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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49539-49540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25081]

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. 50-321 and 50-366]

Edwin I. Hatch 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 an exemption from certain requirements of its 
regulations with respect to Facility Operating Licenses DPR-57 and NPF-
5 issued to Southern Nuclear Operating Company, Inc., et al. (Southern 
Nuclear, or the licensee) for operation of the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear 
Plant, Units 1 and 2, located in Appling County, Georgia.

Environmental Assessment

Identification of Proposed Action

    The proposed action is in accordance with the licensee's 
application dated July 2, 1997, for exemption from certain requirements 
of 10 CFR 73.55, ``Requirements for Physical Protection of Licensed 
Activities in Nuclear Power Reactors Against Radiological Sabotage.'' 
The exemption would allow photo identification badges to be taken 
offsite by individuals not employed by the licensee who have been 
granted unescorted access into protected and vital areas, in light of 
the implementation of a hand geometry biometrics system to control site 
access at Hatch.

The Need for the Proposed Action

    Pursuant to 10 CFR 73.55, paragraph (a), Southern Nuclear shall 
establish and maintain an onsite physical protection system and 
security organization. Regulation 10 CFR 73.55(d), ``Access 
Requirements,'' paragraph (1), specifies that the ``licensee shall 
control all points of personnel and vehicle access into a protected 
area.'' Regulation 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) specifies that, ``A numbered 
picture badge identification system shall be used for all individuals 
who are authorized access to protected areas without escort.'' Section 
73.55(d)(5) also states that an individual not employed by the licensee 
(i.e., contractors) may be authorized access to protected areas without 
escort provided the individual, ``receives a picture badge upon 
entrance into the protected area which must be returned upon exit from 
the protected area....'' Currently, unescorted access into protected 
areas at the Hatch plant is controlled through the use of a photograph 
on a badge/keycard (hereafter referred to as a ``badge''), which is 
stored at the access

[[Page 49540]]

point when not in use. The security officers at each entrance station 
use the photograph on the badge to visually identify the individual 
requesting access. The badges for Southern Nuclear employees and 
contractor personnel who have been granted unescorted access are given 
to the individuals at the entrance location upon entry and are returned 
upon exit. In accordance with 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5), the badges are not 
allowed to be taken offsite.
    The licensee proposes to implement an alternate unescorted access 
control system that would eliminate the need to issue and retrieve 
badges at the entry point and would allow all individuals with 
unescorted access to keep their badges when departing the site. An 
exemption from 10 CFR 73.55(d)(5) is required to permit contractors to 
take their badges offsite instead of returning them when exiting the 
site.

Environmental Impacts of the Proposed Action

    Because the proposed action involves administrative matters within 
the protected area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20, the Commission 
concludes that this proposed action would result in no significant 
radiological impacts. With regard to potential nonradiological impacts, 
the proposed action does not affect nonradiological plant effluents and 
has no other environmental impact. Therefore, the Commission concludes 
that there are no significant environmental impacts associated with the 
proposed action.

Alternative to the Proposed Action

    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.

Alternative Use of Resources

    This action does not involve the use of any resources not 
previously considered in the Final Environmental Statement related to 
operation of the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 dated October 
1972, and Unit 2 dated March 1978.

Agencies and Persons Consulted

    In accordance with its stated policy, on August 22, 1997, the staff 
consulted with the Georgia State official, Mr. James Setser of the 
Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural 
Resources, regarding the environmental impact of the proposed action. 
The State official had no comments.

Finding of No Significant Impact

    Based upon the foregoing environmental assessment, the Commission 
has determined not to prepare an environmental impact statement for the 
proposed exemption. Accordingly, the Commission has concluded that the 
proposed action will not have a significant effect on the quality of 
the human environment.
    For further details with respect to this action, see the request 
for exemption dated July 2, 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 Burke County Public Library, 412 Fourth 
Street, Waynesboro, Georgia.

    Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 15th day of September 1997.

    For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Herbert N. Berkow,
Director, Project Directorate II-2, Division of Reactor Projects--I/II, 
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 97-25081 Filed 9-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
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