[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 147 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 41975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19695]
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. 50-123]
University of Missouri, Rolla, Nuclear Research Reactor,
Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) is
considering the issuance of a license amendment to Facility Operating
License No. R-79, issued to University of Missouri, Rolla (the
licensee) for operation of the University of Missouri, Rolla Research
Reactor (UMRR).
Environmental Assessment
Identification of the Proposed Action
The proposed action would allow extension of the license expiration
time from November 20, 1999, to January 14, 2005, for the UMRR as
requested by the licensee on May 24, 1999, in accordance with the
provisions of 10 CFR 50.90. The licensee submitted an Environmental
Report on June 24, 1999.
Need for the Proposed Action
The proposed action is necessary for the continued operation of the
UMRR in order to continue instruction, training, and research at the
University of Missouri, Rolla.
Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action
The UMRR is located at the University of Missouri, Rolla campus in
a metal building on the east side of the campus near 14th Street and
Pine Street.
The UMRR is a low power (200 kilowatts), pool-type research reactor
(200 kilowatts). The NRC licensed the facility in 1961 at 10 kilowatts
and increased maximum authorized power level to 200 kilowatts in 1966.
The facility license was renewed in 1985. Since about 1985, the
facility has operated about 9 megawatt-hours per year on average.
During that time, the gaseous radiological release has been about 100
millicuries/year of Argon-41. Liquid releases have been minimized and
radiological liquid releases have been eliminated since about 1994.
Solid releases of radioactive material have averaged about 70
microcuries since about 1985. Currently, there are no plans to change
any operating characteristics of the reactor during the license
extension period.
The Commission concludes that the radiological effects of the
continued operation will be minimal based on past radiological
releases. The radiological exposures for facility operations have been
within regulatory limits. Conditions are not expected to change.
With regard to potential non-radiological impacts, the proposed
action does not involve any historic sites. It does not affect non-
radiological effluents and has no other environmental impact.
Therefore, there are no significant non-radiological environmental
impacts associated with the proposed action.
In addition, the environmental impact associated with operation of
research reactors has been generically evaluated by the staff and is
discussed in the attached generic evaluation. This evaluation concludes
that there will be no significant environmental impact associated with
the operation of research reactors licensed to operate at power levels
up to and including 2 megawatts thermal and that an Environmental
Impact Statement is not required for the issuance of construction
permits or operating licenses for such facilities. We have determined
that this generic evaluation is applicable to operation of the UMRR and
that there are no special or unique features that would preclude
reliance on the generic evaluation.
Accordingly, the Commission concludes that there are no significant
environmental impacts associated with the proposed action.
Alternatives to the Proposed Action
The alternative to the proposed action for the Research Reactor
Facility is to deny the application (i.e., ``no action'' alternative).
If this were the case, the licensee has indicated that they would apply
for license renewal and operate under the timely renewal provisions of
10 CFR 2.109 until the Commission renewed or denied the license renewal
application. With operation under timely renewal or renewal, the actual
conditions of the reactor would not change. If the Commission denied
license renewal, UMRR Operations would stop and decommissioning would
be required with a likely small impact on the environment.
Alternative Use of Resources
This action does not involve the use of any resources not
previously considered in the Environmental Assessment prepared for the
renewal of University of Missouri, Rolla's license in January 1985.
Agencies and Persons Contacted
On June 30, 1999, the staff consulted with the Missouri
Environmental Public Health Official, Gary McNutt, regarding the
environmental impact of the proposed action. The state official had no
comments.
Finding of No Significant Impact
On the basis of 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 May 24, 1999, as supplemented in a letter dated
June 24, 1999, which are available for public inspection at the
Commission's Public Document Room, the Gelman Building, 2120 L Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20555.
Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 23rd day of July 1999.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ledyard B. Marsh,
Chief, Events Assessment, Generic Communications, and Non-Power
Reactors Branch, Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs, Office of
Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
[FR Doc. 99-19695 Filed 7-30-99; 8:45 am]
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