Applicant’s Environmental Report – Operating License Renewal Stage Arkansas Nuclear One - Unit 1 Introduction Set forth below is Entergy Operations’ Environmental Report-Operating License Renewal Stage for Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1. This report was prepared in conjunction with Entergy Operations’ application to the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to renew the operating license for ANO-1. In compliance with applicable NRC requirements, this ER analyzes potential environmental impacts associated with renewal of the ANO-1 license. It is designed to assist the NRC staff with the preparation of the ANO-1 specific Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that is required for license renewal. The content of the ER complies with the requirements of 10CFR Part 51, as augmented by the NRC’s “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for License Renewal of Nuclear Plants” (NUREG-1437). Specifically, the ANO-1 ER complies with 10CFR54.23, which requires license renewal applicants to submit a supplement to the ER that complies with 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 should the proposal be implemented, alternatives to the proposed action, and any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources associated with implementation of the proposed action. The information responsive to these requirements is set forth in the following sections of the ER: Section 1.0: Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action Section 2.0: Site and Environmental Interfaces Section 3.0: Proposed Action Section 4.0: Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action Section 5.0: Alternatives Considered Section 6.0: Comparison of Impacts Section 7.0: Status of Compliance Based upon the evaluations discussed in the ER, Entergy Operations concludes that the environmental impacts associated with the renewal of the ANO-1 operating license are small. The environmental impacts from continued operation of ANO-1 are similar to those experienced during the original operating term and as evaluated in the Final Environmental Statement [Reference 1] issued in February 1973. No major plant refurbishment activities have been identified as necessary to support the continued operation of ANO-1 beyond the end of the existing operating license. Although normal plant maintenance activities may later be performed for economic and operational reasons, no significant environmental impacts associated with such activities are expected. Major refurbishment and plant maintenance activities typically receive an environmental review per ANO procedures during the planning stage for the activity. Environmental Report Page i Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION .............................................................1-1 2.0 SITE AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERFACES .............................................................................2-1 2.1 GENERAL SITE ENVIRONMENT...........................................................................................................2-1 2.2 LAKE DARDANELLE ...........................................................................................................................2-6 2.3 ANO PLANT DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................................2-8 2.4 RESIDENT POPULATION ESTIMATES .................................................................................................2-12 3.0 PROPOSED ACTION.........................................................................................................................3-1 3.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION...........................................................................................3-1 3.2 PLANT MODIFICATIONS OR REFURBISHMENTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR LICENSE RENEWAL .........3-1 3.3 PROGRAMS FOR MANAGING AGING ...................................................................................................3-2 3.4 EMPLOYMENT....................................................................................................................................3-2 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ..................................4-1 4.1 DISCUSSION OF GEIS CATEGORIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.....................................................4-1 4.1.1 Category 1 Issues ......................................................................................................................4-1 4.1.2 Category 2 Issues ......................................................................................................................4-2 4.1.3 Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A and 10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii) Issues ....................................4-2 4.1.4 Review of 10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii) Issues .....................................................................................4-2 4.2 WATER USE CONFLICTS (PLANTS WITH COOLING TOWERS AND COOLING PONDS)..........................4-19 4.2.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(A)] .................................................................................4-19 4.2.2 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-19 4.3 ENTRAINMENT, IMPINGEMENT, AND HEAT SHOCK OF FISH AND SHELLFISH ......................................4-19 4.3.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(B)] .................................................................................4-19 4.3.2 Findings from Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51..................................4-19 4.3.3 GEIS Background....................................................................................................................4-20 4.3.4 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-21 4.3.5 Consideration of Alternatives for Reducing Adverse Impacts.................................................4-24 4.4 GROUND-WATER USE CONFLICTS (RANNEY WELLS) ......................................................................4-24 4.4.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(C)].................................................................................4-24 4.4.2 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-24 4.5 GROUND-WATER QUALITY..............................................................................................................4-24 4.5.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(D)].................................................................................4-24 4.5.2 Findings from Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51..................................4-25 4.5.3 GEIS Background....................................................................................................................4-25 4.5.4 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-25 4.5.5 Consideration of Alternatives for Reducing Adverse Impacts.................................................4-26 4.6 REFURBISHMENT IMPACTS ON IMPORTANT PLANT AND ANIMAL HABITATS, AND THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES...........................................................................................................................4-26 4.6.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(E)] .................................................................................4-26 4.6.2 Findings from Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51..................................4-26 4.6.3 GEIS Background....................................................................................................................4-26 4.6.4 Analysis of Impacts from Refurbishment Activities on Important Plant/Animal Habitats ......4-27 4.6.5 Analysis of Impacts of the Proposed Action on Threatened or Endangered Species..............4-27 4.6.6 Consideration of Alternatives for Reducing Adverse Impacts.................................................4-31 4.7 VEHICLE EXHAUST EMISSIONS.........................................................................................................4-31 4.7.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(F)] .................................................................................4-31 4.7.2 Findings from Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51..................................4-31 4.7.3 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-32 4.8 MICROBIOLOGICAL (THERMOPHILIC) ORGANISMS ...........................................................................4-32 Environmental Report Page ii Arkansas Nuclear One – Unit 1 4.8.1 Requirement [10CFR51.53(c)(3)(ii)(G)].................................................................................4-32 4.8.2 Findings from Table B-1, Appendix B to Subpart A of 10CFR Part 51..................................4-32 4.8.3 GEIS Background....................................................................................................................4-32 4.8.4 Analysis of Environmental Impact ..........................................................................................4-33