ML110830578
| ML110830578 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 03/16/2011 |
| From: | Kurkul P US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Dept of Commerce, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration |
| To: | David Wrona License Renewal Projects Branch 2 |
| References | |
| Download: ML110830578 (2) | |
Text
4÷ 0P, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE/ ,- \ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
=
- NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICENORTHEAST REGION 55 Great Republic Drive"A4rcs Or Gloucester, MA 01930-2276 MAR 16 2011 David J. Wrona, Branch Chief Projects Branch 2 Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Program US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
/RE: Extension of Consultation Period -License Renewal of the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Plant, Units Nos. 2 and 3
Dear Mr. Wrona:
This correspondence is in regards to the ongoing formal consultation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, for the proposed renewal by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of the Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit Nos. 2 and 3 (IP2 .andIP3) operating licenses.
- Consultatiohnbetween NOAA's National'Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the NRCWas December 16,-2010.
As-outlined'in a letter from NMFS to NRC dated February 16, 2011,'the 90-day consultation peri6d expires on March 16, 2011, and aBiological Opinioiiis.due to NRC on April 30, 2011'.Innoa letter dated March 1, 2011, the applicant, EntergyNuclear Northeast (Entergy) requested that the consultation period be extended so that Entergy could provide additional information to NMFS for consideration in the consultation and development of the Biological Opinion to be produced by NMFS. NRC staff discussed this letter with NMFS in telephone conversations on March 9 and March 11, 2011. Entergy has indicated that the additional information would be transmitted to NMFS and NRC by April 30, 2011 and that Entergy will be requesting a meeting between NMFS, NRC and Entergy in mid-April.
Due to the anticipated receipt of new information as well as the need to review this information and incorporate it, as appropriate, into the ongoin g analysis of effects of the proposed relicensing on listed species, NRC and NMFS are in agreement that the consultation period should be extended in accordance with 50 CFR 402.14(e).
NRC has proposed an extension of 60 days to accommodate the anticipated receipt of additional information from Entergy by April 30, 2011 and a two-week review period following this date. This extension would have the consultation period &nd on May'. 15, 2011 i and a Biological Opinion issued by NMFS to NRC by June 29, 201 L However, as discussed between NRC and NMFS on the above referenced telephone calls, depending-on the type and extent of information provided by Entergy, the consultation period may need to be further extended.
It is anticipated that a determination as to whether an, additional extension of time would be necessary would be made by NMFS in consultation with NRC and Entergy before May 15, 2011.If you have any questions or concerns about this consultation or the consultation process in general, please feel free to contact Julie Crocker of my staff at (978) 282-8480.
We look forward to continuing to work with your office during the formal consultation process.Sincerely, Patricia A. Kurkul Regional Administrator ec: Crocker, F/NER3 Rusanowsky-F/NER4 Stuyvenberg, Logan -NRC File Code: Sec 7 NRC Indian Point Nuclear Plant Relicensing PCTS: F/NER/2009/00619 2