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{{Adams
{{Adams
| number = ML13038A430
| number = ML13350A257
| issue date = 09/30/1978
| issue date = 04/30/1973
| title = Preparation of Environmental Reports for Uranium Mills
| title = Preparation of Environmental Reports for Uranium Mills
| author name =  
| author name =  
| author affiliation = NRC/OSD
| author affiliation = US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
| addressee name =  
| addressee name =  
| addressee affiliation =  
| addressee affiliation =  
Line 10: Line 10:
| license number =  
| license number =  
| contact person =  
| contact person =  
| document report number = RG-3.008, Rev. 1
| document report number = RG-3.008
| document type = Regulatory Guide
| document type = Regulatory Guide
| page count = 61
| page count = 15
}}
}}
{{#Wiki_filter:Revision 1 U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY
{{#Wiki_filter:Si
COMMISSION  
.
September
                                    U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
1978 REGULATORY  
                                    REGULATORY
GUIDE OFFICE OF STANDARDS  
                                    DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS
DEVELOPMENT
                                                                                                                                    GUIDE
L'S REGULATORY  
                                                                      REGULATORY GUIDE 3.8 PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL
GUIDE PREPARATION  
                                                          REPORTS FOR URANIUM MILLS
OF FOR REPORTS MILLS C;USNRC REGULATORY  
                                                                                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.
GUIDES Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public methods acceptable to the WRC staff of implementing specific parts of the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in evalu-ating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to applicants.


Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulatiorm, and corn-pliance with them is not requied. Methods and solutions different from those set out in the guides will be acceptabl if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission.
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                         


Comments and suggestions for improvements in these guides are encouraged at all times, and guides witl be revised, as appropriate, to accommodate corn-inerts and to reflect new information or experience, However, commiets on this guide, if received within about two months after its issuance.
===6. Products===
 
                                                                                        2. Research and Test Reactors            
wll be particularly useful in evaluating the need for an early revision.Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commission, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20566, Attention:
Docketing and Service Branch.The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:
I. Power Reactors 6. Products 2. Reserwch and Test Reactors  


===7. Transportation===
===7. Transportation===
3. Fuele and Materials Facilities  
                                                                                          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
8. Occupational Health 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust and Financial Review 5, Materials and Plant Protection
10. General Requests for single copies of issued guides (which may be reproduced)
or for placement on an automatic distribution list for single copies of future guides in specific divisiors should be made in writing to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20666, Attention:
Director.
 
Division of Technical Information and Document Control.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
 
==A. INTRODUCTION==
..............
.........................
.... iv 1. National Environmental Goals ....... ................
iv 2. Applicant's Environmental Reports ...............
.... vi 3. Preparation of Environmental Reports..
...........
... viii B. STANDARD FORMAT AND CONTENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
REPORTS FOR URANIUM MILLS ...................
.........................
1-1 CHAPTER 1 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
..............
...................
1-1 CHAPTER 2 THE SITE ..................
.......................
2-1 2.1 Site Location and Layout ..... ................
... 2-1 2.2 Uses of Adjacent Lands and Waters ...............
.... 2-2 2.3 Population Distribution
............
.................
2-4 2.4 Regional, Historic, Archeological, Architectural, Scenic, Cultural, and Natural Landmarks
........ ... 2-5 2.5 Geology .............
.........................
.... 2-6 2.6 Seismology
..........
........................
...2-7 2.7 Hydrology
...... ......................
.. ....... 2-7 2.7.1 Ground Water ...... ...................
.... 2-7 2.7.2 Surface Water ..... ...................
.... 2-8 2.8 Meteorology
...... .........................
...2-8 2.9 Ecology .....................
........................
2-10 2.10 Background Radiological Characteristics
.........
.... 2-12 2.11 Background Nonradiological Characteristics
........ ...2-12 2.12 Other Environmental Features .... ..............
... 2-12 CHAPTER 3 THE MILL AND MINE(S) ....... ..................
... 3-1 3.1 Site Area .............
........................
.... 3-1 3.2 External Appearance of Mill .... ...............
.... 3-2 3.3 Mill Circuit ... ..... .. .* '..................
....3-2 3.4 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents
............
... 3-2 3.5 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents..............
3-3 3.6 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems ..............
3-4 3.7 Mining Activities
........ ...... ..............
.... 3-4 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS OF SITE PREPARATION, MILL CONSTRUCTION, AND MINE OPENING ... .............
.... 4-1 4.1 Site Preparation and Construction
.........
............
4-1 4.2 Resources Committed
...... ....................
.... 4-3 i TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
Page CHAPTER 5 ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS OF MILL AND MINE OPERATION
.... 5-1 5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other than Man ....... ... 5-2 5.1.1 Exposure Pathways ....... ................
... 5-2 5.1.2 Radioactivity in the Environment
.........
.... 5-2 5.2 Radiological Impact on Man ..... ...............
... 5-3 5.2.1 Exposure Pathways ................
........ 5-3 5.2.2 Liquid Effluents
...... .................
.... 5-4 5.2.3 Airborne Effluents..
... ...................
.... 5-4 5.2.4 Direct Radiation
............
.................
5-5 5.2.5 Summary of Annual Radiation Doses ........ ... 5-5 5.3 Effects of Chemical Discharges
... .................
5-5 5.4 Effects of Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges
..... 5-6 5.5 Other Effects ..........
......................
.... 5-6 5.6 Resources Committed
...... ...................
.... 5-6 CHAPTER 6 EFFLUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
MEASUREMENTS
AND MONITORING
PROGRAMS .............
........................
.... 6-1 6.1 Applicant's Preoperational Environmental Programs .... 6-2 6.1.1 Surface Waters ...... ..................
.... 6-3 6.1.2 Ground Water ...... ...................
.... 6-3 6.1.2.1 Physical and Chemical Parameters
.... 6-3 6.1.2.2 Models ..... ..................
...6-4 6.1.3 Air ... ..............................
6-4 6.1.3.1 Meteorology.
 
..............
........ 6-4 6.1.3.2 Models ....... ...............
... 6-4 6.1.4 Land ...................
.......................
6-5 6.1.4.1 Geology and Soils .... ............
... 6-5 6.1.4.2 Land Use and Demographic Surveys .... 6-5 6.1.4.3 Ecological Parameters
...............
6-5 6.1.5 Radiological Surveys ..... ...............
.... 6-5 6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational Monitoring Programs 6-6 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)
6.2.1 Radiological Monitoring
.... .............
..6-6 6.2.1.1 Mill Effluent Monitoring
........ ..6-7 6.2.1.2 Environmental Radiological Monitoring
...... ...............
..6-7 6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring
..............
... 6-7 6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring
.... ............
..6-8 6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring
...... ..............
..6-8 6.3 Related Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Programs ................
........................
..6-8 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS
...............
..7-1 7.1 Mill Accidents Involving Radioactivity
...........
.. 7-1 7.2 Transportation Accidents
...... .................
..7-1 7.3 Other Accidents
...........
.....................
..7-2 CHAPTER 8 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATION
.............
......................
..8-1 8.1 Benefits ...... ...............................
8-1 8.2 Costs .................
..........................
..8-2 CHAPTER 9 DECOMMISSIONING
AND RECLAMATION
.... .............
... 9-1 CHAPTER 10 ALTERNATIVES
TO THE PROPOSED ACTION ... ..........
.. 10-1 CHAPTER 11 BENEFIT-COST
ANALYSIS ................
.................
11-1 CHAPTER 12 ENVIRONMENTAL
APPROVALS
AND CONSULTATION
........ ... 12-1 CHAPTER 13 REFERENCES
..................
.................
13-1 APPENDIX A SUGGESTED
FORMAT FOR REPORTING
RADIOLOGICAL
PARAMETERS
..............
......................
..A-I iii INTRODUCTION
1. National Environmental Goals Prior to the issuance of a license authorizing uranium milling activities, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is required to assess the potential environmental effects of the proposed activities in order to ensure that issuance of the license will be consistent with the national environmental goals. In order to obtain information essential for this assessment, the Commission requires each applicant for a license to submit a report on the potential environmental impact of the proposed uranium mill and related activities.
 
The national environmental goals are expressed by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852), as follows: "....it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of national policy, to improve and coordinate Federal plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that the Nation may--"(1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;
"(2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
iv
"(3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
"(4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;"(5) achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities;
and"(6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources." In addition to NEPA, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, numerous other pieces of legislation and implementing regulations, both Federal and State, may affect the siting and operation of uranium mills. Some of these, such as the Endangered Species Act of 1973, require that the NRC make primary determination of acceptability, while compliance with others, such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, must be reported to the NRC.No attempt will be made in this guide to discuss any of these in detail. The applicant should make an independent determination of those statutes and regulations that may affect the proposed mill. Early consul-tation with the staff is encouraged to determine relevancy in specific instances.
 
V
2. Applicant's Environmental Reports 10 CFR Part 51, "Licensing and Regulatory Policy and Procedures for Environmental Protection," §51.40, "Environmental Reports," requires that each applicant for a license authorizing uranium milling submit 15 copies of a separate document entitled "The Applicant's Environmental Report" with the license application.
 
The applicant must retain an additional
85 copies of the environmental report for distribution to Federal, State, and local officials in accordance with written instruc-tions issued by the NRC's Director of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards.
 
The applicant's environmental reports are important documents of public record. Therefore, the applicant is urged to give full attention to their completeness.
 
The environmental report must discuss the following environmental considerations:
a. The environmental impact of the proposed action, b. Any adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided should the proposal be implemented, c. Alternatives to the proposed action, d. The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environ-ment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and e. Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed action should it be-implemented.
 
vi The discussion of alternatives to the proposed action in the environ-mental report must be sufficiently complete to aid the Commission in developing and exploring, pursuant to Section 102(2)(D)
of the National Environmental Policy Act, ". ..appropriate alternatives.. .in any proposal which involves unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of avail-able resources." The environmental report must also include a benefit-cost analysis that considers and balances the environmental effects of the facility and the alternatives available for reducing or avoiding adverse environmental effects, as well as the environmental, economic, technical, and other benefits of the facility.
 
The benefit-cost analysis must, to the fullest extent practicable, quantify the various factors considered.
 
To the extent that such factors cannot be quantified, they must be discussed in qualitative terms. The environmental report should contain sufficient data to aid the Commission in its development of an independent benefit-cost analysis covering the factors specified.
 
The environmental report must further include a discussion of the status of compliance of the facility with applicable environmental quality standards-and requirements that have been imposed by Federal, State, and regional agencies having responsibility for environmental protection.
 
In addition, the environmental impact of the facility should be fully dis-cussed with respect to matters covered by such standards and requirements irrespective of whether a certification from the appropriate authority has been obtained (including, but not limited to, any certification obtained pursuant to Section 401 and any discharge permit obtained pursu-ant to Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended).While compliance with NRC standards and criteria pertaining to radiological effects will be necessary to meet the licensing requirements of the Atomic Energy Act, the benefit-cost analysis for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act must consider the radiological effects together with a broad range of other environmental effects of the facility.vii
3. Preparation of Environmental Reports a. Purpose of This Guide The Commission's regulations in 10 CFR Part 51 provide only general information concerning the content of an applicant's environmental report. This guide has been prepared to provide specific and detailed guidance for the preparation of environmental reports for uranium mills.The guide identifies information needed by the NRC staff in its assessment of the potential environmental effects of the proposed uranium mill and directly associated mining activities and establishes a format acceptable to the staff for its presentation.
 
Conformance with this standard format, however, is not required.
 
Use of the format of this guide will help ensure the completeness of the information provided, will assist the NRC staff and others in locating the information, and will aid in shortening the time needed for the review process.b. Scope of This Guide In order to cover a wide variety of anticipated situations, the scope of this guide is comprehensive.
 
In some instances, requests for specific information may not be applicable to a particular mill or site.If any topics are not relevant to the particular mill under consideration, the applicant should identify them. If any topics in this guide relate to information not available at the time the report is prepared, the applicant should indicate when the information will be available.
 
c. Presentation of Information The applicant should strive for clear, concise presentation of the information provided in the environmental report. Each subject viii should be treated in sufficient depth and with sufficient documentation*
to permit the Commission to evaluate the extent of the environmental impact independently.
 
Tables, line drawings, and photographs should be used wherever they contribute to the clarity and brevity of the report.The number of significant figures stated in numerical data should reflect the accuracy of the data. Descriptive and narrative passages should be brief and concise. In cases where test results are needed to support conclusions, test data, procedures, techniques, and equipment used to perform tests should be included.Pertinent published information relating to the site, the mill, and its surroundings should be referenced.
 
Where published information or assumptions are essential to evaluate specific environmental effects of the proposed activities, they should be included in summary or verbatim form in the environmental report or as an appendix to the report.Some of the information to be included in the environmental report may have already been prepared by the applicant during preparation of the license application for the proposed mill. In such cases, this information (whether in the form of text, tables, or figures) should be incorporated in the environmental report where appropriate in order to provide a complete document.The site for the mill may also be the site of the mine. The applicant, in preparing the environmental report relating to such a mill, should consider the cumulative or synergistic effects of directly asso-ciated mining activities.
 
Documentation as used in this guide means presentation of information, supporting data, and statements and includes (1) references to published information, (2) citations from the applicant's experience, and (3)reference to unpublished information developed by the applicant or the applicant's consultants.
 
Statements not supported by documentation are acceptable provided the applicant identifies them either as information for which documentation is not available or as expressions of belief or judgment.ix B. STANDARD FORMAT AND CONTENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
REPORTS FOR URANIUM MILLS
 
===1. PROPOSED ACTIVITIES===
This chapter should discuss the proposed project and the activities to be conducted as a result of the project. For example, such matters as ore reserves, ore-body locations, anticipated quantity of ore to be mined and milled, mining methods, plans for overburden storage and disposal, ore transport, milling processes, plans for tailings disposal and management, transport of product, operating plans and schedules, expected longevity of the project, U308 content of the ore, ore processing rate, concentrate yield, planned end use of the project areas, and surety arrangements for the eventual decommissioning of the mill and reclamation of the areas impacted should be addressed.
 
1-1
2. THE SITE This chapter should present the basic relevant information concerning those physical, biological, human, and social characteristics of the area environment that might be affected by the construction and operation of a uranium milling project and its associated activities in the region.To the extent possible, the information presented should reflect observa-tions and measurements made over periods of time sufficient to allow defensible conclusions to be reached.2.1 Site Location and Layout Provide a map showing the site and its location with respect to State, county, and other political subdivisions.
 
On detailed maps, show location of the plant perimeter;
exclusion area boundary;
applicant's property;
adjacent properties, including water bodies, wooded areas, and farms; nearby settlements;
industrial plants, parks, and other public facilities;
and transportation links (railroads, highways, waterways).
Indicate total acreage owned or leased by the applicant and that part.occupied or modified by the mine and mill. Indicate other existing and proposed uses of applicant's property and the acreage devoted to these uses. Describe any plans for site modifications such as a visitors'center. A contour map of the site should also be supplied with eleva-tion contours of an interval suitable to show significant variations of the site environs and drainage gradients.
 
In addition, indicate if the site is in the vicinity of a flood plain. This information should be supplied as separate maps, if required, for clarity.2-1
2.2 Uses of Adjacent Lands and Waters Indicate, within an 8-km (5-mi) radius, the nature and extent of present and projected land use (e.g., agriculture, livestock raising, dairies, pasturelands, residences, wildlife preserves, sanctuaries, hunting areas, industries, recreation, transportation)
and any recent trends such as abnormal changes in population or industrial patterns.Note whether any other nuclear fuel cycle facilities are located or are proposed within an 80-km (50-mi) radius of the site.Provide in tabular form for each of the 22-1/2-degree sectors centered on one of the 16 compass points, i.e., north, north northeast, etc., the distances (to a distance of 8 km (5 mi)) from the center of the site to the following:
a. Nearest cattle (or other meat animals) grazing on natural forage.b. Nearest game animals consumed by sportsman.
 
c. Nearest residence.
 
d. Nearest site boundary.e. Nearest vegetable garden larger than 50 m2 (60 yd ) in area.The type of crop and amounts produced should be noted.Where possible, the applicant should provide specific information on actual consumption of the meat from cattle and game animals.Provide data on annual production and distribution of meat (kg) and truck farming produce (kg) within an 80-km (50-mi) radius from the proposed facility.
 
Provide information on grazing season (give dates)2-2 and feeding regimes for cattle. Agricultural production, crop yield, grazing, and feeding data may be obtained from sources such as local and State agricultural agencies, agricultural agents, and other reliable sources.Identify the location, nature, and amounts of present and projected surface and ground water use (e.g., water supplies, irrigation, reservoirs, recreation, and transportation)
within 16 km (10 mi) of the site and the present and projected population associated with each use point, where appropriate.
 
Data on both present and projected future water use should be sum-marized and tabulated;
users should be located on maps of legible scale.Tabulations should include: a. Location:
Include symbols shown on maps identifying the loca-tion of water users. Provide map coordinates if appropriate.
 
b. Distance from mill.c. Withdrawal Rate: Provide present and projected withdrawal rate (in liters per second or cubic meters per second) for each water.use.d. Return Rates: Provide present and projected return rates (in liters per second or cubic meters per second) if appropriate.
 
e. Type of Water Use: Provide type of water use for each location, e.g., municipal, industrial, irrigation, stock/game watering.f. In addition, for ground-water use, indicate depth of wells, ground-water elevation, and drawdown and characterize the use by aquifer.2-3.
 
g. Source and Projection of Water-Use Estimates:
Where use rates are anticipated to change over the life of the project and beyond, indicate projections and the source of the projection information.
 
Sources for such projections may be available from users or planning agencies at different levels of government.
 
For items c and d above, if use varies significantly seasonally, indicate monthly values.Provide data on the annual recreational and commercial fish catch from waters within an 8-km (5-mi) radius of the site. Report the catch by principal species, location, and amount used for human consumption (note amounts consumed locally).2.3 Population Distribution Population data presented should be based on the most recent census data. On a map of suitable scale that identifies places of significant population grouping, such as cities and towns, within an 80-km (50-mi)radius, concentric circles should be drawn with the mill at the center point, at distances of 2, 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, and 80 kilometers.
 
The circles should be divided into 22-1/2-degree sectors with each sector centered on one of the 16 compass points (with reference to true north, i.e., north-northeast, northeast, etc.). A table appropriately keyed to the map should provide the current residential population within each area for the expected first year of mill operation and census years through the anticipated life of the mill. The tables should provide separate and cumulative population totals for each sector and annular ring. Distance to the nearest residence should be noted foreach sector.The basis for population projections should be described.
 
Descriptive material should include tables giving significant population and visitor statistics of neighboring schools, plants, hospitals, 2-4 sports facilities, residential areas, parks, etc.. within 8 km (5 mi) of the plant.2.4 Regional Historic, Archeological, Architectural, Scenic, Cultural, and Natural Landmarks Areas valued for their historic, archeological, architectural, scenic, cultural, or natural significance may be affected.
 
The environ-mental report should include a brief discussion of the historic, scenic, archeological, architectural, cultural, and natural significance, if any, of the mill site and nearby areas with specific attention to the sites and areas listed in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks and properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.The National Registry of Natural Landmarks appears in 37 FR 1496.The National Register of Historic Places is published annually in the Federal Register;
additions are published in the Federal Register on the first Tuesday of each month. General guidance on the treatment of historic, archeological, architectural, and cultural features can be obtained from the National Park Service publication, "Preparation of Environmental Statements:
Guidelines for Discussion of Cultural (Historic, Archeological, Architectural)
Resources," August 1973.*The environmental report should identify those properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places located within the area of the project's potential environmental impact.Also, the applicant should discuss its consultation with the appropriate State Historic Preservation Officer concerning the identification of properties included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register.Copies may be obtained from Chief Historian, Room 1226, National Park Service, 18th and C Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240.2-5 of Historic Places. The environmental report should contain evidence of contact with the Historic Preservation Officer for the State involved, including a copy of his comments concerning the effect of the undertaking on historic, archeo]ogical, architectural, and cultural resources.
 
State whether new roads, pipelines, and utilities connected with the proposed mill will pass through or near any area or location of known historic, scenic, cultural, natural, archeological, or architectural significance.
 
2.5 Geology Describe the major geological aspects of the site and its environs.The discussion should note the stratigraphy, structure, and tectonic history. Comment on regional continuity, faulting, dip, and strikes of water-bearing formations that will be affected.
 
An inventory of econom-ically important minerals and energy-related deposits, in addition to the uranium ore, should be included.
 
Any unique mineralogical or paleonto-logical deposits of particular scientific interest should also be noted.Any effect that planned operations might have on the future availability of other mineral resources should be noted.Detailed geological data at building sites and in the vicinity of tailings or other effluent impoundments, sanitary landfills, spoil disposal areas, and sewage disposal facilities should be included.These data should include strike and dip and lateral and vertical distribu-tion of permeable layers, shales, and clays, and data on any fault, fracture, or joint pattern that may exist. Locations of local outcrops where seepage from landfills, dumps, impoundments, and sewage facilities is likely to occur should be noted.The location of ground water with respect to tailings disposal areas, spoil dumps, liquid impoundments, sanitary landfills, and sewage 2-6 disposal facilities is important for the assessment of possible ground-water contamination.
 
The discussion should include a statement concerning the hydraulic properties (such as permeability and porosity)
of the materials between the ground water and the above facilities.
 
2.6 Seismology Discuss the seismicity (including history) of the region. Where possible, associate seismic events with tectonic features identified in the geology discussion.
 
Furnish a regional earthquake epicenter map showing site location.2.7 Hydrology The effects of mine/mill construction and operation on adjacent surface and ground waters are of prime importance.
 
The applicant should describe, in quantitative terms, the physical, chemical, biological, radiological and hydrological characteristics, the typical seasonal ranges and averages, and the historical extremes for surface and ground water bodies. Information relating to water quality characteristics should include measurements made on or in close proximity to the site.Information should be presented in sufficient detail to allow an independent review to be made of the effects of construction and operation on both resources.
 
Data should be presented in metric units as specified by the U.S. Geological Survey.2.7.1 Ground Water Describe the hydrology of the region that affects the local ground-water aquifers, formations, sources, and sinks. Describe the recharge potential of the immediate plant area, including vertical and horizontal permeabilities of the natural and modified terrain, as well as that of tailing disposal 2-7 areas. Indicate gradients and seasonal variations in ground-water levels beneath the site. Furnish sufficient site-specific data for the evaluation of the effects of construction and operation of the facility on established ground-water tables and usage. This is especially important for consideration of dewatering operations in associated mines.Descriptions of the major aquifers in the area should include piezometric contour maps, hydraulic gradients, permeabilities for repre-sentative geologic features, total and effective porosities, bulk density estimates, storage coefficients, dispersion and distribution (sorption)
coefficients, descriptions of pertinent geologic formations and soil types, including formation depth throughout the site and to the nearest downgradient well or water body, chemical and radiological properties, and time histories of ground-water fluctuations.
 
The applicant should provide data concerning any drawdown of ground water that may be caused by withdrawals from neighboring major industrial, agricultural, or municipal wells.2.7.2 Surface Water Describe the location, size, shape, and other hydrologic character- istics of water bodies in the environs of the site.Include a description of upstream and downstream river control structures, and provide a topographic map showing the major hydrologic features.2.8 Meteorology This section should provide a description of the meteorological diffusion characteristics of the site and its surrounding area, The description should include the use of data collected for at least one 2-8 annual cycle from an onsite or nearby local meteorological station, plus examination of additional regional meteorological information.
 
Sufficient data should be included to permit independent evaluations and assessments of atmospheric diffusion characteristics.
 
The following data concerning site meteorology from meteorological measurements taken onsite and at nearby representative stations should be presented:
a. Quarterly and annual wind rose presentation for the 16 compass directions.
 
b. Quarterly and annual wind speed, wind direction, and atmospheric stability data in joint frequency form at heights representative of effluent releases.c. Total precipitation and evaporation by month.This information should be fully documented and substantiated as to validity of its representation of expected long-term conditions at and near the site.Present the joint wind speed-stability-direction frequencies (in item b above) in tabular form, giving the frequencies as fractions when using 5-year National Weather Service summaries or as number of occur-rences when using only I or 2 years of onsite data. The data should be presented for each of the 16 compass directions, and the stability cate-gories should be established to conform as closely as possible with those of Pasquill.
 
In addition, the annual average inversion height should be provided from other nearby weather stations-.
2-9 Guidance on acceptable onsite meteorological measurements and data format is presented in Regulatory Guide 1.23 "Onsite Meteorological Programs." In addition, this section should provide a discussion of general climatology, existing levels of air pollution and their effects on site operations, the relationship of the meteorological data gathered on a regional basis to local data, the impact of the local terrain and large lakes and other bodies of water on meteorological conditions in the area and the occurrence of severe weather in the area and its effects. Data on diurnal and monthly averages and extremes of temperature and humidity should also be provided.2.9 Ecology In this section, the applicant should describe the flora and fauna in the vicinity of the site, their habitats, and their distribution.
 
This initial inventory will reveal certain organisms which, because of their importance to the community, should be given specific attention.
 
A species is "important" (for the purposes of this guide) if a specific causal link can be identified between the facility and the species and if one or more of the following criteria applies: (a) the species is commercially or recreationally valuable, (b) the species is threatened or endangered,* (c) the species affects the well-being of some important species within criteria (a) or (b), or (d) the species is critical to the structure and function of the ecological system or is a biological indicator of radionuclides or chemical pollutants in the environment.
 
In the writing and reviewing of environmental reports, specific considera- tion should be given to possible impact on any species (or its habitat)that has been determined to be endangered or threatened with endangerment by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce.
 
New terminology defining "endangered or threatened with endangerment" has been promulgated in Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat. 884.2-10
The initial inventory should establish the identity of the majority of terrestrial and aquatic organisms on or near the site and their rela-tive (qualitative)
abundances.
 
The applicant should identify the "important" species from this list and discuss in detail their quantitative abundances.
 
The discussion should include species that migrate through the area or use it for breeding grounds. Special attention should be given to the relative importance of the site area to the total regional area of the living resources (potential or exploited).
The applicant should provide data on the count and distribution of important domestic fauna, in particular, cattle, sheep, and other meat animals that may be involved in the exposure of man to radionuclides.
 
Important game animals should receive similar treatment.
 
A map that shows the distribution of the principal plant communities should be provided.The discussion of species-environment relationships should include descriptions of area usage (e.g., habitat, breeding, etc.) for important species; it should include life histories of important regional animals and aquatic organisms, their normal seasonal population fluctuations, and their habitat requirements;
and it should include identification of food chains and other interspecies relationships, particularly when these are contributory to predictions or evaluations of the impact of the facility on the regional biota.Identify any definable preexisting environmental stresses from sources such as pollutants, as well as pertinent ecologicalconditions suggestive of such stresses.
 
The status of ecological succession should be described.


Discuss the histories of any infestations, epidemics, or catastrophes (caused by natural phenomena)
===0. General===
that have had a significant impact on regional biota.2-I1 The information should be presented in two separate subsections: "Terrestrial Ecology" and "Aquatic Ecology." The sources of information should be identified.


As part of this identification, present a list of pertinent published material dealing with the ecology of the region.Locate and describe any ecological or biological studies of the site or its environs currently in progress.2.10 Background Radiological Characteristics Regional radiological data should be reported, including both natural background radiation levels and results of measurements of concentrations of radioactive materials occurring in important biota, in soil and rocks, in air, and in regional surface and local ground waters.These data, whether determined during the applicant's preoperational surveillance program (see Section 6.1.5) or obtained from other sources, should be referenced.
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


2.11 Background Nonradiological Characteristics Regional nonradiological characteristics, particularly those that are similar to expected site-related effluents, should be reported.Data should include such parameters as heavy metals and other potentially toxic substances, atmospheric pollutants, dusts, etc., that could affect water or air quality. Other regional sources of these same materials should be noted along with a discussion of the possible contribution to levels found at the facility site.2.1.2 Other Environmental Features For certain sites, some relevant information on the mill or mine environs may not clearly fall within the scope of the preceding topics.Additional information may be required with respect to some environmental features in order to reflect the value of the site and site environs to important segments of the population.
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


Such information should be included here.2-12
INTRODUCTION
3. THE MILL AND MINE(S)The operating mill and associated mines should be described in this chapter. Since environmental effects are of primary concern for this report, the combined effects of mill and mine effluents and related systems that interact with the environment should be described in detail sufficient for the reviewer to independently reach defensible conclusions.
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.


3.1 Site* Area A map of the site area should be included;
('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
it should clearly show the following:
                                                  'i                                                            caninot be avoided shult ld the proposal he impjlleentled.
a. The location of the site boundary.b. The location and orientation of principal structures within the site area. Principal structures should be identified as to function (e.g., mines, ore crushing structures, chemical separation and storage, ore stock piles, waste rock dumps, tailings disposal areas, retention and settling ponds, explosive magazines, housing areas, administration buildings, yellowcake storage areas, parking lots).c. The boundary lines of any restricted areas, access to which are to be controlled by fences or other means.d. A scale that will permit the measurement of distances with reasonable accuracy.e. True north.Site means the contiguous real estate on which the mine and mill are located.3-1
3.2 External Appearance of Mill The building layout and plant profile should be shown to scale by line drawings or other illustrative techniques.


The architectural design and efforts to make the structures and grounds esthetically pleasing should be noted.3.3 Mill Circuit The entire mill process and/or circuit should be quantitatively and qualitatively described in sufficient depth to permit confirmation of the quantities and constituents of all gaseous, liquid, and solid wastes and effluents generated in the process. The following should be included: a. A flow diagram of the process and/or circuit.b. A material balance diagram.c. Description of any water recycle systems.d. Water balance diagram for the entire mining/milling project.3.4 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents Clearly identify the location of release points for all gaseous (include stack heights), liquid, and solid wastes and effluents (including bulk storage locations, i.e., piles of ore or tailings, overburden dumps, etc.) specifying quantities, concentrations, and physical, chemical, and radiological characteristics of all materials released.
1'(10 alternatives it) tile prloptsed act:ilo.


Average and maximum release rates should be included plus all pertinent supporting information such as assumptions and computational methods used. The quantities and concentrations of radioactive and nonradioactive materials 3-2 that will be released into the environs should be compared with State and other applicable standards.
., 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.


Suggested formats for supplying this material on radioactive emissions are included as Appendix A of this Guide. The tables supplied by the applicant should not be limited to the examples listed, however.3.5 Controls of Mill Wastes and Effluents Provide a description of mill waste and effluent control systems and equipment for minimizing to as low as is reasonably achievable the quantities of materials released into the environment.
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.


Identify the operating efficiency of such systems and equipment in relation to current best methods for controlling milling wastes and effluents.
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.


Also, identify the factors that affect these efficiencies, and describe the operating practices to be pursued during the life of the proposed project.For waste retention systems, a design analysis of the integrity of the proposed systems should be provided.
,,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.


This should include: a. Drawings showing the layout in plan, typical cross sections of all embankments showing proposed design and, if applicable, anticipated future extensions, and other pertinent design details. Embankment designs should include information on heights, top width, side slopes, freeboard, seepage control, and protection of embankment surfaces as well as foundation design.b. The results of soil tests, geologic exploration, foundation.
: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.


materials stability investigations, as well as characteristics of fill material and a description of the construction methods and specifications.
;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.


3-3.
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.


3.6 Sanitary and Other Mill Waste Systems Describe any other nonradioactive solid or liquid waste materials, such as sanitary, laundry, and chemical laboratory wastes that may be generated during operation.
3,8-1


Describe the manner in which they will be treated and controlled, and describe procedures for disposal.Means for control and treatment of all systems subject to effluent limitation guidelines and standards of performance under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) should be described.
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.


The applicant should (a) describe any other airborne effluents (e.g., from diesel engines, gas turbines, heating plants, incinerators)
Appendix i) of 10 CFR Part 50 provides general inftormation concerning lie content of' an applicant's Plerlinent plblishcd inlornmaliti rulating it Ihe sii.
created during project operation, (b) estimate the frequency of release and describe how they will be treated before release to the environment, and (c) estimate the total quantity of pollutants to be discharged annually.3.7 Mining Activities This portion of the report should contain a thorough description of the interrelated mining activities including:
a. Topographical maps showing locations and areas to be mined and haulage and access roads.b. A description of the mining method(s)
to be employed including any dewatering activities and associated effluents.


c. A description of the method(s)
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.
for accumulating and storing wastes in order to minimize esthetic and other effects.3-4 d. Identification and source terms of all sources of effluents associated with mining activities (radon and particulate emissions, dust from haulage, storage activities, etc.), including release rates and concentrations and their physical and chemical characteristics.


e. A description of methods to minimize and control releases of effluents into the environs.f. Any other information that might be helpful in assessing the environmental effects connected with the mining project.3-5
of Environmental Reports for Uiranium Mills" has been              Where published in'ormnlation or aSS ptrIt.ll          IIl,        aI t.


===4. ENVIRONMENTAL ===
essential to evalualte specific ettvitonlti.intal eff'ects ol tIhe prepared.
EFFECTS OF SITE PREPARATION, MILL CONSTRUCTION, AND MINE OPENING The construction of a uranium mill and the openings of related mines will inevitably affect the environment;
some of the effects will be adverse and some may be beneficial.


Effects are considered adverse if environmental change or stress causes a valuable or otherwise important biotic population or natural resource to be less safe, less healthy, less abundant, less productive, less esthetically or culturally pleasing;if the change or stress reduces the diversity and variety of individual choice, the standard of living, or the extent of sharing of life's amenities;
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.
or if the change or stress tends to lower the quality of renewable resources or to impair the recycling of depletable resources.


In the applicant's discussion of adverse environmental effects, it should be made clear which of these are considered unavoidable and subject to later amelioration and which are regarded as unavoidable and irreversible.
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.


Those effects that represent an irretrievable commitment of resources should receive detailed consideration in Section.4.2. (In the context of this discussion, "irretrievable commitment of resources" alludes to natural resources and means a permanent impairment of these, e.g., loss of wildlife habitat; destruction of nesting, breeding, or nursing areas; interference with migratory routes; loss of valuable or esthetically treasured natural areas; and expenditure of directly utilized resources.)
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.
4.1 Site Preparation and Construction The applicant should organize the discussion in terms of the effects of site preparation (including mine opening) and mill construction on 4-1 both land use and water use. The applicant should consider consequences to both human and wildlife populations and indicate which are unavoidable, irreversible, etc., according to the categorization set forth earlier in this chapter.In the land-use discussion, describe how construction activities may disturb the existing terrain and wildlife habitats.


Consider the effects of such activities as creating building material supply areas;building temporary or permanent roads, bridges, or service lines; disposing of trash; excavating;
STAVNDA RD FORAil T AND COA'TIFT OF LNW IROA'A1IETA I. RI:'POR 7.
and land filling. Provide information bearing on such questions as how much land will be torn up, for how long, will there be dust or smoke problems, what explosives will be used, where and how often. Indicate proximity of human populations and identify undesirable impacts on their environment arising from noise, disruption of stock grazing patterns, inconvenience due to the movement of men, material, machines, including activities associated with any provision of housing, transportation, and educational facilities for workers and their families.Describe any expected changes in accessibility of historical and archeo-logical sites in the region. Discuss measures designed to mitigate or reverse undesirable effects, such as erosion control, dust stabilization, landscape restoration, control of truck traffic, and restoration of affected habitats.The discussion should also include any effects of site preparation and construction activities whose consequences may be beneficial to the region.The discussion of water use should describe the impact of site preparation and construction activities on area water sources. Such activities would include mine dewatering, diversion of streams, placement of fill material in water, etc. The applicant should describe the effects of these activities on fish and wildlife resources, water quality, 4-2 water supply, esthetics, etc., as applicable.


Describe measures to miti-gate undesirable effects such as pollution control and other procedures for habitat improvement.
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.


4.2 Resources Committed Discuss any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources (loss of land, destruction of biota, etc.) that are expected should site preparation and mine opening and mill construction proceed. Such losses should be evaluated in terms of their relative and long-term net impacts, as well as their absolute impacts. (See Section 5.6 of this guide for more detailed consideration.)
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.
4-3


===5. ENVIRONMENTAL ===
Two maps indicating nearby inhabiled location&#xfd;s
EFFECTS OF MILL AND MINE OPERATION This chapter describes the interaction of the mill and mine (discussed in Chapter 3) and the environment (discussed in Chapter 2). To the extent possible, material presented in Chapters 2 and 3 does not need to be repeated.
                        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


Measures planned to reduce any undesirable effects of the total project on the environment should be described in detail.In the discussion of environmental effects, as in Chapter 4, effects that are considered unavoidable but either inherently temporary or subject to later amelioration should be clearly distinguished from those regarded as unavoidable and irreversible.
====t. might be exposed to====
                2.1 Site Location and Layout                      radioactive materials ill excess of lroc percenitt if'nau r lal background.


Those effects that represent an irretrievable commitment of resources should receive detailed considera- tion in Section 5.6.The impacts of operation of the proposed activity should be, to the fullest extent practicable, quantified and systematically presented.
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.


In the discussion of each impact, the applicant should make clear whether the supporting evidence is based on theoretical, laboratory, onsite, or field studies *undertaken on this or on previous occasions.
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.


The source of each impact (the plant subsystem, waste effluent)
3.8-2
and the population or resource affected should be made clear in each case. The impacts should be distinguished in terms of their effects on surface water bodies, ground water, air, land, land use, ecological systems, and important plants and animals.Finally, the applicant should discuss the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity.


As used in this guide, "short term" refers to the operating life of the proposed facility and "long 5-1 term" refers to time periods extending beyond this life. The applicant should assess the action for cumulative and projected long-term effects from the point of view that each generation is trustee of the environment for each succeeding generation.
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.


5.1 Radiological Impact on Biota Other Than Man In this section the applicant should consider the impact on biota other than man attributable to the release of radioactive materials from the facility.
Thic deikree of detail it ble provided will generally l.ocatlotis of l',:il otl crops wltese seepage from landlills.


The biota to be considered are those species of local flora and local and migratory fauna defined as "important'
,,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.
in Section 2.9.Since the region may contain many important species, the applicant should concentrate any efforts on those important species whose terrestrial and aquatic habitats provide the highest potential for radiation exposure.5.1-1 Exposure Pathways The various possible pathways for radiation exposure of the important local flora and local and migratory fauna should be identified and described in textual and flow-chart format. The pathways should include the important routes of radionuclide translocation (including food chains leading to important species) to organisms or sites.5.1.2 Radioactivity in the Environment In Sections 3.4 and 3.7, the radionuclide and chemical concentrations in the liquid and gaseous effluents discharged from the site are listed.In this section, the applicant should considek how these effluents are quantitatively distributed in the environment.


Specifically, estimates should be provided for the radionuclide concentration (a) in any water sources, (b) on land areas, and (c) on vegetation (on a per unit area basis) in the environs.5-2 If there are other components of the physical environment that may become contaminated and thus result in the exposure of living organisms to radiation, they should be identified and their radioactivity burden estimated.
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.l''ctied. The                          loaleriauls hleiweet tlih. croiuitd          '    and illie above l'.;;,ottiilz.i;tillaReport should ilclulde a b ei.. discutssion                    tacilities.


In addition, information concerning any cumulative buildup of radionuclides in the environment should be presented and discussed.
Il    [t iclh&#xa2; llln  ~ic, so.ellic. cut l~ll,]: . :1111.lil m att',lsign Iil t.'U l e.


A summary of data, assumptions, and models used in determining radioactivity concentrations and burdens should be provided.From considerations of the exposure pathways and the distribution of radioactivity released into the environs, the applicant should estimate the maximum radionuclide concentrations that may be present in important local flora and local and migratory fauna. Values of bioaccumulation factors used in preparing the estimates should be based on site-specific data if available;  
..
otherwise, values from the literature may be used.The applicant should tabulate and reference the values of bioaccumulation factors used in the calculations.
    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.


5.2 Radiological Impact on Man In this section the applicant should consider the radiological effects of operations and transportation of radioactive materials on man. Estimates of the radiological impact on man via various exposure pathways should be provided.5.2.1 Exposure Pathways The various possible pathways for radiation exposure of man should be identified and described in textual and flow chart format.Discuss any exposure pathways, if they exist, involving radionuclide accumulation in specific components of the environment.
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.


5-3
e:!,.        ittmlih. The National Rcgistryi                          l Natural
5.2.2 Liquid Effluents Estimate the expected annual average concentrations of radioactive nuclides (listed in Sections 3.4 and 3.7) in receiving water at locations where water is consumed or otherwise used by human beings or where it is inhabited by biota of significance to human food chains. Specify the dilution factors used in preparing the estimates and the locations where the dilution factors are applicable.
  /.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(egi&#xfd;ster 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.


Consideration should be given to the absence of mixing and dilution because of factors such as channeling.
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.


Determine the expected radionuclide concentrations in aquatic and terrestrial organisms significant to human food chains. Use the bioaccumu- lation factors given in Section 5.1.2 or supply. others as necessary.
,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.


Using the above information and any other necessary supporting data, calculate the total annual body and significant organ doses (millirems)
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.
to individuals in the population (discussed in Section 2.3) from all receiving-water-related exposure pathways, i.e., all sources of internal and external exposure.


Provide, as an appendix, details of the models and assumptions used in these calculations.
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


5.2.3 Airborne Effluents From release rates of airborne radioactivity and meteorological.
====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


data (Sections
====e. Where====
3.4, 3.7, and 2.8), estimate total annual body and signif-icant organ doses (millirems)
to individuals exposed at the point of maximum ground-level concentrations off site, individuals exposed at the site boundary in the direction of the prevailing wind, individuals exposed at the site boundary nearest to the sources of emission, and individuals exposed at the nearest residence in the direction of prevailing wind. Assume annual average meteorological conditions.


Identify locations of points of release (e.g., stack, roof vent) used in calculations.
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.


5-4 Estimate deposition of radioactive materials on food crops and pasture grass. Estimate total annual body doses (millirems)  
l)escrib      ic ,"alw.,;th t)l ecot-h--ical ,iicce.siot)n. )s,',ss the
and significant annual doses received by other organs via such potential pathways.Provide an appendix describing the models used in these calculations.
                      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.


5.2.4 Direct Radiation The applicant should provide an estimate of the maximum annual external dose (millirems)
2.8 Ecology
that would be received by an individual at the nearest site boundary from direct radiation.
                                                                                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.


Provide an appendix describing the models and assumptions used in these calculations.
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


5.2.5 Summary of Annual Radiation Doses The applicant should provide estimates of the maximum annual doses (millirems)  
====n. Such information====
to an individual at the site boundary and the nearest residence that could be received via all pathways.The applicant should also present a table that summarizes the estimated radiation dose to the regional population (within 80-km) from mill- and mine-related sources using values calculated in previous sections.
"important" (I) if it is commercially ar recreationally            should be included here.


The tabulation should include (a) the total annual doses (man-rems)
valuable, (2) if it is rare or endangered. (3) if it affects the well-being of some important species within criteria
to the population (discussed in Section 2.3) from all receiving- water-related pathways and (b) the total annual doses (man-rems)  
                                                                                        3.0 THE MILL AND MINE
to the population attributable to airborne effluents.
(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.


5.3 Effects of Chemical Discharges In this section, the specific concentrations of nonradioactive wastes in effluents at the points, of discharge should be compared with natural ambient concentrations without the discharge and also compared with applicable standards.
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.


The projected effects of the effluents for 5-5 both acute and chronic exposure of the biota (including any long-term buildup in soils and sediments and in the biota) should be identified and discussed.
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.


Dilution and mixing of discharges into the receiving environs should be discussed in detail, and estimates of concentrations at various distances from the point of discharge should be provided.The effects on terrestrial and aquatic environments from chemical wastes that contaminate ground water should be included.5.4 Effects of Sanitary and Other Waste Discharges Describe and discuss the environmental impact associated with sanitary and other mill waste systems discussed in Section 3.6.5.5 Other Effects The applicant should discuss any effects of operation that do not clearly fall under any single topic of Sections 5.1 through 5.4. These may include changes in land and water use at the project site, interac-tion of the facility with other existing or projected neighboring facilities, effect of ground-water withdrawal on ground-water resources in the vicinity of the mine and mill, effects of construction and operation of roads, transmission corridors, railroads, etc., effects of changes in surface water availability on biotic populations, and disposal of solid and liquid wastes other than those already discussed.
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.


5.6 Resources Committed Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources due to mine and mill operation should be discussed.
Thie discussion of species-environment relationships
                                                                                                  3.2 Mill Circuit should include descriptions of area usage (e.g.. habitat.


This discussion should include both direct commitments such as depletion of aranium resources and irreversible environmental losses such as destruction, of wildlife habitat.5-6 In this discussion, the applicant should consider lost resources from the viewpoints of both relative impacts and long-term net effects.As an example of relative impact assessment, the loss of a few animals of a given species could represent quite different degrees of significance, depending on the total population in the immediate region. Such a loss in the case of a small local population, however, could be less serious if the same species were abundant in neighboring regions. Similarly, the loss of a given area of highly desirable land should be evaluated in terms of the total amount of such land in the environs.
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


These relative assessments should accordingly include statements expressed in percentage terms in which the amount of expected resource loss is related to the total resource in the immediate region and in which the total in the immediate region is related to that in surrounding regions. The latter should be specified in terms of areas and distances from the site.5-7
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-
6. EFFLUENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL
                                                                                        2.   A descripition of' the tining niehod(s) ti) he
MEASUREMENTS
                3.3 Sources of Mill Wastes and Effluents                        eniployed;
AND MONITORING
                                                                                              .A descrii li ittn of rIt'    I II ethldis) for
PROGRAMS The purpose of this chapter is to describe in detail the means by which the applicant collected the baseline data presented in other chapters and to describe the applicant's plans and programs for monitor-ing the impacts of the proposed activities on the environment.
            (.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.


Section 6.1 is addressed to the measurement of preexisting character- istics of the site and the surrounding region. This program will estab-lish a reference framework for assessing subsequent environmental effects attributable to the proposed activity and for use as baseline reference data at the time of site decommissioning.
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.


The applicant's attention is directed to two considerations pertinent to Section 6.1. First, the term "preexisting" refers to the characteristics of the site prior to any mining-related activities.
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.


A given characteristic or parameter may or may not require assessment prior to site disturbance and mill construction, depending on whether that particular characteristic may be altered at these stages. Second, in most instances this guide indicates the specific environmental effects to be evaluated;
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.ltL&#xfd;I.,. 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
consequently, the parameters to be measured will be apparent.
            2.    flhe results of soil tests. ecologic exploration.


In some cases, it may be necessary to establish a monitoring program based on the applicant's own identification of potential or possible effects and to provide the underlying rationale for such a program. Accordingly, the applicant should carefully review the plans for measurement of preexisting conditions to ensure that these plans include all factors that must be subsequently monitored as discussed in Section 6.2.6-1 Sampling design, frequency, methodology (including calibration and checks with standards), and instrumentation for both collection and analysis should be discussed as applicable.
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.


In all cases, the applicant should estimate the statistical validity of any proposed sampling program. Information should be provided on instrument accuracy, sensitivity, and (especially for highly automated systems) reliability.
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.


Where standard analytical or sampling techniques can be identified, they need only be so identified and referenced.
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


For quantitative descriptions of samples collected within each area of interest and each time of interest, descriptive statistics should include, unless justifiably omitted, the mean, standard deviation, standard error, and a confidence interval for the mean. In each case, the sample size should be clearly indicated.
====c. according to tihe====
                            3.6 Mining Activit..
                                                                                calegorization set forth earlier in this section.


If diversity indices are used to describe a collection of organisms, the specific diversity indices used should be stated.6.1 Applicant's Preoperational Environmental Programs The programs for collection of initial or baseline environmental data prior to submittal of the license application should be described in sufficient detail to make it clear that the applicant has established a thorough and comprehensive approach to environmental assessment.
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


The description of these programs should be confined principally to technical descriptions of instrumentation, scheduling, technique, and procedures.
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.


Where information from the literature has been used by the applicant, it should be concisely summarized and documented by reference to original data sources. Where the availability of original sources that support important conclusions is limited, the applicant should provide either 6-2 extensive quotations or references to accessible secondary sources.*
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.
In all cases, information derived from published results should be clearly distinguished from information derived from the applicant's field measurements.


6.1.1 Surface Waters If a body of surface water may be affected by the proposed activi-ties, the applicant should describe the programs by which the background condition of the water and the related ecology were determined.
activities associated with any provision of housing.             ecological systems. and impnrtant plants :nd anintials.


If a natural water body has already been subjected to environmental stress from pollutant sources, the nature of this stress and its consequences should be evaluated.
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 applicant should estimate the potential quality of the affected water body.6.1.2 Ground Water In those cases in which the proposed activities may potentially affect local ground water, the program leading to assessment of potential effects should be described.
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.


6.1.2.1 Physical and Chemical Parameters.
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.


The properties and configuration of the local aquifer will have been defined in sufficient detail (in Section 2.7) to permit a reasonable projection of effects of proposed activities on the ground water. Methods for obtaining information on ground-water levels and ground-water quality should be described.
for habitat improvement, should be described.


Any reports of work (e.g., ecological surveys) supported by the applicant that are of significant value in assessing the environmental impact of the facility should be included as appendices or supplements to the environ-mental report unless these reports are otherwise generally available.
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.


6-3
for more detailed consideration.)
6.1.2.2 Models. Models may be used to predict such effects as changes in ground-water levels, dispersion of contaminants, and eventual transport through aquifers to surface water bodies. The models should be described and supporting evidence for their reliability and validity presented.
          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.


6.1.3 Air The applicant should describethe program for obtaining information on local air quality and local and regional meteorology.
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


6.1.3.1 Meteorology.
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.lppli&#xfd;:.n1lf  sholt~ d estilliale the 1)1:13/4iln~lllln of release (slack. roof %"eill.  etc.) used ill calculalitis.


The applicant should identify sources of meteorological data used in the atmospheric transport models and reported in Section 2.8. Locations and elevations of observation stations, instrumentation, and frequency and duration of measurements should be specified both for the applicant's measuring activities and for activities of governmental agencies or other organizations on whose information the applicant intends to rely. Guidance for an acceptable meteorological measurement program and for data format is presented in Regulatory Guide 1.23 (Safety Guide 23), "Onsite Meteorological Programs." The description should show the basis for predicting such effects as the dispersion of airborne effluents and should present the methodology for gathering baseline data.6.1.3.2 Models. Any models used by the applicant, either to derive estimates of basic meteorological information or to estimate the effects of effluents, should be described in detail and their validity and accuracy discussed.
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.


Staff guidance should be sought in adapting existing guidance such as provided in Regulatory Guide 1.111, "Methods for Estimating Atmospheric Transport and Dispersion for Gaseous Effluents in Routine Releases from Light-Water-Cooled Reactors," to the particular effluents from uranium mines and mills.6-4
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.
6.1.4 Land Data coliection ana evaluation programs concerning the terrestrial environment of the proposed mill should be described and justified with regard to both scope and methodology.


6.1.4.1 Geology and Soils. Those geological and soil studies designed to determine the environmental impact of the construction or operation of the mine/mill should be described.
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.


The description should include identification of the sampling pattern and the justification for its selection, the sampling method, holding periods, preanalysis treatment, and analytic techniques.
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


Other geological and soil studies (e.g., those conducted in support of safety analyses)  
====s. The tabulation====
should be briefly summarized and reference made to the relevant reports for a more detailed presentation.
            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.


6.1.4.2 Land Use and Demographic Surveys. The applicant should describe its program for identifying the actual land use in the site environs and for acquiring demographic data for the region as reported in Section 2.3.Sources of information should be identified.
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.


Methods used to fore-cast probable changes in land use and demographic trends should be described.
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.


6.1.4.3 Ecological Parameters.
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.


In this section, the applicant should discuss the program used to assess the ecological characteristics of the site, with primary reference to important biota identified in Section 2.9.6.1.5 Radiological Surveys This section of the environmental report should discuss the methods used to determine the preoperational radiation levels at the site and 6-5 environs and the concentrations of radionuclides in important local and regional biota, soil, sediment, vegetation, air, and surface and ground waters.The NRC licensing staff has developed a Technical Position entitled"Preoperational Radiological Environmental Monitoring Programs for Uranium Mills."* This Technical Position specifies the essential program elements of an acceptable preoperational radiological monitoring program.6.2 Applicant's Proposed Operational Monitoring Programs The applicant should present the proposed operational monitoring program for planned operations.
3.s-7


Review of this description will be facilitated if the applicant includes maps of proposed observation sites and tabular presentation of summary descriptors of such factors as sample collection and analysis frequency, type of sampling, method of collection, analytic method, preanalysis treatment, instrumentation, and minimum sensitivities.
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.


The discussion should include the justification for the choice of sampling sites, analyses, and sampling frequencies.
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.


The program description should be explicit with respect to the parameter limits that are not to be exceeded under normal operating conditions and with regard to the actions planned in the event the limits are exceeded.6.2.1 Radiological Monitoring**
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.
The applicant's operational monitoring program for radiological effects should be described both for the mine and mill effluent-monitoring program and for the environmental monitoring program.Copies may be obtained upon request to the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, Attention:
Chief, Fuel Processing and Fabrication Branch.Regulatory Guide 4.14, "Measuring, Evaluating, and Reporting Radioactivity in Releases of Radioactive -Materials in Liquid and Airborne.Effluents from Uranium Mills," should be reviewed in connection with this section.6-6
6.2.1.1 Mill Effluent Monitoring.


Describe the proposed effluent-monitoring program for liquid and airborne effluents.
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.


Discuss the sensitivity limits for detecting radioactivity corresponding to routinely expected release rates. List the effluent streams, if any, that will not be monitored and provide a brief rationale for the absence of monitor-ing. Also, provide criteria for setting threshold levels for corrective action and describe the actions to be taken if these levels are exceeded.6.2.1.2 Environmental Radiological Monitoring.
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.


The operational monitoring program should be described in detail, with specific attention given to the types of samples to be collected, sampling locations and frequency, the analyses to be performed on each sample, the analytical sensitivity (detection threshold)
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.
for each analysis, and the criteria for investigating increases of concentration of material detected in the environs.6.2.2 Chemical Effluent Monitoring The proposed measurement program, including instrumentation, locations,-_ frequencies, and analytical techniques, should be fully described.


The description of the program should include instrumentation sensitivity and reliability.
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.


Monitoring procedures prescribed by local, State, or Federal agencies as conditions placed on operation should be so identified.
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.


The criteria for setting threshold levels for corrective action should be presented.
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.


In the case of prescribed quantitative standards set by agencies, the applicable regulation should be cited. In the case of quantitative limits set by the applicant tb conform to qualitative standards or restrictions, the applicant's rationale should be presented.
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.


In either case, if measurements exceed thresholds, the action to be taken should be specified.
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


6-7
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.
6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring The applicant's program for monitoring meteorological phenomena should be described.


6.2.4 Ecological Monitoring In the preoperational surveillance program, the applicant will have established methodology for determining the ecological characteristics of the region. The applicant should describe any additional ecological monitoring to be conducted during plant operation.
groundwater quality should be described.


6.3 Related Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Programs When the applicant's site lies within a region for which environ-mental measurement or monitoring programs are carried out by public agencies or other agencies not directly supported by the applicant, any such related programs known to the applicant should be identified and discussed.
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.


Relevance of such independent findings to the proposed facility's effects should be described, and plans for exchange of informa-tion, if any, should be presented.
to surlface water ttodics. Thie nodels should be described and supporting evidence for their reliability and validity        6.1.5 Radiological Surveys presented.


Agencies responsible for the programs should be identified, and, to the extent possible, the procedures and methodology employed should be briefly described.
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.


6-8
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


===7. ENVIRONMENTAL ===
====s. sampling====
EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS The applicant should discuss the environmental effects of possible accidents that may occur at the mill and during transportation of mate-rials to and from the mill, whether or not those accidents may produce an impact on the site or its environs.
        6.1.3.1 Meteorolof,                                        methods, duration and frequency. arid analytical Tile applicant should identify sources of             procedures (inclu din-g preanalysis t reatment.


Analyses should be based on relevant experience and statistics from operation of similar milling and transportation operations.
meteorological data relevant to such effects as the              instrumen tat ion, and minimum sensitivities) as dispersion of gaseous effluents. Locations of observation        applicable.


The statistical validity of the data should be discussed as well as the rationale for applying the data to the applicant's proposed operation.
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.


Accidents due to both man-caused and natural phenomena should be addressed.
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.


7.1 Mill Accidents Involving Radioactivity The applicant should provide accident analyses for a spectrum of accidents that might occur ranging in severity from trivial (essentially no release of radioactivity to the environment)
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.
to very large releases.Each class within the spectrum should be characterized by an occurrence rate or probability and its potential consequences, if any. Examples of accidents resulting in large releases would be a tornado striking the mill or the failure of a waste retention system resulting from an act of nature or misoperation.


Examples of accidents resulting in small releases would be a fire or explosion in a solvent extraction circuit or failure of the air cleaning system serving the yellowcake area during operation.
descrihetl and their validity ant! accuracy discussed.


An example of a trivial accident would be the malfunction of mill process equipment or the rupture of a vessel containing mill solutions.
analytic method. pre-tnalysis treatment, instrumentation.


7.2 Transportation Accidents The potential environmental effects from transportation accidents involving radioactive and other hazardous materials should be evaluated.
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.


7-1 Even though the probability of such an accident may be low and its con-sequences small, the applicant should identify the environmental effects that might result. Adequate documentation should be presented to provide assurance that all safety requirements will be met prior to transportation of hazardous materials (e.g., spillage of hazardous chemicals, ores, fuels, yellow cake, sulfuric acid).7.3 Other Accidents In addition to accidents that can release radioactivity to the environs, there may be accidents that, although radioactive materials are not involved, do have consequences that affect the environment.
methIudol gy.


Such accidents as chemical explosions or fires, steam boiler failures, and leakage or rupture of vessels containing toxic materials can have significant environmental impacts. These possible accidents and asso-ciated effects should be identified and evaluated.
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.


7-2
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.
8. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EFFECTS OF MILL CONSTRUCTION
AND OPERATION The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidance on the information needed to assess the economic and social effects of the proposed facility.There are, of course, limitations on the extent to which all the social and economic benefits and costs of a uranium milling project can be evaluated.


The wide variety of benefits and costs are not only diffi-cult to assess, but many are not amenable to quantification or even to estimation in commensurable units. Some primary benefits such as the quantity of uranium recovered are, to a degree, measurable as are the capital costs and operating and maintenance costs of the proposed facility.On the other hand, numerous environmental costs and their economic and social consequences are not readily quantified.
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.


8.1 Benefits The primary benefits of the proposed nuclear facility are those inherent in the value of the uranium to be recovered and the kilowatt-hours of electricity it represents.
3.8-9


There are other social and economic benefits that affect various political jurisdictions or interests to a greater or lesser degree.Some of these reflect transfer payments or other values that may partially, if not fully, compensate for certain services as well as external or environmental costs, and this fact should be reflected in the designation of the benefit. The following lists some examples:.Tax revenues to be received by local, State, and Federal governments.
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.


.Temporary and permanent new jobs created and payroll (value-added concept).8-1 Incremental increase in regional product.Enhancement of recreational values.* Environmental enhancement in support of the propagation or protection of wildlife and the improvement of wildlife habitats.-Creation and improvement of local roads, waterways, or other transporta- tion facilities.
analysis and the schedule for reporting data collected from the surveillance program should he discussed.


* Increased knowledge of the environment as a consequence of ecological research and environmental monitoring activities associated with plant operation and technological improvements from the applicant's research program.The applicant should discuss significant benefits that may be realized from the construction and operation of the proposed mill.Where the benefits can be expressed -in monetary terms, they should be discounted to present worth. In each instance where a particular benefit is discussed, the applicant should indicate, to the extent practical, who is likely to be affected and for how long. In the case of esthetic impacts that are difficult to quantify, the applicant should provide pictorial drawings of structures or environmental modifications visible to the public (refer to Section 3.2).8.2 Costs The economic and social costs resulting from the proposed nuclear facility and its milling project are likewise complex and need to be appraised.
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.


The primary internal costs are (1) the capital costs of land acqui-sition and improvement, (2) the capital costs of facility construction, 8-2
whether or not these accidents might, prIdtc                      1 analytical techniques, should be fully described. The radiological impact onl the site andi/or its envitonis.
0,) other operating and maintenance costs, including license fees and taxes, (4) plant decommissioning, tailings stabilization, and site reclamation costs, and (5) research and development costs associated with potential future improvements of the mill and its operation and maintenance.


As in the case of benefits, the applicant should discount these costs to present worth.There are also external costs. Their effects on the interests of people need to be examined.
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.


The applicant should supply, as applicable, an evaluation plus supporting data and rationale regarding such external social and economic costs. For each cost, the applicant should describe the probable number and location of the population group adversely affected, the estimated economic and social impact, and any special measures to be taken to alleviate the impact.Temporary external costs include shortages of housing; inflationary rentals or prices; congestion of local streets and highways;
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
noise and temporary esthetic disturbances;
6.2.3 Meteorological Monitoring                                  solutions, or a failure of a w asIC distrihuti.n pipeline.
overloading of water supply and sewage treatment facilities;
crowding of local schools, hospitals, or other public facilities;
overtaxing of community services;
and disruption of people's lives or the local community caused by acquisition of land for the proposed site.Long-term external costs include impairment of recreational values (e.g., reduced availability of desired species of wildlife and sport animals, restrictions on access to land or water areas preferred for recreational use); deterioration of esthetic and scenic values; restric-tions on access to areas of scenic, historic, or cultural interest;degradation of areas having historic, cultural, natural, or archeological value; removal of land from present or contemplated alternative uses;reduction of regional products because of displacement of persons from the land proposed for the site; lost income from recreation or tourism that may be impaired by environmental disturbances;
lost income attributable
8-3 to environmental degradation;
decrease in real estate values in areas adjacent to the proposed facility;
increased costs to local governments for the services required by the permanently employed workers and their families.


In discussing the costs, the applicant should indicate to the extent practical who is likely to be affected and for how long.8-4
An example of a trivial accident ,vohl          otdhe le The applicant's        program for monitoring              malfunction of mill process equipment.


===9. DECOMMISSIONING ===
meteorological phenomena should be described.
AND RECLAMATION
The applicant should describe in depth its plans for mill decommis-sioning and site reclamation.


Detailed discussions should be provided for the following:
7.2 Transportation Accidents
a. Plans for reclaiming and restoring lands disturbed by mining and milling activities.
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.


b. A technical and financial feasibility assessment on methods and costs of mill decommissioning and site (including tailings area)reclamation.
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


c. Financial arrangements to be made (such as bonding arrangements, etc.) to ensure that adequate funds will be available for mill decommissioning, site reclamation, and restoration when opera-tions are concluded.
====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.


In the discussion of reclamation of tailings disposal areas, consider-ation should be given to the following post-reclamation performance objectives developed by the NRC staff: a. Reduce direct gamma radiation from the impoundment area to essentially background.
3.8-I0


b. Reduce the radon emanation rate from the impoundment area to about twice the emanation rate in the surrounding environs.c. Eliminate the need for an ongoing monitoring and maintenance program following successful reclamation.
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.


d. Provide surety arrangements to ensure that sufficient funds are available to complete the full reclamation plan.9-1
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.
1


===0. ALTERNATIVES ===
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
TO THE PROPOSED ACTION In this chapter of the environmental report, the applicant's choice of a particular mill at a particular site and the location of project structures on the site must be supported through a comparative evaluation of available alternatives.
  :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.


To the extent possible, the applicant should discuss all alternative parameters.
r-,IIseqtnence,. are not readily quatllilied.                          tie applicanit should discount these costs to present worth.


The NRC will consider all. available alternatives that may reduce or avoid adverse environmental, social, and economic effects expected to result from construction and operation of the proposed milling and mining project. The NRC will not specify in advance which alternatives should be selected by the applicant for consideration;
X*. Benefits There are also external costs. Their effects ott the interests of people need to he examine
rather, the applicant should make this selection and also make clear the basis and rationale for the choices in regard to number, availability, suitability, and factors limiting the range of alternatives that might avoid some or all of the environmental effects previously identified.


Particular attention should be placed on the relationship between tailings management alternatives and mill site and process alternatives.
====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.


In the discussion of tailings management alternatives, considera- tion should be given to the following siting, design, and operation performance objectives developed by the staff in addition to the post-reclamation performance objectives listed in Chapter 9: a. Locate the tailings isolation area remote from people in order to reduce population exposures to the maximum extent reasonably achievable.
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.


b. Locate the tailings isolation area so that disruption and dispersion by natural forces is eliminated or reduced to the maximum extent reasonably achievable.
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.


c. Design the isolation area so that seepage of toxic materials into the ground-water system would be eliminated or reduced to the maximum extent reasonably achievable.
"      E-nhancetrient of recrealional values.


d. Eliminate the blowing of tailings to unrestricted areas during normal operating conditions and prior to final reclamation.
*      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.


10-2
13.8-11
11. BENEFIT-COST
ANALYSIS In this chapter the applicant's benefit-cost statement should be presented.


The presentation should be made in the form of a narrative with accompanying tables and charts. It should make clear what the applicant considers to be the important benefits and costs of the pro-posed facility and why, in the judgment of the applicant, the former outweigh the latter.The applicant will have to develop criteria for assessing and com-paring benefits and costs where these are expressed in nonmonetary or qualitative terms. The rationales for the selection among site-mill alternatives, as well as among subsystem alternatives, should be pre-sented. In any case, the applicant should carefully describe any aggre-gation of effects and discuss in detail the tradeoffs that were made in order to justify the proposed operation.
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.


If any of the benefits or costs are deleted from the applicant's analysis, the rationale for doing so should be explained.
-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.


The applicant should key all the terms used in the benefit-cost analysis to the relevant sections of the environmental report.11-1
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
1
  10.0 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED'ACTION                            authorities.


===2. ENVIRONMENTAL ===
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.
APPROVALS
AND CONSULTATIONS
List all licenses, permits, and other approvals of construction and operations required by Federal, State, local, and regional authorities for the protection of the environment.*
List those Federal and State approvals that have already been received and indicate the status of matters regarding approvals yet to be obtained.


For general background, submit similar information regarding approvals, licenses, and contacts with local authorities.
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.


Discuss the status of efforts to obtain a water quality certifica- tion under Section 401 and discharge permits under Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended. If not already obtained, indicate when certification is expected.
citizen groups witih reference given it) srecific illsl:tilces of the applicant's compliance with cilizerl irollfp
              11.0 BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS
                                                                      recommendations.


If certification is not required, explain.In view of the effects of the plant on the economic development of the region in which it is located, the applicant should also note the State, local, and regional planning authorities contacted or consulted.
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.


Office of Management and Budget Circular A-95*', identifies the State, metropolitan, and regional clearinghouse that should be contacted, as appropriate.
the judgment of the applicant. the former outweigh the
                                                                            'The  binaccutmutilion    factor is the equililbriin, rjtiti:
latter.


Cite meetings held with environmental and other citizen groups with reference given to specific instances of the applicant's compliance with citizen group recommendations.
(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.


This list should be updated bimonthly until final action is taken by the NRC.Inquiries concerning this circular may be addressed to the Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.12-1
iptelneni'
1
as well as among subsystem alternatives, should be                     unless the reports are oltherwise pencrally available.


===3. REFERENCES===
3.8.12}}
The applicant should provide a bibliography of all sources used in preparation of the environmental report. References cited should be keyed to the specific sections and page numbers to which they apply.13-1 APPENDIX A SUGGESTED
FORMAT FOR REPORTING
RADIOLOGICAL
PARAMETERS
TABLE A-i AVERAGE ANNUAL RADIOACTIVE
NUCLIDE EMISSIONS (in curies)DURING ACTIVE MILLING AND MINING OPERATIONS
Nuclide Source U-238 U-234 Th-230 Ra-226 Rn-222 Pb-210 Mine Ore Pad and Feeding Grinding Uranium Concentrating and Packaging Tailings TABLE A-2 PRINCIPAL
PARAMETERS
FOR RADIOLOGICAL
ASSESSMENT
Parameter Ore quality, U 3 0 8 Ore activity;
U-238, U-234, Th-230, Ra-226, and Pb-210 Operating days per year (plant factor)Ore process rate Extraction efficiency Yellowcake yield Yellowcake quality, U 3 0 8 Yellowcake drying stack effluent, U3 08 Yellowcake drying stack filter efficiency Total mine area Active mine area Average mine depth Average hauling distance Total tailings area Tailings pond (solution)
area Tailings impoundment depth (20th.year)
Tailings density Seepage rate from tailings impoundment Fraction U, Th-230, Ra-226, and Pb-210 to tailings Mill water throughput Ore pad area and height Ore storage time Tailings activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210 in slimes Tailings activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210 in sand Tailings activity, U, Ra-226, Th-230, and Pb-210 in solution Value pCi/g days tonnes/yr tonnes/yr kg/yr 2 m 2 m m m 2 2 m m g/cm3 gpm n, "/yr 2 m , m days pCi/g pCi/g pCi/1 A-2}}


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Latest revision as of 01:21, 20 March 2020

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)
v • d • e


Si

.

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


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