Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 2
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Appendix E Applicant’s Environmental Report Operating License Renewal Stage Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 2 Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 2 Applicant’s Environmental Report Operating License Renewal Stage Introduction Entergy Operations submits this Environmental Report in conjunction with the application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to renew the operating license for ANO-2 for twenty years beyond the end of the current license. In compliance with applicable NRC requirements, this ER analyzes potential environmental impacts associated with renewal of the ANO-2 operating license. This ER is designed to assist the NRC staff with the preparation of the ANO-2 specific Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement required for license renewal. The ANO-2 ER is provided in accordance with 10CFR54.23, which requires license renewal applicants to submit a supplement to the ER that complies with the requirements of Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51. This report also addresses the more detailed requirements of NRC environmental regulations in 10CFR51.45 and 10CFR51.53, as well as the underlying intent of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq. For major federal actions, the NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare a detailed statement that addresses significant environmental impacts, adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided if the proposal is implemented, alternatives to the proposed action, and irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources associated with implementation of the proposed action. Supplement 1 to Regulatory Guide 4.2 - Preparation of Supplemental Environmental Reports for Applications to Renew Nuclear Power Plant Operating Licenses was used as guidance on the format and content of this ER. The level of information provided on the various topics and issues in this ER are commensurate with the extent of the analysis provided for the particular topic or issue. Based upon the evaluations discussed in this ER, Entergy Operations concludes that no significant environmental impacts are associated with the renewal of the ANO-2 operating license. No major plant refurbishment activities have been identified as necessary to support the continued operation of ANO-2 beyond the end of the existing operating license term. Although normal plant maintenance activities may later be performed for economic and operational reasons, no significant environmental impacts associated with such refurbishments are expected. The application to renew the operating license of ANO-2 assumes that licensed activities are now conducted, and will continue to be conducted, in accordance with the facility’s current licensing basis (e.g., use of low enriched uranium fuel only). Changes made to the current licensing basis of ANO-2 during the staff review of this application are to be made in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and in accordance with Commission regulations. Page i Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 2 Applicant’s Environmental Report Operating License Renewal Stage Table of Contents 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION................................................1-1 2.0 SITE AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERFACES .................................................................2-1 2.1 Location and Features ..................................................................................................2-1 2.2 Aquatic and Riparian Ecological Communities .............................................................2-1 2.2.1 Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Benthic Communities.........................................2-2 2.2.2 Fish Community .....................................................................................................2-2 2.2.3 Summary ................................................................................................................2-3 2.3 Groundwater Resources...............................................................................................2-3 2.4 Critical and Important Terrestrial Habitats ....................................................................2-4 2.5 Threatened or Endangered Species.............................................................................2-6 2.6 Regional Demography ..................................................................................................2-7 2.6.1 Regional Population ...............................................................................................2-7 2.6.2 Minority and Low-Income Populations ...................................................................2-9 2.6.2.1 Background......................................................................................................2-9 2.6.2.2 Minority Populations ......................................................................................2-10 2.6.2.3 Low-Income Populations ...............................................................................2-10 2.7 Taxes ..........................................................................................................................2-11 2.8 Land Use Planning......................................................................................................2-12 2.8.1 Existing Land Use Trends ....................................................................................2-12 2.8.2 Future Land Use Trends ......................................................................................2-12 2.9 Housing.......................................................................................................................2-12 2.10 Social Services and Public Facilities .......................................................................2-13 2.10.1 Public Water Supply..........................................................................................2-13 2.10.2 Transportation...................................................................................................2-15 2.10.2.1 Pope County .................................................................................................2-15 2.10.2.2 Johnson and Yell Counties ...........................................................................2-16 2.11 Meteorological and Air Quality.................................................................................2-16 2.12 Historic and Archaeological Resources...................................................................2-17 2.12.1 Cultural Background..........................................................................................2-17 Page ii Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 2 Applicant’s Environmental Report Operating License Renewal Stage 2.12.1.1 Prehistoric Era...............................................................................................2-17 2.12.1.2 Historic-era....................................................................................................2-17 2.12.1.3 Trail of Tears .................................................................................................2-18 2.12.1.4 Late Historic ..................................................................................................2-18 2.12.2 Historic and Archaeological Resources ............................................................2-19 2.12.2.1 Prehistoric .....................................................................................................2-19 2.12.2.2 Historic ..........................................................................................................2-19 2.12.3 National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmark Resources ........................................................................................................2-20 2.13 Related Federal Project Activities............................................................................2-20 2.14 References ..............................................................................................................2-28 3.0 THE PROPOSED ACTION ..............................................................................................3-1 3.1 Description of the Proposed Action...............................................................................3-1 3.2 General Plant Information.............................................................................................3-1 3.2.1 Reactor and Containment Systems........................................................................3-1 3.2.2 Cooling and Auxiliary Water Systems ....................................................................3-2 3.2.3 Radioactive Waste Treatment Processes (Gaseous, Liquid and Solid).................3-2 3.2.3.1 Liquid Waste Processing Systems and Effluent Controls................................3-3 3.2.3.2 Gaseous Waste Processing Systems and Effluent Controls ...........................3-4 3.2.3.3 Solid Waste Processing...................................................................................3-5 3.2.4 Transportation of Radioactive Materials.................................................................3-6 3.2.5 Nonradioactive Waste Systems .............................................................................3-6 3.2.6 Maintenance, Inspection and Refueling Activities ..................................................3-7 3.2.7 Power Transmission Systems ................................................................................3-7 3.3 Refurbishment Activities ...............................................................................................3-8 3.4 Programs and Activities for Managing the