Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

Description of Site and Environment
river is not used for commercial navigation above the Twin Cities, there are no locks on these
headwater dams (NMC 2005a). The Mississippi River in Minnesota is used for a variety of
purposes, including drinking water, industrial use, irrigation, recreation, tourism, and
conservation. The warm water discharges from Monticello provide year-round fishing
-opportunities at Montissippi County Park (the nearest point~of access to the river downstream
from Monticello) (NMC 2005a).
Fish consumption guidelines have been established in Minnesota due to the high leve~ls of
mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in some species (Minnesota Department
of Health 2005). The guidelines are more restrictive for pregnant women, women who may
become pregnant, and children under age 15 than for the general population. Consumption
guidelines exist within the reach of the Mississippi River that includes Monticello for various
species of sunfish, suckers, catfish, and other game fish mainly due to the presence of
mercury; although guidelines for common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and channel catfish (Ictalurus
punctatus) are also associated with potential PCB contamination (Minnesota Department of
Health 2005).
Despite the modifications and multiple competing uses of the Upper Mississippi River, the
overall fish biodiversity has been persistent and resilient (USGS 1999). In Minnesota,
75 species of fish have been reported within the upper portion of the Mississippi River (Hatch
and Schmidt 2004). Fifty-one species have been collected by electroshocking and seining in
the Monticello site vicinity (Xcel Energy 2004). The fish community in the Monticello area has
remained about the same since before the plant became operational, with only minor
differences occurring between areas upstream and downstream from the Monticello discharge
(Xcel Energy 2004). Among the 27 species collected by electroshocking, the major species
include the shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum), silver redhorse (M. anisurum),
common carp, smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), northern hog sucker (Hypentelium
nigricans), white sucker (Catostomus commersont), channel catfish, and walleye (Sander
vitreus). The channel catfish was first collected in electroshocking samples in 1988, and has
been consistently collected since then (Xcel Energy 2004). Forty-four species have been
collected in seining samples since 1970. The major species collected included the sand shiner
(Notropis stramineus), spotf in shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera), bluntnose minnow (Pimephales
notatus), and bigmouth shiner (N. dorsalis) (Xcel Energy 2004).
The Monticello area is considered rough fish habitat due to the prevalence of shorthead
redhorse, silver redhorse, white sucker, and common carp (Afzal et al. 1975), The spotfin and
sand shiners are the major forage fish species in the area (Xcel Energy 2004); common game
species included smallmouth bass, black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), yellow perch
(Perca flavescens), and walleye. Other sport fish include northern pike (Esox lucius), common
carp, and black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) (Amish et al. 1978). There is no commercial fishery
near Monticello (Amish et al. 1978).
Some Mississippi River species such as quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus), gizzard shad
(Dorosoma cepedianum), lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), and paddlefish (Polyodon
NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 2-20 August 2006 1