ML13325A851

Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor License Renewal Application Review

ML13325A851
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	12/04/2013
From:	Patrick Boyle Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch
To:	Sanderson E State of RI, Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission
Boyle P, 301-415-3936
References
TAC ME1598
Download: ML13325A851 (3)

Text

December 4, 2013 Mr. Edward Sanderson Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission Old State House 150 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903-1209

SUBJECT:

RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION REVIEW (TAC NO. ME1598)

Dear Mr. Sanderson:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is conducting an environmental review of the effects of renewing the operating license of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) reactor, located in Narragansett, Washington County, Rhode Island. RINSC is operated by the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission (RIAEC). The application for renewal was submitted by RIAEC in a letter dated May 3, 2004 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML041270519), pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.33, Contents of applications; general information. In accordance with 10 CFR 2.109, Effect of timely renewal application, the existing license remains in effect until the NRC takes final action on the renewal application.

Through this letter, the NRC is initiating consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and requesting project review. In accordance with 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NRC will comply with the obligations required under Section 106 of the NHPA through its National Environmental Policy Act process.

The NRC has determined the area of potential effects (APE) for this proposed license renewal action is the reactor and its immediate environs (housing facility and support areas) that may be impacted by ongoing reactor operations. The APE may extend beyond the immediate environs in instances where ongoing reactor operations or occasional facility refurbishment activities may have a temporary visual or audible effect on known historic sites in the vicinity of the RINSC.

This determination is made irrespective of ownership or control of the lands of interest.

The renewal of the operating license and the continued operation of the RINSC reactor would not require any construction or land disturbing activities, or changes to the reactor facility design, or operating conditions. Furthermore, there have been no major modifications to the reactor facility since the issuance of the original operating license on July 21, 1964. As such, the NRC has determined that there would be no adverse affect to historic properties in the vicinity of RINSC as a result of the proposed license renewal action.

Please let me know if you have any questions and submit any comments or determinations that you may have on the environmental review to me at 301-415-3936 or by electronic mail at Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov. If the NRC staff does not receive a response within 60 days of the date of this letter, no comment will be assumed.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Patrick G. Boyle, Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-193 License No. R-95

ML13325A851 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DPRPRLB:PM NRR/DPR/PRLB:LA NRR/DPR/PRLB:BC NRR/DPRPRLB:PM NAME PBoyle PBlechman AAdams PBoyle DATE 11/21/2013 12/04/2013 12/04/2013 12/04/2013