[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 168 (Friday, August 29, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45882-45883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23042]


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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-266 and 50-301]


Wisconsin Electric Power Company; Point Beach Nuclear Plant, 
Units 1 and 2, Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact

    The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is 
considering issuance of amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Nos. 
DPR-24 and DPR-27, issued to Wisconsin Electric Power Company, (the 
licensee), for operation of the Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 
2, located in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of the Proposed Action

    By letter dated January 21, 1997, the licensee proposed to change 
Technical Specification (TS) 15.6.11, ``Radiation Protection Program'' 
by revising all references to 10 CFR part 20, section 20.203 to section 
20.1601, and by revising the footnote associated with this TS to 
indicate dose rates are those measured at no more than 30 centimeters 
from the source of radioactivity in accordance with 10 CFR 
20.1601(a)(1).

The Need for the Proposed Action

    The proposed action is needed for the licensee to be consistent 
with 10 CFR part 50, Appendix I, in implementing the revised 10 CFR 
part 20.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    The Commission has completed its evaluation of the proposed 
revision to the TS and concludes that the administrative changes 
associated with updating the references to 10 CFR part 20 will not 
increase the types or amounts of effluents that may be released 
offsite, nor increase individual or cumulative occupational radiation 
exposure. Accordingly, the Commission concludes that this proposed 
action would result in no significant radiological environmental 
impact.
    The change will not increase the probability or consequences of 
accidents, no changes are being made in the types of any effluents that 
may be released offsite, no changes are being made to the authorized 
power level, and there is no significant increase in the allowable 
individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, 
the Commission concludes that there are no significant radiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
    With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, the proposed 
action does involve features located entirely within the restricted 
area as defined in 10 CFR part 20. It does not affect nonradiological 
plant effluents and has no other environmental impact. Accordingly, the 
Commission concludes that there are no significant nonradiological 
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action

    Since the Commission has concluded there is no measurable 
environmental impact associated with the proposed action, any 
alternatives with equal or greater environmental impact need not be 
evaluated. As an alternative to the proposed action, the staff 
considered denial of the proposed action. Denial of the application 
would result in no change in current environmental impacts. The 
environmental impacts of the proposed action and the alternative action 
are similar.

[[Page 45883]]

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement for the 
Point Beach Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on July 29, 1997, the staff 
consulted with the Wisconsin State official, Ms. Sarah Jenkins of the 
Wisconsin Public Service Commission, regarding the environmental impact 
of the proposed action. The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the environmental assessment, the Commission concludes 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
quality of the human environment. Accordingly, the Commission has 
determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed action.
    For further details with respect to the proposed action, see the 
licensee's letter dated January 21, 1997, which is available for public 
inspection at the Commission's Public Document Room, The Gelman 
Building, 2120 L Street, NW., Washington, DC, and at the local public 
document room located at The Lester Public Library, 1001 Adams Street, 
Two Rivers, WI 54241.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 22nd day of August 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Linda L. Gundrum,
Project Manager, Project Directorate III-1, Division of Reactor 
Projects--III/IV, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-23042 Filed 8-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P