April 2006 2-1 NUREG-1817

2.0 Affected Environment

The site proposed by System Energy Resources, Inc. (SERI) for an early site permit (ESP) is

located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, within the existing boundaries of the currently

operating Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS) site. The site is on the east bank of the

Mississippi River at River Mile 406, approximately 40 km (25 mi) south of Vicksburg, Mississippi

and 60 km (37 mi) north-northeast of Natchez, Mississippi. The proposed Grand Gulf ESP

facility location is described in Section 2.1, with the land, meteorology and air quality, geology,

radiological environment, water, ecology, socioeconomics, historic and cultural resources, and

environmental justice conditions of the site presented in Sections 2.2 through 2.10, respectively. 

Section 2.11 examines related Federal projects, and references are presented in Section 2.12.

To distinguish the areas discussed, “Grand Gulf site” refers to the entire 850-ha (2100-ac)

property upon which GGNS Unit 1 and all existing facilities are located as well as the proposed

Grand Gulf ESP facility. This environmental impact statement (EIS) refers to the “Grand Gulf

site” for the entire property, “Grand Gulf Nuclear Station” for the existing facilities, and “Grand

Gulf ESP facility/site” for the proposed facilities and area.

2.1 Site Location

SERI’s proposed ESP site is within the Grand Gulf site. The Grand Gulf site is located in rural |

Claiborne County and is accessible by both river and road. Public transportation routes are

limited within the site vicinity. The major highway in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf site is |

U.S. Highway 61, which passes by on the east-southeast. U.S. Highway 61 parallels the

Mississippi River from New Orleans, Louisiana, to St. Louis, Missouri, and is approximately

7.2 km (4.5 mi) from the Grand Gulf site at the closest point. From Port Gibson, the highway

goes north to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and south-southwest to Natchez, Mississippi. A section of

the Natchez Trace Parkway passes approximately 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the Grand Gulf

site running southwest toward Natchez and to the northeast to Jackson. State Highway 18 runs |

east from Port Gibson to Jackson. A number of county and rural roads are in the vicinity of the |

site. Figure 2-1 shows the area within a 10-km (6-mi) radius of the proposed Grand Gulf ESP

facility.

Figure 1-1 shows the location of the Grand Gulf ESP site in relation to the counties and larger |

cities and towns in the region–the area within a radius of 80 km (50 mi) from the center of the

proposed power block. The Grand Gulf ESP site consists primarily of woodlands and former |

farms as well as two lakes, Hamilton Lake and Gin Lake. These lakes were once in the |

channel of the Mississippi River and have an average depth of 2 to 3 m (8 to 10 ft). The land in |

the vicinity of the Grand Gulf site is mostly rural.
NUREG-1817 2-2 April 2006

Figure 

Map Showing Location and Vicinity within 10 Kilometers (6 Miles) of the Proposed Grand Gulf Early Site 
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-3 NUREG-1817

The western half of the site is the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, consisting of materials deposited

by the Mississippi River and extending eastward from the river about 1.3 km (0.8 mi). The area

is generally at elevations of 17 to 23 m (55 to 75 ft) above mean sea level (MSL). The eastern

half of the site is rough and irregular with steep slopes and deeply cut stream valleys and

drainage courses. Ground elevations in this portion of the Grand Gulf ESP site range from

24.4 m (80 ft) above MSL to more than 61 m (200 ft) above MSL inland. Elevations of about |

122 m (400 ft) above MSL occur on the hilltops east and northeast of the site. Grade elevation |

for the existing GGNS facility structures is 40.4 m (132.5 ft) above MSL (SERI 2005). |

2.2 Land

The Grand Gulf ESP site is 162 ha (400 ac) located on a portion of the Grand Gulf site within |

Claiborne County, Mississippi, approximately 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Port Gibson, the county

seat. Claiborne County lies in southwestern Mississippi and is bordered on the west by the

Mississippi River and Tensas Parish, Louisiana, on the north by Warren County, on the east by

Hinds and Copiah counties, and on the south by Jefferson County. This section describes the

land uses of the site, vicinity, and region affected by the Grand Gulf ESP facility.

2.2.1 Site and Vicinity

The Grand Gulf ESP facility would be located on the existing Grand Gulf site, slightly to the |

west and north of the GGNS power block. The Grand Gulf site encompasses approximately |

850 ha (2100 ac) and lies within the property boundary shown in Figure 2-1. SERI, South |

Mississippi Electric Power Association, and Entergy Mississippi, Inc. are currently the primary |

owners of the Grand Gulf site. Entergy Operations, Inc. holds the operating license for the |

GGNS and maintains control of entrances and exits from the Grand Gulf site property. 

According to the SERI environmental report, approximately 162 ha (400 ac) of the 850 ha |

(2100 ac) would be directly affected by construction on the Grand Gulf ESP site (SERI 2005). |

Most of the area at the site that may be used for new construction was previously disturbed |

when GGNS was constructed in the early 1970s.

The vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site is defined by a circle drawn with a 10-km (6-mi) radius

from the center of the proposed power block location (Figure 2-1). The vicinity includes a

portion of Claiborne County in Mississippi and Tensas Parish in Louisiana. Table 2-1 provides

the land cover classifications within the 10-km (6-mi) vicinity, in the 80-km (50-mi) region, and

along the affected transmission line rights-of-way. The land use in the vicinity of the site |

includes primarily agricultural and undeveloped lands. The nearest incorporated community is

the town of Port Gibson about 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the site. The small community of |

Grand Gulf lies about 2.6 km (1.6 mi) north of the Grand Gulf ESP site.
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-4 April 2006

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

|

|

Land-Use Class

| 80-km (50-mi)

Region

10-km (6-mi)

Vicinity

Transmission Line

Rights-of-Way

Hectares

(Acres) Percent

Hectares

(Acres) Percent

Hectares

(Acres) Percent

| Agricultural 557,511 27.7 3,552 11.3 100 14.7

| (1,377,640) (8,777) (246)

| Developed Nonresidential 4,100 0.2 140 0.4 1 0.2

(10,132) (346) (3)

Residential 30,313 1.5 504 1.6 11 1.7

| (74,904) (1,245) (28)

| Undeveloped 1,230,416 61.2 20,114 64.0 524 77.7

| (3,040,423) (49,703) (1,296)

| W ater or Wetlands 189,089 9.4 7,118 22.6 39 5.8

(467,249) (17,589) (96)

| Total Area 2,011,428 31,428 675

| (4,970,348) (77,660) (1,669)

| Notes: U.S. Geological Survey land-cover classes have been aggregated for presentation purposes.

| Rounding may affect totals.

| Source: Vogelmann et al. 2001

A number of recreational areas are in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site. The Grand Gulf

| Military Monument (162 ha (400 ac)) abuts the northern edge of the Grand Gulf site and has its

main facilities about 3 km (2 mi) north of the Grand Gulf ESP site. The Grand Gulf Military

Monument provides a year-round, 25-site campground and hosts many living history events and

| other activities for area visitors. The Warner-Tully YMCA Camp (44 ha (108 ac)) is a youth

| summer camp located approximately 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the site. Lake Claiborne is a

| private residential development with recreational facilities located on the lake about 5 km (3 mi)

east of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Two oxbow lakes located on the Grand Gulf site (Hamilton

and Gin lakes) provide limited small boating and fishing opportunities, and public access is

permitted. Yucatan Lake in Louisiana also falls within the 10-km (6-mi) vicinity and offers

boating and fishing opportunities.

| About 18 km (11 mi) of the Mississippi River courses through the 10-km (6-mi) vicinity. The

river provides a critical inland shipping route from the Gulf Coast to the interior of the South and

Midwest. There is direct access to the Grand Gulf ESP site from the Mississippi River along the

entire western edge of the Grand Gulf site. The Port of Claiborne has constructed a small

shipping port on the river at River Mile 404.8 in Claiborne County. The mean depth of channel

and berth at Port Claiborne is 4.3 m (14 ft). Services provided at this port include mooring

assistance, stevedore, dryage, and deep-water berths. Port cargo includes forest products,

| pulpwood, feed grains, and agricultural products (see environmental report in SERI 2005).
Affected Environment

(a) The term “exclusion area” is defined in 10 CFR 50.2 |

April 2006 2-5 NUREG-1817

SERI has acquired and will maintain surface ownership of all the land within the Grand Gulf site

property boundary with the following exceptions (see Site Safety Analysis Report in SERI 2005, |

2004e): |

 C South Mississippi Electric Power Association (SMEPA) has a 10-percent undivided

interest in the GGNS Unit 1 power block area, a 38-ha (94-ac) tract containing the

cooling towers, containment buildings, and other major structures. SMEPA also has a

10-percent undivided ownership interest in two very long and narrow strips of land

(3 and 2 ha (7.5 and 5 ac)) on which the GGNS Unit 1 water supply and discharge

piping are located.

 C Entergy Mississippi, Inc. owns the 21-ha (52-ac) GGNS facility switchyard area on the

site. However, under a 1999 agreement with Mississippi Power and Light (now Entergy

Mississippi, Inc.), SERI has authority to exercise complete control and determine all

activities on Entergy Mississippi, Inc. property and easements on the site, including |

exclusion of Entergy Mississippi, Inc. personnel and third parties. SERI has transferred |

such rights to Entergy Operations, Inc. Entergy Operations, Inc. has unrestricted |

access to the switchyard area.

 C A 1-ha (2-ac) residential property, which is totally surrounded by the GGNS site property |

boundary in the southwest sector of the site, is privately owned.

SERI, SMEPA, and Entergy Operations, Inc. own or effectively control the mineral rights in the |

proposed power block and associated exclusion area.(a) Currently, mining, exploration, drilling, |

and other mineral-extraction activities are not being conducted at the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

Past unsuccessful exploration activities on or near the Grand Gulf ESP site and the geological

character of the subsurface structure in the vicinity indicate that commercial mineral production

appears unlikely in the foreseeable future. A geological appraisal dated January 1987 (see site |

safety analysis report in SERI 2005, 2004g) confirmed this conclusion. |

Under Mississippi law, prospective mineral developers have no legal right to use physical force |

or to create a public disturbance to gain access to a property to explore for or to extract

minerals. They would be prohibited from drilling any oil or gas well until a permit is issued by

the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board following a notice and public hearing. Since SERI and |

SMEPA own, and Entergy Operations, Inc. controls substantially all of the minerals on the

Grand Gulf site, SERI and Entergy Operations, Inc. would participate in any hearings and would

have the opportunity to object to the drilling and/or the location of any well. Therefore, although 
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-6 April 2006

SERI and its affiliates do not legally own all of the subsurface rights on the Grand Gulf ESP site

and the associated exclusion area, they effectively control the ability to exercise these rights

| and to preclude the exercising of these rights by others.

The Grand Gulf ESP site is accessible by both river and road. The major highways in the area

lie mainly to the east, north, and south of the site, and a number of county roads serve the area

(Figures 1-1 and 2-1). U.S. Highway 61 and State Highway 18 connect Port Gibson with

Natchez, Vicksburg, and Jackson, Mississippi. There are no direct routes from the site into

| Louisiana, immediately west of the Mississippi River. U.S. Highway 61 parallels the east bank

| of the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Louisiana, to St. Louis, Missouri, and is

| approximately 7.2 km (4.5 mi) from the site at the closest point. From the town of Port Gibson,

| the highway runs north to Vicksburg and southwest to Natchez. A section of the Natchez Trace

Parkway passes approximately 10 km (6 mi) southeast of the Grand Gulf ESP site running

| southwest toward Natchez, Mississippi, and northeast to Clinton, Mississippi. State Highway 18

runs east from Port Gibson to Jackson. A number of county and rural roads are in the 10-km

| (6-mi) site vicinity. 

No active railroads or navigable waterways traverse the Grand Gulf ESP site. However, a

currently abandoned spur of the Illinois Central Gulf railroad once served the area during

construction of GGNS Unit 1. The remains of this spur extend 29.2 km (18.2 mi) to the north of

the Grand Gulf ESP site where active service begins. One county-maintained road runs

through the Grand Gulf ESP site (see Figure 2-1). Bald Hill Road cuts through the southsoutheast, south, south-southwest, and southwest sectors of the Grand Gulf site. Another road

(unpaved) traverses the GGNS site property in the north, north-northwest, northwest, westnorthwest, and west sectors, providing access to the two lakes on the property. Two EntergyMississippi transmission lines traverse the eastern edge of the Grand Gulf site. No other

industrial, commercial, institutional, or residential structures are on the Grand Gulf site other

than a private hunting lodge on the extreme southwest corner. Entergy allows public access to

parts of the Grand Gulf site property for recreational purposes (see environmental report in

| SERI 2005). 

| The nearest gas pipeline is 6 km (3.7 mi) east of the Grand Gulf site boundary (Figure 2-1). 

SERI and SMEPA own all the surface rights at the Grand Gulf ESP site except the switchyard,

which is owned by Entergy Mississippi, Inc. A number of easements over the Grand Gulf ESP

| site are in effect (see environmental report in SERI 2005).

| According to the environmental report, a review of the Claiborne County Soil Survey issued in

1963 and inquiry with the Claiborne County Natural Resources Conservation Service indicate

the presence of soil types that may be considered “prime farmland” at the Grand Gulf site

| (SERI 2005). However, some exclusions apply. If land is frequently flooded during the growing
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-7 NUREG-1817

season or is already in or committed to urban development or water storage, it is not

considered “prime farmland” (see environmental report in SERI 2005). No coastal zones or wild |

and scenic rivers were identified in or around the area that may be used for construction. 

Because of dense vegetation in the vicinity, the ESP site is not easily seen from nearby areas. |

The cooling tower and plume are visible from across the Mississippi River in Louisiana. |

2.2.2 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way and Offsite Areas

SERI chose not to include a site redress plan in its ESP application and, therefore, would not be

permitted to undertake site preparation activities, including work on transmission line rights-of- |

way, prior to obtaining a construction permit (CP) or combined license (COL). Consequently, |

because of regulatory constraints at the ESP stage, it is not possible to determine how or which

specific transmission lines or rights-of-way may be affected by the addition of the Grand Gulf |

ESP facility. Once an ESP holder has chosen a specific facility design and has applied to the |

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for large-generator interconnection (most likely

at the COL stage), a FERC transmission analysis would be required (18 CFR Part 35). This |

process would determine the optimal routing of any new transmission service by requiring |

studies of feasibility, impact, and facilities associated with the transmission request. See |

Section 3.3 for additional discussion. As a result, for analysis purposes, the staff assumed that |

the existing transmission lines leaving the GGNS switchyard would most likely be upgraded to

handle the power generated by the proposed facility. The existing GGNS switchyard was built

with provision for equipment installation and operation of a second unit. This portion of the

switchyard would be used, with modifications as required, for a new facility’s switching

equipment and connection to existing transmission line(s).

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. owns the two FERC-regulated 500-kV transmission line rights-of-way

that originate from the GGNS switchyard (Figure 2-1). The Baxter-Wilson transmission line

right-of-way extends north 40.3 km (25.2 mi) from the switchyard to the Baxter-Wilson |

substation adjacent to the Baxter-Wilson combined-cycle power plant just south of Vicksburg,

Mississippi. The Franklin transmission line right-of-way extends southeast 69.8 km (43.6 mi), |

traversing the Homochitto National Forest, to the Franklin substation near McCall Creek in

northeastern Franklin County, Mississippi.

Land use within the transmission line right-of-way consists of agricultural and undeveloped |

lands. Table 2-1 provides a summary of land cover in the existing transmission line rights-of- |

way. The staff assumed that affected transmission line rights-of-way would have 61-m (200-ft)

vegetation management buffers. The area covered by these buffers represents rights-of-way |

totaling 677 ha (1669 ac). 
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-8 April 2006

2.2.3 Region

| The affected region for the purpose of analyzing environmental impacts is the area within 80 km

(50 mi) from the center of the proposed power block location (Figure 1-1). That region

encompasses significant portions of the following counties in Mississippi and parishes in

Louisiana:

 C Mississippi - Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Issaquena, Jefferson,

Lincoln, Rankin, Sharkey, Warren, and Yazoo

 C Louisiana - Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Richland, Tensas,

and West Carroll

| Interstate 20 passes approximately 32 km (20 mi) north of the Grand Gulf ESP site connecting

Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, with towns to the east and west. Interstate 55 passes

approximately 58 km (36 mi) east of the Grand Gulf ESP site, connecting Jackson, Mississippi,

and New Orleans, Louisiana. U.S. Highway 65 runs north and south in Louisiana and lies

approximately 18 km (11 mi) to the west of the Grand Gulf ESP site. U.S. Highway 84 runs

east and west, connecting U.S. Highway 65 and Interstate 55, and passes within about 50 km

(31 mi) to the south of the site. Figure 2-1 shows the locations of Federal highways and

railroads in the site vicinity. The Mississippi River, which passes 1.6 km (1 mi) west of the

| Grand Gulf ESP site, provides another route for transportation. The nearest river port facility is

Port Claiborne at River Mile 404.8. A larger river port facility, which is also a U.S. Customs port

of entry, lies north of the site near River Mile 437 in Vicksburg.

The region consists mainly of forest and agricultural lands. Land cover information for

Claiborne County and the adjoining counties is presented in Table 2-1. No known local or

regional land use plans or other regional development plans affect the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

| About 112 km (70 mi) of the Natchez Trace Parkway, designated as National Scenic Byway

and All American Road, traverses the region.

| Table 2-2 identifies agricultural land use by major crop in the affected region. Because of the

topography of the region, agriculture thrives as an industry on the Louisiana side of the

Mississippi River. The Louisiana side is typically a flat alluvial plain, while the Mississippi side is

typically upland and rolling, forested hill country. On the Mississippi side, farms are generally

smaller than on the Louisiana side (USDA 2004a, 2004b).

| Table 2-3 provides information on the region’s livestock production. According to the

| environmental report, information from the Claiborne County Agricultural Extension office 
April 2006 2-9 NUREG-1817 Table 2-2. 2002 Major Agricultural Crops and Land in Production within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand 

Permit Site, hectares (acres) 

County/Parish Land Area 

Harvested Area of Major Crops 

Major 

Lan

Harve

Corn Cotton Rice Sorghum Soybeans Wheat Hay 

Catahoula, LA 182,245 7080 13,568 3,064 11,192 13,624 1339 2174 52,

(450,335) (17,495) (33,526) (7,571)(a) (27,657) (33,666) (3309) (5373) (128,

Concordia, LA 180,240 15,543 9,508 4,955 3,386 20,775 2,164 562 56,

(445,382) (38,407) (23,494) (12,245) (8,368) (51,337) (5,347) (1,389) (140,

East Carroll, LA 109,153 21,109 12,245 6,880 1,070 28,976 2,294 352 72,

(269,722) (52,162) (30,259) (17,000) (2,644) (71,600) (5,669) (870) (180,

Franklin, LA 161,516 16,308 22,054 263 923 8,466 11,826 3361 63,

(399,112) (40,299) (54,497) (651)(a) (2,282) (20,921) (29,223) (8,304) (156,

Madison, LA 161,638 29,204 20,237 1,940 2,315 15,273 2,295 453 71,

(399,415) (72,164) (50,007) (4,795) (5,721) (37,741) (5,671) (1,120) (177,

Richland, LA 144,640 12,150 13,801 3,313 1,195 7,997 4,890 3,085 46,

(357,411) (30,023) (34,103) (8,187) (2,952) (19,762) (12,084) (7,622) (114,

Tensas, LA 156,043 21,921 28,917 268 3,153 8,065 3,357 228 65,

(385,589) (54,168) (71,456) (663) (7,792) (19,928) (8,296) (563) (162,

West Carroll, LA 93,084 6,024 6,450 3,337 2,159 6,046 6,033 3,576 33,

(230,015) (14,885) (15,937) (8,245) (5,336) (14,941) (14,909) (8,837) (83,

Adams, MS 119,208 1,797 2,558 1,422 5,

(294,567) (4,440) D 0 0 (6322) D (3,515) (14,

Amite, MS 188,966 142 5,319 5,

(466,944) (350) 0 0 0 0 0 (13,144) (13,

Claiborne, MS 126,073 1,687 1,396 947 484 2,038 6,

(311,531) (4,169) (3,450) 0 D (2,339) (1,196) (5,037) (16,

Copiah, MS 201,140 188 4,044 4,

(497,025) (464) D 0 0 0 D (9,994) (10,
NUREG-1817 2-10 April 2006 Table 2-2. (contd) County/Parish Land Area

| Harvested Area of Major Crops Major 

Lan

Harve

Corn Cotton Rice Sorghum Soybeans Wheat Hay 

| Franklin, MS 146,230 490 1,399 1,| (361,341) (1,212) 0 0 0 0 0 (3,457) (4,| Hinds, MS 225,119 4,459 4,911 870 27 6,282 16,| (556,278) (11,019) (12,135) 0 0 (2,150) (067) (15,522) (40,| Issaquena, MS 106,983 9,967 7,015 1,253 12,014 2,491 301 33,0| (264,360) (24,629 ) (17,335) (3,097) 0 (29,687) (6,155) (744) (81,6| Jefferson, MS 134,521 238 1,819 1,352 1,594 5,| (332,408) (589) (4,494) 0 0 (3,341) 0 (3,938) (12,| Lincoln, MS 151,697 206 4,306 4,| (374,851) (509) 0 0 0 0 D (10,641) (11,| Rankin, MS 200,599 1,091 2,592 458 4,186 8,| (495,690) (2,695) (6,405) 0 D (1,132) D (10,344) (20,| Sharkey, MS 110,777 13,708 18,388 1,363 382 22,166 739 32 56,| (273,735) (33,874) (45,437) (3,369) (945) (54,774) (1,825) (80) (140,| Warren, MS 151,932 4,174 3,100 7,043 445 982 15,| (375,431) (10,315) (7,659) 0 D (17,404) (1,099) (2,427) (38,| Yazoo, MS 238,146 11,807 47,177 974 5,823 2,970 3,364 72,| (588,468) (29,177) (116,577) D (2,407) (14,388) (7,339) (8,313) (178,

Region Total(b) | 3,289,950 179,294 213,178 26,638 26,751 162,454 41,354 49,062 698,

| (8,129,610) (443,045) (526,771) (65,823) (66,104) (401,433) (102,189) (121,234) (1,726,| (a) Values from LSU 2003| (b) Totals affected by rounding| D = values not disclosed by U.S. Department of Agriculture| Sources: USDA 2004a, 2004b
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-11 NUREG-1817

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

Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site

County/Parish

Livestock Inventory Farm Inventory

Beef

Cows

(Head)

Milk Cows

(Head)

Hogs and

Pigs

(Head)

Chickens

Sold

(Number) Farms

Average

Value per

Farm ($)

Average Value

Per Acre ($) |

Catahoula, LA 4,902 346 30 432 577,352 1,164 |

Concordia, LA 2,042 (a) 331 690,690 1,127 |

East Carroll, LA 744 1,553 238 1,101,056 1,194 |

Franklin, LA 11,200 76 856 334,280 1,191 |

Madison, LA 1,888 15 275 928,926 1,105 |

Richland, LA (a) (a) 102 (a) 538 494,785 1,045 |

Tensas, LA 497 30 230 1,047,322 1,055 |

West Carroll, LA 7,384 84 703 384,114 1,781 |

Adams, MS 3,844 159 269 336,308 1,004 |

Amite, MS 9,918 2,896 16 12,930,000 639 348,222 1,572 |

Claiborne, MS 6,654 (a) 1,000 297 380,948 1,203 |

Copiah, MS 10,679 870 1,270 9,900,000 690 350,023 1,646 |

Franklin, MS (a) (a) 5 (a) 210 392,149 1,644 |

Hinds, MS 18,167 1,690 497 20 1,246 343,373 1,348 |

Issaquena, MS (a) 100 91 1,529,891 1,169 |

Jefferson, MS 6,199 9 86 3,900,000 315 419,870 1,467 |

Lincoln, MS 11,647 2,160 (a) 9,900,000 641 446,949 2,255 |

Rankin, MS (a) (a) (a) 30,040,000 804 351,427 1,485 |

Sharkey, MS 100 1,727,477 1,064 |

Warren, MS (a) (a) (a) 282 471,906 1,095 |

Yazoo, MS (a) (a) 655 564 729,113 1,102 |

Total Region 95,765 7,625 4,994 66,680,000 9,751 491,662 1,273 |

(a) Not disclosed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), not included in totals.

Sources: USDA 2004a, 2004b |

indicated that there are approximately 300 to 400 head of cattle, and no commercial dairy milk |

cows reported within a 10-km (6-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf ESP site, and most of the cattle |

are located southwest of the site (SERI 2005). |

2.3 Meteorology and Air Quality

Climatological information presented in this section was obtained from the Jackson, Mississippi,

first-order National Weather Service station (NCC 1980; NCDC 2004a), which is about 80 km

(50 mi) northeast of the proposed Grand Gulf ESP site. This station provides a good indication

of the general climate at the Grand Gulf ESP site because of its proximity and long period of

record. Recent climatological data for Jackson are available from the National Climatic Data |

Center in Asheville, North Carolina (NCDC 2004a). This section also contains information from

Revision 2 of the environmental report of the SERI application, which provides site-specific data |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-12 April 2006

for the Grand Gulf ESP site and data for Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg is on the Mississippi

| River about 40 km (25 mi) north of the proposed Grand Gulf ESP site (SERI 2005).

2.3.1 Climate

| The Grand Gulf ESP site is within the Grand Gulf site on the east bank of the Mississippi River

in southwestern Mississippi about 240 km (150 mi) from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The

dominant air mass in the region during most of the year is a maritime tropical air mass

originating in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, the climate of the region is humid most of the

year. The winters are relatively short and mild with occasional brief cold periods associated

with outbreaks of continental polar air. These cold periods rarely last more than three or

four days. Summers are long and warm; however, temperatures above 38°C (100°F) are

infrequent and long periods of very hot weather are rare. During these summer months, the

weather at the site is dominated by the western edge of the Bermuda High.

| Mississippi is south of the general track of winter cyclones. This location, in combination with

the dominant influence of the Bermuda High in the summer, results in a limited wind resource in

the area. Wind energy resource maps prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

indicate that Mississippi wind resources fall into Wind Power Class 1, the lowest of seven

classes used to rate the resource (DOE 2004c). DOE does not list commercial wind power

projects in Mississippi (DOE 2004a).

On average, about 60 percent of the sky at Jackson, Mississippi, is covered by clouds. 

However, cloudiness varies seasonally and diurnally. Daytime cloudiness at Jackson covers

more than 50 percent of the sky during the winter, with maximum sky cover of about 80 percent

in December and January. The rest of the year, the average daytime sky cover is 50 percent or

less, with minimum sky cover of about 30 percent during September (NCDC 2004a). The DOE

estimates the annual average solar resource in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site to be

4.5 to 5.0 kWh/m2 per day for flat-panel collectors, and 4.0 to 4.5 kWh/m2 per day for

concentrating collectors (DOE 2004b). The DOE lists two photovoltaic energy projects with a

total installed capacity of 44.2 kW in Mississippi (DOE 2004a).

2.3.1.1 Wind

| Recent wind data from the GGNS meteorological system presented in the SERI environmental

| report indicate that the winds at the Grand Gulf ESP site are relatively light (SERI 2005). The

average wind speed for the Grand Gulf site during the period from 2001 through 2003 is

1.9 m/s (4.2 mph). This speed is significantly lower than average wind speeds at Vicksburg

| (SERI 2005) and Jackson (NCDC 2004a), Mississippi. More than 99 percent of the time, the

| wind speed at the Grand Gulf ESP site is less than 5.8 m/s (13 mph) (SERI 2005). The most

prevalent wind direction is from the northeast. Winds from the northeast and southeast
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April 2006 2-13 NUREG-1817

quadrants are far more frequent than winds from the southwest and northwest quadrants. The

highest wind speeds tend to have a southerly component.

Wind direction persistence is an important consideration in evaluation of the consequences of

accidents. Tables 2.7-88 through 2.7-95 of the SERI environmental report (SERI 2005) |

describe wind direction persistence at GGNS, Vicksburg, and Jackson, Mississippi. 

Considering the period of record at each site (3 years at GGNS, 5 years at Vicksburg, and

10 years at Jackson), it appears that the GGNS has a somewhat greater persistence than the

other two sites. The maximum persistence of wind direction within the 22.5° sectors at GGNS |

was 32 hours for winds from the northeast. The maximum persistence in 9 of the 16 sectors |

exceeded 12 hours. The maximum persistence for wind direction within three adjacent sectors

at GGNS was 102 hours for winds from the north, north-northeast, and northeast. Persistence

exceeded 24 hours for all sets of three winds direction sectors except those sets centered on

east and west-southwest. For five adjacent wind direction sectors, the maximum persistence

was 122 hours for the five sectors centered on north-northeast. The maximum wind

persistence in all sets of sectors exceeded 36 hours.

2.3.1.2 Atmospheric Stability

Atmospheric stability is a measure of the tendency of the atmosphere to dilute material. It can

be estimated from the magnitude of change in the ambient temperature with height. Seven |

atmospheric stability classes based on the temperature difference between two levels are

defined in Safety Guide 23 (also referred to as Regulatory Guide 1.23) (AEC 1972). SERI’s

meteorological monitoring system, which is described in Section 2.3.3, is designed to measure

temperature difference for use in estimating atmospheric stability.

When the temperature decreases rapidly with height, the atmospheric stability is described as

extremely unstable, and when it increases rapidly with height, the atmospheric stability is

described as extremely stable. Extremely unstable atmospheric conditions generally occur on

summer afternoons when the wind speed is light. These conditions are associated with good

dilution of material. Extremely stable atmospheric conditions generally occur on clear nights,

and are associated with very limited dilution. When it is cloudy and windy, atmospheric stability

is generally neutral.

Data for 2002 and 2003 from the GGNS meteorological system indicate that on average the |

atmospheric stability is neutral about 35 percent of the time. About 47 percent of the time, the

atmospheric stability is slightly to extremely stable, and the remaining 18 percent of the time,

the atmospheric stability is slightly to extremely unstable.
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NUREG-1817 2-14 April 2006

2.3.1.3 Temperature

The long-term (95-yr) annual average temperature in Jackson is 18.4°C (65.2°F), with monthly

average temperatures ranging from 8.4°C (47.2°F) in January to 27.7°C (81.9°F) in July. 

During the year, the normal (based on data for 1971 through 2000) number of days with

minimum temperatures of 0°C (32°F) and below is 46, while the normal number of days with

maximum temperatures of 0°C (32°F) and below is less than 2. The lowest temperature at the

current and comparable measurement locations, based on a 63-yr period of record, is -17°C

(2°F). Temperatures below -18°C (0°F) have been observed in the area. In contrast, the

normal number of days with maximum temperatures of 32°C (90°F) and above is 84, and the

highest temperature on record is 42°C (107°F).

| The monthly mean temperatures for 2000 and 2001 are consistent with monthly mean

| temperatures for a 5-year period at Vicksburg and a 40-year period at Jackson (SERI 2005;

| NCDC 2004a).

2.3.1.4 Atmospheric Moisture

Precipitation averages about 142 cm (56 in.) per year and is uniformly distributed throughout

the year. The months of January, March, April, November, and December average more than

13 cm (5 in.) of precipitation, while the months of June, August, September, and October

average less than 10 cm (4 in.). The maximum precipitation in a 24-hour period was 22 cm

(8.5 in.) in April 2003. On average, about one third of the days each month experience

measurable precipitation. Typically, snow falls almost every year, but only about 4 years in

10 have measurable snowfall. The maximum snowfall in a 24-hour period, 15 cm (6 in.),

occurred in January 1982. On occasion, the 24-hour snowfall in the vicinity of Jackson has

exceeded 15 cm (6 in.). In January 1940, 27 cm (10.6 in.) was recorded, and in February 1960,

23 cm (9.1 in.) was recorded (NCC 1980).

The 30-year normal relative humidity at Jackson, Mississippi has an annual average of about

75 percent with a diurnal variation in the annual average value from about 91 percent at

6:00 a.m. to about 58 percent at noon (NCDC 2004a). Seasonal variation of relative humidity is

small. The 6:00 a.m. monthly average relative humidities range from a minimum of 87 percent

in March to a maximum of 95 percent in August. The noon monthly average humidities range

from a minimum of 53 percent in April to a maximum of 65 percent in January. Relative

| humidities for Vicksburg, Mississippi, reported in the environmental report (SERI 2005) are

consistent with those for Jackson, Mississippi.

When the relative humidity is near 100 percent, small water droplets (fog) form in the

atmosphere and reduce visibility. Records for Jackson indicate that heavy fog, which reduces

the visibility to 400 m (0.25 mi) or less can occur in any month. On average, heavy fog occurs

on more than 22 days per year with 3 days in December and January, and less than 1 day in
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April 2006 2-15 NUREG-1817

June (NCDC 2004a). The environmental report (SERI 2005) indicates that Vicksburg, |

Mississippi averages approximately 92 hours per year of fog, with fog defined as reduction of

visibility to less than 1 km (5/8 mi).

The combination of wet- and dry-bulb temperatures are used to evaluate the performance of

cooling towers. Tables 2.3-16, 2.3-17, and 2.3-18 in the site safety analysis report (SERI 2005) |

list wet-bulb temperatures and associated dry-bulb temperatures for the 1-, 5-, and 30-day

periods with least cooling capacity in a 36-year period of record. For the worst day, the average |

wet-bulb temperature was 27.2°C (81.0°F) with an average dry-bulb temperature of 30°C

(86°F).

2.3.1.5 Severe Weather

The Grand Gulf ESP site can experience severe weather in the form of thunderstorms, snow,

ice, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Other significant weather can be associated with these events. |

For example, lightning, hail, and high winds frequently occur with thunderstorms, and tornadoes

can occur with both thunderstorms and hurricanes.

Meteorological records for Jackson, Mississippi, indicate that thunderstorms can be expected

on about 68 days per year (NCDC 2004a). Thunderstorms are most frequent in summer. The

months of June, July, and August average 9 or more thunderstorm days per year. Months from

October through February average fewer than 3 thunderstorm days per year. National Climatic

Data Center Storm Data lists 23 hail events with hail 1.9 cm (0.75 in.) or greater in diameter in

Claiborne County since 1971 (NCDC 2004b). This number is incomplete because no events |

were listed from 1972 through 1982.

On average, hurricanes strike the Gulf Coast along the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines

several times a decade. The Grand Gulf ESP site is sufficiently far inland that the strength of

storms generally diminishe to less than hurricane strength by the time they reach the vicinity of |

the site. For example, the remnants of Hurricane Ivan passed near the site in September 2004, |

and the remnants of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita passed near the site in August and September |

2005. In each instance, the sustained winds in the storms were barely at or below hurricane |

force when the storm passed the site. |

The NRC staff has conducted an independent assessment of tornadoes in the vicinity of the

Grand Gulf ESP site using National Climatic Data Center data for 1950 through August 2003 |

(Ramsdell 2004). For this time period, there were 592 tornado events within the two-degree

box centered on the Grand Gulf ESP site. Given the distribution of areas associated with the

events, it is estimated that the expected probability of a tornado striking the site is
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NUREG-1817 2-16 April 2006

approximately 7.4 x 10-4 yr-1 with 95 percent confidence that the strike probability is less than

9.4 x 10-4 yr-1. A tornado struck the Grand Gulf site on April 17, 1978. Detailed reports of this

event are included in the GGNS Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (Entergy 2003c).

2.3.2 Air Quality

The Grand Gulf ESP site is in Claiborne County, Mississippi, which is on the western edge of

the Mobile, Alabama-Pensacola, Florida-Panama City, Florida-Southern Mississippi Interstate

air quality control region. The area across the Mississippi River from the site is in the Monroe,

| Louisiana-El Dorado, Arkansas Interstate air quality control region. None of the counties in

these air quality control regions have been designated as in nonattainment of the National

Ambient Air Quality Standards (40 CFR 81.325; 40 CFR 81.319). There are no mandatory

Class 1 Federal Areas where visibility is an important value within 160 km (100 mi) of the

proposed Grand Gulf ESP site.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducts air quality monitoring

| throughout the State. However, no monitoring is conducted in Claiborne County. The closest

| monitoring site is in Vicksburg, where the State monitors ozone and particulate matter smaller

than 2.5 micrometers. Monitoring results for Vicksburg, Mississippi, for 2001, 2002, and 2003

| demonstrate that concentrations of these pollutants are well below National and Mississippi

| Ambient Air Quality Standards (MDEQ 2002a, 2003, 2004a). More extensive monitoring is

conducted in Jackson, Mississippi, with similar results.

| The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a national standard method for reporting air pollution levels for

the general public. The AQI is based on comparison of the concentrations of six pollutants with

National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The six pollutants are ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen

dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers, and particulate

matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers. The air pollution level for each day is placed in one of six

categories based on the AQI. In order of decreasing air quality, the categories are Good,

Moderate, Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, Unhealthy, Very Unhealthy, and Hazardous.

Jackson is the only location in Mississippi for which AQIs are summarized by MDEQ. 

According to the MDEQ, the air quality in Jackson was classified Good or Moderate for all of

| 2001 and 2003 (MDEQ 2002a, 2003, 2004a). In 2002, the average air quality was Good or

Moderate for all months, but the air quality did decrease to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups at

least one day in September.

All of the areas, for which monitoring data and AQIs exist, are more densely populated than

Claiborne County and the area around the Grand Gulf ESP site. Consequently, air quality at

the Grand Gulf ESP site should be better than indicated by the monitoring data and AQIs.
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April 2006 2-17 NUREG-1817

2.3.3 Meteorological Monitoring

Entergy Operations, Inc. and its predecessors have had a meteorological monitoring program |

at the Grand Gulf site since March 1972. In August 1972, meteorological instrumentation was |

installed on a permanent tower approximately 1500 m (5000 ft) north-northwest of Unit 1 to

provide onsite meteorological information required for licensing of the GGNS. This |

instrumentation is described in the GGNS Final Environmental Statement (AEC 1973) and in |

SERI’s environmental report (SERI 2005). In December 2000, the tower and instrumentation |

were replaced by a new tower and state-of-the-art instrumentation. The new tower is located

approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) northwest of the control building. The new instrumentation and

data collection system are described in detail in the environmental report (SERI 2005) and |

summarized below.

The meteorological monitoring system consists of a 50-m (162-ft) tower, meteorological

instrumentation at the 10-m (33-ft) and 50-m (162-ft) levels of the tower, surface meteorological

instrumentation, and data collection and processing equipment. Instrumentation at the 10-m

(33-ft) level of the tower measures wind direction, wind speed, temperature, and relative

humidity. Instrumentation at the 50-m (162-ft) level measures wind direction, wind speed, and

temperature. The temperature difference between the two levels is also determined. A tippingbucket rain gage is located near the base of the tower. A 10-m (33-ft) backup meteorological

tower measures wind direction, wind speed, and temperature at the 10-m (33-ft) level.

Signals from the instruments are sent to the facility’s data computer at about 10-second

intervals. They are also recorded in data storage modules in a small building near the base of

the tower. Each datum is checked to determine whether it is within instrument limits. |

Fifteen-minute and hourly averages are calculated for each parameter. In addition, 15-minute

and 1-hour average values of sigma theta (standard deviation of the wind direction fluctuations)

are calculated from the wind direction data. These data (observations and averages) are

available to the control room and facility personnel.

The meteorological instrumentation is inspected routinely to ensure that no damage has

occurred to the tower or instrumentation and that the instruments are operating properly. 

These routine inspections are supplemented by semiannual calibration of instruments on the

primary tower, check of the tension of tower cables, and visual inspections of wiring. Overall

data recovery rates for the meteorological instrumentation for 2001, 2002, and 2003 were

98 percent, 99 percent, and 96 percent, respectively (SERI 2005). |

The staff viewed the meteorological site and instrumentation, reviewed the available information

on the meteorological measurement program, and evaluated data collection under the Entergy |

Operations, Inc. program. Based on this information, the staff concludes that the program |

provides data that represent the onsite meteorological characteristics as required by |
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NUREG-1817 2-18 April 2006

10 CFR 100.20(c). The data also provide an acceptable basis for making estimates of

atmospheric dispersion for the evaluation of the consequences of routine and accidental

releases required by 10 CFR 50.34(a)(1) and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix I. If continued, the

| Entergy Operations, Inc. meteorological monitoring program for the GGNS is suitable for

preoperational and operational monitoring as outlined in the Environmental Standard Review

Plan 6.4 (NRC 2000).

2.4 Geology

A description of the geological, seismological, and geotechnical conditions at the Grand Gulf

| ESP site is provided in Section 2.5 of SERI’s site safety analysis report (SERI 2005). 

Subsurface investigations performed in 2002 as part of the ESP application provided additional

information. These involved engineering, geologic, and geotechnical site investigations

performed for the proposed location of the new facility to characterize site conditions.

The Grand Gulf ESP site lies within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain Section of the Coastal Plain

Physiographic Province. Several important aquifer systems are in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf

ESP site including: Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer system, Coastal Lowlands Aquifer

system, and the Mississippi Embayment Aquifer system. The site is south of the southern

extent of the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer system. However, the site is within the

very northern extent of the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer system and in the center of the Mississippi

Embayment Aquifer system.

The Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System consists of a gulfward-thickening, heterogeneous,

unconsolidated to poorly consolidated wedge of discontinuous beds of sand, silt, and clay that

range in age from Oligocene to Holocene. Beneath the Coastal Lowlands Aquifer System is

the Mississippi Embayment Aquifer System. At the site, the Mississippi Embayment Aquifer

System consists of several aquifers that range from late Cretaceous to middle Eocene in age

with a combined thickness of over 1500 m (5000 ft).

During the subsurface investigation completed for the existing Grand Gulf Unit 1, 275 borings

| were drilled within the site area to a maximum depth of 136 m (447 ft). An additional 3 borings

were performed as part of SERI’s ESP site characterization activities. These borings provide

the basis of the description of the stratigraphy at the Grand Gulf ESP site.

The bluffs at the site delineate a change in the upper stratigraphy. The upland plain, east of the

bluffs, is a Pleistocene terrace rising to an elevation of about 46 m (150 ft) above MSL. The

surface of the upper plain is about 23 m (75 ft) of loess overlaying about 12 m (40 ft) coarsegrained alluvial sand and gravel deposits of the Upland Complex. The lowland, west of the

bluffs, at an elevation of about 21 m (70 ft) above MSL consists of a layer of Holocene alluvium

over 30 m (100 ft) in thickness including backswamp areas and meander belts of the
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April 2006 2-19 NUREG-1817

Mississippi River. The Catahoula formation underlies both the terrace deposits in the uplands

and the alluvium in the lowlands. The ESP facility would be located in the uplands portion of

the site.

At this time, a plant design has not been selected, and the exact footprint and embedment

depth of the plant have not been determined. After a plant design has been selected, additional

site exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analyses would be performed to develop |

final plant design criteria for the CP and COL phase of the project.

No activity involving exploration, drilling, or otherwise extracting minerals occurs at the Grand

Gulf site. Past unsuccessful exploratory activities on or near the Grand Gulf site and the

geological character of the subsurface structure in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf site indicate

that commercial mineral production appears unlikely in the foreseeable future (see

environmental report in SERI 2005). |

2.5 Radiological Environment

A radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) has been conducted around the

Grand Gulf site since 1978. The preoperational program established information on

background radiation in the environment (AEC 1973). After GGNS Unit 1 began operation in

1985, Entergy Operations, Inc. and its predecessors monitored the following: air, water, |

sediment, fish and food products, and direct radiation. Milk is also sampled when there is

commercial milk production within 8 km (5 mi) of the site. The REMP has indicator and control

locations within a 29-km (18-mi) radius of the site. Sample results from the indicator locations

are compared to the control locations and preoperational data to determine (1) pathways for

radionuclides released into the environment, (2) potential buildup of long-lived radionuclides,

and (3) potential exposure to plants and animals. The results of this monitoring are

documented in an annual environmental operating report for GGNS. The staff reviewed

historical data from the REMP reports for the past 3 years and found that environmental

measurements of this time period were similar to those during the preoperational monitoring

phase (Entergy 2002b, 2003b, 2004b). |

Each year, Entergy issues a report titled “Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Report,” which

documents gaseous and liquid releases and potential doses from GGNS. The staff reviewed

annual radioactive effluent release reports for calendar years 2001, 2002, and 2003

(Entergy 2002a, 2003a, 2004a). Maximum doses to a member of the public were calculated |

using effluent concentration and historical annual average meteorological data for the site. For

the 3 years of data reviewed, the maximum annual dose to a member of the public was

estimated to be 0.017 mSv (1.7 mrem). The data showed that doses to the maximally exposed

individuals around GGNS were a small fraction of the limits specified in Federal environmental

radiation standards (10 CFR Part 20; 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix I; 40 CFR Part 190). In
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-20 April 2006

addition to the environmental monitoring program conducted by GGNS, information on

| Mississippi’s environmental monitoring program was reviewed.

2.6 Water

This section describes the hydrological processes and physical site features that define the

movement, distribution, and quality of surface water and groundwater at the Grand Gulf ESP

site. Additionally, this section describes the current and likely future uses of water at the site to

meet the various water needs of the population in the vicinity. The existing GGNS plant has

significantly altered the local hydrological environment and is included as a key feature of the

affected environment. Hydrological, thermal, and chemical monitoring programs for the existing

GGNS provide an important source of information for understanding the current environmental

baseline and the likely incremental impacts of the Grand Gulf ESP facility on the water

resources in the vicinity.

2.6.1 Hydrology

This section describes the site-specific and regional hydrological features of the existing

environment that could be altered by the construction, operation, or decommissioning of the

proposed new facility. A description of the site’s hydrological features was presented in

| Section 2.3.1 of the environmental report (SERI 2005). The hydrological features of the site

related to site safety (e.g., probable maximum flood) are described by SERI in the site safety

| analysis report portion (Part 2) of the application (SERI 2005).

The site has three primary hydrological areas. The first is the Mississippi River, the dominant

hydrological feature of the vicinity. The second is the lowlands between the bluffs and the

Mississippi River. The third is the uplands area east of the bluffs. These three areas can be

seen in Figure 2.2. In the following sections, the surface and subsurface hydrology are

discussed for each of the three areas. Additionally, surface and subsurface hydrological

monitoring programs are discussed.

2.6.1.1 Surface Water Hydrology

Mississippi River

With an average discharge of 16,800 m3/s (593,000 cfs) draining 2,980,000 km2

(1,150,000 mi2), the Mississippi River is the largest river in the United States. The western

boundary of the Grand Gulf site is defined by the Mississippi River’s eastern bank. At the site,

the Mississippi River is about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) wide at low flow and about 2.3 km (1.4 mi) during

a typical annual high flow period. The depth of the thalweg of the Mississippi River at the site is 
April 2006 2-21 NUREG-1817 Figure 2-2. Surface Drainage Plan for the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site 
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-22 April 2006

about 4.9 m (16 ft) below MSL. Historically, the Mississippi River near the site has been very

active with frequent changes in the channel alignment and thalweg (Schumm et al. 1994).

However, the Mississippi River is now subject to the management and control of the U.S. Army

Corps of Engineers (ACE). Through an aggressive and ongoing program of dredging,

installation of river bank revetments and armor, levee construction and maintenance, and

upstream reservoir regulation, the ACE has stabilized the historical movement of the river into a

relatively stable channel alignment. The bluffs at the Grand Gulf site represent a natural levee

and have confined the river, even during pre-channelization times, to stay to the west of the

Grand Gulf ESP site.

The Mississippi River flow varies considerably throughout the year and between years. Based

on streamflow data from Vicksburg, Mississippi, from 1929 through 1983, the 7-day, 10-year

low flow and 100-year flood have been estimated at 3400 m3/s (120,000 cfs) and 62,380 m3| /s 

(2,203,000 cfs), respectively (van der Leeden et al. 1990). February, March, April, and May are

the months with the highest mean monthly discharges and as such are the periods that the river

would most likely rise over its normal banks inundating the adjacent lowland floodplain.

Lowland Plain

The lowland plain of the Grand Gulf ESP site is the area between the Mississippi River and the

bluffs. With an elevation of about 20 m (70 ft) above MSL, the lacustrine or palustrine wetlands

of the lowlands are subject to nearly annual inundation by the Mississippi River. In periods

when the Mississippi is not inundating the lowlands, movement of water through the lowlands is

primarily associated with the streamflow of small tributaries that drain the uplands into Hamilton

Lake before joining the Mississippi River. Both Gin Lake and Hamilton Lake, within the

lowlands, show the characteristics of shallow oxbow lakes formed by the historic migration of

the Mississippi River. Construction of a haul road from the GGNS site to the Mississippi River

divided the lowlands. A buried pipeline follows the path of the haul road and discharges

| GGNS’s cooling tower blowdown to a small embayment along the Mississippi River. The

| GGNS intake and discharge pipelines follow the haul road.

Uplands

Based on digital topographic data, the staff delineated the two upland watersheds and their

associated stream channels as shown in Figure 2-2. These watersheds correspond closely to

| those presented by SERI in the environmental report (SERI 2005). Following the naming

convention used by SERI, the two watersheds are called “A” and “B.” Watershed A lies to the

north of Watershed B. The staff estimated the areas of Watershed A and Watershed B as

7.61 km2 (2.94 mi2) and 1.76 km2 (0.68 mi2), respectively.
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April 2006 2-23 NUREG-1817

The watersheds are very distinct in nature. Whereas Watershed A is mostly covered with a

dense canopy of trees and brush, the majority of Watershed B has been cleared of vegetation

for the GGNS site. The stream channel in Watershed A follows its natural course, whereas the

course of the stream channel in Watershed B has been altered, and the channel lined to

provide drainage for the GGNS site. The alterations to Watershed B have resulted in it |

behaving more like urban watershed with flashy responses to rainfall with little or no baseflow,

whereas Watershed B responds like a forested watershed with a more attenuated response to

rainfall and continuous baseflow.

Sedimentation basins were constructed on both stream channels downstream from the existing

site. However, because of the greater flow and higher sediment load, the sediment basin on

Stream A has been filled with sediment and now represents more of a constructed wetland than

a basin to trap sediment. Because of the lower flow and lower sediment yield, the sediment

basin in Watershed B remains a viable trap for sediment.

The local precipitation is relatively uniform throughout the year. With an average annual

precipitation of 130 cm (53 in.), eight months have average monthly precipitation of 10 to 15 cm

(4 to 6 in.) and four months have average monthly precipitation of 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 in.). March

and October are the months with both the highest and lowest monthly average precipitation and

runoff, respectively. Because of the relatively warm winters, the region experiences little

precipitation as snow.

2.6.1.2 Groundwater Hydrology

Several important aquifer systems are in the vicinity of the proposed site including: Mississippi

River Valley Alluvial Aquifer system, Coastal Lowlands Aquifer system, and the Mississippi

Embayment Aquifer system. The site is within the very northern extent of the Coastal Lowlands

Aquifer system and in the center of the Mississippi Embayment Aquifer system.

During the subsurface investigation completed for the existing Grand Gulf Unit 1, 275 borings

were drilled within the site area to maximum depth of 136 m (447 ft). An additional 3 borings

were performed as part of SERI’s ESP site characterization activities. These borings provide

the basis of the description of the stratigraphy at the Grand Gulf ESP site. |

At this time, a plant design for the ESP site has not been selected, and the specific footprint |

and embedment depth of the plant have not been determined. After a plant design has been

selected, additional site exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analyses would be

performed to develop final plant design criteria for the CP or COL phase of the project |

(SERI 2005). |
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NUREG-1817 2-24 April 2006

Mississippi River

The morphology of the Mississippi River has defined much of the alluvial aquifer system near

the site. The Holocene alluvium near the river has been affected by deposition and erosion. 

Faster-moving sections of the river are able to scour and cut down to the Catahoula formation,

whereas slower-moving sections of the river provide an opportunity for the sediment in the river

to deposit.

Beneath and adjacent to the river, the alluvium is in close hydraulic connection with the river. 

The fluctuation of the Mississippi River causes fluctuation in the alluvial aquifers. Generally, at

the site the alluvium discharges to the river. However, during floods the direction of flow in the

alluvial aquifers can reverse.

The GGNS cooling system uses radial (Ranney) wells reaching out beneath the Mississippi

River stream bed to induce river water to migrate through the alluvium to the collectors. The

connection between the alluvium and the river means that the existing plant is essentially using

river water and not groundwater. The radial well system lets the existing plant use the alluvial

aquifer to filter out the sediment in the river water without resulting in significant impacts to the

local groundwater resources.

Lowland Plain

The bluffs at the site delineate a change in the upper stratigraphy. The upland plain, east of the

bluffs, is a Pleistocene terrace rising to an elevation of about 46 m (150 ft) above MSL. The

lowland, west of the bluffs, at an elevation of about 20 m (70 ft) above MSL, consists of a layer

of Holocene alluvium more than 30 m (100 ft) thick, including backswamp areas and meander

belts of the Mississippi River. The Miocene Catahoula formation underlies the alluvium in

the lowlands.

In addition to the effect of the Mississippi River, infiltration from local precipitation and shallow

surface water bodies, such as Gin Lake and Hamilton Lake, can recharge the lowland alluvial

aquifer. The unconfined water surface in the alluvial aquifer in the lowlands is at most a few

feet beneath the ground surface. The aquifers in the deeper Catahoula formation are more

likely to be recharged via lateral flow from outcrops a distance from the site.

Upland

The surface of the upper plain is about 23 m (75 ft) of loess overlaying about 10 m (40 ft)

coarse-grained alluvial sand and gravel deposits of the Upland Complex. The unconfined

aquifer in the loess and alluvium is recharged from local precipitation and lateral movement. 

The water table elevation is not significantly influenced by the fluctuations in the Mississippi

River. The Catahoula formation underlies the terrace deposits in the upland.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-25 NUREG-1817

2.6.1.3 Hydrological Monitoring

Preoperational and ongoing operational monitoring of the GGNS facility provide a limited

hydrological baseline of the affected environment within and near the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

Many of the construction impacts of an ESP facility at the site are likely to be similar to the

impacts that occurred during construction of the existing plant. For instance, groundwater

drawdowns caused by dewatering wells are likely to have similar impacts to the impacts

experienced and monitored during the construction of the GGNS facility. These impacts were

temporary and localized to the GGNS site.

The flow and water surface elevation of the Mississippi River are continuously monitored

by the ACE. The ACE operates a station at Vicksburg (Station #15145) and a station |

downstream from the site at Natchez, Mississippi (Station #15155). The ACE also publishes a

hydrographic survey, including the maps of the riverbed elevations of the Mississippi River

adjacent to the site.

As part of the GGNS National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit,

streamflows are monitored on Stream A and Stream B downstream of Sedimentation Basin A

and Sedimentation Basin B, respectively. For Stream A, SERI reported annual average flows

of 0.00954 m3/s (0.337 cfs) for 1999 and 0.0934 m3/s (3.30 cfs) for 2001. For Stream B, SERI

reported annual average flows of 0.00832 m3/s (0.294 cfs) for 1999 and 0.0138 m3/s (0.487 cfs)

for 2000 (SERI 2005). Additionally, flows are recorded for each of the outfalls from the GGNS |

facility discharging into Sedimentation Basin A, Sedimentation Basin B, and directly into the

Mississippi River.

Total annual water withdrawals from radial wells adjacent to the Mississippi River, dewatering

wells, and wells in the Catahoula formation for potable water supplies are reported to the

MDEQ. The staff reviewed annual water use reports obtained from MDEQ for 2000 and 2002

and found that the radial wells and potable wells were operating well below their rated

capacities and the dewatering wells were not being used at all during these two years.

According to the safety analysis report, groundwater levels were initially measured in 1972 with

15 piezometer and 36 observation well locations (SERI 2005). The number of locations in the |

Catahoula formation, terrace deposits, and alluvium was 10, 33, and 8, respectively. These

data reported by SERI for 1972 through 1976 provide a baseline for the pre-GGNS

groundwater elevations. The data show both inter-annual and intra-annual variation in the three

strata of as much as 12 m (40 ft). While the magnitude of water surface changes vary

considerably between wells, generally the direction of water surface change is consistent

(i.e., all wells and strata increase and decrease together), suggesting that the three strata have

some degree of hydraulic connection.
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-26 April 2006

Water levels in one piezometer, nine observation wells, seven monitoring wells and eight

dewatering wells in the Catahoula formation, terrace deposits, and alluvium are measured

monthly. The number of locations in the Catahoula formation, terrace deposits, alluvium, and

perched aquifers in the fill around the GGNS reactor block are 2, 5, 2, and 15, respectively. 

| The environmental report (SERI 2005) contains recent groundwater sampling data from

published sources and from results of ongoing monitoring programs at the GGNS site.

The NRC staff found the hydraulic conductivity information from various permeability tests

reported by SERI for the Catahoula formation is currently inadequate to provide a reliable basis

to estimate the groundwater drawdowns associated with withdrawals from this formation. 

| However, other than this exception, the staff found that continuation of the existing monitoring

program would provide an adequate hydrological monitoring program.

2.6.2 Water Use

Water in the vicinity satisfies a variety of purposes including domestic, industrial, and

agricultural uses with groundwater withdrawn from the various aquifers and surface water

withdrawn from the Mississippi River. SERI presented estimated water use data for 1995 in

| Claiborne County (SERI 2005). The NRC staff used 2000 data from the USGS (USGS 2004).

The staff found that total estimated water use in Claiborne County was 130,000 m3/d

(34.3 MGD). Groundwater comprises all of that total except 1600 m3/d (0.4 MGD) of

surface water.

2.6.2.1 Surface Water Use

Although surface water is not directly used at the existing GGNS, the facility withdraws

groundwater that is hydraulically connected to the river, as further described below. Total

surface water withdrawals in Claiborne County are predominantly for agricultural use, with no

surface water usage reported for public supply, domestic self-supplied systems, mining,

hydroelectric power, thermoelectric power, industrial or commercial uses (see environmental

| report in SERI 2005).

The nearest downstream user of Mississippi River water is Southeast Wood Fiber located at the

Claiborne County Port facility, 1.3 km (0.8 mi) downstream of the Grand Gulf ESP site. The

maximum intake requirement for this facility is less than 3400 m3/d (0.9 MGD) for industrial

purposes; however, none of this intake is used as potable water (MDEQ 2004b). According to

| the environmental report, there are only three public water supply systems in the state of

Mississippi that use surface water as a source, and none of these are located within 80 km

| (50 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site (SERI 2005). There are no downstream or upstream

intakes in Mississippi within 160 km (100 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site that use the Mississippi

River as a potable water supply (MDEQ 2002b).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-27 NUREG-1817

The ACE maintains a depth of 3 m (9 ft) at low water on the Mississippi River for navigational

uses.

2.6.2.2 Groundwater Use

Service water for the existing GGNS is supplied from radial (Ranney) collector wells located

beneath and adjacent to the Mississippi River. The collector wells pump water from the

Mississippi alluvial aquifer via induced infiltration from the Mississippi River (Entergy 2003c).

Total groundwater withdrawal in Claiborne County for 2000 was 128,000 m3/d (33.9 MGD), with

the majority used for cooling at GGNS.

Entergy Operations, Inc. is required to submit an Annual Water Use Survey to the MDEQ. |

According to data for the 2003 calendar year, the GGNS has seven active wells with a total of |

0.116 million L/d (30.8 MGD) pumped in 2003. All of this water was pumped from the four |

radial collector wells, except 0.302 million L/d (0.08 MGD) pumped from three wells in the |

Catahoula formation used for general site purposes, including potable, sanitary, air |

conditioning, and landscape maintenance.

Public water supply wells in Claiborne County, excluding GGNS, are supplied from the

Catahoula formation. Nine active public water supply systems were located in Claiborne

County as of July 2004 (EPA 2004). The closest area of concentrated groundwater withdrawal

is the Port Gibson municipal water system about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of the site. It pumps

from five wells completed in the Catahoula formation and is the largest system in the county,

serving a population of 4845. Within 3.2 km (2 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site, essentially all

groundwater is used for domestic purposes.

SERI estimated future groundwater demands in the vicinity of the site on the basis of projected

population growth. According to the population projections (see the environmental report in

SERI 2005), the population within a 3.2-km (2-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf ESP site will |

increase by 14 percent to 58 persons by the year 2070 (excluding Grand Gulf plant personnel). |

Current water use in this area is primarily for domestic consumption (SERI 2005). |

Conservatively assuming the entire projected population used groundwater as a source, and

each person used 382 L/d (101 GPD) (Carr et al. 1990), the estimated groundwater withdrawal

within a 3.2-km (2-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf ESP site by the year 2070 will be 22,200 L/d

(5860 GPD). Much of that groundwater consumption would likely return to the surficial aquifer

via septic drainfields. A listing of water wells within a 6.4-km (4-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf

ESP site can be found in the environmental report (SERI 2005). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-28 April 2006

2.6.3 Water Quality

Surface water and groundwater quality in the vicinity of the ESP site are adequate for a variety

of uses. The water quality of the Mississippi River and the two small onsite drainages,

Stream A and Stream B, has been slightly altered by the construction and operation of the

GGNS facility. The induced infiltration from the operation of the GGNS radial wells has ensured

that the quality of the groundwater in the vicinity of the radial wells is nearly identical to the

water quality of the Mississippi River, except for suspended sediment. The water quality of the

groundwater in the Catahoula formation does not appear to have been influenced by the

construction or operation of the GGNS facility.

2.6.3.1 Surface Water Quality

The Mississippi River integrates the qualities of all its multitude of inflows throughout its course

to the Grand Gulf site. The massive nature of the Mississippi River makes the discharges from

the GGNS facility undetectable within the overall flow regime, and any changes in the quality

are small and localized compared to the overall width of the river. The water quality of the

| Mississippi is monitored by the ACE at Vicksburg, Mississippi upstream of the Grand Gulf ESP

site. Temperatures in the Mississippi River vary seasonally with maximum and minimum

temperatures reported as 32°C (90°F) and 1.5°C (35°F), respectively. The Mississippi River

water is generally hard to very hard and therefore requires softening to avoid scale formation

when heated.

At the Grand Gulf site, water quality of Streams A and B (see Figure 2.2) is affected by the

GGNS facility. Stream A is generally unaffected by the GGNS facility until it reaches

Sedimentation Basin A. At this location, discharges include: storm water runoff, standby

service water leakage, treated sanitary waste water, and miscellaneous waste water from the

GGNS Energy Services Center, including water softener backwash and air-conditioning cooling

tower blowdown. These sources contribute nutrients, chlorine, and sediment to the

| sedimentation basin. In compliance with its NPDES permit, Entergy Operations, Inc. is required

to monitor these. The maximum monthly average nutrient concentration of the sanitary waste

| treatment system reported by SERI, expressed in terms of biological oxygen demand, for 2000

and 2001 was 25 mg/L. The maximum total suspended solids from the combined outflow from

Sediment Basin A reported by SERI for 1999, 2000, and 2001 was 97 ppm.

The watershed and channel for Stream B were nearly entirely modified as a result of the

construction of the GGNS facility. The water quality of Stream B has been altered by the loss

of the vegetation and soil cover. The normal nutrient and sediment load from a forested

watershed have been reduced by the loss of the canopy and changes of the surface runoff

conditions. Sedimentation Basin B also receives standby service water leakage, intermittent

circulating water basin overflows, storm water runoff, and water from a variety of building
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-29 NUREG-1817

drains. Entergy Operations, Inc. is required by its NPDES permit to monitor these sources. |

The maximum amount of total suspended solids in the combined outflow from Sedimentation |

Basin B reported by SERI for 1999, 2000, and 2001 was 26 ppm.

2.6.3.2 Groundwater Quality

The GGNS facility uses radial wells adjacent to and with laterals extending beneath the

Mississippi River to provide cooling water. The high rate of water induced to infiltrate from the

Mississippi River into the Holocene alluvium has ensured that the dissolved solids

concentrations of the groundwater in the vicinity of the radial wells are nearly identical to the

water quality of the Mississippi River. Suspended sediment in the river water is trapped in the

stream bed, thereby reducing the suspended solids in the cooling water. The water quality of

the groundwater in the Catahoula formation does not appear to have been influenced by the

construction or operation of the GGNS facility.

The GGNS uses wells in the Catahoula formation as the source of water for several purposes,

including potable water needs. The water is sampled for the Mississippi Health Department

pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act. The water quality of the groundwater from the

Catahoula formation, although very hard, is suitable for potable uses. Water quality generally

decreases as wells go deeper below the Catahoula formation.

2.6.3.3 Thermal Monitoring

Pre-application, pre-operational, and ongoing operational monitoring of the GGNS facility

provide a limited baseline of the temperatures in the Mississippi River. The operational impact

of the additional thermal load in the cooling tower blowdown from the Grand Gulf ESP facility

would be additive to the thermal impact of the GGNS facility. It is expected that the discharge

volume would increase, but discharge temperature would not change. Therefore, the existing

thermal plume would increase in area, but would not have a higher maximum temperature. 

Adequate temperature baseline data can be developed from the existing plant’s discharge to

calibrate and validate thermal plume models such as CORMIX. (See Section 5.3.2 for a

discussion of the thermal analysis performed by the NRC staff using the CORMIX model.)

The NRC staff found the thermal plume data for the existing GGNS discharge are currently |

inadequate to calibrate the CORMIX model. Pursuant to Section 316(a) of the Clean Water |

Act, an applicant for a CP or COL may be required by MDEQ to collect sufficient temperature

data to calibrate the CORMIX model. Other than this exception, the staff found that |

continuation of the existing operational monitoring program would provide an adequate thermal |

monitoring program for a new power generation facility at the Grand Gulf ESP site.
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-30 April 2006

2.6.3.4 Chemical Monitoring

Pre-application, pre-operational, and ongoing operational monitoring of the GGNS facility

provide a limited water quality baseline of the affected environment within and near the

proposed Grand Gulf ESP site. Many of the operational impacts of an ESP facility at the site

are likely to be similar to the impacts that are occurring as a result of the existing plant. For

instance, nutrient loads to Sedimentation Basin A from the sanitary treatment system are likely

to increase proportionally to the increase in staff for both facilities. The current water quality

baseline data can be used to calibrate and validate mixing models such as CORMIX. (See

Section 5.3.2 for a discussion of the chemical mixing analysis performed by the staff using the

CORMIX model.)

| As no specific design has been selected for the ESP facility, water treatment and waste water

designs are currently unknown. Water treatment is likely to be required to improve the quality

of water withdrawn from the Mississippi River that is proposed to be used in the closed-cycle

cooling system. Other than the sanitary effluents, there currently is no basis to evaluate the

| suitability of the current monitoring program to fit the needs of the liquid effluents from a new

| ESP facility. Prior to operation, the applicant for a CP or COL at the Grand Gulf ESP site would

be required to define the effluents and obtain an NPDES permit from MDEQ.

2.7 Ecology

| The vast majority of the Grand Gulf site has been left undisturbed since construction of GGNS

Unit 1. The site is roughly bisected by a north-south line of bluffs located parallel to and east of

the Mississippi River. The Grand Gulf site consists of seasonally inundated bottomland west of

the bluffs along the river and uplands atop the bluffs. About one-half of the site is bottomland,

including forested, shrub, and emergent marsh wetlands. The other half of the site supports

upland habitat, including forests, fields, and small wetlands, in areas that were not cleared

during construction of GGNS Unit 1. The Grand Gulf ESP site consists primarily of upland

hardwood forest and bottomland forested wetlands. Generally, wildlife species found on the

Grand Gulf site are representative of those commonly found in central Mississippi and northern

Louisiana along the Mississippi River.

| Sections 2.7.1 and 2.7.2 provide general descriptions of terrestrial and aquatic environments on

| and in the near vicinity of the Grand Gulf site. Detailed descriptions are provided where needed

| to support the analysis of potential environmental impacts from construction, operation, and

| decommissioning of new nuclear power generating facilities. The descriptions are provided to

support mitigation activities identified during the assessment to avoid, reduce, minimize, rectify,

| or compensate for potential impacts. Descriptions are also provided to help compare the

| alternative sites to the Grand Gulf site. Also included are descriptions of monitoring programs

for terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-31 NUREG-1817

2.7.1 Terrestrial Ecology

The Grand Gulf ESP site overlaps the Mississippi Valley Alluvial Plain and Mississippi Valley

Loess Plains ecoregions as described by Omernik (1987). The Mississippi Valley Alluvial Plain

ecoregion consists of a broad, flat alluvial plain with river terraces, swales, and levees providing

the main elements of relief. Soils are typically finer-textured and more poorly drained than the

upland soils of the adjacent Mississippi Valley Loess Plains ecoregion. Bottomland deciduous

forest vegetation covers the Mississippi Valley Alluvial Plain ecoregion where it has not been

cleared for cultivation. The Mississippi Valley Loess Plains ecoregion consists primarily of

irregular plains, some gently rolling hills, and bluffs near the Mississippi River. Thick loess is

one of the distinguishing characteristics. Oak-hickory and oak-hickory-pine forest was the

natural vegetation in this ecoregion. In the Mississippi portion of this ecoregion there is a

mosaic of forest and cropland (Omernik 1987).

Reconnaissance visits to the Grand Gulf site were made by Enercon Services, Inc. (Enercon),

on behalf of SERI, during August 19 to 24 and October 29 to November 1, 2002 (SERI 2005). |

The purpose of these visits was to identify jurisdictional waters of the United States including

wetlands, and qualitatively assess existing ecological resources (including vegetation and

wildlife) for comparison with descriptions provided in Mississippi Power and Light’s (MP&L’s)

Final Environmental Report (1973). Information provided in the MP&L Final Environmental

Report was based on field surveys conducted from June 1972 to August 1973 prior to

construction of GGNS Unit 1 (see environmental report in SERI 2005). |

Figure 2-3 is an aerial photograph of the Grand Gulf area taken in 1971, prior to construction of

GGNS Unit 1. Figure 2-4 is an aerial photograph taken in 2001 depicting GGNS Unit 1 and |

proposed construction areas for the Grand Gulf ESP facility. A comparison of Figures 2-3 and

2-4 shows the vast majority of the Grand Gulf site has been left undisturbed since construction

of GGNS Unit 1. It is noteworthy, however, that the main channel of the Mississippi River north |

of the barge slip (Figure 2-4) has moved to the east in the intervening 30 years, as evidenced

by the property line extending into the river. This represents a loss of about 34 ha (85 ac) of

terrestrial habitat. According to the environmental report, the ACE has stabilized the banks of

the river by constructing revetments; therefore, further erosion of the eastern bank is not

anticipated (SERI 2005). |

The conclusion drawn from the Enercon reconnaissance visits and comparison of Figures 2-3

and 2-4 is that the ecological descriptions in the final environmental report (MP&L 1973)

adequately describe current conditions at the Grand Gulf site (see environmental report in

SERI 2005). Consequently, the final environmental report descriptions (updated with |

information to indicate where biological conditions at the Grand Gulf site differ from those in
NUREG-1817 2-32 April 2006

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

Station Unit 1 Facility (SERI 2005, Figure 2.4-1)
April 2006 2-33 NUREG-1817 Figure 2-4. Aerial Photograph Depicting Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 (November 21, 2001) and Co

Areas (Cross-Hatched Areas) for the Proposed Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Facility (SERI 20
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-34 April 2006

existence prior to construction of GGNS Unit 1) were incorporated into the environmental report

| for the Grand Gulf ESP (SERI 2005) and are extensively used for the following descriptions of

terrestrial ecological resources.

2.7.1.1 Biological Communities

Vegetation on the Grand Gulf Site

About one-half of the Grand Gulf site is bottomland, including forested, shrub, and emergent

marsh wetlands. According to the environmental report, the other half of the site supports

upland habitat types, including forests, fields, and small wetlands, in areas that were not

| cleared during construction of GGNS Unit 1 (SERI 2005).

| During 1972 and 1973, before the construction of GGNS Unit 1, at least 420 species of

vascular plants representing 285 genera and 105 families were observed on the site

| (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005). The environmental report states that of the 64 tree species, all but

| three are deciduous (SERI 2005). The composition of understory vegetation varied by location

and season, with the largest number of plant taxa occurring in the uplands during the summer,

| and the smallest number of taxa in the bottomland during winter (SERI 2005). The uplands are

more diverse than the bottomland primarily because of the lack of Mississippi River inundation

and its scouring effects on understory vegetation. Common plant taxa that were found in

upland and bottomland forests are listed in Table 2-4.

Terrestrial habitats at the Grand Gulf site can now, as in the 1970s, generally be classified as

upland and bottomland forest, upland and bottomland clearings (since planted with loblolly pine

[Pinus taeda] and American sycamore [Platanus occidentalis], respectively), and upland and

bottomland wetlands. The distribution of these habitats, including areas currently developed for

GGNS Unit 1 infrastructure and those proposed for construction of the Grand Gulf ESP facility,

are shown in Figure 2-5. According to the environmental report, most of the currently

| developed area is located in the uplands (SERI 2005). The terrestrial habitats on the Grand

Gulf site are described in the following paragraphs.

Bottomland Forest

Bottomland hardwood forests may be characterized as palustrine, seasonally flooded wetlands. 

This habitat covers approximately 358 ha (885 ac), most of the bottomland between the

Mississippi River and the bluff line (Figure 2-5). Habitat characteristics of bottomland hardwood

| forests fluctuate seasonally with varying levels of inundation (SERI 2005).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-35 NUREG-1817

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

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 |

Bottomland Forest Upland Forest

Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name

American buckwheat vine Brunnichia ovata American elm Ulmus americana

asters Aster spp. asters Aster spp.

bedstraw Galium spp. brittle bladderfern Cystopteris fragilis |

black willow Salix nigra crossvine Bignonia capreolata

box elder Acer negundo eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans

chickweeds Stellaria spp. grasses Family Poaceae

fleabanes Erigeron spp. greenbriars Smilax spp.

dewberries Rubus spp. haircap moss Family Musci

eastern poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans hickories Carya spp.

false nettle Boehmeria cylindrica Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica

grasses Family Poaceae sedges Carex spp., Cyperus spp.

green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica smallflower baby blue eyes Nemophila aphylla

Johnson grass Sorghum halepense southern red oak Quercus falcata

pecans Carya spp. swamp privet Forestiera acuminata

peppervine Ampelopsis arborea sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua

sedges Carex spp., Cyperus spp. switchcane Arundinaria gigantea

smallflower baby blue eyes Nemophila aphylla violets Viola spp. |

sugarberry Celtis laevigata Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia ||

trumpet creeper Campsis radicans water oak Quercus nigra

vetches Vicia spp. winged elm Ulmus alata ||

violets Viola spp. ||

Source: SERI 2005 |

Herb, forb, and shrub layers are typically sparse because of the closed canopy and because

annual inundation by Mississippi River flood water retards vegetation growth. Opening the |

overstory canopy by means of storms, natural tree-fall, logging, or cultivation promotes growth |

of sedges, grasses, and other low-growing vegetation, such as panicgrass (Panicum spp.),

lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) (SERI 2005). |

Bottomland Emergent Wetlands

Bottomland emergent wetlands (dominated by plants that rise above the surface of the water)

may be characterized as palustrine and seasonally flooded. These cover approximately 12 ha

(30 ac) and are located at the south and north ends of Hamilton Lake (Figure 2-5). These

wetlands are dominated by grasses, such as redtop panicgrass (Panicum rigidulum), and

sedges (Carex spp.); their level of inundation varies seasonally and from year to year

(SERI 2005). |
NUREG-1817 2-36 April 2006

Figure 2-5. Terrestrial Habitat Types and Developed Areas on the Grand Gulf Site (SERI 2005, Figur
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-37 NUREG-1817

Bottomland Scrub-Shrub Wetlands

Bottomland scrub-shrub (dominated by sapling trees and shrubs) wetlands may also be

characterized as palustrine and seasonally flooded. Those located east of Gin Lake

(Figure 2-5) cover approximately 28 ha (70 ac) and most likely were a former bottomland field

cultivated for forage. The field has been planted with American sycamore trees, which are |

uniformly about 6 m (20 ft) in height (SERI 2005). In 2002, the perimeter of this area was |

cultivated to enhance deer habitat and attract deer to the area for hunting (SERI 2005). |

Other bottomland scrub-shrub wetlands are located on the north, northwest, and south ends of

Gin Lake, and on the northwest bank of Hamilton Lake (Figure 2-5). These cover

approximately 4 ha (10 ac) and are dominated by black willow (Salix nigra) and swamp privet

(Forestiera acuminata). Little herbaceous understory vegetation occurs in these wetlands,

probably because of recurrent flooding in spring. Common button bush (Cephalanthus

occidentalis) is found in these wetlands on the south end of Gin Lake (SERI 2005). |

Upland Forests

Upland hardwood forests are a combination of two forest community types, oak (Quercus spp.)-

American elm (Ulmus americana) and oak-sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) deciduous

forest. These dominate upland areas and cover approximately 162 ha (400 ac) (Figure 2-5). 

Like bottomland hardwood forests, the growth of understory vegetation in upland hardwood

forests is limited by canopy closure. However, unlike bottomland forests, upland forests are

rarely inundated with water for prolonged periods, so flooding is less a limiting factor on growth |

of understory vegetation. Consequently, upland forests exhibit a more diverse plant community

than bottomland forests, both in structure and taxonomic composition (SERI 2005). |

Upland Fields

Upland fields cover approximately 63 ha (155 ac) at the ESP site (Figure 2-5). They have been |

planted with loblolly pine (SERI 2005). |

Vegetation along the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way

SERI did not indicate the vegetation communities (including wetland, floodplains, or special

habitat areas) crossed by the GGNS Unit 1 transmission line rights-of-way (Baxter-Wilson and |

Franklin lines) in its environmental report (SERI 2005, 2004d). Further, no such information is |

available from the transmission and distribution system owner and operator (Entergy

Mississippi, Inc.) (Entergy Services 2004a). SERI also did not indicate the transmission line |

right-of-way maintenance procedures in its environmental report (SERI 2005). However, the |

procedures generally consist of mechanical means (primarily bushhogging) that are performed

on an as-needed basis (Entergy Services 2004b), except for along the Franklin transmission |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-38 April 2006

| line right-of-way where it crosses the Homochitto National Forest. In 2003, Entergy Corporation

entered into a partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation to maintain transmission

| line rights-of-way on the Homochitto National Forest using low-toxicity herbicides for the

| purpose of producing a more open, grassy habitat (USFS 2003).

Wildlife on the Grand Gulf Site

Forests with diverse plant species and well-developed vertical structure provide many

ecological niches that support diverse wildlife populations. The majority of the undeveloped

portion of the Grand Gulf site consists of bottomland and upland hardwood forests. Hardwood

forests, particularly those in the uplands, are diverse. Generally, as hardwood forests increase

in age, the structure of their herb, forb, shrub, mid-story, and canopy layers also increases. 

Bottomland hardwood forests, while they may not be as rich in species as upland hardwood

forests, can be highly productive in terms of wildlife, in part because of annual inundation that

| continually replenishes soil nutrients (SERI 2005).

Hardwood forests provide the requirements of nesting birds, as well as migration corridors and

stop-over habitat for neo-tropical and short-distance migrants. Likewise, hardwood forests

provide travel corridors for mammals and habitat for other resident, ground-dwelling animals. 

Of special significance in hardwood forests is the production of beechnuts, acorns, and similar

foodstuffs, collectively termed “mast.” Mast is consumed by a variety of wildlife species. Older

hardwood stands also feature trees with cavities of varying size that are important as wildlife

| dens and roosts (SERI 2005).

Mammals

Table 2-5 lists the mammal species encountered on the Grand Gulf site in 1972 and 1973 prior

| to construction of GGNS Unit 1 (SERI 2005). The whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the

| largest of these species. Based on the Enercon October 2002 reconnaissance visit to the

| Grand Gulf site (SERI 2005), a substantial deer population continues to use both upland and

bottomland forests. In October 2002, two areas were observed where a local archery hunting

| club of SERI employees had disked and seeded the ground with grass to attract wildlife. One

area was in a natural clearing in a bottomland forest stand east of Radial Water Well No. 1. 

The other area was in a former bottomland field northwest of GGNS Unit 1 near Gin Lake. The

| SERI (2005) environmental report did not specify the sizes of the two treated areas, but they

are on the order of several acres and thus comprise only a small portion of the Grand Gulf site.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-39 NUREG-1817

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

Station Unit 1

Small Mammals Large Mammals

Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Common Name

Peromyscus gossypinus cotton mouse Dasypus novemcinctus armadillo

Tamias striatus eastern chipmunk Castor canadensis beaver

Sciurus niger eastern fox squirrel Lynx rufus bobcat

Sciurus carolinensis eastern gray squirrel Sylvilagus floridanus eastern cottontail

Reithrodontomys fulvescens fulvous harvest mouse Urocyon cinereoargenteus gray fox

Ochrotomys nuttalli golden mouse Didelphis marsupialis opossum

Sigmodon hispidus hispid cotton rat Procyon lotor raccoon

Mus musculus house mouse Mephitis mephitis striped skunk

Cryptotis parva least shrew Sylvilagus aquaticus swamp rabbit

Microtus pinetorum woodland vole Odocoileus virginianus whitetail deer |

Oryzomys palustris marsh rice rat |

Blarina brevicauda shorttail shrew

Peromyscus leucopus white-footed mouse

Source: SERI 2005 |

Based on the October 2002 Enercon reconnaissance visit to the Grand Gulf site (SERI 2005), |

beaver (Castor canadensis) use bottomlands and onsite streams, and raccoon (Procyon lotor),

striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and various unidentified small mammals (for example, mice |

and shrews) use both uplands and bottomlands. Bottomlands are used by hogs. However,

whether these are feral domestic hogs (Sus scrofa) or collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) is

unknown (SERI 2005). |

Common Bird Species

The list of common bird species observed on or near the Grand Gulf site during the 1972 and

1973 censuses is too long to list here. A complete list can be found in the SERI (2005) |

environmental report. Instead, groups of birds are discussed in the following paragraphs to

provide an overview of the birds using the Grand Gulf site. The species discussed are

considered common onsite, except where otherwise noted.

Forest Community Birds

Forest community birds include year-round, summer and winter residents. Examples include: 

the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) and northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), which are yearround residents; the Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) and yellow-billed cuckoo
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-40 April 2006

(Coccyzus americanus), which are summer residents; and the American robin (Turdus

migratorius) and ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula), which are winter residents. Fieldforest community birds also include year-round, winter and summer residents. Examples

include: the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) and red-winged blackbird (Agelaius

phoeniceus), which are year-round residents; the orchard oriole (Icterus spurius) and northern

| rough-winged swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis), which are summer residents; and the field

sparrow (Spizella pusilla) and lark sparrow (Chondestes grammacus), which are winter

| residents (SERI 2005).

Water-Dependent Birds

Water-dependent birds observed on Hamilton and Gin Lakes include herons (for example,

great blue heron [Ardea herodias], tricolored [Louisiana] heron [Egretta tricolor]), egrets (such

as the cattle egret [Bubulcus ibis] and great [common] egret [Ardea alba]), ibis (such as the

white ibis [Eudocimus albus]), wood stork or wood ibis (Mycteria americana), belted kingfisher

(Ceryle alcyon), American coot (Fulica americana), pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps),

and several waterfowl species (for example, the mallard [Anas platyrhynchos], northern pintail

[Anas acuta], wood duck [Aix sponsa]). Use of the lakes by water-dependent species is

seasonal. Of the water birds, only the wood duck, great blue heron, and belted kingfisher are

permanent residents. According to the environmental report, the remaining species are

primarily summer residents, with the exception of the American coot and pied-billed grebe,

| which occur in the area from fall through early spring (SERI 2005).

Birds of Prey

| Birds of prey observed on or near the Grand Gulf site include vultures (such as, the black

vulture [Coragyps atratus] and turkey vulture [Cathartes aura]), hawks (for example the broadwinged hawk [Buteo platypterus], northern harrier [Circus cyaneus], red-shouldered hawk

[Buteo lineatus], red-tailed hawk [Buteo jamaicensis], sharp-shinned hawk [Accipiter striatus]),

falcons (such as the American kestrel [Falco sparverius]), kites (such as the Mississippi kite

[Ictinia mississippiensis]), and owls (for example, the great horned owl [Bubo virginianus], and

eastern screech-owl [Otus asio]). Black and turkey vultures, the red-tailed and red-shouldered

hawks, and all the owl species are year-round residents. The broad-winged hawk and

Mississippi kite are summer residents, and the northern harrier, American kestrel, and sharpshinned hawk occur on site only during migration. With the exception of the northern harrier

(an inhabitant of grasslands and marshes), woodlands and wooded margins are the preferred

| habitat for the birds of prey observed (SERI 2005).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-41 NUREG-1817

Upland Game Birds

Of the upland game birds observed on or near the Grand Gulf site, the mourning dove, northern |

bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) are year-round residents. 

The mourning dove is also the most abundant of the upland game birds onsite (SERI 2005). |

All the bird species noted above are considered common, with the exception of the wood stork |

and Louisiana heron (SERI 2005). |

Wildlife along the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Unit 1 Transmission Line Rights-of-Way

SERI did not indicate wildlife or habitat within the GGNS Unit 1 transmission line rights-of-way

(Baxter-Wilson and Franklin lines) in its environmental report (SERI 2005, 2004d). Further, no |

such information is available from the transmission and distribution system owner and operator,

Entergy Mississippi, Inc. (Entergy Services 2004a). |

State-Listed Species

State-listed threatened and endangered terrestrial species that may occur in the vicinity of the

Grand Gulf site are listed in Table 2-6. Location information for State-listed species within

3.2 km (2 mi) and 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site was obtained from the Mississippi |

Natural Heritage Program (MNHP) (MNHP 2004a, 2004b).

Animal Species

Two State-listed endangered terrestrial animal species are known to occur on and in the near |

vicinity (<3.2 km (2 mi)) of the Grand Gulf site: the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus |

luteolus) and wood stork (Mycteria americana) (Table 2-6). One State-listed endangered bird |

species has been reported to occur within 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site: the least tern |

(Sterna antillarum) (Table 2-6). Two other State-listed endangered species have been reported |

beyond 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site: the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and |

Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) (Table 2-6). The Florida panther, bald eagle, least tern,

and Louisiana black bear are also Federally listed species and are described in Section 2.7.1.2.

The wood stork is discussed below. |

The wood stork is a highly colonial species, usually nesting and feeding in flocks. The wood

stork has been occasionally sighted in all states east of the Mississippi River, and sporadically

sighted in some states west of the Mississippi River (FWS 1996). Breeding populations of the |

wood stork are Federally listed as endangered and currently occur or have recently occurred

only in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina (49 FR 7332; FWS 1996). Thus, the |

above breeding populations are not considered in this EIS. |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-42 April 2006

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

Gulf Site

| Scientific Name Common Name Status(a)

Distance from the Grand

Gulf Site(b) | Source(b)

Mammals

Puma concolor coryi Florida panther SE >16 km (10 mi) MNHP 2004b

Ursus americanus luteolus

|

Louisiana black bear SE onsite and <3.2 km (2 mi) NRC 1981; MNHP

2004a; SERI 2005

Birds

Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle ST >16 km (10 mi) MNHP 2004b

Mycteria americana wood stork SE onsite and <3.2 km (2 mi) AEC 1973; MNHP

2004a

| Sterna antillarum least tern SE <16 km (10 mi) MNHP 2004b

Plants

| Mimulus ringens Allegheny

monkeyflower

| S1-S2 18 km (11 mi) SERI 2005

| Celastrus scandens American bittersweet S2-S3 3.2 km (2 mi) — 16 km

(10 mi)

| MNHP 2004a, 2004b

| Diplazium pycnocarpon glade fern S2-S3 3.2 km (2 mi) — 16 km

(10 mi)

MNHP 2004a, 2004b

| Marsilea vestita hairy waterclover S1 3.2 km (2 mi) — 16 km

(10 mi)

MNHP 2004a, 2004b

| Platythelys querceticola jug orchid S1? 3.2 km (2 mi) — 16 km

(10 mi)

MNHP 2004a, 2004b

(a) State status rankings developed by the MNHP; for animals SE = State endangered and ST = State threatened;

| for plants S1 = critically imperiled, S2 = imperiled, and S3 = rare (MNHP 2004a, 2004b). Hyphenated state

| status ranks indicate a range in the status of the plant species based on insufficient data to make a

determination. A question mark indicates uncertainty in the indicated status of the plant species.

(b) Species occurrences on the Grand Gulf site for the Louisiana black bear and wood stork are provided by

| SERI (2005), NRC (1981), and AEC (1973), respectively. All distances are provided by MNHP (2004a,

2004b).

| It is non-breeding wood storks that are known to occur on and in the near vicinity of the

| Grand Gulf site (MNHP 2004a). Wood storks were observed in summer on Gin and/or

| Hamilton lakes during 18 years prior to construction of GGNS Unit 1 (AEC 1973). The wood

| stork should currently be considered a possible non-breeding transient to the Grand Gulf site

| and vicinity (SERI 2005; MNHP 2004a).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-43 NUREG-1817

Plant Species

Four State-listed critically imperiled (endangered) or imperiled (threatened) plant species were

identified through correspondence with the MNHP (2004a, 2004b). The two critically imperiled |

plant species are hairy waterclover (Marsilea vestita) and jug orchid (Platythelys querceticola). 

The two imperiled plant species are glade fern (Diplazium pycnocarpon) and American

bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). All four species are known to occur beyond 3.2 km (2 mi) but

within 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site (MNHP 2004a, 2004b). One State-listed critically |

imperiled/imperiled plant species, the Allegheny monkeyflower (Mimulus ringens), was

mentioned in SERI’s environmental report (SERI 2005). The occurrence of the species nearest |

to the Grand Gulf site is about 11 miles to the southwest along the west bank of the Mississippi |

River northeast of St. Joseph, Louisiana (SERI 2005). None of the species have been reported |

on the Grand Gulf site. |

Hairy waterclover grows in creekbeds, wetlands, seasonal pools, ditches, flood basins, and on

the shores of lakes and streams, and is adapted to fluctuating water levels (WSDOE 2004). In

the southeast region of the United States, hairy waterclover is considered an obligate wetland

plant, which occurs almost always under natural conditions in wetlands, per the Regional

Interagency Review Panel Revision of the National List of Plant Species that Occur in Wetlands

(NRCS 2004).

The jug orchid grows in the humus of swamps, hardwood forests, and hammocks

(Garay 1977). In the southeast region of the United States, the jug orchid is considered a

facultative wetland plant that usually occurs in wetlands, but occasionally is found in nonwetlands (NRCS 2004; USDA 2004c).

The glade fern grows in moist open woods, moist meadows, and swamps (Connecticut

Botanical Society 2004). In the southeast region of the United States, the glade fern is

considered a facultative plant that is equally likely to occur in wetlands or non-wetlands

(NRCS 2004; USDA 2004c).

American bittersweet grows along roadsides, fence rows, and forest margins. In the southeast

region of the United States, insufficient information is available to determine the status of this

species as a wetland indicator (NRCS 2004; Oklahoma Biological Survey 2004; USDA 2004c).

The square-stemmed monkeyflower’s preferred habitat consists of wet meadows, stream

banks, and damp ditches (SERI 2005). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-44 April 2006

2.7.1.2 Threatened and Endangered Terrestrial Species

This section describes Federally listed and proposed threatened and endangered terrestrial

species and designated and proposed critical habitats that may occur on or in the vicinity of the

| Grand Gulf site and transmission line rights-of-way (Table 2-7). Information on Federally listed

| species in Claiborne County was obtained through correspondence with the U.S. Fish and

| Wildlife Service (FWS) (FWS 2004a, 2004b). In addition, a list of Federally listed species

| occurring in counties other than Claiborne (Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Warren) that are

| crossed by the two transmission line rights-of-way (Baxter-Wilson and Franklin) was obtained

| from FWS county listings of such species for the state of Mississippi (FWS 2000). Location

information for Federally listed species within 3.2 km (2 mi) and 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand

| Gulf site was obtained from the MNHP (2004a, 2004b).

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

the Grand Gulf Site

| Scientific Name Common Name Status(a) County

Distance

from the

Grand Gulf

Site(b) | Source(b)

Mammals

| Puma concolor coryi Florida panther FE Claiborne >16 km

(10 mi)

SERI 2005

| Ursus americanus luteolus Louisiana black bear FT Claiborne,

Franklin,

Jefferson,

Warren

onsite and

<3.2 km

(2 mi)

FWS 2000,

FWS 2004a;

NRC 1981; SERI 2005

Birds

| Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle FT Claiborne,

Warren

>16 km

(10 mi)

FWS 2000,

FWS 2004a

| Picoides borealis red-cockaded

woodpecker

FE Franklin >16 km

(10 mi)

FWS 2000

| Sterna antillarum least tern FE Claiborne,

| Warren

<16 km

(10 mi)

FWS 2000,

FWS 2004a

Reptiles

| Alligator mississippiensis American alligator FT (S/A) Claiborne onsite and

<3.2 km

(2 mi)

SERI 2005

(a) Federal status rankings developed by the FWS under the Endangered Species Act (1973), FE = Federal 

endangered, FT = Federal threatened, FT (S/A) = Federal threatened by similarity of appearance

(FWS 2004a).

| (b) Species occurrences on the Grand Gulf site for the Louisiana black bear provided by SERI 2005 and

| NRC 1981. All distances provided by MNHP (2004a, 2004b).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-45 NUREG-1817

Federally Listed Terrestrial Animal Species

Six Federally listed threatened or endangered terrestrial animal species may occur on or in the |

vicinity of the Grand Gulf site and transmission line rights-of-way. These include the |

 C Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) (SERI 2005; MNHP 2004a, 2004b, 2004c) |

 C American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) (SERI 2005; MNHP 2004a, 2004b), which |

is threatened based on similarity of appearance to the American crocodile (Crocodylus

acutus) (52 FR 21059) |

 C Least tern (Sterna antillarum) (SERI 2005; FWS 2000, 2004a) for the interior population |

only (FWS 1990b)

 C Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (FWS 2000) |

 C Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) (NRC 1981; SERI 2005; FWS 2000, 2004a), |

which is threatened but currently proposed for delisting (64 FR 36454)

 C Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) (SERI 2005; FWS 2000, 2004a; |

MNHP 2004a, 2004b).

Two of these species, the American alligator (SERI 2005) and Louisiana black bear (NRC 1981; |

SERI 2005), are known to occur on the Grand Gulf site. Other than for the bald eagle, no |

known activities by the Federal government that would change the list of species or add critical |

habitats to the list are currently under way (SERI 2005; MNHP 2004a, 2004b; FWS 2000, |

2004a). |

Florida Panther

The historic range of the Florida panther was from Louisiana north and east to Tennessee and

east to the Atlantic Ocean through most of the southeastern United States. Today only about

70 adult panthers remain in national and state parks and nearby private lands in southwest

Florida (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission 2004). The species is considered

extirpated from the state of Mississippi. |

The FWS has commented in the past on numerous sightings of the Florida panther “throughout

its historic range,” while stating that no viable populations of the Florida panther now occur

outside of Florida (SERI 2005). The MNHP has reported at least one sighting of the Florida |

panther within 3.2 km (2 mi) of the Grand Gulf site (MNHP 2004c). However, these sightings |

are from 1973 (MNHP 2004a) and are likely spurious because a viable population of Florida |

panthers has not been known in the state of Mississippi since the late 1800s (MNHP 2004d). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-46 April 2006

Further, NRC requested that FWS provide information on Federally listed species that could

| occur on or in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf site (NRC 2004b). The FWS response

(FWS 2004a) did not include the Florida panther, indicating that it does not consider the

species a possible resident in the area.

American Alligator

In 1967, the American alligator was classified as Federally endangered throughout its range,

including Mississippi. By 1987, following several reclassification actions in other states, it was

reclassified to “threatened based on similarity of appearance” to the American crocodile in the

remainder of its range, including Mississippi (52 FR 21059). The alligator is no longer

biologically imperiled in Mississippi. Its populations are considered disjunct, limited to available

habitat, but stable. The declassification helps prevent excessive take of the alligator and

| protects the American crocodile (52 FR 21059).

During reconnaissance visits to the Grand Gulf site made by Enercon in August and OctoberNovember 2002, two alligators were observed, one in a small pond immediately adjacent to the

waste water treatment facility on the site of GGNS Unit 1 and the other in the flooded borrow pit

| (SERI 2005). Thus, alligators appear to be relatively common onsite. Because they pose a

nuisance and safety hazard to site personnel, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and

Parks (MDWFP) personnel occasionally capture and relocate large alligators from the Grand

| Gulf site (SERI 2005).

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a bird of aquatic ecosystems, frequenting major rivers, large lakes, reservoirs,

estuaries, and some seacoast habitats. Fish are the major component of its diet, but waterfowl,

seagulls, and carrion are also eaten. Bald eagles usually nest in large trees along shorelines in

relatively remote areas that are free of disturbance (64 FR 36454). No critical habitat has been

designated for this species (FWS 2004a).

| The bald eagle is known from Claiborne County (FWS 2000, 2004a) and Warren County

| (FWS 2000) (Table 2-7). In the region around the Grand Gulf site, nest sites are usually in

dominant living pine (Pinus spp.) or bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum), and nesting

activity usually occurs between September and January (FWS 2004a). Although a survey of

the river shoreline at the Grand Gulf site has not been conducted, it appears to lack such trees. 

Bald eagles have been known to frequent Yucatan Lake, located across the Mississippi River

west of the site (AEC 1973). However, there are currently no known bald eagle sightings within

| 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site (MNHP 2004b). Consequently, nesting on the Grand Gulf

| site appears possible, though unlikely because of the apparent absence of suitable mature pine

or cypress trees in the bottomland adjacent to the river. Bald eagle presence on the Grand Gulf
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-47 NUREG-1817

site during the nesting season should be considered possible in the absence of an aerial or |

ground survey to confirm or deny the presence of nest trees.

The only bald eagle nest site currently known from Warren County is at Halpine Lake, which is

located along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg about 40 km (25 mi) from the Grand Gulf |

site. There are no other bald eagle nest sites, and no roost sites or feeding concentrations, |

currently known from Warren County. Bald eagle locations are obtained on a volunteer basis in |

Mississippi because there is no funded monitoring program. Most known locations have been |

reported by sportsmen (fishermen and hunters). Thus, it is possible that eagles use the |

Mississippi River corridor elsewhere in Warren County for nesting, roosting, and/or foraging, but |

that such occurrences have not been reported to the State (MMNS 2005). |

Interior Least Tern

Interior least terns breed in the Mississippi and Rio Grande River Basins, from Montana to

Texas, and from eastern New Mexico and Colorado to Indiana and Louisiana. From late April

to August, they nest primarily on barren to sparsely vegetated sand and gravel riverine

sandbars, dike field sandbar islands, sand and gravel pits, and shorelines of lakes and

reservoirs. Interior least terns are colonial nesters with nests from a few meters to hundreds of

meters apart. The wintering area of interior least terns is unknown (FWS 1990b).

Threats include the actual and functional loss of riverine sandbar habitat. Sandbars are not

generally stable features of the natural river landscape, but are formed or enlarged, disappear

or migrate depending on the dynamic forces of the river. River stabilization to achieve

objectives for navigation, hydropower, irrigation, and flood control has destroyed the dynamic

nature of these processes. Many remaining sandbars are unsuitable for nesting because of

vegetation encroachment or are too low and subject to frequent inundation. Recreational use

of sandbars during the breeding season has also contributed to the decline of the species

(FWS 1990b).

On the Mississippi River, least terns use sandbars for nesting, foraging (primarily on shad

[Dorosoma spp.]), and loafing when the river has receded and sandbars are exposed. On the

Mississippi River, surveys for interior least terns have been conducted since 1986 over about

909 km (565 mi) from Cape Girardeau, Missouri (River Mile (RM) 1000) to Vicksburg, |

Mississippi (RM 435). The first intensive survey south of Vicksburg was conducted on |

July 2004 (ACE 2004a). The nearest areas occupied by terns upstream and downstream of the

Grand Gulf site (RM 405) (SERI 2005) were |

 C Yucatan Dikes (RM 409.8), loafing area for 28 birds on the Mississippi side of the river |

 C Togo Island Dikes (RM 413.6), nesting colony of 395 birds on the Louisiana side of |

the river |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-48 April 2006

| C Below Bondurant Towhead Dikes (RM 393.0), nesting colony of 59 birds on the

| Louisiana side of the river (ACE 2004b).

Sandbars develop on the inside bends of the Mississippi River where currents are slower. 

Sandbars do not develop on the outside bend of the river where currents are swifter and where

the river shoreline has been revetted (rip-rap emplaced) to prevent erosion, such as is the case

| at the Grand Gulf site. The nearest potential tern nesting habitat is near RM 402 on the

Louisiana side of the Mississippi River about 4.8 km (3 mi) south of the Grand Gulf site

(ACE 2004a).

| The point along the Baxter-Wilson transmission line right-of-way within Warren County that is

| closest to the Mississippi River is at its terminus at the Baxter-Wilson Substation (RM 433.1),

| located 0.74 km (0.46 mi) from the river. The nearest areas occupied by terns downstream and

| upstream of the Baxter-Wilson Substation were at Below Racetrack Dikes (RM 429.0) (nesting

| colony of 91 adults on the Mississippi side of the river) and at Milliken Bend (RM 456.0) (one

| adult tern observed on the Louisiana side of the river) (ACE 2004b). Both locations are at least

| 6.4 km (4 mi) from the Baxter-Wilson Substation. Between Togo Island Dikes (RM 413.6) and

Below Racetrack Dikes are two other areas occupied by terns, Newton Bend Dikes (RM 419.5,

| nesting colony of 14 birds on the Mississippi side of the river) and Across from Logo Landing

| (RM 418.3, nesting colony of 58 birds on the Louisiana side of the river) (ACE 2004b). It is

| estimated that these two tern nesting areas are approximately 3.2 km (2 mi) from the BaxterWilson transmission line right-of-way.

|

| Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

|

| The red-cockaded woodpecker is endemic to open, mature, and old growth pine ecosystems in

| the southeastern United States. Red-cockaded woodpeckers are a cooperatively breeding

| species, living in family groups that typically consist of a breeding pair with or without one or two

| male helpers. In red-cockaded woodpeckers (and other cooperative breeders), a large pool of

| helpers is available to replace breeders when they die. Helpers do not disperse very far and

| typically occupy vacancies on their natal territory or a neighboring one (FWS 2003).

|

| Red-cockaded woodpeckers require open pine woodlands and savannahs with large old pines

| for nesting and roosting habitat (clusters). Large old pines are required as cavity trees because

| the cavities are excavated completely within inactive heartwood and because of the higher

| incidence of heartwood decay that greatly facilitates excavation. Cavity trees must be in open

| stands with little or no hardwood midstory and few or no overstory hardwoods. Suitable

| foraging habitat consists of mature pines with an open canopy, low densities of small pines,

| little or no hardwood or pine midstory, few or no overstory hardwoods, and abundant native

| bunchgrass and forb groundcovers (FWS 2003).

|
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-49 NUREG-1817

Limiting factors are those that directly affect the number of potential breeding groups because |

this is the primary determinant of population size. For example, if groups are isolated in space, |

dispersal of helpers to neighboring territories is disrupted, promoting failure to replace breeders, |

rendering populations much less likely to persist through time. Thus, habitat fragmentation may |

directly limit the number of potential breeding groups. Fire suppression, which promotes |

hardwood encroachment, and lack of cavity trees also limit the number of breeding groups in |

most populations. Red-cockaded woodpeckers cannot tolerate hardwood encroachment and |

colonization of unoccupied habitat is an exceedingly slow process because cavities take long |

periods of time to excavate and birds do not occupy habitat without cavities (FWS 2003). |

Of the counties containing the Grand Gulf ESP facility and transmission line rights-of-way |

(Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Warren), the species is not known, either historically or |

currently, from Claiborne and Warren counties (Costa and Walker 1995). In Mississippi, the |

red-cockaded woodpecker is currently known from Bienville, DeSoto, and Homochitto National |

Forests, and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge (FWS 2003). All these, except Homochitto |

National Forest, are located at least 160 km (100 mi) east of the Grand Gulf site. The other |

three counties (Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln) traversed by the Grand Gulf ESP transmission line |

rights-of-way are crossed by the Homochitto National Forest. |

The red-cockaded woodpecker is known to have occurred historically in Franklin, Jefferson, and |

Lincoln counties (Costa and Walker 1995). The FWS (2000) does not list the species as |

currently existing in Jefferson and Lincoln counties (Table 2-7). Six historic (inactive) red- |

cockaded woodpecker clusters (colonies) are located within 3.2 km (2 mi) of the Franklin |

transmission line right-of-way where it crosses the Homochitto National Forest in Franklin and |

Lincoln counties (USFS 2005a). Of the six, the closest to the Franklin line right-of-way is about |

1.2 km (0.75 mi) (USFS 2005a). The U.S. Forest Service is required to maintain foraging |

habitat in areas of historic clusters located outside Habitat Management Areas (HMAs) |

designated for the recovery of the species (see below) (USFS 2005b). Historic clusters have |

not been identified within the Homochitto National Forest in Jefferson County (USFS 2005a). |

The red-cockaded woodpecker is also known to currently occur in Franklin County (Table 2-7) |

(Costa and Walker 1995; FWS 2000). In Franklin County, a red-cockaded woodpecker HMA is |

situated within the Homochitto National Forest south and west of the intersection of State |

highways 84 and 98 at Meadville (USFS 2005a). The HMA is located approximately 16 km |

(10 mi) to the southwest of the Franklin transmission line right-of-way (USFS 2005a). This |

HMA consists of 19,400 ha (48,000 ac) that support 65 active red-cockaded woodpecker |

clusters. The HMA also contains enough currently unoccupied habitat that serves as the |

recruitment area for expansion of the 65 clusters to 250 clusters (USFS 2005c), the recovery |

plan goal for the species on the Homochitto National Forest (FWS 2003). These clusters have |

been designated a secondary core population (providing for conservation of the species within |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-50 April 2006

| the physiographic recovery unit in which it exists) within the East Gulf Coastal Plain Recovery

| Unit of the species. The projected time required for the Homochitto population to reach

| recovery size is 35 years (FWS 2003).

| In addition, there are forest management activities (e.g., prescribed burning and thinning)

| underway to restore old-age longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) stands across the Homochitto

| National Forest (USFS 2005c). The target species for these management activities is the red-

| cockaded woodpecker (USFS 2005c), although such activities outside the HMA discussed

| above are not officially part of the recovery plan for the species (FWS 2003; USFS 2005c). 

| Thus, in the future red-cockaded woodpeckers could inhabit restored old-age longleaf pine

| areas outside the HMA (USFS 2005c).

Louisiana Black Bear

| The historic range of the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) included southern

Mississippi (south of and including Washington, Humphreys, Holmes, Attala, Neshoba, and

| Lauderdale counties), all of Louisiana, and eastern Texas. Two subspecies of black bear

| historically occupied Mississippi, the Louisiana black bear in the south and the American black

| bear (U. a. americanus) in the north. Because the two subspecies are indistinguishable by

sight, other free-living bears of the species U. americanus within the historic range of

| U. a. luteolus are designated Federally threatened by similarity of appearance (FWS 1995).

The historic habitat of the Louisiana black bear has suffered extensive modification, having

been reduced by more than 80 percent as of 1980. The remaining habitat has been reduced in

quality by fragmentation and conversion to agriculture. Habitat destruction or modification is

the primary threat to the Louisiana black bear. Human-related mortality also continues to pose

a threat to the subspecies (FWS 1995).

The key habitat requirements of black bears are food, water, cover, and den sites that are

spatially arranged across sufficiently large, relatively remote blocks of land. Remoteness is

relative to forest tract size and the presence of roads. Examples of remoteness relative to

black bears include a tract of timberland 0.8 km (0.5 mi) from well maintained roads and

development, a forested tract of more than 1000 ha (2500 ac), or a tract with 0.5 km (0.3 mi) or

less of road per km2 (0.4 mi2) of forest (FWS 1995). A geographic information system analysis

has not been conducted, but it is evident from Figure 2-4 that much of the Grand Gulf site and

immediate environs to the north and south closely approach or satisfy one or more of

these criteria.

Louisiana black bears typically inhabit heavily wooded bottomland hardwoods and swamps,

although adjacent upland habitat types are also used (LDOTD 2003). Occupied Louisiana

black bear habitat has been defined by the FWS (1995) as only those areas where there is

| evidence of reproduction, such as a female with cubs. Presently within the historic range of the
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April 2006 2-51 NUREG-1817

Louisiana black bear, two known breeding bear populations occur in two Louisiana river basins |

(Figure 2-6). One range is the Tensas River Basin, consisting of Franklin, Madison, and |

Tensas parishes. The Tensas River Basin is located in rural northeastern Louisiana and |

contains an estimated 160 bears (Beausoleil 1999; Boersen 2001). Tensas Parish is located |

directly across the Mississippi River from Claiborne County and the Grand Gulf site. The other |

range is the Atchaflaya River Basin, located in south-central Louisiana and divided into two

units: upper, and lower/coastal. The upper and coastal units support subpopulations of 52 and

92 bears, respectively (Triant 2001).

Bears have been sighted outside of the two areas, but it is unknown whether these bears are

reproducing or are only wandering subadults and males. Additional areas possibly occupied

are the Mississippi River corridor, including portions of the Loess Bluffs in southwestern

Mississippi and the adjacent Tunica Hills of Louisiana (about 120 km (75 mi) south of the

Grand Gulf site), and smaller areas in the lower East Pearl River and lower Pascagoula River |

basins of southern Mississippi near the Gulf of Mexico (FWS 1995).

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

Jackson, Mississippi Field Office)

|
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NUREG-1817 2-52 April 2006

The FWS, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Black Bear Conservation

Committee began reintroducing Louisiana black bears into unoccupied habitat on publicly

owned land in the Red River/Three Rivers area of east-central Louisiana in March 2001

(FWS 2004d). The northern boundary of the repatriation area is located about 88 km (55 mi)

| southwest of the Grand Gulf site. To date, 16 adult females and 40 cubs have been

reintroduced. These bears have dispersed throughout the repatriation area and beyond

(FWS 2004d). Some have dispersed as far north as Vidalia, Louisiana (FWS 2004d), located

just across the Mississippi River from Natchez, Mississippi, about 56 km (35 mi) southwest of

the Grand Gulf site.

Many bears have been sighted in the Mississippi River corridor within the last 8 years

(Figure 2-7) (MNHP 2004e). The Louisiana black bear may use the Mississippi River environs

as a travel corridor (SERI 2004d) between the Tensas River Basin and upper Atchaflaya River

Basin, and it could thus serve as an important link between the two.

| The MNHP has reported bear occurrences within 3.2 km (2 mi) of the Grand Gulf site

(MNHP 2004a), and bears have been observed on the Grand Gulf site (NRC 1981). Two bear

cubs were reported onsite by a hunter in 1978. Afterward, bear tracks were observed on two

occasions and one adult and one young bear were seen at separate times by the biologist

onsite (NRC 1981). However, the occurrence of bears onsite has not been documented

| recently (SERI 2004d). Because the two subspecies (Ursus a. luteolus and U. a. americanus)

are indistinguishable by sight, one must conservatively assume that all the sightings noted

above were of the Louisiana black bear. Further, suitable den sites in fallen trees have also

been reported from onsite (SERI 2004d), although it is unknown if these trees satisfy the

| species, size, and location criteria specified in 57 FR 588.

The Grand Gulf site provides large tracts of bottomland and upland hardwood forests that are

contiguous with other relatively large, adjacent expanses of hardwood forest. These are

suitable for bears because they are relatively remote by the above standards and subject to

relatively little human disturbance, particularly those on the Grand Gulf site, because of public

access restrictions. Public access restrictions may protect bears from illegal hunting and

collisions with cars because of the low traffic volume on roads in and around the site. Black

bears are generally highly adaptable and tend to survive in a variety of situations where they

are protected from over-harvesting and other negative interactions with humans. Because

bears coexist readily with humans when provided areas in which they can avoid contact, the

| possibility that Louisiana black bears still inhabit the Grand Gulf site is high (SERI 2005).

| Some Louisiana black bear sightings from the last 8 years (Figure 2-7) were in counties other

| than Claiborne (Franklin, Jefferson, Warren) that are crossed by the transmission line rights-of-

| way (Baxter-Wilson and Franklin). The subspecies is known to occur only in the western most

| portion of Franklin County where hardwood forests are more prevalent (USFS 2005d). The

| subspecies is also known to occur only in the western most portion of Jefferson County near 
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-53 NUREG-1817

Figure 2-7. Black Bear Sightings from the State of Mississippi from 1996 to 2004 (U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Jackson, Mississippi Field Office)
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-54 April 2006

| the Mississippi River (USFS 2005d). The Franklin transmission line right-of-way traverses the

| northeastern portions of Franklin and Jefferson counties and is thus at least 32 km (20 mi)

| distant from the nearest sighting of the Louisiana black bear in these counties. However, the

| subspecies is known to occur along the Mississippi River in Warren County (Figure 2-7) in the

| general area crossed by the Baxter-Wilson transmission line right-of-way.

| Three critical habitat areas totaling about 505,900 ha (1.25 million ac) have been proposed for

| the Louisiana black bear (58 FR 63560): Tensas River Basin, Atchaflaya River Basin

Floodway, and lower Iberia-St. Mary Parish. The proposed critical habitat area nearest the

| Grand Gulf site is the Tensas River Basin, which borders the west bank of the Mississippi River

directly across from the site.

Because of their importance, actual den sites or candidate trees (bald cypress and tupelo gum

[Nyssa sp.] with visible cavities, having a diameter at breast height of 0.9 m (3 ft) and occurring

along rivers, lakes, streams, bayous, sloughs, or other water bodies) in occupied habitat may

| not be harvested (57 FR 588). However, this may not affect the Grand Gulf ESP site because it

is currently unknown whether habitat in this area is occupied and whether bald cypress and/or

tupelo gum trees of this stature exist onsite.

Federally Listed Terrestrial Plant Species

No Federally listed or proposed threatened or endangered terrestrial plant species or

associated designated or proposed critical habitat were identified through consultation with the

| FWS as potentially occurring on or in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf site (FWS 2004a).

2.7.1.3 Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring

Formal terrestrial ecological monitoring has not been conducted on the Grand Gulf site

| since construction of GGNS Unit 1. However, reconnaissance visits to the site were made by

Enercon on behalf of SERI during the weeks of August 19 to 24 and October 29 to

| November 1, 2002 (SERI 2005). The purpose of these visits was to describe the wetlands and

qualitatively compare existing ecological resources with descriptions provided in the MP&L final

environmental report (1973). Information provided in the MP&L final environmental report was

based on formal terrestrial ecological monitoring conducted from June 1972 to August 1973

| prior to construction of the GGNS Unit 1 facility (SERI 2005).

Descriptions of the various types of wetlands found on the Grand Gulf site based on these

reconnaissance visits are provided in Section 2.7.1. There apparently have been no noteworthy

environmental alterations on the Grand Gulf site since construction of GGNS Unit 1 that

contribute significantly to the existing patterns of plant and animal communities described in

Section 2.7.1.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-55 NUREG-1817

Terrestrial ecological monitoring may be performed in support of an application for an ESP. 

Monitoring primarily consists of collecting data used to describe the distribution and abundance

of important species and habitats and environmental changes that may contribute to the

existing patterns of plant and animal communities (NRC 2000).

As noted above, based on Enercon’s 2002 reconnaissance visits (SERI 2005), the vast majority |

of the Grand Gulf site has been left undisturbed since construction of GGNS Unit 1. Thus, no |

monitoring of environmental changes that contribute to existing patterns of plant and animal

communities is needed.

Wetlands are considered an important habitat (NRC 2000). Besides wetlands, no other

important habitats are known to occur on the Grand Gulf site or along its transmission line |

rights-of-way. Wetlands on the Grand Gulf site would be minimally affected by construction |

(see Section 4.4.1) and then restored. |

The only Federally listed species known to inhabit the Grand Gulf site is the Federally |

threatened American alligator. However, the alligator is threatened only because of its similarity

of appearance to the American crocodile. Thus, the threatened classification of the alligator

helps protect the crocodile. American alligator populations are themselves considered disjunct,

limited to available habitat, but stable (52 FR 21059). |

The Federally threatened Louisiana black bear is known to occur within 3.2 km (2 mi)

(MNHP 2004a) of the Grand Gulf site and was documented from the site in the late 1970s

(NRC 1981). Because the site and its immediate environs to the north and south provide a

large block of remote habitat with relatively little human presence, it is very likely Louisiana

black bears still exist onsite. However, its occurrence onsite has not been documented

recently, and no monitoring via field surveys or other methods has been conducted on the

Grand Gulf site or in the near vicinity.

Use of the Grand Gulf ESP site and adjacent areas in upland hardwood forest and bottomland

forested wetlands by Louisiana black bears should be established via field surveys prior to

construction of a new facility at the Grand Gulf site. The Louisiana black bear could be affected |

by construction if present in these areas. Consequently, a plan for pre-construction monitoring

of use of the Grand Gulf ESP site and near vicinity by the Louisiana black bear should be

established in consultation with the FWS, Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office.

2.7.2 Aquatic Ecology

The aquatic resources in the vicinity of the proposed Grand Gulf ESP site are associated with

the major aquatic features of the Grand Gulf site: the Mississippi River and two onsite oxbow

lakes, Hamilton and Gin (Figures 2-1 and 2-2). Also associated with the Grand Gulf site are a
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-56 April 2006

flooded, fabricated borrow pit, three small ponds, and two perennial streams. In addition,

ephemeral drainages and wetlands are found around the site. The Grand Gulf site does not

front on the Big Black River to the north or on the Bayou Pierre River to the south (MP&L 1973;

| SERI 2005).

The habitat of the Mississippi River has the following features: backwater, river bank, and main

channel. The backwater habitat is associated with the large bend in the river at the site, which

creates slow moving, relatively shallow, quiet water. The substrate in the backwaters is loosely

consolidated, silty clay sediment of low plasticity. The river bank habitat is steep with swift

current, consolidated, high-plastic clay substrate, and eroding slopes. In 1979, the river bank

downstream of the discharge structure and barge slip was stabilized with articulated concrete

mats (NRC 1981). The main channel is deep with strong, turbulent currents and coarse-

| grained substrate (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).

Hamilton and Gin are oxbow lakes on the Grand Gulf site. These lakes are what remain of the

former river channel after the Mississippi River moved to the west. Hamilton and Gin lakes are

relatively small and shallow with characteristics similar to the backwater habitat. The surface

area of these lakes has decreased since 1973, and the last estimates made in 2001 indicate

the surface area of Hamilton Lake is 26 ha (64 ac) and Gin Lake is 22 ha (55 ac). The average

depth of these lakes is approximately 2 to 3 m (8 to 10 ft). However, during high-water events,

the Mississippi River submerges these lakes. Hamilton Lake receives water from two perennial

streams, which carry storm water from the existing facility. Gin Lake is connected to Hamilton

| Lake via a culvert beneath Heavy Haul Road (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).

A flooded, fabricated borrow pit north of the barge slip was created in the 1970s when fill was

excavated for use in the construction of GGNS Unit 1. The depth of the pit is not known. The

surface area in 2001 was estimated to be 6.5 ha (16 ac) in size. The pit does not appear to be

| hydrologically connected to the lakes except during high water of the river (SERI 2005).

Before the development of the Grand Gulf site, the three small ponds were constructed onsite

to provide water for cattle stock. At the time of construction of Unit 1, five small ponds existed,

each under 0.8 ha (2 ac) in size. Since 1973, two of the ponds have been filled and no longer

| exist (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).

The two perennial streams onsite are called Streams A and B. Stream A extends west from the

site’s sanitary waste water treatment facility. Currently, Stream A receives continual flow from

facility storm water and processed discharge from the waste water treatment facility. Stream B

extends west from the cooling towers on the south side of Heavy Haul Road. Flow in Stream B

| is intermittent, consisting mostly of storm runoff, and runs into Hamilton Lake. A sedimentation

| basin has been constructed on both Stream A and B, called Outfall 13 and 14, respectively

| (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-57 NUREG-1817

Ephemeral drainages occur on the upland bluffs and eastern portions of the Grand Gulf site. 

These drainages are estimated to be approximately 7358 m (24,140 ft) in length (MP&L 1973;

SERI 2005). |

2.7.2.1 Biological Communities

The staff evaluated the effect of construction and operation of the proposed Grand Gulf ESP

facility on aquatic ecological resources (habitat and wildlife) existing at and in the vicinity of the |

site and along the transmission line rights-of-way. The last time the aquatic resources were |

extensively characterized was from September 1972 to August 1973 during the preconstruction

studies for GGNS Unit 1 (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005). In 2002, two reconnaissance surveys were |

made to assess qualitatively the ecological resources of the Grand Gulf site. No data |

pertaining to aquatic resources on the site or along the transmission line rights-of-way were |

presented. Since the most recent information on aquatic resources summarized in the Final |

Environmental Report (MP&L 1973) is over 30 years old, the staff will obtain (consistent with |

Environmental Standard Review Plan, Chapter 2.4.2 (NRC 2000)) a recent description of the |

aquatic biota in the vicinity of the site and transmission line rights-of-way prior to or during the |

CP or COL phase. |

The studies conducted prior to construction of GGNS Unit 1 characterized the aquatic |

resources in the Mississippi River, Hamilton and Gin lakes, two ponds, and Stream A. A total of

86 fish species were collected, representing 20 families and 42 genera (MP&L 1973; SERI |

2005). The presence of other aquatic species was also reported (MP&L 1973).

Mississippi River

Preconstruction studies from 1972 to 1973 included collections of fish, benthic

macroinvertebrates, and plankton. The characterization of the river was divided into several

habitat types related to the flow rate and substrate: backwater, river bank, and main channel. 

A total of 69 fish species were caught. This was the same number of species found in the

Mississippi River during the same time period at the River Bend Nuclear Station, 232 km |

(144 mi) downstream from GGNS. However, the fish species diversity was less than that |

characterized in the lower Mississippi River prior to the release of endrin (a pesticide) around

Memphis in 1963 to 1964 that resulted in catastrophic fish kills (MP&L 1973).

The dominant species in the Mississippi River based on numbers and weight were gizzard shad

(Dorosoma cepedianum), freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), blue catfish (Ictalurus

furcatus), and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). The numbers varied within the particular |

habitats of the river. In the backwater habitat, the dominant species were gizzard shad, blue

catfish, river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio), freshwater drum, and shovelnose sturgeon

(Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). In the river bank, the dominant fish were gizzard shad,

freshwater drum, silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), flathead catfish, and blue catfish. The
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-58 April 2006

main channel was not easily characterized for dominant species because collection techniques

were hampered by the currents, irregular bed configurations, and bottom associated debris

(MP&L 1973).

| Juvenile fish increased in numbers from March through July. The results indicated that shad

spawned from March through June. Drum appeared to spawn over a shorter period and may

have included two spawning periods. Young-of-the-year for gizzard shad and drum were

highest in June and July. Larval fish were collected in early March. While catfish and suckers

were prominent as adults, they were not among the larvae collected in the river because they

are spawned in backwaters and do not enter the riverine environment until they are juveniles

(MP&L 1973).

Benthic macroinvertebrate populations were most common in the backwaters of the riverine

environment. Dipteran larvae (aquatic true fly larvae), tube-forming worms, and bivalves

(mussels and clams) represented the dominant groups of macroinvertebrates. Where the

river banks were stable (consolidated silt and clay), mayflies were the most common

macroinvertebrate. The 1973 report stated that macroinvertebrates were found in areas where

the river bank was stable, but few or no macroinvertebrates were found where the river bank

| was constantly eroding (MP&L 1973). Nevertheless, in 1981, MP&L concluded that

macroinvertebrates would not colonize areas where the banks were stabilized with articulated

concrete mats (NRC 1981). Macroinvertebrates were also absent in the main channel of the

| river, probably because of strong currents and coarse sand-gravel sediment (MP&L 1973).

Drifting benthic macroinvertebrates were also collected in the river and adjacent backwaters. 

The majority of the drifting macroinvertebrates was composed of dipteran pupae and larvae,

predominantly of the genus Chaoborus. A total of 96 macroinvertebrate taxa were collected in

drift samples (MP&L 1973).

| Another predominant invertebrate was the river shrimp (Macrobrachium ohione). These shrimp

were caught mainly along the river banks with their numbers peaking in October and dropping

from November to April, when water temperatures were coldest (MP&L 1973).

Plankton in the Mississippi River were characterized as zooplankton and phytoplankton. The

density of zooplankton ranged over two orders of magnitude during the study period. A total of

46 taxa were identified, and the dominant taxa changed over time. A stalked protozoan

(Carchesium sp.), various cladocerans, and a colonial rotifer were the dominant zooplankton. 

Fall and spring blooms of phytoplankton were observed. A total of 49 phytoplankton genera

were identified, with centric diatoms being the most dominant (MP&L 1973).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-59 NUREG-1817

Hamilton and Gin Lakes

Preconstruction studies from 1972 to 1973 included collections of fish, benthic

macroinvertebrates, and plankton. Hamilton Lake had 46 fish species, and Gin Lake had

36 species. Several of the fish species in Hamilton and Gin lakes are thought to be from the

Mississippi River. When the river floods the lakes, fish are brought into the area and then are

trapped in the lakes when the flood waters recede. This relationship was demonstrated when

large numbers of young-of-the-year paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) were observed in both

lakes in July 1973, shortly after the river separated from the lakes. After another flood a month

later, the number of paddlefish had decreased (MP&L 1973). The difference in fish diversity

between the two lakes was attributed to the connection of Hamilton to the river during periods

when the river is not at flood stage.

While more species were present in Hamilton Lake, the dominant fish were the same in both

lakes. The top 80 percent of the population was made up of gizzard shad, bluegill (Lepomis

macrochirus), threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), and largemouth bass (Micropterus

salmoides). Several stragglers, fish that normally inhabit the river, were found in Hamilton and

Gin lakes (MP&L 1973).

Benthic macroinvertebrates in Hamilton and Gin lakes more closely resembled the populations

collected in the backwaters of the river. Chironomids, tubificid worms, and bivalves were the

most dominant taxa (MP&L 1973).

The composition and abundance of plankton in Hamilton and Gin lakes varied based on the

frequency and duration of flooding by the river. When the lakes were not flooded, they

developed distinct plankton populations. However, during flood events, the populations more

closely resembled those characterized in the river (MP&L 1973).

Hamilton and Gin lakes did not support vascular aquatic plants in the preconstruction studies. 

The only aquatic plant recorded in the lakes was the big duckweed, Spirodela spp. In

reconnaissance visits in 2002, no emergent vegetation was found in the lakes except along the

periphery (SERI 2005). |

Two Ponds and Stream A

Only fish were sampled in two of the three ponds and Stream A during the GGNS |

preconstruction studies. The source of fish in the ponds is thought to be recruitment from either

Stream A or Stream B. One of the ponds (referred to as “bluff pond 1”) contained only bluegill

and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). The other pond (“bluff pond 2”) contained bluegill,

mosquitofish, and a few channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) (MP&L 1973).
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-60 April 2006

Stream A had 21 species, which consisted of resident fish and those that probably entered the

stream during floods from the river and lakes. The dominant species included bluntnose

minnow (Pimephales notatus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), longear sunfish (Lepomis

| megalotis), silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis), and blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus

olivaceus) (MP&L 1973).

Commercially Important Fisheries

Commercial fishing is limited in the area with most occurring on the Mississippi River near the

Grand Gulf site and on the Big Black and Bayou Pierre rivers. Approximately twelve

commercial fishing operations are in the area. They catch predominately catfish but also

harvest bigmouth (Ictiobus cyprinellus) and smallmouth buffalo fish (Ictiobus bubalus)

| (SERI 2005).

Recreationally Important Fisheries

Recreational fishing occurs on the Mississippi River and Hamilton and Gin lakes. Fishing is

allowed on these lakes; however, access was denied briefly in 2001 to 2002. April through

September are the most popular months for sport fishing with Saturday being the busiest day

of the week. On the weekends from April through September, as many as 200-250 anglers

may be in the vicinity. On the weekdays, the number of anglers may drop to fewer than 150

| depending on weather conditions (SERI 2005). Recreational fishing in the area is from boats

and the bank as well as using trotlines in the lakes. The most common fish caught include

| catfish, bluegill, and bass (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).

Nuisance Species

No reports indicate aquatic nuisance species are in the waters associated with the Grand Gulf

| site (MP&L 1973; NRC 1981; SERI 2005).

Aquatic Resources Associated with Transmission Line Rights-of-Way

| Transmission line rights-of-way for GGNS Unit 1 cross waterways in Claiborne County. The

| Baxter-Wilson right-of-way crosses the Big Black River approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) to the

northeast of the Grand Gulf site. Also, the Baxter-Wilson substation in Warren County is less

| than 0.75 km (0.47 mi) from the shores of the Mississippi River. The Franklin right-of-way

crosses Bayou Pierre approximately 5.5 km (3.4 mi) to the south of the Grand Gulf site. SERI

did not indicate the aquatic resources that could be associated with the waterways crossed by

| these transmission line rights-of-way (SERI 2005). No information on aquatic resources was

available from the transmission and distribution system owner and operator (Entergy

| Mississippi, Inc.) (Entergy Services 2004a). SERI did not indicate the transmission line right-of-

| way maintenance procedures in its environmental report (SERI 2005). However, Entergy
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April 2006 2-61 NUREG-1817

Mississippi, Inc. indicated that the maintenance procedures consist of mechanical means

(primarily bushhogging) that are performed on an as-needed basis (Energy Services 2004b).

State-Listed Species

State-listed threatened and endangered aquatic species that may occur in the vicinity of the

Grand Gulf ESP site are listed in Table 2-8 (MNHP 2004a, 2004b). |

Animal Species

Two State-listed endangered aquatic animal species are known to occur within 3.2 km (2 mi) of |

the Grand Gulf ESP site: the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and crystal darter

(Crystallaria asprella) (Table 2-8). A third State-listed endangered aquatic animal species is |

known to occur between 3.2 km (2 mi) and 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site: the

bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum) (Table 2-8). The pallid sturgeon and bayou darter are also

Federally listed species and are described in Section 2.7.2.2.

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

Permit Site

Scientific Name Common Name Status(a)

Distance from the

Grand Gulf ESP Site Source

Fish

Scaphirhynchus albus pallid sturgeon SE <3.2 km (2 m i) MNHP 2004a

Etheostoma rubrum bayou darter SE <16 km (10 mi) MNHP 2004a

Crystallaria asprella crystal darter SE <3.2 km (2 m i) MNHP 2004a

(a) State status rankings developed by the MNHP (2004a, 2004b); SE = State endangered - animals |

The endangered crystal darter has a historical range throughout the Mississippi, Missouri, and

Ohio rivers. The crystal darter is a large, cigar-shaped fish, which is bi-colored with the lower

half being white or silvery. These fish live in swift areas of sand and gravel raceways of large

rivers. Crystal darters are found in the Bayou Pierre River and tributaries, which flow as close

as 3 km (1.9 mi) east of the Grand Gulf ESP site (Ross 2001; MNHP 2004b; Katula 2004).

Plant Species

No State-listed or proposed threatened or endangered aquatic plant species are known to occur

on or in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site (MNHP 2004a, 2004b; SERI 2005). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-62 April 2006

2.7.2.2 Threatened and Endangered Aquatic Species

FWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries staff

provided information on Federally listed species, including their presence or absence in

Claiborne County and any proposed threatened and endangered aquatic species and

designated and proposed critical habitats that may occur on or in the vicinity of the proposed

| Grand Gulf ESP site (FWS 2004a, 2004b; NMFS 2004). The location information for Federally

listed species within 16 km (10 mi) of the Grand Gulf site was obtained from the MNHP (2004a,

2004b). Table 2-9 presents information on Federally listed aquatic species.

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

Site Permit Site

Scientific Name Common Name Status(a)

Distance from the

Grand Gulf ESP Site Source

Fish

Acipenser oxyrinchus

desotoi

Gulf sturgeon FT <16 km (10 mi) NMFS 2004

| Scaphirhynchus albus pallid sturgeon FE <3.2 km (2 m i) FW S 2004a

Etheostoma rubrum bayou darter FT <16 km (10 mi) FW S 2004a

Molluscs

Potamilus capax fat pocketbook

mussel

FE <16 km (10 mi) FW S 2004b

(a) Federal status rankings developed by FWS and NOAA Fisheries under the Endangered Species Act

| (FWS 2004a, 2004b; NMFS 2004).

FE = Federal endangered

FT = Federal threatened

Federally Listed Aquatic Animal Species

Four Federally listed threatened or endangered aquatic animal species may occur in the vicinity

of the Grand Gulf ESP site. These include the

| C Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) (Ross 2001; NMFS 2004; SERI 2005)

| C Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) (FWS 2004a; SERI 2005)
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April 2006 2-63 NUREG-1817

 C Bayou darter (Etheostoma rubrum) (FWS 2004a; SERI 2005) |

 C Fat pocketbook mussel (Potamilus capax) (FWS 2004b). |

Of the Federally listed species mentioned above, only the pallid sturgeon was collected on the

Grand Gulf site in the 1970s during the last effort to characterize aquatic resources. No known

activities are underway by the Federal government that would change the list of species or add

critical habitats to the list. |

Gulf Sturgeon |

|

The gulf sturgeon has been jointly managed and listed as a threatened species by NOAA |

Fisheries and FWS. Historically, the range for this anadromous sturgeon has included the |

lower Mississippi, where it feeds in the Gulf of Mexico and returns to freshwater for spawning. |

They have a sub-cylindrical body with bony plates, and their snout is greatly extended and |

blade like, with four fleshy barbels in front of its mouth. Their bodies are gray-brown on the |

back and sides, grading to white on their belly. Critical habitat has not been designated for the |

Gulf sturgeon in the lower Mississippi River. Gulf sturgeon have not been collected in the |

region of the Grand Gulf ESP site, but have been collected upstream in the region of Vicksburg. |

The species could be a transient or seasonal migrant (68 FR 13370; FWS MFC 1995; |

Ross 2001; SERI 2005; NMFS 2004). |

Pallid Sturgeon

The pallid sturgeon has a range of more than 5633 km (3500 mi) through the MissouriMississippi River drainage, including the lower Mississippi River. The species was designated

as endangered throughout its entire range in 1990. Pallid sturgeon have a long, uniformly

grayish-white body, flattened, shovel-shaped snout, with a long, slender completely armored

caudal peduncle, and no spiracle. They are found in the main channels of large, highly turbid,

free-flowing rivers with sand flats or gravel bars. Pallid sturgeon mainly feed on other fish.

Little information is available on the spawning or migration habits of the pallid sturgeon except

that they are likely to spawn in the spring and summer months, similar to other North American

sturgeons (55 FR 36641; FWS 1993, 2004a; Ross 2001; LDOTD 2003). |

Pallid sturgeon have been collected in the region of the Grand Gulf ESP site. During the 1972

to 1973 preconstruction studies for the GGNS, a specimen was collected offshore of the site. 

In 2001, trawl surveys were conducted on the lower Mississippi River in the Vicksburg area,

approximately 61 km (38 mi) upstream from the Grand Gulf ESP site. Several pallid sturgeon

were caught in regions with moderate to strong currents, a sand or sand/gravel substrate, and

areas with structure (for example, sand reefs, dunes, or secondary channel) (Ross 2001;

SERI 2005; Hartfield 2003). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-64 April 2006

Bayou Darter

The threatened bayou darter is endemic to the Bayou Pierre River and tributaries,

| approximately 20 km (12 mi) east of the Grand Gulf site. Bayou darters are small (26 to 45 mm

(1.0 to 1.8 in.)), the smallest representative of the subgenus, Nothonotus. The darters live in

| swift, shallow riffles or runs over coarse gravel and pebbles. Based on the known distribution of

| the bayou darter (Ross 2001), the species is likely to inhabit the waters in the vicinity of the

| transmission line right-of-way. Loss of habitat through erosion of the tributaries has been a

| concern (40 FR 44149; FWS 1990a, 2004a; Ross 2001; SERI 2005).

| Fat Pocketbook Mussel

The fat pocketbook mussel was historically found throughout the Mississippi River drainage

from Minnesota to Louisiana. In 1976, the fat pocketbook mussel was designated as

endangered throughout its entire range. The mussel has a shiny, thin to moderately thick,

rounded shell. The shell has an S-shaped hinge and is tan or light brown with no rays. Fat

pocketbook mussels prefer sand, mud, and fine gravel substrate of large rivers. The greatest

impact to the mussel throughout its historical range is from habitat loss and reduction in water

quality. In 2003, the mussel was found near Vicksburg in the Mississippi River, as well as south

| of the Grand Gulf ESP site (41 FR 24062; FWS 1989, 2004b, 2004c).

Federally Listed Aquatic Plant Species

No Federally listed or proposed threatened or endangered aquatic plant, species, or associated

designated or proposed critical habitat are known to occur on or in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf

| ESP site (FWS 2004a; SERI 2005).

2.7.2.3 Aquatic Ecology Monitoring

| NRC does not impose conditions of operation related to water quality, including aquatic

| monitoring requirements. Regulation of water quality under the Clean Water Act (CWA 1977) is

the responsibility of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has delegated

| the NPDES permit program for the State of Mississippi to the MDEQ. NRC’s role is limited to

assessing aquatic impacts as part of its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA 1969)

evaluation. The use of radial collector wells for current intake of Mississippi River water for

operational use has not required the assessment or monitoring of the impacts to aquatic

| organisms under the NPDES permit for operations at GGNS Unit 1. The last monitoring of

aquatic ecology at the Grand Gulf site was part of pre-construction monitoring for GGNS Unit 1

| (MP&L 1973; SERI 2005).

NRC expects SERI to work with the State to develop and implement any required monitoring

programs.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-65 NUREG-1817

2.8 Socioeconomics

The population data for the area affected by the proposed Grand Gulf ESP site are primarily

based on the 2000 U.S. Census, as mapped with the LandView 5 geographic information

system by SERI (SERI 2005). When economic, employment, or population trends were |

analyzed over time, comparisons were made between data from the 1990 U.S. Census and the

2000 U.S. Census. SERI used LandView 5 software to develop the demographic data that are |

used in this section of the EIS. SERI augmented the census data with information from other |

agencies and public organizations in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana (CPRP 2002;

Irwin 1997). The area defined by an 80-km (50-mi) radius from the center of the proposed

power block includes all or a portion of 25 counties and parishes in Mississippi and Louisiana. 

Table 2-10 identifies the counties and parishes.

Table 2-10. Counties and Parishes within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the

Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site

Mississippi Counties Louisiana Parishes

Adams Issaquena Sharkey Caldwell Madison

Am ite Jefferson Simpson Catahoula Richland

Claiborne Lincoln W arren Concordia Tensas

Copiah Madison W ilkinson East Carroll W est Carroll

Franklin Rankin Yazoo Franklin

Hinds

Source: SERI 2005 |

2.8.1 Population Characteristics

Figure 2-8 shows the estimated population in 2002 within 16 km (10 mi) of the location for the

Grand Gulf ESP facility. On this map, the power block for the proposed facility is located in the

center with concentric circles in 1.6-km (1-mi) increments up to 8 km (5 mi) from the proposed

location and then in one 8-km (5-mi) increment up to 16 km (10 mi) from the proposed location. 

Population data for the area surrounding the Grand Gulf ESP site indicate low population

densities and a rural setting. The nearest population center is Port Gibson, Mississippi, located

approximately 10 km (6 mi) to the southeast with a population of 1840 based on the

2000 U.S. Census (USCB 2003). The majority of the population in this area is African

American. Four larger towns are located within 80 km (50 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

Vicksburg, Mississippi, located 40 km (25 mi) to the north-northeast, had a 2000 U.S. Census 
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-66 April 2006

Figure 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)
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-67 NUREG-1817

population of 26,407. Clinton, Mississippi, located to the northeast, and Natchez, Mississippi,

located to the southwest, had 2000 U.S. Census populations of 23,347 and 18,464,

respectively.

Jackson, Mississippi, the largest nearby metropolitan area, located about 88 km (55 mi) |

northeast of the site, had a 2000 U.S. Census population of 184,256. The larger population

centers to the north, northeast, and southwest provide employment, services and entertainment

for the region. Rural communities, similar to Port Gibson, are located throughout the outlying

areas and provide limited services (USCB 2003).

The estimated population for 2002 and the projected populations for 2030 (the projected first |

year of operation) and for each decade for five decades through the year 2070 (the projected |

end of the initial facility license term) are based on the 2000 U.S. Census (see Table H-1 in |

Appendix H). The projected populations for the years 2030 through 2070 for each segment are

based on averages of the population growth projections obtained from the Louisiana State

University and the Mississippi Center of Policy Research and Planning for the Louisiana

parishes and Mississippi counties, respectively. Discussion regarding the population projection

methodology used by the states of Mississippi and Louisiana is provided in Site Safety Analysis

Report Section 2.1.3.1 (SERI 2005). |

Figure 2-9 shows the estimated resident population in 2002 within 16 to 80 km (10 to 50 mi) of |

the Grand Gulf ESP facility. The 2002 projected resident population and the population |

projection for each of five decades from 2030 (the projected first year of facility operation) to

2070 (the projected end of the initial license term) are given in Table H-2 in Appendix H for |

each area shown in Figure 2-9 formed by concentric circles (distance) and the radial lines |

(direction). The basis for estimating the projected population distributions is similar to that

described for the population distribution within the 0- to 16-km (0- to 10-mi) zone.

The resident and transient population is subject to seasonal variations (from visitors to the

Grand Gulf Military Park and hunting camps and from visitors who fish) and daily workday

variations (GGNS Unit 1 employment and other activities of an occasional nature, such as the |

logging crews of forest product company, Anderson-Tully of Vicksburg, Mississippi, who

occasionally work on the company’s owned and leased land within 8 to 16 km (5 to 10 mi) of

the Grand Gulf ESP site) (SERI 2004a). Table 2-11 shows transient population associated with |

recreation and large employers. Although there are a number of large employers in the general |

area of the Grand Gulf ESP, commuting data from the 2000 U.S. Census show that more |

residents commute out of Claiborne, Copiah, Rankin, Jefferson, and Adams County than |

commute in. The four nearest counties (Claiborne, Copiah, Jefferson, and Warren) show net |

out-commuting, so that their daytime working population is less than their resident working |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-68 April 2006

| Figure 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)
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-69 NUREG-1817

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

Location Peak Time County/Parish

Distance from 

GGNS Site

Peak |

Population |

Recreation Visitors

Grand Gulf Military Park Sundays in June and July Claiborne (MS) 2.4 km (1.5 mi) 250-300 |

Warner Tully YMCA Camp May-August Claiborne (MS) 5.6 km (3.5 mi) 120 |

Lake Claiborne Summer Weekends Claiborne (MS) 5.6 km (3.5 mi) 200 |

Lake Bruin State Park Summer Weekends Tensas (LA) 15 km (9.5 mi) -- |

Hunting Camps (Mississippi

Side)

Hunting Season

Weekends

Various Various 4500 |

Hunting Camps (Louisiana

Side)

Hunting Season

Weekends

Various Various 300-400 |

Other Hunters First Day of Gun Hunting Various Various 500-600 |

Anglers Summer Weekends Various Various 200-250 |

Delta Steamboats Summer (Largest Vessel) Various Various 597 |

Vicksburg Area Attractions Summer Weekends Warren (MS) Approx 40 km (25 mi) 9800 |

Selected Major Employers(a)

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station Outage Weekdays Claiborne (MS) -- 800 |

Bruce Hardwood Floors Weekdays Claiborne (MS) 10 km (6 mi) 200 |

Prolon, Inc. Weekdays Claiborne (MS) 10 km (6 mi) 90 |

American Paper Tube Weekdays Claiborne (MS) 10 km (6 mi) 20 |

Alcorn State University Weekdays (Football Game

Days)

Jefferson (MS) 17 km (10.5 mi) ~3300 |

(20,000) |

Panola Company Weekdays Tensas (LA) 19 km (12 mi) 42 |

Texas Road Gin Weekdays Tensas (LA) 19 km (12 mi) 40

(Seasonal) |

LeTourneau, Inc. Weekdays Warren (MS) 24 km (15 mi) 652 |

Cooper Lighting HID Weekdays Warren (MS) 40 km (25 mi) 1005 |

Anderson-Tully Co. Weekdays Warren (MS) 40 km (25 mi) 550 |

Tyson Foods Weekdays Warren (MS) 48 km (30 mi) 650 |

International Paper Company Weekdays Warren (MS) 56 km (35 mi) 370 |

API Outdoors Inc. Weekdays Madison (LA) 56 km (35 mi) 100 |

International Paper Company Weekdays Adams (MS) 56 km (35 mi) 600 |

Dynasteel Corp. Weekdays Adams (MS) 56 km (35 mi) 120 |

Mississippi River Corp. Weekdays Adams (MS) 56 km (35 mi) 100 |

Kelly's Kids Weekdays Adams (MS) 56 km (35 mi) 100 |

La Sevilla Fashions, Inc. Weekdays Franklin (LA) 64 km (40 mi) 250 |

Mastercrafters Corp Weekdays Franklin (LA) 64 km (40 mi) 170 |

American Railcar Industries Weekdays Franklin (MS) 64 km (40 mi) 63 |

Franklin Timber Co. Weekdays Franklin (MS) 64 km (40 mi) 30 |

Alford Lumber Co. Weekdays Franklin (MS) 68 km (42 mi) 30 |

Delphi Weekdays Lincoln (MS) 74 km (46 mi) 617 |

Columbus Lumber Co., LLC Weekdays Lincoln (MS) 74 km (46 mi) 150 |

Keystone-Seneca Wire Cloth

Co.

Weekdays Lincoln (MS) 74 km (46 mi) 120 |

Gatlin Corp., Inc. Weekdays Lincoln (MS) 74 km (46 mi) 72 |

(a) Many of the employees reside within 80 km (50 mi) of the site. Peak population is assumed to be the same |

as employment. |

Source: SERI 2005 |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-70 April 2006

| population (USCB 2005b). SERI calculated a transient population of about 10,700 within 16 km

| (10 mi) of GGNS for 2002. Between 16 and 48 km (10 and 30 mi), the weighted transient

| population for 2002 was estimated at about 14,800 (SERI 2005). Total population (transient

| plus resident population) to 48 km (30 mi) was estimated by SERI at 128,300; this was

| projected to increase to 137,800 by 2030 and to 152,200 by 2070 (SERI 2005). In 2030,

| transient population for 0 to 48 km (0 to 30 mi) was projected at 29,800. By 2070, it was

| projected at 33,000 (vs. 25,500 in 2002). Since much of the projected increase is actually

| double-counted resident population, the staff considers both the estimate for 2002 and the

projections to be overestimates.

2.8.2 Community Characteristics

| The community surrounding the Grand Gulf ESP site is rural, largely minority, low-income, and

| economically isolated (Table 2-12). The county in which the proposed site is located (Claiborne

County, Mississippi) and three of the counties next to the proposed site (Copiah and Jefferson

counties in Mississippi and Tensas Parish in Louisiana) are classified as persistent poverty

counties (Tootle 1999). County poverty estimates in the 2000 U.S. Census indicate that

32.4 percent of individuals are below the poverty level in Claiborne County, compared to the

| state of Mississippi with 19.9 percent of individuals below the poverty level (USCB 2004c).

| Table 2-12. Minority and Low-Income Populations

Percentage

Minority

Percentage

Low Income

| United States 30.9 12.4

| Mississippi 39.3 19.9

| Counties W ithin 50 km (80 mi) 27.9 21.0

| Claiborne County 84.9 32.4

| Port Gibson 80.6 31.3

| Sources: USCB 2003, 2004f

2.8.2.1 Economy

| Approximately 750 people work at GGNS Unit 1, with up to 970 personnel onsite during

| outages (SERI 2005), making Entergy one of the large, stable employers in the four-county

region. Table 2-13 shows an April 2003 distribution of residence locations of SERI’s employees

at GGNS. About 46 percent of the employees lived in Warren County (Vicksburg), about

18 percent in Claiborne County, 15 percent in Hinds County, almost 6 percent in Jefferson

County, over 4 percent each in Copiah and Franklin counties, almost 3 percent in Lincoln

County, and the rest scattered.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-71 NUREG-1817

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

April 2003

Number(a) Percent of Workforce

Claiborne County 125 17.9

Port Gibson 102 14.6

Pattison 12 1.7

Hermanville 10 1.4

Warren County 325 46.4

Vicksburg 325 46.4

Hinds County 106 15.1

Clinton 51 7.3

Jackson 19 2.7

Raymond 11 1.6

Utica 10 1.4

Jefferson County 40 5.7

Fayette 27 3.9

Lorman 13 1.9

Copiah County 31 4.4

W esson 16 2.3

Hazelurst 12 1.7

Franklin County 30 4.3

Natchez 23 3.3

Lincoln County 20 2.9

Brookhaven 19 2.7

Other 23 3.3

Total 700 100.0

(a) The cities listed are those with at least ten resident workers

and are not all of the cities that make up the county total.

Source: SERI 2004a |

Comparisons of county employment statistics by industry type indicate that the total number

of jobs for Claiborne County and the two adjacent Mississippi counties (Copiah and Jefferson)

decreased between 1990 and 2000, offset by gains in Hinds and Warren counties (see

Table 2-14). Several industries experienced severe job decline between 1990 and 2000,

including agriculture, forestry, and fishing jobs (down almost 50 percent); manufacturing;

professional, scientific, management, administrative, waste management, and other services

jobs (each down almost 16 percent); wholesale trade (down 13 percent); finance, insurance,

real estate, and rental and leasing (down 11 percent); and construction (down 2 percent)

(USCB 2004a, 2004e). In contrast, employment in retail trade and entertainment services |

increased by 15 percent; public administration by over 14 percent; transportation and

warehousing, utilities, and information services by 11 percent; and educational, health, and

social services by 10 percent. A study conducted by the Rural Health Works in Mississippi

estimates that employment in the health care sector represents 5.3 percent of the total
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-72 April 2006

Table 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

Mississippi

County

Workers

Employed

1990

Workers

Employed

2000

Percentage

Change in

Workers

Employed

1990-2000

Percentage

Unemployment

Rate 1990

Percentage

Unemployment

Rate 2000

| Claiborne 3,490 2,990 -14.3 15.3 11.8

| Copiah 10,540 10,420 -1.1 9.4 7.7

| Hinds 121,360 125,340 3.3 5.6 4.7

| Jefferson 2,300 2,230 -3.0 22.8 19.5

| W arren 20,780 25,630 23.3 7.5 5.0

| Totals 158,470 166,610 5.1 6.6 5.3

Source: SERI 2004a

workforce within Claiborne County. The study also concludes that local health care services

| typically represent a much larger sector of rural economies than for urban communities

(Berry et al. 2002).

The annual 2004 county labor force data show Claiborne County had an unemployment rate of

10.1 percent as compared to the surrounding four contiguous counties in Mississippi (Copiah,

Hinds, Jefferson, and Warren) and Tensas Parish, Louisiana. The surrounding counties had an

| average unemployment rate of 6.0 percent, and the state of Mississippi had an unemployment

rate of 6.2 percent (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005).

2.8.2.2 Transportation

Transportation routes are limited in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site. The major highway

in the vicinity is U.S. Highway 61, which passes by the existing GGNS to the east-southeast. 

U.S. Highway 61 parallels the Mississippi River from New Orleans, Louisiana to St. Louis,

| Missouri. This highway runs through Port Gibson and is approximately 7.2 km (4.5 mi) from the

Grand Gulf ESP site at the closest point. From the town of Port Gibson, the highway goes

north to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and runs southwest to Natchez, Mississippi.

The Natchez Trace Parkway lies east of Port Gibson and runs southeast to Natchez and

northeast to Clinton, Mississippi. Figure 2-10 shows the estimated average daily traffic count in

| 2000 on roads in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Bald Hill Road has been reconstructed

from Grand Gulf Road to Headly Road to accommodate commercial traffic to/from 
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-73 NUREG-1817

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

(adapted from SERI 2005, Figure 2.5-3) |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-74 April 2006

| Port Claiborne. New highway construction to extend the present path of Highway 18 is

| scheduled for early 2006 (see Figure 2-11). This proposed extension will connect Highway 18

| to Grand Gulf Road, providing additional access to the Grand Gulf ESP site (SERI 2004a;

| Williford, Gearhart, and Knight 2005).

A Kansas City Southern freight train passes within 45 km (28 mi) to the north-northeast of the

site twice daily. The train runs from Vicksburg to Meridian, Mississippi, then returns to

Vicksburg (KCS 2002). No rail line serves Claiborne County or the Grand Gulf site directly

(MDOT 2004b). An active spur line from the Kansas City Southern line runs south from

Vicksburg about 11 km (7 mi).

2.8.2.3 Taxes

Mississippi Code Title 27 addresses taxation of nuclear generating plants and the distribution

of tax revenues from nuclear plants (Mississippi Tax Code 2003). This code states that any

| nuclear generating plant located in the State, which is owned or operated by a public utility

| rendering electric service within the State, is exempt from county, municipal, and district ad

valorem taxes. In lieu of the payment of county, municipal, and district ad valorem taxes, the

| nuclear power plant owner pays the State Tax Commission a sum based on the assessed value

of the nuclear generating plant.

GGNS is taxed by the State for a sum equal to 2 percent of the assessed value but not less

than $20 million annually. At least $7.8 million goes to Claiborne County (SERI 2004c). Of this

amount, $3 million is allocated contingent upon Claiborne County upholding its commitment to

the GGNS offsite emergency plan. The $7.8 million represents roughly 83 percent of all

Claiborne County revenues (Mississippi State 2002).

| The Mississippi State Tax Commission transfers $160,000 annually to the town of Port Gibson

provided that the city maintains its commitment to the GGNS offsite emergency plan. Ten

| percent of the remainder of the payments are transferred from the Mississippi State Tax

Commission to the General Fund of the State. The balance of the tax revenue from the GGNS

| site is transferred to the counties and municipalities in the state of Mississippi where electric

service is provided. The tax revenues are distributed in proportion to the amount of electric

energy consumed by the retail customers in each county, with no county receiving an excess of

20 percent of the funds (Mississippi Tax Code 2003). This distribution, based on energy

consumed, also includes Claiborne County.

Depending on the type of facility (unregulated merchant facility or a facility regulated by the

Public Service Commissions of Mississippi and Louisiana), the tax structure of the Grand Gulf

ESP facility may be similar to the above for GGNS (a regulated facility), or may be some

mutually agreeable amount for an unregulated merchant facility.
April 2006 2-75 NUREG-1817 Figure 2-11. Mississippi Department of Transportation 2002 Road Development Plan (adapted from S

Figure 2.5-4)
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-76 April 2006

2.8.2.4 Aesthetics and Recreation

The Grand Gulf Military Park is located approximately 3 km (2 mi) north of the location

proposed for the Grand Gulf ESP power block and is contiguous to the GGNS site. The park is

open daily and had over 88,000 visitors in 2001. The highest volume of guests visit the park on

Sundays while Saturday is typically the second largest attendance day. The park is most

heavily used during the months of June and July when 250 to 300 people visit the site per day,

depending on the weather conditions (SERI 2004a).

| The Warner-Tully YMCA Camp consists of 44 ha (108 ac) of land located approximately

| 5 km (3 mi) northeast of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Approximately 800 campers use the WarnerTully Camp facilities each year. The YMCA camp is open from late May to the end of August

(SERI 2004a).

Lake Claiborne is a private development of residential and recreational facilities, located

| approximately 5 km (3 mi) east of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Lake Claiborne, Inc., has a total of

about 450 members who have access to the lake and picnic area. There are 51 permanent

residents in the development. A maximum of 200 people use these facilities on a summer

| weekend (SERI 2005).

| Lake Bruin State Park consists of 21 ha (53 ac) located on the shore of Lake Bruin, Louisiana,

approximately 15 km (9.5 mi) southwest of the proposed site. From July 2001 to June 2002,

the park had approximately 36,000 visitors (SERI 2004a).

There are approximately 150 hunting camps within Claiborne County. These camps are

primarily used for deer hunting and other types of hunting as well as sport fishing. The camps

are too numerous to estimate an accurate number of people who use them. Each camp,

depending on the size of the camp, could have up to 20-30 hunters on a weekend day during

hunting season (SERI 2004a).

Several hunting clubs are located across the Mississippi River from the Grand Gulf ESP site in

Tensas Parish, Louisiana. About 300 to 400 deer and duck hunters are members of these

clubs (SERI 2004a).

Deer season in Mississippi traditionally opens early in October for archery and late November

for guns. The season continues through early January. The greatest number of hunters,

| approximately 500 to 600, typically hunt within the vicinity on the first day of gun season. After

the opening weekend, approximately 70 percent of the hunting population use the camps until

the end of the season in early January (SERI 2004a). Louisiana deer season is similar in

duration to that of Mississippi, beginning in early October and ending in late January

(LFWS 2004).
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-77 NUREG-1817

Sport fishing in the area occurs in the months of April through September with Saturday being

the busiest day of the week. As many as 200 to 250 anglers may be in the vicinity on |

weekends during the months noted. The number of anglers may drop to fewer than 150 during

the week, depending on the weather conditions (SERI 2004a).

The Delta Queen Steamboat Company operates three paddle wheel tour boats on the

Mississippi River: the Delta Queen (174 passengers), the Mississippi Queen (416 passengers),

and the American Queen (436 passengers) (DQSC 2004a). Scheduled departures and ports of

call indicate that these vessels pass the Grand Gulf ESP site several times during the season,

from April through November (DQSC 2004b).

The GGNS site is visible from Grand Gulf Military Park and the existing natural draft cooling |

tower is visible from the Mississippi River. Otherwise, the site is well screened by topography

and forested areas surrounding it. The Grand Gulf ESP site is therefore already aesthetically

altered by the presence of an existing nuclear power plant and cooling tower. |

2.8.2.5 Housing

There were 226,000 occupied housing units reported in the 2000 U.S. Census for the counties

that currently supply workers to the GGNS. Table 2-15 provides regional housing information

by county for these counties. U.S. Census data for 2000 indicates 567 vacant housing units are |

located within Claiborne County, representing 13 percent of the total housing in the county

(USCB 2004d). In the ten-county area, 21,760 housing units were reported as vacant for the |

2000 U.S. Census. Based on the vacancy numbers, no overall housing shortage appears to

exist in the region, although availability is more limited in Claiborne County and Jefferson

County. From 2000 to 2004, mortgage loan amounts (a proxy for housing prices) in Claiborne |

County have risen slowly in a thin market, indicating little activity but no evidence of declining |

values (Section 5.1.1). |

2.8.2.6 Public Services

Water Supply and Waste Treatment

Port Gibson Water Works supplies Port Gibson with municipal water and sewer services. 

Approximately 95 percent of Port Gibson’s population is connected to the municipal water and

sewer system, which is presently at 90 percent capacity. Operational averages for the water

and sewer services provided by Port Gibson Water Works are provided in Table 2-16.

GGNS has its own water and sewage facility. The GGNS currently operates at about one-third

capacity during normal operation and two-thirds capacity during outages. The facility consumes

379,000 L/d (100,000 gpd) of water for general operations and separately uses 189,000 L/day

(50,000 gpd) for the activated sludge system (SERI 2005). |
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-78 April 2006

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

Mississippi

County

Total Housing

Unit Occupied

Owner

Occupied

Renter

Occupied

Vacant

Housing

Seasonal/

Recreational

| Adams 15,175 13,677 9,615 4,062 1,498 176

| Claiborne 4,252 3,685 2,956 729 567 149

| Copiah 11,101 10,142 8,107 2,035 959 176

| Franklin 4,119 3,211 2,764 447 908 434

| Hinds 100,287 91,030 58,131 32,899 9,257 421

| Jefferson 3,819 3,308 2,658 650 511 169

| Lincoln 14,052 12,538 9,788 2,750 1,514 205

| Madison 28,781 27,219 19,288 7,931 1,532 203

| Rankin 45,070 42,089 32,471 9,618 2,981 393

| Warren 20,789 18,756 12,785 5,971 2,033 199

| Total 247,445 225,655 158,563 67,092 21,760 2,525

| Source: USCB 2004d

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

Units

Maximum

Well Water

Capacity

Average

Well Water

Consumption

Peak

Well Water

Consumption

Water

Storage

Capacity

Sewer

Capacity

Liters/Day 3.8 million 3,000,000 3,600,000 2,840,000 760,000

Gallons/Day 1 million 800,000 950,000 750,000 200,000

| Source: SERI 2005

Police, Fire, and Medical

The Claiborne County Sheriff’s department handles the present duties for law enforcement

within the immediate (8-km (5-mi)) area of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Additional law

enforcement resources from the town of Port Gibson assist when needed. GGNS maintains its

| own security force to handle security within the Grand Gulf site property boundaries.
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-79 NUREG-1817

Fire capabilities are maintained by Claiborne County Fire Department along with the volunteer

fire department from the town of Port Gibson. GGNS Unit 1 maintains an emergency response

team onsite, including a fire brigade to respond to fires within the facility buildings and

structures.

Emergency planning responsibilities are assigned to a number of departments and agencies. 

Federal, State, and local officials will implement appropriate protective actions in case of an |

emergency (MDOT 2004a; Scott 2004). The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department has

performed adequately in all of its offsite emergency responsibilities in Federal Emergency

Management Agency emergency planning exercises. However, with a staff of only nine

deputies, the department has concerns about the adequacy of its staffing to cover

simultaneously its emergency responsibilities at GGNS as well as offsite evacuation in the

event of actual emergencies (Scott 2004).

The Claiborne County Hospital has 32 beds. The staff consists of five doctors, ten registered

nurses, six nurse’s aides, and three X-ray technicians (SERI 2004a). Information for hospitals

located in the adjoining counties is listed in Table 2-17 (SERI 2004a). The local hospital does

not have the full range of services available all of the time. A Mississippi Department of Health |

publication in 2003 indicated that Claiborne County is a health professional shortage area |

(MDH 2005a). Residents of Claiborne County obtain a significant proportion of their hospital |

services in Vicksburg rather than locally (Berry et al. 2002). In an emergency, the Claiborne

County Hospital has the space, equipment, and staff to handle about three to four casualties at

a time. It has one decontamination room (14 years old) that is not co-located with the

emergency room. Claiborne County officials are concerned this is not sufficient should there be

an emergency at the Grand Gulf ESP facility. They believe their communications and

transportation capability to evacuate patients is not adequate. County officials do have verbal

agreements and are in contact with other licensed facilities within 96 km (60 mi) and believe |

that emergency responders would come to help from other counties, but they would like to have

much more capability under local control (Scott 2004).

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

County

Number of

Hospitals Number of Beds

Claiborne 1 32

Copiah 1 49

Hinds 6 2468

Jefferson 1 30

W arren 2 354

Total 11 2933

Source: SERI 2004a
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NUREG-1817 2-80 April 2006

2.8.2.7 Education

Claiborne County and the four adjacent counties in Mississippi contain 114 primary and

| secondary schools with a student population of 61,097 (see Table 2-18).

Table 2-18. Number of Students and Public Primary and Secondary

Schools in Mississippi Counties Surrounding the

Grand Gulf Early Site Permit Site

Mississippi County

Number of

Schools Student Population

| Claiborne 4 2,011

| Copiah 6 4,911

| Hinds 85 43,281

| Jefferson 5 1,714

| W arren 14 9,180

| Total 114 61,097

Source: NCES 2002

2.9 Historic and Cultural Resources

This section discusses the cultural background and the known and potential historic and cultural

resources at the Grand Gulf ESP site and surrounding environs of Claiborne County.

2.9.1 Cultural Background

The area in and around the Grand Gulf ESP site has a rich history and has demonstrated the

presence of significant prehistoric and historic cultural resources. Thirty-five sites in Claiborne

| County are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, sixteen of which are

| located within the 16-km (10-mi) vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site (SERI 2005). These are

mostly historic buildings, homes, churches, and cemeteries.

| One site, the Grand Gulf Military Park, a 162-ha (400-ac) park listed in the National Register of

Historic Places, is located adjacent to the GGNS. Within the park are archaeological deposits,

standing structures, objects, and artifacts from the historic town of Grand Gulf and from Civil

War events that occurred in the area. Files at the Mississippi Department of Archives and

| History indicate that a total of 13 archaeological sites, including the park site, are within 3 km

(2 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site, none of which are eligible for listing on the National Register

of Historic Places.
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April 2006 2-81 NUREG-1817

Although no prehistoric sequence has been published for the immediate area, the general

sequence for the region can be described as follows:

 C 10,000 - 8000 B.C. During this period, the area was sparsely inhabited by peoples |

typically referred to as big-game hunters.

 C 8000 - 2000 B.C. People developed a more generalized hunting and gathering

economy and spread throughout the Mississippi valley. People would move from place

to place, obtaining foods and other items as they became seasonally available.

 C 2000 B.C. - A.D. 1000. The economy changed from seasonal food gathering to settled

life. Small villages developed around mounds of earth constructed by the people to bury

their dead.

 C A.D. 1000 - 1542. The economy added farming crops, such as corn, beans, and

squash. Earth mounds developed into flat-topped “temple” mounds as population

densities increased.

 C A.D. 1542 - ca.1650. Diseases brought on by contact with Europeans led to massive

epidemics, decimating the local American Indian populations.

Settlement by non-Indians increased throughout the 1700s as settlers moved into the frontier. 

American Indian groups such as the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Natchez, Tunica, and others resisted

the new inhabitants but eventually abandoned traditional lands, moving to areas where they

were less threatened by the dominant population. During this time, Mississippi went from being

a French possession to an English possession in 1763, to a Spanish possession in 1781, and

eventually to the United States in 1795. Mississippi became a U.S. Territory in 1798, and

achieved statehood in 1817 (Headley 1996).

Port Gibson was founded in 1783 as the first settlement in the general area, serving the

surrounding rural farms, where the main crops grown were cotton, corn, field peas, oats, and

sweet potatoes (Hendrickson and McKeehen 1926). In 1802, the residents organized Claiborne

County, which became the second area in Mississippi to achieve this status. By this time, the

area was populated mainly by Anglo-Americans from the east and peoples of African descent. 

A second shipping point, Grand Gulf, formed in 1833. Grand Gulf eventually decreased in

importance and faced heavy erosion in later years. An important Civil War battle occurred

there in 1861 (Bearss 1989).
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NUREG-1817 2-82 April 2006

2.9.2 Historic and Cultural Resources at the Grand Gulf ESP Site

| When the original GGNS site was planned, an archaeological survey of the 850-ha (2100-ac)

| proposed site was commissioned by MP&L. The survey, performed by the Mississippi

Department of Archives and History, identified eight prehistoric sites on the GGNS site

(Brookes and Inmon 1973). Seven of the sites were scatters of lithic and ceramic debris and

were not considered important enough for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. 

These sites are designated 22-Cb-523 though 22-Cb-529, using the Smithsonian

archaeological site numbering system. These sites were located in the zone of construction

and were likely destroyed or are located outside the Grand Gulf ESP site.

| Three sites not located in an area of proposed construction have been investigated: Grand

| Gulf Mound, Callendar House, and the Grand Gulf and Port Gibson railroad. Grand Gulf

| Mound (22-Cb-522), the eighth prehistoric site, was considered important enough to excavate. 

| This was a burial mound located on a terrace on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. 

| More than half the mound had been damaged by artifact collectors and other activities by the

| time Mississippi Department of Archives and History visited it in 1972 (Brookes 1976). 

| Following the recommendation of the Department, MP&L fenced the mound. The Department

commenced excavation soon thereafter. The investigators concluded this was an early

Marksville burial mound dating from approximately A.D. 50 to A.D. 200. Evidence indicated an

affinity to peoples in the north, probably the Illinois Valley. Today the fence is still standing, but

little remains of the mound.

| In addition to the archaeological investigations conducted prior to construction of GGNS, MP&L

| commissioned a survey of the existing architectural resources of Claiborne County

(Douglas 1974). One resource, the Callendar House, a mid-19th | century simple Greek Revival

house unique to the county, was located on the eastern portion of the GGNS (Douglas 1974). 

The house was built by C.D. and Lizzie Hamilton about 1866 and later owned by the Maxwell

| brothers and finally the Callendar family (Headley 1996). In the early 1970s, the house was in

| poor condition, and despite an interest in preserving the house, it did not survive. NRC staff

| inspected the house location on April 13, 2004 (Stapp 2004). Portions of the Callendar House

| site had been quarried for soil, and no evidence of the house was found on the surface. A

| barn, ca. 1920s, was still standing and evidence of roads and fields remained. The Callendar

| House site is considered an unrecorded archaeological resource, as subsurface archaeological

| deposits probably exist. However, the site likely would not be considered eligible for listing on

| the National Register of Historic Places because of a lack of integrity.

Finally, a 100-m (300-ft) segment of an important 19th | century historic railroad, known as the

Grand Gulf and Port Gibson Railroad, still exists within the site boundary and was inspected by

NRC staff on April 13, 2004 (Stapp 2004). The steel rails are gone, but the railroad bed exists

in good condition; it is not located in an area proposed for new construction. Discussions with
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April 2006 2-83 NUREG-1817

Mississippi Department of Archives and History personnel indicate this would not be the best

representative portion of the railroad to preserve and, therefore, no mitigation would likely be

required should this portion be affected during facility construction (Stapp 2004).

2.9.3 Historic and Cultural Resources Consultation

To meet consultation requirements found in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as

amended, and NEPA, the NRC staff elected to integrate its compliance with the National |

Historic Preservation Act with its NEPA review, in accordance with 36 CFR 800.8. The NRC |

staff informed the public about the ESP application and consulted with various entities. A public |

scoping meeting for the EIS was held on January 21, 2004, in Port Gibson. No comments |

specific to historic or cultural resources were made at the meeting. |

As part of the NEPA/National Historic Preservation Act integrated review, the NRC staff initiated |

consultation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the Mississippi Department of

Archives and History, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the Choctaw Nation of

Oklahoma, and the Tunika Biloxi Indian Tribe of Louisiana (NRC 2004q, 2004r, 2004s, 2004t, |

2004u, respectively). None of the organizations identified deficiencies in the NRC staff’s |

identification and assessment of the effects of the proposed action on any historic or cultural |

resources. |

On April 14, 2004, the NRC staff met with staff from the Grand Gulf Military Park to discuss

potential visual effects of the proposed cooling tower and any other issues of concern; no

concerns were identified (Stapp 2004).

NRC staff also initiated discussions with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

and the Vicksburg National Military Park to understand potential impacts on historic and cultural

resources. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History recommended that if

construction efforts were to occur in two specific areas, one located north and one southwest of |

the GGNS, archaeological investigations should be undertaken prior to construction |

(SERI 2005) (see Section 4.6). Staff affiliated with the Vicksburg National Military Park |

indicated that it was unlikely that any significant Civil War-era resources would be affected by |

the planned activities (SERI 2005). |

2.10 Environmental Justice

Environmental justice refers to a Federal policy under which each executive agency identifies

and addresses, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse impacts on human health
Affected Environment

(a) Minority categories are defined as: American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian or

other Pacific Islander; Black races; Hispanic ethnicity; and “other,” considered a separate m inority

| category. The 2000 U.S. Census included multi-racial data. Some minority populations can be

composed of one or more minority races (USCB 2005a).

(b) NRC also issued a policy statement on Environmental Justice and an update to LIC 203 (see

69 FR 52040 and NRC 2004a, respectively).

(b) A census block group is a combination of census blocks, which are statistical subdivisions of a census

tract. A census block is the smallest geographic entity for which the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB)

collects and tabulates decennial census information. A census tract is a small, relatively permanent

statistical subdivision of counties delineated by local comm ittees of census data users in accordance

with USCB guidelines for the purpose of collecting and presenting decennial census data. Census

block groups are subsets of census tracts (USCB 2004b).

(d) Low-income households should be identified using the annual statistical poverty threshold from the

| U.S. Census Bureau (NRC 2004a).

NUREG-1817 2-84 April 2006

or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority(a) or low-income

populations. Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629) directs Federal executive agencies to

| consider environmental justice under NEPA. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has

provided guidance for addressing environmental justice (CEQ 1997). Although it is not subject

to the Executive Order, the Commission has voluntarily committed to undertake environmental

justice reviews. The staff uses as guidance the NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

office instruction number LIC-203 (NRC 2001(b)).

The staff examined the geographic distribution of minority and low-income populations within

| 80 km (50 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site, employing the 2000 U.S. Census for minority and

| low-income populations (USCB 2004e). The populations within 80 km (50 mi) of the Grand Gulf

ESP site encompassed parts of sixteen counties in Mississippi and nine parishes in Louisiana. 

The staff supplemented its analysis by field inquires to county planning departments, social

| service agencies, and county personnel in Claiborne, Jefferson, and Warren counties in

| Mississippi. NRC guidance encourages supplemental inquiries to ensure that minority and lowincome groups are not overlooked.

For the purpose of the staff’s review, a minority population is defined to exist if the percentage

of each minority, or aggregated minority category within the census block groups(c) potentially

affected by the ESP for the Grand Gulf ESP site, exceeds the corresponding percentage of

| minorities in the entire state of Mississippi or Louisiana by 20 percent, or if the corresponding

percentage of minorities within the census block group is at least 50 percent. A low-income

population is defined to exist if the percentage of low-income population within a census block

group exceeds the corresponding percentage of low-income population in the entire state of

Mississippi or Louisiana (as applicable) by 20 percent, or if the corresponding percentage of

low-income population within a census block group is at least 50 percent.(d)
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April 2006 2-85 NUREG-1817

The staff followed the convention of employing 2000 U.S. Census block group data to identify |

minority and low-income block groups within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf ESP

site. Using this convention, the 80-km (50-mi) radius includes 129 census block groups for

minority populations and 34 census block groups for low-income populations. Both Mississippi

and Louisiana have relatively large percentages of low-income and minority persons. 

Figures 2-12 and 2-13 (which are based on the 20 percent and 50 percent rules described in

this section) show those areas that have exceptionally high minority populations and

exceptionally high proportions of low-income households within the 80-km (50-mi) radius of the |

Grand Gulf ESP site. Minority populations are present in all of the counties and parishes within

the 80-km (50-mi) radius of the Grand Gulf ESP site. Minority populations are primarily

concentrated on the Mississippi side of the river in Claiborne and Jefferson counties, and Hinds

County has the largest number of minorities. Claiborne County is entirely composed of minority

block groups and contains 10 of the 129 block groups containing exceptionally significant

minority populations.

Data from the 2000 U.S. Census characterize low-income populations within the 80-km (50-mi) |

radius of the Grand Gulf ESP site. The United States’ percentage of low income population

was 12.4 percent in the 2000 U.S. Census, while in Louisiana it was 19.2 percent and in |

Mississippi 19.9 percent (USCB 2004e). Applying the NRC criterion of “more than 20 percent |

greater than the state” yields the census block groups containing exceptionally high

percentages of low-income households. Figure 2-13 shows these locations of the exceptionally

high percentages of low-income populations within 80 km (50 mi) of the Grand Gulf ESP site. 

In fact, most of the area near the proposed site, especially Claiborne and Jefferson counties,

has percentages of low-income populations in the range of 20 to 30 percent of the population. 

Nine out of 10 census block groups in Claiborne County, 17 out of 24 in Copiah County, 5 out |

of 6 in Jefferson County, 12 out of 18 in Concordia Parish, and 6 out of 7 in Tensas Parish have

low-income persons making up more than 20 percent of the population. The heaviest

concentrations of low-income populations are in southern Claiborne County, central Jefferson

County, and eastern Tensas and Concordia parishes (USCB 2004e). |

Data were gathered on the health status of the total and Black/African American populations in |

Claiborne County and were compared with data available at the state and national level. Data |

are shown in Table 2-19. Local death rate data are not available by income level. |

Although Table 2-19 does not show directly age-adjusted cancer death rates by sex, the low |

combined rates for both sexes are low enough that the age-adjusted cancer death rates are |

likely to be somewhat lower for Claiborne County residents of both sexes than for either |

Mississippi or for the United States as a whole. Moreover, the Black/African American |

population has a lower death rate due to cancer than the total population in Claiborne County, |

whereas elsewhere in Mississippi and in the nation the rate for Blacks/African Americans is |

higher. The comparison of infant mortality rates in the county is not meaningful because of the |
NUREG-1817 2-86 April 2006

Figure 2-12. Minority Populations within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit S

| SERI 2005, Figures 2.5-6, 2.5-7)
April 2006 2-87 NUREG-1817 Figure 2-13. Low-Income Populations within 80 Kilometers (50 Miles) of the Grand Gulf Early Site Permit S

(adapted from SERI 2005, Figures 2.5-8, 2.5-9) 
Affected Environment

NUREG-1817 2-88 April 2006

| very low numbers of white births (9) and infant deaths (3), although the derived white death

| rates are considerably higher than in the state or the nation. However, a major risk factor for

| death for infants is low birth weight, which can be related to poverty (and often, teen

| pregnancy), but is not usually related to environmental emissions. Out of 142 births in 2003,

| Claiborne County had 28 illegitimate teen births and 12 immature births (infant less than

| 2500 grams). The statistics on overall causes of death in the population show rates similar to

| those in Mississippi and the nation, with slightly lower overall local rates for Blacks/African

| Americans than for the population as a whole. Although the number of deaths in the County is

| small and casts doubt on the statistical significance of the derived rates by cause, the county

| heart disease and cancer death rates for Blacks/African Americans are below corresponding

| state and national rates and also are below those for whites in the county. The local black rate

| of death due to stroke is near the national black rate, which is significantly higher than the rate

| for the white population. In the county, the white rate (representing 3 individuals) is above that

| for blacks (7 individuals). The 10 accidental deaths in the county in 2003 yielded accidental

| death rates considerably above state and national rates. There were only 7 deaths due to

| chronic lung disease in the county, with derived white rates higher than those for the

| Black/African American population. Overall, based on death statistics, there is not any

| evidence that the Black/American population in Claiborne County is less healthy than the local

| white population, the population of the state, or that of the nation. In particular, there is no

| evidence in the health statistics of environmental conditions that make the Black/African

| American population exceptionally vulnerable.

| Data were also gathered on subsistence hunting and fishing practices. There are no known

| studies of exceptional levels of hunting and fishing activity among minority and low-income

| individuals that directly relate to the nearest counties and to the Mississippi River. There is one

| study that was published in 1996 that attempted to identify, describe, and classify sport and

| subsistence fishing associated with rivers in the Delta region of Mississippi and to identify,

| describe, and classify how fish caught from rivers are used in Delta communities (Brown et al.

| 1996). The study collected responses on fishing from a stratified random sample of households

| in Charleston and Marks, Mississippi and a 16-km (10-mi) radius around each town. Activity

| centered mainly on the Yazoo and Tallahatchie Rivers. About 124 (37 percent) of the 336

| respondents had fished in the previous year. Of these, 34 (27 percent) were white males,

22 (18 percent) were white females, 16 (13 percent) were black males, and 43 (35 percent)

| were black females. Twenty-eight (22.5 percent) of the active fishing population stated a

| preference to fish rivers. Both the survey and qualitative data showed local rivers are primarily

| the province of white commercial fishers and catfishers. Other groups tended to use ponds and

| lakes. Primary fish sought (roughly in order of preference) by both groups were catfish, crappie

| (Pomoxis sp.), bass, and bream. Bream were more popular among blacks than whites and

| bass more popular among whites than blacks. Whites were somewhat more likely than blacks

| to use boats (and bass preference was strongly associated with boat fishing), but over

| 70 percent of both groups fished from the bank. Both whites and blacks tended to keep their 
Affected Environment

April 2006 2-89 NUREG-1817

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

Mississippi, and United States

Claiborne County (2003) |

(a) Mississippi (2003) United States (2002)

Total

Population

Black/AfricanAmerican

Population(b)

Total

Population

Black/AfricanAmerican

Population

Total

Population

Black/AfricanAmerican

Population

Age-Adjusted Cancer Deaths (rate per 100,000 population) |

Male (For county, |

both sexes) |

182.6 173.1 303.8 371 247.5 339.4

Female Note: County Rates Not |

 Available by Sex

169.5 192.4 165.5 194.3

Infant Mortality (rate per 1,000 live births)

All Causes 21.1 22.6 10.3 14.8 7 14.4 |

Selected Leading Causes of Death (age adjusted rates per 100,000 population)

All Causes 900 810 980 830 845.3 1083.3 |

Diseases of Heart 304.3 244.3 300.6 244.2 240.8 308.4 |

Malignant |

Neoplasms |

182.6 173.1 205.6 171.6 193.5 238.8

Cerebrovascular |

Diseases |

86.9 71.3 59.8 54.8 56.2 76.3

Emphysema and |

Chronic Lower |

Respiratory |

Diseases |

60.8 50.9 48.1 18.2 43.5 31.2

Accidents 86.9 81.4 57.2 44.7 36.9 36.9 |

(a) There were 142 total births to Claiborne County residents in 2003, 9 white and 133 non-white. There were no |

white infant deaths and 3 non-white. Thus, rates are unreliable for the county due to small sample size. |

(b) County rates are for the "non-white" population. In the case of Claiborne County, the non-white population is |

overwhelmingly Black/African-American. |

Sources: Kochanek et al. 2004; MDH 2005a, 2005b |

catch for later consumption. Blacks were slightly more likely to eat their catch themselves the |

same day it was caught, give the fish away to relatives, sell or swap fish, or bring the fish to |

“fish fry” social events, while whites were more likely to freeze their catch for later consumption. |

2.11 Related Federal Projects

The staff reviewed the possibility that activities of other Federal agencies might affect the

granting of an ESP to SERI. Any such activities could result in cumulative environmental
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NUREG-1817 2-90 April 2006

impacts and the possible need for a Federal agency to become a cooperating agency for

preparation of the EIS (10 CFR 51.10(b)(2)).

After reviewing the Federal activities in the vicinity of the Grand Gulf ESP site, the staff

determined that there were no Federal project activities that would make it desirable for another

Federal agency to become a cooperating agency for preparation of this EIS. Future Federal

| actions related to this project include permits and licenses that may be required at the time of a

| CP or COL application. Other Federal actions may be required at the CP or COL stage, such

| as transmission-related studies by FERC. However, these activities have not been started and

will be evaluated at the CP or COL stage. In summary, no other Federal activities or projects

| are associated with the ESP application.

This review identifies any related Federal activities that may, by granting the ESP, contribute to

| potential cumulative effects within the site, vicinity, or region. In the case of the proposed

Grand Gulf ESP, an additional nuclear facility at the GGNS site would create a situation where

the potential for cumulative effects might increase when considering the overlap of the affected

regions of the ESP facility, GGNS Unit 1, and River Bend Nuclear Station. As such, the 80-km

| (50-mi) region around the ESP site would encompass portions of Adams, Amite, Franklin, and

Wilkinson counties in Mississippi, and Concordia Parish in Louisiana. These areas would be

within the 80-km (50-mi) region of 3 nuclear power stations if a new nuclear facility was

constructed at the Grand Gulf ESP site. Similar overlaps of regions exist at the alternative sites

| considered. No other related Federal activities or cooperating agencies that affect facility siting

or water supply have been identified.

2.12 References

10 CFR Part 20. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 20, “Standards for

Protection Against Radiation.”

10 CFR Part 50. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 50, “Domestic Licensing

of Production and Utilization Facilities,” Appendix I, “Numerical Guides for Design Objectives

and Limiting Conditions for Operation to Meet the Criterion ‘As Low As is Reasonably

Achievable’ for Radioactive Material in Light-Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Reactor Effluents.”

10 CFR Part 51. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 51, “Environmental

Protection Regulations for Domestic Licensing and Related Regulatory Functions.”

10 CFR Part 100. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 100, “Reactor

Site Criteria.”
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April 2006 2-91 NUREG-1817

18 CFR Part 35. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 18, Conservation of Power and Water

Resources, Part 35, “Filing of Rate Schedules and Tariffs,” Section 28(f), “Standardization of

Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures.” |

40 CFR Part 81. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 81,

“Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes.”

40 CFR Part 190. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, Part 190,

“Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Nuclear Power Operations.”

40 FR 44149. September 25, 1975. “Lists of Endangered and Threatened Fauna; Final

Listing.” Federal Register.

41 FR 24062. June 14, 1976. “Endangered Status for 159 Taxa of Animals.” Federal

Register. 

49 FR 7332. February 28, 1984. “U.S. Breeding Population of the Wood Stork Determined to |

be Endangered.” Federal Register. |

52 FR 21059. June 4, 1987. “Reclassification of the American Alligator to Threatened Status |

Due to Similarity of Appearance Throughout the Remainder of Its Range.” Federal Register. |

55 FR 36641. September 6, 1990. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants;

Determination of Endangered Status for the Pallid Sturgeon; Final Rule.” Federal Register.

57 FR 588. January 7, 1992. “Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Threatened Status for the |

Louisiana Black Bear and Related Rules.” Federal Register. |

58 FR 63560. December 2, 1993. “Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Louisiana |

Black Bear.” Federal Register. |

59 FR 7629. February 16, 1994. “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority

Populations and Low-Income Populations.” Federal Register. |

64 FR 36454. July 6, 1999. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule

to Remove the Bald Eagle in the Lower 48 States from the List of Endangered and Threatened

Wildlife, Proposed Rule.” Federal Register.

68 FR 13370. March 19, 2003. “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation |

of Critical Habitat for the Gulf Sturgeon; Final Rule.” Federal Register. |
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| 69 FR 52040. August 24, 2004. “Policy Statement on the Treatment of Environmental Justice

| Matters in NRC Regulatory and Licensing Actions.” Federal Register.

Bearss, E.C. 1989. Rebel Victory at Vicksburg. Reprint of 1963 edition, Broadfoot Publishing

Company, Wilmington, North Carolina.

Beausoleil, R.A. 1999. Population and Spatial Ecology of the Louisiana Black Bear in a

Fragmented Bottomland Forest. M.S. Thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

| Berry, L.S., S. Spurlock, and J. Schmidt. 2002. Measuring the Impact of the Health Care

Sector on a Local Economy: Claiborne County, Mississippi. Information Report 2002-008,

Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Rural Health, Jackson, Mississippi.

Boersen, M.R. 2001. Abundance and Density of Louisiana Black Bears on the Tensas River

National Wildlife Refuge. M.S. Thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Brookes, S.O. 1976. The Grand Gulf Mound Salvage Excavation of an Early Burial Mound in

Claiborne County, Mississippi. Archaeological Report No. 1, Mississippi Department of

Archives and History, Jackson, Mississippi.

Brookes, S.O. and B. Inmon. 1973. Archaeological Survey of Claiborne County, Mississippi. 

Mississippi Archaeological Survey Report No. 3, Mississippi Department of Archives and

History, Jackson, Mississippi.

| Brown, R.B., J.F. Toth, and D.C. Jackson. 1996. Sociological Aspects of River Fisheries in the

| Delta Region of Western Mississippi. August 1, 1993-July 31, 1996 Completion Report. Grant

| No. F-108, Freshwater Report Number 154. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and

| Parks, Jackson, Mississippi.

Carr, J.E., E.B. Chase, R.W. Paulson, and D.W. Moody. 1990. National Water Summary

1987. USGS Water-Supply Paper 2350. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado.

Center for Policy Research and Planning (CPRP). 2002. Mississippi Population Projections

2005, 2010, and 2015, Center for Policy Research and Planning, Mississippi Institutions of

Higher Learning. Accessed on the Internet October 15, 2004 at

| http://www.ihl.state.ms.us/urc/planning/pop0601.pdf.

Clean Water Act (CWA). 1977. 33 USC 1251, et seq. (Federal Water Pollution Control Act

Amendments of 1977 became known as the Clean Water Act).
Affected Environment

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Connecticut Botanical Society. 2004. “Narrow-leaved Spleenwort (Narrow-leaved Glade Fern)

Diplazium pycnocarpon (Athyrium pycnocarpon, Asplenium pycnocarpon).” Connecticut Ferns. 

Accessed on the Internet July 9, 2004 at

http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/ferns/diplaziumpycn.html. |

Costa, R. and J.L. Walker. 1995. Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers. Available at |

http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/noframe/b240.htm. |

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). 1997. Environmental Justice: Guidance Under the

National Environmental Policy Act. Executive Office of the President, Washington, D.C. 

Accessed on the Internet February 17, 2004 at http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ej/justice.pdf. |

Delta Queen Steamboat Company (DQSC). 2004a. Mississippi River Cruises. Accessed on

the Internet September 2002 and June 14, 2004 at

http://www.smallshipcruises.com/deltaqueen.shtml. |

Delta Queen Steamboat Company (DQSC). 2004b. Welcome to Steamboatin. Accessed on

the Internet June 14, 2004 at http://www.deltaqueen.com. |

Douglas, E.P. 1974. Architecture in Claiborne County, Mississippi: A Selective Guide.

Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Mississippi.

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Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy). 2002b. Annual Radiological Operating Report,

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Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy). 2003b. Annual Radiological Operating Report, January 1,

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rm/adams.html, Accession No. ML031980239. |

Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy). 2004a. Annual Radioactive Effluent Release Report,

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Affected Environment

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Entergy Operations, Inc. (Entergy). 2004b. Annual Radiological Operating Report, January 1,

| 2003 - December 31, 2003. Port Gibson, Mississippi.

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Kochanek, K.D., S.L. Murphy, R.N. Anderson, and C. Scott. 2004. Deaths: Final Data for |

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| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2003. Recovery Plan for the Red-cockaded

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|

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| Washington, D.C. Available at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doccollections/nuregs/staff/sr1555/.

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P.-T. Kuo (NRC) to L. James (FWS, Jackson Mississippi Field Office), “Request for Information

Regarding Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate or Proposed Species and Critical Habitat

that Are Known to Occur or Could Occur in Claiborne County, Mississippi.” Available at

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