacts of constructing and operating one or more new nuclear units |

at the Grand Gulf ESP site or at alternative sites, and mitigation measures available for

reducing or avoiding adverse impacts. It also includes the staff’s recommendation to the |

Commission regarding the proposed action.

As part of the NRC review of the application, the NRC solicited comments from the public on a

draft of this EIS. Appendix E of this document sets forth all public comments received on the |

draft EIS and the NRC staff’s responses to these comments, organized by subject matter. The |

comments on the draft EIS are in the Agencywide Document Access and Management System |

(ADAMS). ADAMS can be accessed through the NRC’s website at www.nrc.gov/reading- |

rm/adams.html. Where appropriate, changes were made to the draft EIS and are identified by

change bars in the margins of this EIS. |

The staff’s recommendation to the Commission related to the environmental aspects of the

proposed action is that the ESP should be issued. The staff’s evaluation of the safety and

emergency preparedness aspects of the proposed action is documented in a separate safety |

evaluation report prepared in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations |

Part 52.

This recommendation is based on (1) the application, including the environmental report,

submitted by SERI; (2) consultation with Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies; (3) the

staff’s independent review; (4) the staff’s consideration of comments related to the

environmental review that were received during the public scoping process and on the draft |

EIS; and (5) the assessments summarized in this EIS, including the potential mitigation

measures identified in the environmental report and this EIS. In addition, in making its

recommendation, the staff concluded that there are no environmentally preferable or obviously

superior alternative sites. |

April 2006 v NUREG-1817

Contents

Abstract .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . iii

Executive Summary .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . xxv

Abbreviations/Acronyms .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... xxix

1.0 Introduction .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 1-1

1.1 Background .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 1-1

1.1.1 Plant Parameter Envelope .......... .......... .......... . . 1-2

1.1.2 Site Preparation and Preliminary Construction Activities .......... 1-2

1.1.3 Early Site Permit Application and Review .......... .......... . 1-3

1.2 The Proposed Federal Action .......... .......... .......... ...... 1-6

1.3 The Purpose and Need for Proposed Action .......... .......... ..... 1-8

1.4 Alternatives to Proposed Action .......... .......... .......... ..... 1-8

1.5 Compliance and Consultations .......... .......... .......... ..... 1-9

1.6 Report Contents .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 1-10

1.7 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 1-11

2.0 Affected Environment .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... 2-1

2.1 Site Location .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... 2-1

2.2 Land .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-3

2.2.1 Site and Vicinity .......... .......... .......... .......... 2-3

2.2.2 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way and Offsite Areas .......... . . 2-7

2.2.3 Region .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... 2-8

2.3 Meteorology and Air Quality .......... .......... .......... ........ 2-11

2.3.1 Climate .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... 2-12

2.3.1.1 Wind .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 2-12

2.3.1.2 Atmospheric Stability .......... .......... .......... 2-13

2.3.1.3 Temperature .......... .......... .......... ...... 2-14
Contents

NUREG-1817 vi April 2006

2.3.1.4 Atmospheric Moisture .......... .......... ......... 2-14

2.3.1.5 Severe Weather .......... .......... .......... .... 2-15

2.3.2 Air Quality .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-16

2.3.3 Meteorological Monitoring .......... .......... .......... ... 2-17

2.4 Geology .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 2-18

2.5 Radiological Environment .......... .......... .......... ......... 2-19

2.6 Water .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-20

2.6.1 Hydrology .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-20

2.6.1.1 Surface Water Hydrology .......... .......... ....... 2-20

2.6.1.2 Groundwater Hydrology .......... .......... ........ 2-23

2.6.1.3 Hydrological Monitoring .......... .......... ........ 2-25

2.6.2 Water Use .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 2-26

2.6.2.1 Surface Water Use .......... .......... .......... . 2-26

2.6.2.2 Groundwater Use .......... .......... .......... ... 2-27

2.6.3 Water Quality .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 2-28

2.6.3.1 Surface Water Quality .......... .......... ......... 2-28

2.6.3.2 Groundwater Quality .......... .......... .......... 2-29

2.6.3.3 Thermal Monitoring .......... .......... .......... . 2-29

2.6.3.4 Chemical Monitoring .......... .......... .......... 2-30

2.7 Ecology .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 2-30

2.7.1 Terrestrial Ecology .......... .......... .......... ........ 2-31

2.7.1.1 Biological Communities .......... .......... ........ 2-34

2.7.1.2 Threatened and Endangered Terrestrial Species ......... 2-44

2.7.1.3 Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring .......... .......... ... 2-54

2.7.2 Aquatic Ecology .......... .......... .......... .......... 2-55

2.7.2.1 Biological Communities .......... .......... ........ 2-57

2.7.2.2 Threatened and Endangered Aquatic Species .......... . 2-62

2.7.2.3 Aquatic Ecology Monitoring .......... .......... ..... 2-64

2.8 Socioeconomics .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... 2-65

2.8.1 Population Characteristics .......... .......... .......... . . 2-65

2.8.2 Community Characteristics .......... .......... .......... . . 2-70

2.8.2.1 Economy .......... .......... .......... ......... 2-70

2.8.2.2 Transportation .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-72

2.8.2.3 Taxes .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 2-74

2.8.2.4 Aesthetics and Recreation .......... .......... ...... 2-76

2.8.2.5 Housing .......... .......... .......... .......... 2-77
Contents

April 2006 vii NUREG-1817

2.8.2.6 Public Services .......... .......... .......... .... 2-77

2.8.2.7 Education .......... .......... .......... ......... 2-80

2.9 Historic and Cultural Resources .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-80

2.9.1 Cultural Background .......... .......... .......... ....... 2-80

2.9.2 Historic and Cultural Resources at the Grand Gulf ESP Site ...... 2-82

2.9.3 Historic and Cultural Resources Consultation .......... ........ 2-83

2.10 Environmental Justice .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 2-83

2.11 Related Federal Projects .......... .......... .......... .......... 2-89

2.12 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 2-90

3.0 Site Layout and Plant Parameter Envelope .......... .......... .......... . 3-1

3.1 External Appearance and Site Layout .......... .......... .......... 3-1

3.2 Plant Parameter Envelope .......... .......... .......... ......... 3-2

3.2.1 Facility Water Use .......... .......... .......... ........ 3-7

3.2.1.1 Facility Water Consumption .......... .......... ..... 3-7

3.2.1.2 Facility Water Treatment .......... .......... ....... 3-7

3.2.2 Cooling System .......... .......... .......... .......... . 3-8

3.2.2.1 Description and Operational Modes .......... ......... 3-8

3.2.2.2 Component Descriptions .......... .......... ....... 3-9

3.2.3 Radioactive Waste Management System .......... .......... . 3-10

3.2.4 Nonradioactive Waste Management .......... .......... ..... 3-11

3.2.4.1 Effluents Containing Chemicals or Biocides .......... ... 3-11

3.2.4.2 Sanitary System Effluents .......... .......... ...... 3-11

3.2.4.3 Other Effluents .......... .......... .......... ..... 3-12

3.3 Transmission System .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 3-12

3.4 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 3-14

4.0 Construction Impacts at the Proposed Site .......... .......... .......... . 4-1

4.1 Land-Use Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-1

4.1.1 Site and Vicinity .......... .......... .......... .......... 4-2

4.1.2 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way and Offsite Areas .......... . . 4-4
Contents

NUREG-1817 viii April 2006

4.2 Meteorological and Air Quality Impacts .......... .......... ......... 4-5

4.2.1 Construction Activities .......... .......... .......... ...... 4-5

4.2.2 Transportation .......... .......... .......... .......... . 4-6

4.3 Water-Related Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... . 4-7

4.3.1 Hydrological Alterations .......... .......... .......... .... 4-7

4.3.2 Water-Use Impacts .......... .......... .......... ........ 4-8

4.3.3 Water-Quality Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-9

4.4 Ecological Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-10

4.4.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-11

4.4.1.1 Wildlife Habitat on the Grand Gulf Site .......... ...... 4-11

4.4.1.2 Wildlife Habitat along the Transmission Line 

 Rights-of-Way .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-13

4.4.1.3 Wildlife Habitat Impact Summary .......... .......... . 4-14

4.4.1.4 Wildlife .......... .......... .......... .......... . 4-15

4.4.1.5 Terrestrial Ecosystems Impact Summary .......... ..... 4-18

4.4.2 Aquatic Ecosystems .......... .......... .......... ....... 4-18

4.4.3 Threatened and Endangered Species .......... .......... ... 4-20

4.4.3.1 Federally Listed Animal Species .......... .......... . 4-21

4.4.3.2 Federally Listed Plant Species .......... .......... ... 4-28

4.4.3.3 Threatened and Endangered Species Impact Summary ... 4-28

4.5 Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... . 4-28

4.5.1 Physical Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... 4-28

4.5.1.1 Workers and the Local Public .......... .......... ... 4-28

4.5.1.2 Buildings .......... .......... .......... ......... 4-31

4.5.1.3 Roads .......... .......... .......... .......... . 4-31

4.5.1.4 Aesthetics .......... .......... .......... ........ 4-31

4.5.1.5 Summary of Physical Impacts .......... .......... ... 4-32

4.5.2 Demography .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 4-33

4.5.3 Social and Economic .......... .......... .......... ...... 4-34

4.5.3.1 Economy .......... .......... .......... ......... 4-35

4.5.3.2 Taxes .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 4-35

4.5.3.3 Summary of Social and Economic .......... .......... 4-36

4.5.4 Infrastructure and Community Services .......... .......... . . 4-37

4.5.4.1 Transportation .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-37

4.5.4.2 Recreation .......... .......... .......... ........ 4-38

4.5.4.3 Housing .......... .......... .......... .......... 4-39

4.5.4.4 Public Services .......... .......... .......... .... 4-41

4.5.4.5 Education .......... .......... .......... ......... 4-44

4.5.4.6 Summary of Infrastructure and Community Services ...... 4-44

4.5.5 Summary of Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .... 4-45
Contents

April 2006 ix NUREG-1817

4.6 Historic and Cultural Resource Impacts .......... .......... ......... 4-45

4.7 Environmental Justice Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-49

4.7.1 Environmental Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-49

4.7.2 Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .......... .... 4-50

4.7.3 Summary of Environmental Justice Impacts .......... ......... 4-50

4.8 Nonradiological Health Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 4-51

4.8.1 Public Health and Occupational Health .......... .......... ... 4-51

4.8.2 Noise Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 4-52

4.8.3 Summary of Nonradiological Health Impacts .......... ........ 4-53

4.9 Radiological Health Impacts .......... .......... .......... ....... 4-53

4.9.1 Direct Radiation Exposures .......... .......... .......... . 4-53

4.9.2 Radiation Exposures from Gaseous Effluents .......... ........ 4-54

4.9.3 Radiation Exposures from Liquid Effluent .......... .......... . 4-55

4.9.4 Total Dose to Construction Workers .......... .......... ..... 4-55

4.9.5 Summary of Radiological Health Impacts .......... .......... . 4-55

4.10 Measures and Controls to Limit Adverse Impacts .......... .......... . 4-56

4.11 Summary of Construction Impacts .......... .......... .......... ... 4-58

4.12 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 4-62

5.0 Operation Impacts at the Proposed Site .......... .......... .......... ... 5-1

5.1 Land-Use Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-1

5.1.1 Site and Vicinity .......... .......... .......... .......... 5-1

5.1.2 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way and Offsite Areas .......... . . 5-4

5.2 Meteorological and Air Quality Impacts .......... .......... ......... 5-4

5.2.1 Cooling System .......... .......... .......... .......... . 5-4

5.2.2 Routine Releases Other than Cooling System .......... ....... 5-5

5.2.3 Transmission Line Impacts .......... .......... .......... . . 5-5

5.3 Water-Related Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... . 5-6

5.3.1 Hydrological Alterations .......... .......... .......... .... 5-7

5.3.2 Water-Use Impacts .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-7

5.3.3 Water-Quality Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-9

5.3.3.1 Mississippi River .......... .......... .......... ... 5-9

5.3.3.2 Streams A and B .......... .......... .......... ... 5-12
Contents

NUREG-1817 x April 2006

5.3.3.3 Groundwater .......... .......... .......... ...... 5-14

5.3.3.4 Summary .......... .......... .......... ......... 5-14

5.4 Ecological Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-15

5.4.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-15

5.4.1.1 Impacts on Crops, Ornamental Vegetation, and

 Native Plants .......... .......... .......... ...... 5-16

5.4.1.2 Bird Collisions with Cooling Towers .......... ......... 5-16

5.4.1.3 Noise .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 5-17

5.4.1.4 Shoreline Habitat .......... .......... .......... ... 5-17

5.4.1.5 Transmission Line Right-of-Way Management (Cutting 

 and Herbicide Application) .......... .......... ...... 5-17

5.4.1.6 Bird Collisions with Transmission Lines .......... ...... 5-18

5.4.1.7 Impact of Electromagnetic Fields on Flora and Fauna 

 (Plants, Agricultural Crops, Honeybees, Wildlife, 

 Livestock) .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-18

5.4.1.8 Floodplains and Wetlands on Transmission Line 

 Rights-of-Way .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-19

5.4.1.9 State-Listed Species .......... .......... .......... 5-19

5.4.1.10 Summary of Terrestrial Ecosystem Impacts .......... . . 5-20

5.4.2 Aquatic Ecosystems .......... .......... .......... ....... 5-20

5.4.2.1 Intake System .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-20

5.4.2.2 Aquatic Thermal Impacts .......... .......... ....... 5-23

5.4.2.3 Shoreline Erosion and Other Physical Impacts .......... 5-24

5.4.2.4 Transmission Line Right-of-Way Maintenance Activities ... 5-24

5.4.2.5 State-Listed Species .......... .......... .......... 5-25

5.4.2.6 Summary of Aquatic Ecosystem Impacts .......... ..... 5-25

5.4.3 Threatened and Endangered Species .......... .......... ... 5-25

5.4.3.1 Federally Listed Animal Species .......... .......... . 5-26

5.4.3.2 Federally Listed Plant Species .......... .......... ... 5-30

5.4.3.3 Summary of Threatened and Endangered Species 

 Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... 5-30

5.5 Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... . 5-31

5.5.1 Physical Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... 5-31

5.5.1.1 Workers and Local Public .......... .......... ...... 5-31

5.5.1.2 Buildings .......... .......... .......... ......... 5-32

5.5.1.3 Roads .......... .......... .......... .......... . 5-32

5.5.1.4 Aesthetics .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-33

5.5.1.5 Summary of Physical Impacts .......... .......... ... 5-33

5.5.2 Demography .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 5-34

5.5.3 Social and Economic Impacts .......... .......... .......... 5-35
Contents

April 2006 xi NUREG-1817

5.5.3.1 Economy .......... .......... .......... ......... 5-35

5.5.3.2 Taxes .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 5-35

5.5.3.3 Summary of Social and Economic Impacts .......... ... 5-37

5.5.4 Infrastructure and Community Services .......... .......... . . 5-37

5.5.4.1 Transportation .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-38

5.5.4.2 Recreation .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-38

5.5.4.3 Housing .......... .......... .......... .......... 5-38

5.5.4.4 Public Services .......... .......... .......... .... 5-39

5.5.4.5 Education .......... .......... .......... ......... 5-41

5.5.4.6 Summary of Infrastructure and Community Services ...... 5-41

5.5.5 Summary of Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .... 5-42

5.6 Historic and Cultural Resources Impacts .......... .......... ........ 5-43

5.7 Environmental Justice Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-43

5.7.1 Environmental Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-44

5.7.2 Human Health Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-45

5.7.3 Socioeconomic Impacts .......... .......... .......... .... 5-46

5.7.4 Summary of Environmental Justice Impacts .......... ......... 5-46

5.8 Nonradiological Health Impacts .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-47

5.8.1 Thermophilic Microorganisms .......... .......... .......... 5-47

5.8.2 Noise .......... .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-47

5.8.3 Acute Effects of Electromagnetic Fields .......... .......... . . 5-49

5.8.4 Chronic Effects of Electromagnetic Fields .......... .......... 5-49

5.8.5 Occupational Health .......... .......... .......... ....... 5-50

5.8.6 Summary of Nonradiological Health Impacts .......... ........ 5-50

5.9 Radiological Impacts of Normal Operations .......... .......... ...... 5-51

5.9.1 Exposure Pathways .......... .......... .......... ....... 5-51

5.9.2 Radiation Doses to Members of the Public .......... .......... 5-51

5.9.2.1 Liquid Effluent Pathway .......... .......... ........ 5-53

5.9.2.2 Gaseous Effluent Pathway .......... .......... ...... 5-54

5.9.3 Impacts on Members of the Public .......... .......... ...... 5-55

5.9.3.1 Maximally Exposed Individual .......... .......... ... 5-55

5.9.3.2 Population Dose .......... .......... .......... .... 5-55

5.9.3.3 Summary of Radiological Impacts on Members 

 of the Public .......... .......... .......... ....... 5-58

5.9.4 Occupational Doses to Workers .......... .......... ........ 5-58

5.9.5 Impacts on Biota Other than Members of the Public .......... ... 5-59

5.9.5.1 Liquid Effluent Pathways .......... .......... ....... 5-59

5.9.5.2 Gaseous Effluent Pathways .......... .......... ..... 5-60
Contents

NUREG-1817 xii April 2006

5.9.5.3 Impacts of Estimated Biota Doses .......... .......... 5-60

5.9.6 Radiological Monitoring .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-61

5.10 Environmental Impacts of Postulated Accidents .......... .......... . . 5-62

5.10.1 Design Basis Accidents .......... .......... .......... .... 5-63

5.10.2 Severe Accidents .......... .......... .......... ......... 5-68

5.10.2.1 Air Pathway .......... .......... .......... ...... 5-70

5.10.2.2 Surface Water Pathways .......... .......... ...... 5-77

5.10.2.3 Groundwater Pathway .......... .......... ........ 5-78

5.10.2.4 Summary of Severe Accident Impacts .......... ...... 5-78

5.10.3 Summary of Postulated Accident Impacts .......... .......... 5-79

5.11 Measures and Controls to Limit Adverse Impacts During Operation ....... 5-79

5.12 Summary of Operational Impacts .......... .......... .......... ... 5-81

5.13 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 5-84

6.0 Fuel Cycle, Transportation, and Decommissioning .......... .......... ..... 6-1

6.1 Fuel Cycle Impacts and Solid Waste Management .......... .......... 6-1

6.1.1 Light Water Reactors .......... .......... .......... ...... 6-1

6.1.1.1 Land Use .......... .......... .......... ......... 6-8

6.1.1.2 Water Use .......... .......... .......... ........ 6-8

6.1.1.3 Fossil Fuel Impacts .......... .......... .......... . 6-9

6.1.1.4 Chemical Effluents .......... .......... .......... . . 6-9

6.1.1.5 Radioactive Effluents .......... .......... .......... 6-10

6.1.1.6 Radioactive Waste .......... .......... .......... . . 6-12

6.1.1.7 Occupational Dose .......... .......... .......... . . 6-14

6.1.1.8 Transportation .......... .......... .......... ..... 6-14

6.1.1.9 Conclusion .......... .......... .......... ........ 6-15

6.1.2 Gas-Cooled Reactors .......... .......... .......... ...... 6-15

6.1.2.1 Fuel Fabrication .......... .......... .......... .... 6-16

6.1.2.2 Enrichment .......... .......... .......... ........ 6-18

6.1.2.3 Uranium Hexafluoride Production – Conversion .......... 6-19

6.1.2.4 Uranium Milling .......... .......... .......... .... 6-19

6.1.2.5 Uranium Mining .......... .......... .......... .... 6-19

6.1.2.6 Solid Low-Level Radioactive Waste – Operations ........ 6-20

6.1.2.7 Solid Low-Level Radioactive Waste – Decontamination 

 and Decommissioning .......... .......... ......... 6-20

6.1.2.8 Conclusions .......... .......... .......... ....... 6-20
Contents

April 2006 xiii NUREG-1817

6.2 Transportation of Radioactive Materials .......... .......... ......... 6-21

6.2.1 Transportation of Unirradiated Fuel .......... .......... ..... 6-24

6.2.1.1 Normal Conditions .......... .......... .......... . . 6-24

6.2.1.2 Accidents .......... .......... .......... ......... 6-28

6.2.2 Transportation of Spent Fuel .......... .......... .......... 6-29

6.2.2.1 Normal Conditions .......... .......... .......... . . 6-30

6.2.2.2 Accidents .......... .......... .......... ......... 6-34

6.2.2.3 Conclusion .......... .......... .......... ........ 6-39

6.2.3 Transportation of Radioactive Waste .......... .......... .... 6-39

6.2.4 Conclusions .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 6-41

6.3 Decommissioning Impacts .......... .......... .......... ......... 6-42

6.4 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 6-43

7.0 Cumulative Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... 7-1

7.1 Land Use .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 7-1

7.2 Air Quality .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . 7-2

7.3 Water Use and Quality .......... .......... .......... .......... . 7-2

7.3.1 Surface Water Use .......... .......... .......... ........ 7-3

7.3.2 Groundwater Use .......... .......... .......... ......... 7-3

7.3.3 Surface Water Quality .......... .......... .......... ..... 7-3

7.3.4 Groundwater Quality .......... .......... .......... ....... 7-4

7.4 Terrestrial Ecosystem .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 7-4

7.5 Aquatic Ecosystem .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 7-6

7.6 Socioeconomics, Historic and Cultural Resources, Environmental Justice . . 7-8

7.7 Nonradiological Health .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 7-9

7.8 Radiological Impacts of Normal Operations .......... .......... ...... 7-10

7.9 Fuel Cycle, Transportation, and Decommissioning .......... .......... 7-10

7.10 Staff Conclusions and Recommendations .......... .......... ....... 7-12

7.11 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 7-12
Contents

NUREG-1817 xiv April 2006

8.0 Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives .......... .......... .......... . . 8-1

8.1 No-Action Alternative .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-2

8.2 Energy Alternatives .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 8-3

8.2.1 Alternatives Not Requiring New Generating Capacity .......... . . 8-3

8.2.2 Alternatives Requiring New Generating Capacity .......... ..... 8-5

8.2.2.1 Coal-Fired Power Generation .......... .......... ... 8-7

8.2.2.2 Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation .......... ........ 8-14

8.2.3 Other Alternatives .......... .......... .......... ......... 8-19

8.2.3.1 Oil-Fired Power Generation .......... .......... ..... 8-19

8.2.3.2 Wind Power .......... .......... .......... ....... 8-19

8.2.3.3 Solar Power .......... .......... .......... ....... 8-20

8.2.3.4 Hydropower .......... .......... .......... ....... 8-20

8.2.3.5 Geothermal Energy .......... .......... .......... . 8-21

8.2.3.6 Wood Waste .......... .......... .......... ...... 8-21

8.2.3.7 Municipal Solid Waste .......... .......... ......... 8-22

8.2.3.8 Other Biomass-Derived Fuels .......... .......... ... 8-22

8.2.3.9 Fuel Cells .......... .......... .......... ......... 8-22

8.2.4 Combination of Alternatives .......... .......... .......... . 8-23

8.2.5 Summary Comparison of Alternatives .......... .......... .... 8-24

8.3 Plant Design Alternatives .......... .......... .......... .......... 8-24

8.3.1 Heat-Dissipation Systems .......... .......... .......... ... 8-26

8.3.2 Circulating Water Systems .......... .......... .......... . . 8-29

8.3.2.1 Intake Systems .......... .......... .......... .... 8-29

8.3.2.2 Discharge Systems .......... .......... .......... . 8-29

8.3.2.3 Water Supply .......... .......... .......... ...... 8-30

8.3.2.4 Water Treatment .......... .......... .......... ... 8-30

8.4 Region of Interest and Alternative Site Selection Process .......... ..... 8-30

8.4.1 Applicant’s Region of Interest .......... .......... .......... 8-31

8.4.2 Applicant’s Alternative Site Selection Process .......... ....... 8-32

8.4.2.1 Screening of Seven Sites to Four .......... .......... 8-33

8.4.2.2 Screening of Four Sites to One .......... .......... . . 8-35

8.5 Evaluation of Alternative Sites .......... .......... .......... ...... 8-37

8.5.1 Evaluation of the River Bend Station Site .......... .......... . 8-38

8.5.1.1 Land Use Including Site and Transmission Line

 Rights-of-Way .......... .......... .......... ..... 8-38

8.5.1.2 Water Use and Quality .......... .......... ......... 8-39

8.5.1.3 Terrestrial Resources Including Endangered Species ..... 8-39
Contents

April 2006 xv NUREG-1817

8.5.1.4 Aquatic Resources Including Endangered Species ....... 8-45

8.5.1.5 Socioeconomics .......... .......... .......... .... 8-47

8.5.1.6 Historic and Cultural Resources .......... .......... . . 8-56

8.5.1.7 Environmental Justice .......... .......... ......... 8-56

8.5.2 Evaluation of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Site .......... . . 8-57

8.5.2.1 Land Use Including Site and Transmission Line

 Rights-of-Way .......... .......... .......... ..... 8-57

8.5.2.2 Water Use and Quality .......... .......... ......... 8-58

8.5.2.3 Terrestrial Resources Including Endangered Species ..... 8-59

8.5.2.4 Aquatic Resources Including Endangered Species ....... 8-66

8.5.2.5 Socioeconomics .......... .......... .......... .... 8-68

8.5.2.6 Historic and Cultural Resources .......... .......... . . 8-76

8.5.2.7 Environmental Justice .......... .......... ......... 8-77

8.5.3 Evaluation of the FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant Site .......... . 8-77

8.5.3.1 Land Use Including Site and Transmission Line

 Rights-of-Way .......... .......... .......... ..... 8-77

8.5.3.2 Water Use and Quality .......... .......... ......... 8-79

8.5.3.3 Terrestrial Resources Including Endangered Species ..... 8-79

8.5.3.4 Aquatic Resources Including Endangered Species ....... 8-84

8.5.3.5 Socioeconomics .......... .......... .......... .... 8-86

8.5.3.6 Historic and Cultural Resources .......... .......... . . 8-94

8.5.3.7 Environmental Justice .......... .......... ......... 8-95

8.5.4 Generic Impacts Consistent Among Alternative Sites .......... . . 8-95

8.5.4.1 Air Quality Impacts .......... .......... .......... . . 8-96

8.5.4.2 Nonradiological Health Impacts .......... .......... . . 8-97

8.5.4.3 Radiological Health Impacts .......... .......... ..... 8-97

8.5.4.4 Postulated Accidents .......... .......... .......... 8-99

8.5.4.5 Hydrological Alterations .......... .......... ........ 8-100

8.5.4.6 Ecological Impacts .......... .......... .......... . . 8-100

8.6 Summary of Alternative Site Impacts .......... .......... .......... . 8-101

8.6.1 Summary of Alternative Site Construction Impacts .......... .... 8-101

8.6.2 Summary of Alternative Site Operation Impacts .......... ...... 8-101

8.7 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 8-104

9.0 Comparison of the Impacts of the Proposed and Alternative Sites .......... .... 9-1

9.1 Comparison of the Proposed Site with the Alternatives .......... ....... 9-2
Contents

NUREG-1817 xvi April 2006

9.2 Environmentally Preferable Sites .......... .......... .......... .... 9-6

9.2.1 Construction .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 9-6

9.2.2 Operations .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 9-7

9.3 Obviously Superior Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... 9-7

9.4 Comparison with the No-Action Alternative .......... .......... ...... 9-7

9.5 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 9-8

10.0 Conclusions and Recommendations .......... .......... .......... ..... 10-1

10.1 Unavoidable Adverse Environmental Impacts .......... .......... .... 10-3

10.1.1 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts During Construction .......... ... 10-4

10.1.2 Unavoidable Adverse Impacts During Operation .......... ..... 10-6

10.2 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources .......... ..... 10-6

10.3 Relationship Between Short-Term Uses and Long-Term Productivity 

of the Human Environment .......... .......... .......... ........ 10-8

10.4 Cumulative Impacts .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 10-8

10.5 Staff Conclusions and Recommendations .......... .......... ....... 10-9

10.6 References .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 10-10

Appendix A - Contributors to the Environmental Impact Statement .......... .... A-1

Appendix B - Organizations Contacted .......... .......... .......... ...... B-1

Appendix C - Chronology of NRC Staff Environmental Review Correspondence

Related to System Energy Resources, Inc.’s Application for an

Early Site Permit (ESP) at the Grand Gulf ESP Site .......... ..... C-1

Appendix D - Scoping Meeting Comments and Responses .......... .......... D-1

Appendix E - Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 

and Responses .......... .......... .......... .......... ... E-1

Appendix F - Key Correspondence .......... .......... .......... ........ F-1

Appendix G - Authorizations and Consultations .......... .......... ......... G-1

Appendix H - Data and Information to Support Specific Analyses .......... ..... H-1

Appendix I - Plant Parameter Envelope Values .......... .......... ......... I-1

Appendix J - System Energy Resources, Inc. Commitments and NRC Staff

Assumptions Relevant to the Analysis of Impact .......... ........ J-1
April 2006 xvii NUREG-1817

Figures

1-1 Region within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Proposed Grand Gulf 

Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 1-7

2-1 Map Showing Location and Vicinity within 10 Kilometers (6 Miles) of the 

Proposed Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... ......... 2-2

2-2 Surface Drainage Plan for the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... ... 2-21

2-3 Aerial Photograph of the Grand Gulf Area (October 11, 1971) Prior to 

Construction of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 Facility (SERI 2005, 

Figure 2.4-1) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 2-32

2-4 Aerial Photograph Depicting Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 (November 21, 

2001) and Construction Areas (Cross-Hatched Areas) for the Proposed Grand 

Gulf Early Site Permit Facility (SERI 2005, Figure 2.4-2) .......... ......... 2-33

2-5 Terrestrial Habitat Types and Developed Areas on the Grand Gulf Site 

(SERI 2005, Figure 2.4-3) .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 2-36

2-6 Louisiana Black Bear Breeding Subpopulations (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Jackson, Mississippi Field Office) .......... .......... .......... 2-51

2-7 Black Bear Sightings from the State of Mississippi from 1996 to 2004 

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jackson, Mississippi Field Office) .......... . . 2-53

2-8 Estimated Population in 2002 within 16 Kilometers (10 Miles) of the Grand

Gulf Early Site Permit Site (SERI 2005, Figure 2.5-1) .......... .......... . 2-66

2-9 Estimated Population in 2002 Between 16 and 80 Kilometers (10 and 50 Miles) 

from the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site (SERI 2005, Figure 2.5-2) ......... 2-68

2-10 Estimated Average Daily Traffic in Claiborne County, Mississippi in 2000 

(adapted from SERI 2005, Figure 2.5-3) .......... .......... .......... . . 2-73

2-11 Mississippi Department of Transportation 2002 Road Development Plan 

(adapted from SERI 2005, Figure 2.5-4) .......... .......... .......... . . 2-75

2-12 Minority Populations within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf Early 

Site Permit Site (adapted from SERI 2005, Figures 2.5-6, 2.5-7) .......... ... 2-86

2-13 Low-Income Populations within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf 

Early Site Permit Site (adapted from SERI 2005, Figures 2.5-8, 2.5-9) ......... 2-87

3-1 Aerial Photo of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station .......... .......... ....... 3-2

4-1 Map of Grand Gulf Site Showing Proposed Construction Areas and 

Locations Recommended by Mississippi Department of Archives and History 

for Cultural Resources Survey if Selected for Construction (adapted from

SERI 2005, Figure 2.2-1) .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 4-48
Figures

NUREG-1817 xviii April 2006

5-1 Bounding Triangle for the Location of the 2.8°C Above-Ambient Isotherm 

Based upon the Winter Extreme Temperature Difference, Low-Discharge 

Scenario .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 5-13

5-2 Exposure Pathways to Humans .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-52

5-3 Exposure Pathways to Biota Other than Humans .......... .......... ..... 5-53

6-1 The Uranium Fuel Cycle: No-Recycle Option (derived from NRC 1999) ....... 6-6

H-1 Illustration of Truck Stop Model (Sprung et al. 2000) .......... .......... . . H-22
April 2006 xix NUREG-1817

Tables

2-1 Land Use in the Area of the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... ..... 2-4

2-2 2002 Major Agricultural Crops and Land in Production within 80 Kilometers 

(50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site, hectares (acres) .......... 2-9

2-3 2002 Livestock Production and Farm Value within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of 

the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .... 2-11

2-4 Common Plant Taxa in Bottomland and Upland Forests Prior to Construction 

of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-35

2-5 Mammals Collected or Observed Prior to Construction of Grand Gulf Nuclear

Station Unit 1 .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 2-39

2-6 State-Listed Terrestrial Species Occurring on and in the Vicinity of the Grand 

Gulf Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 2-42

2-7 Federally Listed Terrestrial Species by County of Occurrence and Distance 

from the Grand Gulf Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 2-44

2-8 State-Listed Aquatic Species Occurring in the Vicinity of the Grand Gulf Early 

Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . 2-61

2-9 Federally Listed Aquatic Species Occurring in the Vicinity of the Grand Gulf 

Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 2-62

2-10 Counties and Parishes within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf 

Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... 2-65

2-11 Transient Population Near Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... ...... 2-69

2-12 Minority and Low-Income Populations .......... .......... .......... .... 2-70

2-13 Residence Locations of the Workforce at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, 

April 2003 .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 2-71

2-14 Employment Changes in the Five Mississippi Counties Nearest to the Grand 

Gulf Early Site Permit Site (Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Jefferson, and Warren), 

1990 to 2000 .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 2-72

2-15 Regional Housing Information by County for the Year 2000 .......... ....... 2-78

2-16 Capacity and Use of Port Gibson Water and Sewer Systems .......... ...... 2-78

2-17 Hospitals in the Vicinity of the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... ... 2-79

2-18 Number of Students and Public Primary and Secondary Schools in Mississippi 

Counties Surrounding the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... ....... 2-80

2-19 Selected Health Statistics for Minority and Total Population in Claiborne County,

Mississippi, and United States .......... .......... .......... ......... 2-89

3-1 Existing Transmission Line Rights-of-Way to the Grand Gulf Site .......... . . 3-13

3-2 Land Use in the Existing Transmission Line Rights-of-Way to the

Grand Gulf Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . 3-14
Tables

NUREG-1817 xx April 2006

4-1 Road Analysis in Claiborne County .......... .......... .......... ...... 4-39

4-2 Potential Increase in Resident Population Resulting from Construction at 

the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .... 4-40

4-3 Characterization of Impacts from Construction of One or More Nuclear Units at 

the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .... 4-59

5-1 Mortgage Transactions in Claiborne County, Mississippi, 2000 to 2004 ........ 5-2

5-2 Dimensions of 2.8°C (5.0°F) Isotherm Plume in the Mississippi River Based 

on the Staff’s CORMIX Simulations .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-11

5-3 Dilution Factors for Chemical Discharge to the Mississippi River Based on 

the Staff’s CORMIX Simulations .......... .......... .......... ........ 5-14

5-4 Potential Increase in Resident Population Resulting from Operations at the 

Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... ....... 5-34

5-5 Liquid Pathway Doses for Maximally Exposed Individual at the Grand Gulf 

Early Site Permit Site from Operation of One New Nuclear Unit .......... .... 5-54

5-6 Gaseous Pathway Doses for Maximally Exposed Individual from Operation 

of One New Nuclear Unit .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 5-56

5-7 Comparison of Maximum Individual Dose to 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix I 

Design Objective per Unit .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 5-57

5-8 Comparison of Maximally Exposed Individual Dose Estimates from Liquid 

and Gaseous Effluents from Operation of GGNS Unit 1 and Two New Nuclear 

Units to 40 CFR Part 190 Standards .......... .......... .......... ..... 5-57

5-9 Comparison of Biota Dose Estimates from Liquid and Gaseous Effluents 

from Operation of New Nuclear Units to 40 CFR Part 190 Standards and 

Relevant Guidelines for Biota Protection .......... .......... .......... . . 5-61

5-10 Atmospheric Dispersion Factors (X/Q, s/m3) for the Grand Gulf Early Site 

Permit Site Design Basis Accident Calculations .......... .......... ...... 5-65

5-11 Design Basis Accident Doses for an Advanced Boiling Water Reactor ......... 5-67

5-12 Design Basis Accident Doses for a Surrogate AP1000 Reactor .......... .... 5-68

5-13 Mean Environmental Risk from Advanced Boiling Water Reactor Severe 

Accidents at the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .... 5-71

5-14 Mean Environmental Risk from the Surrogate AP1000 Severe Accidents at 

the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .... 5-73

5-15 Comparison of Environmental Risk for an Advanced Boiling Water Reactor 

or a Surrogate AP1000 at the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site with Risk 

for Five Sites Evaluated in NUREG-1150 .......... .......... .......... . 5-74

5-16 Comparison of Environmental Risk from Severe Accidents Initiated by Internal 

Events for an Advanced Boiling Water Reactor and a Surrogate AP1000 at the 

Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site with Risks for Current Reactors .......... . . 5-75

5-17 Characterization of Operational Impacts at the Grand Gulf Early Site 

Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 5-82
Tables

April 2006 xxi NUREG-1817

6-1 Table S–3 from 10 CFR 51.51(b), Table of Uranium Fuel Cycle Environmental

Data .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ......... 6-3

6-2 Comparison of Annual Average Dose Received by an Individual from 

All Sources .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .... 6-13

6-3 Fuel Cycle Environmental Impacts from Gas-Cooled Reactor Designs for 

the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... .... 6-17

6-4 Numbers of Truck Shipments of Unirradiated Fuel for Each Advanced 

Reactor Type .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 6-25

6-5 Radiological Impacts of Transporting Unirradiated Fuel to Advanced 

Reactor Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . 6-26

6-6 Routine (Incident-Free) Radiation Doses to Transport Workers and the 

Public from Shipping Spent Fuel from Potential Early Site Permit Sites 

to a Spent Fuel Disposal Facility .......... .......... .......... ........ 6-31

6-7 Routine (Incident-Free) Population Doses from Spent Fuel Transportation, 

Normalized to Reference Light Water Reactor .......... .......... ....... 6-33

6-8 Radionuclide Inventories Used in Transportation Accident Risk Calculations

for Each Advanced Reactor Type, Bq/MTU .......... .......... ......... 6-36

6-9 Annual Spent Fuel Transportation Accident Impacts for Advanced Reactors, 

Normalized to Reference 1000-MW(e) Light Water Reactor Net 

Electrical Generation .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... 6-38

6-10 Summary of Radioactive Waste Shipments for Advanced Reactors .......... . 6-40

8-1 Summary of Environmental Impacts of Coal-Fired Power Generation – 

2000 MW(e) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-13

8-2 Summary of Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation – 

2000 MW(e) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-18

8-3 Summary of Environmental Impacts of a Combination of Power Sources – 

2000 MW(e) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-25

8-4 Summary of Environmental Impacts of Construction and Operation of New 

Nuclear, Coal-Fired, and Natural Gas-Fired Generating Units, and a 

Combination of Alternatives .......... .......... .......... .......... . 8-26

8-5 Initial Screening Criteria for Selecting an Early Site Permit Site .......... .... 8-34

8-6 Final Screening Criteria for Selecting an Early Site Permit Site .......... .... 8-35

8-7 Terrestrial Federally and State-Listed Species Occurring in the Vicinity of 

the River Bend Site .......... .......... .......... .......... ........ 8-41

8-8 Federally and State-Listed Threatened or Endangered Aquatic Species 

Reported within a 16-Kilometer (10-Mile) Radius of the River Bend Site ........ 8-46

8-9 Terrestrial Federally Listed and State-Listed Species Occurring in the 

Vicinity of the Pilgrim Site .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-61

8-10 Aquatic Federally and State-Listed Species Occurring in the Vicinity of 

the Pilgrim Site .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . 8-68
Tables

NUREG-1817 xxii April 2006

8-11 Terrestrial State-Listed Species Occurring More than 3.2 Kilometers 

(2 Miles) but Less than 16 Kilometers (10 Miles) from the FitzPatrick Site ...... 8-82

8-12 State-Listed Threatened or Endangered Aquatic Species Reported Within 

a 16-Kilometer (10-Mile) Radius of the FitzPatrick Site .......... .......... . 8-85

8-13 Characterization of Construction Impacts at the Alternative Early Site 

Permit Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-102

8-14 Characterization of Operational Impacts at the Alternative Early Site 

Permit Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ... 8-103

9-1 Comparison of the Construction Impacts at the Proposed and Alternative 

Early Site Permit Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 9-3

9-2 Comparison of the Operational Impacts at the Proposed and Alternative 

Early Site Permit Sites .......... .......... .......... .......... ..... 9-4

10-1 Unavoidable Adverse Environmental Impacts from Construction .......... ... 10-5

10-2 Unavoidable Adverse Environmental Impacts from Operation .......... ..... 10-7

10-3 Summary of Environmental Significance of Nuclear Power Plant 

Construction and Operation at the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site,

at Alternative Sites, and for the No-Action Alternative .......... .......... . . 10-10

D-1 Individuals Providing Comments During Scoping Comment Period .......... . D-3

E-1 Individuals Providing Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement . . E-4

E-2 Comments Grouped by Comment Category .......... .......... ......... E-20

F-1 Key Early Site Permit Consultation Correspondence .......... .......... . . F-1

G-1 Federal, State, and Local Authorizations .......... .......... .......... . . G-1

H-1 Projected Resident Population within 16 Kilometers (10 Miles) of the 

Proposed Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Facility .......... .......... ....... H-1

H-2 Projected Resident Population within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the 

Proposed Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Facility .......... .......... ....... H-5

H-3 Numbers of Truck Shipments of Unirradiated Fuel for Each Advanced

Reactor Type .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . . H-13

H-4 RADTRAN 5 Input Parameters for Unirradiated Fuel Shipments .......... ... H-14

H-5 Radiological Impacts of Transporting Unirradiated Fuel to ESP Sites .......... H-15

H-6 Transportation Route Information for Shipments from ESP Sites to the 

Proposed High-Level Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain .......... ....... H-19

H-7 RADTRAN 5 Incident-Free Exposure Parameters .......... .......... .... H-21
Tables

April 2006 xxiii NUREG-1817

H-8 Routine (Incident-Free) Radiation Doses to Transport Workers and the 

Public from Shipping Spent Fuel from Potential ESP Sites to the Proposed

High-Level Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain .......... .......... ..... H-23

H-9 Routine (Incident-Free) Population Doses from Spent Fuel Transportation,

Normalized to Reference LWR Net Electrical Generation .......... ......... H-26

H-10 Comparison of Incident-Free Doses from NUREG-0170 (NRC 1977a) Spent

Fuel Shipments and Spent Fuel Shipment from Quad-Cities to the Proposed

High-Level Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain .......... .......... ..... H-29

H-11 Radionuclide Inventories Used in the Transportation Accident Risk 

Calculations for Each Advanced Reactor Type .......... .......... ....... H-31

H-12 Severity and Release Fractions Used to Model Spent Fuel Transportation

Accidents (Sprung et al. 2000) .......... .......... .......... ......... H-33

H-13 Unit Spent Fuel Transportation Accident Risks for Advanced Reactors ........ H-36

H-14 Annual Spent Fuel Transportation Accident Impacts for Advanced Reactors,

Normalized to Reference LWR Net Electrical Generation .......... ......... H-37

H-15 Summary of Radioactive Waste Shipments for Advanced Reactors .......... . H-39

H-16 Parameters Used in Calculating Dose to the Public from Liquid Effluents ....... H-42

H-17 Comparison of Dose Estimates to the Public from Liquid Effluent Release 

per Unit .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ....... H-44

H-18 Parameters Used in Calculating Dose to the Public from Gaseous Effluent

Releases .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ...... H-46

H-19 Comparison of Dose Estimates to the Maximally Exposed Individual from

Gaseous Pathway Releases .......... .......... .......... .......... . H-49

H-20 SERI (2005a) and Staff Dose Estimates to the Maximally Exposed Individual

from Gaseous Effluent Releases from Operation of One New Nuclear Unit ..... H-50

H-21 Comparison of Population Doses from Gaseous Effluent Releases .......... . H-51

H-22 Comparison of Dose Estimates to Biota from Liquid Effluents .......... ..... H-53

H-23 Comparison of Dose Estimates to Biota from Gaseous Effluents .......... ... H-53

I-1 PPE for the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Facility .......... .......... ..... I-1

J-1 Statements Made in the SERI Environmental Report and in Response to NRC

Staff Requests for Additional Information Related to Future Actions and

Activities by SERI and the Impacts of Those Activities Considered in the

Staff’s Analysis .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... . J-2

J-2 Key Assumptions Used by the NRC Staff in Assessing Environmental Impacts

at the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site .......... .......... .......... . . J-13
NUREG-1817 xxiv April 2006
April 2006 xxv NUREG-1817

Executive Summary

On October 16, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received an application

from System Energy Resources, Inc. (SERI) for an early site permit (ESP) for a location identified

as the Grand Gulf ESP site, co-located with the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station. The proposed

Grand Gulf ESP site is located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, approximately 40 km (25 mi)

south of Vicksburg, Mississippi, 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Port Gibson, Mississippi, and 60 km

(37 mi) north-northeast of Natchez, Mississippi. An ESP is a Commission approval of a location

for siting one or more nuclear power facilities and is a separate action from the filing of an

application for a construction permit or combined construction permit and operating license |

(combined license) for such a facility. An ESP application may refer to a reactor’s or reactors’ |

characteristics or plant parameter envelope, which is a set of postulated design parameters that

bound the characteristics of a reactor or reactors that might be built at a selected site. 

Alternatively, an ESP application may refer to a detailed reactor design. An ESP is not a license |

to build a nuclear power plant. Rather, the application for an ESP initiates a process undertaken

to assess whether a proposed site is suitable should SERI decide to pursue a construction permit

or combined license.

Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 USC 4321 et seq.) |

directs that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for major Federal actions that

significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Subpart A of Title 10 of the Code of

Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 52 contains the NRC regulations related to ESPs. The NRC

implemented Section 102 of NEPA in 10 CFR Part 51. As set forth in 10 CFR 52.18, the |

Commission determined that an EIS will be prepared during the review of an application for an |

ESP. The purpose of SERI’s requested action, issuance of the ESP, is for the NRC to determine

whether the Grand Gulf ESP site is suitable for one or more new nuclear units by resolving |

certain safety and environmental issues before SERI incurs the substantial additional time and

expense of designing and seeking approval to construct such units at the site. Part 52 of Title 10

describes the ESP as a “partial construction permit.” An applicant for a construction permit or

combined license for a nuclear unit or units to be located at the site for which an ESP was issued |

can reference the ESP, thus reducing the review of siting issues at that stage of the licensing

process. However, a construction permit or combined license to construct and operate a nuclear

power plant is a major Federal action that requires its own environmental review in accordance |

with 10 CFR Part 51.

Three primary issues – site safety, environmental impact, and emergency planning – must be

addressed in an ESP application. Likewise, in its review of the application, the NRC assesses |

SERI’s proposal in relation to these issues and determines if the application meets the

requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the NRC regulations. This EIS addresses

the potential environmental impacts resulting from construction and operation of one or more new |

nuclear units at the proposed and alternative sites. |
Executive Summary

NUREG-1817 xxvi April 2006

In accordance with 10 CFR 52.18, the EIS is focused on the environmental effects of construction

| and operation at the ESP site and alternative sites of a reactor or reactors that have

| characteristics that fall within SERI’s plant parameter envelope.

Upon acceptance of the SERI ESP application, the NRC began the environmental review process

described in 10 CFR Part 51 by publishing in the Federal Register a Notice of Intent

| (68 FR 75656) to prepare an EIS and conduct a scoping process. The staff held a public scoping

meeting in Port Gibson, Mississippi on January 21, 2004, and visited the Grand Gulf ESP site on

July 29, 2003, January 21, 2004, and April 12 and 13, 2004. Subsequent to the scoping meeting

| and the site visits and in accordance with NEPA and 10 CFR Part 51, the staff evaluated the

| potential environmental impacts of constructing and operating one or more new nuclear units at

the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

|

| During the course of preparing this EIS, the staff reviewed the application, including the

environmental report submitted by SERI, consulted with Federal, State, Tribal, and local

| agencies, and followed the guidance set forth in NRC review standard RS-002, Processing

Applications for Early Site Permits, to conduct an independent review of the issues. The review

standard draws from the previously published NUREG-0800, Standard Review Plan for the

| Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants, and NUREG-1555, Environmental

| Standard Review Plan. In addition, the staff considered the public comments related to the

| environmental review received during the scoping process and on the draft EIS (DEIS). These

| comments are provided in Appendix D and Appendix E of this EIS.

| Following the practice the staff used in the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License

| Renewal of Nuclear Plants (NUREG-1437) and supplemental operating license renewal EISs,

environmental issues are evaluated using the three-level standard of significance – SMALL,

MODERATE, or LARGE – developed by NRC using guidelines from the Council on

| Environmental Quality. The footnote to Table B-1 of 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, Appendix B,

provides the following definitions of the three significance levels:

SMALL – Environmental effects are not detectable or are so minor that they will neither

destabilize nor noticeably alter any important attribute of the resource.

MODERATE – Environmental effects are sufficient to alter noticeably, but not to

destabilize, important attributes of the resource.

LARGE – Environmental effects are clearly noticeable and are sufficient to destabilize

important attributes of the resource.

|
Executive Summary

April 2006 xxvii NUREG-1817

The results of this evaluation were documented in a DEIS issued for public comment on April 29, |

2005. During the comment period, the staff conducted a public meeting in Port Gibson, |

Mississippi on June 28, 2005 to describe the results of the NRC environmental review, answer

questions, and provide members of the public with information to assist them in formulating |

comments on the DEIS. After closure of the comment period on the DEIS, the staff considered |

and dispositioned all the comments received.

Included in this EIS are (1) the results of the NRC staff’s analyses, which consider and weigh the |

environmental effects of the proposed action (issuance of the ESP) and of constructing and |

operating one or more new nuclear units at the ESP site, (2) mitigation measures for reducing or |

avoiding adverse effects, (3) the environmental impacts of alternatives to the proposed action, |

and (4) the NRC staff’s recommendation regarding the proposed action based on its |

environmental review. |

|

The NRC staff’s recommendation to the Commission related to the environmental aspects of the

proposed action is that the ESP should be issued. The NRC staff’s evaluation of the safety and

emergency preparedness aspects of the proposed action is documented in a separate safety |

evaluation report prepared in accordance with 10 CFR Part 52. |

The NRC staff’s recommendation is based on (1) the application, including the environmental |

report submitted by SERI; (2) consultation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies;

(3) the NRC staff’s independent review; (4) the NRC staff’s consideration of public comments

related to the environmental review that were received during the scoping process and on the |

DEIS; and (5) the assessments summarized in this EIS, including the potential mitigation |

measures identified in the environmental report and this EIS. In addition, in making its

recommendation to the Commission, the NRC staff has determined that there are no

environmentally preferable or obviously superior alternative sites. |

April 2006 xxix NUREG-1817

Abbreviations/Acronyms

ABWR Advanced Boiling Water Reactor |

ac acre

ACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

ACR-700 Advanced CANDU (CANada Deuterium Uranium) Reactor |

ADAMS Agencywide Document Access and Management System |

ALARA as low as is reasonably achievable |

AP1000 Advanced Pressurized Water Reactor |

AQCR air quality control region |

AQI Air Quality Index

ATWS anticipated transient without scram |

BEIR Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation |

Bq becquerel

Btu British thermal unit

BWR boiling water reactor

°C degree Celsius

CEDE committed effective dose equivalent

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

cfs cubic feet per second

Ci curie(s) |

cm centimeter(s) |

CO carbon monoxide |

COL combined license

CORMIX Cornell Mixing Zone Expert System

CP construction permit

|

CZMA Coast Zone Management Act of 1972

d day

dBA decibels, A scale |

DBA design basis accident |

DEIS draft environmental impact statement |

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

EAB exclusion area boundary |

EIA Energy Information Administration

EIS environmental impact statement

ELF-EMF extremely low frequency-electromagnetic field |

EMI Entergy Mississippi, Inc.

EMF electromagnetic field |
Abbreviations/Acronyms

NUREG-1817 xxx April 2006

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

| ESBWR Economic Simplified Boiling Water Reactor

ESP early site permit

| ESRP Environmental Standard Review Plan

| °F degree Fahrenheit

FE Federal endangered

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FFIEC Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council

FR Federal Register

FT Federal threatened

ft feet

FWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

gal gallon(s)

GEIS generic environmental impact statement

GGNS Grand Gulf Nuclear Station

gpd gallons per day

gpm gallons per minute

| GT-MHR Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor

ha hectare(s)

| HMA Habitat Management Area

| hr hour(s)

| IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

ICRP International Commission on Radiological Protection

| in. inch(es)

| INEEL Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

IRIS International Reactor Innovative and Secure

| J Joule(s)

| kg kilogram(s)

| km kilometer(s)

| kWh kilowatt-hour(s) 

| L liter(s)

| L/d liters per day

| LMDCT(s) linear mechanical draft cooling tower(s)

LNHP Louisiana Natural Heritage Program

LOCA loss-of-coolant accident

| LPZ low population zone

| LWR light water reactor
Abbreviations/Acronyms

April 2006 xxxi NUREG-1817

m meter(s)

MDEQ Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality

MEI maximally exposed individual |

mg milligram(s) |

mGy milligray(s) |

mi mile(s) |

MISER Massachusetts Institute for Social and Economic Research

MNHP Mississippi Natural Heritage Program

MP&L Mississippi Power and Light

mrad millirad(s) |

mrem millirem(s) |

MS Mississippi State (Highway) |

MSL mean sea level

mSv millisievert(s) |

MT metric ton(s) |

MTU metric tons uranium

MWd megawatt day |

MW(e) megawatts electrical

MW(t) megawatts thermal

NA not available

NCRP National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements |

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

NESC National Electrical Safety Code

NHPA National Historical Preservation Act of 1966

NHS normal heat sink

NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

NMPNS Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOx nitrogen oxides |

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PBMR Pebble Bed Modular Reactor |

PM particulate matter |

PM10 particulate matter with a diameter of fewer than 10 micrometers |

PPE plant parameter envelope

ppm parts per million

ppt parts per thousand |

PWR pressurized water reactor |

RCIC reactor core isolation cooling

REMP radiological environmental monitoring program

RM River Mile |
Abbreviations/Acronyms

NUREG-1817 xxxii April 2006

| ROI region of interest

| RSICC (Oak Ridge) Radiation Safety Information Computational Center

| Ryr reactor year(s)

SCR selective catalytic reduction

SE state endangered

SERI System Energy Resources, Inc.

SMEPA South Mississippi Electric Power Association

| SOx sulfur oxides

SR State Route

ST state threatened

| Sv sievert(s)

SWS service water system

| SWU separative work units

| T&D transmission and distribution (system)

TEDE total effective dose equivalent

TLDs thermoluminescence dosimeters

| UFSAR Updated Final Safety Analysis Report

UHS ultimate heat sink

USFS U.S. Forest Service

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

| yr year(s)

| O/Q normalized concentration