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Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

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<strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong>s of Operation<br />

be SMALL. There are no reasonably foreseeable scenarios that would alter these conclusions<br />

in regard to cumulative impacts.<br />

Although no archaeological or architectural surveys have been conducted to date at the<br />

Monticello site, and the potential exists for significant cultural resources to be present within the<br />

site boundaries, it does not appear that the proposed license renewal will adversely affect these<br />

resources. The applicant has indicated that no refurbishment or replacement activities,<br />

including additional land-disturbing activities, at the plant site (or along existing transmission<br />

corridors) are planned for the license renewal period. Therefore, continued operation of<br />

Monticello would likely protect any cultural resources present within the Monticello site boundary<br />

by protecting those lands from development and providing secured access. On the basis of the<br />

staff's analysis of cultural resources, the contribution to a cumulative impact on cultural<br />

resources by continued operation of Monticello during the license renewal period is considered<br />

SMALL.<br />

4.8.5 Cumulative <strong>Impact</strong>s on Groundwater Use and Quality<br />

Monticello's groundwater appropriations permit for two wells limits groundwater withdrawal to a<br />

maximum of 200 gpm for both wells. From 1998 to 2000, actual usage averaged 30 gpm.<br />

Three other wells have an annual usage of under 1.9 gpm and do not require appropriation<br />

permits. The current impact of Monticello on the alluvial aquifer due to plant operations and<br />

current groundwater withdrawals is small, as discussed in Section 4.5. There are no known or<br />

planned projects requiring withdrawal of groundwater, either at the plant or within its vicinity,<br />

that would potentially cause an adverse impact on groundwater if implemented in addition to the<br />

Monticello unit license renewal. On the basis of this analysis, the staff concludes that the<br />

cumulative impact to groundwater resources during the license renewal period would be SMALL<br />

and that additional mitigation would not be warranted.<br />

4.8.6 Cumulative <strong>Impact</strong>s on Threatened or Endangered Species<br />

The geographic area considered in the analysis of potential cumulative impacts to threatened or<br />

endangered species includes the counties of Wright, Sherburne, Minnesota. The Monticello<br />

site and its associated transmission line rights-of-way that are within scope of the license<br />

renewal review are found within these two counties. As discussed in sections 2.2.5 and 2.2.6,<br />

there are three Federally listed species that potentially could inhabit Wright and Sherburne<br />

counties. No Federally designated candidate species, nor critical habitat for any threatened or<br />

endangered species are known to occur within the geographic area of consideration.<br />

The staff's findings on the three Federally protected species are presented in the<br />

December 22, 2005 (NRC 2005d) BA (Appendix E) and in Section 4.6 of this SEIS. The staff<br />

concluded in the BA and Section 4.6 that continued operation of Monticello, and the continued<br />

use of the existing transmission lines within the scope of this review, will have no effect on the<br />

Higgins' eye pearlymussel and grey wolf and is not likely to adversely affect the bald eagle.<br />

Therefore, the staff determined that since there is currently no adverse impact to these species<br />

NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 4-48 August 2006 1

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