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Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

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Description of Site and Environment<br />

Trumpeter swans are increasing in numbers on the Mississippi River, and wintering swans<br />

readily use open water associated with warm water discharged to the river and available food<br />

(NMC 2005a).<br />

One State-listed threatened reptile, the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingih), is documented<br />

by MNDNR as occurring in the vicinity of the transmission corridors in Anoka and Sherburne<br />

counties. In Sherburne County, the transmission corridor passes through land classified by<br />

MNDNR as "known concentration areas" of Blanding's turtles. There are fifteen known areas<br />

throughout Minnesota (Hoffman 2004).<br />

A State-listed endangered butterfly, the Uncas skipper (Hesperia uncas), is documented by<br />

MNDNR as occurring in the vicinity of the transmission corridor in Sherburne County (Hoffmann<br />

2004). Uncas skippers are associated with xeric prairies and open woodlands, which are<br />

declining due to fire suppression and natural forestation (Hoff 2000).<br />

The tall nut-rush (Scleria triglomerata), a State-listed endangered species, occurs in the vicinity<br />

of the transmission corridor that passes through Bunker Hills Regional Park. Tall nut-rush is<br />

associated with dry or moist sandy ground in prairies and in the borders of marshes<br />

(Hoffmann 2004).<br />

2.2.7 Radiological <strong>Impact</strong>s<br />

Monticello conducts an annual REMP in and around the Monticello site and publishes an<br />

Annual Radiological <strong>Environmental</strong> Operating Report (NMC 2005d). Through this program,<br />

radiological impacts to employees, the public, and the environment are monitored, documented,<br />

and compared to the appropriate standards. The objectives of the REMP are the following:<br />

Provide representative measurements of radiation levels and <strong>radioactive</strong> materials in the<br />

exposure pathways and of the radionuclides that have the highest potential for radiation<br />

exposures to members of the public; and<br />

Supplement the radiological effluent monitoring program by verifying that the measurable<br />

concentrations of <strong>radioactive</strong> materials and levels of radiation are not higher than expected<br />

on the basis of effluent measurements and the modeling of the environmental exposure<br />

pathways.<br />

Radiological releases are summarized in two Monticello reports: the Annual Radiological<br />

<strong>Environmental</strong> Operating Report (NMC 2005d) and the Radioactive Effluent Release Report<br />

(NMC 2005e). The limits for all radiological releases are specified in the Monticello ODCM<br />

(NMC 2004b), and these limits are used to meet Federal standards and requirements. The<br />

REMP includes monitoring of the waterborne environment (ground, water, and shoreline<br />

sediment); airborne environment (airborne radioiodine, gross beta, and gamma); ingestion<br />

pathways (milk, fish and invertebrates, and food products); and direct radiation. The REMP<br />

August 2006 2-29 NUREG-1 437, Supplement 26 1

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