NRC Publishes Draft Environmental Assessment of Proposed Crow Butte Expansion‌

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Press Release

No: 17-052 December 18, 2017

CONTACT: David McIntyre, 301-415-8200

NRC Publishes Draft Environmental Assessment 

of Proposed Crow Butte Expansion‌

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission seeks public comments on a draft Environmental Assessment with a “Finding of No Significant Impact” for a license amendment request to authorize construction and operation of the proposed Marsland Expansion Area of the Crow Butte in situ uranium recovery facility near Crawford, Neb.

The Marsland Expansion Area stretches over 4,622 acres, of which 1,754 acres could be disturbed by the proposed action. The area is located approximately 11 miles south-southeast of the existing Crow Butte facility. The draft Environmental Assessment concludes that overall impacts from the expansion would be small for most resource areas, with potential moderate impacts in the short- term for specific aspects of three resource areas. If finalized, the Environmental Assessment and FONSI would complete the NRC staff’s environmental review of the Crow Butte Marsland license amendment request.

Notice of the draft document was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 15. Public comments will be accepted through Jan. 29. The draft Environmental Assessment, along with more information about the Marsland Expansion Area, is available on the NRC website. Copies are also available at the Crawford Public Library, 601 2nd St., in Crawford, Neb., and the Chadron Public Library, 507 Bordeaux St., in Chadron, Neb.