Regulatory Guide 3.8

Preparation of Environmental Reports for Uranium Mills

ML13350A257
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/30/1973
From:	US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
To:
References
RG-3.008
Download: ML13350A257 (15)

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U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

REGULATORY

DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS

GUIDE

REGULATORY GUIDE 3.8 PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL

REPORTS FOR URANIUM MILLS

APRIL 1973 USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES Copies of published guldes may be obtainert by request indicating the divisions desired to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington. D.C. 20345, Regulatory Guides are Issued to describe and make available to the public Attention: Director of Regulatory Standards. Comments and suggestions fot methods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of Implementing specific parts of Improvements in these guides ore encouraged and should be tent to the Secretary the Commbsion's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff In of the Commission. US. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington. D.C, 20545.

evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to Attention: Chief. Public Proceedings Staff, applicants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliance with them It not required. Methods and solutions different from those tat out in The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:

the guides will be accepltable It they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by theCommission. 1. Power Reactors

6. Products

2. Research and Test Reactors

7. Transportation

3. Fuels end Materials Facilities 8. Occupational Health Published guidies will be revised periodically, as appropriate, ti accommodate 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antilrust Review comments and to reflect new information or experience. 5. Materials and Plant Protection 1

0. General

TABLE OF CONTENTS /

Poge

.INTRODUJCTION .. ................... . 3.8-1 National Environmental Goals ......... ............................. -I

Applicant's Environmental Reports ....... ............................... -1 Preparation ol linviron ental Reports ...... .............................. -2 S7AND..IARI) "-VARIA T ..lND CONT7/:A'T 1 FIN"'AIROQ.'11hN'V7'AL. REPORTS

I"OR URANIUM MVILLS

1.0 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES ... ....................................... 3.8-2

2.0 THE SITE ...................................................... 3.8-2

2.1 Site Location and Layout ...... ................................. -2

2.2 Regional Demography, and Land Use ..... ......................... .- 2

2.3 Regional Historic. Scenic, Cultural, and Natural Landmarks ............ -3

2.4 Geolo . ....... ............................................. -3

2.5 Seism ology ............. .............................. . 3

2.6 Hydrology . ............................................. 3

2.6.1 Groundwater ..... ...................................... -3

2.6.2 Surface Water .. ............................... ...... -3

2.7 Meteorology ...... ........................................... -4

2.8 Ecolo,. .................................................. 4

2.9 Background Radiological Characteristics ..... ....................... . .4

2.10 Other Environmental Features ...... ............................... -4

3.0 THE MILL AND MINE ............................................ 3.8-4

3.1 External Appearance of Mill ................................. 4

3.2 Mill C ircuit . .. .. .. .. ...... .... ..... . .. .. . .. . .. .. .. .. .... 4

3.3 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents . ........................... 5

3.4 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents ...... .......................... -5

3.5 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems ..... ........................ -5

3.6 Mining Activities ....... ........................................ -5

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SITE PREPARATION, MILL

CONSTRUCTION. AND MINE OPENING .......................... 3.8-5

4.1 Site Preparation and Plant Construction . ........................ .5

4.2 Resources Committed .......................................... .6

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF MILL AND MINE OPERATION .......... 3.8-6

5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other Than Man . ..................... 6

5.1.1 Exposure Pathways ...... .................................. .6

5.1.2 Radioactivity in Environment .... ............................ .6

5.1.3 Dose Rate Estim ates . .................................. 7

5.2 Radiological Impact on Man. ...... ................................ -7

5.2.1* Exposure Pathways ......................................... -7

5.2.2 Liquid Elfluents ..................................... -7

5.2;3 Gaseous Effluents .................................... -7

5.2.4 Expostre Pathways ................................... -7

5.2.5 Summary o1 Annual Radialion Doses ........... I... .......- 7 ii

5.. l 1,ctis ,i 'hcm icul Dischargce . ........................... .. . .s

5.4 fl'ect. uof Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges .................... -7

5 .5 O ther Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..

5.61 Co 111110 lt LI . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... .

(1.0 1:I'I-LUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS AND MONITORING

PR OG R A MS .. .... ................ .................. ........

6.1 Applicant's Preoperational Environmental Programs ............. I... -.

(.1 .I Surface Waters .... .............. ............ ...... .. .

6.1.2 ;rou zdw at r . ....................................... S

6.1.2.1 Physical and Chemical Parm eers .................... -

6.1 .2.2 Models -..

6. 1.3 Air ....... ......................................... .... .

0.1.3.1 Nleleorology . ................................. J)

6.1.3.2 Models .......................................

6.1.4 Land ................................................. .. 9

6.1.4.1 Geology and Soils .9

6.1.4.2 Land Use and Demographic Survecv ..... ................ ..9

6.1.4.3 Ecological Parameters ............................

6.1.5 Radiological Surveys .................................. -9

6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational Monitoring Programs .. ................ .9

6.2..1 Radiological Monitoring .... ............................... .- 9

6.2.1.1 Mill Effluent Monitoring System ..... ................... .

6.2.1.2 Environmental Radiological Monitoring .... ............... . 10

6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring ............................. -10

6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring . ............................. . 10

6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring . ................................ . -10

6.3 Related Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Programs .......... -10

7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS ......................... 3.8.10

7.1 Mill A ccidents ... .......... ...... .. .............. .. .. .... -10

7.2 Transportation Accidents . .................................. . 10

7.3 Other Accidents .. ....................................... . -10

8.0 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL CONSTRUCTION AND

OPERATION .. .............................................. ..3 .8I- I

8.1 Benefits .. . . . .. .. .. .... .. .... .. .. .. .. .. ..... . .. .. .. .... -II

8.2 Costs . .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .... .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. -Il

9.0 RECLAMATION AND RESTORATION ... .......................... 3.8-12

10.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTION ....................... 3.8.12

11.0 BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS ..... ................................. 3.8-12

12.0 ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND CONSULTATIONS ............... 3.K.12

13.0 REFERENCE .S ................................................. 2 iii

INTRODUCTION

0 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS

l'lior ti the iss ce ol' . lic*llse aI!Ili ,illi.!

uan lRepo * ('it ioll Pelil:lit Siage. " which (li iiucl Iollowinu ciiuvilo~lillicl~l~al col~lsidcrlaliolls:

eilsses Ilie Ilm lium, milling i te l.. U..S. ..A tom~ic Filler'.e'

tl.t\i '"(a) I Ile o1\irntttlieiltal impact l l't lhe prololl.,,ed :lcl ionl.

('iml ,I Iissioffi I. TeLqlitld it, :ts:vs- IIl i It)elltIia l ellViii'ri,, iinital t'l'¢cts of lIte proposed :clivities in ordel "-(h a:ll advesv en'it'illltelltial eflecls which to :a elleIha'.il Ist l it thle liceise will hI,consistent

'i caninot be avoided shult ld the proposal he impjlleentled.

1'(10 alternatives it) tile prloptsed act:ilo.

., h the .itait ';al *'nvir, icnii _lt al-sas I set I'orth by tile ii inal Hiv

' r, in11t1citl Policy tit 'f10(P) 4PuhIic Law "(di tihe irclalionship hetweeni local Nliirilet-nrti

'111*1I llli ttle tit obtain itil'ot im;lliol esselllial tot this iuses (It it* 's tell'il*llltlelit anld tile IlnaillTulailllC. alid

¢l~h~l~C~i~eil f t~lglcri~lplolduivi\ily., alid

,1 ("ite"Cii ii tcrqluii ea;ih appli,:.ail 'ti r :1 Ii ieWhi, M b llif :I !e I'm OI(If tile potenitial "lcllily irickersiblel ;miti hi clrie\,:i!le

• n,,tV etllIal itIIl`pacit 0l, Ile piltcused mill andItielated conlilltlllltets iof rft.titOrces vwiich \o'ildll intvolv'ed in vite..

st I';.I ile proposcd aciliti slittild it li: iliplcl meltl ed.'"

The discussiot of allerlialives It the pioe*osd Thle t:ltltolIal ivil*1onitelti;tal goals as ex)l'essed by" actlion in the Eniviiuintueitlal Repoli tuitl lie stifliciently lil National Environmental Policy Act (NITAI are :is comiplele to aid (te ('oinumissionl ill dC\vehloing alnd explorinig. purstiatit ito ecliot I 02( )[D It fthe Nationtlal i't.viri tlif-leltal e oItolicy Act. ":aplpIopriate it is tile conltinuliitg reslpittsillililv )I"tihe alteratiive. .s.. it aut proiposal

• which involves i:tdie;al Gu1t 4'e L 'lt. 1 It'l Use .a1l practlic:al ie,;ItS.

unresolved conflicts coitcertiittu :tllernalive uses of

,', )i iýIetlI w IithIof IleI ese ttial ctIsideraItions ofI tiatiolt al available rem.,,u:es."

p, lic>. tit improve and coordinate Federal plans.

I'LIICInIonis. into rarils. :aind i,,

ll t) lhe end that 1t1 The Envir t 1:ll Report must :ilso include ai Nal~~wl ii1:i.\

cost-belnetil anallsi. which 0I<Stite:ls :an1d halaltteS filt:

ell\virnlllltuntl elffIecls of the facility and lihe alteniatives

-(I ) fillfill ftil res-itlisllilitict.l, each available for reducine or aviiidili:adlverse cttvirotitninetal ct.icrattion as trtlsce k,tife environment 1.fr succecdinl effects, ias well as lhe envtiron mtieittl. economic.

,,lleral olns:

technical. :tid olher '-encl'ils of the facility. The

-( 7 ) :IssLlre I'for all Atnteri,:ais s:l "c. cos-henlefit alnal'sis shall. to lth fullest extent hle:al1hf,11. lIr')(I ,.'tiv;. .mid .,esthetically an~d culturally practicable. quanlil' the various l'aclors considered. To Ihe extentr that sich f'actors caitIit[ be tqtiantifled, tilhe\

, allaihl the Wivest ramge ol' hencticial shall he di sci ssed inl qualhiative termis. The t1 , , thle L'irlnltllillt.ll Withitlti Ih1 de ral:datiotn. risk 1,, E.n\virotimenal Reporti should conlain stlfl'icit.il dala to hteatlt t'i .. llI. ,rit titl;t,. undesiral.ble and itivintended aid the ('otitiissimn iln its development of ain

,' 'I I .":,. IteI I ccu:,: independent cosl-b*,lelnil analysis Covering tile factors

'4lprcserve: imptlortant hist oric. speci flied.

11 itiatur:,l apIlecls Ill'I' tr national heritage and maintIaiinl. s.\herever possible. :ant environment which The EnnvirotimenitAl Report must further include a supprts idive'rsity .mli vatiety 1I" individual choice: discussion of' the status olfl'ompliatice of thle fIacility with applicable environmental qiuality siand:ards and

'i5 ) achllcve a halance hetvween requirements which have been itmposed by Federal.

1'PIlJ

iticn mid iesotrce use which will permit high State. and regional agencies having tespuonsibility for

'0taritards A' livine :rtad a wide ,harine 14 lilfe's amenities" environmental protection. Ili addition, ihe

IlldL

environmental impact ol the facility shall be fully

(i)elnhance the quality of renewable discussed with resp'ect to miatters covered by such t.s*,lltc', and appromch the 11taxitlttl attainable standards and requirements irrespective of' whether a recyclitg of di: phletalbl resnirces.'" cerlificaioti f'rotu the appropriate aulhority has been obtained (including, bill not limited Il. tiny permil or APPLICANT'S ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS certification obtained pursuant to sectlion 401 of' Ilie Federal Water Pollution Control Act,. as amended). Such

\ppcndix I). entitled -"Interinm Statement oF discussion shall be reflected in Itle cost-benefli analysis Generatl PIdic :and l'rocedurc: lniplemcntalion of the section oif this report. While compliance with AEC

National t i-lvir-mniattl Policy Act of 1960I (Ptubhlic Law standard!. and criteria pertaining to radiological el'fects

, l-l 1)).'" t*l ehu('onuullission's regulaflion 10 CtR Part will he necessary to meet the licensing requirements olf SO0,specilties iii pj-ragr:iplhls A. iand 14. thal each appli- the Atomic Energy Act. the cost.heneili analysis shall.

camt hrIa license ,tlhori/ing ,uraniumn milling subhmit For the purposes of' tile National Elnvironniental Policy wilhl tis licetise application tw\o hundred copies of' a Act. consider tle radiological eflfects logether withItother separate doctmillelit entiteied "Applicanut's Einvirornmenlal environmenlal effects ofi tile facilily.

3,8-1

PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS should be ussd wherever contrihutory rto the clarity ot tite Report. Descriptive and ntarrative passages should lie 'II

brief and concise.

Appendix i) of 10 CFR Part 50 provides general inftormation concerning lie content of' an applicant's Plerlinent plblishcd inlornmaliti rulating it Ihe sii.

E'nvironmental Report. To provide specific and detailed g.idance, the following "Standard FIormat and Content the mill. and its sitrrunditrgs shotuld lie reftererc.cd.

of Environmental Reports for Uiranium Mills" has been Where published in'ormnlation or aSS ptrIt.ll IIl, aI t.

essential to evalualte specific ettvitonlti.intal eff'ects ol tIhe prepared.

proposed activilies. they ,,lhrthlt 1e Inchideil ill slirnrar If any topics in this guide relate In informatioir not or ve.'rhalhn I'ar tt itt the Ltrvirrllrlrr ltal Reportl r a ati available at the litile the environmental report is appendix to the replrt.

prepared. the applicant should indicate when the il'ormniation will he available. If any topics are not Some ofl' lte irtl'tbratinam to he included ill the relevant to the particular mill under consideration, the Etnvironmenittal ReporI illtai have alr'ady beenr pr eI reptd applicant should idenlii tv them. by the applicanti dhirinr prepiratoion of Ihe licente application for the propied mrill. [i such casc!,. In,

~il-'rtnation (wrheither ill tie form of Ieyt. iables,. I

Descriptive and/ol narrative text as well as tahle,,. tigires) should be incorporated ill !Iinviionrtnielal

!he charts, graphs. etc. should be used itt the Report. Ea,:h kLrwert whetc appropriate itt order to provide a complete subject should be treated in sufficient depth to permit d i,.t.ttent.

thie Commission to evaluate independently the extent of the environmental impact. lit cases where test results are The site I'Or ilte mill *,ray a.lso he the site )I tine needed to support cotnclusions. test data. procedures. mine. Tite applicant, in pteparintt tie -nrvirotnrteial techniques. and equipment used to perform t-'sts should Report relating to such I mill. slrild crnsidel the be included. Tables. line drawings. and photographs ctumulative or svnereistic efects of rinirting at.lliv tli0.

STAVNDA RD FORAil T AND COA'TIFT OF LNW IROA'A1IETA I. RI:'POR 7.

FOR UtRANI U3A ML S

1.0 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES waterways). Indicate total acreage uwned by the applicant and that part occupied or mrodified hb the This section should discuss the proposed project to mine and mill. Indicate other existinge and proposed rises be conducted at the site. For example. stuch matters as of applicant's property and the acreage devoted it rllese ore reserves, anticipated quantity of ore to be mined and uses. Describe any plans lbr site ttniiificationns. such tasa milled. mining method, plans for overbturden disposal. visitors' center, etc. A contotur map oIif the site shtold milling process, plans for tailings control. operating plans also be supplied.

and schedules, expected longevity of the project, U308 content of tlte ore. concentrate yield, and end use of the 2.2 Regional Demography and Land Uses product should be discussed.

Two maps indicating nearby inhabiled locationýs

2.0 THE SITE and the locations and areas or ltowns and cities should ht- provided, One map should cover :itt area slhowing all This section should present dte basic, relevant inhabited locations which might reasotnably he aftecled information concerning those physical, biological, and bh the proposed activities. The pntattent arnd trantsient human characteristics of the area environment that populations within t hese areas should be tablkitled I'm might be affected by the construction and operation of a the last year in which affected populationts were 1tro mine and mill on the designated site. To the extent influenced by the proposed activities phils censuts yeats possible, the information presented should reflect through the anticipated life of the project. The other observations and measurements made over a period of more detailed map should include the sanie itnfortration years. for an area whose boundary represents those points where individuals, if present

t. might be exposed to

2.1 Site Location and Layout radioactive materials ill excess of lroc percenitt if'nau r lal background.

Provide a map showing the site and its location with respect to State. county and other political Descriptive material should incride tables givin.e subdivisions. On detailed maps show location olf the significant population and visitor slat r-;tics ti plant perimeter; exclusion area boundaty: applicant's neighboring schools, plantls, hIspitals . splorl,t taciliic*.

property. abutting and adjacent properties, including residential areas, parks. etc., willtirt 5 miles of1rIhL' plaur.

water bodies, wooded areas, and farms: nearby Indicate mite nature and extenr ot pes.laim ulce settlements; industrial plants. parks. and other public (agricult tire. livestock raising. da iliesi. rt,,idence-.

facilities, and transportation links (railroads. hiediways. industries. recreatioh. tralspo'rrliollr. etc. l.

3.8-2

Note whether any other nuclear fuel cyce facilities strike and dip and lateral and vertical distribution of ate located within a 50-mile radius of the site. pernieclhle layers. shales. and clays. nud data on any a'tult . tracttre. or joint pa:ttllr which Iniay exist.

Thic deikree of detail it ble provided will generally l.ocatlotis of l',:il otl crops wltese seepage from landlills.

,,teliend oin the distance troth the pla:wn.. Nearby :;tcivities tiittl~Otlditeitts, uald sewage facililics is likely htooccuitr Ieeni.'illvv withiin 5 miles (I tie f leiti11 should he sh4oulld lie tIoted.

tlc::-ribeti in greater detlil t hall lhose ait i lerlt disall,,ec's. The localioin oit' grolllidw.!tel wilt I' rc.'pecl (t tailings potds. liquid isnpmiintnnth s,. smiltal land Ills..

2.3 Regional Historic. Scenic. and sewvauge dislosal facilities is imlioitlm Mft lhe Cultural. and Natural LUndinarks assessi.ellt of possible rtj1..dwater con'tamin;iiation. "he discussiot should include u steituIe.ICeI t i.cel lillU tile e:' valed I'0 ; ilhier Ihieil historic. scenic. hvdraidic l'rtiqPties (leimteabilit' anid loiosityl yi, [hli ctlii;mal. if, :,liaoral .ignilicaice may be a.lctied. The loaleriauls hleiweet tlih. croiuitd ' and illie above l'.;;,ottiilz.i;tillaReport should ilclulde a b ei.. discutssion tacilities.

Il [t iclh¢ llln ~ic, so.ellic. cut l~ll,]: . :1111.lil m att',lsign Iil t.'U l e.

..

it :l.\,. of III site ;tr1ll lcatl b ' , us vithh specilic 2.5 Seismology

ticill .ot0l i 1 I ile sites 311d Ialeas listed in the Nati llil!

Ruist('r o! Ifisutric Ilaccs and Ihe .Vati'ual Registry (q/ Discuss the seismicivy (including historyl of' the Natiral Latlhnarks. The I972 cumulative revision of" tihe regiotn. Where possible. associ:e seisnliC even; ts wili

,V,,10on1l Rec*ister oi" Ilistoric Places" is in the F.ederal lectonic 'featlres idenillied in the LeoItev discussion.

Reegisier ,I March, 15. 11)72.37 F.R. 5428: additions are Furnish a reciotal earthquake epicenter niap shiowing, ptiblish,.d in the telhralRegister on the Iirst Tuesday of site lucation.

e:!,. ittmlih. The National Rcgistryi l Natural

/.dhdrk alJpeats in the I"'t/h-rat Rt.wistcr If1* January 2.6 Hydrology

2'1. I "72. Also. the applicant should discuss its consitistIatiti' with th[e approplrite State Liaison Of'licer l Ie effects Ohpl3t COts.,tt octiOtlaind r*.-liOll oit fotr lisitoric Preservation ctmceriuinu- proIilriies under ground and sutrfatce watier sources are ofi prime cmnsideraiion tfir nominuiion to ti le :.a iiJ'hal R(egiýster o.i" impo;tance. The informaituion indicated in the followimg Iliirri, laccs. 'Te tinvionmentuil Rzeptort should secticns should Ihepresetted in sufticient delail to allow O conltail evidence oft" cootact with the Historic Preservat ioun; 11fficer for the stale intvolved and a copV Of artii.dependent review it) le made of tfie effects of construction aitd opCratiOu otl boilth resources.

his coillnllnens concerning the effect oi't l] tindertaking on hisrtoric. arc!,aeologieal. and cultitral resources. State 2.6.1 Groundwater i.iaisil Officers are listed iii the l'ederal Register of March 15. I1072 and stipplemenicd in Decemheir 1972. Descrilie [lhe Itydrul om of t he region that affects In additioln, indicate whetier or inot the site has any file local groumdwater aqtltifers. foruations. sources. and richacoltlmicat sigaiticatiee and explain how conclusiotns sinks. Describe the recharge potential of the immediate were reached. If such sipLil icance or value is present. plant area. including vertical and hori/ontal describe ikluiw, Ito ensutre its preservation. permeabilities of' the natural and modi lied terrain, as well as that of tailing areas. Describe the presentu and State whether new roads. pipeluies. an1d Utilities projected regional use: tabulate existing private users coi *tieted with the proposed proiect will pass thIrouglh wit hin the area influenced 1y the proposed activities and oIr lie'tr atV area or location titoknowI historic. scenic. all local and regional public users (auniounis. waler levels.

,tIIl :il. tat oral. or archaeolh*gictl signilicance. locations. and drawdown): indicaie gradients and seasonal varialiions ill grotitdwatel levels beneath the

2.4 Geology sile.

I)csclihe Ile latjor geological aspects of tie site 2.6.2 Surface Water and its environs. The discussiot should note the stratigiaphhy,. sirtteture. antd tectonic history. Comtment Describe the location. size. shape. and other on recional cotinuity. fatilltng. dip. and strikes of hydrologic characteristics of water bodies in the environs w:iler.hacriig tirntatiius that will he affected. An ohI' the site.

inventory of ecmonmically ittiporlani minerals, in addition ti Oile uraniuim ore. shloid be inchlded when Include a description ott' upstreanm and dowustreanm nitting operatiotns mc planhunedl. Ally cflecl It.at iplanned river control structures and downistream water supplly operau ions mitlt have otn the I'ulture availahilily ol other users (inucluding location. amiott. and purpose. i.e..

mineral resources should he nooled. doimestic. agrictilitural. etc.). atid plrov'ide a topographic miap showing tlie niujor hydrologic feature

s. Assuming

0 vicinity

~Detailed geolhogiical data :a1building siles atnd in Ilie

)t' ta1iliiIIgs pinds oIr olhel eff'llellt failure of any sitc dams or sulid process waste piles tiller severe Ilood.produciutg corlitios. a*ralvze and irpotindcniels. saniiary hindfills. an;d sewaige dislpos~al describe any i.ituriotus effecls 1todowist reanti residetlls l'acilities should lie itlchided. These ilata should include tromr flood waters or coilt anitiliants i; lie waest

e. Where

potential tbr harnm exists fruni such assumed failure. tile corntributoz ito pnedictimns of planrined activities on the r.e.i nal hiola. "l the ,nMn;:L1 or "31h1atiOns applicant should describe thie flood. foundation. ult(I I

seismic criteria used in the design of such facilities and discuss their ability to safely pass or retain a probable maximum flood (PMF). as defined by the Corps of stesses I ll so. "C-s Stich ."a pollltarils. as '.ell as any l:,gincers. ecoilo ical ComtIl IIt), IIS ,uI I iv. t, t o l such h 5strl es.

l)escrib ic ,"alw.,;th t)l ecot-h--ical ,iicce.siot)n. )s,',ss the

2.7 Meteorology llistric,,s if ;:tr. iw, t, l piilet ics, to cal:stlophes (cautsed I,\- nalral I* licn.-t cn.ar thfiat livc had t sig~iilicatn i 11 :JP

't 411)1,'gLonl lj ,l~

Present tile following data on site nielctorohlogy: (I

diurnal and monthly averages and extrenmes of"

tempera lure and humidity: (2) monthly wind 'Flit MMII, .

N )). l oirma.t ittt'nhut d lie idemlitilied, A'.

characteristics iincluding speeds. directions, frequencies par of this ideiriac-ti,,. prei'vt halistldatiu "liililished and joint wind speed. stability category, wind direction mnaierial dealimu with ihe ,.lolv 1 h1_icgmlor, Lo ;cale frequencies: (3) data on precipitation: (4) frequency of and describe any ccohgic::l oi hiolocical sltudies ut' lie occLrrence and effects of storms. site oi its etnviron, nim" in1 Prur!e's..

(In thie second item. the joint wind 2.9 Back ground Radiological Characteristics speed-stabiliiy.direction frequencies should he presented in tabular forni, giving the frequencies as fractions when Regional radiological datz:. iricludingbholh iuaiia:d using 5-year National Weather Service summaries or as background ra:tiation levels and results of niastuemcnents number of occurrences when using only one or two of any concentrations of radioaclive matelrials occurring years of onsite data. The data should be presented for in important biot:a. il. soil and rocks. a:id in regional each of the 16 cardinal ,.ompass directions. and the surface and local ground watcrs should he reportetl. This data, whelher determined during tile applicant's stability categories should he established to conform as preoperational surveillance program (see Sectiont. .1.5)

closely as possible with those of Pasquill.)

or obtained from other sources, should he referenced.

2.8 Ecology

2.10 Other Environmental Features In this section the applicant should identify the For certain sites. 3onie relevant information on the important flora and fauna in the region of the site mill environs may not clearly fall within mile scope ol' the (which may reasonably be expected to be affected by preceding topics. Additional inforniation may be the proposed activities), their habitats and distribution.

required with respect to some etivironmiental keantties in as well as the relationship between species and their order to reflect the value of lite site and site environs it)

environments. A species. whether animal or plant. is important segments of tife populatio

n. Such information

"important" (I) if it is commercially ar recreationally should be included here.

valuable, (2) if it is rare or endangered. (3) if it affects the well-being of some important species within criteria

3.0 THE MILL AND MINE

(I) and (2) above, or (4) if it is critical to the structure and function of the ecological system. A "rare or The operating mill and mine are to he described in endangered" species is any species officially designated this section. Since the environmental effects are of as such by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

primary concern for this report. the mill arid mine effluents and related systems that interact with the In cataloging the local organisms. the applicant environment should be described in particular detail.

should identify and discuss the abundance of the important terrestrial vertebrates and aquatic organisms. 3.1 External Appearance of Mill The discussion should include species that migrate through the area or use it for breeding grounds. The The building layout and plant perimeter. exclhsioa applicant should provide data on the count and boundary, and plant profile should be shown to scale hy distribution of important domestic fauna, particularly line drawings or other illustrative techniques.

those that may be involved in the radiological exposure of man via the food chain route. A map that shows the The architectural design and efforts to make tile distribution of the principal plant communities should structures and grounds aesthetically pleasing should he be provided. noted.

Thie discussion of species-environment relationships

3.2 Mill Circuit should include descriptions of area usage (e.g.. habitat.

breeding, etc.): it should include life histories of important regional animals and aquatic organisms. their The entire mill process and/or circuit should lie quantitatively and qualitatively described in sufficient normal scasonal population fluctuations: and it should include identification of food chains and other depth to permit confirmation of the quantities and constituents of' all gaseous. liquid, and solid wastes anrd interspecies relationships, particularly when these are

3.8-4

c.,0 tier i s ienrleraed itI IIh% I Ui'ess. A flow diagram of (lie I. loIxpgraIhiical maps shIIwitig itcatiotis and process aind/or circuit should also be itIcluded. areas to be mined and haulage and access roads-

2. A descripition of' the tining niehod(s) ti) he

3.3 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents eniployed;

.A descrii li ittn of rIt' I II ethldis) for

(.leadly idemi'cilv ih locatiot of release poinis "or all accurtiilatiiig amid storing wastcs iii -,t to ittimtitttize gaseous. liquitid., and solid wasIts and ef'lIetItS (including aesthetic atnd othei effects:

bulk storaceIt ICitllo S. i.e., piles (ot I a1:dLor tailings, 4. Idenlificatiol of11 a.! so*rices t' eflluenits etc.1 spect'il'tie qulantitics. ioncentrations. and tile associated with mining activities tlhmilave dusts. bulk physical and chemic:al characteristics of" all nmaterials storage locatlions. etc.J. includilln leleaise ra:les and released. arid mIaxirnnrti iele:asw rates shouild le anvrziee concetitratioris aitd I cir physicl. and ciheomical included plus all perrtineut supporting informtation such characteristics:

as :ssimptittions and com1iputaltional methods ti.red. Tile 5. A descrilt ion of i0let tlhls tltitit) iiite antd quanilitics ati(d co.licent rat i. ts or tinotradio acIive ctm rol releases of eftluents into t lie environs:

matierlals teleased into the environs should be cotmpared 0. Anl other inftormation that might be helpful with State arid othcr applicable *t:andards. ill assessirng tire envirtirtueotal e't'tecs coInected with the mining project.

3.4 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF SITE

Provide a deos-ription of mill waste and effluent PREPARATION, MILL CONSTRUCTION,

ont'rotl S:..stems and eqiUipment for nininitniig to as low AND MINE OPENING

is practic:ibh, tile quanltities of materials released into Ihe t nvi rI ment. Ident it,\ the operat inig efficiency The ctnstLrctiotiof 0

,.i ira'ittll11 mill and related f1!ctors I"r such systems and equiipMent ill relation to mille openitilg will inevitably a'ffcct thie eltvironmettll"

curremin hbet methods I'Mr ,:mtrolliti itilline wastes and some tit [lie effects wil\ Ibe." dvelse. I'ff'ects are eflluents and describe the olixrating practices to be considered adverse i t'environhirt-eital change or stress causes a ia.uable or otherwi.e iiiipo.rimit bitiic poptpla- prsue(.d dtizr.Q the lifet of"tile proposed mill.

tios or natural nesotti Ce ti t he less safC, less hCahlliv. less T:wr va'ste retenliin svstcms. a desigm analysis of abutndant. less productive. less aesthetically or culthrally pleasing: or if' the change omstress reduces tihe diversity tile integrity N' the proposed systenmtsI should be arid variety of individunal choice. dhe staindard of Iivint .

0 pro vidid. This shioul d incitide:

I. Draw.ings showing tire layout in plan: typical ctltsS sections of all embanknients showing proposed design and. it' applicahlc. :aticipated lultire cxtentsiols:

or the extent of sharing of life's amenities. or if" the chatnce or stress tends to lower thie qtuality of renewable resotrces or to inmpair thi: reclcyin of depletable res, .1ices.

and tithc" prrtiltenl design hetails. n-mbanknieni design shmild include intornimation --it heihlits. top width, side I n the appl ica itt's dicussion of' adverse s.ltLýI.,. Irehoatrd. seep*ge ct.lr*l. and protectitotn of embankminei strfaocs as well as foundation design. environmental effects. it should be made clear which of these are considered tttavoidable and subject to later

2. flhe results of soil tests. ecologic exploration.

nature of fotundation materials stability investigations, as amelioration and which are recarded as unavoidable and irreversible. Those effects that represent arn irretrievable well as charractetistics of fill material and a description of tihe corist r tt ion met hods and specifications. commitment of resources should receive detailed cotnsideration in Section 4.2. (In the context of this discussion. "'irretrievable committmeit of resources"

3,5 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems alludes to natural SOLurCes and means a peiaianelnt impairment of thesc. e.g.. loss it*. wildlife habitat:

D)csciihvue an- other notradioactive solid or liquid destruction of nesting. breeding. or nuosing areas:

vatsl mat erial.. such as sanitary. laundry. and chemical interference with migratory roultes: loss (i1 valuable or altrahl ory wastes thfat may bc wcncrated during mill aesthetically ireasured natural area.s: as wyell as.

op'ration. kc,cribe the manner in which they will be expenditure of directly utilized resources.)

ita ted and controlled and describe procedures for ditlisl*1*al.

4.1 Site Preparation and Plant Construction l)escritlc ;aytolher gaseoUs effluenots (i.e., from

"lhe applicant should organize the discussion in diesel eneines. heating pluanis. incinerators) created terms iof thle effects of site preparation (including mine during mill operation: estimatt tile frequency of release opening) and maill constructiont ott (a) land rise and (h)

mird describe how the\, w.ill be treated before release to water use. The applicant should consider contsequences to bolh hltatim andi wildlife populations anid indicate which are inavoidable. reversible. et

c. according to tihe

3.6 Mining Activit..

calegorization set forth earlier in this section.

This [punlimo of tire report should contain a In the land use discussion. describe low tirotugh desc ipl ion of the interrelated mining activities Inclluding: conmtruction activilics may disturb the existing terrain

3.8.5

and wildlife habitats. Consider the effects of such The impacts uL operalion 01t titc prulOxsCd act0iviv activities as creating building material supply areas: should be, to rite fu!!est extent practicable. quantified building temporary or permanent roads, bridges, service and systemattcally presented. In tlte discussion of each lines" disposing of trash, excavating, and land filling. impact. the applicant should make clear whether the Provide information bearing on such questions as: How supporting evidence is based on theoretical. laboratory.

much land wvill be torn up? F or how long'? Will there he on-site, or field studies wuidertaken on *Iiis or on dust or smoke problems? What explosives will be used? previous occasions. The sourcc of each impact lie plant Where and how often'! Indicate proximity of human subsystem, waste effluent and the population or populations and identify undesirable imoacts on their resource affecced should be made clear in each cise. fhie environment arising from noise, from inconvenience due impacts should be distinguished in terms nf t heir effects to the movement of men, material. machines. including (it surface water bodies. groitodwa er. air. larid. land rise.

activities associated with any provision of housing. ecological systems. and impnrtant plants :nd anintials.

transportation. and educational facilities for workers and their families. Describe any expected chang:!s in Finally. Ithe applicanl should discuss ihe accessibility of historical and archaeological sites in the relationship between Ical short-term uses of mran's region. Discuss measures designed to mitigate or reverse environnmclf and Ith: r-ll-airlteoCll;t'l uld elhaldcClte"rI[ OLf undesirable effects, such as erosion control, dust long-term productivil,. Thi,:al'plicai: should assess the stabilization. landscape resntoa ion, control of truck action for cumulative arid prorccted long-ternt effects traffic, and restoration of affected animal habitat. from the point of view that each gcoeratiol is Inusree ol tle environment for each succeeding gene-ration.

The discussion should also include any effects of site preparation and mill construction activities whose 5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other Than Man consequences may be beneficial to the region.

In this section the applicant should consider lhe The discussion of water use should describe the impact oit biota other than rieal-, altrihut;ihle to the impact of site preparation and construction activities on release of radioactive materials from tie facility. The area water sources. Such activities would include mine biota to be considered are those species oJ local flora and local and migratory fauna defined as "'impottal'"il dewatering, diversion of streams. placement of fill material in the water. etc. The applicant should describe Section 2.8. Since the region may conrain tinry the effects of these activities on fish and wildlife important species, the applicant need :onusi'Jel only resources, water quality, water supply. aesthetics, and so those important species whose terrestrial and/or amquaic on as applicable. Measures to mitigate undesirable habitats provide the highest potentiai totadiatior effects, such as pollution control and other procedures exposure.

for habitat improvement, should be described.

5.1.1 Exposure Pathways

4.2 Resources Committed The various possible pathways for iadiatiom Discuss any irreversible and irretrievable exposure of the imlx)rtant locAl Ilora and local and commitments of resources (loss of land. destruction of migratory fauna should be identified and described in biota, etc.) that are expected should site preparation and textual arid flow-chart form:,t. The pallhways should mill construction proceed. Such losses should be include the important routes of radio:m:ctide evaluated in terms of their relative and long-term net, as translocation (including food chains leading to well as absolute, impacts. (See Section 5.6 of tlis guide important species) to organisms or sites.

for more detailed consideration.)

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF 5.1.2 Radioactivity in Environment MILL AND MINE OPERATION

In Sections 3.3 and 3.(1. the radionuclide This section describes the interaction of the mill concentrations in the liquid and gaseous effluerrs Iror*r and mine (discussed in Section 3) and the environment the proposed activities are listed. [it this seclitm. the (discussed in Section 2). To the extent possible. material applicant should consider how these effluents arc presented in Sections 2 and 3 does not need to be quantitatively distributed in tile enIvironrIoert.

repeated. Measures planned to reduce any undesirable Specifically. estimates should he p .vided fior tIe effects of the total project on the environment should be radionuclide concentrations in any water souorces. Otl described in detail. land areas. and on vegetation (on a per unit area hasisi iii the environs. If there are other conmpoenits of tlie In the discussion of environmental effects, as in physical environment that Itiay become corn anilrted Section 4. effects that are considered unavoidable but and thus cause the exposure of living organisms to either inherently lemnporary or subject to later radiation. they should be identified and their amelioration should be clearly distinguished from those radioactivity burden estimated. In addiltion. inItornIalt int regarded as unavoidable and irreversible. Those effects concerning any cumulative buildup of' radioutrclitls iii that represent an irret-rievable commitment of resources the environment should be presented anrd discussed. A

should receive detailed consideration in Section 5.6. sumnmary of data. assumptio'ns, and models used in

3.8-6

determininig radioactiivit concent:rattios and burdens niaxintiut grotntd-level concltniratiotns tiff :ite;

should be provided. individuals exposed at the site boundary inl life directiont P 5.1.3 Dse RMite Estimates ti' tlie prOvailintg wind: itndividuals exposed at tile site boulndaryv tnearest ito tle soturce.s if e,missiotn: and itdividuals exposed at hie nearest residetnce in the From consitderationS tit' exposure

,e ilihwayvs and direct ion of prevailincg wind. As.itune ann ual :,vetage the distribuIttiton ot radioactivity released into (lie itletor*ological conditionis. Ideh il'y localitins ol pointis ell'ir<lo s. lilt: a.lppliý:.n1lf sholt~ d estilliale the 1)1:13/4iln~lllln of release (slack. roof %"eill. etc.) used ill calculalitis.

radionuclidC CMIC1nitratiotis that imia%- be present in inporiati local flora and local and uitgraloy faulna. ElsitillatC deposilion of radio*allCillvlettrilals oil Values oft bioaccuttiiulation factorsI used ill preparing loud crops atnd pasture glass. Est inat C ittal body do:ses the estimates should be based oin site.specific data if (rein/year) amid significant doses received bY Lthe I ort31mis available: otherwise, values from the literature iliay be via such potential pathways.

utsed. The applicant shoulld tabulile and reference the values o1 bi'laccumul:tioi n lfactors used ill lie Provide ait appendix describing the models used inl cadl.iilat.ioji. these calculations.

5.2 Radiological Impact on Man

5.2.4 Exposure Pathways Ill ihis sectio~n the applicant shiild consider tle tAkdiolotgical effects ti operations and transportation o1f Provide ,'stim:aies of itdid'idu:il total thoses tmatlioaci Rve iiiaterials oin mIan. Fstimates kt' the Iretii/year) and popudlation WIdiscussed in Section 2.2)

ladiolohic:l im1pa cl ti inoalnvia varhioIs exposure total doses (man~retti:'earl at could be received via all pathways sho1uld he prOVided. pathways. Discuss any exposure patliway., if ihe', exist.

involving radionuclides accumulated iii sed imnleis o* inl

5.2.1 Exposure Pathw:ys other comilponent.s of tile ei'iitt .

Theic io t ssible pathw ays lor radiation ivat 5.2.5 Summary of Annual Radiation Doses e\pAiqire W. n:t:lliuld lie identitfied and described ill II P

ioxti~ial and Il ,.clhart firluat. The applicant should prreseti a table that suimnarit.es the estimated radiation dose to tile regiontal

5Liquid Effluents

.2.2 population front mill. or mine-related sources using values calculated in previous section

s. The tabulation

1.stimlate the expected annual average should include (a) the total doses ( man-rein/year) to the c,,tcetll rations tol" raidioactive nuclides listed in Sections population (discussed in Sectiion 2.2) front all

.. and 3.6) in receivintg water at lo,:ations where water receiving-water-related pathways and (b) tile total doses is consumned (t othervise used by hi inian beines or (ilian-rei/vyear) to the population attributable to whetv it is inhabited 1w biota of siglnificance to hulllllan gaseous e flu.nits.

food chains. Specify the dilution factors used in preparing the estitnates and tile locations where the 5.3 Effects of Chemical Discharges dilution factors are applicable.

In this section. the specific cuncenlrations of

)eterii ne the expected radionnuclide nonradioactive wastes in eflluctits at the points of ctincentranions iii aquatic and terrestrial org.nisms discharge should be compared with natural ambient sitnifica itt to hi uiman food chains. Use the concentrations without the discharge and also compared bioa ccu mtam itui factors giivei in Section 5.1.3 or supply with applicable standards. The projected effcots of the Shers as necessary. eflluenis for bothi acute and chronic exposure of the biota (including any long-term buildup in soils and Usint [he above inlformatit i and any ilther seditients and in the biota) should be identified and necessary supporting data. calculate [ie total body and discussed. Dilution and mixing of discharges into the

.ipfitic:ait organ doses freni/year) to individuals in the receiving cnvirons should he discussed in detail. atid popitlailti (discItssed in Section 2.2) fromt all estiniates of concentrations at variots distances from tile receiving-water-related exposure pathways, i.e.- all point of discharge should be provided. The effects on sources of' internal and external exposure (provide terrestrial and aquatic environments from chemical details atnd models of tile calculation as an appendix). wastes that contaminate Protundwater should be included.

5.2.3 Gaseous Effluents

5.4 Effects of Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges Froin release rates of radioactive gases and meteorological data (Sections 3.3. 3.0. and 2.7). Describe and discuss the environmental imtlpact estitnale ttotal body and significantt organ doses associated with sanitary and olihe minill waste s\stetis (retn/year) to: individuals exposed at (lie pomint of discussed in Sectioni 3.5.

3.s-7

5.5 Other Effects evaluated; consequently. the parameters to be. tieasued will be apparent. In sonie cases. it may he necessary for The applicant should discuss any effects of plant the applicant to establish a moniltoring program based (o operation that do not clearly fall tinder any single topic his own identification of-potential or possible effects of Sections 5.1 to 5.4. These may include changes in and to provide his underlying rationale for such.

land and water use at the plant site. interaction of the Accordingly. the applicant shOuld carefully review the plant with other neighboring plants. and disposal of solid plans for measurement of preexisting condition, tio and liquid wastes other than those discussed in Sections ensuie that these plans include all ifrcturs thdal ninst he

5.3 through 5.5. subsequently monitored, as discussed in Section 6.2.

5.6 Resources Committed Sampling design, fie qnency., nethuoddovy (including calibration and checks with standards). and Discuss any irreversible and irretrievable instrumentatiun for buth collection and an;alysis should commitments of resources due to mill operation and be discussed as applicable.

continued mining activities. This discussion should include both direct commitments, such as depletion of 6.1 Applicant's Preoperati onal uranium resources, and irreversible environmental losses, Environmental Program, such as destruction of wildlife habitat.

The programs for collection of environnmental data In this discussion, the applicant should consider prior to operation should be described in suflticient lost resources from the viewpoints of both relative detail to make it clear that the applicant has estab lished impacts and long-term net effects. As an example of a thorough and co in plre hensive approach to relative impact assessmen. the loss of a few animals of a environmental assessment. The description of these given species could represent quite different degrees of programs should he confined principally to technical significance, depending on the total population in the descriptions of instrumentation, scheduling. technique.

immediate region. Such a loss. however, in the case of a and procedures. Organizational aspects such as small local population, could be less serious if the same scheduling or validation are relevant only as they may species were abundant in neighboring regions. Similarly. bear upon technical program characteristics.

the loss of a given area of highly desirable land should be evaluated in terms of the total amount of such land in Where information fron the literature has been the environs. These relative assessmen:s should used by the applicant. it should be concisely summarized accordingly include statements expressed in percentage and documented by reference to original data so*urces.

terms in which the amount of expected resource loss is Where the availability of original sources that support related to the total resource in the immediate region and important conclusions is limited, the applicant should in which the total in the immediate region is related to provide either extensive quotations or referenices to that in surrounding regions. The latter should be accessible secondary sources. " In all cases, information specified in terms of areas and distances from the site. derived from published results should he clearly dis'inguished from information derived I'Tom It he

6.0 EFFLUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL applicant's field measurements.

MEASUREMENTS AND

MONITORING PROGRAMS 6.1.1 Surface Waters The purposes of this section are to describe in When a body of surface water may be affected by detail the means by which the applicant collected the the proposed activities, the applicant should describe the baseline data presented in other sections and to describe programs by which the background condition of the the applicant's plans and programs for monitoring the water and the related ecology were determined. in cases impacts of his proposed activities on the environment. where a natural water body has already been suhiected to environmental stress from pollulant sources. the Section 6.1 is addressed to the measurement of nature of this stress and its consequences should he preexisting characteristics of the site and the evaluated. The applicant should then estimate the surrounding region. This program will establish a potential quality of the affected water body.

reference framework for assessing subsequent

6.1.2 Groundwater environmental effects attributable to the activity. The applicant's attention is directed to two considerations pertinent to this section. First. the term "preexisting" In those cases in which the proposed activities mray potentially affect local groundwater. the program refers to the characteristics of the site prior to any mining-related, activities. A given characteristic or leading to assessment of potential effects should he described.

parameter may or may not require assessment prior to site disturbance and mill construction, depending on whether that particular characteristic may be altered at 6.1.2.1 Physical and Chemical Parameters these stages. Second, in most instances this guide The properties and configuration of the local aquifer will have been defined in sufficient detail (in indicates the specific environmental' effects to be

3.8-8

Section 2.6) to permit a reasonable projection of effects Sources of infornmation should be identified of proposed activities on tile groundwater. Methods for and their ;tcctiracv assessed. Methods used to forecast obtaining informaion on groundwater levels and from data should be described.

groundwater quality should be described.

6.1.4.3 Ecological Parameters

6.1.2.2 Models In this section tile applicant should discuss tile Models may be uisezi to predict effects such as program used to assess tihe ecological cliarattetistics of chzare iin groutrtdwa ter levels, dispersion of the site with primary reference to imnportant terrestrial ctn:ainurants, and eventual transport through aquifers biota.

to surlface water ttodics. Thie nodels should be described and supporting evidence for their reliability and validity 6.1.5 Radiological Surveys presented.

This section of tlte Environmental Report should

6.1.3. Air discuss tile iet hods used to decruuine thle preoperational radiation levels at thi.t sitl- and environs The applicant should describe the program for and dhe concern ralions of anv radioactive materials ubtaineig information on local air quality. if relevant. occurring in important local and regiunal biua. as well and local mnecetrology. The description should show the as in required soil, rocks. and surface waters.

basis fur predicting such effects as the dispersion of gaseous effluents as well as present the nrethndolovy for The methods used should be tlrorougJ.v described gadrhwring baseline data. and documented. The discussion should include identification of sampling or collectiion site

s. sampling

6.1.3.1 Meteorolof, methods, duration and frequency. arid analytical Tile applicant should identify sources of procedures (inclu din-g preanalysis t reatment.

meteorological data relevant to such effects as the instrumen tat ion, and minimum sensitivities) as dispersion of gaseous effluents. Locations of observation applicable.

stations. instrumnentat ion, and frequency and duration of'

measurements should be spieciflid both for the 6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational applicant's measuring aclivities and for activities of Monitoring Programs governmental agencies OT tiher organiz:ations on whose

4 informat"ir the applicant intends to rely.

6.1.3.2 Models Any models used by the applicant either to The applicant should present thie proposed ope.rational monitoring prograrr for planned operations.

Review of this description will be f'acilitated if the applicant includes inaps of observation sites and tabular derive estimates of basic meleorological information or presentation of summary descriptors of such factors as to estimate the effects of effluent systerns should he frequer,'y. type of sampling, method of collection.

descrihetl and their validity ant! accuracy discussed.

analytic method. pre-tnalysis treatment, instrumentation.

and minimum sensilivities. The program description

6.1.4 Lind should be explicit with respect to the parameter limits that are not to be exceeded under normal operating Data collection program., concerning the terrestrial environment of the proposed facility should be conditions and with regard to the actions planned in tile described and justified with regard to both scope and event the limits are exceeded.

methIudol gy.

6.2.1 Radiological Monitoring

6.1.4.1 Geology and Soil%

Geoloaical studies conducted in support of safety analywes should be. briefly summarized and The applicant's operational monitoring program for reference made to the relevant safety reports for a more radiological effects should be described both for the detailed presentation. The applicant should describe the mine and mill efflutent-monitoring system and for the collection of data on any soil conditions that may be environmental monitoring program.

altered by planned operations. The description should include identification of the sampling pattern and the 6.2.1.1 Mill Effluent--Monitoring System justification for it, selection, the sampling method, holding periods and preanalysis treatment. and analytic Describe, in general. effluent-monitoring techniques. systems for radioactive liquid and gaseous effluents.

Discuss the sensitivity limits for detecting radioactivity

6.1.4.2 Land Use and Demographic Surveys corresponding to routinely expected release rates. List The applicant should describe his program for the effluent streams, if any, that will not be monitored identifying the actual land use in the site environs and and provide a brief rationale for the absence of for acquiring demographic data for the region. monitoring.

3.8-9

6.2.1.2 Environmental Radiological Monitoring program:; are caticd oui by p1i) U :I; AIther agenC'i1C5 110;

directly supported by tile appiicanr. these prograis The operational surveillance program should should be identified and discussed. Relevance of such be described in detail, with specific attention given !o independent findings to the proposed facility should h."

the types of samples to be collected. sampling locations described, and plans for exchange olfinfurriation should and frequency. fhe analyses to be performed co each be presented. Agencies responsible for the p !rgants sample, and the criteria for investigating increases of should be identified. and Io the extcnt poJsihle. lie0

concentration of material detected in the environs. The procedures and mcthlodolugics ci,, tloyed should lic analytical sensitivity (detection threshold) for each briefly described.

analysis and the schedule for reporting data collected from the surveillance program should he discussed.

7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS

6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring otfis The applicantI should Ii~S linviIriL'*iei il effects of possible accidents that occir withiu Ihic The proposed measurement program, including instrumentationt. locations and frequencies. and mill or during transpo.)rtatiol ,  ;:di i iefials.

whether or not these accidents might, prIdtc 1 analytical techniques, should be fully described. The radiological impact onl the site andi/or its envitonis.

description o f the program should include instrumentation sensitivity and reliability. Monitoring procedures prescribed by local. State. or Federal 7.1 Mill Accidents agencies as conditions placed upon operation should be so identified. The applicant should provide art operatinc accident analysis for a spectrurn ot accidents which tiight occur The criteria for setting threshold levels for ranging in severity fromn trivial io vcrv serious.s. liach cla,.s corrective action should be presented. In the case of within the spectrum should he characterized by an prescribed quantitative standards set by agencies. the occurrence rate or probability and Iheir potential applicable regulation should be cited. In the case of environmental conselquettcs. if any. Eixamples of serious quantitative limits set by the applicant to conform to accidents would be a fire and "or explo.sion in a solvent qualitative standards or restrictions, the applicant's extraction circuit or tihe failure ot a w:lste retentioin rationale should be presented. In either case. the action system resulting from art act of" natunre or rnisoperati"ti.

to be taken if measurements exceed thresholds should be Lxamples of intermediate accidents would be ;afailurc of specified. the air cleaning systeoi serving the vellohcake arca during operation. the rupture of a vessel coolt -ijnit)g mill

6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring solutions, or a failure of a w asIC distrihuti.n pipeline.

An example of a trivial accident ,vohl otdhe le The applicant's program for monitoring malfunction of mill process equipment.

meteorological phenomena should be described.

7.2 Transportation Accidents

6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring The potential environtmental effect,, t ion a In the preoperational surveillance program the transportation accident involving radioactive materials applicant will have established methot' ilogy for should be evaluated. Even though the prthbability of determining the ecological characteristics of the region. such an accident may he low and its cotseqtueitces smrrall In principle, this methr'dology should be appropriate for the applicant should identify thle environmental effects the subsequent monitoring program to be maintained that might result. Adequate docurnentation ,hould he during plant operation. However. the applicant may presented to provide assurance thlit all satkt v choose to modify sonic aspects of his methodology in requirements will be met prior to tramisprliat ,In view of the requirement for protracted monitoring. Such radioactive materials.

aspects may include frequency. observation sites, and so forth. These should be described and justified. Also, the applicant should, in this section. indicate, to the extent 7.3 Other Accidents feasible, how changes in the physiological and behavioral characteristics of the observed biota will be ascribed to In addition to accidents that can iell ,.

specific effects of plant operation, to natural variation, radioactivity to the environs. there may he accidenlt.,

or to other causes. that, although radioactive materials are not irv, dlved. do have consequences that affect the enviromnen

t. Such

6.3 Related Environmental Measurement accidents as chemical e xplosiorns or fires. st c-iin boiler and Monitoring Programs failures, and leakage or rupture of vessels contaring toxic materials can have signiticant erivirnmmert ta When the applicant's site lies within a region fbr impacts. These possible accidentis anld associah'd etfkct s which environmental measurement and/or monitoring should be identified and evaluated.

3.8-I0

8.0 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL should provide pictorial drawings of struectures or CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION environmental modifications visihlc to the public (refer to Sectliot 3.1 ).

The purpose of this section is to provide guidance otn the iniormnatjo ttieneded to :iso.s the cCon0it'tic and 8.2 Costs social effCcts ot" tle proptosed la,:iliiy.

The ecollol,lic and social coiss resutlling [loi it the Ttheic :Ire. of course. litilttatiolls oil dhe cxtcnl to proposed :nuclcar facility and its in iltiji. projeci aie whiil: all the social and e,,;ttontic benefits irAnd costs ofa likewise cottplex and teed1to he appraised.

iiraniumin millini proect caa be evahlated. The wide The primary internal costs art: (I) tie carpital costs variety of henletits and col.ts arc not uIily diflIicult to

assess. but mainyiare not :aineilna)lc to quanitification nor of lanid acquisition and inpriverrentt ({'t the capital even Uo e: tmlilhat oll Ill ' t ttrte1,4rah tt[ni!s. Sone costs of facility construction: (3) other inperalintit and primtarv benel'its such as the (li:ttitmii, ot uranium niainteltance costs including license. fees antd taxes; (4)

recovercd are. to a d,.-ree. Tneasur;iblc a:s ire the capital plant decontiinssiniing antdl tailints stablization cosls;

',iSiS anid operiating alid ilaililielance costs o"f the and (5) research aind developmilent costs associ:ited with prtoposad facility. Ott the oth-r hand, numerous potential future improvements of tle mill and its cnvironmeneital costs anid their .C-,onornic and *ocial operatiion and maini cttance. As in tile case of betnefits.

r-,IIseqtnence,. are not readily quatllilied. tie applicanit should discount these costs to present worth.

X*. Benefits There are also external costs. Their effects ott the interests of people need to he examine

d. Ilic applicant

'rite pintary benefits of the proposed nuclear should supply, as applicable, ant evaluation plus facility are those inherent in the va:lue of the uranium to supporting data and rationale regarding such external be rcoOvered ard the kilowatt -hours of electricity which social and economic costs. For each cost. the applicant it represents.

should describe the probable nunmber arid location of the population group adversely affected. the estimated There a:re otlter suocial and economic benefits which economic and social impact. and any special measures to affect variuis political jurisdictions or interests To a be taken to alleviate the impact.

greater or lesser degree. Some of these reflect transfer

0

pavyments or othel values which may partially. if riot Examples of temporary external costs:

fully, comupensate fur certain services as well as external or environmental costs. and this fact should he reflected Shortages of housing; inflationary rentals or prices;

in the desiention of the benefit. A li,l of examples congestion ()f local streets and highways: noise and follows:"

temporary aesthetic disturbances; overloading of water

" Tax revenues ito he received by local. State supply and sewage treat nent facilities: crowding of local and Federal coverlnimients. schools. hospitals. or other public facilities: overtaxing

• Tenilxirary arid permanent new jobs created of community services: the disruption of' people's lives and payroll (value-added concept). or the local comntunity caused by acquisition of land for llncre mental increase in regional product. the proposed site.

" E-nhancetrient of recrealional values.

• Einvironmental enhancement in support of the Examples of long-term external costs:

propagation or protection of wildlife and the improvement of wildlife habitats. Impairment of recreational values (e.g.. redttced

• Creation and improvement of local roads. availability of desired species of wildlife artd sport waterways, or other transportation facilities. animals, restrictions of access to land or water areas

• Increased knowledge of tile environment as a preferred for recreational use); deterioration of aesthetic consequenrice of ecological research and and scenic values; restrictions on access to areas of environrmenr~tal monitoring activities associated scenic, historic, or cultural interest; degradation of areas with plant operation, and technological having historic, cultural, natural, or archaeological value:

imnprovemnents front the applicant', research removal of land front present or contemplated progratim. alternative uses: reduction of' regional product due to displacement of persons from the land proposed for the The applicant should discuss significant benefits site- lost income from recreation or totiri-n that rmay be thaiat may he realized fromn the construction and impaired by environmental disturbances, lost income toperation of Itlie proposed mnill. Where Ihc benefits can attributable to environmental degradation; decrease in be expressed in nmonetary terms. Iltey should he real estate values in areas adjacent to the proposed discounted to present worth. In each instance where a facility: increased cost'; to local governments for the particular bencfit is discussed, the applicant should services required hy the permanently employed workers indicate, to t[ie extent practical. who is likely to he and their families. It discussing the costs the applicant affected and f'or t*ow lung. In the case of' aesthetic should indicate to the extent practical. who is likely to impacts which are difficul t to quantify. the applic;ant he affecied and for how long.

13.8-11

9.0 RECLAMATION AND RESTORATION presented. Ini any case. the applicant should carefully describe any aggregAliol of e'lbct s and discuss in &(klil I

Discuss in deplh plans For site reclamation and the trade-offs that were inade in order to justitfy the restoration including: proposed plant. If any,of lite henetits or cosis aiC

I Plains I'mr reclaiming and restoring laIds deleted fromn the applicant's ;aialsis. the r;itioilale ftoi disturbed by mining activities. doing so should he cxplaittcd. Thc applicatl should key

2. A technical and financial feasibility as.essnient all the terms used ill thie heic'fit-cost ataly'sis ito tile on methods and costs of stahilizing lailinigs relention relevant secti ons of tlhe EnviroitItental Repoi I.

-yslelU(s).

3. Financial arrangements it) he made (such as 12.0 ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS

btonding atrrangenictils. etc.) to insiure Ihfat ad,'quiate AND CONSULTATIONS

Ilands will be available for site reclamiation and i .tIoration when operations are concluded. list all liccl.sus, pelnnlr*. :111d 1tliet ;ip*m ovak (it'

4. Provisions for acquiring owneishiip of1 ihe constructiont and operatiolls required 1,v FedeaIl.L Slate.

property (if not already owned) on which the tailings local, and regional authorilies It tIhe protectln ilof the will be stored. environtienil. List ttose F:ederal aind Stice aplprovals tha;it S. Plans and methods fur providing long-iernm have already heecl rcci\vcd. and indicale the siati.u ot maini enance and control over the tailngs upon matters regarding approvals \el to lie o*ltaitted. For te[rnination of milling activilies. general backgtround. submil simtilar infortmatloln regarding approvals. licenses. and contacts witi local

10.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED'ACTION authorities.

I)iscuss the slailts of efforts ito oblaittl a alet In this section of the Environmental Report. the applicant's choice of a particular inill at a particular site quality certificailon under Seclion 401 of the IFederal Water Pollution ('ontr)l Act. as aimcinded. I niol alreadiv must be supported throuth a comparative evaluation of obtained, indicate when cerlificalion is expected. Itf available alternatives. The AIEC will consider available certificatiotl is not te(tiirned. explain.

alternatives that may reduce or avoid adverse environmental effects expected Jo result from In view of the effects of tile plainl o tlhe ecolitiimoic construction and operation of the proposed milling and development of the repion in which it is located. tIht mining project. The AEC will not specify in advance which alternatives should be selected by the applicant applicant shuuld also llitc ilte State. local. and lecionai planning atmthorities conlacled or consulted (,1 11 for consideration; rather. the applicant should make this Circular A-95 identifies tile State, metropolitan, and selection and also make clear the basis and rationale for regional clearinghouse. (A listing of ipplicable the choices in regard to number. availability. suitability. clearinghouses may he obtained from tIe Al-)'.(

and factors limiting the range of alternatives that might avoid sonic or all of the environmental effects previously Cite meetings held with environnietalil anld oth1t identified.

citizen groups witih reference given it) srecific illsl:tilces of the applicant's compliance with cilizerl irollfp

11.0 BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS

recommendations.

In this section the applicant's benefit-cost

13.0 REFERENCES

statement will be presented. The presentation should be made in the form of a narrative with accompanying The applicant should provide a bibhlioigraplty ,, all tables and charts. The presentation should make clear sources used in preparation of tite IEivirotmiettlal what tile applicant considers to be the important Report. References cited should he keyed to the specific benefits and costs of the proposed facility and why, in sections and page numhers to which they apply.

the judgment of the applicant. the former outweigh the

'The binaccutmutilion factor is the equililbriin, rjtiti:

latter.

(concentration in oraninml/(coneentration in water).

The applicant will have to develop criteria for 2 Any reports of work (L-4.+ eciotoPicait surveys) slipporild assessing and comparing benefits and costs where these by the applicant iiiat are (f significant valtumin assessing 0iv are expressed in non-monetary or qualitative terms. The

• environmental"t or tile proposed action shomuld he inchtdc'd rationales for the selection among site-mill alternatives, as appendices or to ihe E'nvitntnent:al Report.

iptelneni'

as well as among subsystem alternatives, should be unless the reports are oltherwise pencrally available.

3.8.12