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| number = ML18018A879
| number = ML18018A879
| issue date = 01/31/1974
| issue date = 01/31/1974
| title = Nine Mile Point, Unit 1 - Environmental Statement Related to Operation of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1
| title = Environmental Statement Related to Operation of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1
| author name =  
| author name =  
| author affiliation = US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
| author affiliation = US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
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{{#Wiki_filter:gpgggpTQppI~~JY~I~I)pQJKCOPrelatedteeperatlomofNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATIONUNIT'llNIAGRAMOHAWKPOWERCORPORATIONDOCKETNO.50-220GYqoPC+o~O'Z~~+4TES0<JANUARY1974arGULXTOHVDOGKKTPI'-FCOP~UNITEDSTATESATOMICENERGYCOMMISSIONDIRECTORATEOFLICENSING
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SUMMARYANDCONCLUSIONS'hisEnvironmentalStatementwaspreparedbytheU.S.AtomicEnergyCommission,DirectorateofLicensing.1.~Thisactionisadministative.2.Theproposedactionconcernstheconversionofthecurrentpro-visionaloperatinglicensetoafull-termlicensetobegrantedtotheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1locatedonLakeOntariointheStateofNewYork(DocketNo.50-220).NineMilePointStationUnit1employsaboiling-waterreactortoproduceupto1850megawattsthermal(MWt).Asteamturbine-generatorusesthisheattoprovide610MN(net)ofelectricalpowercapacity.Thiscapacityisconsideredintheassessmentscontainedinthisstatement.Theexhauststeamiscooledbyonce-throughflowofwaterobtainedfromanddischargedtoLakeOntario.3.Summaryofenvironmentalimpactandadverseeffects:Constructionofthetransmissionlinesrequiredtheuseofapproximately1,640acresfortheright-of-way.Landusepatternsinsuchrights-of-wayhavenotchangedinanymajorwaybutbecauseofinadequateplanningthelineinmanyplacesmaybeconsideredbysomeasanaestheticdetraction.Fishwillbeimpingedontheintakescreen.Althoughitshouldhavelittle"ornonoticeableeffectonthefishpopulationofthelakeasawhole,thekillrateatUnit1ishigh.Aprogramofmonitoringthekillrateandofdeterminingthelocalfishpopulationhasbeenimplementedtodeterminetheseriousnessandextentoftheproblem.Entrainedsmallfish,eggs,andfishlarvaearenotexpectedtosurvivepassagethroughth'eplantcoolingsystemandwilladdanincrementallosstothefishpopulation,however,theoveralleffectonthefishpopulationofthelakewillbesmall.Entrainedzooplanktonandphytoplanktonareexpectedtosufferhighmortalityduringthesummer.However,eveniftherateofmortalitywere100%%d,theimpactofsuchmortalityamongorganismswithashortgenerationtimewillnotbemeasurableinthearea.
Athermalplumewillbepresentatthedischarge.Somejuvenilefishmaybedrawnintoitandmaybekilled;however,ifthisoccurstheirnumbersareexpectedtobesmall.The6'Fisothermextendingtotheshoreisnotexpectedtoactasabarriertofreemovementoffishesalongtheshore.However,theApplicanthasinitiatedtaggingorotherappropriatestudiestodeterminemovement.offishesinthein-shorewaters.Noshiftsinalgalspeciesfromanabundanceofdiatomsandgreenalgaetoblue-greenalgaeareexpected.Onthewhole,thethermaldischargefromUnit1isnotexpectedtohaveanysignificantdeleteriouseffecton.thebiotaofthelake.IfUnit1weretobeshutdownsuddenlyinthewinter,thethermaldischargewouldceaseandthefishesintheplumewoulddie.Theimpactofsuchmortalityisnotexpectedtohaveanadverseeffectonexistingfishpopulations.Chemicals"dischargedtothelakewillbelimitedtoconcentrationsthatwillposenothreattoaquaticlife.TheriskassociatedwithaccidentalradiationexposureisveryloweNosignificantenvironmentalimpactsareanticipatedfromnormaloperationalreleasesofradioactivematerialswithin50miles.Theestimateddosetothe1980populationwithin50milesfromoperationofUnit1willbe2.5man-rem/yraftermodificationoftheradwastesystem(34man-rem/yr,atpresent)whichislessthanthenormalfluctuationsinthe110,000man-rem/yrbackgrounddosethispopulationwouldreceive.4.Principalalternativesconsidered:Abandonmentofthefacilityandconstructionofanothernuclear.plantonanothersite.Fossilfuelasanalternativepowersourceatthepresentsite.Purchaseofpowerfromoutsidesources.,Heatdissipationwithnatural-draftandforced-draftcoolingtowersorcoolingponds.P.Thefollowingfederal,state,andlocalagencieswererequestedtocommentontheDraftEnvironmentalStatement:
FederalAenciesAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservationEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyDepartmentofAgricultureDepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentDepartmentoftheInteriorDepartmentofTransportationFederalPowerCommissionNewYorkStateAenciesDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofPublicServiceDepartmentofCommerceAtomicEnergyCouncilLocalAenciesOswegoCountyDepartmentofPlanning6.TheFinalEnvironmentalStatementwasmadeavailabletothepublic,totheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality,andtotheagenciesnotedaboveinFebruary1974.7~OnthebasisoftheanalysissetforthinthisStatement,afterweighingtheenvironmental,economic,technical,andotherbenefitsofUnit1againstenvironmentalcostsandconsideringavailablealternatives,theStaffconcludesthattheaction'calledforunderNEPAandAppendixDto10CFRPart50istheconversionofthecurrentprovisionaloperatinglicensetoafull-termlicenseforthefacilitysubjecttothefollowingconditionsforprotectionoftheenvironment:A.LicenseConditions1.TheApplicantwillcompleteconstructionofanewradwastefacilitytobeoperationalbylate1975.
B.TechnicalSpecificationRequirements1.TheApplicantwillestablisharevisedandcomprehensiveenvironmentalmonitoringprogramasdiscussedbelowforinclusionintheTechnicalSpecificationsthat,isacceptabletotheStafffordeterminingenvironmentaleffectswhichmayoccurasaresultoftheoperationofUnit1.TheApplicantwillcontinuetherevisedandcompre-hensiveecologicalsurveyprogramtoprovidedatafromwhichtomeasuretheimpactofUnit1operationonthebiotaofLakeOntario(Section6'1).TheApplicantwillcontinuetheimpingementmonitoringandsamplingprogramattheintakestructureofUnit1asoutlinedinSections5.5and6.1todeterminethenumber,species,andsizeoffishkilledandrelatethesedatatotheintakedesignandfield-samplingprogramoutlinedabove.ThisinformationistobemadeavailabletotheStaffbyJanuary1976toevaluatethesignificanceofthefish-killproblemtodeterminewhethermodificationoftheexistingintakeand/ordevelopmentandimplementationofotherpreventive'ethodswillberequired.TheApplicantwillcontinuetheentrainmentmonitoringandsamplingprogramattheintake.anddischargestructuresandinthethermalplumeasoutlinedinSection6.1to'determinetheextentofentrainment'ndthemortalityofentrainedorganisms.TheApplicantwillconductsuchfieldinvestigationsofthethermalplumeasarenecessarytocorrelatethedataobtainedfromtheaquaticenvironmental'program.Theseinvestigationsshouldbemadeforthedifferentseasonsundervarioushydrologicalandmeteorologicalconditions.(Section6.2).
vTheApplicantwillconductaradiologicalmonitoringpro-gramconsideredbytheStafftobeadequatetodetermineanyradiologicaleffectsontheenvironmentfromoperationofUnit1(Section6.3).4TheApplicantwillconductaterrestrialmonitoringprogramtodeterminetheenvironmentaleffectsoftheuseofherbi-cidesforlinemaintenance.Particular'attentionshouldbe,giventovegetationwhichfiguressignificantlyinthelife-cycleofvaluedwildlife-specieswhichmayoccupythisright-of-way.Theprogramshouldalsoincludeafieldstudytodeterminethepresenceandstatusofrareorendangeredplantsandanimalsatthesiteandalongthetransmissionlineright-of-way.Ifendangeredspeciesarepresent,stepsshouldbetakentopreventtheirdestructionduringthecontinuedoperationofUnit1(Section6.4).2.Ifharmfuleffectsand/orevidenceforpotentialirreversibledamagearedetectedbythemonitoringprograms,the,ApplicantwillprovidetotheStaffan'analysisoftheproblemandaplanofactionto'betakentoalleviatetheproblem.
CONTENTS.'~PaeSUMMARYANDCONCLUSIONSTABLEOFCONTENTSLISTOF.FIGURESLIST'OFTABLES.~'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~vi~~xiFOREWORD~~~~~~-~~~~~~o'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1.INTRODUCTION.1.1StatusofReview'sandApprovals.2~THESITE~~~,~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2-12.1StationLocation2.2RegionalDemography;LandandWaterUse.2.3HistoricalPlacesandNaturalLandmarks.2.4TopographyandGeology2.5Hydrologyo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2.5.1Surface-waterHydrology.2.5.2Lake-waterHydrology.2.5.3GroundwaterHydrology.2.6Meteorology2o7Ecologyo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2.7.1TerrestrialEcology.2.7.2AquaticEcology.2.8BackgroundRadiologicalCharacteristics.2-12>>12-72-72-8-2-82-102-132-132-172-172-172-253oTHESTATION3.1ExternalAppearance.3.2ReactorandSteam-ElectricSystem.3.3PlantWaterUse.3.4Heat-dissipationSystem.3.4.1IntakeStructure3.4.2DischargeStructure.3.5RadioactiveWaste.3.5.1LiquidWasteSystem.3.5.1.1ExistingWasteCollector,(lowconductivity)WasteSystem~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3.5.1.2UpgradedWasteCollectorQowconductivity)System.3.5.1.3FloorDrain(highconductivity)WasteSystem.3.5.1.4FloorDrainUpgradedWasteSystem.3-13-13-43-43-73-73-113-113-133-163-163-17 CONTENTS~Pae3.5.1.5RegenerantChemicalandMiscellaneousWasteSystem.3.5.1.6SummaryofLiquidWasteTreatmentSystem.3.5.2GaseousWasteSystem.3.5.2.1ExLstingGaseousWasteSystem.3.5.2.2TheUpgradedGaseousWasteTreatmentSystem.3.5.3SolidWasteSystem.3.6ChemicalandBiocideEffluents3.7SanitaryWastesandOtherEffluents.3.8TransmissionFacilities.4.'NVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFCONSTRUCTION3-173-183-233-233-263-283-303-333-354-14.1EffectsonLandUse.4.1.1StationSite'4.1.2TransmissionLines~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4-14-14-35.ENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFSTATIONOPERATION.5-15.1ImpactsonLandUse.5.1.1StationEnvirons5.1.2Transmission-lineEnvirons5.2ImpactsonWaterUse...5.2.1WaterConsumption.5.2.2ThermalStudies.5.2.3EffectsofChemicalDischarges.5.2.4CompliancewithWaterQualityStandards.5.3RadiologicalImpactonBiotaOtherthanMan.5.4RadiologicalImpactonMan.5.4.1RadioactiveMaterialsReleasedinLiquidEffluents5.4.2RadioactiveMaterialsReleasedtotheAtmosphere.5.4.3DirectRadiation5.4.4PopulationDosesfromallSources.5.4.5EvaluationofRadiologicalImpact.5.5NonradiologicalEffectsonEcologicalSystems.5.5.1Effect-onTerrestrialEnvironment.5.5.2EffectonAquaticEnvironment.5.6EffectsontheCommunity.~~~~~~5-15-1~'-1~5-25-25-35-35-75-135-175-19'5-215-265-265-285-'285-285-315-406.ENVIRONMENTALMONITORINGPROGRAM.6-16.1AquaticMonitoringProgram.6.2ThermalMonitoringProgram.6.3RadiologicalEnvironmentalMonitoring.6.4TerrestrialMonitoringProgram.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~6-1"6-76-76-12 CONTENTS~Pae7.ENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFACCIDENTS.7.1PlantAccidentsInvolvingRadioactiveMaterials.7.2TransportationAccidentsInvolvingRadioactiveMaterials~71~71~7-58.IMPLICATIONSOFTHESTATION8-18;1TheRequirementforPower...8.1.1PowerDemand..8.1.2PowerGeneration.8.1.3,Planned'CapacityAddition;EstimatesofFuturePowerRequirements.8.1.4Conclusion.8.2AdverseEnvironmentalEffectswhichCannotbeAvoided.8.2.1LandEffects.8.2.2AquaticEffects.8.2.3RadiologicalEffects.8.3Short-termUsesandLong-termProductivity.8.4IrreversibleandIrretrievableCommitmentsofResources.8-1.8-48-48-88-88-88-118-118-118-128-149.ALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDPROJECT.9-19.1AlternativeEnergySourcesandSites9.1.1EconomicConsiderations.9.1.2EnvironmentalConsiderations.9.1.3Benefit-CostBalance.9.2PlantDesignAlternatives.9.2.1CoolingSystem.9.2.2ChemicalDischargeSystem.9.2.3BiocideSystem.9.2.4Sanitary.WasteSystem.9.2.5'.TransportationProcedures.9.2.6WaterDischargeSystem.9.2.7IntakeStructure.9.3AlternativestoNormalTransportation~'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Procedures9-19-19-39-79-.79-79-119-149-149-149-.159-.179-.1710.BENEFIT-COSTANALYSIS~~.10-110.1EnergyGeneratingCosts10.2SummaryofBenefits.10.3EnvironmentalCosts.10.3.1LandUse.10.3.2WaterUse.-10.3.3BiologicalEffects.10.3.4RadiologicalEffects.10.4Benefit-CostBalance.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.10-1.10-1.10-.3.10-.3.10-3.10-.3.10-.4.10-4 CONTENTS11.'ISCUSSIONOFCOMMENTSRECEIVEDONTHEDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENT~Pae11-11GeneralConsiderations'1.1.1RecommendationtoNotGrantaFullTermLicense.11.1.2RegionalAssessment11.1.3GeothermalEnergySources.11.1.4TopographyandGeology2AquaticEffects.11.2.1FishEchoSounderSurvey.11.2.2Phytoplankton.11.2.3MaturationofYellowPerch11.2:4PonarDredgeforBenthicStudies11.2.5FishImpingement11.2.6RecirculationofIntakeCoolingWater.11.2.7MechanicalDamagefromEntrainment.'1.2.8EntrainmentDamageSimulationStudies,.11.2.9FishReplacementCosts3WaterQuality.11.3.1PhosphorusConcentrations.11.3.2CoolingWaterDischarge.11.3.3Total.DissolvedSolids'1.3.4HeavyMetalCorrosionProductsintheCoolingMate4LiquidEffluents.11.4.1DissolvedNobleGases.11.4.2CompliancewithWASH-1258Conditions11.4.3OperatingLiquidEffluentReleases.11.4.4DoseAssessmentforLiquidReleases5SolidRadioactiveWaste11.5.1IsotopicBreakdownofSolidWaste11.5.2OperatingandPredictedRadioactivityLevelsforSolidWastes.11.5.3OffsiteDisposalofSolidRadioactiveWaste.6EnvironmentalMonitoringPrograms11.6.1RadiologicalMonitoringProgram.11.6.2ImplementationoftheRevised,ComprehensiveAquatMoni'toringProgramo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~11.6.3ThermalMonitoringTechniques11.6.4Atmospheric-DispersionFactor.11.6.5Useof.OperatingDatatoAssessEnvironmentalImpact.~~~~~~~~~~r~11-211-2,11-211-311-311-311-311-4,11-511-511-511-611-611-611>>711~?11-711-711-811-811-911-911<<911-911-1011-1011-1011-1111-1111-1211-1211-1211-1211-1311-13 CONTENTS~Paell.7TransmissionLines11.7.1TransmissionLineSoundLevels11.7.2UtilizationofTransmissionLineRight-of-.Way11.7.3OzoneProductionFromHighVoltageTransmission'Line.11.7.4TransmissionLineInteractionwithRailroadSignals.11.8ReactorAccidents......~............~11.8.1AccidentProbabilities11.8.2P'ostulatedPlantAccidentsInvolvingLiquidReleases.11.9Alternatives11.9.1CoolingTowerNoiseLevels11.9.2EstimatedEmissionQuantitiesfromOilandCoalFiredPlants11.10LocationofPrincipalChangesinthisStatementinResponsetoComments.11-1411-1411-1511-1511-1611-1611-1611-1611~1711-1711-1711-17APPENDIXA:CommentsonDraftEnvironmentalStatement....'.A-1APPENDIXB:ApplicantsPartialResponseEnvironmentalStatement.toCommentsonDraft~~~~~~~B1APPENDIXC:ApplicantsPartialResponseEnvironmentalStatement.toCommentsonDraft~~~~~~~C~l FIGURES~Fiuse2.12.22.32.42.52.6VicinityoftheNineMilePointNuclearPowerStation.LocationofNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationinNewYorkState.PopulationDistributionwithin5-mileRadiusofStation.PopulationDensitieswithin50-mileRadiusofStationfor1980~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TheAppearanceofNineMilePointin1963beforetheStation'asBuilt'AverageMonthlyTemperatureofLakeOntario~Pae2-22-32-42-52-92-113.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.83.93.103.113.123.133.144.14.2PlotofSiteofNineMilePointNuclearStationUnitl.NineMilePointUnitl.Water-usageFlow.Circulating-waterSystem:Plan.IntakeandDischargeStructuresSchematicDiagramoftheScreenwell.Circulating-waterSystem:Profile.ExistingLiquidRadwasteSystem,NineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1UpgradedLiquidRadwasteSystem,NineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1.ExistingGaseousRadwasteSystem,NineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1.UpgradedGaseousRadwasteSystem,NineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1.Makeup-waterTreatment.TransmissionFacilitiesTransmission-lineStructuresNorthofClay.Wood"H"Frame:SingleCircuit.LatticeSteelTower:SingleCircuit.3-23-33-53-63-83<<93-103-143-153-243-253-323-363-384-24-45.15.25.35.4Three-dimensionalThermalSurveyofNineMilePoint:Novo16'971~~~~~~~e~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Three-dimensionalThermalSurveyofNineMilePoint:July30,19714~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~GeneralizedExposurePathwaysforOrganismsOtherThanMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~GeneralizedExposurePathwaystoMan.5-45-55-155-18
,FIGURES~Fire~Pae.6.16.26.38.18.28.38.4SamplingLocationsandBioticGroupstobeSampled*intheVicinityofNineMile'PointAreaofLakeOntarioOff-siteRadiologicalMonitoringStationsLake-samplingTransectsandLocationsofOn-siteRadiologicalMonitorin'gStations.NiagaraMohawkServiceArea.MaximumSystemCapacityandLoad,MWeoftheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationfortheWinterof1972WinterPeakPowerDemandforApplicant'sSystem.ForecastofReserveMargins.6-36-106-118-28-58-68-99.19.29.3CoolingLakeat310-footElevation(880acres)AlternativeEvapo'rativeSystemforTreatingRegenerationWastes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~Once-throughCoolingSystemwithDiffuserDischarge.9-109-139-16 xiiiTABLESTable2.12.'22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9LicensesandPermitsforNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1.PopulationProgectionsfor'OswegoandNeighboringCounties.Applicant's1972WaterQualityMeasurements-LakeOntarioNearNineMilePointNuclearStationSiteData'onLakeOntarioWaterQuality.FishesFoundintheNineMilePointArea.....*.Spawning,FoodHabits,andImportanceofFishesAbundantintheNineMilePointAreaof'LakeOntarioAbundanceofBenthicOiganismsataSamplingStationApproximatelyFourMilesfromNineMilePointStation,1964~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'~~~~~~~~~~kAbundanceofMa)orDiatomSpeciesataSamplingStationaboutFourMilesfromNineMilePoint'Station,September8-18,1964.AbundanceofPhytoplankton(byFamilies)ataSamplingStationabout'ourMilesfromNineMilePointStation,September1964.EnvironmentalSamplingStationsintheNineMilePointArea,1969-1972~Pae2-142-152-202-212-232-262~272-283.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.83.9PrincipalParametersUsedinEstimatingRadioactiveReleasefromNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1.EstimateofAnnualReleaseofRadioactivityinLiquidEffluentsfromNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1asExistingJuly1,1972.UpgradedSystem,EstimateofAnnualRelease,ofRadioactivityinLiquidEffluentsfromNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1SummaryofReportedReleasesfromNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1.ComparisonofNineMi.lePointUnit1LiquidWasteReleases,Ci/yrEstimateofAnnualReleasesofRadioactiveMaterialsinGaseousEffluentsfromNineMilePointNu'clearStationUnit1asExistingJuly1,1972EstimateofAnnualReleasesofRadioactiveMaterialsinGaseousEffluentsfromNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unitlo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CompositionofSettling-basinOverflow.'hemicalDischargesfromMakeup'aterSystem.3~123-193-203-213-223-273-293-323-34 xivTABLESTable~Pae5.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.95.105.11,DrinkingWaterStandardsfor,LakeOntario.FreshwaterBioaccumulationFactorsforRadioelements1971EffluentReleasesfromNineMilePoint,Unit1.AnnualDose-fromLiquidEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLocationsbeforeInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystem.AnnualDosesfromLiquidEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLocationsafterInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystem.AnnualDosesfromGaseousEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLocationsbeforeInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystem.AnnualDosesfromGaseousEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLocationsafterInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystem.CumulativePopulationinSelectedAnnuliaroundNMP-1.EnvironmentalImpactofTransportationofFuelandWastetoandfromaTypicalLight-water-cooledNuclearPowerReactor.AnnualDosetotheGeneralPopulationforOperation.ofNineMilePointUnit1TotalFish-impingementCatchatNHP-1,May30,1972-June27,1973.5-105-145-195-215-225-245-255-275-295-305-326.16.26.3FrequencyofSamplingforEcologicalStudiesintheNineMilePointAreaofLakeOntario.RadiologicalMonitoringProgramforLakeOntarioRadiologicalMonitoringProgramforLand6-46-86-97.17.27.3ClassificationofPostulatedAccidentsandOccurrencesSummaryofRadiologicalConsequencesofPostulatedAccidents.EnvironmentalImpactofAccidentsDuringTransportation,ofFuel&WastetoandfromNineMilePointUnitl.~72'7-47-68.18.28.39.19.29.3NewYorkPowerPoolMembers...ProjectedPeakSituations.DataonLoadandCapacityPro]ectedto1980.kNewYorkGenerating-plantCostsforan800-NVePlantintheMid1970stComparativeEnvironmentalImpactsforNineMilePointIncrementalCostsforAlternativeCoolingSystems~~~k~8-38-78-99-29-29-1210.110.2EstimatedGeneratingCost(in'illionsofdollars).BenefitCostSummaryfortheStation.10-210-5 FOREWORDThisstatementonenvironmentalconsiderationsassociatedwiththeproposedconversiontoafull-termoperatinglicensefortheNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1waspreparedbytheU.S.AtomicEnergyCommission,DirectorateofLicensing(Staff)inaccordancewiththeCommisssion'sregulation,10CFRPart50,AppendixD,implementingtherequirementsoftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969(NEPA).TheNEPA'states,amongotherthings,thatitisthecontinuingresponsi-bilityoftheFederalGovernmenttouseallpracticablemeans,consistentwithotheressentialconsiderationsofnationalpolicy,toimproveandcoordinateFederalplans,functions,programs,andresourcestothe'endthattheNationmay:Fulfilltheresponsibilitiesofeachgenerationastrusteeoftheenvironmentforsucceedinggenerations.PAssureforallAmericanssafe,healthfu1,productive,andestheticallyandculturallypleasingsurroundings.Attainthewidestrangeofbeneficialusesoftheenvironmentwithoutdegradation,risktohealthorsafety,orotherundesirableandunintendedconsequences.Preserveimportanthistoric,cultural,andnaturalaspectsofournationalheritage,andmaintain,whereverpossible,an'environmentwhichsupportsdiversityandvarietyofindividualchoice.Achieveabalancebetweenpopulationandresourceusewhichwillpermithighstandardsoflivingandawidesharingoflife'amenities.Enhancethequalityofrenewableresourcesandapproachthemaximumattainablerecyclingofdepletableresources.Further,withrespecttoma)orFederalactionssignificantlyaffectingthequalityofthehumanenvironment,Section102(2)(C)oftheNEPAcallsforpreparationofadetailedstatementon:(i)Theenvironmentalimpactoftheproposedaction,(ii)anyadverseenvironmentaleffectswhichcannotbeavoidedshouldtheproposalbeimplemented, (iii)alternativestotheproposedaction,(iv)therelationshipbetweenlocalshort:-termusesofman'environmentandthemaintenanceandenhancementoflong-termproductivity,and(v)anyirreversibleandirretrievablecommitmentsofresourceswhichwouldbeinvolvedintheproposedactionshoulditbeimplemented.PursuanttoAppendixDof10CFRPart50,theAECDirectorateofLicensingpreparesadetailedstatementontheforegoingconsiderationswithrespecttoeachapplicationforaconstructionpermitorfull-poweroperatinglicenseforanuclearpowerreactor.Whenapplicationismadeforaconstructionpermitorafull-poweroperatinglicense,theApplicantsubmitsanenvironmentalreporttotheAEC.ThestaffevaluatesthisreportandmayseekfurtherinformationfromtheApplicant,aswellasothersources,inmakinganindependentassessmentoftheconsiderationsspecifiedinSection102(2)(C)oftheNEPAandAppendixDof10CFRPart50.Thisevaluationleadstothepublicationofadraftenvironmentalstatement,preparedbytheDirectorateofLicensing,whichisthencirculatedtoFederal,State,andlocalgovernmentalagenciesforcomment.Interestedpersonsarealsoinvitedtocommentonthedraftstatement.Afterreceiptandconsiderationofcommentsonthedraftstatement,theStaffpreparesafinalenvironmentalstatement,whichincludesadiscussionofquestionsandobjectionsraisedbythecommentsandthedispositionthereof;afinalcost-benefitanalysiswhichconsidersandbalancestheenvironmentaleffectsofthefacilityandthealternativesavailableforreducingoravoidingadverseenvironmentaleffectswiththeenvironmental,economic,technical,andotherbenefitsofthefacility;andaconclusionastowhether,afterweighingtheenviron-mental,economic,technical,andotherbenefitsagainstenvironmentalcostsandconsideringavailablealternatives,theactioncalledforistheissuanceordenialoftheproposedpermitoilicenseoritsappro-priateconditioningtoprotectenvironmentalvalues.AtthissitetheApplicantalsoproposestobuildNineKLlePointNuclearStationUnit2,an1100-MWeplant.Inaddition,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYorkisbuildingthe821-HWeJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPlant3300feettotheeastofUnit1.TheStaffconsiderstheenvironmentalimpa'ctofplantsintheorderoftheirlicensingsequence.Theenvironmentalimpactofagivenplantisconsideredinlightoftheaggregateenvironmentalconsequencesofits operationinthepresenceofexistingandscheduledprecursorplantsatthesamelocation.Asaresultofthisprocedure,theenvironmentalimpactfromUnit1istreatedintheUnit1FES,thecumulativeeffectsfromUnit1andtheFitzPatrickplantistreatedintheFitzPatrickFESandfinally,thecumulativeeffectfromallthreeplants(Unit1,Unit2andFitzPatrick)istreatedintheUnit2FES.FinalenvironmentalstatementshavebeenpreparedconcerningtheFitzPatrickPlant(DocketNo.50-333)andtheproposedNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit2(DocketNo.50-410),andwereissuedinMarchandJune1973,respectively.SinglecopiesofthisstatementmaybeobtainedbywritingtheDeputyDirectorforReactorProjects,,DirectorateofLicensing,U.S.AtomicEnergyCommission,Washington,D.C.20545.Mr.GeraldL.DittmanistheAECEnvironmentalProspectManagerforthisstatement.(301:973-7263)
: 1) l.INTRODUCTIONThisEnvironmentalStatementpertainstotheNineMilePointNuclearStation.Unit1,isownedbytheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,Syracuse,NewYork,andwhichhasbeeninoperationsinceDecember1969.Inparticular,thisStatementconcernstheapplicationfortheconversionofthecurrentprovisionaloperatinglicense(DPR-17)toafull-termlicense(DocketNo.50-220).Unit1oftheStationissituatedona900-acresiteatNineMilePointonthesouthernshoreofLakeOntarioinOswegoCounty,NewYork.Itutilizesaboiling-waterreactor(BWR)ratedat1850thermalmegawatts(MWt)toprovidethethermalenergynecessarytosupplysteamfortheturbine-generator,whichproduces610netelectricalmegawatts(MWe).Thenuclearreactorandturbine-generatorweredesignedandmanufacturedbyGeneralElectricCompany.TheUnitwasdesignedbyNiagaraMohawk,PowerCorporation(theApplicant)andconstructedbyStoneandWebsterEngineeringCorporation.Here,too,theApplicantproposestobuildNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2,an1100-MWeplant.Inaddition,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYorkisbuildingthe821-MWeJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPlant3300feettotheeastofUnit1.Unit1utilizesonce-throughcoolingwithlakewater,asisproposedforthetwonewplants.UponconstructionofUnit2,thecirculating-watersystemforUnit1willbemodifiedsothattherewillbeacombineddis-chargeforbothunits.The"Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,OperatingLicenseStage,ConversiontoFull-TermOperatingLicense,NineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,"and"SupplementsNo.1,2and3,"tothereportweresubmittedtotheAECbytheApplicantonJuly5,1972,March2,1973,April16,1973,andMay31,1973,respectively.TheCommissionforwardedcopiesofthesedocumentstotheappropriatefederal,stateandlocalagencies.CopiesofthesereportswerealsoplacedintheCommission'sPublicDocumentRoomat1717HStreet,N.M.,Washington,D.C.,andintheOswegoPublicLibrary,Oswego,NewYork.AnoticeofavailabilityoftheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReportwaspublishedintheFederalRegisteronAugust18,1972(37FR16692).ThisEnvironmentalStatementtakesintoaccounttheApplicant'sEnviron-mentalReportandSupplementsNo.1,2and3thereto,andtheApplicant'sFinalSafetyAnalysisReport.
1-2IndependentcalculationsandsourcesofinformationwerealsoutilizedasabasisfortheStaff'sassessmentofenvironmentalimpact.AlsousedwasinformationgainedbytheStaffduringavisittotheStationsiteandsurroundingareas.TheApplicantisrequiredtocomplywiththeFederalWaterPollutionControlAct',asamendedbytheFederalWaterPollutionControlActAmendmentsof1972.1.1STATUSOFREVIEWSANDAPPROVALSTable1.1listspermits,licenses,andapprovalsfortheconstructionandoperationoftheStationaswellasthegrantingagencyandthestatusofthedocumentasoftheprintingdateofthisstatement.Table1.1reflectschangesinpermit,license,orapprovalrequirementsnecessitatedbytherecentFederalWaterPollutionControlActAmendmentof1972.
1-3TABLE1.1.LicensesandPermitsforNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1AgencyDescriptionDateofIssueFederalAenCiesU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionConstructionpermitfornuclearstationand'a'ssoc.facilitles(CPPR-16)April1965Licensetopossessanduseby-productmaterialJune1967LicensetopossessandusespecialnuclearmaterialAugust1967Provisionalnuclearstationoperatinglicense(DPR17)at1538MRtAugust1969AmendmentNo.1,authori-zationtoincreasesourcemateria1quantityJune26,1970AmendmentNo.2,toincreasepowerratingto1850MVtApril14,1971AmendmentNo.3,todesignatethefacilityasUnit1June12,1973Full-termnuclearstationoperatinglicenseFiled,July1972U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersConstructionpermitsforintakeanddischargetunnelsofcirculating-watersystemOctober1964EnvironmentalProteetionAgencyFederalAviationAuthorityLiquidWasteDischargePermit(NPDES)ApprovalforstackconstructionFiled,October24,1972October1968 1-4TABLE:l.l.(Cont'd)AgencyDescriptionDateofIssueStateofNew'YorkNewYorkDepartmentofHealth,Bureauof'WaterResourcesCooling-water-dischargepermitApril1965Sewage-disposal-systempermitMay1965NewYorkDepartmentofHealth,AirPollutionControlBoardStack-effluent-dischargepermitApril1966NewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationWater-qualitycertificationFiled,April5,1973DieselExhaustPermitFiled,October17,1973 2-12.THE'SITE2.1STATIONLOCATIONTheStationislocated"ona900-acresiteinanareaknownasNineMilePointonthe"'outLshoreofLakeOntarioinOswegoCounty,'New'ork.TheApplicanthasproposedtobuildan1100-MReStation,Unit.2,on.thissite.TheJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlant,owned,bythePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYork,islocatedona700-'acreplotimmediatelyeastofthesite.Figure2.lshowstherelativelocationsofthegeneratingstations.The,siteisabout8mileseastofOswego,36'ilesnorthwestofSyracuse,and135mileseastofBuffalo,NewYork.OthertownsandpointsofinterestareshowninFig.2.2.2.2REGIONALDEMOGRAPHY;LANDANDWATERUSEDuringmostoftheyear,thetotalpopulationwithinafive-mileradiusofthesiteisabout3000.Inadditiontotheyear-roundpopul'ation,afewcottagesalongthelakeshoreareoccupiedinthesummermonths.TheOntarioBibleConferenceoperatesasummercamp,knownasLakeview,4500feetsouthwestofthesite.TheApplicantindicatesthatduringthesummeramaximumof1500personsmaybeatthecampforshortperiodsonweekends.ThenearestdwellingsareonLakeviewRoadaboutonemilesouthwestfromthesite.Figure2.3showsthe1971populationdistributionina0-5mileradius.Theprojected1980populationdistributionwithina0-50mileradius,isgiveninFig.2.4.Table2.1givesthepresentandpro)ectedpopulationofthetencountieswhichwhollyorpartiallyfallwithinthe50-mileradiusoftheStation.ThisprojectionwaspreparedbytheNewYorkStateOfficeofPlanningServices.~Thelandareawithinfivemilesofthesiteisprimarilyrural.MuchofthelandinthevicinityoftheStationandinOswegoCountywasformerlyfarmedbutisnowcoveredwithsecond-growthtreesandotherwoodyvegeta-tion.Suchareasconstituteabouthalfthelandinthecounty."'Theremainderismadeupofwoodedareasandfarms.AccordingtoarecentpublicationbytheNewYork'StateOfficeofPlanningCoordination,2about34/ofthelandinOswegoCountywas.devotedtofarminganddairyingin1968;however,onlyabout10/ofthelandhasfarmsthatappearcapableofsupportingviablefarmbusinessesthroughouttheforseeablefuture.ThenumberoffarmsintheOneidaPlain,whichincludesOswegoCounty,decreased40/intheperiod1949-1959andabout21/inthe1959-1964period.TheNewYorkStateOfficeofPlanningCoordinationprojectsthatlandunderfarminginthisareawillcontinuetodeclinemorerapidlythan 2-2LAKE.0ARI0PROGRESSCENTERNITININEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATIONrJAMESA.FITZPATRICKIINUCLEARPOwERPLANTIUNDERCONSTRUCT/ON)IPRIVATELokeview1ANIAGAPOWERRAMOHAWKCORPORATIONPOWERAUTHORITYSTATEOFNEWYORKOOMINORROADLyCOmiIIgPEIIIIUNITI-CLAYTRANSMISSIONRIGHTOFWAYSEEFIGURE3.Z-II4SCALE-MILESFig.2.1.VicinityoftheNineMilePointNuclearPower-Station.FromtheApplicantIsEnvironmentalReport.
2~31lAKE///0///%ITTARI0/,p/0PWAYiRTOWN4~l0l~9Il,<<IN<<0<<of<<of%f0000~Ia<<0IO<<<<~l8NINEMII.If.POINTNVVI,RAAPV(ASK(POWCI<<GTATIONO;5'If<<ENCOOSWEGOPARISItI,g~EVETO~CENTRAlI.'f<<[e'~0/Of<<O."IDA<<'I~0~<<O0<<<<offO>~~OSCEOIA<s+<<T0>>VIIIFt~,jII'f<<<<lITNP<<fQlff~j<<+fffNfttN@.<<'awa<</VTI<<At,l~~."A',l~<<~-/+~04I~oaf)"g~lNIT~0000<<f0Q0IAlTMAR'0+~<</'000IS,Q(J>>~/',CAMI:EN.<<~,REMSFFI<<<<<<TfI<<,-i<<'A<<V00OO<<0<<<<T~~0I000f0IO0I<<fff<<Ii0CORTIAhDMAOIIO<<<<COUff<<TI~0~0IWS0~00000~f0000<<00~0<<ff<<Huff<<<<<<Q<<XKHfTAIRPORTo4STATEPARKILO<<<<CRtj.'tjOM.:":;.'::.;;,',',<<Afa,O<<~I<<Fig.2.2.MapShowingLocationpfNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationinNewYorkState.FromApplicantIsEnvironmentalReport.
(0SAN<LESS~'LES00I5~~1N<fNN<llbl<<Nl--~r.ll11111IisIII1II0le+204IIIII/IOSWEGO~I/CITYBOUNDARYIIIIII1.~.NlllTK1<<<I04III,ILIIII<0Se/INOTE:NUMBERSREPRESENTTOTALNUMBEROFIIINHABITANTSINEACHAREASEGMENTIIISCALEMILESFig.2.3.PopulationDistributionw9.thin5-mileRadiusofStation.
CANAO4ITOCINITON1~14lt40KOOC/IOlkI'WITINTOWNI14o///0IT/0/IOQoKAAEIOIIIONF'AIT/CI40III.0toIll0CNTAWO/'0Colt0toQI.0loIII.~000~4Nl44IIt004~oI~~ill~IttIlIto40'O@IINOTENUMBERREPRESENTSTOTALNUMBEROFPEOPLEPERSOUAREMILEINAREASEOMENT.SOXEONUMBERREPRKSENTSTOTALNUMBEROFPEOPLEPERSOUAREMILEINENTIRE22I/2OEOREESECTOR.EACHSECTORISOSOSOUAREMILKS.4tl04IULTCN~tIIT~t~0~4ttttCINOALACKtootOTICA4WNWWWLACCOWAQOLittCATotlLltC~CNC4LACCFig.2.4.PopulationDensitieswithin50-mileRadiusofStationfor1980.
2-6TABLE2.1PopulationPro)ectionsforOswegoandNeighboringCounties(inthousands)*County1970198019902000CayugaJeffersonLewisMadisonOneida.OnondagaOntarioOswegoSenecaWayne7789246327347379101357982892428551891122"3893879125833005811081474111291922630863912517844131+DatatakenfromRef.l.
2-7inthestateasawhole.2AccordingtotheNewYorkStateDevelopmentPlan,~land-useprojectionsfor1990indicatethatthenortheasthalfofOswegoCounty(which.includesthesitet"willremainsparselysettled.andpredominantlynaturalopenspace.According,totheApplicant,theentireshorelinenorthof,,Unit1willbeaccessibletothe,public.The"siteandadjacentareasalongtheshorenearthesite,however,havelittlepotentialforwater-basedrecreation.Thelakeinthisareaisnotsuitableforswimmingbecausethelakebottomislargelybedrock,andtherearefewnaturalharborsorlandings.TheApplicanthasstatedthatduringAugustandSeptember,thepeakfishingweekends,upto30boatshavebeenobservedatonetimeinthecooling-waterdischargeareafortheNineMilePointUnit1.Smallmouthbassandwhi.teandyellowpercharethemajorspeciescaught.Twostateparksarenearby-SelkirkStatePark,tenmilesnortheastoftheproposedStationsitealongtheshore,andBattleIslandnearFulton,15milessouthwestofthesite.About250,000vacationersvisittheseparksyearly.TwohospitalsinOswegoCounty-theOswegoHospital,with176beds,isaboutsevenmilesfromthesiteinOswego,andtheLeeMemorialHospital,withabout60beds,is15milesawayinFulton.TheclosestschoolistheNewHavenElementarySchool,whichisfivemilessoutheastofthesite.TheonlyindustrialestablishmentalongthelakeshoreinScribaistheAlcanAluminumCorporationlocated3-1/4milessouthwestofthesite.Thisplantemploys750people.Thenearestgrazingpastureis~0.7milesouthwestfromthesite.2.3HISTORICALPLACESANDNATURALLANDMARKSTherearenoknownhistoricplaceswithin'thesiteorinthetransmission-lineright-of-way.NoneofthehistoricsiteslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesareaffectedbythetransmissionlineconnec-tingtheStationtothesubstationnearClay,NewYork.Thereareno,knownarchaeologicaldepositsintheNineMilePointarea.TheApplicanthascontactedtheLiaisonOfficerforHistoricPreservationinNewYorkStateandhasreceivedacertificationthatthetransmissionlineandtheStationwillnothaveaharmfuleffectonsitesofhistoricalorarchitec-turalinterest.2.4TOPOGRAPHYANDGEOLOGYTheStationanditsassociatedtransmissionlinearewithintheErie-OntarioLowlandsphysiographicprovince.Thisprovinceconsistsofarelativelyflat 2-8.plainwhich.risesgentlyfromLakeOntariototheAppalachianUplands,whichformitssouthernborder.TheErie-OntarioLowlandsisboundedontheeastbytheTugHillUpland.Thesi.teisagenerallyflatandfeaturelessplain.Figure2.5isaphotograph.ofthe.'rea'.beforethe,S'tationwasbuilt..Ithasaneleva-tionof260feetMSLr'ising'to310feet'onemij.eaway't'itssouthern.extremity.Thesurfacesoilsconsistof'Bouldery-ablationtillsthatimmediatelyoverlieacompactBasaltilllyingonbedrock,aflat-lyingsandstoneimbedded'ithshaleoftheOrdovicianAge(OswegoSandstone).Theshalecontentincreaseswithdepth;atapproximately130'eetbelowthesurface,theOswegoSandstonegradesintotheunderlyingLorrainegroup,whichispredominantlyshalewithsomesandstone.Mostoftheearthquakesrecordedinthestatewereatdistancesgreaterthan50milesfromthesite.Mostofthesehaveoccurredin,theSt.LawrenceandHudsonRiverValleysandtheBuffalo-Rochesterarea.TheSt.LawrenceRiverValleytrendappearstobethemostactive.From1853to1963,atleastthirteenearthquakeswererecordedwithinfiftymilesoftheStation.ThehighestintensityearthquakeduringthisperiodoccurredatLowvillein1853;itwasintensityVIonthemodifiedMercalliscale.MostoftheotherearthquakesinthisareahadanintensityofIIIor.less.ThereisaminorfaultlineatNineMilePointthatcrossestheintakeanddischargetunnelsatrightanglestrendingN78'Wanddippingapproxi-mately60'o64'outh,andasystemofpointsatthebargeslipwithanattitudesimilartothefaultthatcrossesthetunnels.TheU.S.Depart-mentoftheInteriorconsidersthesegeologicalfeaturestobeofminorsignificanceasfarasthepotentialmovementoftheintakeanddischargetunnelsisconcerned.Thelastmovementalongthefaultisthoughttobegeologicallyold,probablymucholderthanthelastglacialepisodeinthearea.71TherelationshipofsiteseismologytothesafetyoftheStation,itsdesign,andseismicdesigncriteriahavebeenconsideredindetailbytheStaffizthesafetyreview.2.5HYDROLOGY2.5.1Surface-waterHydrologyTheStationisinthenortheastportionoftheLakeOntarioPlaindrainagebasin.Thisbasinencompassesabout34,800squaremiles,exclusiveofl Fig.2.5.TheAppearanceofNineMilePointin1963beforetheStationWasBuilt.FromtheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport.
2-10lakesurface,inNewYorkandtheProvinceofOntario.Oftheaverage34inchesofannualprecipitation,about17inchesbecomesstreamflow,about15inchesis,lostby,evapotranspiration,andabouttwoinchesbecomesgroundwater.Although.thebasinhasnumerouslargestreams,noneisintheimmediatevicinityoftheStation.CatfishCreek(approximately-,threemi1eseast.oftheStation)andtheOswegoRiver('ightmilestothevest)aretheclosestlargestreams.S'urfacewaterrunofffrom,theStationsiteflowsintothesmallercreeksandmarshesnear5y,which,inturn,drainnorthwardintoLakeOntario.2.5.2Lake-waterHydrology'LakeOntario,theeasternmostoftheGreatLakes,is193mileslongand53milesacrossatitswidestpoint.Ithasashorelinelengthof726milesandasurfaceareaof7340squaremiles.Thesurfaceofthelakeis245feetabovemeansealevel.Itsgreatestdepthis840feet;theaveragedepth,300feet.Thetotalvolumeofthelakeis390cubicmiles.LakeOntariohasalargevolumeofwaterperunitofsurfacearea.Themajorinflow(about80percent)isfromLakeErieviatheNiagaraRiver,whichdischarges,ontheaverage,approximately200,000cfsintoLakeOntario.OtherriversdrainingintothelakearetheGenesee,whichflowsfromtheAppalachianFront;theOswego,whichdrainstheFingerLakesregion;the'lackRiver,whichflowsfromtheAdirondacks;andtheTrentRiver,whichdrainsaportionoftheProvinceofOntario.TheSt.LawrenceRivercarriestheoutflowofLakeOntariototheAtlanticOcean.LakeOntarioisadimicticlake(withspringandfallturnover)havingamaximumsurfacetemperatureof72'Finthesummer(Fig.2.6),andalargethermalgradient.Thecomputedretentiontimeforwaterinthelakeisontheorderof15years.~Inthesummer,thelakebecomesverticallystratified(thermallyandchemically).Awarm,readilycirculatingupper(epilimnion)andacold,undisturbedlowerlayer(hypolimnion)developwithazoneofrapidtemperaturechange(thermoclineormetalimnion)betweenthe.two.Becausetheepilimnionandhypolimnionwatersdonotmix,nutrientsreleasedbydecayinandnearthebottomsedimentsremaintrappedinthebottomwaters.Upwellingsofthecold,nutrient-rich,bottomwater(causedbystormaction)canleadtosudden,rapidtemperaturechangesintheinshorewaters.Theseupwellingscanalsoleadtoanincreaseintheproductivityofcertainshallowwater'reas.
2-1180~700e60I50ZI-OX404Iw30AVERAGEWATERSURFACETEMPERATURE20JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVOECPig.2.6.AverageMonthlyTemperatureofLakeOntario.
2-12Inthefall,theupperwaterscoolandthelakebecomesverticallyisothermal,whileinthewinter,forallpracticalpurposes,thelakecanbeconsideredasessentiallyisothermal.Itdoesnotfreezeexceptnearland,particularlyinslackbayareasintheeasternendofthelake.Inthespring,theentirelakebeginsmixing(springturnover).Duringmixing,becauseofpreferentialheatingoftheshallowinshorewaters,a"thermalbar"graduallydevelopsandmovestowardthecenterofthelakeuntilitdisappearsearlyinJune.Duringtheexistenceofthebar,nutrientscarriedintothelakebystreamsmaybecometrappedforshortperiodsintheinshorewaters.,LaketemperaturesurveyshavebeenmadebytheApplicantintheNineMilePointareainover100feetofwaterduringthe'onthsMaytoSeptember.ThedataforMayandearlyJuneshowedatemperaturedifferenceofabout5'Fbetweenthesurfaceandthe40ftdepth,anduniformtemper<<aturebelow.Nothermocline'asobserved.DuringlateJurieandthroughJuly,thermoclinesappearedatdepthsrangingfrom10ftto70ft.,andlastednomorethanafewdayseach.InAugust,thelakereacheditsmaximum,temperature,rangingfromabout71'Fatthesurfacetoabout62'Fatthe100ft.depth,nothermoclinewasseen.However,inlateAugustandthroughoutSeptember,stratificationwasobservedwithathermoclinein70to90ft.depthlastingforabouttwoweeks.Thecirculationofth'elakeisgenerallycounterclockwiseforsurfacecurrents(upper33feet),intermediatecurrents(33-66feet),andbottomcurrents(below66feet).Thesurfacecurrentsdependstronglyonwindconditions,especiallyduringsummerstratification,whereasthebottomcurrentsaremodifiedbyfrictionandtopography.ThesurfacecurrentshaveameanspeedofaboutO.lft/secandarangefrom0to0.5fps.Surfacecurrentsreactquiterapidlytochangesinwindspeedanddirection;theflowpatterncanchangeinlessthanfourhours.Ontheotherhand,theresponsetimeofwind-inducedcirculationatintermediatedepthmaybeabout40hours.Underisothermalconditions,thewindcanaffectthecurrentsattheintermediatedepthfarmorethanitcanduringthesummerwhenthelakeisstratified.Lakecurrentsmeasuredinthevicinityofthesiteappearedtobeprimarilywind-induced,generallylowspeedandshowedrelativelyfrequentchangesineast-westdirection.
2-13TidesinLakeOntarioaresmall,lessthanoneinch.Seichesgenerallyhaveamplitudesoflessthantwofeet.Wind-drivensurfacewavesupto15feethighcanoccur.Thelakebottomnearthesiteisrockyandthebedrockouttothe15-footdepthisrelativelyfreeofoverburdenbecauseofheavywaveactivity.Thebedrockindeeperwatersiscoveredwithalooseoverburden.Theshorelineintheareaisabrupt,andtherearenobeaches.LakeOntarioismorphometricallyanoligotrophiclake.*ThenutrientinputfromLakeErietendstogivethislakeamesotrophictrend;however,sincemostofthelakeisover120feetdeep,thenutrientsarenotfullyutilized.Thedissolvedoxygenconcentrationsinthedeepwatersarenormally90/to100/ofsaturation;suchahighconcentrationindicateslowratesofoxygen-consumingprocessesinthesewaters.ChangesinthechemicalcharacteristicsofLakeOntariocloselyapproxi-matethetrendsexhibitedbyLakeErie.Availabledataindicatethatsodium,chloride,sulfate,andcalciumconcentrationshavebeenincreasingduringthepast50to60years.Thehightotaldissolvedsolidsandlowtransparencyindicateaeutrophictrend.Table2.2showstheApplicant's1972dataonwaterqualityneartheNineMilePointsite.WaterqualitysampleswerecollectedandanalyzedduringtheApplicant's1972ecologicalinvestigations.Surfaceandbottomsamplesweretakenattwolakelocations;onewasin-30feetofwaterandtheotherin40feet.BothsamplingstationswereaboutonemilewestofthemouthoftheOswegoRiver.Grabsamplesweretakenatthecooling-waterintakeandatthedischarge,andacompositesamplewastakenattheplantcompositor.ThesurveywasconductedforsixmonthsbetweenAprilandNovember1972(MayandOctoberexcluded)withsamplestakenmonthly.Theanalyticalresults,showninTable2.2,listthelowestandthehighestofthesixvaluesforeachlocation.Additionalwater<<qualitydataareshowninTable2.3;thesedatapertaintosamplesobtainedattheCityofOswegowaterintake,6500feetoffshoreandaboutsevenmileseastoftheStation.Theinshorewatersarelessoligotrophicthanoffshorewaters.'hisisareflectionoftheshallow'depthsinvolvedandthefactthatmostnutrientinputs,bothnaturalandman-derived,enteralongtheshores.*"Eutrophic"lakesarecharacterizedbyahighproductionoforganicmatterand"oligotrophic"lakes'havelowproductionoforganicmatter.A"Mesotrophic"conditioncanbedescribedasanintermediateoratransientcondition.
TABLE2.2..Applicant's1972WaterQualityMeasurements-LakeOntarionearNineMilePointNuclearStationSiteSurfaceBottom30-footMaterDepthSurfaceBottom40-footWaterDepthUnit1IntakeDischargeComposite>>>>MinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumMinimum~MinimumMaximumMinimumMaximumAlkalinityColorUnitsSp.Conductivity,ucho/cmmg/1,869020-3030-4032633086907787818483907289868834134430231934736729836031435429439620-3040-5010-2030-4020-3030-4010-2030-400-3030-4020-30-20-30TurbidityPhenolBODNH3-NNitrate-NT-PhosphorousOrthoPhosphateT.VolatileSolidsChlorideSulfate24-23242601.451234102.500.6JTU"2401.321314403.2502.300425102.201mg/115mg/1242mg/107.5mg/104.7mg/10.040.30mg/1Q.020.11mg/10.005*mg/1109133133400301.70.040.400.020.300.040.300.040.280.030.100.020.10Q.010.090.005>>0.01Q.ll0.01*0.01*0.010"821142462263090'112383114141287224.530951872275mg/1227223.231.228.436mg/1.26.531mg/102.2501.5101.3224Q312504.501.70241301.3000.040.360.040.320.010.280.010.120.01*13415326580.01*112153,36,3926.82923'3302.1501.38TotalSolidsTotalSSmg/1226mg/103021972970112503240.142233092842910527130601625530009Berylliumug/1<15<1<1<11588<1<1<113 TABLE2,2(Contd.)SurfaceBotton30-footWaterDepthSurfaceBotton40-footWaterDepthUnit1IntakeDischarge-.Composites*MinictunMaxinunMininunMaxinunMininunMaxinunMininuaMaxinunMininunMaxinunMininumMaxinunMininunMaxinunpaduanChroniunCopperLeadMercuryVanadiunZincpHug/1<1120g/1c15c15ug/1<2<<2ug/1<20164ug/1<1<1ug/1<2<2S,P*ug/1<60<60<110c15<15<217<20<20<12<6042918288.0*<14<<15c15<2<2<20<20<1<1<60353<2758.0*<14<15<15<2<2<20c20<12<6040422248.0*14<15<15<268<2025<117<60353<2526.8*<17<15<15<15<2<2<15<6093<6082026B,P*<2050<20<<1513<20116328.0*Tenperature6670.5626865.57261*61*87.8*FecalStreptococcif/100nl10.6*10.8%10.8*10.9*10.8*10.8**Singlevalue.*erakenatscreenhousedischargechannel.
I TABLE2.3DataonLakeOntarioWaterQuality+ParameterUnitsNo.ofSamplesRecordofDataConcentrationsMaximumConcentrations,Min.MeanMax.USPHSorNYSHardness(CaC03)Alkalinity(CaC03)Ammonia,nitrogenCalciumChloriddsIronManganeseMagnesiumNitrates(N)Nitrates(N)PhosphatesPotassiumSodiumSulfatespHTurbidityTemperatureDissolvedoxygen5-dayBODColorConductivityColiformbacteriaCODdichromateRes.onevap.(total)Res.onevap.(fixed)Suspendedsolids(total)Suspendedsolids(fixed)mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1mg/1ftOP.ppmppmmmhosno/100mlppmppmppmppmppm.5416545454545451545454545454717170706668=-5370'1545151266/64-1/713/65-11/666/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/719/65-1/716/64-1/71.6/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/715/64-1/715/64-1/715/64-1/715/64-1/715/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/715/64-1/716/64-1/716/64-1/719/65-1/719/65-1/718/66-1/71112.850.032.03.80.00.004.90.00.00.00.51.013.07.21.0346.80.22131.02~20.21287310146940.4744.030.30.018.90.140.0050.191.616.630.17.98.449.310.91.258.5306567.924313510.55.52401011.3154.055.50.60.1329.00.510.0291.6511.445.050.09.025.073.4'4.43.020437.024028.153336744172500.30.3-1025015+DatarecordedbyNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationofOswego,N.Y.,citywaterintake,6500ftintothelakeat40ftbelowlakelevel.
2-162.5.3GroundwaterHydrologySomewaterisobtainedfromwellsthataredrilledintotheupperfive-toten-footfracturedzoneoftheOswegoSandstone.Yieldsinthismaterialaverageabout10gallonsperminute.Belowthesandstonebed-rockthereisanotherhydrologicbedrockunit.Thislayeriscomposedofblack'ndgrayshale;itis800feetthickandwellsyieldanaverageofthreegallonsofwaterperminute.Groundwaterisusedforprivateneedsinthearea.Thenearestknownproducingwellisaboutonemile'romtheStation.ThelocationsofthisandotherprivatewatersuppliesaregivenintheApplicant'sEnviron-mentalReport(Pig.2.5-4).InthevicinityoftheStation,thegroundwaterflowsnorthtothelake.2.6METEOROLOGYTheclimateattheNineMilePointareaisessentiallycontinental,withcoldwintersandwarmsummers.Thewintersareusuallylongwithanaveragetemperaturenear25'P;thesummersareshortwithanaveragetemperaturecloseto70'P.Poraboutaninety-yearperiodendingin1960-,thetemperatureextremesrecordedattheU.S.WeatherBureauStationinOswego'were100and-23'P.TheclimateintheareaiscontrolledbytheSt.LawrenceValleystormtrackandmoderatedbyLakeOntario.Duringthesummer,thelakestoresheat,whichisdissipatedinthefallandearlywinter.Theresultantwarmairmovesinlandinthefallandprolongsthewarmerweatheronshore.During.latewinter,spring,andsummer,thelakeisaheatsink;itabsorbsheatfromthesunandwarmerair.Thecoolwindsfromthelakecausethenearshoretemperaturetobelowerinthespringandsummer.Thelakealsoaffectsthehumidity,cloudiness,andprecipitationonshore;inthefallandwinter,windcurrentsabsorbmoistureoverthelakeanddeposititinlandinsomeformofprecipitation(usuallysnowshowers).Low-pressureareasmovingalongtheSt.LawrencestormtrackalsobringmoistairtothesouthernshoreoftheLakeOntarioareafromtheGulfofMexico.Precipitationismoderateandratheruniformlydistributedthroughouttheyear.Itconsistsmainlyofthundershowersduringthesummerandsnow,duringthewinter.Theaverageannualprecipitationandsnowfalloccurringat.theU.S.WeatherBureauStationatOswegowas33.6inchesand88.1inches,respectively..Wintersnowfallaveragesoneto'twofeetpermonthduring,DecemberthroughMarch.Themaximumshort-term(three-day)snow-fall,onrecordwas75to90inchesduringthewinterof1965-.1966.Theprevailingwindsduringmostmonthsarefromthesouthwestapproachingthedirectionofthelongaxis'ofthelake.Duringthewinter,thepredom-Mantwinddirectionshiftstothewest.Highwindsin,theLakeOntario 2-17arearesultmostlyfromintensewinterstormsandseverethunderstorms.Anabsolutepeakwindspeedof73milesperhourwasrecordedbytheAppli-cantduringtwoyearsofcont9auousobservationatthesitein1963-1964.Anumberoftornadoeshavebeenreportedinthe1'atitude-longitudesquareatthesite.CalculatedbytheThornformulationandusingthemostrecenttornadofrequency,estimate*,thepiobabilityofatornadostrikingapointina1'atitude-longitudesquareatthesiteis4.1z104peryear.Thecalculatedrecurrenceintervalforsuchatornadois2459years.2.7ECOLOGY2.7.1TerrestrialEcologyTheStationanditsassociatedtransmissionlineareintheErie-OntaxioLowlandsphysiographicregion.Thereisanextensivenorthernhardwoodforestinthisregionwhichhassugarmaple,beech,whiteash,basswood,blackbirch,hemlock,yellowpoplar,chestnut,andred,black,white,andburroaks.Whitepineisfoundonlynearswamps.Elm,alder,maple,andashswampsarenumerous.Arborvitaeandcattailswampsarescatteredthroughoutthearea.TheareasinthevicinityoftheStationthatwereformerlyfarmedandarenowcoveredwithsecond-growthtreesandotherwoodyvegetationconstituteabouthalfthelandinthecounty.Theremainderinmadeupofwoodedareasandfarms.Thewoodyvegetationconsistsofredcedar,hawthorn,graybirch,raspberry,meadowsweet,andredosierdogwood.Cropssuchaswheat,cabbage,corn,beans,andtomatoesaxestillgrowninthisregion.Therearealsoapple,pear,andcherryorchards.ThewildlifespeciesfoundnearthesitearetypicalofthenortheasternUnitedStates.Themostcommonmammalsincludethecottontailrabbit,fox,raccoon,chipmunk,andgraysquirrel.Veryfewwhite-taileddeerareinthisarea.Predatorybirdswhichinhabitthemoreopenspacesincludesparrowhawk,red-tailedhawk,marshhawk,and'broad-wingedhawk..Twospeciesofgamebirds-ruffedgrouseandwoodcock-axefoundthroughoutthesite.Veryfewpheasantsarefoundinthisarea.LakeOntaxio,inthevicinityofNineMilePoint,hasimportantconcentrationsof.divingducksinthewinter,withlesserscaupbeingthemostabundantspecies.Dabblingducks,suchasthewoodduck,blackduck,mallard,andblue-wingedteal,canbefoundonafewpondsoftheregion',thisisabreedingareafortheseducks.ThesouthernshoreofLakeOntarioisama)ormigrationrouteusedbymanywaterfowlandothermigratingbirds.TheAmericanospreyandbaldeagleusethisroutetoo.+BasedonTechnicalMemorandumWBTHFCST12,"SevereLocalStormOccurrences,1955-67,"U.S..Dept.ofCommerce,ESSA,Sept.1969.
2-18TheApplicanthasstatedthatacursoryterrestrialsurveyofthesiteareawasperformedtodeterminethefloraandfaunapresent.NorareorendangeredspeciesofplantsandanimalswerenotedbytheApplicanteitherasaresultofthesitesurveyortheirliteraturesearchregardingthesitearea.However,'hebogturtle,G'lemmysmuhlenbez'gii,classifiedasendangeredbytheStateofNewYork,isusuallyfoundnearmarshessimilartothosealongthepathofthetransmissionline.2.7.2AquaticEcologyGenerally,thebenthosandplanktonofLakeOntarioindicateanoligotrophicsituation.Thedeepwaterbenthosiscomprisedmostlyoftheopossumshrimp,lysisz'eZicta,theamphipod,Pontopoz'eiaaffinis,andoligochaetes.Phytoplanktonconsistsmostlyofdiatoms.TheabundanceofdiatomsNelosiz'aislandicaandAstez'ionellafozmosainthepelagicwatersofthelakesuggests.oligotrophy.However,thepreponderanceofStephanodiscustenuisininshorewatersmayindicatehighernutrientconcentrationsalongshore.~3Considerablechangeinthe.relativeabundanceoffisheshasoccurredinLake'Ontario.TheAtlanticsalmon(Salmosalaz'alaz'),whichwasonceabundant,almostdisappearedby1880.Lakesturgeon(Acipensezfuluescens)wasoverexploitedandwasgreatlyreducedinalltheGreatLakesbytheearly1900's.Thecisco(C'ozegonuscuCedii)hasdeclinedsincethe1920's.Theabundanceoflaketrout(Salvelinusnamapcush)andbluepike(Stizostedionvivumglaucum)hasalsodeclinedduringrecentyears,andthebluepikeisnowontheendangeredspecieslist.Thesealamprey.mayhavereducedtheabundanceoflargespecies.Thepresenceofalewife(Alosapseudohaz'engus)datesbackto1870;intheabsenceoflargepredators,ithasflourishedandisnowthemostabundantfishinthelake.Anotherviewisthatthepopulationofalewifestabilizedpriortothedeclineofthelargepredators;thishypothesisissupportedbyresurgenceofpremiumfishstocksinthe1920'sandthenewspaperreportsduringthesameeraoftwomooralewifemortalities.*Whiteperch(Hoz'oneamericana)havebecomemoreabundantrecently.DespitethehighnutrientcontentofLakeOntario,thefishproductionisrelativelylow.14Thetotalcommercialcatchhasdeclinedfrom7.5millionpoundsin1890to3.2millionpoundsin1970.Landingsforlakeherringandchubs,whitefish,walleye,laketrout,andbluepikehaveconsistentlydecreasedinrecentyears.~~Recentcommerciallandingshavebeendominatedbywhiteperch,carp,bullheads,yellowperch,whitefish,smelt,eel,sunfish,andwalleye.*Christie,W,J.1972.LakeOntario:effectsofexploitation,intro-ductions,andeutrophicationonthesalmonidcommunity.J.Fish.Res.Bd.Can.29:913-929.
2-19CommercialfishingintheU.S.portionofthelakeisasmallfractionofthetotalcatch(330,000poundscomparedwith2,905,000poundsinCanadianwatersin,1970)andisconfinedmostlyto'theextremenortheasttsectionofthelakeinChaumontBay(approximately40milesfromNineMilePoint)anditsnearbyshoalareas.AdditionalfishingisconductedfromSackettsHarborwestwardandOswegoHarboreastward.IITheshorelineatNineMilePoint,exceptforthefencedareaaroundtheplant,isaccessibleforsportfishing.Smallmouthbass,yellowperch,whiteperch,walleye,bullhead,andnorthernpikearetheprincipalsportfishesinthearea.Thefullextentofsportfishing'inthevicinityofthesite,however,isnotknown.StudiesnowinprogressundertheauspicesoftheInternationalFieldYearfortheGreatLakeswillyieldconsiderablymoreinformationfortheNineMilePointareaandeasternLakeOntario.However,thefinalresultsofthesestudieswillnotbefoithcomingintheimmediatefuture.Theaquaticbiotaofthisareaaredescribedbelowontheba'sisoftheApplicant'spreoperationalstudiesdescribedintheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReportandinformationavailableinliterature'nLakeOntario.a.FishesThefishesfoundintheNineMilePointareaarelistedinTable2.4.Observationsincidentaltothe'pplicant'ssurveyindicatethatthealewifespawnsnearthesite..Inspring,thealewifeeggsaredepositedintheC'Eadophozamatc1osetotheshore.However,becauseoflimitedsampling,thepossibilityofspawningbyotherspeciescannotbediscounted.Heavywaveactivitywilltendtodiscourageuseofshallowwatersinthisareaforspawningbyspecieswhichbuildnestsandcarefortheeggsorryoungforsomeperiod.MexicoBay,twomileseastofthesite,offersshallowwaterssuitableforspawningandnurseryuse.Informationaboutspawning,foodhabitsandimportanceoffishesabundantintheNineMilePointarea,derivedfromReferences15-18,isgiveninTable2.5.Anecho-soundersurveybytheAppl'icant,reportedintheEnvironmentalReport,hasshownhigherconcentrationsoffishintheareaalongthe20-footdepthandinslightlydeeperwaterthaninshallow,near-shorewaters.Fisharemostabundant'ntheareaduringMay.Suchabundancecouldberelatedtothespawningactivityduringthisperiod.The'abundancedeclinesinAugust,andfewfishareleftintheareaaswinterapproaches.Largeconcentrationswerenotedatdepthsof30to40feet 2-20TABLE2.4FishesFoundintheNineMilePointAreaICommonNameScient'ificNameDecreasinOrderofYearlAbundanceAlewifeYellowperchWhiteperchNorthernredhorsesuckerRockbassSmallmouthbassBluegillsunfishBrownbullheadAlosapseudohazengusPezcaflavescenseMoroneamericana&#xc3;axostomasp.AmblopZiteszepestvisMiczeptemsdolomieuiLepomismacmchizms1'ctalumcsnebulosusOtherFishesintheAreaCarpCohosalmonWalleyeSmeltGizzardshadWhitebassBowfishCalicobassMinnowsNorthernpikeWhite'suckerLakewhitefishCyprusccupioOncozhynchuskisutchStizostedionvi8xeumvitreumOsmeresmorckuDoresomacepedianumMournechvpsopsAmiacaZvaPorno+isnigromacuZatusNotmpisspp.EsoxluciusCatostomusconmersoniCoregonus,clupeaformis TABLE2.5Spawning,FoodHabits,andImportanceofFishesAbundantintheNineMilePointAreaofLakeOntarioSpawningSpeciesParentalCareTime/Temp,'FPlaceFoodHabitsImportanceAlewifeNo55to72LateMaytoearlyAugust6"to12"deepinvegetationZooplankton,insects,crustacea,smallfishForageYellowperchNo44to54AprilandMayInshoreatnightSmallcrustaceans,insectlarvae,smallfishSport,commercialfoodWhiteperchNoApril,MayandJunePinegravelnearshallowareasPlankton,insectlarvae,crusta-ceans,largeinvertebratesCommercial,foodsportRockbassYes70to78June,JulyNestinagravelbedInsectsandothersmallinvertebrates,Pood,sportcrayfishes,smallfishes,largeinsectsSmallmouthbassYes65oraboveNestinadepres-sioncircularSmallanimalsinshallowwaterCommercial,food'portBluegillsunfishYes80to90June,JulyNestsonsandbeachesorgravelbarsCrustaceans,insects,crayfishes,fishesFood,sportBrownbullheadYes65oraboveMay,JuneNestCrustaceans,insectlarvae,fishfisheggs,molluscs,plantsSport,foodSmeltNoApril,MayatcoldtemperatureShallow,sandybeachesPlankton,fingernailclams,smeltyoung,shinersCommercial,food 2-22between10PMand3AM.Thesestudiesalsoindicateatwo-foldincreaseinnumbersoffishfromshallowwater(10feet)todeeperwater(20feet).Experimentalgillnettingshowedapreponderanceofalewivesnearthesurface.Relativelyfewwerecaughtnearthebottom.Yellowandwhitepercharetheothertwoabundantspeciesinthearea.Perchandminnowswerecapturedinthenetsclosetotheshore.Exceptforalewives,veryfewfishwerefoundnearthesurface.Extensivemortalityofalewiveswasobservedinthelakeduringthespringof1970;thecauseofsuchmortalityisnotfullyunderstood.Suchextensivemortalitycouldoccurbecauseofanyofthefollowingcauses:(1)highpopulationdensity,resultingindepletionoffoodsupply,whichinturnresultsinthepoorphysicalconditionofthefish;(2)temperaturestressduringcoldwintersandinthespringduringspawning;and(3)physiologicaleffectsasa-resultoftheirsaltwaterorigin.Gillneetingin1970and1971hasshownthatcarp,sunfish,smallmouthbass,alewives,andsomeotherfishestendtoconcentrateinthethermalplumeofUnit1duringcoolermonths.TheApplicanthasnotseinedintheareaandthereforenoinformationonjuvenilesneartheshoreisavailable.Pood-preferencestudiesoffishesinthearea,asgivenintheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,haveindicatedthatsmallalewives,afewminnows,darters,andalewifeeggsarethemajorfoodsupplyduringspring.Laterintheseason,Gamrmms(anamphipod),crayfish,minnows,anddartersserveastheprincipalforage.b.BenthosSeveralstudieshavedescribedvariousaspectsofbenthicmacroin-vertebratesofLakeOntario.Oligochaetescomprisethelargestgroupofmacrobenthosinthelake.Thesearerepresentedbyfour,families:Enchytraeidae,Lumbriculidae,Naididae,andTubificidae.TheEnchytraeidsarewidespreadbutnotabundantanddonotexhibitdepthpreference.Stplocbiluehezingianus(Lumbriculidae)occursthroughoutthelake.ThespeciesofNaididaeoccurinshallowwater.Noneof'them,however,isabundant.ThegreatestnumberofspeciesandindividualsbelongstothefamilyTubificidae.AmphipodsarerepresentedbyPontopozeiaaffinisandGammams.P.affinisseemstobemoreabundantintheshallowzonethanindeepzones.Gamesislimitedtowaterslessthan100feetdeep.Chironomids(midgeflylarvae),withafewexceptions,arenotfoundinthelakeatdepthsover160feet.Mostoftheselarvaeandallgastropods(snails)arerestrictedtotheshallowzone.
2-23Table2.6(fromRef.20)showstheabundanceofbenthicorganismsatasamplingstationaboutfourmilesfromtheStation.ObservationsbytheApplicantindicatethatbenthosinthevicinityoftheNineMilePointsiteischaracterizedbyabundanceofCladophoza(filamentousgreenalga)alongthe10-footdepthcontour;thegrowthissparseat5and20feet.ThegrowthisgreaterinJuneanddeclinesinAugust.OptimumtemperatureforCladophozaisabout65'F.~6Tempera-tureshigherthan65'Ftendtolimitthegrowth.Gavm~hasbeenfoundtobeabundantinMexicoBayandatthe10-footdepthintheNineMilePointarea.ItismoreabundantinAugustthaninJune.Threespeciesofsnailshave"beenfoundatthe15-footdepth.Themidgeflylarvae,2'endipes,havealsobeenobservedinthisarea.Preliminary.resultsofthesamplingconductedbytheApplicantindicatethatthermaldischargefromUnit1depressestheCladophoz'agrowthinlatesummer'ndincreasestheabundanceofGanwmusinthezoneofthethermaldischarge.Thelaboratorystudies,conductedwithCladophol'atakenfromthissite,havedeterminedthelowerandupperthermaltolerancelevelstobe53'nd77'Frespectively.c.PeriphytonAstudyoftheperiphyticorganismsinMexicoBay,LakeOntario(ad)acenttoNineMilePointarea)wasconductedduringMay-November1966.Themaximumaverageabundanceoforganismsforeachmonthwasobtainedatadepthoffourinches.ExceptforJune,theaverageharvestvalueatallstationsandduringallmonthsoccurredatthe12-footdepth.ThemonthlyvalueforallstationswashighestinJuneandlowestinOctober.ZoosporesofanalgaofthefamilyChlorophyceae(greenalgae)wereobservedinlargenumbersinMayandJunesamples.'Atotalof35generawasrecorded.TenofthegenerabelongtoChlorophyceae,ofwhich.Cladopho~wasmostabundant.TheChrysophyceae(yellow-greenoryellow-brownalgae)wererepresentedbythreegenera.Bacillariophyceae(diatoms)weremostwide-spread,andwererepresentedby17genera,MelosizaandStephanodiscusbeingabundantataU.stations.Myxophyceae(blue-greenalgae)wererepresentedbyfivegenera,althoughnonewasabundant.d.Plankton(1)ZooplanktonResultsofalakewidestudyoncompositionandhorizontaldistributionofcrustaceanplanktoninLakeOntarioindicatethatmostofthespeciesappearinJuneandJulyintheeasternendofthelake,withzonesofabundancelaterexpandingwestward.ByOctoberthereisatendencytowarduniformdistributionthroughoutthelake.Ninetypercentofthezooplanktersoccupythe0to167-footstratum.Elevenspecieseachofcopepodsand.cladoceranshavebeenreportedfromthe 2-24TABLE2.6AbundanceofBenthicOrganismsataSamplingS'tationApproximatelyFourMilesfromNineMilePointStation,1964OrganismNumberofOrganismsperSquareMeterat34-footDepth(11m)NemataUnidentified103Oligochaeta-NaididaePiguetiellamichiganensisOligochaeta-TubificidaePotamothrizmoldaviensisP.veJdovskyiBhyacodriluscoccineusUnidentified1037051885ArthropodaHydrac~na22CrustaceaGammarussp.PontoporeiaaffinisOstracods-unidentified1199675llInsectaCryptochironomusdigitatusMicropsectrasp.Microtendipessp.Potthastialongimana114955MolluscaAmnicolaspp.ValvatasinceraPisidiumspp.Sphaeriumtransversum561680188938 225lake,themostabundantforms.being:CpcZopsbicuepidatus,WopocycZopspz'aeinummaxicanus,DaphniazeMocuzua,BosminaZowieos&is,Bosminaccregonicozegoni,andCe~daphniaZaous&is.Atthetimeofmaximumpopulationdensitytherewasastrongpositivecorrelationbetweenzoo-planktonabundanceandtemperatureofthetop25metersofwatercolumn.Theeasternzoneofthelakehad1.7timesmoreindividualsperunitvolumeofwaterthanthewesternzoneofthelake.Whetherthiseffectisproducedbyanaccelerationofzooplanktongrowthratesorbyincreasedproductionoffoodorganismshasnotbeenascertained.TheeasternzoneofthelakehasasmallsecondpeakofabundanceinOctober.Theabundanceofzooplanktoninagivenareacanbeaffectedbythegeneralpatternofthewindoverthelake.Studiesconductedduring1969and1970nearUnit1haveshownthatthethermaldischargefromUnit1hasincreasedthestandingcropofBosmina25.0timesandDaphniazeWocuzM1.2timesintheoverallstudyarea.,Ad)scenttotheoutfall,thesesamepopulationsincreased123.8and2.4times,respectively.Atthesametime,primaryproductionwasnotsignificantlyaffected.Thesestudiescoveredalimitedtimeperiod,andtheconclusionswerebasedonfewdata.Furtherstudiesarenecessarybefoxeanysoundconclusionscanbedrawn.(2)PhytoplanktonThephytoplanktonofLakeOntariohavebeendescribed.PhytoplanktonalongtheshorehavemorespeciespermilliliterandahigherpercentageofStephanodisaustenuisascomparedtowatersoffshore.Ast'erioneZEaformosa,MelosizaisZandica,MeZcsinzNndemna,andNiizschias'kpNxaretheotherimportantspecies.ThemidlakeandlocationssixmilesoffshorehavealowerabundanceofStephanodiscustenuis,andMeZosizaisZQocficcEandAst'erioneZZafoxmosabecomemore.abundant.Informationontheabundanceofma)ordiatomspeciesintheNineMilePointarea(derivedfromReference31)isgiveninTable2.7.InalakewidesurveyconductedduringSeptember1964,~the,dominantplanktersweregreenalgaefollowedbydiatoms.ThedistributionofphytoplanktonbyfamiliesatastationapproximatelyfourmilesfromtheNineMilePointStationisgiveninTable2.8.ObservationsbytheApplicantin1964ondistributionofplanktonnearthesiteindicatedhigherplanktonconcentrationsinthesurfacewatersand-dependenceofplanktonabundanceonwindsandcurrents,theplanktonbeingmoreabundantintheareawithnoshorewindsandcurrents.Veryfewfishlarvaewer'eobservedintheplanktonsamplescollectedin1964.2.8BACKGROUNDRADIOLOGICALCHARACZERISTICS.Theradiologicalaspectsofthesiteareaareaveragefortheregion.Therearenoconspicuousnaturalsources,andradiationfromallsources
?-26,TABLE2.7AbundanceofMajorDiatomSpeciesataSamplingStationAboutPourMi3.esfromNineMLlePointStation,September8-18,1964-Abundance('ells/ml)=MajorDiatom-.-.Species-Surface--10.meterAste~neZZaformosaFungil~acz'otonensisMelosimislancRcaStephanodiscusast2'aeaStephanodiscusva2'.minutuZaStephanodiscustenuisTabeZZaviafenestrata4.621.41.32.010.04.07.40.630.02.012.00.68.6Total57.558.1*DatatakenfromRef.31,Station74.
2-27TABLE2.8Abundanceof,Phytoplankton(byFamilies)ataSamplingStationAboutFourMilesfromNineMilePointStation,September1964PhytoplanktonEvent(cells/ml)FamilySurfaceBottom(10meter)ChlorophyceaeBacillariophyceae312249619216MyxophyceaeDinophyceaeEuglenophyceaeOthers1417139Total642I998C*Data'takenfromRef.30.
2-28isbelowaverage,fortheU.S.,asistypicalofthenortheasternrainbelt.S>Measureddoseratefromnaturalbackgroundfortheareaisabout125mrem/yr.RadiologicalaspectsassociatedwithNineKLlePointarediscussedinSection5.Some25stateandfederalmonitoringstationshavebeenactivewithin124milesoftheproposedStationforthelasttwodecades.Inaddition,amonitorin~programhasbeeninoperationatNineMilePointUnit1since1967.ValuesreportedbytheneareststationsinrecentyearsaresummarizedinTable2.9.PostoperationalvaluesforUnit1arealsoincluded.ThislargeaccumulationofavailabledataprovidesanadequatebaselinetowhichtheStation'simpactmaybecompared.
2-29TABLE2.9EnvironmentalSamplingStationsNineMilePointArea,1969-'972intheStationSamplesTakenaRangeAlbany~N.Y.Buffalo,N.Y.(NiagaraYells)(LakeErie)Nasseaa,N.Y.NeuHaven,N.Y.Osuego>NoYeRochester,N.Y.Rome,NoYISscuseNY,Toronto,Oat.Utica,N.Y.ShTNSWSWPNSAPSr-90CrossbetaCrossbetaCrossbetaTritiumTritiumSr-CrossbetaTritiumCrossbetaCrossbeta,diss.Crossbeta,cusp.Crossalpha,diss.Crossalhasus.Sr-90Crossbeta,diss.Crossbeta,susp.Crossalpha,diss.CrosshihasusCrossbetaTritiumGrossbetaTritiumTritiumCrossbeta>diss.Crossbeta,susp.Crossalpha,diss.Crossalhasus.CrossalphaCross.betaSr-90CrossbetaGrossbetaGrossbetaCrossbetaO-ll0-52-290-30-1600010-40-5003-53-10<3-11<3<0.2-23-142vg2-5<0.21<0.2-063-803-5000005-1339O-l125617.72<200<2001<200473<31.274.73<0.2<0.2<2004<200<<200300050.14.4WatertounN.Y.NinaNilePointGrossbetaPCrossbetaShCrossbetaSWatinletTritiumVertebrates,Aquatic,CrossbetaInvertebrates,Aquatic,CrossbetaPlants>AquaticCrossbetaVertebrates,AquaticCrossgammaInvertebrates,AquaticCrossgsssaaPlants,AquaticCrossgaasaa3-2703-524000-sb0.5140-10.5373.58224002b0.5140.20.537PromEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,RadiationDataandReportsVol.1-13,(1972)andSemiamaaalReportsofOperation,NineNilePointNuclearStationfor1971.SPNPasteurisedmilk,PGi/4Sh~Surfaceair,pCi/msP~Precipitatioa,nCi/mt/monthSW~Surfacemater,PCi/hTW~Tapuater,Tritium'Ci/4pCi/gmdryweight,forbiota.
2-30References1."PopulationProjectionsforNew'.York.StateCounties:1970-2000,!'ewYorkStateOfficeof'lanningServices,Albany,.N.Y.,12207.2."The.NatureandDistributionof7axminginNew-YorkState,"NewYork.StateOffice.ofPlanningCoordination,.Dec.1969..3."New,YorkStateDevelopmentPlan-l,"NewYorkStateOfficeofPlanningCoordination.H4.EnvironmentalReportforNineMQ.ePointNuclearStation,Unit2.NiagaraMohawkPowexCorporation,Syracuse,'NewYork,1972.SupplementNo.2,S2.6-2.5."EarthquakesinNewYorkState,"D.H.NewlandNewYorkStateMuseum,Albany,N.Y.,Circular14,p.18,Sept.1933;6.LetterfromRonaldPendersen,DeputyCommissionoftheStateofNewYork,DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,FinalEnvironmentalStatementRelatedtoOperationoftheJamesF.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerSite,USAEC,March1973,AppendixG.7.LetterfromW.A.Radleigh,ActingDirectoroftheU.S.DepartmentoftheInteriorGeologicalSurvey,AECDocketNo.-50-333,GeologyFieldSurvey.8.FinalSafetyAnalysisReport,NineMilePointUnit1Station,DocketNo.50-220,U.S.AtomicEnergyCommission.9."AReportonChemical,BiologicalandPhysicalFindingsinLakeOntario,"DepartmentofInterior,PWCA,GreatLakesRegion,Rochester,N.Y.,1967.10."EnvironmentalReportfortheJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlant,"AppendixI,PowerAuthority.ofth'eStateofNewYork.May22,.1971.11.A.M.Beeton,"ChangesintheEnvironmentandBiotaoftheGreatLakes,"in"Eutrophication:Causes,Consequences,Correctiyes,"NationalAcademyofSciences,pp.150-187,.1969.12."TornadoProbabilities,"MonthlyWeatherReview,October-December1963,p.734'.
2-3113..C.Nalewajko,"CompositionofPhytoplankton"inSurvey'atersofLakeOntario,""J.Fish.Res..Bd.,'Canada,",'231715-1725,1966.14.S.'HSmi'th"TrendsinFi'sherykQnagementofthe.GreatLakes"'A,.Centuryof:Fisheriesin.NorthAmerica,"N.G.Benson,Ed.,;Am.Fish..''oc.Sp'.Puh.'No.7,1970.15.K.D.Carlander,"EandbookofFresh.Water'isheryBiology,"Vol.I,The'IowaStateUniv.Press,Ames',,Iowan1969.16.'.C.Raney,"SomeYoungFreshwaterFishes'ofNewYork,"-The'onservationist,N..Y.S'tateConservationDepartmentAug.-Sept.1959.17.E.C.Raney,"SomePanFishesofNewYork,"TheConservationists,N.Y.StateConservationDepartment,Apr.-May1965.18.E.C.Raney,"SomePanFishesofNewYork,"TheConservationist,N.Y;StateConservation'epaitment,June-July1965.t19.R.0.Brinkhurstetal.,"ComponentsoftheBottomFaunaofthe'St.LawrenceGreatLakes,"Univ.Toronto,GreatLakesInst..Publ.No.PR33,1968."20.J.K.Hiltunen,"TheBenthicMacrofaunaofLakeOntario,"ContributionNo.389oftheAnnArborBiologicalLaboratory,NationalMarineFisheriesService,AnnArbor,'Mich.,1969.21.M.G.'Johnson"andR.0.Brinkhurst;'"ProductionofBenthic"Macro-invertebratesofBayofQuinteandLakeOntario,"J.FishRes.Bd.,Canada,28:1699-1714,1971.22.M.G.Johnson,"BenthicCommunity'MetabolisminBayofQuinteandLakeOntario,"J.Fish.Res.Bd.,Canada,28:1715-1725,1971.23.M.G.Johnson,"AssociationsandSpeciesDiversityinBenthicMacroinv'ertebratesofBayof'QuinteandLakeOntario,"J.Fish.Res'.Bd.,Canada,28:'1682-.1697,'1971.24..E."B."Henson,'"A'eview,of"GreatLakesBenthos'Research.,"'Great.LakesResearch.Division',Univ.'fMfchigan,Ann''Arboi,PublicationNo.14,1966.25:R.0."Brinkhurst,""Change'sin,the'Benthos'ofLakeErieandOntaiio,"'r'oceedings;Buffalo',Societyof'Natural"Sciences,,29(l):45-71,.169MP~
2-3226.J.F.StorrandR.A.Sweeny,"DevelopmentofaTheoreticalSeasonalGrowth,Response.CurveofCladophoraglamerata.'to-TemperatureandPhotopexiod;"Proc.14thCq+.GreatLakesRes.',1971".?7.D.F.Jackson,"AStudyofthePexiphyticOrganismsof-theEasternEndofLake.Ontaxio,"Proc.10thConf.GreatLakesRes.,pp.31-36,1967.28.K.Patalas,"CompositionandHorizontalDistri5utionof"Crustacean.PlanktoninLakeOntario,"J,Fish.Res'.Bd.,Canada,26:2135-2164,1969.29.M.W.Fenlonetal.,"InfluenceofThermalEffluentsUponAquaticProductioninLakeOntario,"Proc.14thConf.GreatLakesRes.,197130.R.E.Ogawa,"LakeOntarioPhytoplankton,Sept.1964,"ContributionNo.388,AnnArborBiologicalLaboratory,NationalMarineFisheriesService,AnnArbor,Mich.,1969.31.J.F.Reinwand,"PlanktonicDiatomsofLakeOntario,"ContributionNo.387,AnnArborBiologicalLaboratory,NationalMarineFisheriesSexvice,AnnArbor,Mich.,1969.32.C.NaIewajko,"PhytoplanktonDistribution,inLakeOntario,,"Proc.10thConf.GreatLakesRes.,pp.63-69,1967.33.G.W.Saunders,"StudiesofPrimaryProductivityintheGreatLakes,"Proc.7thConf.GreatLakesRes.,pp.122-129,1964.34.C.C.Davis,"PlanktonStudiesintheLargestGreatLakesoftheWorldwithSpecialReferencetotheSt.LawrenceGreatLakesofNorthAmerica,"GreatLakesResearchDivision,Univ.ofMichigan,AnnArbor,PublicationNo.14,pp.1-36,1966.35.C.Nalewagko,"CompositionofPhytoplanktoninSurfaceWatersofLake'ntario,"J.Fish.Res'.Bd.Canada,,23(11)1715-1725,1966.36.M.F.P.Michalski,"PhytoplanktonLevelsin.CanadianNear-shoreWatersoftbeLower'reatLakes,"Proc.11th.Conf.GreatLakesRes.;pp.85-95,1968."37.C.NalewagkoandL.Marin,"ExtracellularProductioninRelationtoGrowthofFourPlanktonicAlgaeandofPhytoplanktonPopulationsfromLake"Ontario,"CanadianJ.ofBotany,47:'05-413,1969.
2-3338.M.,MunawarandA.Nauwerck,"The'ompositionandHorizontalDistributionofPhytoplanktoninLakeOntarioduringtheYear1970,"Proc.14thConf.=GreatLakesRes;,pp.69-'78,1971.39."RadiationData.andReports,'ol.1-13,1959-1972,U.S.Environmental-ProtectionAgency.40.."EnvironmentalReportforKineKU.ePointNuclearStation,Unit2,"NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,Syracuse,N.Y.,1972.
'h 3-13.1EXTERNALAPPEARANCE3~THESTATIONTheStation'svariousstructuresincludetheProgressCenterandtheadministration,reactor,turbine,sewagetreatment,andradwastebuildings(thelastcontainingthescreenwallpumphouse).Thereactorbuilding,thetallest,isapproximately140feethigh,buta350-footstackrisesfromtheradwastebuilding.AllthebuildingsexcepttheProgressCenterandsanitaryplantareinterconnected.e345-kVswitchyardissouthofthemainbuilding.Thebuildingsandauxiliarysystemsoccupyaboutfivepercentofthe900-acresite.AplotoftheStationisshowninFig.3.1.TheStation'sexteriorisofflutedmetalsidingonaconcretebase.Therussetcolorofthebasecontrastswiththelightgrayandgreenofthemetalsiding.Thearchitectureemphasizestherectangularshapesoftheinterconnectedbuildings.Theexternalappearanceofthegroundswasdevelopedbyanindependentlandscapearchitect.TheProgressCenter,locatedwestofthemainbuilding,isacontemporarystoneandglassranch-stylestructureusedasavisitorsreceptioncenterandmuseum.Itcontainsexhibitsofnuclearenergyandlocalnatureinterestandisvisitedbyover50000personsayeaPir.guresowstheappearanceoftheStationandnearbygrounds.3.2REACTORANDSTEAN-ELECTRICSYSTEMAsingleboilingwaterreactor,manufacturedbytheGeneralElectric'heCompany,generatessteamat1000psigtodrivetheturbine-generatn-eneraor.ereactorhasaratingof1850Mwt,correspondingtoanetelectricaloutputof610MWe.Theturbine-generatorisatandemunitwithahigh-pressuresectiononthesameshaftwiththreelow-pressuresectionsandtheelectricgenerator.Steamisexhaustedfromtheturbinetothemaincondenser,whereitiscondensedandreturnedviatheregenerativefeed-waterheaters.Thereactorcore,whichcontains532fuelassemblies,isrefueledannually,withabout25percentor133fuelassembliesreplaceddurinreuelingperiod.TheassembliesnowinuseweremanufacturedbyurngGeneralElectricCorporation.
3-20'VOX~~XrFINISHEOGRAOEEl..260.5XXXRVPACFpgI~SEO).'UILOINGNORTHXINTAKCTVNNSLTVHH'ITOHCWASTCSCRTSN6RVHRHOVSCRSACTORSLOC.CRCACTORTVINTHCCSNSRATORCLDC.QTVRSINCCSHCRATORADdLOS,ZWRA!HICHVOLTACCSWITCHYARDX~SSWACCIdLOCTRSATHSNCQSNTRANCCROAD0OO200MO400500SCALEFEETPROGRESSCENTERFig.3.1.PlotofSiteofNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1.
Fig.3.2.NineMilePointUnitl.
'3-4TheunitwasdesignedbyNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationandconstructedbyStoneandWebsterEngineeringCorporation.TheStationhasbeenincommercialoperationsinceDecember,1969.3.3PLANTWATERUSE'oolingwaterforthemaincondenser,auxiliary'systems,reactor-shutdownheatremoval",andtheprimarycoolingsystemiswithdrawnfromLakeOntario'ndreturnedafteruse.Theonlynetwaterconsumptionisthatduetoevaporationofwater,waterindisposed"solids"orradwastesolution's,andwaterduetominorleaks.Althoughanexactdetermina-tionofthislosscannotbemade,theApplicantestimatesthemaximumlosstobe10gpm.Thislossdoesnotincludeevaporationfromthelakesurfaceduetotheheated'discharge.Nochemicalsorinhibitorsareaddedtothecirculatingorservicewatersystems.Thesiltcontentoftherawlakewaterhasbeensufficienttopreventattachmentofbiologicalgrowthinthecoolingsystem..Shouldcleaningofthecondenseroiservicewaterbecomenecessary,theApplicantproposestouseahigh-pressurewaterflushorothermechanicalmeanstopreventfoulingofthecondensers.Chemicalsareusedinthemakeup-watertreatmentsystem,analyticalsamplingsystem,andthedecontaminationsystem.ChemicaldischargefromthesesystemsisdiscussedinSection3.6.TheCityofOswegosupplies3300gpdfordomestic-wateruse.MostofthiswaterisreturnedtoLakeOntarioaftertreatment.,ThewaterusagefortheStationisshowninFig.3.3.'.4HEAT-DISSIPATIONSYSTEMTheStationusesonce-throughcoolingtodissipatetotheenvironmentwasteheatfromthemaincondensersandauxiliarycoolingsystems.ThecirculatingwaterfortheStationisdrawnfromLakeOntariointoasubmergedinlet,circulatedthroughthecondensers,andreturnedtothelakethroughasubmergeddischargestructure.Theintakeanddischargetunnelsrununderthelakebedtothescreenwellandpumphouseonshore.Figure3.4showsthelocationoftheintakeanddischargestructuresinLakeOntario.TheApplicanthasstatedthat,atmaximumpoweroutput,theStationrequiresatotalflowof268,000gpm;250,000gpmareforthemaincondenserand18000gpmareforservice-waterrequirements.Themaincondenserwill0raisethecoolingwatertemperatureamaximumof32Fcorrespondingtoa INTAXETVNHEI.FROMLAXF.ONTARIO268,0008pm(NORMAL)TTWMAX272,000GPm(MAX)250,000ppm(CONSTANT)(WHENOPERATING)6000Opm(NORM)9000Opm(MAX)I8,000ppm(NORM)22,0008pm(RKGMAX)CONDENSER4.0rI08BTWhrSHUTDOWNHEATREMOVALSYSTKM57.5xI04BTU/hr(MAX)CLOSED-LOOPCOOLING-SYSTKMHEATKXCHANGERSCLARIFIKRWASTEREGENERANTWASTESETTLINGBASINOVERFLOWWASTE-NEUTRALIZINGSYSTEMIOOGPMMAXCAA'K'JVTA/T/0DISCHARGESTRUCTURE+20GpmTOLAKEONTARIOIOOppmPRETREATMKNTCLARIFIERSYSTEMPOI.ISHINGREGENERATIONMAKEUPDEMIN.DEMINKRALIZER.WASTKRADWASTESYSTEM~FORSYSTEMHOTINCON'TINVOUSOPERATIONCONDENSATKMAXEUPAUXILIARYSYSTEMSMAKEUPDECONTAMINATEDWASTES(FLOORORAINSrLAUNORY)RADWASTESHIPPINGCONTAINERSIOOGpmMAXCI'TYOFOSWEGOFLOW-WATERMEI'ERSUPPLYDOMESTICWATERUSAGE5500GpdAVGSANITARYWASTETREATMENTSYSTEMTOLAKEONTARIO2400GPd(NORMAL)5800ppd(MAX)Pig.3.3.Water-usagePlow.
2'I5INTAKE~BUILDINGNORTHs220STONEDIKEEL.263.0ATSHORELINEIIgII)II)l)(III\~II()III)IDISCHARGE~/o230~~I0~II(Ie9ila~900~II0IIhiII0II~SCREENAND'UMPHOUSEl4-57-07NOTE:ALLELEVATIONSAREREFERENCEDTOUSLSl935DATUM0IOO200300400SCALEI=200Fig.3.4.IntakeandDischargeStructureLocations:Plan.
3-7heatrejectionrateof4.0x10~BTU/hr.Theservice-watertemperaturewillberaisedabout20F.Thetemperatureriseforthetotalflowis31.2'F.Thetemperatureoftheintakewatervarieswiththeseasonfrom33'o77'F,themaximumrecordedtemperature.3.4.1IntakeStructureCoolingwateristakenfromLakeOntariointoahexagonalintakestructurelocatedinawaterdepthofapproximately18feetabout850feetfromtheexistingshoreline.Thesixwaterinlets,each5feethighby10feetlong,areguardedbygalvanizedsteel'ackstopreventtheentranceof,unmanageableflotsamintothewatersystem.TheApplicantstatesthatthisdesignprovidesforwatertobedrawnequallyfromalldirectionswithaminimumofdisturbanceandnovortexatthesurface.WhentheStationisatmaximumoutput:,thewatervelocityattheintakeisabout2fps.Fig.3.5showsstructural,detailsoftheintake.Fromtheintakestructure,thewaterflowsat8fpsmaximumthroughaconcrete-linedtunnelwithapproximatelya78-square-footcrosssection(10-ftdiameter)tothescreenwellandpumphouseadjacenttotheturbinebuilding.Fromthreeseparateinterconnectedbaysinthescreenwell,twocirculatingpumps(totalcapacity250,000gpm)takethewaterthroughtrashracksandtravelingscreensandthencetothecon-denserat0.85fpsmaximum.Service-waterneedsaresuppliedbytwo22,000-gpmpumps(normallyrunat18,000gpm).Alsolocatedinthepumphousearetwo2500-gpm,125-psigverticalturbinefirepumps.AdiagrammaticsketchofthescreenwellisshowninFig.3.6.3.4.2DischargeStructureThedischargetunnel,tenfeetindiameter,about78squarefeetincrosssectionanddesignedforaflowvelocityofabout8fps,takestheheatedwaterfromthescreenwelltothe,dischargestructurelocatedabout335feetoff-shore.Thetopofthehexagonaldischargestructure,(Pig.3.5),whichhassixports3feethighby7feet4incheswide,isabout4feetabovethelakebottomandisabout8-1/2feetbelowthelowestexpectedlakelevel.Thetransittimeofwaterthroughthecoolingsystemisabout6minutes,ofwhich14secondsisforpassagethroughthecondenser.Promthecondenserstotheexitatthedischargestructure,traveltimeisabouttwominutes.Theeffluentattheexithasaninitialvelocityofapproximately4fps.TheprofileofthecirculatingsystemisshowninFig.3.7.
0og7n0nTUNNELll~OeOlITUNNELI(1O~V~IN27-8-2PLANIN22-6-4PLANEL2226ELEVATIONT=nEL2286EL2I96LWEL244.0O6~EL.13~4.0EL250.0'nO'>QllfI\ELEVATIONEL227.0010%200INTAKESCALE-FEETDISCHARGE~ALLELEVATIONSAREREFERENCEDTOUSLS1955DATUMFig.3.5.IntakeandDischargeStructures.
3-9DISCHARGESHAFTIIIIIINTAKESHAFTTRASHRACKSSCREENBACKWASHCOLLECTIONRECEPTACLESDISCHARGEFLUMEfTRAVELLINGWATERSCREEN0I0SERVICE-WATERAREA+fCWPUMPS><g~3F6'iagramaticSketchoftheScreenwell.
E.INTAKEEL.226.5EL.222.52'LOWW.S.EL.2460'TONEDIKEMAXWSEL2680SCREENHOUSEI1100INTAKETUNNEL(LOOKINGEAST),0EL236.0E.DISCHARGEpEL230.0'L.263.0'TONEDIKE-SCREENHOUSEA~I,0~OI565DISCHARGETUNNEL(LOOKINGEAST)PSECTIONI-I0510SCALE-FEETSECTION2-20510SCALE-FEETNOTES<ALLELEYATIONSAREREFERENCEOTOUSLS1535OATUM100SCALEFEETEXCEPTWHERESHOWNPig.3.7.Circulating-waterSystem:Profile.
3-113.5RADIOACTIVE.WASTEDuringoperationoftheStation,radioactivenuclidesareproducedbyfissionandbyneutronactivationofcorrosionproductsinthereactorcoolantsystem.Smallamountsofgaseousandliquidradioactivewasteswillenterthewastestreams,whichwillbeprocessedandmonitoredwithintheplanttominimizetheradioactivenuclidesthatwillultimatelybereleasedtotheatmosphereandintoLakeOntario.Theradioactivitythatispresentlyreleasedduetooperationoftheplantmeetsthe,Com-mission'sregulationssetforthin10CFRPart20.Modificationsfor'onformancewith10CFRPart50ofboththeliquidandthegaseousradioactivewastesystemshavebeenscheduled.TheoriginalradioactivewastemanagementsystemsaredescribedindetailintheApplicant'sFinalSafetyAnalysisReportdatedJune1967.ThemodificationswhichareproposedtoupgradetheradioactivewastetreatmentsystemsarediscussedintheTechnicalSupplementtoPetitionforConversionfromProvisionalOperatingLicensedatedJuly1972,andintheEnvironmentalReportforNineMilePoint,Unit1datedJune1972.Inthesedocuments,theApplicanthasprovidedhisanalysisoftheradioactivewastetreatmentsystemandhasincludedhisdesignestimateoftheannualreleasesofradioactivity.Inaddition,thesemi-annualreportsofUnit1operationstartinginSeptember1969recordreleasesofliquidandgaseouswastesandshipmentsofsolidradioactivewastesfromtheplant.Thefollowingevaluationisbasedonourmodel,adjustedtoapplytothisplant,andusessomewhatdifferentoperatingconditions.Ourcalculatedeffluentsare,therefore,different-fromtheApplicants;however,themodelusedresultsfromareviewofavailabledataofoperatingpowerplants.TheprincipalparametersusedinourevaluationarelistedinTable3.1.TheradioactivewastemanagementsystemsatUnit1include1'iquid,gaseousandsolidwastetreatmentsystems.Inouranalysistwoevalua-tionsweremadeofeachsystem.Thefirstconsideredthewastemanage-mentsystemsastheynowexistandthesecondconsideredtheupgradedsystems.Includedforcomparisonarethereleases'fradioactivitywhichhavebeenrecordedfortheplantsincestartupin'969.3.5.1LiquidWasteSystemTheliquidradwastesystemisdesignedtocollect,monitor,process,storeanddisposeofradioactiveliquidwastes.Theliquidwastesare 3-12TABLE3.1PRINCIPALPARAMETERSUSEDINESTIMATINGRADIOACTIVERELEASESFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1HoldupTimes:A.GlandSealGasB.AirEffectorGasC.CharcoalDelay-kryptonsD.CharcoalDelay-xenonsLiquidWasteDecontaminationFactors:HighPurityWaste,ExistingHighPurityWaste,UpgradedICsRb10101010Existing~Sstem2mine-0.5hrs.0days0days~MoTe10102PowerPlant,CapacityFactorFuelFissionProductLeakagel:equivalentto100,000pCi/secgassourcetermwith30minuteholdupfora3400MWtreactor)TotalSteamFlowWeightofLiquidintheReactorandRecirculationSystemWeightofSteamintheReactorFlowThroughCleanupDemineralizerReactorBuildingLeakageTurbineBuildingLeakageGlandSealLeakageCondenserAirInleakageIodineParti.tionCoefficients:A.'team/LiquidB.ReactorBuildingLiquidC.TurbineBuildingSteamD.AirEjectorFractionofIodineGettingThrough:A.CondensateDemineralizerB.Clean-upDemineralizerC.Charcoaldelaybeds1850MWt0.80.010.0011.00.0050.001O.lnegligibleUpgraded~Sstern~2lnine5.0hrs.1.7days29.0days1010Others1010255,000pCi/sec',250,000lb/hr.470,000lb.110600lb.300,000lb/hr.480lb/hr.1,700lb/hr.7,250lb/hr.10scfmLowPurityWaste,ExistingLowPurityWaste,UpgradedChemicalWaste,ExistingChemicalWaste,Upgraded111O'O"106106105106102106106106101061O51O51104106106ExistingasofJuly1,1972.2Scheduledforcompletionapproximatelyspringof1974forliquidradwaste;latesummer1975forgaseousradwaste.
3-13classifiedandtreatedasfollows:wastecollector(lowconductivity)system,floordrain(highconductivity)system,regenerantchemicalsystem,andmiscellaneousliquidwastesystem.Crossconnectionsbe-tweenthesystemcomponentsprovideflexibilityforprocessingbyalternatemethods.TwoschematicsoftheliquidwastesystemsareshowninFig.3.8andFig.3.9.Thefirstfigureshowstheexistingsystemandthesecondshowstheupgradedsystemasproposed.TheApplicanthastentativelyscheduledtheupgradedliquidradwastesystemforcompletionbyspring1974.Priortoreleaseofanytreatedliquidwastes,samplesareanalyzedtodeterminethetypeandamountofradioactivityinabatch.Basedontheanalysis,thesewastesareeitherreleasedundercontrolledconditionstoLakeOntario,orretainedforfurtherprocessing.Radiationmonitorsinthewastedischargelineprovideahighradio-activityalarmandtripsignaltotheflowisolationvalvesuchthatnoliquidswithactivityconcentrationsaboveapredeterminedlevelwillbedischarged.3.5.1.1ExistingWasteCollector(lowconductivity)WasteSystemLowconductivitywastesarecollectedinawastecollectortankandincaseofexcessivevolumeinawastesurgetank.Routineflowsintothissystemarefromequipmentdrainsthatemptyintodesignatedequipmentdrainsumpsortankslocatedinthedrywell,thereactorbuilding,theturbinebuildingandtheradwastebuilding.Othersourcesoflowconductivitywasteincludethecondensatedemineralizerrinse,thewasteconcentratordistillate,andthedrywellfloordrainsump.Theseliquidsarepumpedtoa25,000gallonwastecollectortankwhichislocatedintheradwastebuilding.The50,000gallonwastesurgetank,locatedintheturbinebuildingisprovidedtocollectanyexcessliquidfromradioactivewastetreatmentsystemsurgesandtoprovidethenecessaryadditionalcollectionandstoragevolumefortheliquidwastetreatmentsystem.Thelowconductivitywasteispumpedthrougheitheraprecoatfilteroratravelingflatbedfilter.Theflatbedfilterwasaddedtotheoriginalsystemtoreducebackwashwaterrequiredoftheprecoatfilter.Theliquidwasteisthenprocessedthroughamixedbeddemineralizerandcollectedinoneoftwowastesampletanks.Eachsampletankhasavolumeof25,000gallons.Afteranalysis,theliquidisnormallypumpedbacktothecondensatestoragetankintheturbinebuildingforreuse.Intheeventthisliquiddoesnotmeetthepurityspecificationsforuseinthereactorcoolantsystemit REACTORREGENERANTS+RINSETURBINE-CONDEN~CLEAN-UPSYSTEMREGENERATIONCONDENSATE(6)DEMINERALIZERSMAKE-UPWATERFILTERS(2)ANDDEMINERALIZERS(2TOSRWSCONDENSATESTORAGETANKWASTECOLLECTOROWCONDUCTIVITYWASTEEQUIPMENTDRAINSFROMDRYWELLANDREACTOR,RADWASTEANDTURBINEBUILDING,CONDENSATEDEMINERALIZERRINSE,,CONCENTRATORDISTILLATE,ANDDRYWELLFLOORSUMP.WASTECOLLECTORTANK25.000gslWASTESURGETANK50,000gslPRECOATFILTERTRAVELINGBELTFILTERWASTEDEMINERALIZERWASTESAMPLETANKS25000I(2)RADIATIONMONITOR.FLOORORA!s)-HIGHCONDUCTIVITYWASTEFLOORDRAINSFROMREACTOR,TURRINEANDRADWASTEBUILDINGS,FLORDAINCOLLECTORTANK10,000gsl.PRECOATFILTERTOSRWSLOORDRAINSAMPLETANKS10,000gsl(2)LIQUIDEFFLUENTTO"RADWASTEBLDG.FLOORDRAIN.REGENERANTCHEMICALWASTERESINREGENERATIONCHEMICALS,LABORATORYDRAINS,SAMPLEDRAINSANDEQUIPMENTDECONTAMINATION.WASTENEUTRALIZERTANK15,000gslWASTECONCENTRATOR;12gpmCONCENTRATEDWASTE,TANKS5000gsl(2)SOLIDRADIOACTIVEWASTESYSTEM(SRWS)Sl'ENTRESINANDFILTERSLUDGETANKS,CENTRIFUGEANDDRUMMINGSTATIONDRUMMEDWASTETOOFF-SITEDISPOSALMISCELLANEOUSWASTELAUNDRYDRAINSCASKCLEANINGPERSONNELDECONTAMINATIONLAUNDRYDRAINTANKS.)1000gsl(2)NOTE:1.SRWSDENOTESTHESOLIDRADIOACTIVEWASTESYSTEM.DISCHARGESTRUCTURINTAKESTRUCTURELAKEOIITAR~IOFIG.3.8.EXISTINGLIQUID.RADWASTESYSTEM~NINE,MILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1.
REACTORCLEAN-UPSYSTEMFILTERS(2)ANDDEMINERALIZERS(2)REGENERANTS+RINSEREGENERATIONSTATION+URCCONDENSATE(6)DEMINERALIZERSTOSRWSTURBINECONDENSERMAKE-UPWATERCONDENSATESTORAGETANKWASTECOLLECTORLOWCONDUCTIVITYWASTEEQUIPMENTDRAINSFROMDRYWELLANDREACTOR,RADWASTEANDTURBINEBUILDING,CONDENSATEDEMINERALIZERRINSE,CONCENTRATORDISTILLATE,ANDDRYWELLFLOORSUMP.FLOORDRAINHIGHCONDUCTIVITYWASTEFLOORDRAINSFROMREACTOR,TURBINEANDRADWASTEBUILDINGS.WASTECOLLECTORTANK25.000galWASTESURGETANK50.000galFLOORDRAINCOLLECTORTANK10.000gal.PRECOATFILTERTRAVELINGBELTFILTERPRECOATFILTERTOSRWSWASTEDEMINERALIZERDISCHARGE50%FLOORDRAINSAMPLETANKS10.000gal(2)WASTESAMPLETANKS25.000gal(2)DISCHARGE10)6RADIATIONMONITORWASTECONCENTRATOR20gOAlLIQUIDEFFLUENTTORADWASTEBLDG.FLOORDRAIN.REGENERANTCHEMICALWASTERESINREGENERATIONCHEMICALS,LABORATORYDRAINS,SAMPLEDRAINSANDEQUIPMENTDECONTAMINATION.WASTENEUTRALIZERTANK15.000galWASTECONCENTRATOR12gpmCONCENTRATEDWASTETANKS5000gal(2)SOLIDRADIOACTIVEWASTESYSTEM(SRWS)SPENTRESINANDFILTERSLUDGETANKS,CENTRIFUGEANDDRUMMINGSTATIONDRUMMEDWASTETOOFF-SITEDISPOSALMISCELLANEOUSWASTELAUNDRY0RAINSCASKCLEANINGPERSONNELDECONTAMINATIONLAUNDRYDRAINTANKS1000gal(2)DISCHARGE(00)(NOTE:1.SRWSDENOTESTHESOLIDRADIOACTIVEWASTESYSTEM.2.URCDENOTESTHEOLTI(ASONICRESINCLEANER..DISCHARGESTRUCTUREINTAKESTRUCTURELAKEONTAR~IOFIG.3.9..UPGRADEDLIQUIDRADWASTESYSTEM,NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1.
3-16iseitherreturnedtothewastecollectortankforreprocessingordischargedtoLakeOntarioafterdilutioninthecirculatingwaterdischargecanal.Inourevaluationweestimatethat64,000gallonsperday,withaconcentrationofapproximately20Xoftheprimarycoolantactivity(PCA)willbeprocessedthroughthissystem.Ofthisamount90Xwillberecycledtothecondensatestoragetankwiththeremaining10XreleasedtoLakeOntario.Wecalculated'anannualreleasefromthisso'urceof0.62Ciexcludingtritium.Fortritium,BWRoperatingexperienceprovidesth'ebasisforour,estimateof20Ci/yrreleasedfromalltheliquidwastesubsystems.TheApplicantassumesnegligiblereleasesduetothewastecollectorsystemexclusiveoftritium.Fortritium,theApplicantassumesareleaseof20Ci/yrfromallliquidwastesubsystems.3.5.1.2UpgradedWasteCollector(lowconductivity)SystemInourevaluationoftheupgradedwastecollectorsystemweincluded3,200gallonsofprocessedfloordrainwasteand4,800gallonsrerouteddirectlyfromthedrywellfloordrainsumpforasystemtotalof72,000gpdat18XPCAbeforetreatment.Assuming10Xofthiswastewillbedischargedwecalculatedanannualreleaseof0.76curies(excludingtritium).Thisresultishigherthanthecalculatedexistingsystemvaluebecauseoftheadditionalfloordrainvolumereroutedtothissystem.TheApplicantestimated72,000gpdoflowconductivitywastewillbetreatedinthesystemand10XwillbedischargedtoLakeOntarioforarelease(excludingtritium)of0.4Ci/yr.3.5.1.-3FloorDrain(highconductivity)WasteSystemHighconductivityliquidwasteiscollectedinthefloordrainsumpslocatedwithinthereactorbuilding,theturbine.buildingandtheradwastebuilding.Theaccumulationofthesewastesintheirrespectivesumpsortanksistransferredtothe10,000gallonfloordraincollectortanklocatedintheradwastebuilding.Fromthistankthewasteispumpedeitherthroughaprecoatfilteroratravelingbeltfiltertooneoftwo10,000gallonfloordrainsampletanks.Presently,thiswasteisnormallydischargedwithoutfurthertreatmentiftheradio-activityisbelowapredeterminedlevel.Inourevaluationwecon-sideredthat100Xofthehighconductivitywaste,approximately8,000gpdat1XPCA,isdischargedthroughthecirculatingwaterdischargecanaltoLakeOntarioforanannualreleaseof1.1curies,excludingtritium.~TheApplicantestimated21,000gpdwouldbetreatedand100%%udischargedforareleaseofapproximately0.3Ci/yr.
3-173.5.1.4FloorDrainUpgradedWasteSystemIntheupgradedsystemtheadditionofa20gpmwasteconcentratorwillpermitprocessing'ffloordrain,.(lowpurity)waste,toahighpurityconditionforrecycletothewastecollectorsystem.Inourevaluati'onweassumedthatatotalof6,300gpdwillbeevaporatedandthat50Xofthecondensateisreturnedtothewastecollectorsystemand50/ofthefloordrainprocessedwasteisdischargedforanegligibler'elease.TheApplicantassumed5,300gallonsareprocessedbyevaporationorfiltrationwith50/dischargedforanegligiblerelease.3.5.1.5RegenerantChemicalandMiscellaneousWasteSystemsChemicalwastesoriginatefromregenerationofthedemineralizerresin,laboratorysinks,andequipmentdecontamination.Thesewastesconsistingofhighconductivityacidandotherchemicalsarecollectedinthe15,000gallonwasteneutralizertankintheradwastebuilding.Aftersamplingandanalysisthewastecanberoutedtoeitherthefloordrainprecoatfilter,orthetravelingbeltfilter,andintothefloordrainsampletank.Iftheradioactivityisaboveapredeterminedlevelthewasteispumpedfromtheneutralizertanktothewasteconcentratorandevaporated.Thedistillateisreturnedtothewastecollector(lowconductivity)systemforfurtherprocessing."Inourevaluationoftheexistingsystemweassumedadailyinputof9,400gallonstotheregenerantchemical-miscellaneouswastesystemandthat100Xofthewasteisroutedtothefloordrainwastesystem.Fortheupgradedsystemweestimated2,400gpdwith100/returnedtothewastecollector(highpurity)system.Inbothsystems,theexistingandtheupgraded,weassumednodirectreleasetotheenvironmentfromthissource.TheApplicantassumed100/recyclingtothewastecollectorsystem.Intheupgradedsystemanultrasonicresincleanerwillbeadded,totheresinregenerationunit.TheApplicanthasestimatedthatthiswilldoubletheintervalbetweenregenerationsandthusdecreasetheuseofchemicalsandresultinadditionalholduptimefordecay.Inourevaluationtheadditionalnuclideholduptimeprovidedbytheuseoftheultrasoniccleanerresultedinanegligibledecreaseinradio-activereleasesfromtheregenerantchemicalsourcesincethiswastewillbeprocessedbytheconcentrator.Thecombinationoftheadditionalconcentratorandultrasonicresincleanerintheupgradedsystem,how-ever,resultedinacalculateddecreaseofradioactivityreleasedinliquidwastefrom1.8Ci/yrto0.76Ci/yr,exc1udingtritium.
3-18Forboththeexistingandtheupgradedsystems,liquidwastesfromlaundryoperations,caskcleaningandpersonneldecontamination,arecollectedinoneoftwo1,000gallonlaundrydraintanksintherad-waste'uilding.Aftersamplingandanalysisthiswasteisnormallypumpedtothecirculatingwaterdischargecanalforreleaseto'LakeOntario.Inourevaluationofboth,theexisting'andtheupgradedsystems,weestimated100/.dischargeofthiswaste'(450gpd)andcalculatedareleaseof0.06Ci/yr.TheApplicantestimatedanegligiblereleaseduetothissource.3.5.1.6SummaryofLiquidWasteTreatmentSystemOurestimatesoftheannualliquidreleasesarepresentedinTable3.2.fortheexistingsystemandTable3.3fortheupgradedsystem.OurcalculatedreleasesbasedontheparameterslistedinTable3.1areafr'actionofthevaluesshowninTables3.2and3.3.However,tocompensateforequipmentdowntimeandexpectedoperationaloccurrencesthevalueshavebeennormalizedto4Ci/yrfortheexistingplantand2Ci/yrfortheupgradedplantexclusiveoftritiumandotherdissolvedgases.TheApplicant'soperatingexperiencesinceplantstartupin1969issummarizedinTable3.4.AcomparisonofourestimatedliquidwastereleasestotheApplicant'sdesignpredictionsandoperatingexperienceissummarizedinTable3.5.ThetablecomparesourcalculatedresultswiththeactualannualliquidwastereleasesfromUnit1fortheperiod1970through1972.OperatingexperiencetodatehasresultedinhigherliquidwastereleasesthanthosecalculatedfromeithertheApplicant'soroursourcetermmodel.Theoperatingmaintenancereportindicates.thattheradwasteequipmenthasnotperformedaccordingtodesign.Identifiedandunidenti-fiedequipmentleakagehasresultedinlargerliquidwastevolumesthandesignedfor,andmalfunctions'avecausedsomecrosscontaminationofliquidwastesubsystems.Improvementsincorporatedintothesystemin-cludetheinstallationofthetravelingbeltscreenandmodificationoflinestoprovide'moreflexibilityintheliquidradwastesystem.Wehavecalculatedthatreleasesfromboththeexistingandtheupgradedliquidradwastesystemswillnotresultinawholebodyorcriticalorgandoseinexcessof5mrem/yrintheoffsiteenvironment.Basedonourevaluationweconcludethattheexistingliquidradwastesystemmeets10CFR20requirementsandthatwiththeproposedupgradingwillmeetthe"aslowaspracticable"guidelines.
3-19TABLE3.2ESTIMATEOFANNUALRELEASEOFRADIOACTIVITYINLIQUIDEFFLUENTSFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1ASEXISTINGJULY1,1972Nuclide~~C1/rNuclide~Ci/rNuclide2~C1/rBr-82Rb-86Sr-89Sr-90Y-90Sr-91Y-91mY-91Sr-92Y-92Y-93Zr-95Nb-95mNb-95Zr-97Nb-97mNb-97Mo-99Tc-99mRu-.103Rh-103mRh-105RU-106Rh-106Pd-109As-.109mTe-125mSb-127Te-127mTe-127Te-129mTe-1290.00040.000080.230.0110.0150.0660.0430.280.00010.0140.260.00250.000060.00210.00120.00110.00120.0840.080.00160.00160.00140.00040.00040.000080.000080.000050.00010.00040.00080.00190.0012I-130Te-131mTe-131I-131Te-132I-132I-133Cs-134I-135Cs-136Cs-137Ba-137mBa-140La-140La-141Ce-141Ce-143Pr-143Ce-144Pr-144Pr-145Nd-147Pm-147Pm-148mPm-148Pm-149Pm-151SIR-153Eu-1560.00180.00430.000780.430.050.0510.630.0360.0490.0140.0320.03.,0.'360.220.00070.00750.00540.00280.00140.00140.000060.00080.00010.000060.00020.00090.00020.00030.00009Na-24P-32P-33Sc-47Cr-51Mn-54Mn-56Fe-55Fe-59,Co-58Co-60Ni-63,,Zn-65Zn-69mZn-69Zr-95Nb-92Nb-95Nb-96Mo-99Tc-99mSn-117mSn-1218-185W-187U-237Np-238Np-239Pu-2410.0210.00230.00890.00010.04600.00440.00090.160.0610.330.0370.0030.00010.00010.00010.000080.00870.000190.000270.0630.0610.00220.00040.0014O.ll0.00050.00010.0330.00006ESTIMATEOFTOTAL(EXCLUDINGTRITIUM)ESTIMATEOFTRITIUMRELEASE4.0Ci/yr20.0Ci/yr~Thesenuclides2Thesenuclidesrepresentestimateoffissionproducts.representestimateofcorrosionandactivationproducts.
3-20TABLE3.3UPGRADEDSYSTEMSESTIMATEOFANNUALRELEASEOFRADIOACTIVITYINLIQUIDEFFLUENTSFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATIONUNIT1Nuclide~Ci/rNuclide~Ci/rNuclide~C1/rBr-82Br-83Rb-86Sr-89Sr-90Y-90.Sr-91Y-91mY-91Sr-92Y-92Y-93Zr-95Nb-95Zr-97Nb-97mNb-97Mo-99Tc-99mRu-103Rh-103mRh-105Ru-106Rh-106Te>>127mTe-127Te-129mTe-1290.00010.000060.000060.0380.00180.0130.0430.028,0.310.000670.0480.470.00040.00030.00040.00040.00040.10.0960.000260.000260.00030.000070.000070.000070.00030.00030.0002I-130Te-131mTe-131I-131Te-132I-132I-133Cs-134mCs-1341-3,35Cs-136Cs-137Ba-137mBa-140La-140La-141Ce-141Ce-143Pr-143Ce-144Pr'-144Pr-145Nd-147Pm-149Pm-151Sm-1530.000890.00110.000210.0760.00990.0110.210.000150.0260.0510.0110.0230.0220.0620.0250.00170.00120.00140.00040.00020.00020.000070.000150;000090.000060.00008Na-24P-32P-33Cr-51Mn-54Mn-56Fe-55Fe-59Co-58Co-60Ni-63Ni-65Zn-69mZn-69Nb-92Nb-96Mo-99Tc-99mSn-117mSn-121W-185W-187U-237Np-2390.0090.00040.00150.00780.00070.00440.0270.010.0540.0060.000480.000090.000070.000070.00150.000090.0760.0740.000380.00010.000230.0330.00010.0071ESTIMATEOFTOTAL(EXCLUDINGTRITIUM)ESTIMATEOFTRITIUMRELEASE2.0Ci/yr20.0Ci/yrScheduledforcompletioninspringof1974.thesenuclidesrepresentestimateoffissionproducts.Thesenuclidesrepresentestimateofcorrosionandactivationproducts.
3-21TABLE3.4SUMMARYOFREPORTEDRELEASESFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNITllAnnualReleasesCuries1969197019711972TotalidentifiedandunidentifiedliquidreleasesTritiumreleases0.9w02810321928Totalidentifiedandunidentifiednoblegas,releases559,500250,0005205000Totaliodinesandparti-culatesingaseouseffluentsw00.060.80.95SolidHasteShipped:1969197019711972Volume(cuft)Curiecontent3,10013,000420015,000260~NineMilePointUnitNo.1startedoperationSeptember5,1969.
3-22TABLE3.5''COMPARISONOFNINEMILEPOINTUNIT1LIUIDWASTERELEASESCI/YR.EstimatedfromModelTritiumAllOthersExisting~sstem~A~S20200.342228.032.234.5Upgraded~totemReorredfrom0eratioa~A~S1970'9712020101928Note:(A)denotesApplicant'svalues,(S)denotesstaffvalues, 3-233.5.2GaseousWasteSystemDuringoperationoftheStationradioactivenuclidesthatmaybere-leasedtotheatmosphereingaseousformincludefissionproductnoblegases(xenonandkrypton)andhalogens(primarilyiodine);activatedargon,oxygenandnitrogen,tritium,andparticulatematerialincludingsomefissionproductsandactivatedcorrosionproducts.Thema)orsourceofgaseousradioactivewasteduringnormalplantoperationwillbetheoffgasfromthemainsteamcondenserairegectors.Othersourcesofgaseouswasteincludeventgasfromthemechanicalvacuumpumpusedtoevacuatethecondenserduringstartups,theturbineglandsealcondenservent,andventilationairdischargedfromtherad-waste,thereactor,andtheturbinebuildingexhaustsystems.Theexisting~astegastreatmentsystemandtheupgradedsystemareshownschematicallyinFig.3.10and3.11.3.5.2.1ExistingGaseousWasteSystemIntheexistinggaseouswastetreatmentsystemtheoffgasesfromtheairegectorsareallowedtodecaybyflowingthrougha30-minuteholduppipe.TheoffgasesareprocessedthroughaHEPAfilter,anddischargedtotheatmospherethroughthemainstack.Gaseouseffluentfromtheprincipalreleasepointsaredischargedtotheatmospherethroughthemainstack.Turbineglandsealexhaustgasesareventedtothestackthrougha2-minuteholduppipewhichpermitsdecayoftheshortlivednuclides.Ventilationairfromtheturbinebuilding,thereactorbuilding,andtheradwastebuildingisventedtothestack.Therad-wastebuildingventilationairisprocessedthroughaHEPAfilterpriortodischarge.Theventilationairfromthereactorbuilding'anberoutedthroughthestandbygastreatmentsystemincaseofradioactivityaboveapredeterminedlevelbeforebeingreleasedthroughthemainstack.ThestandbygastreatmentsystemconsistsofHEPAfiltersandcharcoaladsorbers.Thestandbygastreatmentsystemisusedduringperiodsofrefuelingormaintenancewhenthenormallysealeddrywellspaceispurgedbeforeentry.Thepurgeexhaustisreleasedthroughthestandbygastreatmentsystemtopreventradioactivityaboveapredeterminedlevelfrombeingreleasedtotheatmosphere.TheprincipalparameterslistedinTable3.1wereusedinourevaluationoftheexistinggaseouswastetreatmentsystem.OurestimatesoftheannualreleasesofnoblegasesandradioiodineandtheprincipalreleasepointsarelistedinTable3.6.Forthereactorbuilding,wecalculatednegligiblereleasesofnoblegasesandapproximately0.014Ci/yrofiodine-131.Fortheturbinebuilding,wecalculated1,200Ci/yrofnoblegasesand0.53Ci/yrofiodine-131.Fortheturbineglandseal 3-24NORMALFLOW63fpsRADIATIONMONITORFROMMAINCONDENSER2STAGEAIREJECTOR30MIN.HOLDUPPIPEFILTERHEPACHIMMEY350FT.1.75MINHOLDUPPIPEPRIMARYSTEAMFROMTURBINESEALSMECH.PUMPOFFGASSYSTEMPREFILTERHEPACHARCOALHEPACONDENSER35,000SCFM/UNIT3200SCFM~r--m~iFILTERADSORBERFILTERr-W&#x17d;ISTANDBYGASTREATMENTSYSTEM,2UNITSREACTORBLDG.IIREFUELINGIFLOORPREFILTERDRYWELLIIIIISUPPRESSIONCHAMBERTURBINEBLDG,85,000SCFM/UNIT'REFILTERPREFILTERRAD.WASTEFACILITYHEPAFILTER9,000SCFMVENTILATIONSYSTEMNOTES:1.SOLIDLINEDENOTESNORMALOPERATION.2.BROKENLINEDENOTESSPECIALOPERATION.FIG.3.10.EXISTINGGASEOUSRADWASTESYSTEM,NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1.
3-25'NORMALFLOW63fpsRADIATIONMONITORFROMMAINCONDENSER2STAGEAIREJECTORCONDENSER6HRHOLDUPPIPEHEPAFILTERCHARCOAADSORBER77FHEPAFILTERCHIMME350FT.CATALYTICRECOMBINERI2I1.75MINHOLDUPPIPEDRYERSTEAMDELAY:Kr,29.4DXe,1.7DPRIMARYSTEAMFROMTURBINE=SEALSMECH.PUMPOFFGASSYSTEMCHARCOALHEPACONDENSER35,000SCFM/UNIT3200SCFM~+r--FILTERADSORBERFILTERIr-W&#x17d;ISTANDBYGASTREATMENTSYSTEM,2UNITSREACTORBLDG.IREFUELINGFLOORPREFILTERDRYWELLIIIIIISUPPRESSIONCHAMBERTURBINEBLDG.65,000SCFM/UNITPREFILTERPREFILTERRAD.WASTEFACILITYHEPAFILTER9,000SCFMVENTILATIONSYSTEMNOTE:1.SOLIDI.INEDENOTESNORMALOPERATION.2.BROKENLINEDENOTESSPECIALOPERATION.FIG.3.11UPGRADEDGASEOUSRADWASTESYSTEM,NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION,UNIT1.
3-26wecalculated4,200Ci/yrofnoblegasesand0.022Ci/yrofiodine-131.Forthemechanicalvacuumpump,weassumed16hoursperyearofoperationandcalculatedareleaseof2,500Ci/yrofnoblegasesandanegligiblereleaseofiodine.Forthe'sourcesidentifiedtheApplicantestimatedverysmallreleasesandinclu'dedthemintheanalysismadeoftheairejectoroffgasdischargedtothestack.InbothourevaluationandtheApplicant's,thema)orsourceofradioactivityreleasedistheoffgasfromthemaincondenserairejectors.Wecalculatedarelease*of1,500,000Ci/yrofnoblegasesandllCi/yrofiodine-131willbere-leasedfromthissource.TheApplicantestimates1,570,000Ci/yrasatotaloffgasreleasebasedonanassumedoffgasreleaserateof50,000pCi/secafter30-minutedelay..OperatingexperienceattheUnit1plantshowninTable3.4givesthereleasevaluesfor1971as250,000Ci/yrfornoblegasesand0.8Ci/yrforalliodines.In1972releasevalueswere520,000Ci/yrfornoblegasesand0.9Ci/yrforalliodines.Thereasonthatourestimatesarehigherthantheamountsreportedcanbeattributedtothefactthatthefuelperformancehasbeensomewhatbetterthanexpected.Alsotheplantcapacityfactorhasbeenbetween35/to63/whereasweassumed80/inourevaluation.3.5.2.2TheUpgradedGaseousWasteTreatmentSystemTheproposedupgradedgaseouswastetreatmentsystemisshownschema-ticallyinFig.3.11.Toreducetheradioactivityreleasedacatalyticrecombiner-charcoaldelaytrainwillbeaddedforthetreatmentoftheoffgasesfromthemaincondenser.Theoffgaswillbeprocessedthroughacatalyticrecombinerwherethehydrogenandoxygenwillrecombineintheformofsteam.Thecondensedsteamwi11berecyc1edtothehotwel1.Theremovalofmostofthehydrogenandacorrespondingstoichiometricamountofoxygenconsiderablyreducesthevolumeofgaseswhichremaintobetreated.Non-condensiblegasesF11bedelayedupto5hoursintheoriginalholduppipetoallowdecayofshort-livednoblegasesandactivationproducts.Thegasstream~11beprocessedthrough,asacrificialcharcoalbedandthenthroughanambienttemperaturechar-coaldelaytrainconsistingof76,000poundsofcharcoalinsixbedsinseries.Priortodischargethroughthemainstack,theoffgaswillpassthroughHEPAfilters.toremoveanyparticulateswhichmightbecarriedintotheventstream.Therewillbearedundancyofallessentialcomponentsoftheoff-gastreatment.system.Inourevaluationwecalculatedthecharcoalde1aytrainwillprovideholdupperiodsof1.7daysforkryptonand29daysforxenon.Wealsoassumedthatapproximatelyalloftheradioiodineswhichwerepresentintheoffgasfromthemaincondenserwillberetainedinthecharcoalbeds.Ourestimatedannualreleasesofradioactivematerialsinthe 3-27TABLE3.6ESTIMATEOFANNUALRELEASESOFRADIOACTIVEMATERIALSINGASEOUSEFFLUENZSFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATIONUNITl.ASEXISTINGJULY1,1972NuclideCuriesPerYearReactorTurbineGlandMainCond.Bld.Bld.SealAirEectorMech.Vac.Approx.PTotalKr-83mKr-85mKr-85Kr-87Kr-88Kr-89Xe-131mXe-133mXe-133Xe-135mXe-135Xe-137Xe-1381853571903191903302802202405501503603801,000110038,00070,000390170$000220,0001,2003404,800.130$000100,000370,0006,10036000038,00070,000390170,000220,0001,9003404,8002,220130,000100,000350370,0007,500360000I-131I-1330.0140.06Appr'ox.Suma1,2000.533.10.022ll.00.1364.04,2001,500,000a12682,5001,500,000-4a-lessthan1Ci/yrnoblegasesorlessthan10Ci/yriodine.
3-28.effluentfromthegaseouswaste.treatmentsystemarelistedinTable3.7.Weestimatedareleaseof11,000Ci/yrofnoblegasesand0.56Ci/yrofiodine-131.TheApplicantestimated10,800Ci/yrofnoblegasesandnegligibleradioiodinereleases.Wehavecalculatedthatreleasesfromtheupgradedradwastesystem'willnotresultineitherawholebodyoracriticalorgandoseinexcessof5mrem/yratthesiteboundary.Basedonourevaluationweconcludethattheupgradedgaseouswastesystemwillmeetour"aslowaspracticable"guidelines.Theupgradedsystemisscheduledtobeoperationalbylatesummerin1975.'3.5.3SolidWasteSystemThesolidradioactivewastesystemisdesignedtocollect,process,package,andprovidetemporarystorageforsolidwastespriortoshipmenttoalicensedburialground.Radioactivesolidwastesresultingfromstationoperationusingeithertheexistingortheupgradedsystemincludethefollowing:(1)concentratesfromtheradwasteevaporators,(2)spentresinsandfiltersludgefromthespentresintank,(3)routineoperationwastesuchaspaper,airfilters,rags,etc.,(4)miscellaneoushighlevel'olidwastessuchascontrolrods,fuelchannelsandcontaminatedreplacedequipment.Thebottomsfromthewasteconcentratorarecooledpriortotransfer,totheplant'spackagingfacility,mixedwithanadsorbent,loadedincontainers,andstore'd'forsh'ipment.Spentresinsfromthemixedbeddemineralizersareflushedtothepackagingfacilities,dewatered,loadedintocontainers,andstoredforshipment.Filtersludgesaredewatered,andtransferredtoshippingcontainers.Thesolidwastesystemcentrifugeresidueisalsotransferreddirectlytopackaging.Solidwastescontainingmediumtohighradioactivityincludethecon-centratedprocessfluids,filtersludgesandspentresins.Thesewastesarepackagedwithsemi-remotehandlingequipment.Lowlevelactivitywastesresultingfromroutinehandlingandmaintenancearecollectedincontainerslocatedinappropriatezonesaroundthestation.Thesecontainersaremonitoredduringfillingtoensurethatpermissibledoserates'renotexceededbeforefinalpackaging.Whenfullthecontainersaremovedtoacontrolledaccessstorageareatoawaitshipment.Contaminatedequipmenttoolargetobehandledinanormalmanneristreatedasaspecialcaseandproceduresfordecontamination,shielding,storage,andshipmentofsuchitemsaredesignatedonanindividualcasebasis.
3-29TABLE3.7UPGRADED'SYSTEMlESTIMATEOFANNUALRELEASESOFRADIOACTIVEMATERIALSINGASEOUSEFFLUENTSFROMNINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATIONUNIT1CuriesPerYearNuclideReactorBldMech.TurbineGlandMain,CondenserVac.Approx.Bld.SealAirEectorPumTotalKr-83mKr-85mKr-85Kr-87Kr-88Kr-89Ze-13lmXe-133mXe-133Xe-135m'e-135Xe-137Xe-13845187553220572401905503113091360903802801,1003301000067390602,70056160390280300750602,2005,100450350,8201,3001,400I-131I-1330.0140.060Approx.Suma1,2000.533.14,200000220.133,300a2,50011,000a0.56a3.3Scheduledforoperationapproximatelyinsummerof1975.a-lessthan1Ci/yrnoblegasesorlessthan10Ci/yriodine.
3-30TheApplicant'srecordofsolidradioactivewastefromUnit1operationfor1971shows'hat13,000cubicfeetcontaining200curiesofactivitywereshipped.For1972,theApplicantreportsthat15,000cubicfeetofsolidwastecontaininganactivity,of260curieswereshipped.WeestimatefromacompositeofoperatingBWRplant,shipmentsthat11,000cubicfeetatanactivityof2700curiesistheexpectedsolidwastefromaplantofthistype.WeconcludethatthehandlingandpackagingofthesolidwastefromUnit1isinaccordancewithAECandDepartmentofTransportationregulations.3.6CHEMICALANDBIOCIDEEFFLUENTS.TheprincipalchemicalsusedintheroutineoperationoftheStationin-cludesulfuricacidandsodiumhydroxideforregenerationofresininthecondensateandmakeupdemineralizers,andferricsulfateandlimeformakeup-waterclarification.Wastesfromall'thesesystems,except'conden-sate-demineralizerregeneration,areaddedtothecirculatingwaterbeforedischargeintothelake.Wastesfromcondensate-demineralizerregenerationareaddedtotheradwastesystem.DisposalofradioactivechemicalwastesisdiscussedinSection3.5.Solutionscontainingferricsulfate(50ppm)andlime(150ppm)areaddedtorawlakewaterintheclarifierofthetreatmentsystemformakeupwater(Fig.3.12)toproducesediment-freewatertobedemineralizedforuseintheprimaryreactor-condensatecycle.Chemicalwastesfromthemakeupsystemconsistofintermittentblowdownofsolidsfromtheclari-fier,backwashingsfromthepressureandactivatedcharcoalfilters,andneutralizedsolutionfromthedemineralizerregenerationcycle.Theclarifierblowdown,about20"gphcontainingferrichydroxide,calciumcarbonate,andsuspendedmaterialoriginallypresentinth'elakewater,isdischargedtoasettlingbasin.Aboutonetonofsolidsisdredgedfromthebasinquarterlyandtruckedtoaland-filldisposalareainthesouthwestquadrantofthesite.TheApplicanthasstatedthatthedis-posalareaissituatedsothatsludgedoesnotrunoffintoanynavigable'watersortheirtributariesoraffectground.water.Theclearoverflowfromthesettlingbasinisdischargedtothelakeviaadrainageditch."Xhecompositionoftheoverflow,assuppliedbytheApplicant,islistedinTable3.8.Theanthracitepressurefilterandtheactivated-charcoal,filterarebackwashedthreeorfourtimesamonth.Thewastewater,containingsuspendedandorganicmaterialoriginallypresentinlakewater,isdischargedtothelakeviaastormdrain.
FERRICSULFATELIMERINSEWATERFROMCLEARWELLRINSEWATERFROMCLEARWELLIOOGPMMAKEUPWATERFROMLAKEONTARIO20GPHCLEAROVERFLOWPSOPPMQISOPMCLARIFIERIS'OIA20GPHCLARIFIERSLOWDOWNCLEARWELLDEMINERALIZERFEEDPVMPII60GPM)DURING(SHUTDOWNONLYNTHRACITEPRESIVREFILTERBACKWASHACTIVATECHARCOALFILTERBACKWASHSETTLINGBASINISo500GALONETON/3MONTHSDREDGEDANDDISPOSEDOFINSPOILAREAONSITESTOANDRAINTOLAKEONTARIOCAUSTICODARINSEWATERSULFURICACIDMAKEUPWATER{FREEOFSVSPENDEDMATERIAL1DRAINAGEDITCHTOLAKEONTARIOREACTORMAKEUP36,000GAI100GPMMAXMIXEDBEDANIONCATION2.000GALDEMINERALIZEDSEALINGWATERSTORAGEWATERREGENERATIONWASTESCOOLINGWATERFORCLOSEDLOOPSYSTEMSSTORAGEEGENERATION-WASTENEVTRALIZATIONTANKPHCONTROL20.000GALIOOGPMNAXTOCIRCULATINGWATERDISCHARGEFig.3.12.Makeup-waterTreatment.
3-32TABLE3.8COMPOSITIONOFSETTLING-BASINOVERFLOW(INPPM,EXCEPTFORpH)IIHardness(asCaC03)Alkalinity(asCaCO)Calcium(asCa)++Magnesium(asMg)++Iron(asFe)+HSodium(asNa)+Chloride(asCl)Sulfate(asSO<)DissolvedsolidsSuspendedsolidspH(range)1233536<0.1030662109.8-10.2Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport.Basedupontheadditionof50ppmFe2(SO)3and150ppmoflimetotheUnit1clarifierandasludgeblowdownrateof20gphtotheclarifier.settlingbasin.
3-33Regenerationwastesofspentacidandcausticsolutions,approximately16,000gallonsofmainly9000ppmsodiumsulfate,areneutralizedtoapHbetween6.5and8.5inatankbeforebeingdischargedtothelakeat100gpmviathecirculating-waterdischarge,wheretheyaredilutedbyafactorofabout3000.Thedischargenormallyoccur'sforaboutthreehoursonceeveryeightdays.Theaverageincrementalincreaseofdis-solvedsolidsinthereturningcirculatingwater(268,000gpm)isabout4ppm.Table3.9showsthecompositionofthedischargesfromthewater-treatmentfacilityalongwiththeamountsofchemicalconstituentsori-ginallyremovedfromthelakewater.bythedemineralizers.Theincrementalconcentrationsoccuronlyduringperiodsofactualdischargeofdeminer-alizerwaste.Thecationandaniondemineralizersrequireregenerationthreeorfourtimesmonthly;,themixed-bedunitoneortwotimesmonthly.TheApplicantobtainedapermitin1965todischargethesechemicalwastesintowatersofNewYorkState.Foremergencyuse,twodieselelectricgeneratorsandonedieselfirepumpareavailable.Thefueloilusedcontains0.4to0.7sulfurandleavesanegligibleamountofash.Exceptforanemergencyrequiringtheiruse,theseunitsareoperatedonlyfortestingintermittently;releaseofcombustionproductsisconsideredtobeinsignificant.Drainagefromroofs,andfromtheadministrationbuilding,ship,andstore-areafloors,whichhavenopotential.forradioactivity,isdis-chargedtothelakeviaastormsewer.Wastefromlaunderingofprotectiveclothingisprocessedintherad-wastesystem(Section3.5)and,aftermonitoring,isdischargedintothecirculatingwateratacontrolledrate.Duringnormal.operation,,about100poundspermonthofdetergent,50/ofwhichissodiumhexametaphosphate,produces130gpdofwaste.DuringscheduledStationoutages,about450poundsofdetergentpermonthisused,and1700gpdoflaundrywasteisproduced.TreatmentofradiochemicalwastesisdiscussedinSection3.5.3.7SANITARYWASTESANDOTHEREFFLUENTSThesewagefacilityusesanactivatedsludge,extendedaerationsystemfollowedbychlorinationandthenoxygenationina2800-square-footpondw'ithaseasonalvariationindepthof2to15feet.Theeffluentisthencarriedbyadrainageditchtothelake.ExcesssludgeisremovedquarterlyfromtheStationtoastate-approveddisposalareabyastate-licenseddisposalfirm.
TABLE3.9CHEMICALDISCHARGESFROMMAKEUPWATERSYSTEMIon~(orTDS)SourceofIonPoundsperdayaAmountDischaredIncrementalConc.inEffluent,ppmConc.inPercentageLakeOntario,IncreaseinppmDischargeLakewaterc6.70.1544.00.3NaClSOHCOPO4NO3TDSSodiumhydroxideforregenerationLakewatercLakewatercLakewatercLakewatercLakewatercSulfuricacidforregenerationLake.watercLakewatercLakewatercLakewaterc53.23.01.50.30.0025.4111.08;48.40.030.021.190.070.030.0074x100.122.490.190.197x104x104'416.68.91.60.0130.330.1114.70.190.14246.57.20.30.40,40.48.30.20.40.31.8Basedonestimatedaverageflowthroughdemineralizers..Dischargedinto268,000gpmcirculatingwaterfor160minuteseveryeightdays.Concentrations-areforperiodsofactual'discharge.collectedfromlakewaterondemineralizerresins,thenreleasedduringregeneration.IncludesS04fromferricsulfateaddedinclarifier.
3-35Thefacilityhasacapa'cityof15,000gpd.Withaper-capitarequirementof35gpdandamaximumworkforceof108employees,themaximumloadonthesystemwouldbe3880gpd,wellbelowthedesigncapacity.,The"Applicant'sreportedsampleanalysisshowsthatthefacilitymeetsthefollowingoperatingrequirements:SettleablesolidsremovedSuspendedsolidsremovedBOD(5day)reducedChlorineresidual100/95/95/1ppmmaxThechlorinedemandofLakeOntariointhevicinityoftheStationis7.5ppm.FromoperatingexperiencewiththeApplicant'sOswegoSteamStation,theresidualchlorineintheeffluentfromthesewage-treatmentplantisexpectedtobeconvertedtochlorideasaresultofthehighchlorinedemandofthewaterintheoxygenationpond.TheApplicanthasobtainedapermitfromtheStateofNewYorkDepartmentofHealthtooperatethiswaste-treatmentfacility.Solidwastescollectedontrashracks,lunchroomandofficewastes,andmachine-shipscrapsaretruckedoffsitefordisposalatastate-approvedwaste-disposalsite.3.8TRANSMISSIONFACILITIESTwosingle-circuit345-kVtransmissionlinesconnecttheStationoutputtotheApplicant'sexistingsubstationinClay,NewYork,about27milessoutheastofthesite.Thetransmissionright-of-way(Fig.3.13)isownedbytheApplicant.Ittraversesterrainranginginelevationfrom250feetatthesiteto400feetatthesubstationandpassesthrough10milesofopenfarmland,aboutfourmilesofwetlands,fivemilesofwoodedareasandeightmilesoffalloworpastureland.Toallowforprobableneedforafuture345-kVtransmissionline,a500-footright-of-waywaspurchased.Inadditiontothetwo345-kVlinesfromNineMilePointUnit1inthecenteroftheright-of-way,twosingle-circuit115-kVlinesarealongthewesternedgeforaboutfourmilesfromthesitetowheretheyjointheApplicant'sLighthouseHill-Oswego115-kVgrid+Wood-poleH-framestructures,Fig.3.14,carrythemajorportion(about25miles)ofthe345-kVcables.'ortheinitiall.7milesfromtheStationandthefinal0.3mileintothesubstation,latticesteeltowersareused.About30milesofunpaveddirtroadsprovideaccessforlineinspectionandservice.
3-36LA/I'EOIV7AJF/0NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARPOWERSTATIONSCRIBAJAMESA.FITZPATRICKNUCLEARPOWERPLANT"f/'IIII~'INEWIHAVENIIIIIV0LNIEYIIIIIIIIIIwJIIIIIIIPALERM0IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISCHREPPIIIIIILCLAYSUBSTATIONFig.3.y3TransmissionFacilities.
Fig.3.lp.Transmission-lineStructuresNorthofClay.
 
4-14.ENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFCONSTRUCTION4.1EFFECTSONLANDUSE4.1.1StationSiteOnly45acresofthe900acresintheplantsiteareusedforplantstructuresandauxiliarysystems.The45acreshavebeenlandscaped.TheApplicanthassetaside130acresofthesiteasawildlifehabitatin1969bypostingthenorthwestcornerofthesite.TheApplicanthasstatedthattherearenoplansforthecreationofalargerhabitat.Inaddition,theApplicanthasmadeareasonableeffortformultipleuseofthesitebyopeninga'visitorreceptioncenterandmuseum.Incon]unctionwiththiscenterthereisanaturetrailthroughwoodedareaandpicnicareasonthebluffsoverlookingLakeOntario.Anewradwastebuildingwillbeconstructedonsite.Thisstr'ucture,whichwillbe80feetby60feet,by30feetabovegradeand30feetbelowgrade,willbecompletedtwoyearsafterstartofconstructionapproximatelyinJanuary1974.Themaintenanceofthepresentsitegradewillminimizepossibleerosionduringconstruction.Excavatedmaterialwillbeusedingrading;theremainingmaterialwillbedis-posedofoffsiteinamanneracceptabletothe'appropriatestateagencies.TheApplicanthasstatedthatcarewillbetakenthatrock,soil,wastebuildingmaterial,oil,gasoline,oranyothermaterialconnectedwithconstructionoftheStationwillnotcontaminatethelakeorgroundwater.TheApplicanthasstatedthattheamountofgaseousdischargesfromconstructionequipmentinthevicinityofthesitewillbebelowthelevelspermittedinthestateandfederalair-qualitystandardsandcriteria.Thenormalprecautions.employedinlarge-scaleconstructionwillbetaken;roadsprinklingwillbeusedtoreducetheairbornedustexpectedtooccurduringconstructionactivities.Thesmallamountofblastingisexpectedtobemadewithappropriateconcernfortheintegrityoftheexistingstructuresandsafetyofonsitepersonnel.TheApplicantplanstousenetstocon-troltheresultantdebris.Itisrecommendedthatanytopsoilremovedshouldbesalvaged,protectedandrespreadduringthegradingoperation.Theareashouldbelandscapedimmediatelyafterconstructioniscompleted.TheStaffhasinspectedthesiteandbelievesthatnoimpacts:onneighboringlandswillresult,fromconstructionoftheradwastebuilding,Theincreasedtrafficandnoisewillbeoflittlecon-sequenceandtemporary.Mostofthetrafficandnoiserelatedtoconstructionwillbelimitedtothedaylighthours.
2626VOLTAGE:345kvMATERIAL:Wood(treated)AVERAGESPAN:700FOUNDATION:TobebackfilledwithcrushedstoneMINIMUMHEIGHT:80MAXIMUMHEIGHT:100Scale1=15Fig.4.1.Wood"H"Frame:SingleCircuit.
4-34.1.2TransmissionLinesTowersusedmostoftenalongtheNineMilePoint-Cl'aytransmissionlinearethestandardwood-pole"H"frame(Fig.4.1).Atallstrainpoints,alatticestructureisemployed(Fig.4.2).TheApplicantdidnothavethebenefitoftheStateofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationguidelinesandrecommendationsfor'transmission-linelocationandconstructionwhentheoriginal500-footcorridorwasselectedandcleared(theNineMilePointUnit-ClayCircuit).Theconstructionofthistransmissionlinehasresultedinaverywideclearedzone,whichhaslongstraightsections.Theredonotappeartobeanyexcludedareasatroads,streams,ormarshes,norwasthereanyfeatheringoftheright-of-way.Herbicideswereusedinclearingtheoriginalright-of-way.Tordon101withthickenerwasappliedin1966tothenorthernfourmileswiththeaidofahelicopter.Theremainderoftheright-of-waywasgivenafoliarapplicationof2,4,.5-Tfromthegroundin1970.TheApplicanthasindicatedthatcertainshrubberywasnotremovedfromthecorridor,andtenacresoflandusedtogrowChristmastreeswereleftuntouched.Tenhornswereremovedwhenthetransmissioncorridorwasestablished.
4A28-6VOLTAGE:345kVMATERIAL:GalvanizedSteelAVERAGESPAN:800'OUNDATION:GrillageorReinforcedConcreteMINIMUMHEIGHT:61(tocrossarm)MAXIMUMHEIGHTr95(tocrossarm)Scale1=16'ig.4.2.LatticeSteelTower:SingleCircuit.
5-15.ENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFSTATIONOPERATION5.1IMPACTSONLANDUSE5.1.1StationEnvironsStructuresandauxiliaryfacilitieshavebeendesignedtoconformwithcontemporaryarchitecturalpractices.Themostprominentviewoftheplantisfromthelake;onlythestackcanbeseenfromthenearestpublicroad,whichisaboutonemilefromtheStation.ThepresenceoftheStationdoesnotlimitpublicaccesstothelakeshore.Traditionally,thissitehasnotbeenusedbythelocalresidentseitherforboatingorbathing.Thelakeshoreatthispointissteepandstonyanddoesnotrepresentapotentiallyvaluablerecreationalresourceasfaraswater-relatedactivitiesareconcerned.BeforeacquisitionbytheApplicant,thesitewasusedasanartilleryrange.Itisconcludedthatthelanduseofthe,siteanditsimmediateenvironswillnotbeadverselyaffectedbytheoperationoftheStation.5.1.2Transmission-lineEnvironsThetransmissiontowersystemhasvisualimpactontheobserverintherelativelyflatandopenterrainthroughwhichthelinepasses.Thecorridoriscoveredwithvegetation(mostlygrassesandherbaceousweeds).Themaintenanceofthistypeofcoverwillpreventerosionwithinthecorridorandreducerunoff.Maintenanceofthe.transmissionlineshouldfollowtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationguidelinesandrecommendations.TheStaffbelievesthatmeansotherthanherbicidesshouldbegivenintensiveconsiderationfortransmission-linemaintenance.Theplantingofshrubberyandshortfoodplantsforgamewouldbedesirable.However,ifherbicidesareused,theserecommendationsshouldbefollowed:(a)Onlyselectiveapplicationofapprovedherbicidesshouldbepermittedtomaintain"tightgroundcover,"whichwillallowgrowthofcompatibleweedsandwoodyspeciesandencouragewildlife-habitatgrowth.(b)Nosprayingshouldbedonewithin100feet-ofwatercoursesorstatereforestationareas.(c)Treatmentshouldnotbemorethanonceayear.
5-2(d)Nocontaminationofpotentialhumanfoodstuffs,includingwildberries,shouldbepermitted.I(e)Nocontaminationofpotablewatersuppliesshouldbepermitted.(f)Ifpasturesaresprayed,ownersofthepasturesshouldbenotifiedinadvanceofsprayingandtheirwrittenapprovalsecured.(g)AssoonastheAdministratorofEPAissuesstandardsforpesticideapplicators,allsprayingshouldbedonebyanindividualmeetingthesestandardsorunderhisimmediatesupervision.AllpesticideapplicatorsshouldbecertifiedunderStateprovisionsandcomplywithapplicableStatestandards.(h)NoformulationwithadioxincontaminationlevelthatexceedsO.lppmshouldbeused.(i)Aftersufficienttimehaselapsedforvegetationdamagetobecomeapparentbutwithinthesamegrowingseason,visualinspectionshouldbemadefordriftorvolatilizationcontaminationanddamageofthevegetationofftheright-of-wayandactiontakentoensurethatdriftorvolatizationbeheldtoaminimuminfutureapplications.Theaboverecommendationsontheuseofherbicidesinnowayabrogateapplicablestatelaws,regulations,orregistrationssuchasthere-stricted-uselistoftheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.Allherbicides,pesticidesandrelatedchemicalsshouldberegisteredinaccordancewithPL92-516,TheFederalInsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct.TheApplicantshoulddevelopsufficientfieldstudyandmonitoringpro-gramstoensurethattheaboverecommendationsarefollowedtotheextentpossibleandthatnorareorendangeredspeciesofplantsoranimalsaregeopardy.5.2IMPACTSOFWATERUSE5.2.1WaterConsumptionAllwaterfortheStation(forcooling,makeup,andplantoperation)istakenfromthelakeandessentiallyallofitisreturnedtothelake.TheStaffhascalculatedthattheincreaseinevaporationduetotheheatrejectionoftheStationtothelakewillbeO.lpercentofnaturalevaporationoffthelake.Therefore,nomeasurableimpactisexpectedontheoverallwaterbalance.'
5-35.2.2ThermalStudies\SinceNineMilePointUnit1wentintooperationin1969,severalfieldsurveysoftheplumesresultingfromthedischargeofheatedcondensercoolingwaterintoLakeOntariohavebeenconducted."Anexaminationofthesedatashowsthattheplumeextentanddirectionarestronglydependentonwind-inducedlakecurrents,waveactionandupwelling.AthoroughdiscussionoftheeffectofthesefactorsbyvariouswindregimesisgiveninReference5.ThedatareportedbytheApplicant'sconsultantsarefor12surveysinwhichtemperaturemeasurementsweretakenatvariouslakedepthsandreducedtoisothermplots.Ofthese,twosurveys(Figs.5.1and5.2)arediscussedfurtherbecausetheyrepresentextremecasesofinterestfortheirpotentialbiologicalimpact.Pigure5.1(PieldSurvey,November16,1971)repr'esentsasituationinwhichanextensivestretchofshorelinewillbeaffectedbythethermaldischarge.Duringthissurvey,thewindwasfromthenorthat5-10mph.Thewarmerwaterspreadoutalongtheshoreandslightlywestwardbecauseofaweakcurrent.Waveswereslight(sixinchestoonefoot)andlittleupwellingwasobserved.Asanindicationoftheextentofshorelineaffected,temperaturesforabouttwomilesofshore-linewereatleast5'Fgreaterthanlakeambienttemperature.Belowthesurface,lessshorelinewasaffected.However,evenatadepthof5feet,approximatelyoneandaquartermilesofshorelinehadtemperaturesgreaterthan5'Faboveambient.Thethermalplumedidnotextendmuchdeeperthanfivefeetbecauseatadepthof7-8feet,thetemperatureswerenotfarfromtheambientlakevalue.Figure5.2(FieldSurvey,July30,1971)representsasituationinwhichlessshorelineisaffected.Onthisoccasion,thewindwasfromtheeastat,0-5mphwithwavesat1-2inches.Asaresultawedgeofwarmwaterwasobservedthatextended3000feetoffshorefortheisothermofthe5'Faboveambienttemperature.Inothersurveys,isothermstypicallyrangedfrom1000to2000feetoffshore.Fortheothersurveysinwhichthewindandwaveconditionsweredifferent,considerablylessshorelinewasaffected;aboutonehalforlessthanthatindicatedabove.5.2.3EffectsofChemicalDischargesThechemicalsthatwillbeusedintheStationandtheirdischargecon-centrationsaregiveninTable3.9.Themajorchemicalwasteexcluding NoYcmbcr16,1971WINDAIRTEMP.SKYCOVERWAVESSURFACEAMBIENTN5-10mph10'C(50F(106"-I'5'C(49.1'F(STATIONDATANETOUTPUT565MWcDISCHARGEFLOW2.6x10'pmTEMP.IN11.7'C(53'F)TEMP.OUT269'C(84'F)~~~~~~cccdhtc+gOItc.'bI~"Ie.530~10IIu''18111'~xcII.534.~'~.,~''~X,~~>"c.5~~S,~".~~w"-E3ET4ccWI.("'2!NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION500(I(~~WT)Fig.5.1.Three-dimensionalThermalSurveyofNineMilePoint:Nov.16,1971(surfacetemperatures,C).'
?>sJuly30,1971WINDE0-5mphAIRTEMP.19.4'C(67'F)SKYCOVERIwithhazeWAVESEI"-2"SURFACEAMBIENT22$'C(72$'F)STATIONDATANETOUTPUTDISCHARGEFLOWTEMP.INTEMP.OUT490MWe25x10'pm21.7C(71'F)372'C(WF)<<3's2.524.5Z524.5.'9.5>e5.5SegO\eiae~'<<.s.-"23.5<<.."~z5.5f''I."tjj'IYZWT3.a'.~.~/!NINEMILEPOINTNUCLEARSTATION50011Fig.5.2.Three-dimensionalThermalSurveyofNineM.lePoint:July30,1971(surfacetemperatures,'C).
5-6liquidradioactivewastesandtreatedsewageisaneutralizedsolutionofsodiumsulfateandothersalts(originallyremovedfromlakewater)fromthemakeup-demineralizerregeneration.Thissolutionisdischargedduringathree-hourperiodonceeveryeightdaysalongwiththeheatedwater.Thissolutionwillbedispersedanddilutedinthelake.AscalculatedfromthedatainTable3.9,thetotaldissolvedsolidsinthecooling-watereffluentfromtheStationwillbeincreasedby4.4ppmduringthedischargeperiodsoranoverallaverageof0.56ppm(a0.2%increaseinthenaturallevel).Thisincreaseissmallincomparisonwiththenaturalvariationinthelake.Forexample,theresidueonevaporation(totalsolids)variedatonestationoffOswegobetween128and533ppmduringa6-1/2-yearperiod(seeTable2.2).Onthisbasis,nodetectableeffectoninshorewatersisexpected.The198lb/day"averagedischargeofchemicalsfromtheStationwillincreasethedissolved-solidscontentofthe400cubicmilesofwaterofLakeOntarioby0.002ppm,or0.0007%percentury(80%capacityfactor).Forsuchlongtimeperiods,completemixingcanprobablybeassumed.Thisisanegligiblefractionoftheexistingtrendof96ppm/centuryincreasefor1910-1960.Therefore,theStaffjudgesthatnolake-wideeffectwillbediscernible.TheonlychemicalsclearlyrelatingtotheeutrophictrendinLakeOntariowhoselevelswillbeinfluencedbyoperationofUnit1arethephosphateanddissolved-nitrogen(ammonia,nitrate,andnitrite)speciesremovedfromlakewaterinproductionofmakeupwaterandlaterreturnedtothelakeasawastefromion-exchangerregeneration.Themeanvalueofthephosphate(Table2.3)innearbylakewateris0.19mg/1;thesumofthemeannitrogencontentsofammonia,nitrate,andnitrite(Table2.3)is0.61mg/1.Calculatingasinthedevelopment'fTable3.9,theaveragequantityofexcessdissolvedchemicalsreturnedtothelakewillbe0.034lb/dayphosphateandO.lllb/dayofnitrogen.PhosphateisalsoreleasedtothelakeviathecirculatingwaterinusedlaundrydetergentandinStationsewage.Duringnormaloperation,theunitreleases100lb/monthofdetergent;during"scheduledoutages".,itreleases450lb/month.Whilenodetailedestimateofthetotaldurationof"scheduledoutagesisavailable"itwillbelessthan20%becausetheexpectedcapacityfactoris0.80.Thetotaldischargewouldthusbe100lb/monthfor80%ofthetimeand450lb/monthfor20%ofthetime.Annualdetergentreleasewouldthusbe2040lbs.Since50%ofthematerialissodiumhexametaphosphate,themaximumorthophosphatereleasewillbe950lb/yroranaverageof2.6lb/day.Concentrationincrementsinthedischargewillbe0.5or2.2partsperbillionphosphate,dependingonwhetherthereisascheduledoutage.
5-7SewagefromtheUnithasaveraged12mg/1phosphatecontent,basedoneffluentanalyses.Atthemaximumexpecteddailyflow(duringrefueling-overhauling)of3880gal,thephosphatedischargedwillbe0.039lb/day.Thetotalphosphatedischargewillthusbe3.0lb/day.Thisdischargeismuchsmallerthanthatfromothersources;forexample,Thongsuses230,000lb/dayastherateofphosphateinputtoLakeOntarioinhismaterial-balancecalculations.This'changeof0.001/intherateofadditionofphosphatetothelakeduetotheoperationofUnit1isundetectable.Theeffectwillalsobeinsignificantlocally.Theaverageincreaseinthephosphateconcentrationinthecirculatingwaterdischargewillbe0.0008mg/1,a0.4/increase.Thiseffectwillbeundetectable.ThenearestlakewaterintakeforapublicwatersupplyisinOswego,abouteightmileswest.ThenearestrecreationalareaonLakeOntarioisSelkirkShoresStatePark,tenmileseastofthesite.TheApplicant'smodelstudieshaveshownthatforatypicalvelocityof0.4fpsforthelakecurrent,thedischargedwaterwillbediluted156and235times,.respectively,bythetimeitreachestheOswegointakeandtheStatePark.Byusingamodelofasurfacedischargefittedtothefieldtemper-aturedataofUnit1discharge,theStaffconcludesthattheAppl'icant'scalculationsforthedilutionfactoratOswegoandSelkirkarereasonable.Inviewofthealreadylowconcentrationsofchemicals(seeTable3.9)thatreachthesepoints,noimpactontheconsumptiveorrecreationaluseofthewaterisexpected.Privatewatersuppliesintheareausegroundwater.Thenearestoperatingwellisabout3500feetfrom,theStation.ThewatertableinthevicinityoftheStationslopestowardthelake;therefore,groundwatercontaminationisextremelyunlikely.5.2.4CompliancewithWaterQualityStandardsWiththeexceptionofthelimitsontotaldissolvedsolids,thephosphateconcentrationinthedischargedsewage,andthethermal-plumesize,theeffluentsofUnit1conformtoallcriteriaandstandardsoftheStateofNewYork,MinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteria(MFWQC)providedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,andtheInternationalAgreementonGreatLakesWaterQualitybetweentheUnitedStatesandCanada(April15,1972).
5-8Thefollowing-is=thedetailedconsiderationarrangedintheorderoftheNewYork=StateStandard701.3,ClassesandStandardsforFreshSurfaceWaters,ClassAA.102.3~Floatingsolids;settleablesolids;oil;sludgedeposits;tasteorodor-producingsubstances(seealsoMFWQC1.1,1.2,and1.3):Thereisnodischarge'fromUnit1'ofmaterialsthat,formobjectionabledeposits,thatprovidefloatingdebris,oils,scumandothermatter,orsubstancesproducingobjectionablecolor,odor,tasteorturbiditytoLakeOntario.Sewageorwasteeffluents:Disinfectionisrequired;thegeometricmeanoffecalcoliformcountsinthelakeislimitedbyregulationto200/100ml(MFWQC2.2.1).ThesanitarywastesfromUnit1haveextendedaerationsecondarytreatmentandchlorinedisinfectionbeforeoxygenationinapondanddischargeintothelake.A24-hourcompositesampleinSeptember1971showed430fecalcoliformbacteriaper100mlintheoxygenation-pondoutlet.Duringthoseperiodswhenrainwaterorothersurfacerunoffsintheditchcarryingtheeffluenttothelakeisgreaterthanabout2.2timestheinstan-taneoussewageflowrate,thecriterionwillbecompliedwith.Forotherperiods,asmallzonewillbeproducedinthelakewithinwhichthefecalcoliformcountisinexcessofthecriterion;thiszonewillprobablynotbemorethanafewfeetinaveragediameter,sincethemaximumaveragedailyflowcorrespondstoonly2.7gal/min.pH:ThecombinationoftheInternationalAgreementandMFWQCapparentlywouldrequirethateffluentpHbemaintainedat6.7-8.3,"exceptwhenduetonaturalcausesandinnocaseshallbelessthan5.0,normorethan9.0.WhenthepHislessthan6.5ormorethan8.3,dischargeofsubstanceswhichwouldincreasethebufferingcapacityofthewatershouldbelimited."*TheUnit1circulatingwaterisreturnedtothelakeatthesamepHatwhichitwasremovedfromthelake.TheStaffjudgesthattheregulationiscompliedwithbecause:thenaturalpHofLake,OntariointhevicinityoftheStationrangesfrom7.2to9.0(seeTable2.3);thepHisnotmeasurablychangedbypassage'throughtheStation;andnosignificantbufferingcapacityisaddedtothecirculatingwater.*Fromthe"ReportoftheCommitteeonWaterQuality'riteriatotheFederalWaterPoihlutionControlAdministration,U.S.DepartmentoftheInterior"(TheGreenBook").TheMFWQCwasformulatedbyusingthisreportasagauge.
5-94.DissolvedOxygen:ThemostrestrictiveapplicablestandardisItem2.1.1.1(b)oftheMFWQC,whichrequiresthatthedissolved,,oxygen(DO)benotlessthan6.0mg/1(exceptthattheDOmaybebetween5.0and6.0mg/1fornotmorethanfourhourswithin'ny24hourperiod,.providedthewaterqualityisfavorablein,all,otherrespectsandnormaldailyandseasonalfluctuationsoccur),.ThedissolvedoxygeninLakeOntariointhevicinityofNineMilePointhasrangedfrom6.8to14.4mg/1(Table2.3).ThislevelisinconformitywithwidespreadobservationsofoxygencontentofthewaterofLakeOntario,'nonestudy,~~summertimesatura-tionsrangedfrom9.5to13mg/1.TheoxygencontentinthecoolingwaterhasbeenobservedbytheApplicantnottobe,diminishedbypassagethroughthecondensereventhoughthetemperatureisincreased.TheStaffconcludesthatthestandardiscompliedwith.5.ToxicWastes,Deleterious,orColoredSubstances:Fortheprotectionofpeoplewhomightusethelakewaterasasupplyofdrinkingwater,theStandardsoftheU.S.PublicHealthServiceapply.'imitsareprovided-forsome21chemicalspeciesorgroups.Ofthesespecies,onlyiron(limit0.3mg/1)andsulfate(limit250mg/1)areaddedtothecirculatingwater.Theironcontentofthelakeisoftheorderof0.005mg/1.Unlessthereisalocalincidenceofhighconcentrationinthelake,theconcentrationofironinthedis-chargeisnotexpectedtoexceedthe0.005'mg/1naturallyoccurring,witha0.4/increasewhenthemakeup-waterdemineralizerisregen-.rated.NoviolationoftheStandardisexpected.'ThesulfateinLakeOntarioneartheStationisabout13to50mg/1(Table2.3),andtheincrementalconcentrationduringperiodsofdischargeofregenerationwastesfromthemakeup-waterdemineralizersis2.49mg/1forUnit1(Table3.9).Themaximumtotalisthuswellbelowthe250mg/1specifiedintheStandard.TheStandardiscompliedwith.Forallotherchemicalsinthewaterexceptsodiumion,theconcentrationinthecirculatingwaterdischargeisthesameasinthelakewaterexceptduringperiodsofdischargeofwastesfromregenerationofmakeup-waterionexchangers.Atthesetimesthereisabouta0.4/increaseintheconcentrationsofnearlyallspeciespresent.Asanapproximation,thoseionspresentinthelakewaterbelow'helimitsallowedintheStandardsarereturnedtothelakeinthesamestate.Thus,iftheconcentrationsnaturallypresentinthelakearebelowtheStandards,therewillbenoviolations.Allionsforwhichtheaveragenaturallevelsareknown(seeTable5.1)arebelowthemax'imumpermittedlevel;thus,exceptfor 5-10TABLE5.1DrinkingMaterStandardsforLakeOntarioSubstancesArsenicBariumCadmiumChromiumLeadChlorideCopperManganeseNitrateSulfateTotaldissolvedsolidsZincCyanideFluorideSeleniumSilverAlkylbenzenesulfateCarbonchloroformextractPhenolsLimit,mg/10.051.00.010.05,0.052501.00.054525050050.2~l0.010.050.50.20.001ConcentrationinLake,mg/1Unknownb('a")0.00009,0-0.01200007dd0.0008,0-0.16430(Table2.3)0.006,d0-0.068e0.00050.14(Table2.3)30(Table2.3)233(Tab)e2.3)0.007,0-0.075UnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknownUnknown0-2.25U.S.PublicHealthServiceDrinkingMaterStandards,1962.Arsenicwasundetectableinabout95XofsamplesintheUnitedStates(13).Averageconcentrationin99XofsamplesintheUnitedStates(13).Refexence(12).Table2.2.
5-11rarelocalincreasesinsomesubstances(e.g.,phenols),noviolationsareexpected.Fortheremainingsubstances,nostatementcanbemadewithcertaintybecausetheconcentrationsareunknown.Thereisnoreasontoexpectviolations.SixtoxicsubstancesaffectingfishlifeareidentifiedintheNewYorkStateStandard,referringtonaturalwaterswithamedianalkalinityof80ppmorabove'ofcalciumcarbonateequivalent(whichistrueforLakeOntario).Noneofthesesubstancesareaddedtodischargestreamsbutwillhaveminorconcentrationsperiodicallyinthecirculating-waterdischargeasindicatedabove.Levelsofammoniaorammoniumcompoundsnearbythelake(limit2.0mg/1atpHat"orabove8.0)havebeen0.0-5.7mg/1NH,withanaverageof0.57mg/1(Tables2.2and2.3).Thelevelofferro-cyanideor'erricycanide(limit0.'4mg/1)inthelakeisunknown,butsmall;thestatusofcyanide(limit0.1mg/1),copper(limit0.2mg/1),zinc(limit0.3mg/1),andcadmium(limit0.3mg/1),aregiveninTable5.1.Ofthosesubstancespresentinthenaturalwater,thelevelsarebelowthosepermittedintheStandard,andnoviolationwilloccur.Noreasonisknowntoexpectviolationstooccurfortheremainingions.6.AdditionalItems:NewYorkStatethermalstandardsAsmentionedinSection5.2.2,athermalplumeresultsfromthedis-chargeofheatedwaterintothelake.Thesurfaceareasthatareencompassedbythe3'Fisothermvariesfrom50to400acres.TheNewYorkStatecriteriathatgovernthermaldischargesimposethefollowingrestrictionsondischargesintolakes:"Thewatertemperatureatthesurfaceofalakeshallnotberaisedmorethan3degreesFoverthetemperaturethatexistedbeforetheadditionofheatofartificialorigin,exceptthatwithinaradiusof300feetorequivalentareafromthepointofdischarge,thistemperaturemaybeex-ceeded(6NYCRR,704.1)."However,afootnotetothisstandardprovides:"Xtisrecognizedthataradiusof300feetorequivalentareamaybetooliberalortoorestrictiveandthatalesserorgreaterareamayberequiredorpermittedundertheproceduresetforthin'Additionallimitationsormodifications',section704.2,1nfm."
5-12ThesenumericallimitationsforthermaldischargeswereadoptedonJuly25,1969,afterthedischargeforUnit1wasconstructed.Section704.4oftheStateCodesetsthefollowingrestrictionsonexistingdischarges:"Indeterminingwhetheradischargeexistingpriortotheadoptionoftheabovecriteriacomplieswiththeapplicablestandardofthermaldischarges('onealoneorincombinationwithothersubstancesorwastesinsufficientamountsoratsuchtemperaturesasto,beinjurioustofishlife...orimpairthe.watersforanyotherbestusage...'6NYCRR,701.3etseq.]),thesecriteriaareintendedonlytobeaframeofreference."TheStaffhasnotednoadverseeffectontheaquaticbiotaduetothethermaldischarge,thusNineMilePointUnit1thermaldischargecomplieswiththeStandard(6NYCRR704.4,6NYCRR701.3).IntheinternationalagreementforwaterqualityoftheGreatLakes,thelevelofdissolvedsolidsinLakeOntario"shouldnotexceed"200mg/1.SincetheaverageleveloftotaldissolvedsolidsinLakeOntarioisabout233mg/1(range127to489,Table2.3),with-drawingandredischargingmightappeartoviolatetheintentwithrespecttototallevel.Inviewof-thefactthattheincreaseindissolvedsolidscausedbytheoperationofUnit1isverysmall(seeTable3.9),itisbelievedthattheintentoftheStandardinpreventingincreasesin,theleveloftotaldissolvedsolidsisbeingmet.TheMFWQCalsorestrictphosphorus.Thetotalphosphorusisnottoexceed50pg/1inanylakeoratanypointwhereitentersthelake(Section2.1).ThephosphoruscontentofthesewagefromUnit1is4mg/1.Thus,fortimeswhenthereisnowaterflowingintheditchfromwhichsewageisdischargedtothelake,theMFWQcriterionforphosphorusisexceeded.Becausethequantityofphosphorusissmallandthesewageflowrateislow,thesizeofthezoneinwhichtheconcentrationexceedsthecriterionissmall.Whenstormwaterintherivuletisflowingatarategreaterthan40timesthesewageflowrate(i.e.,greaterthan146gpm),the50yg/1concentrationwillnotbeexceededbecauseoftheresultantdilutionofthesewagebeforedischargetothelake.TheMFWQClimitradioactivityinthelaketothelevelsintheU.S.PublicHealthStandardsfordrinkingwater.Theseallow100picocuries.(pCi)perliterofgrossbetaactivityintheabsenceofstrontiumandalphaemitters,3pCiofradium-226and10pCi/1ofstrontium-90.
5-13Withthesestandardsappliedtothecirculating-waterdischarge,thedatainSection5.4.1indicatethatthedischargecontainsanestimated30pCi/lofgross9-emitters.Thisissubstantiallybelowthe1000pCi/1permitted.Astrontium-90dischargeof0.021'Ci/1isexpected.Thisissubstantiallybelowthestandard(10pCi/1).Itisanticipatedthatnoradium-226willbeemitted,andtherefore,theStandardforthatradionuclidewillnotbeexceeded.Section2.2.4oftheMFWQClimitsthecolorandturbiditysothataSecchidiscwillbevisibleataminimumdepthof1meter.Unit1willnotdischargewaterthatismeasurablymoreturbidorcoloredthanthatdrawnin.Themaximumturbidityreadingavailable(Table2.3)is6JacksonTurbidityUnits.Themaximumlengthofthissolu-tionforwhichvisibilityismaintainedisunknown,butextrapolationofthelengthinthetableinStandardMethods*downwardfrom25.Jacksonunitsprovidesanestimatedminimumpathlengthforthelakewaterinexcessofonemeter.Itis,therefore,estimatedthatthestandardwillliterallybefulfilled.Ifthereareoccasionswhenthelaketurbiditywillexceedthestandard,noviolationoftheintenttorestricttheincreaseofturbiditywillhaveoccurred.Sections3and4oftheMFWQC,requiringthatmixingzonesofdischargesbesmallcomparedwiththesizeofthelakeandthattherebeampleundisturbedportionsofthelake,willreadilybemetbydischargesfromUnitl.5.3RADIOLOGICALIMPACTONBIOTAOTHERTHANMANThepathwaysbywhichbiotaotherthanmanmayreceiveradiationdosesinthevicinityofanuclearpowerstationareshowninFigure5.3.Tworecentcomprehensivereports"~havebeenconcernedwithradio-activityintheenvironmentandthepathwaysbywhichtheradioactivematerialscanreachbiota.Dependingonthepathwaybeingconsidered,terrestrialandaquaticorganismswillreceiveeitherapproximatelythesameradiationdosesasmanorsomewhatgreater.doses.Noguidelineshavebeenestablishedfordesirablelimitsforradioactiveexposuretospeciesotherthanman.-However,itisgenerallyagreedthatthelimitsestablishedforhumansarealsoconservativeforotherspecies.TheApplicanthasproposedanimprovedradioactive-wastetreatmentsystemforUnit1,whichwillsignificantlyreducetheamo'untofradionuclidesreleasedtotheatmosphereandthelake.Thefollowinganalysesareper-formedassumingtheexistenceofthisimprovedsystem,whereappropriate.*Table163(l)in"StandardMethodsfortheExamination,ofWaterandWastewater,"13thEdition,APHA,AWWA,WPCF,NewYork,1971.
5-14ThequantitiesandspeciesofradionuclidesexpectedtobedischargedannuallybyUnit1inliquidandgaseouseffluentshavebeenestimatedbytheStaffandaregiveninTables3.3and3.7respectively.Forthedeterminationofdosestobiotaotherthanman,specificcalcu-lationsaredoneprimarilyfortheliquideffluent.Dosestoterrestrialanimalssuchasrabbitsordeerduetothegaseouseffluentarequitesimilartothosecalculatedforman(Section5.4).Theliquid-effluentquantities,whendilutedbythetotalannualcoolantdischargesofUnit1,would,produceanaveragegrossactivityconcentration,excludingtritium,of1.2x109microcuriespermilliliterinthe'lakebetweentheplantdischargeregions.Additionaldiscussionconcerning"liquiddilutionispresentedinSection5.4.ThemaximumdosestoaquaticorganismslivinginthewatercontainingradionuclidesdischargedfromtheStation,willbedeliveredtoaquaticplants.Thisisaconsequenceofphysiologicalmechanismsthatconcen-tratewithinplantsanumberofelementsthatcanbepresentintheiraqueousenvironment.Theextenttowhichelementsareconcentratedinfish,invertebrates,andaquaticplantsuponuptakeoringestionhasbeenestimated.ValuesofrelativebiologicalaccumulationfactorsofanumberofwaterborneelementsforseveralfreshwaterorganismsareprovidedinTable5.2.Theannualradiationdosestobothaquaticandterrestrialbiota,includingman,wereestimatedontheassumptionofconstantconcentrationsofradio-nuclidesatagivenpointinboththewaterandair.Figure5.3showsthatradiationdosehasbothinternalandexternalcomponents.Externalcomponentsoriginatefromimmersioninradioactiveairandwaterandfromexposuretoradioactivesurfaces.Internalexposuresarearesultofingestingandbreathingradioactivity.Dosestoaquaticplantsandfishlivinginthedischargeregionduetowateruptakeandtoingestion(internalexposure)werecalculatedtobe39and1.3mrads/year,respectively,forUnit1operation.Thedischarge-regionconcentrationswerethosedescribedabove,anditwasassumedthatmaximumconcentrationswerepresentalloftheyear.Allcalculateddosesarebasedonstandardmodels.However,thedosesarequiteconservativesinceitishighlyunlikelythatanyofthemobilelifeformswillspendasignificantportionoftheirlifespaninthemaximum-activityconcen-trationofthedischargeregion.Bothradioactivedecayandadditionaldilutionwouldreducethedoseatotherpointsinthelake.Externaldosestoterrestrialanimalsotherthanmanaredeterminedonthebasisofgaseouseffluentconcentrationsanddirectradiation 5-15aTABLE5.2FreshwaterBioaccumulationFactorsforRadioelements(pCi/kgorganismperpCi/1water)ElementFishInvertebratesPlantsElementFishInvertebratesPlantsNa3(l)3(l)Cr2(2)2(3)Mn2(1)4(4)Fe3(2)3(3)Co5(2)'(3)Ni4(1)1(2)Zn1(3)4(4)Ag3(3)3(3)W1(0)3(1)Rb2(3)2(3)Sr4(l)7(2)Y1(2)1(3)Zr1(2)1(3)Nb3(4)1(2)Mo1(2)1(2)2(2).P1(5)4(3)Rul(2)1(4)Rh1(2)5(3)Sb4(1)1(3)Te4(2)l(2)I1(0)4(3)Cs1(3)2(2)Ba1(1)3(1)Ce1(2)l(3)Pr1(2)5(2)Nd1(2)1(4)Pm'(2)l(4)Np1(4)l(3)Lal(2)1(2)H1(0)l(5)2(3)2(3)2('4)2(2)2(1)1(3)2(2)l(3)1(3)1(3)1(3)3(2)1(3)1(0)1(5)2(3)2(3)l(2)1(2)3(2)5(2)1(4)1(4)1(4)l(4)1(3)1(4)1(0)From,W.H.Chapman,H.L.Fisher,andM.W.Pratt,"ConcentrationFactorsofChemicalElementsinEdibleAquaticOrganisms,"UCRL-50564,Dec.30,1968.bNumbersinparenthesesrepresentpowersoften.'
GASEOUSOPLRADIOACTIVEEFFLUENTWATERSUPPLYLIQUIDIII>gR)Oo(>)rnm~gI~csIIIIIIZZIsOZZOOmOX8mmXZIOORTERRESTRIALORGANISMSTerrestrialPLANTSSEDIMENTCONCENTRATIONAquaticSUBMERGEDORGANISMSBottomandSedllnentDwellersMotileOrganismsTerrestrialSwimmersFishInsectsMicroorganismsOtherNonmotileOrganismsFig.5.3.GeneralizedExposurePathwaysforOrganismsOtherThanMan.
5-17contributionsat,thelocationswheresuchanimalsmayactuallybepresent.Becausetheconcentrationsareprimarilyusedinthecalculationsfordosetoman,theyarediscussedinSection5.4.Theexternaldosestoanimalsatthesamelocationsarethesameasthosetoman.Anestimatecanbemadefortheingestiondosetoaterrestrialanimalsuchas,aduck,whichisassumedtoconsumeonlyaquaticvegetationgrowinginthewaterinthedi'schargeregion.Theduck-ingestiondosewascalculatedtobeabout20mrads/year.Allofthecalculatedinges-tiondosesarebelievedtorepresentupper-limit"estimates,becauseequilibriumwasassumedtoexistbetweenallaquaticorganismsandallradionuclides'inwater.Anonequilibriumconditionforaradionuclideinanactualexposuresituationwouldresultinasmallerbioaccumulationand,therefore,inasmallerdosefrominternalexposure.Also,therearemanypathwaysofinternalexposuretoterrestrialbiota,butthepathwayselectedassumedthatthemuskratorduckconsumedonlyaquaticvegetationgrowinginthewaterinLakeOntarionearthedischargeregion.Theliteraturerelatingtoradiationeffectsonorganismsisextensive,butveryfewstudieshavebeenconductedontheeffectsofcontinuouslow-levelexposuretoradiation(fromingestedradionuclides)onnaturalaquaticorterrestrialpopulations.Themostrecentandpertinentstudiespointoutthat,whiletheexistenceofextremelyradiosensitivebiotaispossibleandwhileincreasedradiosensitivityinorganismsmayresultfromenvironmentalinteractions,nobiotahaveyetbeendiscoveredthatshowasensitivitytoradiationexposuresaslowasthoseanticipatedintheareasurroundingUnit1.IntheBEIRreportitisstatedinsummarythatevidencetodateindicatesthatnootherlivingorganismsareverymuchmoreradiosensitivethanman.Therefore,nodetectableradiologicalimpactisexpectedintheaquaticbiotaorterrestrialmammalsasaresultofthequantityofradionuclidestobereleasedintoLakeOntarioandintotheairbyUnitl.5.4RADIOLOGICALIMPACTONMANRoutinepowergenerationbyUnitl,willresultinthereleaseofsmallquantitiesoffissionandactivationproductsintheenvironment.Thesereleases.willbekeptaslowaspracticableinaccordancewith10CFR50andwell'withinthelimitsspecifiedin10CFR20.NuclidereleasesfromUnit1havebeenmeasuredsincethestationbegangeneratingpowerin1969.TheStaffhasalsoestimatedtheprobablenuclidereleasesfromtheStationaftertheadditionofaproposedimprovedradioactivewastetreatmentsystem.Estimationsweremadeofradiationdosesto"manatandbeyondthesiteboundary.viathemostsignificantpathwaysdiagrammedinFig.5.4.The zXfOzz0QOmXCXI37zrXOOzGASEOUSI-lIIIIl~~I~ol~olHloz)%m<C$X)m)rnIRADIOACTIVEEFFLUENTFORAGEand/orCROPSWATERSUPPLYGroundWaterSurfaceWaterANIMALFLESHand/orANIMALPRODUCTSLIQUID{PLUSSOLID)STORAGETANKSTRANSPORTATIONFISHFLESHzGlmroOzz0coKzAUmXmOfllmXoCOCam0zXmzIOOzMANFig.5.4.GeneralizedExposurePathwaystoMan.
5-19calculationsarebasedonconservativeassumptionsregardingthedilutions'ofeffluentgasesandradionuclidesinthecoolantdischarge,andtheusebymanofthe'lantsurroundings.5.4.1RadioactiveMaterialsReleasedinLiquidEffluentsExpectednuclidereleasesintheliquideffluenthavebeencalculatedforUnit1assumingcompletionoftheimprovedradioactive-wastetreat-mentsystem.Therespective'aluesarelistedinTable3.3.Effluent,activitiesdischargedintoLakeOntariobyUnit1during1971havebeenmeasured~~andarepresentedinTable5.3.SinceUnit1operatedatabout56/ofitstotallicensecapacityduring1971,themeasuredeffluentswereincreasedbythefactor0.80/0.56=1.43toapproximatea'ullyearofnormal(80/)operation.Thesemeasuredandnormalizedreleaseswereusedtoestimateexistingpotentialdoses.ThedischargestructureofUnit1isdesignedtoimprovediffusionoftheheated.waterwiththelakewater.Thediffusersincreasemixingofthecoolantwaterwiththelakebyafactorof3.Concentrationsofradionuclidesinthemixingzonesreflecttheadditionaldilution.IntheiaxnediatevicinityoftheUnit1discharge,thegrossactivitycon-centration,exclusiveoftritium,isestimatedtobe1.2x10pCi/cmand2.9x10pCi/cmwithandwithouttheaugmentedradioactivewastetreatmentsystem,respectively.Duringnormalreactoroperations,afractionofthenoblegasesproducedwillbereleasedinthecoolantwaterandsubsequentlydischargedintothelake.TheAECDirectorateofRegulatoryOperationshasanalyzedoperatingreactorcoolantdischargewaterfornoblegascontent.Underconditionsofhighestannualaveragenoblegasconcentrationsinthedischargewater,nosignificantdoseswouldbedeliveredtohumanbeings.ConsumptionofpotablewaterfromLakeOntarioconstitutestheprincipalexposurepathwayto.manfortheliquideffluents.BoththeOnondaga"CountyWaterDistrictandthecityofOswegouseLakeOntariowater.Dilutionoftheeffluentsfromthemixingzonetothenearestintake,whichisabout8milesfromthesite,wasconservativelyestimatestobe15bytheApplicant.~~Dosestoindividualsconsuming1.2liters/dayofthiswaterwerecalculatedusingstandardmodels.Otherpathwaysofrelativeimportanceinvolverecreationaluseofthelakeinthevicinityofthedischargezone.Individualdosesfrom"consumingfishcaughtintheimmediatedischargeareawereevaluatedusingthebiologicalaccumulationfactorslistedinTable5.2andstandardmodels.Swimming,boating,andfishinginthedischargeregionwerealsoincludedintheevaluation.
5-20TABLE5.31971EffluentReleasesfromNineMilePoint,Unit1Liquid,CiGases,CiCr-51Mn-54Co-58Fe-59Co-608.57(12.25).5.91(8.45)3.30(4.72)2.92(4.18)6.50(9.30)Sr-890.17(0.24)Mo-Tc-990.23(0.33)I-1311.34(1.92)I-1330.26(0.37)Cs-1340.49,(0.70)Xe-138Kr-87Kr-88Kr-85mXe-135Xe-13322,414(32,100)35,868(51,300)33,483(47,900)20,287(29,000)75,588(108,000)42,718(61,100)Cs-1371.47(2.10)Ba-La-1400.05(0.07)Np-2390.33(0.47)Na-240.09(0.13)Totalidentifiedandunidentifiednoble,gasreleases253,240(362,000)TotalidentifiedandunidentifiedliquidreleasesTotaliodinesandparticulatesingaseousstreams32.2(46.0)0.8(1.14)FromoperatingexperienceofNMP-1;56/oftotalgenerationcapacity.bNumbersinparenthesesareextrapolationsto80/annualoperatingtime; 5-21Tables5.4and5.5summarizethepotentialindividualdosesfromtheliquideffluents."Allcalculationswereperformedtwic'e"'toillustratepotentialeffectswith.andwithouttheadditionoftheaugmentedradio-activewastetreatmentsystem.Operatingdata(Table5.3}wereusedtoillustratepresentpotentialdoses.Staffestimatesofnuclidereleasesafterinstallationoftheimprovedradwastesystem(Table3.3)provideddataforlong-termdoseassessments.5.4.2RadioactiveMaterialsReleasedtotheAtmosphereGaseousradioactiveeffluentsfromtheplantwillresultinthemostsignificantradiationdosestothepublic.Aswiththeliquideffluents,themeasuredreleasesforUnit1'Table5.3),correctedtoafullyearof'ormal(80/)operation,wereusedtocalculateexis'tingpotentialdoses."AECstaffestimatesoftheprobablegaseousreleasesafterinstallation,oftheaugmented'radwastewereusedtoevaluatefuturepotentialdoses.Alldosecalculationswereperformedusingannualaveragesite.meteoro-logicalconditionsandassumingthatreleasesoccurataconstantrate.Dosesduetoradioactivegasesreleasedfromstacksincludethecontributionfromimmersioninthepartofthecloudwhichhasreachedgroundlevelaswellasthecontributionfromtheelevatedplume.Hence,thegivengaseous-diffusionfactors(X/Q's)canonlybeusedtodirectlycalculatedosesassociatedwithingestionorinhalationpathways.Theprimaryfoodpathwaytomaninvolvestheingestionbydairycowsofradioiodinedepositedontograzingareas.Consumptionofmilkfromthesecowscanresultinexposuretothehumanthyroid.Dosestoachild'sthyroidwhichwouldresultfromconsumingoneliterofmilkdailyfromacowgrazingfivemonthsannuallywerecalculatedforthenearestfarm(0.64md.les,SW)usingrecognizedmodels.Anotherfoodpathwaytomanofsecondaryimportanceinvolvesthecon-sumptionofleafyvegetablessubjecttoradionuclidedepositionfromthestackplume.Thethyroiddoseresultingfromanannualconsumptionof72kgmofleafyvegetablesproducedatthenearestfarmduringthethree-monthgrowingperiodwasevaluatedandfoundtobe0.034and0.017mrem/yrbeforeandafterinstallationoftheupgradedradwastesystem,respectively.DosesduetogaseouseffluentsaresummarizedinTables5.6and5.7.
5>>22TABLE5.4AnnualDosefromLiquidEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLocations.beforeInstallationofAugmen'ted'adwasteSystemDose,mrem/yrLocationPathwayTotalBodyThyroidGITractBonePublicwaterIngestion,'upplies-8mi1.2liters/day4.3x10~6.2xlO~1.5xl01.0x102LakeOntario-neardischargeLakeOntario-neardischargeIngestionoffish,20g/daySwimming,100hr/yr68x10117x10-217xl095xl0-15.4xl0"LakeOntario-neardischargeFishingandboating,1.4xlO~500hr/yr 5-23TABLE5.5AnnualDoses'fromLiquidEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividualsatVariousLoc'ationsafterInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystemDose,mrem/yrLocationPathwayTotalBodyThyroidGITractBonePublicwaterIngestion,supplies-8mi1/2liters/day1,3x1043.2x108.lx10"1.2x104LakeOntario-neardischargeLakeOntario-neardischargeLakeOntario-neardischargeIngestionoffish,20g/daySwimming,100hr/yrFishingandboating,500hr/yr1.9xl028.4xlO42.9x102g.7x1026.9xlPS1.7x104 TABLE5.6AnnualDosesfromGaseousEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditions"toIndividualsatVariousLocationsbeforeInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystemDose,mrem/yrLocationAtmospherIcDispersionFactor(X/Q;sec/m)PathwayTotalBodySkinThyroidBoundarydose(1.2mi.E)1.9x108Directplumeradiation("shine")Cloudimmersionandinhalation5.06.9-5.0Summercampa(1.0mi.WSW)28xl08Cloudimmersionandinhalation0.500.570.50INiagargMohawkvisitorcenter(0.5mi.W)1.4x108'Cloudimmersionandinhalation2.12.42.1Nearestdairyfarm(0.64mi.SW)1.3x108Milkconsumptionandcloudimmersion6.57.80.69aAssumesanannualoccupancyofthreemonths.bAssumesanannualoccupationaldwell-timeof2000hours.Thyroiddosesaiecalculatedforatwo-yearoldchildconsuming1literofmilkdailyfromcowsgrazing5monthsperyearatthislocation.
TABLE5.7AnnualDosesfromGaseousEffluentsunderEquilibriumConditionstoIndividuals-atVariousLocationsafterInstallationofAugmentedRadwasteSystemDose,mrem/yrLocationAtmosphericDispersionFactor(X/Q;sec/m)hPathwayTotalBodySkinThyroidBoundarydose(1.2mi.E)19xlOSDirectplumeradiation("shine")Cloudimmersionandinhalation0.0670.0930.072Summercampa(1.0mi.WSW)2.8x109Cloudimmersionandinhalation0.0070.0080.0073NiagaraMohawkvisitorcenter(0.5mi.W)1.4x109Cloudimmersionandinhalation0.0120.0130.012Nearestdairyfarm(0.64mi.SW)1.3x108Milkconsumptionandcloudimmersion0.0940.0170.34a"'ssumesanannualoccupancyofthreemonths.bAssumesanannualoccupationaldwell-timeof2000hours.cThyroiddosesarecalculatedforatwo-yearoldchildconsuming1literofmilkdailyfromcowsgrazing5monthsperyearatthislocation.
5-265.4.3.DirectRadiationNormalreactorpowerplantoperationsresultinsomehumanexposuretodirectradiationQ.e.,radiationfromcontainedsources).TheprincipalsourcesofhumanexposuretodirectradiationthatwouldresultfromtheoperationofUnit1arethehigh-pressureturbinesoftheboiling-waterreactors.Asaconsequenceofnuclearreactionsoccurringintheprimaryheatexchangeloopofthesesystems[particularly,the0-16(n,p)N-16],energeticgammaraysareproduced.Intheirpassagethroughthecontain-mentandtheatmosphere,thefluxisattenuatedandthegammaenergyisdegraded.Estimatesofdirectradiationdosemaybeobtainedbyusingvaluesmeasuredatanothersite.~4TheclosestdistancetotheshorelinefromtheStationturbineisabout550feetinthenortherly'direction.At,anoperationallevelof0.8fortheplant,thedirectradiationdosedeliveredtoapersonboatingatthislocationfor500hoursperyearisestimatedtobe6mremperyear.Allotheroffsite,direct-radiationdosesduetooperationofUnit1willbelessthantheabovequotedvalueunderthesameconditions.5.4.4PopulationDosesFromAllSourcesRadiationdosescalculatedbytheStaffareintendedtoapplytoanaverageadult.Specificpersonswillreceivehigherorlowerdoses,dependinguponhisage,livinghabits,foodpreferences,orrecreationalactivities.Thecombineddoses(man-rem)*duetogaseouseffluentstoallindividualslivingwithinafifty-mileradius'oftheplantwascalculatedusingtheprojected1980populationdatafurnishedbytheApplicant.Valuesfortheman-remdoseatvariousdistancesfromtheplantaresummarizedinTable5.8.Presently,accordingtotheApplicant,about190,000peoplederivetheirdrinkingwaterfromtheintakelocated8mileswestoftheplant.Thetotalexposuretothispopulationwasevaluatedusingthedrinking-waterdosepresentedinTables5.4and5.5.Basedonwaterusagetables,wasestimatedthatanadditional360,000peopleobtaintheirdrinkingwaterfromotherlocationsonthesouthsh'oreofLakeOntario.Thepopulationexposureforthisgroupwasevaluatedbyapplyingageneraldilutionof100overtheconcentrationsintheimmediatedischargeregion.Theman-remcontributionfromotherwaterintakesonthelakeisexpectedtobenegligible.*Man-remisanexpressionforthesummationoftotalbodydosestoindividualsinagroup.Itistheproductofthenumberofpersonsinthatpopulationmultipliedbytheaveragetotalbodydoseinremreceivedbyeachmemberofthatpopulation.
TABLE5'.8CumulativePopulation(annualman-remdose,andaverageannualdose)jnSelectedAnnuliAroundIMP-,1CumulativeDose,man-rem/yr,AverageIndividualDose,mrem/yr,Radius'ilesCumulativePopulation,1980withoutwithwithoutwithAugmentedRadwasteSystem10203040500.0940.0240.0170.0140.0120.00320.00191.21000.1.20.0170.0320.0632.31.023100.864.552900.1443,1009.50.220.13102,00013217,00018678,0002015060,000300.190.0820.00120.0300.000430.0280.000400.260.290.4230.0200.000286.53370.600.00831.7 5-28Inestimatingthecombineddosesresultingfromthe=consumptionoffishharvestedfromLakeOntario,,1970reportedfishlandings(3,235,000lbs)fromthelake.inthe'nitedStatesandCanadawereused.~TLecoolant-water"discharges'were.conservativelyassumedtobedilutedbyanaverageof100'over'hosedilutionsintKeimmediatedischargeregion.Theedibleweightof"the'ish.wasfurtherassumedtorepresentone-halfofthegrossweight.Theexposedfishingandboatingpopulationwasestimatedtorepresent25Xofthe,totalpopulationwithinafifty-mileradius,andeachpersonwasassumedtobe.exposedduring1hour/yrofswimmingand5hours/yr'ofboatinginthemixingzone.Thetransportationofcoldfueltoareactor,ofirradiatedfuelfromthereactortoafuel-reprocessingplant,andofsolidradioactivewastesfromthereactortoburialgroundsiswithinthescopeoftheAECreportentitled,"EnvironmentalSurveyofTransportationofRadioactiveMaterialstoandfromNuclearPowerPlants".TheenvironmentaleffectsofsuchtransporationaresummarizedinTable5.9.Thepopulationdosesfroma11sources,includingcloudimmersion,drinking-wateringestion,consumptionoffish,recreation,andtranspor-tationaresummarizedinTable5.10.'5.4.5EvaluationofRadiologicalImpactUsingconservativeestimates,thetotalman-remfromalleffluentpath-waysreceivedbytheapproximately1,060,000personswhowilllivewithinafifty-mileradiusofUnit1wouldbeabout2.5man-remperyearassumingtheinstallationoftheaugmentedradwastesystem.Bycomparison,anannualtotal'f'bout110,000man-remisdeliveredtothesamepopulationasaresultoftheaveragenaturalbackgrounddoserateofaboutO.lremperyear9athevicinityoftheplant.OpeiationofUnit1willthenbeanextremelyminorcontributortotheradiationdosethatpersonslivingintheareanormallyreceivefromnaturalbackgroundradiation.5.5NONRADIOLOGICALEPPECTSONECOLOGICALSYSTEMS5.5.1EffectonTerrestrialEnvironmentTheStationisnotama)orobstructiontothefreemovementofterrestrialanimals.Onlyabout45acresofthesiteareactuallyusedforpowergenerationortransmissionforUnit1,includingtheProgressCenter.Thewildlifehabitatofthese45acreshasbeenlostasaresultof 5-29TABLE5.9EnvironmentalImpactofTransportationofFuelandWasteto-andfromaTypicalLight-water>>cooledNuclearPowerReactora,NormalConditionsofTransportUnirradiatedfuelandreturnofemptycontainersNumberofshipnentsperyou12truckloadsIrradiatedfuelandreturnofemptycontainers120truckloadsor20railcarloadsor10bargesSolidxadioactivewastes46truckloadsorllxailcarloadsEnvizonmentaZI'mpao8Heat,weight,andnumberofshipmentsNegligibleNumberofRadiationDosesPersonsExposedEstimatedDoseRangetoExposedIndividuals>CumulativeDosetoExposedPopulationcTransportworkers2000.01to300mrem/yr3man-rem/yrGeneralPublic:Onlookers11000.003to1.3mrem/yr2man-rem/yrAlongroute600,0000.0001to0.06mrem/yrDatasupportingthistablearegivenintheCommission's"EnvironmentalSurveyofTransportationofRadioactiveMaterialstoandfromNuclearPowerPlants,"datedDecember1972.bTheFederalRadiationCouncilhasrecommendedthattheradiationdosesfromallsourcesofradiationotherthannaturalbackgroundandmedicalexposuresshouldbelimitedto5000milliremperyearforindividualsasaresultofoccupationalexposureandshouldbelimitedto500milli-remperyearforindividualsinthegeneralpopulation.Thedosetoindividualsduetoaveragenaturalbackgroundradiationisabout130milliremperyear.Man-remisanexpressionforthesummationofwholebodydosestoindi-vidualsinagroup.Thus,ifeachmemberofapopulationgroupof1000peopleweretoreceiveadoseof0.001rem'1,mfllirem),or,if2peopleweretoreceiveadoseof0.5rem(500millirem)each,thetotalman-remdoseineach'casewouldbe1man-rem.
5-30TABLE5.10AnnualDosetotheGeneralpopulationforOperation.ofNineMilePointUnit1CumulativeDose,man-rem/yr,withoutwi.thPathwayAugmentedRadwasteSystemCloudDrinking-wateringestionFishconsumption301.10.70.40.030.02Recreation(swimming,fishing,andboating)0.010.001TransportationofnuclearfuelandradioactivewastesTotalw34 5-31constructionactivities.Someforestanimalsandmuchofthevegetationformerlyinhabitingthetransmissionlinerights-of-waywaslost.'owever,otherformsofwildlifewhich.inhabitforest-edgeareashaveprobablycolonizedtherights-of-way.Thelossofanimalsandvegetationwillhesmallcomparedwith.thelargenumberslivinginsimilarhabitatsavailableinthispartofNewYork.Almostallofthewaste'heatisreleasedtothelakeviathecondensercoolingwaterandiseventuallydissipatedintotheatmosphere.Wispysteamfogwillsometimesoccuroverthethermalplumedependingonthemoistureintheairandthetemperatureofthep'lume.Observationsoftheoccasionalsteamfogthatoccursoverthethermaldischargesindi-cate'itwillbethinandwispyand,becauseofairturbulence,willrarelypenetratemorethan10-50feetinlandbeforedisappearing.The'ensityofthesteamfogisnotexpectedtobesufficienttointerferewithshippingorothermodes.oftransporationonthelakeoronland."Manyyearsofobservationatpowerstationsindicatethatnoserious'tmosphericeffectsareexpectedfromheatfromtheonce-throughcoolingsystem.ChurchhasfoundthatnaturalsteamfogoverLakeMichiganneverpenetratedinlandmorethan200metersbeforedisappearing.TheApplicant'smeasurementsofsoundintensityindicatedthatthemaximumsoundproducedatthesiteboundarieswasfromthetransformeratalllocations;soundintensityfromthetransformerwasequaltoorlessthanthebackgroundnoise.TheStaffconcludesthattheoperationofUnit3.isnotexpected'to'aveameasurableeffectontheterrestrialenvironment.5.5.2EffectonAquaticEnvironmentPossiblemajorenvironmentalimpactsonthe'aquaticecosystemofLakeOntarioduetotheoperationoftheStationincludefishlossesatthecooling-water-intakescreens,entrainmentofunscreenedorganismsthroughthecondensers,andeffectsofthermalandchemicaldischarges.a.IntakeEffectsTheApplicanthascollectedfishtrappedandimpingedonthetravelingscreensatUnit1toassessthepotentialforfishloss.ThedatacollectedbytheApplicantaresummarizedin:Table5.11.Datawerecollectedonanhourlybasisfrom4to24hours,on32sampling'daystocovertheperiodfromMay30,1972til=June27,1973,thusrepre-sentinganannualpatternofmortalityatthescreens.Inasmuchasthesamplingdesignfordatacoll'ectionhasnotSeensatisfactory,onlygrossapproximationscanbemadeabouttheannualfishkill 5-32TABLE5.11TotalFish-impingementCatchatNMP-1;May30,1972-June27,1973Date1972May30June,22July14August1August9August20September7September25October12October17November7November20December5December19TotalNumbers~2085815,2582,0412591,80917171272885103020687984I'Alewife66.045.766.469.238.720.064.975.073.018.811.150.80.00.3Smelt23.738.919.70.06.50.024.60.014.640.011.13.758.668.01973January3January29March14March21March28April4April11April18April25May2May9May16May23May30June6June13June20,June271,5978138916,50326,8904,516496,7789,4632$5327,6682,7097,4882j5151,1371,4484,2692,9793,9460.20.04.596.999.297.999.898.183.698.093.491.185.777.080.997.293.293.179.175.686.53.10.72.00.11.814.71.75.24.912.316.811.10.54.25.2Totalfor32SamplingDays617,8851Dataforhourlyratesconvertedtodailyrates.
5-33attheNineMilePointsite.-ThefishkilldatafortheNMP-,1intakearedominatedbylargenumbeisofalewivescollec'ted'duringspring.*Disregardingsuchsurgesofal'ewifemortalityattheintake,theNMP-1intake'ayhavecollectedatleast1,000,000fish(weighingabout50,000lbs)duringtheperiodJune1972-,June1973.,'If,however,thepeakmortalityofalewivesisincluded,thenumberoffishkilledduring-theyearcouldbe,between2and4million.Becauseofthesimilarityindesignoftheintake,additionalfishareexpectedtobekilledattheintakesifandwhenJ.A.FitzPatrickandNMP-2plantsgointooperation.However,theadditionalmortalityattheseplantsisnotexpectedtobealinearfunctionofcoolingwaterflowratebecauseoftworeasons.First,allthreeplantsarelocatedatonesiteand,therefore,areverymuchlikecompetitivepredators;afishkilledatoneplantisnotavailabletotheothertwoplants.Second,theintake'elocitiesattheFitzPatrickandtheNMP-2plantsarelessthanthatatNMP-1."Therefore,the'taffestimatesthatabout2,500,000fish(weighing125,000lbs)peryear'(excludingthehighmortalityofalewivesinspring)maybekilledatallthreeplants;if'hehighmortalityduringspringisincluded,thetotalnumberoffishkilledmaybebetween5and7million.TheroleandimportanceofalewivesinGreatLakesisuncertainatpresent.OnonehandalewiveshavebeenheldresponsiblefordegradingfisheriesoftheGreatLakeswhileontheotherhandtheirpresen'cehasbeendefendedashavingplayedaratherharmlessroleaftertheinitialimpactofintroduction.Whatevertheview,onebasicfact'ustnotandcannotbeignored,i.e.,thealewivesrepresentaquaticproductionfromthelakesandprovideanintensiveforagebaseforatop-carnivore.ThesuccessofthesalmonstockingprograminLakeMichiganiscloselykeyedtotheflourishingabundanceofalewives.TheStateofNewYorkandtheProvinceofOntariohaveinitiatedsimilarsalmonstockingprogramsforLakeOntario.-Atpresent,itisnotpossibletoascertainwhetherthesalmonstockingprogramwillbeassuccessfulinLakeOntarioasithasbeen'inLakeMichigan,norisitpossibletoestimatetheimpactofalewifemortalityatNMPsiteonsuccessofthesalmonstockingprogram.Nevertheless,theStaffconsidersalewifeproductionandabundanceinthelakeasanaturalresourcewhichshouldnotbewasted.Also,thereisnoassurancethatacommerciallyimportantspecieswhichmightinthefuturereplacealewivesinabundancewillnotbeasvulnerableatthecoolingwaterintakesasthe.alewives.*Inspring,alewivesmoveintoshallowinshorewatersfromdeepo'ff-'horewaters.Thealewifedie-offsarecommonintheGreatLakesduring'uchperiods.
5-34Regardingtheimplicationsofsuchfishkillsontheecosystemofthelake,theStaffmakesadistinctionbetweenthephrases"significantfishkills"and"undesirablefishkills."Thesignificanceofthefishkill"dependsuponthelevelofdisruptionofintri'cateinter-andintra-species'elationshipsin"thelake.Therefore,thesignificanceofthesefishkillscannotbeevaluatedorpredictedunlessthe,ecologicalinvestigationsareunderwayforaconsiderableperiodoftime.TheApplicant'secologicalinvestigationsatthissitearedesignedtomakeaneffortinthisdirection.Theconceptofundesirabilityoffishkillsstemsfromthefactthatfishkillsfromunnaturalcausesandnaturalcatastrophiceventsacttolowerthethresholdlevel-alevelbeyondwhichthefishkillscanresultinsignificantandperhapsirreversibledamagetothepopulation.Sincethethresholdlevelisnotknown,itwouldbeprudenttominimizethefishkills.IntheStaff'sassessment,fishkillsatthesitecanbecalled"undesirable"andmightacttolowerthethresholdvalue,thusdiminishingthemarginforfuturedevelopmentsonthelake.ThedataavailableshowthatlargefishkillshaveoccurredattheNMP-1-intakeanditappearsthattheymaynotbemanageablewithoutdesignchanges.Underthecircumstances,therefore,theStaffisre-quiringtheApplicanttocollectfishimpingementdatathreetimesperweekandtocontinuethecomprehensiveecologicalsurveyprogramdescribedinSection6thatwasinitiatedearlierthisyear.Whenthesedataareavailable(approximatelyMarch.1974andJune1975,respectively)theStaffwillevaluatetheseriousnessofthefishkill.Ifsignificantfishmortalityoccursattheintakescreens,modificationoftheexistingintakeordevelopmentandimplementationofotherpreventivemethods,orboth,willberequired.b.EntrainmentEffectsTheorganismsnotremovedbythe3/S-in.-squarewiremeshofthetravelingscreenswillpassthroughtheStation'scoolingsystem.Entrainedorganismsincludesmallfish,fisheggsandlarvae,zoo-andphytoplankton,etc.Damagetotheseorganismscanoccurfromoneormoreofthefollowingcauses:(1)physicalimpactinthepumpandcondensertubing;(2)pressurechangesacrossthecondensers;and(3)thermalshockinthecondenserandthedischargetunnel.Theextentofdamagetotheentrainedorganismsismainlyafunctionoftwovariables.Oneisthe"residencetime,"theperiodfromintaketodischarge,whichcanbesubdividedfurtherinto:(1)thedurationofmechanical-injuryhazards;and(2)thedurationofthermalexposureinadditiontomechanicalinjury.Theothervariableisthetemperaturerise.inthecondensers.
5-35Thetotalresidencetimefortheentrainedorganismsinthesystem,fromintaketodischarge,ismorethansixminutes.Theresidencetimeinthecondensersisabout14sec.Fromthepointofentryinto'thecondenserstothedischargeattheendofthetunnel,theorganismsareexposedtothetemperatureincreaseforovertwominutes.Atmaximumexpectedoutput,theStationrequiresatotalflowof600cfs,whichisdischargedataATof31.2'F(theATthroughthecondensersis32.0'F.Theseasonaltemperaturevariationofthecoolingwaterflowattheintakeisabout33'F-77'F.Becausethereisnomixingorcoolingofthedischargewaterbeforeitreachestheoutletsattheendofthedischargetunnel,theentrainedorganismsareexposedforoverthreeminutestoapproximately63.2'Fand108.2Fduringextremewinterandsummerconditions,respectively.Laboratorystudiesshowsthatjuvenilewhiteperchatambientrivertemperaturebelow80'Fsurvived15-minuteexposuretoa15'Ftemperatureincrease.However,thesefishexhibitedsomeindicationsofthermalstressduringexposure.Inanotherstudyconductedatapowerplant,survivalwasnilforyoungfishexposedto.96'Ffor93seconds(ambient=75'F,AT~21'F).FishinthisstudyincludedsevenspeciesfoundintheNineMilePointarea.Consequently,fishlarvaeandsmallfishthatmaybeentrainedareexpectedtosufferfromthermalshockwithahighmortalitywhenambientwatertemperatureis65'Forabove.DataareinsufficienttomakeaconclusionconcerningpossibleadverseeffectsofaATof31.2'Fonjuvenilefishatlowambientwatertemperatures.InvestigationsoutlinedinSection6shouldprovidethenecessarydata.Resultsofseveralstudiesonentrainmentofzoo-andphytoplanktonhavebeenreported.InGreenRiver,Kentucky,100/mortalitywasreportedforzooplanktonwhentheambientwatertemperaturewasraisedfrom82to98.6'F.Withatemperatureriseof14.4'21.0'F(at50'51.8'Fambienttemperature),17-19XofthecopepodsandcladocerawerekilledatastationonCayugaLake,NewYork.HighmortalityofzooplanktonisexpectedattheStationwhendischargetemperatureexceeds'95'F.ResultsobtainedfromstudiesconductedatastationonYorkRiver,Virginia,indicatethatatambienttemperaturesof32'50'F,atemperatureriseincreasedbiologicalproduction;however,atsummerambienttemperaturesof50'68'FandaATofabout10'Fandabove,itdepressedproduction."InstudiesattheChalkPointPlantontheChesapeakeBay,atemperatureriseofabout14.5'Fstimulatedphotosynthesiswhenthenaturalwatertemperaturewas57.6'Forbelowandinhibitedphotosynthesiswhen'thetemperaturewas68'Forabove.~
5-36Noreasonablepredictionscan.bemadeofthepossibilityofincreasedproductioninentrainedphytoplanktonduringlowambienttemperatures.However,photosynthesisproba51ywill.be'nhibitedwhen'hedischargetemperatureexceeds-95'F.hEntrainmentstudiesbytheApplicanthaveshownthatmostorganismsdonotsurviveexposureto105'F.Mechanicalstressdoesnotappeartobesignificantatmoderat'elaketemperatures(50'59'F)~Onthe'basisofcurrentlyavailableinformation,theStaffconcludesthatsmallfishandfishlarvae.arenotexpectedtosurvivepassagethroughtheplantthroughouttheyearandhighmortalityofallzooplanktonisexpectedtooccurduringsummer.TheStaffhasevaluatedtheeffectsofentrainmentintheNineMilePointareaandtheeasternendofthelake.Thewatercirculationthroughtheplantwillbe51,840,000cubicfeetperday,whichisabout0.9/ofthevolumepresentin2-mileby2-mileby50-feetdepth.Thus,thefractionofwaterbeingcirculatedatanytimeisnotlargecomparedwiththevolumeavailableintheimmediatevicinityfortheplant.Furthermore,thewaterintheareashouldnotbeconsideredashavingitsowndistinctidentityasthereisgoodmixingofinshore-offshorewaters.Xtisexpectedthatevenwith100/killofzoo-andphytoplankton,theentrainmenteffectswillbediffusedoverawidearea,andtheyarenotexpectedtobemeasurable.Theshort-livedorganisms,whichhaveinmostcasesregenerationperiodsoflessthanthreeweeks,mayrespondtotheheatedplumebyincreasedgrowthandhigherproductivityandthustendtooffsetanyadverseeffectsthatmayoccurintheimmediatevicinityoftheplants.Fishlarvaedonotcomeunderthesamecategory,andadditionalstudieswillberequiredonspawningan'dnurseryareasandonabundancetoestablishimpactoftheirentrainmentinthecirculatingwater.Amorequantitativeassessmentoftheeffectsofdamagetoplanktonwillrequiredatabased,onlimnologicalaspectsofthelakeandonplanktonpopulationsinthevicinityofthesite.TheApplicanthasmadeneitherreliablestudiesonplanktoninthelakenearthesitenorproperandadequatestudiesofplanktonentrainment.Thesestudiesarenecessaryforabetterassessmentoftheeffectsofdamage.c.Thermal-dischargeEffectsInassessingtheimpactofthermaldischargeonaquaticbiota,theStaffhasusedasa'uide'theApplicant'smonitoringdatapertainingtothetemperaturedistributionandareaoftheplume.TheApplicant'smeasure-mentshaveyieldedestimatesof61-"461acresastheareawithinthei2.7'FisothermatATof27'F.~Sincetwoofthedischargeopeningsare 5-37directedtowardtheshore,considerabletemperaturerisebetweenthedischargeoutlets.andtheshorelineoccurs.The,Staff's'analysisindicatesthatatemperatureriseof5'Fabove.ambientcouldextenduptoapproximately2milesoftheshoreline.ThesurfaceareaandvolumeofthelakewithintheO'.Fisothermareapproximately300acresand3000acre-feet,respectively.(1)FishesTheresponseoffishtothethermalplumemaybepreference,avoidance,oraphysiologicaladjustment.Thepreferredtemperaturesformanyspeciesareequaltoorhigherthantheambientacclimationtemperatures.Studieshaveshownthatwhiteperch(foundintheNineMilePointarea)preferred90'Fwhentheambientacclimationtemperaturewas75'F,and88'Fwhenitwas86'F.Atlowerambienttemperatures,theperchpreferred41'Fwhentheacclimationtemperaturewas34'r35'F.'Similarresponsewasobservedforyellowperchandotherspecies.TheApplicant'sstudieshaveshownthatfishintheareaareattractedtotheplumeandpreferitsslightlyhighertemperature.TheApplicanthasreportedincreasedabundanceoffishinandaroundtheplume,perhapsbecauseofavailabilityofdeadordyingorganismsinthedischargedwater.Fishspeciesincludingcarp,smallmouthbass,sunfish,andalewiveshavebeenreportedtoresideintheplumeatNineMilePointduringcoldermonths.Apreferencefortemperatureshigherthantheambientdoesnotcontinuewithincreasingtemperature.Afinalpreferendumisreachedbeyondwhichavoidancecanbeexpectedtooccur.Thisresponsehasbeennotedtooccurat44'Fforwhiteperchacclimatedto34'Fandat95'Fforwhiteperchacclimatedto77'F.Therefore,althoughfishareattractedtoandresideintheplume,theywillavoidtemperaturesthatmaybehigherthantheirfinalpreferendum.Anoccasionalsmallfish,however,maytravelintotemperature'sthatmaybelethal-suchazoneisexpectedtobesmallat.theStation'sdischarge.Somefish,particularlywhensmall,donotrespondpredictablytotemperaturegradientsduringconditionsoflowambienttemperatures.Becauseofthislowthermalresponsiveness,whichhasbeenknowntooccurinwhiteandyellowperch>,(foundneartheNineMilePointarea),somesmallfishprobablymayswimintothehightemperaturesoftheplumeinwinter.Thesefishmaydiefromthermalshockorsecondaryeffectsorsurviveonreturntoambienttemperaturesorlessheatedwater.Itshouldbenoted,however,thatthepreferredtemperaturesdiscussedabovearedeterminedforthemostpart,byveryshorttermlaboratoryexperimentsand,onlyindicatefishpreferencesovertemperaturestheywereacclimatedtoatthetime.Preferredtemperaturesinthiscontextmayormaynotindicatebiologicallydesirabletemperaturesforgrowth,maturation,reproduction,etc.
5-38TheApplicanthasreportedanincreaseincommercialfishinginthevicinityoftheplume,fromUnit1.Becauseofa6'Fisothermextending1mile.alongtheshoreline,itcanbepostulatedthatatherma1barriermaydevelopwhich.mightrestrictorpreventfreemovementoffishesalongtheshoreinsummer.TEeApplicant'secologicalstudieshaveshownagenerallackoffishesintheuppersixfeetofwater.Duringsummer,thecold-waterspeciessuchastheintro-ducedsalmonwouldfindtheshorewaterstoowarmevenwithoutthethermaldischargeandareexpectedtoinhabitdeeperandcoolerwaters.Thereforeitisnotexpectedthattheplumewillserveasabarriertofreemove-mentoffishesalongtheshorelineastheywillbeabletomoveunderoraroundtheplume.TheApplicant'sstudieshavenotcoveredthethermal-barrieraspectoftheprobableimpact.TheStaffwillrequirethatstudiesbeimplementedto'ullyinvestigatetheeffectsofthispossiblethermalbarrieronresidentandintroducedfishpopulations.Also,becauseofthelargeareaofthethermalplume,suddenwintershut-downsarelikelytocause"coldkills"affectingfishesresidinginornearthethermalplume.Inordertominimizethenumberoffishthusaffected,theStaffrecommendsthatanyplannedshutdownsinwinterbecarriedoutoveralongenoughperiodoftimetoreducetherateofdecayofdischargetemperature.(2)PlanktonDuringsummer,anisothermwithaATofll'Fhasbeenobservedtoextendto75feetaroundthedischarge.Thus,underthemaximumsummerambienttemperature,watercouldbeheatedtoabout88'F(uptomaximumdischargetemperature)withinarelativelysmallvolumeandsurfacearea'.Althoughatemperaturerangeof95'104'Fhasbeenreportedasthebestsuitedforthegrowthoftheblue-greenalgae,theStaffdoesnotanticipatedisplacementindominancefromdiatomandgreenalgaetoblue-greenalgae.Standingcropsofgreenalgaeanddiatoms,however,mayincrease.Studiesconductedinandad)acenttothesurfaceplumeofUnit1during1969and1970haveshownincreasesinthestandingcropof25timesforBosiminaspp.and1.2timesforDaphniaze5mcuvvaintheoverallstudyarea.Primaryproductionwasnotsignificantlyaffected.Thesefindings,however,cannotbeconsideredconclusivebecausethe,populationswerenotobservedintheirgrowthphase,andestimatesofinstantaneousbirthrateswerenotgood.Studiesonzoo-andphytoplanktonshould.beconductedtodeterminesea-sonalandspeciesvariationsintheabundanceanddiversityoforganisms.Overallimplicationsofsuppressedorenhancedproductivityratescanthenbeassessed.Inview'ofthetotalvolumeandareaofthelake,anychangeinproductivitythatmayensuewi11belimitedtotheNineMile 5-39Pointarea.Duetostrong'currentsandgoodmixingcharacteristicsofthewaterinthisarea,anysignificanteffectonbenthosduetoasinkingplumeisnotexpected.(3)BenthosThespeciesstructureandabundanceofthebenthiccommunitythatmayinhabitthelooseoverburdenbeyondthe20-footdeptharenotknown.Benthicorganismsintheimmediatevicinityofthedischargemaybeaffectedbydirectcontactwiththeplume.However,organismsundertheplumeareunlikelytobeaffectedbecauseofthebuoyancyoftheplume',however,itdoesaffectbenthosneartheshoreline.Theentrainedorganismsthatdieinthecondensersmaysettleandprovidefoodtothebenthos.TheApplicant'sstudieshaveshownthatC'Ladophovagrowthproceedsearlierafterthewinterinareaswithintheinfluenceofthethermalplume.Thegrowthis,however,suppressedintheseregionsduringsummerowingtoincreasedtemperatures,withthegrowthstoppingatabout77'F.~~TheincreasedabundanceofGaumusintheareasunderthewarmplumecouldbeduetothethermaldischarge.Theincreasedabundanceofdarters(bottom-dwellingfish)couldbeduetothedeadordyingorganismsinthedischargewater.TheStaffdoesnotexpectthatthethermaldischargewillhaveasignificantdeleteriouseffectontheplankton,benthosandfishlifeintheNineMilePointarea.d.EffectsofChemicalDischargesThechemicalstobedischargedfromUnit1andtheirconcentrationsinthedischargetunnelaregiveninTable3.9.AsnotedinSection3.6,chemicalswillnotbedischargedcontinuously.Concentrationsofferricsulfateandsodiumsulfateareextremelylow,andtheStaffdoesnotexpectthesesaltstohaveanyadverseeffectsonaquaticlife.TheApplicanthasnotfoundanysignificantreductionoftheoxygencontentinthecoolingwaterbypassagethroughthecondensersystemeventhoughthetemperatureisincreased."
5-,405.6EFFECTSONTHECOMMUNITYSincetheconstructionofNineMilePointUnit1iscompleteandsincethereactorispresentlyoperating,anyshort-termeffectsonthecom-munityhavealreadybeenrealized.Atpresent,effectsonthelocalcommunityareminimal"becausealltheoperationalactivitiesoccuronthe900-acresiteexcepttheoccasionalmaintenanceonthesubstation,transmissionlines,andright-of-way.Sincemostoftheworkisdoneinsidebuildingsandcannotbeseenorheardbylocalresidents,theonlydirectimpactisfromhighwaytraffictoandfromthesitebyplantemployeesandbyvisitorstotheProgressCenter.TheStation'sfull-timeoperatingStaffnumbersabout68inallphasesoftheStation'sactivitieswithanannualpayrollofabout$1,000",000.MostoftheseworkerswererecruitedfromoutsidetheimmediateareaoftheStation.Thissmallnumberofworkersandtheirfamilies,dis-persedamongseveralcommunities,doesnotimposeanoticeableloadonhospitals,schools,orothercommunityservices.Additionalgobshavebeencreatedawayfromthesiteareainactivitiesrelatedtothepro-duction,shipment,anddisposalofradioactivematerials.TheschooldistrictbenefitsgreatlyfromtheincreasedtaxbaseproducedbytheStation.TheApplicant'staxrollfor1971wasapproximately$3,000,000.Alargepartofthetaxgoestotheschooldistrict.Thus,theoveralleconomiceffectofthisStationisafavorabletaxbaseforthelocalcommunity.
5-41References1."ThreeDimensionalThermalStudy,Nine,MilePoint,.July22,1970,"letterfromJohnF.Storr(ConsultantinLimnologyandOceanography,Buffalo,N.Y.)toR.Clancy.(Manager,EnvironmentalEngineering,NiagaraMohawkCorp.,Syracuse,N.Y.)datedJan.16,'-1971.2."ThreeDimensionalThermalSurvey,August14,1970,"letterfromJohnF.StorrtoR.ClancydatedNov.16,1970.3."ThreeDimensionalThermalSurvey,Sept.30,1970,"letterfromJohnF.StorrtoR.ClancydatedNov.16,1970.4."ThreeDimensionalThermalStudy,NineMilePoint,Oct.21,1970,"letterfrom'JohnF.StorrtoR.ClancydatedFeb.1,1971.'5.PreliminarySafetyAnalvsisReport,NineMilePointUnit1,"AppendixB:Limnology,NineMilePoint,LakeOntario.6."ThreeDimensionalThermalStudies,1971,"letterfromJohnF.StorrtoR.ClancydatedFeb.15,1972.7."1970LakeTemperatureandCurrentStudies,"StoneandWebster,June1971.8.ReporttotheInternationalJointCommissiononthePollutionofLakeOntarioandtheInternationalSectionoftheSt.LawrenceRiver,bytheInternationalLakeErieWaterPollutionBoardandtheInter-nationalLakeOntario-St.LawrenceRiverWaterPollutionBoard,1969,page92.9.J.Thon,"EmpiricalRelationshipforTotalPhosphorusSystemintheLowerGreatLakes,"Proc.TwelfthConf.onGreatLakesResearch,AnnArbor,Michigan,May5-7',1969,pp.786-788.10."TreatiesandOtherInternationalActs,"SeriesNo.7312,U.S.Dept.ofState.AvailablefromSuperintendentofDocuments,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice.11.HughH.Dobson,"PrincipalIonaandDissolvedOxygeninLakeOntario,"Proc.10thConf.onGreatLakesResearch,Toronto,Ontario,April10,1967,pp.337-356.
5-4212.Y.K.Chau,V.K.Chawla,H.F.Nicholson,andR.A.Vollenweider,"DistributionofTraceElementsandChlorophyllainLakeOntario,"Proc.13thConf.onGreatLakesResearch,Buffalo,N.Y.,April1-13,1970,Part2,pp.659-672.13.JohnH.KoppandRobertC.Kroner,"TraceMetalsinWatersoftheUnitedStates:AFiveYearSummaryofTraceMetalsinRiversandLakesoftheUnitedStates,"(Oct.1,1962-Sept.30,1967).PublishedbyU.S.Dept.oftheInterior,FederalWaterPollutionControlAdministration.14."RadioactivityintheMarineEnvironment,"PanelonR.I.M.E.oftheCommitteeonOceanography,NAS-NRC,1971.15.16.R.J.Garner,"Transfer.ofRadioactiveMaterialsfromtheTerrestrialEnvironmenttoAnimalsandMan,"CRCCriticalReviewsinEnvironmentalControl,2,337-385,1971.S.J.Auerbach,"EcologicalConsiderationsinSitingNuclearPowerPlants.TheLong-TermBiotaEffectsProblems,"NuclearSafety,12,25,1971.17."RecommendationsoftheInternationalCommissiononRadiologicalProtection,"ICRPPublication2,PergamonPress,1959.18."TheEffectsonPopulationsofExposuretoLowLevelsofIonizingRadiation,"ReportoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonBiologicalEffectsofIonizingRadiations,NAS-NRC,1972.19."ReportonReleasesofRadioactivitiesfromPowerReactorsinEffluentsDuring1971,"AECRegulatoryOperations,1972.20."Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,NineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,"OperatingLicenseStage,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,July1972.21.Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,NineMilePointNuclearStation,ConstructionPermitStage,Section2.2.1.22.23.J.F.FletcherandW.L.Dotson,"HERMES-ADigitalComputer.CodeforEstimatingRegionalRadiologicalEffectsfromtheNuclearPowerIndustry,"HEDL-TME-71-168,UC-80,ReactorTechnology,December1971."MeteorologyandAtomicEnergy,1968,"D.H.Slade,ed.,TID-24190.
5-4324.W.M.Lowder,P.D.Raft,andC.V.Gogolak,"Environmental.GammaRadiationfromNitrogen-16DecayintheTurbinesofaLargeBoilingWaterReactor,"HASLTM72-1,February1972.25.Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,R.E.GinnaNuclearPowerPlantUnitNo.1,August1972.26.J.E.Carson,"TheAtmosphericEffectsofThermalDischargesintoaLargeLake,"J.AirPoll.Cont.Assoc.,22,523-528,July1972.27.P.E.Church,"Steam-fogOverLakeMichiganinWinter,"Trans.Am.GeophysicalUnion,27,575-578,1964.28.Applicant'sEnvironmentalReportonIndianPointUnit3,AppendixS,ConsolidatedEdisonCompany,N.Y.,Nov.12,1970.29.J.W.MeldrimandJ.J.Grift,"TemperaturePreference,Avoidance,andShockExperimentswithEstuarineFishes,"Bull.No.7,Ichthyol.Assoc.,Middletown,Del.,1971.30.B,C.Marcy,"SurvivalofYoungFishintheDischargeCanalofaNuclearPowerPlant,"J.Fish.Res.Bd.,Canada,28,1057-1060,1971.31.C.C.CoutantandA.J.Brook,"BiologicalAspectsofThermalPollution.'I.EntrainmentandDischargeCanalEffects,"CRCCriticalReview,pp.341-381,1970'2.M.A.ChurchillandT.A.Wojtalik,NuclearNews,80,1969(citedinRef.31).33.W.D.Youngs,in"EcologyofCayugaLakeandtheProposedBellStation(NuclearPowered),"R.T.OglesbyandD.J.Allee,eds.,Publ.No.27,WaterResourcesandMarineSciencesCenter,CornellUniv.,Ithaca,N.Y.,1969(citedinRef.31).34.J.E.WarinnerandM.L.Brehmer,AirWaterPoll.Int.J.,10,227,1966(citedinRef.31).35.R.P.MorganandR.G.Stross,ChesapeakeSci.,10,165,1969(citedinRef.31).36.R.G.Ferguson,"ThePreferredTemperatureofFishandTheirMidsummerDistributioninTemperateLakesandStreams,"J.Fish.Res.Bd.,Canada,15(4),607-624,1958.
5-4437.J.Cairns,Jr.,"EffectsofIncreasedTemperatureonAquaticOrganisms,"IndustrialWastes,l(4),pp.150-152,1956.38.M.W.Fenlon,D.C.McNaught,andG.D.Schroder,"InfluencesofThermalEffluentsUponAquaticProductioninLakeOntario,"Proc.14thConf.GreatLakesRes.,pp.21-26,1971.39.J.F.StorrandR.A.Sweeney,"DevelopmentofaTheoreticalSeasonalGrowthResponseCurveofCEadophcu'aglame~@ztoTemperatureandPhotoperiod;"Proc.14thConf.GreatLakesRes.,pp.119-127,1971.40.Applicant'sEnvironmentalReportforNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,Supplement1,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,pp.S1.1-23,24.
6-16.ENVIRONMENTALMONITORINGPROGRAM6.1AQUATICMONITORINGPROGRAMTheApplicanthasconductedamonitoringprogramintheNineMilePointareasince1963inconnectionwiththepreoperationalandoperationalmonitoringprogramforUnit1.DatacollectionfromJuly1963throughDecember1969wasinfrequent.OnlysinceMay1970hastheApplicantcollecteddataonfishdistribution,foodpreferencesoffishes,andbenthoswithsomecontinuity.SamplingandobservationofplanktonfromtheintakeanddischargewellsofUnit1duringJune-October1971pro-videneitherestimatesofplanktonabundanceintheareanorabaseforreasonableassessmentofdamageduetoentrainment.Samplingoflakewaterforusualchemicalandphysicalparametersforcorrelationwithbiologicaldataisentirelywanting.TheStaffbelievesthatthestudiesastheyhavebeenconductedbytheApplicantwillnotprovideinformationadequatetoassesstheoperationaleffectsoftheStationonaquaticbiota.TheApplicant'senvironmentalmonitoringprogramhasbeenextensivelyrevisedandaugmentedbytheStafftoallowdeterminationoftheoperationaleffectsofNineMilePointUnit1andthepreoperationalcharacteristicsofbothNineMilePointUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickplants.Inessence,thestudyprogramisdesignedtoevaluatetheimpactofallthreeplantsintheNineMilePointarea.Theprogramiscomprisedofthefollowing.a.GeneralEcoloicalSurveObjectivesoftheGeneralEcologicalSurveyare:(1)Determinationofdistributionandrelativeabundanceofspeciesinspaceandtimeinthebioticgroups(phytoplankton,zooplankton,periphyton,benthos,andfish);(2)Determinationofchangesinbiologicalparametersandtheirsignificancewithinandoutoftheareainfluencedbythethermalplume'3)Determinationoftherelationshipofchangeswithinandamongbioticgroupsandwiththephysicaland,chemicalcharacteristicsoftheenvironment;and,(4)Determinationoftherelationshipofchangestotheoperationoftheplantandsignificanceoftheeffectofsuchchangesontheecosystem.
6-2Thegeneralecologicalsurvey'illspanatleastatwo,(2)yearperiod,endingapproximatelyinJune1975.The'programscope'isshowninFig.6.1andTable6.1.Studies-on-various-bioticgro'upswillinclude:Phytoplankton-Monthly,duplicatesampleswillbecollected'fromapproxi-matelyone(1)meterbelowthesurface='ateachofthesamplinglocationsinallfourtransects.Phytoplanktondensitywillbedetermined(units/ml)fortotalphytoplankton(diatoms,andgreenandblue-greenalgae)present.Wherepossible,i'dentificationwillbetospeciesandthedensityofdominantorganismswillbe'reported..Chlorophyll-aandprimarypro-ductivity(asdeterminedbylightdarkbottle~"Cmethod)willbedeter-minedformonthlysamplesateachofthesamplinglocations.Zo'oplankton-Monthlyreplicatesampleswillbecollectedatsamplingstationsinallfourtransectsbyverticaltowsfromthebottomtothesurfaceofthelakeinsuchawayastoensuresamplingof~sis,Pontoorea,andGammaruspopulations.Ifthesethree'populationsarenotproperlysampledadditionalsamplingwithothersamplinggearwillbedonetoensureatotalpictureofzooplanktonfauna.Organismswill'eidentifiedto'helowestpossibletaxonomicleveland"enumerated.DensityinnumbersperMwillbedeterminedforma)orzoopl'anktontaxa"-anddominantspecies.Periphyton-Monthly,four(4)replicatesampleswillbeexaminedfromartificialsubstratesateachofthesamplinglocationsinallfour,transects.Thesampleswillbeanalyzedforbiomass,speciescomposition,andrelativeabundance.Benthos-Replicatesamplesofthemacroinvertebratecommunitywillbecollect'edeveryothermonthateachof'thesamplinglocations'nallfourtransects.Organismswillbeidentifiedtothelowestpossibletaxaandenumerated.Resultswillbereportedintermsoftotalbiomassandnumbersoforganismsperunitareaofthesubstratesampled.Fish-Adultandimmaturefishwillbecollectedtwicepermo'nthbytrawling,gillnets,andseines.Whereverpossibletrapnetswillalsobeused-toensureacompleterepresentationoffishpopulationsinthearea.Trawli'ngwillbedoneforapproximately15minutedurationsforeachsampleatthreestationseachinthreetransects.Thegillnetswillbesetfor48hoursandfishshallberemovedatapproximately12hourintervalstocorrespondwiththediurnalcycleatallstationsiriallfourtransects;-Trawlingwillalsobedoneatnight.
T-TRAWLING5-SEININGG-GILLNETTINGP-PERIPHYTON8-BENTHOSPP-PHYTOPLANKTONZP-ZOOPLANKTON~EL-FISHEGGS8(LARVAEELFORTRAWLINGTHISISONETRANSECTNMPPFITZTYWCAL*NMPETGBPPZPT,G,B,P,PP,ZP40G,B,P3060WATERDEPTHS,FT.(NOTTOSCALE)50ELEL+STACKNIAGARAMOHAWKPOWER=CORP.T,B,P,PP,ZPGB,P,PP,ZPPS2015105SPLEASANTPOINTALCANCO.TRANSECTSNMPW-WestConvolNMPP-NMPPlentFITZ-FitsPetrickPlentNMPE-EastConvol0RADIOMASTWSGOOSWEGO10,000SCALEINFEETII'Alltransectsaresampledforsimilarparamters.PIG.6.3..SamplingLocationsandBioticGroupstobeSampledintheVicinityofNineMilePointAreaofLakeOntario.
6-4TABLE6.1-FrequencyofSamplingforEcologicalStudiesintheNineMilePointAreaofLakeOntarioStudy/BioticGroupFrequency(April-December)A.GeneralEcologicalSurveyPhytoplanktonZooplanktonPeriphytonBenthosFish-Trawling,Seining,GillNettingLakeWaterChemistryMonthlyMonthlyMonthlyEveryOtherMonthTwiceperMonthTwiceperMonthB.ImpingementofOrganismsCollectionofimpingedfishC.EntrainmentofOrganismsThroughtheCondenserThreetimesperweekTwicepermonth,throughouttheyear 6-5Ageandgrowthstudieswillbeconductedandfoodhabitsdeterminedforthreespecies:yellowperch(Perteflsvescense),whiteperch(Moroseofindividualsofeachspeciescollectedwillbenotedalongwithin-dividuallengthsandweights.Foralargesample,arepresentativerandomsubsamplewillbesatisfactory.Coefficientofcondition,willbecalculatedforeachsexbymonths.Fecundi'tymeasurementswillbemadeonspeciesspawninginthevicinityofNineMilePoint;periodicityofspawningwillbedet'erminedforthesespecies.Fisheggsandlarvaewillbesampled,at5equidistantlocationseachin1/2,1and2mileradii.Sampleswillbecollectedatsurface,mid-depth,andbottomwithappropriatesamplinggear.Sampleswillbecollected,weeklyduringdaylightandnightfrommidJunetomidSeptemberandonlyduringdaylightfromApriltomidJuneandmidSeptembertoDecember.Lakewaterchemistry-Waterquality,surveyswillbeconductedtocom-plementthesamplingforbioticgroups.Sampleswillbecollectedtwicepermonthin20ft.and60ft.ofwateratthewestandeastcontrolsandoffNineMilePointandanalyzedfor:DissolvedOxygenTemperatureSpecificConductanceCarbonDioxidepHTotalandOrthophorphorousTotalKgeldahlNitrogenAmmoniaNitrogenNitrateNitrogenBOD(5)TotalsolidsTotalSuspendedSolidsSilicaTurbidityChlorophyllTheinformationgatheredunderthegeneralecologicalsurveywillbeanalyzedinaccordancewithacceptedbiostatisticalmethodsforsignificanceandcorrelationwithinandamongbioticgroupsinordertomeetthestatedobjectives.AttheendofeachstudyyeartheresultsfromtheGeneralEcologicalSurveywillbeanalyzed,evaluatedbythelicenseeandtheassessmentreported.
6-6b.IminementofOranismsTheobjectiveofthisstudyistoestimatethe.numberandweightoffishimpingedonthetrashracks-andthetravelingscreensinthein-takestructureduringdayandnightinvariousseasonssothatthesignificanceofthisfishmortalitytotheecosystemmaybedeterminedandcorrectivemeasurestakenifdeemednecessary.Theimpingementstudywill'spanatleastatwelve(12)monthperiodendingapproximatelyinMarch1974.Afterthisperiodanevaluationreportofthestudywithappropriatesubstantiatedrecommendationswillbemadebythe'icensee.Species,numbers,lengths,andweightsofallfishremovedatthetravel-ingscreensandtrashrackswillberecordedonathreetimesper',weekbasis.Onceaweeksampleswillbecollectedinsuchmannerthatdiurnalvariationscanbeidentified.Intheeventoflargecollections,repre-sentativesubsamplingforvariousparameterswillbesatisfactory.Theageandgrowthanalysiswillbeperformedforthetwomostabundantspeciescollectedduringagivenseason.Theinterimresultswillbeanalyzedandevaluatedbythelicenseeandtheassessmentreportedperiodically.c.EntrainmentoflanktonfishesandlarvaeTheobjectiveofthisstudyistodeterminetheextentofentrainmentandthemortalityofentrainedorganisms.Theentrainmentstudieswillspanatleastatwo(2)yearperiodendingapproximatelyinJune1975.Theinterimresultswillbeanalyzedandevaluatedbythelicenseeandtheassessmentreportedperiodically.Twicepermonth,replicatesampleswillbecollectedduringdayandnightforallentrainedorganismsatfollowinglocations:'1)Intakeforebay,(2)dischargeforebay,(3)atthedischargebeforemixingwithambientwateroccurs,(4)inthemixingzone,and(5)intheplume2'Faboveambient.Simulatedlaboratorystudieswillbeacceptablewhereactualfieldsamplingisnotpossibleduetodesignfeatures.Phytoplankton-,Theviabilityofphytoplanktonaftercondenserpassage'ndtheconcentrationofchlorophyll-aandphotoshntheticrateasdeter-minedby~4Cuptakeshallbedeterminedat7,24,48and72hoursaftercollection.
,6-7Zooplankton-Organismswillbeidentifiedtothelowestpossibletaxaandviabilityshallbedeterminedassoonaspossibleaftercollectionupto24hourperiod.Attemptswillbemadetoidentifysizeselectivemortality.Fisheggs,fry,andyoungoftheyear-Twoplanktonnetswillbepermittedtodriftinthecurrentintheforebay.Thecontentsofnetswillbeexaminedforfisheggsandlarvaewhichwillbeidentifiedandenumeratedforapproximatelyfive(5)minutecollections.Extentofmortalitywillbedeterminedinfieldandlaboratorythermalshockstudies.Attheendoftwoyearsoftheentrainmentstudytheresultswillbeanalyzed,evaluatedbythelicenseeandtheassessmentreported.6.2THERMALMONITORINGPROGRAMFieldinvestigationsofthethermalplumeshallbeundertakentocorrelatethedataobtainedfromtheaquaticenvironmentalprogramdiscussedabove.Theseinvestigationsshouldbemadeforthedifferentseasonsunderdifferenthydrologicalandmeteorologicalconditions,withavarietyofmeasuringtechniques.DetailsofthethermalmonitoringprogramwillbegivenintheTechnicalSpecifications.6.3RADIOLOGICALENVIRONMENTALMONITORINGUnit1hasbeenengagedinanenvironmentalmonitoringprogramsince1967,twoyearspriortostartup.Thissameprogram,withminorchanges,servestodetermineoperationaleffectsofUnit1(andfurnishespre-operationaldatafortheFitzPatrickandtheproposedUnit2plants).ThedetailsoftheprogramareoutlinedinTables6.2and6.3.Figures6.2and6.3indicatethesamplinglocations.Dataobtaineddatthepre-operationalstagehavenotindicatedtheexistenceofanyradiologicalanomaliesatthesamplinglocations.Postoperationalstudieshavenotshownanybuildupofradioactivityintheenvironmentassociatedwithplantoperation.Theonlycriticismoftheprogramconcernsthestateddependenceofsampleanalysesonthemeasuredplantradioactivereleases.ItistheopinionoftheStaffthatanalysesshouldbecarriedoutindependentofreleasequantities.However,atthistime,thisdependenceisnotofconcernsincetheanalysesarebeingroutinely.performedtoobtainbaselinedatafortheFitzPatrickandtheproposedUnit2plants.Itistherefore.concludedthattheNineMilePointsitewillbesuffi-cientlymonitoredsothatnoadverseeffectswillremainundetected.
TABLE62.RadiologicalMonitoringProgramforLakeOntarioTypeofSampleTypeofAnalysisCollectionFrequencyNumberofLocations1.Fish2.Clams:GBandSr-90SpringandfallGB,GSA,Sr-90SpringandfallTwoTwo3.Gammarus(freshwatershrimp)4.LakewaterGB,GSA,Sr-90GB,GSA,SpringandfallWeekly.TwoDownstreamofeffluentdischargeaGB-GrossbetaGSA-GammaspectralanalysisNotesonGradedProgram:A.Noenvironmentallakeprogramforeffluentdischargedatlessthan1x10pCi/mlaverageconcentration.B.Standardenvironmentallakeprogramasshownforitems1through3foreffluentdischargedbetween1x10to1x10pCi/mlaverageconcentrations.C.Standardenvironmentallakeprogramasshownforitems1through4foreffluentdischargedabove1x107'pCi/mlbutlessthanMPCinaccordancewithAppen-dixB,TableII,Column2,ofCFR20andnote1thereto.D.Anappropriatenumberofsamplesshallbetakenateachlocation.
TABLE6.3RadiologicalMonitoringProgramforLand(ForsamplingstationsseeFigs.6.1and6.2)TypeofSampleTypeofAnalysisaCollectionFrequencyNumberofStationsLocationl.Airparticulates2.PrecipitationGSA(monthly)GB-all(24hrs.decay)GBandGSAWeeklyMonthlyElevenEleven5on-site6off-site5on-site=6off-site3.FilmbadgesorTLD'sGrossgammaMonthlyEleven5on-site6off-site5.FarmmilkGrossbeta,Sr-90,I-1316.AirbornehalogensGSA4.Radiationmonitors"GrossgammaContinuousMonthlyWeeklySix'djacentdairyherdsEleven5on-site1off-sitePlantvicinity5on-site6off-siteaGSA-GammaspectralanalysisGB-GrossbetaGBandGSA-GrossbetaandgammaspectralanalysisNotesongradedProgram:A.Noenvironmentallandprogramforstackreleaseslessthanapproximately3percentofmaximumreleaserate.B.Standardenvironmentallandprogramasshownforitems1through5forstackreleasesbetweenapproxi-mately3to10percentofmaximumreleaserate.C.Standardenvironmentallandprogramasshownforitems1through6plusweeklyforfarmmilksamplesforstackreleasesbetween10to30percentofmaximumreleaserate.D.Environmentallandprogramupgradedtotwiceweeklyonsiteforitem1,weeklyonsiteforitem2,bi-monthlyon-siteforitem3andweeklyforitem5forstackreleasesgreaterthanapproximately30percentofmaximumreleaserate.E.Aftersubstantiatingdataisanalyzedforanyofthereleaseratelevels,theenvironmentallandprogramisdegradedbyonelevel,i.e.,B.toA.,C.toB.andD.toC.
6~0i..r!MEXICO~~IDp\///B/\/\//C\/i0/'I/\/r/r\r/rSITEI/OSWEGO1/IIr~(/n/\G/g1//~/\/E/'I/F-//\I/h1PULASKI0hlILESMONITORFig.6.2.Off-siteRadiologicalMonitoringStations.
LAR'8ON7-A8/0W2WIIIIE2ElIIIgIIININEMILEPOIHTNUCLEARSTATIONE3E1IIIIIE5E6ETIIIPROPERTY+LINE~rIARGJAMESA.FITZPATRI'CKNUCLEARPOWERPLANTEdIIIIIEdITOMEXICO~kY~PROPERTYLAKEVIEW~~LINEDISTAHCEFROMSNORE50100600900II003000DEPTH(BELOWL.'W.DATUM)6I2'IB213060APPROXIMATELAKEDEPTHS44441444SCALE-FEETFig.6.3.Lake-samplingTransectsandLocationsofOn-siteRadiologicalMonitoringStations.
6-126.4TERRESTRIALMONITORINGPROGRAMAterrestrialmonitoringprogramtoensurethattherecommendationsinSections5.1.2arefollowedshouldbeincluded.'Theprogramshouldincludeafieldstudytodetermin'ethepresenceandstatusofrareorendangeredplantsandanimalsatthesiteandalongthetransmissionlineright-of-way.Ifendangeredspeciesarepresent,stepsshouldbetakentopreventtheirdestructionduringthecontinuedoperationofthefacility.
6-13\,Referencesl."Applicant',sEnvironmentalReport,ConstructionPermitStage,NineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,"NiagaraMohawk,PowerCorp.,Syracuse,N.Y.,p.5.5-9.,July1972.,2.Ibid.,Suppl.1,S.l.l-l,March1973.3."Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,OperatingLicenseStage,"NineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,.Section2.8,July,1972.4.'Applicant'sEnvironmentalReport,OperatingLicenseStage,J.A.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlant,"Section4,AppendixI,May,1971.
 
7-17.ENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSOFACCIDENTS7.1PLANTACCIDENTSINVOLVINGRADIOACTIVEMATERIALSAhighdegreeofprotectionagainsttheoccurrenceofpostulatedaccidentsinUnit1isprovidedthroughcorrectdesign,manufacture,andoperation,andthequalityassuranceprogramusedtoestablishthenecessaryhighintegrityofthereactorsystem,whichwascon-sideredintheCommission'sSafetyEvaluation,datedMay26,1969andadditionallyintheSafetyEvaluationforpowerincreasedatedMarch3,1971.Deviationsthatmayoccurarehandledbyprotectivesystemstoplaceandholdtheplantinasafecondition.Notwithstanding,theconservativepostulateismadethatseriousaccidentsmightoccur,eventhoughtheymaybeextremelyunlikely;andengineeredsafetyfeaturesareinstalledtomitigatetheconsequencesofthosepostulatedeventswhicharejudgedcredible.Theprobabilityofoccurrenceofaccidentsandthespectrumoftheirconsequencestobeconsideredfromanenvironmental-effectsstandpointhavebeenanalyzedusingbestestimatesofprobabilitiesandrealisticfissionproductreleaseandtransportassumptions.ForsiteevaluationintheCommission'ssafetyreview,extremelyconservativeassumptionswereusedforthepurposeofcomparingcalculateddosesresultingfromahypotheticalreleaseoffissionproductsfromthefuelagainstthe10CFRPart100sitingguidelines.RealisticallycomputeddosesthatwouldbereceivedbythepopulationandenvironmentfromtheaccidentswhicharepostulatedwouldbesignificantlylessthanthosepresentedintheSafetyEvaluation.TheCommissionissuedguidancetoapplicantsonSeptember1,1971,re-quiringtheconsiderationofaspectrumofaccidentswithassumptionsasrealisticasthestateofknowledgepermits.TheApplicant'sresponsewascontainedinthe"EnvironmentalReport"submittedbyNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationdatedMarch2,1973.TheApplicant'sreporthasbeenevaluated,usingthestandardaccidentassumptionsandguidanceissuedasaproposedamendmenttoAppendixDof10CFRPart50bytheCommissiononDecember1,1971.NineclassesofpostulatedaccidentsandoccurrencesranginginseverityfromtrivialtoveryseriouswereidentifiedbytheCommission.Ingeneral,accidentsinthehighpotentialconsequenceendofthespectrumhavealowoccur-rencerateandthoseonthelowpotentialconsequenceendhaveahigheroccurrencerate.TheexamplesselectedbytheApplicantforthesecasesareshowninTable7.1.Theexamplesselectedarereasonablyhomogeneousintermsofprobabilitywithineachclass.Commissionestimatesofthedosewhichmightbereceivedbyanassumedindividualstandingatthesiteboundaryinthedownwinddirection,usingtheassumptionsintheproposedAnnextoAppendixD,arepresentedin TABLE7.1.ClassificationofPostulatedAccidentsandOccurrencesClass'.3~AECDescritionTrivialincidentsSmallreleasesoutsidecontainmentRadioactivewastesystemfailureAlicantsExamlesNotconsidered.Turbinesteamleak.Inadvertentdischargeofradwastetank.4~Fissionproductstoprimarysystem(BWR)Noeventsidentified.5.Fissionproductstoprimaryandsecondarysystems(PWR)NiA,6.RefuelingaccidentFuelbundledropincanal;heavyobjectdropontocore.7.SpentfuelhandlingaccidentNoeventsidentified.8.Accidentinitiationeventsconsideredindesign-basisevaluationintheSafetyAnalysisReportLossofcoolantaccident,steamlinebreakaccident,andcontrolroddropaccident.Radioactiveliquidstoragetankaccident.Off-gassystemaccident.9.Hypothetical.sequenceoffailuresmoreseverethanClass8.Notconsidered.
7-3Table7.2.Estimatesoftheintegratedexposurethatmightbedeliveredtothepopulationwithin50milesofthesitearealsopresentedinTable7.2.Theman-remestimatewasbased'nthepro)ectedpopulationwithin50milesofthesitefortheyear2010.Torigorouslyestablisharealisticannualrisk,thecalculateddosesinTable7.2wouldhavetobemultipliedbyestimatedprobabilities.TheeventsinClasses1and2representoccurrenceswhichareanticipatedduringplantoperations;andtheirconsequences,whichareverysmall,areconsideredwithintheframeworkofroutineeffluentsfromtheplant.ExceptforalimitedamountoffuelfailurestheeventsinClasses3through5arenotanticipatedduringplantoperation;buteventsofthistypecouldoccursometimeduringthe40yearplantlifetime.AccidentsinClasses6and7andsmallaccidentsinClass8areofsimilarorlowerprobabilitythanaccidentsinClasses3through5butarestillpossible.TheprobabilityofoccurrenceoflargeClass8accidentsisverysmall.Therefore,whentheconsequencesindicatedinTable7.2areweightedbyprobabilities,theenvironmentalriskisverylow.Thepostu-latedoccurrencesinClass9involvesequencesofsuccessivefailuresmoreseverethanthoserequiredtobeconsideredinthedesignbasesofprotectionsystemsandengineeredsafetyfeatures.Theirconsequencescouldbesevere.However,theprobabilityoftheiroccurrenceisjudgedsosmallthattheirenvironmentalriskisextremelylow.Defenseindepth(multiplephysicalbarriers),qualityassurancefordesign,manufactureandoperation,continuedsurveillanceandtesting,andconservativedesignareallappliedtoprovideandmaintainahighdegreeofassurancethatpotentialaccidentsinthisclassare,andwillremain,sufficientlysmallinprobabilitythattheenvironmentalriskisextremelylow.TheAECiscurrentlyperformingastudytoassessmorequantitativelytheserisks.Theinitialresultsoftheseeffortsareexpectedtobeavailableinearly1974.ThisstudyiscalledtheReactorSafetyStudyandisanefforttodeveloprealisticdataontheprobabilitiesandsequencesofaccidentsinwatercooledpowerreactors,inordertoimprovethequantificationofavailableknowledgerelatedtonuclearreactoraccidentsprobabilities.TheCommissionhasorganizedaspecialgroupofabout50specialistsunderthedirectionofProfessorNormanRasmussenofMITtoconductthestudy.ThescopeofthestudyhasbeendiscussedwithEPAanddescribedincorrespondencewithEPAwhichhasbeenplacedintheAECPublicDocumentRoom(letter,DoubtoDominick,datedJune5,1973).Aswithallnewinformationdevelopedwhichmighthaveaneffectonthehealthandsafetyofthepublic,theresultsofthesestudieswillbe 7-4TABLE7.2.SummaryofRadiologicalConsequencesofPostulatedAccidcntsl/ClassEventEsCfma'ceFractionoflnCFRPart20limitatsiteboundary2/'stfaatedDosetoPopulatfonfn50mlleradfus,manrem1.02,03.03,13~2TrfvfalIncfdencsSmallreleasesoutsidecontsfnmentRadwasteSystemfailuresEqufpmentleakageormalfunctfonReleaseofwastegasstoragetankcontentsReleaseofliquidwastestoragecontents3/0.034n.13<0.0013/5'20<0,14.04.14.2Plssfonproductstoprfsarysystem(BWR)Fuelcladdingdefectsnff-designtransfentsthatinducefuelfailuresabovethoseexpected3/0.0013/0.525.06.06.2Pfssfonproductstoprimaryandsecondarysystems(PWR)RefuelingaccfdentsPuelbundledropHeavyob)ectdropontofuelfncoreN,A>>'O.nnl<0.001NA>><0.10.497.07~17.27.3SpentfuelhandlingaccfdentPuelassemblydropfnfuelrackHeavyobdectdropontofuelrackFuelcaskdrop<0.001<0,0010.0260.10.194.08.0AccidentfnftfatfoneventsconsideredfndesignbeefsevaluatfonfnCbeSAR8,18.1(a)Ixkss-ofCoolantAccidentsSmallbrcakLargebrcakSteakfninstrumentlfnefromprimarysystemthatpenetrstesthecontafnsent<0.0010.001<0,001<0.18,7<n.l8.2(a)8.2(b)8.3(s)8,3(b)Rodejectfonaccident(PWR)Roddropaccldnnt(BWR)Steamlfnnbreaks(PWR'soutsidecontainment)Steamllnebreak(BWR)SmallbreakLargebreakN.A.0.001N,A,0.0010,007n.62N.A,0.18n.901/Thedosescalculatedasconsequencesofthepostulatedaccidentsarebasedonairbornetrancportofrcdfoactivomaterialsresultingfnbothadirectandaninhalationdose.Ourevaluationoftheaccidentdoseeassumesthatthoapplfcant'senvironmentalmonitorfngprogramondappropriateadditionalmonitoring(whichcouldbeinitfatedsubsequenr.toaliquidreleaseincidentdetectedbyin-plantmonitoring)woulddetectthepresenceofradioactivityinthccnvironmcntinatiaelymannersuchthatreaedialactioncouldbetakenifnecessarytolimitexposurefromocherpotentialpathwaystoman.2/Representsthecalculatedfractionofawholebodydoseof500area>>ortheequivalent.dosetoanorgan.Q/Thesereleasesareexpectedtobeaeaallfractionof10CPRPart20lfaftsforeithergaseousorliquideffluents.
7-5madepublicandwouldbeassessedonatimelybasiswithintheregulatoryprocessongenericorspecificbasesasmaybewarranted.Table7.2indicatesthattherealisticallyestimatedradiologicalconsequencesofthepostulatedaccidentswouldresultinexposuresofanassumedindividualatthesiteboundarytoconcentrationsofradio-activematerialsthatarewithintheMaximumPermissibleConcentrations(MPC)of10CFRPart20.Thetablealsoshowstheestimatedintegratedexposureofthepopulationwithin50milesoftheplantfromeachpostu-latedaccident.Anyoftheseintegratedexposureswouldbemuchsmallerthanthatfrom"naturallyoccurringradioactivity.Whenconsideredwiththeprobabilityofoccurrence,theannualpotentialradiationexposureofthepopulationfromallthepostulatedaccidentsisanevensmallerfractionoftheexposurefromnaturalbackgroundradiationand,infact,iswellwithinnaturallyoccurringvariationsinthenaturalbackground.Itisconcludedfromtheresultsoftherealisticanalysisthattheenvironmentalrisksduetopostulatedradiologicalaccidentsareexceedinglysmallandneednotbeconsideredfurther.7.2TRANSPORTATIONACCIDENTSINVOLVINGRADIOACTIVEMATERIALSAsdiscussedinSection5.4.4,theCommission'sstaffhasrecentlycompletedananalysisofthepotentialimpactontheenvironmentoftransportingfuelandsolidradioactivewastesfornuclearpowerplantsunderexistingr'egulations.Theresultsofthisanalysiswerepublishedinareportentitled"EnvironmentalSurveyofTrans-portationofRadioactiveMaterialstoandfromNuclearPowerPlants,"datedDecember1972.Thereportcontainsananalysisoftheprobabili-tiesofoccurrencesofaccidentsandtheexpectedconsequencesofsuchaccidents,aswellasthepotentialexposurestotransportworkersandthegeneralpublicundernormalconditionsoftransport.ForUnit1,thecharacteristicsofthereactorfuelandwastesandtheconditionsoftransportforthefuelandwastefallwithinthescopeoftheEnvironmentalSurveyofTransportation.Theinitialfuelsupplyfor'nit1wassuppliedbyGeneralElectricfromitsfabricationfacilitieslocatedinSanJose,California.Newfuelelementswereshippedapproxi-mately3P00milesfromthefabricationplanttothesitebytruck.ThereactorcoreofUnit1contains532fuelassembliesandabout133fuelassembliesarereplacedeachyear.SpentfuelelementsareshippedfromthesitebyrailtotheGeneralElectricReprocessingPlantinMorris,Illinois,ortheNuclearFuelReprocessingPlantinWestValley,NewYork,ortheAlliedGulfNuclearServicesReprocessingPlantinBarnwell,SouthCarolina.Inanycase,theshippingdistanceiswithinthe1,000milesusedasabasisforanalysisinthesurvey.SolidradioactivewasteswillbeshippedbytrucktotheWestValley,NewYork,siteortotheNuclearEngineeringCompanyfacilityinMoreheadt 7-6Kentucky,ortotheChem.NuclearfacilityinBarnwell,SouthCarolina.Thiswillinvolveapproximately46shipmentsperyear.Inanyevent,thedistanceiswithinthe1,000milesusedasabasisforanalysisinthesurvey.Inaccordancewiththeproposedamendment(Sect.F)toAppendixDof10CFRPart50',publishedonFebruary5,1973;andthesubsequentrule-makinghearings,Table7.3summarizestheenvironmentalimpactofaccidentsduringtransportationoffuelandwastetoandfromtheplant.(NormalconditionsoftransportweresummarizedinTable5.9.)Table7.3EnvironmentalimpactofaccidentsduringtransportationoffuelandwastetoandfromNineMilePointUnit1AspectEnvironmentalriskRadiologicaleffectsCommon(nonradiological)causesSmall1fatalinguryin100years;1nonfatalinjuryin10years;$475propertydamageperyear 8-18.IMPLICATIONSOFTHESTATION8.1THEREQUIREMENTFORPOWERThegrovthofpopulationandindustryinthenortheasternregionoftheUnitedStateshasresultedinacontinuingincreaseinthedemandforelectricpower.Thisincreaseinpo~erconsumptionisexpectedtocontinueintheforeseeablefuturebecauseofpopulationgrowthandincreasingper-capitaconsumptionofelectricalpover.TheApplicantsupplieselectricpovertoapproximately3.6millionpeopleinupstateNewYork.TheApplicant'sfranchiseterritory(Fig.8.1),whichincludesabouthalfofthetotallandareaofNevYorkState,isdividedintotwomajorsectors:oneisinthewesternpartofthestatebetweenthePennsylvaniaborder,LakeErie,andLakeOntario;andtheotherisinthecentralandnortheasternpartofthestatebetweenLakeOntario,theSt.LawrenceRiver,andtheVermontborder.MajorloadcentersareatBuffalointhewest,Syracuseinthecenter,andAlbanyintheeast.TheApplicantisamemberoftheNevYorkPowerPool(NYPP)togetherwithsixotherprivateutilitiesandthePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNevYork(Table8.1).ThePoolcoordinatesthehour-to-houroperationofthestate'sentiregeneratingcapacitytomeetdemandreliablyandeconomically.PowerPoolstandardoperatingproceduresandNevYorkPublicServiceCommissionordersrequirethatallareasofthestateassistanyareawherethereisapowershortage.SinceupstateNewYorkisawinter-peakingareaanddownstateNevYorkisasummer-peakingarea,thiscoordinationofgenerationbythePoolisintendedtoinsurethatreservecapacityisusedwithmaximumefficiencyforthebenefitofcustomersthroughoutthestate.TheNevYorkPowerPoolmembersagreetomaintaininstalledcapacityatleastequaltothatrequiredtomeetan18%%ureserveduringitsmostrecentannualpeakload.PlanningofnewpowerfacilitiesinthenortheasternsectionoftheUnitedStatesandinadjoiningsectionsof,CanadaiscoordinatedbytheNortheastPowerCoordinatingCouncil.TheCouncilhasestablishedreliabilitycriteriafortheNevYorkPowerPoolandothermembersystemswhichrequirethatthegeneratingsupplyequalorexceedarealoadatleast99.9615%%uofthetime,equivalenttoaprobabilityoflossofloadofonedayintenyears.TheApplicanthasstatedthatoperationofUnit1fillsapartoftheNewYorkPowerPool'splanformeetingthisreliabilitycriterion.4 8-2ssopssVtysno"+syr"ltassetr,,'v'avsonqVO5v,sVhVtnr(~wvrb~<<tse.o+po>+AreaservedbyHiaesrsMohawkPrincrpslefeclriclransmrssionsystemNiagaraMohawk345,000volttransmissionlines345,000volttransmissionlinesolothersystemsInterconnectronswrlhothersystemsFig.8.1,NiagaraMohawkServiceArea.From-ApplicantssAnnualReport1964.
8-3TABLE8.1.NewYorkPowerPoolMembersPeakLoadMWeSummer1972Winter1972-735667,8722,6201,4214,392579854800602734Total19,225CentralHudsonGasandElectricCorp.ConsolidatedEdisonCo.ofN.Y.,Inc.LongIslandLightingCompanyNewYorkStateElectricandGasCorp.NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationOrangeandRocklandUtilities,Inc.RochesterGasandElectricCorporationPowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYorkJamestownMunici~alElectricSystem4LongSault,Inc.VillageofFreeport"6036,104,2'.277',72424827481827894.56142917,836DatafromApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,SupplementNo.2.January1973peaks(fromApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,Supple-mentNo.1).TheApplicant;operatesnuclearNineMileUnit1at610MWeandplanstobuildnuclearNineMileUnit2for1100MWe.4NewYorkStatecompaniesthatarenotmembersoftheNewYorkPowerPoolbutreporttheirloadsandcapabilitiesaspartoftheNewYorkStateInterconnectedSystems.
8-48.1.1PowerDemandThepeakdemandontheApplicant'ssysteminthewinterof1972was4827megawatts.Thiswasmetbyac'ombinationofownedandleasedgeneratingfacilitiesandpurchasedpowerasshowninFig.8.2.About.27%oftheelectricalenergywassuppliedtoresidentialcustomers,61%tocommercialandindustrialcustomers,and12%tomunicipalities,schools,andothercustomers."~TheApplicant'spro)ecteddemandforthesystemforthenextdecadeindicatesthattheincreaseinloadwillbemostlyinthewesternandcentralregions.From1960through1972thetrendrateofgrowthofannualpeakdemandfortheApplicant'ssystemwasabout4.6%peryear,(Fig.8.3).ThecorrespondingrateofNYPPwas5.5%peryearfromitsformationin1966through1971.Thenumberofresident'ialandcommercialcustomersincreasedby5.4%and0.4%,respectively,intheApplicant'sfranchiseareafrom1961to1966andby7.9%and1.6%,respectively,from1966to1971.7Thenumberofindustrialcustomersincreased9.5%duringthefirstfive-yearperiod,thentherateofincreasedeclinedto2.6%duringthesecondfive-yearperiod.8.1.2PowerGenerationUnit1hasbeeninc'ommercialoperationsince1969.The610-MWegeneratingcapacityofUnit1isanimportantpartofthetotalinstalledcapacityofthe'Applicant'ssystemasitrepresented12.6%ofthepeakpowerdemandinthewinterof1972(Fig.8.2).TheApplicantmadeananalysisofthosetimesduring1971and1972whenUnit1wasshutdownoroperatingatlessthan80percent'ower.AlthoughtheApplicantwasabletomeetitscustomers'equirementswithoutloadcurtailmentorvoltagereductionduringthesetimes,gas-turbineoperationandrelianceonpowerpurchaseswerenecessaryonseveraloccasions.Themaximumpurchaseduringthistimeperiodwas460MVeduringNovember1972.TheApplicant'spro)ecteddemandandsupplyforwinterpeakload1973-1976,withandwithoutthecapacityofUnit1,areshowninTable8.2.IfUnit1isnotinserviceduringthenextfouryearstherewillbeinsufficientreservecapacityin1973and1975,basedontheApplicant's'eakloadforecast,tomeettheNYPPrequiredreservemargin.Shouldcompletionofanyofthefossil-fueledgeneratingplantsduewithinthenextfewyearsbedelayed,thereservemarginswouldbefurtherdecreased.TheApplicanthasstatedthatifUnit1weretobeshutdown,acapacitydeficiencywouldexist,resultingindegradationofsystemreliability.
8-5NUCLEAR610-NINEMILEPOINTUNIT1GASTURBINEANDDIESEL-371-PURCHASEDFROMOTHERS"-301-HYQROELEOTRIO-6616s'6~i~\I\a6~1~1El~5944MAXIMUMCAPABILITYIN19721117MARGIN=23.1'Yo-4827WINTERPEAKLOADIN1972PURCHASEDFROMPASNY1365-CONVENTIONALTHERMALPLANTR3636'ig.8.2.MaximumSystemCapacityandLoad,MWeoftheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationfortheWinterof1972.
8-.6750070006500600055005000~4500UJCI~oooo2'-53500os~$e+~gP+,+108'/BANDHEIGHT3000+HISTORICALVALUE8PROJECTEDVALUE2750I960-6II965-661970-7IYEARI975-76I980-8IPig.8.3.WinterPeakPowerDemandforApplicant'sSystem..
8-7TABLE8.2.ProjectedPeakSituations1973197419751976Conditionswith'ineMilePointUnit1Totalcapability,MWePeakload,MWeMargin,MWeReserve,ConditionswithoutNineMilePointUnit166747494746382835300562058556105137418741608217825.933.427.435.6Totalcapability,MWe6064688468537673Peakload,MWeMargin,MWeReserve,53005620585561057641264998156814.422.517.025.7 8-88.1.3PlannedCapacityAddition;EstimatesofFuturePowerRequirementsTheApplicant'spredictionsofloadgrowthandadditionstogeneratingcapacityandthe.reservemarginthrough1980areshowninTable8.3.Anothernuclearunit(NineMilePointUnit2),andtwonewoil-firedunits(OswegoNo.5andOswegoNo.6),eachwithacapacityof850HWe,arescheduledtobeginoperationduringthisperiod.GeneratingcapacityalsowillincreasefortheApplicantfrom)ointinstallationwithConsolidatedEdisonCompanyandCentralHudsonGasandElectricCorporationoftwothermalunitsattheRosetonStationintheCentralHudsonsystem.TheApplicantexpectstopurchaseportionsofthepoweroutputoftheGQboaandFitzPatrickgeneratingstationsfromthePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYork.Nogeneratingunitsarescheduledtoberetiredduringthisperiod,buttheApplicant'sshareoftheRosetoncapacitywillbereducedby120megawattsin1977.Figure8.4showstheApplicant'sprojectedreservecapacityforthesystemandtheeffectofabandoningUnit1andexcludingUnit2.Thepro)ectedreservemargindoesnotincludeUnit2(expectedin1978)becauseitwouldbeunrealistictoabandonUnit1andthenbuildUnit2;AccordingtotheApplicant'sprojections,thereservemarginwoulddecreasefromtheNYPPrequiredreservemarginof18/in1977toabout3Xin1980.8.1.4ConclusionPro)ectedgeneratingcapacity,peakdemand,andreservemarginsfortheperiods1973-76,withandwithoutUnit1,arecomparedinTable8.2.Iftheprogectionsproveaccurate,theApplicantwouldnotquitemeettheNYPPre'serverequirementswithoutUnit1in1975.In1978andsubsequentyearsthedeficiencywouldbesevere(seeFig.8.3).TheStaffconsiderstheApplicant'sdemandpro)ectiontobereasonablebycomparisonwiththehistoricaltrend.Intheeventofadelayinthecompletionofotherplants,theApplicant'sshortageofreservemarginwouldbeevengreater.Thus,theStaffconcludesthatthegeneratingcapacityofUnit1isavaluablecomponentoftheApplicant'ssystemanditslosswouldhaveaseriouseffectontheabilityoftheApplicanttomeetNewYorkPowerPoolobligations.8.2ADVERSEENVIRONMENTALEFFECTSWHICHCANNOTBEAVOIDEDThefollowingarethema)orimpactsoftheconstructionandoperationoftheStation.
8-9TABLE8.3.DataonLoadandCapacityPro)ectedto1980.(MWe)(NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation)YearInstalled,GeneratingCapacityaPowerPurchasedAd)usted,PeakLoad'eserve,ReserveCapacity(Winter)MarginMargin,X,19661967196819691970197119723,0683,0823$0633,698b3,8334,0384,278c-1,3051,4011,6031,4181,5921,6331,6664,3734,4834,6665,1165$4255,6715,944Preection3,9873,9714,3354,4424,6144,5514,827386'.751212.9331,7.667415.281117.61,120'4.31;11723.1197319741975197619771978197919804,518d5,368e5,3686,218f6,09887,1987,1987,1982,1562,1262,0952,0652,0342$0031,9721,9426$674.7,4947,4638,2838,1329,2019,1709>1405,3005,6205,8556,1056,3656,6356,9057$2001,3741,8741,6082,1781,7672,5662,2651,94025.933.427.435.627.738.732.826.9aInstalledGeneratingCapacityisthesumof'themaximumratingsofallthermalgeneratingunitsunderoptimumoperatingconditions;hydro'apacityisbasedonaverageseasonalstreamconditions.Experiencedemonstratesthatsomeportionofthiscapacityisunavailableonaday-to-daybasis.Further,thefiguresdonotincludeanyallowanceforconstructionandstartupdelaysorlowdependabilityduringtheearlyperiodofoperationfornewunits.bAdditionofNineMilePointUnit1.Applicant'sshareof)ointlyownedRosetonNo.2unit(240MW).dApplicant'sshareof)ointlyownedRosetonNo.1unit(240MW).eOswegoNo.5oil-firedunit(850MW).fOswegoNo.6oil-firedunit(850MW).gReductioninApplicant'sshareofRosetonplantcapacity(-120MW).NineMilePointUnit2nuclear-firedunit(1100MW).
8-10.40APPLICANT'6PREDICTEOMARGIN,%,30I2018%RESERVEREQUIREDBY'YPPSINCE1966f%MARGINWITHOUT'NITS15210Pr,~~.',~rr'J~"1966196819701972YEARS1974197619781980Fig.8.4.ForecastofReserveMargins.
8-118.2.1LandEffectsTheoperationofUnit1doesnotinterferewithpresentlanduse.Atpresent,nootherhigh-valueuseispreemptedbylocatingandoperatingtheStationatthissite.8.2.2AquaticEffectsTheattemptbytheApplicanttodocumententrapmentoffishesintheintakestructureandtheirsubsequentimpingementonthetravelingscreensisinadequate.Sufficientevidencehasnotbeenpresentedtodemonstratethattheintakeprecludesthepossibilityofsubstantialfishkillsattheintakestructures.BecauseofahighAT(31.2'F)andaresidencetimegreaterthan3minutesintheheatedwater,smallfishandfishlarvaearenotexpectedtosurvivepassagethroughthestation,andhighmortalityofzooplanktonisexpectedduringsummer.Onlyasmallfractionofthelakewaterisusedfromtheareaandfurthermore,itisexpectedthatevenwith100/mortalityofzoo-andphytoplankton,theentrainmenteffectswillbediffusedoverawideareaandarenotexpectedtobemeasureable.Thisassessment,however,isnotapplicabletoentrainableformsoffishlifewhichdonothaveashortgenerationtimelikethatoftheplankton.Withisothermsindicatingonlyasmallregionfavorabletoproductionofblue-greenalgae,noshiftsinalgalspeciesfromabundanceofdiatomsandgreenalgaetoblue-greenalgaeareexpected.Becauseoftheaggregationoffishesinthelargeareacoveredbytheplumeinwinter,thefishesareexpectedtoundergothermalshockifthestationisshutdownsuddenly.8.2.3RadiologicalEffectsTheestimatedradioactiverelease,basedonnormaloperationofUnit1,nearthesiteboundarycouldresultinatotalbodydosetoindividualsof5mrem/year(0.067mrem/yearwiththeaugmentedradwastesystem).Thetotalman-remdosefromalleffluentpathwaysreceivedbyapproximately1,060,000personswhowilllivewithinafifty-mileradiusoftheplant,wouldbeabout34man-rem/year(2.5man-rem/yearwiththeaugmentedradwastesystem).Incomparison,anannualtotalofabout110,000man-remsisdeliveredtothesamepopulationasaresultofthe'averagenaturalradiationbackground.Unit1willbeaminorcontributor 8-12tothetotalradiationdosethatpersonslivingintheareanormallyreceive'.FluctuationsinthenaturalbackgrounddosewillbeexpectedtoexceedthesmalldoseincrementcontributedbytheoperationofUnitl.Thepotentialexposurestothepopulationfrompostulatedaccidentsduringoperationoftheplantwilldependonthetypeandmagnitudeoftheaccident.AsindicatedinSection7.1,thedifferenttypesofaccidents,whenmultipliedbytheirrespectiveprobabilitiesofoccurrence,resultinaverysmallannualradiationexposurerisktothepopulation.Infact,thepotentialexposurefromallthepostulatedaccidentsiswellwithinthenaturallyoccurringvariationsinthebackgroundradiation.FromtheresultsoftherealisticanalysisitisconcludedthattheenvironmentalrisksduetopostulatedaccidentsinvolvingabnormalreleasesofradioactivityduringoperationofUnit1areexceedinglysmall.8.3SHORT-TERM.USESANDLONG-TERMPRODUCTIVITYOnascaleoftimereachingintothefuturethroughseveralgenerations,thelifespanoftheStationwouldbeconsideredashort-termuseofthenaturalresourcesoflandandwater.TheresourcededicatedexclusivelytotheproductionofelectricalpowerduringtheanticipatedlifespanoftheStationwillbethelanditselfandtheuraniumconsumed.(Nosignificantcommitmentofwaterforconsumptionorusewillhavebeenmade,since,intheforeseeablefuture,LakeOntariowillcontinuetobeseasonallyrenewed.)Noadverseimpactonwateruseisexpectedtooccuro~ingtotheStationeffluentsiAbout45acresofthe'itewillbedevotedtoproductionofelectricalenergyforthenext30to40years.(TheApplicantstatesthattheremaining855acresofthesitewillbeleftinitsnaturalstate.)Atsomefuturedate,Unit1willbecomeobsoleteandberetired.ManyofthedisturbancesoftheenvironmentwillceasewhentheStationisshutdown,,and-arebalancingofthebiotawilloccur.Thus,the"trade-off"betweenproductionofelectricityandsmallchangesinthelocalenvironmentisreversible.Recentexperiencewithotherexperimentalanddevelopmentalnuclearplantshasdemonstratedthefeasibilityof'ecommissioninganddismantlingsuchaplantsufficientlytorestorethesitetoits--formeruse.'hedegreeofdismantling,aswithmoatabandonedindustrialplants,willtake'ntoaccounttheintendednewuseofthesiteandabalanceamonghealthandsafetyconsiderations,salvagevalues,andenvironmentalimpact.
8-13TheCommission'scurrentregulationscontemplatedetailedconsiderationofdecommissioningneartheendofareactor'susefullife.Thelicenseeinitiatessuchconsiderationsbypreparingaproposeddecommis-sioningplan,whichwillbesubmittedtotheAECforreview.ThelicenseewillberequiredtocomplywithCommissionregulationsthenineffectanddecommissioningofthefacilitymaynotcommencewithoutauthorizationfromtheAEC.TheApplicanthasoutlinedabasisforcostsestimates.~Experiencewithdecommissioningofciviliannuclearpowerreactorsislimitedtosixfacilitiesthathavebeenshutdownordismantled:HallamNuclearPowerFacility,CarolinaVirginiaTubeReactor(CVTR),BoilingNuclearSuperheater(BONUS)PowerStation,PathfinderReactor,PiquaReactor,andtheElkRiverReactor.Severalalternativescanbeandhavebeenusedindecommissioningreactors:(Type1)Removethefuel,(possiblyfollowedbydecontamination);sealandcapthepipes;andestablishanexclusionareaaroundthefacility.ThePiquadecommissioningoperationwastypicalofthisapproach.(Type2)Inadditiontothestepsoutlinedin(1),removethesuperstructureandencaseinconcreteallradioactiveportionsthatremainaboveground.TheHallamdecommissioningoperationwasofthistype.(Type3)Removethefuel,allsuperstructure,thereactorvesselandallcontaminatedequipmentandfacilities,andfinallyfillallcavitieswithcleanrubbletoppedwithearth'togradelevel.Thislastprocedureisbeingappliedindecommissioningthe.ElkRiverReactor.Alternativedecommissioningprocedures(1)and(2)"'wouldrequirelong-termsurveil-lanceofthereactorsite.Afterafinalchecktoassurethatallreactor-producedradioactivityhasbeenremoved,alternative(3)wouldnotrequireanysubsequentsurveillance.Possibleeffectsoferosionorfloodingwillbeincludedintheseconsiderations.TheApplicant'splanisofType1,asdescribed'above.Theestimatedcostin1972dollarsis$2millionplus$150,000annuallyforperpetualinspection,maintenance,and24-hoursurveillance.Capitalizingthecontinuingcostsatanassumed8.75/discountrateleadstoanequivalenttotalcoat'fabout$4million.Bythemostconservativeestimate(Type3above),theStaffestimatesthatdecommissioning,oftheStationwillcost$30million(1972dollars).Thisfigureisbasedonad)ustmenttoasingle.unit.ofthe.estimateprepared,bytheStafffortheConsumersPowerCompany,MidlandPlants,Units1and2..TheMidlandestimatewasmadebycarefulscalingofthedetailedestimatesfortheElkRiverReactor.
8-148.4IRREVERSIBLEANDIRRETRIEVABLECOMMITMENTSOFRESOURCESManyresourcesareinvolvedinconstructionandoperationofamajorfacilitysuchastheStation.Theseresourcesincludetheland.uponwhichthefacilityislocated;thematerialsandchemicalsusedtoconstructandmaintaintheStation;fuelused'ooperatetheStation:capital;andhumantalent,skillandlabor.MajorresourcestobecommittedirreversiblyandirretrievablybecauseofoperationoftheStationareessentiallytheland(duringthelifeoftheplant)andtheuraniumconsumedbythereactor.Onlythatportionofthenuclearfuelthatisburnedupornotrecoveredinreprocessingisirretrievablylosttootheruses.Thiswillamounttoapproximately12metrictonsofuranium-235,witha30-yearlifetimeassumedfortheStation.Mostotherresourcesareeitherleftundisturbedorarecommittedonlytemporarily,asduringconstructionorduringthelifeoftheStation,andarenotirreversiblyorirretrievablylost.Ofthelandusedforplantbuildings,onlyasmallportionbeneaththereactor,controlroom,radwaste,andturbine-generatorbuildingsappearstobeirreversiblycommitted.Also,commitmentofsomecomponentsofthefacility,suchaslargeundergroundconcretefoundationsandcertainequipment,are,inessence,irretrievablebecauseofpracticalaspectsofreclamationandradioactivedecontamination.Thedegreeofdis-mantlementoftheStation,aspreviouslynoted,willbedeterminedbytheintendedfutureuseofthesite,whichwillinvolveabalanceofhealthandsafetyconsiderations,salvagevalues,andenvironmentaleffects.Theuseoftheenvironment(air,water,land)bytheStationdoesnotrepresentsignificantirreversibleorirretrievableresourcecommitments,butratherarelativelyshort-terminvestment.Thebiotaofthisregionhavebeenstudied,andtheprobableimpactoftheplantispresentedinSections4and5.Asoutlinedinthepreceedingsection,most,oftheimpactsinthevicinityofthesiteareexpectedtobelocalizedandvirtuallyundetectable.However,fishkillsatUnit1mayadverselyaffectthefishpopulationintheNineMilePointarea.Underthecircumstances,theStaffwillrequirethattheApplicantperformintensivemonitoring(dielandseasonal)todeterminethenumber,species,andsizeoffishkilledatUnit1andrelatethesedatatotheintakedesignandfield-samplingprogramasoutlinedinSection6.Whenthisinformationisavailable,theStaffwillevaluatetheseriousnessofthefish-killproblem.IftoomanymortalitiesofJuvenileoradultfishresultfromoperationofUnit1,modificationsofexistingintake,.structure,ordevelopmentandimplementationofotherpreventativemethodsorbothwillberequiredwithinaspecifiedperiod.
8>>15Shouldanunanticipated.significantdetrimentaleffecttoanyofthebioticcommunitiesappear,themonitoringprogramsaredesignedtodetectit,andtheApplicantwouldthenberequiredtoinstitutecorrectivemeasures.FTheStaffconcludesthattheirreversibleandirretrievablecommitmentsareappropriateforthebenefitsgained.~'e 8-16References1.TableofNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationPlansforGeneratingCapacityExpansion,SuppliedwithletterfromGeorgeAnastis,PublicServiceCommissionoftheStateofNewYork,toCharlesLuner,ArgonneNationalLaboratory,Nov.13,1972.2."EnvironmentalReportfortheNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit2,"SupplementNo.3,AECDocketNo.50-410,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,December1972.3.NortheastPowerCoordinatingCouncil,"BasicCriteriaforDesignandOperationofInterconnectedPowerSystems,"OriginallyadoptedbythemembersoftheNortheastPowerCoordinatingCouncil,Sept.20,1967,revisionadoptedonJuly31,1970.4."EnvironmentalReportfortheNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,"AECDocketNo.50-220,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,June1972.5."EnvironmentalReportfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2,"SupplementNo.2,AECDocketNo.50-410,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,October1972.6.TableofPeakAnnualLoadsofNewYorkStateUtilities,1967-1971,suppliedwithletterfromLesterM.Stuzin,PublicServiceCommissionoftheStateofNewYork,toLawrenceStein,ArgonneNationalLaboratory,October13,1972.7.AnnualReportsofNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,1961-1971.8."EnvironmentalReportfortheNineMilePoint-NuclearStationUnit1,"NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,p.9.4-.2,June1972.9."TranscriptoftheASLBHearing,June12,1972,IntheMattersofConsumersPowerCompany(MidlandPlantUnits1and2),"DocketNos.50-329and50-330,pp.7822-7836.
9-19.ALTERNATIVESTOTHEPROPOSEDPROJECT9.1ALTERNA'TIVEENERGYSOURCESANDSITESTheconsumptionofelectricpowerintheApplicant'sserviceareaandthroughouttheU.S.hasincreasedsinceUnit1wasputintooperationin1969andisexpectedtocontinuetoincrease(seeSection8.1).Therefore,cessationoftheUnit'soperationwouldrequireconstructionandoperationofnewequivalentgeneratingcapacity(inadditiontothatnowplannedtomeetexpectedloadgrowth)eitherbytheApplicantorbysomeotherutilitywhichmightsellpowertotheApplicant.Constructionandoperationofnewcapacitywouldimposeneweconomicandenvironmentalcosts,whichwouldbebalancedtosomedegreebyreductionofthecostnowassociatedwithoperationofUnit1.Thepurposeofthissectionistodefinethereasonablerangeofeconomicandenvironmentalcoststobeexpectedfromeachoftheseveralalternativesandthentostrikethebenefit-costbalanceinordertoestablishthepreferredalternative.ThealternativeenergysourcesconsideredarethosecommerciallyprovenforbaseloadpowergenerationinthenortheastU.S.-namely,coal-fired,oil-fired,andnuclearsteam-electricplants.HydroelectricgenerationisnotconsideredbecausesubstantiallyallthepotentialsiteswithinNewYorkarealreadydevelopedanddevelopmentbytheApplicantinotherstatesisunlikelytobelegallyavailable'totheApplicant.GeothermalpowerisnotconsideredbecausenositesinNewYorkorneighboringstateshavebeenidentified'odateaspotentialsourcesofgeothermalenergy.Thepossibilityofabetteralternativesiteisalsodiscussedinthissection.PossiblemodificationofUnit1thatmightreducetheexistingenviron-mentalimpactsare'onsideredinSection9.2.9.1.1EconomicConsiderationsThedepreciatedconstructioncostofUnit1is"about$145million(seeTable10.1).Becausevirtuallynoneoftheinvestmentcouldberecoverediftheplantwereabandoned,constructioncostofthereplacementcapacitywouldmarkedlyincreasethecoatofthepowertotheApplicantandthustoits.customers.Promthedata,shown-fnTable.9.1,theincrementalcost*ofoperatingUnit1toproduce'4.275EillionkWhannually(80/capacityfactor)wouldSeabout$12million.(Theestimatedannualcostofthesameamountofpowerfromanewnuclearplantwouldbe$12.8millionproductioncost,plus$39.3millioncapitalcharge.**)*i.e.,ignoringtheirrecoverableconstructioncosts.~Basedon$213.5millionconstructioncostand18.4%%ufixedchargerate.Thefixedchargerateincludestaxesaswellasdepreciationandinterestoncapital.
9-2TABLE9.1.NewYorkGenerating-plantCostsforan800-MWePlantintheMid-1970'sCapitalCost,$/kWProductionCost,amills/kWhNuclearbFossil-oilcGasturbinesdPumpedstorage3502501201752.87.014.210.0(Pumpedwithfossil)3.5(Pumpedwithnuclear)Basedon:NewYorkStateDepartmentofPublicService,"TheNewYorkPowerSystemGenerationandTransmissionPlans1971-'980,"TableVII,p.31.aIncludesfuel,operatinglabor,andmaintenance.bBurninglow-sulfuroilcosting$0.70/millionBtuwithaheatrateof9300Btu/kWh.cSixteen50-MWegasturbinesburningNo.2distillatefuelcosting$0.90/millionBtu,withaheatrateof13,000Btu/kWh.dFour200-MWeunits-fuelcostbasedon3:2powerratiobetweenbase-loadedunitprovidingpumpingpowerduringoff-peakhoursandpumped-storageoutput.Aheatrateof9300Btu/kWhwasassumedforthepumpingunitusingoilcosting$0.70/millionBtu.
9-3Ifthereplacementpowerwereproducedbyanewoil-firedplant,theesti-matedannualcostwouldbe$28.1millionproductioncostplus$29.9millioncapitalcharge.UncertaintiesassociatedwiththefeasibilityandcostofS02removal,oralternativelytheavailabilityandcostoflow-sulfurcoal,makeitdifficulttoestimatethecostsforanewcoal-firedplant.However,theestimatesfortheoil-firedplantwillserveasareasonablelowerlimit.Newfossil-fuelplantsintheNortheastarepredominantlyoil-fired,implyingthatpower-industryconsiderstheprobablecostofcoal-firedplantstobehigher.Purchasedpower,ifitwereavailable,wouldbeexpectedtobeatleastascostlyasthatfromanewoil-firedplantbecauseanyvendorprobablywouldbeobligedtosellhislower-costpowertohisowncustomers,ratherthantoanotherutility.ThehypothesizedabandonmentofUnit1mightresultinanannualtaxsavingtotheApplicantofabout$6.5million(stateandlocalpropertytaxes).Withthissumallowedasacreditagainstthecostsofanalternativeplantorpowerpurchase,orboth,theestimatednetannualpenaltytotheApplicant'scustomerswouldbeabout$33millionifUnit'1werereplacedbyanothernuclearplantorabout$39millionifpowerwerepurchasedorafossil-fuelplantwereelected.Thepresentworth*(at8.75/ofthe26-yearstreamofpenaltycosts)wouldbeabout$335millionfortheleastexpensivealternative.9.1.2EnvironmentalConsiderationsa.AlternativeEnergySourcesModernfossil-fueledplantsoperateathigherthermalefficiencythanmostcurrentnuclearplants.Also,someoftheheatisdischargedwiththeothercombustionproductsthroughthestacktotheatmosphere.Consequently,theheatreleasedtocoolingwaterisabouttwo-thirdsthatforanuclearplantofthesameelectricalcapacity.Oil-firedplantsreleasealmostnoradioactivitytotheatmosphere.Thenaturalradioactivityinatleastsometypesofcoalisgreatenoughthatstackemissionshavebeenmeasurable,butthedegreetowhichtheeffectvarieswithcoaltypeisnotknown.Thereleaseofradioactivity*Thepresentworth(ataspecifictime)ofafuturepaymentisthesumwhich,drawinginterestattheassumedrateuntilthetimeofthepayment,willthenequalit,i.e.,itisthediscountedvalueofthepayment.
9-4frommodernnuclearplantsisrequiredtobe"aslowaspracticable",inaccordancewithCommissionregulations.Anyresultingincreaseindoselevelsfromeithernuclearorcoal-firedplantswillnormallybeasmallpercentageofdosesresultingfromnaturalbackground.Finally,aswithcoal-poweredgeneratingplants,theemissionstandardsforoilusearebecomingincreasinglystringentandcostsofcomplianceareexpectedtoincrease;Substantialamountsofdust,sulfurdioxide,nitrogenoxides,carbonmonoxide,hydrocarbons,andaldehydesareemittedfromcoal-andoil-firedplants.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)hassetlimitsonemissionofparticulatematter(dust),sulfurdioxide,andnitrogenoxidesfornew.generatingplants.ThecontrolequipmentandproceduresrequiredtomeettheEPAstandardsprobablywillalsochangetheemissionoftheothersubstancestosomedegree.However,theavailabledataforcombustionwithoutpollution-controlequipment4givearoughindicationofthemagnitudes.ForplantsequivalenttoUnit1(610MWe),operatingatfullpower(andwithoutemissioncontrols),theexpectedemissions(inpoundsperday)areasfollows:Oil-firedPlantCoal-firedPlantCarbonmonoxideHydroc'arbonsAldehydes8316008005400160027TheenvironmentalimpactsofcontinuedoperationofUnit1andthoseexpectedfromtheoperationofacoal-oroil-fueledplantofequaloutputarecomparedinTable9.2.Radiologicalandcooling-systemimpactsarelessforthefossil-fuelplants,asistheconsumptiveuseofwaterthroughevaporation.However,theseimpactsareofsmallconsequence,accordingtotheevaluationgiveninSection5.Eithertypeoffossil-fuelplantwouldreleasemanytonsofchemicalpollutantstotheatmosphereeachday,butsuchreleasefromUnit1isnil.ThelastconsiderationappearstotheStafftodominatethebalanceofenvironmentaleffectsduringoperation,whichthusclearlyfavorsthereferenceplant.b.AlternativeSitesInitsconsiderationofalternativesites,theStaffnotesthattheenvironmentalimpactsexpectedfromanother.nuclearplantofsimilar 9-5TABLE9.2.ComparativeEnvironmentalImpactsforNineMilePointUnit1(nuclear)andAlternativePlants(610MWe)(atfull-poweroperationexceptasnoted)ImpactReferenceUnit1Oil-firedPlantCoal-firedPlant'andUseReZeasestoAir:Radioac,tivityDust,<tons/daySulfurdioxide,tons/dayNitrogenoxides,tons/day45acres(plusexclusionarea).35Ci/dayNoneNone'oneLarger'(fuelstorage,butnoexclusionarea).None65019Larger(fuelandashstorage,butnoexclusionarea).Small67544ReZeasestoVates:Heat,billionBtu/dayRadioactivity:Tritium,mCi/dayOther,mCi/day10031370NoneNone65NoneNone.ChemicaZ:Totaldissolvedsolids,lb/day340.450390latmConsumed:Evaporation,milliongallons/day7.25.34.4ZueZ:ConsumedWaste610kgU/yearc52truck-loads/year7.8x106bbl/yearSmall1.7x106tons/year1.7x105tons/yearAestheticInoffensiveSimilartoUnit1exceptfortankfarmSimilartoUnit1exceptforcoalandashstorageReleaseestimatesforfossilplantsarebasedontheassumptionsthateachplantgustmeetstheapplicableEPAstandards4andthattheefficiencyis40/.At80/capacityfactor.Partlybalancedbyrecoveryinreprocessingof172kgU-235/yearand132kgPu/year.
9-6sizewouldoccurinsomedegreeatanyothersite.Forexample,alltypesofbaseloadpowerplantswhichwouldbe'easiblenowinNewYorkrequireeitherlargeflowsofwaterforonce-throughcooling(268,000gpmforthe610-MWeUnit1)orasmaller,butsubstantial,flowofmakeupwaterforclosed-cycleevaporativecooling(about6000gpmwouldbeevaporatedatfullpoweroperation).Therefore,anyuseablesitewouldbeclosetoalargelakeorriverifclosed-cyclecoolingwerechosenor'oanadequatelylargelakeorriverifonce-throughcoolingwereelected.Asdiscussedin,Sections4and5,theterrestrialenvironmentalimpactsforthereferencesitearerelativelysmallbecausethelandisnotuniquelyvaluableinanyidentifiedsenseandlargeamountsofroughlyequivalentlandintheregionremainunusedbyman.Similarly,damagetotherelativelysparselakefaunaneartheStationassociatedwithwaterintakeanddischargehaslessimpactonoverallLakeOntarioecologythanwouldbetrueatanothersitewherelakebiotamaybemoreabundant-forexampleinashallowbayarea.TheStaffjudgesthatnootherLakeOntariositewouldhaveoverallenvir'onmental~impactsufficientlylowerthanthatofthereferencesiteforthediffer-encetobepredictable;i.e.,theuncertaintyinthepredictionofcomparativeimpactswouldexceedanyapparentdifferencebetweenthereferencesiteandtheapparentlybestalternativesite.Hadthedesignincludedsomeformofclosed-cyclecooling,suchascoolingtowersoracoolingpond,thereducedwaterrequirementshouldhaveallowedconsiderationofmanyalternativesitesremotefromLakeOntario.However,theterrestrialenvironmentalimpactsforthereferencesitearesosmallthatthecomparativeoverallimpactofthehypotheticalbestalternativesitewouldbedominatedbytheimpact.onaquaticbiota.Thelatterimpactwilltendtobegreaterinimportance.(forfixedplantthroughputandevaporativeconsumptionofwater)forsmallerbodiesofwater.Itis,therefore,improbablethatanysite(inNewYork)notonLakeOntariowouldbepreferabletothereferencesitewithrespecttoimpactonaquaticlifeforeitherclosed-cycleoronce-thxoughcoolingofalargepowerplant.TheterrestrialimpactsexpectedfromthecontinuedoperationofUnit.1atthereferencesiteareverysmallandtheaquaticimpactsexpectedwouldbeworse,ornobetter,atanyotherNewYorksite.Forthesereasons,theStaffconcludesthatthereferencesiteisacloseapproxi-mationtothehypotheticalbestsitethatmightbefoundforeithernuclearorfossil-firedplantsby..>nex~tenedinvestigation.
9-79.1.3Benefit-CostBalanceAnyalternativetothecontinuedoperationofUnit1wouldentailenviron-mentalimpactsassociatedwithconstructionoftheequivalentcapacity,whetherbytheApplicantorsomepossiblevendorofpowertotheApplicant.ItappearstotheStaff,asdiscussedabove,thattheenvironmentalcostsassociatedwithoperationofanequivalentplantwouldprobablynotbesignificantlylessthanforUnit1andmightwellbegreater.Theoverallbalanceofenvironmentalcostthusappearstofavorcontinuedoperationoftheunit.PossiblereductionoftheexistingimpactsbymodificationofUnit1isconsideredinSection9.2.ITakingintoaccountthecertaineconomicpenaltytoconsumerswhichwouldresultfromeithercontinuingpurchaseofreplacementpowerorconstructionofareplacementgeneratingplantbytheApplicant,theStaffconcludesthatcontinuedoperationofUnit1isthepreferredcourse.9.2PLANTDESIGNALTERNATIVESThissectionconsiderspossiblemodificationstotheApplicant'ssystemwhich,ifimplemented,mightchangesignificantlythebalancebetweeneconomicandenvironmentalcosts.9.2.1CoolingSystemModernthermalelectricgeneratingplants(fossil-fueledornuclear)dischargefrom5100to7000Btuofwasteheatforeachkilowatthourofnetelectricaloutput;thehigherfigureistypicalofcurrentnuclearplants.Oftheestablishedmethodsoflarge-scalecooling,themostpracticalinvolveeither(a)transferofheattotheatmospherebydirectevaporationofwaterin"wet"coolingtowersorcoolingponds,'or(b)directdischargeofheattoabodyofwater.Evenindirectdischargetheheatiseventuallytransferredtotheatmosphere.Dependingonclimaticconditions,theheatisreleasedchieflybyevaporationorbyradiationandconvection.Inanadditionalmethodofevaporativeheatdissipation,nozzlesspraywaterfromacoolingpondorcanalintotheair.Thismethodisnotconsideredpracticalforthepresentplantbecausereliableoperationintherequiredsizehasnotbeendemonstrated.Byanothermeansofheattransfer,"dry"coolingtowerstransferheatdirectlytotheatmospherewithoutevaporationofacoolant(inthesamemannerasanautomobileradiator)~Drytowershavebeenusedforrelativelysmallthermalelectricplantsinaridregions,particulary 9-8abroad,butthehighcoolant-returnteryeratureinhotweatherresultsinacondenserback-pressuretoohighforanylarge(over'300-MWe)steamturbinescurrentlyavailable.'hus,drycoolingtowersarenotconsideredapracticalalternativeforthisplant.a.ThePresentSystemUnit1usesaonce-throughsysteminwhichvirtuallytheentireheatload,about4x10~Btu/hr,isdischargedintoLakeOntariointheformofastreamofheatedwaterfromthecondenser.Thechiefadvantagesofthesystemare:(1)Totalcostsare,lowerthanthoseofanyknownalterna-tive.(2)Nomodificationorcontrolofthechemistryofthecoolingwaterisrequired.(3)Maximumefficiencyisprovidedbecausethecoolantwillenterthecondenseratatemperaturelowerthanthatwithanyofthealternativesystems.Thislowertemperatureleadstothelowestcondensatepressureandthemostefficientturbineoperation.(4)Thefullflowoftheonce-throughcoolingstreamprovidesameansofdiscardingchemicalsfromdemineralizerregeneration,laboratorywastes,andradionuclideswithminimumimpactbecauseofthelargedilutionbeforedischarge.Theknownandpredictedimpactsofthepresentsystem,particularlytheadverseaspects,areevaluatedindetailinSection5.b.PossibleAlternativesThealternativesystemsconsidered(natural-andmechanical-draftcoolingtowers,andacoolingpond)sharethecommonfeatureofhavingarecirc'ulating-cooling-watercircuit.SuchacircuitwouldreduceoreliminatethedischargeofheattoLakeOntario.Inthecooling-wateralternatives,onlyabout3/oftherecirculatingcoolingwaterwould'edischargedasblowdown,andabout3/ofthetotalheatwouldbedissipatedtothelake'(Applicant'sdesign).Damagetoorganismsinthelakewouldbereducedbecausemakeupwaterrequiredfortherecirculatingsystemwouldbeonlyabout7/oftheflowintheonce-throughsystem.Somedisadvantagesarealsoinherentintherecirculatingsystems.Becauseofevaporationinthesesystems,thedissolved-solidscontentofthewaterincreases.Thisincreasedconcentrationofchemicalscouldincreasecorrosionandcauseformationofcarbonatescales.Tocontroltheseproblems,thewatersystemwouldberefreshedandblowndowntolimitthetotaldissolvedsoildsto.aleveltwotimesthatinthemakeup 9-9water(theratiochosenbytheApplicantforpossibleevaporativecoolingtowers).TheApplicant'spreliminarydesigndidnotincludetheuseofadditivestocontrolscalingoralgalgrowth.lfscalingbecameaproblem,theApplicantproposedtouseanontoxicnonphosphateinhibitorthatwouldconformtotheFoodandDrugAdministrationcriteria.Algalgrowthswouldbecontrolled,ifnecessary,byaddinganalgicideinquantitiesthatwouldconfoxmtoNewYorkStateWaterQualityStandards.Anynonvolatilechemicalsaddedtothecooling-towercircuitwouldbedischargedtothelakeintheblowdownandwouldslightlyincreasethelevelofdissolvedsolidstherein.Anyproposeduseofalgicideswouldneedcarefulreviewtoassureanacceptablysmallenvironmentalimpact.Hyperboliccoolingtowersareprominentlyvisible;somepeopleob)ect!totheiruseonaestheticgrounds.Watersprayescapingfromthetopofthetowerwouldfallonthesurroundingground.This"drift"wouldresultinaccumulationofthedissolvedsolidsofthewaterdropletsonthegroundinthevicinityofthecoolingtower.Withthedriftassumedtobe0.005/ofthecirculating-watexflowrate(268,000gpm),the14gpmofresultingdriftwouldcontainabout72lb/dayofdissolvedsolids(concentrationabout450ppm).Therateofdepositiononthegroundwouldprobablyhaveundetectableeffectonlocalfloraandfaunabecauselevelswouldbesubstantiallybelowthequantitiesdepositedby'ainfall.7TheApplicanthasmadeaspecificdesignstudyofnaturalandforced-draftcoolingtowers.Forced-drafttowershavetheadvantageofsmallersizeandalower"approach"temperature(thedifferencebetweenthetem-peratureofthewaterleavingthetowerandtheambientatmosphericwet-'ulbtemperature)thannatural-draftevaporativecoolingtowers.Becauseofthelowerapproach,forced-drafttowersoffertheopportunityforalowercondensexpressureandincreasedturbineefficiency.Thedis-advantagesofforced-drafttowersaremorenoise,morefogging,moreground-leveldrift(theApplicantestimatedanincreaseinsaltdepositionrateatthepropertyboundarytobeafactorof120overthatforthenatural-draftcoolingtower),andadecreaseinnetelectricaloutputduetotheuseofpowerfortheblowers.Acoolingpondusesthelargesurfaceareaofabodyofstoredwatertoregectheattotheatmospherebythetransferofsensibleandlatentheat.Useofsuchapondwouldhavetheadvantagesofnonoiseoraestheticdistuxbance.Asadisadvantage,thepondwouldrequiretheuseofanestimated880acresofadditionallandforanevaporativesurfaceofaboutthatsize.XntheApplicant'sstudy,alocationneartheNineMilePointNuclearStation(Fig.9.1)waschosen.Asubstantial 9-10C7jcUNITI'WITCHYARDLAKEVIEWRD.\/p~OPROPERTYLINEINCLUDINGREQUIREDAQUISITIONIpj>>F<NgENTRAI.l\Fig.9.1.CoolingLakeat310-footElevation(880acres).%P~I~
9-11amountofperviousandimperviousfillmaterialwouldberequiredtoconstructretainingdikes.CostsdevelopedbytheApplicantforthecooling-pondsystemaregiveninTable9.3.TheStaffagreesthatthecostsareatleastapproximatelycorrect.Estimatedincrementalcostsforthealternativecoolingsystemsconsideredabove,giveninTable9.3,indicatethateachwouldaddasubstantialcosttotheUnit.Thesystemwithmechanical-draftcoolingtowerswouldaddthesmallestcostandwouldreducetheoverallpo~eroutputoftheStationtheleast.Backfittingsuchacoolingtoweroranyofthealternativecoolingsystemswouldalsoleadtoaninterruptioninpowerproduction;theextentoftheinterruptionwoulddependonthesystemchosen.Inviewofthelackofsignificantidentifiedenvironmentaldisadvantagesoftheonce-throughcoolingsystemandtheadditionalcoststhatwouldbeincurredbyadoptionofanyofthealternativecoolingsystems,thereferenceonce-throughsystemispreferred.9.2.2ChemicalDischargeSystemIInthemakeupwatersystemfo'rUnit1,limeandferricsulfateareaddedforclarification,andsulfuricacidandsodiumhydroxideareaddedinregenerationoftheionexchangers.Useofthesechemicalsleadstothedischargeofsaltstothelake.Inaddition,thesaltsoriginallypresentinthelakewater,removedintheionexchanger,aredischargedbacktothelakeatthetimeofregeneration.Thetotaldissolvedsolids(seeTable3.2)discharged,incrementaltothosealreadyinthecirculatingw'ater,isabout1981b/day.About15/ofthismaterialoriginatesinthelakewater.TheApplicantsuggestedanalternativetotheproposedtreatmentinwhichevaporationwouldbeusedtoeliminatechemicaleffluentsresultingfromdemineralizer-regenerationcycles.Theevaporationprocesswouldrequireuseofafalling-filmevaporatorandanadequatelydesignedlagoontostoretheconcentratedbrinebottomsproducedintheevaporator.Alternativetreatmentofchemicaleffluentsresultingfromthesettlingbasinoverflowandclear-wellbypasswouldnotberequiredbecausetheirchemicalcompositionafterpHadjustmentwouldbecomparabletothatofLakeOntario.AsimplifiedsketchofthesystemisshowninFig.9.2.EliminationofthedischargeoftheregenerationchemicalsbythismethodisestimatedbytheApplicanttoentailanadditional$857,000directcostand$50,000annualoperatingandmaintenancecosts.The"presentvalue"ofthelatterfigure,assumingan8.75/costofcapital,a26-yearremainingplantlife,andapresentworthfactorof10.1379, TABLE9.3.IncrementalCostsforAlternativeCoolingSystems(inmillionsofdollars)Natural-draftCoolingTowerMechanical-draftCoolingTowerCoolingPondConstructionPresentvalueofconstructionAnnualoperatingcostsAnnualvalueofcapabilitylossTotalannualcostsPresentvalue(1973)ofannualcostsdTotalpresentvalue(1973)16.9613.810.5681.0961.66411.4525.2611.85-9.650.690.8541.54410.6220.2721.6017.590.3121.2411.55310.6928.28Calculatedfrom.Applicant'sdata.bPresentvaluecalculatedforfouryears'nnualexpenses(eachonefourthofthetotal)ataninterestrateof8.75%.Presentworthfactor3.2576.cUsingApplicant'svalues.Foraremaininglifetimeof22yearsand8.75X(presentworthfactor9.6233)aftercompletiondateof1977;broughtto1973valuebydividingby(1.0875)4.
9-13NOTE!THEOPERATIONOFTHISSYSTEMIS"INTERMITTENTAHOISREOUIREOONLYUPONACCUMULATIONOFLIOUIOSINTHEREGENERATIONWASTE-NEUTRALIZATIONTANKSFALLING-RLMEVAPORATORPRODUCTWATERITDS5PPMOEMINERALIZER-REGENERATIONWASTESIISIOOOPPMTOSWASTEBRINE)200,000PPMELECTRICALENERGYLINEDONSITEPONDCLEARWEI.Lr---------qJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMAKEUPWATERIDEMINERALIZATIONSYSTEMREGENERATION-WASTEMEUTRALIZATIONTANKSFig.9.2.AlternativeEvaporativeSystemforTreatingRegenerationWastes.FromApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport.
9-14is$507,000.Thetotalpresentvalueoftheadditionalcostsduetothisalternativeisthus91.36million.ThesmallincreaseinthechemicalcontentofLakeOntariowatercausedbyUnit1willhavenomeasurableeffectontheaquaticbiota.Thedis-chargeof198lb/dayiscalculatedtoincreasethetotaldissolvedsolidsofthe400cubicmilesofwaterinthelakebyonly0.002ppm,or0.008/,percentury,andinshorechemicalconcentrationsarebelievednottoincreasesignificantly(seeSection5.2).TheStaff,therefore,believestheinstitutionofanalternativesystemforremovingregenerationchemicalsisunnecessary.Nochemicalsaredischargedasaconsequenceofregenerationofthecondensatedemineralizer,acidcleaningoftheplant,orlaboratoryanddecontaminationoperations;therefore,alternativesarenotconsideredfortheseoperations.Also,noalternativesareconsideredforthesmallfractionsofapoundperdayofphosphateandsulfatedischargedfromtheauxiliaryheatingboilersbecausethesequantitiesofthesechemicalswouldbeundetectableandwouldhaveanegligibleimpact.9.2.3BiocideSystemTheUnitusesnobiocidesinitswatersystems;noalternativesaredeveloped.9.2.4SanitaryWasteSystemPlantsanitarywastesaregivenextendedaerationandchlorination,thensenttoanoxygenationpondfromwhicheffluentflowstoLakeOntarioviaadrainageditch.ThenormalsewageloadfromUnit1is2400gallonsperday.Because,sanitarystandardsaremetandnoadverseeffectonthelakefromsewagedischargeisexpected(seeSection5.2),noalternativesystemisconsidered.9.2.5TransportationProcedures'IAlternatives,suchasspecialroutingofshipments,providingescortsinseparatevehicles,addingshieldingtothecontainers,andconstructingaplantfoxfuelrecoveryandfabricationonthesiteratherthanshippingfueltoandfromtheStation,havebeenexaminedbytheStaffforthegeneralcase.Theimpactontheenvironmentoftransportationundernormalorpostulatedaccidentconditionsisnotconsideredtobesufficientto)ustifytheadditionaleffortrequiredtoimplementanyofthealternatives.
9-159.2.6WaterDischargeSystemTheStaffhasconsideredwhethersomemodificationscoul'dbemadetothepresentdischargestructuretoimprovedilutionoftheheateddischargeflowbeforeitreachesthelakesurfaceandtogiveasmalleraffectedsurfacearea.Closingselectedportsonthehexagonaldischargestructure,causinganincreaseindischargevelocityattheremainingopenportshasbeenconsidered.Twosituationswereexamined.Inthefirstcase,threeslotsfacingtheshoreline(Fig.3.4)wereconsideredtobeblocked.Thischangewoulddoublethedischargevelocityatthethreeremainingports.Inthesecondcase,theslotoppositethetunnelwasalsoclosedandthetotaldischargeflowexitedthroughtheremainingtwoports.Theresultsoftheseanalysesindicatethat,forthecasesoftwoandthreeslotsopen:5(a)Closingoffsomeoftheslotsoralternativelyincreasingthedischargevelocitywillreducetheextentofthethermalplume,and(b)themodificationssuggestedarestillnotsufficienttobringthethermaldischargeintoconformancewithcurrentNewYorkStatethermalcriteria.Anotheralternativetothepresentsystemisonce-throughcoolingwithadischargediffuser,asconsideredbytheApplicant.Withthissystemthewatercirculatedthroughthecondenserswouldbereturned-tothelakethroughasubmerged)etdiffus'er.Inthisway,moremixingoftheheatedstreamwiththelakewaterwilloccurandthusreduceecologicaldamageassociatedwitheffectsofthethermaldischarge.=Sincethistypeofdischargestructureshouldbelocatedindeeperwaterthanthepresentstructuretobeeffective,anewdischargeshaftandtunnelwouldberequired,asshowninFig.9.3.Incrementalcostsinclude$5.77millionforconstruction(1973value$4.70million),and$55,000forannualoperatingcosts(1973value$380,000)fortheremaininglifetimeafter1977of22years.An8.75/.interest.ratewasassumed.Totalpresentcostwouldthusbe$5.08million.Onthebasisofavailableinformation,theStaffhasidentifiednosignificantdisadvantageoftheexistingdischargesystem.Also,theApplicantproposestocombinethepresentdischargesystemwiththatofUnit2whentheproposedplantisaccepted.Consequently,theStaffbelievesthatmodifyingtheexistingsystemisnotnow)ustified.
9-16NEWDISCHARGESTRUCTURE(2.5Dia~NOZZLES4PAIRS)d2IODIFFUSERHEADIg522,0EXISTINGINTAKESTRUCTURENEWDISCHARGETUNNELEXISTINGDISCHARGESTRUCTUREo00oNEWDISCHARGESHAFTIIL)IIIUNITISCREENWELLPig.9.3.Once-throughCoolingSystemwithDiffuserDischarge.
9-179.2.7IntakeStructureTheApplicanthaspresented,no.alternativestothedesign'oftheintakesystem.DatafromtheApplicant'sintensivemonitoringprogramtodatehasshownthattheexistingintakesystemdoesresult,insubstantialfishkills.Consequently,-itisrecommendedthatalternativeintakestructuresbeexamined.Examplesofsuchalternativesinclude:IDesignmodificationsoftheoffshoreintaketoachieve.lowaverageintakevelocitybyincreaseinareaofintake;UseofalimestonefilledporousdykearoundtheoffshoreintakesimilartooneemployedatthePointBe'achNuclearPlant;PUseofatravelingbandscreensimilartoonescheduledtobe.installedbyCentralPowerandLightatitsplantinCorpusChristi;Useofbarrackswithsmallerspacingtoprevententryoflargefishintheintaketunnel;Useofairbubblecurtainorelectricfish'screenforrepellingfishattheintake;Useoffishguidingtechniquestoguidefishawayfromareaofimpingement.Relocationoftheintakestructuretoadifferentdepth.9.3ALTERNATIVESTONORMALTRANSPORTATIONPROCEDURESAlternativessuchasspecialroutingofshipments,providingescortsinseparatevehicles,addingshieldingtothecontainers,andconstructingfuelrecoveryandfabricationfacilitiesonthesiteratherthan,shippingfueltoandfromtheplanthavebeenexaminedbythestaffforthegeneralcase.Theimpactontheenvironmentoftransportationundernormalorpostulatedaccidentconditionsisnotconsideredtobesufficientto)ustifytheadditionaleffort,cost,and/orenvironmentalimpactrequiredtoimplementanyofthealternatives.
9-18References1."The1970NationalPowerSurvey,"FederalPowerCommission,p.II-1-95.2.M.EisenbudandH.G.Petrow,-"RadioactivityintheAtmospherefromPowerPlantsthatUseFossilFuels,"Science,144,April1964.'."EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyRegulationsonStandardsofPerformancefoxNewStationarySources,"40CFR60;36FR24876,Dec.23,1971.4."CompilationofAirPollutantEmissionFactors,"Revised1972,OfficeofAirPrograms,EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Supt.ofDocts.,'U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,Washington,D.C.5."NuclearReactorsBuilt,BeingBuilt,orPlannedintheU.S.asofJune30,1973,"TID-8200(26thRev.),U.S.AtomicEnergyCommission.6.J.P.Rossieetal.,TID-26007,"CostComparisonofDry-TypeandConventionalCoolingSystemsforRepresentativeNuclearGeneratingCosts,"U.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionReport.7."ForkedRiverNuclearStationEnvironmentalReport,"AppendixB,Attachment5,Jersey'CentralPowerandLightCo.,AECDocketNo.50-363,Jan.1972.
10-110.BENEFIT-COSTANALYSIS10.1ENERGYGENERATINGCOSTSUsingtheApplicant'sbasicestimatesoftotalcapitalinvestment,annualfuelcost,2andannualoperatingandmaintenancecost,theStaff2hascalculatedforTable10.1thetotalandannualizedgeneratingcostsonthebasisgivenbelow.ThebasisusedbytheStaffdiffersfromthatoftheApplicantinthefollowingrespects.Aninterestrateof8.75/isassumed.(Applicant'sassumptionis9.6/).Federal,state,andlocaltaxesarenotconsideredbytheStaff.Theplantcapacityfactorisassumedtobe80/(Applicant'sassumptionis85/).Inordertocombinethe26-yearstreamofoperatingcosts,thepresentworthin1973isconsidered.The1973presentworthofanestimated$30millionexpenditureintheyear1999fordecommissioningoftheStationisalsoincluded.Thisestimateisbasedonad)ustmenttoasingleunitoftheestimatepreparedbytheStaffforType-3decommis-sioningoftheConsumersPowerCompanyMidlandPlantUnits1and2.TheMidlandestimatewasmadebycarefulscalingofthedetailedestimatesfortheElkRiverReactor.10.2,SUMMARYOFBENEFITSAprimarybenefitfromoperationoftheStationisthecontributiontothemaintenanceandimprovementofeconomicwellbeingandthequalityoflifeintheApplicant'sserviceareawhichresultsfromthegenerationofabout4.3billionkilowatthoursofelectricityperyear.Theaugmentedreliabilityof.electricpowerwithintheNYPPareadueto610NPeofadditionalgeneratingcapacityisanadditionalprimarybenefit.Anindirectlocalbenefittothepopulationofthesurroundingareaistheemploymentofabout68personsforoperationoftheStationandtheresultinginjectionofabout$1millionperyearintothelocaleconomy.Thecorrespondingeconomicandsocietalcosts(roaduse,schooluse,etc.)associatedwithanadditionalpopulationoffrom200to300persons(employeesandtheirfamilies)tendtooffsetthislocalbenefit.However,nounusualeffectistobeexpectedsincetheincreaseinpopulationisrelativelysmall.The1970populationoftheCityofOswegowas'3,744andthatofOswegoCountywas101,000.Afurtherlocalbenefitwillbethepaymentofanestimated$3millionannuallytolocaltaxingbodies.
10-2TABLE10.1EstimatedGeneratingCost(inmillionsofdollars)Construction1973presentwortha145Annualized(amortizationover26years)14.3OperatingCost:1973presentworth135Annualized:Operationandmaintenance1.3FuelDecommissioningAllowance:1973presentworthTotalLife-of-PlantCost:1973presentworth283Annualizedequivalent28Basedon1969constructioncostof$164.5million,depreciated4yeaxs(stxaightline)togive$142.6million,plus1973modificationcost,of$2.4million.
10-3OperationoftheStation"ProgressCenter"providesanadditionalsecondaryeducationalandrecreationalbenefit.About50,000personsannuallyvisittheCenterandassociatedpicnicarea.10.3ENVIRONMENTALCOSTS10.3.1LandUseTheStationislocatedinanareaofdecliningagriculturalusehavingnoothersignificanthumanuse.NoprioruseotherthanunplannedwildlifehabitathasbeenarrestedbytheconstructionoftheStationon45acresofthesite.Sincenoecologicaluniquenesswasassociatedwiththelandandsincethousandsofacresofcomparablelandinthearearemainunusedbyman,anynegativeimpactiscertainlysmall.AsdiscussedinSection5.1.1,therecreationalpotentialoftheareaislimited.10.3.2WaterUseOperationoftheStationwillintroduceabout30trillionBtuperyearintoLakeOntario.CalculationsbasedonAsbury'smethod"givetheestimatedresultantincreaseinmeansurfacetemperatureasabout0.002'F.Theincreaseinevaporationisexpectedtobeabout2.5billiongallonsperyear,"lessthan0.1/ofnaturalevaporation.Sincetotaloutflowthrough'theSt.LawrenceRiveris13-foldgreaterthannaturalevaporation,nodetectablechangeinlakelevelisexpectedtooccur.ChemicaldischargesfromtheStationwillincreasethedissolved-saltcontentofLakeOntariobyabout164poundsperdayofionaalreadypresentinsubstantialconcentrationsinlakewater.Consideringtheconservativeassumptionthattheonlyeffectiveprocessofremovalofchemicalsfromthelake~atersisdilutionbyNiagaraRiverflow-through,thesedischargeswouldinseveralcenturi'esincreasethedissolved-saltleveloftheLakebylessthan0.01ppm.Sincethepresentlevelisabout250ppm(Table3.2),the'increasewouldbeundetectable.10.3.3BiologicalEffectsSignificanteffectsonterrestrialbiotawillbeconfinedtothoseduetotheremovalof45acresfromavailablewildlifehabitat.Relativetoavailableh'abitatwithintheregion,theperturbationissmall.Xtseffectisdetectableonlyintheimmediatevicinityoftheaffectedareas, 10-4Nomarkedeffectsonaquaticlifeareexpectedfromthethermaldischarge(seeSection5.5.2).Someyoungfishesmaybekilledbypassagethroughthewarmestpartofthethermalplume(withinthe15'Fisotherm).Becausethevolumewithinthisisothermisrelativelysmall,theimpactonfishpopulationswillbesmallandundetectable.Virtuallyallfishes,fisheggs,andfishlarvaeenteringthecooling-waterintakestructurewillbekilled.Conceivably,whentheimpactoffishimpingementcanbeassessed,designchangesmayberequiredfortheintakestructure(seesubsection9.2.7).Thedamageto'planktoniclife(otherthanfisheggsandlarvae)fromentrainmentinthecoolingwaterisnotexpectedtoleadtodetectablechangesinlakepopulationsexceptintheimmediatevicinity,ofthedischargestream.10.3.4RadiologicalEffectsThecumulativecostfromnormaloperationofUnit1willbeabout2.5man-remperyearaftermodificationofUnit1(34man-remp'eryearbeforemodificationiscompleted)forthepopulationwithin50milesoftheStation(expectedtobeabout1millionpersonsin1980).ThedosetoindividualsinareasneartheStationwillbelessthanO.l/ofthatduetonaturalbackground.Thedoseiswithinthelimitsimposedby10CFR,Parts20and50.10.4BENEFIT-COSTBALANCETheStationasdesignedisexpectedtohaveonlyasmallimpactontheenvironmentexceptwithrespecttofishpopulationsintheNineMilePoint.area,forwhichnewdatamustbedevelopedbeforeasatisfactoryassessmentcanbemade.Whentheimpactcanbeassessed,andifsuchimpactisfoundtobeadverse,plantmodificationwouldberequired.TheidentifiedbenefitsandcostsarelistedinTable10.2.TheStaffhasconsideredthesebenefitsandcostsindetail.WithresolutionofthequestionofimpactonfishpopulationsintheNineMilePointarea,byadditionaldataand/ormodifi-cationoftheintakedesign,theStaffbelievesthattheoverallbenefitstobeexpectedfromcontinuedoperationoftheStationwillsubstantiallyoutweightheeconomicandenvironmentalcostsincurred.Exceptasnotedfor"impactonfishpopulations(wherethebenefit-costbalanceforalternativeintakesystemsisuncertain),theeffectsofthedifferentalternativesconsidereddonotchangethebalanceofbenefitsrelativetocostsinfavorofthealternatives.
10-5TABLE10.2Benefit-CostSummaryfortheStationBenefitsPrimarybenefits:ElectricalenergytobegeneratedGenerating'capacitycontributingtoreliabilityof'electricalpowerinNewYork4.3billionkWh/year610,000kilowattsSecondarylocalbenefits:Employmentofoperatingstaff68personsEnvironmentalCostsLandUse:PreviouslyunusedlandforthePlantTransmissionlineright-of-way45acres+1640acresWateruse:Waterevaporated5100gallonsperminute(average)LakeOntariosurfaceareawithin3Fexcessisothermofthermalplume50-400acresChemicalsdischargedtolake164poundsperdayofsaltsoccurringnaturallyinlakewaterRadiologicalimpact:Normaloperation:Cumulativepopulationcost(50>>mileradius)2.5man-remperyearaftermodification(34man-remperyearatpresent)Whole-bodydosetonearbyresidentsLessthanO.l/ofnaturalbackgroundaftermodification.Biologicalimpact;Insufficientdatatoassessfishkillsatintakescreens.Possi-bilityofexcessivefishkillsatintake.Thismayadverselyaffectfishpopulationinthearea,butnotonalakewidebasis.
10-6References1."EnvironmentalReportforNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,"NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,,Syracuse,NewYork,June1972,p.9.8-3'.2.EnvironmentalReportforNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,SupplementNo.3,"NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,Syracuse,NewYork,May1973.3.TranscriptoftheASLBHearing,June12,1972,IntheMatterofConsumersPowerComanMidlandPlantUnits1and2)DocketNos.50-329and50-330,pp.7822-7836.4.J.G.Asbury,"EffectsofThermalDischargeontheMass/EnergyBalanceofLakeMichigan,"ANL/ES-1,ArgonneNationalLaboratory,June1970.5."AReportonChemical,Biological,andPhysicalFindingsinLakeOntario,"U.S.Dept.oftheInterior,FederalWaterPollutionControlAdministration,GreatLakesRegion,RochesterProgramOffice,Rochester,N.Y.,December1967.
11-1ll.DISCUSSIONOFCOMMENTSRECEIVEDONTHEDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTPursuanttoparagraphsAe6'andD.lofAppendixDto10CFR50,theDraftEnvironmentalStatement(DES)ofJulywastransmitted,witharequestforcomment,to:FederalAenciesAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservationDepartmentofAgricultureDepartmentoftheArmy,CorpsofEngineersDepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopmentDepartmentoftheInteriorDepartmentofTransportationEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyFederalPowerCommissionNewYorkStateenciesAtomicEnergyCouncilDepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentofPublicServiceLocalenciesOswegoCountyDepartmentofPlanningInaddition,theAECrequestedcommentsontheDraftEnvironmentalState-mentfrominterestedpersonsbyanoticepnblishedintheFederal~ReinteronJuly3,1973(3&FR17758).Commentsinresponsetotherequestsreferredtoabovewerereceivedfrom:AdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservationDepartmentofAgricultureDepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareDepartmentoftheInteriorDepartmentofTransportationEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyFederalPowerCommissionNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation 11-2AendixAreproducesthecommentsreceived.TheApplicant'sresponsesppenftothecommentsarecontainedinAppendicesBandC.TheStaffscon-siderationofthesecommentsandthedispositionoftheissuesinvolvedarereflectedinpartbyrevisedtextinothersectionsofthisState-mentandinpartbythefollowingdiscussion.11.1GENERALCONSIDERATIONS11.1.1RecommendationtoNotGrantaFullTermLicense(Commerce,A-8;NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,DEC,A-18,EPASA-42)Thesecommentssuggestthattheaquaticmonitoringprogram.becompletedandanassessmentmadeoftheimpactofplantoperationonthebiotaofLakeOntario,priortotheCommissiongrantingafulltermlicense.~Resonse:NEPAdoesnotrequirethepostponementofdecisiononapro-posedactionuntilatimewhenitiscertainwhattheenvironmentalimpactwillbe.Courtshaverecognizedthatinsomecases,decisionscanproperlybemadeeventhoughsomeenvironmentalstudiesremaintobecompleted."ItistheStaff'sviewthattheobservedimpactduetoabout"fouryears'pera-tionofUnit1ontheaquaticbiotaofLakeOntarioisnotsignificantexceptforthefishimpingementproblem,thesignificanceofwhichontheLakebiotaisnotatallcertain.Moreover,thedecisionhereisthelimitedonethatthefulltermlicensebegranted'withthe.conditionthattheupgradedcomprehensiveaquaticmonitoringprogrambeimplementedandcontinueduntilacompleteassessmentcanbemadeandthatmodificationoftheexistingintake,and/ordevelopmentandimplementationofother'reventivemethodswillberequiredifasignificantimpactisobserved.11.1.2ReionalAssessment(Commerce,A-2)AcommentwasmaderelativetotheStaff'sevaluationthattheplant'soperationwillhavenosignificantimpactonthebiotainLakeOntario.Theobjectionraisedwasthatthis,typeoflake-wideapproachfailstoadequatelyconsiderallthepointsourcesofwasteheatthatshouldbeincludedintheevaluationifthelakeasawholeisusedastheunitofmeasurementofsignificantimpact.~Resonse:TheStaffconcursfully,withthecommentthatanoverallevaluationshouldtakeintoconsiderationallpointsourcesofwasteheatonthelake.IntheStaff'sopinionsucharegionalassessment'"ismostdesirableforlongtermplanning.However,procedural,man-powerandeconomicrestraintsdonotpermitsuchanoverallregionalassessment.TheStafffurtheragreesthattthedataprocuredundertheInternationalFieldYearfortheGreatLakes(IFYGL)willbeimmenselyhelpfulifandwhensuchanoverallregionalassessmentisundertakenforLakeOntario.
11-3Duetolackoffacilitiestoprovideanoveralllake-wideregionalas'sessment,theStaffreliesonthepremisethatifadverseeffectscannotbedetectedinthevicinityoftheStation,itisunlikelythatalake-widemonitoringprogramwillyieldanysignificantinformation,forinallprobability,adverseeffectsareexpectedtodiminishinintensitywithincreaseindistancefromthesite.11.1.3GeothermalEnerSources(FPC,A-61)Thecommentrequesteddiscussionofgeothermalenergyasanalternateenergysource.~Resonse:Theapplicanthasindicated(BeeAppendixB,pageB-113)thattheonlywarmwaterspringlistedfortheStateofNewYorkisaspringatLebanon,NewYork.Thishasatemperatureofonly76Fwhichisunsuitableforsteamproduction.11.1.4ToorahandGeolo(Interior,A-65;DEC,A-25)'hiscommentstatesthatthesectionontopographyandgeologyisinadequateforanindependentassessmentofhowthesemajorelementsoftheenvironmentrelatetoUnit1.Anothercomment'uggestedabriefdescriptionofthebedrock"pop-up"phenomenonbeincludedinthissection.~Resonse:Topographical,geologicalandseismologicalconsiderationsinlicensingactionsareprincipallymattersconcerningsafety.ThesearesummarizedintheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,andwillbefullyevaluatedinthecourseofthestaff'ssafetyevaluation.ItisnotthepolicyoftheAECtorepeatthesediscussionsintheEnvironmentalStatementingreaterdetailthanispresentlypresented.Adescriptionofthebedrock"pop-up"phenomenoniscontainedonp.C4ofAppendixIoftheUnit2PreliminarySafetyAnalysisReport.11.2AuaticEffects11.2.1FishEcho-SounderSurve(Commerce,A-5)ArequestwasmadeformoreinformationconcerningthetypeoffathometerusedbytheApplicantintheechosoundersurveyanditscapabilitiesfordetectingvariousstagesoffishlifehistory.~Resonse:TheinstrumentusedisaRosspathometer(fineline200-A)witha7-1/2"conical'ransducer.TheApplicantisnotabletodetect 11-4larvalfishwiththisinstrument.Xtispossibletodetectyoung-of-the-yearfishthataregreaterthan6"length;however,specificsizeanalysiscannotbedonewithanydegreeofconfidence.11.2.2Phtolankton(Commerce,A-6)Arequestwasmadeformoreinformationconcerningthesamplingequip-mentusedtocollectfisheggsandlarvae.Theeffectivenessofthevarioustypesofsamplingmethodsandequipmentshouldbeevaluatedanddiscussed.~Resense:TheApp1icenthessupplied(AppendixB,p.B-13)thefo11owinginformation:During1973,samplingforfisheggsandlarvaewasbegunonalimitedscaleinMarchandApril,continuedmoreextensivelyinMay,andestablishedonanintensivebasisfromJuneandsubsequently.Theprogramwillberunatthisfinallevelthrough1974.Thesamplinglocationpatternfinallyarrivedatisasfollows.Samplesarecollectedatthesurface,mid-depthandbottom,atfivestationsineachofthethreeareasdefinedbyradiiof1/2mile,1mileand3milesfromtheNineMilePointplant.Thestationsare'.s1/2MileRadiusStation1-Station2-,Station3-Station4-Station5-In20ftofwateront'ewestIn40ftofwateronthewestIn60ftofwaterofftheplantIn40ftofwaterontheeast"In20ftofwaterontheeast1MileRadiusStation1-InStation2-InStation3-InStation4-InStation5-In20ftofwateronthewest40ftofwateronthewestSOftofwaterofftheplant40ftofwaterontheeast20ftofwaterontheeast3MileRadiusStation1-InStation2-,XnStation3-XnStation4-InStation5-In20ftofwateronthewest40ftofwateronthewest100ftofwateroffthepl'ant40ftofwaterontheeast20ftofwaterontheeast 11-5Collectionsaremadeonaweeklybasis,duringtheday,fromMaythroughDecemberand'duringbothdayandnightfrommid-Junethroughmid-September.Samplesarecollectedbytowinga1.0meterdiameterHensentypeplanktonnetof/30mesh(570uaperture)withanattachedTSKflowmeter.Durationofthetowis5minutes,timedwithastopwatch,coveringapproximatelyadistanceof0.2mileat2.mph.Thenetistowedwitha200'ineandiskeptinposition(atdepth)byasystemoffloatlinesand'depressors.Itishauledontotheboat,thebucketiswashedan'demptiedintoacollectioncontainer,andthesampleispreservedandlabeled.Anattemptismadetoestimateviabilityofcapturedorganisms,i.e.,fishlarvaebydirectobservationontheboatuntilsuchtimethatavitalstaincanbeemployed.N11.2.3Maturation'ofYellowPerch(Commerce,A-7;Interior,A-66}Commentsweremaderegardingthepossibilitythatyellowperchremaininginorneartheheateddischargeplumewouldnotreceivethesixmonthsexposureat39'Forbelowwhichisnecessaryformaturation.~Resonse:Althoughperchduringwinterwillprobablybeattractedtothethermalplumewhenplumetemperaturesarenearertothepreferredtemperature,thevolumeofwaterabove39'Fwouldbeverysmallandwouldnotprovideahabitatforyellowperchinnumbersthatwouldsignificantlyinfluencethespawningsuccessoftheyellowperchpopulation.11.2e4PonarDredeforBenthicStudies',(Commerce,A-8)NAcommentwasmadeconcerningthepossibleuseofaPonardredgeinthebenthicstudy.~Resones:TheApplicant'sresponsefromAppendixB,Page3-23isasfollows;Threedifferentbenthicdredgeswereevaluatedforthisprogram;namelyPeterson,PonarandEckman.ThebottomofLakeOntario,inthisarea,iscomposedofslabsofsedimentaryrock,largelyexposed.Benthosthickness,whereitoccurs,isnomorethananinchortwo.Dredges,ofwhateverdesign,havelimitedusehere,andbenthossamplingforthisprogramisperformedbymeansofapumpdevice.Thisisusedto"vacuumclean"anareaoftheLakebottom15inchesindiameter,thematerialsoremovedbeingdischargedintoanetcarriedintheboatonthesurf.
11-611.2.5FishIinement(DEC,A-20)Acommentwasmadeimplyingthataconsiderableportionoftheimpingedfishescomeoffthetravelingscreensaliveandthataseparatechannelshouldbeconstructedtoreturn-theselivefishtothelakeasanimprovementoverthecurrentlyusedsystemwherebyfishareroutedtothedischargewellinheatedwaterwheretheyarenotlikelytosurvive.~Resonce:TheStaffagreeswiththeproposal;howevert,hedataavailabledonotsubstantiatethecontentionthatconsiderablenumber*ofimpingedfishescomeoffthescreensalive..Iffuturedataindicatetheneedforaseparatechannelforreturningfishtolake,theApplicantwillbere-quiredtobuildsuchachannel.11.2.6RecirculationofIntakeCoolinMater(Interior,A-64)Acommentsuggestedthatbecauseofthelocationoftheintakeanddischargefacilities,recirculationoftheheatedeffluentatUnit1islikelytooccur.~Resonse:Therelativelydeeper(15ft)locationoftheintakeascomparedtothedischarge(10ft)andbuoyantnatureofthethermalplumeduringgreaterpartoftheyearmaketheprobabilityofrecircu-lationextremelylow.TheApplicant'sdataalsodonotsuggestanyrecirculation.11.2.7MechanicalDamaefromEntrainment(EPA,A-53;DEC,A-38)Acommentwasdirectedtowardsdiscussingthemechanicaldamagetoentrainedorganismsinadditiontothermaldamagetomoreaccuratelydeterminethelossofbiotaasthemechanicalstressmaybemoreharmfulthanthethermalstress.~Resonse:Inevaluatingthesignificanceoftheentrainmenteffect,theStaffassumedlOOXmortalityofallentrainedorganisms.Therefore,amoredetailedassessmentofmechanicaldamageto.entrainedorganismsisnotrequired.11.2.8EntrainmentDamaeSimulationStudies(EPA,A-53;DEC,.A-37)Thiscommentsuggestedtheuseofsimulatedstudiesonmechanical.damagetoentrainedbiota.~Resonce:TheStaffbelieves.thatnosimulationstudiesonthisparticularaspectcansimulateactualdamage.IntheStaff'sopinionthebestwaytostudythemechanicaldamageistoconductstudieswhenthepumpsareoperatingbutthereactorisnotoperating.Themechanicaldamagethusdeterminedcanthenbesuperimposedonthermaldamageassessmentfromfieldandlaboratorystudies.
11-711.2e9FishRelacementCosts(Interior,A-72)Acommentsuggestedthattheeconomicorreplacementcostoffishbeusedforassessing'theenvironmentalcosts.~Resense:Becausenomethodofmonetizingenvitonmentaldamagesuchasfishkillsisgenerallyacceptabletotheconcernedpublic,theStaffbelievesthattheassignmentofmonetaryvalueswillusuallygenerateuse-lesscontroversywithoutmateriallyilluminatingtheissuesinquestion.Howeverestimated,themonetarycostsobtainedareusually.notlargeincomparisonwiththemajorcostcomponents.Forexample,applyingthePol-lutionCommitteevaluestoanannualplant-associatedmortalityrateof1million4-incha3.ewiveswouldindicateanannualchargeof$25,000.Forcomparison,theestimatedtotalannualplantcost(amortization,'uel,maintenance)is$28millionasgiveninTable10.1.11.3WATERQUALITY11.3.1PhoshorusConcentrations(HEW,A-14;EPA,A-56)AquestionwasraisedastothepossibleconsequencesofnotmeetingtheMFWQAcriteriaforphosphateinputtoLakeOntario.~Resonse:UsingthemethodofCsanady,tthecentetlineplumephosphateconcentrationwascalculatedtobe0.05mg/1atadistanceabout1.3metersdownstreamofacontinuousinputofphosphatecorrespondingto12mg/1inasewagestreamof3880gal/day.ThisisthegreatestdistancefromthepointofadditionofthesewagetothelakethatMinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteria(seeSection5.2.4)mightbeexceededduringtypicalmaximumaveragesewageflow,sincetheconcentrationdecreaseswithdis-tanceawayfromtheplumecenterlinebothhorizontallyandvertically.ItisconcludedthataphosphateplumeofthissizeorsmallerinLakeOntariowillhavenodiscernibleeffect.11.3.2CoolinWaterDischare(HEW,A-13;EPA,A-46;Interior,A-68)ThesecommentsanticipatethattheUnit1thermaldischargewillbeinvio-lationofarevisiontoFederal-StatestandardsnowpendingundertheFWPCAandprobablywouldfailtomeettheeffluentlimitationsguidelines,oncepromulgated.ItalsodeclaresthattheApplicantshouldevaluatealterna-tiveheatdiss'ipationsystems,takingintoaccounttherelationshipofwasteheateffectsfromUnit2andFitzPatrickaswellasUnit1.
11-8~Resonse:TheWTSstandardsmentionedabovehavenotbeenfederally-approved.Insuchacase,theStaffiscommitted,underitsInterimPolicyStatementofImplementationofFWPCAof1972,toapplyitsownJudgement.Accordingly,theStaffhasevaluatedtheenvironmentalimpactofdischargingwasteheatfromUnit1intoLakeOntarioviatheplantcirculatingwater.Thefindingisthat"theStaffdoesnotexpectthatthethermaldischargewillhav'easignificantdeleteriouseffectontheaquaticbiota"(thisdocument,Section5.5.2).Underthecircumstances,ithasnotseemedpropertorequiretheApplicanttochangethemethodofwasteheatdissipation(Section9,2.1,).ItispossiblethatitwillbecomelegallymandatorythatthewasteheatdissipationsystemforUnit1bechanged.Inthatevent,responsebytheApplicantandpossiblybytheStaffisexpected.11.3.3TotalDissolvedSolids(EPA,A-56)TheEPAcommentedonthenon-compliancewithrequirementsfortotaldis-solvedsolids.~Resonse:Withrespecttoincreaseoftotaldissolvedsolids,theStaffhasnotonlyconcludedthat"nolake-wideeffectwillbediscernible,"butalsothat"nodetectableeffectoninshorewatersis.expected"(both.onp.5-6ofDES;alsoinSection5.2.3ofthisdocument).TheInternationalAgreementforWaterQualityoftheGreatLakeswithre-specttototaldissolvedsolids(TDS)iswrittensothatitisnotpos-sibletodeterminewhetherreplacingunchangedlakewaterwouldbeaviolationoftheintent(".~.shouldnotexceed200mg/1..."whentheTDS'ntheLakealreadyexceeds200mg/1).Itisalsoconsiderednotpossibletodeterminewhethertheadditionofsome4mg/1ofdissolvedsolidstotheUnit1circulatingwaterdischargeforaboutonepercentofthetime(SeeTable3.9)wouldbeaviolation.TheStaffhasaddressedthismatterinSection5.2.4.I11.3.4HeavMetalCorrosionProductsintheCoolinWater(Interior,A-66)ThiscommentsuggeststhatthepotentialenvironmentalimpactonLakeOntarioofheavymetalconcentratesinthecoolingwaterbediscussed,~Resonse:TheApplicanthasindicatedthefollowing(seeAppendixC,p.C-14).AnumberofLakeOntariowaterqualityparameterswasanalyzedinthevicinityofNineMilePointandintheUnit1coolingwaterdischargeduring1972.ThesedatawerepresentedinareportsubmittedtotheNewYorkState 11-9DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationinFebruary1973.(EffectofCirculatingWaterSystemsonLakeOntarioWaterTemperatureandAquaticBiology-NineMilePointUnit2,QLMProjectNo.191-9).eTheminimumandmaximumvaluesofsixsamplescollectedmonthlyduringtheperiodApriltoNovember1972(MayandOctoberexcluded)wereanalyzed'orheavymetals.(ThesevaluesarepresentedinthetableonpageC-15,AppendixC.)Evaluationofthesevaluesindicatesanegligiblecontribu-tionoftheplanttolakewaterconcentrationofheavymetals.11.4LIQUIDEFFLUENTS11.4.1DissolvedNobleGases(DEC,A-28)Thiscommentnotesthatdissolvednoblegasesarenotincludedinthestaff'sestimateofliquideffluentreleases.Thequantitiesandenviron-mentaleffectsofdissolvednoblegasesshouldbeincludedinlightoftheproposed5curiereleaselimitation.~Resonse:ThestaffhasassessedtheresultingdosefromdissolvednoblegasesinliquidreleasesfromBWR'saslessthan0.5mrem/yr.Weconsiderthisdoseratetobenegligible.11.4.2ComliancewithWASH-1258Conditions(DEC,A-29)ThiscommentisconcernedthattheconditionsofWASH-1258(NumericalGuidesforDesignObjectivesandLimitingConditionsforOperationtoMeettheCriteria"AsLowasPracticable"forRadioactive'aterialinLight-Water-CooledNuclearReactorEffluents)willnotbemetbytheupgradedradwastesystem.~Resense:WASH-1258isareviewofmanysystemsforproposedrulemakingandisnotmeanttobeaRegulatoryGuidefordesign.TheupgradedsystemdoesmeettheguidelinesofRegulatoryGuide1.42.11.4.3eratinLiuidEffluentReleases(DEC,,A-29;EPA,A-47)Thesecommentsareconcernedwiththefactthatactualoperatingexperiencehasresultedinhigherliquidreleasesthancalculatedbythestaffand,questiontheapplicabilityoftheAECstandardmodelforevaluatingtheliquidradwastesystemandthecontentionthattheupgradedliquidradwastereleaseswillmeettheALAPguidelines.~Resonse:TheAssumptionsusedin,thestandardAHCmodelarebasedonoperatingdatafromseveraloperatingreactors,includingNineMilePoint,Unit1.Consequently,theseparametersbestrepresentnuclearpowerreactor 11-10operatingexperienceaveragedoverthelifeoftheplant.Thus,theoperationofallsimilarplantscanbecompared.EquipmentleakageanddecontaminationwaterusageatUnit1havebeengreaterthantheexpectedforaplantofthistype.Correctiveactionincludestheupgradingof.theliquidradwastesystemtoincludeanewultrasonicresincleanerandanewliquidradwasteconcentratorunit.ActualreleasesofradioactivematerialstounrestrictedareaswillbecontrolledbyrevisedlimitsintheTechnicalSpecifications.whichwillconditiontheoperatinglicenseandwhichwillbeconsistentwiththeALAPguidelines.11.4.4DoseAssessmentforLiuidReleases(EPA,A-48)Thiscommentsuggestedthatextrapolationsfromtheexistingoperatingdataassociatedwithliquidreleasesbeusedforthedosecalculationsinordertopresentamorerealisticpictureoftheimpactofthisfacility.~Resonse:AtthetimethedosecalculationsfortheDEEwereperformedonly1971operatingdatawereavailable.However,inspectionof1972dataindicatesnovariationswhichwouldsignificantlychangetheStaff'sestimateoftheradiologicalenvironmentalimpactofUnit1.11.5SOLIDRADIOACTIVEWASTE11.5.1IsotoicBreakdownofSolidWaste(DEC,A-30;Interior,A-67}Thiscommentsuggested'thattheisotopicbreakdown,particularlythealphacontent,bepresentedinordertobetterevaluatethesolidwastedisposalproblem,demonstratethatthesewasteswillmeetburialcriteriaandidentifythelocationplannedforoffsiteburial.~Resonse:Themagenquantityofradioactivitywillbecontainedinwetsolidwasteswhichwillconsistmainlyofspentdemineralizerresins,filtersludges,andevaporatorbottoms.Veconsiderthatallwetsolid-wastewillbestoredonsitefor180dayspriortoshipment.Thisperiodofonsitestorageallowsshortlivedradionuclidestimefordecay.Drywasteswillconsistofventilationairfilters,contaminatedclothing,paperandmis-cellaneousitemssuchastoolsandlaboratoryglassware.Weassumethatthesewastesareshippedaspackagedandnotheldfordecay.Basedonevaluationofsimilartypereactorsanddatafromgeneratingplants,weestimategreaterthan90%oftheradioactivityassociatedwiththesolidwastewillbelong-livedfissionandcorrosionproducts,princi-pallyCs-134,Cs-137,Co-58,Ce-60,andPe-55'healphacontentofthesolidwasteisexpectedtobenegligible.
11-11Theoffsitelocationforburialhasnotbeenselected.However,itwillbeacommercialburialgroundwhich.hasbeenlicensedbytheAEC.11.5.20eratinandPredictedRadioactivitLevelsforSolidWastes(DEC,A-30)Thiscommentsuggestsadiscussionexplainingorindicatingthesignificanceofthestaff'sestimatefortheradioactivitybeingapproximately10timeshigherthanactualexperienceatUnit1forapproximatelythesamevolumeofsolidwaste.~Resonse:TheStaffisoftheopinionthatitistooearlyinthelifeofthisplantfortheoperatingdatatoreflecttheaveragecuriecontentofthesolidradwasteexpectedtobegeneratedoverthe40-yearlifeoftheplant.TheStaffisintheprocessofreevaluatingitsmodelinlightofmorerecentdatafromoperatingBWR's.11.5.3OffsiteDisosalofSolidRadioactiveWaste(Interior,A-67)Thiscommentindicatedthattheenvironmentalstatementshouldconsideranevaluationofthesolidradioactivewastedisposalsite,includinglicensingprovisions,criteria,andresponsibilities.Specificconcernsincludehydrogeologicsuitability,surveillanceandmonitoring,andremedial/regulatoryactionsthatmightberequired.~Resonse:TheconcernsexpressedinthiscommentareappropriatelyaddressedintheAECdocument"EnvironmentalSurveyoftheNuclearFuelCycle."Asnotedinthatdocument,theenvironmentaleffectsoftheentireuraniumfuelcyclewith-regardtoanindividualreactoraresmall.Further,thepotentialforanysignificanteffectfromthedisposalofsolidradioactivewastesfromareactorisextremelylimiteddueto(1)thesmallquantityofradioactivitycontainedinthewastes,and(2)thecaretakeninestablishingand'onitoringcommerciallandburialfacilities.CommerciallandburialfacilitiesmustbelocatedonlandwhichisownedbyastateortheFederalgovernment,andafterradioactivewastesareburiedatasitethelandmustnotbeusedforanyotherpurpose.Authori-sationtooperateacommerciallandburialfacilityisbasedonananalysisofnatureandlocationofpotentiallyaffectedfacilitiesandofthesitetopographic,geographic,meteorological,andhydrologicalcharacteristics;whichmustdemonstratethatburiedradioactivewastewillnotmigratefromthesite.Environmentalmonitoringincludessamplingofair,waterandvegetationtodeterminemigration,ifany,ofradioactivematerialfromtheactuallocationofburial.Todate,therehavebeennoreportsofmigra-tionofradioactivityfromcommercialburialsites.Intheeventthat 11-12migrationweretooccur,plansforarrestinganydetectedmigrationhavebeendeveloped.Onthebasisof"thegeneralenvironmentalconsiderationsofburialsitesnowdeveloped,thewiderang'eofwastesthatcanbeburied,andtheobservationthatanapplicantisnotrestrictedtoaspecificburialsite,thestaffbelievesthat,adetaileddiscussionofsolidradio-activewastedisposalsitesisinappropriatetoanenvironmentalstatementforanyonenuclearpowerplantfacility.11.6ENVIRONMENTALMONITORINGPROGRAMS11.6.1RadioloicalMonitorinProram(Commerce,A-8)ThiscommentsuggestedthatalistoforganismstypicallysampledandsubjectedtoradioanalysisshouldbepresentedintheFinalEnvironmentalStatement.~Resones:AlistoforganismstypicallysampledandanalyzedispresentedinTable6.1.11.6.2IlementationoftheRevisedComrehensiveAuaticMonitorin~proram(DEDtA-22)AcommentwasmaderegardingimplementationoftheApplicant'sintensiveecologicalmonitoringprogramsothatredesignoftheintakesystem,ifrequired,canbeaccomplishedwithappropriatedispatch.~Resonse:TheStaffrecognizestheurgencyfordatacollectionandevalua-tionsothatredesignoftheintakesystem,ifnecessary,maybeac-complishedwithminimumpossibledelay.AsdiscussedinSection6.1,theApplicantbegancollectingdatainMarch1973fortheGeneralEcologicalSurveyandJune1973fortheImpingementandEntrainmentportionsoftheprogram.11.6.3ThermalMonitorinTechniues.(Interior,A-71)ThiscommentsuggeststhatthethermalmonitoringprogrambemodifiedtoincludetechniquesdevelopedinconjunctionwiththeSurryNuclearPowerStation(A-71).
11-13~Resonse:ArevisedmonitoringprogramisincludedintheTEEandisde-signedtodetectchangesin-LakeOntarioecosysteminthevfcinftyofthisstation.11.6e4AtmoshericDisersionPactor(CommercepA-10}Thiscommentdesiresanexplanationofthedifferencebetweenthehighestoffsiteannualaverageconcentrationfactorcomputedin1967'ndthevalue'resentedintheDES.~Resonse:Thedifferencebetweenthehighest,offsite,annualaveragecon-centrationcomputedin1967(5x10gsec.m3)andthatpresentedintheDES(1.9x10"sec.m3)canbeattributedtodifferentstratificationofthemeteorologicaldatausedandtodifferentplumeriseformulas.Initsevaluation,thestaffusedthemeteorologicaldatapresentedintheNineM.lePointUnit2PSAR.Althoughbasicallythesameasthedatapre-sentedintheUnit1docket,thejointfrequencydistributionsofwindspeedanddirectionbystabilitywerefurnishedstratifiedintosevenPasquill'stabilityclasses(A-G)basedontemperaturedifferences(delta-T)betweentwolevelsonthetower.Thedatausedin1967hadonlyfourstabilityclasseswhichwerebasedontheBrookhaventurbulenceclassifi-cation(classesI-IV).Thestaffdeterminedtheplumeriseabovethestack'topusingequationsdevelopedbyBriggs,whilein1967,theplumerisewasestimatedbyusinganequationattributedtoHollandwithacorrectionofafactorofthree.ThestaffbelievesthatthevaluepresentedintheDEShasbeendeterminedinaccordancewithpresentpracticewithintheAECRegulatorystaff.11.6.5Useof0eratinDatatoAssessEnvironmentalImact(Commerce,A-3;HEW,A-13'PA,A-51)Thesecommentsindicatedthatactualmeasurementsratherthanestimatesshouldhavebeenusedinassessingtheenvironmentalimpactoftheplantsinceithadstartedoperationsin1969.~Rsaense:Althoughtheplantcommencedoperationin1969~theApplicantdidnotanticipatethedatarequirementsforareasonableenvironmentalimpactassessment.TheApplicanthasbeeninformedof,theseinadequaciesinexistingdataandunderthelicensingconditions,theApplicantwillcollectdatasuch.thatactualenvironmentaldamagemayberecorded.How-ever,duetola'ck,ofthesedataatthetimeofassessment,theStaffhasreXiedtonconservativeestimatesofdamagetobiotatoarriveatareason-<<ableassessment.
11-1411.7TRANSMISSIONLINES11.7.1TransmissionLineSoundLevels(DEC,A-32)Thiscommentrequeststhatdataonthesoundlevelsproducedbythe345-kVandanticipatedbytheplanned765-kVtransmissionlinesbediscussed.Plansfortheadditionofhighervoltagelinesandtheresultingpotentialforincreasedsoundlevelsshouldalsobeaddressed.~Resonce:TheApplicanthasstated(seeAppendixB,p.B-86)thefollosing:tTheApplicanthasa765-kVtransmissionline(presentlyoperatedat345-kV)inservice.Togainabetterunderstandingoftheaudiblenoisewhichthebundlearrangementandconductorselectionforthiscircuitwouldgive,ApplicantretainedtheprofessionalservicesofAcresAmerican,Inc.,Bolt,BeranekandNewmanofCambridge,Massachusetts,consultantsinthefieldofaudiblenoisephenomena,andWestinghouseElectricCorporationtostudyaudiblenoiseonhighvoltagetransmissionlines.WestinghouseElectricCorporationconductedaudiblenoisemeasurementsindoorsattheTraffordHighVoltageLaboratoryandfieldmeasurementsatthe750-kVprojectatAppleGrove,WestVirginia.However,therewaslittlevalidagreementbetweenlaboratoryandfielddatabecauseacousticalmeasurementsinanindoorlaboratory'areaffectedbytheenclosure.ThemeasurementsmadebyBolt,BeranekandNewman(BB6N)wereconductedduringtwooccasionsnearQuebecCity,Canada,whereHydroQuebecoperatesa735-kVtransmissionlinewhichhasafour(4)conductorbundleconfigura-tionwith1.38inchdiameterconductorandafiftyfootphasespacing.Thisarrangementissimilartoour765-kVconductorsizeandbundlearrange-ment,andthuswasidealforaudiblenoisemeasurements.Measurementsweretakendirectlybeneaththemid-spanoftheconductorsandatvariousdis-tancesfromtheouterphase.Duringfairweathertheaudiblenoisefromthetransmissionlinewaslowerthanthebackgroundnoisefrominsectsandothersourcessothatreadingsweredifficulttoobtain.Bolt,BeranekandNewman'avemadeupcategoryclassificationandNoiseCriterioncurves(SeeAppendixB,Fig.1,p.B-89andTableI,p.B-90).ThisfamilyofNoiseCriterion(NC)curveshasbeenusedinnoisecontrolworkforoverfifteenyearsfordesignandevaluationofexistingnoiseconditions.Thesecurvesaccuratelycorrelatethesubjectiveresponseoftheaveragehumaneartoacousticleyelsatvariousfrequenciesandinten-sitiesasmeasuredbyinstrumentation.Thus,thelowercurvescandescribe 11-15noiselevelsthatareconsideredquietenoughforrestingorsleepingorforexcellentlisteningconditionsinconcerthallsorauditoriums,whiletheuppercurvescandescribenoisyworkareas.ForaquietorruralcommunityareatheNC-20NoiseCriterionisnormallyappliedfornighttimeindoorconditions;butincityareas,orinapartments,dormitories,ormotelsforsleepingareas,anNC-30NoiseCriterionisnormallyused.Figure1demonstrateshowthenoisefitstheNoiseCriterioncurvesatseveraldistancesfromtheouterphase.Thisshowsthatonlyhousesatabout200feetfromtheouterphasewouldbesub)ectedtothelownoiselevel(NC-25toNC-30).Thislownoiselevelwouldbeheardonlyindampweather,withwindowsnearestthelineopen,andwithalowambientnoiselevel(includingthemaskingofrainnoise).1Whenthesystemisenergizedto765-kVtheApplicantwilltestforaudiblenoiseandevaluatefeasiblemethodsofnoisereductionifrequired.AtthisdatetheApplicantdoesnotintendtoinstallanyhighvoltagelinesgreaterthan765-kV.11.7.2UtilizationofTransmissionLineRiht-of-Wa(DEC,A-31)Thiscommentquestionstheproposedfuture345-kVtransmtssionlinetobeinstalledintheexisting500<<footright-of-waybecauseApplicant'stesti-mony(Garcy,NYSPublicServiceCommissionCase26251,TrPageSm4657ofJanuary26,1973),andtheFinalEnvironmentalStatementforUnit2notethattheproposedfuturetransmissionlineis765-kV.~Resonse:TheApplicantindicated(seeAppendda8,p.B-83)thatthefuture345-kVtransmissionlinementionedinSection3.8,page3-35oftheUnit1DEScouldextendfromanewVolneyStationsouthtotheSyracusearea.TheVolneyStationwillbelocatedapproximatelyninemilessouthfromNineMilePointononeoftheexisting345>>kVNineMilePoint-Claytransmissioncircuits.The765-kVtransmissionlinementionedbyGarcycouldextendfromNineMilePointtoVolney,11.7.3OzoneProductionFromHihVoltaeTransmissionLine(EPA,A-56)ThiscommentsuggestedthatinformationbeprovidedintheFinalStatementrelatedtotheimpactofthehighvoltagetransmissionlineozonepro-ductionrateanditspotentialenvironmentalimpacts.~Resonse:Thegenerationofozoneasaresultofcoronageneratedbytrans-missionlineshasrecentlybeenexperimentallyinvestigatedinthelabora-toryandfield.pTheseinvestigationsindicatethat,fortransmission 11-16linesupto765kV,themaximumgroundlevelozoneconcentrationwillbewellbelowfederalstandards.TheNationalPrimaryAirQualityStandardforphotochemicaloxidants,asissuedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,is0.08ppmbyvolumeforaone-hourconcentration,nottobeexceededonceperyear.Laboratorystudieshaveindicatedthat0.0193ppmbyvolumeoftotaloxidantsmightbeexpectedatgroundlevel.Fieldstudieswithequipmentsensitiveto0.002ppmbyvolumeindicatednomeasurableoxidantsateithergroundortransmissionlinewirelevel.Basedontheseandotherdata,theStaffanticipatesnoadverseenvironmentaleffectsasaresultofozonecreatedbythehi'ghvoltagetransmissionlines.11.7.4TransmissionLineInteractionwithRailroadSials(DOT,A-11)Thiscommentindicatedthatthecurrentsinducedfromhighvoltagetrans-missionlinesmaycauseproblemswithrailroadsignalsystemsandwiththerollingstock.~Resones:TheApplicantindicated(seeAppendixB,pageB-40)thatapropercontactwithappropriaterailroadownerswillbemadeandthatifthepossibilityofexcessivevoltagesisindicated,correctiveactionwillbetakentoprecludethepossibilityofhazard.11.8REACTORACCIDENTS11.8.1AccidentProbabilities(EPA,A-49)AcommentwasmadebyEPAconcerningtheanalysisoftheprobabilitiesofoccurrenceoftheclassesofaccidentsdiscussedinSection7.1.'Resones:Section7p.l,hasbeenchangedtorespondtothisconcern.11.8.2PostulatedPlantAccidentsInvolvinLiuidReleases(Interior,A-71)sThecommentindicatesthattheenvironmentaleffectsofreleasestowaterislacking.ManyofthepostulatedaccidentslistedinTables7.1and7.2couldresultinreleasestoLakeOntarioandshouldbeevaluated.h~Resones:potentia1re1easestoLakeOntarioareaddressedinFootnote1toTable7.2whichstatesthefollowing."Thedosescalculatedasconsequencesofthepostulatedaccidentsarebasedonairbornetransportofradioactivematerialsresultinginbothadirectandaninhalationdose.Ourevaluationoftheaccidentdosesassumes,thattheApplicant's.EnvironmentalMonitoringProgramandappropriateadditionalmonitoring(whichcouldbeinitiated-subsequenttoanincidentdetectedbyin-plantmonitoring)woulddetectthepresenceofradioactivityintheenvironment'natimelymannersuchthatremedialactioncouldbetakenifnecessarytolimitexposurefromotherpotentialpathwaystoman."
11-17ll.9ALTERNATIVES11.9.1CoolinTowerNoiseLevels(DEC,A-40).ThiscommentrequestsadditionaldiscussionoftheApplicant'sstudyoftheincreasedsoundlevelassociatedwithforcedandnaturaldraftcool-ingtowers.~Resones:TheApp1icantindicated(seeAppendixB,p.B-ill)thatthestudyresultsdeterminedthatnoresidences,schools,orhospitalswouldreceiveasoundlevelgreaterthan65dbA.Tenresidenceswouldbewithinthe45to65dbArangewithaneutraldraftcoolingtowerandfortyresidenceswould.bewithinthisrangewithamechanicaldraftcoolingtower.Itshouldbenotedthattheestimatesusedtodeterminethesoundlevelcontoursareconservativeanddonotincludeattenuationfromtrees,terrain,ormeteorologicalconditionswhichwouldreducetheoffsitenoise.11.9.2EstimatedEmissionuantitiesfromOilandCoalFiredPlants(Interior,A-72)AcommenttookissuewiththeStaff'sexpectedemissionsofcarbon'monoxideandhydrocarbonsfromoilfiredandcoalfixedplants.~Resonsa:Theemissiondatagivenonpage9-4(carbonmonoxide,a1dehydes,hydrocarbons)isbasedonthebestdataavailabletotheStaff,thatoftheEPApublicationreferenced.Theestimatedemissionsareactuallyquitesmallrelativetothema)oremissionsofthehypothesizedfossil-fueledplants,namelycarbondioxideand(fortheoil-firedplant)watervapor.Forexample,atfullpowerthecoal-firedplantwouldemitabout45millionpoundsperdayofcarbondioxidesothattheestimated/dioxideratioisonly.01%(mass)or.017%(atom).11.10LocationofPrincialChanesinthisStatementinResonsetoCommentsToicCommentedUon~Aen~cSectionWhereToicisAddressedCombinedEffectsofUnit1,Unit2andFitzPatrickPlants.Commerce,A-2,6,7HEW,A-12DEC,A-23EPA,A-54Interior,A-68Forward 11-18ToicCommentedUon~AeecSectionWhereToicisAddr'essedStatusofReviewsandApprovalsLakeWaterHydrologyDEC,A-25DEC,A-26Interior,A-652.5.2AquaticEcologyPowerRatingHeatDissipationSystemIntakeStructureInterior,A-65DEC$A-24,26DEC,A-26Commerce,A-6DEC$A-27$282.7.23.23.43.4.1DischargeStructureNuclideSymbolsDEC,A-28DEC,A-24,29,303.4.23.5.1.63.5.2.2.UpgradedLiquidRadwasteSystemDiagramUpgradedGaseousWasteTreatmentSystemConstructionEffects:StationSiteDEC,A-27DEC$A-30Agriculture,A-16DEC,A-313.5.1.23.5.1.43.5.2.13.5.2.24.1.1ConstructionEffects:TransmissionLinesDEC>A-324.1.2HerbicidalMaintenanceofTransmissionLinesAgriculture,A-16,17DEC,A-32Interior,A-695.1-2 11-19ToicCommentedUon~AcneSectionWhereToicisAddressedCompliancewithWaterQualityStandardsIntakeEffectsonAquaticEnvironmentHEW,A-13Interior,A-68EPA1A-54Commerce,A-7DEC,A-20,37Interior,A-695.2.45.5.2.aThermalDischargeEffectsCommerce,A-7,85.5.2.cDEC%A-38Interior,A-70CommunityEffectsAquaticMonitoringProgramDEC,A-23Commerce,A-8DEC,A-22,24,38Interior,A-70EPA,A-535.66.1TerrestrialMonitoringProgramReactorAccidentsDEC,A-24EPA,A-496.47~
11-20REFERENCES1.Csanady,G.T.,"DispersalofEffluentsintheGreatLakes,"WaterResearch,4,79-114(1970).Inpa'rticular,seepages106-107.2.Scherer,H.N.,Jr.,B.J.Ware,C.H.Shih(1972).GaseousEffluentsDuetoEHVTransmissionLineCorona.PreprintofPaperpresentedattheIEEEPESSummerMeeting,SanFrancisco,California,July9-14,1972.3.Frydman,M,A.Levy,S.E.Miller(1972).OxidantMeasurementsintheVicinityofEnergized765-kVLines.PreprintofpaperpresentedattheIEEEPESSummerMeeting,SanFrancisco,California,July9-14,1972.
APPENDIXACOMMENTSONDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENT OFFICEOFTHEASSISTANTSECRETARYOFCOMMERCEWashington,O.C.2023050-220August8,l973Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistant'DirectorforEnvironmentalProjectsDirectorateofLicensingU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionNashington,D.C.20545
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
Thedraftenvironmentalimpact,statementforNineMilePointhuclearStation,Unit1,whichaccompaniedyourletterofJuly5,1973,'Viae"Seenreceivedbyt'e'Depart-mentofCommercefor-reviewandcomment.Thestatementhasbeenreviewedandthe-followingcommentsareofferedforyourconsideration.GeneralCommentsIntheSummaryandConclusionssection,aswellasinthemain.text,thestaffconcludesthatthe'lant'soperationwillhavenosignificantimpactonthebiotainLakeOntario.Thistypeoflakewideapproachfailstoadequatelyconsiderallthepoint'ourcesof~zasteheatthatshouldbe'includedintheevaluationifthelakeas.awholeisusedastheunitofmeasurementofsignificantimpact.Inaddition,thestatementshouldincludeadiscussionoftheplumeinter-actionwith'vineQ.lePointUnit.2,and'thenearbyJamesA.PitzpatrickNuclearPowerPlant.Secondly,consultationwitnappropriateStateandPederalagenciesshouldbeincludedinthedesignofthecomprehensiveenvironmental'monitoringprogam..Theseagenciesshouldalsobeinvolvedintheevaluationoftheinformationcollected.
A-3-2Sincethisplanthapbeenoperatingunderaprovisionallicensesince1969,actualmeasurements,ratherthanestimates,ofenvironmentalimpacthavebeenpossible.Thisgreatlyincreasestheconfidenceonecanplaceintheconclusions.Fromourpointofview,thestatementissatisfactorywithregardtoconsiderationofthissinglepowerstation'simpactontheenvironment.Itappears,forexample,thatthethermaleffectonthelakewillbenegligible.Butwhataboutthebigpicture?Howmanyplantsofthistypecanbeconstructedbeforethecumulativeeffectisnolonger'egligible?Weshouldnotcon-sidereachcaseas.aseparateproblem.TheNational.OceanicandAtmosphericAdministration'sInternationalFieldYear-fortheGreatLakesProjectOfficerecentlycompletedanextensivestudyofLakeOntarioandtheycanprovideinputtothismpectoftheimpactstatement.Section2.7.2AuaticEcoloo~dddd.d'd"p'd'dd,ofLakeOnt:ario,thefishproductionisratherlow."AlthoughfishproductionispresentlylowforalakewiththeproductivecapacityofLakeOntario,thesituationmaybe'alteredinthenearfuture.TheGreatLakesFisheryCommissiontreatedalllampreyspawningstreamslastyear,andtheCanadianstreamsandseveralkeystreamsinU.S.watersagainthisyear.Moreover,fisherymanagementagenciesinNewYorkandOntariohavebeenplantingsalmonidspeciesinLakeOntario,andtheseagencies-plantointensifythisactivityinyearstocome.SincetheforagebaseinLakeOntarioisasgoodorbetterthanthatinLakeMichiganwhentheLake'ssalmonstockingprogramwasbegunin1965,itisexpectedthatthefisherywhichwoulddevelopinLakeOntariowillbeequallyasgood.NewYorkhasplantedsalmonidsintheSalmonRiver(10mileseast)andt:heLittleSalmonRivex(6mileseast).Bothriversarecloseenoughtotheplantsitethatthefishleavingand.returningtothemcouldconceivablypasstheintakeanddischargeoftheNineMilePoj.ntNuclearStation.Withregardtotheassertionthatthereasonthealewifehasflourishedisthatlargepredatorshavenotbeenpresent,itisnowthoughtthatthepopulation'ofalewife,anearlycolonist A-4ofthelake,stabilizedpriortothedeclineofthelargepreda-tors..Thisrecenttheoryissupportedbytheresurgenceofpremiumfishstocks-'inthe"1920'sand'newspaperreportsduringthesameeraoftwo'majoralewifemortalities.1/ConcerningthecontroversybetweenSmith(1970)andChristie(1972),Christie(pp.920-921)providesthefollowinganalysis.oftheinteractionsbetweenthecolonistsandthenativespeciesinLakeOntario:"Ofthe'peciesoffishwhichinvadedorwereintroducedintoLakeOntariointhelastcentury,thecarpandalewifewerethemostobviouslysuccessful.Bothmusthaveaffectedotherspeciesinimportantways,butitisdifficulttomakejudgmentsbecauseoftheearlycolonizationofthesespecies."ALEWIFE"Smith(1970)hasarguedonthebasisoftherecenteffectsofalewifecolonizationoftheupperGreatLakes,thatthespecieseffectivelycausedallthemisfortunesoftheLakeOntariofishstockssubsequenttoitsestablishmentth'ereinthe1870s.Theviewheldbythepresentauthorhowever,isthatwhatevertheinitialimpact,theresurgenceofth'epremiumfishstocksinthe1920sin'th'efaceofhe'avyalewifedensities,arguesinfavorofaharmlessroleforthealewife.Theresurgenceofthedeepwaterciscoes(Core~onussp.)inthe1930swasalsoseeminglyunaffectedbythealewife.Equallyimportant,thecollapseoftheciscoeswasnotfollowedbyasurgeofalewifeabundance=asmighthavebeenexpected'fcompetitionpx'essurehadbeen'amajorconsideration.Therearenostatisticswith.whichtoevaluatetx'endsinalewifeabundancebutithasbeenassumedbyPritchard(1929)andGraham(19S6)thatthefrequencyofheavy1/Christie,W.J.1972.LakeOntario:effectsofexploitation,intxoductions,andeutrophicationonthesalmonidcommunity.J.Pish.Res.Bd.Can.29:913-929.
A-5spring,beach,mortalitiesisatleastaroughindicationofalewifedensity.Onthisbasis,news-.paperreports'oftwomajormortalitiesinthe1920decadedonotsuggestthatthealewife,liketheciscoes,werescarceduringtheperiodofpeakpredatorabundance.Dymond(1928)foundthatthealewifewasanimportantiteminthedietsofbothlaketroutandburbot,butnotedalewifewerenotasofteneatenbythetroutafterthealewifemovedinshoreintheearlysummer.Juvenileswouldhavebeenlargelyprotected,fromt:hesespeciesbyreasonoftheirinshoredistri<<bution,anditispossiblethatthepost-spawningadultalewifedidnotextendlakewardveryfarintotherangeofthesepredatorsinlatesummer.Wells(1969)foundthattrawlinginSeptemberinLake'Ontarioproduced81.2alewifepertowat120ft.(37m)andless,andonly7.2fortowsat:180ft.(55m)andgreater.,'Thiswouldcertainlyreduceit,andpossiblyenoughtoreducetheseverityofthepredationimpactonalewifeadults.Predationonboth-juvenilesandadultsintheinshoreareasisontheotherhand,heavy,andinflictedbymanyfishspecies.Thelackofobviouschangeinthe'bundanceofthealewifestocksafterthe1940sisespeciallycompellingevidencethattheabundanceislimit:edbyinshorefact:ors,andpossiblybytheeffectsofthemortalitiesthemselvestosomeextent."Section2.7.2.aPishes-2-12.2''2dhAppl'h-d2,moreinformationshouldbesuppliedconcerningthetypeoffathometerusedandwhatit:scapabilitieswerefordet'.ectingconcentrationsoffishlarvae,fry,,andyoung-of-the-year.Xnaddition,anexampleofafathometerrecordingshouldbepro-vided,includinganexplanationofitsinterpretation.~22222-.dh"1'hAppl''int:heareaandthereforenoinformationonjuvenilesneartheshoreisavailable.."Newlyhatchedyoung-of-the-yearalewives A-6begi'ntoshowupinseinecatchesint:hemiddleofAugustandremaininshoreuntillatefall.2/Therefore,fromlatespringuntilfalllarvalandjuvenilealewiveswouldbesusceptibleto.entrainment.Inaddition,thespottailshiner,alsoabun-dantinshore,remainsinshore(indepthsoflesst:han50ft);thisspeciesisconsideredanexcellentforagestock.Section2.7.2.d.2Phtoplankton~yd-25.Idd"Vydd'dobservedintheplanktonsamples'...".Thesamplingequipmentusedtocollectplankton,fisheggs,andlarvaeshouldbedescribed,andavailabledataandliteratureonthecomparative'efficiencyandeffectivenessofthevarioustypesofsamplingmethodsandequipment:shouldbeevaluatedanddiscussed.Inouropinion,ifinformationfromreference30wasusedto.determinetheabundanceanddistributionoffishlarvae,samplecollectionwithaNansenbottle,asusedinthissurvey,virtuallyprecludedanylarvalentrapment.Sect:ion3.4.1IntakeStructurePae3-7.Anestimatefortheintakevelocityatthetravelingscreens'houldbeprovided.Section5.2.2ThermalStudiesPae5-2.ThecombinedeffectsofNineNilePointUnit:1,NineMilePointUnit2,andtheJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlantshouldbeevaluatedbythethermalstudies.Section5.5.2.aEffectonAuaticEnvironment-'ntakeEffectsyPaes5-31throuoh5-35.Given'het:endencyforfishtoconcentratealongthe25-ft.depthcontourand'helocationoftheintakeataboutthe,20-ft.contour,andgiventhenumbersoffishentrained2/Dr.Wilbur'.Hartman,PersonalCommunication.(ProjectL'eader,EcologyofFishPopulationsofLowerGreatLakes.,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,SanduskyField.Station,2022Cleveland,Road,Sandusky,Ohio44870.)
A-7andsubsequentlyimpingedaccordingtostudiestodate,even~thoughnotsufficienttopermitavalidquantitativeassess-mentoftheproblemsofimpingement,itisapparenttousthatapotentiallyseriousimpingementproblemmaydevelop.Webelievethatthissituationmayrequirecorrectiveactionto~reducetheintakevelocityto1ft/secorless,inadditiontoconductingthemonitoringprogram.Wealsorecommendthatevaluationofthefish<<killproblembecoordinatedwiththeappx'opriateStateandFederalagencies.Finally,weconsiderthestatement,that"TheStaffdoesnotintendtoimplythatfishimpingementattheStationwillproducesignificantadverseeffectsonlakewidefishpopulations"tobemisleading.Thisstatementshouldberevisedtoconsidertheeffects-ofallwaterintakesinthelakeiftheentirelakeistobetheframeofreferenceforevaluatingtheeffectsofthispowexplantonfishpopulationsinLakeOntario.Section5.5.2.cThermalDischareEffects~3535-1'1.'31d',1.d5''5'ombined'effectsoftheNineMilePointUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickplants.Yellowperch,acommonfishinthearea,requireagivenperiodoftimeat4Corbelowformaturation.3/Thepossibilitythatthosefishremaininginorneartheplumemaynotreceivethis,low-temperatureexposureandthattheywould,therefore,notmatureshouldbediscussed.Thisdiscussionshouldincludeappropriatedataanddocumentation.Section5.5.2.c.1Fishes~353~:Wgg33gg''y1dthefourthparagraphberequired,rathex'hansimplyrecommended,bytheStaff.3/Edsall,T.iA.andT.'G.Yocom..1972.Reviewofrecenttechnicalinformationconcerningadverseeffectsononce-throughcoolingonLakeMichigan.Preparedfox'heLakeMichiganEnforcementConference,September19-21,1972,Chicago,X11.,U.S.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,GreatLakesFisheryLabo-xatox'y,AnnArbor,Michigan48107.86pages.
A-8Section5.5.2.c.(3Benthos~P539.3'h'9'k''993h5h'ommunityshouldbediscussedinthissection.Section6.1AuaticMonitorinProram9~5-3.533999'h9environmentalstudiesnowproposedandbeingcarriedoutbytheApplicantareinadequatetoassesstheeffectsofopera-tionoftheStation,werecommenddenialofthefu11-termoperatinglicenseuntilanadequateenvironmentalmonitoringprogramhasbeenestablishedandcoordinatedwithappropriateStateandFederalagencies.Amapdepictingthesamplingtransectsandstationsshouldbeprovidedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.WithreferencetotheStaff'srecommendationforimprovementsinthemonitoringprogram(pages6-2and6-5),webasically'greewiththeproposedchanges.However,wefeelthatsomesortoftabularformatshouldbeusedtosummarizeforthereadertheimprovedprogram.Inaddition,thisprogramshouldbecoordinatedwithappropriateagencies,assuggestedabove.Withregardtoasamplingprocedurethatwouldpermitreportingtheresults.intermsofbiomassperunitarea,thepossibleuseofaPonardredgeforbenthicworkshouldbediscussed.Section6.3RadioloicalMonitorinProramPae6-6.Alistoforganismstypicallysampledandsubjectedtoradioanalysisshouldbepresentedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.'nouropinion,theprimaryfunctionofanenviron-mentalimpactstatementisto'.serveasafulldisclosuredocument.Therefore,wedonotbelieveitissufficienttomerelyreferthereadertoadocumentsuchastheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,whichmayormaynotbereadilyavailabletothereader.IftheStaffdisagreeswithouropiniononthismatter,wewouldappreciateafullexplanationinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.
A-9Section9AlternativestotheProosedPro'ect9~9-l.1'9'9ld'dpl.''nalysisofeachalternativesothatinformedconclusionscanbedrawnanddecisionsmadebyresponsibleofficialsandotherswhoreviewthisdocument.Thewarmwaterplumestendtobeclosetothelakeshore,duetotheexposedlocationandthelakecurx'entsflowingneartheshore.Thiscouldhavesomeeffectinreducingnearshoreicecover.However,thiswillcausenoadverseeffectseithex'nwaterintakeorshoreerosion.Thecalculatedincreaseinaveragelakesurface"temperatureofabout0.002Fhasnophysicalmeaningandmaymaskadverselocaleffects.Muchmoremeaningfulistheareaaffectedbyasignificanttempex'a>>tureincrease.Toreducethefishentxapment:intheintakesyst:emandthusfishkills,thereportrecommendst:hatalternat:iveintakestructuresbeexamined.Ttissuggestedthatinadditiontotheabove,afishreplenishment,.programbeconsidered.Samplingsindicatethat:82%ofthefishkilledarethealewifesandsmelts.Thislowqualityfishcouldbereplacedbymoredesix'ablefishfx'omhatcheriesinthesameorsignificantlylargeramounts.Asdescribedonpage3-23,themajorsourceofradioact:ivityreleasedtothe-openatmosphexe-duringreactoxopex'ationistheoffgas'romthemaincondenserairejectors.Theseoff-gasesareallowedtoflowthrougha30-minuteholduppipebefox'ebeingdischargedthroughthemainplantstack.Conse-quently,wewouldconsidert:hereleasetobecontinuousthroughouttheyearand,assumingaratheruniformsourceemissionrate,averageannualdiffusionparamet:erscanbeappropriat:elyused.Xnourcommentsont:heFinalSafetyAnalysisReportfox'hisfacilitysenttotheAtomicEnergyCommissionDivisionofReactorLicensingonDecember18,1967,wecomputedthatthe A-10highestoff-siteannualconcentxationis5x10"secmatadistanceof2kmtothenortheastcornerofthesiteassumingtheeffluentisreleasedfroia330-t.stack.Thisissome-'hathigherthanthe1.9r10secm"computed'bythestaffintable5.7.Thankyoufox'ivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecontinents,mhichmehopemillbeofassistancetoyou.Wemouldappreciatereceivingacopyofthefinalstatement.Sincerely,;4..r.:>,r'N.."-"4<'Sidney'R.,CallerDeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairs' IQ(gjDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONUNITEDSTATESCOASTGUARDMAILINGADDRESS:(GWS/83)U.S.COASTGUARD400SEVENTHSTREETSW.WASHINGTON.D.C.20500RHDNE'Q2-426<<2262Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalProJectsDirectorateofLicensingU.S,AtomicEnergyCommissionWashington,D.C.20545c:~I)y~~/NXQegg(+0gg~P$JgpiVAUSSIE5O-22o
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
Thisisinresponsetoyourletterof~5July1973addressed.toAssistantSecretaryDavisconcerningthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementforNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,LakeOntario,OswegoCounty,NewYork.Theconcerned.operatingadministrationsand.staffoftheDepartmentofTransportationhavereviewedthematerialsubmitted..NotedinthereviewbytheFederalRailroad.Administrationisthefollowing:"TheFederalRailroadAdministration'ommentedatsomelength(6Feb.1973)regardingtheapplicantsrequestforlicensingofNineMileNuclearStationUnitNo.2.Ourcontinualconcernovertheinductivecoordinationproblemwithrailroad.signalandcommunicationlinesisalsoapplicabletothismorerecentstatementforUnitNo.1.R1TheU.S.,CoastGuardcommentedasfollows:"Itisnoted.thattheremaybeanecessitytomarktheintakeanddischargepoints.Itisrecommended.thattheapplicant"contactCommander,NinthCoastGuardDistrict(oan)at1240E.NinthStreet,Cleveland,Ohio,44199,forfurtheramplification."TheDepartmentofTransportationhasnofurthercommentstoofferonthisdraftstatement.WehavenoobJectiontotheproJect,nortoitsimplementation.Thefinalstatement,"however,should.addresstheconcernoftheFederalRailroad.AdministrationandtheCoastGuard.TheopportunityfortheDepartmentofTransportationtoreviewthisdraft.environmentalimpactstatementforNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit'1isappreciated.
IviEMORANDUMDEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFAREOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYTO".Jr.DanielP,.NullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalPro)ects~DirectorateofLicensingU.'S.AtomicEnergyCommission50-220JUG].7]973FROMActingChiefOfficeofEnvironmentalAffairs
 
==SUBJECT:==
q.'iL';eX'heDraftEnvironmentalImpactStatement'-ontheBine,NilePoint'uclearStationUnit1ThankyouforforwardingthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementontheJ'JinedefilePointJ'uclearStationJJnit1forreviev.Thefollovingcommentsonthedraftar'ebasedonsuggestionsbyofficialswithinthePublicPealthService,JI.E.JJ.RegionalIIOfficeandtheH.E.W.OfficeofEnvironmentalAffairs.Ourprimaryobservationconcernsthefactthatthe)Jine';filePointNuclearStationUnit1isgustoneofthreeplantswhicharetooperateessentiallysidebysideonthesouthernshoreofLakeOntario.'s'statedintheintroductiontothedraftEIS,theapplicantplanstoconstructaJJnit2stationadjacenttotheUnit1sitewhichwillproducealmdsttwicetheamountofUnit1'selectricalpower.Inaddition,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofPevYorkisbuildinftheJamesA.PitzpatriclcnuclearPlant3300feeteastoftheUnit1Station.P3.1threeplantsaretoutilizeonce-throughcoolingsystemswithlakewater.Itisthereforenecessarythatcumulativethermaleffectsbe'addressed.Likewiseothercumulativeeffectsofthethreeplantsmustbeconsidered.Whilethedraftindicatesthatseparateenvironmentalstatementshavebeenpreparedfortheseadditionalfacilities,wehavenot-receivedcopiesofthemforreviewandhavenowayof,knowingtheircontent.Weareunabletherefore>toassesstheenvironmental]effectstheproposedactionwillbringaboutinitsactualoperationalcontext.ItiJouldappearthatathoroughanalysisoftheenvironmentalimpactoftheUnit1Stationrequiresconsiderationofthecumulativeeffectsofallthreenuclear"plantsincludingtheeffectsofthermaldischarges,<<asious.effluents,liquideffluents,releasesofradioactivematerials,fishimpingement,,transmissionlines;aswellastheeffectsofincreasedpopulationsonhumanservices.-Thismay,forreasonsunknowntous,beunnecess'ary, but,ifso,thepresentlimitedapproachshouldbejustifiedinthestatement.OurmorespecificcommentsonthecontentofthedraftHISfortheUnit1Stationareasfollows:ItissuggestedthattheupgradedliquidwastesystemsreferencedinSections3.5.1.2.,3.5.1.4.,and3.5.1.6.,andthegasiouswastetrcatnentsystemreferencedinSection,3.5.2.2.,shouldbeoperationalbeforeafull-termlicenseisgrantedtheHiagaraifohawkPowerCorporationfortheZineNilePointNuclearStationUnit1.2)InSection2.,7.1.,describinctheTerrestrialEcologyofthesite,itisstatedthatthesouthernshoreofImageOntarioisarajormigrationrouteusedbymanybirdsincludingtheAmericanospreyandthebaldeagle.Subsequentlyitissaidthataterrestrialsurveyofthesitefoundthatnorareorendangeredspeciesofplantsoraniralswerepresent.ThereseemstobeaninconsistencyhereasthePmeric'anospreyand'hebaldeaglearebothlistedasendangeredspeciesandasthesiteoftheUnit1Stationmatesuppartofthesouthernshore.3)'ZheinformationprovidedontheoperationaleffectsoftheUnit1Stationonacquaticbiotaislacking.Itdoesnotallowforathoroughassessmntoftheenvironmentalimpactoftheproposedactionandtherefore,offsetstheenvironmentaleffectstobeweighedinthedecision-nakingprocess.4)Penotethattneonce-throughcoolingsystemutilizedbytheUnit1StationfailstomeetthecurrentNewYorkStatethermalcriteria.Thesecriteria"limittheriseinsurfacetemperatureto3oPovertheambienttemperaturewithin300-feetradiusorequivalentareafromthe,pointofdischarge".(5.2.2.)StudiesofthetherraleffectsoftheUnit1Stationhaveshownthatattimes"evenatadepthof5feet,approximatelyoneandaquarterofshorelinehadtemperaturesgreaterthan5o;'aboveambient".(5.2.2.)Purtherirgormationshouldbeprovidedastotheeffects,includinghealtheffects>ofthisriseintemperatureabovethestandard.ltwouldalsobeusefultoaddresslegalramificationsoffailingtomeetthecriteria.
A-14''5)Giventheinfornntionprovidedinthedraft,trefindthattheUnit1Stationfai3.stoconsistent3ymeettheminimumT'ederalPaterQualityCriteriaforphosphorusconcentrations.l'orepreciseinformationonphosphoruseffectsandthelegalconsiderationsoffailingtomeetthecriteria'hn..~..'3-t;--/I'aulCrow.ellcc:Dr.ZanMitchellMr.WilliamMatuszeski DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTUREOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYWASHINGTON.D.C.2025050-220August24;1973Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalProjectsDirectorateofLicensingAtomicEnergyCommissionVashington,D.C.20545'Rg(>~E'381973IIg"4XypII(pRRppIIR<RopyIy~+RccIIIR0
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
>lehavehad.thedraftenvironmentalstatementfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,NiagaraMohawkPowerCorporation,reviewed.intherelevantagenciesoftheDepartmentofAgriculture,andcommentsfromSoilConservationServiceand,ForestService,bothagenciesoftheDepartment,areenclosed..HKDH.TSCHIHL1'YActingCoordinatorEnvironmentalQualityActivitiesEnclosures SoilConservationService,USDA,CommentsonDraftEnvironmentalStatementpreparedbyAECforNineMile'ointNuclearStationUnit1(ConversionforOperatingLicenseStagetoFull-TermOperating-License)GeneralCommentThemajorproposedactionconcernsconversionofacurrentoperatinglicensetoafull-termlicensewhich,initself,willnothaveanysignificanteffectonareasofinteresttoSCS.Pararaph4.1~1-StationSiteConstructionofanew'radwastebuildingisdiscussed.Inthethirdparagraphadiscussionshouldincludeastatementthattopsoilwillbesalvaged,protectedandresprea'dduringthegradingoperation.Promptvegetatingwillbeundertakentopreventerosionofsoilduringconstructionofthebuilding,Pararah5~1~2Transmission-lineEnvirons(a)"Onlyselectiveapplicationofherbicidesshouldbepermitted.~~"Thisisnotonlytoencouragewildlife-habitatgrowthbuttomaintainagood,vegetativecovertopreventsoilerosion.Pararah10~3~1LandUseThisparagraphissummarized.byastatementwhichsaystherecrea-tionalpotentialoftheareaismeager.Intermsofpublicdevelopment,thisstatementmaybetrue,butintermsofprivaterecreation,thereismorethanmeagerpotential,TheparagraphmightbemodifiedtoreQectthis, RE:AINElfILEPOINT,NUCLEARSTATIONUNIT1,NIAGARAMOHAWKPOWER*CORPORATIONFORESTSERVICECORKNTSWehavenoinformationtoindicatethatthecontinuedoperationofNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1wi11haveanyfurtheradverseeffectonforestlandbeyondthatwhichhasalreadyoccurredasaresultofconstruction.WeareinterestedintheStaff'srecommendationsontheuseofherbicidesfortransmission-linemaintenance,andareparticularlyintriguedbythelastone:"Nostandsofpotentiallypoisonousplantsshouldbesprayedwithherbicides."Wearecuriousaboutthebasisforthisrecommendation.
50-220go-9~0RONALDW.PCDKRSENSIIISTDCPVlYCONNISSIONSRSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONALBANYAugust29,1973
 
==DearSir:==
TheStateofNewYorkhascompleteditsreviewaftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementRelatedtotheNineMilePointNuclearPowerPlantUnitNo.1",(DocketNo.50-220).ThestatementwaspreparedbytheCommissionsDirectorateofLicensingandissuedinJuly1973.Inpreparingtheattachedcomments,wehavetakenintoconsiderationtheviewsofallappropriateStateagenciesincludingtheNewYork'tateAtomicEnergyCouncil.Manyofthecommentsarequitedetailedanddirectedtoveryspecificpointsinthedraftenvironmentalstate-mentwiththeintentofclari~ngandimprovingtheCommission'sfinalenvironmentalstatement.WeconcurwiththefindingsoftheCommissionstaffasnotedinseveralsectionsofthe'draftstatementthatstudiesconductedbytheapplicantar'enotsuHicientforareliableassessmentofsomeaspects'ofprobableenvironmentalimpactsofplantoperation.Forexample,thedatasuppliedbyNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationarenotdefinitiveenoughtoascertaintheextentofimpactonfishresourcesasaresultofplantoperation.Thedeficienciesnotedintheattachedcomments,andthosediscussedbytheCommissionstaHinSection6ofthe-draftenvironmentalstate-ment,indicatethatadditionalinformationshouldbefurnishedtoassessthelong-texmimpactofplantoperationonaquaticlife.UntilsuHicientdatausingreliablemethodsofsamplingandaccurateassessmentofthisinformationareprovidedtogenerateareasonablelevelofdataconfidence,wecannotconcurwiththeCommissionstaffconclusionthatafull-termoperatinglicenseshouldbegranted.However,iftheCommissionissuesafull-termoperatinglicenseunder'hesecircumstances,thelicenseshouldbeissuedonlywithappro-'riateconditionstoassureprotectionoftheenvironment.
Itisgratifyingtonotethatthestatementcontainsasectiononalternateintakesystems.NewYorkStatehasurgedtheCommissiontoincludethisinfoxmationonseveralotherdraftenvironmental'.statements.However,withouttheinfoxmationbeingavailableregardingthe~variousintakesystems.tobeexamine'd(p.9-17),theStatecannotadequatelyassessthebenefitsandcostsofvarioussystemsdesignedtoreduceoneoftheplant'smostsignificantenvironmentalimpacts.ItisrequestedthattheCommissiondirecttheircommentsonexami-nationofthesuggestedalternativestotheapplicantanddefertheissuanceofafinalenvironmentalstatementuntiltheinformationi;sprovidedandproperlyassessed.Thisinformationshouldalsobesupplie'dtothevariousfederalandstateagenciesreviewingthedraftenvironmentalstatement.Theircommentsshouldalsobesolicitedfoll~dngareviewperiod.EnclosureUnitedStatesAtomicEnergyCommissionNash&gton,D.C.2054S'Attention:DeputyDirectorforReactorProjects,DirectorateofLicensing A-20NEWYORKSI'A'IEontheU.S.ATQHCENERGYCQWISSION'SDRAFTENVIROhthKVCALSTATEKNTforNINEh1ILEPOINTMJCLEARSI'ATIONUNITNO,11.GeneralCorrmentAfterre'.mewingtheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReportandtheAEC'sdraftstatement,andobservingthefishimpingementstudyattheplant,threethingsareapparent:1.Alarge'numberoffishhavebeen~ingedonthetravelingscreens;2.Avarying,butconsiderableportionofthesecomeoffthescreensalive;3.Theprocessofreturningimpingedfishtothelakeprobablykillstheremainingfish.Threechangesinplantanditsoperationwouldappeartoreducethekillofimpingedfish.First,thenormalschedulecallsforthetravelingscreens.tobestationary57minutesofeachhour.Therefore,impingedfishareheldagainstthescreensforaconsiderabletime.Ifthescreensweretravelingcontinuously,theimpingementtimewould'begreatlyreducedwithfewerfishdyingonthescreens.Second,thescreensarecleanedwithaveryhighvelocityspray,whichreevesfishframthescreensandslamsthemagainstthehousing.Itisfelt,thatthesprayvelocitycouldbereducedsubstantiallyandstill  insurecleaningofthescreens.Ifthefishwereremovedgently,fewerwoulddieinthisprocess.M.rd,thefishanddebrisfromthescreensflowdirectlyintothediscnarge,withatemperatureasmuchas31.2'Fabovethewatertheyjustleft.'Ihefishareinthedischargetunnelatthistemperatureforabouttwominutes,andatreducedtemperaturesoftheplumeSoranadditionalvaryingperiod.Thissamedischargeisperiodicallyusedfordisposalofchemicalwastesfromthelaundry,regenerationwastes(page3-33),floordrains(page3-16),andwastecollectorsystem(page3-13).Itisfelt,thatthecombinedeffectofbeingheldforupto57minutesonthescreens,beingslammedagainstthehousing,andthenplacedintheheatedandch;:micaldischargefortwoplusminutes,killsmostoftheimpingedfish.Further,itis'Selt,thatthiskillcouldbereducedsubstantially,bycleaningthecreenscontinuouslywithareducedsprayvelocityandreturningthefishthroughaseparatesluicewaytothelakeawayfromtheintakeanddis-chargeareas.Itshouldbenoted,thatsuch,measureswillnotinsurethatallfishwillsurvive.Someimpingedfishwilldie,andstudieswillhavetobecarriedoutafterthese.modificationsgoin.effecttodeterminethemagnitudeandsigni-Ificanceoffish.killedbyimpingement.Anydecisiononalternateintakedesignsshould,hoover,bemadefollowingthesubmittalbytheapplicantofinfoxmationonalternateintakesystemsaslsuggestedonPage9-17.Theaboverecommendations,however,shouldbeimple-mentedtoreducethefishkillsuntilsuchdecisionsaremade.
A-22-3-2.SummaandConclusionsPageiii*-LicenseConditions.AnyCommissionfullteanoperatinglicenseforthisfacilityshouldbeappropriatelyconditionedtoassurethattheupgradedradwastesystemsareinstalledinthemosttimelymannerandfurtherproventooperatewithintheirdesignparameters.~3;GeneralCommentItisstatedthatthestaffisoftheopinionthattheapplicant'smonitoringprogramtodatehasnotshownthatthe'intakesystemwillavoid=substantialfishkills,withsubsequentlac'<ofconfidenceontheimpactoffishpopulationsintheNine,MilePointare.Itisfurtherstatedthat'heapplicantwillberequiredtoperformintensivemonitoringatsomeunstatedfuturetimetodeterminetheseriousnessofthisfish-killproblem.Inaddition,itisstatedthattheapplicanthaspresentednoalternativestothedesignofthepresentintakesystem.Basedonthese'statements,andtheconservationassumptionthattheintensivemonitoringprogramwillreflect'thatthepresentintakesystemwillnotprevent"substantial"fishkills,itisconsideredprudentthattheU.S.AECrequirethattheapplicantimplement,~theintensivemonitoringprogramassoonaspossible,sothatredesignoftheintakesystem,ifrequired,canbeaccomplishedwithappropriatedisptach.r A-234.GeneralCoranentWiththeconstructionofproposedNinehG.lePointUnitho.2,thecirculatingwatersystemforUnitNo.1willbemodifiedtoacombineddis-chargesystemforbothunits.AdiscussionshouldbepresentedoftheIprojectedcombineddischargevelocityandthermaldilutionimprovementsofthecombineddischargesystem.TheState.sreviewofthisreportisobviouslyirdluencedby.thefactthattheapplicanthasthiscommitment.S.GeneralConmentAdiscussionoftheapplicant'spresentandproposedenergyconservationeffortsshouldbeincludedintheEnvironmentalStatement.0.GeneralCourant'ostofthecommentstheStatepreviouslyforwardedtotheU.S.AtomicEnergyComm-ssionontheNineh1ilePointUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickPlantdraftenvironmentalstatementsregardingthermal/hydraulicwaterrqualityconsiderationsareapplicabletothisdraftenvironmentalstatement.7.GeneralCommentAdiscussionoftheeffectsthattheconstructionandoperationofthestationhashadonthelocalcomnunityshouldbeincludedin'heEnvironmentalStatement.Theimpactonschools,housing,localroads,etc.,withastatementponthenetsocietalimpactshouldbeaddressedinthisdiscussion.S.GeneralCommentTher'e'renumerouseditorial.oversightsthroughoutthedocument..Forp'xample:pPdpd'd*'ddrdd.1-1,2-1,etc.M.sisconsistentwithotherenvironmentalstatementssuchasGinna'sDraftofApril1973,andFitzPatrick'sFinalofhfarch1973.
A-24-5-b.Cover-theword"Energy"ismissinginthet.itle'UnitedStatesAtomicEnergyCommission."dc.Section3.5.1.2,Pae3-16-Thefirstwordoftheparagraphshouldbe"In"insteadof"An."dd.Fire2.5Pae2-9;Fie3.2Pae3-3,andFire3.14'ae3-38e.ThepoorqualityofthephotographsinFigures2.5,3.2.and3.14doeslittletopromotetheaestheticfeatures.ofthefacility.NuclideSymbols-Aconsistentsetofcolsshouldbeusedtoidentifyradionuclides'inTables3.2,3.3,3.6,3.7,and5.3d.:..~dddd.ddd,ddducesan.:wfishtotheLakeOntariof.tshery,the"allleye."9.SummaandConclusionsPaeiandIntrodtction,Pael-l(notpagenumbered).d'Ihesesection"notethat1850i~Mtisrequirdtoproduce610Mfenet.'Ihe610Nfenetisquestioned,sinceotherNineMilePointUnitNo.1documents(i.e.,sU.S.AECROInquiryReportNo.50-220/72-110ofll/21/72)noteahigherthan610Mfeoutput.10.SummaandConclusionsBPaeiv,suggeststhatstudiesbeconductedto"...evaluatethemagnitudeofthefish-killproblem."Nesubmitthatthefishkillislarge(Table5.12,page5-33)andthatsomesteps,asoutlinedIabove,betakentoreducethekillimmediately.ThenconductamonitoringprogramtodeterminetheextenttowhichNineNilePointisstillkillingfish,andtheeffectofthiskillonthelocalpopulationsandon.LakeOntario,11.SummaandConclusionsPaeiv-ThefifthTechnicalSpecificationRequire-mentshouldb'eexpandedtoread,"TheApplicantwillconductaterrestrial'.monitoringprogramto,detezminetheenvironmentaleffectsoftheuseof'erbicidesfor-linemaintenance.Particularattentionshouldbeivento A-25-6-11.'(continued)veetationwhichfiressificantlinthe'life-cleofvaluedwildlifecieswhichma'occthisriht-of-wa.Theprogram.andConclusions,Pa~eiii-LicenseConditionsThe500-footwideclearedtransmissionlinecorridorhasasignificantAanddisturbingvisualimpact.Theapplicantshouldberequired,asaconditionoffull-termlicensing,.toalleviatethis.situationbymeansofplanting.Treesoflimitedheightpotent'-al,andshrubs,plantedingroupsatselectedspotswherelong,straightsecuonsofthecorridoroccur,willreducethetunnel-likeaspect.Speciesoftreesandshrubshavingwildifebenefitsshouldbeused.Similarplantingsshouldbemadeatpointswherethecorridorisi".ter-sectedbyaroadorstream.13.Tablel-lPae1-4~.PexmitsfromtheN.Y.S.DepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationareneededforthestandbydieselgeneratorsandfirepump.14.Section2.2Page2-7ItisstatedthattheentireshorelinenorthofUnit1willbeaccessibletothepublic.Thisisnotclear,sincetheEnvironmentalReportnotesthatmostofthesiteareahasonlyrecreationalpossibilities,exceptforthat'estrictedareaintheimmediatevicinityofthegeneratingstationwhichincludestheStation'simmediateshoreline.15.Section2.4Page2-8'Ihephenomenaofbedrock"pop-up"shouldbebrieflydiscussedinthissection.'Ihediscussionshouldincludestatementsthattheapplicant(PSARforUnit2)
A-26-7-15.(continued)observedno"pop-up"featuresofconsequenceduringUnit1excayation,andthattheclosestreportedfeaturesofconsequencearenearLamille,approxi-mately50milesnortheast'ofthesite.16.Section2.5.2,Paes2-10and2-.11Paragraph3andFigure2.6notethatLakeOntariohasamaximumsurfacetemperatureof72'Fduringsummer.Paragraph2ofSection3.4'Page3-7)statesthat&eintakewatertemperaturevarieswiththeseasonfrom33to77'F.Initialimp,".ctimpliesadescrepancy(this-impactisfurthersubstantiatedbystatementsthatverticalthermalstratificationexistsduringthesummer,tandthattheintakestructureisaminimumof15feetbelowthesurface)unlessitisclarified(asintheFitzPatrickEnvironmentalTechnicalSpecifications)~that:(1)the77'FtemperatureisthemaximumrecordedLaketemperature,and(2)that.77'."istheconservativedesignbasisforestablishingthemaximumallowabledischargetemperature.17.Section3.2Pae3ItisstatedthatthereactorhasaStretchratingof1880Milt,correspondingto0netelectricaloutputof610Nfe.Thisisquestioned,since'recedingsections(Pagel-landi)notethatthesearerated.values:18.Section3.3.Page3-4Itisstatedthattheapplicaritproposestouseahighpressurewaterflushorothermechanicalmeanstopreventfoulingofthecondensers.This"isnotclear,sincehighpressurewaterflushingisnotconsideredmechanicalcleaning. 19.Fire3.3Pae3-5Thefigureappearstodepicttheexisting,andnottheupgraded,liquidraduestesystembecausefloordrainsampletankdrainsareshowngoingdirectlytothecirculatingwatersystemdischarge.Thusitshouldbenoted,atleastfortheradwasteportionofthewater-usageflowfigure,thattheexistingsystemisdepicted.Inaddition,thedischargecanal,screenhouseanddischargetunnelshouldbelabeledtoclarifywhereeffluentdischargesinter-facewiththecirculatingwaterdischargesystem.20.Fire3.4Pae3-6'Figure3.4isentitled"Circulatingt<aterSystem:Plan."Itisrecommendedthatthi.stitlebemodif.edto"Intakeanddischarge:tructurelocations:Plan.".Thistitlemorecorrectlydescribesthatportionofthecoolingwatersystemdepicted,andiscons'stentwiththedescriptioncontainedinSection3.4.Inaddition,forclarity(ReferenceFigure3.4ofFitzPatricksFinalEnvironmentalStatementdatedhfarch,1973)theintakeanddischargetunnelsshouldbelabeled,andafter"intake"and"discharge"theword"structure"added.21.Section3.4:1Pa'3-7IThefollowingclarificationsandcorrectionsshouldbemade:a.ForclarityandforconsistencywithSection3.4.2,itshouldbenotedthattheintakestructureislocatedabout850feetoffshore.b.Itisstatedthattheintaketunnelhasa74square-footcrosssection.About78square-feetmoreaccuratelydescribesthecrosssectionofthe10'footdiameterintaketunnel.c."DiagrammaticSketch"betterdescribesthescreenwallsheminFigure'3.6 A-28921.(continued)c.(continued)than"SchematicDiagram."SchematicDiagramintonatessingleline(wiring,piping,etc.)depictions.'IhetitleofFigure3.6shouldalsobechanged.d.Itshouldbeclarifiedthatthenoted8fpsvelocitythroughtheintaRetunnelisadesignvelocitybasedonthecoolingwaterflowrequirerentsformxhttutnpoweroutput.'.Adescriptionofthetravelingscreen"sbachuashingsequenceandsluicingoperationshouldbeincluded22.Section3.4.2,Pae3-7Thefollowingclarificationsandcorrectionsshouldbemade:a.It,shouldbenotedthatthedischarge~elis10feetindiameter.'.ItisstatedthattheeHluenthasaninitialvelocityofapproximately4fps.ItisnotclearwhereinthedischargeBowpaththiseHluentvelocityexists.23.Fire3.6,Pae3-9'IBesenricewaterandfirepumpsshouldbelabeledonFi'gure3.6,sinceparagraph3.4.1referstothemasbeingshownofFigure3.624.Table3.2Pae3-19-Liststheestimatedannualreleaseofradioactivityinliquideffluents.'Ihetabledoesnotin'el@dedissolvednoblegases.'ppendixI10CFRSOstates:A'"IhedesignobjectivesguidesforliquideHluentsincludelimitationsonbothquantitiesandconcentra-tions'of.radioactivematerialineffluents.Theestimatedannualquantityofradioactivematerial,'f A-29-10-24.(continued)excepttritium,releasedtounrestrictedareaswouldbelimitedtonotmorethanfivecuriesperpowerreactoratasite."Thequantitiesandenvironmentaleffectsofdissolvednoblegasesshouldbe\evaluated.25.Table3.2Pa~e3-19'IheisotopeRu-103isincorrectlyident':fiedasRa-103.26.Table3.3I'ape3-20andTable3.7Pae3-29Alicenseconditionnotesthattheapplicantwillcompleteconst'"~ionofanewrachmstebuildingonsite(expectedtobefullyoperationalinlate1975withtheliquideffluentportionbeingoperationalinSeptember1974)toassurecompliancewiththe"aslowaspracticable"criteriacontainedin10CFR50.7+les3.3and3.7tabulateestimatedannualreleaseofradio-activityinliquidandgaseouseffluentsfortheupgradedradwastesystem.ItisquestionedifthesereleasesmeettheconditionsofNASH-1258-(numericalGuidesforDesignObjectivesAndLimitingConditionsForOperationToMeetTheCriteria"AsLowAsPracticable"ForRadioactiveMaterialInLight-Nater-CooledNuclearReactorEffluents)fortheproposedtreatmentpro-videdintheupgradedradtiastesystemwastestreams.IfM'H-1258criteriaandconditionsaremet,itisrecommendedthatthisbenotedontheconcernedtablesand,inaddition,brieflydiscussedinSection3.27.Section3.5.1.6Pape3-18'Iheapplicant'scalculationsregardingthepresentliquidwastetreatmentsystemunderestimatedtheactualreportedradioactivity,excludingtritium,inliquidreleasesbyafactorofaboutfifteenthousand.'IheEnvironmental Statementshouldthereforeprovide'orethancalculationalevidencetosupportthecontentionthatradioactivityreleasedfromtheupgradedliquidwastetreatmentsystemwillmeetthe"as.lawaspracticable"guidelines.28.Table3.3Pae3-20Incolumnfive,the0:0014shouldbereplacedbyTC-99m.29.Section3.5.2.2,Pae3-26Theupgradedgaseouswastetreatmentsystemshowsasinglecatalyticrecombinersystem.ApparentlytheTable3.7doesnotconsiderdeemtimefortherecoabinersystem.Forthedraftenvironmentalstatementofthe,Fitzpatrickplant,adowntimeoftendaysperyearwasconsideredandcon-siderablenoblegaseswereestimatedtobereleased.30.Table3.6Page3-27Theisotope~Krislistedtwice.Thesecondentryshouldbe%r.31.Section3.5.3Page3-28The'ectiononsolidwasteshouldconsiderthedisposalproblemasthiswasnotcoveredintheSurveyoftheNuclearFuelCycle".Tobetterevaluatethedisposalproblem,theisotopic.breakdem,particularlythealphacontent,>shouldbepresentedinordertodemonstratethesewasteswillmeetburialcriteria.32.Section3.5.3,Pae3-30'IhestaffestimateofsolidwastebaseduponexperienceatotheroperatingBNRplantsisgivenas11,000cubicfeetwithanactivityof2700curies.TheactualexperienceatNinedefilePointUnitNo.1indicatesaboutthesameorderofmagnitudeoftotalcubicfeetwithanactivityofapproximately10'0ofthestaff.estimate.Thereasonorsignificanceofthisdifference'houldbediscussed.
A-31i-12-33.Section3.8Pae3-3SItisstatedthattoallowforprobab"eneedforafuture345-kVtransmissionline,a500-footright-of-waywaspurchased.Thefuture345-kVtransmissionlineisquestioned,sinceapplicantstestimony(Garey,NYSPublicServiceCommissionCase26251,TrPageSm4657ofJanuary26,1973),andtheFinalEnvironmentalStatementforUnit2notethatthepro-.posedfuturetransmissionlineis765-kV.34.Section4.1.1Pae4-1Thefirstparagraphstates,"Theapplicantestablished130acresoftlsiteasawildlifehabitatin1969bypostingtIenorthwestcorneroftheste."Supplement1,oftheapplicant'senvironme>talreportreferstothisareaasa"naturalwildliferefuge"(pageS1.5-1).Theproblemhereisuseoftermsandintent.Itwouldseemthatthereasonfor.postingwassafetyconcernsforthevisitorcenterandthereisnoargumentagainstthat.However,if'that'sthecase,stateit.Theycertainlydidnot"...establish...Pwildlifehabitat...byposting..."anditisquestionablethattheyestablishedanaturalwildliferefugewithanactivevisitorcenterinvolved.Itwouldbeverydesirableatsometimetohaveanactivewildlife'managementprogramonthe855acresavailable,butuntilthisis.thecase,nosuchinferenceshouldbemade.35.Section4.1..1Pae4-1Itisstatedthatnoimpactsonneighboringlandswillresultfromcon-structionoftheradwastebuildingandthattheeffectswillbetemporary.Yet,therad>atebuildingwilltakeapproximatelyOioyearstocomplete,theJamesA.FatzPatrickplantwillbeunderconstructionnearbyandadditional  35.(continued)plantsmaybeconstructedinthevicinity;'Ihesynergeticeffectmightbeacontinuingemrironmentalimpactfromconstructionnoise.,36.Section4.1.2Pae4-1WenotethatthestationisconnectedtotheApplicant'ssystembytwo345kVtransmissionlinesandtheright-of-wayisplannedforanadditional765kVline.TheFinalEnvironmentalStat~mentshouldpresentdataonthesoundlevelsproducedby-theselines.TheintentionoftheApplicantwithregardtothepossibleinstallationofhighervoltagelinesandtheresultingpotentialfcrincreasedsoundlevelsshould.alsobestatedintheFinalEnvironmentalStatement.37.Section4.1.',Pae4-2,'tshouldbenotedthattheexsiting500-footcorridoraccommodatestwo345-kVtransmissionlinestotheClaySubstation.Inaddition,itshouldalsobenotedthatwithconstructionofproposedNineMilePointUnit2,atleastaportionoftheeastern.edgeoftheexistingcorridorwouldhavetobeextendedtoaccommodateanew765-kVtransmissionline.38.Section5.1:2TransmissionLinesWeconcurwiththefactthattheApplicantdidnothavethebenefitoftheStateofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation.guidelinesandrecommendationsfortransmissionlinelocationandconstruction(asstated.inSection4.1.2)whentheoriginal500ft.corridorwasselectedandcleared(theNineMilePointUnit-ClayCircuit).However,thisdoesnotprecludetheuse,ofsaidguidelinesinthemaintenanceofthetransmissionlineswhichareapartofthereferenceddocuments.
A-33-14-38.(continued)Accordingly,kindlyconsiderthefollednginthepreparationofanenvironmentalmaintenancemanagementplanforthisinstallation:a.)"Itisrecognizedthatitwillbenecessaryfortheapplicanttoperiodicallyaspectthetransmissionlineandtheroach'ndtomaintainsaidlineandroadwaytoinsurethesafetransmissionofpower."b.)Dangertrees,asdeterminedbythedesignatedrepresentativesoftheapplicantandtheregulatoryagency,maybecutaslongas4conditionsandlimitationsforsuchmttingareestablishedpriortothestartofoperation.c.)Nativevegetation,particularlythatofvaluetofishandwildlife,whichwassavedduringconstructionorhassincereproducedtonaturalgrowingconditionsanddoesnotposeahazardtothefacilityshouldbeallowedtogrow,andincriticalareasshouldbeplantedintheright-of-way.d.)Accessroadsandserviceroadsshouldbemaintainedwi'thnativegrasscover,waterbarsandproperslopeinamannerwhichthedesignatedrepresentativesofthe'pplicantandtheregulatoryagencydeemsufficienttopreventsoilerosion.e;)Burningwillnotbepermittedduringmaintenanceoperation.f.)ThepreventionandcontrolofenvironmentalnoisepollutionresultingfrommaintenanceoperationsandtheoperationofthehighvoltagetransmissionlineshouldconformwithMwYorkState'proposedregulations.
A-34-15-g.)Maintenanceorlandmanagementoftheright-of-wayinmanyinstancescanbebestaccomplishedbyencouragingtheownerorformerownertocontinuehislanduseinsofarasitiscompatiblewiththeApplicant'sobjectives.Suchlandusemightbetheraisingofvariouscrops,grazing,andrecreationaluses.39.Section5.1.2ThefolloivzngarerecanmendedmodificationstoSection5.1.2oftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementforNinedefilePointUnitl.ATechnicalISpecificationfortheNineMilePointUnit1.shouldbedevelopedusingthissectionasmodified:a.Section5.1.2(b)-change"should"to"shall"b.Section5.1.2(c)-changeto"Treatmentshallnotbemorethanoncevery4years."c.Section5.1.2(d)-ch'ange"should"to"shall"d;Section5.1.2(e)-tftttte.Section5.1.2(f)-andaddatend"andtheirwrittenapprovalsecured."Section5.1.2(g)-Addsentenceatend-"AllpesticideapplicatorsshallbecertifiedapplicatorsunderStateprovisionsandshallcomplywithapplicableStatestandards."40.Section5.1.2,Pae5-2g.Section5.1.2(h)-No"safe"dioxinlevelhasbeenestablished.h.Section5.1.2(i)-Addphraseatend-"andactiontakentoensure,thatdrift,orvolatilizationbeheldto.aminimumforfutureapplications."Itisstatedthat'isostandsofpotentiallypoisonousplantsshouldbesprayedwithherbicides."Nearecuriousaboutthebasisforthisrecom-mendation.
A-35-16-40.(continued)Recomendation(j)should'beexpandedtoincludealistofpotentiallypoisonousplants.41.Section5.2.4Pae5-12Inparagraphan,themacimumallowablegrossbetaactivityshouldbecorrectedto1000picocuriesperliterratherthanthestated100picocuries42.Section5.5.1Pae5-31Thediscussionofenvironmentalnoiseisinadequate.Asurveyshouldbemadeofsoundlevelsinandaroundtheplanttodeterminesound1evelscreatedduringvariousmodesofplantoperation..hesurveyshouldincludesoundlevelsassociatedwithhighvoltagetran~ssionfacilities.Resultsof:thesurveywouldpermitanevaluationofthesoundlevelimpactfromthisplant,andwouldbeusefulinevaluatingthepotentialimpactofproposedUnit2.Xtissuggestedthatasoundlevelstudyberequiredoftheapplicant,andtnatastatementtothateffect(asrecommendedincommentNo.44)couldbeaddedtotheTechnicalSpecificationRequirementsonpageivoftheDraftEnvironmentalStatement.43.~Pae5-31Itisstatedthat,"TheApplicant'smeasurementsofsoundintensityindi-catedthatthemaximumsoundproducedatthesiteboundarieswasfromthetransformeratalllocations;soundintensityfromthetransfoxmerwasequaltoorlessthanthebackgroundnoise."TheacousticalenvironmentalimpactevaluationshouldbepresentedinaccordancewithPart75ofSubchapterEoftheNYSPublicServiceCommissionInterimRulesforCertificatesofEnnron-mentalCompatibilityandPublicheedforSteamElectricGenerationFacilities.I A-36-17-43.(continued)Itisnotedthattransfoxmersgenerallyradiatepuretoneswhicharemoreannoyingthanbroadbandnoiseofthesameenergycontent.44.~Pee5-31TheenvironmentaltechnicalspecificationsforNineMilePointUnit1shouldincludethefollowing:OBJECZIVESTodetexmine.thesoundlevelscreatedduringnoxmalplantoperationsatandbeyondtheplantboundaries.SPECIFICATIONSAsoundsurveyshallbemadearoundtheplantinaccordancewithPart75ofSubchapterEoftheInterimRulesforCertificatesofEnvironmentalCompatibi-lityandPublicNeedforSteamElectricGenerationFacilitiesofthePublicServiceCorxCission.Thesemeasurementsshallbetakenfollowinginitialfullpoweroperation.Theresultsshallbeevaluatedbytheapplicantandareportwiththeappropriaterecommendationsastothefutureoftheprogramshallbe,submittedtotheDirectorateofLicensingandtheNewYorkStateEnvironmental'ConsexvytionDepartmentforconsideration.BASESThesoundsurveyshallshowtheextenttowhichtheplantaffectstheambientnoiseinsurroundinglanduses.'IbisinfoxmationisneededtoinsurethattheplantconformstonoiserulesandregulationsoftheNewYorkStateEnviron-mentalConsexvationDepartment:Theinfoxmationwillalsobeusefultothesurroundingcomunities'orland-useplanningdecisions.Inaddition,ifasecondplantisproposedthedatawillbeneededforpreparationof.theEnvironmentalImpactStatementforthatplant. TheabovesoundsurveyandsubsequentevaluationshouldbecompletedpriortoissuanceofaFullTennLicense.45.Section5.5.2a.IntakeEffectsa~e5-31.Thefourthsentence,2ndparagraphimpliesthatalewivesand'smeltamountedto82'fthefishspecieswhichwereimpinged.Actually,.these2speciesareonly6.7~aofthe30speciescollected.Ofthe12,987fishcollectedduringtheimpingementstudies,82<weresmeltoralewives.dd.'..*.&H'dodd.Thedescriptiongivenhereofremovaoffishfromthetravelingscreensdiffersfry':theprocessobservedattheplant.Thisstatementinfersthatimpingedfisnremovedfromthetravelingscreens"...collectinthetrashpitalongwiththedebris,"andthat"The"ecologicaldeath"ofthesestressed'danddisabledfishappearsinevitable."Inobsexvationofthisprocess,thefishwereremovedfromthescreensbyahighvelocityspray,slammedagainstthehousingandwentdirectlytothedischarge.Alargepercentoftheseimpingedfishwerealiveastheyenteredthedischarge.Wesubmit,thatecologicaldeathisnotinevitable,andthat'minormodificationssuggested(commentItl)abovewouldsavemanyofthese,Thethemeofthelastparagraphofthissectionwascoveredincomment810.47.~Pae3-36Itisstatedthat"mechanicalstressdoesnotappeartobesignificantatmoderatelaketemperatures(50'-59'F),yetthereisnostatementoftheeffectsofmechanica1stressatothertemperatures.'Ihedraftenvironmentalstatementshould.discusstheseeffectsalso.'
A-38-19-48.Section5.5.2b.EntrainmentEffectsPae5-37Thelastthreesentencesofthissection,page5-37,aptlysumupthesubjectofentrainment,particularlyoffisheggsandlarvae,atNineMilePoint81.ThisshouldbeaddedtoSummaryandConclusions,pageiatthebottanofthepage.49.Section5.5.2cThermaldischaresEffects(1)Fishes.Pae5-37Thestaffmakesseveralreferencestopreferredtemperaturesoffish.C.Thestatementsarecorrect.However,,itshouldbenotedinthissection,thatthesepreferredtemperaturesaredeterminedforthemostpart,byveryshorttermlaboratoryexperiments.Andth"ttheyonlyindicatetemperaturesfishpreferredovertemperaturestheywercacclimatedtoatthetime.Preferredtemperaturesinthiscontextmayormaynotindicatebiologicallydesirableterrgeraturesforgrowth,maturation,reproduction,etc.50.Section5.5.2c.(1)Fishestoofae5-38.f'Ihestatementismadethatoccasionalsmallfishmaytravelintolethaltemperatures.Thismayormaynot'haveanybasisandreferencesforthisstatementwouldbeappreciated.51.Section6.1AuaticMonitorinProram.ae6-lThe3rdsentenceofthegeneralstatementinfersthatfishdistributionsandfoodpreferencesareknowntosomeextent.Thisdoesn'tseemtobeafact.Abetterstatementmightbethat..."OnlysinceMay1970,hastheapplicant-collecteddatathatcouldleadtofishdistribution,food...,"52.Section6.1c.Fishes1stararahae6-2.,Inallbiologicalmonitoringprograms,theneedforstandardization,wheredesirable,ofmethodsofdatarecordingandanalysissixthpastandon-going 52.(continued)LakeOntariostudiessuchastheInternationalFieldYearintheGreatLakesandtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,CapeVincentstudiesshouldbestressed.ThereareconsiderabledataavailableandbeingcollectedwhichwouldbevaluableforevaluationoftheNineMilePointmonitoring.However,thesecouldonlybeusedwhentheNineMilePointdatawerecomparable.Forexamp3.e,moststudiesontheLakeusinggi'1netsindicatethatanll-meshexperimentalgillnetsamplesspeciesandsizesthebest.ThisisthegearusedbytheDEC,Federalstudies,andotImrs,however,theapplicanthasbeenusinga5-meshnet.Towardtheendofthisparagraph,theStaffsuggestsseiningalongtheshore.Trapnets(frequentlytended)wouldbebettertosamplethissituation.Inordertoalleviatethepossibilityofanincompleteordistortedmonitoringandassessmentprogram,itisrecommended,thattheapplicantreviewtheseprogramswiththisDepartment,beforestartingstudies,andperiodicallythroughoutthestudy.53.Section6.1c.'ishesae6-31stararah.MefullyagreewiththeStaff'sstatementonthevalueofechosounderdata.Nerecommendthatfurtherstudies,bedesignedtoevaluatewhatdataisactuallybeingrecordedbytheechosounder,e.g.,species,size"of*fishrecordedatvariousdepths,sizeoffishthatarenotrecordedatvariousdepths,andconditionsthatalterrecordingpatterns.54.Section6.1c.Fishesae6-33rdsararah.Thefood-preferencestudywillhavenovalueifgillnettedfishare'used.Fishingillnets',tendtoloosefoodinthenetandtheirgutcontentsgivea A-40"-21.-.54.(continued)biasedviewoffoodhabits.Fishforthistypeofanalysisneedtobecapturedandworkedupveryfastto-getanaccuratepictureoffoodhabits.Inthissameparagraph,the5thlinefromthebottom,"importantspecies"shouldnotbelimitedto"commercial"importance.55.Section6.1f.EntrainmentStudiesae6-4..Itshouldbeemphasizedthatsamplesbetakenwithappropriategearclosetoandattheleveloftheintakeinthelakeaswellastheintakeanddischargewells.C66.~Pae9-9ItisstatedthattheApplicanthasmadeaspecificdesignstudyofnaturalandforceddraftcoolingtowersandthatoneofthedisadvantages;offorced-drafttowersismorenoise.'Ibisdisadvantage=shouldbequantified'int:xmsoftheincreasednumbersofpersonsexposedtovarioussoundlevelsifforceddxaftcoolingtowerswereutilized.
ADVISORYCOUNCIL'N.HISTORICPRESERVATIONWASHINGTON,D.C.202toSeptember4,197350-220Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalPro'jectsDirectorateofLicensingU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionwashington,D.C.20545
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
ThisisinresponsetoyourrequestofJuly5,1973,'forcommentsontheenvironmentalstatementfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1.PursuanttoitsresponsibilitiesunderSection102(2)(C)oftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,theAdvisoryCouncilon.,HistoricPreservationhasdetermined'thatyourdraftenvironmentalstatementappearsadequateregardingourareaofexpertiseandwehavenofurthercommentstomake.~incerelyours,,TapmaomplianceOfficerffrf(.fy4Epg)g~3<<Ciibyttacouteauanindependentapcncyo/theBecca(iceBrancho/theF<<fera(Cooernment.4charprdbytAeActo/Octobertt.(tee,ndthadcfe(npthePrccfdextartdConprccei>>thclfc(do/ll4torfcPrcerreation.cowmentisponFcdera(,/edcraWyaec4trd,and/cdcra((ylicence&sndcrtaklnpeAacfnpancf/cctsyontrroycrtfcelfctcdintheNationalRcp4tcro/l(4torlePlacce,rccowwcnd(spwcacsrcelocoordinatepoeernmcntolsdthprirateaetio(sce.adclclnponthed4eeisfna(4no/is/ormatios,cscosrapfnppsb(icintereetandpartfclpation.rccawwend(aythecondsrto/epccialetsdice.adc4inp(ntheprcyaratfono/(epic(at(on.asdcncosropi<<pepee(a((ccd(ra(slapand<<dorothy>>,asdps(dfnpthcf/n(tcdStoteewembcrehfpfntAc/sterna((anatCentre/ortheStsdyo/thePreecroatfonandtheRoc(era(4no/Ca(tora(Property,AsRome.italy.
>>ggoS1gp<C~g1<A-42UNITEDSTATESENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYV/ASHINGTON.D.C.20460VSEPi37350-220QIMr.L.I!armingtluntzihgDirectorofRegulationU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionHashington,D.C.20545
 
==DearMr.Huntzing:==
[tIIlLiSEPj.O!973"IJ$.A'IOm"Fli-ll$Tp;:;u,illlion$0;IIBSOFFICEOFTII/AOMINISTAATOITheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhasreviewedthedraftenvironmentalimpactstatementfortheflineNilePointi'luclearStat;ion,Unit1.'Thisstatementwasissuedinconj,unctionwiththe'utility'sapplicationforcon-version'fitsprovisionaloperatinglicensetoafull-term1icen'se'.HeconcurpiththeAECstaffopinionthattheexistingmonitoringprogramforassessingtheextentofimpingementandentrainmentlossesisinadeouate.,HeagreewiththeAECstaff'recomimendationthatthispro0rambesubstantia11yexpanded.Becauseofthislackofinforinationconcerningtheeffectsoftheplantonthebiotaofthereceiyingwaters,acompleteassessmentofthep1ant'environmentalimpactisnotpossib1e.Conseouent1y,itisourrecommendationthatthefina1impactstatementnotbeorocessedandthefu11-termoperating1icensenotbegrantedunti1aftercomp1etion=ofthemonitorinqprogramandana1ysisoftheresu1ts.Intheinterim,'hep1antshouldcontinuetooperateunderits,provisiona11icense.Thecoolingsystemasnowoperatedcausesavio1ationoftheNewY0rkStatecriteriafortherma1discharges.Heanticipatethatthisdischargewouldbeinvio1ationofarevisiontoFederal-StatestandardsundertheFederalHaterPo11utionControlActAmendmentsofl972(FliPCA)andwou1d,ina11probabi1ity,failtomeeteff1uentguide1inesundertheF!IPCAwhentheyarepromulgated.Herecommend,there-fore,thattheapplicanteva1uatea1ternativeheatdissipa-'ionsystemsforthis"faci1ity.Thefactthatactua1operatingexperiencehasresu1tedinhigher'iquidre1easesthanthosecalculatedleadsusto questiontheapplicabilityoftheAECstandardmodelfor'valuatingliquidradwastesystems..Thefinalstatementshouldaddressspecificallywhatequipmentdeficiencieshaveoccurredandwhatcorr'ectiveactionshavebeentaken,orwhatcommitmentshavebeenmadetotakesuchactions,whichwillinsurethattheliquidradwasteequipmentwillperformasdesigned.AfteranexaminationofthedisparitybetweenAECestimatesof'uriesreleasedandtherelativepercentages~ofcriticalisotopesreportedinthe1'971and1972operatingreportsforthestation,wequestionthevalidityofsome~ofthebasic'assumptionsusedby.theAECintheirdosecal-culationsforthisnuclearstation.Useofthe.standardAECdosemodelisacceptableoddlyifitadequatelyreflectsreportedoperationalreleasesfromthestation.since1972.Thisdiscrepancyshouldberectifiedinthefinalstatement.O'erdetailedcommentsonthisdraftstatementareenc16sdd.~In,lightofourreviewofthisstatementandinaccordancewith'EPAprocedure,we'haveclassifi,edtheproj-ectasER(EnvironmentalReservations)andratedthedraftstatementasCategory2i(InsufficientInformation).liewould,bepleasedtodiscussourclassificationorcommentswithyouormembersofyourstaff..'Sincerely.yours,Pc/~~jA.-~heldontteyersDirectorOfficeof-FederalActivitiesEnclosure A-44EPACT'!D-.AEC-06112-flYEif'UIROllf'IEllTflLPROTECTION'lAGENCYl/ashincgton,D.C.20~<60Septer,='er1973EilVIRO'(ilEifTALIllPACTSTATEf":""llTCOfiiiEf)TSHingtlile;Point'fluclearStation,Unit1LTABLEOFCOll.EflTS,.>><<rrvDUCTIOflAiD'COilCLUSIOlSRADIOLOGICALs'iSPECTSRad-'cactive'!JasteHanager;ntDos-Assess.".:ntReactorAccidentsHO'f-,RADIOLOGICAL,ASPECTS'iologicalConsidrationsTlierva~lCo~siderationsOtiier'lfatcrequalityEffectsAirequalityandfleteorolon~p\'335.7,7'01219 A-45IHTRODUCTIC'</'.il0CG!iCLUSIO,"iSTheEnvironmentalProtectionAgo'ncy(EPA}hasreviewedthedraftenvironmentali!epactstatementfortheiiinehilePointi"uclearStationUnitIprepavedbytheU.S.AtomicEnergyCommission(AEC)andissuedonJuly5,19/3.Following.areour'ajorconclus.ions:l.Thepr6posodaugmentedradioactivewastemanagemeni:systemisexpected-to14)itradioactiveveleasestoa,levelthatcanbeconsidered"as1owaspracticable,"2.Operatingdatafromthisplantleadustoquestionthe'pplicabilityofthAECstandardriodelfovevaluatingtheliquidradwastetreatmentsystems.The'finalstatementshouldaddress,specifically,whatequipmentdficiencieshaveoccurredandwhatcorrectiveactionshavebeentai;enorarecommittedto,whichwillinsui=thatthe:1iquidiadwasteequipmintwi>1per>Gvmasdesiuneu.3.Afteranexaminationoftiie'cuviesreleasedandtherelatis'e-pevcentagesofcviticali'sotopesvepo!'tedinthe1971aiid1972opevatingreportsfovthestation,wecuestionthevalidityofsome.ofthebasicassumptionsusedbytheAECintheirdose,calculationsforthisnucleavstation.UseofthestandardAECdosemodelisacceptableonlyifitadequatelyreflectsreportedoperationalreleasesfrcmthestationsince1972.H4.1't:eexistingmonitoringprogramfovassessingtheextentofimpingem..ntandentrainmentlossesis'inadequate.'He.concurwiththeAECstaff'srecommendationthatthisprogrambesubstantiallyexpanded.
5.Owingtothelackofinform'ationconcerningtheeffectsoftheplantonthebiotaofthereceivingwater,aco!r!deleteassess...entof.-theplant'se>>vironmontalimpactisnotpossible.Consequently,itisourrecommendationthatthefinalstatemnt'notbeprocessedandthefull-germoperatinglicensenot.begranteduntilafter.completionofthemonitoringprogrciandanalysisoftheresults.Intheinterim,theplantshouldcontinuetooperateunder.itsprovisionallicense.6.Thecoolingsystemaspresentlyd'esignedwillcausellewYorkStatecriteriaforthermaleffluentstobegrosslyexceeded.
A-47RADIO!.Ol'ICAf.h.".PLOTSRadioactivel".astefi-nape",!entTheradioactivewastemanage.ntsystemscurrentlybeingutilizedintf;efiineNilePoint,fnuclearStationUnit1are'notrepresentativeofcurrentpractice.However,th..proposedaugmentedradioact.ivewastesystemsinclud"state-of-the-art"techno'fogyand,ifproperlyoperatedandmaintainedconsi'stentwith10CFRPart50,thedischavgesshouldbe"aslowaspvacticable'."Asnotedonpage3-18ofthedraftstatement,"Opratingexperiencetodatehasresultedinhigherliquidreleasesthanthosecalculated.1Theoper<stingmaintena!!ceveportindicatesthattheradwateequipmenthasnotperfcvmedaccordingtodesign."Thesedeiciencics~ouldbeduetoavavietyofcauses,suchaalackofco'll()onentreliabilitycausivgexcessleal:ag,ovfailuretoachieveexpecteddecontaminationfactcrs.Ontheother'hand,thiproblemsthathaveoccurredmaybepeculi<<rtotheHinehilePoint1stationrathevthanthewas'tetreatmentequipmentitselt,duetooperationalfactors.Inviewofthecurventlyavailableoperatingexp"vience,weareconcerned!iitl!theapplicabilityoftheAf,'Cs'tandardmodelforevaluatingtheliquidvadwastesystem.Thfinalstatementshouldaddresspecificallywhatdeficiencieshaveoccurredandthecorrectiveactionsthathavebeenimplementrd,oravecommitted'Ito,whichwillinsurethattheliquidreleaseswillbe"as.lowaspracticable."Ifcorrectiveactionhasalreadybeentaken,thenwewouldencou!acetheutil1zatlonofopevat'ln(Jdatatakensubsequenttothatactionto A-48valida<ctheAECstandardmodelfortheanalysistobemadeinthefinalstatep;QnDoseAssessme!>tHeaveconcern"dwiththevalid',tyof'singtheAECstandardassumptionsinthedosecalculationsassociatedwithliquidreleasesfromth.s.ationinlightoftheavailableoperatingdata.Thisconcernistwo.-f'old:1)thoperatingdataindicateamuchgreatertotalactivi<y.rclcQse'lajld2)1avg.variati0saeQYidentinthpercentagesofcritical1ong-1ivedisotopes(isotopi'cmix)observedinoperatingdataversustheAECpedictedvel..ases.1hfol1owingtablei11ustratesthepjoblrm:AECest";ma'"eofexIscingsystejj.ralrasas1971opvatingdataadjustedto80"-loadfac<'nva1972opej'atingdataadjustedto8051oad.fart'orIsotope1972itotalCi1971total.,Ci1972/.tota1CiCs-13-:Cs-137i~in-54Co-60I-1330'0'0~11015~750.036,0.0320.00~i'.0370.63Accojdij'gly,thcfinalstatementshould0.7011.14,8555147291155118,4845136701'-20.09.3026.013.65-0.90.371.951.01useeitherextrapolationsfrom4theexistingopev<tingdatafovthedosecalculations,ovjustifytheuseof'thstandardAECmodel,inordertopresentaworevealisticIpictur.oftheimpactofthisfaci1ity.I~TI'aAS)Dl'<itlOAEPA<,,initsc,".vlicrreviewsofthe"-:vivo'jmnta'limpactoftvansporta<ionofradioactivejjatejial,agveedwiththeAECthatmanyaspectsofthispvc".Cmfouldbestbetveatedonagenericbasis.The A-49genericapproachhas1"Qacl)edthepoint):hereonFebr.!avy5,1973,theAECpublish"d'forcommentin.theFed'alRogiste)'vulemakingoroposalconcerningt!e"Environ)'QntalEffectsofTransportationofFueland.!lastefromHuclea)Po)ierReactors."EPi~co."'I'ntedontileproposedvulcan"kingbyalettertotheAEC,dated!larchP2,1973,anI!byanappearanceatthepublich.aiingonA'pail2,1973.Untilsuchtimea..'ageiericrl<leisestablished,theEPAiscontinuingtoassesstheadequacyofthe'quantiiativeestimatesofenvironmental.radiati'oi1i))'~pactlesul'ingvo.tran.portationofIrad'ioactiyem~terialspvovidedinQnviror)I)entalstate));ents.Tl)Qestimatesprov'dcdforthisstationaredeemedadequatebasedoncurrentlyavailabl~ingnvm!tion.AnaCtnvArrir).nt~EPAhase>:?'..)inedtheIIECanalysisofaccid"I)tsandt!1eirpotential~erist;s<:hichACChasdevelo!:Qd.int!1.,cou)'sofitsengineeringevaluationof)eacto)'".1etyinti0desi<')1Gf)!clearplai'(ts.Since=theseaccidntsareco))montoallnuclealpo"el"plantsGfagiYen'typ,EPAconcurs)liththeAEC's.app)oachtoevaluatetheenvironmentalriskgforeachaccidentclassonagerIericb"sis.TheAEChasinthepastandstillconti)1uestodevoteextensive.effortstoassuvesafetythrough'lantdesignandaccidntanaly'sesi))thelicen~jngpvocessonacase-by-casebasis.EPA,.ho;;ever,favorsthe.additionalstepnonbingundertai;enby,t!1efiECofathorougha~alysisonamorequantitativebasisofth"1"tkGf,po'c)tlalaccl(.":)tsinallvange.l.'Qcontinuetoencou)'agethisefforta)'duvnet!)eHAECtopressfor)',avdtoitstimely A-50completionaridpublicatiori.EPAblievesthiswillresultinabetterunderstanidingofthepossibieriskstotheenvironment.IInordertoprovideafuller<<nderstar.dingofthedivectionoftheseefforts,itisrequestedthatthefinIstatement(eitherdirectlyorbypubliclyavailablereference)prov'ideinformationonthenature,expectedsched<<le,andlevelofeffortoft!1osegnericstudieswhichareexpectedtoleadtoabasisfora-subsequentDssessmelltbytheAECconcern%'1gtheriskfromallpotcnt1alaccidntsclassesi,ntheNine1.hilePointStc".tion.Itisrecogni,".'hat<.his'ubsequentassessmentmaybeeithergeneric'orspecifici:iriatu;e.d"I:end'.rig'ontheoutcomeofthegenericstudies.'naddition,thefinalistatemenr.shouldincludeanC'ECcommitri1entthatthisassessm"ntwill.bv.'.adepu~blicly<<vailablewi'ihinareasonabletimeperiodfolio;;:ingco:;.pletionoth"g"-nel'1ci~s~r'<n~<<vly>>1'ithecboveeriorts'iI'Mcc'.'>>~c,nc'.cu<<1'rlatedrlsl:s1/<",vebeingtal;enc.'ttiiel'llliel'iilePointStation1'e.arecerfident.thattneAECwl11assuleappvopiiacecorrectivactio11,.:Simi1a.'ly,ifEPAii.effortsrelatedtotheaccident'crea(!ncovelc.li"envivor~i"~vitally,unacceptableconditionsrela+dto~he"safetyoftheloireiiilePoint1Station,wewillri1akeouvviewsl:nown.
iiOH-RI'.0IOLO(i',CALtiS.";"CTSBiolouicalConsid"r",tiors-hiI>eililePoi!ItUnit1hasbeeninopevationfor31/2years.DIIringtiIatperiodtheapplicanthas.,hadtlieopportunitytoperformcomprehensivemonitoringofthebiologicaleffectsoftheonce-thvoIIghcoolingsystem.Jnparticular,completeanalysesoflossesbyimpinge-mentandentrainmentcouldhave.beenperformedandtheresultsmadeavailableatthistime.Thesecouldhavebeenusedas.abasisf'rjudgingtheacceptbilityof'hpvesentcoolingsystemdesignasiteffectstheaquaticecology.Instead,overthe31/2yearsoftheplant'soperation,ti.eapplicanthascarriedoutan'incompleteand.insufirientmon".'toringprogram,theresultsofIIhichareiradequate,forpiirposesofdetevaI!ningtheenvironmentalimpactoftheplant'sOpevat'ion.Theinadequaciesoi.the'vesentvonitoring,programwereindicatedbyusinourreview.ofthedraftiII,pactstate;reI>tforVineliilePointUnit2.,To.recapituliatethoseobjections,theyave:(1)theimpingementstudycharacterizes90hoursoutofthevoughly30,000thattheplanthasbeenoperative.(2)combine<<effectsofoperationsI<ithonce-throughcoolingleadtoestim-tesbythisoffice..(usingdatasubmitted)ofverylargefishlosses.atcertaintimesoftheyear.(3)theimpIngeII'.entstudiesI)eveonlydonoveralimitedtime'fyear.
A-52(0)nostudiesatallwiredoneonentrainmentoffishlarvaeand,fry.'hiseffect,coupledwithim~ingementlossesi'entionedabove,couldconceivablybeverysevere.(5)theresultsofpastei>trainmentstudiesareinadQquateandnoiuseful~(6)theeffectoftheplant'soperationontheoverallaquaticecosystemoftheareahasnotbeenassessedthroughmonitori'>g,,norcoulditbeiiitheabsenceofdataonimpingementandentrainmentlosses.Theresult,isthatinformationdoesnotexistwhic!>>.ouldallowadeterminatio..oftheimpactof.theplant'scoolingwatersystemonaquaticorganisms.Indication:-are,however,thatsignificani1osse'sduetoentrainme'nt,a~i'"p"i-2'icrt'i'illoccur"0oicui"i'ithtie"C'staiii'scoiiclusiiciit!atcompletemortalitywillresulttoentrainedorganismswhenexposedtoa32'Ftemperaturei"isoandatransittimeof,6minutes.Fisht;,hichkenterthroughtheinta!;estructurearelikelytosuffer1COKmortali.yalso,and,sincethestructureislocatedinareoionknowntohavehighconcentraiionsoffish,thislosscouldbesubstantial.Thetrueextentofalltheselosseshasnot,asweindicatedabove,beenquantif'ied.Consequently;ajudgeme'ntoftheimpactoftheplanton=t!'.eaquaticecology-cannotbemade./IntheSummaryandConclusionssectionthestaffroco;spendsthattheapplicantundertakeamuchexpandedenvirorimentalmonitoringprogramfordeterminingth-"'ant'simpactontheaquaticenvironment.lieconcur withthisvocommendation.,Certainaspectsofhisprovamneedfurtherexplanation,however.Theportiondealer>gwithintakeeffectsdoesnotdescribethedurationofthefishmonitoringprogram.Also,theproposedlaboratoryentrainmntstudiesconsiderth.effectoftemperaturebuttotallyignorethe7'echanicalstvessexpviencedduvingasixminutetransittime.Thismechanicalstressisprobablymoveharmfultflanthethermalstressandthetwoinconjunctionworksynergisticallytopro-ducetheactualloss.Thus,inordevtozcculatelydeterminentrainmentlossesatechniqueshou'ldbedevelopedtoCimul'atetheactualstressexperiehcedbyentrainedorganisms.Sincethegoaloftheproposedmonitoringprogramistodeterm',ntheeffectofentrainmentznd'impingement.losses.onthelakeecosystem,thetotalimpact,of.allplantsintheareamustbedetermined.'Rather\sgppgatemonitoringprogramsforljinei;:ilePnin.Unis!avd'PandtheFitzPatrickplant,asinglemonitoringeffort,for<,llthreeplantsshouldb.instituted.-Thus,impingementaidentrainmei>tlossdata'-fromthethreeplantscouldbcdrrelatedwith.thedatafvo",.iasinglelakepopulationstudyandeffects,ifany,dtermined.IThestaffprecedesthei')recommendationofamonitoringprogramwiththeconclus'ionthat(hecuvventprovisionaloperatinglicenseshouldbeconvertedto'full-termlicense.ItisstatedthatthisistheactioncalledfovunderthetiationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(HEPA).IItisouropinion,basedonthelackofsufficientinfovma.ionwith'i,"hichtoassessth'eenv'iv'onmentalimpactoftheplant,thattherequirements'oftlEPAhavenotbeinsatisfied,andthereforethatnoactioniscalledfor.
A-54Conside}ingthelackofinformation,wllicf1isdiscussedabove,anevaluationoftheenvironmentali;;.pactofthisaction,sufficientu>>drHFPA,isnot,possible.f'edonotseetherequirementsoff'lEPAbeingsatisfieduntilthepvoposedmonitorringprogramiscompletedandtf}<<e>>esufficientdataavailablesothattheeffectsofthenlantcanbeassessed.Tlerefore,wevecommendthatthefull-termlicensenotbeissueduntil-suchtir}astheenvironmentalimpactof.theactioncanbefullyevaluated.Onlywhenthe}.equiredinfovmationisavailable,shouldafinalenvironmentali'opactstater:.ntbeissuedasabasisfor'thedecisiono}}tf!efull-terr!}operatinglicense.ThermalConsideratiohsAsreportedintheEIS,ffwYorf;-Statetf;er}}.ai'ischargecriterialinittf}eriseinsurfacetemperatureintheveceivingwater.to3'Flth'fna'cll!Jfotra!iusaea.(rf:'cresjf!ithtnepvesen~dischavre4system,tf1'eareaencompassedbytie3isotf>er}}}ofUnit,1vargesfrom~/50to400acvos.Evenatthelowendoftherapge,tfewYorkStaiq\thevmalcriteriaaregrosslye>;ceedd.Itcanthenbeassumedthatwi>enthedisci'.argyfro.;}Unit2andthedischargesfromUnit2andtheFitz-PatrickplantaresuperimposedontheUrrit1plume,thesituationvillbeworsestill.ThisEISbarelymentionshandneglectsanydiscussionoftheappli-cant'sproposal,co}}tainedinthedraftstatementfovllineMilePointUnit2,tocombinetheUnit1and2disc'hargesintoasinglesubmerged'Ijet'iffusev.Thistypeofdischargehasasignificanteffectonplum!e10 A-55sizeandwouldaltevconsidieiablythe,sizeoftliepluv.-enccrpassedliythe3'sotherm.Thewaytliatthismightafreetcoillpllancev'lthtlleYma!criteviashouldhavebeenco1-;Pletelyanalyzdintliisdraftstatei.".ent.Alsotheresultol'nylnteractioiwiththeplumeoftheFitzPatricl;plantshould!!avebeen,analyzed.Bothoftieseanalysesshouldbeincludedinthefinalstater:,ent,andwillbeconsidel.ationsin(heissuancebyEPAofaSection402dischavgepermituiidevtheFederall~aterPollution'ContvolAct(Fi.'PCA).InaccordancewithtileFl;PCA,discharg>sto.navigablewatei'saresubjecttoeffliientliinitationsreflectingthe"bestpvacticablecontr'oltechnologycurielltlyavailable"byJuly1,1977,ovtostvictevlimita-tionsiftheyareiiecessarytor;eetapplicablewaterqualitystandavds.By.July1,1983,dischavgevsriu.tachieveeffluentcontiolsveilectiiigiticbestc'vailab'.eLecllA01ogyeconomicaliyQcillcv"bie.'IGi"liit'v"ffhlcoivponentofdischargesareevalua'tionof.thelir,itatlonsll:!posedbytheAdiiiinistvatovofEPAispossibleunderSection316,F!'!PCA.)'efinitionsofthetechnology-basedterriisalesclleduledforprorul-gation'nOctober1973.Tl>ecoolingsystem-asnowoperatedcausesaviolationof'xistingcriteria,asnotedabove,andweanticipactliatthedisc!>argewillbeinviolationofarevisiontoFederal-Statestand-ardsnowpendingundertheF!!PCA.Fuvthei.r;,ore,tliedischargewould,inallprobability,failtomeattheeffluentlimitationsguidelines,oncepromulgated.Theapplicants!iould,therefore,evaluatealternativeheatdissipationsysterisforthisfacility,includingclosed-cyclesystem.alternatives,tal;ingiiitoaccounttlierelationshipofwasteheateffects trodiUnitIIandFitzpatrickas';!ellasUnitI.Suchevaluationshouldbeincludedinthefinal.staternnt.Other!!vtevOualitgEffectsTheht'.Cstaffhascopcluded(page5-6)irithrespecttotheincreaseintot<,ldissol,edsolidsasaresultofplantoperation,that"nolat'e-widef'feet~;illbediscernible."!tevecort".vend,thattheapplicantinclude<nevaluationoflocalimpacts,andjustifythenon-coj",nliancev!ithveqvive!,"nts.ovtotaldissolvdsolidslevelsofthehinirumFeder<alHaterqua!ityCviteriaandtheIntevqationalA<,rectientonGreatLakes!atevOuality(1'.pril15,1972).Thdraftstater~antalsorecognizes(page5-7)thnon-corplia:ceof!<'ine!lilePoint,UnitI,>"ithrcquire-llientsfortheadditionofphosphatesto1eceiving.!atersofthe!'hnirumFedelal!<ai'Qv(~uality'viteriaandtheIn"evnaticnali<greemntonGreat<./</6C<Imtn<~<I/inIN<.iIh%ho1/~'lC~<'//~11<qalAfI1~v~~V//4~/<Qvl~/VJ/Th4<<l///IIiVlliJl/Vu<d!II<'<ll</)IllMl<'In<<Ir.:"n+,detailedjustificatiot>fovths'notl"co).""pl]ance.AivQuait~i'ndl.ei<.'coraloqvstate-The-'irp<".ctstatel"ntshouldprovideadiscussio1oftherechanicalequipa.ntatthefacilityvrhichhasapotentialfoveriittingnon-r<.dio-logicalairpollutants.Inf'ormationfovauxiliaryboilersanddiesel/enginesshouldbeprovided.,relatingtosizeofeouipixnt,fuultype,fuelanalysis,fueluserateandfrequencyofuseforeachtypeofequip-mnt,,andpollutantemission.factovsevyloyedinestir~atin'gairpollu-tant.omissions.Inforl~~ationshouldbeprovidedinthefinalstater.'.entrelativetothei;.yactofthehign'voltagetransrissionlineozonepr'.!ictionrateanditspot.itialenviron;;.'ntali~:@acts.1P..
.5;.57Thestatementshouldprovideadiscussionoftheexistingambientairqualityandtheanticipatedambientairqualityv<ithandvrithoutthefacili-tyinopration.Heteorologicalmaterialpresentedinthisdraftandenvironmntala'nd.heenvironmental'tatementforUnit1isessentiallyidentical'tothatpresentedearlierforUnit2.Ourmeteorologicalcour.".:antsremainthesameasthosepresentedino'"lett.rof'tray2~,1973,onlline)1ilePointf(uclearStation,UnitII.
FEDERALPOWERCOMMISSIONWASHINGTON,D.C.20426INRKPLVREP'ERTO)50-220Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalProjects.DirectorateofLicensingU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionWashington,D.C.20545
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
~E"~~1S73mI2SEP'I'II;>'t"tI..I',.~ZZ-'tiWII,))/~i~61S13Thisisinresponse'toyourletterdatedJuly5,1973,requestingcommentontheAECPraftEnvironmentalStatementrel'atingtotheconversionofthecurrentprovi.sionaloperatinglicensetoafull-tennlicensetotheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit'(DocketNo.50-220)..ThefollowingcommentsaremadeincompliancewiththeNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,andtheApril23,1971,GuidelinesoftheCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality,andreviewtheneedforthecapacity~ofthe610-megawatt'ineMilePointNuclearUnit1withregardtotheadequacyandreliabilityoftheaffectedelectricpowersystemsandrelatedmatters.Inpreparationofthesecomments,theFederalPowerCommission'sBureauofPowerstaffhasconsideredtheAECDraftEnvironmentalState-ment;theAppli.cant'sEnvironmentalReportandSupplementsthereto;relatedreportsmadeinrespo'nsetotheCommissi.on'sStatementofPolicyonReliabilityandAdequacyofElectricService(DocketNo.R-362);andthestaff'sanalysisofthesedocumentstogetherwithrelatedinformationfromotherFPCreports.Thestaffgenerallybasesitsevaluationoftheneedforaspecificbulkpowerfacilityuponlong-.termconsiderationsaswellasupontheload-supplysituationforthepeak'loadperiodimmediatelyfollowingtheavailabilityofthefacility.ItshouldbenotedthattheusefullifeoftheNineMilePointunxtisexpectedtobe30yearsormore.Duringthatperiodtheuni'twillmakeasignificantcontributiontotheadequacyofpowersupplyintheApplican't'sservice'rea.TheNineMilePointNuclearUnit1hasbeenincommercialoperationsinceDecember1969.DuringtheperiodfromDecember1969toDecember31,1971,theunitprod'uced4,858"billionkilowatt-hoursofelectricenergy,'ndduring1972theunitproducedanadditional3>242billionkilowatt-hours.
A-59~2Mr.DanielR.MullerTheApplicantisamemberoftheNewYorkPowerPool(NYPP),whichcoordinatestheoperationofmembers'ulkpowersystemswhosecombinedserviceareasservetheentireStateo'fNewYork.TheApplicantisalsoamemberoftheNortheastPowerCoordinatingCouncil(NPCC),whichcoordinatestheplanningofthemembers'eneratingandtransmissionfacilitiesintheareawhichincludestheStateofNewYork,NewEnglandandtheprovincesofNewBrunswickandOntario.NPCChasestablishedareliabilx.tycrite'rionequivalenttoalossofloadprobabilityofonedayintenyears.Membersoft'eNYPPhaveagreedthattomaintainthis.standard,eachmembersystemwillmaintaininstalledcapacityatleastequaltothatrequi.redtomeetan18percentreserveduringitsmostrecentannualpeakload.TheBureauofPowerstaffhasanalyzedtheeffectofthecapacityofNineMilePointNo.1onthewinter-peakingApplicant'ssystemforthe1973-1974WinterPeakPeriodandthesummer-peakingNYPPforthe1974SummerPeakPeriod.ThefollowingtabulationsshowtheeffectoftheNineMileUnit1onthesesystems.NIAGARAMOHAWKSYSTEM1/1973-74WINTERPEAKLOADPERIODWithUnit1WithoutUnit1TotalOwnedCapability,Dec.31,1972,MWShareofRosetonNo.1,MWShareofRosetonNo.',MWShareofFitzpatrickNo.1,MWShare=ofBlenheim-Gilboa,MWOtherPurchasesTotalCapability,MWEstimatedPeakLoad,:MWReserveMWReserve,/ofPeakLoad3,251240240295550~l'646"'2222~52001,02219~72,641240240295550~16465,612~52004127.9I'1/NiagaraMohawkForm12ReportFor1972.
A-60w3Mr.DanielR.MullerHERYORKPOWERPOOL1974SUMMERPEAKPERIOD1/Wi,thUnit1WithoutUnit1TotalCapability-MegawattsNetPeakLoad>>Megawatts'ReserveMargin-MegawattsReserve.Margin-PercentofPeakLoad27,6712200062/5,66525'27,06122,0062/5,05523.01/DataSource:NPCCReport383-2dated'April1,1973.2/CoincidentPeakLoadof21,930megawattsincreasedby76MWasaresultoftransactionswithsystemsoutsideNYPP.TheNiagaraMohawkreserveof19.7%%uwithNineMilePointiswithintherangeusuallyfoundsatisfactory,butthebarenumericalvalueisdeceptive.Ofthe1,646MWlistedunder"OtherPurchases,"270MWissuppliedbyRochesterGas&ElectricCompany,whointurnisrelyingonapurchaseof207MWfromPowerAuthorityof'theStateofNewYork.However,RochesterGas&ElectricCompany,accordingtoits1972Form12ReporttotheFederalPowerCommission,willonlyhavea5.2/reserveatthetimeofits1973-74winterpeak.Consequently,ofthe1,022megawattreservethatNiagaraMohawkappearstohavewithNineMilePointNo.1,270megawattscanbeconsideredofdoubtfulreliability.WithoutNineMilePoint,NiagaraMohawkwouldhaveonlya7.9/.reserve,morethanhalf.ofwhichwouldbedependentonapurchaseofdoubtfulreliability.Itis,.thereforeessentialforNiagaraMohawk'sadequacyof'ervicetohaveNineMilePointNo.1inopeiationatit'sfullrated610megawatts.TheApplicant'ssystemisintegratedwithallNewYorkStatesystems.throughtheNYPPandthesummer-peakingpoolindicatesreservesof25.8percentofpeakloadresponsibilitywiththecapacityofUnit1and23.0percentwithouttheunit.Duringthe"weekofthesummerpeaksin1971and1972theNYPPexperiencedunavailablecapacity'otalling3,326megawattsand3,581megawatts,respectively,duetoscheduledmaintenance,forcedoutages,delaysinavailabilityofnewunitsandvariationofhydroconditionsfrommedianvalues.Iftheaverageofthecapacitylossesexperiencedduringthe1971and1972summerpeaksexistedatthetimeofthe1974summerpeak,thereservesontheNYPPsystemwouldbereducedto'10.0percentwithUnit1and7.3percent.withouttheunit. Mr.DanielR.MullerDuringthe1974summerperiod,theavailabilityofemergencypowersuppliesfromtheneighboringNEPOOL/andPJM/poolsmaybelimitedbytheneedsofthosesystemstomaintainplannedreservelevels.ThelimitedcapacityoftheinterconnectionsandthepredominantlythermalsystemsofNEPOOLandPJM,whichaxesubjecttoforcedoutages,fuelshortagesandoperatingrestrictionsduetoairqualitylimitations,indicatethatlittlecapacityreservewouldbeavailablefromtheseareas.Thewinter-peakingOntarioHydrosystemhasindicatedreservesaftermaintenanceof31.3percentofpeakload,totalling3,490mega-watts,andisconsideredtheonlyavailablesouiceofemergencypowersupply.TheNineMilePointUnit1iscompletedandhasbeenproducingelectricpowersince1969.Inviewofthesubstantialpurchasesof.powernecessarybytheApplicanttomeetitssystemdemands,theBureauofPowerstaffrecommendsthatthefull-termoperatinglicensebeissuedto'heApplicantforthisunit.Powerpurchasesareanexpedientformeetingelec'tricsystemdemandsduringconstructionofnewunits';however,purchasesarenotasatisfactorysubstituteforadequatebase-loadownedgeneration.Regionalreliabilityisgreatly'improvedwheneachelectricsystemhasadequateinstalledgeneratingcapacitytomeetitssystemdemandsandprovidereservecapacity.Theuseofgeothermalpowerasanalt'ernativetothenuclearunitwasnotconsidered,accordingtotheDraftEnvironmentalStatement(page9-1).gnlight'ogthefactthatgaofjjenaalsourcesareknowntoexist.inNew.Yorkandneighboringstates,-adiscussionofthisalt'ernatewouldbeappropriate.HydroelectricpowerasasubstitutefortheNineMilePointNuclearunitwouldbeimpracticalandinadequate.AlthoughthetotalgeneratingcapacitythatcouldbemadeavailableinNewYorkbytheadditionofgeneratorsatexistinghydrositesandthedevelopmentofnewsitesissome1,292megawatts,4/thiscapacitywouldbescatteredoveralargenumberofsites.Thetotalaverageannualenergyavailablefromallthesites4/wouldbeapproximatelyequaltotheannualenergyobtainable1/NewEnglandPowerPool.2/Pennsylvania-NewJersey-MarylandInterconnection.3/ThermalSpringsoftheUnitedStatesandOtherCountriesoftheWorld-ASummary.GeologicalSurveyProfessionalPaper492.U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,1965.4/HydroelectricPowerResourcesoftheUnitedStates,January1,1972.FederalPowerCommission,FPCP-42.
A-62-5-Mr.DanielR.MullerfromNineMilePointNo.1..However,itisnotconsideredfeasibletodev'clop'alargenumberofsmallhydroelectricsitesduetoenvironmentalconsiderationsandpublicreaction.TheBureauofPowerstaffconsidersthattheNineMilePointUnit1isneededontheApplicant'ssystemtomeettheprojectedloads.Inviewofthe"substantialpowerpurchasesrequiredbyNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationtomeetloads;andthe-seriousconsequencesofinadequateinstalledgeneratingcapacity,thestaffconsidersitprudentthatafull-termlicensebeissuedtotheApplicantforthecontinuedopexationoftheNineMileNuclearStationUnit1.Verytrulyyours,TA.hi1lipChief,BureauofPowex' A-63VnitedStatesDepartmentoftheInteriorOFFICEOFTHESECRETARYWASHIilGTOil,D.C.20240.50-220,QGT261976'$8CTp6)g73~Afggg~~co~<,.r~cfogInreplyreferto:-ER-73/946Generalill~]i~
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
P'hankyou'foryourletterofJuly5,.1973,transmittingcopiesoftheAtomicEnergyCommission'sdraft.environmentalstatementdatedJuly1973,onenvironmentalconsiderationsforNineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,OswegoCounty,NewYork.NineMilePointNuclearStation,Unit1,istheinitialcompo-nentofa2,531MWepowergeneratingcomplexlocatedalongtheshorelineofLakeOntarionearSyracuse,NewYork.Unit1,a610MWeplantwhichbeganoperationinDecember1969,willbecomplementedbytheJamesA.PitzpatrickNuclearPowerPlant,scheduledtobeginoperationinOctober973,andNineMile'ointUnit2whichisexpectedtobecompletedin1978.Eachfacilityisdesignedforonce-through"'cooling.PishstocksofLakeOntariohaveundergonesubstantialchangesbecauseofmodificationofvegetationpatternsinthewateished,dammingoftributarystreams,depletionofthefishstocksbycommercialharvest,introductionofexoticfishspecies,andeffectsofmunicipalandindustrialwastedisposal.Thesekindsofchangesinteracttoalterthecompetitivecompositionoffishstocks,generallyfavoringthosehavinglesservaluetoman.Theevidenceofenvironmentaldeterioationisfarmoremarked.inshorethanoffshore.By1950algaebegantofoulgillnetsofcommercialfisherman,yetoxygen"depletionswhichareoftenassociatedwithsuchdensealgaegrowthwerenotdetecteduntil1970.Theseconditionsdonotfavorsuccessfulreproductionoffishspeciessuchaslake,herringandwhitefish.Theindividualandcumulativeimpactsofonce-throughpowerplantcoolingintheareaofNineMilePointwillplaceanunwarrantedandunacceptableburdenonthelake'sresources.qMHOyt.+o4Let'sCleanUpAmericaForOur200thBirthday A-642Technologyforclosed-cyclecoolingsystemshasadvancedtoapointwhereintheenvironmentaleffects;includingdriftandblowdownareminimal.-BasedonpartialandincompletestudiesontheenvironmentaleffectsofUnit1,webelievethatcon-tinueduseofthelake'swaterforpowerplantcoolingatNine;.MilePointisnotinthebestpublicinterest.Ourdetaileacommentsarepresentedaccordingtotheformatofthestatementoraccordingtospecificsubjects."SummarandConclusionsBasedonthedescriptionofthethermalplumegiveninSection5andthe'ocationsoftheintakeanddischargefacilities,itisprobablethatrecirculationoftheheatedeffluentwilloccuratUnit:,1.WesuggestthattheimpactsassociatedwithrecirculationshouldbeidentifiedintheSummaryandConclusionsSection.OutdoorRecreationOurconcernsforoutdoorrecreationaldevelopmentforthisareahavebeenexpressedinourpreviousletterstotheAECinregardtotheJamesA.FitzpatrickNuclearPowerPlantandUnit2ofNineMilePoint.Webelievethatthesubjectstate-mentshouldaddressthepossibilitiesofdevelopinganopenspacemultiple-useplanforthelandsofbothpowerplants.Theplancouldbedevelopedbythejointeffortsoftheapplicant,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYork,theNewYorkStateConservationDepartment,andtheCountyofOswego.Sincetheareaisonly36milesfromthemetropolitanareaofSyracuse;anoutdoorrecreationplanforamajorp'ortionofthelandsappearstobeinthepublicinterest.Wearepleasedthattheapplicanthasestablished130acresofthesiteasawildlifehabitatbypostingthenorthwestcornerofthesite.Additionally,wesuggestthatconsistentwithgeneralsafetyfactors,considerationbegiventodevelopingsecondaryusesofthetransmissionright-of-wayinthein'terestofoutdoorrecreation.ThisDepartment'sNortheastRegionalOfficeoftheBureauofOutdoorRecreationwillwelcomeanopportunitytoworkwiththeapplicantforsuchdevelopment.BOR'sNortheastRegion'sofficeislocatedattheFederalBuilding,l421CherryStreet,Philadelphia,Pa.19102.
A-65Toor'ahandGeoloThebriefsection<<ongeologyandtopography.isinadequateforanindependentassessmentofhowthese,majorelementsoftheenvironmentrelatetoUnit1.Thedistributionandthickness-ofsurficialdepositsandphysicalpropertiesofrocks'andsoilsshouldbesummarized,particularlyastheyrelatetodesign,construction,slopestability,anderosion.Atopographicandgeologicmapshouldbeincluded.Theseismic-design,,parametersandthemethodsoftheirderivationarenotmentioned.Sinceatleast13earthquakeshaveoccurredwithin50milesofthestationoveraperiodof110years,in-cludingonewithanintensityofVI.onthemodifiedMercalliscalethefinalenvironmentalstatementshouldstatespecificallywhatseismic-designcriteriawereusedi%iconstructionofUnit1andwhatenvironmentaleffectsarepredictedfromfutureearth-quakes.Thestatementismadeonpage2-8that"therelationshipofsiteseismologytothesafetyoftheStation,itsdesign,andseismicdesigncriteriahavebeenconsideredindetailbytheStaffinthesafetyreview."Wedonotfeelthatenviron-mentalconcernsrelatedtoseismol'ogyaresatisfied,bythisstatementorotherdiscussionsofseismologyinthe,report.ThedraftenvironmentalstatementsforboththeNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationUnit2andtheJamesA.FitzpatrickNuclearPowerP3.antconcludedthatthesiteis,locatedinaninactiveseismicregion.OurletterofApril1973,advisedyouthattheNineMilePointPlantisshownindamagezone2(moderatedamage)onaseismiczoningmapdated1969(U.S.CoastandGeodeticSurvey).Basedontheseconsiderationswebelieve-that.thisenvironmentalstatementshouldpresentamorecomprehensivesummaryoftheregionalandlocalsitegeology,andshouldspecifyhowthegeologicandseismologicanalyseshavebeentakeninto'ccount.Inthisrespect,wenotethattheAEChaspublished"SeismicandGeologicSitingCriteriaforNuclearPowerPlants"(Pro-posedAppendixA,10CFR100,FederalReister,November25,1971)whichprescribethenatureofrequa.re:investgations.Theimpactstatementshouldclearly.specifywhetherthesecriteriahavebeenappliedtotheNineMilePointsite.LakeWaterHdroloAdditionalinformationshouldbeincludedinthissectionto A-66describethetemperaturestratificationsanddevelopmentof-thermoclinesintheareaofNineMilePoint.Descriptiveinformationregarding.thissubjectisincludedin.TechnicalReportNo.14fromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,enti-tled"LimnologicalSurveyofLakeOntario,1964."ThispublicationisdatedApril1969,andisavailablefromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,AnnArbor,Michigan.A'u'atic'coloBecausethissectionisheavilydependentuponinformationavailableintheliterature,webelievethatdataandinfor-mationinTechnicalRepo'rtNo.23fromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,entitled,"AReviewofChangesintheFishSpeciesCompositionofLakeOntario"datedJanuary1973,shouldbereferencedalso.Informationcontainedinthisreportrelatestothespawningcharacteristicsofthewhitefishandlakeherringaswellasotherfishes.Also,fishspeciessuchasthewhitefish,lakeherringandtheyellowperchrequiretern'peratureslessthan4Cduringwinterperiodstosuccessfullyreproduce.Exposingadultsandeggsandlarvaetotemperatureshigherthanthosewhichnaturallyoccurduringwinterperiodsmaycausedeformities'todevelopeitherintheeggorlarvalstages.Althoughdataarenot,availableontherequirementsofcloselyrelatedspeciessuchassaugerandwalleye,theseandotherspeciesmayhavetheirreproductivepotentialimpairedbyincreasesinseasonaltemperatures.Referencetotheseandotherpotentialimpactsonfisheryresourcesaredescribedinareportentitled,"ReviewofRecent.TechnicalInformationConcerningtheAdverse'ffectsofOnce-ThroughCoolingonLakeMichigan,"preparedbytheU.S.FishandWildlife.Service,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,GreatLakesFisheryLaboratory,AnnArbor,Michigan,datedNovember1,1972.MuchofthisinformationisapplicabletoLakeOntario.SanitarWastesand'therEffluentsCopperandotherheavymetalswillerodeandcorrodefromthecoolingwatersystem.Theamountsofthesematerialsandtheirpotentialenvironmentalimpactsshouldbedescribedinthissectionoftheenvironmental.statement.SolidWaste'stemSolidradioactivewastesthatresultfromoperationsofUnit1aredescribedmainlybytheirgrosscharcter,asconcentratesfromradwasteevaporators,spentresinsand'iltersludge, 5paper,airfilters',rags,"andcontrolrods,fuelchannels,andcontaminatedreplacedequipment."Thei'rtotalquantityisroughlyestimatedas11,000'cubicfeetannually,withanactivityof2,700curies.However,thedraftstatementdoesnotspecifythekindsofradionuclides,theirphysicalstates,ortheirconcentrationsinthewastes,norhasthelocationplannedforoffsiteburialbeenidentified.Thisinformationshouldbepresentedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.Webelievethattheoffsitedispo'saloftheoperationalsolidradioactivewastesfrom.theNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationconstitutesanimportantlong-termenvironmentalim-pact.TheAECmustsatisfactorilysolvetheproblemofthese.proliferatingoperationalwastesfromallnuclearplantsbeforetheypresentamajorproblem.Therefore,webelieveandstronglyrecommendthattheenvironmentalstatementsforallreactors(includingNineMilePointUnit1)shouldspecifythekindsofradionuclides,theirphysicalstates,andtheirconcentrationsinthewastes,andtheestimatedtotalvolumeofwastesfortheexpectedoperatinglifeofthereactor.Additionally,ifanenvironmentalimpactstatementhasnotbeenpreparedfortheproposedburialordisposalsite,orifsuchastatementdoesnotfullyconsiderwastesofthenatureandquantityofthosegeneratedattheNineMilePointStation,thenwebelieveitincumbentontheAECtoincludeanevaluationofthedisposalsiteinthisenvironmentalstatement.".'ebelievesuchanevaluationshoulddiscusstheFederalandState,licensingprovisions,criteria,andresponsibilitiesforthesiteinconnectionwith:(1)determinationofthehydrogeologicsuitabilityofthesitetoisolatethewastesoftheNineMilePointStation(andanyotherwastesaccumulatingorexpectedtoaccumulateatthesite)fromthebiosphexefor.specificperiodsoftime;(2)anyremedialorregulatoryactionsthatmightbenecessarythroughoutaspecificperiodoftimeinwhichallthewasteswillbehazardous.Weareawarethat"radioactivewastesotherthanhigh-level,"whichapparentlyincludereactoroperationalsolidwastes,havebeendiscussedonpagesG-2throughG-9oftheAEC'document"EnvironmentalSurveyoftheNuclearFuelCycle."WedonotconsiderthosegeneralizeddescriptionsofthemanagementandthedisposalofthesewastesasbeingadequatetocovertheconcernsexpressedabovebecausethedescriptionsonpagesG-2throughG-9andG-12throughG-14arenotspecifictoaparticular'siteandtotheparticularwastesbeingdisposedthere.Similarly,theenvironmentalconsiderationsgivenonpagesG-16throughG-21arenotspecifictoaparticularsiteortoparticularwastes.
A-68ThermalStudiesThermaleffectsofcoolingwaterdischarged'intoLakeOntarioshouldbeestimatedforthecombinedeffectofoperationofbothadjoiningpowerplants.Dataavailablefrominfrared'adiometermeasurements.shouldbeincluded.ThistypeofdatahasbeenpublishedinthefinalenvironmentalstatementfortheFitzpatrickPlant..Wealsorecommendthattheapplicantutilizeremote'.sensordatai'nmonitoringthethermalplumeduetotheextensiveareaandthecomplexitiesinvolvedwhenseverallargewasteheatsourcesareoperatinginasmallarea.Fieldtemperaturesurveysof,thethermalplumeresultingfromtheoperationofUnit1farexceedwater-qualitystandards.Throughoutearlierreportsonthisplant,weareassuredthroughmathematicalandhydraulicmodeltestresultsthattherewillbenothermalproblems.Previously,wequestionedtheresultsofthesestudiesandstatedthatalternativesshouldbeconsidered.TheAECinthisdraftrespondswiththestatementgivenonpage5-11."TheapplicabilityofStateandFederalWaterQualitycriteriarelatedtothethermaldischargeforUnit1isuncertain.However,itshouldbenotedthatnoadverseeffectontheaquaticbiotaduetothethermaldischargei.hexpected."WebelievetheNewYorkStatestandardof3degreesFahrenheitin6.5acresistoorestrictive;butevenifitwere5degreesFahrenheit,theheatedwaterdischargefromthisunitwouldexceedthestandard.EventhoughthisdraftstatementcoversUnit1,itshouldrecognizethatthefutureoperationofUnit2inaonce-throughmodewillalmosttriplethewasteheatfromthisplant'comparedtoUnit1alone.Thisfactoralonerequiresseriousconsiderationofalternativecoolingmethods.Itisindicatedonpage9-15thatnosignificantdisadvantageoftheexistingdischargesystemhasbeenidentified.TheAECstaffbelievesthat,modificationoftheexistingsystemisnotjustifiedatthistimeevenwiththeplannedadditionofUnit2withaonce-throughcoolingsystem.SinceacomprehensiveevaluationoftheexpectedthermalplumesfrombothunitsandfromtheneighboringJamesA.FitzpatrickPlanthasbeenper-formed,wefindnobasistoconcludethatthesethreeunitscansafelyoperatewithonce-throughcoolingatthissite.
Transmi'ssionLine'nvironsTheuseofherbicidesfortransmissionlinemaintenanceis.,brieflydiscussed.Sincenospecificherbicidesareindicated,thefollowinglanguageshouldbeaddedtothis'section,"Itisessentialthatallherbicides;pesticides,andrelatedchemicalsmustberegisteredinaccordancewithP.L.92-516,TheFederalInsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct.Application.shouldbeaccomplishedinamannerfullyconsis-tentwiththeprotectionoftheentireenvironment.Anycon-templativeuseofthesechemicalsmustconsiderbothknownandpossibleenvironmenteffects.Theapplicantshouldcon-'ultwiththeEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,theDirector'ftheStateConservationAgency,theCountyAgentandthenearestofficeoftheBureauofSportFisheriesandWildlifewhenchemicalvegetationandpestcontroliscontemplated.Suchcontactshouldbemadeearlyintheplanningsothatacceptablechemicalsandmethodsofapplicationknowntobemosteffectivecanbeusedwiththerecommendationsof'theconcernedagency.EffectsonAuaticEnvironmentTable5.1.2containsdataonstudiesconductedduringJune1972throughJanuary1973.AcomparisonofthistablewithtablesthatwereincludedintheenvionmentalstatementforNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2,indicatethatdatacollectedpriortoJuneweredeletedfromthistable.Datawereincludedonwinterperiodswhichwouldbiastheinforma-tionpresentedonimpingement.Webelieve'hatallavailableinformationshouldbeincludedtodescribefishimpingement.Aspreviouslyindicated,considerationshouldbegiventotheeffectsofincreasedtemperatureon.thereproductioncapabil-itiesofvariousfishspecies,includingthatofyellowperchwhicharereferredtointhissection.Althoughspeciessuchastheyellowperchmaybeattractedtohighertemperatures,theresultingeffectsmayincludereducedreproductionsuccess.Also,itshouldbeindicatedthatdatafrom.theConsumer'PowerCompany'sreportindicatesthatSteelheadTrout,Lake'rout,Coho,andChinookSalmondooccur"intheareaofpowerplantintakesandthermaldischargesandaresubject'oim-pingement.ThepotentialimpactsuponFederalandStatesponsored~ogramsto-establishthesespeciesinLakeOntarioshouldbeconsidered.
A-70Onpage5-38ofthissectionreferenceismadetothe6degressFahrenheitisothermextendingalongabout1mileof'horeline.Onpage5-3itis*indicatedthatthe5degressFahrenheitisothermextendsalongabout2milesofshoreline.Duringperiodsofwarmernaturallakewatertemperatures,atemperaturerisemuchlessthan5or6degress.Fahrenheitmayinhibitfishmovement,anddiscouragefishfromenteringimportantshallowwaterzones.Also,potentialimpactsof~sinkingplumesonfishesandfish.reproductionpotentialshouldbementionedinthissection.Indiscussingtheenvironmentalimpactofplantoperationonfish,plankton,benthos,andvariousaquaticorganisms,it-shouldberecognizedthatLakeOntarioisinastateofecologicalchange.Thischangeisaresultofthecumulativeimpactofman'sactivitiesonthelakeandfromrecentintro-ductionofexoticfishspecieswhichcompetewiththeprevi-ouslyestablishedfishpopulations.Theseconsiderationsshouldbereflectedinanticipatingtheenvironmentalimpactsofthisdevelopmentonthesystemingeneral.Therelationshipofdecomposingorganicmaterialstothedissolvedoxygenconcentrationsinthewatershouldbedescribed.Encouragingoracceleratingthegrowthandre-productionofattachedplantsmaycompoundproblemswhicharepresentlyoccurringwiththeoxygenconcentrationsinthewater.Thissectionshoulddiscusstheseaspectsoftheplant'soperationalimpacts.EnvironmentalMonitorinProramTheNiagraMohawkPowerCompanyhasconductedamonitoringprogramintheNineMilePointareasince1963.TheAECstaffbelievesthatstudies,astheyhavebeenproposedandarebeingconductedbytheapplicant,willnotprovideinfor-mationadequatetoassesstheoperationaleffectsofthestationonthebiota.Forexample,thecollectionofthedatafromJuly1963throughDecember1969wasinfrequent.OnlysinceMay1970hastheapplicantcollecteddataonfishdistributionandfoodpreferencesoffish,,andbenthoswithsomecontinuity.Samplingandobservationof-planktonfromtheintakedischargewellsofUnit1duringJune-October1971provideneitherestimatesofplanktonabundanceintheareanorabaseforreasonableassessmentofdamageduetoen-trainment.Samplingoflakewaterfortheusualchemicalandphysicalparametersisentirelywanting.Basedonlimitedsamplinginformation,itisapparentthatNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1,hascauseddamagestofisheryresources.ContinuedoperationoftheUnitmaycauseunac-ceptablelossestolocalfishpopulations.Itshouldbe notedthatwiththeexceptionofthelimitsontotaldissolvedsolids,phosphateconcentrationsindischargesewageandthethermalplumesize,theplantconformstowaterqualitystandards.Webelieve'hattheapplicantshouldberequiredtoconformtoexistingstandards'andtoadoptprocedureswhichwouldrequiretheenvironmentalimpactoftheplantoperationontheresourcesofthelake.AsaresultoftheLakeMichi'ganEnforcementConference,specificguidelinesarebeingdevelopedforstudiestodeter-minetheenvironmentalimpactofpowerplantcoolingonLakeMichigan.Itisanticipatedthatadraftoutlineofguide-lineswillbeavailablebyNovember1973.SincetheecologyofLakeMichiganandLake'Ontario.aresimilar,techniquesandstudiesthataresuitableforLakeMichiganmaybeadaptableforLakeOntario.WeencouragetheAECstafftomakeuseoftheseguidelinesindevelopinganyfutureplansforstudyofthermaldischargesintoLakeOntario.ItissuggestedthatthethermalmonitoringprogrambemodifiedtoincludetechniquesdevelopedinconjunctionwiththeSurryNuclearPowerStationontheJamesRiver,Virginia.Thesestudiesshouldbedesignedandconductedto.determinetheimpactsofonce-throughcoolingintheNineMilePointarea.NonradioloicalEffectsonEcoloica3,SstemsTheconcernforthepossibleimpactsonfishandotheraquaticlifeasaresultofthemaximumintakevelocityof2fpsisindicatedonpage5-34.Wesharethisconcernsincetheapplicanthasnotshownthatfishlosseswillbelow.EnvironmentalImactofPostulatedAccidentsThissectioncontainsanadequateevaluationofimpactsresultingfromplantaccidentsthroughclass8for,airborneemissions.However,theenvironmentaleffectsofreleasestowaterislacking.Manyof'thesepostulatedaccidentslistedintables7.1and7.2couldresultinreleasestoLakeOntarioandshouldbeevaluated.Wealsothinkthatclass9accidentsresultinginbothairandwatereleasesshouldbedescribedandtheimpactsonhumanlifeandtheremainingenvironmentdiscussedaslongasthereisanypossibilityofoccurrence.Theconsequencesofanaccidentofthisseveritycouldhavefar-reachingeffectsonlandandinLakeOntariowhichcouldpersitforcenturiesaffectingmillionsofpeople.
A-7210AlternativeEner,'Sour'cesTheexpectedemissionsfromalternativeoil-firedandcoal-firedpowerplantsgivenonpage9-4aremisleading.Modernwell-operatedcentralstationsdischargemuchsmalleramountsofcarbonmonoxidesandhydrocarbonsthanshown,sincecombustioniscompleteexceptforsmall.amountsofunburnedcarboninflyashandbottomashincoal-firedplants.Enviro'nmentalCost,Althoughthetotaleconomiclossesoftheproposedactionaredifficulttoestimatetherearedataandmaterialsavailablewhichcanbeusedtodeterminethereplacementcostsofresources.Forexample,thepollutioncommitteeoftheAmericanFisheriesSociety,SouthernDivision,in1970estimatedthemonetaryvalueoffishbasedontheirreplacementcost.Variousstates,includingNewYork,MarylandandWashingtonhavedevelopedcriteriaforevaluatingfishkilldamagesandcomputingfishkilldamageclaims..WebelievethestaffoftheAECshouldbeawareofthesecriteriaandwheneverpossibletheyshouldbeusedtodetermineeconomicorreplacementcostforfish.InadditionwebelievethattheimpactsofthisproposedactionShouldnotberelatedtoentirelakealonebutshouldalsobecomparedtotheproductionofthelocalarea.Wehopethese.commentswillbehelpfultoyouinthepreparationofthefinalenvironmentalstatement.SincereyourDeputyAsslstaatSe1ofeInteriorMr.DanielR..MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalProjectsDirectorateofLicensingAtomicEnergy'CommissionWash'ington,D.C.20545 letos(oy.se+at"ISte'arcsoseOFFlCEOFTHEASSlSTAMTSECRETARYOFCOMMERCEWashington,O.C.2023050-220August,8,1973Mr.DanielR.MullerAssistantDirectorforEnvironmentalProjectsDirectorateofLicensingU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionwashington,D.C.20545/)pllllciRECEDEDAUG101S73N4fiTCYtCfeS"lCD'i!;.ttCqt'4"i'/>iilStill)s,
 
==DearMr.Muller:==
,Thedraftenvironmentalimpactstatement.forNineMile,PointNuclearStation,Unit1,whichaccompaniedyour'letterofJuly5,1973,hasbeenreceivedbytheDepart<<mentofCommerceforreviewandcomment.Thestatementhasbeenreviewedandthefollowingcommentsareofferedforyourconsideration.GeneralCommentsXnthe~SummerandConclusionssection,aswellasinthemaintext,thestaffconcludesthattheplant'soperationwillhavenosignificantimpactonthebiotainLakeOntario.Thistypeoflakewideapproachfailstoadequatelyconsider'llthepointsourcesofwasteheatthatshouldbe'includedintheevaluationifthelakeasawholeisusedastheunitofmeasurementofsignificantimpact.'Inaddition,thestatementshouldincludeadiscussionoftheplumeinter-actionwithNineMilePointUnit,2,andthenearbyJamesA.FitzpatrickNuclearPowerPlantoSecondly,consultationwithappropriateStateandFederalagenciesshouldbeincludedinthe-designofthecomprehensiveenvironmentalmonitoringprogram.Theseagenciesshouldalsobeinvolvedinth'eevaluationoftheinformationcollected.
A-74Sincethisplanthasbeenoperating'nderaprovisionallicensesince1969,actualmeasurements,ratherthanestimates,ofenvironmentalimpacthavebeenpossible.,Thisgreatlyincreasestheconfidenceonecanplaceintheconclusions.Fromourpointof-view,thestatementissatisfactorywithregardtoconsiderationofthissinglepowerstation'simpactontheenvironment.Itappears,forexample,thatthethermaleffectonthelakewillbenegligible.Butwhataboutthebigpicture?Howmanyplantsofthistypecanbeconstructedbeforethecumulativeeffectisnolongernegligible?Weshouldnotcon-sidereachcaseasaseparateproblem.TheNational'ceanic'ndAtmosphericAdministration'sInternationalFieldYearfortheGreatLakesProjectOfficerecentlycompletedanextensivestudy-ofLakeOntarioandtheycanprovideinputtothismpectoftheimpactstatement.Section2.7.2AuaticEcolo2-18.h"8''ghofLakeOntario,thefish.productionisratherlow."Although'ishproductionispresentlylowforalakewiththeproductive.capacityofLakeOntario,thesituationmaybealteredinthenearfuture.TheGreatLakesFisheryCommissiontreatedalllampreyspawningstreamslastyear,andtheCanadianstreamsandseveral'eystreamsinU.S.watersagainthisyear.Moreover,fisherymanagementagenciesinNewYorkandOntariohavebeenplantingsalmonidspeciesinLakeOntario,andtheseagenciesplantointensifythisactivityinyearstocome.Sincethe.foragebaseinLakeOntarioisasgoodorbetterthanthatinLakeMichiganwhentheLake'ssalmonstockingprogramwasbegunin1965,itisexpectedthatthefisherywhichwoulddevelopinLakeOntariowillbeequallyasgood.NewYorkhasplantedsalmonidsintheSalmonRiver.(108mileseast)andtheLittleSalmonRiver(6mileseast)..Bothriversarecloseenoughtotheplantsitethatthefishleavingandreturningtothemcouldconceivablypasstheintake.anddischargeofthe'ine'ilePointNuclearStation.Withregardtotheassertionthatthereasonthealewifehasflourishedisthatlargepredatorshavenotbeenpr'esent,itisnowthoughtthat.thepopulationo'falewife,anearlycolonist A-753wofthelake,stabilized"priortothedeclineofthlargepreda-tors.Thisrecenttheoryissupportedbytheresurgenceofpremiumfishstocksinthe1920'sandnewspaperreportsduringthesameeraoftwomajoralewi,femortalities.l/ConcerningthecontroversybetweenSmith(1970)andChristie(1972),Christie(pp.920-921)providesthefollowinganalysisoftheint:eractionsbetweenthecolonistsandthenat:ivespeciesi.nLake'ntario:"Ofthe.speciesoffishwhichinvadedorwereintroducedintoLakeOntariointhelastcentury,thecarpandalewifewerethemostobviouslysuccessful.Bothmusthaveaffectedotherspeciesinimportantways,butitisdifficulttomakejudgmentsbecauseofthemrlycolonization,ofthesespecies."ALEWXFE"Smith'(1970)hasarguedonthebasisoftherecent:effectsofalewifecolonizat:ionoftheupperGreatLakes,thatthespecieseffectivelycausedallthemisfortunesoftheLakeOntariofishstockssubsequenttoitsestablishmentthereinthe1870s.Theviewheldbythepresentauthorhowever,isthatwhatevertheinitialimpact,theresurgence'ofthepremiumfishstocksinthe1920sinthefaceofheavyalewifedensities,arguesinfavorofaharmlessroleforthealewife.Theg*ggd!.*d~.!'1930swasalsoseeminglyunaffectedbythealewife.Equallyimportant,thecollapseoftheciscoeswasnotfollowedbyasurgeofalewifeabundanceasmighthavebeenexpectedifcompetitionpressurehadbeenamajor'consideration.Therearenostatisticswithwhichtoevaluatetrendsinalewifeabundancebutithasbeenassumedbypritchard(1929)andGraham(1956)thatthefrequencyofheavy1/:Christie,W.J.1972.LakeOntario:effectsofexploitation,introductions,andeutrophicationonthesalmonidcommunity.J.Fish.Res.Bd.Can.29:913-929.
a-76<<4springbeachmortalitiesisatleastaroughindic'ationofalewifedensity..'Onthis.basis,news-paperreportsoftwomajormortalitiesinthe1920'decadedo"notsuggestthatthealewife,liketheciscoes,werescarceduringtheperiodofpeakpredatorabundance.Dymond(1928)foundthatthealewifewasanimportantiteminthedietsofbothlaketroutandburbot,butnotedalewifewerenotasofteneatenbythetroutafterthealewifemovedinshoreintheearlysummer.Juvenileswouldhavebeenlargelyprotectedfromthesespeciesbyreasonoftheirinshoredistri-bution,anditispossiblethatthepost-spawningadultalewifedidnotextendlakewardveryfarinto'herangeofthesepredatorsinlatesaner.Wells(1969)foundthattrawlinginSeptemberinLake0>tarioproduced81.2alewifepertowat120ft.(37m)andless,andonly7.2fortowsat180ft.(55m)andgreater.Thiswouldcertainlyreduceit,andpossiblyenoughtoreducetheseverityofthepredationimpactonalewifeadults.Predationonbothjuvenilesandadultsintheinshoreareasis'ontheotherhand,heavy,andinflictedbymanyfishspecies.Thelackofobviouschangeintheabundanceofthealewifestocksafterthe1940sisespeciallycompellingevidence'thattheabundanceislimitedbyinshorefactors,andpossiblybytheeffectsofthemortalitiesthemselvestosomeextent."Section2.7.2.aFishesd-l.d.'dh12.*'-dmoreinformationshouldbesuppliedconcerningthetypeoffathometerusedandwhatitscapabilitieswerefordetectingconcentrationsoffishlarvae,fry,andyoung-of-the-year.Inaddition,anexampleof,afathometerrecording'shouldbepro-vided,includinganexplanationof.itsinterpretation.h"2'intheareaandthereforenoinformationonjuvenilesneartheshoreisavailable."Newlyhatchedyoung-of-the-yearalewives A-775begintoshowupinseinecatchesinthemiddleofAugustandremaininshoreuntillatefa11.2/Therefore,fromlate,spring.untilfalllarvalandjuvenilealewiveswouldbesusceptibletoentrainment.Inaddition,thespottailshiner,alsoabun-dantinshore,remainsinshore(indepthsoflessthan50ft);thisspeciesisconsideredanexcellentforagestock.Section2.7.2.d.2PhtolanktonI'-e.'"Vyjehl.observedintheplanktonsamples...".Thesamplingequipmentusedtocollectplankton,fisheggs,andlarvaeshouldbedescxibed,andavailabledataandliteratureonthecomparativeefficiencyandeffectivenessofthevarioustypesofsamplingmethodsandequipmentshouldbeevaluatedanddiscussed.,Inouropinion,ifinformationfromreference30wasusedtodeterminetheabundanceanddistributionoffishlarvae,samplecollectionwithaNansenbottle,asusedinthissurvey,virtuallyprecludedanylarvalentrapment.Section3.4.1IntakeStructure~Pae3-7.Anestimatefortheintakevelocityatthetravelingscreensshouldbeprovided.Section5.2.2ThermalStudiesP~ae5-2.ThecombinedeffectsNineMilePointUnit2,andthePowerPlantshouldbeevaluatedofNineMilePoi.ntUnit1,JamesA.FitzPatrickNuclear'ythethermalstudies.Section5.5.2.aEffectonAuaticEnvironment-IntakeEffectsPaes5-31throuh5-35.Giventhetendencyforfishtoconcentratealongthe25-ft.depthcontourandthelocationoftheintakeataboutthe20-ft.contour,andgiventhenumbersoffishentrained2/Dr.WilburL.Hartman,PersonalCommunication.(Px'ojectLeader,EcologyofFishPopulationsofLowerGreatLakes,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,SanduskyFieldStation,2022Cleveland,Road,Sandusky,Ohio44870.)
A-78and.subsequentlyimpingedaccordingtostudiestodate,eventhoughnot.sufficienttopermita-validquantitativeassess-mentoftheproblemsofimpingement,itisapparenttousthatapotentiallyseriousimpingementproblemmaydevelop.Webelievethatthissituationmayrequirecorrectiveactiontoreducetheintakevelocityto1ft/secorless,inadditiontoconductingthemonitoringprogram.Wealsorecommendthatevaluationofthefish-killproblembecoordinatedwiththeappropriateStateandFederalagencies.Finally,weconsiderthestatementthat"TheStaffdoesnotintendtoimplythatfishimpingementattheStationwillproducesignificantadverseeffectsonlakewidefishpopulations"tobemisleading.Thisstatementshouldberevisedtoconsidertheeffectsofallwater'intakesinthelakeiftheentirelakeistobetheframeofreferenceforevaluatingtheeffectsofthisp'owerplantonfishpopulationsinLakeOntario.Section5.5.2.cThermalDischareEffects~5-37.*''.'5:combinedeffectsoftheNineMilePointUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickplants.Yellowperch,acommonfishinthearea,requireagivenperiodoftimeat4Corbelowformaturation.3/Thepossibilitythatthosefishremaininginorneartheplumemaynotreceivethislow-temperatureexposureandthattheywould,therefore,notmatureshouldbediscussed.Thisdiscussionshouldincludeappropriatedataanddocumentation.Section5.5.2.c.1Fishes5-35.gg3',5thefourthparagraphberequired,ratherthansimplyrecommended,bytheStaff.3/Edsall,T.A.andT.G.Yocom.1972.Reviewofrecenttechnicalinformationconcerningadverseeffectsononce-throughcoolingonLakeMichigan.PreparedfortheLakeMichiganEnforcementConference,September19-21,1972,Chicago,Ill.,U.S.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,GreatLakesFisheryLabo-ratory,AnnArbor,Michigan48107.86pages.
A-79Section5.5.2.c.3Benthos535.*5'I''I.I553.communityshouldbediscussedinthissection.Section6.1AuaticMonitorinProram~Pae6-1.BasedontheStaff'sassessmentthatthepresentenvironmentalstudiesnowproposedandbeingcarriedoutbytheApplicantareinadequatetoassesstheeffectsofopera-tionoftheStation,werecommenddenialofthefull-termoperatinglicenseuntilanadequateenvironmentalmonitoringprogramhasbeenestablishedandcoordinatedwithappropriateStateandFederalagencies.Amapdepictingthesamplingtransectsandstationsshouldbeprovidedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.WithreferencetotheStaff'srecommendationforimprovements-inthemonitoringprogram(pages6-2and6-5),webasicallyagreewiththeproposedchanges.However,wefeelthatsomesortoftabularformatshouldbeusedtosummarizeforthereadertheimprovedprogram.Inaddition,thisprogramshouldbecoordinatedwithappropriateagencies,assuggestedabove.Withregardtoasamplingprocedurethatwouldpermitreportingtheresultsintermsofbiomassperunitarea,thepossibleuseofaPonardredgeforbenthicworkshouldbediscussed.Section6.3RadioloicalMonitorinProram~pae6-6.Alistoforganismstypicallysampledandsubjectedtoradioanalysisshouldbepresentedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.Inouropinion,theprimaryfunctionofanenviron-mentalimpactstatementistoserveasafull'disclosuredocument.Therefore,wedonotbelieveitissufficienttomerelyreferthereadertoadocumentsuchastheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,whichmayormaynotbereadilyavailabletothereader.IftheStaffdisagreeswithouropiniononthismatter,we,wouldappreciateafullexplanationinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.
A-80-8>>Sect:ion9AlternativestotheProosedPro'ect:rd-l..*9'l.d'9'.analysisofeachalternativesot:hatinformedconclusionscanbedrawnanddecisionsmadebyresponsibleofficialsand'otherswhoreviewthisdocument.Thewarmwaterplumestendtobeclosetothelakeshore,duetotheexposedlocationandthelakecurrentsflowingneartheshore.~Thiscouldhavesomeeffectinreducingnearshoreicecover.However,thiswillcausenoadverseeffectseitheronwat:erintakeorshoreerosion.Thecalculatedincreaseinaveragelakesurfacetemperatureofabout0.002Fhasnophysicalmeaningandmaymaskadverselocaleffects.Muchmoremeaningfulistheareaaffect:edbyasignificanttempera-tureincrease.Toreducethefishentrapmentint:he.intakesystemand'thusfishkills,"thereportrecommendsthatalt:ernativeintakestructuresbeexamined.Ttissuggest:edthatinadditiontotheabove,afishreplenishment:programbeconsidered.Samplingsindicatethat82%ofthefishkilledarethealewifesand:smelts.Thislowqualityfishcouldbereplacedbymoredesirablefishfromhatcheriesinthesameorsignificantlylargeramounts.Asdescribedonpage3-23,themajorsourceofradioactivityreleasedtotheopenatmosphereduringreactor'operationistheoffgasfromthemaincondenserairejectors.Theseoff-gasesareallowedtoflowthrougha30-minuteholduppipebeforebeingdischargedthroughthemainplantstack.Conse-quently,wewouldconsiderthereleaset:obecontinuousthroughouttheyearand,assumingaratheruniformsourceemissionrate,averageannualdiffusionparamet:erscanbeappropriatelyused.EnourcommentsontheFinalSafetyAnalysis,ReportforthisfacilitysenttotheAtomicEnergyCommissionDivisionofReactorLicensingonDecember18,1967,wecomputedthatthe  highestoff-siteannualconcentrationis5xl0"secmatadistanceof2kmtothenortheastcornerofthesiteassumingtheeHluentisreleasedTroya350-$t.stackT.hisissome-whathigherthanthe1.9x10se'cmcomputedbythestaffintable5.7.Thankyouforgivingusanopportunitytoprovidethesecomments,whichwehooewillbeofassistancetoyou.Wewouldappreciatereceivingacopyofthefinalstatement.Sincerely,,")"j)'SidneyR.GallerDeputyAssistantSecretaryforEnvironmentalAffairs
 
B-1APPENDIXBAPPLICANT'SPARTIALRESPONSETOCOMMENTSONDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENT B-2NIAGARA,MOHAWKPOWER.CORPORATIONNIAGARA';MOHAWK30tTERICBOULEVARDWESTSYRACUSE.II.Y.I3202October31,1973Hr.W.H.Regan,Jr.,ChiefEnvironmentalProjectsBranchNo.4DirectorateofLicensingOfficeofRegulationU.S.AtomicEnergyComr..issionWashington,D.C.205451Re:NineHilePointUnit1DocketNo.50-220.
 
==Dearhir.Regan:==
AsrequestedinyourletterofSeptember10,1973,we,havereviewedcommentsofvariousgovernmentalagenciesconcerningtheDraft,EnvironmentalStateme'ntforNinehIilePointUnit1.Theenclosuretothislettercontainsresponseswhichwedeemappropriate.Asrequestedinyourletter,wehaveinclude'dthreesignedoriginalsandfortyadditionalcopies.Verytrulyyours,~f,.g~~l>/pg-PhilipD.RaymondVicePresident-EngineeringCVH/sjzEnclosures B-3NIAGARAMOHAWKPOWERCORPORATIONNINEMILEPOINTUNIT1APPLICANT'SRESPONSESTOGOVERNMENTALAGENCYCOMMENTSONAECDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTSUBMITTEDTOUNITEDSTATESATOMICENERGYCOMMISSIONDOCKETNO.50-220NOVEMBER1,1973 TABLEOFCONTENTSPacaeNoU.S.DepartmentofCommerceDepartmentofHealth,Education,andWelfare25Department,ofTransportation36U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture38StateofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation44AdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservation108FederalPowerCommission109U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency110 B-5U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.1)XntheSummaryandConclusionssection,aswellas-inthemaintext,thestaffconcludesthat,theplant'soperationwillhavenosignificantimpactonthebiotainLakeOntario.Thistypeoflakewideapproachfailstoadequatelyconsiderallthepointsourcesofwasteheat:thatshouldbeincludedintheevaluationifthelakeasawholeisusedastheunitofmeasurementofsignificant.impact.Inaddition,thestatementshouldincludeadis-cussionoftheplumeinteractionwithNineMilePointUnit,2,andthenearbyJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPower-Plant.Secondly,consultationwillappropriateStateandFederalagenciesshouldbeincluded.inthedesignof.thecomprehensiveenvironmentalmonitoringprogram.Theseagenciesshouldalsobeinvolvedintheevaluationoftheinformationcollected.Sincethisplanthasbeenoperatingunderaprovis-ionallicensesince1969,actualmeasurements,ratherthan'estimates,ofenvironmentalimpacthavebeenpossible.Thisgreatlyincreasestheconfidenceonecanplaceinthecon-clusions.Fromourpointofview,thestatementissatis-factorywithregardtoconsiderationofthissinglepowerstation'simpactontheenvironment.Itappears,forexample,t:hatthethermaleffectonthelakewillbenegligible.Butwhataboutthebigpicture?Howmanyplantsofthistypecanbeconstructedbeforethecumulativeeffectisnolongerneg-ligible?Weshouldnotconsidereachcaseasaseparateproblem.TheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration'sInternationalFieldYearfortheGreatLakesProjectOfficerecentlycompletedanextensivestudyofLakeOntarioandtheycanprovideinputtothisaspectoftheimpact.statement.=RESPONSEWithregardtotheinteractionofthethermalplumeofNineMilePointUnits1and2withtheFitzPatrickplant,thi'smatterhasbeendiscussedintheFinalEnvironmentalState-mentforNineMilePointUnit2,pages3-6to3-23,5-29to5-,39and11-4to11-10.AnanalysisofthethermalinputstoLake B-6RESPONSETOU-S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COMllENTNO-.l).CONTINUEDOntarioisprovidedinAppendixHoftheApplicant'sEnviron-mentalReport.TheApplicanthascoordinatedplanswiththeUnitedIStatesAtomicEnergyCommissionand.otherappropriateagenciestodevelopandconductenvironmentalprogram'sfor'datacollectionwhicharemutuallysatisfactoryforfacilityconstructionandoperation.TheinformationresultinqfromtheseprogramswillPbeavailableforagencyreviewasrequested.
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COKiKNTNO.2)highnutrientcontentofLakeOntario,thefishpro-ductionisratherlow."Althoughfishproductionispresentlylowforalakewiththe'productivecapacityofLakeOntario,thesituationmaybealteredinthenearfuture.ThegreatLakesFisheryCommissiontreatedall.lampreyspawningstreamslastyear,andtheCanadianstreamsandseveral-keystreamsinU.S.watersagainthisyear.Moreover,fisherymanagementagencies'nNewYorkandOntariohavebeenplantingsalmonidspeciesinLakeOntario,andtheseagenciesplantointensifythisactivityinyearstocome.SincetheforagebaseinLakeOntarioisasgoodorbetterthanthatinLakeMichiganwhentheLake'ssalmonstockingprogramwasbegunin.1965,itisex-pectedthatthefisherywhichwoulddevelopinLakeOntariowillbeequallyasgood.NewYorkhasplantedsalmonidsin.theSa'lmonRiver(10mileseast)andtheLittleSalmonRiver(6mileseast).BothriversarecloseenoughtotheplantsitethatthefishleavingandreturningtothemcouldconceivablypasstheintakeanddischargeoftheNineMilePointNuclearStation.Withregardtotheassertionthatthereasonthealewifehasflourishedisthatlargepredatorshavebeenpresent,itisnowthought-that.thepopulationofalewife,anearlycolonistofthelake,stabilized-priortothedeclineofthelargepredators.Thisrecenttheoryissupportedby.theresurgenceofpremium-fishstocksinthe1920'sandnewspaperreportsduringthesameeraoftwomajoralewifemortalities.l(FootnoteomittedbAlicant.)ConcerningthecontroversybetweenSmith(1970)andChristie(1972),Christie(pp.920-921)providesthefollowing,analysisoftheineractionsbetweenthecolonistsandthenativespeciesinLakeOntario:"OfthespeciesoffishwhichinvadedorwereintroducedintoLakeOntariointhelastcentury,thecarpandalewifewerethemostobviouslysuccessful.Bothmusthaveaffectedotherspeciesinimportantways,butitisdifficulttomakejudgementsbecauseoftheearly.colonizationofthesespecies.
B-8COl"LIHNTTOU.S~DEPARTMENTOFCOllNERCECOllMEHTNO.2)CONTINUED"ALEWIFE"Smith(1970)hasarguedonthebasisoftherecenteffectsofalewifecolonizationofthe,upperGreatLakes,thatthespecieseffectivelycausedallthemisfortunesoftheLakeOntariofishstockssubsequenttoitsestablishmentthereinthe1870s.Theviewheldbythepresentauthorhowever,iswhatwhatevertheinitialimpact,theresurg-enceofthepremiumfishstocksj.nthe1920sinthefaceofheavyalewifedensities,arguesinfavorofaharmlessroleforthealewifedensi-ties.Theresurgenceofthedeepwaterciscoes(Coreqonussp.)inthe1930swasalsoseeminglyunaffected'bythealewife.Equallyimportant,thecollapseoftheciscoeswasnotfollowedbyasurgeofalewifeabundanceasmighthavebeenexpectedifcompetitionpressurehadbeenamajorconsideration.TherearenostatisticswithwhichtoevaluatetrendsinalewifeabundancebutithasbeenassumedbyPritchard(1929)andGraham(1956)thatthefre-quencyof-heavyspringbeachmortalitiesisatleastaroughvindicationofalewifedensity.'nthisbasis,newspaperreportsoftwomajormortalitiesinthe1920decadedonotsuggestthatthealewife,liketheciscoes,werescarceduringtheperiodofpeakpredatorabundance.Dymond(1928)foundthatthealewifewasanimportantiteminthedietsofbothlaketroutandburbot,butnotedalewifewerenotasofteneatenbythetroutafterthealewifemovedinshoreintheearlysummer.Juvenileswouldhavebe'enlargelyprotectedfromthesespecies'byreasonoftheirinshoredistribution,anditispossiblethatthepost-spawningadultalewifedidnotextendlakewardveryfarintotherangeofthesepredatorsinlakesummer.Wells(1969)foundthattrawlinginSeptem'berinLakeOntarioproduced8.12alewifepertow"at120feet(37m)andless,andonly7.2fortowsat180feet(55m)andgreater.Thiswouldcertainlyreduceit,andpossiblyenoughtoreducetheseverityofthepredationimpactonalewife B-9COi~SKNTTOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMi41ERCE(COMMENTNO.2)CONTXNUEDadults.Predationonbothjuveniles,andadultsinthe"inshoreareasisontheotherhand,heavy,andinflictedbymanyfishspecies.Thelackofobvi'ouschangeintheabundanceofthealewifestocksafterthe1940sisespeciallycompellingevidencethattheabundanceislimitedbyinshorefactors,andpossiblybytheeffectsofthemortalitiesthemselvestosomeextent."RESPONSEThefollowingfactorsshouldbeconsideredregardingthe-possibilityofsalmonidspassingtheintakeanddischargeoftheNineMilePointStation:a.Fifteenmonthsofexperiencehasnowbeenobtainedinmonitoring.thefishimpingementrateatthetravelingscreensofNineMileUnit1.Thisintake,hasahigherdesignapproachvelocitythantheproposedin-takeforUnit,2.Datacollectedtodateindicatethatfishoverapproximately7"longandingoodconditionarenotentrained.Xnaddition,.sincetheinceptionofthescreenmonitoringprogram,nosalmonidshavebeencapturedonthetravelingscreens.b.FielddatacollectedtodatedonotindicatethatlargenumbersofsalmonidspasstheNineMilePointpromontoryinthevicinityoftheintakeanddischa'rgb~
RESPONSETO.U.S~DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.2)CONTXNUED'tructuresastheyleaveorreturntotheSalmonandLittleSalmonRzvers.c.TheApplicantwillbecontinuingimpinge-ment,andfishinvestigationsduring1973and1974whichwillprovideadditionaldata.Foradiscussionofthealewifepopulationof'akeOntariointhehistoricalcontext;refertoareport,entitled"TheEffectofXmpingementatNineMilePointontheFishPopulations,ofLakeOntario",October1,1973,submittedbytheApplicantasExhibit3b,(AECDocketNo.50-410)NineMilePointUnit2PublicHearings.Thisreportstatesthattheimpactoftheplant(asmeasuredbystudiesatUnit1)uponfishpopulationsofLakeOntarioproblem.isnotsignificantanddoesnotconstituteanenvironmental U.S~DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COL"IMENTNO.3)soundersurvey,moreinformationshouldbesupplied-con-:cerningthetyp'eoffathometerusedandwhatitscapabil-itieswerefordetectingconcentrationsoffishlarvae,fry,andyoung-of-the-year.Inaddition,anexampleofafa'thometerrecordingshouldbeprovided,includinganexplanationofitsinterpretation.RESPONSEITheinstrumentusedisaRossFathometer(fine0Pline200-A)witha7-1/2con'icaltransducer.TheAppli-'antisnotabletodetectlarvalfishwiththisinstru-ment:.Itispossibletodetectyoung-of-the-yearfishthataregreaterthan6"length;however,specificsizeVanalysiscannot,bedonewithanydegreeofconfidence.
B-12U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(CONbKNTNO~4)hasnot.seinedintheareaandthereforenoinformationonjuvenilesneartheshoreisavailable."Newlyhatchedyoung-of-the-yearalewivesbegintoshowupinseinecatchesinthemiddleofAugustandremaininshoreuntillatefall.2/(Footnoteomitted.bAlicant)Therefore,fromlate"springuntilfalllarvalandjuvenilealewiveswouldbesusceptibletoentrainment.Inaddition;thespottailshiner,,alsoabundantinshore,remainsinshore(indepthsoflessthan50ft,.);thisspeciesisconsideredanexcellentforagestock.RESPONSESeiningisrecognizedasasignificantpartofanyfishpopulationstudy,andhasbeenincludedonasub-stantialscaleintheaquaticbiologyprogramatNineMilePointas.ofJune1973.Itisperformedtwiceeachmonthatfourshorelocationscorrespondingtothefourtransects,i.e.,West>NineMilePointPlant,FitzPatrickPlant,andEast.Thispatternwillbecontinuedat.leastthroughDecemberl973,totheextentweatherpermits.
U.G.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COhilKNTNO.5)larvaewereob'servedintheplanktonsamples.Thesamplingequipmentusedtocollectplankton,fisheggs,andlarvaeshouldbedescribed,andavailabledataandliter'atureonthecomparativeefficiencyandeffectivenessofthevarioustypesofsamplingmethodsandequipmentshouldbeevaluated.anddiscussed.In,ouropinion,ifinformationfromreference30'asusedtodeterminetheabundanceanddistributio'n,offishlarvae,samplecollectionwithaNansenbottle,asused~inthissurvey,virtuallyprecludedanylarvalentrapment.RESPONSEDuring1973,samplingforfisheggsandlarvaewasbegunonalimitedscale".inMarchandApril,continuedmoreextensivelyinMay,andestablishedonanintensivebasisfromJuneandsubsequently.Theprogramwillbe*runatthisfinallevelthrough1974.Thesamplinglocationpatternfinallyarrived\atisasfollows.Samplesarecollectedatthesurface,mid-depthandbottom,atfivestationsineachofthethreeareasdefinedbyradiiof.,1/2mile,1mileand3milesfromtheNineMilePointplant.Thestationsare:1/2MileRadiusStation1-In20ftofStation2-In40ftofStation,3-In60ftofStation4-In40-ftofStation5-In20ft,ofwaterwaterwaterwaterwateronthewest,onthewestoff'theplantontheeaston=theeast RESPONSETOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMllERCE(COMMENTNO.5)CONTINUED1NileRadius'StationStationStationStationStation1-In202-In403-In804-In405-In20ftofwaterftofwaterftofwaterftofwaterftofwateronthewestonthewestofftheplantontheeastontheeast3MileRadiusStation1-Station2-Station3Station4Station5-In20ftof.wateronthewest.In40ft'ofwateronthewestIn100ftofwaterofftheplantIn40ftofwaterontheeastIn20ftofwaterontheeastCollectionsaremadeon'weeklybasis,dura.ngtheday,fromMaythroughDecemberandduringbothdayandnightfrommid-Junethroughmid-September.Samplesarecollectedbytowinga1.0meterdiameterHensentypeplanktonrietofg0mesh(570uaperture)withanattachedTSKflowmeter.Durationofthetowis5minutes,timedwithastopwatch,coveringapproximatelyadistanceof0.2milesat2.0mph.Thenetistowedwitha200'ineandiskeptinposition(atdepth)byasystemoffloatlinesanddepressors.Itishauledontotheboat,thebucketiswashed'ndemptiedintoacollectioncontainer,andthesampleispreservedandlabelled-.Anattemptismadetoestimateviabilityofcapturedorganisms,i.e.,fishlarvaebydirectobservationontheboatuntilsuchtimethatavitalstaincanbeemployed.
U.S~DEPARTMENTOPCOIHKRCE(COUNTNO.6)pacCe3-7.Anestimatefortheintakevelocityatthetravelingscreensshouldbeprovided.RESPONSEThemaximumapproachvelocitytothetravelingscreensiscalculate'd'tobe0.85fps.
U.-S.DEPARTMENT.OFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.,7)P~ae5-2.ThecombinedeffectsofNineMilePointUnitl,'NineMilePointUnit2,andtheJamesA.FitzPatrkckNuclearPowerPlantshouldbeevaluatedbythethermalstudies.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.l.
U.S.DEPARThfENTOFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.8)for,fishtoconcentratealongthe25-ft.depthcontourandthelocationoftheintakeataboutthe20-ft.con-.tour,andgiventhenumbersoffishentrainedandsub-sequentlyimpingedaccordingtostudiestodate,eventhoughnotsufficienttopermitavalidquantitativeassessmentoftheproblemsofimpingement,itisapparanttousthata.potentiallyseriousimpingementproblemmaydevelop.Webelievethatthissituationmayrequirecorrectiveactiontoreduce,theintakevelocityto1ft/secorless,inadditiontoconductingthemonitoringprogram.~Wealsorecommendthatevaluationofthefish-killproblembe.coordinatedwiththeappropriateStateandFederalagencies.Finally,weconsiderthestatementthat"TheStaff'oesnotintendtoimplythatfishimpingementattheStationwillproducesignificantadverseeffectsonlake-widefishpopulations"tobemisleading.Thisstatementshouldberevisedtoconsidertheeffectsofallwaterintakesinthelake'iftheentirelakeistobetheframeofreferenceforevaluatingtheeffectsofthispowerplantonfishpopulationsinLakeOntario.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationCommentNo.l.andU.S.DepartmentofCommerceComment'o.1.
U.S~DEPARTMENTOFCOYiMERCE(COMMENTNO.9)onthecomb'inedeffectsoftheNinelIilePointUnit,2andJames'A.FitzPatrickplants.b.Xellowperch,acommonfishinthearea,require,agivenperiodoftimeat4'Corbelowformaturation.3(FootnoteomittedbyApplicant)Thepossibilitythatthosefishremaininginorneartheplumemaynotreceivethislow-temperatureexposureandthattheywould,.therefore,notmatureshouldbediscussed.Thisdiscussionshouldincludeappropriatedata.anddocumentation.IIRESPONSEa.RefertoApplicant'sresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.l.b.Fishdistributionstudies,includingfishnettingfordeterminationofspecies,physicalconditionofcollectedspeciesandfoodpreferenceofyellowperchinparticularhaveshownthatmatureyellowperchfrequenttheareaofthedischargeplumeofUnit.1.Thefishmovefreelythrough-outtheplumeareaandnoeffectupontheirabilitytomaturehasbeenobserved.
CU.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.10)Ireferredtointhefourthparagraphberequired,ratherthansimplyrecommended,bytheStaff.RESPONSEAfishtaggingstudytocollectdataregarding'I.localfishmovementandmigrationpatternshasbeencon-ductedduringthe1972and1973lakestudyseasons(April-October'.=TheApplicantwillcontinuethesefishtaggingefforts.
B-20U.S~DEPARTMENTOF.'Ol94ERCE(COMMENT.NO.11)Page5-39.Theimpactofsinkingplumesonthebenthiccommunityshouldbe'discussedinthissection.RESPONSEThewinterplumeconfigurationresultingfromtheUnit.1dischargedependsonitsvelocityandbuoyancy.WhentheLakeambienttemperatureiscoldest(near32'F),theheffluentwillbedischargedatatemperatur'enear73'Fandatanexitvelocityofabout4fps.Thus,theeffluentisbuoyantunderallLaket.'emperatureconditions.IntheimmediatevicinityoftheUnit1dischargelocationthe.plumewillrespondsimilarlyinsummerandwinter.AstheeffluentcoolsandspreadsontheLakesurfacethebuoyancyisreduced.Atatemperaturebetween39'F'nd47'F(dependingontheambient.temperature)theeffluentisneutrallybuoyantandmixesvertically.Nearlocationswherethisoccurs,someri'seinbottomA'emperatureswouldbeexpected.AreportofbottomtemperatureelevationswaspublishedbyHoglundandSpigarelli(1972GreatLakesResearchConference).Areasoutsidetheplumewheretemperaturesarelessthanthoseassociatedwithneutralbuoyancy(lessthan47'F)willexperienceminimalheating.The RESPONSETOU.S.DEPARTMENTOPCOMMERCE(COYiHENTNO.11)CONTINUEDheatingissmallduetotheverticalmixinginducedintheneutrallybuoyantportionoftheplume.Inthisperipheral.area,however,theeffluentwillbenegativelybuoyant.Thus,(slightlywarmerbottomthansurfacetemperatureswouldbeexpectedinthisregion.Therefore,thephenomenonreferredtoasa"sinkingplume"probablywouldnotresultintheUnit1plumebeingconfinedontheLakebottom.ThebottomtemperatureelevationsnearNineMilePoint,seldomexceed10'Fandaregenerallymuchlessduetomixingin-theplume.,InstudiessuchasthosebyHoglundandSpigarellitheeffectsofsuchtemperatureelevationsontheaquaticecologywerediscussed.Thetemperaturesarebelievedtohaveminimaleffectsontheaquaticecologyingeneralandonthebenthosinparticular.Theareaexposedtoheatingbyeasinkingplumewouldbeminimaland,thetemperatureswouldnot.beoutsidetherangeoftemperaturesnormallyexperiencedby,thebenthos.
B-22U-S.DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.12)a~Page6-1.Basedonthe-Staff'sassessmentthatthepresentenvironmentalstudiesnowproposedandbeingcarriedoutbytheApplicantareinadequatetoassesstheeffectsofoperationoftheStation,'werecommenddenialofthefull-termoperatinglicenseuntilanadequate'environmentalmonitoringprogramhasbeenestablishedandcoordinatedwithappropriateStateandFederalagencies.b.Amapdepictingthesamplingtransectsandstationsshouldbeprovidedinthefinalenvironmentalstate-.ment.c.WithreferencetotheStaff'srecommendation,forim-provementsinthe.monitoringprogram(pages6-2and6-5),webasicallyagreewiththeproposedchanges.However,wefeelthatsomesortoftabularformatshouldbeused'osummarizeforthereadertheim-provedprogram.Xnaddition,thisprogramshouldbecoordinatedwithappropriateagencies,assuggestedabove.d.Withregardtoasamplingprocedurethatwouldpermitreportingtheresultsintermsofbiomassperunit'rea,thepossibleuseofaPonardredgefor.benthicworkshouldbediscussed.RESPONSEa.'Thecomprehensiveecologicalprogrampreviouslyc'onductedfortheNineMilePointpromontorywasexpandedafterintensivereviewandcommentbytheAEC.VarioussamplingoperationshadbeguninMarch,1973,buttheexpandedprogram',insubstantiallyallitsdetail,wasinitiatedinJune,1973.
B-23RESPONSETO'.S.DEPARTMENT'FCOMMERCECOKKNTNO.12)CONTINUEDb.Thesamplingstationsare'indicatedintheattachedmap.c.Theecologicalprogramissummarizedintheattachedtable.d.Threedifferentbenthicdr'edgeswereevaluatedforthisprogram,namely,Peterson,Ponarand"Eckman.ThebottomofLakeOntario,inthisarea,iscomposedofslhbsof,sedimentaryrock,largelyexposed.Benthos.thickness,whereit.occurs,isnomorethananinchortwo.Dredges,ofwhateverdesign,havelimitedusehere,andbenthossamplingforthisprogramisperformedbymeansofapumpdevice.Thisisusedto"vacuumclean"anareaoftheTakebottom1Sinchesindi'ameter,thematerialsoremovedbeingdischargedintoanetcarriedintheboatonthesurface.
T-TRAWLINGS-SEININGG-GILLNETTINGP-PERIPHYTONS-SEI'ITHOSPP-PHYXOPLANKTONZP-"ZOOPLANKTONEL-FISHEGGS8LARVAEFORTRAWLINGTHISISONETRANSECTNh)PWNhIPPIFITZNhIPETYPICALGj8)PPZPGOWATERDEPTHFT.(NOTTOSCALE)50T,G,B,P,PP,ZP40G)B,P30ELEL'NIAGARAMO}IA')VKPOV)'ERCORP.lgiI/STACKT)8)P,PP,ZPGB,P,PP;ZPPS20l5IO5S/IIPLEASAN'fiPOINTCjgp~Eg)r~ALCANCO.TRANSECTSNhlPVI-YEASTCONTROLNIIIPP=NhIP.PLANTFITZ-FITZPATRICKPLANTNlAPE-EASTCONTROL0RAOIOMASTWSGO-SAMPLINGLOCATIONSNINEViILEPOINTl975OSVlEGOIO}000SCALEINFEET20)000FIGURE4.1.1 B-25SIDI<tnnvOFFC.ICM.RLII8-NIts?NIMPOI?oTIAX>>.'NTARIO>>1973InnnninnTrawlingFrequency~nfO.olinTwice/renthDura>>ionofSampling.April-DccLab..AnalsisPerformedSpeciating,Weighing,NeasuxingICondition.factors,maturitycoefficients,fecundity.Scalesstomachanalysis,3importantspecicsoCLllNettingIIII~ISeiningPcxiphytonSubstratesonLakeDottonOnce/renthOnce/mont/'wice/aenthAprilScp'tNovMay-AugSpcciatingChlorophyllaBiomassPcriphytonSubstratesSus-pendedfxonBuoysOnce/renthOnce/monthTwLcc/aenthAprilSept-NovHay-AugSpeciatirgChlorophyllaBiomassWaterChemistryOnce/monthApril-Dec48parametersandradioactivity(plusD.O.andpHinthcfield).WatersampleshssocLatedwithBiologicalSarplingTwice/aenthApril-Dcc11parameters(plusD.Oo>>CO2IpHandspec.conductivityinthofiold.LakeTeapexaturcBenthosDottonDepositChen.Once/wcckOnce/2renthsOnce/yearHarch-DccApril-NovIncludesD.O.,pHandspec.conductivity.Spcciating,.biomass.Oxginics,nutricnts,rcrcury,lead,copper0chxor.t.unoPlantSanitazyandStormDrainsOnce/aenthAllyear24paraaetexePlant.intakeSDis-chargeDissolvedOxygenl(seeLakeTemp)FLshIrpingcaentPhyto,0ZooplanktonPlanktoninWindzowsOnceeachIspring,surmerIwinterOnce/weekfor24hoursOnce/renthOnce/monthTwice/aenthoOnce/aenthOnce/roonthTwice/renthAllyearApr'ilSept-D'cY&yAugAprilSept-DccKly-AugDoOospeciating,lengthsweight.Sex,sexualraturity,scale'analysisfor2irpoztantspecLcs.Densityandspecies.FoxphytoplanktonIprimaryproductivity.Densityandspecies.ForphytoplaWtonIprimaryproductivity.
SUMS!lYOFECOLOGICA'PROGRAMS-NINENILEPOINTLAM'ONTARIO~1973Cont'd0t."ationFrequencyofSarnlincDu"ationofSa~~lincrLab.AnalsisPerformedFishEggsSLarvaeOnce/wce'k,daysOnce/week,nightsApril-Dec~U.d-JunetoHid-SeptDensityandspecies.In-plantEntrain-xentSarplingTwice/renthfor2Chours"AllyearAsforlakesartples.<<Forsamplingstations,seenap.
B-27U.S.DEPARTMENTOPCOMMERCE(COMMENTNO.l3)C.Page6-6.Alistoforganismstypicallysampledandsubjectedtoradioanalysisshouldbepresentedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.Inouropinion,theprimaryfunctionofan.environmentalimpactstatementistoserveasa-fulldisclosuredocument.Therefore;wedonotbelieveiti'ssufficienttomerelyreferthereadertoadocumentsuchastheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport,whichmayormaynotbereadilyavailabletothereader.IftheStaffdisagreeswithouropiniononthismatter,wewouldappreciateafullexplanationinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.RESPONSE,Nocomment.
B-28U.S.DEPARTMENTOFCOIRKRCE(COMMENTNO.14)a~b.c~P~aa9-1.Thissectionshonldincludeecompleteenvironmentalanalysisofeachalternativesothatinformalconclusionscanbedrawnanddecisionsmade:byresponsibleofficialsandotherswhoreviewthisdocument.'hewarmwaterplumestendtobeclosetothelakeshore,duetotheexposed-locationandthelakecurrentsflowingneartheshore.Thiscouldhavesomeeffectinreducingnearshoreicecover.Itowever,thiswillcausenoadverseeffectseitheronwater,'ntakeorshoreerosion.,Thecalculated.increase*inaveragela)esurfacetemperatureofabout0.002'Fhasnophysicalmeaningand.maymaskadverselocal.effects.Muchmoremeaningfulistheareaaffectedbasinificantterneratureincrease.ygpToreducethefishentrapmentintheintakesystemandthusfishkills,thereportrecommendsthatalternativeintakestructuresbeexamined.Itissuggestedthatinadditiontotheabove,afishre-.plenishmentprogrambeconsidered.Samplingsindicatethat82%ofthefishkilledarethealewifesandsmelts.Thislowqualityfishcouldbereplacedbymoredesir-ablefishfromhatcheriesinthesameorsignificantlylargeramounts.'d.Asdescribedonpage3-23,themajor'source.ofradio-activityreleasedtotheopenatmosphereduringreactoroperationistheoffgasfromthe'maincondenserairejectors.Theseoffgasesareallowedto'flowthrougha30-minuteholduppipebeforebeingdischarged,throughthemainplantstack.Consequently,wewouldconsiderthereleasetobecontinuousthroughoutthe'yearand,,assumingaratheruniformsourceemissionrate,averageannualdiffusionparameterscanbeappropriatelyused.e.InourcommentsontheFinalSafetyAnalysisReport.forthisfacility'senttotheAtomicEnergyCommissionDivisionofReactorLicensingonDecember18,1967,"wecomputedthatthehighestoff-siteannualconcentrationis5x10secm3at..adistanceof2kmtothenortheastcornerofthesiteassumingtheeffluentisreleasedfroma350-ft.stack.Thisissomewhathigherthanthe1.9xl0secm3computedbythestaffintable5.7.RESPONSEa-enocomment.
B-29DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHEDUCATION,ANDNELFARE(GENERALCOI<~lENTNO.1)OurprimaryobservationconcernsthefactthattheNineYilePointNuclearStationUnit1isjustoneof'hreeplantswhicharetooperateessentiallysidebysideonthesouthernshoreofLakeOntario.AsstatedintheintroductiontothedraftEIS,theapplicantplanstoconstructaUnit2stationadjacent.totheUnit1sitewhichwillproducealmosttwicetheamountofUnit1'selectricalpower.Xnaddition,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYorkisbuildingtheJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPlant3300feeteastof.theUnit1Station.Allthreeplantsareto'tilizeonce-throughcoolingsystemswithlakewater.Xtisthereforenecessarythatcumulativethermaleffectsbeaddressed.Likewiseothercumulativeeffectsofthethreeplantsmustbeconsidered.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.1.
B-30DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHYEDUCATIONANDWELFARE(GENERALCOMMENTNO..2)Whilethedraftindicatesthatseparateenvironmentalstatementshavebeenpreparedfortheseadditionalfacilities,wehavenotreceivedcopies'ofthemforreviewandhavenoway~ofknowingtheircontent..Weareunabletherefore,toassesstheenvironmentaleffectstheproposedactionwillbringaboutinitsactual,operationalcontext,.RESPONSENocomment.
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHEDUCATION,ANDWELFARE(GENERALCONl&NTNO~3)Itwouldappearthatathoroughanalysisofthe'nvironmentalimpactoftheUnit,lStationrequirescon-siderationofthecumulativeeffectsofallthreenuclear,plantsinc'ludingtheeffectsofthermaldischarges,gaseouseffluents,liquideffluents,releasesofradioactivemater-ials,fish'mpingement,transmissionlines,aswellastheeffectsofincreasedpopulationsonhumanservices.Thismay,forreasonsunknowntous,beunnecessary.RESPONSENocomment.
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHgEDUCATIONgANDWELFARE(COMMENTNO1)ItissuggestedthattheupgradedliquidwastesystemsreferencedinSections3.5.1.2.,3.5.1.4.,and3.5.1.6.,andthegaseouswastetreatmentsystemreferencedinSection3.5.2.2,,shouldbeoperationalbeforeafull-termlicenseisgrantedtheNiagaraMohawkPowerCorporationfortheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnitl.RESPONSENocomment.
B-33DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHEDUCATIONSANDWELFARE(COMMENTNO.2XnSection2.7.1.,describingtheTerrestrialEcologyofthesite,itisstatedthatthesouthernshoreofLakeOntarioisamajormigrationrouteusedbymanybirdsincludingtheAmericanospreyandthebaldeagle.Subsequentlyitissaidthataterrestrialsurveyofthesitefoundthatnorareorendangeredspeciesofplantsoranimalswerepresent.ThereseemstobeaninconsistencyhereastheAmericanospreyandthebaldeaglearebothlistedasendangeredspeciesandasthesiteoftheUnit1Stationmakesuppartofthesouthernshore.RESPONSETheterrestrialsurveyreferredtodidnot,locateorindicatethepresenceofnestingsitesofthesebirdsnoristheiranyotherevidencethattheyfrequentthearea.Thisisnottosaythattheydonotpassoverthesiteduringtheirannualmigrationflights.
B-34DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHgEDUCATIONANDWELFARE(COMMENTNO3)Theinformationprovided'ontheoperationaleffectsoftheUnitlStationonaquaticbiotaislacking.Itdoesnotallowfora'horough'assessmentoftheenvironmentalimpactoftheproposedactionandtherefore,offsetstheenvironmentaleffectstobeweighedinthedecision-makingprocess.RESPONSEReferto.Applicant,'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.12.
8-35DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHEDUCATION,ANDWELFARE(COKKNTNO.4)Wenotethattheonce-throughcoolingsystemutilizedbytheUnit1StationfailstomeetthecurrentNewYorkStatethermalcriteria.Thesecriteria"limittheriseinsurfacetemperatureto3'Fovertheambienttemperaturewithin300-feetradiusorequivalentareafromthepointofdischarge".(5.2.2.)StudiesofthethermaleffectsoftheUnit.1Stationhaveshown.thatattimes"evenatadepthof5feet,approximatelyoneandaquarterofshorelinehadtemperaturesgreaterthan5'Faboveambient".(5.2.2.)Furtherinformationshouldbeprovidedastotheeffects,includinghealtheffects,ofthisriseintemperatureabovethestandard.Itwouldalsobeusefultoaddresslegalramificationsoffailingtomeetthecriteria.RESPONSETheNewYorkStatestandardsforthermaldischargesspecifythat,"Nonealoneorincombinationwithothersubstancesorwastesinsufficient.amountsoratsuchtemperaturesastobeinjurioustofishlife...orimpairthewatersforanyotherbest.usage..."(6NYCRR701.3etseg.)OnJuly25,1969NewYorkStateadoptedthermalcriteriathatspecifythatthestandardforState'watersisasdescribedaboveandthatthestandardsshallbeappliedinaccordancewith.thesecriteria(6NYCRR704).InPart704.4ofthesecriteriathereisadiscussionoftheextent,ofapplicabilityofthecriteriatoexistingdischar'ges,i.e.,dischargesexistingpriortoJuly25,1969.Thissectionofthecriteriaspecifiesthat,"Indeterminingwhetheradischargeexistingpriortotheadoptionoftheabovecriteriacomplieswiththeapplicablestandard('onealoneorincombinationwiththesubstanceorwastesinsufficientamountsoratsuchtemper-.aturesastobeinjurioustofishlife...or RESPONSETODEPARTMENTOFHEALTHEDUCATIONANDWELFARE(COMMENTNO.4)CONTINUED-impairthewatersforanyotherbestusage')(6NYCRR701.3etseg.),thesecriteriaareintendedonlytobeaframeofreference."SincethedischargeforNineMilePointUnit1wasconstructedpriortoJuly25,1969,Part704.4appliestothisunit.Inotherwords,theNineMilePointUnit1dischargedoesnothavetomeetthecriter'iaforlakes("Thewatertemperatureat,thesurfaceofalakeshallnotberaisedmorethan3'Foverthetemperaturethatexistedbeforetheadd-itionofheatofartificialorigin,exceptthatwithinaradiusof300ftorequivalentareafromthepointofdischarge,thistemp-eraturemaybeexceeded.Inlakessubjecttostratification,thethermaldischargesshallbeconfinedtothe'epilimneticarea").TheNineMilePointUnit1discharge,however,mustcomplywiththestandard.Data-todateindicatethatthedischargecomplieswiththestandardeventhoughitdoesnotmeet'hespecificnumericalcriteria.
B-37DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATIONANDWELFARE(COMMENTNO.5)Giventheinformationprovidedinthedraft,wefindthattheUnit1StationfailstoconsistentlymeettheminimumFederalWaterQuality'Criteriaforphosphorusconcentrations.Morepreciseinformationonphosphoruseffectsandthelegalconsiderationsoffailingtomeetthecriteriashouldbeincludedinthedraft.RESPONSEPhosphoruslimitationsinLakeOntarioarecitedintheMinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteria.PhosphoruslimitsarenotsetbyexistingViewYorkStatedischargecriteria.However,theproposedrevisionsoftheNewYorkStatecriteriadoincludelimitationsforphosphorus.TheApril1972Treaty,GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement,alsoprescribeslimitsforphosphorusinLakeOntario.Theprovisionsofthesevariouscriteriaandregulationsareoutlinedbelow.l.NewYorkStatestandardsclassifyLakeOntarioasClassASpecial.Nospecificlimitsaresetonphosphorusconcentrationsalthoughagenerallimitonchemicaldischargesstates,"allwastesincludingsanitarysewage,stormwaterandindustrialeffluentsshallbeinsuchconditionwhendischargedintoanystreamthattheywillnotcreateconditionsintheboundarywaterswhichwilladverselyaffecttheuseofthosewatersforthefollowingpurposes:sourceanddomesticwatersupply,orindustrialwatersupply,navigation,fishandwildlife,bathing,recreation,agricultureandotherriparianactivities."(6NYCRR702.1)
RESPONSETODEPARTMENTOFEIEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFARE(COMblHNTNO.5)CONTINUED2.NewYorkState"ProposedClassificationsandStandardsfor6NYCRR702.1"were"discussedinpublichearingsinSeptember1973.Theproposedlimitationsfor,phosphorusare"concentrationsshouldbelimitedtotheextent.necessarytopreventnuisancegrowthsofalgae,weedsandslimesthatax'eormaybecomeinjurioustoanybeneficialwateruse."3.MinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteriahavesetconcentrationsasgoalsofthewaterbodypurity.ForLakeOntario,thecriterionis0.05mgperliterPfortotalphosphorus.4.TheGreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement(April1972)is'aninternationaltreatybywhichtheUnitedStatesandCanadaagreedtocertainlimitationsonphosphorusinLakeErieandLakeOntario.Thelimitssetforthesetwolakesanddischargestheretoare.1mgperliter.Thedeadlineforcomplianc~withthiscriterionisJanuary1,1975.Phosphatemeasurements,havebeenmadeintheLakeinthe'vicinityofOswegoandnearNineMilePoint.PhosphateconcentrationsnearOswegoaveraged0.2mgperliteras,P.IBycomparison,theobservationsnearNineMilePointaveraged0.06mgperliterasP.TheselevelsareattributabletotherelativelyhighphosphateconcentrationsfoundintheOswego B-39RESPONSETODEPARTMENTOFHEALTH,EDUCATION,ANDWELFARECONiENTNO.5CONTINUEDRiver.LevelsintheLakeasawholetypicallyrangefrom0.01to0.03'mg/1PinthecentralportionoftheLake,withmuchhighervaluesfrequentlybeingrecordedneartheshorelineduetorunofffromtheadjacentlandareas.Theeffluent,fromtheNineMilePointsanitarysewagesecondarytreatmentplantislessthan8ops.persecond(3.75gpm).Theconcentrationofphosphateastheliquidleavesthetreatmentcomplexisapproximately4mgperliterP.Theeffluentdribblesdowntoanaturaldrainageditchinawet,woodedarea,whichisseparatedfromtheLakebyan.expanseofgravelandbouldersformingthes'horelineofLakeOntario.Followingheavyrains,'thedrainageditchisflushedinto'LakeOntarioalongwithahighvolumeofrunoffwater.Adjacenttothetreatmentplanteffluentisastorm-yarddrainlinewhichnormallyflowsatamuch'higherrate(estimatedat100gpm).Thetotalphosphoruscontent,ofthisflowhasbeenmeasuredat0.04mgperliterP.
B-40DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION-FEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATIONCOl'1NENTNO.1)TheFederalRailroadAdministrationcommentedatsomelength(6Feb.,1973)regardingtheapplicantsrequestforlicensingofNineMileNuclearStationUnitNo.2.Ourcontinualconcernovertheinductivecoordin-ationproblemwithrailroadsignalandcommunicationlinesisalsoapplicabletothismorerecentstatementforUnitNo.l.RESPONSEWhendesigningtransmissionlineswhichparallelrailwayfacilities,itisthestandardpracticeoftheAp-plicanttocontacttheownersofsuchfacilitiesadvisingthemoftheirplans.Theimpact.oftheApplicant'spro-posalisdeterminedbytheownersoftherailwayfacilities.Ifthepossibilityofexcessivevoltagesisindicated,cor-rectiveactionistakentoprecludethepossibilityofhazard.
DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONU.S.COASTGUARD(COMMENTNO~1)Itisnotedthattheremaybeanecessitytomarktheintakeanddischargepoints.ItisrecommendedthattheapplicantcontactCommander,NinthCoastGuardDistrict(oan)at1240E.NinthStreet,Cleveland,Ohio,44199,forfurtheramplification.RESPONSEWhentheUnitedStatesCorpsofEngineer'sPermittoconstruct.theUnit1intakeanddischargefacilitieswasreceived(October19,1964),theaccom-panyingU.S.CoastGuardNotificationFormwastrans-mittedtotheClevelandCoastGuarddistrict.Theirreview(November3,1964)indicatedthatitwasnotnecessarytomarktheintakeanddischargefacilities.CopiesofthiscorrespondenceareincludedinApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport-AppendixG,items3and4.
B-42U.S.DEPARTHENTOFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATIONSERVICE(COHHENTNO.1)IThe'majorproposedactionconcernsconversionofacurrentoperating'licensetoafull-termlicensewhich,initself,willnothaveanysignificanteffectonareasofinterestto.SCS.RESPONSENocomment.
B-43U.S.DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATION,SERVICE(COMMENTNO.2)Pararah4.1.1StationSiteConstructionofanewradwastebuildingisdis-cussed.Inthethirdparagraphadiscussionshouldincludeastatementthattopsoilwillbesalvaged,protectedandrespreadduringthegradingoperation.Promptvegetatingwillbeundertakentopreventerosionofsoilduringcon-structionofthebuilding.RESPONSEThematerialbeingremovedasaresultofthenewradwastebuildingconsistsofbackfillsoilgravelmixwithacoveringofcrushedstone.Notopsoilisinvolved.
B-44U.=S~DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATIONSERVICE(COMMENTNO.3)Pararah5.1.2Transmission-lineEnvirons(a)"Onlyselectiveapplicationofherbicidesshouldbepermitted..."=-Thisisnotonlytoencouragewildlife-habitatgrowthbuttomaintainagoodvegetativecovertopreventsoilerosion.RESPONSENocomment.
B-48STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOblb1HNTNO~1)AfterreviewingtheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReportandtheAEC'sdraftstatement,andobservingthefishimpingementstudyat,theplant,threethingsareapparent:l.Alargenumberoffishhavebeenimpingedonthetravelingscreens;2.Avarying,butconsiderableportionofthesecomeoffthescreensalive;3.Theprocessofreturningimpingedfishtothelakeprobablykillstheremainingfish.Threechangesinplantanditsoperationwouldappeartoreducethekillofimpingedfish.First,thenormalschedulecallsforthetravelingscreenstobestationary57minutesofeachhour.Therefore,impingedfishareheldagainstthescreensforaconsiderabletime.'Ifthescreensweretravelingcontinuously,theimpingementtimewouldbegreatlyreducedwithfewerfishdyingonthescreens.Second,thescreensarecleanedwithaveryhighvelocityspray,whichremovesfishfromthescreensandslamsthemagainstthehousing.Itisfelt,thatthesprayvelocitycouldbereducedsubstantiallyandstillinsurecleaningofthescreens.Ifthefishwereremovedgently,fewerwoulddieinthisprocess.Third,thefishanddebrisfromthescreensflowdirectlyintothedischarge,withatemperatureasmuchas31.2'Fabovethewatertheyjust,left.Thefishareinthedischargetunnelatthistemperatureforabouttwominutes,andatreducedtemperaturesoftheplumeforanadditionalvaryingperiod.Thissamedischargeisperiodicallyusedfordisposalofchemicalwastesfromthelaundry,regenerationwastes,(page3-33),floordrains(page3-16),andwastecollectorsystem(page3-13).Itisfelt,thatthecombinedeffectofbeingheldforupto57minutesonthescreens,beingslammedagainstthehousing,andthenplacedintheheatedandchemicaldischargefortwoplusminutes,killsmostoftheimpingedfish.Further,itisfelt,that.thiskillcouldbereducedsubstantially,bycleaningthescreenscontinuouslywithareducedsprayvelocityandreturningthefishthroughaseparatesluicewaytothelakeawayfromtheintakeanddischargeareas.
B-47,U.S.DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTUREFORESTSERVICE(COMMENTNO.2)WeareinterestedintheStaff'srecommendationsontheuseofherbicidesfortransmission-linemaintenance,andareparticularlyintriguedbythelastone:"Nostandsofpotentiallypoisonousplantsshouldbesprayedwithherbicides."Wearecuriousaboutthebasisforthisrecommendation.RESPONSENocomment.
B-46U.S.DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTUREFORESTSERVICE(COMMENTNO.l)WehavenoinformationtoindicatethatthecontinuedoperationofNineMilePointNuclearStationUnitlwillhaveanyfurtheradverseeffectonforestlandbeyondthatwhichhasalreadyoccurredasaresultofconstruction.RESPONSENocomment.
B-45U.S.DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURESOILCONSERVATIONSERVICE(COMMENTNO.')Pararah10.3.1LandUseThisparagraphissummarizedbyastatement,whichsaystherecreationalpotentialoftheareaismeager.Intermsofpublicdevelopment,thisstatementmaybetrue,butintermsofprivaterecreation,thereismorethanmeagerpotential.Theparagraphmightbemodifiedtoreflectthis.RESPONSENocomment.
B-49STATE-OFNEWYORK:DEPARTMENTOFENVXRONMENTALCONSERVATXONCOlIl1ENTNO~1)CONTINUEDXtshouldbenoted,thatsuchmeasureswillnotinsurethatallfishwillsurvive.Someimpingedfishwilldie,andstudies'illhave-tobecarriedoutafterthesemodificationsgoineffecttodeterminethemagnitudeandsign'ificanceoffishkilledbyimpingement.Anydecisiononalternateintakedesignsshould,however,bemadefollowingthesubmittalbytheapplicantofinformationonalternateintakesystemsassuggested-onPage9-17.Theaboverecommendations,however,shouldbeimplementedtoreducethefishkillsuntilsuchdecisionsaremade.HRESPONSETheApplicanthasperformed,andiscontinuingto.perform,detailedstudiesregardingfishimpingementatNine'MilePointUnit1.Thesestudiesareaddressedinsomelengthinareportentitled"TheEffectofImpingementatNineMilePointontheFishPopulationsofLakeOntario",October1,1973.ThisreportwassubmittedbytheApplicantasExhibit.3b(AECDocketNo.50-410)at.theNineMilePointUnit2PublicHearings.Thereportstatesthattheimpactoftheplant(asmeasuredatUnit1)uponfishpopulationsofLakeOntarioisnotsignificantanddoesnotconstituteanenvironmentalproblem.Xnthecourseoffishimpingementstudiesperformedtothisdate,judgmentastothechancesofsurvivalofimpingedfishbackwashedoffthescreenshasbeenbasedonvisualinspec-tiononly.Thefactthatafishappearstobeingoodcondition B-50RESPONSETOSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTAL,CONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.l)CONTINUEDafterbeingsubjectedtothistreatmentisnoguaranteethatitwillsurvivewhenreturnedtotheLake,however.TheApplicanthasauthorizedstudiestocarryoutanalysesofIsuchfish,inordertobetterdeterminetheirviability.TheApplicanthasalsoauthorizedstudiesofoperationalchangesinthescreenwellareatoreduceimpingedfishmortalityalongthelinesrecommendedinthiscomment.Furthermoremodificationstotheexistingintakestructure,toreducefishentrainment,arebeingconsideredinregardtotherecommendationsoftheDraftEnvironmentalStatement.
B-100STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.45)Section5.5.2a.IntakeEffects,ae5-31.Thefourthsentence,2nd.paragraphimpliesthatalewivesandsmeltamountedto82%ofthefishsp'ecieswhichareimpinged.Actually,these2speciesareonly6.7%ofthe30speciescollected.Ofthe12,987fishcollectedduringtheimpingementstudies,82%weresmeltoralewives.RESPONSENocomment.
B-99STATEOF.NEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.44)Pae5-31Theenvironmentaltechnicalspecif'icationsforNineMilePointUnit1shouldincludethefollowing:OBJECTIVESTodeterminethesoundlevelscreatedduringnormalplantoperationsatandbeyondtheplantboundaries.SPECIFICATIONSAsoundsurveyshallbemadearoundtheplantinaccordancewithPart75ofSubchapterEoftheInterim-RulesforCertificatesofEnvironmentalCompatibilityandPublicNeedforSteamElectricGenerationFacilitiesof'hePublicServiceCommission.Thesemeasurementsshallbetakenfollowinginitialfullpoweroperation.TheresultsshallbeevaluatedbytheapplicantandareportwiththeappropriaterecommendationsastothefutureoftheprogramshallbesubmittedtotheDirectorateofLicensingandtheNewYorkStateEnvironmentalConservationDepartmentforconsideration.BASESThesoundsurveyshallshowtheextenttowhichtheplantaffectstheambientnoiseinsurroundinglanduses.~Thisinformationisneededtoinsurethattheplantconformstonoiserulesandregulationsofthe-NewYorkStateEnvironmentalConservationDepartment.Theinforma-tionwillalsobeusefultothesurroundingcommunitiesforlanduseplanningdecisions.Inaddition,ifasecondplantisproposedthedatawillbeneededforpreparationoftheEnvironmentalImpactStatementforthatplant.TheabovesoundsurveyandsubsequentevaluationshouldbecompletedpriortoissuanceofaFullTermLicense.RESPONSENocomment.
B-98STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.43)Pae531Itisstatedthat,"TheApplicant'smeasurementsofsoundintensityindicatedthatthemaximumsoundpro-ducedatthesiteboundarieswasfromthetransformeratalllocations;soundintensityfromthetransformerwasequaltoorlessthanthebackgroundnoise."TheacousticalenvironmentalimpactevaluationshouldbepresentedinaccordancewithPart75ofSubchapterEoftheNYSPublicServiceCommissionInterimRulesforCertificatesofEnviron-mentalCompatibilityandPublicNeedforSteamElectricGenerationFacilities.Itisnotedthattransformersgen-erallyradiatepuretoneswhicharemoreannoyingthanbroadbandnoiseofthesameenergycontent.RESPONSENocomment.
B-97STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.42)Section5.5.1,xae5-31-The-discussionof'environmentalnoiseisinadequate.Asurveyshouldbemadeofsoundlevelsinandaroundthe'planttodeterminesoundlevelscreatedduringvariousmodesofpl'antoperation.Thesurveyshouldincludesoundlevelsassociatedwithhighvoltagetransmissionfacilities.Resultsofthesurveywouldpermitanevaluationofthesoundbilevelim-pactfromthisplant,andwouldbeusefulinevaluatingthepotentialimpactof'proposedUnit,2.Itissuggested'thata'soundlevelstudyberequiredoftheapplicant,andthatastatementtothat,effect(asrecommendedincommentNo.44)couldbeaddedtotheTechnicalSpecificationRequirementsonpageivoftheDraftEnvironmentalStatement.RESPONSENocomment.
B-96STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.41)Section5.2.4,Pae5-12Inparagraphstwo,themaximumallowablegrossbetaactivityshouldbecorrectedto1000picocuriesperliterratherthanthestated100picocuries..RESPONSENocomment.
B-95SXA'J:KUi'."i0"WYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION'COMMENTNO.40)Section5.1.-2,Pae5-2Itisstatedthat"Nostandsofpotentiallypoisonousplantsshouldbesprayedwithherbicides."Wearecuriousaboutthebasisforthisrecommendation.Recommendation(j)shouldbeexpanded.toincludealistofpotentiallypoisonousplants.RESPONSENocomment.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.39)Section5.1.2ThefollowingarerecommendedmodificationstoSection5.1.2oftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementforNineMilePointUnit-l.ATechnicalSpecificationfortheNineMilePointUnit1.shouldbedevelopedusingthissectionasmodified:a.Section5.1.2(b)-change"should"to"shall"'.C~Section5.1.2(c)-changeto"TreatmentshallnotbeMorethanonceevery4years."Section"5.1.2(d)-change"should"to"shall"d.Section5.l.2(e)e.Section5.1.2(f)andaddatend"andtheirwrittenapprovalsecured."Section5.1.2(g)-Addsentenceatend-"AllpesticideapplicatorsshallbecertifiedapplicatorsunderStateprovisionsandshallcomplywithapplicableStatestandards."g.Section5.1.2(h)-No"safe"dioxinlevelhasbeenestablished.h.Section5.1.2(i)-Addphraseatend-"andactiontakentoensurethatdriftorvolatilizationbeheldtoaminimumforfutureapplications."RESPONSENocomment.
B-93STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.CONTINUEDf.)ThepreventionandcontrolofenvironmentalnoisepollutionresultingfrommaintenanceoperationsandtheoperationofthehighvoltagetransmissionlineshouldconformwithNewYorkState'sproposedregu-lations.Ig.)'aintenanceorlandmanagementoftheright-of-wayinmanyinstancescanbebestaccomplishedbyencouragingtheownerorformerownertocontinuehislanduseinsofarasitiscompatiblewiththeApplicant'sobjectives.Suchlandusemightbetheraisingofvariouscrops,grazing,andrecreationaluses.RESPONSE'ocomment.
B-92STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.38)Section5.1.2TransmissionLinesWeconcurwiththefactthattheApplicantdidnothavethebenefitoftheStateofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationguidelinesandrecommendationsfortransmissionlinelocationandconstruction(asstatedinSection4.1.2)whentheoriginal500ft.corridorwasselectedandcleared(theNineMilePointUnit-ClayCircuit).However,thisdoesnotprecludetheuseofsaidguidelinesinthemaintenanceofthetransmissionlineswhichareapartofthereferenceddocuments.Accordingly,kindly.considerthefollowinginthepreparationofanenvironmentalmaintenancemanagementplanforthisinstallation:Ia.)"Itisrecognizedthatitwillbenecessaryfortheapplicanttoperiodicallyinspectthetransmissionlineandtheroadwayandtomaintainsaidlineandroadwaytoinsurethesafetransmissionofpower."b.)Dangertrees,asdeterminedbythedesignatedrepre-sentativesoftheapplicantandtheregulatoryagency,maybecutaslongasconditionsandlimitationsforsuchcuttingareestablishedpriortothestartof-operation.c.)Nativevegetation,particularlythatofvaluetofishandwildlife,whichwassavedduringconstructionorhassincereproducedtonaturalgrowingconditionsanddoesnotposeahazardtothefacilityshouldbeallowedtogrow,andincriticalareasshouldbeplantedintheright-of-way.d.)Accessroadsandserviceroadsshouldbemaintainedwithnativegrasscover,waterbarsandproperslopeinamannerwhichthedesignatedrepresentativesoftheapplicantandtheregulatoryagencydeemsufficienttopreventsoilerosion.e.)Burningwillnotbepermittedduringmaintenanceoperation.
STATEOFNEWYORK'EPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.37)Section4.1.2,Pae4-2Itshouldbenotedthattheexisting500-footcorr'idoraccommodatestwo345-kVtransmissionlinestotheClaySubstation.In'addition,itshouldalsobenotedthatwithconstructionofproposedNineMilePointUnit2,at.leastaportionoftheeasternedgeoftheexistingcorridorwouldhave-tobeextendedtoaccommodateanew765-kVtransmissionline.RESPONSENocomment.
B-90TABLEICATEGORYCLASSIFICATIONANDSUGGESTEDNOISE-CRITERIONRANGEFOR'NTRUDINGNOISEASHEARDINVARIOUSINDOORFUNCTIONALACTIVITY.AREASCategoryArea(andAcousticRequirements)NoiseCriteriaBedrooms,sleepingquarters,hospitals,residences,apartments,hotels,motels,etc.(forsleeping,rest-ing,relaxing).Auditoriums,theaters,largemeetingrooms,largeconferencerooms,churches,chapels,etc.(forverygoodlisteningconditions).NC-20toNC-30NC-20toNC<<30Privateoffices,smallconferencerooms,class-rooms,libraries,etc.(forgoodlisteningconditions).NC-30toNC-35Largeoffices,receptionareas,retailshops,andstores,cafeterias.restaurants,etc.(forfairlisten-ingconditions).Lobbies,laboratoryworkspaces,draftinganden-gineeringrooms,maintenanceshopssuchasforelectricalequipment,etc.(formoderatelyfairlis-teningconditions).NC-35toNC-40NC-40toNC-50Kitchens,laundries,shops,garages,machineryspaces,powerplantcontrolrooms,etc.(formin-imumacceptablespeechcommunication,noriskofhearingdamage).NC-45toNC-65 B-899018AUGUST'1970PROJECTNO.1850020'"7575150~4~~''~r~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r~'ll~e~'~~~r,~~~~~~~~~~'::NOtSECRITERlA-lNCCuRVESBoltBeranek&Newmaninc.'50,300600120024004800300610=1200240048009600I~cCIOCgO8C3C7c9tdZ:tdtdtdtdCCCLClOAKmtdI-OO80706050403020~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I~~~~~~~~~LINEDATAr735KV50fSPACING1.38"$CONDUCTORS4CONDUCTORS,~:~c:pp'~~~~~~~~C~p~~~~~~~~~i~~~~~~~0~0~C~p.~~~~~~~~+c~p~~~~~~~~~0~~0~~~HOMEAT200FT.~~~~,~~HOMEAT400FT.HOMEAT800FT<C-pp~~10APPROXIMATETHRESHHOLDOFHEARINGFORCONTINUOUSNOISE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I~~~~~~~31.5631252505001000200040008000OCTAVEBANDCENTERFREQUENClESlNHz(cps)FIG,1DESlGNTRANSMlSSlONLlNESPUSINSlDERESfDENCESWlTHOPENWlNDOWSFAClNGTHELINE(DAMPWEATHER).
B-88RESPONSETOSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.36CONTINUEDareatheNC-20NoiseCriterionisnormallyappliedfornight-timeindoorconditions;butincityareas,orinapartments,dormitories,ormotelsforsleepingareas,anNC-30NoiseCriterionisnormallyused.FigureldemonstrateshowthenoisefitstheNoiseCriterioncurvesatseveraldistancesfromtheouterphase.Thisshowstha'tonlyhousesatabout200feetfiomtheouterphasewouldbesubjectedtothelownoiselevel(NC-25toNC-30).Thislownoiselevelwouldbeheardonlyindampweather,withwindows,nearest.thelineopen,andwithalowambientnoiselevel(includingthemaskingofrainnoise).Whenthesystemisenergizedto765-kVtheApplicantwillte'stforaudiblenoiseandevaluatefeasiblemethodsofnoisereductionifrequired.AtthisdatetheApplicantdoesnotintendtoin-stallanyhighervoltagelinesgreaterthan765-kV.
B-87RESPONSE-TOSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.36CONTINUEDThemeasurementsmadebyBolt,BeranekandNewman(BBaN)wereconductedduringtwooccasionsnearQuebecCity,'anada,whereHydroQuebecoperatesa735-kVtransmissionlinewhichhasafour(4)conductorbundleconfigurationwith1.38inchdiameterconductorandafiftyfootphasespacing.Thisarrangementissimilartoour765-kVconductorsizeandbundlearrangement,andthuswasidealforaudiblenoisemeasurements.Measurementsweretakendirectlybeneaththemid-spanofthe.conductorsandatvariousdistancesfromtheouterphase.Duringfairweathertheaudiblenoisefromthetransmissionlinewaslowerthanthebackgroundnoisefrominsectsandothersourcessothatreadingsweredifficulttoobtain.Bolt,BeranekandNewmanhavemadeupcategoryclassificationandNoiseCriterioncurves(Fig.1andTableI).'hi'sfamilyofNoiseCriterion(NC)curveshasbeenusedinnoisecontrolworkforoverfifteenyearsfordesignandevalua-tionofexistingnoiseconditions.Thesecurvesaccuratelycorrelatethesubjectiveresponseoftheaveragehumaneartoacousticlevelsatvariousfequenciesandintensitiesasmeasuredbyinstrumentation..Thus,thelowercurvescandescribenoiselevelsthatareconsideredquietenoughforrestingorsleepingorforexcellentlisteningconditionsinconcert,hallsorauditoriums,whiletheuppercurvescandescribenoisyworkareas.Foraquietorruralcommunity B-86STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.36)Section4.1.2,Pae4-1WenotethatthestationisconnectedtotheApplicant'ssystembytwo345-kVtransmissionlinesandtheright-of-wayisplannedforanadditional765-kVline.TheFinalEnvironmentalStatementshouldpresentdataonthesoundlevelsproducedbytheselines.TheintentionoftheApplicantwithregardtothepossibleinstallationofhighervoltagelinesandtheresulting'potentialforincreasedsoundlevelsshouldalsobestatedintheFinalEnvironmentalState-ment.RESPONSEApplicant'hasa765-kVtransmissionline(presentlyoperatedat345-kV)in'ervice.Togainabetterunderstandingoftheaudiblenoisewhichthebundlearrangementandconductorselectionforthiscircuitwouldgive,Applicantretained,theprofessional:servicesofAcresAmerican,Inc.,Bolt,BeranekandNewmanofCambridge,Massachusetts,consultantsinthefieldofaudiblenoisephenomena,andWestinghouseElectricCorporationtostudyaudiblenoiseonhighvoltagetransmissionlines.WestinghouseElectricCorporationconductedaudiblenoisemeasurementsindoorsattheTraffordHighVoltageLaboratoryandfieldmeasurementsatthe750-kVprojectatAppleGrove,WestVirginia.However,therewaslittlevalidagreementbetweenlaboratoryandfielddatabecauseacousticalmeasurementsinanindoorlaboratoryareaffectedbytheenclosure.
B-85STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.35)Section4.1.1,Pae4-1Itisstatedthatnoimpactsonneighboringlandswillresultfromconstructionoftheradwastebuildingandthat.theeffectswillbetemporary.Yet,theradwastebuildingwilltakeapproximatelytwoyearstocomplete,theJamesA.FitzPatrickplantwillbeunderconstructionnearbyandadditionalplantsmaybeconstructedin,thevicinity.=Thesynergisticeffectmightbeacontinuingenvironmentalimpactfromconstructionnoise.RESPONSESinceconstructionispresentlyunderwayontheJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlanttotheeast,the,modificationstotheNineMilePointUnit1radwastesystem'eastsideofthebuilding)willresultinonlymodestincre-mentaldisturbancetothearea.
B-84STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.34)Section4.1.1,Pae4-1Thefirstparagraphstates,"Theapplicantestablished130acresofthesiteasawildlifehabitatin1969bypostingthenorthwestcornerofthesite."Supplement1,oftheapplicant'senvironmentalreportreferstothisareaasa"naturalwildliferefuge"(pageS1.5-1).Theproblemhereisuseoftermsandintent.Itwouldseemthatthereasonforpostingwassafetyconcernsforthevisitorcenterandthereisnoargumentagainstthat.However,ifthatisthecase,stateit.Theycertainlydidnot"...establishwildlifehabitat...byposting..."andit,isquestion-ablethattheyestablishedanaturalwildliferefugewithanactivevisitorcenterinvolved.It-wouldbeverydesirableatsometimetohaveanactivewildlifemanagementprogramonthe855acresavailable,butuntil.thisisthecase,nosuchinferenceshouldbemade.RESPONSENocomment.
B-83STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO-33)Section3.8,Pae3-35Itisstatedthattoallowforprobableneedforafuture345-kVtransmissionline,a500-footright-of-waywaspurchased;Thefuture345-kV,transmissionlineisquestioned,sinceapplicant'stestimony(Garcy,NYSPublicServiceCommissionCase26251,TrPageSm4657ofJanuary26,1973),andtheFinalEnvironmentalStatement.forUnit2notethattheproposedfuturetransmissionlineis765-kV.RESPONSEThefuture345-kVtransmissionlinementionedinSection3.8,page3-35oftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementcouldextendfromanewVolneyStationsouthtotheSyracusearea.VolneyStationwillbelocatedapproximatelyninemiles-southfromNineMilePoint,ononeoftheexisting345-kVNineMilePoint-Claytransmissioncircuits.The765-kVtransmissionlinementionedbyGarcy(NYSPublicServiceCommissionCase26251,TrPageSm4657ofJanuary26,.1973)couldextendfromNineMilePointtoVolney.
B-82STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.32)Section3.5.3Pae3-30Thestaffestimateofsolidwastebaseduponexperience'atotheroperatingBWRplantsisgivenas11,000cubicfeetwithanactivityof2700curies.TheactualexperienceatNineMilePointUnitNo.1indicatesabout,thesameorderofmagnitudeoftotalcubicfeetwithanactivityofapproximately10%ofthestaffestimate.Thereasonorsignificanceofthisdifferenceshouldbediscussed.RESPONSENocomment.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.31)Section3.5.3Pae3-28.Thesectiononsolidwasteshouldconsiderthedisposalproblemasthiswasnotcoveredinthe"SurveyoftheNuclearFuelCycle".Tobetterevaluatethedis-posalproblem,theisotopicbreakdown,particularlythealphacontent,shouldbepresentedin-ordertodemonstratethesewasteswillmeetburialcriteria.RESPONSENocomment.
B-80STATEOFNENYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO-30)Table3.6,Pae3-27Theisg)opeXrislistedtwice.Thesecond83mentxyshouldbemKr.RESPONSENocommen't.
B-79STATEOFNEWXORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTHO.29)Theupgradedgaseouswastetreatmentsystem,showsasinglecatalyticrecombinersystem.ApparentlytheTable3;7doesnotconsiderdowntimefortherecombinersystem.ForthedraftenvironmentalstatementoftheFitzPatrickplant,adowntimeoftendaysperyearwasconsideredandconsiderablenoblegaseswereestimatedtobereleased.RESPONSETable3.7doesnotshowtheredundancyoftheupgradedoff-gassystem.Allcomponentsareredundantinthesystemexceptforthecharcoaltanks,mixingnozzle,andpreheater.
B-78STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.28)Table3.3,Pae3-20Incolumnfive,the0.0014shouldbereplacedbyTC-99m.RESPONSENocomment.
B-77STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOF,ENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION:(COMMENTNO.27)Section3.5.1.6,Pae3-18Theapplicant'scalculations.regardingthepresentliquidwastetreatmentsystemunderestimatedtheactualreportedradioactivity,excludingtritium,in,liquidreleasesbyafactorofaboutfifteenthousand.TheEnvironmentalStatementshouldthereforeprovidemorethancalculationalevidencetosupportthecontentionthatradioactivityreleasedfromtheupgradedliquidwastetreatmentsystemwillmeetthe"aslowaspracticable"guidelines.RESPONSEThenumberidentifiedintable3.5,(0.002ci/yr,fortheexistingsystemisnotcorrect.Thenumberswerereportedforindivi'dualisotopes.Basedonthat,theaverageyearlyreleasewouldbeabout45ci/yr.exclusiveoftritium.Therefore,thecommentappearstobevalid.
B-76STATEOFNEW'ORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.26)Table3.3,Pae3-20andTable3.7'ae3-29Alicenseconditionnotesthattheapplicantwillcompleteconstructionofanewradwastebuildingonsite(expectedtobefullyoperationalinlate1975withtheliquideffluentportionbeingoperationalinSeptember1974)toassurecompliancewiththe"aslowaspracticable"criteriacontainedin10CFR50.Tables3.3and3.7tabulateestimatedannualreleaseofradioactivityinliquidandgaseouseffluentsfortheupgradedradwastesystem.ItisquestionedifthesereleasesmeettheconditionsofWASH-1258-(numericalGuidesforDesignObjectivesAndLimitingConditions.forOperationToMeetTheCriteria"AsLowasPracticable"ForRadioactiveMaterialInLight-WaterCooledNuclearReactorEffluents)fortheproposedtreatmentprovidedintheupgradedradwastesystemwastestreams.IfWASH-1258criteriaandconditionsaremet,itisrecommendedthatthisbenotedontheconcernedtablesand,inaddition,brieflydiscussedinSection3.RESPONSETheupgradedradwastesystemwillmeetthestatedguidelines.
B-75STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.25)Table3.2,Pae3-19TheisotopeRu-103isincorrectlyidentified,asRa-103.RESPONSENocomment.
'-74STATEOF-NEWXORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION'COMMENT'O.24)Table3.2,Pae3-19Liststheestimatedannualreleaseofradioactivityinliquideffluents.'hetabledoesnotincludedissolvednoblegases.AppendixI10CFR50states:"Thedesignobjectivesguidesforliquideffluentsincludelimitationsonbothquantitiesandconcen-'rationsofradioactivematerialineffluents.Theestimatedannualquantityofradioactivematerial,excepttritium,releasedtounrestrictedareaswouldbelimitedtonot,morethanfivecuriesperpowerreactoratasite."=Thequantitiesandenvironmentaleffectsofdissolvednoblegasesshouldbeevaluated.RESPONSENo'comment.
B-73STATE"'OFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.23)Fiure3.6,Pae3-9TheservicewaterandfirepumpsshouldbelabeledonFigure3.6,sinceparagraphs3.4.1referstothemasbeingshownonFigure3.6.RESPONSENocomment.
B-72STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.22)Section3.4.2,Pae3-7Thefollowingclarificationsandcorrectionsshouldbemade:a.Itshouldbenotedthatthedischargetunnelis10feetindiameter.b.Itisstatedthattheeffluenthasaninitialvelocityofapproximately4fps.Itisnotclearwhereinthedischargeflowpath'hiseffluentvelocityexists.RESPONSEa.Nocomment.'b.Thestated4fpsvelocityoccursatthefacesoftheportsofthesixsideddischargestructure.
STATE-OFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENT.NO.2l)Section3.4.1,Pae3-7Thefollowingclarificationsandcorrectionsshouldbemade:a.ForclarityandforconsistencywithSection3.4.2,itshouldbenotedthattheintakestructureislocatedabout.850feetoffshore.b.Itisstatedthat.theintaketunnelhasa74square-.-footcrosssection.About78square-feetmoreaccur-atelydescribesthecrosssectionofthel0footdiameterintaketunnel.c."DiagrammaticSketch"betterdescribesthescreenwallshowninFigure3.6than"SchematicDiagram."SchematicDiagramintonatessingleline(wiring,piping,etc.)depictions.ThetitleofFigure3.6shouldalsobechanged.d.~It.shouldbeclarif'iedthatthenoted8fpsvelocitythroughtheintaketunnelisadesignvelocitybasedonthecoolingwaterflowrequirementsformaximumpoweroutput.e.Adescriptionofthetravelingscreen'sbackwashingsequenceandsluicingoperationshouldbeincluded.RESP.ONSENocommentitemsa-d.e.RefertoApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport-ConstructionPermitStage-NineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2,Supplement3,whichdiscussesthesequencingandoperationoftheUnit1travelingscreens.
B-70STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.20)Fiure3.4,Pae3-6Figure3.4isentitled"Circulating,WaterSystem:Plan."Itisrecommendedthatthistitlebemodifiedto"In-takeanddischargestructurelocations:Plan."Thistitlemorecorrectlydescribesthatportionofthecoolingwatersystemdepicted,andisconsistent=.withthedescriptioncon-,tainedinSection3.4.Inaddition,,forclarity.,(ReferenceFigure3.4ofFitzPatrick'sFinalEnvironmentalStatementdatedMarch,l973)theintakeand,dischargetunnelsshouldbelabeled,andafter"intake"and"discharge"theword"structure"added.RESPONSENocomment.
B-69STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTlKNTOF-ENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COI1MENTNO.19)Fiure3.3,Pae3-5Thefigureappearstodepict"theexisting,andnottheupgraded,liquidradwastesystembecausefloordrainsampletankdrainsareshowngoingdirectlytothecirculatingwater'systemdischarge.Thusitshouldbenoted,at'leastfortheradwasteportionofthewater-usageflowfigure,thattheexistingsystemisdepicted.Inaddition,thedischargecanal,screenhouseanddischargetunnelshouldbelabeledtoclarifywhereeffluentdischargesinterfacewiththecirculatingwaterdischargesystem.liRESPONSEThediagrams(Fig.3.8and3.9)arecorrectinthatabout10percentoftheWastecollectorlowconductivity,lowactivitywasteisdischargedasanexcess.Thediagramsareincorrectinthat,Figure3.9doesnotshowadischargefromthefloordrainsampletankstodischarge.Thisdischargeis2,700gal.perdayasdelineatedintheEnvironmentalReport.
B-68STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.l8)Section3.3,Pae3-4.Itisstatedthat.theapplicantproposestouseahighpressurewaterflush,orothermechanicalmeanstopreventfoulingofthecondensers.Thisisnotclear,sincehighpressurewaterflushingisnotconsideredmech-anicalcleaning.RESPONSE"InSupplementNo.lofitsEnvironmentalReport,P.Sl.3-l,theApplicantnotes"There,willbenochemicalcleaning".'ighpressurewaterflushesormechanicalcleanin'gmethodswillbeused.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.17)Section3.2,Pae3ItisstatedthatthereactorhasaStretchratingof1850MWt,correspondingtoanetelectricaloutputof610MWe.Thisisquestioned,sinceprecedingsections(Pagel-landi)notethattheseareratedvalues.RESPONSETheNineMilePointUnit1outputisratedat610MWenetfor1850MWt.
B-66STATEOFNHWYORKDHPART&IHNTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COi~L~JHNTNO.16)Section2.5.2,Paes2-10and2-11Paragraph3andFigure2.6notethatLakeOntariohasamaximumsurfacetemperatureof72'Fduringsummer.Paragraph2ofSection3.4(Page3-7)statesthattheintakewatertemperaturevarieswiththeseasonfrom33to77'F.Initialimpactimpliesadiscrepancy(thisimpactisfurthersubstantiatedbystatementsthatverticalthermalstratificationexistsduringthesummer,andthattheintakestructureisaminimumof15feetbelowthesurface)unlessitisclarified(asintheFitzPatrickEnvironmentalTechnicalSpecifications)that:(1)the77'Ftemperatu'reisthemaximumrecordedLaketemperature,and(2)that77'Fistheconservativedesignbasisforestablishingthemaximumallowabledischargetemperature.RESPONSEThetemperatureplottedinFigure2.6oftheDraftStatementarethevaluesforagivendayoftheyear,averagedovertheyearsofrecordthrough1971.TheresultantcurvehasamaximumpointearlyinAugust,,withavalueof72F.However,thisvalueisitselftheaverageofarecordedrangenotanactualmaximum.
B-65'TATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.15)Section2.4,Pae2-8The.phenomenaofbedrock"pop-up"shouldbebrieflydiscussedinthissection.Thediscussionshouldincludestatementsthattheapplicant(PSARforUnit2)observedno"pop-up"featuresofconsequenceduringUnit1excavation,.andthattheclosestreportedfeaturesofconsequencearenearLowville,approximately50milesnortheastofthesite.RESPONSEAdescriptionofthebedrock"popup",phenomenoniscontainedonpageC4ofAppendixIoftheNineMilePointUnit2PSAR,DocketNumber50-410.
B-64STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.l4)Section2.2,Pae2-7ItisstatedthattheentireshorelinenorthofUnit1willbeaccessibletothepubli'c.Thisisnotclear,sincetheEnvironmentalReportnotesthatmostofthesiteareahasonlyrecreationalpossibilities,exceptforthatrestrictedareaintheimmediatevicinityofthegeneratingstationwhichincludedtheStation'simmediateshoreline.RESPONSETheentireshorelinenorthofUnit1isaccessibletothepublic.Howevertheshorelineareaconsistsoflargerockswhichmakeupashorelineprotectiondike.Theexten-siverockinessof.thisdikelimitsitsrecreationalpotentialalthoughitisusedbyshorelinefishermen.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.'3)Tablel-l,Pae1-4PermitsfromtheN.Y.S.Department.ofEnviron-mentalConservationareneededforthestandbydiesel.generatorsandfirepump.RESPONSEApplicationforms(NYSDEC-AIR100C)fortheappropriatepermitswerefiledwiththeDepartmentonOctober17,1973.
B-62STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTl1ENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.12)SummarandConclusions,Paeiii-LicenseConditionsThe500-footwideclearedtransmissionlinecorridorhasasignificant,anddisturbingvisualimpact.Theapplicantshouldberequired,asaconditionoffull-termlicensing,toalleviatethissituationbymeansofplanting.Treesoflimitedheightpotential,andshrubs,plantedingroupsatselectedspotswherelong,straightsectionsofthecorridoroccur,willreducethetunnel-likeaspect.Speciesoftreesandshrubshavingwildlifebenefitsshouldbeused.Similarplantingsshouldbemadeatpointswherethecorridorisintersectedbyaroadorstream.RESPONSENocomment.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.ll)SummarandConclusions,PaeivThefifthTechnicalSpecificationRequirementshouldbeexpandedtoread,"TheApplicantwillconductaterrestrialmonitoringprogramtodeterminetheenviron-mentaleffectsoftheuseofherbicidesforlinemainten-ance.Particularattentionshouldbegiventovegetationwhichfiguressignificantlyinthelife-cycleofvaluedwildlifespecieswhichmayoccupythisright-of-way.TheprogramRESPONSENocomment.
B-60STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATXON(COMMENTNO.10)SummarandConclusions,B,Paeiv,suggeststhatstudiesbeconductedto"...evaluatethemagnitudeofthefish-killproblem."Wesubmitthatthefishkillislarge(Table5.12,page5.-33)andthatsomesteps,asoutlinedabove,betakentoreducethekillimmediately.Then.conduc'tamonitoringprogramtodeterminetheextenttowhichNineNilePoint,isstill'illingfish,andtheeffectofthiskillonthelocalpopulationsandonLakeOntario.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoDECCommentNo.1 B-59''TATEOF.NEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENT.NO.')--"SummarandConclusions,PaeiandIntroduction,Pae1-1notpagenumbered),-'hesesectionsnotethat1850MWtisrequiredtoproduce610MWenet.The610MWenet.isquestioned,'sinceotherNineMilePoint.UnitNo.1documents(i.e.,U.,S.AECROInquiryReport.No.50-220/72'-110of11/21/72)noteahigherthan610MWeoutput.RESPONSEMWenet.,TheNineMilePointUnit1rated'outputis610 STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.8)Ther'earenumerouseditorialoversightsthroughoutthedocument.Forexample:'a~PaeNumberin-Thepagebeginningeachsectionshouldbenumbered,i.e.1-1,2-1,etc.ThisisconsistentwithotherenvironmentalstatementssuchasGinna'sDraftofApril1973,andFitzPatrick'sFinalofMarch1973.b.c~Cover-theword"Energy"ismissinginthetitle"UnitedStatesAtomicEnergyCommission."Section3.5.1.2,Pae3-16-Thefirstwordofthepara-graphshouldbe"In"insteadof"An."d.Fiure2.5,Pae2-9;Fiure3.2,Pae3-3,andFiure3.14Pae3-38-ThepoorqualityofthephotographsinFigures2.5,3.2and3.14doeslittletopromotetheaestheticfeaturesofthefacility.e.NuclideSmbols-AconsistentsetofsymbolsshouldbeusedtoidentifyradionuclidesinTables3.2,3.3,3.6,3.7,and5.3Section3.7.2,ae2-18.Secondfromlastparagraph,thirdlineintroducesanewfishtotheLakeOntariofishery,the"allleye."RESPONSENocomment.
B-57MSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONML'NTAL'CONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.7)AdiscussionoftheeffectsthattheconstructionandoperationofthestationhashadonthelocalcommunityshouldbeincludedintheEnvironmentalStatement.Theimpactonschools,housing,localroads,etc.,withastate-mentonthenetsocietalimpact,shouldbeaddressedinthisdiscuss1onRESPONSENocomment.
B-56STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.6)MostofthecommentstheStatepreviouslyforwardedtotheU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionon'heNineMilePointUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickPlantdraftenvironmentalstatementsregardingthermal/hydraulicwaterqualityconsider-ationsareapplicabletothisdraftenvironmentalstatement.RESPONSENocomment.
B-55RESPONSETONEWYORKSTATEDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION.(COMMENTNO.5)CONTINUED,maintenancepersonnelemphasizingtheprudentuseofelectricityandnaturalgas.-Further,weareworkingcloselywitharchitectsandengineerstoinsurethatenergysystemsinnewbuildingsandfactoriesaredesignedtomin-imizeconsumptionwithoutreducingperformance.Atthesametime,assistanceisprovidedcom-mercial,industrialandagriculturalcustomersinsolvingpollution-controlandwaste-managementproblemsbyrecommendingappropriateenergyapplications."
B-54STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.5)Adiscussionoftheapplicant'spresentandproposedenergyconservationeffortsshouldbeincludedintheEnviron-mentalStatement.RESPONSETheapplicant'policyregardingelectricenergyutilizationandconservationisrepresentedinthefollowingquotefromtheNiagaraMohawkAnnualReportfor1972:"Realizingthecriticalimportanceofusingenergywisely,NiagaraMohawktodayasneverbeforeisstressingefficient,useofelectricityandgasandurgingcustomersinallcategoriestoconserveenergy.Thisisadominantthemeinourpublicrela-tionsandcustomercommunications.SpeakersBu-reaupresentations,brochures,billenclosuresandnewspaperadvertisementslistingenergy-savingsuggestionsareallpart,ofacampaigntoencour-ageconservation.Duringtheyear,ourMarketingDepartmentexpandedaprograminwhichCompanyrepresentativesvisitcustomerfacilities,examinetheirenergysystemsandequipmentandmakerecom-mendationsforimprovement.Thishelpfulserviceincludesanalyzingandtestingtodeterminetheefficiencyof.industrialequipmentandmakingnecessaryfieldadjustmentswhereverpossible.Wearealsoadvisingcustomersonanincreas-ingbasistoemploywasteheatreclamationasamethodofconserva'tionandeconomy.Throughouttheyear,ourmarketingrepresentativesmadenumerouspresentationstoindustrialandtradeorganizations,commercialbuildingownersand STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.4)'iththeconstructionofproposedNineMilePointUnitNo.2,thecirculatingwatersystemforUnit,No.1willbemodifiedtoacombineddischargesystemforbothunits.Adiscussionshouldbepresentedoftheprojectedcombined.dischargevelocityandthermaldilutionimprovementsofthecombineddischargesystem.TheState'sreviewofthisreportisobviouslyinfluencedbythefactthattheapplicanthasthiscommitment.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'responsetoU.S.DepartmentofCommerceComment,No.1.
STATEOFNENYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATXON(COMMENTNO.3)Xtisstatedthatthestaffisoftheopinionthattheapplicant'smonitoringprogramtodatehasnotshownthattheintakesystem.willavoidsubstantialfishkills,withsubsequent.lackofconfidenceontheimpactoffishpopulationsintheNineMilePointarea.Xtisfurtherstated.that,theapplicantwillberequiredtoperformintensivemonitoringatsomeunstatedfuturetimetodeter-minetheseriousnessofthisfish-killproblem.Xnaddition,itisstatedthattheapplicanthaspresentednoalternativestothedesignofthepresentintakesystem.Basedonthesestatements,andtheconservationassumptionthattheinten-'ivemonitoringprogramwillreflectthatthepresentintakesystemwillnot.prevent"substantial"fishkills,itisconsideredprudentthattheU.S.AECrequirethattheapplic-antimplementtheintensivemonitoringprogramassoonaspossible,sothatredesignoftheintakesystem,ifrequired,canbeaccomplishedwithappropriatedispatch.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoDECCommentNo.1.Thefishimpingementstudyevaluatedinthedraft,environmentalstatementofNineMilePointUnit1hasbeenupgradedasofMarch14,1973.Fromthat,date,fishimpingementmonitoringhasbeenperformedonceaweek,for24hourscontinuously.TheApplicant'sreport(Applicant'sExhibit3b-NineMilePointUnit2PublicHearings,AECDocket.SO-410)hasevaluatedthesignificanceofthemeasuredimpingedfishkilluponthelake,populationandconcludesthetotalstobeinsignificantasevaluatedinthecontextof'availablelakepopulations.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.2)Summar-andConclusions,,Pageiii-LicenseConditionsAnyCommissionfulltermoperatinglicensefor.thisfacilityshouldbeappropriatelyconditionedto'ssurethattheupgradedradwastesystemsareinstalledinthemosttimelymannerandfurtherproventooperatewithintheirdesignparameters.RESPONSENocomment.
B-101STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.46)Section5.5.2a.IntakeEffectsae5-34,3rdararah.Thedescriptiongivenhereofremovaloffishfromthetravelingscreensdiffersfromtheprocessobservedattheplant.Thisstatementinfersthatimpingedfishremovedfromthetravelingscreens"...collectinthetrashpitalongwiththedebris,"andthat"The'ecologicaldeath'fthesestressedanddisabledfishappearsinevitable."Inobservationofthisprocess,thefishwereremovedfromthescreensbyahighvelocityspray,slammedagainstthehous-ingandwentdirectlytothedischarge.Alargepercentoftheseimpingedfishwere'aliveastheyenteredthedischarge.Wesubmit,thatecologicaldeathisnotinevitable,andthatminormodificationssuggested(commentgl)abovewouldsavemanyofthese:Thethemeofthelastparagraphofthissectionwascoveredincomment510.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoSX5teofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationCommentNo.1regardingintake-travelingscreenstudies.
B-102STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.47)Pae536Itisstatedthat"mechanicalstress.doesnotappeartobesignificantatmoderatelaketemperatures,(50'-59'F),yetthereisnostatement.oftheeffectsofmechanicalstressat-othertemperatures.Thedraftenvironmentalstatementshoulddiscusstheseeffectsalso.RESPONSEStudiesbytheApplicantindicatemechanicalstressproducesaplanktonkillrateontheorderof10to20'ercent,regardlessofwatertemperature.Thesestudieswereperformedwhilethecirculatingwatersystemwasoperatingbutnoheatwasbeingdischargedsincethereactorwasshutdownatthetime.,.ReferalsotoApplicant'sresponsetoEPACommentNo.F.2.
B-103STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.48)Section5.5.2b.EntrainmentEffectsPae5-37Thelastthreesentencesofthissection,page5-37,aptlysumupthesubjectofentrainment,particu'larlyoffisheggsandlarvae,atNineMilePointgl.ThisshouldbeaddedtoSummaryandConclusions,pageiatthebottomofthepage.RESPONSENocomment.
B-104.STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.49)ISection5.5.2cThermaldischaresEffectslFishes.Pae5'37,Thestaffmakes,severalreferencestopreferredtemperaturesoffish.Thestatementsarecorrect.However,itshouldbe'notedinthissection,'thatthesepreferredtemperaturesaredeterminedforthemostpart,by'eryshort.termlaboratoryexperiments.Andthattheyonlyindicatetemperaturesfishpreferredovertemperaturestheywereacclimatedtoatthetime.Preferredtemperaturesinthiscontextmayormaynotindicatebiologicallydesirabletemperaturesforgrowth,maturation,reproduction,etc.RESPONSENocomment.
B-105STATEOFNEW-YORKDEPARTMENT'FENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.-50)Section5.5;.2c.l)Fishestoofae5-38.Thestatementismadethatocca'sionalsmallfishmaytravelintolethaltemperatures.Thismayormaynothaveanybasisandreferencesforthisstatementwouldbeappreciated.RESPONSENocomment.
VSTATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTAL'CONSERVATION(COMMENTNO;51)Section6.1AuaticMonitorinProram.ae6-1The3rdsentencesofthegeneralstatementinfersthatfishdistributionsandfoodpreferencesareknowntosomeextent.Thisdoesn'0seemtobeafact.'betterstatementmightbethat..."OnlysinceMay1970hastheapplicantcollecteddatathatcouldleadtofishdistribution,food..."RESPONSENocomment.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO.52)afI1Section6.1c.Fishes1stararahae6-2..Inall.biologicalmonitoringprograms,theneedforstandardization,wheredesirable,ofmethodsofdatarecordingandanalysiswithpastandon-goingLakeOntariostudiessuchastheInternationalFieldYearintheGreatLakesandtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservation,~CapeVincentstudiesshouldbe-stressed.Thereareconsiderabledataavailableandbeingcollectedwhichwouldbevaluableforevaluation'oftheNineMilePointmonitoring.However,thesecouldonlybeusedwhentheNineMilePointdatawerecomparable.Forexample,moststudiesontheLakeusinggillnetsindicatethatanll-meshexperimentalgillnetsamplesspeciesandsizesthebest.ThisisthegearusedbytheDEC,Federalstudies,andothers,however,theapplicanthasbeenusinga5-meshnet.Towardtheendofthisparagraph,theStaffsuggestsseiningalongtheshore.Trapnets(frequentlytended)wouldbebettertosamplethissituation.Inorderto*alleviatethepossibilityofanimcompleteordistortedmonitoringandassessmentprogram,itisrecommended,thattheapplicantreviewtheseprogramswiththisDepartment,beforestartingstudies,andperiodicallythroughoutthestudy.RESPONSETheexperimentalgill-netbeingusedinthe1973.ecologicalprogramatNineMilePoint.consistsofpanelsofsixdifferentmeshsizes,namely,1/2",3/4",1",11/2",2"andGillnetsarepassivecollectiondevices,andtheir'Iperformancecannotbeevaluatedquantitatively.Thatistosay,itisnotpossibletocomparenumbersoffishcaughtbyidenticalnets,letalonenetsofdifferentsizes.
B-108STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO-53)Section6.1c.Fishes,ae6-3,1stararah.WefullyagreewiththeStaff'sstatementonthevalueofechosounderdata.Werecommendthatfurtherstudiesbedesignedtoevaluatewhatdataisactuallybeingrecordedbytheechosounder,e.g.,species,sizeoffishrecordedatvariousdepths,sizeoffishthatarenotrecordedatvariousdepths,andconditionsthatalterrecordingpatterns.RESPONSENocomment.
B-109STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATIONCOMMENTNO~54)Section.6.1c.Fishes,ae6-3,3rdaxarah.Thefood-preferencestudywillhaveno'valueifgillnettedfishareused.Fishin'gillnetstendtolosefoodinthenetandtheirgutcontentsgiveabiasedviewoffoodhabits.Fishforthistypeofanalysisneedtobecapturedandworkedupveryfasttogetanaccuratepictureoffoodhabits.Inthissameparagraph,the5thlinefromthebottom,"importantspecies"shouldnotbelimitedto"commercial"importance.RESPONSENormalgill-nettingprocedureusuallyinvolvesleavingnetsintheLakefor12hoursatatime.Underthoseconditions,nettedfishwillindeedoftenregurgitatefood.However,forfoodpreferencestudies,gillnets,whenused,areinstalledfornomorethanonehourbeforebeinghauled.Thefishcollectedareimmediatelycooledwithiceandrocksalt,andremovedtothelaboratoryatonce.Fishusedinthesestudiesarealsocapturedbyseining.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERUATION(COMMENTNO.55)Section6.lf.EntrainmentStudiesae6-4.Itshouldbeemphasizedthatsamplesbetakenwithappropriategearclosetoandattheleveloftheintakeinthelakeaswellastheintakeanddischargewells.RESPONSEForproceduresandlocationsinvolvedinthesamplingofentrainableorganismsintheLake,refertoApplicant'sresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.5.Samplingintheplantscreenwellutilizesa0.5meternet,andtheflowingwaterintheforebaysmaketowingunnecessary.Otherscreenwellplanktonsamplingactivitiesareperformedsimilarlytothoseinthelake.
STATEOFNEWYORKDEPARTMENTOFENVIRONMENTALCONSERVATION(COMMENTNO.56)Pacae9-9ItisstatedthattheApplicanthasmadeaspecificdesignstudyofnaturalandforceddraftcoolingtowersandthatoneofthedisadvantagesofforced-drafttowersismorenoise.Thisdisadvantageshouldbequantifiedintermsoftheincreasednumbersofpersonsexposedtovarioussoundlevelsifforceddraftcoolingtowerswereutiliz'ed.RESPONSETheApplicantevaluatednoiselevelsforbothtypesofcoolingtowersanditwasdeterminedthatnoresidences,schools,orhospitalswouldreceiveasoundlevelgreaterthan65dbA.Tenresidenceswouldbewithinthe45to65dbArangewithanaturaldraftcoolingtowerandfortyresidenceswouldbewithinthisrangewith'amechanicaldraftcoolingtower.Itshouldbenotedthattheestimatesusedtodeter-IIminethesoundlevelcontoursareconservativeanddonotincludeattenuationfromtrees,terrain,ormeteorologicalconditionswhichwouldreducetheoffsitenoise.
ADVISORYCOUNCILONHISTORICPRESERVATION(COMMENTNO.1)PursuanttoitsresponsibilitiesunderSection102(2)(C)oftheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyActof1969,theAdvisoryCouncilonHistoricPreservationhasdeterminedthatyourdraftenvironmentalstatementappearsadequateregardirigourarea'fexpertiseandwehavenofurthercommentstomake.RESPONSENocomments.
FEDERALPOWERCOMMZSSlON(COKIENTNO.1)Theuseofgeothermalpowerasanalternativetothenuclearunitwasnotconsidered,accordingtotheDraftEnvironmentalStatement(Page9-1').Xnlightofthefactthatgeothermal'sources'reknowntoexistinNewYorkandneighboringstates,Q3adis'cussionofthisalternatewouldbeappropriate.(FootnoteomittedbMPRESPONSETheonlywarmwaterspringlistedfortheStateofNewYorkintheabovereference,"ThermalSpringsoftheUnitedStatesandOtherCountriesoftheWorld-ASummary",isaspringatLebanan,NewYork.Thishasatemperatureofonly76'Fwhichisunsuitableforsteamproduction.
U.S.'NVIRONMENTAL,PROTECTION,AGENCY.COMMENTS,uA.INTRODUCTIONAND'CONCLUSIONS(COMMENT'NO'-')'Theproposedaugmentedradioactivemanagementsystemisexpectedtolimitradioactivereleasestoalevelthatcanbeconsidered"aslowaspracticable.".RESPONSEFqWNocomment.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTAL'.PROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSA.INTRODUCTIONAND"CONCLUSIONS(COMMENTNo.2)'.Operatin'gdatafromthisplant.'leadustoquestiontheapplicabilityoftheAECstandardmodel'for'valuatingtheliquidradwastetreatmentsystems;Thefinalstatementshouldaddress,specifically,what,equipmentdeficiencies'aveoccurred'andwhatcorrectiveactionshavebeentakenorare,committed'o,whichwillinsurethattheliquidrad-wasteequipmentwill'performasdesigned.RESPONSE,Nocomment.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSAINTRODUCTIONANDCONCLUSIONSCOMMENTNO-3)Afteranexaminationofthecuriesreleasedandtherelativepercentagesofcriticalisotopes-reportedin.the-l971andl972operatingreportsforthestation,wequestionthevalidityofsomeofthebasicassumptionsusedbytheAECintheir-.dosecalculationsforthisnuclearstation.Useof,thestandardAECdosemodel,is,.acceptableonlyifitadequatelyreflectsreportedoperationalreleasesfromthestationsince1972.RESPONSENocomment.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSA.INTRODUCTIONANDCONCLUSIONS(COMMENTNO~"4)Theexistingmonitoringprogramforassessingtheextentofimpingementandentrainment.lossesisinadequate..-WeconcurwiththeAECstaff'srecommend-ationthat.thisprogrambesubstantially'xpanded.ERESPONSEIRefertoApplicant'sresponseto'tateofNewYorkDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationCommentNo.3andDepartmentofCommerceComment.No.12:
1U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTS.AINTRODUCTIONANDCONCLUSIONS(COMMENT.NO.5)*Owingtothelack.ofinformationconcerningtheeffectsoftheplant.onthebiotaofthereceivingwater,.acompleteassessmentoftheplant'senvironmentalimpactisnotpossible.Consequently,itis,ourrecommendationthatthefinalstatementnotbeprocessedand,,thefull-termoperatinglicensenotbegranteduntilaftercomple-tionofthemonitoringprogramandanalysisoftheresults.,Intheinterim,theplantshouldcontinuetooperateunderits.provisionallicense.RESPONSENocomment.
U.S~ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTS"'.INTRODUCTIONANDCONCLUSIONS(COMMENTNo.6),Thecoolingsystemaspresentlydesignedwith.causeNewYorkStatecriteriaforthermaleffluentstobegrosslyexceeded.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofHealth,Education,andWelfareCommentNo.
B-120U.S~~ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSB.RADIOACTIVEWASTEMANAGEMENT(COMMENTNO-1)TheradioactivewastemanagementsystemscurrentlybeingutilizedintheNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit1arenot.'representativeofcurrentpractice.However,theproposedaugmentedradioactivewastesystemsinclude"state-of-the-art"technologyand,ifproperlyoperatedandmain-tainedconsistentwith10CFRPart50,thedischargesshouldbe-"aslowaspracticable."Asnotedonpage3-18ofthedraftstatement,"Operatingexperiencetodatehas:resultedinhigherliquidreleasesthanthosecalculated.Theoperatingmaintenancereportindicatesthattheradwaste,equipmenthasnotperformed.accordingtodesign."These.deficienciescouldbeduetoavarietyofcauses,suchasalackofcomponentreliabilitycausingexcessleakage,orfailuretoachieveexpecteddecon-taminationfactors.Ontheotherhand,theproblemsthathaveoccurredmaybepeculiartotheNineMilePoint1stationratherthanthewastetreatmentequipmentitself,duetoopera-'tionalfactors.Inviewofthecurrentlyavailableoperatingexperience,weareconcernedwiththeapplicabilityoftheAECstandardmodelforevaluatingtheliquidradwastesystem.Thefinalstatementshouldaddressspecificallywhatdeficiencieshaveoccurredandthecorrectiveactionsthathavebeenim-plemented,orarecommittedto,whichwillinsurethattheliquidreleaseswillbe"aslowaspracticable."Ifcorrectiveactionhasalreadybeentaken,thenwewouldencouragetheutilizationofoperatingdatatakensub-sequenttothatactiontovalidatetheAECstandardmodelfortheanalysistobemadeinthefinalstatement.RESPONSEVBasedonoperatingexperiencechangesarebeingmadetotheliquidandgaseousradioactivewastesystems.Thesemodificationswillresultindischargesbeingwellwithin,"aslowaspracticable"numericalguidelines.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSC.DOSEASSESSMENT(COMMENTNO.1)WeareconcernedwiththevalidityofusingtheAECstandardassumptionsinthedosecalculationsassociatedwithliquidreleasesfromthestationinlightof-theavail-ableoperatingdata.Thisconcernistwo-fold:1)theoperatingdataindicateamuchgreatertotalactivityreleasedand2)largevariationsareevident.inthepercentagesofcriticallong-livedisotopes(isotopicmix)observedinoperat-ingdataversustheAECpredictedreleases.Thefollowingtableillustratestheproblerii:AECestimateofexistingsystemreleases1971operating"1972operatingdataadjusteddataadjustedto80%loadto80%loadfactorfactorIsotope1972totalCi19711972totalCi0totalCiCs-134Cs-137Mn-54Co-60I-1330.90.80.110.915.750.0360.0320.00440.0370.631.54.518.420.00.90.701.478.459.300.37ll.129.113.626.01.955.851S.517.0113.651.01Accordingly,thefinalstatementshoulduseeitherextrapolationsfromtheexistingoperatingdataforthedosecalculations,orjustifytheuseofthestandardAECmodelinordertopresentamorerealisticpictureoftheimpactofthisfacility.RESPONSENocomment.
U-STENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION'AGENCYCOMMENTSD.TRANSPORTATION(COMlKNTNO.1)EPA,initsearlierreviewsoftheenvironmentalimpactoftransportationofradioactivematerial,agreedwiththeAECthatmanyaspects.ofthisproblemcouldbestbetreatedonagenericbasis.ThegenericapproachhasreachedthepointwhereonFebruary5,1973,theAECpublishedforcommentintheFederalRegisterarule-makingproposalconcerningthe"EnvironmentalEffectsofTransportationofFuelandWastefromNuclearPowerRe-actors."EPAcommentedontheproposedrulemakingbyalettertotheAEC,datedMarch22,1973,andbyanappear-anceatthepublichearingonApril2,1973.Untilsuch,timeasagenericruleisestablished,theEPAiscontinuingtoassesstheadequacyofthequant-itativeestimatesofenvironmentalradiationimpactresult-ingfromtransportationofradioactivematerialsprovidedinenvironmentalstatements.Theestimatesprovidedfor'hisstationaredeemedadequatebasedoncurrentlyavail-ableinformation.RESPONSENocomment.
B-123US.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSE.REACTORACCIDENTS(COMMENT.NO.')EPAhasexaminedtheAECanalysisofaccidentsandtheirpotentialriskswhichAEC-hasdevelopedinthecourseofitsengineeringevaluationofreactorsafetyin,thedesignofnuclear-plants.Sincetheseaccidentsarecommontoallnuclearpowerplantsofagiventype,,EPAconcurswiththeAEC'sapproachtoevaluatetheenvironmentalriskforeachaccidentclassonagenericbasis.TheAEChasinthepastandstillcontinuestodevoteextensiveeffortstoassuresafetythroughplantdesignandaccident'analysesinthelicensingprocessonacase-by-casebasis.EPA,however,favorstheadditionalstepnowbeingundertakenbytheAECofathoroughanalysisonamorequantitativebasisoftheriskofpotentialaccidentsinallranges.WecontinuetoencouragethiseffortandurgetheAECtopressforwardtoitstimelycompletionandpublication.EPAbelievesthiswillresultinabetterunderstandingofthepossibleriskstotheenvironment.Inordertoprovideafullerunderstandingofthedirectionoftheseefforts,itisrequestedthatthefinalstatement(eitherdirectlyorbypubliclyavailablereference)provideinformationonthenature,expectedschedule,andlevelofeffortofthos'egenericstudieswhichareexpectedtoleadtoabasisforasubsequentassessmentbytheAECconcerningtheriskfromallpotentialaccidentsclassesintheNineMilePointStation.Itisrecognizedthatthissubsequentassessmentmaybeeithergenericorspecificinnaturedependingontheoutcomeofthegenericstudies.Inaddition,thefinalstatementshouldincludeanAECcommitmentthatthisassessmentwillbemadepubliclyavailablewithinareasonabletimeperiodfollowingcompletionofthegenericstudies.Clearly,iftheaboveeffortsindicatethatunwarrantedrisksarebeingtaken.attheNineMilePointStationweareconfidentthattheAECwillassureappropriatecorrectiveaction.Similarly,if'PAeffortsrelatedtotheaccidentareauncoveranyenviron-mentallyunacceptableconditionsrelatedtothesafetyoftheNineMilePointStation,wewillmakeourviewsknown.RESPONSENocomment.
U.F.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSBIOLOGICALCONSIDERATIONS(COMMENTNO.1)a~NineMilePointUnit1hasbeeninoperationfor31/2years.Duringthatperiodthe,applicanthashadtheopportunitytoperformcomprehensivemonitoringofthebiologicaleffectsoftheonce-throughcoolingsystem.Inparticular,completeanalysesoflossesbyimpingementandentrainmentcouldhavebeenperformedandtheresultsmadeavailableatthistime.Thesecouldhavebeenusedasabasisforjudging'heacceptabilityofthepresentcoolingsystemdesignasitaffectstheaquaticecology.Instead,overthe31/2yearsoftheplant'soperation,theapplicanthascarriedoutanincompleteandinsufficientmonitoringprogram,theresultsofwhichareinadequateforpurposesofdeterminingtheenvironmentalimpactoftheplant'soperation.b.Indicationsare,however,thesignificantlossesduetoentrainmentandimpingement.willoccur.WeconcurwiththeAECstaff'sconclusionthatcompletemortalitywillresulttoentrainedorganismswhenexposedtoa32'Ftemperatureriseandatransittimeof6minutes.Fishwhichenterthroughtheintakestructurearelikelytosuffer100%mortalityalso,and,sincethestructureislocatedinaregionknowntohavehighconcentrationsoffish,thislosscouldbesubstantial.Thetrueextentofalltheselosseshasnot,asweindicatedabove,beenquantified.Consequently,ajudgmentoftheimpactoftheplantontheaquaticecologycannotbemade.IntheSummaryandConclusionssectionthestaffrecommendsthattheapplicantundertakeamuchexpandedenvironmentalmonitoringprogramfordeterminingtheplant'simpactontheaquaticenvironment.Weconcurwiththisrecommend-ation.Certainaspectsofthisprogramneedfurtherexplan-ation,however.Theportiondealingwithintakeeffectsdoes:.notdescribethedurationofthefishmonitoringprogram.RESPONSESince1968theApplicanthasbeenconductingaquaticbiotastudiesintheareawhichwouldbeaffectedbythethermaldischargeandhascontinuedtoexpanddatacollectionwithnewtechnology.
RESPONSETOU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSF.BIOLOGICALCONSIDERATIONSCOl1HENTNO-1)CONTINUEDTheApplicanthastakenadvantageoftheopportunitytoconductfishimpingementstudiesandev'aluatefishentrapmentatNineMilePointUnit1.Thefishimpingement.studybeganinMay1972andeffortsthroughNovember7,1972werereportedinSupplement3oftheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport.Thisstudywill'continuethroughout1974.SinceMarch1973,samplinghasbeenperformedatweeklyintervals,whichisdoublethesamplingfrequencyin1972,but.eachsamplerunisfora.24hourperiodratherthanforafewhoursperday.TheApplicanthasconductedstudiesatNineMilePointUnit1regardingtheeffectofcondenserpassageuponmortalityofphytoplanktonandzooplankton.Resultsofthesestudieswerere-portedinSupplement2oftheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReport.Additionalentrainment.studiesareincludedinthe1973surveillanceprogramtocontinuetoevaluatethebehavioroforganismspassingthroughNineMilePointUnit1.Fordetailsoflakeichthyoplanktonsampling,refertoApplicant'sresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceComment.No.5.Phytoandzooplanktonwillbesampledmonthlyinfourdifferentdepthsofwateronfourtransects,twolocatedatNineMilePoint.Unit1andtheJamesA.FitzPatrickplant,andtheothertwoatthewestandeastendsoftheNineMilePointpromontory.
B-126RESPONSETOU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOIQKNTSF.BIOLOGICALCONSIDERATIONS(COMIKNTNO.1)CONTINUEDThegeneralobjectivesoftheentrainmentstudies,are:1.ToexpandtheexistingdatabasewithrespecttothelimnologicalaspectsofLakeandresidentplanktonpopulationsinthevicinityoftheNineMilePointarea.Thesestudieswillincludethediurnalandseasonaldistributionsofichthyoplanktonandphytoplankton.2.Todeterminetherateofentrainmentofsuchorganismsinthis,area.3.Tomeasuremortality,ratesoftheorganismsentrainedattheNineMilePointUnit1atvarioustimesduringtheyear.4.Toestimatetheeffectthatentrainmentandthemortalityratehaveontheichthyoplanktonpopulations.Withregardtotheeffectonlakefishpopulationsoffishimpingement,refertoApplicant'sresponsetoDECCommentNo.l.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCXCOMMENTSF.BIOLOGICALCONSIDERATION(COMMENTNO.2)Also,theproposedlaboratoryentrainmentstudiesconsidertheeffectoftemperaturebuttotallyignorethemechanicalstressexperiencedduringasixminutetransit,time.Thismechanicalstressisprobablymoreharmfulthanthetermalstressand,thetwoincon-junctionworksynergisticallytoproducetheactualloss..Thus,inordertoaccuratelydetermineentrainmentlossesatechniqueshouldbedevelopedtosimulatetheactualstressexperiencedbyentrainedorgariisms.RESPONSEEntrainmentsamplingisbeingperformedinboththeintakeanddischargeforebaysofNineMilePointUnitl.Theprocedureinvolvessamplingfirstintheintake,andthen,three,minuteslater,inthedischarge.Threeminutesisapproximatelythetransittimebetweenthetwosamplinglocations.Thedifferencesbetweenthetwosetsofsamplesdisclosedbylaboratoryanalysiscanthereforebeattributedtopassagethroughthescreens,pumpsandcondenser.tSamples.collectedandanalyzedduringperiodsofpumpoperationwithouttheadditionofheat(reactorshutdown)indicatemechanicalstress(planktonkillrate)tobeintherangeof10-20percent.Thermalstress(planktonkillrate)ofcoursevarieswithtemperatureandplantstudiesindicatethisrateF-variesfromapproximately30percentatdischargewatertemperatureof95'Ftoapproximately100percentatdischargewatertemperatureof105'FwhilecondenserdeltaTequals32'F.
B-128U.S~ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOM&KNTSF.BIOLOGICALCONSIDERATIONS(COMMENTNO.3)ISincethegoaloftheproposedmonitoringprogramistodeterminetheeffectofentrainmentandimpingementlossesonthelakeecosystem,thetotalimpactofallplantsintheareamustbedetermined.Ratherthanseparatemon-itoringprogramsforNineMilePointUnits1and2.and.theFitzPatrickplant,asinglemonitoringeffortforallthreeplantsshouldbeinstituted.Thus,impingementandentrain-mentlossdatafromthethreeplantscouldbecorrelatedwiththedatafromasinglelakepopulationstudyandeffects,ifany,determined.RESPONSEJ'heApplicantconcursthattheentireNineMilePointpromontory(thesiteofthethreeplants)beincludedintheecologicalprogram,andthishasindeedbeendone.RefertoApplicant'sresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceNo.l2.Itisalsoplannedtoconductimpingementstudiesat.thethreeplants.SincethedeltaTforeachplantisapproximatelythesame,entrainmentstudydataonNineMileUnitlcanbeextrapolatedtotheotherplants.
B-129US~ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSF.BIOLOGICALCONSIDERATIONS(COMMENTNO.4)Thestaffprecedestheirrecommendationofamonitoringprogramwiththeconclusionthatthecurrentprovisionaloperatinglicenseshouldbeconvertedtoafull-termlicense.ItisstatedthatthisistheactioncalledforundertheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA).Itisouropinion,basedonthelackofsuffic-ientinformationwithwhichtoassesstheenvironmentalimpactoftheplant,thattherequirementsofNEPAhavenot.beensatisfied,andthereforethatnoactioniscalledfor.Consideringthelackofinformation,whichisdis-cussedabove,anevaluationoftheenvironmentalimpactofthisaction,sufficientunderNEPA,isnotpossible.WedonotseetherequirementsofNEPAbeingsatisfieduntiltheproposedmonitoringprogramiscompletedandtherearesufficientdataavailablesothattheeffectsoftheplantcanbeassessed.Therefore,werecommendthatthefull-termlicensenotbeissueduntilsuchtimeastheenvironmentalimpactoftheactioncanbefullyevaluated.Onlywhentherequiredinformation-isavailable,shouldafinalenvironmentalimpactstatementbeissuedasabasisforthedecisiononthefull-termoperatinglicense.RESPONSENocomment.
B-130U-S~ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTXON'GENCYCOMMENTSG.THERMALCONSIDERATION(COMMENTNO-1)AsreportedintheEXS,NewYorkStatethermaldischargecriterialimittheriseinsurfacetemper'atureinthereceivingwaterto3'Fwithina300'footradiusarea.(6.5acres).Withthepresentdischargesystem,theareaencompassedbythe3'sothermofUnit1rangesfrom50to400acres.Evenatthelowendoftherange,NewYorkStatethermalcriteriaaregrosslyexceeded.XtcanthenbeassumedthatwhenthedischargefromUnit2andthedischargesfromUnit,2andtheFitzPatrickplantaresuperimposedontheUnit1plume,thesituationwillbeworsestill..ThisEXSbarelymentionsandneglectsanydis-cussionoftheapplicant'sproposal,containedinthedraftstatementforNineMilePointUnit2,tocombinetheUnit1and2dischargesintoasinglesubmergedjetdiffuser.Thistypeofdischargehasasignificanteffectonplumesizeandwouldalterconsiderablythesizeoftheplumeencompassedbythe3'sotherm.Thewaythatthismightaffectcompliancewiththermalcriteriashouldhavebeencompletelyanalyzedinthisdraftstatement.Also,theresultofanyinteractionwiththeplumeoftheFitzPatrickplantshouldhavebeenanalyzed.Bothoftheseanalyzesshouldbeincludedinthefinalstatement,andwillbeconsiderationsintheissuancebyEPAofaSection402dischargepermitundertheFederalWaterPollutionControlAct(FWPCA).RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.Department<<CommerceCommentNo.1andU.S.DepartmentofHealth,Education,andWelfareCommentNo.4.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSG.THERhQLCONSIDERATIONS(COMMENTNO.2)A.InaccordancewiththeFWPCA,dischargestonavigablewatersaresubjecttoeffluentlimitationsre-flectingthe"bestpracticablecontroltechnologycurrentlyavailable"byJuly1,1977,ortostricter1'mitationsif'theyarenecessarytomeetapplicable'waterqualitystandards.ByJuly1,1983,dischargesmustachieveeffluentcontrolreflectingthe"bestavailabletechnologyeconomicallyachievable."(Forthethermalcomponentofdischarges,areevaluationofthelimitationsimposedbytheAdministratorofEPAispossibleunderSection316'WPCA)Definitionsofthetechnology-basedtermsarescheduledforpromulgationinOctober1973.Thecool'ingsystemasnowoperatedcausesaviolationofexistingcriteria,asnotedabove,andweanticipatethatthedischargewillbeinviolationofarevisiontoFederal-StatestandardsnowpendingundertheFWPCA.B.Furthermore,thedischargewould,inallprob-ability,failtomeettheeffluentlimitationsg'uidelines,oncepromulgated.Theapplicantshould,therefore,evaluate.alternativeheatdissipationsystemsforthisfacility,in-cludingclosed-cyclesystemalternatives,takingintoaccounttherelationshipofwasteheateffectsfromUnitIIandFitzPatrickaswellasUnitI.Suchevaluationshouldbeincludedinthefinalstatement.RESPONSEA.Thecoolingsystemasnowoperateddoesnotcauseaviolationofexistingcriteria,asdiscussedinApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareCommentNo.4.B.Coolingsystemalternativeswereconsideredinaccordancewiththepublishedguidelinesforcost-benefit4analysis(section9.5)oftheApplicant'sEnvironmentalReportandhavebeendescribedinsection9.2-1oftheDraftEnviron-mentalStatement.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSH.OTHERWATERQUALITYEFFECTS(COMMENTNO.1)TheAECstaffhasconcluded(Page5-6)withrespecttotheincreaseintotaldissolvedsolidsasaresultofplantoperation,that"nolake-videeffectwillbediscernible."Werecommendthattheapplicantincludeanevaluationof-localimpacts,andjustifythenon-compliancewithrequirementsfortotaldissolvedsolidslevelsoftheMinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteriaandtheInternationalAgreementonGreatLakesWaterQuality(April15,1972).RESPONSETheinternationalAgreement,onGreat,LakesWaterQualitysetalimitonthedischargeoftotaldissolvedsolids.Thesestandardsspecifythatthedissolvedsolidsinadischargeshouldnotexceed200mg/1.ThetotaldissolvedsolidslevelinLakeOntarioisapproximately233mg/1neartheNineMilesiteundernaturalconditions.TotaldissolvedsolidslevelsintheLakealongtheOswegotoNineMilePointshorelineareahavebeenmeasuredasgenerallyhigherthanthoseinLakeOntarioasawholeevidentlyduetorunofffromthelargeIIV~solidsloadcarriedbytheOswegoRiver.TheIJCReportof~M(1969(PollutionofLakeErieLakeOntarioandtheInternationalSectionoftheSt.LawrenceRiver)citeslakewidevaluesofVII4totaldissolvedsolidsapproaching200mg/1in1960,risingat.1Iyllp)~",I,"''rateofapproximately10mg/decade.I~4 B-133'RESPONSETOU.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTS.H.OTHERWATERQUALITYEFFECTS(COMMENTNO.1)CONTINUEDInadocumentissuedinJuly1973entitled*"ProposedClassificationsandStandardsGoverningtheQualityandPurityofWatersofNewYorkState",therecommendedvaluefordissolvedsolidscontentinClass"A"(LakeOntario)waterswasstated:"Shallnotexceed'500mg/1orone-thirdabovenaturalcharacteristiclevels,whicheverisless".MeasurementsoftotaldissolvedsolidshavebeenmadeinboththeoxidationpondandthestormdraineffluentsatNineMilePoint.Theoxidationpondeffluenthadtotaldissolvedsolidsof400and500mg/1in24hourcompositesamplestakenonSeptember5-6andSeptember26-27,1973,respect-ively.ThelowvolumeofeffluentfromthissourceandtheexceptionalpossibilitiesofdilutionordispersionpriortoenteringLakeOntarioindicatethatitisunlikelythissourcewouldhaveaneffectuponLakeOntariowaterquality.Compositesamplesofthestormdraineffluentwerealsoicollected.The24-hourmeanvalueonSeptember5-6was195mg/1,whiletheaverageforthis24-hourperiodonSeptember26-27was240mg/l.NeitherofthesevaluesisinconsistentwiththenaturalvariationsofdissolvedsolidcontentmeasuredintheLake.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSH.OTHERWATERQUALITYEFFECTS(COMMENTNO.2)Thedraftstatementalsorecognizes(Page5-7)thenon-complianceofNineMilePoint,Unitl,withrequire-mentsfortheadditionofphosphatestoreceivingwatersoftheMinimumFederalWaterQualityCriteriaandtheIntern-ationalAgreement.onGreatLakesWaterQuality.Theapplic-antshouldpresent,inthefinalstatement,detailedjustif-icationforthisnon-compliance.RESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofHealth,Education,andWelfareCommentNo.5.
B-135U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSI.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO~1)Theimpactstatementshouldprovideadiscussionofthemechanicalequipmentatthefacilitywhichhasapotentialforemittingnon-radiologicalairpollutants.informationforauxiliaryboilersanddieselenginesshouldbeprovidedrelatingtosizeofequipment,fueltype,fuelanalysis,fueluserateandfrequencyofuseforeachtypeofequipment,andpollutantemissionfactorsemployedinestimatinga'irpollutantemissions.RESPONSEThediesel-drivenfirepumpandtwostandbydieselgeneratorsareoperatedwhenrequired-onanemergencybasisandaretestedperiodicallytodetermineavailability.TheauxiliaryboilersareelectricandpoweredfromtheApplicant'sgeneration'system.Theyarenormallysecuredwhilethestationisinoperation.Thefirepumpdieselwasinoperationforaperiodof18hoursduring1972andconsumedanaverageof21.8gallonsoffuelperhourofoperation.Eachstandbygeneratorwasoperatedforaperiodofapproximately15hoursduring1972withanaveragefuelconsumptionrateof190gallonsperhour.Thesefiguresarerepresentativeofnormalplantoperation.Thediesel-drivenfirepumpispoweredbya300HPdieselenginefueledbyNo.2dieselfuel.Thispumpanddieselsetisastandbyunitandwillbetestedonceaweekforaperiodofapproximately30minutes.Thefuelconsumptionatratedrpmoperationis23gal/hr.
RESPONSETOU-S-ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSI.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.1)CONTINUEDStandbypowerissuppliedbytwodieselgeneratorsets-bothratedatapproximately2500KW.Conservativelyassumingthat:a)BothdieselenginesusecommercialgradeNo.2dieselfuelataconsumptionrateofapproximately220gal/hr.each.b)Eachoftheseunitsaretestedoncepermonthwithatestdurationofapproximately4hours,andc)ThefuelanalysisforNo.2dieselfuelisasfollows:sulfur0.05-1.0percentbyweighthydrogen11.8-13.9percentbyweightcarbon86.1-88.2percentbyweightnitrogennegligible-0.1percentbyweightTheconcentrationsofpollutantsexpectedtobeemittedbythedieselenginesduringtheiroperatingperiodsaretab-ulatedbelow:HydrocarbonParticulateS02CONOFixe,PumpDiesel0.58lb/hr2.4lb/hr3.4lb/hr1.512.2EnergencyDiesels5.2lb/hr23lb/hr32lb/hr13.8lb/hr B-137U.STENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSI'IRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.2)Informationshouldbeprovidedinthefinalstate-mentrelativetotheimpactofthehighvoltagetransmissionlineozonepredictionrateandits,potentialenvironmentalimpacts.RESPONSETheApplicanthasinvestigatedandevaluatedstudies*directedatOzoneproductionandsubsequentenvironmentaleffectsassociatedwithhighvoltagetransmissionlines.Thesestudiesconcludedthat,althoughOzoneaswellasNitrogenOxidesarepro-ducedduringhighvoltagetransmissionlineoperation,theirdi-lutionanddecayissuchthatitisessentiallyimpossibletodetectandmeasuredifferencesinconcentrationatgroundlevelfor"lineenergized"and"linedeenergized"conditions.Itwasalsoconcludedthattheoperationof765kVsystemsdoesnotcreateanyadverseeffectsonvegetationoranimalsinrespecttooxidantseven'duringfoulweatherconditonsunderwhichtheheaviestcoronalossandmaximumoxidantproductionoccur@.*Juette,G.W.,"Corona-CausedAirPollution"ProjectUHV.,Tech.ReportNo.TIS-71-EU-13,3/18/71.Juette,G.W.,Zaffanella,L.E.,",TestResultsoftheEner-gizationofProjectUHVTest,Lines"36in.Diam.bundle(ReportNo.TIS-71-EU-15,5/28/71)56in.Diam.bundle(ReportNo.TIS-71-EU-39,8/19/71)SchererJr.,H.N.,Ware,B.J.;Shih,C.H.,"GaseousEfflu-ents.duetoEHVTransmission'LineCorona"'EEETransactionsPaperNo.T72"550-2presentedatSummerMeeting-July9-14,1972.Frydman,M.,Levy,A.;Miller;S.E.'"OxidantMeasurementsintheVicinityofEnergized:765kVLines"-IEEETransactionsPaper'No.T72'441-0presentedatSummerMeeting'-July9-.14>1972 B-138USENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSI.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.3)Thestatementshouldprovideadi'scussionofthe"existingambientairqualityandtheanticipatedambientairqualitywithandwithoutthefacilityinoperation.RESPONSETheoperationofthenuclearfacilitieswillnotaffecttheexistingambientairqualityoftheNineMile.Pointarea.NewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationhadclassifiedthisarea.aslevelI'underSection256.1NYCRR.LevelIisdefinedas"predominantlyusedfortimber,agriculturalcrops,dairyfarming,orrecreation.HabitationandIndustrySparse."Underthisclassificationthefollowingairqualitystandardsarere-quireddA.SO2Concentrations,-DurinAn12ConsecutiveMonths1)99'4ofonehouraverageconcentrationsshallnotexceed-650ug/m(0.25ppm)2)Noonehouraverageconcentrationshallexceed.-1300ug/m(0.50ppm)3)99%ofthe24houraverageconcentrationshallnotexceed-260ug/m(0.10ppm)4)No24houraverageconcentrationshallexceed365ug/m(0.14ppm)5)Theannualaverageofthe24hour,averageconcentrationshallnotexceed80ug/m(0.03ppm)
B-139RESPONSETOU.S-ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTS.I.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.3)CONTINUEDB.Particulates(Susended)1)ShortTermvalue:Forany24hourperiodtheaverageconcentrationshallnotexceed-250ug/m32)Longtermvalue:a)Duringany12consecutivemonths,50%ofthevaluesofthe24houraverageconcentrationsshallnot,exceed-45ug/m3b)Duringany12consecutivemonths,-84%ofthevaluesofthe24houraverageconcentrationsshallnotexceed.70ug/m3C.NitroenDioxideDuringany12consecutivemonths,theannualaverageof.the24hourconcentrationsshallnotexceed100ug/m(0.05ppm)3D.CarbonMonoxide1)Foran8hourperiod,theaverageconcentrationshallnotexceed10mg/m(9ppm)32)Fora1hourperiod,theaverageconcentrationshallnotexceed40mg/m(35ppm)AsnotedinApplicant'sresponse.toEPACommentNo.I-1emissionsfrommechanicalequipmentatthesiteareextremelylimited.Permitstooperatestationarysourcessuchas RESPONSETOU.-S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSI.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.3)CONTINUEDauxiliaryboilersanddieselenginesarerequestedfromtheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationandtheiroperationissubjecttoappropriateemissionregu-lations.Mobilesources,ie,trucktrafficandconstructionequipmentdonotconstitutemajorsourcesofemissions.Siteconstructionactivitywillcontributetoperiodsofincreasedsuspendedparticulateconcentrations,howeverthiscontributionisconsideredshort,termandprecautionssuchaswettingofroadsandconstructionareasarefollowedtoreducefugitivedustconcentrations.
U.S.ENVIRONMENTALPROTECTIONAGENCYCOMMENTSX.AIRQUALITYANDMETEOROLOGY(COMMENTNO.4)MeteorologicalmaterialpresentedinthisdraftandenvironmentalandtheenvironmentalstatementforUnit1isessentiallyidenticaltothatpresentedearlierforUnit2.[sic)Ourmeteorologicalcommentsremainthesameasthose.presentedinourletterofMay25,1973,onNineMilePointNuclearStation,UnitIX.RESPONSEAnnualaveragesofsitemeteorologicalconditionswerepresentedtotheAECaspartofDocketNo.50-220(NineMilePointUnit1FinalSafetyAnalysisReport,Vol.XI).Thesedata'werealsoemployedforUnit2andJamesA.FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlantandarereadilyavailabl.e.TheApplicant'sresponsestoothermateorologicalcommentsaresetoutatpagesJ-191throughJ-197oftheFinalEnvironmentalStatementrelatedtoconstructionofNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2.
 
C<<1APPENDIXCAPPLICANT'SPARTIALRESPONSETOCOMMENTSONDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENT C-2NIAGARAMOHAWKPOWERCORPORATION~/IINIAGARA:MOHAWK300ERIEBOULEVARDWESTSYRACUSE.N.Y.I3202/November9,1973Mr.N.H.Regan,Jr.,ChiefEnvironmentalProjectsBranchNo.4DirectorateofI.icensingOfficeofRegulationU.S.AtomicEnergyCommissionI)'ashington,D.C.20545Re:NineMilePointUnit1DocketNo.50-220
 
==DearMr.Regan:==
YourletterofOctober30,1973includedcommentsfromvariousgovernmentalagenciesconcerningtheDraftEnvironmentalStatementforNinehlilePointUnit1.OurresponsestotheDepartmentoftheInterior.commentsareattached.Asrequestedinyourletter,thereplyconsistsofthreesignedoriginalsandfortyadditionalcopies.ResponsestoallotheragencycommentsMeretransmittedtoyoubymyletterofOctober31,1973.Verytrulyyours,LPhilipD.RaymondVicePresident-EngineeringCVM/sjzAttachment C-3NIAGARAMOHAWKPOWERCORPORATIONNINEMILEPOINTUNIT1APPLICANT'SRESPONSESTOU-.S~DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORONAECDRAFTENVIRONMENTALSTATEMENTSUBMITTEDTOUNITEDSTATESATOMICENERGYCOMMISSIONDOCKETNO-50-220November9,1973 c-4UeS~DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO~1)GeneralNineMilePoint,NuclearStation,Unit1,istheinitialcomponentofa2,531MWe-powergeneratingcomplexlocatedalongtheshoreline,ofLakeOntarionearSyracuse,NewYork.Unit1,a610,MWeplantwhichbeganoperatinginDecember1969,willbecomplementedbytheJames'A.Fitz-PatrickNuclearPowerplant,scheduledtobeginoperationinOctober1973,andNineMilePointUnit2wh'ichisexpectedtobecompletedin1978.Eachfacilityisdesignedforonce-,throughcooling.FishstocksofLakeOntariohaveundergonesub-stantialchangesbecause'ofmodificationofvegetationpatternsinthewatershed,dammingoftributarystreams,depletionofthefishstocksbycommercialharvest,intro-ductionofexoticfishspecies,andeffectsofmunicipalandindustrialwastedisposal.Thesekindsofchangesinteracttoalterthecompetitivecompositionoffishstocks,generallyfavoringthosehavinglesservaluetoman.'ITheevidenceofenvironmentaldeteriorationisfarmoremarkedinshorethanoffshore.By1950algaebegantofoulgillnetsofcommercialfisherman,yetoxygendepletionswhichareoftenassociatedwithsuchdensealgaegrowthwerenot,detecteduntil1970.Theseconditionsdonotfavor,successfulreproductionoffishspeciessuchaslakeherringandwhitefish.Theindividualandcumulativeimpactsofonce-throughpower,plantcoolingintheareaofNineMilePointwillplaceanunwarrantedandunacceptableburdenonthelake'sresources.Technologyforclosed-cyclecoolingsystemshasadvancedtoapointwhereintheenvironmental-effects,includ-ingdriftandblowdownareminimal.Basedonpartialandin-completestudiesontheenvironmentaleffectsofUnit,l;webelievethatcontinueduseofthelake'swaterforpowerplantcoolingatNineMilePointisnotinthebestpublic,interest.RESPONSENocomment.
C-5U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.2)SummarandConclusionsBasedonthedescriptionofthethermalplumegiveninSection5andthelocationsofthe=intakeanddischargefacilities,itisprobablethatrecirculationoftheheatedeffluentwilloccuratUnitl'.Wesuggest,thattheimpactsassociatedwithrecirculationshouldbeidentifiedintheSummaryandConclusionsSection.RESPONSEThreedimensionalthermalsurveyswhichhavebeenconductedintheareaofNineMilePointUnitlcoolingwaterdischargehaveincludedmeasurementsoftheplantsintaketemper-atureaswellastemperatureinthethermalplume.Recirculationhasnotbeenmeasurable.Themajordifficultyindiscerningsmallamountsofrecirculationisnaturalvariabilityintheambient,temperature.Temperaturevariationsofl'Fhavecommonlybeenobservedoverhorizontaldistancesofafractionofamile.Inadditiontothehorizontaldifferencesintemperaturenearthesite,theambienttemperaturefrequentlyvariesbyafewdegreesintheverticalwaterdepthsshallowerthan50feet.IISinceslightlycoolerwaterisusuallyfoundbelowthesurface,theintakeexperiencesnomeasurablerecirculation.
C-6U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.3)OutdoorRecreationOurconcernsforoutdoorrecreationaldevelopmentforthisareahavebeenexpressedinourpreviousletterstotheAECinregardtotheJamesA;FitzPatrickNuclearPowerPlantandUnit2ofNineMilePoint.Webelievethatthesubjectstatementshouldaddressthepossibilitiesofdevelop-inganopenspacemultiple-useplanforthelandsofbothpowerplants.Theplancouldbedevelopedbythejointeffortsoftheapplicant,thePowerAuthorityoftheStateofNewYork,theNewYorkStateConservationDepartment,andtheCountyofOswego.Sincetheareaisonly36milesfromthemetropolitanareaofSyracuse;anoutdoorrecreationplanforamajorportionofthelandsappearstobeinthepublicinterest.Wearepleasedthattheapplicanthasestablished130acresofthesiteasawildlifehabitatbypostingthenorthwest,cornerofthesite.Additionally,wesuggestthatconsistentwithgeneralsafetyfactors,considerationbegiventodevelop-ingsecondaryusesofthetransmissionright-of-wayintheinterestofoutdoorrecreation.ThisDepartment'sNortheastRegionalOfficeoftheBureauofOutdoorRecreationwillwelcomeanopportunitytoworkwiththeapplicantforsuchdevelopment.BOR'sNorthe'astRegion'sofficeislocatedattheFederalBuilding,1421CherryStreet,Philadelphia,Pennsulvania19102.RESPONSETheApplicantispresentlydevotingportionsofthesitelandtomultipleuse.AProgressCenterwithinthementioned130acreareaprovidesanarrayofeducationalexhibitsconcernedwithelectricitygeneration,nuclearpowerandenviron-mentalawareness.Thefacilitysiteofferspicnicareasandnaturetrailsforpublicuse.TheProgressCenterisvisitedbyapprox-imatelyfiftythousandvisitorsperyear.
C-7RESPONSETOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.3)CONTINUEDTheApplicantcontinuestorecognizethepotentialforfurthermultiplelandusehereandthroughouthissytem'ndcontinuestoconsiderthesubjectwherepublicusejustifiessuch,plans.
C-8US~DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.4)ToorahandGeoloThebriefsectionongeologyandtopographyisin-adequateforanindependentassessmentofhowthesemajorelementsoftheenvironmentrelatetoUnit1.Thedistrib-ution.andthicknessofsurficialdepositsandphysicalpropertiesofrocksandsoilsshouldbesummarized,partic-ularlyastheyrelatetodesign,construction,slopestability,anderosion.Atopographicandgeologicmapshouldbeincluded.Theseismic-designparametersandthemethodsoftheirderivationarenot.mentioned.Sinceatleast13earthquakeshaveoccurredwithin50milesofthestationoveraperiodof110years,includingonewithanintensityofVIonthemodifiedMercalliscalethefinalenvironmentalstatementshouldstatespecificallywhatseismicdesigncriteriawereusedinconstruc-tionofUnit1andwhatenvir'onmentaleffectsarepredictedfromearthquakes.Thestatementismadeonpage2-8that"therelationshipofsitesesimologytothesafetyoftheStation,itsdesign,andseismicdesigncriteriahavebeenconsideredindetailbythe.Staffinthesafetyreview.."Nesonotfeelthatenvironmentalconcernsrelatedtoseismologyaresatisfiedbythisstatementorotherdiscussionsofseismologyinthereport.ThedraftenvironmentalstatementsforboththeNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationUnit.2andtheJamesA.Fitz-PatrickNuclearPowerPlantconcludedthatthesiteislocatedinaninactiveseismicregion.OurletterofApril1973,advisedyouthattheNineMilePointPlantisshownindamagezone2(moderatedamage)onaseismiczoningmapdated1969(U.S.CoastandGeodeticSurvey).Basedontheseconsiderationswebelievethatthisenvironmentalstatementshouldpresentamorecomprehensivesummaryoftheregionalandlocalsitegeology,andshouldspecifyhowthegeologicandseismologicanalyseshavebeentakenintoaccount.Inthisrespect,wenotethattheAEChaspublished"SeismicandGeologicSitingCriteriaforNuclearPowerPlants"(ProposedAppendixA,10CFR100,FederalReceister,November25,91971)whichprescribethenatureofrequiredinvestigations.TheimpactstatementshouldclearlyspecifywhetherthesecriteriahavebeenappliedtotheNineMilePointsite.
C-9U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHE'XNTERIOR(COMMENTNO.4)RESPONSEThesubjectsofthiscommentarediscussedinconsiderabledetailin"FinalSafetyAnalysisReport-NineMilePointUnitl,AECDocketNo.50-220"and"PreliminarySafetyAnalysisReport-NineMilePointUnit2,AECDocket50-410".
U.S~DEPARTMENTOFTHEXNTERXOR(COMMENTNO~5)LakeWaterHdroloAdditionalinformationshouldbeincludedinthissection'odescribethe-temperaturestratificationsanddevelopmentofthermoclinesintheareaofNineMilePoint.DescriptiveinformationregardingthissubjectisincludedinTechnicalReportNo.14fromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,entitled"LimnologicalSurveyofLakeOntario,1964."ThispublicationisdatedApril1969,andisavail-ablefromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,AnnArbor,.Michigan.RESPONSENocomment.
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO~6)AaticEcoloBecausethissectionisheavilydependentuponinform-ationavailableintheliterature,webelievethatdataandinformationinTechnicalReportNo.23fromtheGreatLakesFisheryCommission,entitled,"AReviewofChangesintheFishSpeciesCompositionofLakeOntario"datedJanuary1973,shouldbereferenced.also.Informationcontainedinthisreportrelatestothespawningcharacteristicsofthewhitefishandlakeherr-ingaswellasotherfishes.Also,fishspeciessuchasthewhitefish,lakeherringandtheyellowperchrequiretemperatureslessthan4'Cduringwinterperiodstosuccessfullyreproduce.Exposingadultsandeggsandlarvaetotemperatureshigherthanthosewhichnaturallyoccurduringwinterperiodsmaycausede-,formitiestodevelopeitherintheeggorlarvalstages.Althoughdataarenotavailableontherequirementsofcloselyrelatedspeciessuchassaugerandwalleye,theseandotherspeciesmayhavetheirreproductivepotentialimpairedbyincreasesinseasonaltemperatures.Referencetotheseandotherpotentialimpactsonfisheryresourcesaredescribed.inareportentitled,"ReviewofRecentTechnicalInformationConcerningtheAdverseEffectsofOnce-ThroughCoolingonLakeMichigan,"preparedbytheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,BureauofSportFisheriesandWildlife,GreatLakesFisheryLaboratory,AnnArbor,Michigan,datedNovember1,1972,MuchofthisinformationisapplicabletoLakeOntario.RESPONSETheApplicanthasobservedyellowperchinthedischargeplumeareaofUnit1(refertoApplicant'sre'sponsetoDepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.9,submittedtotheAECOctober31,1973.)Regardingtheotherspeciesmentionedinthiscomment,noneisasdelicateasthealewife,andthealewife'sreproductionandgrowthhaveevidentlynotbeenaffectedsincetheplantwentintoopera-tionlatein1969.
RESPONSETOU.STDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORCOMMENTNO.6)CONTINUEDIrtThealewifeexistsinfreshwaterun'dersuchasmoticstressthatthehormonalcontrolmechanisms(e.g.,Thyroid)areexhausted(l).NootherspeciesinLakeOntarioexists.inalikestate,yetsamplingcruisesinl972(2)shownoevidenceofalewifedepletioninnumbersorquality.Thethermalplumeislargelyrestrictedtothenearshorewatersbytheinfluenceofprevailingwindsandcurrents.However,inwinter,adultfishretreatoffshore1tothedeeperwarmerwaters,andeggsandlarvaeare'otnormallyfoundinshoreatthistimeofyear.WithreferencetotheinformationreviewoftheGreatLakesFisheryLaboratory(3),thisisfirstaddressedtoadocumentationoffishkillsatsitesonLakeMichigan,noneofwhichisstrictlycomparable,eitherbiologicallyorphysically,toNineMilePointarea.Itisareviewoflaboratoryexperimentation,detailingresponsestotemperaturechangesofspeciesnot.impacted.byNineMilePointUnitl,eitherbecauseofimpingementordi:scharge.
RESPONSETOU.STDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.6)CONTINUED(1)Hoar,W.S.,"ThyroidFunctioninSome'AndronomousandLandlockedTeleosts."Trans.Ro.Soc.Canada,Vol.46(3),Sec.5,pp.39-53,1952.(2)GreatLakesFisheryLaboratory,B.S.F.W.,AnnArbor,Michigan,R/VKahoCruiseReorts1972.(3)Edell,T.A.,andYokum,T.G.,"R'eviewofRecentTechnicalInformationConcerningtheAdverseEffectsofOnce-throughCoolingonLakeMichigan."ReortforLakeMichianEnforce-mentConf.,AnnArbor.U.S.Fish6WildlifeService,B.S.F.W.,GreatLakesFisheryLab.,1972.
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.7)SanitarWastesandOtherEffluentsCopperandotherheavymetalswillerodeandcorrodefromthecoolingwatersystem.Theamountsofthesematerialsandtheirpotentialenvironmentalimpactsshouldbedescribedinthissectionoftheenvironmentalstatement.RESPONSE6'numberofLakeOntariowaterqualityparameters*"wereanalyzedinthevicinityofNineMilePointandintheUnit1coolingwaterdischargeduring1972.ThesedatawerepresentedinareportsubmittedtotheNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationinFebruary1973.(EffectofCirculatingWaterSystemsonLakeOntarioWaterTemperatureandAquaticBiology-NineMilePointUnit2,QLMProjectNo.191-9).Theminimumandmaximumvaluesofsixsamplescollected~monthlyduringtheperiodApriltoNovember1972(MayandOctoberexcluded)andanalyzedforheavymetals,are.presentedintheattachedtable.Evaluationofthesevaluesindicatesanegligiblecontributionoftheplanttolakewaterconcentrationsofheavymetals.
NINEMILEPOINTHEAVYMETALSANALYSISLAKEONTARIOVICINITYOFNINEMILEPOINT30-footWaterDeth40-footWaterDethtlnit1uraceBottomurtaceBot'tonnta.eDxscareonosxte"*MininunHaxinunMinimumMaximumHininu=Max=nunMinimumMaximum.Mininu.=MaximumMininumMaxinumMinimumMaxinunBerylliumCadmiumChromiumCopperLeadMercuryVanadiumZincpg/1<15ug/1<112pg/1<15<15pg/1c2c2vg/1<2(164Vg/1<11"pg/1<<60<60Vg/1<2<<2<1<1<110<15clS<217<20<20<12<604291828<15<<20<60<215cl88clcl1<1353<6075222404<6024c217"cl'5353<6093528204<1414<17<lS<15<15<15c15<2<2c2c268c2c2<20<<20c20c2025<2050<15<2<20<602613<1513<20116'akenatscreonhousodischargechannel U.S~DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO~8)'olidWasteSstemSolidradioactivewastesthat'esultfromoperationsofUnit1aredescribedmainlybytheirgrosscharacter,asconcentrates,fromradwasteevaporators,spent.resinsandfiltersludge,paper,airfilters,rags,"andcontrolrods,fuelchannels,andcontaminatedreplacedequipment."Theirtotalquantityisroughl'yestimatedas11,000cubicfeetannually,withanactivityof2,700curies.However,thedraftstatementdoesnot.specifythekindsofradionuclides,theirphysicalstates,ortheircon-centrationsinthewastes,norhasthelocationplannedforoff-siteburialbeenidentified.Thisinformationshouldbepresentedinthefinalenvironmentalstatement.WebelievethattheoffsitedisposaloftheoperationalsolidradioactivewastesfromtheNineMilePointNuclearPowerStationconstitutesanimportant,long-termenvironmentalimpact.TheAECmustsatisfactorilysolvetheproblemoftheseprolifer-atingoperationalwastesfromallnuclearplants"beforetheypresentamajorproblem.Therefore,webelieveandstronglyrecommendthattheenvironmentalstatementsforallreactors(includingNineMilePointUnit1)shouldspecifythekindsofradionuclides,their,physicalstates,andtheirconcentrationsinthewastes,andtheestimatedtotalvolumeofwastesfortheexpectedoperatinglifeofthereactor.Additionally,ifan-environmentalimpactstatementhasnotbeenpreparedfortheproposedburialordisposalsite,orifsuchastatementdoesnotfullyconsiderwastesofthenatureandquantityofthosegeneratedattheNineMilePointStation,thenwebelieveitincumbentontheAECtoincludeanevaluationofthedisposalsiteinthisenvironmentalstatement.WebelievesuchanevaluationshoulddiscusstheFederalandStatelicensingprovisions,criteria,andresponsibilitiesforthesiteinconnectionwith:(1)determinationofthehydrogeologicsuitabilityofthesitetoisolatethewastesoftheNineMilePointStation(andanyotherwastesaccumulatingorexpectedtoaccumulateatthesite)fromthebiosphereforspecificperiodsoftime;(2)anyremedialorregulatoryactionsthatmightbenecessarythroughoutaspecificperiodoftimeinwhichallthewasteswillbehazardous.~Weareawarethat"radioactivewastesotherthanhigh-level,"whichapparently'n'eludereactoroperationalsolidwastes,havebeendiscussedonpagesG-2throughG-9oftheAECdocument"EnvironmentalSurveyoftheNuclearFuelCycle."Wedonotconsiderthosegeneralizeddescriptionsofthemanag'ementandthedisposalofthesewastesasbeingadequatetocovertheconcernsexpressedabovebecausethedescriptionsonpagesG-2throughG-9andG-12throughG-14arenonspecifictoaparticularsiteandtotheparticularwastesbeingdisposed'here.Similarly,the RESPONSETOU.ST)DEPARTMENTOFINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.8)CONTINUEDenvironmentalconsiderationgivenonpagesG-18throughG-21arenotspecifictoaparticularsiteortoparticularwastes.RESPONSENocomment.
U-STDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO~9)ThermalStudiesThermaleffectsofcoolingwaterdischargedintoLakeOntarioshouldbeestimatedforthecombinedeffectofoperationofbothadjoiningpowerplants.Dataavailablefrominfraredradiometermeasurementsshouldbeincluded.Thistypeofdatahasbeenpublishedinthefinalenviron-mentalstatementfortheFitzPatrickPlant.Wealsorecommendthattheapplicantutilizeremotesensordata.inmonitoringthethermalplumedurtotheextensiveareaandthecomplex-itiesinvolvedwhenseverallargewasteheatsourcesareoperatinginasmallarea.FieldtemperaturesurveysofthethermalplumeresultingfromtheoperationofUnit1farexceedwater-qualitystandards.Throughoutearlierreportsonthisplant,weareassuredthroughmathematicalandhydraulicmodeltestresultsthattherewillbenothermalproblems,Previously,wequestionedtheresultsofthesestudiesandstatedthatalternativesshouldbeconsidered.TheAECinthisdraftrespondswiththestatementgivenonpage5-11."TheapplicabilityofStateandFederalWaterQualitycriteriarelatedtothethermaldischargeforUnit1'isuncertain.However,itshouldbenotedthatnoadverseeffect,ontheaquaticbiotaduetothethermaldischargeisexpected."WebelievetheNewYorkStatestandardof3degreesFahrenheitin6.5acresistoorestrictive;butevenifitwere5degreesFahrenheit,theheatedwaterdischargefromthisunitwouldexceedthestandard.Eventhoughthisdraft.statementcoversUnit1,itshouldrecognizethatthefutureoperationofUnit2inaonce-throughmodewillalmosttriplethewasteheatfromthisplantcomparedtoUnit1alone.Thisfactoralonerequiresseriousconsiderationofalternativecoolingmethods.Itisindicatedonpage'9-15thatnosignificantdis-advantageoftheexistingdischargesystemhasbeenidentified.TheAECstaffbelievesthatmodificationoftheexistingsystemisnotjustifiedatthistimeevenwiththeplannedadditionofUnit2withaonce-throughcoolingsystem.Sinceacomprehen-siveevaluationoftheexpectedthermalplumesfromboth'unitsandfromtheneighboringJamesA.FitzPatrickPlanthasbeenperformed,wefindnobasistoconcludethatthesethreeunitscansafelyoperatewithonce-throughcoolingat.thissite.
RESPONSETOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.9)DataarerecordedfortheUnit1dischargeonpages5-4and5-.5oftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementwhichsupple-mentthedatapresentedintheFitzPatrickFinalEnvironmentalStatement.TheenvironmentalmonitoringprogramforNineMilePointUnit1andFitzPatrickasoutlinedintheEnvironmentalTechnicalSpecificationswillprovideadditionaldata'ontheNineMilePointUnit1plume.InterpretationoftheNineMilePointUnit1plumerelativetoNewYorkStatecriteriaandstandardsrequiresanJunderstandingofthelegalhistory.of'heNew'YorkStatecriter'ia.WhenNineMilePointUnit1wasconstructed,regulationsrestricteddischargeofheatedliquidsbythefollowingspecifications:"Nonealoneorincombinationwithothersubstances'or,wastesinsuffic.-ientamountsoratsuchtemperaturesastobeinjurioustofishlife,makethewatersunsafeorunsuitableasasourceofwatersupplyfordrinking,culinaryorfoodprocessingpurposesorimpairthewatersforanyotherbestusageasdeterminedforthespecificwaterswhichareassignedtothisclass."TheUnit'1dischargesystemhasbeenconstructedtomeetthestandardandcontinuestomeetthat,standardasdocumentedbythestudieswhichhavebeencompletednearthesite.ThecriteriapromulgatedbyNewYorkStatein1969addedadditionalthermalcriteriatoapplyanumericalbasisfor'the C-20RESPONSETO.U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COISKNTNO.9)DataarerecordedfortheUnit1dischargeonpages5-4and5-,5oftheDraftEnvironmentalStatementwhichsupple-mentthedatapresentedintheFitzPatrickFinalEnvironmentalStatement.TheenvironmentalmonitoringprogramforNineMilePointUnit1andFitzPatrickasoutlinedintheEnvironmentalTechnicalSpecificationswillprovideadditionaldataontheNineMilePointUnit1plume.InterpretationoftheNineMilePointUnit.1plumerelativetoNewYorkStatecriteriaandstandardsrequiresanunderstandingofthelegalhistoryoftheNewYorkStatecriteria.WhenNineMile.PointUnit1wasconstructed,regulationsrestricteddischargeofheated.liquidsbythefollowingspecifications:"None'aloneorincombinationwithothersubstancesorwastesin'suffic-ientamountsoratsuchtemperaturesastobeinjurioustofishlife,makethewatersunsafeorunsuitableasasourceofwatersupplyfordrinking,culinaryorfoodprocessingpurposesorimpairthewatersforanyotherbestusageasdeterminedforthespecificwaterswhichareassignedtothisclass."TheUnit1dischargesystemhasbeenconstructedtomeetthestandardandcontinuestomeetthatstandardasdocumentedbythestudieswhichhavebeencompletednearthesite.ThecriteriapromulgatedbyNewYorkStatein1969addedadditionalthermalcriteriatoapplyanumericalbasisforthe RESPONSESTOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO-9)CONTINUEDstandardcitedabove.Section704.4oftheNewYorkCodesRulesandRegulationsdescribes"ExtentofApplicabilityofCriteriatoExistingDischarges:IndeterminingwhetheranydischargeexistingpriortotheadoptionoftheaboveVcriteriacomplieswiththeapplicablestandardforthermaldischarges,...thesecriteriaareintendedtobyonlyaframeofreference."Thus,itisconcludedthattheUnit1thermaldischargedoesnot"farexceedwaterqualitystandards"butrathercomplieswiththeapplicableregulations.TheApplicanthasinvestigatedandevaluatedaltern-ativecoolingsystemsforNineMilePointUnit1intheNineMile1EnvironmentalReportSection9.5.SimilarlyalternativestoacombinedoncethroughcoolingsystemwereevaluatedintheNineMilePointUnit2Applicant'sEnvironemntalReport,Section8.5.ItshouldalsobenotedthattheNineMilePointUnit1dischargewillbecombinedwiththeplannedUnit2dischargeandthatalltheevaluationsfortheUnit2atitsConstructionStagehearingincludedcombinedeffectswithNineMilePointUnit1inoperation.ThecontinuedoperationoftheUnit1dischargesystemiscontingentuponcompletionoftheUnit2dischargesystemandhencedoesnotrepresentapermanent,continuingoperationconfig-uration.
C-22U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERXOR(COMMENTNO.10)I'ransmissionLineEnvironsTheuseofherbicidesfortransmission.linemain-tenanceisbrieflydiscussed.Sincenospecificherbicidesareindicated,thefollowinglanguageshouldbeaddedto'th'issection,'"Xtisessentialthata'llherbicides,pesticides,andrelatedchemicals"mustberegisteredinaccordancewith'P.L.92-516,TheFederalXnsecticide,FungicideandRodenticideAct.Applicationshouldbeaccomplishedinamannerfullyconsistentwiththeprotectionoftheentireenvironment.Anycontemplativeuseofthesechemicalsmustconsiderbothknownandpossibleenvironmenteffects.TheapplicantshouldconsultwiththeEnvironmentalProtectionAgency,theDirectoroftheStateConservationAgency,theCountyAgentandthenearestofficeoftheBureauofSportFisheriesandWildlifewhenchemicalvegetationandpestcontroliscontemplated.Suchcontactshouldbemadeearlyintheplanningsothataccept-ablechemicalsandmethodsofapplicationknowntobemosteffectivecanbeusedwiththerecommendationsoftheconcernedagency."RESPONSENocomment.
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.11)EffectsOnAuaticEnvironment.a.'able5.1.2containsdataonstudiesconductedduringJune1972throughJanuary1973.Acomparisonofthistablewithtablesthatwereincludedintheenviron-mentalstatementforNineMilePointNuclearStationUnit2,indicatethatdatacollectedpriortoJuneweredeletedfromthistable.Datawereincludedonwinterperiodswhichwouldbiastheinformationpresentedonimpingement.Webelievethat,allavailableinformationshouldbeincludedtodescribefishimpingement.b.Aspreviouslyindicated,considerationshouldbegiventotheeffectsofincreasedtemperatureonthereprod-uctioncapabilitiesofvariousfishspecies,includingthatofyellowperchwhicharereferredtointhissection.Althoughspeciessuchastheyellowperchmaybeattractedtohighertemperatures,theresultingeffectsmayincludereducedreproductionsuccess.Also,.itshouldbeindicatedthatdatafromtheConsumer'sPowerCompany'sreportindicatesthatSteelheadTrout,LakeTrout,Coho,andChinookSalmondooccurintheareaofpowerplantintakesandthermaldis-chargesandaresubjecttoimpingement.ThepotentialimpactsuponFederalandStatesponsoredprogramstoestablishthesespeciesinLakeOntarioshouldbeconsidered.c.Onpage5-38ofthissectionreferenceismadeto6degreesFahrenheitisothermextendingalongabout1mileofshoreline.Onpage5-3itisindicatedthatthe5degreesFahrenheitisothermextendsalongabout2milesofshoreline.Duringperiodsofwarmernaturallakewatertemperatures,atemperaturerisemuchlessthan5or6degreesFahrenheitmayinihitfishmovement,anddiscouragefishfromenteringimport-antshallowwaterzones.Also,potentialimpactsofsinkingplumesonfishesandfishreproductionpotentialshouldbementionedinthissection.d.Indiscussingtheenvironmentalimpactofplantoperationonfish,plankton,benthos,andvariousaquaticorganisms,itshould,berecognizedthatLakeOntarioisina"-~stateofecologicalchange.This.changeisaresultofthecumulativeimpactofman"sactivitiesonthelakeandfromrecent'introductionofexoticfishspecieswhichcompete'iththe.previouslyestablishedfishpopulations.Theseconsiderationsshouldbereflectedinanticipatingtheenvir-onmentalimpactsofthisdevelopmentonthesystemingeneral.
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO-ll)CONTINUEDe.Therelationshipofdecomposingorganicmaterialstothedissolved.oxygenconcentrationsinthewatershouldbedescribed.Encouragingoracceleratingthegrowthandreproductionofattachedplantsmaycompoundproblemswhicharepresentlyoccurringwiththeoxygenconcentrationsinthewater.Thissectionshoulddiscusstheseaspectsoftheplan't'soperationalimpacts.RESPONSEa.ForacompleterecordoffishimpingementdatacollectedatNineMilePoint.Unit1throughAugust31,1973,.refertoExhibit3b,(AECDocketNo.50-410)NineMilePointUnit2PublicHearings.,ThisdocumentisareportwrittenforNineMilePointUnit2onthesubjectoftheeffectoffishimpingementatthissiteonthefishpopulationsofLakeOntario.b.RefertoApplicant'sresponsetoCommentNo.2oftheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,submittedtotheAEConOctober31,1973.c.RefertoApplicant'sresponsetoCommentNo.11oftheU.S.DepartmentofCommerce,submittedtotheAEConOctober31,1973.d.Assumingalewivesareconsideredas"exoticspecies"inLakeOntario,theywereprobablyabletoestablishthemselves(since1860,approximately)becauseendemicpiscivores,suchasLakeTrout,andAtlanticSalmon,etc.,werealreadyindecline.
C-25RESPONSETOU.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.11)CONTINUEDItisalsoprobablethatthealewifecompeteswithendemicplanktivoresformostzooplanktoniccrustacea.Documentationoffcedinghabitsofsmelt(establishedintheGreatLakes191S,approximately)showscompetitionwith,andpredationuponCyprinids(e.g.,EmeraldShiner)anditself.CohoSalmon(established1968,approximately)arepartiallyfillingthegapleftbydepletedLakeTroutandAtlanticSalmonpopulations.e.ContinuingmeasurementsofdissolvedoxygenintheLakeoffNineMilePointshowconsistentlyhighvalues,oftenabovesaturation.
C-26U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(CONYiENTNO.12)EnvironmentalMonitorinProramTheNiagaraMohawkPowerCompanyhasconductedamonitoringprogramintheNineMilePointareasince1963.TheAECstaffbelievesthatstudies,astheyhavebeenpro-posedandarebeingconductedbytheapplicant,willnotprovideinformationadequatetoassesstheoperationaleffectsofthe.stationonthebiota.For-example,'hecollectionofthedatafromJuly1963'hroughDecember1969.wasinfrequent.OnlysinceMay1970hastheapplicant.collecteddataonfishdistributionandfoodpreferencesoffishandbenthoswithsomecontinuity.Samplingandobserv-ationofplanktonfromtheintakedischargewellsofUnit1duringJune-October1971provideneitherestimatesofplanktonabundanceintheareanorabaseforreasonableassessmentofdamageduetoentrainment.Samplingoflakewaterfortheusualchemicalandphysicalparametersisentirelywanting.Basedonlimitedsamplinginformation,itisapparentthatNineMilePoint,NuclearStationUnit1,hascauseddamagestofisheryresources.Continuedoperationofthe.Unitmaycauseunacceptablelossestolocalfishpopulations.Itshouldbenotedthatwiththeexceptionofthelimitsontotaldissolvedsolids,phosphateconcentrationsindischargesewageandthethermalplumesize,theplantconformstowaterqualitystandards.Webelievethattheapplicantshouldberequiredtoconformtoexistingstandardsandtoadoptpro-cedureswhichwouldrequiretheenvironmentalimpactoftheplantoperationontheresourcesofthelake.AsaresultoftheLakeMichiganEnforcement,Con-ference,specificguidelinesarebeingdevelopedforstudiestodeterminetheenvironmentalimpactofpowerplantcoolingonLakeMichigan.ItisanticipatedthatadraftoutlineofguidelineswillbeavailablebyNovember1973.Sincetheecology.ofLakeMichiganandLakeOntarioaresimilar,tech-niquesandstudiesthat,aresuitableforLakeMichiganmaybeadaptableforLakeOntario.WeencouragetheAECstafftomakeuse.oftheseguidelinesindevelopinganyfutureplansforstudyofthermaldischargesinto.LakeOntario.Itissuggestedthatthethermalmonitoringprogrambemodified'toincludetechniquesdevelopedinconjunctionwiththeSurryNuclearPowerStationontheJamesRiver,.'irginia.Thesestudiesshouldbedesignedandconductedtodeterminetheimpactsofonce-throughcoolingintheNineMilePointarea.
C-27.U.STDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO~12)RESPONSETheApplicant'sAquaticMonitoringProgramisdescribedintheresponsetoDepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.12submittedtotheAECOctober31,1973.Similarresponsestoquestionsondissolvedsolids,phosphateconcentrationsandthermalplumesizewerealsosubmittedtotheAEConthatdateinresponsestoEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyCommentNo.H-l,DepaxtmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareComment,No.5andDepartmentofHealth,EducationandWelfareCommentNo.4;respectively.TheApplicant'spresentthermalplumemappingprogramconsistsoftentofifteensurveysayeapundervary-ingweatherconditions.Threedimensional(surfaceanddepth)surveysareperformedfromaboattraversingtheplumeareausingshoremountedgridmarkersforboatlocationduringsurveyperformance.Temperaturedataisreducedandplottedtodefineisothermswithdepthtothenearest0.5'F.Anymonitoringdevicesthatrequirepermanentinstall-ationsinthispart.ofLakeOntarioareliabletoheavydamage.Ontheonehand.,theLakeissubjecttoverysuddenincreas'es.inwavemotion,whichplace.considerablestrainsonanyanchored'device.Ontheotherhand,theNineMilePlaintpromontoryisanareaofheavyiceaction,whichcandislodgethemostmassiveofanchorslocatedinthewaterdepthofinterest,i.e.,downtoabout30feet.
C-28U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEXNTERXOR(COMMENTNO.13)NonradioloicalEffectsonEcoloicalSstemsTheconcernforthepossibleimpactsonfishandotheraquaticlifeasaresultofthemaximumintakevelocityof2fpsisindicatedonpage5-34.NesharethisconcernsincetheapplicanthasnotshownthatfishlosseswillbeloweRESPONSERefertoApplicant'sresponsetoU.S.DepartmentofCommerceCommentNo.2andNewYorkStateDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationCommentNo.l.
C-29USTDEPARTMENTOFTHEXNTERZOR(COllMENTNO.14)EnvironmentalXmactofPostulatedAccidentsThissectioncontainsanadequateevaluationofimpactsresultingfromplantaccidentsthroughclass8forairborneemissions.However,theenvironmentaleffectsofreleasestowaterislacking.Manyofthesepostulatedaccidentslistedintables7.1and7.2couldresultin'eleasestoLakeOntarioandshouldbeevaluated.Wealsothinkthat,class9accidentsresultinginbothairandwaterreleasesshouldbedescribedandtheimpactsonhumanlifeandtheremainingenvironmentdis-cussedaslongasthereisanypossibilityofoccurrence.TheconsequencesofanaccidentofthisseveritycouldhavefarreachingeffectsonlandandinLakeOntariowhichcouldpersistforcenturiesaffectingmillionsofpeople.RESPONSEPostulatedaccidentswhichcouldresultinliquidreleasestoLakeOntariohavebeendiscussedandevaluatedinSection6,pages6.3-1and6.8-5oftheApplicant'sEnviron-mentalReport.
C-30U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIOR(COMMENTNO.15)AlternativeEnerSourcesTheexpectedemissionsfromalternativeoil-firedandcoal-firedpowerplantsgivenonpage9-4aremisleading.Modernwell-operatedcentralstationsdischargemuchsmalleramounts.ofcarbonmonoxidesandhydrocarbonsthanshown,sincecombustioniscompleteexceptforsmallamountsofunburnedcarboninflyashandbottomashincoal-firedplants.IRESPONSENocomment.
U-.S.DEPARTMENTOFTFIEINTERIOR(COY84ENTNO.16)EnvironmentalCostAlthoughthetotaleconomiclosses.oftheproposedactionaredifficulttoestimatetherearedataandmaterialsavailablewhichcanbeusedtodetermine,thereplacementcostsofresources.Forexample,thepollutioncommitteeoftheAmericanFisheriesSociety,SouthernDivision,in1970estim-atedthemonetaryvalueoffishbasedontheirreplacementcost.Variousstates,includingNewYork,MarylandandWashingtonhavedevelopedcriteriaforevaluatingfishkilldamagesandcomput-ingfishkilldamageclaims.WebelievethestaffoftheAECshouldbeawareofthesecriteriaandwheneverpossibletheyshouldbeusedtodetermineeconomicorreplacementcostforfish.Inaddition,webelievethattheimpactsofthisproposedactionshouldnotberelatedtoentirelakealonebutshouldalsobecomparedtotheproductionofthelocalarea..RESPONSENocomment.
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Latest revision as of 05:21, 7 January 2025

Environmental Statement Related to Operation of Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station Unit 1
ML18018A879
Person / Time
Site: Nine Mile Point Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 01/31/1974
From:
US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
To:
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp
References
Download: ML18018A879 (482)
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