Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

Description of Site and Environment
2.2.9.2 Historic and Archaeological Resources at the Monticello Site
An archaeological records and literature search was conducted at the MNSHPO to identify
important resources that may be located in the area of potential effect. The area of potential
effect is defined by the NRC as the plant and its immediate environs. The plant is located on
the Mississippi River in an area typically considered to have high potential for archaeological
sites, and the area is known in Minnesota's early Indian and fur trade history.
The Final Environmental Statement (FES) for Monticello identified several properties within a
10-mi radius listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but none within the proposed
plant boundaries (AEC 1972; NSP 1971). The MNSHPO determined that there were no known
archaeological or architectural sites known in the immediate vicinity of the plant (Fridlay 1971).
Since the original FES was published, additional cultural resource work in the area has
confirmed the presence of cultural and historic resources in the vicinity of Monticello. No
resources have been identified within the plant boundaries, however, and none are anticipated
because of the disturbance created by the construction of the plant, as documented by aerial
photographs (Bloomberg 2005). Based on the absence of input from tribes with current or
historical ties to the region, no traditional cultural properties are believed to be located within the
area of potential effect. A review of plat maps from 1894, 1901, 1915, and 1931 housed at the
Minnesota State Historical Museum Library indicated that parts of the Monticello site were
owned as early as 1894. By 1915, the parcels had been purchased by Mississippi River
Electric Power Co., which planned to construct a dam at this location.
2.2.10 Related Federal Project Activities and Consultations
The staff reviewed the possibility that activities of other Federal agencies might impact the
renewal of the OL for Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. Any such activities could result in
cumulative environmental impacts and the possible need for the Federal agency to become a
cooperating agency for preparation of the SEIS.
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is located approximately 20 mi from the
Monticello site. The park's boundaries enclose approximately 54,000 ac and 72 mi of river that
extend in a narrow corridor along the river from Dayton to Hastings, Minnesota. The National
Park Service owns 35 ac (NPS 2005).
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 9 mi to the northeast of the
Monticello site. This refuge is 30,700 ac and its primary mission is to represent a diverse
biological community characteristic of the transition zone between tall-grass prairie and forest.
It also provides resting, nesting and feeding habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds,! and
habitat for resident wildlife (FWS 2005b).
August 2006 2-41 A NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 I